On the shoulders of giants: a new multiple choices LP!

[Curufinwe]

You might want to edit Quetzal. I think you mean C. I totally did not mess up the lettering of the spots and edited it afterwards when I realized I had put them in the opposite order.

Second edit: Spot A, although it might look like we'll fight them on the far side of the river, is on our side, with the river between us and them. I didn't place it too well, just realized.

 

[Hirato]

Only 100 warriors? we have a rough population of 500-600 and I'd imagine at least 200 of those would be ready for battle if the need arises.

Let's go with C, should give the rest of the tribe ample time to escape if things turn sour.

 

[Vernydar]

Ok, my opinions:

A: A strong defense, they have to cross the river to attack us. But if anything goes wrong, they're in the middle of our camp. It's a carnage. TOO risky.

B. foolish beyond belief, completely crazy. We are fewer, have less strength, are slower, and you want us to fight in a plain where they can flank or surround us? The plains would be ok if WE were faster, more numerous. As it is it's suicide.

C: A rather strong defense, and height advantage (good for thrown weapons and long reach weapons too!) . Though not as strong as the river, this has a huge advantage over it. We are far from the camp, if something happens we can do something about it. Plus the wielder of fire can shoot fireballs from above on the incoming barbarians.
The obvious winner is...

C

 

[Curufinwe]

Only 100 warriors? we have a rough population of 500-600 and I'd imagine at least 200 of those would be ready for battle if the need arises.

Let's go with C, should give the rest of the tribe ample time to escape if things turn sour.

You were around 450 when the volcano blew up. Considering the casualties from the narrow escape (volcanic ash, lack of reliable sources of food and water etc...) you were left with around 400 people. I didn't count the 50 new guys since they arrived literally a week ago and they've not been trained by your people.
Using a 25% levy rate, I came up with the 100 figure.

 

[Urist McLurker]

B

 

[Multiple Sarcasm]

C. Being maneuverable (B) is more of an advantage for the beastmen than for us, and [inevitably] taking the fighting into our camp (A) wouldn't give the others a chance to get away if things go south (plus, the Wielder's fire would be extinguished by the river as they cross it). And with C, we'd have some advantage in javelin range, beside the uphill battle for the beastmen.
I would suggest covering the slopes of the hill with mud, as well, if we have the time and manpower to do it (but we probably don't).

 

[Stygian Lurker]

C

 

[Stygian Lurker]

Sorry for the double post. The server reported the error and said try again....

 

[TOME]

So they outnumber us and they beat the crap out of us 1 on 1 combat. Hopefully our troops are discipline and manage to keep ranks while Wielder scorches them. C seems logical choice for location.

 

[ScubaV]

C

 

[AstralStorm]

C is the only reasonable choice. The only thing I fear is that the force could get surrounded, but considering that we're fighting almost feral people...
The only problem might be that the fire maniac will gain even more support due to his combat feats.

B could work if we had cavalry, which we don't.
A is a good place for a last stand vs the militia.

Edit: We might have to resort to leader vs leader combat if possible...

 

[Zwist]

C for the reasons stated. If we fought a different foe I would be nervous for them circumverting us over sea and attacking the camp. However beastmen seem to be rather straightforward.

 

[Esquilax]

C

I am hoping that our guys send the bears ahead as the vanguard of the attack. If they go forward and act as a decoy, it will slow our enemies down momentarily and give our men time to aim their javelins... and it will give the Wielder and his apprentices enough time to rain fiery death on them.

 

[treave]

C. Maybe the Wielder will cheer up if we let him toast some wolves from the hill-top. Prissy little princess.

 

[newcomer]

C

A is definitely no-go, imagine the wielder burning a person & he run to the river to save himself (causing other beastmen to learn & follow the example)
Also, I suggest we make a trap, what I mean is something like a bunch of easily flammable tree branches arranged as a circle & try to lure as many beastmen inside, so the wielder/his disciples can trap them in a circle of flame. You can now proceed to throw javelin / toast them

 

[oscar]

For A, do the beastmen have to cross the river? Or are we simply fighting with our backs to the river?

 

[Kz3r0]

C

 

[Jick Magger]

C, engaging these fuckers in the open field is foolish beyond belief.

 

[Computer Gamer Refugee]

C, but if we have spare boats for retreating it might be useful for when the beastmen destroy our militia...

 

[Curufinwe]

For A, do the beastmen have to cross the river? Or are we simply fighting with our backs to the river?

They have to cross. I just messed up slightly in placing the big black X, it should have been on the other side. When I realized it I had already uploaded the whole thing and I'm lazy, specified in a post just under the update though.

 

[oscar]

In that case, A. I imagine the river would slow them down more than having to charge uphill (I doubt these guys get puffed out easily). Hopefully while wading through the river the Fire Wielder will be able to turn enough of them into crisps for our militia and bear-friends to deal with them.

I'm surprised the new immigrants are joining in, as the whole reason they joined us was to get revenge on the beastmen. Sure we haven't had much time to bring them up to our combat standards but their hatred should partially compensate.

So I guess the question is, which is more favourable to us? Hills or a river crossing?

 

[newcomer]

My question is more on whether the wielder can actually burn people while they cross the river. Don't forget that the river contains mud and ashes which I don't think is flammable, and thus allow the beastmen to dive temporarily and avoid being burned to crisps

 

[Esquilax]

The river crossing would slow them down more, but then where does that leave our Wielder of Fire? If they can put themselves out in the river, well, he's not exactly a great weapon, is he? That's actually a good question, oscar, how useful would fire be if we're fighting at a river? I'm actually hoping to charge in with the bears and throw javelins and fireballs while the beastmen are occupied. We're pretty familiar with woodworking and we've already reconned the area, if we get to the battlefield beforehand, I would love to have the opportunity to throw chunks of wood and dead leaves at the foot of the hill.

An unrelated point: I think that the Wielder of Fire's intimidation of the tribe we encountered was necessary. If we had just offered food, they may have thought us a weak tribe that would be swallowed up by the beastmen like so many others. By sending them the Wielder, we showed them that the spirits favoured us and that we had the strength to defeat them. It was ruthless, but I don't think there was another way.

 

[Hirato]

My question is more on whether the wielder can actually burn people while they cross the river. Don't forget that the river contains mud and ashes which I don't think is flammable, and thus allow the beastmen to dive temporarily and avoid being burned to crisps

If they dive then we shall boil them!
ALIVE!

 

[newcomer]

Actually, I think there's a place much better than A, B, and C, which is:

However, for this one to be effective the hill must be sufficiently high enough / too many casualties if they try to climb (maybe we can set up a FIREWALL?). Even if we end up picking C, spot D will have to be at least watched because they might try to surround us

And of course, another issue if we pick this one is how to lure them there, but this is not a semi-open