Links-
Previously on "Guardians of the Greenbelt"... (Links to Chapters 1 and 2)- Link, Link
Link to Discussion Thread (lurker friendly and peanuts guaranteed...)- Link
Link to Interlude Threads (between Chapters 1 and 2/2 and 3)- Link, Link
Link to group site (please give me an e-mail address in the discussion thread if you want viewing access)- Link
The Guardians of the Greenbelt-
Casimir- Aldori Arcana Duelist, Story Spinner, Redeemer and Spymaster of Kardas
Fenna- Heavens Oracle and Prophetess of Aroden, Councillor of Kardas
Kalev- Marshall of Kardas, Hunter, Warrior, Patron of Tatzlford
Malthir- Paladin of the Inheritor, Sword Scion, First Sword and Duke of Kardas
Kip- Fey Sympathiser, National Hero, Magister of Kardas, Founder of Cathrach-Cann
Ricter- Hellknight Commander, Field Maralictor, Arbiter of Law, General of Kardas
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Kalev, can your men tell us where this skeletal army is? You should gather what rangers you can.
Ricter, can you pull together about 20 of your men? Guardians, we should ride to this host and eliminate it. We should then ride for Varnhold as soon as we eliminate this undead threat. We need to determine what is driving this host and destroy it first to eliminate any threat to Kardas and then move to aid Varn as best we can.
Any thoughts or concerns? Varnhold needs our help and we will not stand idly by while something dire has befallen them!
The other men can return to help keep the kingdom safe from outside threats while we go to Varnhold!
By that afternoon, Malthir have given what other orders he can at the castle and is ready to ride east...
Kip grabs his pack and heads to the stables...
"Your will be done, Baron. The Hellknights will march to uphold your laws...and those of Pharasma"
Ricter sends word to Pellius and the other four Hellknights stationed in Sword haven. They assemble their squads of Armigers Quickly and efficiently a dark-armored column forms in the courtyard of Swordhaven's keep.
At their head Ricter stands ready. His thoughts are clear and calm and focused on the battle ahead. At the back of his mind, though, the man he used to be seethes with rage at the thought of the dead being forced to walk.
"No doubt the well trained Hellknights will have little trouble dispatching such a mindless host, even of the great numbers our scouts report. But perhaps the Armigers should each be armed with a vial of holy water, in case they encounter any undead more formidable than simple skeletons."
Over the past two years, Kardas has helped to shelter the fledgeling Hellknight company underneath General Ricter and Signifer Grachius and they have not been idle in this time. The Hellknight's military structure and citadel have been quietly recruiting more and more brave men and women to their ranks- and the force they are able to field for Kardas now numbers one hundred heavily armoured, mounted warriors.
Armies of Kardas-
LN Hellknight Force- CR4 Army
Medium Army of Hellknights & Armigers
Combat
Hit Points 22, Defence Value 17, Offence Modifier +6
Morale- +0
Leader-
Tactics-
Resources- Mounts, Ranged Weapons, Improved Armour (masterwork)
Special Abilities-
Logistics
Speed 3, Consumption 2 (per week, so 8 per month)
Prerequisite- Hellknight Alliance
As the next scout's report came in, the need to gather the full Hellknight force at Kardas' disposal became apparent and within hours, the mounted army had been gathered outside Swordhaven's walls; along with a few dozen of Kalev's best men to act as scouts for the army.
According to the scout's report, the army of skeletons numbered perhaps two thousand or more, and was moving west on the edge of the Nomen Heights. It looked apparent that they were preparing to approach the Shrike river and cross the bridge built at Nettle's Crossing to enter the heartland of Kardas. Perhaps more disturbing than the numbers reported, however, was what was marching in the centre of the army; at least four Giants with axes. The scouts were unable to get close enough to describe them further.
With the entire army mounted, General Ricter was confident they could reach the bridge in time to defend it, perhaps gaining an advantage by forcing the army to fight in a bottleneck...
Between Stanis' own local knowledge, notes from Ilya's trips and Kalev's formidable knowledge of geography, you are also equipped to investigate with a map of Varnhold and other Brevic settlements in the Nomen Heights. The trade route built to Varnhold from Kardas bypasses the northern Brevic road by extending directly west from the city, through Varnhold pass and meeting Kardassian territory by the Shrike. This is reportedly the route the skeletons are expected to have taken to get so close...
Also nearby is Fort Serenko- one of Brevic's wooden fortifications that has been on the border to the Stolen Lands for many years. Nivakta's Crossing is the southern-most Rostlandic village in all of Brevoy and by now, many of you are familiar with the city of Restov nearby; the heart of the Brevic rebellion.
I knew something would have to be leading the skeletons to keep them together, we ride for the bridge!
On the ride to the bridge with the Guardians, We should split into two forces, the army should keep them bottled up at the bridge and fight the there.
If possible we should cross before the army and try to circle into the skeletons from behind to destroy their leaders. Once the skeletons are leaderless, their fighting effectiveness will be much reduced. Any thoughts or concerns?
I would think my best chances of meaningful contribution in the upcoming battle would be through aerial reconnaissance and general harassment of enemy troop movements.
I can also help to move a small strike team into position via flight as well while simultaneously supporting their efforts as best I can.
The newly acquired rod of extend would prove extremely helpful with the duration of my flights, unless there are other, more important, designs on its use.
I also have a couple of scrolls of fireball for use...
And if diminishing the effectiveness of enemy command is desired, I could try and blind the giants, but they would be highly resistant to the attempts.
That is presuming, they are, in fact giants.... and truly in command of the army.
"Quite true, Kip," Fenna agrees with the Magister's assessment of the giants, "the remains of giants are just as susceptible to necromancy as the smaller races. But their size does single them out as a more formidable threat, nonetheless."
"Should the need arise, I would be able to call upon my slowly rekindling connection with the stars above to provide our forces with a river crossing, wherever one might be required."
Fenna, you have just given us our element of surprise if needed! I forgot you have that ability. Let's get to the river and see what we see, we can try to make plans from there. There must be a Necromancer or something controlling them otherwise skeletons would just wonder areound attacking things...as I said whatever that creature is is the one we must really be concerned about, although a few thousand skeletons is nothing to sneeze at.
I hope that these undead are not Varn's citizens...
Do undead require a bridge to cross the river?
I am guiessing that unless they are weighed down a fast flowing river could carry them away, just like a man. Zombies would probably just float away.
Malthir is correct. The shrike river is formidable; the skeletons would need to be far larger than a man to cross easily.
"So, the bridge is the best place to stop them. I like the idea of leaving our troops to handle the defense of the bridge and making a flying sweep to see if we can spot someone leading them."
Can undead not swim? Without the concern of drowning and, apparently, improved buoyancy they would have little to fear from the water no? A quick current and the right bend in the river would actually aid in the crossing I would think.
And the Shrike is fast flowing its entire length? I had not realized... that will make it difficult to use as a trade route as well, regardless of the falls...
Kip waves his hand before adding, Forgive me if I am being dense, but... without a map showing us Varn's territory, why are we assuming the horde needs to cross the river? If they approach via the trade road, they are already on the south bank of the river no? There is no need to cross the bridge at Nettle's crossing. They can march straight to Swordhaven. Unless the capital is not their intended destination...
Their bones would not hold apart against the waters, Kip. Jhod explained, using the large map on the central table of the meeting room to make his next counterargument. As for assaulting Swordhaven; that would still require them to cross the Shrike. The report we have is that they are marching west, fast, directly along the trade road. Perhaps they make for Cathrach-Crann. But we have people in towns and villages in our lands that also need our protection. Holding them at the bridge prevents them from ever truly entering our duchy.
I wonder about the timing of the attack as well... it is five days until Ascendance Day... and just under two weeks until Harvest Feast. Might this be an attack upon our farm lands and food stores?
Winter is coming...
If we hold the west end of the bridge at Nettle's crossing, might they not just bypass in favor of the ford further down river? The ford is not likely as defensible and leaves the march to Swordhaven unprotected with us in pursuit and/or on the wrong side of the Shrike ourselves.
Do we have the advantage of superior mobility at least?
Marching through the Kamelands would take them much longer, which is likely why they make for the bridge. The Hellknight force at our... disposal... is far swifter than their bones.
Their goal may just be to do as much damage as they can to our lands, our people, and our cities. Once we get to the battlefield and see what we face, we will be able to make more plans.
If needed we will destroy the bridge from our side to slow them down and if they try to make a river crossing they will be more disorganized and we will stand a much better chance of cutting them down as they come out of the river.
Thanks to Fenna and your magic Kip we can cross and attack them as needed...we will have to see what surprises the enemy has in store for us.
From past experience it will be more than just some motley collection of skeletons wondering down the road. Someone or something commands them and has used powerful magic to bind this many together, wouldn't you agree Fenna?
Kip any thoughts on this?
My limited knowledge of the Necromantic arts is that you typically can just bind a few dozen of them at a time...
Stanislaw, the Hellknights have sworn to defend this Kingdom as did Ricter. I have no doubts if requested, they would die to defend Kardas just as we would.
The black art is not one I am well versed in personally... but Doritian's council in this matter might be beneficial as he is knowledgeable on the subject.
"Indeed," the gnomish councillor nods, "for such a large group of mindless undead to be moving with a single purpose would require some greater power behind them, controlling their movements... the horde we face here would typically be beyond the magic of a single necromancer, but certain powerful undead have an innate mastery over those creatures spawned from their victims' remains."
The ride to the bridge took most of the day but a little after sunset, the Kardassian forces had arrived at the Nettle's bridge. It appeared that the undead force had not yet arrived...
Ricter we should not create any lights until we know where the enemy force is, let's choose a place near to the bridge to stay out of sight for the moment, I don't want them to know we are already here if possible.
Guardians...thoughts on finding how far out the enemy is without giving up our possible advantage of surprise? We should also find out if they have any advanced scouts holding the bridge. A job probably best for the 6 of us.
Ricter, Kalev can you have half or your men start to find some fallen trees in order to build a rough barricade on our side of the bridge? If we can bottleneck them on the bridge.
I am worried about the giants though, they could pulverize our forces from range...as I said we need to find out where and confirm the composition of the enemy forces. The barricades could also protect them from the boulders.
Extended flight by a dashing and heroic halfling sorceror?
"That's what I was thinking, Kip...well, the extended flight part anyway."
Kip smiles before sticking his tongue out at Casimir.
The only problem is you can't see at night, unless you also have a darkvision spell?
I do have one of my elixers yes...
Or we could send Kalev flying for a look see...
I can set my men to making blockades, but we'll have to deal with the giants as already mentioned. In addition, won't one of us flying overhead be a prime target for a magical attack by who or whatever is commanding that army?
That is why I suggested a small and stealthy fellow first. One with the ability to vanish if need be. The darkness should make it easier to stay hidden while flying nap of the earth. I am only going to locate the approaching army, and gather whatever other intelligence I can, without risking myself or giving away our presence yes?
I plan on keeping my distance.
What is the alternative to a flying scout? Mounted scouts?
Kip shrugs his shoulders, The six of us can all ride out together and see what we see. Leave the main force to hold the bridge while we do a little reconnaissance...
"Kip is right, some sort of reconnosance is vital and a flying scout would be better than any alternative. Should he come under magical attack he is better equipped to defend himself than outriders from amongst our forces would be. All six of us riding forth leaves us open to disaster"
"If we deploy the best of our forces right in the middle of the bridge, perhaps the giants won't bombard it for fear of ruining the only way this force has of crossing."
"Could the more stealthy of our number take up position on the far side of the bridge in cover, and attack the giants if the skeletons leave them undefended? Kip, Casimir and Kalev could probably bring down a giant between them - we'd just have to hope that they don't crowd together."
"I personally will be on the bridge in case this powerful undead Fenna speaks of makes an appearance"
"Fenna, could we ride two dozen cavalrymen over this crossing you speak of, or is it more limited?"
Kip, I guess you are up then with the infravision spell. Take the rod with you in case you need it. Be careful and don't get too close unless you use invisibility. We can't take a chance of a few boulders bringing you low.
Let's get to work making some kind of defenses on this side of the river and once we know what we face a little better we can make some plans. Let's check out the bridge for scouts while Kip scouts the road ahead.
Kip takes the rod and takes flight heading off to the east...
Flying, flying flying... what a nice night to be out! Well, except for the whole marauding army of undead of course! I wonder how much further before I catch my first glimpse of them.
Kip peered down with his enhanced vision, looking for any sign of the approaching horde... although he fully expected to hear the approaching army before he actually spotted it.
As Kip flies along, a disturbing thought flashes into his mind. What if this is all just a ruse to draw the Guardians, and a large portion of the defence of Swordhaven, away from the capital? Perhaps there is no invading army of skeletons. What if the scouts who reported the invasion are really River Patriots and this is some sort of diversion?
If I don't see something resembling an undead army soon...
Kip's flight had lasted just over five minutes when he saw them- a mass of skeletal undead making good time towards the bridge, along the trade road. He could estimate that their numbers approached the region of two thousand, and they completely ignored him, flying quietly above.
He descended to get a good look at the giants in the centre of the mass of skeletons- there were four in total and even to Kip's limited knowledge of such things, they were obviously undead as well. Rotting hulks of flesh with battle axes; and each possessing only a single eye. As far as the Halfling could tell, they weren't issuing any orders, but their sheer size and physical form could prove devastating to the Hellknight army if they were brought to bear.
Malthir and the others found no signs of any scouts around the bridge in the few minutes that had passed since their arrival. Signifer Grachius approached Malthir upon his black warhorse and asked him-
Who is to command here? We need a clear chain of command or my men will not function well, responding to too many leaders.
Malthir looks over to Ricter, Ricter, these are your men to command.
I expect us to play a different role in this battle though. Once we know what is happening with the enemy force we can make our final plans but I was thinking that yours and Kalev's men would hold the bridge while we come in from behind and destroy any enemy leaders and then harry the skeletons the best we can from behind.