Who wants to do the second Battle! online playtest with me?

[Tobias]

I have nothing in mind so far, but there's options aplenty! Any takers?

[Deliverator]

Sure! How about a naval engagement? Human pirates attack a Dwarven coastal fortress.

Matt

[Tobias]

If we can make it a mix of human/skaven pirates vs the dwarves, we're on! (I guess through the 2iC rules?).

And which side would you want to play?

[Deliverator]

Skaven?

BTW I am leaving my house in about an hour or so. We can work on this fight on and off for awhile, no?

Matt

[Tobias]

I do a lot of this stuff at work. So I generally have little time but sneak it in when I can, or in the train. So no hurries or worries.

Skaven are Ratmen. You have a MoBu? (If not, I can play the pirates/ratmen)

[Deliverator]

I have the MonBu, but I thought they were called Roden. Aren't Skaven a type of Vaylen from BE?

Anyway, that's fine, mixed human/roden forces against Dwarven coastal fortress. You be the Dwarves -- a 7 LP Warden against my 7 LP Pirate Captain with his 5 LP Roden 2iC. I'll work on it this afternoon and have the chars posted later.

Matt

[Tobias]

Don't hurry too much on those characters - it will be the weekend before I get around to mine, I'm sure. And perhaps even then it might take 1-2 days longer. (Or I might build them in the train this afternoon - you never know).

So I make a 7lp Warden... ok. Any tips, since I haven't delved into Warden yet? I presume I can also make a 2iC - I'll figure out what I like (perhaps a Roden as well).

Skaven = the Warhammer name for Roden. Thanks for refreshing me.

[Deliverator]

Well, high LP Dwarves pretty much rock the house. I'm sure you'll figure it out, but I recommend Born Noble, Ardent, Axe-Bearer, Prince, Captain, Warden, High Captain for maximum twinkage.

Your 2iC, if he's a Dwarf anyway, might want to go Born Guildler, lead to Clansman, Delver, Foreman, lead to Host, Artillerist, Engineer. For maximum, uh, catapultage.

Matt

[Tobias]

Thanks! I think I'll be building a Roden, since I've not gotten around to play them yet but I want to. But I'll remember you invited me to twink. :)

[Deliverator]

So, maybe the Field Roden are allied with the Dwarves. "These good folk will protect us with their axes in return for a small fraction of the plentiful grain from our fields!"

While the Below and Exile Roden are allied with the human pirates, for the moment anyway. Since they compete with the Dwarves for tunnel-space, this makes sense.

BTW, is 45 RPs (medium-sized "business") enough for a large sailing ship to use as my flagship, do you think?

Matt

[gooderguy]

dude, cargo ship is 20rps
moderate business is 30 rps
i think 30 rps would suffice for a pirate ship, plus you have to have the merchant or town official LP or something higher to be able to spend more than 40rps on property anyway

[Tobias]

Yah, that Roden analysis sounds like what I was thinking... cool! As defender, I need to set the scene, right?

[Deliverator]

Yes, do the map! I think it should be reasonably detailed--obviously for me the objective is the Dwarven stronghold, but individual towers within the stronghold might be good positions.

Working on my builds. Roden are kind of weak, but cool. :-)

My main Pirate/Privateer Affiliation is going to be Roden Corsairs, and Human Sailors, Signalmen, Pilots, and Navigators I think. Is that cool?

Matt

[Deliverator]

Actually, ditch the Signalmen; Navigators have Observation. I need Engineers, so that I can catapult your fortress from sea!

BTW, though I don't think it's up on the wiki, but for a naval engagement any maneuver that calls for an Orienteering rolls uses Navigation instead.

Matt

[Tobias]

Well, we're part land based, part water-based here, right? Or are we talking a.... Floating.... Dwarven Fortress? ;)

It's slow going here, I'm afraid, but I'm reading the Battle! rules and burning up my leader, at least. Due to the scale, we are not going to be using individual actions a lot, I presume?

And could you say which dispo bonuses you see each side having? I'm thinking the pirates would be smart enough to strike at a dwarven stronghold only when a large part of it's force is out fighting somewhere else (I'm thinking war to end all wars here).

[Deliverator]

Well, your fortress might have a small fleet of boats, too. Dwarves don't generally like water but maybe your Roden forces...?

Anyway my point was just that this is definitely a situation where Navigation can sub in for Orienteering.

Yes, this is definitely a large-scale Battle!.

Advantages:

Greater Mobility +1 to me
Superior Equipment +1 to you (we don't have any heavily-armored guys, for instance)
Superior Position +1 to you (it's ALWAYS hard to break into an enemy base)
Superior Training +2 to you

Totals: +1 to me, +4 to you. Ouch.

Oh, and I think we should have each have 1F, 1P Artha for this fight.

Matt

[Tobias]

Allright on the navigation thing.

I also see the starting dispo bonuses like you do, which is kinda lopsided. We could say you have pistols/cannon to even out the tech bonus, and if you're smart enough to assault when much of my regular forces are gone, you could outnumber me.

[Deliverator]

That's true, I do have Engineers, which you won't unless you buy more Affiliations than just your base Army one. (See the main Battle! thread started by Jake Norwood for more on that.) So no Superior Equipment for you.

And +1 to me for Outnumbers.

So +2 to me, +3 to you. Much better.

Matt

[gooderguy]

i would suggest
deliverator +1 outnumber, +1 right tools for the job (engineers with seige eqpt.) +1 manueverability = +3
tobia +1 superior position, +2 superior training, and +1 superior equipment = +4

[Tobias]

I will definitely (I think, now) be buying more Aff, yes. Gooderguy's suggestion looks good.

[Tobias]

Ok, these are tentative, but this is what I'm thinking:


Princess Anda Argonsdaughter of the Clan of Roon

Born Noble, Ardent, Axe-bearer, Princess, Princess, Warden, High Captain

Age: 418

Pe: 4
Wi: G5
Ag: 4
Sp: 4
Po: 4
Fo: 5

Dwarven Rune Script B2
Sing B2
Axe B6
Conspicuous G3
Command G6
Intimidation G4
Armor
Shield
Formation
Etiquette B3
Oratory B3
Observation B6
Strategy B6
Hold-wise B2
Tactics B2
Logistics B5

Affiliations:
3D The dwarves of my father's hold
3D The Roden
3D The Merchant League

Relationships:
- Father the King, Major
- Husband Rook, Major, Family, Romantic Love
- Brother Argonsson, Major, Family
- My Roden Advisor
- My hated enemies

Reputation:
- 3D: stalwart defender of the Hold

Gear:
-Dwarven Grey Mail
-Dwarven Arms
-Clothes, Finery, Gear, Shoes
-Princess Hold and a ton more of stuff

Traits:
Dwarven Common, Humility, Grumbling, Chuntering, Muttering, Galvanizing Presence, Hard as Nails, Driven (logistics and belief 2),

Beliefs:
1. My father, husband, and brother have gone to fight the final wars - I am all that stands between evil and my people - and they will never conquer us.
2. As long as I defend a hold, its forges, mouths, and hands will never lack!
3. War makes strange bedfellows - the Roden have proven themselves, and they will one day share the deep caves with us.

Instincts:
-Never offer myself up for battle
-Keep my home warm and welcome
-Honour the dead



and her 2iC,


Twirrik, Once-outcast sheriff

Roden
Born Fields, Deputy, Albino, Corsair, Sheriff

37yrs old

Pe: 4 (6)
Wi: 6
Ag: 3
Sp: 3
Po: 3
Fo: 6

Spear B2
Bow B3
Brawling B2
Astrology B3
Ugly Truth B2
Read B2
Scribe B2
Sorcery B6
Summoning B6
Rigging B2
Navigation B3
Intimidation B2
Law B2
Command B4
Interrogation B2
Roden Corsair-wise B3
Stealthy B2

Vegetarian, Alarmist, Albino, Gifted, Ruthless, Suspicious, Extra-long Fur

Beliefs:
- I am blessed that my brethren took me back - I will defend them to the death
- I will one day eradicate the corsairs through summoning watery death
- The dwarves' wealth will sponsor my spellcraft and summoning - Anda will pay me well if we get through this war

Instincts
- Never break a summoning circle or get within reach
- Never lie to the dwarves
- Don't get my dreadlocks wet
- Alarmist: when surprised or hesitating, shout

Gear:
Clothes, Gear, Tools for summoning, 26 rp's of Summoning Spells

Spells:
- The Fear
- Whisper on the wind

[Deliverator]

I didn't read them all in detail, but you can't jump from Born Noble directly to the Host.

I'll get mine up within the next day or two.

Matt

[Tobias]

Drat, I missed that. Allright, will be changing that.

[Tobias]

Due to personal circumstances, I'll be away for a while.

[Deliverator]

OK, just let me know when you're back!

Matt

[Tobias]

I'm back, and have edited the princess.

How about your guys?

[Deliverator]

I will be gone till Monday. While I'm gone, could you please work on the map? As Battle! host, it is your job / your right to draw your fortress, any coastal emplacements, etc.

Matt

[Tobias]

How about this:

http://everyone.tobiasopdenbrouw.nl/images/dwarvenharbor.jpg

[Tobias]

I'd have to edit it a bit, of course, but what do you think?

[Deliverator]

Amazing! Two things though: could you make it a bit bigger, and also make the just ocean part slightly larger relative to the fortress?

OK, I *will* get my FL and 2iC up in the next day or two, but I am just very busy at the moment.

The next step is to Set Objectives. I want to capture the vast hoard of treasure you have hidden in the fortress. (It's 10D of Cash on Hand.)

Matt

[Tobias]

Still busy?

I want to get the charts you stole off an Elven vessel last year, should I fail to get them directly, I want to capture enough of your men to ransom for that chart.