*After the first few rogues walk through, the Dwarves make their move. The first two rogues go down with throwing axes in their backs, and the others are attacked from both sides by about half a dozen Dwarves who were laying against the wall on either side of the sallyport.* *The torches quickly cause everyone in the fort to become aware of the rogues' exact location. A handful of archers from the courtyard fire at the rogues from a short distance away (too far to immediately engaged, but close enough that they can avoid shooting the Dwarves).*
*Several of the corsairs find climbing while holding a shield in front of them to be less than ideal. As they get to the top and use one of their hands to hold the shield, they're forced to completely let go of the ladder at times with their other hand too. The Dwarves take advantage of this and use their swords to give a little push on the corsairs' shields, causing them to go tumbling backwards down the ladder.* *In those instances where a corsair does reach the top successfully, the Dwarves' kneeling stance keeps their bodies steady, though their shields are much less so due to being held up by naught but the Dwarves' arms. However the corsairs kick the shields, very little of the energy is transferred to the Dwarf's body, and the readily-tilting shield means that the corsair finds little substance to push off of. Those that kick to far ahead continue to get dumped off the back of the wall by their own momentum, while the others continue to find themselves landing poorly (often ending up on their side on the ground), with little space to maneuver between a shield and the wall while being attacked from both sides (head and foot) by Hobbits using either clubs or knives, as most appropriate.*
*As the only change is a few archers less firing volleys at your general force, the effect is minimal.* *Knowing that they enemy has some very skilled archers, troops do everything they can to avoid exposing themselves. By the time the mini-crossbows' bolts reach the top of the wall, they pose little real threat to the arms sticking out to cut the grappling hook ropes.*
*The cavalry moving around the back of the castle spot your rogues at the foot of the walls and at the sallyport. The hunstmen open fire on them.* *The cavalry at the main front continue to dash around, firing arrows.* *While the Bree men are at first wary of engaging, the presence of the Dwarves quickly reassures them, and they press forwards. The guardsmen hold their shields up at an angle, deflecting most of the arrows. They and the Dwarves approach your Phazan.* *The archers stay back, spreading out and firing volleys at your archers.*
*The 5 MWE Port Rogues specialize in close quarters combat, and dispatch the enemy dwarves in mere seconds using a wide variety of knives and mini crossbows. Now within the wall, they storm the arrow loops, slaying archers and scorpion teams, and commandeering their equipment. A few men stand at the sally port exit behind cover to make the hobbits think they have the enemy pinned down.*
*Climbing a ladder with a shield is no feat, and has been done on many historical occasions. The Crenels are about three feet high, the merlons six. The average dwarf is about 4 feet or so. In a crouched position, closer to three. So the crenels and dwarven shields would be level. If the corsairs simply stepped on the side of the shield nearest the battlement, the shield would tilt, the corsair would easily leap to the ground, and would shield bash the dwarf off the backside of the wall, and still have his bident or axe to defend himself from clubs. The corsairs behind the lead would hook and stab hobbits with their long bidents, keeping them at bay. Once the dwarf is dispatched, the others would hop onto the wall, storming it absolutely.*
OOC: Perhaps it's that you don't understand what I'm doing, because there is next to zero way that these swarthy dwarves could withstand this assault.
IC: *The rogues who are not yet within the fort cast their hoods and cloaks about themselves and vanish into the dark and wet night.*
*As these dwarves are just the Swarthy Dwarves bereft of nobility or stature (I know, I made the bree troop list), their presence means nothing to the men of bree, who think themselves even grander. The Phazan phalanx and shieldwall begins a slight march forward. The Cutthroats behind them let out huge and angry shouts (They are skilled at that) making the phalanx seem even larger in the dark of night. The Bree Guardsmen simply will not advance further, and their formations are sloppy. Arrows shred the guardsmen, as they do not have shields (Again, I designed them )*
OOC: Now that I check the A&U page, the dwarves themselves don't have shields either, which would render the business on the wall null. I'm not going to press on that, as without shields I would have already stormed the keep. So how about we just agree that the move I just made works for the walls, and the dwarves can keep the shields.
*The four MWE heavily armored Dwarves play things defensively. They don't strike much, but neither do they allow any of the rogues' strikes to get past their shields. At least not well enough to also penetrate their armor.* *While the Dwarves keep the rogues busy (striking at them should they dare to turn their backs), the archers continue firing at the rogues.*
*After the first Dwarf goes down in this manner, the others quickly adapt (it's not often that the same trick works twice). The Hobbits near the downed Dwarf both strike at the corsair while he's bashing the Dwarf, taking him down by way of a knife from each side (one of his hands would be busy bashing the Dwarf, and his other hand could really only fend off one of the knives, leaving the other to land in his side). One of the extra Dwarves quickly replaces the downed one.* *Now, as the corsairs are halfway between their ladders and the crenels they're trying trying to walk through, the Dwarves lunge at them with their own shield bash. The sudden impact as the corsairs are precariously between ladder and crenel causes them to slip off and fall back into their friendly ranks.*
*As the rogues attempting to climb have retreated, a few of the archers of there move above the sallyport and open fire on the rogues there.*
*A few of the rogues who the cavalry already have their eyes on are run down by the nomads. However, the majority escape. The huntsmen fire through the sallyport at the rogues fighting the Dwarves, while the nomads keep watch.*
*As these Dwarves are of the mighty Longbeards (I know, I'm the Kolbitar of Dwarf-lore, and the one who made the list of Bree's that I'm using ), and a few even perhaps veterans of the War of the Orcs and Dwarves, they bid the Bree-men forwards. Actually, the vain self-esteem of the Bree-men has the opposite effect. They see the corsairs as uncivilized pirates, hardly worth comparing to the might and grandeur of the great city of Bree (no one ever said that these people knew much about the outside world ). They press forwards until meeting the Phazan. By previous advice of the Dwarves, they hold their their shields at an angle, creating a zig-zag line with their shields as they engage the Phazan.* *The archers continue firing.*
*The 5 MWE Port Rogues specialize in close quarters combat, and dispatch the enemy dwarves in mere seconds using a wide variety of knives and mini crossbows. Now within the wall, they storm the arrow loops, slaying archers and scorpion teams, and commandeering their equipment. A few men stand at the sally port exit behind cover to make the hobbits think they have the enemy pinned down.*
*Climbing a ladder with a shield is no feat, and has been done on many historical occasions. The Crenels are about three feet high, the merlons six. The average dwarf is about 4 feet or so. In a crouched position, closer to three. So the crenels and dwarven shields would be level. If the corsairs simply stepped on the side of the shield nearest the battlement, the shield would tilt, the corsair would easily leap to the ground, and would shield bash the dwarf off the backside of the wall, and still have his bident or axe to defend himself from clubs. The corsairs behind the lead would hook and stab hobbits with their long bidents, keeping them at bay. Once the dwarf is dispatched, the others would hop onto the wall, storming it absolutely.*
OOC: Perhaps it's that you don't understand what I'm doing, because there is next to zero way that these swarthy dwarves could withstand this assault.
IC: *The rogues who are not yet within the fort cast their hoods and cloaks about themselves and vanish into the dark and wet night.*
*As these dwarves are just the Swarthy Dwarves bereft of nobility or stature (I know, I made the bree troop list), their presence means nothing to the men of bree, who think themselves even grander. The Phazan phalanx and shieldwall begins a slight march forward. The Cutthroats behind them let out huge and angry shouts (They are skilled at that) making the phalanx seem even larger in the dark of night. The Bree Guardsmen simply will not advance further, and their formations are sloppy. Arrows shred the guardsmen, as they do not have shields (Again, I designed them )*
OOC: Now that I check the A&U page, the dwarves themselves don't have shields either, which would render the business on the wall null. I'm not going to press on that, as without shields I would have already stormed the keep. So how about we just agree that the move I just made works for the walls, and the dwarves can keep the shields.
*The four MWE heavily armored Dwarves play things defensively. They don't strike much, but neither do they allow any of the rogues' strikes to get past their shields. At least not well enough to also penetrate their armor.* *While the Dwarves keep the rogues busy (striking at them should they dare to turn their backs), the archers continue firing at the rogues.*
*After the first Dwarf goes down in this manner, the others quickly adapt (it's not often that the same trick works twice). The Hobbits near the downed Dwarf both strike at the corsair while he's bashing the Dwarf, taking him down by way of a knife from each side (one of his hands would be busy bashing the Dwarf, and his other hand could really only fend off one of the knives, leaving the other to land in his side). One of the extra Dwarves quickly replaces the downed one.* *Now, as the corsairs are halfway between their ladders and the crenels they're trying trying to walk through, the Dwarves lunge at them with their own shield bash. The sudden impact as the corsairs are precariously between ladder and crenel causes them to slip off and fall back into their friendly ranks.*
*As the rogues attempting to climb have retreated, a few of the archers of there move above the sallyport and open fire on the rogues there.*
*A few of the rogues who the cavalry already have their eyes on are run down by the nomads. However, the majority escape. The huntsmen fire through the sallyport at the rogues fighting the Dwarves, while the nomads keep watch.*
*As these Dwarves are of the mighty Longbeards (I know, I'm the Kolbitar of Dwarf-lore, and the one who made the list of Bree's that I'm using ), and a few even perhaps veterans of the War of the Orcs and Dwarves, they bid the Bree-men forwards. Actually, the vain self-esteem of the Bree-men has the opposite effect. They see the corsairs as uncivilized pirates, hardly worth comparing to the might and grandeur of the great city of Bree (no one ever said that these people knew much about the outside world ). They press forwards until meeting the Phazan. By previous advice of the Dwarves, they hold their their shields at an angle, creating a zig-zag line with their shields as they engage the Phazan.* *The archers continue firing.*
I think we clarified this in the other place. . .
*The rogues continue down the arrow loops, even if the dwarves are not yet dead. The sheer number of them overwhelms the enemy.*
*It is doubtful the dwarves witnessed the falling of the first dwarf. It is incredibly difficult to see other things happening when you're fighting for your life. Every dwarf falls in this matter, or all but a couple. Once the hobbits attack, the next Belegaer Guardian uses their long bident to keep the hobbit at bay, and hops over to deal with him. This expands until the entire wall is full of corsairs.*
*Even so, these men do not appear to be the swarthy pirates they were promised. These men appear to be Numenore reborn. The regimented Phazan suddenly lurch forward, getting the guardsmen by surprise, stabbing the first row with their long pikes in most cases.*
*Archers continue fire, softening the line behind the first row.*
*The four MWE heavily armored Dwarves play things defensively. They don't strike much, but neither do they allow any of the rogues' strikes to get past their shields. At least not well enough to also penetrate their armor.* *While the Dwarves keep the rogues busy (striking at them should they dare to turn their backs), the archers continue firing at the rogues.*
*After the first Dwarf goes down in this manner, the others quickly adapt (it's not often that the same trick works twice). The Hobbits near the downed Dwarf both strike at the corsair while he's bashing the Dwarf, taking him down by way of a knife from each side (one of his hands would be busy bashing the Dwarf, and his other hand could really only fend off one of the knives, leaving the other to land in his side). One of the extra Dwarves quickly replaces the downed one.* *Now, as the corsairs are halfway between their ladders and the crenels they're trying trying to walk through, the Dwarves lunge at them with their own shield bash. The sudden impact as the corsairs are precariously between ladder and crenel causes them to slip off and fall back into their friendly ranks.*
*As the rogues attempting to climb have retreated, a few of the archers of there move above the sallyport and open fire on the rogues there.*
*A few of the rogues who the cavalry already have their eyes on are run down by the nomads. However, the majority escape. The huntsmen fire through the sallyport at the rogues fighting the Dwarves, while the nomads keep watch.*
*As these Dwarves are of the mighty Longbeards (I know, I'm the Kolbitar of Dwarf-lore, and the one who made the list of Bree's that I'm using ), and a few even perhaps veterans of the War of the Orcs and Dwarves, they bid the Bree-men forwards. Actually, the vain self-esteem of the Bree-men has the opposite effect. They see the corsairs as uncivilized pirates, hardly worth comparing to the might and grandeur of the great city of Bree (no one ever said that these people knew much about the outside world ). They press forwards until meeting the Phazan. By previous advice of the Dwarves, they hold their their shields at an angle, creating a zig-zag line with their shields as they engage the Phazan.* *The archers continue firing.*
I think we clarified this in the other place. . .
*The rogues continue down the arrow loops, even if the dwarves are not yet dead. The sheer number of them overwhelms the enemy.*
*It is doubtful the dwarves witnessed the falling of the first dwarf. It is incredibly difficult to see other things happening when you're fighting for your life. Every dwarf falls in this matter, or all but a couple. Once the hobbits attack, the next Belegaer Guardian uses their long bident to keep the hobbit at bay, and hops over to deal with him. This expands until the entire wall is full of corsairs.*
*Even so, these men do not appear to be the swarthy pirates they were promised. These men appear to be Numenore reborn. The regimented Phazan suddenly lurch forward, getting the guardsmen by surprise, stabbing the first row with their long pikes in most cases.*
*Archers continue fire, softening the line behind the first row.*
*The Dwarves push forward against those right at the sallyport, preventing more rogues from coming in. Two more who run off are quickly taken down by throwing axes, while the others are shot down by archers. Those stuck outside (even just waiting to squeeze through the door) are quickly picked off by cavalry.*
*Those on the edges, however, note that the center section is getting run over. Seeing this, they quickly evacuate the wall and move to the doorways into the towers (the path down to the central courtyard and the rest of the castle). A surviving Dwarf on each side blocks the doorway with his shield, while archers fire over his head at the corsairs on the wall.*
*The heavy rain, coupled with the Breemen's mental blindness, causes them to see naught. The Phazan's pikes strike the guards shields, doing little actual damage. But just as said strike occurs, the Breemen squeeze together (or go down) and the Dwarves burst through behind them, slipping under/between the pikes.*
*If they're still firing at the Breemen and Dwarves, then they achieve little. There is but two lines, and the second line is significantly shorter in height than the first. On the other hand, the archers a good ways back continue firing, as do the ranged cavalry. The melee cavalry move back near the archers and keep watch from there for the rogues.*
*The rogues continue down the arrow loops, even if the dwarves are not yet dead. The sheer number of them overwhelms the enemy.*
*It is doubtful the dwarves witnessed the falling of the first dwarf. It is incredibly difficult to see other things happening when you're fighting for your life. Every dwarf falls in this matter, or all but a couple. Once the hobbits attack, the next Belegaer Guardian uses their long bident to keep the hobbit at bay, and hops over to deal with him. This expands until the entire wall is full of corsairs.*
*Even so, these men do not appear to be the swarthy pirates they were promised. These men appear to be Numenore reborn. The regimented Phazan suddenly lurch forward, getting the guardsmen by surprise, stabbing the first row with their long pikes in most cases.*
*Archers continue fire, softening the line behind the first row.*
*The Dwarves push forward against those right at the sallyport, preventing more rogues from coming in. Two more who run off are quickly taken down by throwing axes, while the others are shot down by archers. Those stuck outside (even just waiting to squeeze through the door) are quickly picked off by cavalry.*
*Those on the edges, however, note that the center section is getting run over. Seeing this, they quickly evacuate the wall and move to the doorways into the towers (the path down to the central courtyard and the rest of the castle). A surviving Dwarf on each side blocks the doorway with his shield, while archers fire over his head at the corsairs on the wall.*
*The heavy rain, coupled with the Breemen's mental blindness, causes them to see naught. The Phazan's pikes strike the guards shields, doing little actual damage. But just as said strike occurs, the Breemen squeeze together (or go down) and the Dwarves burst through behind them, slipping under/between the pikes.*
*If they're still firing at the Breemen and Dwarves, then they achieve little. There is but two lines, and the second line is significantly shorter in height than the first. On the other hand, the archers a good ways back continue firing, as do the ranged cavalry. The melee cavalry move back near the archers and keep watch from there for the rogues.*
*Since the dwarves didn't attack until several Rogues were already in the sallyport tunnel, the rogues have ample space and numbers to send many into arrow loops. Once the arrow loops on the front side are cleared, the Rogues sneak out near the gates and look at the guard set up there.*
*Many dwarves and hobbits are caught in the middle of the wall, and are slain, but the edge defenses are shored up. Belegaer guardians hold their large shields up to defend against arrows, as more Corsair Raiders and Guardians climb onto the wall to bolster their numbers. A few Narn u'aru also climb*
*Due to the sudden lurch, many guardsmen were not ready for the pikes. However, the dwarves are able to pass the pikes. The first row of pikes are dropped, and the Phazan draws swords. The second row plants their pikes in the ground at an angle, the length of them providing a bit of cover for the first row. The second row then pull crossbows from their backs and fire several bolts into the advancing dwarven ranks.*
*The later ranks of Phazan turn to face the cavalry along with the cutthroats and raiders. Narn u'Aru snipe riders proficiently.*
*The Dwarves push forward against those right at the sallyport, preventing more rogues from coming in. Two more who run off are quickly taken down by throwing axes, while the others are shot down by archers. Those stuck outside (even just waiting to squeeze through the door) are quickly picked off by cavalry.*
*Those on the edges, however, note that the center section is getting run over. Seeing this, they quickly evacuate the wall and move to the doorways into the towers (the path down to the central courtyard and the rest of the castle). A surviving Dwarf on each side blocks the doorway with his shield, while archers fire over his head at the corsairs on the wall.*
*The heavy rain, coupled with the Breemen's mental blindness, causes them to see naught. The Phazan's pikes strike the guards shields, doing little actual damage. But just as said strike occurs, the Breemen squeeze together (or go down) and the Dwarves burst through behind them, slipping under/between the pikes.*
*If they're still firing at the Breemen and Dwarves, then they achieve little. There is but two lines, and the second line is significantly shorter in height than the first. On the other hand, the archers a good ways back continue firing, as do the ranged cavalry. The melee cavalry move back near the archers and keep watch from there for the rogues.*
*Since the dwarves didn't attack until several Rogues were already in the sallyport tunnel, the rogues have ample space and numbers to send many into arrow loops. Once the arrow loops on the front side are cleared, the Rogues sneak out near the gates and look at the guard set up there.*
*Many dwarves and hobbits are caught in the middle of the wall, and are slain, but the edge defenses are shored up. Belegaer guardians hold their large shields up to defend against arrows, as more Corsair Raiders and Guardians climb onto the wall to bolster their numbers. A few Narn u'aru also climb*
*Due to the sudden lurch, many guardsmen were not ready for the pikes. However, the dwarves are able to pass the pikes. The first row of pikes are dropped, and the Phazan draws swords. The second row plants their pikes in the ground at an angle, the length of them providing a bit of cover for the first row. The second row then pull crossbows from their backs and fire several bolts into the advancing dwarven ranks.*
*The later ranks of Phazan turn to face the cavalry along with the cutthroats and raiders. Narn u'Aru snipe riders proficiently.*
So, I think this first part needs to be sorted out before we move on with it. If there's something here you think isn't right, let me know. To clarify actions, this is at least how things were going through in my head. After the door was broken down, your rogues start coming through the tunnel in a two-wide column. The first two or three pairs (third just emerging) slowly walk out into the open before the first pair is taken down by throwing axes by two of the Dwarves and the other (now definitely two) pairs are struck from the sides by the other four Dwarves (probably taken down, but not guaranteed). The four Dwarves effectively form into an extension of the tunnel, still only allowing rogues to come through two at a time, while the other two Dwarves soo add on to the end of this a little bit, but also act as a sort of gateway to prevent the rogues from passing straight through (there's still a gap in the middle, but getting through the gap requires slipping past two Dwarves specifically guarding that gap). The Dwarves all fight generally defensively in that they don't strike excessively and avoid exposing themselves when possible, but they hold their ground and strike at any rogue who turns his back or tries to get through (in short, they attack/fight defensively/solidly, not passively). Does that make sense and sound right to you? As for the implications of this, in short, few rogues would be able to get through alive. They have to fight their way through the Dwarves who are actively trying to prevent them passing, although not necessarily striking at every possible opportunity. Also while trying to avoid tripping on the increasing number of rogues who went before them, starting at at least four. After the first few pairs go through the system (either escaping or getting taken down), about half a dozen archers start firing directly down the line of rogues from between the two end Dwarves. This means that now, not only do the rogues have to force their way past the Dwarves without getting cut down or tripping on those who went before them, but they also have to do so without getting hit by one of the arrows coming every second (six archers, six seconds per shot, so one arrow every second). Several more pairs through the system (and I doubt any more would make their way through) and there are three or so more archers firing on them from above, making things even more difficult (especially as not tripping becomes more and more difficult for obvious reasons). Plus there are then about fifteen archers at the back picking off rogues still waiting for their turn.
So at least in my mind, any rogues who made it through would've made it at the very beginning. Five at most, in my mind, probably three. Once these archers made it inside the walls where there are archers, they're still not exactly safe. Obviously people are going to notice when their comrades are getting cut down just down the hall from them by a handful of pirates, so the hallway that they're in is going to become a firing range where the rogues are the targets. Here I'd say we go with a direct MWE measurement, where the rogues take out as many archers as match their worth (as that's MWE's most basic purpose). So if your rogues are worth five a piece, and my archers are four-fifths, then each rogue that gets through takes out six and a quarter archers (add the quarters from each rogue that gets through, then round to nearest) (or if you attack a scorpion, then it's one scorpion and two and a half archers). So three rogues getting through would take out nineteen of my archers, or five would be thirty-one.
*The Dwarves guarding the towers kneel behind their (slightly angled) shields, effectively blocking passage through the door without being exposed at all. Archers behind stand to the sides of the doorway, firing through it at the corsairs closer by while remaining under cover from those farther back.*
*The Dwarves push through as hard and fast as they can. After chopping a hole(s) through the first rank, they press forwards into the second, ducking under or between the just-planted pikes (ripping them out if necessary by means of far superior leverage and soft ground) and engaging the second row before they have much of a chance to fire.* *The Bree-men start to falter. After really engaging the Phazan, they quickly realize that these are no mere pirates (or at least not the stereotypical kind). They do manage to hold a line of some sort, but they strike little and at times fall back a foot or two.* *The huntsmen fall back to their maximum range and fire from there. They continue darting back and forth randomly, making it virtually impossible to effectively snipe them from that range.*
*And of course, as I will probably forget to include later but nonetheless will continue for the rest of the battle unless otherwise stated, the mangonels, scorpions, and archers not otherwise addressed continue to fire arrows into the middle of the corsairs' main formation.*
*Since the dwarves didn't attack until several Rogues were already in the sallyport tunnel, the rogues have ample space and numbers to send many into arrow loops. Once the arrow loops on the front side are cleared, the Rogues sneak out near the gates and look at the guard set up there.*
*Many dwarves and hobbits are caught in the middle of the wall, and are slain, but the edge defenses are shored up. Belegaer guardians hold their large shields up to defend against arrows, as more Corsair Raiders and Guardians climb onto the wall to bolster their numbers. A few Narn u'aru also climb*
*Due to the sudden lurch, many guardsmen were not ready for the pikes. However, the dwarves are able to pass the pikes. The first row of pikes are dropped, and the Phazan draws swords. The second row plants their pikes in the ground at an angle, the length of them providing a bit of cover for the first row. The second row then pull crossbows from their backs and fire several bolts into the advancing dwarven ranks.*
*The later ranks of Phazan turn to face the cavalry along with the cutthroats and raiders. Narn u'Aru snipe riders proficiently.*
So, I think this first part needs to be sorted out before we move on with it. If there's something here you think isn't right, let me know. To clarify actions, this is at least how things were going through in my head. After the door was broken down, your rogues start coming through the tunnel in a two-wide column. The first two or three pairs (third just emerging) slowly walk out into the open before the first pair is taken down by throwing axes by two of the Dwarves and the other (now definitely two) pairs are struck from the sides by the other four Dwarves (probably taken down, but not guaranteed). The four Dwarves effectively form into an extension of the tunnel, still only allowing rogues to come through two at a time, while the other two Dwarves soo add on to the end of this a little bit, but also act as a sort of gateway to prevent the rogues from passing straight through (there's still a gap in the middle, but getting through the gap requires slipping past two Dwarves specifically guarding that gap). The Dwarves all fight generally defensively in that they don't strike excessively and avoid exposing themselves when possible, but they hold their ground and strike at any rogue who turns his back or tries to get through (in short, they attack/fight defensively/solidly, not passively). Does that make sense and sound right to you? As for the implications of this, in short, few rogues would be able to get through alive. They have to fight their way through the Dwarves who are actively trying to prevent them passing, although not necessarily striking at every possible opportunity. Also while trying to avoid tripping on the increasing number of rogues who went before them, starting at at least four. After the first few pairs go through the system (either escaping or getting taken down), about half a dozen archers start firing directly down the line of rogues from between the two end Dwarves. This means that now, not only do the rogues have to force their way past the Dwarves without getting cut down or tripping on those who went before them, but they also have to do so without getting hit by one of the arrows coming every second (six archers, six seconds per shot, so one arrow every second). Several more pairs through the system (and I doubt any more would make their way through) and there are three or so more archers firing on them from above, making things even more difficult (especially as not tripping becomes more and more difficult for obvious reasons). Plus there are then about fifteen archers at the back picking off rogues still waiting for their turn.
So at least in my mind, any rogues who made it through would've made it at the very beginning. Five at most, in my mind, probably three. Once these archers made it inside the walls where there are archers, they're still not exactly safe. Obviously people are going to notice when their comrades are getting cut down just down the hall from them by a handful of pirates, so the hallway that they're in is going to become a firing range where the rogues are the targets. Here I'd say we go with a direct MWE measurement, where the rogues take out as many archers as match their worth (as that's MWE's most basic purpose). So if your rogues are worth five a piece, and my archers are four-fifths, then each rogue that gets through takes out six and a quarter archers (add the quarters from each rogue that gets through, then round to nearest) (or if you attack a scorpion, then it's one scorpion and two and a half archers). So three rogues getting through would take out nineteen of my archers, or five would be thirty-one.
*The Dwarves guarding the towers kneel behind their (slightly angled) shields, effectively blocking passage through the door without being exposed at all. Archers behind stand to the sides of the doorway, firing through it at the corsairs closer by while remaining under cover from those farther back.*
*The Dwarves push through as hard and fast as they can. After chopping a hole(s) through the first rank, they press forwards into the second, ducking under or between the just-planted pikes (ripping them out if necessary by means of far superior leverage and soft ground) and engaging the second row before they have much of a chance to fire.* *The Bree-men start to falter. After really engaging the Phazan, they quickly realize that these are no mere pirates (or at least not the stereotypical kind). They do manage to hold a line of some sort, but they strike little and at times fall back a foot or two.* *The huntsmen fall back to their maximum range and fire from there. They continue darting back and forth randomly, making it virtually impossible to effectively snipe them from that range.*
*And of course, as I will probably forget to include later but nonetheless will continue for the rest of the battle unless otherwise stated, the mangonels, scorpions, and archers not otherwise addressed continue to fire arrows into the middle of the corsairs' main formation.*
So, I think this first part needs to be sorted out before we move on with it. If there's something here you think isn't right, let me know. To clarify actions, this is at least how things were going through in my head. After the door was broken down, your rogues start coming through the tunnel in a two-wide column. The first two or three pairs (third just emerging) slowly walk out into the open before the first pair is taken down by throwing axes by two of the Dwarves and the other (now definitely two) pairs are struck from the sides by the other four Dwarves (probably taken down, but not guaranteed). The four Dwarves effectively form into an extension of the tunnel, still only allowing rogues to come through two at a time, while the other two Dwarves soo add on to the end of this a little bit, but also act as a sort of gateway to prevent the rogues from passing straight through (there's still a gap in the middle, but getting through the gap requires slipping past two Dwarves specifically guarding that gap). The Dwarves all fight generally defensively in that they don't strike excessively and avoid exposing themselves when possible, but they hold their ground and strike at any rogue who turns his back or tries to get through (in short, they attack/fight defensively/solidly, not passively). Does that make sense and sound right to you? As for the implications of this, in short, few rogues would be able to get through alive. They have to fight their way through the Dwarves who are actively trying to prevent them passing, although not necessarily striking at every possible opportunity. Also while trying to avoid tripping on the increasing number of rogues who went before them, starting at at least four. After the first few pairs go through the system (either escaping or getting taken down), about half a dozen archers start firing directly down the line of rogues from between the two end Dwarves. This means that now, not only do the rogues have to force their way past the Dwarves without getting cut down or tripping on those who went before them, but they also have to do so without getting hit by one of the arrows coming every second (six archers, six seconds per shot, so one arrow every second). Several more pairs through the system (and I doubt any more would make their way through) and there are three or so more archers firing on them from above, making things even more difficult (especially as not tripping becomes more and more difficult for obvious reasons). Plus there are then about fifteen archers at the back picking off rogues still waiting for their turn.
So at least in my mind, any rogues who made it through would've made it at the very beginning. Five at most, in my mind, probably three. Once these archers made it inside the walls where there are archers, they're still not exactly safe. Obviously people are going to notice when their comrades are getting cut down just down the hall from them by a handful of pirates, so the hallway that they're in is going to become a firing range where the rogues are the targets. Here I'd say we go with a direct MWE measurement, where the rogues take out as many archers as match their worth (as that's MWE's most basic purpose). So if your rogues are worth five a piece, and my archers are four-fifths, then each rogue that gets through takes out six and a quarter archers (add the quarters from each rogue that gets through, then round to nearest) (or if you attack a scorpion, then it's one scorpion and two and a half archers). So three rogues getting through would take out nineteen of my archers, or five would be thirty-one.
*The Dwarves guarding the towers kneel behind their (slightly angled) shields, effectively blocking passage through the door without being exposed at all. Archers behind stand to the sides of the doorway, firing through it at the corsairs closer by while remaining under cover from those farther back.*
*The Dwarves push through as hard and fast as they can. After chopping a hole(s) through the first rank, they press forwards into the second, ducking under or between the just-planted pikes (ripping them out if necessary by means of far superior leverage and soft ground) and engaging the second row before they have much of a chance to fire.* *The Bree-men start to falter. After really engaging the Phazan, they quickly realize that these are no mere pirates (or at least not the stereotypical kind). They do manage to hold a line of some sort, but they strike little and at times fall back a foot or two.* *The huntsmen fall back to their maximum range and fire from there. They continue darting back and forth randomly, making it virtually impossible to effectively snipe them from that range.*
*And of course, as I will probably forget to include later but nonetheless will continue for the rest of the battle unless otherwise stated, the mangonels, scorpions, and archers not otherwise addressed continue to fire arrows into the middle of the corsairs' main formation.*
I will try to get back to this soon
Sounds good. I've got enough to deal with right now.
