Early spring,inland from Bae y Môrwyn, The colonial forces of Teyrnas Caerellin marched into the foothills near Coed Nythfog to investigate reports of weapons smuggling and growing tribal unrest. There is reportedly a cache of supplies in a cave in the Green Gorge, a lush but treacherous area of rough ground that is named for the vivid green moss and ferns that carpet its steep cliffs. A local tribe, the Tama’Rin, have accepted gold and rifles from smugglers and are now fiercely guarding the route.
Princess Morwenna’s colonial army high command has ordered Brigadier General Emyr Cadan Trevelyan to seize the gorge, capture the weapons cache, and drive out the bandits. His ad hoc brigade consists of the Industani Scout Guides, The Goorka Rifles, The New Llandrindod Foot, The North Caerellin Rifles (NCR), and the Nordbrann Light Horse. The Brigadier is know as a steady and tactical leader that works well with the foreign troops in the service. He is an old-school officer that believes in discipline and honor but distrusts flamboyant adventurers. He is loyal, but worried about the Princess’ aggressive maneuvers on the frontier and the constant muddling from Lord Rhuddlan.
The Guides and the NCR led the advance on the left and right respectively. This advanced force cleared several pockets of hostile tribesmen, sometimes at great cost from the ambushing enemy. The path to the caves relatively clear, General Trevelyan committed the Goorka’s to a bold attack supported by the New Llandrindod Foot. The Light Horse dispersed a last group of tribesmen and then screened the left flank. As the attack went in, Al-Zafiran Askari camped beyond the foothills moved to disrupt the brigade. The NLF provided excellent support with deadly accurate rifle fire as the Gooka’s stormed the makeshift barricade. The first attack beaten off by a bandit counter-charge, the second company won the day and took several prisoners. The battle came to a close after a series of sharp engagements on both flanks between the Askari and defending guides and NCRs. General Trevelyan though he had captured the notorious “Black Sun” bandit, but it turns out the fiend had fled the battle leaving a decoy to his cruel fate. The retiring Al-Zafirans marched away in good order taking as many of the supplies and weapons as they could.
Brigade casualties were heavy, especially during the clearing actions to open the battle:
--Total: 22
Industani Scout Guides: 8
Goorka Rifles: 5
New Llandrindod Foot: 0
North Caerellin Rifles (NCR): 9
Nordbrann Light Horse: 0
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| The Green Gorge area |
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| Bandit position |
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| Industani Scout Guides clear the way from hostile tribesmen |
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| The terrain is very constricted in spots |
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| Rifles on the right flank |
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| Clearing a pass |
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| Rifles are ambushed and take heavy casualties |
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| The commander is later admonished for not using the advantage of his rifles' range |
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| Reinforcements |
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| The Rifles clear the last of the tribesmen on the right |
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| Light Horse move up behind the Guides |
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| Guides keep up a lively fire |
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| Rifles reorganize |
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| Guides clear the left with a flank attack |
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| The main effort moves up the center |
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| Light Horse ride down some tribesmen |
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| Four regiments are now moving abreast |
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| The NCR protect the right flank |
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| Goorkas advance |
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| NLF support on their left |
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| The left flank is secure |
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| The main attack gets ready |
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| But Al-Zafiran Askari are moving out of camp |
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| The bandits await the onslaught |
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| NCR and Askari exchange fire |
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| Goorkas attack |
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| Supported by expert rifle fire |
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| NCR losses mount |
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| The 1st Goorka company breaks in |
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| But is forced back by a counter-attack |
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| NCR send the Askari in retreat despite their losses |
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| 2nd company clears the bandits |
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| While the 3rd company enters the cave to find the enemy has fled |
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| A hard won victory |
