Defence dice is targets, in this case 6 for the banner and 1 for the site (sites are all 1 die). You add Warbands to the total rolled, so a fixed +5 (Warbands do not provide defence dice).
You rolled X2, X2, 2, 1, 0, 0, 0 for 12, then +5 for Warbands.
Got it. Thanks for the explanation.
Ah, I thought I could use it at my site… the thing about Oath I like the least is campaigning. I really try to avoid that. I much rather win by intrigue rather than brute force 
But it had to be done… or to put it differently: I couldn’t see another way.
And the Ring of Devotion with the Alchemist made brute force possible.
Yeah, that is a brutal combination!
Quick question: since Bandits now own this site, are Lancers available for anyone to use?
Nope, because bandits won’t attack.
(or use cards that discard themselves, or have a cost).
I was reminded this morning that the successor rule / win condition exists. I know you won’t believe me but I had completely forgotten about that. I take back everything about not being a backstabby Thundercloud. (Oops)
I totally forgot successor doesn’t apply to the people’s favour too.
The betrayal was there all along.
Shocked face!
I am just glad that didn’t pass me by. I knew a rule! Yay!
The Policy by Other Means
The Lover of Peace
The Armed Prophet
The Fox-Shaped Lion
This sounds about right 
“A conqueror is always a lover of peace (as Bonaparte always asserted of himself); he would like to make his entry into our state unopposed.”
— Carl von Clausewitz, On War, book 6, chapter 5.
@Benkyo just want to check that the pesky successor rule only comes into play if the chancellor has the people’s favour?
Yeah, the Empire has to fulfil the Chancellor’s win condition for a citizen to be able to succeed.
Hey… I have a feeling you just don’t want ME to win? Harmless, innocent, little me? I am soooo not pesky. Pah.
Just need to correct some misinformation here. Bandits won’t use Lancers because they don’t attack, and more generally won’t use cards with a cost, but they can use cards that get discarded.
Just to be clear, your numbers are off.
It’s 8 defence dice, 3 warbands, vs. 7 warbands (6 dice).
Unlike your previous campaign, this only has about a 1/4 chance of success. Still go for it?
I’m certain you are right. i forgot the site but is it the extra provisions being reused again for another favour?
Edit: I think I’m forgetting that the favour doesn’t go on the card when it’s not your turn.
Yes, that is an option. When something is used out-of-turn, the favor goes straight to the bank (Hearth, in this case). Also, battle plans can always be used regardless of whether there is currency on them.
Would that mean that I can pay my rangers again?