>bump, since this is gonna be a slow start, but the fighting has arrived again, I promise

>>12730557

Bumping for Commander Quest.

Do as we last discussed yesterday. Send a sum of money to the Orcs to help them out.

We'd also better go check out what that parcel is.

>>12730650
I can support these.

You make your way out of the complex to see a messenger in all crimson... a parcel from Emperor Drentius? you take the package from the messenger, who salutes and rides off back down the street. On the outside of the brown leath3er wrap is a note reading "Not all impressive feats obtain the recognition they deserve, but most of them still receive the appropriate reward." it is hand scrawled, clearly dictated to an over-stressed aide, but it is there, nonetheless. You make your way back into the barracks complex, where a small crowd gathers around you, you unwrap the package, to find a banner pole, and a large, bronze X.V.III, (tenth legion, fifth cohort, third maniple). Clearly intended to replace the steel designation standard that most maniples, including your own, carry with them on campaign. It is by far not the highest of accolades the Emperor can bestow, but it is still far and away greater than any of your peers and the noble houses would expect you to receive.

>it was 2k from your personal funds, correct? and anything else before you march?

>>12730805

We need to bring along degrian and organise a short meeting with our fellow Maniple commanders and their most technically minded of their carpenters.

If we're going into a battle against a a larger host, we must transfer to them the knowledge of the repeater crossbow.

They're gonna need it against flying clav.

>>12730854
I recommend against that. The invention still needs to be tested and unless we have actual results from battle, they're not likely to adopt it. Nor will they like us thinking we know better than them at this point.

Beyond that though, I cannot think of anything else to do... And yes, it was 2k from our personal funds.

>>12730871

Fair enough. Have been dreaming up more crazy battlefield strats to try.

Did we manage to find that life elementalist?

>Where is everyone?

>>12730805
In addition to the 2,000 from our personal funds to be sent to the orcs, can we take Degrian aside and begin talking about long-term projects?
I'd like him to begin thinking of ways to automate or somehow make easier the hauling of goods and supplies over long distances.
Perhaps personal transportation devices which can be motivated by the rider, and their strength amplified by the usage of gears (bicycles).
Anything which can make our entire maniple move faster while tiring less.
(once we have a maniple of cyclist legionnaires, we develop Leonardo tanks).

>>12730805
We'll need to have our flag-bearer switch out the old banner and pole. But what should we do with the old one? Return it to the Legion? Or keep it as an extra? Or have it stored at our estate?

After instructing your men to pack away the old standard in storage, you head out to the city and hire a messenger to take a small box (loaded with 2000 dragoons) north, and to see that the box reaches the Sullen Mountain clan of orcs. You leave him with the last location of the clan, and where they were headed when you last heard of him. It costs another 250 dragoons for such a lengthy, difficult run, but considering how much you are gifting away it isn't that bad. Once you return to your barracks complex you set out to march with the rest of your Cohort.

After a few days of riding at the head of your Maniple, Commander Nomz rides up to you on an abnormally large Velociprey. "How do you plan to hold your objective, friend?" he asks, clearly enjoying the warm light, and the heat generated by the harness studded with brimmstok stones, and now wants to talk, as Lacerta with no work and plenty of heat are wont to.

>>12731027
My idea is to set up a base camp from a commanding height, with obvious fortifications. The enemy will need to attack that position, or risk being hit in the rear if they attempt to bypass it.
High mobility units and cavalry will have been stationed such that when the enemy is engaged with the base camp, our cavalry will flank the enemy forces, catching them in a pincer attack.

If they don't take the bait, then cavalry units will harass their supply lines as our heavier units maneuver and form a defensive line.

How's that strategy sound for everyone?

>>12731027

Strong fixed defences at a chokepoint. Before the enemy even get near it, we will be conducting night raids and setting traps across much of the area away from our defensive positions. Through judicious usage of them, we can funnel our enemy into preprepared positions from which we can slaughter them.

The enemy will be far from home and unless they intend to forage, we will be attacking their supply train to make their life that much harder.

>>12731089
Pretty much what I had in mind. Of course, we have our scouts out as well to track any incoming units/isolated units to see if we can pick them off but I see no real issues with what you suggest.

I'm glad we picked up those signals from the barricades in the tunnels underneath Khalless' ruins. That should let us signal our units scouting from a distance/let them signal back to us. That or the flare rings which we still need to test out.

>>12731113
That's right.
Hey Pax, please remember that we will be testing out the flare rings and the signal beacons on our march, so that we know their limitations and how to use them most effectively.

>>12731103
Based on the terrain, I don't think we can create a chokepoint unless we use a ton of resources to make them. Since we're supposed to protect the forest for the use of these supplies later, I'm not sure how feasible that is. The rest I agree with though.

>>12731089

>>12731144

There should be a way to artificially create one.

One strategy in seigeing cities was to leave a route open. If the enemy wished to break out, they would have no choice but to try their luck and rush through there. Even though it is probably a trap.

Still staring at the map and trying to find a good placement for it but doesn't look too good.

Otherwise the high ground will do as well.

>>12731186
The only way I could forsee it is if we made a ton of fissues but that would exhaust us and we don't know how long we have until our first engagement. And that's a lot of terrain to create fissues in.

One thing we need to ask our engineers and Degrian - can they cover the fissues with a false top so that non-heavy infantry would be able to move over them but heavy infantry or cavalry would collapse into it?

"I intend to set up a strong defensive point at an elevated position, so that the Uurlanthians will HAVE to attack me, or risk being struck in the rear after bypassing me. When they do come I will use my heavy infantry as an anvil, and stike the Uurlanthians with my cavalry in their flanks or rear. If they choose to not attack me, I will send out my faster battalions to raid their supply lines. All of this will of course be aided by traps scattered about the area in front of my position." You reply confidently, having already thought this over.

"An interesting approach." Nomz replies "What will you do if your foe attempts to go over you?" after a brief pause he adds "I do wish that I had geography to aid my battle, I fear it will be all blood, mud, and large engagements over open fields... I fear that the mercenaries I hired will not be able to fill the gaps my Berserkers will leave after the first month." Nomz pulls out a small stone pipe, drops some sort of powder into it, lights it with flint and steel, and looks to you for your response.

>>12731216

we can have men dig the fissures then we can fill them with earth spikes brah

>>12731228

if you ever need help, you know where to look for


what do we know about this guy? im liking him much better than the dorf or our rival

>>12731216

Speaking of fissures, theres a trick we can use just before a unit is engaged/charged.

While the enemy charges our lines, we use our power to open a small ditch. It doesn't need to be too deep or wide, just long enough for the entire length of the regiment. The front ranks will trip, the back ranks over them and the charge comes to a grinding halt in confusion.

We can then, if we still have the strength, close the ditch and trap some of them. Either way, we then countercharge the enemy.

>>12731228
Then we have the advantage of traversing smooth terrain to get in front of them as they labor over harsh rocks above us while we cut their supply lines and they starve. Nobody fights to control rock, they will have to come down some time.

>>12731228
I assume he means go over as in by air. "If they think they can bypass us via the air, they'll be in for a rude surprise. Half of my maniple is capable of ranged attacks. It's hard to say how your mercs will perform without knowing what the rest of your maniple looks like. If you're worried about the mercenaries not being able to take up the slack of the Berserkers after the month, you'll have to keep a tight reign on the berserkers and only use them to deliver crippling blows when you can. Divide the enemy if you can and deliver overwhelming force with your berserkers. It could help maintain their numbers past the month if they're not used as a front line unit."

>>12731234
I want to see if we can camo them so the enemy is more likely to run over them. If it's just an open fissues with spikes in them, we're going to have to force them into it.

>>12731228

Arrows, lots of them.

The enemies airborne calvary cannot carry alot of men but they can wreck havoc at our rear.

I'm testing out some new technology which I hope will be able to fill the sky with enough bolts to deny them passage through.

>>12731228
>go over you
I'm not sure, is he referring to enemy aerial assets that could simply fly over us? If so, then yes, he has a good point. The only thing we could hope to do is to chase after them with archers and keep them from landing.
If he means going north of us and trying to break through either his or Cornelius' maniples, then we can have our heavy and light cavalry hit them in the rear as our own infantry move to to assist.

As for what he can do in open fields, I can only suggest the creation of pit trap fields created under cover of darkness, and mapped so that his own troops can avoid them. Lure the enemy to engagements where the entire area is trapped, and they must either charge, be caught in the traps and be rained down upon by javelins before closing, or retire from the field.
In all cases, make the enemy come to you, and hold all advantages beforehand.

>>12731281
Oh definitely. I want to use that so badly against charging cavalry. That or spikes suddenly appearing and them charging into it. We're a cavalry units nightmare at the moment.

>>12731301

thats what i meant brah, have our men dig pits then we fill them with spikes and have degrian cover them

>>12731330
Completely agree. Hence why I wanted to ask him if he could arrange it so it would only collapse under heavy infantry or cavalry. That way we could lure enemy troops over them a lot easier with our scouts and such. Because what commander wouldn't charge a bunch of scouts with cav if he could?

>>12731330

Are these battlefield prep traps or just those meant to be scattered across the land?

If the later they should aim to main.

Kill a man you just have to bury him. Injure him and you have to spend more time to take care of him, else moral will suffer.

Hmm.... Gentlemen, we CAN trap the flying clav.

The calvary will fly over us. Then they need to land. The land behind us is forest. Landing in dense forest means they will crash and DIE.

Make some clearings while we're chopping down wood and they'll be sure to land there since landing directly infront of the forest behind us is a way to invite lots of arrows.

All we need to do is to prep that area for their arrival.

"If my foe attempts to fly over my postiion, I will laugh at him. Half of my maniple has some form of bow. On top of that one of my captains and a member of my retinue have managed to modify crossbows to fire at a rapid rate, it is not a tested technology, but I am confident in its abilities." you reply happily "As to your dilemma, I would imagine that sparring, flanking uses of your berserkers will prolong their lifespan during this campaign. If they do fall before the push begins, I would expect that the clever use of trapped fields and controlling where and when engagements take place should negate the loss." you reply "And should you require aide, contact me, and I will do my best to aide you."

Braeliush chuckles "You have the mind of a Stalker my friend; I like that." he looks over at you as he blows smoke from his mouth. He reaches into his pouch and produces another small pipe, and cloth pouch "Have you ever tried the SwampLizzards Toadstool, friend?" he asks, curious. Clearly done talking of work during what his mind is interpreting as discretionary time.

>>12731427
IT IS TIME

>>12731401

>>12731427
Ohshi- Let's try it out since I assume we have not. And I think this good sir deserves a shot of our special ale.

>>12731401
I just hope they don't fly completely past the woods. Then that wouldn't work but I don't think there's anything there to hit at that point... Worth trying out though if we see the enemy has flying units and I assume we'll be taking some wood for ourselves.

>>12731427

is it gonna get us fucked up?

if so smoke it just to be friendly

>>12731472
Oh wait, he likely already had the ale since he graduated from the academy too. Nevermind then.

>>12731427

First ask where it came from. What might be fun for a Lacerta might be deadly for us.

>>12731502
>effects different species differently.
>from what you've heard its effect on Lacerta is akin to that of Tobacco on humans.
>Elves get drunk off of smoking it
>Dwarves become insanely hyperactive and exciteable when they smoke it.
>Felixsians are immune to it when smoked
>to humans it is a relaxant, clears the mind, eases the nerves, and becomes addictive
>different set of effects when it is distilled into a drink

>>12731559

hit that shit son

and ask braeliush who his dealer is

>>12731559
Ugh. Worried about us becoming an addict... Try it out to be friendly but I don't think we should make this a habit or anything.

>>12731559

Guys, this thing is 'slaught for Dwarfs.

>Lets Dwarven Berserkers smoke before they charge. Watch the carnage.

>>12731595

to each his own vices i say

>>12731559

Take a puff or two as courtesy. Ask for some of the weed, saying we might want to smoke some more later.

We can figure what fun we can have with it later.

>>12731602

thats actually a good idea

Pax, what are the long term effects?

>>12731612
I consider our lady killing ways to be our vice. Having an addiction like this could be too problematic in the long run as a commander.

>>12731559
>>12731427
We need to hit some of that shit, son.
And once this is over, find his dealer so our dwarven heavy infantry can smoke it before a charge.

>>12731602
>>12731639
You guys aren't really going to consider doping up our men are you...?

>>12731612
Yes, but let's have Justinian stick with women as his.

>>12731648

hey, we havent slept with anyone in our maniple (yet)

and we dont go around acting like peppi le pew, or aurelius

>>12731595
One hit doesn't even addict you to heroin. I think we should also smoke some with Laelith some time. Heh.

>>12731631
>>12731639
>>12731648
>long term you simply want more of it. Eventually (after a few years of constant use) the users mind becomes only capable of one train of thought at any given time.
>I actually IS a fungus, not an herb, and Lacerta grow it often and sell it cheap as it is easy to grow in their preferred environments. The Duchy has outlawed it, and Elves do not allow its distilled form in the Guild Lands.

>>12731668

its not like its bad for them (once we know the long term effects)

i dont see a problem with combat drugs, do you?

It's rude to refuse a peer's offer of smoke but a puff or two will be socially acceptable. We shouldn't get addicted just by that.

Asking for some means we might we able to feed it to captives when we're interrogating.

>>12731668

Not for our current units, no. But its a possible application of combat drugs.

By the way Pax, you don't HAVE to rush back to the battles. It's Commander Quest, but the social aspect is fun too and ancient commanders (especially Roman commanders) were political forces in their own right, as well as superstars and public figures. I imagine the higher ranked we are the more we will be dealing with social interaction and strategic planning rather than conducting tactical battles.

>>12731691

are these long term for dwarves as well?

>>12731693
It's bad in the sense that it will rip apart the benefits of our army - organized and well disciplined. Giving them something like that would have them be berserkers and it'd be like we had a unit of crazy Finians. We saw how well that turned out...

>>12731675
>I think we should also smoke some with Laelith some time.
Noted for future reference.

>>12731664
>>12731668
I have reservations about this idea as well. I goes against our previous combat/command style of keeping a clear head and making use of initiative. Doping up our troops could make it harder to command them.

>>12731559
What happens when distilled?

>>12731731

wait a sec, px didnt say it drew the red mist over their eyes, he just said that it makes them hyper and gives them energy, which is a good thing in the heat of battle

once we know the long term effects for dorfs then we can get a verdict on this

>>12731745

I'd agree as well. Not for our current units.

It's application is for disposable shock troops. Say a 'Death Company' of dwarven Berserkers.

That would be fun.

>>12731774
Hyperactive and excitable. That's a recipe for people not listening to our commands or jumping the gun, even if it's not a red mist over their eyes.

Now, if you guys wanted to use it on the enemy... Totally different story.

>>12731781
>'Death Company' of dwarven Berserkers.
A penal legion, perhaps?

>>12731712
>horrific ones. Accelerates their aging to nearly that of humans (they normally live 500 years to humans 80ish if healthy... addiction does the division and applies the new rate of celular degeneration), it is devastatingly addictive, and plays hell on dwarves internal organs... bad shit for them smoked.

"I cant say that I have" you reply. Not wanting to be rude, you accept the pipe and pouch, offering Braeliush your flask. He takes a pull off of the flask while you have a few puffs out of the pipe. The smoke goes down like water, you feel no need to cough. You can feel the tension begin to drain from your muscles, and your few apprehensions about the campaign move to the edge of your mind after the second puff. That however, is all the more toadstool you put into the mouth of the pipe, and you pass it back as your Lacertan Comradde lets out a hoot and passes the flask back to you.

"How did you enjoy it?" Braeliush asks, taking another puff from his pipe.

"Relaxing." you reply.

"If you ever want more, I keep my own personal reserve of it, and will sell it to you fairly." Nomz replies. the two of you make smalltalk for a few hours, discussing alcohol, women, Braeliushs children. And he leaves you as a friend as the midday sun begins its journey west.

>straight into degrian then? or did you want to talk to any of your other peers?

>>12731804

meh, its whatevs brah

mayhaps we can only smoke it whenever we have lacertan guests or friendly meetings with braeliush

>>12731669
I concur, If it was non-habit forming I'd say hit that shit but I think Women and Wine are more the speed for our commander. We can't overthrow *ahem* I mean save the empire from the corrupt leaders trying to destroy it if we are stoned.

>>12731856
Degrian. I want my Gearpunk automata cargo wagons and bicycles.

>>12731856
Cornelius was our friend from the academy. Part of me wants to chat with him and see what he's been up to since. In theory, if we had lost that initial battle what happened to him might of happened to us.

>>12731856

oh shit

we just stumbled upon the meth of this setting

in that case, only administer it to a future Death Korps of Degnar

>>12731856

We should have just bought some on the spot. So many uses.

We'd need to speak with the commander of the Kyrtosh RapidRiders. We'll be relying on them quite abit in this campaign and we'll need to discuss what we can do.

>>12731900
Suddenly, drug lord Justinian.

>>12731856

degrian then the leader of the rapid riders then cornelius

>>12731887
Wait, I thought the guy we fought was named Cassius?

>>12731944
According to two threads ago, his name is Cornelius Pontius.

>>12731936

it has a certian ring to it, i must admit

but let's focus on the task at hand, mainly slapping uurlanth's shit

>>12731900
>for Dwarves at least.

The next thing you do is to put on one of the signal flare rings. You try to get it to work for a few hours to no avail. In frustration you punch the side of your saddle, and are rewarded with a bright red flash scaring Spite and nearly incapacitating your right eye. After a few moments you have figured out how to reliably make the ring fire off a flare, with a balled fist and a swift motion you can reliably fire off the bright red flash, at the ground of course, to prevent your peers from becoming aware of your arcana.

The next day you split off from Jaynes wing at about midday and head over to the cart Degrian is riding on. "Commander. How can I help you?" he greets you, looking bored at the ride.

>what do you want to start with?

>>12731964
The way I recall it, the guy we took our last test against was named Cassius.

>"Your overconfidence always was your weakness Cassius" you reply, moving your second hand to the hilt of your blade.


http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/12236415/#12239155

Cornelius seems to have been introduced in the past couple of threads.

>>12731993

speaking of which, Pax , what do we know about the composition of uurlanthian armies?

masses of peasant foot soldiers and heavily armed and armoured mounted nobility?

>>12732041
Making something to haul supplies/heavy equipment or do digging.

>>12732056
I think there was a mistake then because later on when we talked to him about tactics, he mentioned about when we faced him last on the field of battle. So unless Pax is referring to something we never saw in the past, I think it's him.

>>12732069

And making of siege engines. We should at least build one catapult.

>>12732069

seconding, as long as we can also find a combat application for these constructs in addition to being able to do whatever it is we want them to do

>>12732041
Possible transportation devices, vehicles.

Also, construction and engineering machines that could make engineering work faster and easier.

Also, I've been meaning to ask:
Can we get a physical description of our captains and the members of our retinue. I've been having trouble picturing them in my mind.

>>12732068
>>12731944
>Cornelius is a less than friendly rival from the academy, where Cassius was a bit more friendly with you. Shoulda' tried to make that a bit more clear.

>>12732068
yea, levied troops at the core, survivors of decimated units are normally trained into more skilled groups, highly skilled nobles at the top

Suggestion for specific elemental training:

practice turning a patch of ground (preferably as long as a battle formation is wide, roughly a knee in depth, and perhaps 4-5 paces wide) from solid ground to soft, unpacked soil of some sort.

If the enemy attempts a mounted charge, turn the ground roughly 50 paces out from our forces into the soft, unpacked soil.

cavalry charging at full tilt, be they heavy or light will suddenly find their mounts sinking into the earth and breaking their legs. riders will be thrown into the ground and very likely crushed by the weight of their own mounts. especially deadly against horses due to their relatively thin legs.

also, after the battle our forces will get to enjoy fresh meaty rations!

>>12732041
Start with improvements to wagons, and if gear systems can be used to amplify muscle power. We want wagons that can haul heavier loads while being easier to propel.
Additionally, something similar for solders. Sure it'll only work over level ground, but we're going to be on the plains.

>>12732129

i dont know why but i keep imagining jayne as being squat and short for some reason

>>12732128
We have to be careful in combat applications since he might freak on us if we do. They'll have to be used via indirect means I suppose, like part of the reason why I want something to dig is so we can have a way of digging under an opponents fortifications to either bypass them or try to make them collapse.

>>12732138

we also need to see if collin, blackbird, and wulfe can become elementalists

>>12732174

Just build them to be multipurpose, multi-finger hands and all that.

When shit finally hits the fan and we need to arm them, just hand them repeater crossbows.

>>12732162
No idea, I picture her as tall and lightly muscled myself.

>>12732218
Again, part of the reason why I don't want to do that is because Degrian would freak out on us and likely leave our employ. Keeping around expert engineer is better in my mind, especially if these repeater crossbows work out as well as we hope.

rolled 74 = 74

Why must the two quest threads I partake in be active at the same time.......curse my inability to follow two different threads at a time.

>>12732218

Also we had the discussion on what to do with our money.

One thing I came up with was making these constructs. Build workshops to build these constructs for civilian purposes. Hauling and such. We earn money selling constructs and when we go on a full war footing, reconverting them to military constructs hopefully shouldn't be too difficult.

>>12732162
I keep imagining Jayne as Aimo's character from Dragon Age.

Sansa I keep imagining as Leilana. o_o

>>12732288
Industrial Revolution in Rome, eh? I like it.

>>12732129
Jayne: Sculpted features, 5'8" with fair skin, medium length brown hair, usually tied into a tail or bun. "athletic" build

Sansa: Softer features than Jayne, more curves (being less athletic by a hair, and genetics of course) and lightly tanned. Shoulder length black hair. 5'6"

Collin: tall for a dwarf 5'4" (the average being high 4's). Wild brown hair, with full beard. Bulky muscles, usually in a white tunic and plaid kilt. pale skin

Wulf: wiry, short blonde hair, 5'8, fairly tan skin considering he grew up really far north

Gaius: Scarred old war vet, bald headed, built like a brick shithouse at 6'2", taned by the suns of many many of battlefields.

Cornelius: a young Gaius (fewer scars). Close cropped brown hair. 5'11"

Uurist: bulky muscles, pale skin, 4'8"

Finian: pale, aristocratic features, 4'6", neatly trimmed beard and hair, black tinted ever so slightly with a (now dark, hard to see against the black) blue. a series of brillinat blue razor-burns where his moustache should be.

Kyria: 4'3", very curvy figure for her athletic lifestyle. Left arm has almost no mobility at the shoulder. Blond hair, that is short and straight, about chin length with pinkish skin.

Aurelius: deep tan, 6'3", shoulder length blonde hair, "movie star" look.

>think thats all of em, progress post inbound

>>12732420
>Gaius: Scarred old war vet, bald headed, built like a brick shithouse at 6'2", taned by the suns of many many of battlefields.

"Well, I was wanting to ask you about some more long term projects" you reply politely.

"What project do you want?" Degrian relplies, looking eager to have a technological goal set before him.

"I was hoping you would be able to modify a few wagons that would be easier to move about. And knowing that you were working on automatons, I was hoping you may be able to craft a smaller automaton to help load wagons and and aid in other forms of heavy lifting." you reply hopefully.

Degrian clicks his beak before replying "The wagons I could make with time. The automaton, while I have the mind-cog... I lack the skill to assemble by self, and drawing plans not my strongest skill-set. Anything else I can help with?" Degrian replies, suddenly engrossed in the wagon across from the one he is riding in.

>>12732473
>bwahahahahaha!!! yeano. I'm sure you know what I meant. (in hindsight "Solid" would have been a better descriptor)

>>12732520
With enough testing, does he think he can improve the repeater crossbow design or make something new based off of it?

rolled 32 = 32

>>12732520
>>12732534
I'm actually very up for making emplacements or mobile auto loading ballista (sp).

Charging calvary? Incoming flying units? Bitchplease.jpg

>>12732520
"Do you think you could design some kind of smaller 'wagon', for a single person to use? Something that would help to support their weight, and make traversing long distances easier."

Yes, I'm getting at a bicycle. Ever since I read "Caesar's Bicycle", I've been wanting to see a legion of Roman soldiers riding bicycles in formation down a road.

>>12732534
"do you think you could improve on or make something based off of the repeating crossbows you crafted with Kyria?" you ask, as Degrian begins digging through his pouch for... something

"Make bigger, maybe make shoot faster but shorter, longer and slower... can make many things from design. That all?" Degrian replies, coming up with a wooden board, parchment and a pointed chunk of lead.

>>12732578
Hmm. I guess that's his way of saying "Shoo. I have things to design."

>>12732578

Mini siege towers. Movable, can hold about 10 men with crossbows.

When we engage the enemy in an open field, crossbowmen can climb up and shoot over the heads of our men.

We can whittle them down while they're trying to get to the front of the unit to fight. The whole idea being that crossbowmen are easier to train that normal bowmen.

This ties in with an idea I had which was assigning 10-15 men from our frontline units to man these towers. One per unit. They'll only be missed from the rear of the formation and they can still kill instead of waiting to move up and take the place of the fallen.

>>12732578
I think he wants us to make a design decision: long range but low rate of fire, short range but higher rate of fire.
If these are to be used in emplacements as anti-air and heavy support usage, I want Degrian to increase the range at the cost of rate of fire.

>>12732662

long range is best range!

>>12732633
>>12732662
"While I do have several other ideas, including small movable towers for archers to fire from, and a larger, better ranged version of the crossbow it seems that you are suddenly rather busy. so I will leave you to your work." you reply politely as you ride off.

>so, talk with Cornelius Pontius then? or something else?

>>12732727

the leader of the rapid riders

>>12732727
Leader of the Rapid Riders merc company, to work out our idea of using his units to scout, and of the possibility of raids against supply caravans.

>>12732727
Still think we should talk to Cornelius. He's the one next to us and we should try to coordinate at times if we can.

>>12732727

Pax, are our legionaries roman style short-sword/shield/philum? or do they have some sort of spear?

mulling over possible anti-cavalry charge tactics in the event of no support for the earlier unpacked dirt earth elementalism idea.

>>12732787

plate mail and tower shields with spears and longswords as their second option

The RapidRiders are going to be worked hard.

We'll be using them as scouts and independent harassment of the enemies' flanks and supply trains.

We'll also be using them to piggy back our rangers when they go out to set traps, increasing their range.

Based on this, we need to setup some sort of long range communication system.

>>12732787
>Legionaire: +++++. Platemail. Tower Shield (hardened oak w/steal studs) 6.5 ft spear, longsword

You make your way over to the RapidRiders position in your column. Near their front is a more solidly built elf on a more scarred velociprey, and you approach him. "How ken I help'ye Commander?" the elf asks, his voice possessing a syrupy quality. (think cajun accent)

>>12732825
Shouldn't be hard. Laelith can do almost anything with fire, so I assume patterned sequences of flares are no problem. We'll just make some simple commands, tell them to our scout leaders, and give each unit that goes out a pattern that they should look for prefixing each message.

>>12732856

name?

also tell him(her?) that when we make camp they need to come see me sfter their regiment is settled so we can talk about setting up patrols and raiding tactics

>>12732868

Scouts and raiders. Communication needs to be covert or they'll expose their positions and get killed.

>>12732856

Offer him a drink when we're done. Those will shed blood side by side are brothers.

>>12732894
They won't be communicating back, it will be strictly one-way. Us to them. We established long ago that we can't possibly do two-way communication. Yet.

"A name would be nice captain..." you reply cordially

"BastiusGlenth!" the big elf replies, offering you his hand, which you accept. "Ya'hired us on through one of my men, didnt'ya?" he muses to himself more than you, chuckling "Horribly rude'a me ta not introduce myself to you, sorry about that."

"Its no problem" you reply "I intend to make extensive use of your men during this campaign, scouting and raiding mostly independantly, so I was hoping for a chance to talk with you about a way to signal you when your afield, and not in combat." as you offer him your flask.

Bastius smiles "A'couse we can figure out some signals later tonight in fact." he replies, taking a drink from your flask before handing it back to you. "Mind tellin me whats in the flask Commander?" he asks as you put the flask back into the pouch in your saddle you keep it in.

>>12732972

i wish i knew myself bastius

timeskip to arrival of campsite please

>>12732972
"Wish I could. It's a little mystery I'm trying to figure out myself. I guess that means it's not from your lands."

>>12732992
>ahead to the forest? or talking with Bastius tonight (I was just gonna leave it at you can order his men to return, switch to raiding/scouting, ect ect)

>>12733043

yeah, forest

>>12733043

Aren't we speaking with Cornelius?

>>12733043
Ahead to the forest. Assume we come up with a system of flares or lights that are to be used from our basecamp to signal his riders.

>>12733071
Oh, we were going to do that, weren't we.
Well, what do we need to talk to him about?
Mostly that in order for the entire campaign to succeed, none of us can fail, so if one needs aid then the other should provide it.

The last day that your Cohort will be riding in a group you make your way over to the V maniples column, and seek out Cornelius Pontius. "What can I help you with, Justinian?" the maniples commander asks you.

>>12733103

.............why do we need to talk to him?

>>12733103

Wish him luck, tell him to send word if he needs help, watch the skies for flying clav and most of all, come back alive.

>>12733103
"I was wondering what strategy you will adopt to defend your designated area. I am planning on using a large number of trapped fields in mine, and I thought we should talk about it in case either one of our scouts ends up in the middle of the other's."

>>12733103

um, i guess somewhere along the lines of

for this campaign to work we need to cooperate fully

dont fuck me over cornelius

"I merely wanted to wish you luck, and let you know that if you need aide you should notify me, and I will do my best to help." you reply to the slightly icy greeting.

"Very well, I hope you will be able to find success as well. and I will attempt to aid you should you falter." Cornelius replies before riding his horse off to a different part of his column.

A few days later you pass Flumenos, and within two weeks you arrive on the far side of the forest you are to defend. A few figures in the distance, already growing smaller, luckily they turned to run as soon as the front of your maniple broke the forests border.

>map of the forest area, where do you want to set up, ect ect.

>>12733207

Dispatch the RapidRiders. I want to know who those people are.

If their scouts are already here, we're in trouble.

>>12733228

As in apprehend, if they don't resist, and bring them back for a chat.

>>12733207

what is the highest point on the map?

going along with>>12731089

>>12733233
>>12733228
I agree. At the very least we need to know if Uurlanth forces have already made it this far.

But priority should be on gathering information of enemy forces and positions

>the small circle is a hill, and the highest point. The band its on would be next highest, the areas immideately bordering that band the next lowest, (it gets progressively lower until the rightmost line, which is the average height of the valley.

You motion call for the RapidRiders, and quickly order them to capture at least one of the fleeing figures you saw in the distance. Shortly afterwards you assign the scouts and rangers to see what they can find in the area, and look for signs of Uurlanthians.

>>12733329
I think we should place our base camp on the top of the hill, facing the east, with a good view of the north and south.
It's close to the forest, though, so we can't afford to let the enemy past us.

We could try to position ourselves more eastward, and it would give us more breathing room between our front-line and the forest, but the location will not be as defensible.

>>12733393
cut down some of the forest for fortifications as well then?

>>12733407
Yes. We were told we could use the lumber if we could harvest it, and we will likely need it.

rolled 40 = 40

>>12733407
What is the red dot again? and I assume the highest point is that small gray oval right?

>>12733393

im thinking a fortified camp at the top of the hill with a big ass watch tower at the center of the camp, we can have our scouts and rapid riders and the raiders setup outposts in the area surrouding the hill

if they see an enemy column approachingthey give us a signal, the watch tower reports it, and we intercept the uurlanthians

or if they have numerical superiority (which im guessing they do) then we hole up in our hill-fort

we should also put a ballista at the top of the watch tower, or something along those lines

>>12733430
the red dot is the Stone Fort that ties off your cohorts part of the line

>>12733441
The raider camps should easy to disassemble; we want to use them as bait if possible, so if it looks like they're about to be attacked, then our units should pull out.
That'll also mean that not much supplies are left at each outpost. What supplies are left behind when our raiders retreat should be spiked with poison, though.

>>12733441

A catapult might be more useful when we're dealing with masses of infantry.

A way to signal our camp without the enemy finding out.

For short range, take a lamp with all sides but one covered up so you can't see the light.

Aim the glass segment at our base camp and fire the flare into the lamp.

Directional lighting.

>>12733556

im not saying actual outposts, just a couple of men and some tents patrolling and keeping a look out for uurlanthians

I suggest we place our fort where I put the X on the map. It gives us a wide view of the terrain below us and it'd prevent anyone from using the terrain to blow our archery fire like if we went on the highest point.

>>12733571

but would a catapult fit on top of the watch tower?

After about an hour the detachment of RapidRiders returns to the hill, reporting that it was just some of the people indigenous to the valley. By nightfall most of your scouts return, reporting that the enemy camp is currently near the base of the valley. Except for one group, down 3 men, they report an enemy scouting party is approaching. Skirmishers, bowmen and a small wing of Men At Arms on horseback. They estimate that the enemy force will arive by early morning at the speed they are moving. Degrian and your Rangers claim that you have cut down enough wood for a basic palisaide around your camp, and to erect a tower roughly 40 feet high, with a deck that can comfortably fit 20 at the top of it. They can begin work in the morning.

>updated map with your position, enemy position (about a day and a half from your position)

>>12733578

Actually, X should be where we first engage the enemy. Skirmishers can use the height advantage to fire arrows and bolts into the approaching enemy and falling back once they're close.

We then engage them the moment they climb up to our height.

>>12733592
We need to take out that scouting party and capture some people. Since they have cavalry, we're going to need to use our own cavalry to stop them from getting away. Good thing we got the super fast raptors. I think we should aim to hit them when they're in the middle of the open plain - hit them before they get too close to scout us out so they don't retreat.

>>12733578

im guessing that the plus signs are scouts and raiders and rapid riders

if we go too far into the plains we run the risk of being surrounded with no support from the other maniples

having our base at the hill affords us a better view of the area especially if we build a watch tower on it , and how would having the base on a hill mess up our archery?

>>12733600
If they're scouting, they don't need to get that close though. They'll likely just get close enough to get a visual confirmation on what we're doing/where we are set up, which is why we need to sally out and hit them earlier.

>>12733609
Nah, the + signs were elevation stuff. It was from last thread where I was asking Pax if I was reading the height differences correct or not.

>>12733592

ALL CAVALRY SALLY FORTH AND SURROUND THEM

kinda wished we had sprung for those borlan horse archers last thread

Is there any chance of hitting them at night?
I'd rather have as many advantages as possible.

>>12733672
Aye. Get our faster cav in the rear to flank and hit anyone who tries to escape? It'll likely not be possible to stop anyone from getting away but if we can take them out before they scout out our position, we have the advantage when their main force starts to march.

I want the black circle mined to hell. We do not engage on the same elevation, ever. Leave a small path though, know only by our men.

The RapidRiders raiding force (Most of them, about 2/3s) should follow the red line of attack. A fire arrow attack by cover of darkness. After that scatter engage in guerrilla raids against scouts and supply trains.

The pink areas should be mined as fast as possible. If we have to choose, leftmost field first. Funnel them to us so that we engage them around the blue cross.

Also prepare wooden logs smeared in tar.

Flaming rolls of doom.

>>12733655

maurauders, cornwall mercs, scouts, hunters, and rangers come too provided they can keep up with the cav

can fluffy and scaly keep up with jayne's wing?

if you sally forth with all of your cav you could hit them at night, at about the center of the curve in the area they are currently crossing. And what cav units do you want where? (remember, Velociprey + horses = panicked horses)

>>12733688

we can do all that, but right now we have to concentrate on taking out hte scout force they sent against us

>>12733707

can our lighter units come too?

as for what cav to bring, why all of them!

uursan and rapid riders charge the camp at night, esperitus raiders pick off any survivors

>>12733707
Bear cav and our horse cav hit them from the front. Have the velociprey break off and come in from behind and engage the enemy horses as soon as they can or at least try to get close enough to disrupt their men. Bear cav can take the main charge with the horses trying to focus on flanking or hitting the lightly armed archers/skirmishers.

>>12733707

All our calv. Main charge will be our Uursans with Horses. Velociprey to assault any units that isolate themselves.

Our detachment must move at the speed of the slowest, the Uursans. Have our horses and velociprey give a ride to one of our light units since they'll be travelling slowly as well.

>>12733759
between the two units they can move 110 men for the unit getting a ride, who do you want?

>>12733786

hunters and rangers

>>12733786

A 100 men from the Cornwal Mercs. Spears against horses, shields against arrows. We should bring along our 'hero' units to bolster them. Sansa, Collin and Lelith. Not sure if we should bring Wulf.

>>12733817

This, of course, means that the bowmen are a priority target to be destroyed by a good calv charge.

>>12733817
On the chance that some of them may escape, I'd rather keep the fact that we have a fire elementalist secret until we get hit by their main force. I think Laelith should stay behind. Bring Kyria and her Rangers with their repeating crossbows instead.

>>12733829
Then I'd suggest we leave the rangers behind. Save the surprise of our repeater crossbows for a bigger assault. Just send in normal scouts instead of the rangers and the rangers can get to work.

>>12733829

If they escape, we have all our cavalry there. We'll just chase and hunt them down.

Lelith is there just as a ace in the hole incase shit hits the fan. Probably a good idea to keep her in reserve.

>>12733853

Whats the equipment of the scouts?

I remembered they didn't seem to fare so well last campaign when they got charged.

>>12733893
Axes and crossbows I believe. And honestly, they shouldn't get charged in the first place with all the cav we have. Also, I don't think we should assume we will capture/kill everyone. Best be safe and hold back our trump cards in the chance someone does get by.

>>12733893

they have shields and hand weapons in addition to normal crossbows

and the force we're going up against has no melee dedicated infantry, so yeah bring the scouts

and laelith can ride with us, but what about the rest of our retinue?

will sansa and laelith both fit on Spite?

>>12733893
leather armor, crossbows, circleshields and combat axes.

and I just remembered that I have to be to a class by 8:30, so I hat to do this to you guys but we'll have to start the first battle of this campaign next session. :(

archive please, I'll be back wednesday at 9pm server time

>>12733923
you could fit another rider on spite easilly, two if you get creative. and yea, your aurachnospecs should be able to keep up with the uursan, provided you arent going at combat speed the whole time

>>12733923

The scouts is only a 100 man unit. We have 10 places left over.

>>12733966
We don't HAVE to bring a full compliment of troops. This is only a scouting party and if we hit them at night, it should be enough. Doubly so if the velociprey cause their horses to go nuts in the initial attack. The confusion that would cause might be enough to make this simple.

>>12733955

Screw that. Sansa can sit behind us. Lelith can sit on our lap.

>and let the trolling begin again.

so, All cavalry wings, Sansa, Collin, and the scouts will be sallying forth at the start of next session to take the Uurlanthian scouts. correct?

and could someone archive please?

Thread has been archived.

In regards to our plan - it sounds about right.

>>12734093
thanks, and g'night. I'll be back wednesday guys

>>12732420
Well I missed most of today's session, but thanks, Pax.