>The war, however, is not the only thing spreading chaos about the land. The gods, and the arcane are returning to the world after nearly 4000 years of having been thought dead. You, are at the forefront of those in the empire re-discovering that which has been lost for four millenia, and your ultimate goal is to become the Praetorian of the Divine.
>
>That office once thought lost to obsolescence with the disappearance of the gods, 1000 some years after the mortal races, humans, dwarves, elves, the cat-like felixsians, and the massive hulking lizard-men known as lacertans, killed the gods immortal servants on the mortal plain, the 6 Dragons, Elemental Patriarchs and Elemental Matrairchs 5000 years ago.

The rest of the ride out to your deployment zone was peaceful, and uneventful. And now, the relief force you are part of is within sight of the current Degnarian force in the regions camp. Much of the area to their immediate falnks, and before them is burnt off, but behind them, and a few leages ahead of them, the tall summer grasses reign supreme. At the very tallest the swaying plants would reach the top of a short dwarfs head, but later in the summer they will no doubt be over most mens heads. The grasses have been growing taller, as you come nearer to the front, as fewer ghorats, and herds of Yellow Bison, Tectorus, and Antelope are reluctant to stay put for very long.

One of the few spring-fed lakes that dot the plains is part of the camp, and from the looks of it, the commanders have either herd or seen you, and are riding out to meet you.

>>15437439
Alright, let's go out to meet them halfway.
Bring along Sansa.

>>15437460
sounds good to me.

>>15437460
Let's bring Jayne as well

You smile, glad to finally have something benficial to the Empire to do again, and motion for Sansa to follow you. You meet the three haggard looking commanders you are to relieve where the grass would be about waist-high on Kyria. Commanders Renol and Salvius as well as their aids are all on horses, Commander Agrenus is riding an Uursan the size of Spite, his Lacertan aid jogging beside him, having no difficulty keeping pace. The clear leader of the current Degnarian forces in the area breaks the silence following the exchanged salutes "Hail, brothers in arms! I trust you are our relief?"

Agrenus nods "Indeed we are. Have your foes departed this front yet?" he asks, cutting straight to business.

The leader nods "They fled north yesterday morn. Had they not, the Black Blade and Silver Star would still be flying to the east. Are the Rumors that you four are deployed to stop the Desert Lords from slipping by this front true?"

"Their in for a fight if they are. I fought the Desert Lords here in the last Skirmish war... and to be honest, would rather not do so again." a different commander, clearly the eldest of the men you are relieving, quips.

>>15437671
"If so, then before you leave, I would like to speak with you on their tactics and known dispositions.
"What can you tell of the terrain around here?"

>>15437671
That's what we're planning on doing, if you have any information you think will be useful, would you mind sharing?

Where exactly on the map are we? A "You are here" X would be beneficial.

The high grass should be helpful to Blackbird and his raiders when they need to sneak around.

We're probably going to want to expand the burnt zone around the base a little more, and create trap fields where the enemy is most likely to travel through.

>>15437714
Second. This high grass just neutered our air scouting though... Guess Blackbird and his boys are going to be some of our best scouts at this rate.

Should make our caltrops a lot more useful though.

>>15437740
Agreed.
Some symbols and a legend would be appreciated, mate.

>The Blue circles are the springs, the Dark red is the current Degnarian camp. The center green spot on the map is about mown lawn height, the next ring out is thigh high, the next waist, the rest is a grass sea.

You smile "Perhaps you would be willing to stay for a while and share with us their tactics?" you ask the man amiably, the rest of your peers nodding in agreement.

The old Commander sighs "They dance about just outside the reach of your legionary battalions spears. The ones from Sandsek make their spears just a foot or two longer than ours, and use that to poke holes in your phalanx. Their lightinfantry all run like elves, and their elves..." the old commander shudders. "They wear you down, and pick your formations apart piece by piece. Then the ones wearing the Golden Tower land the hammer-blow once your tired and frustrated. Whats even worse, when you try to charge them before that happens, their formations scatter to fall back before you make contact, and their cavalry shreds the out of formation unit. Its a nightmare, Commander Trentz."

The only non-human Commander of the three, a Lacerta decides to speak before you can reply "Your Orc passed through three days ago, he told me to inform you that he was making good time, and had an idea of Vohzd Lennis location after speaking with the Vohzd of a different Ghorat. He said he would return a day ahead of your foes forces."

>>15437949
"Very well, let's get camp set up and relax a bit before war calls us into its steel embrace once more."

>>15437949
If the enemy uses special longer-than-normal spears, maybe we should do the same, and give them a nasty surprise. When they're expecting standard Degnar issue spears, we use a phalanx formation with spears that are a foot longer than theirs.

Oh Pax, did we purchase the horses that we were going to use as payment for Vohzd Lennis? Or are we just going to have to give him regular gold coins?

>>15437949
"Does that mean we should expect them all to work closely together or do they switch out their location along the line?"

Also that's good news about Blackbird. I want to let him off his leash soon though to wreck havoc on their archers of cavalry.

>>15437949
Do their spearmen use tower shields?

>>15437998
Some sort of crazy spear-length arms war until we accidentally build pikes? sounds alright to me.

>>15438003
I was wondering the same thing.
Do they typically set their ranged units behind their spearmen and pick units off from a distance or do the two groups typically work separately?

Renol sighs "They work as a group then, not as individuals?"

The older commander you are relieving nods. Commander Salvius shakes his head "It is most frustrating when these dogs work as a pack."

"Jackals my friend," Agrenus laughs "jackals, they hail from the desert. Or very near it."

The other commanders and aides present all share a hearty laugh. Sansa breaks the silence "So, instead of simply using pikes, they opt for longer spears."

The older commander nods "And the knights fighting for House Ramon mostly have theirs forged entirely from higher metals, so that they can block swords and axes effectively."

You sigh "Very well, and thank you for your knowledge, Commander. I suppose we had all best begin the process of moving into, or out of our camp however, our soldiers are no doubt becoming restless with the waiting." All present agree.

-----CQ-----

It is early evening when the tired soldiers you are relieving are marching back to Degnar, songs of victory and riches bellowing from their well-ordered columns. Your command and personal tents are the southmost of the commanders, and a single, large tent where joint command staff meetings can be held is situated between them all. Agrenus maniple and personal tents are eastmost, Salvious northmost, Renols southmost, and your own southmost. A gentle glow from the large central pavilion tells that some of your peers are meeting there. Though, the light spilling from Agrenus' personal command tent betrays that it is Salvius and Renol in the main tent. All four maniples are settling in... and already the combined chefs of all four maniples have their workers running to and from the pond providing water for the maniple. Often, the runners will jostle or collide with each other as they run to and fro to collect water.

>>15438062
We keep the extra long spears hidden in the grass at our legionnaires feet, so that the enemy only sees the regular Degnarian spears.
Then, when they close to engagement range, we have our soldiers drop down and switch to the longer spears. Maybe even throw in a counter-charge if it looks feasible.

>>15438149
Oh, we should make sure that the area around the spring we get water from is cleared, and heavy patrols in place. Maybe even a trap field 500 feet around the entire spring.

Since the enemy has assassins and elves, I wouldn't put it past them to try to poison our source of water.

>>15438149
Lets go to the main tent to discuss our plans for the coming battle. Maybe we can ask how Salvious' water elementalism is doing.

>>15438186
This too.

>>15438149
I say we go see whose in the meeting tend and see what's going on. We should start thinking on where to put some traps and see what Blackbird has to say about it when he comes back.

>>15438155
As Pax pointed out in the IRC, how the hell are we going to get the wood to make these spears? The nearby trees wouldn't allow us to do it. We're going to have to make due with shorter spears.

On the plus side, once we get within their spears we should do better but it sounds like it'll be a painful fight if they use hit and run tactics. We might want to lend some of our earth elementalists to these guys at the front lines so they can help mess up the terrain in the battle so they can't escape so easily.

Are we in the dry season?

Have the enemy used any elementalists this campaign?

I would suggest turning the ground to mud and pits beneath their feet when they try to run, and then peppering the struggling soldiers with concentrated missile fire.

What would setting the grass on fire do? Or should that be used as cover by our Orcish Terror Squad?

>>15438343
Setting the grass on fire would likely hurt us just as much since the fire would spread all over. Something we need to be careful about and have fire elementalists around to deal with in the worst case situation.

>>15438364
Good point. I think we should have Laelith refrain from being in direct combat this campaign and instead work on fire damage control. Flame is going to be a potent weapon on fields like this.

>>15438364
When we set up camp then we'll need a fire-break in case the other guys starts setting fires, if we don't already have one.

>>15438246
>its summer, so yes. Early dry season tho, still plenty of water

Just as Sansa drops into the stool next to Laelith, and reaches for the small liquor rack on the opposite side of the table that the bookshelf your elven mistress is perusing, you motion for your aide to follow you. She sighs, stands, and obeys.

Inside the main pavilion, which dwarfs your own not surprisingly, as it must play host to the complete command staff of a full maniple, is quite empty, as only two men, and their aides occupy it, all of them seated at a small side table. "No Vibius, we leave the grass around our water the length it is. Both Justinian and Gabriel have anti-infiltration specialists aplenty. It makes an excellent trap, and we will cull their agents like moths to a fire."

Vibius sighs "I know, it just seems too great a risk. And that... mystic he brought. It makes me nervous."

Renol chuckles "Are we not comrades, brothers in arms? The man is no threat to us, and from what I hear was a retired Legionaire begging in the gutter Justinian hired him."

Burn them before they burn us.
Issue scouts armed with arrows that will take fire.

>>15438447
Use the grass around the spring as a trap?
I suppose it could work just as well.

>>15438447
"It's true. When I first met the man, he was about the sorriest creature I'd ever seen. Now? Now his life has purpose, and he moves with that purpose."

>>15438447
"I may have some people who excel at anti-infiltration but make sure your men are careful regardless. We can't afford to have our water source tainted. Once Blackbird has returned, we should begin planning how we're going to trap the terrain."

"If not in means, surely we all find a commonality in our service to our nation."

"We each have our role to play in securing the future of our lands. Every swordsman, every woman, child,... every mystic. United in purpose, like a hammer our country rises to beat the shape of the morrow. For our days are not given, my friends. They are forged."

"And so, again,... do not harden your heart to your brothers in arms. Embrace the present we all share, and the future we all hope to come."

You sigh, and drop into one of the open stools, SAnsa sitting next to you "Its true, he was, to be honest, a wretch, when I met him. Now he has a purpose, the same he had before he retired. His loyalty is beyond questions... and he will be one of those anti-infiltration experts I will offer to keeping our water-supply safe. However, I will very much like to trap the area around the water as well."

"How do you know he is loyal, he could be manipulating you?" Salvius asks.

Renol takes a drink of what your nose tells you is a very good Duchy Vodka, before asking "What sort of traps do you have in mind, Justinian?"

I wonder if we could have water and life elementalists monitor our water supply for poisons, and if it does get tainted filter it to purity. We should have them test that on a small scale to confirm if it's possible, using an animal or two as our test subjects.

>>15438673
Given that we can easily gather the supplies, is there a technological-ceiling when it comes to trap-making?

>>15438673
>How do you know he is loyal, he could be manipulating you?
"My actions are always available for analysis and examination, to see if they are detrimental and for evidence of mental manipulation. As it is, he's the wrong gender to be controlling my thoughts."

>What sort of traps do you have in mind, Justinian?
"Spike-lined pits, and little holes that will cause the unwary to twist their ankles, mostly."

>>15438673
"I'm sure you know all the men in your retinue, and I know the ones in mine just as well. I will hope you will take me at my word."

I would rather NOT reveal to everyone that our mystic knows absolutely everything we know. Just in case. Could make him a high priority target.

>>15438673
"I hired the man before my last campaign. He's had plenty of chances since then to harm me in a number of manners but has not done so. If he is working against me, he's playing a very long game but I doubt that's the case.

In regards to the traps, I was speaking more about the terrain in general - covered pits if we can camouflage them well enough. If not, I could get my elementalists to focus on making hollowed out areas of ground so any large units that march over it will collapse into it. With the grass as it is, caltrops would be quite useful as well."

>>15438673
"The first night, nothing beyond the usual lookouts. Then, for the second night, some rather nefarious holes I'm thinking."

>>15438746
Seconding the caltrops.

Suggestion:

If we can, before a battle we should have earth and life elementalists work in conjuction to prepare the field beforehand. Cavalry is a big deal in open fields, so we should make lots of pits and sharp gullies for them to break their horses legs in... and then grow the grasses up at the same time so that it looks like normal flat terrain.

They won't even know what happened.

>>15438832
I like this idea.

>>15438832
For the sake of discussion, how does everyone else think we can best strengthen our position defensively?

Should we consider some manner of "sandbags and ditches" line? In this case, long ditches and walls of sands to attempt to funnel our enemy?

>>15438937
Sounds good to me.

You shrug, and sigh "He has had plenty of chances to betray me since I hired him. He has my complete trust." without leaving room for any response, you turn to Renol "As to traps, the usual guards and caltrops initially. We will add spiked pits and the like as we begin to catch and slay more infiltrators as the campaign wears on."

Renol raises an eyebrow "I assume that your planning on using your elementalists for the latter, Justinian? Sending engineers into a caltroped field..."

Salvius nods in agreement "He has a surprisingly deep cadre of elementalists. Who I most certainly hop will be at the disposal of all of our maniples, as very few of ours were prepared to depart the academy when we deployed."

>>15438937
Worth doing if we intend to hold part of the line here. The ditches will be especially useful against their cavalry charges although us just putting holes all over the ground should help with that.

Something we could do the grass is cut it down on very long lines perpendicular to our lines. This way a siege engine can peer down the entire length of the gap. Anything trying to sneak up on us must either cross the gaps and be seen (night vision), or crawl through the entire length of the narrow grass strip.

If you have a hard time imagining this, think of a comb shape cut in the grass.

This allows us to "reveal" an area without cutting down everything and hide traps in what is left.

>>15438943
"As long as I don't need them critically to deal with anything behind our lines or at a battle, my elementalists will be available for use. I would ask to be alerted to what they're being used for just so I have an idea on how long they may be gone or how tired they may be on their return."

>>15438958
Need to think on this a little more. It would serve as a way to funnel them in a real attack in theory I guess...

>>15438958

You know, this is actually pretty smart. I like this.

>>15439015
Seconding.

>>15438958
Sounds like a worthwhile idea. Let's try it.

>>15438958
Do it. Good idea.

>>15438953
I am further interested in, perhaps, discussing the level of threat that each type of enemy unit poses and our best counter / manner of effectively dealing with them.
1) Enemy spearmen: They are more effective and effectively neutralize our own spearmen. We cannot create longer spears to rectify this. I propose stalling them and wearing them down with ranged fire and flanking attacks. Should we manage to funnel their forces, a scythe-like charge of cavalry would be rather effective. All in all, maneuverability will be key (as far as I see it).
2) Elven archers: Our forces have had difficulty with fleet-footed, long-range archers in the past. Shielded units in a loose formation are obviously a good option.
3)Cavalry: Impede their charges through careful use of terrain and spearmen.

Overall I place the line of infantry and spearmen as the biggest threat, closely followed by the archers. Given good organization and planning on our part, I think we can minimize the risk of their cavalry significantly.

>>15439057
Hmm. If our life elementalists CAN regrow the grass to cover any changes we do to the terrain, I wonder if we could make some tunnels from our camp to various points in the terrain. Camoflage the exits to these tunnels and that way we can just have troops appear in the middle of no where without them seeing us march em.

>>15439090
Your suggestion reminds me of the Ho Chi Minh trail.

>>15439121
That kind of was in my mind when I suggested it but I don't think we can afford to do the same thing as that at this point. Maybe if we had more time but not yet. Our earth elementalists should make it doable if we can camo the exits though. Blackbird might love them.

>>15439140
"Hey Blackbird, I just constructed some tunnels designed to expedite infiltration. Happy Founding day, my old friend."

"Doh-ho-ho. Thank you, Justinian."

>>15439154
Additionally, if people are concerned the enemy might use them against us, as long as we have people watching the tunnels and our earth elementalists nearby, we win. Collapsing the tunnel on the enemy trapped underground? Excellent. The only problem will be if the enemy have earth elementalists too I suppose.

>>15439181
Also if they were to get in the tunnels they could not retreat.

>>15439181
A lot easier to destroy than create, though. Collapsing a tunnel would be amazingly easy compared to you know... holding it up.

>>15439212
Indeed. But initially they won't know about them and I guess we could only make one or two. Use them once and only once and hopefully to great effect. Collapse them after that or trap them to hell.

You shrug "Provided that I dont have need of them for more pressing issues, I dont see why I wouldn't... on request of course." The other commanders both nod approvingly. "On the topic of elementalists, I have another, tertiary plan to deal with our water-source being poisoned. We can have our life and water elementalists screen the water for toxins, and purify it. Of course we will first test this on a smaller ammount of water and some animals, if you gentelfolk approve."

Salvius scratches at his head "It sounds like a good training exercise for myself, and a solid plan otherwise. I will support it."

"As will I." Gabriels voice chimes in. "Aside from discussing the water supply, did I miss any other important discussion?"

Renol takes another drink from his cup "No, nothing else."

"Aside from deciding that using the water as bait for enemy infiltrators will necesitate our not expanding the area where the grass h as been shortened." Salvius interjects.

Gabriel nods "Commander Trentz, your heavy repeaters, what are your plans for them, as I think that I have one. As well as one that involves your elementalism. What my maniples elementalists in training have told me is... fascinating."

>I know you guys already posted a plan, but now is your chance to make sure _everyone_ is on the same page, heh

>>15439292
"The heavy repeaters will likely slow me down and I imagine it would serve the front lines more effectively. I see no reason to not let you use them. What were you thinking about using my elementalism for?"

I believe the heavy repeaters are too slow but correct me if I am wrong.

>>15439292
Express interest in Gabriel's plan.

You lean on the table as Commander Agrenus sits opposite you "Do tell, commander." you reply.

He smirks "You or your earth elementalists could raise several firing platforms, and of course shield them, so that any approaching enemy units will be easy prey to your repeaters, both regular, and heavy."

You nod your head "My plan was to simply cut concentric rings out from the flanks of our camp in the taller grass, along with firing lanes that would allow the repeaters to easily fire upon approaching enemies."

Gabriel scratches at his bare chin "Life elementalists could quickly and easily create the network, and earth elementalists could depress the paths. Combined with my plan..."

>>15439466
Hmm. I see no reason why we can't do both. Surprised we didn't think of a platform after the siege. Oh right - Pax, do we still have the arcana the Stant's had acted like a proximity alarm? That might be useful too.

>>15439466
Project: Deathtrap, go!

One key to the plan I forgot to mention. We need to leave a clear causeway in and out of the camp. Otherwise we will be trapped inside the camp.

>>15439506
Oh, I had completely forgotten about those!
Good idea.
Also seconding the combining of our idea and Gabriel's.

>A quick reminder about the map, the area the camps is in is all burnt to hell and at about mowed-lawn height. this plan is for the flanks, where the tall grass is. Just so you dont chew my head off, I have told you about that twice now, update inbound unless this changed your mind

>>15439574
Raise earth elemental walls along the burned-down sides.

>>15439574
Caltrops, our normal style of pits and holes to mess up cavalry should suffice as long as they can be camoflaged for that terrain. That or the hollowed out areas of ground that will collapse when they're marched over.

>>15439597
Second.

You smile "And set those motion-detecting arcana in the remaining tall grass spots, making it even easier to slaughter any flanking forces..."

Renol chuckles "Your going to have to go a long way to intercept whichever Lord tries to sneak around us, as itd be easier to fill up Shintjas cavernous slit than to flank our camp, Justinian."

Salvius joins the mirth "This campaign may not be so bad. Should we begin setting the traps on the morrow then? We truly have nothing to do until our foes arrive." All men present nod their ascent, and after a few more drinks, all of your return to your personal tents, aides in tow.

>so, anything else you wanna do before the timeskip to your Blackbird/Lennis/the Desert Lords showing up?

rolled 61 = 61

>>15439695
Just some training in swordsmanship and elementalism I guess. Been awhile. I'll roll swordsmanship I guess.

rolled 70 = 70

>>15439695
Rolling for training elementalism.

rolled 100 = 100

rollan for mind defenses

rolled 48 = 48

>>15439799
Let's not get mind screwed at the beginning of our campaign. I think we should botch this.

rolled 16 = 16

>>15439799
Botch.

You decide to simply train yourself, body and mind, after the defenses are prepared. And, while you do not develop any bad habits, you know that you made very little measurable progress either, considering how advanced you have become with elementalism, swoardsmanship and mental defenses. Two days after the meeting with the other Commanders, Vohzd Lennis rides into the camp, being sure to follow the clear lanes you set up, and, judging by the sweat on his face as you walk to meet him and his riders, hoping those were the safe lanes for friends to take. "Commander Trentz!!" he greets you, swinging from his horse and wiping the sweat from his brow in one motion :It is good to see you my friend!"

>>15439873
"Vohzd Lennis! My good friend! Ready to take some more Uurlanthi war trophies home?"

>>15439873
"And it is good to see you, Vohzd Lennis!
"Tell me, how is your ghorat?"

Some light pleasantries, then we can get to the business of what forces he could spare from his ghorat, and if there's a way to network with the other nomads to create an early-warning network.

>>15439913
Might also want to see if he got that kid we sent his way.

>>15439924
Right. Nearly forgot about him. Thanks for the reminder.

"And you, Vohzd Lennis!!" you reply, accepting his proffered hand. "I hope that you have come to have your fill of Uurlanthi plunder again, my friend."

Lennis smiles "The horses are stong, and, if what the rescued slaves I have added to my Ghorat are to be believed, these Uurlanthi use the same sort of sword that we do, or at least some of them."

You lead him and his men into camp, as a group of Degrians engineers run out, all manner of strange contraptions carried in buckets and racks by them. "So, you have been enlarging your Ghorat then?"

He nods his head "With Dyrons Ford a smoking ruin, it is not difficult for us to raid the surrounding areas, though, it is becoming increasingly difficult, with another battle at that decimated city in the offing."

Any chance that we'll have time to get a fort up?

>>15440095
"That's good to hear, tell me, did you receive the... package I sent you?"

>>15440095
"Uurlanth paid a heavy toll for thinking they could make your people into meat shields. Thankfully, they have many more crimes they have yet to pay blood for. How many men can you bring to bear on this field?"

OH, yes, and ask him about the boy we sent his way.

>>15440095
"Ideally I'm aiming to smash these Desert lords that will be arriving and then pushing more into Uurlanth if we're in any condition to do so. Hopefully that'll open up more areas for your Ghorat to raid."

Then ask about the boy I guess.

Your smile widens "It is good to know that Degnar is not alone in her battle against Uurlanth. However, I am curious as to what became of..."

Lennis shakes his head "Had he found any other Ghorat he would have been cast aside as an outsider. He has a new name, and a caring family now. One that had recently lost a son of a similar age... though the boy is rather useless for one of his age."

You nod "It is good to hear, the poor boy would likely have died otherwise. How many men ride with you, my friend?"

Lennis shrugs "My First Fifty, the same as when we last rode together. The rest are needed to protect and provide for my now over-large Ghorat. Uurlanths predations are still small, but I do not trust them to leave us be... history has shown how often that happens." The answer is none, however, leaving it unspoken, and so worded strengthens the nomad leaders statement even more.

>>15440271
I guess brief him on what our objectives are and see if he has any input. If he thinks he'll be better off on his own for now or if he'll join us like he did last time.

>>15440304
Second.

>>15440304
thirded

>>15440271

We need to speak with the boy soon, find out how hes doing.

Also, we need to get him to write a letter to his brother to try and convince him to start his training, since all his family's hopes now lie with him.

>>15440304

Also see if the other Ghorat Vohzds are willing to join us to help repel the invaders or what the general sentiment of the other local Ghorats are.

You sigh "Work then, i suppose. We are simply here to prevent an enemy force from infiltrating Degnarian land. They are skilled light infantry, and experts at passing our lines in this sector... I really could use your men, my friend."

Lennis chuckles "And you have them, under the agreement that I am allowed first pick of any captured steeds, to a reasonable amount."

You smile "I am glad to hear that. Out of curiosity, are there many other Vohzds making war on Uurlanth?"

Lennis shakes his head, sadly "Many are still convinced that they can avoid the fighting as most Ghorats have for generations. After fighting alongside you however... I feel that I know a terrible truth that they do not."

Whats frightening is that he does. You think to yourself as the man splits off to guide his First Fifty to your portion of the camp.

>so, what do you want to do until the next important event?

>>15440380
Agreed.
Even if they won't join us or provide direct military aid, if they could inform us of Uurlanthi movements, that would be a great help.

>>15440466
Hmmm. Spend time with the girls and work on our mental defenses.

>>15440492
Think we should hit up Vi and see what she's doing? In theory everyone else has a role except her. Although I honestly don't know what to talk to her about at this point other than what she might want to do.

Think we should try for elementalism and swordsmanship again?

>>15440466
Do a walk-around of the camp.

Consult with the officers of the various units, see if there is anything that they need, want to share with me, or anything that they are worried about.

Once finished, retire to the tent and prepare both gear and mind for battle.

rolled 32 = 32

>>15440466
Rolling for another bout of elementalism training.

>>15440471

I'll second this. Also, let Lena and Bella talk with Vohzd Lennis. Its been a while since they have been with their old countrymen. Sure, Lena wants to be a citizen of Degnar, but for nostalgia's sake, let them talk and show the tribesmen that we are treating their daughters well.

rolled 47 = 47

>>15440466

sword training

>>15440503
Agreed and seconded. Check on Vi.

rolled 82 = 82

rolling for pet/mount training

rolled 60 = 60

Mental training.

Oh, dice gods. . . You fickle entities, you.

>>15440535
Pax, what are our options for elementalism improvement now?

Also, how far are we from being able to manipulate metals?

>>15440547
>>15440503
We should bring her some food, it's one of the things she likes about the new life after all. Then sit with her and talk for a while.

>>15440572
Or sense metals... cue jedi-level swordsmanship.

>>15440572
>>15440591
something I'd like clarified, myself.

You once again fall into a routine of training, and spending time with your harem. After two days, your know that your skill with the blade and elementalism has increased, however, your pets, which you decided to work with on a whim seemed bored and disinterested, and your mental training, while effective, was no measureable advance in your work to being safe in the divine realm.

The night of the second day of training, defenses finally set, you feel the familiar single-file line of large soldiers treading lightly and quickly, advancing towards your camp. Blackbird and his men are returning. As you rise to meet him, you notice Vi watching you. Knowing that the Blacktusk Raiders are still a few miles out, you could easily stop to talk to her if you so chose.

>Elementalism skill increase!
>Pick one!
>Earth Elementalism Tier 2
>Stone Arrow: 2 to 3 5 to 15 pound stone spikes launched at crossbow-bolt speeds
>general increase to Fissure skill potencies
>Stonesense general increase

>>15440639
Earth Elementalism Tier 2.

And talk with Vi, ask her what's up.

>>15440639
I think we should spend the evening with Vi, long talks about oh you know... her entire future... shouldn't be stuffed into the five minutes before one of our captains arrive.

Ask her if she would like to go for a walk or something tonight after we finish with maniple business.

I say stone arrows. Enemy air cav is going to be the biggest pain the ass on this campaign.

>>15440639
I'm saying the general increase to our fissures skill. IIRC, that's apart of the fissures tree in general and I rather have a power up right now rather than just unlock access to new skills. Especially since we're going to enter combat again soon.

>>15440639
Voting for unlocking Tier 2

Also, voting to chat with Vi, just to see how she's doing and her thoughts on what she wants to do with herself.

>>15440639
I'm making a vote to up us to Tier 2 and making smalltalk with Vi.

>>15440639

>>15440656
/agree
Tier 2

>>15440660
/agree
let's take some time out with Vi and bring her along since we cant have a convo before BB gets here I dont think

>>15440672
I thought we had our own air cav too to take them out of teh fight?

By fort, I mean a small, earthen one that we make with earth elementalism. We can combine it with the firing platforms idea.

Looking for our Master-Water Elementalist.

Need to find out:
1) How deep is the water table
2) How long will it take to draw water to the surface, With and without fissures
3) How much water can they move at one time, the area they can cover.

>>15440697
>I thought we had our own air cav too to take them out of teh fight?
We do, but the initial intel reports indicate that they likely still outnumber our air cav.
We have the advantage in our repeaters, but Uurlanth still has more air cav.

Oh wait, I thought Tier 2 wasn't a separate upgrade. Switching my vote to that.

>>15440708
Didn't we already raise stone walls around the camp? If not, we probably should, at the very least it will keep elf archers from seeing in from half a kilometer out and sniping sleeping soldiers.

Really, I have to say that none of those elementalism options are what we need. We don't need to become more powerful- we're already quite powerful, as elementalists go. What we need is to be more accurate, more disciplined, less prone to wild and crazy errors and more able to use elementalism reliably and casually. We keep boosting our power when what we need to boost is our control- yet improving that isn't even an option.

>>15440742
It'll probably be an option in Tier 2. Hopefully.

If it's too late for a fort, just erect earthen water-towers.

It's much easier to spot people moving through the grass sea from a slightly higher angle. You'll be able to see ripples in the "sea". An extra ten or twenty feet of height could be a big scouting advantage.

Pax, could we get a new map of the area, with our new defenses in place?

>T2 Earth Elementalism open
>T1 Fissures
>Stone Spike: combat capable. largest possible 17' L, 7' C
>Rend Earth: combat capable. largest possible 26'L,8" W, 10' D
>Quake: combat capable. richter 7 over a 60yd circle
>Wall: combat capable. 12' high, 8' wide, 14'long
>Impact: combat Capable. 26' C circle instantly drops 8'
>Sculpt Stone combat capable. re-shape 200lbs of stone , can affect new forms accurately

>T1 Terrakenisis
>Stone Launch: up to 8 rocks double the size of a childs head, baseball pitch speeds

>StoneSense:
>__passive__ 3 mile area, decent numbers and size of things on the ground in theat area. within a half mile rough guess building layouts and materieal, can sense metals within 500 feet

You walk over to Vi "Something seems to be troubling you, pwerhaps we can talk after I see what BLackbird has to report?"

Vi tilts her head a bit, before responding "That would be... nice. Justinian. It is alright for me to call you that, right?"

You smile warmly "Of course it is." is your reply.

Some twenty minutes later, Blackbird and his raiders come jogging into camp, effortlessly avoiding your traps like the experts they are. They look as ragged and run down as men who had spent the last decade on the run, excluding the plethora of hand-made baskets and cages, no doubt filled with all manner of interesting plants, creatures, and trophies. The dying sunset makes them look somehow, glorious, yet terrible, creatures of slaughter and death come to give your arm strength. "Commander, assemble whomever you think appropriate, there are some 15000 odd angry uurlanthi that want nothing more than to get to grips with me and my clan before we arrive here. i feel that they will be angry when they arrive tomorrow."

>>15440843

Grin like a madman.

"Well done Blackbird. We'll have to hear of your exploits in greater detail."

Summon our fellow commanders and a few of their aides. We'll bring our sky cav commander, Jayne, sansa, Laelith, Vi.

>>15440843
>Stone Spike: combat capable. largest possible 17' L, 7' C
Actually, just put a ladder and a crow's nest on one of these suckers. Instant watch-tower.

>15000 men
... Oh dear.

>>15440843
"Ah, Blackbird, you always know how to make an entrance.
"Please, get your men rested, then come to the main command tent so we can plan with the others."

Get runners to get the command staff up and to the command tent, inform the other maniple commanders, and put the current guard on alert.

>>15440843
What. Is all this mess. Blackbird.

I fully approve of luring the enemy into a prepared killing field... but we need time to prepare the field for the killing! Argh!

>>15440898
Didn't we already trap the heck out of the general area?

Not his fault. It's not like he didn't tell us he'd have the enemy on his tail by the time he returned.

start making night vision paste by the bucketload!

They will be on us very soon, so I vote for hitting them with a night attack using all of our pooled aircav. Just a simple hit and run, rain bolts onto them, paying special attention to the grounded fliers.

Don't reveal the iron arrows just yet.

>>15441045
Why not? Hit them with it now and they won't have enough air cav left to copy the tactic.

You let a feral grin slash its way across your face "Excellent work my friend. Have your men.." you pause as a woman, garbed in the same tatters and rags as the rest of the raiders after leaving the inland swamp, jogs past "and women rest and stow your... supplies safely. And walk with me to the main tent." Blackbird whistles, and you nod to the nearest soldier, who sprints off to collect the other commanders.

-----CQ-----

Fifteen minutes later, all four commanders, their aides, and Blackbird, the latter smelling VERY strongly of orc, swamp and death, are in the tent. Blackbird, true to form cuts straight to the point. "I do not know banners well, but I know numbers and direction, and have my own sense of art, believe it or not. Those under the Banner of the scorpion number some 7000. Roughly 2000 cavalry, including four groups of pegasi. the light cavalry easily outnumbers the medium... none heavy. Of infantry the Scorpion Banners had just under 4000, all of it light, very few spears, many elves. At the most a thousand archers, no elves. I targeted this, largest force the most, as it is clearly a Major Lords army."

"Vistyek sent just under a third of his forces. BAstard is overconfident, or hedging his bets." Renol interjects, recieving a brief glare from Blackbird, but the orc says nothing.

"Confident, he probably doesnt want his peasants getting too rich." Agrenus replies derisively, spitting to emphasize his feelings on the subject.
>cont'd

Blackbird takes a long drink of water and continues "The golden Tower had just below 3000 soldiers, though at least a sixth of that is mercenary archers. Of that lords own forces there were some 300 knights, medium to heavy, 3 units of griffon, though one looked to be the lords bodyguard. Another 300 odd medium horse, along with roughly 1000 armored sergeants, and one group of elven blademasters... he used to have three." the orc chuckles "His elven bowmen were better guarded however, and I counted at least two, spread out as they were." the orc takes another drink, and finally sits down. "The flowers and desert star was the least militant, though its camp was no larger than any other lords. 300 light cavalry all told, I could not tell the knights apart from the soldiery" he explains, shame in his voice "some 1500 levies, both infantry and archer, along with some 1000 medium mercenaries. The Final force, flying the Spear and Desert Star was comprised solely of spearmen. 300 odd knights, and an equal number of light cavalry. Just over a thousand spearmen on foot, with half of their number clearly levied peasants. Some 500 longbows, and an equal amount of mercenary archers. The whole force should arrive by midday tomorrow." Blackbird finishes, before downing his water.

"Well Commander Trentz, your traitor Uurlanthi seems to have told us true on our foes disposition, the question is, what to do about them now that they have arrived." Salvius replies, as Renol lets out a low whistle.

>>15441085
We show them the REAL meaning of fear.

Fill those tall grasses with traps and ambushes, killzones and crossfires. If we can get good intel, this fight is in the bag.

If everything else fails, pic related.

Begin elemental trapping of the battlefields now, and have Justinian erect some of his huge stone spikes to act as watchtowers. We'll need to ride to get this all done in time.

Suggesting we not use STEEL REHN until late in the campaign, or until our battles take one too many downturns.

Well, we're going to want the men well rested for tomorrow and they are already in bed. If they will be here by midday then that means we'll have all morning to prepare the battlefield. We should do the pitfalls with even-looking grass ideas, caltrops, and I suggest we have a bunch of wires strung between poles hidden in the grass, spring loaded by our engineers. When the air cavalry tries to make runs we flick a switch and they spring up, locking into place and bisecting the flyers.

After we make the plans let's not forget about Vi. We still need to take a walk with her, maybe outside the edges of the camp around the oasis so she's not troubled by all the life-signs of the camp or whatever.

Can we please postpone any actual decision-making until next thread? Most people are gone and the rest of us are about to drop unconscious.

Just thank Blackbird for his work.

You sigh "Thank you, Blackbird, be certain to get plenty of rest along with your men, its certain to be an early morning and a long day. Gentleman, it would seem that we have much planning to do."

The other commanders at the table nod in agreement. "And as our foes are all medium infantry at the heaviest, they will rest up quicker, and, unless Blackbird and his raiders run as fast as a Velociprey, they will be in just as good of energy as ours come midday." Salvius opines.

Renol takes a drink of water "So you expect the battle by midday as well then?"

>allrighty, heres our stopping point then I guess
>someone archive please
>I'll be back sunday at 9pm server time
>if you have any CQ/setting questions just email me at paxcomquest@yahoo.com

>>15441080

Traps, fissurise the area.

Though I would actually want a nighttime raid of steel arrowheads+follow up with fire arrows.

But agreed, let's hold off decision making till next time.