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Chapter 1.23: Pachacuti's Judgement
Quisipe-Tupac's court was ecstatic when his Uncle submitted to his rule Now bolstered by Manco’s submission to Quisipe-Tupac’s rule Castro and the Sapa Inca could return to their plans to break through the lines Quisquis had forged. Castro sent word to Tumbez, announcing his success and requesting reinforcements from across America, claiming that victory was at hand. Southern reinforcements would arrive in the north, though they were actually Northerners whose loyalty when arrayed against Quito was dubious. Despite these flaws they remained warm bodies to throw against the enemy, or if their loyalty was seriously in question, to be placed on occupation duty against peasant rebels, freeing up more reliable forces for the actual offensive.
The next move was pacifying the Cañari, who were still in a rebellious atmosphere. Quisipe-Tupac did not especially help this matter, demanding their immediate submission and looking to be set on the course that had dismantled Quisquis’s plans. But Castro managed to stave off disaster, he unilaterally declared himself to be a protector of the Cañari, announcing the fact to his rather confused Spanish and Chimu subordinates. He then went to Quisipe-Tupac and bluffed his way into getting the Sapa Inka to back off, mainly based off of empty threats to withdraw his forces. This somehow worked, and the threat of a Second Cañari revolt was dissipated. It also inadvertently strengthened his hand amongst the Chimu, who saw it as a sign that Castro was truly committed to defending them against Tawantinsuyu tyranny.
Quisipe-Tupac was furious, but there was little he could do at the moment. However, he privately began to express doubts over the reliability of his Spanish “allies”, and consulted with Cusco nobility over the post-war troubles he would likely face. They agreed that the Spanish could not completely expelled from the Empire as things now stood. Even more troublingly Quisipe-Tupac realized that, if the Spanish organized an ambush for him he would likely be killed or captured. He and his advisors resolved that once Ninancoro’s faction had been defeated the Sapa Inka should immediately retreat to the somewhat safer confines of the Cusco Valley. The Spanish would then be bribed to go away, probably with copious amounts of precious metals, and possibly some coastal land. Giving the Spanish even more of a foothold was not welcomed, but barring major surprises over the course of the war it was the safest way to “dispose” of Castro and his forces.
Quispie-Tupac’s mood was lifted slightly by the arrival of the force promised by Manco at Tumebamba. There they agreed to what Spanish sources termed “The Capitulation of Tumebamba” and admitted that Quisipe-Tupac as the rightful Sapa Inka of the Tawantinsuyu. Quisipe-Tupac and Castro quickly assessed that the vast majority were not outright mutinous but neither would be the most enthusiastic or effective fighters when placed opposite their former comrades in arms. Thus, the troops provided from the southern frontier were generally used to shore up areas of Cuscan control destabilized by plague and the subsequent destabilization of society. This freed up more reliable troops for use in the North. These troops were generally not experienced in the type of massive battle that was to ensue at the Inca’s Gate, but training them was simply another way the troops provided by Manco could be used without being sent to the front line.
Both sides would occasionally skirmish before the Battle
Meanwhile Quisquis prepared for the coming attack. He made another gamble, that the Spanish would come North through the Mountains, rather than turning towards the coast and trying to advance through the jungles. Unlike his previous gambles it payed off, as Castro had no intention of advancing through such treacherous terrain, preferring to take his chances in a straight fight. Quisquis took everyman he could to defend against the incoming storm, the defenses on the Northern border were mostly abandoned, with their goal becoming a prevention of any sacks of important cities by vengeful local tribes, rather than attempting to actually govern the border.
And so, the stage was set for a battle at the Inca’s Gate, one that would prove one of the bloodiest yet.
Ninancoro apparently did not want to attend the battle personally, afraid for his own wellbeing. But Quisquis forced him to show himself, and provide inspiration to the warriors Qusquis had prepared. Qusquis himself was there, as was Ukumari. Both Castro and Quisipe-Tupac were there, though only Castro would lead his forces personally.
On October 9th 1550 the first attack began on the Inca’s Gate. The defenders were nearly out of powder, and so slung stones and shot crossbows unless absolutely necessary. It was mainly Cuscans and Chimu who launched the first assault against the defenders, inexperienced with European weaponry, and with the Spanish retaining much of said weaponry for themselves, the fighting turned into a brawl. Both sides spilled blood in massive amounts on the first day of fighting. Quisquis’s men held their positions, and soon the Chimu and Cuscans retreated for the night.
On the second day Castro dragged foreword his cannons, and began to barrage the defenders with fire. Some fled, but most held. After the bombardment ended the Chimu and Cuscans charged once again into the melee, this day they punctured the defender’s positions, but these advantages were lost in the chaos of the battle, and once again the attackers were forced back.
Substantially more advanced then what was used at the Battle of the Inca'a Gate
On the 10th Castro again ordered the cannons fired into the Inca’s Gate, but then followed up this attack by personally leading a charge towards the enemy forces. Calvary and pikemen charged alongside Cuscans and Chimu. They pressed further then they had before, victory seemed imminent. And then the Earth began to rumble. Stones tumbled down the walls of the valley from all sides, Quisquis’s men turned tail and fled, in a suspiciously orderly fashion. Spanish horses were spooked and began to buck or run uncontrollably, foot soldiers, native or Spanish were startled at best or panicking at worst. Some were crushed or wounded by the rocks the fell, but more fell in the panicked retreat that followed.
This sudden change in fortune was not an accident.
The Tawantinsuyu had lived in the mountains for generation, and knew full well the power of an avalanche, in fact they had historically created elaborate machinery to launch rockslides. No such sophistication was seen here, just some carefully piled rocks, that were forced into action by some pushing of some carefully placed rocks. Quisquis had waited until the Spanish had entered the fray to unleash his surprise. The actual casualties from the man-made disaster were low, even taking into account the panic that had followed, the real damage came in how it disrupted Castro’s plans. The Inca’s Gate had not been a particularly welcoming point of attack prior to the move by Quisquis, not it was riddled with large rocks, uneven ground, and now was generally unsuited for a cavalry charge.
It would take an even bloodier battle then Castro had expected, if he had any hope of breaching it.
Quisipe-Tupac's court was ecstatic when his Uncle submitted to his rule
The next move was pacifying the Cañari, who were still in a rebellious atmosphere. Quisipe-Tupac did not especially help this matter, demanding their immediate submission and looking to be set on the course that had dismantled Quisquis’s plans. But Castro managed to stave off disaster, he unilaterally declared himself to be a protector of the Cañari, announcing the fact to his rather confused Spanish and Chimu subordinates. He then went to Quisipe-Tupac and bluffed his way into getting the Sapa Inka to back off, mainly based off of empty threats to withdraw his forces. This somehow worked, and the threat of a Second Cañari revolt was dissipated. It also inadvertently strengthened his hand amongst the Chimu, who saw it as a sign that Castro was truly committed to defending them against Tawantinsuyu tyranny.
Quisipe-Tupac was furious, but there was little he could do at the moment. However, he privately began to express doubts over the reliability of his Spanish “allies”, and consulted with Cusco nobility over the post-war troubles he would likely face. They agreed that the Spanish could not completely expelled from the Empire as things now stood. Even more troublingly Quisipe-Tupac realized that, if the Spanish organized an ambush for him he would likely be killed or captured. He and his advisors resolved that once Ninancoro’s faction had been defeated the Sapa Inka should immediately retreat to the somewhat safer confines of the Cusco Valley. The Spanish would then be bribed to go away, probably with copious amounts of precious metals, and possibly some coastal land. Giving the Spanish even more of a foothold was not welcomed, but barring major surprises over the course of the war it was the safest way to “dispose” of Castro and his forces.
Quispie-Tupac’s mood was lifted slightly by the arrival of the force promised by Manco at Tumebamba. There they agreed to what Spanish sources termed “The Capitulation of Tumebamba” and admitted that Quisipe-Tupac as the rightful Sapa Inka of the Tawantinsuyu. Quisipe-Tupac and Castro quickly assessed that the vast majority were not outright mutinous but neither would be the most enthusiastic or effective fighters when placed opposite their former comrades in arms. Thus, the troops provided from the southern frontier were generally used to shore up areas of Cuscan control destabilized by plague and the subsequent destabilization of society. This freed up more reliable troops for use in the North. These troops were generally not experienced in the type of massive battle that was to ensue at the Inca’s Gate, but training them was simply another way the troops provided by Manco could be used without being sent to the front line.
Both sides would occasionally skirmish before the Battle
Meanwhile Quisquis prepared for the coming attack. He made another gamble, that the Spanish would come North through the Mountains, rather than turning towards the coast and trying to advance through the jungles. Unlike his previous gambles it payed off, as Castro had no intention of advancing through such treacherous terrain, preferring to take his chances in a straight fight. Quisquis took everyman he could to defend against the incoming storm, the defenses on the Northern border were mostly abandoned, with their goal becoming a prevention of any sacks of important cities by vengeful local tribes, rather than attempting to actually govern the border.
And so, the stage was set for a battle at the Inca’s Gate, one that would prove one of the bloodiest yet.
Ninancoro apparently did not want to attend the battle personally, afraid for his own wellbeing. But Quisquis forced him to show himself, and provide inspiration to the warriors Qusquis had prepared. Qusquis himself was there, as was Ukumari. Both Castro and Quisipe-Tupac were there, though only Castro would lead his forces personally.
On October 9th 1550 the first attack began on the Inca’s Gate. The defenders were nearly out of powder, and so slung stones and shot crossbows unless absolutely necessary. It was mainly Cuscans and Chimu who launched the first assault against the defenders, inexperienced with European weaponry, and with the Spanish retaining much of said weaponry for themselves, the fighting turned into a brawl. Both sides spilled blood in massive amounts on the first day of fighting. Quisquis’s men held their positions, and soon the Chimu and Cuscans retreated for the night.
On the second day Castro dragged foreword his cannons, and began to barrage the defenders with fire. Some fled, but most held. After the bombardment ended the Chimu and Cuscans charged once again into the melee, this day they punctured the defender’s positions, but these advantages were lost in the chaos of the battle, and once again the attackers were forced back.
Substantially more advanced then what was used at the Battle of the Inca'a Gate
On the 10th Castro again ordered the cannons fired into the Inca’s Gate, but then followed up this attack by personally leading a charge towards the enemy forces. Calvary and pikemen charged alongside Cuscans and Chimu. They pressed further then they had before, victory seemed imminent. And then the Earth began to rumble. Stones tumbled down the walls of the valley from all sides, Quisquis’s men turned tail and fled, in a suspiciously orderly fashion. Spanish horses were spooked and began to buck or run uncontrollably, foot soldiers, native or Spanish were startled at best or panicking at worst. Some were crushed or wounded by the rocks the fell, but more fell in the panicked retreat that followed.
This sudden change in fortune was not an accident.
The Tawantinsuyu had lived in the mountains for generation, and knew full well the power of an avalanche, in fact they had historically created elaborate machinery to launch rockslides. No such sophistication was seen here, just some carefully piled rocks, that were forced into action by some pushing of some carefully placed rocks. Quisquis had waited until the Spanish had entered the fray to unleash his surprise. The actual casualties from the man-made disaster were low, even taking into account the panic that had followed, the real damage came in how it disrupted Castro’s plans. The Inca’s Gate had not been a particularly welcoming point of attack prior to the move by Quisquis, not it was riddled with large rocks, uneven ground, and now was generally unsuited for a cavalry charge.
It would take an even bloodier battle then Castro had expected, if he had any hope of breaching it.
- King of the Uzbeks
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