Defenders in Fortress

[deccan]

Is there any way for a besieger to find out how many defenders are present in a fortress? In one recent game, I built up a sieging force to storm a castle and was annoyed to find out that there were no defenders inside it.

[Yvelina]

You need a spy type unit. A spy, a bard, an initiate, etc... As a rule of thumb, if he can raise unrest, he can report on the defenders.

[Sheap]

You can also do this with a scrying spell, such as Eyes of God, Astral Window or Astral Projection. I think - but am not sure - that the Arcosnuffle scrying dominion will do it too.

[deccan]

Playing Ermor, so no spies. I suppose I could always sacrifice a Mound King or something on a storming attempt to see how many and what kind of defenders are present.