World Revolution

[Brian]

"Most of them die when exposed to sunlight, actually," Liandral notes.

[Rezantis]

"Well, either way, that isn't going to help us," Rez sighs, "Oh well.  Anyway, is there anything else I've forgotten?"

[Dracos]

Dracos shrugs.  "Nope.  I'll have soldiers assigned to help you as soon as possible, so you can get ready."

Dracos

[Brian]

Once decisions are made as far as who is in which party, Nathan is sent off with his soldiers, pausing only to manage some issues of stealth before moving further south.

Nathan now moves to Think We're Alone Now

[Dracos]

Dracos, on the other hand, leads his army slowly north generally along the path made by the army, cautiously following the sweeps of the scouts far ahead.  His intent being to locate the forerunners of the supply lines, split his arm in two along the sides, and catch the supply trains in a pincher attack.

Dracos

[Brian]

The scouts come back with news, lots of news, and most of it not very good.

You've got about twenty nine thousand five hundred troops, but the supply train you're about to run into (and they are sticking to the valley already carved out) contains reinforcements.  There's an assortment of foes amounting to probably about ten thousand soldiers as an escort.

More importantly, in addition to a wealth of supply wagons, the train is also escorting a Jotun.

[Dracos]

Dracos nodded pondering for a moment.  "How are they generally arrayed?  Towards the front?  The back?  Is the guard strong along the sides?  How aware do they appear?"

Dracos

[Brian]

Erik taps his chin.  "They didn't see the forward scouts.  If we hold here, they'll be on is in two hours; we've time to hide on the banks of this channel they've carved ... only their own scouts, ranging on this height, and the Jotun will be able to see us.  Most of the troops, say, a third, are to the fore, another third at the rear, and the remaining third split in half on either side of the wagon trains," he says slowly.

[Dracos]

"hmm...  Okay.  We'll have to move quickly.  Good job, Sir Erik.  Mind going and grabbing the other commanders quickly?"

Assuming Erik does go do that, Dracos takes a moment to ask Liandril some questions softly.

"Okay, what's a Jotun?"

Dracos

[Brian]

"What, a frost giant?" Liandrall asks, frowning.

[Dracos]

"Okay, frost giant.  That's more informative.  General capabilities and size?  Those types of creatures are but myth where I came from.  I'll need to take them into account for the strategy here."

Dracos

[Brian]

"Uh ... I've never seen one, myself," Liandral says slowly, frowning.  "But, yeah, that's what a Jotun is.  I'm afraid I don't really know."

[Dracos]

"Hmm... Okay.  Well, I guess that's the best I can hope for."  Dracos waits for the commanders to arrive.

Dracos

[Brian]

They show up fairly quickly at that point, and look to you expectantly.

[Dracos]

"Okay, as you may have heard, our scouts have found the enemy supply lines along with their defenses.  We will be dealing with an army of ten thousand warriors and a Jotun.  While I'm fairly certain we can take that many by sheer brute strength and bravery, I don't want to accept that high losses.  So here's the plan.  We'll swiftly break into three groups in order to ambush them and strike at them from multiple directions.  Sir Erik, I would like you to be responsible for dealing with their advanced scouts and keeping your forces on the fringes.  If we can blind them quickly to our presence prior to the battle, it will go better.  Once that is done I would like your archers to focus on raining arrows on the front of the convey on my signal.  Sir Edward Durin, Lord Roger, and Sir Edward Carst you will be the ambush group.  I would like you to lead your forces and hide them along the left side of the path.  When I give the signal to go, I want you to wait for a full count of two hundred before going in.  That should give the enemy enough time to be disorganized and unprepared along that flank. I will want you to charge in, the swordsman and pikemen handling dealing with the enemy and the axemen in charge of doing as much damage as possible.  Be careful of the Jotun and if possible kill it.  From when we separate and until we reunite, Lord Roger we'll be in charge be careful, but be bold.  For the final group, I will lead.  We will handle the most dangerous job.  Sir Warrick and Sir Harold, your forces will accompany me.  We will move and hide upon the right bank of the path.  When I give the signal, we'll charge, making as much noise and ruckus as possible and smashing into the side of their forces, trying to kill and overwhelm them swiftly."

"As regards the communication lines, I will give the signal with my horn.  I will give the start signal with one loud burst and the retreat with two.  If you do not hear it, You may begin on the battle cries that shall certainly be loud enough as we charge.  When I sound the retreat, retreat as fast as you can safely.  We'll swing far out to the sides, back to the north, and regroup.  Remember though if the situation changes, retreat then.  No foolish heroics.  Do as much damage as you can and get out.  Any questions?"

Dracos