The Siege of Bitterbridge

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Mander bubbled in front of them down a small, wooded incline. The approach to Bitterbridge seemed clear of any major opposition, for now. Rickard peered across the green plains until his gaze fell upon some broken land before the walls of the castle itself. Several miles distant at the most, he thought to himself. There wasn't much laid out in front of the castle itself, collections of small towns along the way. Draw them out. Rickard repeated the words of Bayard Stark in his head. He did not like the idea of killing innocents, and he mulled a plan over in his head.

He turned to his son, Eddard, who was standing a short distance away. "Do not bother with the small folk who flee to the castle. More mouths to feed will mean less food and the keep will be forced to surrender." And less blood on my hands. RIckard knew innocents had to die in war, but he would do his best to minimize the killing. "Cut down any who draw arms against you." A vague enough command. Eddard nodded and mounted his horse. A contingent of light cavalry would begin the initial scourge of the lands about the keep. The order was given, and Eddard along with several hundred horsemen set off.

They cut a wide circle around the castle at firstt, attempting to cut it off. Meanwhile Rickard with the rest of the vanguard's strength advanced and descended upon the villages, in a straight line for the castle...

ooc: I guess right here I need rolls done for resistance to RP further.

[Poach]

What rolls are required? I can't roll them myself naturally but other mods will need to know.

[Honors Bastion]

Raid on Bitterbridge

Detection Roll: Rolled a 2.

1-5, the peasants are caught completely by surprise and no defence can be mustered. Proceed straight to a Loot Roll.

Raid Roll: Not needed.

Loot Roll: Rolled a 17, 17% of 20,000 is 3,400 Dragons looted.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Rickard began his charge down the knoll with several hundred men of his own and saw the cavalry moving swiftly to encircle the castle. Although he had drawn his sword, he doubted if he would need to use it. Few men of fighting quality would be left after the general levy of the Reach. He would be surprised to see otherwise. Enough would need to escape to spread the word quickly of the northern invasion. They rode with Karstark banners displayed proudly. Several men were ridden down seen to be wielding pitchforks. The Reach was a lovely place. Full cartloads of food and provisions lay at hand and were quickly seized. Many had escaped the encirclement, hopefully running to the next holdfast to manage a defense. Soon the Tyrells would be aware of the invasion and be forced to address it. Rickard took his place amidst several unspoiled houses and took one for himself. "Begin the siege!" he commanded in general to the men who had begun to make their way back to him from the raid. "Nobody in and nobody out! I will deliver Bitterbridge to Lord Stark!"

The villages in short order were engulfed in flames. Very few lay dead in the fields, a good sign, as most had escaped to the castle. It was now time for the siege to begin. Rickard crossed the bridge of the Mander with his son and several knights, a strong stone bridge, and made his way up the Rose Road a short distance to the castle itself. They flew the flag of parlay as well as the banners of House Karstark. Rickard called out "I wish to negotiate the terms of surrender for Bitterbridge on behalf of Lord Stark! Who will treat with me?"

[Honors Bastion]

"And why should we treat with you Northerner? Why would we surrender to a man who has just pillaged and ravaged our lands?" said the commander of the Bitterbridge Garrison.

[Pontifex Maximus]

"And why should we treat with you Northerner? Why would we surrender to a man who has just pillaged and ravaged our lands?" said the commander of the Bitterbridge Garrison.

Rickard replied, "Count the swords in front of you. Count the number of your survivors. We have not come to slaughter the innocent and stain our honor. Force us to and we will attack the walls. I will deliver this keep to my Lord Stark whether there are any Reachmen left living at Bitterbridge or not. Surrender and you shall be spared, this I swear on the old gods and the new - to your liking." He awaited a reply. He did not want to waste time. If an answer was not forthcoming he would have no choice but to give the command.

[Poach]

[OOC: I don't want to do any proper RP until this is resolved, since Ponti hopes to hand me Bitterbridge. The siege will deploy a 2,000 L Cav screen since I'm deep in the Reach and any Northman Lords can take 2,000 men to raid surrounding provinces. As such there'll be at least 40,000 on the siege itself (4xplayers = 8,000, screen = 2,000, siege lines = 40,000). When Ponti gets on and this RP is resolved all this will be part of Stark's arrival post.]

[Pericles of Athens]

The Greatjon was present all covered in furs and his sword finally wetted with blood, though he hungered for true battle. You'll treat because you want to save your men. He laughed, Though we can take the keep by force if you like. Bitterbridge will be in our hand's either way, just you and the garrison here will be dead if we have to take it by storm.

[Honors Bastion]

Surrender Roll:

Basic: 5/20
Modifiers: +14 (Outnumbered at least 100 to 1, closer to 400 10 1).
Final Roll: 19/20

Rolled a 1, the Garrison surrenders.

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

With the realization of how badly outnumbered he was and the thought of futility in trying to hold out against so many men, the commander of the Bitterbridge Garrison ordered for the gates to be opened and for his men to march out without their arms. Bitterbridge was now in control of House Stark.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Rickard nodded with silent contentment as the gates opened. "They have surrendered honorably." He said to his men "Gather their weapons and let them pass unmolested." Rickard turned to the Greatjon "Not a great victory, but a small step towards one." He strolled into the castle and had a look around. "There are provisions here we should prepare to distribute."

Soon a thin line of older looking men and green boys trickled from the gates and Karstark's men invested the castle. Even with a shadow garrison it would provide a stout bulwark of defense for the invasion. Soon Stark and Karstark banners hung from the uppermost towers. Rickard established a command room in a tall observational turret from which he had a grand view of the Mander as it winded its way westwards and the surrounding landscape. He awaited the arrival of the main host.

[Pericles of Athens]

He nodded in turn, I'm sure we'll all have our fill of blood before this war has passed. Then we can return north to bed our wives and sing songs victory! He personally raised the the banner of House Manderly above the battlements, flying beside those of the Starks and Karstarks. He looked as the Northmen finished preparing camp, he knew Lord Stark and his host would arrive soon.. and the real war could begin.

[Honors Bastion]

Sorry, I forgot to include the loot roll since Bitterbridge has now fallen.

Automatic loot roll of 20% of 20,000 is 4,000 Dragons looted.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Rickard turned to come face to face with several of his men carrying chests. A sergeant at arms stepped forward "Gold from the vaults, m'lord." As he opened the chest to reveal several thousand gold dragons. Rickard paused for some moments before continuing.

"Lord Manderly, methinks it wise to split this bounty equally between us."

ooc: 7,400/2 = 3,700

[Pericles of Athens]

Rickard turned to come face to face with several of his men carrying chests. A sergeant at arms stepped forward "Gold from the vaults, m'lord." As he opened the chest to reveal several thousand gold dragons. Rickard paused for some moments before continuing.

"Lord Manderly, methinks it wise to split this bounty equally between us."

ooc: 7,400/2 = 3,700

He had two Manderly soldier take his share of the loot back to camp, a fair split 50/50. Sounds fair enough to my ears. We didnt come south for gold but I don't know many men who'd turn it down when it comes walking right into their hands.

[Poach]

Before long horn blasts were heard, signalling the approach of the second force. A party rode ahead and into the castle after the force had drawn close enough to see the friendly banners flying from the walls and towers of the keep.

Entering the courtyard, Bayard, Caron, and Lords Bolton and Reed dismounted along with a small party of knights and retainers.

"You made short work of Bitterbridge!" said Bayard happily, "And no blood to be seen? They surrendered honourably, or had they abandoned the walls completely when you'd arrived?"

Caron spoke to one of the Knights, "Send out screens to ensure we're secure. We can't fit 50,000 men within these walls, so we must have eyes and ears in the countryside."

​The man nodded and quickly remounted, spurring back out of the castle towards where the vast majority of the army was setting up camp.

[Pontifex Maximus]

"Little to no bloodshed, my lord. Given the opportunity to consider their position, the defenders opted to surrender honorably than cling to some suicidal sense of honor. Those that surrendered on our terms were disarmed and sent on their way." Rickard seemed pleased to report the news. "This gesture should not only draw out any Reach armies nearby, but surely encourage honorable conduct in return in regards to our own men in any unfortunate event."

[Narf]

Reed nods respectfully to the victor as a sign of respect. A w2ay to say good work but says nothing.

[Poach]

"Excellent, so far our campaign has been successful, if bloodless." said Bayard to the assembled Lords, "Which means we need our next move. Lord Baratheon has bid us move to the Stormlands to help counter the Dornish invasion, but it would mean weakening ourselves here or abandoning our gains altogether if we were to all move east. What are your thoughts?"

The rebellion so far had been very quiet for the Northmen. Every holdfast they reach yielded before them, and even after marching deep into the Reach no foe stood to bar their path at any turn. Were they afraid, or had the war taken some drastic turn in another theatre that the Northmen alone were unaware of?

[Narf]

As always, Lord Reed keeps it short and concise. He straightens his backs when he speak to his Liege. He speak with a calm determined yet mild voice.
"I think we should heed his call for help for several reasons; He is likely to be the next King, We would be able to stand strong with combined armies, Neutralizing the Dornish attack would set aside worry about an attack from the south once we march strong on Kings Landing, The Royal Forces Expect us from north or east so at least moving towards the Stormlands could if the conditions be right, be our advantage should we decide to Go on Kings Landing from the South with Robert, which I'd suggest.."

[Pericles of Athens]

Our gains in the Reach mean less than spit. What we need to do is march on that bastard Prince Rhaegar, and King or no I suggest Robert follow our lead. Break their Dragon Prince and the Dornish will melt away like summer snow. Storm's End will hold until our victory, like it has always held. We marched south to get revenge for our butchered heir and murdered lord, and to save his little girl, now's our chance to do both.