Heroica RPG - Quest #17: The Lion's Share

[K-Nut]

OOC: Quick question on the whole units thing, if I say, put three units at one post, they'd all be gone (dead) after Round 3, correct? And then we wouldn't be able to use them any more for the rest of the quest?

[Brickdoctor]

OOC: Quick question on the whole units thing, if I say, put three units at one post, they'd all be gone (dead) after Round 3, correct? And then we wouldn't be able to use them any more for the rest of the quest?

QM Note:

Depends on the Level of the unit and the enemies.

Let's say you place one Crossbowman, one Pikeman, and one Knight guarding the East Wall. The Crossbowman can hold off the enemies as long as he doesn't have to engage in melee attack. If Level 4 and Level 3 enemies, say, scale the wall and attack, the men can hold off the enemy for 4 Rounds. (8-4=4; the Knight is the highest Lion at Level 8) After those four Rounds, then you lose one man each turn. (or you order the men to retreat, thus losing nobody)

Sorry if this is too confusing. Like I said, I really wanted a mechanic that didn't rely on more party members and more dice.

[K-Nut]

OOC: One more thing, what are the point of horses? are they just to move the men around faster? And the elves will only attack one tower or wall at a time, right?

[Brickdoctor]

OOC: One more thing, what are the point of horses? are they just to move the men around faster?

QM Note:

I knew I forgot something.

And horses can add bonuses to Level; see the Special Abilities of Lion Knights and Scouts.

"We have 2 Horses ready for battle at the moment."

And the elves will only attack one tower or wall at a time, right?

QM Note:

You don't know.

[K-Nut]

QM Note:

You don't know.

OOC: Megablocks we're screwed...

[Brickdoctor]

OOC: Megablocks we're screwed...

QM Note:

That's what Jess (cralegoboy) said of my power before her first quest, and look where she is now!

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"I've made a plan on our map where to place our troops."

Note: I tried to evenly space the men on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors, most will be on the same floor, but they would clog up the map.

"If there is a window on the 2nd story officer's quarters, but a crossbowman there. 2 more on the tower with the catapult. Let's have another on the wooden look-out tower. And the last one on the West wall, since the towers will run out of room. For the knights- one I should think goes on the North wall, East wall, and Southwest one, just in case the elves try to flank. Then one last defends the West wall. Any gaps will be filled by pikemen. One will defend the portcullis winch rooms, because that hast to be defended at all times. Then another will be stationed on the Northeast wall/tower. Three more will be on the West wall, as that is closest where we suspect the elves will attack from. The last two will be placed close by, in the middle of the West wall and gate, the Southwest wall. And then I'll be placed inside the West wall with my crossbow."

Alex draws on a spare map he copied to show what he means if the rest is not understood in plain text.

"What do you think? I'm unsure where to put the scouts, perhaps just in the grass/field/ground in the middle of the fort to send as reinforcements or something."

[Fred Daniel Yam]

Have we finished the catapult yet?

[Brickdoctor]

Have we finished the catapult yet?

QM Note:

You have, but, like I said, I haven't gotten to take pictures of it since I had to wait to see how you'd finish it and it's currently too dark to take decent pictures here.

You can make changes to it for now, if you like.

[Flipz]

"I've made a plan on our map where to place our troops."

Note: I tried to evenly space the men on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors, most will be on the same floor, but they would clog up the map.

"If there is a window on the 2nd story officer's quarters, but a crossbowman there. 2 more on the tower with the catapult. Let's have another on the wooden look-out tower. And the last one on the West wall, since the towers will run out of room. For the knights- one I should think goes on the North wall, East wall, and Southwest one, just in case the elves try to flank. Then one last defends the West wall. Any gaps will be filled by pikemen. One will defend the portcullis winch rooms, because that hast to be defended at all times. Then another will be stationed on the Northeast wall/tower. Three more will be on the West wall, as that is closest where we suspect the elves will attack from. The last two will be placed close by, in the middle of the West wall and gate, the Southwest wall. And then I'll be placed inside the West wall with my crossbow."

Alex draws on a spare map he copied to show what he means if the rest is not understood in plain text.

"What do you think? I'm unsure where to put the scouts, perhaps just in the grass/field/ground in the middle of the fort to send as reinforcements or something."

"I feel that, aside from the crossbowmen, no one needs to be on the second floor at all--after all, if there are any openings large enough for the Elves to get in, one of the party wizards should use it as a spot from which to cast spells, the way Alexandre and William will use the arrow loops. In addition, the pikemen should be placed all together so their strength is increased--I'd say they should wait near the gate. The Knights and Scouts should be spread across the top of the wall, with one or two in the middle on the two horses--likely the scouts, so they can move where needed. Since Isabella, Spag, and Xander are both limited to melee attacks, they should definitely be at the top of the wall. Xander may be able to man the catapult himself, but if not, Isabella and/or Spag should be able to help him, or replace him if he needs to fight, unless Althior decides I should do it. Us mages should spread out along the rest of the upper walls, so we're free to cast spells and are ready for battle should the enemy scale the walls. One hero might be useful on the lower level, but frankly I think it's a better idea to focus on thinning their numbers before they arrive, that way we can take out the stragglers with minimal fuss. Perhaps we can leave Finnegan down there as a way to relay orders to the troops. Of course, all of this us up to our trusted Party Leader, Althior. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to look for a torch I can use on enemy ladders. Meanwhile...lower the portcullus, boys!"

OOC: They can't enter the interior of the fort until the walls are breached, yes? If so, it seems like a waste to tie up all our forces in places that won't be under attack until later in the battle. Also, I doubt the elves would have metal ladders...not only would they be as expensive as heck and almost as heavy, but it seems out-of-character for the "fair folk". They're wooden...right? And, we (heroes, not the catapult) can target the elves separately from any horses they may be riding, yes? If we can steal their horses after a few waves...

[Brickdoctor]

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to look for a torch I can use on enemy ladders. Meanwhile...lower the portcullus, boys!"

You grab a torch from one of the many holders on the walls, while a pair of the Lion Pikemen lower the portcullis.

OOC: They can't enter the interior of the fort until the walls are breached, yes? If so, it seems like a waste to tie up all our forces in places that won't be under attack until later in the battle.

QM Note:

Correct.

Also, I doubt the elves would have metal ladders...not only would they be as expensive as heck and almost as heavy, but it seems out-of-character for the "fair folk". They're wooden...right?

QM Note:

I'm not your spy. You don't know.

And, we (heroes, not the catapult) can target the elves separately from any horses they may be riding, yes? If we can steal their horses after a few waves...

QM Note:

Yes, you can.

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"I feel that, aside from the crossbowmen, no one needs to be on the second floor at all--after all, if there are any openings large enough for the Elves to get in, one of the party wizards should use it as a spot from which to cast spells, the way Alexandre and William will use the arrow loops. In addition, the pikemen should be placed all together so their

The pikemen on the second floor are really on the 3rd floor (wall, I was running out of room.) And I forgot about the pikeman's strength increasing if put together, but if all grouped together, lots of wall will be undefended.

[Flipz]

The pikemen on the second floor are really on the 3rd floor (wall, I was running out of room.) And I forgot about the pikeman's strength increasing if put together, but if all grouped together, lots of wall will be undefended.

"Lets not forget we Heroes are available as well. I can't see the catapult requiring more than two of us, and only two of us are fully ranged (you and William, us mages are only ranged if we have Ether to spare). That still leaves four of us, and combined with the soldiers we have, it should be more than enough to handle the upper wall. I say we keep the pikemen by the portcullis, either at the top or the bottom, have one Knight and one Scout along the top of the wall with horses, and spread out the rest along the top according to your plan, transferring the bottom forces to the top. (Remember, the only lower area we might want forces in would be by the portcullis.) Fill in the gaps with your friends (us Heroes) and we'll be good to go.

"Also, on your map, I'd suggest using small symbols for each class type: a shield (or inverted triangle) for Knights, a star for archers, a square for pikemen, and a circle for scouts. Heroes can be marked with a star with our name by it. It'd be much simpler, and you'd have more room on the map, plus for a group of (for example) scouts you could just draw a single circle and then put a number by them, i.e. 'O x 3', etc.

Arthur pulls his book from his pack and opens it. "Here, draw your map here, since it's enchanted I have plenty of room and I can just copy and paste a fresh copy of the map onto a new page if we need to make changes. We should probably mark out where we have defenses set up as well." Looking up and noting Althior's disapproving stare, he quickly adds, "Also, we should probably ask our Trusted Party Leader's opinion before we go making his decisions for him."

[Brickdoctor]

"Sir! The catapult has been completed and secured as you ordered!"

Crude Counterweight Catapult

*

Level: 2

Health: 10/10

QM Note:

Catapults have no special abilities. Rolling a Shield, Critical Hit, or Hit will result in a normal Hit. Any extra Damage will come from the type of ammunition you load into the catapult. Think of the catapult as a hero with a set Level, and the different types of shot are its different weapons.

*Alliteration not intended.

[posades]

OOC: So do we need someone to man the catapult, or does it operate on its own since it's its own "character"?

"I feel as if the pikemen would be more useful if they are grouped together, as others have suggested. I am willing to operate the catapult, or if that is unnecessary then I can fill in a spot on the wall that is currently undefended."

[Brickdoctor]

OOC: So do we need someone to man the catapult, or does it operate on its own since it's its own "character"?

QM Note:

I'm not sure if I mentioned this before, but you need two heroes to man the catapult.

[Dharkan]

OOC: Doc, can we assign npcs for using catapult?

[Brickdoctor]

OOC: Doc, can we assign npcs for using catapult?

QM Note:

No. That'd be too easy.

[Dharkan]

"Very well then, I'm up for operating the catapult."

[posades]

QM Note:

No. That'd be too easy.

OOC: I'm not really seeing the point of the catapult if it requires two heroes to operate. Can the heroes still attack at the same time? Or is the catapult a way for non-ranged heroes to attack from a distance?

"I am also willing to operate the catapult with Isabella, unless there are any objections from someone."

[Brickdoctor]

OOC: I'm not really seeing the point of the catapult if it requires two heroes to operate. Can the heroes still attack at the same time? Or is the catapult a way for non-ranged heroes to attack from a distance?

QM Note:

Remember, you never had to build the catapult. In addition, a large amount of the benefit the catapult provides depends on how you built it and what you load it with. But yes, it can be a way for melee units to launch long-ranged attacks.

[Flipz]

QM Note:

Remember, you never had to build the catapult. In addition, a large amount of the benefit the catapult provides depends on how you built it and what you load it with. But yes, it can be a way for melee units to launch long-ranged attacks.

Arthur's eyes widen. "Doh! I knew we should have filled those stones with honey and lit them on fire! I don't think we have time, but if Althior agrees (and only if he agrees), I'd be willing to take one or two stones down to the kitchens to fill them with honey and bring them back up."

OOC: If it's clearly not going to be possible, then I won't try, but if it'll only delay me by a round or two, then I'll go ahead and do it.

[Fred Daniel Yam]

OOC: I'm not really seeing the point of the catapult if it requires two heroes to operate. Can the heroes still attack at the same time? Or is the catapult a way for non-ranged heroes to attack from a distance?

"I am also willing to operate the catapult with Isabella, unless there are any objections from someone."

Don't go on the catapult Xander, you're the second highest level hero in our party. We need you fighting.

[Fred Daniel Yam]

"Men of the Lion, the hour of battle is upon us. It is through your sheer determination and grit that will bring us victory. We will be overcome by elves, but we will fight to the last man standing. We will not run! We will not surrender! These elves trespass on your lands, seeking to destroy all who oppose them. But we will stand vigilant, we will not give ground so long as one of us breathes. We are the best of the best, the Alpha Dogs. We are heroes of Heroica and Men of the Lion. Our battle will be told of through songs and lyric for generations to come. We shall be the first to savour the sweet taste of victory as we slay our enemies. Although we may be outnumbered, we will prevail and stand firm in the face of adversity for the fate of Eubric lies in our hands. We will not flee! We will not surrender! May Ennoc and Sylvania bless us. For GLORY! For VICTORY! For EUBRIC!"

[Flipz]

"Men of the Lion, the hour of battle is upon us. It is through your sheer determination and grit that will bring us victory. We will be overcome by elves, but we will fight to the last man standing. We will not run! We will not surrender! These elves trespass on your lands, seeking to destroy all who oppose them. But we will stand vigilant, we will not give ground so long as one of us breathes. We are the best of the best, the Alpha Dogs. We are heroes of Heroica and Men of the Lion. Our battle will be told of through songs and lyric for generations to come. We shall be the first to savour the sweet taste of victory as we slay our enemies. Although we may be outnumbered, we will prevail and stand firm in the face of adversity for the fate of Eubric lies in our hands. We will not flee! We will not surrender! May Ennoc and Sylvania bless us. For GLORY! For VICTORY! For EUBRIC!"

A moment after William finishes his speech, Arthur shoves him out of the way. "Listen up, Lion Knights! We be outnumbered and outgunned. This fight shall be tough. Now, I'm thinkin' many of y'all might be bein' afraid. I've been afraid before. I was scared of heights. But I had lots of adventures and learned heights aren't so scary. Elves aren't scary either! Look at Althior's girlfriend Alexis...well, y'all can't see her now, but she's freindly and clever, and Althior apparently thinks she's hot. And we have a secret weapon! We're brave! Don't worry if you fail. Y'all get to roll again. And makes sure y'all take the +2 flanking manoeuvre whenever y'all have initiative! If an elf attacks ya, take an immediate feint and counter-strike action, because that gives ya +1 to hit without sacrificing y'all's next turn's defence bonus."