Viewing Single Post From: Ryzing Down

Viewing Single Post From: Ryzing Down
Psiwri	Dec 23 2008, 01:13 AM
Too Many Words Posts: 11,133 Group: Veteran Member #77 Joined: June 9, 2005	Not only an update (finally) but I've also got an early concept sketch of Kuddly's old wrinkly mug! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v195/Psio12/Ryzing/Kuddly1.png Arc 1: Scatter Chapter 4: Target: Alridge Part 1: Setup Plains of Western Fissa, September 13th, 848 - 2:48 PM The Ekenmire First Division Army marched across the open Fissan plains, Alridge clearly seen in the distance. The slime trails of the Slans glinted in the mid-day sun behind them, a temporary testament to their travels. It was a short trip from here before the siege would initiate." "You know, this wasn't as hard as the Commander made it out to be." One of the back lines soldiers commented to the man on his right. "Oh, he always does that. I think it's to keep the newbies in good morale by over-exaggerating how hard the pre-battle is." The other replied back. "Is that so? Doesn't work very well when someone goes and tells us otherwise now does it?" He replied back jokingly. "Whatever." The other elbowed the first lightly before his gaze returned to Alridge, which was slowly becoming more clear. "Looks like the Fissans are quite prepared for us, this still won't be easy." The soldier pointed to emphasize, "Catapults, Ballistas, and at least one full reserve unit standing ready for us," the soldier paused, "they at least look to know who they're dealing with." Just then the army came to a full stop as the order was barked from the front to the back of the lines. Riding slowly along the right edge of the line, Commander Zared worked his way down the lines, shouting to his army, "-are concrete in your resolve when we find ourselves under heavy fire and barrage. Move quickly once we begin, the longer they have to pluck away at us from afar the worse it is for us. We will be a standard field formation in this approach. The terrain as you can see is all flat grasslands, the winner of this battle will be the side that can out maneuver and outwit the other, there are no trees to hide behind or bridges to set defenses. This will not be a pretty battle, you all know this. Just be sure that the uglier side isn't ours! Now, get into formation, we begin the assault in ten minutes. Steel yourselves!" With that the Commander wheeled about on his horse and sped back to the front, he has his own preparations to take of. Instantly the entire line of soldiers changed form as the bodies flowed to different places until, just a few minutes later, it had an entirely new shape. In front were the most heavily armed of the unit, not three rows behind them were lighter fitted barrier mages. Behind them were two lines of crossbowmen, and finally the light infantry with vicious looking spears made up the back rows. At the same time, on a small mound in front of the formation, a platform had been swiftly constructed, with Zared himself standing on top, his personal guard barrier mages to either side, each wore the robes denoting a highly skilled BEM user, one a man with light, short hair, the other a woman with long brown hair. Each stood still and quiet, but were notably looking around at all times, ever vigilant of their surroundings. Below and to the left of the platform sat the three large war drums that would be issuing the orders during the battle, their well muscled drummer warming himself up for the work to come. At the moment, the Commander stood atop the platform, viewing the Fissan forces before them. After a few seconds he turned back, facing his silent, ready army in its straight lines and stalwart faces. "You all know how this works, if you didn't you'd be sitting at home as part of the 4th division." He paused, some members of the army laughed at the comment. "Given that, I don't intend to bore you just as we're about to start a party behind me. I only offer a warning, Fissa's famed Solothurn Cavalry are likely on their way as I speak, so be prepared to deal with them when they arrive. I have scouts stationed to the east in anticipation of this. The drum call for their approach will be two low and two high tones alternating." He looked slowly from one side of the line to the other, garnering nods of acknowledgment as he went. "Right, let's claim another for our Vasif, let's show another nation the might of Ekenmire!" He raised his right fist as a roar erupted from the troops. Once more facing the direction of Alridge, right fist still in the air, the Commander's left arm was thrown forward. With another roar and the stampeding rumble of armored feet upon the plains, the battle for Alridge began. -------- "Two rooms and a warm meal if you would." Amalia Bellum placed a fair sum of coin on the counter before an inn keeper in the northern part of Alridge. Behind her stood two of Zared's personal guard members as well as Embren Grean and Chetz Polta, both key members of the First Division's special operations group, Amalia herself being the leader of it. "I take it you plan to use this battle to earn your living for the next month?" The inn keep asked, the studded leather and weapons the group carried clearly showing they were mercenaries. It wasn't the first time he'd seen such activity, though that was years ago. It was nice not having any wars for a while, but that time looked to be over. "Something like that," Amalia replied vaguely. The five took to sitting at a table in one of the corners of the inn, it wasn't particularly busy at the time given most citizens had evacuated to the safe zone north of town. "So, Chetz, what do you know about The Blacksmith that we can work off of?" The General cut to the chase; the plan was to find and "persuade" this Bennet fellow as soon as possible and skip town before the battle got too ugly. Chetz stroked his light fuzz of a beard as he replied softly, "As I expected he's been commissioned by the Alridge Battle Commander to work for them during this battle, making night time repairs between every day of battle. He's probably being housed in or near the barracks in the south of town. We'll need to observe his movements for a day to find out when and where he's on his own." He paused, looking at Embren, who looked back him with a matched gaze, "I'm sure you know what your role in this is." She nodded back, face never changing expression behind her tattooed visage. "Until then we really can't do a whole lot save perhaps some local investigations of our own," the Information Officer finished off. "Sounds like a plan, good work," Amalia replied. It was good they had ridden ahead of the army, so they could spare a day as per Chetz' suggestion. "We might be on a mission right now, but let's enjoy this while we can." She spoke up, "Serve some ale with that meal!" The order was thrown through the room to the barmaid at the front counter. "We'll have plenty of work to worry about soon enough." Edited by Psiwri, Dec 23 2008, 01:54 AM.
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