The Twin Cages - Defense of the Outlands

[Red the Rogue]

Rebecca spent some time in the encampment. Even though she was an Ysgardian berserker and often saw glory in battle, she knew well that the raids were potentially only successful in the short term. This wasn't just a series of battles, but a whole war.

The planar was a tracker and a good hunter, even out in the Outlands themselves. The nature of the plane made it difficult to simply navigate, but she was determined to strike closer to the source. What they needed was information, and unless the opponent made frequent use of Sending magic, they needed messengers. It didn't matter how fast they'd send them in the Outlands either, but how long.

The Ysgardian, on her excursions out, looked for tracks. Not just any tracks, but a single set. A horse, a pair of feet, anything that made it clear it wasn't another group of scouts but a lone courier. She made frequent use of the invisibility wand Lyra provided to her to keep hidden, long enough to stay hidden from sight in her search and, potentially, an ambush that could be set up.

[Gadwin]

"..Stubborn. But maybe she isn't so bad." Reina mumbled such on her way back to her usual spot, directly after her infirmary-side conversation. A very quick note was written and left for the planeswalkers' camp, which read;

"I know the Hardheads are berks anywhere between 'sometimes' and 'all of the time' depending on who you ask, but it's probably best that we just co-operate with them to the most of our ability. To do otherwise endangers our collective efforts and lives."

Something else had also been brought to her attention. Some time ago during the events of the Coalition, she'd asked Bree for medical supplies to help aid walker efforts- and this rather sizable boon had simply been sitting around unused ever since that matter subsided entirely. After her earlier talk with a certain measure, she'd been made aware of the fact that the "supply" of medical items would soon be exceedingly rare between the gatetowns' and united front's combined needs. Reina would donate Bree's medical bag and its contents in their entirety, full of hundreds and hundreds of healer kits and a few phoenix feathers, to the War Camp's efforts. She would make it known that the donation was to be made explicitly in Bree's name, as "I've done little else but maintain it since it was given to me".

((would like to offload said bag with a DM or whoever appropriate whenever ready))

[silinrul357]

They hadn't been in the camps that long maybe, but Minasien was already fairly familiar with the surrounding areas. In between asking other walkers and even Harmonium what they'd scouted out, not to mention her own runs outside of the area, she was getting a relatively clear picture of things. It came with benefits too: apparently, the supply chains were easily distracted by a few of the stronger walkers or even a good summon spell here or there. Minasien had found several of their supply chains and scout camps, and while they were busy failing at dealing with either distraction, she would quickly raid their camps, and set them ablaze, before moving on, often without being noticed (or in the case of the supply chains, cut loose their animals and set fire to the wagons).

She came out of it with supplies she 'borrowed' from them, most of which she was plenty happy to share with the camp. She also found more knowledge too, noticing the different types of badges on some of the Harmonium she encountered. She shared the theory with "Ruler" Nica, her own idea being that several of the factions had been absorbed into the other Sigil's Harmonium. It might have been little go go off, but it was something, and she was far from done searching for information about this 'seer' and whatever 'Aoskar' was past the blinks. Every so often she would take breaks of course. She even went back to help Nica heal up some of the notaries whom had been in battle, and went back a few times after to make sure they were doing okay. Eventually, though, she always went back to that bridge, drew her rapier and shield, and went out once more. Her preference was always to do so with another, but more and more, she found herself going alone. At the very least, so far, she'd managed to remain unseen, and she hoped to keep it that way.

[Eldwen]

The silver blooded kobold, Resix, has been within the camp near constantly - the knight-aspirant seen going out from time to time on raids where his combat powers would be needed, but not for the more delicate missions regarding scouting - or subterfuge.

As a paladin, he's found work within the camp suited to him, mainly near the bleaker infirmary. He is no sawbones, but in times of war triage is one of the most important roles of combat recovery. Leaving serious cases aside, the kobold works to get the lightly injured - particularly soft injuries such as cuts and gashes, back to the fight mere minutes after coming to the area. Taking the lighter work off the true medics is needed in times like this - to have someone return to the battle as soon as possible can save more lives than him instead focusing on the ones most hurt - whom he could not assist adequately.

The kobold has also, in his spare time, spent time maintaining the camp - such a large fortress needs more than just the faction recruits to shovel out the blek, keep water for washing and drinking, not to mention the needed clothes washing. Anywhere he can, the knight-aspirant is helping the ones around him for the fights ahead.

[NeverOutPunned]

Notary 1 Kregorothax had two jobs at the warcamp, and bizarrely enough, raiding enemy supply lines or wiping out patrols was more for stress relief then actually getting either one of them done. That was certainly a bizarre sentiment, but like most planeswalkers pulled into the reclamation, the emerald wasn't something the red sigilians were able to widely prepare for.

The officers realized they had wings, decent eyesight and dark vision along with being hard to deal with using projectile weaponry or area denial spell-craft, so they were told to perform aerial recon on enemy positions. Thus, they asked for a sensate stone and would proceed on flights to wherever such was needed, often operating during the evening or night to reduce the capacity of the enemy to put up any kind of anti air fire or send some manner of interceptor after them. Their common tact was flying above cloud cover past the target and then dropping into a controlled dive into the optimal wind and visual altitude at mild overspeed and bleeding off the excess velocity with a angled sweep before using the remainder, and the wind to escape retaliation. While providing a nauseating experience for anyone examining the stone , it was decently safe and said stone gave intelligence officers or the dragon themselves time to analyze what they saw in a more relaxed setting later on.

Their other task was somewhat related to the first and that was making themselves something to drop on hardened enemy positions when they finally had a target. Specifically, big, heavy explosive devices. They were the cunning sort who often ended a fight with something worthy of the effort by dragging the foe into some form of entrapment but in this case, they were on the offensive and few things would end the argument of potentially warded fortifications like high explosives delivered at high velocity. Thankfully, the signers had provided the tools of the trade and the harmonium quartermasters could probably arrange for a delivery of regents, otherwise, it was a trip back to sigil.

[Gammaray]

When the time came Ephimerra took flight to scout the enemy positions. The officers were right to send winged recon as well as people on the ground. She was off alone in this undertaking, avoiding their sight when she could though bright golden scales made it rather difficult. After making her round with extremely keen eyesight. She may have spotted something useful. Only time would tell.

Then came the ground recon. She as everyone else found the enemy lacking. Poorly organized and unready to defend themselves. Or maybe they were just that incompetent. One thing was for certain. Their use of a specific sort of magic.

[Viann]

Going into her fourth day without sleep. Nica was seen still moving around, her eyes surrounded by dark shades of extreme wearyness. But even still she did not allow it to be shown outside. Performing her every duty, and going above and beyond. Seen to train a group of notaries in the morning with stern notions like "Notary Stevens, your form is still too loose. Remember firm grip, eye on your foe! Be mindful of you steps!", "Notary Pastil, lose the one liners, it's do or die moment!" and "Very good, notary Jeroth!". And still she participated into a convoy raid with notary Kregorothax, and planewalker Reina. However not long after she was seen thoughtfully marching off, and into tent to get her long due rest, and she would not be seen for at least a half a day.

[Taurus Daggerknight]

Notary 1 Kregorothax had two jobs at the warcamp, and bizarrely enough, raiding enemy supply lines or wiping out patrols was more for stress relief then actually getting either one of them done. That was certainly a bizarre sentiment, but like most planeswalkers pulled into the reclamation, the emerald wasn't something the red sigilians were able to widely prepare for.

The officers realized they had wings, decent eyesight and dark vision along with being hard to deal with using projectile weaponry or area denial spell-craft, so they were told to perform aerial recon on enemy positions. Thus, they asked for a sensate stone and would proceed on flights to wherever such was needed, often operating during the evening or night to reduce the capacity of the enemy to put up any kind of anti air fire or send some manner of interceptor after them. Their common tact was flying above cloud cover past the target and then dropping into a controlled dive into the optimal wind and visual altitude at mild overspeed and bleeding off the excess velocity with a angled sweep before using the remainder, and the wind to escape retaliation. While providing a nauseating experience for anyone examining the stone , it was decently safe and said stone gave intelligence officers or the dragon themselves time to analyze what they saw in a more relaxed setting later on.

Their other task was somewhat related to the first and that was making themselves something to drop on hardened enemy positions when they finally had a target. Specifically, big, heavy explosive devices. They were the cunning sort who often ended a fight with something worthy of the effort by dragging the foe into some form of entrapment but in this case, they were on the offensive and few things would end the argument of potentially warded fortifications like high explosives delivered at high velocity. Thankfully, the signers had provided the tools of the trade and the harmonium quartermasters could probably arrange for a delivery of regents, otherwise, it was a trip back to sigil.

Krogothorax's request for a Sensory Stone is met a sigh, and a seemingly rehearsed statement.

"That's not how those things work, Notary. Powers, we need to make this part of basic training..." the officer grumbles to himself, before returning to the point. "Those stones only function in the Civic Festhall, back in the Cage. And even if they did work out here, we'd have to ask the Sensates for 'em. Which is all to say, you're just going to have to stick to written and verbal reports."

The rest of the dragon's plans seemed to go well enough. The Doomguard were naturally all too happy to supply the him with all the munitions needed to bring entropy to the land and enemy forces, and so the sound of distant booms became a common orchestral score for the camp.

Kregothorax was advised not to fly too close to Gipon's Crossing just yet, but he did manage to catch sight from afar. The enemy had indeed taken the bridge, and seemed to be moving both troops and supplies across. The Notary would also make out the distinct forms of battle golems from his height.

The silver blooded kobold, Resix, has been within the camp near constantly - the knight-aspirant seen going out from time to time on raids where his combat powers would be needed, but not for the more delicate missions regarding scouting - or subterfuge.

As a paladin, he's found work within the camp suited to him, mainly near the bleaker infirmary. He is no sawbones, but in times of war triage is one of the most important roles of combat recovery. Leaving serious cases aside, the kobold works to get the lightly injured - particularly soft injuries such as cuts and gashes, back to the fight mere minutes after coming to the area. Taking the lighter work off the true medics is needed in times like this - to have someone return to the battle as soon as possible can save more lives than him instead focusing on the ones most hurt - whom he could not assist adequately.

The kobold has also, in his spare time, spent time maintaining the camp - such a large fortress needs more than just the faction recruits to shovel out the blek, keep water for washing and drinking, not to mention the needed clothes washing. Anywhere he can, the knight-aspirant is helping the ones around him for the fights ahead.

Resix proved to be a fairly popular member in the camp, being one of the few Planewalkers who seemed to respect order, discipline, and duty above amusement, brawling and bravado. The wounded were less happy to see a Kobold coming at them for their injured limbs, but in general, he began to earn a degree of respect among the soldiers.

"..Stubborn. But maybe she isn't so bad." Reina mumbled such on her way back to her usual spot, directly after her infirmary-side conversation. A very quick note was written and left for the planeswalkers' camp, which read;

"I know the Hardheads are berks anywhere between 'sometimes' and 'all of the time' depending on who you ask, but it's probably best that we just co-operate with them to the most of our ability. To do otherwise endangers our collective efforts and lives."

Something else had also been brought to her attention. Some time ago during the events of the Coalition, she'd asked Bree for medical supplies to help aid walker efforts- and this rather sizable boon had simply been sitting around unused ever since that matter subsided entirely. After her earlier talk with a certain measure, she'd been made aware of the fact that the "supply" of medical items would soon be exceedingly rare between the gatetowns' and united front's combined needs. Reina would donate Bree's medical bag and its contents in their entirety, full of hundreds and hundreds of healer kits and a few phoenix feathers, to the War Camp's efforts. She would make it known that the donation was to be made explicitly in Bree's name, as "I've done little else but maintain it since it was given to me".

((would like to offload said bag with a DM or whoever appropriate whenever ready))

Reina's letter, predictably, gets mixed reactions. Most mercenaries nod and agree, and make concerted efforts to grit their teeth and play nice. Others balk loudly, and almost seem to start going out of their way to make an even bigger nuisance of themselves. They are, however, mindful to not do so when Reina is within earshot, as her reputation most certainly precedes her at this point.

Her delivery of the vast number of supplies is met with gratitude. Coupled with her efforts to get the rowdy planewalkers under control, many Measures in the Harmonium ranks start talking to her directly for any missions they need the planewalker auxiliary to run.

Rebecca spent some time in the encampment. Even though she was an Ysgardian berserker and often saw glory in battle, she knew well that the raids were potentially only successful in the short term. This wasn't just a series of battles, but a whole war.

The planar was a tracker and a good hunter, even out in the Outlands themselves. The nature of the plane made it difficult to simply navigate, but she was determined to strike closer to the source. What they needed was information, and unless the opponent made frequent use of Sending magic, they needed messengers. It didn't matter how fast they'd send them in the Outlands either, but how long.

The Ysgardian, on her excursions out, looked for tracks. Not just any tracks, but a single set. A horse, a pair of feet, anything that made it clear it wasn't another group of scouts but a lone courier. She made frequent use of the invisibility wand Lyra provided to her to keep hidden, long enough to stay hidden from sight in her search and, potentially, an ambush that could be set up.

The enemy was certainly starting to be a little more careful with the lines they had their messengers running, what with the increased attacks on their supply and scouting teams. Rebecca does manage to intercept a few runners though. The messages primarily seem to relate too minor movements, though the Harmonium commanders are nonetheless eager to pour over their contents, and show gratitude for the delivery.

One interesting missive does seem to talk about the Acheron front. It seems to be addressed to a "Mover Reina", and denies a previous request for reinforcements, citing that the Outland legions are currently engaged in multiple fronts, and bracing for counter-attack by the Sigilian army.

Measure Nica was seen marching about the Ogens Watch restlessly between nearby check points and guard posts gathering reports and making nitpicky notions to proper form, participating into daily Harmonium training sessions. And after the first of the wounded Harmonium members started to appear to the makeshift infirmaries in the keep, she started making daily visits for a couple of them as well. Of course not to be just all words, she did make raids into supply convoys, and forwarding reports to the Outlands Defense high command, if any were given to her. Expressing that such details are above her paygrade.

She however steered clear from the planewalker camp. Whatever the reasoning may have been is anyones guess. What little downtime she had from her seeming self-imposed activities wasn't spent on resting, infact you could be fairly sure she hasn't been resting since the entire meeting with the high command. When the Harmonium notaries partied during their downtime in the late hours of anti-peak. She was absent. In the early hours of the morning she was among first to make rounds around the Harmonium barrack-tents to made crude awakenings with military tradition of shouting them to rise and shine to begin morning routines and get back to duty. Of course for many who were career and longterm members of Harmonium this was a norm. For some it was a cause of understandable ire. If this bothered her, she did not display it. And it appeared as if she always had a metaphorical stick up her rear.

To say that Measure Nica was becoming increasingly unpopular among the troops would be an understatement. Oh, command certainly approved of her stern, unyielding nature, but the rank and file quietly grumbled about the Measure. "She aint' even Sigilian, really! Sodded off ta' the planes first chance she got", was the common quibble. Other choice terms for her seemed to include "Golem" , "Stick-sitter", and "Raging b**** ".

The chant of the rank and file didn't matter much in the end. All that counted were the results she could deliver, and so she maintained her place in commands graces. Sadly for her, she was quite pointedly nudged towards keeping a closer eye on the Planewalkers, as for some reason, her superiors were under the impression that she had experience with many of them. Despite her protests, they remained convinced, and so expected reports on their whereabouts and status from her personally.

Katherine, for all of her simplicity as a volunteer, tried to do her share of work. Even more at times. The woman had taken part in a number of the raids during the last days, helping bring back supplies, trying to find useful information, and reporting whatever little she could find along the way. Strangely, she also included in her reports that she had taken to freeing the horses from the attacked caravans, rather than simply leaving them behind with the wagons to be burned or retrieved by the enemy. At least from what she had been told, the local lands would be alright for those horses to find their way around, especially when they weren't together. Having been a farmer, she apparently understood enough of their intelligence to figure that they were better off finding their freedom in the wilderness than being dragged in a war where so many would be dying.

This whole war made her nervous. It was her first time fighting in something of that scale after all. And while she didn't fear that her abilities wouldn't be enough, she feared for the enemy. She knew they had ill intentions, that they might be bad people, but it was hard to act cold and pretend empathy isn't a thing. For every kill in the field, she made sure it was clean, quick, painless, and she took no particular joy in giving them. Odd that someone with that kind of sword skill was also so reserved in how to use it. Regardless, killing wasn't the only way she could help, and when not occupied in the field one could find Katherine wandering around the fort, offering help with small things. Carrying crates, helping repair the wooden structures, distributing supplies. She didn't particularly seem inclined to believe that menial work was beneath her. Occupying herself with work was always an effective way to keep her mind from overthinking things anyway.

Yet she still felt the battle ahead of them in Giphon's Bridge might be a true test of her fortitude, and some part of her wished that it happened sooner rather than later. The wait was the worst part of the process after all.

Katherine's penchant for saving horses begins to earn her the dubious title of "Horse Herder". Whether this is in friendly jest or unfriendly jab is up to interpretation.

Her assistance around the camp does earn respect, and even friendship among the professional soldiers. Less satisfactory to herself, however, would be the hard reality of the war. More specifically, the ugliness; the wounded grew in number on both sides, and the aftermath of each raid, each battle, proved horrid despite even her best efforts. Though her strikes were true and each kill precise, even a swordswoman like her could not make the act of battle painless. A strike slightly off target here, or the need to smite without time for mercy there... the cries of her foes reached her ears even on the best of days. Though she would be hailed as fair of temper and sight, the nights were cruel to her, for she would remember each encounter vividly when she was left to her thoughts...

[Saiceles]

Katherine seemed to carry on with work, as usual. She tried to keep on her cheerful, friendly humor. She gave her hellos, said her goodbyes, engaged in conversations with the friendly faces whenever possible, and otherwise occupied herself with work. Her somewhat reserved and not particularly rebelious nature might have helped some in the process. The occasional joke about her being called "Horse Herder" seemed to be taken with some measure of amusement, usually a smile and a nod of confirmation. She had been a farmer not too long ago, and well, she never found a reason to not be proud of her family's calling. She didn't seem to mind obeying directions and instructions so long as she didn't find them unreasonable, and most of the time they weren't. Nothing too hairy tended to come out during the simple works around the camp. Occupying herself as much as possible did tend to help her mind, and left her body tired enough that when it came the time to rest, she fell asleep quickly.



Ps: More complete version in her Biography thread if anyone wishes to read.

[Eldwen]

Resix has been seen, among his near constant camp-work, and tending the wounds, to provide something else in his downtime - the kobold has procured several cheap whittling knives, and has been passing them around to soldiers and planeswalkers alike. He offers them with the same general offer: "We are all in this together, all stressed, all fighting for Sigil - lets not forget to be at our best, and let our minds rest. Here, let us have a game, of sorts. Use this to construct a charm, one of good look, da? And then, give to another in the camp - if they have a knife too, they give you a charm in return. Is to bring us together, so we all have a part of each-other when we all charge to save the Outlands." He can be seen whittling away at a charm himself most nights - his attempt looking crude at best as he takes up the task for the first time in his young life. The quality doesn't matter, just the intent.