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Post by Timeon on Jul 10, 2015 19:56:13 GMT
The behemoth that was the Republican army staggered onwards, bleeding a trail of arrow-puckered corpses. But the true injury lay in the creature's hind quarters. It did not take a personal inspection of the Republicans for Manlia Suren Issander to know that the Sistorian cavalry had collected their due. Some measure of vengeance for Valtorian and the rest. But there were many debts left to pay.
Only a sliver of water separated the Republic from the heart of Varantium - though it was no longer a beating heart. Yet that which is near death may yet be revived. And so it was here that they would make a stand. Fates willing, the Dominion army would be overtaking the Republicans soon. But only if time was bought. And time is always bought through sweat and blood in times such as these.
"Redwind!" Manlia called over the din of retreating fanatics. The Warden was not far, keeping well ahead despite his obvious exhaustion. "Dawn Lantern and Black Sun scheme and threaten treachery. And Maurielle has been drawn into their plans like a fly in a web. Do what you can, Danton Redwind! And destroy the bridges behind you!"
The Warden needed no convincing to break from the battle, though not for any lack of courage.
War-magi whipped fire and hate at their pursuers, and Manlia rode amidst them, calling their attention. "West! Across the river, children of light! And tear down the bridges! The bridges, damn you!"
Narrow as the river was, soaking wet soldiers were less of a threat. It was not only a question of comfort, morale and form, but there was also the gunpowder to consider. The hellish substance was no use wet.
As for the fanatics, Manlia would see them across the western bridge beside the magi. Any Republicans trying to brave the river itself would find screaming fanatics, ploughing into their reaching hands with metal, boots and knives.
And then there was the Vigil Unblinking. No, not merely the archers. But the Tower itself. Once built as a mere watch at the river fork, a grim encampment had long since grown around the original keep. It was this totem outside the city of Falor which had given the secret police of the nation their name. The Vigil Unblinking. A nightmarish fortification, home to the Dominion's own brand of inquisition. Three-hundred Republican prisoners languished there, ignorant of all that occurred beyond the compound's grey walls. And they were in good company, too - shacked up with corrupt scholar-officials, heretical preachers and nobles who had fallen out of favour.
Manlia saw that the archers who bore the Tower's name were holding the southernmost bridge. Their magnificent longbows men down before they ever had the chance to paw at their rifles. The cream of the Republican army - helpless due to a mere question of distance. Yet the archers would not hold indefinitely. Manlia had orders sent that they were to retreat to the Tower should their position become untenable - particularly if the artillery targeted them. Once in the Tower, they were to release a single Republican prisoner to inform his comrades of the status of their countrymen in the Tower. After that single prisoner is released - then the thumbs of every remaining prisoner were to be cut off.
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Once the last of the orders were passed down, Manlia Suren Issander rallied his personal guard, and made for the Sistorian cavalry. As he rode, he found respite enough to remember Maurielle of Jahimis. And he grit his teeth. For what she did not know was that Black Sun intended for there to be strife. Black Sun intended that Dawn Lantern die, but also that Falor and Radiance die with him.
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(H1 and C19 to head across the bridges, to take up position sheltered behind the vast building just to the west of them. The fanatics H1 will do their best to counter any Republican attempts to cross the river, while the magi snipe at their enemies without exposing themselves to the artillery. In the case of sustained artillery bombardment, they may flee through the city gate beside them.
R8, the Vigil Unblinking, may also contest a Republican crossing until no longer practical (for example due to artillery), in which case they flee into the Tower to their left, and release a single prisoner with a message for the Republican command - "Cease your advance, or have your countrymen returned to you in pieces." After this messenger is sent, the thumbs of the prisoners are to be severed and collected.
Danton - C17 - to head due north, destroying the bridges behind him and then heading on to Black Sun's mansion to conduct his own investigation.
Manlia is to rendezvous with the Sistorian cavalry, and will have them keep a safe distance from the Republican army whilst pursuing it. If the Republican army keeps marching north without utilizing their artillery, or if their artillery is occupied elsewhere, the cavalry may make a hit and run attack using ranged attacks.)
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Post by ashenmoon on Jul 12, 2015 13:15:42 GMT
Turn 17 - about 1 pm - turn ends Monday 13th Note! Character-specific updates WILL BE ADDED… within a few hours or so. Link: dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/14467358/eclipse/eclipse_dominion_tactical_135908aaf_017.jpgGeneralThe green grasses of the Valley of Flowers were trampled, the river murky with dust and dirt, the air filled with the cries and thunder of combat, and fire bloomed from the mouths of Republican artillery. After a brief pitched battle at the farthest downstream bridge of the Florid, several regiments of the Republic forced a crossing. The force of Dominion archers that had opposed them retreated into the fortress-prison compound to the west. Soon the compound’s walls were bristling with longbowmen, and from the old fortress at the corner of the compound - the Vigil Unblinking - their arrows reached far across the junction between the Florid and the main river, the Tiricon. North and closer to the city walls, the Republican forward regiments engaged units of battlemagi supported by the zealot horde that had crossed the river farther upstream. Soon the arrival of Inquisitor units and a few scattered shots of cannon chased the Dominion force away. Under Lord Torval Sistorian’s flag, most of them entered Falor through a gate to the north. Though a string of explosions to the north told that the Dominion destroyed the bridges upstreams, with the exception of the Vigil Unblinking the southern reaches of the Florid up to the city walls were under Republican command. Cautious units venured up to the very city gates - finding them locked, but with nothing but silence from the walls above. Meanwhile, to the southwest, regiments of Republican pikemen took up positions at the great Archaevid bridge, spanning west-east across the Tiricon. They had only time to brace themselves before thousands of Dominion zealots charged the bridge from the west - and dying by the score. Soon, the zealots fell back. Too late to make use of the zealot charge, the Sistorian cavalry to the south charged the milling masses of the Republican units sorting out their defensive line. The Republican soldiers held their ground and just-deployed cannons chased off the remaining cavalry. Thereafter the Republican southern front was a bristling line of pikemen interspersed with units of Inquisitor magi. The Sistorian cavalry force paced restlessly along its length, now and then sparkling with Archonic sorcery quickly nulled by Inquisitor countermeasures. Now the Republican cannon opened fire on the Marassian Span - the main bridge leading into Falor. Of the tens of thousands of Dominion soldiers marching up from the south, only a few regiments made it across, suffering severe casualties. Seda Suren, sister of the High Palatine himself, was one of the last to cross the Marassian before its great archs - built by the Mason himself in ages past - tumbled into the roaring waters of the Tiricon. The Dominion host was channelled towards the much smaller bridge just west of the remains of te Marassian, and still scattered shots of artillery crashed among the crowded masses. Even from the distant vantage of the Republic, the sense of panic was palpable. Then their view disappeared. From nowhere, a great bank of mist formed, thick and heavy - obscuring all that happened behind it. The magic had been seen yesterday, on a much smaller scale, covering one of the Three Kings hills far to the south. Now the artillery halted, confused - then aimed farther south at targets still visible to them. Soon those targets retreated out of range. Regiments of Republican sappers crossed the Florid and were approaching the city walls when a single rider issued forth from the Vigil Unblinking. He rode straight to the banner of the First Citizen - and a cry went out among the Republic. It was Constantin Noval - commander of the First Citizen’s bodyguard cavalry and a high-ranking minister of the Republic. He had been thought dead, along with his entire unit, from the battle yesterday. He informed the Republican command that there were almost four hundred Republican prisoners in the Vigil - most of them cavalry who had been captured yesterday. The Dominion had tasked Constantin to relay a simple message: "Cease your advance, or have your countrymen returned to you in pieces." Princess Maurielle Jahimis The Aegis returns to the Palace with the body of Dusklight. That was where their post was - a last line of defence. As in a daze, Maurielle’s force filed back into the city and headed south towards the sound of thunder. The enemy was at the gates, and it was as if they were sharing some horrible dream - everything tinged with a touch of the unreal. What had they just done? Who had started it? How did it get so out of control? Some speculate that they had been spelled - that someone had affected their minds. But who? Who stood to gain? At first, all had reacted on a provocation from the mansion - but their force had been so overwhelming, and Black Sun’s defenders so easily overcome, that it made no sense. Black Sun must have known she would lose a fight. So it could not have been her, the soldiers finally conclude. Which left Dawn Lantern… … or someone else entirely. Maurielle could tell that someone, somewhere, was taking the first steps of a very, very dangerous dance. And they were not keen on inviting anyone else to join them. ~ Maurielle arrives to the main plaza south of the Palace, and there she found the Last Argument. Lightdancer approached. He clearly had not heard, yet, what had happened. But he had just received word from Dawn Lantern - the Seraph instructed his brother to take up position at the hill on the southern edge of the city to rain down divine judgement on the Republic outside the walls. “But that will expose you to the Republican artillery!” Maurielle protested. Lightdancer nodded with a solemn smile. “It may hurt us - but for the good of Falor, it is a sacrifice we are willing to pay.” The dance swirled on, step by step. She had a sense that it was far from finished... High Palatine Manlia Suren IssanderRiding with the Sistorian cavalry, Manlia found himself silently taking stock of their leadership - and their loyalties. He had not spread word of what had happened at Black Sun’s mansion yet, but it could only be a matter of time before the Sistorians - loyal to Twin Star, who in turn had been in Black Sun’s fold since time immemorial - reacted. What was going to happen, when news broke? Men like Tycassar were all too easily inflamed. Others, like Kavad Kastorian, were clearly of a more… measured… temperament. Black Sun had chosen the very darkest of times to act out her betrayal - Manlia would have liked to think that the men of the Dominion would see reason in the very face of the enemy, but recent experience did not do much to reinforce that belief. Plus, it was unlikely that Black Sun would rest on her laurels - whatever had turned her to this mad path, she was following it with reckless abandon. He needed to prepare for war. Civil war. Prince Kansar Sistorian Thick veils of fog drifted through the streets, making it impossible to see anything at a distance in the cramped suburbs south of the river. Everywhere, soldiers were churning, and at best two or three regiments had been able to cross the smaller bridge in the past hour, and it had taken cannon fire. It was slowly deteriorating with every company shuffling across - splashes of rubble were heard now and then as another piece fell off. Word arrives. Alexis Kata had broken away from the main army along with a handful of regiments, heading for a western bridge. The way things were going, she was probably going to be in position before Kansar ever was. But he could not help but shake the apprehension that something was wrong. Kata should have discussed this with him. And he felt his Spark burning, twitching - something was wrong with Twin Star.
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Post by conumbra on Jul 14, 2015 23:25:32 GMT
Madness, utter madness. What had once been a controlled entrance had clearly turned into a mad rush for cover within the city's buildings. She could hear the pounding of the cannons on the bridge, see the hurried frenzy of men and women seeking shelter within the city of Falor. She didn't know how long the city could hold out during a siege, but that was irrelevant. Right now what mattered was getting as many men within the city walls as was possible. Which meant taking control of this unorganized mess. She didn't relish the idea, even without taking into account the looming conflict between the two great spirits. So much going on at once, so many things up in the air, so many ways for things to go wrong. But with the High Palatine and the Sistorian outside, there was no one left. They would look to her for guidance.
She braced herself for the fort, only to come upon Lightdancer and the Last Argument. She kept a measured distance from Lightdancer, not wanting her own colours to be sapped away; it took so much effort to get her voice heard over the milling shouts of soldiers and the loud roar of the cannons. She covered her mouth when she heard where Dawn Lantern had been sent. It didn't take a genius to figure out that, with the Last Argument's loyalties in question, this was likely an attempt to reduce their strength, expose them to danger so they wouldn't pose as much of a problem. But it would also have the highest chance of reducing the onslaught bombarding those entering the city, and it could reduce their artillery as well. A valid strategic move, if risky, and right now the Dominion certainly needed to take risks. She sighed. At least Maurielle would be clean if this play turned out like she suspected Dawn Lantern wanted it to. She gave him the deepest bow she could and waved him on his way. "Do as you must! Target the artillery or any units close to the wall first if you are able, you may help weaken their capabilities. And a send a signal if the wall is breached."
As the Last Argument left, she turned her attention back to those entering the great city. What to do with them, where should they be placed, who should take some much needed rest? As she walked through the ranks she could already tell some were beginning to suffer the effects of fatigue. Over the next few hours this needed to be accomplished as efficiently as possible. Damn, if only she could predict which units would make it in first. She had to make do with what she had now. Knowing the general layout of the city and its surroundings, and the glimpses she'd witnessed of the mass back at Black Sun's mansion, she could see the most-likely entry points. Time to secure those as best as possible against any probing attempts. And those that were injured or heavily fatigued had to be given time to rest, what small fraction of it could be gotten in this chaos. She got on a new horse and set to work with what she had.
First, to use what was already inside. Divide up the strongest units amongst the entryways in danger. She couldn't remember exactly which ones were, but she could recall that the Republic seemed to have gotten some men across the great river on the eastern side. But the southeastern side was also easily in range of their cannon bombardment so any units she sent there besides the Last Argument had to take cover and never venture onto the hill for risk of attack. She smiled with glee. A real war, a real sense of danger. It felt great to let loose in this small way for once, even under this impending threat. Time to get to work, mold the clay she had. She barely stopped to reply to some messengers, some human, 1 a crow, then got busy.
(Orders: For future reference, there are three Zones of interest: Z1, directly down the road from the main southern gate, where P9 currently is; Z2, behind the southern hill around where R6 currently is, and Z3, the eastern gate, where H1 currently is The Rhinos and Maulers will move to Z3 to fortify the eastern gate in case of assault R3 will join R6 and R11 at Z2. Maurielle will move to where most of the men are entering the city, directing them to the specific locations then moving to Z2 once all have entered. Any units that look too fatigued to fight (in-game terms, with an exhaustion 20 or higher) or that look very damaged (losing half or more of their health), will take position at Z1 to rest, recuperate, and get patched up until they're needed. Half of the remaining melee fighters will head to Z2, the rest to Z3, same with the magi, though Fogmakers and Noisemkaers will specifically get assigned to Z2 The Plutarins will move to Z2 If it looks like men are about to breach the southeastern gate, those at Z2 are to run forward (excepting the Plutarin cannons), quickly manning the walls and attempting to repel the men entering the city. Fogmakers will create cover for the force to protect them from direct cannon bombardment Those at Z3 will guard the eastern gate unless given an order to march south. P9 will head southeast, bombard any artillery they see)
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Post by Devius on Jul 15, 2015 3:05:15 GMT
I am overcome with unease. Kata's autonomy, this mist, the constant barrage of the cannons. All background noise to an even more troubling sensation. Twin Star's spark is burning like a fever in my heart. I must collect myself, stop shaking. I look down, my vision is blurry, doubled. I see two right hands.
No. I am mistaken. My vision is not at fault, Twin Star's gift to me is activating without my will. A duplicate of my hand is appearing, pointing to the northeast. A message from Twin Star. But what does it mean? I cannot say. Should I follow its lead?
Another salvo of cannonballs connects with the bridge, breaking off a large chunk. The men scream in terror. I cannot abandon them, I must lead them into Falor. Twin Star can wait. My resolve returns, and my mirrored hand dissipates. But Twin Star's distress remains in the back of my mind.
I turn my steed around and approach the Bridge Burners.
Why are you fools just standing there? Are you not trained magi? Conjure a new crossing, dammit! Or are you really as short-sighted as your name implies?
I usher them two stades west and leave them to channel their power. Mist or no, we must remain safely out of cannon range.
I raise Brilliance once more and begin to lead the remaining troops towards the Bridge Burners.
(R1 starts making a new crossing 300 meters west of the small bridge, using their terrain magic. Kansar loops south to lead all troops who have not yet reached the bridge towards the new crossing. He will make sure everyone gets inside Falor and will be the last to enter.)
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Post by Timeon on Jul 15, 2015 19:50:48 GMT
The Lords Sistorian answered the High Palatine's call as the cavalry pulled back from battle. The Great Names were to hold palaver. Manlia Suren Issander had something to tell them, even as battle raged by the choked waters of the Florid, even as the Varantium army was ordered headlong into its doom trying to cross across water and fire into Falor under artillery fire.
Maurielle of Jahimis had abandoned her command, and the results of that were all too clear. Ordered along a tottering old bridge that could barely support hundreds. That course of action should have been changed hours ago. If Juluc had been in command... and yet, some men would never arise beyond certain stations, by virtue - or lack thereof - of blood. Down below, Prince Sistorian could not be everywhere at once. That was all too clear. And so it was that thousands now died. Pointlessly. The Holy Army, destroyed, before it even met the enemy in battle. There was only so much slack that one man could pick up, but never could never be enough blame.
If Falor yet remained after the Eclipse, and the Great Houses remained with it, Manlia Suren Issander swore a reckoning.
Riding up in cloaks of crimson, gold and ebony, armour shining garishly, dancing with tassels - the Lords Sistorian formed a circle around Manlia Suren Issander. There rode Lord Dervin, son of Torval, second in command in his father's absence. A fair-eyed youth with a hard jaw and dead eyes. Beside him was Tycorro Tassar, a hard man whose subtle edge had long since been ground to stubble through the long years. Like many Archonic Knights before him, he thought his rank and station to be more effective against bullets than guile. Speaking in place of Grandmaster Kanrel Valtorian - his second - the thin-skinned and pale Tramene Dakani, fidgeting with his reins. A frail body hid a dangerous man, Manlia Suren Issander thought. Dakani was no zealot, but he tended to come across one when punishing his underlings. But Manlia's eyes did not linger there.
Attia Handar of the Spear joined them next, a woman in the midst of giant men - an oddity, and a newcomer to her station as leader of the Spear - if it could be called that any longer. She looked uncomfortable, but beyond all, tired. Haunted. The last two to arrive were Kavad Kastorian, black-haired and black-spirited, famous for his competitiveness. To Kavad, Kastorian meant more than Sistorian. And of course, Helian Cytri came with him. They had been famous as childhood friends turned enemies, but war seemed to have brought them together again.
So many Great Names. So few of them had earned a place in the ranks of legends. If for nothing else, Valtorian would be remembered for a charge either glorious or foolish. Who would remember Damesco Truseva, Manlia thought, noting his absence.
"What words, Your Grace?" Helian Cytri voiced, to Manlia's surprise. The man was missing a front tooth, Manlia now realised. It looked like a fresh happening.
"We have all been deceived." Manlia Suren Issander called, the bloodied and dirtied symbols of his station hanging around him. "The war that rages before you is but a shadow. A distraction."
Silence took them. Manlia took his horse around the circle, preaching.
"What madness is it, that damns us to fight alone? And above all else, divided? Where are the armies of the northern marches? Where are the marchwardens of the west? The guard of the east? Those with most to lose have answered. Those who might carve their own kingdoms, free of our oversight, have crawled into the shadows, severing their ties with Radiance, with us."
A hateful murmur passed over the lips of the Lords Sistorian. Theirs, after all, had been some of the greatest sacrifices. No Great House had pledged more.
"Heretics! Fit for the Vigil Unblinking!" Tramene Dakani of the Archonic Knights wheezed. "Fit for scalpel and sword!"
"Fools!" Tycorro Tassar urged his mount another step forward. "Damnable fucking fools!"
"But you did not call us here to talk to us of disobedient vassals, Your Grace." Kavad Kastorian observed, cool-eyed and no doubt calculating. He offered Manlia a pleasant smile that was fit only for a rape in the kitchens.
"I came to you to speak of personal ambition and division. The sickness that has afflicted the Dominion manifested once before as the Republic. But the principal cause is deeper. And I come to you now to warn you that it will be that which kills us, not the Republic, unless you hear me out and hear me well."
Ah, now they were silent again. They knew something was coming. Something big. And so it was.
"Black Sun plots to murder Radiance."
The shockwave was greater than any artillery strike. It nearly threw Dervin Sistorian from his horse. Tycorro Tassar outright howled, while Helian Cytri gripped his shoulder with one hand and rested his head in the other. Kavad Kastorian's grin fell from his face.
"How dare you-" Dervin Sistorian snapped, recovering.
Manlia Suren Issander held up a hand. "Likewise, Dawn Lantern never intended to take the field. It was all a ruse, an excuse to supplant Black Sun. Taking credit for our victories, when all he never intended was to plant his roots deeper into the decaying city before us."
That eased some, though Attia Handar of the Spear finally found her voice amidst the Great Names. Manlia feared his first true detractor would make herself known, though she herself had not been amongst the Spear to condone attacking the Dominion artillery.
"Your Grace, High Palatine Manlia Suren Issander, you speak abomination." Her eyes flickered, met his, and many unspoken words passed between them. Tired eyes looked upon another pair of tired eyes. What was there left to gamble? "And yet-"
"And yet." Manlia spoke on, daring them, daring them, to contradict him. "However horrifying the possibility, you do not think it beyond Black Sun to consider. For we are the sons and daughters of Black Sun. We are Suren and Sistorian. None know her better than we. And we know that her glory is dusk. The light that casts shadow. If she finds a way to finally rid herself of Dawn Lantern, and all opposition with him, then she will do it. At any cost."
"Proof! Proof!" Tycorro Tassar called out. "And why this, now? Let's not deceive ourselves, brothers! The High Palatine has always been played the very same game he would condemn others for playing. The Suren peacock? Phaw? The Suren snake!"
Manlia Suren Issander slowly rode up to Tassar, and staring him down. "Dishonour my name or command again, Tassar... I warned you once. I am the Voice of Radiance. Father is in danger. And as you know, I met with High Inquisitor Gori, with empty promises of concessions. The same empty promises that have had me cut the thumbs from four-hundred men. And I am sure now, quite sure, that Black Sun intends Gori has her tool in this. For Gori has a benefactor, that much is certain. And who else, if not Black Sun?"
"How dare you?" Tycorro Tassar mouthed, but his eyes did not meet Manlia's.
A woman's voice cut into the crowd, but it was not Attia Handar's. It was Alexis of House Kata. "He does not lie. I was with him in Black Sun's mansion. Though I did not hear the damning words, the context was damning enough."
With Kata's support, Manlia recounted the details of his meetings with both Dawn Lantern and Black Sun. The palaver stretched on into the afternoon heat.
"I, for one, find this believable enough." Kavad Kastorian called out. The glimmer in his eyes betrayed amusement, or some dangerous game of his own. "The only question is, do we have any interest in stopping Our Mistress? Why should the False Sun not become the True?"
Ah, how quickly loyalties can change, Manlia Suren Issander thought. Radiance as the beating heart of a culture, a language, a people, for generations innumerable. And all that, so easily cast aside by sum. Manlia counted himself amongst such men, of course. But some things warranted preservation. Black Sun would not make a kind God. Nor a forgetful one.
"This is not a question of loyalty to either Black Sun or Radiance. I condemn any of you who would attempt to make such an empty choice." Manlia Suren Issander called out. "I ask only that you help me save this land. And the means to do so, I pledge, is to answer to Lightdancer, until this crisis sees its natural end. Suns and Lanterns both must swear to heed Lightdancer's call, bridging the division. And I will lend the weight of my office to Lightdancer's command."
Just then, the perversion that was General Renal Sistorian's banner emerged from the Republican lines...
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(For now, orders are to pull back from the battle out of enemy artillery range and rest, regroup, and keep an eye on the enemy. What we want to accomplish initially is having the cavalry completely prepared for a decisive strike. Manlia will confer and hold palaver with the Lords Sistorian to discuss the chaos that may be unfolding in the capital (though he himself is not aware of its full extent - but he will mention that he has sent Redwind to investigate).
If the chance arises to make a decisive strike at the enemy artillery cluster, like, say, if the enemy troops are distracted crossing, then Manlia will allow a strategic charge which is to be led by the commanders most likely to challenge Manlia. What is to be accomplished is of course the elimination of the enemy artillery advantage, without trapping ourselves in the process (so, the Sakhran riders could distract the pikemen by holding them in place during such a charge). And Manlia would hope some of his detractors get killed in the most dangerous pitched battles.)
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Post by ashenmoon on Jul 16, 2015 16:25:25 GMT
Turn 18 - about 2 pm - turn ends Saturday 18th Link: dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/14467358/eclipse/eclipse_dominion_tactical_135908aaf_018.jpg Note: the point-upgrades from a few turns back have taken effect! Woo. GeneralThe Dominion zealot horde, threatening to charge the Republican advance, was swiftly discouraged by a few well-aimed shots of cannon. Now follows a large-scale Republican crossing to the north side of the Florid river, while maintaining a bristling pike wall on the southern shore. The cannon batteries fire into the southern suburbs of Falor, using explosive shots designed to start fires - and they do. Soon the main gate of Falor is inaccessible, and the fires spread. All the while, tthe fortress of the Vigil Unblinking towers quietly over the milling Republican regiments. A counter demand is given by the First Citizen and “Black Jack” - the feared Taniel Corso. “Release the prisoners or watch your holy city burn”, they challenge the Dominion defenders. There is never any time for a reply. The skies open and fire rains down over the Republic. From a hill at the southern edge of Falor, a familiar figure leads his cadres of elite sorcerers. Lightdancer, Seraph of Radiance, scours the Republican lines with his fury. Cannon open up on his position - only to be fallen upon by the mighty eagles of the Siege of Sistorian. An entire battery of cannon are destroyed, and the eagles - crackling with sorcery - depart without a single casualty. Then, inexplicably, the banner of the Unblinking falls from the fortress’ highest bastions. It is replaced with the insignia of the Inquisition. It would become clear only much later what had happened. High Inquisitor Gori and several elite companies of his followers had forged a crossing by magic over the Florid on the south side of the fortress, already scaling the ramparts before the shocked defenders - mesmerized by Lightdancer’s sorcery - reacted. A bloody melee followed, and still rages throughout the compound - but the archers are outmatched in these close quarters by the hard-eyed Inquisitors. Almost all of the prisoners are rescued - only to be found mutilated, their thumbs cut off, unable to fight. Through his dismay, the High Inquisitor promises them revenge. And they promise him their fealty. Meanwhile, south of the river, the opposing lines of soldiers have burst into a furious exchange. Between the pikemen of the Republic and Sistorian rides a solitary figure, raising the personal standard of General Garrek - a mocking inversal of the Sistorian flag i.imgur.com/IzH1RG1.jpg. Hundreds, thousands, of Dominion knights voice their outrage and hate, screaming oaths of vengeance, all against a single man. Almost, Tycorro Tassar and Dervin Sistorian, son of Lord Torval, sound the charge - only the restraint of their advisors stop them from attacking the Republic head-on. But just as loud their outrage are the jeers and laughter of the Republican - soldiers cheering their general on, marvelling at his boldness. Prince Kansar SistorianSoon the remaining bridge was brought down by a stray shot of artillery piercing through the thinning fog. The Bridge Burners, all too slowly, forge a new bridge over the wide river - but safely out of harm’s way. But only a few thousand men manage to cross over before the fires on the north shore spread far enough to become intolerable. The weary Bridge Burners cross over to fight the fires, leaving Kansar stuck on the south side - along with a sizeable portion of the Dominion army. AdjumotThey were the Chainbreakers. Others had feared the call to arms, had found excuses not to answer. But they were the Chainbreakers. They had come.
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Post by Timeon on Jul 18, 2015 9:11:00 GMT
The Sistorian cavalry pulled back from the Republican lines, Garrek's challenge unheeded, even as the Tower of the Vigil Unblinking fell to the Inquisition. It was turning into a grim day indeed.
Tycorro Tassar had to be dragged screaming from the front lines when it became apparent that not only would Garrek's challenge be ignored, but that the cavalry itself were withdrawing from the battle for the hours to come.
What none foresaw was that Tycorro Tassar would not only be dragged screaming from the front lines, but that he would also be marched to the newly erected pavilion of the High Palatine in the Valley of Flowers. The Lords Sistorian and their seconds assembled once more, with as many soldiers as a clearing could allow gathered to watch the proceedings.
Still fresh from the shock of Black Sun's treachery, Tycorro Tassar was beyond outraged to be denied his chance to vent his anger. As two of the Spear of Radiance held him before Manlia Suren Issander, the Sistorian vassal spat and cursed, denouncing House Suren and finally Manlia himself. "We should never have allowed you to take office! Coward! Liar! Cur!" The great man began to weep as he raged, blood trickling down his chin from where he had bitten his lips. "You would save us all by fire! By fire!"
"Enough." Manlia Suren Issander gestured at the Spear, who pushed the Sistorian vassal into the mud, holding his arms in a vice grip. "Tycorro Tassar, twice I warned you, but thrice have you sinned, and forgive I shall not. You have blasphemed against my office and disobeyed your orders. You were a common man, Tycorro Tassar, ennobled for your service to House Sistorian. But you have proved that there was an error in judgement. I return you to the mud. I strip you of your lands and holdings and declare you destitute and depraved. I excommunicate you."
A horrified buzz fell across the Valley of Flowers, spreading outwards in a wave from the clearing. It soon turned into an excited humming. For the High Palatine, acting ever as a symbol and moderator in the Curia, had not exercised such measures in many years.
"You can't-" Tycorro began, but Manlia backhanded him, the mosaic ring of his office smashing cartilage.
"You will be flogged thirty times. By me personally. And you will be sent naked atop a horse towards the Republican lines. You have declared yourself one of their own by your actions. As for the rest of you, such will be the price of division and old ties. Renal Sistorian, Black Sun, Dawn Lantern. Do not confuse your feelings for them for wisdom. Lightdancer is our one hope now, our one salvation. Kata's own testimony proves this is no illusion, no scheme of mine. Any who threaten the integrity of this land shall share Tassar's fate."
Lord Dervin Sistorian took one step into the clearing, hand at the hilt of his sword - but he halted when Manlia glanced over his shoulder. And then he returned to his men, challenge quickly forgotten.
(Cavalry to pull back as much as they can afford while still having time to rest - but not losing line of sight to Republicans)
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Post by conumbra on Jul 18, 2015 16:00:05 GMT
Fire raging outside the city gate, the smell of burning timbers and exhausted people filtering through the air. Smoke and magic cloud the once blue sky above them, polluting the crystal clear day. The Last Argument had proved more successful than she could have predicted, laying waste to the Republicans outside the city walls. Dawn Lantern's desire to see the other spirit killed had been negated so far. She gave a hint of a smile at the devastation being wrought to the Republicans, the blinding light and burning flame sending them to their deaths. That was where they rightfully belonged, these usurpers of the common order of things, these rebels. Burned and blackened, dieing on the fields by the hundreds. What a glorious sight, she could only hope to live until the final insolent soldier was cut down. She only wished she could take in the sight for much longer but there were thousands of men within the city to consider. Her gaze had to turn elsewhere.
Time it was, to take their bearings, rest and recuperate. The men here had traveled so very far to take shelter within the city walls, they should at least be able to take advantage of them. So she traveled down the ranks, informing each commander in turn to take a break, to rest as soon as they could manage it. She visited the Last Argument as well, commending them on their skills throughout the battle. An entire cannon battery destroyed, what a feat! But they too would need to rest. Excepting Lightdancer, for as a spirit he required no sleep. He would keep watch, pulling back the mages if it looked like they were in too much danger.She trusted him to make the correct decision. She may not have known which of the men within it were loyal to Dawn Lantern, but she felt sure Lightdancer would do what was right for the Dominion. More than that, she found herself liking him, something not even Dawn Lantern could bring from her.
She knew there were others struggling to get into the city, so she went to them. There was an entire horde of zealots trapped on the other side of the walls, and some regiments that had made it across it the improvised crossing. First priority was to take shelter within the city walls if all possible, to brave the flames if need be. For surely Radiance would only let the unworthy perish! She spoke to the horde from on high, standing on top of the city walls, vision clouded with smoke. They could make it within, this was merely a test of their fortitude! She gave them a brief send-off, then hurried to the men who had just entered the city, telling them to go where the weary were being sent, and to rest. Today was going to be a long day, she could tell. She would be lucky if she didn't hear the pounding of cannons in her sleep.
And besides all that, she'd spotted troops under the flag of Kata entering the city from the western side during her movements. Time to give them the lay of their land, debrief them as to what they'd experienced.
(H5, R20 and R1 to take shelter within the city walls. Rest of the troops within the city are to rest)
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Post by Devius on Jul 19, 2015 17:20:21 GMT
(Kansar pulls back the forces and makes them march west to enter the city from the western gates. Once he's got them moving he tries quickly going east to regroup the sharks and the horde, but he'll turn back at the hint of cannonfire in his direction.)
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Post by ashenmoon on Jul 19, 2015 19:42:25 GMT
Turn 19 - about 3 pm - turn ends Sunday 26th (long turn - travelling break again) Link: dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/14467358/eclipse/eclipse_dominion_tactical_135908aaf_019.jpg High PalatineThe Sistorian cavalry tried to ease into some semblance of rest - most of them unable to find peace of mind after what they had just witnessed being done to Tycorro Tassar. The Wardens of Danton Redwind arrived and met with the Palatine in private. Prince KansarSending his troops on to the west, the Prince himself rode east, alone save for his closest companions. But he soon caught up with the troops passing into the city from the western bridges. Perhaps he spared, for a moment, a thought for his own vassals, fighting far away under someone else’s command. Then he urged the weary men on. Princess MaurielleAfter satisfying herself that most of the troops were finding their positions - the city was in chaos, but at least they were settling in - the princess rode through deserted districts, finding her way to the Sunset Gate of the Palace of Light. Before it were thousands of Suren troops, filling the streets and buildings nearby. She soon found her way to their leader, Alexis Kata. The DominionFor the better part of an hour, the southeastern corner of Falor was lit by an ever-increasing exchange of fire: the beautiful lights of magic against the hellish blasphemy of gunpowder. The Last Argument were sacrificing themselves on the sword of the Republic - while driving their own blade into his guts. The presence of their leader, Lightdancer, was unmistakable even from afar. It seemed all the hill and the sky above it had become grey, coated with ash - all the colour in the world concentrated in the pure brilliance of Lightdancer himself. Below them in the city, thousands watched with awe as a son and Seraph of Radiance took to the field. Hundreds, thousands of Republican soldiers lay scorched on the ground. By the shores of the river, the ragged remains of their front lines huddled beneath a shield of Inquisitor magic. Still the cannon fired their terrible shots through the air. Fires and smoke, plumes of dust and the spray of rubble flew into the air. It seemed the terrible exchange would never stop. Until, suddenly, it did. The colour drained by Lightdancer was suddenly restored, the sky above the plumes of smoke rising from the ruined hill once more a clear blue. The Last Argument’s magic was cut off and seen no more. All was dust and jagged ruin where they had held their ground. ~ Down the northern road they walked, robes grey with dust, twenty hollow-eyed men, faces strange, their passage through empty streets echoing with the rattle of chains - though none were to be seen. They arrived to the Shrine of Alacetha, at the junction of several thoroughfares in the city. Adjumot spoke a clipped command: they sank to their knees on the worn-down marble steps in meditation.
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Post by Timeon on Jul 26, 2015 11:24:13 GMT
Lightdancer fell like a drop of water upon the surface on the world and broke. The wave would not be felt by most, but it was felt by the High Palatine of Radiance, who was as Lightdancer's brother in all but blood. When the High Palatine, Manlia Suren Issander, felt the knell resound for his aspirations and grand designs, he knew then that Varantium's decaying heart had finally ceased to beat. He threw himself from his horse as if he himself had been lanced, spittle spraying from his mouth as he screamed in divine agony.
He would have wept had the adrenaline not strangled him and drawn him taut. Curling in the dried grass, his eyes saw nothing, though his mind had become a maelstrom. Whether Lightdancer was well and truly dead did not matter. If he still persisted in some form, it would be as a crippled parody - not a figure to lead the world into a new dawn. No, Varantium could now only be inherited by the disease that had been killing it for a thousand years.
Manlia eventually became aware that his personal guard had carried him to his pavilion. He lingered awhile there, silent and deaf to their pleading questions, until Danton Redwind of the Wardens came to him unhindered. With news. Black Sun's mansion had fallen. The Aegi had participated in an assault upon it under Maurielle of Jahimis. And Manlia paled further, for it meant that Dawn Lantern had twisted Maurielle into his schemes. Dawn Lantern threatened civil war. Of Black Sun there was no sign, though a tunnel leading to Falor had been discovered, and ominously, the bodies of chimeras. After tortured hesitation uncharacteristic for the Warden, Danton revealed his suspicions. That the Mockinglord was somehow involved in all of this. His mark was upon the bitter events that had unfolded, of that there was little doubt.
How had it come to this?
With the Arbiter dead, his sacred prisons had been thrown open, and the Mockinglord was one of many evils who had escaped. And now he was here? Why?
There was a web of shadow at work, one which would put even Black Sun to shame. And amidst the death left in its wake, there was little left to fight for. Except perhaps family. Individuals, if not ideals. Falor was most certainly lost, and Radiance with it. Whether by Black Sun's designs, Dawn Lantern's, Gori's or even the Mockinglord's. Or all four, surely, in their twisted dance. If Varantium could be saved, it would have to be saved through outside influence, though it seemed far too late for the other Archons to intervene. Yet despite that, there were some things which might yet be salvaged.
His wife and daughter remained in the city, under Folgar's watch, and his beloved friend Darien was out there somewhere, most likely with the mercenaries. There were many noble men and women of both low and high birth worth saving. There was still something out there worth dreaming, even if the highest ideals had come tumbling from the heavens to crash into ruin.
And there was vengeance. Manlia Suren Issander sent for Kavad Kastorian.
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(Kavad's cavalry R4 to attack the Republican units that fled across the river due to Lightdancer's assault (enemy green R2 for example), then return to the rest of the cavalry to continue to rest. Rest of the cavalry and Wardens to continue resting, though at first sign of enemy artillery doing damage they are to pull back out of range.)
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Post by Devius on Jul 26, 2015 18:39:31 GMT
I look back on the men as we march into Falor. A pathetic sight. The men are exhausted, too tired to remain in formation. Just a little further, then they may rest.
But Falor is not the haven we hoped to find. The city is in disarray. The southeast quarter has caught fire. Something has happened to Lightdancer. The High Palatine is nowhere to be found. Who is in charge here? I demand.
Fingers point. Up ahead I see the banner of house Jahimis.
I send word to the men too tired to stand to head to the center of the city and rest. The others are to help extinguish the flames within the city walls. I continue onwards towards the princess.
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Post by conumbra on Jul 26, 2015 21:09:55 GMT
The silence was her first clue that something had changed. Before, the battlefield over to the east had been a constant din, an exchange of cannon-fire and magic. Suddenly, while speaking with Kata, she no longer had to shout to get her intentions across. The silence alerted her more than any cry of terror ever could. She turned to where the show of lights had been, only to find...nothing. No exchange of magic, no sound of victory or defeat. The former din of bombardment, now replaced with nothingness. She might have thought that the Last Argument had retreated to rest, that the cannons had become too much for them...yet the colour had returned to the sky. The worst had come to Falor, to a city already straining under the stress. Despite the impossibility of stitching together the tatters that remained, that was what Maurielle would have to do. Her duty still remained.
Excusing herself from Kata, she got right back on her horse and raced over to witness the results of this tragedy. Lightdancer dead, she didn't have only a fire to worry about, such a thing would tear open the realms. Like the elephants, a portal to the underworld would be a result. Flame would burn the city's houses, death would infect its citizens. Steps had to be taken, even if it would only forestall the inevitable. She pushed on her horse through the city streets, heedless of the animal's exhaustion. Her first stop were the heretics. They would be willing to step into death's door if it was needed. With a spirit well, bodies had to be disposed of, not to mention the fires that raged. She roused the heretics out of their stupor, shouting at them with words tinged with desperation. Henceforth, any bodies were to be thrown over the wall or burned, and the fires that raged had to be put out or stopped. Make a fire block, bring in water, do what was necessary. Meanwhile, she looked on at the carnage in front of her, her hands gripping the reins until they bled.
Her duty remained, and she would cling to it like she was on a sinking ship. (H1 and H3 to throw the bodies over the wall or completely destroy them, and attempt to put out the fires through any means possible)
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Post by ashenmoon on Jul 31, 2015 13:22:48 GMT
Turn 20 - about 4:30 pm - turn ends Sunday 2nd Link: dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/14467358/eclipse/eclipse_dominion_tactical_135908aaf_020.jpg High PalatineKavad and his men never carried out their charge - a few scattered shots of cannon were enough to hold them back. Kavad reports the enemy to be too organized and too numerous for a charge to be anything but suicidal - cannon or no. Still grieving, the Palatine sought solitude, leaving the Sistorian cavalry to rest. Alexis Kata joined him as they looked out over the milling thousands of the Republican army, swarming across the Florid river and flowing up to the very walls of Falor. Company after company. Battery after battery. Orderly ranks and formations swerved, wheeled and maneuvered into new positions. Even surrounded, even decimated and outnumbered - maybe fifteen, sixteen thousand remained of a force that had been near twice that two days ago - and facing the great fortifications of Falor… the Republic marched on. Without hesitation and united, they marched on. Princess Jahimi The Princess spoke with Alexis Kata at some length, seeking to understand what was happening here. Kata candidly explained her actions, and put forth her fears. She had, early that morning, travelled with the High Palatine to speak with Black Sun in her mansion. But she had not been privy to the entire meeting between the Palatine and the Seraph - and when Manlia stormed out from his private conference, he had claimed Black Sun to be a fallen one, a traitor. Fearful, she had accompanied the Palatine away from Black’s mansion, but soon parted ways and returned to the protection of her own command, intent on focusing on the enemy at hand. But not long thereafter she had learned of the attack on Black’s mansion, perpetrated by troops loyal to Manlia and Jahimi, under the command of Dusklight, Dawn’s lackey. Her worst fears had been realized: Dawn Lantern and the High Palatine were using the chaos of battle and Black’s unwillingness to personally enter combat as a disguise to rid themselves of a political opponent. But by doing so they were putting all of Varantium at risk - even the life of Radiance himself! Kata considered Maurielle’s own participation in the incident as regrettable but unavoidable - in this, she had been naught more than a pawn played by cruel masters. And so Kata had summoned what troops she could command in secrecy, not trusting in anyone, and had made her way to the Palace of Light to demand justice and openness. As long as Dawn Lantern sat enthroned on the right-hand side of Radiance unopposed, there was no telling what further madness he might unleash. There needed to be balance within the Dominion leadership, and oversight - but the Palace of Light refused to open its gate to Kata’s assembled force. While both Kata and the Aegis defending the Palace were, technically, loyal to House Suren, that House’s loyalties were being torn by their traditional ties to Black Sun, their pride of their High Palatine, and the apparent authority projected by Dawn Lantern from the Palace itself. Maurielle felt her heart lurch as Kata learned the news that Lightdancer’s suicidal stand against the Republic had been ordered by Dawn Lantern. Wailing, the woman was only reinforced in her fears - and Maurielle could only quietly agree. However, she did her best to defuse the situation. Kata would have the gates of the Palace thrown wide open, but the Aegis would allow no such thing. Eventually, after drawn-out negotiations shouted at the walls of the Palace, it was agreed that Kata and a small force of her followers would be allowed in. Maurielle would arrange for a few of her own men to accompany them. Apparently Prince Sistorian was approaching - he could handle the rest of this tricky political affair, and Maurielle was happy to leave it to his sensibilities. For herself, she returned to the battle, along with most of Kata’s troops. Travelling to the southeast of the city, the Princess restored some semblance of order on the way. Fanatics swept south and fought the fires that had been started by Republican artillery. Though they lost many men to both fire and a few new shots, in the main, the Republican artillery seemed to be quiet. Though most of the Dominion troops were trying to catch some rest - few had any illusions that this reprieve would last - rumours were running rampant. Of Black Sun’s mansion. Of the Palatine and his zealot followers. Of Kata’s siege of the Palace. And of Lightdancer. Some said he was alive and well, only hiding - but from what, no one could agree. Some said the Republicans had cursed their artillery shots with Binding spells, unleashing terrible magicks upon the Last Argument. Some said he had despaired at Man’s folly and lowliness after witnessing the blasphemy of blackpowder weaponry blacken the earth, and had returned to the Spirit realm. But more and more, a new story was told. One of an assassin. A sorcerous assassin, stabbing the triumphant Lightdancer in the back at the very crescendo of his attack. Then, like a ghost, the creature had disappeared as quickly as it had arrived - becoming thin air. When Maurielle found them at last, the remains of the Last Argument confirmed as much. But they also confirmed that he was not dead. He hovered on the very precipice of death. No one was allowed near him while Seda Suren worked her healing spells on him. Maurielle balked. There were too many conflicting loyalties here to even count. Prince SistorianHe meets Adjumot and his Chainbreakers. Solemnly the gray figures accompany him towards the Palace of Light. They arrive shortly after Princess Jahimi’s departure. The great carved gates wind slowly open, and beneath them are gathered Alexis Kata and her twenty companions. Prince Sistorian is invited along inside. Whatever they found at the Curia and what Dawn Lantern was doing, his House should be represented. Adjumot’s gaze locks onto Alexis, and the noblewoman turns and walks into the palace. “This one is not as she appears,” he says to Prince Sistorian. “She is daemon, a diamond-horned shape-shifter.”
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Post by conumbra on Aug 3, 2015 5:55:02 GMT
Her concerns had been unwarranted it seems. Lightdancer was not dead, though that fact brought with it whole new avenues for her to consider. Once word of this assassin spread to the soldiers, they would ask questions, demand answers she couldn't give. The idea of a new player, able to incapacitate a spirit such as Lightdancer...one more thing she would have to balance if she wanted the city to stay secure during this siege. Already, paranoia was beginning to take hold. Seda's magi were refusing anyone access to Lightdancer, herself included. And the Last Argument, with their protector down, refused to move an inch while he was still in this condition. People she could have used, pieces she could have moved, tossed off the board, rendered useless. At least it would give them time to rest.
That brought up another point. There had been a few shots, but the Republic's cannons had been mostly silent since Lightdancer's demise. Were the two connected, perhaps? But that didn't make any sense, surely if they had suspected what had occurred they would have stepped up their bombardment, put more pressure, not hold off. She briefly considered the possibility that they had run out of ammunition, but she dismissed it. They would have come prepared for a siege, and would have supplied accordingly. Perhaps they themselves were feeling exhaustion of their own and taking the time to rest. Whatever the case, she didn't like it. That feeling had returned again, of being on the edge of disaster. Yet what could she do but keep what men she had on high alert, ready in case of Republic intrusion of some sort. The archers especially, right now they useless in the city's cramped streets, yet placed on the walls they would have a chance at detecting any probes the Republic made and warn the rest.
She directed the archers to their proper place on the eastern walls, then set about giving the word of the new arrival. One of the commanders of the Vigil, off to take watch, brought up the thought that perhaps she could keep such a thing secret, or invent something false. His men were already looking warily around them, more than usual. She reassured him. Keeping t a secret was impossible at this stage, the stories were already spreading. And as for inventing a ruse, it was inadvisable. A being powerful enough to near-fatally wound Lightdancer was a force she did not know how to compete. The only hope she had of being able to stop another event like this was that if her men were ready for it.
After giving the final word to the Vigil, she took a stop with the First and Second Passions. She gave them a simple order. "My father is within this city. Find him, and guard him with your lives."
(OOC: R7 and R9 to mount the Eastern walls near the Eastern gate, act as lookouts C18 and C19 are to locate Maurielle's father and put him under guard)
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