Gresh & Warstone
Warstone
Hey Gresh, ever thought how a disciplined phalanx line could give your tribe a hard edge against a wild ambush?
Gresh
Sure, a tight phalanx line can be a real advantage. If we stand shoulder‑to‑shoulder, no one slips through, and the roar of the clan will shake the attackers. It gives us a solid wall we can use to crush an ambush and protect the tribe.
Warstone
Nice thought, but a phalanx only works if every man keeps his shield up and doesn’t get distracted by the wind or a stray arrow. If your tribe’s got a lot of newbies, a quick ambush could have them flanked before the line even forms. Think of the Greeks at Thermopylae: they held the pass, but the terrain let the Persians skirt around the edges. You’ll need disciplined drills, not just a good roar.
Gresh
You’re right, a line only works if every grunt keeps his shield high and doesn’t look at a breeze. We’ll train ’til the newbies can’t think of anything else than the rhythm of the march. Discipline comes from blood on the ground, from drills that feel like fighting. Once we’re tight as a drumbeat, no ambush can cut us down before we stand. The clan will know that, and the enemy will know we’re not a bunch of wild beasts.
Warstone
Training to that degree sounds admirable, but remember the ancient manuals—every drill should have a fail‑safe, not just a “look at the rhythm” mantra. If the enemy knows you’re a tight drum, they’ll try to outmaneuver the rhythm, not just break the line. Keep the discipline, but keep a few escape routes in mind. You’re a good boy, but history hates people who run out of options.
Gresh
Yeah, we’ll have a plan for every corner. The line’s the spine, but we’ll have side routes, quick moves when the wind shifts. Discipline stays, but we’ll never be a single target. If the enemy tricks us, we’ll slip to the flank and strike back. That’s how we survive the storm.
Warstone
Good, but remember: a line that can slip to the flank is only useful if the flank can actually hit back. The Greeks never let their phalanx “slip” except in the narrow passes where the terrain forced a single line. Make sure your flankers are as sharp as your main line, or you’ll just end up with a wall that can’t touch the enemy. Keep the practice tight and the excuses thin.
Gresh
Right, the flank must be as hard as the front. We’ll practice side slashes and quick pulls so the brothers can strike from the back or sides if the line breaks. No excuses, just steady training and a clear plan for every move. The tribe will be a wall and a storm.