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[Pan]

*=*=* Commander *=*=*

A Tactical Roleplaying Forum Game

 You are Stegeth Kalenziril, captain and highest ranking survivor in the 1st 'Hammer' Legion, ambushed and encircled by the vast Orcish warband it had been sent to destroy, and must lead the surviving dwarves back north to the safety of the Mountainhomes. The game will rotate between a tactical strategy game, and a suggestion-like roleplaying game, depending on the events.

 Background:
 In the winter of the year 1464, the Mountainhomes are besieged upon all sides. The savage orcs and the goblins who pay tribute to them assault and besiege the outer fortresses at every season with their gigantic hosts. Bog trolls guerrillas within the dwarven conquered swamplands attacks supply routes from within the borders. Their human allies wage civil war upon themselves and over the still smothering ashes of their dead king, and the elves guard the last of their sacred forests from goblin loggers and their orcish overseers.

 King Oddom of the dwarves, against the council of his advisers, decides on a huge offensive on the orcs by the three 'Hammer' Legions to be the best course of action. The host pushed south, through the orcs besieging a certain fortress, Konganusan, and scattered the besieging orcish warband into dust. After initial successes, the three legions reached the woodlands surrounding the hills the orcs were scouted to reside in. There, the three legions were encircled by the huge orcish host that has been raised to greet them. The dwarven host was unable to break out, and the multiple attempts to do so caused heavy casualties within the legions. Defending their position, the dwarves managed to mangle the encircling orcs enough for their withdrawal. General Ning was found underneath a dead orc. Gathering themselves, the survivor's trek north back to the Mountainhomes was silently agreed on.

[Pan]

 You trek through the pine forest. The air is chilly. The sun is high in the air, mid day or something. You were slightly nauseated by it at first, but now you fear the night for raiders. The dwarves are marching in loose formation - a crowd, with friends grouped in clusters. The wagons of supplies creaks on at the center of the group, surrounded by soldiers mounted on horses. The wagons carry the wounded dwarves, bandaged up and cleaned as best as can by the medics. A light ballista rolls alongside it - the only siege equipment that could be salvaged. The forest is quiet, and a fast moving river, the currents rushing south - the opposite of the direction your headed. You still don't know how many men you have command of. You see your friend Bomrek a little to the right, trudging through the light snow in front of you. The medic is near the wagons. You see the siege commander with his team of burly operators helping to push the ballista along.

Surroundings

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

 

Map:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

You don't have one with you.

Inventory

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Yak Leather Backpack
 15 [Hard Rations]
 1 [Compass]
 1 [Quill and Ink]

 Small Tower Cap Crossbow

Equipped (Can be used immediately)
 1 [Steel Double Bladed Axe (orc blood coating)]
 2 [Iron Throwing Axe]
 1 [Iron Flask]
 5 Wine (edited)

Quiver
7 Small Iron Bolt

Health

Red - Will die soon if stat is not replenished.
Orange - Your going to need to replenish this soon...
Yellow - Your not comfortable with this, but you can definitely pull through.
Green - The highest you can usually get.
Purple - Can only be achieved by magic or something.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

 Healthy
Sober
Winded

Soldiers

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

 You have absolutely no idea. Might be wise to find out.

Post suggestions for his next course of action.

[Dwarmin]

By the stone, what's this mess? It'll take all day to sort this out...

Action:Might as well see if Bomrek has his head screwed on tight, and if he can apprise us of the situation.

[ashton1993]

Try and find who is leading the dwarfs if no-one is try and get somebody in charge through a vote of some sort, if there is a leader, inquire about how everyone is doing how many are with us all that kind of thing

EDIT: just realized being the highest ranking survivor you can take charge yourself, bring everyone together using your rank and create a small camp then do counts of everyone the food, ect. work out what you have.

[adwarf]

By the stone, what's this mess? It'll take all day to sort this out...

Action:Might as well see if Bomrek has his head screwed on tight, and if he can apprise us of the situation.

I would have to agree with you.

[Pan]

'First Lieutenant Bomrek.' You call. He turns around and snaps a salute, but instead hits his nose. You frown at his sloppiness. You ask yourself once more on how did this twit even get into officer training?
'Uh, Captain Stegeth. Sir!' he managed.
'Report the situation, soldier.'
''Well... I don't know, sir. You'll have to go around and ask.'

 You decide that's probably the best course of action, but ponder how you will do that. You know that your the highest ranking dwarf in the army, being unable to spot any other purple cloaked dwarf in the ragged army, so therefore you pass on the order to halt to the nearest dwarves.

...

 Organizing a large host of dwarves was much harder than it looked, but the tents were unpacked, and late afternoon was beginning to fall. The command tent salvaged from the battlefield was set up around a flat stump of a tree. If only you had a map to put on it...

The time is dusk, and oilcap torches are lit by the dwarves. The woods are quiet. The dwarves have set up a perimeter of sharpened wooden spikes and sentries posted, but anything else is too hard without a proper workforce.

 Four dwarves request an audience with important news.


 Nadak the Chief Medical Dwarf. (purple civ dwarf)
 Dastot the Scout CavalryDwarf (dark blue military dwarf)
 Tosid the Chief Siege Operator (red civ dwarf)
 Soddom the Marksdwarf (outside the tent)

(Mess? Well, I apologize for that. I have run campaigns before, but never actually on a forum. So sorry if I messed up somewhere. I know I might never be as good as you more experienced forum gamers, but I'm trying my best here.)

[adwarf]

Tell Dastot to give his report first then the medical chief, and finally the siege engineer.

[Dwarmin]

OOC: Bolded words is me talking in-character as Commander Stegeth, Pan, not about your game itself.

Guess it's time to hear the news. Dastot, you first. What's our situation?

[ashton1993]

I say after you've seen everyone inside and got the situation assessed, see Soddom and persuade him to get a foraging team together, as a marks dwarf we can assume he's had some survival training, or hunting anything that can keep starvation at bay

[Pan]

Guess it's time to hear the news. Dastot, you first. What's our situation?

'Sir. Second Lieutenant Dastot of the Second Hammer Legion. Commander of the remainders of the cavalry regiment. Reporting for duty, sir.' The soldier snaps a flawless salute.
'Continue.' you respond, relieved to have someone competent. The commander is obviously a nobleman, respectful and arrogant.
'As the... militia set up their tents,' Dastot said, barely hiding his contempt for the foot soldiers 'My squad of 13 warriors and I have taken it upon ourselves to scout the surrounding woods.'
'Very good, Lieutenant.' You note his initiative to act, and to rise in rank, what with his attempt to impress. 'What did you discover?'
'Orcs, sir. A rather... shoddy ambush was attempted.' He grinned and stroked his, by dwarven normal standards, still wispy beard. 'Our counter ambush killed all but one. It is currently restrained with... company in clearing in the middle of the tent. You may wish to have... word with it.'
'I see.' You note the numbers in the single squad of horsemen. 'Is that all?'
'That is all, sir.'
'Very well. You are dismissed.'
Saluting, the cavalry commander left the tent.

You turn to the chief medical dwarf, Nadak.
'Corporal Nadak, Combat Medic. State your business.'
'Sir.' the corporal salutes 'We have a problem I believe may require your attention.'
'Report.'
'Sir, the wounded dwarves within our carts are mostly stabilized... except for many hit with arrows. Apparently, one of the forest tribes of orcs uses the poison of the bloodbane plant. Apparently, while not fatal, it causes crippling pain in the affected area. The affected are screaming and cannot be shut up. The sick slack jawed bastards. While our alchemists have managed to produce an antidote, the main ingredients, soothleaf root are rare far up north. Our stocks of this type of antidotes were drained up on the first few affected, and while we can produce more, we will require the roots. Luckily, I believe they may be in the vicinity, and if a squad of soldiers were to be ordered to search the woods...'
'I understand, corporal. I'll think on it. Dismissed'
'Thank you sir.'

'Tosid. State your business,'
'Well, lad, I have yer business right here!' The muscled, graying veteran grinned and slapped a piece of paper down onto the tree. 'Our supplies! Counted 'n added up by meself! Ha! And they said them siege operators are glorified stone and wood haulers!'
'That's... thoughtful of you, Tosid.' You were expecting malfunctions to the siege weapon, or the placement. Huh.
'Ha! No thanks needed! Ye make the big decisions, and I'll calculate small things like the amount of supplies we have over a mug of ale and three!'
'Um, yeah.' You make a note to yourself over the reliability of the stocks. Still, better than nothing. 'Dismissed.'
'Dismissed he says! Right! Off to more stone hauling then!'

You call out to the Marksdwarf standing outside. The soldier stumbles in.
'Captain! Captain, sir!' he yells, then remembers himself and salutes.
'Settle down. Report your business.'
'Sir, I didn't want to bother you... what with the three important matters, I... I thought I'd wait.'
'Very well. What appears to be the trouble.'
'It... it's nothing sir. It's just that... well, we have a squad of night goblin raiders assaulting our guards in the rear.'
'Goblins? What's this? I don't even..'
'That's right sir. They sent goblins to raid us. Perhaps a test of defenses, if not for how they are not retreating at  first blood, but more goblins are arriving.'
'What is the situation there?'


'Six experienced axedwarves have been ordered to hold position, and five out of fourteen of a squad of marksdwarves to open fire only on any proper threats like bowmen. One of my marksdwarf comrades note leather armors on the goblins, and a fallen sword is poorly crafted copper. As a side note, our marksdwarf group has just rounded up the haulers, engineers and cook and gave them the spare bolts and crossbows, as well as a little basic training in case of attack. What are your orders on the goblin situation?'

[Pan]

Note: RP Post Above

You glance at the list.

List of stocks

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Food and alcohol - An assortment of salted meat, cave fish and pickled mushrooms and barrels of alcohol. The food and alcohol will last for nearly four weeks - more than enough. After all, it was meant for the entire army, and after the battle, many of the supply wagons and pack horses had been unspoiled and uninjured. Oil cap torches are also carried within the wagons. The supplies are carried over 4 wagons.

Wood - two wagon loads of wood counts 50 (?) units of processed wood.

Medical Supplies - there are 10 (?) units of splints, 20 (?) units of silk bandages, 20 (?) units of fiber suture threads, and 20 (?) units of soap. The medical supplies are carried on one wagon.

Armor - There are 13 sets of steel armor (scavenged from battlefield), 10 steel axes and 75 steel bolts (140 equipped by troops), 27 steel javelins ( 9 equipped by troops) and 100 (100 equipped) iron bolts. All on one wagon.

There are four wagons of injured dwarves.

There are two empty wagons. Each wagon is drawn by two horses. Totally, there are 14 wagons in total

Soldiers
(what you know.)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Regiment - The Axes of Roasting
Type: Axedwarf
Numbers: 20 (?)
Equipment: Steel Armor (20 [?])
Steel Battle Axes (20 [?]
Wardog Attachment (9)
Morale: Impetuous (6 warriors guarding southern entrance)
N/A (the rest are idle)
<< Experienced
Current Action: Six are holding their ground in the southern entrance.

Regiment - The Bashing Tides
Type: Hammerdwarf
Numbers: 10 (?)
Equipment: Steel Armor (10 [?])
Steel Warhammers (10 [?])
Morale: N/A
<<< Hardened

Regiment - The Slashing Menace
Type: Axedwarf
Numbers: 6
Equipment: Steel Armor (6)
Steel Battle Axes (6)
Morale: N/A
<<<< Veteran

Regiment - The Steel Safes
Type: Speardwarf
Numbers: 25 (?)
Equipment: Iron Armor (10 [?])
Steel Spears (25 [?])
Tower Shields (25 [?])
Morale: N/A
< Tested

Regiment - The Iron Storm
Type: Javelin Cavalry
Numbers: 3
Equipment: Leather Armor (4)
Javelin Thrower (9 javelins equipped)
<< Experienced

Regiment - The Safe Powers
Type: Marksdwarves
Numbers: 14
Equipment: Leather Armor (14)
Crossbows (140 steel bolts equipped)
<< Experienced
Current Action: 5 guarding rear guard. Rest are idle.

Regiment - The Bolts of Distinction
Type: Marksdwarves
Numbers: 10
Equipment: Leather Armor (10)
Crossbows: (100 iron bolts equipped)
> Inexperienced

Regiment - Cavalry - The Points of Sharpness
Type: Cavalry Knights
Numbers: 14
Equipment: Steel Armor (14)
Steel Longswords (14)
Steel Towershields (14)
War Pony Attachment (14)

[adwarf]

Order all of the Spearmen to reinforce our postion, and get every able body that we can spare on guard duty when Orcs attack they come in hordes.

[Pan]

Order all of the Spearmen to reinforce our postion, and get every able body that we can spare on guard duty when Orcs attack they come in hordes.

The camp is manned by experienced soldiers (mostly), and guards are already set up. At the moment, there are guards guarding the entire perimeter, and will sound the alert the moment they spot enemies. This is an exception cuz he was going to notify you of the night goblin raiders, but you were conducting a meeting. At other times, they would immediately inform you of the situation. (then it's a switch into a strategy game)

Anyway, do you mean to get the entire spear squad to reinforce the axedwarves holding the southern end of the camo?

[adwarf]

Then move two marksdwarves two each of the flanks, and place one in the middle to try, and creat a cross fire for the goblins in the middle, and have all dwarves hold their ground (Also might want to dispatch a group of 5 Speardwarves for backup just incase)

[Pan]

You decide to personally oversee the battle to the south. You and Bomrek prepare to head south, while bellowing to the guards to stay frosty. You then round up five of the iron clad speardwarves (the rest are on rotating sentry duty. Can't have everyone on guard duty at once) to accompany you as backup.

Skirmish

In skirmish mode, you do not control regiments, but specific, individual groups of soldiers. The fight here will rely on the individual soldier, and morale will not play as big a part. Your part is extended to more than simple command, and you may join in the fight if you desire, as you are a skilled warrior and your skill could turn the tide sometimes. However, notice that in a fight, you may not command soldiers, and soldiers uncommanded will attempt to follow their last order as best they can.

You survey the skirmish. The axedwarves are holding their own, and one of them in the center fells a goblin and utters a frightening bellow. The marksdwarves stand idle. You ponder a moment on why the goblins were ordered to attack a well trained force of soldiers. But then again, orcs are not known for tactics, and this attack could have even been the result of an argument.


'You and you,' you tell the two speardwarves on your right 'Alert the two marksdwarves and attempt to set up a crossfire with a flank. Await my signal to begin fire.' You want a sudden crossfire to surprise and ensure a rout.
The two spear dwarves march ahead and notify the marksdwarves. They attempt to flank the frenzied goblins.






A group of goblins charge the spearmen.


Two are shot and killed (-3 bolts) and their copper swords clank harmlessly against the tower shields. You see one stabbed through the chest, and the other one being bashed with a shield. You order the two speardwarf to your left to attempt the same on the left flank.



Two goblins charge right into their spears. Speeding up, the group charge into the left flank to avoid any more goblins. They set down their shields, ready their crossbows and look to you for the signal. You glance at the right flank, where they had finished the goblin. You ready to give the order...



Goblins lashers on spiders! They leap from the trees and surprise the left flankers! They've been waiting for us! The goblins have not have their senses completely leave them, and obviously would have left guards on their flank. At least you had spear dwarf backups with them. One of the marksdwarves fire a shot (-1 bolt), but the agile spider leaps aside. Before any order can be given or any move made on your part, they surround the flanking soldiers on the left flank.



The two spearmen panic, being vulnerable to flanks with their heavy shields and although one succeed in spilling a goblin off his mount by killing it, the other one miss the unmounted goblin, creating an opening the goblin lasher takes, encircling the speardwarf's throat with his metal whip. He drops his spear and pulls at the garrote. The marksdwarves, better trained, do not run, but are nevertheless losing. One marksdwarf is pounced on by a spider and its rider, and knocked to the ground, spider (and rider) on top of him. The other one fires a bolt at point blank range (-1 bolt), hitting a spider in the fang, causing a crack in it's razor shark fang and mild annoyance. The spider's rider throws a knife at him, which catches him in his right arm. Gripped in agony, he drops his weapon and sinks to his knees. The knife is no doubt poisoned with bloodbane. You see the spider unleash a spray of webs which pins him to the ground.

You must act quickly!

The battlefield after events:



To make matters worse, a troll has been spotted in the ranks of the enemy. You may need now need that crossfire movement more than you thought you did.

(OOC Info:A troll is twice as large as their bog troll cousins, taking up two tiles and can destroy barricades, gates, or anything it comes across. They are bigger than the vanilla troll. They can be prone to rage after taking damage, which will cause it to destroy whatever comes across it's way. Goblins sometimes sit on their heads so as they may kill these beasts with a spike through the brain when they cause more harm to the wrong team.)