"I will prepare some spells to be non lethal," He says "This has good and bad, but if children SHOULD rush..." a shudder, then grim "And if Borjan's willing to send children to die, him? He deserves whatever we do to him. "
Kalig visibly relaxes when Aristide suggests they have enough resources to do as they plan.
"Francoix, you know Borjan the best of us--and I trust you above others to think of... subtler routes of getting close to the enemy. Do you think this idea could work--trying to pull him away from the herd and taking him down? And would you be willing to take the lead on such a maneuver?"
If there are a lot of folk with him, someone skilled at fast talking and keeping a low profile might be able to get close enough it would have to be someone he knew however to actually get him to go. We could possiblle trick one of his followers into thinking they found a great treasure which might pull him to the place."
He paused and frowned.
"Maybe the old tomb we found, you know the one with the skull that the centaurs claimed. As for taking the lead to take him down? Once I would have said very few things would make me happier than to kill the man responsible for my parents deaths... But I have Noemie now, and a chance for a good life."
His voice broke off and he took a deep sigh.
"But The man is a very real threat to what we are trying to do here, of that I have no doubt. A couple of years back I would have told you to make a distraction and leave it to me, I would sneak into the man's very tent where he slept and dealt with him, Now Im not sure Im that good anymore."
Ivan sighed.
”If you fail to defeat the enemy in the field, you will be on the defense. Defense is a strong position, but you give up the element of suprise and are in a vulnerable place as the Offense decides the attack. The mobile army is in the worst position to defend.”
”If you allow them to arrive at your gates unmolested they will be at the strongest.”
He looks around.
”You would be huddled and condensed in here. They will be able to segregate and protect their vulnerables knowing that you won’t do anything to harm them.”
He looks around a bit more.
”If I was the enemy commander, I might attack the plant people first. As you said they can’t really defend themselves and they hold a viable defensive structure. I honestly don’t know if they are edible, but they look like they are made out of fruit and vegetables. To a starving foe that could be a motivator. It would force you to either let them die, or ride out to help them. If you come out I will have divided your strength. It would half your force and make remaining defense too sparse to hold your camp.”
”If you failed to take the high ground I would take that and eventually have artillery.”
He looks at the structures of the town.
”In the short term I would probably start with fire arrows over the wall and target your buildings. Once people come out to save their homes additional volleys to hopefully get lucky and I would target your livestock and supplies which you will draw in close and cut you off from the sea. The damage to morale would be significant.”
He looks back to the Count.
”Those are just simple thoughts if I was your enemy. But your true enemy will be much messier than that. If your imagination can’t think of the more brutal avenues I can put them to words, but I don’t want to shock the conscience.”
”Obviously you cannot allow him to reach here full strength.”
"Frankly, it would be a surprise if Borjan arrives here at any strength," Aristide sighs. "He has always been adept at social manipulation. Logistics, on the other hand...
"Our caravan from Stoneriver was the culmination of years of planning. I invested the last of my family's lingering wealth, called in every favor owed to our house, and received far more support from the Brightshield twins than I could have hoped for.
"By contrast, on the eve of Taldor's invasion of Galt, the extent of Borjan's preparations was probably little more than whipping his followers into a frenzy, ordering them to grab whatever they could carry, and promising them victory over the traitors who abandoned Galt for the east."
Aristide taps himself on the chest as he describes the "enemy" that Borjan has constructed for his mob.
"They will be hungry, tired, and desperate. Ordinarily, this would leave them at their most vulnerable. With Borjan's rhetoric pouring into their ears like venom, though...despite all they have been put through, they may yet fight against us like cornered beasts."
Ultimately, Aristide sees the outcome boiling down to one of two possibilities: slaying Borjan to remove his influence from his followers and hope this breaks his metaphorical spell upon them, or attempt to best him at his own game by persuading his followers away from his misguidance.
"The other matter we need to consider is the Padishah Empire. We will likely have more Keleshite ships arriving soon, perhaps even before Borjan arrives. While there will undoubtedly be traders among them, there may also be political emissaries seeking to establish a foothold here at Haven. If not for individual noble or merchant houses, they may represent the emperor or his satraps and make an offer of vassalage."
”If they offer vassalage, will you accept?”
"I think that depends on Autonomy, I am no druid, but clearly the green path is important to many here, if the Empire push the worship on Sarenrae over all, that I suspect would be a, how you say? Non starter?" A look to the ladies to be sure he is right on that
Kalig shrugs. "While my personal calling is to ensure settlements live in harmony as much as possible with nature, I have no desire to dictate whom others worship explicitly. I would have trouble with worshipping a god of blight or greed... but I've no issue with Sarenrae in particular... and she's an appropriate deity to boot for converting the rebels. But... I also understand that most of the folk who settled here did so to get away from the rest of the world's wars and politics. Going through all we have gone through to get here and build our own space, only to then give ourselves up to another's rule? I wager we would have another rebellion on our hands, and this one from within."
She shakes her head. "Alliance and trade agreements with Kelesh would be wonderful. But not servitude. The concern is if we say no, is there a threat they might try to take us by force?"
"As for Borjan, my own opinion that we should sway the people's loyalties has gone unchanged--though I am still concerned about the large number of young mouths to feed. Could we sneak out, leave some food with some inflammatory messages, weaken the army's resolve, and then if they themselves do not fully revolt against Borjan, it will still be easier to take him down?"
"For what it's worth, my understanding is that Keleshite royal family are apt to provide a considerable amount of autonomy to their farther flung vassals. As long as they get to chart more territory within their borders, they are content to apply a very light hand. In fact, given how remote we are, they may be pleased to be able to leave governance to us.
"Of course, I dare not make such a decision without the consent of our people."
As the subject changes, Aristide is intrigued by Kalig's suggestion. After quietly mulling the idea for a moment, he gives his blessing and promises to make food available for the effort.
"They might use us as a buffer state, is not unhdeard of," The wizard concedes then at the mention of the food with rhetoric along with it, amuses him, "If nothing else, could be fun to libel the man. "
”Well, we can try velvet gloves first. You can always escalate later.”
”In the meantime I want to survey the gate house and other major nearby structures.”
The viscount sends his porters to fetch whatever food can be spared, as well as ink and parchment.
Despite its age, the gatehouse remains a mighty remnant of fallen Kaskkari. Built of hardened bricks atop a foundation of stone, it marks where one of the city-state's western walls once stood. The orc and hobgoblin kin of Haven work to build new walls adjoining this stout relic, though the current incomplete state of these walls only serves to further highlight the difference between the two.
Ivan walks around the base looking for any openings. Specifically he is also looking for any bolt holes or Sally ports that might be concealed or overgrown. Once he is done with the outside survey he will try to move inside the structure if it has internal chambers.
Kalig, actually a little surprised the others consider her idea has merit, works with some of the other townsfolk on coming up with some messages to fold into food "care packages." She would see that some messages are written (e.g., "there is more where this came from, and true freedom with it in Haven") and others might use some pictures for the illiterate.
Kalig, actually a little surprised the others consider her idea has merit, works with some of the other townsfolk on coming up with some messages to fold into food "care packages." She would see that some messages are written (e.g., "there is more where this came from, and true freedom with it in Haven" and "Are Borjan's words enough to feed your children's bellies?") and others might use some pictures for the illiterate.
Dargys overlooks the walls as well, curious how well the orcs and hobgoblins work together
Maybe he can give some tips on construction!
”You know Dargys, sometimes your apparent greatest weakness is your hidden greatest strength. Take this section of wall here. It is right next to the gate house, but it is easily jumped.”
”Making it an obvious point for attack and a great place for a pit fall, caltrops, a second earthwork, a pool of oil or patches of pitch. Heck, maybe even horse driven contraptions. Then you have the advantage of the gate house right here. Even a stone lobbed by a child from up there becomes lethal down here. Archers would have a field day as the attackers ran into a phalanx of spears or shield wall deployed over here.”
He points out hypothetical locations.
”Taking heavy losses the attackers wishing to flee must push past those still trying to stream in, trampling the wounded and holding up the progress from both sides as they collect into a mass of bodies struggling against one another all the while being pelted and skewered.”
He surveys the area grimly.
”Then you hit them with a spell. Fireball, Flaming Sphere, lighting or good ole Grease. The spell dropping their numbers and morale at the same time.”
He makes a sweeping gesture at the possible basin area.
”Even a thin layer of water can hide spikes, or seaweed. Seaweed gets roped and tangled as it rots and becomes gelled sticky. Unable to get footing and becoming painfully hobbled takes the fight out of people real quick, especially a mob.”
He crosses his arms and looks around some more.
"you have a sneaky mind under all that metal, I approve." A grin
”The question becomes however, whom does this Bloody Baron have on the inside to foil our plans? Do you think he has open lines of communication and intelligence within your midst?”
”He obviously knows where to come to. Honestly, this is a long long and dangerous way to come if you are just wanting a safe haven.”
”He could not have set out without considering logistics and supply.”
”Starvation drives men harder than whip ever could.”
”It will be interesting to see how Kalig’s plan works out.”
His fingertips trace his lip.
”I believe the Baron will be far from the picket lines. Maybe we could capture, speak with, feed then release a few of his scouts? That may help sow some seeds, or give us additional intel. If it goes poorly, the Baron would still need to recalculate possibly slowing his arrival or forcing him to deploy more men and use more resources in response.”
He listened to what the viscount and the others had to say keeping quiet. He didnt really want to go back to his childhood skulking in the shadows again but he liked the idea of the the bloody baron even less. He loathed the need to return home and inform Noemie what they were having to do. She was too sweet for such things. This was not the life he had envisioned when he promised her to take her away from all the troubles of their former lives. . .
"Viscount, I will return to the inn, see about helping Kalig prep some food packages. Maybe take a walk through the storehouses and see if I can make anything into something that will hold longer...just in case."
Dargys recognizes some astounding engineering techniques within the gatehouse's construction, particularly surrounding the way the bricks were baked and the composition of the mortar used to join them. However, he cannot fathom how to replicate these techniques - at least not yet.
Meanwhile, he sees that the hobgoblins and orcs are approaching the construction of their ways in quite different ways. Fendir ensures that his kin construct their wall from carefully chosen stones that will fit together in a uniform, cohesive way. This makes for a sturdy foundation, but they have made very slow progress on height. As for Harkan's orc kin, they focus on speed and efficiency, heaping whatever stones they can to quickly erect the defenses. Their wall gains height faster than the hobgoblin section, but it produces a much wider barrier, more akin to a berm or rampart than a proper wall. Nevertheless, given the constraints on time and materials, they are both producing something that will provide at least some aid during the coming confrontation.
The orcs and hobgoblins do not work together on this project, although not out of spite or ill will. Their respective leaders enforce a policy of cooperation, strictly punishing any who balk at working alongside their allies of other species. However, the hobgoblins primarily work on their wall by day, whilst the light-sensitive orcs work by night, when the hobgoblins either serve on guard duty or go hunting.
...
Sir Dorick informs Ivan about Hatha the Butcher, a former settler who proved to be an embedded agent of Borjan and an aspiring Gray Gardener. She murdered Melgus d'Beranza, son of Fergus. After some detective work, her guilt was established and a confession was secured. She informed the party of Borjan's imminent arrival before being exiled on pain of death.
Talking to Ivan, the Wizard frowns and nods, "You are right, We need to know more than we do. Perhaps a spy of our own, if we don't learn more from a scout of his."
He admires the engineering of the gate house. "Damn, I wish I knew how to do that. I'd like to have a wizard tower one day." A grin 'But is probably a hut for me"
”Oh, I don’t know Dargys, you may be the first Half Orc Wizard I know with his own sun bricked ziggurat! Towers are so cliche these days. “
Ivan winks at his companion.
”So does this gatehouse have rooms inside or not!?”
Cramped interiors await within the two towers flanking the gateway, perhaps once serving as barracks or armories. Inside, high apertures would allow access to the parapets atop the gatehouse, but there are presently no ladders to carry you up there.
Meanwhile, your newest ally - the very young dragon, Sargon - eagerly explores every nook and cranny of Haven. If it involves seeing more of the open world and learning new things, he would likely be willing to serve as a spy or scout.
Darygs ponders the ziggurat suggestion as if taking it seriously. It would have certain geometrical occult advantages.
A look to the top "I have a spell that could fly us up there but we would need a way down. I am wondering Sargon would help us put up ladder that ggoes up back? Or would that defeat purpose?"
The next day, after Kalig has finished working for the time being with Francoix on working on food packets with messages, Kalig visits the farmers to talk about the farming methods she read about in the dragon's library. She broaches the subject as neutrally as possible, not to insult the farmers' own knowledge but emphasizing what other farmers discovered works well with the particular river-silted soil here that the locals have only just been getting a chance to learn.
If the conversation goes in that direction, she also tries to gauge certain individuals' reaction and/or interest in developing a full local circle of druids.
She also goes to the active defenders of the town (the party) to ask if they should have Sargon scout and see what additional information they can get about the group marching on Haven. Then maybe they can tailor their plans a bit better.
Darygs ponders the ziggurat suggestion as if taking it seriously. It would have certain geometrical occult advantages.
A look to the top "I have a spell that could fly us up there but we would need a way down. I am wondering Sargon would help us put up ladder that ggoes up back? Or would that defeat purpose?"
”Let’s get some ladders for the inside so we can clear it. Pulling ladders up inside will make it harder to assault. Maybe rope ladders once we get inside and get it occupied.”
”And, when did you get a dragon?! That is the perfect scout. Can you get him to fly over the ruins and identify points of interest? Also, are there any underground areas we can use for storage and shelter here in town?”
When Sargon first shows himself publicly, there is a small panic - one that grows louder once folks hear him talk and realize he is not just some beast. However, the children of Haven take to him immediately, and watching him talk and joke with them helps to endear him to the adult residents of Haven. Of course, the fact that the party vouches for him does the greatest service towards earning acceptance for the small dragon.
Perhaps more surprisingly, Sargon agrees to fly a rope ladder up to the gatehouse parapet; however, you have to first endure hearing him sarcastically, jokingly question whether this is a suitable use of his talents.
With the ladder in place, you gain access to the top of the gatehouse, which provides a commanding view of the Whistling Plains stretching seemingly infinitely westward from Haven. The flooring up there seems stable enough, but you suspect you'll want to shore up the supports beneath before allowing too many people up there at once.
"I've heard about some blowhard troublemaker coming this way," Sargon asks you whilst enjoying the view atop the gatehouse. "Tell me about him? He can't be worse than Barthazar."
A grin at Ivan "More like Dragon got us, but in good way."
"My thanks, Sargon" When he flies the rope ladder up, "You are greater flier." At the request for knowledge, he nods and fills Sargon in, "Well, you see, man is obsessed nut job..." And tells him what the others have told him.
The dragon heaves a derisive snort.
"I was wrong. He sounds just as bad as Barthazar, trying to indoctrinate people by weaving a story for them built on rubbish and lies. Well, it didn't work on me, so I'm sure that there are people among his 'mob' that aren't fully lost to him, even if they don't possess my keen, draconic mind."
Sargon proudly puffs out his small, soft-scaled chest when he says that.
He also volunteers his input and assistance on writing up the messages for the approaching Galtan exiles.
"You are winged modesty incarnate," Dargys is amused "Thank you for the help. But it can be hard to believe the truth when lies tell you you are in the right. I speak as one who knows. Some orcs are raised believing horrible ideals, and yet we orc blood cherish these lessons of hate because they make us feel like the good ones, the chosen ones.. that is one reason I am glad to see orcs and half orcs here seeking new ways. I will help with some messages too if all like."
Mia spends much of the time listening in thought. She then seems to discuss something with Sargon for awhile, though perhaps it was merely a talk, rather than discussion. She also goes out of her way to stay around the young dragon during his first day or two in town, helping to assure the people that he is indeed friendly.
She does show displeasure at the thought of fire or poison being used on the incoming "army", particularly due to the children tagging along.
Mia likewise, wholly joins in the making of food packets, adding a single good berry to each pouch.
Walking with the others, Mia gives Ivan an wary glance. Your tactics are cold, ruthless, and terrible... but seem likely to be efficient. I am thankful you are not against us, but I am worried you are too callous. However, in the vein of helping as I can...I can shape small areas of stone, should we need it, and if we do not plan to do other things requiring my more powerful magics that day... I can shape a total of.. I think um.. I think a total of 50 cubic feet a day. Were I to dedicate all my magical strength towards that end. I, I also may be able to distill an oil that when applied would make stone malleable as clay before it hardens again. Though.. I have not tried as of yet.. not really enough time.
"We can certainly use magic to expand the walls if we know the engineers' plans." She knows she is using "engineer" generously. "Maybe we should circle in Fendir and Harkan and discuss with them the plans for the walls' expansion."
"The more eyes and brains to double check safety, the better I am thinking" A nod
”Those spells could really cement the connection between the walls and the gatehouse here.”
”Do these pits fill back in when the spell ends?”
"No, they remain permanent. That's how we dug the privies."
”Excellant. Can it dig shaped holes? As in holes for tree trunks? Square pit traps?”
Harkan and Fendir respond promptly to the issued summons. Whatever quirks, grievances, or idiosyncrasies their kin and followers may possess, these humanoid leaders not only respect the party as leaders of this greater community but also fully recognize the importance of cooperation in the face of a mutual foe.
They arrive in time to hear Kalig's mention of privies.
"Whether by spade or magic, if you dig a trench, have people use it as a privy," Harkan suggests. "With sharpened stakes or even just jagged rocks at the bottom, you can guarantee some putrid wounds on the enemy if they fall upon heaps of waste."
Fendir compliments the stratagem.
"I know you hope to befriend the fools following Borjan, but if they will not hear your appeal to reason, this could be a good punishment for their blind faith."
"The excavation spell is a simple, acolyte-level sort of spell. It digs roughly a five by five box, that's all, although a tree of course could be planted in it. Few trees I know of are picky about the shape of the hole they are put in. The spell is not good for tunnelling but a few castings can give us a head start. A soften earth and stone spell or two could also make the job faster to follow up with manual labor. Between Mia and me we could probably speed things up quite a bit as long as everyone is willing to pitch in after the magic happens to finish the job. I can bring Matilda to help haul dirt and stones."
She nods in greeting to Fendir and Harkan. "Dirty tactics, but possibly necessary. As for befriending them, they are fools, but we don't need our people to die to the hands of fools either. The less bloodshed, the more we can grow and build. But I will have no problem pushing them into holes myself should they refuse to cooperate."
"Perhaps I should focus on finding some spells that would also help in construction, though the creation of walls of stone can be dispelled and is beyond my power ... as of yet."
"I saw the tiny dragon fly westward about an hour ago," Fendir states, interrupting the discussion of magic construction. "He was carrying a few small bundles. Was that some of the food we're giving away to the enemy?"
He caught the tail end of the conversation, having been busy helping prep meals and the like.
"There are very good odds that most of his rabble arent following entirely because of his ideology but because they dont have a choice. Showing them empathy might mean they decide his cause is a foolish one and most of his 'army' melts away before there is a fight. You arent wrong though, this is a gambit, but one that must be done im afraid. I will definitely help with the digging as best I can, will be good to spend this nervous energy."
The armored warrior folds his arms across his chest and sighs.
”Look. You all have something worth fighting for here and more importantly you have kids. Whatever differences drive the two sides of this conflict, both sides have kids and you can hang your hats on it, parents want to feed and protect their kids.”
”Whatever you chose to do, we need to take steps to protect and defend the kids of this village.”
”And I’ll stick around to do that. Harkan and Fendir, let’s get together and get plans to harden up these walls and the gate house. Maybe we can get some finished timbers from the village north of us for structures and deterrents.”
”As far as the dragon, anyone know what he is up to? Did you make him some packages or messages to fly out with?”
”Also, are there any basements or underground part of your village to shelter in in case of bombardment or arrow volleys?”
"Oh, does that mean we have to stop using toddlers as bait for our wolf traps? Darn," Kalig says drily.
"Sargon is the dragon's name, and Mia was chatting with him last. I believe he is scouting and reporting back what he sees." She pauses. "We should ask Soraya if her owl can scout as well. Anyway, we can't send messages until we know where the people are to send them to, but Francoix and I have been putting the packages together."
"As for basements, typically no. This is, as you have been very eager to point out to us many times, directly or indirectly, a fledgling hamlet of not even a full years' growth. The structures were put up quickly so people had shelter to live in, and most buildings' foundations are shallow, although there may be some exceptions if you care to ask around. People will have to settle for sheltering indoors or behind the walls or whatever shelter they can find. Though you do bring up, roundabout, the concern of fire. If they bombard us with flaming arrows, spell, or alchemist's fire, most of these new-built houses can burn quickly. In addition to coordinating shelter, we should be sure a fire brigade is trained. Dorick would be a good candidate for that. I'll go ask him." Kalig walks off to find Dorick, and maybe some of the folk who work by the river (fishers, etc.) to talk about organizing handling fires. After all it will be important not just during battle but during many other incidents as well.
"I should have put invisibility on Sargon before he left," The wizard mutters "Ah well, water past bridge."
Ivan chuckles, ”I hope you are as good at taking pop shots with your sling as your are with your wit.”
”This is an ancient ruin. There will be openings somewhere to the underground. Why build what you can reclaim?”
I could also scout the area when we think they are close. I can fly as an eagle, so even if I was spotted they would have little real cause for alarm.
Mia interjects for a moment.
When the talk of ruins comes up, she shivers slightly.
I'm not sure how versed you are in ruins, but... the ones around here have been... less than hospitable. And most are at least a days journey from town. That I know of at least.
Nonplused, Ivan responds to Miss Ravenlock.
”The settlements of my region are mostly built upon places like this. In my former life I was in charge of city defense. Ironically, the westernmost of the ones like it. Yours here, the easternmost of the former empire, is more built of sandstone though. I am sure the fortress located to the south was made to protect the southern flank. This city was the jewel on the sea.”
He switched subjects.
”Any additional scouting and information would be beneficial Mia.” he smiles.
”Harkan and Fendir, let’s sit down with the knight and hammer out an actual defense plan. We have time to plan and coordinate, let’s use it.”
”Do you have a good blacksmith in town yet?”
A grunt from the mage "I am passable" at the black smith question, though if he knows a better one he definitely names them