Ovo listened and waited to hear what was to happen. For now he knew not if the refugees were joining a greater group consisting of elven warriors or if in fact they were joining back up with the King's own army. Either way he would gladly continue the fight against the Huns.

As Swift spoke, the dwarf thought about her proposition. A few skilled warriors might be able to keep the force that just took Bruxzella busy by using just such tactics. If their own force was indeed a small, her idea may be their best use against a much larger number of enemy troops.

Shrugging, Bulwyf responds, "No, we do not have many fighters. I suppose sneaking into the city is possible, they won't be expecting that for sure. But with them taking the city, they are looting right now. They are busy and distracted, we'd have to go now, before they had time to settle in and prepare their forces."

"Perhaps we should discuss this with the Warden first. He may have need of us here, with the main force, perhaps a certain role to fill. But on the other hand he may think it beneficial - it cannot hurt to ask, no?"

Salen urges caution, before they run off on a suicide mission. Of course, if it is feasible, he will be very much up for it.

Beyrian Stargem is able to answer some of the questions but not all.

The defenders of Bruxzella have been able to do a marvelous thing:  for two weeks, they kept the Huns stalled, convincing them that the city would be defended by a powerful force.  The Huns were worried- they did not want to waste their army storming Bruxzella when they still had a long campaign into the Elven lands ahead.  Now, it is true, most of the Hun army is intact, but in these past few days time has been the most important thing, and not numbers.  Time has allowed the Elves to draw their forces together, and time has allowed Theoderic to drive ahead.  There are still thousands of Orc, but now, there are thousands of Elves and Humans opposing them.

The group rests that night in a camp in the Miradel.  In the distance, in the west, there are orange lights in the sky.  The Elves explain this as Hun magic, being used to keep away Elven flying scouts.

The Elves do have flying scouts- not only their own wizards making use of Fly spells and other magic, but enchanted animals, such as Owls.  Beyrian explains that with the Hun defensive magic, they cannot go close, but they can see quite a bit from the distance.  Owl eyes are sharp.

But they do not know where the Huns will try to move next, and the Elves do not to leave their forest to attack.  They are much stronger in the forest.  Better, they say, to let the Huns come in.  It is possible that the Huns will not come in at all, preferring to move east to attack the Human city at Mos Trajectum.  If that is the case, the Elven troops will shadow their movement, and join the battle there.

The next day, the refugees from Bruxzella are led by the Elves deeper into the forest.  To the East is the Elven city of Namaco, and the great Meuse River.  The river has no bridge and what the Elves call a “friendly” spirit- the Huns cannot cross.  So they are moving all non-combatants, Human and Elven alike, to the far side of the river.

They also bring word that they have seen Theoderic’s troops, about 25 miles southeast of Bruxzella, and they can now send messenger owls to them.  The two armies will finally be able to coordinate.  Is there anything the party would like to pass on?

Ovo will send his greetings and tell the following of the Siege of Bruxzella:

That there were thousands in the Hun army;
That the Hun's forces were made up of goblins, worgs, and orcs;
That the Huns used some sort of spell to bring down a part of the city's walls;
That they were using human slaves to help push the siege towers;
He will finally speak of the elven magic which halted the Huns and aided in their escape.

Swift looks at Ovo "Don't forget to let them knwo about the trolls." She rests with the others as they figure out what to do next.

(ooc- I figure we don't go across the river?)

Bulwyf will detail the peaceflower smoke they used. He will, as swift stated, mention the swamp trolls as well.

We are down to just 4 active players here- Kilren is leaving, and Alara has not yet returned.  So we have Ovo, Bulwyf, Swift, and Salen.  We shall assume Alara and Kilren are NPC's for the moment.

The “gray legion” melts away, with the survivors joining the refugees headed towards the river ferries.  They were able to wear weapons and armor and man the walls, but they are exhausted and in no shape for what may be very mobile warfare, especially if they are expected to keep up with the Huns.


The dense forest surrounding the Elven kingdom was  not meant to be inviting to strangers.  It is the great defensive hedge of the Ardennes Elves, more than five miles across in places.   The morning after the party reaches the Miradel, local Elves appear to guide the party, and especially the refugees from Bruxzella, because the paths through the forest are not made to be easy.

Further ahead, past miles more of forest, is the Meuse River.  The east side of the great Meuse river is where the Elves are sending non-combatants. They are being ferried across, with the boats at the city of Namaco.  Elves don't have “real” cities like Humans built but as Bulwyf recalls Namaco is as close as it gets.

A few thousand Elves live there in homes and in great trees along the banks of the river, and there are shops and gardens and the kinds of things one expects in a town.

The party is on the west side of the river, in the forest.  In fact, still miles from the river.

Kilren is home.  Though Elves have a love of freedom and individual action, it only goes so far.  There are places Kilren is expected to be, and he is not one to shirk his duties.  He says he has to join his people- Aranhil is taking charge of a troop, and he will be their wizard.

Beyrian, and the other Elves here, think the use of the Peaceflowers was a very effective idea- magic and wit defeating Hun brute force.  But repeating that trick would be impossible- the Hun army is now practically on top of the peaceflower fields.  Probably not right on top of it- Huns don't like flowers.

Soon the word comes- the Huns are not aiming towards Mos Trajectum.   Large armies have an obvious front and back and it is easy to see which direction they are pointed.  The Huns have arranged themselves to attack southeast, into the Ardennes.

“Where can we do the most good?” Alara asks.  “We have enchanted weapons, we have experience dealing with the kinds of horrors the Huns have brought with them.  Where you have to face the worst, that is where I should be.”

“We will not know where the worst will be,” Beyrian says,  “not until the Huns throw it at us.  But I think it will be at Namaco.  The lure of a city full of Elves will draw the Huns in,  as much as they hate us.”

“How is Namaco defended?" she asks.

“By the forest of course.  We have hundreds of warriors spread throughout the trees.  And more in boats on the river, where they can shift upstream and downstream quickly.   We have traps and magic and some enchanted creatures, Fey, other allies with us.  There is a citadel on the highest ridge above the city, but not many of us are there, that is more for observation, and for ceremony.  Elves typically don't rely on fortifications."

“An orc would not think that,” Alara says.

“Then that is where the Huns will aim."

Ovo thought about everything said then cleared his throat.

"I'm think'n the same trick they'd used at Bruzella may work again. We need ta present ah strong front at the forest's edge. Make 'em think we be more than we are. If we kin hold them... even for ah day Theoderic's army may be able ta hit them from the rear. We kin crush them betwixt us n' the forest n' Theoderic's army. The Ole hammer n' anvil. Kin we git enough bowmen ta hurt them... ta give them pause?"

"I'm no great bowman, but I can hit a Hun with an arrow. Though I prefer these swords."

"I perfer swords also but I can use a bow if someone can spare one. I like fighting in the woods. I like the idea of trying to get them to attack the woods and letting the army hit them from behind."

 Alara shakes her head.  “Ovo… the forest edge is a big place.   The Elves will be spread out across it.  The Huns will come for the city.  Whatever they have that is worst, they will send against that citadel Beyrian told us about.”

Beyrian is still there.  “But it isn’t really the center of our defense,” he says.  “It is an old palace fort, overlooking Namaco.  It’s in the open, exposed.  It hasn’t done much for us in many years. The Marquis and Marquessa never even use it, they stay on their boat.”

But Alara is adamant about this.  “You see it as unimportant, but the Huns see it as your city’s main fortress.  They will try to take it.  I know them, I’ve fought against the Huns for years.  I know what kind of tactics they use.  And you, Ovo, you’re a Dwarf, you probably would know more about how to hold that force than the Elves who built it.”

A message comes from Theoderic later, via a messenger Owl, and it reaches the party by way of the Elves.  Beyrian is still acting as guide for them, and he explains:

“Theoderic is warning us about Iron Warriors,” he says.  “Magical creatures made of metal, but infused with Infernal energy.  He says to be very careful.  These things may have been built specifically for us, to counter Elven magic and might.  If so,  it would be deadly for us to face them head on, but Theoderic says he has the help of a wizard who helped make them, who has powers against them.”

Wind rustles the tree canopies above.  It is December, and it is usually cold this time of year, but today it feels colder than usual.

"Did he say how long before the wizard was here, to help. If they send these iron warriors now, we will HAVE to face them. I know one of my swords will be effective against them.  But it's only one sword, magnificent as it may be. I do have a thought, though no tactician I am. Iron is heavy, if they set them upon us, have we a way to make the ground beneath them mud? They would sink and slow greatly, perhaps even become immobile..."

Elves were quite resistant to the extremes of weather, but somehow Salen still felt the need to pull his cloak around him a little tighter. His first time in the Ardennes was proving an unforgettable experience, and he was soaking it in. Using the natural defences around them was a popular move for many peoples, but particularly Elves, and moreso the Elves of the Ardennes. A barrier, virtually impenetrable, and five miles across in places? Even orcs would be cut to ribbons within.

Salen introduces himself to Beyriam Stargem, and announces himself honoured to meet the fellow. He would much like to see Namaco, and even the old citadel, but this may not be the time - there is much to discuss. The iron warriors may prove a particular problem.

"Mud is an excellent idea. Tell me Beyriam, you must surely have pits in your defences, yes? Doubtless they were designed to trap orcs and their minions, but perhaps they could trap iron warriors, too? Those might prove more capable of digging themselves out quicker than would an orc, but slowing them by any means can only help us. It will also enable us to take them down quicker, before they cause too many breaches in our defensive barrier."

Swift smiles "That old fort might not be important to you elfs now but the huns think it is and we need to use that to our advantage. We have an idea of how they will come in, so we place traps along it. We might not be able to stop them in one place, but we need to make them bleed as much as possible"

Beyrian nods to Bulwyf.  “That is true, they are likely well guarded against magic head on, but still vulnerable to the indirect effects.  Beings like that would find it harder to fight on soft ground. We do have wizards.  I know there are a few in the Riverlight clan, and a few in some of the other clans that are well represented here.  And some of our priests have magic like that, because they commune with spirits of Earth.”

He finds a few Elves who are acting as couriers, linking the scattered Elven forces, and sends them out with messages about the need for magic users who might be able to impede or stop the Iron Warriors.

”Pits is one thing we are short of here,” Beyrian says when Salen brings the subject up.  “It is a big forest to guard, and it is rainy here.  A pit left for any time will quickly become a muddy pool.  And we do not have the resources to make many pits in a short time.  But there are the living hedgewalls.”

He thinks about Swift's suggestion and says "Yes.. the approaches to the fort are steep and narrow and could be trapped much more easily than the forest floor."


* * * * *
After a short time, there come reports- both sides have tried some early reconnaissance.  The Elves have been making efforts to find the Iron warriors and they have- heading towards the city of Namaco but slowly, well screened by the enormous mass of the Hun force.  The Elves made a few quick attempts to get off some surprise spell attacks against the things, and confirmed that they are resistant, and perhaps invulnerable, to direct magical attacks.

The iron warriors, according to the early reports, are horrific looking things, eight to ten feet tall, covered with scales, spikes, horns, and blades, and each a featureless dark metallic gray.

As for the Hun attempt at scouting, there was a flight of some large, ugly black birds like giant vultures, and they did appear to circle by the citadel of Namaco, but they were driven off.

By what?  By owls.  The Ardennes Elves have an alliance with the owls of the forest, and a few of them get very, very big.  The greatest of them are forty feet across the broad stretch of their wings, and carry off deer instead of mice.  These are not many, but the Ardennes Elves they are essential.  Thus far, the owls have been used as messengers (the smaller ones) and for scouting and now, air interception missions.

There is another reason the Elves give for not putting their full weight into stopping the Huns at the edge of the forest.  It is essential, they have heard from Theoderic, that the Elves pull back until everyone can hit them together.  It is now clear that the main battle will be very, very close to Namaco.

If the party does not want to follow Alara to the citadel, there are other places where they could help the Elves intercept the Huns:

On the road that links Namaco with Bruxzella, which is really just a large forest trail in the Ardennes, they expect that the Huns will make their heaviest all-or-nothing push.  And of course, the Elves will be set up to defend.  However, they are also aware that the Huns are not fools when it comes to tactics, and they  expect flanking attacks through the forest.  The Huns have Trolls as allies- and these Trolls might guide them.  So the Elves are assembling into “reaction forces” that will move to ambush or intercept Hun assaults through the forest.  Finally, Elven battle tactics calls for a large mobile reserve, to wait behind and then move to wherever the need emerges.  This force will be in the city of Namaco.

Or, the party could attempt to rejoin Theoderic’s force, which draws closer with each hour.

Ovo gave the elf a nod.

"So the natural terrain around the fort be steep n' hard ta reach eh? Well then I say we give the Huns ah peper'n all through the woods. Jus ta know you are there. Mayhaps go'n so far as ta lead them ta the fort. It's there we'll make our pits n' make the ravines muddy. If the sides be steep enough n' the mud deep ah 'nough... well then that's where we kin make ah difference."

He then thought more about it and finally chuckled.

"We dwarves have ah method o' fire'n our bows. It would work e'en better for your folk. If ye have a group o' bowman fire their arrows n' then fade back into the forest where they will find another place to fire more form cover. The Huns will take after them, for their hatred o' yer kind if nuth'n else. Yet what if ye have another squad set up right behind the first. As the first squad runs by, the second rises up n' fires. They be play'n leap frog like that all the way back ta the fort. This way they nay have ta stand n' fight and can move all the better. Well? What do ye think?"

Bulwyf nods, "That's a wise idea. The more time we make the Huns take getting here they will be weakened by attrition and we can pin them in the ravines... can we collapes the entrance and exit?"

"If the machines of man have to go into ravines, maybe we could trap them to try and knock them over and then cover them? I can't imagine how it would be to fight one"

Much to Ovo's surprise, or possibly lack of surprise, some of what he is telling them is already incorporated into the Elven art of war.

The Elven defense is layered, and relies on steadily giving ground, while making progress slow and bloody for the enemy.  They Elves do not like the spend their lives recklessly- they look to the long term, and history tells them that since Orcs will quickly rebuild their numbers, anything near an even exchange of Elves for Orcs is a disaster.  In fact, they know that even if they lose only one Elf for each ten Orcs slain, it's a loss.  So they try to make each shot count, hurting the enemy and then moving away.

It's the orderly parts of Ovo's idea that they do not understand, and that is due to the difference between Elven and Dwarvish philosophy.  Elves do not adapt well to the order and regimentation that Dwarves are so proud of.  Beyrian cannot see why an Elf with a good target and a clear shot at it should have to wait for "his turn" with others.  As they see it, battles are hit-and-run affairs in the forest.  Shoot, and move, and shoot and move again.

Beyrian has to leave- he is a warder, he is expected to be one of those Elves running and raiding in the forest, harrying the flanks of the Huns.  The party is passed back through the forest, and by late afternoon they are in the hills west of Namaco.

A half dozen other Elves join them.  They are equipped with swords, spears, bows and chain armor- the armor is heavier gear than many of the  Elves use.  Apparently, the Elves cannot afford to equip everyone with the exquisitely light chain armor they are famed for.

"We've just arrived from the First Mark," one of them says.  "Our Marquis told us to go to the town of Namaco, and the war group we passed not a quarter hour ago said we'd find you and to go with you."

The run-and-shoot tactics the other Elves are using obviously require a more intimate knowledge of the landscape.  If you run though the forest in a battle area, you have to know not only to leap over the fallen log, but to leap far enough to clear the snare-thorns cleverly concealed behind it.  The Elves do make use of traps, but the danger of traps is that they can't tell one side from another.  So, those that aren't familiar enough with the forest, including other Elves, are being sent to more "conventional" battle areas.  And they are arriving in the classic ad hoc make-it-up-as-you-go-along Elven fashion.

This means they are not sure what they are supposed to be doing- but they are eager to do something, and if nothing else they come up with something on their own.

Yerral Springdance is their leader, but they seem inexperienced, "second line" warriors, and they are hoping to find someone who knows better than they what's going on.

"Well met, good fellows! I am Salen Soulwater of Geneva, and these are my companions Ovo Goledshield, Swift and Bulwyf. It seems you are as 'green' to this forest - if you'll excuse the pun - as we are ourselves. And while our common goal is obvious, it is perhaps less so as to how best we might position ourselves to fight the Hun menace.

At this early stage, I would suggest we repair to Namaco itself, and either join up with the 'reaction forces' or...station ourselves within the citadel, and fight there. The forest would appear to hold too much danger to the uninitiated, and sadly we must consider ourselves among those. What do you think, my friends?"

Salen looks to Swift, Ovo and Bulwyf for their thoughts.

"I am inclined to agree. But perhaps we wait at the edge of the forest and pick them off as they exit, only to retreat to the citadel and continue fighting? We simply cannot be effective in the forest, we could wind up caught in the traps meant for the Huns."

"I have to admit, I am more at home in the city, so maybe we should withdraw to the fortress. I would rather help with the traps and not get cuaght in them."

Ovo spied the ravines and ramparts of the fortress. His dwarven mind checking to see where a well placed palisade or dirt wall may hinder reaching the fort itself all the while eying where the wizards would do best to place their spells. Best to cause mud deep enough to make an Iron Warrior sink. He also wondered if there was time for him and the elves to build a few siege engines. Such that may bowl over an Iron Warrior or two.

"Aye! I'll be busy enough direct'n the fortifications. Yet ah squad o' elves, n ye wi' them Bulwyf, may do well to lead the Hun's n' their Iron Warriors toward our traps."

There is a matter of scale here.  It is about 26 miles between Namaco and the forest edge where they first led the refugees from Bruxzella.  While there is a path that runs between Bruxzella and Namaco, the Hun army is far too big to take it- the battle area can easily be miles across.

So, as with all the others in this battle, theirs is not the whole scope of it.  Just one little place, one fortress, that is situated in the path of the Huns.

Bulwyf can easily see that waiting at the forest edge and then pulling back to Namaco is not something they can do.  It is a full day’s travel and then some, through the very forest that the Elves are using as their primary defense.  And they would arrive at the citadel worn from fighting, then traveling, perhaps wounded.. all in all, not in optimal shape for defending a citadel.

The newly arriving Elves know this as well- Namaco, and the citadel, is behind miles and miles of forest.   It is the key point at Namaco.

There is another reason why the citadel might be more important than the “higher up” Elves realize, and Yerral Springdance has figured it out.

“If it comes to pass that the defense in the forest fails, and nothing on the west side of the Meuse River can be protected, then it will be necessary to evacuate to the east side, and use the river as the next line of defense.  If that happens, the citadel would be a  stronghold still standing on the west side of the river.   It can protect an evacuation, and when more forces have gathered, protect a counterstrike across the river.”

Of all the Ardennes Elves here, Yerras is the oldest.   He remembers the war with the Huns six decades ago.  He never got to fight in it- a lot of war consists of standing around, guarding, then moving to another place to guard.   But he remembers the things they did.

As they turn towards Namaco to set up their positions there, Yerras, who has been here before, tells the others about Namaco, in another thread:  The Citadel of Namaco.