In Too Deep

[Brian]

"Trebuchets," Radagast says, shaking his head.  "And beyond that, our lorekeepers.  If they were to hold back and stay away from our men, that would make them easy targets for spells such as the one Windmaster Parthipan demonstrated early in the siege.  Our trebuchets, they wouldn't know about.  But they would be effective in the same way.

"At any rate, they need to get through the gate to defeat us, and sitting back won't make that easy.  Obviously, though, they will make it a proirity to weaken our morale."

"Hmm," Kevin muses.  "With their assasin here ... it's quite possible they don't HAVE anything else planned.  At least, not at the moment.  With everything else to wound our morale and take out out best and brightest...."

He trails off, looking around the table to gauge reactions.

[Bjorn]

"That's reasonable," Bjorn says, thoughtfully.  "Certainly they've showed no signs of tactics to date.  For the time being, I think they'll simply rely on the same brute force approach, and the snakes within our walls."

[Brian]

"We can't depend on that for long," Lammermore mutters.  "But for the time being, I agree.  We're running low on people who can even be traitors, now."

Lord Rogers snorts at this, and Donovan raises an eyebrow.

"Regardless, I think our plan for battle is largely comlete, then.  Unless there's more to address?" he asks, looking around the table again.

[Bjorn]

"Not as far as I know," Bjorn replies, shaking his head.

[Dracos]

"Sounds as fit as we can make it to me."  Dracos voiced agreement.

Dracos

[Brian]

"A thought," Donovan says, before anyone can mention getting ready to leave.  Very calm and composed, he leans forward, his fingers laced together before him, and his elbows resting on the table.  "While we're focusing on the battle, we must also remember something important that has been mentioned, but not addressed."  Everyone turns to look at Donovan curiously.

The white-haired man manages the faintest hint of of a smile.  "We must remember that while we ourselves are confident, our armies have morale to maintain.  I've not heard of a single defection since the siege began ... or anyone deserting.  But at the same ... we can ill afford to press our luck."

[Bjorn]

"An excellent point," Bjorn acknowledges, nodding at Donovan.  "Until now, we've been relying on Master Durant's efforts to keep morale high, I think."  He looks at everyone.  "Needless to say, this is no longer an option."

He threads his fingers together and places his hands on the table.  "I don't think it's an issue so far, at least among the soldiers of the Keep.  We've won all the battles quickly and decisively, with few casualties.  But, as Sir Lammermore said, that will likely change for the worse, and soon.  What do we need to do to keep hopes high?"

[Brian]

"Unless we can expose some amazing falibility in our opponents," Donovan says, "then we must rely on the old tricks.

"The task falls upon us," he says, looking around at everyone squarely.  "I don't think a single one of us -- except, perhaps you, Jeff -- can be seen in public and not recognized.

"If we're seen in public and look calm, relaxed, and comfortable -- and make it a point to spend a lot of time not harried, but still focused, then that will help in a subtle way.  But more overt measures would also be welcome.  This does, of course, give us worry about an assasin, should one be lurking about ... but the danger will be lessened if we're about soldiers loyal to our cause, which is the point.

"Further than that, a bard's stories, as mentioned before, are quite welcome.  We could summon a bard, with the power of the lorekeepers."  Donovan frowns.  "What else?" he asks.

[Bjorn]

Bjorn frowns, sifting through his other-self's memories to try and recall what he knows about the sports and competitions of this world.

OOC: KNO: Upper Kingdoms to answer this question.

[Brian]

Bjorn recalls a few things -- mostly wrestling, something like kick-boxing (pretty brutal), and something called Hunter-Hunted, which is a combination of Rugby and Capture the Flag.

[Bjorn]

"Competitions," Bjorn says, thoughtfully.  "Organized matches of wrestling, or Hunter-Hunted, perhaps.  It would give the men something to do other than worry about the next battle between sieges, and if they have time to play, how seriously can they be taking their enemy?"  He looks around at the table, gauging people's reactions.

[Dracos]

Dracos raises an eyebrow in slight disbelief at the suggestion, but doesn't say anything against it.

[Brian]

"Well," Lammermore says slowly, looking between Bjorn and Phil, "playing games will relax the men.  And would run the risk of causing our men to perhaps become ... too relaxed."  He hesitates for a second, and then says, "But in all truth, Hunter-Hunted was used where I grew up as battle-field training.  It's intense, and requires teamwork, coordination, timing, and skill.  A fair bit of strength doesn't hurt, either."

"I don't want our men getting injured in a violent game, but...."  Kevin frowns.  "What if we were to run an organized tournament, then?  Allow the men -- our men and any Storm-riders, perhaps mixed teams -- to play?  If we modified the play so that they were in armor, they'd move more slowly ... but it would be good training for their endurance and lessen the risk of injuries."

"Certainly it would lessen their injuries to the point that I or another like myself could assure they were still able to fight," Mirallia interjects, causing everyone except for Donovan to blink and look at the priestess, who they all seem to have forgotten was there.

"Right," Lammermore says after a moment.  "Um ... your name is Jeff?" he asks, looking at the vassal next to Donovan.

Jeff nods.

"Very well ... how hard would it be for you to impliment a tournament using the rules of Hunter-Hunted, with the added requirement of armor, and get the soldiers to join?  You're recognized for your position -- this would fit Sir Temlis's suggestion perfectly.  A senior officer, obviously unconcerned, actively promoting something that would distract everyone involved from the war and even give them something to cheer about," Lammermore decides.  "I think this is a fine idea.  Especially since it will help train our men together -- better, if we can get teams of mixed keep defenders and Storm-riders."

Donovan raises an eyebrow, and then nods.  "It will work," he decides.  "Jeff, that will be your task from now on.  Make sure that it doesn't become too intense, but that it does what we want it to do."

Jeff nods in acceptance of this.

"Very good," Kevin decides.  "Now, time grows short.  Anything else, or shall we assemble at the gates?"

[Bjorn]

Bjorn shakes his head in the negative.

[Dracos]

"Nothing else here."  Dracos stands.  "Let's hope victory smiles upon us so kindly again."

Dracos