Left! No, right! Urm...charge? (Basic tactics, Tarfuss) - Page 2

Tarfuss · October 27, 2007, 01:28 AM

The Kestor nodded. "Your plan might work if your archers weren't discovered. If they were discovered, then it would be much more difficult, because the enemy would most likely balk at passing through the hills on the road. Another way would be to place the archers on the hill sides halfway in. If the enemy saw them now, at least he would have a harder time retreating and the archers would have the benefit of height."

The old man sighed and said, "I'm not as young as I once was. My wife will have my meal ready. Can we meet here again tomorrow Sword Deakin? I shall be here at the same time." He gathered his property into a neat bundle and nodded to the Sword Deakin as he departed for his evening meal, leaving Val Oriden to think on what he had learned so far.

Gye'ron Val Oriden · October 27, 2007, 07:40 AM

The principle of Security had been what he had had an issue with, which was the reason for sending out his scouts to kill their scouts. How could he have insured his own men not being found? He couldn't to the best of his knowledge, and he wasn't sure how to. There was only so much one could do at the end of the brightening.

"Yes sir, of course sir." Gye'ron sat for half a candlemark contemplating how to circumvent the issue of Security, but failing to do so stood and left.

He returned the next brightening to continue his lessons, "Sir, are you ready to continue?"

Tarfuss · October 30, 2007, 07:39 PM

When Gye'ron arrived at the library the next day he found the Kestor much as he had the day before: pouring over a dusty old book. The man hadn't seemed to notice him, but when he stepped up to the table the Kestor motioned for him to have a seat as he continued to read on for a minute or two. When he looked up he studied the younger man for a moment and then said, "Yesterday we covered the nine points of military power, though I don't think we named all of them. Mass remained to be named. It is the concentration of military power at the right time and place. You saw that in the first scenario. Let me ask you a different sort of question now. You are preparing for a battle. It will take place on the morrow. You have learned that some of your scouts surprised a force larger than them. They are cut off from the main body and unless relieved will either perish or become captive. They number six. The force that has surprised them is numbered 20. Your enemy numbers 180, not counting that 20 that has surprised your scouts. You number 250. Your enemy is dug in and has a defensible position. You expect heavy casualties. How do you proceed with regards to those scouts?"

Gye'ron Val Oriden · November 1, 2007, 04:24 AM

Gye'ron considered it carefully. It was roughly equivalent to situations he had encountered before. What was more valuable; the lives of the many, or of the few? The answer seemed obvious to him. He had always been willing to sacrifice lives for the greater good.

"I would attack immediately or as soon as possible, even if it meant the death of those six men. The enemy is numerically weakest now with those 20 men elsewhere, which serves to my advantage in this situation when I have to try to punch through their defenses. Besides, if they capture my scouts and I wait until the next day they could gain valuable information. Best to attack now and lose six men if I must to save the lives of a greater number."

He drummed his fingers against the table as he thought, "Besides, my unexpected attack might force the enemy force that surprised my scouts to withdraw and reinforce their own forces."

Tarfuss · November 1, 2007, 01:10 PM

The Kestor nodded his head and looked grim. "That is what I would consider the right answer. All of us who wear the uniform know that we might die. The larger mission must take precedence over the welfare of individuals. You would need every man at your disposal to take a defended fortified position. In a one to one fight, or even odds a little better than that on your side, you'd loose. Fortified positions can be very deceptive in aiding a force. Unless you have other means of defeating the fortifications - you must have numbers on your side. Very good lad. Very good. It is never easy to abandon men to their death, but a good commander can not let his heart sway him in such a situation. Splitting your force in this situation would have cost you the battle." He closed the book that lay on the table and looked up at Gye'ron. "Do you have any questions for me regarding what we've gone over thus far?"

Gye'ron Val Oriden · November 2, 2007, 01:58 PM

Gye'ron shook his head as he thought over the lesson, there wasn't much to ask. Most of it was straigh forward in his mind, there was only one thing that was hard to execute, "How do I ensure security?"

Tarfuss · November 4, 2007, 04:21 PM

The old Kestor nodded his head. He sat for a moment and the silence of the library stretched out. Gye'ron could smell the musty books and dust, so different than the blood tang of battle. Such an odd juxtaposition, to be engulfed in a discussion of War in such a placid place. "It's not possible to guarantee anything - nothing in war is a sure thing. You can only make it more certain and make things more difficult for the enemy. Security isn't just preventing the enemy from gaining knowledge of you, your plans and your positions - it's preventing the enemy from gaining any kind of unexpected advantage. Knowledge of your plans and positions would give an advantage, but so would ignorance on your part of his plans and the disposition and numbers of his troops." He stopped and appeared to be thinking for a moment. "Keep your plans as secret as you can. Tell only those who "need to know". Use codes when necessary. Keep your scouts out to prevent them from finding you too early, and to keep you appraised of the enemy's positions. If you can infiltrate their camp with spies - do so. It doesn't seem very honorable, but war is war. The more you know about your enemy, the stronger your suit will be. Disinformation is helpful as well. Have your trusted people spread false rumors regarding your force - size, goals, morale issues - anything. Keep the enemy off balance and do your best to attain his information. Check its veracity if you can. Don't trust the things you learn too much, though. As you are trying to do to him, most likely he is trying to do those very same things to you."

Gye'ron Val Oriden · November 5, 2007, 03:10 AM

Gye'ron nodded. There was a great deal more to it than he realized, but he supposed at his rank he wouldn't have to deal with that for some time. If he ever got the chance to go on a campaign, he would at least know what to do if his unit was assigned to scouting or any other variation of the security concept.

"Is there anything else sir?"

Gossamer · November 7, 2007, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Basic Tactics Approved. + 2 XP

Grats.

Tarfuss, as always a peer mod point to you as well.

Tarfuss · November 8, 2007, 01:05 AM

OOC: Thanks Goss!

IC:

The old Kestor smiled at the younger man. He had the basic grasp of what he would need to know to deploy his men. He would learn more, from others and from cold hard experience.

"You've learned well, young Sword. Keep you mind open and learn from your mistakes and the mistakes and successes of others. Be true to your mission and yourself. Take care of your men. Good luck to you and may the gods give you glory and victory. We are done here."