Besieged

Stages of Besieged
/besiegemap displays the state of the enemy armies. Each of them has a strength level, "Enemy Forces", which rises at a rate of 1 point per 3 minutes.


 * When this number is below 100, the enemy is "Training".
 * During Training the force level can also be lowered (by Assault? by xping in the appropriate stronghold?)
 * When the number is 100 or above, the enemy is "Preparing".
 * Once the army starts Preparing, their force level cannot be lowered.
 * Preparing ends when the force level reaches 100 + 10 * the target level (1-5).
 * The target level might be based on the number of consecutive successful defenses, or on the Imperial defense value.
 * When it is done Preparing, the army leaves its stronghold and starts "Advancing". At this point players in Aht Urhgan get a log message to warn them of the approaching army.  This takes a different amount of time for the different armies:
 * The Undead Swarm takes 15+ minutes to arrive.
 * The Troll Mercenaries take 24+ minutes to arrive.
 * The Mamool Ja Savages take 31+ minutes to arrive.
 * When the army arrives at Al Zahbi, they start "Attacking", and players in Aht Urhgan get another message.

Besieged Allies
Mercenaries are not alone in Besieged. Imperial soldiers and other reinforcements also lend their skills to drive out the beastman hordes.

These soldiers were recruited from among the inhabitants of Al Zahbi. Their desire to protect their homeland is strong, and their morale is second to none. However, due to their lack of formal training and proper equipment, they have a tendency to falter in the heat of battle.
 * Volunteer Soldiers

These soldiers receive a stipend from the Aht Urhgan Empire for their services. As members of the Imperial Army, they possess not only quality weapons and armor, but have also received extensive training. Among their number are seasoned veterans who have been brought in from the front lines of the conflict with the Far East.
 * Imperial Soldiers

The Grand Vizier directly commands this unit of elite special forces. Their original duty was to protect the Empress from harm and maintain order in the Empire, but they also participate in Besieged battles under certain conditions. The Immortals use the skills learned in their rigorous blue mage training to command the defending army in battle and provide logistic support.
 * The Immortals

When the treasury permits, the Imperial Army hires Goblin mercenaries. Goblin mercenaries are battle-hardened professionals and should not be judged by their diminutive appearance. Their only drawback is their wavering sense of loyalty, which has a tendency to change with the tide of battle...
 * Goblin Mercenaries

These beastman soldiers are hired on a provisional basis when mercenary numbers are low. The Qiqirn are brought straight out of the shops and guilds where they usually work in town, and thus are unaccustomed to battle. However, they can use their impressive archery skills and devious traps to confound the enemy and occasionally alter the course of battle.
 * Qiqirn Mercenaries

These five generals have been personally charged by the Empress with the defense of Al Zahbi. They are each allowed a name that corresponds with the symbols of the Empire. The Imperial symbols consist of five serpents, each associated with an element--fire, water, earth, wind, and the heavens. Each general possesses a mirror used to open the Hall of Binding, so their protection in battle is crucial.
 * Serpent Generals


 * A good strategy for Besieged is to find one of the Generals and stick with them. If you are a damage dealer, /assist them and attack their target. If you are a healer, help keep them alive if they get in trouble. Be sure to check before Besieged starts that the General you want to help hasn't already been captured.
 * Skyserpent General Rughadjeen (Elvaan PLD): starts J-7, in the middle of Ulthalam Parade
 * Rughadjeen is usually the first to fall, as the enemy overruns Ulthalam Parade.
 * Stoneserpent General Zazarg (Galka MNK): starts H-10 upstairs, in Chocobo Alley
 * Waterserpent General Mihli Aliapoh (Mithra ?): starts in Flameserpent Square
 * Galeserpent General Najelith (Hume RNG): starts J-9 upstairs, in Galeserpent Square
 * Flameserpent General Galadar (Hume BLM): starts G-11, in Springserpent Square by the AH

Mamool Ja Savages
In contrast to their name, the Mamool Ja Savages are actually a highly disciplined military force. A specific military role is automatically assigned to every Mamool Ja citizen based on social classification, and their discipline is a direct result of the intensive training they receive in order to carry out their duties. The army is comprised of units that specialize in one particular field of battle. Supposedly, to prevent infighting amongst the different classes, the soldiers are given no opportunities to learn skills outside of their specialization. However, this also means that troops trained to undertake a certain task cannot be easily replaced should they fall--a fatal chink in the Mamool Ja's armor.

The warrior class of the Mamool Ja. On the battlefield, these ferocious combatants wield weapons of unique design and are seen as being either incredibly courageous or foolishly reckless. They excel at sudden assaults, but have little patience for drawn-out conflicts.
 * Mamool Ja Fighter

The sage class of the Mamool Ja. Many of the Mamool Ja mages are assigned to positions that utilize their extraordinary intelligence and magical prowess. The ability to swivel their eyes in any direction also complements their roles as officers and physicians.
 * Mamool Ja Mage

The war birds of the Mamool Ja. Generally employed as pack animals, the ziz possess an aggressive demeanor and are occasionally released to wreak havoc upon enemy forces. They have a tendency to become fixated on prey that is small enough to swallow whole.
 * Ziz

Pronounced "pook," this small, winged beast is believed to be the artificial combination (chimera) of a dragon and some kind of vermin. Also known as "wind wyverns." Puks are capable of comprehending speech, and are known to sometimes enter the service of the Mamool Ja Savages. They are swift fliers, adept at scouting out enemy territory and harrying opponents with wind-based attacks.
 * Puk

The Undead Swarm
The undead swarm is very simply organized, consisting only of manipulators and the manipulated. The Lamiae and Merrows themselves created the undead, but have no misgivings about expending them in order to survive or accomplish a goal. The undead can only follow the simplest instructions, and thus present very little threat when alone. In battle, however, the undead are so numerous that losses are of no concern, and storm tactics tend to prevail over sophisticated strategies.

These artificially created beastmen (chimeras) command the undead swarm in battle. Although their numbers are few, the Lamiae are extremely cunning, and often confound the Imperial Army with feint attacks and other deceptive strategies. Lamiae always send their troops before them in battle as they decimate their opponents from afar with powerful magic and archery.
 * Lamia

A close relation of the Lamiae, the Merrow is a type of amphibious chimera. Although they reside in the Cyan Deep, Merrows occasionally respond to the Lamiae's requests and venture to the scene of battle accompanied by hordes of undead raised from watery graves. Merrows can also use their enchanting voices to draw in even the most experienced sailors.
 * Merrow

Although qutrub only have a few shreds of their will remaining, they have pledged their undying loyalty to the Lamiae. Still afflicted by the desires of the living and possessing surprising strength, the qutrub are often utilized in raids on Al Zahbi. Their short swords can be used to devastating effect.
 * Qutrub

These undead skeletons are completely controlled by the curse of the Lamiae. Draugar possess no emotion and feel no pain. They merely fight until they can no longer move, but are capable of little more than the most basic behavior. Their ranks are easily replenished, so draugar are often used as a stalling tactic.
 * Draugar

Prisoners
During Besieged, prisoners will occasionally be taken captive, and it is up to the adventurers to go and rescue them. Prisoners held are located in the area of which an army has taken them, and can be any number of people. Any NPCs are up for the taking (as far as is known) including Job quest NPCs, Jeuno-area warp Tarutaru NPC, and others. Until they are rescued, their services are unavailable.

Beastmen Generals
Each of the beastmen forces have a "general." Defeat of the beastmen generals seems to make them retreat. The beastmen generals are:

Mamool Ja Savages - Mamool Ja Hospitaler

Troll Mercenaries - Troll Pezhetairoi

Undead Swarm - Merrow Shiranuhi