Sir Abloc place 2d in her palm without people seeing it. "And this is for you. With more to come if you keep your eyes and ears open for us."

Sir Abloc does not want people to feel like he is pumping them for information. Instead his plan is to keep the ale flowing and just listen to their drunken stories. Sooner or later someone is going to say something ... hopefully.

In reply to Teller of Tales (msg # 34):

Rhydwyn will turn to Sir Daron. "Would you like to speak?" he asks quietly. "I was never great with socializing and getting information, all of those sorts of things."

Rhydwyn never enjoyed having to speak with strangers, but if Daron wanted him to speak first, then he would.

Sir Daron nods curtly and approaches the smith, deciding being straightforward is the best option for now.

"Greetings, I am Sir Daron and this is Sir Rhydwyn. We are here to help defend the city and we are looking for weapons."

Sir Abloc & Sir Aeddan

The barmaid accepts the donation with a pretty smile and sashays back to the bar.  Of the half dozen patrons, the knights guess that one is a messenger, two are merchants, one an off-duty guard, and two are just drunks.  Although it is unclear how the drunks support their habit.  As it gets toward evening, a larger crowd shuffles in.  Mostly shop keepers, artisans, and a merchant or two.  Probably 15 or so people in all.

Sir Abloc, rolled 3 using 1d20.  Courtesy.

Sir Abloc takes a check in Courtesy.

Everyone seems to immediately notice the knights and seem to be on their guard, although less so after a drink or three.  Most patrons are only around for a drink or two before presumably heading home.

Sir Aeddan, rolled 17 using 1d20.  Intrigue.
Sir Abloc, rolled 11 using 1d20.  Intrigue.

The knights do not hear anything of particular interest to their mission, although they are definitely new hear and viewed with some suspicion, so perhaps this comes as no large surprise.

Anything specific you would like to do?  How long do you stay, how many rounds do you buy (figure 1d = 3 servings of ale), do you stay mostly in the background or approach one group or another? 

Sir Daron & Sir Rhydwyn

The smith brightens at this, "really?  Well, I am the finest smith in town, I would be happy to make whatever weapons you might be interested in.  There has not been as much of a market of late as the in . . . the knights seem to have brought their own and have largely prohibited the populace from carrying weapons."

Sir Abloc spends 5d on the first night of drunken revelry and another 5d on the following night. He intends to play the role of a knight fond of drinking and dining with a purse full of money that he doesnt mind spending on the patrons. He expects music, dancing and silly stories and he is glad to be as far away from thew fighting as possible as it allows him more time to party. He always shows up a bit drunk - or so he hope they think - so he can spill his ale and hopefully not drink as much as everyone else. He wants to remain sober enough to pay attention to any drunken talk about secret tunnels, Roman catacombs and secret entrances to the city.

If he feels like people are starting to warm up to him by then then he intends to keep showing up at least a few nights more.

During the daytime he tries to get some sleep when possible and discuss the matters with the brave Sir Aeddan. "What shall we do? I hope our charade at the tavern will pay off eventually. And hopefully before my purse runs dry! I still think we could see if one of the men in our service comes from a family of miners. Perhaps he can determine where tunnels would most likely be dug? I really dont know what to do so I hope you are a wiser man than I!"

---

OOC: I have so far written off 10d (two nights of partying like it is 506 AD)

In reply to Teller of Tales (msg # 38):

Rhydwyn nods as he hears the man makes weapons. "What would you say to a spear?" he asks, curious what the price would be.

Sir Aeddan agrees that the outlay of money over a number of evenings seems worth the price; he, too, is spending 5d per outing.  When he talks with the locals, he tries to keep the conversation innocuous -- he'll mention a pretty lass he noticed in the town, he'll ask about how this season's weather will affect the local harvest, et cetera.  He's hopeful that he will eventually find someone who enjoys knowing other people's business and talking about it.

Separately, Sir Aeddan agrees with Sir Abloc that they should inquire of their own troops about someone with a background in mining.  Such a person might be able to point out general areas where tunneling would be practicable and, once they get a lead from the locals, might help them narrow down where to look.

Sir Daron scratches at his beard. The smith seems friendly enough so he decides to try the direct approach: "Would you be able to tell us where any old weapons might have been hidden?"

Sir Daron & Sir Rhydwyn

The smith's hopeful expression fades a bit at interest in purchasing a single spear, "1 denarius per spear," he replies a little sullenly, adding with a hopeful note, "250 for a Librum."  240d=1£

At mention of a cache of weapons, he becomes more guarded, seemingly concerned that the new knights in town think he could be involved in something illegal.  "I just make weapons, I am not involved in any trouble," he replies.

The pair spend the week asking around and following rumors, which turn out to be false, but find no evidence of an actual weapons cache in the area.

Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 20 using 1d20.  Intrigue.
Sir Daron, rolled 19 using 1d20.  Intrigue.

Sir Rhydwyn takes a point in Intrigue (fumble).

Sir Abloc & Sir Aeddan

The pair locate a knight with deposits of coal on his lands, who knows a thing or two about mining and tunneling.  Walking around the neighborhood, checking the soil, and looking out over the wall, the knight explains, "the soil here is not great for tunneling and would require a lot of wooden supports to prevent a collapse.  The amount of soil they would need to remove to get all the way under the wall would be very large and easily detectable.  It is likely that if there is a tunnel here, it predates our occupation."

Sir Abloc, rolled 4 using 1d20.  Courtesy.
Sir Aeddan, rolled 14 using 1d20.  Courtesy.
NPC Knight, rolled 1 using 1d20.  Industry.

Sir Abloc takes a check in Courtesy.

Armed with this knowledge, the two knights refine their data collection methods and after several nights, notice an older man who seems a bit lonely and always in search of people to listen to his tales.  Inviting him to their table in the back on a slow day, they ply him with drinks while he regales them with stories of his youth, growing up in the area.  After getting quite drunk, he lets slip a story about sneaking out of town via an old tunnel he and his friends found in a nearby courtyard that leads to the church outside of town.  (You each spent 10d total to date.)

Sir Aeddan, rolled 13 using 1d20.  Awareness.
Sir Abloc, rolled 2 using 1d20.  Awareness.

Sir Abloc and Sir Aeddan take checks in Awareness.

Sir Abloc and Sir Aeddan selflessly offer to help the man get home, although they express disbelief in the man's story.  Staggering somewhat, he leads them to a small courtyard and indicates a wall, which close examination reveals to contain a hidden passage.  Chastened, they apologize for not believing him, and get the man to his house.

---

About a week after the Cornish knights' arrival, word spreads that King Nanteleod's army is approaching and a day later a scouting party of some 50 knights arrives outside of the walls, and outside of arrow range.  They scout the area all around the walls from a safe distance and messengers can be seen riding back the way they came or arriving from that direction.

The following day, a huge host arrives, including more than one thousand knights and many more men-at-arms.  Sir Abloc, Sir Aeddan, and Sir Rhydwyn recognize the banners of Escavalon, Estregales, Norgales, and Somerset, while Sir Daron is quite convinced he sees King Lot's banner.

Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 11 using 1d20.  Heraldry.
Sir Daron, rolled 20 using 1d20.  Heraldry.
Sir Aeddan, rolled 5 using 1d20.  Heraldry.
Sir Abloc, rolled 1 using 1d20.  Heraldry.

Sirs Abloc, Aeddan, and Rhydwyn take checks in Herladry, Sir Daron takes a point in Heraldry (fumble).

The massive army sets up camp outside of bow range.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:22, Tue 07 Dec 2021.

Sir Abloc share the news about the tunnel with his companions but any chance of exploring the tunnel is cut short by the arrival of the enemy host. Now he find himself standing on the walls looking at a staggering amount of tents and banners listening to Sir Daron tell him that even King Lot is here to storm the walls and retake the city.

He feel a sense of dread creep up on him and a small voice in his back of his head keeps yelling "We are [censored]!" but he manage to smile to his companions (a rather strained smile that is) and in an attempt to keep up the morale on the walls yells out for all to hear "My brave brothers - knights and yeomen alike! I see a great enemy before us but I fear not because by my side stands Cornish men. Cornish! Oh just the sound of that word strike fear into their hearts. Why else do you think a host so numerous has come to these walls? What they lack in valour they try and make up for in numbers. But they will fail ... and the glory we will win will make Angels sing our praise!"

Hopefully his little speech cheer the men up while he leans closer to his comrades Sir Aeddan, Sir Daron and Sir Rhydwyn and whispers "I am bloody nearly wetting myself here. King Lot even, Sir Daron? King Lot?!"

"Sir Aeddan? We need to bring word about the tunnel to [insert name of the knight commanding our forces]. We should guard it and use it to strike hard at their siege train."

---

OOC: Who is in charge of the defense? I doubt it is us .. we are so far down the food chain that I doubt they have given us a city to defend.

"Agreed, Sir Abloc," says Sir Aeddan. "I have too little understanding of battle intrigue to suggest a plan to exploit the tunnel.  Brothers, we need to find our commander, or the Earl himself, and pass along our news immediately."

"Indeed we must. This city has been theirs for years so there is a chance - or risk - that they too know about the tunnel. Perhaps if an ambushed is prepared at our side of the tunnel then we can take prisoners if they try to use the tunnel to infiltrate the city. But ... quickly ... to the Earl."

Earl Guinier is in charge as it is his knights and troops guarding the city.  Your forces number around 50 knights and 250 men-at-arms.  Enough to cover the walls during an attack or generally keep the populace in check but little more.

A rough count of the enemy makes their numbers around 1000-1500 knights and 4000-6000 foot soldiers.  However, no siege engines are present, without which a frontal assault would be futile.  At a guess, you think their numbers roughly match those of the Cornish army.

It is evening before you manage to talk to the Earl.  He seems quite concerned about the tunnel and starts pacing, walks over to look at a map of the city, and then starts shouting orders.  There are a total of seven external gates but he guesses that the most effective use of the tunnel by the enemy would be sneaking a handful of knights in under cover of darkness and opening one of the two closest gates.  Alternately, they could attempt to send a larger force in during some distraction.

He orders four knights and ten soldiers to guard each of the two gates south of the river and assigns ten more soldiers to the four of you to watch the tunnel entrance.  You are to maintain a low profile so word does not get back to the enemy that you know about the tunnel.  If the enemy comes through the tunnel, you are to prevent them from getting to the gates.

Assume that you could be on 'stakeout' duty for an extended period, so figure out what sort of accommodations you which to occupy, how you setup watches, etc.  It will be around 8 pm when you get to the courtyard, the sun is up from 5am to 9pm.

Note:  I misread the number of troops Escavalon and Cornwall have, so I have adjusted the numbers in the two posts in this thread that mention troop amounts.

Sir Aeddan suggests to his brother knights that they quietly take over an empty house with a  back window that overlooks the courtyard.  The place is clearly unoccupied and has been for some time, so they can expect no objections.

His suggestion for a cover story is that the occupying force needs the place to store supplies (some empty crates, and some burlap bags of dirt, ought to do it).  Guarding the "supplies" will naturally involve the presence of some bored-looking men-at-arms.  At any given time, two men-at-arms will be in charge of keeping tabs on the front door and of observing the courtyard for any activity that may be tunnel-related.  The four brother knights can live in the empty house so that at least two are always present.

"What say you, brothers?" Sir Aeddan asks.  "Will that be sufficient to quietly keep an eye out for any activity?"

"It seems a most cunning deception Sir Aeddan," Sir Daron agrees, stroking at his beard. "We must also consider laying traps if possible in case the enemy does come in numbers - and with King Lot there I fear there will be numbers."

"Indeed. A most cunning plan Sir Aeddan, but I must agree with brave Sir Daron. If King Lot is here then there will be numbers and traps may be needed.

Could we perhaps stack bundles of straw? I suppose they will come out at night so we will need light and those bundles could be set on fire by our archers?"

Sir Abloc let the men prepare bundles of straw to be arranged at the entrance to the tunnel and in the courtyard.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:26, Wed 15 Dec 2021.

Playing stake-out is interesting for a few hours but after a couple of days, it has become monotonous and all four knights are half praying for something to happen.  Anything.

Watching the courtyard, and the surrounding area, the knights start to get a bit of a feel for the people in this area.  Sir Daron and Sir Rhydwyn both notice that like themselves, a pair of locals are watching the courtyard, and their house, in shifts.  One of them is always there at sun-up.  One or the other is there during the day and until at least any lights go out in your house.

Sir Rhydwyn, rolled 2 using 1d20.  Awareness.
Sir Daron, rolled 12 using 1d20.  Awareness.
Sir Aeddan, rolled 19 using 1d20.  Awareness.
Sir Abloc, rolled 18 using 1d20.  Awareness.

Sir Daron and Sir Rhydwyn take checks in Awareness.

You are starting day 4.  The four of you and 6 men-at-arms are staying in the house, while the other men-at-arms are staying in a nearby house.  The moon is waning and will be a new moon in another day (tomorrow night).  King Nanteleod's army is still camped outside the walls.  There has been no sign of any obvious plans to lay a siege, much less attempt to take the city by force.  This seems a bit worrying.

The courtyard is not lit at night, and there are only 3 houses (yours included) with windows looking onto the courtyard.  The other two are also occupied.  A little bit of light spills from the windows into the courtyard for a little while at night but it is just candles and they do not do much to light the place.  Because you are watching, there is enough light to see figures in the courtyard, but little else.  No one seems to be in the courtyard after dark (other than possibly the other watchers).  There are lights on the streets until about midnight.

---

You have bundles of straw if you would like to lay them around.  A couple of things of note:  First, straw is not going to instantly burst into flame when struck with a flaming arrow absent some oil or pitch;  Second, placing bundles of straw around may be noticed by those watching the courtyard.  This is not meant to dissuade you, I just want to make sure we are on the same page.

Other than deciding on the straw, what would you like to do?  For instance, you can have someone follow the watchers; confront them; capture them (or attempt to); kill them (maybe); ignore them; or do something else entirely.

"I suppose they are spies watching us. We are spotted but that was to be expected. I suggest we dont chase them down though. By pretending not to have noticed them they will think they have the element of surprise and that may be to our advantage. What do you think, my brothers?"

"I agree," replies Sir Aeddan. "If we continue our ruse that our job is to guard the supplies kept in this house, and if we do not seem to notice that anyone is watching us, then our position remains strong.  And if the town spies are keeping an eye out for chances to bring in their previous lord's troops through the tunnel, then our presence here may keep that from ever happening."

Sir Aeddan suggests that, at some point, they should stage a bit of theatre in which two of the men-at-arms carry bales of straw into the house, then complain to each other about having run out of room to store it.  They will, within sight and hearing of anyone on the street, decide to put some bales out in the courtyard and hope they don't get in trouble for doing so.  Those bales, in particular, will smell a bit of the oil that's been drizzled on them, to make them more flammable once a fiery arrow is fired into them.

Sir Abloc agrees with Sir Aeddan ruse and adds that guard duty is boring and will end up in people being drunk most of the time. So he make sure to send a soldier to buy wine now and then so people can hear loud drunken singing from the house at night. The wine is in reality just poured out (Sir Abloc make sure the soldiers know he will reward them with plenty of silver and wine after the siege if they keep up with the charade).

Doesnt hurt if the enemy think the knights and men-at-arms are drunk most of the time ...

Sir Daron smiles in admiration. "A cunning plan my brothers! You make a fine pair of knaves, and in a war it is at least as often the sly as the strong who wins."

He looks thoughtful. "Should we actually try and provoke an attack through the tunnel? The enemy would as like send their best, perhaps even some of their leaders and if we could slay or capture them it would be a great blow to the foe - aye, but a risk all the same."

"Oh I am sure they will attack us no matter what, brave Sir Daron. They will come through the tunnel and probarbly head for the gates. On their way they will try and dispatch of the drunken guards - us. We will surprise them by offering a stiff resistance and with all our fury push them back to the tunnel entrance. It will be easier to hold them there because the tunnel is quite narrow. We will take turns fighting until the attackers are driven back or we are relieved. Their attack through the tunnel will most likely be coordinated with an attack by the besiegers on our gates so we will be in for a long night.

And if we manage to easily defeat the attackers that come through the tunnel and if we suffer few casulties and if our Lord can spare more men, then I suggest we do as you say, my noble brother, and take the sword and torch to their camp. By navigating the tunnel and hit them hard while our main force sally through the gates and end this damn siege. But ... I admit .. that is alot of if's" Sir Ablic finally adds with a shy grin.

Another day of watching comes to an end, followed by a similarly dull night.  The following day the bales of slightly-oily straw are tossed into the courtyard with little fanfare or much attention paid it seems.

Sir Aeddan and Sir Daron are set to watch during the moonless night.  It is especially dark and dreary and the hours slowly tick by.  At some point, Sir Daron sort of drifts off to sleep.  Then, at 4 am, about an hour before it will first start to get light, Sir Aeddan notices a movement in the courtyard.  It is the two watchers!

Sir Aeddan, rolled 9 using 1d20.  Energetic.
Sir Daron, rolled 16 using 1d20.  Energetic.
Sir Aeddan, rolled 4 using 1d20.  Awareness.

Sir Aeddan takes checks in Energetic and Awareness.

Shaking Daron awake, Sir Aeddan watches as the pair go to the door and open it.  For a brief moment there is the bright glow of torchlight before the burning brand is extinguished.  In that instant, Sir Aeddan can see armored knights behind the door.

As Sir Daron wakes the others, Sir Aeddan watches as ten knights emerge from the doorway and stand, presumably taking to one of the two watchers while the other watcher heads out one of the two alleys from the courtyard (toward the front of your house).

As Sir Rhydwyn and Sir Abloc don their armor and the men-at-arms ready their weapons, what would you like to do?  There are the four of you and six men-at-arms in your house, which has a backdoor into the alley and a front door (soon to be watched) out onto the street nearest to the wall.  There are an additional four men-at-arms in another house nearby that you can signal (I assume you have prearranged some basic signals).

You do not know what level of coordination and communication has gone on between the watchers and the invading knights.  Presumably the knights do not want to raise the alarm but it is unclear whether bypassing or clearing your house would be their plan nor how long before they begin their operation.  There are knights and men-at-arms at the gate, which is not far away in case you wanted to alert them or request backup but that would require sending a man-at-arm who would not be available if a fight erupted quickly and could be seen or intercepted and spook the invaders into a quick rush to the gate.  If sending a man-at-arms, do you send one from your house or the other one?  You can assume that only the enemy knights will engage in any battle.

"Action at last!" Sir Aeddan mutters to himself.  Having seen one of the enemy knights headed for their own front door, presumably to intercept anyone raising an alarm, Sir Aeddan signals the four men-at-arms from their other house--as previously agreed, one man-at-arms will make haste out the front door and to the guard tower, to raise the alarm.

Presuming the alarm-raiser is successful, his next objective will be to surprise and disable (or kill) the guard who is watching the front door of the Hero Hideout.

In the meantime, as soon as the brother knights and remaining men-at-arms are suited up, they will all descend on the courtyard to capture (or, if necessary, kill and forfeit that tasty ransom money) the ten enemy knights who are there, along with the guards.  If the heroes can accomplish this, they can then light the hay bales on fire and toss them into the tunnel, hopefully delaying any other enemies who are en route.