Fort of Last Hope

[Dorganath]

"If you must abandon, and there's time, the portal can be neutralized somewhat quickly on this end," Connor replies. "Failing that, it can be shut down quickly from Hilm, if needed. As for time to set it up, my plan is to establish a temporary, short-use portal that will allow a team of mages to come through to establish a more permanent portal.  The temporary one will take...the better part of a day.  The permanent one will take several.  In all, we should be able to have a portal back up within a week...give or take."

[Alatriel]

"Very well," Daniella says with a nod.  "We'll use one of the lower levels of buildings.  We should be able to clear one of those and make it ready for you to prepare it within a couple hours at most.  I'll make sure of it."

[Dorganath]

Connor nods again.

"Then I will depart, inform Commander Stargazer and set things in motion. I will return in a few hours and begin," he says.

Without ceremony or further word, he vanishes from Daniella's sight and presence, leaving behind only footprints and a brief swirl of magic.

[Alatriel]

Daniella rubs her forehead a moment.  "Mages..."

She then goes to assign a few people to clear out an appropriate cellar of one of the buildings.

[jrizz]

*Wren salutes Daniella then he looks at Ver and grins* If that is the case they will know who hit them for sure. But we will be smart about it, no point in bringing the whole cult army down on us *grins* Lets go stir things up a bit and see what happens. Gel you and I will pick our targets, we need to have a fast path in and out so we dont get trapped. We need to come from cover and return to cover fast as well. No open areas where they can land on us. I like the commander's idea of setting some fires as well. For that we are going to want to try to get as deep in their camps as we can *grins*

Okay so stage one is lay of the land, lets see what we can from the walls here and then get out there under cover of darkness and fill out the picture. After that we can start to pick our targets.

Vre I suggest if we are going to do this as the commander wants then we are going to need as least three teams so that we can do cascading hit and runs. We can do a hit and run to cause a diversion so that another team can get in and set some fires. Things like that, as the commander said "no rest for the wicked"

Thoughts?

[cbnicholson]

Daniel crouches to speak to Andrew about polishing up a story he has been working on.
 
 "Work magic on a Rofirein story?" The bard's smile is wicked. "Ohh, I can do that. Yes, I can do that - what?" Under Daniel's stink eye Andrew grins and lowers his head. "Fine, fine, I'll stick to the theme. Can we have just ONE romantic interlude though? With a rose...no! A pink carnation in the knight's teeth as he serenades?...please?"
 
 "Am I to regret asking for your aid in this, Andrew?" Daniel stares hard at the bard, his expression stern before a small twitch of his lip gives him away and he passes over a piece of parchment. "Very well, but it is to be tastefully done, you hear me? Tasteful."
 
 "Tasteful. Got it." Andrew turns, journal out and already scribbling on Daniel's original writings, and mutters "no bodice ripping...no bodice ripping..." with one mirthful eye on the cleric.
 
 Taking a break from the decoys and leaving them in the superbly qualified hands of Arfur and Portlie, the bard stakes a place by a fire and writes. He does not look up nor speak nor sing, but mumbles under his breath from time to time. An hour later he looks over at Daniel. "I'd like to combine these middle triplets into a prayer, perhaps they're suited to a rhythmic recital and it would carry more weight if there was a pattern to enhance them." After that he falls silent except for occasional brief prayers to Ilsare.
 
 Another hour passes and he hands Daniel a parchment, re-written in his own italic script. "I will confess, Daniel, writing this brought me some consternation. Rofirein and Ilsare, after all. But...art is art. I look for beauty in all that is around me, and so I have put myself in your shoes with this to better understand." A flash of a smile. "Some bodice ripping would be a lot more fun to listen to though!"
 
 The story has morphed under Andrew's pen into a speech. It is meant to bolster weary hearts, to bring strength and passion to souls increasingly surrounded by the bodies of friends. Daniel eyes the Ilsarian for one long moment and receives an almost nervous smile in return. "Not my forte. I really didn't change much just shuffled things around a bit for impact..."
 
 The cleric nods, reading again, and moves to a cluster of men and women under his command taking their turn to eat. An idle scratch of his mustache and he begins to read; it isn't meant to be a performance, merely a sounding out of the words. But as he speaks, heads turn, conversation stops, and without realizing it, he has an audience.
 
 "My friends, we stand here as defenders. Surrounded by evil with our one task to hold against an enemy force many times our own.
 
 Difficult? Aye, tis that.
 
 Impossible? Perhaps.
 
 Know this, though, that the Gold has shone in those before you and you carry the light forward. Know whom your god has chosen and that you, each one of you who stand here, are part of that code and the next generation of it.
 
 Know of Sir Drais Mordrin, noble of birth and bearing, whose confidence drew men to him as moth to flames. His legacy is one of boldness in his sacking of our ancient enemy's shrine. For his valor he was the first to lead the Knights, who grew to prominence under him and from him we are honored by all who recognize true justice. That boldness, that valor, is part of your challenge to uphold.
 
 Know of Section Commander Sir Hadris Warden, who in our darkest times, when those who begat lawlessness and misery pressed their will against us hoping us to break, led a procession through the streets of Prantz. Grand it was, but not with the trappings of wealth and privilege; it was rich with the bodies of Rofirein's own, a demonstration of the Gold's continuing presence to bring hope of a better future to those buffeted by the winds of chaos. A reminder to clergy and common folk alike that even though the Gold Voice sought to disband the Knights in the midst of the Church's darkness, Rofirein would not abandon them to their fate. That hope that unswerving dedication to duty and fair process that is part of your challenge to uphold." Daniel's voice is strong; the words are still mostly his, and the conviction certainly is.
 
 "Know too of those who carry compassion in equal measure to the Law. Know of Section Commander Jennara Creekskipper. Know that while the Law is foremost, we must not forget those that it protects; know of her deeds, providing succor and sustenance to those who suffered when the sun was blotted from the sky. For her kindness and generosity she is the Heart of our Dragon. Pray you will meet her someday, to better understand the protection that is again part of your challenge to uphold.
 
 Many other servants of the Great Dragon have and will come to be known, lists that stretch across each continent of Layonara. All manner of people of all races, some more famous than others, yet all serving for the same reasons. This is your legacy; this is our legacy; this is our purpose. We are shields of the innocent. I, Daniel, tell you this so that you may keep faith in your order with the understanding and knowledge of its making and purpose. Remember it well." He looks up to see two handfuls of faces staring, listening, some moved; some clearly afraid but reaching past it to hold to what is being said. He continues, speaking to them now as he reads.
 
 "Those that stand here today may feel fear; this is to be expected. You may die, to be gathered into the claws of the Gold. But you will not die in your bed wondering from where you came and whether you were up to the task.
 
 The Dragon's Eye shine upon you, my brothers and sisters, forever." His "song" is a devotional, a chanted prayer, and for his knights he says it. Quietly. Reverently. Not a performance, no; a moment for them to share with the Gold, together.
 
 "Into the light of your love for the people of this world we step, to follow the path you set by your Will.
 
 By the Insight of your wisdom we seek the best ways to observe the law.
 With the Strength of your devotion as a shield, we protect the innocent.
 By the Might of your will we drive back those who seek to overthrow justice.
 
 By the Light of your soul we shine into the darkness and bring law from chaos.
 Our Duty to bring your word, impartial and unbiased, to the world.
 Our Calling to serve in fairness and integrity, good judgment and generosity.
 
 With Valor we serve as trusted voices of true Justice.
 With Boldness we serve as champions of law and order.
 With Hope, our hearts and our souls are with you Great Dragon."
 
 Around a corner and out of sight, twisting some leftover metal into a makeshift hook, the bard smiled and returned to his nets.
 
 //posters note- While the material presented is mine, the true credit goes to RollinsCat for the polish.

[mixafix]

A halberdier stalks the Bard while listening to the speech. he idly brushes at his uniform and from time to time wipes his sleeve on his polished but blunt halberd.
 
 He mutters away to any who might care to listen.
 
 "Field promotions, Sober Dwarves in shining armour, and now speeches long on words short on promises - never seen so many portents of doom in the one fort!"
 
 He unwraps a sharpening stone and reluctantly works his halberd blade.

[Serissa]

Ferrit, dressed in black, steps out from behind a tumble of stones and approaches Wren.  "I heard of your mission, and I'd like to go along, if I may."

[Alatriel]

Commander Stormhaven looks around for Captain Poetr.  

"Captain Poetr, I need someone to fill in for Captain Vrebel at the Northern Wall while he leads a couple of our hit and run missions.  You have the experience and presence that our soldiers respect and will follow.  If you are willing, I think you're the man for the job."

[jrizz]

*Seeing Ferrit Wren smiles warmly, he turns and rubs his eyes a bit. To the others he says* Well my teacher has decided to join us, this means our chances for living through this just went up *he pauses* by a lot. Ferrit if will, please take my place with Gel in finding our targets. When we have them and a plan I would hope you will lead one of the teams. This okay with you Vre?

[cbnicholson]

Daniel squares his shoulders, "Aye, Lady Daniella, it would be an honor to do so.  Consider me your man."

[willhoff]

Well I'll be.  Angel's office gettin a bit stuffy I reckon. *he quirks a smile to Ferrit* Yer just the person we need for this lil' venture glad ta have ya.  You'll be leadin one them sorties out there.

*Vrebel catches up Ferrit and Gel with the details and peramiters of the mission and then regards Wren*

Three teams sounds like a good idea.  *a nod to Wren* We'll need multiple diversions so they dont key on any one team.

Ferrit and Gel, you two go out and get us the lay of the land.  I want soft target locations like supply depot's, sleepin quarters and if were lucky a seige tower, location of traps, type and number of enemy units around the targets.

Main thing is I want you to map out quick and relatively safe entry and exit paths for our teams to make their hits.

When ya'll come back with the intel we'll form three teams each one suited fer their target and plan our strikes ta happen close tagether so we got the drachs runnin' everywhich way.

These first strikes we'll be our best shot at surprise so we'll need ta make the best of it.

Stay safe out there *nods solemly to Ferrit and Gel*  I want you both back alive ya hear!

[gilshem ironstone]

Gel'larian pulls on his cloak of panther fur and when the hood comes up his silhouette seems to blur to the surroundings a little.  He takes out a sketchbook and puts it in a small bag, along with some food, a quiver of arrows and his bow.

Ferritt, we need to find routes that have aerial cover so that the Myr'Drachs cant use their wings to their best advantage.  I think we also should try and strike from above to maximize our arrow's range and make it more difficult for the Cult to reataliate with their own.

He looks up at the sun and then to Vrebel and Wren.

If I am not back by dawn, I have likely taken the stones back to Leringard and my part in this war will be over.  He grins impishly.  But that won't happen will it?  I will be back with sketches of our theatre.  May the gods be with you.

He nods to Ferritt and heads off on his mission.

[cbnicholson]

Daniel and his small retinue of other Knights make their way to the north wall and begin inspecting the troops and equipment there. Only partially satisfied with the conditions, Daniel instructs Sargeant Mulevy to make preparations for a small reserve force of lancers on horse to be ready to fill any further breaches in the wall, with thier bodies if needed. "I want these lancers hidden at any cost until they are needed, Sargeant, see to it. It worked well enough in Auderia, it may work here. Oh, and aye, prepare my horse, Edward II, for such a charge as well." By way of organization, Daniel also assigns Knights proven in battle to lead smaller groups of fighters on the wall.  Daniel sends a page to Commander Daniella and asked for her inspection and approval at her earliest convenience. As he waits, Daniel makes the rounds, familiarizing himself with the different men and woman on the north wall, offering the Gold's blessing to any who ask.

[RollinsCat]

As many nets and decoys were done as could be, which was not many.  Shrouded in leftover cloth with important parts covered, the decoys might fool long enough.  A long shot - well, anything out of the working two was a long shot - and Tiller had things under control until they weren't.  He chuckled, which came out more a cough with all the dust, and decided to take a walk around to stretch his legs, singing for the troops as he did.  Skirting the north wall he saw Gel sliding on a black-hooded cape and then he had trouble keeping an eye on the elf until he was able to jam his spectacles on - stars and song, the elf was gone.  Sneaky bugger; some scouting mission no doubt.  Ilsare be with him...

That meant that half the bards in the fort were gone.  He threw Daniel, who was speaking with a sargeant near the north wall, a salute and jogged off to the south wall.  They were still rebuilding and Kromlek's crews could use some extra help.  He would sing for them.

[jrizz]

*Wren watches Gel and Ferrit get ready for stage one of the strike teams mission.*

Is there anything either of you needs at this point? If not, may the great wolf walk with you both.

[xsweetpeaxs]

*smile appreciatively to Ferrit and Gel* Be safe. If you happen to run into trouble, don't feel obligated to continue, fall back and we can discuss the next course of actions.

[jrizz]

*After Gel and Ferrit depart (could be another round of chats with them before this happens of course) Wren seeks out a few seconds with Daniella*

Have you any word of where Steel is?

*is his only question*

[gilshem ironstone]

*Wren watches Gel and Ferrit get ready for stage one of the strike teams mission.*

Is there anything either of you needs at this point? If not, may the great wolf walk with you both.

Just the wherewithal not to get caught.  Lucky for you, Gray Elves are born in the mountains. Wait that sounds like something said as last words in a story.  Ah well.  So unless you have some information you feel is relevant, I will head off on my way.

[Alatriel]

*After Gel and Ferrit depart (could be another round of chats with them before this happens of course) Wren seeks out a few seconds with Daniella*

Have you any word of where Steel is?

*is his only question*

Daniella shakes her head briefly at his question on her way to another duty.