Slamurai — Roleplayer Guild

(Serah's Parley roll = 6)

The feline snorts as a grin that holds no trace of ambivalence creeps across its face. Its eyes are locked to the slab of food in Alexandria's hand, but it addresses Serah again in a voice that seems to be growing distant. 

"I asked you once for food, with the promise of answers," it says, with a sharp hiss. "Now you want to reverse the bargain; answers before food? I could leap upon you and disappear with you in my jaws, before your friends may act, Wildcaller. It is only my loneliness and curiosity that demands I do you any favors at all."

The creature leaps down from the tree and steps forward casually, making no overt displays, but darting its eyes from the morsel to the barbarian, who it seems, would be all too happy to have another try at its life. It stops short of Serah, indicating a paw to the companions at her side. 

"Your men do not seem all that convinced of this truce. Let them put down their arms, and then I will resume our talk." 

It looks sheepishly at the outlander, and the thief, who's bow is drawn. But then, a fierce gale rocks everyone assembled near off their feet, out of nowhere, and a haunting rhythm of drums, flutes and primitive instruments resounds through the clearing. It is wholly unlike Linoleum's merry tune and gong bashing; the sound can be felt in the soul, and its melody drips with venom.

The feline's face is no longer one of mockery, but of a genuine distress. It's eyes roll, revealing the whites, and its mouth is agape.

"We resolve this later!" it shrieks. "Follow me if you want to live, Wildcaller! Bring your fools!" 

Not waiting to elaborate further, it dives for shrubs opposite the unnatural din. The nausea felt earlier starts to return to your bodies, and the trees start to melt. In addition to the music, you can now make out voices speaking a language unknown to you. There is distorted laughter, clattering of chimes and bone, and the sound of many, many feet scampering through the woods.

Do you take your chances with the feline or attempt to brave the sickening onslaught?

Name: Eldanorré, Sorceress Queen of Gebrionné
Race: Human
Age: 33
Appearance: Her tresses are a rich mahogany, eyes a vibrant green. Eldanorré is the image of a woman in her prime, well-defined and supple. Prominent cheekbones are set high on her skull, and her jaw tapers to a dull point. Her flesh is a pale olive, except for her hands. Her digits are mottled with black, solid at her fingertips and sparse beyond her knuckles. This condition is a peculiar side-effect of her magic, one that has so far proven impossible to erase. Eldanorré stands at average height, built neither thick or thin, but full, with a solid musculature. 

Renowned Skills: Eldanorré’s magical aptitude is innate, a gift of her bloodline. Centuries ago, the kings of Gebrionné made sorcerous pacts with entities from other planes to solidify their claims to the throne, and as a means of personal gain. Nowadays, that heritage has been long diluted, although several sorcerers have been born since the advent of its waning. Eldanorré is one of few that can call on this power. She needs no spellbook nor scrolls to unleash her abilities, only the force of her will and clarity of mind. However, there’s no telling when the Lords of Chaos will come to collect their due…

Magic: The exact nature of Eldanorré’s spells do not sit perfectly into any one category. In essence, they are a projection of her will made manifest. What form this takes is up to her, whether she conjures up a storm of daggers or wills a monster to sleep. The scale of her abilities is limited by her mental stamina; prolonged and rapid channeling of her power takes a toll on her. A majority of spells she knows were the brainchild of her ancestors, passed down from inheritor to inheritor. Through reflection and self-study, Eldanorré can create new spells of her own, and someday her descendants might learn them. 
Her magical repertoire includes the knowledge of summoning extraplanar creatures and beings; some of which are mighty Lords of Chaos. Misuse of this knowledge is folly, for there is always a price for disturbing the denizens of other planes. 

Weapons: Eldanorré is not particularly skilled with any martial weapons or arts. Instead, her magic can be used as an offensive tool.

Armour: The Sorceress Queen is usually clad in traditional Gebrionnése clothing, which is to say, not much. The fashion of the kingdom leaves much of the body exposed, both sexes included. Although slim in coverage, her outfits are lavishly decorated. Gemstones, precious metals, engravings and inlays can all be observed on her garments. The fabrics are fine silks and velvets of many colors, with origins in faraway lands. 
 Eldanorré has never needed the protection of a full suit of armor before, and if she desired, she could conjure up sorcerous plates. She might need to practice such a spell before reaching Evershrine.

Steed: Eldanorré’s personal mount is an extraplanar creature, bound to her through sorcery. It takes the form of a noble stallion, although its origin is betrayed by a long, lizardlike tail, bony fins and toes. She call it Althax, and can call it to her at whim. 

Bio: Eldanorré is not a true queen, despite the moniker attributed to her. Rather, she is the claimant, or pretender, to the throne of Gebrionné. Daughter of the deposed Seldric IV, her ascension was barred by her father’s rivals, who placed their leader, Jerelad of Trent, on the throne. Gebrionné had been wracked with civil war prior to Jerelad’s coronation, divided into camps either supporting or opposing Seldric’s decision to support the Moonsong Alliance’s first offensive on Evershrine. With the loss of the entire fleet, including King Seldric and the majority of his allies, Gebrionné’s throne was barren. Seizing the opportunity, Jerelad mustered his loyal nobles and declared himself king, putting down political opponents with military force or bribes. 

Eldanorré, as luck would have it, escaped Jerelad’s chaos with the help of retainers loyal to her father. Hailing her as the true queen of Gebrionné, they rallied behind her in hiding, biding their time within the neighboring kingdom of Sotraeca. During this time, Eldanorré conspired to take back what should have been hers. It was also a time of self-reflection, as she’d dedicated much of her life to the study of her sorcerous power. Believing that magical supremacy would aid her in her pursuit, Eldanorré experimented with a range of arts, including Shadow Magic. 

While she was unable to retain her repertoire of Shadow Magic, she was able to peer into that dismal realm during her studies. What she saw alarmed her; Gargth’s influence was evident, perverting the flow of souls from the material plane to the afterlife and made to do his bidding. In that grey hellscape, Eldanorré chanced upon the soul of her father, naught but a puppet dancing to Gargth’s tune. In that moment, she realised Seldric had good reason to oppose such abuse of power, and if the kingdom was ever to be entrusted to her, his ambitions to defeat the wizard were also hers to fulfil. 

As the news reached her of a second Moonsong offensive, Eldanorré informed her allies of her intention to join. Despite no shortage of hesitation, a host of desperate loyalists, former subjects and friends of Seldric accompanied her on the voyage. In doing so, there was a sliver of hope that Seldric’s soul could be put to rest, or even resurrected. Gargth’s defeat was, perhaps, a ticket to restoring her bloodline to the throne of Gebrionné.

Name: Luthien, Lord of Toublanc
Race: Human
Age: 42
Appearance: Luthien’s build is that of a soldier – solid and well-defined, with rough, calloused hands. His flesh is tanned and weather-worn, and he wears a neatly-maintained beard that tapers to a point. The hairs on his head are dark, with flecks of grey that herald older age. Despite Luthien’s years, traces of youth can still be found in the gleam of his eyes. He is tall, about six feet and four inches. He carries himself with the authority of a noble and a commander, yet comes across as humble in face-to-face interaction.  

Famed Skills: An astute commander and military mind, Luthien headed the leadership of the opposition, intending to put down Jerelad’s plot to usurp the throne after Seldric’s death. Although outnumbered and forced to flee south, he put up a strong fight during the months of the civil war, and bloodied the noses of Jerelad’s allies when they came to conquer the king’s former lands. He’s also a skilled fighter and horseman, more than capable of holding his own against several men.  

Magic: N/A

Weapons: Luthien is proficient with a variety of weapons, namely the basic longsword and polearms. He wears the former at his waist, a splendidly artificed weapon with a jeweled hilt and pearl inlays. In battle, his pages carry his lances and arm him on the eve of a cavalry charge. 

Armour: Eldanorré’s most trusted general dons a full suit of plate armor. 

Steed: Luthien rides a proud, black destrier.

Bio: Luthien is the lord of Toublanc, a province in the south of Gebrionné. It was only due to Seldric’s command that fate saw him safe in Gebrionné when the king and his army perished during the first voyage to Evershrine. He was to be the king’s authority while away; the responsibility forced him to come to blows with Jerelad as he seized the empty throne. Luthien never stopped believing in King Seldric, and willingly threw his lot in with Eldanorré once he discovered her whereabouts. When she and her allies took refuge in Sotraeca, Luthien was at the forefront of her meetings, discussing ways in which to win back the kingdom. Loyal to a fault, when it was discovered that King Seldric could possibly be saved from the Shadow Realm upon Gargth’s downfall, Luthien was vocal in support of Eldanorré’s plans. The Sorceress Queen has elevated him to their army’s chief military commander, knowing of his aptitude for strategy.

Regiment Name: Eldanorré’s Loyalists

Banner: The soldiers assembled under Eldanorré’s leadership have taken to flying a banner with her heraldic arms - a red gryphon armed with a sword and shield on a white field. The banner is lined with black and dozens of leering gargoyle faces. 

Nationality/Race: Humans of Gebrionné

Size of Host: 500

Speciality: Mixed force

Typical Arms & Armour: Lances, be they knighted or not, are equipped in similar fashion and have the same military function, regardless of social rank. Knights, however, can expect more pay as a result of their status than common men-at-arms. The lance is covered from head to toe in plate armor, foregoing the shield of the past century. Underneath, a padded akteon is worn for comfort and to absorb blows landed on the armor. The armored suit is heavily articulated, allowing for flexibility and ease of movement. Areas which may not be completely encased are protected by mail. The most popular helmets used by lances are the bascinet and kettle helm. The former tapers to a point at the top of the head to deflect blows, and may be worn with or without a visor. The kettle helm also tapers to the top of the head, or may be rounded, but has a sloped brim for deflection away from the face. Tabards, worn loosely over the armor, identify the arms of the wearer, though are seldom seen on lances of low birth.

Fighting from horseback, men-at-arms carry a couched lance with steel tip. As the principal weapon of the cavalry charge, it relies on momentum to provide damage from an impact with an enemy soldier. In the aftermath of a charge, when the cavalry has lost its momentum, lances are discarded – often broken – and swords drawn. When fighting dismounted, men-at-arms commonly carry poleaxe weapons. Halberds, being a hammer and spiked head attached to a wooden shaft, allow for efficient armor-piercing ability, and can cause internal damage even without penetrating through. The sword of this century has developed into a weapon used principally for thrusting. The blade is long and tapers to a point, wielded to exploit the gaps in-between armored joints.

The average pikeman in service to Gebrionné dons blackened, munitions-grade plates on his breast and back, with a gorget to protect the throat and tassets over his thighs. He wears an open-faced helm on his crown; the best companies top theirs with a plume of green. He carries a pike with a tapered head about 4.5 meters long, paired with an arming sword.
Although Gebrionnése infantry is organized into “pikeman companies,” not every man is a pikeman. There are some formations made up of halberdiers, who use their polearms to chop overhead the rows of pikes. There are sword and buckler men, who maneuver through the pike shafts to incite chaos by slashing and stabbing up close. Also present are swordsmen who carry long Zweihänders, practiced in two-handed half-swording techniques.

Arquebusiers are armored much the same way, though generally wear less protection than their frontline counterparts. Gebrionnése innovations, like attachable boxes that weatherproof the firing mechanism, have contributed to the success of black powder weaponry. Although Gebrionné has taken measures to embrace black powder, it still focuses heavily on the longbow. The traditional longbow is nearly as tall as a man, with a powerful draw. Such weapons require a lifetime to master, but have proven their worth on the field, having stopped cavalry charges in their tracks and shattered the cohesion enemy formations.

Typical Steeds: Gebrionnése armies use common horses of varying classifications for different tasks. Destriers, coursers, rounceys, palfreys and hobbies all have a place and role to fill.

Magics Used: N/A

History: Gebrionnése armies have historically been built around infantry, owing to a lack of horses and flat terrain to capitalize on the advantages of cavalry. It does field mounted lances, but to a lesser extent than other powers – only about ten to fifteen percent of its mounted men-at-arms are knights, and they are used to dismounting before battle. Less knights and nobles take to the field nowadays, as traditional feudal levies are replaced by full-time, paid mercenaries. The service of professional soldiers costs less to employ than knighted individuals, so it is more cost-effective simply not to hire knights. Low-born men are also much less prone than nobility to complain when prolonged, hard-going campaigns are underway. Men-at-arms (lances, both low-born and knighted) and archers roughly comprise the main fighting force of the Gebrionnése armies, in ratios from 1:3 to as high as 1:6.

In times of war, lords were once required to grant fiefs to their vassals for military service. Men are now contracted to fight instead – a “bastard feudalism” in which captains are beholden to a system of indentures. These contract captains to raise an agreed-upon number of soldiers in service to the king. Indentures also specify the time and place of muster, the rate of pay for the men, disciplinary conduct, and what share of plunder is allowed. Captains are traditionally paid half upon the signing of the contract, and half upon their arrival at muster, after a survey of the correct number of heads under his command. The duration and personnel count of these indentures is dependent on the campaign, and not all men may know the captain or lord he serves under. Usually, companies are contracted for six months at a time. A more permanent indenture may last a dozen, with quarterly pay.

The army that calls itself Eldanorré’s Loyalists is a collection of soldiers from a number of companies, some once under contract of King Seldric, others sympathetic to Eldanorré’s cause or simply fighting for coin. With the throne usurped by Jerelad, most of Seldric’s former command had nowhere to else to go, and joined Eldanorré as she fled Gebrionné.

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