>>13722526

>Odd. My DH game i just came from had not one but 2 Inquisitor Gaius. One was a former so there was all sorts of drama.

Turn around. "That might depend on who's asking and regarding what."

Are we armed? A little twitchy about assassins.

>>13722526
"Of course."
I imagine this is Janos. We also might want to talk to Blentus' child or Blentus himself on getting infro on the lords to the north.

"Of course, friend" you reply, turning around.

Janos leads you to his tent, more or less silently. When you enter the now empty tent, he slides his helm from his head and turns to your, face well composed. "Did you find out who it was that slew my father?"

>>13722628
"Unfortunately not. Everyone I've inquired with so far has said the arrows don't match anything they've seen and it could be anyone. Unless the arrow belongs to a group almost everyone doesn't know about, we don't really have a lead."

There were no markings or symbols on the arrows right Pax?

>>13722628

"I'm sorry, my friend. We've had no news, yet.

Our new shadow is currently out on a little excursion to find out more about this incident. You will be informed as soon as I receive that information. You will have your vengeance."

>>13722666
>>13722664
Pretty much the same thing.
We'll need to have our assassin infiltrate Dyron's Ford, made all the more difficult by the impending siege.

>>13722666
Did we send him out to look into that? I thought he said he had no clue on whose they might be, so unless he's lying to us we don't really have any leads.

>>13722696
Dyron's Ford is no longer our problem and we can't really lend our assassin to our allies without letting them know he's an assassin. We might as well use him in the north to see if he can either infiltrate one of the armies or sneak into the closest city and see if he can cause any mischief or just get us intel.

Pax, are we ready to upgrade our legionary battalions yet? Now would be a good opportunity to pick up any Degnar-styled weapons that the legionnaires might need.

"Not yet. Not even the assassin recognized the fletching pattern. We may have to pay a visit to Dyron Ford's library, after Degnar captures it."

>no symbols on the arrows
>Daeseu mentioned that he had a man in Dyrons Ford that might know, and you guys gave him the go-ahead to talk with him
>they will be ready by the time you get back to DragonsReach

"Not yet, friend. Though I have our shadow working on discerning the arrows source at the moment." you reply.

Janos' face sours at the mention of Daeseu "Thank you. I suppose you will want a report on the two Lords we are to defeat at some point in the near future?"

I do not believe we ordered the assassin to Dyron's Ford. He did mention that it would be a very dangerous mission for him, since the enemy leadership all know his face already.

>>13722752
"Indeed. We'll be dealing with two minor lords with no chance of reinforcements so we will have to be extremely careful with our next engagements. Janos, I know you're not fond of the idea of an assassin being with us but it may end up necessary. At the very least, with him around I imagine we won't have to worry about assassin's coming after us as much and I don't plan on sending him out to kill every lord we come across."

>>13722792
Seconding.

Aye. We'll use him for intel gathering, killing enemy assassins, and maybe occasionally bump off an enemy battalion captain or two. Going after the major Lords would be too risky.

"You are correct, Janos. the Lord of Kerlis first, as I expect we will be seeing him before long." you place a placating hand on Janos' shoulder "I know that you dont much like the idea of us having an assassin in the maniple, but he has his uses. His abilities make him just as useful for information gathering, and killing assassins sent to strike at us, as they are for having him slay our foes, and that use I do not intend to choose very often."

Janos sighs, his face easing slightly "I still mislike it, but that is better than using him solely for killing our foes, I suppose. As to the Lord of Kerlis, he has a fairly large force, taking more after Dyron than any other river lords." Janos steps aside and scratches his head "Two sons if my memory serves, both fairly able. The mans force is mostly sergeants and longbowmen, and towards the upper register of his allowance as a lord. His only noteworthy unit is one of elven blademasters. I have not dealt with the Lord of Degris enough to have much useful information on him for you without time to think and go through what notes of mine were recovered from the Stant camp. Though I should be able to answer any questions on Lord Blentus you have off of the top of my head."

>>13723008
Urgh. Looks like this is going to be a messy battle if he has a lot of troops and longbows.

"Do you have any idea on how relations were between Blentus and the two lords to his north?"

Might be able to get some info from Blentus on them if possible. Also, I believe these were minor lords so what is their maximum troop allotment? Or are they full Lords and we're heavily outnumbered?

>>13723008
If he's got lots of longbows, we're going to have to fight him at night. This could be a problem.

Wonder where everyone is.

As I recall they were all minor lords, vassals of Lord Dyron, who is a major lord.

"What is Lord Kerlis's reputation as a military man?"

>>13723153
>indeed

"How good are relations between Lord Kulp and his neighbor to the north?" you prompt, hiding your grimace at Janos' rundown of the elfs forces.

"Solid, but not overly friendly. An old feud is finally dying out thanks to the two, though they in no way consider themselves friends. Marriage contracts will do that to a feud though." the nobleman smirks, though his voice carries a hint of guilt.

"So, of his two thousand odd soldiers, what part of that would you say are longbowmen?" you ask, hoping for a low percent.

"Just over half the force is something other than levies, and a third of that is longbowmen. The other parts are sergeants and the blademasters, then men-at-arms on horseback and some knights. Most of the mans heavy infantry are mercenaries, a few of the units he retains were my suggestions." Janos informs you, a few lengthy pauses where he had to stop to think.

"What is Lord Kulps military reputation?" you ask, looking around for a stool to take, depressed that none remain in the tent.

"He is skilled enough, more like to quit the field than others when he realizes that his force is no longer favored, but brave and somewhat clever until that point." the nobleman informs you, before shrugging and dropping to sit on the ground.

>>13723316
"Some of the units he retained on your suggestion? Does that mean some of those units might be persuaded to end their contract a little early if they can be contacted? And what was their feud about?"

So we are outnumbered about 2 to 1, but almost half of his forces are levies, and hopefully he doesn't have elementalists coming out of the wazoo like we do.

Tough, but doable. We need to neutralize him before the other lord comes south and links up with him. He's trying to reach Lost Conflux. We need to make him pay for every step he takes.

Traps. Harassment. Ambushes. Night raids. Poisoned food and water supplies. Make his troops unable to fight by the time we face him on the field.

>>13723345
>confirmation?

>>13723345
Sure. Second.

"So, would it be safe to assume that some of those units could be convinced to abandon their employment by you as well?" you ask, following Janos' lead and sitting on the ground.

"Their employment by Lord Kulp is quite profittable, but I think I should be able to pull one or two away from his service with the right funding." Janos smirks.

"Interesting, though I am almost equally curious as to what this old feud was over." you continue, slightly unnerved by Janos' calm, predatory smile.

"A broken mattaige pact generations old, along with a few villages and cities on the two lords borders that have never been clearly defined as belonging to one city or the other." he answers, stretching his legs out "Why do you ask?"

>if/when your done with janos do you have anything else you want to do before time-skipping to Lost Conflux?

>>13723345
Third?

>>13723345
second
>>13723429
sounds like a job for blackbird

>>13723655
"Wondering if there might be any way we could re-open the feud but that seems unlikely based on that."

Can't think of anything else to ask him other than getting a more detailed topography map of the area north of Lost Conflux at this point. Before we leave, we might want to see if we can talk to Kaitlyn privately and ask her how Janos is taking things. Also, think we should give the forces going south our NV paste? The people back at home might start wondering why we didn't spread it after we've seen it doesn't have immediate downsides.

Upgrading our legionnaire battalions?

We owe Jayne some sweet, sweet loving.

Tell Gaius that he's a bro for tutoring Lena in addition to his other duties. We do not appreciate this guy enough.

>>13723713
I'm rather for just giving them the recipe.
We need all the paste we can get for our mission, more than they will need when sieging Dyron's Ford.

>>13723744
Sorry that's what I meant. Give them the means to create it.

>>13723740
We can't upgrade the Legionnaires yet but we should get them some javelins... Also, Gaius is tutoring Lena due to our orders.

You stand up "A more detailed map of the Area north of Lost Conflux would be nice, though I suspect that will take some time. You know where my maps are to that end."

"Commander" Janos acknowledges you, saluting and rising as you leave the tent.

Once outside the tent you set off to the medical tent, however, you run into a familiar face along the way "Hello Commander" Kaitlyn greets you passing, only stopping when she realizes you had.

"How has Janos been holding up since he learned of his fathers fate?" you ask bluntly, leading the woman off to an epmty tent.

"Well enoguh, I suppose. He still needs dreampowder in a nightcap to evade his nightmares, but aside from that he's back to himself." she answers, gesturing to the small ceramic container in her hand. "Why do you ask?"

Yes, but Gaius does his job with pretty much zero supervision, and does it well. No fuss. No trouble. No drama.

A few javelins strapped to the backs of the tower shields would work great. Getting charged? Javelin volley, then counter charge.

>>13723876
"The man has had to experience the death of a number of his family members in the past month and his previous family name being usurped by a cult. Although he has left them, I'm sure it's still eating away at him deep down. I just wanted to be sure their deaths isn't affecting him negatively. If there are any changes, please inform me Kaitlyn."

Yeah, after this I guess we should give the plans for the repeaters and NV paste to the commanding officer and then I guess we can timeskip. Maybe an elementalism training session since it's been awhile and we don't get many chances while fighting. Unless some of our captains or retinue approach us first.

>>13723876
"Because he- quite understandably- took his father's death rather badly, and knowing the health and morale of every person in the maniple is my duty. Every person responds differently to such things, and it stays with some more than others. If he is tormented by nightmares, sinking into melancholy, or quietly seething, I must know. I am glad that you at least are there for him."

>>13723920
Seconding this.

You shrug your shoulders "The man just went through the death of the better part of his family to a cult which has more likely than not now the same cults puppet. Some averse mental effects, more likely than not with physical symptoms are to be expected, I simply wished to know the extent of it. It is my duty to ensure that all under my command are well, and I thought you would be more open on the topic than he. I am grateful that you are here to help him through this, though I would like for you to inform me if he develops any new, unfortunate habits or symptoms from this experience."

"And I will, Commander" Kaitlyn replies, saluting and leaving the tent. The recepie for moonseye paste and a few sets of instructions for inventions of Degrians are prepared and sent to Lucretius' tent along with your regards within the hour, an hour after that your maniple is on the march again. In all, you are glad that you made this detour.

>roll for meditation then. timeskip after.

rolled 59 = 59

>>13724057
Level up!

The journey to Lost Conflux takes just under two days, and though you spend most of the trip meditating, you dont seem to make any real progress. Before long you see the blackened remnants of Lost Conflux looming ahead of you. While the city was not destroyed by the fires, it was grievously wounded, its walls charred at best, though entire sections are now gone, along with side swaths of city that were consumed by the flames. even through the current rain some districts of the city still burn. "Commander" Ssnsa announces herself "I have the map you set Janos to crafting for you." she hands you the parchment "And where would you like us to set camp?"

>>13724302
Let's use the city itself for the night.
Make sure to have the cavalry units doing constant patrols. Shorten the paths that each patrol will have to take, but increase the frequency to make up for it. I don't want to be surprised.

>>13724302
Hmm. Part of me thinks we should just bunk up in Lost Conflux. Parts of it still stand so we can still get some shelter for some people and we might be able to find things we missed while remaining here.

Interesting that there's a forest around the road. I imagine the first lord is already around that point since he's had more than a three day chance to march but if we can wipe him quick enough, using that forest to harass the second lord would be awesome. I say we send some scouts up to try to get an idea on where they are and start trapping the terrain and especially the roads.

Could we use the cave creation technique to hollow out the ground so that it could collapse if enough weight went on top of it Pax?

>>13724361
>yes you could

"The town should suffice." you reply gruffly "Though make sure there are plenty of patrols, short routes. I dont want anything surprising us."

Sansa chuckles "Very well. Still angry about that business at the crossing are we?" referring to the bull of a High Commander that had pulled rank on you when you attempted to use the same crossing as him, making your maniple wait. That was the only reason it had taken nearly two days to get here, the old bastards sneer still burnt into your mind even now.

"Not in the slightest." you chuckle "what would make you think that?"

"You generally sound less. flustered, when ordering the maniple to sleep under roofs and to stay dry." she retorts easily "When will we have our plan for the coming battles?"

>>13724527
"Once we have more information on where the enemy is, so make sure the scouts are sent out soon. Ideally I'd like to hit them while they're next to the forest along the road but with the time they've had to march, they might almost be out of it."

>>13724527
"Possibly in a day or so. I need to have Blackbird's band do some scouting first."

I think we should get Blackbird's men to go up to that forest, and see where the first enemy Lord is. If he hasn't reached the forest yet, we could trap it and set up our ambush there.

"Soon enough, if you would be so good as to have Blackbird and his men set off to determine the enemies location and disposition as quickly as possible that would be excellent." you reply, guiding Spite towards the northmost intact district remaining in the city, the column following you.

"Of course, commander." Sansa replies, riding off to the Wagon Blackbird and his men are riding on.

-----CQ-----

About midway through the next day a messenger arrives from Blackbird, a small, plainly sealed letter in hand. "Commander, enemy is roughly midway through the forest by the time you receive this. We are currently trapping the road before them." after that is a list of the enemies troops

Sergeants; Mail spear shield 250

Sergeants; mail spear shield 250

Blademasters; surecoats greatswords 80

Levies; halberds, breastplates 300

Levies; halberds breastplates 300

Longbowmen; longbows, assorted 200

Longbowmen; longbows, assorted 200

Men at Arms; platemail, spears, swords, mounted 150

Men at Arms; platemail, spears, swords, mounted 150

Knights; lances, greatswords, velociprey 50

Mercenaries; plate armor, shields, hammers 200

Mercenaries; platemail, pikes, broadswords 200

Mercenaries; scalemail, axes, shields 175

>>13724837
That... is a lot of enemy troops.

I would suggest that our elementalism and their large numbers of longbows would cause forest fighting to favor us, though. Depending upon what the forest is like, if we can pin them in it long enough we might be able to cause a major forest fire and burn them all up instead of fighting a straight battle.

>>13724837
Holy crap. 350 cavalry and knights on velociprey? We're going to need to start harassing them in the forest then and get Janos to contact the mercs in their army. I think we should see if we can draw some of their infantry into the forest using harassment tactics and then ambushing those that follow. Once they get out of the forest, only thing I can think of is trying to lure their men away from the main group by giving them something to chase and taking them on in smaller chunks.

>where'd everyone go, also, whats the plan?

>>13724910
>>13724919
The problem is that according to Blackbird, they're already halfway through the forest by now.
By the time we move up our forces, at best they will be 3/4 of the way through, or may have already cleared the forest.

>>13725039
We'll have to move fast, then. His traps should slow them down, and we've got wagons to speed up with. Our cavalry should be able to keep us informed with somewhat more up-to-date information; those velociprey knights would be concerning in that they might take out our scouts, but considering the heavy armor connotations of "knight" I would guess that they won't be able to run the tribesmen down.

If we can get to the edge of the forest, we set things up to burn it around them as best we can. If they break out first, we start to try and get them separated and disoriented.

>>13725039
Yeah I know but it's better than nothing. I suppose we could try meeting them as they're leaving the forest to hamper their cavalry's usefulness and try to choke their movement since they'll have to spread out into the forest to get all their men to meet us since we'd easily span out past the road.

Unless we let them see a small unit of ours as they're exiting the forest and hope they chase them. Honestly, we don't have much going for us the second they leave the forest part of the road.

>>13725034
I'm still trying to come up with a plan. If the enemy clears the forest before we're there, then this becomes a very bloody and hard battle.

Alright, we're all agreed that we need to try to fight the enemy in the forest, to prevent them from using their cavalry.
If we mount up in wagons now, how quickly can we get to the forest?

My idea is that if we get there before the enemy is clear of the forest, we start hitting them from all sides with our ranged units.
We sneak to a position, fire a volley, then run away. Then another unit does the same from the opposite side of the road.
Heavy infantry and warlords charge out from the forest, hit the enemy, then run back and disappear into the woods.

>>13725191
I like the sound of it but I say let's see how they respond first. If we're lucky and they send units out into the woods after us, we can isolate, ambush and wipe out units. If not, I think we should try to separate them. Make a large earth wall in the middle of the road to separate their column and we aim to take out the smaller part ASAP while the rest of them have to move through the woods and all that to get around the wall and we can have men harass them or stop them while they try.

>at full speed you should be able to make the forest before their near its end

>>13725191
rinse repeat

>>13725267
Alright then. Let's get this plan in motion.
Get everyone loaded up in the wagons and move out.

It looks like there's one major road through the forest. If we get there quickly enough, we might be able to use earth elementalism to slash it apart. When given some time we've been able to accomplish great things in the past- and if they're depending on wagons for their supplies, a fifteen foot gap twenty feet deep across the road could delay them for a day or more, considering the amount of supplies they'd need for an army that size. Could buy us the time that we'll need for other tricks.

It doesnt take long to get the maniple on the move, and it doesnt take long to inform your command staff of your plan. All of them agree on it, though none of them like the numbers any more than you do. Its just past noon when you get to the edge of the forest, already its filled with screams and shrieks, punctuated by booming dark laughter. "Who will be going in first?" Sansa asks "And what do you plan to have the cavalry do?"

>>13725378
If we're just about approaching the forest, what's the latest from Blackbird? I do hope that we've gotten updated reports.

>>13725378
Hunters should start the harassment. They're best in the woods. Follow them with the Ghosts and the Maurauders. Cavalry should skirt the edges of the woods to make sure the enemy isn't sending men the long way around us. If they are, they can give us a heads up or just crush them on their own depending on what unit finds them.

>>13725378
"Well the bears will likely be find in this kind of terrain, Though we can ask the dwarves if they'd like to dismount and act as dismounted fighters."

>>13725378
All of the cavalry stay out of the forest, and guard the wagons. Non-combat cavalry stay with the wagons.
We set up a field hospital a bit away from the forest.
The Swiftriders will escort a wagon/ambulance between the forest and the field hospital once the fighting starts, so that we can evac wounded out of the forest to relative safety.

On the west side of the forest, Gaius, Uurist, Finian, and Kyria. On the east side of the forest, Cornelius, Aurelius, the Ghosts, and the light/medium mercs.

We have them do as suggested here >>13725191
>>13725235
Coordinate with signal flares. Sometimes fake out the enemy, by attacking twice from the same side after signaling for an attack from the other side, and what not.

>>13725456
>you guys in agreement on this?
>and the sounds from the forest should be a pretty good report from Blackbird, he's leading his men to do what they do best, and theyre all having a damn good time doing it

>>13725456
My only concern is we might want to have some units guarding the road's exit. Leave the legionnaries out of the forest I think simply because their largest strength is their phalanx formation. That won't work in the forest.

>>13725571
Maybe have Collin, Uurist, Gaius and Cornelius park the heavy infantry at the exit to the forest, build up some quick earthworks with earth elementalism support, and hold the line there?

>>13725600
I can agree with that. Heavy infantry in woods is never a good idea in my mind. Our light infantry and ranged units should be able to harass and fall back and hopefully ambush and crush any units that chase them.

"The Cavalry will wait with the wagons." you order, your command staff forming up around you. "Gaius, Cornilius and Uurist, I want you to block off the forests mouth, Collin will command. Finian, Kyria, Aeristus, your battalions will go down the east side of the road, Aurelius, Vesteaus and Buckmoore the west. I want strike and fade tactics at my signals." you order, re-iterating the plan your men already know.

"Commander, when do you want me to send my messages to the mercenary units? If my memory serves, I should be able to sway two of them." Janos asks, stepping up next to Sansa.

"What action do you want the elementalists to take?" Laelith asks, while Sansa and Wulf both stand by quietly waiting for their orders

>>13725744
"Send the message as soon as you can Janos. The sooner we can get them on our side, the better. Perhaps we can get them to convince the enemy to chase us down into the woods. Wulf, Laelith and Lena will stay back for now since we don't want to risk starting a fire with out men in the forest."

Think we should join one of the flanks to lend our earth elementalism to the attacks?

>>13725744
I think we should have Janos send the message now, before too many casualties clouds the minds of the merc captains with anger.
Also, our forces are to always keep the way back out of the forest open. Anyone that retreats will be allowed to do so. This will further demoralize the enemy, when escape is not only possible, but encouraged by us not trying to kill them when they do attempt it.

As for Laelith, we don't want a forest fire occurring, while our forces are still in the forest, so I think her and Wulf should stay with the heavy infantry at the mouth of the forest.

Oh! Were we able to bring along the heavy repeaters and mangonels as well?
If so they should also be set up and have a kill zone at extreme range, to prevent the enemy from using their archers in volley fire.

>man, where is everyone tonight
"The sooner the better, Janos. Laelith, Wulf, Lena and the other elementalists will stay back with the heavy infantry. Degrian, have the siege weapons set up a kill-zone in front of the block at the end of the forest" you order, all of the command staff nod and set off to spur their men into action. Within two hours your forces are moving into the woods, ready to tear Lord Kulps forces apart.

>who will you go with?

>>13725916
Go east. We don't want to hold back the Ghosts or the Hunters.
Besides, since their weapons have more range, they won't need earth elementalism support as much.

>>13725916
I think we should sit at the mouth of the forest now that I think about it. We are a pretty major force on the battlefield if our die rolls don't mess us up and that's where the brunt of the fighting will take place I think.

>>13725966
I was thinking if we sat at the exit of the road, we could use our spikes and such to stop any cavalry charges that might try to punch their way out.

>>13725916
East or middle I suppose. Any group that's not doing harassment.

>>13725992
That sounds good, since they have like what, 350 mounted? And whatever happened to that blacksmith dude that was earth elemental? What can he actually do anyways? And there was some water guy as well right?

You watch your men charge off into the forest. After a few hours Janos runs back to you, his impassive mask and controlled body language giving you no clue as to how his mission went "They will both defect. they make up the second group of the column, and will scatter into the forest once the fighting starts here" he informs you "Unless you have something else in mind for them, there is still time to hive them your orders."

Nobody wanted to just burn down the forest and be done with it? Okay...

Definitely have Justinian join the raiding forces. Create big, deep pits in the roads, right underneath the enemy heavy infantry. Create walls around the enemy archers. Divide and conquer.

>>13726063
Which ones defected?

>>13726063
Have them encourage some of the enemy to chase our troops into the words with them into an ambush and then slaughter them.

>>13726070
They're travelling along the road. Burning the forest would of just eliminated our cover.

Burning down a forest that large would have sucked all the oxygen out of the local area. The enemy troops on the road would have suffocated, if they did not cook alive in their own armor first.

Oh well. We can still save that for the second lord.

I would be fine with Justinian guarding the exit as well. If he rides Spite, would he have enough mobility to follow the enemy forces back to the exit, harassing them with earth elementalism all the way?

>>13726093
>the two groups with 200 men each.

"Have them encourage others to pursue our men into the forest." you answer, watching the mouth of the forest anxiously, already it is nearly pitch black inside the old forest. Occasionally you can see glints of light amongst the trees.

"Do you have any orders for the battalions currently deployed for once the fighting starts here that you would like me to relay?" Janos asks, absentmindedly tapping an arrow against his thigh.

>>13726137
Actually, a forest fire is unlikely, due to everything being wet from the rainstorm that lasted all of yesterday.

>>13726151
Try not to kill our mercenary allies.

>>13726151
"Continue the harassment but don't do anything crazy. I imagine the enemy commander will start to send units out into the forest to hit us from another angle so tell them to prepare for such an occasion."

>>13726137
True, I didn't think of that. Although the time it would take for the forest to completely go up might have let a majority of them escape and we still have the mercenaries to hire from them. That and this cover will be damn useful to hit enemies coming through it.

>>13726157
Fair enough.

In that case, fire arrows into their supply wagons. Burn down their food supply.

Once the fighting starts near the exit, have the ranged battalions remain in the forest, but continue to fire into the enemy from both sides. Prevent the enemy from attempting to flank us through the forest.

The melee battalions should wait for a good opportunity to flank or rear attack the enemy longbowmen.

"Avoid killing our newest allies if at all possible, and keep up the harassment." you reply, tossing off a salute as the man jogs back into the forest. The shrieks, screams and cries continue to move closer, and grow louder and more frequent as time passes, the tension in the air thick, as you wait.

-----CQ-----

"enemy sighted" a small voice projects itself through the twilight gloom, skies promising another storm soon. You know that Lenas voice was too calm to be audible at this distance, but that is the least of your worries, as you can see the approaching Uurlanthi column now. Its men spattered with blood, shaking and shouting. Periodically a small group from one battalion or another runs off into the woods, only screams ever seem to return, painful, horrible screams. If you didn't know any better you would say that your men are beginning to enjoy this sort of battle. Suddenly, the strikes at the enemy flanks end, soon the front of the column will be inside the killzone, everything hinges on your orders now.

>>13726282
Wow, I didn't realize we were outnumbered that badly...

Also, the defecting mercs are all heavy infantry. Once they lure the enemy troops into the woods, they can fall behind without arousing suspicion. Then they can hit their former comrades from behind, while our archers continue fire from the front.

Isolate pockets of enemy troops inside the forest, and eliminate them individually.

How did defecting mercs show their status in past instances? I never understood that.

>>13726282
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
What're the siege engines doing in a forward, undefended position like that?

Shit, move the heavy infantry up as the siege engines begin firing on the levies.
We'll need to use elementalism to create earthen bulwarks as defensive emplacements.

>>13726349
Yeah I figured they'd be set up behind us.

>>13726282
Damn, if I had known the mercs were next to the longbows, I would of had them engage them. I think we should have our elementalists focus fire on the levies in front to start messing them up and hopefully have them break. Them retreating will mess up the enemy formations a bit. I would say hit the longbows but then we might hit our defecting mercs.

"Men of Degnar! This is where we hold them! This is where we fight! This is where *they* die!"

>>13726349
>I didnt mark the bulwarks but they are there, and they arent undefended, really (Wulf on the brink of a storm, Lena and one very agitated, protective sister (plus their own fire))
>so, open fire and wait for enemies to be within counter-charge range? and if you wanna use your elementalism tell me and roll

Siege weapons into the levies.

Heavy infantry forward. Don't let the enemy spill out into the open field.

Defecting mercs should hit both lowbowmen units and the knights. If they are not willing to do that, have them fade into the forest.

Our archers in the forest should continue their fire. Prioritize mounted units and units with no shields.

Pits and walls at the mouth of the forest exit.

Please excuse me while I figure out how to roll again...

rolled 86 = 86

>>13726394
Spikes in the levies in front of us. Rollin elementalism. Our elementalist unit... Not sure what exactly it consists of but have em stay in reserve for now. Their burst of attacks will be a surprise for a heavier unit when they're at the front.

rolled 47 = 47

>>13726394
rolling for these orders to be issued if not needed yet, then rolling for elementalism
>>13726430

rolled 92 = 92

Spikes in front of the enemy knights, before they can charge us.

Rolling for elementalism.

"COUNTER-CHARGE!!!" you bellow, firing off a flurry of signals from your ring. The remnants of the knights rush forward, tearing your focus between them and the onrushing levies. The torrent of rent earth you had intended to release rips harmlessly into the forest as the two defecting mercenary units scatter into the woods, taking minute losses as they do so, gaining a shout of rage from the commander of the enemy forces as they do so. The rest of the column lurches on ahead, seemingly numb to the ranges slaughter that is the front of their lines. Mere seconds before you impact the levies you collect yourself, if you have any other orders before you are embroiled in the battle, now would be the time to make them, you think to yourself, mind surprisingly clear. Despite the carnage that is once again erupting inside the enemy lines.

>make your rolls.

rolled 63 = 63

>>13726533
Elementalists focus their fire on the longbows and levies. The levies should be simple for our legionnaires and warlords to deal with. Lena should aim at the longbows further back if she can while Laelith and Wulf can fry/shock the knights. Have the artillery focus on the units further back that have yet to charge.

Command. And with that I leave for the night. Later all and be sure to smash them good. And capture us a lord.

rolled 65 = 65

>>13726533
Siege weapons to fire on the longbows and the knights.

Command Roll.

rolled 57 = 57

>>13726533
Rolling for elementalism, feel like impacting/making a short depression area right behind their front line so that if they march on they take the lower ground, as well as possibly tripping messing up formation, or even breaking some cavalry legs.

As you drop the earth a few feet behind the onrushing levies, the uurlanthi cavalry charge finally hits home, breaking agianst the sheilds of the 454ths phalanx even as Wulf sends furious white-hot bolts of electricity into the riders. You stand between Collin and Uurist, casually slashing through levies, watching in fascination as a row of trees slams down into the onrushing group of men at arms, again a booming chorus of laughter echoes out o the woods, and a fast chant starts building up, punctuated by flights of arrows eating into the rear of the column. Momentum and fear seem to be driving the force forward more than the screams of the Lord amongst them to your eye though. Fear of the forest, of what happened there more than the fear of death, more than the fear of lighting and white-hot bolts of arcane wrath. Pure terror, and a deep desire to leave that forest is what drives these men, and nothing else.

rolled 6 = 6

Disruption earthquake underneath the longbowmen.

Fissures in front of the remaining mounted men at arms.

Elementalism roll.

rolled 45 = 45

>>13726757
Concentrate all artillery fire on the Longbow companies.

Command roll.

>>13726815
>>13726837

Finally, some acceptable rolls!

rolled 54 = 54

let's have us a combat roll

rolled 43 = 43

>>13726757
Casual combat roll here

You unleash a mighty quake beneath the archers who continue to be shredded by artillery and arcane fire, the men shattering as the knights in front of them are mercilessly slaughtered, and the men at arms behind them break. The riders flee into the forest, another cacophony of bestial howls and war-cries erupts, followed by horrendous screams of agony and terror, such that you cannot tell dying beast from dying man. You contemptuously slash through the levies before you, watching through sprayed blood as the approaching columns shift, allowing the sergeants to move towards the front. Though you dont expect the Lord to linger much longer on the field, as his own guard and his blademasters linger towards the rear of his column yet.

rolled 32 = 32

>>13726969
Mangonel continue firing on the Longbowmen.
All other artillery fire switch to the incoming Sergeants.

Command Roll.

rolled 33 = 33

Do we have a plan in place where if we broke our lines we can let them trickle out or open up a space for a cavalry charge straight down the middle? because that would be bloody deadly. That or we appear that our line is broken to let them through and be ran down by our cavalry chilling in the back. If we do, I suggest we do it, if not, I can roll for command?

rolled 24 = 24

Prepare the road behind the enemy to slow/trap when they try to retest.
Element to do so.

>>13727019
>you could roll for that if you have support

rolled 56 = 56

>>13727019
Not yet please. Let their ranks thin out a little more.

rolled 2 = 2

>>13727041
You guys up for that? It would require the elementalists to break to the right and go towards the artillery and keep shelling them and the middle legionary group to back up and move to the left so that not one legionary unit isn't without separate support, we could severely whittle down their forces, demoralize, and make them run for the open ground since they want to get the fuck out of the forest, letting all our cavalry have a field day.

rolled 57 = 57

>>13727039
>when they try to retest.
retreat
Sorry

rolled 22 = 22

Combat roll.

Let's finish off the levies first. When both sergeant battalions are engaged with us, we'll let ourselves get pushed back a little. Then Jayne's cavalry and the swift-riders can hit the sergeants from both exposed flanks. How's that?

>>13727082

Take a round or two to get the orders spread, then execute on a signal ring flare.

rolled 81 = 81

>>13727144
That sounds sexy, I'll roll when that happens then.

>>13727144

Sounds fairly delicious to me. Let's do this.

rolled 75 = 75

Also, news flash, for any of you fell drinkers our there, smirnoff vodka + Hawaiin Punch Polar Blast = winsauce if you don't mind mixing your drinks.

You send off a flurry of signals in between strikes, and are rewarded by a rapid, merciless re-direction of artillery and arcanafire. The Levies before you break off to the east, clearing the way for the other mercenaries and sergeants to advance towards your line. Behind them, the lord and elfs silently turn about, matching pace with the fleeing longbowmen, though the nobleman will outpace them soon enough. You realize that the field is all but yours at this point, all thats left is the butchery. "KNOW THAT THIS WAY IS HELD BY JUSTINIAN TRENTZ OF THE DEGNARIAN LEGION!!" you bellow to the cowards as they flee 'AND NO UURLANTHI DOG SHALL PASS ALONG IT SO LONG AS I DRAW BREATH!!!"

>>13727192

Mystery brew = solved!

>forgott my pic.
>try a double of Jack, brandy, a shot of Dr. Mcgillicuttys and two more of malibu, mixed with some cinamon and heated for 30 seconds in the microwave (iirc, I was drunk when we came up with that one)

rolled 73 = 73

>>13727199
None of them survive the way back.
No surivors, no prisoners. By the time that the Lord reaches the other end of the forest, he will be the only one left, a gibbering madman whose mind has been broken by sheer unrelenting terror.
Then we pick him up, as another noble prisoner to be ransomed or crucified.

rolled 79 = 79

>>13727200
Actually, you could describe it as having a sweet chilled kick going down that warms you up a second later.

also
>>13727192
>fell
>fellow

rolled 17 = 17

>>13727217
That would be fun, but I think it would be more fun to kill him right as he reaches the end of the trees.

rolled 26 = 26

Ah damn, didn't see you post Pax, that actually sounds kinda nasty though.......so no thank you. However rolling for our commands to initiate operation gauntlet.

rolled 97 = 97

>>13727212

Let's make us an elementalism roll

rolled 70 = 70

>>13727261
FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-botch?

rolled 83 = 83

I say let the levies go. No need to create more dead bodies around here.

Bring up our cavalry on the flanks.

Our heavy infantry should fall back a little before they are fully engaged again.

Have our non-combatant cavalry units chase down the fleeing Lord. Go around the forest if necessary.

Command roll.

>>13727212
>there was a double of captain in that as well. We called it the Hot Dream (dont ask)

You signal for no quarter, and as you begin to slash through the approaching sergeants you hear your cavalry thunder off in all directions behind you. With a smug satisfaction you continue the bloody work, as another series of trees and arrows shreds the remaining group of men at arms, they look to be breaking or broken by that. Alone and half-mad the remaining men fight on, surely they must know that their fate is sealed, either way, the battle is over as far as you are concerned now.

>last set of rolls, may as well get with the after-battle orders while your at it.

>>13727270
>I say let the levies go.
What? So they can be picked up and pressed into service again?
No, we run them down, we kill them all, with freedom and escape just a few steps away so that they don't realize that escape is impossible and they turn to fight.

rolled 25 = 25

>>13727281
Artillery, close fire support. Target the sergeants and the mercs.

Command Roll

rolled 56 = 56

Deep pits underneath enemy sergeants. Let's save our troops some work digging mass graves later.

Elementalism roll.

rolled 33 = 33

>>13727281

/tg/ dice give me an elementalism roll I can live with for once...

>>13727288
Never mind. I was thinking of the necromancers, but we won't be facing them for a long while, and who knows where.

Those levies will be staying far away from anyone in Uurlanthi military uniform, though. Desertion is punishable by death, right?

>>13727351
Bodies are easily burnt, no worries there.

As the fighting continues, massive wooden bolts, arcing volts of lightning and gouts of flame tearing into the soldiers before you. Like mad dogs they press forward, inhuman in their urge to flee, even as the sounds of the others who 'escaped' the forest fill the surrounding countryside. Eventually you feel your strength return, and open up a large weakly supported cave beneath the remaining soldiers. Most die on impact, the rest from fire and wood, steel and magic. The site buried before the last scream fades. "I want the nobles, the rest are to be corpses by morning." you order to no one in particular.

"Commander, do you plan to do the same to the next lord to pass this way?" Uurist asks, falling into step with you.

>>13727351
Desertion is, being defeated and retreating isn't
Though it's a moot point.
Our overall mission goal is to HURT the Uurlanthi people. Not just the nation, not just the rulers; but the people themselves.
We are here to inflict suffering, to be the very embodiment of the cruelties of war.
Regardless of how Rahna views war, the reality is that the harder it is, the swifter its conclusion.

>>13727368

"Only if they're foolish enough to attempt the same forest route."

>>13727368
"Yes, captain. I intend for there to be no survivors to send messages back to the next Lord coming down this way that this forest is a death-trap.
"I want the initial quarter of the forest to be inviting, without any traps and making it appear that the first Lord passed through without incident.
"Once all of his forces are in, then the trap closes. There will be no retreat for them. Their only hope will be to reach the other side.
"Then, when they finally see the light at the exit of the forest, is when all of the siege engines open fire. They will be driven forward into a trap, pits lined with stakes, 6 feet deep and just as wide."

I was also thinking about leaving a few survivors to spread tales of terror about the haunted forest.

But you know what? It would be scarier if an Uurlanthi task force marches into the forest, and JUST DISAPPEARED.

If we have the time, let's clean up any obvious signs of battle on the road. Maybe the other Lord can be tricked into taking this route as well.

>>13727431
>>13727423

In total agreement with these two.

"If all goes according to plan, and no survivors make it to him, yes. Though the traps will be better prepared, and the deployment more professional." you answer the dwarf confidently.

"I like it." Uurist chuckles, before doubling back to get his men setting up their tents, your camp already springing up around you. finally, something went exactly as you had planned.

>I got work in the morning so I'm gonna call it for the night.
>someone archive please
>between college and the dip in interest, I think I'm gonna change up the schedule and loose a day off of it. Gonna be Tues, Thurs, Sun until summer/interest picks up again. So I'll see you guys Tuesday at 9pm server time.
>if you have any CQ/setting questions email me at paxcomquest@yahoo.com

>>13727423
Mostly agree, but wait until they are slightly more than halfway through the forest. Then the fastest way out is to keep going, right into our gauntlet of traps and spear wall.

Thread archived. Thanks for the game, Pax!

>>13727580
I fucking lol'd, thanks panda!