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

[babbylon]

[Don't move, Setsuna says. Right. He can manage that.

Except by the time Setsuna starts rushing away, he's already moving. A lot. Dancing, more like it, to an invisible beat only he can hear. Some Noir, sneaking their way up deck, do stop and side-eye him a little, especially when he mistakes foes for friends and forces them into a not so pleasant sea shanty. They wind up falling right off the side of the ship, partially due to a particularly harsh turn but mostly due to their kingly distraction. They curse Gilgamesh to their doom, but he doesn't hear them, singing to himself:]

What will we do with a drunken sailor? Way hay and up she rises, early in the mooooooooooooorning! ♪

[And oh, look, there's Setsuna again. Gilgamesh waves at him, or what he thinks to be him—it isn't actually, just another Noir soldier trying to cut him down—but he may have put a bit too much enthusiasm into it as he goes swinging into the railing and bumbling over it... and, well...]

Put him in the bed with the captain's daughteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer, ah, not to bed, not to bed...!

[The last thing Asuna will ever see is Gilgamesh's flailing body as it plummets towards the water. It's not just Gilgamesh that's gone tipsy, either; the boat's tipping, too!]

[quaria]

[ There is nothing else Setsuna can do for S.S. Albatross. It's time to abandon it. He looks at the escaping soldiers, who are all doing their best to survive — doing as Setsuna instructed earlier on; they're either jumping confidently towards the nearest allied ship, or is running through the remaining intact bridges to board them. He continues to scan the area for anything, anything — it's then, he eventually notices one remaining rescue boat attached at the ship's side. That!

Moving a hand to Asuna's shoulder, he was about to call her attention about it; but the boat started tipping again, preventing him from speaking. Instead, he takes full hold of the girl, moving to warp his arms around her waist. He holds her protectively, his free hand balancing the two of them as he holds onto the ship's frame. He can feel the rain causing his feet to slip, but his quick action locks them in place. They don't have much time left anymore... The ship will begin sinking in a matter of one or two more minutes. But the shoreline is near, so...! ]

Asuna, aid me!

[ He lets her go once the ship's angle isn't as bad anymore, so they can stand somewhat upright again. He rushes to the rescue boat, beginning to untie it as quickly as possible. Slaine and the others can use this... If they can just toss it down to them, they should be able to swim and board themselves on it. ]

i'm so sorry for short phone tags ugh

[avantguard]

[ Someone take Gil home he's drunk. Setsuna... you're the only one that can deal.

Like Slaine, Asuna goes pale once she sees Gil go overboard. Sure, they don't exactly get along (they're almost rivals??) but she told herself she would never allow a teammate to die if she has anything to say about it. But the boat is tipping and Setsuna grabs her before she can bolt and try and reach for him. First Slaine goes overboard, now Gilgamesh... they have to save them.

When Setsuna wraps his arms around her, she stares with a wide-eyed expression and hands gripping his upper arms. Although shocked at suddenly being that close to Setsuna, she's moving and following him to the rescue boat without issue. She gets his plan quickly and struggles with untying her end, pulling out the loops and managing to get it free in record time. ]

Senpai! Slaine-san and the others fell on this side! But Gilgamesh-san... ! [ A roll of thunder overpowers her hoarse voice. But it's obvious, they have to choose who gets the boat here. ]

still beautiful though///

[quaria]

[ Don't worry, he's got this. Trust senpai!

Thankful for Asuna's quick response, the rescue boat is now prepared. As Setsuna pulls the heavy boat to the side where Slaine and the soldiers fell, he listens to her carefully and as calmly as possible. His eyes can't help but widen to hear the end though, upon confirming that Gilgamesh indeed fell off — at a different side from the others much less. The boat is large enough to fit a decent amount of people, but knowing that the King won't be able to board it... It doesn't leave him with a good feeling that he has to sacrifice the boat for the greater good. But that's the right decision, and it isn't over yet. He won't let any more lives fade!

Setsuna makes a final assessment of the surrounding area. They can't afford to stay on this ship any longer, but Asuna is still here. However, he notices that in a fair distance there is an ally ship still intact and fighting on. ... His eyes narrow to himself, settling with an unsaid thought. He knows what to do, then. ]

Do not completely remove these ropes. We will use them to lower the boat to the others.

[ With the final minute, Setsuna and Asuna continue to work together to start lowering the boat to the side where Slaine and the others are. They rush, doing their best to hurry on before anything else gets worse. Once the rescue boat is set on the water, he can hear the soldiers yelling thankful shouts. This is taken care of...

Now, he looks at Asuna. ]

Sorry, I will... [ He has to do this without her permission. But he has no time to hesitate. As an unsaid message of, live on for me, he places a small kiss on her forehead. ] I promise to see you soon.

[ With that, Setsuna picks the girl up completely. He whispers, casting an air spell on her body so she wouldn't be as affected by the surrounding winds — and it's then, he kneels down like a real Knight would, summons all his strength and tosses her in a storm-defying throw. He launches her to the direction of the ally ship, confident that she will land on it safely. With that, he smiles to no one in particular and runs to leap the other side of the falling ship... Diving down to save the King. ]

[avantguard]

[ ALL HER TRUST.

It is sacrifice for the greater good and it makes Asuna's insides twist as well. Will they have to do this a lot during war? Decide on choosing the many over the few? That's awful. War is awful and she knew that but the reality still slams into her harshly. Although she's been trying to think of a way around killing the people of Noir, she has to sacrifice the people she's trying to protect?

Her hands hold the rope tightly as they work. If Slaine and the others get on the boat, what does she do? Should she check and make sure Gilgamesh is all right, too? He's her rival, but they're still a team. Should she get in the boat with the others? She has to protect Setsun-- ]

What?

[ While busy with her own thoughts, rushing the boat and lowering it to the water, she half-hears his apology. Not only because she's thinking too much but also because the storm is still raging. Cannons are still firing.

A soft, soft pressure touches her forehead, banishing her thoughts, and she stares at him when he pulls away, lips parted in surprise. A calm settles over her and one thing remains in her mind: It will be okay. Just like the first time she met him, his gentle demeanor makes her feel serene. Her hand clutches at an empty mana pendant. Why is he saying goodbye? No?? She's coming with! ]

Setsun- [ She's being picked up now. ] Pai?! Wait!?

[ Setsunpai. But what is happening? What is he doing? She sputters at him, confused. She hasn't decided boat or swimming yet?! Setsuna has decided to turn her into a bird. That's why Setsuna said goodbye.

SHE'S A BIRD SHE'S A PLANE SHE'S FLYING TO A DIFFERENT SHIP. She's also shrieking. WHY SENPAI??! ]

[babbylon]

[Oh. He's drowning.

Some of the drunkenness has worn off, enough for Gilgamesh to realize he's going to die. That's fine, isn't it? He's done his best. He had a world to return to. Maybe, if he lost his life, he could go back. Back to his station, back to his garden. All of this has been a mistake, he realizes, floating through the water. Sinking to the bottom of the sea. Beyond salvation, beyond hope, beyond anything but the darkness of death.

I do not belong here, he thinks, as everything begins to lose its color. Not with Asuna or Slaine or Setsuna or anyone else. This was his fault. His fault for exposing himself, his fault for falling prey to such weakness. His fault for opening himself to others. His fault for laughing and smiling and believing in those people. His fault for forgetting what he had been and what he was always destined to be.

He's going to die, and that's fine. That's what rebirth means. Something must be destroyed first. Of course, what he doesn't realize is that it's the alcohol still talking, to a degree. A Gilgamesh in his right mind would never embrace death, but the more he plummets, the more he loses hope. He can't swim. He can't rely on his crew to save him. This was his fault, his fault...

But squinting, he manages to see something.

A body. A hand. Reaching out to him. A voice that's muted. A light that's warm. "I told you to wait..."

Can he trust it? Gilgamesh makes no effort to move, at first. Blinks.

Who are you?

Why did you come for me?

You know, I am a King, so I don't need anyone.

Just go.

By order of the King, I don't need anyone at all, along this path of mine—

There's no time for argument. He's grabbed, and with shocking strength, forced back towards the surface. Towards the howling storm, pulled to shore. He gasps for breath, feels life fill his lungs and wonders what must've overtaken him to give up so quickly. His vision's still fuzzy, but nonetheless, he clings to his savior. I am a King. I don't need anyone.

But maybe this person wasn't just anyone after all.]