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Age of Ice and Blood: A Pathfinder System Heroic Fantasy Quest

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Still not convinced that Negu isn't shady as hell, but I've got my fingers crossed that this might just be an instance of an overblown reputation.

I don't think we should try to go entirely overland. The island is fairly small, but it's not exactly hospitable terrain and some of the natives (such as the Redcaps) could make things difficult, and that's ignoring interference from Obari's forces. Hugging the coast and taking a circuitous route shouldn't take that long, barring interruptions, and would allow us to visit most of the contested settlements. Why not have men go overland, those gathered from Korman and some from the most heavily damaged ships, while Marcella and the other intact ships shadow them from the sea? Then when we get to a settlement, we can come at it from both land and sea, cutting off easy escape routes and forcing defenders to split their forces.

We're in Orinyiya at the moment, so swinging south to pick up friendlies from Apatagiga and Igigoolu would put us in a good position to move on Owkuta. After that is resolved, we could then circle back north counter-clockwise, hitting up the other settlements as we work our way toward Noromo. That would let us touch base at every major settlement except for Emuina (which has the Redcaps, so should be avoided anyway).

Legend:
Gold: Capital
Red: Villages pledging fealty directly to Obari
Orange: Houses loyal to Obari
Blue: Villages with sympathies towards Aina and her cause
 
Here's what I've got for now. Any suggestions ya'll have are welcome. I'm much more comfortable handling small scale stuff, like individual party encounters and the like, so trying to map out a general strategy for the campaign is difficult. Don't wanna mess anything up, you know?

[X] Hybrid Approach; Land/Sea Pincer-type assault
-[X] Suggest that rather than approaching only from the land or the sea would limit our options. Instead we can do both.
--[X] Negu's men from Orinyiya, reinforced by men from the most damaged of our surviving ships (which might be left behind to continue undergoing repairs, if possible), could hug the island's coastline while the least damaged ships shadow them at sea. First we would approach Apatagiga and Igigoolu, which remain loyal to Aina and will be where our Giant allies gather.
---[X] Once we consolidate our forces at Igigoolu, we can move to assault Owkuta. While the men and any Giants accompanying them attack from the land, our ships will sweep in to cut off the easiest escape route from Owkuta then simultaneously assault the settlement from the sea, forcing defenders to split their attention between us.
----[X] Depending on how the assault on Owkuta goes and Obari's response, we might then decide to move directly on Noromo or circle back around the island, stopping at and potentially attacking the other settlements on our way to Noromo. Chances are we will have provoked a confrontation between his forces and ours before we are able to stop at every settlement.
 
Perhaps we should split? If we have a way to coordinate via magic, we could split off- the men from the damaged ships leapfrog to the friendly villages, pick up reinforcements, then knock out Owkuta and dig in their heels in preparation for a counter blow, since Owkuta is probably quite valuable. Meanwhile, a smaller but substantial fleet loops north to continue negotiations with the Lords- since if they decided to mobilise against us, they could deal serious damage to the friendly villages while we're leading the warriors that'd normally defend them.

It also means we hit the king's reputation on two fronts- we're stealing his Wealth (the smitheries) and simultaneously turning his vassals. If he decides to strike at one, then the other could reinforce them or flank the crown forces in days, since it's not a very large island we're talking about here.

I vote we lead the assault on Owkuta, either way. It's probably well guarded, so it may get very nasty.
 
I'd also be very hesitant about sending, as the lords put, fishermen and foresters into battle. Already existent warriors is always good, and locals as guides and to do jobs that our own people then don't need to do- even if it's just repairing ships- is excellent, but sending poorly equipped locals into actual pitched conflict against our enemy as anything not a last resort or a very clever trick mostly just sounds like a waste of lives. We want to have this place intact afterwards, and getting the local population to bleed tremendously for it won't help that.
 
Shine said:
Perhaps we should split? If we have a way to coordinate via magic, we could split off- the men from the damaged ships leapfrog to the friendly villages, pick up reinforcements, then knock out Owkuta and dig in their heels in preparation for a counter blow, since Owkuta is probably quite valuable. Meanwhile, a smaller but substantial fleet loops north to continue negotiations with the Lords- since if they decided to mobilise against us, they could deal serious damage to the friendly villages while we're leading the warriors that'd normally defend them.

It also means we hit the king's reputation on two fronts- we're stealing his Wealth (the smitheries) and simultaneously turning his vassals. If he decides to strike at one, then the other could reinforce them or flank the crown forces in days, since it's not a very large island we're talking about here.

I vote we lead the assault on Owkuta, either way. It's probably well guarded, so it may get very nasty.
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My first and main objective would be Owkuta, after linking up with the friendly settlements and the Giants. It's too early to really say what to do after that, though. Taking Owkuta could be enough provocation to force Daemon!Obari to confront us, or we might need to circle back around the island and visit a few more settlements.

I definitely do not want to split up, though, not more than necessary to transport our combined forces by land and sea. Two smaller and completely separate forces is just asking for bad shit to happen to one or both of them.
 
[X] Goldfish

A bit of offtop: yesterday I participated in the first DnD session (online) in my life. It was an... interesting experience. :)
 
Arhin said:
[X] Goldfish

A bit of offtop: yesterday I participated in the first DnD session (online) in my life. It was an... interesting experience. :)
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Did you have fun? I haven't gamed in years and years, but from what I understand there is now a really robust online community that makes finding parties to run games much easier than in the old days.
 
Shine said:
What to do about the northern Lords, though?
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I would prefer to circle back around the island and visit them as well before moving on Noromo. Didn't include that in my plan, though, because that would be looking too far forward IMO. We should see how things go in Owkuta first. The situation might dictate that we move directly on Noromo from there, or Obari might attempt to confront our forces at that point.
 
Goldfish said:
Did you have fun? I haven't gamed in years and years, but from what I understand there is now a really robust online community that makes finding parties to run games much easier than in the old days.
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Definitely yes. I found community in LotRO guild plus one colleague from work.
At first presumably-party-which-gardered-in-tavern had difficulties to organize in real party, especially after the quarrel between fighter and paladin which lead to the fight which have been barely redirected into drinking contest.
Then it was an encounter, but then first fighter won perception test, then enemies loose iniative, and finally I broke for GM all encaunter scenario with Sleep spell. He cursed theese "useless" foes and was ought to "turn on the brain" for them. This helped... a little... especially when paladin-tabaxi genially run straight into the encircling. But we managed to win and even took one prisoner!
 
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Arc 12 Post 35: A Company Divided
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    • A Company Divided ​

    Third Day of Elnu-Hamba (Elnu Descendent), 1349 A. L. (After Landfall)

    "Why divide our strength at all?" you speak up, thinking back to another battleground where the fleets had done little else but set an arm upon the shore to bake under the deadly desert sun. This is not Egypt and the foe is not as numerous as the Saracen, hopefully they are not as determined to keep you out either. "A part of our warriors could march upon the shore towards the villages that yet hold to the cause of the lady Aina... of the queen," you correct yourself. "Meanwhile we can shadow them from the sea with such ships as are most seaworthy, ready at once to reinforce in case of an attack from inland..."

    "But not really for an attack from the sea," Antonio cuts you off with an apologetic look. "The ships would be caught against the shore and hard to maneuver with at least part of our warriors ashore to join the march. We would be stung up close with the lone easily cut by a daring captain, or so far as we would not be able to reinforce a land battle in time, though perhaps I misjudge our company in this matter. I have not oft had the chance to sail in the company of ships so easily put to shore." You are more than a little impressed that he managed to say that and sound complementary of the 'overgrown rowboats' which he was quick

    "Time to get off ship, time to fight, not the same," Pogu shakes his head. "We do not fight like the wild men of the north which you know so well master... knight, but in shield wall with archery behind light armored youths at the flanks to tear at the foe like the fangs of the wolf. Split us and it will be like splitting a man down the middle that his left hand will not reach his right."

    "We do not have to stay like that," you offer carefully laying out tout full plan. "Once we join with the loyal folk of Igigoolu we can move all together to take Owkuta, thus would the gauntlet be cast down.If the enemy is bold then we shall meet him on the field and if he is a coward then we shall face him on the walls of his own capital..." With what siege train, the voice of distant worry finally makes itself heard. Hard enough to take the walls of the capital, but to try to take he Thousand caves themselves seems in this hour a task beyond the lessened host and divided company you sail with.

    Those same lords are alas unmoved, especially the lady Akuto. One the one hand you can hardly blame her, the ships of her captains had taken the most harm so they would provide many of the warriors for the landward push. all well and good until one considers that it would make it hardest for them to withdraw from peril or to reposition. No one admits it aloud, for that would be timid and ill befit one of the sea lords of the Anwa, but one would have to be blind not to see that fear upon the faces of all the lords.... save Darun Halfhand.

    The one handed man rises to his feet, looking between you and Ohun. "I'll go if no one else wills it, I and the men of House Torag do not feat to tread upon the foeman's ground and we will hold as long as we must if the enemy comes at us from Inland."

    "Do you agree to join with this host Lord de Verley?" the priest asks at once, realizing that if he did not give the man the chance to prove his valor after the storm he might offer a challenge right before the eyes of the silent Negu.

    What do you reply?

    [] Agree to be part of the landward host together with Negu and Darun's warriors, though that is a smaller company than you might have hoped the plan could still work (the Fellowship will march alongside 130 Anwa Warriors and 20 armored Clan Guard)

    [] Demure, the plan is unworkable with so few and you do not trust the good sense of Darun or the swiftness of the other Anwa to come to your rescue (Go by sea)

    [] Write in

    OOC: This could have gone worse, but it could have gone better... though it is mostly a case of your army not having a unified leadership anymore.
     
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    • What do ya'll think? I really don't want us to take the land route while leaving Marcella largely undefended among the Anwari, both those we're allied with and those loyal to Obari, never mind whatever other forces he might have available. If we don't accompany them, though, it might cause other issues...
     
    We would still have Antonio and the sailors on board, with Ripper as a nearby surprise.

    [X] Agree to be part of the landward host together with Negu and Darun's warriors, though that is a smaller company than you might have hoped the plan could still work (the Fellowship will march alongside 130 Anwa Warriors and 20 armored Clan Guard)
     
    [X] Agree to be part of the landward host together with Negu and Darun's warriors, though that is a smaller company than you might have hoped the plan could still work (the Fellowship will march alongside 130 Anwa Warriors and 20 armored Clan Guard)
     
    [X] Agree to be part of the landward host together with Negu and Darun's warriors, though that is a smaller company than you might have hoped the plan could still work (the Fellowship will march alongside 130 Anwa Warriors and 20 armored Clan Guard)
     
    [X] Agree to be part of the landward host together with Negu and Darun's warriors, though that is a smaller company than you might have hoped the plan could still work (the Fellowship will march alongside 130 Anwa Warriors and 20 armored Clan Guard)
     
    [X] Agree to be part of the landward host together with Negu and Darun's warriors, though that is a smaller company than you might have hoped the plan could still work (the Fellowship will march alongside 130 Anwa Warriors and 20 armored Clan Guard)
     
    This is kinda weird, an invasion with about 170 people.
    If the enemy manages to ralley the people against us they have enough people with farming tools and hunting weapons to murder us all, no matter how shiny our sword is.
    Zaia is the closest thing to big ordinance that we can field and he only has a few shots per day.

    But luckily these are daemons, so we can at least hope they aren't good at inspiring people to be willing to die to kill the invaders.
     
    Artemis1992 said:
    This is kinda weird, an invasion with about 170 people.
    If the enemy manages to ralley the people against us they have enough people with farming tools and hunting weapons to murder us all, no matter how shiny our sword is.
    Zaia is the closest thing to big ordinance that we can field and he only has a few shots per day.

    But luckily these are daemons, so we can at least hope they aren't good at inspiring people to be willing to die to kill the invaders.
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    This island is not very large, though, so the overall population is going to be low. 170 men should be quite a lot, at least in comparison to what's available.
     
    Goldfish said:
    This island is not very large, though, so the overall population is going to be low. 170 men should be quite a lot, at least in comparison to what's available.
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    When we visited Noromo it made the impression of a decently-sized capital to me.
    Even if the rest of the isle is less populated we shouldn't underestimate the numbers either.
     
    Artemis1992 said:
    When we visited Noromo it made the impression of a decently-sized capital to me.
    Even if the rest of the isle is less populated we shouldn't underestimate the numbers either.
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    Yes, but how many of those are combatants, how many are still alive after the better part of a year under Daemon rule, and how many were transients in the city for trade before continuing on to other locales? The island is just too small to support a large population, and it certainly isn't going to be importing the food necessary to feed a populous city.
     
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