Blackbog Keep

[Mr_Praetorian]

"An source of firepower would be welcomed at this stage in the war, and the crafting potential wouldn't hurt us either, assuming the other crafters can get along with him.

Contact him, and tell him that I wish to discuss employment."

[Zanaikin]

( DM's Note: Discussions on Blade will temporarily be put on suspension, who knows how long that side's gonna take. Proceed onto next issue, whatever you guys have. I believe Dave still has a dragon lair to discuss. I don't have any updates until May 28th. )

[Zanaikin]

( almost forgot about this: )
Later during the day, a contingent of Naralanians arrive at Blackbog for two reasons. First, they're here to deliver the next 100+ Mithral Golem Armors with Grenade Launchers promised. Second, the artificers they brought are here to give the Sky Galleons an upgrade - a system configuration that'll allow the Force Missile Battery to project defensive-fire, allowing it to take down enemy missiles.

Also, later during the day a company of Kharvan Citadels under the command of Dolch Pliskin arrives, apparently having been placed under the command of Teodor to support the alliances' efforts in the Western Campaign ( updated on allies n forces under other npcs/forces ).

( Furthermore, you may now forward crafting requests to Airindale Artificers in Thatahl Keep. The priority level will be lower though (seeing they're upgrading their own forces' as first priority, and they don't have access to divine spellcasting, nor will they offer you Airindale-only military armaments - that's against their rules =P. Teodor may also place requests at top priority from the Kharvan artificers in Starik. )

[Mr_Praetorian]

By the mandate of High Command:

In expectance of the war come, a portion of the war loan will be broken up and split amongst all Commanders. Each Commander will be able to purchase 125,000 gold in combat gear from the artificers of Blackbog and Thatahl Keeps.

Also, Derovarr orders each of the Airships be upgraded with ability to turn half of the damage from the primary weapon into sacred damage.


( DM response: total upgrades comes out to be about 125k for ~30 Battle-Captain and higher commanders and ~170k for each of the Sky Galleons, totaling about 4.2mil in costs )

[Zanaikin]

On the morning of May 28th...

Everyone had gotten up early today, for it was to be the departure of the first expedition of the campaign against Norinth. The full force of Blackbog Keep, over a thousand men, was arrayed in its courtyard and lined up in neat formation. In the front of it all were High-Marshal Tollak Kovis, Escort-Marshal Reynold Kerpen, and Cardinal Agnes Kerpen, with the full Pegasi Cavalry Section standing behind them. The other commanders of Blackbog Keep stood to the side, examining the forces in the center of the courtyard which were prepared to depart. It constituted of nearly half of the available troops in Blackbog - 4 banners of Heavy Cavalry, 2 companies of Skirmishers on light mounts. Those whom were not leaving with the expedition were formed up in units either to both sides, or lined up atop the walls and towers overseeing the courtyard. Contrary to earlier planning, the mainstay of the logistics company would not be leaving with them due to the need for further artifice upgrades, and instead only two-fifth of the creationists will be leaving with the expedition to cover their needs.

Flanked by the two Kerpens, Lord Kovis led his (newly replaced, from unknown sources) pegasi up and down the lines, examining the troops, before returning to the front and speaking to Derovar

Kovis: "My lord, we are ready."

[Mr_Praetorian]

Comrades. Many times have I called you forth that I might address you and our cause, but this may be one of the last times that we the ability to do so. For, as many of you have already been informed, within the next few days, we shall begin official mobilization for the Wester Campaign. It will be long, brutal, and grueling conflict. Many lives will be lost, both friend and foe, peer and ally. A sea of blood shall cloak this landscape, but it will not be vain.

We, as the defenders of what is just and right will not bear anymore meaningless sacrifices. Too much of this has already come to pass. The time for petty conflict is long past, now, as we begin to march towards this great conflict, is the time to set aside what differences we have between ourselves, and even our allies, and focus on the largest threat, that of the Imperium.

These extraplanar's call themselves human, claim to seek control of Penthiae for the good of the human race. But they say these things even as they ally with those who use their dead for impure purposes. Those that would call upon finest to rally once more, with or without their consent. Those that would see detractors slain, their lands despoiled, and their people enslaved under an endless cloak of shadow. If these are the allies they seek, then these Imperials are clearly not so valiant and pure as they try to appear, and as Paladins and Priests, we will not suffer these indignities any further.

For within the ranks of this Great Alliance, are those who will not bend to the will these beings afar, or their undead kin. Within these ranks are those who have survived the falling the cities and slaughtering of armies. We have watched as once bright lands full of hope and spirit have been cast into blood and darkness. We have seen the future of our people dashed, and the future of our nations altered to a course towards destruction. Our enemies may think this will weaken us, thus has always been the ways of the Norinthners.

But we will not be intimidated, we will not be cast down, and we will not give up this fight! Far too many have given their lives, from paragonic icons, to rank and file footmen. By all that we hold dear to be true and just, we shall not let their deaths be meaningless. Those who have died unjustly will be avenged.

Yet, we must remember going forward that our cause shall not be one of pure vengeance. For to fight merely for the sake of spite and hatred is not the path we seek to walk. We fight not only that our generation may see a time of peace, but also that our future generations may too see a time wherein conflict does not mark the age. We fight for this, because it is our legacy. We are Misalinians, and whether our heritage is that of a long line of warriors and priests, or those of us who are first generation militants, our combined legacy is that of an Eternal Crusade for keeping the world safe and pure.

Know that when we take to the field, though we may sometimes be in the company of less than pure allies, that this does not cast anything upon ourselves. We must come to understand that the truth in our cause and message shall not be marred by the company of any. As long as our souls remain clean, so shall our minds, and so shall our words. Though we may command the forces of elemental wrath, we shall not be tainted by there presence.

For it is not the question of what we wield, but how, and for what purpose we wield it. Our enemies will call us hypocrites. But we will remind them through actions and words, that while they force the bodies of their fallen comrades to rise again, that we have merely given lost and enraged souls means by which to enact retribution upon those who despoiled their lands in the first place!

As I look upon the many ranks of great warriors and holy priests before me, all fear and apprehension is dispelled. For in looking upon all of you, I can see what have accomplished, and all that we shall accomplish! I can see a bright future, wherein this extraplanar Imperium has been cast off, and the dreaded shadow of Norinth's Blacklore soldiers has been cleansed once and for all! The lands that were desecrated will be purified, the enraged spirits will be laid to rest, and Penthiae will know peace at last.

Remember this, my comrades, as you don your armor, draw your blades, and say your prayers. Remember this legacy as you call your soldiers to arms, and send them into battle. Remember our legacy, our purpose, and our cause as we march forth once more on this Great Crusade!"

[Zanaikin]

As Derovarr finished his speech, Kovis moved up before the troops once again, and cast a quick spell upon himself from his staff before shouting out with a booming voice the resounded across the Keep.

Kovis: "FOR THE GLORY OF MISALIN!"

The shout resounded across the Keeps' walls, then from the soldiers themselves as they chanted it back, rhythmically and in orderly fashion. One did not even need to examine their faces to know, for it was evident from their voices - the soldiers were confident, resolved, and their spirits were higher than ever. Coming from over a thousand mouths at the same time, it was a steady chant that could be heard for miles out.

Kovis: "FOR THE GRAND DUCHY, DEPART!"

And with that his command and pegasi squad turned about and strode into the teleportation keep, with the soldiers following in individual sections. A widened circle had already been prepared for this moment, making the jump directly into the Fens where they will meet up with the Battlemaster forces sent from Thatahl Keep by the Airindale mages.

[Zanaikin]

Later in the day on May 28th, Derovarr receives a first report from Kilar.

In a recent report from Halihill, the forces sent there to provide a guard for the reconstruction efforts noted the presence of a black orcish shock company which moved into the vicinity for a short period. They came within sight range (at maximum range, so just barely) of the city's construction camp, but neither engaged Misalin forces nor attempted to wreck any of the efforts near the city. The Misalin units, due to having only marginal numeric advantage, did not engage and held only a defensive position. After only a short while, the orcs then withdrew, before any reinforcements were brought into the area. Report that the enemy unit was also covered by at least one aerial mage squad. However, on the same day, contact to over two squads of the eastern scouting elements of the escort troops at Halihill and Port Gantrick were lost, only one scout survived and claimed his comrades were assaulted by a trio of Black Dragonlancers.

Because of these news, the Church declared they will be stripping garrisons to the other cities to a minimum and concentrating the Guard forces towards Port Yorkshaft for a sweep towards the east to rid of these orcish units.

The problem is that... Kilar doesn't feel these are orc units, and details regarding about those reports doesn't seem to match up correctly. Furthermore, rumors amongst the population has been growing in that the renegades at Blackbog Keep have increased their training schedule and military production, attempting to pile together as much fighting strength as possible before an inevitable attack on the Proclaimer government in order to further their power-hungry needs, and they've agreed to become vassals of Airindale in replace for their support in the coup of the rightful government. Kilar has only had enough time to look into the generalities thus far, but he believes there's a possibility that Anstrun is gathering forces not for a strike at some orc presence in Northeast Misalin (if there was an orc presence there at all and not just an illusion) but for a strike on Blackbog Keep. After all, scout report from the incident of Lenneth's defection has already been distributed as propaganda, claiming that the renegades of Blackbog provoked and then attacked the units dispatched to Port Sarim in order to wear down on the nation's strength while aquisitioning more traitorous forces.

He's not sure yet, but at this point he's almost certain there's a presence of Imperial infiltrators in Capital City, and they're most likely behind those rumors.

[Mr_Praetorian]

Return message to Kilar, sent minutes after arrival of original message:

"These maneuvers are of no surprise to me, and the fact that Blackbog will be be practically empty soon due to the Western Campaign puts us in serious risk.

The propaganda is a surprise either. The time where we must wage a propaganda war is fast upon us. As I have little understanding of the true nature of the political spectrum, I shall defer to your experience when such a time is upon us.

Proceed as previously ordered. Gods be with you."

After sending the return message, Derovarr passes on the information to Cary, Kati, Kovis (via command ring, obviously), Sammael and Ulrich via meeting.

[Squall255]

"Well, Guardian Marshal, I don't think we can let Anstrun get away with saying whatever it is he wants for too much longer. We need to start a few rumors of our own. I suggest having someone start mentioning that we were the ones to destroy the Norinth base. Get them thinking about WHO we're fighting. not the fact that we are fighting." Ulrich says at the meeting.

[Mr_Praetorian]

"An excellent plan, my good priest. But how shall we go about this?"

[Squall255]

"That... I haven't figured out yet. I was hoping we might be able to get some men into the city to start some rumors, but I haven't really been able to puzzle out a way. I figured I'd let you know what I thought was the best course, and see if anyone else was able to come upon something I missed."

*Note to Dai: Permission to retcon a retraining of some Know Arcane ranks and Spot and/or Listen Ranks to Know Noble/Royalty? I'm only thinking about 6 or so ranks. Certainly Ulrich has SOME kinda connection back in Capital City, high ranking family history, and church relations and all.

[Zanaikin]

( you can shift 3 ranks over, consider that recent efforts - being noble born doesn't automatically make you knowledgeable about politics, and nothing in your history shows any past experience with it ).

[Zanaikin]

( ending May 28th, advancing forward to May 29th, expect the pace to maybe pick up a bit... too much waiting ).

Late into the night on May 28th, Reynold Kerpen returned to Blackbog to give the first report about Kovis' campaign into the Fens. Through the data provided by Airindale, Kovis lead his forces and attacked the Black Draconic clans who dug in just to the east of Blackbog. His forces was split into three separate units - force one and two for each of the Battlemaster regiments, which were sent in from the west and southeast and converged into a three sided sack as they advanced on the Black Draconic lair. Meanwhile, a third force, including all of his Misalinian cavalry, advanced to the Northeast and awaited roughly five miles from the lair. Kovis lead his own aerial cavalry units and covered the airspace above the dragon's lair. The battlemasters assaulted the lair's entries from three directions and battered down the defenses of four draconic orc clans through sheer brute force. Despite the enemy's tenacity, battlemaster casualties have been light as their martial superiority displayed well in the tunnel combat, and their insanity aura proved absolutely devastating. Once the battlemasters were in the lairs however, it became almost an one-sided massacre. The orcs thrown everything they had against the attack, including civilians armed with whatever they could find (it doesn't seem like surrender even crossed their minds), while those incapable fled towards the northeast through the one tunnel Kovis did not pour troops through. The Black Dragons begun their retreat as soon as they noticed they could not stop the attack, however they met the air units lead personally by Lord Kovis as they went to withdraw, and only four of their younger members managed. The black orcs who managed to flee were swept up by the cavalry forces, whom killed most of their remaining combat-capable escorts and relieved them of almost all their weapons and valuables. The Noncoms, under strict orders from Kovis, managed to keep most unneeded acts of vengeance against the clans that were responsible for invading South Misalin. The remaining civilians were allowed only just enough basic armament to give them a chance in the Fens.

Current estimates has it that the onslaught killed 29 dragons of various sizes and around 12,000~15,000 orcs, completely demolishing the powers of the Black Dragons and four black draconic orc clans. They also took over 5 million gps worth of gold and valuables from the dragon's hoard, plus countless other weapons and equipment (although most of them were too low quality to be cared about by the soldiers). There were only ten permanent casualties amongst the Misalin cavalry, and the battlemasters suffered casualties less than 5%.

[Zanaikin]