Longtime Dakkanaut
Painesville, Ohio, USA
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As was his nervous habit, Kreuger looked at his pocket watch for the countless time. Only a few seconds had passed since the last moment he looked to see what the time was. The old engineer hated reviewing armies of nobles... they often didn't like the fact that a freeman was giving them advice... let alone, a freeman from the port of Marienburg. Fussing with his glasses, he looked across the war room table at the noble that waited. Kreuger wished he had a comfortable chair to sit in, like the noble did. Pausing, he stopped himself from complaining. Mumbling he said, "At least I still have all my fingers and toes... most folks my age... well... most folks don't even live this long."
Taking a deep breath to steel his nerves, Kreuger began, "My Lord, I'll do my best to keep this short and to the point. I understand that the Emperor and Elector Counts have called up a general muster, and that you do not have time to delay. So, I'd like to begin with your arms and armorments, and those of your lieutenants.
"Sir, while I understand that the blade your carry is enscorceled with magics to let you really be the bane of one foe... it really is not that effective. If I may suggest, you would be better served to visit the Sigmarite cathedral, and see if you could use the blade that Sigismar once weilded. It'll make you fast as the winds, as well as as strong as a bull. I've also noted that you carry with you no divine protection. Your armor is made from the rare metals of comets, but... it is just forged by man's hands. I would suggest, instead, a suit of your finest plate armor and a standard sheild. If you do not have a suit, my own lord, von Metzger, has allowed me to rent out several of ours that I have brought with me. That armor should save you a few silvers. With that, and saving the silver from not bringing a copy of the ring Volans once used, you should be able to have the coin to make a donation to the Church allowing you access to some of their most holy relics. While I am enlightened by science and industry, and do not believe the supersititions prevelant for most common-folk... I cannot help by admit I have seen such Holy Relics somehow repel attacks... I really cannot explain it."
The old man paused here a moment and shivered. It was still mid-winter in the Empire, and spring was at least two full moons away. Shuffling his coat around him, Kreuger continued, "Also, if I may interject about your other officers... I feel the speculum your one mage carries is a waste. Our mages are weak, feeble, and poor in constitution... even when empowered by the brawn of their enemies, they still make for poor warriors. If it is a mystic-warrior you are looking for, I would suggest, instead, to see if the Sigmarites will grant you one of their wandering priests. I myself have worked with Paetricia Senatoriae, and have seen her prowess in combat. Not to metion, even I can get caught up in her fiery oratories sometimes. If you wish to bring along your two wizard apprentices, I'd suggest, instead, gathering a second pair of nul scrolls. That'll further boost your ability to disappate the winds of magic, and fluster enemy wizards who are in league with Chaos."
Snapping his fingers, as he just remembered something, Krueger concludes, "OH! Your Captain. I've seen him practice on the town square, and am very impressed with his abilities... however, why such an old banner? I understand that the Griffon is a sign of the Empire as long as history has been recorded... but... it often roots your soldiers in place. Makes them fight like the dickens, yes, but... they are often exhausted after melee, and do not pursue a broken foe. And... such a banner attracts the attention of enemy captains. You may wish, instead, to bring along a banner with the Sigmarite blessings of War on it. If you required, I have such a War Banner, blessed by our own Priestess Senatoriae, that has served us well for a dozen summers."
As was his habit, the old man reached into his pockets, pulling out a wad of lose paper that would have made a bookbinder faint. Rummaging through his notes, he found the page he was looking for. "My Lord, I understand that your army is designed to be a line guns smoking down the enemies... but why dilute it with Crossbows. If it's handguns you want, you should use handguns... as many as you can get your hands on. If you require more, I have several score of handguns made by von Kolt and Berretti themselves. Also... why do none of your companies have musicians? The sound of fife and drum often is enough to rally soldiers that have become scattered and disorganized.
"I would also like to suggest something that goes against a standard practice for Empire gun companies. I would suggest that each of your squads of gunners have a marksman with a brace of pistols. Gives them a bit of mobility, in the fact that the pistols are quick enough to load you can shoot them after marching a spot in combat... and it, suprizingly, improves the effectiveness of the squad against an attack. Your other soldiers will wait till their sergeant shoots, giving them a second or two more to aim more effectively with their muskets and handguns. One last though is the size of your crossbow units... much to large. At their size, you'll often have ten or more soldiers who will not be able to shoot at anything. I'd suggest, instead, breaking your squads into managable sizes of ten-men each. More flexible in combat, and better able to cover each other... plus, wether you use the handguns or crossbows, everyone should be able to shoot at something."
Flipping to the next page, Kreuger pushes his wire-glasses back up his nose, and continues. "I would like to make a quick comment on your company of spearmen. While spearmen do complement a gunline well... yours might actually be to large to do the job it is to do. I am also leery of using anything from the Alchemists guild. While I understand that banners bathed in the ability to cancel the arcane can be nice... they often are considerably more expensive than they need to be. I would suggest not bringing it at all.
"As to the company of spearmen itself, I'd suggest, instead, getting two, smaller companies... say twenty-four men strong each. I noticed a couple of soldiers who could easily even be the command group of a second company of spearmen. Two companies gives you more tactical flexibility, plus it gives you the option of sending forward some of your infantry to support your tanks."
"I would like to bring to your attention a huge potential weakpoint. Your steamtanks. Now, I know you are going to say that the Nuln School has, on validated record, steamtanks surviving attacks from giants and dragons, and slaying such beasts as well... but... yours are not supported. Your two tanks could easily be bogged down in the morass of melee combat, not going anywhere, and just chewing on one enemy formation till either your line is exhausted, or theirs is. In other words, my Lord, your tanks need other support... at least a minimal sized unit of lancers or pistoliers. Something that, should the tanks get mired in melee, can charge into the flanks of the enemy scattering them."
Feeling he was finished with his review, the old engineer folded his notes back up, and stuffs them into his oversized pockets. "Barring any questions, my Lord, I will take my leave. My own employer is waiting for me in the Borderlands."
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