You know i could make a living out of hiring my units to the bandits and mercs.
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You know i could make a living out of hiring my units to the bandits and mercs.
lol, ang, quite a lucrative career.
and Nigel, i check the previous page for my army upgrades. https://forums.totalwar.org/forum/no...s/bigthumb.gif
yup, Octavian, I'm on it. Just soo much catching up to do with you guys. https://forums.totalwar.org/forum/no...ns/biggrin.gif
Signing up for mission #12 as well, right. You sure are determined to become the most infameous bandit of the land, Octavian. Just one day the other bandits might decide to gang up on you. "Oi, what your men doin' here. This is our dark forest. Git yer hands off our merchants, or we'll teach yer right."
Xiahou Liao, it looks like you will have to go up agains Octavian after all. Can't hide, but perhaps can run. I do recommend Shaka's advice on dealing with horse arcers. Shoot them out of the saddle, just don't attempt to chase after them. And for that one you may want to think about Chimpyang's "swords for hire" https://forums.totalwar.org/forum/no...s/gc-smile.gif
Mission 10 Battle Report (a bit convoluted ;))
Guillaume's band had been formed up for two hours on a chilly morning on the edge of the hills. Tension hung over the rebels like a dark cloud. Slowly, slight movements in the distance heralded the approach of the guildsmen with the merchant's cargo. Guillaume had formed up his clansmen and cavalry into a seperate battle on the right, in case the guildsmen had tried to bypass their position. He strained to try and see if he could spot the merchant's men. They didn't appear to be with the main company. Apprehension rose in the bandit-leader's stomach - where was the shipment? Was this just a clever decoy?
No - there, he spotted the merchant's men using the cover of a wood with some clansmen escorts. 'tell Buiselm and the cavalry to get over to that hill on the left quickly', he ordered his command-rider. The man spurred his horse toward the second battle, and soon the bandit horsemen were galloping over the valley and up the far slope to cut off any possibility of the merchantmen making a run for home. The bandit clansmen formed up behind the archers in the main body of infantry.
The guildsmen companies marched toward them, but the merchant's men kept coming and going out of view, and companies of mercenaries kept darting left and right. Guillaume licked his lips with anxiety. 'Rider - keep track of those merchantmen - tell me if you see them running for the woods or i'll have your eyes - that mercenary captain B*st*rd is confusing the hell out of me'. His chosen lookout dutifully stood up in his saddle, trying to keep his eyes trained on the interweaving companies of mercenarymen ahead.
The mercenary companies' weaving was leading to confusion amongst the bandit company leaders - Buiselm rode his troops across the valley again, unsure where the guildsmen would strike. 'Captain, look', Guillaume's command rider pointed - the mercenary captain and all of his horsemen were streaming left up the far slope of the valley, the merchantmen just behind. 'Quickly - tell Buiselm to get up the hill and stop the merchant's men breaking through - at all costs'
Buiselm and his cavalry raced across the valley to cut the mercenary captain off, but before they could reach the top of the opposite slope, the mercenary cavalry charged and it was all they could do to wheel in time to meet them face on. Meanwhile the guildsmen archers were now in range and were exchanging arrows with the bandit companies. Axeknight's foot companies charged down the slope - the bandit clansmen quickly formed into their favoured wedges and countered, throwing themselves onto the guildsmen's spears. The initial impact was dreadful - whole ranks of men on both sides were hacked down, but the mercenary line held and axeknight quickly flanked the clansmen, felling them quickly, as in their tight formations the scots could not parry the incoming blows. Too slowly, the bandit men-at-arms charged forward, only to see the clansmen shock troops fleeing toward them, mercenaries in tow. Guillaume's well armoured foot troops stopped the pursuit, however. Meanwhile, Guillaume charged his personal retinue and the remaining cavalry over the valley to support Buiselm, who was now in a desperate melee with the guildsmen hobilars. Gaining the top of the opposite slope, his remaining cavalry charged down at the exposed hobilar flank, turning the tide of the fight. Just as he was about to do the same, a glint of metal in the neighbouring wood drew his attention to the merchant's men, nearly invisible, and crouching in the undergrowth, waiting for an opportunity to slip past unawares. 'the bones of saint ignatious - an extra florin for every man that captures a sack of those seeds', cried Guillaume as he spurred his horse into a charge against the peasants.
The merchant's men didn't fight for long and ran in panic soon after. Meanwhile, Buiselm's cavalry finally got the better of the mercenary captain, who turned tail and fled - causing his infantry to do the same. Even the rebel clansmen rallied and turned on their pursuers, who were so surprised that they too fled the field.
Later that night, after some experimentation on some unfortunate archers to find the magic of his newly acquired black seeds, (who still scowled and complained that their guts were burning away), Guillaume declared he had found the answer 'that's it - these are the seeds of plants taken from the land of dragons - two of these will give a man the strength and courage of five Buiselm - sell these on to those superstitious fools in the town, next market day, we'll make a killing a second time Oh - and while you're at it send a message to that mercenary Axeknight that he seems to have carelessly left two of his companies behind', motioning to the small groups of huddled figures tied to trees around the camp.
'oh, and Buiselm, don't take that silver stuff quite yet, there's a rather fine engraving of a young lady that i like to study at night...'
Buiselm was relived at this remark of his leader as this would save him the long way to town (he was also sightly worried about him for different reasons). He had already been a part of the way, when the notice had come that Axeknight and the shipment of teh devils seeds were approaching. Quickly he had hidden the silver among a few sacks of flour by the old mill and joined his master to fight the battle.
And a good battle is was, too. Both his master's as well as his own unit had distinguished themselves with valour. So had two other units of the band. The men were now highly motivated and keen for another battle.
https://forums.totalwar.org/forum/no...ns/jawdrop.gifQuote:
Originally Posted by [b
Someone get that silver off him now https://forums.totalwar.org/forum/no...ns/biggrin.gif
Good write up, Steeleye. Great battle as well, I really enjoyed it. I shall dig up the replay now, watch the peasants, I moved them all over the place to try and get the drop on him, but with no luck https://forums.totalwar.org/forum/no...s/rolleyes.gif .
Aw damn, WinZip won't zip my replay. Could you upload yours, Steeleye?
There have been various comments saying that it would be a good idea if your men could gain valor from battles. And several ways of doing it have also been discussed. Considering the things suggested (and failing to get the log-file reader to give useful figures for valor-gain) I will now use the following system :
Gaining valor from battles
1) The End-Screen will show you if any unit gained valor.
2) Take a screenshot.
Best way to do this is by using the Print Screen button.
Then open Paint (or any other graphics program) and insert.
3) Save it as JPG (please) and email to Gamemaster.
4) Since valor involves an increase in Support cost, you dont have to give it to all units who would qualify for it.
5) There is a max. valor gain of 1 for each unit per battle.
I.e. if a unit gained 2 valor, it will still only be given 1 additional permanent valor point.
Hope that should work.
https://forums.totalwar.org/forum/no...s/gc-clown.gif
P.S.
Lets see how it does work. If we find we are getting valor inflation, we may have to go for a max 1 valor per battle in total (i.e. players have to decide which one of the qualifying units gets the valor increase).
Finally Octavian's "recruiting officer" returns from his mission through the taverns. He brings back two new units and also splashes out some cash to the FMAA, who in turn promised to fight harder than ever before. In total he spent 796 Florins from Octavian's budget, leaving 749 in his chest. The payroll has gone up to 802 Florins....
And Chimpyang, too, hands out some money to increase the dedication of some of his FMAA: 366 Florins. Enough left to let pay-day approach with peace of mind.
Actually, I would like to make ALL my unit's available for hire, prices will be listed later (can i do this?). Losses of these unit's will be replaced by me. Note there is a "calling out" fee (usually around 20-50fl) and a mission completion fee (if mission is won). I will decide if i can spare the unit(s) to hire out and will also command these units in battle.
Note : My men will not fight each other, so if one side has hired some of my men, the other side cannot. Also in extreme conditions I may lend my unit's to someone else and give them full command for a battle. This will inccur a high callout fee but the cost of replacing the unit (if lost) will be shared 75%:25% with me taking 75%.
A sealed parchment has been left at the demesne of a mercenary guild captain. On opening, it reads:
Axeknight
Sir,
You carelessly seem to have mislaid two of your companies in the aftermath of our recent meeting.
Much as it offends me to think that i may have to meet them on the field again, I am, however, open to that possibility, should you deem to compensate me for their return.
Therefore i will free your hobilars on payment of 100 gold florins, and your longbowmen on payment of 300 gold florins.
I hope that you will not force me to end their sorry existences.
Guillaume the Colt
Chimpyang, i hate to break this to you, but im not sure how well your "renting" of units is gonna work. for this simple reason... your units, at least some of them, are faction specific... the only way to get around this is to find a second person to command a portion of the army. this A) causes an unfair advantedge, two minds against one you might say. B) makes battles harder to coordinate. hate to rain on your parade https://forums.totalwar.org/forum/no...c-confused.gif
@Nigel, what is going on with mission 11??? with no merc standing up to the challenge, do i just get the cash... or what, i really want it wrapped up by next payday.
Hell yes I'll take on Chimpyang's offer. :D
Steeleye, I shall pay you the full asking price of 100fl for my horsemen, but I shall not go a florin over 225 for the longbows. Take or leave this offer, I am not open for bargaining with bandit scum.
https://forums.totalwar.org/forum/no...ons/tongue.gif
In reply to Octavian's comments i will make the following clear..........if you require me to bring my units onto the field myself, i will gladly do so. However, if you wish to command the units themselves, make sure that the units that you hire are available to your faction. Also, if your current army setup is multifaction (highlanders are also available to france) and you wish to borrow my SP or Turcopoles AND take them yourself, then it wouldn't really matter what faction you are.
I will try to find a lietenat on the other side of the atlantic who isnt involved in this gmae already to take my units for me for time zone conveniences. Also, the two minds against one, maybe renting units means that the renter has to pay the food for the units and therefore gets less florins for the mission?
OR
we can have it that I have to take commands from the renter, these commands must be made over the say to all system...I will not use any initiative other than when to chrage and when to withdraw/rout. This makes it fairer cos the other player can hear what is happening?
Ah, then the deal is done Xiaohou? I'll have the 20fl now to cover cost of getting these units to the battlefield. Once there you can tell me what to do.
well, see what Nigel thinks, but i don't think there's any problem in renting out units or having 2 v 1 - i'm sure all battles won't be fair anyway - we will increasingly have the prospect of armies that are much better kitted out on one side than the other anyway.
Axeknight
Bandit scum i may be, but my dear guildsman, you seem to incomprehend that I hold all the cards here - i have no qualms in disposing of your longbowmen down the nearest ravine if that is what you choose.
If the florins are the problem, then maybe you should endeavour to secure a loan from one of your fellow guildsmen?
Guillaume the Colt
Guillaume,
I must feed and pay my men as well as you do. If ye had any honour, ye would show mercy and quarter to a good opponent. I fear ye do not. I am loathe to take a loan and be indebted to any fellow guildsman, I am sure you, as a bandit will understand why. I shall give you 290 florins for my longbowmen. 'Tis all I can afford. I ask thee to show chivalry towards mine horsemen. Keep them your captives 'til I have the means to ransom with you, and I shall give thee 115 florins next month, which be 305 florins in total, 5 more than you ask for.
Consider this generous offer, bandit. It will be my last.
Duke Fitzjohn
Chimpyang and Octavian
I like the idea of hiring out units to other players. It sounds fun and seems a good way of keeping the battles interesting even as the armies of players are of increasingly different strength. As for two minds against one, I dont think that is really unfair gainst the one player (no offence, Chimpyang https://forums.totalwar.org/forum/no...ons/tongue.gif ). It is 4 eyes on the battlefield all right, but it also means there is the need for communication : time spent typing on the Y-chat and the potential for misunderstandings and bad timing. So while your units should follow the command of their employer, I see no need for demanding to communicate over the T-chat.
There are a few other points, though:
Those units which are hired out are not available to you for your own missions. After their battle they will return to your army, but this will take some time. So if you have your own mission ongoing, they will not be likely to be back for that battle, unless perhaps that mission gets massively delayed without your fault.
There may be occasions when you can only hire out certain units. For example, if someone wants your units on short notice, it can only be cavallery units who can reach the destination in time. Depending on the situation, I may also say that your units join as reinforcements - i.e. you deploy at the back end of your side and have to wait for, say 10 minutes, before you can move into action.
Finally, the overall idea is that players hire out your units to support their army, not to turn a 1v1 into a 2v1. If someone hires your whole army at once, or what I feel to be too many units, I will step in and just say "this and that unit was held up and will not make it in time for the fight".
But all in all I like the idea and I think it should work and make the game more fun.
Liao, you just need to let us know which units you want. And Chimpyang, is it 20 Fl call out fee for each unit ?
Now what about mission #11 ?
It seems the threats of the fameous bandit Octavian have scared the mercenaries from signing up. So I went to the city guards and asked if they would be prepared to lend some men in support. At first they were not too keen, as they still remembered the beating they got from XL. But when I told them it was to ensure their city's beer supply, they promised to volunteer readily. It remains to be seen how many they will eventually send.
So now any Merc who takes up mission #11 can count on the support of the city guard.
And if still no one can be found, I will just set out with the shipment guarded by the militia alone.
(N.B. Octavian, yes I have in the past given out mission rewards for free, if no opponent signed up. But since you are by now clearly the strongest player in the game, I am hanging the bar a bit higher for you. Nonetheless, if noone signs up by the end of this week, you can have an easy battle against the militia before the month is up).
Axeknight
Sir,
I am glad that you have seen reason. Despite my chosen profession, let it not be said that i am without compassion. Your longbowmen will go free on receipt of the 290 florins, your hobilars will stay as my captives until I receive the final payment of 115 florins.
Until we meet again,
Guillaume the Colt.
The alehouse stank. But it was the best place for the meeting, Fitzjohn knew. A dozen of his men were here with him, sitting at tables and carrying concealed weapons in case the bandit tried something stupid.
"Fitzjohn?" the voice behind him inquired
"Duke Fitzjohn to a commoner." he replied acidly. The Colt sat down opposite him.
"Yes, yes. Duke Fitzjohn." he smirked, "But we have matters to discuss."
"Where are my men?"
"Where is the gold?"
"A safe place. I wish to see my men are safe first, bandit."
"Of course."
They were all alive. Just. Fitzjohn counted sixty men, then said,
"Your money is at the guild building. Tell the guildsmaster you have a message from Duke Fitzjohn. When he asks, say 'Wake the children; the fire is spreading'. He will hand the gold over."
"And if he doesn't?"
"You still have my cavalrymen, do you not?"
"Hmm. 'Til we meet again, Duke."
"I look forward to it, bandit."
Ok, Axeknight, the money is handed over, your archers are on the way home. You are left with 521 Florins.
Just one little thing. https://forums.totalwar.org/forum/no...s/gc-blush.gif
Before this deal, your Support Costs showed 519 Florins. That was because, errrmm..., I had already struck the Longowmen and Hobilars from your payroll ... https://forums.totalwar.org/forum/no...s/gc-blush.gif
A bit permaturely, I'm afraid. Sorry about that (must be a bit of a shock for the men to return from captivity and see their names already crossed out). Well, I guess you can blame it on me and let them have a drink at my expenses. Then they may let you give them their pay a few weeks later.
Meanwhile, lets see what is happening to our friend Longshanks.
-------------------------------------------------------------- Mission #14 --------------------------------------------------------------
The raid of his castle has been a nasty shock for Lord Longshanks. But his troubles are not over yet.
After the attack he had sent a messenger with a hastily written note to his army, commanding them back to his aid and protection. This brought a dilemma to his subordinate generals, who were en route to London to deliver their prisoner. What should they do now? Complete their mission, or go straight back North? Well, the decision was made for them, as Duncan McGregor used the confusion and escaped his captors together with 60 of his comrade Highland Clansmen v4. Now he is heading back North towards his home, with Longshanks` men hard on his heels.
Lord Longshanks, after recovering from a fit of rage, is now offering a reward of 1000 Florins to any mercenary, who can intercept McGregor and capture him - dead or alive. Should the bandit himself escape, he will still pay 10 Florins for the head of each of his men.
The McGregor family, however, is pleading to the local bandit gangs for help and will offer 600 Florins from their savings for any bandit willing to escort their leader back home. Duncan McGregor himself will add another 600 Florins to that from his hidden treasure – provided he makes it back alive.
Signed up as Mercenary : Sociopsychoactive
Signed up as Bandit : Shaka
Socio recieves 2 units of chiv knights v2 from Lord Longshanks in support for this mission.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------
Map details :
1v1, hillyinland05.
Summer, Western European, 60 min, Mercenaries = defenders.
Turcopoles
still going strong I see, have more fun guys :D
Sulla
In reply to Nigel........those rules seem fair enough to me.......Xiaohou, the costs wil be 20fl each to call them out and when the battle is won, the total cost will be an extra 120 fl which gives the round total of 200fl.
I plan not to hire my WHOLE army out, who knows, Bandits (cough Octavian cough) may plan a surprise attack on my headquarters whilst my men are gone and steal all of my treasury. https://forums.totalwar.org/forum/no...icons/wink.gif
You really don't like my HA do you?