> No clashes with what we've written. I'd envisaged a rather
> wider bridge at least comfortably wide enough for a wagon.
> So spearmen would be able to cross in formation. The trick
> would be deploying from that formation to climb the ladders.
I'm not thinking of the Bridge of Khazad Dum or anything. I would
imagine that if you get a wagon across, then you could probably only
get a formation about four files wide across in any safety. I like
the idea of some kind of bonding ritual for heavy phalanx regiments
that helps them hold formation in battle, and that this could be used
to allow them to cross the bridge safely at a jog.
>
> In more general terms I'd be reluctant to use the phalanx
> for such an attack. The Dara Happen stone phalanxes are
> sun worshippers so their magic will be at a disadvantage
> at night.
This is one of those strange Gloranthan ironies, that the powers of sun worshippers tend to make them more effective at night since their magic can provide them with light and night vision when those they fight have not thus giving them a massive advantage. I personally don't like this, but I can live with it.
They are also the only good troops Jorkandros
> has got at this time. If they are defeated the whole army
> is likely to fall apart and the seige be broken. Jorkandros
> would have to be a very reckless general to take that risk
> especially given the disgrace of such an elite unit suffering
> heavy casualties under his command.
You obviously have a good concept for Jorkandros, so I'm happy to take all that on board
The Orlanthi could have
> course confused a Tarshite shieldwall regiment with a phalanx.
> Alternatively Jorkandros could create a vexillia around a
> hundred of the phalanx to inspire the rest of attacking force.
As Jane says, my protagonist is a former member of the Beryl Phalanx,
and it's that inside knowledge of the Lunar military that makes him
an asset to the defenders, as well as his affinity with Darkness. But
that idea of a company of hoplites at the centre makes more sense
anyway, since lighter troops would be needed to force the top of the
ladders, anyway. Try as I might I cannot wrap my head around taking a
long spear and a hoplite shield up a ladder with any degree of
fighting efficacy.
>
> We've already got two major assaults within the first couple
> of seasons into the seige. That's a lot for a seige that's
> going to last over two years.
It IS difficult not to get carried away...that's why a timeline is so important. A stable and rational framework to merge things into, rather than a blank canvas to fit anything and everything in. I'll find the time to read the entire site somewhere...
My view is that these night
> assaults are not particularly important. They are more testing
> the defences and putting pressure on the defenders than serious
> attempts to take the city. At best they are going to take the
> gatehouse and have to be driven out.
I agree. The relationship between the Orlanthi and the Kitori/trolls
would make the Lunars very wary of night assaults. But the purpose
would be to force the defenders to hold the walls at all times.
>
> If Stuart wants his game in on a major event I'd make it holding
> the gate at the time the Shargasi attack. That is a big assault
> - 600-800 Tarshite spearmen, missile troops in support and a
> stone phalanx (another 800-1000) in reserve to exploit any
> breakthrough. The defenders are probably a couple of hundred at
> the start with a similar number brought in from the rest of
> the city. The Humakti are the reserve and at the begining everyone
> expects them to reinforce the gate so it's just a matter of
> holding on until they arrive ..... but they don't.
That's why I tried to avoid specifics. It will be very easy to remove references to the Shargashi from the story and add the sense of fear and uncertainty that something major is happening elsewhere in the city and that the small group of defenders are on a normal night watch when something major kicks off. I like that more, in fact.
Stu.
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