Turn #67 - Living vs. Manethander in Elinie (Grey Hills)

[X-LPA/Gaerred Khaiarén (Gray)]

The Life and Protection has already begun shielding from Elinie from realm magics. 

Additionally, the Life and Protection of Avanlae sends word that it intends to strengthen the Veil through the usage of the Chant of Light. 

[DM B]

By War Move 7 the various forces have been arrayed outside Ansien (or marched to the Grey Hills in the case of some of the Elinie units).

WM 8 begins

[X-IHH/Wallac Isilviere (Kasper)]

Archbishop of Roesone, Saraen Bellamie commands a unit of mounted Armsmen from IHH. He instructs some of IHH's dragoons to find out what friendly units seems to be present in Ansien as WM 8 begins. IHH came together with the various units under the command of the Swordmage so I assume IHH have a pretty good idea about those units.

[X-Elinie/RiD (Niels)]

Unless those Dragoons are actively trying to avoid detection, they will be approached by Elinien scouts and asked to remain in the "visitors" areas for the visiting armies. - Units unknown to Elinie, that are found prowling the province causes too much civilian panic and disturbance.

[X-IHH/Wallac Isilviere (Kasper)]

Unless those Dragoons are actively trying to avoid detection, they will be approached by Elinien scouts and asked to remain in the "visitors" areas for the visiting armies. - Units unknown to Elinie, that are found prowling the province causes too much civilian panic and disturbance.

The dragoons dont try to avoid detection but will the Elinie forces try to hinder the collum of troops entering from Tonillen to scout ahead? I believe with the Collosus, units of living creatures of fire, Tornilen units, Ilien units, Roesone units and IHH units there are 30+ units and such a force needs to plan their march carefully even if the commanders may be willing to accept Elinie security to have a special role.

[X-Elinie/RiD (Niels)]

Unless those Dragoons are actively trying to avoid detection, they will be approached by Elinien scouts and asked to remain in the "visitors" areas for the visiting armies. - Units unknown to Elinie, that are found prowling the province causes too much civilian panic and disturbance.

The dragoons dont try to avoid detection but will the Elinie forces try to hinder the collum of troops entering from Tonillen to scout ahead? I believe with the Collosus, units of living creatures of fire, Tornilen units, Ilien units, Roesone units and IHH units there are 30+ units and such a force needs to plan their march carefully even if the commanders may be willing to accept Elinie security to have a special role.

There are Elinien troops able and willing to escort the visitors to the prepared campsites. Remember, they have been setting up since WM 5.

No one will be allowed to roam in Ansien. Infantry is encouraged to proceed directly to the forward camp in the foothills of the Grey Hills. - The contingents major are not allowed inside Ansien city either.

As for scouting into the Grey Hills, the only advice is to do this coordinated with the other forces present.

In short, if you send units to go tally up who is who and where they are, they will be stopped. 

OOC: Scouting anothers land is highly offensive. I'm not talking pathfinding, but going out to count heads is spying. Spying is never liked. - I have had my own vassals complain when I did that. There is no way a foreign force can be allowed to do what you ask, not even the Pontiffs. 

[X-IHH/Wallac Isilviere (Kasper)]

IC
The Dragoons advance elements stops as adviced and send a dispatch back.

Within but a moment Archbishop of Roesone Saraen Bellamie apears with yet another advance element.

"Who are you to go against your own lord? He invited us, no he pleaded for help, he asked for us to come in great haste and to bring what units could move fast. Here we are after a hard march having spared no man nor horse to get here in time. Rumours we hear. Rumours of the dark enemy whos name I shall not say out loud turning friends against friends, allies against allies. How are we to know we are not lead into a trap? I say not we are but that the military of Elinie have the audacity to demand we are lead as sheeps to slaughter without any kind of information as to what possible threats can be or not be. That is simply not agreeable. Allready Duchess Tanar has been forced to pay gold for informations about the Ogre from the wife of your lord. Informations that it turns out in reality simply turn out to be what threats Elinie need its neighbours to assist with.

This is not acceptable. Not at all. We will agree to have two Elinie soldiers riding with the advance elements as to avoid misunderstandings. You will either provide that or not but scout ahead we will. Mind you not into the Grey Hills and not into the city. "

As he finish speaking an element of armsmen apear from behind

[X-Elinie/RiD (Niels)]

The cavalry who has dared to confront the column sends forth their officer. A man who enjoys nothing more, than to roam with the advance of his swift steeds; the General of Elinie, Kerric of Maesford.

He speaks to the Archbishop; "Archbishop, with all due respect, the actions of sorcerers and guilders are irrelevant to our situation."

"I am responsible for the security of Ansien and its people. That you claim to fear an ambush in the heartland of Elinie is a slight to my honor."

"Your advance scouts may ride under escort to the prepared campsite, and return to report that it is secure. You will not be allowed to roam Ansien province freely. Nor will your main forces be admitted to the walled city of Ansien."

"The populace remains largely unaware of the threat they are facing. Elinien hospitality remains generous, but unknown flags touring the countryside is absolutely out of the question."

"If the IHH desires a pass to travel Elinie freely, you are welcome to request diplomatic discourse with the Patriarch."

"I will now ride to greet the Duchess Tanar. Will you do me the honor of accompanying me?"

[X-IHH/Wallac Isilviere (Kasper)]

"I politely disagree with you. The actions of sorcerers and guilders are highly relevant to our situation as is the great unknown. For now we will halt our march. You will not enter the security perimeter of the army collum as it is. For now you will either wait here for the SM to come or wait for permission to approach. My sergeant will assist you should you wish to send a dispatch to the SM. I will ride to my High Prefect and inform him of the uncooperativeness of Elinie."

Bellamie give his sergeant orders to repeat the contingency order to prevent any personal to infiltrate the armed collum. He then turns his horse around. The Armsmen halt and unmount and to the astonishment of General Kerric begins to build field fortifications where they are. Orders are yelled back through the collum who slowly come to a halt. Elements of Dragoons carry patrols in the vicinity of the collum. This all happens with very few orders and at that mostly by hand signals and seems impressively well drilled. Within minuttes it seems the vanguard prepare to do battle

[DM B]

It hasn't been long and already the soldiers have begun quarreling. The IHH templars are prickly fellows who are loathe to take orders from sun-loving Khinasi and their allies.

The colossus of Tornilen is causing more fear than anything...and it's not like the soldiers of Tornilen are really welcome in these parts. Already there have been incidents between them (who are largely Cuiarécen men) and the highly religious men of Elinie (largely Avanale and Haelyn).

Perhaps this was not such a great idea.

[X-Elinie/RiD (Niels)]

Calling to the Archbishop as she turns; "All your blustering will aid none of the living. When you are prepared to move, the escorts will be waiting. Your actions will be observed."

General Kerric then turns to the offered sergeant. "Inform the Duchess that we would have words with her. We will have a tent set up over that hill."

OOC: Do a "Misc" email Alex, if the Duchess sends someone.

[X-Ilien & PCE/GeM (Linde)]

(As soon as) Baronettess Tilgentor (finds out that she is part of a collum that actively agress against the people she is here to help she) thanks the Pontiff (or one of his officers) and the Duchess (or one of her officers) for the escort. She then (orderly breaks formation and) informs an Elinien sergent that the troops that Countess el-Mesir of Ilien were able to send are ready to be escorted to their camp site.

Spirit seems to be high among the Ilieneese units as they distance distance themselfs from the Giant living statue and the moving blobs of fire.

(added in edit) Removed in edit

[X-Elinie/RiD (Niels)]

Baronettess Tilgentor thanks the Pontiff and the Duchess for the escort. She then informs an Elinien sergent that the troops that Countess el-Mesir of Ilien were able to send are ready to be escorted to their camp site.

Spirit seems to be high among the Ilieneese units as they distance distance themselfs from the Giant living statue and the moving blobs of fire.

Indeed, their passage is without sudden treacherous molestation. 

[X-Tornilen/SM (Alexander)]

The Swordmage arrives, a bit irritated, and enters the tent to parley. When she comes out, she seems refreshed and in a better mood. She informs the Pontiff, through messengers, that General Kerric has not protested that the column uses ordinary scouts, to scout a mile or three ahead and to the sides of the column. She sees no issue with Elinie's escorts. Thus, she intends to continue to the campsites prepared by Elinie's troops, without further issue. She asks that the Pontiff does the same, though in private she encourages him to leave Bellamie to defend his own little ditch by the road, against all the world if he so wishes.

Also, apparantly it wasn't clear earlier, but while in Conallier the Swordmage cast the realm spell "Weapons of Steel and Murder" on all of IHH's troops, her Colossus, Roesone's troops and her own melee units. 10 units in total. This makes their weapons count as having +2 enchantment.

EDIT: Added that the whole comment about Bellamie was made in private, as I originally intended.

[X-IHH/Wallac Isilviere (Kasper)]

Baronettess Tilgentor thanks the Pontiff and the Duchess for the escort. She then informs an Elinien sergent that the troops that Countess el-Mesir of Ilien were able to send are ready to be escorted to their camp site.

Spirit seems to be high among the Ilieneese units as they distance distance themselfs from the Giant living statue and the moving blobs of fire.

OoC: I would say Ilien can send up someone to investigate what takes place first unless they have magic means to know what takes place a kilometer or more up ahead. Then they can attempt to move away from the road and pass the collum in front of them with their wagon and all their stuff. It goes without saying they are not exactly popular with the IHH for this feat. Should they try to force their way through the units of IHH on the road they will be hindered. In the later case there will be some sort of fallout later.

IC:

The sergeant accept to bring the dispatch to the SM.

In the mean time Wallac has been informed briefly and ride down the collum to confer with Duchess Tanar. With him is LL and the bodyguard

Before the two Ilien units (placed after the Roesone dispatchment) can even begin to know what happens but the fact the collum have stopped orders to continue are given.

The Dragoons send forth 8 groups of 50 men to scout ahead. Just the close perimeter and The Armsmen leave their mounts to IHH's camp followers and march in batteformations after the dragoons.