WAR ♞ BATTLE OF GRAUPERA

[boardmaster]

BATTLE OF GRAUPERA
16 APRIL (LATHYRA) 2016

It is a dark and stormy night; the rain falls in torrents, except at occasional intervals, when it is checked by a violent gust of wind —

Not exactly. The rain is still light, but the suns are well below the horizon when the Airy leaves Graupera, setting the stage for Blanc and Noir’s first battle in two hundred years. The weatherman says showers will turn into storms later in the evening, but he doesn’t warn for the milky fog that will soon blanket Capablancan seas. The light from your ships, the lighthouse and the fortress walls serve as our Heroes’ only guide...

The same sleeping bat with sugar powdered around the corners of its mouth hangs from one of the ship’s masts until Commander Lisbrand arrives.

Lisbrand As I’m sure you’re all aware, Noir intends to take us by sea: Capablanca is a key strategic location for launching an attack on the coast. Should Noir capture Graupera, there’s no telling how far they’ll advance with their next move. You will be fighting not just to defend Capablanca, but Caissa as well. I trust you will all perform as well during the battle as you did during preparations. Blanc’s fleet will be standing by to absorb the task force into its ranks; I expect you’ve all completed what naval training was available to you at this point. [ a swift but beady eye is cast over the recruits ] You will need every last bit of it. [ picks up a pen and chucks it with deadly precision at the bat on the ceiling. ]

Verdoni [ immediately casts a wing forward to deflect the dangerous pen on time. then, he drops to the floor and transforms, wiping his mouth with his handkerchief. it’s warm. ] I suppose I need not remind you all of the weather conditions. Noir will enter Blanc territory with the storm, so brace yourselves. I will not lie — Noir has a significant advantage over us in this weather. Expect them to turn the elements in their favor and use lightning, water, and wind magic against you, your crew, and your ship. As most of you here will recall, Noir does not fight fair. They will use every tactic in and out of the book in order to destroy anything that stands in their way. It might do you well to remain alert at all times and to prepare for any scenario. So long as each Hero’s crew focuses on protecting their respective ship, you should be able to hinder their advance. Should the worst come to pass, retreat to the nearest allied ship or make your way to the shoreline to reinforce the last line of defense.

Basic info on the war can be found here. All OOC questions about the event may be directed to the thread below.

ONE ♙ Preparation
Only fools rush into battle! In preparing for war, the first step should always be protecting yourself. As such, Heroes will need to mount barrier generators that convert distilled water into large spherical barriers of pure mana on all ships. They will also need to calibrate the ones installed at Fort Graupera. Be sure to stock water by the barrel. When the enemy’s artillery fire hits these mana barriers, the blows as well as any shrapnel will be dispersed and dissipate in the air. Use them wisely; while the barrier is active, the ship will be unable to move and nothing can enter or leave the barrier. The ships also need to be stocked with ammunition, healing supplies such as potions, spare parts and other materials for repairs on the water. No one wants a leaky ship, right?

Once that’s done, get to know your teammates! Meet up with them at your assigned ship and use this time to get acquainted with each other's strengths and weaknesses, discuss plans, and figure out the roles assigned to you. The knowledge might come in handy in the coming hours…

All Heroes assigned to a crew are required to fight on the deck. The soldiers won’t be pleased to discover someone hiding in the ship’s hold. You can be a cabin boy or girl and run supplies, but they'll expect them by the truckload! Nobody gets to slack off in war! If you are not assigned to a crew, discuss your battle plans with your allies to tighten the shoreline defense. Those participating in the naval battle will need your assistance to secure Graupera!


TWO ♙ Sailing Into the Storm

Heh, blind as a bat and wet as a rat — that’s them. Wait, what do you mean the Airy's gone already? I bet Lei ran off because he needed to wax his chest. Fine! I got time to spare, so I’m going to kill the rest of you. I can’t wait to see the looks on your faces when I plunge right in...

A ♙ As predicted by Secretary Verdoni, by the time Noir’s fleet is in range, the weather has changed. Heavy fog reduces visiblity to near-zero, and rushing without stumbling is a feat for the brave thanks the mixture of rain and seawater washing over every deck. Thunder rolls in the distance, a messenger of the double-pronged storm advancing on Blanc. Roaring gusts of wind rip and tear at clothes, Carriers, and you! Watch out! Lightweights and those not exercising caution are likely to be blown right overboard.

Especially once Noir starts firing. Wind and lightning whip through the fog and both Coxswains and Heroes on Graupera proper will need to aim and time their barriers just right. Call it too soon and you waste precious resources; miscalculate and the ship and/or the fortress may take damage! If the barrier generator runs out of power, Quartermasters will need to replenish its water supply! But if the machine takes direct damage, it has a chance of exploding in a shower of fire and dangerous ricocheting parts, drastically decreasing your ship’s defense and maybe even knocking holes in the hull! Protect your ship to protect the fortress; the Blanc army can only put out so many fires. Should your ship take a hit, it’s also the Quartermaster's duty to respond accordingly lest the craft turn into a flaming monstrosity. Gunner’s Mates, return enemy fire with cannons and other long-range weapons available in your ship’s arsenal! The mana cannons in particular deal heavy damage, but they drain equally large amounts of mana. There’s no time to wait for your mana to replenish in the middle of a storm, so grab the nearest Hero for some up close and personal refueling!

If you don’t, Noir mages will take this opportunity to gather mana and send spells of tidal waves. And if your barrier’s down by then? Say goodbye to your ship and pray that you remember those swimming lessons. Your allies on land should be able to assist you once you reach the shore. Go ahead and join the shoreline defense; your shipwreck has probably left them with a few more holes in their defense and a few more fires to put out, anyway.

B ♟ The two forces clash! The noise is deafening as shouts from both sides mix with howling of the wind and the crashing of waves. Now that the armies are going head to head, Noir soldiers make use of their landing bridges to board Blanc’s ships! Noir mages simply use water magic to surf or wind magic to jump and do the same. But boarding is when Noir soldiers are vulnerable; make use of your resources and home turf advantage to take them down! They’re not the only ones who can take advantage of nature’s blessings.

Enemy soldiers who successfully board will begin to destroy anything they see. Should the ship be successfully hijacked, Blanc’s soldiers and the Heroes may have no choice but to jump into dangerous waters. Chance of survival is slim: waters are rough and ships are constantly rocking. It’s more than likely you'll be crushed between them or beneath them, Noir soldiers and mages will be taking potshots at you, and the strong currents are sure drag everyone into the depths. Once you’re in the water, you’re as good as dead. You are going to need some help.

ENEMY ♟ Noir Soldier
Weak against None	Strong against Lightning	Immune to None
When these soldiers cry “PERUN!”, run. When they cry “PERUNIKA!”, run faster. These battle cries mean you're about to be zapped by A FEW THOUSAND VOLTS OF LIGHTNING BOLT! The clues and advice left by our surfer friend Antonio, the mayor’s cute butler Charles, and the notorious assassin Black Lightning might help you out here — draw LIGHTNING WARD SYMBOLS to protect you and your allies from lightning damage. WARDS DRAWN BY KINGS are most effective. During battle, you will hear these mages utter other spells you might want to keep in mind: “VELES” is a support spell that summons streams of water. Whoever drinks it will receive a vodka-flavored MAGICAL BOOST! Soldiers like to make a game out of it at parties. “VELESIA” is an offensive water spell that INEBRIATES ITS TARGETS UPON CONTACT. The water it summons possesses a faint alcoholic aroma. It also tastes like vodka. “STRIBOG” is a wind spell that summons a powerful wyvern-shaped whirlwind that can hurl people overboard, destroy ship structures, and even send ships off course!

Noir’s bridges were a good idea, but ideas are meant to be stolen. Use them to move to an ally’s ship if your fellow Heroes and soldiers are in need of support, especially if Heroes have been knocked out or hurled off. The injured can be transported to safety on the backup ship, but beware of Noir soldiers chasing you down! They're as persistent as a rash.


THREE ♙ Crashing Against the Shores
To those who remained on the island or returned from sea, the battle is nothing but alarming lights and frightening shouts in the distance. But that doesn’t mean you can relax. Enemy projectiles that fly past the ships will shake parts of the fortress, and any Noir magic that gets past the naval defense will set any kind of material on fire or blow out chunks of wall, armaments, and you. Use water to make short work of any fires, and remember to reinforce damaged areas, or the fortress will suffer.

Distressed cries fill the air; those watching the naval battle closely will notice crewmembers who have fallen into the ocean. Neither Hero nor Blanc soldier is safe. While they have managed to get away from the main battle, they are now weak, disoriented, and require assistance. Row out in rescue boats to collect and heal the soldiers and your fellow Heroes before they turn into casualties. You may need their help later!

Allies aren’t the only ones reaching the shoreline. Some Noir ships will break through Blanc’s naval formation. If the fortress’ weapons don't take them down, then it’s up to you to take care of the rest. Noir soldiers will disembark and fight Heroes on the shore. Defeat them, destroy their weapons and seize their ships before they lay siege to the fortress! Blanc will thank you for these finely captured contributions to the war effort.

Noir General...? Huh! I just let you rats win! If I didn’t, there’d be no way to find Lei and punch him in the chest later! Give him my kind regards! AND TELL HIM I HIT ON HIS HOT GIRLFRIEND. I think they’re still dating. My intel said they were — [ his voice fades out as the Noir fleet retreats ]

FOUR ♙ Triumph Over the Seas
The thunder of the storm and the blasts of cannons filled the air with deep, resounding booms throughout the battle, but what cuts through the noise is the eruption of roaring cheers from the army that seems to shake the world of Enprise — Blanc has won its first official victory over Noir. The world will know of their triumph. Capablanca celebrates once news reaches the shore; as our Heroes look toward the resort city, they see an entirely different sort of sea — the lights of the city pushing back the night. First in little specks, then in a brilliant flood of color that paints an aurora in the sky: warm, real and bright.

It’s time to go home, Heroes! Or at the very least, back to Capablanca. Dock your ships and then put those sea legs back on dry land. You will be greeted with much enthusiasm from the citizens of the city. Hugs, cheek kisses, more hugs, hand kisses; some even brought pen and paper and are earnestly asking for your autograph. A few forego the paper and make you sign something else entirely. Children swarm in, tugging on uniforms for attention.

The recognition doesn’t end there. As a reward, hotel and resort owners start inviting heroes to stay at their establishments for a few days. For free. Continental breakfast included. Don’t abuse their hospitality or your reputation might suffer. And the freebies don't stop there. Locals also seem to have taken their hero worship to the next level. Small gifts will be given to their favorites. They contain things like pasta, pastries, good luck charms, potions, and even jewelry for Heroes they really like. Someone might even get a “special coupon” for La Coniglietta, a cabaret renowned for its racy shows and voluptuous wererabbit performers and staff.

If you prefer to spend your nights in well-deserved peace and quiet, then you’re always welcome to your new room at the completed Fort Graupera. Time to rest on your laurels, Heroes.

Comments

Team Femmetality in Noir Cried Hard That Day

[fairytality]

PRE-FIGHT: gathering supplies with a side of meet and greet

[fairytality]

[There's all sorts of crazy stuff going on. But when you get down to it three girls were led to one boat and told this would be their vessel. That they were heroes and would be taking command. Each was assigned a role. And now they're to stock it.

Water, bandages, all the supplies they think they'll need.

Oh and maybe do some planning for that Noir military out there. It's going to be the first battle in 200 years and everyone's counting on them as the resident heroes!]

...I don't get what they're expecting. We're just students.

[Well. She's a student. And these other two girls look around her age...]

[meanballerina]

[Natasha, for her part, is alternating between checking on preparations and poring over the shield generator instructions, trying to memorize as much of them as she can before the battle. Her uniform, grudgingly donned in full for the battle, bristles with knives seen and unseen, while her carrier (a red-and-silver matryoshka doll) and weapon (metal bracer with a single red gem) stay close at hand.]

Speak for yourself. I don't know much about naval warfare, though.

[fairytality]

Are you saying you normally go out and kill people as part of your day?

[It's not that she's judging. But that sounds crazy. Who does this stuff as their day job?]

[meanballerina]

Well... Not every day.

[She's joking. Probably.]

[fairytality]

[That's kind of scary even to joke about. But no showing that! She can be totally casual about this bizarre situation too! Touch act is go.]

...'K. [Look at this amazing tough act. Moving things along...] Well, if we're going to be working together I'm Ookami Ryouko. And I don't do this normally. But...I'll try not to hold you back. Or. Something.

[Now to supply this ship. Er... Well. They'll need first aid kits. Probably. She glances around to take in what's available.]

[meanballerina]

Black Widow. I don't need the help, but it's the thought that counts.

[Somewhere under all of that she does actually appreciate that Ryouko seems to be taking this enterprise seriously.]

[fairytality]

[Someone's real confident. Ryouko's not confident at all even if her attitude might be to the contrary. This is all crazy! But even if she ran away now it wouldn't change things. So...

Looking through the various boxes in the storehouse she pulls out a couple rolls of bandages and some disinfectant.]

I guess this can be good enough for first aid. [Maybe...? They probably need way more than an handful, but then again if they're fighting they won't exactly have time for playing doctor. So... Maybe this is enough. No need to weigh down the ship with unnecessary stuff.] So what else do you think we need?

[theskyenceguy]

[Quartermaster. that's the role Ema was assigned to. in other words, it was her job to care for the injured and repair any damage the ship may take during the battle ahead. she was informed that there would be more experienced naval officers on hand to help her in her duties, but for some reason, that doesn't quell her irritation]

[still. . . she wants to do her best, if only because not doing her best means people may die. so in the hours before the battle, Ema spends her time counting supplies: first aid and medical materials, tools to perform repairs, distilled water for the mana barrier generators, etc etc. her Carrier, a badger with blue fur, sleeps near one of the barrels of water, curled around his mater's mobile theodolite weapon]

[when Ryouko speaks, Ema grumps]

I haven't been a student for a while now, though I agree with your general sentiment.

[she knows NOTHING about naval battles]

[fairytality]

[Wait, what--]

Just how old are you?

[The right questions here.]

[theskyenceguy]

[SUDDENLY: there's an apple slice flying in Ryouko's direction, thrown by the only person who thought to bring snacks onto the ship. if it strikes, it'll bounce off of her forehead with a not-so-satisfying (compared to the ka-tonk sound Snackoos made) thunk]

Hasn't anyone told you not to ask a lady her age?

[fairytality]

Ow-- hey!

[Ryouko rubs her forehead. It didn't really hurt. But still, talk about rude!]

...Fine then. Don't tell me. [She doesn't need to know!! Even if she's curious... Turning away she looks at the boxes and barrels around them. They need to stock the ship so...] Let's just get this stuff on the boat, granny.

[She said don't ask...]

[theskyenceguy]

[ZING. another apple comes flying Ryouko's way, this time aimed for the back of her head]

I'm not old enough to be anyone's grandmother, either!

MID-FIGHT: getting rekt, a comedy in three screams

[fairytality]

[The waves are tossing the ship about like a toy in some sadistic kid's bath tub. There's magic and guns a-slinging, trading blows back and forth. The crew's running around like they're on fire (...some of them are...literally on fire... ...maybe do something about that girls) trying to keep up the defenses and boat in one piece. War isn't an easy "job".]

This blows. I can't see for crap!

[That would be Ryouko, trying to aim the cannon she was manning at vague shapes in all the mist. This is crazy, like some old British movie. The cannon goes off early and she jumps back, clapping her hands over her ears. Loud! Doesn't mean she misses the unmistakable splash of the cannon ball hitting water though. Missed again...]

Some "war"! Would it have killed them to train us a little?

[Please ignore the fact she's wearing cat ears while she gripes. And that they're flattening angrily back against her head very much like an angry kitty. Sometimes you just get shit weapons okay....]

[meanballerina]

[The early fire surprises Natasha, throwing her to the deck a second. Then she's back up and scrambling for the shield generator in case Noir decides to take advantage of the miss. On the way, she takes the opportunity to stop a boarding Noir soldier, knocking him off his wind jump spell with a vicious kick to the face and into the churning sea below.

(Into the sea, where he's as good as dead. But she's not going to think about that right now.)]

We don't have time to complain. Aim in the direction the next shot comes from.

[theskyenceguy]

I can't believe they expected us to be battle-ready within a week of arriving!

[Ema cries angrily, echoing Ryouko's sentiments about their lack of training. while the other two heroes focus on firing shots and working the mana barriers, Ema scrambles about the ship's deck, throwing water at the Blanc soldiers to put out the flames that consume their clothing. water that. . . she should have maybe saved to refill the barrier generators, oops]

Just make sure this ship doesn't take any serious hits! There's only so much damage I know how to repair!

[she had taken a quick crash course in ship terminology and the utility of each of its parts, but she was faaaar from being an expert]

[fairytality]

You don't need to tell me that. I'm trying!

[She just has no expertise in this area at all. Jumping as lightning rakes the ship railing near her, she quickly grabs another iron ball and shoves it into the cannon. I'm scared I'm scared I'm scared-- She just has to remain calm and aim. Aim where the lightning came from. She can do this. She has to believe she can do this. Turning the cannon in the right direction she misses the Noir soldier boarding to her left. It's only the shout of "Velesia!" right after she's lit the cannon fuse that alerts her.

She turns just in time for a face full of water that tastes like burning and knocks her down.]

Ugh...

[No damage done it looks like. Standing back up she raises her fists into a fighting stance! Or. Tries to. Why is everything suddenly spinning?]

I...don't...feel so well...

[Lurching to the railing she hangs over it to divest herself of lunch. At the same time her cannon begins to roll away from the railing and points down at the deck. Uhm...

BOOM!

We might be taking on water you guys.]

[meanballerina]

[That...was not a good sound. Both the vomiting and the boom. Natasha flips the ship's shield on and sprints back across the deck while the soldier gloats and their crew panics.]

Ryouko!

[theskyenceguy]

[that was definitely not a good sound. and that is definitely not a good hole! and that is definitely not good water slowly seeping through said hole, either. and that gloating soldier, who is raising his hands in preparation for casting another spell, is also not good]

[with a yell, Ema whips around and raises her theodolite weapon, aiming it right at the Noir soldier's face. she. . . still didn't really know how the weapon worked, but she had at least learned how to fire it. so, with a bit of concentration and a push of her own energy ("mana," it was apparently called), she manages to shoot the Noir soldier in the face]

[with. glowing paint. hey, at least it's enough to distract him???]

You're supposed to be shooting at the enemy ships, not our own!

[she squeaks as she lowers her weapon and makes a mad dash for tools. she barks at some Blanc soldiers to help her grab wood and other materials needed to quickly repair the damage]

I don't know if this can be fixed in time to keep us from sinking!

POST-FIGHT: the ultimate plan in littering

[fairytality]

[Well. The ship's on the beach. And everyone's...in one piece. Just. Not so much the ship. Not that it's even our ship.







Guys we dun fucked up so hard. So so hard.]

[meanballerina]

[This mission, not really a success. At least where they're concerned. But it's not a failure, either. Natasha checks herself for injuries and, finding nothing needing serious medical attention, turns her attention to her teammates. There'll be time to mourn later.]

Anyone hurt?

[theskyenceguy]

[IF IT AIN'T OUR SHIP, WHO CARES IF IT'S NOT IN ONE PIECE]

[Ema-- who was laid sprawled out on the beach, her clothes singed, soaked and covered in dirt-- climbs to her feet and dusts herself off as she surveys the damage. she lets out a visible wince when she sees the Blanc soldiers who were injured in the crash, a wave of guilt washing over her. good news: they took down a Noir vessel by crashing it into the shore. bad news: they lost their Blanc vessel beforehand, and may have harmed a couple of their allies in the crash]

[and here Ema is, scuffed up but otherwise okay]

N-no. I'm fine.

[she replies, voice shaky. there's no hiding the way her nerves have been rattled, here]

Are you okay?

[fairytality]

Everything alright here...

[She says. Except when she goes to stand everything spins and she stumbles like a drunk. ...Which she is. Drunk. Oops. She didn't have any interest in drinking before, but she definitely doesn't now.]

Just tell the beach to stop dancing.

[meanballerina]

The beach isn't the one that's dancing.

[Natasha forces her aching self back onto her feet and makes her way over to Ryouko.]

What's wrong?

[theskyenceguy]

[dancing?? uh, yeah, that comment is pretty concerning to Ema, too. she turns her attention on Ryouko, and for once, there isn't an ounce of her usual grumpy mask on her features. she just looks. . . worried]

Were you hurt? I think I salvaged some of the medical supplies before our ship sank. . . come here. Let me look at you.

[ship or no ship, Ema's taking her duties as Quartermaster seriously]