Scottish Bedevilment and Trickery

[The Mad Skylord]

Duke Malcolm was determined to capture his city. With or without the help of the king. Mustering his forces, he began to plan. He had studied Arabic and Turkish, as well as the culture of the Levant for a long time. He would use this knowledge against his foes. As his warriors prepared to march, he called on 20 of his most loyal retainers, all of whom had studied at his request...

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Conall trotted towards the gates of Jaffa with his bodyguard. They were dressed in fine Arabic armour, wielded Arabic weapons and rode Arabic stallions. Their skin had been dyed to make them appear native, and they had been oiled in the Arab fashion. But most importantly of all, they were all fluent Arabic speakers. They could talk like Moslems. They had spent the last 3 years in the bazaars, listening and talking to Moslems, all at Malcolm's request.
They were part of the long line of caravans waiting to get in to the city, and they had timed the moment so the Moslems would be stopping for prayer just as they got to the gate. This was to make the guards careless in their desire to pray. Conall trotted forwards and addressed the Captain of the Watch.
"Greetings, I am Ibn al-Bahir. How is your news?"

Conall knew what the guard's reply would be before it left his mouth. Even if his wife had left him, his daughters had been raped and his sons murdered, the guard would always reply; "My news is good, how is your news?". The moment of prayer was fast approaching, with any luck the guard would hurry him through so as to be timely to prayer.

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Meanwhile, Malcolm's army finished preparations to leave Ramla. They would march in 2 days, leaving Conall enough time to enter the city to be ready for the plan.

[Mors Vigilia]

Still within Ramla, Thomas was rocking gently on his saddle, checking the restraints of the contraption that kept him on the horse. It was comfortable, which he had never previously been when riding with all his limbs, but if the horse went over in the thick of battle - or anywhere, really - it was doubtful that Thomas would recover from that. He'd be trapped by either horse or contraption, and no doubt thrown around mercilessly... He had better stay on then...

[Stildawn]

Moderation:
Don't really understand the "knows the guards response" part but I'll try and play along.

The guard looked the pair over before looking to the sky at the sun... He grumbled "My news is good, how is your news?"

Moderation:

1-10 - Response as post 11-18 - Favorable response 19-20 - Unfavorable response Rolled 10.

[The Mad Skylord]

OOC: Just Arabic culture. Apparently the common response is "My news is good", no matter what. Just trying to add some depth.

Conall, or Ibn al-Bahir as he would be known for a while, smiled charmingly.

"My news is good! We would like to seek access to the city, we are heading north to join the armies fighting the infidel scum, and we would like to stay in the city for a few days - to rest and replenish our supplies."

[Stildawn]

The guard simply nodded, he was tried and didn't overly care at this time of day.

"Keep out of trouble" He said with a stern word, many of the warriors flocking to the city were just troublemakers in the guards eyes.


Moderation:
1-15 In, 16-20 trouble - Rolled 8

Just so you are aware, this is not an insta win haha, if your going to do something sneaky then you are going to have to RP for it lol.

[The Mad Skylord]

Conall bowed his head graciously.

"Glory to God." he quietly intoned. He just hoped Malcolm was sticking to the plan.

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Malcolm rode his horse at the front of the column. Rank upon rank of soldiers were marching to Jaffa. They would be there by the end of the day...

OOC: I know. I'm planning to trap those 20 men in the city and have them volunteer to help defend the walls. They will then force the gates open. It'll be cool.

[The Mad Skylord]

The Gaelic troops arrived at Jaffa. They immediately set up a perimeter and began constructing siege.

[The Mad Skylord]

The first of the sallies began. The ladders were too short, but only a man standing beside them would notice that. The light infantry charged forwards in a mock attempt to attack the walls. They were simply probing. Malcolm gazed upon the city coolly, he hoped the plan was going well so far.

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Conall and his 20 men watched the troops darting back and forth, testing defenses. He looked for the wall commander.

"Commander, in Allah's name, let us join you on the wall! I, Ibn al-Bahir, and my 20 warriors wish to spill infidel blood for God! Let us join you on the wall, brother!"

[Stildawn]

The first of the sallies began. The ladders were too short, but only a man standing beside them would notice that. The light infantry charged forwards in a mock attempt to attack the walls. They were simply probing. Malcolm gazed upon the city coolly, he hoped the plan was going well so far.

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Conall and his 20 men watched the troops darting back and forth, testing defenses. He looked for the wall commander.

"Commander, in Allah's name, let us join you on the wall! I, Ibn al-Bahir, and my 20 warriors wish to spill infidel blood for God! Let us join you on the wall, brother!"

Moderation:
1-10 - Non-Important Job
11-18 - Important Job
19-20 - Yes

Rolled: 1 (haha)

The commander who was busy didn't really hear the man speak, he simply waved him off in a rude guesture, a lesser aide turned to Ibn and spoke loudly over the noises of the sieged city

"Who are you and what are you doing here?"

[Mors Vigilia]

Thomas stifled a yawn. The march/ride here had been largely uneventful.

A Saracen axe hung from the German's waist, plucked from a previous battlefield.

[The Mad Skylord]

Conall looked to him.

"I am Ibn al-Bahir, a warrior from the holy city of Mecca. I was blessed by a mighty Imam to come north to fight the infidels, my warriors and I wish to help you defend the walls."

[Stildawn]

The aide looked him up and down, a Egyptian no doubt, but something was off about him... Looking past the man to his men... Hmmm...

"The men will need water, can you do that? The well is in the centre of the city?"

Moderation:
This isn't a insta fail either, just your going to have to jump through some RP hoops etc.

[The Mad Skylord]

Conall nodded fervently.

"Anything to help our brave warriors defeat the foe."

Conall and his men grabbed buckets and a cart and began to move large amounts of water to the city walls, for the warriors atop them.

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Malcolm scowled at the walls. He knew he would have to wait for several days before Conall could make his move. He looked to Thomas.

"What do you make of the city, Thomas?"

The Gaelic Skirmishers were involved in a running fight with the walls, shooting projectiles at the defenders as best they could.

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OOC: This will be based over several days ic, Stil. Conall can't walk into the city and just open the gates on that day. I'm going to try and do it on the 5th or 6th day of the siege, so we may need a time skip.

[Mors Vigilia]

Malcolm scowled at the walls. He knew he would have to wait for several days before Conall could make his move. He looked to Thomas.

"What do you make of the city, Thomas?"

The Gaelic Skirmishers were involved in a running fight with the walls, shooting projectiles at the defenders as best they could.

Thomas shrugged.

"I am not a city man. One city looks similar to another to me."

He explored his nostril with a finger, inspected the remnants, and scraped them off on his axe-head.

[Stildawn]

OOC: All good, we'll figure it out.

As the man went off to perform the task, the aide turned away, but then back again, something was off... He ordered a man to keep watch of them... Discretely..

The day passed as the men delivered water, and various other minor tasks... Conall was wheeling a cart of tar towards the walls down a small alley when a man suddenly opened a door in front of him nearly taking out the cart...

"Sorry, sorry" The elder man spoke as he noticed what he had done, cutting of Conall.

[The Mad Skylord]

Conall simply shook his head and smiled.

"May God grant you peace, elder."

He then continued on his way.

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Over the next 3 days, they continued doing whatever task was assigned to them, it was on the 4th day, Malcolm ordered a true attack.

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300 Gaelic Light Infantry and 100 Gaelic Skirmishers move to attack the wall properly, using ladders. Padraig leads the attack. The attack is concentrated on the gatehouse. It is simply to be a quick attack, not an attempt to storm the city. Simply a true skirmish.

Gaelic Forces

1'663 Gaelic Light Infantry(Footmen) 648 Gaelic Skirmishers(Archers) 465 Gaelic Pikemen(Spearmen) 400 Gaelic Infantry(Dismounted Men at Arms - Heavy Infantry) 617 Gaelic Cavalry(Men at Arms) 150 Gaelic Noble Infantry(Dismounted Knights - Elite Infantry) 706 Gaelic Noble Cavalry(Knights) 4'619 men

[Stildawn]

OOC: You ninja'd me haha so revert back a bit lol.

The old man smiled at the response, but then his face changed to concern, as he had noticed a mottled almost rash like area on Conall's neckline, where his clothes would chaf.

"What is that?" The old man pointed at his neck, confused at the skin where the dye was fading and rubbing out in a peculiar way.



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The Gaelic soldiers ran forward towards the walls, carrying their ladders... But first they had to traverse the open ground, barren by design for the archers.

Archers Volley Christian Footmen:

Effectiveness % = 6 x 3/100 = 0.18 Footmen Killed: 200 x 0.18 = 36 Footmen Remaining: 264

The arrows rained down on the attacking warriors, but their effectiveness was lost in the winds which at the moment favored the Christians.

However getting to the walls, they immediately noticed that most of the ladders were too short for the strong walls of Jaffa, the local commander ordered ladders to be lashed together, but this only allowed 40% of his force to attack...

40% Footmen vs Muslim Defenders Footmen:

Christian Score: 106 x 20 = 2120 Muslim Score: 300 x 1 + 2 = 900 Christians Killed: 106 x 0.212 = 23 Muslims Killed: 300 x 0.5 = 150 Christians Remaining: 83 (on walls) Muslims Remaining: 150 (but greater numbers unknown)

Despite the lesser numbers the Scot's attacked with great passion, heaving themselves up the ladders and throwing themselves at the Muslim defenders, it was quick and dirty melee, the Muslims edged back as the Scot's fought bravely...

The managed to secure a small beachhead on the walls, but enemy numbers were numerous...

OOC: I don't really know how you mean to skirmish with a city wall (since skirmishing is back and forth mobile battles never committing), but yeah you have a small beachhead on the walls (mainly due to your epic rolls haha), but realistically your going to get swamped any second now lol.

[Lucius Malfoy]

A rider approaches the camp of the Duc de Jaffa, he bears the sigil of the Kingdom of Jerusalem and brings a message for the Gaelic noble. Upon the scroll was the stamp of the King himself.

It read...

After a trifling illness that left me bed-ridden, I have managed to bring myself to stand once more. I have heard you are marching for war and so shall join you, despite my weakened state. I am marshalling an army to march to your aid. God speed to you and your success! I shall be praying for fortune upon you, noble lord of Jerusalem. I shall move for Ramla and hope that you write soon for I shall either reinforce you at where you are presently or aim to siege another holding to add to your domain.

Julien de Baalun

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

Marching straight from the capital, a royal army of some 5,000 troops march for Ramla, the last known location of the Duc, though rumors said he was already at the walls of Jaffa. Julien seemed more pale than usual as he sat upon his mount. Many of his retainers requested that he stay in Jerusalem, but the King refused their council. If the Gael was indeed at Jaffa, the King was prepared to march on Arsuf and claim it for his Scottish friend and vassal. He had long felt that he had neglected his promise and thus forced himself out of bed to ride into battle. Julien only hoped that the Gael would forgive him...

The Royal Army - 5,000 troops
1,000 Footmen
1,000 Spearmen
750 Bowmen
1,000 Men-at-Arms
1,250 Knights

[The Mad Skylord]

Malcolm watched calmly, they made a beachhead. They were Gaels, after all, it wasn't surprising. He glanced to the commander of the Gaelic Pike.

"Up the wall, quickly, I want you to form a schiltron up there and keep that beachhead.,"

200 Gaelic Pikemen sprinted off towards the walls, determined to help their friends.

Malcolm looked to Angus.

"The signal, Angus. Soud the horn."

The deep drone of a war horn sounded out across the city, and the Gaelic soldiers howled with blood lust...

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Meanwhile, the old man was quizzing Conall. It was then he heard the horn. The signal. He glanced at the man behind him, who grabbed the elder and threw him into his house, before barring the door. The 20 Scots then ran for the walls. They came up to the gatehouse, Conall's sword leapt into his hands and they threw themselves at the Moslems from behind, determined to open the gate.

20 Gaelic Noble Infantry inside the walls. Elite Infantry.

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The messenger is sent back to Julien.

"Your Grace,
We would greatly appreciate your aid at the walls of Jaffa.
-Duke Malcolm"

[Stildawn]

Malcolm watched calmly, they made a beachhead. They were Gaels, after all, it wasn't surprising. He glanced to the commander of the Gaelic Pike.

"Up the wall, quickly, I want you to form a schiltron up there and keep that beachhead.,"

200 Gaelic Pikemen sprinted off towards the walls, determined to help their friends.

Malcolm looked to Angus.

"The signal, Angus. Soud the horn."

The deep drone of a war horn sounded out across the city, and the Gaelic soldiers howled with blood lust...

The Gaels on the walls were in a dire situation, they had carved off a small piece of the wall in their initial assault, but that momentum had just as quickly swayed in favor of the defenders... A massive push on both sides of their beachhead by massed spearmen was arranged.

Muslim Spearmen vs Christian Footmen:

Muslim Score: 600 x 14 -1 +4 = 10200 Christian Score: 83 x 12 = 996 Muslims Killed: 600 x 0.0488 = 29 Christians Killed: 83 x 0.8 = 66 Muslims Remaining: 571 Christians Remaining: 17

The pressure was too much, not long after the renewed Muslim attack began did the Gaels come to realize that all was lost, they couldn't possibly hold out against such forces.

Soon a few started clambering down the ladders again, and as the battle of the wall got more fierce one by one the ladders were pushed back and down, the remaining Gaels had to either jump or die, some died with honor, others leapt down from the tall walls breaking their legs, joining the other Footmen and Archers below huddled against the walls so not to be easy targets for the Muslim archers...

The Pikemen meanwhile were coming in as ordered, but they too had to traverse the open ground, and what greeted them was a storm of arrows, cause all the war horns had done was to alert the defenders, who had prepared themselves for the cities defense.

Muslim Archers Volley:

Effectiveness %: (11 + 1) x 3 /100 = 0.36 Christian Spearmen Killed: 150 Remaining: 50

The sky turned black with the mass of arrows as they peaked on their ballistic path before turning over for their deadly dive into the ranks of the Pikemen.

As they struck from above, only the loose running order of the Pikemen saved them from total destruction, a hundred and fifty fell in the lethal rain, only fifty making it to the walls, where with the ladders down and the Footman all ready removed from the walls, they too were huddled in close, pinned down...

Some of the surviving Footmen while on the walls had had a looking into the city, seeing its defenses for but a moment...

Huddled underneath the walls were 175 Footmen, 100 Archers & 50 Spearmen.

Meanwhile, the old man was quizzing Conall. It was then he heard the horn. The signal. He glanced at the man behind him, who grabbed the elder and threw him into his house, before barring the door. The 20 Scots then ran for the walls. They came up to the gatehouse, Conall's sword leapt into his hands and they threw themselves at the Moslems from behind, determined to open the gate.

20 Gaelic Noble Infantry inside the walls. Elite Infantry.

The man tasked to watch the group had seen it all, the sudden recognition of the Christian horns, the rude actions against the elderly citizen... The men had not earned the trust of the defenders and now he knew they were right to keep an eye on them...

As Conall gave the order to run to the walls, the man watching them had already moved off ahead of them, he came running and shouting to the gatehouse, waving his arms frantically. The gatehouse guarded by the cream of the Muslim hosts, dismounted Mamluke's drew up their weapons and faced off against the charging Gaels...

Dismounted Knights vs Dismounted Mamlukes:

Christians Score: 20 x 9 + 2 = 220 Muslims Score: 200 x 16 = 3200 Christians Killed: 20 Muslims Killed: 7 Christians Remaining: 0 Muslims Remaining: 193

As soon as Conall rounded the corner with the Gatehouse in view, he knew it was over, though they didn't quite know they were coming, they had been alerted and were thus ready... Outnumbered and against the prime Muslim warriors, the Gaels charged into the swarming mass.. It was overly quickly, the Gaels enveloped within the dismounted Mamlukes, and cut down to a man...