Lithium Flower
Arcane
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2016
- Messages
- 1,832
Whoops, forgot to update yesterday. Sorry!
"Staff Sergeant, I know Lieutenant Cazarosta well enough to assure you that he has a sharp tactical mind. I have little doubt that this strategem of his will succeed."
"If you insist, sir."
"I do. Now, if you have nothing further, you are dismissed." Your sergeant having been dealt with, you retreat into your bedroll. Exhausted, you quickly fall asleep.
The next day, you awake to the brassy tones of reveille a half an hour before sunrise. It takes some doing to get your men to wake and fall into marching order. By the time you report in with your Squadron, the sun is aleady firmly above the horizon. Elson and Cazarosta are already waiting with their troops. the Captain's impatient expression does not fill you with much pride.
With the squadron assembled, the Captain gives the signal to begin the long ride into battle.
"Well, Ortiga? Have our Antari friends finally found for themselves the wisdom of an expeditious withdrawal?"
You turn and shake your head at Captain Elson as you fold away your field telescope.
"I'm afraid not sir. We shall have to fight them after all."
"Very good then." Elson turns to his own troop sergeant. "Villaneuva, pray order the men to dismount and step into the brush — We shan't have some alert Antari officer sensing our banesign coming down the road — and fetch Lieutenant Cazarosta from the rear-guard."
He favours you with a sour grin.
"If our dear… friend Cazarosta has judged the location of that ford right, then all might even go according to plan tonight. We might all live through this day yet!" It takes a moment for you to note the uncharacteristic cynicism of Elson's words; by the time you do, it is too late to mention anything, as you see Cazarosta approaching from the rear of the marching column.
-
The Captain looks at you, then at Cazarosta, then back to you as the three of you stand before the head of the column.
"I am sure you've remembered the planned course of this upcoming action, so I shall be brief: The most dangerous role of this plan shall belong to those men who must ford the river and attack the Antari from behind. They shall be cut off, outnumbered and fighting in darkness. As our priority is to be the complete destruction of retreating elements of the Antari force," the Captain shoots a pointed look at Cazarosta, "I must remain behind with the bulk of our forces to set the blocking force and co-ordinate pursuit. I shall not force either of you to lead your men into the undue risk of leading the flanking force, but it must be done, and by one of you two."
You understand what Elson is asking of you in the space of a second. You take a quick look at Cazarosta, then turn back to Elson, a bright worried expression on your face. The Captain nods.
"I shall need one of you to volunteer."
You decide to:
1) Volunteer to be the flanking force.
2) Say nothing.
SPRING, 602:
With the thawing of the winter snows, the Tierran Army has begun expanding its beachhead around the town of Noringia.
The King has demanded that at least three Regiments of Foot and one Regiment of Horse must be deployed reinforce the forces in Antar by the end of summer.
The Earl of Crittenden, Port-Admiral at Northern Pillars, reports the Calligian Sea to be free of Antari warships.
SUMMER, 602:
Elements of the King's Army have reached the River Kharan. Construction has begun on numerous outposts along the river.
Royal Tierran Intelligence reports that a large Antari army is being mustered to repel the Tierran Army. His Grace the Duke of Wulfram is dispatched to take overall command of the Tierran Army in Antar.
The Northern Fleet attempts to launch an amphibious raid against the Antari port of Kharangia. Shore batteries repel the attack. The Northern Fleet loses two frigates, and a third-rate of the line.
The Royal Dragoon Regiment lands in Antar, along with the 6th of Foot, the 8th of Foot and the Kentauri Highlanders.
AUTUMN, 602:
A 14 000-strong Antari army advances south from Octobirit, with the intent of retaking Noringia.
The Duke of Wulfram assembles a force of nine regiments, numbering 6 000 men, to face the Antari, with the intention of isolating individual columns and destroying the enemy by detail.
WINTER, 602:
After a twelve-day running battle, the last 4 500 survivors of the Antari army surrender to the Duke of Wulfram's troops, 70 km northeast of Noringia. Thousands of men die on both sides from the bitter winter weather.
The Duke of Wulfram makes the decision to bypass the heavily fortified city of Kharangia. As a result, the River Kharan is designated the main line of defence on the western front. Elements of the Grenadier Guards, the 9th of Foot and the White Rose Lancers are dispatched to reinforce the picket forces already present.
SPRING, 603:
Increased Tierran presence along the River Kharan has led to an increase in partisan activity.
Royal Tierran Intelligence reports evidence of a second Antari army being assembled in northwestern Antar.
SUMMER, 603:
An army of 18 000 Antari advances south from Octobirit. Their intention is to retake Noringia.
The Earl of Weathern, Deputy Privy Councilor for War, proposes that His Tierran Majesty offer the Antari favourable peace terms coupled with the payment of a face-saving level of war reparations. The proposal is dismissed out of hand.
AUTUMN, 603:
The Duke of Wulfram successfully forces the Antari to divide their army into three parts, all of which are destroyed by Tierran forces over a period of two weeks.
SUMMER, 604:
The King requests that the Cortes add an additional 2 000 000 crowns per annum to the military budget, for the purpose of maintaining the Tierran forces in Antar. The proposal passes, barely.
AUTUMN, 604:
The Duke of Wulfram leads a reconnaissance-in-force into the central plains of Antar, burning sixteen villages and disrupting the harvest in that region.
Antari envoys to the Convocation of the Orders-Militant put forward a motion to excommunicate the Unified Kingdom of Tierra and declare them Pariah-Among-Nations.
Royal Tierran Intelligence reports that Prince Mikhail of Khorobirit demanded that the League Congress supply him with the authority to recruit fighting men from the holdings of all Antari lords, for the purpose of creating an army to throw the Tierrans into the sea. He receives overwhelming support, but is vetoed by a personal rival.
WINTER, 604:
Central Antar is hit by a severe famine, thanks to the raiding of Tierran forces. The death toll reaches 75 000 by the beginning of spring.
SPRING, 605:
The Cortes votes to raise a tax on pewter bowls and plates to maintain the war in Antar. The state coffers, having once possessed reserves in excess of 30 000 000 crowns, is now empty.
AUTUMN, 605:
Antari envoys appeal to both the Court of the Sun and Heavens of Kian'Zi and the Richsenaat of Takara for aid against the Tierrans.
SPRING, 606:
The Antari begin mounting major raids into Tierran-held Antar, comprising rapidly-moving forces of one to two hundred men.
The Convocation of the Orders-Militant vote against declaring Tierra Pariah-Among-Nations by a narrow margin.
SUMMER, 605:
Royal Tierran Intelligence reports that a series of "accidental deaths" have befallen several known personal and political enemies of Prince Mikhail of Khorobirit.
SUMMER, 606:
The Ministry of the Exchequer announces that the Tierran government will be more than 2 500 000 crowns in debt by the end of 608.
AUTUMN, 606:
The King presents the Duke of Wulfram with an ultimatum: end the war in Tierra's favour within a year, or face dismissal from service.
The King requests an additional 3 000 000 crowns per annum from the Cortes to expand the Royal Army. His proposal is voted down by a margin of three to one. The Throne's political position is growing dangerously precarious.
Royal Tierran Intelligence reports that Prince Mikhail of Khorobirit has successfully enlisted the aid and resources of nearly two hundred Lords of the Congress for the purpose of building his army.
Riots break out in Tannersburg over the rising cost of bread. Without Antari imports, the price of grain has risen three-fold.
The Duke of Wulfram attempts another reconnaissance-in-force into the central plains, but is intercepted by a force of Antari cavalry. A six day running battle proves inconclusive, with heavy losses on both sides.
WINTER, 606:
The Earl of Weathern once again proposes opening peace talks with the Antari, this time, to an open session of the Cortes. His motion passes by a margin of seven votes. For the first time in three decades, a King of Tierra uses his royal prerogative to veto the motion.
Royal Tierran Intelligence reports that the League Congress has given Mikhail of Khorobirit the authority to recruit an army to defeat the Tierrans within the next year.
Richsgraav Maximillian vam Holt of the Takaran Richsenaat proposes sending observers to both Antari and Tierran armies to gain a better understanding of the Tierran-Antari war.
The Cortes votes to raise taxes on coffee and postage stamps for the purposes of financing the war in Antar and raising three additional Regiments of Foot to reinforce the Tierran Army. The average Tierran now pays twice as much in taxes as he did a decade ago.
SPRING, 607:
Antari raids increase in intensity and power, to the consternation of Grenadier Square.
Royal Tierran Intelligence reports that Mikhail of Khorobirit has assembled an army of 40 000 men and is advancing south.
Intendants representing the Takaran government arrive in Antar.
"Staff Sergeant, I know Lieutenant Cazarosta well enough to assure you that he has a sharp tactical mind. I have little doubt that this strategem of his will succeed."
"If you insist, sir."
"I do. Now, if you have nothing further, you are dismissed." Your sergeant having been dealt with, you retreat into your bedroll. Exhausted, you quickly fall asleep.
The next day, you awake to the brassy tones of reveille a half an hour before sunrise. It takes some doing to get your men to wake and fall into marching order. By the time you report in with your Squadron, the sun is aleady firmly above the horizon. Elson and Cazarosta are already waiting with their troops. the Captain's impatient expression does not fill you with much pride.
With the squadron assembled, the Captain gives the signal to begin the long ride into battle.
CHAPTER VII
Wherein the cavalry officer leads his newly assembled troop into BATTLE for the FIRST time.
You squint at the reflected glory of the afternoon sun on the distant river as your hands direct the lens of your spyglass towards the wisps of banesign tugging at your mind. Even from a kilometre away, the Antari presence is obvious: a rough palisade surrounds a temporary camp nestled on the far side of the only bridge across the river for as far as you can see; the uncovered steel of its inhabitants' equipment glints in the reddening sun of the late afternoon; and of course, you cannot miss the residual banesign of three hundred men, camped in concentration. Wherein the cavalry officer leads his newly assembled troop into BATTLE for the FIRST time.
"Well, Ortiga? Have our Antari friends finally found for themselves the wisdom of an expeditious withdrawal?"
You turn and shake your head at Captain Elson as you fold away your field telescope.
"I'm afraid not sir. We shall have to fight them after all."
"Very good then." Elson turns to his own troop sergeant. "Villaneuva, pray order the men to dismount and step into the brush — We shan't have some alert Antari officer sensing our banesign coming down the road — and fetch Lieutenant Cazarosta from the rear-guard."
He favours you with a sour grin.
"If our dear… friend Cazarosta has judged the location of that ford right, then all might even go according to plan tonight. We might all live through this day yet!" It takes a moment for you to note the uncharacteristic cynicism of Elson's words; by the time you do, it is too late to mention anything, as you see Cazarosta approaching from the rear of the marching column.
-
The Captain looks at you, then at Cazarosta, then back to you as the three of you stand before the head of the column.
"I am sure you've remembered the planned course of this upcoming action, so I shall be brief: The most dangerous role of this plan shall belong to those men who must ford the river and attack the Antari from behind. They shall be cut off, outnumbered and fighting in darkness. As our priority is to be the complete destruction of retreating elements of the Antari force," the Captain shoots a pointed look at Cazarosta, "I must remain behind with the bulk of our forces to set the blocking force and co-ordinate pursuit. I shall not force either of you to lead your men into the undue risk of leading the flanking force, but it must be done, and by one of you two."
You understand what Elson is asking of you in the space of a second. You take a quick look at Cazarosta, then turn back to Elson, a bright worried expression on your face. The Captain nods.
"I shall need one of you to volunteer."
You decide to:
1) Volunteer to be the flanking force.
2) Say nothing.
As of the Summer of the 607th year of the Old Imperial Era
Alaric d'al Ortiga
Age: 19
Rank: Lieutenant
Wealth: 550
Income: 10
Soldiering: 74%
Charisma: 40%
Intellect: 0%
Reputation: 45%
Health: 75%
Idealism: 81% Cynicism: 19%
Ruthlessness: 31% Mercy: 69%
You have no decorations as of yet.
Alaric d'al Ortiga
Age: 19
Rank: Lieutenant
Wealth: 550
Income: 10
Soldiering: 74%
Charisma: 40%
Intellect: 0%
Reputation: 45%
Health: 75%
Idealism: 81% Cynicism: 19%
Ruthlessness: 31% Mercy: 69%
You have no decorations as of yet.
Sixth Troop, Third Squadron, Royal Dragoons
Senior NCO: Staff- Sergeant Hernandes
Discipline: 30%
Morale: 27%
Loyalty: 30%
Senior NCO: Staff- Sergeant Hernandes
Discipline: 30%
Morale: 27%
Loyalty: 30%
MICHAEL BRIGGINS
(Born 578 OIE) Lieutenant in the Royal Tierran Navy, Third Lieutenant, HMS Victorious, Baneless.
CAIUS D'AL CAZAROSTA
(Born 585 OIE) Lieutenant of the Royal Dragoon Regiment. Illegitimate son of the Countess of Leoniscourt. Deathborn.
SIR JOHANNES D'AL FINDLAY, DUKE OF CUNARIS
(Born 556 OIE) Lord colonel of the Royal Dragoon Regiment. Knight-Grandmaster of the order of Saint Jerome. A sitting member of the Cortes and head of the noble house of Findlay. Married with three children. Banecaster of the 8th Calibre.
LORD DAVIS D'AL ELSON
(Born 584 OIE) Captain of the Royal Dragoon Regiment, eldest son of the Baron of Hawthorne , a poor, but politically influential Cortes noble. In possession of aspirations to knighthood.Banecaster of the 3rd Calibre.
WILLIAM FENTON
(Born 578 OIE) Corporal of the Royal Dragoon Regiment, formerly in service to the Ortiga family. Baneless.
ATHELSTAN HARLECH
(Born 572 OIE) Corporal of the Royal Dragoon Regiment, popular with the men. Baneless.
LEONARD HERNANDES
(Born 578 OIE) Staff Sergeant Sergeant of the Royal Dragoon Regiment, disciplinarian. Baneless.
SOLHAMMOND LANZEREL
(Born 574 OIE) Sergeant of the Royal Dragoon Regiment, formerly of the 4th Regiment of Foot.Baneless.
DANIEL D'AL LEFEBVRE
(Born 575 OIE) A staff officer of the Grenadier Guards Regiment with the rank of captain. Baneblood.
SIR ALFRED D'AL MONTEZ
(Born 565 OIE) The Commanding officer of the Third Squadron of the Royal Dragoon Regiment. holds the rank of captain. Baneblood.
HIS TIERRAN MAJESTY, KING MIGUEL I OF HOUSE RENDOWER
(Born 586 OIE) Reigning monarch of the Unified Kingdom of Tierra as well as Duke of Aetoria. Young and impetuous, but capable. Baneblood.
RICHARD WALKEN, RN
(Born 565 OIE) Captain of the List in the Royal Tierran Navy. Commanding officer, HMSVictorious. Baneless
SIR ENRIQUE D'AL HUNTER, VISCOUNT OF WOLFSWOOD
(Born 577 OIE) An officer of the Grenadier Guards Regiment. Knight-Captain of the Order of Saint Jerome. Commanding officer of Second Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Banecaster of the 9th Calibre.
HECTOR CANDLESS, DUKE OF WULFRAM
(Born 542 OIE) Lieutenant General in command of Tierran forces in Antar. Duke of the northern duchy of Wulfram. An experienced, but conservative career soldier. Banecaster of the 6th Calibre.
(Born 578 OIE) Lieutenant in the Royal Tierran Navy, Third Lieutenant, HMS Victorious, Baneless.
CAIUS D'AL CAZAROSTA
(Born 585 OIE) Lieutenant of the Royal Dragoon Regiment. Illegitimate son of the Countess of Leoniscourt. Deathborn.
SIR JOHANNES D'AL FINDLAY, DUKE OF CUNARIS
(Born 556 OIE) Lord colonel of the Royal Dragoon Regiment. Knight-Grandmaster of the order of Saint Jerome. A sitting member of the Cortes and head of the noble house of Findlay. Married with three children. Banecaster of the 8th Calibre.
LORD DAVIS D'AL ELSON
(Born 584 OIE) Captain of the Royal Dragoon Regiment, eldest son of the Baron of Hawthorne , a poor, but politically influential Cortes noble. In possession of aspirations to knighthood.Banecaster of the 3rd Calibre.
WILLIAM FENTON
(Born 578 OIE) Corporal of the Royal Dragoon Regiment, formerly in service to the Ortiga family. Baneless.
ATHELSTAN HARLECH
(Born 572 OIE) Corporal of the Royal Dragoon Regiment, popular with the men. Baneless.
LEONARD HERNANDES
(Born 578 OIE) Staff Sergeant Sergeant of the Royal Dragoon Regiment, disciplinarian. Baneless.
SOLHAMMOND LANZEREL
(Born 574 OIE) Sergeant of the Royal Dragoon Regiment, formerly of the 4th Regiment of Foot.Baneless.
DANIEL D'AL LEFEBVRE
(Born 575 OIE) A staff officer of the Grenadier Guards Regiment with the rank of captain. Baneblood.
SIR ALFRED D'AL MONTEZ
(Born 565 OIE) The Commanding officer of the Third Squadron of the Royal Dragoon Regiment. holds the rank of captain. Baneblood.
HIS TIERRAN MAJESTY, KING MIGUEL I OF HOUSE RENDOWER
(Born 586 OIE) Reigning monarch of the Unified Kingdom of Tierra as well as Duke of Aetoria. Young and impetuous, but capable. Baneblood.
RICHARD WALKEN, RN
(Born 565 OIE) Captain of the List in the Royal Tierran Navy. Commanding officer, HMSVictorious. Baneless
SIR ENRIQUE D'AL HUNTER, VISCOUNT OF WOLFSWOOD
(Born 577 OIE) An officer of the Grenadier Guards Regiment. Knight-Captain of the Order of Saint Jerome. Commanding officer of Second Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Banecaster of the 9th Calibre.
HECTOR CANDLESS, DUKE OF WULFRAM
(Born 542 OIE) Lieutenant General in command of Tierran forces in Antar. Duke of the northern duchy of Wulfram. An experienced, but conservative career soldier. Banecaster of the 6th Calibre.
SPRING, 602:
With the thawing of the winter snows, the Tierran Army has begun expanding its beachhead around the town of Noringia.
The King has demanded that at least three Regiments of Foot and one Regiment of Horse must be deployed reinforce the forces in Antar by the end of summer.
The Earl of Crittenden, Port-Admiral at Northern Pillars, reports the Calligian Sea to be free of Antari warships.
SUMMER, 602:
Elements of the King's Army have reached the River Kharan. Construction has begun on numerous outposts along the river.
Royal Tierran Intelligence reports that a large Antari army is being mustered to repel the Tierran Army. His Grace the Duke of Wulfram is dispatched to take overall command of the Tierran Army in Antar.
The Northern Fleet attempts to launch an amphibious raid against the Antari port of Kharangia. Shore batteries repel the attack. The Northern Fleet loses two frigates, and a third-rate of the line.
The Royal Dragoon Regiment lands in Antar, along with the 6th of Foot, the 8th of Foot and the Kentauri Highlanders.
AUTUMN, 602:
A 14 000-strong Antari army advances south from Octobirit, with the intent of retaking Noringia.
The Duke of Wulfram assembles a force of nine regiments, numbering 6 000 men, to face the Antari, with the intention of isolating individual columns and destroying the enemy by detail.
WINTER, 602:
After a twelve-day running battle, the last 4 500 survivors of the Antari army surrender to the Duke of Wulfram's troops, 70 km northeast of Noringia. Thousands of men die on both sides from the bitter winter weather.
The Duke of Wulfram makes the decision to bypass the heavily fortified city of Kharangia. As a result, the River Kharan is designated the main line of defence on the western front. Elements of the Grenadier Guards, the 9th of Foot and the White Rose Lancers are dispatched to reinforce the picket forces already present.
SPRING, 603:
Increased Tierran presence along the River Kharan has led to an increase in partisan activity.
Royal Tierran Intelligence reports evidence of a second Antari army being assembled in northwestern Antar.
SUMMER, 603:
An army of 18 000 Antari advances south from Octobirit. Their intention is to retake Noringia.
The Earl of Weathern, Deputy Privy Councilor for War, proposes that His Tierran Majesty offer the Antari favourable peace terms coupled with the payment of a face-saving level of war reparations. The proposal is dismissed out of hand.
AUTUMN, 603:
The Duke of Wulfram successfully forces the Antari to divide their army into three parts, all of which are destroyed by Tierran forces over a period of two weeks.
SUMMER, 604:
The King requests that the Cortes add an additional 2 000 000 crowns per annum to the military budget, for the purpose of maintaining the Tierran forces in Antar. The proposal passes, barely.
AUTUMN, 604:
The Duke of Wulfram leads a reconnaissance-in-force into the central plains of Antar, burning sixteen villages and disrupting the harvest in that region.
Antari envoys to the Convocation of the Orders-Militant put forward a motion to excommunicate the Unified Kingdom of Tierra and declare them Pariah-Among-Nations.
Royal Tierran Intelligence reports that Prince Mikhail of Khorobirit demanded that the League Congress supply him with the authority to recruit fighting men from the holdings of all Antari lords, for the purpose of creating an army to throw the Tierrans into the sea. He receives overwhelming support, but is vetoed by a personal rival.
WINTER, 604:
Central Antar is hit by a severe famine, thanks to the raiding of Tierran forces. The death toll reaches 75 000 by the beginning of spring.
SPRING, 605:
The Cortes votes to raise a tax on pewter bowls and plates to maintain the war in Antar. The state coffers, having once possessed reserves in excess of 30 000 000 crowns, is now empty.
AUTUMN, 605:
Antari envoys appeal to both the Court of the Sun and Heavens of Kian'Zi and the Richsenaat of Takara for aid against the Tierrans.
SPRING, 606:
The Antari begin mounting major raids into Tierran-held Antar, comprising rapidly-moving forces of one to two hundred men.
The Convocation of the Orders-Militant vote against declaring Tierra Pariah-Among-Nations by a narrow margin.
SUMMER, 605:
Royal Tierran Intelligence reports that a series of "accidental deaths" have befallen several known personal and political enemies of Prince Mikhail of Khorobirit.
SUMMER, 606:
The Ministry of the Exchequer announces that the Tierran government will be more than 2 500 000 crowns in debt by the end of 608.
AUTUMN, 606:
The King presents the Duke of Wulfram with an ultimatum: end the war in Tierra's favour within a year, or face dismissal from service.
The King requests an additional 3 000 000 crowns per annum from the Cortes to expand the Royal Army. His proposal is voted down by a margin of three to one. The Throne's political position is growing dangerously precarious.
Royal Tierran Intelligence reports that Prince Mikhail of Khorobirit has successfully enlisted the aid and resources of nearly two hundred Lords of the Congress for the purpose of building his army.
Riots break out in Tannersburg over the rising cost of bread. Without Antari imports, the price of grain has risen three-fold.
The Duke of Wulfram attempts another reconnaissance-in-force into the central plains, but is intercepted by a force of Antari cavalry. A six day running battle proves inconclusive, with heavy losses on both sides.
WINTER, 606:
The Earl of Weathern once again proposes opening peace talks with the Antari, this time, to an open session of the Cortes. His motion passes by a margin of seven votes. For the first time in three decades, a King of Tierra uses his royal prerogative to veto the motion.
Royal Tierran Intelligence reports that the League Congress has given Mikhail of Khorobirit the authority to recruit an army to defeat the Tierrans within the next year.
Richsgraav Maximillian vam Holt of the Takaran Richsenaat proposes sending observers to both Antari and Tierran armies to gain a better understanding of the Tierran-Antari war.
The Cortes votes to raise taxes on coffee and postage stamps for the purposes of financing the war in Antar and raising three additional Regiments of Foot to reinforce the Tierran Army. The average Tierran now pays twice as much in taxes as he did a decade ago.
SPRING, 607:
Antari raids increase in intensity and power, to the consternation of Grenadier Square.
Royal Tierran Intelligence reports that Mikhail of Khorobirit has assembled an army of 40 000 men and is advancing south.
Intendants representing the Takaran government arrive in Antar.
