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Swords in the Darkness(IC)

ComiTurtle said:
Donoman nodded in response to the Steward's words. He bent down and snatched up his blanket cloak smacking off a few globs of snow and mud before wrapping it around himself again. Before moving out of the way of the next to announce themselves.

The squire would cover his nose with his cloak as the cart was wheeled about, the smell was horrid but not entirely unfamiliar, rotten lamb and mutton were familiar to him, but the view of a human body in such a state was what made it something more horrid than the rotted body of an any animal. The fire danced in Donoman's eyes the bodies being consumed warping into his own flesh, he was entranced unable to look away though he'd probably be ordered to stay focused on the display if he hadn't.

Donoman had already decided that it would be best for him to limit any and all interactions with Toyne, as such his departure was met with a loosening of his shoulders. He would approach Gilroy and Bighands for while he had no read on Gilroy, Bighands seemed warm and welcoming. He lifted his hand and waved at the two men as he approached clutching onto his cloak with the other so that it wouldn't fall off again. He had one question above all others he needed answering, "Where and when can I get a heavier cloak?"
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Gilroy always hated the burning ritual, especially some rangers had to find some sorry sap, kill them, and bring them back here for the effect. Or the stewards dredged up an old corpse for the job, but everyone hated doing that even worse. Bighands hadn't even payed much attention to the pyre, instead looking over each and every one of his new brothers. He hoped they'd make it all through the trials, praying silently to the Old Gods to let the men stay around at least that long. He hated it when friends went away, he liked to say they became snow angels, as they fell into the surface as their bodies dropped.

No one had the heart to tell him different. Big Hands spotted Donoman approaching and nudged Gilroy in preparation, almost knocking the far smaller man over as he rubbed his arm at the jab. "Gods damned Big Hands if you do that one more time.." He finally saw Donoman himself, and heard his question, coughing for a moment as he stood. "Blacksmith Garith outfits all the new recruits, he's over by the armory." Big Hands chuckled and nodded, waving his hands. "We can show you."

That idea drew an eye from Gilroy as he looked back to Donoman, the oafish giant seemed to have taken a liking to the old squire, probably for being the first too approach him. "Fine, fine. I knew we'd be spending the next moon's turn showing recruits around every nook and cranny when we were assigned to Toyne." He groaned for a moment, but sighed as he left. "So what's the jib Donon, you really got your hands on a highborne? In a melee? Where the fuck where you?" He laughed as Big Hands nodded, "Always wanted to see a Melee.." The giant said with a low but gentle voice.
 
phil03 said:
Theo nodded

''Training is gonna be different for you then for most recruits. They're gonna learn basic swordfight, how to shoot a bow, how to held their shield, how to obey basic orders, how to ride maybe and they're gonna try their hands with axes and warhammers. Most, if not all, of that you've already learned back home. If you spent your first day of training simply beating them to pulp you'll not only waste your time, you are gonna become disliked by your future brothers. Instead, you need share what you know, you see one of them not putting his foots at the right place you tell them, not like a sergeant of arms need to tell them to be sure they have to listen but like a brother who give an advice like another brother. That way you will not only serve the Watch already but start to learn something else: how to lead your other mens, what you need to know if you're ever to go as far as you seem to want.''
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"Makes sense, figure some of the crofters sons, tanners, stonemasons and the like aren't going to be too inclined to rub shoulders with a noble, even a bastard one"

phil03 said:
He paused, hesitated, and then continued on what seemed to him a particularly odd whim: ''And if you wish I can start to teach you something else myself during the hours when you aren't training: tactics, strategies and the like. I'm no mighty warlord but I've fought in great battles and I've commanded enough patrols and rangings that I feel I know a few thing about those things.''
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"If you could teach me I'd be willing to learn, if I want to become Lord Commander I'll need to learn how to lead and command"
 
Darth Invictus said:
"If you could teach me I'd be willing to learn, if I want to become Lord Commander I'll need to learn how to lead and command"
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Ted nodded pensively

''Join me in the dining hall the first evening you're sergeant of arms give you free'' he simply added ''We will find one of the more quiet table, away from the big group, and we will begin.''
 
Maelvona said:
"All horses brought with you will be slaughtered. We only use Mules and Garrons. Any weapons deemed inappropriate shall be withheld until your graduation. Your armour will be stripped, we will provide that for you. Any personal belongings, well, keep those hidden. You are in the company of thieves.
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Jazz looked around nervously as the group slowly dispersed and he was left bereft of the man he had been using as cover.

His brief moment of panick was visible to any who looked his direction right before he scuttled across the open courtyard to the blacksmith to get his weapon looked over.
 
Maelvona said:
No one had the heart to tell him different. Big Hands spotted Donoman approaching and nudged Gilroy in preparation, almost knocking the far smaller man over as he rubbed his arm at the jab. "Gods damned Big Hands if you do that one more time.." He finally saw Donoman himself, and heard his question, coughing for a moment as he stood. "Blacksmith Garith outfits all the new recruits, he's over by the armory." Big Hands chuckled and nodded, waving his hands. "We can show you."

That idea drew an eye from Gilroy as he looked back to Donoman, the oafish giant seemed to have taken a liking to the old squire, probably for being the first too approach him. "Fine, fine. I knew we'd be spending the next moon's turn showing recruits around every nook and cranny when we were assigned to Toyne." He groaned for a moment, but sighed as he left. "So what's the jib Donon, you really got your hands on a highborne? In a melee? Where the fuck where you?" He laughed as Big Hands nodded, "Always wanted to see a Melee.." The giant said with a low but gentle voice.
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"Please do." he smiled, his crooked and yellow teeth in full view himself completely unperturbed with showing them. "Ser Tadd and I were at Heart's Home, House Corbray's castle, their shields have crows carrying hearts on them... probably what helped put this thought in my mind." he paused, "I think they were celebrating their eldest's marriage. But the important thing is they didn't bar us, and there was a squire's melee before the knight jousts. I was able to participate." he looked at they two it seemed they were rather interested in the full story and talking seemed to make him warmer, maybe because he was focusing on something that wasn't physical.

"About 10 squires are led into a dirt circle with some tents set up around it, honestly I was the biggest in there, though also the only one without any armor. A horn was blown and about 4 of them all charged me, I think they were angry a lowborn was there. I had a spear so I could keep them at bay and most of them were really bad. One of them the Redfort, they have a red castle on their shields, though was very good and I wasn't able to easily hold him back so slammed my spear against his helmet so hard it wrung like a bell and he fell down. Didn't think he'd get back up, the others didn't, or even take another swing so when he charged at me I just reacted and thrust very deeply into his the side of his calf, it wasn't very well armored. I think it was his uncle that complained and demanded reparations for my intent to kill the squire. And no I didn't win, I conceded to the Royce squire there when he disarmed me, he was truly impressive."
 
Aeros Reyne/Celareon | The Wall, Castle Black


The Lyseni was unsure of what he should do for the start. Training or mingling with the other recruits was not to his taste, he did not need to know them all that well, when there would always be a chance that they'd die. He'd learned that lesson during the first Blackfyre Rebellion, many of his would-be friends had died, those that had bothered to try and make friends with him anyway. Robb had been the only true friend he had had during those times and he doubted he'd find like minded people in this frozen shithole.

Soon enough however, he spotted Gilroy and the somewhat stupid giant, Bighands. The two had announced that they would be the handlers of him and the other recruits, they would explain the basic information, such as where they could sleep, what they'd have to do in the future and other such matters. Aeros sighed at this, he was somewhat hungry, wanted Beastlord back in his hands and wished for things to advance faster. But, the man relented and began to walk towards his handlers.

Once he had gotten there, he greeted the two with a neutral face, not showing his annoyance even slightly. He should act just like he had always done when acting as a Household knight for the Reyne's. "Ah, hello. You two said that you would be handling us recruits, no? I have no interested nor need to mingle with my fellows so I decided to speed things up a slight bit by coming right away. So, could I bother you to show me where I'll sleep and eat? Due to my large size, I imagine finding a bed might be a problem, but first I would prefer to eat. I am quite hungry." During the talk, Aeros had stopped talking on multiple occasions, letting the two men interject their opinions and other such things. It would not do to be disrespectful if he wished to attain a higher standing as fast as possible, a position as wondering crow would be best or perhaps a ranger, he needed a way to escape if at all possible.

Aeros would follow all orders and requests as best he could, acting like the corteous westerosi knight he had been for over a decade. Under the surface however, hid a thirst for battle and blood, something Aeros had managed keep contained for years due to caring for his wife, children and Castle Castamere.

Time would tell if the man would ever reveal that side again, his hatred for the men who had doomed him to this place was clear however.

Maelvona
 
Diner Hall of Castle Black

As most brothers and new recruits presents where sitting at more central tables, eating, drinking ale and chatting idly about one thing or another the knight of Stoney Sept and the bastard of Faircastle where sitting on a quiet corner of the hall.

As their drinks and plates where put asside Theo put a small bag on the table.

''Alright, lets start with a small one: you're in a clearing inside the Haunted forest'' he drew two small branches of fir, putting them on table facing each other, with about 10 centimeters between. ''The patrol you command is in the process of crossing a small river, lets say an affluent of the Antler'' he continued, taking a small leaf from his bag and putting it between both branch ''you have three rangers, including you, with garrons already accross the river and five more with mules on the other side, two of those you know to be better with bows then with close range combat'' he placed seven black stones of different sizes and shapes on the table to represent the mens under Jorren command ''You also have two stewarts with you'' he added two white stone to the group. ''Then, on a hill a few hundred meters from you, you see them: between fifteen and twenty-five wildlings spearmens, you aren't sure exactly how many.'' He dropped half a handfull of smaller stones of disparate colours some ten centimeters away from the stones representing the rangers having cross the river.

Theo paused before continuing

''The Wildlings aren't friendly in that area and you didn't have instructions to avoid a fight nor to provoke it. What do you do?''.

@Darth Invictus
 
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phil03 said:
''The Wildlings aren't friendly in that area and you didn't have instructions to avoid a fight nor to provoke it. What do you do?''.
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Jorren thought about it, studying the various markers on the table and trying to place himself in the situation Theo described, he wasn't sure, he needed more information

"Have the Wildlings seen us? And how deep is the river?"
 
Darth Invictus said:
Jorren thought about it, studying the various markers on the table and trying to place himself in the situation Theo described, he wasn't sure, he needed more information

"Have the Wildlings seen us? And how deep is the river?"
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''One of the less know benefit of holding the high ground is that it allow you to view the battlefield with greater clarity. If you've seen them without holding it and they do hold it ods are they have seen you. As to the river, suffice it to say you can cross it relatively easily since you are mounted but you can't really move fast through it.''
 
phil03 said:
''One of the less know benefit of holding the high ground is that it allow you to view the battlefield with greater clarity. If you've seen them without holding it and they do hold it ods are they have seen you. As to the river, suffice it to say you can cross it relatively easily since you are mounted but you can't really move fast through it.''
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Jorren thought for a moment

"I pull back the men who have already crossed the river including myself, it'll give the Wildlings another barrier to cross"
 
phil03 said:
Theo nodded, somewhat approvingly

''And then?'' he probed?
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Now Jorren chose his words carefully, this was his first test, the first time anyone at the Wall had shown any interest in helping him, he had to do his best, he'd had no formal training in strategy beyond the war stories his grandfather had told him and what he'd been able to gleam from Faircastles Maester, he tried to recall anything he could

"I..." no, that couldn't be right, he decided on another course

"I pull the patrol as far back as possible while still remaining in bow range, send the Stewards back to the Wall as discreetly as possible to they Wildlings don't see and wait and see what the Wildlings do, if they don't move to engage or to cross the river we wait until they've moved off and then slowly retreat towards the wall. If they move towards us, call to them to stay away, that we don't want to fight them then fire a warning shot if they keep coming. If they still continue fire a few volleys before they cross the river and then turn and retreat as fast as possible, keeping the best bowman towards the back of the patrol to pick off any Wildings who get close, they've got spears so the goal is to keep them too far away to throw them with any accuracy. With no orders to engage and outnumbered two-to-one my best option is to preserve as much of the Watches strength as I can and not waste it on a meaningless battle, is that right?"
 
Darth Invictus said:
Now Jorren chose his words carefully, this was his first test, the first time anyone at the Wall had shown any interest in helping him, he had to do his best, he'd had no formal training in strategy beyond the war stories his grandfather had told him and what he'd been able to gleam from Faircastles Maester, he tried to recall anything he could

"I..." no, that couldn't be right, he decided on another course

"I pull the patrol as far back as possible while still remaining in bow range, send the Stewards back to the Wall as discreetly as possible to they Wildlings don't see and wait and see what the Wildlings do, if they don't move to engage or to cross the river we wait until they've moved off and then slowly retreat towards the wall. If they move towards us, call to them to stay away, that we don't want to fight them then fire a warning shot if they keep coming. If they still continue fire a few volleys before they cross the river and then turn and retreat as fast as possible, keeping the best bowman towards the back of the patrol to pick off any Wildings who get close, they've got spears so the goal is to keep them too far away to throw them with any accuracy. With no orders to engage and outnumbered two-to-one my best option is to preserve as much of the Watches strength as I can and not waste it on a meaningless battle, is that right?"
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Theo nodded ''For the most part yes but you forget one key factor: the ennemies you see are not neccessarely all the ennemies they're are. You're surrounding by forests, in the middle of lands they know better then you. It would be easy for them to dissimulate more of their mens in an attempt to ambush. Therefore, you shouldn't send your stewarts away as, even if all watchmens receive some military training, it might make them easy targets for other Wildlings in the surroundings nor should you stay where you are too long as it would give them more time to slam their trap shut.''

He paused

''One of your biggest advantage here is that you're mounted and strong ods are they're is no ennemies in the vicinity who has a fraction of your mobility. Don't flee with all haste, as it might tired your mounts before you reach back the Wall, but move back relatively quickly with the stewarts in the middle of your formation, to protect them, and make your way back home to report to your superiors.''

As he removed the markers he had put earlier he added ''We would discuss more then a few battles, sieges and skirmishes from the history of the seven kingdoms but I decided to start with that little scenario to show you that war Beyond-The-Wall is, in many ways, unique. A good rangers need to understand that and know how to fight there. You had good instincts when you said you wouldn't fight but you need to also understand that no matter how familiar the surrounding lands can get ods are you'll never know them near as well then the Willdlings.''
 
phil03 said:
As he removed the markers he had put earlier he added ''We would discuss more then a few battles, sieges and skirmishes from the history of the seven kingdoms but I decided to start with that little scenario to show you that war Beyond-The-Wall is, in many ways, unique. A good rangers need to understand that and know how to fight there. You had good instincts when you said you wouldn't fight but you need to also understand that no matter how familiar the surrounding lands can get ods are you'll never know them near as well then the Willdlings.''
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"I see your point, at Faircastle the most we had to worry about was bandits or the odd 'rogue' Ironborn ship, we faced them in lands and on seas we knew well, here I know nothing of the snow. Thank you for the lesson, looks like I've got a lot to learn"

He had had the right idea, that was a start at least
 
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