Týr pokes his head out of Baldur’s shirt pocket, immensely curious as to what is going on around him. Baldur pulls his horse closer to Henry and whispers: “They look like they’d be a valuable contribution to our fighting force, but I’ll defer to you on matters concerning these,” he takes a look at the Arcadians and back at Henry…"… savages."
Yeah, I think the one third from the left in the fifth row might be your mother.
Agreed.
I know you don’t like the idea, Harrow, but Ironhall really isn’t in much of a situation to turn down what is pretty much free aid. Shedlund has no doubt been planning this for at least as long as Ironhall’s marriage. Granted, she no doubt would want to keep it under wraps, for fear of Ironhall’s discovery, but the machinations were put in play long ago. She’s got the preparation and the numbers on her side. The arcadians don’t need to enter Ironhall’s lands, we can use them as a strategic flanking group to separate Shedlund’s forces. This also keeps the Arcadians away from Ironhall’s forces proper. This way anything they do that might be found…distasteful…won’t be witnessed by anyone else. Besides, Arcadians are a proud people, and probably wouldn’t want to mix with the main forces anyway.
Think of it from the enemy perspective. How would you feel if you suddenly discovered this motley bunch bearing down on your flank? They turn even your stomach, and you’re a well trained knight. Think what they’ll do to a bunch of conscripts? I have a feeling many will run just at the sight of it all.
And if you’re worried about betrayal, I’ll be willing to assist them during battle as the representative from Ironhall. I’ve had many dealings with Arcadians in the past, so I don’t really get shocked by anything they do. I’ll make sure they don’t forget why they’re here and that just as we will accept their conditions, they need to accept some of ours.
“If they take any prisoners of rank, I believe 'twould be best if such were held for ransom - our name would stink to high heaven if we let folk of quality be carried off as slaves. Else, their terms ain’t ridiculous by any means.”
When it can be managed, Hrothar wants to check how quickly his men-at-arms can switch from bow to spear, compared to the speed of a running horse. Unarmoured men would go down in droves before longbows so the more use we can get out of them the better.
Harrow looks between the party and the Arcadian’s outstretched hand. He reluctantly offers his own and the two shake hands. Opek turns his horse around and whistles with two fingers, bringing his men into a large semicircle around the party. He surveys his own force and seems about to speak when one of his men says something to him in Arcadian and approaches his leader. The two converse quietly for a moment, with the man on foot pointing at Henry about halfway through it. Opek dismisses the man and turns back around in his mount. He addresses Henry, saying something in Arcadian (party members listening may make out the words “Faramond” and “Ibene”). Then, to the rest of the party, “Where you want us?”
It would take a man-at-arms a turn to throw down his shield and spear and equip his longbow. It would take another full turn to load and fire an arrow. In that time a horse, depending on breed, could travel maybe a little under half a mile. So attempting to draw and fire on charging cavalry would be very risky.
ooc: From bow to spear was the question - the idea was to be equipped with bow initially and switch to spear if threatened by cavalry. Meantime, it seems from the answer above as though cavalry can charge from beyond longbow range and be fired on once, at most, on the run-in. Doesn’t sound like a paying proposition for the bowmen, but as long as I know…
Henry responds with a few sentences in stilted Arcadian. It’s clear that whatever Opek told him was not met with happiness on Henry’s part, but not really anger either. It’s more along the lines of disgruntlement.
Regardless the news clearly has upset Henry’s usually calm demeanor.
Upon hearing the word “Faramond,” Týr pokes out of his cozy pocket and begins to chitter excitedly. “Yes brother, I’ll ask him.”
Turning to Henry again, “What did our new interesting friend say? I was only able to make a few words out of their strange language. Is there news from Ibene? And, have they any mention of sister? Trinidad is quite popular among pirates, is it not?”
There is news from Ibene, but it doesn’t concern our sister. It concerns me. I will fill you in after this matter with Shedlund is resolved. For now, do not worry about it.
“Oh, I see.” An awkward pause fills the air like biting into a hot dog and getting mustard on your tie. “So, now what?” says Týr.
Or so Baldur thinks. Baldur does the favor of passing on the word to Henry.
:Sohan listens to all conversation intently and combs her hair carefully:
She says nothing, though.
With no further specifications given to Opek and his men they simply continue on their way to Ironhall. The party follows suit. The next few days are busy: Families from around Ironhall continue to stream in to take shelter behind the town’s walls. On the early morning of the third day after Opek’s arrival there is word from a scout: There is a column of perhaps three hundred fifty men-at-arms in Shedlund tabards and accompanying wagon supply train snaking its way along the East Ironway. They are likely about a day away at their current pace; they arrived at the road further east than anticipated. Harrow immediately orders all Ironhall forces to assemble and the party is given one last chance to meet.
“This can’t be all of her men. She’s likely divided her force in two. Perhaps we should do likewise.” Harrow looks to Keiron and the party for input.
You need to form a battle plan now. Will Ironhall’s forces be divided? If so, how? What should be done with each force? Which characters will accompany which force?
Cyrus volunteers to lead a group of peasants, but otherwise leaves the battle planning to cooler heads.
Cyrus rides to the head of the “Bull” group. One of the peasants has been given a long wooden pike with a heavy brown identifying banner. At the top of the banner there are various peasant relics: Two crumbling skulls, likely formerly belonging to revered ancestors of several of the men in the unit. A necklace of seashells. A muddy boot. Being led personally by a nobleman seems to rouse them and they give several hearty cheers to the Faramond. Brute runs up and down along the line, barking loudly.
Cutter somewhat reluctantly joins Cyrus unless directed elsewhere. Choke stays with the other two Faramonds.
“My Lords, I believe we should divide our troops. Is this not wise?”
Cyrus, shouting to the Bull group peasants - “Twenty coppers to any man who sends more Shedlund cowards back to their ancestors than I do!”
Henry will go with the Arcadians to set up a flanking force. He will also ask for some scouts that will volunteer as go-betweens for his force and the main force. If the enemy has split its forces as well, we don’t want to be taken by surprise. All of Ironhall’s forces need to keep in regular contact.
He also suggests that we might want to have two flanking forces, so there will be three groups. The main force will meet the enemy head on. His force will meet the enemy from the South, while somewhat circling around them to get behind them as much as possible. The third force should probably approach from the direct North.
And all scouts need to keep an eye out for the remaining forces of Shedlund.
“Without an idea of the location and bearing of the main Shedlund contingent, we must not commit all our forces to the field.” Keiron says, "We may find those 350 Shedlund men marching down the East Ironway a diversion for the main force working its way towards Ironhall itself.
"We should only send enough troops to handle that force of 350 along the road. I’ll keep whatever we have left back here and hold the city against a direct attack. If the main force flanks, retreat and regroup once we have more information.
“Once we know where the main force is we can decide to handle it separately. With the 350 out of the picture, we could easily engage the main Shedlund force and surround it in the field or have the flanking units brought back to break a potential siege.”
Cyrus, to the party out of earshot of the conscripts - “Finally, someone with half a brain. Would’ve been a shame not to use this big fortress for what it’s meant for. Even bigger pity would be to lose the goddamn war because we didn’t leave anyone behind to defend it.”
Does anyone have any concrete suggestions as to the force that should be sent to meet the Men-At-Arms making their way to Ironhall? If not Harrow will make the decision himself (taking under consideration what the party has discussed thus far).