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RoE Archive => Fire and Steel => RoE2 Archives => Boer vs. Avan => : DM B May 06, 2009, 10:23:57 PM
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For the war in the west...
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The weather has cleared, making an attack possible.
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OOC could we please have a summary of our forces and their disposition and what is in front of us atm? :)
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OOC could we please have a summary of our forces and their disposition and what is in front of us atm? :)
Generals and Commanders (5 total):
Aarchduke Carvaloen Diem (General)
Ser Cereval Shaeme (Commander)
Baron Kaven Enlien (General)
Baron Arvour Raemel Roesone (General): Left to attend wedding
Ser Tael Brosuine (Commander): Commanding a detachment of cavalry heading north)
Main Army
H-Cav 7 Units
Knights Crack Diemed
Mounted Armsmen Crack Diemed Detached
Mounted Armsmen (RCS Templars) Crack Medoere Detached
Dragoons Vet Diemed Detached
Dragoons Vet Diemed Detached
Dragoons Diemed Mercs Detached
Dragoons Diemed Mercs Detached
L-Cav 3 Units
Outriders Diemed Mercs Detached
Outriders Diemed Mercs Detached
Scouts Green Endier Detached/Destroyed in Coere in turn#62
H Infantry 2 Units
Armsmen Diemed Mercs
Armsmen Elite Medoere
M Infantry 16 Units
Regulars Green Diemed
Regulars Diemed Mercs
Regulars Diemed Mercs
Regulars Veteran Medoere (Alamier)
Swordsmen Veteran Medoere
Swordsmen Veteran Medoere
Swordsmen Raw Ilien
Swordsmen Veteran Roesoen
Swordsmen Veteran Roesone
Pikes Diemed Mercs
Pikes Skilled Endier
Pikes Skilled Endier
Pikes Veteran Ilien
Pikes Veteran Roesone
Halberdiers Skilled Endier
Halberdiers Skilled Endier
Missile Infantry 8 Units
Archers Diemed Mercs
Archers Diemed Mercs
Archers Veteran Medoere
Archers Veteran Roesone Detached
Archers Veteran Roesone Detached
Crossbowmen Skilled Endier
Crossbowmen Skilled Endier
Crossbowmen Raw Ilien
Light Infantry 1 Unit
Skirmishers Green Diemed
Specialist 1 Unit
Artillerists Skilled Endier
Artillery 2 Units
Balistae Raw Ilien
Balistae Raw Ilien
Coere screening force:
2 units Crack mounted armsmen
1 unit green scouts Destroyed
2 units Roesone Archers
No named commander
Cavalry flanking force:
4 units Veteran Dragoons
1 unit green dragoons (avanese)
2 units Veteran Outriders
+ Ser Brosuine
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Avanese units detached in support of Main army:
Knights crack Avanil
Armsmen mnt. veteran Avanil
Regulars skilled Avanil merc
Regulars skilled Avanil merc
Regulars skilled Avanil merc
Regulars skilled Avanil merc
Pikes skilled Avanil merc
Pikes skilled Avanil merc
Pikes skilled Avanil merc
Pikes skilled Avanil merc
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc
Note: The remnants of the Avanese army and some additional mercs are located in Devan and not listed here.
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Arrayed against this army is the army of Brandon Boer, made of troops from Boeruine, Talinie (and now also Brosengae).
By counting their standards you find that around 40 units are arrayed on the high ground before you; mostly regulars, but also some pikes, armsmen and missile troops.
The enemy also has a small cav + mnt. inf reserve, but not more than 4 units total.
Then there is the force on the rigde; but that is just a smattering of light infantry.
The opposing armies strongly resemble one another; mostly shock infantry, with some missile infantry and very little cavalry. THe battle has every opportunity of becoming a bloody melee, which gives the advantage to the defense and the high ground...the men from the west have both of those.
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ooc: How much damage would two units of ballistas do against a defensive position? Enough, possibly, to draw them out? Force them to leave the ridge?
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ooc: Deadline is looming in the horizon. I'd suggest deciding on some overall strategy rather quickly (main point being: Attack or not), and let "Him-Who-Manages-All, Caretaker to the Realms and Bringer of Joy and Sorrow" (aka Bjorn) wrap up the war moves from turn 63. No?
As I see it, this is summer and the best time to campaign... failure to act now means we may be fighting during fall or risk the onset of winter.
- We really can't afford a prolonged war - money-wise, and we cannot afford to loose too many men too early in the campaign.
- A direct attack could go either way, but would solve this rather quickly. Before more troops arrive to either side.
- Waiting would give our outflanking cavalry from Coere the opportunity to reach enemy hindlands, which is what we'd like, but as said
Kaven suggests riding under a white flag to meet with the enemy commanders in the middle. Officially to try and break this up without the need for bloodshed (he'd like that), but just as much to get an assesment of the enemy commanders. Who's leading, what can we expect etc: Are any of them known for recklessnes, stalling, etc.
And as a last addendum, he'd like to opportunity to "shame" those, who broke their alligiance with Avanil when they switched sides.
After that, and after the enemy commanders has been assessed, he'll suggest nightly raids. Archers sneaking up on positions, where the enemies missile capacity seems least, firing a volley or two, and then retreating before a propper defense can be mounted. The upside of this would be the danger involved in leading a rushed attack downhill in the dark. Especially mounted troops would be wary of trying such tactics.
The downside would be the possibility of discovery and resulting decimation of archers to well-prepared defenses.
Another thing to consider, would be placing ballistas and other long range artillery and have them start pounding away on the hill. That would possibly either force them to come after us, leaving a defensive position, or make them withdraw out of sight, beyond the hill.
With the help of the Artillerists, a small defensible position could be erected, so the Ballistas are easier to protect.
Ideas/suggestions are most welcome.
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ooc: How much damage would two units of ballistas do against a defensive position? Enough, possibly, to draw them out? Force them to leave the ridge?
Not really no. They could do some damage of course, but to do so you'd have to move them into position (their range is not THAT long), which would expose them to counter-fire and/or attack. Which means you'd have to protect them, which means that very soon there is a whole battle raging :)
If you had a whole lot of catapults or other heavy artillery it would be different; but then the enemy would just find another position, forcing you to spend a lot of time and energy moving those artillery pieces after them...its not easy.
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OOC: The problem is Sheldon, who Jon says is very busy. There is the question of attack/not attack of course, but there are other political considerations that also requires his attention. Very frustrating.
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OoC: He says he'll be around by the end of the week.
What says Avan to the situation? It's his backyard, I guess he can afford to wait till he's gathered enough strength?
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The attack was set to go though on WM 12 last turn...only one week has passed...and that is why I tried to get a reply from Sheldon - attack now, or wait...
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The attack was set to go though on WM 12 last turn...only one week has passed...and that is why I tried to get a reply from Sheldon - attack now, or wait...
Problem is, I can't really take that decision. Perhaps Sheldon should give over temporary control to the DM's if he's unavailable for a period?
On another note, perhaps to quicken decision making: Have any news/rumours come from the cavalry? If theres indication, that Boeruine is pulling back troops to deal with issues behind him (we should be able to discern major troop movements from the ridge we conquered, no?) perhaps we should capitalize on that?
We need what advantages we can get here. I'm turning and twisting this, and an attack uphill against a "defended" position does not bode well.
Who has the majority of missile troops?
Is there a possibility to outflank the enemy with infantry/cavalry units? If so, perhaps we could form a long line, with a couple of units in reserve to plug holes where they appear, and try to overrun one of their flanks?
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1 week has passed since the cav went north; obviously no news will be coming from that quarter.
Neither side has much in the way of missile capability; you have maybe slightly more, but against an all-infantry army with shields holding the high ground...missiles will not be a decisive factor.
You don't have much cav, so I don't see any great deal of flanking either.
Looks like a slugfest!
(I already pointed out to Sheldon that an uphill attack is disadvantageous; but so is waiting for King Boer to arrive)
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Personally, my respect for Brandon Boer is deeper, than my respect for the hill.
If I read the maps and situation correctly, the enemy is situated on a hill to the west of our position, we hold the North Ridge, while Boer's troops hold the southern.
My suggestion would be to use 1 day to parlay under a flag of truce. Then attack the following day at daybreak (with the sun at our back). Have the ballistas set up and keep a steady fire on one their left (southern) flank with some light support. As we mount the hill, instead of hitting the line at the same time, the left/southern flank should hold a bit back, allowing the right flank to hit first, and thus hopefully wheel into the enemy flank:
Click for map (http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t51/Khirildith/BattleforBarisenv1.jpg)
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ooc: Deadline is looming in the horizon. I'd suggest deciding on some overall strategy rather quickly (main point being: Attack or not), and let "Him-Who-Manages-All, Caretaker to the Realms and Bringer of Joy and Sorrow" (aka Bjorn) wrap up the war moves from turn 63. No?
As I see it, this is summer and the best time to campaign... failure to act now means we may be fighting during fall or risk the onset of winter.
OoC: Turn #63 is the autumn of 1535.
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OoC: Quite correct Brandon, thanks for clearing that important piece of info :)
You will be able to fight in the last vestiges of proper weather now. After that, everything will be freezing brrrr!
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The autumn is the campaign season of choice; even on the West Coast you should have months of favorable weather (especially so far south as the war is).
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ooc: Just another reason to press the attack now. It's that, or camp in Barisen all winter. (Who knows... perhaps Kaven can manage to loose another toe or two? And lead forces in another meat-grinder... ;))
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While spending time overseeing some dispatches and logistical reports, the Archduke fell ill and was ordered to keep the bed by his physician. Nothing critical, but enough to cause him to become indisposed.
War move 1 over.
War move 2 begins.
(we've forgotten the HOT general; he is here as well)
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Attack... And we should do as Baron Enlien recommends, try to surprise them at daybreak.
I wish Avan's main force was here and ready to attack.
I also would like to use our flanking cavalry from the north ridge to try and get in a good position to turn the battle.
(OOC: I declare an espionage action here an now to try and get this battle in our favor, I'm not sure what but that's for Balen Halt and 20 RP to decide, If the HOT wants to do the same and throw in his guilder expertise that would also be helpful. a false flag operation, sabotage, I'm open to suggestions, that's why Halt is on my payroll.)
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After recovering the Archduke orders the attack, more or less in line with Baron Enlien's plan.
Initially the attack goes quite well, and there is some confusion in the enemy ranks due to the early hour of the attack. It saves the Diemans some climbing time and a lot of arrow fire...but most importantly it denies the enemy general the opportunity to issue orders to nullify the effects of the oblique attack.
The heavy right flank of the Diemans hit the Westerners' weaker left flank hard at the oblique, and for a moment a swift victory is within the grasp of the Archduke's men. The arrival of Baron Maender Taren with the reserve enables the beleaguered flank to fall back in an orderly fashion, and the attack is halted.
The Baron of Tariene is, however, killed during the fighting, but the Westerners does not seem disheartened over this, but instead sing songs to praise his valor, and even make up a sad ballad on the spot, telling the sad tale of the messenger sent to the Duchess of Tuornen to tell of her husband's death.
Along the rest of the line the advance is not so swift, and the advancing infantry quickly come under semi-heavy missile fire, and then get stuck in melee with determined Westerners. This is just the kind of fighting Enlien wanted to avoid. And predictable enough, more Dieman's are dying than defenders.
To be continued...
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Attack... And we should do as Baron Enlien recommends, try to surprise them at daybreak.
I wish Avan's main force was here and ready to attack.
I also would like to use our flanking cavalry from the north ridge to try and get in a good position to turn the battle.
(OOC: I declare an espionage action here an now to try and get this battle in our favor, I'm not sure what but that's for Balen Halt and 20 RP to decide, If the HOT wants to do the same and throw in his guilder expertise that would also be helpful. a false flag operation, sabotage, I'm open to suggestions, that's why Halt is on my payroll.)
There is an element of tactical surprise...perhaps as a combination of a cunning plan and espionage?
Avan's 'main army' has been badly beaten twice, and is hardly in a shape to fight anyone before it is recovered a bit.
Cavalry on its way, but its slow going until they crest the ridge.
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By mid-day it has become a contest of wills; and to be honest the Westerner's do appear more determined, more cohesive (and they do hold the high ground). But they have also been fighting other battles or are recent additions to the army (the units from Brosengae), so all if not well there either.
Anyway, by mid-day the Archduke himself is leading the attack of the center (there is no other choice), with Enlien pushing on the flank. And suddenly the enemy is being pushed back, every so slowly at first, but then as momentum picks up they are pushed back and towards their own center, into something resembling a crescent. Its not a rout, but suddenly Carvaloen Diem holds the northern portion of the high ground!
On the northern ridge the cavalry and skirmishers already in place have come under attack by several clans of ogres; there is a wild battle being fought up there, between dismounted knights and skirmishers, and their massive assailants. The humans are most likely badly outmatched, but in their destruction they may have saved the Dieman right flank from a surprise attack in the rear!
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Elsewhere...Ser Cereval Shaeme is carrier to the rear, pinned by a pike through his shoulder to a heavy shield. He has suffered several other wounds as well, and even should he survive it is likely that he will be unable to take to the field again.
The Ilienese have disgraced their colors; the artillery has bone little good, one time even hitting a Dieman unit and killing several men. With the angel of fire now very poor, they are ordered to stop firing. In addition a score men of the Ilienese pike have broken and fled the field, or just sat down or their asses, exhausted.
Baron Enlien is actually taken captive at one point, but before he can be sent to the rear he is freed by a mad charge of some of his own men. They are all killed or seriously injured, but manage to buy him time to get back to the lines.
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Interactive input welcome...
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Recovering himself, Haelyn's divine grace closing a large gap in his left arm, Kaven takes to the fore again, battering away at the enemy with a warhammer pried from the cold fingers of a downed foe, his own weapon lost in the heat of the battle.
The Baron tries to keep the lines of his men adressed, urging wounded troops to the back and relatively fresh troops up front and attempting to keep coherency though the troops he currently leads are a smattering of various units.
Shouting at the top of his lungs, he urges the enemy to surrender, offering them full quarters, before pressing the attack once more, calling on Haelyn to bless those around him (ooc: casting Bless) as they force themselves forward, step by bloody step.
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The is, obviously, no real command of the battle, only bloody murder and personal courage...
...until both sides are so weary as to leave almost no man unwounded and few able to do much more than stand on their feet...
...and so the fighting just dies away, leaving two bloody and ragged lines facing one another...the Diemans have paid the highest price, but this is no longer a battle of swords, but of will...and neither side is willing to yield.
But in the end it is decided by another - the vanguard of Prince Avan's army is seen arriving from the Maesil valley, and as the light start to fade, so too does the army of Brandon Boer. Unfortunately the Diemans have no cavalry nor any strength left, so the enemy is allowed to go in peace, even carry away some of their wounded.
War move 2 ended
War move 3 begins
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Gods Damnit! what in Azrai's name Ogers!? bloody shadow.
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A dispatch arrives to Archduke Diem, too late unfortunately.
"My liege, King Boer has struck a bargain with a tribe of ogres. They are to strike from the north once the battle gets underway. 2 battalion's worth are marching your way, from the northern Seamists."
It's clear enough that it's Balen Halt's work. Too bad you attacked before he could inform you.
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Ogres are sometimes hired as mercenaries...not very often, but it happens.
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Prince Avan sends his regards to the Archduke for a battle well fought and won, and invites him to dine with him.
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Hah! won. We can't afford any more victories such as this. I accept his invitation. I hope it's not too showy or fancy of an affair. we have work to do and I am thankful that Avan's army has arrived, but I am not in a celebratory mood. Baron Enlien, can you see to General Shaeme's wounds?
I need a head count, of who is alive, and we need to secure this hill. I sure hope our sacrifice gives Avan the edge and that he does not let it go to waste.
Also round up the Ilienese Pikemen who fled or sat on their asses. bind them and take them captive, I'll figure out what to do with them later, but keep them separate from the other prisoners.
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As the battle ends, another kind of battle begins. Weary soldiers trudge the battlefield, looking for comrades, looking for survivors and some, possibly, looking for loot.
Priests and acolytes of the Celestial spell, left behind once the battle began, now move among the bodies on the ground, at times stopping and stooping to tend to the needs of a wounded or give a fallen Medoerean his last rites. It is a grim job, but they set about it with determination, intent on making up for the time they waited, unable to aid their friends fighting on the hill.
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Tired to the bones, Kaven Enlien slumps down on a overturned cart, wiping grime and blood from his face. He has a grim-faced expression, his jaw set and his eyes seemingly burning from within as he surveys the battlefield and the dead and dying littered all around it.
"To the victor goes the spoils", he comments bitterly, his right hand unconsciously balling into a fist around the time a messenger brings the news of the Archduke requiring his presence.
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Hah! won. We can't afford any more victories such as this. I accept his invitation. I hope it's not too showy or fancy of an affair. we have work to do and I am thankful that Avan's army has arrived, but I am not in a celebratory mood. Baron Enlien, can you see to General Shaeme's wounds?
I need a head count, of who is alive, and we need to secure this hill. I sure hope our sacrifice gives Avan the edge and that he does not let it go to waste.
Also round up the Ilienese Pikemen who fled or sat on their asses. bind them and take them captive, I'll figure out what to do with them later, but keep them separate from the other prisoners.
"I will try to aid as best I can, Liege", Kaven replies.
"May I suggest moving those ballistas up on the hill, and have Endiers artillerists dig them in. Mayhaps they can show those Ilineese how to do things propperly?
Liege, we also need to decide, if we wish to dig in here for winter, or rest a bit, and move on."
Ogres are sometimes hired as mercenaries...not very often, but it happens.
Ooc: how is this viewed "normally"? Are ogres considered Azrai's spawn and hiring them a despicable act?
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Diem stoops down, his gauntlets and riding gloves long discarded, and grasps a fistful of dirt with his bare hand and then examins it before letting it flit away, wiping the remainder on his gambeson.
"Spoil's eh? There's nothing here to loot but broken corpses. I trust you so I will tell you the truth. This Pyrrhic victory I count but loss. I was hoping that by example I would haste Avan's arrival but not before the battle was over. Nay Avanil dons the late crown today. but maybe there is some redemption in the fact that we did force Brandon's forces to retreat. If we would have waited for Avan's course to bring him here naturally then Brandon and even more soldiers would have stood against us when we finally chose to fight. To the myopic I say, we died for dirt, for a hill, but to he who has the eyes of an eagle, I say that chapter is not written yet but maybe we, here today, saved our future."
"As for what to do next, evidently I will be seeing the prince himself tonight, but we still have two more months of good weather left, to dally here for long would be foolishness. I however do not feel we should be the vanguard any longer. We have turned the flank, now let's see if Avan can smash through the middle and capitalize on our sacrifice."
"I will have to leave soon for Roesoene's wedding but I hope as soon as it is over to ride back as fast as the wind and with the Baron and his Bride in tow. This is turning out to be a war for a Cuiraecenite if I ever saw one."
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Looking in the direction of the indisposed Ser Shaeme, Kaven nods as he draws the conclusions.
"And what would you have me do in your abscence, Liege? The troops could do with rest, and we need to prepare for Boer's retaliation. Do we wait for him here, and prepare for the onslaught, or do we march when Avan comes, and if so, which way? Brosengae or Taeghas?"
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Though focusing on Avan/Diem troops, the clergy of the RCS also stay aware of any soldiers who wear the livery of a noble by order of the Baron. When such men are found, acolytes call for assistance to carry them away.
Such knights or aristocrats are then laid out in a line, to discern their identity. It matters not which side they fought on during the battle, the Baron ordered a tally of every dead nobleman, wanting to know who fell in this battle, so their names can be remembered by history.
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I'm suspecting Taeghas, we have to march through part of it anyway before we could cross a bridge into Brosengae. And the last thing I ever want to do is fight an offensive battle across a bridge. However, I will know more after I dine with Avan tonight. If his vanguard has already arrived, the rest of the army should be here within days I would surmise.
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The Prince of Avanil is in a good mood when the Archduke arrives. He seems oblivious to the losses suffered - but then again, why would a prince care about dead mercenaries?
Archduke, congratulations on a battle well fought - and won! You have stopped Brandon Boer from entering the Maesil valley, which is a great achievement. Now we must pursue his forces, find the 'King' and chase him back to the windy coast where he belongs.
Save for a small mobile reserve and a guard in Daulton, I have little but militia defending Avanil. Everything is either here - or on its way to join us. If you have any more men to contribute, now would be a good time to bring them up. Mine own vassals suddenly found some more units when the promise of land in the West was made; perhaps yours would as well, if you make it know that they will receive manors and lands? Victory is close at hand, and we must not squander it by playing it safe.
I hear that you will be leaving for a wedding soon? Is that correct? And is so, who will you leave in command? This Baron Enlien? Is he competent - and senior - enough? Should I listen to his counsel, or just use him as a commander? Pray tell, I would hear you speak your mind good Duke.
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Preparations to march out have already begun and scouts and outriders are already on the move to locate enemy detachments and scree then advance of the main force (whenever it decides to move).
It also becomes quite obvious that not all the units are fit to move; they shall have to remain her and act as a sort of guard - protecting your line of retreat and supply, and waiting for additional reinforcements to arrive.
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The day following the battle, Baron Enlien is up and about once more. Directing some of the men to start the construction of a field fortification for the units left to guard the pass (mainly by building up earthworks), he also orders the Ballistas brought up on top of the hill, requesting them set up in an advantageous position overlooking the ground leading into Taeghas.
Once done, he oversees the rookie crew fire a test shot or two, to determine the range and angle of the machines, confering with some of the artillerist from Endier and the men operating the machines to some length as they discuss trajectories and firing lines.
Later, he is seen confering with some of the Avaneese soldiers, as he has them look at a map of the land. Pointing several times to various point along the sketched river, he asks for bridges from Brosengae into Taeghas and the material they're made of.
And finally, after speaking to some length with his quartermaster, he does what he can to assist in the treatment of the injured, using his divine power sparringly to mend wounds where he can.
In the evening, he seeks an audience with his liegelord and the Prince both.
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"Thank you Prince Darien, you are most kind with your words. It was a good victory, and a needed victory, but largely it was a one shot.
I knew going into this that there were no second chances. There was no waiting it out to see who would win. To even answer your summons was to put me on Beor's list of enemies. We have one opportunity to push him back, all or nothing, show up or go home...
So with that in mind I pulled every diplomatic card I had. Taken out loans from every guilder I could find. I could scrape the barrel and maybe raise Five more companies, perhaps ten if the gods truly smiling on me, but without more gold even that would be a mean feat.
It was to the end of opposing Beor here and now, and preventing him from entering the Maesil valley that I have put my all. as of right now, my troops are not quickly replenished, and I have no supply of cowards or weak-willed underlings who's fiefs I can twist more than I already have.
As to Baron Medoere, his plans often seem audacious, and to a practical ruler like you or myself, his paladin ways may seem cumbersome, but he is favored by the gods. His plans have always been sound. He is a strong military mind and a leader of men. When it comes to ethics I cannot speak of any one higher, and by far I have never seen anyone take on as many endeavors with such little probability of success and pull through. From fighting the shadow in Aduria to the siege of Ilien, to this war here he does nothing but win win win. I make it a habit to consult him on Military matters, and besides myself, he is the best person to lead my troops. I trust and listen to him, and so can you."
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"Also, Prince Darien, I have been looking over the maps and talking to my commanders. You are definitely correct in that now is the best time to pursue, We have forced his troops to break and fall back. We cannot allow them a chance to rest. Also, Many of the favors I have pulled require renegotiating come winter, before next year's campaign season, and thirdly, we now hold the Initiative.
Baron Medoere and I have worked on some goals that if we can realize them still this fall should help lead us to victory. One, we both feel strongly that there are some Brosengae lordlings that in the face of our victory might consider switching their allegiance to the right side through acts of diplomacy. They should be reached out to. Kaven is working on this right now, but you with your vast knowledge of your realm would be key in realizing this as I'm sure it would take considerable diplomatic effort and espionage. Secondly, we may have to destroy the bridges between Brosengae and Taeghas. Whatever can separate our enemies, protect our flanks, and force them to spend considerable effort maneuvering, and allow us to take them apart piecemeal. Thirdly, we may want to consider fortifying this hill with field fortifications. This is the only way back into the Maesil Valley and we want to keep it strong so that should we lose, we will have a place to return to and slow down a Beor Counter Advance in order to give us a second try, but should we succeed we can protect our supply lines. We have many troops that are unfit for marching. I imagine those companies would stay to erect and man the fortifications.
When I return from the Wedding, I will be bringing in tow strong leaders, warriors, and such, and since I will be passing through Ilien, Hopefully my Countess will feel compelled to meet her obligations with soldiers that are actually worth a damn."
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OOC: Note that the Ghieste units where inadvertently left out of the list...but they DID participate (otherwise you would have been CREAMED).
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"Very well then Archduke Diem, I shall take Baron Enlien into my counsel and listen very closely to his advice. If he is all that you say he is, I think I shall place him in command of the next battle."
He turns to Enlien
"You are hereby promoted to Field Marshal and given command of all the armies of Avanil and her auxiliaries that are arrayed here in the West. What say you to that my lord?"
Without waiting for a reply:
"I suppose your are off to see the Baron of Roesone's wedding then? When you return Brosengae and Taeghas will be back on my hands, and you shall be amply rewarded by lands that once belonged to your brother - and more."
He takes a little more wine, and then actually make a joke
"Too bad you are already married. It seems I have an unwed daughter in need of a husband..."
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War move 3 - The army holds and rests, sending forth scouts and outriders to gather intelligence.
War move 4 begins - Try to formulate some orders; in addition to replying IC to Prince Avan.
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Kaven takes a knee and lowers his head in acquiescence "His Highness shows me too great an honour. I shall strive to serve him proudly at the behest of my Liege Lord.
After recieving permission to rise again, Kaven lays out a couple of suggestions, switching to a more militaristic matter-of-fact tone.
"Your Highness, I believe my Liege already suggested such, but we might be better protected from flanking reinforcements from Brosengae, if we remove any and all bridges crossing the river seperating Brosengae and Taeghas as well as remove ferries we encounter. I believe there to be only one major bridge, the crossing between Hontier and Carrida. If we could take and remove that bridge, Brosen reinforcements would probably have to use extra time and resources to cross the river, and do so at a more amicable location. I thought about detaching a small group, to make certain this happens, or act to prevent flanking moves from that direction. That is, of course, unless His Highness disagrees with this line of planning?
I have taken the liberty of ordering field fortifications erected on this very hill, giving the units most roughed up a place to rest, a camp for supplies to be move to thus shortening our supplyline, and in the worst case, somewhere to redeploy if we encounter too heavy resistance on the road ahead. I'm thinking the Ilineese balistas will stay, as they have proven themselves too unreliable to count on during actual skirmishes or battles, and can cover more ground from a stationary position here.
As a last thing, I have been looking into the possibility of attempting to sway those lords of Brosen who hold to honourable beliefs and are ired by Her Grace's side-switching. If some respond, I would hope we could take the time to meet with these people on neutral ground and facilitate their return to the honourable side and our cause.
Other than that, I intend to send forth what light and medium cavalry we have to act as a vanguard and scout for enemy troop movement, while our troops march. There where ogres spotted during the last battle, and I'd like for us to know their whereabouts and intentions at all times."
He pauses.
"Does His Highness have any amendments to such a plan? Might I ask, which province we aim at?"
---
War move 3:
- Start the construction of a field fortification on the hill with the aid of Endier Artillerist. Mainly by entrenching the top of the hill.
- Position Ballistas on the hill to cover northern ridge (where Ogres where last spotted) and the road into Taeghas
War move 4:
- Light/Medium cavalry to act as vanguard/outriders. Ordered not to engage unless sure of victory or forced.
- Troops not to battered to participate in battle to march into Carrida and liberate it. (preferably weary or better, but bring along exhausted if His Highness dictates it). If the enemy is encountered, try to engage in favourable terrain (ie. force a battle where we have the advantage for once.)
- Detachment of 3-4 units (Archers and mounted armsmen with move 3+ if we have them, regulars and crossbow we don't), to head for the Bridge crossing the river and take/destroy it (send along a commander to heighten the chance of success).
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Status per start of war move 4
[Added Ghieste army units]
[Included original Avanese army units]
[Added follow-up Avanese army; incl. Prince Avan]
Main Army
Generals and Commanders
Prince Darien Avan (General): Supreme commander
Ser Hadrian (Commander): Veteran Avanese commander (Prince's own guards)
Archduke Carvaloen Diem (General): Left to attend Roesone/Tornilen wedding.
Ser Cereval Shaeme (Commander): Grievously injured.
Baron Kaven Enlien (General): Field marshal (i.e. acting battlefield commander)
Baron Arvour Raemel Roesone (General): Left to attend wedding.
Ser Tael Brosuine (Commander): Commanding a detachment of cavalry heading north.
Ser Maelcom (General): Ghieste contingent commander.
Shock Cav
Knights Crack Diemed B
Knights Crack Avanil B
Knights Legendary Avanil (NEW) OK
Dragoons Vet Diemed Detached
Dragoons Vet Diemed Detached
Dragoons Diemed Mercs Detached
Dragoons Diemed Mercs Detached
Light Cav
Outriders Diemed Mercs Detached
Outriders Diemed Mercs Detached
Lion Outriders 1st Ghieste Mercs W
Lion Outriders 2nd Ghieste Mercs E
Scouts Green Endier Detached/Destroyed in Coere in turn#62
Lion Scouts Ghieste Mercs E
H Infantry
Mounted Armsmen Crack Diemed Detached
Mounted Armsmen (RCS Templars) Crack Medoere Detached
Lion Mt. Armsmen Ghieste Mercs B
Mounted Armsmen Veteran Avanil E
Mounted Armsmen Crack Avanil (NEW) OK
Armsmen Diemed Mercs B
Armsmen Elite Medoere D
Lion Armsmen 1st Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Armsmen 2nd Ghieste Mercs W
M Infantry
Regulars Green Diemed E
Regulars Diemed Mercs B
Regulars Diemed Mercs E
Regulars Veteran Medoere (Alamier) D
Swordsmen Veteran Medoere B
Swordsmen Veteran Medoere D
Swordsmen Raw Ilien D
Swordsmen Veteran Roesoen E
Swordsmen Veteran Roesone B
Lion Regular 1st Ghieste Mercs D
Lion Regular 2nd Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Regular 3rd Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Regular 4th Ghieste Mercs D
Lion Regular 5th Ghieste Mercs W
Lion Regular 6th Ghieste Mercs E
Regulars skilled Avanil merc W
Regulars skilled Avanil merc E
Regulars skilled Avanil merc E
Regulars skilled Avanil merc OK
Regulars skilled Avanil (NEW) W
Regulars skilled Avanil (NEW) W
Regulars skilled Avanil (NEW) W
Pikes Diemed Mercs W
Pikes Skilled Endier E
Pikes Skilled Endier D
Pikes Veteran Ilien B
Pikes Veteran Roesone W
Pikes skilled Avanil merc W
Pikes skilled Avanil merc OK
Pikes skilled Avanil merc B
Pikes skilled Avanil merc E
Pikes Veteran Avanil (NEW) OK
Pikes Veteran Avanil (NEW) OK
Halberdiers Skilled Endier D
Halberdiers Skilled Endier E
Halberdiers Veteran Avanil (NEW) OK
Partizans Green Avanil (NEW) OK
Partizans Green Avanil (NEW) OK
Partizans Green Avanil (NEW) OK
Partizans Green Avanil (NEW) OK
Missile Infantry
Archers Diemed Mercs W
Archers Diemed Mercs W
Archers Veteran Medoere OK
Archers Veteran Roesone Detached
Archers Veteran Roesone Detached
Crossbowmen Skilled Endier E
Crossbowmen Skilled Endier D
Crossbowmen Raw Ilien D
Lion Crossbows 1st Ghieste Merc E
Lion Crossbows 2nd Ghieste Merc E
Lion Crossbows 3rd Ghieste Merc B
Lion Crossbows 4th Ghieste Merc D
Lion Crossbows 5th Ghieste Merc B
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc W
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc E
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc E
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc B
Crossbows Green Avanil (NEW) OK
Crossbows Green Avanil (NEW) OK
Crossbows Green Avanil (NEW) OK
Light Infantry
Skirmishers Green Diemed D
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) OK
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) OK
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) OK
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) OK
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) OK
Specialist
Artillerists Skilled Endier E
Artillerists Elite Avanil (NEW) W
Artillery
Balistae Raw Ilien E
Balistae Raw Ilien OK
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OOC Ghieste's crossbowmen are missing from the list? Sorry. :'(
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X-bows added.
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Thorsten: Feel free to pick units to go to Carrida or to stay behind an guard the camp.
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ooc: I've diveded it in such a way as I think it'll work best. The temporary orders are listed beside the detachments. Other commanders (Ghieste, the Prince, Ser Hadrian, unnamed Endier-dude) should feel free to comment on this IC.
Main Army
Generals and Commanders
Prince Darien Avan (General): Supreme commander
Ser Hadrian (Commander): Veteran Avanese commander (Prince's own guards)
Baron Kaven Enlien (General): Field marshal (i.e. acting battlefield commander)
Shock Cav
Knights Legendary Avanil (NEW) OK
H Infantry
Lion Armsmen 1st Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Armsmen 2nd Ghieste Mercs W
M Infantry
Regulars Green Diemed E
Regulars Diemed Mercs E
Swordsmen Veteran Roesoen E
Lion Regular 2nd Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Regular 3rd Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Regular 5th Ghieste Mercs W
Lion Regular 6th Ghieste Mercs E
Regulars skilled Avanil merc W
Regulars skilled Avanil merc E
Regulars skilled Avanil merc E
Regulars skilled Avanil merc OK
Regulars skilled Avanil (NEW) W
Regulars skilled Avanil (NEW) W
Regulars skilled Avanil (NEW) W
Pikes Diemed Mercs W
Pikes Skilled Endier E
Pikes Veteran Roesone W
Pikes skilled Avanil merc W
Pikes skilled Avanil merc OK
Pikes skilled Avanil merc E
Pikes Veteran Avanil (NEW) OK
Pikes Veteran Avanil (NEW) OK
Halberdiers Skilled Endier E
Halberdiers Veteran Avanil (NEW) OK
Partizans Green Avanil (NEW) OK
Partizans Green Avanil (NEW) OK
Partizans Green Avanil (NEW) OK
Partizans Green Avanil (NEW) OK
Missile Infantry
Archers Veteran Medoere OK
Crossbowmen Skilled Endier E
Lion Crossbows 1st Ghieste Merc E
Lion Crossbows 2nd Ghieste Merc E
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc W
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc E
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc E
Crossbows Green Avanil (NEW) OK
Crossbows Green Avanil (NEW) OK
Crossbows Green Avanil (NEW) OK
Light Infantry
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) OK
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) OK
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) OK
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) OK
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) OK
Artillery
Balistae Raw Ilien OK
Specialist
Artillerists Elite Avanil (NEW) W - Ordered to "assisst the Balistae" (take control)
Detachment (Vanguard/Screening forces) - Ordered to locate the enemy but avoid conflict unless victory is certain (ie. fighting 3 units against 1 unit of enemy scouts, etc.):
Lion Outriders 1st Ghieste Mercs W
Lion Outriders 2nd Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Scouts Ghieste Mercs E
Detachment (Bridge) - Ordered secure/destroy bridge and link up with main army after the completion of their mission:
Ser Maelcom (General): Ghieste contingent commander.
Archers Diemed Mercs W
Archers Diemed Mercs W
Lion Mt. Armsmen Ghieste Mercs B
Mounted Armsmen Veteran Avanil E
Mounted Armsmen Crack Avanil (NEW) OK
Detachment (The Hill):
Ser Cereval Shaeme (Commander): Grievously injured (if he can do anything, like rest but still give orders to troops and make decisions, then he might actually be able to help here.)
Balistae Raw Ilien E
Artillerists Skilled Endier E
Knights Crack Diemed B
Knights Crack Avanil B
Armsmen Diemed Mercs B
Regulars Diemed Mercs B
Swordsmen Veteran Medoere B
Swordsmen Veteran Roesone B
Pikes skilled Avanil merc B
Pikes Veteran Ilien B
Lion Crossbows 3rd Ghieste Merc B
Lion Crossbows 5th Ghieste Merc B
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc B
Detachment (Flanking Cavalry):
Ser Tael Brosuine (Commander): Commanding a detachment of cavalry heading north.
Dragoons Vet Diemed Detached
Dragoons Vet Diemed Detached
Dragoons Diemed Mercs Detached
Dragoons Diemed Mercs Detached
Outriders Diemed Mercs Detached
Outriders Diemed Mercs Detached
Detachment (Coere)
Archers Veteran Roesone Detached
Archers Veteran Roesone Detached
Mounted Armsmen Crack Diemed Detached
Mounted Armsmen (RCS Templars) Crack Medoere Detached
Destroyed:
Armsmen Elite Medoere D
Regulars Veteran Medoere (Alamier) D
Swordsmen Veteran Medoere D
Swordsmen Raw Ilien D
Lion Regular 1st Ghieste Mercs D
Lion Regular 4th Ghieste Mercs D
Pikes Skilled Endier D
Halberdiers Skilled Endier D
Skirmishers Green Diemed D
Crossbowmen Skilled Endier D
Crossbowmen Raw Ilien D
Scouts Green Endier Detached/Destroyed in Coere in turn#62
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Ok, the only thing I'm not sure about is 'the bridge'. I've made no mention of any major bridge, so I'll assume that what you are intending is for this force to secure any major/easy crossing points between Taeghas and Brosengae to avoid the enemy sending troops over the river with ease. Am I right in assuming that this is between the provinces of Hontier and Barisen?
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Hurry now, or I'll move ahead, assuming my...assumptions...are correct.
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Ser Maeclom is agreeable to plan as it stands, despite the splitting of his command.
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Looking at the road-map, there seems to be one major road between Carrida and Hontier, I'm assuming that such a major road will have a large bridge to facilitat the crossing of caravans, wagon-trains etc. it is that point I wish to secure.
If that is not the case, then yes, attempt to secure major crossing points and force the enemy to find alternate routes.
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Prince Avan wants his mounted armsmen near the knights (and himself); it is plain to him that you do not know how to employ knights...i.e. not alone in rugged terrain.
But other than that the plan is sound. Do you replace the armsmen with something else? Or Maelcom's force will be weakened.
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Looking at the road-map, there seems to be one major road between Carrida and Hontier, I'm assuming that such a major road will have a large bridge to facilitat the crossing of caravans, wagon-trains etc. it is that point I wish to secure.
If that is not the case, then yes, attempt to secure major crossing points and force the enemy to find alternate routes.
Indeed there is. So you are talking about the Carrida/Hontier river. So Maelcom's force will be going with you to Carrida, and then secure the bridge to avoid the enemy slipping across it or bringing in reinforcements? Yes?
Also note that the Carrida castle is holding out, so if you try to force battle near the site of the primary siege, the defenders MAY decide to sally forth.
As your army march towards Carrida, you get word from Ser Tael Brosuine; he has pushed through a weak screening foce of light infantry in Marilen and is currently in that province with a semi-fresh cavalry force. He can join you enroute to Carrida, march to Carrida himself (possibly turning north into Brosien - his ancestral home!)
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Kaven requests the presence of him and the cavalry he's leading in any major confrontations. His knowledge of the surrounding area is probably better than Kaven's, so would be a major asset. The fact that the army will have a major cavalry presence another.
Forcing a siege near a friendly castle, would also be a notable asset. Is it in any way possible to break the siege before enemy reinforcements arrive?
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Kaven requests the presence of him and the cavalry he's leading in any major confrontations. His knowledge of the surrounding area is probably better than Kaven's, so would be a major asset. The fact that the army will have a major cavalry presence another.
You didn't answer the question. Is he to join with the main army as it marches towards Carrida?
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Forcing a siege near a friendly castle, would also be a notable asset. Is it in any way possible to break the siege before enemy reinforcements arrive?
What enemy reinforcements? You only know Boer's army went west to join with the army besieging Carrida. So far that is the ONLY enemy force you have track on...and you light cav reports that they are all gathered in Carrida now, not far from the Baron's castle (and not far from the bridge either)
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You didn't answer the question. Is he to join with the main army as it marches towards Carrida?
Yes. That was just my odd way of formulating that.
What enemy reinforcements? You only know Boer's army went west to join with the army besieging Carrida. So far that is the ONLY enemy force you have track on...and you light cav reports that they are all gathered in Carrida now, not far from the Baron's castle (and not far from the bridge either)
I'm just preparing for the worst, y'know.
Let's fight the enemy near the castle if possible.
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Things work out pretty much as planned:
Ser Tael joins his cavalry to the main army, greatly augmenting your cavalry contingent (it is not BIG or anything, but at least you have SOME cavalry now).
The outriders/scouts report back; there are no enemy detachments or armies hidden elsewhere in the province.
Ser Maelcom manages to secure the bridge after some fierce fighting with Brosen regulars who eventually retreat to the southern bank.
The main battle takes place on the plain northeast of Caer Carr. Unlike your previous engagement, this one offers no special advantages to either side in terms of terrain. THe enemy has constructed some siege works facing the castle, but has yet to build very many field fortifications facing outwards, so they gain no special benefit from them (other than that they make a sally much more difficult).
The enemy has close to sixty units now that he's joined is field army with his besieging force, but those sixty include some pretty banged-up units from your previous engagement (and some of those units have fought two major battle before THAT). But don't get too optimistic, as the enemy took fewer casualties in Barisen than did your own side.
The enemy army is still commanded by Baron Bacaele; no sign of the Boer standard, nor that standard of Khaiarén (of Rivien). Primarily infantry as before, with a tendency to heavy and shock type infantry. A small cavalry force is held in reserve (it is about half the size of your cavalry now that you have Ser Brosuine).
The enemy deployment is fairly traditional and defensively minded, well suited for a retreat towards the north or west.
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Ser Maelcom instructs for the provision of defensive measures at the bridge with both the securing of the access across the bridge but also the fortification of the northern bank in case of an attempt to use it by retreating forces. He also considers the possibility of, and starts to arrange for, destroying and/or damaging the bridge should it be required in order to pin or hold enemy forces in position, specifically with fire to remove wooden support structures or the such like, though this will not be utilised yet, merely prepared.
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1st Echelon Left Flank:
Ser Tael Brosuine (Commander):
Dragoons Vet Diemed
Dragoons Vet Diemed
Lion Outriders 1st Ghieste Mercs W
Lion Outriders 2nd Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Scouts Ghieste Mercs E
Left Wing:
Partizans Green Avanil (NEW) OK
Partizans Green Avanil (NEW) OK
Pikes skilled Avanil merc W
Pikes skilled Avanil merc OK
Pikes Veteran Avanil (NEW) OK
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc E
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) OK
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) OK
Center:
Baron Kaven Enlien (General): Field marshal (i.e. acting battlefield commander)
Halberdiers Veteran Avanil (NEW) OK
Regulars skilled Avanil merc OK
Pikes skilled Avanil merc E
Pikes Skilled Endier E
Crossbowmen Skilled Endier E
Lion Crossbows 1st Ghieste Merc E
Lion Crossbows 2nd Ghieste Merc E
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc W
Crossbows Green Avanil (NEW) OK
Crossbows Green Avanil (NEW) OK
Crossbows Green Avanil (NEW) OK
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) OK
Right Wing:
Partizans Green Avanil (NEW) OK
Partizans Green Avanil (NEW) OK
Pikes Diemed Mercs W
Pikes Veteran Roesone W
Pikes Veteran Avanil (NEW) OK
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc E
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) OK
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) OK
Right Flank:
Ser Hadrian (Commander): Veteran Avanese commander (Prince's own guards)
Knights Legendary Avanil (NEW) OK In the reserve
Dragoons Diemed Mercs
Dragoons Diemed Mercs
Outriders Diemed Mercs
Outriders Diemed Mercs
2nd Echelon Left Wing:
Regulars skilled Avanil merc W
Regulars skilled Avanil (NEW) W
Lion Regular 2nd Ghieste Mercs E
Center:
Balistae Raw Ilien OK
Artillerists Elite Avanil (NEW) W - Ordered to "assisst the Balistae" (take control and add their bonuses)
Archers Veteran Medoere OK
Lion Armsmen 1st Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Armsmen 2nd Ghieste Mercs W
Lion Regular 5th Ghieste Mercs W
Right Wing:
Regulars skilled Avanil (NEW) W
Regulars skilled Avanil (NEW) W
Halberdiers Skilled Endier E
Swordsmen Veteran Roesoen E
3rd Echelon Center
Prince Darien Avan (General): Supreme commander (Does he fight?)
Regulars Green Diemed E
Regulars Diemed Mercs E
Lion Regular 3rd Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Regular 6th Ghieste Mercs E
Regulars skilled Avanil merc E
Regulars skilled Avanil merc E
Detachment (Bridge) - Ordered secure/destroy bridge and link up with main army after the completion of their mission:
Ser Maelcom (General): Ghieste contingent commander.
Archers Diemed Mercs W
Archers Diemed Mercs W
Lion Mt. Armsmen Ghieste Mercs B
Mounted Armsmen Veteran Avanil E
Mounted Armsmen Crack Avanil (NEW) OK In the reserve
Arraying the forces to meet the Boer's men, Kaven orders crossbowmen to take to the front, while the sides are made up of the fresh Partisans and pikemen.
Behind them, regulars form up, ready to storm to the fore, when the enemy closes, or a line appears close to the breaking point.
It is the wish of the Field Marshal, that the center closes distance, while irregulars harrass the enemy, and then keep up a steady rate of crossbowfire, focusing on the enemy center trying to pin them down or cause so many casualties, that a counter-assault from the enemy can be succesfully contained. Kaven will join the halberdiers attempting to assist the crossbowmen.
Since he understands the right flank to be the one closest to enemy territory, the legendary knights attack there should hopefully help create panic, as the foe now knows retreat into Brosengae is barred and loosing the right flank (our right) means there's no retreat into Boeruine either, the will be forced to the coast.
Click here (http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t51/Khirildith/BattleforCaerCarr.jpg) for map.
EDIT:
Mistook Irregulars as skirmishers... they are not to act as cannonfodder, and have been redeployed in the 1st ranks instead.
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Under the new orders, with the bridge secured and the battle due to commence, Ser Maelcom makes all haste to damage the bridge, utilising the horsepower with him to pull down supports and pillars if necessary, before returning with alacrity to the field.
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Avan orders his knights and mounted armsmen into the Reserve; he's seen what YOU do with Knights, send them without support into rough terrain. Anyway, he is a prince, and must have his guard.
Other than that...good to go.
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Kaven asks permission from the Prince, to offer the foe a chance to surrender and leave the battlefield unharmed (not that he's counting on it), as well as offer any Brosen lords the opportunity to renew their fealty to the Prince.
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The Westerners are not interested; and none of the men of Brosengae is in any position to bow out. Perhaps you'll have more success away from the battlefield.
The armies clash together...
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I like your maps, but do use the Cavalry symbol for cav...current your using the infantry X to represent cav. Slightly confusing.
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Most certainly. I couldn't remember if it was one or two diagonal lines... I'll amend that in the future.
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Deployment:
The enemy sends out some light infantry to harass the deployment of the army, but they are quickly discouraged by crossbow fire and fall back to their own lines.
Opening moves:
The Avanese (i.e. the Ghieste/Roesone/Diemed/Avanil army) advance steadily towards the enemy, firing heavy barrages of crossbow bolts as they advance. Despite the volume of fire you fail to do much damage to the formed ranks of the enemy's regulars and armsmen.
Losses among your own 1st echelon is rather heavier as the enemy goes to rapid fire and sustained with their longbows, a feat possible only because they must have stockpiled extra arrows here for the siege. Losses are particularly bad among the units of the Left Wing, causing its advance to lose momentum and fall behind the rest of the army. Ser Brosuine, rather than see his light cavalry cut down by longbow fire orders his horse to fall back behind the Left Wing, creating a gap in the lines between the left and the river/Maelcom's bridge force.
In the center and the right losses are much lighter, due to a lack of archers in the enemy ranks. THere seems to be quite a few skirmishers in the enemy left, but their firepower is not on the level of Baron Bacaele's elite longbows.
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Contact:
The two centers clash and start the steady work of killing and pushing. There will be no decision here.
The Avanese right proves most capable, having suffered comparatively little from missile fire, they more or less immediately gain the upper hand. Moreover the Avanese cavalry quickly envelops the enemy flank, adding to the enemy's hardship.
The Avanese left wing is shattered by a strong Boer counter-charge. Already weakened by heavy losses their morale gives and they break and flee, abandoning much of their equipment in their hast to be away.
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"Hold firm men of Avanil, men of the east!" Kaven shouts, bashing a probing spear into the earth with his shield and severing the shaft with a quick chop from his sword, before stepping back into the ranks of the halberdiers to allow for better time to get an overview while their polearms holds the enemy at bay.
With orders, he attempts to direct fire from the archers into Boer's unit on his left, waving his sword to indicate the need for reinforcement to box up the center and avoid being overrun on the flank.
Bawling to the sergeants behind him to relay his words, he attempts tp order the cavalry under Ser Brosuine to race to tha aid of the cavalry on the right and overrun the enemy flank, then he turns to the fight once more raising his voice to the sky as he prays for Haelyns blessing to support the men around him, as they hold the enemy at bay.
Click here (http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t51/Khirildith/BattleforCaerCarr2.jpg) for map.
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Maelcom sees the flank shred and for a moment his heart is in his mouth, knowing that an envelopment of the centre could collapse the Avanese alliance and break the battle in favour of the Boer. He looks around him assessing what he has and with a wry grin and a chuckle to himself he stands up in his stirrups.
"Right my lads! We are going in! This bridge is all very well but there is a real battle that we're missing! We are going to go in and you are going to shout and cheer and trumpet! I am going to make that flank of the enemy stop moving and you are all going to help me; we pin them in place and left the right flank complete its work for us and the day is ours! So come on my boys, have at them!"
With a cheer and a salute the detachment under his command moves forward, armsmen centre with missiles on either flank and the mounted armsmen as a heavy hitting reserve with an eye to the bridge in case of any trouble there. Keeping his units between the enemy and the bridge they shout and cheer, all their banners and standards fluttering as they attempt to cause panic and worry within the Boer's men.
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Main:
Ser Brosuine manages to get his cavalry clear of the routing left wing and quickly rides to the rear and around toward the right flank. In the meantime the Boer general has sent HIS cavalry to drive away your cavalry under Ser Hadrian...had he not he would have risked envelopment. Ser Brosuine arrives just in time to see Ser Hardian's men driven away, but they rally and counterattack once they see Brosuine's banner.
In the future...perhaps not divide your cavalry when this enables the enemy's inferior cavalry to gain local superiority?
With the left wing in full flight your army's left becomes enveloped by the Boeruine men, and suddenly your 2nd echelon left and 3rd echelon center are engaged in a confusing melee. To buy the men a little time to regroup Prince Avan personally leads his knights into the fray, charging the enemy several times before falling back behind the lines.
It is beginning to appear a bad idea to mix units from so many different realms; you would be better served perhaps by having each contingent stay in separate sections...at least it appears that way now.
On your right flank things are going well enough. And once Brosuine has defeated the enemy cavalry, you can overlap his flank with your 2nd echelon right wing.
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(I did kinda count on the legendary knight unit on the flank in my original planning :P)
Kaven snarls with uncharactaristic furiousity at the possibility of being overrun. "Sally forth!" he wills at the castles looming walls, even as he slashes furiously at an enemy swordsman. "Sally forth, and we can win this!"
The Baron raises a hoarse voice.
"Haelyn bless your swordarm, soldiers of Avanil. Haelyn grant you strength, men from Diemed and Roesone. Hold firm, and show them the stubborness that all Anuireans pride themselves with! Fight with tooth and nail, spear and arrow. We are the calm in the storm, the eye of the hurricane. We stand, and by doing so, we win!"
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Kaven is obviously out of tactical options, and reduced to inspiring the men by acts of valor. Perhaps just as well at this stage.
Maelcom arrives at a crucial time, just as the Westerners are about to roll up the entire left part of the Avanese army. Though his numbers are not great and his attack quickly blunted, he lifts the pressure of the beleaguered main army, allowing it to recover. The left is stable again, at least for the time being.
In the center nothing much happens except the killing continues.
On the right you are pushing the Boer's back, but not causing any rout.
The end result is that the Avanese army has rotated clockwise about 60 degrees from its initial deployment, and that rotation is continuing, and threatening to break apart both armies, leading to confused melee.
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In the meantime the Brosen units on the other side of the river use the opportunity to reclaim the northern part of the bridge, sending some cavalry and archers across.
Then the cavalry that crossed over suddenly turn on the arches and chase them into the river, before riding back...only to be met by pikes and arrow fire. Reluctant to press on they return to the north bank and the ride of to the west, towards Ashien.
-
Kaven takes a quick glance around, then gritting his teeth he calls the entire center of the 2nd Echelon forward.
Then he raises his voice once more, "Follow me, men. Follow and let us carve a wedge into these currs, and regain the initiative. Haelyn guide our aim and light our path... Press onwards!" attempting to press left to halt the rotating battleline, as the men of the 2nd line fill the gap left behind.
click here (http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t51/Khirildith/BattleforCaerCarr3-1.jpg)for map
-
Feeling the crunch point coming, the tiredness in his limbs of the constant battle where the rythym and training kicks in instead of thought and control. He looks up and hears the shouts, wipes the sweat from his brow and roars his anger at the enemy. The time is now, the enemy shall die!
"Charge! One! Last! Push! ONE! LAST! PUSH!"
The sheer energy, the adrenalin that flows again with the shouts drives the seasoned men forward; they have been here before many a time and have learnt that pushing forwards, just making those agressive steps drives the line forwards and that sometimes, just sometimes, that is enough.
-
After another hour the battle lines have stabilized, but by then both sides are too weary to fight, so a one-hour break is agreed to between Avan and Bacaele.
Going to sleep now
-
Kaven walks among the men he has spent the last couple of hours fighting besides, and lets a few encouraging words drop, then he asks for an audience with the Prince accepting whatever scolding the Avaneese leader might have stoically. He kneels and lays forth his new battleplan.
"Your Highness, I have an idea that might aid us, but it requires for another charge by the knights. I do not know if I can impune upon You to have them assist us in such a way, they will have support, but I intend for all the cavalry to set into their right wing, while the infantry press center and fire close range on the left with aid from the ballistas."
He presents a piece of parchment, with a rough sketching (http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t51/Khirildith/BattleforCaerCarr5.jpg) of his idea.
"Your Highness, I am surprised, that the castle defenders did not attempt to come to our aid. We must assume that they are so pressed, that they cannot afford to attempt a sally. I would thus not count on their support, though it may still show itself during the next press."
He also asks to offer the foe the chance to surrender and leave in peace yet.
-
Maelcom also walks amongst the men, though he seeks out all that are Lion, that carry the arms of Ghieste on their chest. He talks happily with each, slapping shoulders, sharing a wineskin and handing out bread and cheese to those who wish it. He tries to set each brow and heart at ease, to let each one he speaks with or who sees him that he has fought beside them, that he has lost friends too but that this battle will soon end with their victory, with the Boer routed from the field, driving them back into the West where they belong.
-
The Prince summons his commanders:
"Lord Enlien - well done. You are a most competent commander. I am convinced. Just remember to always keep a reserve...in this case it was the vanity of a Prince that saved the day, but I might always be around, eh?"
The Prince is battered and covered in blood and grime - someone has tried to wipe his armor clean, but only smeared everything....but he has suffered no injury and seems to be in a gay mood.
"Ser Maelcom, you abandoned your post, and for that I am grateful. It is always good when a commander keeps his wits about him. We can always retake the bridge - but first we must win the battle."
He drinks a little wine.
"Ser Maelcom, I have new orders for you. Take five men and as many horses as you need and ride with all haste to the south and then to the main (OOC: south) gate of the Caer. There demand that the Baron see you. When he does, give him this letter and say that his Duchess and his prince would both like to see him on the field today. Let it be understood that if he does not, then his oath has been broken, and if it is the last thing that I do I will see him drawn and quartered. Can you do that my man?" Good. Be on your way then."
-
"Ser Brosuine. Most well done. Your orders are to gather every cavalryman and horse and gather then on the right flank, but obscured behind the main lines. That even includes my own knights, hell, you can even have mine own steed. Go now, and make us a show of valor that will be remembered in song!"
"Ser Hadrien, you have the left. Gather what pikes you can and make a strong block of it on the wing. Then place the irregulars as flank security. The left will NOT break again, is that clear? One step back and you need not return. For each pace forward and you will have a purse of gold - to keep or distribute among the men as you see fit. Understood? Now go."
"Lord Enlien you have the right. That will be where the battle is decided. Take what men of Diemed you can find and make as strong a line as you can, but remember that you will need depth as well as length. Also, you will personally see to it that my daughter, the Duchess of Taeghas, Lady Aubrae Avan, Heir to Avanil, does not come to harm. She will go with you to the right and prepare to use the magic of the land against those that seek to harm it. Questions?"
"I will take the men of Ghieste and Roesone, and some of my own, and hold the center. Hold it mind you; decision will be up to the right - the magic of Lady Aubrae, the might of our horse, and your own valor...that should be enough. We will roll up their flank and crush them against the Caer, even as the coward Baron sallies forth."
"That is the plan anyway. Now only the will of the gods and the courage of men can decide this."
-
"Thank you your Highness; his grace, the Duke of Ghieste has always been most particular about the application of the practical when it comes to strategies. I would rather have been able to hold the position requested for the whole of the engagement however fortune left me and my men stranded and the left in danger - there was only one option in truth."
And quickly turning to Kaven,
"My apologies m'Lord for abandoning the post designated. I hope I have not given offence. I shall now be off though, as his Highness commands."
Taking five of his own his guard Maelcom mounts up, takes up spare horse and makes for the south as ordered, a grim determined smile on his face.
-
"Your Highness, I will guard her with mine life." Kaven states, without hesitation.
"I have faith in the capabilities of the men of the south. We *will* break the foe. Come nightfall, Your Highness and Her Grace both will enjoy the hospitality of the Caer Carr, with no forces left outside to contest us."
He looks to General Maelcom, imparting a silent thank with a little nod, then turns to the prince once more.
"I will excuse myself, Your Highness... I need to see to the men."
Bowing deeply, Kaven retreats to adress the ranks as dictated by the Prince.
-
"Thank you your Highness; his grace, the Duke of Ghieste has always been most particular about the application of the practical when it comes to strategies. I would rather have been able to hold the position requested for the whole of the engagement however fortune left me and my men stranded and the left in danger - there was only one option in truth."
And quickly turning to Kaven,
"My apologies m'Lord for abandoning the post designated. I hope I have not given offence. I shall now be off though, as his Highness commands."
Taking five of his own his guard Maelcom mounts up, takes up spare horse and makes for the south as ordered, a grim determined smile on his face.
The baron is none to eager to meet Maelcom, but finally you manage to intimidate a guard Captain into taking the letter to him, and not long after he appears to speak with you through a small window in a side door. The man looks fit and strong enough, a real knight, but he has the look of someone very afraid.
-
With the bridge detachment at hand, and three units of archers now at his disposal, the Diemean wing will be able to advance with supporting indirect fire.
1st echelon right wing
Baron Kaven Enlien (General): Field marshal (i.e. acting battlefield commander)
Duchess Aubrae Avan (how far to the fore does she has to be, to direct her magic?)
Halberdiers Skilled Endier E
Pikes Diemed Mercs W
Pikes Veteran Roesone W
Pikes Skilled Endier E
Lion Armsmen 2nd Ghieste Mercs W
Lion Regular 5th Ghieste Mercs W
Crossbowmen Skilled Endier E
Lion Crossbows 1st Ghieste Merc E
Lion Crossbows 2nd Ghieste Merc E
2nd echelon right wing
Archers Veteran Medoere OK
Archers Diemed Mercs W
Archers Diemed Mercs W
Regulars Diemed Mercs E
Lion Armsmen 1st Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Regular 2nd Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Regular 3rd Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Regular 6th Ghieste Mercs E
Reserve:
Lion Mt. Armsmen Ghieste Mercs B
Swordsmen Veteran Roesoen E
Regulars Green Diemed E
-
At the castle gate Maelcom dismounts and steps up to the hatch.
"My Lord, I understand how delicate your position must have felt all through this battle. I understand how watching the ebb and flow of the battle must have felt while all the time you were safe inside your walls knowing that stepping past this stone arch would leave your men, your fortification and your own person exposed to serious harm. So let me explain something to you, before this goes very wrong. Your Prince is going to win the day, of that you can be sure. And when he wins the day he is going to come to this gate and he is going to want to see you, your family, your men. Now if I were you, and I think I understand how you feel about this kind of thing, then I would want him to be seeing me and praising me for my essential part in the battle, for the way in which I saved the day and at the key moment crushed the enemy."
And now with a serious look.
"Because if I was the good Prince and I had to attend to your gate after you had failed to keep your oath then I would pour all the fury of the battlefield, of the deaths of my men, of the risk you caused to my realm into you. And I have a feeling neither you nor I would wish the result of that. So let's get this gate open, raise the colours I have with me, and even that may cause the enemy to quiver and quake, putting their tail between their legs as they run back to their God forsaken West."
-
The battle is rejoined:
As the lines march towards each other the Boer left flank suddenly lose heart...perhaps because this part of the army is made up by Brosen soldiers...or does the regal woman sitting atop her white horse have something to do with it? She seems lost in though, even as arrows race towards her...but miraculously they all miss. Several units throw down their weapons and flee! A great cheer erupts from the throats of Enlien's men and they surge forward, crashing into the Boer line.
At the same time the Avanese cavalry sweeps around the flank charging straight at the weakened and exposed men of Brosengae...when disaster strikes. Lighting flashes soundlessly half a dozen times, each striking at the heart of a proud unit of Anuirean horse, and with each strike men and horses by the dozen are tossed skywards like broken toys. The day IS overcast, but there is no storm...and where there is lighting there should be thunder, should there not be? The cavalry charge falters...and then turns into a rout, as the terrified survivors flee for their lives.
The Boer army gives a great cheer, as if they had been expecting this, and then they push forward!
-
At the castle gate Maelcom dismounts and steps up to the hatch.
"My Lord, I understand how delicate your position must have felt all through this battle. I understand how watching the ebb and flow of the battle must have felt while all the time you were safe inside your walls knowing that stepping past this stone arch would leave your men, your fortification and your own person exposed to serious harm. So let me explain something to you, before this goes very wrong. Your Prince is going to win the day, of that you can be sure. And when he wins the day he is going to come to this gate and he is going to want to see you, your family, your men. Now if I were you, and I think I understand how you feel about this kind of thing, then I would want him to be seeing me and praising me for my essential part in the battle, for the way in which I saved the day and at the key moment crushed the enemy."
And now with a serious look.
"Because if I was the good Prince and I had to attend to your gate after you had failed to keep your oath then I would pour all the fury of the battlefield, of the deaths of my men, of the risk you caused to my realm into you. And I have a feeling neither you nor I would wish the result of that. So let's get this gate open, raise the colours I have with me, and even that may cause the enemy to quiver and quake, putting their tail between their legs as they run back to their God forsaken West."
He blinks only once and then something breaks inside.
"The men are assembled. Five hundred horse and a thousand foot. Open the damned gates. Carrida goes to war!"
-
The Boer left has been stiffened by Baron Bacaele and his own guards, and is showing no sign of giving. Elsewhere along the line there is movement only in the center - the Westerners are pushing their way forward, while Avan is forced to give ground.
-
An enormous and very satisfied smile breaks across Maelcom's face. The dogs of war are loose now and he would have it no other way.
"Havoc! Havoc! HAVOC!"
-
His fist clenching around the grip of his sword, Kaven eyes the standard of Bacaele.
"Push for the standard! By the grace of Haelyn I want that man stopped, before he turns our flank!"
Looking back, making certain the Duchess is protected adequatly, Kaven leads the men forward, his hardened stepping up to assist him as he presses on the enemy general.
"Lord Baron Bacaele!" He shouts in a hoarse voice. "I am Kaven Enlien, Baron of Medoere, High-Priest of the Celestial Spell and a faithful Paladin of Haelyn. Face me, Ser, or have your men know you as a curr!"
-
Hearing such a challenge over the roar of a thousand voices is no easy task, nor would it be practical over the press of so many bodies...
...but be that as it may; the men at the forefront of the right are suddenly overtaken by battle-fever, abandoning all reason and concern for self in their eagerness to get to grips with the enemy. Immediately scores of Brosen warriors go down, and the right pushes right forward to the armsmen of Bacaele - with their heavy armor, shields and spears they appear an impenetrable wall. But the right no longer care, and flow forward, to be impaled or hacked down in great numbers. What madness is this!?
-
With the forces of the Caer now deployed Maelcom quickly views the field. It is obvious they will be watching for a sally and from the Southern Gate there is only one option. Marching for the siege works closest to the battle is what must be done, if only to scare the enemy and strip their rear ranks of depth and energy. Banners held high, trumpet and drum sounding, another army on it's way to battle, fresh compared to those who have fought so long.
-
Great dark clouds billow down from the heavens, all the way to the ground, only a few hundred yards north of the battle lines...many warriors who see this pause to look, for this is unlike anything they have ever witnesses...and the reek of sorcery is heavy now.
From the clouds ten towering shapes step forth, looking like men, only towering near 20 feet tall and made from cloud-stuff. Each wears a thick brynie and carries a tower-shield...and wields axe, mace or morning-star. They attack at a run, formed like a spear-head, covering the ground in great strides, their forms partially obscured by clouds and mist. A few arrows shoot out, and one Ilienese ballista actually manages to hit - and kill - one of the giants. But the other nine hit the Avanese in the right flank, hurling men left and right. In minutes the right is in full flight, despite Enlien's best efforts to keep things together. It is hard to see the details, with clouds and mist creeping down from the north, obscuring vision...
-
Kaven attempts to stay close to the Duchess, his own bodyguard (what is left of it) forming up around both as they withdraw in the confusion, seeking allied forces to help recover and press forward.
-
Kaven attempts to stay close to the Duchess, his own bodyguard (what is left of it) forming up around both as they withdraw in the confusion, seeking allied forces to help recover and press forward.
Kaven has a moment of clarity - this is what the enemy wizard has been waiting for all along; for Aubrae to reveal her presence. Undoubtedly the giants have only one target - her!
-
Aubrae seems lost in though, probably preparing another spell, and seems oblivious to the commotion around her. A giant wielding a spiked flail appears out of the mist, towering above the Avanese warriors. A few do not flee, facing the giant in a display of insane bravery. The giant crushes one with a heavy foot and sweeps away two more with its weapon, before leaping high into the air...gliding along a cloud like it was solid ground, raising its weapon once more to end the Duchess' life...
-
"Mylady, look out!" Kaven shouts, grabbing Aubrae by her shoulders. With a grunt of exertion her throws her to his right, as he himself rolls left, attempting to dodge the impact from the massive weapon and it's wielder.
A few arrows fly towards the creature from the archers somewhat behind him, as Kaven regains his barings, his shield lost in the roll.
"Protect the Duchess!" He bawls, as he charges headlong towards the creature, eying the giant flail, ready to duck or roll again. Several knights and soldiers begins to gain momentum by his side, also intent on stopping the beast, or rescuing the damsel in distress.
-
Stripping the Lancers off from the infantry Maelcom lets the Pikes and Halberd go into the flank of the Westerners under the command of their Baron while the cavalry he takes behind the battle, along the lines, striving to hit the enemy where it will hurt the most and stab those giant figures from tearing the army to pieces. Hard to the neck of his steed he drives his men forwards hoping that they will get there in time.
-
Stripping the Lancers off from the infantry Maelcom lets the Pikes and Halberd go into the flank of the Westerners under the command of their Baron while the cavalry he takes behind the battle, along the lines, striving to hit the enemy where it will hurt the most and stab those giant figures from tearing the army to pieces. Hard to the neck of his steed he drives his men forwards hoping that they will get there in time.
The pikes and halberds of Carrida march steadily towards the Westerner's right flank, causing them to fall back a bit to better close their lines. Ser Hadriens pikes follow up and the battle i rejoined, with the westerners content to hold their ground.
Meanwhile Maelcom leads baron Carr and his lances behind the lines, hoping their speed will allow then to arrive in time to save the right...
-
"Mylady, look out!" Kaven shouts, grabbing Aubrae by her shoulders. With a grunt of exertion her throws her to his right, as he himself rolls left, attempting to dodge the impact from the massive weapon and it's wielder.
A few arrows fly towards the creature from the archers somewhat behind him, as Kaven regains his barings, his shield lost in the roll.
"Protect the Duchess!" He bawls, as he charges headlong towards the creature, eying the giant flail, ready to duck or roll again. Several knights and soldiers begins to gain momentum by his side, also intent on stopping the beast, or rescuing the damsel in distress.
Aubrae is snapped out of her trance, her third realm spell for the day disrupted and gone. But who cares, a giant's flail would have made it her last realm spell ever...
Kaven manages to form some sort of makeshift defense, but it seems improbable that the giant can be stopped. It just keep smashing the life out of man after man, and weapons keep bouncing of its heavy mail and shield. But then, just as it is to break through, it seems to loose substance - Aubrae is chanting something - and then the wind takes hold of it and it is gone.
The remaining eight giants are ripping the right to shreds however, and soon they will be upon you. Bitter though it might be - the right is lost. You must flee!
-
As soon as Aubrae seems safe, Kaven orders a withdrawal in the face of the onslaught. He seems torn between fighting alongside those who knowingly sacrifice themselves to let the rest escape, and his oath to protect the Duchess. The later wins though and he hurries the remainder of his guard to form a perimeter around her, as the make their way backwards.
"A horse!" he shouts to noone in particular. "Her Grace needs a horse!"
-
Aubrae is brought to safety. Meanwhile the lancers arrive, but find charging the giants difficult, for they are so obscured by clouds and mist as to make any rapid movement a hazard in itself...and though fresh, the newcomers do not seem particularly interested in getting into melee with the giants.
The only saving grace is that the arrival of the lancers seems to have convinces the Westerners to halt their advance. Now they are backing up a little, shortening their lines and preparing once more for defense. Only the giants continue their mad mauling of the remnants of the right.
Overhead more clouds are gathering and the wind is picking up.
-
Aubrae mumbles something to Kaven:
"Innis, Arlen Innis is here. They brought their Stromwarden here to kill me..."
-
Maelcom attempts to steer the lancers to rejoin with Kaven and receive further orders.
-
Aubrae mumbles something to Kaven:
"Innis, Arlen Innis is here. They brought their Stromwarden here to kill me..."
...that is why their archers were so deadly...I should have known...the lighting, the giants...what is next? Surely his resources must soon be spent?
-
Kaven winces at the mentioning of the western wizard.
"Do not worry, Your Grace. We shall see him off. Our right wing is a mess at the moment, but we will be victorious this day. Who knows... perhaps we will turn this trap around and catch Maester Innis ourselves?"
The Baron calls for a horse and a replacement shield. He glances to the giants, then turn to Aubrae once more.
"In the meantime Your Grace, any help you can give my men, would be deeply appreciated. Those... things... whatever they are, are wreaking havoc, and I need to be off, to see that we are not completely overrun."
-
"I am sorry Lord Enlien, but my energies are spent for now. Let us just pray that the same applies to the Stromwarden"
Soon the battlefield is covered by thick clouds and mist, greatly reducing visibility. You can hear the giants roaring and shouting as they prey upon the valiant Avanese. Are there more of them now? You cannot be certain. But even if there are no more giants, they are not hindered in any way by the current conditions - if anything they are protected by it and given courage and strength.
Maelcom and the lances, which includes Baron Carr, soon find themselves cut of from the rest of the army, engaged in a running battle with the giants. Though they are able to kill several of the beasts - they turn to nothing once dead - it is a costly affair...the number of dead will not be known until the clouds lift.
Prince Avan summons Aubrae and his commanders to him.
-
Maelcom struggles to disengage the lancers from their tangle and bring himself and Baron Carr before the Prince for further orders.
-
Meeting:
"Baron Carr, how good to see you. I see Maelcom here convinced you that there WAS a battle going on after all. Shall we perhaps blame it on the weather? The clouds made it difficult for you to see properly? Oh yes, I can ridicule you all I want before your peers, and you will eat it. I should have you executed for cowardice right here and now, but I am being graceful - you are given a chance to redeem yourself. No no. Just be silent. Enough has been said. Think of a way to earn that redemption....and if no inspiration comes, then dying in battle is always an option."
"Daughter. This did not go overly well. Was I not assured that the Stromwarden would be...dealt with? I guess we should be grateful that you did not get yourself killed as well, only a single flank of the army. That would be all. You are excused."
Enlien. Once again well done. Please accept my apologies. I had no idea as to the situation I was placing you into. I do hope you can forgive me?"
He pauses while Aubrae leaves the tent.
"Now. What do we do? Ideas are most welcome, however outlandish. It seems we have been lured here to be killed, but we have escaped the trap - for now. How do we seize a victory from this...mess?"
-
"From my position on the field I did not see their general your Highness - do we have a location on him or her? I am a take the head man myself you see; both armies are tired already and the removal of the general and/or his standard may just break them."
-
"He was last seen holding their left against Enlien's attack. But with this fog..."
-
"I agree to that assesment, Your Highness, the death or capturement of their general would be a blow to their morale... Had it not been for the arrival of those... things... I would have confronted the man himself. But we must not discount the appearance of this mage. Her Grace believes him to be short on resources, but even a wizard sort on resources is a wizard with something up his sleeve."
He glances to the battlefield.
"Another option would be to gather what remnants of the cavalry we have, and use it to turn the left flank, roll them up from below? With the remnants of Baron Carr's lancers, that should be a somewhat potent force still. Even if they recently took at beating.
I offer to lead such a charge myself, Your Highness."
-
There are several loud crashes followed by screams outside; investigations reveal the enemy has started using catapults...or maybe its just the giants hurling things at you...
Avan:
"Yes yes. That is all very good. But we don't know where their general is - hell we don't even know where their army is beyond what the ranks can see. I just don't see how...very well Lord Enlien, I will grant your request. Take what men you will and roll them up. But be warned, that flank is held by Boeruine warriors - not Talinie or Brosen auxiliaries. It may be that you meet heavy resistance."
-
"To combat then your Highness. Where would you wish my work done?"
-
"I will seek out the Baron in battle, if I get the chance Your Highness. If I may excuse myself? It seems there is still a war going on, and if I can aid in any way in winning, then I should not dally..."
Kaven bows deeply and exists.
"Lance!" He orders, as he takes to his horse. Riding to the belaguered cavalry, he quickly instruct them, as to what he intends, before they set out at a trot in a broad formation, to avoid the stones hitting too many at once.
-
"To combat then your Highness. Where would you wish my work done?"
Walk with me Ser; the rest of you, attend to your duties, make sure the army does not fall apart while Kaven wins the battle.
-
With a nod, "of course your Highness."
-
"I will seek out the Baron in battle, if I get the chance Your Highness. If I may excuse myself? It seems there is still a war going on, and if I can aid in any way in winning, then I should not dally..."
Kaven bows deeply and exists.
"Lance!" He orders, as he takes to his horse. Riding to the belaguered cavalry, he quickly instruct them, as to what he intends, before they set out at a trot in a broad formation, to avoid the stones hitting too many at once.
Kaven readies the cavalry. Baron Carr and his personal guard also mount up, as does Ser Maelcom and his core of armsmen. This is it. Death or glory.
-
Ser Maelcom mounts his horse with ease despite the tiredness in his muscles, that long steady ache of a body punished but with endurance yet remaining. Pulling his helmet from it's saddle straps and tight down upon his head he takes a last deep breath of fresh air, filling his lungs till they twitch at him and then slowly exhaling it. The task ahead will be difficult and he knows the risks, as he has done everytime he has had to do this but everytime it is his focus, concentration and skill that have kept him alive. Battles are messy places but there is a certain joy to be found in that chaos - the type that a soldier relishes. Time to die, or not, as the Gods may judge.
-
Moving forward at a brisk canter, the sounds and smell of battle all around him, Kaven grabs his helmet one-handed, and jams it ontop of his head.
As his vision is reduced to two slits, he urges his horse forward, feeling more than seeing the riders behind him fall in.
"Wedge formation!" he shouts, his voice now nearly gone from extensive use. The battered remains of the Prince's knights fall in, flanked by the lancers and with dragoons at their rear as they ride towards the enemy flank, picking up the pace as they move along.
"They tell me you're the best of the best", he begins straining his voice to be heard by as many as possible, his helmet lending him an eerie metallic ring to his tone. "They tell tales of the valourous charges of the Knights of Avanil. The strength of your lances and courage of your hearts. Well now is the time to show that mettle!"
The hooves of hundreds of galloping horses sound like a rolling thunder as dozens of lances are lowered towards the enemy.
"Show your worth before Haelyn, before your Prince... and let the soldiers of Boeruine be your proving ground! CHARGE!"
The cavalry smashes into the ranks of heavily armoured troops...
-
You barely even see the enemy before you are on top of them - ten feet, twenty at the most, so bad is visibility. It does save you from any arrow fire though, so perhaps it is a blessing. The men and horses that go down because of unseen obstacles would probably not agree, but this silent invisible charge is something else...something you're unlikely to ever experience again.
But by then battle is joined and all these thoughts are chased away, to be replaced by fear and desperation. To kill. To live.
To live. The enemy is quickly broken and scatter in the fog, to be hounded by wraiths appearing out of the mists.
Suddenly you realize these are not the hard men of the West. These are Brosen men, going unarmed and barely in formation.
It is a slaughter, and it cannot be stopped...
-
Meanwhile the Avanese infantry is backing of and dispersing...not by order but by necessity, as the ginats continue to hurl things at them from the deep fog.
-
If there are any tears of regret in the Baron's eyes they are quickly mingled with the sweat of exertion as Kaven grits his teeth and leads a merciless trample through the ranks of the Brosen.
Pushing onward in the fog, pulling free his lance, the Baron wills to find the foe and hopefully use the panic that the men not yet trampled underneath the ironshod hooves of the warhorses are bound to spread.
-
You soon come upon the siegeworks, and several deep trenches dug to frustrate cavalry trying to push across the field. Men and hrses fall in, sometimes with fatal results. Somewhere to the right a small group of Reosoen men are being murdered by a giant, only to be delivered by Carr lancers. It is a complete nightmare...
...but one thing is dawning upon Kaven, the Westerners have withdrawn...
-
A cry of outrage slips from the Barons lips, as he reigns in his horse and throws his lance to the ground in disgust.
"Craven dogs!" he sneers, trying to steady the horse who clearly feels the agitation of it's rider.
"The battlefield belongs to us", he comments to those gathering around him, disappointment and anger audible from his tone and mannerism. "But what a hollow and ashen victory!"
-
The aftermath:
Once it becomes apparent that the enemy is quitting the field, Avan orders his army to fall back a ways to the south and east, to clear the worst of the fog and clouds. The giants are still out there, protecting the retreating army. And the Prince seem to think you've lost more than enough men to the giants already. From this new position you have both the bridge and the Caer in view, and if the giants decide to come to you, they'll meet a wall of arrow-fire and pikes and charging lancers. It will undoubtedly be bloody...they they will pay dearly too.
Kaven's last charge is revealed to have run into a group of Brosen that have been released from service (there are some survivors that can be interrogated). Others have opted to stay on with the Boer army, and have sworn oaths to serve the King in the West or some such. Baron Carr did redeem himself during the charge - laying into the panicked Brosen with a vengeance. Unfortunately he had a fall from his horse and was impaled on a broken lance - he was very unlucky in that the lance pierce a weak spot in his plate, pushing jagged splinters of filthy wood into his lung. Not even the local Haelynic healer could do anything for him.
The Boer army appears to have marched north or northwest, towards the mountains or the coast. What outriders and scouts remains have been dispatched to keep in contact with them and report their movements. The men and horses are dead tired, but there is no other option - contact must be kept at all cost, or you could risk the enemy slipping away and possibly surprising you later on.
Beyond the river, on the Brosen side, there is a lot of confusion about what is going on and who is in charge. A party sent over by the Prince were promptly hacked to pieces, which seemed to have sparked of another round of in-fighting in the Brosoen army encamped along the banks of the river. And of the several hundred horse that disappeared to the west, you know nothing. Extactly what is going on isn't clear...but its a safe bet they are NOT going to allow you to pass over the bridge!
Prince Avan instructs Ser Maelcom to select four Avanese units and one Lion, and assume control of Caer Carr, until such a time as there is peace and a new Baron can be invested. He is to make sure that the Caer remains on Avanese hands, prepare to call out the militia to join the army, and to enact war-time taxes.
Duchess Aubrae will remain here as well, in case Innis returns; this is her land and this is where her sources are. The people will take heart from her presence. Once Ashien is deemed safe enough, she is to go there are sit her pretty little ass on the Ducal throne and start restoring her realm.
Prince Avan has to return to Daulton with all haste. A messenger has arrived. Brandon Boer has been located. He is in Avanil with a sizable force. That same messenger later gets drunk and spill the beans so to speak - Boer has smashed his way through the garrison in Nentril and - using the captive Lord Zoest - seized control over the key province of Duriene! Fortification are being garrisoned and the militia called out all over Avanil in response, and even the Tuor's Hold garrison has been ordered to Avail to oppose the 'King'. So THAT is what Brandon has been up to!
In addition to losing the Prince, the army cannot hope for any reinforcements from Avanil this season. Every available unit is being gathered to respond to this new threat. Avan places Kaven Enlien in command of the army and orders him to chase the Westerners back to Boeruine and make sure Aubrae is placed back on the throne of Ashien. He is free to use the units in Barisen as well as any militia and levy he can call up, but beyond that he's on his own.
Oh, and the Ilienese ballistas were demolished by large rocks hurled by the giants...possibly as vengeance for the one they killed!
War move 5 starts...NOW!
-
Kaven sends a dispatch, requesting the two units of knights left at Barisen to join the army, linking up with the rear-elements of the army on the march. He also requests that the armsmen and regulars from Diemed, as well as the Medoeran swordsmen travel to Caer Carr and camp there, ready to aid should the castle defences need it, and closer to the frontline.
After a short rest period, where Kaven waits for news from the scouts and outriders, the army is set to march once more. The men are ordered to fill up as much of their stock as they can, from the enemy encampment, especially requesting the archers to fill up their quivers with the many arrows left behind by the Boer's.
Kaven requests Ser Brosuine to attend him, and speaks at length with him concerning the terrain to the north of their present location and what places Boer's army would be most likely to camp or choose for defensive position.
He also suggests, that come any confrontation, Ser Brosuine takes some fast elements and attempt to use his knowledge of the lands to flank the enemy.
The Baron also takes his time to appologize to the Duchess, for manhandling her during the battle, and says his goodbyes to Ser Maelcom, whom he thanks wholeheartedly for his ingenuity during the battle and wishes him the best of luck with the defense of Caer Carr. He suggests that the General do not wait too long before removing the siege-works around the castle.
He also requests a written letter from Aubrae to give to those who would questions his authority when he calls up the levies and militia.
-
During the rest-period, the newly appointed Field Marshal uses some time to question the captured Brosen. What information they may have on the movement of the army could very well prove crucial later on.
The evening the Prince departs, Kaven calls a meeting of the various commanders left in the army. It is with a weary eye that he looks from one wounded nobleman, to a grizzled captain - veteran of many battles, but obviously tired of them all. From Ser Brosuine, who are as close to homeground as he has been in several months, to the commander of a Diemean contingent, knowingly increasing the distance to his wife and children with every blood-soaked step he takes towards Boeruine.
"Gentlemen" he begins.
"We have much to discuss..."
Talking at quite some length about the need for a fixed command structure, especially with the men as battered as they are. The Baron debates the need for everyone to know their place, even when he is not around to give orders, commending the General Maelcom for not only obeying orders, but going beyond thus most likely saving the flank, if not the entire battle.
After speaking, and allowing the commanders their say as well, he begins to distribute roles, lamenting the fact that he himself will not be able to lead from the front as is his normal want, but will rather be directing the troops to where they are most needed from a position with a good view of a possible field.
Ser Brosuine as the highest ranking(?) and most competent man under him, is appointed as the next in command, should misfortune befall the Baron himself. He also also gives to the commander the dubious honour of leading the 1st echelon center should battle ensue without time to plan. This is the place Kaven himself held in the last engagements. There he can react to the things the Field Marshal himself would not be able to, and
For the left or right wing, the Baron asks that General Maelcom chooses one man from his own ranks, to lead the Lions, and will produce one from the Diemean contingent to do likewise with the men from the south coast.
Finally, he asks that Ser Brosuine choose someone to lead the vanguard. Preferable someone whom Brosuine trusts to know the lay of the land somewhat.
After dining in the halls of Caer Carr, the shield on the mantle covered with black cloth, to symbolize the sorrow the castle feels at the loss of it's master, Kaven rises and toasts to his commanders and the Duchess of Taeghas, telling the men to enjoy their sleep, as it may well be the last rest in a propper bed they will have for some time and offering a promise to Duchess Aubrae to see her on her throne by the end of the year, before excusing himself from the dinner.
-
Damage levels updated
Outriders:
Ser Tael Brosuine (Commander):
Outriders Diemed Mercs W
Outriders Diemed Mercs E
Lion Outriders 1st Ghieste Mercs D
Lion Outriders 2nd Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Scouts Ghieste Mercs B
Cavalry:
Ser Hadrian (Commander): Veteran Avanese commander (Prince's own guards)
Knights Legendary Avanil (NEW) W
Lancers Elite Carr W
Lancers Elite Carr E
Dragoons Vet Diemed B
Dragoons Vet Diemed W
Dragoons Diemed Mercs D
Dragoons Diemed Mercs E
Avanese (incl. vassals and mercs):
Prince Darien Avan (General): Left for Avanil
Hit by heavy arrow fire; fought Boer core troops.
Partizans Green Avanil (NEW) E
Partizans Green Avanil (NEW) D
Pikes skilled Avanil merc B
Pikes skilled Avanil merc E
Pikes Veteran Avanil (NEW) D
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc D
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) E
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) W
Halberdiers Veteran Avanil (NEW) E
Regulars skilled Avanil merc E
Pikes skilled Avanil merc D
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc W
Crossbows Green Avanil (NEW) W
Crossbows Green Avanil (NEW) W
Crossbows Green Avanil (NEW) E
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) E
Partizans Green Avanil (NEW) B
Partizans Green Avanil (NEW) E
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc D
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) W
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) E
Pikes Veteran Avanil (NEW) D
Regulars skilled Avanil merc E
Regulars skilled Avanil (NEW) E
Artillerists Elite Avanil (NEW) B
Mounted Armsmen Veteran Avanil B
Mounted Armsmen Crack Avanil (NEW) W
Halberdiers Veteran Carr W
Halberdiers Veteran Carr W
Pikes Veteran Carr OK
Pikes Veteran Carr E
Regulars skilled Avanil merc B
Regulars skilled Avanil merc E
Regulars skilled Avanil (NEW) W
Regulars skilled Avanil (NEW) B
Diemans (incl. vassals and mercs):
Baron Kaven Enlien (General): Field marshal (i.e. acting battlefield commander)
Pikes Skilled Endier B
Crossbowmen Skilled Endier E
Balistae Raw Ilien D
Archers Veteran Medoere OK
Regulars Green Diemed B
Regulars Diemed Mercs E
Pikes Diemed Mercs E
Pikes Veteran Roesone D
Halberdiers Skilled Endier B
Swordsmen Veteran Roesone D
Archers Diemed Mercs E
Archers Diemed Mercs W
Lions:
Lion Armsmen 1st Ghieste Mercs B
Lion Armsmen 2nd Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Regular 2nd Ghieste Mercs D
Lion Regular 3rd Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Regular 5th Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Regular 6th Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Crossbows 1st Ghieste Merc E
Lion Crossbows 2nd Ghieste Merc B
Detachment (Caer Carr) - Secure Caer Carr
Ser Maelcom (General): Ghieste contingent commander.
Duchess Aubra Avan: Mage/ruler of Taeghas
Lion Mt. Armsmen Ghieste Mercs B
-
Detachment (The Hill):
Ser Cereval Shaeme (Commander): Grievously injured (if he can do anything, like rest but still give orders to troops and make decisions, then he might actually be able to help here.)
Balistae Raw Ilien E
Artillerists Skilled Endier E
Knights Crack Diemed B
Knights Crack Avanil B
Armsmen Diemed Mercs B
Regulars Diemed Mercs B
Swordsmen Veteran Medoere B
Swordsmen Veteran Roesone B
Pikes skilled Avanil merc B
Pikes Veteran Ilien B
Lion Crossbows 3rd Ghieste Merc B
Lion Crossbows 5th Ghieste Merc B
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc B
-
Detachment (Coere)
Archers Veteran Roesone Detached
Archers Veteran Roesone Detached
Mounted Armsmen Crack Diemed Detached
Mounted Armsmen (RCS Templars) Crack Medoere Detached
-
Feel free to update with Carrida casaulties:
Destroyed:
Armsmen Elite Medoere D
Regulars Veteran Medoere (Alamier) D
Swordsmen Veteran Medoere D
Swordsmen Raw Ilien D
Lion Regular 1st Ghieste Mercs D
Lion Regular 4th Ghieste Mercs D
Pikes Skilled Endier D
Halberdiers Skilled Endier D
Skirmishers Green Diemed D
Crossbowmen Skilled Endier D
Crossbowmen Raw Ilien D
Scouts Green Endier Detached/Destroyed in Coere in turn#62
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The enemy army has moved to Isilen in good order. From there they can threaten the capital of Ashien, which is still on loyalist hands, and receive supplies by sea. Isilien has only weak fortifications, which were quickly overwhelmed or surrendered.
Ashien is protected by a small force of one Armsmen (veteran), three archers (skilled), four irregulars (green), and two catapults (skilled). The units belong to Aubrae.
Brosien is still in enemy hands, and you have not the resources to scout it out properly. When Boer attacked they ignored the castle, and Ser Brosuine is uncertain if they have taken it or if it still holds out. He suggest that he take the cavalry and find out, while the outriders keep track of the Boer army in Isilen.
Ser Maelcom appoints Commander Dael Nichaleir, the most senior of the mercenary officers, as his replacement. Dael is in his early fifties, and has fought in all the war of note that have taken place in the last 30 years.
Ser Maelcom needs to have some Avanese units assigned to complement his mounted armsmen. Four or five units should be sufficient. Duchess Aubrae also remains with him.
The province of Marilen may, according to Ser Brosuine, still hold a number of enemy units. These were irregulars that they encountered, and rather than stay and fight on unfavorable terms, the cavalry just rode right through, suffering minimal casualties. But they may still be up there.
Then there is the bridge and the Brosen. What is to be done? They have at least 10 units, more could be hidden from view, so if they turn hostile you need a good defense of the Caer.
-
Kaven agrees with Ser Brosuine's request, but urges caution. The knights are too slow and would have little to say in a prolonged skirmish with enemy light cavalry so they stay to provide a minuscule cavalry force to the main army. Lancers, Dragoons and one of the outrider units are sent with him.
if the castle defenders are still belaguered, the army can alter it's course if need be, or send out a bigger detachment. Ser Brosuine is asked to swing his cavalry west out of Brosuine, and come into Isilien from the east to join with the main army there.
The irregulars in Marilen cannot be delt with at present. The detachments in Coere should be made aware of their presence, as they may attempt to outflank over the mountains (following the same path the cavalry did). The armsmen and regulars at the hill, ordered to prepare a march, should instead double back and bolster the Coere contingent. Hopefully with the addition of three units, The units in Coere will not suffer defeat to outflanking units.
Barisen can still hold with what is left, against irregulars.
A rider is sent to Ashien, with order for them to muster what militia they can to bolster their defences. Hopefully this will act as a deterent for a hurried assault against Ashien's walls.
Kaven requests a meeting on neutral ground with the leader of the Brosen forces across the river. He'd like that situation delt with, before moving on hot on the heels of Baron Bacale and the Boer forces.
Outriders: - Asses and report, no engagement
Outriders Diemed Mercs W
Lion Outriders 2nd Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Scouts Ghieste Mercs B
Cavalry
Ser Hadrian (Commander): Veteran Avanese commander (Prince's own guards)
Knights Legendary Avanil (NEW) W
--> Knights Crack Diemed B (from Hill)
--> Knights Crack Avanil B (from Hill)
Avanese (incl. vassals and mercs):
Partizans Green Avanil (NEW) E
Pikes skilled Avanil merc B
Pikes skilled Avanil merc E
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) W
Halberdiers Veteran Avanil (NEW) E
Crossbows Green Avanil (NEW) W
Crossbows Green Avanil (NEW) W
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) E
Partizans Green Avanil (NEW) B
Partizans Green Avanil (NEW) E
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) W
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) E
Regulars skilled Avanil merc E
Regulars skilled Avanil (NEW) E
Artillerists Elite Avanil (NEW) B
Mounted Armsmen Veteran Avanil B
Mounted Armsmen Crack Avanil (NEW) W
Halberdiers Veteran Carr W
Halberdiers Veteran Carr W
Pikes Veteran Carr OK
Pikes Veteran Carr E
Regulars skilled Avanil merc E
Regulars skilled Avanil (NEW) W
Regulars skilled Avanil (NEW) B
Diemans (incl. vassals and mercs):
Baron Kaven Enlien (General): Field marshal (i.e. acting battlefield commander)
Pikes Skilled Endier B
Crossbowmen Skilled Endier E
Archers Veteran Medoere OK
Regulars Green Diemed B
Regulars Diemed Mercs E
Pikes Diemed Mercs E
Halberdiers Skilled Endier B
Archers Diemed Mercs E
Archers Diemed Mercs W
Lions:
Merc Officer Dael Nichaleir (Commander)
Lion Armsmen 1st Ghieste Mercs B
Lion Armsmen 2nd Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Regular 3rd Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Regular 5th Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Regular 6th Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Crossbows 1st Ghieste Merc E
Lion Crossbows 2nd Ghieste Merc B
Cavalry Detachment:
Ser Tael Brosuine (Commander):
Lancers Elite Carr W
Lancers Elite Carr E
Dragoons Vet Diemed B
Dragoons Vet Diemed W
Dragoons Diemed Mercs E
Outriders Diemed Mercs E
Detachment (Caer Carr) - Secure Caer Carr
Ser Maelcom (General): Ghieste contingent commander.
Duchess Aubra Avan: Mage/ruler of Taeghas
Lion Mt. Armsmen Ghieste Mercs B
Regulars skilled Avanil merc B
Regulars skilled Avanil merc E
Crossbows Green Avanil (NEW) E
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc W
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) E
Detachment (The Hill):
Ser Cereval Shaeme (Commander): Grievously injured (if he can do anything, like rest but still give orders to troops and make decisions, then he might actually be able to help here.)
Balistae Raw Ilien E
Artillerists Skilled Endier E
Swordsmen Veteran Roesone B
Pikes skilled Avanil merc B
Pikes Veteran Ilien B
Lion Crossbows 3rd Ghieste Merc B
Lion Crossbows 5th Ghieste Merc B
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc B
Detachment (Coere)
Archers Veteran Roesone Detached
Archers Veteran Roesone Detached
Mounted Armsmen Crack Diemed Detached
Mounted Armsmen (RCS Templars) Crack Medoere Detached
--> Regulars Diemed Mercs B (from Hill)
--> Armsmen Diemed Mercs B
--> Swordsmen Veteran Medoere B
Prince Darien Avan (General): Left for Avanil
Hit by heavy arrow fire; fought Boer core troops.
Destroyed:
Destroyed in War move 4
Lion Outriders 1st Ghieste Mercs D
Partizans Green Avanil (NEW) D
Pikes Veteran Avanil (NEW) D
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc D
Pikes skilled Avanil merc D
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc D
Pikes Veteran Avanil (NEW) D
Balistae Raw Ilien D
Pikes Veteran Roesone D
Swordsmen Veteran Roesone D
Lion Regular 2nd Ghieste Mercs D
Destroyed in War move 1-3
Armsmen Elite Medoere D
Regulars Veteran Medoere (Alamier) D
Swordsmen Veteran Medoere D
Swordsmen Raw Ilien D
Lion Regular 1st Ghieste Mercs D
Lion Regular 4th Ghieste Mercs D
Pikes Skilled Endier D
Halberdiers Skilled Endier D
Skirmishers Green Diemed D
Crossbowmen Skilled Endier D
Crossbowmen Raw Ilien D
Scouts Green Endier Detached/Destroyed in Coere in turn#62
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The Coere reinforcements will require two war moves to reach Coere from Barisen; there is significant secondary terrain (hills) to cross when moving to Devan, and then Coere is another hills province. So they'll arrive in War Move 6.
(I'm assuming ALL reinforcing units came from Barisen; if some came from Carrida, they'll need another war move)
Detachment (Coere)
Unnamed commander
Archers Veteran Roesone W
Archers Veteran Roesone W
Mounted Armsmen Crack Diemed E
Mounted Armsmen (RCS Templars) Crack Medoere W
--> Regulars Diemed Mercs B (from Hill)
--> Armsmen Diemed Mercs B
--> Swordsmen Veteran Medoere B
OOC: I see that you're keeping it purely Dieman/Medoere + Roesone mercs; a wise choice IMO.
-
You should also note that there is a considerable number of Broken Avanese units in Meroene and Devan (possibly beyond; but you have no intelligence there). These are units spending turn #63 recovering (using garrison status) from the damage they suffered in turn 62.
I'm not providing any exact numbers/unit types. If it becomes important I'll let you know.
-
The outrider force in Isilen is ambushed by enemy irregulars and giants, suffers serious damage and is routed. The forested terrain makes it difficult terrain for cavalry and gives advantage to dispersed light infantry.
Outriders (Isilen): Asses and report, no engagement
Unnamed commander.
Outriders Diemed Mercs D
Lion Outriders 2nd Ghieste Mercs B
Lion Scouts Ghieste Mercs B
They report one item of interest; the Boer army has been joined by 3 lancer units loyal to Duchess Eriene Mierelen of Brosengae. Presumably these were the units that killed the Brosen archers, tried to cross the bridge, got turned back, and then road towards Ashien.
OOC: Routed means the units retreated to Carrida.
-
The units on the other side of the river fly the colors of the Count of Cloene (formerly known as the 2nd Marilen - the name is a variant of the word clone), who seems to be in rebellion against the Duchess.
There are, however, also some Hontier units there, and they seem to either be aligned with the Duchess or just sitting on the fence. They are, however, holding the bridge at the moment, and they are not interested in speaking with Enlien. Only Prince Avan will do.
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The units on the other side of the river fly the colors of the Count of Cloene (formerly known as the 2nd Marilen - the name is a variant of the word clone), who seems to be in rebellion against the Duchess.
There are, however, also some Hontier units there, and they seem to either be aligned with the Duchess or just sitting on the fence. They are, however, holding the bridge at the moment, and they are not interested in speaking with Enlien. Only Prince Avan will do.
So I'm guessing even Duchess Avan is out of the picture? Well, perhaps a fast rider will be able to get to the Prince before he has gone too far. Those units would be *really* nice to have on our side.
-
You think the Prince cares what happens to a bunch of provincials when his home realm has been invaded???
Try sending a dispatch (to the Brosen rebels) and see what happens.
-
The Brosien cavalry probe returns after scouting out the area. The castle (lvl 4) has fallen into enemy hands (House Biersen seems to have surrendered or something else has happened). It appears to have a strong Boer garrison (6-8) units. It will not be easy to take it with the enemy army in Isilen. It is, however, a vital province to control, since it blocks movement over the mountains that separate northern/southern Taeghas.
-
In Ashien 4 units of Militia (skilled) started to form on Move 1; they are now ready for action.
In Carrida the militia started forming on Move 5; ready to act on Move 9.
-
A dispatch is sent across the river to the Brosen forces. Kaven speaks with some of the commanders while waiting for a reaction from across the river.
"As I see it, the foe has placed themselves in an advantegous position. If we head to Brosien, we will risk Baron Bacaele marching on Ashien. With those giants, they can make short work of the walls, if the defenders don't deal with them quickly. Or we risk he comes after us, and presses us against castle walls with enemy units waiting to sally forth.
If we head to Ashien, we will once more be at a stalemate, only this time we will be the ones defending. It'll draw out the war, and draw out our force to a line stretching from Barisen to the coast, with enemies north and possibly south of us. Cloene is in rebellion it seems, so perhaps there is some small mercy there.
We could bypass the castle in Brosien and take the pass, but that would leave us without supplies, again surrounded from the north and south.
What we could also do, is head into Brosien, make certain that the Baron's scouts do not make contact with our main army... no mean feat with our own outriders broken and battered, and then face him if he comes after us on ground of *our* choosing. Should he press on Ashien or Carrida instead, we follow and press them against the city-walls, leaving a detachment to deal with the castle in Brosien.
Any input, gentlemen?"
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Duchess Aubrae suggests sending her and some men to Ashien, to unsure nothing untoward happens to the capital. She also urges you to try contacting Cloene - he is one of her father's allies, and she is sure that is why he has risen in rebellion (Kaven gets the impression that he's not the only one doing some behind-the-scenes work in Brosengae). But beyond that she has no real military experience, and defer to your judgment.
-
Move 6. Orders?
-
Move on Brosien. While marching, Kaven detaches the cavalry under Ser Hadrian and orders them to ride away to patrol, in case the irregulars from Marilen appear, at wich point they can try to run them down on (relatively) open ground.
Outriders on the left, to deterr enemy scouts and keep an eye on enemy troops.
4 Avaneese units are detached to go to Ashien with the Duchess. Kaven wishes her the best and makes certain she departs without any issues.
Outriders: - Deterr and report
Outriders Diemed Mercs E (from Brosien detachment)
Dragoons Vet Diemed W
Lion Outriders 2nd Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Scouts Ghieste Mercs B
Cavalry Detachment:
Ser Hadrian (Commander): Veteran Avanese commander (Prince's own guards)
Lancers Elite Carr W
Lancers Elite Carr E
Dragoons Vet Diemed B
Dragoons Diemed Mercs E
Knights Legendary Avanil (NEW) W
Knights Crack Diemed B (from Hill)
Knights Crack Avanil B (from Hill)
Avanese (incl. vassals and mercs):
Ser Tael Brosuine (Commander):
Pikes skilled Avanil merc B
Pikes skilled Avanil merc E
Halberdiers Veteran Avanil (NEW) E
Crossbows Green Avanil (NEW) W
Crossbows Green Avanil (NEW) W
Partizans Green Avanil (NEW) B
Partizans Green Avanil (NEW) E
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) E (from Carrida detachment)
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) W
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) E
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) W
Irregulars Avanil Green (NEW) E
Regulars skilled Avanil merc E
Regulars skilled Avanil (NEW) E
Artillerists Elite Avanil (NEW) B
Mounted Armsmen Veteran Avanil B
Mounted Armsmen Crack Avanil (NEW) W
Halberdiers Veteran Carr W
Halberdiers Veteran Carr W
Pikes Veteran Carr OK
Pikes Veteran Carr E
Diemans (incl. vassals and mercs):
Baron Kaven Enlien (General): Field marshal (i.e. acting battlefield commander)
Pikes Skilled Endier B
Crossbowmen Skilled Endier E
Archers Veteran Medoere OK
Regulars Green Diemed B
Regulars Diemed Mercs E
Pikes Diemed Mercs E
Halberdiers Skilled Endier B
Archers Diemed Mercs E
Archers Diemed Mercs W
Lions:
Merc Officer Dael Nichaleir (Commander)
Lion Armsmen 1st Ghieste Mercs B
Lion Armsmen 2nd Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Regular 3rd Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Regular 5th Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Regular 6th Ghieste Mercs E
Lion Crossbows 1st Ghieste Merc E
Lion Crossbows 2nd Ghieste Merc B
Detachment (Ashien) - Bring the Duchess to her throne
Duchess Aubra Avan: Mage/ruler of Taeghas
Partizans Green Avanil (NEW) E
Regulars skilled Avanil merc E
Regulars skilled Avanil (NEW) W
Regulars skilled Avanil (NEW) B
Detachment (Caer Carr) - Secure Caer Carr
Ser Maelcom (General): Ghieste contingent commander.
Duchess Aubra Avan: Mage/ruler of Taeghas
Lion Mt. Armsmen Ghieste Mercs B
Regulars skilled Avanil merc B
Regulars skilled Avanil merc E
Crossbows Green Avanil (NEW) E
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc W
Detachment (The Hill):
Ser Cereval Shaeme (Commander): Grievously injured (if he can do anything, like rest but still give orders to troops and make decisions, then he might actually be able to help here.)
Balistae Raw Ilien E
Artillerists Skilled Endier E
Swordsmen Veteran Roesone B
Pikes skilled Avanil merc B
Pikes Veteran Ilien B
Lion Crossbows 3rd Ghieste Merc B
Lion Crossbows 5th Ghieste Merc B
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc B
Detachment (Coere)
Archers Veteran Roesone Detached
Archers Veteran Roesone Detached
Mounted Armsmen Crack Diemed Detached
Mounted Armsmen (RCS Templars) Crack Medoere Detached
--> Regulars Diemed Mercs B (from Hill)
--> Armsmen Diemed Mercs B
--> Swordsmen Veteran Medoere B
Prince Darien Avan (General): Left for Avanil
Hit by heavy arrow fire; fought Boer core troops.
Destroyed:
Destroyed in War move 5
Outriders Diemed Mercs W
Destroyed in War move 4
Lion Outriders 1st Ghieste Mercs D
Partizans Green Avanil (NEW) D
Pikes Veteran Avanil (NEW) D
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc D
Pikes skilled Avanil merc D
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc D
Pikes Veteran Avanil (NEW) D
Balistae Raw Ilien D
Pikes Veteran Roesone D
Swordsmen Veteran Roesone D
Lion Regular 2nd Ghieste Mercs D
Destroyed in War move 1-3
Armsmen Elite Medoere D
Regulars Veteran Medoere (Alamier) D
Swordsmen Veteran Medoere D
Swordsmen Raw Ilien D
Lion Regular 1st Ghieste Mercs D
Lion Regular 4th Ghieste Mercs D
Pikes Skilled Endier D
Halberdiers Skilled Endier D
Skirmishers Green Diemed D
Crossbowmen Skilled Endier D
Crossbowmen Raw Ilien D
Scouts Green Endier Detached/Destroyed in Coere in turn#62
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Your reach Brosien. The enemy holes up in the castle and refuses to give battle. The garrison is commanded by Charles Alexander Myles , Earl of Winter’s Deep (Talinie).
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The reinforcements reach Coere; the added numbers allow for better reconnaissance.
It reveals a small rear-guard retreating out of the province (into the mountains to the North/west) across terrain not generally considered passable to armies. Further investigation reveals that A) The locals wish them the best of luck B) They were accompanied by some ogres C) The main bulk of the units started moving out during war move 5, so should be across the mountains now.
OOC: There is INTENTIONALLY no info on WHERE they went.
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Move 7. Orders?
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ooc:
Some points:
- Are there any news as to the whereabouts of Baron Bacaele's forces?
- Am I understanding correctly, when assuming that Coere is "liberated" now? If so, the relatively fresh units should bloody well double back and prevent Barisen from being overrun by ogres (though it is probably too late, if that is their destination... will forcemarching help in any way here?).
Likewise, the Prince, General Maelcom and Ser Shaeme should be made aware of 2 units of ogres playing hop-scotch in the Taeghan mountains
with some of Boer's forces in tow.
- the Hill in Barrisen now holds some sort of Field Fortification (started in war move 3), or is that next move?
Kaven requests a meeting with the Earl to discuss the possibility of surrender and makes a show of having the artillerists begin to assemble a primitive siegeweapon in view of the defenders. (they give some siege points, and I assume it is derived from their ability to build something like small stationary siege-thingies?)
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OOC:
- The main Boer (i.e. commanded by Bacaele) is still in Isilen; you have no idea what they are doing since your outriders got chased away. Not good.
- Coere was never taken by the enemy; they just neutralized the castle and fought a battle there. You have full command of Carr units and can order them where you want them.
- The Field Fortification is done this move (3-4-5-6); and ready for action on move 7 (which should be sufficient, it was not attacked during move 6).
- The ogres have been unaccounted for...and you have no real idea what those Boer units (2-4?; you don't really know, you were never provided with good intelligence) from Coere are up to, nor do you have track on the irregulars (Ser Brosuine counted 4 units) from Marilen.
You send out warnings/updates to your sub-commanders.
The Earl refuses you offer of surrender. The enemy appears to have a unit of heavy catapults in the castle...
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ooc: Lol... I sense something disastrous about to happen.
The Outriders are too battered to return to active duty? The idea was to lure Baron Bacaele out and engage them some way from the castle. Well, I guess Dragoons can act as outriders, though they are really not suited for that role.
Reading up on the Siege rules I just quickly decided, that I really do not want to assault, defensive fire with +10 is something I do *not* want to tamper with... Neutralizing the castle would take 8+ units.
Lack of information is killing me here. Pull the army out of range of catapults and camp on favourable ground facing Isilien (ie. prepare to fight a foe that might not appear.. Ser Brosuine will probably know the best place), while someone (I don't care if it's footmen running with news, as long as I get them) locates the Boer army. Neutralize the keep in the meantime.
p.s.
Ser Brosuine doesn't know of any secret access-options for the castle, does he? No?... didn't think so ::)
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You've invested the castle and sent up came for the main army.
What units are sent to Isilen to keep track of the Boer army? I'd like to now, because they have a good chance of getting engaged.
Move 8. Orders?
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You've invested the castle and sent up came for the main army.
What units are sent to Isilen to keep track of the Boer army? I'd like to now, because they have a good chance of getting engaged.
Move 8. Orders?
Well, some of these units got ambushed and had to retreat in move 5... if they are able to return to active duty, they should do so.
It's a fairly large force, and I've attached Dael the Mercenary Captain, to get some added juice (and hopefully to get some reports I can use)
Edit: I completly forgot: Muster Militia in Brosien (can I still do that for move 7? Otherwise 8 will have to do.)
Outriders:
Merc Officer Dael Nichaleir (Commander)
Lion Outriders 2nd Ghieste Mercs E
Outriders Diemed Mercs E
Dragoons Vet Diemed W
Dragoons Diemed Mercs E
Watching the castle with an appraising eye, and looking to the sky, sniffing at the weather, Kaven walks the perimiter of the army facing Caer Brosien.
Even though the sheer amount of manpower behind him meant that he could surround the castle completely, effectively blocking out anything that was not his plan. Instead the faster moving Irregulars had been posted as pickets, while a single unit of battle-weary dragoons and some scouts patrolled to the east, watching for enemy troop movement from Marilen. The main gate was blocked, as was every other portal leading into the castle, and he had ordered a range of circumvallation built around what parts of the besieged fortification faced the camp (ooc: started in war move 7, when "investing"?). He did not relish the thought of having to recall troops from the flanks, if the Baron Bacaele approached... No far better to do things this way, and have the army ready to act within minutes.
The Baron sniffed once more and took a few jumping strides to clear the earthen rampart, stopping at the top to look out over the army camp. On the other side, the beginnings of a contravallation, a second line of fortifications outside the circumvallation, where also on it's way. If he where to commit to one or the other, Kaven wanted this to go propperly.
Looking towards the contravallation, sections where archers where to be positioned could be spotted at intervals, just as Kaven now strode down the ramparts towards such a position on the northeastern side, stopping to pick a bundle of arrows and examine them. The arrows and supplies left behind at Carrida by the foe should work well... He had some qualms about firing the enemies own fletching against them, but remembering the strikes of lightning and rock-hurling giants, he decided that he could live with that. Far better, that the archers could take position and use their longbows to rain a storm of steel-tipped pain into the ranks of the enemy at a rapid rate, than having to suffer yet another close encounter with otherworldly beasts at the 'hands' of Arlen Innis.
The Baron of Medoere sighed. This could turn out to be a mistake still, but at least he felt confident that they would have a chance to take the castle, if Ser Brosuine and the Crack Armsmen from Avanil could do, what he intended to request from them.
"Come winter, the way into the mountains shall be in Allied hands", he muttered to himself, as he placed the arrow into the bundle once more, and strode towards the main tent used for military preparation.
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At Caer Carr Maelcom works in significant earnest to clear the earthworks and siegeworks emplaced around the fortificationand. While resting as many men as he can he maintains patrols and checks upon the readiness of the local militias. Letters and dispatchs are sent to the local settlements and vassals of the former Baron making clear the situation and where the legal authority now lies.
His style is brisk and efficient, getting to know the officers of the Avanese regiments quickly and sharing tasks out according to merit and skill sets as opposed to personal connections and he takes pains to maintain a seperation between himself and the troops while also entering into a certain form of comradery with them.
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Nothing much happens; your scouting-in-force force establishes contact with the Boer force, which has established itself in a position where it can threaten Ashien, Carrida, and Brosien. Its not as good as their Carrida position though, so that is a slight comfort. They've taken over a low-level (2) manor fort in Isilen. They are, unsurprisingly, being supplied by sea. Though battered, they remain a formidable force, and you cannot really dislodge them without reinforcements.
In Brosien the siege continues. Their catapults are a threat of course, but you can dig siege lines to counter them. And they will have limited ammo, so their utility is limited.
Though you lack any reports to the effect, you fear that Marilen is on enemy hands; too bad you lack resources to scout it out.
Barisen militia have begun mustering.
Move 9. Orders?
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Unless anything happens, Kaven intends to sit still, giving the soldiers time to rest while building the circumvallation and countervallation for besieging the castle. By his reasoning Baron Bacaele wants to assault a defended keep as little as Kaven himself does, so the field army here in Brosien will be the target he is most keen on engaging. Besides, if the keep here can be taken, the path into Boeruine can be plugged.
Irregulars will continue to act as pickets, scouts keep an eye out for enemy movement from Marilen and regular dispatches sent to both the Duchess and General Maelcom in Carrida to keep a good line of information.
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A Dieman galley fleet arrives in Ashien; they have struggled for weeks against the Brosen high seas fleet, and lacking a naval base in the vicinity they have failed to accomplish much.
For action against Boer transports in the coastal waters of Isilen they should do much better.
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OOC: New update.
You receive word that a force of Boer cavalry, irregulars and mercenary ogres have struck against Barisen. They were led by Baron Khaiarén of Rivien. After a short battle the Hill was taken. The enemy captured several knights, including Ser Cereval, as well as several hundred common soldiers.
Not long after the enemy became aware of the force-marched Coere contingent approaching their position. They promptly killed those commoners who did not immediately agree to enter Boer's service, and moved to the north. The Coere contingent gave chase, but without anything to pursue with it was a lost cause against an orge/cavalry/skirmisher force (and anyhow many of the infantry were too weary).
Some Roesone swordsmen were found afterward; they were able to fight their way out and flee.
Detachment (The Hill):
Ser Cereval Shaeme (Commander): Grievously injured; captive of Boer forces.
Balistae Raw Ilien D
Artillerists Skilled Endier D
Swordsmen Veteran Roesone B
Pikes skilled Avanil merc D
Pikes Veteran Ilien D
Lion Crossbows 3rd Ghieste Merc D
Lion Crossbows 5th Ghieste Merc D
Crossbows skilled Avanil merc D
Detachment (Coere)
Archers Veteran Roesone W
Archers Veteran Roesone E
Mounted Armsmen Crack Diemed W
Mounted Armsmen (RCS Templars) Crack Medoere OK
Could not be force-marched...will arrive next move.
--> Regulars Diemed Mercs B (from Hill)
--> Armsmen Diemed Mercs B
--> Swordsmen Veteran Medoere B
Move 10. Orders?
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It was with a mixture of glee and trepidation that Kaven read the reports. To west Diem galleys had been spotted enroute to Ashien. That meant that Baron Bacaele would be stuck in the woods come winter, without any supplies, unless he could find a way across the mountains.
To the south east, Barisen had been attacked, just as Kaven had predicted it would when he learnt of the troop movement from Coere. It vexed the Baron of Medoere to no small end, that even though he had ordered earthworks built, and sent dispatches to prepare the soldiers on the hill, they had still fallen. Not for the first time Kaven silently admonished himself for cursing in the direction of the Prince. How could he expect him to lead a war-effort in the east, if he was not made aware of potential resources the enemy could draw on.
Ogres and Master-Wizards... Kaven shook his head and looked towards the castle through the opening of his tent-flap. Ogres and Wizards. He could have been manning the castle wall, overlooking the pass into the Seamists if not for Ogres and Wizards... or if he had been prepared better for their appearence.
Sighing Kaven began writing his orders to the various detachments. In Barisen he ordered the men to hunker down, trying not to think too hard about the gory mess the ogres must have had left behind when taking the hill.
To General Maelcom he wrote, making sure that the General was aware of the predicament they stood in, and the need to maintain supplies to the field army outside the four walls of the tent Kaven currently was occupying.
To the Duchess, and to whoever led the Diem navy he once more explained the situation, but at the same time encouraging the fleet to stop the supply-ships to Isilien.
As he put down his pen and flexed his hand to loosen muscles cramped from writing, Kaven rose from his chair to adress the commanders of the men serving under him. One more week of rest would be prefered, for the men to regain some of their composure... but still this was the time where the enemy was most likely to move...perhaps even coordinate to strike from several places at once. The perimiter guards needed to be doubled, and the scouts, although near death from exhaustion was urged to continue their duty and fall back as soon as the enemy had been spotted.
Detachment (The Hill):
Same commander as in Coere
Swordsmen Veteran Roesone B
Archers Veteran Roesone W
Archers Veteran Roesone E
Mounted Armsmen Crack Diemed W
Mounted Armsmen (RCS Templars) Crack Medoere OK
Outriders in Isilien:
Merc Officer Dael Nichaleir (Commander)
Lion Outriders 2nd Ghieste Mercs E
Outriders Diemed Mercs E
Dragoons Vet Diemed W
Dragoons Diemed Mercs E
Patrol in easter Brosien: - Fall back at first contact and report
Lion Scouts Ghieste Mercs B
Dragoons Vet Diemed B
- Increase guard around field army
- Write the various commanders with/for updates
- Rest
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Dael Nichaleir recons the RCS armsmen are ill suited for recon work, and suggest you find something else for them to do. He has enough men to keep an eye on the enemy.
Templar-Captain Diel, leader of the RCS temples, suggest that you strongly consider leaving them in Barisen, as the combination of heavy armsmen and archers is what caused the enemy to back of rather than press for another battle. With the addition of several militia units, they should be in a good position to defend Barisen from another attack from the north (and he notes, with the arrival of winter the enemy will NOT be sneaking back into Coere!).
The Dieman fleet, though weary, manages a sortie against the Boer fleet, sinking several longships and a capturing a damage Avanese galleon used to ferry troops. Two hundred injured men of Talinie that are being shipped back to the north are promptly thrown overboard and their officers taken for ransom.
Move 11. Orders?
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The weather took a turn for the worse, as the season draws to a close. It is with bitter resignation that the Baron of Medoere stood outside the opening of his tent, looking at the squared shape of the Caer Brosien before him. Long from the rolling meadows of Medoere, Kaven Enlien contemplated on the choices that led him here.
Responding to a call-to-arms from his Liege Lord, he had led a big portion of troops out from Medoere to join up with Roesonean, Ilineese and Diemean contingent. A lot of those Medoereans would not be returning home again now, it seems.
The first part of the march had seen the Baron of Roesone, whom he had found to be an honourable man and astute strategist, peel of, to take control of the situation in Coere.
Then there had been the hill... with the Archduke ill he had taken it upon himself to devise a strategy to assault that precarious position, opting for an oblique attack at dawn and pressing on, to avoid fighting against Brandon, whom he still dreaded the arrival off.
A meek smile formed on Kavens lips, though it was a smile filled with little mirth. He had pressed for the need for this attack, sacrificing men who could have been alive, had other venues been taken. He had pressed, because he wanted to end it quickly, rather than face Brandon Boer.
... Brandon Boer. The Bloodseeker. The self-proclaimed king of the west. A man, who had won engagements through use of innovative means and a grasp of tactics that left lesser men stranded behind. The Baron sighed slightly. Brandon had the type of leadership he would have prized himself lucky to serve under, had they both served in the Knights of Haelyn.
Brandon Boer... A man who Kaven both revered and despised. The tales of how Brandon had murdered captives in cold blod to recieve parts of their divinity, still sent shivers down Kaven's spine. How any man could choose to do something like that and still believe himself to be a leader of men, was beyond the Paladin-Baron.
Kaven sighed again. Of the Medoereans there where surprisingly few, why even the Diemeans where outnumbered by soldiers of Avanil. Yet here he was, the Baron of a land miles away, vassal to the ally of Avanil, and still the Field Marshal of this ragged army.
He had hoped to lure the enemy to attack him, yet now it seemed that the foe was content with waiting, and he could not help but wonder on what. They held on to hostile soil and had an advantage on that, that much was true... but of the lands belonging to Boeruinean forces just weeks before, more than half had now been liberated, the militia had been mustered, and all in all the Avaneese forces stood rather strong.
They would be better of, though, if not for that blasted castle in enemy hands...
For a long time Kaven stood, willing the walls to crumble to dust, or the defenders to walk out unarmed, but nothing happened.