LpDND: Reunions

[Staris]

"If we are going to attack the supply lines we would have to have two stealth teams. One to set fires between the fort and the camp, possibly even in the camp if we can get close enough. That way the forces are already divided some dealing with the fire the other dealing with the group that attacks the supply line. The fire starters if able to get into camp could try and free some of the horses but with them being so important would think they would be as well guarded as just about a general."

[Blackferne]

The Professor states, "I think Stavis is probably right about the horses being guarded. They supposedly drink live horse blood, the horse is no doubt an instrumental element of survival in these parts. The green sea goes on for some say thousands of miles. If that is true, you need a horse if you want to survive. I wouldn't be surprised if the horse is the most valuable element in their culture. Not just a status symbol, but as core to their identity as a people."

[Whiteness]

Syric nods, "That is what I feared."

[Blackferne]

The sun is setting.

[Whiteness]

"Have any of your scouts gone at night?"

[Blackferne]

"Not as of yet. I haven't wanted to risk provocation or losing good men in case they get caught. You hear such awful rumors about these barbarians." Captain Thrain says.

[Dood]

The sun is setting.

Ham'mon is snoring.

[Blackferne]

"If it comes to a battle, which I hope it does not, I think we should institute each of you with a squadron of four soldiers to command. This breaks us into ten units of five, gives each of you additional muscle, and prevents any one leader from being responsible for too much of a defense effort." Captain Thrain says.

[Whiteness]

"Two things Captain, do we have materials to create fire arrows and do we have tools to make a firebreak in front of the fort to keep it from burning if need be? Shovels or picks, anything to create a gap between the fuel source and the fort."

[Blackferne]

"Yes and yes. Though a fire gap would take a few hours to do properly."

[Maizan]

"If it comes to a battle, which I hope it does not, I think we should institute each of you with a squadron of four soldiers to command. This breaks us into ten units of five, gives each of you additional muscle, and prevents any one leader from being responsible for too much of a defense effort." Captain Thrain says.

I think that is a good idea. Captain, would it be ok if I started bow training with the men in general? I am guessing we will be engaging the tomorrow or the next day at the lastest.

[Furiel]

"Bottom line is that we agree that they are going to attack. If we cut their supply lines we remove the seige option from their attack plan and force them to throw themselves at our walls and remove their manueverability advantage that they have with the horses. If we do not cut their supply lines then then can lay seige to the fort and a week from now when we are out of supplies, tired and despirited from having to spend a week trapped inside the fort then we have to attack them on a ground of their choosing where they will have a huge tactical advantage of being mounted on a wide grass prairie and it will likely lead us to be slaughtered. The only way to avoid a battle is to cut their supply lines. And if that does not deter them, which Tony Plush agrees that in all likelihood it will not, then it forces them to attack us within our fortifications where we have the advantage rather than having them dictate the battle to us. If we do not dictate the terms of this fight we will die. Of that Tony Plush has no doubt, and he does not think that starting a wildfire is a wise course of action because it would become far to easy for that to go out of control and one mistake in creating the firebreak could end up with us burned out as well."

[Blackferne]

"I'll readily admit to being a coward. If my studies have taught me anything it is that to write the stories of the past, one must live through them. That said, is it inconceivable to perhaps see if they could be bought off? History is full of examples of tribute being paid to thugs to satisfy them for a time. It would give the crown time to fortify this position." the Professor suggests.

[Furiel]

"And what would you suggest we buy them off with? It's not like we are overflowing with wealth here..."

[Blackferne]

"Well they may want provisions, weapons, horses. The point is we could ask. Diplomacy is a perfectly reasonable tactic here." the Professor says.

[Staris]

"Not saying diplomacy can't work but with this new leader he will have something to prove of himself as the head, and if the barbarians are as ruthless as is said, being diplomatic at all could be seen by others of his kind as a weakness. I won't stop you from trying but with their ability to fight at range could easily mean the envoy sent gets shot at long before words could be spoken."

[Furiel]

"Captain, how long ago did your scouts say that the supplies were about 8 miles back from the main body? Tony Plush asks because it takes 3-4 hours for a wagon to cover that distance, so if that was in the morning their supplies are already there. If not then cutting their supply line is still viable and in Tony Plush's opinion is still our best option to force their hand. Covering 8 miles, even on horseback takes a couple hours, so any reinforcements sent to their supply camp would not be able to arrive in time to stop us or even prevent our escape if we did that. But it would have to be done this night. Which then precludes any diplomacy.

Additionally if we attempt to create a firebreak to give us the option of setting the prairie on fire, which Tony Plush still is not a fan of, but either way that is also something that should be done this night because once their supplies arrive there is nothing holding them back from laying seige or assaulting us.

Either way it is Tony Plush's opinion that if we are going to take the offensive in any way, it must happen this night because at worst their supplies will arrive tomorrow at noon and after that then it's just a waiting game to see when they attack us, in what numbers and what strategy they will use."

[Blackferne]

"The report came in about 3 hours ago, about an hour before you arrived." The Captain said. "Men I want a twenty foot firebreak around the fort started immediately. Break into your normal work crews with Hornet and Bear taking the north wall, Charger and Eagle taking the south wall. Then all four work on the east wall."

[Whiteness]

[Ooc] I will see a sea of fire before this Battle is done

[Jimer Lins]

"I think we should consider taking and keeping the initiative by taking the fight to them. A surprise attack at night could be very effective and allow us to use our smaller, but more agile force to great effect against an enemy that would not expect us to try something like that."

"I think we should avoid the use of fire, because it is an indiscriminate weapon, as likely to hurt us as our enemy."

[Blackferne]

Victae says "Drawback to a nighttime attack of the main force is that we lose any defensive benefit of the fort. In addition, you can't really send 50 people on horseback and be stealthy, which would necessitate a infantry assault. That is fine except once the initial volley of whatever attack we do is done, we are an inferior sized force against a superior force. So they could easily defend against us enough to get people mounted and unless you all have sufficient training in forming a phalanx and proficiency with a polearm and shield, we'd be at a severe disadvantage. And even then a the phalanx would just allow us to set ourselves up for a defensive position." Her tone is matter of fact like she is reciting military tactics from the citadel. "I'm not saying we shouldn't do it, but to increase our chance for success we will have to acknowledge those factors in drawing up our military plans. We can have surprise, but lose the defensive advantage of a fort and the mobility of horses. We could do a mounted assault, go in do a sweep of attacks trying to maximize collateral damage, and retreat back to the fort while archers in longbows provide cover against any pursuing forces. Downside to that is they will hear our mounted assault coming and we will have to deal with some mounted defenders as we approach."

[Jimer Lins]

"Apologies if I wasn't more clear. I had meant that we consider a dismounted attack with a small force by night with some specific objectives: Despoil or destroy supplies, panic and drive off horses, and lastly, although not as importantly, killing as many as possible before withdrawing in the inevitable counter-attack. In essence, a fast-moving smash and retreat, to take advantage of their likely belief that we are cowering in our fort against their superior numbers. In that situation, I'd support using fire to cover our retreat and further panic the attackers. For example, we move in quietly, charge in to smash water casks and wagons, kill some of the defenders and as the alarm is raised, retreat in a chosen direction, where we have a small group of soldiers ready with horses for the dismounted attackers. As we mount, they set fires to cover our retreat and hopefully stampede the barbarian horses in panic."

Trinal looks at Victae with a serious expression on his face, obviously respectful of her military knowledge. "You're absolutely correct in your assessment. However, I think we can find a way to use the forces we have to get and maintain the initiative, which in this battle may be key. By being the ones taking action, we are deciding the time, place and manner of the fight, which lets us dictate the terms most favorable to us in that context."

[Maizan]

"Since there is lots of talk of doing a night sorry, I nominate Tony and/or Trinal to lead it and they take any volunteers who wish to join them."

"I volunteer to be rear guard and cover for this mission." Spintik smiles.

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[Maizan]

[ooc] dam you auto correct! Sorry is Sortie.

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[Jimer Lins]

Trinal looks at Tony. "I think we could do this with a small team and a few soldiers. We take a long route around, leave the horses with a small detachment, armed and ready to set fires, the rest of us do the necessary things, and as we return on foot, the four ready horses for us, we mount, set the fires and retreat."

Trinal gets another look in his eye. "Actually... " he turns to Victae. "Maybe we modify that a little. Consider what you, a few of our team, these soldiers and the Captain could do against an off-balance enemy who is attacking us- away from you, into a fire.

We send a small detachment, engage them to destroy supplies and create havoc, and as they mount up to attack, we retreat and cover that retreat with fire. At that signal- you couldn't miss the grass burning at night- a chosen force sallies from the fort to bring the attack to the enemy from the rear, while they're still getting themselves sorted out. Then we swing around and smash them from the flank."

Trinal smiles at Victae. "Could be fun! The risk is that the fire is not exactly a controllable element of the battlefield."