Military Strategies

[TheDude51]

Im pretty sure that enemy mages would not be housed with the foot soldiers. So arcane lock will be able to hinder them for at least a while.

As to the green dragon idea, I think it would be best if we waited to deploy it until after they realize we are using illusionary troops rather than real ones. Any enemy characters would immediately realize that it is not an ACTUAL green dragon attacking them, and the last thing we want them thinking about is our forces being illusions.

[Mr_Praetorian]

[Squall255]

[Mr_Praetorian]

[littleangryman]

[Zanaikin]

[Sajuuk]

[littleangryman]

[Squall255]

[Sajuuk]

[TheDude51]

Ok, it looks like our next big project will be another defense scenario.

The city of Trelling, in Archeron, is right on the border of the area that the Archeronians still control. A large number of orc tribes has gathered somewhere in the north, and some or all may be moving to attack our position.

So, we need to secure this city from orc attack.

Our first priority must be detection and intelligence. If we are surprised, we are lost. However, with knowledge of the enemy's movements we can gain a significant advantage.
There are a variety of ways to accomplish this. Obviously, sending out scouts and patrols and the like could detect them, and definitely should be part of our plan. However, with a relative short range the higher likelyhood of detection, capture, or death scouts alone cannot fulfill all of our needs.

Bringing me to the second general method, divination magic. Scrying on the various likely routes towards the city on a regular basis could discern the enemy's forces. However, scrying is unreliable, allowing a will save, and can be detected by enemy mages, making it less than optimal. Divination, Augury, Contact Other Plane, Commune, and such general divinations will be very helpful in determining general information on the enemy forces, and should definitely be liberally employed. The Misalenian contingent includes 50 primary divine spellcasters, so such spells should be cast on a regular basis to glean as much as possible from them. Specific suggestions on the use of these and the particular questions that would be best to ask are welcome.

Another possibility is the creation and deployment of special magical sensors in areas around likely lines of approach. A metal rod or sphere or other object would be enchanted, then buried. The sensor would routinely scan the area with Clairaudience/Clairvoyance, plus Detect Magic and any other spells that would be appropriate and feasible. Suggestions are welcome. The sensor would then transmit all information gained back to the city via a telepathic link, either projecting it into another item or directly into the mind of the holder of a second keyed object.

Any other methods of early detection you can think of would be very helpful.


Once we have ascertained the location of the enemy, a closer scrutiny would follow by concealed mages, followed by a series of hit-and-run attacks. Please brainstorm as many methods for these as possible, we can select the best methods later. The more types of attacks the better, varying our attack mode will make it harder for them to predict and defend against them. Effective attacks will be very fast, getting in and out before they can react to it. Obviously we want to inflict the most damage possible on them with the least losses on our side.

My initial thoughts on the subject:

Frenzy Provocation: Orc forces tend to contain a large number of frenzied berserkers as elite shock troops. These are deadly to us when they engage, being nearly impossible to kill before the end of their frenzy. However, the obscene killing power of these monsters can be used to our advantage. If we can identify the portion of the enemy force that contains the berserkers, throwing a few area effect damage spells on them, metamagically enhanced for range, should trigger the frenzy of a fair number of them. If the berserkers are together, the frenzied ones will attack the others, provoking more frenzies. Ideally, this will provoke a chain reaction, wreaking havoc among the enemy forces. This has the possibility to decimate the enemy berserker units, and additionally inflict tremendous casualties on the enemy forces. Depending on how cohesive the enemy force is, it could also provoke a broader inter-tribal conflict, bringing the invasion force to a halt. More likely, however, the enemy spellcasters will have a contingency plan for dealing with frenzying allies, allowing them to quickly end the threat. Careful observation of this may give us ideas for dealing with the berserkers once the the main battle is joined.

Sky Galleon: The rune cannon on the sky galleon has a range of 32,000 feet. This is VERY LONG. moving invisibly to right at the edge of that range, and then launching a salvo of standard shots at the enemy army has the potential to deal significant damage. The only problem is the safety of the ship, which is extremely valuable. As such, as soon as enemy forces get anywhere near it the ship should cease fire and teleport out of danger. An escort of dragon riders is also a possibility.

More to come when i have time.

[Squall255]

I like the frenzied berzerker chain idea. as far as the defense of the actual city, we are going to need a fair number of people with calm emotions prepared for the frenzied berzerkers. we only have one tactical spell squad under our command, and the sky galeon is too valuable to leave here during the actual attack. This will severely limit our damage potential. I would suggest another tactical cloudkill, but i'm affraid of it rising up, and affecting our men.

Also, for the skirmishes, IIRC the Sky Galeon has a battery of "magic Missle" type of attacks, that it can shoot out llike 100 or so attacks. this would be perfect for trigering the FB's into a rage. Also, if we can keep cycling groups to tactically assaoult them, or make sure mages dump spell levels into the galeon so that it can attack once an hour or so, that would do well to keeping the enemy tired. Exhaustion is a great would to inflict on an invading army. Also, if we can attack supply lines, that would be benefical too.

[Zanaikin]

yeah you dont have too much details on that yet, but coming up with preliminary methods of keeping watch on the enemy would be nice.

The City you're defending is named Trelling. If you haven't seen the map, it's located by a river (named Carnia River) to the west bank. A side-path was dug from the river and comes across the city's western side and act as a moat. The city has four bridges, three across the western 'moat' and one across the Carnia river. It's fully walled (~30ft tall) with a small Keep located in the southern parts of the city. The walls are segmented with 50ft tall guard towers, each with two mounted ballistas. Two villages are located east and west of the city, surrounded by farm fields. A orchard is also located to the northwest. Hills (not very steep) and woods are scattered around the city, particularly to the north.

the city has a garrison of 2 regiments of light infantry skirmishers (militia) and 2 companies of elite shock infantry. A third company is being sent up, which coincidentally is the one that returned from Misalin (Ranmor's unit), resupplied for their losses. These garrison forces will be under your command.
(totaling about ~2300 troops)

In the military garrison located in south city also houses 2 wings (a dozen each) Air Dragon Knights. These guys are NOT under your command (although a certain one of you better know how to pull strings, offering the opportunity here). They also don't stay inside the city much. From what you know these guys are using their superior speed and maneuverability to hit targets of opportunity along the perimeter of enemy forces.

your Misalin troops include:
1 banner of Heavy Cavalry
2 company of Elite Guard Skirmishers
2 company of Crusaders [including 20 animated trebuchets]
1 company of Warmages [including a tactical spell squad]
50 Field Clerics
25 Church Clerics
25 Creationists

more to come when I'm not tired...

[Sajuuk]

Okay, I like the ideas we came up with yesterday on the bridge defense.

Dai, any chance we can get a scan of the map? (and the map of Archeron?)

[TheDude51]

Further harassment tactics:

Teleport Attack: A group of high level mages would participate in this attack. Each one would be equipped with a recall insignia that teleports them back to Trelling. These can be activated by the Trelling command post, as well as by the mages themselves. Each mage prepares a contingency with Greater Fireburst, set to trigger if an enemy is in range. The whole battalion of mages would teleport into the enemy force, spread a good distance apart. Those that have access to Arcane Spellsurge would have it active, and cast a spell of their own in addition to the contingent fireburst (a widened cloudkill would be a good choice. suggestions are, as always, welcome). Immediately thereafter, in the same round, the insignia controller who has delayed his action until the mages teleport activates the insignias, bringing the entire force of mages back to the city.

Field of Ruin: there is a siege trap in Traps and Treachery II that could be very handy. (Page 51 if you have the book). A Field of Ruin takes 6 days and only 3000 gp and 120 XP to create. When the trap is triggered, all food and drink in the area is spoiled. The triggering condition can be any normal one for a magical trap. In this case, once we can identify the route the enemy is taking a Field of Ruin can be constructed along it, set to trigger once a certain number of orcs (say 1000 or so, so that scouts will not trigger it) enters the area. The four stones which are set on the corners of the trap will then be enchanted with an Undetectable Aura spell and hidden as well as is possible to prevent to enemy from detecting the trap before it triggers.

Question: Would a tactical calm emotions be a possibility? in addition to its anti-berserker abilities, I believe it prevents those affected from attacking AT ALL unless they are attacked first. Could be handy.

Eric: I dont think the sky galleon would be the best choice for triggering the berserkers' frenzy. We want to keep it in reserve to maximize the shock and awe factor, saving it for a full barrage when it can deal maximum damage. As such, I think an Air Dragon Knight would be best for triggering the range, using a long-range spell with a metamagically enhanced range. With its mobility, a dragon would be ideal for moving in, attacking a bit, and then getting out of sight of the berserkers.

You may want to talk to marty about using the ship repeatedly for attacking the enemy. He seems extremely protective to it, and may not want to take the risk. My recommendation would be to see how they react to the first strike before approving any more. If they seem unable to mount an effective counterattack, follow-up attacks have the potential to inflict unmatched punishment on the enemy forces. However, considering the caliber of spellcaster the orcs tend to field, it seems likely that they will quickly come up with a solution for the sky galleon problem.

Please note, I DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT want us to mount a full scale attack on the approaching enemy. Given their numerical advantage the unknown power of their spellcasting, it is entirely likely that they would be able to obliterate an attacking force, even if we have the element of surprise. Instead, I want a series of strictly limited guerrilla attacks to weaken and demoralize them before the actual siege.