Alliance Conquest Playoffs - BWF vs R1S

Leopold was so tired.

It was time for another round of Alliance Conquest, and the time for battle was an unusual one – the dead of night for BWF. Leopold wondered how many of his colleagues would actually manage to be present for the pivotal playoff matchup – would they manage to hit their target of 70 valiant lords and ladies to continue the competition to be the A league champions?

Leopold took a quick look at the schedule. So many alliances, just about all of them unknown accept for NFH which BWF had disposed of earlier, a frequent foe. And there was OWL which BWF had bested previously. Now it was time for a new challenge of an alliance called R1S, from lands far away. “Daytime for them, I am sure,” Leopold thought to himself.

Looking at the battlefield, he was pleased and proud to see that the camps were full of participants, ready for the day’s events. Stifling a yawn, Leo prepared to face the contest to come. It was cold and snowy, which would hinder all troops, friend or enemy. BWF had a decent advantage in numbers, 68 to 53. Hopefully it would work in their favor. Leopold knew from experience that quantity did not always been quality – or victory. He couldn't stifle his yawns, but at least staying awake wasn't in vain.

BWF got off to a good start by capturing the free outposts and the Mother Tower. Leopold was pleased to see that the alliance leaders, guided by Duchess Belladonna, had placed simple markers on the buildings indicating what troops were best suited to support them. “We are playing smart!” he said to himself. Other alliances could benefit greatly from that.

It came time to secure the critical ports that often decided the balance of power. Somehow, R1S was able to reach both, also securing other buildings as the tide turned very quickly. The Mother Tower was lost, and Leopold knew there would be a scramble to get it back as healing troops would become very important very quickly.

BWF quickly scrambled to counterattack, to keep the score close. Their leaders quickly yelled out to others to fill rallies, to the point that somehow or other, the opening of Casterly Rock was left ignored! R1S rushed to fill it, and things began to look bleak for BWF. Their point lead started to quickly slip away.

Recapturing the Mother Tower allowed for some much-needed heals, allowing BWF another chance to form a winning strategy. Control of buildings went back and forth, and it became clear what needed to be done. “We need to take Casterly,” Belladonna ordered the other leaders, who had already clued in but needed the urge.

The first set of attacks proved largely fruitless, as R1S’s members were quickly able to reinforce and support their lost troops. Fatigue, a factor from the very beginning of the battle, seemed to be taking a major toll on the BWF contingent.

A second volley of rallies were unable to dislodge R1S from the central bastion. BWF found themselves in the expected but unenviable position of running out of healing ability for their valiant troops, and quickly found themselves hemmed with control of only their outpost and port.

Suddenly, a ray of hope! Lord HIV managed to leverage the rallies and break through the R1S defenses at Casterly Rock, and other leaders were able to secure a vital stronghold to assist with the struggle. Leopold’s quick glance at the battle reports showed however that there was a long way to go if BWF were to secure a victory.

The BWF leaders, realizing the tenuousness of the situation, decided to make a push for R1S’s port, as relying on the resource-rich mines is a risky strategy even with the best of luck. Leopold quickly filled the rallies, hoping for the best.

Alas, it appeared that today’s story wouldn’t have a great ending for BWF. Attacks on the R1S port failed, and so did the defenses at Casterly Rock. Leopold hunkered down, hoping that by some happenstance a push for the mines would save the day. Lord Sheriff was able to secure one, but there was no way it would be enough. Lady Valette gallantly managed to grab the other, but Sheriff was promptly dislodged from the other.

It had been a valiant effort, but BWF would have to find a way to regroup for the next battle. This being their first defeat in the league competition, there would be another final chance to remain a part of the landscape.

Some BWF lords and ladies decided to keep fighting, unwilling to just give up. Most had run out of resources to fight, though, and there was nothing left to do but wait for the battle clock to run out. Roganda was able to being Casterly Rock into BWF’s hands once again, in a final act of defiance and beacon of hope, but it was clear from the lack of action on both sides as that occurred, that it would not make a difference.

In the end, BWF had made a brave show and demonstrated their formidability as an alliance, though victory had eluded their grasp. Perhaps next time they could rebound, Leopold hoped, as an end came to day’s - or rather, very very early morning's - activities.

One last look at the timepiece."Time to sleep."

And he did.