Prisoners of war?

[Nemt]

(Ulor Nemt of Kopixer, Gurikan 3rd Kantora Zekresh)

I summon Danask and Krevimuk to discuss what should be done with those taken prisoner during the recent battle against local rebels and imperial deserters.

"Regardless of the Imperial laws on the matter, I feel no obligation to provide any safety to 'prisoners of war' and would sooner see them all executed. What say you, men?"

[Nemt]

Men?

[Gamemaster]

(OOC: I tried to post a reply here earlier, but it seems to have been lost somehow.)


Danask says, "Actually Imperial law requires that all rebels and mutineers be put to death by slow torture. The prescribed method involves being burned alive, but you have the authority under emergency powers to dispense with the burning and order execution by the most feasible available method if time and resources do not permit the usual penalty. You also have the authority to commute their sentences to something less. I would suggest leniency. Perhaps public flogging. Say twenty lashes each?"

Krevimuk says, "Whose side are you on Danask? They've been besieging the provincial capital for months. I think we can spare the necessary firewood. Burn 'em I say."

[Nemt]

"There was never much military insurrection back in Zekran, so you'll excuse my lack of familiarity with the laws regarding it. I agree with Krevimuk, have all those taken prisoner on the battlefield executed immediately."

I turn to Krevimuk, "Will these be the first such executions held in Kopixer since you've been here?"

[Gamemaster]

Krevimuk says, "No. We caught a few earlier and burned them. But thirty eight at one time will definitely be a new record for this province as far as I know."

[Nemt]

I summon Krevimuk again and show him the correspondence from Krulmuk regarding the situation in Zekran.

Krevimuk, the 3rd Kantora Zekresh has been recalled to the capital, and I must leave Salan Kopixer for a time. The news is quite dire, and all Imperial troops are needed to restore order and protect the empire. In my absence, I am appointing you acting Ulor of Kopixer Province, and Danask will be remain here with you to assist in whatever trivial matters you decide to delegate. Do you feel order can be maintained here without the third kantora?

[Gamemaster]

Krevimuk says, "Probably. There is some risk that things will get out of hand again, but I'm pretty sure we can handle it. Especially with all the new recruits. We have more men now than before you arrived. But they are just men, not soldiers yet. On the other hand, we don't have a small army of bandits and deserters besieging the capital. I'm sure we'll make it. By next harvest, the famine might even be mostly past."

[Nemt]

That's a relief to hear - some very welcome good news. I'm sure Kopixer will be seen through the famine and rebellion - and the worst is over. Of course, I trust you will not be afraid to crack heads open if the need arises. I suspect Rubanya's to consolidate his power during my voyage. While Krulmuk was hesitant to imply it, I foresee the possibility of a protracted battle in Zekran and the surrounding provinces. Is there any advice you can give before I depart? Should a battle occur, do you think the brief experience in combat the third kantora had against the rebels will matter when fighting some less experienced units? Additionally, what do you know of the regional commander in Zamarula? I plan on asking him to lend out some of his men temporarily for the mission to Zekran - as I suspect we will need all the men we can get.

[Gamemaster]

Krevimuk smiles, "I'm just an old soldier, Ulor. I don't follow politics in Zekran. But if some kind of fight does break out, I'm sure you'll do your duty. I can't think of any other advice to give you. On second thought, yes I can. This stuff about the Navy being untrustworthy. If you end up walking across the Savannah because of it, I do have two bits of advice. First, make sure you don't ever get too far away from drinkable water. The Savannah doesn't look like a desert, but parts of it might as well be. There's enough water for the grass, but no watering holes or rivers for four or five days' march. Three days without water and you'll lose half your men. Five days and there would be no survivors. It comes on you fast. I've been there. Secondly, don't do anything to annoy the nomads and if you do, don't let them cut you off from water. That's their usual tactic. It works, too. It's better to be besieged at a watering hole for a year than to try to make a break for it across the open savannah with those bastards after you. They're all on horseback and they can ride circles around your column.

If there's any way to go by sea, I'd suggest you do it. If you get captured by the Navy, so what? I don't expect they would kill you. More likely hold you as a prisoner until this is all over. And then what could they charge you with, obeying orders?

As for the experience your men got in that battle, it will help their morale, but they're still not experienced troops.

As for asking the regional commander for troops, good luck on that. I've known Gurikan Falan Guvalnuk since he was an Ekanor. He'll go by the book. If he has no orders to help you, he won't help you. Also, keep in mind that he doesn't have operational command of the troops anyway. I'd suggest bypassing Guvalnuk completely and asking the garrison commanders for help. Or the Uloro. After the Lord Chancellor's decree, any Ulor can give orders to troops. That's all I can think of. Good luck."

[Gamemaster]

Ekanor Garon of the 3rd Kantora Zekresh arrives, salutes Nemt and asks, "Sir, I heard about the redeployment orders. Shall I have the men prepare to march?"

[Nemt]

Krevimuk smiles, "I'm just an old soldier, Ulor. I don't follow politics in Zekran....

Thank you Krevimuk. You are a brave man and a true leader. One more thing, if anyone from the capital is sent here by the reformists claiming to be the newly appointed Ulor, I trust you know what to do.

Ekanor Garon of the 3rd Kantora Zekresh arrives, salutes Nemt and asks, "Sir, I heard about the redeployment orders. Shall I have the men prepare to march?"

Yes, we are bidding farewell to Kopixer for a while. Assure them the voyage back to the capital will not be as arduous as the journey here.

[Gamemaster]

Ekanor Garon says, "Very good, sir. But am I correct to assume that we are marching downriver to Osim? I see no ships on the river to take us there."

[Nemt]

Yes, that's the plan. The time it would take to send a request for ships to pick us up and take us to Osim would more than negate any speed advantage sea travel would have.

[Gamemaster]

Ekanor Garon says, "Yes, sir. I'll notify the men to get ready."