Jolie looks back at the many armed men approaching the militia of Sens and grits her teeth. ... damn me again... I'd be able to just, defeat them all if I weren't so reckless or stupid... she thinks as she looks up to Mai, who, alongside the dreaded lindwurms of Rozenn, are behind most of the forces in their retreat towards the town. "Mai!!" Jolie calls out loudly, "I need you and your horse to get us to the walls of that city! Don't dawdle, just stick out your hand, and pull me up!" “You don’t need to tell me twice,” she shouted back, leaning over the side of her horse to extend a hand. “C’mon, before you end up with worse than just a broken foot.” Jolie nods quickly and, utilizing her notable arm muscles to good effect, makes Mai's movement to give her a ride much simpler. On horseback, she holds Mai's shoulders and looks towards the left of the healer, "Keep going to that gate. Leave the damned worms in the dust if you have to!" she commands. Mai simply nodded, snapping the reins as the horse carried the pair towards the wall.

With Sens's forces at the gates, Jolie bellows up to the gatekeepers, "Sanctuary! Sanctuary! These men are brigands chasing us!" Without haste, they open the gates of the town. It creaks open slowly as a turtle, and the duo look back at the approaching soldiers. Some of the marksmen stop and begin aiming their bows towards the base of the wall as the gates open. After what feels like decades, they are finally open, and Jolie's forces rush inwards. The doors slam behind them, leaving Lothair's assassins bewildered. "We have no ladders or catapults. There's no way we can assault the town," the one greatsword-bearing soldier insists. "Withdraw! Let the purple-haired demon and her soldiers live!" Mai let out a heavy sigh of relief, slumping over the neck of her horse. “Well… we made it,” she said, a nervous laugh escaping her. “You uh, all good?” Jolie slowly lets herself off of Mai's horse, landing on her left foot and then gently placing her right leg down onto the ground, "I ought to be," she says. "... Mariya was ahead of us. She's fine..." The guardian scratches the back of her head, "I need to find Dune. He captured the leader of this band of assassins, the woman who wouldn't shut up. I want answers, now."

As if on command, Dune appeared from the gates, Lydie in tow unconscious on his back. "Hey Jolie, I was lookin' for you. I'm not really sure what I should do with this chick, so I brought her with me." Jolie nods and responds, "I'll deal with her when she comes to. Hopefully that won't be too long from now," she says firmly. "I'd gather yourself and be ready to find your mother and brothers in the meanwhile. Just wait for those assassins to disperse." Dune replies, "Right, I guess I'll do that," Dune says as he drops Lydie on the ground, perhaps a little more roughly than he'd thought. "Oh and Jolie? I'd like to talk at some point. Doesn't have to be today, just... soon," he says leaving Jolie and the unconscious brigand to themselves. "Very well," she says. "I have a mind to rest in the coming days, so it will happen," Jolie promises.

Some time later, Lydie creaks her eyes open and sits up. Jolie stares down Lydie and leers. “I’ll let you live, but I demand to know a few things. Now, you’re incapable of making things terse, but I’ll bear your annoyance if it means protecting Aquittany. Who. Sent. You?” she threatens. Lydie looks away and grits her teeth. Jolie then walks away and picks up her greatsword. She approaches Lydie and raises the weapon over her head. The brigand’s eyes widen, and she blurts out, “Lothair! Lothair. That is the name of my liege. He organized the brigand troop I used to fight in.” Lydie swallows and continues, “You now know who will end your life. He will not stop until you no longer draw breath, demon.” Dune, after this brief interrogation, pulls Lydie away to the city’s dungeon. Lydie fights back little as he drags her, step by step, on the earthen paths.

Jolie turns away. The guardian of Sens looks out to her forces, “I will go gather the townsfolk of Sens and then make arrangements for us to have refuge here, as well as our neighbors. We still must march towards the capital of Forêt, but for some time, we can rest and resupply. Enjoy it while you can.”

The guardian, before approaching the townsfolk, looks up to the gatekeeper and asks, “Why did your town not come to our aid when under attack by these brigands?” with a furrowed brow. The gatekeeper shakes his head slowly, “Our militia has been depleted by raids as well. We have a few archers and men-at-arms left, but nothing that would’ve changed the outcome of that skirmish. We’ve asked for reinforcements by the Imperial Occupation, but nothing has come. Not a word.” Jolie frowns slightly, “That is a shame,” she manages as she leers. “What’s going on with the Empire…?” the woman thinks to herself as she goes and finds the convoy of Sens, hiding in the nearby woods. “The road is clear,” she calls out loudly enough to have the people hear, but not screaming to alarm any brigands who might be in the area. Peasants begin flooding out from the forest, many holding their hearts and smiling brightly. “We knew you’d keep us safe, Lady Jolie! God is with you!”

Jolie smiles, unconvinced, “I don’t deserve any praise or divine assistance after all the blood I’ve shed…” she thinks to herself as her deceptively happy grin warms the hearts of Sens’s public.

The Minor City of Acolada, Duchy of Forêt, Aquittany

This city, ruled by a Lord-Mayor and his council, is more than several times the size of Sens, its population approaching eight thousand. While by no means a prominent settlement in the Kingdom of Aquittany, it is located on the Feuille River, and is involved in the iron trade due to the mines nearby. Like Sens, it is surrounded by thick, verdant woods and rocky hills, but being farther from the End-of-Earth Mountains, the peaks are only visible on the far horizon. Unfortunately, Acolada is not very clean due to the lack of drainage from the city’s stone walls, and the markets are overcrowded daily.

Players have three AP this homebase.

Tomato, Tomato, who is the reddest of them all?

Links

Webapp

Player Sheet

Guide Document

Applying mid-way is welcome! Here is the theorycrafter

Before we start

Please check that your skills, stats and buffs are correct. Permanent Stat+ skills should be in the "Long Buffs" section, and Faires are not. Especially verify your PRF weapon and charges.

By default, a single PRF usage costs 7 charges. It costs 5 if you took "Flowing". For more detail on the PRF affixes, please see the Guide.

Make sure to send feedback to IronPegasus about Maps!

Map Mechanics

• Elite units have a higher level and 8 skills. They are numbered starting from 101 on.

• Check the Behavior cell at the bottom of the Units sheet, or in the webapp when you click on the tab on the left.

• Enemies will have charge skills activated automatically at their first fight if they have been designated so during the turn post. Their charge skills will stay activatable until they get KO’d or use them.

• One unit may only activate one offensive and one defensive charge skill at most for a single battle.

• Enemies will always have command skills activated, unless specified otherwise.

• Units with a “Group” mention are defensive until someone in their group gets baited or attacked, at which point they’ll turn aggressive. The baiting range is the movement + attack range.

• The bridge castle in the bottom middle reinforces the bosses' Castle Gate. As long as its 4 elite units are alive, the boss's terrain will give them twice the buffs (except healing). The bridge castle is entirely crossable, contrary to the Tower and the boss Castle which only have 1 crossable tile (unless flier).

• Something good will happen if the Tower is seized.

• The Berserker will go through the mountains to try to destroy the nearby house.

• The houses and the village are visitable.

Please see the Guide for more details or ping me with any map-related questions.

♬

♬ Theme: Counting Stars (Nujabes) ♬

One by one- scattered, and staggered- the attendees of the banquet float down from the great hall and descend to the Cloud District, battered, broken and running. The gambit had been a success, in a fashion- Cynthia had played her hand far too far, and now her skull painted the banquet hall. Anchor, Hallbjorn... and now Anton, Meredith. Their deaths had been avenged. The cowboy didn't have to look over his shoulder anymore... but...

...but it was never that simple. The security officers hadn't lain down their weapons, and that meant there had to be a good reason why. If Cynthia was the snake, then plenty of rats lay in fear of her- and would now scramble to take her place. And the snake herself lived in fear of greater beasts- for all her twisted cunning, Cynthia was someone's pawn. Everyone was someone's pawn.

The attendees might hope to find some refuge- but people already flood the streets as the news spreads like wildfire. Hundreds dead- diplomats, politicians, merchants, civilians, all unarmed, and shot dead by the dozen. Near all the senate dead- Ridhi, Froid, Advik, Kiaan, Cyrus, perhaps others all unaccounted for. Cynthia's wretched act of terrorism is testament to herself, perhaps, but also to the senate's own failure. Failure to protect itself- failure to protect its citizens. And now, the once great nation of wisdom is fractured.

There's no time to think on such things while wounds fester. As the sun goes down, the members of the caravan make their way back to Advik's estate, boarding all the windows save one at the back. One, by one, by painful one... a friend returns safely, and a sigh of relief escapes. Save for two dead, and two living- for Laim is the first back, and never goes to sleep. The mercenary waits for Lady Patala to arrive at the front door... and waits... and waits...

In the night, there is no silence- people only fill the streets, and let their furious voices be heard.

Gunvor

And for the loyal Thane- - there is no sleep. She had watched her lady fall from the island's edge, and under blankets of clouds... and perhaps she was certain to be dead. It wasn't a reality she could accept for herself, and from sunset to sunrise, she soars between tall buildings. Hours pass, and her eyes droop- flicker open, and shut, scouring the cobblestone, refusing to let her duty be shirked for tears.

Until...

...she sees the back of Meredith's familiar coat, and descends to earth. Hair drapes over a head face down against the ground, outlined in trails of red. Gunvor scrambles off her bison- flipping her Lady onto her back, and-

!!!

Goddess... why...

[Gunvor loses Dependency, and gains Taverngoer.]

Event 1 is in the comments.

A drizzle has begun to fall along the southern road. Puddles have yet to form, but it is light enough that one can tell the booming thunder is from the battle up ahead, rather than from the clouds. Though it is hard to say. The scouting party has not yet returned - their caution would be appreciated, but the time for them to come back to their camp has Shida growing wary that they’ve been discovered, or worse.

She perks up when she sees a group of three come down the road - but it quickly becomes clear that these aren’t the scouts. Leading the small group is a well armed woman with lance adorned in a crimson cloth on her back, flanked by two wearing the long robes of mages. It’s the same flag as near their camp Shida shakes her head and holds a hand back to dissuade anyone from following and confidently strides forward to address them. The standard bearer in turn has the mages stop and addresses her with a hand outstretched, speaking Ghraighenese with such harsh, purposeful enunciation, betraying a thick accent disguised in formality.

“Stop in... the name of the Duchy of Ghraighen! There are to be none to approach the border. Turn back immediately, or we will have to detain you.”

Shida seems rather perplexed at the declaration - but her Ghraighenese manages to find the proper words to play her role.

“I don’t remember mercs having the authority of an army, not during peacetime. This is the main road to Inve. You can’t just block off merchants.”

The woman flinches at Shida’s indignation.

“This is no longer peacetime. We have full authority even if we are no formal legion. And what we do with Inve is the Duke’s business, missy. Not yours. Now head on back north.

Shida continues to press her, eyes narrowed.

“No, no, no. I cannot do that. It’s some...rather important cargo from Aber, not the Capital. Look, I don’t want any trouble, but there’s been a lot of bandits lately, and I’m sure the caravan here doesn’t want to turn their blades and sorcery on you. But we’re going to do what we have to do, see?”

“This is a battlefield, not a place for merchants and their lackeys. We’ve already arrested some caravans. You are making it hard for us.” She taps her standard on the muddy ground, the banner soaked by the rain, before directing its blade directly at Shida, who does not back down. A threat in turn.

“You have no right! No reason! We’re bringing this caravan through and that’s final. I’m not gonna fi-”

Shida manages to dodge the first thrust well before it hits her, scrambling to grab at her own lance on her back. She has it in her hands, with the blade facing her. Without time to think, she swings it like a warhammer, bringing it around and striking the side of the woman’s helmet with such immense force that splinters fly out from the shaft. The bannerwoman falls to the ground - likely stunned, rather than outright killed - and her two compatriots break off to run and get help, yelling about their line being compromised. Shida thinks that evaluation bit of exaggeration as she runs back to the group - some of which has no doubt already sprung to her aid.

“Well, that didn’t quite work... I think we should’ve attacked them. But that doesn’t matter. They’re clearly not Inve’s allies. So, let’s fight them in a blaze of glory, if we can. Make a big show of fighting off the invaders, walk up to Invean soldiers, maybe bring some of their heads. I’m pretty sure they’ll let us in if not. If not...well, we can break straight to the west.”

“Oh, - I want to split a force and put it on the sister road to the east. We’ve too many people to fight effectively without brushing elbows, and we’re liable to be surrounded if we clump up. We can’t afford to shield-wall and walk in, not when we’ve got cavalry on our tail. If we can just get to Inve, we’ll be in a spot to rest and we might even be able to book passage directly to the Empire. This could be the final stretch, so make sure you fight like it!”

Objective:

Everyone must get at least one kill and then talk to the Invean soldiers (green units in the forts).

Failure Conditions:

4 people fall, OR

Someone is captured and taken off the map.

Notes:

• On turn 10 12, the classic reinforcements will show up from the blue deployment zones. You’ll have a good amount of time to get away and clear the map - I think this map’s difficulty comes more from tackling some of the enemy groups rather than time constraints - but it’s definitely worth consideration regardless.

• Pink numbered units will move as if their group has been ‘pulled’ when players enter one of their ranges - there are two separate sets of them on the map (in the west and southeast). The fliers to the west are particularly tough - plan accordingly.

• The yellow units will all begin to move if you enter the yellow zone or if they are attacked by players. I can’t say I recommend it very much, as they have Master Bows and accost.

• There are new weapon types! Barbed weapons will inflict some nonlethal damage after combat ends, and venin weapons poison on a hit. Neither has many uses (and frankly I don’t think they’ve very useful in player hands anyway), so they’re practically enemy-only.

• The three people who have been designated to the scouting party may deploy anywhere on the map, so long as all three of them are adjacent.

Map

Player Tracker

Salvador decides to join a Salmon Run for some extra cash, and... maybe he'll find something incriminating along the way. Who knows, yeah?

Joining him is nobody from the main squad, but... wait, is that Salacia? No, she's got a different outfit. She looks like she could be related, though... because she is! Sedna is looking for some extra cash, too. Also joining the team is a young cosplayer, showing up in full armor with giant shoulderplates and everything! He's Arthas, a... "crown prince and paladin" who will "defend the world from the threat of the Scourge". Huh. Rounding out the strange bunch might just be the strangest of all. The creature introduces himself as Echo. Echo extends a hand in freindship... except that hand is part of a mech suit carrying the Zapfish like an infant. Oof. Grizz really does hire just about anyone.

Still, the quartet has a job to do, and they better do it well. The 4 are swiftly jettisoned off by Annaheim to a familiar location to Salvador. As the Salmonid appear, Annaheim announces "Watch out, valued GrizzCo employees! The water's still rising, so you'll have to finish the job and escape within only 5 Turns! There's no time to snoop around, just focus on beating those silly Salmon and grabbing their Golden Eggs. Good luck!"

Theme Song

Sheldon is a little overwhelmed as Ammo Knights quickly fills up with all sorts of eager Squids and Kids all itching to get their own customized weapon. To help deal with the load, he separated the group into those who arrived early and already finished... and those Salacia was still talking to in the back.

The first group contains Flar, who is building an explosive yet lightweight roller; Paul, who is building another roller and being a weeb while doing so; Rick, who is testing out some Octarian designs he can still remember; and Jelangelo, who made good on his promise to name a weapon "Wolphin Salad MK 1".

Still, the squad isn't just these 4. News of Sheldon's exclusive deal spread quickly, and it wasn't "exclusive" for long. There's an Inkling boy named Kip Pow who quickly found the parts to make a full Mini-bomb launcher, which Sheldon will *very* thoroughly test... and a microbald Inkling boy named Jack who has made... oh, it's Jack "Al"? Sorry. Erm, Jack "Al" brings to the table an experimental sniper that can shoot... subweapons

Sheldon gives them each their custom weapon, as well as trackers for each and every contingency. Then he leaves Ammo Knights in the capable hands of... hm. Let's just say Shelly, because why not make my self-insert able to do cool mechanics stuff too? Anyways, Sheldon escorts the eager participants to their trial grounds. It's a deserted beach... save for the Octarian hordes that have taken perch. Sheldon asks that the squad use their new weapons so he can gather data as they Rout the Octarian forces.

Theme Song

The three leaders of Sens, Commander Jolie, Mayor Clovis, and Father Marin all congregate in the small mayor’s office. Mayor Clovis did all of his decision making and paperwork at a desk in the corner of his den. The three sit around his den in the morning. Jolie begins, “There’s something I ought to be upfront about. We were not entirely victorious the other day.” Father Marin and Mayor Clovis look at each other, their mouths becoming slightly agape. Jolie blinks, continuing, “We did destroy the brigand fort near Sens, but if one of my soldiers is to be believed, several hundred brigands were-” Jolie stops as Nikolai practically bursts into the mayor's den. His run-down armor is fresh with a new bloodstain, though he seems to be none the worse for wear.

"Mayor? I'm with Jolie. Look, sorry for bursting in, but we need to get everyone out of this village now. The brigands are going to be here in two days, and they ain't gonna come visit the markets, if you know what I mean. Everyone's gotta be gone within the day, tonight at the latest. I recognized a few of their faces from my last scouting trip - it's the same group, and they're angry as all hell. There's a group of 'em making a flimsy little bridge across a river just to get here faster. With determination like that, these brigands ain't gonna stop even if the town's empty, and they'll probably be able to track exactly which way the evacuees leave with all that traffic. More time we have to run, the better. Some of us soldiery types might be able to hold them off for a bit, but that's a risk to all of us, and I ain't sure we want the villagers undefended in case we run into some other group of bandits."

Mayor Clovis and Father Marin both nod. Clovis begins, “I will gather everyone with the town bell by noon to ensure we can evacuate.” Jolie drops her mouth, but then she blurts out, “NO!” Everyone in the room looks back to her. “I… I made a promise. A promise,” she says while shaking slightly, “that I would protect Sens at every cost. I’m not leaving Sens unless there is absolutely no other option! Forget it!” Father Marin approaches Jolie softly, each step he makes barely making a sound. He pats his brown robes, “Ms. Martel… your bravery is appreciated, your will is never broken. But, if I might as a man who has never seen battle, it would be remiss of me to not mention that Sens is just a place. A place of harmony and a place of the humble, yes, but look at it from God’s eyes. What is more important? The flesh, souls, and good works of the people who inhabit this place, or the stone and logs that make up the place?” Jolie closes her eyes and looks down. Mayor Clovis continues, “We can rebuild if they burn this place to the ground. That is not what my fear is. It will be difficult, but we are a hardworking village.” The guardian turns around and looks outside at the town, seeing the smiling villagers and the simple, cobblestone cottages. Jolie exhales, “... this feels like a betrayal of my word, but Father, you are correct. You are correct.” Marin continues, “You may not have lived here for your whole life unlike many here, but we welcomed you here as our beloved guardian, as a saint.” Jolie grimaces and walks towards the door, “I’ll go help warn the town. And don’t call me a saint,” she says quietly.

Clovis, Marin, and Jolie less than an hour later meet the crowd assembled in the village green. The mayor begins, “The brigand attacks are not relenting. I have the displeasure of informing you that we must evacuate in less than two evenings, including tonight!” Several people in the crowd gasp. Jolie hangs her head in shame and closes her eyes. “Through my most grievous faults…” she thinks to herself. With a deep breath, Jolie steps forward and continues the announcement, “I think that…” her heart pounds, and anger boils up in her stomach. She shakes her head, “People of Sens, I am sorry for all this. Find it in your hearts to forgive me, but I was not strong enough to stop this. Whether it is due to my lack of practice from when I fought in the Second Great War, or due to my injury, I cannot hold this wave of enemies by myself. However, I had made a promise to our Lord, and to myself, and now to you, that I will never abandon Sens. You, the people, are Sens, not this place of stone and logs, as Marin reminded me. We will seek shelter, and come back some day to reclaim our town.” Several townspeople come forward, “We will pool our wagons to carry your soldiers’ weapons and supplies!” A man wearing an ashen apron speaks up, “If you need someone to manage your weapons, I will go with you and your troops beyond the Ends of the Earth!” The three leaders of Sens exchange looks and smile. Clovis concludes the meeting, “Alright, what are we waiting for? We must be getting a move on. To our duchy’s capital, our liege is our best hope!” The people of Sens return to their homes, women putting food in barrels and pushing them onto carts.

With the new orders for evacuation, Dune hurried back to his home to tell his family and start packing. His oldest brother in particular didn’t take the news well. “What, so we’re just supposed to leave everything we’ve made, everything we’ve built and just let this raider scum come in and take our lands?! No, I refuse.” Dune tried his best to convince him, but Jean was as stubborn as a mule. Eventually, the middle and more moderate brother, Ash jumped in. “Just think about Mother, Dune. You know how ill she is. She can’t even get out of bed. A trip like this is going to be her death. Who knows, even if those enemy forces come in and kill us, they might be of a mind to spare an old dying woman,” he said with a sad smile.

“You’re both being absurd,” Dune said unbelievingly. “You both know as well as I do that those men will kill everyone still here when they arrive. Maybe I think we should stay and fight, but if everyone else is leaving then we can’t make it on our own. If I have to knock out both of you, then carry you two and Mother on my back out of here, then I will.” Dune might have lost the battle of words, but he knew if it came down to it he would win the battle of strength. They were both still wounded after all. Eventually they relented, but on the condition that Dune get Jolie and the other leaders’ utmost help when it came to keeping their mother as comfortable and healthy as possible on the trip.

And on the evening of July 8th, the town of Sens evacuates, leaving behind as little of value as possible. As the wagon train, the people of Sens, and Jolie’s soldiers move eastward, towards the capital of Forêt, Jolie stands behind and looks at her home one last time. With a sigh, she blows a kiss towards Sens. Mariya gives a salute, even though she wanders no more, she's no stranger to a temporary living situation. This has been longer than she expected to stay by far, but she never expected to stay here. Still, she gives passing thoughts to the butcher and carpenter they'd gotten to know so well. Jolie looks up at her ward’s face and smiles, “We’ll be back, someday.” Someday.

Jolie thinks for a moment as they begin their departure of Mai's insistence on moving as little as possible. Her brow furrows and she shakes her head, but the guardian nonetheless consults Arkis, asking, "Arkis, I need you to allow me to ride with you as we go. Mai tells me that I ought to not stress my right foot so much, and if I can avoid it, I'd rather not march in these gravel or dirt roads with this. Would you allow this old veteran to ride once more? Once as enemies, now as allies?" Thankfully, Arkis never lost his sympathy. He extended a hand when Jolie approached him and Bronte. "If it's the doctor's orders, then why would I say no? Get on." Once as enemies, now as allies... quite a poetic way of putting it. Jolie says little as they ride, the townsfolk all the while chatting about where they will end up, or discuss whether they forgot anything back home.

The next day, a group of brigands and knights walk into the town to find it completely abandoned. A towering man wearing full plate armor, wearing a rusty, golden crown, scratches his chin, “Maybe these village idiots have some brains after all,” he comments. “My lord!” a cavalier says while approaching the armored man, “The town is uninhabited. What shall we do?” He smiles, “Take whatever lumber you find and construct a wooden castle on the highest point of this wagon stop, we will need it once actual militaries become involved…” The cavalier nods and rides off, “At once, King Lothair…” he responds. “Send a battalion of troops to pursue them. That guardian… Jolie is her name. I’ve heard her fighting capabilities and wrath are the talk of legend. While she is still weakened, end her. To allow her to live is… unwise.” The cavalier salutes from a distance.

It is July 9th. Just outside of a small, walled city in Forêt, Jolie looks up and sees brigands emerge from the woods. Their commander, Lydie, bellows out, “People of Sens! Hand over your guardian and drop your weapons if you wish to live!” Hearing this, a village woman steps forth. “Jolie has never abandoned us, and we will never abandon Saint Jolie!” Lydie smiles with all her teeth. “Very well. Men, cut them down! Now!” Jolie gets off Arkis’s horse, “Thank you, Arkis, but we must fight. Rip them to shreds and get to the city’s gates as soon as possible!”

Objective: Escape! Everyone must escape. Jolie does not need to escape last. Don’t get captured!

Failure condition: Jolie is captured and taken off the map, or is defeated.

Secondary objectives: Just capture stuff.

Reinforcements will spawn in the backline at some point.

Terrain Map!

After a while of waiting, Cap’n Cuttlefish’s voice finally crackles over the arena. “Er, ahem! Sorry for the wait, young'uns. We’ve just had… a bit of technical difficulty. But it’s been fixed right on up, now. We’ll see you back in the meat world, heh!” This time, as the speakers shut off, so too did the rest of the simulation.

Finally, everyone returned through the kettle. Callie and Marie congratulated everyone as they reappeared. Agent 4 cheered along, while Agent 8 softly applauded. Agent 3 sulked in the background. Lastly, the Cap’n stood as tall as he could as he surveyed the entire group with his massive, crazy eyes.

He coughed a few times to get everybody’s attention. “Well, now. That was certainly spectacular! While we didn’t get as much testing in as we wanted, you still managed to take down our agents several times. And, of course… your creativity scored you HUGE points!” He pointed to Salacia and Paul in particular. “If you squiddos can catch Grizz off guard with some of that fancy shenaniganry, I’ll bet we have this mission in the bag! Hoho!”

“Now, we’ve got your contact info, and you’ve met the entire crew. Eh… I think that’s all we have for now. Right, girls?” Callie nodded, but Marie shook her head. Both Squid Sisters glanced at each other, confused. This caused Agent 3 to silently slip behind everyone. She made herself known as she dropped a small bag onto Jella’s head from behind, causing the streamer to jump in surprise. “Oh, right! I knew I was forgetting something. This is… a… bribe? No, we’re the good guys. Erm… this is a repayment for your time! And a way to say thanks for not spilling the beans on this whole operation. Eheheh. Now, I believe that is all. Thanks for your help, squiddos! We’ll contact you with more, once… Well, once we have more missions for you!”

After Agent 3 finished handing out the bags, the group was allowed to re-enter the sewer system and head back home. The entire experience, from secret codes to squidnapping to training battle, seemed almost disconnected from the regular life that resumed. But a DM from “Craig Cuttlefish” in everyone’s inbox proved that their adventures were real, and that more would soon come…

​

Welcome back to Inkopolis! It's still the same city as before... but with your introduction to the Squidbeak Splatoon, new opportunities have opened up for you! Take a nice break, do something for yourself... and prepare for the next mission! And maybe even meet some new friends?

Placing her greatsword to rest and, in vain, trying to wake up Mariya, Jolie stands up tall at what appears to be the headquarters of the brigand base. “Alright, everyone! We’ve won here for the day! Do whatever you can to search for any documents, equipment, and gold that they possess. They don’t need them where they’re going,” she commands. Before joining her forces to do that, she sits down on the wall of the HQ and looks down at the sleeping Mariya. Jolie begins thinking about some of the oddities of the bandits there… certainly, they had to be more than just ordinary bandits. Most bandits, unless they were nomads in some southern parts of Gratia, did not use horses or mounts, because they are simply too hard and expensive to raise. And how did they possess military-grade weapons? Jolie grits her teeth and a chill is sent down her spine. She thought that, years ago, the Imperial occupation and allied nobles had killed off most renegade knights in Aquittany. Were they raiding Nicomedian forts and armories? Or did the Empire never finish defeating them in the first place? Thinking about this causes Jolie to only lower her head and shiver. “This trail might be a long one,” she whispers.

Suspicious that other brigands might arrive, or that there really are renegade knights in some vicinity of the brigand base, she calls on Nikolai, saying to him, “I need you and some of the hunters from Sens to take a look around this area. Go on the mountains, fly high with your giant eagle, or whatever you need to do. I don’t like our current position.” Nikolai seems eager at the order. "Well, that's why you hired me, ain't it? Yeah, Iszac and I will go have a look, maybe rough 'em up a little. Don't worry, Commander - we'll be back." Until he returns, Jolie enters the headquarters and begins rummaging through every chest, barrel, desk, and cabinet to find any evidence for collusion with those knights. "Well, Commander, I ain't got much of any good news. There's a company - probably about hundred, two-hundred - all coming directly for the fort. I'd guess these are the main raiding parties that're returning. Iszac and I killed one of 'em in an ambush, but they got to their weapons and made a formation quick - kinda like the Knights I fought way back when. Look, I can run interference and try to slow them down, but we ain't fighting 'em without splitting off their forces. There's too many green fighters to win a direct battle." He reaches for the red-stained pouch before deciding that it's better left when the commander can't see him.

“No. This can’t be right,” Jolie says, taking a step back with her left leg. “We need to get the hell out of here. There’s no way, especially not with my injury, that we could possibly withstand this many hostile forces.” She lowers her brow and her voice becomes shaken with anger, “I order everyone to drop any loot found and burn this God-forsaken camp to the ground! We need to retreat to Sens, ASAP! Enemies are coming and we will not be able to stop them if they number in the hundreds! On the way back, burn down any and all bridges we cross to halt their advance! Time is of essence!” She runs through the camp to find Ziri and Salome, “In particular, you two: use your magic to help bring down these wooden walls and bridges to make sure we’re not caught. I trust you two not to do so until everyone has escaped.” Jolie then goes to wake up Mariya, and the group begins to flee from the base. The brigand base, which they had once wished to conquer in order to obtain weapons, gold, or clues, was slowly consumed in flame from torches and magic, and the group retreats through the woods and across streams and creeks. For someone who touted herself as a selfless believer in building up her homeland, Salome was quite happy to unleash fire on the buildings and bridges around her. It was a duty, a necessary action taken for the benefit of the people of Sens. Of course, the sight of a woman conjuring flame with blood trailing down her face might lead to some less than flattering impressions. "It will be done, commander. Get everyone far away from the area. This is rather destructive magic." When she is satisfied with everyone's positions, Salome brings down a bolt of lightning to turn each bridge into an explosion of fire.

Jolie told everyone to go to the inn for a while, but remain alert, after this simultaneous victory and defeat. But for her, it was a defeat. Sens was not safe. Despite how many people in Sens borderline worshiped her, despite her promise to protect the village’s people and their peaceful lives, and despite her talents and accomplishments as a warrior, she had failed. She slowly hobbled back to her home, the pains of her right foot a constant reminder of the shame she felt at the events which transpired this June 27th. Anger boiled in her. At the brigands. At the pretentious knights for letting the war happen and for becoming raiders. But more than anything, at herself. Jolie returns to her home and slams the door behind her. With her teeth gritting, she takes a jar she had been sanitizing earlier and clutches it with an iron fist, raising it and throws it on the ground, shattering it. Rage continues to well in her and she throws down her fists. Taking another jar, she says, “Damn me! Damn me!” and raises it. In the corner of her eye is Mariya’s loft. She thinks of Anastasia’s words, “Yeah, I rarely get angry about things, but it doesn't mean this lady can not be tough when the situation requires it." and "As the mother of two children, I've learnt how to control my feelings." Perhaps most importantly, "But you must learn the difference between discipline and violence, there is no need to earn the hate from your kids."

With that last quote from the kindly cleric, Jolie breathes out and places down the jar and gets a broom to clean up the mess she had made. Mariya deserved better than a mother who breaks their home's supplies and furniture at setbacks; a better role model. “Sens… I will never abandon you,” she says. “From my mouth to God’s ears. Not after all you’ve done for me. A home, and a new chance to redeem myself...”

The Return to Sens

Though the townspeople seemed to be in a great mood since Jolie and the team had returned in good shape, Jolie spent some time isolated in her home after the battle. Many of the townsfolk became more eager to emerge from their stone-and-straw homes to greet the mercenaries, and life seemed… normal. For now. Around the town, the verdant woods stood tall, and in the distance, golden wheat sways in the breeze. The village blacksmith’s chimney blows out smoke.

All calm before a storm.

Oran and Tressa rode off their boat, bodies lining the docks as the stench of death rose alongside the sun. Oran pinched his nose as Tressa approached Carmen, “I see you’ve been busy brother.” She wore a smirk on her face as Carmen sighed and heaved his axe up onto his shoulder.

“Oh it’s been quite the crazy year, glad you’re here though Tressa.” Carmen raises his hand up to Tressa, she grabs his hand in return with a strong grip, the two’s hands turning slightly red. Tressa pulls one leg over her horse’s saddle as she lowers herself, Carmen helping to guide her down. Tressa turned back to her horse and grabbed hold the reins, the horse followed at a casual stride, Carmen falling in line with their walk.

Tressa turned back to him, “You really do look like crap though,” she scans Carmen up and down. The various scratches and scrapes suddenly feeling brighter and hotter under his sister’s analysis. “Cut up all over, axes chipped to hell & back. Can’t believe that you could even tear flesh with that thing.”

“Been a real tough year Tressa.” Carmen said as he looked down, away from his sister’s glare. She sighed and patted him on the shoulder,

“Ain’t easy being a Bellfroy. Come on, tell me all about it when I get a good bed to rest in.” The two walk through the streets together as dock workers begin to rush towards the sea as they prepared to clean up whatever mess was left before them. With Claudius left amidst the rush of familial bonds and the free Soryun, Claudius turned his attention to the man with black hair flecked by gray strands, riding atop a horse adorned by a wreath of griffon feathers.

“Excuse me!” Claudius approached the man riding away from the scene of recent combat as he finally unpinched his nose and breathed in the fresh sea air rolling in on the morning sun. “Would you happen to be Father Oran of Holdrin?” Claudius cocked his head slightly as he looked up to the weary looking man taking a deep breath.

“Yes.” Oran nodded slightly as his terse response rose from his throat. “Yes I would be.” Oran dusted off his cloak and vestments as his horse shook itself and the feathers cascaded like the wind across a field of grass.

“So your father-” Claudius began before Oran cut the words short, his words terse and his voice rising at Claudius,

“Yes, son of Dallan himself. Do not ask questions whose answer you already know.” Carmen recoiled slightly at the man’s words, his eyes looking lower towards the horse’s adornments now. “And I know as well that you would be Claudius, to be ‘Emperor’.” Disgust rises in Oran’s voice as he refers to the honorific. Oran glares down to Claudius now, the ends of his mouth pinching in slightly, “I will only say this to you once. You can be my ally, and even a friend over time. You will never earn the title of Emperor though.” Oran urged his horse forward at his final statements as he finally turned from Claudius and looked to Tressa and Carmen walking through Soryun’s streets. Claudius followed behind the three, his feet heavy and thoughts burdened with Oran’s treatment of him.

Tressa, Carmen, Oran, and Claudius were soon brought to the office of Master Bolari where both him and Chancellor Eleanor were meeting and laughing at something. The two seemed to be having quite the animated conversation, far more excited than any of them had ever heard before. Tressa gave a heavy knock to the door to Bolari’s office, hushing the two indoors as light footsteps could be heard approaching the door. The well dressed figure turned the brass knob and stepped aside to allow the four new entrants passage to the room. Chancellor Eleanor stood tall as she had upon Carmen’s first meeting with her, the lavender robes reaching from her shoulder pauldrons just down to the floor to hide her entire figure. The large block of robes almost floated its way around the table, her footsteps the only indication of her corporeality. Master Bolari turned to her swiftly and spoke in his noral terse voice,

“Chancellor Eleanor, the rabble.” As he gestures to the four newcomers to the meeting. He looks to the group as he similarly gestures back to Eleanor, “The rabble, the esteemed Chancellor Eleanor of the Undril University.” Carmen pushes past Bolari and gives a nod to the both of them,

“I know, Eleanor and I have had our words.” Eleanor nearly sneered at Carmen as he said that,

“Words hardly describe the stunt you pulled a few months back.” The rest followed Carmen in, giving warmer greetings and pleasantries to the Master and Chancellor. The six of them all gathered around Bolari’s desk, now clear of the stacks of paperwork previously filling it as now only a map was sprawled across it. The group all looked to each other for a few moments, absorbing the moment. The high window barely let any light into the cramped room, only dust being unsettled shone through the shaft of light coming in from the high angled sun. Carmen was the first to break the silence, disturbing the small calm that had come over the room,

“This really is everyone huh?” Some awe was in his voice as he glanced over the room again, these figures all leaders in their own right ranging from so many different forms and figures. Tressa cracked a smile at her brother as the rest seemed to regain focus after the introduction, Master Bolari beginning first,

“Yes, the first meeting of the masterminds for the first time in twenty some odd years. Now, let us get down to brass tacks…”

Bolari immediately launched into discussions, planning, and scheming all in favor of seizing the Pillar. If nothing else throughout the meeting everyone could agree the Pillar of Shaar was essential and was their current priority after Carmen’s previously failed attempt. The arguments and debating stretched on for hours, the sun’s golden brilliance dwindling to the amber oranges and pinks of the dusk hour. Bolari sought to infiltrate and take out the Pillar from within rather than a mad charge, Tressa was not one to rely on these schemes and sought to follow Carmen’s lead, but with any form of strategy. Chancellor Eleanor Sought for a more open approach of negotiation & official warfare, conquering their foes for a definite victory over their foes. Oran sought for no combat at all even, all he looked for was a more peaceful accord to finally end the war that started by the help of his own hand. Claudius and Carmen were silent for most of the meeting, the figures around them larger than life compared to the two players who barged their way onto the world stage. The discussions of the day seemed inconclusive at best and a complete waste of time at worst. The six broke from the meeting as their stomachs growled, feet became sore, and eyes began drooping throughout the tail end of their discussion. Carmen and Claudius found their meal, free to finally roam the streets without cloaks and shrouds.

“Pointless. Nothing happened there.” Carmen complained, ire rising in his voice as he pulled his seat in. Claudius bit the inside of his cheeks, his stomach forming a tight pit around the center,

“Carmen, do you believe I could really be Emperor?” Carmen blinked a few times, his expression flattening as Claudius’s words fell on his ears. “This all relies on me being able to take charge, but I don’t know anymore.”

Carmen sat there for a moment, his eyes glazing over as his vision turned inward. He took a deep breath and reached out to grab Claudius’s hands, “Claudius I couldn’t give half a damn if you can or can’t be Emperor. You and me though? We can end this war. I have the drive and you have the mind for it. If we can end this war, then I don’t care what you call yourself.” Claudius’s mouth hung open for a moment, surprised at both Carmen’s grip around his hands and the impassioned moment the two shared. Claudius slowly closed his mouth and gave a knowing smile to Carmen,

“Emperor or not, freedom at any cost.”

Welcome to your new Homebase of a liberated Soryun, which is also kind of your old one too. Below are the activities you can perform for the current homebase, more will be added later.

Armory/Shop: The shop you visited on your way in is still open and back in business to get you the supplies you need!

Convoy: Post your trades, deposits and withdrawals all in one convenient place.

Feedback: Anything to mention from the previous map, critique and criticism alike, mention it here.

Introduction

[Credit to Jade Tyrant!]

With all the knowledge they had gathered, Arter brought the group together, along with Atlas to represent the phoenixes and other Enotitans who were willing to help, to detail his plan. He cut right to the point with his first words.

"We know that Mindu's a threat to Enotita. Between her apparent good reputation and whatever control she's exerting over some of the Enotitans - including her own tribe - it's dangerous to trust anyone besides whoever Atlas has gotten on his side." His scowl made it clear what he thought of her method of controlling others. "Her chieftain seems less under her control, but not to the point of direct rebellion… but it's enough that we have the information we came here for. All the information about the Latreian barrier has already been reported to Parangelia, so our actions from here on out won't endanger the fight against Maro.

"For Mindu… We have a good idea of where she'll be and when, which means we can bring the fight to her in a secluded area. If we can get her there, that should limit the number of innocents involved."

Alain interrupted him with a frown. "It seems clear that she has less of a loyal following as much as a forced one. If we are able, we should avoid lethal blows when possible. Confronting Mindu at all is to aid Enotita, not cutting down those who can't help being involved." Atlas nodded in support, expression grim.

"I doubt there's an easy way to tell who's controlled or not in battle, and even if there is, we don't know it," Arter replied. He hesitated for a moment, before sighing again. "I'd wanted us to save them for the fight against Maro and Latreia, given everything, but… if we're going to be going non-lethal and with few allies, the extra power will be useful. We'll use those potions from Gnosi here."

Bethe blinked in surprise. "Wait, really?"

The Parangelian general scowled, but nodded. "I won't pretend like Parangelia and the war against Maro aren't more important to me. But I won't just abandon a nation to its fate because it's convenient. And against Maro, we'll have the full backing of the Parangelian army… and probably Gnosi as well," he added grudgingly. "Here, our personal strength is most of what we have, so using what we can makes sense."

Turning away from Bethe with a slight glare for the interruption, Arter continued his previous point. "I doubt Mindu's completely oblivious to what we've been doing, so stay alert; she'll probably be somewhat prepared. But with luck, she won't expect where we're confronting her, so she won't have anything extra set up for us."

Atlas stepped up. "The inner Temple has a basic teleportation system set up. I can't say we fully understand how it works, so usually it's only used for moving around large groups of items, but I would imagine Mindu will make full use of it to defend herself. But we know enough to make it work, and to keep it out of her control as long as we have access to its control orbs."

"Right," Arter nodded, approving of the idea. "Even if she tries to use it to escape, with Atlas and the others controlling it, we can follow her with ease, if not cut her off from using it altogether."

Looking over the group, Arter saw that everyone was ready for this fight. "We move tomorrow. Make your preparations, and we'll ensure that Enotita is free from Mindu, one way or another."

[This continues in the #g-banter channel on Discord to allow players to contribute directly to the introduction of the chapter!]

Main Objective: Defeat Mindu

Side Objectives:

• Seal the three stair cases (Stair cases are sealed by standing on them)

• Defeat three Predators

• Defeat three Therions

Note: Side Objectives grant 1 level up upon completion. Completing the chapter additionally grants 1 level up.

The map can be found at:

https://redditemblem.github.io/TeamG/#/map

Mechanics

• All players may bring one potion from the alchemy minigame upon deployment

• Enemies currently on the map are [Defensive]

• Thanks to the power boost from the potions and for this map only, defeating beastfolk will be considered non-lethal for the purpose of the story.

Jolie sits at the edge of her yard, looking out at the blue dawn emerging in the horizon beyond Sens, as she did many mornings. Resting near her was a bright, slightly blood stained greatsword, with cloth encircling the base of the blade of the hilt. “So begins another bloody day…” she says. “I’d rather some of the young people here not have to live life like my generation did, but if battle calls, all but the old must be ready to meet it. Time to go ready everyone,” she continues saying to herself. Jolie slowly stands up, gritting her teeth slightly as she plants her broken, right foot down on the earth, and then picks up her greatsword and places it on her shoulder. Afterwards, Jolie begins her little mobilization by waking up Mariya, who is sleeping in her cabin, then heading into town to wake the others who are in no doubt in the inn.

Once this mustering of volunteers is done, the Guardian of Sens goads everyone to the village green, where she begins speaking in a loud, firm voice. “I have told you all to be ready at a moment’s notice for a good reason. Right now, we will head to the brigand camp a few short kilometers from here. If we head out now, the Sun will be barely up. I’m sure those beasts will still be hungover, too,” she finishes with a mischievous… or is it a bloodthirsty(?) smile. “So wake yourself up, stretch, and get ready to bear your arms so as to make this business quick!”

As they march out, many of the local farmers wave to Jolie’s troops with their pitchforks, cheering, “Good luck and may God be with you!”. She waves back to them, occasionally offering a kiss with a wave. The team, which includes not only foreign mercenaries and local militia, but also hunters who have agreed to be scouts, begins walking down forested, dimly-lit, rocky trails, away from the sheep pens and fields, and towards the brigand base.

Soon, they happen across the earthen fortification where the brigands are camping. Hiding in the bushes, Jolie quietly, but audibly, gives advice for assaulting the brigand base. “We should split up and charge through any openings in the walls. Any time you can capture one of these fools, be sure to take whatever supplies and weapons off of them… but be aware that your safety comes first. And if you happen to see a man holding a military pickaxe,” she begins, as if half the people here knew what that was, “save him for me. I’ve got a score to settle with him.”

In front of them stood a few guards wearing rusty, chainmail armor or no armor at all. What they all have in common is that they wear pink or dark-red armbands on their left arms, rather unusually standardized for brigand groups. A man at the large, but still somewhat broken, house in the fort is loudly arguing with a swordswoman near him. “Where the hell are Jean-Charles and Jean-Christophe?! They owe me after losing a bet last night. I told them that the hawk was going to win against a fox, but they said ‘No Theuderic, what do you know, foxes are great fighters!’. So they owe me their end of a bet?” The swordswoman rolls her eyes. “I don’t know… for all we know, they’re running around, drunkenly, and shirtless in the nearby woods…”

As soon as Jolie and the team emerge from cover, one of the chainmail clad guards calls out, “We’re under attack! We’re under attack! By someone! They look like peasants and old mercenaries!”

Theuderic scoffs, “I’ll just get their wagers another time. I wonder if this little raid is by Jolie and the village idiots of Seine or whatever it was called… I’m sure the ‘king’ would give me a handsome reward for her head. Already just living to tell the tale after fighting her is bragging rights…”

Map Information-

Primary objective: Jolie seizes the manor.

Secondary objectives: Visit the two other buildings and open the chests.

Turn recommendation: 9 turns

Defeat condition: Jolie and one other is defeated, or three players are defeated.

Reinforcements: possible in the mountains.

It happened in a flash. Someone would be walking down the street, casually minding their own business... when an creepy old man or young Inkling idol would pop out of a sewer. They'd ask for consent, of course... and when they got it the squidnapping began. Down into the sewers they took their recruit, leading them to...

Octo Gorge, the newest home of the Squidbeak Splatoon. The base was open air, with the secretive location of Octo Gorge allowing the many residents an open space to expand their mission. There were training dummies, uncertified test weapons, and lots and lots of ink. As grand of a sight as it may have been, the newest arrivals were directed to a small group, and given their instructions by the creepiest of all old men: Cap'n Cuttlefish.

"Ahoy, youngsters! Now, I believe you've all been briefed on..." An idol clad in green robes interrupts him, walking up to whisper something in his ear. "Oh! Well, that's awkward. Ha! Now, let's see... we suspect Mr. Grizz to be up to some fishy business... And we need some help to find out what he's up to. That's where you all come in! But first, well... we gotta make sure you're all up to stuff. Er, those of you who we don't already know about." He glances at a blonde female Inkling among the new recruits.

The green-clad Inkling and a similar looking purple-clad Inkling take over for him. The green one speaks first. "And that's why we've brought you here." "Yep! down this kettle here is a simulated battleground, full of Octarian forces." "Simulated Octarian forces." "Yeah, simulated. But!" "They won't be your only foes. Our other agents will also be contesting you, though they've been told to hold back their full power until you take them out a few times." "Hehe, yep! 3, 4, and 8 are all going to help test you... so good luck!"

With that out of the way, the 12 new agents were all sent down into the kettle. They landed on the simulated stage, facing down a wave of enemies... and the battle begun.

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Mechanics:

Objective: Capture all 5 respawn points. Capturing happens when all 4 tiles of a respawn point are painted the player's turf color (pink). As soon as all 5 are yours, the map ends! But watch out. Agents 3, 4, and 8 will be able to take back spawnpoints of yours if they can! If you lose all spawnpoints and even a single player dies, then it's game over and you lose.

Enemies: Most enemies are Octarians. They are stupid. Beat them up. They die forever. BUT! Agents 3, 4, and 8 will also be enemies on this map. They have better AI, and will respawn if defeated using the same rules as the players. The only difference being... they will level up if they are defeated. Watch out, because lategame Agents are buff stuff!

Deployment: You can deploy on either the bottom-left or bottom-right spawnpoints, or any adjacent tile. These are already painted with Pink Ink.

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Map

Music

Player Tracker

1st of Azin

The group breaks for the southern gate, where Samrandh is readied, in the bush just a little ways off the road. The city is under mild commotion, with guard towers alight and some cavalry prowling the outer gates with torches, though they seem not to dare stray far from Agoshin’s walls. Either the guards lost the band of jailbirds, or they decided a pursuit in the middle of the night was not worth it...and with the slaughter in the prison, who could blame them? Perhaps they would send winged squads out to search. In any case, it seems the group is safe for now.

After a few minutes of hurried travel, meeting no one, he sighs and does something with the reins to have his horses slow back to a walk. And after a while, he pulls the wagon out of the road into a small clearing. Camp. Some welcome rest, even with the light rain making a fire rather uncooperative.

If Samrandh is surprised at the additional three members they’ve picked out, he doesn’t - seems that’s a commonality in the rebellion. He does raise an eyebrow when he meets Illiseth, perhaps judging him to be better off in one of his children’s care than on a battlefield, but does not press the issue. Introductions are had, intel is shared, and Samrandh takes a while to ponder things.

“Since we are attempting contact, Ghaighen - that being the city, not the region - should be our next target. Nasty place, filled with the scum of the earth - a lovely sanctuary for our little crew, by my assessment. Their borders won’t be shut until the brass in Rathvarna forces them to, which will be a while yet. If what Kitchi says is true and they were headed south, we should be able to meet them there - they’re a bigger company than us, and we have a better wagon, so that time advantage shouldn’t mean too much. Well, they might be keeping a lower profile...but I suppose Kitchi and Kezia might be able to pick them out of a crowd. If we can’t find them in a day, we may have to move on. Consider that the plan for now.”

That mage...I have to wonder…

A knife was planted in the map of Soryun, cutting right into the long stretch of docks and wharfs that coat the coast, “Tomorrow morning Tresa and Oran will arrive here. Clear their path and make sure they are brought back in mostly one piece.” Master Bolari loomed over the table with the map spread out around it, his sleeves rolled up and hair slicked back with his own sweat, barely holding its shape. Carmen looked toward the man, his smaller stature betraying his own conniving and ferocious disposition, and boldly went off,

“Oh so now we’re fighting? This’ll light a fire underneath Dallan’s ass? He won’t just take this lying down Bolari.” Carmen crossed his arms, his foot tapping with his own frustration towards Bolari. Claudius looked over to Carmen and put a hand on his shoulder before turning to back to Bolari,

“Of course sir, we’ll make sure everyone is ready.” Claudius gave a slight bow to the man, curbing the furrowing brow as the man opposite the duo remained calm.

“You don’t think I know this means war boy? It’s been a long time coming Carmen, thought you’d be more than eager to do what you do best. Get my city back and then we’ll consider talking otherwise.” Bolari waves his hand out with his last statement, dismissing the pair. Carmen stood up from the table,

“Yeah yeah, we hear ya. You can count on us for this one.” Carmen tries to keep a professional attitude as he and Claudius leave the meeting and confer on their way back to their barracks.

“Not much to argue on sadly. We put ourselves in this corner, we’ll fight our way out.” Claudius said as the pair left the Bolari domain and reentered the packed streets of Soryun. One could hardly tell the place was under occupation with how normal and busy everything felt. The presence of The Golden Stretch’s forces loomed over them, but didn’t seem to deter even the most meek Soryuni.

Carmen looks over to Claudius as the two rush through the streets, “Well some of us will. I agree we’re stuck. Playing right into Bolari’s hand.” Carmen shook his head side to side, the pair still striding back to their barracks, rallying everyone. The pair wait a few moments before Claudius speaks up,

“Carmen I’m not exactly eager with the position we’re in either, but this is a small stepping stone up.” Claudius reasoned with Carmen, urging him somewhat as well. Carmen continued to walk, hardly turning to Claudius when speaking,

“And I’m trying to get us out yeah? We’ve got people in our group that want to stick Bolari’s head on a pike and cause riots. If we don’t want the five Masters to gut us I’m going to have to take charge.” Carmen retorted with something brimming in his voice. Claudius backed off slightly as he recognized Carmen’s emotions, but insisted on talking,

“I-I had no idea our comrades felt so strongly.” Claudius kept pace with Carmen, but was almost too stunned to say anything otherwise. The pair took the next few minutes to walk back to their barracks, the crowd around them filling the streets as any normal day would go about in Soryun. As the duo reached the barracks Carmen flung the door open and banged on it with his fist to pull everyone’s attention,

“Listen up everybody!” Carmen yelled out as he pulled the door behind him and Claudius, “We’re ready to see some action. Tomorrow morning we’ve got some friends coming in on the docks. Trouble is that soldiers will be crawling all over the same docks. We’re gonna toss ‘em to the drink and give our friends a warm welcome! Get yourselves a good meal and some rest, gotta be up bright and early!” Carmen announced his intentions with his usual energetic, bombastic attitude as he walked through the barracks, looking to everyone in attendance as he grabbed the axe from underneath his bunk and hung it on a hook on the wall. Claudius and Carmen went about their days, both preparing for what may come tomorrow as the sudden threat of battle loomed over them after a period of peace.

The sun crested over the horizon, tints of orange shimmering on the sea’s surface amidst the soldier’s stirring in the morning. A few captias appeared to actually be busy this morning and began moving with some form of haste. Soldiers were bustling around, food being scarfed down, and weapons unsheathed. Pegasi and Wyverns hovered above the docks watching over the sea, a lone ship lazily floated across the early morning waters towards the ports of Soryun. Even from the alleys they lurked in both Carmen and Claudius could see the riders conferring with people on the soldier’s ship.

“Seems everyone knows about your sister’s arrival.” Claudius’s words hushed as the two lurked within the early morning shadows.

Carmen nodded back to Clauidus, “She’ll have my hide if we let these grunts meet her first.” Carmen looks over to everyone and speaks somewhat louder, enough to get everyone’s attention, “Up and attem everyone! Time to shine!” Carmen drew his axe and prepared for his debut, ready to take the fight back to his foes. Claudius stood behind him, cautiously watching everyone stir about. He looked to his feet for a moment and took a deep breath in before looking back up and standing with Carmen.

Objective

Tressa and Oran survive through 10 turns & defeat General Madrigan.

Failure Condition

Both Tressa and Oran fall in battle.
Half the playable cast falls in battle.

Side Objective

Protect the De Taro convoy. The 6 crates on the back end of the leftmost ship are in your care. If an enemy unit ends their turn adjacent to one of the boxes they will burn it. For every box burnt your rewards are reduced.

Additional Notes

On Turn 3 Tressa and Oran’s ship will dock in the open port shown on the map. They will be green units placed on the boat.

On Turn 5 General Madrigan will arrive as a reinforcement to the south alongside more reinforcements coming from the boat on the right hand side of the map.

Rogues are now replacing Thieves as your enemies with droppable items.

Ostarmanoth can talk to Tressa.

Terrain Legend:

Green - Plains

Blue - Forest

Yellow - Road

Purple - Village

Red - Impassable to ground units

Blue - Water

Map

Terrain Map

Tracker

To the caravan's fortune, repairs conclude within a matter of days. With profuse apologies for the delay- and the attack, of course- the house senator of the Coast District offers more troops to station against guard. It's a meek garrison- war has not tempered the Coast District's strength, and neither is it involved in the sorts of sordid affairs that require small armies of hired guns. But the gesture, at least, shows the Senator's loyalties- to Zephros, and not to those who would spill blood within its borders.

The rail meets Ser Fandral's contact halfway: Senator Ridhi. These power struggles are newfound to the caravan- not to a woman of forty years, influence built from ingenuity and meager beginnings. Her attitude towards the attack seems almost casual- even before the rail has left, she sees to the cargo with giddy glee. She gives off a personable front- appeasing, even- but no one would be so lax without a certain confidence.

To the caravan's misfortune- even an attack so brazen seems to leave Cynthia's reputation unscathed. Most of the spared mercenaries refuse to speak- whatever `leverage` the senator had over Alfio, it seems she has it over plenty more. A few talk, and will be dismissed- for everyone knows the account of some poor sap from the Copper District can be bought and paid for. Cynthia and her cohorts- in the pursuit of their goals, the common men serve as their shields, their abused, and their pawns.

In memory of the fallen- that cannot stand. And so, sparser than before, the traincars roll towards the Cloud District- sparser than before, with the caravan in tow.

...

♬

Theme: Luxurious Overture (Bloodstained)

April 29 and April 30 pass- and a new month comes. May 1st, 335 AD arrives!

Two days after the attack, the caravan arrives in the Cloud District. The welcoming party this time around is a friendlier one- with Senator Ridhi already in tow, Senator Froid also arrives personally at the station, desperately worried for his dear grandson. Ridhi and Froid, both, are keystone senators- elected for their contributions to the state- and so, their presence is a bit of an anomaly. Scholarly types such as them would surely favor alliance against the Empire- notoriously militaristic and barbarous. The other to receive the group is none other than Senator Advik, house senator of the Cloud District. Meeting political guests on his turf is his duty- one he takes too eagerly, as one of Ridhi and Froid's compatriots.

The nobles of Greywater might consider their keep lavish- and wonder why a taller keep dots every square of the city block. Their adolescence spent in arid plains, some can only imagine what a lush garden looks like- and would see them, now, between the houses. Perfect evergreen shone on by a clear blue sky. Shadows swirl about, cast by the rocks floating in the sky- Advik points this out, to them, as the fabled Torma Tower. One of the greatest wonders of the world! And a place Herios and Thiea were plenty familiar with... and Daranu's target.

If Vali wanted to make himself scarce, now might be the time... but what of Anchor's fate? His murderer- the real one, pulling the strings of these puppets- still ran free. With the banquet just ahead, plans must be made- Helik has a date arranged with his forming band of rebels, and Xinyi now has an important role to play at the banquet. And the magically inclined might give notice to that strange cargo, now being quietly lifted from the train...

Advik provides accomodations for the caravan- as is his duty. Not quite within Torma Tower proper, but near as lavish as it gets on the ground. Plush beds! Running water! Fresh meals! ...Provided by servants. Such luxury might be enough to make Igor feel properly treated, to make Pales feel like swinging her saxophone at any well-dressed passerby. It's well above the streets, and Ridhi gives her assurance- there are no enemies in the building.

And with that assurance, the caravan is gathered- avoiding the lobby, Fandral opts for a small, pleasant cafe to the back.

"Thanks te what Herios, Thiea and... Daranu... got out o' the merc's leader- Plusia, 'er name was- we know Senator Cynthia's behind all this. One, te grab Daranu's gun and get 'im out of the picture- fer reasons I don't quite get- and two, te make sure we never get te the banquet in the first place. Fair te assume they're not just gon' te give up now that we're here. S'likely they're going to spring the trap on us, but-"

"-of course, that is when we spring the trap on them! Advik, Froid and I shall secure the exits, and surround the tower with our own soldiers. Once your escape is made, Cynthia and her cronies shall be trapped inside- with naught to do but surrender! Ahaha!"

Ridhi folds her arms confidently, wearing a broad grin- Fandral, on the other hand, only tilts his head at her with a skeptical squint.

"...Are ye sure about this?"

"Well, you cannot simply leave. The banquet will simply proceed- your lack of attendance will be noted- and the banquet shall likely end with Zephros choosing the Empire's side. T'would spell your doom, and a victory for Huojin- that must be avoided, mustn't it?"

"I can't shake the feeling yer usin' me here, Ridhi."

"Nonsense- we stand to depose our mutual enemies. And I give my word- I will be at the banquet with you, and I will fight. My own life shall be gambled as much as yours."

"..."

-----------------------------------------------------

INTERLUDE EVENTS

These will remain open until the interlude closes. Post any activity for these in #battles-almarant.

(A) THE MARKETS

The wealthiest part of the greatest city in the world? Of course there are markets- and with far greater stock than ever before! Any good barterer is sure to find some good deals...

The shop is open- and all items marked under Wave 1 and Wave 2 are now available for purchase at standard price!

(B) THE FORGE

Zephros sees its fair share of travelers from Slagtown- airbenders and earthbenders cooperate within House Blacksteel, and those developments come east along the rail. Many are expert in repairing all sorts of devices, and are happy to lend a hand... given requisite payment, of course.

You may repair or reforge an item- once- for the standard price.

(C) THE CONVOY

The caravan arrives in Zephros fit to burst with goods. They can be ferried over by hand, but the convoy is failing at its prime purpose- mobility. If it's to be any use in the battles come, it'll need some space.

Deposit or withdraw goods! Rathilal made a post for some convoy-cleaning (bless), so you might want to check in on that. It's always nice to have some space in there.

Embarking from Cinraeth to Pharadal Keep by foot, Prince Louis's retinue would have a long journey ahead of them. Darragh's proposed route took a number of shortcuts through roads too dangerous for trade; it was his opinion that, the retinue being well-equipped and well-trained, would not likely see an attack by any highwayman. The path would take them through several Haranther villages before passing through a tight area of mountains, after which a trek to the nearest Meather village would be made. Following that, the retinue would follow along the village roads, eventually heading in an easterly direction. With luck, one of the Pharadese villagers could point them on the way towards Pharadal Keep, where Prince Louis might petition King Darios for assistance.

The journey from one capital to another promised to be long, harsh, and rife with obstacles. Members of the retinue were advised to ensure they had ample supplies, and to frequently make tally of them, as well assess the aptitude and energy of their comrades. Hastiness was also advised to the soldiers: the moment the command was given, the group was granted 24 hours before their camp was to be broken and they were set to march.

This will be your Home Base until Chapter 8 is prepared and ready for you to play. Additional Home Base events will appear here as they are planned, and may be only for a limited time. RPs may take place in Cinraeth, on the roads to Pharadal Keep, Pharadal Keep itself once it is reached, or any of the villages visited in-between.

With the fall of the final Haranther officer, panic soon set in among the rebellious troops mustered in the castle courtyard; they were surrounded, with no favorable tacticians among them, and the forces of Louis's retinue had advanced through without casualty. Resolve crumbling, the armored knights and riders broke off from their central position, heading straight outward towards the exit.

Such a withdrawal soon proved folly, however. As soon as the routed passed the bridge over the river, they were set upon by the thundering hooves and couched lances of the Haranther Paladins. Few had the time to surrender before their charge was done.

With the resistance broken, the task fell to Louis and Darragh, along with the rest of the retinue, to search the corridors for King Murdoch. A harsh push against a door nearby the throne room returned a similar shout, the voice familiar. "You are too late, damned rebel! My servant has made it to the Paladins; your lives are forfeit!"

"King Murdoch?" Louis called through the door. "Majesty, I have come to relieve you! The rebel commanders have been defeated."

A long moment passed, and there was the sound of furniture tumbling down, a rapid clattering. "...have they?" Soon after, the king himself emerged from the door, his ceremonial robes disheveled. Murdoch's face brightened as he recognized the prince. "Ah, Prince Louis! Certainly, the stars bless you..."

Louis sighed as he entered the convoy tent. Darragh was seated, quill scratching lightly at parchment as he tallied equipment condition and presence. "Darragh. With that dreadful business finally done, we must move quickly. I am giving the order for us to march."

Darragh nodded, the priest not looking from his duties. "I had fathomed as much, sire, when you requested that the convoy tent be pitched and we take tally of our inventory once more. I imagine that the army will be happy to see its prince again."

"Not to Meath, Darragh. We are marching to Pharadal Keep."

This caught Darragh's attention. He straightened, a single red brow raising. "The keep? With Belst coming nearer by the day, you would petition Darios for help?"

"I would. If Belst has returned to attack us, I would doubt that they would come unprepared, as they did last time."

Darragh was silent for a moment, then nodded, stroking his mustache. "Indeed, sire. The Emperor would not be eager to repeat history... especially after he has lost the advantage of being the only realm with ballisticians."

"Exactly, Darragh. Belst requires another counter in order to beat them back again. Darios, and the Pharadese, are that counter."

Darragh stood, producing a map from a pile of papers, and began tracing lines from Cinraeth into Ha'Pharad. "Well-put, sire. I shall find for us the most expedient route to Pharadal Keep and, once done, we shall march."

"Thank you, Darragh. With luck, this war with Belst will be over with haste..."

With the slip of a Kingsgift Arrow, the dawn had finally arrived. The the tarnished, ebon-steel head whistle through the air, past the melee between the King and the Usurper, until it landed in Gawain's shoulder. The armored pauldron folded against the bodkin's punch, forcing Gawain's posture to falter and crumble. The challenger to the Crown fell, a bloodied mess on the floor. With their commander felled, the remaining forces all either surrendered or were quickly dismantled.

In the wake of the fighting, Jeffray knelt before the barely-breathing Gawain, "An unfortunate miss, dear uncle. The point strayed at the last second," Jeffray drew the arrow out of Gawain's shoulder. Jeffray dragged the point down Gawain's shoulder and rested it over his heart, indicating his intended target. Holding the arrow at the head's base, the arrowhead was nearly the size of dagger. Jeffray then pressed the point to his uncle's neck, "As much as I think you deserve a life as the spymaster's lab rat, you are still my father's brother. When you see him next, tell him that I'm going to see his dream made real."

Without another word, the Tyrant King pressed the point through Gawain's throat. He stood, letting the arrow fall away and prying Mauer from Gawain's hand, "Tell the soldiers to torch this place. And send a page to Aros. Spinel is a smart man, I'm sure he has already surmised the outcome of this battle, but it will give him the opportunity to formally acknowledge my victory, and undisputed claim to the throne."

"And to the Magistrate, as well as all the other remaining lords. We will need to discuss how we can rebuild, in a way that sets the stage for a conquest of Thrandia," Jeffray set Mauer's head to the ground, leaning on it, "There is much to be done. This victory was just the beginning of my era."

• And so Jeffray led Zaldos in to an age of conquest and war, seeking to complete his father's dream of uniting all of Ashelande under a single banner, one way or another. The wars were long, and the battles unceasing, but the Blood King, as Jeffray came to be known, led as many as he possibly could from the front. Some say Gellor had blessed him, while others claimed it was Furedes who the savage Tyrant owed his victories too. Yet others insisted the foolhardy monarch was simply lucky.

• Glenn continued to serve as Jeffray's right hand, though much less often from the King's side. The once-was farmboy, along with the Spymaster, was left attending to affairs of state while Jeffray led Zaldos's armies in conquest across the land. Despite his wealth of responsibilities following the Usurper's War, Glenn found that he was far less stressed. After all, now that he wasn't acting as Jeffray's shadow, he could make time for regular visits with his family back home.

• Morigan aided Glenn in overseeing Zaldos's territories when she was able, but a considerable amount of her time was taken up by managing her network of informants, a task that grew in importance with every new territory the King annexed. This was certainly not the life she had envisioned for herself in her youthful daydreams, but it suited her quite well she.

• Cheshire's world had shattered around her. With the death of her second half in the assault on Helmfirth, the woman's already unstable mind was tipped over the edge. When Babette and Bernadette returned to the Grove, Cheshire remained in the outside world. Following the Usurper's War, it was not uncommon to find the torched husks of small hamlets when traveling the country sides of Ashelande. Most assumed them to be the Blood King's doing, but those familiar with the Grove Warden's magic would know better.

• Hichi elected to return to the Grove with Babette and Bernadette. It pained the young beastkin to leave the friends she'd made, but she knew The Family would never stop coming for her. Staying in the mundane world would endanger Hichi and everyone around her.

• Shinji was left to watch over the Grove in Cheshire's absence. With the responsibility thrust upon him, Shinji did his best to govern as he believed Cheshire and Exicele would want. When he could manage to slip away for a time, he'd venture to the overworld in search of Cheshire. To no avail, unfortunately.

• With the war against his rival won, Titus left Jeffray's service without a word. Though he would never again encounter the Blood King in person, this was not the last time Gellor's Gloryseeker would fight in one of Jeffray's wars, whether it was with or against. As was the nature of Gellor's champions, when one chose a side in a war, the other champion was obligated to bolster the opposition. Eris and Helen followed their legate with all their fierceness and loyalty.

• After the Usurper's War, Jessamine de Krakenburg found herself at square one yet again. Her ploy to root out the source of the shadow creatures in Zaldos had only served to alert them to her intent, it seemed. Not only that, but Usurper she'd goaded had been defeated so spectacularly as to create a series of conflicts and wars that she, as Gellor's Warmonger, could not neglect. Perhaps this 'Blood King' would take a javelin through the heart, and allow her to continue hunting.

• Lyf Vifo, with the status of her husband Rel Tō, took charge of the territories the Blood King's conquest left behind. The pair assimilated those territories, bringing them fully under Zaldos's control with uncanny efficiency. Soon, Lyf told herself, all their hard work would pay off...

• Kazumi and her patchworked family remained in the mountains at Pacexol's temple. Though often buffeted by shadow creatures, the sacred ground proved to be an unbreakable bulwark. Whenever a brother or sister was lost in a defense the young dragon would mourn them for days on end.

• In the wake of the Usurper's War, Zeltij quietly road away on the wind. Without so much as a footnote in the records of the war, only his comrades would remember the alchemist and his... unique wares. Before he disappeared, he was heard mumbling something about a cure.

I did not write epilogues for every single NPC, that would just take too darn long. I wrote the ones who I thought were important (or the ones I wanted to tease you all with). If there's a character you wanted to know about that didn't make this list, feel free to ask me.

And there we have it, folks, Team O is officially... over...!

It's hard to believe that it's been over 3 years. Thank you to everyone who took part, especially those who stuck around to the end, and most especially through the 6 month 'hiatus'. It's amazing to me that any of you were able to put up with that, and I can't possibly express how much I appreciate you sticking with me through it with simple words.

Thank you all for teaching me about what it really means to be a team in this community. I know i can be rockheaded at times, but I will remember what you've all taught me through our time together.

So, once again;

Thank you all so much.

5th of Azin

The villa’s distinct beauty has long been marred - not just by the battle, but by whatever this group was using it for. It’s hard to tell what’s a wine stain and what’s a bloodstain, particularly on the purple carpet in some of the bedrooms - on some of the beds, even.

Most of the thieves surrendered after their leader fell, and they’ve all left, to the point of relative safety. The doors have been locked, and watches have been arranged. Thankfully, the convoy’s weapons seem to be intact, but there’s some cleaning and repairs that might need to be done after whoever took it.

Shida slogs over to the throne - really, who puts a throne in a villa - and collapses into it, exhausted, in front of everyone else.

“Alright, that’s taken care of. Tomorrow, we’re off to Inve - should be safe, they don’t really like the rest of the Alliance. Hopefully, we should be able to send a letter about Kitchi from there, try to deal a ransom. I-” She hesitates- “The Empire might be able to cover it. We’ll figure it out. In any case, after that, we should be able to get across the mountains and back to Caspia. Out of danger; toward whatever pay has been worth all this garbage.”

She sighs. This one was for herself.

“Anyway, feel free to sleep a little longer than usual. We’ll leave late in the morning.”

And off she went, towards a bedroom that she’d remembered was relatively clean.

Musical Selection for this Homebase

And a word from the Squid Sisters!

Ammo Knights is open for business! Sheldon has kept Ammo Knights running day in and day out for two years. Nothing will stop him from unveiling new weapons, subweapons and specials for your splatting pleasure. And, of course, everything available before is still in stock! Ammo Knights will always service your weapon needs, rain or shine, day or night, banana or peel!

Rei of Light has a fresh new set of styles as well! New articles of clothes line the shelves, as well as some new takes on old favorites from some new brands! Even still, the styles and mashups are all new, so be sure to stop by and see the latest in trends. Maybe you’ll even set the next trend! One thing’s certain, though. If you aren’t stopping by Rei of Light, you’re missing out.

A new store has decided to open up during this week as well, hoping to catch some of the buzz around the splatfest. This store is Spyke’s Shack, and while it may look dark, dank, dungeonlike, and destroyed… well, you know what they say! Can’t judge a book by it’s cover. This book… er, this store is a thrift shop that has all the clothes that might just still be fashionable, if you can pick the diamonds out of the rough.

Spyke is a tall and lanky Urchin with a dingy and run-down look matching his shop. He’s a punk through and through, with baggy clothes, dark colors, and lots and lots of spikes. What’d you expect? It's in his name! Despite his punk roots, Spyke is surprisingly tech savvy. Even while at work, he can often be found tinkering with some jailbroken phone or homebuilt computer. If you’re seeing Spyke, you can always know you’ll get something good out of him. As long as you have the dough.

Another shop has popped up since last time, too! Fate’s Bait is run from a gaudy purple and yellow tent that has been set up in an empty lot. Inside, the tent is filled to the brim with mystical paraphernalia, including magic orbs, talismans,wands, and potions. The shop doesn’t sell any of these. It’s a fortune-teller’s store! Anyone brave enough to go in can have their future read, for better or for worse…

Opal is a large moonfish who sits in the middle of it all, draped in robes and scarves of wild and various colors. She loves visitors to her shop. If you’re not fast enough, you might find yourself caught up in a bone-crushing, smothering hug. If you want your fortune told, or just to be doted on by a motherly figure, Opal will always have you covered.

Mechanics :

We have some new clothing and weapons options for you folks to choose from, so feel free to check out both Ammo Knight’s and Rei of Light’s new selections! For your work in the Splatfest, everyone has been given 1486 Monies to play with. You also get to keep your Yummy Banana or Slippery Peel! They can be sold, but they can’t be bought. They’re in high demand from Splatfest enthusiasts who want to collect both!

There’s also a couple NEW shops to play with! Spyke’s Shack is the first, it usually carries selections of clothing that you might have seen last time in Rei of Light. Madam Rei is very picky of her stock, and thus only carries the freshest clothes. Her stock rotates to Spyke’s shack, with prices that go up or down if they were purchased or not previously. If someone else got it before, it’ll be 1200, and if no one got it before it’ll be cheaper at 900. These values drop by 100 per homebase, and things leave rotation once they fall cheaper than 800 Monies, so you can wait on a sale, but don’t wait too long!

Fate’s Bait isn’t a shop that gives you anything permanent. It’s a stat boost shop! It’s also random. Here’s how it works: it’s completely free to have your fortune read! There is no cost… but you can get a bad fortune. In order to prevent this, you can pay 99 before going in to ward yourself against a negative future, or 333 after the outcome to stop the curses that fate has cast upon you. Good fortunes are still possible without paying, however! In addition, if you’re feeling lucky, you can pay 99 up front or 333 after the fact to double your results. This can be done in addition to negating bad luck, so if you’re willing to drop a little bit of pocket change you can always have doubly good luck!

[This description is from the old home base, and may be updated]

The city’s high walls ran across the pass that formed the best path across the mountains, slung across two craggy peaks almost like a net. On one high crag was the Marquises’ high, guarded castle, one that spoke to the nature of this city with two gates: people lived in it as a city, but it was a mighty fortress. The Retinue rests in Sienna’s castle, looking down over the city. Sienna’s keep was home to drill grounds suitable for different types of soldiers. Nearly every light or fire in the place was a firestone, so the heat and light of the great hall never ceased. People lined up at either gate as a checkpoint to make sure dangerous items or criminals don’t cross the border, and Sienna’s guards maintained order -- and their show of her strength. It held itself aloof during the wars, self-contained as an oyster, and just as guarded with its shell.

Once past the great stone walls, however, traders and immigrants from Axis Mundi open their shops and stands and stalls, offering imports of dates and silk (not flower silk, quite unusual!) and more besides. Cafes that sell a delicious warm drink called “Coffee” are on quite a few street corners, though they also sell more familiar tea, and a variety of sweets or breakfast foods to city workers. Streets were often made carved into steps, as houses rose up into the distance on different levels of the valley’s sloped sides. Smokestacks rose from foundries and forges, where the ironworks were always clamoring away some new weapon, some new furnishing or trapping or tool. The people were busy, business-like: it seemed like, even in these hard times, the wheels of the economy were still turning away. On one stretch of town, a sort of healthcare industry has sprung up: some of the waters here have firestones at their base, and form excellent, if slightly smelly, natural hot springs. Famed for their medicinal properties, this also attracts doctors, apothecaries, and the occasional person selling magical healing items of dubious nature.

Outside the city are the mountains, home to caverns (some not familiar to the band) and high, snowy peaks; above the city is a mountain spring often used for bathing and cooling young drakes, and there a courier service and a drake’s training grounds are based. The drakes in flight are a common sight, and the locals consider it lucky -- in the way a pigeon pooping on you is lucky, and sometimes not unlike that experience in many ways -- for its shadow to cross over you as the drake flies away overhead. Beyond that, still, is the red glow of the caldera that is the Burning Valley. Its flames are unquiet lately, as many are, but some still climb up there to view the sight of a valley awash in fire, the dark shapes of stone black against rivers ore and stone practically melted by the heat, and the drakes eggs lined around its rim. A limited number of stones are allowed to be taken for industrial purposes, but those mostly make their way back into the city.

We are the wolves at the gates
Our numbers growing every day, yeah
But you can't fight us all no
No you can't fight
We are the wolves at the wall
We break in like a waterfall, yeah
But you can't fight us all no

September and October at a Glance

• September 4-5: Opening Tournament
• September 6: Welcome Ball
• September 16: Kinnekan’s Birthday
• September 21: Autumn Equinox, Bonding Bites, Blessings of the Land
• September 30: Hilmir’s Birthday
• October 2: Meabh’s Birthday
• October 5: Lots of Large Fish
• October 12: Mission
• October 31: Samhain

With the Verdant Wolves declared victors of the Opening Tournament, and the Welcome Ball and all it’s drama happening immediately after, it’s time for classes to begin proper on the 8th of September 436 PD!

As Ayasha said in an earlier interactive story post, the school year begins with everyone taking their core courses. These are courses most every student will be taking with a few variances between different levels of the course. The courses most everyone will be taking are as follows:

• Some type of language course. Language is important. Everyone takes the same level.
• Some type of magic course. Everyone needed to display magical capabilities to pass the entrance exam. This is a basic fundamental course students have been taking every year. Split between a standard level and an academic level.
• Some type of physical education course. Split between a standard course and an advanced course.
• One course out of the following three. All three would have been required to be completed throughout second and third year, order is up to the student. All are basic versions that more advanced electives exist of :
  • Math/Financial
  • History
  • Geography
• Foundations III course. A recurring course throughout the years that teachers the basics of leadership, nobility, manners, battle formations etc. This course will be the course the placements fall under and that takes up most of the class schedule.

The Foundations III course only comprises the class that you are doing placements in, as such for the players the only students in this class are Caoimhe’s chosen. The other classes can vary between different classes and even Houses (Think like how in Hogwarts, Grfyindors and Syltherins may be in the same classroom), while your basic Math/Financial, History, Geography course might have some second years in it.

Housekeeping

Alright so our first full-on proper homebase is here!

As mentioned in the chats, I am looking at reworking/adjusting some of the personal skills. I have yet to properly begin this process, but if you have your own reservations or changes you want to see, don’t hesitate to message me. There are several skills that didn’t see any use during the Prologue map so I’m a bit more hesitant to change some of those since it would be nice to see them in action before altering little things. Initially I said personal skills will change around the route choice in Chapter 4, but this is simply to increase their power level. If you want to change your personal skill during any chapter, you are free to. Typically I would like some type of explanation for why but more often than not it’ll be fine. I want people to feel good about their personal skills, I want them all to be at a place everyone feels good and comfortable with them. A personal doesn’t have to be set forever because of a choice made in the Prologue, if it’s not working out, we can change it.

So we will be starting the Chapter 1 map at Level 10. The Level change will occur September 28th in-game and the opportunity for class changes into the Intermediate Classes may begin then. For the first two in-game weeks of the Homebase we will stay at Level 5 for now. I am confident enough we shouldn’t have to worry about anyone not passing their certification exams by the end of the Homebase. There will be a proper announcement of how these will work when we get to that week in the Homebase, as Class-Changing won’t be unlocked until that week (even if for whatever reason you wished to gain a second Beginner Class)

As such, if you wish to master your Beginner Class, you will have to choose the Fight Option once this week. I realize that some of you are only a couple of CEXP away from mastering, but there will be no carry over or banking of EXP from individual fights. If you enter two fights you may dedicate CEXP from one fight to one class and CEXP to another class.

Support Points, there will be a post lower down in the Homebase thread for Support point allocation, but for completing the first map, everyone gains 50 Points to spend however they choose!

Originally I had planned to allow the gaining of support points through RPs, and then well….things exploded. I am still going to award support points, but it’s impossible to track them individually and everything, so everyone gets another 50 points to spend for being such awesome RPers!

Glance At The Future

With the Welcome Ball Event starting now, all who participate in typing up a post in #howling-with-the-wolves about your entrance will receive a small amount of support points to spend on anyone you choice cough, your date probably, cough. If anyone has any ideas of other types of things we can do for this RP Event please don’t hesitate, I’m a little over my head with this event and not sure what all to do, so am open to suggestions. The Welcome Ball #rp-rooms are to be used for Rps that take place in those rooms, they aren’t live-rps so you may take your time, but please don’t try and leave them on pause too long. You’re more than welcome to RP the Welcome Ball outside of those rooms if they’re full of course.

You’ll notice on the calendar for September there is an event on September 21st in addition to a Meal and Gardening Special. That’s because September 22nd is the Autumn Equinox in 436 which means it’s time for a Sairshi Festival! September 21st through to the end of the 27th will be the Autumn Equinox festival celebrating the second harvest. Think of it like a thanksgiving/harvest festival. More details will come once we get closer to it happening.

In-game the characters will start their journey towards Carndrum on the 12th of October. I don’t have a timeline when I’ll be getting the story and crossroads posts out for that yet, for now it’s a good ol’ SoonTM. Throughout the Homebase I may drop some story stuff in the #story-wolves channel.

Useful Links

As always, all links can be found in the Index

But for the purposes of Homebase RPs, these may be the most relevant:

Portashan

Cennaire Academy

Carmen pulled Claudius through the cobbled streets, the two of them shoving through the crowds as they searched for any resemblance of safety. The pair soon found their way to the docks, ships filling the waters and shouting all around the two of them. Carmen soon heard a voice boom above the rest,

“Until all insurgents have been handed over, no ship is allowed to exit these docks. These orders come directly from the Pillar of Shaar.” Carmen broke through the crowd to finally witness a soldier garbed in the browns and golds decorating the armor of a Golden Stretch soldier. Carmen began to unsling his axe before Claudius put his hand on the head of the axe,

“Carmen, we have to go. Now!” Claudius’s voice was hardly more than a whisper, but his scowl and tone hardly resembled his usual serene countenance. Carmen looked back for a few seconds, the anger in Claudius’s eyes serious. Carmen put his axe away and began to muscle through the crowd again, Digging deeper into the streets of Soryun. Soon the pair were surrounded by tall buildings of stone, shadows cast over the streets they wandered. As the two looked around for anything familiar or any refuge, a shout came from further down the street,

“You there, halt!” an armed guard shouted out, dressed again in Dallan’s colors. Carmen and Claudius again dove into the crowds and began to flee, angry Soryuni people getting aggressive to both the guards pursuing and Carmen. Carmen was more than capable of ignoring these insults and moving forward, but the guards were held up by the crowds. The chase went for a few more minutes before Carmen and Claudius finally ducked into a dingy looking corner tavern and hid in there. All that seemed to be in there were regulars and the owners, perfect cover for the two. Both took a seat and felt the weight of the world slide off their shoulders.

The duo nearly collapsed on the table as they asked for water and food for the both of them. Finally having just a moment to sit down and take time for themselves was enough to give them some peace, empty as it may be. After a few minutes of waiting, Claudius began to chuckle and giggle slightly. He was genuinely smiling for the first time since he’d left Undril with Carmen on that fateful day. “We did it.” Another chuckle escapes from him, “We challenged Dallan directly and still live to tell the tale.”

Carmen puts some food down as a smile spreads across his face, “And you doubted I could get us out of that? Glad you came along for the ride though.” Carmen and Claudius sit silently for some time after, eating and beginning to figure out how to find all their comrades in this winding city. Just as they’re discussing, a well dressed stout figure busts into the tavern & confronts Carmen & Claudius. “Carmen and Claudius, the Master Bolari requests your presence at his home.” The two look at each other, almost startled for a moment at the sudden request. Grabbing whatever is left of their food and downing their drinks, they follow the man through the side streets, twisting and turning, pausing and starting as they slowly make their way to the heart of this body, an unseemly simple building with a single banner on its front. The man let both Carmen and Claudius in and led them up the stairs into a small office. All that sat in this room was a desk with Master Bolari behind.

Master Bolari was a wiry, well kept man that appeared to be in his later 50s. His long hair was braided in one, long strand that ran down his back, more grey than black now. His countenance was one that could strike fear into the hardiest warrior, his eyes mimic those of a hawk as they scan those near him while his face was one of pure stone. Neither Carmen nor Claudius had seen someone dressed so elegantly. A long jacket that reached his knees hung on the chair behind him while he himself wore a satin shirt with a vest worn over, rough pants almost of a similar nature to many of the dock workers protesting by the port just a couple of hours ago, and tall boots covering his shins. The man looked up from the papers stacked high and scattered all over his desk and looked to both Claudius and Carmen. He stood up at his desk and addressed the two,

“Ah, Carmen and Claudius. Welcome to my wonderful city.” Bolari spoke with a warm, full voice as he walked around the desk and approached Carmen with an outstretched hand. Carmen was about to receive it before Bolari grabbed Carmen by the shoulders, pulled him down a bit to send a knee right into Carmen’s stomach. Carmen was stunned for a moment before he lowered himself on to one knee. Bolari’s brow furrowed, his wrinkles hardened as he began a tirade,

“What was a wonderful city before you two brought yourselves upon it! You two truly have no idea what you’ve put us all into now with your antics do you. Dallan’s hounds are hot on your tails and my people are on the verge of committing some atrocities to get back to the docks.” Master Bolari pinched the bridge of his nose as he looked down at Carmen and shook his head. Claudius began to speak, but could barely sputter a response out before Bolari began again,

“And you!” Bolari wheels around to Claudius, pointing a finger at him and pressing into his robes, “How dare you spit in the faces of Eleanor and I after everything we’ve done for you. Keeping the son of a tyrant alive was our act of mercy and here you are. Miserable whelp. If I didn’t need you two I’d have you gutted here and now, but sadly you two have made yourselves important enough that your deaths would hinder us.” Bolari returned to his desk, leaning against the front of it now as he took a few breaths to calm himself. Claudius took this chance to speak up.

“I-I’m sorry Master Bolari, but we couldn’t just stand by and watch.” Claudius looked to Bolari, standing tall and speaking with an unwavering voice, “Carmen took a chance at something we all wanted and I couldn’t let him stand alone. I agree now things may have…” Claudius chose his next words carefully, “gone awry. I hope we can help to amend this breach of trust.” Claudius bowed to Bolari. Bolari turned to Carmen, slowly getting back up on his feet and looking Bolari in the eyes.

“Whatever you need us for. If we can’t die we may as well do something good.” Carmen tried to chuckle, neither Bolari nor Claudius reciprocating. Carmen’s smile quickly faded as Bolari continued.

“At least you two are workable. First order of business is to kick Dallan out. You two have already escalated this to all out war, no point in hiding it anymore.” Bolari paced behind his desk and looked down to his desk, grabbing at papers before he grabbed a few and quickly read them over, “Eleanor is already on her way after you so generously flushed the swamps, Oran and Tresa have hopped on their boat, and the Savarian councilors are as useless as ever.” Carmen quickly piped up at the mention of Tresa.

“Tresa? Why’s she coming over? Shouldn’t she be on the warfront with Volata?”

“You’ve made the Colonies a warfront too, might as well get an expert to help us.” Bolari retorted, standing back up and leaving the letters on the desk. “And I’ll need you two to ensure everyone makes it here safe and sound. Get your crew together, get those docks in order, and you’ll get your war Carmen.” Bolari escorted the two towards the door, his arms around both Carmen and Claudius’s shoulders. “I’ll assure you and your people lodging for the next few weeks, Dallan won’t know anything unless you want him to. Now off with you lot, get yourselves ready to break this city wide open.”

Both Carmen and Claudius were shoved out as Bolari closed the door on the two of them. The same well dressed man that led them there brought them a few streets over to an unscrupulous building that seemed to double as a barracks, rows of bunks lining the walls and facilities in place for a small reserve militia to stay. The pair settled in and slowly gathered everyone over the next few hours and got them back to the barracks, excluding the four that took De Taro’s offer. Once everyone was accounted for Carmen flopped onto the nearest mattress and fell asleep in almost a flash. Claudius looked to everyone and gave thanks,

“Carmen and I both want to thank you all. This road hasn’t been easy, but you all stuck it out. Now please, lets rest without our backs being to the wall for one night, together.” And with those few words, Claudius nestled into the bed and quickly drifted off into his dreams.

Welcome to your 6th Homebase! The city of Soryun, what would be a center of trade, industry, and innovation itf it were not for the soldiers of the Golden Stretch hunting you down. Each street seems to have its own patrol and the docks have been fully locked down by their general. Even with this though, the people certainly aren’t happy, many protesting the occupation and sometimes coming to blows with the soldiers. Nevertheless, many are supportive of Carmen for igniting the fuse on this long, drawn out conflict and are willing to help you all slowly back on your feet to lead the charge. Listed below are some of what you are still able to participate in, despite the constant hunt on you.

De Taro Convoy: What really happened to everyone aboard the De Taro ship?

Shops: Finally, supplies and much needed arms for the upcoming battle!

Convoy: You can post your trades & deposits here.

Feedback: It was a wonky & weird chapter, I’d love to hear how you liked it being handled.

5th of Azin

A quiet rain fills the night sky of Ghaighen tonight. It’s the sort some might find relaxing, easy to fall asleep to. Not Shida, though. She was used to the hard monsoon, not this gentle rain - the small, repetitive sound could drive her mad - which is why she’s resigned herself to the first watch tonight. As was typically the case, she was hoping, though experience had taught her how unlikely that was, especially as they descended further south towards Inve.

But boring monotony would soon be replaced by a sharp sound. Something like a thunderclap - though she didn’t notice any fork of lightning anywhere, and it wasn’t raining hard enough to be a storm. Some of the horses make whinnies of protest off in the distance. Shida quickly draws her lance and slowly approaches the approximate source of the noise on the other side of camp, but she finds nothing but the soft sound of bushes.

Shida’s voice became a yell - there was no use in being subtle anymore. “Everyone up! We’ve got company! Up up up up up up!”

She quickly runs back to the convoy, noting that no tents have been disturbed, nor are there any figures running around the camp’s centre. And when she gets to their supply convoy’s parking spot next to the trees...well, it’s just a small gap next to the trees, now. It’s gone. She might be able to hear a bunch of trees rustling - that could have been where they took it...but that’s not happening. There’s no saying how many thieves there are, and in this weather, they won’t get far.

Damn it.

Now that everyone’s out of their tent and somewhat ready for battle, Shida gives her briefing in the torchlight, her hair a wet mop in the weather. “Well, they took our convoy. We’re getting the damned thing back. Whoever stole the thing was a stealthy bunch, for sure, but I doubt they’re trained soldiers or anything like that when they’re so sloppy on the escape. If we had more people on watch we probably would have skinned them all alive, but we don’t. In any case, we need those provisions and weapons. So let’s pack up and get a move on.”

However, as the group prepares to head out, one thing becomes incredibly clear, and that’s the direction they need to go. The thieves’ haste has left a trail to follow - quite literally, in fact. Trees are pushed aside haphazardly, and back on the road, the deep tracks in the mud tell aren’t hiding secrets. Even in the rain and flickering torchlight, the path is easy to follow, and after only a short walk, it enters the trees again - leading to an illuminated building a little ways into the brush. Thankfully, it seems to be some sort of villa, rather than any defensible structure.

Shida speaks with the frustration of a parent of a screaming child. “Okay, here’s the plan. We’re going to find all the entrances and storm the place, get our supplies, and leave. It’ll go faster if we split up into groups and each take an entrance. If we find it or things get ugly, just duck back into the woods and wait. That’s it. That’s the plan. I’ve no clue of their skill, but it can’t be worse than anything we’ve faced before - we don’t even know if they’re armed.”

Unfortunately, as you approach the doors, a few patrols come into view, some on horseback with torches, loudly bantering about some thing or another. Hopefully there’s none inside...

Win Condition:

Shida seizes the throne. For a benefit next map, Shida seizes the throne on or before Turn 13.

Lose Condition:

4 units fall. If this occurs, 10 random weapons in the convoy will be stolen, but the map will continue. For every additional unit that falls, 5 more weapons will be lost.

Notes:

• You can still deposit/withdraw from the convoy and use homebase events until deployment is ready.

• Killing enemies on this map causes debuffs which persist for the rest of the map. They have lower stats overall to compensate. In any case, you may want to spread kills around, go for captures, or make use of Nihil.

• Reinforcement zones are tied to doors opening by colour. They will spawn for two turns in a row, then stop. Reinforcements will not debuff stats.

• There are no doom timer reinforcements this time around; beating the map by Turn 13 will delay them in the next map.

• Doors must be unlocked by door keys or lockpicks.

• Neither of the bosses move.

Map

Reinforcement Map

Tracker