FE Quest: Silver Scales of the Past - Part 5 Summary

Chapter 5 Link: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/46358437/

Chapter 5 Summary (Rene: Claiming Holmstead)

 -Rene was bantering with Veiz in their cabin on Waldrick's flagship, one night away from their destination. Waldrick called them to his office to inform them of what a pegasus knight scout had just informed him: a great deal of the knights of Noba would be meeting them at Holmstead, undoubtedly not for a remotely fun time, and led by King Augustus himself as the smaller, wyrmite-equipped bunch does their thing. With a much larger force now left to handle Waldrick and friends, Veiz was first to propose that, since it wasn't going to be IMPOSSIBLE to stamp out a larger-than-anticipated force, just much more manpower-intensive, they plan to use this opportunity to take the life of this King Augustus and wipe out as many of his warriors as possible, ideally simultaneously crippling the morale and the size of Noba's defenses. Veiz also made a curious request: that they take Alfred alive, keeping vague on her reasoning for wanting to do so, only revealing that she thinks he would make an "excellent multi-purpose pawn."
 -A bit of sisterly teasing later, Rene fell asleep and entered into an unpleasant dream, seeing the death of Marduk and his younger sisters, and hearing the guilt-slinging voice of Director Belinda for her part in failing to stop the smugglers... And promptly argued back against the dream-director's competency, given her real-life counterpart's known penchant for all-out assaults whether called-for or not.. Night passed into morning, and Rene found herself in a brief discussion with Hera, still admittedly concerned about the wyvern riders who will be lost to this, to which Hera's response amounted to "hey, what can ya do." She then imparted a bit of her philosophy to Rene: enjoy fighting and killing, because there's no greater suffering than being a soldier who can't enjoy it.
 -Finally, shortly afterwards, the gang reached the harbors of Holmstead, immediately greeted by Raleigh and several Holmstead soldiers, though our invaders had the luck of being somewhat earlier to arrive than Augustus' aid. Waldrick gave the lot of them one final chance to surrender and avoid a fight, but this was refused, and Rene attempted to shoot him. A random soldier took the arrow in his stead, and in his anger Raleigh immediately turned his Elfire tome on his killer, which is to say Rene. More than a bit distracted, Rene came to a short time later being healed by Cicero and Omar, a young healer who studied in the magically-adept Desert Region. From there, Rene, Veiz, Cicero, and now Omar went on to catch up with and aid Hera, who they found with several other islandborn fighters clashing against Alfred and his underling. In short, all but one of his mooks, who ran away, were killed, and Alfred was taken captive when his gaining the upper hand on the deliberately-holding-back Hera gave Veiz a perfect opportunity to hit him.
 -No sooner than Alfred was hauled off, King Augustus, along with Sir Dyrus and his party members, made their appearances, Augustus opening up on a humorously-toned observation about Rene and Dyrus both having blue hair. The mood became much more serious immediately after, however, as he revealed to Rene and Cicero that he was, in fact, their long-missing childhood friend August, asking them to lay down their weapons and have a peaceful catching-up. Rene declined, however, duty-bound to fight her friend and the resistance fighters to the death. While August didn't pursue the line from there, he did initially refuse to raise his blade against Rene's allies, Dyrus taking up the torch of initiating quite the heated argument with her. His points, however, fell upon deaf ears, and phased into more straightforward fighting moments later.
 -With named characters sustaining wounds and his unnamed lieutenant killed, Augustus finally joined the fray, attacking Hera, before being easily-and critically-shot off of his horse by Rene and Veiz. Left painfully dying, he insisted that everyone else retreat into a nearby alley as their initial path was blocked off by further reinforcements. From there, he had a painful parting moment with Cicero and Veiz after a bloody reunion lasting perhaps an hour. While August admitted to being reasonably displeased that his former "little sister" had effectively just killed him in the name of conquest, he admitted that he could still never bring himself to hate her before Hera put him down for good. This, in the layperson's terms fucked Rene up real bad, and so she was deemed unable to continue in the battle of Holmstead.

BRIEF UPDATE ON EACH OF OUR HEROES' STORYLINES/CURRENT STATUS

Samson: Now that they're safely out of Holmstead, his mother has decided that, like it or not, he's learning how to fight.

Dyrus: The battle of Holmstead turning into a rousing disaster, Dyrus' group reluctantly heeds Augustus' dying request to flee.

Rene: Having been an integral part in the death of her childhood friend, Rene is perhaps feeling the most vulnerable she ever has.

WITH SAMSON
 Samson: Bard (songs+tomes), level 2, +Luck/-Def. A singer, poet, and all-around rich boy who spent his life educating himself in the arts to mild-moderate success. Thinking not of continental politics, he is content to know that he'll probably be able to write a great song about the victors. Much more awkward than his regal demeanor implies.
 Millicent/Millie: Thief (wants to learn dancer skills), level 3, +Spd/-HP. A dancer in the sense that she does so as her foremost hobby, Millicent was born among a less privileged crowd than her other artsy friends. Between dancing and associating with unsavory seafarers when boatwatching, she's amassed quite a set of odd talents, several of which she's a bit embarrassed to admit to, preferring to project the image of the pretty young rising star of the stage. While she can be vexed easily and hates being kept waiting, she has a good heart and is, by default, quite sweet.
 Norman: Archer, level 5, +Skl/-Mag. The tall, bulky younger brother of Millicent and an aspiring hunter.
 Lazare: Mage, level 5, +Mag/-Skl. An absentminded scholar and aristocrat of Holmstead who wishes to facilitate the end of poverty. In his absentmindedness, however, he harbors some unintentional condescension towards lower classes. Ultimately, he means well, however. The husband of Marion and father of Samson. Often ends up in loud arguments with Marion.
 Marion: Mage Fighter, level 1(+20), +Mag/-Str. A woman born and raised in Holmstead. Just over a decade ago, she was a mercenary of some skill and repute, often traveling the continent and considered unrivaled, but severe injuries to tendons in her dominant arm when traveling with a young man named August, limiting her ability to properly wield a sword, prompted her retirement, and shortly after a combination of depression at being stuck in her home and painkilling turned her towards alcohol, and she fell out of practice. An encounter with bandits has restored the fire in her heart as she opted to train her son, Samson, in proper spell-slinging.

WITH DYRUS
 Dyrus: Lord (axes), level 7, +Spd/-HP. The son of noblewoman and revolutionary Hauteclere. Quick-thinking and quick-reacting, one would be hard-pressed to get the drop on him, but he can sometimes make bold or brash statements. Despite this, however, he is said to be typically courteous towards common folk, and is an enthusiastic hard worker. Twin brother to Laurise, older by seconds. Wields the Royal Axe, a gift from King Augustus, which is especially powerful against armored or mounted opponents. Took the story about his father's demise VERY personally after accepting it as fact.
 Darren: Warrior, level 1(+20), +base/-grow. Paternal grandfather of Dyrus and Laurise, Sir Darren has many facets. He's a stern combat instructor, a doting grandfather, and a reflective old man. As a retired Gerxel army guy and long-lived rich man, he has fostered many connections to pockets of dissent in the Gerxel Empire for his daughter-in-law to appeal to. When his son, also named Dyrus, was presumed devoured in Garou Valley, he grew to find the Empire's expansion pointlessly imperialistic.
 Via: Maid, level 4, +Mag/-Str. A caretaker in the employ of Darren, around his grandchildren's age if not a year or two older. Dutiful and kindhearted, but immensely dislikes rudeness. Hides several knives and staves on her person.
 Gerard: Soldier, level 6, +Str/-Spd. A guard in the employ of Sir Darren who accompanied him to Noba. An excitable young man with a lot of excitement about new experiences.
 Belle: Pegasus Knight, level 6, +Spd/-Def. A guard in the employ of Sir Darren who accompanied him to Noba. A somber young woman who prefers to be prepared for any situation.
 (Winona and Nia will join them as soon as the Battle of Holmstead and attempted invasion of Noba are concluded, currently only being listed here for simplicity's sake)
 Winona: Wyvern Rider, level 7, +Spd/-Mag. The middle sister of three Gerxel wyvern riders and a childhood friend of Dyrus and Laurice's, Winona is a headstrong, charge-first-ask-later type who will unhesitatingly fight for the sake of her siblings. When Nia was captured, she didn't hesitate to abandon her post to rush to her aid... And was promptly captured, though not before being convinced to lend her strength to her previous enemies by Dyrus. Insecurity about standing out compared to her decorated, responsible older brother and "prodigious" younger sister partially fuels her thoughts of heroism.
 Nia: Wyvern Rider, level 4, +Str/-Luck. The youngest sister of three Gerxel wyvern riders and a childhood friend of Dyrus and Laurice's, Nia was deemed a prodigy in wyvern-riding, hence why she was able to secure a position as a scout under Director Belinda at such a young age. However, her inexperience led to her prompt capture, a situation which she remained stuck in until the actions of her sister Winona led to them both joining Hauteclere's rebellion. Though her inexperience and youth often inconvenience her (and led to a VERY easy interrogation), she does her best to put up an optimistic front for her loved ones.

WITH RENE
 Rene: Huntress (Bows+Lances), level 2(+20), +Skl/-Res. Abandoned by her birth family at infancy, inheriting nothing from them but her name and her blue hair, Rene grew up in a Gerxel Orphanage, which was often underfunded despite the best efforts of those who ran the place. In time, however, she was adopted by Waldrick, a Director of the Gerxel Empire, and grew up to be a very promising young official-to-be. Capable of putting her emotions aside for the sake of a mission, as was demonstrated when she effortlessly killed one of the smugglers assaulting her and Veiz, whose own first kill immediately affected her.
 Veiz: Archer, level 14, +Mag/-Spd. The biological daughter of Director Waldrick, she feels as though she just sort of inherently deserves greatness. That's not to say that she would even consider not working hard at it, but she does have a hell of a competitive and jealous streak to her. She does, at the end of the day, have a caring heart for her friends and family, though some would be hard-pressed to get her to admit it. Her romantic tastes lean heavily towards roguish, edgy sorts.
 Cicero: Butler (+Locktouch), level 5, +Spd/-Def. Childhood orphanage-buddy to Rene, he was sponsored to undergo a very wide variety of types of training after saving the life of Waldrick and several other Coastal Gerxel officials by uncovering a mass assassination attempt. He now loyally serves as his old friend's bodyguard, to the extent that she even needs one. He has a talent for snooping out secrets and sniffing out criminals.
 Hera: Berserker, level 5(+20), +Str/-Res. Native to the Southern Archipelago, Hera grew up forced to fight and kill for amusement in combat arenas that Director Waldrick immediately abolished upon the islands' introduction to the Gerxel Empire. Regardless, he figured, it was a poor decision to let their best fighter go to waste, so he offered Hera a genuinely paying position as his personal right-hand/bodyguard, which she initially accepted purely due to the gold and being out of her old livelihood. In time, however, she grew to view herself as part of Waldrick's own family. Always up for a good scrap, either fond of showing off her impressive arm muscles or just REALLY not fond of sleeves (perhaps both), and tending to lug an axe around, she's a fearsome enemy to have.
 Omar: Curate, level 2, +Res/-HP. A healer with the Empire who studied in the famously magically-inclined desert regions. A kind, mild-mannered young man who just wants to save lives.
 Waldrick: General, level 8(+20), +Def/-Spd. A philanthropist holding the second-highest rank in the Gerxel Empire: Director, specifically in control of Coastal Gerxel, the name of the sections of the Empire along the Southern Coast+the archipelago below. A proud, doting father of two who nonetheless pushes his children to do great things. To his enemies and subordinates (besides Hera), he deliberately projects the image of a stern, terrifying, no-nonsense general. Friends and family, however, see him as a big softie, albeit one who is not easily pushed around.

FACTION: INDEPENDENT CITY-STATE OF HOLMSTEAD
 (A port city-state famous for its fishermen, under the boundaries of which also fall bountiful forests full of very delicious game. While the land has maintained its neutrality and independence even in the face of expansion from two neighboring forces, only time will tell how long this will last.)
 Lord Gaspen: Civilian Class. The most recent in a long line of familial leaders of the bountiful city-state. Has no intent of simply giving up his land to just anyone.
 Raleigh: Bard (tomes only, FE4-style), level 10, +Def/-Luck. A playwright and humanitarian in his own time, Raleigh is something of a local celebrity, the kind of guy who'll call anyone his friend, but probably isn't too close to any of them. Has had the privilege of meeting with King Augustus up North in Noba, and even taken enough of an interest in him to write a play about his life, but his heart beats and bleeds for his homeland, Holmstead. Has very high expectations for others and their growth, and though it comes from a good-natured place, it makes him hard to get truly close to.
 Aligned Party Members: Samson (halfheartedly), Millicent (Could take it or leave it)

FACTION: GERXEL EMPIRE
 (A ruthlessly-powerful empire run by, well, an Emperor, directly beneath which is a set of regional "Directors," who have control over a full region of the ever-expanding empire. Infamous for their shows of brute strength in combat, their oftentimes-draconian justice system, and their pleasantly thorough social services and infrastructure. Very, VERY large leaps in the progress of their conquests were made through the power of an exceptionally bloodthirsty monster of magical origin, whom the current emperor has had sealed away in an attempt to take steps towards reform. Their capital city lies in the mountains, just North of Garou Valley.)
 Emperor Ximeno Gerxel: Silver Knight class, level unknown(+20). The Emperor. An avid hunter who misses his days as a prince, when he could properly lead a battle from the front, but recognizes the importance of the head of state not ending up beheaded in some random skirmish after his elder brother, Xerxes, died in a similarly random manner when both were young men.

SUB-FACTION: COASTAL GERXEL
 (Led by Director Waldrick, this encompasses the Southern coastline of Teege, as well as the archipelago to its South. Naturally, this place is a vital hub for trade and naval-related actions among the Gerxel Empire, as well as its comparatively large amount of Berserkers)
 Aligned Party Members: Rene, Veiz, Waldrick, Hera

SUB-FACTION: CENTRAL GERXEL
 (Led by Director Belinda, this encompasses, as the name implies, the central section of the continent, from the borders of Tordo and Noba to the massive desert just East of it, and the coastline to the South.
 Belinda: Wyvern Lord, level 5(+20), +Str/-Skl. The fearsome, ill-tempered Director of Central Gerxel, she controls its population-and more strategically, its wyvern population-with an iron fist. Unsympathetic towards failure and easily-angered, she is nonetheless respected by some for rewarding successful operatives quite generously and her extremely strict criminal policies, even by the standards of the empire. Not above lying or fearmongering to push her own agendas or those of her emperor, she's particularly painted King Augustus as a vile monster.
 Marduk: Wyvern Lord, level 2(+20), +Def/Res. The eldest brother out of himself, Winona, and Nia, he took to raising his sisters when their parents passed away. His exceptional work ethic led to him quickly becoming an impressive enough warrior to earn Director Belinda's attention, especially since she has quite the weakness to those willing to suck up to her. Now a sad, self-critical man, he blames the younger riders' disappearances squarely on himself and, when led to assume the worst about their fates, seeks a hopeless battle to throw himself into.

SUB-FACTION: DESERT REGION
 (This is easily the oddball of the various Gerxel-controlled regions. Controlling a vast network of oases across the desert, the land is entirely recognized as Gerxel Territory, but entire swaths of it lie under the control of winged desert dwellers referred to as Vultures. Territories are near-constantly trading hands as Vautou raids Gerxel, or Gerxel raids Vautou territory, with neither group willing to cooperate with the other, the Vautou too accustomed to the deserts to be completely conquered. Conquest isn't exactly in Director Cato's cards either, with the mages under Cato's command being primarily interested in... well, magical studies. The short version of this situation's effect on things is that many prefer to just avoid the hassle of desert travel outright by circumventing the region, unless one specifically requires magical supply.)
 Cato: Sorceress, level 8(+20), +Mag/-Str. Easily the most distant Director of the Gerxel, Cato strongly prefers her books to her obligations as an agent of the empire. Thus, she is easily the least aggressive of the Gerxel's Directors, concerned only with the territories she already controls and attempting to devise a means to better protect them from Vautou, or reclaim territories that they "stole" (AN: The Gerxel most likely stole them first, though there were a few human civilizations in the desert before the Gerxel). However, orders are still orders, so if told she must aggress certain somebodies, hey, what can you do?

FACTION: VAUTOU TRIBES
 (A type of winged humanoid species native to the deserts of Teege, their relations with humans and Wolfskin alike have been marked by aggression. Though once upon a time calling themselves simply Vultures, borrowing the term for the Wolfskin society's favored species, the Garou, gave them the official term of Vautou. Their motives are quite clear in nature: recapture all of the territory in the desert in the name of themselves, and knock down any who would stand against their efforts. To go into their history of war with humanity would be a  complex, repetitive tale predating the progenitors of the Gerxel Empire, though their aggression was certainly exacerbated when the neighbors started stepping on toes much harder.)
 Paisley: Vautou Chief, level 20, +Str/-Mag. Public enemy number one for desert-dwelling Gerxel, the modern-day hero to the Vautou who also call the place home. Having instilled a policy of aggression towards any human or Wolfskin not accompanied by a Vulture, he holds hopes of recapturing the entire region in the name of the birds and hopefully driving out quite literally all humans.

SUB-FACTION: WOLFSKIN SOCIETY
 (A massive valley, due South of the capital of the Gerxel Empire, is known as Garou Valley due to the dominant species there, a type of wolf-shapeshifter known as a Garou, who also exercise authority over valleys just East and South of it, though less strongly due to the mountain ranges between them. Willingly acting as enforcers of the Gerxel Empire, Wolfskin Society, as the Garou culture is called, is infamous for its systemic mistreatment of the humans equally-native to the land, the Tarvosian Nomads, though rumors about the sheer EXTENT of their abuse of humans are oft exaggerated. Regardless, there is a disturbing sub-sub-faction of unknown size among them that revels in the outright consumption of human flesh, which even the Wolfskin Director is attempting to flush out as immediately as possible.)
 Chiffon: Wolfssegner, level 5(+20), +Str/-Res. The Director of the Wolfskin regions of the Gerxel Empire, and thus the leader-by-default of the feared wolfskin enforcers. Preferring to lead this "pack" personally, he is far more competent as a fighter than a leader, even further contributing to his people's brutish reputations. Does not approve of those among his kind who would partake in human flesh, and would in fact like to find whoever is responsible.
 Cashmere: Wolfssegner, level 1(+20), +Skl/-Mag. The somewhat inattentive, voluptuous, voracious personal secretary to Director Chiffon, who often ends up falling asleep at inopportune moments. Due to her airheaded demeanor, her continued holding of such an important position brings about much gossip about her personal ties to the Director, though he would insist that she makes up for all he lacks as a leader, having a knack for organization.

FACTION: HAUTECLERE'S REBELLION
 (While the Gerxel Empire isn't a complete cardboard cutout of the word "EVIL," their history of human rights violations, harsh treatment of those who fail to submit, and countless loopholes in Gerxel law that, by design, give each Regional Director the ability to basically do whatever they damn well please-and there've been some real bastards in some parts of the empire-have only created a very short list of things that have created dissent in the empire. A noblewoman of said empire, a woman by the name of Hauteclere, has thus taken to rallying and unifying these dissenters, as well as seeking outside help from the Kingdom of Noba and Ice Authority, to cut this empire down to size.)
 Hauteclere: Wyvern Monarch (Axes+Staves), level 5(+20), +Res/-Spd. A woman of noble upbringing, mother to Dyrus and Laurise, a woman with quite a lot on her plate for her early 30s. Currently the leader of a soon-to-strike rebellion, she begins the story traveling North to negotiate the aid of the Ice Authority.
 Laurise: Tactician class, level 4, +Mag/-Skl. Younger twin daughter of Lady Hauteclere, she can at times be slightly petty, but much more easily puts on a well-behaved face by distinguished guests than her brother, and is better at assessing situations from afar. Due to this, she fancies herself a tactician in the making, perhaps not unfairly, but she still has quite a ways more to go than she realizes.
 Aligned Party Members: Dyrus, Darren, Winona.

FACTION: KINGDOM OF NOBA
 (The Southwesternmost chunk of Teege was, for many years, the only place not united under any one banner. There was a large number of independent city-states, certainly, but the Gerxel had yet to envelop it. Then, one day a few years ago, a man by the name of Augustus Noba appeared seemingly out of nowhere, earning the title "the Matchmaker" for his talent in uniting these places under powerful political marriages, rapidly climbing the ranks to become an exceptionally charismatic king of the second-largest civiliazation in Teege. Still, though, he has plenty of reason to fear the Gerxel Empire's reaction to this sudden unification and expansion, especially when it's hard enough keeping his own country's shit together.)
 Alfred: Myrmidon, level 10, +Spd/-Res. A nimble swordsman with a reserved and impatient demeanor, open in speaking his mind when he does speak. Notable for always carrying around a parasol and wearing a set of dark glasses due to a distaste for sunlight (between that and the platinum-blond hair, he might have a bit of albinism). Operating a small ship and commanding its crew, he prides it for being several times faster and more maneuverable than any Gerxel naval ship... Which is convenient, since he was able to successfully fulfill a Wyrmite-smuggling operation for King Augustus, directly under the nose of Coastal Director Waldrick. Abhors the idea of taking hostages, and is willing to kill his own men for failing to live up to his moral code. Has been captured by Veiz in the attempts to "repurpose" him into her pawn.

STATUS UNKNOWN
 Red and Green Cavaliers: Having been spotted in Holmstead at first, they then lent their immediate hands to Alfred once he reached the city's shores. While this would imply that their loyalties lie with the Kingdom of Noba, it's not unquestionable that they're well-meaning Holmstead citizens, agents of the anti-Gerxel resistance, or something else entirely.

DECEASED CHARACTERS
 -Dyrus, Sr. (pre-quest) Father of Dyrus and Laurise, husband to Hauteclere, son to Sir Darren. He was an internal affairs investigator for the Gerxel Empire, looking into the pretty-well-founded rumors of unidentified Wolfskin-region officials outright perpetuating the consumption of human flesh. He soon vanished, and the bones of a person of his general build and stature were anonymously dropped off at the Tarvosian Nomads' metaphorical front door. The assumed conclusion seems obvious.
 -Tyarm Bandits (eradicated thread 4) A gang of axe-swingers who saw fit to wreak havoc on a forest near Alder in Noba, striking down any people of Holmstead who passed through and claiming their valuables. The families of Samson and Millicent were unlucky enough to be such targets, but also lucky enough to have run afoul of them right as King Augustus was passing through. The few who weren't picked off on the way to get his attention thus met a swift and well-deserved end.
 Augustus: Great Knight, level 1(+20), +Skl/-Res. The Matchmaker-king of modern legend. Unable to seize control of Holmstead with charisma and guile alone, he very strongly considered conquering it outright, a decision which both meeting with Raleigh and learning of the Empire's own invasion plans for the city-state caused him to modify into a more benevolent, aid-granting one. A very tired man who micromanages his young kingdom, he nonetheless encourages his rule to be questioned, making time for commoners lesser nobles might deem "unworthy" of their time to discourse with. Harboring an adversarial respect for Director Waldrick, he also has some personal reason to like the guy, calling him "perhaps one of two people I respect more than anyone else in that damned Empire combined." He opted to lead the forces of Noba to Holmstead to face off against the old director. Turns out that he is, in fact, August, Rene's "big brother" from when she was in the orphanage. This wasn't enough to save him when they met in the battle of Holmstead, however, being fatally struck by her and Veiz before being finished off by Hera.