Fantatic Waltz

[Brian]

The most logical thing that comes to mind would be figuring some way to lure the general to the gates, and then leading a charge directly at it, or just using the trebuchets and archers to take him out, if possible.  The question, of course, is what you could use as an effectively lure, especially the second time around.

[Bjorn]

Well, Bjorn thinks, drily, at least he'd agree with me.  Then inspiration strikes.

"Master Radegast," he says, thoughtfully, "can any of the Loremasters produce illusions?"

[Brian]

"Yes," he says, frowning.  "That's, er, my domain, actually."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn nods, slowly.  "I think that for an Archonae, the General himself would come forwards," he suggests.  "Especially one unharmed by the weapons of his underlings.   What do you think?"

[Brian]

"I'm sure that's true, and that's all very well and good, but--"  He cuts off, blinking.  "Oh, yes, yes indeed.  Mmm.  A cunning trap."

Lord Kevin nods, raising his eyebrows.  "This is not a gambit we can depend on overly ... but I suspect that done properly, we could claim a single day without too much effort.  If they throw their best armed and most dangerous at us on the first day, which tradition suggests they do, this could do quite a lot to even out the odds, costing them the majority of their elite guards, and a general, to boot."  He nods again, then points at you.  "When this is over, and we've won, I will purchase your freedom so that we can use your genius at tactics to plot the downfall of the Archonae."

This causes the other vassals to look a bit jealous, but they say nothing.  Mirallia merely hides a very subtle smirk.

[Bjorn]

Bjorn bows, slightly.  "Thank you, my Lord, but we have not won yet.  Let us do that first, and then think about the future."  He shrugs, slightly.  "The illusion ploy will work only once, I'm sure, but as you say, we must take all the victories we can."

He frowns, then.  "Illusion... if I might pry, Master Radegast, what can you accomplish with illusions?  Can you render a force invisible, and make an open gate seem closed, or a closed gate seem open?  Could you use illusion to make it seem we have far more trebuchets firing than we do?"

[Brian]

"I could make most of these things appear to happen, yes," Radagast says, shaking his head.  "Illusion is the art of adding something that is not there.  I can make an open gate appear sealed, and I could make one man appear as twenty.  I could make a trebuchet into a sea of trebuchets, and their shot into a rain.  But I'm afraid that it's beyond my power to make a single man appear as nothing at all.  That aspect of warding was something I admit I was clumsy at, at best.  As long as there is a seed of something for my illusion to work with, I can make an image, though."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn hums.  "And the other Loremasters, might I ask?  What will they bring to our cause?"

[Brian]

"Mmm," Radagast frowns.  "Myself and Loremaster Mattias are the only Loremasters, here, and he with the storm-riders, still.  The Lorekeepers that came to join us are mostly followers of Ashton, the follower of the Path of Water.  Also, there is a single follower of Huron, Lorekeeper Devin ... he is, as I recall, very close to taking his test for mastery at the collegate.  The rest study the teachings of Larrisa, the Firemaster.  Lorekeeper Parthipan is the only one who follows the path of winds.  Beyond that, I belive there is a single student of Lightmaster Rowic."  He shakes his head.   "Astryd, her name is.  She could help with illusion, perhaps."

[Bjorn]

"You must excuse me, Master Radegast," Bjorn says, apologetically.  "I am simply a vassal of Hamar, and ignorant of things outside war.  I'm afraid your answer leaves me more confused than I was.  Is it possible that you might explain for me in simple terms what the Lorekeepers might do?"

[Brian]

"Oh, ah, sorry," he says, shaking his head.  "We can rain fire on the enemy from above, turn the frozen moat into water cold enough that it should still be frozen, yet isn't, and with Devin's aid, mend any damage that is actually done to our walls.  It will be important for many of us to keep the spiked moat clear of bodies, as well.  If it becomes filled, then it offers no defense at all, and the Dreadmarch will trample across their own fallen to reach us."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn nods.  "Thank you, Master Radegast.   And pardon my interruption, Lord Kevin."  Bjorn falls silent and stands quietly at attention, waiting to see if anyone else has something to add.

[Huitzil]

"If I can say something stupid... It might be too risky for anyone to try cleaning out the moat during a battle, and it will probably fill eventually. Instead of -- or, maybe, along with -- filling it with freezing water, might we fill it or top it off with more pitch or anything else that burns, for when the moat is overcome? You said they would walk over their own dead, but I don't think they can fire-walk.

"Or wait. Can they fire-walk?"

[Brian]

"There's a thought," Lord Kevin murmurs, turning to Lammermore.  "Do we have enough pitch?"

Lammermore frowns.  "No," he says slowly, turning to Radagast.  "Is there anything you can do?"

"Yes," Radagast says with a nod.  "We could ... ah, the details will take some puzzling out, but we could flood the channel with fire, certainly."

"That should save us some manpower then," Lord Kevin decides, nodding.  "Good thinking.  Alright ... is there anything else?"

[Huitzil]

"I can think of nothing, other than to ask how far the bowmen can shoot. If we are able to flood the moat with fire and concentrate our snipers on anyone operating the siege engines, the Dreadmarch would pretty much stand there as we rained fire on them.

"The moat of fire would prevent them from getting close enough to put up siege ladders, I think, or grappling hooks, so they can't try to get in just yet. If we keep to the arrow-slits, set up some more on the ramparts, then barring godlike shooting ability they would need to damage the keep itself instead of picking off individual defenders. I don't know how many trebuchets they are coming with, but likely far fewer than there are footsoldiers. So long as the footmen and archers aren't a threat, we can concentrate entirely on disabling or destroying their rock-hurlers."