The War In Brief

Conflict over the control of the Po Valley had finally reached a point where outright war was the only solution. Neither the Kelgoi nor the Toutsi would yield total control to the other, and so they had moved to expand on their own respective sides of the Po River - until, of course, the Kelgoi moved to the source and crossed it. The Toutsi would not stand for this, and begin planning for war.

Their first move is to attempt to blockade and raid the Kelgoi navy (4), which they are successful in doing since the Kelgoi are completely inept at almost all things maritime (1, critical failure). However, this general move is a feint intent on convincing the Kelgoi that there would be a full-scale naval invasion while their main force moves on the Po River itself.

The Kelgoi however do not take this bait, as they are set instead on maintaining the Po River, too. It would seem both sides are keen on taking defensive positions on the river. Toutsi forces send scouts out, and determine that the Kelgoi have separated themselves into five armies along the river (16). These armies send probing raids into the countryside, but are mostly ineffective (7). The Toutsi then blockade the mouth of the Po, but as it is the dry season, they cannot send ships up river to provide any actual control over the river itself (7). After this, the Toutsi elect to solidify their force into one single army in an attempt to defeat the enemy in detail rather than split them up proportionally against the enemy. Both forces maintain their defensive stances for some time.

After a period of inactivity while the raids persist, the Kelgoi take the initiative and move their 'Blue Army' to the west and into contested territory, away from the already controlled lands of the Toutsi. Their forces are seen by the Toutsi (17), but outpace them (16 vs 13) as they cross the river farther northwest. Toutsi forces take up a harassing stance, as they hope to starve out the Blue Army, but end up doing little more than waste time (2) by trying to kill off their scouts and foragers.

The Blue Army's orders are clear - take up as much time as they can while the other armies advance. They successfully bait the Toutsi into following them farther west (16), away from the Po River, while the main armies advance all along the border and begin occupying the surrounding countryside. Toutsi scouts are unaware of the movements (2), and do not tell the main army of the actions undertaken. The entirety of the northern half of the Toutsi lands bends the knee to the invaders (1 - critical failure), as they have no military support and the economy is already strained due to the ongoing crisis.

Finally, however, the Toutsi army learns that they have been cut off from their homeland and lead astray (13). Their morale is at a low point (4), as their homes are occupied, they are without reinforcements, and they are left in an undeveloped land that cannot support them for long. Kelgoi forces seem more bored than anything (8), wanting a fight and a challenge rather than the easy victory it seems they have been handed.

As a result, the Blue Army elect to satiate their need for entertainment by taking on the main Toutsi force themselves! Probing attacks are undertaken by the chariot cavalry (6), to some success. Skirmishing cavalry from the Toutsi ride out to meet them, but instead take this opportunity to desert now that they are away from the main force (-3)! The Blue Army meets with the Toutsi force (4), outnumbered but determined - this very action almost routs the entire Toutsi army (-7). In an effort to unite the army, Rufus Salvius of the Toutsi tries to lead a counter-charge, only to get himself impaled on a Kelgoi spear (2). "Charg-" seemed to be his last utterance, and the force begins to break apart.

However, the army cannot retreat, as the other armies of the Kelgoi have marched to take part in the battle (18)! The Blue Army holds their ground, but does nothing else against the tide of retreating forces (7-7; nil roll). Marcus Livius takes up command of the Toutsi forces that remain, and rallies at least some semblance of a defense (10) as the Toutsi army is surrounded. Their effectiveness in defending themselves, however, is barely enough to begin pushing against the Blue Army (3). The main army of the Kelgoi has completely encircled the Toutsi despite this (13), and prevents a full breakout. In the final moments of the battle, the Kelgoi (14) kill nearly every Toutsi present (-3). Marcus Livius fails to meet death, but is instead captured by his enemies (5).

RESULT

MAJOR VICTORY: Kelgoi

MAJOR DEFEAT: Toutsi

Toutsi and contested territories occupied in light blue