Advice on a Siege Defense [Archive] - Wizards Community

Advice on a Siege Defense [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ECyrus
07-31-05, 02:27 PM First off, Roreck, don't read this. =)

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

Ok, I've run small "town defenses" before -- such as a werewolf and dire wolves attacking a fortified town, while the PCs, town guard, and militia defend. Now, though, I'm looking at something much bigger, and I would be most grateful for any help, insights, and advice.

Let me explain the campaign so far-

Basically, a holy war has been going on for the past few hundred years between an alliance of the disciples some of good gods, and a loose cooperative confederation of evil men and orcs. For the past hundred or so years, there has been little to no outright fighting, just more of a cold war going on. Tension is high, because no one knows when the other side will make a move.

Anyway, a move has just been made. The PCs were hired by the dwarven king of Moradinia (many of the cities were named after the respective gods their founders worshipped) to reestablish contact with Herol, an allied city several days journey to the south, because there has suspiciously been no contact for weeks. The king sent two messangers and a similar party of adventurers prior to the PC's group, and none have returned.

Long-story-short, Herol, a heavily fortified city with a reputation for its skilled and devoted soldiers, was destroyed, completely ransacked, and devoid of any corpses at all (except for the previous investigators sent by the king, who were founded dead in the throne room, killed by animated statues that were ordered to kill anyone who tried to leave). Oh, and of note -- Herol's main gate was intact, but the eastern wall was smashed in. Along the way, the PCs also stumbled upon some gnomes traveling to Moradinia to seek aid, since their village is under attack from some neighboring Hill Giants.

When the PCs returned and told the dwarven king about Herol, he realized that he and his allies had not kept their ears low enough to the ground, and that now their forces must be roused for war. He reengaged the PCs' service by asking them to accompany the gnome envoys back to their village and to try to convince the villagers to take shelter in his city. If they refuse the offer, he will promise to help them fight the giants, since they're probably allied with his enemies (plus he'd like to have the gnomes fight for him eventually).

Anyway, this is all leading up to a defense of the gnome village.
I'll have to update you as to the decisions the players make today (we're actually going to play in like an hour), but as it stands now, here's what we have:

Hill Giants' Forces:
~20 Hill Giants
~10 Dire Wolves
2-3 Ogres
20-50 Orcs

Now, the gnome village of Glowd has a population of about 300, so they're going to have to get a lot of help, obviously. They only have like 3 soldiers and 17 militiamen.
The mayor has a couple high level rogues, as well as a sharakim somewhat reluctantly spying on the orcs, so he does have a good amount of intel. on the enemy. He knows the numbers of the enemy, and that they are going to launch a full attack at the next full moon, due to some kind of hill giant battle superstition (which gives about three weeks and change for preparation).
He has already taken the following measures:

*Has sent out envoys to several potentially friendly cities to seek aid.
*Has begun stockpiling wood, food, and water
*Has begun the construction of two catapults
*Has begun fortifying a nearby hill with trenches and pallisades
*Has hired several adventurers to help in the town's cause
*Has initiated burgling and spying operations on the giants and orcs

The following adventurers are helping the gnomes:
1 Lvl 6 Adept
2 Lvl 7 Fighters
2 Lvl2 Wizards
1 Lvl 5 Cleric
3 Lvl 1 Clerics
1 Lvl 6 Druids
1 Lvl 5 Rogue
2 Lvl 7 Rogues
1 Lvl 6 Bard
1 Lvl 3 Monk

The PCs are all Lvl 4 (Rogue/Fighter, Samurai, Sorcerer/Ranger, and Wizard).

The mayor may be convinced to evacuate the town's non-combatants, but he's determined to give the giants hell if they try to take his town(he's the town's only aristocrat; very proud, and despises the giants). He's not stupid, though. He's knows what he's dealing with, and is trying to muster as much strength as possible.

During this session, the PCs will travel to the village and eventually make preparations. They'll have the opportunities to try to recruit more mercenaries, enlist a cloud giant hermit and his pet dire lion, gather some magical items, obtain a shield guardian, and fortify the town.

Also add to their resources: an eccentric gnome alchemist who lives in Moradinia has contructed a hot air balloon, and will attempt to aid the town, with help from his crew of three "tame" goblins.

Now...first off, how would you suggest running this battle?
Secondly, I plan on sending soldiers from two cities to help the gnomes, but what is a reasonable number? What does it take to stop 20+ hill giants?
wonderboy06
07-31-05, 02:57 PM I plan on sending soldiers from two cities to help the gnomes, but what is a reasonable number? What does it take to stop 20+ hill giants?

Really it all depends on how the PC's handle themsleves, if they can figure out ingenious ways to kill the BBEGs then you may not need to send very many if any. If they are not fairing well then I would sugest about 75 profentional soldiers from both cities. Heavy foot soldiers mixed in with a few cavalry. But, again it all depends...you could also forgo the soldiers and have seige weapons arive, maybe oil (my personal favorite...just pour it over the field right before the battle and burn those little buggers to a crisp)or other useful items that might force the PCs to reavalueate their method of war
ECyrus
07-31-05, 10:36 PM Ok, so the session didn't go as I expected (when does it ever, though?).

Half the players stayed behind to help prepare the town's defenses, while the other half decided to escort the gnomish noncombatants to Moradinia. Now I'm a little concerned because of the dreaded time gap. It'll take the two characters who are traveling with the caravan about nine days to get to the city and then return (longer, if they wait for the king to give them soldiers to bring back to the gnomes).
Meanwhile, the two who stayed behind are already grabbing mid-level NPC mercenaries and planning quests to recruit allies and find magical treasures. I get the feeling I could run two or three sessions for them before the other two would return. Given our time constrains (three of us go away to college, so we only have one or two more sessions and then we're done until December), that's not going to happen. Ugh. Even if I were able to run the private sessions before the whole group meets up again next week, the exp. would become uneven. Yuck.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ECyrus 07-31-05, 02:27 PM	First off, Roreck, don't read this. =) - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ok, I've run small "town defenses" before -- such as a werewolf and dire wolves attacking a fortified town, while the PCs, town guard, and militia defend. Now, though, I'm looking at something much bigger, and I would be most grateful for any help, insights, and advice. Let me explain the campaign so far- Basically, a holy war has been going on for the past few hundred years between an alliance of the disciples some of good gods, and a loose cooperative confederation of evil men and orcs. For the past hundred or so years, there has been little to no outright fighting, just more of a cold war going on. Tension is high, because no one knows when the other side will make a move. Anyway, a move has just been made. The PCs were hired by the dwarven king of Moradinia (many of the cities were named after the respective gods their founders worshipped) to reestablish contact with Herol, an allied city several days journey to the south, because there has suspiciously been no contact for weeks. The king sent two messangers and a similar party of adventurers prior to the PC's group, and none have returned. Long-story-short, Herol, a heavily fortified city with a reputation for its skilled and devoted soldiers, was destroyed, completely ransacked, and devoid of any corpses at all (except for the previous investigators sent by the king, who were founded dead in the throne room, killed by animated statues that were ordered to kill anyone who tried to leave). Oh, and of note -- Herol's main gate was intact, but the eastern wall was smashed in. Along the way, the PCs also stumbled upon some gnomes traveling to Moradinia to seek aid, since their village is under attack from some neighboring Hill Giants. When the PCs returned and told the dwarven king about Herol, he realized that he and his allies had not kept their ears low enough to the ground, and that now their forces must be roused for war. He reengaged the PCs' service by asking them to accompany the gnome envoys back to their village and to try to convince the villagers to take shelter in his city. If they refuse the offer, he will promise to help them fight the giants, since they're probably allied with his enemies (plus he'd like to have the gnomes fight for him eventually). Anyway, this is all leading up to a defense of the gnome village. I'll have to update you as to the decisions the players make today (we're actually going to play in like an hour), but as it stands now, here's what we have: Hill Giants' Forces: ~20 Hill Giants ~10 Dire Wolves 2-3 Ogres 20-50 Orcs Now, the gnome village of Glowd has a population of about 300, so they're going to have to get a lot of help, obviously. They only have like 3 soldiers and 17 militiamen. The mayor has a couple high level rogues, as well as a sharakim somewhat reluctantly spying on the orcs, so he does have a good amount of intel. on the enemy. He knows the numbers of the enemy, and that they are going to launch a full attack at the next full moon, due to some kind of hill giant battle superstition (which gives about three weeks and change for preparation). He has already taken the following measures: Has sent out envoys to several potentially friendly cities to seek aid. Has begun stockpiling wood, food, and water Has begun the construction of two catapults Has begun fortifying a nearby hill with trenches and pallisades Has hired several adventurers to help in the town's cause Has initiated burgling and spying operations on the giants and orcs The following adventurers are helping the gnomes: 1 Lvl 6 Adept 2 Lvl 7 Fighters 2 Lvl2 Wizards 1 Lvl 5 Cleric 3 Lvl 1 Clerics 1 Lvl 6 Druids 1 Lvl 5 Rogue 2 Lvl 7 Rogues 1 Lvl 6 Bard 1 Lvl 3 Monk The PCs are all Lvl 4 (Rogue/Fighter, Samurai, Sorcerer/Ranger, and Wizard). The mayor may be convinced to evacuate the town's non-combatants, but he's determined to give the giants hell if they try to take his town(he's the town's only aristocrat; very proud, and despises the giants). He's not stupid, though. He's knows what he's dealing with, and is trying to muster as much strength as possible. During this session, the PCs will travel to the village and eventually make preparations. They'll have the opportunities to try to recruit more mercenaries, enlist a cloud giant hermit and his pet dire lion, gather some magical items, obtain a shield guardian, and fortify the town. Also add to their resources: an eccentric gnome alchemist who lives in Moradinia has contructed a hot air balloon, and will attempt to aid the town, with help from his crew of three "tame" goblins. Now...first off, how would you suggest running this battle? Secondly, I plan on sending soldiers from two cities to help the gnomes, but what is a reasonable number? What does it take to stop 20+ hill giants?
wonderboy06 07-31-05, 02:57 PM	I plan on sending soldiers from two cities to help the gnomes, but what is a reasonable number? What does it take to stop 20+ hill giants? Really it all depends on how the PC's handle themsleves, if they can figure out ingenious ways to kill the BBEGs then you may not need to send very many if any. If they are not fairing well then I would sugest about 75 profentional soldiers from both cities. Heavy foot soldiers mixed in with a few cavalry. But, again it all depends...you could also forgo the soldiers and have seige weapons arive, maybe oil (my personal favorite...just pour it over the field right before the battle and burn those little buggers to a crisp)or other useful items that might force the PCs to reavalueate their method of war
ECyrus 07-31-05, 10:36 PM	Ok, so the session didn't go as I expected (when does it ever, though?). Half the players stayed behind to help prepare the town's defenses, while the other half decided to escort the gnomish noncombatants to Moradinia. Now I'm a little concerned because of the dreaded time gap. It'll take the two characters who are traveling with the caravan about nine days to get to the city and then return (longer, if they wait for the king to give them soldiers to bring back to the gnomes). Meanwhile, the two who stayed behind are already grabbing mid-level NPC mercenaries and planning quests to recruit allies and find magical treasures. I get the feeling I could run two or three sessions for them before the other two would return. Given our time constrains (three of us go away to college, so we only have one or two more sessions and then we're done until December), that's not going to happen. Ugh. Even if I were able to run the private sessions before the whole group meets up again next week, the exp. would become uneven. Yuck.