Battle of Stormwall - Command and Control has started at Outside Arx - City of Stormwall - Stormwall's Heart.

Baron Archibald Chirpington, a Gyrfalcon, 1 Grayson Guardsmen, Severa, the Guard Shepherd leave, following Aiden.

Baron Archibald Chirpington, a Gyrfalcon, 1 Grayson Guardsmen, Severa, the Guard Shepherd arrive, following Aiden.


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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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The first report to Stormwall's Heart comes in. It looks like the fleet of the Gyre is relying on brute strength over potential strategy, and an extremely rough estimate if all the ships should land would place his forces at approximately 150,000 to 200,000 strong. It appears as if a detachment of around thirty ships will be attempting to swamp the port, and more than that would likely become clogged on wreckage, while the other hundreds will be attempting a massive simultaneous beach landing. Siege weapons have been spotted on the decks of their dromonds.

Mydas checked command + war at difficulty 30, rolling 27 higher.

Aiden checked command + leadership at difficulty 30, rolling 9 higher.

Marian checked command + war at difficulty 30, rolling 22 higher.

Thena checked command + leadership at difficulty 30, rolling 14 higher.

Preston checked command + war at difficulty 30, rolling 38 higher.

Sigurd checked command + war at difficulty 30, rolling 2 lower.

Cirroch checked command + leadership at difficulty 15, rolling 29 higher.

Cirroch checked command + leadership at difficulty 30, rolling 3 lower.

Marian looks at the reports coming in and then notes to Mydas who's by her side, "We need to sink the ships that have siege weapons on them. I don't want them getting them on the beaches and then up to the castle." She looks to see what he thinks as she reviews more of the reports, "The boats that are less than sea worthy...watch those. They could contain nightwalkers." She does a look outside to see if a storm is rolling in or if the sky is fair.


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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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5 Sanna House Guards have been dismissed.

Mydas nods, apparently in agreement with Marian. "Trebuchet teams, aim for the siege dromonds. Fire when within range." he orders, sending the runners on their way with the orders. "Wrecks from the depths. Yes, we'll have to hope Khanne's plan to keep the sun on our side will work." he remarks. "Should we be successful sinking the dromonds, we'll want to sink as many of them as we can, if only to make the sailing of the other ships as difficult as possible."

Preston storms into the heart of the city, his squire Balian taking his horse nearby. WIth him comes the Templar command, each commander of the battallions. And helpfully an older Godsworn who is flicking holy water. "The prayers are done now, good Brother Merchamp. Perhaps, we could stop flicking the blessed water into my eye?" As they draw up on the command post, ther eis a brief harumph "Well, someone got their damned maths wrong." A quill and parchment are quickly thrust into his hand and he scratches a few words to go off to a dispatch "Order the battles forward to contain the landing with our allies. Follow the good Warchief's direction. Get Aeon firing - and the other trebuchets we have built - to hold them away. Fire until the damn things come apart."

Soldiers rush to relay Princess Marian's and Mydas' commands to the siege weapon teams at the port.

The bulk of Thena's troops are deployed around the passes, but when reports come in she gives orders to runners for her cavalry out on the beach. "It's what we expected. Diamondplate for them that have it, cut the heads from the necks when those creatures make landfall. Can we do something about that-" She glances over to Mydas and looks marginally relieved at his words regarding Khanne and the shamans. "All right."

Aiden was aligned over the table, Starfall, his precious alaricite bow had been run down to the beach to one of the members of Grayson's fealty that he knows could use it. Regardless, he has another bow strapped over his back, one with a curious sheen to it. He stands in full gear, griffon helm with the swept wings upon the side, stoops now to read the reports. "We don't want to fan out too much, they'll take the beach easily-" he taps out on the page, "We need them to stick together - if any of them start fanning out too much. We must hold the lines against the initial waves." He does look up toward Mydas and Marian. "We can use the siege weapon that Ainsley brought with us to fire upon the ships --" He grabs a runner, "Have him start to aim the damn thing at the landing of those thirty ships. Get word to the archers to ready for volleys, tell them to set up three alternating lines!"

Sigurd's forces have been moving and patrolling the passes. Some kerfuffels occur as messengers get sent to the wrong places and a few units are out of place and it takes some time for the commanders on site to route them back into place. But Sigurd isn't there to see that.

Marian looks through the reports with a careful eye, "Have we identified the lead ships yet?" She lays out the ships on the map so she can look and get a clear eye on what their plans might be, "We need to identify where their command structure is. Taking them out second, once we destroy the siege weapons." She gives a wink to Preston, "Oh I'm not surprised our friend is trying everything at us. The original numbers were too optimistic." She gives a nod to Thena as she mentions their tactic to take the heads of the enemy, "It's better to be safe than sorry." She gives nod to Aiden's suggestion not to fan out too much, "No...we don't want to let them spread us out or surround us. Stagger and cluster, protect each other's backs."

Mydas looks out to the horizon, and the ships that fill it. The man is calm, armoured hands held behind his back. "I suspect we'll see based on their movement. Orders need to be sent, signals made." And it seems the Marquis intends to uncover that much by watching the enemy's movement. "The Gods, the Old and New, are with us. We will not fail." he declares, though it seems less out of a desire to reassure anyone so much as a response to the numbers arrayed against them.

Preston pulls his cloak's hood over his helmet, the wolf's muzzle dropping over his forehead "Mm. It is possible they have no command. That their instruction is drawn from the darkwater they pull behind themselves. But. If they have those that sustain their forces vitality with them, we should aim to end them." Preston then shakes his head "I still do not think this is his main target. He wants us here. While he takes the Watch. And Maelstrom. But. Those are tomorrow's battles." He turns to the battalion commanders "You know your instructions. Let the knights pin the enemy, then shield wall the infantry with pikes pushing through. Aim up with the pikes, get the heads. One strike may not work, but minced meat never hurt anyone. May Gloria go with you." Leaving them to go to their commands, Preston turns back to the table "Funny. My last battle command was 50 men."


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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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"Enemy beach landing soon, your highness." comes the quick report from runners to Princess Marian. The port might avoid action for slightly longer, but beach landings are imminent. Orders are expected. ((command + war or command + leadership again at 30))

Aiden checked command + leadership at difficulty 30, rolling 26 higher.

Mydas checked command + war at difficulty 30, rolling 16 higher.

Marian checked command + war at difficulty 30, rolling 25 higher.

Sigurd checked command + leadership at difficulty 30, rolling 11 higher.

Preston checked command + war at difficulty 30, rolling 23 higher.

Thena checked command + leadership at difficulty 30, rolling 3 lower.

Aiden hails a runner, "Get to the beaches. Advise the Grayson commanders to keep rank and file and to shore up their flanks as the enemy will be spread along the beaches. I want the foot and pike to work together, pull the calvary to put the landing forces in a pincer movement. Longbowmen are to fire on the boats! Keep the rank and file tight! And have them get the wounded moving back at once!" He exhales a breath at the news, looking over toward Marian, then back down toward the information coming in.

"Cut down the bastards as they row in, use the calvary to take down the first wave and then pull back. We know we won't be able to keep the beaches but let us take out a few. Have the infantry pull back the siege weapons, fire on the landings since sections where we can't fit the calvary. We can't be everywhere but we can remove a good section," Marian offers in a clear voice, looking at Mydas and the other commander to see what else they have to add.

"Acheron archers, fire at will when within range. Infantry, hold the line and ensure the enemy is trapped in the kill zones. Pikes, work with the infantry to keep the strongest enemies back while the infantry kill them. Use the pikes to keep the burning ones back should they come. The trebuchet is to be rolled back to safety but able to continue firing on the dromonds. No heroics. Slaughter them, but do not waste your lives. All beneath the red." Mydas dictates to his runners, to send the orders to his awaiting troops.

Thena glances up as a runner taps her shoulder. "The same thing as before. For the love of all the gods, why would it not be the same thing as before? I don't know, tell them to not get shot or something." Her tone is testy, and she seems to regret it when the young woman she just snapped at heads off again. This seems a good time to add, apparently on the heels of Preston's words, "This is my first time commanding, really."

Aiden finds another runner, "Get the healers on alert. They'll have wounded incoming! If they have any field medics that can be spared, dispatch them."

Preston looks sidelong to Thena, his own instructions given to his battallion commanders "You know, Dame Thena, that the dead....do not always stay so with these things? Your men with the mercies, they should be ready. If it starts occuring, those injured who are pulled to the rear and die will need their heads seperating to ensure their bodies stay their own. I would not want our men to fight their friends." A long sigh before he nods and watches the battallion commanders ride off "The first templar commander to send an army like this out in a century or more. Let us hope I am not the one to destroy the order."

Thena turns and just gapes at Preston for a moment, then, "Well fuck, why doesn't anyone ever tell me this shit?"

"It's war. Some things get lost through miscommunication. Nothing to do but act on them when they are uncovered, Dame Thena." Mydas remarks, though his eyes remain fixed upon the battlefield.

Marian puts a hand on Preston's shoulder, "If we fail here there are more than just the order being destroyed that we have to worry about." She gives a wink, trying to keep her sense of humor as she keeps a keen eye to the messengers and reports coming in.

Aiden looks up from where we was considering the war map, furrowing his brows at the talk of those dead coming back alive, "Hopefully it's not too late to communicate that their lives are better spent in the mountain passes if it comes to it..." He regards Marian, then Mydas, "Have you any reports that tell you different of what is happening down there? The enemy is using ... flammable rock?"

"The enemy's siege dromonds. So long as they remain on water, our soldiers will continue to be bombarded. Hence why the trebuchets must focus on the dromonds." Mydas answers Aiden.

"You know how we are about speaking about such things, Dame Thena. And well. Maelstrom was an interesting place to visit." Preston turns his head as Marian pats his shoulder and he offers a nod "Mm. Perhaps, your highness. If they get beyond us, the things they will unleash from hiding places across the lands will make it hard to retake this. But. If it comes to it, my commanders know to head south. Suppotr any sally from us, but otherwise to move back along the road to Arx and their lines of supply. It might buy us time and prevent further infiltration of the interior to escape. But. For now, I am confident we can win here."


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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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Aiden nods to Mydas, "Then they must focus there." His eyes flicker toward Marian and her confidence, "We can hold if they stay together and we can get those--" he pauses as a missive comes to him by way of runner, "The Marquis Stonewood has taken injury and retreating. Hopefully he makes it back to the healers. There's massive injuries from that burning rock incoming..." He accepts another report, "Lady Emily Deepwood is taking his place."

"l

"If I had known there were going to be a bunch of suddenly-undead popping up and eating healers I would've fucking mentioned it to the person who looks after the healers at some point," Thena hisses to Preston, though she unruffles herself a little when Mydas speaks.

"Oh. Thats interesting." Sigurd glances between the people in the room before turning away to snag one of the runners himself to send a missive out to those waiting and holding the passes.

"There's no storm coming with the ships...that means no nightwalkers," Marian tells Thena to reassure her that her healers are not going to have undead suddenly popping up, "But they're using burning pitch...we need a way of taking out their siege weapons. We've got trebuckets firing but they're not taking out the ships fast enough." She looks to Mydas, "We need to send a runner to Khanne...let her know what we're facing." Perhaps it's time to bring more storm on the enemy.

"There might be undead that rise up. There might not be. We are uncertain of the enemy's full capabilities. We'll have to react and adapt to new information as it comes." Mydas says, turning to look at Thena, and then Sigurd. "As good a time as any to learn, brother. The responsability might be yours, one day." he notes to the younger Nightgold, before once more turning to look out to the battlefield, his face bereft of emotion, cold calculation in his gaze. "We want the skies clear. Storm will ruin us far more than the enemy. A clear sky, however, will burn them as much as the burning pitch burns us." he tells Marian.

Preston lifts a hand to Balian to summon a dispatcher. When he arrives, Preston nods "Good. Inform one of the battles we may need them in the port if the enemy breach. Direct our trebuchets to force those siege dromonds away from the shore." He pauses "We have the troops. Tell the battles to ease the shield wall. Hold the line but let the enemy spread, and enjoy more of their own trebuchet fire and take more of our troops away from it." With a look to Thena of an apologetic smile "It is as it has to be, Dame Thena."
RThe runner dispatched, Preston does the other practical think he knows, and placing his blade tip on the ground, he lowers to his knees in prayer, his forehead touching the cross o his guard "Oh Gloria, look over those who fight in your name, who do honour you with their bravery and sacrifice for a noble cause. And Lady Mangata, we apologise for being unable to rid your waves of the corruption of our enemy, but pray with our trebuchets and your favour we might return the ships to the bottom of your waves, and their bodies once again to your care and their eternal rest."

Malesh gets dragged in after being heralded by runners calling for healers and informing that he'd fallen at the beachhead. His pretty and polished parade armor is now soiled with still-smoking enemy pitch and he's not quiet about his condition. He's screaming himself horse, though thankfully he's not doing a lot thrashing about. Mostly just the screaming.

Runners report that the enemy is mass landing along the beaches, while they are inflicting heavy losses, the landing is far too spread out, with tens of thousands landing miles upshore and marching steadily down. They'll be able to engage on the beaches in force soon, as the enemy continues to rain fire from their ships. Additional orders? ((same rolls but at difficulty 40 as the situation steadily becomes more complicated))

Sigurd checked command + leadership at difficulty 40, rolling 17 higher.

Aiden checked command + leadership at difficulty 40, rolling 23 higher.

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

Marian checked command + war at difficulty 40, rolling 8 higher.

Thena checked command + leadership at difficulty 40, rolling 20 higher.

Preston checked command + war at difficulty 40, rolling 1 lower.


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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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Rubicund plated boots pound against the streets as a fully armored knight of huge stature comes barreling into the heart of Stormwall. His eyes searching desperately for one thing. Rushing through the chaos of battle command, the large knights eyes set on Lord Malesh and the guards dragging him in. Rather slowly in Jeffeth's eyes.

The guards are barked at as Sir Jeffeth Bayweather nears, "Hand him over! Now!" The Knight of Solace bellows going to affix his huge arms around Malesh carefully.

Malesh is limp by now, his voice screamed out or the man fainted from the pain. His men, loyal but tired, happily hand over their charge to the shouting knight. Weak-kneed the Stonewood infantry collapse to the ground, panting and gasping for breath.

"Time to retreat from the beaches, I think." Mydas murmurs. But he doesn't sound certain, frowning.

"Take him to the healers," Marian gives Jeffeth a nod as he gets the injured warrior to the healers. She looks at Mydas and tells him, "We need to pull back, give up the beaches. Get those men out of there before they get surrounded. Pull the calvary back to the passes, the rest come into the castle. It's time to siege. If we can pull back the trebuckets, do so but if not, then we burn them so the enemy can not use them against us."

"Its time to pull forces back and concentrate the enemy into choke points to allow our archers to further thin their numbers." Sigurd's soft voice murmurs besides Mydas. "I agree wholeheartedly about the beach. We knew they were going to take it."

Aiden starts to see the wounded, though he hopes they can find the healers before it's too late. He's getting multiple reports at once, responding to them as he can. "I've told Count Riven to stick with his allies but not to risk more losses..." As further reports come in about heavy losses he nods, "We don't have enough siege weapons to take out those ships, but have them continue firing." He looks toward Marian and Mydas, "We must have the armies draw back out of range of those ships! We're taking too many loses standing under pitch that we can do nothing about."

Preston apparently misses some vital information while in prayer, as he blinks, trying to catch himself up as he stands once more "Mmf. I leave it to the General. Is the road south still clear? I would rather we did not try to fit the Faith Militant in here with your Fealty troops, Princess. It will choke the gates, and allow our rear to be consumed. And mean we have no support if we must sally."

"What they've said." Mydas says, motioning to Marian, Sigurd and Aiden.

It's pretty clear from Thena's expression that she's counting slowly to ten, her nostrils flaring as she literally mouths the numbers. Then a deep calming breath and she turns to a runner almost serenely. "Warn the healers about the possibility of our own dead coming back to life and attacking them. Tell the knights guarding them to cut the heads from those who do. Cavalry to the passes, as Princess Marian said." She glances sidelong at Preston and says stiffly, "I was told the pass was clear earlier today."

Easily taking Malesh into his arms, the large knight gives Marian a nod, before beginning to run back to where he came. It's not quite as fast as he came in, to give care for the man's injuries, but he still moves at a decent clip. Jeffeth Bayweather happens to overhear Thena as he runs back up, "Will do Commander!"


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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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Aiden dispatches the orders, "The archers are covering the retreat of those from the beaches."

Malesh leaves, following Jeffeth.


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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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Preston nods and turns his head "Little Sister, are you pulling back with us or staying in here for the siege?" Preston gestures to Balian who brings over his helmet. He gestures to a dispatch rider "Tell the furthest most battles to ease and wheel back. Slow withdrawal in good order. Use the pikes to hold them back...." Then the crack comes of the lightning, and the news trickles in and Preston blinks "Or, we may be able to hold a line, close to the walls and within range of our archers." He looks to Marian

"Well... Khanne seems to have outdone herself." Mydas notes as lightning destroys many of the dromonds. "They may respond with the reported Kraken, however. Don't let your guard down just yet." the Marquis warns.

Aiden looks with wide eyes toward Mydra, "Khanne did that?" He exhales a breath with a shake of his head, "At least she fights for us." He considers the new reports of the ships withdrawing from the shoreline, "That still doesn't discount the troops marching south from their landing points. We should have the siege weapons start upon them... if the ships get out of range."

At Mydas' words Thena lightly touches three faded red marks on her cheek and almost smiles, then turns her attention to Preston. "If I retreat, I go when everyone else has gone. The wounded, the healers."

"Slow withdraw, we can't fit your people in the castle Sir Preston, but we can start to pull back to the mountain passes," Marian tells Preston with a nod that she wants him to continue to pull back, "Once they move on the castle, circle around to cut their backs. Now that they're not unloading, they'll not be getting reinforcements." She looks to Mydas and gives a grin, "Oh...Khanne...remind me to hug that woman the next time I see her."

"Well, not herself. She was to call upon the Spirits' aid. I'm assuming they answered, and took care of the siege dromonds." Mydas explains to Aiden. "One should never understand the Spirits, or the Old Gods." he adds. "The fleet is heading out. We can finish off what remains of the enemy and then head wherever the Pirate King intends to strike next." he tells Marian.

The Mountain Passes. Sigurd pulls a runner over and sends him off with a message. That people will be coming soon. To be ready for them. "I'll have the passes cleared and ready for you by the time you arrive there, Sir Preston."

Thena sends another runner after Sigurd's with orders to, "Alert the Solace infantry and archers to help Lord Sigurd's men." Pause. "Please."

It appears that the forces of the Compact on the beaches are staging a fighting withdrawl with fair success, though the enemy may be dividing their forces with some trying to follow them to the mountain passes, and the main body trying to storm the city. Some remnants of their shattered fleet are still trying to storm the port, which may make entry into multiple points. Orders are expected on what to reinforce. ((Same checks as last round))

Aiden checked command + leadership at difficulty 40, rolling 8 higher.

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

Aiden nods, "The archers are offering covering fire to the organized withdrawal. We should start to use any choke points the best we can." He looks over the map, toward the castle and speculates over the south movement of the thousands of troops that the enemy put on the beach. "We can hold them if we ... look, here." He motions to the landscape, "We can refuse the flank here to stop them from following... force them to attack here... and set up a pincher ambush."

Preston checked command + war at difficulty 40, rolling 18 higher.

Thena has rolled a critical success!
Thena checked command + leadership at difficulty 40, rolling 42 higher.


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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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Mydas checked command + war at difficulty 40, rolling 21 higher.

Preston slides his helm fastenings on and then brings down the visor "I will take the mounted knights and break a way through for our troops to the pass. We will keep her open as long as we can and hold it. And get a runner to Arx with news that the fleet has withdrawn to a new target. I left riders at the Solace waystations on the way up." Preston moves towards his war horse, and the small gaggle of remaining Templars "I'll see you in the passes, Thena." That seems more like an order in tone than a request. And perhaps just a touch, just a touch, of pleading.

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

"Look after my cavalry, Preston?" It was a slightly mocking request earlier in the day, right now Thena is completely earnest. "I'll get there when I get there, yeah? I should see to getting the wounded ready for transport."

"Now is the time to crush them." Mydas orders, and sends orders for Acheron to join in the fighting at the Port. Death to the enemy!

Marian gets a predatory smile as the enemy plays their hand too hard and falls into a trap of the Compact's making. She gives nod as Mydas deploys his forces to kill the enemy using some of the choke points that Aiden pointed up. She looks to Preston, "I hope to see you on the other side." And continues to keep a keen eye to the battlefield, looking for other opportunities.

Wheeling his horse to the right, Preston nods his head back to Thena "I will get Sir Jeffeth to oversee the withdrawal, and we will hold the pass to stop the enemy coming further while we contact Arx with news of the battle. If you can Sally out, and need support, signal to us Princess Marian, and then look to the south." And then Preston digs his heels into the flanks of the white warhorse, and joining up with his small cadre of mounted knights they blister towards the pass.

"I think he meant Sir Geoff," Thena murmurs with a sigh in Preston's wake. "Ah well, I'm sure they'll sort it out."

Aiden nods at the reports coming into him, "There's some chaos in the city when it comes to the civilians that stayed. I'm not sure what can be done about them in this moment... but," he nods to the walls, "While we take advantage of those pinch points, I've dispatched orders to rain down the abyss on the attackers... Hopefully with some marksmenship out there, we can reduce a few hundred before they've breeched these walls." He straightens out his shoulders, looking confident, "We shouldn't give way now. We should hold them for as long as it takes to get the civilians out."

"We may not have to abandon the city if we are able to end them here. We prepared for this. Let the enemy pay for each step made. Let they fall till our soldiers make new walls from their corpses. Now's the time to slaughter those left behind by their main fleet. We won't have such a chance again." Mydas points out.


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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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The latest report comes in, it seems that most of their forces are going right for the city proper and not the passes, attempting to swamp and overwhelm the defenders with massive numbers of scaling ladders. Orders? ((Same checks))

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

Mydas checked command + war at difficulty 40, rolling 40 higher.

Marian checked command + war at difficulty 40, rolling 17 higher.

Sigurd checked command + leadership at difficulty 40, rolling 7 higher.

"How in--" Mydas cuts himself off. Reports of ladders at the wall, and other information, make the Marquis go quiet. "Sigurd, go with your men to the pass. They'll need reinforcement. Grayson, Redrain and Acheron, we hold the walls. We fight them off." Mydas declares. "We can hold the line while the situation at the pass is resolved. Then the Faith and Nightgold will attack the enemy while they're busy with the walls."

"Preston was to wait for such an opportunity should the enemy besiege Stormwall. It's time." Mydas adds.

Aiden has his runners pass this on to the Grayson command chain as well, nodding to Mydas.

"I've been waiting for that. Stand well, Brother. Don't die. You know I'd be terrible." Sigurd lifts a wave to the room and dips out to get to his troops!

Marian gives a nod as the reports come in and smiles at Mydas' words, deploying the men as they fight, "We'll have the pikes push the ladders off the walls and the arrows reign down on them. Have them work in teams." She gives a wave to Siguard as he heads on out, "I will see you again soon." She turns back to Aiden and Mydas as they watch their orders carried out on the battlefield.

Aiden has rolled a critical success!
Aiden checked composure + leadership at difficulty 15, rolling 63 higher.

"Mydas..." Aiden looks toward the other man, his composure like sharp formed steel, "Can we get behind the ladders? Nnow that they're at the walls and focused on climbing up, will they be as focused on their flanks? What can we do to push them, and crush them against the walls... If we tore through them, split up their forces, distracted them with a theatrical charge through...." A consideration, "If we were to get the cavalry to rush through the lines directly at the walls and circle around?" He was amazingly calm, as if he had once done something like this before, not as if this were his first command post.

Another report comes to Aiden, "Mydas, Marian. Something is driving them. We need to dispatch our special units to find the source. They're distracted with the walls, NOW is the time to do it."

Aiden looks to Marian, "Violet... Send out Violet."

"What special units we have, dispatch them so long as they do not hinder our efforts to hold the walls. We must hold until Valardin and the Faith Militant return to hit the enemy's rear while they're focused on us." Mydas states. "If we can spare individuals, we must do so to seize the advantage."

Marian has a orders sent out to Violet, giving a silent prayer she'll find what is driving them and dispatch it. She gives a grim nod to Mydas as he speaks of the archers and pikemen that need to hold the walls until the Valardin and Faith calvary can return to hit the rear.


**********************************************************************
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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"It's time to call in the reserves-" Aiden nods to the runners, "The archers we held back, bring them in! Get them to the walls and have them switch out for those who are too tired."

So there does seem to be Something Wrong at the pass, with word about a 'demon' coming from the lines. Though it seems like nearly all of the enemy is trying to assail the walls of the city, and the storms of arrows rising up making it steadily more difficult on the defenders, and pressure is mounting there. ((command + war checks at 45 this time))

Mydas checked command + war at difficulty 45, rolling 1 lower.

Aiden checked command + war at difficulty 45, rolling 1 lower.

Marian checked command + war at difficulty 45, rolling 1 higher.

"Dump the boiling oil, get shield bears to protect the archers as they continue to fire down. Keep the enemy from going over the wall," Marian tells them grimly, "We have to hold out for the calvary to come in from behind." She swears as she gets a report of a 'demon' on the pass. She gives a grim look and asks, "Who's on the pass with Cobalt?" She looks around to see if the two other commanders know who might be able to take that on.

Aiden asks, "Wait... doesn't oil burn... I thought we didn't want fires?"

"Thena, Preston and Sigurd are armed with diamondplate. They'll take care of demons." Mydas answers Marian. As to Aiden, he shakes his head. "Oil melts more than it sets fires."

"It can still catch fire if a flame is put to it," Aiden notes with a faint frown, "Of course I'm not an expert at what sort of oil you've boiled up for us, that doesn't catch flame." He looks nods at the report of a demon, "I just received that as well." A shake of his head, "I'm not sure who has cobalt on the pass. I know of only us three and Violet who has cobalt."


**********************************************************************
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.
**********************************************************************


"It should be fine," Marian reassures Aiden with a smile, "It will melt more than catch fire. Also making it harder for those that try to take the place of those on the ladder to move up." She looks to Mydas to see if he's gotten any updates on the pass after a few minutes, "It's tight..." She is frowning as she looks on the battle, trying to think of anything else to throw at them.


**********************************************************************
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.
**********************************************************************


"No updates." and Mydas looks mildly annoyed at that. Mildly, for it is still Mydas Acheron. Even in the midst of battle, the Marquis shows little emotion. "But we're holding. That's all we can do. We hold."

Aiden laughs a little at the report he gets, "Thank the gods that Ashford is up and keeping command. For a moment there he made it sound like their forces are being swarmed..." He frowns a little at the pages that he's being handed, "Michael? That's great news. Tell him to keep it up - use the momentum he's built with morale!" He smirks a little, "Damnit, I'll have to buy him a bunch of booze for this." He offers, "Count River secured Duke Ashford. They're holding. For now."

Another runner hits Aiden, he tosses the order onto the table and it reads: WHO AUTHORIZED BURNING PITCH!

Aiden grumbles, "I'll have to try to convince them it won't catch on fire."

Marian raises a brow as the message is sent on the table and doesn't answer that since Aiden damn well knows who ordered it. She keeps looking over things, reviewing her own messages coming in.

Aiden gets another report and nods toward Marian, showing this time it reads: The FUCK you say? It's ON FIRE WHEN THEY DROPPED IT! ... "Clearly they didn't like me saying it was special oil that wouldn't burn." He frowns, "Injuries are mounting, they're coming over the walls. It's time we ask them to retreat..."

"Seems we'll have to review the basics of hot oil versus burning oil to soldiers when this is all said and done." Mydas remarks. Still sounding certain in the possibility of victory. "They must take advantage of the city's architecture, as you pointed out earlier, Prince Aiden. Retreat towards the castle, but fight every step of the way."

Marian gives a grim look and nods as the retreat must be called for a slow fight back to the castle, "Use the maze of the city to force them into corners, hit hard, retreat, hit again. Send them on a merry chase as we pull back. Have the men use what they know of the streets to force the enemies into dead ends, trap them and kill them."

Runners announce that many at the wall are taking terrible losses and asking for orders, even as Marian gives the nods to retreat. ((war rolls again))

Mydas checked command + war at difficulty 45, rolling 21 higher.

Aiden checked command + war at difficulty 45, rolling 2 lower.

Marian checked command + war at difficulty 45, rolling 35 higher.

Aiden does find some dark humor in what Mydas says, reaching for his griffon helm and pulling it over his head. "That is like expecting a common man to know the difference between a longsword and a shortsword, or a spear and a pike." He draws the bow down from across his shoulder, "I think, the fight is coming our way. We must ready for it. I've relayed the orders to the Grayson troops, but I believe they need our physical presence."

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

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

Mydas seems to have been ready for that eventuality, clad as he is from head to toe in rubicund plate. "We must remain nearby nonetheless, if the runners are to find us and strategy be maintained. I will remain here for now, just in case."

Marian is dressed in her leather and steel, lightly fingering her cobalt weapon at her side, "Yes, we need to stay here, in the city...close to keep coordinating the fight, but be ready because it is coming to us." She gives a smile to Aiden, "Don't worry, you'll be able to use that bow soon."

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

Erin, Crimson Blades Private arrives, following Violet.

Puma, The Stonewood Forest Cat arrives, following Gailin.

Relic arrives, following Harlan.


**********************************************************************
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.
**********************************************************************


Aiden wields Intricately forged ancient steel recurve bow.

Marian wields Intricately forged ancient steel cutlass.

There's a shout from Genevieve, who (along with Private Erin) are pulling Violet into Stormwall proper. With a panicked frown her face, she shouts, "Healer? we've got a spear wound here! It's bad!"

Harlan comes back in with the rest of the retreating forces. He's bloodied, but is still standing.

Aiden is standing in his leather armor, with the sweep of a griffon helm over his head, the front nose plate giving him a narrowing look. He gathers a few of the Silver Wings (Grayson Archers) to his side as the fight does start to spill into the castle. "Marian, Mydas... It has been an honor to serve alongside you." His shoulder moves and the ancient bow slides into his hands, his breath catching as he hears the thousands in retreat. "I'll rally the Graysons-" he nods to them, "Best of luck. We'll meet again at the pass!" And Aiden is moving to get to the retreating forces, hollaring loudly, "NONE GREATER!"


**********************************************************************
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."
**********************************************************************


Violet has a spear in her side that she has had someone break the haft off of. As it is in her side she knows better than to pull it without a healer. Her teeth are gritted in pain and her eyes have a focused look as Genevieve and Erin get her to the triage healers. "Calm the fuck down, Private," She snaps at her.

At least the roads leading to the Crovane Castle have been well designed as kill zones, with excellent angles for archers to rain fire down from arrow slits that are extraordinarily difficult to reply. Of course, the first battering ram protected by a shield wall has already made its appearance led down the street as thousands of arrows rain down at the Gyre's forces. For the moment, the infantry find themselves with a respite, as tens of thousands of the enemy flood the city. ((No checks just yet, a respite briefly while you all have open ended planning for whether you want to go with plan Light The City On Fire And Board It Up And Kill Them All or bleed them first or the like))

Michael eventually shows up with the rest of Bisland Infantry, mostly intact. He looks completely and utterly untouched. Rubicund armor whole with only others blood upon it. He'll grin towards Aiden and wave a jaunty shield up in the air at him. "Lets keep this in motion, shall we cousin? WE WIN GLORY!"

Backing up inch by bloody inch, sword a furious crimson arc as the relentless waves push them back, Marcas finally breaks and runs when the last group of defenders get into the city proper. Once up into the castle, the House Halfshav soldier inclines his head to those inside. "Warchief, a pleasure to see you," he utters from within his helm, voice filled with grim, wry humor. Turning around with sword at the ready, he prepares for the worst.

Aiden comes along to find Duke Ashford, staring at the man. For a moment, then he moves in to clap him on the shoulder, "You served your family proud out there Duke Harlan. What are the tallies? How many have we lost?"

Daemon looks like a man possessed by the time he's coming around and into the city proper. His armor and blade are both stained with gore and his breathing comes languidly and rough. The rain that's slowly soaking him only seems to wash away a little. The rest, it sticks. But to Aiden, Marian, and the rest who are still here, he salutes them. "We did our best, your highness." He shudders as he hears the sounds of piling soldiers. "... We'll keep doing our best."

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


All seem to be weary or damaged to some extent, Lady Emily carries a small wound to her arm as it trickles blood just above her bracer. She turns however as they find fresh allies ready to aid them and she calls to her men. "Hold your bows," she says, catching her breath, cheeks flushed as she wipes at her brow and then her bleeding arm.

Mydas, clad in his heavy rubicund armor, turns to Marian. "We should hold as long as we can before leaving the city. Buy those at the passes as much time as possible." As Acheron soldiers arrive, the Marquis takes in the losses as much as what remains. "All beneath the red. We will hold."

Harlan makes sure that the archers have gone to their next station, before looking around for Aiden. He's wounded, but still mostly standing.

Marian dispatches an order to get the Mercies staying in the castle to tend those pouring into the city. She has her sword drawn, her unit is fresh and ready to take over while the battleworn warriors get tended to. She looks to Daemon, "You've done well. Get some healing while Mydas and I lead the charge of fresh soldiers against the enemy." She lets out a battle cry that echoes in the halls as she leads the infantry to join the fray.

Gailin falls back and into the city with Michael and the rest of the Bisland forces. "Honor and glory will be ours!"

Just as quickly as he went out into the passes, Tobias is back, this turn clutching his side still. "So. They have a demon out there." Tobias offers as he leans against a wall, "This has been fun." Tobias quips.

Thesarin is dressed in furs and red steel, looking every inch a well-heeled shav from the Gray Forest. He's covered in rain, and blood, and dirt. His face had been painted in streaks of charcoal paint, run in the rain and blended with filth and viscera to a more or less uniform nightmare visage. He's carrying a blood-red axe in one hand and a steel arming sword in the other, both well used. He looks to Marian, giving her a short nod.

Aiden spots Michael, laughing quietly, "I heard you did-" he hammers his fist against his chest and then lifts it in victory toward Michael. Then he moves to clap him on the shoulder too, "You grew up so fast Mikey-" He smiles then he looks over the warriors that made it, "You've all done our homes well and proud! Take this moment to catch your breath! Take this moment to hold onto hope. We will not surrender yet! We have more to give to protect the families that await us. We cannot let this hoard move beyond this city! We will hold! We will remain!"

If Genevieve hears Violet's snapped admonishment, she shows no sign of it. Instead she lets Private Erin attend to the Colonel, then walks a few paces away, rubbing her face with one gloved hand. Within a few moments and a few shallow breaths she's back to a cool facade of neutrality, her eyes steelier than before. Almost empty, in fact. Gliding a look at the people around her, she grits her jaw silently.

Violet is set down and grits her teeth and just stays there breathing heavy against the pain. Then she pulls her canteen from her side and takes a drink of the water inside. "I need to get out there if there is a demon," She says to Tobias and moves to push up onto her feet again, reaching for her bow.

Word of victory spreads from the mountain pass, but the best guess is around 80,000 enemy soldiers now are inside Stormwall proper, and most are swarming towards Crovane castle. Orders are expected, on whether the cavalary should come to the castle to attempt to reinforce, or stay put and await a withdraw to make certain the forces inside Stormwall are not cut off, as they fight a retreat and ignite the city to destroy much of the enemy army. ((Anyone can check intellect + war at 40 for planning))


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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.
**********************************************************************


Aiden checked intellect + war at difficulty 40, rolling 16 lower.

Emily checked intellect + war at difficulty 40, rolling 7 lower.

Gailin checked intellect + war at difficulty 40, rolling 21 lower.

Mydas checked intellect + war at difficulty 40, rolling 10 higher.

Michael checked intellect + war at difficulty 40, rolling 11 lower.

Daemon gave a nod to Marian and Aiden each. He stands aside for the moment, content to slump down until he's sitting. He looks to his blade then, the weapon having seen much action from Port to Docks to Walls. All over, really. "They just don't stop coming..." Comes his hoarse observation. "I swear, they just never stopped clamoring and climbing every inch. Like nails, always drawing closer."

Tobias checked intellect + war at difficulty 40, rolling 2 lower.

Daemon checked intellect + war at difficulty 40, rolling 33 lower.

Violet has rolled a critical success!
Violet checked intellect + war at difficulty 40, rolling 36 higher.

Harlan checked intellect + war at difficulty 40, rolling 22 lower.

Marian checked intellect + war at difficulty 40, rolling 0 higher.

Marcas checked intellect + war at difficulty 40, rolling 23 lower.

Thesarin checked intellect + war at difficulty 15, rolling 19 higher.

One of the last to make it into the heart of Stormwall, Echo takes whatever opportunity she can to catch her breath, allowing her blade to rest in one hand on the cobblestone. A weary smile was directed to Marian as she shifted to the Warchief's side.

Thesarin checked intellect + war at difficulty 40, rolling 28 higher.

Genevieve checked intellect + war at difficulty 40, rolling 23 lower.

Oaken, a massive Oakhaven bloodhound, 2 Novice Keaton Huntsmen, Gigi, an apprentice physician's assistant arrive, following Reigna.

2 King's Own Guardsmen, 3 King's Own Novice Guardsmen arrive, following Tovell.

Wrecking Ball, a black stallion, 2 King's Own Guardsmen, 3 King's Own Novice Guardsmen, Tovell arrive, following Felicia.

2 Grayson Guardsmen arrives, following Ainsley.

"You need to wait for a healer, is what you need to do. You're no good to anyone dead." Tobias gives in response to Violet.

Harlan makes sure that the archers have gone to their next station, before looking around for Aiden. He's wounded, but still mostly standing. (Not sure if this ever came through, gah)

Aiden looks over toward Daemon and goes to him next, putting a hand on his shoulder and squeezing, "Rest good knight. Take a breather and let the solace of the moment of being amongst friends embolden you again. These are the people you fight for, these people and those at home. Find your strength.

"Not enough time to rest. Still work to do." Thesarin shakes his head, and looks toward Aiden with a grim expression. "What's the news from the passes. And the horse."

The last few steps of the plan are being put into place, with Mydas spending much of his time organizing the final retreat, while the Red Guard hold as best they can along the other forces.

Violet purses her lips and nods her head at Tobias' command and then turns her head to frown out into Stormwall. It is clear her eyes are calculating, focusing on those withing the walls and without. "Yes sir," She murmers as she figures out tactics while awaiting a healer. Stupid spears.

Gailin looks around and back over to Michael. His expression unreadable, he breaths slowly gathering his thoughts and possibly could he be maybe saying a silent prayer.

Standing next to the Warchief with sword in hand, Marcas shakes his head as he says something quietly, then gestures outside. "If there is any sortie to be made, I can still do so." A weary, blood-besmirched smile is shot Echo's way, his fingertips running over the now pretty crusty woad on his cheek. "You are a dangerous woman with that thing, Princess."

Daemon takes a deep breath of the chilling air. "You're right." He'd intone to Aiden, sticking his sword into the ground to allow the blade to rest. "More to do soon. Catch my breath. Don't think about the odds... Just think about how we get to tomorrow." The Oathlander swallows hard, his matted hair hanging into his face, a myriad of damp rain and crimson blood.

Harlan mms, "Thousands. Maybe ten thousand. It's ... not great out there, but we bled them." He frowns and says, "The burning pitch wasn't my order, either." He shakes his head, but then dismisses it, "We'll be ready for whatever next." Once he sees a healer, probably.

Did someone ask for a healer? Reigna comes tearing back into the city on the back of a warhorse that is far too big for her. And yet, there is a deftness to her seat that proves she's a capable rider, and she makes it back, a medical pack slung across her back. She looks terrified and numb. Perhaps nummified? Still, she's on her horse and she's not alone. Knights and Lords and Princes make up the forces that ride back into the city, some other medics from Reigna's group bringing up the rear on 'borrowed' horses, like her own. "HEALERS TO ME." She scans the area, looking for where she and her healers need to go.

"You aren't that much older than I am. I will be out there shortly, I have to ensure my men are ready." A grin towards Aiden and a thump onto his shoulder. "We're waiting here." Michael murmurs off to Gailin. "For the moment. Let everyone resettle and we'll push out with Grayson forces."

As they have a minor reprieve, Emily is walking amongst the mass of Bisland archers, checking arrow reserves and preparing them to do close combat. She dabs at her bleeding arm as it begins to slow as her dark hair is scrubed at quickly after. She excuses herself as she orders them to triage amongst their numbers that have made it this far. She looks back then, perhaps waiting to see the wave of undead heading their way.

1 House Lyonesse Adept Guard arrives, following Jacque.

"I thought the Silent War was bad, but that's a whole other league of massive horde out there." Tobias states generally as he looks out a window to the city. Tobias is visibly injured, clutching his side.

Aiden looks to Thesarin, "We have a moment's respite. Use it well. It may be the last one we get." He asks then of Thesarin, "How are your numbers? How many do we have standing with us?" He then grins back to Daemon, nodding with a respectful gaze, "We are here to fight, to hold them for a while. Then we will stick to the plan and retreat as you've all been notified." He does wince at the numbers that Harlan provides, but stays strong, "We have to be agile and be prepared for anything." The thump on his shoulder from Michael does make Aiden smirk, "I'm going with you this time Michael, you and the rest. We'll fight together, the last push."

Jericho arrives with the other Cavalrymen and women, looking over the forces that invade the city. tears and blood stain his body. But alas, he draws his blade and he looks to the others. "Let this be the day we draw swords together. In the event that we all must fall....it was an honor." he looks then straight. "Take them head on. Sound the charge." The Valardin Prince tells those near him. On a warhouse, he charges straight into the city with a battlecry! "Forth, Warriors!!"

"I can see one way to totally take out the enemy out there. Set fire to it," Violet says as she gets to her feet carefully with Erin's assistance. She stares out with a frown, taking in the various points. "I -told- you it would be worse," She comments to Tobias, glancing at him. "Sir." Pain makes her forget things like that sometimes.

"Red Guard, to me!" roars Mydas as he unsheathes his cutlass. "For the Compact, for the Gods and Spirits, for your families, hold the line!" Time to give some cover for those who have already bled to make their way out, and trigger the destruction of Stormwall... and all those within.

Genevieve walks back towards Violet with neat steps and gives the wounded woman a calm nod. Quietly, so that few may here, she says, "My apologies, Colonel. I allowed the rush of battle to cloud my judgement and compromise my composure. By behaviour was inappropriate and counterproductive to morale. I won't repeat the mistake." She gives Tobias a nod too, then glances over her shoulder, scanning the faces present.

From the passes, there comes relief in the form of riders, among them Felicia astride Wrecking Ball, her red-gold armor and black tabard already worse for wear, but behind her barbute there's only resolution that they're not leaving those in the city behind to die.

Finding himself a new horse, Alban starts to rally what's left of the Cavalry, "Dragons!" He calls out, "We have lost one of our own! Her life was not given in vain." He points at the smoke of where the demon was with his blade. "You have seen true evil fall before us and now, in Stormwall our friends, our family, they need us! Who will run, when we can ride? Who will scurry into the shadows of obscurity when we can charge forth once more and let the enemy hear the Dragons' Roar?!" He rides back and forth amongst the tired knights, "We ride to save this city of the Oathlands! We ride to save our friends and family! Our brothers and sisters who have died in defense of this city will not have died in vain!" And then he leads what Valardin Cavalry he can to ride with the Orders Militant and push forwards towards the city.

Ainsley has borrowed someone's horse, possibly someone that died. His alaricite blade is at the ready, but he doesn't look like he's going to be on that horse for very long. The grayson prince's voice rings out as he and his charge forward, "NONE GREATER! FOR GLORIA! FOR COMPACT!"

Holden comes charging in along with the other cavalry, forming up with them as they gather with Jericho and the others. He pulls up alongside the Valardin Prince, armor dirty and dinged in places, and yet still filled with the rush of battle, and enemies that still require routing. There's a nod to Alban as well as he gives his rallying cry, at the ready once more to meet the enemy head on.

Harlan nods towards Aiden and says, "You have the Grayson archers. Ashford will follow." He looks around for the healers, while checking on the men as well.

Jericho charges with the riders, himself at the head as he shouts. "CHAARRRGGEE!!!!"

Among the horses that were left riderless, Sir Jeffeth Bayweather was able to find one that looked large enough to support his heft. And though he's not the best of riders, he's skilled enough to charge down, riding almong the cavalry force pressing down towards the Heart of Stormwall. His diamondplate blade drawn he rides in silence among his compatriots, eyes set.

"Thank you, Master Marcas. We made a fine team out there." Echo extended that weary smile of hers to Marcas, though her attention was quickly snatched away as she spotted the cavalry entering the city from the mountain gates. Many moments passed and she eventually caught sight of Jericho, but when he arrived without his betrothed and tears rolled down his cheeks, the Redrain chevalier went wide-eyed, stricken with panic as she glanced back to the gates, watching for the arrival of another. Her heart sank and her eyes immediately welled with tears as she continued to wait in silence, nervously watching the gates.

Riding back into the fray after getting a strayed horse, Jacque pats his new stallion on the neck as he rides back into the fight. He looks tired, muddied and bloodied. And none of that blood is his.

Aiden smiles at Harlan, "I still have the Grayson Command- We must work together on this." He nods toward the Redrains, "We work aside with our allies and we will make this plan work." He looks around at the groupings, "Now, stand and prepare yourselves. We muster to fight."

Daemon gives the slowest, most demure wave he could muster to Jeffeth as he rides in. "Hi Jeffeth." Comes his broken, hoarse voice.

Hooves thunder as Sir Arugula froths as he summons the strength to charge one more time. The Prince or Sanctum lowers his spear as he thunders forward with the Cavalry coming to provide what relief they can.

Harlan simply nods to Aiden.

It's a shocking plan, and one many didn't expect. To lure the enemy in close, and then burn the entire city of Stormwall to the ground around them, and attempt to catch them all in the blaze. House Crovane's ancestral castle is terrifyingly well suited to it, with a western gate to the mountain pass for their own forces to withdraw through, and a maze of entrances and points of defense to the city proper to the east that can tie and lure the enemy in deeper to. But there's the matter of buying time as the fight, and so it comes to one battle as they plan the blaze. ((All right, for all the cavalry storming in and knocking them back so they can put plan Make Crovane Really Sad But the Gyre Sadder, it is going to be dexterity + weaponskill at 30 for anyone doing it. Now, for team city go boom, if anyone has intellect + alchemy they can check against difficulty 15, and others can check intellect + war at 30 for best ways to set the city ablaze))

Emily checked intellect + war at difficulty 30, rolling 7 lower.

Harlan checked intellect + war at difficulty 30, rolling 5 lower.

Felicia checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 14 higher.

Jericho checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 18 higher.

Jacque checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 39 higher.

Mydas checked intellect + war at difficulty 30, rolling 18 higher.

Alban checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 12 higher.

Michael checked intellect + war at difficulty 30, rolling 14 lower.

Tobias checked intellect + war at difficulty 30, rolling 18 higher.

Aiden checked intellect + war at difficulty 30, rolling 7 higher.

Marian checked intellect + war at difficulty 30, rolling 24 higher.

Holden checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 9 higher.

Violet checked intellect + war at difficulty 30, rolling 5 lower.

Jeffeth checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 34 higher.

Genevieve checked intellect + war at difficulty 30, rolling 21 lower.

Thesarin checked intellect + war at difficulty 30, rolling 34 higher.

Ainsley checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 16 higher.

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

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

Marcas checked intellect + war at difficulty 30, rolling 11 lower.

Terese checked dexterity + ride at difficulty 30, rolling 1 higher.

Gailin checked intellect + war at difficulty 30, rolling 11 lower.

2 Grayson Guardsmen leaves, following Ainsley.

2 Grayson Guardsmen arrives, following Ainsley.

Marian is overheard praising Mydas for: For his questionable decisions

Ainsley is overheard praising Esoka.

Ainsley is overheard praising Eirlys.

Mydas is overheard praising Marian for: BOILING OIL WAS HER

Jericho is overheard praising Eirlys.

Ainsley is overheard praising Khanne.

Ainsley is overheard praising Mydas.

Ainsley is overheard praising Marian.

Marian is overheard praising Aiden for: For sitting out of the fight to run this fight

Jericho is overheard praising Eirlys.

Reigna is overheard praising Eirlys for: You gave your life to save another. You were a hero to the last.

Mydas is overheard praising Aiden for: Sometimes the answer to fighting is to not fight and instead tell others to fight.

Echo is overheard praising Aiden.

Echo is overheard praising Eirlys.

Holden is overheard praising Esoka.

Aiden is overheard praising Harlan for: For the awesome communication! And yelling at me.

Aiden is overheard praising Emily for: For taking charge of the Archers out there!

Holden is overheard praising Alban.


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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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Aiden is overheard praising Michael for: Whatever you did, you nailed it.

Emily is overheard praising Michael for: For keeping the wall moments longer with his leadership

Alban is overheard praising Eirlys for: For the greatest sacrifice of all, saving all of us.

Harlan is overheard praising Thesarin for: For saving my ass! I owe you a drink.

Harlan is overheard praising Reigna for: For healing my ass! I owe you a drink.