[OOC] Tverios: The Conquest

[Lexicon]

Okay, so my post is going to accomplish a few things: first, it should open up an opportunity for everyone else to post. Second, it's going to place the forces going after the city of Tolos about a day north of their destination. Third, I hope this will get the thread moving again lol. Wish me luck!

[Lexicon]

...Well, I'm going to attack this in a little bit. It's not great but ah well. It gets the job done. Should be up soonish.

[Lexicon]

Not to brag, but damn. This post was in really crappy shape when I started, but it turned out quite nicely if I do say so myself. Alright, Eschatologist and Athinar, it's up to the rest of you lol. Btw, I'm going to be gone for a good chunk of next week so the likelihood of me posting is slim. I should be back on the week of the 10th.

[Eschatologist]

So Myra and her lot are all on the beaches. I'll make a post about Gordon landing and getting set up, running his own operations and preparing to participate in the southern battle. I will however need to know the delay between Myra's landing and Oromis' landing, so I can make heads or tails of the strategic situation.

I might be able to get Laurence's post in too, but I think it would be more congruous if Athinar could get a post in, taking the watchtowers in preparation for the landings. After all that's done, I'll have Claes show up and push everything to the city proper.

Also: good post Lex. Once again, making me look like a hack fraud with maximum style

[Lexicon]

Hey everyone, I PMed Athinar and she/he has decided to drop out of the RP. Just wanted to let y'all know.

[Eschatologist]

FUCK

Does this mean RP is kill?

[Vahir]

No; Not unless we decide to drop out. In fact, I've been told by a new player that he's working on a character app.

RPs aren't dead until everyone accepts them as dead.

[Lexicon]

Sweet! Yeah, I actually really like writing for Myra so I'm going to hang around. I also adjusted my post to have Larius go looking for Captain Elias to get the skinny on the watchtower assault.

[Eschatologist]

Good to hear we're still going. I like this game and I want to see it continue. We need to get these watchtowers down so that things can progress, however, and I'd rather not wait until the 10th to push the plot forwards. Lex, how would you feel about me jumping slightly ahead and write about Laurence arriving, which would happen essentially right as the watchtowers go down? Seeing as now that I think about it Gordon's post really relies on information that will most easily come from Vahir's post, he is really my next logical POV and I am hungry to get some content out.

Actually, maybe there could be an easy explanation: he is punching through a place where the watchtowers relay information to the ones that Myra and Marko are going to take down, which would then send the information back to the capital. The cut through the periphery towers would be acceptable as long as those people at the main Myra-watchtowers don't expect routine reports every 30 minutes. Laurence could wreck the ones opposing him, and rely on the other squads to kill the main ones in between routine reports, and then everything would be ship shape and Bristol fashion. Does that sound reasonable?

[Vahir]

Sounds good. No need to make eliminating the watchtowers overdramatic; One or two IC posts covering it would be plenty. The more important thing by far is the capture of Tolos.

At this point, I'm wondering what to do for a PoV. I could (and will) continue providing viewpoints from Oromis and the main army, but it wouldn't have much effect on what you guys are doing; Same thing for foreign PoV's. I considered making a post covering how the Etruscans are reacting to all this, but showing all the enemy's battle plans would cause other problems (Involuntary meta, mostly). Decisions, decisions.

[Lexicon]

Okay, hang on, hang on. First, I agree that I don't want to hold things up until I get back from my trip. Second...I think your plan sounds good, Eschatologist. I was thinking of doing a cool, sneaky little post about Myra and the Forlorn Hope taking down the watchtowers, but I'm sure the actual siege of Tolos will be more exciting. I guess what I'm saying is I'm totally fine with your plan. I think it might be easier, in all honesty, to just have your post recap the taking of the watchtowers and then push us closer to the attack on the city. I give you full permission to do as you please. If you have anymore questions or ideas, just let me know. While I won't be able to post, I should still be able to answer questions and give input.

@Vahir Also, random idea I had at work today, but how do you feel about the orcs having another sub-species? Like a sort of ogre-esque group that spends most of the year hibernating, but has been roused by Rusadir's massive war effort. I've included an image below. We could call them dire orcs, pale orcs, or something like that. I just saw this online and was like...it would be so cool to have Myranda fight one of these things XP

[Eschatologist]

Alright Lex. I'll bear that in mind. I'll probably get a post up tomorrow, I have a few other things to do today that are getting in the way of my writing.

Also, I am so looking forward to seeing Myra turn into the Bloody Nine kick ass and take names.

[Lexicon]

Lol, oh yeah, it's gonna happen during the attack. The drums are always beating, Eschatologist, always...

[Vahir]

@Vahir Also, random idea I had at work today, but how do you feel about the orcs having another sub-species? Like a sort of ogre-esque group that spends most of the year hibernating, but has been roused by Rusadir's massive war effort. I've included an image below. We could call them dire orcs, pale orcs, or something like that. I just saw this online and was like...it would be so cool to have Myranda fight one of these things XP

@Lexicon

Sure. I was already going to have the Orcs ride elephants, might as well add in more beasties.

Lol, oh yeah, it's gonna happen during the attack. The drums are always beating, Eschatologist, always...

@Lexicon

(Couldn't resist)

[Eschatologist]

I managed to clear my stuff up, but now I need to watch Na'Vi in the International. Expect a post if they win. If they don't, well, I'll make a post after I sulk and eat a tub of ice cream.

EDIT: RIP Na'Vi, hello sadness and cookie dough

[Eschatologist]

Fucking BAM. First real combat post made, and I'm rather proud of it. Also, I finally matched Lex's impressive length, or at least thereabouts. I left it pretty open, but I don't think I could manage nearly doubling the length of the post dealing with more of Laurence's charge towards Tolos.

[Lexicon]

Okay, so, just to clarify, Laurence and his forces attacked an encampment of Etruscan soldiers outside of Tolos? Is Myra still with Captain Elias' forces?

@Vahir Also, and I know you're busy, but what is the layout of Tolos like? Several districts with the Widow's Tears running through the middle? What did you have in mind?

[Vahir]

Tolos Info

"The ancient city of Tolos sits on the northern bank of the Widow's Tears, itself the northern fork of the delta of the great Etrusceia river. Through it runs the lesser Magennon river, which, being too shallow for most heavy ships, is mainly used for drinking water. There are three main roads through the city (west, east, and north), along which are the only densely inhabited parts of the city, barring the coast."

"Founded over a thousand years ago, the city's influence grew rapidly. War with the sprawling elven Kedenneid kingdom was inevitable, however, and after a long, grueling conflict, the Tolosi proved victorious. Despite this, the Tolosi Emperors proved both wise and merciful, not only sparing the elves, but assimilating them into the Empire as administrators, priests, and generals. A duality of power emerged, where the high nobility and the Emperor himself were human, and the elves served them and the Empire as nobles. This system of tolerance remains in place to this day."

"Eventually, however, the city began to decline, even before the Empire began showing signs of weakness. Cadius's Plague of 3387 is said to have killed a third of the city's population, and the civil war between 3391 and 3398 saw the great city be sacked no less than four times as it changed hands. When the Great Foe, Oromis, took the city by the sword in 3401, the city was essentially empty."

"Under the rule of the Etruscans, the city has recovered somewhat, though not much. Visitors tell of a city of ruins, and a sharp contrast between the opulence of the nobility, residing in the heart of the city, and the destitution of the common people, who scrounge a living however they can, wherever they can."

"A friend of mine visited the city no more than two years past. Here is a map of the city he has made, as it was when he was there:"

Grey: Areas of the city lost to ruin. Though one can still find inhabitants here and there, most find these areas too inhospitable to live there.
Dark Grey: The remnants of the once-great Imertian Walls, which now in some places stand no taller than a man.
Red: The populated parts of the city.
Cyan: The docks, through which the city gets what little trade it does. Walled off from the rest of the city, this area is a sad sight indeed, filled with ramshackle shacks, inhabited by scum and criminals.
Yellow: The so-called Holy Quarter, a walled and fortified section of the city home to the Prophet, and the mansions, temples, and crypts which he owns.

-Antus Corbanico, Imperial Scribe-

[RyanTadashi]

Sorry this is a day late, but I just wanted to make sure at least one of these guys would work!

I could have Aksel escaping (obtaining his silas ring in the process) with the first post and fleeing the city to meet up with the characters - seemingly an escaped Mardochian propagandist.

Aksel Dehli

Name: Brother Aksel Dehli

Nationality: ¾ Tolosi Human, ¼ Tolosi Elf

Occupation: Monk of the Tolosi Pantheon

Religion: Tolosi Pantheon

Appearance and Personality: Aksel is a good looking young man with fine blonde hair and gentle, elegant facial features. Being of mixed heritage, Aksel has an exotic look, ears slightly pointed and eyes a fusion sharp blues and greens. He is lean but not lanky, standing just under six feet tall. Though not especially muscular, Aksel's body is athletic and capable.

Aksel is a kind man with a strong conscience. His dominating emotions are humility and faithfulness. Loyalty has never been a problem for him, and, although not much of a brawler, he has always made himself known in any fight to protect the ones he loves. He feels love passionately, and the heavy personal loss he has experienced has taught him to value everything in his life presently. Aksel devotes himself to his every endeavor wholeheartedly from his dedication to the Tolosi Pantheon to his determination in mastering the fishing rod. He is kind if not charismatic, not born to lead, but valuable by anyone's side.

Biography: Albin Avalusk was an elven nobleman, well connected and respected across the entire Empire of Tolos, but especially in his home in Bucephal. Never did Albin appear to put a single foot wrong, and, as it always seems to do, suspicion and malice began to grow out of Albin's envious peers. Soon, efforts were made to uncover any bit of indiscretion from Albin's past or present. It was one such indiscretion that uncovered the powerful elf's one flaw, that of the heart. Albin Avalusk lost everything he had painstakingly built his entire life once his relationship with a certain human woman was made public. Instead of giving up his heart's desire to save his livelihood, Albin absconded to the Kingdom of the Nerwains with his new wife, Britta. Albin and Britta were able to build a new life for themselves – a simpler one. They even gave birth to a lovely daughter, Ina. Living in this sparsely populated new land amongst hardy foresters and herders, the family of three – now living under the surname Dehli – the family took care not to make any new enemies; however, discrimination followed them here as well.

The Nerwains were an ordinary folk, accustomed to their normal lives and uncomfortable with change. A new family consisting of an elf and a half constituted change. The family's house was stormed, the parents slain and the adolescent daughter despoiled. Ina Dehli was left to die amongst her parents corpses, but under the veil of death, new life was forged. Ina took pregnant, birthing a son, Aksel. Aksel was raised as a healthy child, understanding the implications of his mixed heritage and respecting the elven culture of his grandfather. So enamored was he with his elven blood, Aksel decided to relocate back to the the Empire of Tolos and dedicate his life to the Tolosi pantheon. He was Brother Aksel Dehli, an unassuming, humble man whose faith was strong despite his genetic limitations – the human in him.

Though once again, the Avalusks looked to recreate themselves and live in peace, their past followed them. Aksel was honest about his past only to his brothers, but his faith in them was not returned. News reached the very same members of the elven aristocracy – now old and living fat on their lifetime of luxury – that had conspired to drive Albin and Britta out of Bucephal. Fearing retribution from their returned son, the nobles moved to eliminate the last of the Avalusk family. Aksel and his mother were assaulted in the streets in plain daylight. Assassins murdered Ina before her son's eyes, and not a single passerby stopped to help. Unable to do anything to protect his mother, it was all that Aksel could do to flee back to Etruscia. Yet unable to escape his elven persecutors, Aksel arrived in Tolos to find that they had preceded him. Tolosi attackers stabbed him and left him to die in the streets. Before he could bleed out, however, Askel was arrested and thrown into a jail in the Holy Quarter. Wounded, struck by the reality of his loss, the young monk sits in the dungeon, unaware of the workings behind the scenes, powerful allies presently unknown.

Magical Artefact(s): [not yet in possession] A stone ring, shaped from a Sila Stone, with the ability to power in any form – from heat to electricity to physical force – and release it twofold upon impact.

Motivation: Looking to sort through his disillusionment with his Tolosi religion and mixed heritage. Trying to find his place in the world as a mutt, an undesired by both humans and elves.

Alternatively, I wasn't sure how the Zantyric Order would be getting involved. Perhaps an enemy in the war with Tolos and the Etruscan league but an ally when it comes to crushing the Tolosi Emprie? Or maybe a traitor to the Estruscan league (Kohl is a shady sort)

Kohl Walesa

Name: Sir Kohl Walesa

Nationality: Etruscan Human

Occupation: Knight-Captain of the Zantyric Order

Religion: Etruscian

Appearance and Personality: Kohl has pale skin and sunken, sallow eyes the color of charcoal. He has high cheekbones and a pointy chin and nose. Though not extremely attractive by any means, an air of wealth and fine breeding clings to him like musky perfume on a whore. He keeps his umber colored hair long but pulled tight into a bun. From years of stern training, Kohl's tall body is covered in lean, corded muscles.

Kohl is pompous and arrogant, and he respects nothing but power and wealth. He can be rude, but is mainly tactful. When harm is meant, however, the knight makes is clear, his mastery of language only thinly veiling insult. Though it makes him few friends, Kohl's confidence and competence produces many allies. He is a devout Etruscan, often seen praying and worshipping.

Biography: Raised in a wealthy family wholly obsessed with maintaining the purity and power of their bloodline, Kohl has known privilege his entire life. He is not a racist, but surely an elitist. It was not hatred of elves that drove him into the Zantyric Order, but his confidence and total belief in his superiority over the long eared enemy elevated him quickly in the knights' ranks.

He is young still, but, thanks in part to his proficiency with the sword and lance, and mainly due to to his and his father's proficiency with politicking, Kohl rose to the rank of Knight-Captain over a few more experienced and expected. Throughout his entire life, nothing has ever hinted to Kohl or his family that there was any possible thing standing between him and his goal of eventually becoming the Grandmaster to finally stamp out the Tolosi Empire and its false Pantheon.

Magical Artefact(s): None

Motivation: Driven by his zealous righteousness to win the Holy War against the Tolosi Empire.

[Eschatologist]

Lex, Claes put Myra under the command of Captain Elias, who answers to Major Sim, who is one of the two lancer commanders that will accompany the General to the city and make up the siege force. Laurence brought Major Bayaz, one of the archer commanders with him, to be as fast and surprising as possible.

Laurence attacked a temporary training camp near Tolos and will continue to cut off the city and attack targets of opportunity. Presumably Myra is either taking the watchtowers or waiting for Claes to arrive, who will pick you and the Night Hunters up and ride for the city.