Eirlys wields House Greenmarch Huntsman Sword.

Rickard gazes about, sizing up the other members of his company. He finishes checking over his equipment, and rigs up, ready to move out on a moment's notice. Bedecked in forestal tones, he may appear out of place on the beaches of Stormwall. He fingers the blade at his hip.

Normally sitting atop Oak, Tobias is instead on foot with the three hundred Crimson Blades that were sent north. A mix of archers and infantry, Tobias is busy watching the horizon with a spyglass with the mercenaries from a semi-distant archery position. The armored behemoth takes stock of those on the field with a serious expression after a moment, his blood red armor mostly covered by the black and red winter cloak.

Peering around from within his helm and taking a spot on the beach near other heavily armored infantry, bastard sword clasped in his gauntleted hands. Murmuring a quiet and respectful greeting to the spirits of this place, rock and water, sand and tree, the massive Northern soldier draws himself up to his full height, shoulders squared, waiting to meet the seaborne enemy with a look of grim determination, feet planted solidly apart before returning to scanning the frigid waves.

Thesarin is on foot, standing with the Riven infantry. In fur, leather, and banded rubicund, he doesn't look like a Grayson nobleman at all. He looks like a well-heeled shav from the gtey forest, charcoal and paint smeared on his face. His fingers curl and uncurl around the haft of his axe as he looks at the beaches. And he's smiling. Big, toothy, and cruel. "Almost time."

Upon completely any other tasks needed done Eirlys would make her way to Edain, keeping at his side and watching for any threats that come his way.


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For many military thinkers in the Compact, the strategy used by the pirate king called the Gyre made little sense. If he had as overwhelming force as was claimed, why the glacial pace in attacking? Why the slow approach, rather than quick strikes with force upon near helpless settlements and force the Compact to reach on his terms, rather than slowly approaching and letting the Compact mass forces? But if he is as mad as some claimed, who can say? And so at House Crovane's ducal holding of Stormwall, the largest gathering of military force for the Compact since the Crownbreaker Wars is seen, with nearly virtually all of the Northlands rallying to their eastern most ducal vassal. Tens of thousand of northmen line the beaches and walls of Stormwall, and they aren't alone. Tens of thousands of House Grayson and House Valardin and all their bannermen stand with them, and tens of thousands of templars and knights of solace of the Faith militant stand as well. Meanwhile, near the Lycene city-state of Setarco, the largest gathering of Compact naval forces since House Marin's was destroyed in the Reckoning have gathered to smash one of the three fleets of the Gyre. In the face of that, some thought perhaps the Gyre would rethink his strategy and turn away.

He hasn't.

At Stormwall, hundreds upon hundreds of ships, each swarming with figures, have appeared on the horizon. Many of the ships oddly look like they shouldn't even be seaworthy. Some looking more like wrecks dredged up from the depths, but sail on they do. They are coming.
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Holden bows to the Prince of Sanctum, the faintest bit of a smile touching his otherwise somber expression. "It will be, at the very least, Highness, memorable," he says to Edain, before he too makes his preparations. "It is good to ride with you again."

Daemon tightens the grasp upon his sword. His eyes are set to the horizon, at their impending battle. Though for a brief moment he does steal a glance to the Prince of the Sanctum. If just for one second, he flashes Edain with a bright smile before his attention falls back to the beach.

Jericho is in his full armor, bow in his hand as he prepares for a reckoning. He stands by Eirlys, eyes on that horizon. "Ready as I am?" He asks his fiance

With the enemy now visible and approaching out of that thrice damned fog, Alban draws his silvery bladed sword and rests the flat of the alaricite along his thighs as he waits in the saddle. His other hand reaches forwards to pat his steed on the neck and then says to the flag holder beside him. "Send the Hold." And another flag is lifted up to signal to the Cavalry on the other end of the beach to hold until given order to charge. It's also to hold, and be steadfast, to not break at what is coming but... Nobody is going to run, right? He rolls his head side to side lightly on his shoulders, exhaling a cloud of foggy breath from this cold. "At least it's not so hot we are boiling in our plate." He says with a smile to Edain, Jacque, and Holden.


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At Stormwall, as the enemy is sighted on the horizon, flashes of lightning are seen in the sky, and rain begins to fall as one of the city's namesake storms begins to swell. Many of the soldiers wrap cloaks around themselves and swear under their breaths, but through the slow approach, at least a few of the enemy vessels are seen to capsize. Good fortune, that.
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Esoka looks across the field to try and catch Thesarin's eye. She's smiling, too. A fierce flash of teeth, and her eyes seem to well and truly shine. She takes a deep, almost exhulting, breath, and holds herself ready for the clash to come as the ships loom on the horizon.

Violet's face darkens at the rains begin and she glances at Tobias with a look of worry. Then her eyes return to the sea and she lifts her spyglass from it's case of her hip and peers through it, checking the ships with a critical eye. "The rain is not good..." She says quietly.

Rey wraps her cloak around herself and looks up at the sky. Rain streaks water across her pale face. She takes a slow breath.

After a briefly nervous look to Edain, followed by the flash of a smile, Jacque sets his horse to trot across the contingent of Valardin cavalry, his face set with steely determination as his coif is pulled back so that he may speak. Resplendent, his arming sword, is held aloft as he bids his horse to turn once and again. He draws in a breath, and when he speaks, his voice rings clear, with the vim and determination known to his Valardin bloodline: "Valardin Dragons, hear me! We fight and risk our lives in another's clay, but these are not foreign lands. This is the home of the Northmen and part of the Compact. So this, too, is our home to defend. We bring the standard of the Faith with us and we answer their prayers for dragons. My fellow knights, we fight for the good of all Arvani, no matter who they are. For those who make the ultimate sacrifice today: you will be remembered! Cradle the bravery of Gloria close to your hearts, that you might deliver us victory today. Be vigilant and confident in the justice of our cause, for Sentinel shall guard us. Fear not death, for every Ending begets a new Beginning. Remember your choices and grip them as you would your weapons: this is the ultimate testament of your love for your people, for your family, for your beloved. Your Oaths are your armor, and Limerance smiles upon all of us for fulfilling our obligations. And to Demura, the love of my life, I say this: fight well, my dear, for I am coming home. We're coming home. To arms!" He points the sword to the approaching enemy contigent as he says this last. "Steel bends, Honor holds!"

Rickard tightens his cloak about himself as the rain falls, willing himself not to shiver. He glances between the vessels on the horizon, and the other members of the force mobilized to stop them. He stands ready to fight, to move at a moment's notice. One might think of him as a tightly-wound spring ready to come undone at a moment's notice.

Looking through the spyglass to the approaching fleet, Tobias frowns slightly. "Seeing it with my own eyes... if he has enough control to keep wrecks seaworthy, there's no reason they wouldn't be able to go faster. There's something slow coming with them, I'll bet." Tobias note grimly as he looks on. Then, the rain comes. "Probably going to see the zombies again." Tobias states, grimly.

Jericho sees the enemy approaching and he grips his bow a bit tighter. "Here they come." He hears the speech and lifts his bow in a war cry in agreement...along with his contingent of warriors. Valardin represented.

Alban is overheard praising Jacque for: Good speech, young dragon of Valardin!

Terese watches as the lightning flashes across the beach to the ocean further on, the rain pattering on the plate armor the Templars wear. She keeps her faceplate up to watch the shoreline, giving a gesture for the signalman to wave the flag of hold in response towards the Valardin cavalry groups, echoing. She doesn't go for long speeches. She says to her captains, "We've all given our oaths and promises, we are the Sword of the Faith, Shield of the Righteous. Before us is wickedness, evil incarnate desiring to take what isn't theirs, to destroy. If they desire to try and take, let them pay a high price and send them back to the damned Abyss they crawled from. Remember Crownbreaker! The Compact is in peril and we are here to save it!" The Templars are ready and waiting.

On the beach, they see the siege weapons from Stormwall begin to fire from the port, as mass piles of burning pitch are launched deep into the night and continuing to burn through the howling wind and rain. Ships in the distance begin to blaze, but then scores of ships turn and launch their own burning pitch in return, most raining torwards the city to set Stormwall ablaze, which the rains will blunt, but some landing towards the forces arrayed on the beach. ((Everyone here roll dexterity + dodge at 15. You can kinda see the giant burning death piles coming))

Jacque checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 21 higher.

Tobias checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 29 higher.

Thesarin checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 14 higher.

Saying nothing as her superiors discuss the concerns forthcoming, Genveieve merely stares towards the sea, gray eyes narrowed slightly as drops of rain sputter down across her grimly-set features. As speeches and cheers rise into the air, anyone looking towards her direction would see a calculating, expectant expression flickering across her face.

Terese checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 19 higher.

Violet checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

Echo checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 31 higher.

Edain has rolled a critical success!
Edain checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 50 higher.

Daemon checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 55 higher.

Holden checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 12 higher.

Rickard checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 61 higher.

Rey checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 5 higher.

Genevieve checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 15 higher.

Esoka checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 22 higher.

Marcas checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Jericho has rolled a critical success!
Jericho checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 72 higher.

Eirlys checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 33 higher.

Alban checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 21 higher.


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At Stormwall, fire fills the night sky despite the swirling rain, as burning pitch is launched from the Port of Stormwall's defensive trebuchets towards the approaching ships upon the order of Princess Marian Redrain. Enemy ships are ablaze, but fire rains down in return, and Prince Edain Valardin and Prince Jericho Valardin are seen on the beach shepharding particularly short sighted infantry away from falling boulders. In their defense, many protest that full helms and night aren't a great combination for avoiding burning rocks. Some enemy ships are lost, and an excellent shot from a trebuchet fired by Lady Emily Deepwood has one ship capsize and slow the advance into the port, but hundreds still come on, and soon the massive enemy fleet will be in range to attempt to land on the beach. Enemy fire lands on the port, and word is Marquis Malesh Stonewood has been badly hurt.
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Outside Setarco no storm comes, but on the horizon the darkening of the sky from the masts of the ships that make up Maelstrom's End are visible even from the Silken City. As the people send prayers of hope and strength from the city, hundreds of ships approach the Compact's fleet.
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Thesarin wields A Blood-Red War Axe.

Esoka hisses soft at her horse and keeps her hands tight on the reigns to keep control of the beast. Not that he needs much help from her in getting out of the way of an incoming rain of pitch. The creature is battle-trained enough not to immediately panic, and he moves he and is rider sharp out of the way of the assault. Another breath hissed out as she avoids that, and Esoka cranes her neck to try and keep a bead on Thesarin in the press of infantry.

"INCOMING!" Jacque announces as he forces a hard left of his horse, and debris falls the space he occupied just moments before. He looks around as Edain and Jericho apparently organize their ranks in similar fashion and he flashes a smile to his cousin, however brief it is in face of the danger they are soon to face. His grip tightens around his diamondplate sword as he waits for the worst to come. "Gloria, guide our hands. Sentinel, watch for us."

At Stormwall, as the ships draw closer to a beach landing, tens of thousands of drums can be heard on the ships. A hundred thousand voices all seem to scream at one, "MARIN! MARIN! MARIN! MARIN!" The chant goes on and on and then the drum beats reach a crescendo with a scream from a hundred thousand throats, "WE ARE THE STORM!" Thousands upon thousands of landing boats start leaving the larger ships to approach the beaches.

"PITCH!" Violet calls without fear in her voice, her voice projecting back into the ranks. Those within her scout company prepare to move and avoid the falling flaming rock, as does she. Though for her the miss was far, others had closer calls.

Holden's horse rears back as fire comes out of the sky and hits the beach, but Holden manages to hold onto the reigns as both horse and rider shift back and then forward again. Trained as the horse might be, the chaos is enough to give her a moment's pause. There's a glance over toward Edain to make sure that he is okay, another for Jacque and Alban, and then he calls out to those nearby. But the ships, they're closing in, and his focus returns there, not seeming to mind the rain much, perhaps even looking a little grateful for it considering the fire.

When the flaming pitch comes down, Alban gestures towards the herald or squire at his side, "Scatter!" And a flag goes up to warn the cavalry to scatter to avoid the flaming pitch as it hits the ground and shatters. Of course not everyone gets clear, "Cover the pitch with sand!" He snaps out an order to his troops to try and help the wounded survive. "Carry the wounded clear!" And then he is saying to the bannerman, "Reform ranks!" And another flag is raised. Of course it's not all as even keel as that, screaming, people dying and otherwise having a very bad day. It's also all he can do to be heard over the thunder, the lightning, the screams, and now... that. "HOLD STEADY!" And he flashes a look over to Edain, "At your command High Lord!"

"Crimson Blades, Incoming! SCATTER LEFT!" Tobias shouts as he picks up the pitched fire. They scatter towards the city, trying to get behind some outcroppings to keep away from the force of impact. Then, when the initial round is done, "Crimson Blades, to the ready. Strategy remains. Keep positions!" Tobias moves back into position to spyglass.

Psssssssshhhhh FWOOM! A hurling ball of fire sizzles across the sky and slams near the Templar knights sending bits of burning pitch this way and that but for all purposes, no one is hit. But to the drums and the chant, Terese says "They need a better cheer writer." with a furrow of her brows. She holds up a clawed fist to tell them to hold and be silent.

Orders from Princess Marian Redrain arrive to 'cut the bastards down as they try to land'. And now it's time. ((For anyone attempting to command forces in the battle, you may check command + war for strategy or command + leadership to rally them. For anyone involved in personal combat, check dexterity + weapon skill choice at 40. And you can both command and fight personally.))

Daemon is no fan of hurtling balls of fiery destruction. Though the armored man is weighed down, he's shockingly nimble for it as well. The burning pitch crashes down as he leaps out of the way, briefly finding himself partway dug into the sand. He's back up in an instant and reforms ranks. Startled, but not broken. Then they come upon the shore. The thousands of them, rushing to the beaches. The Oathlander says his pray, raises his blade, and prepares to hold this line.

Eirlys checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 4 higher.

Daemon checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 1 higher.

Jacque checked command + leadership at difficulty 40, rolling 19 lower.

Jacque checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 5 higher.

Thesarin looks toward Esoka, gives her a slow nod as he sets his helm on his head. He turns out to the Riven soldiers on the beaches as the fire flies, giving a shout at the top of his voice, low and brassy. "Lost friends to this foe already! Dame Zhayla of Old Oak, Lord Killian Ashford! They died denying Koraj Marin! They died brave, they died protecting those they love! A good death by any count, but they died, and we lived!" He smiles wider, teeth and mad eyes as the hordes come toward the beach. "And that means their work is ours! Deny the Gyre this castle, this beach! Deny them every fucking inch! GET TO WORK!"

Echo checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 13 higher.

Marcas Barely dodging a pile of burning pitch the size of a haystack, the House Halfshav soldier clanks in a roll away from the flames...and then they come. Hearing the command from the Warchief, Marcas lifts his sword aloft and prepares, swinging it in both hands as the pirates charge the line.

Alban checked command + leadership at difficulty 40, rolling 13 higher.

Holden checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 9 higher.

Esoka checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 1 higher.

Thesarin checked command + war at difficulty 40, rolling 43 higher.

Tobias checked command + war at difficulty 40, rolling 15 higher.

Alban checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 12 higher.

Terese checked command + war at difficulty 40, rolling 14 lower.

Rickard checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 20 higher.

Marcas checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 16 higher.

Violet checked command + leadership at difficulty 40, rolling 2 higher.

Violet checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 40, rolling 3 higher.

Genevieve checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 40, rolling 17 higher.

Jericho has rolled a critical success!
Jericho checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 40, rolling 60 higher.

Edain checked command + leadership at difficulty 40, rolling 4 higher.

Edain checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 28 higher.

Terese checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 14 lower.

Rey freezes for just a moment when she realizes that flaming pitch is headed her way, and only barely scrambles out of the way in time.

"Do not fire until I give the order, we are /not/ main army." Tobias reminds the Crimson Blades with him. He's too busy checking enemy movement and looking for high value targets to look in their direction, though.

The Prince of Sanctum raises his spear and attemps to rally his riders, "Hold ranks!" he calls out as they spill onto the beach... He waits for the right moment, "And Charge!" he says as he lowers his spear and the thunder of hooves can be heard as the the Oathlands join the combined riders for the Compact push down invaders with spear and sword and tramble them under hoof

"TO WORK! KIN IN HONOR!" is Esoka's cry as she charges in to face the enemy. Adding, "FOR DAME ZHAYLA!" to the air. Her blade is raised high and slashes through the air as she gets to the grim work of this. Little of it's pretty, but she throws herself into it with all force.

"To--" Jacque forgets the word 'arms' as he charges forward instead of rallying once Edain gives the order. He swings his sword at the foes with steely determination, gritting his teeth as his eyes fill with rage for this foe. For these invaders.

Jericho helps push people out of the way of artillery fire, but when it's time to charge, he gives a last look to his compatriots before he draws his arrows, one after another, firing them at the enemy as he charges ever forward! "FOR THE COMPACT!" he shouts as his arrows fly to their marks!

Violet moves back out at Tobias' command and gives a sharp and precise whistle. The company of scouts line up at Tobias' command while Violet stands at the head. There they wait with arrows knocked and ready to draw. "Trust your draw and aim high, we want as many head and torso shots as possible," She says and then her head snaps to look out at one ship. A finger raises and she points at it, "Lord General!" There is an urgency in her voice. "THERE!"

The moment that The Prince of Sanctum gives his rallying cry and his orders, Eirlys does just that, she follows him on her war-elk to charge when Edain does!

"If your lance falters peel off and get another!" Alban orders, the order to charge already being given. He kicks his horse into gear and charges forwards with the curved sabre like blade of Skyguard flashing in the lightning filled sparks of light. "Don't get bogged down!" Even as Alban risks getting bogged down himself. His blade cuts into the enemy in flashing arcs as he leans this way and that to rain alaricite down on the enemy from his mounted position, cutting with the force of a charging mount as he pushes forwards to try and stay at Edain's side.

Holden hoists the giant flail and urges Morran forward, the horse taking off along with Edain, Esoka, and all the others. "Let's give them the welcome they deserve," he says to those around him, and then he is off down the beach in a thunder of hooves and the clink of armor, moving with the main force to take the encroaching invaders head on.

The spyglass swivels as Tobias looks to where Violet is shouting. "You heard the Colonel, people. I want that ship turned into a pincushion. I want the figure in armor buried in them. FIRE!" Tobias shouts as he points over to it.

Rickard lets out a vicious, guttural cry, raising his dagger aloft, diving into the fray with a modicum of reserved excitement. He tries to stick with his group, though being without a mount does have its disadvantages.

Slashing and chopping with brute force at the enemy as they break upon the line, the grim Northern warrior doesn't pause, maneuvering out of the way of attacks as best as he is able. Marcas lets out a roar, "Spirits of our ancestors, watch over us as we defend our lands! Push every one of them back into the sea, may they never return from their watery grave!" Hacking off limbs, heads, and whatever else is in reach, the grizzled soldier reaches a berserker rage the likes of which he's not known for years.

"Prevail through Calamity!" Jacque shouts the words of his new House, Lyonesse, as the charge meets the invaders.

The first landing is in a trickle, and then the Valardin cavalry is on them. The enemy look emaciated and sunken in countenance, as if they are all starving men, but they don't fight like them, moving with frightening speed and strength that shouldn't be possible for individuals in such a state. More get pikes up faster than they should, and while hundreds are cut down by the first Valardin ride, the Lyonesse detachment takes painful losses as they ride through. The archers rain fire down into the landing ships, and Jericho in particular lands an impossible shot, causing a hulking figure in platemail to fall, flip the boat, and drown all in it. Cheers are going up as men move down the beach, but many don't see landings are happening for miles and miles along the beach, and while hundreds are dying, tens of thousands are starting to make landfall.

At Tobias' order and Violet's command, Genevieve remains steady and determined, arrow knocked, pointed towards the ground and ready to be fired. Then, when the second order comes, she raises her bow and aims with all the focus she has -- breathing measured, body held just-so.

Princess Terese Valardin in particular takes a nasty wound when her sword buries itself in bone and she is unable to parry for an instant, and is knocked off her feet, but Riven men are there, and Thesarin leads a detachment which cuts down the enemy troops around her.

The Redrain forces scatter when debris goes hurling towards them, and amongst the head of the footsoldiers is the knight-princess Echo, drawing her blade. The orders come in and have her gripping her blade tight in both hands as she murmurs a prayer to Gloria, before she snarls out, "TO THE LAST!" Rushing out to meet her foes as they dock, the Redrain chevalier joins the charge, Redrain troops assembling in quick formation to defend their Crovane lands.

Daemon's blows strike true, Gloria having guided him just as he sinks the glittering sword into an emaciated enemy. Blood is drawn and stains that relic's perfect appearance, but it is a small price to pay. The knight is right into the thick of it, slashing and hacking with practiced blows to all who encroach upon their lines. "For the Silver Order!"

"Hold fire! Find me another target, Colonel. We need to move around with the landings." Tobias commands as the Crimson Blades start to get mobile on the battlefield, beginning their search for new targets.

The boat with the hulking figure finds itself the target of Violet's arrows. Then Jericho lands a shot and flips the boat. Another sharp whistle causes the archers to cease their fire as her eyes scan the boats again. Once more she pulls out her spyglass and now is casting it up and down the beach, searching for something...


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At Stormwall, thousands of the enemy are making landfalla at the beach, while a smaller force is trying for the port. The enemy does something unexpected, and starts to rain fire down upon the beach, irregardless of their own troops being engaged in the fighting.
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Seeing his men fall around him prompts Jacque to fight more resolutely. "For every one of my fallen I WILL TAKE TEN OF YOU!" The Marquis shouts as he continues to ride through the masses of landing, emaciated pirates. His rage does not appear to simmer. His temper proves particularly nasty as he lops off the arm of an enemy and sticks his sword tip through their eye socket, ripping it clear as he lifts his blade overhead...

Rey's moment of horror is gone as soon as there's work to do. As the wounded drag themselves (or are dragged) out of the field of combat, Rey is there, stabilizing them, making sure that they can make it to the safety of the walls and the larger medical force. She's probably not the only one doing this, but she works with a singular determination. Her sea-green eyes almost seem to glow, as though lit from within.

As the enemy are total assholes and firing at Compact and their own men indiscriminately, all check dexterity + dodge at 30 to avoid enemy arrows and burning pitch.

Jacque checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 0 higher.

Esoka checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 1 higher.

Daemon checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 13 higher.

Echo checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 14 higher.

Alban checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 2 lower.

Holden checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 24 higher.

Violet checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 24 higher.

Jericho checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 6 lower.

Marcas Spotting Princess Echo through the carnage on the beach, the armored soldier charges to her side, bellowing out, "TO THE LAST!" in chorus, chopping down all that lie in his path, and then come the arrows...

Edain checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 28 higher.

Terese checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 6 lower.

Genevieve checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 7 higher.

Eirlys checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 16 higher.

Rey checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 14 lower.

Marcas has rolled a critical success!
Marcas checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 16 higher.

Rickard checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 31 higher.

Tobias checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 27 higher.

Thesarin checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 1 lower.

Spotting Princess Echo through the carnage on the beach, the armored soldier charges to her side, bellowing out, "TO THE LAST!" in chorus, chopping down all that lie in his path, and then come the arrows...and more burning pitch...which he somehow nimbly avoids, given his size and being encased in metal.

Esoka whips her head around toward Holden briefly. Flashing him that bright, bloody grin of hers, before she presses her horse into the landing Gyre forces. She aims for the heads of her enemies, insofar as she can aim at all in the press of them. Then, she sees the fire coming. Hissing out a curse in that shav'arvani tongue she seems to favor for swearing, she wheels her horse, narrowly avoiding burning from above.

It seems almost lucky that Jacque avoids more pitch that is shot at him, and he wheels his horse about while raising his shield to protect himself. "Back into the ranks!" He calls out.

Terese moves with the Templars that are cutting down the damnable Gyre forces on the beach, and as her blade is stuck in one boney thing, she gets hit hard. Her shield nearby on the ground, she scrambles upwards with the help of others nearby and grabs the shield as she sees arrows flying down. Too late! She's struck by one flaming arrow and it causes her to fall to a knee.

Jericho watches his shot hit the hulking figure straight through a hole in it's armor. A truly impossible shot that Jericho clearly made. Hah! one arrow, about 15 birds. maybe more. Either way, he sees the fire raining down at them, and he looks to the others. "SOLDIERS! INCOMING!!" The White Wolf shouts, before he is just barely caught in the crossfire, rolling onto the ground, but it's now that he tries to regain himself, the arrow barely knicking him. "REFORM THE LINE!"

Rey is, in fact, so focused on saving the wounded that she has NO IDEA that an arrow is headed right for her...

There's a nod in return for Esoka from Holden, less smile and more just a baring of teeth before he turns into the oncoming. The clash on the beach is a cacophony of horses and armor, of weapons and collisions. Then there is once more fire from the sky, which he manages to avoid again, thanks largely to the dexterity of his horse, who manages to to sidestep, perhaps by coincidence.

Flaming pitch lands splashing on Rey, as Rickard attempts to push her out of the way.

Rey takes serious damage.

Alban isn't quick enough to dodge the arrows, the pitch he manages to shake and get clear of with a quick rear of the steed forelegs but arrows come raining in as well. He lifts an arm to shield his face as arrows go shattering against his rubicund plate, protecting him from all but the slight jarring impacts. It is truely hell as men are cut down on both sides, "High Lord!" He shouts to Edain, brushing the remains of an arrow out of the shoulder joint of his armor and he cuts his way over in that direction with a grim set determination on his face, no anger, no fear, or if there is it is hidden as he seems otherwise unharmed by the rain of arrows... thankfully, his armor held.

Rey makes a high pitched strangled sound when she's hit in the leg with an arrow. She stares at the wound, wide eyed and pale, helpless and dumbstruck. Then her training takes over, and she stops the bleeding on her own leg before letting herself be evacuated with the other wounded.

Daemon jumps to avoid both fire and steel, neither things he seeks to be hit with today. Again he's moving fast for a man in a steel suit, and again he'd be back on his feet the moment he could stand. Though his breathing is ragged, he's standing strong.


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At Stormwall, hundreds of the enemy vessels have tried to land simultaneously, and while Valardin's cavalry charge has cut down many on the beach, tens of thousands are forming up ranks miles down the shoreline and starting to march towards Stormwall. The enemy continues to try to assault the port, and rains down fire upon the defender as Stormwall's trebuchets continue to claim losses. But soon, the land bombardments will be a distraction compared to the massive clash of troops on the beach.
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Terese has a miracle of the arrow that was going right for her bounce off the dragon scale steel cuirass. She manages to get her shield and she jumps on her mount as she gives a shout to the Templars, "Prepare to be the hammer on those gods damned fiends and smash them back to the ocean!"

As tens of thousands form ranks miles down the beach and march steadily towards the defenders, much of the trickle of the closer attackers are cut down. Some of the defenders in the chaos want to take the landed longboats back and try to destroy those damned trebuchets in the ships, but that could be suicidal if significant forces have been kept on deck. ((For leading troops offensively against the massing forces, command + war at 40. For anyone crazy enough to go for the trebuchets, command + sailing at 50. For anyone involved in personal combat, dexterity + weaponskill at 40))

Alban checked command + war at difficulty 40, rolling 4 lower.

Daemon checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 11 higher.

Eirlys checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 5 higher.

Jacque checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 20 higher.

Rickard checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 7 higher.

Echo checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 27 higher.

Alban checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 23 higher.

Terese has rolled a critical success!
Terese checked command + war at difficulty 40, rolling 45 higher.

Esoka checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 29 higher.

Thesarin checked command + war at difficulty 40, rolling 7 higher.

Violet checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 40, rolling 9 higher.

Jericho checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 40, rolling 1 lower.

Genevieve checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 40, rolling 8 lower.

Marcas checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 3 higher.

Tobias checked command + war at difficulty 40, rolling 3 higher.

Edain checked command + war at difficulty 40, rolling 7 lower.


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Outside Setarco, the volley of arrows slows as the fleets crash together, and Captain Ariella Igniseri is the first injured among the Compact's forces. But she breaks off the arrow with determination and keeps shouting orders, undeterred. As the fleets sail even closer, Admiral Wash Kennex rams one of the invading fleet in a perfect maneuver, sinking it even as a ship of Southport sinks beneath the waves. It's early in the naval battle yet, still too close to tell who might win.
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Holden checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 20 higher.

Terese checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 14 higher.

As the infantry start to form up ranks, Tobias gestures up to a cliffside, "Crimson Blades, we're going to Beach Rally 2! We're falling back from the clash and going for officers from above." Tobias commands as the skirmishing force continues to engage in hit and run attacks.

Edain checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 30 higher.

Opting to leave his troops in the care of people who can actually lead them, the Marquis of Lyonesse engages his enemies with sound and fury. A blow is absorbed by his shield as his sword thrusts and slices forward in a series of vicious horse charges. His left spurs bite into the horse as he wheels it about to slash down at the enemy. Jacque's arm might yet tire, but he's not done killing until the last Oathlander knight clears off from the beach.

Terese checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 0 higher.

Esoka keeps on fighting through the force of zombies on the beach, not far from Holden and the other Valardin horse. There's still that shine in her eyes, and a flush of energy in her cheeks. She's invigorated by all this, terrible though it is. Occasionally her head whips around to try and spot Thesarin, though it's difficult to keep track of him in the scrum.

Jericho rides his horse still into enemy lines, either smacking enemies with his bow or launching arrows at any foe who crosses his path. That said, after ripping an arrow out of the neck of an enemy soldier, he fires away, hoping to at least hit one! Though as one arrow clearly misses it's mark, Jericho curses under his breath. The other ones seem to do okay.

Violet has her spyglass out and passes her bow to Genevieve to hold, "Stay close, private," She says quietly as she moves with care after Tobias. As they take to higher ground she lets out a breath, closing her eyes for a moment. Opening them she takes a few seconds, crouching, to sweep the spyglass with greater care.

Alban seemed distracted briefly in the melee and took a glancing wound.

Holden rides near Esoka, keeping her in the corner of his eye throughout the fighting, working together with her to cut a path through those in front of them, swinging with his flail to cut down another attacker that lifts a spear in her direction. Blows resound off his armor, but none penetrate, not yet, and so he keeps on going, the adrenaline of battle carrying him onward.

Alban shouts command to back up Edain's orders, but it is hard to be heard over the sounds of this terrible battle. "Form up!" He shouts, "Form up and prepare to charge!" It is grim, for certain, arrows and burning pitch still rain down, and the simple mass of troops already making the beach beyond is... chilling. That's when his next slash nearly knocks him off his horse, not from the strike, but from the vision and the fact that the enemy simply... turned to dust so there was no resistance at all. He looks at his alaricite blade and smiles a moment, "A fine sword... but not the right one..." And then he is caught by a slash from one of the enemy and he answers in kind, a jarring impact but... his armor holds yet again.


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The storm becomes noticeably more violent during the battle, wind and rain battering several of the enemy ships. Suddenly, the darkened sky becomes blindingly bright as lightning strikes several of the ships which had been raining fire upon the shore. Not a single bolt - but for several seconds, lightning strikes again and again, and the enemy vessels catch fire, and then explode in a cataclysm of flame, fury, and shattered wood. Immediately after that, it appears that the enemy fleet begins to withdraw.
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Genevieve hisses as her arrow misses the mark, but just a moment later she's already taking the spyglass and following after Violet, her feet steady. Upon reaching higher ground she hands the spyglass back, ducking down along with the Colonel, eyes bright and sharp like gray glass.

Thesarin takes a stray arrow, but between red steel and damp furs, he stands straight, and tall, and laughing amidst the carnage, among the Riven soldiers, men anand women born to the Compact, from the woods, and from the isles. He directs the battle switching between Arvani and Crownlands shav, and he laughs twice as loud and twice as hard. "THE GODS FIGHT WITH US," he shouts, "SO FUCKING HOLD!"

Lost in a haze of blood and battle, severed limbs and spilled entrails, the screams of the dying and whoosh of pitch and arrows doesn't distract him, his berserker's rage set in fully. Cutting down one foe after another next to Princess Echo, his red blade sings as it slashes through the air again and again, a path of destruction in his wake. Arrows clatter off his armor, blows bouncing off it or ignored in sheer battlelust.

Jericho warcries at the sky. "The Gods are with us! PUSH FORWARD! MAKE THEM PAY FOR EVERY MAN!"

Thesarin says in Crownlands shav, "WE HAVE COME TODAY TO DIE! WE H"

There's a moment where Daemon is just in awe. Somewhere between all the carnage and bloodshed that the lightning comes, arcing from ship to ship. It draws his attention for all that it lasts, and when it's gone he fights with renewed passion. His blade soaring as high as his heart!

As arrows and pitch continues to fall, the enemy begins to march close enough to engage as their massive ranks form into battle lines and approach. Endless ranks, well over a hundred thousand march in, and the forces of the Compact move to meet them. Edain's brave vanguard is quickly surrounded, though Princess Terese is there with a furious counter attack that pushes them back, as the forces of the Compact fight a slow, brutal withdrawal. The storm worsens and arrows and trebuchet fire cease abruptly as many of the ships begin to capsize and shatter under the brutal pounding, with many exploding, and it seems to add a frenzy to the enemy who continue to chant, "MARIN! MARIN! MARIN!" as they approach. Dame Esoka fights like a woman possessed, and packets of the enemy seem to open around her and House Riven fighters as all of the Deepwood fealty chain batters into the enemy. But it is like trying to patch a dam that is surely breaking, as more and more and more come on. Word arrives from runners from Princess Marian Redrain that the order is for infantry and archers to withdraw to the safety of the city, and cavalry to make for the mountain pass. The sky turns black with a flurry of thousands upon thousands of arrows. ((Everyone roll dexterity + dodge at 40, it's rough times))

Jacque checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 3 lower.

Alban checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 9 lower.

Daemon checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 3 higher.

Jericho checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 18 higher.

Terese checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 21 lower.

Genevieve checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 3 higher.

Echo has rolled a critical success!
Echo checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 70 higher.

Rickard has rolled a critical success!
Rickard checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 39 higher.

Esoka checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 2 lower.

Tobias checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 18 higher.

Eirlys checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 1 higher.

Thesarin checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 8 lower.

Holden checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 3 lower.

Marcas checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 24 lower.

Violet checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 7 higher.

A runner approaches the cliffside Crimson Blade skirmishers, and hands Tobias a parchment. As the Crimson Blades rain arrows on targets, Tobias holds up a hand, "Crimson Blades, Pack Up. Orders are to fall back to Stormwall. I want an ordered withdrawal. Pick off targets of opportunity as we go, we make for City rally 1." Tobias starts to clank his way down and over into the city proper then, keeping an eye for stragglers coming their way as Crimson Blade archers give covering fire to other withdrawing army elements.

Edain checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 2 lower.

Esoka gasps, stopping cold for a moment just to watch the lightning. "Gods," she breathes. As much thanks as an exclamation. Then she presses on, trying to work in some sort of tandem with Holden to plow through the enemy. Aiming for the head. Ever for the head. "For Mangata! For Gloria! The Abyss shall have no victory today!" The fervor carries her through the enemy line with deadly force, though it can't keep the furious rain of arrows off her. One hits her square in the head...her diamondplate-encrusted head. It pings off harmlessly. She grunts with no small amount of relief, doing her damndest to keep her mount under control and make for the mountain pass. One last look back, trying to see what she can of Thesarin's status, before she joins the rest of the cavalry.

Standing up on his stirrups Alban sends his alaricite sword skyward, "Dragons! Charge through to the Pass! Cut the infantry a path!" He shouts, lookign to see if his bannerman is still there for the flags. More arrows shatter off his armor, threatening to knock him off his steed but he doesn't budge, "Cut a path! Get the wounded out!" He tries to keep command of the cavalry to get them off the beach where everyone is significantly outnumbered. Somehow though he is been struck by several arrows he remains unharmed, even when burning pitch splashes nearby he wheels his mount to the side, brushing the stuff off his armor with one gauntleted hand and flicking it down into the sand, "TO THE PASS!" And he only hopes the flags are relaying the message to the Valardin cavalry now

"Squads Alpha to Delta, cover fire!" Violet's voice bellows out after Tobias' orders are given. However she stays with those offering cover fire. The four ssquads moving in a shuffling backwards pattern to cover the infantry and other archers. The rest of the squads then offer the first four and stragglers cover as they Crimson Blades make their way back into the city proper.

Thesarin stands fast as his armor takes another arrow, caught up in the layers of wolfskin draped around him. "WARRIORS OF RIVEN! PULL BACK!" He starts making violent motions with his axe, dirrcting the soldiers under his command to fall back. Keep an orderly, fighting withdraw, and not let it collapse into a rout. He takes a moment to pick out Esoka, but his attention is on the whole of his forces. You have to be realistic.


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It's the crash of battle outside Setarco, when the fleets drive together, that sees the first hard losses. Five ships go down in that first pass, but six of the enemy's are sunk. To an accountant, this sort of parity means the Compact will win. But at what grave cost? The sound of sailors sinking into the depths is covered by the clash of battle above the waves.
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As the retreat begins, Holden lingers toward the back as others move up to cut a path through, instead moving to protect those who withdraw and continue to fight against those pressing them back. He gives a nod to Esoka as they part ways, and urges his horse on to put himself and his steel armored self between those who are slightly less crunchy. He takes a solid blow that clangs loudly off of his breastplate, but the armor holds. There will be bruises later, but the big knight seems undaunted, only further steeled to protect those in their withdrawl toward the mountain pass. "KEEP MOVING," he shouts.

After taking an arrow to the side and apparently only being slightly jostled on his mount, Jacque glances around for any fallen banners of Lyonesse, or Valardin. If he finds one, he's sheathing his sword and taking that up, swaying the flag as he calls out, "TO THE CITY! PULL BACK!" To the last isn't just Redrain's motto. "We're not done yet, Dragon Knights!" He switches the standard to the left bearing the shield while he draws his sword, ready to cover the retreat of those worse off than him.

The fighting is extremely heavy, though Echo and Rickard in turn each help Princess Terese and Marcas be cut from from being dragged down by waves of attackers. Orders continue to come in to withdraw, as fighting intensifies and the emaciated enemy seem battle mad and fanatical to break through. The infantry is withdrawing to the city walls, while the cavalry withdraws to the passes, and now it's a matter to see if they can disengage safely. ((To help lead troops to safety, it's command + war at 45, while for everyone this is a tough dexterity + weaponskill check at 50 to try to fight free. After I apply damage rolls, you'll go the mountain pass or the port depending whether you are cavalry or other))

Alban checked command + war at difficulty 45, rolling 18 lower.

Tobias checked command + war at difficulty 45, rolling 22 higher.

Daemon checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 17 higher.

Terese checked command + war at difficulty 45, rolling 8 higher.

Jacque checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 5 higher.

Jacque checked command + war at difficulty 45, rolling 18 lower.

Alban checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 1 higher.

Terese checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 18 lower.

Rickard checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 2 higher.

Violet checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 50, rolling 21 higher.

Echo checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 13 higher.

Thesarin checked command + war at difficulty 45, rolling 2 higher.

Eirlys checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 23 higher.

Not a moment of hesitation is evidenced on Genevieve's posture or across the stern expression of her features. Still alert as she scans the scene of carnage below, she follows her superior's orders to the letter,

Genevieve checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 50, rolling 30 higher.

Esoka checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 24 higher.

Jericho checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 4 higher.

It's a hard backpedal that Daemon makes across the bloody sands as he begins to fall back to the city. Not without a vigilant watch, as he turns to keep an eye on the enemy or to outright dodge another attack. The fighting is dense, and it's the blade Radiance that cuts through what its wielder can manage as he makes his desperate gambit up back toward the city. "OUT, OUT, OUT!" He shouts between each blow, pushing that much further forward as the sand ground under his boots.

Marcas checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 9 lower.

Admist the bloodshed, Echo, stained red not from her wounds but those of her enemies, receives word to retreat as her pallid gaze bounces from person, to enemy, to lightning. Well-forged alaricite is swung yet again, cutting through whatever enemy forces there are nearby, allowing Marcas lead and safety in his return to Stormwall, before she starts doubling back to fall his lead. "PULL BACK!" Any Redrain stragglers, mercies, and other warriors in need are given precedence in her retreat.

Holden checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 9 lower.

Edain checked command + war at difficulty 45, rolling 24 higher.

Edain checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 6 lower.

Barely saved from being incinerated and cut down by a horde of emaciated enemies by Echo, the huge soldier follows the Princess' command, starting to withdraw towards the city as his sword swings back and forth, trying to cleave a path to safety. But Marcas, rattled a bit by the last assault, stumbles slightly in his retreat, the waves of foes swarming as he attempts to escape.

Jericho draws his curved rubicund longsword and rides through the enemy ranks, slicing and pushing through that much further! "Fall Back!" he joins the call to help the infantry pull away while Jericho joins the cavalry in helping to make sure their allies break free from these battle-hungry savages.

Rickard hears the call to disengage, and begins his attempt to exfiltrate from the fray, stabbing with precision into the nearest hostile. At least, that's the idea, but damned if he doesn't have something in his eye. Whether his aim is true is up to the Gods.

Terese is saved by Echo who she gives a thanks as waves of attackers swarm around her steed. As they're cut down, she lifts up her rubicund gold sword and shouts, "Templars, to your lances! Be the shield for the Faith that need you now. While our brothers and sisters are clearing a path for the infantry to retreat, hold the rear to let the infantry get in the city!" Her bannerman waves flags to show the lancers need to attack to slow the enemy down that is attacking the rear of the infantry escaping the battlefield and to have the Templar knights charge down to crush and push back the enemy to let them get through.

As the Crimson Blades go along, they've been detached from the main fighting for most of the battle... but are edging slightly closer to the main army as they work on helping others get to safety. When a particular grouping of Compact infantry is almost overtaken though, Tobias points in their direction, "Archers, see about making a hole for them to get back to the city." Tobias orders as they continue to make their way back to Stormwall.

Thesarin shouts, and bellows, and points, and does all the work of a battlefield commander organizing a withdraw. He lingers toward the back, facing the approaching enemy, keeping the men and women under his command together as they move toward the city.

"Fall back!" Jacque's already cleaving enemies back and forth but it seems he can't keep mustering the Valardin troops to withdraw from this battlefield. His expression turns sour, and then grim, as he realizes it. He soldiers on, however. He has no other option.

Eirlys has been fighting at Edain's side this whole time trying to make sure he is safe, she is doing her best though with all the enemies it has been hard to keep up. She follows any orders to fall back as she continues to try to protect her highlord.

At Stormwall, as the enemy forces advance on the city, Princess Marian Redrain and Dame Thena spot an opening in the enemy forces formation. A full tenth of their forces are advancing far faster and pressing the Compact's withdraw far too hard, getting further and further away from the rest of their army's ability to give support. Far too fanatically, feverishly. And so as the Compact forces withdraw towards the Mountain Pass and the city walls, they give the order to faint the retreat... and then encircle and completely annihilate the isolated enemy forward element. A full fifteen thousand enemy troops are cut down in minutes and completely destroyed as the Compact withdraws, and while the forces on the beach are badly battered and bloody, with significant losses, they are able to withdraw to the pass and city safely with the main body of the enemy forms up again.

Violet gives sharp orders to the Majors who are with her and two squads move forward after relay. A rain of arrows is focused on the Compact soldiers in trouble. Then, "ON ME!!" And she turns her own bow on the withered foes, "FIRE TO COVER!" She bellows the order, providing cover for fleeing forces along with the rest of the company.

With the order given Alban turns and starts to slash and hack at the enemy forces, trying to hold time with Jacque and Edain, but it's Edain he is most concerned with. His blade flashes as he drives it down into the enemy trying to get at the High Lord, pulling up close to Edain to try and shield the High Lords left side with himself. It's still a nightmare of a battle and far to many men and women are lost. The price is very high. He tries to give commands over the battle, getting flags to be waved by his bannerman is... gone. And the flags with it. Turning he tries to delay and hold with the others so that Edain and as many lives as possible will be saved.

The fighting is bloody, but the forward element has been destroyed, and still they come on. ((Okay guys, now we split up. Everyone going with the cavalry goes to the mountain pass room, everyone not with cavalry and the rest of the troops enters the city, and you go to the port room))

Erin, Crimson Blades Private leaves, following Violet.

6 Crimson Blades Sergeant, Oak, the brown-coated War Horse leave, following Tobias.

1 House Lyonesse Adept Guard leaves, following Jacque.

white-tailed eagle, 4 House Riven Soldiers leave, following Thesarin.

Utter concentration etches itself across Genevieve's youthful face when she draws and aims her bow once more. Seeking out the best place to place an arrow, the one where she'll do the most damage, she fires once more then dashes after Violet. She's fleet, but careful, making quick progress towards the city proper.


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At Stormwall, the beaches are clear of Compact forces after they stage a successful withdraw, with most of the infantry filling the city and manning the gates. Panic from the handful of civilians that had thus far refused to evac was a problem, but Count Thesarin Riven managed to restore order and get them out of the way of the incoming troops, while a short and brutal battle at the docks secured that from the last attacking by ship. But now a hundred thousand of the Gyre's troops are attempting to scale the city, and ladders are being brought up by the thousands.
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At Stormwall, more and more ladders go up, though it seems that the entire enemy line falters with Violet of the Crimson Blades shoots at -something- in the darkness that dissolves when an arrow strikes it. Still, it's but a momentary distraction, as the Gyre's forces are trying to swarm the walls in ever increasing numbers as pike men and archers desperately try to batter them down.
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At Setarco, the battle is well and truly joined - the captains and admirals of various fleets all working together to deliver what they hope to be a rout to the Gyre's Fleet. And it's working, though the lookouts at Setarco can see ships of the Compact sinking into the waves, more of the Gyre's fleet are sinking than the Compact's. So far. Still, there are many wounded, among them Prince Jasher Thrax - bleeding and injured still he stands, doggedly determined to stand against the pretender-king of the Mourning Isles.
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At Stormwall, a brutal push by the enemy against the city's walls is beaten back by a valiant rally by Lord Michael Bisland, who leads the defenders in a counter push that shoves off the walls and temporarily forces the ladders off all the walls. Thousands of dead litter the base of the walls below the city, but tens of thousands remain, with the ladders already being raised ontop of their mounting dead.
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The fighting at Stormwall reaches a fevered pitch, with tens of thousands of the attackers lying dead at the foot of the walls but most now streaming into the city. The Compact forces have fought street by bloody street but have been driven from the port, and have fallen back to the Crovane castle as a last bastion before potentially surrendering the city entirely.
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The waves wash over the rapidly sinking fleet at Setarco. The Compact fleet has lost some ships, true - but not anywhere close to the numbers of the Gyre's fleet. No, this was a resounding victory for the Compact who chose to stand together to guard Setarco. As the Compact carries the day, High Admiral Victus shouts loudly to the open sea, "You come at us swinging Marin, you fuckin' best do better than this. The Isles didn't budge and neither will this Compact. The Compact stands, united and unbowed. Next time," he says with a sneer as the sharks circle below, "bring friends."
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From the passageway near the tunnels leading to Stormwall, a force of cavalry has managed to hold off a terrible attack, and those near would swear they heard something that sounded like the shattering of a mirror. The valiant defense was not without cost, as Lady Eirlys Greenmarch gave her life to protect Dame Esoka Greenblood.
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The city of Stormwall seemed lost, as the defenders were forced back to the castle of House Crovane that stood at the west of the city, with its gate to the mountain passes. Reinforced by all the defenders, the forces of the gyre swarmed ever closer, and the defenders bleed them for each step, as they drew deeper and deeper into the city until they sieged the castle itself. And then, the Compact forces road out the west, abandoning the city of Stormwall... as it started to blaze. Incendaries everywhere throughout the city went up, while tens of thousands of the Gyre's minions were trying to navigate the confusing castle and the narrow roads. They died burning by the thousands and thousands, as Stormwall blazed withe a light that could be seen for miles away, and it's said the ash could be detected in the air from as far away as Old Oak. Thousands of the gyre's soldiers tried to hop the walls, only to be ridden down and cut down by the Valardin cavalry waiting in the passes. The city of stormwall was burned to the ground, but of the Gyre's forces that landed, they were killed To The Last.

Still, at least a significant portion of that fleet withdrew, and questions remained, what happened to Darkwater Watch?
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