The Army of Janos Blackswain

[Poach]

Blackswains

Janos Blackswain, Heir of Crakehall +3 battles
Sandor Blackswain, Son of Janos +2 battles
Rodrik Blackswain, Son of Lord Horas +3 battles
Edric Rowan, Son of Lord Rowan, Squire to Sandor

5,895 Light Inf (5895pt)
2,845 Heavy Inf (5690pt)
1,985 Polearms (2978pt)
2,475 Archers (2475pt)
1,585 Light Cavalry (2378pt)
1,035 Heavy Cavalry (3105pt)

= 15,800 men

Movement

At Northmarch (as of 1230 3rd March)

* * *

Following the ancient road south, towards Oldtown, the nearly ten thousand strong host of House Blackswain marched under Janos, the heir to Crakehall. Many sworn lords and knights were present in Janos' impressive heavy cavalry force of over six hundred men, their squires and servants forming nearly one thousand light horse. The solid core of Janos' force were the heavy infantry, almost all of them freedmen from the Shields or loyalists installed in the conquered Crakehall and Cornfield fiefs. The vast peasant levy made up the light infantry, spears and archer components, and comprised over two thirds of the army.

The force Janos marched against was weak: Old Oak was a small Lordship, with little territory, but importantly held several large ports that faced the Shield Islands, ever threatening them. These would be seized, along with the territory of the Oakhearts, added to the growing might of the Blackswain domain. Based on the information provided by Janos' scouts, as well as interrogated merchants and peasants, it was unlikely that old Lord Oakheart could muster more than one man to every six of Janos', ensuring the battle would probably be very one sided, and the vital ports secured for the Tyrant of Crakehall.

[Poach]

Battle

Just roll it as one flank, because it's 10k vs 1.5k.

Orders (both sides, I guess, they're straightforward)

- Archers target advancing infantry
- Cavalry attack the other cavalry and then flank
- Infantry fight it out.

The battle is so small and one-sided I'll just rush the rolls by troop count rather than points.

* * *

My archers shoot: 16 and 11. 24,480 and 12,735. 25% dead: 388 linf, 287 hinf, 169 polearms.

Their archers shoot: 20 and 15. 4500 and 95,850. 4.6% dead: 3270 linf, 1635 hinf, 1205 polearms.

Cav clash: 8 and 8. 1792 and 12,600. 25% and 14%. Them: 118 lcav, 50 hcav. Us: 813 lcav and 542 hcav.

Inf clash (my cav help): 14 and 5. 112,098 and 4,220. 25% and 3%. They rout. Them: 291 linf, 216 hinf, 127 polearms. Us: 3172 linf, 1586 hinf, 1168 polearms, 789 lcav, 526 hcav.

d10 rout: 5, 50%. 145 linf, 108 hinf, 64 polearms, 59 lcav, 25 hcav. 401 left. 25% of starting total.

[Poach]

With Old Oak pacified and the ports safely under the control of Shield Islanders, Janos summoned his Captains.

"We've smashed Old Oak," he said, seated at a simple table with the Captains, a mug of ale in his hand, "The ports of the Ocean Road belong to us!"

The men thudded their tankards off the table and voiced their approval.

"We've one more target before we retire back to our homes. Old Oak was strategic, lads. The ports were necessary. The place is poor, though! Even the women are repulsive!"

More tankard thudding, with laughter.

"Now we'll take somewhere with money! Somewhere that'll give us loot to take home to the repulsive women we took as wives!"

Laughter, with the younger men among the group ridiculing the older men who had wives and families.

"We march to Goldengrove, men! We'll stick a loyal Shield Islander there, secure our eastern border, get rich, get a few local women, and go home to the Shields rich and satisfied men!"

Cheers and tankard thudding. Janos downed his ale in one lengthy draw before throwing the tankard at the maid, a terrified looking Old Oak woman taken prisoner and forced into work, prompting another round of laughter.

"Andros! Send your fastest horsemen to Crakehall! Tell my craven brother to leave the warmth of his hearth and meet us in the field! A province as extensive as Goldengrove will need a bookworm to sort out once we've had our way!" shouted Janos jovially.

"Aye, Janos!" said the drunken Andros, Janos' Captain of Horse.

"Sandor! You might find yourself a pretty girl to take as a wife!" said Janos to his son, already a large man from spending all his teenage years worked hard on warships. Being only twenty, his weathered face and full beard would throw anyone by a decade or more. He was mid-drink when Janos shouted, and his only response was an accurate punch to his father's arm without even taking his eyes off the tankard. The boy had always been a good shot, throw, swing, anything that needed accuracy: he'd be deadly with a bow if ever he used one. The act caused an eruption of laughter as Janos nearly fell from his seat, so drunk he was and so forceful the boy's strike, even if in play.

The group drank themselves into stupor, along with the rest of the victorious army, feasting on looted ale, wine, and other types of alcohol looted from the local Lords. In the morning, an entire army of hung over men started a somewhat ragged march towards Goldengrove. A hard march would cure the headache, or so the majority hoped.

[Poach]

Rowans

1,620 Light Inf
720 Heavy Inf
450 Polearms
630 Archers
360 Light Cavalry
270 Heavy Cavalry

= 4,050 troops

Blackswains

Janos Blackswain, Heir of Crakehall +3 battles
Sandor Blackswain, Son of Janos +2 battles
Rodrik Blackswain, Son of Lord Horas +3 battles, +3 Loyalty

3,463 Light Infantry
1,802 Heavy Infantry
1,295 Polearms
1,755 Archers
789 Light Cavalry
526 Heavy Cavalry

= 9,630 men

* * * * * * * * *

The armies of Goldengrove and the growing might of House Blackswain faced off across a field just outside the seat of House Rowan. Outnumbered by slightly greater than two to one, the troops of Goldengrove faced not only a superior foe but also one with recent battle experience, augmented by troops who relished a fight, and whose archers numbered nearly half the troops the Rowans had entirely.

Two horsemen moved to the centre of the field, meeting Lord Rowan and his single retainer. Rodrik Blackswain reined in his horse, his escort to his right, and spoke.

"Lord Rowan," said Rodrik in a sympathetic tone, "I speak for Marshal Janos Blackswain, he who commands the men you see before you."

"And what is it you want?" asked Rowan angrily, enraged at this invasion of his lands.

"My Lord," said Rodrik, keeping his tone humble, "The armies of the Shields are mighty, you can see this. Their goal is to expand the domain of the Blackswains into this region, something that, unfortunately, requires that you submit to Horas Blackswain."

"Such arrogance!" responded Rowan, who was about to launch into a tirade against Rodrik before being pre-empted.

"The terms are fair, my Lord." said Rodrik reassuringly, holding his hand up to stop Rowan's speech, "Swear fealty to Horas, send your son to squire with House Blackswain, and in return you retain your lands and title."

"I'm to give my son as a hostage?!" retorted Rowan, "Those terms are not at all fair!"

"I regret to inform you, my Lord Rowan," replied Rodrik, keeping the same calm tone, "The locals of Old Oak refused us, and they are no longer Lords. The locals of Cornfield refused us, and they are no longer Lords. The locals of Crakehall refused us, and they are no longer Lords. You stand outnumbered, two men to every one you face. Is it not wiser to join us than lose everything?"

He awaited Lord Rowan's response.

[OOC: Rodrik has +3 Loyalty, and is conducting the negotiations as House Blackswain's chief diplomat, as discussed in his character bio.]

[Honors Bastion]

Submission/Surrender Roll:

Base roll of 1/20.

Modifiers: +3 from loyalty, +1 from being outnumbered 2:1, +1 intimidation from pointing out what happened to Old Oak, Cornfield, and Crakehall

Final Roll: 6/20

Rolled a 4, Lord Rowan will bend the knee.

======================================

A look of disgust appeared on Lord Rowan's face as he said begrudgingly "Fine, I will submit."

[Poach]

"A wise decision, my Lord." said Rodrik in a sycophantic tone, with a smile and nods. The party returned to the Blackswain army where Rodrik dismounted and went to the command tent.

"Rowan submits, as per the terms father laid out for us." said Rodrik to Janos, who sat in full armour, Sandor standing directly behind him.

"Ha! The coward! Unfortunate, no?" said Janos loudly, prompting some laughs and murmurs of agreement from his gathered Captains.

"His son will come as a squire to your service, Janos. Keep him alive, he's important." said Rodrik in a demeaning tone.

"I am aware," said Janos, standing up and speaking down to his brother, taking a few paces forwards, "of father's commands, Brother. Go to Goldengrove and sort this place out. I'm taking the army home as soon as we have the boy."

"Of course, Janos." said Rodrik sarcastically, offering a mocking bow before leaving the tent, mounting his steed, and riding off with a small party of knights to serve as his guardsmen.

"Were it not for kinslaying being frowned upon..." said Janos bitterly.

* * * * * * * * *

Some days later the army set off on the march, many among the ranks expressing regret that they didn't get to slaughter the locals and loot the place. The smarter among them realised they weren't marching west...

Sitting on a horse, face still red from tears shed when he was parted from his home, young Edric Rowan joined the army of foreigners, going to his new life as a 'Squire' to Sandor Blackswain, a giant brute of a man who laughed openly at the size of Edric when he first appeared.

[Poach]

The scouts had located a suitable target: a town on the rose road, on the north bank of the Mander. A town of traders, inns, artisans and the local market for the peasant farmers of the region. Far enough away from Highgarden that, if the assault were swift, Janos' troops might make enough ground to be difficult to pursue by morning.

After sundown the army crossed into Highgarden's territory, still several hours march from the Mander and their target, but the darkness lasted some six or eight hours, giving them the time they needed to reach the town, strike it, and make away with some remnants of the darkness to cover their withdrawal.

The troops marched in an excited silence: though no man cheered, laughed or shouted, the odd excitable whispering could be heard. Janos sat mounted on his warhorse with the cavalry: he often fought on foot but for a raid like this he wanted speed and mobility. His son, Sandor, and new Squire, Edric Rowan, were present with the cavalry. Janos had quietly informed several of his best knights to ensure the boy didn't try to make an escape in the night.

This was the promised pillage. The loot, the women, the fun, that Janos had told his men they'd get at Goldengrove. If only his damned brother weren't such a silk tongue: the trait of women, Janos told himself. Oh well, this made sense at least: pillage land that did not belong to House Blackswain. Land that lay in the path of several other rising powers. Let them have the ashes.

After the hours had trudged past, they saw it: the flickering lights of their target, the one the scouts reported and guided the troops to. Now was the hour, the time for swords and fire.

"There she is, lads!" said Janos loudly, the first man to break the silence, roaring at the top of his lungs so as many could hear, "She's yours! I want every man ready to march before daybreak! Highgarden won't be long in coming! Go, lads, go!"

He reared his horse and galloped forwards, rising a cheer from the thousands of men with him, who joined him in the general charge. Peasants could be seen stumbling from their homes, bleary eyed, desperately clutching weapons. A few arrows flew past Janos' head from the town, a hailstorm flew from his back into it. He crashed into the first street, his retainers by his side, throwing his torch onto the nearest thatched roof and drawing his sword. Peasants flooded around him with pitchforks, spears, brooms, anything they could find, falling in droves to the armed and experienced knights, Janos laughing and roaring as he cut face after face, his troops eventually swarming in behind him and beginning the street battle and pillage.

[OOC: Janos has +3 Battles and +3 [+5%] pillage]

[Honors Bastion]

Raid Roll: rolled a 7.

6-10: Raid runs into some trouble and despite initial success, the smallfolk are able to organize a militia and prepare to do their best against the raiders while the local lord's response will still be too slow. 1d20*100 Light Infantry + 1d6*100 Archers will mobilize to oppose the raiders. (12/20 chance)

Inf Roll: rolled a 16, so 1,600 light inf are levied in defense
Archer Roll: rolled a 3, so 300 archers are levied in defense

I will await your orders before I roll the battle.

[Poach]

Blackswains

Janos Blackswain: +3 battles, +3 pillage
Sandor Blackswain: +3 battles
Edric Rowan: Aux

5,083 Light Infantry (5,083 pt)
2,522 Heavy Infantry (5,044 pt)
1,745 Polearms (2,618 pt)
2,385 Archers (2,835 pt)
1,119 Light Cavalry (1,678 pt)
796 Heavy Cavalry (2,388 pt)

= 13,650 men

Standard assault: Archers have fired a volley as the peasants form up (2,835 pt). Infantry and Cavalry have rushed forward in one crazed mass (16,811 points total) to pillage the town, and will thus engage the peasantry when they enter the streets.

[Honors Bastion]

Missile Exchange:

Blackswain Archer v. Peasant Inf + Archers
2,385 v. 1,900
(10 + 3) = 13 v. 5
31,005 v. 9,500
50% of Peasants are killed by the archers

With threat of impending cavalry and infantry charge, the remaining peasants rout.

Blackswain Inf v. Peasant Archers
16,811 v. 300
Pointless to roll this one since casualties would number in the 0.01%.

Loot Roll:

Rolled a 12 so 12% + 5% (pillage) = 17% of 70,000 or 11,900 Dragons loot.

OOC: Kind of pointless to roll this battle wasn't it.

[Poach]

[OOC: Little bit, the numbers were extreme. Just happened to be the nearest good province to attack that also let Janos get back to friendly shores.]

The peasants didn't stand united for long. Outnumbered hopelessly, facing men wearing arms and armour they had nothing comparable to, and not even organised, the defence of the town soon collapsed and the pillage began.

Houses burned, the fire spreading from roof to roof, as women screamed, windows broke, doors were kicked in, and crazed soldiers raped, drank, looted and burned everything in the town. In a complete mockery of aristocracy, Janos had set up a grand feast table in the town's square, around which he and his officers feasted on looted food and drink, held terrified looking local girls on their laps and happily joked and laughed as all around them a town died. Edric Rowan sat at his table chalk white, looking mortified at the scene.

Come daybreak the town was desolate: barely a building stood, and even they were badly damaged, wailing women wandered the streets, picking their way through ashes and corpses, and nothing of value could be found any more. The Blackswain horde was long gone, making their way past the north of Highgarden, moving towards Old Oak and home. The men had had their fill, the domain of Horas Blackswain had been expanded, and Janos had gained glory. All-round a great success.

[Poach]

Word had come from the Iron Isles to summon the army once more, and to wait: for what it was not said, but the army must be in the field. The two Blackswain brothers sat in a large tent at the army's mustering point at Crakehall, at a large table where the map of House Blackswain's holdings were laid out as well as the surrounding lands, joined by the army's various Captains. A large soldier figure stood at Crakehall, while smaller figures dotted the area around the controlled provinces.

"What do we wait for?" asked Janos impatiently, "Why muster an army for nothing?!"

"Father has not said, Janos," said Rodrik in an exacerbated voice, "Word will come in due time."

After a minute's silence with Janos drumming his fingers on the desk with one hand, sitting his head in the other, he finally grabbed the Blackswain figure and moved it to Northmarch.

"In the meantime we're annexing Northmarch." he said, causing a murmur of agreement among the present Captains.

"And what of father's word?" asked Rodrik, rubbing his eyes in exhaustion with Janos.

"When it comes we shall march to it. Until then, our forces sitting idle is a waste. Banditry from Northmarch has increased, I am certain their Lord must be sponsoring it." said Janos confidently, causing more murmurs of agreement.

"Lord Osgrey spends much of his time fighting those bandits..." said Rodrik, well aware that his words will probably be ignored.

"Merely a show." said Janos with a determined nod, "We'll take his lands and crush the bandits once and for all. The peasants of Red Lake - "

"Lord Crane..." interrupted Rodrik.

"Lord Crane..." said Janos seethingly, narrowing his eyes at his brother, " - will be entirely surrounded by our territory and will bend the knee or be engulfed."

Before Rodrik could raise any further complaint, Janos ordered the army readied for the march south. Northmarch was not far from Crakehall, and could be mostly reached following the good road leading south to Old Oak before cutting east inland, but would still take them out of the way should Horas' orders direct the army north or east. Rodrik merely sighed deeply, and set about preparing himself to move with the army.

* * * * * * * * *

A week later the sixteen thousand men of House Blackswain stood arrayed in a field looking at Lord Osgrey's pitiful fifteen hundred men. Ten to one they stood outnumbered, yet still they stood in the field, their own line utterly dwarfed in both depth and length by the Lion and Anchor banners of the invaders. Janos and Rodrik rode to meet Lord Osgrey in the middle for a parlay.

As they rode forward, Rodrik said to Janos, "Should battle come, let them rout. If we chase them down there won't be a man left in Northmarch..."

"Yes, yes..." said Janos dismissively, quietly unhappy that his brother had suggested something militarily sensible that he himself had not already thought of.

"Your lands are forfeit to Lord Horas Blackswain of Crakehall." he said curtly, "Send your men home and bend the knee, or we shall destroy you and cast your family out of their keep forever."

"Lord Osgrey," interjected Rodrik, moving his horse forwards such that it was next to Osgrey's, "My brother is warlike and his soldiers equally so. Your forces look to barely present one man to every ten of ours. Over there," he pointed to a body of men on the army's left, "are men of House Rowan. Lord Rowan is a wise man, and a powerful Lord, but even he saw the benefit of joining us instead of losing his land and possibly life in futile resistance. His own son marches in the army you see here today. I urge you, follow his example, Lord Osgrey."

Janos let out a scoff at Rodrik's soft words. Only liars and women spoke with such niceties. Lord Osgrey looked outraged at the whole affair, but he had little realistic choice in the matter...

[ooc: +3 Loyalty for Rodrik. Blackswain army in the OP, Osgrey army:

518 Light Inf (518pt)
383 Heavy Inf (766pt)
225 Polearms (337pt)
225 Archers (225pt)
158 Light Cavalry (237)
58 Heavy Cavalry (174pt)

Attack orders are just inf+cav to overwhelm the tiny Osgrey force, with orders to simply rout the army rather than destroy it. Archers won't be used.]