Brigands of Thoralinar - turn #63

[X-DM Jon]

Time passes by, midday comes and goes away. Afternoon settles in. You are now completely certain that you're being watched. Oh sure, they're good at what they do, sneaking around. But you're better. Much better.

 By now you're aware that there's a couple of sentries in the trees, watching you. And you've spotted at least three oddly moving mounds of grass scuttle closer to the camp, checking you out.

 Heavy clouds move in over the field and rain begins to fall. Meanwhile your men gets a measly couple of fires going and some food on the spit.

[X-DM Jon]

Afternoon turns to evening and still nothing has happened. The rain falls non-stop, drenching you all to the bone.

 Twilight is upon you, soon it will be dark.

[X-DM Jon]

OoC: A battleplan from the Swordmage and/or any further orders from both of you are expected. Most of the day has gone by and the brigands haven't been lured forth to battle yet.

[X-Tornilen/SM (Alexander)]

Once twillight begins to fall, the Swordmage loses patience with this ploy and casts an invisility spell, going down to talk to Duke Hiriele.

The Duke is probably spooked as the empty air starts talking to him, but the Swordmage tries to avoid anything bad happening - like the Duke attacking him.

Anyway, once they can talk, she says the following:
"We have a problem, or plan is obviously not working as intended. The bait is not good enough. THere is no doubt that the brigands will attack after darkness falls - this will be a disaster. Goblins and Orogs can see well in the dark and would annihilate these two regiments.
So, we need to take action.
Whatever happens, these two regiments must join up with our forces on the other side of the hill before nightfall. That cannot be changed. We have fortified our position up there somewhat, we should be able to rebuke any attack.
I suggest a final attempt to lure out the brigands - select a few men who are at least somewhat skilled scouts... or at least look the part, with lighter armour and all that. Perhaps a few of my archers. Send them into the forest, though not far as they would likely be killed, then have them hurry back, come speak to the commander of these forces.
After that, break up the camp and hurry away - as if the scouts had discovered the enemy out there and you have found yourselves outnumbered. If they are foolish enough or greedy enough, this could lure them to attack early - as the "easy" prey is escaping.
I doubt it will work, but you have to leave this position anyway, so it is worth a try. We will likely loose a few of the men sent out, but so be it. Whatever you do, hurry, night will soon fall."

OOC: The plan SM suggests:
- Send a few men out to scout.
- Have them hurry back, as if they discovered something
- The break up the camp and hurry away, as if whatever the scouts discovered made you run away.
- Hopefully, the brigands will see the easy target escaping and thus will be provoked to attack.
- Will likely not work, but we need to unite our forces before nightfall to avoid loosing two units (and possibly the duke) with nothing to gain. When the enemy has the advantage, you do not engage.
- If it's ok with Jon, the forces remaining on the other side of the hill have been busy preparing basic fortifications (very basic, as they also had to be ready to move out at a moments notice).

[X-DM Jon]

OoC:
 From the Regent guide p. 180
"All armies are assumed to construct reasonably fortified positions at the end of each day's march – such minor fortifications are equivalent on both sides, provide no tactical benefit, and are not considered to be field fortifications.
In order to build a fortification significant enough to qualify for a field fortification bonus, an army must occupy the province for four war moves (1 action round)."


IC: The Swordmage reaches Ghieste's camp with little issue. The rain is falling quite heavily by now. The men look a sorry lot, drenched to the bone down here.
 You see the slopes of the hill before you, it really is quite impressive and well chosen as a hideout. Furthermore, from the looks of it, there seems to be little activity up there and no obvious signs of fortifications. But you know they are there, well hidden further up the slope and inside the treeline.

[X-Ghieste & HOT/GH (Matt)]

Ghorien seems not overly surprised by the Sword Mage's presence or her plan. He agrees that a set of patrols into the woodland and their "discovery" of positions may well work. He lays out his orders discreetly to various officers and then begins the investment of the patrols he dispatches towards the positions and fortifications he has become aware of during his study of the area. They are given orders to proceed up the slope in silence, looking for scouts and defensive positions and to raise hue and cry when they do. They should immediately attempt to regroup with the main units where teh Duke will take command of the situation, aiming to begin a slow retreat to draw them out.

[X-DM Jon]

You have become aware of no field fortifications while you have been down here on the plain. The Swordmage informed you they were at the crown of the hill.

 You send a couple of regulars out into the pouring rain and up the hillside. They vanish into the trees.

 Half an hour passes and not one returns. The rain has made it completely impossible to see or hear what goes on up there...

[X-Tornilen/SM (Alexander)]

"Time to go." The voice is soft behind Duke Ghorien Hiriele. "I shall see you again soon, begin your withdrawal, we are ready to strike."

The Swordmage leaves and hurries up back the hill, slipping once in the rain and mud, cursing and muttering under her breath she reaches the troops and drops her invisibility. Even though she is not looking particularly dignified - covered in mud and wet - the sight of her bladed mask and robe keeps any soldiers from commenting.

She seeks out Ghorien's commanders.

"This is a mess, our plans are not working well. Keep your eyes peeled and be ready to go down the hill in force. Charging downhill, the mud should not impede our horses too much. If you see anyone engaging Duke Hiriele, we strike. Until then, let's hope the brigands take the bait."

[X-DM Jon]

As you reach the main position of your troops, you are almost certain that you see movement on a hill southeast of your position.
 It is most likely the enemy, surveying your troops down in the valley.

[X-Tornilen/SM (Alexander)]

The Swordmage curses as she sees the enemy troops, then grasps the chance it might represent. She orders the troops to stay clear of the edge of the hill, minimizing the risk that they are seen.

Then she sends a short message to the unit leaders of the Outriders and Heavies, commandeering a runner to do it.
"There are flanking troops on the hill to the southeast, if they attack while Duke Ghorien retreats up the hill, I will lead the Dragoons, the Knights, the Scouts and the Crossbowmen to engage them while the rest of you will go down to join Duke Ghorien. Wait until Duke Ghorien retreats and see if they act. Follow the plan, but keep the flanking forces in mind."

After that she gathers the Scouts, Knight, Draggons and Crossbowmen into a striking force, mounts up and joins the Dragoons, ready to ride into battle if necessary.

[X-DM Jon]

Further time passes and the rain changes into a light drizzle. None of the men sent up the hill return. Evening approaches. Dusk is nearly upon you as the Sun lowers behind you in the west.

 Meanwhile the main army gets into ready formation. You can't see the enemy on the southern hill.
Still nothing happens... The men are getting restless with this damned waiting game!

[X-Ghieste & HOT/GH (Matt)]

Ghorien curses the lack of return of the patrols, or even any noise from them on which to react, and decides to take one of the enemy scouts he has located personally. Dropping out of the camp in the half light he will try to apprehend alive one of those he has spotted, with a view to then raising the alarm and beginning the retreat, hoping to draw them out that way while interrogating the captured agent.

[X-DM Jon]

 You sneak out across the valley floor towards the hillside. But noone is there, noone to accost you or be dragged back home. You do find your own regulars, lying dead in places. Shot down or stabbed from behind. Looks like it wasn't such a good idea to send ordinary regular infantry to do a scouts job - and in such heavy rain where they wouldn't be able to see or hear much of anything.

 You sneak forward, all the way to the crown of the hill, quietly climbing over the wooden stakes and dikes erected up there. Nothing. The camp is deserted... The tunnel opening that the Swordmage told you about, has collapsed, obviously to cover their retreat.

The birds have flown the nest...

[X-Ghieste & HOT/GH (Matt)]

Checking fires for the length of time they have been out Ghorien will quickly slip back out over the walls and move back towards the decoy troops and decamping them to rejoin with the main body. Once back in command he will want to deploy the Scouts properly and attempt to locate the flight of the enemy and see if they cannot be intercepted.

[X-DM Jon]

The enemy has quite obviously moved their entire army through the cave and subsequently collapsed it behind them. This has happened within the hour. Meaning that right now they're probably under the earth somewhere...

 You have no idea where the tunnel exit could be. Unfortunately...
However the entrance is in the south face of the hillside, leading north. (OoC: Edited because I confused even myself here!)

 The camp still has some of the more substantial loot left behind, a few wagons with crates too big to get through the tunnel. You could get the army up here to secure the goods if you want...

 After checking you rejoin your forward troops and unite the army once more.
What's next?