Final Preparations

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Re: Final Preparations

Postby Mr_Praetorian » Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:19 pm

"It would seem wiser then that we attempt to take out their heavy artillery before they even make it to the field. The missiles from their METAACs did considerable damage to Blackbog. I don't even want to think about what that many shots could do to this keep.

Therefore, we will brunt the enemy's forces before they can even make it to us. We will break our assault into three distinct groups:

Attack Group A: Composed of Air Skiffs and Assault Magi

Attack Group B: Tactical Spell sections, and support troops.

Attack Group C: Battlemasters

Attack Group D: Command squads

The plan begins with Attack Group A which will move in and grab the enemy's attention by attacking the siege implements, and any other heavy machinery in a series of lightning fast, hit and run attacks. Appearing from different angles and direction. For those who are going, your job is obviously not to engage the enemy in prolonged heavy combat. Only to pass by, taking out as much of their siege as possible.

After a few minutes of hit and run attacks, Attack Group B will then take position a considerable distance from the column of soldiers, and begin to to hit the column with tactical spells. If the imperials have learned anything, then they'll know that they will simply have to respond to such magic. Waiting for any confrontational response will be supporting forces, plus any command squads if things get too hairy.

Then, in the midst of the confusion that we've inflicted up out enemy, we unleash our battlemasters in the thousands. If pulled off properly, the enemy's siege engineers should be too distracted and harassed to be able to get them set up properly, and I doubt that all of their soldiers will have those rings. Group D will also engage at this point, if they are not otherwise busy responding to enemy response squads.

Any questions?"
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Re: Final Preparations

Postby Zanaikin » Tue Oct 14, 2008 3:40 pm

Tharivol:
"Lord Derovarr, please moderate your tone of speech, and remember who..."

Daethelar:
"High-Captain - ?!"

Tharivol shuts up in the middle of it, looking decidedly grumpy. It's obvious most of the other Airindale officers share his thoughts. Daethelar however is being hard to read, and Aelisar's typical pleasant smile seems unfaltering.

Kanaer:
"Based on all data acquired about the Imperial's so called Main Battle Tank, their firepower is not something our Assault Skiff or our Assault Mages can withstand. Not mentioning the artilleries themselves could focus their volleys upon us. Us elves have used the tactics of hit-n-run strikes for long, and only an amateur of guerrilla warfare ( Daethelar coughs loudly ) can think that an enemy cautiously advancing and ready to be attacked would not manage their own defensive fire the same moment we strike. If we are to take the artillery without catastrophic losses to our own limited mobile forces, we need the Battlemasters to tie down the enemy first. Make them concentrate their fire on our more expendable forces, draw their fire toward our front. Then! - we hit them, and shatter their support fire units, leaving their battle line on its own."

Aelisar:
" and Strike groups ? "

Tharivol:
"I'd suggest distributing our forces into five separate strike groups, each with four Assault Skiffs and two Mage companies. Take four onto the offensive, lead by myself, Captain Caewenan, Captain Ruapytha, and Captain Ansrikyvin, while the last one remains as your reserve, you highness."

Aelisar looks towards Derovarr...
( hint : you may want to look at Imperial Brigade structure in viewtopic.php?f=12&t=626&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=15#p11755 ).
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Re: Final Preparations

Postby Mr_Praetorian » Tue Oct 14, 2008 4:47 pm

(Sense Motive 80 to get a read on Aelisar and Daethelar)
Derovarr looked straight ahead at Tharivol for a moment, clearly quite annoyed.
"Look. I may not have the expertise at hit and run attacks that everyone in this room may have, but thats not what this is about. This isn't a contest, this isn't a game, Flag-Captain. This is may be the single greatest conflict that most of the people in this room will even partake in, and I find it highly unlikely that by its conclusion that everyone in this room will still be alive.

So, we can all die by the hands of our own arrogance, or we can work together, like an ALLIANCE. Got it?" Derovarr said, finishing with a fierce look, and a snap to make sure the officers were paying attention. (Forceful Diplomacy 58)

"Now. The alternative plan is certainly viable, though I must take issue to notion that our Battlemasters are expendable troops. Though they may be spiteful spirits made animate, but they are still our front-line soldiers. Furthermore, as far the Western Alliance is concerned, they are our only front-line soldiers. If we are to be successful in tis campaign, then we must not treat such forces as expendable. Such a practice is careless, and such a practice is not a viable one against an enemy with that much firepower.

However, as much as I would rather soften up our targets before sending in our main battle force, I trust that you know the capabilities of your own aircraft better than I do. Nonetheless, the firepower potential of that artillery concerns me. They shattered the equivalent of more than 2 regiments in under a minute. So, unless you have a means by which to either distract or hinder their fire, I'm not sure I can can agree to the alternative plan."
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Re: Final Preparations

Postby Zanaikin » Tue Oct 14, 2008 9:14 pm

You notice High-Captain Tharivol Siannodel and High-Captain Kanaer Ansrikyvin were clearly not impressed, but they keep glancing over at Daethelar, whom was starting to show slight hints of annoyance himself. Aelisar looks still calm as ever...

After a moment, Kanaer began to look thoroughly pissed...
" You're telling me you're unwilling to march the Battlemasters into that firestorm, but you're perfectly fine with our Skiffs and mages doing so? "
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Re: Final Preparations

Postby TheDude51 » Tue Oct 14, 2008 9:29 pm

Samael, hearing the exchange grow more heated, spoke up,

"Do we have the mage capacity to put up large-scale illusions and still have an effective strike force? If so, I'd suggest making the initial battlemaster strike consist mostly of illusions to draw the artillery's fire with minimal casualties. If we could draw the enemy artillery fire like that and then strike to disable the artillery, the rest of our battlemasters could hit the main Imperial force with their full strength."
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Re: Final Preparations

Postby Zanaikin » Tue Oct 14, 2008 9:36 pm

Tharivol looked around towards the other Airindale officers:
"I think we might have enough mages for that if we detach a few companies, although that's hardly their specialty. Either that or we could use War Magic squads to lay down some tactical illusions."

Aelisar:
"Wouldn't the magic signature of a War Magic spell make it too suspicious ?"
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Re: Final Preparations

Postby TheDude51 » Tue Oct 14, 2008 9:50 pm

"We might be able to disguise the signature by casting an offensive war magic with a very visible effect from the same position. Although once we start using war magic, we'll need to heavily defend our casting location. The Imperials will be sure to hit it hard, definitely with their artillery and possibly with some sort of quick response force."
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To dissolve the people
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Re: Final Preparations

Postby Zanaikin » Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:07 pm

Aelisar:
"Indeed, that might work. With a lack of other specialists, I'll take the casting of the massed illusions personally, with WMS Pearl to cover for us and the fifth reserve force fielded at our position for defensive needs. Daethelar, you can take command of that defensive group."

Daethelar:
"Yes, milady. But..."

Aelisar:
"It'll be fine ! I'm more worried about if the illusions will work than if they'll manage to touch me. But, if successful, Tharivol, Kanaer, what of then ? "

Tharivol:
"I plan on having Captain Caewenan lead the first strike in and directly attack the enemy Command Company - in that huge mobile headquarters ship thing we identified, big as an Sky Galleon I believe, except looks more like a building than a ship. This is meant to be a feint. The strike will go in, damage and destroy what they can, and get out. Our divination spells say that the enemy HQ-landship is well defended, carrying their REDEIN fighters, but not particularly armed, so it'll be its escorts that'll cause most of the issues."
"After that, me, Captain Ansrikyvin, and Captain Ruapytha will simultaneously launch the attack against the three enemy Artillery companies, hitting them hard with a priority on wiping out those artillery vehicles of theirs."

( the Airindalians then look at the Misalinians once again... )
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Re: Final Preparations

Postby TheDude51 » Tue Oct 14, 2008 11:52 pm

As you said before, Captain Tharivol, your mobile forces do not have the ability to withstand the firepower of the enemy heavy weapons. Are you confident that your strike companies can cripple the enemy artillery before they can inflict heavy losses on your men?

Also, I'm concerned that the feint against the enemy Command Company could be very risky. If the Flag Platoon or other high-powered Imperial units are present, a lone strike force could be very vulnerable. The METAACs especially would be very difficult for a primarily magic-based assault comany to handle. What information do we have abut the units that are positioned around the command ship? Ultimately though, you know your troops' capabilities better than I, and if you think they can get in and out without undue risk, I will gladly defer to your judgement.
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Re: Final Preparations

Postby Laharl » Wed Oct 15, 2008 12:07 am

Teodor pipes up. "With all due respect, Flag-Captain, I have some issues to raise. The artillery will surely fire first on the tactical squads when they are detected and if they cannot get their spells off, we lose the first strike of Battlemasters entirely. If the artillery does fire on the Battlemasters, then they will respond to the war magic with METAACs or REDEINs, either of which will easily a) spot the second group and b) disrupt both castings. REDEINs in particular have sufficient speed to be there in time unless we catch them completely off guard, something that is no easy task. I believe that a variant of the Guardian Marshal's plan has the best chance of success:

First, Guardian Marshal, with all due respect, I believe you're underestimating the Imperials. The artillery will likely be protected by automated batteries as well as Imperial air forces. As such, even the initial insertion will be difficult to pull off. Also, while you are correct that the tactical squads will draw attention, I believe you underestimate the forcefulness of the Imperial response. Think on how difficult it was to do serious damage to the METAACs that recently attacked us here at the Keep. Even with our earlier engagement, leaving us with little to work with, it was all we, the command squad, could do to decisively engage the METAACs even with substantial Golem Armored backup, which suffered casualty rates we simply cannot afford. The speed and range that those mechs possess will allow them (especially in the numbers we fought) to engage our protective forces while still disrupting the casting of the tactical spell.

Thus, I propose a modification: If we can insert sufficient numbers of Battlemasters to draw fire from those batteries and begin to wreak havoc, do so. Then after some of these batteries have been destroyed, send in the skiffs. The only reason to send in the skiffs immediately is if you know they can get to and fire upon those batteries before they come online.

While I like the idea of the illusionary force, I think that the use of any tactical spells is precluded by the existence and range of the artillery. Deal with them and the problem of keeping the casters alive becomes more manageable.

On a completely separate note, there are some facts everyone must know before contemplating any strike on their HQ ship. If the enemy commander is who I think it is, one Aoric Zanaikin, then if you do not take his personal combat abilities into account, that strike will end in disaster. They can get away with light fortifications because Aoric himself has the ability to turn into a heavy weapons platform capable of fending off Miros Hallerak at the Battle of Trias. I do not understand this ability nor do I have any real concrete information on it, but he does possess it and it must be taken into account. That is, even without the Imperial Flag Company."


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Re: Final Preparations

Postby Zanaikin » Wed Oct 15, 2008 12:23 am

Daethelar:
"We know each of the artillery units and the enemy's command are all covered by roughly one Infantry or one Grenadier company each. So over a hundred infantry, plus support of Missile Carriers and their IFVs are covering the command center, alongside it's own load of REDEIN fighters - which are rather dispersed out to cover the entire Imperial line. The METAACs and their support vehicles are also in close proximity."

( note: Grenadier = "shock troop". In Imperial military terms, Grenadier companies carry swords & carbines rather than rifles. I know you've been informed of this at some point [or at least Dave/Teodor was], but just to clarify ).

Tharivol:
"I think if we draw their artillery units into concentrated fire onto the front, then our units should be able to devastate their numbers before they can re-orient to target us. However this does depend on their response. If they only partially engage their artillery support but leave large numbers unengaged, then we could be in for quite some casualties. All we can do is give them as much reason to throw their firepower out as possible SO we can drill in the the gap they leave open."
"And regarding the enemy command landship - no I'm not confident we could take them in a prolonged fight, but we get in and out fast enough, our casualties should be minimum while we maximize the distraction on the enemy. And of course, Captain... Vormav. It is possible Aoric is personally in command over there, but there is also a high likelihood he is not, given that he is the overall commander and this is but a fraction of his forces. If we are to assume he is everywhere - we'd never get anything done. In the event if luck swings against us, we could always teleport out asap if his presence is detected to minimize our losses. "
"However, I do believe your ideas on the possibility of enemy disrupting our cast as valid. Even with Prismatic Spheres, we have to drop our wards to release the war magic spells, and an incoming strike at that precise moment would be... undesirable."

EDIT:

Daethelar:
"Furthermore, I'd like to note that insertion of Battlemasters in large quantities will not be a simple matter. They can't long range teleport by themselves, and the only way we can teleport large numbers of them is by Teleportation Circle - which by the time we have it cast the enemy is already far from our intended location. Not to mention even if we predicted their would-be position at time of finish casting, the Battlemasters would still have to emerge in small quantities at a time - far too easily overwhelmed by organized forces."
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Re: Final Preparations

Postby TheDude51 » Wed Oct 15, 2008 1:18 am

There are several very effective defenses that can be employed against Imperial fire by powerful mages in addition to Prismatic Spheres. Obviously Protection From Range can afford some defense, but spells like Ghostform can be used to avoid the enemy's fire completely. I believe that a combination of these methods can protect the tactical spell section from artillery strikes for the time between when the Prismatic Sphere goes down and when the spell is released.

From what we've seen at the raid on Blackbog, the METAACs would not be able to get close enough to the war magic squads to pose a serious threat. They might be able to get within firing range, but the same countermeasures used against the artillery would apply against their shots. REDEINs would probably be able to reach us, a fact that does bear considering. Their attacks would most likely be no different to evade than the artillery and METAAC shots, but it would be unfortunate for them to see thousands of Battlemasters suddenly appear as soon as a Tactical spell is completed. Even if their knowledge of magic is limited, they could well be suspicious enough to leave a good portion of the artillery unengaged, a scenario which, as Captain Tharivol has informed us, would be unfortunate.

My suggestion, if Imperium units such as REDEINs are in close spotting distance when the spell is completed, would be to make it appear as though the Battlemasters are appearing through several Tactical Teleportation Circles or many normal Teleportation Circles, spread out and pouring troops through at an extreme rate. In addition to discouraging them from suspecting the illusion, this could influence the enemy to overestimate our forces' strategic mobility over the next few battles.
Last edited by TheDude51 on Wed Oct 15, 2008 1:40 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Final Preparations

Postby Zanaikin » Wed Oct 15, 2008 1:33 am

Tharivol:
"I believe unless the enemy commander is an idiot, he already fully understand the Strategic mobility of Teleportation Circles, seeing as his Norinthner casters probably have them also by this point. However, your suggestion regarding Ghostform and similar effects stand true. Most Imperial weapons are not magical, after all. However, we can only maintain that kind of effect over the casting team alone at best. It means our casters will need to go in and complete their war magic without any other support."

Aelisar:
"In which case it'll only be under half a minute - a relatively acceptable risk, I would say. However, this is all assuming the illusions will distract the Imperials. What if it doesn't ? What if they manage to notice or test it out with small-volley fire first and notice a lack of remains ?"
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Re: Final Preparations

Postby Mr_Praetorian » Wed Oct 15, 2008 1:42 pm

Derovarr had been eerily silent for the last few moments, but finally decided that things had cooled off enough for him to speak without triggering a "firestorm" in the room.

"If we're sending in the illusionary ones first, then having the imperials register them as not real may be a positive thing. As it might give us a chance to catch the enemy off guard. Especially, if companies of the actual battle masters or staggered with more illusions. It's that moment of hesitation, when their common soldiers are trying to figure out which battlemaster is the right battlemaster, that we'd be capitalizing on.

On the matter of the tactical spell squad. We Misalinians may not be masters of fast attack, but I'd like to think that we've learned something about defense over the many generations schlepping plate armor over the hills and through the valleys. I would willing assign some of my crusaders to protect your War Magic squad. They may not be the quickest defensive team, but they can certainly take a few hits for the mages. Besides, we could certainly use a test for the new METAAC grenades."
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Re: Final Preparations

Postby Zanaikin » Wed Oct 15, 2008 2:50 pm

Tharivol:
"Well it seems with Lord Haborym's latest suggestion, our war magic units will be dropping in and out, under full Ghostform and Superior Invisibility, teleporting out immediately after the War Magic castings. The strike units will be need to be able to fully teleport out within seconds' notice as well, so I don't believe Golem Armored Crusaders is necessary for either. They'll provide good defense, but they're more likely to slow them down or get left behind."
"I do believe that mixing in real Battlemasters along with the fake ones would be a magnificent idea. How much do you have in mind, Lord Derovarr ?"

Vandria:
"Although, throwing in a company of Crusaders along with the feint to their HQ landship might not be a bad idea. That means we'll actually be able to stay around and fight them out for a bit, rather than having to leave immediately afterwards - which will be both far more convincing and more attention drawing."
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