Siege of Illeron
The Siege of Illeron was a three month long siege on the Usminan capital of Illeron.
The Calashi warbands laid siege to the city for three months during 3934 EC. This feat was primarily made possible by the aid of centaur mercenaries who hampered Usminan supply lines and prevented meaningful reinforcements.
The Conflict
Prelude
The Usminan military's underestimation of the Calashi's warband, and unfamiliarity of the terrain led to significant losses early in the war. Rather than continue to defend their lands, the Calashi pushed the Usminan military northwards, allying with centaurs from Zabria. The military was pushed to the Freemond River, and Illeron, where they intended to make a stand while waiting for reinforcements from the north.
Deployment
Goblin infiltrators managed to disable Illeron's siege weapons, leaving the city vulnerable to protracted siege warfare.
Twenty Calashi Warbands united under Warleader Burntspire constructed siege weapons and towers in the fields surrounding Illeron while probing the city's walls for weakness.
High General Bruno Aldebrand led 4,500 Usminan soldiers in the defense of the city, as well as an unknown number of militia and volunteer soldiers.
Conditions
The siege began at the end of the winter, and enjoyed excellent weather through most of the conflict, leading to high morale among the attacking Calashi warbands.
Outcome
The walls of Illeron were breached on the 28th of Celnaht, and two days later on the 1st of Notra, the Calashi flooded in and raided the city during the night.
The night later became known as the Long Shadows, where Illeron's Spire was lit ablaze, the royal family killed, and all soldiers and any civilians who raised weapons against the invaders were slain or later executed.
Aftermath
The Calashi have become renowned for their excellence in psychological warfare, and for their habit of vicious retribution.
In the days preceeding the Long Shadows, the Calashi sent messengers and pamphlets launched over the walls of Illeron. Among the propaganda, there was a simple offer - when the walls were inevitably breached and the city taken, anyone who did not raise a weapon against the invaders would be spared.
The Long Shadows is said to have set the tone for the Calashi occupation of Illeron. Resistance to the occupation is nearly unilaterally met with execution, but the Calashi general kept to their word when it was given.
Included under Conflict
Conflict Type
Siege
Battlefield Type
Land
Start Date
158th, 3934 EC
Ending Date
241st, 3934 EC
Conflict Result
Calashi occupation of Illeron, and the fragmenting of Usmina.
Location
Belligerents
Strength
4,500 soldiers
Unknown number of militia and volunteers
35,000 across twenty warbands
Casualties
11,000+ including civilians during the Long Shadows
12,000
Objectives
To repel the invaders until reinforcements could arrive.
Take the capital
