>Crush your enemies and drive them before you in this one-shot!
"Bad news, oh King!"
The messenger finds you on the terrace of your palace in the glorious city of Sshurhat-Ahai. It's lunchtime, and the day is beautiful and quiet.
Was beautiful and quiet.
Before you can invent an adequately horrible death to threaten the man with, he continues, having barely caught his breath.
"Several thousand warriors from Urgatu have landed between the villages of Zzameh and Unhat last night. The villages have been looted and burned. The Urgatians set up camp near the shore, and the ships they have arrived on have left immediately. It seems king Apenepton himself leads them."
You drop your spoon, staining your fine clothes with soup. What? Is that Urgatian asshat insane? This is not a raid, this is a full-on war. And just before the harvest season? What is he even thinking?
No matter. You just have to lead your army against the Urgatians and crush them. It can't be that difficult, right? Right?
>>46706031
In two hours, you're holding a war council with your generals. The room is empty except for the map table, around which you all are currently crowding.
The Urgatians have landed pretty far from the city, you say to break the silence. Why, one should wonder?
"This is the closest point of Sshurhatian lands to Urgatu," answers chief general Ergu. "I think they intend to ferry more troops from home as fast as they can. They clearly mean business."
Okay, your cities were never too friendly, but this is too much. Why are they so angry at you? It can't be because of that business with the statue of the goddess Feris that was bound for Urgatu? After all, everyone knows that Feris is your city's patron, not theirs, however they insisted to the contrary. If the ship carrying a goddess' statue is caught in a storm and beached near a city, it shows pretty clearly who does that goddess favor, right? So you were completely justified in ordering the statue installed in Sshurhat-Ahai's main temple, and no one can deny it!
"Anyway," Ergu politely interrupts, "The good news is, there is pretty much only one path from the Urgatian camp to the city, so we can choose the place of the battle. The bad news is, this place can't be the city itself. The harvest still hasn't begun, so any sieging force will have plenty of food from the fields, while we starve behind the walls. We'll have to give a pitched battle."
"We could send our ships to harass their fleet," proposes general Yonnesh. "With their ships laden with soldiers and supplies, they will be disadvantaged in sea combat."
"Yes, but we only have a few ships in port right now," objects Ergu. "We risk them being defeated in detail. If we do this, we should wait until more ships return."
"It's also possible that Apenepton has some unknown ally that will strike at us from the sea as soon as we send the ships off," notes general Zess. "The landing may be just a big diversion".
>>46706042
>What is your decision, oh king?
>Hold up all arriving ships. When there is enough of them, send them to attack the Urgatian fleet in force.
>Send the ships to harass Urgatians as they arrive.
>Put all arriving ships on patrol duty around near the city.
>>46706050
>Hold up all arriving ships. When there is enough of them, send them to attack the Urgatian fleet in force.
>>46706050
Make sacrifices to the gods in exchange for magic powers.
>>46706050
>Hold up all arriving ships. When there is enough of them, send them to attack the Urgatian fleet in force.
>>46706050
>Send the ships to harass Urgatians as they arrive.
>>46706067
>>46706081
>>46706183
>>46706211
Looks like attacking in force wins. Writing.
>>46706230
Those magic powers I mentioned should include a riding dragon.
>>46706230
>>46706270
A white one that shoots rainbow fire.
Let's sink them all in one fell swoop, you say. If you just start harassing the Urgatians, the enemy might establish combat patrols to protect the cargo ships.
You waste no time in sending a runner slave with the orders to shipmasters. This still leaves the issue of the troops that have already landed though, and those that will yet land before your fleet strikes. A land battle seems inescapable.
We must gather the troops! you declare to your generals and are a bit surprised at their unamused stares. If it really was so obvious, why have none of them said it? Feh.
>You don't have much say in what your army is composed of. It's a product of centuries of economical and cultural history of the great and glorious city of Sshurhat-Ahai. You have to use what you've got.
>What is your army recruiting strategy? Roll 1d3!
>1. Well armed and trained nobles accompanied by more poorly equipped retinues.
>2. Mostly homogeneous citizen-soldier force with a smattering of support troops.
>3. Combined arms force of semi-professional soldiers.
Rolled 1 (1d3)
>>46706323
Hoping for 3.
>>46706335I feel your pain, anon
>Roll 1d3 for the armament of your nobles
>1. Heavy chariots
>2. Armored swordsmen
>3. Armored bowmen
Rolled 2 (1d3)
>>46706357
>>46706369
>And finally, roll 1d3 for support troops
>1. Spearmen and some skirmishers.
>2. About half spearmen and half skirmishers.
>3. Spearmet, skirmishers and archers in more-or less even mix.
Rolled 1 (1d3)
>>46706405
>>46706416
Writing!
Rolled 3, 2, 1 = 6 (3d3)
>>46706423
But first, let's look at what Apenepton has got.
>>46706432
You order to send a call to ams to all the aristocratic families of Sshurhat-Ahai. The time has come for them to fulfill their duty to the king and city. A general troop inspection is appointed at the temple square for tomorrow morning. This should be enough time for the nobles to gather the retinues they are obliged to bring along and arrive to the city from their estates.
Sshurhatian aristocrats present a formidable force, armored in gleaming bronze and trained in battle since childhood. Their retinues, though, consist mostly of peasants armed with spears and shields (with the occasional helmet) and some skirmishers recruited from shepherds and hunters. It might have been different if you had established standards for retinue equipment along with its numbers, but the nobles would be displeased, and some of them are really swell guys, inviting you to hunts and feasts and the like. How could you hurt them?
By the way, what do we know about Apenepton's forces, you ask. It's some sort of militia, if you aren't mistaken?
"It's citizens charged with military service", frowns Ergu. "They must train as swordsmen or bowmen in exchange for lowered taxes. Last I heard Urgatu had an even mix of both".
>>46706609
"Now, with how much time we'll need to gather troops and set out, we have four suitable places to intercept Urgatians", says Ergu.
"The closest to the city is a forested slope, well suited for ambushes. But the enemy will have the high ground should the fight be there."
"Next is the Onlu pass. There's a river, narrow but fast and dangerous, dividing it in two lengthwise. There are two bridges over the river. The terrain there is broken, with screes and large rocks."
"After that are foothills speckled with fields and olive groves. The hills are mostly gently sloping, but the fields can slow troops down."
"And the closest to the enemy camp is a plain with a wide river rolling through it. The river has three fords the shepherds use to move their flocks. We'll probably arrive there at around the same time as the enemy."
"If I may, oh king," speaks up Yonnesh, "I would like to beg you to call on all the allies and mercenaries we can muster. If Apenepton intends to destroy Sshurhat-Ahai, he has surely done the same. We need all the troops we can obtain."
"Within four hundred denars," adds Zess. "The renovation of the temple has bitten deep into our coffers."
Is he implying something?
>First, choose the mercenaries to hire. Each unit costs a hundred denars.
>Gaotian slingers, famous for their accuracy and caution at the same time - up to 4 units.
>Kanzuran axemen, fierce but disciplined - up to 2 units.
>Teleucan hoplites, fighting as one - up to 2 units.
>Necabian archers, always eager to earn coin with their bows - up to 2 units.
>Boreatican barbarians, furious when charging - up to 3 units.
>Ayuran pirates, good in broken terrain - up to 2 units.
>Xaverian chariots, from a long-standing tradition of chariot combat - 1 unit.
>Zeridian amazons, harassing enemy with javelins from horseback - up to 4 units.
>>46706657
>Zeridian amazons, harassing enemy with javelins from horseback - up to 4 units.
Hire the Amazons.
I'm still here with you OP.
It was probably just a bad time to run, though I think randomizing force disposition was also a poorly chosen move.
>>46706891
Thanks anon.
>>46706670
Amazons win by default. Writing.
>>46706657
>Zeridian amazons, harassing enemy with javelins from horseback - up to 4 units.
Still here
>>46706923
Let's hire those amazons from Zeridia, you propose. You've heard they aren't above fighting for money.
"Hm, it's a reasonable move", muses Ergu while rubbing his chin. "We certainly lack in fast maneuvrable forces. Amazons could radically expand our tactical choices."
Yes! Yes, that's exactly what you were thinking and not about tanned fit warrior women. Not at all.
How long until Zeridians can arrive, by the way?
"If we send a messenger immediately, they should be able to join us on the way to the battlefield. That said, have you chosen where to meet the enemy?"
>Choose the battlefield. I'll reiterate the options for you:
>1. Forested slope, well suited for ambushes. But the enemy will have the high ground should the fight be there.
>2. Mountain pass. There's a river, narrow but fast and dangerous, dividing it in two lengthwise. There are two bridges over the river. The terrain there is broken, with screes and large rocks.
>3. Foothills speckled with fields and olive groves. The hills are mostly gently sloping, but the fields can slow troops down.
>4. Closest to the enemy camp is a plain with a wide river rolling through it. The river has three fords the shepherds use to move their flocks. You'll probably won't have time to prepare an ambush or field fortifications if you make battle there.
>>46707006
>1. Forested slope, well suited for ambushes. But the enemy will have the high ground should the fight be there.
We lack ranged troops and the trees should help screen us from their heavy archers. Since we seem to have mostly heavy infantry supported by skirmishes, that might be a good place to do it.
>>46707006
>1. Forested slope, well suited for ambushes. But the enemy will have the high ground should the fight be there.
>>46707065
My only concern with the forest is if they decide to wait it out, is the effect it will have on the harvest. They can still freely plunder our lands until their ships are down while we are tied up here.
>>46707065
>>46707090
The slope. Writing.
>>46707065
>>46707090
seconding
>>46707170
Let's meet them at the slope before the Onlu pass, you say. It's not that far from the city, so your troops will be relatively fresh while Urgatians will be tired out by the march there. Also ambushes sound good.
But wait, what if Apenepton contends himself with plundering your lands and avoids battle?
"Beyond the Onlu pass it's mostly pastures," reassures Yonnesh. "The shepherds, if they know what's good for them, have fled for the mountains, and what farmland and fisheries there is there won't feed an army. They'd need to ferry supplies by ship."
"Who's to say they won't be able to," mutters Zess gloomily, but no one listens. Let's adjourn the council, you say. The messenger to the amazons is to be sent immediately, and the money prepared. Everyone, commence the war preparations!
The generals salute and exit the hall one by one. You left alone with what you have to do.
Wait, you actually have nothing to do. You'll die of boredom if you don't think something up right now!
>Organize a grand offering to Feris to try and obtain her blessing.
>Prepare an inspirational speech for the troops.
>Inspect your treasury for any money you could spend on more mercenaries.
>>46707333
>Organize a grand offering to Feris to try and obtain her blessing.
Might as well taunt them some more with 'blessings' from Feris.
>>46707356
Seconding this
>>46707356
go for it
>>46707356
>>46707377
>>46707393
>We're fighting because of her statue, so she could at least help
Writing!
>>46707469
Will we have time to do anything else before the fight?
>>46707526
Depends on what you have in mind. A suitably grand offering ceremony can take most of the day.
>>46707532
Could we assign someone to searching for more funds?
I'm guessing they outnumber us. How much exactly? Do we have trustworthy reports from our scouts, escaped farmers and such?
>>46707570
You'd risk they just appropriate the money then say they couldn't find anything.
>>46707593
No trustworthy reports yet. The enemy camp is pretty far away.
>>46707636
There's no-one we can trust at all? A royal treasurer or something?
>>46707666
specially him
>>46707678
No wonder Feris abandons us, we've filled our house with untrustworthy heretics
>>46707469
It's quite a bit of time since you last were in the temple of Feris. It stands at the edge of a great square, now filled with bustling priests and cattle traders preparing for a hecatomb on your orders. The air rings with cow mooing and drivers' shouts. You hurry past them, your bodyguards pushing aside those too slow to clear the way, and enter the vaulted building of the temple.
It's empty save for a few acolytes preparing the sacrificial altar. Past them the statue of Feris looks at you from its postament in the center of the hall.
She's as breathtaking as ever. The work of great sculptor Zeneb, rendered in marble and colored with wax paints, her form is perfectly lifelike from every angle. That's why it you had it installed in the middle of the hall and not in the traditional place at the far wall in the first place. You circle the statue once then stop in front of it.
Your city sure lucked out with it's patron. How, how could filthy Urgatians even think fair Feris must languish in their filthy city? Her perfect form. Her eyes, radiating wisdom and kindness. Her lovely smile, full of mother's love and maiden's innocence.
You must protect that smile!
A light bump to the side breaks your meditation. "The ceremony has begun, my king," your chief bodyguard whispers.
Oh. Okay.
"Also, you're drooling"
Nobody asked you!
You hurriedly stride to the high priest, who has already slit the throat of the first sacrificial bull. Taking the chalice with its blood, you pour it into the fire, followed by wine and fat and millet. Biting smoke starts filling the premises.
Thankfully, you don't have to repeat this for the next ninety nine cattle, but you still have to preside over the ceremony. Your eyes will so hurt this evening, you think drearly.
>Sorry for the slow writing
>>46707983
What's our next option?
>>46708179
summon Feris
>>46708179
Please wait a bit, I'm preparing the map.
>>46708192
Is it time to protect that smile
>>46708205
who said about it, we are getting a waifu that will actually help us in war
>>46707983
>>46707983
The next day began rather poorly.
For one, you're sleepy. For two, you have to trudge uphill under the sun. Even with your armor being lugged after you by your slaves, it's far from pleasant. For three, the leader of the amazon mercenaries, who have just joined your column, turned out to be old and ugly.
You think she doesn't believe in your abilities very much.
Finally, the column stops. You're too busy wiping sweat from your eyes to find out why, but this question soon resolves by itself when general Ergu approaches you from his place in the head of the column.
"My king, the scouts have returned. I have spoken with them. Apenepton's forces are already on their way. They seem to have allied with Nelemians."
Oh, those pitiful Nelemians, you growl. They were always jealous of Sshurhat-Ahai's magnificience. You were right after all when you called the king of Nelemos the chfieftain of mudeaters last year!
Ergu interrupts you with a cough. "Nelemos has sent chariots and peltasts. With their addition, the enemy's total numbers about equal ours. I suggest we stop here, rest and prepare for battle."
Rest and prepare, a great idea. Hey slave! Bring wine and cheese. Right there, to the shadow of trees.
"I take it you have already composed the battle plan, oh king?" asks Ergu gloomily.
Uh... uh... How could you plan without seeing the terrain! Yes, that's it! But now that you're here, you'll prepare a plan. While eating cheese.
>Prepare your battle plan!
>Note that once the battle start, communicating with your troops will become difficult
>You can divide your units at up to four battlegroups, led by your three generals and yourself
>The unit directly led by you will get a bonus in combat, but this means putting yourself in the way of danger
>>46708329
BG1. Us commanding Noble+2Sp. Placed on the bend in the middle of the road.
BG2. Skirimishers placed on the 2nd forest right of BG1.
BG3. Nobles+2Sp Placed on the forest right of
BG4. Amazons placed SW of BG1 in the forest.
Battleplan is to hold the road while our amazons flank their army and if possible wipe out their archers. The BG 2+3 are to hold off any flankers or units which try to move through the gaps of the forest in the west such as the chariots.
>>46708456
Let's go with this plan.
Writing!
>>46708691
I'm experiencing technical difficulties. You might have to wait a bit more than expected.
>>46708848
We'll be patient, don't worry
>>46708456
>Please confirm that I've got your plan right
>>46709049
Confirmed. I meant to put BG3 to the right of BG2 but it doesn't matter, works either way.
>>46709152
Okay, writing!
>>46709194
After a light meal you feel much better. Time to start giving orders.
You, of course, will meet the enemy head on and reap the bulk of the glory. Ergu will take the other half of your infantry and hide in the forest at the side of the road, ready to pounce on the defenceless enemy. Yonnesh, as the youngest, will lead the skirmishers hidden further east. And Zess will be your liaison to the amazons because his grumbling is annoying you.
Not much time passes before more scouts return. They report a skirmish with Nelemian scouts. The enemy must be close and they are aware of your presence. You call your slaves and begin to don your armor. All around warriors hurry to their places. Finally, all is ready.
The enemy appears in a cautious formation, a unit of Nelemian heavy peltasts leading the way, swordsmen in the vanguard and on the flanks and bowmen in the middle. You don't see the chariots nor the rest of the peltasts.
>>46709446
The peltasts leading the way duck into the forest to your east. Half of the swordsmen line up across the road, with the bowmen behind them in a deep formation. They probably intend to bombard you with arrows making use of their height advantage, you realize. The slope will even allow them to shoot freely over the heads of their fellows.
But before they're in range, you hear shouts and clang of the metal from the forest to your east. The peltasts must have stumbled into Ergu's command. The Urgatians stop, seemingly unsure what to do.
>Until you're engaged in combat, you can freely send runners to pass your orders.
>You have also established a trumpet signal for the amazons to begin their outflanking maneuver. You can give it even in combat.
>What do you do?
>Also, please roll 1d30. Feris' blessing allows you to use the best of the first two rolls!
Rolled 17 (1d30)
>>46709597
Slow retreat for Ergu still keep to the forest, try to bait the main group further along the road.
>>46709779
Not much player participation again...
Looks like you'll have to do the second roll as well.
Rolled 27 (1d30)
>>46710004
>>46710099
Writing!
>>46709779
Sounds like a solid plan. Surely Feris will bring us victory
>>46710121
You command to back up slowly. The troops shuffle awkwardly, trying not to break formation too much but afraid to turn around and show their backs to the enemy. The Urgatians start moving again. One of the leading swordsman units breaks away and makes its way to the forest, probably to help the peltasts. The rest start closing in, almost reaching arrow range.
Meanwhile, the clanging in the forest stopped and the shouts turned triumphant. Loud Sshurhatian taunts tell you Ergu was victorious (or at least threw the enemy back).
One of the swordsman units covering the enemy's flanks follows the main formation, the other disappears behind the forest. You hear noise of combat from somewhere at the north-east.
>Your orders?
>Also, roll 2d30 (best of two)
>>46710383
>Sorry, make that 3d30
Rolled 12, 20, 1 = 33 (3d30)
>>46710383
>>46710408
Have the amazons move up through the forest to a better flanking position. Charge with Ergu and the amazons when they're in position. And send a runner to find out what happened to the skirmishers.
Rolled 28, 21, 26 = 75 (3d30)
>>46710383
BG1 engage the enemy.
BG2 Start firing upon the Sw
BG3 Nobles engage the Sw, whille the Sp move north incase to protect our skirmishers.
BG4 focus fire on the Bw and try to kite the Sw in the forest.
>>46710560
I have to warn you that the accuracy of missile weapons are pretty low. The bowmen compensate for this with massed fire, the rest just try to close in as much as possible.
Rolled 2 (1d2)
>>46710526
>>46710560
Tiebreaker roll
>>46710711
We have bowmen?
>>46710936
No, only the enemy does
>>46710974
Right. I was just confused because >>46710560 referred to ranged units
god I really should get back to age of conan again
>>46710883
It's time to close the trap. The orders are prepared, runners are sent. You raise your sword high. Soldiers! you shout, and then remember you didn't prepare a speech. Time to improvise, then.
Sshurhat-Ahai best city! Feris best goddess! Urgatu a shit! Let's kill them all!
You point your sword at the enemy, and with a thunderous roar the nobles around you, tired of standing aimlessly under the sun in heavy bronze armor, rush ahead. The spearmen follow suit, though less enthusiastically.
Rising to meet you is a dark cloud. You have to take moment to realize it's the enemy arrows. Your stomach tightens in anxious antiipation, and then you breathe out as the arrows fall upon the hapless spearmen. You managed to close with the enemy quickly enough that the bowmen hesitated to shoot at you, fearing hitting the swordsmen.
Wait, this means the swordsmen are right in your face!
>Roll 6d30 please
Rolled 19, 9, 23, 29, 30, 30 = 140 (6d30)
>>46711375
>>46711471
>2 30s
Are we gonna wreck it?
>>46711471
Writing!
>>46711520
There's no crits, anon, but it is a very good result
>>46711557
Wait, wait. The rolls are best of two.
Roll again, anons
Rolled 15, 20, 23, 6, 21, 16 = 101 (6d30)
>>46711375
>>46711684
Thanks. Writing now.
>Those rolls
>>46711375
Did we just lose two battlegroups in the forest?
>>46711699
You run forward, half lusting for blood, half fearful of being trampled by the those behind you. The Urgatian swordsmen prepare to receive your charge. You are close enough to see how their armor is built; mostly interwoven leather strips, sometimes cloth with copper studs, both types not even fully covering the torso. Enemy shields are large and rectangular, made of cane and leather, a good cover from missiles but difficult to use in close combat.
You capitalize on this, thrusting to the place the enemy soldier can't cover because his shield bumps into his neighbour. For a moment you see the look of pain on his face, then he falls and you thrust again, into the shouting face under the rim of a leather helmet, then slash to the left, into a shoulder not covered by a shield, then you press ahead and push someone to the ground with the sheer force of your legs and the people pushing you in the back. You step on something soft and almost fall, but someone supports you from behind. Someone yells below in a language you don't understand. The clang of battle is deafening. You hear your own heartbeat echoing inside your helmet. You shout something but are not sure any words come out. You thrust again, trying to find purchase on the slippery ground.
Then it ends and you find yourself out of the crowd and in the open again. You see backs of running people. They try to break through the ranks of their fellows, pushing and clawing like madmen.
You take this moment of respite to catch your breath and look around. There are more running people, more Urgatian swordsmen, on the enemy's left flank. It seems Ergu was no less successful than you. Yet the sounds of fighting in the forest don't abate.
>You can't send runners right now, so you command only your battlegroup.
>What are your orders?
>>46712075
>Did we just lose two battlegroups in the forest?
You just can't see them because of the forest. The battle has been going for some time, so you can't be sure of their positions anymore.
>>46712233
Ah right, I thought the indicators were saying they'd died rather than that they were there
>>46712208
Push on into the rest of the enemy. Glory for Ssurhat-Ahai and Feris!
>>46712250
The indicators showed the sounds of battle. I'm sorry this wasn't clear.
>>46712276
Forward, you shout. Kill them! Kill them all! Make them learn that attacking you was a very bad idea!
The nobles rush ahead along with you, crashing into the terrified bowmen. Behind them you see the swordsmen who were guarding the rear, now hurrying to reinforce the faltering line.
To the right a band of spearmen stumbles out of the forest. It looks like they don't quite understand the situation, but then the murder instinct sets in and the spearmen pounce on Urgatians' unprotected flank. The battle in the forest, judjing by the sounds, is still ongoing.
To the left swearing amazons try to guide their horses between the forest and your lines. Then, unexpectedly, the swearing turns into surprised shouts as javelins fly from between the trees. The air fills up with horse neighing and the beating of hooves when the riders caught in the trees try to fight back in tight surroundings.
And behind you, where the rest of the amazons are crowding together, trying to find a way to the enemy, you hear a shout: "Chariots! Chariots in the rear!"
>Give me 8d30 please, best of two
Rolled 24, 5, 28, 30, 23, 27, 30, 16 = 183 (8d30)
>>46713260
Time for shit rolls!
Rolled 5, 13, 21, 18, 13, 17, 7, 5 = 99 (8d30)
>>46713260
>>46713260
You rush ahead, yelling like a madman, and feel warriors around you follow. The Urgatian bowmen don't even try fighting - they immediately turn they backs and run. You run after them, stabbing at their sweat-covered backs. At your right, normally not really brave spearmen charge like they're invincible, driving the enemy before them. The Urgatian line completely collapses.
The bowmen from in the second line fare better. A hailstorm of arrows stops their attackers in their tracks, forcing them to hide behind shields. And from the forest on your left you hear terrified cries, as the ambushed amazons scramble to get away from the enemy striking at them from behind the trees, slamming their horses into each other in the confusion.
The battle lost any semblance of order. You have a few moments before Urgatian swordsmen reach you to try and restore it. Fate seems to be on your side for now, but the tide of battle can turn against you at any moment.
>You can send runners again. Declare your orders!
>>46714104
Send a runner to Skirmishers in the forest to the NE to find out how they're faring
Also, send a runner to the Amazons ordering them to defend our rear from the encroaching chariots
>>46714104
Have left spears assist the Amazons so they can fall back and cover the rear.
We advance to the archers.
Spears on our right both advance towards the archers.
Try and see if we can get word back from the missing units.
>>46714234
>>46714632
Writing!
>>46714632
Yeah, this
What does HP and LP stand for?
I just caught up, but why did we send mounted archers into the forest in the first place?
>>46714704
Whoops, that's heavy and light peltasts. It didn't come up at first because you didn't see the light ones, and then I just forgot about this.
Basically, heavy peltasts can hold their own in a melee, while light ones prefer to kite the enemy.
>>46714747
I think the idea was that they could flank the enemy once we were engaged
We need to pound some wine to keep our fighting edge.
Is our helmet still undamaged and gorgeous?
These are both very important.
>>46714699
You look at the enemy bowmen who are slowly backing away, and call up another one of your runners.
Tell the commander of the left flank spearmen to back up the amazons, you instruct him. And tell the amazons to get those chariots. And what the hell is going with the skirmishers already? And where is Ergu? Is there someone competent here aside from you?
Your tirade is interrupted by a dirt-covered man you recognize as the runner you've sent to the skirmishers some time ago. He apparently arrived there in the middle of a missile battle with some Nelemian peltasts, and then Urgatian swordsmen appeared as if from thin air and he was caught up in the fight. It was a bloodbath, he tells you. General Yonnesh masterfully used the forest terrain to encircle and decimate the Urgatians, killing a full half of them and dispersing the rest. Nelemians are still holding fast though.
Damn, you think. How did he manage to cover himself in glory commanding people whose job is to annoy the enemy before the real battle? Should you maybe have him assassinated so he doesn't get too stuck up?
"General Ergu is also fighting with Nelemians in the forest", the runner continues. "The heavy armor has a habit of catching on thick growth, so they have difficulties".
Good, you say. Now, will he look at your helmet? Is it appropriately shiny and fabulous?
"Um, it has a dent in it, my king, " says the man, a bit taken aback. "From a sword, I think."
What? Ugh, those wretched Urgatians! Can't they even die without doing you some offence? No, their continued existence itself is an offence! Onward, troops! Paint this forest red!
>Please roll 9d30, best of two
Rolled 6, 2 = 8 (2d9)
>>46715292
Fuck
>>46715319
I'm literally an idiot, please disregard my moronic nature
Rolled 8, 15, 23, 27, 6, 25, 22, 29, 3 = 158 (9d30)
>>46715349
this whole thing has been very embarrassing for me
Rolled 21, 4, 30, 14, 16, 9, 27, 15, 22 = 158 (9d30)
>>46715244
Look at all these 1s!
>>46715375
>>46715383
>158
>158
Do we get some kind of dubs bonus for this?
>>46715375
>>46715383
What are the odds
>>46715413
This is the sign of Feris!
>>46715805
The Goddess smiles upon us!
>>46715244
Furious at the fate of your poor helmet, you lead the charge against the Urgatians once more. This time, though, thay manage to put up a concerted effort at defence. The swordsmen who were once guarding the rear have now reached you and striked at your flank, left bare by sending your spearmen against the peltasts in the forest. Feeling tired, you hang back, letting glory-hungry nobles to go at it. The two sides clash again and again, but the exaustion lets itself be known and the fight develops into more of a shoving match.
On the right flank things are more interesting. With a flood of battlecries a group of Nelemians is pushed back from the forest, with Sshurhatian noble swordsmen following. The second bowmen unit holds back the assault of your spearmen for some time, but after being attacked in the flank turns tail and flees. The only Urgatians still fighting are those in combat with your unit, and they are beginning to give ground too.
Finally, the remains of the Urgatian army start retreating, at first in proper formation, but soon the retreat turns into a disordered flight. At the sight of this the Nelemians vanish into the forest, flinging curses both at the Urgatians and at you. The last on the battlefield are the charioteers, who were evading the amazons for some time, but finally they too turn around and try to leave.
>>46716002
Sounds like it's time to chase down some cowards
>>46716085
And commission a new helmet for our victory feast.
>>46716002
The victory is yours! The enemy is crushed and fleeing. Though it would please you more if the hateful Nelemians would do less fleeing and more getting crushed. If this goes on, they'll be able to brag they escaped with their lives from a combat with the great and mighty king of Sshurhat-Ahai! It's unthinkable!
On the other hand, you're tired, you're hungry, your legs hurt and your helmet needs starightening. Maybe it's a good time to finish up that wine.
>Lead the pursuit.
>Let one of the generals lead the pursuit.
>Leave the pursuit to the amazons. They're the ones with the horses, after all.
>>46716156
Ignore, rest the troops, and push for the enemy beachhead.
>>46716156
>Leave the pursuit to the amazons. They're the ones with the horses, after all
>>46716156
>>46716222
On second thought, to hell with the main army those chariots are headed towards our village! Can we have the Amazons run them down exclusively?
>>46716296
Shit, they could sack and raze our temple.
>>46716296
And can we ride shotgun with one of the Amazons? Just so they don't hijack too much of the glory
>>46716398
I'd rather we find a horse thats unoccupied. You gotta remember these horses just finished a battle. With two riders they won't be able to catch up to a chariot. When we do finish we'll look like a chump, letting a woman ride a horse for us AND our horse wheezing and foaming at the mouth.
Remember to give a speech to the victorious infantry once we get on a horse. It's why generals most always rode one. You are pretty damn high when on top of one and soldiers can get a look at the Champion Of Feris
>>46716197
>>46716222
>>46716296
>Chariots must die
Writing
>>46716542
The speech should mention our Feris blessed leadership.
>>46716608
Thinking about it, trying to catch Nelemians in the forest doesn't sound like fun at all. The chariots though, they can't hide. Let the amazons ride them down! You will lead them yourself!
Your elan is soond curbed though. As it turns out, the horses can't bear a man in heavy armor. What a disappointment. Also, you don't know how to fight from one. Or how to ride one at all, actually.
This sucks. You should probably build some chariots of your own. But for now, the amazons ride off after the chariots, excited by the prospect of loot and some real fighting instead of just sitting in the woods. And you climb a fallen tree trunk on the forest's edge and address the troops.
The victory is yours, you proclaim. With Feris' blessing, and under your impeccable leadership, Sshurhat-Ahai once again has emerged victorious over the wretched Urgatians and the pitiful Nelemians. Thanks to you, the city of Sshurhat-Ahai will forever be known as the true home of Feris and the most magnificient, splendid and glorious city.
The warriors also did well, in their own small way, you suppose.
And tonight, there will be a victory feast, you add when the warriors' faces fail to display proper elation at your words. The goddess only takes fat and blood as sacrifice, so all that meat is still lying around in the temple's cellars.
This has the proper effect on the troops. The air explodes with cheering voices. You slowly climb down from the tree trunk and lower yourself to the grass.
If you had a chariot, you think, you could sleep in it on the way back. You should definitely get one.
>>46717163
>Epilogue
The days following the battle are slow.
You send an expeditionary force to the Urgatian campsite, but it discovers only garbage. The Urgatian fleet was crippled by a sudden strike from Sshurhatian ships.The Urgatians that had retreated, unable to get home across the sea, dispersed through the countryside, where some of them were caught and enslaved by villagers, and some have taken to banditry.
With amazons on the prowl and your forces blocking the retreat, the Nelemian charioteers were hunted down to a man. The amazons claimed them as battle plunder, leaving you the chariots and the horses. Now you have your own chariot and can race young nobles who also have one.
No trace of Apenepton was found. He wasn't at the battle, so he either perished with one of the ships, or is still brooding at Urgatu, plotting your demise. What a sore loser.
You ordered another renovation of the temple in gratitude to Feris. The funds for this came from the public sanitation budget, which left some of your advisors pretty discontent. What do they not like? You made sure the palace complex sanitation budget stays full.
And also you commissioned a new helmet for yourself, as well as a statue of yourself in said helmet, to commemorate your victory.
>The End
Please provide your feedback if you wish, anons!
>>46717392
>no qt Amazon waifu to princess carry us home
Truly the greatest failure of the war.
Even if the leader was ugly, there must've been a cute one somewhere in the pack.
>>46717418
It was enjoyable, the names were well done.
>>46717392
Scale of battle was too small. I had no idea what we rolled for. We didn't get to give Feris a headpat. It didn't feel like we were a warrior general.
Conceited general persona was fun. I liked the battlefield map but I think having units have a form of movement speed is crucial if you run it like that. We protected Feris' smile.
>>46717418
It was fun. I enjoyed our character. I agree with >>46718234, it felt like the battle was an initial skirmish and we'd then push on to the enemy camp to fight a larger force. Also, maybe next time try a hexagon map or something, so that it's easier to work out where our units are in relation to each other.
That is, if you're even planning a next time
