Westeros Battle Tournament 7

[Bright Blue Eyes]

So, no unexpected cavalry attacks visible only during the last 50m of their charge. Thank god.

[Leonardo]

Some good matchups and I'm glad we got a full roster

Should be a pleasure to judge and analyze again this go round, good luck to all competitors.

[Ded As Ned]

Update: Just over 48 hours remaining to submit your deployments.

ETA: After some discussion amongst the judges, the desert heat or northern cold will not play a factor into the endurance of the troops fighting in those climates. We will discuss it further after this tournament for future iterations.

[Ded As Ned]

Thus far I have deployments from 4 players (tyvm for being early), still waiting on Nog, SENP, Syv, and Captn. You have just over 24 hours.

I still haven't heard from Dobromir, if he doesn't show by battle plan submissions I'll serve as judge. He has a few days though.

[Lord Syv Aldlark]

I believe my battle is in.. it should be there anyway

[Ded As Ned]

Yea sorry I did have it. Down to only 3 outstanding.

[Lord Syv Aldlark]

Err deployment not battle

[Ded As Ned]

Right, but I knew what you meant :)

[TheCrannogDweller]

I still haven't heard from Dobromir, if he doesn't show by battle plan submissions I'll serve as judge. He has a few days though.

Dobromir will show up tomorrow.

I apologize for pushing the deadline. I'll send you my deployment later today.

[Capt Captain]

I'll send my deployment as soon as I get home, should be in an hour or so

[Ded As Ned]

OK I have all deployments except for SENP's. I'm going to start writing everything up and in the meantime hopefully his deployment comes in.

(ETA) Update: I have 5.9 of the 8 deployments ready for posting, with one brief question out to complete the 6th. The 7th deployment is overly complicated (you know who you are ;) ), and I will have it ready by this time tomorrow, hopefully along with SENP's.

Given I have had no communication from SENP as to his delay, I will give him 24 hours from now to send his deployment free of penalty (trying to establish contact), and another 24 hours after that to send with a 1 unit penalty. After 48 hours he will forfeit the round and victory will be declared for Dorne (BBE) in that battle.

(ETA 2) Update 2: I sucked it up while it was all fresh in my mind and finished writing up the 7th deployment, in the meantime receiving the answer to my question on the other (thanks for the quick response). As it stands all 7 are ready, just waiting on Stannis at this point.

[House Mauldania]

OK I have all deployments except for SENP's. I'm going to start writing everything up and in the meantime hopefully his deployment comes in.

(ETA) Update: I have 5.9 of the 8 deployments ready for posting, with one brief question out to complete the 6th. The 7th deployment is overly complicated (you know who you are ;) ), and I will have it ready by this time tomorrow, hopefully along with SENP's.

Given I have had no communication from SENP as to his delay, I will give him 24 hours from now to send his deployment free of penalty (trying to establish contact), and another 24 hours after that to send with a 1 unit penalty. After 48 hours he will forfeit the round and victory will be declared for Dorne (BBE) in that battle.

(ETA 2) Update 2: I sucked it up while it was all fresh in my mind and finished writing up the 7th deployment, in the meantime receiving the answer to my question on the other (thanks for the quick response). As it stands all 7 are ready, just waiting on Stannis at this point.

Sorry :(

[Ded As Ned]

Heh I was just teasing, and wasn't referring to you actually. ;-)

[JonathanTheBold]

Heh I was just teasing, and wasn't referring to you actually. ;-)

I'm pretty sure it was me

[Stannis Eats No Peaches]

Sorry for the delay, I've just sent it in. Hopefully I'm not too late. :blushing:

[Ded As Ned]

Thanks SENP! I now have all deployments. I'll get them posted this evening after I'm home from work.

[Ded As Ned]

Quarterfinal #1: The Stormlands (Lord Syv) vs. The North (Nog)

Setting: The Three Knolls

Battlefield Description:

Battlefield Overview Image Link: http://postimg.org/image/up5hm7esd/

The Stormlands and the North find themselves marching on one another in a rural area of the Reach...

Located somewhere to the east of Silverhall, stand The Three Knolls. The center of the field is dominated by a large, forested knoll, 1km in diameter (dark green central) that rises nearly 100m from the valley floor, with it's peak at the center. At the peak the trees were cleared and a circular wall stands (gray), about 50m in diameter and chest high, where a clear view of the surrounding valley is presented. To the east and west of the central knoll stand two others, also 100m tall at their peaks and forested (dark green east and west of the central knoll), but only about a half kilometer in diameter, thus having steeper slopes compared to the central knoll. These are completely covered in forest, however below each of them runs abandoned silver mines, with a main passage that runs north to south, with openings just outside the neutral zone on each side (small black circles). The passages are wide enough for 5 men abreast with torches, but without light some men could easily become lost in the side mining passages that are dead ends. Two small streams flow southward from the north (blue), one between the central and western knoll, the other between the central and eastern knoll. The streams are shallow but very muddy, about knee deep in the center with gentle banks. Easily crossed by horse, while foot soldiers would be slowed down a bit in the crossing. The remainder of the field is flat, grassy, valley floor (light green), cleared of timber long ago. Note: visibility from one side of the battlefield to the other is obstructed in some areas by the knolls. The thin red lines indicate the center of the field and the neutral zone.

Recent weather has been the occasional winter rain (thus the muddy streams), but the majority of the field is dry to damp. It is a fair day with sunshine and no clouds, but a very gusty wind is blowing from west to east.

The Stormlands approach from the north, and The North, ironically, approaches from the south.

Deployment for The Stormlands (Lord Syv):

The stormlands are commanded by Stannis Baratheon. Here is the Stormland's deployment as seen by the North:

1 Pike Unit arranges itself straddling the western stream with 2 lines of 250 on either side of the water. 50M from neutral zone

1 Archer unit mirrors this behind the Pikes

1 Crossbow unit mirrors this behind the Archers

1 Archer unit mirrors this behind the Crossbows

1 Pike unit lines up in 2 curved lines on the eastern streams western bank. The first third of the 500 man line faces south, the

second third slowly curving toward the stream with the last third facing the stream. The south facing third is 50 M from the neutral zone

Deployment for The North (Nog):

The North is commanded by Ned Stark. Here is the North's deployment as seen by the Stormlands:

A unit of archers are deployed in 3 lines of 300 men each, just south of the edge of the central knoll's forest.

Two units of Pikemen (each arranged in 3 lines of 300 men) - are positioned to the left and right of the archers, opposite the

two openings through which the two streams are flowing.

The main body of the army is positioned right behind the Archer line, 100m to the south. It consists of 3 lines:

Line 1 - 1 pikemen unit (in a 3x300 arrangement)

Line 2 - 2 infantry units (in a 6x300 arrangement)

Line 3 - 1 unit of archers (in a 3x300 arrangement)

Two units of light cavalry, equipped with bows, take position on either side of that formation, protecting its flanks - while Ned's command unit is placed right behind the foot soldiers.

[Ded As Ned]

Quarterfinal #2: The Crownlands (Capt Captain) vs. The Westerlands (JonathanTheBold)

Setting: Desert Arches

Battlefield Description:

Battlefield Overview Image Link: http://postimg.org/image/eabk9mwt9/

The commanders of the Crownlands and Westarlands wonder how on earth their orders led them to battle in Dornish desert, but yet here they are.

Three enormous natural stone arches (yellow), each lying east to west, dominate this desert battlefield in central Dorne. The arches rise about 50m at their peak in the center from the valley floor (light brown), and are 150m wide. The arches lie in an east-west orientation, are smooth stone, and the valley floor passes beneath them from north to south. They are accessible from the east and west, with the central arch lying centered within the neutral zone, with the northern and southern arches lying outside of the neutral zone, respectively. The valley floor (light brown) is hardened earth, flanked to the east and west by sand dunes (dark brown), that rise about 50m at their central peak and are very difficult to traverse, consisting of loose sand. The valley floor also passes underneath the three arches, while rising gently from the center of the field to the entrances to the arches to the east and west. In the northeast/northwest, just south of the field border, (and likewise in the south), rise sheer 200m tall rock cliffs (black) which are inaccessible to all but the most skilled and equipped climbers. There is a strong, steady wind blowing from west to east, limiting visibility near the western dune due to clouds of dust and sand, and likely to bother anyone in the path of the blowing sand near the western dune. The thin red lines indicate the center of the field and the neutral zone.

The Crownlands approach from the north, and The Westerlands approach from the south.

Deployment for The Crownlands (Capt Captain):
The Crownlands are commanded by Rhaegar Targaryen. Here is the Crownland's deployment as seen by the Westerlands:

The entire army of the Crownlands are situated on the west side of the map, with the army's front being roughly 100m south of the neutral zone.

Going west to east, the westernmost unit consists of infantry in loose formation, with about half being on the slopes of the western dune. To the east of them is a large phalynx consisting of 5 units pikemen, 8 lines deep and stretching eastward

towards the arches.

Behind the pike is a large contingent of archers, 3 units in loose formation, 6 lines deep, leaning slightly closer to the infantry, whose formation is also to the west of them.

Behind the infantry is a unit of heavy cavalry in loose formation, and just to the east of them is Rhaegar's command unit that lies in the center, 5 lines deep. Just east of the command unit is another heavy cavalry unit, and then another.

Deployment for The Westerlands (Jonathan The Bold):

The Westerlands are commanded by Tywin Lannister. Here is the Westerland's deployment as seen by the Crownlands:

The Westerlands army is located at the neutral zone border between the western border and the arches. Front and center is a unit of heavy cavalry. Behind them and to the far west, bordering on the western dune, is a unit of light cavalry in 3 lines.

Behind them is a unit consisting of a half unit of archers with a quarter unit of archers interspreced with them. To the east

of these are the Brave Companions formed in 3 lines. Behind the brave companions is another unit consisting of a half unit of archers with a quarter unit crossbowmen interspersed. To the west and east of these archers/crossbowmen are half units of pike, each divided into 11 lines, but with some crossbowmen forming the 2nd line. Centered behind these units are 4 units of

infantry, with one unit split in half; one half behind the light cavalry and the other behind the brave companions. The

remaining half unit of crossbowmen lie behind the infantry. Centered on the previous units and in the rear is Tywin Lannister

and the command unit.

[Ded As Ned]

Quarterfinal #3: The Reach (Peaches are Stannis' Favorite Food) vs. Dorne (Bright Blue Eyes)

Setting: The Frozen Shore

Battlefield Description:

Battlefield Overview Image Link: http://postimg.org/image/hig1moj31/

Much like the other battles in southern Westeros, The armies of the Reach and the Dornish marvel at the tides of fate that brought them to battle in the frozen north, during Winder no less!

Located on a remote shore southeast of the Dreadfort, a lonely, 75m wide, river flows from west to east and meets a shallow inlet to the sea. During the warmer seasons, this is prime fishing ground for the few locals that reside in the region. Presently, during the harsh northern winter, both the river and sea are frozen over. The river (dark blue) flows from west to east, and while frozen at the surface, is not frozen solid. The ice over the river will easily support troops on foot, but horse with their weight carried only on narrow hooves would meet certain death trying to cross (let's not debate the physics of this, I kept it simple). The sea (light blue) on the other hand, is very shallow here and frozen solid, easily able to support any weight or troop types. There are small abandoned fishing settlements on both banks of the river at the center of the field (brown), each consisting of about a dozen cabins and fishing boats that are used by the fishermen during warmer times. The northern and southern boundaries of the field are pine forest (dark green), both extending roughly 300m towards the lowest elevation at the river. In between the forest and river, is open grassland (light green), with the ground hard and frozen. The river forms the lowest elevation on the field, as the terrain slopes uphill north and soutwhward away from the river.
A few inches of show has fallen and covers the battlefield; and more is steadily falling, somewhat limiting long-range visibility. A steady breeze blows in from the sea moving east to west.. The thin red lines indicate the center of the field and the neutral zone.

The Reach approach from the north, and Dorne approaches from the south.

Deployment for The Reach (Stannis Loves Peaches):

The Reach is commanded by Loras Tyrell. Here is the The Reach's deployment as seen by the Dornish.

The Reach army consists 4 units heavy cavalry, 1 unit light cavalry, The Second Sons, 2 units crossbowmen, 2 units infantry, and 2 units pikemen.

The heavy cavalry form up in two squadrons, 2 units in each, each led by half of the command unit. It's unclear which squadron is led by Loras. These two squadrons form up side by side on the frozen sea, 50m from the neutral zone. There is about 50m between them and the western squadron is about 20m from the shore. The light cavalry is positioned in front of and between the heavy cavalry squadrons, right up against the neutral zone.

The pikemen form up side by side up against the neutral zone, about halfway between the fishing village and the sea. Behind them are the two infantry units flanking the Second Sons. The crossbow units are positioned side by side about 20m to the west of the pikemen.

Deployment for Dorne (Bright Blue Eyes):

Dorne is commanded by Prince Doran Martell. Here is Dorne's deployment as seen by the Reach:

The front units are aligned along the neutral zone, starting about a half km east of the western field border: First is a unit of light cavalry in loose formation led by Lord Daeron Vaith, then going west is the Golden Company in a tight formation, a unit of light cavalry in loose formation led by Ser Ryon Allyrion, a unit of spearmen in square formation led by Lord Tremond Gargalen, and finally a unit of heavy cavalry, in loose formation but appearing attentive, led by Lord Anders Yronwood near the seashore.

Also near the neutral zone, out on the sea-ice about halfway between shore and the eastern field border, is a unit of light cavalry in loose formation led by Lord Harmen Uller.

Behind these front units is a unit of crossbowmen, just behind the Golden Company and led by Quentyn Quorgyle. Then behind and just east of Yronwood's heavy cavalry is a unit of spearmen led by Lord Franklyn Fowler, and behind Fowler's spearmen and a little west is a unit of archers led by Ser Symon Santagar.

To the east, near the shoreline and just southeast of of Fowler's spearmen are a unit of spearmen and led by Ser Deziel Dalt.

At the back of the arrangement are the remaining troops, first a unit of spears in a square formation led by Lord Dagos Manwoody, located a small distance behind Allyrion's light cavalry. A small distance east, south-southwest of Gargalen's spears, is Doran and the command unit. Further east but just inland and behind Dalt's spearmen is a unit of archers, led by none other than the infamous and self-proclaimed Darkstar, Ser Gerold Dayne himself.

Diagram: http://imgur.com/Ba2Clrj

Legend to deployment diagram:

0. Command unit, Prince Doran Martell

1. Heavy Cavalry, Lord Anders Yronwood

2. Light Cavalry Lord Harmen Uller

3. Light Cavalry Lord Daeron Vaith

4. Light Cavalry Ser Ryon Allyrion

5. Spears Lord Franklyn Fowler

6. Spearmen Ser Deziel Dalt

7. Spears Lord Tremond Gargalen

8. Spears Lord Dagos Manwoody

9. Golden Company

10. Crossbowmen Lord Quentyn Quorgyle

11. Archers Ser Symon Santagar

12. Archers Ser Gerold Dayne

[Ded As Ned]

Quarterfinal #4: The Riverlands (Tyshrek Lannister) vs. The Vale (House Mauldania)

Setting: River Fortress

Battlefield Description:

Battlefield Overview Image Link: http://postimg.org/image/midhumopp/

The Riverlands find themselves defending their local turf, facing the intruders from the Vale.

(I realize this got lengthy as I wrote it, so you can skip the expositon and go to the "terrain summary" below if you only want the field setup).

Located in the upper reaches of the Riverlands, the Blue Fork of the Trident flows from west to east along the center of the field. At the center, the river forks evenly around a central uprising of land that forms an island before meeting again to continue eastward. The river flows deep and swift across the field with sheer banks, except for one wide, shallow ford about halfway between the island and the western border. Several generations back, the road running north-south in this area crossed the ford, and a Frey bastard thought to capitalize on his Family's ideal income and instituted a toll to cross. He built two semi-circular stone walls just north and south of the neutral zone, about chest high and 250m in diameter, opening towards the river, in which to station troops to intimidate travelers into paying his toll. With income from this toll, he later began constructing a fortress on the island, seeming to be a perfect locale. With outer walls standing about 20m tall and 3m thick, and drawbridges on the northern and southern banks about 5m wide, the Frey bastard thought to make his fortune and continue building a castle. The road eventually came to travel north/south directly through the island fort. Travelers did not take kindly to the arrangement, as the Bastard would often take his share of goods and help himself to the daughters of many a traveler, in addition to the toll. Before long, local "bandits" built their own bridge in the dense forest (Dark green) that lies on the eastern 1km of the field. Sturdy and able for two carts to cross side-by-side, travelers could easily bypass the toll, which the "bandits" allowed free use of. The Frey Bastard came to often skirmish with the "bandits", and finally Lord Tully sent a force to dispose of him, leaving the field abandoned in it's current state. The stone semi-circles still stand north and south of the ford, along with the island fortress and drawbridges. The interior of the fortress is flat and grassy, about 500m in diameter, with two dozen ladders spaced evenly around the circular wall. The walkway along the top of the fortress wall is lined with smaller walls to the outside and inside, about chest high, with the walkway in between. The drawbridges were permanently sabotaged by a Tully lord, and are stuck in their open position, unable to be raised. The entire field is generally flat grassland (light green), with the eastern 1km in dense forest (dark green), with the bridge in the center of the forest crossing the river. The road still travels north/south directly through the abandoned fortress, as it provides some protection for travelers seeking shelter for an evening, and the walls provide a good view of surrounding terrain.

Terrain summary: A deep, swift river (blue) flows along the center of the field from west to east, and only slows/shallows at a ford about 1km east of the western border. The ford is about 250m wide, calf deep with a pebbly bed, and easily crossable. Going eastward, beyond the ford the river becomes again swift and deep, forking around a circular island at the center of the field. The island is ringed with a wall, 20m tall and 3m thick, with open drawbridges on the north and south (that cannot be raised). The top of the wall is a walkway, with chest-high walls along the outer and inner edges. The center of the fortress is flat grass, with two dozen ladders spaced evenly around the inner circumference of the wall. The eastern 1km of the field is dense forest (dark green), with a bridge crossing the river about one-half kilometer west of the eastern border. The bridge is wide enough for two carts to cross, sturdy, and well-maintained. The remainder of the field (light green) is open flat grassland. The road (brown) runs north-south directly through the drawbridges and central fortress. The thin red lines indicate the center of the field and the neutral zone

There has been a lot of recent rain recently, but presently only a cloudy sky and wet earth. The river runs swift and deep except at the ford. No significant wind to speak of.

The Riverlands approach from the north, and The Vale approaches from the south.

Deployment for The Riverlands (Tyshrek Lannister):

The Riverlands are commanded by The Blackfish. Here is the Riverland's deployment as seen by the Vale:

The command unit with the Blackfish is at the northern border of the field, centered on the road. Surrounding the command unit are three one-third unit of archers, one in front of command with another on each flank. In front of these archers is a unit of light cavalry, formed into 5 rows of 100 horsemen. Between these and the forest to the east is a unit of crossbowmen.

The Brotherhood without Banners will start centered around the east edge of the field, about three-quarters down from the north edge, and dispersed around the general area.

One unit of pikement are spread out evenly across the neutral zone, just north of the boundary, starting from the woods and

westward, in columns only a few men thick.

One archer unit is spread out evenly across the neutral zone up to the woods, behind the Pikeman, in identical columns.

One unit of Heavy Cavalry, are arranged on the road, at the edge of the neutral zone.

2 units of pikemen are at the neutral zone border at the ford, clumped around the ford and the stretch of river directly on either side, with another group on the west edge of these.

An infantry unit is located a quarter of the field from the north edge, just inside the woods and flowing out.

Deployment for The Vale (House Mauldania):

The Vale is commanded by Jon Arryn. Here is the Vale's deployment as seen by the Riverlands:

On the road at the neutral zone border are the Hill Tribes, centered on the road.

To the west of the hill tribes and continuing west is a unit of crossbowmen, then 3 units of infantry, 1 unit pike, 3 units

heavy cavalry, 2 units light cavalry, a line of archers behind them, and finally the command unit. The heavy and light cavalry, along with command, curve southward around the semi-circular wall.