Military in the field - ID issues

[rusquen]

This is a fantasy story set in a secondary world. The army in question is vaguely reminiscent of the Napoleonic army, but the country it belongs to is definitely and defiantly a republic (so - no nobles pulling rank

Comments

[xolo]

His army will have issued a set of peace-time regulations which ought to cover the case of meeting an apparent superior, when one isn't certain of that person's bona fides. Considering that they're close to war, there may well have been additional general orders issued about such situations. A lieutenant would be expected to be familiar with all such regulations and orders. More than likely, Lt. S needs to punt, and go to the Officer of the Day, or else to his own superior officer for instructions. A good general will recognize the lieutenant's situation, and not make unnecessary trouble for a soldier who's doing his duty.

[rusquen]

Hey, thanks for responding!

So... what kind of regulations would those be? I'm just completely failing at finding or designing them. The best I can think of is some sort of password exchange, but passwords would need to be changed often for security, and these guys don't have fast long-distance communication beyond pigeon post. I somehow don't see pigeons being regularly sent to every single little outpost with the message of "today's password for recognizing random superior officers is swordfishRe punting... I'm afraid Lt.S would have to make some sort of decision on his own. It's not that the general is trying to make any trouble - he's pretty much incoherent by this point. And, in theory, Lt.S could just bring him inside the fortress on the basis of common humanity and then let the garrison commander and medic figure out how real is the general and his health issues. The problem is, he did see the general perform a major magical stunt while fighting off the assassins. If it turns out the general's actually an enemy pulling off a

[marycatelli]

How necessary is actually being in the post for treatment of the injuries?

Also remember that if they are not what they claim to be, he wants them as prisoners.

[green_grrl]

Maybe the general is also wearing the military’s ornate signet ring identifiable from the wax impression on sealed orders. Between the uniform and the ring, Lt. S can be 80-98% sure this is who he thinks it is, depending on the counterfeiting skill and tactical style of the enemy. On that, he can at least get them just inside the fortress and call the commander to come down and take over.

[rusquen]

To green_girl
Ha, a signet ring! I din't think of that. Might try it, thanks!

[rusquen]

To marycatelli
Well, actually being in the post isn't strictly speaking necessary, but the doctor is necessary, and the doctor is in the post. And inviting the doctor to come out, considering the suspicious circumstances, is probably not a good idea?
Re prisoners - the only way to hold a magician of this kind prisoner is to drug him with a magic-suppressing potion. Which has some side effects. So even if Lt.S happened to have the potion on hand, which he doesn't, he wouldn't risk administering it without a doctor. So he'd still have to bring an unrestrained magician inside the fortress or get the doctor to come out to assess him.

[xolo]

Okay... If it were me: The lieutenant isn't out on patrol alone, or at least I hope not. He'll have a sergeant, and several enlisted men with him. His patrol has just been in an unexpected fight, so he's entirely justified in having his men load and prime their muskets, and possibly fix bayonets as well, if that won't interfere with firing the muskets (some bayonet designs did). Depending on how dense the trees are, and how closely an enemy can approach from cover, bayonets may be a better weapon anyway