#siegecrafts

[siegecraft]

lost count but i think i made close to thirty notebooks with cross stitch embedded this year! faves pt 1.

[jdragsky]

14, 18, 22!

Favorite book you read this year?

i answered this already, so i'll give a second answer, which is Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Kimmerer. A book that completely changed my relationship with what it means to be alive and exist in the world

A memorable meal this year?

a very memorable meal (good) i had this year was when i was in upstate new york playing Seven Part Pact, and one of the players was a NY times acclaimed chef, and she made isha-themed food for each day. on the final night she made liwetan, which is an indonesian feast where she rolled out giant leaves and we ate roast duck, rice, mangos, and sausage with our hands, on a fancy candlelit dinner table surrounded by wizard detritus. it was perfect

Favorite place you visited this year?

while i didn't have an amazing time in Lucca, Italy, i think getting to actually go to it (both the city and getting to see the convention in its insane glory) was a really special and cool experience

[casualevan]

Some Siegecraft requires a specialist

[memories-of-ancients]

Eastern vs. Western Siegecraft: When the Chinese besieged a Russian star fortress in 1686

from SandRhoman History

[shattered-eagle]

your writing is incredible and i will 100% replaying with different choices to see the other routes

i played as a sorceress mc and noticed i got +scholarship and warfare instead of subterfuge and was curious why that changed. related question: do all sorceress fight on the front lines at some point, or are there some that only work on creating resources to be used at the front?

Thank you!

I originally had the Sorcery character start with +2 Scholarship and +1 Warfare to reflect their role embedded in the legions, aiding with sieges and use of sorcerous weaponry. I briefly changed it as I was considering whether to emphasize the shadowy influence of the sorceresses over their role in war, but decided that the Prefect's own experiences in the legion would be better supported by a Warfare boost.

As for that, certainly not all of them. Those who are assigned to the legions as attaches, which are not all sorceresses, serve a mixture of roles from medical care, siegecraft construction, Holy Fire and Godsash handling and production, and the deployment of such through Firesiphons on the field, which is more of a frontline role, yes.

[dailymtgflavortext]

The castle's mages had devised effective counters to every form of siegecraft, but had no answers to gorilla warfare.

-Ram Through

[lumi-klovstad-games]

Bastion, Blade, Last Line: The Corpse Eaters

In the Grim Darkness of the Far Future, there is only war.

Few understood war like Rogal Dorn, the Praetorian of Terra, and Primarch of the Imperial Fists, and many of the legion's successors have devoted themselves to his mastery of defensive warfare and siegecraft. Few have done so as well as the grimly named Corpse Eaters.

The Corpse Eaters are a Chapter known for their grim reputation and heroic deeds, which belie their macabre name. Founded sometime after the Horus Heresy, they trace their lineage back to the Imperial Fists, inheriting their gene-seed's stoicism and dedication to duty. Their founding was driven by the need for a specialized chapter that could hold ground under the most harrowing conditions, especially when performing combat rescue missions to retrieve vital Imperial personnel or recover relics.

Their homeworld, Kenov, is a bleak and desolate place with ash-choked skies, barren wastelands, and a deadly climate. The planet was once a thriving industrial world, but it fell into ruin due to millennia of exploitation and warp storms. Despite this, the people of Kenov are tough and resilient, surviving in underground bunkers and fortress cities. The Corpse Eaters recruit from this hardy populace, finding suitable aspirants who have proven their worth in defending their subterranean settlements from the constant threats of xenos, mutants, and the chaotic environment itself.

The name "Corpse Eaters" dates back to the Chapter's early history, when a brutal siege during the Age of Apostasy earned them infamy. In the Siege of Ormor’s Gate, the Corpse Eaters were tasked with defending a besieged hive city against an overwhelming tide of heretical forces. Despite being cut off from resupply, the Chapter held its ground, sustaining themselves by salvaging the dead for sustenance. While the Chapter never resorted to cannibalism in the conventional sense, their Apothecaries extracted vital nutrients and fluids from fallen warriors to sustain their battle-brothers. This practice, while a desperate necessity at the time, earned the Chapter the grim epithet of "Corpse Eaters."

Though the incident sparked controversy, the Corpse Eaters chose to embrace the name as a reminder of their willingness to make any sacrifice to fulfill their duty. The morbid title serves as a constant acknowledgment that in the grim darkness of the far future, survival and victory often demand unthinkable choices.

Despite the darkness associated with their name, the Corpse Eaters are one of the more compassionate and humane Space Marine Chapters, especially towards civilians and the soldiers of the Imperial Guard. Their experiences on Kenov have instilled a deep understanding of human suffering and an empathy for the plight of the common Imperial citizen. The Chapter believes that every life saved is a victory, and they regularly undertake missions to rescue endangered civilians, protect retreating forces, and evacuate Imperial Guard units who would otherwise be left to die.

The Corpse Eaters also maintain close ties with the Astra Militarum, often operating as a shield for beleaguered Guard regiments. They do not regard human soldiers as mere expendable assets but rather as fellow warriors of the Emperor, deserving of protection and respect. Their Combat Rescue squads are particularly renowned for deploying into battle zones that others would consider too dangerous, risking their own lives to extract wounded guardsmen or save isolated platoons. This reputation has earned them the gratitude and admiration of countless regiments, as well as an enduring respect within the Imperial military hierarchy.

The current Chapter Master, Eussorus, is a figure of grim nobility, embodying the Corpse Eaters’ ethos. Known as the “Grim Bastion,” he is a master of defensive warfare and siegecraft, his strategies often revolving around holding a seemingly hopeless position against insurmountable odds. Eussorus is a pragmatic and duty-bound leader who places great emphasis on the protection of the Imperium's citizens. His stern appearance and gruff demeanor conceal a deep-seated sense of compassion that drives his resolve to defend humanity at all costs.

Eussorus rose to the position of Chapter Master following a pivotal battle known as the Red Sun Standoff, where he led a small force of Corpse Eaters in defending an isolated outpost from a massive Ork Waaagh! The situation appeared dire, and evacuation was impossible. Yet, through sheer tenacity, strategic brilliance, and innovative use of fortifications, Eussorus held out for over a month until reinforcements arrived. His leadership saved thousands of lives, both Astartes and civilians, and his promotion was all but inevitable afterward.

The Chapter’s traditions are a blend of grim practicality and solemn reverence. Their battle rites often involve the collection of relics from fallen brothers, as well as the use of recovered blood from fallen Brothers to honor the Chapter’s legacy. They also maintain extensive ossuaries where the bones of fallen battle-brothers are kept and revered as sacred objects. These relics are carried into battle by veteran warriors, serving as both a symbol of inspiration and a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who came before, and a commitment that even in death, the victory and the glory belongs to the WHOLE Chapter.

The Corpse Eaters’ Librarians play an essential role in preserving the Chapter's history and guiding its spiritual path. They are known as the Bone Scribes, chronicling the deeds of each battle-brother and conducting rituals of remembrance. The Bone Scribes frequently use fragments of bone dust from honored fallen in these rites, symbolically connecting the living with the dead.

The Corpse Eaters excel in defensive warfare and siege tactics. Their strategies revolve around turning every position into a bastion of resilience, using fortifications, booby traps, and guerrilla warfare to outlast and grind down the enemy. Combat Rescue is another specialty, where the Chapter deploys with surgical precision to extract valuable personnel or key relics from the midst of chaos. This dual focus on defense and rescue has made them highly adaptable, capable of weathering sieges and launching daring recoveries behind enemy lines.

Their arsenal reflects this focus, favoring heavy weapons, siege tanks, and fortification tools. Terminator Squads and Devastator Squads are often used to anchor defensive lines, while Assault Marines and Tactical Squads act as rapid-response units. Their Dreadnoughts, many of whom are heroes from the Siege of Ormor’s Gate, serve as living legends of the Chapter, embodying its unbreakable spirit.

The Corpse Eaters' relationship with the wider Imperium is complex. The Inquisition, in particular, has scrutinized their practices, though their loyalty has never been in doubt. Their name often causes misunderstandings, especially among those unfamiliar with the Chapter’s history. However, for those who have fought alongside them, the Corpse Eaters are regarded as tireless defenders of the Imperium and champions of humanity.

Their bonds with the Astra Militarum are among the strongest, with many Guard regiments proudly displaying tokens given to them by the Corpse Eaters in gratitude for their shared struggles. This bond has also led to joint training exercises and combined operations, where the Chapter’s expertise in defensive warfare significantly enhances the effectiveness of Imperial Guard forces.

The Chapter’s motto, "We are the bastion; we are the blade; we are the last line", encapsulates their commitment to protecting the Imperium against all odds. It serves as a reminder that even in the darkest times, the Corpse Eaters will stand fast, ready to defend the innocent and the helpless from the horrors of the galaxy.

Despite their grim name and history, the Corpse Eaters stand as a paradox within the grim darkness of the far future: warriors who embrace the morbid as a means to honor sacrifice, yet wield it as a shield to protect those unable to protect themselves. They are a Chapter whose hearts, though hardened, still beat with a sense of duty and compassion rare among the Adeptus Astartes.

[racefortheironthrone]

if you were lord Commander of the Nights Watch at the start of GoTs what would you do to put them in the best position possible for the WW invasion, assuming you knew it was coming?

Like with your Economic Development Plans could you do a similar long form plan for the Wall/NW?

It would be very interesting to read

I sort of cover this in my essays on Jon chapters in ASOIAF. The primary thing the Watch needs to do is settle the Gift so that they can reverse the downward spiral of declining membership, which means they can produce fewer resources to support themselves, which means declining membership. Switching to a model of the NW being supported by taxes and contributions from Northern lords would allow the NW to feed and equip more soldiers than they can by directly producing goods with a third of their members.

This in turn can help with recruitment: right now, it's hard to find people willing to sign up for a lifetime of celibacy and penal military service in the far North. But if you can sell it instead as a decent material standard of living - good food and plenty of it, alcohol rations, warm clothes - there's plenty of marginal peasants who might be willing to sign up for the job. But as I said in my essays, the big issue with recruitment is that the Watch has absolute garbage training systems that create enormous bottlenecks that slow down the rate at which new Watchmen are produced below the rate at which older Watchment die of natural causes, leading to demographic decline. The Watch needs to get rid of Aliser Thorne's boot-camp-for-knights model, which is badly suited for defending a 700 foot tall wall, and focus its training on archery and siegecraft instead.

[siegecraft]

notebooks with cross stitch embeds i made this year, faves pt 2. open spine style is coptic stitch, closed spine style is french link.

[princepestilence]

Thank you, @odense for tagging me! Reading more (and especially for fun) is a major intention for me this year, but because of that, the list is very long. I've made it easier to pick nine by limiting this list to fiction only.

Nine books on your 2025 tbr list?

The Tomb of Dragons by Katherine Addison. Last novel in the Cemeteries of Amalo trilogy, which I have been eagerly anticipating for a few years now. .

Circe by Madeline Miller. A gift from a good friend that has been waiting for the right moment. .

Swordcrossed by Freya Marske. I only read the first novel in Marske's debut series, which was a surprise and a disappointment for me, because I do really like Freya's thoughts in general and writing style typically, but it just didn't capture me. I am hoping that this one is going to hook me more. .

The Visitors by Jane Harrison. I've been wanting to read it since I saw the play a few years ago, but hadn't got around to it yet. Very interested to see how the play was adapted from the original. .

Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao. I enjoyed the first novel for a lot of reasons but I do sort of feel like I should confess that the sheer rarity and novelty of a polyamorous relationship featuring not one, but two, bisexual guys is a siren song to me and the biggest reason I have been so keyed in to this duology. .

White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi. Another one on my shelf that I've been meaning to pick up for so long, and finally will be! .

The Last Unicorn by Peter Beagle. Probably surprising to many (including myself), I never read this one when I was younger and somehow it never came into my orbit, but I think I will really love it. It seems like my kind of thing. .

The Archive Undying by Emma Mieko Candon. Another one that intrigued me. I don't know much about it, but what I do know is magnetically interesting. .

Our Hideous Progeny by C.E. McGill. This is Frankenstein with a Jurassic Park-esque flavour, which is arguably one of the most my kind of thing something could be. But I am keeping my expectations low so that I'm not devastated should the book turn out to be only okay at best.

Tagging some friends who I know love to read--but if anyone else sees this and want to do it, you are welcome to assume I have tagged you! @siegecraft @catalists @linestoalady @domsdickey @officialbabayaga @cytoclastic @roach-works @pikikichu @sleepykaru

[jedimaesteryoda]

But dothraki are also deathly afraid of the sea so it stands to reason that they wouldn't have left, plus them leaving was never mentioned. And with the state of Westeros they'd have a grand old time raiding the Reach, Riverlands and Stormlands. The West is in a shambles with all the big Lannisters dead, too. Really Westeros is the Dothraki's oyster as of the end of the series. Can you imagine what Westeros would look like 200 years later? I can't see them being removed with the state of Westerosi armies, which means they'd be all clear to start up their own Khalasars and raid the south of Westeros at will, as I said. Really bad time to be a racist in Westeros.

Well, to get to Westeros they'd have to cross the sea in the first place. If they'd brave it once on orders, it'd be easier to do again to return home.

They also displayed no interest in ruling the places they invade. No one ruling would allow the Dothraki to pillage their kingdom, including Daenerys.

The Westerosi could counterattack with armored cavalry as well as having the home advantage as the Dothraki have no skill at siegecraft they would need to take a castle. It's also winter where food will be hard to come by for years, and locals could employ some guerilla warfare.

Long story short, they wouldn't want to stay in Westeros permanently.

[dawn-of-worlds]

The War for Wera

The forces of the Deep One Kǎlkayer face off against those of Kaluutalo (7 vs 7) and the natives of Wera (8 vs 8). The war becomes a stalemate, with much of the surrounding countryside depopulated and Wera only accessible by sea, but still holding out.

Neither gets what they want.

Kǎlkayer’s forces devastate the southern coast of the region, stripping the land bare. Punitive expeditions are mounted inland to destroy towns and burn crops, for Kǎlkayer has no need of such; by the coast cities are captured and their populations turned towards the cultivation of algae in bays, deltas and salt pans. Those slain inland are carried down to the coast as skeletons, to be bathed in the weedvats and rise as new drones for the Deep One. The army marches towards Wera, seemingly unstoppable.

But for all Kǎlkayer’s advantages, it is ignorant of many things, and siegecraft is one of them. Wera’s walls are not the strongest in the world, but they are manned by the forces of Kaluutalo; their armour is strong, their shields sharp, and their leaders wise. Three great assaults fail to take the walls, and sallies from the castle manage to spills and burn great tanks of algae-flesh that the army brought along to resupply itself. In a rage,  Kǎlkayer sends the drone of Ullunortho, a great Eppethikuja, to lead the next assault; the Deep One had hoped to save such a mighty weapon for stronger cities further north. The bones of the manta-dragon remember its control of winds, and it breaks down the west gate of Wera like a hurricane flattening a forest. Yet when it enters the courtyard, the Ataila are waiting for it.

The Ataila are few in number, but they are the most skillful of all mortal races, for they have had a long time to come by those skills. In the courtyard that day were three of the most ancient of their race; Yumöni, the Flower of Starlight, Esseḿi, the Premonition of Dawn, and Säpori, the Waker of Thunder. They were old before the first Eppethikuja was awoken off Kaniten; they have dwelt in each other’s hearts since before all other mortal races were woken; there are gods whom are youths to them. They lead the Ataila in the defense, and they slay Ullunortho when he comes through the gate, though Säpori is wounded unto death in the deed, and dies in the arms of those she loves most.

As the courtyard is retaken and the gate rebarred, Yumöni and Esseḿi swear a vow to their creator, that they will not allow Wera to fall and the death of Säpori to be in vain. If the end times should indeed come, then Wera will be the last refuge against them, no matter the cost. Dedoubled in their spirit and purpose, they lead the defenders in holding off further assaults from the armies of the dead.

Soon salvation comes. Kǎlkayer has left the flanks of his forces exposed as he focused his efforts on encircling Wera, and soon smaller militias and bands of hastily-hired mercenaries from further north reclaim towns, free enslaved mortals, and destroy weed-vats and algae-pans. Kǎlkayer’s designs on Wera come to naught as the great trading fleets of the region begin to ship in food to keep the defenders hearty and new weapons and supplies to keep the defense strong.

Slowly the war grinds down into a stalemate. Kǎlkayer continues to devastate the countryside until the whole region becomes known as the Bone Wastes, but cannot take Wera. Wera even maintains some of its status as a trading hub, though many merchants do fear to visit the city. Kǎlkayer also cannot advance northward without the defenders of Wera sallying forth to wreak havoc on the infrastructure the Deep One has built to maintain itself. Yet this same infrastructure prevents armies from making progress across the land; the foul designs of the Deep One have built dams and weirs that trap water across the landscape, then salted them until sea-algae can grow in them. These have left the region parched and infertile, and armies struggle to march across lands where no crops are grown for them to forage. The war continues, driven Kǎlkayer’s inexhaustible drive for power and the indomitable will of Yumöni and Esseḿi to resist.

[greatwyrmgold]

@v-of-cups

Yes, absolutely. Commanders are not arrowproof.

As for how they break the enemy line: I'm gonna steal a diagram from prof. Bret Devereaux.

The horse archers charge at the enemy formation, shooting arrows (either as soon as they get within range or only at the "tip" where they'll be more effective"). When they get close enough, they turn around and start riding away.

(Incidentally, this is another skill that requires lots of training to pull off effectively. The tactic falls apart if your riders start crashing into each other. It's less unique than horse archery, though; lots of cavalry needs to know how to turn the formation around without crashing into itself.)

There are two common responses from the enemy. They might stand and take fire until the soldiers decide they have better odds if they run away out of formation, or they might decide the Parthians are retreating for real this time and give chase. Either one gets the infantry out of formation, and infantry out of formation are easy prey for pretty much every kind of cavalry.

It should be noted that horse archers weren't limited to bows. The History of Liao records that Khitan* warriors were required to own four bows, two spears, and a few other melee weapons. Horse archers carrying spears seem reasonably common in steppe nomad societies we have evidence for.

*A sub-ethnicity of the Mongols. Sort of. They founded the Laio Dynasty that the history was written about.

I'm a bit less pessimistic about an agrarian army's chances against horse archers. Agrarian armies without horse archers have beaten steppe armies with them! But there's no "magic bullet". You either need to have some overwhelming advantage (like fortifications or massive numerical superiority), or you need your enemy to make a mistake.

That's not even getting into the massive operational advantage that steppe armies get. They can stay out in the field as long as their mares (and sometimes sheep) can find enough grass to eat, while agrarian armies usually need to take surplus food from communities they pass through. (And those communities are usually defended better than pastures.)

The biggest weakness of horse archers is that it's really hard to train a significant number of them without being a steppe tribe, and for various reasons steppe tribes struggle to consolidate power the way agrarian kingdoms can. The second-biggest weakness is that they have functionally no siegecraft; it's not something they usually need for warfare, and they're going to run out of grass around an enemy castle faster than a well-supplied castle runs out of food.

The Mongols partially solved both of these issues, the former with massive reforms that made it possible to integrate more warriors from enemy tribes without the problems that usually caused, the latter by forcibly recruiting siege engineers from agrarian people they conquered.

so like how *are* you supposed to defend against horse archers? just asking

You cant. In terms of medieval warfare, there is no tactical counter to horse archers. They can outmaneuver footmen, and outrange other mounted units. Trenches and earthworks with artillery can stop them, but you effectively besiege yourself. The only effective defenses against horse archers are strategic; i.e. "hide in the woods so you don't fight the horse archers."

"But CT, If they're objectively the best unit, why did anyone bother with knights and swords?"

Accurately firing a bow from horseback is hard. So hard, that it essentially requires a lifetime of practice. A regular fighting force of Horse Archers kinda requires that you dedicate a bit of your entire society to training horse archers from birth. This is easier if you are already an equestrian society. Like the Parthians, Mongols, or Apache.

[jefarawol]

Lord Hien wishes to discuss the details of our plan? Very well, if he insists. I shall summon the others at once. As for the Kojin, I believe one of their emissaries was already en route. Nevertheless, I shall contact them to make certain.

May I present the Blue Kojin's emissary.

Greetings and well met, old friends! The elder sends his regards.

Soroban! It's good to have you with us!

Thank you for coming, Soroban. Doubtless you have already been informed of our plans and the role we would have your people play. However, I seek your counsel as a Kojin of the Blue. Be it by spell or siegecraft, could your forces destroy the underwater foundations of Doma Castle's outer wall?

Hmm... Explosives, coupled with a few incantations... Yes, that might produce sufficient force. Such a thing could indeed be done.

Then I wish to revise the plan. Instead of assisting the Confederacy in securing the enclave, I would have the Kojin advance upstream, beneath the water, and breach a segment of the outer wall. I mean to flood Doma Castle.

My lord, the castle is a sacred symbol─the very heart of our nation! To destroy it is unthinkable, unconscionable─you cannot do this!

I can and I will if it improves our chances. By flooding the castle we remove the better part of their forces from the field and force Yotsuyu to retreat to the highest levels of the keep. Tell me that is not a worthwhile trade.

But, my lord...that castle was entrusted to you by your father, and his father before him. I say to you again: it is the heart of our nation.

Stone walls do not a nation make, my friend. Her people do. And as long as we yet live, we can rebuild. So let us only think of this battle. Of victory here and now. For without that, we have no future.

I see that you are resolved, Lord Hien, and I would not presume to gainsay your decision.

I will inform the elder of your revised stratagem, and instruct our sappers to make ready.

Our preparations are all but complete. Once we receive word from our Kojin allies, we shall set our plans in motion. We shall fight, and we shall prevail.

No plan is perfect, and there is ever room for improvement. I expect my comrades will be refining their approach until the moment they begin. In case you are unaware, the other jonin will lead the assault on the Moon Gates, not I. My place is at Lord Hien's side.

If there's nothing else, I'll head back to Namai. Tsuranuki's working hard, and Isse's doing what he can to help, but maybe there's more that I can do too. He was like a different person when he began hammering those plates. Younger, brighter, full of life and hope...

The plan is set, and all that can be done has been done. Rest and relaxation are now paramount, for tomorrow we may die.