Turn #66 - Siege of Ilien

[DM B]

War move 1:

Situation unchanged from the end of the previous turn.

Nothing happens during the first week of summer.

[DM B]

War move 2:

Situation unchanged.

[DM B]

War move 3

Nothing happens

[DM B]

War move 4

Plague is reported in the ranks of the Dieman infantry.

[DM B]

The plague was quickly dealt with by the RCS - thank the Moon God!

----

WM 5 begins

[DM B]

The Dieman artillery that has been pounding the walls of Ilien for several days suddenly come under unexpected - and furious - bombardment from multiple heavy batteries within the city. They had been concealed up until now; then deftly revealed. They cause considerable damage among the Dieman artillery - those pieces that survive are hastily dragged back out of range.

Duke Diem also stages several small attacks on Ilien's walls, probably to ascertain the place for strengths and weaknesses. In retaliation the Ilienese conduct several sallies-in-force in the dark of night. They appear superbly coordinated, and cause some damage - and a LOT of confusion - during their nightly raids.

The loss of the artillery and these raids put effectively puts and end to the active part of the siege; Diem's artillery is now out of firing range, he's been forced to abandon the siege works dug so far and pull further back.

WM 5 ending...

[DM B]

A great rainstorm comes raging in from the Straits, drenching everything. Afterward there are no more attacks at night, nor any shots fired from the walls.

WM 6 begins

[DM B]

There is rioting in Iilen the night after the great storm.

It turns out the Ghiestan mercenaries have had a change of heart; they rise up an attack their allies, seizing one of the wards and it's outer wall gate...unfortunately the incident is badly coordinated with the Diemans (it would have been much better if they had waited for a more opportune moment - if this was part of a conscious plan) and it took several hours before Dieman cavalry (mostly vassal cavalry) arrived. By then the Ilienese had made ready for such an eventuality and assembled a potent sallying force under the cover of darkness. Meanwhile, in the city, an assault was launched to retake the rogue ward. The Diemans were driven away and the Ghiestans decided to make a run for it. many were killed by archers as they ran, but many more made it to the Dieman camp - including, it is believed, Marquis Coumaren, the Ghiestan commander.

The following day revealed the gate to still be open; presumably sabotaged. But Archduke Diem needed to regroup his forces and was in no position to take advantage of this weakness. A temporary fix for the gate is now in place, but it remains a weak spot.

WM 7 begins

[DM B]

Since I received no reply to the status update (the one summing up the situation in Ilien after the storm) I'm assuming that this more or less concludes the war moves for this turn.

Dieman reinforcements arrive by the thousands and the ring of steel around Ilien closes; the remaining Dieman siege engines open up again.

Meanwhile the presence of the Dieman deep-sea fleet and this new Medoere galley fleet has forced the Mieran fleet into port, completing the siege.

[X-Medoere & RCS/KE (Thorsten)]

Since I received no reply to the status update (the one summing up the situation in Ilien after the storm) I'm assuming that this more or less concludes the war moves for this turn.

Dieman reinforcements arrive by the thousands and the ring of steel around Ilien closes; the remaining Dieman siege engines open up again.

Meanwhile the presence of the Dieman deep-sea fleet and this new Medoere galley fleet has forced the Mieran fleet into port, completing the siege.

OOC: Spoke very briefly to Mr. Archduke yesterday. He expressed that he was going to contact the gods (or the DM, I keep mixing them up) sometime today concerning this shindig... (whether he gets around to it is another matter, but now at least you know.)

[DM B]

The Dieman forces continue with the siege, but no more assaults materialize.

Turn ends.