Twilit Tears

[[Okay so...I spent the entire weekend trying to think of something creative on how to get back into this...unfortunately, my mind was drawing a blank half the time and I was sidetracked the other half. So here's just a summary and apologies about not returning on time. ]]

After the attack on Bangor, the robed guards/footmen/"walking ones" marched around the town to attack Emain. Bangor still stands under Requiem's control, Dunbarton has been evacuated, Fenrir's "nation" has moved to take up full residence of Bangor and its dungeon, there's rumors starting about Requiem's queen being found, aaaaand Wolfe's troops were making a mad dash back to Emain to defend while Gatemo was left to work on "his side of the deal".

Meanwhile in Iria, the influence of the twilight shards has finally stopped spreading, but the influence on nature and its creatures is still enroaching into uncorrupted areas. The hobgobs are especially making trouble and lots of it, both them and the warriors and mercenaries of Cor fighting around the wraiths or through them if need be to deal with the others. Still chatter about a leviathan, still chatter about the wildlife problem in Zardine, nobody's really looked into Iria yet to my knowledge, may we do so soon.

And that's pretty much it. Uncreative, but it gets everything out there as far as Requiem and the shards goes. *hits the unpause button*

The Battle for Emain Macha rests in a calm before the storm, similar to what the Requiem had experienced before the Robed Army attacked Bangor. From what it seemed, the Robed Army may repeat what they did to Bangor, but differently due to the environment that they are bound to attack. Their signal was unknown, but if it is like the attack on Bangor, there must be something to trigger the attack.

Regent Wolfe and Lady Jinnhin discussed about their strategy for the battle, but what worried Lady Jinnhin was the fact that some civilians still don't like her due to Kalinthire's propaganda against her; furthermore, she feared that the hating civilians may interfere and helped the enemy instead, thinking that they'll "free Emain Macha from the Lady's Tyranny." In an attempt to stop that factor from being a reality, Lady Jinnhin deployed paladins to keep a look out for and arrest any civilians who may try to help the enemy. Those who are arrested are automatically be thrown into the dungeon of Coill, provided with an escort to keep the awaiting Fomors at bay. The punishment is held a mystery until the end of the Battle for Emain Macha.

The Battle for Emain Macha will be at Sunday, 31st of January 2010 (Monday, 1st of February 2010 for the Aussies).

Edit: Due to impatience exceeding my willpower, Tonight (Saturday, 30th of January 2010) will be the night that the battle takes place.

((GAT!! IF YOU WOULD LET J DO HIS THING IN ZARDINE, THE CRYSTALS WOULD HAVE BEEN MESSED WITH! Ok, that's it for my screaming session. See you next time.))

(( Gat, just a quick question - would the puppy scouting / harrying patrols have collected enough information to trace the source to Iria before a decision is made for an assault of any significance? ))

((It's been a long while since this all started and the numbers are nothing to sneeze at any more )) [[ I did the math and scared myself ]]

Thomas22 wrote:((GAT!! IF YOU WOULD LET J DO HIS THING IN ZARDINE, THE CRYSTALS WOULD HAVE BEEN MESSED WITH! Ok, that's it for my screaming session. See you next time.))

[[EVERYTIME IT'S TIME HE'S NOWHERE TO BE FOUND AND I BEEN BUSY OTHERWISE. GAWD. Right back at ya. :3]]

[[ Aaaaand if they're doing so in Uldah, Cap, I'd have to say no. Aside from being an ocean apart and the shard's corruption not reaching overseas, much less beyond the areas they landed in, the only two people that would know everything about them within Uldah stay within Bangor. There was probably a chance at that during the attack on Bangor; but for the moment everybody's relocated and holed up again in a more secure area, so...I dunno, I'm not gonna say it's impossible to track them down, but it'd be friggin' difficult. ]]

[[Also...they're ghost dogs that kill stuff, aren't they? How would they gather info? o.o;]]

(( well since they are wolves they are a bit smarter, then there are the advanced ones. Yeah, unless there is a reason for going to uldah they wouldn't be there. As for gaining info anywhere in the occupied areas, you answered it yourself, they are Ghosts, so nothing holds them back ))

[[*wouldn't say nothing...* But I gotcha. 83]]

((Well, Gate wanted me to post something, and since the rescue itself just involved walking in and out again...))

'Shade' leant against the wall of Rabbie, tired but content with the way things had turned out.
Although Krystel was a bit uncomfortable with being in such a location, and the Succubus host was not quite happy about acting so directly against Chicol, it was definately the best place to hide.
As per the old adage, it was the last place that would be expected, and Miss Ellorah's unexplained loathing of Fenrir ensured that no betrayal would occur.
...That and the fact that there was no-where else to go.
Tir Chonal was far too predictable, while Bangor was obviously not possible.
'Shade' knew that Emain Macha was the next target, and he didn't quite trust the leaders anyway.
Dunbarton might have been a Ghost town, but keeping clear of the 'ghosts' would be far too exhausting.
And from the information he had learnt, Iria was completely out of the question.

At the least, this campout would be temporary. When the path to Taillteann would open soon, and 'Shade' intended to be the first one through, fully prepared to protect the fortress city in his own unique way

((Oh, and if you think you can get there already, then I'm already there))

[[Alright, ran through my schedule and found some times for gaming, sooooo...]]

[[ Those who wanted to participate in Iria happenings, we try Tuesday, Jan 26th, 6 PM EST; and Friday, whenever I'm conscious to whenever I'm not. (Generally all day. )]]

[[P.S. - TELL ME WHERE YOU WANNA GO BEFORE THE SCHEDULED TIME this time. ]]

[[That is all. ]]

//Today's the 25th... Tuesday is the 26th...

Gatemo wrote:[[*wouldn't say nothing...* But I gotcha. 83]]

[[ yeah, like the bad guys would create areas with wards and such that have protection from evil ]]

[[ These puppies can cover a lot of ground since they can run full out continuously and are not slowed down by weather or terrain. Still getting any number to Iria would take a few days of getting the more intelligent packs to shuttle the rest from one continent to the other. Logistics is always a bother but is the sign of a Veteran as opposed to an Amateur or a Dilettante. ]]

[[ Oh darn, missed the ghost town happening. Well, since no living witnesses are there anymore, just the undead roaming the place, I see opportunity asking for a first large scale deployment. We can have either, an onstage or an offstage "Hunt", or I can post a scene dramatic this evening. Let me know what you prefer. I prefer offstage at the moment since my sugar and caffeine levels are rather low to percolate a decent scene dramatic, even though that would so much more colorful.]]

Captincrunch wrote:

Gatemo wrote:[[*wouldn't say nothing...* But I gotcha. 83]]

[[ yeah, like the bad guys would create areas with wards and such that have protection from evil ]]

[[Of course not. Why would we do a thing like that? It shows fear! ]]

Emain Square;




the people were unhappy. Wolfe understood this, but he also knew that there was no time for unhappiness now. he needed the people behind him and Jinn 100%. to do any less would be to court disaster. Jinn was dealing with it in her way. Now he would try his. He had been tolerant, given them time to come around. Now he was tired of dancing around. He would hammer home the issue, and he would do it now.

"People of Emain Macha. When I first came here as regent, dark times had fallen upon our city. I fixed that. I raised us to our greatest glory, made us into the saviors of the world. We held and protected half of Uladh!"
He stopped and looked at them, and then his attitude changed.
"I do not see a single person here who is worthy of that description, not a single soul worthy of that task!"

That caught their attention, but before they could protest, he continued

"Look at you! Our enemies bang upon our very gates, and yet you busy yourselves with petty squabbles and useless arguements! Jinnhin has done nothing but good for you, and still you slander and defy her. all she has done, she did to protect you! she will fight beside me on the front lines, and still you belittle her! Where is the honor and glory of Emain Macha?! It wallows in the filth and mud! Jinn's guard and those of her heir are my own troops! Me, who once called you my brothers and sisters! Do you believe that if i thought she intended any ill towards you, i would hesitate to give the order to strike her down?! Yet she still lives, because i find her to be a good ruler, whose only misfortune is that she rules over the most idiotic, childish, ungrateful subjects i have ever had the misfortune to come across!"

By now the people were simply standing, unprepared for such harsh criticism. But wolfe was not even close to being done, oh no.

"She makes laws to protect you, and you fuss like a child who has been forbidden sweets! She promotes someone whom is qualified to Command, and you quibble over past slights! I thought you cared for the world, but apparently all you care about is your own comforts and your own moronic opinions! When she, and by extension Emain, suffers, you rejoice, and when she succeeds, you groan and complain! You cheer for me and you ridicule her when we both complement the other! You continually bite the hand that feeds you and growl when its owner tries to feed you while wearing an armored glove, because that is the only way she can feel safe while feeding you!"

Wolfe paused for a few moments, took a deep breath, and swept his gaze across the crowd.

"Go to your homes. go and hide as we shed our blood for you, and laugh as we perish. Go and spend the next few minutes after we perish rejoicing, for that is all you will have before the enemies who slaughtered the only people willing to protect your ungrateful hides come and slaughter you, your families, and all you hold dear. Just go!"

With an air of finality, he mounted his horse and rode off towards the castle.

((And so....The descent of the Wolfe begins))

((nah, Wolfe is just very, very ticked off right now. the descent will probably come later.))

((Perhaps, but the histories will always remember this moment as the start. It's not what happened that matters, its what people think happened.

Also, Gatemo will have a pet Wisp named Bubbles))

((well, maybe in the future, historians will recognized me as someone who did what had to be done, despite public opinion to the contrary at the time.))

(( and now for a little flashback and side story that may or may not impact in the abnormal goings on ))

The light morning mists slowly are being burned away as the dawn light seeps across the landscape to reveal barren fields and churned earth.
As the dawn sun peeks over the horizon the golden rays sear through what remains of the fog and slowly brighten the surround trees from the top, inexorability to the ground.
The trees ablaze, the light no pours across the landscape and illuminates the battered, scorched and much repaired walls of Dunbarton.
The western gates open with a creaking groan as files of fomor squads, their bound animal servants, the Dark knight commanders and elite troops, march from the town.
The occasional guttural growl coming from either unhappy bears or the disciplinary response of a Dark knight commander was all that broke the dawns silence.
In the shadows of the nearby trees and outbuildings could be seen the robed creatures floating here and there but ignoring the troops.
The gates left open as the last of the troops and the populace they are escorting have left the once bustling town.
Narry a living soul is left in the town but for the few refusing to leave but having the good sense to remain at the church.
The only things left moving in the town is what an occasional gust of wind flutters or bangs.
That and the robed figures floating out of the shadows and hunting the buildings and street as if on some sort of seek and destroy mission.

The troops march out of the vale and into the snail leaves the surroundings dead quiet.
But for the occasional rustle of leaf or branch or loose bit in the town, the area is dead silent.
A light breeze brings with it the faint sounds of prayer and song from the church, but even that is cut off as the buildings doors are closed to the wraith like occupiers of the town.
The day continues on bright but cool and unearthly silent.

The cloudless sky dims as as the sun finally begins its descent behind the horizon.
The shadows grow long and deep in the surrounding countryside, while the town itself is plunged into deep inky darkness.
The stars of twilight begin to twinkle in the sky but the moons will not arise for a few hours yet.

There is a muffled thud.
The evening breeze carries the faint sound of tearing cloth and protesting metal before all is silent.
The sound is heard again in another area of fields around the town and again within moments is repeated thrice more.
The deepest shadows seem to undulate and ripple across the surrounding lands.
Darkness pools at the base of the town walls before sinking away like puddles in a parched earth.

An otherworldly screech is cut off with a blast of lightning.
This one loud noise seemed to open the floodgates of sound that seemed barred that long cold day.
Blasts of lightning begin lighting up various corners and alleyways of the town.
A wraith is seen rushing through the semidarkness of the open space of the town square, its cloak in shredded tatters fluttering about it as it heads for the open gates.
A large armored lupine shape coalesces in the gateway and releases a bolt of fire scorching the remnants of the robe to ash and sending a spray of molten metal in a glittering cone behind from where it once flew.
In what seems like hours but was mere minutes, the horrendous din ends.
The town now lit by the occasional flickering fire, smoldering wood, smoking piles of ash and slowly cooling puddles of metal.
The only sounds left are the clattering of bits of metal and other debris coming to rest.

All is silent once more.
The shadows stop moving as twilight fades and true night raises her ebon majesty across the land.
The sounds of the creatures of the night stirring come from the fields and woods, yet the town is as still as a grave.

[[*sniffle* Had. Poor Bubbles...curse you, "heroes". Killing a poor man's pet just because it sneezed an icebolt... ;.; *coughs* Well, he's not gettin' any deader. Back to business.]]

[[...and...what just happened? Flashback yes, but of what? XD]]

Fenrir looked over the weapon caches prepared for Emain Macha with a smirk. He couldn't believe he was doing this; but if nothing else, he was a man of his word. Wolfe's soldiers came to his aid to fight off a common enemy, and now he felt obligated to come through on his end. The goblin blacksmith who had made them was less than thrilled though - such a tall order with such a shortage on materials! Most of the good ores had gone into rebuilding the town and with little more having been mined after the last battle, he would've prefered crafting something for Requiem than the enemy.

"Good work." Fenrir told him as he lifted a longsword to investigate it more closely. Seemed sturdy from looking at it, like it'd see a few good battles. He gave a few test swings, checked its handling, how neatly it sliced the air, its flexibility, and the end result was quite pleasing. "Katsuna was right - you are one of the best."

"Not best work," the goblin huffed in response. "But happy you like, sire."

"Well then, I suppose we should prepare to deliver these. Have a yeoman gather up a small force for that. I'll also need a few dark knights to escort me and Katsuna there."

The goblin was taken aback by the last one. "Y-you going too, sire?"

Smiling, Fenrir put the sword back in place. "I'd hate for anything to happen with our package on the way there. Besides, Emain is the best place to find a priest."

[ Time for this event pending. ]

[ Until further notice, Iria events will still be on Tuesdays 6PM EST or weekends when I've got no other parts of plot planned. XP ]

Gate, the Battle for Emain Macha took place, but with the incident, it is restarted and set for a new date. So the enemy army is still waiting at Sen Mag Plateau. So I suggest RP-Wise, the convoy should take the Osna Sail route. Since Wolfe explained it to her, Lady Vera will be having her troops expecting the package.

Gatemo wrote:[[...and...what just happened? Flashback yes, but of what? XD]]

[[ Up until my posting and those that followed, I was not 100% sure of the time line on events. I had assumed things had progressed further than they have. The opening scene showed the troops leaving Dunbarton and heading through the snail, as was posted a few weeks back. I just added a bit of artistic license on how the scene would play out to an outside observer. This event is, as you may surmise, the first organized large scale maneuver by the assembled packs. Quite a bit of collateral property damage but nothing living met its end thanks to good planning and amazing logistics. Its what you get when you have someone who has been around battlefields for a millennia.]]

[[ What do you thing of the clean-up-crew? I know there are not that many but those numbers are steadily growing on a daily basis as well.]]

((prepares a basket of clean undies.))

Jinnhin wrote:Gate, the Battle for Emain Macha took place, but with the incident, it is restarted and set for a new date. So the enemy army is still waiting at Sen Mag Plateau. So I suggest RP-Wise, the convoy should take the Osna Sail route. Since Wolfe explained it to her, Lady Vera will be having her troops expecting the package.

[[ It's not coming til after that battle anyways, so get done soon then. Why turn the clock back though? It's not like those forces were all you had to work with overall, is it? ]]

[[ ...and those poor civilians, Cap? D: ]]

[[ well, reading the original text it didn't say things one way or the other regarding the civilians so I made an assumption on my part - the commander is a *** and a well organized and cunning *** that would keep the useful civilians as support services, camp followers and as hostages if need be. Who ever was left were either wraith food if stupid or safely holed up in the church. So they were dead before we even got there. We just made them more dead. *ahem* ]]

((No fair, I can't get on on Tuesdays......

And by had, I mean from a historical sense, in the same way that Henry VIII had 6 wives...wait, bad example))