((Glad you are feeling better man. I had that when I was a kid and had to get my tonsils removed. Had an allergic reaction to the anesthesia and coughed the stitches in my throat out. They had to burn the cuts shut
hope your hospital time went better. Also for purposes of this post, a blade’s length I am pretending is 1 foot, so the pits Tarkus describes are 6 by 4ft and are known IRL as
Trou de Loup. I also stole the concept of castra from Roman legion military siege defense schematics.
Sorry if I've gone into too much detail, TL;DR Tarkus is trying to devise some anti-siege tactics for the town that I stole from old roman and middle ages military pages on Wikipedia. ))
Tarkus wakes from his troubled slumber to a silent morning. He runs a dull blade across his chin and splashes some cool water over his face, noting his own mind has quieted.
Always calm before a storm . With a calm resolve he straps back into his full armor and briskly walks to the stables, mounting up to meet the city guard outside the town gates.
On his way, he meets with the fiery-haired Scholar who introduces himself as Quintus and offers him a powerful-looking Greatsword. Tarkus looks taken aback at his generosity but nods solemnly and thanks him before riding off.
The guard leaders ride in a group, slowly trotting around the town walls as Tarkus outlines the situation in a casual manner.
“The force is a green-cloaked battalion. They represent a cult which means they are led by dangerous men. In full they are maybe 300 or more footmen and archers with mixed discipline.” He grunts and clears his throat, remembering the curse and super spiders mentioned to him earlier. “Maybe magickers with them.”
As they ride and Tarkus asks questions about previous incursions he becomes aware that the town guard has clearly never faced a threat on this scale before. He slows his horse and turns about-face to address the group.
“I know there are plans to evacuate non-fighter. And maybe you worry about family. But know this: a Hero of Alydar already volunteer to escort families and weak to safety, and plan is underway.”
He moves his horse closer and looks each man in the eye as he continues. “What you need worry is not present, but future. Future of Alydar. Without defenders…there not be any Alydar to return to.”
“So if you are committed to defense…first we need castra.” Tarkus pauses momentarily as he thinks back to the siege of Snowhaven. He clenches his fist and continues.
“Castra is small defensive area inside town to plan, hold supply and mount defense if enemy manage to break through and breach town. I say best spot is staging area where Lightbringer healed Alydar people.” He steps off his horse and begins to draw squares and lines in the nearby dust with his bastard sword.
“Stockpile supplies
here and build fortification wall
here . We can set up tent area for wounded behind front lines
here. Most important is main area to fight and placement like wall to fall back behind for cover."
“For outside we can dig basic trench near gate to slow but ahead of trench we dig wolf holes. Wolf holes small pit, 6 by 4 blade length with carved sharp wood spikes hammered inside.” Tarkus reaches into his belt and pulls out a dagger, pushing it into the soil and drawing a circle around it for emphasis. He gestures to the display and kneels by it continuing his explanation.
“Three spike point up from bottom and three spikes near top point down, so spiked when falling in and forced to impale or stuck when try to climb out. Slide top with small wicker mat, cover in dirt and brush.” He sits up and brushes himself off. “Time short, but build many as possible. Good amount around gate can halt charger and horse cavalry. Force slow approach. Enemy will be wary of trench but not area before trench, surprise best ally.” He remounts his horse.
“If access to tower or wall to look out on area around town, best idea is place small group of scout and any archer can fire volley.”
Tarkus smiles grimly. “Also speak to Ivor. He may know blacksmith or metalwork to maybe place pitch and oils to pour down. Maybe explosive traps.”
Dicussing the feasibility of all these plans, Tarkus remains hopeful and impressed by the enthusiasm and dedication the guardsman display for defending their home.
