The Battle of Cliffwall - Round 5

[tomcat]

Fengel led his cavalry straight into the heart of the Sagath archers, catching the Easterlings completely unaware. Men screamed and died quickly as swords slashed into flesh or horses ran them down. Those that could, dropped their weapons and ran before the oncoming chargers, disappearing out onto the great fields to the east.

Behind the Éothraim came Dirnhael. He encouraged his men and thus did they follow him straight into the midst of the rolling wains. Dodging left and right, the Ilanin soldiers swung axe, mattock, and sword at horse and wagon. At times they yanked a rider from his perch within, falling on the enemy soldier as soon as his body stopped tumbling.

And lending support was the archers of Durgil. Arrows flew through the sky, mixing in with the missiles from above on the cliffs, and fell into the Sagaths' formations. Yet still, the archers were unable to cause enough disarray and confusion to truly aid their companions in the fight.

Suddenly a horn sounded amongst the Éothraim ranks, and cries went out. Thuidmar had succumbed to a wound and was quickly being rushed from the front of the line. Harizän thought to take advantage of the situation, but his own troops had been heavily bled... he was running out of strength to win the field. He too needed to withdraw and re-think his attack.

The great horn of Harizän the Easterling sounded, and the wains all turned in formation to separate from the Éothraim and reform ranks near the small homestead to the north.

Two hours had passed since the armies had first met, and as yet, neither could call the field theirs. Attrition was taking its toll on both sides, and men lay dead or dying in the afternoon sun. Large carrion birds began to circle and land on the field, sniffing about and waiting for any potential meal to stop moving.

On the south end of the field, below the cliffs, the Éothraim rejoiced at the coming of the men of Ilanin though their hearts fretted for their king. Leaders met and were brought before the wounded Thuidmar - his chest pierced with a Sagath bolt. With a hiss he acknowledged the companions, "Well met again Fengel. You too, Lords of the west. I believe your coming may have turned the tides, though I fear I will not see the end of the day, and our victory."

[GandalfOfBorg]

"Fear not, Thuidmar, for the day shall be ours.  If you do indeed go to the halls of your fathers, then know it will be on the wings of victory.  Many shall toast your name for years to come. These men of Ilanin are brave and strong.  The Easterlings will pillage these lands no more!"  To his comrades, "I'm taking the archers to the cliffs to reinforce Thuidmar's men.  We cannot see well enough to target Harizan's forces with great accuracy.  I'll use your next charge to cover our movement."

MANEUVERS
ILA
1) TN 10 Move (Cliffs, east) - Roll(2d6)+8: 3,3,+8 Total:14 SUCCESS
2) TN 10 Commit Archers (Plains, east) - Roll(2d6)+8: 5,6,+8 Total:19 SUCCESS

As the Eothraim and Ilaninites strike once more against the mighty wains of the East, Durgil stealthily moves his men up the cliffs to join the Eothraim contingent.  There is again rejoicing at the swelling of the ranged forces and Durgil meets with the Eothrain captain.  "Go reinforce the western cliffs.  Your might combined with that of your cavalry will decimate Harizan's forces, buying us a bit of time.  Fear not, we shall remain here to sting the enemy as best we may until you are successful.  Go now in the name of Thuidmar and be victorious!"

Leader
1) Inspire (TN 10 Willpower, lacking Siegecraft) - Roll(2d6)+2: 3,6,+2 Total:11 SUCCESS
+2 Toughness, +1 Ranged to ELA, ILA

ELA
1) TN 7 Move (Cliffs, west) - Roll(2d6)+10: 1,6,+10 Total:17 SUCCESS
2) TN 10 Commit Archers (Plains, west) - Roll(2d6)+11: 2,6,+11 Total:19 SUCCESS

As the great plains below thundered with the stamp of hoof, foot, and wheel, darts from the cliffs began hailing down with deadly force, especially now against the weak light cavalry in the western plains.  Durgil's men aimed their shots at the severely weakened Eastern archers in attempt to silence their sting for good.

ATTACKS
ILA, attacking Harizan's LA
TN 6 RC - Roll(2d6)+9: 3,1,+9 Total:13 SUPERIOR SUCCESS

ELA, attacking Harizan's LC
TN 12 RC - Roll(2d6)+11: 2,2,+11 Total:15 COMPLETE SUCCESS

[sdrotar]

Dirnhael gathered his men. He heard Durgil speak of Thuidmar, but now was not the time for him to think about such things. After the battle, those who were left could mourn...

"Men of Ilanin!" he shouted, "Their ranks can be broken; we have seen it. They are rabble, and cower when faced with brave men and true. Again, we will drive a wedge through their lines and carve their army's heart out from within!"

OOC: Can Dirnhael's Unit Leadership skill play a role here? If so, here's a roll: Roll(2d6)+9: 1,4,+9 Total:14

[Palandil]

Fengel bowed slightly at Thuidmar's greeting, "My lord.  Our people's suffering will end this day.  And I will avenge your life upon the head of Harizan myself!"  With that Fengel saluted and left the tent to make plans with his company, giving a nod to his friends from the west.

As Fengel gathered his light calvary his resolve was resolute, Harizan will die.  "Men we shall meet Harizan directly this run, prepare your hearts, fight for your families and the freedom of all the Eothraim!"  With that he began a shout that was echoed through out all the ranks, "Lord Thuidmar!, Lord Thuidmar!"

[tomcat]

Harizän watched the Éothraim army from the front porch of the homestead that his forces now occupied. A servant tended his arm where he had received a rather nasty gash. The large man did not even flinch as the crude needle, and stitches it made, was used to close the wound.

From his vantage, he could only make out slight movement of his enemy. It appeared that there was movement upon the cliff but he could not discern what the Éothraim were up to.

"No matter," he thought. To the west, his light cavalry was still drawn back in a bivouac as it rallied itself for the next attack. The Easterling heavy cavalry was just now preparing to roll out for a new assault. Harizän nodded... it was time. "And this time I will crush them against the very wall that they have taken refuge!"

[tomcat]

ROUND 5

Step 1: Terrain and Situational Modifiers: The terrain offers no benefit in Arena 60 Plains (East or West); Situational mods have been stated on the Battle Map page and bonuses and penalties have been figured into both armies stats.

Step 2: The Order of Battle: Unit Leadership test for initiative-

Harizän
TN n/a Seige-craft +3, Specialty +2
-------------------------
Roll(2d6)+5: 5,5,+5 Total:15

Thuidmar
TN n/a Seige-craft +5, Specialty +2, Injured -3
-------------------------
Roll(2d6)+4: 3,5,+4 Total:12

Step 3: Leader's Position: Thuidmar is on the Outskirts; Harizän is in the Thick of Battle

Step 4: Manoeuvres:

Harizän's army:

Manoeuver 1: Press the Attack - Heavy wains in Plains East commit attack on  Éothraim  Heavy Cavalry formation in Plains East...
TN 15 Melee +18
-------------------------
Roll(2d6)+18: 4,5,+18 Total:27 SUCCESS [+2 bonus to all armies for Melee combat attacks]

Manoeuvre 2: Inspire - Harizän and the Sagath give a war shout...
TN 10 Seige-craft +5, Specialty +2
-------------------------
Roll(2d6)+7: 3,5,+7 Total:15 SUCCESS [+3 bonus to all units Toughness]

Manoeuvre 3: Rally - Light cavalry unit re-grouped in Plains West...
TN 10 Seige-craft +3, Specialty +2
-------------------------
Roll(2d6)+5: 3,4,+5 Total:12 SUCCESS [LC Unit rallied]

Thuidmar's army:

Manoeuver 1: Rally - Thuidmar rallies his light cavalry units that have been disarrayed in the earlier moments of the conflict...
TN 10 Seige-craft +5, Specialty +2, Injured -3
-------------------------
Roll(2d6)+4: 5,3,+4 Total:13 SUCCESS [LC Unit rallied]

Manoeuvre 2: Press the Attack - heavy cavalry from Plains East commit attack on Easterling Heavy Wains formation in Plains East...
TN 15 Melee +18
-------------------------
Roll(2d6)+18: 4,4,+18 Total:26 SUCCESS [+2 bonus to all armies for Melee combat attacks]

Step 5: Launch Attacks

Harizän attacks in Plains East and West with all available formations...

Sagath heavy wains attack Éothraim heavy cavalry
TN 24 Melee +18, Man mod +2
-------------------------
Roll(2d6)+20: 6,6,1,+20 Total:33 SUCCESS [11 units imperiled, but there are only 10 to imperil... so 10 ]

Sagath light cavalry attack Éothraim light cavalry in Plains West
TN 18 Melee +11, Man mod +2
-------------------------
Roll(2d6)+13: 3,4,+13 Total:20 SUCCESS [6 units imperiled]

Sagath archers attack Éothraim light cavalry in Plains East
TN 18 Ranged +10, Man mod +2
-------------------------
Roll(2d6)+12: 3,6,+12 Total:21 SUCCESS [1 unit imperiled]

Durgil's archers attack:
ILA, attacking Harizan's LA
TN 14 RC - Roll(2d6)+11: 3,1,+11 Total:15 COMPLETE SUCCESS [1 units imperiled]

ELA, attacking Harizan's LC
TN 15 RC - Roll(2d6)+12: 2,2,+12 Total:17 COMPLETE SUCCESS [5 units imperiled]

Fengel Maneuvers and attacks:
Manoeuvre 1: Inspire
TN 10 Bearing +2
-------------------------
Roll(2d6)+2: 1,4,+2 Total:7+1 courage = 10 SUCCESS [+3 bonus to all units Toughness]

Manoeuvre 2: Press the attack
TN 15 Melee +13
-------------------------
Roll(2d6)+2: 5,5,+13 Total:23 SUCCESS [+2 bonus to all units Melee]

Cavalry smashes into wainriders
TN 22 Melee +13, Man mod +2
-------------------------
Roll(2d6)+17: 6,2,+15 Total:23 MARGINAL SUCCESS [2 HW units imperiled]

Dirnhael Maneuvers and attacks:
Manoeuvre 1: Inspire
TN 10 Siegecraft +7, Specialty +2
-------------------------
Roll(2d6)+9: 6,1,+9 Total:16 SUCCESS [+3 bonus to all units Toughness]

Infantry smashes into wainriders, trying to upset their charge and attack as they pass
TN 22 Melee +13, Man mod +2
-------------------------
Roll(2d6)+15: 3,2,+15 Total:20 FAILED

Thuidmar and Company attack in Plains East and West with all available formations:

Plains West Light cavalry attacks Easterling Light cavalry
TN 15 Melee +12, Man Mod +2
-------------------------
Roll(2d6)+14: 3,4,+14 Total:21 Superior success [6 units imperiled]

Plains East Light Cavalry attacks Easterling Light Archers
TN 14 Melee +12, Man Mod +2
-------------------------
Roll(2d6)+14: 3,2,+14 Total:19 Complete Success [1 unit imperiled]

Plains East Heavy cavalry attack Easterling Heavy wains
TN 22 Melee combat +18, Man Mod +2
-------------------------
Roll(2d6)+20: 1,4,+20 Total:25 Complete success [10 units imperiled]

Step 6: Determine Casualties

Thuidmar has 10 heavy cavalry units imperiled in Plains East: 4 unit losses

Thuidmar has 6 light cavalry units imperiled in Plains West: 0 unit losses

Thuidmar has 1 light cavalry unit imperiled in Plains East: 0 unit losses

Harizän has 6 light cavalry units imperiled in Plains West (5 must save 2x): 1 unit loss

Harizän has 1 light archer units imperiled in Plains East (must save 2x): 1 unit loss

Harizän has 10 Heavy wain units imperiled in Plains East (2 units must save 2x): 1 unit loss

Step 7: Leaders' Fates see narrative below...

Step 8: Fighting On Of course!

Battle map is updated.

[tomcat]

It took some time for Durgil to make his re-positions but at last the archers of the Éothraim and Ilanin soldiers were in place along the cliff wall.

Fengel rallied the troops around him and then mounted his horse. With him at the lead, the host moved out again at great speed. Unfortunately, Harizän had also begun to move. The combined armies of the Company wedged head on into the wagons of the Sagath and the effects were devastating. Horses and men fell on both sides but the heavy cavalrymen of the Éothraim were this time bested.

From his vantage on the field, Dirnhael could see his friend push deeper into the enemy, trying to get closer to the large Easterling that stood upon the back of a wain, shouting and goading on his men. Fengel saw Harizän at last and knew he could press his position to get close to his archnemesis.

The Easterling saw Fengel too, and smiled as this leader of the Éothraim tried to rally his men around him. The huge Sagath figured that if he took another of the straw-hairs' chiefs, he would not only break their strength, but also their will. Harizän yelled an order in his driver's ear, to bring the wagon to the fore of the vanguard of the Éothraim.

The rider was weary from the road. It had been many weeks now that he had been riding, following a trail that was as vague as the passing of a breeze. Fortunately, those he sought had made impressions enough, in the different locations that they had passed through, as to give him a road to follow.

His name was Gloraglil and he was on an urgent mission for his king in the far-off realm of Arthedain. Word needed to be gotten to the young noble who had embarked on a journey with a knight of the realm... word of his father's passing.



[OOC:] Please give me any narratives that you would like, and I also need Dirnhael and Fengel to give me their PC's disposition from combat - but this is only if Fengel and Dirnhael do not engage Harizän.

[sdrotar]

Dirnhael saw the look in Harizan's eyes even as he defended himself from the Easterling's blades. He was certain that if Fengel did not engage the invaders' leader, Harizan would engage Fengel.

He smashed one Easterling with a shield, trying to clear a path towards Harizan. He would not deny Fengel this; but he would not let his friend be cut down, "honor" be damned.

As he trudged through the gathered throng of swords and shields, he shouted to his men: "Show no fear; no quarter! This battle's end is nearing - free these lands and fight until there is no strength left!"

The infantry would have to muddle through without him for now; for if Fengel - or he, if necessary - stood or fell, the day would be won or lost within a matter of minutes. He gripped Vorandur ever tighter and kept moving; paying little attention, save what was necessary, to the battle that raged around him.

[Palandil]

Fengel rallied the troops around him and then mounted his horse. With him at the lead, the host moved out again at great speed. Unfortunately, Harizän had also begun to move. The combined armies of the Company wedged head on into the wagons of the Sagath and the effects were devastating. Horses and men fell on both sides but the heavy cavalrymen of the Éothraim were this time bested.

From his vantage on the field, Dirnhael could see his friend push deeper into the enemy, trying to get closer to the large Easterling that stood upon the back of a wain, shouting and goading on his men. Fengel saw Harizän at last and knew he could press his position to get close to his archnemesis.

The Easterling saw Fengel too, and smiled as this leader of the Éothraim tried to rally his men around him. The huge Sagath figured that if he took another of the straw-hairs' chiefs, he would not only break their strength, but also their will. Harizän yelled an order in his driver's ear, to bring the wagon to the fore of the vanguard of the Éothraim.

Fengel saw Harizan begin to draw closer as well.  It wouldn't be long before he could finally make this man answer for the pain and suffering he caused.  Thoughts of Gleowyn came to his mind and he could feel pain in his heart for his sister, but the ringing of steel brought him back to his senses.  Though revenge may be what he selfishly desired, justice was what needed to be exacted.  Yes for all of the ill that Harizan had caused, he must pay the price.

OOC: I don't know what you mean by disposition.

[tomcat]

OOC: I don't know what you mean by disposition.

[OOC:] What I need from Fengel and Dirnhael is their combat rolls for this round of the battle, but only if you guys do not decide to engage Harizän. If you decide to engage, we'll go into a scene of one-on-one combat, all the while the battle rages around you.

If you decide not to, then you may either roll against the Leader's Fate table, or use the method I defined in the Battle introduction (a few posts back).

[Palandil]

OOC: Fengel will engage Harizan.

Fengel continued to lead his men forward pushing on towards the large easterling.  Finally the two warriors eyes met, and all the field was swallowed up in a moment of anger, wrath, hatred, and extirpation.

[sdrotar]

OOC: Sorry about the delay here. Dirnhael will try to be at the ready in case Fengel needs help, but this fight is his.
Using the Leader's Fate table again - Dirnhael is in the Heart of Battle.

Roll(2d6)+0:2,6,+0 Total:8

"Uninjured" again... barely.

***

Trying at once to fight and keep one eye on the Easterling leader, Dirnhael realized that he was pressing his luck; too many strokes fell to close to him. As he gritted his teeth and pushed towards the fight that he knew was coming, he vowed to be more careful.