pawnstorm | WAR ♞ MARCH ON CENTRAL WEST PLATEAU

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WAR ♞ MARCH ON CENTRAL WEST PLATEAU

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She does stop moving, though her breathing is definitely elevated as she looks over to Aigis... and grimaces against the pain of having to move even that little bit. Everything is connected to the back, after all. And any motion is translated to pain from there.] I - what!? [Well that makes sense what that horrid cracking impact to her back had been, which was about the last thing she remembered happening before she just woke up.]

And whaddya mean you... I... [She's having a hard time being coherent at the moment, which is a rarity for Yukari, but between the pain and the just-woke-up haze from being forced into a deep sleep for a couple days to skirt the horrid pain and injury probably isn't too surprising.] ... I'm gonna be able to walk again, right? [That note of panic is still there, but there's a least a touch more coherency in her statement.]

[She nods, once.] Yes, the healers say that they believe they'll be able to repair all the damage, given time. But it was a very severe wound. I was told you were lucky to survive.

If you can, please try not to move too much, Yukari-san. I'm certain you must be in great pain. [She bows her head.] Is there anything you need me to get you? Some water, perhaps? I'm afraid there's only so much I can do to alleviate your pain...

[She was lucky to survive? Yukari sighs. How lucky can she be...

... at least the damage is healable. Back home... it probably wouldn't be.

Then again, she'd also already died here, and that definitely isn't curable in any way. How much worse can it get?

What can Aigis do to help...]

You could always kill me. I bet I'd come back fully healed instead of having to deal with this.

[It's odd enough she says what she does in the first place, but it's yet more odd that she actually sounds serious.

Sleepy, kind of depressed, but serious.]

Y-Yukari-san! Please don't joke about that! [Aigis says, genuine concern in her voice.] I could never do something like that to you! You're my friend, after all.

I'm sure it will only be a few days' discomfort, so please, don't lose hope!

[Sigh.] How cruel.

[Of what, she doesn't specify. Probably has something to do with mercy killings.]

... Right. Magic and all.

I take it the battle went alright, then? I didn't get to see the end, I don't think. Unless it's still going. [But it feels too quiet to be in the middle of a war.]

[She nods.] Yes. The Noir forces didn't accomplish any of their goals, to the best of my knowledge. The city remains safe, its walls unbreached. They were very grateful to those of us who fought on their behalf.

With the exception of the casualties we took during the battle, it was virtually a complete success.

[A beat.] Are you sure I can't get you anything? Some food, or some water, or something else?

[Casualties.

She was probably almost one of those.

She still kind of wants to be. This is miserable. Everything hurts.]

I dunno. I guess I could use some water. Might help... wake me up. I feel all groggy.

[Hooray, she can be helpful! Aigis nods with an enthusiasm that Yukari might almost find amusing, were she not bedridden and gravely injured.] Of course! I'll be right back, Yukari-san! Please don't go anywhere! [It's a good thing that she's out of the room before either of them can realize the innocent insensitivity of what she's just said.]

[A few minutes later, she returns with a tray that she sets on Yukari's lap. On it is a glass of water and a piece of warm bread.] ...I thought you might be hungry, as well.

[Unfortunately, it is true, she doesn't have much of a sense of humor at the moment. Or a sense of joy. ... At least she's too depressed, tired, and injured to be too angry at the faux pas, though. She just goes back to staring at the ceiling until Aigis returns... and actually doesn't even really move until the tray is set over her lap and it seems to snap her out of whatever thoughtful reverie she'd been in.

She can barely move her head before it starts to hurt more in her back, but she does look down with her one good eye. Bread huh? ... Oh... maybe. She has been asleep for a couple days.

She doesn't really have an appetite either way, but she might as well try. It takes something of a concentrated effort for her to move, though, is the problem - her left arm seems to be in a sling, and moving her right alternates pain between the horrid gouge in her back, and the burn on her chest, but she takes the glass of water, shakily, either way.

And lifts it.

... Then puts it down when the tremble in her hand - and the pain - get to be too much.

With that, Yukari sighs. So this is how weak she is huh?] ... Thanks. I'll get to it eventually, I guess.

[It hurts to watch someone she cares about in pain. Aigis stands at Yukari's side, and when she sees the glass tremble and drop back, she reaches down to try and steady it just in case it falls.] Oh!

[But it doesn't. Okay. She can do this.

What should she do? How do you help someone in this much pain?] Yukari-san... do you want me to help you? I should be able to easily hold it for you to drink from. It's important to stay hydrated.

I'm not a little kid, and I don't need to be fed! [The reaction is... snappy, almost entirely knee-jerk, and angry... not at Aigis. At herself. It probably won't come off that way, though, because she glowers as much at Aigis as she possibly can with the limited mobility in her head and neck.

And almost immediately, she regrets it, as the outburst tightens the muscles in her back, the sudden exhalation forces her injury to twinge again, and the pain's strong enough to bring a tear to her eye.] ... Ow... shit...

Yukari-san! [Aigis darts forward, putting a hand on her shoulder almost reflexively before she pulls it back, not sure if Yukari should be touched at all.] Please, try to stay still, if you can! You're very badly hurt.

[She pauses.] It isn't that I think you're a child, Yukari-san. But you're in pain, and you're my friend.

I want to help you.

[Well, she CAN be touched, regardless of her own personal feelings about it, but she's too distracted by the fact it hurts to be able to do much about it. To be able to protest even further that she's not that weak, she's not that...

... Ugh. Aigis. Shut up. All she wants to say, and yet, she can't. She is grumpy and in pain, but she can't be that cruel. Not like this. She is... she is just trying to help and Yukari is just... miserable. Miserable and in pain and lonely and just wants to be left to mire in it until she can overcome it herself.] ... Yeah but... I'm too stubborn to want to be helped.

[... She's also pretty self-aware, all things considered.] I'm too stubborn, and everything hurts, and I hate this place and I just... I want to be left alone and I don't... want... to be alone, either.

[Wrap your head around that one, robot.]

[Aigis is quiet for a moment in thought. She realizes that Yukari is actually being rather honest with her, in that admission, and doesn't want to say something wrong. But what's the right thing to say?] ...I understand.

Or at least, I think I do. It's confusing, sometimes, trying to work out how I feel about things. There isn't any logic in what I want. So... I think it's okay if you want two contradictory things.

[She turns to get the damp washcloth again, pressing it to Yukari's forehead. She hopes the coolness feels good.] I think it's okay to accept help when you need it. If you want me to leave, I will, though.

[Yukari just... closes her eyes as the cloth is pressed to her face - or at least the one that's visible.

She sighs, and even that twinges into her back. It'll heal, she has to remind herself. All of this will heal, and then she'll be alright. She'll just have to make sure none of it happens again.]

... You're fine here. If you can stand that I'm just gonna keep dragging the mood down. I'm not really... in the best mood right now.

[Hooray! She's been given license to stay. Aigis smiles to herself, mopping the sweat from the other girl's brow.] It doesn't bother me, Yukari-san. I understand.

You've been through a very trying experience, so please don't push yourself too much.

Yeah, but it means I'm just gonna keep saying stuff that might hurt you and... [... Nevermind. She won't admit yet to the pushing Aigis away on purpose part. That she doesn't regret much. No matter how doggedly Aigis is trying to be her friend.]

... Ugh. You think they're gonna come try to put me back to sleep, or am I gonna have to just sit here and stare at the top of this tent?

It's all right. You're in pain, so you might say some harsh things you don't mean. [Aigis says like it's the most obvious thing in the world. She still believes in your friendship!]

Would you like to be put back to sleep? I can see if the nurses can find a caster who has that magic spell!

... I'd probably kill someone again for some aspirin, at the lest. [She sighs.] I'm pretty sure I've got nothing going for this pain other than that.

[Sigh.] ... It hurts to breathe.

I... don't know what advice I can offer you for that, since I've never experienced that before. [She says, sounding wholly genuine in her regret.] I can go find the nurse, if you'd like.

Or should I stay and keep you company?

You can... [There's a pause that sounds to abrupt to be her having second thoughts - it's her back again.] ... I guess you can stay, but I guess I wouldn't care if you got the nurse. I can only... think they'd put me back to sleep at this rate, so if you wanna talk... might as well do it now.

[She nods, softly. What should she say? Is there anything they can talk about?]

I'm glad we're friends. [Wow, that just sort of slipped out.] In the future, I mean. You're someone I enjoy knowing.

[In order: Whatever she wants, and probably not. The mention of being friends causes Yukari's eyebrow to raise, and she turns her head a little back to look at Aigis.] ... Why? [Well there's a simple question with a lot of weight to it.] I'm not the easiest person to know.

Because we have shared experiences, I think. It's hard to understand someone else if you haven't been through what they have. And by going through them, we became closer.

You're important to me, Yukari-san. I want to protect you, too.

[Her fingers curl a little into the blankets. She knows 'protecting things' is like... Aigis' default state of existence but...

... she has such a problem with that. She doesn't need it. She isn't weak, she doesn't need it!] ... Save it for Minato-kun. I don't need to be protected. I can take care of myself just fine.

[She says, laying in bed with a grievous wound caused by an... inability to protect herself.]

WAR ♞ MARCH ON CENTRAL WEST PLATEAU

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