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Post by Admin on Jan 13, 2020 7:51:45 GMT
Calvera finds his leaders arguing amongst themselves. Only a brief moment of listening outside the tent is enough to let him know that the changes in the valley during the night has discombobulated the men. To their credit, most of the debate is about how to deploy in a manner that would allow the soldiers to be best able to handle any further changes in the days to come.
They stand at attention when Calvera enters and give him the proper salute. From their report, he learns that the army is estimated to need most of the remaining daylight hours to have the barges ready for mass deployment across the river, to start ferrying across men now would leave them unable to defend against a rush from the Marquis' Rangers and the rest of the scouting force. The scouts that have been sent to this side of the river could also be quickly disposed of but it seems like too obvious a trap and the generals suspect the invaders have long-range bowmen or some sort of artillery device that could counterstrike against Calvera's forces. But if they have no such weapon then a small force could conceivably hold the shore against the enemy crossing. Calvera's main force is about a day away, the timing is tight it could be that Calvera could bring his full force down upon the invaders while they are landed but not formed into battle positions but his force might be tired from the long night's march to fight at full effectiveness. Otherwise, they could arrive and be ready to fight once the invaders have crossed and also formed into battle formation. another concern is the Unicorn idol being constructed across the river, some of the soldiers in the area are aware of the Cult of the Unicorn and are afraid that a battle with its forces will result in a curse being cast upon them and this land. They also return to the concern of the field of battle becoming more transformed before the battle takes place.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2020 3:38:09 GMT
"Khan, the rangers say the bridge up the river still stands, we could send word to the Marquess and have a second force arrive on the far side of the river. They should be able to make before morning. We could attack them from booth sides as their force was crossing the river."
"I'ld like to. And if that was an ordinary man over there Aramis, I might try a high risk plan like that. But that is a prince of Amber and I have under estimated him once. We'll with draw.
Send word to General Kail with the main force to meet us at the Marquis's keep on the Zheng He, we'll be there by tomorrow at the latest with an army not far behind. Give 2 of the rangers fast horses ride with 2 of our men to the Marquis, tell her to prepare for a siege. We will also want remounts for us. Healthy animals with plenty of wind.
The rest of us will make it look like we are preparing to defend this place. Hunt down and scatter the scouts. Take measurements, paint rocks. Run string. I'll want a Sand table here. Post a scheadule of couriers to ride over the hill. Have them wait a bit then ride back hell for leather up to the sand table to deliver a message. Have some of them change clothes as well.
I want the Enemy crossing the river formed up and ready for battle. We'll be riding out as they cross and traveling all night so get some sleep.
We're in for a chase men, and a long one. Sell this rouse and we can get a couple hours head start. I want them to put in a full day of building boats expecting a battle at the end of it. Then we yank their fight out from under them at the last minute."
Through out the day Calvera sat a the river side and watched the enemy preperations, couriers galloped up to him and delivered messages to him and his captians. Engineers took measurements there was even the sounds of axes and hammers from over the ridge.
One of the first messagers was Aramis, "Why all this work only to ride away Sir. Why not take them here pinned against the rivers edge, its not like you Khan."
"Thats my Cousin over there, likely Bleys Son. But if it was only that I would do just as you say, take them here or at the Keep. But he has an ally hidden to me. He's suprised me before. If I am going to beat him I will need an ally of my own. We're headed to Amber, tell any of the men with wives or sweet hearts to join with Gereral Kail at the Keep. The rest of us ride for my home."
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Post by Admin on Jan 17, 2020 6:20:50 GMT
Calvera's orders are followed with only the minor inconvenience of the land near the water being much more muddy and boggy than it looked slowing down the preparations by a small length of time but not enough to get behind schedule. That mud would have been hell on the calvary or any heavy armoured troops that tried to rout the enemy scouts. Calvera's men who travelled far to the bridge report of hidden enemy soldiers and workers planning to destroy the bridge during a crossing.
The General just watches from his side of the river and doesn't seem to alter his plan other than the pace of raft building increases. When the General rides his horse down to the river's edge Calvera can see his long, grey face and mouth of sharp teeth that continually chew. On gum, tobacco, cud, or some other unknown stuff he can't tell.
Early in the afternoon, Calvera feels something rise from the opposite camp and reach across the river to his people. A hand searching? The Invisible Evil Eye of Arravark? Something is there searching its way through the soldiers wandering about them in their knots of guards, lines of carpenters, groups of cavalry, but somehow missing - or avoiding - Calvera himself. After fifteen minutes it retreats back across the river.
Evening comes and the enemy begins their crossing in a vast flotilla of creating barely floating rafts depositing the soldiers on the close shore. Before the final retreat, Calvera sees the giant wooden Unicorn being rolled on to two rafts which had been lashed together.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2020 14:48:50 GMT
Calvera and his troop rode at a swift but unhurried pace through the night. The moon was high and the other two rangers knew the way quite well, the road had even dried out some. Must have been when the General (or who ever) swapped the flooded river for a calmer one.
Tomorrow He would have to decide. Fight or run. Calvera wasn't one to run. But he didn't fight other princes either. The fight in the pass had shook him. He hadn't been that near death since he was poisoned by a concubine. That was far from here and the recovery took a long time. Sifu taught him to watch his anger and watch for the hidden hand. That is how he could be beaten, even by a lesser General.
Preperations would be made, he carried a letter for General Kail and one for Sifu Li. He might run but he intended to return. Things would need to be looked after in his absence.
They arrived just before dawn. The keep was buttoned up tight and would not open the gate. No suprise there, allies turn opportunist very quickly in this land, but the horses were there, and Calvera knew the Marquess would ride out and throw her wieght on the scale if the battle hung in the balance.
The front elements of the mercenary army were just getting into position. Setting up on a long low ridge with one side anchored by the keep. Scouts and pickets were out. Calvera passed a few more instructions and then went to catch a few hours of sleep. He should be well ahead of the invaders, 5000 men are harder to move than 50.
When the enemy arrived they would find an army ready to face them and a table well out of bow shot, with spring flowers and two chairs as well Calvera's tiger penent on a black field. A clear invatation to parlay.
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Post by Admin on Jan 22, 2020 7:52:00 GMT
Calvera waits longer than he expected by the time the first scouts are sighted stalking their way up the valley. The dust clouds and stench of the approaching army is then seen. The invading scouts stay away from Calvera's scouts until the approaching light skirmishers and form up intending to chance Calvera's scouts back to the keep. Seeing the flag and preparations for parley they stay back waiting for orders.
Half an hour later the reason for the army's slow march is discovered when the Unicorn statue is rolled into view with the priest leading, commanding, and cajoling the enslaved local men who pull the burden up the hillside. The General arrives then and arrays his heavy troops for battle then sends a messenger forward carrying a white flag.
"The Great general of the Daant requests a pause in the conflict and parley in the hope of a peaceful resolution to this conflict. He has instructed me to say your preparations are adequate and he will arrive when the sun reaches zenith."
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2020 2:39:22 GMT
Calvera had arrived before dawn and had left clearn instructions not to be awakened before the enemy arrived in force. So with their delay he got if not a full nights sleep all the rest he could stand be fore a battle.
In the late morning he walked the lines, joking with the men as they took what ease they could more or less in formation. The few men in his personal guard were picketed with the fresh horses of to one flank, their may be a battle today but there may not.
Before noon he bathed, shaved and dressed for the parly. Black and Red silk brocade. Sword on his hip, gloves tucked in his belt, dagger tucked horisontal in the small of his back ruby earing and Naginata. He approached the table before the appointed time and with the help of a few servents layed out lunch. Off to one side he set a playing board for stones.
Preperations make he dismissed the servents and stepped back a few paces to one of two aromor stands. He stuck his pole arm but first into the dirt and hung his sword belt on his armor stand. He held his arms out and turned slowly in a circle, clearly visible to both armies.
That done he sat at the table and poured himself a cup of tea.
Warfare. Simple battle plan, line on a long ridge, anchored to the north by the Marquess's keep and the river, some light artillery just over the crest of the ridge. Calvery to the south out of sight to flank the enemy or prevent a flanking attack. No major casters no Saffron Palidins but a few priests to bless the army. I wish I had more heavy infantry and artillery. Everyone always wishes they had more heavy infantry and artillery when the battle finally comes.
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Post by Admin on Jan 25, 2020 8:37:03 GMT
The battle line of the Daant separates and the General marches through nd up to the table. He gives a nod to Calvera while leaning his great mace against a rock equidistant from his seat as Calvera's sword. He sits and pours himself a cup of tea, takes a sip and swishes it around his mouth before swallowing.
"A fine blend of leaves and well prepared, is this a local leaf or did you bring it from elsewhere?" he asks.
He is tall, thin, with grey leathery skin, long face with a mouth of sharp pointed teeth. His eyes are bloodshot and Calvera feels that this is their natural state rather than the result of exhaustion. He is dressed in chainmail with a breastplate over top and painted upon it is a white unicorn on a black background with two orange sabres crossed underneath. Something of the way the General looks reminds him of something, of a tale told to him or overheard someplace long ago.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2020 2:48:17 GMT
This is not the man from the pass is it?
"You carve your way with blood and fire to me, apparently to argue a minor point about a creature that spends most of its time eating lichen and now you want to pretend to be civilized?" Calvera would welcome a fight here and now and despense with the battle all together. But he won't start it, the rest of the captians from the mercenary force are watching this meeting, sharp dealing is expected, but breaking the truce of the parley would be a bad reputation to have. If the invader attacks Calvera is ready and below won't apply.
"Very well. The leaf is local to this shadow but grown in high valleys. The plant must be stressed to produce the best flavor."
Calvera sips his own tea and then quite deliberately takes a bite form each of the 3 dishes on the table, first the seed cake, then Kimishi, then he deftly skewers a live fresh water octopus from a shallow dish and slurps it back still wriggling, chasing it with a shot of vinegar. Pointed teeth probably aren't much good for seeds, and rotted cabbage is an aquired taste. Teeth like that are usually best for fish. Poison is despised among the mercenary captains, but if this invader is strangled by his own lunch they will think he was stupid and got no less than he deserved.
Each dish sampled to show that it is safe Calvera places a black stone on a board marked off in a grid. Warfare.
"Since we are being civilized play with me, and tell me why you have come."
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Post by Admin on Feb 1, 2020 4:28:35 GMT
[[OOC: no it is not the same person.]]
"It is quite excellent. There is so much to learn in each of the worlds we cross. Back in my homeland, tea is a meagre drink taken only because there is not much else with any flavour. Crates of this leaf could fetch you a pretty penny were you willing to go into that business."
He watches Calvera closely as the food is consumed but he does not partake in any himself.
"I ask that you forgive my poor manners in not joining you in the meal; I have eaten much this morning and to take any more would threaten to dull my mind. That is a fine problem to have but not now when the game is afoot!" he says while studying the board. After a minute of thought, he places his white stone on the same side of the board as Calvera's but close to the other corner but a line off to the side inviting Calvera's attack. (The 5-4 point if you are interested in a more detailed description of the Go move.)
"As for why we are here, we are loyally following King Bleys' command to march and meet him in Amber. Certainly, as his liegeman, you have been informed of his orders? Or have you found yourself outside of the King's inner circle?"
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2020 12:30:46 GMT
Calvera places a stone, forgoing the attack (against his natural inclination) to secure another corner. He places stones to build strong postions first, he'll attack later once he knows more about his opponent.
"I haven't seen Bleys in some time, not since I walked the pattern. And he was never one to share his plans with me. Tell me more of your home land where Bleys is king. And how are you able to walk through shadow to Amber from there."
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Post by Admin on Feb 6, 2020 6:35:54 GMT
The General's eyes show a quick flash of surprise wether from Calvera's move or words, Calvera can't tell.
"Why, King Bleys rules in Amber," he says, placing a stone to secure the fourth corner. "As he foretold before he went off to war with Prince Corwin at his side. "The season of darkness is upon us but once the storm cleans the world then you will know that my benevolent rule has begun. Come meet me in Amber when the roads are clear. he told us, or something along those lines; ask the High Priest for a more literal quote from the Book of the Unicorn. Everything the King promised has occurred and now we do our duty in return."
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2020 22:38:37 GMT
He played faster now, still conservatively, securing his own teritory, he had no need to attack, at least not on the board.
"Random is King in Amber anointed by the Horn of the Unicorn herself, all His Majesty's brothers and sisters witnessed and support his rule, Bleys and Corwin included."
Calvera completes another eye, "Long May He Reign."
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Post by Admin on Feb 9, 2020 3:51:25 GMT
The General continues to also close territory but begins probing attacks on Calvera's weaker positions.
"You lie, son of Eric. Why tell such tales and make heroes out of your father's enemies? Will you say that you also bowed down to this Random?"
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2020 4:47:23 GMT
"My Father won his war, Brand and Corwin were kept from the throne and Random has been a fine king. Maybe not as good as Eric but, that may be a Son speaking. He is not as inspired as Oberon, but nor is he as capricious." He shrugs. "These are different times."
Calvera has built strong positions, able to withstand attacks with out much of his attention. So now he goes on the attack. Grabbing territory and pressuring the General.
"I grew up in Amber, ran its halls as a youth. Uncle Random did his best to keep me out of trouble, with my father gone. I know who is King there. You sir have never been. Tell me, how do you lead men through shadow having never walked the pattern."
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Post by Admin on Feb 11, 2020 6:02:18 GMT
"You have given us a lot to think about," he says in reply to Calvera's rundown of the political situation. "It seems a change in our mission is needed. You can find King, er, Prince Bleys for us, yes? Sorry, we have referred to you uncle as King for so long it will be a hard habit to break""
Now hopelessly outclassed in the game the General resigns with a wave and shrug.
"I thank you for the game. You have techniques not used in our tournaments back home. I will remember them when I next get to challenge my countrymen.
"As to the travel among shadows, it is the arrogance of your kind to believe that no others can travel as you do. With trained senses and an innate gift to pierce the veils between the worlds anyone can make the crossing. It is true that my people are more proficient in the necessary skills compared to most others hence our value to K - Prince Bleys and our long-standing alliance with him."
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