>>14550369
Bloody hell. They more than double our numbers. If my numbers are correct, we have around 4.2k in troops not counting the city guard.

How far out is the enemy from the walls/river crossings? If they're not across the river yet, how many crossings are they going to use?

>>14550369
We need to get everything that we can, all supplies we can get our hands on, inside the walls, and close the gates.

Also, were we able to clear out all brush and cover for several hundred feet around the city's walls?

>>14550409
>>14550413
seconding these

>>14550413
Agreed. If they're already crossed the river and in force, there's no point trying to engage them. Get whatever we can inside the walls and prepare for the siege I guess.

Also, I recommend we save using Degrians battery until they try their first real assault. Save it as a nice surprise on what it can truly do. What's the range on it relative to our manogel Pax?

>>14550562
>I recommend we save using Degrians battery until they try their first real assault
I agree. That should get us some nice casualty figures.

>>14550589
And if we're lucky, it might let us take out some siege engines. Even more important so we don't have to continually have elementalists repairing the walls as much.

You sigh, you expected to be outnumbered, but its still allot of soldiers to deal with "For now move all the supplies we can inside. Be sure not to fire off our balistae batteries until the assault proper begins."

the commander and your aid nod "Will you be holding another command staff meeting soon sir?" Sansa asks.

>yea, the enemy is about half a day out.
>the balsita has a range of roughly 500 yards

>>14550637
"Yes, order a command staff meeting in one hour. Have all forces sent to their combat stations."

Is there are a war room or some similar place in the governor's villa we can use?

>>14550666
Pretty much. Perhaps get some observers on the wall to get an idea on how they're dividing up their siege engines/forces regarding the city as well for our meeting.

rolled 18 = 18

I think not only close teh gates, but reinforce it on the outside AND inside with earth elementalism literally enclosing it in a safe earthen barrier so that all siege damage will prove pretty much minor and minuscule. Earth elementalist tries to tear down the earth around it? We counter by just putting it back up.

Pax, which of our gates have been sealed? Which are still open?

Get all of our supplies and men inside. Close and lock the remaining unsealed gates.

>>14550728
Worth doing at least on the east gate. I'm just concerned if they decide to focus on the walls rather than the gate at that point.

>>14550744
>when that was mentioned you had said you wanted to wait to seal them

>>14550782
Well fuck. We have a day to seal all the gates but the one most inaccessable one. DO EET.

Our forces:

City Guard
500 city guard

Garrison
Legionary 200
Legionary 200
Light Spears 150
Dwarf Light swords 150
Archers 200
Dwarf Scouts 100

Justinian
-196th Legionary
-454th Legionary
-98th Warlords
-76th Deadeyes
-50th Dwarven Scouts
-65th Dwarven Rangers
-House Garlian Uursan Cavalry
-House Morzitus Heavy Cavalry
-Blacktusk Raiders
-The Sunstorm (elves)
-Celtron Guard (Dwarves)
-Daimus Skywings
-Neftius Spearmen
-Dentrus' Raiders (elfs)

Seventus
47th Legionary 200
254th Legionary 200
371st Legionary 200
237th Archers 200
240th archers 200
56th Lacertan Light 120

City Nobility
-House ? Griffons
-House ? Light Cavalry
-House ? Heavy Cavalry

City Mercs
-Torins Blades
-Cronus' Longbows
-Forents Finest

rolled 89 = 89

>>14550771
The thing about knocking down a wall though, we get pre knowledge of it starting to fail, usually. Therefore we can have teams at the ready to try to fix whatever is wrong. Also, "breaking" down a wall doesn't completely knock it down. The bad part about an army trying to storm a town is that you have to climb up a mound of uneven terrain and rocks just to get into a kill zone. After that, I could see a team of earth elementalists hurling boulders into the breach until a make shift wall is made.

Updated with unit strength. Ranged units labeled with (*).

City Guard
500 city guard *

Garrison
Legionary 200
Legionary 200
Light Spears 150
Dwarf Light swords 150
Archers 200 *
Dwarf Scouts 100 *

Justinian
-196th Legionary 200
-454th Legionary 200
-98th Warlords 150
-76th Deadeyes 100 *
-50th Dwarven Scouts 100 *
-65th Dwarven Rangers 100 *
-House Garlian Uursan Cavalry 50
-House Morzitus Heavy Cavalry 30
-Blacktusk Raiders 60
-The Sunstorm (elves)
-Celtron Guard (dwarves) 150
-Daimus Skywings 20
-Neftius Spearmen 120
-Dentrus' Raiders (elves) 185

Seventus
47th Legionary 200
254th Legionary 200
371st Legionary 200
237th Archers 200 *
240th Archers 200 *
56th Lacertan Light 120

City Nobility
-House ? Griffons 50
-House ? Light Cavalry 50
-House ? Heavy Cavalry 100

City Mercs
-Torins Blades 150
-Cronus' Longbows (dwarves) 200 *
-Forents Finest 175 *

rolled 51 = 51

>>14550881
Griffons can be ranged if need be I believe.

Pax, at the staff meeting, could you give us an update on how many of the city guard have been equipped with repeaters?

Also, since we have half a day, will we need to roll elementalism to seal the gates, or can that be waved as us doing it carefully over some time?

I say:

Cavalry in reserve.

City guards on one wall.

City garrison on another wall.

Our regular forces on another wall.

Seventus's forces on another wall.

All the merc units fill out the weakest points as necessary.

>>14550948
The city guard will be cut apart. Leave them inside the city to watch over the traitorous houses/keep the general peace. They got training but I don't want them in combat unless necessary.

>>14550948
Not much point having a bunch of guys with swords and spears on the wall at all times. They can get up there for assaults to repel attackers, but otherwise they would just be in the way of the archers and take un-needed losses.

Errata:
-The Sunstorm (elves) 185

Should we count units with javelins as ranged units? I doubt they have enough javelin ammunition to last a city siege.

Both of our elven merc units also have javelins. All air units seem to have javelins.

>>14550975
seconding this, they can be used in more productive ways than fighting

>>14550976
Fair enough. If it ends up in a siege situation, we can't have all the archers up on the walls anyways. People need to sleep eventually.

I'm mostly talking about how to deploy when siege towers and ladders start going up on all four walls.

You nod, before setting off to see that the gates are sealed. The East gate is the only strong gate, with its solid granite and oak outer goate, and paired meteorite inner gates along the 20 feet or so of tunnel under the fortified gatehouse, a pair of Degrians balistae emplacements on the top of the building. Its only weakness the fact that a battalion can march through the space in formation. The north and south gates are solid, though rapping on the oaken gates you can tell that they are not solid all the way through. the western gate is in terrible shape however, the bottom edges molding and chipping of their own will. Thinking on which gates to seal you head to your staff meeting.

The room you used for the last one is full, no one is arguing, simply looking at the small model of the city, and all the markers for uurlanthi troops to the east, Blackbird sorting through them, slowly, clearly taking care to not misrepresent the situation. "What is your plan, Commander?" Wulf asks calmly, itching at his tattoo of Eagos windswept path, the tail of his service tattoo almost touching the top of his new tattoo.

"We wait, of course. The city guard will stay off the wall keeping the peace and archers taking shifts at the wall." you reply just as calmly.

"I suppose you will want me to unlock the city arsenal so that you can wheel out the handful of catapults that survived the last governor?" the captain of the city guard asks, almost sounding disappointed.

>>14551137
More siege equipment? Yes please. Anything that we can use to hurl rocks and flaming tar at enemy siege engines.

>>14551137
"That would be a good idea. Also, don't sound too discouraged that I prefer your men work on keeping order. The populace is familiar with your men, and will be more agreeable with them then the soldiers whom just came into town and took over."

>>14551137
Every little bit helps.

Have Degrian take a look at them, see if they'll fly to pieces when we fire them.

>>14551137
"If possible. Any siege weapons we can knock out or casualties we inflict will help. And don't be disappointed your men are not on the walls captain. I need your men to ensure the noble houses under watch don't try anything funny or no one tries to free them. If the enemy have any infiltrated elements in the city still, I expect your men to deal with them and cover the backs of the men on the walls."

>>14551137
"Yes, all the more siege engines, the better.
"Don't worry, captain. There shall be enough Uurlanthi for everyone to get their share of kills."

>>14551137
Also guys, I think we should improve the western gates with our elementalism rather than the east gate. The west gate is most likely to fall since we couldn't replace it. This is assuming we can only fortify one at least, which is most likely.

>>14551245
I agree. Besides, this is looking to be a long siege. We will have time to reinforce all of the gates, as long as we survive the first few days.

>>14551253
Indeed. Once the eastern gate looks like it might be breached, perhaps we should add some spikes or something to stop troops from marching through that gate in formation as well.

Why don't we do something REALLY mean with the west gate like putting up a stone barrier behind it?

>>14551308
That's what we meant by using earth elementalism, heh. And welcome back. Been awhile since you've posted.

>>14551337
Not really. Just a long time since I felt like namefagging.

>>14551308
I suggest dozens of stone columns within every gate's tunnel, placed close enough that a man can't squeeze between them. Why stone columns rather than a sheet of stone? One, they let our archers shoot out from between them while incoming arrows will mostly be deflected. Two, boulders or rams will not be able to shatter them all at once like they would with a solid stone wall. Where one gigantic boulder will break a stone wall it will take a few dozen of them to shatter the individual columns due to the way force distribution and absorption works.

You smirk "Yes, captain. And dont worry, before the siege is out we will all have our turn at these dogs."

The captain nods his thanks and acknowledgement. Blackbird looks up at the same time "I have my full report ready, Commander. It still is not fully accurate, but with a small allowance for error it should help our planning. Would you have it now?"

Seventus and Gaius nod, the latter speaking up "I would rather have an approximation of their forces composition before I lay down my suggestions for our defense when they make their assault."

>reposting the city map for you as well

>>14551419
Yes, we need Blackbird's full report.

>>14551428
Agreed.

You nod to the orc, who stands to his full height, an effect that still unsettles the captains not used to the old clan orc yet. "We counted two units of knights with flying mounts, griffons and pegasi. Six more mounted, horse, velociprey and uursan, mostly heavy though a few light. 17 units of peasantry, levies and archers, though with the lack of discipline, or coherent uniforms in the units those are where I most likely erred in my count. Of sergants and armored sergants 15 battallions, like the levies I counted no more than a third of them equipped with spears, pikes or halberds. I counted five units of men in full plate armor, though they lacked the heraldry of knights." by now most of your captains are clearly stifling laughter at Blackbirds attempt to speak with such a formal voice, as it suits him poorly. "I counted an additional 4 units of longbow, and after my attacks at most 6 units of elven bowmen and blademasters. They hid their supplies and siege equipment to the inside of the column, along with the guard of their commanders no doubt." he finishes sitting down, looking to you, somewhere between apologetic and hopeful, at which point you remember that he has been out of the city, and does not realize that the man who would regularly be your superior is a man you intend to have punished, and most likely killed.

Gaius saves you responding to the orc "they will use the men at arms and blademasters to set a foothold with siege towers. The levies" he spits the word out "will have ladders and hooks and attempt to overwhelm the north and south walls."

Quintus nods "No doubt they will use their cavalry and spears to keep us from salying any direction but east. They have the numerical advantage and will be more than happy to use it."

>>14551645
We can use more conventional weapons against the siege towers, and city garrison troops to fend off the levies. I think the better trained veteran units would be better to stop any blademaster or veteran Uurlanth units that are successful in getting on top of the wall.

Also, Pax, how many repeaters were we able to produce by now?
We could have the City Guard armed with repeaters on AA duty.

>>14551645
At this point I think it might be best to have Seventus' units take the north wall/south wall, the city garrison taking the other wall and we focus on the eastern wall since we have the largest force. Keep the city mercs to be sent to whatever front needs it and we can have a few units guarding the west wall and have scouts ready to alert us if any assault occurs on the western walls.

>>14551747
I'll agree to this. Also seconding the suggestion to give the city guard repeaters as mentioned in >>14551723

Flying Cavalry:
1 griffons unit
1 pegasi unit

Cavalry:
4-5 heavy units (horse, uursan)
1-2 light unit (velociprey)

Light Infantry:
~17 levy infantry and archer units
(< 33% with polearms)

Heavy Infantry:
15 armored sergeant units
(< 33% with polearms)
5 full plate armor units (men at arms?)

Archers:
4 longbow units

Elven Forces:
2 elven archer units (was 5)
4 elven blademaster units

Plus:
siege engines
commander bodyguard units

Levies....


"Blackbird, were the levies wearing shoes?"

>>14551747
Obviously let's get Gaius' and Seventus' input before we say this is what we're doing but I think it's what we should suggest at the moment.

>>14551780
>archers were 7/8ish, are now 5/6ish, sorry if that was unclear

East wall:
Justinian regular forces

North wall:
Seventus forces

South wall:
Merc units or city garrison forces (whichever is stronger)

West wall:
Merc units or city garrison forces (whichever is weaker)

>>14551801
An excellent question. Caltrops are fairly murderous on the right kind of fighter.

>>14551747
Sounds like a solid plan. Barring any objections from Gaius or Seventus, seconding it.

Also, and idea: night-time incendiary bombing raid by the Skyriders using moon-eye paste.
We do it very rarely, though, because of the limited amount of paste, and because the birds have a much lower tolerance for light when using it.

rolled 97 = 97

If Wulf is there, I want to take him aside and basically ask him, if he feels confident enough, that given enough time, would he be able to actually conjure a storm. When I say enough time, I mean having him, sit down, in a room, and doing nothing but meditating/communing if at all necessary to conjure a storm, in a few days time.

>>14551884
This is a good idea. I recall that we had discussed the possibility in the last session, I think, or perhaps in the IRC.
Not only would it demoralize the enemy, it would also get us fresh water.
And if the enemy doesn't have any air elementalists, Wulf could attempt to send some lightning strikes right into the enemy's supplies and siege engines.

rolled 72 = 72

>>14551905
Indeed, and I do mean, give him all the time he needs, the siege is probably gonna last a couple of weeks, if not longer, so I suggest him taking as long as he really needs to be honest. Though a few days would be wonderful.

God damn Uuranthians! Get away from my schitty wall!!!

You think for a moment before stating your plan "My maniple will watch the eastern wall. Quintus, the northern gate is yours, and the southern the city garrison" you turn to look at the captain of the guard "You have the western wall, though I want the mercenaries in the city to do as much of the work as possible, enough of your men to keep the wall secure, but do not shirk your duty to keep the peace. Blackbird, did the levies have shoes, or were they barefooted?"

"A mix, most of the archers however, were barefooted. some of the more veteran units had boots even." the orc replies after thinking for a moment.

For a while there is silence before Laelith speaks up "I do not have enough fire elementalists to keep the entire city secure from any attacks using fire. where should we focus our attentions?"

Sansa adds "The well you added is already taxed with frightened citizens and plebeians, and with the flow of water I doubt our source will allow for a second."

rolled 75 = 75

>>14551987
The market doesn't really concern me, keep to the housing districts. We told the merchants to take down the free standing wooden stalls and buildings so that it would lessen the fire there, and it pains me to say it, but I don't really care about that district, it can be rebuilt with minimal cost compared to homes of hte citizens of the empire.

Start having the smiths produce shittons of caltrops immediately, to be deployed via air mail. Then talk to wulf about seeing if he can summon a storm.

>>14551987
Concentrate the fire elementalists in the housing districts; homes are harder to replace than shops (psychologically speaking).

If Wulf can bring us a storm, that should allow us to store up some more water.

Finally, I wonder if we should have some caltrops prepared. If we can have the Skywings doing night-time air patrols, they could trap the area around the city with caltrops.
The Uurlanth teams tasked with clearing them away would have to do so while under fire from our archers, and if they attempt to move their own archers up, many of them might find themselves with some Degnar iron in their feet.

>>14551987

Something I've been cooking up.

This is a rough idea for a caltrop launcher which can be easily used with a catapult.

The basic delivery mechanism is a barrel fitted to be able to split open like a jaw and filled to the brim with nasty metal stuff.

The barrel is attached to a length of rope and this rope is wound around it. The other end is then tied to the catapult and the barrel to rest on its delivery basket.

The whole idea behind this system is to be able to rapidly seed a large area with a good number of maiming devices away from the city walls without endangering our soldiers or fliers.

This can easily be used right before an incoming assault, leaving the enemy with no time to de-mine or bring up protective footwear without first retreating.

It is also, very simple to manufacture.

>>14552118
FUCKING BRILLIANT. You've got this shit covered.

>>14552118
I suppose it could work. We'll need Degrian, and possibly also Kyria, to work out the calculations needed for it. We could run it by them to see if this thing is feasible.

So, second for running this idea past our engineers, and seeing if it has merit.

"The houses" you reply to Laelith without hesitation "A home is harder to replace than a shop... at least to the mind." you turn to the captain of the city guard "As acting governor I am decreeing that all blacksmiths are to craft three score of caltrops before tomorrow is done, I will compensate them for the iron, and will send one of my men to collect them at dusk." finally you turn to Sansa "I suppose there is nothing we can do about the well, except ease the civilians minds." you salute the table, signalling that the meeting has come to a close, and the room quickly begins to empty as the defenders of Northmont set about the tasks you gave them. You catch Wulfs arm as he makes for the door. "Wulf, I have aquestion for you."

"Yes, commander?" he asks as you release his arm.

Once the room empties you ask "Do you feel that you could call a storm to us? Have your skills advanced that far?"

He shakes his head, smiling "I cannot, but one is on its way. I can feel the front lumbering across the plains, large and heavy. Why work for something that will come freely?"

You nod in agreement "Do you know when it will arrive then?"

The smirk lessens "Before two weeks are out at best, though not before we are out of food." he salutes you, and heads from the room, idly stretching his arms and neck, already preparing for combat.

-----CQ-----

By the time the enemy force arrives, you have the western gate sealed from the inside. Sansa strides up to you salutes and announces "The enemy commanders are outside the gate, under a flag of truce, midway between what is most likely their main camp and the gate, to be precise."

>>14552242
Alright. Parley. I always enjoy that and kind of wished we had that chance with Lord Stant. Let's go talk with them. I guess we best leave Seventus behind just in case they do try something sneaky. Assuming he wants to go.

>>14552242
Alright, let's go out and parley.

>>14552356
Take along Gaius and the city garrison commander.
Full dress uniform.

>>14552372
Seconded.

You return Sansas salute, and plant a kiss on her cheek as you pass her to collect Gaius and the COmmander of the cities garrison. The three knights are waiting for you in the middle of the burnt field. the one in the center is in deep blue armor, a spear and half of the Kings Star on his shield, which is planted in the ground by his sword, some bastard son of one of the kings relatives, a greathelm on his head, though the visor is up. His features scarred, but aristocratic. To his right stands a small blond-haired, full bearded knight, his cloak sea-green, and flowing around a circleshield and longaxe, a wicked looking combat axe on his belt, its buckle the prow of a ship, axes crossed over it. To the left of the central knight stands a tall, thin man, in full plate save his right arm, which is in a mail sleeve. A yellow cloak hangs from his shoulders, a skull bleeding from the eyes with an arrow running vertically through it his emblem, a great yew longbow on his back, a broadsword on his hip. The third knights features speak of malice and uncaring coldness.

You plant your sword and shield in the ground as the central knight has already, and at that, the man speaks "I am Sir Diumus Florenth, commander of this siege by order of Lord Trebian Karroll, Marshal to King Garius The Third. You will strike your standards and surrender Northmont to us, and your lives will be spared, whether by ransom or through slavery. You are outnumbered, do not control the skies, and the rest of your pathetic countrymen will soon rout from the eastern edge of the Ceberath. My terms are reasonable and generous to you, your men and the smallfolk of the city you so foolishly hold."

"Hmm, yes, that is a good offer, and very fair. However, I think I have a better one. How about you turn your force around, and just walk away. I'm fairly certain victory will favor me here, and that you simply haven't heard of me, before. You see, I am Commander Justinian Trentz, also known as the midnight dragon."

>>14552493
"I am Commander Justinian Trentz, Third finger of the Left Fist of the Second Praetorian of the Degnarian Empire. Your terms have been heard and rejected. If you strike your banners, lay down your arms and leave Degnarian lands for the rest of your lives, you'll have spared your men the fate of throwing themselves to death against these walls and destroying your armies. Of course, I have no problems if you do decide to do that. My collection of Uurlanth banners can never be too large."

>>14552493
"I am Commander Justinian Trentz, Third Finger of the Left Fist of the Second Praetorian of the Degnarian Legion, and military governor of the Imperial city of Northmont.
"My offer is that *you* will strike your banners, and surrender to me, and your lives will be spared. Your freedom to return to your nation will be ransomed.
"I will outmaneuver you, I will outthink you, and I will fertilize Degnarian soil with your corpses if you persist in this foolish endeavor. Your supply lines are thin, you are in hostile territory, none of the harvests are ready and so there are little supplies to forage.
"My terms are reasonable, and I suggest you take them while they are so generous."

>>14552493

"Of course not! We've paid good rent for this spot. If you'd like to stay as guest we could help you all boil your bottoms before you leave, else you'll remember the nice river you crossed earlier? Home is that way. Now go away or I shall mock you a second time."

So many good options.... I'm feeling keen on having a serious introduction followed by some jovial mockery.

You smirk before responding "I am Commander Justinian Trentz, Third Finger of the Left Fist of the Second Praetorian of the Degnarian Legion, and interim military governor of the Imperial city of Northmont. Your terms are heard and rejected, so I will offer my own terms. You will strike your banners, and return from whence you came, and if you do I will allow you your lives should you swear to never again take up arms against Degnar. Your supply lines are thin, and you are in hostile territory before the first harvest has been reaped. Much of it not even planted in this region from the work of the late Sir Klethis." behind the men you can already see trebuchets rising against the sky, most likely assembled and transported all the way from uurlanth. "However, should you persist in this folly, I will outmaneuver you, outhink you, fertilize Degnarian soil with your corpses, add your banners to my growing collection."

"Your terms are heard and rejected as well." Sir Florenth replies "I will enjoy sending you to the far side of the Bleak Coast, drakeling." he adds, though the threat rings hollow somehow.

"Home is east, across the river." the commander of the garrison quips as Florenth pulls his blade and shield from the ground "The Midnight Dragon will have your heads on stakes before the month is out." though a grin directed at him from the knight with the yellow cape silences the commander.

"Your dragon will be slain just as all the others were." the bearded knight taunts back.

"If you have become lost we can send a tracker to lead you back to the river. Now leave our cities shadow, or we will continue our taunting, you dimwitted, dull-tongued uurlanthi dogs." Gaius picks up for the still unsettled garrison commander. The bearded knight lunges at Gaius, who simply raises an eyebrow, laughing as he turns to follow you back to the gate.

>so, what do you want to see to first now?

rolled 33 = 33

>>14552865
I've always wondered this, why put men on the walls, and not keep them in cover if they are about to be bombarded? I'd only have them on the walls when they began the march towards the actual walls, to clear any casualties. Don't know if that is plausible or not, but hey, just sayin.

>>14552865

Get blackbird out of the city.

He is to do anything he can to irritate, harrass the enemy without exposing himself to too much enemy retribution.

His priority will be to deny the forest to the enemy but trapping and killing those who attempt to get more wood. If they come in force, fade away after trapping the hell out of the place. He should use the tunnels to escape and just go about making the enemy's nerves taunt.

>>14552865
Get Degriand and Kyria working on those caltrop launchers. Anything that can slow down their advance and give our men at the walls more shots is useful.

I wonder... Can we make something that would work on cavalry?

Seal the gates. Seal the effing gates!

>>14552865
First thing is to check the siege engines. Do we have anything that can strike at the enemy trebuchets?

Then we need to make sure that the archers are ready to go up to the walls.

>>14552923
Yes, Blackbird needs to get out of the city NOW.

Maybe he can even intercept some Uurlanthi supply caravans? Foraging parties at the very least.

Make sure our battery operators know that for now they should only fire them as if they're normal ballista and reload them slower than they normally can be done. That way we have a nice surprise for their first major assault.

>>14552930
>>14552931
>>14552976
Seconding these three.
We should be able to delegate and therefore get all of these done within the hour.

>>14552930
Make a caltrop big enough and it'll foul up hooves as much as it will feet.

>>14552930
Caltrops are mainly used against cavalry. Caltrops, by themselves, would only slow down enemy infantry.

Of course, we've learned that caltrops + earthquake = crazy delicious.

See if we can get an alpha strike on the enemy trebuchets with our own siege engines while they are still being assembled. Hopefully we take out some of their engineers as well.

>>14553089
Well, in this case, we have some deliciously non-footwear clad levies and archers coming at us. Shit's going to fuck them up good.

Also, a very good psychological and ranging tool.

Fire a bolt with some bright coloured streamer tied to it.

Having it land upright in the field sends a clear message: "Cross this line and forfeit your lives."

It also lets our troops know when our artillery can begin firing.

As you walk through the main gate, it slams shut behind you, and four heavy steel bars slide in place with resonant thuds. In the gloomy torchlight you can see the murder holes in the ceiling, and archery slits in the walls, ancient, deep carved runes all along the inside, a few glinting in the scant light. The second gate slams shut behind your, and more locking mechanisms can be heard slamming into place. You pass over steel grating, mechanisms milenia old holding back blades and spears, more murder holes, arrow slits and runes, as well you assume, though only the glow of eyes enhanced with moonseye paste is there to light the tunnel. A third gate slams down, and natural light again floods the tunnel at this end, again the defenses are visible. As you pass into the city the last gate slams shut and locks. To your right Degrian, Kyria and their engineers are going at the catapults, three left untouched, six torn apart, the beginnings of a trebuchet forming from their least rotted bones. Before long you have them working on your idea for a caltrop delivery system. as you walk up to the wall, and then through the now covered top walkway to the gatehouse, Aurelius intercepts you. "Commander, you need to see this." he announces. You move to the forward most point at the top of the house, and accept the telescope, one of the originals imported from the duchy, to your surprise "Just at the edge of our burn line." he explains. You see it plainly, a series of elevated wooden platforms, perhaps twenty feet off the ground. Enough space between them for a full battalion of elven archers to stand on top of them.

"Is that enough height to..." your question is cut off as the knight in the yellow cape loses an arrow, and a full flight of longbow shots sail up, past the field, and over the wall. they land amongst your busily working defenders, and the tailwind that had been pushing them dies down.

"Fuck." you hear a deadeye exclaim behind you.

>>14553160

Get some flak board up now.

Our workers need to be protected.

Can we get some return fire going?

rolled 26 = 26

>>14553190
Flak boards, possibly if we can, like earthen shielding with our elementalism, we are gonna be tired sons of bitches but we have a job to do and we need to do it now.

We need defensive boards up here, now.

>>14553160
Get Wulf up here. Maybe they have an air elementalist. See if he can decrease their range.

See if we can return fire, maybe with fire arrows. We have the height advantage still.

Get all non-essential personnel off the walls.

>>14553266
That earth has to come from somewhere. Wouldn't this weaken the walls?

>>14553160

Get our ballitas to start pelting them with bolts at a normal unupgraded rate.

Let them know that they're not going to be able to do that without reprisal. Full spread.

rolled 67 = 67

Heh, just joking around in IRC, but what a publicity stunt would it be, if Justinian, just to spite the Uurlanthians raised the entire city a couple of stories. I mean, we couldn't do it by ourselves at this point. We would have to call in boons to Big G and Rayna at this point, but hell, the PR, the reduced casualty count, the priceless looks on the Uurlanth forces, and our newfound height advantage seem to me like a funny ass trade off just for using two boons.

You nod calmly at the man who swore, agreeing with his assessment of the situation wholeheartedly. You turn and head back down to observe the damage. A few plebian volunteers are on the ground moaning, arrows having passed through them, a few unluckies with arrows still buried in their bodies. You pick up an arrow, and immediately the stench hits you, the streamer of rotted flesh impaled on the tip. You swear to yourself, before ordering "I want arrow boards up NOW! And give me a return salvo on the Balistae, standard fire until at least the second assault. If you have range and accuracy a second salvo. And get Wulf over here."

-----CQ-----

By the time Wulf arrives it is just past dusk, and while the number of platforms has been halved, salvos still continue to streak in apace, still bearing their grisly streamers. "Commander?" he asks, garbed in his training pants, sword belt and sheath on his hip, a light layer of sweat glinting on his chest in the moonlight "Training, Collin has me going up against the city guards... I can still take three or four of them at a time."

Collin follows behind him "Only b'cause their still crap." he informs you.

"I need you to see if the enemy has an air elementalist." you order your protege.

Minutes later he returns "A good one, almost on my level, though it seems he did not specialize in lightning. I dont doubt that they have others, but I'm terrible with detecting other elementalists, so I cant be more accurate than that."

>>14553374
Hell, I'd vote for it if it could get some actual support.

>>14553400
Alright, Wulf needs to be readied to take that storm by the reigns when it comes in. He needs to keep control of it away from the enemy air elementalist.

I'd like to have the air elementalists come up here and see if they can team up and get a good wind going against the incoming arrows. At the very least, keep the enemy elementalist occupied.

>>14553400
Keep returning fire.

See if Wulf can counter the enemy air elementalist, or send a wind in the opposite direction.

Have our medicae and life elementalists see to the wounded. Stop the infections before this turn into full blown plague. Amputate if they have to.

>>14553400

Incoming arrows should be either burned or have their tinged heads cleansed in fire.

>>14553374
>>14553401

Heh, I'd support it as well just for the troll factor.

rolled 90 = 90

>>14553515
Only gotten 4 formal votes, one of which was in IRC, so 3 yay 1 nay, we don't even know if it is possible, but hell, anyone else wanna put in their two cents?

>>14553535
I'm against it, and you know Ngodom would be against it as well.

>>14553547

Same, against.

>>14553374
Ugh, no.
The amount of power that we would be asking for would come with a price tag that I think is too high to pay.
You're asking for a city to be raised more than just a few meters if you want it unassailable by infantry. They can just get taller ladders or grappling hooks, same as before.
In order to be unassailable, you would have to turn the city into a tabletop mountain, which, while being unassailable, would also trap us.

So no, I'm voting against this preposterous plan.

rolled 95 = 95

>>14553554
>>14553553
>>14553547
and the nays have it

also, taller ladders = longer time to climb
just saying

>>14553507
Yes. Get Laelith up here. Burn the arrows in flight. Between her and Wulf and the arrow catcher boards, we should be fine.

>>14553400
Try detecting enemy earth elementalists ourselves.

>>14553578

Fire won't stop an iron/steel/othermetal arrow heads very well.

>>14553633
No, but our primary concern right now is the infectious grime they have on their arrowheads.
We need to prevent sickness from spreading through the city during this siege.

"Wulf, I want you to try to counter that elementalist, I realize that the winds are not your domain, but..."

"I'll try, commander" he replies, shaking his limbs loose again before heading back to the top of the gatehouse.

-----CQ-----

The next day passes uneventfully, with Laelith, her fire elementalists, and Wulf working to stem the steady tide of arrows, and the Life elementalists and medicae ensuring no diseases are spread it becoms a simple daily exchange of fire. Every day your men knock down the platforms, and every morning they are repaired or replaced. The trebuchets begin slowly ranging the city, and the enemy cavalry and spears encircle your position, cutting off any escape.

By the third day you can see tall shapes on the horizon, and on the fourth the siege towers are at the back of the enemy camp. On the fifth and sixth trebuchet and smaller catapults add their weight to the exchange of fire, and groups of peasant archers foray into the burn zone to release a a volley or two before fleeing to safety. Two days later a second group of siege towers can be seen on the horizon, and all the other siege weaponry is accurately pounding the walls, or crashing into the market district. Soon they will start the assault in earnest. Fire and oil will rain down on Northmont, constructs of wood and steel will advance, its walls will be slick and bright with blood. Not this night, but soon. You think to yourself as night again begins to fall on the besieged city, soldiers and guards anxiously await that day, yet secretly, you fear it. Once they reach the walls, it will be hell to hold this city.

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

Archiving has been completed.