Rudimentary Defenses (sage ability)

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Rudimentary defenses is an amateur-status sage ability in the studies of Fortification and Military Engineering, providing an understanding of basic military defensive structures commonly used as outer works for more sophisticated fortifications or as hastily constructed defenses for camps or strategic positions during wartime. The knowledge includes the planning and placement of palisades, ditches, dikes, berms, crude stone walls, sanitary channels, barracks, canteens and watchtowers. Additionally, it covers the proper estimation of the skilled and unskilled labour required to complete these tasks. However, this ability does not grant skill in constructing these structures or leading labour crews. It focuses exclusively on the design and planning of fortifications, enabling the creation of accurate and clear plans for workers to follow.

The player character can either design layouts personally, tailoring them to specific needs, or implement pre-existing plans. The materials available for construction are limited to earth, sand, gravel, logs, planks, bricks, and broken stone. The scope of the fortifications depends on the desired area and degree of reinforcement. The volume of solid materials used is calculated in cubic feet, with each cubic foot converted to pounds based on the density of the material. The time required for construction is determined by labour hours, with 0.117 man-hours needed per pound of material. For efficient construction, no more than eight workers may be assigned to a 10 x 10 ft. section of the project at a time.

Working animals, such as oxen or horses, may be used to substitute for human labour, with their contributions calculated] based on their power output relative to manual effort. This ability ensures the optimal placement and construction efficiency of defensive structures, reflecting sound principles of military engineering. These designs aim to balance resource availability, structural strength, and ease of construction to meet the immediate needs of defense.

Palisade

A palisade is a defensive wall constructed from wooden stakes, typically made from tree trunks. These walls serve either as curtain structures or as enclosures (stockades) and are commonly used in temporary or semi-permanent defensive positions. The construction involves aligning logs vertically with no gaps between them, creating a solid barrier. The tops of the logs are sharpened to points, adding an additional deterrent, and the stakes are driven into the ground to provide stability. Reinforcements such as cross-braces or additional supports can be added for increased durability.

Logs used for palisades typically have a maximum practical length of 16 feet, with 3 feet of each log buried underground for stability. This limits the maximum height of a palisade to 13 feet above ground. For example, a section of palisade measuring 10 feet in length and 10 feet in height, constructed from logs with an average diameter of 8 inches, would require 12-foot logs to account for the portion buried underground. This section would require 61 logs in total, weigh approximately 3,558 pounds, and demand 639 hours of labour to complete. This does not include the time to fell, trim or ship the logs themselves, the time for which would depend upon the distance from a suitable forest and the sort of trees desired.

Palisades provide a straightforward and effective method of fortification, balancing simplicity in construction with significant defensive capability. The durability and strength of a palisade depend on the materials used, the quality of construction, and any additional reinforcements applied.

Ditch and Dike

A ditch and dike is a defensive structure consisting of a channel excavated from earth and clay, with the removed soil used to form a raised embankment directly behind and adjacent to the ditch. The depth of the ditch determines the corresponding height of the dike, with both dimensions tailored to the specific defensive needs of the site. This combination creates a barrier that is both physical and strategic, designed to impede attackers and provide protection to defenders positioned on the dike.

For example, a ditch measuring 10 feet in length, 6 feet in width, and 6 feet in depth would generate enough material to form a dike that is 11 feet wide and 6 feet high. The total amount of earth excavated for such a structure would weigh approximately 49,565 pounds and require 3,254 hours of labour to complete. Optional shoring may be added to stabilize the walls of the ditch, especially if the design includes flooding the channel to create a moat.

When factoring in the space occupied by both the ditch and the dike, the total area would accommodate a crew of 15 workers, maximizing efficiency in construction. This classic fortification is versatile and adaptable, offering significant defensive benefits while making use of readily available materials and straightforward techniques.

Berm

A berm is a level platform, shelf, or raised barrier that serves as a defensible foundation for constructing fortifications or other defensive structures. These features are often created by levelling a naturally elevated area, removing excess material to form a stable and accessible surface. The size and shape of the berm depend on the defensive requirements, with larger platforms requiring more extensive excavation.

The process of levelling a berm is labour-intensive and involves removing large quantities of earth and clay. For example, excavating a 10-foot-diameter cube of material would result in 77,445 pounds of raw material being displaced and demand approximately 9,040 hours of labour. The scale of such work often makes berm construction an exhaustive undertaking, requiring careful planning and the coordination of significant manpower.

Once completed, a berm provides a solid, elevated base that enhances the effectiveness of defensive structures, offering both physical height and stability. Its position and size can be tailored to the needs of a specific location, ensuring it supports the construction and use of fortifications to their fullest potential.

Crude Stone Walls

Crude stone walls are low defensive barriers constructed from broken stone and mortar, typically used to channel attackers toward strategic points where defenders are better positioned to repel them. These walls serve as both physical obstacles and tactical tools, disrupting the movements of advancing forces. In some cases, they are built high enough to deter horses from jumping over them, adding an additional layer of defense against mounted attackers.

These walls may be constructed atop dikes for added height and strength or used as structural supports for palisades, enhancing their overall stability and effectiveness. A stone wall measuring 10 feet in length, 6 feet in height, and 6 inches in thickness would weigh approximately 2,556 pounds and require 600 hours of labour to complete.

Though basic in design, crude stone walls are effective in controlling enemy movement and reinforcing other fortifications, making them a practical choice in defensive planning. Their construction relies on the availability of stone and mortar, ensuring they can be built in a variety of terrains with relative efficiency.


See also,
Bard Sage Abilities
Fighter Sage Abilities
Ranger Sage Abilities