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.

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Hmph. [His words do reassure her, at least when it comes to the food. He still looks a bit ill, though.

Abruptly Pacifica walks back toward the bar, argues with the man serving up the drinks briefly, then comes back with two cups in her hand. She places one in front of him.]

Here. It's water.

...thank you.

[He had been contemplating drinking more, so having the misguided decision taken out of his hands is a good thing.]

...what's your name? I think I met you somewhere, but that might just be the sate I am in.

[He takes a careful sip, everything feeling unsteady.]

I needed to get a cup for myself anyway. [She tells him just a tad stiffly, eyes darting to the side for a moment, as if she's uncomfortable accepting his thanks.

She's quickly distracted when he voices what had been on her mind before.]

You, too? It felt like I saw you from somewhere before, but it's all fuzzy like it was a dream. [Ruby had been that way for her, too, she remembers.]

[He's drinking slowly still, trying to focus and be a bit of a better adult. Or rather teenager.]

I think I remember something about studying together, but that seems a bit strange. I don't think it was here and there would be no girls at my school back home.

I remember a lot of papers. And the room was kind of stuffy. I don't remember what we were talking about, though.

[Pacifica frowns, finally taking a seat at the table with him.]

Do you think it's something magical that's messing around with our memories?

That could be.

[He's regarding her as he finishes the rest of his glass.]

Or maybe it's just something they did to make some of us more familiar with each other. To build the bonds that Heroes need. You know, like in the stories. Or something like that.

That'd be dumb, if they were trying to make us become friends when we can't even remember the whole thing.

[The frown deepens as she watches him uneasily.]

Doesn't it bother you that they're using magic to mess around with us? What if they did other things that we don't even know about?

It's hard to say. They probably still want us on our toes at least.

[He's a bit more steady by now at least.]

Of course it bothers me. Very much so. I need my brain untampered, since it's my greatest asset. And as for anything else they did to us, while it's a possibility, there is no reason to worry about it over much for now.

At least the only kind of tampering I've noticed is when we run into people like this--feeling like we've met before.

[The "for now" is strongly implied. Now that he seems to be feeling better, Pacifica begins to pick at her own plate of food.]

How long have you been here?

If once upon a dream is the worst they have done to us, so be it.

[He's going to probably feel awful in an entirely different way later, but for now William feels like he can plow through the conversation with some more respectability.]

Since the day they bundled us on that airship or whatever they call it to take us to here, to Gammon. Is it the same for you?

Agreed. If that's all they do, I'll take it.

And, yeah. It was the same for me. [The frown returns.] The didn't even make sure we knew anything to survive out there before they tossed us onto the field.

...I am sorry to hear that. It's a terribly trying situation for anyone. [No doubt doubly so for a young girl, he thinks to himself.]

That said, whether is hardship abroad or at home, I think you'll be surprised what you can live through.

[There's a surprising amount of steel in her voice this time.]

I'm not going to be surprised. I...didn't know what to do on the field this time, but I'll make sure I know better next time.

[This isn't the kind of "fixing" that she'd had in mind when she'd made her promise at the party back home, but if there's going to be any improvement, it's going to start with herself.]

You and me both. Let us both make a good showing in the future.

[He's not setting out to be a great warrior or anything like that, but maybe William can make something of a name for himself.]

At least we have time from the sounds of it.

[She nods, settling back down now that she's made her point.]

Do you think they'll ever send us back? There's no way they know when the war will be over.

That is hard to say. They could very well be lying after all.

[For any number of reasons. Maybe they wanted to keep some useful soldiers around. Or maybe it was a one way trip and they didn't wish to admit it. Or it was all beyond their power.]

But I think one can only take them at their word for the moment. And I think it is in their best interests to keep their word for the moment.

I wouldn't be surprised if they blamed it all on that prayer thing to keep us here.

[She spears some food with her fork with unnecessary force.]

Since that's what brought us here in the first place, apparently.

Hmph, prayer? Very unlikely.

[He massaged his temples, thinking past his skepticism though.]

More than likely there is some greater force at work. A god, or a ritual or something. But whoever is behind it is no innocent.

A god? [Now it's her turn to sound skeptical.] How's that any more likely than it being a prayer?

I think you, like, might be onto something, though. It could be a ritual. [Her fork taps against her plate.] Do you think that Prime Minister guy could be behind it?

Because a God doesn't need something as stupid as a prayer to do anything. In theory. [His logic totally works, okay?]

...It must be a very demanding one then, considering how different some of us are from the stereotype of hero. [Really, he would have been far more discerning.] But then again, that might be all the more proof that the idiot is behind it. He didn't seem very bright for someone in that position. Not very inspiring at all.

[As a future prime minister himself, it makes William weep.]

[A smile tugs at her mouth at his apt description of the Prime Minister.]

That's like the impression I got, too. He might try to make people like him with that perky act, but I'm not buying it.

He must have inherited his seat instead of earning it. But yes, it is suspicious.

[Maybe that was unfair of him, but William still wasn't happy with that rude awakening, even weeks later.]

But everyone is hiding something, it's just what it is that's the problem.

[Pacifica snaps her fingers.]

There has to be, like, something on him or his family back in Caissa. If there's any that has to be the same everywhere, it's that people love to gossip. And records. Important families like that always keep records of some kind.

Maybe we should have a look when we're out of this place.

Dirt digging huh?

[Ethically, William should be against it. But at the same time...]

That sounds like a brilliant idea! Even putting all that aside, he is a politician. I am sure there is something on him, somewhere.

[Pacifica gives him a sharp smile in return.]

We can both check the library or other sources once we're back in Caissa. That sounds like the most likely place we'll find anything.

Even if we don't, like, find anything really scandal-worthy, we'll at least know more about who's leading us.

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notsolomon - 2016-10-04 02:21 (UTC) - Expand

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