CYOA - Seasons of Sorrow

So, uh... anyone besides Neo even planning to vote?

Do people not like the options?  Are they just worried they'll be "the one that got everyone killed?"  ...Or did everyone disappear while I was gone?

Is there an abandoned fort or someplace where our units can hole up. This way our units w/ weaker defense aren't exposed. If this is just people on an open plain with a few trees or bushes. Then in those types of situation I always been a fan of having the enemy come to us. Building up an extremely strong 'wall' w/ some of our more beefier units while we place healers, mages, and people who use Bows.

Is there any place we can effectively form a choke point and have the enemy units funnel in toward us. If nothing is available then maybe a modified hit and run where some of our more evasive units takes pot shots at the units. Drawing them to the main force.

I can back Neos plan

Correct. Make sure we also handle the Dracozombie carefully, like I suggested. Morva always was more of a pain than the Goat King.

"I don't see any reason we can't combine some of these plans," you suggest.

"Which ones?" Doran asks.

"The enemy cavalry's the big problem here.  If they've gone for reinforcements, we're on a strict time limit.  If they're waiting to ambush us, we need to be slow and careful.  What they're doing completely determines the smart course of action here, right?"

Paen nods.  "If we knew where they were, we could go ahead and start already."

"But in case they are going for help, we don't have time to sit around doing nothing.  So, I think we should split into three teams.  Some fliers to hunt for the enemy, and one team to prepare for either possibility.  We'll have our cavalry take advantage of the enemy being spread out to pick a few of them off, which will help if we need to rush the city."  You point at a nearby hilltop.  "And we'll have our infantry setting up a fall-back point, just in case our cavalry is ambushed or needs to retreat."

Everyone falls silent, each clearly lost in thought.  Doran is the one to break the silence.  "Well, then.  I have no objections.  Anyone?"  Silence.  "Right.  No time to lose.  June, take command of the cavalry.  I'll take charge of the infantry here.  If anything goes wrong, have Saul signal us with some fire magic.  Claudia, Dan.  You're in charge of finding the enemy.  Make a quick sweep of the hills surrounding the city; if you don't find anything relatively close, assume they've gone for reinforcements and report back."

"Send Zephyr with them," you add.  "He's been a big help before."

"That's one less for our team," Rain points out.  "You sure about that?"

You nod.  "Everything depends on finding or not finding their riders.  We can't afford to miss them and have them sneak up behind us."

Harrow nudges Cynbel forward.  "Cynbel.  You know this area best.  Assuming the enemy's bringing help, how soon would they get here?"

Cynbel shakes his head.  "It's not like I know every inch of this country inside and out.  But given the terrain and distance...  Assuming the enemy riders we let escape the other day headed straight here to announce our arrival, probably not long after sunset."

You glance towards the horizon.  The sun's sunk enough to frame the town itself.  A few hours.  Not a harsh deadline, but one that could sneak up far faster than you expect.  You also notice you'll be charging straight into the sun if you attack the town head-on, and make a quick decision to attack from southeast.
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You form ranks at the south end of the plains.  Haley and Walt flank you, while Saul and Cecil lag a bit further behind.  Wendy and Rain perch at the top of a nearby hill, waiting for your signal to charge.  Fumiko sits calmly behind you, while Harrow rides double with Saul.  Drake clings to Rain, clearly unhappy with the arrangement.  You give one last glance around.  Haley gives you a reassuring wave.  Walt adjusts the grip on his poleaxe, then gives a nod.

You urge Marth forward.  He begins a slow walk while you call over your shoulder.  "Stay together, and watch each others' backs."  The others start to follow you.

You push Marth into a trot.  "We hit them, we bleed them, then we move to the next group.  Don't let them box you in."  Everyone starts to pick up speed.

You give one final order as you shift to a gallop.  "If you even think you need help, call for it."  A call of acknowledgement rings out from the group behind you.

The enemy forces are quick to notice your approach.  By the time you're halfway across the field, an alarm has been raised.  The small, southernmost group takes up a defensive position.  Four heroes raise their shields, while a trio of halberdiers brace behind them.  Their sages and snipers stay well to the back, along with a bow-wielding warrior.  From the corner of your eye, you see the nearest group starting to move your way - but, if all goes according to plan, you'll be gone before they can link up.

With less than twenty feet to go, Fumiko leaps from Marth's back, hurling a fireball at the heart of the enemy formation.  A hero yells in surprise and staggers backwards.  You correct your charge slightly, aiming for the gap in the enemy's rank.  As you rush through, one of the halberdiers takes a swing at you.  It barely grazes your arm, easily deflected by your gloves' hidden plating.  You answer with a swing of Armads, with the full weight of Marth's charge behind it.  You catch the halberdier high in the chest, just below the neck, and he falls limp instantly.  With a deft swing, you yank Armads free while continuing your charge.

Beside you, you hear the crash of steel-on-steel as Walt slams into the wounded hero, bowling him over.  Haley stops short, driven back as the remaining lancers and a hero turn on her together.  Cecil looses an arrow as he passes wide, catching the hero in the side and giving Haley the opportunity she needs.  Saul launches a bolt of lightning at one of the snipers, stopping him before he can fire at Rain.  Wendy lands beside the warrior, her Delphi shield glowing bright.  The warrior fires an arrow, only to have it bounce harmlessly off.  Wendy's manticore answers by slashing him with his tail, while Wendy thrusts with her lance.  The warrior staggers back, badly wounded, but still alive.  One of the sages raises a heal staff, only to have Harrow latch on to his arm with her jaws.

You take a quick stock of the situation.  Two of the heroes lie dead, and one of the halberdiers.  They've lost a sniper, a sage, and their warrior is badly wounded.  Half their team, gone in a heartbeat - your group is responding to each other's needs almost instinctively.  The next enemy patrol team will be on you in a matter of seconds - another dozen troops to your nine.  They're following a smaller road that seems to connect the major roads, forming a ring around the city outskirts.  You look down the main road, and you see one of the heavy armor teams already in position.  Twenty generals, all slowly lumbering your way.  Maybe a minute, if they keep their pace.  We can't stay any longer.  We need to-

Your thoughts are interrupted by an ear-splitting roar.  The dracozombie perched on the stairs to the enemy headquarters is staring in your direction, jaws wide open, smoke billowing from its maw.  Drake leaps from behind Rain, transforming in mid-air and roaring a response.  "ABOMINATION!"  Before you can react, the dracozombie lunges from its position, leaping into the air with more agility than a creature of its bulk should be capable of.  Drake answers the challenge, charging headlong at the enemy.  The pair slam into each other right above the enemy generals.  Drake is knocked back, grabbing his opponent even as he's hurled away.  The pair tumble in the air before disengaging.  You call to Drake, but he ignores you.  "This is my fight!" he roars in your direction before shooting straight up towards the clouds.  The dracozombie responds in kind, rocketing up with a trail of purple smoke trailing it.

Rain makes a move to follow, but the arrival of the second enemy group prevents her as a pair of arrows barely whiz past her head.

"Have faith!" Harrow calls out.  "Leave him!"

You notice the enemy Risen don't shift to fill the hole in their ranks, or even react at all.

(A) Retreat back to the open plains and hook around to the north
(B) Charge through the second enemy patrol to escape
(C) Stand and fight in the open road
(D) Rush the enemy generals

Well damn... I'm just getting off duty now. Give me a bit to think and then I'll vote.

Seem s like A is the way to go. Better to run and live then do some Leroy Jenkins stunt and get people killed.

Sweet. I already have something cooking. Cynebl is with our advance force, right? And he knows this area fairly well? Would he be able to find an unguarded back alleyway on the spot? Or would it take him too long?

Ah, right... Forgot about that. I'll just stick to A then.