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12:00, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Khorsun.

Posted by NestorFor group 0
Nestor
GM, 581 posts
Your venerable guide
Sat 26 May 2012
at 17:56
  • msg #193

Re: Khorsun

Bow shot now focuses on the two feathered figures in the distance. Almost all fall short but Heinrich does manages to hit the closer of the two followed by Young Yaro the bowman and two of his archers. The figure falls and is quickly pulled away by a few infantry men. THe second of the figures moves back out of sight. The rain continues to fall as the Pecheneg continue to arrive all at a safe distance.
Yaro
player, 36 posts
Yaro
The Archer
Sat 26 May 2012
at 17:59
  • msg #194

Re: Khorsun

Yaro the bowman approaches Heinrich and lays a strong hand on his shoulder..."I do not know who you are or where you come from friend, but that was a fine shot! I am always happy to see a brother of the bow manning the walls with me and my men!"

Yaro has risen in the ranks some since you all last saw him. Dobrynya, realizing the young mans' talent has made him an officer with his own retinue of bowmen.
A'kos, the Falcon
player, 556 posts
Magyar Warrior -8hp
True Friend/Fierce Foe
Sat 26 May 2012
at 19:35
  • msg #195

Re: Khorsun

A'kos looks up at Jaleh, winks.

"You were just gauging the distance, tiny one.  When the attack starts you'll have their measure!"
Jaleh
player, 292 posts
Sat 26 May 2012
at 23:30
  • msg #196

Re: Khorsun

"Don't worry about saving my pride lover," Jaleh calls down to A'kos. "That was a difficult shot!"
Nestor
GM, 582 posts
Your venerable guide
Tue 29 May 2012
at 03:13
  • msg #197

Re: Khorsun

After withdrawing another couple of hundred yards or so, the Pechenegs seem content to wait as the rest of their force arrives. A steady stream of horsemen and infantry seem to arrive until around sunset. Surely more trickle in after dark but for the most part they look to have arrived.

Conservative estimates from Dobrynya put their numbers at around 20,000. Equally divided between cavalry and infantry with over half of the infantry made up of orcish troops.


Dobrynya can be seen approaching the wall from the the city.
Dobrynya
GM, 24 posts
Tue 29 May 2012
at 03:36
  • msg #198

Re: Khorsun

Dobrynya ascends the wall and stands above the north gate to address the assembled troops.

The grizzled regent of Khorson stands with his hands on his hips and speaks...20,00o steppe nomads wait outside our gates...many tribes gathered together under one banner, one great Khan. More wait outside our gates than live within, even counting the old and the children. We will hold these walls until our Knyaz sends help to us. We have already been able to communicate our need to the capital and they have promised aid but we must be strong and hold back the horde as long as we can. We do not expect them to attack at night but we must be prepared if they do...so I ask you to stand in shifts. Those of you who fought triumphantly in the sea battle should rest and relieve your fellow defenders in the morning."

He turns and looks over the wall then back again..."With the sea and our ships we can outlast any siege these horsemen can lay upon us. They must know this as well. We must be diligent and keep a wary eye out for anything out of the ordinary. I have faith that these walls will hold! I have faith in all of you fighting for your home!"
Loukas Ouranus
player, 615 posts
Son of Greece and Rus
Brother of Volos
Tue 29 May 2012
at 10:52
  • msg #199

Re: Khorsun

It was a relief to see the Perchenegs withdraw, but hearing Dobrynya's estimate of their numbers managed to reduce that relief somewhat. The problem is that now they have seen the magical powers Khorsun possesses they are likely to have some of their own. With a glance to Dyanna and Balthazar Loukas speaks, "If I may make a suggestion... You are right, my Lord Regent, that if we sit tight we ought to be able to hold out easily; however, we have the capability to strike at them while awaiting the Knyaz. Perhaps after we've had a night's rest we ought to use our powers to scout their camp and find suitable locations to attack. Once we have identified them, we of the Heart of Oak might easily strike and retreat. Doing so will keep them on the edge and permit us to weaken them before the final show down."
Heinrich
player, 53 posts
Traveler wandering
Wed 30 May 2012
at 04:56
  • msg #200

Re: Khorsun

Heinrich shoots a quick grin at Yaro, and replies, "Sometimes you put enough arrows in the air you hit something, right?"

He nods as Loukas speaks with the Regent, looking for good places to go up and down the walls and sneak through the enemy lines to create ....distractions.
Dyanna.
player, 257 posts
A woman of
Greece
Wed 30 May 2012
at 11:22
  • msg #201

Re: Khorsun

The mistress of illusions cocks her head slightly to the side and says,

"Yes, dome of us will need to recharge and prepare our spells for tomorrow but once that is done, I see no reason why we could not harry the Pechenegs from the rear."

To Loukas,

"Are you suggesting that we load up one of the ships with horses and troops and make land somewhere along the coast and circle around to attack?"
Loukas Ouranus
player, 616 posts
Son of Greece and Rus
Brother of Volos
Wed 30 May 2012
at 12:39
  • msg #202

Re: Khorsun

In response to Dyanna, "Not quite... Maybe. That is, we do not yet know where to strike them, but once their camp is established we could do this either magically by using your mirror or some other means (I realize that I do not quite understand the powers of that important device) to ascertain where a strike might be the most effective, or those of us who may make ourselves invisible might sneak into the camp and scout the place out.

"Once we have a sense of what and who is there we will better know where to send a raiding force and how large it ought to be. At this point, I am thinking that if we of the Heart of Oak were to do this on a specific target and use our powers to escape afterwards we might be just as effective as a company or two of soldiers."

Balthazar the Hedonite
player, 418 posts
Sorcerer
Thu 31 May 2012
at 02:59
  • msg #203

Re: Khorsun

"One great Khan you say?  Then it is him we must slay.  I can use my Hedonite magic to direct us to his headquarters if we can't use the Mirror.  Remember that if worst comes to worst, I can always free Azhul, who I keep in this flask here."

To DM:
(1) Actually, Balthazar's orders to Sparky were to destroy the enemy, but to pay particular attention to destroying siege equipment.  Doesn't sound like any of it showed up the first day.  That will become critical tomorrow, however.

(2) This is going to be important, so I want to point out that arrows shoot much farther horizontally than vertically.  My house rule is that when computing range, double the vertical component.  In other words, an opponent 6" away horizontally and 4" up vertically is effectively 6 + 4x2 = 14" away.  This will be important when Balthazar flies over the enemy raining down magic missiles and fireballs, since with longbow range at 21" max, with my rule he could fly 11" up in the air and be out of bowshot range.  He's got 15" range with magic missile and even more with fireball, so it won't be a problem on his side.  Then I guess we'll find out what magic-users the enemy has at its disposal.  Hmmm... maybe I want to 'borrow' that cleric's ring of spell turning.
Heinrich
player, 54 posts
Traveler wandering
Fri 1 Jun 2012
at 04:02
  • msg #204

Re: Khorsun

Heinrich looks at Dyanna and Balthazar, and asks, "Could we sneak a small group out of a postern or down a rope? Do we have any idea how well our enemies operate at night?"
Loukas Ouranus
player, 617 posts
Son of Greece and Rus
Brother of Volos
Fri 1 Jun 2012
at 10:46
  • msg #205

Re: Khorsun

In reply to Heinrich (msg #204):

Turning to Heinrich, "We do not, but there is no reason to put anyone into danger like that. At least two of us have the power to become invisible and one of us may have the ability to see things from a distance. My suggestion: we use the powers we have at our disposal to determine the enemy's we points...

"Perhaps, as Balthazar says, focusing upon the Khan is what we should do, though, if we could spy upon them and better learn his defenses before going forth, such would be easier. We have fewer resources than the Perchenegs, but I suspect that which we have is greater despite the numbers."

Miroslav
NPC, 246 posts
From the land of the Rus'
Sat 2 Jun 2012
at 14:53
  • msg #206

Re: Khorsun

Miroslav nods his shaggy head..."Yes, focusing on the khan would be a wise course of action but it will not be easy. I know of Kurya Khan and he will be surrounded not only by his guard but by his shamans as well. Perhaps we should divide the group and let those who can use their skills to scout do so while the rest of us create a distraction with a rear attack. The ship can carry many of us and our mounts further along the coast were we can make land and harry them from the rear."

A'kos, the Falcon
player, 557 posts
Magyar Warrior -8hp
True Friend/Fierce Foe
Sat 2 Jun 2012
at 15:15
  • msg #207

Re: Khorsun

"Mmm," grins the Falcon.  "My idea has merit then.  I'll be with the mounted group, attacking from the rear and wreaking havoc.  Let loose the dogs of war, my friends!"
Loukas Ouranus
player, 618 posts
Son of Greece and Rus
Brother of Volos
Sat 2 Jun 2012
at 15:21
  • msg #208

Re: Khorsun

Loukas smiles wryly, "I was hoping that we might do this with actually exposing too many until we actually strike. I know that Balthazar has the ability to turn himself invisible. With my Gusli I may do so as well. Dyanna's mirror we may use to transport us... Perhaps we investigate tomorrow and attempt to get a sense of the Khan's defenses and activities? That will permit us to come up with a plan?"

He turns to Jaleh, "It also occurs to me that one of us is particularly experienced at this sort of thing. Perhaps our ultimate plan might really mean most of us attacking to give Jaleh cover for the sort of strike only she can deliver?"
Dyanna.
player, 258 posts
A woman of
Greece
Sat 2 Jun 2012
at 15:37
  • msg #209

Re: Khorsun

"For sure the mirror can be used for both scrying the location of the Khan and for opening as a portal. Though there are magics that work against such things, what we know of the pechenegs do not hint that they will be using them. Still the Khan is the king of his people, we must be wary."
Loukas Ouranus
player, 619 posts
Son of Greece and Rus
Brother of Volos
Sat 2 Jun 2012
at 15:46
  • msg #210

Re: Khorsun

"Well... That is part of my thinking. It would be useful to know how sophisticated the Khan's magical defenses are. We know he has shamen, but we do not know how powerful they are or what they can do. An initial scan might give a sense of what we are facing not only on site, but metaphysically."
Dyanna.
player, 259 posts
A woman of
Greece
Sat 2 Jun 2012
at 16:07
  • msg #211

Re: Khorsun

"I will use the mirror in the morning. I am completely drained from the ship illusion earlier today. If you'll all excuse me, I will be heading to my home for the evening."

With that said, Dyanna quickly makes her way to her own home, to sleep in her own bed for the first time in months. She hopes her servants have been keeping up with her small estate here in the city while she has been gone.
Dobrynya
GM, 25 posts
Sat 2 Jun 2012
at 18:27
  • msg #212

Re: Khorsun

Dobrynya looks at the group he has come to the call the Hearts of Oak and addresses them.

"GO to your homes, see your families, sleep in your own beds for the night. COme to me here in the barracks by the north gate. I will have a repast set up for us while we discuss your plans for the day and the defense of our city."

Continue on as long as you need to here in this thread. I am starting a new one called Defending the City.
A'kos, the Falcon
player, 558 posts
Magyar Warrior -8hp
True Friend/Fierce Foe
Sat 2 Jun 2012
at 23:47
  • msg #213

Re: Khorsun

"Lass," calls A'kos to Jaleh, "Let us go, see to the manse and find some peace before we eat this eve.  Make sure it's still standing!"

The last is added with laughter and bright spark in his eyes.
Jaleh
player, 293 posts
Sun 3 Jun 2012
at 00:29
  • msg #214

Re: Khorsun

Jaleh climbs down from her perch, then fixes A'kos with a smile. "You sure? You want to come along?"
A'kos, the Falcon
player, 559 posts
Magyar Warrior -8hp
True Friend/Fierce Foe
Sun 3 Jun 2012
at 01:20
  • msg #215

Re: Khorsun

"Always, little one," he replies, putting an arm around her shoulders.
Balthazar the Hedonite
player, 419 posts
Sorcerer
Tue 5 Jun 2012
at 15:56
  • msg #216

Re: Khorsun

Balthazar dismisses Sparky.  "Have a good night, fiery one.  We will be in sore need of your flame tomorrow."

Balthazar stays on watch a while longer, and fires spells at any enemy that is brave enough to approach the wall.  I'm sure he can fire magic missiles through an arrow slit, not so sure about his fireball.
A'kos, the Falcon
player, 581 posts
Magyar Warrior -8hp
True Friend/Fierce Foe
Mon 30 Jul 2012
at 14:55
  • msg #217

Re: Khorsun

"Something is wrong!  Follow me!" shouts A'kos, and fearing for Jaleh he charges forward, through the mirror with Leo close by.  He rushes to the shaman and w/ Leo attacks:

10:52, Today: A'kos, the Falcon rolled 2 using 1d10 with rolls of 2. dmg bite.
10:52, Today: A'kos, the Falcon rolled 15 using 1d20 with rolls of 15. bite.
10:52, Today: A'kos, the Falcon rolled 3 using 1d4 with rolls of 3. dmg: claw.
10:52, Today: A'kos, the Falcon rolled 26 using 2d20 with rolls of 8,18. claw/claw.
10:50, Today: A'kos, the Falcon rolled 10 using 1d8+5. dmg 2.
10:50, Today: A'kos, the Falcon rolled 6 using 1d8+5. dmg 1.
10:50, Today: A'kos, the Falcon rolled 20 using 1d20+5. att 2.
10:50, Today: A'kos, the Falcon rolled 24 using 1d20+5. att 1.
10:49, Today: A'kos, the Falcon rolled 4 using 1d6+2. initiative.


<18 points dmg>
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