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

[DM B]

Sample creatures for 3rd lvl spell (from SRD):

3rd Level   
Celestial black bear   LG
Celestial bison   NG
Celestial dire badger   CG
Celestial hippogriff   CG
Elemental, Small (any)   N
Fiendish ape   LE
Fiendish dire weasel   LE
Hell hound   LE
Fiendish snake, constrictor    LE
Fiendish boar   NE
Fiendish dire bat   NE
Fiendish monstrous centipede, Huge   NE
Fiendish crocodile   CE
Dretch (demon)   CE
Fiendish snake, Large viper   CE
Fiendish wolverine   CE

Doesn't need to be any of the above, but you get the idea.

[X-Tornilen/SM (Alexander)]

Hell Hounds then
Glowing, occasionally burning red fur. Green eyes glinting with malice. Drool that stinks of brimstone. Obsidian spikes protruding along their spine. Lashing tails like rats'. Nasty things.

[DM B]

Much better than small elementals...very Un-BR.

---

At any rate I'm just waiting for final confirmation of participating units, chain of command and movement orders.

Hurry up people!

[X-Elinie/RiD (Niels)]

Just before the army truly arrives in the Grey hills, messengers arrive at the Patriarch's tent, from the Tornilen duchess.

They relay a concern and a simple solution: The Swordmage believes that the army needs a clear chain of command, as all the different parts of it needs to work together flawlessly. At least as flawlessly as is possible. Since the Swordmage already has command of the single, largest, part of the army - The field army from Ghieste, Roesone and Tornilen - she thinks she is best suited to head this temporary chain of command. She is also the only regent intending to stay and lead the army.

If the Patriarch of Elinie agrees to this and lets his generals obey her orders, she believes that the other commanders will do the same. She is well aware that this does not make the troops hers, they still belong to their respective realms and regents, but in an operation this size... someone needs to have the clear command.

If Elinie is on board, some strategic info will be fortcoming.

The Patriarch finds this reasonable and appoint the SM as the über general in all matters military. The General's of Elinie will follow the orders of the SM, as long as they get to participate in planning meetings and are allowed to influence overall strategy.

Rashid seems pre-occupied with Manethander and aside from the top level strategic goals of; locate, distract and extract, he really isn't interested in warfare.

The army list looks accurate.

[X-Elinie/RiD (Niels)]

OOC: Additionally the forces of Baron Blaede are on station and alert, as it the castle?

Yes, that was asked for at least. 

I also repost here, the army elements of the plan presented by the Patriarch;

"We will go to our armies and begin the advance into the hills. We will make no effort of hiding. Indeed, our desire is to goad the enemy to come at us, to thin their ranks."

"This, of course, should not be at the expense of sound strategy when it comes to avoiding ambush and choosing the field on which to battle. We should secure our rear and supply lines with both actual encampments and hidden scouts to observe the eventual fate of these camps, and warn us if infiltration occurs from behind."

"When I gain an accurate fix on the Tomb, we will decide how to make the best use of our troops in the given situation. I find it likely that we will have to cross over. In this case, our army should still flag our personal banners, and we should conspire to give the impression that we are present and attempting to siege Manethander's lair."

"In reality, we will attempt to infiltrate the tomb and do our real job. Destroying or binding Manethander."

The only real "gimmick" is the "5th column" scouts who do not have direct contact with the checkpoints, to reduce chance that both they and the checkpoint are destroyed together.

[X-Elinie/RiD (Niels)]

1 Armsmen OK Veterans - Elinie - Rashida, General
1 Pikemen  OK Skilled - Elinie - Rashida, General
1 Pikemen  OK Green - Elinie - Rashida, General
2 Archers OK Skilled - Elinie - Rashida, General
1 Scouts OK Veteran - Elinie - Rashida, General
2 Scouts OK Green - Elinie - Rashida, General
2 Dragoons OK Skilled - Elinie - Kerric, General
2 Outriders OK Skilled - Elinie - Kerric, General

Updated with status and level

[X-Tornilen/SM (Alexander)]

The main bulk of the army moves very slowly. Both because of the terrain, but also because the entire army is kept marching in battle order instead of marching order. The enemy the combined army face may have the ability to deploy very rapidly, possibly through the veil, so no chances are taken.

In a meeting with the generals in a tent, the main strategy is outlined:
The first and highest priority is intelligence. The army is marching into territory where the location and numbers of the enemy is almost completely unknown. Therefore the scouting and light mounted units of all the armies are made to work closely together. The Elinien scout and outrider units are asked to lend men to each of the other scout and light cavalry units. That way their knowledge of the terrain and the province can be maximized. While the main army moves slowly forward, about a third of the army is on scout duty. The heavier and the slower the light unit (the slowest and heaviest being dragoons in this terrain) are taking care of close scouting and screening, the rest ranges quite far ahead.

The second priority is battle readiness. At any point the Patriarch may feel the location of the tomb (this role is not communicated, the generals are simply told that the information may come through at any point). At that point the army would need to change direction swiftly and may find itself quickly engaging the enemy. FOr that reason the march is in battle order, instead of marching order, so the army could deploy and be ready for battle at any moment. If the scouts should find the enemy far away or the tomb turns out to be far away, that may necessitate a rearranging of the columns... but that is a price worth paying.

If and when the battle is joined, the most important objective is not to crush the enemy. It is to keep the enemy well and truly occupied and to be ready to move. However, it might also be necessary to punch through the enemy lines in order to rescue the regents that may very well end up behind enemy lines. For those reasons, the army will deploy and fight rather defensively... Keeping the best shock units in reserve. More on that if we actually end up engaging the enemy. Once the enemy is enganged the scouting force will be drawn in and used as screening force, with the Dragoons going into the reserve.

The Scouting Force (And Screening force in battle)
1 Skirmishers (Green) - Ghieste
2 Scouts (Green) - Tornilen
1 Scouts (Veteran) - Elinie
2 Scouts (Green) - Elinie (Going to reserve in battle)
2 Dragoons (Skilled) - Elinie
2 Outriders (Skilled) - Elinie (Going to reserve in battle)
2 Dragoons (Crack) - IHH +2 weapons, Aid the Righteous, Vestment of the Gods
1 Irregulars (?) - Ilien

The Main Force:
Center:
Colossus (Stoned) - Tornilen +2 weapons
2 Armsmen, Mounted (Crack) - IHH +2 weapons, Aid the Righteous, Vestment of the Gods
1 Archers (Green) - Tornilen
1 Crossbowmen (Green) - Ghieste
1 Archers (Green) - Ghieste
1 Pikemen (Green) - Ghieste
1 Swordsmen (Green) - Ghieste
1 Armsmen (Elite) - Roesone +2 weapons
1 Armsmen (Veteran) - Elinie

Right Flank:
1 Armsmen (Elite) - Tornilen +2 weapons
3 Hell Hounds (Summoned) - Tornilen
1 Regulars (?) - Ilien
1 Archers (Veteran) - Tornilen

Left Flank:
2 Regulars (Veteran) - Tornilen +2 weapons
2 Archers (Skilled) - Elinie
1 Pikemen (Skilled) - Elinie
1 Pikemen (Green) - Elinie

Reserve:
1 Knights (Elite) - Roesone +2 weapons
2 Knights (Crack) - Osoerde
2 Armsmen, Mounted (Skilled) - Osoerde

[DM B]

The choice of overall commander does not sit well with officers and soldiers alike...and in the execution it does not function very well either; the good Duchess is already tasked beyond her limits in keeping control over her own diverse group of soldiers and units. And as it turns out - she has no real military experience or understanding of the situation, the terrain or the troops at her disposal.

But still, the great army moves on, and there seems there is nothing that can deflect it from its purpose...into the Grey Hills they go!

(the SM counts as a commander for the join army, which imposes penalties on her checks)
(all units suffer a -1 penalty to Morale)

[X-IHH/Wallac Isilviere (Kasper)]

Realizing little can be done and that changing chain of cómmand in the middle of the march will only makes things worse Wallac starts a hymn of war which his Armsmen soon join

[DM B]

Despite some problems the army continues ahead (it marches from Ansien in WM 9 - you didn't spend all that long arguing before moving). The ground is fairly dry and the harvest is in, so there is no crops in danger of being trampled. The army is also very well provisioned, so there is little reason to fear unlicensed foraging and general mayhem (there is always some, but that is to be expected).

As you approach the Grey Hills the terrain becomes increasingly rugged and settlements smaller and fewer. There is less farming and rather more grazing up here. At any rate the current movement and deployment orders quickly proves to be impractical. In open fields it works well enough, but up ahead the army will be limited to traveling along one (or multiple) axis of advance - the terrain simply prevents moving on a broad front. So marching in column becomes a necessity.

[DM B]

Realizing little can be done and that changing chain of cómmand in the middle of the march will only makes things worse Wallac starts a hymn of war which his Armsmen soon join

And this is one of the strengths of the army - on of the things that keep it together despite all the reasons it should not exists - His Holiness, the Pontiff of All Anuire. His presence does a lot to bolster the faith of many a warrior, especially those from the south and west.

[X-Haelyn's Aegis/RK (Andy)]

Edwin's templars muttered amongst themselves at the placing of a wizard - and a Vos woman too boot at the head of the army, but it was the sight of the hell hounds which drew grumbles rather than jokes.  "Unnatural" said one templar, "Do we go in the service of fiends or to battle one?" muttered another, "no army wrought of evil can achieve good" said a third clearly uneasy at the idea of fighting beside the fire-breathing demonkin.

"Enough" said Edwin, his voice quiet but strong.  "Are you mewling babes or veteran warriors to tremble at the sight of a few whelps?  The Baroness fought against the Eyeless One, her ways are strange but have served the lords of Light before, and will do so again.  Besides look about, for all her fancy parade of puppies and stone 'tis proud men of Anuire who march in numbers here, you dishonour them if you doubt this armies purpose for the sight of a few strays."

The mutters stopped - or at least grew quiet enough for the marshal not to hear.  As the sound of the Pontiffs hymn carried to the templars on the wind they took it up singing lustily to banish fears and encouraged those about them to sing out also.

Onward Haelyn's soldiers, marching to just war
With the Bolt of Cuiraecen, leading on before!
Roele imperial master leads against the foe
Forward into battle see his banners go!

Onward Haelyn's soldiers, marching to just war
With the Bolt of Cuiraecen, leading on before!


At the sign of triumph, Shadow's host doth flee
On then Haelyn's soldiers, on to victory!
Dark foundations quiver, at the shout of praise
Brothers lift your voices, loud your anthems raise!

Onward Haelyn's soldiers, marching to just war
With the Bolt of Cuiraecen, leading on before!


As a mighty army, moves great Haelyn's church
Brothers we are treading, paths the saints have trod
We are not divided, all one people we
One in hope and fervour, one in victory

Onward Haelyn's soldiers, marching to just war
With the Bolt of Cuiraecen, leading on before!


Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
but the folk of Roele constant will remain.
Shadowed forts can never gainst our folk prevail;
we have Roele's own promise, and that cannot fail.

Onward Haelyn's soldiers, marching to just war
With the Bolt of Cuiraecen, leading on before!


Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud, and honor unto Him most High,
this through countless ages men and angels sing.

Onward Haelyn's soldiers, marching to just war
With the Bolt of Cuiraecen, leading on before!

[X-Tornilen/SM (Alexander)]

Behind the scenes, Marya Tanar is feeling the pressure of command very keenly. She has overreached, but her pride (and common sense) prevents her from stepping down. Trying to migitate the situation a little, she focuses on making the generals and commanders of different contigents talk to each other. There are meetings, discussions and so on. On the surface she tries to appear in control, but on the inside she is tearing her hair out. As the army marches on, those officers who have experience with the terrain and with working across nationalities are, as quickly as possible, given more freedom and responsibilities. The general command structure remains what was decided on, but she tries to pull competent personnel close to her and to listen to them.

[DM B]

The Grey Hills, looking south - north of this point the terrain becomes rugged and rocky, dominated by deep valleys and rough ridges of flint-grey rock.



Now, imagine the difficulties of maneuvering an army here...

[DM B]

Behind the scenes, Marya Tanar is feeling the pressure of command very keenly. She has overreached, but her pride (and common sense) prevents her from stepping down. Trying to migitate the situation a little, she focuses on making the generals and commanders of different contigents talk to each other. There are meetings, discussions and so on. On the surface she tries to appear in control, but on the inside she is tearing her hair out. As the army marches on, those officers who have experience with the terrain and with working across nationalities are, as quickly as possible, given more freedom and responsibilities. The general command structure remains what was decided on, but she tries to pull competent personnel close to her and to listen to them.

Oh, but it's not really her fault. Not at all. It's just that the task would be beyond any but the most skilled of generals. Her husband perhaps. Or dead legends...

You press on, and have your first encounters with the enemy. Goblin skirmishers strike at you from hiding, then fall back before you can bring up reinforcements. Goblins are good at this...and these goblins seem familiar with the terrain...and well equipped. Mail and steel weapons. Strong bows.

Not that you are helpless before them; you've numerous scouts on your own. And some irregulars and skirmishers. But unfortunately most of them are inexperienced and of little value. They fail to spot then enemy and when they come under attack they bleed and they die. The presence of the brave templars of the IHH helps a bit, but cavalry is having a hard time up here.

It's not really serious; they can't really hurt your main army. But they slow you down even more...and it does nothing to improve morale.

---

You also have news from the outside - by bird and magic. The goblins of Sutren Hills are in rebellion. And men of Osoerde are west of the Grey Hills in force, plaguing Baron Blaede ad his vassals.