Prelude
I am Gewis, High King of the Saxons, and have been so for twenty years. My early reign was fraught with hard struggles against Franks, Langobards, and Romans. But my kingdom has known relative peace for over a decade. The Angles and Jutes are the staunchest of our allies, while the Burgundians call us friends as well. Gaul and Marcoman are perhaps not so amicable, but neither are they hostile, and prefer to trade rather than provoke. As well they might; Saxony is strong. Our lands encompass most of Frisia, all of Belgica, and a good part of Germania.
Other nearby powers, however, have chosen to leave their own lands, and burnt all in their wake. The Romans, moreover, have apparently retreated from this part of Europa. While we remain in a state of war with Rome, we have not seen a legion in over 10 years. Instead, as we look south, we see nothing but barren waste. The formerly proud Roman province of Maxima Sequanorum is home now to naught but vultures and wolves. We move south, advancing not against an enemy host, but against devastation itself. Our goal is to bring this wasteland back into production...as Saxon territory.
At the head of the Saxon royal army, I re-occupy the ruins of Vesontio. After much monetary reinvestment and many months of clearing away the rubble, Vesontio is now productive again, and Maxima Sequanorum begins once again to pour forth its wealth, now into Saxon coffers. I am pleased.
In the mountains above the capital, however, more riches await. Similarly desolated, Octodurum's iron mines beckon. Seeing no others hastening to claim this prize, I lead my Royals further south, up into the Alps. Octodurum is ours. Once more our reinvigoration program begins. I gleefully anticipate the additional wealth and power that the mines will bestow upon us.
By entering the Alps, however, we come once more upon a hostile border. Separated for so many years by leagues of barren waste, we are now again in contact with Romans. Not the Empire itself, but Romans nevertheless. The breakaway Roman state of Septimania now holds the old Narbonensis, while other allied Roman Separatists rule Liguria. Politically hostile to the Empire they may be, but they inherit imperial attitudes towards old enemies. They are none too happy to see a Saxon army appear in the Alpine passes above them...and soon make clear they are determined to drive us out.
Septimania strikes; sending two large armies toward Octodurum. They arrive on our very doorstep even as the declaration of war is delivered into my hands. We hasten to defend the town....badly outnumbered. The main Septimanian force advances from the west, towards the long entry ramp which winds toward the south end of the town. My Nordic Bows position to fire upon them during this long advance. A second, smaller force gathers to the north, but for now they do not move. We focus on the threat at hand.
The Battle of Octodurum has commenced.
https://i.imgur.com/CgwnJFm.jpg
Septimanian infantry begin to advance up the ramp toward Octodurum.
https://i.imgur.com/0K884jq.jpg
Led by Steppe Levy mercenaries, the Septimanian infantry rushes up the ramp under missile fire. The resultant fatigue will become a significant factor once battle is joined.
https://i.imgur.com/vZCQjWp.jpg
Germanic mounted mercenaries lead the Septimanian advance, and will be first to make contact.
https://i.imgur.com/9SB6DWD.jpg
Nordic Spears hasten to form a defensive line at the south end of town, while our valiant skirmisher cavalry momentarily halt the Septimanian horse.
https://i.imgur.com/S3K31IF.jpg
Our spearmen meet the intial enemy cavalry charge
https://i.imgur.com/0RtP6lc.jpg
Nordic Spears have decimated the mounted mercenaries; the few survivors withdraw. Septimania's first foray fails.
https://i.imgur.com/CPQ0fs3.jpg
The battle begins in earnest; Septimanian infantry now approach the Saxon line
https://i.imgur.com/TgsGvZs.jpg
Nordic Spearmen meet Germanic Mercenaries and Explorates.
https://i.imgur.com/rzXpMXU.jpg
The struggle grows; Comitanensis Spears enter the fray, while we commit Nordic Brigades. While substantially outnumbered, our fortunes are aided by the close quarters preventing a turn of our flanks, and even more by the Septimanians' exhaustion after the long uphill approach.
https://i.imgur.com/1Vzu2bf.jpg
Meanwhile, some unnoticed Comitanensis Spears bypassed the struggle below and entered the high citadel. Having destroyed some of my Nordic Bows, they are now caught on the parapet themselves by counterattacking Nordic Spears. The lone Septimanian unit is soon dispatched...at regrettable cost, however, to my archers.
https://i.imgur.com/AFV8EDp.jpg
The Septimanians' northern force has begun to move; Comitanensis Spears approach the citadel. With most forces committed to the south, the upwards approach here is nearly undefended.
https://i.imgur.com/MYDQvbe.jpg
In the main confrontation, the Septimanian right flank has folded. Our Saxon left can now wheel and apply pressure to the center.
https://i.imgur.com/vK0GdLX.jpg
With the issue still in doubt, Nordic Warriors arrive to bolster the line. For now, they support the hard-fighting Spearmen with javelins.
https://i.imgur.com/CdMMxdj.jpg
After valiant struggle and inflicting terrible damage, the center line of Nordic Spears finally breaks. Confident Nordic Warriors calmly advance to fill the breach.
https://i.imgur.com/CVmh2kC.jpg
The Nordic Warriors' fearsome reputation permanently tips the balance in our favor. Their arrival disheartens the Septimanian ranks; they break and withdraw. The southern attack is repulsed. The citadel, however, is under dire threat; these troops have no time to rest.
https://i.imgur.com/939uG8m.jpg
The battle is not yet won. While smaller in scale, an equally ferocious melee rages at the very doors to the keep. Having merely directed the southern defense from a safe vantage point above, I now find myself in the midst of clashing sword, spear, and shield.
https://i.imgur.com/mvWaKos.jpg
As news spreads, however, of the southern repulse and their commander's demise, the northern Septimanian force begins to falter as well.
https://i.imgur.com/GpIbUyP.jpg
Our Nordic Warriors' arrival seals the victory. Rout ensues; the Septimanian infantry stampede down from the citadel. Octodurum is saved...but at ruinous cost. A Pyrrhic victory
Aftermath
Despite the victory, our position did not improve. More Septimanian forces advanced towards us, joined by the Roman Separatist and Vandal allies. Five separate fresh and hostile armies eagerly sought vengeance. My victorious Saxons were horribly depleted, with no support within a season's march. So much Saxon blood had been spilled to defend this town...but my first duty was to preserve the lives of the men remaining. With much regret, I abandoned Octodurum, and returned north.
