Longtime Dakkanaut
Painesville, Ohio, USA
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Krueger hated Altdorf. The city was cramped, crowded, crunched, and had an overly-inflated sense of self-worth. It was an ugly city. The city generated more noise and commotion than anything of substance. The oppressive humidity of early summer didn’t help the metropolis any. Even after all the improvements and the seemingly endless gold the Elector-Count Emperor Franz had made to the city, it would never clean itself up. In some ways, the old engineer understood why Marienburg had declared its independence. Altdorf was just a city. Marienburg was a cosmopolitan capitol. A shining jewel of human creativity, intelligence, skill, and power. Still… when the most powerful human in the world called you, one answered his summons. And, if nothing else, at least The Emperor spared no expense at entertaining his guests… which made the old man that much more nervous. Nobility didn’t tend to spend money on common folk, unless they wanted something more valuable in return.
Krueger clicked open his pocket watch, and looked at it again. He shook his head, and put it back into the deep, coat pockets. The Emperor would arrive when he would arrive. No sooner, no later. For the countless time, the old man checked himself. His coat was a fine jacket of cotton and wool died in a deep, Tilean purple. His hat was black silk, and it matched his highly polished shoes. He had replaced his normal, leather satchel, for a more respectable looking one that he had bought from an elf merchant a long time ago. At least he looked the part. He hated dealing with nobles.
At last, the Emperor strode into the courtyard, and greeted the old man as he would a friend, clasping his hand firmly. “Ah, Master Krueger, I see you have arrived. Please, I know you are a busy man, sit and discuss with me what you think of the divisions I will take with me on this summer’s campaign.”
“If your Majesty will forgive an old man, sitting tends to irritate my knees. I will stand, my Lord.” Not waiting for an approval, Krueger rushed to begin his review, and get out of courtyard.
“First, I would like to comment on your command. Your arms, armaments, and mount will serve you well. And, I have seen the effectiveness of Leonardo’s inventions work on the battle field. Two of them, coupled with your Imperial Dragon, will be quite the force to reckon with, especially when teamed with an Imperial Altar of War. However, I have something that you may wish to consider, that I will get to in just a moment.
“I am curious as to why you aren’t brining along a Captain of the Guard… one to carry a banner, to embolden your soldiers. You have a powerful cadre of defensive wizards, but it’s been my experience that the Battle Standard Bearer can be an invaluable asset in making sure you win charges. Especially with an army heavy with knights as yours currently is.”
The old, Tilean-trained, engineer paused here to take a deep breath, and gauge Emperor Franz. Nobles didn’t care much for being corrected. Seeing no emotion from the Elector Count, Krueger continued, “Ah… keeping on track, my Lord, as I was saying you have a mix of mages that will give you solid protection against enemy sorcerers, and even a couple of mystic trinkets to make your combat magic more effective… however, I do wonder why so many prodigal sorcerers? And, if they are all to be mounted on horseback, I have to consider why they don’t put thick, padding on the horses as well. I would suggest instead, you could save a few of your silvers by getting more apprentices… especially since it appears that your wizards normally perform the role of defensive magic. Lady von Hauptmann has given me some of what they teach wizards athe Colleges of Magic, and she has let me know that the first thing new apprentices are taught are the spells of counter-magic. With the silver you save, you could, perhaps, hire a few First Knights to champion your knightly units, or perhaps even the Kislev Gryphon Legion.”
Krueger pulled his hat off. Altdorf was always sweltering this time of year, and the black silk just broiled his bald head. Scratching his head, like he always did when nervous, the engineer continued. “And, I also would like to suggest that for your Arch Lector, perhaps you could donate for a troop of Inner Circle knights to command. Perhaps five lances strong with full command… that’ll give her a bit more of meat for her charge, and her fiery oratories will make your inner circle knights as solid as dwarves in combat. Though, I did notice she is riding a chariot. As I alluded to before, I would like to offer a different suggestion. She might be better served with a suit of heavy armor and a shield… and perhaps a more mundane magic item… such as a hammer empowered with a touch of strength. The silver you save from that should let you donate for a troop of inner circle knights.”
Picking up a glass of Estalian brandy, offered by a page, Krueger continued his comments while sipping, “On the note of your knights, Emperor Franz, I would like to suggest you increase the size of their troops by one knight. I understand the size of five is lucky in the Empire, and it leads to a highly-mobile detachment. However, I’ve found that six knights make for a highly resilient unit, with good strength of arms and good maneuverability. I will offer a suggestion for paying for such warriors momentarily, my Lord.
“Sir, I’d like to quickly cover your bit of infantry you have. I understand that your small, handgunner, squads are just to screen your artillery, and have been designed accordingly. However, as I know your Lordship knows, humans can be a bit… nervous around some of the horrors that populate this world. If I may suggest, instead of human handgunners, why not hire a squadron or two of freelance, dwarven, crossbowmen. Armed with crossbows, armored with heavy armor and shields, a dozen dwarven crossbowmen would serve you well. Brave, good shots, and solid in the ruckus of melee. In fact, you could have them perform double duty by hiring a thane and bannerman with them. Then, not only can they pepper enemy units with quarrels, but they could reform to face enemy charges that survive.”
Krueger paused for a moment to collect his thoughts, and then proceeded to dig out an oversized sheet of parchment. Presenting it too Emperor Franz, the old engineer continued, “Or, as this advertisement states, you could hire Lumpin Croops freelance Halflings. I have worked with the Halfling, and he is quite the commander… as brave as a dwarf, and skilled in the arts of skirmishing.”
The old engineer looked around for a moment, and seeing a small table asked, “If you would come to this table, my Lord?” Krueger pulled from his seemingly bottomless pockets books worth of oversized parchment. He spread them out to cover the entire table, weighing them down with rocks to keep the breeze from taking them away. “If you could take a quick moment to look at these schematics, my Lord, for artillery combinations. I fully know that four great cannons is an impressive artillery train. However, you discussed with me the chance you will be dealing with corps and army sized opponents. If you would turn your attention to this chart, it illustrates how mortars are useful against large formations and therefore against enemy generals that command such large armies. A brace of mortars would serve you well. You could bring two cannon and two mortars and still be we set to deal with enemy monsters, enemy troops of knights, and companies of infantry. In fact, against some opponents, your mortars won’t be able to miss. Especially coupled with the fact you already have a brace of steam tanks, which provide you with two maneuverable, lighter, cannon. With the silver you save by bringing a pair of mortars, you could easily pay for the increase in size to the troops of knights you already have. Or… if you would prefer to save Imperial citizenry, Master Gunner Bronzino, from Tilea, has devised a most impressive Horse Cannon, that would greatly complement your highly mobile army.”
Still not seeing any emotion from the human noble’s face, Krueger downed the last of his brandy to steel his courage. The lack of emotion meant bad things for the engineer of nearly sixty summers. He adjusted the glasses on his face, and rushed to complete his assessment, “Your Lord, I only have one last suggestion. Your army is more mobile than static… and while the Outriders are highly trained, and carry devastating weaponry, they are oddly static. Perhaps a troop of young Pistoliers would serve you better. Five strong would allow them to race up enemy flanks, slowing them down with distractionary noise and fire. You could even upsize them to six with the addition of a single Outrider with Repeater Pistol.”
Nervously smiling, Krueger scratched his bald head and finished, “My Lord, those are the suggestions I have. If you have no questions of me, I will find my way back to my apartments in the city.”
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