Skirmish of the Black Abyss

The Skirmish of the Black Abyss was an early conflict in the most recent revival of the War in the Mountains. It began the long series of battles between the Vale under Osric Arryn and the various Mountain Clans allied with the Redsmiths and their leader, Royce Redfeather.

Background
A routine mission through the Mountains of the Moon led to the discovery of a force of Clansmen waiting in the bluffs. They greatly outnumbered the clansmen but were not so armoured or armed, while many of the Andals were mounted. Rather than engage, Osric Arryn led his men away from the clansmen and into the mountains, leading them on a long chase until they came to the great gulf known as the Black Abyss. There they turned to meet their foes.

Engagement
The Redsmith forces engaged at once, employing little in the way of tactics or strategy. Numbers, they hoped, would win the day, and they threw themselves at the Valemen time and time again. It whittled down the defender's numbers, but they held firm and began to push forward; the two opposing lines pressing tight against one another as the Valemen attempted to drive the Redsmiths back.

Then, in the distance, a third force appeared - and the sight of it sent dread through both the warring parties. The Burned Men were easily recognizable, both from their look and their banners, and as they swept towards the gulf both of the then-warring parties believed it was for them.

The Redsmiths withdrew from the Valemen as best they could, struggling to turn to meet this new foe before they could strike their ranks from the rear. The Andals obliged rather than pressing the issue, the two battle lines withdrawing as the third rushed to fill the void.

For a time all three armies fought, but Osric soon sounded a retreat - hoping that rather than pursuing his band of knights, the two clans would focus on one another. It proved prudent - the Burned Men and the Redsmiths had a deep enmity, and the two armies focused their fury upon one another. In the end the Burned Ears were forced to withdraw -- and Osric sounded the advance upon the remainder.

The Redsmiths, already weary from their long fighting, fled before the onslaught, choosing not to give further battle. The Vale forces were victorious, but only narrowly, and Osric soon led his men back into the valleys.

Aftermath
The Skirmish brought the issue of the Clans into the forefront of the Vale's mind, as it was the first major engagement they had seen since the Ambush on the High Road. The constant raids that had plagued the lowlands for the past several years had cultivated a powerful force in the hills.