Garak Nightchill
The Light Company
Covian Legend
Karma: +8/-18
Posts: 1111
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« on: December 03, 2006, 02:38:16 am » |
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(This is OOC information only, unless shared with you by the Baron, Commander Shadwell or Garak)
*Contained in a sealed envelope addressed to Baron Octiovus and Commander Shadwell*
My Liege,
As ordered, here is a proposed plan of attack on Stonekeep.
The Siege of Stonekeep
By Garak Nightchill, Junior Scout
The army would enter Yewish lands by way of the Moongate. This is a reliable and quick method, however presents several disadvantages.
These are that even if a successful attack was executed, the Covian army would suffer logistical problems. We would be in the heartlands of the Loyalist Oppressors, cut off from resupplies. Caravans and reinforcements could be brought in by way of the moongate also, but would doubtless suffer partisan raids en route from the moongate to Stonekeep. The Yewish outposts on the border near the eastern road would still be intact, preventing reupply from that way. Thus, without a full campaign to establish supply lines, this plan best supports a raiding mentality than an occupying one. We could take the Yewians by surprise, seize Stonekeep, but we could not stay.
The Approach
Having secured the Yewish Moongate, the Light Company would scout ahead of the main body of troops. Quietly eliminating enemy sentries, the Scouts would be the army's eyes-and-ears. The rest of the expeditionary force would then procede south through the woods, ideally forming a Trackers line to hide our numbers.
It would be helpful to con some convince Kaldor and Vesper to send some troops with us. We can never have enough arrow fodder help from our valued allies.
As the Expeditionary Force approaches the main road, just north of Stonekeep, it will deploy into the following squads, each with it's own Tactical Circle:
Hammer: The bulk of the expeditionary force. This will include all ranged soldiers (ideally including the Vesperian and Kaldorian ranged), Grenadiers and the bulk of the Guardsmen. The arcanists will take the rear rank, the archer will take the second rank and the non-ranged Grenadiers/guards will take the front rank, protecting the ranged soldiers. This will be essential due to the Yewian fondness for Conflageration potions, understandable since they only just discovered fire a short time ago. To survive such a firestorm, ranks must be held, with slow formation-held manouvering being used to navigate the squad out of the flames. Our armour should protect us from the worst of it, so as long as bandages are wrapped around the burn-wounds, it should be more of an inconvenience than a threat. Arcanists and Archers should continue firing.
This squad will advance into Stonekeep slowly and methodically, holding formation. Depending on the numbers of ranged soldiers present, they will be divided into subsquads, with a commander assigning targets. Targets will be engaged at short to medium range to maximise efficiency. Assuming at least two arcanists, one will concentrate on offensive magery, the other on paralysing and healing. When the offensive mage gets tired, they will swap roles. The Flame strike spell should only be used in the direst emergency and at close range. Likewise, archers should also use discretion in executing high-powered archery strikes. Volley fire at close range will have the two-fold effect of overwhelming the targeted enemy, and demoralising his compatriats.
The main goal of the stick-wavers melee warriors will be to strike at any foes who get close to Squad Hammer. They will not break ranks, but will only strike those who get in range. Protecting each other and healing will be an important aspect. The melee-warrior's first priority is to heal, second is to strike out at nearby foes. Grenadiers will be the bulwark of this melee defense. Recruits will benefit the squad by trying to catch as many enemy arrows as possible. In the event of the Yewians attempting low, underhand tactics such as shooting over the front rank, Recruits should jump high and wave their arms around to block as many arrows as possible. Note: Jumping practice to be focused on at next Training session.
When Squad Hammer has reached the southern end of Stonekeep, the enemy should be in disarray. To turn this into full rout, the front rank will break formation and hunt down the enemy. At least one Grenadier warrior should remain to protect the ranged units. The released Guardsmen should not stray far from Squad Hammer in the event of a Yewian counter-attack.
Needle: This will be the non-ranged scouts of the Light Company. They will deploy in a skirmish formation in front of Squad Hammer. Hidden, they will be responsible for ambusing enemy archers and conflageration throwers. By keeping the enemy ranged off-balance and unable to form their own defensive line, the Light Company will best help Squad Hammer. Should they be required to flee, they should immediately return to their skirmish formation a four to eight paces infront of Squad Hammer. They should work as a team, knocking down assigned targets.
In the event of Waywatchers attacking Hammer, Needle will sneak near to Hammer and prepare to ambush any Waywatchers as they attempt to ambush Hammer.
Claw: This will be comprised of the Dragoons and the more experienced Guardsmen. Composed of four to six soldiers, they will be in the same Tactical circle but divided into two sub-squads. Discipline will be required. At the start of the engagement, the two sub-squads will leave Squad Hammer, charging at the Yewian troops in an apparent move of ill-discipline. The leader of each sub-squad will pick a target and engage. The other two sub-squad members will be primarily responsible for keeping their leader alive, and secondarily responsible for helping him/her deal with the targetted enemy.
Claw's job is to disrupt the enemy lines, encouraging enemies to engage them rather than Hammer. They will strike at the enemy flank, and take down an enemy. Should the enemy flee they will not pursue far, but instead return to the same area as Hammer and engage another target. In the event of being pursued themselves they will lead the pursuing enemies to within range of Squad Hammer's arcanists and archers.
By keeping mobile, the two Claws will distract the enemy, preventing a disciplined charge at Hammer. Should enemy focus move away from Hammer, Claw will lure enemies to within range. Should the enemy concentrate troops on Squad Hammer, Claw will attack the enemy flanks in a savage prolonged assault until the enemy breaks.
In the event of losses, the two Claw's should be prepared to merge into one and continue the attack. In the event of decimation, any lone Claws shouild return to Hammer.
Arrow Fodder Allies: In the event of allied support, and their agreement to cooperate with my masterful modest plan of attack, their ranged units will be with Hammer. Their melee warriors will bypass Stonekeep, moving tio the crossroads and at the agreed time will charge up the road and further disrupt the enemy ranks. Vesperian troops in particular, being an ill-disciplined rabble a militia based on skirmishing would help draw away enemy troops from Hammer by running randomly all over the place covering a large area.
Summary:
Hammer will decimate the enemy ranks with ranged attacks, the melee aspect of Hammer providing a reserve force to throw at the enemy to complete victory.
Needle will disrupt enemy charges and harrass the enemy Waywatchers and Marksmen, also dealing with any Besieger intent on barraging Hammer with conflagerations.
Claw will divert enemy attention, thin the enemy ranks and lure them into range of Hammer, as well as support Hammer in the event of a massed enemy charge.
In brief, victory will be assured so long as the Covian army remembers this holiday's special message:
When it comes to healing and killing, it's better to give than to receive.
For Cove!
Signed,
Garak Nightchill
Junior Guardsman
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