Town Business (Vaul) - III

[Rusty Tincanne]

Garen guffaws again. Glad to see I'm not signing up to fight for fool believing he's in a nursemaid's fairy tale. Where do I find my band of greenboys then? They can practice their fighting by day and chop wood at night for your second warmachine. You'll need trees felled, debarked and limbed, and I guarantee I'm the man for that job!

So... Do I just twiddle my thumbs until the battle now?

[Keehnelf]

It won't be super long before things get under way, but if you've got ideas for things to do in the meantime you're welcome to it--the main forest is about two days' travel north, and currently burning. The other forest in the east that was referenced is perhaps three and a half days' travel. Either one could potentially be harvested, but you've only got about seven days left before they expect the enemy host to arrive, and it's likely coming from the east or northeast so a journey out that way could be hazardous.

[KingOfCowards]

Tamerlin nods. "I've been hoping you'd stop back by. Clean yourself up--we've got serious work that needs to be done. I've a unit of two score mixed human and dwarf heavy infantry that needs someone with real battle experience to keep them in line when we engage the main force of the hobgoblins. I want you there. The danger's bound to be great, since that will be the force with which we'll hold the advance and keep the enemy where our other units can strike at them--but the reward will be equally great for everyone who survives, and doubly so for the one who leads them to victory. You in?"

Bertram gives a stoic nod. "That's exactly what I hoped you say. Put me in the front lines. There'll be no point in coming back if there's no Vaul left to come back to, anyway."

[Keehnelf]

Tamerlin doesn't smile, and he extends a hand to shake Bertram's without a word.

[Zorroroaster]

Orrin takes a moment and sizes Tamerlin up.

"Vaul has been good to me. I aim to do right by her. I can lead a company of infantry for you, or whatever else you need done. Put me to work."

He bangs his mail with his fist for emphasis.

[Keehnelf]

Tamerlin nods. "Vaul thanks you. And hopefully will thank you again, once all this is done."

[Rusty Tincanne]

It won't be super long before things get under way, but if you've got ideas for things to do in the meantime you're welcome to it--the main forest is about two days' travel north, and currently burning. The other forest in the east that was referenced is perhaps three and a half days' travel. Either one could potentially be harvested, but you've only got about seven days left before they expect the enemy host to arrive, and it's likely coming from the east or northeast so a journey out that way could be hazardous.

1. Is that travel time by foot or wagon?
2. Are there spare wagons (and oxen or horses) about to commandeer?
3. How long would it take to build another war machine?

If the travel North was only one day by wagon, Garen could spend a day felling/limbing a bunch of trees and then be back the third day - leaving four days to build something... They could use trees from the northwest, which is further from both the fire and the hobgoblin hordes.

If Tamerlin doesn't think this is worth it, Garen will find other ways to occupy his time: training, scrounging for better armor and going out to learn the lay of the land around Vaul. Maybe visit the ruins or Faerie mound before they are destroyed.

[Zorroroaster]

Tamerlin nods. "Vaul thanks you. And hopefully will thank you again, once all this is done."

Wait, was this for Orrin, Bertram or Garen?

You need a recruitment office.

[Keehnelf]

That was for Orrin. Hopefully after this there will be no need for one.

[Zorroroaster]

Orrin nods at Tamerlin.

"Put me to work in the defence of her walls, then. I'm handy with just about any weapon, although better at close fighting than ranged."

[Keehnelf]

Tamerlin escorts Orrin to the light infantry unit he'll be commanding and introduces him to the soldiers, their gear and the tactics they'll be employing for the battle. More details will be forthcoming in the defense thread.

[Zorroroaster]

Orrin thanks Tamerlin for the opportunity to help defend the city, and spends some time getting to know the soldiers.

[Rusty Tincanne]

With his dogs in tow, Gared Harth asks some of the men under his command where he can find a stream. Once he is sure of the directions he heads out of town a few miles and locates a likely spot to sit and think. And to bath, because just being near Odium made him feel really filthy.

[Starbeard]

Odium finds Tamerlin in the midst of his duties, and waits for an opportunity to approach him. He bows stiffly, but politely, and greets the knight with a warm and gentle voice.

'Greetings, Captain. I am Odium, but do not be deceived by the name. My mother gave it to me as an infant: I was born unlovely and she was born callous. At any rate, I have a request to make. As you can see, I am in no shape fit to fight for Vaul, and you no doubt already are aware of my views: I see little hope in this battle, and would rather be away from here than be slain in my bed.'

Odium makes a significant gesture here, and illustrates compromise in his facial expression. 'However, I am sure you will be sending out a small van or two into the east or northeast, either to collect resources or to watch for the invading army, and I would be more than willing to lend what expertise I have in the magical medium to one of these parties. All I ask is that if I find my own adventure there, I am free to continue on instead of returning with the other scouts. Of course, I am sure the others could vouch for whether I have earned my due pay if I should ever return to collect.'

[KingOfCowards]

Bertram will spend the last few days in Vaul training the men and dwarves under his command.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Gared returns to his unit and starts training with them. In his down time he will work to teach Hildie how to fetch items.


Edit: Gared will sped his done time asking around to find someone that trains dogs, starting with the archduke's kennelmasters. Once he finds someone, he will press them for secrets of training dogs.