>>843273
>>"Let's talk about the centre."

Cheers, QM.

>>843273
>>"Let's talk about the centre."

>>843273
>"Let's talk about the centre."

>>843273
>"Let's talk about the western front."
Greetings Beleaguered!

BTW will you be running this next week? The holidays and all...

>>843313
No holiday for me next week.

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>>843273
"Let's talk about the centre," you say. "What's the most likely foothold?"

"It should be… here." Duke Heath points to a decent-sized town several dozen miles north and west of Degfford. "It's a major stop for caravans, so it would cripple our trade network. Of course, it also takes caravans from Olstren, so they'll lose as much as we do."

"More, actually," Reagan adds. "Most of southern Olstren's trade with Svekka has to go through Gwyrddarfordir. There just aren't any mountain passes nearby."

"We could use that in our favour," you say, "but I would rather avoid a lengthy war. Options?"

"Ideally, we'll be able to march an army north and split Duke Ferrid's forces," Delyth says. "However, we prepared for a defensive battle, to breaking their entrenchment would be a little difficult."

"It would be easier to just keep them contained and harass them so they can't support the rest of Olstren's forces," Olwen says, "but it wouldn't gain us any momentum."

>[Military/1d12] "It's fine if we just harass them."
>[Military/1d8] "No, we need to break their foothold completely."

>>843398
>[Military/1d8] "No, we need to break their foothold completely."

>>843398
>>[Military/1d8] "No, we need to break their foothold completely."

>>843398
>[Military/1d8] "No, we need to break their foothold completely."

>>843398
>[Military/1d12] "It's fine if we just harass them."
use this as an opportunity to strike some deals with Svekka and build trade connections

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>>843398
"No, we need to break their foothold completely," you say. "As I said, I need options."

Although you're usually the one to come up with the plans, you have an extensive roster of advisors for a reason. It's hard to see the flaws in one's own ideas, after all.

>Roll 1d8, best of three.

Rolled 8 (1d8)

>>843489

Rolled 7 (1d8)

>>843489

Rolled 1 (1d8)

>>843489

Sorry everyone. But at least it's a best of three roll off.

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>>843489
"The only option is to push through with an army capable of defending in three directions at the same time," Olwen says. "It won't be easy."

"We're largely assuming that they will succeed in establishing a foothold though," Delyth says. "What happens if we keep the main force out?"

"My spies have informed me that Duke Ferrid is in an extremely foul mood," Myrddin says. "He'll overextend himself before giving up."

In any case, the basic plan doesn't change. You'll send an army capable of both defending against an attack from the north and flanking any armies that move to the east and west. It'll be a tougher fight than just harassing them, but it should stall any invasion immediately, giving you plenty of time to clean up.

However, you need to choose who will take care of the centre. Right now, your officers include Duke Heath, Olwen, Delyth and yourself. The centre will be a difficult battle to be sure, but you expect the eastern and western fronts to be bloodier, especially the east.

>Send Olwen to take care of it.
>Leave the centre to Duke Heath.
>Delyth should be able to handle this task.
>You'll take care of it yourself.

>>843568
>Leave the centre to Duke Heath

>>843568
>Delyth should be able to handle this task.

>>843568
>Delyth should be able to handle this task.

>>843568
>Delyth should be able to handle this task.
She might see this as a chance to redeem herself from falling in battle the last time.

>>843568
>You'll take care of it yourself.
make friends with caravans

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>>843568
"Delyth, I think I'll entrust this task to you," you say. "It shouldn't be too difficult and the flanks will be able to provide reinforcements once they're secure."

"I'll do my best, your highness," Delyth says. She doesn't seem too bothered by her past failures, which is good.

"That leaves the flanks," Duke Heath says. "What do we expect?"

"The western front should primarily be a distraction," you say. "They'd have to march all the way to Mynydffern to get anything useful out of it and if they were going to do that, they wouldn't be launching their invasion so close to Degfford. It's simply too far."

"I agree," Olwen says. "The western front will be a savage invasion, but their forces will be concentrated on the eastern front, towards Degfford."

>"Let's discuss the west."
>"What do we do about the east?"

>>843686
>>"Let's discuss the west."

>>843686
>"What do we do about the east?"

>>843686
>"What do we do about the east?"

>>843686
>"Let's discuss the west."

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>843693
>>843704
1

>>843697
>>843703
2

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>>843686
"What about the east?"

Although Degfford is close to the border with Olstren, there are a lot of towns and villages between here and there. If Duke Ferrid decides to scorch the earth on his way to you, the consequences will be severe, to say nothing of what will happen to the people.

"I'm sure you know this already," Olwen says, "but the best thing to do is to mount a defense at Degfford. We can evacuate as many towns and villages as possible. Some people will want or have to remain, but this should minimize casualties."

The second option is to move your defense closer to the border. There are a few towns that would be sufficient for that purpose, but they're not as fortified as Degfford is.

Alternatively, you could take some risks and try to establish a defensive position in the wilderness. Duke Ferrid wouldn't be able to circumvent you if you execute your plan properly. If you fail, you'll be in for a hard defensive battle while low on supplies and fully exposed to your enemy's forces.

It wouldn't be the first time, but it's not something you'd like to repeat.

>[Military/1d8] Find a defensive position in the wilderness.
>[Military/1d10] Move your defense to a town.
>[/Military/d12] Establish your line of defense at Degfford.

>>843804
>>[Military/1d8] Find a defensive position in the wilderness.

>>843804
>>[Military/1d8] Find a defensive position in the wilderness.

>>843804
>>[Military/1d8] Find a defensive position in the wilderness

>>843804
>>[Military/1d10] Move your defense to a town.
Get some PR going on

>>843804
>>[/Military/d12] Establish your line of defense at Degfford.

>>843804
>[Military/1d8] Find a defensive position in the wilderness.

//Blitz when?

Is there a reason everyone is voting aggressive after preparing for defensive, or is this just for the xp?

>>843880
xp and frankly this way a town doesn't get saht on.

>>843804
>[Military/1d8] Find a defensive position in the wilderness.

>>843883
The towns and the populations are hard, if impossible, to replace. The wilderness we care less about.

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>>843804
"I don't want to go into this planning to make sacrifices," you say. "Can we find a defensive position in the wilderness?"

"There are a few places," Olwen says. "The roads Duke Ferrid would be able to take are limited, and he'll need a source of water. I think we could hold if we move our army here." She points to some hills outside the forested area. Any army coming in from Olstren would have to move through there to avoid becoming a loose gang of raiders, and you should be able to use the nearby roads to set up a supply line.

>Roll 1d8, best of three.

Rolled 1 (1d8)

>>843938

Rolled 1 (1d8)

>>843938

Rolled 5 (1d8)

>>843938
>>843945
>>843954
HYPER critfail

Rolled 1 (1d8)

>>843938
Well all hope rests on me I guess.

>>843958
SAVED!

>>843945
>>843954
>>843960
Oh my GOD. I swear the dice are just taunting us tonight.

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>>843938
"Myrddin, see to it lumber and stone are shipped to this location along with any other materials we might need for construction," you say. "We still have time to build some proper fortifications and I don't want to waste it."

"With Degfford's current building projects, we have plenty to spare," Myrddin says. "It might slow things down a little around here, but it shouldn't cause any major problems."

"Thank you, Myrddin," you say.

That just leaves the question of who to put in charge. You'll have a proper defensive position, but you don't expect it to be a simple battle to win.

>You'll lead the battle yourself.
>Leave it to Olwen.
>Duke Heath's experience should be useful here.

>>843997
>You'll lead the battle yourself.
It is TIME.

>>843997
>>You'll lead the battle yourself.
>>Duke Heath's experience should be useful here.
have Duke Heath in the command tent there, incase they get past Meiron.

>>843997
>>You'll lead the battle yourself.

>>843997
>You'll lead the battle yourself.

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>>843997
"I'll take care of this personally," you say. "Now, the west?"

"As you've said, your highness, it should only be a distraction," Duke Heath says. "To be honest, I'm not too concerned about it. If we can just hold the line, perhaps join with the central defense, it should be fine."

"I, however, would recommend a more aggressive approach," Olwen says. "A thinner, more spread out defense would allow us to better encircle and harass the enemy. Once the western army collapses, we an flank Olstren's forces completely. They would face immense pressure."

Duke Heath raises an eyebrow at his daughter. "That's an aggressive approach, Olwen," he says. "It carries several unnecessary risks."

"I believe it's worth taking those risks if we can secure a critical advantage," Olwen says. "It would be better for us if we made an example out of Duke Ferrid and his forces."

A sturdier defense will be safer, but it will allow Ferrid's army to invade mostly unmolested. On the other hand, following Olwen's suggestion and succeeding would allow you to effectively crush Olstren's entire offensive.

>[Military/1d12] "We'll play it safe with a stronger defense."
>[Military/1d8] "We'll risk a thinner, more spread-out defense and hope it pays off."

>>844111
>[Military/1d8] "We'll risk a thinner, more spread-out defense and hope it pays off."

>>844111
>>[Military/1d8] "We'll risk a thinner, more spread-out defense and hope it pays off."

>>844111
>[Military/1d8] "We'll risk a thinner, more spread-out defense and hope it pays off."

>>844111
>[Military/1d8] "We'll risk a thinner, more spread-out defense and hope it pays off."

>>844111
>[Military/1d8] "We'll risk a thinner, more spread-out defense and hope it pays off."

Hey Beleaguered, Does our women and other followers have their own stats? Or is the prince the only statted character in this quest?

>>844143
Prince only. Never really needed to stat anyone else and it's simpler this way anyway.

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>>844111
"We'll risk a thinner, more spread-out defense and hope it pays off."

A total defense will just lead to a stalemate. If possible, you'd like to make Duke Ferrid's armies bleed enough that they won't be able to rise against you again in the near future.

"You're manlier when you take risks, you know," Olwen says.

Duke Heath coughs and his daughter blushes.

>Roll 1d8, best of three.

Rolled 2 (1d8)

>>844199

Rolled 7 (1d8)

>>844199

Rolled 7 (1d8)

>>844199

Rolled 8 (1d8)

>>844199

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>>844199
You go over some of the details, arrange for letters to be sent so the army can be supplied on time, find good spots for a few watchtowers or other permanent fortifications. The last decision concerns who will command the forces.

Olwen and her father are your remaining free officers. Whoever you don't assign to the western front - unless you decide to send them both - can be sent to assist one of the other battlefields.

>Send Olwen.
>Send Duke Heath.
>Send both.

>>844247
>>Send both.
Nothing says "father/daughter bonding" like leading troops on the battlefield.

>>844247
>>Send both.

Father-daughter bonding at its' finest.

>>844247
>Send Duke Heath.

>>844247
>Send Duke Heath.
I just want you to know, I'm not voting to send him away because he scares me.

>>844247
>>Send both.

>>844247
>>Send both.

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>>844247
"Duke Heath, I'll need you and Olwen to handle the western front," you say. "The line of battle will be overextended, so I'd like to have two generals who can use similar strategies."

"I understand, your highness," Duke Heath says. "I look forward to seeing how my daughter has grown."

"Grown women tend to do things like have children, father."

"No, they don't."

Myrddin coughs. "That aside, there is another matter to deal with," he says. "Sir Connor mac Maed is still with us."

"Really?" You raise an eyebrow. "I haven't seen him recently. What's he been up to?"

"A winemaker's widow," Myrddin says. "And daughter."

"Oh, he's being quite restrained then," Reagan says. "Since he's here, we might as well use him. It would legitimize our stance and he is a very good soldier and commander."

>Send him with Olwen and her father.
>Send him with Delyth.
>Keep him with you. Definitely keep him with you.
>Leave Sir Connor out of this.

>>844379
>>Keep him with you. Definitely keep him with you.

>>844379
>>Keep him with you. Definitely keep him with you.

>>844379
>>Keep him with you. Definitely keep him with you.

>>844379
>Send him with Delyth.

>>844379
>Keep him with you. Definitely keep him with you.
We can't trust him around ANY women.

>>844379
>>Keep him with you. Definitely keep him with you.
Create a SWAG singularity, you know you want to...

>>844454
Oh man, it's like the swag levels divide by zero at that point.

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>>844379
"He can come with me," you say. "It'll look better and it'll give me a chance to evaluate his skills."

"Yes," Olwen says, "I'm sure that's why you're keeping him with you."

There aren't many other things to sort out, just a few details about communication and supply lines. Myrddin and Duke Heath return to their lodgings, then Eleri and Esyllt come back from their work outside. Eleri straddles your lap and wraps her arms around you while Delyth and Seren prepare dinner.

"I heard you were leaving soon," she says.

"Not for long, I hope," you say. "If Duke Ferrid is as riled up as Myrddin says he is, it won't take long for him to make a mistake.

"Even so…" Eleri brings her face closer to yours until your noses are touching. "Will you need a bed warmer? Everyone else will be unavailable, but I could accompany you."

>"It does get cold at night."
>"I'd rather not be distracted."

>>844508
>>"It does get cold at night."

>>844508
>>"It does get cold at night."

>>844508

>"It does get cold at night."

>>844508
>>"It does get cold at night."

time for some more impregnating?

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>>844508
"It does get cold at night." You slip a hand under Eleri's dress and stroke her thigh. "Are you sure you want to come though? It won't be a vacation?"

"There a too many tragic stories about maidens waiting for their lovers to come back to war," she says. "I'd like to write one about a girl who followed her lover to war to comfort him every night."

"I'm sure people would love it."

You kiss Eleri and she reaches towards your belt.

It's quite awkward when Seren comes around and starts into a lecture about table manners that you're not paying the slightest attention to.

Then Olwen and Reagan come to see what the noise is about and get interested

Rolled 11 (1d12)

>>844590
And time for the bonus round. Enchantment first.

Rolled 3, 1, 2, 3 = 9 (4d10)

>>844604
Sovereign, Intrigue, Merchant and Alchemy.

Rolled 5 (1d8)

>>844611
Well, that was a bust.

Dilettante.

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>844620
And Military.

>>844639
Also a bust.

With that out of the way, Beleaguered Prince Quest will resume Friday November 25th at 7PM EST. I'll also be running Relic Quest this Sunday, also at 7PM. You can check my twitter account @BeleagueredQM for updates.

Goodnight and thanks for playing.

>>844508
>Connor and Meiron share techniques
>Dilettante leveled up!
>Dilettante leveled up!
>Harem is displeased!
>Civil Unrest has risen!

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>>844590
We will have the -best- stories to tell our heirs.

>You see that table? You were conceived on that before we went to war.
>That couch? At least three of you were conceived on that during one particularly long winter.

>>844651
cheers, boss

>>844651
Take it easy, QM.