Commodore Thames had never expected to face such a situation as he peered over the battlements of Wardensfall, casting his gaze over the assembled force in front of them. They’d have to number northward of 20,000 men, huddled behind a wooden palisade they’d attempted a feeble siege of Wardensfall. The truth was the only way they’d take the city was through a mass assault, something they’d seemingly not been willing to undertake as yet. The longer they waited, the stronger the position of the Arbassian became for 10,000 Regulars arrived, they were split into two groups 1,000 headed to New Stendmark and 9,000 were directed here. The 8,000 carried with them the full artillery for the division; it’d be needed more in Wardensfall than in New Stendmark given the relative situations. A further 500 Veterans, 5,000 Regulars and 10,000 Recruits were meant to be on their way over the sea but the question remained as to whether they’d reach them in time to relieve the beleaguered forces.

In truth, their best option was to attempt a sally forth from Wardensfell, in an attempt to bring their artillery to bear against the masses of Khanian Infantry. He had with him 6 batteries of 5-pounder horse-artillery, highly mobile and potentially devastating small guns which emphasised mobility and agility on a battlefield. He further had 2 batteries of 20 pounders to deploy in the field, however once they were dug in they would prove hard to move. The last round of artillery he had, albeit the hardest to use were the 4 30 pound coastal artillery he’d move landward in order to help stave off the temptation to assault the wall. Moreover surely these savages would have no idea what the effective range of these behemoth cannons were capable of albeit they were being careful by encamping themselves an almost ridiculous distance away. 

What they’d need to create was a field of continuous cannon fire in order to whittle down the numbers of their melee soldiers and to break their spirit. Surely the sight of cannon balls thundering across the plains would be unlike anything they’d witnessed before. Unfortunately he had no cavalry to mop-up after the cannon and muskets had taken their toll but he had some manner of contact with the irregulars beyond the city walls. He’d managed to organise some small, fast ships to keep them supplied; sailing around the fortifications built by their foes their come ashore bringing food, water and ammo to these men. Whilst they wouldn’t find much use in a pitched battle, they would be useful for harrying the enemy forces and leaving them incapable of sleeping easy at night, nor protecting their baggage trains. 

His scouts had also reported the army had across a single stone bridge; seemingly the only landward bound supply train for these soldiers. It was especially important for their forces after they’d so effectively burned the land but the bridge was well defended by what appeared to be the major naval base for the Empire which would make any naval strike rather difficult, even with the technology gap. The reports from New Stendmark were positive however; the Khanian forces were holding a similar pattern to here, he’d managed to double his forces in the city and the military governor of that colony, subservient to Commodore Thames’ role as Minister of Colonies, had followed his ever order to prepare for the coming assault. There was boiling oil, jars of pitch prepared, ample stores of food, water and most importantly shot and gunpowder. The problem was besides the 4,450 soldiers posted there, the rest of the soldiers were little more than militia. Citizens given flintlocks or wielding their own, the strength of cannon would be needed to hold the hordes off until the promised soldiers from Edorinas arrived. The thoughts of what could go wrong with his plans haunted Commodore Thames’ pitiful attempt at sleep at night, despite the assurances of General Krunberg, the commander of the land forces, he couldn’t help but wonder.

The next morning, a sight bearing all the pomp and dignity that a nation as great as Arbassess was on show as out of the main gate marched the entire military force posted in Wardensfall. 14,000 Regulars marched out onto the flat coastal plain outside the city, their gold and white livery resplendent in the rising morning sun. The procession halted some 600 metres from the city walls as the howitzers broke off and dug their guns in along with 9,300 of the Regulars who formed three blocks of 3,100 men, each block flanking a fixed 20-pounder battery. A field ammo dump was dug-in behind the bulk of the army and manned by 200 volunteers from the city. The remaining 2, 700 Regulars marched another 200 metres ahead and formed three lines of 900 each ranking four deep. The whole endeavour is undertaken with a well-drilled ease, albeit doing it when not under fire or duress is relatively simple. The horse cannon are split into two batteries flanking the forward lines of 900, unlimbered and ready to fire, with the horses picketed behind the cannons. The waiting now begins.

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If the Khanians take no immediate action, the Horse-Artillery has been given order to move within firing distance of the palisades and begin a bombardment of the palisade. The central infantry regiment will advance halfway to the Horse Cannon’s position in order to provide close fire support. A keen eye will be kept and with the first sight of enemy forces emerging, will be limbered up and retreat back to 

A naval squadron is sent to bombard and blockade what should be Wang Shen, their major inland naval base near the mouth of the Great Southern River. This squadron shall consist of 4 Ships-Of-The-Line, 2 Frigates and 6 schooners. One frigate and one schooner will break off at the mouth of the river and attempt to destroy the stone bridge linking the colonies to the Khanian homeland. If the bridge is too heavily defended, the schooners will retreat and join in with the bombardment of Wang Shen. This leaves 1 SOTL and light coastal artillery guarding Wardensfall and 2 Sloops with coastal artillery cover guarding New Stendmark.

Preparations have been made with the irregulars that are behind the enemy siege lines to attack the Khanian fortifications at Wardensfall, only if the soldiers sally out and leave the defences very lightly guarded. They’ve been given barrels of gunpowder and grappling hooks in order to achieve this task and if they successfully breach the fortification they’ll aim to burn it to the ground. 
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