Brigand Hunt, Late Summer 668

[scarik]

You have a day before the campaign leaves Borderton. Finish up hiring and such.

Bofur "So what'll ya have us do then sir?" the dwarf asks indicating him and Dwalin.

There are a few dozen Derrigar in Borderton. Mostly craftsdwarves, but they are able to be recruited by the right sort of Dwarf.

[GreyWolfVT]

Bofur will go seek out the other dwarves in the area to see if any have any skills that might be of use.

[scarik]

Bofur will go seek out the other dwarves in the area to see if any have any skills that might be of use.

The Dwarves of Borderton live simple lives of hard labor using their decades of experience in their crafts to excel. Naturally this makes them insular as Men have a hard time competing directly with Dwarfcraft, and mortal folk are often given to jealousy. But because they are perfectionists Dwarven articles are more expensive and thus reserved for those willing to pay the premium, and those few Men who show exceptional talent find welcome among the Derrigar apprentices.

One thing Dwarves never do though is offer to fight Men's battles. Even when there are Grobbi to slay it is hard to rouse them to war. Sure, they will contribute arms and materiel to the efforts, but no Khazid will bleed for a Manling.

But with Bofur being a partner in the expedition, and his mention of the treasures he has found in the ghoul-fields, he finds near a dozen younger Derri interested in joining his enterprise.
Dwarf fighters [4d6]=11 11 Level 1 Dwarven Fighters willing to join up.

[GreyWolfVT]

Bofur even if he can't find more fighting dwarves is more than happy to find any who have skills to help with the work of fixing up the fort.

[Leitz]

Barnaby nods sharply. Then squints in pain. "Great One's blessing, my eyes hurt! Well, then, let us see what's to do."

Barnaby would probably know that the junior of the Jings has been in town for a few days. Depending on how late he was up the night before, he may also know that the elder Jing came in late yesterday and went to see Sir Tylar.

[scarik]

Barnaby nods sharply. Then squints in pain. "Great One's blessing, my eyes hurt! Well, then, let us see what's to do."

Your guys certainly are aware of the battle about to come and can sign on at any time.

Bofur even if he can't find more fighting dwarves is more than happy to find any who have skills to help with the work of fixing up the fort.

Along with the eleven who are willing to wear iron and heft their axes and hammers for war a like number contribute their skill and sweat. They tighten crossbow arms, wind new cordstrings, patch maille, hammer dents and sharpen blades as well as adding their endurance and strength to loading wagons and minding mules.

[roobeastie]

Morwen

Upon arriving, Morwen immediately starts seeking out fellow Ravenkin, both to find out as much as she can about the situation from their perspective, and to see if anyone among them would be interested in joining up with them. Much as she could easily pull rank, Morwen is not fully comfortable with her new position as of yet, and would rather give people a choice. Of course, if things look dire, she won't hesitate to remind the Ravenkin here of how much they owe to Corbin and his efforts.

[scarik]

Morwen

Upon arriving, Morwen immediately starts seeking out fellow Ravenkin, both to find out as much as she can about the situation from their perspective, and to see if anyone among them would be interested in joining up with them. Much as she could easily pull rank, Morwen is not fully comfortable with her new position as of yet, and would rather give people a choice. Of course, if things look dire, she won't hesitate to remind the Ravenkin here of how much they owe to Corbin and his efforts.

The Ravenfolk are happy to welcome their new leader and greet Morwen with amiable chatter. They fled with their families (even carrying their eggs as they did!) on Corbin's orders and made it to Borderton, and all are glad to know they can return to the tower.

Ravenfolk Reactions [2d6]=8
Ravenfolk Ravens: 0-level [1d6]=3 1st level [1d3]=1 Mages
Ravenfolk Crows: 0-level [2d6]=6 1st level [1d3]=1 Fighters
Ravenfolk Magpies: 0-level [1d6]=5 1st level [1d2]=1 Rogues

Morwen gains the 3 1st levels as Henchbirds. The others as Followers.
Each has a family so Ravens well will have 17 families when you return.

[tibbius]

Barnaby seeks out Jing Ji-Ho, with Dramm alongside.

"Lord of the East," says Barnaby, "we're tired of idleness and revelry. Adventure tugs our hearts. How can we help?"

[Leitz]

Jing Jiho

Infantry, heavy and light, drilled on the field; armor gave its heavy rustle and dozens of weapons hit the hastily erected pells. Archery targets began to look like multi-colored hedgehogs, and no one wanted their shaft to hit the ground.

"Lord of the East," says Barnaby, "we're tired of idleness and revelry. Adventure tugs our hearts. How can we help?"

Jiho smiled when Barnaby found him. "Good to have you along!"

Waving both of them to follow, he encouraged others as he walked and then pointed out a large man leading a group of soldiers. "Jared Crassus will lead the heavy foot. When we were fighting before, Barnaby, your songs filled us with courage. I do not know how far your voice or effect can carry, but we are facing a fearsome enemy and many men and women will doubt themselves at the last moment. Stay with Jared's banner, he is a mighty warrior and will take the brunt of the bladework. Encourage his people and you yourself will earn high praise! Can you do that?"

It is common knowledge that while the banners are kept as guarded as possible, enemies often target them and the fighting there can be the fiercest.

[tibbius]

Barnaby smiles broadly, and ducks his head in a nobleman's closest approximation of a bow to one who is not above him in the aristocracy. "Thank you, Ji-ho. I will be glad to aid you, and Jared. Let us go to meet him now."

Barnaby is dressed in his warlike garb, as is Dramm. The two men move toward Jared Crassus, assuming that the Jing will come to introduce them. As they approach, Dramm gestures Barnaby to pause: "He's training the Upward Parry, it's a tricky bit of timing," the grizzled veteran says, pointing to the pair of spearman whom Jared is coaching. "He won't appreciate an interruption."

"I know what the Upward Parry looks like!" Barnaby responds. A moment later "Good point, though." He looks to see if Jing Ji-ho has come along.

[GreyWolfVT]

Bofur unofficial new king of the dwarves is please with his recruiting and reports back to Jing Jiho "I've managed ta gather some more of me kin ta join tha cause sir."

[Leitz]

Jing Jiho

"I know what the Upward Parry looks like!" Barnaby responds. A moment later "Good point, though." He looks to see if Jing Ji-ho has come along.

Jiho moved to be in Jared's line of sight, but far enough away that the soldiers practicing were less likely to be distracted. When Jared set the pair to continue their work and moved around them, Jiho held his hand out and motioned Barnaby and Dramm to join them. "Two more for the adventure, my friend. Dramm is a strong fighter and Barnaby is the bard you've heard so many good tales about, and from. There is power in Barnaby's song, and I've asked them to join your banner and contribute their best to the battle."

Bofur unofficial new king of the dwarves is please with his recruiting and reports back to Jing Jiho "I've managed ta gather some more of me kin ta join tha cause sir."

Jiho paused brushing the horse, turned to Bofur, and smiled. He set the brush down on the saddle and walked to join his friend at the single pole edge of the hastily built stall. "Bofur, excellent. I'd like you and your kin to stick with Thane Gurav Graka. While he joins us with enthusiasm, I'm not sure he always remembers that he is both mighty warrior and thane. It is easy for a warrior to keep moving forward to reach a goal, even as risks grow significantly."

"Si-woo told me the same thing, it's something I struggle with." He shrugged, and then added, "Si-woo led a party to find out more about their numbers and fortifications. We are outnumbered, but I believe we will prevail. There is something you should know, though. When we fought the ogres that held you and the others captive, three escaped. Si-woo reports that there are three ogres in the enemy camp. They may be the same ones, I do not know."

"Whether or not you and your kin seek vengeance is up to you. I look for victory at the lowest cost, how we get there is...flexible. I look forward to seeing you all bathed in glory when all this is done."

[GreyWolfVT]

Bofur listens nodding and smiling politely "Sure thing boss." he replies happy to do as asked.

[roobeastie]

Morwen

Looking out over the assembled Ravenfolk, Morwen speaks plainly. "I'm sure you've all heard, or even experienced, reports of brigands in the area. I'm asking for volunteers to go on a scouting run to see what we can find out about the enemy threatening to disturb our peace. My fellow adventurers and I will be accompanying the knights to help keep our people and homes safe. Anyone who would like to contribute to the effort is welcome, otherwise once we have all this settled I will gladly lead you back to our tower."

[scarik]

My next post will be about the battle using the mass combat rules.

[scarik]

Reports from scouts and spies come in quickly as the army is ready to move out.

Rolton leads the cavalry along the edge of the wood and meets little resistance. When enemy scouts are sighted he easy evades them and captures one of their few riders.
Si-woo and his woodsmen keep vigil in the forest and track the approach of a company of Orcs. They keep their distance and avoid the warg riders.
Morwen's new scouts use their keen eyes and unusual mobility to filter into the trees where they ambush several enemy scouts.
Winifred, has won the trust several traitors and learns of a spy within the Margrave's own household. She manages to pass on falso orders before the rage of the lord sees the old baker hanged from the battlements.


Margrave's Recon [2d6]=8 Your army gets +1 for each of: Higher Strategy Rating, More Cavalry, More Scouts, Embedded Spy, Successful Stategem and -1 for the enemy being in the woods. Major Scusses
Brigand Recon [2d6]=3 They get -1 for each of: Lower Strategy, fewer cavalry, fewer scouts. Catastrophe...

Prisoner Info [1d3]=2 Your scouts capture prisoners with useful information.
Prisoner Info [_2d4]=(2+1)=3 You learn the identities of several spies. One was the Margrave's own baker. Sir Kelemer has him hanged.
You also learn the enemy leader is half-ogre and half-orc and his advisor is a dark priestwho leads a cult of demon worshippers.
They have split their force in two with the humans holding the logging camp and the Orcs moving through the woods to assault Borderton and sack its outlying regions once the army moves out.

Winifred gets word that the enemy believes the false orders and is unaware that the Ravenkin are no longer in Ravenswell. They have sent a platoon to ambush the Ravens when they leave to assist Borderton who will be out of the fighting since there is no one to attack.

[scarik]

The Margrave listens to the reports and his captains then makes his decision.

He will lead the bulk of the force towards the brigand's stronghold himself with all the ladders and assault equipment to breech the defenses. They will be screened by Rolton and the cavalry scouts as well as Morwen and her Ravenfolk. Bofur will lead his Dwarven platoon along with Gurav and a dozen Dawi sappers. Dramm & Barnaby as well as assault trooper Jared Crassus will go with them. Jing Ji-ho will lead the vanguard with most of Sir Kyl's rabble.

This force is sure to draw attention and allow the enemy to think they are succeeding in their flanking maneuver.

Sir Tylar will be waiting for the orcs with a decoy militia of one platoon of the rabble militia to draw the Orcs toward them. Once they commit to crossing the open ground toward the northern farms the Knights of the Blue Lily will charge their flanks. Jing Si-woo and his skirmishers will be waiting for those who flee toward the supposed safety of the forest.

And so it goes with nearly prescient skill as the Margrave marches out.

In the northern fields the heavy lances of the knights could have not gone better. The Orcs take the bait and are too late to detect the Blue Lily galloping out from behind a barn to crash like thunder upon them. The first platoon is thrown like chaff in the wind and offers no resistance at all which allows the Blue Lily to continue through them. They strike the second Orcish platoon and as it wavers the trample through smashing orcs aside with the power of their horses and churning the earth under their hooves.

The ordeal leave the Orc in disarray and while their taskmasters crack their whips and hold the unit together they waver and the Blue Lily pounces on them with mace and sword.
While they the third cluster of Orcs to rout the last one manages to fight back and knock several knights to the riven earth, but under the sheer mass of horse and armored men they are forced from the field. Despite the losses their leader holds them to some manner of order and they begin to withdraw to the woodline.

Sir Tylar allows them to think they are escaping and circles his eschille wide to run down the routing enemy. When the Orcs get within a hundred yards of the forest and think they are about to escape a hail of arrows greets them. But somehow the Orcs hold together and keep advancing. The second volley puts paid to their plans though and Sir Tylar decides to charge once more, and while he finally defeats the enemy they prove to be fearsome fighters and the last dozen of them fight to the death inflicting several injuries on the knights and their mounts.

Margrave's plan [2d6]=12 It goes off perfectly.
Blue Lily Charge [_3d6]=(3+6+5)=14 They hit on 2+... 3 hits with lances. This shatters the enemy platoon completely and allows them to carry through, disrupt a second enemy platoon...
Blue Lily Charge trample attack [_3d6]=(4+2+4)=10 They need 3+ for these. Normally 4 +1 for disrupted enemy.
Disrupted orcs fight back [_1d6]=(5)=5 They needed a 6.
Orc Morale [2d6]=7 They waver.
Blue Lily Melee vs disrupted [_3d6]=(2+1+6)=9 Only 1 hit.
Disrupted Orcs [_2d6]=(1+6)=7 1 hit!
Blue Lily Charge melee trample attack [_3d6]=(3+4+5)=12 1 hit.
Orc Morale [2d6]=10 With penalties that's a waver.
Skirmisher missile attack [_1d6]=(2)=2 Ineffective.
Skirmisher missile attack 2 [_1d6]=(4)=4 Disrupts the orcs.
Orc Morale [2d6]=10 And yet they hold.
Orc Morale [2d6]=10 1 hit is enough
Orc last stand [_1d6]=(6)=6 Wow. 1 hit.


The orc force is destroyed. The Knights of the Blue Lily have taken 2 hits. This is less than half of their 6 (3 for the men, 3 for the horse) so they are still at full battle strength.

[Leitz]

Go Team!

Orc tromping should be a sport...

[scarik]

No Orc escapes the furious blade of the the Knights of the Blue Lily. They ride down the routing enemy with savage glee, calling out to each other the tally of their grisly harvest. In the end the mighty Sir Schad takes the honor of most foes dispatched. Sir Tylar gives stiff competition but the Champion of the Order shows why he holds the office.

That done the knights, skirmishers and their token force of rabble move to join the main body. By the time they arrive the Margrave has already invested the camp. When they see the cavalry arrive a shudder goes through the bandits. They are besieged and their allies are slain.

The Margrave calls his captains together. In his pavilion he is attended by the captain of his household knights, Sir Fulop as well as his daughter and heir, Dame Fylla. Joining them is of course, Sir Tylar as well as Jing Ji-ho, Morwen and Gurav Graka. For Ji-ho and Morwen this is their first true meeting with His Lordship.

A rough map of the area is marked out in a sand table on the great trestle at the center of the tent.

"The villains are currently trapped but night is falling. As cowards and creatures of the night I expect them to attempt a break out to the north. The terrain there is poor for our horse and they have a band of Ogres still in reserve plus whatever foul magics they have gathered. Shall we press the attack now while the sun still lingers, or shall we await them in the night?"




Sorry Dramm and Bofur, you are working class warriors and instead have this time to drink with the men.

Riding down the routing orcs [2d6]=12 Welp...
Tylar [_5d6]=(5+5+3+2+3)=18 4
Schad [_5d6]=(5+3+2+4+5)=19 Also 4, but Schad wins ties due to his feats all being in personal combat.