Surround the remaining raiders so they can't retreat!

Basstrid 2015/06/30(Tue)17:22 No. 652066 ID: c01a15
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The pincer is successful, and inflicts swift casualties on more than half of the raiders attacking the heavy infantry. The remaining two go to rout while the larger group remains pressed on the northernmost wall of light infantry, which has suffered some losses.

trincer? tripincer? anyway, gang up and kick remaining asses. then hunt down the fleeing ones?

Your two cavalry units can probably take two fleeing opponents themselves, while being much faster than them. Surround and eliminate the last remaining fighting enemies then pursue and destroy the fleeing ones.

>>652068
You and your men swing up northward with speed and then move southward, have the heavy infantry line start moving strait northward.
Don't use the last charge on your lance, save it for anyone that tries to flee.

Basstrid 2015/07/04(Sat)10:19 No. 653008 ID: c01a15
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Two raiders have fled to the north. The northernmost shield wall has now suffered heavy casualties and is struggling to regroup.

> pursue the rout?
> defend the wall?

Two men. Let them go. We have more important things to worry about.

>>653008
dont leave survivors to bring back more reinforcements. no.

>>653008
pursue them, they have info about our defences along with possible reinforcements

You said it would be disastrous if any of them survived. Pursue!

I don't think there's another wave incoming, so I think it's safe to pursue them and strike them down-
As I recall, one of our issues is a lack of trained soldiers-we cannot afford to let the enemy gain more intel on our situation than they already have.

Don't let them retrieve the intel, retrieve the intel from them!

Basstrid 2015/07/04(Sat)14:13 No. 653047 ID: c01a15
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I outride the fleeing raiders and strike them down. I have left Fargo with the other two units. He has given the heavy infantry a command to push forward to close in opposite the light infantry to surround the rest of the combatants.

Basstrid 2015/07/04(Sat)14:13 No. 653048 ID: c01a15
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I use my last charge on the first routed raider. He spasms and collapses with flames on his back. I beat the second one on the head at full gallop, knocking him over. On my second pass, I trample him to death with my mount on the way back to the battle.

Basstrid 2015/07/04(Sat)14:13 No. 653049 ID: c01a15
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I arrive back at the tower. Fargo and the two infantry units have finished off the remaining raiders, after having suffered considerable losses. The light infantry unit has been eradicated, save for two severely injured recruits. The battle is won.

To my knowledge, none of the raiders escaped the battle. Unless they have some way of communicating remotely to The Spire, we have secured our intel, and possibly even deterred a full-scale invasion to the west. I would not doubt that Anqqi is plotting another raid on this station in the near future, and with greater numbers. I have yet to conclusively determine if these raiders were under Anqqi’s banner, or if they were simply free agents, bandits, or deserters.

>>653049
Scour the bodies to see if any of the raiders are still breathing, so you can interrogate them. If you can't find any, ask Fargo which direction they came from.

You can also examine the raiders for evidence of where they came from.

Looks like we'll be burying the dead for a while now, but we should get the girl inside first. Morale is going to be blown after this.

Basstrid 2015/07/04(Sat)17:23 No. 653059 ID: c01a15
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“Fargo, where did the invaders come from?”

> “One of our nightwatchmen spotted watchfires in the east, but as soon as they were lit, the raiders were upon us from the west. We didn’t spot them en route to the tower. When they arrived, the eastern fires were extinguished.”

“Were there any survivors among the enemy?”

Basstrid 2015/07/04(Sat)17:24 No. 653060 ID: c01a15
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> “Just one. He calls himself Tilik Chak. He put up a stern resistance to capture, and now is demanding that we kill him.”

>>653060
Tell him you will do as he asks, but only if he answers your questions. Who does he work for? Why did he attack? Will there be more attacks?

Break his arms and legs. Tell him that the more information he gives you, the faster you'll let him die. (By health problems due to bleedout, not by killing him)

...oh! Now that we're not in an urgent situation, can the princess help with interrogation?

You know, I'm curious... why can't Anqqi just go around your base?

Basstrid 2015/07/04(Sat)20:32 No. 653103 ID: c01a15
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Chak is unresponsive to all questions.

“I do not work for Avigrade, so I am not above torturing you,” I say.

> “Ok. Just make sure you finish the job,” says Chak.



>Why can’t Anqqi just go around your base?

She can. I do not know why she has not tried yet, but I suspect because she has insufficient intel. For all she knows, we could have a direct line of communication to a standing army. The size of my facility also suggests a much larger garrison than I actually have.



>Can the princess help with interrogation?

How could she possibly help?

>How could she possibly help?
Dunno. Maybe she'll surprise you with some insight or idea. Worst case, she can provide nothing, with leaves you in the same position.

>>653103
He seems eager to die. Why is that?

Basstrid 2015/07/04(Sat)21:01 No. 653107 ID: c01a15
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“Why are you so eager to die?”

> “I have seen your meager force here. If you release me, I will return to my people and tell them that the road west is safe. I have to. You would do the same in my position. If I tell you what I know, then you still must kill me. That is how I know my death is near.”

Brazen. My people would sing their praises of a warrior like this. What will we do with him?

>>653107
It's worth noting that he DID just spill that "his people" need to get past. This wasn't a random raid, that's one piece of information we have now. Don't tell him that though.

Tell him he didn't consider a third option. You keep him alive, repeatedly torturing him. Ask him why his people didn't just ask for safe passage.

Ask him what threatens his people so much that they risk attacking here?

Maybe we share a common enemy. Who knows if they are trustworthy but its not like we have many choices.

Basstrid 2015/07/04(Sat)21:45 No. 653117 ID: c01a15
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“Why risk your lives to invade the west?”

> “Save your questions for the torture cell.”

“Very well. Take him to The Shard.”

One of my soldiers steps up and leads Chak to the tower. Fargo orders his remaining unit to begin burying the dead. I remain alone with the princess.

Basstrid 2015/07/04(Sat)21:45 No. 653118 ID: c01a15
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Princess Prettybeak pokes her head out from my cloak.

“What did we learn from that exchange?”

> “He must work for Anqqi,” she says.

“Why?”

> “Because he mentioned an invasion to the west. It… it wouldn’t be too likely for anyone else to be planning that.”

“Correct. It is very important information, but we need more. We need time and place, we need the size of the army, where they will strike, and who will be leading it. How do we extract that information from the prisoner?”

> _{“T-torture?”}

“Perhaps. It may prove fruitful, or it may prove to be a waste of valuable time. Learn to speak up.”

> “O-ok-”

“Say yes sir.”

> “Y-”

“Louder.”

> “Yes sir.”

“Shout. In battle you need to shout.”

> “YES SIR.”

“You will bunk with the soldiers.”

> “But-”

“When you are under my care, you are not a princess. You are one of my troops. When we are finished, you will be a hardened warrior, and hardened warriors do not sleep on feather beds.”

The sooner I can train her, the better. Gaining the Cloud Cavalry could mean security for the west. I will begin her training in the morning with…

A. Combat - Training the princess to fight on foot and on hourseback.
B Command - Training the princess to command troops with confidence.
C. Strategy - Training the princess in battlefield stratagems.

>“You will bunk with the soldiers.”
...I sure hope the soldier are well disciplined. They might get the wrong idea, being stationed with a woman from Redhawk's domain.

>what do
Physical strength is obviously not her greatest natural asset. She'll need to learn something about direct combat eventually, but she is intended to be a leader, and her past training has been intellectual. We should start where he strengths lie, build some basic competence and confidence (which she sorely lacks) before forcing her where she is weak.

Which leaves B and C. I'm leaning C.

She is too timid, B would be the best bet as we need to instill her with actual confidence in self and abilities and thus her ability to command and strategize will come more naturally to her.

C.

Also, torture is overrated. It mostly makes them say whatever you want, even if that's crazy.

Threatening to torture them works okay, though.

She's not ready for combat and she seems eager to learn strategy on her own. Command seems like the best bet for improvement. Give her a squad and see how they fare.

Make sure she talks to her new squad, they'll help her learn more.

>>653118
Wait, you don't get the army until after you've trained her? That sucks. I thought it was to be training her as you defend.

Any case, Command looks like the best first option. Try to pick a squad that'll respect her (once she's earned it).

Basstrid 2015/07/05(Sun)13:58 No. 653221 ID: c01a15
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Command it is, then. She is as shy as a child, and no successful commander has ever been shy.

“The princess will be quartering with you all tonight. If you touch her, I will personally take you to the highest room of the tower and throw you out the window. Is that understood?”

> “YES SIR!”

I will be waking her tomorrow at dawn with a unit of soldiers. I will take them out to the field and have her drill them until she is comfortable doing so.

I leave her to the barracks and take the steps up to the highest room where I sleep and meditate.

Basstrid 2015/07/05(Sun)13:59 No. 653222 ID: c01a15
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> “Hugo.”

“Shyala, a-”

> “Is our son alive?”

“He is.”

> “I want you to task me with something. If I am barred in this bedroom for one more day, I will slay the guards and leave myself.”

“Shyala I… I really cannot bear the thought of you being harmed. This is for your own safety.”

> “I would sooner be free than safe. You have not married a weakling, my love. You wouldn’t.”

Have her train with the princess. Don't make your wife go crazy.

Tell your wife not to hold back on the hugs.

As it is, you know she will be very serious with her threat if you coop her up. She would rather do something then be what amounts to hidden away.

Though having that help your training with the princess would be decent, as it would give her a method to do something, and keep her own skills sharp. Though she may desire more outside the tower.

...I could never refuse you anything. All I've done is bought time.

>>653222
she's right. better her be able to defend herself than to have her sit and atrophy

Basstrid 2015/07/05(Sun)16:14 No. 653262 ID: c01a15
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“I have an Immat princess in my custody. One of Redhawk’s own daughters. I want you to help me to train her to be a commander.” I explain to Shyala how I came into the princess’ company, and what the reward will be for helping her.

> “Very well. I will.”

“It will be no easy task. She is an utter weakling with no taste for combat or command. We will need to work in shifts commanding the tower and training the girl.”

Basstrid 2015/07/05(Sun)16:14 No. 653263 ID: c01a15
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> “I will ensure that she is set straight.”

I should never have kept Shyala guarded in here. I have had a warhawk in my midst for so long, and never let her out of the loft. No longer. We go to sleep for the early awakening.

Basstrid 2015/07/05(Sun)16:15 No. 653264 ID: c01a15
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_{*wilhelm scream*}

Dawn.

Basstrid 2015/07/05(Sun)16:15 No. 653265 ID: c01a15
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I summon the Princess to the parade grounds outside of The Shard. The dirt still reeks of blood from the previous day’s battle. The first shift of my garrison is training while the rest eat breakfast, and then they will switch places. I must devise a way to teach Princess how to command effectively and confidently.

play a game of chess [or whatever this world's equivalent is] with her

...I take it someone didn't keep their hands to themselves?

In retrospect, we should have taught her strategy first so she knows what to do with an army before she takes charge of one. Have her shadow us for a little bit.

>>653264
...one of the soldiers touched the Princess?

>>653265
Have her drill the soldiers. Make them march for starters, then once she's gotten over her nerves stage a mock battle with you commanding a force and her commanding one. Practice formations and troop movements and all that.

>>653264
What.

>>653265
Have you selected a squad yet?
>>653265

One cannot command others who cannot command themselves. The Princess should develop her athleticism and combat ability. Her potential effectiveness as a warrior is likely inconsequential, but it will give her confidence and may save her something some day. Fortunately, this will take some time, so she should not develop too soon into confidence enough to make her difficult to instruct. Besides, one shouldn't command troops in combat until one has experienced for themselves the trials of heavy equipment, pain, fear and exhaustion that one's soldiers will be contending with. This will only be a fraction of her overall training, but likely an essential one.

As she will likely be suffering repeated failures in the physical and social dimensions of command, at least to begin, she should also be given something she's likely to be good at. Do you have any books on tactics, or on records of past battles that you could have her study? Some academic study will likely be a relative comfort to her.

>>653269
I second the idea to train her in that way. Also, are there bags, and is there sand lying around?

Basstrid 2015/07/06(Mon)12:52 No. 653465 ID: c01a15
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The troops have lined up in a loose formation in front of us.

“You are all to take Prettybeak’s command now. She will be overseeing all of your drills this morning. Dissenters to her command will face punishment.”

> “Y-you’re going to punish anyone who doesn’t do what I say?” asks the Princess.

“No,” I reply. “you are.”

> “I am? Well… ok I guess. I don’t really know how to do that. Uh… They need to tighten their lines and coordinate their strikes better. They took too long to form up during the battle, and that’s why so many of them died when you took over command.”

I didn’t think she was paying that much attention.

Basstrid 2015/07/06(Mon)12:53 No. 653466 ID: c01a15
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> “Ok… ok! Uh… form… a chevron!”

The troops shuffle into place, taking nearly half a minute to form a semi-solid point. The princess was right.

>Uh… They need to tighten their lines and coordinate their strikes better. They took too long to form up during the battle, and that’s why so many of them died when you took over command.
Good. She's intelligent. You just need to mold her into something that can put that to good use.

>The troops shuffle into place, taking nearly half a minute to form a semi-solid point. The princess was right.
Then she needs to drill her troops to correct that.

Smart cookie.

She needs to be more assertive. Have her use a whip, baton, or hand gestures to emphasize her point.

>>653466
Drill them. Start implementing a time limit. Those still trying to get into formation after a certain time have to do pushups or something.

have her run them through drills until they can coordinate. Have her cut rations for those that can't keep up.

Basstrid 2015/07/09(Thu)11:10 No. 654295 ID: c01a15
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The morning shadows have grown shorter. After four hours of drilling, the first unit of light infantry is able to form up, rotate, and consolidate quickly. The princess has taken to shouting a bit more comfortably, but there is still occasional hesitation in her voice. It has grown raspy, and she is physically tired.

This will not do. Battles can last days, and after only a few hours she is fatigued.

Time to switch to physical training.

Basstrid 2015/07/09(Thu)11:46 No. 654307 ID: c01a15
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“It is time for your physical training. Get ready.”

> “Wh-what? Today? _Already? I can’t! It’s so hot!”

A messenger approaches, and my attention is turned away from the Princess momentarily.

Basstrid 2015/07/09(Thu)11:47 No. 654308 ID: c01a15
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The messenger is my head scout, Rousso. So far, he is the only one in my company who seems to revel in his military service.

> “Finished scoutin’, sir. I pr’pose we call a small meetin’.”

This is information that I have been waiting for. Should I continue training the princess, or call a meeting? Unfortunately, this is not information that I can share with the princess.

get her doing some light exercises to get her stamina up while you do the meeting, perhaps getting her to join the men in light training.

Have her take the troops on some light exercises. Maybe some practice marching in formation around the tower. She can march alongside of them and tell them when to move.

Just make sure to remind her to take plenty of water breaks so no one gets heatstroke.

Lunch break for Prettybeak. Go to the meeting.

Get Shyala to take over for the physical training, if you don't think you'd need her at the meeting.

>>654309
She can't join the men in training yet, she's too weak.
Have her just do light exercises to warm up while you take your meeting.

>>654308
Your wife can take over training, that's something you suggested already.

You can give the princess her exercise assignment, and then go off to the meeting.

Basstrid 2015/07/12(Sun)15:52 No. 655436 ID: c01a15
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“I will leave you with Shyala to complete your physical training for the day. She is commander in my absence. She has the authority to carry out punishment, and will not hesitate to do so.”

> “Y-yes SIR!”

Were it not for this burdensome princess, I would have Shyala join us. Her additional insight could prove valuable if thing have gone badly in the east. I follow Rousso up to the greatroom near the top of the tower. He spreads a map of his travels onto the glass-topped table in the center.

Basstrid 2015/07/12(Sun)15:52 No. 655437 ID: c01a15
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> “Here’s what we’re lookin at. Anqqi attempted to move ‘er army west through Pilos, but only made it as far as Dancin’-Flea. She ‘stained heavy losses there and she isn’t going any further. My guess is she’ll come down your way next with an army.”

Rousso erupts in a fit of coughing, and spits on the floor.

> “I finished collectin’ the tax revenue from the villages, too. 14,511 grimps between th’m all.”

“Very well. What else?”

> “Rufio Ortise’s fielded a small army.”

“For what purpose?”

> “Dunno. Couldn’t get a straight answer outta anybody.”

“Have they departed for anywhere?”

> “Nawh. Fuckers are drilling and training outside’v Als Eyvor.”

Hmmmmmmmmm. First I need to decide what to do with the tax revenue.

A) Pay the troops
B) Fortify the tower
C) [OTHER]

pay the troops, morale is probably low enough as-is.
send someone out to see what rufio is up to, leave no variable unchecked.

With all the casualties, you can expect desertion if you don't give your troops incentive. Set up an information board, see if anyone has any good ideas of where to find affordable yet competent gear - if your troops waste their money on con artists, they'll be understocked and pissed.

Don't blow ALL the money on the troops.

Pay partly to the troops, explaining that what is not being paid is being spent on things that will keep them alive. Spend most of what remains on fortificaton. Keep some small part for emergencies.

You can't win a war with no troops. They'll only be resentful if they are expected to defend your newly upgraded tower while they're not getting paid. It's harder to defend a newly upgraded tower when your troops desert.

Basstrid 2015/07/18(Sat)19:04 No. 656805 ID: c01a15
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>pay the troops

I will pay them, but I will withhold 20% of the revenue to put toward future fortifications. Additional revenue sources will be necessary. In the meantime, I will focus on training the princess. Access to the Cloud Cavalry is invaluable to my cause.

“Rousso, your work is crucial to my outpost. Let me give you your wage.”

> “Not necessary, sir. Gimme enough scratch for just a half gallon of rum and two… ehg… three Bilk prostitutes. Then we’ll call it even.”

“Very well. It’s done.”

14,511 grimps, less about 25 for Rousso’s demands, leaves 14,486. I’ll set aside 2,897 for outpost fortification, and distribute the remaining 11,588 among the 221 troops. The troops will expect about 52 grimps every two weeks. There is not much for them to spend it on out east.

>>656805
Let's go look at fortification options.

How much is a grimp worth?
A) Price of one meal of rations
B) Price of adequate weapons
C) Price of a cart and horse
D) Price of a house
E) Average citizen's yearly requirements
F) How much you have in your personal coffers

Look for a professional merchant, see if you can find gear for your army.

Basstrid 2015/07/18(Sat)20:41 No. 656828 ID: c01a15
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>>656821
>>656822

To give some estimates [& = grimps]:

1. New Armor and weapons, plus enough mounts for 5% of my garrison: &25,000
2. A four meter stone wall plus a trench around The Shard: &30,000
3. A company of 300 trained and armed mercenaries: &50,000

>>656828
What about just... some bows? Archers are cheap to equip, iirc.

You could put out the word that any soldiers volunteering to forego part of their pay would be noted and appreciated, and the pay put towards purchasing things that will keep them alive.

Basstrid 2015/07/18(Sat)20:58 No. 656839 ID: c01a15
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I could outfit a unit of 75 archers with quality bows and arrows for about &2,500. I would need to appoint my master-at-arms to train them, which would be very time-intensive. I can have Shyala train the heavy infantry, and I will train the light infantry myself. The princess could alternate between shadowing the three of us.

>>656833
I can propose this, but I do not think that it would be a well received request.

You need technology. Think about it; you are defending a giant spike in the ground. If you can utilize the power of your defensive position (the shard) with mortar technology (catapult bombs from an elevated position), you might be able to weather the remaining foes with almost no casualties.

Right now, fighting traditionally will get your remaining troops killed. You need to be smart about this or you'll waste your assets and manpower. Remember, any army will fall if you can destroy their cohesive elements. Shoot the brain, the rest of the body is literally too stupid to live. Destroy their supply lines and the army will desert or fight stupidly. Use all your assets - if you're forbidden from using the power of the shard, then just stick a catapult barrage to the top.

>>656839
Uh

Okay forget equipment. Can you just, I don't know, hire some random civilians to go find out what Ortise is doing with his little army?

Maybe you two can join forces if you're lucky.

How well do archers even work against exoskeletons?

For defenses, could we move dirt from the edge of the crater to a mound around the base of the Shard* to make the crater into a moat? That way we could mostly use the Shard's walls and have a smaller perimeter to defend. Moving the dirt would be a lot of work, but we do have a small army.

* Since the door is at current ground level we might do something for that like make a ramp down to it and eventually build a wall around the ramp.

>>656864
Wrong Ortise. Enzo's the one in the church. Rufioh's the white dragon, or whatever the hell his moniker was. This doesn't necessarily mean joining forces is impossible, but I'd assume it's unlikely to work.

Another thing. I was thinking about your previous interaction with the villagers and their chief, and it occurs to me that they do not understand how serious a threat you are protecting them from. I get the impression from what the chief said that Anqqi's last war was long ago and far away, and the infantry acted like most of them had never even seen a Ganthu. Remind the people why our harsh methods are necessary, why we are necessary. Take the corpse of the most menacingly hulking, bladed, armor plated raider available and put it on display in the village. Tell them that this is what is coming and that the bug-men are not merciful. Perhaps it might cause a panic, but better that they be terrified of a real danger than oblivious to it and uncooperative.

Basstrid 2015/07/19(Sun)18:06 No. 657009 ID: c01a15
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>use crater defensively
The problem is that the entrance is below ground level, down at the base of the crater. The reason that we station troop formations outside of the crater is to avoid giving attackers the high ground. Positioning troops anywhere within the crater would be tactically unwise.

>join forces with Ortise
As I mentioned earlier, I have sent numerous messenger birds to Als Eyvor to petition Rufio Ortise for help. There has been no reply.

>inform villagers of the nature of the threat
I have considered this, and the decision remains difficult. Telling the people would make some more motivated to defend their homes. The majority of people, however, are prone to panic, mob-mentality, and stupidity. I have little concrete evidence to show of an impending threat from the east, and I lack the support of any titans or realm authorities on the existence of a threat.

hmm... SPIIIIKES! add spikes in the crater that can catch an unwary charge down it, destroying it's momentum. the troops will know where the traps are but a foe will be skewered.

Basstrid 2015/07/19(Sun)18:52 No. 657015 ID: c01a15
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>spikes
This may be a decent idea. The problem lies in if my troops are backed against the crater and pushed in. I would have to train them to flank enemy formations to then push them into the pits. It is an inexpensive fortification that comes at very low cost, but is also a hazard. Provided the correct training is done, it could work to our favor.

Before I pay the troops and descend to the yard to resume the day’s training, I need to make a crucial decision: should I attempt to inform my people of the imminent threat from the east? At best, it will inspire them to stand up for their land, and at worst it may induce panic and chaos.

>>657010
Outwards facing pointed logs are a fortification staple, after all. However, that is a lot of wood to cover even a sector of the crater...

Don't forget the boiling oil trick. That helps.

I got an idea: every day you see enemy scouts, pour oil down the crater from the edges. Set it on fire at the base if the attackers get too close.

Even if you can only fire a few streams, the panic from literal "flaming pits" should bottleneck the enemy into easily targeted streams.

start with the upper ranks. inform them about it and see what they think. a Sergeant from the area of the common folk could more easily know the disposition of the people.

I'm not sure how much fortifying the spire is really going to help. I mean, in the case of a siege, part of the army can bypass the spire, or report back that we're pinned down.

Putting in traps that we can lure attackers into is a good idea though. Or simple fortifications near the edge, like wooden walls.

Can you station the archers in the spire? are there enough windows for them to fire out of?

>The problem is that the entrance is below ground level, down at the base of the crater.
Could we account for entrance access building a ramp spiraling around the edge of the edge of the tower, and then fill in the rest of the middle of the crater? (Diagram in questdis)
I suppose just carving a new entrance is ruled out by either the material being too strong to carve or such a hole making it structurally unsound?

>should I attempt to inform my people of the imminent threat from the east?
I vote you do so. Scared people can do irrational things, but when it is an external threat they tend to be more likely to support militaristic authority than turn against it. Besides, the people will most likely find out the truth eventually, and it is better that they have their panicked surprise now than when raiders slip past us and beat down their doors. And if worst comes to worst, if our fort falls advanced warning will give the people somewhat more of a chance to flee. I think an attack by a squad of Ganthu and the corpses to show for it should be fairly convincing, and if we still need more evidence we might try to get a messenger from Uuhg to back us up about the threat.

Basstrid 2015/07/20(Mon)10:54 No. 657124 ID: c01a15
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This is a good line of thinking for defense of such a difficult feature. I am sure that I can build on it. The obstacles are: gathering enough wood to support the tunnel to the door and gathering enough spikes to line the crater. The desert is nearly devoid of wood. If I can get those materials, then I can set this plan into motion.

>station archers on the spire
The tower lacks enough windows to position archers. That was part of the appeal of the surrounding wall.

>tell the people about the oncoming threat
Very well. I will do this as quickly as possible.

>petition Uuhg for evidence
Uuhg has refused to do more than speak with me over the past few weeks, but I will continue to try.

Basstrid 2015/07/20(Mon)10:54 No. 657125 ID: c01a15
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It has become clear that there is little I can do while remaining stationed here at The Shard. I will need to venture west again in search of supplies and assistance. Spreading word about the coming danger of Anqqi the Legged among the plainfolk will require some creativity. My reputation there is as a cruel and self-serving tyrant, and my desperate need for conscripts has not helped with that. Among other things, I need to haul several tons of wood, fortify a nearly indefensible tower, torture a stalwart prisoner, and turn a meek princess into a hero.

This will all take staggering amounts of work. All of us will have very hard lives from now on. Nothing will be easy. That is why Anqqi should fear us.



END CHAPTER SIX