Ostefal Landing

The Ostefal Landing was a crucial point during the Invasion of Vedrofal. This was the first successful attempt by the Heldrath Empire to land onto the shores of Vedrofal. However, upon landing, they was a defensive force already waiting for them. If the soldiers of the empire were able to secure a strong foothold, then they would have been able to utilize their troops to slowly crush the defenders.

The Background
The Kingdom of Vedrofal fielded a superior navy commanded by a brilliant admiral. The imperial navy engaged several times trying to break the Vedrofal fleet but being thwarted multiple times. With much of their navy in tatters, the generals of the Heldrath Empire decided to launch an offensive once more, this time utilizing their entire remaining fleet and strike the southern part of the Islands which was the closest to the mainland. They projected that even if successful in defeating the enemy, it would utterly ruin their navy and thus result in a pyrrhic victory. However, by keeping the enemy navy to the south, they mobilized a large invading force towards the north and struck at Ostefal. They believed that due to the friction between the northern and southern islanders, they can bring the northerners to their side and due to the short distance between the landing site and the capital, use the combined forces of the imperial army and the northerners and take down Vedrofal.

They sent word to Duke Vidar of Iberfal to gain their support stated with the promise that upon victory, the Duke of Iberfal would be the new governor of the Western Thalmir Islands, once the lands are brought into imperial control. This would officially make Duke Vidar the puppet of the emperor. Believing that it was a fair and generous offer and running short on time, the generals of the imperial army launched their invasion to Ostefal before awaiting a reply. They thought that it would be foolish to reject the offer and even if they did, they would not be able to mount an efficient defense. Thus 100,000 of the 200,000 invasion army was set sail towards Vedrofal with 2nd Prince Norvon of the Heldrath Empire personally observing the invasion.

Ostefal was initially lightly defended as much of the resources were spent supporting the navy and the southern region of the kingdom. While some lords were concerned of a possible invasion, they still believed it was vital for them to spend the majority of their resources aiding the south.

The Battle
Upon receiving the letter, Duke Vidar ordered the execution of the emissary for the empire's insulting offer. He sent word to the king and to Duke Benton of the imminent invasion and mustered his own force of 7,000 men. Duke Vidar's forces met with Duke Benton's forces of 8,000 and the two lords made preparations along the shoreline where the attack was to occur. A week later, a messander reported that the king sent reinforcements and they are on their way to assist them and would arrivein a few days. However, by then, the empire's forces arrived.

DAY 1

Surprised by the defensive formation General Harick commanded the fleet to hold their position as he sent scouts to find any easier point of entry. However, impatient and seeing they have the superiority in numbers, Prince Norvon commanded General Ojer to lead the assault. With 20,000 men, General Ojer landed on the shore and met heavy resistance. Despite General Harick's protest in pulling the men back, Prince Norvon ordered another 20,000 men to set out and push the enemy back. However, due to their defensible positions, the soldiers of Vedrofal stood their ground. Eventually, General Ojer ordered a retreat and the first day of battle came to an end with roughly a third of their numbers dead or wounded.

DAY 2

Despite the furious defense, the Dukes Vidar's and Benton's forces suffered heavy casualties with even Duke Benton being injured in battle. By morning, General Harick sent 20,000 of his men further north to try and flank their position as General Ojer led this time an army of 40,000. This time, General Ojer successfully secured the beach as Duke Benton pulled the defenders out. Further north however, General Harick's forces clashed with a portion of Duke Vidar's forces. While he was also able to secure the north shoreline, it came at a great cost for his men. With half of his forces still standing, he marched down to rally with Ojer's forces. While the two generals requested that the Prince remained on board with the fleet, Prince Norvon moved into the encampment as well stating that he would partake in the next battle himself.

DAY 3

Reinforcements arrived early morning for Vedrofal and the two forces met face to face. Hearing that the 2nd prince was with the Heldrath army, the General Muren of the reinforcements suggested that they make a show of frantically defending and then pull their forces back and lure them in. Infamous for his impatience, they believed that they would charge after them and they in turn could catch them in a pincer with the two dukes coming from the side and hopefully slay the enemy general or capture the prince. What neither side expected was that the prince led the first charge. General Muren immediately called for a retreat. Seeing the enemies routing Prince Norvon edged the army onward after Muren's forces only to be struck from three sides. Thrown into confusion, the Heldrath army began to panic. General Ojer led a group to stop one of their flanks from buckling while General Harick went in to pull Prince Norvon to safety. After the grusome slaughter, Ojer was able to mount a successful rearguard defending until the prince was safely abroad. Once aboard he called for a full retreat and the Heldrath army fell back.

Aftermath
After the failed invasion, General Harick did not send the second army and ordered the second army to be disbanded. Emperor Sargon hearing the news ordered the two generals and the prince to Heldrath Empire to the capital at once and had the three executed. The emperor stated, "No son of mine is foolish, and no loyal servants fail me." He also overrode the order to disband the army and instead ordered a conscription of the men in the Drakken region. With much unrest already mounting, the people of the Drakken region raised their arms in rebellion starting the bloody 130 years of war within the Heldrath Empire.