Loukas smiles, "Of course, how I did I not understand? Let us land A'kos and Storm's Wind, Dyanna casts her illusion and he will destroy the Perchenegs. Life is so much easier with you in it, my friend!

"You are right, though, we need to strike soon rather than await the enemy's gathering. Miro, am I correct that we might dock and pull some men out of the city? If not, it is Dyanna's Illusionary company of A'koses, Balthazar's Fire Elemental, the rest of us and the sailors we land from what remains of our fleet."

Heinrich listens, trying to grasp the capabilites the group has to deploy.  He then says,"If our strength is mainly misdirection, and we are landing from ships, is there anywhere we can lay an ambush if our main force is pursued?"

OOC: Are the Perchenegs mounted or on foot? Do they have many siege engines of any type?

ooc: during the last battle with the mongrels they were disorganized.  A couple timely spells, a few illusions, an attack by the fighters of the group and they were pretty much routed.  the arrival of the Russian forces was timely as well.

Miroslav shakes his shaggy head at the talk he is hearing..."The last Pechenegs we faced were indeed mostly mongrels. True Pechenegs mixed with orcs...those were the outriders not the true Pecheneg force. If this attack is planned out as it looks it was then the Emperor would have contacted Kurya the Khan of the Pecheneg horde. This will not be so easy as last time if this is the case.

He looks at Nicephorus and scowls, asking him..."What know you of this? Was Kurya contacted?"

Nicephores does not speak, he only nods his head acknowledging the fact.

Some back ground on the Pechenegs. They free mix with the orc tribes of the Caucus. They are a Turkish semi-nomadic people. It was the Pechenegs who pushed the Magyars west from their home of the steppe just a few generations ago. Think of them as similar to Huns or Mongols. Consumate horsemen with little talent for siege warfare but their huge numbers can make up for almost anything. They have shamans but are not known for using magic very often.

About the situation. Take a look at the game map. The Pecheneg are storming the north gate so it is hard to know the numbers from the sea. There are roads around the city but the horde should be immune from any sea attack due to location.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:19, Mon 16 Apr 2012.

"The Emperor be damned to his own Hell!" Exclaims the Rus when he sees Nicephorus nod.

He then scans the deck for Dyanna. Once his eyes hit her he says..."Your mirror...can it be used to send a messenger to Sviatoslavs capital on the Danube? We must send word then go ashore in the city and check in with Dobrynnya and let him know what we have learned."

"Balthazar, do you still know that fancy flying trick you're so fond of?" asks A'kos more seriously.  "A view from above would be a good thing, I think."

"My spell is still active."  He lifts off the deck to emphasize the fact.

OOC: Doh! I forgot that the map was up there. Thanks for the reminder! Could you remind me where the Monastery/Temple of Veles is located?

"If we control the bay, then we have the ability to move in and out of the city with ease. If we can not use the mirror to send a messenger to Sviatoslav's capital, maybe Balthazar could fly there? If the Percheneg's Khan is throwing his entire army at us, we'll need the Knyaz's help. Let's get to Dobrynnya."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:28, Mon 16 Apr 2012.

Dyanna nods, "All I need to do is first scry the location then i should be able to open a portal."

She adjusts the mirror and stands before it concentrating. In a moment the thrown room of Sviatoslav comes into view. "You should be able to pass through now. I will hold it open until you return."

Miroslav turns to Oleg and says..."To the docks!"

He then gives his companions a slight nod and rushes through the portal to contact Sviatoslav. A few minutes later he returns..."The Knyaz has been informed. Ships will be sent as soon as they can be. We will need to hold the wall as best we can until they arrive."

A'kos shakes his head, then shrugs pragmatically.

"So shall it be."

Loukas nods, "If nothing else, A'kos, depending upon how well the walls are holding we'll be able to get some raiders out through the docks to strike their rear lines."

Balthazar asks Cuivi to cast protection from evil on him.  We should also make sure our prisoners are stripped and bound.

As Oleg pilots the ship towards the docks. Miroslav signals to Barmak to follow from the deck of the Heart of Oak. Several of the crew take care of the Cleric and Nicephorus.

Cuivi places th protective spell on Balthazar with a another prayer and a light touch.

The big Rus says to Balthazar..."Meet us on the docks and let us know what you see from up there."

He then turns to A'Kos and the others..."There are ways for us to go beyond the walls and engage the enemy. We will need to be careful but a well placed raid or two can take some of the focus off the wall."

Loukas nods in agreement and stretches, "Shall I run and let Dobrynya know what we intend to do? I should be able to make it there and back before Balthazar returns."

Balthazar flies off immediately to scout.  He flies up high enough that he is out of bowshot range, and besides that gives him a better view.

After he meets the party on the docks to let them know, he flies to a high tower where he can overlook the battle but be safely inside, sets up his brazier, adds sulfur, and summons Sparky, his pet fire elemental.

In reply to Miroslav (msg #158):

"Who or what will the target of our raids be?" Jaleh asked.

Loukas speeds off to Dobryna as fast as only he can move, but before he leaves he turns to Jaleh, "That will depend upon what Balthazar learns on his scouting mission. Theoretically, we'll strike the Perchenegs' backlines somewhere. We'll learn where they are from him.

"I shall return as soon as I can from the Dobrynya. Don't do anything fun without me!"

"I'm thinking we target the officer corps," shrugged A'kos to Jaleh.  "Someone must keep the mongrels in line."

Heinrich keeps an eye on the battle, observing for pressure points to attack while waiting for Balthazar to return with his scouting report.

Once the ship docks Loukas is off to Dobrynya only to find the Regent standing on the docks watching the battle at sea. THe older man nods his head in the monks direction indicating that he should speak.

Loukas bows his head respectfully before speaking, "Regent, the Heart of Oak returns and we can not tell you how honored we are that you have arranged for their to Pechenegs for us to kill in celebration of our return.

"We have captured Nicephorus and his flagship -- Miroslav has the Emperor's lap dog down on the docks now. He tells us the Emperor's scheme involves destroying our city not merely capturing it and to do so he has engaged not a 'band' of Pechenegs, but the entire nation.

"Our thought is that we will strike the enemy's rear to kill as many of them as possible now, before the rest of the horde arrives. Balthazar has gone to scout their lines as only a wizard can and would unleash a fire elemental upon them as part of our counter attack."

"Does this suit you, my Lord?"

Again the Regent nods his head..."If the information you have is accurate, I am afraid we will be in for a hard time. The Pechenegs are an endless horde...we will need help holding the wall until help arrives. Perhaps we will know more when Balthazar returns with his report.

For now return and tell Miroslav to bring the emperors lap dog to me and don't forget to send word of what Balthazar discovers."