Episode 37

[Bynw]

 [19:34:21] * Playing 'recap.txt' to #Teara-Adan with 1300ms delay
[19:34:22] <.Bynw> +---------------------------------------
[19:34:24] <.Bynw> |
[19:34:25] <.Bynw> |   The Winds of Change - Episode 37
[19:34:26] <.Bynw> |
[19:34:28] <.Bynw> | Beginning Adventure Recap
[19:34:29] <.Bynw> |
[19:34:30] <.Bynw> +---------------------------------------
[19:34:32] <.Bynw> |
[19:34:33] <.Bynw> | Work on the trade road progresses. 
[19:34:34] <.Bynw> | Although weather and sabotage have slowed
[19:34:35] <.Bynw> | the work down from time to time. Yet, 
[19:34:37] <.Bynw> | the Seafort's continue and the road 
[19:34:38] <.Bynw> | takes shape.
[19:34:39] <.Bynw> |
[19:34:41] <.Bynw> | The mercenary leader, Major Kohel, has
[19:34:42] <.Bynw> | drilled and trained over 100 laborers 
[19:34:43] <.Bynw> | and farmers into an elite fighting
[19:34:45] <.Bynw> | force. Better than 3 times an army of
[19:34:46] <.Bynw> | conscripts alone.
[19:34:47] <.Bynw> |
[19:34:49] <.Bynw> | News has reached the Palace that 6 
[19:34:50] <.Bynw> | small villages near the boarder Egora 
[19:34:51] <.Bynw> | to the north have been burned out, 
[19:34:53] <.Bynw> | the people slaughtered save for the 
[19:34:54] <.Bynw> | few that lived to tell the tale of
[19:34:55] <.Bynw> | the Egorian nightly attack. 
[19:34:56] <.Bynw> | 
[19:34:58] <.Bynw> +---------------------------------------
[19:34:59] <.Bynw> |
[19:35:00] <.Bynw> | Today's Game Date: 10 Novembre 463 NE
[19:35:02] <.Bynw> |     Game Time: Morning
[19:35:03] <.Bynw> |
[19:35:04] <.Bynw> |   End of Adventure Recap
[19:35:06] <.Bynw> |
[19:35:07] <.Bynw> +---------------------------------------
[19:35:07] * Playback of 'recap.txt' complete
[19:35:25] <.Bynw> (( note. i had the wrong year listed previously as 461. this is now corrected. thanks ))
[19:37:03] * +Ryethon storms through the hallswith a pot of black bean tea in hand heading for Seth's chambers.
[19:37:25] <+Ryethon> "Seth!"
[19:37:30] * Papaganoush has joined #Teara-Adan
[19:37:55] * +Coch is the Great Hall reviewing maps of Warp Wood and the surrounding territories
[19:38:10] <+Seth> ::wakes with a groan, most of his previous evenings cloths still on, he seems to have passed out on his bed the night before::
[19:38:41] * +Kevin , being an early riser, is also in the Great Hall
[19:38:49] <+Seth> ::Opens his chamber door with a slam:: "what!?"
[19:39:44] * +Ryethon shoves a cup into Seth's hand and pours tea into it.
[19:40:30] <+Seth> ::Raises an eyebrow in question to Ryethon:: "What is going on?"
[19:40:48] <+Ryethon> "Get ready, we have plans to make. We must make preparations for war."
[19:41:26] <+Seth> ::begins sipping the tea:: "Oh? I'll be out in a few minutes::
[19:41:44] <+Coch> ::Looking up from the maps::"It bothers me that so many people were slaughtered for no apparent reason"
[19:42:11] <+Ryethon> "Here you'll probably want this too." :: hands seth a bottle of brandy::
[19:42:17] <+Kevin> "An act of war, no doubt."
[19:42:23] <.Bynw> *The Queen and Jack are still out on their tour of the Trade Road construction. Making a royal appearance at the construction site*
[19:42:23] <+Seth> ::Slowly closes his chambers door and hurridly begins washing and changing himself::
[19:44:19] <+Kevin> "But, a bit disturbing none the less."
[19:45:13] <+Seth> ::Moments later Seth emerges refreshed and tucking a clean shirt into his trousers as he trots to the great hall. He has the brandy bottle in hand:: "Come General, you can fill me in on the details when we reach the great hall."
[19:46:40] <+Seth> ::Stalks into the great hall:: "What is this about war I hear?"
[19:47:30] <+Ryethon> "We have been invaded by Egora, burned out several villages, and slaughtered the people living there."
[19:50:30] <+Seth> ::He nods solemly:: "Just as I feared. The trade road has brought our neighboring territories against us."
[19:52:33] <+Ryethon> "Fortunately we have our troops."
[19:52:38] <+Coch> "We must send a strong message that we will not allow this"
[19:53:13] <+Ryethon> "Agreed."
[19:55:04] <+Ryethon> "I suggest that we send ten of our best troops, and order them for surgical strikes on their military infrastructure."
[19:55:05] <+Seth> ::Rolls out a map of the West Abronn Territories onto a table and points to Egora::
[19:55:32] <+Coch> "Perhaps we should arrange a surprise greeting for our neighbors next time they come for a visit?"
[19:56:15] <+Kevin> "I would vote for a retaliation..."
[19:56:19] <+Seth> "Egora is hedged by two rivers, here, and here" ::he points to the map::
[19:56:33] <.Bynw> *Major Kohel enters the Great hall and nods to General Ryethon and bows to Lord Seth* "My Lords" *he says as he stands* "Our forces are ready to repel any invasion. But we must move quickly otherwise the enemy will have a chance to fortify themselves."
[19:57:30] <+Seth> "If they where to take our trade road by force they could extend it on to the rivers and double it's effectiveness."
[19:58:34] <+Kevin> "And, if this escalates to a war and we win, WE can double it's effectiveness..."
[19:58:59] <+Seth> "They wont stop with a few villages I think. They are goading us into striking back so they can declare full scale war I think. Otherwise the other territories might not ally with them foor being the attacker."
[19:59:27] <+Coch> "Do we know the size of their military or its composition?"
[19:59:42] <+Seth> "I do not know for certain, but I would say it is a safe bet that we are out numbered in troops."
[20:00:02] <+Seth> "Not to mention they will have allies in the other territories."
[20:00:21] <+Ryethon> "True, which is why i suggest that we strike at their militarty infrastructure."
[20:00:47] <+Seth> "I think we must strike a blow so swift, daring, and brutal that it catches them off guard and ends the conflict before it has a chance to really begin."
[20:01:32] <+Seth> "I say we make the territories leadership our target. Eliminate them and step into the role."
[20:01:36] <+Kevin> "What kind of strike were you thinking?"
[20:01:51] <+Coch> "We could sneak in and just attack the troops involved in the massacre, we can say they were rogue mercanaries.  Egora I don't think would claim them if we can prove those were the troops that did the attacks"
[20:02:20] <+Kevin> "Or, should I say, a strike to what?"
[20:03:57] <+Seth> "Lord Coch I think your failing to see the point. Egora means to take us. These strikes where made to draw us in, but failing that they will attack. This is to the death gentlemen!"
[20:05:06] <+Coch> "I understand but I'm trying to avoid provoking an all out war"
[20:05:27] <+Kevin> "What sort of strike would be daring enough, but yet not cause an all out war?"
[20:06:05] <.Bynw> *Major Kohel* "You have a keen military mind, My Lord."
[20:06:33] <+Seth> "MY point lord Coch is we are at war, we have no choice. They will come to take our lands even if we sit here and do nothing. They want our road and are willing to kill for it. If you can't stand up to protect your people then take a walk to the tavern and drink, your no use here as a lord!"
[20:07:03] <+Ryethon> "Set fire to barracks...
[20:07:22] <+Coch> "If we send an official letter to Egora saying rogue mercenaries are operating at our borders and offer to work with them.  While waiting for the response we do our attack, sending a second letter stating that"
[20:08:14] <+Coch> "That should keep them off balance a bit, especially if we are dramatically successful"
[20:09:36] <+Coch> "And not to worry Lord Seth, I've done plenty of killing and I will do much more before my life is over"
[20:09:41] <+Seth> "I say we field every man we can and march them right over the boarder. Then while they draw off Egora's army we lords ride in to the capital in disguise or under darkness and kill every Egorian lord."
[20:10:31] <+Seth> "When the Egorian army returns it will be to us on the throne."
[20:10:48] <+Kevin> "I was contemplating an assassination, as that is one of my stronger skills, but that sounds very risky, and possibly causing an all out war."
[20:11:06] <+Kevin> "Is anyone versed on their goverment?"
[20:11:35] <+Seth> "Dammit! Am I the only one here who see's that we are at war already!?"
[20:11:51] <+Seth> "What more do the Egorian's need to do!?"
[20:11:51] <+Ryethon> "no"
[20:13:32] <+Coch> "Lord Seth can you find out more about the Egorian Army?"
[20:14:48] <+Seth> ::Pours himself a half cup of brandy:: "Yes I can. But I think the faster we move the better chance we have of winning."
[20:15:05] <+Kevin> "I am ready to move out, as soon as possible."
[20:15:25] <+Kevin> "I am actually a bit excited that I get to use my 'art' again."
[20:17:01] <+Coch> "What good will it be to move 100 or 105 mean against possibly thousands?"
[20:17:33] <+Seth> "We have only a hundred trained troops, a tiny force. I'm sure Egora can field more men. They would not be trying to pull us into open conflict if they did not. That is why I say we use our troops as a distraction."
[20:17:38] <+Kevin> "It will be a distraction. If the troops at the border, they aren't in the capital."
[20:18:07] <+Coch> "We don't have enough information to make an educated choice.  For all we know they could have men on ships waiting for us to leave the palace and hed to the border."
[20:18:14] <+Ryethon> "a force over 25 will be ripe for destruction."
[20:18:24] <+Coch> "Exactly so Kevin"
[20:19:13] <.Bynw> *Major Kohel* "My Lords. Our army is an elite force of highly trained, but still slightly green men. They will do they job."
[20:19:43] <+Coch> "Problem is we still don't what the job should be"
[20:22:21] <+Kevin> "Would some midnight strikes to important border military outposts, until they bring more than enough men down, be a good distraction?"
[20:22:29] <+Seth> "I can get a birds eye view of our boarders and Egora's, but it will take days too cover that much territory."
[20:23:59] <+Ryethon> "Would you be able to notify troups in the field of what you see?
[20:24:01] <+Coch> "I think if we can find their main camp, we would be in business"
[20:24:39] <+Seth> "I propose we move our troops for the very reason that they present such a tempting target. The Egoran's will ache to destroy our forces. It would save them much grief to be done with us in one fell swoop." ::Turns to Ryethon:: "Yes."
[20:25:45] <+Seth> "I don't think we can defeat their forces. They would not attack unless they had an army to follow through. We have nothing but a peace keeping force."
[20:26:14] <+Kevin> "I can move out and make a strike on their highest ranking military official on the border, before we move to the city..."
[20:26:40] <+Seth> "That might tip them off to our real plan Lord Kevin."
[20:26:57] <+Kevin> "Hmm... 
[20:27:05] <+Kevin> "It might, good point."
[20:27:34] <.Bynw> *Major Kohel* "If I may add in some more information My Lords." *he says while looking over the reports of the attack* "This looks like an assessment strike. Something to test the boarders prior to a major attack."
[20:28:36] <+Seth> ::Nods in agreement to Major Kohel:: "They will be watching for our men, they know we are coming so we can't surprise them. I say we do just what they want us to do. Make ourselves look foolish. Then we flank them and eliminate the leadership."
[20:28:37] <+Ryethon> "While our force in strong, and undefeatable in certain situations, we do not have the numbers for full scale war. The only way to win this, is to use the strenght of their military against them. move a small number of troops in , perhaps two groups of ten,  and start destroying their outposts, fire is very effective in these situations, and failing that, we can burn their fields."
[20:29:24] <+Seth> "And what happens when they move 1000 men straight to our keep?"
[20:29:33] <+Coch> "We could round up peasants dress them in military garb and show them a force much larger than they expected?"
[20:30:00] <+Ryethon> "
[20:31:21] <+Coch> "That may give them pause to think it through"
[20:31:24] <+Seth> "What happens when they are tired of our tricks and little raids, then move into Warp Wood and burn this entire place to the ground? Kill everyone."
[20:31:38] <+Ryethon> "That is exactly why we do not front our troops, we do not let them know how many we have, and have our troops dig in along their route. All it takes is one arrow a day killing an officer to break their morale. Our soldiers can handle that kind of mission."
[20:33:21] <+Coch> "Where are our friends the Druids?  I would be interested in what they have to say on this matter"
[20:35:12] <+Seth> "They have veteran troops. They have been to war. You really think your going to take our 100 men and harass them into surrendering? You think they don't know the tricks of war as well as us? You think you can defend this place if they come for us? As for the Druids, if you want to talk to that dirty foul tempered stack of dung, go ahead. If you want to trust him to help us, then your crazy."
[20:35:32] <+Ryethon> "We send our units staggered by a week, they will be disguised as merchants, or traders, or whatever seems plauable, they will circle around to the back side of Egora, and start with systematic sabotage along their opposite border from us. Do we have any spys in Egora? Does our friend Seafort?"
[20:36:01] <+Kevin> "Seth, you seem very earnest about this. How soon do you think we should attempt a distraction and an assassination."
[20:36:13] <+Seth> "Today."
[20:36:25] <+Seth> "As fast as possible."
[20:36:26] <+Ryethon> "Foolish."
[20:37:23] <+Coch> "We should raze the route the Egorians will travel, leave no food, shelter, or water usable for them"
[20:37:53] <+Coch> "That will have to stop when their supplies run out"
[20:37:59] <+Ryethon> "We do not have the people to take another country, let alone hold it. We can prove to them that we have spines should they choose to take a bite. But we could never take their country."
[20:39:26] <+Seth> ::Takes a seat and sips his brandy."
[20:39:27] <+Seth> ::
[20:40:41] <+Kevin> "With very careful malipulation of the leading powers, and those right below the leaders, I think that it is possible to take a country such as theirs."
[20:40:54] <+Coch> "We should send out couriers to Egora's neighbors and let them know how unprotected they are currently.  They must have enemies that would take advantage of this situation"
[20:41:14] <+Ryethon> "Seth, i mean no direspect here, but this reaction, is what they want. They are goading us into a foolish action. We should plan carefully."
[20:42:21] <+Ryethon> "Coch, an excelent idea. we may be able to take their country with the aid of others, and split the territory. but alone we wouldn't stand a chance."
[20:43:09] <+Coch> "Well said Ryethon"
[20:43:10] <+Seth> ::Looks up with a tired cast to his face:: "General, if you had 1000 men at your call and an invasion planned out would it be possible for a force of 100 green troops to stop you?"
[20:43:29] <+Ryethon> "Yes."
[20:44:08] <+Seth> "How about a billion to 100?"
[20:45:58] <+Seth> "Do you have so little confidence in their generals that you think they can't use their force to best advantage just like you can?"
[20:46:09] <+Ryethon> "Careful placemen, and sretegic strikes."
[20:46:31] <+Seth> "And you think the other generals wont do the same?"
[20:47:14] <+Seth> "You think they will just march their entire force straight down the road at us? What if they take the same tactics as you are?"
[20:47:48] <+Seth> "Break their forces up and burn our kingdom down one village at a time."
[20:48:04] <+Ryethon> "Seth, to be honest, their generals do not practice gurrila warfare, very few do. If they are moving those kinds of numbers into our territroy they are relying on sheer numbers, not skill or strategy. a flaming arrow in their supply. you can not support 100 gurilla warriors. it is impossible."
[20:48:21] <+Ryethon> 1000*
[20:49:02] <.Bynw> *Major Kohel* "We could pull off the assassination of their leaders. While their troops are away from the capital."
[20:50:30] <+Seth> ::Sighs:: "People lose battles. Kings lose wars. If a 100 men could hold off ten times their numbers in every conflict, no one would ever win a battle. There are tactics to counter the ones you propose. Warfare is an age old science."
[20:50:32] <+Ryethon> "A flaming arrow in their supplys, or an officer is very discouraging to the troops. Forces that size break from hunger faster than battle. You cannot support 1000 gurilla warriors. It is impossible.**"
[20:51:21] <+Seth> "The under dog doesn't always win."
[20:51:38] <+Kevin> "A desicive blow to their leaders can also be discouraging."
[20:52:00] <+Ryethon> "Sorry to break the news to you, but we are the underdog here, and we have no choice but to win."
[20:53:55] <+Ryethon> "If our forces are visable they will be overrun, those are the facts."
[20:54:01] <+Seth> "And you think a flaming arrow, a few dead officers, and supply problems are going to win it for us?"
[20:55:10] <+Ryethon> "what else do you propose? It is what our men are trained to do. They were trained that way because we have so few."
[20:57:14] <+Ryethon> "Our men are trained specificly for breaking larger forces. It's what they do. I say we let them do it."
[20:57:56] <+Kevin> "I may have misunderstood Seth, but I thought he was saying that our troops use guerrilla tactics, but at the same time we assassinate their leaders.
[20:59:19] <+Ryethon> "We must consult with other nations before we make such a move. A disrupt country on our border can be just as devistating ot us as all out war. Immagine a flood of thousands of refugees into our country."
[21:00:41] <+Seth> "They will be prepared for tricks if we use gurilla tactics. They wont move all their troops."
[21:02:04] <+Seth> "They will expect us to try something like moving on the captital. Part of the reason I said to move our troops in the open was to appear foolish. To lull them into making a mistake."
[21:02:07] <+Ryethon> "And we won't either. But it is the only way we stand to have a chance against them."
[21:02:33] <+Seth> "Why try to beat their army?
[21:02:35] <+Seth> "
[21:02:54] <+Ryethon> "So we throw open the gates and welcome them in?"
[21:05:25] <+Coch> "We could sneak in and poison their food supplies.  Then wait for it to work and then finish them all off."
[21:05:49] <+Coch> "I would be willing to go on that mission"
[21:06:19] <+Kevin> "As would I."
[21:06:44] <+Ryethon> "poison, sabotage, it is the same thing. I suggested we send two units of ten soldiers around to their opposite border and begin systematic sabotage."
[21:07:13] <+Kevin> "But, I also think that assassination is a good idea as well..."
[21:07:32] <+Coch> "I don't like the idea of hurting innocent people Ryethon"
[21:07:48] <+Seth> ::Smacks his head::
[21:07:51] <+Ryethon> "Who said anythign about innocent people?"
[21:08:19] <+Seth> ::Pours a large glass of brandy for himself::
[21:08:26] <+Coch> "What are you going to attack?"
[21:08:57] <+Ryethon> "Sabotage their military outposts, direct their eyes away from us."
[21:09:06] <+Coch> "If there army is moving in our territory what is left behind them that they need?"
[21:10:48] <+Ryethon> "Support infrastructure, supplys, you can't carry and pillage everything. Training camps, etc., etc., etc."
[21:12:45] <+Seth> ::Takes a large drink of his brandy:: "So why not break the 1000 men into 100 men fighting units?"
[21:12:48] <+Coch> "If you were leading the Egorans would that stop you? or would you call for reinforcements from the rear to handle the problem?"
[21:13:24] <+Seth> "What ever you do, they can do. But they can do it with more men."
[21:13:55] <+Ryethon> "And that is their weakness."
[21:14:04] <.Bynw> *Adrain Sprax enters the Great Hall followed by several other men who have been appointed to positions by the Lords*  "Is it true? Have the Egorian's attacked us?"
[21:14:09] <+Ryethon> "The more men they have, the more they have to support."
[21:15:55] <+Seth> ::Looks to Marshal Sprax:: "Yes Marshal." ::Looks back to General Ryethon:: "So your saying that so long as anyone has 100 men to command they are an impossible force to over come?"
[21:16:46] <+Ryethon> "No, i am saying that their men are trained to fight in large units, not in small units."
[21:17:09] <+Seth> "How do you know that?"
[21:17:34] <+Seth> "You think they don't have an elite force in reserve of their own?"
[21:17:45] <+Ryethon> "If they were, they would already be here, and burning our city now."
[21:18:07] <+Seth> "You think they aren't?"
[21:18:22] <+Ryethon> "Smell smoke?"
[21:19:44] <+Kevin> "How do you know they aren't testing us before they go guerilla?"
[21:20:02] <+Seth> "All this sabatoge and flaming arrows business your planning. You think your the only one to plan something like that? The Egoran's are waiting for us to be the aggressor. That doesn't mean they don't have troops in place. Recall that nice assassination plan I had? Now recall the deadly plague we had that wiped out or last General?"
[21:20:40] <+Seth> "You feeling sick yet General Ryethon?"
[21:21:02] <+Seth> "Maybe a nice flaming arrow waits for you."
[21:21:12] <+Ryethon> "Yes, lovely business that."
[21:21:40] <+Seth> "They can do all your planning to do and more, plus still have troops left over to march on our capital."
[21:22:07] <+Ryethon> "Though from the things i hear, i would not have been supprised if somone close to him eleminated him as an act of patriotism."
[21:22:33] <+Ryethon> "But I digress."
[21:22:37] <+Seth> ::Laughs:: "Careful General..."
[21:23:38] <+Seth> "My point is that you are betting it all on the Egorian's coming right at us like morons. What if they don't? Would you if you where them?"
[21:23:53] <+Ryethon> "If you want to take this damn fool errand of trying to assassinate their leaders, go right ahead, I won't stop you. But I warn you, that you should consider that whoever replaces them may be worse."
[21:24:48] <+Seth> "We buy off the army."
[21:24:58] <+Seth> "Just a bunch of grunts right?"
[21:25:04] <+Ryethon> "HA!"
[21:25:18] <+Seth> "Not much to look forward to when they muster out?"
[21:25:36] <+Ryethon> "Ever herd the phrase "Military Coupe"?
[21:26:45] <+Seth> "So we offer them a piece of land in Egora. No nobels to rouse them, no leaders but us and we're giving them land. Why not jump behind us? What do they care who's in charge, so long as they get land?"
[21:26:58] <+Seth> "Greed is a powerful modivator."
[21:27:26] <+Ryethon> "And suppose that a dictator takes the place of the leaders, how do you propose we support thousands of refugees?"
[21:28:18] <+Seth> "I was under the impression that in a coupe you execute everyone capable of things like that. As long as the army is loyal to us we have no worries."
[21:28:58] <+Ryethon> "Seth, I never said one way or the other."
[21:30:02] <+Seth> ::He smiles like a wolf:: "I do. Feed them to the pigs and make the army greedy. If it's one thing I CAN do it's talk people into things."
[21:31:37] <+Seth> "We look through the nobels and keep a few of the most cowardly, the ones with the most to lose. We keep them and make them support us. That will help get the people behind us. Troops have families too."
[21:32:26] <+Seth> "If you care to General, do your plan as well."
[21:32:54] <+Ryethon> "And what makes you think that you can assinate their leaders? Or that they aren't planning the same thing for us? Feeling well Seth?"
[21:33:22] <+Seth> "Lead the men straight out and over Egoras boarder. Burn a few villages, when they come for you in full force wait until the last moment and fall back. Meld into the hills."
[21:33:39] * Papaganoush has quit IRC (Quit: Leaving)
[21:34:07] <+Seth> ::Snorts:: "I am a trained Mage, curses will have a tough time cornering me General."
[21:34:33] <.Bynw> (( looks like a good stopping note ))
[21:34:41] <+Seth> "I believe we can assassinate the nobels because Lord Kevin is trained to do it."
[21:35:01] <+Kevin> "That I am."