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>>29585338
>You levelled up an ability last battle so I’m doing that here

>Empower Self has increased to II
>You can now improve all physical stats by 2 for 6 hours

You empowerment ability has grown substantially stronger and you feel that you can not only empower yourself with more magic but for much longer. At the same time, the feel of the power flowing through you feels more like what you experienced at the second siege of Harrowmont. Perhaps you should talk to Gnome or Maloric about this?

>A quick note on Gnome’s Empower Self II – I only noticed a mistake in it when upgrading Talon’s ability. Her ESII should last for two hours – I’ll update this in the NPC char sheets next time.

POST-NEGOTIATION

After Captain Darren ends the sending, you consider the possibilities around the surrender of the Taourans – assuming it all goes to plan. Undine meets you as you exit the meeting room.

“So, what happened, Talon?” she asks, slightly impatient.

“He agreed to surrender in exchange for us allowing them freedom,” you say, gesturing to Cormann and your aide to join you as you walk with Undine. “I’m not sure if I can truly offer them that, especially if there are thralls amongst them.”

>continued

>>29585348
She frowns. “It might not be the best idea to accept their surrender in the first place. Can we trust them?”

Cormann snorts, “As much as any peasant in this province. Taour’s a shithole – I doubt they’ll cause much trouble if we let them start farming around here. Plus, they don’t look or speak much different – if they keep their mouths shut about where they’re from, nobody will cause them trouble. The thralls… I don’t know, Imperator. That’s your call.”

You nod. There’s also the possibility of trickery taking place. You…

>1. Position your archers on the walls, but keep most of your melee combatants spread around the keep and gates in case of trickery.
>2. Be ready to sortie at any moment, with most of your elites positioned near the gatehouse where Darren agreed to surrender.
>3. Be more trusting in hopes that’s less likely to set off the Taourans. Position your men as in Option 1 but more subtly – this will delay any military response if one is necessary.
>4. Custom

>>29585362
>1. Position your archers on the walls, but keep most of your melee combatants spread around the keep and gates in case of trickery.
The thralls got to go though, there is no way to "de-thrall" them, right?

>>29585478
>The thralls got to go though, there is no way to "de-thrall" them, right?
None that you know of.

>>29585338
OP, does our armor/sword look even close to the image you're using? Because that is how I'm imagining Talon.

Or is it some end game gear we might aquire?

>>29585497
we could ask our fellow spellcasters if they have any ideas about how the thralldom could be lifted.
maybe if we experiment on them? if our crew don't have faith in their abillity to succeed on this matter, we will just have to cleanse the abominations with fire.

>>29585557
>OP, does our armor/sword look even close to the image you're using? Because that is how I'm imagining Talon.

Not even close. It's just a cool pic, though you could have some armour like it made.

>>29585566
You don't have any experts on vampires. Sala knows the most, but she's not a mage and is of the opinion that thralls can't ever be unthralled.

>>29585362
>>1. Position your archers on the walls, but keep most of your melee combatants spread around the keep and gates in case of trickery.


I don't know what to do with thralls. Maybe after we get substantial amount of mages we can start researching thralldom?

>>29585601
>Not even close.

Dang.
We should get some proper badass looking armor at some time though.

>1.

You don’t trust the Taourans as far as you can throw them – after all, you can throw them pretty far, so you have trust them even less. You place a strong force at the gatehouse in case Darren tries anything but also keep most of your men at the keep and other gatehouses in case of a surprise.

When you arrive atop the gatehouse though, you’re treated to a surprise. Hundreds of unarmoured and unarmed Taourans. You suspect this isn’t all of them, as there can’t be more than a thousand here and you didn’t do that much damage to them last time.

>1. Negotiate from atop the gatehouse
>2. Head out there yourself with Undine, Lynn, Mal and Sala
>3. Head you there with a unit of knights
>4. Custom

>>29585717
>>3. Head you there with a unit of knights

>>29585717

>3 with a hint of 2

go out with a unit of knights and our Personal Guard...
We should make this as formal as possible without panicing them. If we bring Undine or Sala, they may think we are going to slaughter them...

>>29585717
>4. Custom
-make them stop 50 yards from the gate.
-head out with Lynn, Undine and a unit of knights
-create a "checkpoint" where we search for thralls and weapons before we take everyone into custody
-Mal and Sala keep watch from the walls

>>29585846
this

>>29585717
>>29585852
this...

>>29585852
Mal's the only mage you have that can detect thralls. You'd need him to check every single one.

>3. (this includes 2.)

The gates open slowly with great creaking noises, the automated mechanism above doing its job correctly. You march out to meet the Taourans outside the walls, a unit of knights at your back along with Lynn. Undine, Sala and Mal watch from above at the gatehouse where they can unleash their ranged attacks if necessary.

Darren steps out to meet you, palms out to show he’s unarmed.

You meet him halfway, stopping a few metres away, then speak, “I see you’ve kept your word. But I wonder – where are the other few hundred men?”

Darren winces. Obviously he’d hoped you wouldn’t notice so quickly. “Not everybody wanted to surrender – they figured you’d just slaughter us all. All of the thralls left, too. They knew what to expect.”

He’s nervous, but it’s hard to tell if that’s from being unarmed in front of you or because he’s lying. If the others are marching off, they’ve likely got the best equipment remaining.

>1. Mobilise your men to chase after the retreating Taourans
>2. Ignore the retreating Taourans, but have your men scour their camp right away
>3. Ignore the retreating Taourans, but deal with the surrendering Taourans first
>4. Custom

>>29586026
>3

>>29586026

Would Sala be able to burn their asses as they retreat?

>>29586170
She could try. There's several hundred of them, though, and if they've taken mage-knight plate she'd be in a fair bit of danger. Even supported by your own flyers it'd be hard.

>>29586209
Guess its best to go for 3 and then 2.

If we split the prisoners up into groups and resettle them piece meal across the lands we own then they wont be able to do us much harm if a few turn back.

If we recruit any as soldiers then putting them piece meal through our soldiers units would also be a good idea.

>>29586026
>1

No loose ends

>3.

There’s no point chasing those who have left the battlefield, you decide. Now you need to decide how to deal with the Taourans in front of you.

ORIGINAL OFFER

>1. Uphold your offer of freedom and resettlement, with the exception of any thralls (Mal will then check them all using a checkpoint system)
>2. Uphold your offer of freedom and resettlement for all of them
>3. Take them prisoner with the possibility of using them for hard labor
>4. Custom

>>29586394
>1

>>29586394
1.

>>29586394
1

>>29586394
>>4. Custom
> Uphold your offer of freedom and resettlement
The thralls should be granted limited freedom. Others can go do whatever they want but the thralls would be observed more thouroughly meaning they can't just go and take any jobs or go whereever they want.

>>29585601
We should get some armor like that made, then!
And a customized enchanted blade, and a shortsword for close/cramped quarters. And customized enchantments for our shield!

Also, hello, have been following the archives for a week now and had a suggestion to add about the motivations:
Having lived a long life in the employ of others, a great deal of why he wants to rule is simply because he's sick and tired of everyone else doing it incompetently.
Bureaucracies failing, leaders who only hold the role through nepotism, failure to account for reasonable risks.
All the thousand and one troubles in civilian and military life that makes you rage at the sheer IDIOCY of the system you live under.
Everything that makes you think "A fucking halfwit could come up with something better than that!".

Well, now he's up and doing it. Razing the old system, reinstating one that actually fucking does what it is intended to do.

No more nepotism, no more gross negligence, no more people who have absolutely no clue what they're doing in positions of authority, no more laws that work against their stated purpose.
We're doing it Imperator Talon's way now, and if you don't like it you can just sit down, shut up, and weep about how good it was back in the day when an inbred halfwit was telling you to throw your life away or be declared a traitor.

>1.

“It sounds like you’ve already realised this, but I’m going to need to check for and separate any thralls,” you tell Darren, keeping your voice level. “I’ll uphold my offer of freedom and resettlement for all others, but as Harrowmont is at war with Taour, I cannot risk my people’s lives for thralls who may unwillingly betray my offer.”

Darren nods and heads back to his men to let them know of your decision. One of your knights signals above to begin to set-up a checkpoint system that will enable Mal to check each Taouran individually. As Darren tells his men what’s happening, you catch a lot of movement and noise from the group. In response, your knights take up an aggressive formation and your archers nock arrows. The sudden reminder of the power you have quells any thoughts of rebellion the Taourans have and they quietly trek through the checkpoint once it’s set up.

Darren was almost truthful – only two thralls remain in the group. Talking to him afterwards, it seems that only officers are generally thralled – the two remaining were ordinary soldiers who had likely been thralled by a deceased vampire. Or so the claim is.

>1. Take the thralls prisoner for experimentation on their condition
>2. Execute the thralls
>3. Allow the thralls limited freedom so long as they remain in Niorte and report regularly to the castle (like parole)
>4. Custom

I am going to assume you’ll loot the camp after this and move onto the strategy meeting about Vale/Olmm. If there are any other matters you want to raise about the thralls or Niorte, best to do it now.

>>29586637
---->
A.I.Quest is that way!
namefag

>>29586394
Isn't there days or even weeks of travel yet before they're home safe?
Seems like plenty of time to catch up with and deal with them before days' end to me.

>1

>>29586645
4. Give them the option of being studied or show them the door.

>>29586637
Dunno man, I kinda like the idea that one day Talon woke up and decided to be an Emperor. Nothing more nothing less.

>>29586686
I enjoy this one as well, just haven't gotten a chance to participate until now.

>>29586645
>1

>>29586645
>1. Take the thralls prisoner for experimentation on their condition

>>29586645

>3, with a hint of 1.

Offer them the choice of the limited freedom or returning to Taour. Ask if they would be willing to help in the search for a way to de-thrall people. Do not force the issue though, that kettle of fish will be a 'volunteer' thing only. no forceful experimentation... except maybe on the vegetable general...

>>29586645
>>3. Allow the thralls limited freedom so long as they remain in Niorte and report regularly to the castle (like parole)

But also ask them if they would want to help in Thralldom research if we ever start doing it.

>>29586726
Got to admit I agree with this one.

>>29586695
If they're moving quickly and lightly without rest then they could be back in Taouran territory before midnight. Basically, you'd need to chase them hard to catch them - that's what the earlier decision was about.

>>29586744
>>29586746
>>29586695

I doubt experimentation will be pleasant, or even if the thralls survive.
Are you willing to do such inhumane thing?

>>29586645
>1
Let's try to heal them

>>29586806
yes
how else are we going to break the spell?
it is either experiment or kill imo

>>29586775
Ah.
>>29586726
>>29586773
To each their own, I suppose.
Just figured that it seemed like an obvious potential motivation for a guy that worked his way to the top from the very bottom, and it seemed a pity that it was never brought up.

>>29586806
See >>29586828. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. And frightening ignorance.

>>29586645
>1. Take the thralls prisoner for experimentation on their condition
If we can remove the thralldom, it will be easier dealing with Taorian armies later, we might even have thralls coming to us for a cure in the future

>>29586844
Maybe it would be best if each player has their own idea what Talon's motivations are

>>29586867
Honestly if we can heal them great, if we can't well I really don't care what happens to them, they are as good as dead and I prefer sacrifice a few to save many.

>1.

You elect to take the thralls prisoner in an attempt to find out more about their condition. Talking to them with Mal, you’d expected despair or anger from the pair of thralls. Instead…

“You… you’re going to try to fix us?” one asks you in disbelief.

“If it’s possible,” Mal says cautiously. “It might not be possible. The attempts could be painful, too.”

“But if you succeed, that means you could help others?” the thrall asks.

Mal looks at you and you answer, “If it comes up, yes. I have no desire to see any more thralls.”

They nod. You can still see resignation amidst them, but there’s some hope. You wonder how bad it must be for them as thralls to respond like this to being experimented on… Then again, perhaps they simply thought they would be killed.

“Well,” Mal tells you after as you walk to the meeting room, “at least it’ll give some of the journeymen Neir sent us some work to do. Their conditions outside the experiments shouldn’t be too bad, either, as we’ll need to keep them in the keep near the workshops.”

>Big update on Vale/Vitria ahead. This will save some time down the track, I hope.

MEETING

You call your strategy meeting to order, with your cabinet members in Harrowmont and Vale joining in along with Neir from the RSK.

MILITARY UPDATE

Interestingly, it seems the retreating Taourans didn’t grab all the suits of magical plate they could. Or perhaps those that were untrained in it didn’t want to wear it and slow them down. It’s very possible they were wary of retribution. Despite this, it’s obvious many suits were still taken by them.

>You have gained
50 Flying Mage-Knights (Vet.)
100 Medium Mage-Knights (Vet.)

>You have lost
5 Flying Mage-Knights (Vet.) (Casualties)
10 Medium Mage-Knights (Vet.) (Casualties)
110 Men-at-arms (Casualties)
>10 Veterans
>40 Regulars
>60 Green
150 Men-at-arms (Vet) (Swap for MKs)
Your support corps worked at regular efficiency during the sortie

>continued

>>29586996
VITRIAN MUSTERING

“The Vitrians are still mustering poorly, Imperator,” General Felix tells you. “They’re mustering more men than expected in an attempt to compensate. They have two thousand now, and are likely going to try to double that number.”

“In more interesting news,” Sarah interrupts, “neither House Rorek nor Tabeth have joined the muster or any of their vassal houses. This is despite the fact they joined House Oaln in approving the muster under the Vitrian banner.”

“Approved? I thought this was Oaln mustering themselves?” you ask.

“It is, but if they do so under the Vitrian banner rather than their own it makes the situation appear less like civil war,” she tells you. “The problem is that despite getting Rorek and Tabeth to agree, despite my house’s opposition, only Oaln and their vassals have mustered, with a few independent knights and mages.”

You blink at the news that Sarah is still engaging in Vitria’s politics but dismiss it before responding, “So it still looks like civil war, but with Oaln attempting to cover it up. This might make things easier for us. What about their forces? Are Oaln pulling any of their veterans to support the march?”

Felix responds this time, “Some, but not many. The whole point of the muster was so that they could avoid using the standing army and weaken their defences. Most of the veterans present are knights and mages that are otherwise not part of the army.”

“It also may not just be about avoiding weakening their defences – Oaln would need at least one other house to agree with them to utilise the city of Vitria’s own military. They may not have had the votes.”

“What about Craol’s military?”

“The same, except if the general there agrees that Vitria itself is under threat then he can mobilise his troops as he wishes. That’s the whole point of this game.”

>continued

>>29587015
Game? You suppose from a certain point of view it could be viewed as one… “If Rorek and Tabeth suddenly join the muster, how many more men would they have?”

There’s a long pause, presumably as Sarah and Felix crunch the numbers in their head. Finally, Sarah responds, “If they merely supported the muster, without using many of their own troops, perhaps another two thousand? If they, unlike Oaln, started using their own veterans there could be as many as eight to ten thousand men.”

Felix adds, “Maybe more, as such a move might lend credence to the idea that this is an invasion, not a civil war. If the former becomes believed, many peasants will take up arms and you would find thousands of additional soldiers opposing you, if poorly equipped ones.”

You nod. Vitria has a sizeable number of people. They may be disaffected with the house infighting, but if they feel their nation is threatened they will respond as violently as Darlesia has to Taour’s invasion. You will need to keep this in mind as you advance on Vitria.

VITRIAN COMPOSITION

“What is the composition of the Vitrian force?” you ask.

“Mostly regular soldiers. We did notice a thousand suits of mage-knight plate, however.”

You blink but Cormann beats you to it, “A thousand suits? This is a muster not their actual military – how the hell do they have a thousand suits of magical plate?”

“Because,” Neir cuts in suddenly, “they didn’t produce it or pay for it. The Ferrciffe family has likely provided them with much of their surplus. I’m guessing the suits are quite old?”

“Very,” Felix answers. “They probably date back to before the first mage rebellions. The suits are likely as weak as lighter plate but intended for head-to-head battle. Not as good as proper plate.”

>continued

>>29587044
VALE DEFENCES

“General Felix, what measures have you taken so far to defend Vale?”

“My current plan of defence is two-pronged. Using Madam Gnome’s abilities, I’ve heavily trapped and fortified Castle Gimbon and left a token defence force there along with Madam Gnome. Most of my force is located at the Argyle estate as a central camp to cover the rest of the province should they attempt to avoid the pass. My plan, should they do so, is to repeatedly engage them as they march. I would even use the Gimbon forces to pincer them if they left themselves so open.”

It seems like a sound plan to your ears, if a risky one given how open your forces would be every time they attempt to withdraw from an engagement. The execution would be everything with this plan. Then again, as Felix loves battle itself and is about improving his own abilities, such a plan is not out of the ordinary.

YOUR RESPONSE

Your officers’ estimate of the remaining time to muster is just shy of two weeks. That means you could make it to Vale with your men a few days before the Vitrians begin to march if you moved now.

At the same time, Taour is still a large threat to Olmm, despite their defeat. There are still thousands of troops on your borders. If they were willing to sacrifice the defences of Crece or the occupation of Darlesia then they could easily muster enough soldiers to take Olmm before you could react with soldiers from Harrowmont or Vale.

>Some discussion before I call some votes for where Talon, Undine etc will go (Olmm or Vale) and how you will split your forces currently in Olmm.

>>29587073
I vote for Mal and Sala staying here. Since he is the only one versed in detecting thralls and she is his familiar.
We should take Undine and Lynn and the fastest moving troops and make haste to rendezvous with Felix

Troop distribution wise I guess we keep 2/5 of our troops there with Sala in Olmm, I doubt they have the strength to atack so she will be able to recover a bit and if they try something I assume she is will be still strong enough to help repelling a minor attack. Mal should stay with there since he is her master and can recognize thralls.

The rest of our troops should go to the Vale leaving skeleton garrisons in the rest of our provinces

FORCES IN OLMM (INC GARRISON)

Salamander
Maloric
250 Archers
>50 Veterans
>200 Regulars
600 Men-at-arms
>600 Regulars

All other forces march to Vale (giving you about 3000 troops there, including all your mage-knights).

>Any problems with this? Otherwise I’ll skip to arrival at Castle Gimbon in Vale

>We let hundreds of taurian soldiers escape with enchanted gear
tg, why did you fuck it up so badly? I expected the attempt but I thought I could trust tg to handle something as simple as accepting a surrender tg...

>>29587218
>Troop distribution wise I guess we keep 2/5 of our troops there with Sala in Olmm
2/3rd of what? we already split our army between the two fronts, are you suggesting we remobilize?

>>29587488
We should take mal and sala with us. The core party should stick together. Splitting it up costs us too much.
If more thralls do come we can dislodge them when we swing back later.

>>29587551
>>29587488
Also, we have 2 captured thralls, mal might be able to teach some mages to detect thralls using them.
We should have prospective mages travel with us, get training on the go, then travel back with only light escort.

>>29587592
3 thralls actually considering the enemy captain from before.

Also, you said we would have to ride hard to catch the retreating force of a few hundred taurians with the extra plate...
I think we should do that.

>>29587616
I'm trying not to revisit previous decisions as it'll slow the quest down. By the time you loot the camp, it'll be a few hours and only your flyers would have a chance of catching them.

>>29587488
>>29587592

VOTE

>1. Have the core party (Talon, Undine, Sala, Mal, Lynn) all go to Vale
>2. Leave Sala and Mal behind in Olmm
>3. Leave Mal behind in Olmm
>4. Custom

>>29587702
>2
Mal is important to detect thralls and Sala needs some rest if possible.

Also does being close to your master improve the elemental's regeneration skills?

>>29587702
>2

>>29587702
>2. Leave Sala and Mal behind in Olmm

>>29587702
>By the time you loot the camp
I figured we leave the 1000 trops without mageplate to do that and have only the important ones follow

>>29587702
1

>Mal is important to detect thralls and Sala needs some rest if possible.
why does sala need rest?
mal is important, thats why we can't let him die off doing crazy stuff alone. Remember that he and lynn and sala almost got ganked by a daywalker. You want to come back and find he has been enthralled?

>>29587702
2

>>29587783
>why does sala need rest?

If I recall correctly she got seriously wounded in the last battle

>>29587807
that was a while ago.
She has then been fully healed by undine.
Then a day later participated in another battle where she was uninjured and ended up going off alone to toast the enemies and then flew back with their double enthralled captain, uninjured.

>>29587754
Distance to master doesn't matter unless somebody's trying to disrupt the link between them (Mal thinks such a thing is theoretically possible, though he couldn't do it.)

Also, Sala doesn't need rest. Undine healed most of her earlier injury, and can do the same with the lesser ones she sustained in the last battle. The elementals can regenerate to full health in about 24 hours, unless they've taken a massive injury.

>>29587844
>>29587830
Ah ok I thought she might still been hurt

>2.

So, >>29587488 remains unchanged.

Any last things should be voiced now, so long as they haven't already been voted on. I'll timeskip to the next major event (Vitria beginning its march).

>>29587987
if vitria dallies, will we have time to visit the Craol knights for diplomacy?

>>29588028
Yes, but it's a good three days each way from Vale if you take Sarah (highly advised). It's possible that Vitria may be able to muster and march whilst you are there.

VOTE
>1. Visit Craol for diplomacy, risking Vitria marching whilst you are away
>2. Remain in Vale to defend it and attempt the diplomacy after the battle
>3. Custom

>>29588094
>2

>>29588094
>2. Remain in Vale to defend it and attempt the diplomacy after the battle

>Timeskip until Vitria begins to march

The march to Vale went without much trouble, as did continuing preparations to defend the province. Vitria began to march four days after your arrival in Vale, and they are bound to step foot in the province the day after tomorrow. They are bringing along some siege equipment – rams, towers and catapults and the speed of their movement suggests their travel is being aided by magic. There is no indication of where they are going to strike, but the siege equipment suggests they are prepared to besiege Castle Gimbon. The forces in Craol have given no indication of moving and neither House Rorek nor Tabeth supported the muster in the end.

VITRIAN FORCE
4210 total
1000 Medium Mage Knights (subpar equipment)
60 Medium Mage-Knights (proper equipment)
50 Battlemages
2000 Men-at-arms
1100 Archers

FORCES IN VALE (INC GARRISON AND MARCHING)
85 Flying Mage-Knights
>85 Veterans
50 Heavy Mage-Knights
>50 Green
499 Medium Mage-Knights
>354 Veterans
>145 Regulars
240 Arcane Archers
>240 Veterans
525 Archers
>75 Veterans
>450 Green
1165 Men-at-arms
>5 Veterans
>50 Regulars
>1110 Green
23 Battlemages
>23 Regulars

>Discussion of plans to harass or waylay them. Strike at their siege equipment etc.

Talon's Thoughts: The Vitrian forces lack mobility. It's a very traditional force from a bygone age - a reminder of why armies now tend to be mage-knight heavy. The main danger are the numbers and the mages. Supply lines will be difficult to cut given Gimbon Falls is only two-three days march from Castle Gimbon, but the army may be open in other ways.

>>29588365
Can we use Gnome to shape the land in a way that it becomes hard or pretty much impossible to move the siege freely equipment near the the castle?

>>29588463
You could. If you have ideas for large preparation like that, I'll give you the time (as you had nearly two weeks since you decided to move to Vale). She can make large reinforced earth walls that the foe would need to knock down to move a ram through, potholes across a large field etc.

>>29588463
Wait, isn't Gnome in Harrowmont?

>>29588365
Go for the siege equipment and archers first - hit and run attacks. Just a single volley of arrows, trap (Can dig a pit and reinforce the lid enough for humans, but not siege equipment) or charge and then retreat.

Lay an ambush for any forces that try to follow before the attack is actually attempted. Standard guerilla warfare, really.

>>29588365
The dangerous component is of course the mages.
However, these are mages who were either not good enough to join the army or originally didn't want to. The likelihood they are prepared to fight true and propper under stress is low.

My thoughts are: Allow only one entrance point, and funnel the enemy into it while making the battlefield hell to approach on. Harrowmount tactics will serve us well here, against this vastly green army.

>>29588463
Nice idea... a bit noticeable...

How about combining gnome and undine's power to create quicksand traps? The nicest thing about it is that quicksand doesn't have to be loose golden sand, it can appear like solid ground until stepped on.

>>29588536
we sent her to help at vale.

>>29588536
No, she's at Castle Gimbon in Vale.

>>29588545
>However, these are mages who were either not good enough to join the army or originally didn't want to. The likelihood they are prepared to fight true and propper under stress is low.
These are all likely to be tower mages or mages directly employed by houses so it can be hard to judge their capabilities. It's a reasonable assumption, though.

>>29588559
>How about combining gnome and undine's power to create quicksand traps?
Easily doable, though it depends how much of the land you want to cover. Gimbon's built across a reasonably narrow pass (maybe a half mile at the most) and the enemy must enter the pass to meet the walls but could probably hit them with catapults outside it in the open.

>>29588608
Set the pass up to funnel into one stable suitable path, then put up mound humps that will be a bitch to move the siege engines across. After that its just a case of finding good hiding spots on the walls of the pass for our flying knights to hide in wait in. Once a breach has been formed the enemy will charge, that's when we scrag their catapults with the flyers.

The charge will then cross a horrible terrain into a choke point that they now have no way of widening. The resulting killing field will break the moral and we will win.

>>29588526
Multiple medium potholes around the estate and fortress would be a good way of slowing enemy siege engines.

Could we also make some temporary river-wide ditches along the path the enemy army would take to get to us from Vitria, and then use Undine to flash flood them as the enemy army is passing through them - washing men and supplies away.

In the aftermath of these flash flood events, quick ambush strikes on the rear or vanguard of the enemy column would be good too.

>>29588706
Digging even a kilometre long ditch would take almost an entire working day for Gnome. You could try to set something up like this at the entrance to the pass, however.

>>29588806
Well, our men aren't doing anything now are they? They could dig the pot holes and create dirt walls while she does that at the entrance to the pass.

If their mobility is bad we can try hit and run attacks.

>>29588832
That would tire them and lower morale.

Also, any time spent on it is time not spent on other traps. Making quicksand pothole traps sounds way more efficient then digging a kilometere long ditch

AMBUSH

>1. Have your lighter and fast units (FMKs, mages, Arcane Archers, Undine) attempt hit-and-run attacks on their siege equipment and mages. You will only get two chances at this given how close they are.
>2. Have your mage-knights join the attacks, relying on their better armour to outmanoeuvre the enemy.
>3. No ambushing.
>4. Custom

>>29588868
what do you mean by 2?
do you mean join the ambushes already set up by general felix?

>>29588868
>1
Mage-Knights will probably slow us down

>>29588883
Sorry, have your MKs join in with option 1.

>>29588898
do it!

>>29588868
2

>>29588898
Does our Arcane Archery numbers include Widgetbox equipment produced since the thread started?

>>29588974
>Widgetbox equipment
I'm not sure what this is? You mean what might have been produced in Harrowmont since the start of the thread?

>Ambush decision is 2. I'll do that after this vote.

GIMBON DEFENCES

It is important to note that the more heavily you noticeably fortify Gimbon, the more likely the enemy is to try to go around.

FRONT OF WALLS
>1. Battlefield hell in front of the walls. Make it difficult to approach, requiring the enemy to knock down barriers, full of potholes, traps and hidey-holes.
>2. Physical barriers that try to funnel the enemy through one path, without being as intimidating as those in option 1 (and with less traps etc). Less effective but less likely to scare them away.
>3. Custom

ENTRANCE TO PASS
>1. An enormous ditch (50m wide) at the entrance of the pass rigged with water traps at the ends. Undine can remotely trigger these from atop the nearby bluffs and flash flood enemies in the ditch. They will then need to ford or bridge the ditch to cross.
>2. Quicksand potholes lining the entrance of the pass that are otherwise hidden.
>3. Custom

>>29589061
2. We need to get them to commit to a known destination.

2. Quicksand will work. If we could rig them to only occur after a set number of steps or weight is on it then all the better.

>>29589061
>FRONT OF WALLS
2
>ENTRANCE TO PASS
1

>>29589061
>FRONT OF WALLS
>1
>ENTRANCE TO PASS
>2

>>29589061
FRONT OF WALLS
2

ENTRANCE TO PASS
2

we don't want to scare them into going around.

>>29589019
Yup. Sorry, phone posting.

>>29589061
2
2

>>29589061
>2
>1

A ditch isn't scary, they won't know what hit them.

Did we ever make connections with a supplier for mage plate?

>>29589154
You haven't really had much production recently as Mal made the last batch. The new enchanter and his assistants are split between research and production (as that was the indication I got when it came up last) and has a few sets sitting in Harrowmont (he's slower in general).

>>29589208
If I didn't bring it up during last thread's huge meeting (I'll have to double-check) you can probably assume that Neir's looking about.

>2. and 2. won

>One last set of votes before ambush begins
FORCE SPLIT

You need to decide how to split your men between the rest of Vale and Gimbon pass (and the castle). Extra men at Castle Gimbon will be able to help out in the rest of Vale, but will have to strike from the rear or spend time marching around to meet the other forces.

NUMBERS
>1. 50/50 Split
>2. 1/3 to Vale, 2/3 to Castle Gimbon
>3. 2/3 to Vale, 1/3 to Castle Gimbon
>4. Custom

COMPOSITION
Elites are mage-knights, arcane archers etc
>1. Elite heavy at Castle Gimbon, regular heavy in Vale
>2. Regular heavy at Castle Gimbon, elite heavy in Vale
>3. Even split
>4. Custom

TALON IN AMBUSH
>1. Talon joins ambushers
>2. Talon doesn't join ambushers

>>29589116
>If we could rig them to only occur after a set number of steps or weight is on it then all the better.
ideas for that
1. gnome could cover the traps with a thin layer of rock that can support the weight of maybe 2 soldiers... when something heavy goes on top of it, like more soldiers or a seige item, the cover breaks and they fall into quicksand
2. gnome could make covers out of triangles with 1' sides and glue them together with manifested earth which is temporary (unlike shaping real earth). If we time it right, or just if she can manually dismiss it at range, then the manifested material will fade away after they partially marched over it and at that point the real material falls into and sinks into the quicksand... with anything on top of it.

I don't know if it's been mentioned or not but we need to get our hands on a suit of armour that they're using. We send it back to Nier and then bam, there's our evidence that that RSK family is illegally helping Vitria.

>>29589271
>NUMBERS
>3. 2/3 to Vale, 1/3 to Castle Gimbon
>COMPOSITION
>2. Regular heavy at Castle Gimbon, elite heavy in Vale
>TALON IN AMBUSH
>1. Talon joins ambushers

>>29589271
>3. 2/3 to Vale, 1/3 to Castle Gimbon

>3. Even split

>2. Talon doesn't join ambushers

>>29589271
>3. 2/3 to Vale, 1/3 to Castle Gimbon
>3. Even split
>2. Talon doesn't join ambushers

Just got home from work. Aw yeah son Yuengling and Emperoring.

NUMBERS
>3. 2/3 to Vale, 1/3 to Castle Gimbon

COMPOSITION
>>2. Regular heavy at Castle Gimbon, elite heavy in Vale

>>29589271
>TALON IN AMBUSH
>>1. Talon joins ambushers

>>29589271
3
3
2

>>29589061
>2. Physical barriers that try to funnel the enemy through one path, without being as intimidating as those in option 1 (and with less traps etc). Less effective but less likely to scare them away.

Wait, can we have the path lead to an illusion of an open path or the gates of the castle, but is either the surrounding mountain wall or simply castle wall?

>>29589275
The first one is easily doable. The second one would need Gnome close in the nearby bluffs to dismiss it as it's too hard to time it right (you'd need to place them hours in advance). I'll probably go with the first one.

>>29589391
You could try, they might notice of course.

>>29589391
we want them to attack the castle, the fact we have flying knights and a choke point position there means it would be ideal to break the green horn army in.

>>29589391

I assume since they are Vitrians, at least a few will call shenanigans if the gate is in a different spot with the illusion and it might end up deterring them more.

Plus at some point we do want them to attack.

>3., 3. and 2. won

AMBUSH

You send Glynn, Moss and Undine off once the Vitrians begin to march in an attempt to ambush them and do damage to their siege equipment and mages. If they’re successful, it will make it harder for them to besiege Castle Gimbon successfully. You’re hoping that sending the mage-knights along means that they’ll be better placed to do more damage and even sustain brief engagements rather than having to completely peel off once spotted.

[DC12 Army Ambush]

Rolled 13

>>29589498

Rolled 3

>>29589498

Rolled 14

>>29589498

>>29589514
>>29589519
>>29589525

Aw shit son we ambush this time.

>>29589514
>>29589519
>>29589525
Maybe Talon is finally learning how to engage the enemy without committing...

>>29589571
talon isn't there, we decided he should sit out the ambush (I am curious for the reason behind doing so, btw)

Unlike the attempts against the Taourans, the ambush triggers successfully this time. Your men staged an ambush from a forested area near the highway the Vitrians were marching along. When the siege equipment or mages came into the open, the archers and mages would launch targeted volleys whilst the mage-knights charged.

The initial volleys went off well, according to the report, striking their mages (the siege equipment had yet to come into sight) and the enemy had not been properly scouting. As a result, the enemy mages were caught unprepared. The MKs attempted their charge, but were met by a unit of knights bearing the banner of the Order of the Golden Bear.

[DC15 MK Combat]

Rolled 1

>>29589643

Rolled 2

>>29589643

Rolled 10

>>29589643
Not a fan of bears...

>>29589643
Next post will be slightly delayed.

File: 1390007432830.jpg-(124 KB, 900x754, Dice - Chocolate.jpg)

124 KB JPG

Rolled 8

>>29589643
delicious dice

Rolled 10

>>29589643

>>29589631

Most times when it comes to such things people vote to leave Talon at home. I think it's more of a playing the character at this point then anything else.

Rolled 19

>>29589665
>>29589673
Goddammit guys

>>29589673
Fuck
>>29589665
FUCK

Rolled 13

>>29589665
Hmm, do you need that plus sign on this board?

>>29589665

God damn it. Now Talon's going to have to push their shit in(again) later himself.

>>29589693
so, we are choosing to let our troops die without proper leadership or support from key power players for the sake of roleplaying?

Isn't that exactly the opposite of his character though?

>>29589733

Usually Captain Moss, Undine, and Salamander are there. They can all lead such things. I assume in this case it would have been better to have Talon with proper Knights around. But sneak in, attack, sneak out isn't really Talon's style. And given the nature of the attacks usually our men don't die, much, usually. Just how the character is played.

>>29589775
Usuaully? this is our second time doing it and last time salamander got injured and we weren't there to help her.

and talon rose up through the ranks so he had to have had plenty of experience doing this. (plus he literally has mechanical bonuses to doing this in the form of tactics skills which gives bonuses to the DC of such actions)

Or are you considering the failed hit and run at the fort in olmm where we left moss in charge of it while fighting the general and he stood his ground (while we wouldn't have)?

Are there any actions/precautions we can take to lessen the impact of poor fortune?

As in, instead of lowering the DC, these actions would reduce the impact of a low roll (like setting up arcane archers to cover a potential retreat, for example)?

>>29589855

Fella I'm not really going to argue it. I see what you're saying, but that's just how people vote for it.

>>29589665
Whelp!

Time to sound the retreat.

>>29589861
Not QM, but I'd guess if there were options to mitigate dramatic failure, they'd also lessen our overall successes even if we roll high or crit.

>>29589775
>>29589855
also this time we DIDN'T send in salamander, undine, or any other power player, we sent in only normal troops

>>29589894
And I am asking people to explain why they voted this way

>>29589861

Aspiritional mentioned he was working on a system for it. However, it is still as big a deal as burning a Fate Point(which we also have, but he presents those options if we fuck up big time). It isn't introduced yet, so we have to deal for now. Shit happens I suppose.

>>29589905
I voted that way because I figured that it would be the best way to kill the most number of enemies.

>>29589905
Not very many people playing right now, so odd votes?

I mean, I was expecting this quest to start up about 2 hours ago, but it started 4 hours ago instead (2 hours early), so it might be the other players are still filtering in.

>>29589905
>You send Glynn, Moss and Undine off once the Vitrians

Yeah we did.

I already did. Seems like people were playing the character, that and it was a close vote.

>>29589861
>Are there any actions/precautions we can take to lessen the impact of poor fortune?

That's why you're offered choices about how to do things. Remember you rolled two 1s in Olmm for ambushing, but took relatively few losses? That was because you chose the cautious ambush option. Big risk, big return etc (or good tactics, better successes, not as bad failures).

>>29589938
I'm pretty sure I started at the right time?

>Dramatic failure

Despite the numerical advantage Glynn and his knights have, they’re no match for the veteran noble knights. The two sides meet with a crash, and the report indicates a number of casualties and lost suits of plate. Luckily, Glynn knew to pull out and the losses were limited. The archers and mages covered their retreat, taking a few enemy knights down, but the main target – the mages – escaped with only a handful of casualties from the raid.

Your men retreated and this time, they’re asking via sending for some guidance on how to approach the next ambush.

Glynn figures to try the last ambush quickly, so your men can return to castle and rest – he wants to strike at them using the same tactic but against the siege engines. Moss wants to attempt a different type of attack by using some hills and raining arrows and magic on the enemy mages, with the knights simply acting as cover in case the enemy engages. Undine figures to try a trap at a brook nearby Gimbon Pass – this means your men wouldn’t have any time to rest if the enemy tries to lay siege immediately.

>1. Side with Glynn. Try the forest ambush again with a different target.
>2. Side with Moss. Similar but different ambush against the mages.
>3. Side with Undine. More powerful ambush but your men won’t be rested in defending Castle Gimbon.
>4. Custom

Rolled 7

>>29589905
Nobody owes you an explanation for anything
you fucking idiot

Rolling for you to get cancer

>>29589942
>You send Glynn, Moss and Undine off once the Vitrians
ah, so we did

>I already did. Seems like people were playing the character, that and it was a close vote.
We are allowed to discuss things are we not? I am trying to engage the people who were "playing the character" in a discussion. Maybe they could convince me of their view, maybe the other way around

Rolled 5

>>29590018
>2

>>29590018
>1. Side with Glynn.

Our archers are our biggest players bar none. It is best they are rested.

>>29590018
>4.

Retarget the golden bears.

The enemy already knows we're trying to hurt them.

So pretend to create yet another ambush aimed at siege engines OR mages, doesn't matter which.

Golden bear knights charge to counterattack.

Now we swarm them instead, because THEY are the actual target.

>>29590021
>Nobody owes you an explanation for anything
they don't OWE me one, I am ASKING for one politely and I am willing to listen and keep an open mind and be convinced myself. It is relevant because this scenario will come up again and again in future threads.

>you fucking idiot
>Rolling for you to get cancer
the sperg is strong with this one

>>29590018
3 or just forget about the second ambush and have them rejoin the defenders.

>>29590059
>>29590092
>>29590103
>>29590129
4-way tie?

Maybe we need a few more minutes for voting?

Rolled 2

>>29590111
your reckless use of CAPSLOCK, is not asking politely
If you are not the fluff nigger, you must be his twin. i wish you both the worst

>>29590018
>>3. Side with Undine. More powerful ambush but your men won’t be rested in defending Castle Gimbon.
After two ambushes and a lack of scouting, I doubt the Virtian force would commit to a siege straight away.

>>29590018
>2. Side with Moss. Similar but different ambush against the mages.

>>29590026

Didn't say we weren't. I don't know what else to tell you man, no one else really seems to be responding barring the few up above. I just always feel like Talon is best suited being at home for these ones. He has had a few run ins with not wanting to pull out during quick strikes. With the Order of the Golden Bear there he might not have wanted to and it could have been detrimental to the overall ambush. And if he didn't then the enemies might get a morale boost from seeing Talon run. I think it's a mix of not being in the position to have to save face, and not risking further engagement.

>>29590103
I like the idea of making the golden bears the main target but I am not sure swarming them is an effective tactic. Especially because neither talon nor lynn is there to match them properly

Rolled 1

>>29590018
Tie-breaker roll.

1 = Option 2
2 = Option 3

>>29590214

Agreed with this sentiment. Trained knights are best dealt with by Talon ramming his sword through their face.

>2.

You decide to side with Moss and he organises the ambush on some hilly terrain nearby the highway and targets the mages again. The report indicates that the Golden Bear knights are more obviously in position to defend the target.

[DC13 Ambush]

>>29590229
>>29590214
The problem is that, no matter what we do for the second ambush, the Golden Bears will be ramming themselves in our face during the attack.

So we could use the old fall-back trap tactic to destroy them as they respond.

Rolled 18

>>29590248

Rolled 6

>>29590248

I can't wait for the Griffon to slaughter some more Bears.

>>29590208
Talon should be organizing the main defence, not leading minor ambushes against an enemy force. Realistically speaking, Talon is the glue which holds our proto-Empire together - if he were to be killed or captrued in one of these minor raids, its game over for his ambitions and he knows it, it simply isn't worth the risk.

This, in addition to the fact that he knows he has a tendency to overcommit to assaults, means that he consciously places himself back at the fortress in these situations.

Rolled 20

>>29590263

Also explained well thank you.

Rolled 5

>>29590248
rolling

>>29590263
The other advantage is that by letting someone else command the ambushes, they get the experience at leading and commanding an armed force.

We will sooner or later need independant commands for our forces. Might as well give our subordinates the chance to prove themselves

Rolled 19

>>29590248
rollin'

>>29590263
ok, this is some fairly good arguments.
in particular the "organizing the main defense" part considering troop positionings ARE taken into account by aspirational and we explicitly have such a skill on our character sheet.

>>29590276
Woohoo!

>>29590276

I totally meant to quote the other post QM, pls count this.

Rolled 6

>>29590276
It's getting close to winter. Those grizzlies must be getting hibernation drowsies.

>>29590276
>>29590259
>>29590261
the dice god taketh, the dice god giveth

>>29590276
No problem; thank you for that excellent roll!

>>29590276

Our Archers are GOAT. FUCK MAGES. FUCK BEARS. ELITE TROOPS HERE WE COME.

>>29590333
>GOAT
I don't get it

>>29590477

>Greatest Of All Time
>GOAT
Sorry /sp/ lingo.

>Exceptional success

Despite the increased number of scouts and the extra reinforcements, Moss successfully pulled off an extraordinary ambush. In order to make it harder to be ambushed, the Vitrian column spread out more. This would work against ordinary volleys, but in this case it placed their soldiers and mages closer to the hills and still left them open to the pinpoint accuracy of your arcane archers.

Moss went into great detail in his report about how he lined up his archers and they chose mages as their targets. Undine and the mages targeted the knights in hopes to confuse them and make it harder for them to react. The initial volley appears to have felled a number of mages, again caught off-guard, and the attempted counterattack by the Golden Bear knights foundered as they charged up the hill only to find themselves sliding down icy embankments lined and bombarding with spells.

As more troops began to react and the Vitrian mages responded, Moss called a retreat. The enemy knight never managed to engage with yours. Moss suspects that as many as half the enemy mages are dead, along with several enemy knights.

>Estimated enemy losses
25 battlemages
10 Medium Mage Knights (proper equipment)

>Your losses
10 Medium Mage Knights

Your men return to Castle Gimbon, followed more slowly by the Vitrians. The Vitrians make camp in the early afternoon rather than lay siege. Whether they plan a night attack or are waiting a full day is unknown. As they are setting up their siege equipment properly, you’re quite certain that they intend to lay siege at some point.

>Force composition at Gimbon coming shortly

>>29590501

Looks like Moss is learning how to set up proper ambushes now, after those 3 exceptional failures during them. This should give him some solid confidence, and make him more useful in the long run.

Good job Captain Moss, I'm glad I brought up promoting you all those threads ago. Haha

>>29590501

FORCES AT GIMBON
50 Flying Mage-Knights
>50 Veterans
50 Heavy Mage-Knights
>50 Green
200 Medium Mage-Knights
>150 Veterans
>50 Regulars
150 Arcane Archers
>150 Veterans
400 Men-at-arms
>400 Green
13 Battlemages
>13 Regulars

VITRIANS
1000 Medium Mage Knights (subpar equipment)
50 Medium Mage-Knights (proper equipment)
25 Battlemages
2000 Men-at-arms
1100 Archers
3 Battering Rams
5 catapults
2 siege towers

>Any special plans now they are here?

Currently you have quicksand (that triggers when many enemies walk on it) at the entrance of the pass) and some physical barriers that intend to funnel the enemy through one path with their siege equipment.

>>29590556
>Good job Captain Moss
that should be said in character

>>29590501
>>29590556
>>29590596

Hey Aspirational, how's the weather looking in the region in the past couple days and for the next couple days?

Am I the only one thinking of using a fire attack - spearheaded by arcane archer flaming arrows - to destroy the siege equipment and maybe wreck the siege camp?

>>29590596
>Any special plans now they are here?
we made a lot of plans, no need for last minute changes

>>29590596
Oh, and assume that Lynn, Undine and Gnome are with you. Felix is at the Argyle Estate.

>>29590607
>Hey Aspirational, how's the weather looking in the region in the past couple days and for the next couple days?
I am dying from the heat. Oh wait, you mean in-quest. It's early June, so it's getting chillier. The coldest it gets is late July, and it barely goes negative (Celsius - I can use miles, but I will never understand fahrenheit properly). Otherwise the skies are clear, if a bit overcast.

>>29590607

God damn you and your fire arrows. Every thread until we do it huh? Haha

However, I assume the traps we set up are more or less meant to deal with the siege equipment, getting it into range now with less magical means will be much more difficult so we don't really need to put ourselves out there. Plus the quicksand might be detrimental to our own strike.

>>29590642

>using southern hemisphere seasons

Had a good chuckle. I guess that makes the world more unique. Can we assume that our continent is in the southern hemisphere then?

>>29590680
Aye.

>Looks like no new plans. I'll go ahead with the first storm.

>>29590642
Um more detail?

-Which way is the predominant wind blowing? (or is it not blowing at all?)

-Has there been any precipitation in the past? Is there any rainfall expected soon?

-Any warm spells incoming, or will it stay near zero for all that time?

-How much flammable equipment did our opponents bring with them?

>>29590646
ah, I apologize!

I'm not the flame arrow fag, I'm the Sun Tzu fag. I just finished reading the chapter on using fire in battle.

>>29590596
>1000 Medium Mage Knights (subpar equipment)
why aren't those referred to as light mage knights?
especially considering the lore states that almost nobody manufacture light mage plate (although in theory they could do so cheaper now) and that most of it is outdated medium plate?

Man I can't wait for the social thread now. This back to back warfare, while exciting, is nerve wracking.

>>29590607
>Am I the only one thinking of using a fire attack - spearheaded by arcane archer flaming arrows - to destroy the siege equipment and maybe wreck the siege camp?
You bring up the flame arrows every thread.
Last time I mentioned how what you actually want to happen will probably require FIREBALL arrows instead of flaming arrows.
And IIRC aspirational said that those are possible, but we don't have any.

>>29590744
because true light mage knights use the lessened weight and greater available enchantment capacity to increase their firepower - extra strengthening enchantment, extra bolt-magic enchantments, etc.

These are more Men at Arms Mk. II than true Light Mage Knights. Dangerous en masse, but will still lose in a head-on fight against true mage knights.

>>29590744

I assume it is a matter of the enchantments placed on them, not the physical plate themselves. That was just my view of it.

>>29590703
>-Which way is the predominant wind blowing? (or is it not blowing at all?)
Light westerly. You don't get any wind in the pass itself. The pass itself faces out north-north-east.

>-Has there been any precipitation in the past? Is there any rainfall expected soon?

It rained about a week ago. Mages reckon it'll be another week or so before you get some more.

>-Any warm spells incoming, or will it stay near zero for all that time?
It's warmer than usual at this time and sits around 15-20C

>-How much flammable equipment did our opponents bring with them?
All their siege equipment. Supplies. Tents.

>>29590744
>why aren't those referred to as light mage knights?
LMKs are glass cannons nowadays. They hit hard and fast, but have weak defensive enchantments. THese guys are designed to be like MMKs but simply have weaker defensive enchantments and don't move as fast. Also, people do still make it but it's very specialised, like flying plate.

>>29590775
See>>29590738

Speaking of that plate, I really hope that provides enough evidence of that RSK house involvement in supplying Vitria.

If not, we'll have at least some sort of use for them.

>>29590800
Sorry about that
I only saw that reply after I had already posted mine (I wasn't reading ahead while writing)(

>>29590021
>>29590155

Dude, what's with the vitriol?
Would rather have a poor fanfic writer than a hyperaggressive twelve year old.
Please leave the quest to those who enjoy it if you can't offer anything but hate.

>>29590821
I think we would have to capture a noble or the shippers for that... we might want to do a stealth mission in port temby for that.
Or we might grab paper evidence in vitria, or even get oaln to testify if we capture him alive and make some deal with him (exile instead of beheading)
Although considering how damn unpopular he is I am not sure if it is worth it.

>>29590863
>or even get oaln to testify if we capture him alive
actually... might want to make it one of his direct underlings

>>29590825
No problem.

>>29590793
So not exactly exceptional circumstances to use fire, but not bad ones either.

>no precipitation to hinder attack by fire

>no wind in pass means fires set there will burn and smoulder in place until they burn out.

>light wind outside pass means fires set there will gradually migrate westwards.

>positioning of pass means if we set the fire at the east of the pass entrance, the fire will migrate accross the pass, effectively becoming a bushfire wall that will hinder attacks through the pass.

I'm actually kind of okay with fire arrows this time. But only for targetting those in the quicksand. I assume we won't be recovering much from those pits anyway, so why not burn the fuckers while they try to get through it. Also if they attack at night, the fires will help light up where they are, and since it is obvious where we are and they'll be distracted with arrow barrages and navigating a maze it won't matter about giving away our positions as much as it usually would.

Once they get in an open field, we'll want to stop, just because we always recover stuff to use.

>>29590863

Well I only say that because the sooner we cut off their supplies, the easier they will be to beat. So it's worth a shot at least, if the makers mark is still on the plate and we provide some 200 sets, that seems like a good justification to me. But I see your point.

>>29590889
>I'm actually kind of okay with fire arrows this time. But only for targetting those in the quicksand.
seems like a waste of arrow since they are practically dead already

>I assume we won't be recovering much from those pits anyway
sure we will, undine waterbends away the water making it into regular sand, and gnome pulls out the metal.
heck we could just wait a few days for the water to evaporate since its artificial quicksand it will not last, then have our troops dig.

>No new plans

You keep the men on alert but most are resting. You’ve laid out the plans to your officers and they’ve briefed the men so you can get a quick reaction should the enemy attack. Even with the barriers, it’s only several hundred metres between the walls and the entrance to the pass.

The Vitrians strike two hours after sunset. They attempted to move silently, with no torches and dulled armour. As it is, your arcane archers have night-vision and spot them despite their best efforts and raise the alarm silently. No need to let them know their attempted sneak attack has failed. You were playing chess with Gnome in full kit and quickly respond to the news.

You join your men on the walls, along with Gnome, Undine and Lynn and watch as the foe marches forwards into your traps. They won’t be in range of your archers, even the magically boosted ones, until they’re well over the quicksand traps. They appear to be bringing their rams forward first, with the catapults lazing around at the back. Do they intend on using the catapults to destroy your barriers? Or were they hoping to sneak the rams through your barriers stealthily. You also note some of their men carrying mundane ladders – obviously they collected some wood while you were busy ambushing them. Castle Gimbon doesn’t have strongly warded walls, but Gnome assures you she’s reinforced the walls to a frightening degree.

[DC11 Quicksand Traps]

Rolled 1

>>29590947

>>29590940
Valid points.

Rolled 1

>>29590947

To arms!

Rolled 4

>>29590947

>>29590953
>>29590954
>>29590979

OH GOD WHY.

>>29590929
why just 200? there are 1000 of those sets here and we can present damaged sets as evidence.

The real problem is that its mass produced from a magitech factory. I seriously doubt that minor house produced it themselves so no emblem tying them to that... probably. Also its an outdated model meaning it has been on the market for a long time.
It could be used to prove to RSK that SOMEONE was smuggling magical plate to vitria, but I don't think it will prove a specific house did it.

However, we might get lucky, maybe the RSK does provide a noble house emblem on such mass produced plate, requiring a min order of 1000 plates from the factory per run. who knows.

Rolled 15

>>29590953
>>29590954
>>29590979
The horror!!

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>>29590953
>>29590954
>>29590979

"Lord preserve us!"

"We have lost half our sand traps!"

>>29590947
>Double crit on a quicksand trap.
how does this even work?...
they detect it, go around it, and ... our own troops fall into it later?

>>29591006

Just a rough guess of the pieces we'll be able to send back split between what we keep. No real basis to the number

Well the QM has mentioned that NO house should be supplying Vitria, so proving it is from the RSK at all would likely do the trick. Either scare the house into stopping or they'll figure it out and stop them. I don't know, we'll see, we have two nat 1s to deal with now.

>>29590953
>>29590954
>>29590979

I think we should just stop with the traps, they never work. Maybe we can build some artillery or something next time.

>>29591052
>Either scare the house into stopping
Ah, so that is what you wanted. Yea if we scare them into stopping then vitria will have fewer supplies later on.

I was thinking about the best result we could get, where we prove it was them. This would result in punitive action against them which will give our allies in the RSK a leg up over enemy houses

>>29591044
They probably get reinforcements.

>>29591066

QM has mentioned Undine can magic up ballistas. That would be neat.

Also, the traps worked once, during the second siege of Harrowmont. But yeah, we have some sort of bad luck with them, fantastic ideas, less then fantastic rolls, luckily the QM stated above better plans lead to less failure on bad rolls. I'm just not sure how two nat 1s would work out, that and with that nat 20 taking out a sizable amount of mages it is a confusing situation.

>>29591091
>>29591044
Some idiot starts firing early from our side, which causes the whole enemy army to realize we know they're here

>>29591066
Traps worked for us quite well on occasion. Remember the icewater flood traps during the first few threads?

also, ambushes worked poorly for us in the past and then we got the really good successful ambush recently

>>29591107
They're marching on a fixed position and we ran two ambushes against them yesterday. They know we know where they are.

>>29591125
I meant we currently had the element of surprise because they were approaching by stealth, but our archers could see them with their night vision.

But once our guys started firing, we lose the element of surprise.

>>29591087

Yeah kind of, giving them the inkling we're onto them, and have informed the RSK that someone is breaking their laws might do the trick for a short run solution.

Of course I want to prove it indefinitely with some papers or a confession, and give Nier a huge boost. Because, smart decisions.

>>29590947

The enemy approaches! Battle is joined!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCfg_MDWcoc&list=PL66CE33E605130A1D

>>29591149

I really hope they don't, they can't even reach them as the QM stated. That guy would be a real dumbass.

>dramatic failure

The enemy is on-guard unfortunately, and this means the traps don’t work very well. One of them triggers, catching a handful of soldiers but this is noticed by the enemy officers and they call a halt to the advance. Only one trap triggered and the enemy has stopped their entire attack. You wait impatiently for them to do something, wishing you had some more range. After a while, you spot their remaining mages come forth and a pair of magisters spend some time casting in an unobtrusive manner. Eventually, their men start marching again… and your traps don’t trigger at all. So, they lost maybe five men and a lot of effort goes down the drain.

Gnome looks a little annoyed. “I guess I can still use them later, but I’ll need some time to undo what the mages did to them. It’s rather frustrating that they appear to have a few summoners there.”

To make matters worse, they appear to have abandoned their attempt to approach stealthily – they must be assuming that by using so much magic and shouting orders they’ve given themselves away. The enemy is marching at a brisk pace towards the tight entry of the barriers, right into range.

You respond by…

>1. Opening fire as soon as they’re in range of your arcane archers.
>2. Waiting until they’re closer so all your forces can volley at once.
>3. Hold fire and have Undine and Gnome try to set some impromptu traps as they get close to the walls.
>4. Custom

>>29591206
2

>>29591206
gnome should focus on disrupting the enemy mages. she is best at it and we don't have mal with us.

>>29591206
>2. Waiting until they’re closer so all your forces can volley at once.

We don't want to give our AAs away in case they retreat, just like last time. Plus they might stop again if they get scared with our initial range, cast some barriers, and march so we can't do shit to them.

>>29591206
>1., a bit of 2.
Open fire once they're in range of our normal archers instead.

That way we hide the true maximum range of our arcane archers. Make them not realize they've overcommitted.

>>29591206
2. But have Undine and Gnome work on some sort of defense against their siege engines. Artillery or opa moat or something.

>>29591242
Gnome has to be in CQC or directly in the path of magic to disrupt it. She's not like Mal who can do this from a distance.

>>29591206
They seem to be acting really cautiously.

Almost too cautiously for an escalade/assault.

[spoilier]My money is on the enemy commander being Melancholic.[/spoiler]

>>29591280
oh, damn...
I am really wishing we had him and sala here...
for their safety too, I will cry if we lose them to some daywalker

>>29591291
How do you figure the enemy commander is suffering from depression?

>>29591298

With Mal being able to detect them and Sala having a thing for burninating? I'd hope not. But yeah that would be mad upsetting.

>>29591269

If they can set up a quick artillery weapon I'd be game. But I know those require some magic to work, and we don't want to commit two of our heavies to it, and take off the few Battlemages we have trying to hold the less then powerful wards together just so we can spear some guys.

>>29591327
temperaments, man, temperaments

>Sanguine vs Choleric vs Melancholic vs Phlegmatic

>>29591348
I have no idea what any of this means

>2.

You give the orders to hold fire until they’re in range of your regular archers. You want them firmly in your trap and dedicated to the assault before hammering them with ranged attacks. You and your mages will target the rams whilst your archers try to bring down their knights, with any Golden Bears the prime targets. They stand out like a sore thumb against the old-style plate. Undine can help you with the ranged attack, but you’re not sure what to do with Gnome.

>1. Have her dart off and attempt a sneak attack against the enemy mages, who are hanging back.
>2. Keep her by your side. In the meantime, have her try to lay traps around the bottom of the walls.
>3. Keep her by your side. In the meantime, have her try to set up traps atop the walls against ladders.
>4. Custom

NB: It’ll take a while to build an artillery piece, so I’m excluding that. A moat would also take a while, though she could try to dig a small one around the gate in a minute or so.

>>29591394
2

undine can make ladders slip or sink like last time.

>>29591394
>4. Let Gnome decide

Trust time, gentlemen!

>>29591394
>>3. Keep her by your side. In the meantime, have her try to set up traps atop the walls against ladders.

A big rock here, a big rock there. Our men can topple them over if a ladder suddenly pops up, it's just mundane wood, easy to crush with a small boulder.

>>29591394
Also, I'll probably be running until 2am. I don't plan on running as late as last session until there's loads of player interest and I'm still good to go.

>>29591394
1. Mobile attract against a slow enemy. Plus she's known as a Mage killer.

>>29591433
>>29591425
>>29591437
>>29591489
>another 4 way tie.

I'll just pop a little total war music for atmosphere while we wait for decisions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MbJdL8PAXA&list=PL66CE33E605130A1D

>>29591394
>2. Keep her by your side. In the meantime, have her try to lay traps around the bottom of the walls.

>2.

“Gnome, can you trap the bottom of the walls? Make it difficult for them to bring their rams to the gates and place their ladders.”

Undine looks at you, opening her mouth and you tell her to do the same. She nods, a slightly smug smile on her face. You then turn your attention back to the battle, unsling your own bow to join your first volley once the enemy is in range. A dozen knights are screening for the lead ram, but you’re not too worried about them.

They come into what you think to be range for everybody and you tell your aide to give the order, preparing to loose your own arrow.

[DC12/18 Archery]

Rolled 5

>>29591646

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpw1JB9n7UU&list=PL66CE33E605130A1D

Rolled 9

>>29591646

Always a big fan of Talon getting in on the barrages
.

Rolled 7

>>29591646

Rolled 16

>>29591646
Crap

>>29591668
>>29591684
>>29591695

Man we're sucking in this fight.

>>29591668
awesome music

>>29591695
>>29591699
I am so sorry for rolling that 7 just before you :(

>>29591668
>>29591684
>>29591695

Well this is getting painful today. Looks like we'll be doing more hand to hand this go around then usual.

>>29591725
Yeah, we need an inspirational speech to buck up the morale of our men.

>>29591732
Happens.

>>29591737

Might be a good idea. At least we still hold the high ground, but damn it if it isn't looking like we'll be actually having a real siege on our hands for once.

>>29591737
Little late for that.

>These fucking rolls.
Maybe we should wait a little longer between each one?

>>29591812

Well Talon can use Empowerment to empower his voice, so he can boom out one.

Also if he ends up among a mass of troops to hold the line, he can give one as they wait for them to try to bash down the door.

You know, I just realised that you don’t have any regular archers defending Gimbon. Replace previous mentions of regular archers with battlemages, as they have similar ranges if not shorter ones. Blargh.

>Target not met

The volley is of mixed success. Although your archers find their mark as usual, the old armour holds up better than expected against the high draw bows. A couple of the lead knights go down, but the Vitrians are largely unharmed. You give the order to continue volleys as the Vitrians begin pushing forward as fast as possible.

Luckily for you, their fastest isn’t tremendously fast as the ram takes up most of the space in the narrow path they’re choosing to follow. So far they haven’t attempted to destroy any barriers. With that said, you notice some of their men filing into the ranks of the barriers – archers, you see. They have a lot of them, but they’re only moving into position a few at a time and are probably barely able to strike your men atop the walls.

It’s one thing to keep volleying against them but you suspect you need to seize the initiative if you want to avoid this becoming a bloody brawl atop the walls or behind the gates.

>1. Have your flyers begin bombardment now, before too many of their archers are in a position to fend them off.
>2. Try an inspiring speech to boost morale and frighten the foe.
>3. Pull Gnome from building her traps to try to do something grandiose to halt their advance.
>4. Continue as usual
>5. Custom

>>29591856
>2. Try an inspiring speech to boost morale and frighten the foe.

>>29591856
>3. Pull Gnome from building her traps to try to do something grandiose to halt their advance.

FUCK IT. Talon has been too conservative lately, and while it usually works. Sometimes more drastic measures are needed.

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>>29591856
>2. and 1.

Do an inspiring speech to the backdrop of our flying mage knights blowing stuff up.

time to milk our charisma and battle command for all it's worth

>>29591916
Oh yes! This has my support.

"Men of Vitria hear me, you have come here to die! The gods are with us and we are invincible! My knights will strike you down, my elementals will sweep you from the field, my archers will bring the very sky crashing down upon you. You cannot win!”

>>29591916
>>29591881

"Let it be known that I am surrounded by men of great virtue and valour. I could not ask for better comrades to die beside!"

"But bretheren! Harken to me!"

"Tonight is not a night for dying! No!"

"Tonight is a night for drawing breath and watching the sun rise yet again!"

"Tonight is a night not for the terror of death, but for the hope of the morning - the Sun that flies on the wings of griffons and eagles!"

"Tonight is a night - FOR VICTORY!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0G0Vy8C_sNg&list=PL66CE33E605130A1D

>>29592005
>The gods

Just cut that bit out, otherwise solid. The term means something a bit different in the setting.

>>29591856
Personally fire a boosted arrow at their ram. Trying to consciously draw on astral power when doing so

Also, have undine and gnome just start blasting with AoE elemental attacks

>>29592037
We really need a bard to join our retinue

Just to record our deeds and history, if not to give inspiring music alongside us.

Also, dawn? victory?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wlMorH9pAQ

>>29592107

I assumed that was what the split DC was for. Usually Talon only taps that with good rolls.

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>2 plus 1

“Lieutenant Illon, sweep the advancing enemy with explosive spells,” you order via sending. “If you can sweep the rams, that’s nice, but I want to see Vitrian corpses against the night sky.”

With your orders given, you wait for Illon’s flying knights to soar above you and strike a pose atop the gatehouse, sword out. You flash some sorcery in such a way to light yourself up and draw attention to your coming words.

“Men of Vitria!” you bellow, empowering your voice to reach across the battlefield with the sound of thunder. “This field will be your grave. These walls will stand strong against your feeble caress. My men will stand strong against your weakness. My knights will strike you down, my elementals will sweep you from the field, my archers will bring the very sky crashing down upon you. Tonight is the night of death! And the morning will be for the sun that flies on the wings of griffons!”

[DC12 Inspiration/Last Burst]

>>29592135

Funny you mention that, I was actually working on a few songs that bards might sing. Turns out using The Griffon and Undine's water makes for some good song writing material.

However, the use of battledrums and the like would be sweet as fuck.

OP, can we please just critfail this speech and move on? Please?

Rolled 16

>>29592173