Lords of Europe IC

[JaviSua]

Keeping the Peace

Lord Unai send 500 Orcs and 100 Centaurs to deal with the brigands and protect the shipping of stone. Meanwhile, the human soldiers are drilled, drilled, and drilled some more. Those that stand out in training are given positions as officers, as well as titles of honor and small plots of land with goblins to serve as farmers and servants.

[Moechi_Vill]

Battle for Central London - Decisive Scottish & Fey Victory

With the bulk of the fey army occupying the English army further to the west Robert the Bruce takes command of the join forces. He orders an assault on the Palace and Tower!
The English fight to the death but are overwhelmed by the Dark Sidhe and Robert's elite troops.
Several members of the Royal family have been taken captive.

English Casualties: 5,000 professional English Soldiers (the remainder of the garrison)
English Captives: The Queen and two of Edward's sons

Fey Casualties: 500 Dark Sidhe
Scottish Casualties: 800 Swordsmen, 300 Arbalests, 250 Knights


Second Battle for London - Marginal Scottish & Fey Victory

The insurgents of London had organized in secret. The urban militias surfaced to the streets as troops drew towards the center of the city. Combat quickly broke out from the outskirts to the inner city ring even as resistance collapsed in the Palace and troops overran positions in the Tower, killing the fanatic English troops.
Robert quickly redeployed, but the Londoners were intent on ousting the invader. It was not until a sizable portion of the adult male population of London had been slaughtered that peace once again settled on the Capital, this time indubitably in the hands of the allies.

English Casualties: London Insurgency, resistant Londoners
Fey Casualties: 500 Dark Sidhe
Scottish Casualties: 200 Pikeneers, 50 Halberdiers, 500 Spearmen, 300 Woad Raiders, 300 Bowmen, 50 Longbowmen, 200 Crossbowmen, 50 Knights, 400 Horsemen, 5 Siege Engines w/ 200 men


London is securely in the possession of Robert and the Sidhe detachment. A small garrison (1k) will be necessary to prevent a smaller rebellion.

Surviving Assets:

Lightly Damaged Fortifications of London, Lightly-Moderately Damaged City
Commanding Officer: Robert the Bruce of Scotland
500 Dark Sidhe
2200 Swordsmen, 800 Pikeneers, 450 Halberdiers, 3500 Spearmen, 1700 Woad Raiders
Ranged: 700 Arbalests, 800 Crossbowmen, 450 Longbowmen, 2200 Bowmen,
Cavalry: 500 Knights, 1,350 Horsemen
Siege Engines: 20 w/ 300 spearmen


Skirmish in the Hills of Oxford - Draw
A large detachment of English cavalry chase down a section of Decataurs only to incur heavy casualties as the Centaurs retreat yet fight ably as they are pursued. But as the skirmish is looking at its worst a group of black-clad men approach from behind a nearby hill.
The Decataurs engage them as the men draw swords of a metal that could only be described as 'blue silver' and move with unnatural speed to match their own to block the horses. Trapped between the cavalry and the mystery force the Decataurs fight bravely and are slain nearly to a horse, however a few escape to warn their master.

Fey Casualties: 200 Decataurs
English Casualties: 300 Knights, 10 Feyslayers


Meanwhile the English army of Oxfordshire has reached the outskirts of London and is preparing to besiege the defenders.


Enemy Force Spotted

Davin's skelkies have witnessed a small force of a few hundred mermen and mermaids engaged in parley with the English fleet north of Canterbury, it has joined up with the fleet from the English channel and now number a grand total of (57 ships w/ 50 sailors and 100 marines EACH, they picked up a few extra 'marines' (just fighters on a ship, these new ones aren't professional, but number only one fifth of the marine force) offa southeastern England.)


Daemos from the South

Spoiler

Show

You pull the sword out of the stone and surge your power into it. The swords responds and you feel stronger, mightier, more agile, wiser and intelligent then ever! Slowly a figure materializes in front of you, a Knight in old, worn and shining white amour. It is mute, but your fey senses impart to you the knowledge of an empathic bond. The figure will serve you to its second death and was once known as Galahad. A different hero of old will take his place if he falls.


OOC: I'm going to assume you don't attack the English militias in your area until a further clarification (the insurgents are only in the Scottish-Davin controlled areas, they're still in the open in English-controlled/unoccupied countryside). PS. Add 5,000 points in fey recruits in English France who join your war in delight of bloodlust and anger against the Scottish (these forces appear in your French holding/s, not England). Please number all your current forces at home and abroad, including civilians and fortifications, supplies, etc. (I found the numbers in the OOC thread, but I want to be sure I got it right).

Here's what I have right now:
1500 Mounted Gryphons - over England attacking Fey raiders
20 Boats sailing for the Irish sea (you've reached Exeter) - PS. There are no current reports of enemy skelkies in the Irish sea.
3000 Orcish Arbalests and 1000 Orcish Pikemen heading North toward Scotland sacking towns along the way. - I'm going to ask for confirmation on this as you're still in England and I thought you were on their side and wouldn't harm their civilians, and you'll have to decide on whether you want to loop around west around the embattled area of Greater London or fight your way through it.
Daemos and His 705 Orcish Elites, and Giant Trebuchet operated by 20 orcs, 15 siege engineers and 300 support moving towards King Edward's camp, avoiding encounters (but fighting English insurgents along the way?)

A force of ships flying the fey lord Daemos' flag has just passed Exeter and is continuing west.

A moderate force of fey under Lord Daemos' flag is progressing northwards from Dover. Are they headed for London or will they go straight north narrowly passing the embattled area through Gillingham and Southend-on-sea? Or will they maneuver westwards to pass through Reading or as far west as Dover?
Word has yet to reach the other warring parties on their treatment of peaseants, settled communities and the numerous local militias.

Mounted Gryphons wage war on Fey Raiders! - Decisive Deamos Victory
Swooping in from above, the Gryphons do considerable damage to Davin's army, taking advantage of attacks of opportunity afforded by the ongoing operations and occasional confusions of battle delays of communication. They take more casualties then would be usual as they are low in the air due to their riders' weight, but due to surprise, innovative tactics and good training and marksmanship the enemy is considerably worse for the wear. Some more casualties are suffered however when enemy Gryphons scramble to save their own. Edward's army takes advantage of the opportunity and kill a few more enemies.
Davin's Casualties: 1,500 Dark Sidhe, 700 Decataurs, 100 Gryphons
Edward's Casualties: 200 Knights, 200 Horsemen
Daemos' Casualties: 300 Mounted Gryphons and riders

Remaining battlefield contestants have moved east of Reading to just west of Greater London (open knowledge to both and spoilers are making it hard for me so unless Puppy objects I'm going to mostly stop using spoilers):

West of Greater London

Davin's Forces
2000 Dark Sidhe, 1,700 Decataurs, 100 Gryphons + PS. Please deploy up to 7 very loyal fey of lesser nobility in your realm. (subtracted by other named characters other than Davin and Cwn Anwyn (sp?) I don't know of)

Daemos' Forces
1200 Mounted Gryphons + PS. Please deploy up to 9 very loyal fey of lesser nobility in your realm (subtracted by other named characters other than Daemos' I don't know of)

Edward's forces
Commander: Edward III of England and his Royal Guard (75 Royal Swordsmen)
Infantry - Melee: 3,000 Swordsmen, 2,000 Pikeneers, 750 Halberdiers, 250 Guardsmen (tower shields, Halberds and a few others weapons), 4,000 Spearmen (iron), 2,000 Spearmen (wooden), 1,500 Axemen, 2,500 Skirmishers, 1,000 Huntsmen (with bows), 4,000 Militia (with daggers), 75 Siege Engines w/ 800 men, 300 Slingmen, 90 Feyslayers, 600 Gnomes, 200 Wood Elves
Infantry - Ranged: 2,500 Longbowmen, 500 Bowmen, 500 Arbalests, 500 Crossbowmen
Cavalry: 1,500 Knights, 800 Horsemen


PS. There are rural and urban English militias in Oxfordshire, Reading, Dover and West of Greater London, but these don't fight back unless you specifically attack them or the civilians they are set to protect. So when Davin raids Edward III's army, they don't react unless Edward asks them too.

[Raz_Fox]

Davin

Davin simply thinks for a moment and then chuckles. "I am honored that you have mistaken me for a maker of miracles. Every unbaptized child in England? Every unbaptized child in London would be nigh-impossible to round up.
No, I cannot pay that price, spirit. Now that I think about it, this crown isn't that fair. If you have any other price, I will ponder upon it."


Scotland

Meanwhile, in Scotland life was becoming better. Otherworld food was sold in the great cities, trees were growing all over Scotland, and despite the war life for those left behind continued to improve. Dark Sidhe were fine carpenters and masons, capable of building houses easily. Decataurs unfit for war carried messages swiftly between cities. Otherworld was melding with Scotland, and life was good.


Letter to King Edward

King Edward gets a letter back, written in graceful sloping script.

I am afraid that while Davin Argetlam may have flaws, treachery is not among them. However, I am willing to make a deal with you, Edward. I have heard that we hold your fair lady and your children prisoner - expell Daemos Blackheart from your fair land, and I will surrender them unto you. Also, if that is not enough to sway your heart into thrusting the untrustworthy sorcerer from you, I swear that when we clash in battle your life shall be spared and all prisoners that we take shall be unmolested.
If you keep the snake of France in thy bed, then it is only right that I warn you to throw it out before it bites into thy veins. Despite my fearsome reputation, I am a man of honor and bear you personally no ill will - despite your hatred of my "bastardly, godless" kind.
When Scotland and England clash, England will lose. If Daemos stands by your side, both Scotland and England shall lose, and France shall win us both. Your country will be spared the scourging to come if Daemos is cast out.

By the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Lord of the Isles, High King of the Sidhe,
Scion of the Tuatha de Danann,
Davin Argetlam.

[Blockhead]

((Made a slight mistake in my post, editting it and reposting to continue RP))

Spoiler

Show

King Shtaal Tundra

20 Boats + Raz

The King was a little taken aback by the request, when suddenly a skelkie walked into the room, accompanied by a guard. The creature reminded the King of his Naga servants and soldiers. "Welcome to my court, what can I do for you?" Asked the King to the skelkie, still thinking about what Ged had to say.

[DrakebloodIV]

Note: The trebuchet is run by 20 OGRES not orcs
Named Characters

Spoiler

Show

Daemos (Leader, Archmage and Swordsman)
Jarr (Berzerker, Gryphon Rider Leader, Former property of Davin)
Ged (Naval master, currently stationed in Iceland)
Shurak (Military Tactisian, currently stationed in Napals under Titus Velius)
Leriac (High siege engineer, aims the giant trebuchet, also very cabable of orginising siege and putting siege to good use)
Bovo (Convincing diplomat and good recruiter, stationed in the alps rectruting troops from small kingdoms)
Aumon ( Troll high shaman, gifted assassin and spy)
Reilegh (A wyvern with both black dragon and gold dragon heiritage, usually rode by Daemos)
MORE LATER

Troop #'s and locations
[spoiler]
Purchased troops
200 gryphons (unmounted, will take mounts when they reach Daemos's elite troops and become the Crusading Flight)
Home base troops
Orc Workers

Spoiler

Show

3000 Workmen (farmers miners and the like)
Specialists

Spoiler

Show

200 Smiths,
100 Bowyers,
150 seige engineers,
50 tacticeans,
50 politicans,
46 spies
(total=596 specialists)

Masters

Spoiler

Show

25 great smiths,
25 great bowyers,
25 great tacticeans,
25 great seige engineers,
12 master politicans,
12 James Bonds
(total=149 master specialists)

These guys are just pluggin away at their jobs, I believe my keep has become a moderatly large town by now

[Moechi_Vill]

Note: Yes, sorry Drake. Typo, I know they're ogres.
Raz & Drake & Puppyavenger: Your roleplay of your home bases is great, and you'll certainly attract human settlers (those who aren't still afraid), but I'll need Puppy's words on whether you have fey civilians other than those taken from the troops you got for your points.


Raz

Palace

"These artifacts will help the task. They will flock to you by no will of their own, but the children of London will do. Accept them both, if you do not find them graceful then they will merely become a part of your powers. They will sow chaos in the ranks of your enemies."

If you refuse the spirit leaves, but an unnatural scent of spring lilacs wafts to you from the dungeons below. If you pursue this course there you will find an old Celtic scroll at the foot of an iron cross that reads "Fey Winter. Keyword: Laran.". Whether you take it or not you wake up from your dream, with (if you take the scroll) or without the scroll in hand.

Reply from Edward: I'm very, very sorry (on behalf of my wife and children), but I have to decline. Though I love my family very much I have other sons, but only one England to base my might on. And I am no coward and would not leave my peers to suffer. OOC: I based this reply (in particular) and others on his personality and rulership type off of Wikipedia.


Raz & Drake

20 Daemos Ships round the coast of England and head into Irish waters.


Decisive Naval Engagement off the Essex Coastline - Major Celtic Victor
In the daylight the English ships and mermen fighters and mermaid casters engage the skelkies off the coast. Initially the battle goes well, but once the mermaids have been attritted to an end the English ships are left with no support from underneath and using improved tactics the skelkies poke holes in the ships from underneath, sinking them all. A few of them reach the shore where the sailors disband and a regiment of two thousand surviving marines form up to hold the coastline.

Casualties: 900 Skelkies, The English portion of the English Crown's Fleet
Survivors: 2,000 Skelkies, 2,000 Marines


Celtic Militias March Southwest from Scotland - Minor Celtic Victory
Half the remaining militia of Scotland, numbering 10,000, have marched south raping and pillaging their way through the landscape to support the Scottish effort further south. They begin engaging the militias there and defeat them, but take numerous casualties themselves and number only 7,000after the initial engagements outside of Manchester and Liverpool, facing off against them are 6,000 English and Walish militia scrambled from further south/-west hellbent on stopping the Scots. Currently the Scottish militias are north of both cities and wedged between them.

English uprising in York - Minor Celtic Victory
The Scots put down an insurrection and massacre all resistance to prevent further rebellion in the city.
Casualties: Urban Insurgency, 500 Scottish swordsmen

English uprising throughout northeastern England - Decisive English Victory
The nobles of England finally gathered together all the survivors, big and small and all their servants and serfs. The remaining flowers of English nobility and all the peasants and street rabble of England put together their strength towards one purpose, death to the invaders.
Taking massive casualties these forces streamed in from rural and western communities and destroyed all Scottish garrisons despite most longbows having been confiscated and exhausting much of their own strength. The Eastern English countryside is under native control again, but at the cost of any ability of the local militias to project force as all local resources have been pooled towards aid and reconstruction.
Casualties: Scottish garrisons, supply line, and large portion of northeastern English militias. Mobility of remaining NE English militias led by the nobles.


Robert the Bruce puts the torch to London!
Fearing to be besieged by the English army just outside London's border limits Robert takes the drastic action of commandeering the remaining Sidhe and setting fire to the Capital city to deny the Englishmen rest and supplies.


Pitched Battle at Crawley - Decisive Celtic Victory
Taking his army and all the resources he could scrounge up he rapidly marches south and defeats Daemos' detachment. This victory was brought about by outmaneuvering the pikemen and breaking through at the weakest point with the entire mass of cavalry. As the pikemen responded to the plight of the ranged troops the Celtic infantry caught up with the battle and engaged the pikemen.
The Celtic casualties were mostly the result of initially breaking through the pikemen and suffering from intense hails of bolts. However the troops were soon surrounded, and lacking in melee escort for fighting their way out or selling their lives dearly they eventually surrendered rather than be massacred. Robert put them all to the sword. The Scottish army also takes some light casualties engaging a few of the militias on their way to Dover.

Casualties
Daemos: 3000 Orcish Arbalests, 1000 Orcish Pikemen
Scottish: 150 knights, 300 horsemen, 600 woad raiders, 450 swordsmen, 650 spearmen


Battle for Dover - Attritive Celtic Victory
Continuing his rampage down through the countryside Robert barrels into the army preparing to march north at Dover.
Surprising them, forcing them to the white cliffsides the men fight to their deaths, taking down nearly half the remaining Scottish force. The Crown Prince of England is slain.

Casualties: Dover Field Army, 1,650 Swordsmen, 400 Pikeneers, 250 Halberdiers, 1,550 Spearmen, 1,000 Woad Raiders, 300 Arbalests, 400 Crossbowmen, 200 Longbowmen, 1100 Bowmen, 5 siege engines with 200 Spearmen, 350 Knights, 600 Horsemen


Northeastern England is devastated
Northern Northwestern England is devastated
York, Newcastle and London are devastated
Dover is devastated

Pitched Battle West of London - Attritive Draw
Splitting his forces in two to avoid running out of supplies by foraging off the land Edward sends some militia and horsemen northwards to ward off the Scots. Engaging the Sidhe aggressively with the help of Daemos' troops and mostly his infantry, Edward seeks to to reduce the number of mouths he will have to feed and lower enemy numbers, hopefully sending them on the run. The fey horses break through vital formations and massacre many soldiers yet are forced to disengage upon melee attrition and a sky filled with arrows and withdraw into London or pull northeast to avoid immediate encirlement. Some of the worst losses are taken during the retreat as the might of the English archers cathes up with many a decataur. The English lose a numerous six thousand two hundred troops and one hundred mounted gryphons, yet the Anglo-French allies nonetheless manage to bring down the remaining Gryphons, several hundred Decataurs and above half the Dark Sidhe.
OOC: Depending on your choice Raz, Davin will be with Cwn and his remaining forces north of London along the coastside, with London automatically in possession of the Southerners. If you choose to retreat into London you will be besieged (though the cat city is pretty wasted right now so you won't have to deal with insurgents).

Southern Casualties: 1,500 Dagger Militia, 1,000 Skirmishers, 200 Crossbowmen, 100 Arbalests, 700 Longbowmen, 1,000 Spearmen (iron), 500 spearmen (wood), 200 Pikeneers, 700 Swordsmen, 200 knights, 100 horsemen, 100 mounted Gryphons
Northern Casualties: 1,100 Dark Sidhe, 700 Decataurs, 100 Gryphons

English Forces Desert
Lacking supplies over two thousand English militia troops with King Edward disband.
Desertion: 400 Skirmishers, 400 Spearmen (wood), 200 Spearmen (iron), 100 Swordsmen, 700 Men with Daggers, 300 huntsmen


Edward turns South
Having forced the Sidhe into the wretched London, Edward once again splits his army and personally leads the bulk of his force southwards towards his opposite number and the surviving Scottish cadres at the coast, along the way he and his army appropriates the rest of the common and noble folks supplies and militias as the Scots went quickly through this area. Along the way he is joined by and drafts militias from settled communities numbering 600 spearmen (iron), 800 spearmen (wood), 500 bowmen and 100 horsemen.

English Militias fully mobilized
Walish, Western English, Irish, Wester and Southern English Militia are now fully mobilized. Scottish movements will now face considerably more resistance. While the presence of the Scottish main army in Dover has dampened the enthusiasm of the local rural militias more settled communities have barred their gates and fully prepared defenses and absorbed the rural forces for self defense. The rural civilians however remain largely unprotected and refugees have begun going east and west with a trickle making their way northwest and northeast around London.

Scottish and Northern Fey recruitment however are already stretched to their limit.
This means that although more civilians can be drafted on top of the 10,000 militia still in Scotland, this will further impact an already severely strained economy and national morale. Furthermore the levies will be untrained, the supplies will have to be taken from a people that have already turned over their excess supplies to the army for its operations, and the weapons do not exist and will have to be created or improvised. Also, the fey coming from the otherworld to Scotland has complete died out.

A few more fey recruits to Daemos' base, but stream dries out.
Another 1,000 points of fey joins Daemos' faction for war in England.


Remaining Celtic/Northern Forces on Great Britain (the de facto name of the Eastern Island, I just found it on my second try)
Scotland
Aberdeen (Davin): 3,500 Dark Sidhe, 1,000 Skelkies, 100 Fey Hounds, 100 Gryphons
Essex Coastline (Davin): 2,000 Skelkies
Edinburgh: 750 Swordsmen, 300 Halberdiers, 300 Pikeneers, 500 Spearmen, 850 Crossbowmen, 100 Knights, 150 Horsemen, 20 Ships w/ Marines, 15 Ships w/ Sailors

England - 7,000 militia (north of and between of Liverpool and Manchester)

Davin, London/NNEast of London: Davin Argetlam (w/ Cwn Annwyn?), 900 Dark Sidhe, 1000 Decataurs

Robert the Bruce, Dover
Infantry - Melee: 500 Dark Sidhe (Davin), 900 Swordsmen, 600 Pikeneers, 250 Halberdiers, 1,800 Spearmen, 400 Woad Raiders
Infantry - Ranged: 700 Arbalests, 600 Crossbowmen, 300 Longbowmen, 1,400 Bowmen,
Cavalry: 250 Knights, 850 Horsemen
Siege Engines: 20 w/ 300 spearmen


Remaining Southern Forces on Great Britain
Wales
Welsh Garrisons: 4,000 Soldiers, 500 Knights, 50 Siege Engines w/ 500 men, 4 Ships w/ Sailors, 3 Ships in drydock w/ out sailors, 2 ships under construction
Welsh Militias: Numerous

Ireland
Irish Garrison: 2,000 Swordsmen, 500 Halberdiers, 1,000 Pikemen, 300 Knights, 10 Siege Engines w/ 200 men, 10 Ships w/ Marines, 5 Ships w/ Sailors
Irish Milita: 1,000 men, 1,600 Skirmishers, 200 Horsemen

England
Militias: Very numerous in southwestern and southeastern England. 6,000 embattled in Liverpool and Manchester. Sparse and Defensive in Northeastern England.
France Several thousand soldiers and French militias loyal to England in and surrounding English enclaves, 30 Ships w/ Sailors only
Directly South of Crawley, Edward III of England and his Royal Guard (75 Royal Swordsmen)
Infantry - Melee: 1,000 Swordsmen, 1,000 Pikeneers, 350 Halberdiers, 250 Guardsmen (tower shields, Halberds and a few others weapons), 2,100 Spearmen (iron), 800 Spearmen (wooden), 1,000 Axemen, 75 Siege Engines w/ 800 men, 300 Slingmen, 90 Feyslayers, 600 Gnomes, 200 Wood Elves
Infantry - Ranged: 1,500 Longbowmen, 500 Bowmen
Cavalry: 1,500 Knights, 100 Horsemen

Coast of Essex
2,000 Marines

South of Liverpool and Manchester
200 Knights, 600 Horsemen, 1,100 Skirmishers, 500 Axemen, 1,300 Militia (with daggers), 500 Bowmen

Besieging London
Infantry - Melee: 1,200 Swordsmen, 800 Pikeneers, 400 Halberdiers, 1,300 Spearmen (iron), 1,100 Spearmen (wooden), 700 Huntsmen (with bows), 500 Militia (with daggers)
Infantry - Ranged: 300 Longbowmen, 400 Arbalests, 300 Crossbowmen
Cavalry: 100 Knights, 400 Horsemen
Airborne Cavalry (Daemos): Jarr w/ 1100 Mounted Gryphons (the reinforcements have yet to reach you)

Daemos, Close to London
Daemos and Reilegh w/ 705 Elite Orcish Swordsmen and 1 Giant Trebuchet w/ 20 Ogres, 15 Siege Engineers and 300 Support Orcs

Southern Irish Sea
Daemos: 20 Boats

... (not GB but relevant so it was added) ...

English Enclave, Calais: 200 Mounted Gryphons








Icelandic Lords swear fealty to Fey
Convinced of the Fey's superior number of soldiers and their awesome powers, the majority of Icelandic lords have gathered together and decided to swear fealty to the local fey power. There are however a few stubboprn holdouts of whom most have taken ship with their families and left for Norway, seeking aid from their brethren to repulse the monstrosities.

King Shtaal Tundra: A full embassy of lords arrive at your court and kneel in respect, bringing you gifts of gems, food and weapons, they even pledge you ships and the loyalty of their troops. They plead that you be a strong and gentle lord who will bring prosperity to their land. Some of them seem nervous.


French Crown Mobilizing troops outside of Paris
The French Crown is mobilizing an army of infantry, archers and numerous knights and horsemen (squires and militia) outside of Paris. Currently five thousand troops have gathered on top of the sizeable garrison and royal forces stationed in and around the capital. The numbers are growing though the French are taking their time.


Granada
Fey forces are pillaging their way through the countryside and coastline. This tactic has met with considerable success at sea, but through the countryside militias were activated in time and the emirate's mainstay forces rushed to stall the army while its main forces rallied at the capital.
So far the fey unused to the landscape and not expecting stiff resistance have taken even casualties despite superior numbers and quality. The professional army is halfways to the front while the Fey Lord's Spanish ally has only just left Castille with a large army.

If this war continues the same way it looks to compete in terms of sheer bloodshed with the Great English-Scottish war of 1346.

[Blockhead]

King Shtaal Tundra

The court of King Tundra had certainly seen its share of foreign visitors and lords. Before kneeled several lords which had brung him many lavish gifts in return for peace. The King rose from his throne and declared that their would be peace to all loyal lords and with that, invited the lords into his kingdom. The King soon informed his servants that the kingdom would have new citizens and told them to make them feel welcome. Although King Tundra allowed the lords to stay in the kingdom and accepted their gifts, he did not explicitly demand the intergration of the lords' armies and boats into those of his own. Despite this, the King was sure that the lords would be a great asset in the future.

[Moechi_Vill]

OOC: Thanks guys! See OOC thread.


On the Eve of Battles - climactic foreshadowing

The margins seem to be on the southern side. Even fate seems to have turned lately. Though parts of England are nigh wasteland... as Davin and Cwn are pursued to/north-of London the speedier Gryphon forces with Daemos not far behind operate in the countryside with a saving vengeance.

To the south two great figures prepare for their final battle.
Exhausted and less in numbers, training and equipment Robert's army is out of luck, but not out of hope. His newfound reckless abandon has taken him far, perhaps it can even take him past the crack army before him.

With his back to the wall he is faced by Edward. Furious for his family and his subjects he plans to make an example of the one he calls 'Robert the Brute'.
His army is ready, eager, mostly fresh, well equipped, mostly highly trained and most of all fanatical to an unbelievable degree after witnessing so much devastation.
They know how to fight and they've learned how to win against the Fey and Celts. Now if only things don't go horribly wrong...

[Raz_Fox]

Iceland

The seal-woman bows. "I am R'yna of the Seas, a messenger from Davin Argetlam, High King of the Sidhe, Lord of Scotland and soon to be ruler of England. Despite the titles, he does not wish much other than friendship with those outside the land rightfully his. He sent me for two purposes - he wishes to extend the hand of friendship and warn you of the sorcerer Daemos, who steps into wars that are not his and is possessed of greed and ambition. He dragged his own land into a war that he never should have fought - what is stopping him from dragging yours into war as well?
Davin Argetlam wishes only peace, and cares not who your friends are - by all means, continue trade with Daemos, but I warn you that his honeyed words are poison.
May I sit and speak with you at your table for a time, great King?"


Robert the Bruce's Camp

The day before battle, Robert heard a welcome sound - the Cwn Annwn were on the hunt. The fey hounds were Davin's heralds, and Davin himself had come for the final battle.

As Robert rushed from his tent, Davin rode up on his white steed and dismounted. "You would not believe what I've been doing, Robert. However, I've got a plan for tomorrow's battle.

You need to pull out from this position - it's not defendable. There's a stone circle about two miles away; if we can make our stand against Edward there we'll have a good chance. The hills there will especially help. In addition, I'll need all the cavalrymen you can get - I'll be leading the counterattack. I've got reinforcements coming, but how many is anyone's guess. Oh, and it's good to see you. It's really good to see you again, Robert."


On the English Coast

The seal-women were gone - no more attacks upon the ships, and slowly but surely the fleet regained its confidence. But where had they gone?


Across Wales and Ireland

All over the territories taken by England, women wearing the pelts of seals rallied up rebellion to the crown of England. They spoke of past glories and the warrior Davin Argetlam, of their valiant stand against the English army and how they would break Edward's host. Stand and fight, they said. Die on your feet instead of living on your knees, they said.

Spoiler

Show

I'm hoping for some reinforcements from the English-conquered Wales, or at least a major rebellion there. After all, England did subjugate them.
I'm also hoping for alliance with Ireland - ya never know...

At Dover

The Skelkies came ashore - only 1500, since their sisters were preaching Davin's cause. They made haste to come to Robert's aid - their arrows would be greatly needed in this battle. Airmed of the Seas led them - her arrows were sharp and true.

Also, at the stone circle Davin had indicated were reinforcements from Aberdeen - 2000 Dark Sidhe and the last 100 Gryphons. They were ready to show the mortals the ancient ways through Otherworld in case the battle went wrong. The stone circle would not only be the cornerstone of their defense, but also their way of retreat.

This was to be the final battle, and all of Davin's closest friends were making ready. Aengus Hunt-master was ready with bow and sword, fairest of all the Dark Sidhe. Fiacha mac Delbaith rallied his Decataur brethren, ready to follow Davin come morn. His fair sister Danand mac Delbaith stood at his side, her sword sharpest of all. Goibniu pulled both arms and mead out of his smith's wagon, sharing them with all who passed by; the sons of Scotland would be armed with weapons and protected by armor beyond mortal ken. Great Lyr, the Gryphonlord, flew above the camp, watching the English Army. Lastly the healer Miach strode through the scottish camp, his pouch of herbs seemingly inexaustable as he healed those in need.

Spoiler

Show

Seven named characters.
- Airmed of the Seas, Skelkie leader.
- Aengus Hunt-master, Dark Sidhe hunter.
- Fiacha mac Delbaith, Decataur leader.
- Danand mac Delbaith, Decataur warrior-princess.
- Goibniu, Dark Sidhe smith and brewmaster. Gave the scottish forces Fey arms and armor, plus Fey Courage.
- Lyr, greatest of the Gryphons, capable of speech.
- Miach; bard, healer, herbmaster...

The English Camp

Rumors were circulating around Edward's camp, speaking of the unstoppable charge of Davin's unearthly cavalry and how the fey were ready to rise up and smite them. People muttered that the fey serving Edward were going to backstab them at a crucial moment, and how the fey were gaining power from the stone circles.

The two most prevailent rumors were thus: that Davin Argetlam would spare those who deserted and fled from his wrath and only smite down those who opposed him; that Daemos was manipulating the king into fighting instead of making peace and that Daemos would seize control while Davin and Edward dueled.

All of these rumors could, if one knew everything, be traced back to a young minstrel with a bloody bandage over one eye, who had wandered the camps singing old ballads, sharing food and telling stories both old and new.

[Moechi_Vill]

Parallel to the British Isles was the Otherworld that at certain times was especially accessible to the Fey. Though it had strengthened much with Davin's arrival it had gradually weakened.
Travel was still possible, but much more difficult. As Daemos had entered the isles he too sensed this possibility.
More familiar with the terrain of the Otherworld Davin and his troops would be marginally more successful in navigating it in terms of speed and end destination, but the real question in the air was... how would they use it? Up till now troops had moved mostly through the Earthly Britain, fooling most humans and even their commanders into thinking they were Earth-bound. But now that they moved with such rapidity, any battle could happen suddenly!
And what if... a human were to travel in?


Minor Situation Update: Wales, Ireland and France

Spoiler

Show

France: Did I miss an alliance you had with them? As it stands if the answer is no: The French are getting ready for something, probably to pound England around the coast, but they're taking their time.
Wales: Wales at this time is properly subjugated I'm afraid. You'll get some sympathy, a lot from some places, but are unlikely to gain any military action save for numbers in the low scores.
Ireland: The English enclave is well garrisoned. You've successfully gained the interest of the neighboring Irish warlords (if I understood the map right they seem to be divided into warring mini-states, I'll check later) who would gladly gain land at the expense of English assets in Ireland, out of greed AND patriotism. At the moment they are discouraged by a heavy garrison, but if England moves some troops out or you somehow convince them.

[Blockhead]

King Shtaal Tundra

The King was glad R'yna was here on a mission of peace, he always prefered peace over war. "I will gladly accept your Lord's friendship and extend him my own. He is welcome in Iceland if he is peaceful towards us. I would also be willing to consider trade, but one step at a time." He smiled. "If what you say of this Daemos is true, then he is not to be trusted. We shall be weary of him, should we encounter him. But enough of that, come sit with me at my table and feast on my many foods!" Cried the King, ordering his servants to prepair his royal banquet hall for a guest.

[DrakebloodIV]

Final named characters

Spoiler

Show

Gorgoth- A magically animated atomaton, made of rocks and covered in runes, the spirits of a demon and an angel wage war inside him.
Quincy- A human madman, capable of stirring troops into a frenzied rage
Grungh- Ogre Bigfist, very strong and of childlike intellingence (Smart for an Ogre)
Lorean- A great grandson of a fey, assassin and spy

The camps of Davin Argetlam

The stories of Daemos's necrotic might paired with his holy will strike fear into the hearts of many fey. Some wish only to be done with the battle, but the wiser ones wish to return to the Outlands, smashing the gates behind them. Even the fey whom have had brothers and sisters that have left the side of Davin fear that they might be slain by their comrades.

At the circle of stone

A screech from Daemos's mighty wyvren sounds out, scaring the few fay scattered around into fleeing. Davin dismounts the proud creature. Striding towards the central stone. He waits there patiently as King Robert approaches.

"I have invited you here to give you one final warning" Said Daemos, his face grave with sorrow

"We have banged the drums of war for too long" responded Robert the Bruce "If I were to back down now I would be seen as a coward, not only that but a fool. No, you shan't have my alligance"

"Then In your grave I shall call you brother" Hymned Daemos "For he who sheds his blood with me on the morrow shall be my brother"

With that Daemos drew his sword and a mircoscopic flinch erupted from Robert. A pure note erupted from the blade as Daemos injected it into the stone.

"This blade has been called by many names. Ghaude Kolbor, Caladbolg, Caledfwlch, Caliburnus and Excalibur to name a few. It has been wielded by many heroes over the centuries and has accumulated the will and heroic spirit of these men to form a blade of almighty proportions. So too, have all its heros drawn it from a stone. And here we are, at a stone filled with fey energies. I now use it to call upon my ally: Galahad, for surely in such a powerful place he shall be gifted with the ability to speak...(OOC- Can you roleplay Galahad giving me information on the stone circle and the battle to come?)"

Troop formations

In the dead of night the english troops mobilise with armor covered in black rags to maintain stealth. They form a classic pincer formation with the mouth of the pincer at the edge of the clearing in which the stone circle stands. They prepare some simple fortifications and place stakes on the ground to harry their enemies. Welsh longbowmen rain down vollies of arrows in an iron hail to smite their fey enemies and the full force of Daemos's Gryphons spy from above as they drop rocks upon the fey and scottish encampments. No more Daemos pull his punches against the Scots. He hails down the full might of his army against those who have twice denied him.

[JaviSua]

Improving the Homestead

With the brigands driven off, Lord Unai begins new building projects. First, a stables is erected to house the horses needed for the new calvary. After the stone walls have surrounded Unai's Kingdom, Lord Tressevian orders the construction of two fortresses, one to the south and one to the west, on the borders of his kingdom. After their completion, garrisons of 500 Orcs, 150 Centaurs, 100 Gryphons, and 50 Kerberos will be sent to each.

Message to the Duke

Lord Unai sends a message to his ally, the Duke of Lithuania, regarding the Hungarians' mysterious ally. It reads: "I have recently been in contact with King Giedrius, the man commanding mythical forces much like my own. Talks of trade deals and peaceful relations have been put forth. However, I have heard rumors of a war between Giedrius and the forces of Bulgaria. Standing by the side of Giedrius could secure a valuable ally for both of us, but could drag us into the conflict. I wish to know your thoughts on the manner.

Your faithful ally,
Lord Unai Tressevian, Lord of the Black Stone and Ruler of Gallacia"

[puppyavenger]

Javisua[spoiler] the buildings are finished a few weeks behind schedule due to over-optimistic bureaucrats.

The Reply from Lithuania reads Bulgaria is fairly isolated right now, and facing the possibility of revolutions, together we could probably contribute a few thousand troops to get his trust. As far as I know, the Emperor has no real allies.

[JaviSua]

Unai smiles at the reply from his ally. He orders 1,000 Orcs, 250 Gryphons, 100 Centaurs, 1,000 of his finest human infantry, and 1,000 human calvary to travel through Hungary to aid Giedrius. His forces are led by his highly trusted Orc General, Lethran. With them he sends this message. "King Giedrius:
These men have been sent to aid you in your fight with Bulgaria. Please accept this token of friendship in the hopes of a lasting alliance that will prove beneficial to all involved.

Your ally and comrade,
Lord Unai Tressevian, Lord of the Black Stone and Ruler of Gallacia"

Spoiler

Show

Current troop locations:
At home:

Spoiler

Show

4,900 Orcs
450 Gryphons
350 Centaurs
370 Kerberos
230 Minotaurs
70 Trolls
2,000 Goblins (farming)
4,000 Human infantry
2,000 Human calvary

In Hungary:

Spoiler

Show

1,000 Orcs
250 Gryphons
100 Centaurs
1,000 Human infantry
1,000 Human Calvary

At the forts:

Spoiler

Show

500 Orcs
150 Centaurs
100 Gryphons
50 Kerberos
At each fort.

At Quarry:

Spoiler

Show

500 Orcs
100 centaurs

[puppyavenger]

Javisua

Spoiler

Show

you are met at a rendezvous point by the Lithuanian contribution, 2,00 men-at-arms and 500 knights, 1,00 light cavalry, and most surprisingly, 200 wyrven riders under the Dukes Sage

[Raz_Fox]

Stone Circle; Daemos, Robert, Davin.

"You simply don't know when to quit, do you? A list of names is nothing, little demon. My sword has only had one name - Claiomh Solais - but it is far greater than the sword created to ape it." Davin strides into the circle. His friendly demeanor has been dropped; the silver on his brow shines like a star itself and his mismatched eyes have an unquenchable fire within them.

"Well, you'll have your war on the morrow, demon. You'll get to play at war in an ancient feud beyond your ken, demon. I am half-human as well as half-sidhe, and my human side is the only thing stopping me from striking you down where you stand.

I will tell you one more time, demon. Get out. These are not your lands to toy with, these are not your people, this is not your time. If you do not leave the island that is mine by birthright, then you will die. Do you understand, demon? GET! OUT!"

For the first time, Davin removes the glove over his right hand in the presence of Daemos. At the wrist, the skin stops and becomes pure silver. He unsheathes Claimoh Solaris, the blade igniting in the sunlight, becoming a miniature sun itself. The holy light burns at Daemos's eyes, forces Robert to look away for fear of being blinded. Davin swings the blade lazily once, then plunges it into the stone. The stone cracks, light shining through the crazy lines appearing all over it, before exploding. Daemos is thrown back by the stones, Excalibur flying over his head and skittering across the ground. Davin strides over to Daemos and grabs the fallen angel by the neck, forcing him to look into Davin's face - the face of a fey lord, merciless and terrible. "I gave you so many chances, and you never took me seriously. That would be a mistake. This is your last chance, Daemos. The next time we meet on these shores, you will leave in two halves." Davin says these words with a eldritch echo in his voice, and looking into the blue and green eyes of Davin Daemos comes to the horrible realization that Davin is deadly serious - he means every. single. word.

"On the morrow, Edward will lose his crown. If you stand in my way, you will lose your life. Anyone who stands in my way will die. Do you understand, demon???"

Spoiler

Show

Yeah, Davin is pissed off. Daemos flaunts his power and magic, Davin keeps it in check. This is what happens when Davin looses his checks and shows his full power.

Daemos has pissed him off one too many times. If drakeblood doesn't RP this well, Daemos may have to lead his army in the morning with several major injuries and without a sword.

...How did Daemos rush over to the English army, anyway?

[Moechi_Vill]

As the light shines out a shield of darkness envelops Daemos and the sword, acting as a sun-visor.
He and his weapon do not go flying. Indeed Excalibur seems to simply deflect the fey lines almost harmlessly, with only flickers of power bouncing off Daemos and his equipment. Instead, a figure materializes, a white-clad knight in ancient white plate worn smooth.
"My Lord..." he drawls slowly and evenly. "This stone circle augments the power of fey, humans and even spirits such as myself. The battle to come will certainly be devastating to both sides, but I bid you to fight it far from here. Otherwise we would certainly have to rely on our fey allies."
The armored figure's helmet turns towards Davin.
"As for this man. He has been the cause of great wrong to my country... would that your troops were here to protect you from the Scots and his fey so I could ensure your safety I would surely aid you to strike him down with *ease." *Daemos senses he could ably accomplish such a feat of combat, but that it might not be as easy as Galahad thinks, for some reason, even though he is a high spirit who knows much more than mere mortals. You sense the Davin too is powerful. In the middle of the Stonehenge Davin can practically feel Excalibur glow with power! While his own powers are considerably he instinctively knows they would be no match for the Legendary sword and hero of old. Only a titanic effort could bring this man and his bodyguard down while holding the sword, by either power or trickery.
"As I traveled the land with you I witnessed the evil of the northern barbarians. Camelot shall never abandon you, but do its utmost as long as you fight this man! And I see that you have adopted the cause of the Romans. Perhaps... you are the man that Arthur failed to be."

A thousand English-speaking French volounteers and English settlers in France join Daemos as fey recruits thin.

OOC: 1k human points on top of the 1k fey points you got recently. If you will ship them to England or let them contribute somehow they'll stay with you. Pick 1k total from List: Bowmen (1 point), Spearmen (Wooden) .5 points, Spearmen (iron) 1 point, Longbowmen (2 points), Swordsmen (2 points), Skirmishers (.75 points), Axemen (0.5 points), Dagger Militia (0.25 points), Huntsmen w/ bow (1 point), Pikeneers (3 points), Horsemen (5 points), Workers (2 points), Artisans & Engineers (5 points), Halberdiers, Knights and Royal Swordsmen are not available.

[Ipphli]

Giedrius Laima

Giedrius waits with his troops for the Bulgarian army to arrive. Centaurs and griffons are used to keep an almost constant eye on their movements. Meanwhile, Giedrius prays his vassal's troops will arrive in time.

At home

The mills have been completed, as have the construction. A stone wall surrounds the city, although several houses and businesses have grown up outside the wall. The mills allow better blacksmithing and flour milling, and taxing those that wish to use the mill has provided a boost to the income of the country. Trade delegations are sent to the Golden Horde, as well as the surrounding countries.

[DrakebloodIV]

Daemos pulls his original blade from it's sheath and throws it into the next closet stone. A hum eminates from the rock and a small leak of fey energy begins to flow out of the stone. Daemos takes this power and works it around him, flowing it into the ancient burial mounds below the relic. He bellowed out to the restless dead now clawing at their graves.

"Arise, children of the Ancients! Look now upon your graves! For the fey have taken the very tools you used to war against them and created a new tool! One that they might win a victory against humanity and steal back this land from the men whom have plowed it since time immemorial! Take up your blades and wage war once more"

(OOC- However many undead Feyslayers you think is appropriate)

With one final burst of holy might from the henge, a golem of stone crawls up from the shattered rocks and kneels before Daemos. Excalibur is stabbed clean into the center of the creatures head. Daemos pulls out the blade and in this idle action blesses the creature with sight.

"A Demon, you accuse me of being?" Chuckled Daemos "How petty Davin. Do you not see that even this tiny lapse of self control has shown you to as the monster you are. Who are you to say whom is a demon and who are you to claim such a birthright. Is this land not called the isle of man? I tell you this, no being is born into anything, they are simply handed things by their ancestors. Kingdoms, weapons, ideas is there anything you haven't taken from your fey ancestors. The only thing I can think of that you do not accept graciously from your father is the status of Bastard. For is that not the greatest gift your wild patriarch gave you? It certainly beats the thousand year old war that you choose to wage. It occurs to me that you only fight this war for ill defined reasons at best. You seem to condemn me for one act of dark magic even though many acts of light magic have come with it. The only true reason I can see for you to end so many lives is for your father to love you. But I can tell you one thing, little boy, you may live tens of thousands of years longer than me, but your spirit will be forever tormented by the taint of your selfish little ego. I may have failed even god himself, but I am no demon. Because unlike you I have not failed myself."

[Moechi_Vill]

OOC: Are we in Stonehenge southeast of Bristol or on the Isle of Man? Btw., did you execute, ferry them north or do anything in particular to the Queen and the two sons Raz?
PS. Some of these casualties look horrific, but England and Scotland won't be THAT badly off since a lot of them are just simplified 'wounded' I send off the battlefield, allowing for some of them to make it fair that the rest make it back home to rest (many becoming civilians, sometime crippled but usually not).

Edward's army arrives in the horizon during parley with most of the forces detached for London and takes up positions as do a number of militia seemingly in the low thousands, the marines and (if on an island) roughly a dozen ships, half of them with marines others with untrained militia hands. Crusader flight arrives at the Henge and takes up position directly behind Daemos, ready to protect him like Davin's fey behind him and Robert's Scots. Roberts army is there.

Two centuries of Celtic spirits rise up, followed by (relax) tenfold a multitude of lesser ones (very weak spirits these other 2000) from ages dimmed to the past. (I guess the Celts deserve some extra spiritual reinforcement based on past history of abuse.)
The fey around Davin are greatly strengthened by the Henge and he himself too feels he could call forth creatures by tapping alike from his own strength as he witnesses Daemos calling forth the bones through expending his innate power. Animating mind and flesh from beyond the veil, a hundred and one feyslayers rise up, half of them walk while others, spectres or even shades or wraiths drift towards him, forming a half moon facing outwards. Some of them bear red blades while others carry elder steel. Rotting faces, ethereal visages, low cowled smoke-like hoods. They vary vastly in looks, but most of them emanate an emotion of vengeance. A moderate amount of power is tapped from Daemos, some of it temporarily, a little of it permanently, or if he wills it the sword gladly and quickly takes the blow.
The henge creature rises obediently and is granted sight. As this creature already belonged to Daemos' soul it was granted sight from the sword in the stone with an interplay of its energies with Daemos and the henge rock rather than expending energy, permanently or temporarily.

But then...
Another three hundred rise up lazily, drifting out like smoke fading into transparency. Ancient spirits of old that look to the sky and find only the moon. Some of them let out wails akin to that of banshees, but you all sense they are different from the others, very peculiar ghostlike beings with faces ranging from peaceful to the utter dread of fright and anger.
Robbed of their rest they soon focus, and attack the different parties with equal abandon.
A strong and searing warmth of holy light and an unearthly almost heavenly holy shout from Davin's and Daemos' swords and a rogue sound of heavy bells respectively shatter 5 and 30 of these creatures, but then they close the distance and engage, felling a ring of the Scottish courtly elite soldiers and better part of a Dark Sidhe Squad and several mounted Gryphons as Daemos' spirits ward them off somewhat.
(Cas.: Daemos: 7 mounted gryphons, 9 Scottish royal guard, 15 Dark Sidhe)

Do you stay to fight them and continue to fight or parley in the aftermath or do you retire to your respective army? They seem to pursue until felled, but then you notice some of them are flitting off, looking for a path out between the armies.



Order of battle (as far as I can make it, feel free to withdraw those you don't want there or anything I obviously missed and PS. MV with Gryphon/X-Name means MV is on a gryphon/this mount... Gryphons w/ name is leader of unit (must be same type or else specified))

Time: Nighttime (what month Puppy?) Weather: Clear Sky
Henge, Isle of Man Henge?/Stonehenge?

Troops - Southern

Daemos' Troops (combat experience, from now on assume it is always combat experience, training is part and parcel of what a unit is bought as): Seasoned
Daemos w/ Reiligh (special wyrm), Galahad,
Gorgoth, Jarr w/ Gryphon
1293 mounted Gryphons
705 Orcish Elites+Eq
1 Giant Trebuchet w/ 10 Ogres, 15 engineers, 300 Orc support staff
101 Undead Feyslayers
2000 disembarked marines

-Shared Naval forces? 20 Boats, 5 ships w/ marines, 4 ships w/ sailors

Edward's Troops: Veteran
Edward III of England, 75 Royal Guard
2,100 Knights, 1100 Horsemen
3,500 Swordsmen, 1000 Halberdiers (:0 dang, looks like Switzerland w/ so many halberds and pikeneers), 2,100 Pikeneers, 400 Pikemen, 300 Guardsmen, 7100 Spearmen (iron), 4100 Spearmen (wooden), 2000 Axemen
1,100 Skirmishers, 1,800 Dagger Militia
90 Feyslayers
400 Arbalests, 300 Crossbowmen, 200 Wood Elves, 2050 Longbowmen, 1000 Bowmen, 700 Huntsmen, 400 Woodland Brigands
600 Gnomes, 90 Siege Engines w/ 1100 men, 300 Slingmen


Neutrals - 265 restless sundry spirits/ghosts/etc. undead


Celtic (I think of Fey as Celtic in nature so I'll just use 'Celtic' if noone minds)

Davin Argetlam's Troops: Crack
Davin Argetlam (and I presume, but feel free to correct ->) Miach, (Cwn Anwyn is not a she or a character but a term, right? If in that case yes, then have another character)
100 Gryphons w/ Lyr
2100 Skelkies w/ Airmed of the Seas
2,385 Dark Sidhe+Eq Aengus Hunt-master, Dark Sidhe hunter. (a thousand Dark Sidhe made it from Aberdeen w/ a hundred skelkies and the fey hounds and some Scots w/ them)
1000 Decataurs w/ Fiacha mac Delbaith & Danand mac Delbaith
100 fey hounds
200 Celtic Spirits
2000 Lesser Celtic Spirits

7 ships w/ marines, 3 ships w/ sailors and militia

Robert's Troops: Elite
Robert the Bruce, 24 Royal Guard
350 Knights, 1000 Horsemen
1250 Swordsmen
350 Halberdiers, 800 Pikeneers, 2800 Spearmen
1050 Woad Raiders
750 Arbalests, 1500 Crossbowmen,
450 Longbowmen, 50 untrained Longbowmen, 1400 Bowmen,
Siege Engines: 20 w/ 300 spearmen



INCOMING TROOPS
You both feel a substantial quantity of presence, perhaps over ten thousand largely mortal souls in the Otherworld moving towards your location, dominantly to overwhelmingly Southern in identity and/or loyalty, with the remainder nearly exclusively Celtic.

[Moechi_Vill]

Suddenly without warning the English artillery amassment of siege releases! Twenty trebuchets and several ballistas and modified catapults unleash devestation on the forward ranks of gathered Celtic militia. The other shorter range siege have taken an avaunt role, taking up place up front but behind the archers as they rush to forward positions escorted by infantry regiments. The cavalry is bunched up in wedges in the middle and sides with the infantry holding the center and flanks.
Elite infantry and a regiment of horsemen start rushing up towards Daemos to protect him.

Robert's longbowmen and twenty or so siege machines immediately reply by moving forwards and releasing counter volleys aimed at the advance guard, to which the English also riposte. The Scots form a defensive line around the henge, the cavalry with the Fey, pikes and spears forward, defensive line. Militia taking up most positions with regulars and elites interspersed with them to strengthen positions. Archers aimed to creat kill zones as the English moved within a shorter optimal distance.
Veterans of several battles already they were more tired after enduring an entire campaign, but equally as devoted as the Englishmen. If they failed here surely the war would go on back to their very own borders.

The Scottish elite storm Daemos with the intent of killing him.
Does Davin and his Lieutenants and Decataurs, lesser and full Celtic spirits and Dark Sidhe engage with them? One of the shades of Daemos falls to Scottish prayer and blades.
Does Daemos retreat or hold his ground while the English advance guard makes contact with the rest of the army streaming up to ranged combat distance and respective infantry and cavalry deployment zones?

The evil spectres continue to fight, with their own kind on Daemos' side unwilling to intervene. Another five Gryffons, and a squad of Scottish infantry led by five elites bite it.

(Casualties: 5 mounted Gryffons, 1 Undead Feyslayer, 35 English Infantry, 15 Eng. cavalry vrs. 200 Scottish light infantry 5 Scottish Elites)

OOC: Actions for first hour, please. PS. Did Davin take the scroll and use it for his sword (it would make it almost as powerful as Exie since I like to accomodate players (think you guys must've missed the posts where I was open towards player calibration though I'm not too comfortable with freeform in general). Additional character or resource points of some sort could make it even more powerful than Exie). PPS. These artifacts might be somewhat tapped out after the war to balance it with the East.

[puppyavenger]

Ipphli

Spoiler

Show

You see the full might of the Bulgarian army moving up toward your fortifications, however, you're scouts also report a large force moving down from Lithuania, made up largely of forces similar to your own. the Bulgarians will arrive in a day, your vassals in 3 and the Lithuanian a day after them

[Ipphli]

Giedrius Laima

Giedrius pulls back his centaur scouts; the gyphons will handle the job from now on. The generals gather and the plan is repeated until everyone knows their place: the spearmen and swordsmen will hold the barricades, while the centaurs, gryphons, and archers rain arrows into the bunched up Bulgarians. Now all they can do is wait, and pray they can hold...

[Raz_Fox]

Spoiler

Show

Is it possible for me to retcon the power-up of Claiomh Solais as something I did earlier? Please?

"A Demon, you accuse me of being?" Chuckled Daemos "How petty Davin. Do you not see that even this tiny lapse of self control has shown you to as the monster you are. Who are you to say whom is a demon and who are you to claim such a birthright. Is this land not called the isle of man? I tell you this, no being is born into anything, they are simply handed things by their ancestors. Kingdoms, weapons, ideas is there anything you haven't taken from your fey ancestors. The only thing I can think of that you do not accept graciously from your father is the status of Bastard. For is that not the greatest gift your wild patriarch gave you? It certainly beats the thousand year old war that you choose to wage. It occurs to me that you only fight this war for ill defined reasons at best. You seem to condemn me for one act of dark magic even though many acts of light magic have come with it. The only true reason I can see for you to end so many lives is for your father to love you. But I can tell you one thing, little boy, you may live tens of thousands of years longer than me, but your spirit will be forever tormented by the taint of your selfish little ego. I may have failed even god himself, but I am no demon. Because unlike you I have not failed myself."

Davin begins to cut through the spirits towards Daemos, laughing as he does so. "I've seen Bards exiled for less mangling of the truth, Daemos! I am no bastard - for a bastard is an illegitimate child, which I am not. Lapse of self-control? By this point, had our positions been reversed, I am sure that you would have beheaded me and scattered my ashes to the four winds! Isle of Man? That's a small isle to the west of Britain, sorry - even if your argument about my fey heritage had any weight to it, which it most emphatically lacks! There are many things I have taken from both sides of my family, but I strive to merge them into one new creation instead of cleaving to them, Daemos-boy!
Oh, and trust me when I say that a thousand-year war still being fought is worth much more than a war fought to appease the ambition and ego of a demon. I call you that because, trust me, I can see a servant of heaven when I see one - and I can see one that no longer follows his Lord, as well.
Selfish little ego? Trust me, Daemos, I know exactly what my actions will do. They will bring a new age to Britain, one where Fey and Mortal can live in harmony and not be dragged into any war the Lord of France wishes them to fight. I also know that my dream will have battle and blood in it, but a battle fought in honor is better than peace in subjugation and dishonor. And at the end of all this, who are you to speak of selfish little egos, Daemos?
...My apologies, Daemos, my words wronged you. I meant to say, a bloated corpulent ego of pure selfishness and gross ambition. I treat true warriors with honor and true foes with a honorable death - but you deserve neither, Daemos, for you have given none unto my kindred and I. Feykind ill needs such a "savior" as you." He has danced through the battle at the circle, finally coming face-to-face with Daemos. "But enough of this, let us fight!"

With the sword of light in his hands and his feet constantly moving in the dance, Davin begins to attack Daemos.

[DrakebloodIV]

"When will you learn, Feychild, the truth is subjective? There is no crusading only invading and there is no avenging only slaughtering. Your petty revolution is only trading one subjugation for another. Rather than English subjugating Scot it shall be fey dominating man. Your petty ideals are the very reason I originally fell. In the time of Moses I was sent as the angel of death. I was given the right to destroy the firstborn child of every egyptian unbeliever. At that time I saw one house with sheeps blood on in that I knew was of a heathen man. His neighbor had taken a great risk and painted the blood on the door in the dead of night. I chose to kill this heathens firstborn for I knew he was undeserving but the Lord saw that I lacked mercey. You lack the same thing. You propel the lives of men into pain and death. I offered the Scots freedom and neutrality many times, but you chose to bang the drums of war and play the Hero. Wicked is the man who makes his field fertile with the blood of others. If there is one thing that may appease your will, know this: I shall never rule the lands of the English, nor shall I hold land or business in this nation"

[Raz_Fox]

Davin tsks his tongue and shakes his head, swinging Claiomh Solais in several great arcs. "And why must you keep up that irritating habit of speaking as if you had the pope's infalliability? Truth is that which speaks what is real, and wickeder is the man who speaks poisoned words into another's ear, to bring him to his ruin. Had it not been for you and you alone, this nation would have been united at one battle - but no, you decided to play the villain and manipulate England to your own ends. Rumors have been spread through the Otherworld that a certain prince of france wished only but to subjugate his neighbors to avenge - sorry, slaughter, the rejection he had from his neighbors. But that raises an interesting question - if you are the villain of this piece, dragging England to war and crushing the hopes of a human and fey utopia... is it not the way of the best stories that the hero always wins?"

[DrakebloodIV]

"But it is the hero who wins because he is the one who lives to write the story. You, however, have decided that I am the villian, just because I decided to oppose your whims. You have often said that I am promising honey that will turn to ash in my allies mouths. But I did not even come to this land promising. I came asking for help and for friends. You are the one who came promising. And what have you supplied, I ask? A little food in your largest cities and a few fey walking among the wilds. A the cost of thousands of human lives I think this is too steep a price. And Edward would not have fallen with a single battle, you would still have had to fight tooth and nail to win this land. Even for a year you could not hold this nation.

[Raz_Fox]

Davin laughs, a peal of cheer in the middle of the battle. "You are such a cynic, Daemos. If you win, what will the history books tell? The cowardly, ugly fey brute assaulting an innocent nation? If I win, they shall speak of England, they shall speak of Daemos, and they will be spoken of and remembered for what they were - a valiant foe and a cruel demon who liked to pretend he had a heart.
And I alone could not hold this nation - but that is my greatest strength, Daemos. I speak to hearts and souls, Daemos - those who stand by me see me for what I am, and stand by me by choice and not because I am their Lord. Can you say the same for yourself?"

[DrakebloodIV]

"Better a cynical peacemaker than an optimistic warmonger. Can you honestly say that any man in history has not thought of his domination is not truely good. And even the cruelest master is better than you, Davin, for they are but temporary. No matter how cruel or perverse Edward could ever become, he cannot hold this nation in a vice the same way you can. The only way to keep England from true anihalation is to destroy you with military force, for you have proven you will not change your ideals."