Bandits and Mercenaries

[Chimpyang]

If we set a time of around 12:00 midnight for you guys and i'll gladly get up at about 5 ish to play you.

[Nigel]

Xiahou Liao

I just see that you signed up for mission #9 on June 20th. That is well over 14 days ago. And still no mercenary is willing to take it on.

Well, I really want to get this silverware home to my castle soon and if noone wants to help me, I will do it myself. I am sure for the money I offered, I can also hire some men from the city guard.


So unless one of the mercenaries steps foreward, how about trying it this Sunday, 20:00 GMT ?

[Chimpyang]

How about it being transported to lord longshanks's castle. Since it is only 15km from your country house he is more than happy to keep your treasure safe in his underground safe whilst you find a mercenary to take your silverware the rest of the way to your castle. (This could also up the stakes of the castle battle, the extra merc could also be coming to relive the siege and take the shipment away ie the defenders try to get 2 units of peasents or whatever out of the caslte and onto the edge of the board whils the bandits attmept to capture the loot and get the castle.)

[Xiahou Liao]

Sure Sunday 20:00 GMT..that'd be...15:00 for me...Hmm 3 O'clock sounds nice.

and Chimpyang...wouldn't that be slightly gyping me ? >>

[Nigel]

LOL, Chimpyang, nice idea.
A lovely twist to the Longshanks story.


Still, I got to get the silver to the castle in the first place (and I don't want to "gyp" Xiahou out of an opportunity to do the mission). So, yes, I will be as fast as I can, but if Xiahou should waylay me on the way there, ..... well, I hope at least something will get through.

Also, if you have already agreed on a date for the castle mission, I would go ahead and not delay it again to wait for my goods. But if you haven't, yes, there may be added value to that mission after Sunday.


So, Xiahou, we are on for Sunday, then. Any Merc who still turns up, I will gladly give him the mission and be happy to command the peasants for it. But if noone shows, I will see if I get some city guards as escort.

[Nigel]

oh, and Shaka. Dou you have a logfile reader, which displayes the valour your units have gained?

The logfile itself shows the valour for each single soldier, and to work out an average valour gain for each unit is pretty tedious, even with Excel. I dont want to get into that, if I can avoid it


Expanded your army, btw. It should show up shortly.

[Kenchi_Shaka]

ok, thx nigel

i use this online logfile reader here, i hope the link works for u.

http://www.thiep.com/cgi-bin/ffmtw/logread.pl

it shows how much valor the unit gained, but the numbers are odd, most of times below 0.
i dunno how useful it is.

shaka

[Xiahou Liao]

Hmm man, 14 days? I've been sitting at my computer for 14 days waiting????

[Xiahou Liao]

:: cheesy monster truck rally music and a cheesy deep voice. ::

Sunday Sunday Someday

The ultimate tourniment


:: Gasp???? ::

Oh no The dreadful...



HANDBALL

[Nigel]

Shaka, thanks, I will try it out and see if the numbers make sense with the games we have had so far.

Xiahou, you sure are looking forward to your mission. I only hope you didn't stop breathing with all the tension building up . But yes, I am looking forward to Sunday, too.


And one more thing I have to do now.
Tiger VX has been in the dungeon for more than 7 days now and we have not had a word from him. So it is my sad duty to remove him from the list. Thanks for playing, Tiger. I hope you enjoyed the time, while you were here.

On the plus side: there is now a new place open for another mercenary. And anyone who is interested is wellcome to join.

[Axeknight]

I'm sorry I couldn't help spring Tiger from the dungeon. Because I'm only hanging on by the skin of my teeth as is, I can't really spare any funds to help. Sorry, mate

Nigel, scratch the Urban militia, and both remaining clansmen units. There's absolutely no use for 'em. Hopefully, I'll be able to afford something better next month.

Wait, can I sell my units? Cause If I can, I have UM for half the price of a new set (75fl), and 2 clansmen units for 50fl each for anyone who wants 'em.

[Xiahou Liao]

Yes...Yes I am...'cuz...I'm bored...with nothing to do...

So I think I'll take my girlfriend out again tonight. lol.

[Crazed Rabbit]

I have spent many hours reading most of the preceding pages in this thread, and this certainly looks like an interesting and fun concept.

So, I would like to see if I could join the merry bands of mercenaries and bandits fighting for consumer goods

I haven't chosen a faction, nor whether or not I'll be a bandit or mercenary (though right now I'm leaning towards a mercenary).

I live on the west coast of the good ole U.S. of A, which means, I think, that I am 8 hours behind GMT. Also, due to my firewall, I cannot host. Luckily, though, I am free practically the whole day, due to school being over and whatnot.

I will await your reply with tredipation.

Crazed Rabbit

[Xiahou Liao]

Today Today is the day that I die I mean waitNoooo I was singing a song by Dope X_o

[Nigel]

Axeknight, thus far I have said that you cannot sell units back to the bank. It makes sense, you have given them money for their equippment and for signing up with you, and when you fire them, you cannot expect them to pay you back.

But they are still mercnaries, not too fussed about who they eventually work for. So, yes, if someone offers you a good "transfer-sum", you can send them to fight in somebody elses army. I know this is game not supposed to be Footbball Manager But I could imagine that deals like this were also made in the olden days. So if any other player offers you some money for the units you want to get rid off, that's fine by me .



Crazed Rabbit, wellcome to the game
I am glad you like the thread and am sure you will have a lot of fun here. West coast USA (GMT-8) of course can be tough to arrange battles. But I am no friend of geographical restrictions, and if you are free during the day, it should not be a problem. Later, when school starts again, I would recommend finding a European lieutenant.

But for now, all you need to do is choose your faction and choose your side (don't worry too much over it, you can change sides later if you find you have made a mistake now). Then you can set up your army. If you give me your e-mail address, I can send you an excel spreadsheet, which will help you calculate the unit support cost you are expected to pay at the end of the month. With that, you should be ready to go.

Good Luck and Have Fun

[Xiahou Liao]

Today blood will spill :o

[Nigel]

LOL, Xiao, calm down.

I am beginning to worry that you will faint on the battlefield with an overdose of adrenaline. And then, what do I do ...

But yea, it is time to get the swords sharpened indeed.
I have been able to get a few militia men from the town guard. Not really a match for a well equipped bandit gang. But with a bit of luck, they may just slip through...

Still, if any of the mercenaries turns up at 8:00pm GMT, I am happy to hand over the command to them.

.... just over one hour to go ....

[Xiahou Liao]

Liao stares Nigel down acrossed the open field. It was quiet, and the wind blew softly. Just then...a desert tumbleweed rumbled through the green grass and confused Liao. Then he whipped out the Handball...and lost all concentration.





Stare, stare, stare

[Xiahou Liao]

Oh...I hope my Anti-virus is done soon...

[Chimpyang]

I can help you there my friend (and employer) {those two dont go togeather that well} i am willing to send my 2 units of Turcopoles to help you out.

[Nigel]

Chimpyang sends out his two Turcopole units from Longshank's castle.
They spur their horses and hurry to Nigels help.

A bold move, for Chimpyang knows quite well {does he?} that, if the castle should be attacked soon, these riders may not return in time to help in the defence. But Chimpyang is willing to take this risk....

Thanks, Chimpyang

[KyodaiSteeleye]

Guillaume the Colt was having a bad week... earlier, one company of clansmen had broken camp in the night and gone out to find their own prey. It was only swift action by sending scouts out to find them and persuade them to return (through a certain amount of violence) that stopped them from deserting and becoming common-all highway robbers.

The dogs were restless - nearly a month had passed without a single shipment coming through the hills. Maybe the merchants had stopped trying to get goods through, and were instead diverting them along the coast? It was a danger, and Guillaume knew that those areas were laid claim by other 'free knights'. All he could hope for was that a shipment came through soon, otherwise he may have to take matters into his own hands....

[Nigel]

Aye, Steeleye, it seems we are really having a shortage of Mercenaries right now. I would really get that shipment of pepper from mision #10 delivered before it turns bad. Anyone willing to do it ? I am increasing the pay to 800 Florins and doubling the bonus



Meanwhile for mission #9, Chimpyang's turcopoles have made it in time to help protect my silverware. Taking charge of the peasants as well, he manouvered them very skillfully and managed to sneak them past Liao's army without any losses.

I was much relived to see my silver safe and unscratched - for this time at least. The bandit, however, took his revenge, beat the militia guards and sent them runnig and routing. But alas, for Liao it was only fame but no Florins this time...


Now my silver is well under way to Lord Longshank's castle, guarded by Chimpyang's 2 turcopole units.

What does this mean for the castle battle?
It would be cool if we could have a scenario, where the silverware and Turcopoles arrive on the map as reinfocements and have to make a run for the safety of the castle. That would mean a 2v2 battle. Are we going to achieve that with players on both sides of the Atlantic ?

Well, we could try. If I am to command the peasants myself, it would have to be one of next week's workday evenings - say Wednesday between 8 and 11 pm GMT Alternatively, I have no objection to Liao acting as my lieutenant and commanding the peasants.

On the other hand, Octavian and Amatsu may decide that they would rather take advantage of the absence of Chimpyang's turcopoles and attack before they return. Please let us know Octavian (as you are the pricipal bandit in this mission) what you want to do.

[Xiahou Liao]

Stupid Turcolpelelelslselslelsl thingies...

[Kenchi_Shaka]

lemme know when that mega mission gonna be :O

[Nigel]

Chimpyang, of course, shall also receive a reward for his help in the last mission. Not the full payment, since he only sent two units of turcopoles. But the bonus of 200 Florins, Chimpyang, it shall be yours. No one shall say I dont know what gratitude is.

And those turcopoles really made the difference in that battle .

[Axeknight]

Fitzjohn rocked on the balls of his feet. His chainmail coat was starting to become uncomfortable, especially in the blistering summer heat.

But he had worn it here for intimidation purposes. He really needed money, after the last assignment. He had left the shipment, and the merchant's favourites, to rot when he heard the rumours of a count speaking English riding with the French. He had lost the shipment, and the rumours had been false. Damn it all A retainer poked his head around the door. On seeing Fitzjohn's face, his screwed up,
"Oh, it's you. The merchant will see you now, I suppose. This way, unless you have somewhere better to go." Fitzjohn didn't reply, making his hands into fists. I deserve it. At least to him.

"No. Never, ever, ever, ever will I let you take another shipment. I think you know why, Duke Fitzjohn."
"I am truly sorry for the last shipment, but..." Fitzjohn never got to finish,
"No That is final, Duke. I cannot trust you with anything" Sir Loreing slammed his fist on the table.
"But you yourself said this shipment was worthless, why does it matter to you?" Quiet reason. then violence. The merchant sighed.
"If you wish it, Duke Fitzjohn. You speak the truth; I know not what to do with this pepper." Loreing said quietly. Fitzjohn smirked,
"I do."



I'll take mission 10. Hopefully, with Steeleye in the UK, we won't have problems with timezones. I can't host, Steeleye, so either you have to host, or we get someone to take the peasants

BTW, Nigel, part 6 of Fitzjohn is up, in case you haven't read it
EDIT- You'll also note I 'medievalised' your name

[Nigel]

Ok, Axeknight, you got signed up to mission #10. Little do I care for this odd and exotic foodstuff, and if your Duke has to rush off to sort out his "other important business" again, I couldn't care less. But still, Good Luck with it.

The castle attack may well turn into a big thing, provided we can get 4 of us together on Thursday evening. We shall see what happens.


Meanwhile, here comes another mission.

-------------------------------------------------------------- Mission #12 --------------------------------------------------------------

I am still determined to get into the linen markets of Bulgaria. Therefor I have prepared another shipment to go to Turnovo, 200 boxes this time. Unfortunately, local linen prices have fallen to 8 Florins, but I should still make a much higher profit from each box that gets to Turnovo.

I will pay 900 Florins for a mercenary willing to take on the task and I am offering a bonus of 300 Florins upon successful completion. This bonus will double, if more than 80% of the shipment reaches the destination.

But beware, it is rumored that a gang of bandits is roaming the area and may try to intercept the transport.

Signed up as Mercenary : Xiahou Liao
Signed up as Bandit # # # : Octavian
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------


Map details :
1v1, bul1_practice.
Summer, Western European, 60 min, Mercenaries = attackers.

[KyodaiSteeleye]

At last I have heard information that the merchant wishes to bring his shipment through within the next week.

In preparation for an engagement, I have given my company of mounted sergeants 123 florins from my chest, so improving their morale (Guillaume's bodyguards to V1).

I still appear to have Amatsu's archers hanging around - therefore i will make use of them in the coming battle - lets see how a mercenary company fights with my rebel scum

[Xiahou Liao]

Thursday? Better be late...'cuz Thursday, July 15th, 2004, at 16:00 EST, I have an orientation to go to, to get my information about my job, my work clothes and other stuff.