The War of Lilacs

[Viyola Marcotte]

Viyola thinks for a few seconds, then moves to where the map is laid. She examines it for a few seconds, then nods. "I wouldn't mind. I'll do that -- move as far west as possible..." She pointed to Eichsfeld [1]. "There, if they're still moving down that way. I assume that's what these things on the map mean."

She looked back up, glancing between between Avery and Lady Bresee. "I hope you understand, I do intend to fight, but under the right circumstances." She raised her brows a bit and bit her lip. "I need to lay low for a while. I'm a Tear, but I'm the only one in the field for now, and I'm not that powerful -- and I'm already near the top of their hit list. I don't want them to get the idea that I'm out on the battlefield, or else it could get ugly fast, especially if things go wrong for me... Unless, of course, you want a distraction like that, in which case I'll be glad to step onto the front lines." She nodded at the two and stepped back. "Plus, I'm not much of a soldier. For now, I'll stay with the troops in the west until something comes up. If you don't mind."

 

[SpringNixie]

Avery and Lady Bresee both nodded their agreement before the pair of them went about their duties.

The Courier of Spring spent much of the rest of the day packing and preparing herself for the march towards Erfurt [11] after having sent a missive to the homelands for another contingent of Aquatic Fae and Forest Fae be sent to the war camp the next day. When she was all finished with her duties around camp and was fully packed, Allie, Jules, and herself would all begin the march Southwards.

Lady Bresee, however, stayed behind to see to the grander strategy.

 

[SpringNixie]

((END OF TURN 2))

Court of Spring Resources: 0
Court of Lilacs Resources: 2

 

[Inkwell]

Jules would tag along, as closely to Avery as possible. All the while grumbling to himself about how warriors didn't need any fancy pants behavior where he came from. You just had to prove yourself in battle. And goddammit, he would prove himself in battle.
All in all, even if he would never admit it, he did seem a bit unhappy with the impression he had left on Lady Bresee, and fully focused on proving his worth even though he might be lacking tact and diplomatic skills.

 

[Pattern-Weld]

Stray would buzz in early the next morning. "Packing my things to head into the city tomorrow. Sending some of those water fae down to help me secure it would be much appreciated." The mechanized voice said through the radio. "Also, took a look at the map. Might be a good idea to send down one or two more plains folk when we are able to hold the Gotha[9] and Unstrut Hainich[4] regions. Through tactical retreats and reinforcement strategies, that seems to me like it would make for a powerful defense due to its each of connection to the Sommerda[6]. Not to mention it will be useful when it's time to take Weimar[12]." The were beast grabbed his blade, looking down the horizon towards the city as he bade his fellow plains folk adieu. "I would also recommend, if it wasn't the plan already that we have our council troops hop from city to city as a defensive measure close to the front lines. Seems like that would be where they would be the most effective. Maybe have them begin marching towards Erfurt[11] as well."

 

[Theo Collins]

Theo made sure to wake up early this morning to run his troop through basic exercises and some combat maneuvers per Lady Bresee's request. This also helped him feel more alert. He knew it was very unlikely to meet any opposition out here yet, but it wouldn't hurt to be on his toes. Once everyone was done, rested and fed. He called their attention.

"Ok, everyone. We will be moving out soon. We will continue south toward the forest, but I will be splitting off toward the city by order of Lady Bresee. Alright, get ready to move out!" Theo ordered.

Once everyone was bustling about, packing up their gear, Theo grabbed his radio to call in to the war tent. "This is Theo. Just finished up our exercises and ready to move out to the southern forests. I'll make sure to radio when I'll be splitting from this group."

 

[Viyola Marcotte]

I should have brought someone with me. I'm nowhere. I'm bored. I'm not going to see anyone for a day or two.

--tweet via @littleviyola

Viyola wanders through the forest, following some paths that she had taken note of from the map, from her phone. GPS wasn't going to help that much out here.

Mid-day, she sends a text to Avery: "What's an ideal destination? I can move towards the city within Gotha [10], or I can stay more west in Eisenach [8]."

And then she follows up with another text: "I honestly have no idea where anyone is, so I need some guidance."

 

[sam4books]

A short, ebony haired woman would have responded to Stray through the radio. Her voice low and gruff. "That's fine with me sir. We're all at your disposal here. Just let us know where we should move, and we'll move swiftly.and diligently.

"FRANK CAN'T WAIT TO SMASH RED HAND SKULLS." said a loud and boisterous voice as well. Followed by someone else's groaning.

 

[Pattern-Weld]

"That's a good attitude." Stray said with confidence. "Make your way to Erfurt. Viyola, is that you? We could use someone at Gotha. It's a good position. I was actually considering advising our friends from the council to move there if everything in Erfurt is running smoothly when they get here. Like I said, we want them in a city."

 

[SpringNixie]

"Allie, Jules, and I are still heading southwards to Erfurt [11]." Avery replied as she took up the receiver to the radio she carried, the sound of her two children giggling and playing on her back audible as background noise. "We will most likely meet up with Stray's group of plains fae in about a day and shall likely leave Jules to defend that region alongside them as Allie and I make our way into the city."

Lady Bresee, still overseeing the situation from the war tent back at the main camp nodded and made her daily announcements. "Looking at the movements of the enemy, I would say that it is safe to assume combat shall be breaking out sometime soon in the next few days. If not tomorrow, then the next day to be sure."

"Avery, Allie, Stray, and Jules; you will likely be those forces engaged upon if the enemy were to make certain advances so be on your guard. Stray-Hound, after taking the city I still wish for you to head either South or West with the intention of meeting with Knight Collins and his forces. I shall requisition another squad of plains fae as you have requested to hold Gotha [9] whilst you two and whoever else we can spare from the defense shall focus upon securing the Southern Lands for the Court of Spring. Miss Marcotte, I would suggest heading South towards South to meet up with them as well. They could likely use your assistance and shall help to keep you safe."

"Sir Burnet, I expect you to hold Sommerda [6] as best you can alongside the troop of plains fae stationed there as, were that land to be taken, the Court of Lilacs would have a direct route into the Northern forests. We cannot let that happen. This is your chance to prove yourself to me."

She stands up straight and then, in her most regal and commanding tone, concludes what she felt should be the plan. "I wish the best of luck to all of you. We back here at the war camp are working our hardest to support you as best we can. Blacksmith Bite and Tinkerer Vandask are both putting their noses to the grindstone as they attempt to come up with new technologies and weaponry to assist us in this effort. Stand strong and do not let our enemy rattle you. They are naught but rage and vengeance and we shall stand mighty against them. Dismissed."

 

[Pattern-Weld]

Meanwhile, in the Blacksmith, Nick was busy explaining his schematics to Bite. "I call this project Hear No Evil. " He unrolled some blueprints. They showed small hexagonal plates, with some rubber and plastic on the other side to represent earphones. "You know that metal we got from the dead golem in the Vire? I was thinking this would be the most efficient use for it. Only takes a very small amount, just enough to make the outer shell for each one." He pulled off a tiny stud from each of his metal arms. Exact replicas of what he wanted for the final product, he handed them to her to hold in her hands. Gold metal covering the outside, and soft material on the inside that connects directly into the ear. "The metal itself is filth resistant, but I was thinking with your expertise we could make them even better. I recall you showing me some of the fae earings with magical enchantments on them yesterday. Maybe we could add that to it." He handed her one of his own earphones so she could study the design. "So....what do you think? Something you would be able to make a lot of?" He asked, referring to the metal outside. His voice was hopeful. "You are a really good metal worker after all."

 

[SpringNixie]

Bite studied the strange earphones and tapped at the even stranger metal they were made from. Slapping on her goggles, the small pixie pried a magnifying glass made of crystal from her powerful, trinket-infused wings. There was a small whistle as she looked the electron-magical devices over. "This is designed as a means to counter the lullaby, yes? I could craft the earphones easily enough but the wiring would be the tricky part. As you know, electronics and magical forces do not always coexist without some... persuasion."

She took her goggles up and looked up at Nick. "How much of this gold do you have?"

 

[Pattern-Weld]

Nick would take her out to a large tarped figure, the size of a small house. "We've got this much of it, but it's pretty rare. Hence why I want to use it sparingly. I can handle the wiring." He told her with a smile. "I just need you to smelt the metal into the right shape for the casings, and maybe throw some protective enchantments on them for good measure." He gazed at the big dead hunk of gaia in a sort of sober awe. It was magnificent. Too bad it also reminded him of his failures. "I am ah....still working on the wiring bit. Almost have it though. Thought it would be best to get started before hand, so once I know we can deploy them as soon as possible."

 

[SpringNixie]

The blacksmith examined the fallen idol of Gaia with an expression of both awe and desire before whistling sharply. Suddenly, a large ogre would make its way out of the blacksmith's tent with a bored expression. "Maurice, could you be a dear and begin smelting this down into blocks for me? I would do it myself but I think this is a task far more suited to one with your strength."

The ogre nodded, still bored looking, and easily began to pull the golden idol inside. Bite turned to Nick. "Get the wiring working and I can promise you that these things can be pumped out in no-time. Small, detailed stuff like this is my specialty."

 

[Pattern-Weld]

Nick gave her a big grin. "Great, I will get back to work on it right now!"

 

[Velvet Silk]

Elisha, meanwhile, seems to be up to cock-bloody-all, meandering vaugely to the south. She's likely broken off from the main army at that point as she makes her way down through the forests. [5]

 

[SpringNixie]

Avery would send a text to Elisha.

"Hey Elisha~! Any ideas on where you might be headed? If you aren't certain, Jules could probably use some backup in the Sommerda region [6]. We need to make sure we hold that location until we can move in to take Weimar [12]."

 

[Theo Collins]

Theo would radio in so that both the war camp and Stray could hear him. "What do you think would be better: Having Stray come south to meet with me and head further south or for me to meet Stray and start advancing toward the cities?"

 

[SpringNixie]

"Knight Collins," Lady Bresee's voice would ring out over the radio. "I've taken another look at the enemy's movements and think that it would be for the best if you and your troop did not split up. Instead, your troop and Stray should make haste to the city of Suhl [20] whilst attempting to secure as many territories as you can along the way. Do not concern yourself with Eisenach [8] for now but instead move through the Wartburg [7] and Schmalkalden Meningen [19] regions. I will entrust Tear Marcotte to securing Eisenach [8] as she moves to meet up with yourself and Stray-Hound." She pauses for a moment as if to think something over. "Stray-Hound, which path were you thinking of taking as you made your way into the south?"

 

[Pattern-Weld]

Strays voice would buzz in over the comms. "Based off what I can tell of the enemy troop movements, there are two ways for us to go about this. In three or so days time, we would meet face to face with the enemy inside Suhl, judging by their current direction. Or, I can travel through Erfurt into Ilm-Kres [21] to cut the enemy off. Theo could take his troops through Gotha [9] and join me there [21] just in time to bolster our forces. Due to it being a forested region, we will have an advantage we would not have had if we fought inside the city, and its connection to the rivers will allow us swift reinforcements should the enemy decide to go around.