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

Post-battle

[glorifiedtrash]

»This here's a kidnapping

[You were somewhere. Doing some thing. Maybe. Anyway your plans are being derailed. A redhead is dropping in and holding out his hand to you.]

Yo. Let's go.

[Apparently Fabrizio's come to take you away from your mundane life Cinderella. Do you accept...?]

((ooc: I'm making this option up as I go along so it could be anything from accompanying Zelos on an almost date to mafia deals who knows.))

»Wildcard

Hit me up with whatever, all good!

CLOSED TO: Kaede and Weissmann | WARNNING FOR: potental gruesome interrogation

[glorifiedtrash]

»If it's not a person you can do whatever you want to it, isn't that what they say...

[It's not that Zelos revels in torture. But sometimes you need information and there's only a finite number of ways to obtain it. This might be one of those times. Or maybe he's just bitter and this is a convenient outlet. He's not examining the root causes here.

The facts are the facts and they go thus: a man of Noir was unfortunate enough to be saved from the maelstrom of the sea. A fish cannery on the edge of Capablanca stands empty as revelers fill the streets. There's no one here to see. No one to know. And...]

Under the shining name of the Lord, contain the words of the impure who crawl upon this world. --Reticence.

[The sounds of the outside world become faded and distorted, soft and distant as if heard from an ocean away. They lose all sense of place and meaning. Not Zelos's finest spell, but it goes both ways-- what comes in is rendered worthless and what goes out is just the same. They won't be bothered. No matter how noisy they get. Dropping the hand he'd been using to trace crosses in the air there's only calmness on his face, his eyes devoid of all sympathy. He never did pick up that emotion in the poisonous world of Tethe'alla.

Sitting in the middle of the room tied half naked to an heavy chair is a Noir soldier. All of the man's possessions, weapons, mana crystals and so forth have been set aside on one of the nearby conveyor belts. Far out of reach to save him. Nor is he exactly in the peak of health, quite a few bruises and gashes crisscrossing him from the battle on the sea.

The stage is set for the first question-- who wants to start?]

((ooc: feel free to NPC the soldier, make him as compliant or resistant as you like, etc. He can still use the spells from the bestiary in the main post if not stopped so that's up for playing around with too.))

[long_live_the_queen]

[Her chest hurt.

No, not from observing the soldiers, their deaths and their suffering. Not from empathy, not anymore. That was her other self's strong point. She'd just had a damned cannonball smash into her torso, with just enough healing done to her to keep her from flat out dying.

Kaede still felt like her organs would give way at any moment, but like hell she was going to show it. Instead, she loomed forwards until the flickering lights made her look bigger and more menacing, focusing attention on herself instead of the others.

Her expression didn't help matters, and neither did the way she kept idly tossing half a brick in her hand.]

What is Noir?

['The bad guy', they'd been blankly telling her. If she asked any further, she was either met with ignorance or deliberate (to Kaede's mind) obfuscation.]

[fadetoweiss]

Our kingdom, taking back what should be rightfully ours, [ the soldier grinds out, glaring at Kaede. He seems remarkably unwilling to say anything else; his gaze is defiant and proud. He seems to be a patriot, this one.

Weissmann looks on, clutching his staff...'worriedly.' Really, though, he's come along because information would be nice...though he doesn't approve of such brute-force methods. There were easier, nicer ways to get someone to talk, and such things wouldn't leave scars. ]

Er...You're not going to hit him with that, are you? [ His voice is hesitant. ]

[glorifiedtrash]

[Zelos's eyes narrow just the slightest. People thinking they own things. People thinking they have rights. It's...somehow all kinds of infuriating. His gaze switches to Kaede and then Weissmann.

...If they're bad cop, good cop he needs to be the line inbetween here. And so...]

It's a consideration.

[Reaching into a glove he pulls out a flat knife and holds it out to Kaede.]

A brick's not going to do it.

[You know. If they're going to get straight to the heart of things here and all. ...Possibly quite literally. The soldier's eyes follow the blade. Things are clearly taking a bad turn for him. Zelos catches that gaze for the briefest of moments.]

Or we can get what we want and maybe you live to make it back home.

[He looks at Kaede again.]

How do you feel about the matter~?

((ooc: also for ref interrogation info via the mods))

[long_live_the_queen]

[Kaede didn't look at Weissman, though she did stop tossing the brick around—eventually dropping it, but not for logical, altruistic reasons.]

You're right. I should get something sharper.

[And Zelos delivers! Without needing to be asked. How thoughtful of him.

Kaede took the knife, taking her eyes off of the soldier for a moment as if she was studying its edge and the reflective steel while she listened to Zelos.

She seems to be rather seriously considering not letting him walk off. There were even plenty of loose stones and rope about near the coastline, for easy corpse disposal.]

I don't know. He's spouting the same useless garbage the whitecoats do.

[That gets a reaction; not fearful, but an indignant outburst from the soldier.]

We're nothing like them! We don't waste the gifts of the gods, leaving it rotting for damn plants!

CLOSED TO: Minato

[glorifiedtrash]

»Playing the martyr and singing salvation
  Dated: 3/20 I'm just too lazy to make a log

[So. Boat building. Sure is some interesting shit. Not. Actually Zelos feels rather unworthy to be doing such for some reasons who could say. So rather than help he's here for moral support. And to annoy?

Either way, suddenly there is a redhead dropping down into a seat next to Minato and looking avidly at his work! Welcome to being stared at by complete strangers: Graupera edition.]

[burnmydread]

[ Boat building is something Minato would only take part in if there weren't less exhausting ways to gain some extra colle. Though, this occasion is a little different. For all the opportunity he's taken to cut a few corners and have some amusement at the expense of others, he's feeling understandably unmotivated by all nefarious tendencies.

He knows he should be saying something, but really, what is there to say? So Minato just sits and watches for a while, slouched on a bench as the procession goes by, decorating the boats in name of those who didn't make it back to shore. He glances up when someone takes a seat next to him. ]

...

[ He tilts his head slightly. ]

...It's lopsided.

[glorifiedtrash]

That's life, kid.

[Reaching out though to straighten Minato's head like that will. Totally help.]

Not feeling the party?

[Since when is this a party...]

[burnmydread]

[ ...Did this guy just do that?

He totally did.

It's a good thing Minato's middle name is Chill, because he does just straighten right out, although his brows furrow a bit in mild confusion. ]

...It's missing music.

[ Does he usually rock out in graveyards or what. What is the social norm here, buddy. ]

[glorifiedtrash]

[He lets go, but it's only so he can put an hand thoughtfully to his own chin.]

Hmm... What if I gave you a bassline?

[Yes. He is suggesting they beatbox. This is a very serious mourning thread. Very. Serious.]

[burnmydread]

[ Now, Minato is usually someone who can give less of a crap if something makes people uncomfortable as long as he stays remotely amused. But...is this guy for real?

He just...stares. Silently. Then slowly cocks his head to the side. ]

Wrong style of music.

[glorifiedtrash]

[Zelos doesn't mind the stare. But that kind of reply...]

I don't think a dirge would get you very far right now.

[It's just a thought. Turning he picks up a boat, looking it over.]

[tsyoon]

[ He's eating. He's hungry. Magic takes more energy than previously surmised...

And being hungry and a little tired and worried about all the people he's been trying to help who got hurt leaves Yoon so distracted he didn't notice the person until there's a hand in front of his face and he jumps, falling backward into the planter he'd been sitting on the edge of to scarf down his sandwich. ]

What the hell--

[ Squinting up from a bed of fuzzy leafy plants with sandwich spread on his chin. ]

Go where?!

[glorifiedtrash]

I'd say your wildest dreams, but you don't look like the sort who exactly imagines adventure and romance. More like office work and cleaning the kitchen.

[He's just. Saying. So kindly and bluntly. Anyway, if not stopped he will grab a fistful of Yoon's shirt and dragggg him up to his feet!]

It's a kind of kitten stuck in a tree scenario. I need your expert help. You wouldn't turn your back on a kitten, would you~?

[tsyoon]

[ Well, he's not... wrong.......

Yoon sputters, making a grab for the stranger's wrist to help haul himself up in a way that puts less strain on the fabric of his shirt so it doesn't end up all stretched out (the things this kid thinks about), and steadies himself against the edge of the planter.

As soon as he's on his feet, he'll be prying that hand from his shirt thank you very much. ]

What are you talking about?

Who the hell are you, anyway?!

[ ...

.......

squint. sigh. ]

Just show me where the kitten is.

[glorifiedtrash]

[What a good kid. Zelos would say that kind of altruism will get Yoon in trouble but-- well, it already has. All he does is smile.]

This way.

[Slipping down an alley he leads a confusing trail through the backstreets of Cspablanca. These ones aren't so pretty as the main thoroughfares, but they have their charm in window planters and shell framed doorways. Rather abruptly they come out up against the city wall, one of the drainage tunnels sunk into it leading down. Crying can be heard, but that's definitely no kitten-- it sounds like a little girl.]

[tsyoon]

[ To be fair, Yoon isn't entirely without suspicion as they turn into less populated streets, but he is a good kid, and he does want to help...

He's about to complain and ask how much farther they have to go when they arrive. The crying is immediately apparent, and it doesn't sound like an animal.

Yoon rushes forward to the edge of the sunken tunnel, trying to look down into it. ]

What's going on here?

[ Turning back to the stranger, urgently this time. ]

Is there a child stuck down there?

[glorifiedtrash]

Something like that.

[Zelos crouches by the edge of the tunnel. It only goes six or seven feet before coming up against a rusted set of bars, but there's definitely a little girl down there. Though from the way she's clutching a stuffed animal and whimpering "papa" it may not be so much that she's stuck.

Many people are celebrating today. But that doesn't mean everyone is.

Sorry this is actually a sad thread, oops. ANYWAY. Zelos looks at Yoon.]

What're you going to do, hero?

[He could get that little girl. But it's a good bet she's not going to be very receptive if she ran away to hide with her tears.]

kidnapping

[armorial]

[ Like most, she is eating and having the time of her foodie life, but the hand does startle her. She doesn't take a step back, but looks at the hand before looking up to the man. ]

You would get an answer if you mentioned the destination. [ She's highly suspicious especially since this is a stranger and he seems........ shady.... ]

[glorifiedtrash]

Owch. Where's the trust?

[Like sketchy approaches warrant trust at all. Moving on!]

Nice house, good food-- that sort of thing. [He actually smiles nicely. Clearly the apocalypse has come-- I mean:] It beats the crowds out here. Promise.

[armorial]

[ While it all sounds nice, it just sounds... worse with each word at the same time. ]

Is there a reason why you chose me and not a close companion of yours? [ Suspicious. ]

[glorifiedtrash]

...Heh. But you are my close companion. After all there is no one I can trust more in this world than those like me-- if I go down surely the rest of you will as well.

[So. You see. They're rather in this together as fellow heroes and all. Leaning forward he peers into her eyes, somewhere between amused and inexplicably-- pleased?]

Are you doubting your ability to keep me in check?

[armorial]

[ She does not take such peering kindly. Giving an intense gaze of her own, her frown deepens even more. What he says is true... Despite how questionable the man, this all plays out to make her seem disrespectful. ]

I have confidence in myself. [ She will beat up anyone. ] I will accompany you then.

[ If she doesn't like it, she can just leave... At least that's what she thinks. ]

[glorifiedtrash]

[Looks like time will tell. Zelos nods and turns, waving her after him. It's a trip to a more...jazzier part of town. The houses are nice, but their garishness lacks the respectability of the abodes of nobles. The upswinging tunes I turned 70 just typing that and half dressed revelers celebrating victory over Noir aren't exactly helping. Regardless Zelos leads the way into an house with all the confidence they're supposed to be there.

Once inside he grabs a glass of wine and passes it over to Arturia.]

You brought your weapon, right?!


[It's kind of hard to hear over the music and loud sounds of promiscuity but... This question does not exactly jive with everything else, oops.]