SHARK
First Post
Greetings!
I really liked the creativity that my friend mmadsen inspired about a band of Goblins. In one of my campaigns, there is an interesting situation that is developing. The details follow!
--
Well, suppose that you are the commander of a powerful fortress. How would you develop it's defenses? You must be prepared for commando raids by groups of 15-40 powerful adventurers, as well as raids by enemy cavalry forces, and ultimately--a showdown with an invading Vallorean army composed of 350,000 Legionnaires!
The Valloreans are organized into thirty-five Legions, each having 10,000 Legionnaires. The Vallorean army will no doubt have plenty of supplies, engineers, extra equipment, and formidable magical support from enchanted war machines, powerful warrior-clerics, and dreaded wizards. The Valloreans can also expect to have various contingents of elves, dwarves, halflings, as well as other races and beings, including some ogres and small units of Cloud-Giants.
The fortress that you command is a great stone citadel that was forged from a great mountain-top by a group of powerful Wang-Liang/Half-Fiends. The fortress rests on the upper ridge of a series of mountain-slopes and fairly deep ravined meadows. Imagine the great fortress set into a ridge area with six sides. Two sides are sheer mountain cliffs that drop straight-away into a vast canyon that drops 1800-feet below to a huge, foaming river. On a third side, the ridge gradually slopes about a hundred feet down, where the top of a great river flows, and drops off in a great waterfall that crashes further below, some 1800 feet. The river itself is one mile wide, and fast-flowing. The surrounding area for miles and miles is dark, temperate rainforest. The remaining sides, as it were, gradually slope into the dark forest, punctuated by steep ravines--until the ridges settle some five-hundred feet below. Once at the bottom, the forest and land is fairly level, marked on occasion by a large hill now and then, or a rolling meadow. The river flows from a north-eastern direction, before turning south of the fortress, and flowing due west.
Season: Spring. The tempatures range in the 75-90 degrees, with lots of rainfall. The enemy forces are known to be not far away, and they may launch operations against your area anytime this year. The general geographical area you are in command of is somewhat isolated strategically from receiving any large reinforcements. Occasional supplies and modest reinforcements may reach you from time to time. Largely, you must make do with the resources that you have at your command.
The fortress is not the only area that you must hold. The fortress not only guards the river, but also an important trade route that extends to the south. The Valloreans have forces capable of raiding the trade route, but because of terrain, and diplomatic relations with several of these southern nations, the route will probably remain open. However, keeping trade open to the south for the nation that you belong to is not the only priority. The very fact that you command this important fortress, and the rugged, mountainous area that the citadel overlooks, also poses a strategic problem for the invading Vallorean forces. The Valloreans cannot advance too far further into the northern lands of the kingdom, nor can they advance far to the east, because of you. The forces and position here represent a threat that they cannot leave unguarded.
Still, with forces of the evil kingdom massing in the north, and north-east, the Valloreans cannot fully commit to crushing your position with all of their field armies, thus restricting the forces that they are likely to have available for this year's operations. Keep in mind though, that the Valloreans are well-equipped, and determined enough to organize all-weather operations, and ferocious offensives even in the dead of winter. Thus, you as the commander, cannot rest easy that you only have to concern yourself with fair-weather campaigning! None the less, your continued resistance weakens the invading Valloreans, because they cannot likewise amass their full strength against your countrymen to the east and to the north.
With time, the Vampire King Mallenar will gather new, powerful armies to sweep the Valloreans in a storm of blood and fire! Your continued resistance here, in this important area, is critical for the great king to formulate his plans. Needless to say--your failure to succeed in this mission will not please the great Vampire King. You can imagine your fate--it will not be pleasant. But, of course, you have great capability to emerge victorious in this struggle!
The fortress also features a magma lake deep underground, as well as extensive ruby, silver, and iron mines. The fortress also guards two large cities--one approximately eight miles upriver, on the western bank of the river, named Koben-Charrak; while the other city, Mydren, is on the other side, some 18 miles away to the east. Both cities have populations of approximately 120,000 people. Politically, the cities can be sacrificed. However, these cities also help maintain the southern trade route, as well as supply your fortress with food and resources. Though you could survive if the Valloreans captured them, your forces will be more capable and better supplied if you can maintain control of these two cities. There is a ridgeline of mountains that run from the north, and gradually end in a cluster of hills that lay to the west of the fortress. This line of mountains--some rising to 8000 feet--serve to form a forested and rugged protection to the city of Koben-Charrak that is to the north of the fortress, and indirectly, also Mydren which is further to the east. The fairly level areas of forest and meadows open up for approximately three miles to the north of the fortress, before the mountain slopes begin. Thus, the invading Valloreans would have to essentially come through this fortress to get to the two cities beyond. That is essentially, but not absolutely. With time and determination, the Valloreans could make it through the rugged mountains to the north with a force, and come down on Koben-Charrak from the north-west.
Chief areas for defense and fortification for you to be generally focused on are as follows:
(1) The fortress itself
(2) The surrounding forest
(3) The mountains and hills within about ten miles in every direction.
(4) The city of Koben-Charrak, and the river-crossings. There is an extensive barge system and river traffic that moves across, and up and down the great river. This river traffic is not only a source of supplies, but also troop deployment. Your forces are familiar with the terrain, and the terrain favours the defense. Attacking forces will be in for a difficult time, even under the best leadership. Being outnumbered, and with limited hard military support, you will have less margin for error, and will have to deploy and equip your forces carefully, and also to make every operation, ambush, and struggle count. The enemy forces may very well send elite units of adventurers to assassinate you, and wipe out the command staff before the arrival of the Legions. In addition, though you are quite capable, it should be realised that the enemy will very likely end up assaulting the fortress by storm. The Valloreans will not be merciful, nor will they spare the city populations. Anything that seems tainted and wicked in whatever manner, can be expected to be put to the sword, or burned at the stake. Be prepared for ferocious, relentless, and absolutely ruthless attacks by the Valloreans.
Thus, that is the political, military, and economic situation. Your
forces are as follows:
____________________________________________________
Forces:
Commander: 50th level. (You)
(12) elite specialists: Each are no more than 30th level.
(24) Lords: Each are no more than 20th level.
(1) Wang-Liang/Half-Fiend General. (30th level)
(2) Wang-Liang/Half-Fiend Lords. (20th level)
(30) Wang-Liang/Half-Fiends (16th level)
(300) Wang-Liangs (12th level)
(38) Fire-Giants (Reasonable deployments, no individual higher than 20th level.)
(24) Cloud-Giants (Reasonable deployments, no individual higher than 20th level.)
(15) Chimera's
(12) Manticore's
(600) Vampires, (Reasonably distributed between 6th-12th level)
(880) Werewolves (Reasonably deployed between 4th-12th level)
(2800) Ogres (all are young Ogres from a military academy; no individual can be higher than 10th level, reasonably distributed.)
(26,000) Hobgoblins; standard levels as organized.
(100,000) Humans; roughly organized as follows:
standard level progression, as per the DMG for population distribution. In any event, all are at a minimum of 2nd level, with the majority being Fighters.
You are only restricted to appropriate equipment and treasure levels as noted for specific characters in the DMG. The forces described, however, can be deployed in whatever manner you think best, whether it is Light Infantry, Heavy Infantry, Heavy Cavalry, what have you. Population percnetages from the DMG will also serve as a guide for how many wizards, clerics, and so on are available, as well as what level they are. With these restrictions in mind, you may equip and organize the forces as you think best, and as limited by the appropriate treasure levels.
____________________________________________________
How would you organize, equip, and deploy such forces?
How would you fortify the various locations?
Feel free to write up the various characters and equip them (individual characters) with whatever magic item that is from the "core" rulebooks (DMG, PHB, FRCS, OA, ELH, and the class-splat-books.)
How would you defend the fortress? With what magic? What kind of traps? What kind of forces?
Various ideas that you develop and detail will potantially be put to the test with my group!
I have thought of several ideas already, but I thought it would be cool and fun, too!--to hear what the fine gathering of minds here thinks. Thankyou very much, for your thoughtful consideration!
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
I really liked the creativity that my friend mmadsen inspired about a band of Goblins. In one of my campaigns, there is an interesting situation that is developing. The details follow!
--Well, suppose that you are the commander of a powerful fortress. How would you develop it's defenses? You must be prepared for commando raids by groups of 15-40 powerful adventurers, as well as raids by enemy cavalry forces, and ultimately--a showdown with an invading Vallorean army composed of 350,000 Legionnaires!
The Valloreans are organized into thirty-five Legions, each having 10,000 Legionnaires. The Vallorean army will no doubt have plenty of supplies, engineers, extra equipment, and formidable magical support from enchanted war machines, powerful warrior-clerics, and dreaded wizards. The Valloreans can also expect to have various contingents of elves, dwarves, halflings, as well as other races and beings, including some ogres and small units of Cloud-Giants.
The fortress that you command is a great stone citadel that was forged from a great mountain-top by a group of powerful Wang-Liang/Half-Fiends. The fortress rests on the upper ridge of a series of mountain-slopes and fairly deep ravined meadows. Imagine the great fortress set into a ridge area with six sides. Two sides are sheer mountain cliffs that drop straight-away into a vast canyon that drops 1800-feet below to a huge, foaming river. On a third side, the ridge gradually slopes about a hundred feet down, where the top of a great river flows, and drops off in a great waterfall that crashes further below, some 1800 feet. The river itself is one mile wide, and fast-flowing. The surrounding area for miles and miles is dark, temperate rainforest. The remaining sides, as it were, gradually slope into the dark forest, punctuated by steep ravines--until the ridges settle some five-hundred feet below. Once at the bottom, the forest and land is fairly level, marked on occasion by a large hill now and then, or a rolling meadow. The river flows from a north-eastern direction, before turning south of the fortress, and flowing due west.
Season: Spring. The tempatures range in the 75-90 degrees, with lots of rainfall. The enemy forces are known to be not far away, and they may launch operations against your area anytime this year. The general geographical area you are in command of is somewhat isolated strategically from receiving any large reinforcements. Occasional supplies and modest reinforcements may reach you from time to time. Largely, you must make do with the resources that you have at your command.
The fortress is not the only area that you must hold. The fortress not only guards the river, but also an important trade route that extends to the south. The Valloreans have forces capable of raiding the trade route, but because of terrain, and diplomatic relations with several of these southern nations, the route will probably remain open. However, keeping trade open to the south for the nation that you belong to is not the only priority. The very fact that you command this important fortress, and the rugged, mountainous area that the citadel overlooks, also poses a strategic problem for the invading Vallorean forces. The Valloreans cannot advance too far further into the northern lands of the kingdom, nor can they advance far to the east, because of you. The forces and position here represent a threat that they cannot leave unguarded.
Still, with forces of the evil kingdom massing in the north, and north-east, the Valloreans cannot fully commit to crushing your position with all of their field armies, thus restricting the forces that they are likely to have available for this year's operations. Keep in mind though, that the Valloreans are well-equipped, and determined enough to organize all-weather operations, and ferocious offensives even in the dead of winter. Thus, you as the commander, cannot rest easy that you only have to concern yourself with fair-weather campaigning! None the less, your continued resistance weakens the invading Valloreans, because they cannot likewise amass their full strength against your countrymen to the east and to the north.
With time, the Vampire King Mallenar will gather new, powerful armies to sweep the Valloreans in a storm of blood and fire! Your continued resistance here, in this important area, is critical for the great king to formulate his plans. Needless to say--your failure to succeed in this mission will not please the great Vampire King. You can imagine your fate--it will not be pleasant. But, of course, you have great capability to emerge victorious in this struggle!
The fortress also features a magma lake deep underground, as well as extensive ruby, silver, and iron mines. The fortress also guards two large cities--one approximately eight miles upriver, on the western bank of the river, named Koben-Charrak; while the other city, Mydren, is on the other side, some 18 miles away to the east. Both cities have populations of approximately 120,000 people. Politically, the cities can be sacrificed. However, these cities also help maintain the southern trade route, as well as supply your fortress with food and resources. Though you could survive if the Valloreans captured them, your forces will be more capable and better supplied if you can maintain control of these two cities. There is a ridgeline of mountains that run from the north, and gradually end in a cluster of hills that lay to the west of the fortress. This line of mountains--some rising to 8000 feet--serve to form a forested and rugged protection to the city of Koben-Charrak that is to the north of the fortress, and indirectly, also Mydren which is further to the east. The fairly level areas of forest and meadows open up for approximately three miles to the north of the fortress, before the mountain slopes begin. Thus, the invading Valloreans would have to essentially come through this fortress to get to the two cities beyond. That is essentially, but not absolutely. With time and determination, the Valloreans could make it through the rugged mountains to the north with a force, and come down on Koben-Charrak from the north-west.
Chief areas for defense and fortification for you to be generally focused on are as follows:
(1) The fortress itself
(2) The surrounding forest
(3) The mountains and hills within about ten miles in every direction.
(4) The city of Koben-Charrak, and the river-crossings. There is an extensive barge system and river traffic that moves across, and up and down the great river. This river traffic is not only a source of supplies, but also troop deployment. Your forces are familiar with the terrain, and the terrain favours the defense. Attacking forces will be in for a difficult time, even under the best leadership. Being outnumbered, and with limited hard military support, you will have less margin for error, and will have to deploy and equip your forces carefully, and also to make every operation, ambush, and struggle count. The enemy forces may very well send elite units of adventurers to assassinate you, and wipe out the command staff before the arrival of the Legions. In addition, though you are quite capable, it should be realised that the enemy will very likely end up assaulting the fortress by storm. The Valloreans will not be merciful, nor will they spare the city populations. Anything that seems tainted and wicked in whatever manner, can be expected to be put to the sword, or burned at the stake. Be prepared for ferocious, relentless, and absolutely ruthless attacks by the Valloreans.
Thus, that is the political, military, and economic situation. Your
forces are as follows:
____________________________________________________
Forces:
Commander: 50th level. (You)
(12) elite specialists: Each are no more than 30th level.
(24) Lords: Each are no more than 20th level.
(1) Wang-Liang/Half-Fiend General. (30th level)
(2) Wang-Liang/Half-Fiend Lords. (20th level)
(30) Wang-Liang/Half-Fiends (16th level)
(300) Wang-Liangs (12th level)
(38) Fire-Giants (Reasonable deployments, no individual higher than 20th level.)
(24) Cloud-Giants (Reasonable deployments, no individual higher than 20th level.)
(15) Chimera's
(12) Manticore's
(600) Vampires, (Reasonably distributed between 6th-12th level)
(880) Werewolves (Reasonably deployed between 4th-12th level)
(2800) Ogres (all are young Ogres from a military academy; no individual can be higher than 10th level, reasonably distributed.)
(26,000) Hobgoblins; standard levels as organized.
(100,000) Humans; roughly organized as follows:
standard level progression, as per the DMG for population distribution. In any event, all are at a minimum of 2nd level, with the majority being Fighters.
You are only restricted to appropriate equipment and treasure levels as noted for specific characters in the DMG. The forces described, however, can be deployed in whatever manner you think best, whether it is Light Infantry, Heavy Infantry, Heavy Cavalry, what have you. Population percnetages from the DMG will also serve as a guide for how many wizards, clerics, and so on are available, as well as what level they are. With these restrictions in mind, you may equip and organize the forces as you think best, and as limited by the appropriate treasure levels.
____________________________________________________
How would you organize, equip, and deploy such forces?
How would you fortify the various locations?
Feel free to write up the various characters and equip them (individual characters) with whatever magic item that is from the "core" rulebooks (DMG, PHB, FRCS, OA, ELH, and the class-splat-books.)
How would you defend the fortress? With what magic? What kind of traps? What kind of forces?
Various ideas that you develop and detail will potantially be put to the test with my group!
I have thought of several ideas already, but I thought it would be cool and fun, too!--to hear what the fine gathering of minds here thinks. Thankyou very much, for your thoughtful consideration!
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
