It's more about numbers... the orcs we have currently encountered are the left overs of an massive invasion army.
MC keeps reduceing their numbers but given their respawn rate it's clear that there are far more in their homeland beyond Callen's rest.
It stands to reason that you assume masses are better than classes... and if the avarage Orc is atleast double the strength of a soldier his thought might be a bit blue eyed... but strategly not bad
To quote Stali: "Quantity is quality of its own". Yes, on strategic level having more numbers is good. Problem is Van and Eric are not fighting on strategic level, but on tactical at best. They're fighting over a river crossing. And not a very wide one I might add. On the south is ocean and on the north moutains. I don't know about the area there, so I can only speculate, but we know there is a passage over there. After all the spy chief guy talked about it. So it isn't big, wide or easy to travel enough to move huge forces through there.
But, back to the river crossing, this is perfect area to defend, because it's a bottleneck. All Van has to do, or I think what he's doing, is to just build some fortifications alongside river from moutains to the ocean and... hold the line to wait for Eric to bleed out ouf supplies, money and manpower while harrasing his supply lines and storage depots with his spies and by hiring people (like Cult) not so happy with current ruler.
Sure, Eric might want to achive breakthrough by swarming the river on all possible places on which the river can be crossed and hoping Van forces won't hold the pressure, but, as I wrote, it's a bottleneck, so Van has a huge advantage when defending.
Also, let's not forget orcs are... orcs. While they are made for "fightnin' an' winnin'" they are not THAT (I might be wrong!) stupid and probably won't just mindlessly charge across the river when asked while also trying to keep them docile enough to NOT fuck him over... too much.
In my opinion Eric should focus on defending his part of the river while keeping his already stretch supply routes and settlement safe while also fortifying Arenfield pass. Then, when near the winter make retreat to Arenfield pass and split his forces in two. One to move to fortifications and the second over the river on the south to "make sure Van won't cross there" by fortyfing it to lure Van forces to proceed. Surely his commander would like to take the opportunity to at least cut off and starve to death half of enemy army at the south river. Then, fake retreat into the land through forest due to "lack of supplies", and when those commander take the bait, attack with forces from Arenfield pass and try to defeat them from both sides.
Personally I would reinforce the Orc forward base to keep the Orcs out of the entire deep Forest area and do the same with the Bandit camp conquered south of Arenfield... once the enemy is at your gates you need overhelming numbers to take them out or push them back atleast... plus it's less work to increase fortifications and put your Mercs in the existing barracks/tents.
I wouldn't spread my thin forces (19 lads) so wide right now. The main focus is to protect Arenfield and mine. Darkwood is "secured" by halflings. Though, would be nice if I could FINALY have more of them than 5!!! to use.
But let's say we have more of lads. Like a mercenary company of 100 lads and Rumah is actually a village of 60 people, because orcs were nice enough and let go all the prisoners and we can spare 20 of halflings as fighters. Then yes.
Reinforcing abandoned orc outpust and turing it into somewhat of a fort is great idea, as it would greatly increase security of the local area and allow our Rumah halflings to hut in peace. Of crouse this outpost would be managed by that 20 halflings.
I would also turn mercenary camp into a castle. It might not be the greatest location for a castle, but there's pond inside the cave and river and lake nearby, so a wet moat around would not only provide more water but also food. And camp is pretty close to that orc stronghold. To be honest If I would draw the line from Mercenary camp to orc outpust (turned into a fort) I would pass through Isha's house. And I don't think any orc would be crazy enough to bother her. So rather huge chunk of Darkwood would be secured. By two strongpoints and goddess of horny.
As for bandit camp on the Arenfield pass is rather... troublesome. As a temporary camp or temporary storage depot for the frontline, sure. But turning it into proper fortification might be problematic. Anyone attacking from Arenfield road would have quite the advantage due to high ground, including any Van forces trying to attack Arenfield.
I would build towers and gates alongside Arenfield pass up to the Arenfield. One gate on the Arenfield pass, second gate near the Mine and third gate on the Arenfield entry road. It would save me some time, material and would cut the pass into three different area which enemy would have to conquer. Also there still is currently a little "pests" problem inside the mine. So making sure those pests won't just swarm the Arenfield pass and Arenfield is rather important in my opinion.
And in any case defenders always can just retreat to the upper game and towers. So somewhat 30 guys would be good enough to keep it. And, because it's close to Arenfield sending any aid would be quick.
The way I see it Eric sees several groups of minorities staying for themselfes and acting in a none coordinated manner versus an army of Orcs, which while being undisciplined atleast work together... sending mercs and rumah people to lay siege to Mdra Ghaz (or whatever that main settlement is called) would certainly change his perspective and consider those united forces as atleast a minor threat.
First MC needs to take those prisoners out of there to boost Rumah, then he can think of a siege. But, to be honest, It would rather be taken by a storm, not a siege. There are three ways to enter there and orcs are without any meanigful means to block them. It would end in a blood bath on the green side.
Also, as for that orc stronghold, It was great opportunity, to assault it when MC was there talking with chief. He not only killed few of his bodyguards, but also had a perfect way to cut the head as they were fighting. In that moment Rumah could attack sentries with arrows while mercenaries pushed through in melee. In this chaos MC, Liv and Tia could rescue the prisoners and bang, one problem solved.
Yeah but even then.
Either the cult know all and they are preparing to stab MC in the back or they are also incompetent if they aren’t doing shit.
You know the problem of people focuseing on the bigger picture is that they easily can miss the small seeds of their downfall spreading.
Their numbers are limited and their focus on other things right now... otherwise they would have reacted on MC wiping out their hideout in the abondened monastery instead of keeping their untrained alcolytes to replace those killed when MC "visits" again
Yeah, they probably wonder why daemon they constantly calling doesn't pick up thier summoning anymore.
Well, she can't because she's bit busy with MC sword up inside her ass.
Anyway, let them come. I'll gladly aquire more health potions.