OotS 452

[Arkhandus]

I have a craving to see Durkon do... something right about now. Maybe some dramatic, effective, and CG rule-bendy Thor-fu?

NW

Naw, Thor's probably still off drinking mead and pawing Sif, if you recall. Durkon's on his own fer now.

 

[Arkhandus]

How about the soldiers themselves? "Okay, all the rest of us who are too dumb to run...."

That was just grim humor. After all, they had held the breach that long, they tried to believe they could continue to hold it a little longer.

They were just behaving as good soldiers, so LN or LG. The rest were probably still Lawful, having stayed and fought as long as they did, but lost their nerve after the long battle and the approach of another massive horde, breaking morale. They'll soon find that the nobles and warlords already pulled their ships out of the harbor and abandoned Azure City to whatever commoners and soldiers remain therein.

I figure the few in the Order that aren't already going to the Gate to try and stop Xykon will be heading towards the breach instead, to try and contain the hobgoblins and worry their flanks, maybe funnel them towards the sea where Durkon or someone might use a Control Water or somesuch to flood them or drive them into the water...? Maybe?

However, I have a sneaking suspicion that Vaarsuvius will use his Invisibility to lend a hand to either Belkar or Roy at some critical moment, putting Redcloak or Xykon off-balance for a moment or perhaps stealing something from them like a scroll or other magic item......maybe. I guess. Surely he must have something in mind as he sneaks off under Invisibility to avoid getting slain. .......I dunno.

 

[Doctor DM]

Is anyone else wondering what's going to happen with the Linear Guild?

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Is anyone else wondering what's going to happen with the Linear Guild?

Unless Leeky Windstaff returns, I won't care I liked that guy.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

I doubted my memory that there were none left, since one of the guards said he heard there were some left. But, yeah, good point.

Either way, even if there were boats, it'd be pointless.

Sun Tzu would have advised destroying all boats, especially the ones owned by the nobles of the city. That would have a Paladin of Kickass kind of tactic.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Sun Tzu would have advised destroying all boats, especially the ones owned by the nobles of the city. That would have a Paladin of Kickass kind of tactic.

What if you lose and need to retreat?

I would suggest giving the nobles swords and tell them to use them. Or else. It's called "conscription".

 

[Kesh]

What if you lose and need to retreat?

The point being, there is no retreat. The boats have already been used, there's none left to fall back to. "Retreat" would have meant the soldiers escaping on the boats, while still leaving the nobles and commoners behind. Retreat, in this instance, is impossible.

I would suggest giving the nobles swords and tell them to use them. Or else. It's called "conscription".

Wouldn't have worked, especially with LG Paladins in charge. The first noble who refuses... what? Do you put them to death? Put them in jail (which is effectively a death sentence if you lose)? Do nothing, which puts you right back where you started? And consider the one who agrees, then starts sowing dissent in the ranks in an attempt to either a) gain power himself or b) simply get a petty "I told you so" when they lose.

The nobles have already refused to fight. Trying to force the point would only lead to in-fighting. Possibly literal fighting, as I'd guess those nobles have personal guards who would have "protected" the nobles from any attempt to arrest them.

 

[Sejs]

What if you lose and need to retreat?

You wouldn't be able to load the boats in time if you had to retreat because the walls had been breached.


They'd be a good option if you know the other shoe is about to drop, but a really poor one if it's already falling.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

The point being, there is no retreat. The boats have already been used, there's none left to fall back to. "Retreat" would have meant the soldiers escaping on the boats, while still leaving the nobles and commoners behind. Retreat, in this instance, is impossible.

I'm operating under the assumption that the boats wouldn't have sailed away already.

Wouldn't have worked, especially with LG Paladins in charge. The first noble who refuses... what? Do you put them to death? Put them in jail (which is effectively a death sentence if you lose)? Do nothing, which puts you right back where you started? And consider the one who agrees, then starts sowing dissent in the ranks in an attempt to either a) gain power himself or b) simply get a petty "I told you so" when they lose.

You commandeer their boats for evacuation purposes. No one said you had to kill anyone (unless they react violently).

 

[Andor]

Personally if I were in charge of a city whose nobles abandoned it in the face of the enemy, if I won, those nobles would be in for a surprise when they tried to return home.