On the Outside

[Bjorn]

Before Dracos finishes asking the question, Bjorn is shaking his head.  "It doesn't really work like that, at least so far.  I remember stuff as the subject comes up.  A broad question like that... I'm not even sure what to try to 'remember.'"

He frowns.  "One thing, though.  Basically, I'm supposed to be a slave of the Church, and I get the back of the bus, as it were.  When it comes to military matters, people take me seriously, but otherwise you should treat me as a real second-class sort of citizen."

[Dracos]

Dracos nods.  "I...got that sensation.  Though, it's going to be a bit odd."

Dracos

[Bjorn]

Bjorn shrugs again, and then grimaces.  "Oh, and Mirallia knows the truth about me.  She knew this world's Bjorn a little too well, and I couldn't keep fooling her without others around."  He sighs, and looks at the others apologetically.  "Which means she knows about you, too, or at least has guessed.  Apparently, these selves," he waves a hand at the body he's currently wearing, "all died in the ambush.  On the other hand, she's pretty accepting of it."  His brows furrows, and he absently tightens one fist, staring off into the middle distance.  "Almost too much so, really."  He half-shrugs, focussing again, and lifts an eyebrow.  "Anyways, she believes we're all on the same side, and she's going to try to keep our secret.

"But she doesn't think Liandral would be anywhere near as accepting, so be careful around him."

[Dracos]

"hmm...That makes things easier."

Gives the sword a few practice swings and then sheathes it.

"Hmm, What do you know about the tactics used here?"

[Brian]

Bjorn: From what you remember, most of the tactics involve outflanking your enemy.  Archers are protected by footsoldiers in a defensive formation, and in an offensive formation when flanking isn't an option, you try and spearhead through the footsoldiers to get to the archers.

Lorekeepers are a difficult part of the equation, as they can seriously skew the odds (only they really know what they can do, but as a rule, be cautious around them), but thankfully usually don't care to get involved in combat.

Generally, you can't really grasp a whole lot more than that, though you have the idea that if you had to deal with a group of soldiers, you could command them fairly capably.

[Bjorn]

On the verge of giving Dracos a caustic response, information once again falls into the front of Bjorn's mind.  Damn, this is unnerving.

He squeezes his eyes shut, thinks a little harder, and says, "Archers are the basis of offense.  Footsoldiers protect them, and it all comes down to a battle of positioning, pretty much.  Cavalry doesn't seem to be a factor."  He trails off.  "That's about all I 'remember,' in this sort of situation.  If I actually had to direct troops, it'd be a different matter -- it's like I can feel the answers back there, but I don't know the questions to bring them out."

[Dracos]

Dracos nods.  "You don't mind me trying to bring them out?  Or doing similar to me?"

Dracos

[Bjorn]

Bjorn spreads his hands, and then lets them drop.  "Mind?  Not really, it's just... disconcerting.  As for helping you... I don't know enough about you -- or, I guess, your other-you -- to know where to start."

He hums, thoughtfully.  "Mirallia... Madame Mirallia said that you and Nathan were 'storm-riders.'  Apparently, some tribe of men who live out in the far north, hunting the forces of darkness all the time.  Ring a bell?"

[Dracos]

Dracos tries for a moment, closing his eyes slightly as he pondered and focused before shaking his head in the negative.  "Nothing.  Feh."

Dracos

[Bjorn]

Bjorn scratches his head.  "Got me, then."  Looking around at the others in the yard, he adds, "Anybody else having anything they want to add?"

[Brian]

Nathan shakes his head thoughtfully.

Parthipan, after a moment, says, "I know something about some ... wierd guys that apparently helped the gods create humanity.  And something about Lorekeepers ... but I don't remember when I learned it.  It's kind of funny.  More importantly, though, I remember how to cast the spells that knocks the people down!"

[Dracos]

"Well...tell us what you know, Gin?"

Dracos

[Bjorn]

"Archonae," Bjorn supplements.  "Archonae were servants of the Elder Gods, and they made the other races as playthings for the Elder Gods.  But the Archonae laid a trap for their masters, and humans have the ability to create new gods with their own beliefs.  That created the Younger Gods -- including Hamar.  The two groups of Gods went to war with each other, and the Elder Gods lost -- they were driven away, though  most of the Younger Gods were killed.

"But the Elder Gods are still around, and they created the things that make up the Dreadmarch.  Once every, uh, hundred and sixty years, if I remember, the Dreadmarch comes out of the north to try and kill all of humanity -- which would kill the Younger Gods.  They lay a thirteen-day seige to Stormwall Keep, and every night a different general of the Dreadmarch leads the attack.  If one of those generals isn't killed..." Bjorn shrugs.  "Humanity loses."

He snorts softly.  "Or at least, that's what I read in a holy book of Hamar that I picked up."

[Brian]

Parthipan nods.  "Okay, that matches what I read, pretty much.  Except that they like light, they're kind of frail, and they're immortal."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn grunts.  "Good to know, but I think we're not that likely to come across any.  That's just a guess, though, and not 'remembering.'"

He looks around.  "Anyways, if we don't start making noise soon, people might get suspicious -- and we from what I heard, we're going to be leaving in less than an hour."