Re: Horsemen vs. forts

From: Sandy Petersen <sandyp_at_idgecko.idsoftware.com>
Date: Mon, 23 Oct 95 14:05:10 -0500


Kevin Rose
>One problem that a totally mounted force has historically had is
>taking fortications.

        True enough. The problem presented us is, of course, how the devil the Pent nomads plan to defeat the Lunars whose fortifications are pretty extensive, though admittedly elderly and not in good repair. Bear in mind that the Pentans know all about these fortifications, and in fact have been getting some siege experience fighting the Yana Aranis dudes in the Redlands.

        The Pent nomads are perfectly able to dismount and fight on foot for a siege. Of course, this doesn't give them an edge over the defenders, but at least they can mount some kind of attack.

        I would not be the least surprised if they hired Kralori engineers as expert advisors in siege to their commanders. This should help against at least small forts.

        The timeworn technique of starving out an enemy city is still useful.

        Combining these facts, I predict that the Pentans will capture cities by means of terror and treachery. Here's how. The first city they come to that resists, they _must_ capture. Upon doing so, they kill everyone inside in an orgy of slaughter and rapine. The word spreads about the horror of the Pentans. At the next city, the Pentans inform the city's leaders that if they do not surrender at once, there will be no quarter. There's a good chance that the city will surrender, especially with the current effete state of the Lunar interior population. If the Pentans are seen to consistently defeat Lunar field armies, then a besieged city may well have no assurance that a relief column will come to its aid, and thus surrender.

        In addition, the Pentans can announce, upon a city's failing to surrender, that anyone who opens the gates to them or otherwise is able to betray the city will be spared and rewarded, as will all his friends and relatives. This is going to be a pretty hard offer to resist.

        Note that sieges are bad for the nomads -- they give the Pelorians time to father armies, prepare defenses, etc. Hence their conquests must be quick -- hence my emphasis on terror and treachery. Also note that these techniques depend upon the nomads being able to beat the Lunar army -- if the Lunars are able to drive off the nomads, then cities may well choose to hold out, expecting relief. It's a house of cards the nomads have built for themselves, but it's not certain to collapse, and the more cities that fall to them, the more their cause will snowball.


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