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Revanchism | VI [52]

trapinnosuke
Dec 12th, 2021
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  1. [12:28:34 PM CST] <Okuu> |||+++--- Chapter VI ---+++|||
  2. [12:47:10 PM CST] <Okuu> [Each army column arrives at the rim of the crater and establishes their own camp, eventually spanning a long arc around the circular basin comprised of white canvas and silver flags of the Coalition. During the days of setting up, the rebels made no effort to attack the camps; and since surrounding the entire crater to form a siege would require three times the numbers you currently have, it is possible that the rebels are still able to
  3. [12:47:10 PM CST] <Okuu> leave in other directions. Scouts report that the temperatures in the basin are far cooler than the surface desert during the day. Therefore, it's been decided that operations can take place during the day as well. The first phase of the attack will be to descend into the crater and control the villages by the lake shore. It is uncertain if the inhabitants of these villages will be hostile. The Wayward will attempt to take a position near
  4. [12:47:10 PM CST] <Okuu> the southernmost point of the lake.]
  5. [1:01:33 PM CST] * [110]_Hanne stands in the command tent looking over a map of the area on a table, as are several other Coalition soldiers. Around her, the tent is bustling with activity with other officers and troops planning the operation.
  6. [1:03:20 PM CST] * [Multi]_Meadow stands by her side, scrutinizing the relative sizes of the towns.
  7. [1:05:25 PM CST] <[Cy]> [The map is a rather simple sketch based on what can be observed from the rim and a few additional details noted by the scouts' expeditions. There are a few larger proper villages around the edge of the lake, while smaller groups of houses are more common in the fields away from the water.]
  8. [1:07:48 PM CST] * [110]_Hanne Looks at the position where the Wayward have been tasked with holding.
  9. [1:07:51 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> And we'll be making contact with the Southernmost village?
  10. [1:11:53 PM CST] <[Cy]> Lieutenant: Correct. A squad from the fourth column will be there as well. Although you will be determining whether or not that village is a risk to us, your ultimate point is the docks at the shore of the lake. If you run into trouble, you can circle around the village instead. Make sure you signal for trouble if that is the case, so we can concentrate forces to deal with them.
  11. [1:15:45 PM CST] * [Multi]_Meadow nods.
  12. [1:16:10 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> And we wish to be discreet when establishing risk?
  13. [1:18:18 PM CST] <[Cy]> L: That is up to you. If you force the rebels to expose themselves, that could be beneficial as well. The enemy knows we are advancing on them so there's no need to hide our aims.
  14. [1:19:31 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> I see.
  15. [1:20:55 PM CST] <[110]_Hanne> And I suppose we won't know if we can count the locals as rebels until we're right there, huh? Have we confirmed that there are in fact civilians present?
  16. [1:23:41 PM CST] <[Cy]> L: As in people who would not take up arms? No. But they have not come out to make a show of it so we believe they will behave as normal villagers under occupation.
  17. [1:25:40 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> Still, it is not to us to establish an occupation force, correct? We are merely there to assess the level of risk.
  18. [1:27:09 PM CST] <[110]_Hanne> We're still going to need to hold the position.
  19. [1:27:36 PM CST] * [110]_Hanne turns her gaze on the map from their objective to the adjacent positions.
  20. [1:27:57 PM CST] <[Cy]> L: Correct. Occupying the village permanently is not your objective, the forward camp you will be assigned to will be on the outskirts.
  21. [1:29:25 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> Very good.
  22. [1:34:30 PM CST] * [110]_Hanne taps her foot as she considers the information.
  23. [1:35:45 PM CST] <[110]_Hanne> Well, we'll see when we get there. Let's go brief the others, Meadow.
  24. [1:36:16 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> Yes, let's.
  25. [1:36:25 PM CST] * [110]_Hanne nods to the officer before motion to Meadow and exiting the tent.
  26. [1:37:52 PM CST] * [Multi]_Meadow shares the nod, and walks out with Hanne.
  27. [1:40:06 PM CST] <[110]_Hanne> You go get the others ready. I'll go inform the other squad and we'll depart together once we're ready.
  28. [1:42:21 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> Understood.
  29. [1:42:36 PM CST] * [Multi]_Meadow walks to unite the others in her group.
  30. [1:43:00 PM CST] * [110]_Hanne peels off in another direction.
  31. [1:44:48 PM CST] * [110]_Neya sits at her cot; checking her equipment in anticipation.
  32. [1:44:55 PM CST] <[Cy]> [Under the white canvas of The Wayward's area of camp, the children sit in a circle on the exposed stone while the adults are each tending to their own business.]
  33. [1:46:16 PM CST] * [Multi]_Meadow approaches the circle of children.
  34. [1:46:21 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> Hello, everyone!
  35. [1:48:09 PM CST] <[Cy]> Glanari: Hello, teacher. What great wisdom will you impart today?
  36. [1:49:42 PM CST] * [Multi]_Meadow sighs.
  37. [1:50:21 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> We'll be moving out today. We're headed into the crater, to feel out how the people who live there regard the Coalition.
  38. [1:55:51 PM CST] <[Cy]> Glanari: More like give them something to feel ahaha!
  39. [1:57:11 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> If our luck be short, yes. And if luck is with us, we'll be able to pass through quickly.
  40. [1:58:18 PM CST] * [110]_Neya carefully lays her shield down after checking the straps. Satisfied that all her equipment is ready for action, she turns her head at the chatter she hears from outside and exits the tent to investigate.
  41. [1:59:25 PM CST] <[Cy]> Glanari: Don't worry, we'll be on our best behaviour
  42. [1:59:50 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> Thank you. I'll appreciatee that you do.
  43. [1:59:58 PM CST] <[110]_Neya> Hey hey, it's you you! Err... Mead... Meadow! Yes! Back from the meeting?
  44. [2:00:27 PM CST] * [110]_Neya looks at Meadow with a beaming smile.
  45. [2:01:34 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> Oh, Neya. Yes, the meeting is over, we're preparing to get moving.
  46. [2:02:58 PM CST] <[110]_Neya> Wow! Very cool! All of us? I don't see Hanne with you.
  47. [2:04:11 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> I'm sure she's off looking after her equipment or something other business of hers. Don't worry, she'll be wherever there's most likely to be fighting.
  48. [2:05:36 PM CST] <[110]_Neya> Nice. Aren't we also heading into the same fight though?
  49. [2:06:12 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> Exactly.
  50. [2:07:59 PM CST] <[110]_Neya> Good! Well, I'm ready to go. Just finished checking my things; everything is in good condition!
  51. [2:08:13 PM CST] * [110]_Neya gives Meadow a thumbs up along with a large grin.
  52. [2:09:30 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> And you know that we're hoping /not/ to fight, right?
  53. [2:10:17 PM CST] <[110]_Neya> That's fine, I also know how to do that! But, if it comes down to it, I'll be ready.
  54. [2:10:40 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> Of course. Right then, en route.
  55. [2:11:47 PM CST] * [Multi]_Meadow turns to lead everyone towards their destination, the southernmost village.
  56. [2:12:10 PM CST] * [110]_Neya nods at Meadow before smiling at the others and disappearing into the tent to don her gear.
  57. [2:22:27 PM CST] <[Cy]> [Once everyone has their equipment put together, The Wayward files down the rocky paths along the crater wall down to the floor. Other squads are descending down similar paths from other parts of the rim, and some have made it down and are marching for the habitations already. After some careful treading, you arrive at relatively flatter ground and note the presence of small plants growing in patches on the sandy soil and cooler air.
  58. [2:22:27 PM CST] <[Cy]> Further towards the lake, the terrain becomes proper scrubland before arriving at the irrigated greenery of the farms. Along the way, you spot local Sarahaans working in the green plots or animal pens.]
  59. [2:24:35 PM CST] <[110]_Neya> Hey this is pretty cool.
  60. [2:25:14 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> Neya, you're from the mountains, aren't you?
  61. [2:26:57 PM CST] <[110]_Neya> Yeup! My village is up in the mountains near that place. Orta, I think is what the Coalition calls it.
  62. [2:27:32 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> Right. How familiar does this place feel to you?
  63. [2:29:19 PM CST] <[110]_Neya> Mmmm, it's hotter than home. More sand too.
  64. [2:30:25 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> I see.
  65. [2:30:48 PM CST] * [Multi]_Meadow looks over at the farms and the farmers.
  66. [2:31:39 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> ...They must know who we are and have some idea of why we're here. Perhaps we could simply walk through and see what reception we receive.
  67. [2:32:33 PM CST] <[110]_Neya> I mean, they don't seem particularly distressed. Maybe we can just leave them?
  68. [2:34:27 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> Perhaps. As long as we have some ability to read how they'll react when we press against our ultimate objective.
  69. [2:35:33 PM CST] * [Multi]_Meadow looks about for trees.
  70. [2:37:54 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> !roll 1d8 + 2 + 1d8 + 2 [INT WLL] Looking
  71. [2:37:55 PM CST] <FeistyKaka> [Multi]_Meadow rolled: {4}=> 4 + 2 + {6}=> 6 + 2 = 14 "[INT WLL] Looking"
  72. [2:39:50 PM CST] <[Cy]> [From the trees growing at the lakeshore in the distance, there may be ones near the village you are heading for; however, from your current position, you cannot be sure.]
  73. [2:41:19 PM CST] * [Multi]_Meadow sighs. She focuses her inner sight, seeking to see what might become the party if they walk straight through the center of the village.
  74. [2:42:43 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> !roll 1d12 + 5 + 1d8 + 2 + 3 [CHA + INT] See the Future
  75. [2:42:43 PM CST] <FeistyKaka> [Multi]_Meadow rolled: {11}=> 11 + 5 + {2}=> 2 + 2 + 3 = 23 "[CHA + INT] See the Future"
  76. [2:49:19 PM CST] <[Cy]> [Watching herself through the village, the residents shut their doors and hide their children from The Wayward. But from her vantage point as a flying insect, she also can see hidden assailants behind upstairs windows, armed with bows who will attack when the group is in position. The sky is also a strange swirling deep red from this view, though nobody, neither the residents, rebels, or Meadow herself seems to notice.]
  77. [2:54:14 PM CST] * [Multi]_Meadow opens her eyes.
  78. [2:54:22 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> ...This place is not friendly.
  79. [2:56:40 PM CST] <[110]_Neya> Oh? Did the fact that its occupied by the people we've been fighting give that away?
  80. [2:57:40 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> I looked into the future.
  81. [2:58:14 PM CST] <[110]_Neya> Eh? What?
  82. [2:59:01 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> We'll have to be cautious here. We will be attacked if we allow them an opportunity.
  83. [2:59:32 PM CST] <[Cy]> Glanari: Did you see where they attack from? Or how to tell who will attack?
  84. [3:03:08 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> I saw archers barricaded in the upper stories of the town buildings. I don't know how to tell an attacker from anyone else; the civilians were taking cover, so I would imagine that the people and the rebels are united.
  85. [3:06:51 PM CST] <[110]_Neya> So everyone was attacking then? Should we just start blasting?
  86. [3:08:02 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> No, that's not our job.
  87. [3:08:46 PM CST] <[110]_Neya> We're not going to take the town?
  88. [3:09:23 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> As long as we can provoke the rebels, that's all we need to do for the main force to have something to fight.
  89. [3:11:28 PM CST] * [110]_Neya tilts her head.
  90. [3:11:51 PM CST] <[110]_Neya> I don't understand.
  91. [3:12:41 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> As long as we can provoke enough of a response to flag the village as hostile, the main force coming behind us can apply the force needed to subdue it. We are not an occupation force, merely a scout.
  92. [3:13:54 PM CST] * [110]_Neya raises an eyebrow.
  93. [3:14:05 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> That is our mission.
  94. [3:14:07 PM CST] <[110]_Neya> Err, okay, but what now?
  95. [3:14:44 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> Now, we should be cautious, and provoke an attack from a position that allows us to signal that this village is hostile, but disengage and circle around it.
  96. [3:15:46 PM CST] <[Cy]> Glanari: But not also drawing out all the villagers to attack?
  97. [3:16:15 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> I'd think we'd be hard put to disengage at that point.
  98. [3:17:06 PM CST] * [110]_Hanne comes over from her position to where Meadow and the rest are.
  99. [3:17:10 PM CST] <[110]_Hanne> What's the holdup?
  100. [3:17:36 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> Thinking about approaches. We'll be attacked if we just waltz into the place.
  101. [3:17:53 PM CST] <[110]_Hanne> No shit.
  102. [3:18:15 PM CST] * [110]_Hanne looks over at the village to make a note of the number of buildings and the layout.
  103. [3:18:52 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> Should we talk to the farmers? If we stay near the outskirts, we may be able to provoke hostility whithout drawing out too many too quickly.
  104. [3:19:17 PM CST] <[110]_Hanne> Have any of you spotted fighters?
  105. [3:20:07 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> I looked into the future. They have archer positions in the buildings. I didn't see any fighters on the ground.
  106. [3:20:29 PM CST] <[110]_Hanne> Hrmm. Did you see how many?
  107. [3:23:53 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> Not exactly. I would guess ten to fifteen archers along the village's main streets.
  108. [3:26:09 PM CST] <[110]_Hanne> They're in good shooting positions I imagine.
  109. [3:27:27 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> As good as the buildings' disposition can provide. They seemed to have them prepared, and covering all the main sightlines.
  110. [3:35:30 PM CST] * [110]_Hanne takes a moment to think.
  111. [3:36:58 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> I was thinking to simply parade through the outskirts, just close enough to cause fear, but not so close to face a coordinated assault. Do you think that's sensible, or nonsense?
  112. [3:40:36 PM CST] <[110]_Hanne> We can light up wooden buildings with fire arrows, at least the second floors. Force the rebels out.
  113. [3:40:52 PM CST] * [Multi]_Meadow frowns at Hanne.
  114. [3:40:57 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> An unprovoked attack?
  115. [3:41:41 PM CST] <[110]_Hanne> You said there are rebels waiting in ambush?
  116. [3:42:03 PM CST] * [Multi]_Meadow thinks for a moment.
  117. [3:42:31 PM CST] <[110]_Hanne> If they're there, we're not going to wait to get shot first.
  118. [3:42:48 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> ...We could at least announce our presence before attacking, and demand a surrender from a safe distance. Stealth is no concern.
  119. [3:43:25 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> But if we trust my future sight well enough, we could simply signal that this village is hostile and skirt it entirely, without ever waiting for a pretext for occupation.
  120. [3:45:19 PM CST] <[110]_Hanne> Fifteen fighters is a number we can take. Of course, there could be more. If you really can't be sure how many there are, we'll circle around and let the main force deal with this.
  121. [3:46:31 PM CST] * [Multi]_Meadow shakes her head.
  122. [3:47:17 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> I wouldn't trust my future sight to reveal the number precisely. It should be treated as a minimum estimate. I would rather let the main force deal with it, as instructed. but if you're confident, I defer to your battlefield expertise.
  123. [3:49:19 PM CST] <[110]_Hanne> So all we know for sure is that its hostile.
  124. [3:49:37 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> That's all I'm confident in saying, yes.
  125. [3:50:10 PM CST] * [110]_Hanne ponders for a moment.
  126. [3:56:01 PM CST] <[110]_Hanne> We will bypass the village and the ambush. Get ready to move out. I'll send a runner back to notify the main force.
  127. [3:56:44 PM CST] * [110]_Hanne moves past Meadow to the other squad's position.
  128. [3:57:12 PM CST] * [Multi]_Meadow nods.
  129. [3:57:20 PM CST] <[110]_Neya> I guess that settles it.
  130. [3:58:37 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> It does. Everyone ready?
  131. [3:59:59 PM CST] <[110]_Neya> Yup yup.
  132. [4:00:05 PM CST] <[Cy]> [Meadow gets nods all around. The children eye the village with more suspicion now.]
  133. [4:00:24 PM CST] <[Multi]_Meadow> We're going around. Stay cautious during the hike.
  134. [4:01:08 PM CST] * [Multi]_Meadow starts the march, directing the group in a wide arc around the farmland.
  135. [4:03:01 PM CST] * [110]_Neya follows.
  136. [4:12:02 PM CST] <[Cy]> [Your march is uneventful, the locals toiling in the fields paying you no mind as your group passes. Once on the far side of the village, you come up to a clump of trees on the lake shore. Across the gentle waters rise the central island and the stronghold of the rebellion. There are no boats on the water, even though you can see empty docks attached to the village. Later in the day, fighting breaks out in the village and smoke rises from
  137. [4:12:02 PM CST] <[Cy]> some fires set, residents flee across the fields behind you to the other houses villages along the lake. From the smoke rising from some of the others villages, it seems the same scene is replicated in the other communities.]
  138. [4:13:28 PM CST] * [Multi]_Meadow looks behind her at the rising smoke and sighs.
  139. [4:15:35 PM CST] * [Multi]_Meadow shakes her head and turns back to the island.
  140. [4:17:03 PM CST] <[Cy]> |||+++--- [52] ---+++|||
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