Discussion for a Kingdom of ashes

[AIM-54]

But, there does come a certain point when we will have to turn and run... and that is, I think, the most pressing issue:
At what point is it just (and merciful) to run??

Before we can decide that, we have to make a decision on whether we're going to go with the people fleeing the city, wherever that may be or whether we're planning to conduct some sort of resistance from the vicinity, or from the sewers of the city.
Kennon, what is the terrain like around the city? Is there some sort of significan forest or some such from which such a resistance could be run or are we going to have to wait and find someone to talk to about this? That kind of becomes a key issue in our decision making.
As I've envisioned it thus far, we fight as long as possible only leaving the city once it's clearly under the control of the horde or we can no longer hold our final sector. At that point we take off for the forest or after the fleeing civilians, for which we will likely serve as some sort of rear guard as I have a feeling with the enemy's numbers they won't have to worry too much about sending a significant pursuit force after us. If we're going with the civvies, we can probably hold a little bit longer before needing to retreat. If we're headed to the forest, we may want to withdraw somewhat sooner so as to give us a better chance to elude pursuit and consolidate in our first of what would be many hideouts. Depending on what kind of resistance force we pick up, we may also want to consider simply splitting off into different independently operating cells to aid evasion. We could, of course, coordinate on some operations etc.

So, I think I've outlined the options as I see them pretty well. More feedback would be good so we can come up with an idea of which way we want to go on this, as I'm sure Kennon would like to have a clue of where we're going as the implications for either option are not insignificant.

Jeremiah aka Sun Tzu

 

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

I think that we need to follow the citizens for a short while... but, we do have to remember that we have a schedule and people that we need to meet up with in the near future...

So, we need to figure out where we're going to tell these people to go, get them there, and get out of there as quickly as possible...

Also, I'm now getting virus-filled emails from Greg's account... as is Kennon.
So, run your virus scans everyone!

 

[AIM-54]

Something tells me that Tain and his entourage are the least of our problems right now. I have a feeling that getting off this island/continent is also going to be extremely difficult. There's also a good chance that this is not the only invasion force. But I'm just speculating here. I'm also saying we can't get too caught up in things said under very different circumstances. We have limited resources, can apply limited force and limited mobility over great distances. We need to choose which fights we want to fight and which give us the best probability for success. At this point I would also argue that this invasion force is the greatest evil and that if we have to band with Tain and his like to defeat it, so be it. I think the face of the world as we know it has changed and we have to adapt to it. We have the opportunity to tie down some of this invasion force at Oceanus, giving the rest of the island/continent (I'm still not sure/can't remember its size etc) the chance to regroup, weather any forthcoming attack and counterattack. I just think that's something we can't ignore.

 

[The_Universe]

Kennon, what is the terrain like around the city? Is there some sort of significan forest or some such from which such a resistance could be run or are we going to have to wait and find someone to talk to about this? That kind of becomes a key issue in our decision making.

The city of Oceanus (notice the spelling) is built upon a cliffs edge in the southeastern corner of Prydein. The cliffs stretch for about 50 miles to either side fo the docks, before the elevation generally lowers.

Directly north of the city, approximately 1 days ride at an average pace is the village of Hyrwl, the birthplace of the Woodshadow, standing at the southernmost tip of the Alder's Forest. The Alder's forest is lightly populated, but may be too far away for your purposes.

2-3 days West-Northwest of the city is the area known as the Southern Hills. Beneath the hills lies an Ancient Dwarven Clanhold. Khaz Modan is one of the oldest holdings of the dwarves, and it may be that you will find some aid there. On the hills (rather than under them) You'll find a rough mixture of lands settled by humans and elves and untamed bogs ruled by Trolls and Black Orcs.

Crisoth, another major port, is about 9 days northwest of the city. It's on the northeastern coast of the island, and may be able to send some aid. It's the closest city with a noticeable military presence.

Avalach is directly west of Oceanus, and because of a major road connecting Avalach and Oceanus, you can make the trip in around 2 weeks. There are villages and roadside inns along the way, but nothing capable of supporting a large number of refugees until you get to the western edge of the Goblin Mountains, to Avalach.

There are, of course, small villages in the surrounding areas, but little able to hide you beyond the options above.

Those are probably the closest possible sanctuaries over land. The other option is to try to harry the enemy (if that's what you choose to do) across the sea. Unfortunately, the only place where you could hope to hide effectively from the reptilian hordes is Mordred's Isle (Now also known as the Isle of Mourning) a few hours by ship south of Oceanus. It's canyons and rivers are at best partially explored, in no small part because mapping expeditions rarely return to tell their tales.

All of the times above assume you've got a large amount of people on foot with you. If it's refugees, it assumes that you're pushing them pretty hard, and if it's an army, you're marching at a good clip. If, however, you're in a small group with fast mounts, and you have spare horses to switch to when your primary mounts start to get tired, you could divide the above times by 3. That, of course, assumes that you're running your horse the entire distance, stopping to switch animals when the first is at the point of collapse.

 

[The_Universe]

So, I think I've outlined the options as I see them pretty well. More feedback would be good so we can come up with an idea of which way we want to go on this, as I'm sure Kennon would like to have a clue of where we're going as the implications for either option are not insignificant.

Yes--please let me know before we start playing. If there's going to be some major, prolonged urban warfare, then I definitely need to have some time to prepare.

If you're leaving the city, I need some time to prepare that, too. If so, where are you going? These are good questions for you to answer not just for the sake of your characters, but for me, as well.

 

[Edriss the Black]

Those two posts were not from Laurel, but me Edriss the Black, sorry for any confusion, and she is to not be blamed. The writers of those posts have been sacked.

that is all

 

[Henry]

Hi, all! This is Henry, one of the mods.

We certainly don't mind you using the thread for discussion of your game, but two things I need to note:

1) We have a forum for OOC discussion of people's games, called Talking the Talk. I'll go ahead and slide this over there.

2) Posts about "you suck" and such are against our board rules. I already deleted the offending posts.

Have a great game, all!

Henry

 

[The_Universe]

Hi, all! This is Henry, one of the mods.

We certainly don't mind you using the thread for discussion of your game, but two things I need to note:

1) We have a forum for OOC discussion of people's games, called Talking the Talk. I'll go ahead and slide this over there.

2) Posts about "you suck" and such are against our board rules. I already deleted the offending posts.

Have a great game, all!

Henry

Henry--Thanks for moving the thread. The "you suck" posts were all in fun, however. One of the players. Sorry for the confusion--all in good fun!

 

[The_Universe]

Hey gang!

It's time to plan for the weekend once more! Huzzah!

Tim, Kat, and Greg are apparently having some computer-related difficulties with the message boards at ENworld. They don't do us much good as a mass planning tool if only a little more than half the group is using them, so I think we need to come up with a different plan. Those of you who like the messageboard thing--I'll still check the thread, and let me know if you want to start others, on more specific subjects.

For scheduling purposes, Kat and Greg are going to be busy all weekend, except for Sunday. We can try to play Sunday if that's the only time that works, but generally, that cuts our time a little bit short, and makes the start of the next week an unusual pain in the @$$. The other options are to 1) Play without Kat and Greg on a different day/night, or 2) not play at all this weekend.

If we play without Kat and Greg, I don't want to have Arfin and L'Aurel standing silently and slack-jawed while the rest of you, act. I want a plausible reason for their absence, and then I'll get together with the two of them during the week to play catch-up.

Lastly, I have found an archived picture of Mik's mom, apparently from her high school yearbook. It is attached below. Isn't she BEAUTIFUL!?!

Let me know what works for you!

--Kennon

 

[The_Universe]

But, there does come a certain point when we will have to turn and run... and that is, I think, the most pressing issue:
At what point is it just (and merciful) to run??

This is also a good point to address, come to consensus on, and tell me before I start to plan too heavily.

Are you going to leave as soon as they take the palace? As soon as the Armies of the Night (TM) reach a certain point in the city? If so, what is that point? As soon as you've gotten 100 people out? 1000? 10000? All the women and children?

Think about it, talk about it. Then, let me know. And do it ASAP, please!