Actions in the Game Year 1422

Society Name:Razanians

(Since I've already had to resolve part of the Arysian results for this year, in order to maintain
continuity, I'll resolve the rest.  This covers all of the Razanian actions and the unresolved Arysian
actions.  Now, watch me screw up all those wonderful rules of engagement Jusso designed for this.)

In the interest of clarity, I've placed a synopsis of the results at the top.  Specific details follow below.

Short Version:  The two main forces of Arysia and the Razanians charge forward in an attempt to counter-attack each other and crash together in a bloody savage battle that leaves both forces
decimated with no clear winner.  Meanwhile, the Razanians narrowly gain the upper hand in Haran
but may be unable to hold it for any length of time.  Advisors suggest that the time has come for
meaningful negotiations before both nations are too decimated to withstand third-party aggression.


What has gone before:

In 1421, the Razanian northern and western armies increased their positions with a +1 success.  On
the Haran front, the war continued.  Thus far, the net sum of results, by the end of 1421 totaled to +3.

The 1422 actions of Arysia to maintain their own defensive position yielded a result of +4. 
However, much of this action was expended holding the native populous in line.  This result is best
reflected by increasing the +2 size modifier for defending armies to a +3 for 1422 and allowing the
defending forces to be considered better than conscript troop for force considerations, increasing
Force for the year by +1.


Proceeding from there:

Due to the close proximity of all forces to their support, all involved units are considered to be
adequately supplied.  Base scope of involvement for both sides is assumed to be approximately
equal.  Note:  for opposed actions, difficulties are not assigned to the actions, the opposition force
is the difficulty.


Engagement One (The Aryisan press encounters the Razanian counter-attack)
Arysian Action 1-3:  Fighting the War

Duke Iyan orders the Aryisan army to engage in a massive offensive on all fronts.  The goal is to
push all Razanian forces off of Aryisan territory, and, if possible, invade the Razanian kingdoms. 
Highly mobile Raken cavalry are to be used to a great extent, allowing rapid response forces to be
deployed to any front in under a week.

Primary Determent: Military Force (Great +2, feudal structure) (Size Fair 0)
Difficulty: Routine (0)
Secrecy: None

Mods: + Defending homeland
+ Asagmari good at this type of campaign
- Due to wide front of engagement.  The rapid response of the Raken cavalry prevents this modifier
from growing larger than -1
NA--Philosophical  Orientation: Survival, active (No modifier-prime orientation of Survival during
a military engagement provides +0 force modifier but an effective +2 gain to Size for defensive
actions.  This action, launched as an offensive, does not receive said bonus)
+ Recent successes
++ triple action


Opposing Razanian action:
Action I. - Strategy, External
Actor: Northern/Western Kingdoms
Objective: Invade Aryisa from the North
Type: Invasion
Secrecy: None
Difficulty: Very Hard, Aryisa tight Defenses
Prime Determinant: Military force (assuming primary army data--Force Good +1, Size Fair +0,
feudal structure)
Secondary Determinant: Survival
Modifiers:
NA-Primary Philosophical Orientation: Survival (No modifier-prime orientation of Survival during
a military engagement provides +0 force modifier but an effective +2 gain to Size for defensive
actions.  This action, launched as an offensive, does not receive said bonus)
NA-Secondary Philosophical Orientation: War  (Modifier for secondary orientation is to be
counted as half of the primary equivalent.  In this case, this would be expressed as +1 force and
+1 size.  Due to the situation, the half effect is better expressed as +1 force)
(+1) hatred for the Asagmari
(+1) united force
(-1) kingdoms have problems working together
NA great on razanian soil (conflict is not defensive on Razanian soil)
(+1) Razanian Front
(+1) Use of Gurders and Minot Catapults
NA Aryisa tight Defenses (taken into account)
NA Aryisa counter-offensive (taken into account)
(+1) Double Action

1) Battle Force:  Size-Arysian 0, Razanian 0, no adjustments to force values due to size
    Force:  Arysian +2, Razanian +2, off-setting
    Net: Arysia 0, Razanian 0

2) Modifiers:  Arysian +4, Razanian +4, off-setting

3) Conflict (Dang, I'm almost afraid to roll, this is too close):  Arysian (+1-1+0+1)=+1, Razanian (0+1+0+0)=+1.

4) Causalities:  Causality ratio Arysia 1: Razanian 1.  Total army size 0 (Fair).  This value places
the casualties for both sides at nearly 15,000 men per side.  Normally, I rule that it is possible to
recover 2/3 of casualties as deserters and "walking wounded".  Due to the desperate savagery of
this engagement, the recovery rate is lowered to 1/2, resulting and approximately 7,000 dead per
size.

I realize that many modifiers and my subjective rulings and applications of some of the military
engagement rules can be debated ad museum but I feel that the results, as they stand, very accurately
reflect the results of such a significant encounter.  The best and brightest of both sides took to the
field and fought each other to a stand-still.  Both armies, from this point, should be considered both
severely fatigued and out of supply.  Both players should strongly consider the affect of this tumult on
their civilian populations.  Given the length and cost of this war, it is very likely that a growing
anti-war sentiment is growing among both societies.


Engagement Two (Haran):

Razanian Assault:
Action IV. - Strategic/Tactical, internal/external (Razanian Front)
Actors: Razanian Front
Objective: Liberating Kingdom of Haran
Type: Espionage/Rebelling/hiding/whatever
Secrecy: Yes
Difficulty: Very Hard
Prime Determinant: Military force (assuming primary army data--Force Good +1, Size Fair +0, feudal
structure)
Secondary Determinant: Survival
Modifiers:
NA-Primary Philosophical Orientation: Survival (No modifier-prime orientation of Survival during a
military engagement provides +0 force modifier but an effective +2 gain to Size for defensive actions.
This offense is not a defensive action.)
NA-Secondary Philosophical Orientation: War  (Modifier for secondary orientation is to be counted
as half of the primary equivalent.  In this case, this would be expressed as +1 force and +1 size.  Due
to the situation, the half effect is better expressed as +1 force)
(+1)Razanian Front already spread out in Haran
(+1)concentration in one area than all over Aryisa
(+1)Southern Armies really involve
(+1)equipped some celpalar weaponry
(-1)Risk of having the Aryisan stopping the Front for good
+Century Council support
+Double Action

In 1421, the Razanian northern and western armies increased their positions with a +1 success.  On
the Haran front, the war continued.  Thus far, the net sum of results, by the end of 1421 totaled to +3.


Defensive Forces:
Primary Determent: Military Force (Great +2, feudal structure) (Size Fair 0, +2 for defensive stance)
Difficulty: Routine (0)
Secrecy: None

Mods: + Defending homeland
+ Asagmari good at this type of campaign
NA--Philosophical  Orientation: Survival, active (No modifier-prime orientation of Survival during a
military engagement provides +0 force modifier but an effective +2 gain to Size for defensive actions)

The 1422 actions of Arysia to maintain their own defensive position yielded a result of +4.  This
result  was issued "baring unforeseen intrusions".  This attack does indeed comprise an unforeseen
intrusion (which is why I left that clause in there, I knew other players were involved).  These values
from which generated the original result were +2 for military force (still used), two +1 modifiers
(still used) and the following four die rolls (-1+1+1-1).  These values remain unchanged.  However,
since this is now a military conflict (i.e. an opposed action) the set difficulty level previously employed
is no longer valid and the results in question may change (depending on the remainder of this
resolution). My apologies for the confusion.

1) Battle Force:  Size-Arysian +2, Razanian 0.  -2 adjustment to Razanian force
    Force:  Arysian +2, Razanian +1 (modified by the size adjustment of -2).  Net: +3 effective
    force for Arysia

2) Modifiers:  Arysian +2, Razanian +5+3 for the previous ongoing strategic subversion activities. 
    Net: +6 Razanian

3) Conflict: Arysia (-1+1+1-1, previously determined), Razanian (+0+0+0-1)  (What the heck?
     The dice gods hate Razanians?)  Net: Arysia +3, Razanian +5, conclusion--Razanian +2.

4) Casualties:  Razanian1: Arysia 3.  Unlike the previous battle, the savagery level was not extreme,
allowing 2/3 recovery as well as the -3 category reduction in army size rating for determining
casualties. This places the Razanian casualties around 1,500 and Arysian losses at 4,500. 

The most likely conclusion I can reach from these results is that, after almost a decade of subversion
and warfare, the Razanians finally have theoretical control of Haran.  Theoretical because they
effectively have no force of consequence to defend it against counter-attack.  Political advisors on
both sides are inclined to recommend using Haran as a bargaining chip in a suite for peace
(surrendering Haran, an poor defensive position, for bordering territory under contention or
visa-versa).  Advisors also indicate to both sides involved that the continued conflict has left both
nations unprepared to defend themselves from outside invasion (heaven forbid that Videssia emerges
from its inner turmoil with an efficient government...)

Final note:  as far as Mir promising to intervene on the part of Arysia, it may not be exactly fair but
they need something that Arysia has (ugly politics) and it should be noted that it will be several
years before Mir can extract itself from its present problems with the Sinari.  Also, I agree that a
focus on the Razanian coast is long overdue.  It is one of the best developed areas of the continent
and is rich in history and context.  I also can't help but notice that with Videssia to the south,
Celepar and the Ban Horroth to the north and east, and the Mountians of the Moon Warrior to the
west, Arysia and the Razanian Kingdoms may find they need each other more than they think
(random idea there, do what you want with it).