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Post by dargon on Jun 13, 2010 20:35:11 GMT 1
Kristialin to Wanderer "Yet you are allied with an evil force yourself. Nazahedria plans to exterminate the C'tis and loot what remains of their culture to use for his power. He treats his own people like slaves and won't even give them peace in death. In fact he's looked into buying slaves anyways. How can you justify working with someone like him?
Furthermore have you looked at the C'tis point of veiw? Their entire culture was forced into a world of might make right by the Pankrator when he punished the nation for the acts of an individual. Now they've started to rebuild and though they are using slaves at least they've never gone raiding for them or tortured anyone like the Jouppon do all the time. Kristialin shifts around, restless
"I understand your point, but let me see what I can do from the inside before I make a decision. I hope to fix the mistakes the Pankerator made, not write them off as lost causes. To my understanding they only use slaves because they need to get the work done fast. If slave labor can be replaced then I don't see what else the C'tis have done to earn your ire."
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odin
Officer
Confused Wanderer in the War Zone
chuch
Posts: 161
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Post by odin on Jun 13, 2010 22:23:37 GMT 1
Summer, Year 0 of the Ascension Wars
Rise of the Children
In the far reaches of the map, through fields, past the far mountains, lies an ancient forest to the north of the Warring Provinces of the East. These wooded lands are isolated far beyond the well trod paths of man. Things from another age dwell in the woods, beings no modern man has seen, remembered only through old stories, ones clouded by both myth and legend.
Now that the Pankrator is gone, the world plunged into madness and blood, the old things no longer have the luxury of remaining alone separated from the rest of creation. The Children of Novena, led by the great spirit of the wood once again make their entrance to the world stage.
Will the ancient Children with their knowing eyes and wisdom of eras past lead the world to new age of peace and prosperity? Or will the Children with their strange ways, powerful arms and thick hides come to subjugate and destroy the younger races?
The Invasion of C'Tis
It all begins with a single slave caravan, ragged tired from the constant harassment of The Wanderer's men, they arrive at the border of the C'tisian Swamp. The slaves pass through a gathering army.
The C'tis hearing word of an impending campaign by The Wanderer have begun preparing for war. The slaves pass by on their way to the capital and their new life of labor. But these slaves are different they carry with them a new faith and a burning desire tot do the will of the Wanderer.
When they reach the capital, they begin spreading The Wander's word to other slaves. They sabotage levies and dikes, but their work goes almost unnoticed. Their C'tis overlords dismiss thir actions out of hand stupid clumsy humans are prone to such mistakes.
The Wanderer's assault comes months early, slamming through the as yet unprepared defenders and plunging directly towards the heart of the swamp. Led by The Wanderer himself, they make good time, outpacing the C'tisian armies attempting to fall back to protect the capital.
At the same time the slaves in the capital rise up. Unfortunately the brutality of the C'tis has already broken the spirits of many, and fewer then we're hoped for throw off their shackles. The rebellion is quickly and harshly put down.
As punishment for their attempts to rise up thousands of slaves are worked to death. Their new task to turn the levies protecting the capital from the swamp into bulwarks against the advance of The Wanderer.
When The Wanderer and his men arrive at the capital they are greeted by the sight of hastily raised walls and determined C'tisan defenders. The march through the swamp left no chance to bring seige equipment, and while The Wanderer's men outnumber the defenders, attacking the walls will be butcher's work.
The defenders also give The Wanderer a message, carved into the back of a slave, and chucked over the wall. It reads: "Leave C'tis now or all of the human slaves die."
The Assault on Azog.
The massive army of the Necromancer States marches on Azog. Huge siege engines powered by the undead quickly level the city's newly rebuilt walls. Within hours the last living members of X'yogg'thoth's cult in the city have been killed or captured. Only the last defenders in the depths of the Howling pits remain.
The few strongholds outside of the cult's capital don't have the forces necessary to break through to defend their Pretender.
The promised forces from Jouppon arrive, but they too are to far from Azog to render assistance.
Likewise the forces dispatched by Cerrak arrive but to late to be of any real assistance in the battle against the abomination
Elsewhere
In Hoburg the hammer commissioned by the Behemoth arrives from Ferra. The Hammer is massive taking over a hundred oxen to pull all the way to Hoburg. True to their word the Hoburgers send the oxen back to Ferra this time laden with the payment for the titanic weapon.
In the Imperial City, the massive flood of pilgrims and flagellants slows, reducing the stress on the cities food supplies and helping alleviate one of the Empire's myriad problems.
Marshal Law is still in effect in the capital, extended after the Counsel Theologica's inability to elect a new leader. Rumors that Tetra's assassination was a plot on the behalf of other Counselors throws the entire body into disarray.
In the north, Imperial Forces arrive to hold The Shappers at bay. Garrisons are bolstered, but as of yet no offensive army has been assembled.
Around the borders of Imperial influence Umberto defeats dozens of petty pretenders. While not a significant gain, it is a victory that emboldens those faithful to the Empire.
The provinces recaptured are put under direct military control to ensure that no more pretenders manage to spring up.
((Work in progress, more to come.))
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Post by The_JJ: Solaris Council on Jun 13, 2010 23:43:52 GMT 1
Wanderer to Kristialin: "I will not wait while slaves die by the thousands and the White One finishes whatever project he is planning nor as he makes alliance with the Nazhadria, who I like no more than you. They've offered help, but I've made no commitments to return the favor. No, they do not raid but they buy, and work to death and buy again. I will take their culture and break the cycle, but I will do it now."
"Make up your mind, and fast, before more innocents are lost, and the benifits you would seek to gain dry up. This could be the start of a grand alliance between us, or you could go on your way." The Wanderer squats over the body, leans down and shuts the man's eyes. "Give him the funeral of a hero." He sighs deeply. It's been a long time for him in one manifest body, instead of flitting across the world. It's odd slowly loosing the deeper conection to the mystisism of his domain, the unfathomable wealth of data in each moving thing. There are benefits though. His sword hand itches at this insult, small in scale but oh so indicative. "You, you, scout the walls. I will protect you from their missiles, but move fast. These are rough, built quickly, and perhaps sabotaged. But move fast." Then he stands. "We'll give them no response. Let them think we are indecisive." "And the slaves-" "Would be worse off if we had never come, worse and the first of many more if we leave now." The Wanderer flicks out his sabre and slashes through trailing vines until it sticks with a thunk in a twisted swamp tree. "Do not forget what I told you about clean water and where you camp." With another thunk another swath of vines tumbles to the ground. "Now we must build ladders." odinWaiting for a little more information before making plans. I don't intend to let my forces get caught though. Edit: odin: Forgot to finish my thought with the whole 'sword in tree thing.' We're going to set up a bunch of lightweight ladders to scale the walls with. The idea will be to use our numbers so that we surround the city and hit it everywhere at once. With our numbers advantage, walls are only good if you have men on top, otherwise it's a speed bump. So get the ladders up, go over if we can, pull off if we can't. Let the lizards redeploy to try and hit those who did get over, then go up again. Those who get up move to clear areas for the rest to come in. More planning later.
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Post by dargon on Jun 14, 2010 0:15:49 GMT 1
To Wanderer "Very well, you'll get my answer one way or another before too long." Kristialin takes off and continues to fly southward. To C'tis Kristialin flys over the seige taking care to remain out of range but scouting the besigers at the same time before landing. When he lands, TJ is there to greet him.
"So what do you think of them?" Kristialin says quickly before any C'tis appear.
"Other then the slavery they seem to be a fine people, M'lord" TJ replies bowing. Kristialin nods and when the C'tis arrive he demands to see Sithiuss as soon as possible.
"Its good to finally meet you in person Sithiuss and I wish it was under happier times. Still let us cut to the chase; what is it that you want from me?"
odin could I get an idea of the type of troops surronding the C'tis and the terrain itself? Also are the spells ready or are they still being developed?
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Post by The_JJ: Solaris Council on Jun 14, 2010 0:53:52 GMT 1
Wanderer to Kristialin: As the dragon flys off (and since there is really only one place to go south from there....) the Wanderer whispers on the wind. Note what you see carefully. The bodies of the dead heaped behind the White One's walls. No slow path for us on this. Also, the Fallen are in the NPC part of the first post. Is this correct?
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Post by sinistral on Jun 14, 2010 7:35:52 GMT 1
Hooded figures appear silently from the depths of the war torn city. They emerge from the ground, and make their way through the chaos of the city. They are the Magus Servants of the Harbinger, appearing for the first time in battle against the legions of walking dead. Saturated in the power of their master, they walk the battlefield, unleashing blasts of light shaped in alien geometries against the undead hordes. The Sage leads them, sheer unbridled power accumulated over centuries focused against the armies of Nahzderia. His magic has no visual manifestation. His targets just die. With a wave of his crooked hand an advancing wave of zombies is exploded into a mess of gore, as the Magus Servants surrounding him beat back wave after wave with their unearthly magic. Suddenly, they part ranks, and a tattooed woman with a curved knife rushes forward. A Priest Servant. She slices her body along her tattoos, severing her arteries pouring torrents of blood onto the stone. Reality itself seems to tear around her, as dozens of other worldly beings pour through the hole she punched in the veil, drawn to her blood like demonic sharks. They rend and tear everything in their way, tentacles and teeth smashing the assembled hordes. They cut a deadly swath through the ranks of undead, ruthless in their assault. A group of necromancers attempt a hasty counterattack, but they are quickly cut down. By the time the warriors of Nazhderia assemble any effective defense, the Magus Servants have already vanished into the caverns beneath the city, leaving only a solitary figure to face them. The Priest Servant, more blood then could possibly belong to any human gushing from her wounds. Despite the prodding of their masters, the mindless undead soldiers are hesitant to attack her, some unseen force holding them back. She speaks, a voice that does not belong to her echoing across the fallen city. [glow=black,2,300]Did you think that by slaying my Servants you could stop me? I witnessed the birth of the universe itself, to that your upstart godling is nothing more than a raindrop in the ocean. You only killed the weakest of my followers. My most skilled warriors and powerful mages still await you deep in the Pits, with a host of the mightiest of my brethren. You can march as many mindless corpses as you want into the depths, but it will avail you nothing. Without guidance, they will merely wander in circles or perhaps even out of reality itself. If you wish to challenge me, you will eventually need to send in thinking beings. And then, little dead things. you are mine. I wonder, how many of you are willing to die true deaths to satisfy your little godling’s foolish campaign against me? Just how long can you afford to wait here, with your homeland undefended? You can wait on the surface as long as you want, but I can wait longer. I don’t even have to waste any energy against you, the Howling Pits themselves will bleed you dry. I will defeat you. It’s only a matter of time. [/glow] X’yogg’thoth releases the Servant from his thrall, and with a cry of rage, she stabs herself in the heart. She explodes in a torrent of blood, calling forth a swarm of Elder Things that destroy many undead warriors before finally being overwhelmed. Kristalin If you wish to strike against Nahzderia, now is the time. With the majority of it’s power in contest with us, their homeland is vulnerable. This could be your best chance to liberate the people Anaxias has enslaved for centuries. Joppun I trust we are still allies, then? How goes your fleet preparations? Are we still on schedule to hit Cerra? I’m sure I don’t need to remind you of the plunder just waiting for the taking…. Odin Since I am unlikely to win a prolonged military conflict, I hit Nahzderia where I have the advantage: Morale. My agents in Nahzderia spread dissent about the war with Azog, with extra detail given to describing the mental and physical trauma inflicted on the poor, misfortunate soldiers stuck in the Howling Pits. In Amrin, my agents spread rumors about the turn of the Pankrator, while in Dol K'Tiel they raise doubts about the levies forcing Dol K’Tiel citizens to fight ‘Anaxias’s personal war.’ My last defenders harass the invading army’s supply line with disposable Elder Things, all the while augmenting their defense in the depths of the pits with both magical and mundane traps.
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Post by Rationalgoblin on Jun 14, 2010 19:38:13 GMT 1
CerrakThe titan Cerrak adopts a calculating smile on his stony face as the beast of Azog finishes his speech and sends easily defeated monsters to fight Nazhedria. "Then the living shall fight you, X’yogg’thoth. In fact, those who live again shall fight you. We shall see whether your mad creatures can stand against the dead."The granite giant turns to his undead allies. "I apologize, my good friends. I must attend to matters in the north. Things are spiraling out of my control, and I've worked too hard to let myself fall to X’yogg’thoth and his ilk. I cannot afford to keep any of my soldiers here, when the Shapers are getting dangerously close to my domain. You will not be required to lend me any undead troops, as I have no provided you any aid. I wish you luck in your fight with that abomination, and hope to contact you in the future." With that, Cerrak leaves with his forces, and begins marching north, towards the Shapers. As he does, he sends messengers to various factions. Cerrak to Umberto Umberto. I urge you to ask the Council Theologica for stewardship over the spiritual functions of the Imperial Cult. You, and your forces alone have stopped the tide of Pretenders to the Pankrator's throne. You alone have risked everything to save the Empire. And what have the Council Theologica done? Nothing!
Yes, they have lost their leader, your beloved friend Tetra, and most of the major priesthood have been slain by unknown hands (most probably the certain Pretenders I have mentioned before), but they are the Pankrator's anointed, his chosen! Surely they should have been united even without Tetra. The Pankrator demanded order, after all, and they should have been the Pankrator's will, even after his disappearance! But they have not been the order needed in these dark times.
Only you have been the law, the order, the one with the strength of will needed to stop the hordes of those who wish the Pankrator's throne! I plead with you, Grand Marshal Umberto, General of the Pankrator's Legions, and my strong ally, take the stewardship of the Pankrator's priesthood upon yourself! This will not be a usurpation of your master's power, but simply a method to keep the worshipers of the Pankrator safe! With the support of the Council behind you, and the entire empire looking towards you to regain what is rightfully the Pankrator's, there is nothing you cannot do!
And as further penance for my rebellion against your master eons ago, I shall send my armies against the cursed Shapers! With yet another Pretender falling to you, and I as your ally, how can you doubt the righteousness of your cause?
Cerrak to Hood I suppose we should begin the preparations discussed earlier? If you could lend your follower's daggers towards my attempts to crush the Shapers, it would aid our plans greatly.
Cerrak to Nazhedria Apologies for my lack of aid against X’yogg’thoth, but you seemed to have mostly taken care of him. I need to fight the Shapers in the North, but I'm willing to help in fighting C'tis if needed. Contact me if you need any magical artifacts made for your battles against the lizards.
odin Leaving for the Shaper's Lands with my ++ (if I remember right) of troops that were at Azog. Also sending ++ of troops from Cerra to attack the Shapers from a different angle.
Also, remember, I gave the magical weapons I forged last turn to Hood's forces.
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Post by Sayn on Jun 14, 2010 19:47:28 GMT 1
Remind my again; which of our plans are you talking about now? There have been a few, now, after all.
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Post by dargon on Jun 14, 2010 20:12:12 GMT 1
To X'yogg'thoth I don't exactly have a military to attack them with. Perhaps you should have Jouppon or your other servants attack them instead? I may be able to support a rebellion at the same time if you do so.
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Post by Rationalgoblin on Jun 14, 2010 20:43:57 GMT 1
Cerrak to Hood The "Gate" plan. Ring a bell? ;D
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Post by sinistral on Jun 14, 2010 20:45:37 GMT 1
Kristalin You don't need to attack them head on. Have your agents and dragonborn assist my agents to incite rebellion. I'm sure a personal appearance by yourself should lend strength to any efforts you make
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Post by Sayn on Jun 14, 2010 21:09:07 GMT 1
Ah, yes. I've told odin about it in my EoT so the project is underway. He said he'd give me regular updates on it as it progresses.
As for the Shapers; fine, I don't see why not. I'm currently doing a lot of things with my assassins, so I probably won't able to take out any really high-profile targets, if that's alright?
Also, I have a second "project" which I would like your assistance with. I wish to forge Hood's Scythe. (Yes it's a bit cheesy, but that's sort of why I want it.) I'm going to distill a drop of pure Death-essence and I want you to hammer it into a Scythe. I'd expect the Scythe to become rather powerful once that drop has been thoroughly combined with it. If you'd like I could probably distill a second drop for you to use as you please. IF odin accepts this whole thing, of course. Just thought I'd check if the interest was there before asking him.
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odin
Officer
Confused Wanderer in the War Zone
chuch
Posts: 161
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Post by odin on Jun 14, 2010 22:14:29 GMT 1
Just so everyone is on the same page, The Fallen are an NPC faction. They started out as a PC but he player dorped and said he was fine with them becoming NPCs. The Fallen to The Wanderer A long shadow passes over the army of The Wanderer. An angelic messenger lands softly on a moss covered stone, avoiding the muck and mire of the swamp. The fallen messenger waits patiently for the Wanderer. @jj Okay. Got it. Was the assault ready to go forward then? Jouppon to Nazhedria A trade deal seems like it would benefit both our parties. If there's one thing an Oni excels at it's generating corpses.
I'm afraid I cannot stop the troops from arriving. If the Oni where commanded to stop, or return home without the promised fight, they'd surely mutiny.
A decision has not been made to a final destination for the invasion. The Waring Provinces seem ripe fore plundering, but we're more then open to suggestions. The Hag to Nazhedria We're not entirely sure we wish to trade with one such as yourself. Trade with Cerrak provides what your offering without any moral complications. C'tis to Kristialin Sithiuss drops what he's doing (not literally since he has no hands) what he's doing when the dragon arrives.
"We have the supplies and are confident that the defenders can hold long enough for us to prepare the spell, but there are other difficulties. The shock of bringing the revered dead all these ages forward to the present is going to be severe. Awakening them in an active battlefield might be more then their sanity can take."
He pauses before continuing. "If you would kindly help with the evacuation of the honored dead and the removal of key artifacts, I'll take care of the rear guard action.
The rest of C'tis armies are behind The Wanderer. Once we make good our escape, we can fight this war on our terms." dargon The surrounding army consists of a large portion of The Wanderer's army along with a few recently freed slaves. The troops are mostly lightly armored and used to desert warfare. The army includes a significant number of mounted soldiers.
The terrain itself is swampy. The ground is dry then the surrounding area because of a large system of levies, but is still pretty wet and stagnant. There are a few large dranage ponds scattered throughout the area.
The teleportation spell is ready. Kristialin uses a slightly different version of it as his main means of transportation.
The truth spell is still under development.
Jouppon to The Howling Pits I'm afraid the grand fleet is still a long way from completion. We won't be done before winter and then we won't be able to sail until we are sure the last of the winter storms has passed. And even after a landing, we'll have to march a great distance, conquering as we go, before we can hit Cerra.
Cerrak's lands are a tempting target, but I'm not sure that an invasion would be timely enough to do you any good. If your after vengeance, then Cerra is still a valuable target.
Umberto to Cerrak There is nothing I would like more then to restore order to the Imperial Cult. But it is not my place.
There where reasons why governors where aloud autonomy, reasons why the military and the priest hood are two separate entities. Had the Pankrator desired I take up the mantel of Primarch he would have given it to me.
Power corrupts. I already have more then I wanted, I have no desire to acquire more unless it's absolutely necessary.
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Post by dargon on Jun 15, 2010 0:04:28 GMT 1
Kristialin and Sithiuss "I would be honored to be entrusted with such an important job. I trust teleportation magics will not disturb anything?" Kristialin says respectfully before continuing
"Regarding the Wanderer's forces out there I think I may have a stratagy to defeat them without letting them attack this city. If we release the slaves the Wanderer will have to deal with several thousand hungry, dispirited, unarmed, untrained and injured civilians in his army. Besides the increased logistical problem this creates for him it also weakens his defences making for easy raids to disrupt and demoralize his forces. He will likely either send the slaves into the desert with part of his force making them easy pickings for the rest of your forces or he'll pull back with all of his forces and can be almost constantly attacked on their way back to the desert. What's more if we could infect some of the slaves with a disease then he will also have to deal with sickness running rampent though his soilders. Indeed I have already thought of several possible attacks that can easily be made by a small group of troops.
Afterall if you were planning on killing the slaves anyways at least this way they might end up causing the death of the Wanderer's armies."
Kristialin says cooly not letting any emotion touch his voice when discussing his plan. odin What about the consturction spell?
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Post by The_JJ: Solaris Council on Jun 15, 2010 0:32:30 GMT 1
Wanderer to Fallen: The Wanderer jerks his head to the city. "I've got evil that needs fighting. A few squads in there, let alone your full strength could do a lot of good, save a lot of lives, fight a lot of evil." The Wanderer stands, reveals to the angel to scar on his neck. "We are brothers in arms, fellows in righteous wrath, I am as you, deathless but not undead, alive and yet not, and you, as exiles, I consider in some ways my own."
"Care to join me in justice?" odin: Waiting on Kristalin, the Hag, and the Fallen. In game time I intend to move before their reinforcements return. The C'tis CapitalA High C'tis, former slave driver, hands manacled together is sent to the front gate of the city with a message. " It wants all the slaves freed, and 'our leaders' to 'present themselves' for 'justice.' After that, he wants to know 'what we were up to' and if need be 'destroy it if it represents a danger.' Also..." the C'tis tougue flickers nervously, "he wanted you to know that if we killed all the slaves, he would destroy their work. The levies sir, he'd destroy them all, once he was 'done.'"
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