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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Jul 2, 2023 22:37:42 GMT -5
Out of all the problems that Capitol Landing was facing, a raiding party of gnolls was not something they needed. Guard forces and patrols had been severely hampered due to recent disasters so the countryside was mainly left to its own devices. A decision that did not sit well with Leandros, but there was little recourse to be found in the diplomatic and more often bureaucratic way nobles were supposed to do it.
The knight made his way down to find the next town that seemed to be in the path. A fear permeated the air as many of these people knew what was coming.
"Is there a village leader I can speak with?"
"That would be me I guess, as much a leader as we have." An older gnome woman stepped forward, barely able to see all the way up to Lee when he sits atop the horse.
"My lady....I want to help, guards aren't coming, but how many able bodied people in the village are there?"
"Not many...and they aren't fighters."
He offers a reassuring smile, "Worry not, I do not need fighters, can they help me build blockades along the road? Wagons and wheelbarrows, anything to slow the advance. I will reimburse anyone for damaged goods."
A small crowd had started to gather, looking amongst themselves. There wasn't a lot they could do, but the large man on the horse was the first person to come and offer them any sort of assistance. Murmurs began to spread about gathering things.
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Jul 5, 2023 20:15:04 GMT -5
Zarius caught wind of the murmurs pretty quickly after arriving in the town. He was stuck in the area due to a delay in his travel plans back from the Arid Mesa, so he opted to wander around and listen out for any trouble out in the more rural communities of Capitol Landing, few and far between that they are given the nature of the islands.
News of a Sol City knight having arrived alone was strange as they usually travelled in their little patrols, so it mildly piqued his interest enough for him to approach where the crowd was gathered while invisible.[1] He peers over the heads of the farmers only to see a familiar face towering over everyone.
Oh, gods, no, not this guy again.
The sight of Leandros instantly makes the fellblood tense. But he should not be that surprised to see the lumbering tin can here given his do-good nature.
He should just turn around, walk away, and pretend he had never even been there. The fellblood really did not want to deal with the bullheaded knight again given how much of a pain he had been the first time they met. Needless to say, he was still sour with the man.
The fellblood starts to turn to leave when he catches sight of a young child clinging to the pant leg of their parent while the crowd starts making preparations for an incoming raiding party. The kid is pretty young, and likely had no idea what was going on, yet there was worry on their face. They could tell the grown ups were scared, but of course the adults would not tell them that there was a chance they'd lose their homes, or worse, their lives.
Dammit. Fine.
He turns around and pushes past the crowd, ignoring the confusion of those moved aside by some invisible force as he approaches Leandros. Once he's near the man, he drops the invisibility.
"Sir Aurthurian, you seem short handed. What can I do to help?"
[1] Invisibility
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Jul 5, 2023 22:47:44 GMT -5
"Since when isn't this country short-handed these days." He offers a polite, but strained laugh as he heaves a massive boulder over one shoulder. The rest of his retinue travel around help people gather the supplies they need and whatever they can offer.
Little progress has been made so far and what fortifications are being made are ramshackle at best. It certainly was far from a strong defense, but for a hodgepodge of farm equipment and rocks it was....something.
It would not hold up to any intelligent force. Leandros seemed to be banking mostly on gnolls coming in fast and hard. The best job these barricades could do would be to blunt the initial strike.
"Honestly, what would help is a sense of the numbers. I would send Gilder, but if you're available, it seems you've a bit more in your arsenal for staying unseen. We have little information on what is coming other than it is."
He set the boulder down and let out a breath. They really were up against it trying to mount a defense in a town like this. A realist like Zarius would abandon the town, focus on evacuations if anything. The town was wide and open, gnolls aren't going to stay orderly and on the roads like a human army.
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Jul 8, 2023 10:39:25 GMT -5
Zarius looks around at the pathetic excuse for defenses that the village was creating. This would maybe hold up against a herd of distressed cows, but intelligent raiders? No. There were too many holes, too many openings to exploit, and most of it made out of wood which could easily turn into an out of control fire if the raiders had no interest in the village's survival after they had gotten what they wanted.
Leandros' expectation of what the fellblood would say was right on the nose.
"We would be better off either evacuating the town, negotiating with the raiders, or ambushing them before they get here. Honestly, all three would be better than thinking a pile of wood will slow them down at all."
He watches the man move more boulders.
"I will do as you ask. Reconnaissance is a good idea. But I do think in the meantime you should use your reputation as a knight to convince these people to pack up what they need and get away from the town. Ask if there is any place nearby they can hide out at in case the village is razed."
His eyes flit over to the villagers who have kept a cautious distance from the fellblood. While not outright suspicious or disrespectful as the villagers had been the last time Zarius had met the knight, these people still clearly did not trust the shifty stranger.
He looks back at Leandros while rummaging through his pouch for a small round item.[1] "They will listen to you. Here." He hands Leandros the item. "This will let us communicate with one another. I will keep you updated on what I find."
Turning away from the knight, Zarius becomes invisible and he runs off to try and intercept the raiding party. He doesn't make it particularly far before he stops in his tracks and thinks for a moment. Staring at the road and then glancing back at the town and its surroundings, something was bugging him. This town had little as far as natural defenses, it was basically out in an open field.
While this left the town vulnerable, it also made it challenging for any raiding party to sneak up for a surprise attack or ensure the townsfolk did not escape into the countryside. There was absolutely no cover. Except the town was surrounded by farmland. Crops standing healthy and tall. Perfect for starting a fire and making a smoke screen while preventing people from fleeing, this would leave the road as the only option for escape. It was a funnel.
Instead of continuing down the road, Zarius heads back and starts making wide sweeps of the hills surrounding the farmland. If the raiders were smart, they'd be hiding somewhere they had a a clear view of the town but weren't visible themselves. If defensive efforts were focused on the road, they'd be in the opposite direction to push the townsfolk against their own barricades.
[1] Talking Heads
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Jul 8, 2023 11:04:41 GMT -5
"I doubt negotiating with gnolls will go well and we lack the men for a proper ambush." He sighs as he rests a hand on the boulder to lean against it a moment.
It's hard not to recognize the points Zarius is making. Behind all the chivalry and heroic speech, Leandros knew that on paper it was the right idea. As he looked around at the people who were scared and desperate for help, it didn't sit well with him.
"These people have little....The leaders in Sol City are too busy tripping over themselves to be ready to help refugees....They can barely handle those impacted by the recent disasters. If we start sending in refugees from outside the city....gods know what will happen."
Maybe unexpected from a noble and a man of his beliefs, but there is the barest hint of anger when Leandros speaks of the leaders in Sol City. It's subtle, but to someone like Zarius it's likely as clear as day. He takes the talking head with a curious look. What will magic create next?
He just nods and lets Zarius take off as his wife approaches, a calming hand reaching to his shoulder, "Good to see him again...What did he say?"
"The same things you and Gilder did...."
"And?"
"Sometimes the smart answer isn't the right answer....We can't abandon these people. Someone needs to step up and show these people they have not been abandoned. So many of them already feel like it, we have to change that. When hope dies, people give up and I can't allow that to happen."
Apogee gives a soft smile and pats him gently. The idealism was part of the reason she fell in love with him, even in times like this when there really was no winning it was endearing to see someone still trying to be a storybook hero.
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Jul 12, 2023 21:02:16 GMT -5
Skirting around the fields surrounding the town, Zarius starts to really wish that he had brought Shael-- or more specifically Indra-- along so that he could scout from the air. It would be a whole lot easier to see any incoming trouble from a higher vantage point.
As he circles towards the back of the village, he notices that there is an unplanted field that looks like it still is being prepared for tilling. There are some tree stumps that have yet to be removed as well as some large boulders with ropes tied around them, presumably waiting to be hauled off at some point.
Nothing looks particularly out of the ordinary and it's evident that there was some rain not too long ago as the ground was particularly soft. He walks a bit into the field and feels the ground squish between his boots. So much for his invisibility.
He walks a bit further into the muddy field before stopping and stooping down to take a closer look at the ground. Before him are a number of large paw prints, much larger than what someone would expect from a normal sized dog or cat. And there are many of these prints towards the back edge of the field furthest from the town.
A scout or two, if he had to guess. But they do not seem to be here at present which likely meant the rest were fairly close. He squints at the few stands of trees that mark where the farmland turns from managed crops to wild grasses. As he's eyeing the groves suspiciously, a breeze picks up from behind him and blows towards the back of the field.
The tall wild grasses beyond the stands of trees move like waves across the hills. A few dark shapes on the crest of the nearest hill move in the opposite direction from the wind.
Shit.
That must be them. They're already so close. Even if they wanted to evacuate they wouldn't have that much of a head start. The fellblood considers his options, he takes out the matching orb to the item he passed to Leandros.
I have spotted some of the raiders, they are not likely going to attack from the road. I will get a closer look at their numbers shortly.
With that said, Zarius stalks forward into the tall grass and circles around to be as downwind from the figures he spotted as possible.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Jul 12, 2023 21:28:16 GMT -5
After they parted, Apogee went back to focus on getting people to at least find shelter. Few people were willing to fully leave the town, but they could at least help people into homes deeper into the town. This would at least lower casualties....at least in theory.
Though that entire theory rested on stopping an attack from the road, Zarius message blows a hole in that theory. The knight looks around the town, they don't have the manpower to shift their defenses. Even if they did it would still be just as easy to go around and out flank the village.
"Find me directions to the camp, then find your way back to town. I will force them to the roads."
He whistled for Byrr, the warhorse immediately responding even with Apogee at the reigns. Theobo and Gilder jog over as well figuring that something may be going on. Leandros offers a hand to help Apogee down before taking the horse's reins.
"Zarius is scouting the area ahead, once he finds where they are I will go to flush them out towards the roads. I am trusting you to be able to mount the defense from there."
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Jul 15, 2023 11:42:37 GMT -5
Zarius isn't sure exactly how Leandros plans on pulling off herding the gnolls to the road. Then again he really hasn't seen much of the man's abilities yet. Now that he was thinking about it, this would be a good opportunity to see just how much of a threat Leandros had the potential of being should the good knight end up being an enemy later.
Go towards the back of town, there is an untilled field with stumps and large boulders. Past the stands of trees beyond it is a hillside. I suspect they are just on the other side of the hill. They may have been planning to wait until nightfall.
That's what he would have done in this situation. The town was mostly humans who can't see jack shit in the dark. It would make sweeping through the town unhindered all the easier with the aid of limited vision on their prey's side.
I will get their exact location and send you a signal.
Zarius keeps moving forward through the grass, doing his best to disturb it as little as possible as to not give away his position. He skulks around the base of the hill until he can peer over to the other side of it.
Yup. There they are.
There's about a dozen in the raiding party and it's clear they've been on the opposite side of the hill for at least a night judging by all the flattened grass. They have a cart with them that's wheels are bogged down with mud, but there's no beast of burden in sight. They must have pulled it themselves and plan on loading it up with whatever they scavenge from the town.
The gnolls themselves look strong and fierce. They do not wear much for armor except for one that is a bit bigger than the others which is sporting some chainmail. All of them are armed with either clubs, bows and arrows, or spears. They weren't decked out like your standard militia, but in comparison to the ramshackle villagers, they might as well be the royal fucking army. The village would not stand a chance.
Quietly, Zarius relays the numbers and equipment the gnolls have to Leandros.
Keep an eye out for my signal. I am going in closer.
The fellblood stalks even closer to the group. Chances were that as soon as he set off his signal that not only would he give his position away, but the raiders may even scatter. That wasn't necessarily a bad thing, if they could cause chaos and panic then they may be able to pick off the raiders one by one rather than get swarmed by all of them at once.
As he creeps forward through the long grass-- eyes locked on the gnolls as he watches for any signs that they've caught on to his intrusion-- he fails to watch his step just as something pulls and tightens around his ankle. A thin wire pulls taught and leads to the wagon where it triggers some scrap pieces of metal to clink together. The gnolls hear this and turn their attention to where the fellblood freezes in place, still invisible.
Fuck.
Two of the gnolls listen for a moment before starting to wander in his direction to see what set off their snare.
Zarius glances down at his ankle. The snare was pulled tight but wasn't that strong, likely meant for much smaller prey than himself. Bad luck. Of all times.
Well, he's close enough he supposes. He flips up the hood of his cloak and a plume of black billowing smoke suddenly appears around him.[1] The smoke rises and makes a trail in the air that quickly is visible over the crest of the hill. The gnolls raise up their own alarm calls in surprise, but they cannot make out the fellblood through the cloud. He uses that moment to free himself from the snare.[2]
[1] Smoldering Cape (1/3 posts) [2] Escaping Technique
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Jul 15, 2023 15:19:20 GMT -5
The back and forth about how dangerous the plan was did not last long. Leandros had already made up his mind. He hauls himself up onto Byrr, wrapping the leather of the reins around his off hand to secure his grip. A deep breath is exhaled as he awaits Zarius' next message.
"When I leave...Theobo gather any man or woman who feels up to fighting and settle along the defenses. Get any polearm or long weapon you can, pitchforks will likely be your best option. Keep them in front of you as best you can, Gilder will be supporting you from the back. Apogee, stay with the people, you'll have to be the last line if they slip past."
He looks towards the forest when he sees the smoke start to rise and gives a gentle nod. "Go." His last word to the group as he snaps the reins, turning towards the field to sweep around and flank the gnolls.
The heavy gallop of the knight on his horse grows closer and closer to Zarius. There is no attempt at approaching quietly, Leandros is going for panic and chaos. Even through the forest, the knight and horse seem to keep that same strong pace.[1] He takes his halberd from his back as he starts to zero in on the gnoll's position.
"HEAR ME GNOLLS, THE LION OF THE LANDING IS HERE TO REMIND YOU WHO THE KING OF THE BEASTS IS." As he bursts through the foilage and into the camp a wave of fear seems to pulse out from his roar.[2]
Leandros then swings his halberd, a beam of light sweeping out to pierce into a few of the gnolls sending out yelps of pain.[3] The fear seems to sink in as gnolls scramble to gather their weapons and start to run. The knight keeps his charge, trying to push the gnolls towards the road like a sheepdog working its herd. Stragglers are left in the wake, but a good portion of the force seems to be pushed in the right direction. He just had to hope the defenses would hold as he chased from behind.
1. Sure Footed 2. Looming Fear 3. Paladin's Halberd
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Jul 15, 2023 19:30:56 GMT -5
Zarius hears Leandros and Byrr coming a mile away. As do the gnolls, a few of them drawing their weapons in anticipation of what exactly was charging towards them. The other two that were investigating the snare close in on the smoke cloud around the fellblood, confused as to how a fire exactly started but also suspicious at the lack of flames causing the smoke.
Geez, hopefully this doesn't all go horribly wrong because there was no turning back now.
The raiders are surprised by the knight's sudden appearance and there's a glimmer of recognition to his banner and battle cry. They do initially spook and their group's attention is divided. With the help of Leandros' battle cry, it wouldn't be too hard to just cause absolutely chaos amongst the raiders.
Zarius spots his opening and takes full advantage of it. This was going to be a messy brawl if the gnolls manage to regroup, so his main objective should be to isolate individuals as much as possible so Leandros has an easy time cleaning up the stragglers.
The fellblood rushes forward, smoke still trailing out of his cloak and he starts to essentially weave between the gnolls to create a smoke screen and drive them in all directions.[1]
Scatter and subdue.
[1] Smoldering Cape (2/3 posts)
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