I appreciate Durrin's focus and passion! As a fighter myself, I understand that success comes to those who channel and control proper energy. I look forward to gaining more pro tips from Durrin on how to gain power. He gives one of his secrets here: daily practice! (Make that "daily practice in spite of fatigue.")
* * * * *
Luviana speaks words of wisdom. I have rushed into far too many battles without planning first. A bit of calmness in the face of difficulty could do us all good. And 90 years of service!!! It's no wonder that she is wise. If Adara follows Luviana's counsel, she will do well. By the way, how did Luviana end up in her position? I would love to know more about this mysterious figure.
I would recommend sending half the army to the mountains north of Saven, then falling back to Saven with the other half and just let them besige the city. The capital is right on a river - so they can't deprive the city of water, and boats can just sail in with food. There are four river fords on the path there - so good luck dragging seige equipment there in a hurry, and with a harrying force north of the city in the mountains, the Calmar supply lines would be under attack.
Of course, I am rooting for Calimar, so good thing none of this occurred to Volthorn.
If Volthorn did what you suggested, General Grimbold (the Calamarvan commander) could then split his own army, leave some of his force to hold the ford, and march the rest north to defeat or contain the northern half of Elandria's army. Once that is defeated, he would then be free to continue advancing toward Saven. It may mean he wouldn't complete the war that season, but he could make sizeable gains on the Arnon Plains, dig in for the winter, then finish the job the next spring.
I think Skagar's fears are justified. Calamar has massive numerical superiority, as well as more resources in terms of money, political power, supplies, etc. And they have the momentum of the victory at Meradov driving them on.
On the other hand, Volthorn is right that Elandria doesn't really have an alternative at this point. Prior to this point in the war, the Rugeran Mountains had served as a natural barrier preventing Calamar from pushing farther east. Meradov had been a key stronghold in that defense. Commander Gerren was wise, because in the first three years of the war, the worst Elandria scenario would have been a unified Elandrian army getting defeated in battle—hence the wisdom of splitting their forces up into smaller units.
Now that Meradov has fallen, the whole strategic situation has changed. The only real barrier between Calamar's armies and the capital of Saven (and therefore winning the war) is the Elandrian army. If the Elandrian army refuses to engage, Calamar wins. If the Elandrian army DOES engage, Calamar has numerical superiority and will likely win.
So Elandria doesn't really have any good option at this point, but I think Volthorn's is the best plan they have.
"Alone at last" is exactly what I thought to myself when I realized I finally had an opportunity to listen to this chapter!
(Another thing that line brings to mind though is in Spamalot when the horse sings “He’s all alone . . . except for me!”)
Horses: The quiet companions of lone heroes since 3,475 B.C.
(Unless you're Zuko, and then you have an ostrich horse.)
I appreciate Durrin's focus and passion! As a fighter myself, I understand that success comes to those who channel and control proper energy. I look forward to gaining more pro tips from Durrin on how to gain power. He gives one of his secrets here: daily practice! (Make that "daily practice in spite of fatigue.")
* * * * *
Luviana speaks words of wisdom. I have rushed into far too many battles without planning first. A bit of calmness in the face of difficulty could do us all good. And 90 years of service!!! It's no wonder that she is wise. If Adara follows Luviana's counsel, she will do well. By the way, how did Luviana end up in her position? I would love to know more about this mysterious figure.
I haven't explored Luviana's backstory yet---one day that might make a fascinating short story or bonus material.
Off the top of my head, I'm thinking something along the lines of:
-Father or mother was involved in diplomat/ambassador circles, perhaps representing merfin interests in the royal Elandrian court
-Fascinated by "land-walker affairs" from an early age
-First merfin to graduate from a non-merfin verbomancy school
-First merfin to graduate from a non-merfin scribal school
-Joined the royal scribal staff, gradually worked her way up to a chief advisor, where she has remained ever since.
I would recommend sending half the army to the mountains north of Saven, then falling back to Saven with the other half and just let them besige the city. The capital is right on a river - so they can't deprive the city of water, and boats can just sail in with food. There are four river fords on the path there - so good luck dragging seige equipment there in a hurry, and with a harrying force north of the city in the mountains, the Calmar supply lines would be under attack.
Of course, I am rooting for Calimar, so good thing none of this occurred to Volthorn.
If Volthorn did what you suggested, General Grimbold (the Calamarvan commander) could then split his own army, leave some of his force to hold the ford, and march the rest north to defeat or contain the northern half of Elandria's army. Once that is defeated, he would then be free to continue advancing toward Saven. It may mean he wouldn't complete the war that season, but he could make sizeable gains on the Arnon Plains, dig in for the winter, then finish the job the next spring.
Elephants. Volthorn just needs a nice large contingant of elephants from the southeast. It would solve all his problems.
If Arnon was spelled A-S-I-A, then Volthorn would have just fallen victim to the most classic blunder.
He really should try an aerial-based strategy.
I think Skagar's fears are justified. Calamar has massive numerical superiority, as well as more resources in terms of money, political power, supplies, etc. And they have the momentum of the victory at Meradov driving them on.
On the other hand, Volthorn is right that Elandria doesn't really have an alternative at this point. Prior to this point in the war, the Rugeran Mountains had served as a natural barrier preventing Calamar from pushing farther east. Meradov had been a key stronghold in that defense. Commander Gerren was wise, because in the first three years of the war, the worst Elandria scenario would have been a unified Elandrian army getting defeated in battle—hence the wisdom of splitting their forces up into smaller units.
Now that Meradov has fallen, the whole strategic situation has changed. The only real barrier between Calamar's armies and the capital of Saven (and therefore winning the war) is the Elandrian army. If the Elandrian army refuses to engage, Calamar wins. If the Elandrian army DOES engage, Calamar has numerical superiority and will likely win.
So Elandria doesn't really have any good option at this point, but I think Volthorn's is the best plan they have.