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

[DM B]

OOC: What must be the least stable server out there just ate my reply...frak!

[DM B]

OOC: Server time out my reply and ate it. New reply is shorter

IC: The vampire is dead. The head flies of and the body catches fire. The smoke is black and foul. You move on.

There is hardship in terms of raids. By goblins and men. And in the night by more creatures of the shadow. But you keep together and continue on.

What is rather more taxing is the cold wind and rain. Rough ground. Little firewood to be had. No foraging. Dwindling supplies.

But finally you happen upon a deep and still-green valley, carved by a swift-moving stream. The Patriarch knows the place. He's been here before. From here it's possible for a man on foot to follow the river and eventually reach the forested hills of Soileite.

Now, how do you get the army down there? If it is even advisable to do so?

[X-LPA/Gaerred Khaiarén (Gray)]

Gaerred comes to stand by the Patriarch on valleys edge looking down at the river.

"Many say that it is no longer my task to advise you, but all the same," he says.

"From here, Patriarch, it is now a matter for those of the blood amongst us - for all those of the blood amongst us are heroes and bear the favor of the gods," he says.

"We should take a some scouts and skirmishers into the valley, who shall return by nightfall - leaving those of us in valley.  Let us give the impression to those watching us that nothing was found.  In the meantime the army should remain here until tomorrow morning and then skirt along the edge of the valley, en route to Soilete where they can find provisions and the ability to forage," he says. 

"I would also urge you to forbid many of the regents personal guards.  Instead, you, the pontiff, and Auxiliary Patriarch Tanar, can select the 2 strongest paladins, 2 of Avanlae, 2 of the All-Father and 2 of the Stormlord.  Let them be our guards.  Anymore than this, Patriarch and they will become a liability.  The Grey Duke favors tactics of subversion, chaos and terror - any more than 15 is a liability that cannot be mitigated," he says.

[X-Elinie/RiD (Niels)]

"It does appear that this is where we strike out on our own."

"Lets call a meeting, I want each participating faction to have a chance to offer people to go. Our numbers should be limited, I agree on that, and while blood may help, I am certain that experience and willpower goes a long way too."

OOC: To be continued in the adventure thread.

[DM B]

(on hold while there is a meeting over in the Adventure thread)

[X-Tornilen/SM (Alexander)]

The army is divided and organized into new columns. First is the expeditionary force going into the valley:

The Expeditionary Force
1 Scouts (Veteran) - Elinie
2 Armsmen, dismounted (Crack) - IHH +2 weapons, Aid the Righteous, Vestment of the Gods
1 Dragoons, dismounted (Crack) - IHH +2 weapons, Aid the Righteous, Vestment of the Gods
1 Archers (Veteran) - Tornilen

Meanwhile the rest of the army is reorganized. The usual battleorder - Center, Flanks, Reserve, - is obviously not viable here in the Grey Hills. It is split into two primary columns, while the scouting force scour the sorrounding hills.

The two columns are headed by heavy units (dismounted knights, regulars or armsmen) and are intended to breach the enemy and break them, while the units behind them take care of stragglers and provide support. The Swordmage's assistant, commander Gaerik Bellerran, is placed at the head of the second column while the swordmage commands the first. They are intended to be able to function independently, while using runners and riders to either trap the enemy between them or split the enemy.

This is, by the Swordmage's measure, the best strategy for this terrain. She does listen to her captains, as well as the words of Baron Bellamie before he leaves, so if this is her inexperience showing... she will change it. She holds a meeting with the captains before implementing all this. If it is braindead, she listens and changes her course.

They are looking for the enemy, as well as good defensible positions nearby and ways to block access into the valley.

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

The First Column. Led by the Swordmage
Colossus (Stoned) - Tornilen +2 weapons
3 Hell Hounds (Summoned) - Tornilen
1 Armsmen (Elite) - Tornilen +2 weapons
2 Knights, dismounted (Crack) - Osoerde
1 Regulars (Veteran) - Tornilen +2 weapons
1 Pikemen (Skilled) - Elinie
1 Armsmen (Veteran) - Elinie
1 Archers (Green) - Ghieste
1 Archers (Green) - Tornilen
1 Crossbowmen (Green) - Ghieste

Second Column. Led by Gaerik Bellerran
1 Armsmen (Elite) - Roesone +2 weapons
1 Knights (Elite), dismounted  - Roesone +2 weapons
1 Regulars (Veteran) - Tornilen +2 weapons
1 Knights, dismounted (Veteran) - South Hold, Bellamie
2 Armsmen, dismounted (Skilled) - Osoerde
1 Regulars (?) - Ilien
1 Pikemen (Green) - Elinie
1 Pikemen (Green) - Ghieste
1 Swordsmen (Green) - Ghieste
2 Archers (Skilled) - Elinie

[DM B]

Sounds like a plan.

The scouts keep scouting while the two defensive detachments guard the expeditionary forces as it descends into the valley. Two men fall to their deaths, but otherwise everything goes according to plan.

[X-Tornilen/SM (Alexander)]

While the forces in the valley comes under assault, the first column tries to assist them as well as they can. Archers make to climb the sides of the valley to give fire support, while lines are opened up to draw out the injured and to allow new soldiers to go into the valley. It is a mess.

Meanwhile the second column are given orders to draw up below the first column and prepare for battle. The Swordmage fears that this may be the opening move for a larger assault. The second column arranges themselves defensively.

[X-Tornilen/SM (Alexander)]

Commander Gaerik receives word that the Swordmage has gone down into the valley. From the beginning she has told him that she might want to bring her personal might to bear, this is not very surprising. He takes over command of both columns, riding up to join the first. Still no enemy has shown outside the valley, so for now things are not too critical.

[DM B]

Commander Gaerik receives word that the Swordmage has gone down into the valley. From the beginning she has told him that she might want to bring her personal might to bear, this is not very surprising. He takes over command of both columns, riding up to join the first. Still no enemy has shown outside the valley, so for now things are not too critical.

Nice try, but one of the columns are now effectively leaderless and the overall army has no general - however poorly she performed

[X-Tornilen/SM (Alexander)]

Right. That was somewhat out of character and in poor form. Commander Gaerik stays put, leading the second column and defending against outer threats. The first column is mainly supporting those in the valley anyway.

[X-Elinie/RiD (Niels)]

I have made a little schematic of how I imagine the valley battle might be taking place.

The orogs coming from the side can go after the armsmen or the dragoons who would have used missiles up until now.

Archers and scouts would move hastily to the back.

Ending up pretty much like the attached picture, if we are lucky.

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

Baronetess Tilgentor joins up with Commander Gaerik and offers her aid in leading the troops.

[DM B]

Right. That was somewhat out of character and in poor form. Commander Gaerik stays put, leading the second column and defending against outer threats. The first column is mainly supporting those in the valley anyway.

That makes a LOT more sense thank you. And the scouting force is already operating under an unnamed commander.

[DM B]

Baronetess Tilgentor joins up with Commander Gaerik and offers her aid in leading the troops.

He quickly sends her - along with some of his own men to back her - to assume command of the other column. She is ordered to help those in the valley is she can, but not to descend unless given orders to that effect by himself or the General.