The War Path

[Tyr]

The morning after his castle nearly burned down Tyr was up bright and early to sort his troops out. A thousand cavalry were formed up and awaiting Duke Karligar before heading towards their assigned county. A small ways away a separate camp had formed of two thousand men, those whom Tyr would lead to the northern target. The troops were itching for battle, and the end of this brief campaign. It would solidify the Mardok borders into the largest existing duchy, and provide Tyr the land, people, and materials he needed to truly begin revitalizing the country.

Tyr himself was standing in a command tent, white sheeting marked with the symbol of his house. A large map was set in the center and Tyr cycled through various lieutenants and sergeants, giving each one a run down of the plan. It was a simple thing that boiled down to 'Follow me, or follow him.' Once Redgar arrived Tyr would roll the map up and send runners out. They would rouse the men, and have them begin the march. Those on foot would need a bit of a head start if they were to reach the borders anywhere near when Redgar and his cavalry would. Coordinated properly they could destroy the Lost Battalion simultaneously, preventing retreating forces in one battle from reinforcing those in another.

Of course there was always the matter of Katrina's side request. The sudden fire had left the whole matter unsettled, and Redgar may still bring it up before the battle began. They could always discuss it while Tyr headed off to his group though. Those had been Redgar's words for the most part, 'mentioned on the campaign trail' and all that.

[King Redgar Karligar]

Redgar was excited to get things moving. He wanted to engage in heroic battle. He had barely slept at all he had been so excited. Spilling the blood of bandits. He wanted to get on with it. He arrived in the tent ready for war.

"I am prepared to begin my assault. I shall ride Baalrung into battle. This war will be over soon! I would like to leave Mina behind for this endeavor. She is not suited for war. And speaking of... my sister's overstep was severe. Though she did have a good idea. The best way to build an alliance is through marriage. Katrina is not marriage material, but Mina is. I would offer Ishara but she is not yet sixteen. I understand though if you find my cousin not suitible due to her place in the family inherited center hierarchy. If you wish to wait for Ishara, that is fine. If not, that is also your decision. I offer."

He thought for a second. Then clarified.

"None of this of course has anything to do with the current campaign. I think negotiating alliances falls under my purview, not Katrina's and she had already, though inappropriately, broached the subject."

[Tyr]

The runners were dispatched as Redgar entered and the soldiers prepared to march. Tyr would need to catch up, but for now there was some last minute diplomacy to take care of. For the most part it was everything Tyr had expected to come up, the remnants of last night's discussion before the fire.

"I will see to it Mina is taken care of while we're afield." Tyr leaned outside the tent, waved another runner over, and dispatched some brief verbal orders back to town. The map was rolled up, and Tyr prepped himself for battle. "As for marriage, I find taking such a step so quickly to be, well, hasty. However, I would be more than happy to host your cousin here in Mardok for a while. It would give me the time to pursue a proper courtship." It would also keep her clear of Redgar and Katrina while they went at it, but he wasn't about to bring that up.

"If all goes well with this campaign I aim to throw a festival and tournament to celebrate, after everything has had time to settle of course. Shall we consider the discussion of marriage open, to be resumed at the future event?" While talking Tyr had started to wander out towards his troops, leading Redgar along the way. Once the subject was settled, at least for now, he'd split off and catch up with his troops to get the head start they would need for the two pronged attack.

[King Redgar Karligar]

"But of course. It is a serious matter, we can discuss it at this festival and tournament you will have on after our victory. I will need to make for home after the campaign though. There are matters that need handling sooner than later. With that it appears we shall part ways for now! To glory, my friend!"

Redgar followed Tyr out of the tent and before all was said and done he mounted his dire wolf, Baalrung, and was off to take command of the cavalry. He would lead them across the land to attack the county he was assigned with ruthless efficiency. It would be perhaps a day before he was in position. Perhaps a little more, as they were leaving from the Mardok castle.

[Tyr]

Tyr waved his compatriot goodbye as he rode off on wolfback. The Duke followed suit of Redgar and caught up to his own troops, already on their way to the nexy county over. It wouldn't be nearly enough of a headstart for them to arrive on time with the cavalry, Redgar would just have to hold off his attack until Tyr was in position. Not that Redgar really had any way of knowing, so hopefully he guessed a long enough waiting period. If only there was a way to send messages across vast distances in the blink of an eye. Or even hold a conversation, that would make coordination much simpler. Maybe a system of flaming projectiles fired into the air?....

Tyr mulled over ideas during the march. They walked, they ate, they slept, they kept going. Eventually the troops would reach the end of their own territory, and cross into that of the Lost Battalion. Shields were readied, the troops kept a steady watch for flights of arrows. There was no clashing of shields when they entered the territory this time, Tyr figured it was best to just show up and wipe out their opposition. Give them as little time as possible to cause civilian casualties or grab people to use as shields.

---

Tyr is leading an attack!
1000 Infantry and 1000 Archers.

SPOILER: Click to show

Infantry
Count: 1000
HP: 1
Dmg: 9
Init: 2
Armor: 3
Skills: Shield Cover/Pike Wall/Heavy Infantry

Archers
Count: 1000
HP: 1
Dmg: 9
Init: 2
Armor: 3
Skills: Fire from Cover/Accuracy/Snipers

Attacking this place.

[King Redgar Karligar]

DICE ROLL BITCHES!

-Redgar's attack is the dark blue line)


Kill Their Leadership, Take Control
-Redgar and his troops can conquer a territory by killing just its leadership.
-Redgar Must past a hard conquest check when invading a territory.
-Can only be used once a thread.
-Mp Cost: 65

*Tactics I, Militarism I, Leadership I, Conquest I*

Tactics I: 5, Militarism I: 5, Leadership I: 5, Conquest I: 5, Hard: -15, Tactics: 10 = 15

29yhSNNV

---

SHIT

Well that didn't work. Redgar had attempted to lead the thousand Cavalry into a swift and swooping charge straight into the heart of the enemy catching them entirely unaware, then subsequently killing their leadership, and taking control of the county with barely a fight. Yet as soon as he found the enemy, he found that they were also prepared for him. Who knew?

At least he'd get a rousing fight out of it. Blood and war. He was more than ready.

"KILL EM ALL!"

[Azuloth]

First Lost Battalion War

--Battle 2



Leader: Commandress Tellis Nadradda
-Force Size: 2,000
Count
-Infantry: 750
-Archers: 750
-Cavalry: 500

Second County
-Leader: Captain Erik Von Skangradder
-Force Size: 2,000
Count
-Infantry: 750
-Archers: 750
-Cavalry: 500

*Redgar has spotted a unit of 250 Cavalry*

---

County 1

All seemed quiet on the old road. No enemies were in sight.

County 2

Redgar's troops spotted a group of about 250 cavalry to their southwest. They have also obviously seen Redgar's troops.

[Tyr]

Tyr's forces continued along the road for most of the way, making their way a few miles west before finally deviating towards the center of the county. They were headed towards the last known major population center, a town nestled in the forest almost equidistant from either road that crossed through the county. It seemed to be the most likely place for an enemy force to hole up at. An infantry platoon scouted about trying to find any trace of their opponents, while the rest of the men marched in columns on edge waiting for the coming fight.

If this was going to be anything like the first battle of the campaign then Tyr's army was going to simply happen upon their enemy out of the blue and battle would be had. Hopefully their training and equipment would stand up to that test. The last time it had led to a total victory, casualty free and the absolute destruction of the opposing force, but they'd also outnumbered the enemy six to one. With the enemy commander knowing this day was coming, Tyr doubted he would have the same advantage of numbers today.

---

Standing orders: Seek out the enemy and engage.
Detection check for the scouting platoon. T (35) + Unknown Difficulty + Learning Tactics (0).
mig1sITP

[King Redgar Karligar]

"Duke Karligar! We spotted enemy troops to the southwest!"

"Yes I see them too. Some ten or so miles off. They've definitely spotted us. It's probably a trap, but no glory to those who wait. Duke Mardok needs us to complete this part of the campaign. Move ahead, kill any of those bandits you come across!"

Redgar directed the troops to head in the direction that were last seen. Hopefully they'd pick up the trail somewhere in the forest. He expected the enemy to try to flee. His force was superior. He figured they could easily run down a force of two hundred fifty enemy cavalry with a thousand of the same.

"No, not that way! That way!"

The troops had gone the wrong way, opting for perhaps an obviously easier path. Redgar felt the need to correct them.

"Seriously... wrong way men.."

They continued on their own path....

"Morons... follow me, dammit!"

Frustration gripped him and he roared in anger as the cavalry proceeded several miles to the east towards the forest against his leadership and wishes. This was not the way to the enemy, he followed after them and would make sure they were disciplined later.

---

Leading the troops onward!
Leadership I, Charisma 10:
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Second attempt:


Third:


Fourth:


Fifth:


Sixth/final:


All failures!·····

[Azuloth]

First Lost Battalion War

--Battle 2

Attachment Deleted

Leader: Commandress Tellis Nadradda
-Force Size: 2,000
Count
-Infantry: 750
-Archers: 750
-Cavalry: 500

Second County
-Leader: Captain Erik Von Skangradder
-Force Size: 2,000
Count
-Infantry: 750
-Archers: 750
-Cavalry: 500

*Tyr has detected a trail.*

---

County 1

All seemed quiet on the old road. No enemies were in sight. Tyr and his troops detected a trail that would lead them to the southwest. The trail was indicative of marching troops.

County 2

Redgar's troops move several miles west to the edge of the forest. Enemy cavalry disappears from view.

[Tyr]

The scouts returned with word of a trail showing relatively recent activity. It was a promising lead, and better than the nothing they were currently going on. Tyr had his troops swing their march slightly to follow the trail, hoping it would lead straight towards the enemy encampment.

"Onward men, to glory!" The phrase felt incredible cliche, and yet oh so wonderful to say. It was his attempt at inspiring the troops a little while leading them on, maybe rouse their fighting spirit a little before the battle actually started. As they moved Tyr would also get orders relayed to the men for their initial opening tactic should they spot the enemy. Upon entering range the archers would fire immediately while the infantry closed, giving time for the volleys to hit before the melee broke out. If they could avoid shooting into their own people it was probably for the best that they did.

---

Leading the men with inspirational words!
Normal (0) + Cha (40) + Leader3/Relation2/Inspire0 (25) + FoP (10) = DC 75
nwXsJZXK (4)
MP: 545/560
Orders: Archers engage on sight, infantry wait until volleys finish to attack.

[King Redgar Karligar]

Several miles passed before Redgar felt like attempting to lead the men towards the southwest, where they had seen the last group of cavalry. Entering the forest now made no sense. Following the enemy did, and so he attempted to lead them in the direction that made sense.

"Lads! We should turn south here and follow the edge of the forest towards the enemy! We'll gut them like dogs when we catch up to them. But if we enter the forest now, we may never find them!"

The appeal however fell more or less on deaf ears.

"Listen you scoundrels! Let us turn southward! NOW!"

Redgar was getting frustrated with them. How was he supposed to lead if they would not listen?

"Your lord appointed me your leader! Now follow!"

After the reminder that their lord had appointed him, they began to follow the wolfrider.

---

Leading the troops onward!
Leadership I, Charisma 10, Easy 15: 30

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Second attempt



Third

(19)

Success!

Leadership II!
+2 stat points··

[Azuloth]

First Lost Battalion War

--Battle 2


First County
Leader: Commandress Tellis Nadradda
-Force Size: 2,000
Count
-Infantry: 750
-Archers: 750
-Cavalry: 500

Second County
-Leader: Captain Erik Von Skangradder
-Force Size: 2,000
Count
-Infantry: 750
-Archers: 750
-Cavalry: 500

*Tyr and his troops spot a village to the southwest*
*Redgars forces begin to move southwest*

---

The trail that Tyr and his men followed led to a village southwest of where they had left the highway. It was still about three miles off. There was also quite a lot of activity in the village. It would be unclear without scouting or other tools as to what exactly was happening in the village.

Redgar's troops turned southwest and headed towards the area that the enemy cavalry had disappeared to, though on horseback their way was difficult, their training and mounts were not overly hindered.

[Tyr]

Tyr held his troops a mile or so away from the village, hiding in the woods as carefully as possible. No point in giving away their position until they had some decent intel to operate on. If the enemy was using the civilians as hostages again he'd at least want to know before charging in. Not that it would do overly much to stop him. It was a cold choice, but if he backed down from such a simple tactic he'd never manage to unite the land. The Duke conferred with one of his lieutenants as he watched the distant activity.

"Send the scouts to check what's happening in the village. Have the infantry dig into defensive positions, while the archers take up sniper posts. I want to be ready for any forces that might happen upon us."

---

Tactics check for scouting. Normal (0) + T (40) + Tactics 0 (0) = DC 40
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35, success.

Standing orders: Scout the city, army hides and engages any troops that find them.

[King Redgar Karligar]

Redgar's men had found nothing of interest so far. Of course they hadn't, they had initially been more concerned with making into the forest then actually pursuing enemy forces that were open and available to them. He would continue their march on towards the southwest, checking for traps, trails and ambushes as he led them on. Redgar had become increasingly concerned by the lack of enemy contact since they last saw them. With the time that was passing, he was sure they were going to get ambushed by these bandits that called themselves an army. Not that he was concerned with the results of such a feeble gesture.

"Keep your eyes peeled, and your weapons ready. These filthy bandits could be anywhere in this forest."

---

Leading the troops onward!
Leadership II, Charisma 10, Easy 15: 35
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3 failures, 1 success!

Checking for Traps/Ambushes/Trails
Tactics I, Tactics: 10, Easy 15: 30


1 Failure, 1 Success·····