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Post by aspenivan on Apr 27, 2015 5:55:39 GMT
King Casomir's War began quite inauspiciously for the embattled monarch. Defections abounded: All 1,000 Winged Hussar regulars left his army for New Byrnis following the Vizier's decree, with only Alphared Velhosh and his elite regiment remaining loyal among the Hessnyan Husaria. Worse, the entire city of Wyvern's Landing, emptied of its garrison, was occupied by its Surv-Akur garrison and placed under control of Marshal Ishui Jaou without a fight. King Casomir II would have only Keir's Climb, and any villages and outposts that remained loyal to him, to support a campaign.
Yet, some slivers of hope remained. The walls of his keep were among the strongest of any northern lord, and his summons for mages had brought him a fearsome battalion of native sorcerers. His army was nothing to be trifled with, even without the regular hussars. But would it be enough to face the might of the Vaekirate Guard and the Firetooth Clan combined?
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IN EVERY POST PLEASE INCLUDE:
-- Any recruitment actions (even if also in Turn Actions).
-- The composition of any/every army being ordered, unless attempting stealth/secret action (PM mod).
-- What the army is doing and where it is going in as clear language as possible.
POSTING ORDER:
-- Aedakom Vaekirate (Zurajai)
-- Firetooth Clan (talis)
-- Kingdom of Hessnya (saoshyant)
-- Grand Survaek Empire (aspenivan)
-- Moderation Mark
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Post by zurajai on Apr 27, 2015 6:35:32 GMT
Haakon Titanhand stood with his legs parted and his arms crossed over his chest as he looked out the folded entrance of his tent to gaze across the ocean southward, presumably towards the holy city of Messara. When last he saw her majestic, towering edifices and spires that stood taller than the mountains themselves Haakon had been a younger giant. Years spent in the north gave him a longing for his adopted home. His thick, heavy set brow furrowed in contemplation as thoughts turned to task at hand and the Heretic-Liege who dared insult Vaekir Koen I, the spiritual liege of all those faithful to Aed. The Legate swore to himself at that very moment such insults would not go unpunished by Haakon's very own hands.
"Lord Haakon," called a voice to pull him from his contemplation, revealed swiftly to be the dark features of the Byrnian Heirschaar Commander Fardeneyu, "We have received news of the Northern Vizier's most recent dictate; the Heretic's captive city has been liberated by the Surv-Akur General previously garrisoned there. If such information is not a ruse that would leave only the Heretic's own stronghold and what few villages remain loyal to him."
"Now that is news worthy of praise by Him and all those who hear it," exclaimed Haakon grimly but with a hint of true gratitude for the happenings, "Relay orders to the regimental officers that we march for Keir's Climb and send word by way of bird to the Firetooth armies marching from the North that we are to meet at Keir's Climb and bring it to siege. If the Heretic is not a coward he will surrender and spare the lives of his men and our own. It would be most fruitful if not a single soul was lost but for the Heretic himself."
-- Vaekirate Army under the command of Tovenaar-Akur Legate Haakon Titanhand marches to Keir's Climb from it's position on the coast.
-- Army deliberately avoids villages and outposts with the intention of specifically capturing Keir's Climb and the Heretic-Liege Casomir II.
-- Any further actions pm'd to campaign moderator.
ARMY COMPOSITION
8,000 Zealots
2 Siege Batteries
3 Field Batteries
2,500 Heirschaarom Dragoons
10,000 Heirschaarom Squares
Warrior-Monk - Boadicea
Heischaar Commander - Fardeneyu
Heirschaar Commander - Mardukhai
Warrior Retinue - Heino Claes
Tovenaar-Akur - Haakon Titanhand
Priest - Mies Kolijn
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Post by talis on Apr 27, 2015 6:52:18 GMT
Garlog sat atop his warg, watching the small blockhouse ahead of him. The 200 men within were sorely outnumbered by the massive force of Firetooth approaching, but Garlog had little intention of wasting time and men on the fort. His herald would be back any moment, either with news of the fort's surrender or their foolish defiance. If it was the latter it would take the orcs perhaps a couple hours to level the structure with cannonfire.
His real quarry was at Kier's Climb. Garlog had never met Casomir personally, but he felt a special sort of fondness for the fool. He had given the Firetooth a chance to show their faith and battle prowess. And if it made the imperial presence in the north weaker, all the better.
"There he is sir." Someone pointed as the doors of the blockhouse opened.
"Good! Let's get this over with."
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-- Firetooth Army under Chief Garlog Whiteshot moves south-southeast into Hessynian territory. They demand the surrender of the interposing blockhouse and will bombard it to smithereens if it refuses to surrender.
-- Army will advance on Kier's Climb from the north as soon as the way is open.
-- Firetooth avoid settlements that aren't a threat and march straight for the keep.
ARMY COMPOSITION
4,000 Veteran Militia
8,000 Musket Militia
11,000 Roundshield Militia
2 Field Gun Batteries
1 Siege Gun Battery
Monarch/General - Chief Garlog Whiteshot
Artist - Veikan Dirgeheart
Priest - Zwerkir Hazim
Explorer - Halgan Firebeard
High Priest - Erog Redcloak
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Post by saoshyant on Apr 27, 2015 15:00:40 GMT
Keir's Climb
Alphred Veholsh stood on battlements of the new stone walls of Keir's climb. He watched how the road up to the gatehouse was filled with wagons of food and supplies being drawn into the stronghold. The village levies had arrived days before and they were put to work harvesting what they could and commencing with scorching the earth to deny the besieging Vaekir and firetooth them fresh supplies and draw out their siege.
Keir's climb's location embedded on to of a prominent spur of a hill and its winding roads made the route in difficult with the best of intentions. Though the enemies artillery wouldn't be troubled much if they could find the right positions between the hills.
The natural killing pits and slopes had been made more efficient and ever the more deadly, the fortifications made out of strong stone finally to be more sturdy to an artillery barrage and the keep was prepared for quite a while. If this were to be a traditional siege, Keir's climb would be a strong and daunting prospect.
This wasn't going to be a traditional siege however, especially with the presence of multiple warlocks and witches brought to Keir's climb, led by the War-Magus Elkzri Dheal, a sorcerer with great potential to prepare their defenses and combat the Tovenaar-akur that the Vaekirate would bring to the siege.
Speak of the demon, the War-Magus walked down the battlements, weaving between barrels stocked with arrows and squires and troops preparing additional defences. He was topless with his skin covered with black stripes of war paint over his chest, stomach and face. He hair was short but ragged, as if he ripped it out with his bare hands.
"Sir Veholsh, are you just wandering the walls, I know they're impressive but I'm not sure you can court them" Elkzri said within a haze of an eccentric smile. Alphred brushed off the comment and just kept looking out across the landscape.
"I have communed with spirits of Croft and Jolti, they speak of bloodshed and ignorance. You know, the usual things they say" Elkzri kept talking, as he did a crow rested its wings on one of the flag poles nearest to them.
"I can convince Jolti to give us some particular talents that suit her tastes and Croft is with us too" Elkzri continued to explain so Alphred decided to indulge him in the hopes of getting him to go away.
"Thats good to hear Elkzri, we need all the help we can get" Alphred told the War-Magus as more crows fluttered onto the battlements around them.
Farstone Blockhouse
Commander Kistrov rode out of the blockhouse gates with the herald and a dozen garrison troops, a sober look on his face as they the gates of the outpost. In his arms, wrapped in cloth, his ceremonial sword that he was to present as part of the Hessnyan tradition of surrender among officers. Kistrov had hoped to petition the king to build up the outpost into a full fort but he hadn't foreseen a sudden war between Hessnya and the Vaekirate. As they rode closer to the Firetooth, Kistrov saw the legions and legions of orcs and knew he was doing the right thing.
-- Peasant levies sent to Keir's climb to bolster the defenses of the stronghold.
-- City levy sent back to Wyvern's Landing to surrender to the Surv-akur.
-- Subversion actions (Pm'd)
Army Composition
King Casomir 2nd.
50 Teeth (Royal guard).
Alphred Veholsh.
200 Hessnyan Knights (Warrior elite troops).
War-Magus Elkzri Dheal.
1000 Halberdiers.
1000 Pavise Crossbowmen.
500 Hessnyan Harquesbusiers.
5000 peasant Archers.
4000 Roundshielders.
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Post by aspenivan on Apr 27, 2015 18:23:20 GMT
"Commander, the banners of the Firetooth Clan and the Vaekirate Guard approach!" announced a lieutenaint in Surv-Akur infantry uniform. "Twenty-thousand strong each, by our watch's estimation."
Marshal Ishui Jaou pondered the report. On the surface, this was good news: No Heretic force could pose a credible threat to the city now. Yet, the Marshal was already nervous about the atmosphere in Wyvern's Landing. Honor dictated that he must join the advance towards Keir's Climb, but he wondered what might happen if he left the garrison depleted and without a proper commander. Casomir's allies would be sure to try something...
"Send a herald greeting our friends," Jaou finally replied. "Inform the highest commander of the Heirschaars present that they will have forty Emperor Guns to dispose of as they wish, but sadly I cannot join them personally for the sake of protecting the good burghers of Wyvern's Landing from heretic agents and conspiracies." In the choice between his honor as a warrior and his honor as protector of the people, Ishui Jaou had to choose the latter. Hopefully the guns would come to good use.
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-- Marshal Ishui Jaou (Surv-Akur General) stays in Wyvern's Landing with most of his forces to maintain order in the city.
-- Jaou grants 2 Emperor Gun Batteries (40 guns, 400 soldiers) to the Vaekirate army for the duration of the campaign.
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ARMY OF WYVERN'S LANDING
Commander: Marshal Ishui Jaou (Surv-Akur General): 200 Khaitis Knights, 10 horse artillery
-- 3 Survaekom Square Regiments (3,000 soldiers, 20 guns)
-- 1 Sapper Regiment (1,000 soldiers)
-- 2 Imperial Yvorom Cavalry (1,000 soldiers)
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Post by Vaklu on Apr 27, 2015 20:41:53 GMT
Treachery! Betrayal! These would be the epitaph of the blockhouse and it's commander. Instead of handing over his sword to Garlog as he'd stated when he'd come out the orcish monarch was shocked to when the blade cut into his ribs. His blood pouring out in great gouts as his honor guard rushed his assailant and cut him down. The guns of the firetooth would quickly level the small fort in retaliation. Meanwhile the Chieftain's physicers would spend the next ten hours scrambling to save his life. Afterwards he would be confined to bis bed in a semi-conses state. The army would have to choose continue without their lord and hope the doctors could save him or bring him with them to the Vaekirate troops and Tovenaar healers hoping he would remain strong through the journey. In response to so many troops marching on Kiers's Climb a great deal of refugees would leave the surrounding farmlnds attached to the fort. The most notable would be detained by the Vaekirate troops when an errant gust of wind removed his hood. King Casomir 2nd would attempt to flee while the ten Teeth that traveled with him attacked the troops. After an hour it was over. The King was in chains and his men dead. He would be presented bloody and battered to the Titanhand before sundown. The Climb had been surrounded neatly. with the Vaekirate Controlling the hills all around the castle. The unnatural murders of crows swarming it and roosting on it's battlements gave it a menacing aspect none could deny.
Summary--Kier's Climb is besieged. King Casomir is captured attempting to flee. Garlog Whiteshot is critically injured and may lay on his deathbed. (Retinue may not participate in the campaign until further notice) |
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Post by talis on Apr 28, 2015 18:18:05 GMT
Garlog may have been unconscious and struggling to survive, but every Orc in the army knew what he would say, had he been able to speak. There was no way he would let a mere life-threatening injury allow him to not be present for the siege of Kier's climb. Stopping would have shamed not only him but the entire Clan - they must live up to their Duty to the Vaekirate and assist in the final siege.
Holtak Ironbelly took command in Garlog's stead. The injured chief was cushioned atop a stretcher and would be carried as the army made a rapid march towards the keep to catch up with the Vaekirate army. If Garlog died, at least he would die honorably marching to war, not lying on a deathbed while his army fretted around him like a wetnurse.
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-- Firetooth Army forced-marches to Kier's climb to make up for lost time
-- Garlog is brought with the army. If he survives the march the Firetooth will ask the Vaekirate Tovenaar to attend to him
-- Holtak Ironbelly, formerly one of Garlog's bodyguards, takes command of the army in his stead
ARMY COMPOSITION
4,000 Veteran Militia
8,000 Musket Militia
11,000 Roundshield Militia
2 Field Gun Batteries
1 Siege Gun Battery
Monarch/General - Chief Garlog Whiteshot
Artist - Veikan Dirgeheart
Priest - Zwerkir Hazim
Explorer - Halgan Firebeard
High Priest - Erog Redcloak
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Post by saoshyant on May 5, 2015 9:51:11 GMT
The Hessnyan flags still flew over the ramparts and towers of Keir's Climb as an armistice was agreed. The levies still within carefully waited for a while in weariness, suddenly the siege had been resolved. Soon though, the levies carefully left the castle one by one. Until the original garrison of the castle was left. Alphred, Elkzri Dheal and the rest of the castle's garrison stayed within, the witches and warlocks definitely as they would rather wait for the Vaekirate to leave totally before dissolving back into the countryside.
- 5000 Archer levies disbanded.
- 4000 Roundshield levies disbanded.
- Alphred Veholsh and War-Magus remain in Keir's Climb.
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Post by zurajai on May 6, 2015 4:12:47 GMT
In accordance with the deal made between Casomir and Haakon Titanhand the fanatics that had followed the army were firmly told to disband and return to their homes; the heretic king had been captured and that would be more than enough. Keeping true to his word, all who left were not even spoken to by the besiegers; they were expected to simply return to their villages as no punishment was befitting for someone who had simply done their Duty to King and Country. However, it was clear that there were still occupants within the fortress of Keir's Climb and until they removed themselves the siege would remain underway.
-8,000 Zealots disbanded.
-Vaekirate Army remains encircling Keir's Climb till the complete surrender of the fortress.
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Post by saoshyant on May 6, 2015 17:45:29 GMT
Keir's Climb
Alphred watched from atop the battlements of Keir's climb as the zealots of the Vaekirate army marched to the south and the peasant levies marched to the west and east respectively. The gray clouds above them all shifted dramatically with the wind that assaulted the flags around him. The arrows in their barrels and fires in their blazers sat unattended and unused on the ramparts, Alphred was the only one to look upon them now though, when Casomir walked along the edge of the moat and shouted up to his men on the ramparts, they were cautious. Now though, with hours past, the few that had been brave enough to pass now left in droves, their bows over their shoulders.
As Alphred stepped into a tower, the war-magus walked up the spiral stairs, both their worn boots on the wooden flooring. "Are we really doing this?" Elkzri asked Alphred with a swift desire to know in his eyes. "Yes we are Dheal" Alphred told the war-magus as he walked past the warlock to the stairs, the mage quickly followed.
"But what if the Vaekirate decide to go back on their deal" the war-magus started to question quickly as he followed the knight descend the stairs.
"I don't know about the Vaekirate, but I trust Casomir to know what he's doing" Alphred told Dheal as they descended to the ground floor of the tower, where knights in various states of armament and protective clothing. All of them got up from their states of rest and followed their commander and the war mage.
They all moved to the gatehouse with it's portcullis already lifted up and the great wooden doors open. On the other side they saw Casomir waiting some fifty meters away along with various heirschaar and troops around them. Alphred noticed the King of Elon, whom he recognised from their tourney in Dovwynn some years ago, it was peculiar to see him there, not entirely sure what had transpired in the Vaekirate camp.
Casomir looked on with thin lips sealed shut in a smile as Alphred and the knights slowly emerged from the stone entrance of the southern gatehouse. Alphred saw the war mage stop for a few moments, so Alphred grabbed him by the arm and helped him forward in his moment of doubt. Casomir took a few step forward to speak to them without shouting at his own men.
"Afternoon gentlemen, I've had a lovely chat with the Vaekirate and they've agreed to an armistice but their feathers are still a bit ruffled and they want to make sure we haven't got legions of troops sitting in the castle. So let's all wave at heirschaar to show them how friendly we are shall we" Casomir told them all, Alphred frowned at his cousin while his knights behind him gave unexpected chuckles.
"Alphred if you could come with me, I'd like you to meet the Tovenaar who's using the magic of diplomacy and you can tell him we've got nothing left in Keir's Climb" Casomir looked to Alphred who walked out from the group of knights and the war mage.
Army Composition
Keir's Climb
- Alphred Veholsh
- 200 Hessnyan Knights
- War mage Elkzri Dheal
Hessnya
- 1000 Halberdiers
- 1000 pavise Crossbowmen.
- 500 Hessnyan Harquebusiers.
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Post by Vaklu on May 6, 2015 18:34:50 GMT
While Aiphred and his knoghts were willing to bow to their King's request Elkzri Dheal would have none of it. Pulling away from the others he called to the thousands of crows roosting on the battlements. They would swarm over all those assembled out side the walls while Dheal fled once more into the castle. In all the confusion he and his disciples would have the gates closed before any understood what was going on. The crows having returned to their roosts several with bloody beaks and claws. Soon a great rumbling shook the earth as pillars of stone shot forth from the ground like grasping fingers around Kier's Climb.
Garlog Whiteshot would survive the journey south though he would take a fever and shout in the night. When the Tovenaar Master Rashid was able to attend to him it took all of his skill to stabilize the Chieftain. When he roused him self from his sick bed Garlog would find his chest tight and breath hard to find. The simple task of clothing him self left him slightly fatigued. Outside his army had joined the siege lines their own cannons set to fire and his troops in set positions.
Summary-
Elkzri Dheal locks down Kier's Climb with magic rather than be handed over to the Vaekirate
Garlog Whiteshot gains the trait: Crippled Lung
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