>>14154637

>Sickly green glow

I say, that doesn't sound very healthy at all.

Leave the young ones to their hijinks. If they grow up a little, they'll learn to share.

Let's call Wulf over and make it look like we're teaching him tactics or just talk to him in general. Let's see how far Rufus' hero worship extends and see if that'll pull him away from the pretty girl.

Approximately how far are we from the projected mission area?
Have our flyers been sent out to scout ahead?

Pax, can we get our unit complements for this campaign and a local map of the area?

When you make camp later that night you feel ready to strangle the first thing you see that even vaguely resembles an uurlanthi. You had hoped to be halfway to your deployment zone by this time, though you arent quite a quarter of the way there yet. "Wulf, with me." you collect your proyege, as you pass his and Lenas tent.

Once you are at the outskirts of the camp Wulf opens up "Please for the love of the Journey tell me the noble brat isnt to be a long-term addition to our maniple." Before you can answer his question the young man adds "And, do you intend to tell him of his potential skills, Commander?"

>trooplist and map inbound

>>14154688
>>14154774
seconding these

>sickly green glow


Uh. Oh shit. Have we told anyone? Laelith maybe?

That's not the same as the green that life elementalists give off, right?

>>14154827
"Even if I wished him to be apart of our maniple, I doubt his father would agree to that. I don't have any intention of telling him just yet. His talent is something of a problematic one for us at this point and it might be unwise to train him to use it until I've explored certain options more."

>>14154827
"Well I had planned on taking him on to help Bella guard Lena"
>trollface.jpg

>>14154852
Seconding.

>>14154827

"Most certainly not on the first count. I'm still not sure what to do about the second. It may be best to just keep quiet and make sure he's watched for any power manifestation."

-196th Legionary
Gaius Rex
200/200
Excellent

-454th Legionary
Cornelius Hoursch
200/200
Good

-98th Warlords
Uurist Titius
150/150
Good

-76th Deadeyes
Aurelius Caspius
100/100
Excellent

-50th Dwarven Scouts
Finian Gaurush
100/100
Excellent

-65th Dwarven Rangers
Kyria Esfelda
100/100
Excellent

-House Garlian Uursan Cavalry
Lady Jayne Garlian
50/50
Excellent

House Morzitus Heavy Cavalry
Balor morzitus
50/50

-Blacktusk Raiders 50/50
Blackbird
assorted gear
Excellent

-The Sunstorm (elves)
Tyxia Nestad
200/200
Splintmail, spears, kite shields, javelins

-Celtron Guard (Dwarves)
Denuk Tyshop
175/175
Surecoats over mail, longswords, tower shields


-Daimus Skywings
Damian Corinth
Chainmail, polearms, valkeries
50/50

Off the Combat Roster:
House Morlan Griffon riders 10/10 (observation unit)

>>14154889
>In channel:
Squiggly blue lines make the trail of destruction till our foe entered the forest.

blue crossed cities are those razed after they dissappeared.

Yellow: Gold mines
Grey: Iron Mines

Based off the map, he'll be attacking the big red city next.

We need to launch the Griffons and Skywings on patrol like now.

Will there be more opportunities to recruit mercs? I was under the impression that we could recruit more mercs. We left a lot of recruitment funds unspent last time.

We need to know what criteria this guy is using to choose targets. If we can do that, then we could create a target for him to attack, and trap him.

Why the hell are we moving so slow?

Find the squeaky wheel and give it both some grease and a kick.

>>14154953
seconded

>>14154957
>when you enter a city, yes

"I would rather not. and even if I would have liked to, I doubt his father would have it." you reply, much to Wulfs obvious relief. "As to his skills, not yet, and I think it best to not inform the boy yet, though we should watch for any manifestations of his skills."

You feel a single set of feet approaching, shortly shadowed by another. "The longer he goes without knowing the more dangerous he could inadvertently become." Wulf observes, though when he sees the young noble approaching you swear you can smell the air burning.

"Commander." Rufus greets you cheerily "What duties will you be tasking me with?" he asks, sounding almost optimistic. You barely hear Wulf mumble something about training him to defend himself

For Rufus, basic combat training, he gets to sit in on our strategy meetings, and maybe Sansa can teach him about the logistics of running an armed force.

>>14155056
>You barely hear Wulf mumble something about training him to defend himself
"First? Combat training. All Legionnaires have it, and you will be no different. Second, as you will be stationed with the medicae, you will be instructed in basic medical skills.
"Against this foe, we do not have the luxury of carrying dead weight."

>>14155056
"For now we'll start you off with training in combat and tactics that will be adjusted based on your progress. That should help you fit in as being apart of the maniple from any outsiders looking in. Of course, you will be along with me at times to observe and learn from my maniple in how we conduct a campaign."

Situation is not good. This is Vietnam Situation.

This is my proposal. The big red city and the small town are lost. If we garrison them, they enemy can shift to move to attack another on the far side of the forest while we have to race with our auto-wagons to catch up.

I propose we evac the city and rig it to burn itself down when the enemy attacks. Catch the enemy inside when they're razing the city, burn them with it.

Once the town and city have been taken, it'll take longer for their troops to reach another target.

Our airborne division needs to be able to see them and inform us when the emerge on their next raid. Our airborne division can then begin raining arrows or even just throwing sacks of small rocks at them. At a high enough height, those things will kill. Our main forces will either attempt to enter the forest and catch them when they're retreating or race around the forest on our wagons to engage them.

In the IRC we've been debating ideas on how to best deal with this enemy. Since we have no indication they're not sitting in the forest and hitting cities around it, I suggest we set up camp between the two larger red cities on the west side of the forest and use our aerial scouts to try to spot when they're sending men out to hit cities. If they send out a sizeable force, we should try to march into the forest to clear it out of any left over men and hopefully take the forest from them so they can't use it anymore.

Additionally, i think we should send a rider or two to one of the nearby major cities and see if we can get any maps of the ruins similar to the ones we saw in our campaign against Khalless. Underground movement would be key here and we might find strongholds we can use inside the forest or that they're using. Hell, for all we know, they might be attacking towns using tunnels.

>>14155056
"you are going to be serving as a novice among the medics, when the time comes for battle you will serve as a medic at the back of the line of battle

Where is the main defensive line in relation to the map/river?

Is Northmont a staging area or waypoint for forces moving to the front line?

How about we evac the small villages, and actually try to protect the town? I think Northmont can defend itself just fine.

>>14155187

wait wait wait!

Do we want to put a person with necromancy potential AROUND DEAD AND DYING MEN!?

>>14155243

Oh fuck. Thats a very good point.

Can we assign one of our solders to knock him out should he start manifesting due to his emotions?

>>14155243
Good point. Dammit.

Taking this kid with us was a horrible idea.

>>14155256
We could just not make him a medic. If we want to hammer the point of war in regards to casualties, we just take him along with us to visit the men that are wounded.

Alright, then. We keep him out of the medicae tent.
Maybe keep him with the artillery crew?
...no, they'll get targeted by elven archers.
He will simply have to stay behind in the command tent with a telescope, then.

>>14155334
He could observe with the griffons from House Morlan. I'm assuming they can take an extra rider and that way he gets a wide field of view and is safe since I doubt their archers are that good.

"You will be receiving some basic combat training, I do beleive Wulf volunteered to help you with that. One of my Legionary captains will tutor you on tactics, and my aid will teach you about the logistics of a campaign, and you will be learning how a maniple is run from me." you answer honestly.

Rufus looks rather frightened when you mentioned who he will be training with, though he perks up enough at the rest "And when battle is joined?" he asks, somewhere between eager and apprehensive again.

I'd like to re-raise my idea of having Sansa teach him logistics. That should be along the lines of what his father is trying to teach him already.

My proposed battle plan is attached. Protect the towns and the gold mine. Evacuate the small villages. Northmont can defend itself against a maniple-sized enemy.

So we're all agreed then?
Rufus does not go to the medicae tents except after the battle under our supervision.
He instead will be sent up with House Morlan's griffons, to have a better overall picture of the battlefield.

Either way, he still gets basic combat training.

>>14155373
"Until I have a better idea on the capabilities of our enemy, you will be observing the battlefield along with the griffons sent by House Morlan. Based on my past experience with elven archers and what I currently know about the enemy, there aren't any units on the ground I consider safe enough for you to be put in. Everything behind the front lines will be a high priority target for the enemy."

>>14155446
I'll second this. We need to keep him out of harm's way, and from manifesting his powers.

We should research parachutes. (Kyria?) I'm worried about Rufus getting shot out of the sky.

Tell the rider carrying him to fly HIGH. Better that he gets a nose bleed than getting pancaked.

>>14155508
Those griffons are here to observe. They won't take undue risks unless they have to and they'll be up high enough that the enemy archers would be stupid to waste shots on them. I imagine they'll disengage if they are under attack unless we ask them otherwise.

Pax, can we get some rough travel times for the distances between:

south goldmine and forest edge
Northmont and forest edge
Stonefoot and forest edge
forest's northern and southern boundaries

Also, how far can a valk patrol on the map vs how far can it fly on the map?

"As I am unsure as to the exact situation, you will be riding with the House Morlan griffons and observing the battles." you inform the boy, who looks slightly unhappy with your decision, though he is able to repress it mostly.

"Thank you, commander." Wulf quips, before heading back to his tent. Alone again, you think on where you will head to first in your deployment area, and what you will do until you get there.

>in order, one days march (half a day forced march), three days march, four days march, one and a half days march.
>for you itd be more of half a day, one day, two days, one and a half days march.

>so, where do you want to head for first?

>>14155666
I still think we should sit on the western part of the forest since most of the targets on the eastern side are small. Perhaps further west of the large town in the middle of it. As well, we really need to send some flyers to a nearby major city or go ourselves to get more detailed topography maps and any maps of the ruins we can find.

>>14155666
stonefort

>>14155694
I'm assuming you mean head to Stonefort for mercs and not set up camp there? No reason we can't do both then. We split off to quickly hit it up while the rest of the maniple marches on to where we intend to camp out.

>>14155692

West forest area sounds good, but we should maintain enough distance that we can't be ambushed from it in the middle of the night.

Send some valks with Sansa to get any maps/merc info we want from stonefoot

>>14155829
West of the city in the middle we'd likely have close to half a days march before they're on us? We have our own stealthy mofo's now so they shouldn't be able to have free reign on sneaking up on us. Plus they don't know we're here yet.

>>14155692
I'll second

>>14155823
yeah I meant go there for mercs/info, not setting up camp

You decide to make for Stonefoot, at the very least to see what the situation is and search for mercanaries. It takes another half-week of riding, by the end of which almost the entire maniple is rather unhappy when you leave their company with Sansa and Jayne for Stonefoot.

The cities walls are crowded with makeshift hovels and huts, its gates clogged with refugees. It is obvious once you reach the crowd that these were the inhabitants of Stonecross and Icepass, from their dirty cloths and frightened demeanors. You could push through them to search for mercenaries, though they may not take well to being shoved aside.

>>14156014
We should probably stop to hear stories from refugees, just so we know what to expect.

>>14156014
Unhappy we left? Ugh. Never happy. Tempted to say we should address the refugees to let us pass and inform them we're here to deal with the people that made them refugees in the first place. I also wish we hadn't taken Sansa with us. Ah well I should of specified.

>>14156036
well she is our aide

we should see if there are any guides who know the are that we could hire in addition to maps

>>14156063
Which is why I figured she should be with the maniple running things along rather than with us.

Heading away for a bit so beyond the mercs, make sure we grab topography maps and maps of the ruins/tunnel systems if they exist. Might be nothing but if there is something it could help.

>>14156014

We need to search for maps of any ruins that may be in the area and any good maps of the local area.

If we can't find any, we go to the person in charge of the town and ask if he has any.

additional merc units are a secondary priority.

We need Information before we need anything else. Locations of local ruins, eye witness stories of how our enemy fights, maps, etc.

>>14156093
I'll admit I didn't think of that but I figure wulf and the captains should be able to keep the men in line

>>14156101
Crap, forgot to mention:

If we find any local scouts/former messengers/rangers/woodsmen types that know the area and are willing to aid us, take them. Even better than a map in some cases!

>>14156023
>>14156087
Second for both. We need to find out what tactics the enemy used, and we need local guides.

You dismount and begin to make your way through the press of plebeians, making conversation with others as you go. It would seem that the enemy force is not massive, though it is not insubstantial. Most of the attacks took place at dusk or dawn, always the attackers moved with the sun at their backs. To make matters worse, you have discerned from the tales of the folk you spoke with that the elves have several elementalists with them. Eventually you enter the city, though for the crowds of folk inside you almost dont notice the transition, at least the bitterly cold northern winds cant slice through the crowds here.

>no, unhappy that the autowagons are getting slowed in the mud
>roll for your searches

>>14156247

Lets do this, ladies!

rolled 7 = 7

>>14156247
Alright, let's see what I get.

rolled 7 = 7

>>14156247

Ah, excellent. Our first roll of the day.

>>14156272
>>14156273

Lucky sevens! Hell yes!

rolled 73 = 73

>>14156247
stand back guys! I'm Rollan!

>>14156293
hey!

"Jayne, look to find some maps, we need to know of any old Lacertan hold-outs from the 1st age. Sansa, see if you can scrounge up any hunters or guides that know the area particularly well. I'm going to see what mercenaries are in the area." at that, you snatch some hugs and kisses and set off to find where the mercenaries are congregating in this city. Before long you find the mercenary quarter, and are surprised by how many bands are in the area.
>search results inbound

Nebleth Warriors 200 Dwarf
Scalemail
++++
--
8000

Neftius Spearmen 150
leathers, spears, circleshields
+++
--
4500

Kordith Reachers 200
Splintmail, Claymores
++++
--

Dentrus' Raiders 200 elfs
Leathers, combat axes, kite shields, javelins
++
-
5000

Northreach Rangers 100
Leathers, longbows, shortswords
+++
-
5000

Frozen Bowmen 200
leathers, shortbows, spears
+++
-
3000

Clestruns Riders 50
Leathers, lances, kave;oms, horses
++
-
8000

Daymars Lancers 50
Plate Armor, Lances, Kite shields, horseback
++
-
12000

Teskus Riders 50 dwarves
Chailmail, Scythes, throwing hammers, uursan
+++++
--
15000

>>14156351
>Nebleth Warriors have Claymores, derp

>>14156351
I recommend we just grab a few cheap units to fill up the ranks. Neftius Spearmen and Dentrus' Raiders perhaps. Maybe throw in the Frozen Bowmen or Northreach Rangers depending on how our bargaining goes.

We already have a lot of mercs. I don't see us needing more. Especially with all our campaign funds already used.

>>14156351

do we have any campaign funds remaining or do we have to pay out of pocket for mercs?

>>14156411
Only two units we can effectively use until we either take the forest or catch them out in the open though. Plus we still have about 10k in req funds.

>>14156417
Pretty sure we'd have to pay out of pocket for anything more than we have now.

>>14156398

seconding the choice of Neftius Spearmen and Dentrus' Raiders.

>strike the Kordith reachers from the list, artefact unit from updating my merc list

As you peruse the mercenary units, Jayne walks up to you, beaming, map in hand. "I found a topographic map, and a historical map. I dont know how many of the ruins still stand, but after I complied them all onto our campaign map..."

You kiss your Lady "Excellent work love." you compliment her, looking the map over.

"Do I get one?" a lithe ebon-skinned man asks in a thick Belges accent. By his garb and gear he is clearly a hunter or tracker, and by the distance Sansa is following him, she trusts him well enough.

>>14156438
It's been confirmed we have 10k req funds. Unless you have ideas on other ways to spend it we might as well.

>>14156434

I don't see units with alot of utility in heavily forested areas. Claymores and spears aren't going to be very useful.

Voting for the rangers and the raiders. Their equipment looks usable.

Raiders look like a decent skirmishing unit made of elves so they should stand up pretty well against their own. Rangers have long bows. Always useful.

Really not seeing what will be good for forest-fighting, except maybe the Frozen Bowmen, and the Northreach Rangers.
My vote is for those two.

>>14156398
sounds good also generic you inspired me to make this pic

>>14156472
They won't be that useful I can agree but I'm not sure how useful more bows in a forest will be. I mostly picked what I did since it'd fit in with our leftover funds and gave us more melee units. I've always thought in previous campaigns that there have been battles where we needed more front line units rather than ranged.

>>14156464

Those ruins just east of the forest. I'll bet you money that's where the fuckers are hiding out with their main force.

>>14156464
Sorry, I reserve those for my pretty ladies, and they for me. But if you would like more of a golden kiss, let's hear about your skills.

>>14156464
Based on that map, we definitely need to investigate the ruins to the west of the forest. If that has tunnels that link up to the rest of the area, we need to hold it. Plus we might be able to use it to travel to the other side of the forest without being sen.

>the consensus on mercs seems to be the Neftius Spearmen and Dentrus' Raiders, if so, roll for bargaining

rolled 12 = 12

>>14156575

Are mine the dice that shall pierce the heavens?

rolled 32 = 32

>>14156575
Hmm.

>>14156521
>>14156538
>>14156540
seconding these

You plant a kiss on Sansa as she struts up to you "Those are reserved for my lovely ladies, though I could offer you a golden kiss if you would be so good as to tell me your skills."

The small man chuckles "I was captured during the last war... the Skirmish War I think the historians are calling it. Either way, I wasnt ransomed home, earned my way out of the gladiatorial pits after three months stuck there. Ive felled more than my share of beasts, and tamed a few. I have a falcon or two out in the wild, and the whole region on your map there is familiar to me nearly by memory."

As he continues to regale you of his exploits you go about hiring your mercenaries. The curvaceous captain of the neftius spearmen is all business, though you do manage to talk her down to 3000 dragoons. The captain of the Dentrus' Raiders is massive for an elf, and a much harder bargain, only dropping down to 4,000 dragoons. "So," the tracker eventually asks "do I have a job? My rate is 1250 for your sort of work."

>>14156704
That's a mite expensive, you're just one man. Over a thousand dragoons for one campaign that you won't be expected to fight in?

>>14156704
We saved 2,500 bargaining. We have the req funds to do it so we might as well. Hopefully he can show us some short cuts and cut down travel time in the mountains or forest if we move into it. Or show us some sneaky paths we can use if necessary.

>>14156730
I suppose. Perhaps 800 with a promised bonus if his skills actually make a decent contribution to our campaign? Although I figure there's no point making such a big deal at this point with req funds since we're going to lose anything left over and we might as well use it up. Not going to save too much on the guy if we bargain I figured and what we do save won't make a huge diff.

On the one hand, he could be very, very useful. On the other hand, we already have Blackbird and a fair number of scouting units, so meh. Also, he's pretty expensive. Though, if we could learn a bunch of animal training tactics from him, that would be handy.

Hurmmm. Does our mage-dar say anything about him?

I've got good vibes from this guy. I say yes.

>>14156773
The benefits of this guy isn't scouting though, it's the fact he knows the way of the land. Any trails, hidden paths, short cuts, etc etc he would know in theory. Teamed up with Blackbird, he might make him a nightmare in the forest if we're lucky. Or he might just cut down marching time or let us sneak people around them. Worth a gamble I think.

rolled 21 = 21

>>14156789
And SunTzu mentioned that local guides were a very good idea to get.

You rub your chin, thinking "800 now, with the other 750 as a bonus should you prove useful." you counter offer.

The man considers for a while, before finally responding "You have a deal. Tomas Ganthus, by the way." he offers you his hand.

"Justinian Trentz." you reply, accepting the firm handshake.

>so, anything else you want to do in town?
>also, whos gonna go with the mercs while they march to meet the rest of your force?

>>14156822
The Art of War was such a wonderfully practical guide for being written by a general with such a short career.

Ask him to share his knowledge with Blackbird, and we have a deal.

I would have gone with the rangers, but you can't go wrong with more infantry, really.

>>14156789
Hmmm, true. Oh, and we really should get the gem-thingy a look at him, anyone who manages to do the kinds of things he claims to have done should have the requisite willpower for an elementalist, assuming he doesn't have some other inherent talent. Besides, it's not like we have anything else to spend the Campaign funds on, unless we want to grab the Frozen Bowmen.

>>14156836
Let Sansa bring them I guess. Jayne will likely be needed for her cavalry wing and we'll be needed there to start getting shit done. I assume we/someone can take care of her duties until she's arrived.

See if we can haggle the Frozen Bowmen down to 1750 gold. That's all we have left.

>>14156882
>if you guys all agree, roll for it

rolled 39 = 39

>>14156836

Justinian and Jayne should make best time back to the main force.

Sansa and the guide should travel with the mercs.

Where are we to meet the main force?

>>14156882
Go for it. Might as well. I'll let someone else roll this one.

Also, I have an observation to share: Kayless (spelling?) was a "lord-father" who was looking for a potential necromancer for him to train. Maybe he had trouble finding the potential because it was the Governor's son!

The cult could still be searching for Rufus! When we get back to DragonsReach, we need to warn him of this potential danger.

>>14156921
I actually think the guide should go with us. If we're sending out Blackbird or we're doing stuff in general, we might want him with us. It'll likely delay our mercs arriving faster but it might be more useful for our upcoming fighting.

Rollan.

rolled 56 = 56

>>14156944
FFFFFFF...

rolled 77 = 77

Rolling for haggle.

Invoking spirit of adventure for luck.

rolled 46 = 46

>>14156940
True, good idea.

>>14156951
>>14156952
Well that was a close one.

You attempt to bargain with the Frozen Bowmen, but the captain is not willing to match down to the funds you have left, unfortunately. You task Sansa and Tomas with leading your new recruits to the rendezvous with the maniple proper, then set off with all the haste Jaynes elementalism allows you for your maniple.

-----CQ-----

You ride up to your camp, confident and ready for this challenge. On the outskirts of camp Lena is practicing her skills, oblivious to the world around her. Blackbird and Daeseu are leaning against a massive oak in the middle of the field talking, while Wulf is going through a series of drills with Rufus. From the look of it the boy is already bruised and sore all over, but learning nonetheless. The rest of the maniple is similairly at rest, or training, waiting for your commands, and almost eager for the fight.

>>14157000
Let's get our scouting under way. Send out the valk's to start scouting the open land and get an aerial view of the ruins east of the forest. See if there are any signs of it being inhabited. We also need to send some scouts to the ruins in the mountains to the west of the forest ruins. I guess Finian's boys would be sufficient for that.

>>14157024
sounds good to me

Where are we on the map right now, Pax?

>>14157080

Seconding this vital information.

>>14157087
thirding

You set the valkerie mercenaries to checking the various ruins for signs of habitation, and Finians scouts to searching the mountains to the west of your position for any uurlanthi soldiers. For the most part the Valkeries are unable to find any signs of life in the ruins, unfortunately. Camp life continues to move slowly for days, until Sasna and Tomas arrive with the mercenaries.

Eventually, your scouts turn up a few leads, signs of enemy scouts moving in the general area of the larger town to your north. It is an uncalled logging town, though the remaining locals had begun constructing a hast palisade around the settlement. On the same day, your Valkerie riders report that they are not alone in the skies, uurlanthi valkerie knights being spotted by them far away to the north and east, making for the forest.

>>14157180
shit

>>14157180
Sounds like the enemy commander called in aerial reinforcements.

We need to find a way of eliminating the enemy valk unit while it's on the ground somehow. Perhaps Blackbird can do it?

>>14157180

GOOD. This was not unexpected.

Have our pegasi units tail them. Find out exactly where they operate in the forest. They should keep out of sight and fly higher whenever possible.

I say garrison the logging town.

And look for secret tunnels that lead to the ruins on the eastern edge of the forest. Show ourselves in the west, attack from the east.

And if the enemy attacks the logging town, it will most likely be from the east, at dawn.

Can we put down traps? Or is that a no-no in home territory?

>>14157180

I'm thinking we should move to the west of the town the enemy is scouting. Discourage the enemy from attacking and we should get talking to our valk captain about how they can take out the enemy flyers.

>>14157278
>you are capable of trapping, but the repercussions of that are up to you guys to wrestle with

Our valk mercs might not be able to take on enemy valk knights head-to-head. They need an edge.

Can we arm valk riders with repeater crossbows?

>>14157381
>you'd need to whip some up for them first, but itd be possible
>also, is the consensus pretty much: >>14157307 and >>14157278

>>14157413
Yes, but no traps.

>>14157381

tactics will have to be our edge.

We either need to bait their valks into attacking or flying lower than ours to attack with the sun at our backs and go for mission kills on the riders or the mounts, or we need to take the enemy out when they don't patrol in force.

You order your valkeries to continue shadowing the uurlanthi aerial knights at a safe distance, in order to try to discern their base of operations. At the same time you redeploy your maniple to the large village to your north. The Regent greets you as your maniple approaches the nearly finished pallisade "Are you the Commander sent to deal with these raiding bastards?" he asks.

"Indeed I am, though I fear I have grave news for your town." you reply, shaking the old dwarfs hand.

The dwarf pauses for a moment "How long do you expect my town has?" he asks, suddenly looking even older.

Can we not go around depressing the local civilian leaders?

"Your town is the largest un-touched target so close to the forest. Although, with luck, we'll end their raids here."

>>14157483
"Not much time, though it depends on if my maniple was spotted.
"If we were, then they may not attack until we are on the move again.
"If we weren't, which I hope, they will attack within the next few days, and I will utterly crush them.
"I'm sorry I cannot give a more firm answer; I have my scouts attempting to discern the enemy's movements, and will give you a better estimate if I am able."

>>14157483

"I don't have that answer for you, I'm afraid. It depends on the enemy commander."

"Have you prepared any defenses or raised a militia?"

>>14157483
Not sure, but we spotted scouts in the area not too long ago. Thankfully, the enemy has been predictable so far in attacking at only dusk or dawn. I assure you, we will post their heads on pikes at the border before too long.

>>14157413
Well, we are in a logging town. Plenty of wood here. How long would it take to produce 50 repeater crossbow for our valk mercs?

These things are point-and-shoot anyway. Just give them safety lessons so that no one puts his eye out.

>>14157588
>a few days if you guys want to go for that

"I cant be sure if or when, but my scouts spotted enemy scouts headed towards your village. If I was spotted on my way here there may be no attack at all, if not, we will know within a few days, at dusk or at dawn." you answer honestly as your forces pour into the town.

"Should I evacuate to Stonefoot, or raise the militia, commander?" the regent asks, clearly out of his element.

>>14157644
No militia, he will be expecting that and they will get butchered.

Evacuation... maybe. Maybe not. What do you guys think?

Depends. Is this town still contributing to the war effort? With the forest being enemy-infested, is anyone actually getting logging done?

If not, I'm frankly surprised that they haven't evacuated already.

>Degnarians are stubborn as hell, and they were up until the forest got taken over.

>>14157674
Prepare for evacuation; if it comes to a fight at all, this town will become a battlefield, and it would be better if the citizens were safely away. Also, this gives them several days to prepare, load things properly, rather than flee in disarray.

These are combat-hardened Uurlanthi veterans. They would cut through militia like a hot knife through butter. There's no reason to have them killed here; they would serve better protecting the townsfolk as they evacuate.

Here's what I think:

Women, children, and the infirm should evacuate.

Able-bodied men interested in defending their homes can help us construct open pits with wooden stakes in them.

They are probably not child-proof, but they would pose no serious danger to civilians, and would force the enemy to approach the town's palisades along routes of our choosing.

>>14157736
That might still get us in trouble with the praetorians back home, if we don't hire them as manual laborers to help construct the fortifications.

Though, if we build obvious defenses like that, then the enemy may simply bypass this town, spoiling our trap.

>consensus?

True. Although, evacuating the civilians might cause the enemy to bypass the town as well.

How about this:

Evacuate all civilians, but have them hide under tarps in their wagons. Make it look like only a few are leaving.

Our troops will move into the houses, and maintain the signs of habitation. Do not display our banners/colors. Try our best to make the enemy think that the town is still full of civilians instead of soldiers.

No traps. No defenses besides the palisade.

When the enemy attacks, put up our colors and give them what for!

>>14157828

you know what? its just crazy enough to work.

let us do this

>>14157828
I agree with this plan. Only change is that when the battle is a joined, massed earth elementalism: Instant Fortifications! All earth elementalists work together for a mass spell.

rolled 51 = 51

>>14157853
If we are going to make fortifications big enough for an entire town, we could probably just drop a large area out from under the attackers, or surround them with walls - either way. Then just shoot down on their poor trapped little heads from above, killing off any that try to climb out with spears.

Addendum:

Town is full of wood. (haha) Construct additional wagons as necessary. Fill some of the wagons with logs. Make it look like we are evacuating the war material rather than the civilians.

Have our troops wear rags / peasant clothes over their armor. Should be enough to fool any enemy scouts.

"Yes, everyone should leave. However, I want you to hide yourselves on your wagons, I have a plan." you reply, repressing a predatory grin.

By nightfall the wagons are rolling from the town, its civilians scared and hiding, though to the eye it simply appears that one last shipment of lumber is being sent from the village. By the end of the second day your maniple had settled into the ruse of being townsfolk, though the most of the soldiers grew up in larger cities, so their approximation of village life, and the conversations they carry out just in case any scouts are watching are vulgar and comical to observe. By the end of the third day, the clouds are black, heavy and growing in number. On the fourth day you can feel the footfalls milling about outside the village, and on the fifth you have an estimate, seven hundred, seven hundred elves preparing to take this village. Wulf is looking up into the clouds as he and Lena luxuriate on top of one of the more solid buildings roofs, his face concerned and thoughtful. You move to see what is on the boys mind, but Aurelius and Bellatrix having another half playful argument hinders your progress, and by the time you disentangle yourself from the spat the younger couple is gone. By noon you know that the battle will be this dusk, and the sensation quickly spreads through the maniple.

>gah, I got work and class in the morning, so I'm gonna call it here
>someone archive please
>I'll be back tuesday at 9pm server time
>if you have any cq/setting questions just email me at [email protected]

I think this might be the first battle where we actually outnumber the enemy. However, they'll have elementalists with them, so this might be our hardest battle yet.

And if one of them is an air elementalist, things will get very interesting. I can see it now: Wulf and an elf, dueling with lightning, while armies clash in the background.

Perfect heavy metal album cover.