Shadowdale defenders

Please Mr. Cruven I ask you to alert your troops, untill our own Militia is ready, I trust you to maintain peace and order.


((just in case someone lost it, Shadowdale has Guards on the streets))

AsuraKing wrote:

... Shortly after, the battle between the Zhentarim's High Officers and the main rebel force came to an end, the Zhentarim had fallen, the rebellion had won. As everyone regrouped in the center of town, it was clear that the town was in ruins. Buildings burned, bodies and blood covered the ground. After a brief discussion, Cruven began the task of assembling a militia, going house to house knocking on doors. Once the word was out to everyone in Shadowdale, Cruven headed back to the Hound's Keep and gathered a handful of mercs, bringing them back to Shadowdale to aid the militia for a few days.

Taeron wrote:

*... Afterwards, he takes a few militia men, who used to be farmers in Shadowdale and walks around the town with them, discussing something, making more notes.
A Crimson Red Figure can be seen by his side at all times.

Taeron doesn't interfere with Cruven's mercenaries, their patrols or their duties in any way.*

Taeron wrote:

*Taeron then turns to Sedrin*

Just to be sure we understand each other - any position you will take is a temporary one. The city belongs to the people of Shadowdale and we are here only to smoothen the transmission from tyranny to whatever form of government they will see fit.

As for your rank, I have yet to see your capabilities as a military leader. For that reason, I will assign you to the temporary battle camp. For the next few days, you will be the camp supervisor. You will make sure the men maintain order and that there won't by any problems between the citizens of Shadowdale and the soldiers. Should the soldiers have any specific requests, you will seek me out and we will figure out a solution.

You will walk with me and we will pick a spot.

Sedrin nods.

Yeah, i understood this is a transition period for the city - just trying to be helpful. *he follows Taeron to see where he is to be assigned*

Ill get to it then - if you need anything form me, you know where i am.

Commander Taeron,

you have the permission to take the Tents close to the Twisted Tower as temporary Camp for our City Militia, whille there, please keep a close eye to that wreckage, who knows what still dwell there,

about the area in Central Town, I don't think would be wise to show so much "presence" in that area by now, lets wait for the elected Mayor do decide that,

continue the Great work my friend.

Good. I will find a secondary base camp for a detached unit someplace in the Dales - where we stir the least trouble.

The tents will be great for now.

Mark was "patroling" sitting on a bench when he realized he haven't talked to any of his "superiors".
So, after a few questions he finds the man in charge:
"Well, here I am, fresh recruit, first time on the guard side of life. Just say the word and I'll get it done... in time"

*After the disappointing discussion with the wizard, Taeron heads up to meet the men under his temporary command. He gathers all of them not far from the Twisted Tower and holds a speech*

Many of you call Shadowdale their home.
You had enough courage to lift up arms and learn the art of war, just to reclaim this home back.
For that, I respect you.

Now, the home is yours.

Yet it seems like the time for a celebration is far away. All the drills, the construction work, the harvest coming...
There's a lot of work to be done.

The people who are rebuilding your town are doing it with their own resources. We, the rebels, invested our own coin and sweat into rebuilding this town so that the community of Shadowdale can prosper. You might ask why. The answer is the same, as the answer to the question "Why help Shadowdale?".
"Because we can. And because we feel it's the right thing to do".

Today I was told, that we are not wanted here anymore. That Shadowdale would be better off without the dwarven craftsmen or the swords of the Purple Knights. Or my axe and my shield.

If that is true, I am honor bound to leave. I cannot offer aid to those who refuse it.

So if the majority here decides that I should leave, I will head back to the roads and forget about a place called Shadowdale. And I believe I can also persuade many other rebels to leave with me. The dwarves, the warriors. The town will be truly yours. And it will be your duty to defend it against anyone who tries to claim it.

It can be done. And it's as simple as raising your hand, to see how many of you wish us to leave.

*He mainly gazes at the Shadowdale militia, his face with no expression*

We are offering you experience, training and help with the reconstruction. I am not afraid to say that we know more about it than you do, we have skilled craftsmen in our ranks and skilled warriors.

I am a defensive specialist, and I can teach you how to make your defenses impenetrable. How to become one with your armor, your shield and your allies.

Some of you might know me as a lone warrior, but I am being advised by one of the best swordsmen and the best military tactician in the Dales. A priestess of the Red Knight. And I do not leave my allies on the battlefield. Ever.
I am confident that in short time, we can form you into a force to be reckoned with.

But as I said, I will not do it against your will.

So, a show of hands, please. If the majority raises hands, I will leave till sundown, and I will not return to Shadowdale.

You have my word.

Standing with the assembled militia Rwolf listens to Taeron address. When it is finished he works his way thru the assembly to the front. I am with Taeron, if you wish us stay say so, if you wishus to leave. do nothing.

*Gerrek Can be found in the general store at the forge doing his part helping arm the militia*

The farmers shuffle about, looking around aimlessly. A couple of them nervously raise their hands, but in the end, it’s not the majority. One toward the front, however, looks as his fellow farmers and decides to be brave enough to step forward.

“We really are thankful for what you’ve done for us, we really are.” He says, slowly building courage as he speaks. “Not sure if I speak for everyone here, but well… we don’t you want to leave, please don’t think that. We’re grateful for what you’ve done and we do need the help, won’t lie about that, but… well… I’m a farmer. I learned to fight to get my home back, and now I see that… it’s awful, what those Zhents did. I won’t lie, I stand here during these drills and I worry about my home, my family, what’s to become of us if we don’t try to get a late harvest in… and all the people who might starve later during the winter if we don’t get to planting.”

“I know, you’re trying to keep us safe, and I want to help.” He continues, some of the other farmers nodding and agreeing with what the man was saying as he seemed to echo their own thoughts. “I don’t want you to get upset and leave ‘cuz we’re not the kind of soldiers ya might be looking for. All these drills and practicin’… I just don’t know. I know it’s important, for the town and all, but… gods I must sound so selfish right now.” He hands his head in shame.

And who told you you are forced to stay in the militia...?

*the barbarian seems evidently confused*

You have not signed your soul to the devil. You were offered a chance to win your city back. You were all informed about that when your training began. Have you forgotten?

You can lay down arms and head to your homes. That is what you fought for.

*the barbarian looks them over with a furrowed brow*

You were told all this when your training started in the elven city. A chance to reclaim your home. Not a word about unnecessary service afterwards. If you wish to leave, you are free to go. I had no idea you would stay in the militia against your will... That idea just never crossed my mind.

You are free men. We have no power over you.

No one does.

*with that, the barbarian takes a short break, looking over the men*

If you decide to stay in the militia, I will train you and teach you as much as possible, as fast as possible. It won't be easy, and sometimes you will wish you went to plow the fields with your bare hands instead.
But when the moment comes and you'll have to raise weapons to protect your home and your neighbors, you will be ready.

I was born a barbarian. I never worked on a field. I had to hunt and forage, but never worked on a field. Though I understand there's a lot of work to be done. Farms need reconstruction, fields need to be prepared for the harvest. I fully understand that.

That is why I assigned a third of your duties to do just that. Amongst all training, you will spend time on the field and in the farms.

Though I was asked to lead the defenses of this town, and I will do that. I will try to hold the town against any threat that comes, be it gnolls, bugbears, goblins, kobolds, ants, demons or the Zhentarim.
I will do that alone, if I have to, for as long as the harvestmistress sees fit.

You are not bound to me, or anyone else. You are free men now. And you need to make your decisions. If you believe you need to focus on the harvest, do it. If you believe the town needs a strong defense, then keep practicing.

But your actions will have consequences. Too few farmers, and the town will starve. Too few soldiers, and it will be overrun.

As I said. The town is yours. We are here to advise you, if you decide to go down certain paths.

That is all.

*With that, the barbarian stands and waits to see, how many men he has left - if any*

*Taeron gathers the farmer-militia part of the Shadowdale defenders*

You all trained hard and many of you have proven your worth in battle.
I believe you are ready for advanced training.

However, I am still aware that many of you still consider yourselves to be farmers. I can tell you, that you have proven you are also warriors. Defenders of freedom.
These drills are voluntary. If you don't wish to participate, you can leave and return to your original duties.
If you wish to learn some advanced combat techniques and tactics, you are welcome to stay. But I have to warn you. Things won't be easy. I won't go easy on you.

*Afterwards, Taeron splits the men who decided to take the offer into smaller groups and assigns leaders. Taeron joins one of the groups as a soldier and the drills begin. Throughout the day, the leadership posts would rotate, so that every man in the group would be in charge of the given group for a certain while.

The drill is designed to push the men to their limits. Sometimes the teams work together, sometimes they compete.

Whenever anyone complains or can't go any further, he is given a chance to return to his original duties. A careful observer might notice, that Taeron watches the men during the drills. From time to time, he looks as if he's taking a mental note.*

*During the drills, Mara takes over the guard duties in Shadowdale, so that the town is not unguarded*

*Tara approaches Taeron with a grim face* A hin in Zhentarim markings approached the camp fire in the center of town... a female that did not seem to know that the tyrants were removed from their wicked control of the town. When I drew steel, she blended with the shadows and was gone... I will continue to patrol the road and wood unless you have other orders for me. *She nods aqnd awaits his response if any*

/// This is what happens when the DM's refuse to put up the message of the day telling that the Zhentarim were forced out of Shadowdale...

*Taeron sighs* How she got past the guards and Cruven's men is beyond me. Keep an eye out for her. If she's still within town, we need to find her and kill her before she does something stupid.

The last thing we want is the farmers to think we let Zhents walk around freely.

((It gets put up but we can't be on every reset to redo it))

(( Was my fault guys, i dont go on the fourums as much as i should Carry on!! ))

Whenever there are training drills of the Shadowdale defenders, Taeron joins them as if he were one of them. He leads by example. He takes one tent in the camp and makes it his home. He eats the same food and goes through the same daily routine - unless he's outisde town on patrol or off guard duty.

The training drills are getting more and more advanced - the men work in formations and learn to react to unexpected situations on the battlefield, as well as to react to orders as a unit.

Taeron would also try to ask the Mages of Shadowdale to help during specialized drills - so that the men at arms and the mages learn to coordinate their attacks and work together.

Green Mage Would have had a moment to talk about the mages training with the Militia.
He would go on to explain how the mages would act in a strategic sense. First casting protection upon themselves and others to lessen their fragile nature. They would then begin dispelling enemies and throwing various fireballs and what not. He would go over the standard arcanist's spellbook And point out which spells would be naturally effective in various areas of shadowdale based on geography.
He would Mention to hes fellow Mages in passing to confront as seek groups of militia training in order to enhance their battlefield awareness and response to various occurrences.

Taeron would eventually pick several men from the militia and promote them to "squad leaders" during the drills. He would push the men harder than the rest and he would place them into positions, where they have to make critical decisions under pressure.
However - despite the pressure, he never looks down on a single one. Even if a man fails in his task or makes a bad decision, Taeron never makes him feel miserable. He makes him understand the consequences of his actions and takes time to discuss how things could have been done better.
This is where Mara usually comes in, with her insight and knowledge - and they teach the men about the burdens of leadership.

Mara would speak to the men about tactics and planning. Offering them what knowledge she has in battle strategies.