[Blitz]

Turn Four

The entire might of the imperial army is unleashed on the unsuspecting garrison of Salt Plain with pleasing results. As the first line of Cardaces crashed into the poorly-trained militias of Salt Plain, our peLasts simultaniously unleashed their first volley of javelins. Fourteen of them fell in one wave, and their better armed spearmen and footmen turned and fled! Syren and Klepohon wiped out four of their commanders in the first wave, and blocked the passage of many of the routing army. Sadly, even in a battle this one-sided we managed to lose two men. I knew the ranks of peLasts and cardaces would not stand up to the perils that lay ahead. These men were already dead. Fortunately they did not know it, and were celebrating a great victory for the people of Arcoscephale on this day.

Back in the capitol, I noted with pleasure that our new mystic had brought with him a gift of fire gems he had found on his way to the capitol. Anthros was a skilled water mage, with some talents in the realm of earth. His skills may be needed sooner rather than later, however. I noted with displeasure that in addition to the accursed Ry'leh forces, we had an infestation of Atlantian spearmen off our eastern shores. Where could they have come from? The only explanation for their presence is that they had crossed the small ithmus to the east. This was troubling, as if the atlantians were to be so bold, they may just feel corageous enough to try and invade further onto the mainland. Not much to be done about it now, however. I imagine they have enough to worry about being so close to the Ry'leh capitol. They are no friends of ours, but they cannot hate us as much as they do the Atlantians could they? Surely not.

Nanvather brings good and bad news together. On the western shores of the mainland, he has located a nation of skilled horsemen. Long have I indicated to our generals that some heavy cavalry akin to those found in the armies of the other nations of man could enhance our armies greatly. They stubbornly stand by the chariot, but I hope to replace them with a more modern cavalry. But we have no time for that now, as the time has come for a decision regarding the barbarians in the Isle of White Oak. Any invasion would doubtlessly be costly, and there was even a chance of defeat. Anthros would in time be able to turn the tide in our favor, but for now he was not yet skilled enough. My instincts tell me that an arial invasion of the mainland with merely Syren and Klepohon would not be prudent at this time. While I have faith in their battle prowness, such boldness could easily backfire and end my campaign early.

While pondering the matter, I turn my attention to the realm of magics. While Anthros was indeed a skilled water mage, I knew he would need more help in finding sites of magical power. I recruit a second mystic, while continuing to admonish our nation's smiths to work more quickly. I note with pleasure that the conquest of Salt Plains has increased the flow of resources to the capitol. That sealed my decision. I would invade the tiny Island of White Oak, regardless of the cost. I inform my generals that again, the entire military might of Arcoscephale would be summoned and their combined wrath brought down on those fifty barbarian warriors. The price would be high, but in times of war men must do what they must do.