20 Minor Events in a Siege
The besiegers and the defenders must contend with the vagaries of nature, logistics, morale and their enemies. The minor events below will not turn the siege’s tide in anyone’s favour, but canny commanders can use them to their advantage.
Daytime Events
Most of the action in a castle siege takes place during the day, unless many of the combatants can see in the dark.
A messenger pigeon avoids an arrow storm, but relief at the bird’s survival is short-lived. It arrives with dire news: a week-long delay for expected reinforcements and supplies.
A mercenary band arrives to offer their services at an exorbitant fee. However, they prove more than capable as fighters and boast an elven sharpshooting archer who can easily pick off foes at great range. If rebuffed, they threaten to make a similar offer to the enemy.
Steady rain has turned the surrounding land into a mire, which gives the defenders a break from battering rams and other direct attacks from siege engines. However, the enemy forces continue to use catapults.
A kettle of vultures circles overhead, potentially unnerving those in the castle or among the besieging army. Alternatively, an unkindness of ravens or other group of portentous (either good- or ill-omened) birds flocks to the ramparts and begins calling loudly.
One of the castle’s towers collapses, providing the besieging army easy access to the castle. As the siege-laying army clambers over the rubble, defenders must turn them away and strive to make the pile of rubble unclimbable.
A lightning strike or errant ember ignites dry vegetation. The fire builds and threatens to sweep across the battlefield. While the castle acts as an inherent buffer against the fire, smoke inhalation or fiery material carried aloft by the wind pose threats to the defenders.
Strong winds blow away from the castle toward the enemy (or vice versa). Powerful gusts render the use of incendiary munitions a dangerous prospect.
A well-respected leader of the castle garrison dies in battle, from natural causes or through foul play. Regardless of the circumstances, members of the guard must quickly pay their respects to their fallen leader. If the cause of death is suspect, it prompts an investigation, provided it does not interfere with the castle’s defence.
A seemingly neutral party arrives under the flag of peace to negotiate the cessation of hostilities. Their purpose for doing so may be purely altruistic or may conceal sinister intentions for either side of the conflict.
A massive crack forms in the castle’s foundation due to the strain of repeated attacks by siege engines or through a shift in the underlying earth. A team of engineers must repair the crack before it spreads and creates an opening through which the invaders can pour.
Night-Time Events
Though fighting may stop once night falls, minor incidents still occur. Additionally, both sides use the quiet and cover of night to plot or conduct espionage or sabotage.
The full moon, previously cloaked by clouds, becomes free of its obscurement and gives the defenders a clear view of the enemy encampment.
An explosion shakes the castle, waking all but the soundest of sleepers. The explosion’s source is unclear even to the night watch, but the castle appears undamaged. Unfortunately, a fraught wait until morning is required before the defenders can make a true assessment.
A small group from the besieging army attempts to infiltrate the castle. They plan to scout the castle’s defences, inhibit the defenders’ ability to hold off the siege or create an opening (or enlarge an existing one) so a larger force can break in.
The night grows quiet, as the enemy seems to settle down for the night. Suddenly, wolf howls from too near the castle break the silence. Are the wolves preying on the besiegers or part of their forces?
A member of the besieging encampment loudly plays a discordant tune on a brass instrument. The instrument’s player keeps the racket up for the entire night, and the sound penetrates even the densest castle walls. The rest of the encampment is either used to the noise or uses wax or another means to deaden it.
A group of commoners displaced by the conflict threads its way through the enemy encampment. The people seek shelter in the castle and offer to help in any way they can, but their numbers threaten the already dwindling supplies. A spy or assassin could lurk among the refugees.
A meteorite streaks across the night sky. Augurs from both sides try to ascertain whether its appearance bodes good or evil. Likewise, a partial or full lunar eclipse, or the appearance of a comet or other celestial event, might provoke concern about its portent.
Members of the night watch hear the sounds of construction from behind a copse. Campfire light necessary for the builders to see their work illuminates the top of a siege engine visible over the tallest trees.
A team from the besieging force begins, or continues digging, a tunnel under the castle. They have chosen a location where their digging cannot be heard or do their work while a louder sound (for example, the cacophonous instrument playing in #5) conceals their toil.
Rain (either a continuation of the rain from daytime event #3 or a fresh storm) douses campfires and makes conditions miserable for the besiegers. Fortunately, the structure provides a respite for everyone but the night watch.
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This article is an extract from 20 Things #57: Besieged Castle. Add the book to your GM’s toolkit today! Alternatively, check out the 20 Things Archive for more handy, flavoursome and time-saving 20 Things articles ready for immediate use in your campaign.
Design Creighton Broadhurst and Mike Welham Art Paul Daly
