The templars of the IHH make ready and move north from Caercas through Fairfield. Here they, to their astonishment, find a detachment from Ilien waiting for them. After the rites of blessing have been performed they continue north to Tornilen, where they arrive in WM 4.
WM 5 begins.
Elinien infantry, under the command of General Rashida has, or is about to (depending on timing), moved into the area leading up to the Grey Hills and set up a base camp from which supplies and dispatches can be coordinated between the many units coming in.
The camp will also serve as an advance fall back position, if the expedition has to fall back.
There are three units of scouts with the contingent, and these begin prowling the foothills to pick a route accessible for the mounted troops to come. (And, of course, keep an eye out for enemy units or scouts)
Close relations are kept with the garrisons in both Sendouras and Mholien, in case the enemy decides to move units into the civilized parts of the provinces.
Before leaving Roesone and entering Tornilen Wallac Isilviere bless the templars of IHH and doing so cast two realm magic spells on the 4 IHH units; Aid the Righteous (2nd level) & Vestment of the Gods (3rd level). IHH have permission from both Ghieste and Tornilen to pass through their domains on the way to the Grey Hills. Provisions are brought along and supliess paid for on the march (dont forage but pay).
2 Units Crack Armsmen Mounted, Aid the Righteous & Vestment of the Gods - IHH
2 Units Crack Dragoons Mounted, Aid the Righteous & Vestment of the Gods - IHH
Unless those Dragoons are actively trying to avoid detection, they will be approached by Elinien scouts and asked to remain in the "visitors" areas for the visiting armies. - Units unknown to Elinie, that are found prowling the province causes too much civilian panic and disturbance.
Unless those Dragoons are actively trying to avoid detection, they will be approached by Elinien scouts and asked to remain in the "visitors" areas for the visiting armies. - Units unknown to Elinie, that are found prowling the province causes too much civilian panic and disturbance.
The dragoons dont try to avoid detection but will the Elinie forces try to hinder the collum of troops entering from Tonillen to scout ahead? I believe with the Collosus, units of living creatures of fire, Tornilen units, Ilien units, Roesone units and IHH units there are 30+ units and such a force needs to plan their march carefully even if the commanders may be willing to accept Elinie security to have a special role.
Baronettess Tilgentor thanks the Pontiff and the Duchess for the escort. She then informs an Elinien sergent that the troops that Countess el-Mesir of Ilien were able to send are ready to be escorted to their camp site.
Spirit seems to be high among the Ilieneese units as they distance distance themselfs from the Giant living statue and the moving blobs of fire.
Baronettess Tilgentor thanks the Pontiff and the Duchess for the escort. She then informs an Elinien sergent that the troops that Countess el-Mesir of Ilien were able to send are ready to be escorted to their camp site.
Spirit seems to be high among the Ilieneese units as they distance distance themselfs from the Giant living statue and the moving blobs of fire.
Further units:
1 Crossbowmen - Ghieste
1 Archers - Ghieste
1 Pikemen - Ghieste
1 Swordsmen - Ghieste
1 Skirmishers - Ghieste
3 Units of Fire Elementals (Summon Army III) - Tornilen
Also, further post coming, as someone needs to take the lead of this army...
Just before the army truly arrives in the Grey hills, messengers arrive at the Patriarch's tent, from the Tornilen duchess.
They relay a concern and a simple solution: The Swordmage believes that the army needs a clear chain of command, as all the different parts of it needs to work together flawlessly. At least as flawlessly as is possible. Since the Swordmage already has command of the single, largest, part of the army - The field army from Ghieste, Roesone and Tornilen - she thinks she is best suited to head this temporary chain of command. She is also the only regent intending to stay and lead the army.
If the Patriarch of Elinie agrees to this and lets his generals obey her orders, she believes that the other commanders will do the same. She is well aware that this does not make the troops hers, they still belong to their respective realms and regents, but in an operation this size... someone needs to have the clear command.
If Elinie is on board, some strategic info will be fortcoming.
OOC: Additionally the forces of Baron Blaede are on station and alert, as it the castle?
"We will go to our armies and begin the advance into the hills. We will make no effort of hiding. Indeed, our desire is to goad the enemy to come at us, to thin their ranks."
"This, of course, should not be at the expense of sound strategy when it comes to avoiding ambush and choosing the field on which to battle. We should secure our rear and supply lines with both actual encampments and hidden scouts to observe the eventual fate of these camps, and warn us if infiltration occurs from behind."
"When I gain an accurate fix on the Tomb, we will decide how to make the best use of our troops in the given situation. I find it likely that we will have to cross over. In this case, our army should still flag our personal banners, and we should conspire to give the impression that we are present and attempting to siege Manethander's lair."
"In reality, we will attempt to infiltrate the tomb and do our real job. Destroying or binding Manethander."
Realizing little can be done and that changing chain of cómmand in the middle of the march will only makes things worse Wallac starts a hymn of war which his Armsmen soon join
Behind the scenes, Marya Tanar is feeling the pressure of command very keenly. She has overreached, but her pride (and common sense) prevents her from stepping down. Trying to migitate the situation a little, she focuses on making the generals and commanders of different contigents talk to each other. There are meetings, discussions and so on. On the surface she tries to appear in control, but on the inside she is tearing her hair out. As the army marches on, those officers who have experience with the terrain and with working across nationalities are, as quickly as possible, given more freedom and responsibilities. The general command structure remains what was decided on, but she tries to pull competent personnel close to her and to listen to them.
Some of the Hell Hounds are deployed as extra sentries. They do not have much need for sleep and their glowing green eyes can pierce the darkness, within a dozen meters. Perhaps here they can be even more useful than on the battlefield.
Behind the scenes, Marya Tanar is feeling the pressure of command very keenly. She has overreached, but her pride (and common sense) prevents her from stepping down. Trying to migitate the situation a little, she focuses on making the generals and commanders of different contigents talk to each other. There are meetings, discussions and so on. On the surface she tries to appear in control, but on the inside she is tearing her hair out. As the army marches on, those officers who have experience with the terrain and with working across nationalities are, as quickly as possible, given more freedom and responsibilities. The general command structure remains what was decided on, but she tries to pull competent personnel close to her and to listen to them.
Commander Gaerik receives word that the Swordmage has gone down into the valley. From the beginning she has told him that she might want to bring her personal might to bear, this is not very surprising. He takes over command of both columns, riding up to join the first. Still no enemy has shown outside the valley, so for now things are not too critical.
Right. That was somewhat out of character and in poor form. Commander Gaerik stays put, leading the second column and defending against outer threats. The first column is mainly supporting those in the valley anyway.
Baronetess Tilgentor joins up with Commander Gaerik and offers her aid in leading the troops.
I have made a little schematic of how I imagine the valley battle might be taking place.
The orogs coming from the side can go after the armsmen or the dragoons who would have used missiles up until now.
Archers and scouts would move hastily to the back.
Ending up pretty much like the attached picture, if we are lucky.
"How can we know for sure?"
"Is there a dating in the cover or something similar?"
As the Pontiff returns to the daylight world and take the last step up the stairs he falls to his knees and give thanks to HAELYN. The Book of Law has been recovered and the Grey Duke defeated which is good.
The Book of Law however is bruised by the encounter with the Sun Sword. ´Now the book itself is saved but broken. Calling upon all his love and devotion to Haelyn, remembering the sacrifices made by soldiers and heroes alike, by the dead and the survivors, Wallac want to make it whole again. He ask his Lord for a miracle. HAELYN help your servant and mend the Book of Law so your faithfulls can rejoice from its blessed existence and new copies being made ussing the original [something between mending cleric lvl 0 and miracle cleric level 9]
The book is hardly destroyed - just a bit damaged. Stabbed one and partially burned, most around the edges, but also where the Sun Sword pierced it. But no, Haelyn grants no miracle - he's concerned with the books of mortals, not even this one.[OoC: I assume you mean "he's not concerned.." ]
Kaleiman: I would not be able to tell one Book of Laws from another. The original book has been locked away in Aerele for many years. I doubt that anyone but the senior clergy of the OIT has ever even seen it. Before now that is.
Prisoners are taken, interrogated by whatever means until they tell all they can. The Swordmage just follows other's lead and does her job, not really any independent initiatives. She does it well enough, but she does not really care about all this.
Archduke Osoer welcomes the IHH templars to accompany him and Baron Tristan, first to Ansien, on to Moriel. From there, the IHH templars are free to make their way to Roesone by way of Bellam.
I guess Wallac will go with his men for reasons of morale. Archbishop Bellamie's corps are carried by the armsmen and lots of the men are missing
I guess Wallac will go with his men for reasons of morale. Archbishop Bellamie's corps are carried by the armsmen and lots of the men are missing
However I would like to know if conceptually Wallac, LL, Rogal Destar & bodyguard can reach Roesone before season ends if they move alone
I guess Wallac will go with his men for reasons of morale. Archbishop Bellamie's corps are carried by the armsmen and lots of the men are missing
However I would like to know if conceptually Wallac, LL, Rogal Destar & bodyguard can reach Roesone before season ends if they move alone
If you abandon you army immediately and ride like hell you might reach Caercas by season's end.