Battle of Nyallshold
The Battle of Nyallshold was the first large-scale engagement of the Second Northern War initiated by Turl am Nari in the spring of 213 AF. The forces of the High Kingdom of Imesse were led by Turl's son Torum am Nari and consisted of more than 6,000 Foot and 1,500 mounted knights.
Of the 7,500 soldiers that were onhand at the start of the fighting, less than 3,000 returned from that first pitched battle. It was the largest defeat that any military force in Imesse had suffered in four generations, and there have been compelling arguments made that even now, a full twenty years later, the High Kingdom has not fully recovered from the loss.
The Conflict
Prelude
After the initial invasion of Colo on the sixth day of May, the force under the command of Torum am Nari advanced north rapidly, burning and looting any settlements or communities they encountered on the way. Large numbers of civilians were pushed north ahead of the army as news of the invasion spread. The army met little real resistance as it marched north. The weather was good with warm days and cool nights, little rain and firm, dry ground underfoot.
Deployment
On the last day of May, the army of Imesse encountered the main roads approaching Nyallshold, the seat of Dalnyall Clan authority and the largest city in the region, blocked by felled trees and over-turned wagons. Torum stopped his army in a march formation along the road while the obstacles were removed.
Battlefield
The first fighting happened while the army of Imesse was still in a march formation on the main road to Nyallshold. A force of about 1,500 Colian Foot came out of the hills to the north of the roadway and attacked the leading elements of the army. These Colians quickly withdrew, and another force from the south attacked the train of the column about a mile behind the van. It was at this time that Torum began to direct his forces into lines of battle.
Conditions
The morning was bright and clear, with sunshine and a soft breeze. As the day wore on, clouds began to fill the sky, and a heavy rain began to fall by midafternoon. The rain was cold and wet and heavy, and the roads and fields quickly began to fall into a sticky mire of mud and soft turf.
The Engagement
Every copse of trees or ravine or draw became a possible outlet for Colian troops to pour out of, while archers rained arrows down on the Imessians in a nearly non-stop. The Colians knowledge of the terrain and topography was a significant advantage for them over their road-weary foes who seemed to be encountering massed resistance at every possible turn.
Outcome
Out of his 1,500 mounted and armored knights, Torum lost more than 1,000 knights and all his horses. Of his 6,000 Foot, he lost 2,000 before sundown, and another 1,500 over the course of the night's rout. Many of the surviving foot soldiers ran blindly all through the night in fear for their very lives.
Aftermath
This defeat was the largest of the war, but by no means the last. The loss was devestating to the morale of the army, and its leadership. The number of capable, trained and experienced commanders that died in the Battle of Nyallshold is still not fully known, but it is safe to say that the best generals, commanders, captains and knights of the Kingdoms of Imesse died that day by the dozens.
Included under Conflict
Conflict Type
Battle
Battlefield Type
Land
Start Date
May 31, 213 AF
Ending Date
June 1, 213 AF
Conflict Result
Crushing defeat for the army of Imesse
Location
