Post by aspenivan on Dec 25, 2015 0:09:58 GMT
In Church and State, most of campaigns and battles are carried out via Personal Messages rather than posts, in order to maintain a degree of secrecy. Battles involve public posting by moderators, for record-keeping and the enjoyment of other players, but rely on personal messages for player tactics. The only matter carried out mostly through public posts is HIGH DIPLOMACY in which overall demands, ceasefires, and peace agreements are discussed. This is distinct from FIELD DIPLOMACY, in which heralds discuss local agreements involving particular armies and settlements; this kind of diplomacy is initiated via PM and resolved via moderator public posts.
MINOR BATTLES are resolved with a single "round" of messages, but MAJOR BATTLES are organized into the following three PHASES.
1) Deployment Phase: Armies are assembling, moving into position and preparing for battle. Intelligence on enemy is generally scant. All units except light cavalry and skirmishers that move in formations have a significant cohesion penalty.
2) Engagement Phase: The initial clash of armies, when commanders attempt to exploit enemy weaknesses to gain decisive edges. Emphasis on maneuvers. Intelligence on the enemy is decent, cohesion is high. Casualties are often heavy.
3) Ending Phase: Combatants are fatigued and the outcome is becoming clear. Emphasis on use of reserves and rear-guard actions. Intelligence on the enemy is usually comprehensive, engaged units are usually fatigued, and cohesion and morale suffer as casualties mount up.
Both moderators and players must organize their personal messages as WAR FORMS. In both campaigns and battles, moderators always begin by sending a War Form to each of the players involved. The players then respond with their own forms, sent to the moderators. When a player seeks to begin a war with a surprise attack, only the aggressor is considered "involved" for the first PM exchange, even if they ultimately fail to surprise their enemies. Below are templates and examples.
MODERATOR CAMPAIGN FORM
Example
War of Sefti Succession
Turn 2 (Winter 817 YP)
Weather:
-- Heavy snows in NORTH CERDIGON will make troop movements slower.
-- The JETMA RIVER is frozen under thick ice, making river navies useless and land crossing easy.
Intelligence:
-- Campaign Movements: A large Sefti Army has been detected traveling WEST through the Great Forest, towards the Castle of HAKIN. The army is commanded by Queen Athinea Sefti.
-- Settlements and Garrisons: The garrison of THESUS has suffered unknown casualties from a disease outbreak. Reports suggest the Castle of PAVIL is heavily defended by both professional and levy troops. The Sefti lumber village North of PAVIL has been mobilized and is now empty of any troops.
-- Counter-Intelligence: Vague and confused reports of enemy scouts either North or East of MORGRAIG.
-- Diplomacy: Our spies have infiltrated a meeting between a Sefti envoy and the Jotun Thanke Gudrik the Blood Dancer. They were discussing the terms of possible Jotun intervention, but no official agreement has been made yet.
Notes:
- All Cerdigonian levy forces benefit from HATRED OF ELVES (increased morale against elves).
- An unknown disease has spread to the force besieging THESUS, making 50 Horse Archers and 150 Roundshiers incapable of fighting. There have been no deaths yet, but many of these troops are not expected to survive the winter.
PLAYER CAMPAIGN FORM
Example
War of Sefti Succession
Turn 2 (Winter 817 YP)
Scouting Objectives: Track any enemy movements in the region around Morgraig, and detect any enemy reinforcements head to Thesus. Gahear Warmwind (Spymaster), Duke Agricola (Explorer), 3x Archer Levy.
Realm Military:
1st Royal Army
-- Commander: General Modron Halfwing
-- Composition: Captain Gwynedd (Warrior), 2 Pikes Regiments, 3 Levy Musket Regiments, 6 Roundshier Levy Regiments
-- Location: Morgraig
-- Orders: March from Morgraig towards Thesus to reinforce the 2nd Army. Avoid enemy armies on the way if possible.
2nd Royal Army
-- Commander: King Cadoc (Monarch)
-- Composition: 2 Roundshiers Regiments, 1 Pikes Regiment, 1 Horse Archer Regiment, 1 Longbows Regiment
-- Location: Thesus
-- Orders: Maintain the siege of Thesus and await reinforcements. If/when reinforcements arrive, assault the enemy garrison.
Capital Garrison
-- Commander: None
-- Composition: 3 Archer Levy, 3 Musket Levy, 3 Pike Levy
-- Location: Morgraig
-- Orders: Engage enemy forces of similar or lesser size. If larger enemy armies try to engage, retreat to Morgraig and hold the city.
Field Diplomacy: Demand surrender of the city of Thesus, promising not to sack it and offering the garrison the right to leave with their arms and banners.
Overall Objectives: Capture Thesus and prevent enemy incursions near Morgraig.
PLAYER BATTLE FORM
Example
Battle of the Forest
Turn 3 (Spring 818 YP)
Deployment Phase
1st Royal Army:
Overall Commander: Modron Halfwing (General)
Left Flank
-- Commander- Captain Gwynedd (Warrior)
-- Composition- 3 Roundshier Levy Regiments
-- Orders- General advance in wide formation, seeking to envelop enemy. Push aggressively if engaged.
Center
-- Commander- Modron Halfwing (General)
-- Composition- 3 Musket Levy, 2 Pikes Regiments
-- Orders- Slow advance, with muskets in front of pikes. Stop just short of musket range. Prepare to fire on enemies led to center by feint on right flank.
Right Flank
-- Commander- None
-- Composition- 3 Roundshier Levy Regiments
-- Orders- General advance in wide formation, seeking to envelop enemy. Attempt to feint towards center if engaged by melee troops, fall back minimum safe distance and form shieldwall if engaged by ranged troops.
MODERATOR BATTLE FORM
Example
Battle of the Forest
Turn 3 (Spring 818)
Reaction Phase
Estimated Enemy Strength:
Army of the Queen
-- Commander: Queen Athinea Sefti
-- Left Flank: 1 Firetooth Musketeer Regiment, 1 Roundshier Levy Regiment
-- Center: 4-7 Regiments of unknown composition
-- Right Flank: 1 Firetooth Musketeer Regiment, 1 Roundshier Levy Regiment
Situation:
-- Cerdigonian LEFT flank engaged and routed Sefti RIGHT flank but took heavy casualties from musket fire. It is FATIGUED and DEMORALIZED, but stable under the leadership of Captain Gwynedd (Warrior).
-- Cerdigonian CENTER has seen no action.
-- Cerdigonian RIGHT flank attempts feint but fails to draw Sefti LEFT flank close enough. It is FATIGUED but mostly intact despite taking some musket fire.
Casualties:
1st Royal Army
-- Left Flank: 600 Roundshiers, 50 Warriors
-- Center: None
-- Right Flank: 100 Roundshiers
Intelligence:
-- Enemy CENTER is sending unknown reinforcements to reconstitute its LEFT FLANK.
-- Most of enemy CENTER is advancing to meet Cerdigonian CENTER head on.
-- Enemy RIGHT FLANK is advancing in lockstep with the CENTER, with muskets in front and roundshiers behind.
Notes:
-- Cerdigonian levies benefit from HATRED OF ELVES (increased morale)
-- Sefti forces are advancing from HIGH GROUND, granting them slight bonuses to all combat.
-- Enemy commander is MONARCH, and therefore enemy forces benefit from increased morale.
MINOR BATTLES are resolved with a single "round" of messages, but MAJOR BATTLES are organized into the following three PHASES.
1) Deployment Phase: Armies are assembling, moving into position and preparing for battle. Intelligence on enemy is generally scant. All units except light cavalry and skirmishers that move in formations have a significant cohesion penalty.
2) Engagement Phase: The initial clash of armies, when commanders attempt to exploit enemy weaknesses to gain decisive edges. Emphasis on maneuvers. Intelligence on the enemy is decent, cohesion is high. Casualties are often heavy.
3) Ending Phase: Combatants are fatigued and the outcome is becoming clear. Emphasis on use of reserves and rear-guard actions. Intelligence on the enemy is usually comprehensive, engaged units are usually fatigued, and cohesion and morale suffer as casualties mount up.
Both moderators and players must organize their personal messages as WAR FORMS. In both campaigns and battles, moderators always begin by sending a War Form to each of the players involved. The players then respond with their own forms, sent to the moderators. When a player seeks to begin a war with a surprise attack, only the aggressor is considered "involved" for the first PM exchange, even if they ultimately fail to surprise their enemies. Below are templates and examples.
MODERATOR CAMPAIGN FORM
Name of War
Turn (Season & Year)
Weather: Describe weather conditions in different theaters of the war, and state any effects.
Intelligence:
-- Campaign Movements: Does the player know about any of their opponent's field armies? Where are they going, and how big are they?
-- Settlements and Garrisons: What does the player know about their opponents' defenses? What are their opponent's realm's strong and weak points?
-- Counter-Intelligence: Has the player detected any enemy scouts or spies? What do they know their opponent knows?
-- Field Diplomacy: Has the enemy sent or responded to any heralds? Or, are there negotiations between the enemy and another power that this player would be aware of?
Notes: State any special conditions that apply to this player's realm or forces.
Turn (Season & Year)
Weather: Describe weather conditions in different theaters of the war, and state any effects.
Intelligence:
-- Campaign Movements: Does the player know about any of their opponent's field armies? Where are they going, and how big are they?
-- Settlements and Garrisons: What does the player know about their opponents' defenses? What are their opponent's realm's strong and weak points?
-- Counter-Intelligence: Has the player detected any enemy scouts or spies? What do they know their opponent knows?
-- Field Diplomacy: Has the enemy sent or responded to any heralds? Or, are there negotiations between the enemy and another power that this player would be aware of?
Notes: State any special conditions that apply to this player's realm or forces.
Example
War of Sefti Succession
Turn 2 (Winter 817 YP)
Weather:
-- Heavy snows in NORTH CERDIGON will make troop movements slower.
-- The JETMA RIVER is frozen under thick ice, making river navies useless and land crossing easy.
Intelligence:
-- Campaign Movements: A large Sefti Army has been detected traveling WEST through the Great Forest, towards the Castle of HAKIN. The army is commanded by Queen Athinea Sefti.
-- Settlements and Garrisons: The garrison of THESUS has suffered unknown casualties from a disease outbreak. Reports suggest the Castle of PAVIL is heavily defended by both professional and levy troops. The Sefti lumber village North of PAVIL has been mobilized and is now empty of any troops.
-- Counter-Intelligence: Vague and confused reports of enemy scouts either North or East of MORGRAIG.
-- Diplomacy: Our spies have infiltrated a meeting between a Sefti envoy and the Jotun Thanke Gudrik the Blood Dancer. They were discussing the terms of possible Jotun intervention, but no official agreement has been made yet.
Notes:
- All Cerdigonian levy forces benefit from HATRED OF ELVES (increased morale against elves).
- An unknown disease has spread to the force besieging THESUS, making 50 Horse Archers and 150 Roundshiers incapable of fighting. There have been no deaths yet, but many of these troops are not expected to survive the winter.
PLAYER CAMPAIGN FORM
Name of War
Turn (Season & Year)
Scouting Objectives: State your priorities for intelligence, and devote any number of Spymasters, Explorers, and units to independent scouting and patrol missions. Do not list screening/scouting forces attached to larger armies.
Realm Military: List your armies, not counting independent scout forces
Army/Navy Name
-- Commander-
-- Composition-
-- Location-
-- Orders-
Field Diplomacy: (Optional) Send messages to enemy forces, settlements, and/or leaders via heralds.
Overall Objectives: What do you want to accomplish this season?
Turn (Season & Year)
Scouting Objectives: State your priorities for intelligence, and devote any number of Spymasters, Explorers, and units to independent scouting and patrol missions. Do not list screening/scouting forces attached to larger armies.
Realm Military: List your armies, not counting independent scout forces
Army/Navy Name
-- Commander-
-- Composition-
-- Location-
-- Orders-
Field Diplomacy: (Optional) Send messages to enemy forces, settlements, and/or leaders via heralds.
Overall Objectives: What do you want to accomplish this season?
Example
War of Sefti Succession
Turn 2 (Winter 817 YP)
Scouting Objectives: Track any enemy movements in the region around Morgraig, and detect any enemy reinforcements head to Thesus. Gahear Warmwind (Spymaster), Duke Agricola (Explorer), 3x Archer Levy.
Realm Military:
1st Royal Army
-- Commander: General Modron Halfwing
-- Composition: Captain Gwynedd (Warrior), 2 Pikes Regiments, 3 Levy Musket Regiments, 6 Roundshier Levy Regiments
-- Location: Morgraig
-- Orders: March from Morgraig towards Thesus to reinforce the 2nd Army. Avoid enemy armies on the way if possible.
2nd Royal Army
-- Commander: King Cadoc (Monarch)
-- Composition: 2 Roundshiers Regiments, 1 Pikes Regiment, 1 Horse Archer Regiment, 1 Longbows Regiment
-- Location: Thesus
-- Orders: Maintain the siege of Thesus and await reinforcements. If/when reinforcements arrive, assault the enemy garrison.
Capital Garrison
-- Commander: None
-- Composition: 3 Archer Levy, 3 Musket Levy, 3 Pike Levy
-- Location: Morgraig
-- Orders: Engage enemy forces of similar or lesser size. If larger enemy armies try to engage, retreat to Morgraig and hold the city.
Field Diplomacy: Demand surrender of the city of Thesus, promising not to sack it and offering the garrison the right to leave with their arms and banners.
Overall Objectives: Capture Thesus and prevent enemy incursions near Morgraig.
PLAYER BATTLE FORM
Name of Battle
Turn (Season & Year)
Battle Phase
Army/Navy Name
Overall Commander:
Left Flank:
-- Commander-
-- Composition-
-- Orders-
Center:
-- Commander-
-- Composition-
-- Orders-
Right Flank:
-- Commander-
-- Composition-
-- Orders-
Turn (Season & Year)
Battle Phase
Army/Navy Name
Overall Commander:
Left Flank:
-- Commander-
-- Composition-
-- Orders-
Center:
-- Commander-
-- Composition-
-- Orders-
Right Flank:
-- Commander-
-- Composition-
-- Orders-
Example
Battle of the Forest
Turn 3 (Spring 818 YP)
Deployment Phase
1st Royal Army:
Overall Commander: Modron Halfwing (General)
Left Flank
-- Commander- Captain Gwynedd (Warrior)
-- Composition- 3 Roundshier Levy Regiments
-- Orders- General advance in wide formation, seeking to envelop enemy. Push aggressively if engaged.
Center
-- Commander- Modron Halfwing (General)
-- Composition- 3 Musket Levy, 2 Pikes Regiments
-- Orders- Slow advance, with muskets in front of pikes. Stop just short of musket range. Prepare to fire on enemies led to center by feint on right flank.
Right Flank
-- Commander- None
-- Composition- 3 Roundshier Levy Regiments
-- Orders- General advance in wide formation, seeking to envelop enemy. Attempt to feint towards center if engaged by melee troops, fall back minimum safe distance and form shieldwall if engaged by ranged troops.
MODERATOR BATTLE FORM
Name of Battle
Turn (Season & Year)
Battle Phase
Estimated Enemy Strength:
Army Name
-- Commander:
-- Left Flank:
-- Center:
-- Right Flank:
Situation: Describe the overall situation as the player's commander is capable of perceiving.
Casualties: (If applicable)
Army Name
-- Left Flank:
-- Center:
-- Right Flank:
Intelligence: What can the player detect about enemy movements?
Notes: State any special conditions affecting troops or the battlefield
Turn (Season & Year)
Battle Phase
Estimated Enemy Strength:
Army Name
-- Commander:
-- Left Flank:
-- Center:
-- Right Flank:
Situation: Describe the overall situation as the player's commander is capable of perceiving.
Casualties: (If applicable)
Army Name
-- Left Flank:
-- Center:
-- Right Flank:
Intelligence: What can the player detect about enemy movements?
Notes: State any special conditions affecting troops or the battlefield
Example
Battle of the Forest
Turn 3 (Spring 818)
Reaction Phase
Estimated Enemy Strength:
Army of the Queen
-- Commander: Queen Athinea Sefti
-- Left Flank: 1 Firetooth Musketeer Regiment, 1 Roundshier Levy Regiment
-- Center: 4-7 Regiments of unknown composition
-- Right Flank: 1 Firetooth Musketeer Regiment, 1 Roundshier Levy Regiment
Situation:
-- Cerdigonian LEFT flank engaged and routed Sefti RIGHT flank but took heavy casualties from musket fire. It is FATIGUED and DEMORALIZED, but stable under the leadership of Captain Gwynedd (Warrior).
-- Cerdigonian CENTER has seen no action.
-- Cerdigonian RIGHT flank attempts feint but fails to draw Sefti LEFT flank close enough. It is FATIGUED but mostly intact despite taking some musket fire.
Casualties:
1st Royal Army
-- Left Flank: 600 Roundshiers, 50 Warriors
-- Center: None
-- Right Flank: 100 Roundshiers
Intelligence:
-- Enemy CENTER is sending unknown reinforcements to reconstitute its LEFT FLANK.
-- Most of enemy CENTER is advancing to meet Cerdigonian CENTER head on.
-- Enemy RIGHT FLANK is advancing in lockstep with the CENTER, with muskets in front and roundshiers behind.
Notes:
-- Cerdigonian levies benefit from HATRED OF ELVES (increased morale)
-- Sefti forces are advancing from HIGH GROUND, granting them slight bonuses to all combat.
-- Enemy commander is MONARCH, and therefore enemy forces benefit from increased morale.
