bravenewworld | The Battle for Caldera

The time for action is at hand, and the players have been set in place. Those who choose to make an attempt at diplomacy head off at the appointed time to meet with Valeria, the clerk and representative of the general who leads the Gigas army. Those who wish to take more direct action against Gigas leave with General Ironbrand to put their plans into motion. In the meantime, the refugees continue to stream into Union, while supplies are gathered and flow the other way.

The outcome of this war may very well depend on the combined results of these four efforts…

((This log will be a catch-all for all four efforts of the attempt to save Caldera. There will be four different parts of this post: Diplomacy, Aggression, Refugees, and Supplies. The first two should be well established, but the Refugees portion will encompass bringing those in Caldera who require help to Union and giving them medical aid and care, while the Supplies portion will encompass people in Union setting up shelters and gathering resources to send back to Caldera, as well as other miscellaneous tasks that may be of help. Gathering resources may entail leaving Union to explore out in other areas. You all signed up for groups, so please try to maintain these groups when posting, particularly to the Diplomacy and Aggression sections. The other two may be more free-form.

Mods will be responding at least once every 24 hours to keep the logs moving.

EDIT 5/31: Please try to group up if possible! We'll generally try to wait for threads to have 2-3 people before we jump in. Threads with 3+ may attract the attention of something a little more... interesting.))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Valeria smirks, a bit wickedly]

So the fabled forest-city of Union sends its researchers to conduct matters of diplomacy? Interesting. Typically we of Gigas prefer to send trained negotiators, but I imagine such an... isolated society likely lacks such capabilities.

[The smirk broadens]

And a representative of "Mist" are you? Unfortunately Gigas cannot recognize that false sovereignty. Pokemon wearing the masks of men are still Pokemon, and claiming land within Gigas territory is simply an unacceptable act of aggression. You were wise to leave a failed rebel state.

[It then drops completely]

Why does Union choose to violate Gigas sovereign territory to support these unlawful rebels? Under Imperial Command Gigas demands the rebels of Deathfire Mountain lay down their arms, surrender, and re-integrate into the Gigas Empire.

Valeria, if I may--

[ Hans cuts in-- woah, pretty lady. Slow down. Chill out. He offers her a pacifying smile. With words like that, she'd get a rise out of just about anybody. Not Hans, obviously. ]

Our reasons are our own and matter very little at present, I'm afraid. While I'm sure we could all discuss our different opinions and cultures for quite some time, that's not why we asked you to join us here today.

[ Okay, Hans gets serious. The last thing they need is to derail such an important negotiation. ]

Let's not forget that we are, all of us, present to propose an agreement between your great empire and the independent nation of Caldera. As neighbors, we of Union came to Caldera's aid, and as my colleagues have mentioned, our presence here has already bolstered Caldera's forces, both human and pokemon alike.

Things are at a standstill now, but I'm sure we can resolve this peacefully if you'll hear us out.

[ And, y'know, not call everyone ignorant freeloaders, but that's a Gigas thing, huh. ]

[It's good that Hans steps in when he does. While Pamela doesn't jump in out of turn, she can feel herself getting annoyed at the woman's words. Perhaps it's a deliberate attempt to antagonize them. Perhaps it's simply how Valeria is. Either way, Hans speaking up has given Pamela the chance to think through her response. She offers a small, polite smile before stepping forward and speaking again.]

Adaptability and evolution go hand in hand, Valeria. It's a trait that Union encourages in its citizens, and it's that adaptability that has allowed our Enlightened to thrive and grow. That trait has made the citizens of Caldera resilient as well.

[Rory did mention they would be interested in the Enlightened and in the warp bands, so she's certain to bring it up.]

The fact is that with Union's assistance, your siege of Caldera could go on indefinitely, wasting your precious resources. Even if you eventually took Caldera, your gains would be greatly outweighed by your losses. The strengths that make individual societies like Caldera successful would also be lost as they gradually assimilated with Gigas.

[It's obvious that trying to make arguments based on decency and compassion will be completely useless, so she'll focus on evolution and other pragmatic things.]

No one benefits from a homogenous population. Gigas and Caldera alike will benefit more from a formal treaty than from Caldera's surrender.

[Off to the side, Rory winces slightly and attempts to telepathically convey that some of these are excellent arguments for currying the favor of Team Evolution, but perhaps less so for the more pragmatic Gigas without actually saying anything or moving any body parts.

He isn't very successful.]

On our part, both the people of Gigas and Caldera number amongst the Team, as you are well aware. Our role has been largely neutral thus far, but if Gigas continues aggression, we will be forced to withdraw entirely before tensions amongst our own people rise too high.

The advances we have made with our combined resources have been great. We have no desire to sever relations, and I should expect the people of Gigas feel the same.

Caldera is prepared to make several allowances for the purposes of a treaty.

[Ran, for the entirety of this, remains still. Smiling. Nonvocal.

That's because right now, she has to resist the urge to change into Vulpix form and leap at this woman's throat. She certainly has something major to confirm to Yukari and Tiki either way.]

I think you Union people vastly overestimate the threat your little backwa-

[At that moment a nondescript man walks up and whispers something in her ear. Her expression grows sour.]

They what? Are you sure? I want two regiments on it immediately, I will not tolerate such impudence!

[She clears her throat, her expression again condescending.]

I see some of your soldiers managed to make a lucky strike. It matters not. You vastly overestimate your own power. Do you think your little skirmishes are enough to forestall the might of the Gigas Empire?

Correct. With Union's own unique technology, we're able to quickly send soldiers in and out of our "backwater city," to continue to support Caldera for the foreseeable future. Attacks like the one your men reported will continue, unless we can reach an agreement we're all satisfied with.

[ Two can play condescending, Valeria. Though Hans delivers his whole bit with a smile. ]

Now, we're all sensible people here. Why not hear us out, so we can put an end to this fighting? Agree to a treaty with Caldera, and Gigas will have not only a share of their resources but fewer casualties all around. You'd be saving lives.

Edited (now with 100% more condescending smiling) 2014-06-06 17:35 (UTC)

[She'd considered feigning surprise, but then Hans spoke up and it's actually more satisfying to see some of Valeria's condescension turned back on her.]

Saving lives and avoiding a waste of precious time and resources. Our technology can't even be used by anyone who isn't a Unionite. Warp technology is interconnected with our Enlightened abilities.

[It's probably best to make sure that it's established early on that stealing the warp technology would be an exercise in futility for Gigas.]

So really, we can keep aiding the people of Caldera for quite some time. Ideally, we'd like to establish an arrangement that's agreeable to all parties. Caldera is prepared to part with a few of their iron deposits, provided that Gigas withdraws their military forces and recognizes them as an independent nation.

[Valeria draws herself up to speak, her expression hard and indignant but several more men, all in nondescript clothing sidle up respectfully. The first one steps forward and whispers something to her, followed by the second, followed by the third, down the line. Her expression grows progressively more sour. She then clears her throat, her expression suddenly sunny.]

In light of these recent revelations and out of respect for the wishes of the City of Union, Gigas will withdraw. For the moment. We accept that your Enlightened and Warp technology are quite formidable, though why you choose to side with rebels we will not understand. We shall work to arrange a meeting at a later date to resolve these lingering issues. Good day.

[She turns with a huff and walks away, her scouts and her soldiers in lockstep behind her.]

[It's probably wise that Flemming had continued to choose not to speak, but at the moment he can't help but feel somewhat smug. The warp bands were a unique technology, and the Enlightened were something that Gigas didn't have control over.

He keeps his hands clasped politely behind his back.]

The Battle for Caldera

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject