Battle of Highwater Pass

Background
Emperor Relgorn Kholin II knew that he couldn't sustain more victories like had been achieved at the Battle of Dorndale, so he decided that he needed to strike a decisive blow before more defenses could be prepared. The Emperor took a large portion of the army and began marching towards Highwater, leaving behind some men in Dorndale to take care of the wounded and hold the town.

Highwater Pass is located about about 2/3rds of the way from Dorndale to Highwater. The road runs down a small valley with steep hills on either side. If the Emperor wasn't rushing, he would have realized that it was the perfect spot for an ambush.

Battle
The Dwarves of Aglarond and a small contingent of Oriath troops were hidden in the slopes of the hills. As the Vecracan army passed below, a signal was given and arrows, bolts, and other projectiles flew into the surprised men below. The Vecracan army tried to climb the hills to reach their attackers, but the difficult terrain slowed them and made them easier targets. The Emperor finally called for a full retreat.

Aftermath
The number of dead, injured, and captured Vecracan soldiers was in estimated to be in the low thousands. On the other hand, the combined Aglarond and Oriath troops suffered less than a hundred deaths and injuries.

Among those killed in the fighting was the Emperor's great nephew who was also the last of his brother's bloodline. At this point in time, the only surviving Kholin's were the Emperor, Duke Stalrag, and his sons.

The Emperor retreated back to Dorndale and fortified the town for the winter. He would need to wait for reinforcements and supplies before another major battle. In the meantime, he ordered Duke Stalrag and Krinn Imdil to harrass the Oriath and Aglarond armies to prevent them from joining.

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The Battle of Celeste