Winter Wolves on the Prowl

[Pericles of Athens]

The Winter Wolves

Commander: Brandon Snow (+3 Battles, +3 Duels, +3 Survival, +1 Pathfinder), Haggorn Snow (+3 Battles, +3 Pillager, +3 Logistician, +1 Survival) House Bolton of the Dreadfort 408 Heavy Infantry 975 Light Infantry 519 Polearm Infantry 1,000 Archers 391 Light Cavalry 141 Heavy Cavalry Total: 3,434 men House Dustin of Barrowton 374 Heavy Infantry 894 Light Infantry 476 Polearm Infantry 825 Archers 353 Light Cavalry 129 Heavy Cavalry Total: 3,051 men House Mormont of Bear Island 102 Heavy Infantry 244 Light Infantry 130 Polearm Infantry 225 Archers 93 Light Cavalry 35 Heavy Cavalry Total: 829 men Clan Flint of the Mountains 425 Heavy Infantry 1,019 Light Infantry 539 Polearm Infantry 940 Archers 412 Light Cavalry 146 Heavy Cavalry Total: 3,481 men Clan Magnar of Kingshouse 102 Heavy Infantry 244 Light Infantry 129 Polearm Infantry 225 Archers 112 Light Cavalry 36 Heavy Cavalry Total: 848 men House Glover of Deepwood Motte 289 Heavy Infantry 694 Light Infantry 366 Polearm Infantry 640 Archers 282 Light Cavalry 100 Heavy Cavalry Total: 2,371 men House Umber of Last Hearth 408 Heavy Infantry 975 Light Infantry 519 Polearm Infantry 1,150 Archers 391 Light Cavalry 141 Heavy Cavalry Total: 3,584 men The Northern Vanguard 2,100 Heavy Infantry 5,028 Light Infantry 2,670 Polearm Infantry 5,005 Archers 2,014 Light Cavalry 812 Heavy Cavalry Total: 17,598 men

[Pericles of Athens]

The fire crackled against the night, a father and son looking deeply into its flames. Oh, but if you had been there boy. They rode shaggy horses bred for war, carried ancient axes, spiked mauls, and swords of scarred iron with hundreds of spears tipped by bronze. Their banners were blazoned with giants, bears and dire wolves, the most fearsome of creatures lost and forgotten to the south. Clansmen in rusty mail and Skagosi bare chested and covered in tattoos. Their cries shook the ground and their wails were enough to raise the dead. This army lost in the past descended upon us.. and their was blood oh was their blood.

Brandon and his Winter Wolves came down upon the Strong men like a force of nature, nearly twenty five thousand men howling and screaming as they came upon their enemy. The Hungry Wolf stood at the helm of his men, an axe of bronze in each hand. Lord Dustin looked him over in silence, the bastard was bare chested like many of the savage Skagosi and covered in the tribal markings of his mother's clan. Lord Rickard said to secure Harrenhal.. Brandon grinned wickedly. That he did, and secure Harrenhal we will. I've found the dead don't tend to stand in a man's way, Lord Dustin.

Orders

Left Haggorn Snow (+3 Battles, +3 Pillager, +3 Logistician, +1 Survival) 1,033 Heavy Infantry 2,086 Light Infantry 2,059 Polearm Infantry 1,668 Archers 1,640 Light Cavalry Right Brandon Snow (+3 Battles, +10 Duels, +3 Survival) 1,033 Heavy Infantry 2,086 Light Infantry 2,059 Polearm Infantry 1,668 Archers 1,640 Light Cavalry 1,160 Heavy Cavalry Center 1,034 Heavy Infantry 3,587 Light Infantry 1,669 Archers - Archers bombard the enemy position thoroughly. Once the enemy missile troops are suppressed the flanks will focus their fire on the enemy cavalry (aiming for their exposed mounts) while the center will focus on the enemy light infantry. - Light Infantry form the first line of attack along all lines, Polarms anchor the flanks and wrap around the enemy flanks, Heavy infantry form the backbone of the lines. - The end goal is for the flanks to wrap around the enemy and envelope their lines. - Cavalry on either flank will engage enemy cavalry and if successful in pushing them back outflank the enemy lines. - Brandon leads the assault on his flank and searches out the enemy commander on that flank for a duel.

OOC: The Strongs have no cavalry assigned to scouting and have been sitting outside Harrenhal undeclared for what amounts to half a year in game, so they'd be at least equally exposed as an army besieging an enemy keep. In light of this I request a surprise attack roll for this battle.

[Poach]

[OOC: Need the Strong's troops and orders posted before this can be progressed.]

[Poach]

A Northern victory, but not a strong one. Despite the advantage of surprise, the Strong's defence was effective and overcome more by sheer weight of numbers rather than superior skill. Strong's archers were especially effective.

Northman survivors

2,010 H Inf 5,028 L Inf 2,670 PA 5,005 Archers 712 H Cav 2,014 L Cav = 17,439 men

Strong survivors

1,226 H Inf 994 Polearms 3,049 Archers 399 H Cav 841 L Cav = 6,511 men

I'm sorry I took a while to roll this, I've spent a good portion of tonight in bed fighting the urge to bring my dinner back up.

[Velasco]

Haggorn Skullcracker wiped the blood of his lip as he tossed away yet another severed head. "What now, Lord Snow?"

[Pericles of Athens]

Snow was covered in blood, his exposed chest muscles glistening in crimson perfection. He looked down upon a young knight, the boy discarded his sword, having seen the Northern bastard cut a bloody swath through his friends. I surrender! He cried. I surrender! Please, i have a family.. no, please! In a flash Brandon's bronze axes decended upon the boy removing his appendages from his torso in an instant. The pathetic creature whimpered and attempted to move his new stumps. Get this runt to the medic, I ain't done with him yet. He gestured toward the severed arms with one of his axes. Take those too, I'm sure he'll get hungry.

He turned to the Umber bastard, his cold grey eyes inspecting him. He couldn't help himself from smirking at being called "Lord Snow", Not yet.. But soon. We get these heads on spikes and surround this ing keep. I'll give those ripe one chance to surrender. If they don't.. All around them the sounds of battle were dying down being replaced by what comes after. The screams of the dying and the injured being drowned out but by bit by the dedicated mercy killers running blades over their throats. The Clansmen bussied themselves cutting ears off their kills as trophies, the Boltons had already rounded up the high ranking prisoners and were busy interrogating them for more information the deathly silence coming from their side of the camp told it all, the Skagosi ambled about the battlefield with ravenous eyes looking for the choicest cuts of human.

[Velasco]

Snow was covered in blood, his exposed chest muscles glistening in crimson perfection. He looked down upon a young knight, the boy discarded his sword, having seen the Northern bastard cut a bloody swath through his friends. I surrender! He cried. I surrender! Please, i have a family.. no, please! In a flash Brandon's bronze axes decended upon the boy removing his appendages from his torso in an instant. The pathetic creature whimpered and attempted to move his new stumps. Get this runt to the medic, I ain't done with him yet. He gestured toward the severed arms with one of his axes. Take those too, I'm sure he'll get hungry.

He turned to the Umber bastard, his cold grey eyes inspecting him. He couldn't help himself from smirking at being called "Lord Snow", Not yet.. But soon. We get these heads on spikes and surround this ing keep. I'll give those ripe one chance to surrender. If they don't.. All around them the sounds of battle were dying down being replaced by what comes after. The screams of the dying and the injured being drowned out but by bit by the dedicated mercy killers running blades over their throats. The Clansmen bussied themselves cutting ears off their kills as trophies, the Boltons had already rounded up the high ranking prisoners and were busy interrogating them for more information the deathly silence coming from their side of the camp told it all, the Skagosi ambled about the battlefield with ravenous eyes looking for the choicest cuts of human.

Haggorn could not help but return his fellow bastard's smirk, inspecting him in turn. Half-Skagosi himself, Haggorn had learnt to channel his wild and brutal side in more subtle, ordered ways as he grew older. He could only wonder whether it would be the same with this blood hungry Brandon Snow.

If the reports I hear are right, it does not seem like anyone is coming to their rescue. If their Lord or heir are among the fallen, we may well find the castle defended by nothing but virgin daughters eager for a...warm Northern welcome.

He studied Snow's eyes, wondering whether the bastard coveted this grand old castle as he did.

[Pericles of Athens]

Haggorn could not help but return his fellow bastard's smirk, inspecting him in turn. Half-Skagosi himself, Haggorn had learnt to channel his wild and brutal side in more subtle, ordered ways as he grew older. He could only wonder whether it would be the same with this blood hungry Brandon Snow.

If the reports I hear are right, it does not seem like anyone is coming to their rescue. If their Lord or heir are among the fallen, we may well find the castle defended by nothing but virgin daughters eager for a...warm Northern welcome.

He studied Snow's eyes, wondering whether the bastard coveted this grand old castle as he did.

Snow laughed darkly wiping the blood from his face, only to succeed in smearing it all about. I could use a warm southern welcome myself. Girls down here could probably make good use of some stif Northern wood. He looked over to a man severing a head and skewing it upon a spike. Let's go see about that surrender. The men were already setting up camp and readying the seige lines as Bloody Bran made his way toward Harrenhal. I want a thousand light horses watching the perimeter at all times. He called to the men. I wont have us ed up the ass like these stupid . Some of the men within earshot laughed, the battle was tragic but life's for the living.

[Velasco]

Snow laughed darkly wiping the blood from his face, only to succeed in smearing it all about. I could use a warm southern welcome myself. Girls down here could probably make good use of some stif Northern wood. He looked over to a man severing a head and skewing it upon a spike. Let's go see about that surrender. The men were already setting up camp and readying the seige lines as Bloody Bran made his way toward Harrenhal. I want a thousand light horses watching the perimeter at all times. He called to the men. I wont have us ed up the ass like these stupid . Some of the men within earshot laughed, the battle was tragic but life's for the living.

Haggorn chuckled slightly and nodded, following after his commander.

Lord Strong has two daughters, I'm told. Pretty little things, maidens the both of them.

He smirked slightly.

Alysane glares at the Umber bastard, "I do not need your help. Let me morn my son in peace."

He nodded respectfully and turned away, though he was curious whether the old bat was strong enough to take the body away herself.

[Trot]

Alysane Mormonts mail clinked softly as she kneeled beside her fallen son. It couldn't be not after coming all this way. But there he lay a Riverlander arrow sticking out from his neck. Robb had just had hi 26th name day and now he was gone. Tears leaked down Alysane's eyes has she cradles her boys head close to her breast. Her son was dead gone from the world forever and she mourned. After a while she picked up Longclaw from where it had fallen out of her sons hands. She would see these southroners paid for what they did to her son.

[Velasco]

Alysane Mormonts mail clinked softly as she kneeled beside her fallen son. It couldn't be not after coming all this way. But there he lay a Riverlander arrow sticking out from his neck. Robb had just had hi 26th name day and now he was gone. Tears leaked down Alysane's eyes has she cradles her boys head close to her breast. Her son was dead gone from the world forever and she mourned. After a while she picked up Longclaw from where it had fallen out of her sons hands. She would see these southroners paid for what they did to her son.

Lady Mormont, called Haggorn gruffly. You need help over there?

[Trot]

Lady Mormont, called Haggorn gruffly. You need help over there?

Alysane glares at the Umber bastard, "I do not need your help. Let me morn my son in peace."

[Pericles of Athens]

Snow stood outside the presumed range of Harrenhal's archers. Surrender and I don't gut the rest of you! He called toward the walls of the ancient ruin. There's no one coming to save you and once hunger has weakened you nice and good you'll be dead as all the Rivermen out here! Truth be told both options worked for him, though surrender would expedite things.

[Honors Bastion]

OOC: Any charisma?

[Pericles of Athens]

OOC: Nope.

[Honors Bastion]

Surrender Roll:

Base Chance: 5/20 chance
Modifiers: +3 from being outnumbered, though not heavily, +2 from unlikely to receive reinforcements, -2 from relatively strong fortifications of Harrenhal
Final Roll: 8/20 chance

Rolled a 6, the Strong Garrison surrenders.

[Pericles of Athens]

Snow grinned sinisterly as the gates opened to them. Fun, fun, fun. The Northmen under his command rushed into the keep, imprisoning garrison inside and searching for the keep's store of alcohol. I want the Strongs brought to me alive and unspoiled, boys. ALL of them. Where should we bring them. To the big ing chair, where else?

The enemy smallfolk were disarmed and sent home, they were no threat, with all the bandits running about the Riverlands they weren't even likely to make it home alive. The men at arms and the knights were shoved in the darkest bowels of Harrenhal, they made a deal.. they wouldn't be gutted. Other Northmen found massive stores of ale and wine in the cellars beneath Harrenhal, while other found dried meat and grains in the kitchen stores, enough to keep them stocked for quite some time.

The Strongs were brought before Brandon as he sat upon the twisted throne of Harren the Black. There were ten of them, Lord Lyonel, Ser Harwin and his Rayonet wife and their son and two daughters, Edmure and his piper wife along with their two sons. He eyed them all inquisitively, his eyes resting longer upon those with womanly forms. You come into my lands, attack my people, imprison my men.. I'm not done just yet. He grinned, stepping up off his throne and walking down toward them. He brandished one of the axes and began smashing it into Edmure's face repeatedly, sure he could have used the sharpened edge but turning the man's face into a bloody mess gave him more satisfaction. That's for the Mormonts you killed. That was war! Lord Strong cried. This is murderer! Harwin tried to stand only to be wacked behind the head. Hold out his hand. Snow ordered, it took two men to stop the massive tree trunk like arm from writhing. His axes had lost their edge from over use in the fighting, but even as a metallic crudgel the sheer force of the strike let it cut right through the bone. Harwin Strong, the strongest man in the seven kingdoms wailed like a small child. Monster! Cried his wife. Once this war is over you'll reap what you've sown, mark my words. You wont live a day past the restoration of order.Snow became genuinely angry at that thought. Longer than you.. He drove his axe into Lord Strong's spinal cord and the other into his skull, the aged man slumped against the floor - dead. Take the men to the dungeons. He pointed toward Harwin's wife and their eldest daughter, a girl of no more than fifteen name days. Those two are mine. He skulked toward them gripping them tightly by the hair, the girl bawling as her mother fought against the brute futilely screaming profanities. He lifted them up by the hair and they cried out in unison. These are the spoils of war boys, go get some! He cried encouragingly. Everything's on the house! The men howled their approval and rushed across the castle, the sounds of looting and raping echoing across the twisted halls of the keep.. a travesty worthy of Harrenhal's dark legacy. Snow stiffened as he approached the Lord's bed chambers, the two woman being dragged behind him, this was going to be a fun war.

[Velasco]

Haggorn Skullcracker smirked as his commander lead off the new Lady Strong and her daughter. Greedy bastard, he thought to himself, chuckling even as he stepped over the bleeding corpse of the slain Lord Strong. Haggorn would have loved to have done all this smashing and hacking himself, but he thought himself a little too old for such brazen brutality. Which wasn't to say he didn't love to crack a good skull, or sever some limbs, and generally make the most of every violent situation that came his way...but as he grew older he found himself more reluctant to create said violent situations on his own initiative.

He pointed to the sobbing girl.

Seize her.

Haggorn's men were a well discipled lot, as loyal as they were bloodthirsty. They awaited his nod before going off to loot and rape, and nod he did, but only after his own treasure had been brought him.

Helicent Strong was all of twelve years, the second daughter of Ser Harwin. The Bastard of Winterfell had just axed her grandfather, dragged off her mother and sister, and imprisoned her other male kin, leaving the poor lass to the mercy of anyone who would take her. Haggorn would take her for himself, he decided quickly, a suitable enough prize given he was one of the chief northern warriors in Snow's force.

He did not strike her, or drag her off. He had altogether different intentions for the girl...after all, some said her father was the strongest man in the Seven Kingdoms, and the future King her bastard brother. He wiped away her tears and put his arm around the girl. As the looting and raping set about the place, he and his men made off with the girl.

[Trot]

Alysane steps in outraged at the display "Leave the girls be Snow." She says drawing longclaw. Her retainers finger their swords nervously stareing around the room.

[Pericles of Athens]

Brandon couldn't help himself from laughing, dropping the girls to the floor, as all the men around them began putting down their pilfered treasures and moving for their blades and axes and mauls. And you and those men are going to stop.. us? He gestured around the hall, filled with Clansmen and Skagosi and Dustins and Umbers and Boltons. The Mormonts were surrounded and vastly outnumbered. He stepped over to Lord Strong and removed his axes, with a deafening crunch. Northmen shouldn't shed the blood of fellow Northmen, Mormont, particularly when we're neck deep in southern .