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Post by Grand Admiral Chesser on Jun 12, 2020 19:53:53 GMT -5
 4,950 from Royce
2,200 Light Infantry 1,100 Archers 1,100 Men-at-Arms (or Heavy Infantry) 400 Knights (or Heavy Cavalry) 320 from Templeton
180 Light Infantry 80 Archers 80 Heavy Infantry A large host of men had made camp in a rocky clearing near the mouth of a high mountain pass. Tall formidable towers guarded its entrance. Opposite it rows of tents were arrayed, men and mounts moved about in every direction. Clustered among them were larger command tents; heraldic banners and sigils adorning them. An even larger structure commanded the space at the center of the encampment. Seemingly hastily constructed of cloth and timber it served as the command post and meeting place for the camp.
A call to arms had been sent out to the Lords and Knights of the Vale. Any who wished to pledge their sword to the cause of stamping out the clans aggression were welcome.
Leaning over a table at the command post Lord Yohn Royce spent his time studying maps and discussing strategy with his son Andar. Soon they would set out west, through the Gates of the Moon, and into the mountains in hunt of Clansmen. It only remained who would join them.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 13, 2020 9:07:10 GMT -5
Accompanying the expedition was Albar Royce, lord Yohn's distant kinsman from the branch that now ruled at the Gates of the Moon. He brought with him a handful of knights and retainers of his father's, and seemed eager to prove himself after the debacle at the tournament. Among the assembled lords were also the banners of Corbray and Hunter, but thankfully no sign of Waynwood or Hardyng.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 22, 2020 14:04:58 GMT -5
Harrold descends from the Gates of the Moon after lunch, coming to speak with Lord Royce. He approaches the sentries, making his presence known, before entering the encampment. Banners waved, revealing Hunter, Corbray, and others. All of these men set to fight the Mountain men. His eyes notice Albar Royce within the encampment, but now wasn't the time to talk to him. Harry approaches the tent of Lord Royce and requests to speak with the Lord of Bronze.
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Post by Grand Admiral Chesser on Jun 22, 2020 14:16:32 GMT -5
He is invited inside. He finds Lord Royce standing at a desk looking over lists of provisions and cold weather gear. As Harrold approaches he looks up from the table. Holding a light smile he offers greeting. "Good afternoon, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 22, 2020 14:19:32 GMT -5
Harry bows his head slightly to Lord Royce.
Lord Royce, I have been told by the Lord Protector to command you to face our enemy in the mountains.
Hardyng had to play along, although he hated it.
I was told to relay that message to you, sir.
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Post by Grand Admiral Chesser on Jun 24, 2020 9:11:24 GMT -5
Seeing the diastase on Harry's face, Yohn nodded "Yes my Lord, dutifully noted. I expect to depart within the next day or two." Lord Royce said playing along.
Looking down at a map laid out on the table in front of him "I hope this adventure does not keep me for too long. I would hate for anything to happen in my absence." War was likely on the horizon, and it wouldn't be with fur clad clansmen.
Two days later
Lord Royce's Host marches west, through the Gates of the Moon, and into the snow laden mountains. The hunt was on...
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 24, 2020 11:09:21 GMT -5
Snows had descended from the mountains onto the roads and the narrow pathways making it even more difficult for the army to march at any pace. There had been new of villages being raided in the shadow of the hills and mountains, but the clansmen had melted back into their hideouts like the snow in spring. Royce's host was far too strong for them to challenge directly, and so the Lord of Runestone would have to conduct his campaign with a degree of care if he was to have any chance of wiping out the clans for good.
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Post by Grand Admiral Chesser on Jun 25, 2020 20:03:19 GMT -5
Lord Royce met in his field tent with a number of trusted knights and lords to outline his plans. During the meeting he would break the campaign into a number of key phases that would hopefully coalesce to see the clan threat neutralized.
Firstly the army would establish a winter command headquarters and fortify it. Then, scouting/patrol units of 500 men each would be sent out with the goal of securing the roads through the Vale, with there being no more than half the army out at any one time. Additionally the army will take strategic ridges and hold them, as well as set up reinforcement points so that any advancing enemy force can be dealt cohesively.
Once an area is effectively controlled an effort will be made to lure out the enemy force. This will be achieved by taking the villages they rely on, looting everything that is valuable, and burning everything else. The end objective being that the clansmen are drawn out into the open and then decisively defeated.
He then opens the discussion up to those present.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 26, 2020 8:53:57 GMT -5
Yohn's strategy finds little purchase. The patrols at least serve to clear the roads, but the clans melt away as soon as an armoured threat surfaces. Whilst the knights are present, the peace will be kept - but they will not be able to remain guarding the passes forever. They struggle to find their way through the mountains, with the clans seemingly moving any time Bronze Yohn's men draw close, shifting their villages and encampments elsewhere. Nonetheless, Royce succeeds at keeping the peace, for in the face of such an armed response the clans do not dare strike out. Instead they watch and wait for the day when Royce inevitably withdraws his men, knowing that with winter draining their supplies they cannot afford to encamp in the mountains for long.
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