SUBJECT: Ghislain Reconnaissance PARTICIPANTS: Nahariel Dahlasanor DATE FILED: upon Inquisition arrival in Ghislain STATUS: Complete SUMMARY: Nari went two days early under the auspices of her particular skillset to pose as an itinerant worker to judge the defensibility of the town itself.
REPORT:
Commander:
My observations of the town's structure below. Please find them marked correspondingly on the attached map.
All walls of the town have been well upkept, but largely for aesthetic appeal rather than with an eye to sturdy defensiveness. If we need to retreat to them they will hold, but not under significant barrage. The northern and eastern sides are best constructed, and will last longer.
There is construction of several new homes being quickly undergone in an attempt to finish before the onset of winter, and thus a stockpile of available timber and stone that can be taken from for barricades if necessary.
Closer to the town center and in the poorer districts to the south the streets are more narrow and would be good places to try to funnel invaders into to cause bottlenecks for the archers or mages to take advantage of.
Unfortunately (to the above), Orlesian architecture favors high gables and, as a result, steep roofing. It will be difficult and dangerous to position archers or mages on the tops of houses.
The outlying farmlands are obviously vulnerable and most likely indefensible, but I've marked a few areas with barns and other structures that are positioned in our most likely route back to the town that can be used as brief shelter to fire from behind, guard our footsoldiers from enemy fire, or be used as places of ambush for skirmishes if our enemy breaks ranks to pursue.
I will make myself available for further report if you have tactical questions that I've not addressed.
-- N Dahlasanor
[ attached to the report is a map of the town and surrounding settled land outside the walls with the information written about neatly labeled ]
Ghislain Reconnaissance