Siege of Tossagrad

The Siege of Tossagrad, also known as the Second Battle of Tossagrad, was the first actual battle in the Second West March War in the historic Ryzani capital of Tossagrad. It was the first battle of the Second Stage & the first time that a Syltoren nation had successfully defeated Bardonian forces in a defensive battle since the Battle of Northport.

Prelude
The Second West March War formally restarted on October 3rd, 2022, with the announcement by the Bardonians that they would be marching on Tossagrad. The date for the battle was decided the same day as October 10th.

Preparations for the battle by the United Crowns of Syltor were extensive, with a chunk-wide trench being dug down to deepslate level surrounding the city, alongside barbed wire (berry bush) lines that spanned the western sectors, ice surrounding the trench, fake water traps & obsidian barricades atop the walls. The UCS used their prior contracts from the first stage of the war, so they did not have to spend any money on mercenary groups for the battle.

Bardonian preparations were also extensive. An estimated 70-90 sets of armour were bought and/or produced, alongside many mercenary groups. Defences at Lobopolis were minimal if not non-existent. This may be because they were not expecting a UCS counteroffensive on the city as a swift victory in Tossagrad was inevitable.

Events of the Siege
Bardonian troops, under the command of Howertt Medici, armoured at Lobopolis, seemingly in homage to the original West March War and begun their march, gathering food supplies at Port Solanaria, before passing Vologda in the dead of night, using the swamp to camp before they marched on Tossagrad. However, the decay and drain on supplies and morale caused by the western march, meant Bardonian forces were not fight to fight in the morn, many deserting in the early stages of the battle, assuming the battle was won due to initial reports of great success.

UCS, allied, mercenary & volunteer forces spread out along the wall and set up defensive positions as Bardonian and mercenary forces attacked the walls from multiple sides. The defenders are initially isolated and overwhelmed, as fighting starts in the city and in some of the houses. Bardonian forces were able to push defenders out of the victory point in the 'throne room'. Shortly after this, Bardonia's mercenaries (making up about half their force) leave after the city is taken for unknown reasons.

UCS forces regroup at Erebor and Vologda, doing so very quickly due to good logistics. When the Bardonians catch wind of this, they attempt to send reinforcements through Volkoregrod, however this plan is foiled when Nappa Doy traps a small group of Bardonian forces in the city & holds them for ransom until 25 minutes after the end of the war.

Fighting starts on the outskirts of the city, with UCS forces inflicting heavy losses on Bardonians, who are unable to effectively regroup after respawning due to bad logistics & the previously mentioned traps at the spawn points of most Ryzani cities. A small group of soldiers, led by Tsarina-Velereth Shan Tossovich, retake the victory point and hold it as the remaining UCS force counter-attack & flush the Bardonians out of the city. The remaining Bardonians flee the city before the battle ended.

Aftermath
The Siege of Tossagrad was a colossal failure militarily & logistically for Bardonia. Autarch Howertt Medici was removed from power shortly after the battle, for the combined reasons of attempting to sue for peace with the UCS & his collective military failures. He would switch sides & fight for the UCS for the rest of the Second Stage. The victory at Tossagrad allowed the UCS to go on the offensive in the next battle, which was selected to be at New Dorasterrock on October 23rd after much debate.