Stylized Meeting Engagement
Between Imperial Aracian and Arvepian Forces
A demonstration of how battles play out in the World Island in light of their dieselpunk-medieval technology.
Clash at the Greywood Spur
Field Action, Spring 4E 4xx
Overview
A routine patrol south of Greywood Spur escalated into a full-scale meeting engagement between elements of the Imperium’s 2nd Tagmata and the forward screen of Arvepian Tercios. Both sides committed reinforcements over the course of three hours, culminating in a multi-phase combined-arms clash over the eastern ridgeline and adjacent woodland.
Phase I: Contact and Skirmish
At 09:41 local time, Imperial Akritai scouts (light riflemen in loose screen) encountered Arvepian rodeleros and forward rifle pickets along a shallow ridgeline broken by scrub and wind-hollows. A brief exchange of fire erupted, with swords flashing at the periphery as rodeleros pressed forward under partial cover.
By 09:50, both sides had radioed their respective commands. Fire discipline tightened. The skirmishers withdrew into open-order lines, forming across natural folds in the land. The ridge itself became the axis of engagement.
Phase II: Skirmish Lines and Artillery Support
Reinforcements began arriving. By 10:15, the first line companies of Imperial line rifles had formed a crescent pattern to pin the Arvepian vanguard in place. Orders went out for suppressive fire, aiming to crack the forward Arvepian cohesion and drive them from the ridge.
Arvepian response was methodical. Their rifles withdrew in good order to a secondary position beneath a line of wind-bent trees. Smoke shells from Arvepian light artillery veiled their retreat, while a supporting battery raked the advancing Imperials, forcing their center to ground and delay.
Imperial forward observers marked new coordinates. Counter-battery fire began by 10:30, blunting Arvepian guns and cracking the forward treeline.
Phase III: Maneuver and Close Assault
Flanks tensed. Arvepian rodeleros and pike units held their ground in overwatch, expecting a cavalry flanking thrust. The Imperials, however, moved differently.
Rather than swing wide, legionary elements advanced low and staggered, creeping up on the exposed Arvepian right under cover of suppressive fire and smoke. Their movement followed textbook legionary doctrine: five pace advance, crouch, volley, move, punctuated by centurion whistle and banner signal.
At 10:50, they closed within melee range. Arvepian riflemen met them with fixed bayonets and staggered defense, but the close-order weight of the Imperial line began to grind them down.
Rodeleros attempted to pivot in support, but Akritai riflemen had repositioned into a reverse crescent. The Akritai pinned them in place with controlled fire, exploiting terrain breaks to great effect.
Phase IV: Cataphract Thrust and Arvepian Counterline
By 11:15, with pressure mounting on the Arvepian right, the Imperium committed cataphract cavalry to the open center, aiming to punch through weakened rifle ranks.
They never made it. Tercio sent reinforcements of pikemen in deep files, armored and trained for just such an event. They arrived moments before contact. Their line formed rapidly, pikes angled, banners raised. The cataphracts crashed against a wall of steel, their momentum broken by tight pike drill and counterweight discipline. The Imperials recoiled, and the battle lines finally stabilized.
Phase V: Withdrawal and Consolidation
Both sides bled for ground, but neither line buckled. By 12:00, field commanders sent orders for controlled disengagement. Smoke rounds popped, casualties recovered, and flanks held. The Arvepians pulled back behind the treeline, while Imperial forces occupied the forward ridge. Neither could press further without risking overextension.
After-Action Summary
Imperial Strengths: Tactical creep by legionaries; flexible skirmish suppression; high-quality command relay.
Arvepian Strengths: Timely reinforcement by Tercio; effective smoke coordination; disciplined pike-and-rodelo counter.
Casualty Estimates: Medium to high on both sides. Imperial cavalry losses significant.
Conclusion
Tactical stalemate. Strategic implications remain pending further reconnaissance. Clash demonstrates enduring value of doctrine, terrain exploitation, and combined-arms timing.