War Council of the North

[Lucius Malfoy]

With the task given to him, the Duke of Northumberland and Warden of the Scottish Marches, Henry Percy, meets with those assigned to his task; the Earl of Northampton, Cambridge and Surrey. Along with him was his son, Henry, and his ward, the Duke of Gloucester, Richard Plantagenet. The call was made to these nobles to meet in Carlisle Castle to discuss how to best tackle the task of reclaiming Berwick from the Scots.

[Blastoise Groudon]

Hastings arrives at the Castle to discuss the issue of the upcoming war.

[Barry Goldwater]

Edmund Kyriell, Earl of Cambridge and Earl High Marshal of England, rides to Carlisle Castle. The earl hadn't had a good war to fight since Wallingford crushed the hopes of the House of Lancaster and Norfolk submitted peacefully (although he was secretly kind of glad at the latter development), and was earnestly looking forward to a bout with the Scots.

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Richard of Gloucester is present among Northumberland's company at Carlisle, having been assigned as a ward to his brother's father-in-law not long ago. Between his dark hair, bent back and average height, he scarcely looked like a relative of the tall, mighty and blond King Edward at all; yet despite their physical differences and even though he was only fourteen years old, the unmistakable fire of York determination still blazed in Gloucester's eyes, a much darker shade of blue than that of his kin.

[Jokern]

The Earl of Surrey arrives at Carlisle Castle and joins the rest of the gathered lords. It had been a while since he had called Carlisle his home, but he was frankly glad to be rid of it. The north was too cold and unforgiving for his tastes, preferring the south and even France with its warmer seasons. Yet he had been given a command and he would do his duty to fulfill his oath to the king.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Seeing as the nobles were present, Henry begins to the discussion.

His Grace has given us a most important task of retaking Berwick from the Scots. As we know, they are currently in a regency under King James III's mother, whose pro-Lancastrian policies have surely weakened and destabilized the country. We should act quickly and swiftly in this manner, raise the banners and march up Berwick at once! However, I am willing to hear what your Lordships and Your Grace have to say on this matter on how to best tackle this task of ours.

[Jokern]

"Duke Northumberland, I think agree with you that we should take back Berwick as soon as possible. We should also seek to employ the Border Reivers, as they know these lands better than any man. I had the honor of meeting with a few of them during my time as warden here, and I think they would be of great aid to us. I can call my men from Surrey as soon as we are done here."

[Barry Goldwater]

"I agree that we should seize Berwick back as quickly as we can. The Scots must have taken a beating from the last time they had to deal with you, m'lords of Northumberland and Surrey - one that their army isn't likely to have recovered from in two short years," Cambridge adds with a grin. "I will of course contribute the strength of my own lands to our army. And to add to Surrey's suggestions...does Berwick not lie at the mouth of a river, what was it, the Tweed? If we have the numbers and guidance from the local Reivers, I dare say we could split our forces to assail Berwick on two fronts, with one moving overland to attack its walls directly and the other sailing up the Tweed to not only bypass as many of the defenses as possible, but also force the garrison to further divide their strength before us."

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Gloucester says nothing, instead listening raptly to the older lords as they hammered out a strategy for taking Berwick. He was ever the diligent student, used to soaking in information from his tutors quietly; and though he could be inquisitive, at this point in the conversation he felt no need to ask questions just yet.

[Blastoise Groudon]

Gentlemen, I have some knights and heavy footmen in my force. I will be happy to command the foot soldiers. I believe archers can win the day for us. If you all are willing, I will get as many longbowmen and regular archers as I can to join the fight. Do you believe we should all march in one force, or should we split our forces up, and link up at one central location to force a decision, so we can try to put pressure on their army from 3 different angles?

[Lucius Malfoy]

We will need cannon most of all, my lords. Berwick is a tough walled city and will require some cannon to surely smash the walls down.

He ponders for a moment, thinking upon the forces they would need.

I have the authority to levy troops from York and Lancaster. I will also request troops from Richmond, Durham and Westmorland as well as raise troops from Cumberland and Northumberland. I will send word to the King, asking that a royal army be drawn up for our usage as we will need as many troops as we can if this campaign is to work out. I would advise you all begin levying your troops from your lands and gather mercenaries to our banners.

[Blastoise Groudon]

Captain Rudolf Reinhart arrives at the camp to join whoever's service needs him the most.

[Mors Vigilia]

A letter arrives for the leader of the war council:

Henry Percy, 1st Duke of Northumberland and Warden of the Scottish Marches

My right worthy and worshipful lord, I recommend me to you.

I have recently departed from the colleges of Cambridge from years of study and wish to bring my knowledge to bear with yourself against the Scots this year. I am knowledgeable of the works of the great generals from Alexander to Mehmet II and have also studied the recent martial activities of the Scots in France and in the Border Wars in which your namesake the noble 1st Earl of Northumberland played an important part.

Should you accept me by your side in council and in arms then I can be available alongside 300 men with arms to bear.

George de Newselles, 1st Baron Newselles

[Lucius Malfoy]

Please post your armies here for me to list!

Northumberland Army - 1,350 men
350 Light Footmen
1,000 Militia Longbowmen

[Jokern]

Surrey Army
788 Militia Longbowmen
262 Light Footmen
300 Men-at-Arms
500 Heavy Footmen
300 Yeomen Longbows
100 Knights
1 Cannons

Total: 2,250 men
Upkeep: 45,150/year

[Barry Goldwater]

Cambridge's army:

Edmund Kyriell, Earl of Cambridge: Equipped with 2-hander and partial plate. +14 Duels (+3 natural, +7 from two-hander, +4 from partial plate), +1 Joust, +5 Survival (+4 total from 2-hander & partial plate), +2 Wealth, 40 HP in duels (+20 from partial plate)
Viscount Roger Kyriell: Equipped with sword & shield. +3 Duels (+1 natural, +2 from S&S combo), +1 Battles, +5 Survival (+1 natural, +4 from S&S), +1 Wealth, +1 Charisma, 26 HP in duels (+6 from S&S)
300 M@A
300 Heavy Foot
600 Yeomen
525 militia archers
175 light foot
100 knights

Viscount's free standing troops: 50 M@A retinue; 30 Yeomen Longbows, 20 Heavy Footmen, 75 Militia Footmen and 75 Militia Longbows as L&M

Total: 2,250 men

[Blastoise Groudon]

Hasting's army:

Earl Hastings, overall commander (of his forces anyhow); Partial Plate Armour. (+20 hp, +4 Duels, +2 Survival)

Survival +2
Charisma +1
Logistician +3
Battles +2
Duel + 1




Sir Michael Moody, Hasting's loyal knight friend; Free Chain mail and weapon. (+10 hp, +1 Scout, +2 Duels, +1 Survival) for Chainmail. A single handed weapon and shield (+2 Duels, +4 Survival, +6 hp) for weapon.

Duel: +3
Survival: +3
Rearguard: +2
Battles: +2
Assassin +1




Captain Reinhart, whom Hastings has welcomed on as commander of the Switzers.

Traits:
Battles: +3
Capture +2
Survival +3
Duel +2



1,000 militia (250 light foot, 750 militia archers)
1x Knights
1x Heavy Footmen
1x Yeomen Longbows
1x Switzers


Total: 1,400 men and 3 officers.

[Gandalfus]

The king's livery men arrive from London to put themselves at the disposal of the Duke of Northumberland:

600 Yeomen Longbowmen
800 Heavy Footmen
300 Men-At-Arms

Total: 1700


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[Barry Goldwater]

Gloucester's men:

Richard Plantagenet, Duke of Gloucester: Equipped with 1-and-a-half-hander. +6 Duels (+2 natural, +4 from weapon), +1 Battles, +4 Survival (from weapon), +1 Wealth
600 Heavy Footmen
300 M@A
450 Militia Archers
150 Light Foot

[Lucius Malfoy]

1050 from Durham and Westmorland
270 Light Footmen
780 Militia Longbowmen

[Lucius Malfoy]

Army of the North - 11,500 men + 1 cannon
1,532 Light Footmen
4,368 Militia Longbowmen
2,320 Heavy Footmen
100 Switzers (Heavy Footmen)
1,630 Yeomen Longbows
1,250 Men-at-Arms
300 Knights

Commanders:
Henry Percy, Duke of Northumberland
Sir Henry (Harry) Percy
John de Mowbray, Earl of Surrey
Richard Plantagenet, Duke of Gloucester
Edmund Kyriell, Earl of Cambridge
Viscount Roger Kyriell
William Hastings, Earl of Northampton
Sir Michael Moody
Captain Reinhart

Neville Upkeep: 2,700 crowns
Percy Upkeep: 4,050 crowns

(Does the above composition and commanders look right?)

[Blastoise Groudon]

Yes sir! Lets get this party started!