Greetings Members of the Watch, My name is Naradin He’ami, and I have been recently asked to submit a report on how to best defend against another Formian attack. It is my sincerest hope that such an event will not occur, but to my knowledge, we’ve accomplished little in the way of communication or reconnaissance with these beings. As unfortunate as it is, we will probably have to endure another attack from these beings.
In order to better establish my credibility for suggesting tactics against these creatures, I have recently penned the work, “Defending Against an Attack,” which is available for all to read in our library.
Apparent Abilities
The Formian’s exhibited two abilities we ourselves cannot duplicate. The first, and most apparent one, was to scale our walls effortlessly, ignoring one of our greatest assets for holding back invading forces.
The second, and perhaps more subtle, was to communicate with each other through some means we cannot decipher. The tiny ants of the surface accomplish a similar feat, following each other in lines and knowing when to fight. These creatures are a great deal more intelligent than their tiny surface variants, and as a result, are likely able to convey much more information through this communication. The effect is possibly similar to our own Sending system, except that each Formian is capable of creating a message. This ability is not to be underestimated.
Leadership
Fortunately, Formian society is made up of creatures of differing castes and abilities. While I cannot say for certain what the higher castes may be capable of in terms of strength and abilities that mimic arcana, I can say that it is doubtless these creatures are more intelligent. Formian communication must take place in a short range (otherwise, they would doubtlessly be a much more formidable power in the Underdark), which means that despite the fact they can all communicate so well, the quality of that communication must be limited by the most intelligent Formian present. Identifying and eliminating their leaders would provide an immeasurable advantage, as is the case with any battle.
Holding the Gate
In order to fight the creatures on our terms, we need to nullify their ability to climb our walls. While the Watch has requested objects that would make this a difficult prospect, I believe a minor spell known as Grease has been overlooked. A few applications of this spell could easily force the Formian’s to face our gates as all other defenders do, clashing against our concentrated warriors as a hailstorm of spells and arrows rains upon their heads.
For my Grease strategy to work, an arcanist will be required that is armed with a wand of Grease. Such an item costs 600 gold to make… a steep price, but if the Watch were to ask for the funds and one of our beloved Councilors stepped forward to foot the cost out of his own pocket to glorify himself, then all the better for Sanctuary. The cost of 600 assumes that the arcanist in question is willing to create the item at cost as well. Fortunately, I am willing to do this for you.
In any event, this is how I plan for the spell to be used. Applications of the spell alongside the side attacked would prevent scaling. By leaving an opening, you force the Formians to attack where our strongest, most stalwart defenders stand. Those armed with missiles can man their posts unmolested. This strategy would even be effective if they did not assault a side with an actual entrance, as they would have to climb up the opening where our defenders are concentrated.
Lower Gate
Unfortunately, Lower Gate is practically undefended, in comparison. If assaulted, the Formian’s will undoubtedly gain a foothold in Mycopolis and parts of Lower. We should attempt to hold Lower at all costs, for their natural climbing ability will make Upper practically undefendable as they need not rely on the staircases. As such, those who guard the stairwell are of greater use in Lower, holding the line. Fortunately, I doubt that the usual worrisome beggars and miscreants will be too busy cowering in order to throw stones at the brave members of the Watch.
Our goal, in this scenario, should be to simply hold them back. Obviously, if our numbers and strength allow, we should drive them from the city entirely, but that turn of events is unlikely. The main thoroughfare from Mycopolis into Lower is the ideal location to form a defensive line.
Tunneling
The following section has been copied from my original book. When dealing with Formian’s, being completely unprepared for a tunnel would be foolish, to say the least.
A tunnel dug into our city would take quite a bit of effort to achieve from most creatures. It is, therefore, unlikely that such an event would occur without the assistance of a creature that is particularly capable of making passageways in solid rock, such as the dreaded beholder. If detected early and reported over the sending system, the attackers will hopefully not be able to gain much ground before the defenders can meet them. Once beaten back to the entrance of the tunnel, the principles are quite similar to defending a gate against an assault. It is likely that once beaten back to this point, the enemy will retreat and regroup in order to plot and scheme.
It is during this time that the defenders would have to strike back in order to break the siege before the enemy begins attacking at the gates or digging a second tunnel. The purpose of this attack will not be to wipe out the army, but to slaughter whatever creature(s) were responsible for opening it in the first place. Without the ability to re-tunnel the passageway, all the defenders need do is close the original tunnel. This can generally be accomplished by the use of powerful alchemical materials or with arcane devastation.
Unfortunately, all Formian’s are capable of digging quite well, so we will not be able to wipe them out. The only thing that we can do is prepare explosives and spells capable of collapsing tunnels. Then, we need merely employ them when the time comes. While this will not end the threat, it will probably force the Formian’s to retreat and come up with another plan.
Defeating the Leader
The Watch knows this scenario well. A small group of specialists will leave the unassaulted gate, and relying on invisibility, head into the rear guard where the leadership of the invasion waits and crush them. I believe this will have two effects. First, not only will the tactics and organization of our foe diminish significantly, but they will also seek to save or avenge their leader, so much so that they give up on the assault almost instantly. While this is good news for the defenders, it is extremely worrisome for those who would undertake such a mission.
This creature will be undoubtedly powerful and retain a retinue of Formian’s to defend it. Possibly the best tool one might employ in such a scenario is a potion that wards one’s mind and offers protection against the forces of Law. I do not know what other abilities these creatures possess, but undoubtedly, their very nature represents the ideals of Law and as such, this could be the key to defeating them.
The only other advice I could offer would be to strike quickly and retreat. Even if the leadership is not killed, the Formian retreat could give our defenders the time necessary to lick their wounds, or in more dire circumstances, take back the city.
I may be reached by letter at the Last Stand, if you have any further questions or requests of me.