WAR ♞ MARCH ON CENTRAL WEST PLATEAU

[boardmaster]

MARCH ON CENTRAL WEST PLATEAU
20 AUGUST (GLADIA) 2016

The quiet, seemingly unremarkable town of Friedgood doesn't seem like a prime target for a Noir attack. Ask any outsider what a Friedgood local's favorite activity might be, and they’ll likely respond "I don't know, digging?" They're not wrong: Friedgood's primary industry comes from the excavation of precious stones and minerals in the nearby mountain ranges and volcanoes. Those who don't make their living from mining most likely still enjoy digging, as the town is a hot destination for archeologists from the school of Pigeonsblood looking to uncover the ancient secrets of Gammon.

More important than shiny rocks, however, is Friedgood's strategic location within the country, specifically the checkpoint known as Platform 42 and 5/8ths. It forms a stark contrast to the sleepy town it resides in. This bustling travel hub is known as the "Gateway to Gammon", and boasts fast transport to almost anywhere in the kingdom. Security is tight here, with grim-faced Gammon soldiers working around the clock to ensure that criminal activity doesn't stand a chance. Keep your contraband at home — an infraction will cost you heavy jail time. Friedgood is also the only town with a road providing access to Grantebrycge, Gammon's illustrious University town.

By conquering Friedgood, Noir hopes for universal access to all of Gammon.

On the 20th of Gladia, amidst strong winds and persistent thunderstorms, Heroes will arrive to the Central West Plateau. Even surrounded by tall mountain ranges and ominous volcanoes, its ancient wall is truly a daunting sight. A marvel even by modern construction standards, it was built over 300 years ago to defend against hostile nomadic tribes, and remains as strong and sturdy as the day it was built. It also provides an important environmental buffer to the people of Friedgood — the wall is resistant to lava.

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

ONE ♙ The War of Three Armies
It’s time to head to the battle, Hero. You may be walking, riding a mount - your own, or a borrowed spider or boar - or hitching a ride from someone else. It’s a miserable trek to the plateau, but at least you’re not alone. Once you arrive, Verdoni is there to greet you, accompanied by another Gammonian, the commander of this battle.

Pinta [ so god damned salty about not being a naval tactician and assigned to ships ] Ah, yes, the vaunted Heroes I’ve heard so much about. The name is Pinta, ah... naval tactician to Gammon’s armed forces. Ask why and I’ll show you a bloody hell. Anyway, welcome to the Central West Plateau! During ancient times, the volcanoes were said to be a wall of flame that protected Gammon. But if that stopped the Othellians, I suppose I wouldn’t be here, ahaha! Now, with them dormant, we must instead rely upon our steel and our wall. It’s strong enough to protect Gammon even if every volcano in the area were to erupt all at once! At least that’s what the locals say. They didn’t sound too dodgy, but... moving on! If you have any questions, our men will be glad to explain; show you how the cannons work, where the traps are and whatnot. Again, this really isn’t my expertise—oh! Our wizards have been creative as of late. We’ve these wind platforms that will fling those Noirs up, up, up! Into the air! Try not to get caught in them, yeah? Our navy will take care of our seas. They’re an outstanding lot, they are. All we need to do is focus! Gammon shall not sink here!

You’ll then be handed a magical bracelet. The miners use it protect them from toxic air, so this is a precaution; should you need it, it should last for the duration of the battle. Now all you have to do is wait and prepare for the battle. Acquaint yourself with the battleground: explore the Defense Wall and see what traps there are. It may give you some ideas of your own. There are also war cannons aligned on the top wall and within its interior. Otherwise, check your supplies or rest and collect yourself for what will come. Your mount may also want attention.


TWO ♙ Fellowship of the Bling
Initially cloaked by thick fumes of sulfur, ozone and the dreary overcast of the storm, the Noir battalion finally arrives. Their general, Spicy Spice, steps, nay, struts forward.

	Why is it that every time I come around, that Cochrane Bridge wants to go down? [ ADJUSTS HER WORLD CUP BRA ] They can’t keep that wall up forever.
Let’s make this a quick one, so we can get out of this smelly rain! [ gets ready to fire her gun in the air when she remembers something ] And don’t forget, target their puny pathetic healers, first. [ raises gun high above her head, signaling for the attack with a BANG! ]

On her cue, the Noir Vanguard rushes forward with a fearsome war cry, followed soon after by the Rearguard.

ENEMY ♟ Mounted Noir Soldier
Weak against None	Strong against Fire	Immune to None
These soldiers gallop onto the battlefield with their imposing GOLDHORN GOAT mounts. These are bigger and stronger than the average goat, and their golden horns tend to ABSORB SPELLS directed at their riders. Some spells in a soldier’s arsenal: GRISTRELKI sets fire to the rain — literally. It converts the rain in the sky into a barrage of fireballs. Pray your umbrella’s fireproof! With the PLAMEVODA spell, they can turn hot water (i.e. those from geysers) into bubbling hot lava. When combined with a strong cooling spell, the spell can trap you in rock… That is, if the lava doesn’t kill you first! DVIZHE SMERTI is a dangerous spell that paralyzes its target, rendering them unable to even speak or blink. This can be cured with mana exchange. Hurry before Noir strikes with a rain of fire!Of course, the soldiers are capable of HEALING SPELLS to assist their injured allies and mounts. The VANGUARD is lead by an impressive wall of massive shield units, armed with various melee weapons: swords, maces, and daunting battle axes. Herd them into the traps around the battlefield to render them immobile! The REARGUARD, armed with bows and arrows, will try to overwhelm the HEROIC VANGUARD. HEROIC DEFENSE back them up with long-ranged attacks and the cannons! If they get close enough to the wall, the Rearguard will relentlessly attack the Defense! Both units are under strict orders to prioritize an attack on the HEROIC SUPPORT. If they see any Hero or Gammonian soldiers helping each other or performing rescues on the battlefield, they will give chase IMMEDIATELY. DROPS: Shield with Noir Emblem, Flame Staff, Assorted Non-Magical Weapons, Golden Goat Horns, Lava Lamp

In the heat of battle, you will feel the ground beneath you shake and tremble. In a turn of events neither side could have predicted, a dormant volcano in the distance erupts, raining down fire and scorched earth on the area. More alarming, however, is how the resulting earthquake sets off powerful, white-hot geysers on the battlefield. Stay alert! To make matters worse, the approaching lava makes Noir’s fire spells even more deadly, and Noir shows no signs of letting up on their assault.

Spicy Spice You think a little bad weather is going to stop us? Don't make me laugh. [ laughs anyway, then falls into a coughing fit ] Urghh, damn these fumes — Oh whatever, Send in the riders!

THREE ♙ The Desolation of Noir
Undeterred by the eruptions, the geysers, or the bad weather, they’ve called in their aerial units, fierce griffon riders who’re trying to fly over the wall and into Friedgood. Don’t let them pass! Make use of your resources and shoot them down: Heroes with long ranged weapons or magic will find their skills useful here. Learned how to fire a cannon? Now’s your chance! If not, protect your allies, Hero and Gammonian, as they line up their shots.

ENEMY ♟ Noir Griffon Rider
Weak against None	Strong against Fire, Lightning	Immune to Wind
For the first time, Heroes will witness firsthand how Noir’s legendary griffon riders—often called masters of the skies—live up to their name. A griffon’s powerful wings not only lets them soar at great heights; they can whip up terrifying BEAMS OF LIGHTNING. Griffon riders are armed with JAVELINS which they can also throw and cast the same spells as their counterparts on land. However, they share a closer bond with their griffon mounts. Upon losing their master, the griffons will go BERSERK and proceed to kill everything in sight. If a Hero gets caught in a griffon’s talons, the creature will drop them into their boiling demise at either a GEYSER or VOLCANO. DROPS: Mount Treats, Riding Gloves, Noir Lance, Harness, Griffon Feathers, Griffon Talon

The lava is fast approaching and Noir can no longer take the heat. The griffon riders are maintaining their assault, but the rest of their army is falling back to escape. Time for you to retreat too before Gammonian soldiers seal the wall and you’re trapped on the plateau side. Fried Heroes ain’t Fried Good.

• Defense, continue shooting at any enemy target in range! Be attentive and aid your allies as they retreat back to the wall. Do not fear, you have the advantage.
• Vanguard, fall back! Watch the skies for any griffon riders on the way to the wall. Once you arrive, take down enemies who try to breach. Letting even one enemy pass could spell disaster.
• Support, grab the wounded and check the wall’s condition! Any damages should be repaired immediately to prevent the lava from entering Friedgood.

FOUR ♙ There and Back Again
The wall closes, sealing the lava and ending the battle. Hopefully no one got left behind.

Spicy Spice Now I'm wishing that I didn't wear these shoes (I hate heels). Better get up out my face! [ trips on her way out ] Oh shit!

Catch your breath, Hero. You won. First, check up on everyone and heal your wounds. If you borrowed a mount you might want to take the time to say farewell, since the trip back to Friedgood means you’ll be parting soon.

The people of Friedgood are grateful. They know what would have happened if you lost. There’s no time for fancy parties. They’re pulling out whatever they can find for a makeshift street party right then and there.

You can find bowls of Splotched Richard - a dessert pudding - and Bangers and Mash. If you’re in the mood for something strong you can get pints of Guileless or Pale Noir, maybe a Lasker Train Bomb if you can find someone who’s willing to mix it. Or perhaps you fancy a CreamAle, the favored drink of Grantebrycge.

You’re welcome to stay out and party as long as you like - the party is for you, after all! In fact, the people will respect you more if you get drunk and pass out on the side of the street. But for Heroes who’re tired from the war, you’re always welcome to stagger into the Bollox Inn for a room, free of charge.

Comments

2c

[acknowledges]

[The volcano can be felt everywhere. It's a tremor that shakes every body on the field and draws attention to the peaks around them, an attempt to find the source. Someone on his left shouts about an eruption, someone behind him starts calling to their comrades about a volcano. Naruto might be slow on the uptake, but there's only one way to interpret that.

His face is streaked with dirt, where sweat has matted his hair and left trails through the dust that's flying.

The pale purple draws his gaze because it's Sasuke's color- like Susano'o, like the Rinnegan, and sure enough he finds his friend's back. The man has to stop to cast whatever it is he's doing. When Naruto sees the lance go flying he reacts on impulse. True to form, no matter how much he's practiced gravity magic before now, there's nothing like pure desperation to get him focused. Naruto imagines yanking the man backwards with both hands, he remembers the way it felt to get caught in Pein's almighty pull- and then it happens. Sasuke is jerked off his feet and into Naruto's grasp, feet anchored against the force of the catch.]

Gotcha!

[penitents]

[ He wouldn't have been able to dodge the second one.

Sasuke feels the pull somewhere between his naval and his spine and it forces a soft hurk— out of him when his feet leave the ground. He's felt this before, the upending of gravity, but it still makes his stomach bottom out when it happens. His back collides with someone else, but before Sasuke can question who it is, Naruto's voice is in his ear.

The flood of mana from the other nin, warm like the sun, rushes through him, purifying what he'd spent on healing, and on his secondary weapon. His breath leaves him in a rush at the unexpected relief. ]

Yeah.

[ Thanks. Far ahead of them, he can see the deadly red glow of the erupting volcano. ]

[acknowledges]

That's what you get for showin' off'attebayo.

[It won't be the first time he's acted as a physical shield between an ally and enemy. Naruto's planted feet and dug in heels mean they don't skid far- he keeps his arms up on either side of Sasuke's body- which might actually look a little comical considering the difference in their heights, but he's never been the kind of guy to see something so petty as a setback in a fight.

Despite the perpetually dire circumstances: the number of enemies, the erupting volcano, the lava, the smoke- Naruto isn't above needling him.]

Lemme know when you're full.

[penitents]

What took you so long?

[ Sasuke quips, without even a heartbeat between Naruto's words and his own. Naruto's arms are a band around his middle, and pressed against his back Sasuke can feel the warmth of his mana filtering through his own like sunlight through summer rain. He wraps his fingers around one of Naruto's wrists, to expedite the process.

In front of him, where his spell was incomplete and then interrupted by his movement, he watches one of their allies falter. Their opponent takes the opening for what it is and disarms them with a skillful twist. Sasuke feels a muscle in his jaw clench as he watches the Hero attempt to regain the ground they're losing.

There's no time for this.

Sasuke pulls Naruto's arm, twisting around to face him and yank him close in the same abrupt movement. He doesn't give Naruto the opportunity to react or protest, leaning down to erase the space between them. He knows already this is the most efficient form of exchanging mana on the field, because he's done it twice already since his arrival. Against his own, Naruto's mouth is chapped and dry. His lips are parted, just slightly, either in surprise or from the sudden clip of whatever he was going to say. Sasuke can taste blood and sweat and isn't sure if it's his own, or Naruto's. His grip stays on Naruto's upper arm, preventing him from pulling away for a handful of seconds.

The flood of heat that rushes all the way to his feet invigorates him. When he pulls back, he meets the blue of Naruto's eyes for a fraction of a moment before his attention is back on the fight.

Sasuke throws up a small purple shield between the Noir soldier and the Hero now on the ground and pushes with it to clear a small space. ]

[acknowledges]

[There are a lot of things he's expecting for the history between them. He expects the tease, he expects Sasuke to make some comment being a smart-ass even though he's the one that needed to get rescued. He doesn't expect the kiss.

Angled the way they are his gaze follows the line of Sasuke's own- aware of the fight around them at all times, aware of which enemies move where and of who is too close and of who might advance, who might fall back. One of their allies isn't quite buckling, but it's clear he's in trouble. They're the ones nearest, it's up to them to help and this intent is telegraphed by the sudden tightening of the muscles of his stomach and the curl of his fingers. He doesn't want to just leave Sasuke after only backing him up just a second ago- but Sasuke isn't the one in danger right now.

Then they're kissing.

Sasuke's hand clamps down on his arm, trapping him in place in the moment that he seals their mouths together and Naruto's eyes blow wide. It was one thing for this to happen when they were kids, it'd been an accident, they didn't talk about it or anything. This was- this was-]

Why-? [It's soft and small, like a breath. Like a gasp.
Sasuke and Sakura might be grown up and married now, but Naruto has only had one kiss before now and]

WHY IS IT ALWAYS WITH YOU?!

[penitents]

Usuratonkachi—

[ His tone says pay attention, you idiot, as he hears Naruto shout at his turned back. Sasuke broadens his shield and uses it to shove the Noir soldiers away from the small force of Heroes in front of them. The one who had gone down is struggling, and he watches the one next to them bend to pick them up with Sasuke's shield keeping them safe. There's no easy way to give them a safe path back. They have to make one.

Sasuke turns his face to look at Naruto. His mouth still tingles, and something in his stomach squeezes when he looks at his young friend. ]

What are you waiting for? Hayaku. [ He splits his fresh mana between the shield and Naruto. He's been practicing, since his choppy attempts at spells in the carnival. This time, when he pushes that magic to flush Naruto with speed, it wraps his arms and legs like a gust of wind. ]

[acknowledges]

[It's a challenge if he'd ever heard one. Naruto is acutely aware of the way his mouth feels, of how hot his face has become and the fights still raging around them. His jaw clenches not because he's debating whether or not to go, but because he knows he's lost this round.

He can't describe the way it feels when someone uses their magic on him. It's happened only a few times but even then, each one has been different. This one feels almost like a gust of cool air. He thinks immediately of the Rasengan and takes off at a sprint. Sasuke only just had his mana replenished, and he's used a lot of it in these few spells alone. It's up to Naruto to do the rest as quickly as possible.

Instead of waiting until he's able to close the distance, he reaches out for one of the Noir soldiers closing in on their allies and Naruto reaches again for that pull. The guy is hauled off his feet with a yelp, his spell interrupted, and his two comrades look up in Naruto's direction- attention officially caught.]

Hey hey! Over here you bastards!

[The soldier he's brought over is nearly in reach, and then just as abruptly- he goes soaring in the opposite direction- a human projectile flung into his friends and bowling all three to the ground.]

[penitents]

[ As Naruto takes point, the attention of the soldiers wheels away from Sasuke's curse as a king (all eyes on me) and focus instead on Naruto. What he uses is like a jutsu from the Rinnegan, that push and pull, the molding of gravity. There is a brief tussle of confusion as some of the solders break away from this fight, the others preoccupied with Naruto.

Sasuke brings his arm back in, exhales slow and even. The burst of clean mana he'd received from Naruto's mouth had given him a spike of usable magic, but he still had to ration it appropriately to get out of this. Support, he reminds himself, like remembering the bullet points of a lesson. He lifts his hand, palm up, and focuses on Naruto's spine as he launches into the fight. He mutters the spell under his breath, familiar vowels and syllables. He thinks of the way the Hyuuga close pathways of chakra and reverses it.

It won't create a bleed of mana in Naruto, but it will boost him, for at least a minute or so— to hit stronger, to put more weight into his magic. ]

[acknowledges]

[It might be more significant later, once Naruto has made some kind of attempt to mastering magic and learning how to use it with any kind of success. Thus far it's been an uphill battle. The books he's found don't explain the process in a way that makes sense for him- no matter how many times he's practiced. Being a rook had come naturally. He'd been able to figure out how to use his voice right away, and it's not perfect yet, but at least it works in a fight. Pushing and pulling things around come to him only when he'd tried to find something else to liken it to- because he'd had firsthand experience battling against a technique like that back home.

Here, he relies on his fists. If Naruto considers that a concession, it sure doesn't show. His grin is all teeth, short knife slipping from a holster up his sleeve to drop into the palm of his hand. He gets to the group fast, really fast. One of the guys is just beginning to stand when Naruto's knee connects with his diaphragm and he crumples once more. He arches backwards, dipping beneath the swing of a sword, stepping over the guy's coughing body, and counters the blade with his own. The steel on steel sings.]

[penitents]

[ Naruto is graceful in the way he attacks. Like Sasuke, he was raised to fight and knows how to kill efficiently. Sasuke knows he incapacitates more than he deals in death, but it doesn't make him any less graceful. The Noir soldiers go down fast and hard as Naruto springs from one body to the next. He isn't flawless, Naruto still has blind spots— but that's what Sasuke is here for.

He sees the mage behind Naruto start casting with a great arc of her arm, mouth open, and Sasuke flings his arm out to punch the soldier with a bolt of lightning. She makes a strangled sound, spell cut off and collapses with a shudder. The lancer next to her whirls around, spots Sasuke, and starts toward him. ]

[acknowledges]

[He jumps onto the blade of a great axe- the surface wide enough that in the swing it makes he's able to use it like a stepping stone, springing from the carved metal to the soldier at the other end. She reminds him, in the space between one heartbeat and the next, of Sakura-chan, and maybe that's why Naruto smashes the back of her head with the hilt of his blade instead of killing her. His knees are high, mid-leap when they connect. As she goes down her hands loosen on the handle and the axe goes flying, cleaving the lancer that's spotted Sasuke.

The grin he flashes at Sasuke while the lancer buckles is every boyish taunt they're still flinging at each other.]

Don't worry Sasuke, I'll protect you.

[penitents]

[ The lancer loses his arm with an inhuman yell. Sasuke can see the blood arc through the air, following the trajectory of the the falling axe. The carnage draws back up to their position, Noir soldiers flocking toward them, thinking they can crush these two lone fighters with numbers alone.

Sasuke takes a deep breath and lets it out slow. He reaches into his pool of mana and draws it up, as though from a deep well. Naruto says I'll protect you, and while the jab is playful, there's only honesty in it. He has a moment, with Naruto's speed and strength maxed out, to do what he wants to do.

He's seen the effect the erupting volcano has had on Noir's magic. He's hazarding that it might have the same effect on his own fire, but he's pushing himself hard and most of the fight needs to come from Naruto— Sasuke can only draw the line. ]

[acknowledges]

[There are a few things that might make the fight turn more readily in their favor- like if Naruto had used his second weapon to bump fists with Sasuke and borrow an ability- of course then he'd also have to have some idea about how to use magic. Oh well.

He's always been more hands on anyway. It's because he's a shinobi and by extension, because he's spent no small part of his life trying in equal measure to stay alive and then to become stronger. More often than not, it's Sasuke that had pushed him this far, a point in the distance that he refused to stop trying to reach. Sasuke has pushed him beyond exhaustion, beyond anger, beyond sadness, beyond hopelessness- he's developed new techniques, mastered ones he's inherited, met people he would otherwise have never known, and made friends in the most unlikely of places. It's probably always been about Sasuke in a way.

In that way, nothing seems to have changed.

The lancer's scream brings a stream of soldiers their direction and it doesn't occur to Naruto to be scared. His grip on Sasuke earlier hadn't just replenished mana in one direction after all. Naruto squares his stance, feet spreading across the dirt and he focuses his attention on two soldiers at once this time, pushing them in an arch into their comrades on the left to make them fall like dominoes. It's mostly a diversion, to limit the number of attacks to dodge as Naruto goes charging in- he wraps both hands around the fallen lancer's weapon, planting it into one enemy's chest and using their spasming body as an anchor to vault himself into the rest of the line. It's Sasuke that will need to make sure incoming spells are interrupted- Sasuke who will have to keep him safe. Naruto is doing an excellent job of getting the attention of everyone around him- especially as he swings back towards the earth and brings the lance down with him. The soldier in front of him narrowly avoids being sliced vertically down the center, but that also wasn't what Naruto was aiming for. He swings, taking two men down by cutting just below their kneecaps.]

Over here you bastards! You're never gonna hit me like that!

[penitents]

[ Naruto launches himself into the crowd.

It isn't ideal, but neither is it unexpected. Sasuke doesn't close his eyes— since developing the Sharingan, he's never done it to concentrate unless he's been meditating&mdah; and watches steadily as Naruto keeps their focus. It probably takes seconds, crucial as they are, before Sasuke can gather the dregs of his mana to push it into the power of his mask.

The scream of black fire leaps up around them all in a half circle. Sasuke is careful to situate it behind Naruto, far enough away that it won't graze him accidentally, but the roar of it lunging skyward still startles him a little. The lava boosted Noir's fire magic, but it's also boosted his own. Any soldiers in the way are dead before they really have time to scream, and the others fighting Naruto are so sufficiently distracted that he has a few free hits in.

Blood overflows to ooze down Sasuke's cheeks from under his mask. His sight goes fuzzy around the edges, but he still manages to throw up a small shield when a single soldier recovers enough to lunge at the young hokage with his blade. The shield shatters upon impact, but the force of the weapon meeting it wrenches it from the soldier's grasp. ]

[acknowledges]

[Amaterasu will always be scary. It doesn't stop, it takes out everything in its path, and there's a feeling to it that just doesn't exist in any other fire. It doesn't want to give warmth and it doesn't want to help- it just wants to consume. Naruto can feel the moment those black flames appear, and then he hears the screaming.

Two enemies buckle and he turns just in time to watch the blow that would have struck him lodge in mid-air and bounce backwards. The sword is ripped out of the soldier's hand and Naruto snatches it back with gravity magic, cleaving the man at the throat in one fluid motion. He isn't in it for unnecessary brutality- Naruto is fighting to protect his friends and allies- and he's acutely aware that Sasuke must be at his limit by now. A single glance and he sees the blood running down his friend's face. This guy. He's always got to try and do the most.

Naruto keeps the sword, tucks it into the belt on his tip and wears it without a hilt, prioritizing his connection to Sasuke instead. Naruto reaches for him, hugging him close to speed up the recovery of his mana. He remembers this from before, when they'd first started practicing.]

Lemme know when you can see again.

[penitents]

Retreat.

[ Sasuke is irritatingly breathless after that show of strength, but this fight has been going on for a while now and even in rationing his mana, he is not as experienced a king as he can yet be. Naruto's arms are binding around his chest, and Sasuke reflexively puts his own around the younger shinobi's shoulders. He can feel the warmth from Amaterasu from here, a distant sear of heat. It's effectively blocked them, but with the encroaching lava, they need to relocate. ]

We need to move.

[ His vision still isn't all there, but Sasuke isn't keen on waiting around to be surprised by another wave of Noir soldiers like this and forcing Naruto to take the brunt of it— or to be caught in the rush of lava. He puts his hand in Naruto's dirtied, golden hair, encouraging him to back up before reaching for his hand. ]

[acknowledges]

[There's nothing else like it, the way they move around one another. Naruto knows he needs to back up in the moment before Sasuke reaches out to make contact, as if they're sharing the same thoughts. In part they are, because they've been reading one another's hearts, reading the other's intentions through an exchange of fists for years. Naruto is aware of the movement of bodies around them- of the soldiers that have yet to notice them and the groups along the periphery- starting to change direction. The ground beneath their feet is unsteady and its forcing all of them to make a decision of one kind or another.

Naruto's hand falls to Sasuke's own, palm to palm, as he turns. He'll take lead, guiding them back the way they've come.]

Stay close t'me'attebayo.