The Northern most force of the Duke heads South behind much of the rebel army, which out flanked has to with draw quickly and in some disarray.

The army had marched a while back and Padraig had stayed in Freehold with Melinda to ensure that his family's affairs were in order and that the town did not suffer as a result of the recent battle that had occurred.

In truth, he'd been reluctant to let the commander and his squire head off without him, but thought it was best to attend the recent affairs so that they could bring more of a force to bear, and not falter should an insurrecting force rise up behind the main body of the force that had gone south already.

On the first day that the group of soldiers Padraig had made them stand in order, letting his sergeants have strict regiment of training and pushing them hard - and ensuring that further deserters were hung in public.

"Deserters, scum, villainy, traitors. These are the whispers of the Duke's forces, those that have fought and bled for the loyal cause.

They look upon you like you're the shit of dogs and I don't doubt that many of them would take pleasure in beating you into a bloody and messy pulp. Rightly so, some may claim and to them you are dead men. Nothing more than Bones.

But we are a company, we are The Company of Bones and in our efforts to fight for the Duke we will use the blood of the rebels to rebuild ourselves bodies of the Kingdom and once again be part of it. Either that, or you'll feed the kingdom with your bones.

So I take you all at your word now, come and pledge to me. There will be no retreat, there will be no acquittal, your only way out is through death or retribution. Any can join, but none will leave the same.

he said, riding along the line and addressing groups of men in turn. He left them with no illusion, punishment of desertion or failing to follow orders, or retreat was death, and nothing else.

He rode up and down the lines after finishing, waiting to hear any rebuttal, complaints or questions but then turned.

"Sergeant Humerous! Form the ranks, and march south, double time!" he called out, before spurring his horse back to Melinda.

Well a bit too harsh, which you will be reminded of quickly by your officers and sergeants ... Hanging deserters just has them leave in droves at the first chance, as they did to the Rebels Noble Army. But the offer of clemency will go a long way to assure their willingness to fight on our side. You must use far more carrot than stick with these men, as most have been beaten too often and for too little reason.

OOC: No, no no

I mean, if they desert 'again'. If they're already deserters of rebels, they can opt to join the company, but as the company is made up of deserters then they become the Company of Bones.

If they desert the company of bones, they get hung :D (it' slike, they have the chance to redeem themselves and afford themselves retribution in the eyse of the DUke and kingdom by joining the comapny of bones....

once they're in it though, they only get out through glory or death though.


The goal isn't to be unduly harsh with them, it's to be strict to ensure a good company that will survive well.

They will be rewarded as soldiers and paid etc. But 'desertion' is a capital offence, and especially if deserting the army that was fighting in rebellion already. Both of those are capital crimes, and instead of essentialyl being ostracised from society or looked upon as either cowards or triators, the Comapny of Bones is there to make it better for them.

(that's the premise)


I mean, i might have got the 'wrong end of the stick'. But i'll re-write if that's needed. He's not stupid :D


This message was last edited by the player at 20:31, Sun 28 June 2020.

In reply to Padraig MacTire (msg # 4):

Remember that if they are captured by the rebels and found out, things won't go well either.
Threats do not incite trust or good will. the Band of Brothers approach does, the British army has found that most men won't desert their fellow soldiers, but would break and run if it was just up to them alone. You may get deserters with your current approach and you don't have time o assets to chase them. Better you make the group inclusive and brotherly. Do remember that thirty of your sergeants were from that army too... you only have 24 men and two sergeants from Freehold. You also have two officers with you, that's it.

You head south generally following the tracks of the two armies ... they left quite a trail. Water isn't an issue and food is holding up pretty well, as your hunters/scouts have been able to bring in some meat.

OOC:
I guess the style of leadership can work or not depending on the rolls?

I understand that the camaraderie is a good motivator. But that's what he's aiming to instil. "GLory together as the Company of Bones that is looked down upon by th emain army, but we're all in it together for the redemption and glory".

In a way, it actually implicitly means that they're all absolved of their previous errors and will be judged entirely on their conduct within the company.




23:51, Today: Padraig MacTire rolled 12 using 3d6.  leadership.

// pass by 4

pass by 6 if you include charisma
another +2 if 'born soldier' counts for anything.

+1/+2 for Sense  of duty to them.


I think Padraig is probably a pretty decent leader of men.




This message was last edited by the player at 22:57, Sun 28 June 2020.

Yup, you pass leadership and the unit starts to come together. It takes about 5 days to find anyone ... then you find a couple of scouts watching the Duke's army's back.  They send for an officer who shows up some hours laterand fills you in ...

The Nobles Forces are in retreat , but are trying to Gather around a spot well north of and slightly west of Spirue. However they have noticed that some forces seem to be heading southwest to block the  way around the west side of the Sea.

Currently the Rebels hold the area south of the river that runs from East of Soldis/Freemarket around and north of Yanna and west toward the mountains, except in the west where the Duke's forces have pushed them back and are curling in behind them. Atthe moment the Duke's forces are stretched pretty thin and are saved only by the Rebels inability to organize a counter attack. They hope to push them into a much tighter salient before the rebels can recover.
They would like you to move southwest and disperse/defeat any rebel forces you find and send back information if you should find any sizable force. They want you to prevent any communication around this way and warn of any large force coming from here.

See the Group 0 game map to make some sense of all this.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:23, Sun 28 June 2020.

Despite his rough introduction to the Bones company, Padraig was amiable enough with the soldiers he encountered, and talked freely with them. They were in it together, after all.

"Have riders spread out wide ahead of us, and pick up any sign of enemy forces. We're heading south west and mostly cleaning up the remains of the enemy forces.

If scouts note any force too big for us to deal with easily, then they should pull back and we'll have to relay this information back to the Duke" he said to his sergeants.



OOC: re 'The Noble's Forces - is this the Duke's forces, or the enemy? If it's the Duke then they've pushed a 'very' long way into enemy territory. Ah yes, they pushed through and are moving in for flanks. Awesome!

Noble's Forces are the enemy...

You push SSW for several days... say 6 before you start finding groups of enemy stragglers heading generally SSW or SW ... mostly small groups being herded along by a sergeant or junior officer. They take one look at you and generally run .. the leader will try to get them to stand, but then find he needs to run too.  You can round up as many as you wish... where do you send them?

OOC: One of the reasons, other than being busy, that I havne't replied to this yet is because I don't actually know the answer! You're good at catching me out with these kinds of questions/propositions.

Do we want more enemies at our front or back, or do we kill them/hang them, or press gang them? Not an easy question.


Padraig circled the captured men. Enemies and prisoners of war. But he was not sure precisely how to deal with them. He wasn't convinced they would willingly join the Bones company, or last the night without deserting again and he was unwilling to slaughter them all to a man. But they did all have to be punished.

"You're all tried under treason, those that were bore of this land, and those who were not are enemies upon our soils seeking to bleed our people. You are our enemy and until proven otherwise, or redeemed in a manner beyond mine to judge you will be treated as such.

Those of our kingdom may be offered the same redemption as others, those who are from foreign lands will be well-treated but prisoners.

I warn you not to take my generous treatment as folly..." he said, addressing them all.

"Sergeant, restrain and tether them. Those from our lands can speak before me" he said.

Even if it impeded their mission, it was the way war was supposed to be conducted... at least he hoped so.

The sergeants tiw their hands and suggest taking them East a ways to see if they can find a friendly force... assuming you allow them to, they return at dusk, having turned them all over to a force from the Duke's Army.

You spend the night and march south in the morning... you constantly see  small groups of soldiers running from you, but they aren't running South, The Captured/turncoat sergeants just wave them off... They ain'no threat...they's running fer their lives.

Padraig nodded Aye, let them go. We'll not bother so much with these types of stragglers unless there's threat of them forming up and threatening the flanks of the duke's army. Instead lets continue

Little threat of that, and your city and lands are well garrisoned, so they'll go elsewhere. Expect they'll come back south if we invade Zenther. They all have Family and such to look out for...


As You march South SouthWest you see in creasing amounts of damage to farms and such, mostly just killing and butchering animals or stealing food. They don't seem to be hurting peasants too much unless they get in the way. It's clear that food is in short supply and discipline is falling in the force you are chasing.  The locals tell you much the same. You are only a few hours behind them now and moving far more quickly, even with your supply wagons, as foraging is slowing them down a lot.

You send a few mounted men forward as scouts , who give you information that they are just a loose bedraggled mob moving south, and the Nobles and sergeants can't seem to hold them in any formation or stop men from wandering off at will. You sould run up on them a little after mid-day ... they do not have any pickets out, so you will be a surprise too.

They'll break easily if we attack, I reckon... he said contemplatively to the assembled sergeants "And it looks like they may be having supply troubles, or at least will be if this devastation is anything to go on...

Alright, the plan. We take out their command. Ranged men focus on the nobles and commanders while the infantry push onto them, and the Cavalry begin to harry as best we can. With their command gone and low morale, they should break easily and then we can treat with them

As expected you close with them shortly after midday, despite every effort of the mounted nobles and sergeants, the soldiers just fade away in almost every direction going away from you. Within a few moments the 5 Nobles realize all is lost and  point their horses away from you and gallop off ... your few mounted men in pursuit. You capture their baggage wagons...actually a couple of carts, with a little food and five trunks occupying much of the space and weight.  The food is not very appetizing looking.

Padraig felt the rush of potential combat build up as the wind rushed across his face while he pursued the fleeing nobles. It was a moment of exhilaration followed by a moment of irritation as he realised they might have just had enough of an advantage to get away.

He waved the men to slow and called out "Ah, bugger them they've lost their force anyway... None of those troops will suffer the command of them again for some time". Looking down at his horse, he smiled affectionately and patted its flank before turning it to face the captured goods.

A short canter back had Padraig in the midst of his men and a moment later he spied the chests. "Alright everyone, go sit down and take some rest, post guards to keep an eye out just in case.

Sergeant, get everyone over there to recover and take some food and we'll see what's in these boxes"

OOC: He's making sure that the contents are outside the view of the troops, so that only the sergeants in his current presence are privvy to the contenst (just in case).

Basically they are chests of clothes, eating utensils and stuff to live in the field with... obviously nicer than what the men have, but nothing worth a lot of money. The Trunks themselves might be the most valuable. That said, some of the clothes and such might serve your men well, as some of them are wearing stuff that is threadbare.

Padraig looked down at the clothes and just shrugged "Hand it out, give clothes first to those whose are in worst shape and be fair about it"

Yes Sir, same with the plates and cups?

One or two of these look to be silver or silver plated ... they would match nothing and your are at least as nice.
They also turn up a couple of small knives, probably used for eating.
The sergeants basically empty the chests by turning them over, grabbing whatever is on top and looking for someone in need or calling out a name.  Surprisingly, they seem to have a pretty good memory for who needs what. You have to laugh when they call one poor soul over in shoes wrapped with rags holding them together and size him against some of the boots... he ends up in a nice pair of Jodhpurs, some stockings and soft leather riding boots folded down just below the knee. This coupled with his homespun shirt are incongruous.

Troop morale is obviously up and the sergeants also look out for some of the Troops from Freehold who are in need. A sign that the soldiers are becoming one as a unit.

Padraig did laugh when he saw the state of the man's shoes. "BLoody hell, you need a new pair dont' you! Get them boots on your feet and see how they fit" he called out in good humour.

"One of the benefits of the Bones company! We get spoils for good behaviour! he called out to the amassed troops before signalling them to head on. They still had a lot of land to cover to support the main force.

The troops did indeed get it together and move on, the carts moved far more easily with just the empty trunks.
You sense that your actions did a lot for morale and pulled the men together a bit.

You camp miles to the south ... you capture no nobles, but find a dead horse with a saddle ... obviously one of the nobles that was ridden to death. The saddle is worth money and added to the cart. The personal stuff has been removed.

Padraig left the camp guard to the sergeants and then considered their position. He didn't have a map, and assumed that if anyone else did they'd have shared it by now. So instead, he took some time to relax and consider their next course of action, while missing the company of Melinda.

In talking with some of the sergeants that have rolled over to the Duke's side, you find out that they have some knowledge of where you are headed. It's mostly flat land, with a few drainage ditches ... it's perhaps another day or so to the river. They expect to see a gaggle there as new officers want to advance while those retreating want to continue to do so...

The man took the information in and nodded as the sergeants revealed it. Good work, we can probably move around them and gain some advantage with the terrain..." (tactics?)

"if we can harry them enough to distract from the Duke's main force, perhaps he'll be able to press their advance while we take the flank. Even a few well placed flanking arrows, enough to break the line would likely see the Duke winning the engagement" he said, formulating the plan and then setting it in motion as they prepared to move.

You move south in such a manner as to most probably not hit the rebels main defense and to turn it's flank as well. By later afternoon, your NCOs suggest that you stop here and spend the night as you are but a mile or two from the enemy's expected line. That will let the scout reconnoiter and your men rest after marching all day, they suggest you attack at daybreak.

Padraig nodded, it was a good plan and best to let the men rest before any large encounter was engaged.

"Alright, lets set up here - we'll send out scouts to get an exact count and position and rest before joining an attack with sunrise... Make sure you're all well rested and have yourselves sorted out"

Things go smoothly ...

Give me a tactics and a leadership roll...

22:27, Today: Padraig MacTire rolled 13 using 3d6.  Leadership.

22:27, Today: Padraig MacTire rolled 7 using 3d6.  Tactics.

Come morning, your Men are in place and move forward on your signal, their guards sound the alarm and run. By the time your men plow into the camp in formation, the enemy camp is in turmoil and cannot mount any sort of coherent defense, the whole force, easily twice your size crumples ... Nobles flee on horse back in their sleeping shirts or whatever they grabbed, leaving their fancy tents and gear behind ... enemy troops scatter to the 4 winds and you have a huge problem with the large number who surrender ... more than 600!

Padraig frowned at the number of prisoners they took and thought perhaps their morale was terrible if so many surrendered.

He called his sergeants over after the men had surrounded and thought what best to do.

"Requisition all the belongings here, and have our quartermaster take account of all the stocks and items we now have in store.

Keep the prisoners tied - but feed them and give them a drink of some beer, or alcohol we might have.  Same for our lads, lets make sure they get fed properly and enjoy themselves a little - but nobody gets drunk yet.

We can rebuild the camp - if the prisoners help they can use one or two of the tents when we camp.

Also, find their leaders, and send them into that tent over there, I'll use it as the command tent for now.

Everyone did fantastic, and should be proud of their efforts. A lot of honour was gained today.

He said, patting the closest sergeant on the shoulder before retiring to what he assumed to be the previous command tent.

---

When the prisoner leaders were brought he'd prepared a few words to ensure their compliance, as best he could - but he also wanted to know why they broke so easily.

His first question was "Tell me how a force over double our size managed to break so easily. You and your men look strong enough so I can only imagine that you wished to be here much less than those noble cowards that fled he said, already anchoring the notion that they had been abandoned by cowardly commanders.

The sergeants suggest that no one be tired up, but that they clean up the mess and set all the tents back up ... Their weapons will be removed, as will their armor. They further suggest no alcohol so there are no problems. Water and food, some tea with breakfast.

Their rations are very limited except for what the nobles had, which was excessive to their needs as there were only 5 of them. They'd like to add those rations to the general supply, it won't make food plentiful, but will certainly bolster what they have had up to now ... and it will augment our rations too.  They will keep the prisoners busy and are already moving the enemy sergeants away from their troops. Some of them arew not to be trusted at all ... other may decide to change sides seeing what those who did now have.


The three Nobels tents are in disarray,  but the two smaller tents each have two cots for young nobles sons, the large tent has only one somewhat lavish sleeping area and a separate meeting/common area. There is a comely young peasant girl cuffed to the bed swearing only a shift. She is shaking from fear and the cold both and terrified when you enter.

He nodded at the suggestions.

When Padraig walked in, he spotted the girl and then gestured the other men away.

"Out" he said, and then once clear, walked over to the girl and squatted next to her.

"Who are you?" he said while retrieving a knife from his boot to cut her restraints.

Her restraint is an iron cuff with a key lock.
She screams and tries to get as far away from you as she can.

A sergeants asks What's goin' on? through the tent divider

Padraig looked back at the sergeant. "There's a girl here, some prisoner of sorts, bring me something that can break manacles please" he said as he turned back to face the girl and gestured peacefully.

"I'm not here to hurt you, do you know where the key is?" he asked, before pointedly looking around the room. Then, having given her something industrious to focus her mind on and bring her back from the edge of fear he spoke again, using placating tones. "The man who occupied this tent is no longer in command, he's fled and we now have taken it back. We're allied to Catheran... he said, hoping she could find something to cling onto there.

As unfortunate as her situation was, a screaming, near-naked and terrified woman in camp was not something that was going to lead to good things.

Her face still shows fear but she doesn't scream any more ... So Sir Garulf isn't here? she asks in a very soft plaintive voice.

Padraig shrugged "He's either dead, a prisoner or has fled. But for certain, this isn't his tent anymore"

"So, who are you? And do you know where the key is?"

The key was around his neck ... I am Sasha de Uberville, My father was a Baron who came upon hard times ... Garulf came and conquered us I guess ... I was hustled off in a blindfold, I have no idea of what happened, though I fear for my family. He then used me as he saw fit, passed me around to the whelps he had with him ... I am debased. No man would have me now.

Padraig grimaced at the notion and then patted her shoulder lightly, wishing Melinda was here to console the girl "Well, we can worry about that later, you're alive and free again. Lets find you some clothes and get you fed and then we'll figure out how to get you home

She Snorts  Home?, I no longer have a home ... even if my father lives and has a holding, he can't marry me off ... I am nothing to anyone but a woman to use. I never wanted to be a Nun either.

He frowned again "Well, we'll see what we can do for you. I have a friend that might be able to help you she's back at Freehold. So for now, you can stick with us"

FWIW she is dressed in a loose gown, she is not bare.


It is about 15 minutes later when a sergeant speaks from outside the curtain one of the soldiers was apprenticed to a lock smith and says he may be able to open them...

Sasha settles down a little . Thank You , that would be more than I have hoped for.  Garulf was an ass, but a big strong one and he used his size and strength freely to get his way, all his sergeants were scared of him, as he killed one of them with his bare hands for telling him he couldn't go a certain route ... of course they were seriously mired and had to back out and go another route, but the man was still dead, even though right. They were to hold the crossing  so that it could be used to bring reinforcements. Those were to arrive tomorrow and cross using boats that Garulf has gathered by the river..

Padraig laughed at the information she provided and then shook his head in near disbelief. "My lady, you prove to be invaluable.

I've known plenty like Garulf, but for now he's out of the picture.

Okay, lets get you dressed properly then we can have our man see about your manacles, eh?

I can't dress very well while so manacled ... and don't have much to wear anyway, as Garulf threw it away, said I wouldn't need it anymore.

Padraig shrugged at the obvious comment, he just didnt think about the situation. "Alright, let me find you a blanket and then we'll get him to come and unmanacle you. You can stay in here too at your leisure, but you're free to stay or go as you wish. We'll find some clothes for you - they might not be the most lady-like, but they'll do until we can get you to a place you can find your own things. Ill get you a knife too.
he said.

He then climbed up to his feet and looked through the tent for something to cover her, before summoning in the soldier.

"Get rid of those chains" while he went to task, Padraig looked out of the tent to the nearby Sergeant and asked "There's a big guy, goes by the name of Garulf, he was the leader here. If you spot him amongst the prisoners, bring him to the tent"

OK PADRAIG ! ... She is Covered ... she is wearing a loose shift that goes below the knees. It is not see through although thin enough cotton ... like one of your dress shirts cloth, but has arms with short sleeves and covers her neck to below the knee.
If you got it wet, she'd be on display for sure, but right now she is decent if only thinly covered ... so clothes will be appreciated, but she isn't bare by any stretch.


The sergeant brings the man in who goes to work on the cuffs ...  He was one who rode off I think, but we have scout and some back up for them following to see what's there ... only about 20 or so ran that way.

OOC: SLightly annoyed by the impatience of your comments. If you want it resolved, I suspect that the better method is to just OOC: metagame it to make the point clear. Or just be clear about it.

Players obviously work on a different set of expectations and understandings of the scene/environment/world.


IC:

"Figures, people like that would often ride away to save their skin than do right by their men. Keep the scouts looking for their whereabouts. If they can engage safely, they should. Otherwise, we'll prepare before engaging.

Ideally, i'd like to get Garulf or one of his superiors alive.

He called out. Then, looking at the woman, now unrestrained, Padraig said "We'll set a tent up for you. I can't promise you'll have one to yourself, but we'll do our best to keep you apart from the soldiers.