Writing is continuing, though I've switched from writing the updates on a program to writing in a physical journal for obscure and unknown reasons... Alright, I just did it because I like writing on loose cut paper.
As a side note, let me give you an example of how you can win this game while also losing.
You decide to bank on Alric's promise, changing your plans. Given how Cilmi and Alric were at each other's throats, you doubt your reign would be easy with either of those two still alive. If Alric was able to claim the throne, however, you knew your dynasty would reap much of the benefits. If he could not, well, then you would be in the perfect position to take control.
"You have my full support, Alric, as well as the support of those who fight for me in my brother's name. Don't screw it up."
Alric lets out a laughing breath. "I see you've found humor since we last met." The smile faded from his face as he stood. "We march at dawn. I wish you the best of luck." As he turns to leave, he pauses. "Oh, and you can keep Cilmi. I'm sure you'll find a use for him."
[] Keep Cilmi: You can't risk letting Cilmi go just yet, even if he would be unable to affect the siege. Besides, he is a good source of information.
[] Ransom Cilmi: Lien is always good to have, and if you were going to implement some of your more costly construction projects, you'd need a healthy amount of it. Besides, draining Cilmi's coffers would help the war effort. (75 Lien in exchange for releasing Cilmi.)
[] Release Cilmi: Money isn't everything, and having someone, especially a Knight, indebted to you is a powerful tool at court. Besides, it makes you seem merciful.
[] Execute Cilmi: Peer or not, Cilmi has shown himself to be a man willing to compromise his word and honor for something as trivial as an old book. Putting him to the sword would be an unpopular, even evil thing, but you can't abide a snake like him.
The next day, Alric's combined forces set off. The constant rains have further ruined the battlefield, but, a little over a week and a half into the war, the allied forces reached Castle Buhaw. The siege began, and Rigard's taunts and orders blasted through the air. You would eventually need to shut that bastard up, since his ceaseless bellowing could ruin your men's morale.
Two hours into the siege, as the siege ladders were being constructed, your men reported a group of riders on the northern horizon. A preemptive rearguard was formed, but it proved unnecessary when scouts reported that the reported army was small, made up mostly of supply carts flying the banner of Gees. Ritsuko had not sent an army, but something stranger.
Riding at the head of this strange force was Daneda. "Ah, Lady Skye," He said as his panting horse stopped in front of you, "It seems Mother was correct on the timing, as usual. By her command, I present to you a number of my House's siege engineers, and the supplies to construct siege equipment."
The ladders are constructed through the swift actions of Daneda's engineers, and before the sun sets on the first day of the siege, the allied forces charge up the ladders, intent on taking the walls...
Only to be driven back by fierce opposition. Reports from survivors indicated Rigard's forces are elite, but more concerning was the fact the banners displayed the colors of the Urbino Condotiere, an elite Mistralian mercenary group. The mercenaries were so renowned that many city states paid the mercenaries to not fight against the city. Why they were in Minagerie was... Actually rather obvious, if you were to be truthful.
Still, that was not something you needed right now. You convince Alric and Daneda into a council to coordinate the next wave.
Your instructors had drilled a concept into your heart: if you could not win a siege in five days, you'll risk the Grimm devouring your forces. With one fifth of the "safe" time elapsed, the newly coordinated assault climbed the newly constructed ladders.
Rigard's Condotiere push back hard, but the assault breaks their lines, gaining a foothold on the outer walls. Inside the walls, the castle town become a bloodbath by the time the first shards of the moon appeared. Nearly all the commoners had fled when rumors of King Buhaw's ghost haunting the castle spread. Even so, you can faintly hear screams from your position outside the walls.
If your forces could establish a position inside the walls, you could continue the siege of the inner walls without needing to worry about the Grimm attacking the rear.
Alric's Allied Forces: 22 + 20 + 22 + 30: 94
Rigard's Host: 4 + 17 + 10 + 20 + ??? = 51?
Allies win with at most 4 degrees of success.
Allies has a total of at most 13 degrees of success. Inner Castle Walls taken.
The fighting in the castle town was a bloody, slow affair. Often, the allied forces would lose ten men just to gain a single room, while the battle for the street outside claimed no lives. A tyrant once said that war should be a horrifying affair, one that does not sugarcoat the terrors inflicted onto the people. You are sure that tyrant would have loved the fighting on that day.
Your camp had been moved to a reclaimed tavern inside the walls, the main table filled with reports and scout drawn maps. The collected data painted a picture of the situation, and it was a positive one despite the bloody work. Every minute, Alric's combined forces marched closer to the inner walls. In a few more hours, you are sure that everything up to the keep itself would be under the allies' control.
You were pouring over those records when a commotion outside reached your ears. At first, you thought it was just a few of your men celebrating a successful raid against the enemy, but the gunshots shattered the illusion. A battle raged outside the tavern, and you heard Alric's voice shouting orders, coordinating the defense against the enemy raid. You stayed at the table, even as Jove protested. The next push, the next assault would be critical if you were to take the castle swiftly. Even as you planned, you fingered the cord that would ignite the red Dust charges on the table, destroying the plans. Just in case.
The gunshots and the clashing of steel upon steel faded as you drafted the fateful order. Future chronicles wrote you had sent countless messengers to Alric in order for the orders to be improved, but in truth you sent only one at the very end of the melee. You were, however, more than willing to let that myth stand.
The sun had sunk low and the torches struck when the siege ladders hit the inner walls. Your forces attack the south side of the walls while Alric's attempt to break through the west side. With Rigard's troops divided between the castle town and the inner walls, the defensive lines are broken through before the day turns. The castle courtyard is now yours.
Alric prepares to lead the assault to kill Rigard and claim the throne himself. Before the fourth day of the siege begins, Chaw shall have a new ruler. Suspiciously, Rigard's voice hasn't been heard since the walls were taken.
What do you do?
[] Assassinate Alric (Betrayal): It would be easy enough to arrange for Alric to fall in battle with Rigard, but he is no easy foe. It would be extremely risky, but you could claim the throne for yourself...
-[] Deal with Alric personally: You can't trust anyone else to kill Alric. While you will be in personal danger, you would be able to ensure that Rigard and Alric die.
-[] Send some trusted men: It would be too risky for you to kill Arich yourself. You will have to entrust this to your men. With a bit of luck, they will clear the way for you to claim the throne. You would, however, need to execute them. Can't have anyone talking, after all.
[] Secure the rear: There are still members of Rigard's army in the castle town. Your forces will hold the rear and ensure no other forces decide the course of the war. You would, however, all but give up your chance to claim the throne.
[] Join in the assault: Rigard's forces are concentrated in the castle. If you commit your own forces, you would end the war and put Alric on the throne that much faster.
-[] Join Personally: While it would be personally dangerous, you will lead your forces in the assault. You will not leave anything to chance.
-[] Stay At Camp: There are a myriad of problems with you leading the charge, and it is too risky for you to leave the rear guard. Alric is competent, so you will keep the rear guard from breaking.
AN: This one took a while, but now you have a bounty of options. Each option has it's own advantages and disadvantages. Choose wisely.
[X] Keep Cilmi: You can't risk letting Cilmi go just yet, even if he would be unable to affect the siege. Besides, he is a good source of information.
We can get more out of him.
Hmm, Ritsuko is actually helping. For now. We shouldn't rule out sudden betrayal. I say we let Alrich have a go at it alone while we stay at camp or secure the rear. Who knows, he might die and we could get a shot at the throne.
[X] Keep Cilmi: You can't risk letting Cilmi go just yet, even if he would be unable to affect the siege. Besides, he is a good source of information
[X] Secure the rear: There are still members of Rigard's army in the castle town. Your forces will hold the rear and ensure no other forces decide the course of the war. You would, however, all but give up your chance to claim the throne.
[X] Keep Cilmi: You can't risk letting Cilmi go just yet, even if he would be unable to affect the siege. Besides, he is a good source of information
[X] Secure the rear: There are still members of Rigard's army in the castle town. Your forces will hold the rear and ensure no other forces decide the course of the war. You would, however, all but give up your chance to claim the throne.
[X] Keep Cilmi: You can't risk letting Cilmi go just yet, even if he would be unable to affect the siege. Besides, he is a good source of information.
[X] Assassinate Alrich (Betrayal): It would be easy enough to arrange for Alrich to fall in battle with Rigard, but he is no easy foe. It would be extremely risky, but you could claim the throne for yourself...
-[X] Deal with Alrich personally: You can't trust anyone else to kill Alrich. While you will be in personal danger, you would be able to ensure that Rigard and Alrich die.
[X] Keep Cilmi: You can't risk letting Cilmi go just yet, even if he would be unable to affect the siege. Besides, he is a good source of information.
[X] Assassinate Alrich (Betrayal): It would be easy enough to arrange for Alrich to fall in battle with Rigard, but he is no easy foe. It would be extremely risky, but you could claim the throne for yourself...
-[X] Deal with Alrich personally: You can't trust anyone else to kill Alrich. While you will be in personal danger, you would be able to ensure that Rigard and Alrich die.
I didn't really cover it, but Alrich is no boy. His fourth son (or third surviving son) is slightly older than Skye. He is actually slightly older than Skye's (deceased) father, but he's certainly youthful.
I didn't really cover it, but Alrich is no boy. His fourth son (or third surviving son) is slightly older than Skye. He is actually slightly older than Skye's (deceased) father, but he's certainly youthful.
If we do try to kill Alrich and succeed how do we keep it a secrect? short of murdering every last person in the room including our own men because a good assassin leaves no witnesses.
[X] Keep Cilmi: You can't risk letting Cilmi go just yet, even if he would be unable to affect the siege. Besides, he is a good source of information.
[X] Assassinate Alrich (Betrayal): It would be easy enough to arrange for Alrich to fall in battle with Rigard, but he is no easy foe. It would be extremely risky, but you could claim the throne for yourself...
-[X] Deal with Alrich personally: You can't trust anyone else to kill Alrich. While you will be in personal danger, you would be able to ensure that Rigard and Alrich die.
If we do try to kill Alrich and succeed how do we keep it a secrect? short of murdering every last person in the room including our own men because a good assassin leaves no witnesses.
Medieval combat is ludicrously chaotic. Stabbing him in the back when we're in the thick of the melee would actually have a high chance of going unnoticed. All though I'm more thinking of letting him be surrounded while we storm the keep and "tragically" being unable to send him reinforcements.
[X] Keep Cilmi: You can't risk letting Cilmi go just yet, even if he would be unable to affect the siege. Besides, he is a good source of information.
[X] Assassinate Alrich (Betrayal): It would be easy enough to arrange for Alrich to fall in battle with Rigard, but he is no easy foe. It would be extremely risky, but you could claim the throne for yourself...
-[X] Deal with Alrich personally: You can't trust anyone else to kill Alrich. While you will be in personal danger, you would be able to ensure that Rigard and Alrich die.
[X] Keep Cilmi: You can't risk letting Cilmi go just yet, even if he would be unable to affect the siege. Besides, he is a good source of information
[X] Secure the rear: There are still members of Rigard's army in the castle town. Your forces will hold the rear and ensure no other forces decide the course of the war. You would, however, all but give up your chance to claim the throne.
[] Random Cilmi: Lien is always good to have, and if you were going to implement some of your more costly construction projects, you'd need a healthy amount of it. Besides, draining Cilmi's coffers would help the war effort. (75 Lien in exchange for releasing Cilmi.)
Depending on how well the opposed roll goes, you may very well make everyone think that you were not Alrich's murderer. On the flip side, you might drive your dynasty to ruin because of the failed backstabbing. Depends, really.
You know I just realized a very important question I should ask @Raiu how badly would Alrich's forces take his death? because if they start being depressed or angry since their lord died combined with the recent battle it would just be a giant all you can eat buffet sign to the Grimm.
Along with the chance of the assassination failing there is also a chance the stress and danger of fighting could harm the child/children that Skye is pregnant with, Skye is also still wounded from the fight with Five-legs
They really wouldn't take it well. Sure, they know the fact that war ends in dead bodies, especially since their province was the most war-like in the Kingdom, however, Alrich was the one who lead them. They like the guy, so expect Grimm to be there.
That's the dangers of political intrigue in this Age of Grimm. Sometimes it is worth the risk. Other times, it's a death sentence.
[X] Keep Cilmi: You can't risk letting Cilmi go just yet, even if he would be unable to affect the siege. Besides, he is a good source of information
[X] Secure the rear: There are still members of Rigard's army in the castle town. Your forces will hold the rear and ensure no other forces decide the course of the war. You would, however, all but give up your chance to claim the throne.
[X] Keep Cilmi: You can't risk letting Cilmi go just yet, even if he would be unable to affect the siege. Besides, he is a good source of information
[] Join in the assault: Rigard's forces are concentrated in the castle. If you commit your own forces, you would end the war and put Alrich on the throne that much faster.
-[] Join Personally: While it would be personally dangerous, you will lead your forces in the assault. You will not leave anything to chance.
@Raiu If we choose the Keep Cilmi option can we release him once Rigard is defeated and the keep is taken? I'm thinking that we don't want to kill Alrich until we know for sure that Rigard is dead, and leading the assault will give us even more prestige even if Alrich takes the throne. Couple that with the chance of having Cilmi indebted to us, as indicated in the Release Cilmi option, and even if we don't take the throne that should give us considerable influence even if we don't take the throne.
ALso, what condition is Skye in right now? Is she wounded? How's her Aura?
[X] Keep Cilmi: You can't risk letting Cilmi go just yet, even if he would be unable to affect the siege. Besides, he is a good source of information
[X] Secure the rear: There are still members of Rigard's army in the castle town. Your forces will hold the rear and ensure no other forces decide the course of the war. You would, however, all but give up your chance to claim the throne.
@Raiu If we choose the Keep Cilmi option can we release him once Rigard is defeated and the keep is taken? I'm thinking that we don't want to kill Alrich until we know for sure that Rigard is dead, and leading the assault will give us even more prestige even if Alrich takes the throne. Couple that with the chance of having Cilmi indebted to us, as indicated in the Release Cilmi option, and even if we don't take the throne that should give us considerable influence even if we don't take the throne.
ALso, what condition is Skye in right now? Is she wounded? How's her Aura?
You can indeed release Cilmi after the keep (note the lower case) is taken. The option is really more of a "Hold off on this for now" decision. Call it protective custody if you will.
Skye is indeed wounded and her Aura? The thing that only those trained in the ways of the Huntsmen have unlocked? It's locked. If I was going to give her Aura a rating, it would be 0/0. Both full and empty at the same time.
Everything that you can do right now is unaugmented by Aura and Huntsman training. Even though you're practically a normal Fanus with a real talent for martial prowess, you can give Huntsmen a run for their money. Good luck tanking a hit.
Skye is indeed wounded and her Aura? The thing that only those trained in the ways of the Huntsmen have unlocked? It's locked. If I was going to give her Aura a rating, it would be 0/0. Both full and empty at the same time.
