Tuesday, March 4, 2008

"That decides it."

Scene: the meeting hall of Schloss Schlüssel-Largo, Fedora

That decides it," Landgraf Bogey nodded his thanks to the assembled officers and glanced back down at the map spread out on the table. "Based on the news of von Blei-Sammeln’s intentions, we have no choice but to open the campaign early."

Bogey looked at his Minster for War and Quartermaster General. "General von Larrabee assures me that he can logistically support a small corps in two weeks time."

The Landgraf shifted his glance to a different pair of officers. "General von Marlowe, you will lead the cavalry. General Norris, you will honor me by leading the infantry. I will command the expedition myself. You other gentlemen will continue outfitting your units in anticipation of the main campaign further north. Gather round the map."

As the officers moved to the table, Bogey’s left hand swept over the northeastern borders of his country. "Here is where we want to campaign. The ground is open, we have access to our fortifications and depots, and we threaten Homburg and their depots." He turned and pointed with his right hand. "But here, where the Olmosbach is crossed by the road to Balcones, the Homburgers already hold the bridge and threaten our southern flank. We will seize Balcones on the 15th to prepare an assault on the bridge on the 16th."

"We probably will not be able to get the whole corps in place by the morning of the 15th, so you can expect to receive reinforcements during the day as they march up from Fedora. Are there any questions?"

None of the officers answered. But they all looked directly at their sovereign. No wavering, no looking down, no second thoughts. He nodded to the servants who entered bearing trays of brandy.

"Good! Gentlemen, a toast: To Victory!"

"Hear! Hear!"

Scene: Von Blei-Sammeln’s office, Homburg

"That decides it," Feldmarschallieutenant von Blei-Sammeln looked at the assembled officers and pointed back down at the map spread out on the table. "Based on this news of the Landgraf’s intentions, we have no choice but to open the campaign early."

Blei-Sammeln looked at his Homburger Quartermaster General. "Herr von Spatzel assures me that he can logistically support a small corps in two weeks time."

The Imperial general moved his glance around the room. "I will command the expedition myself. You other gentlemen will continue outfitting your units in anticipation of the main campaign further north. Gather round the map."

As the officers moved to the table, Blei-Sammeln’s right hand swept over the northeastern borders of Hesse-Fedora. "Here is where we want to campaign. The ground is open, we block the route to Homburg and threaten the rebels’ depots." He turned and pointed with his left hand. "But here, where the Olmosbach is crossed by the road from Balcones, the Fedorans already hold the town. We will seize the bridge on the 15th to prepare an assault on the town on the 16th."

"We probably will not be able to get the whole corps in place by the morning of the 15th, so you can expect to receive reinforcements during the day as they march up from Homburg. Are there any questions?"

None of the officers answered. Blei-Sammeln, who didn’t know any of them, didn’t really care. He was already mentally composing his dispatch for the court at Vienna. A smile spread across his face. He gestured to the wineglasses on the table.

"Good! A toast, gentlemen: To Victory!"

"Hear! Hear!"

12 comments:

ColCampbell50 said...

Ed,

Looks like you have an interesting meeting engagement planned for ChimaeraCon. I wish I could make it, but will have to wait for Millenium-Con in November.

Jim
http://colcampbellbarracks.blogspot.com/

Frankfurter said...

Now, should Frankszonia and Limburg just accidentally have a couple of brigades clashing there also??
Or shall we save that for later??
:)
Arthur

Martin said...

Hi Ed,

The Raubenstadt High Command is counting on you to put "The Horrible" Horst von Stein right where the action is hottest. Just send us a message saying, "Uriah the Hittite is dead."

Death or Glory For The Markgraaf!

Ed said...

To Arthur:

[Cue frantic digging in painted figure inventory]

Umm...I think it will have to wait!

To the Raubenstadt High Command,

Herr von Stein's regiment is not yet ready to take the field. In fact, only true Imperial units are marching at this time.

However, the Regent has, at the suggestion of Feldmarschallieutenant von Blei-Sammeln, promoted the younger von Stein to the rank of Generalmajor and we expect he will lead a brigade into the fray.

To the members of the esteemed mess,

For those of you looking to place bets on the fate of General von Stein the Younger, current regimental bookmakers are quoting odds of 50:1 that the General will be killed, and even odds that the General will get one or more officers in his chain of command killed.

abdul666 said...

All this sounds *quite* promising!
Don't forget to have one or more artist(s) to pictorially record the events.
Cheers,
Jean-Louis

Frankfurter said...

Shucks,
And I'd already composed a nice "intelligence estimate" which would have put a reinforced brigade from each side on the table ....
added to all the confusion about who is going to betray who, shoot first, and get blamed for it all ... the sort of situation that Maurice and Vile Stagonia just love ....
:)
Arthur

Ed said...

Arthur,

The Counties of Zolms are nearby. Their leading general, Lloyd aka Ike, will be "observing" the battle, and perhaps once his legions get their paint baths, we could indulge.

Otherwise, as far as I know none of the participants planning for the big Texas game in November have their forces ready yet. But, there is time...

Ed

Bluebear Jeff said...

Ed,

This sounds very suspiciously like Grant's "Table Top Teaser #3: The Advance Guard".

If it is, we've played it three times (as Ubergang, Fraudorf and Grozhof). For our results, go to:

http://tinyurl.com/2joawc

Then scroll down to the battle reports and follow the links for full accounts.

We had fun with it; I hope that you do too.


-- Jeff

Ed said...

Dear Mr. "Just blare it from the rooftops" Bluebear Jeff--

Ahem. Yes.

Sincerely,

Mr. "Now they will all know the order of battle" Ed

Wink! ;>

Bluebear Jeff said...

Oh no they don't . . . I have a crystal ball that suggests that "Mr. Ed" might have messed about with the OBs.

And, of course, the reinforcements are a bit of an unexpected unknown.

Besides, how many of your players are going to try to figure it all out when they know you've probably thrown some curves at them?

But it is a good scenario even if they know about it in advance.


-- Jeff

Ed said...

What?? Are you suggesting that I may have, um, "amended" the scenario in order to torture...um..."challenge" the players?

Next thing you know you'll be accusing me of hiring a painting service.

Oh, wait...

Frankfurter said...

Ed, let me guess,
The village which is part of the battle is painted red?
I believe I used the same service myself in college ....
Can't really remember tho ...
:)
Arthur