[hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/IPXMIe7.gif[/img][/center] [hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/B5bEMaA.png[/img][/center] [indent][indent]KASHTILASHU: "Hm. You are kinsman indeed." The thickly black bearded man of large build and sun-cracked skin spoke. "Our shared blood is warrant enough to accept your aid, tell us, what news do you bear?" The provisional lord of Der's voice echoes across the small throne chamber, the still warm body of the Ensi Yasub-Yahad lies dead abaft, unceremoniously thrown into a corner until they can be dealt with. About the city are the likes of Kassities undoubtedly, some are garbed in clearly Akkadian clothes, while others must have come straight from Zagros for the movement here in Der. Yet all of them are on edge.[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://imgur.com/dHM0MR8.png[/img][/center] [indent][indent]The brute takes a deeper breath and holds it briefly. He still holds no truths regarding his own chiefdom's involvement, but that answer would have to wait. He exhales, shaking his head unapprovingly. His lack of words might lead the Angal to assume the brute is apologetic about his lack of intel, and he certainly doesn't wish to rectify that assumption. Yet. He extends an arm towards the chief, offering his "assistance" in future endeavors.[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/y2IrY8n.png[/img][/center] [indent][indent]Kashtilashu nods his squared head with a thoughtfulness towards his kinsman. Before his voice returns to the hall, another replaces it. "Great and wise Angal. . ." Appearing in the midst of the throne chamber's dim firelight, an enshrouded woman kneels, her face veiled with little more than the flesh of her wrists showing. "Ye, of unequaled courage, unrivaled spleandour. . ."[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/B5bEMaA.png[/img][/center] [indent][indent] Stroking his thick beard, clearly appeased by her words, Kashtilashu says simply, "Mnn. Yes? Speak, crafty Soraya."[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/y2IrY8n.png[/img][/center] [indent][indent] Had the woman's countenance not, her name certainly strikes Lyun. She is no Kassite, nor Akkadian. . . "Our scouts have spotted three camps beyond the sourthern hills, but they are no army. Greedy coinblades the lot of them." She speaks softly.[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/B5bEMaA.png[/img][/center] [indent][indent]KASHTILASHU: "So, Šar Kiššati does not yet fear us? Bwahah, let their hubris be their downfall. Mercenaries will break upon these arms you have provided us!" Producing an axe of polished gray metal, the Angal tosses it toward Lyun. "You, Kinsman, you are fierce of eye and strong of body. Allow no man pass the inner gate. Now go! For the future of our people!"[/indent][/indent] [center][sup][b]LYUN[/b] acquires an [b]IRON BATTLE-AXE![/b][/sup][/center][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/y2IrY8n.png[/img][/center] [indent][indent] As the mountainous man takes his leave of the near-kinsfolk, the veiled woman again whispers honeyed words into the Angal's ear, "Wiser than the trees and sharper than any blade though you may be, great Angal, you may not be privy to the ways of the sellsword." She speaks, worming her way closer and closer with each word, "They do not know of honor in death, nor loyalty to anything but the Aurum."[/indent][/indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/B5bEMaA.png[/img][/center] [indent][indent]KASHTILASHU: "Is this so? The Akkadian's put hungry dogs to our gate, if we were simply to feed them. . . Bwahahaa! Raid Der's coffers and make haste, let us turn the dogs upon one another, let them tear out each other's throats!"[/indent][/indent] [hr] [indent][indent]The fighting was fierce across the doorstep of Der where it sunk into the foothills of the Zagros. But, as like they are, mercenaries are not the kind to give their lives up for any cause, no matter what idealistic future it could bring. With great guile, Hartuum's Hundreds, the Dark Suns, and Shulaar's Scorpions manage to draw out the inexperienced Kassites from their lightly fortified walls, taking the battle to the plains and farmlands. The barbarians, it seemed, bore little wit to defend the city unlike their mountain homes. Within six hours from morning's light, the main defending force had abandoned the outer walls. What's left of the Kassites cling to the inner city walls of the old district. Finding the right moment to strike as the combined armies melee out within and before the walls of the city, the Hellions of Gyr split into several groups to insert themselves -- The Men of Titub beat-back the rear-force advancing on their left-flank while Utu's Chosen do the very same on the right, allowing the band to slip in before the southern gates unassailed. Each band quickly identifies their completed objects and promptly leaves the rest up to the Hellions, having no true stock in the outcome as long as the Aurums flowed their way. With the captain's group circling about to be sure of your safety, Ashur, Zarif, Iddin, Siris, Etor, and Makeen find themselves on the inner road.[/indent][/indent] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/xjlNkZI.gif[/img][/center][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/MouTqPS.png[/img][/center] [indent][indent]ASHÜR: "The time is now. . . It's best we spearhead rather than wait for the band to consolidate." The desperado's shifty eyes dart from one side of the horizon to the other, taking in the last of the tribal defenders who resisted the main shock force. "The iron is hot, let's move." He hisses, curved blade drawn forth. "Though I can't help but feel our formation is sorely missing something. . ."[/indent][/indent][hr] [sup][i][center][h1][color=#BF150F]H[/color][color=#BD1F10]E[/color][color=#BC2A11]L[/color][color=#BA3512]L[/color][color=#B93F13]I[/color][color=#B74A14]O[/color][color=#B65515]N[/color][color=#B55F16]S[/color] [color=#B27518]P[/color][color=#B08019]H[/color][color=#AF8A1A]A[/color][color=#AD951B]S[/color][color=#ACA01C]E[/color][/h1][/center][/i][/sup] [sup][i][center][h2][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TztPrLob1X8&list=PLYOLPb7kjJ3JWW2HYS2tjW_Vz6bJPkT8m&index=3]COMMENCE[/url][/h2][/center][/i][/sup] [center] [img]https://i.imgur.com/veOIKl8.gif[/img] [hr][/center] [center][sub][h2][i]OBJECTIVES[/i][/h2][/sub] [sup][i]-- ROUT THE ENEMY --[/i][/sup][/center] [hr] [center][sub][h2][i]FOES[/i][/h2][/sub] [hider=FOE NUMBERS]KASSITE BRIGAND x4 KASSITE REBEL x10 KASSITE HUNTER x11 ANGAL KASHTILASHU LYUN[/hider][/center] [center][hider=FOE STATISTICS] [img]https://i.imgur.com/nLwpH3y.png[/img] TRAIT: ALTITUDE CONDITIONING -- Reduced movement penalty to 2 on mountain tiles. +3 Defense when defending from mountain tiles. [img]https://i.imgur.com/8CE13Pj.png[/img] TRAIT: ALTITUDE CONDITIONING -- Reduced movement penalty to 2 on mountain tiles. +3 Defense when defending from mountain tiles. [img]https://i.imgur.com/aeUwoHQ.png[/img] TRAIT: ALTITUDE CONDITIONING -- Reduced movement penalty to 2 on mountain tiles. +3 Defense when defending from mountain tiles. [img]https://i.imgur.com/qixznUv.png[/img] TRAIT: INDOMITABLE -- Character permanently gains +7 VIT. [/hider][/center] [center][hider=TERRAIN INFO] Forts/Castles - DEF +2 / AVO +20 - Heal: 20% - Move cost: 2 - Other details: N/A Towers - DEF +1 / AVO +15 - Heal: 0% - Move cost: 2 - Other details: RANGED class weapons attacks may originate from the top or base of the tower tile, their maximum range is also increased by one when at the top of a tower tile. Houses / Villages - DEF +0 / AVO +10 - Heal: 10% - Move cost: 1 - Other details: N/A Mountains / Hills - DEF +2 / AVO +10 - Heal: 0% - Move cost: 4 - Other details: Mounted units cannot enter this tile type. Forests/Trees - DEF +1 / AVO +10 - Heal: 0% - Move cost: 2 - Other details: Mounted units movement cost is increased to three on forests. [/hider][/center]