It was only after the battle itself that the full buildup came to light.
The series of kobold raids on roads surrounding Shireston in the months prior to the battle seemed random at the time. In hindsight, we now know that this was connected to a larger plot, in which Kalurak the Grim, self-proclaimed heir to the Black Sails provided weapons and training to the Whitescale kobolds of Elenspine Peaks.
Snulbu, the chief kobold of the clan, was chomping at the bit to put these resources to use. It was his lack of patience that gave us ample warning of an emerging threat in the region.
Given the particular ferocity of the kobold attacks, the decision was made to consult expert advice. This led to a meeting between Army staff and Yanzu Jormop, the leader of an adventurer's party known as the Raven Shield that came highly recommended.
It was his expertise regarding kobolds that convinced us to move troops to Shireston in secret and to await a larger, more serious attack, in order to eliminate the threat in one fell swoop.
Jormop assured us that kobolds only grow this bold when they are inspired by a particularly prominent leader, and that as long as that leader remained out in the field, the attacks would continue.
In the final weeks before the battle, Shireston and nearby farms and hamlets held a total of 12 fully combat-ready units;
- 4 trained infantry units
- 2 elite infantry units
- 4 trained archer units
- 4 trained cavalry units, ready to ride out from Shireston.