Bracing For The Storm

[*DarkArc]

Mercykiller forces gated into the ritual site a handful at a time, each one wearing a blue visor breathing apparatus. The collection of Namers and Justices fanned out to begin their fortifications of the ritual site.

Factor Charae and a small group of her personal guard gated into the tent not long after, each one wearing a breathing apparatus. The dark elf was clad in heavy red and black armor that covered her from the neck down, the salt of the plane already starting to accumulate on her shoulders like snow.

Charae met up with one of the officers in charge of fortifying the site and took a tour to gain an understanding of the site's location and defenses. Once the dark elf was appraised, she found her way to the command tent where she'd be available.

[*Mausman]

*Kelth's invitation no longer was required, as he met with all who aid in this and Dace, at the Siren.

A long meeting was held, Kelth was now on par with the developments.

[*Aidan Airna]

Salt was indeed a harsh place to be stationed. Those without eye protection found it almost impossible to see through the stinging layer of salt which soon covered them. It was difficult to breath without a filter of some sort. They were always thirsty.

Fortunately, the ritual site they were guarding had "water." It was nasty thick briney stuff which was, quite literally, alive. It was not drinkable, but it helped the atmosphere ever so slightly.

The pool's guardians - elementals and weird - were mostly quiet, but almost always seemed to be in mourning. They advised whoever talked to them that things were most dire, and they did not expect to live for more than a few more days.

The cult's activities, meanwhile, consisted largely of minor raids and scouting. They had their own little beachhead camp a few miles distant. It was well guarded, but contained minimal supplies or prisoners. They occasionally harried Toil, or the Sigilian forces' camp, but largely also seemed to be waiting for something.


*Cornelia steps forth into the plane of salt with a pair Gnomish googles, and a half face mask to help filter out some of the salt. To aid in combatting the thirst Cornelia keeps a water essence in her mouth. As she walks down to over look the pool in question, Cornelia tries to reinsure them that they'll are going to do all they can to defeat the cultists. She evens offers up three Sune Talismans of pure good to the water elementals and other assorted Pool guardians, so that they may find some messer of " inner " peace*


*After spending some time with the Pools Gardens, Cornelia takes flight, she takes flight with a coppy of Dace's map and the time of a few days to quite latterly memorize the key points upon the map. Cornelia circles high over head her loops getting wider and wider as she gains a birds eye view of the soon to be battle field and surrounding lands.*


*While Cornelia is on her flight she keeps a eye out for/on the supple line trails. In the hopes to get a few in a early pre-battle skirmish.*

[*Taurus Daggerknight]

Dace returns to the camp, escorted by four Nimblewright golems generously granted to the cause by Aleis. He heads right for the command tent, where he unexpectedly finds Factor Charae.

"Factor." He greets her with a fist to chest salute. "Back with word from Sigil. The Society will assist with the supply needs as requested, and Aleis will be sending additional golem support. Got a few outside right now."

He approaches the table with the map. "Had a chat with Kelth, Junathoraxis, Itsu, Altair, Quinn, Argent and a woman named Kara. Most all of them will either commit now to the recon and raid campaign, or on the day of battle itself.

Junathoraxis has said that he'll try to rally some fey from Brux. I have doubts of that actually happening, but if it does we get that much more support. He himself will be coordinating ariel attacks with Cornelia, Namael and what jammer captains are present."

He indicates at the map. "As for our own ground defenses... we discussed Itsu's proposition, but Juna and I feel that more stark defense lines - spaced out so as to avoid spell fire- will work better. We can form up here...and here. Non-military walkers like Kelth and Kara can be positioned behind the lines to keep watch for teleporting cultists. If an enemy contingent tries to warp inside the base, they can be taken out by those Walkers while our squads hold the front." He pauses, then looks up. "Speaking of Kelth.... he mentioned being available if one of the daele steel arms needed a wielder. Hear he'd be good for it, so there's that."

He glances back to the map. "We're expecting some shadow plane natives, along with undead and the spectral beasts mentioned in the Tors Edge report. Itsuyashi says he can counter shadow forces well enough, so he's on point for that.

Moon will be heading up the harassment missions as mentioned. Meanwhile, Altair is going to bring in some troll he knows to help lay out traps.

As for the Doomguard and Athar.... still in communication with Mauric about deploying artillary here. I've asked for a meeting to finalize plans. He wishes for something more decisive, so I suppose its time to bring him in on the flanking plan we discussed. The Athar have yet to be approached about blocking enemy priests."

[*Springer79]

* A wax sealed scroll arrives in the Justicar's hand by messenger*

Justicar Andor,

As requested I intend to honor my word and assist where needed in the up coming battle. As well I will not be alone. My wife and healer shall be present to assist myself and those within the immediate vicinity should her  magics be required. Jenavee will also likely be present to assist in arms as needed.

Let us know where best we can assist in the battle. All three of us are capable combatants and are prepared to answer the threat as needed. We will be arriving in the plane of salt upon the day of reckoning. And we hope that is exactly what it will be.

Cordially,

Aide Xander Tyberus Grail of House Grail

[*Taurus Daggerknight]

A response is sent off to the House of Grail.

Aide Grail,

All the help we can get is welcome. Don't forget to acquire breathing masks for the trip, as the salt storms can be troublesome for the eyes and lungs.

I'd suggest coming in before the day itself, so as to become familiar with the situation and terrain.

Sincerely,

Justice Prevail,

Justicar Dace Andor

[*Toxic Honey]

After some hesitation, Kokoro Aoki shows up at the planned defensive lines of the salt plane. While shielding her eyes in any way she can, she attempts to get used to the rough climate that everyone else has been dealing with for days now. As soon as she adjusts enough, she finds one of the officers in charge of defenses and asks about their current fortifications. If needed, she helps improve the traps on all fronts and offers to check them again periodically.

[*Mausman]

*As sweat runs down Kelth's torso, he glances at the various warriors he hired to train with in the Gymnasium*



"C'mon ye gits! MORE! I need t' be in best shape fer this thing!"


* The various warriors groan and crawl up again, readying themselves, perhaps a few of them muttering that this wasn't exactly worth the jink getting paid*


*In the past few days, Kelth can be seen training, hammering his anvil and humming his mystic tune in his process of enchanting wares. Despite all his humor, the man carries a dead-serious glint in his eyes, determination. He tries to be positive, he tries to keep spirits among friends high, but in his heart, he knows this might not end well, at all. However, even if there is one chance to end this, he will use it, shoulder to shoulder with those who made all this effort to actually get somewhere in this entire heap of shite. His heart beats strong and a sense of pride fills him, this, was the feeling he lost long ago on that fated battlefield. Kinship, unison with battle-sisters and brothers. This, is what he lived for, that common cause to keep freedom alive...*


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3bcSIROEnY

[*Sinlinara]

An unusually large and heavy crate is delivered to the Prisons along with a number of papers of identification, copies of licenses, and the rest of the bureaucratic nine yards. Among them a sealed letter stands out; addressed to Justicar Dace Andor and signed by Aleis d'Cannith, it summarizes the contents of the crate as being the four nimblewright constructs for which he had been given control devices for. The papers that went along with the crate also signify him as being the recipient of its contents and the owner of such property.

Some time later, another four crates of the same size and approximate weight arrive, along with another stack of papers attached to each one. The papers and their attachments all read much the same as the first crate, all of them marked for delivery to Justicar Dace Andor. The only thing that read differently was the contents of the crates themselves: inside each was an individual hulking iron golem with its respective control device.

~+~+~+~

Aleis, having done her part to supply the war effort with 8 soldiers that needed no sustenance, had busied herself with quickly making as many Decanters of Endless Water as she could in the time allotted her. Her specific goal was five decanters, or roughly one for every group of 40-50 individuals that would be a part of the mobilization effort in Salt. One gallon of fresh water per round, she surmised, would easily be able to fill the canteens of groups of that approximate size.

((A small note for the DM: Decanters of Endless Water cost 9,000gp to make, so feel free to poke me whenever we're both online and I'll cough up 45,000gp in cash. ^_^))

[*Mausman]

*Kelth, having procured six of the moisture-capture suits, studies the traits of it's material and how it works, deciding to leave the trait against water-elemental extraction out. He fails the initial five times...only to finally understand it's traits in the sixth attempt. He then enchants it's looks to be transparant where he desires it to be, crafty making it look as if wearing his regular battle-attire*