However going by magical durability of Minotaur skin as an example of such. (TSS) Actually injecting a paralyzing agent into their bodies will be difficultly. And any magical stun effects would probably be temporary and of short duration since that's almost always how it works in games.
The ZnT main story is always subordinate to TH's choices. TSS is so full of one-off crap that's never seen anywhere again, that it should be disregarded entirely.
And injection? If that venus flytrap mob first appearing in this story is any indication, all they need to do is breath in the spores.
Like I said, I decided both sides were making good points about Octavia, so I flipped a coin to decide for myself what her short term fate will be.
The beauty about her power is that because she's weakened when out of water, she wont be too OP if I decide to use her on land later, such as during the Jotunheim arc. Though someone should mention to Prim that hitting her with a blizzard is a really bad idea.
Oh, and before I forget, coming around and attacking Freelia from the land side, would be extremely stupid! You'd risk getting your forces in a pincer attack, getting caught between a Fortified position, and the enemy fleet. That, would be a Slaughter, pure and simple.
Honestly a smash and grab Reconquista's only chance at success. Fly in and try and level the cities to the ground and then go home to claim victory.
Otherwise the Reconquista fleet will get torn apart trying to take something that they inevitably cannot hold. Seriously trying to fight a vertical mobile force in an urban arena is asking to get wrecked hard.
Hit and run strikes will likely get torn to pieces anyway by mixed Tristain/Fae air patrols, if there is any kind of early warning system. Griffins and Halk Dragons would handle the escorts while the Fae Dragoons would lay the hurt on the ships. It's a catch 22, if they commit too many forces the Reconquista would have to aim for a big win, but if they go with hit and run the ASDF and Tristainian military will tear them a new one with a little help from an early warning system.
That, I agree with... Hit and fade strikes, to weaken and sow fear in Tristain and the Fae, weakening their resolve. But, a full invasion, shouldn't happen until Spring. However, those who know this, are not the ones in charge.
Here, is what I see happening, on each field of battle.
Freelia: Having already been described as a Sandstone Island Minas Tirith. In addition, it has Cannons that are more accurate and longer range then Reconquista's, and has Fae Dragon Riders, means a Siege on Freelia is nothing less then futile at this point. I see a Massive rout for Reconquista's forces, if not a complete and total loss of all ships and men.
Sylvain: Will be a Bloody battle, as it isn't as heavily defended, but, the flight advantage and speed of the Sylphs means that most likely, Reconquista will end up having their airships get captured there. Maybe not all of them, but somewhere between a quarter to half of the Airships captured.
Cadenza: Organized retreat of the Fae forces, with harriers leaving the Reconquista forces off guard, and the area so well trapped that trying to hold it will end up costing them more men then the Sylvain battle.
That makes quite a lot of sense. So as it stand the best battle plan for Albion would be to move under cover of darkness through Germania and strike behind the lines while launching the main frontal assault. The downside is the deep strike force probably is not coming back Also, it essentially guarantees Germania's early entrance into the war. They may have been content to sit back and watch to learn what the Fae and Tristain have been working on but by Reconquista cutting through their territory undetected it will put the whole country in a bad political position. It will compromise their ability to bargain for resources or future concession. Also, an enemy force sworn to overthrown the current rules of Halk just cut through your territory when you are still ostensibly neutral, everyone will know something is up if you don't get involved.
Personally, I think that Joseph may just be the one that lets them through... only for the Reconquista forces to run headlong into the heavily fortified Gaddan.
The ZnT main story is always subordinate to TH's choices. TSS is so full of one-off crap that's never seen anywhere again, that it should be disregarded entirely.
You know, I get that you want to remove the majority of ZnT's showings from consideration. So the story is nothing more then an endless string of Fae Curbstomps.
But you need to understand that not everybody enjoys such a thing. And instead hopes to see people having to work for their happy endings.
And injection? If that venus flytrap mob first appearing in this story is any indication, all they need to do is breath in the spores.
You know, I get that you want to remove the majority of ZnT's showings from consideration. So the story is nothing more then an endless string of Fae Curbstomps.
But you need to understand that not everybody enjoys such a thing. And instead wants to see people having to work for their happy endings.
That was a Raid Boss though.
Irony anyone?
Since Vaer clearly wants a bad ending and for the Fae to be Curbstomped despite the fact its plainly shown the Fae on Average are MUCH stronger.
Also many of the "ZnT Showings" of Vaers are from the side stories which are for the most part untranslated and he WONT show or Cite his sources.
Vaer has constantly and aggressively argued against the Fae giving them idiot balls after Idiot Balls and taking things in the worse way possible.
I'm curious, I know that the Albion forces drafted in Orcs. When did they draft in Minotaurs and other more powerful and impressive native creatures?
Frankly, I think that Albion would be far better off simply picking a spot off the coast, landing, and fortifying it properly as a beachhead. Something they might do after a failed invasion of fairy cities, or realizing that the one they take is poorly positioned relative to untaken enemy territory.
Oh and on books. They would be key spoils of war. Yes you might not be able to read them NOW. But you still want them. You want them because you can take prisoners, you can have captive zombies read them, you can bribe someone to read them, you can have a spy go learn the language etc. Just burning them is idiocy. I don't think Cromwell is an idiot. So even if he cannot make immediate use of them he would still have standing orders for all papers, books, maps, etc to be preserved and shipped back to Albion.
<Frost King Þrym> was the boss they fought before recovering Excaliber.
You are thinking of <Archduke Þjazi>.
Who unfortunately seems to have at least limited access to the Cardinal system. Given that he was capable of sending a system message to the various players.
You know, I get that you want to remove the majority of ZnT's showings from consideration. So the story is nothing more then an endless string of Fae Curbstomps.
This would be more meaningful if the dozen or so threads of you underplaying, dismissing, and putting down everything the Fae do or can do when compared to Halk, didn't indicate you want a curb stomp, but just on the Halk side of things.
The principle is still the same if they have equivalent abilities/effects. Heck, an Elf can probably be taken out by a low class mob if circumstances are right, just by the fact that they would be ignorant of ALFheim mobs' abilities.
I'm curious, I know that the Albion forces drafted in Orcs. When did they draft in Minotaurs and other more powerful and impressive native creatures?
Frankly, I think that Albion would be far better off simply picking a spot off the coast, landing, and fortifying it properly as a beachhead. Something they might do after a failed invasion of fairy cities, or realizing that the one they take is poorly positioned relative to untaken enemy territory..
That would be a very good strategy, but again, those in charge are insisting on "Attack the Fae Cities!" And as has been REPEATEDLY mentioned, is a very bad idea. There isn't any way for it to work for them in the long term. Worse, it looks like they are going to lose people and ships that they can't replace easily.
On the war discussion, i thought id dig up the description given before dunkirk.
Of course, accurate numbers are difficult to come by, but working with the worst
case scenarios, the Rebels could have upwards of fifty two ships of the line and over
one hundred rated frigates and cruisers.Estimates based on prewar forces and the
number of free companies hired give them something on the order of eighty to
ninety thousand ground troops and perhaps as many as four hundred and fifty
Dragon Knights. If the pre war troop numbers and mage distribution in the
mercenary forces remain consistent, than one in fifteen of those ground troops will
be mages." La Remee said as if giving nothing more exciting than an account of the
weather.
As he spoke, La Remee began to make gestures with a pointer which also turned
out to be a magical focus. With a casual wave of his wand he summoned forth a
number of the small troop markers and arrayed them around Albion atop a large
map spread over the center of the table. Once satisfied he began doing the same
with Tristain, but this time with blue painted markers. "To oppose them we have
only twenty six ships of the line and sixty of our own cruisers and frigates. Our
ground forces number only fifteen thousand with an additional two thousand Faerie
volunteers in the mob patrols. We also have only one hundred and sixty Dragon
Knights, less than half of their total number. While our mage ratio is much better,
one in seven, it is overcome in terms of absolute numbers."
"We've also been informed that the Griffin Knights may . . . be made available to
support Dragon Knights directly. That brings the air cavalry to almost one hundred
and ninety."
So, there they had
Ground Troops: 15.000 vs 90.000
Ships of the Line: 26 vs 52
Smaller Ships: 60 vs 100
Flying Cavalery: 190 vs 450
Now dunkirk was a massive sucess, it would have altered the Ships of the LIne thing into something closer to 30 vs 40, cost them perhaps up to 50 cavalery, a few frigates, and thousands of ground troops at dunkirk.
So maybe afterwards they were a something like
Ground: 15.000 vs 80.000
Ships Line 30 vs 40
Smaller ships 55 vs. 90
Cavalry 180 vs 400
Fae ..... ?
This is still not really a winning situation, esspecially that it can be assumed the enemy will attempt to develop counterstrategies against the fae, and unless thoroughly paralyzed by ideology will at least do better than in these first engagements.
Both sides have been trying to increase their numbers and training since then, but the exact outcome of that is harder to place.
Albin also lost all but one of their Zombie Fae, but against opponents prepared for them they would neevr have amounted to all that much.
Not just her imagination. There were just orcs, trolls and demi-humans armed with spears and clubs. Though they could see a mage commanding them… there were no soldiers in sight.
"Using demi-humans as an army replacement is a cheap stuff. However… those brutal orc demons are following the humans as well…"
"There must be some kind of trick. However I do not know how that mage can make them obey."
On the war discussion, i thought id dig up the description given before dunkirk.
So, there they had
Ground Troops: 15.000 vs 90.000
Ships of the Line: 26 vs 52
Smaller Ships: 60 vs 100
Flying Cavalery: 190 vs 450
Now dunkirk was a massive sucess, it would have altered the Ships of the LIne thing into something closer to 30 vs 40, cost them perhaps up to 50 cavalery, a few frigates, and thousands of ground troops at dunkirk.
So maybe afterwards they were a something like
Ground: 15.000 vs 80.000
Ships Line 37 vs 40
Smaller ships 55 vs. 90
Cavalry 180 vs 400
Fae : At least a couple hundred
This is still not really a winning situation, esspecially that it can be assumed the enemy will attempt to develop counterstrategies against the fae, and unless thoroughly paralyzed by ideology will at least do better than in these first engagements.
Both sides have been trying to increase their numbers and training since then, but the exact outcome of that is harder to place.
Albin also lost all but one of their Zombie Fae, but against opponents prepared for them they would neevr have amounted to all that much.
And they cost them a square (Wardes) while Tristains "hero" units in the Battle (Karin, Asuna, Kirito, Wales, Mortimer, Eugene, Morgiana) made it out ok.
This list however seems to look like they gambled considerably more on that front.
"Technology" is another factor where delaying longer will not end in albions favor, unless Joseph really throws more at them, which is unlikely.
In the end I gave it a pass because it had too much of a harsh and cold feeling to it. So it might be better for a neutral Undine themed city that's in the Rainbow Vally.
Right.. so no mention of Minotaurs and their incredible hide. In fact, you can make a fairly obvious assumption that anything added to the army is easily controlled or killed by a mage. Otherwise you can't keep them in your control enough to use. Please don't say things like this as the next time it might be. "Well of those 400 dragon knights 30 are actually on rhyme dragons so, you know Albion will have the advantage because their mounts can cast spells as well." Then finding a quote that says that they had Wind Dragons, and Fire Dragons, and other dragon knights as justification for claiming that some are Ryhme Dragons.
And they cost them a square (Wardes) while Tristains "hero" units in the Battle (Karin, Asuna, Kirito, Wales, Mortimer, Eugene, Morgiana) made it out ok.
This list however seems to look like they gambled considerably more on that front.
"Technology" is another factor where delaying longer will not end in albions favor, unless Joseph really throws more at them, which is unlikely.
True
But how much of that they understand is the question.
See as readers with Meta knowledge we understand the Fae can jump tech levels but Albion and Joesph dont know that.
We are also unsure how many Tech upgrades the Spies showed or even thought of as relevant.
So the Fact the Fae are tech superior by Hundreds of years is most likely lost on them.
And Dunkirk was a gamble but a safe one since Albion having the greatest airforce in the world would never assume someone would strike them at home like they did.
That is interesting... however, it is unlikely they'll bring any Trolls or Ogres with them for the attack. Orcs, maybe, if only as disposable shock troops, but not the Trolls or Ogres, as they'd need the room on the Airships for their Dragons, Mages, and troops. The Trolls and Ogres, are more likely to show up during the Abion invasion.
And they cost them a square (Wardes) while Tristains "hero" units in the Battle (Karin, Asuna, Kirito, Wales, Mortimer, Eugene, Morgiana) made it out ok.
This list however seems to look like they gambled considerably more on that front.
"Technology" is another factor where delaying longer will not end in Albions favor, unless Joseph really throws more at them, which is unlikely.
Cromwell, and his inner Circle, are not likely to understand that. They are not strategists, but politicians. What is more, they are not listening to those that know how to fight a war. Lets face it, Reconquiesta, only got as far as it did, because almost everyone felt they were better then The Tyrant King. The attacks, are already doomed to fail. Not with out causing damages to the Fae, and likely causing a LOT of death on both sides, but Abion, won't be in any kind of shape to press the attack after words.
Right.. so no mention of Minotaurs and their incredible hide. In fact, you can make a fairly obvious assumption that anything added to the army is easily controlled or killed by a mage. Otherwise you can't keep them in your control enough to use. Please don't say things like this as the next time it might be. "Well of those 400 dragon knights 30 are actually on rhyme dragons so, you know Albion will have the advantage because their mounts can cast spells as well." Then finding a quote that says that they had Wind Dragons, and Fire Dragons, and other dragon knights as justification for claiming that some are Ryhme Dragons.
I didn't say they had Minotaurs, I said they had Ogre's and Troll's which had tough skin.
And then pointed out that the only example of "Tough Skin" we had on a magical creature was with the Minotaur. And just what it's skin was shown to be capable of standing up to.
Which is my point.
The Albion forces have no way to understand that the Tech war is going to go south for them the longer they wait.
They might understand their secret of ranges are gone but not that its being turned around on them completely.
I didn't say they had Minotaurs, I said they had Ogre's and Troll's which had tough skin.
And then pointed out that the only example of "Tough Skin" we had on a magical creature was with the Minotaur. And just what it's skin was shown to be capable of standing up to.
And What Vaer doesnt understand Tough Skin covers a LOT
Sharks, Tigers, Lions, Bears and Elephants all have tough Skin.
An Elephant can shrug off some Calibers of Gunfire dont know what types off the top of my head.
Tigers, Lions, and Bears cant. It might not kill them but it will penetrate unlike an Elephants hide.
So using the Tough Skin from one animals and then using that as a base board is illogical in the extreme.
So maybe afterwards they were a something like
Ground: 15.000 vs ~80.000
Ships Line: 37 vs 40
Smaller ships: 55 vs. 90
Cavalry: ~180 vs ~400
Fae : ~150 vs 1(Z)
This is still not really a winning situation, esspecially that it can be assumed the enemy will attempt to develop counterstrategies against the fae, and unless thoroughly paralyzed by ideology will at least do better than in these first engagements.
Both sides have been trying to increase their numbers and training since then, but the exact outcome of that is harder to place.
Albin also lost all but one of their Zombie Fae, but against opponents prepared for them they would neevr have amounted to all that much.
This is only if Tristain take the fight to Albion. Because Albion is coming to them the Fae troops support will go up to anywhere from one to three thousand depending on volunteer rates and City Watch strengths. Also, if these numbers are based off forces involved in Dunkirk IIRC Tristain held a large number of Dragon Knights and other Air Cav back because it was too difficult to get them in position.
Now on to the force multipliers. TRIST has been hard at work improving any military tech they can get their hands on and are probably very close to having a working steam engine. The cannon upgrades have been mostly distributed to the navy and front-line cities. There are heavy fixed fortifications around said cities and because they are Fae cities they come with automatic air cav units that can do boarding actions and cast spells. The new rifles are still rolling out but the stopgap for the current muskets with the paper cartridges will definitely cut down reload time. Once TRIST works out how to make a cycling action they can move to magazine fed weapons (Side note: are they working on gatling guns? You could mount them on ships to do some serious damage.)
In short, the ASDF and Tristain Royal Navy conventional forces have range, accuracy, and reload speed over the Reconquista forces. ASDF and Tristain Royal Army have more mages on tap and a significant number of forces that can alternate between being infantry and air superiority to bolster their current air cav numbers. Reconquista is going in with bad intel and poor understanding of the enemy. The best they can hope for is that when they finally do attack Tristain they don't get completely ROFL-stomped.
Because I have a feeling this is relevant in terms of the hurt heading Reconquista's way with the current train of thought:
EDIT: Not that Cromwell's forces don't deserve to be on the receiving end of it but still, there isn't going to be much of a navy left if Reconquista charges headlong into the Fae coastal defenses. Which they will because fanatics are in charge and they demand that 'a Fae city must be capture! One of the important ones! Freelia's closest, lets take that one! It only has some cats living there!'
I feel bad for Blake and Dunwell. They will see their downfall coming but won't really be able to do anything about it because the fanatics in the command structure. Those poor minions, they are going to get blown to smithereens when they think they're still at a safe distance.
