(no subject)

[bnw_void_npcs]

The Advance Party arrives to find a city besieged. Nestled about midway up a towering mountainside, the area to the east is stained with the glow of torches and the assembled legions of Gigas, their distinctive gray banners flapping in the wind. Their encampments are neat and orderly, with rows upon rows of soldiers, Ponyta cavalry, and Pidgeot cavalry, as well as several cannons well-protected within the ranks.

Upon your arrival, the city greets you warily, and it takes a number of exchanges before an aged but stern man appears on the walls. These walls are much smaller than those of Union, but they are unique in that they appear to be formed of raw iron, not forged but instead shaped around the city. The city itself is also rough-hewn from stone and steel, the buildings squat and functional but not terribly graceful. Caldera is easily the size of Union, but without the sweeping towers of Union it is much smaller in population, numbering perhaps only 200,000 souls at best. But it is a hearty place of strength and resilience, and even as beleaguered as it is the soot-stained faces of its people still shine with grim defiance.

After a brief discussion, the man orders his men to open the gate and permit access to the city.

"I can't say my people will trust you, but any offer of allegiance is better than none. I am General Brand Ironborn, I have defended Caldera for some fifty years now. Gigas has ever claimed this land to be part of its former empire, and demands our surrender that we might be re-incorporated into their civilization. We would have none of it, but we cannot fight much longer. You are welcome within my city, and any reinforcements you can send are appreciated.

You may have free rein of the city and I am happy to answer any questions you might have. The major issue before us is the army. We cannot hold them for much longer. We either need to convince them to back down, or we need to cripple their supply lines that they cannot keep themselves fed. Hopefully that will prove enough to force them to withdraw. Either way, if this "Union" you speak of is as large as you say it is, then perhaps we can make it through this siege yet.

He hesitates for a moment.

"I hate to be the beggar, but in our hour of need I am left with no choice. Please, good people of Union, some of my men are gravely injured, and we have many elderly and children behind our walls. I need them escorted to safety, if you can spare the aid. Will you take them in?"

[This is an open post, characters are free to tag General Ironborn at will and ask questions about Caldera and the situation]

Comments

Sidelines

[flying_chains]

Despite everything, Morgiana still isn't comfortable speaking to nobles as equals. As such, she is listening with interest to everything being said, but generally staying out of the way and not saying anything. She doesn't have much to add, anyways.

[rejected_trash]

Also Sync's route; though he can literally eaves drop because he's flitting about on what ledging there is for the purposes of information-gathering, and remembering where what is if they are indeed invaded.

Though the odd one out does catch his eye since he wasn't expecting solitude from anyone but himself. "You not the social sort?" He calls from above, head tilted down so his face isn't seen.

[flying_chains]

Morgiana looked around in confusion for a few seconds before realizing the voice was coming from overhead. She looked up and blinked.

"Not especially. What are you doing up there?"

[rejected_trash]

He tilted his head to one side a few degrees, looking off to the side, and spread the small and oddly shaped white wings from behind his shoulders.

"Testing these. I'm also watching, listening. We could have spies, plus I want to know the best places if there's a fight. There a reason you're not sociable?"

[flying_chains]

Her brow furrowed a bit. "That's a rather personal question, isn't it?"

[rejected_trash]

"Then don't answer it." He stood up, looking just over the edge of the wall at the camps; he though he had hear a shout, but nothing seemed to come of it. crouching down again to look at Morgiana, he huffed.

"I didn't have anyone to talk to, and felt a bit alone here," Gruffly stating his reason for the question.

[flying_chains]

"You will probably find more people on the ground." She said, without a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

[rejected_trash]

While tempted to reply, he held his tongue at first. What he wanted to say was, 'There aren't many I want to talk to,' however that sounded like he was trying to pick her up. While he wasn't sure she would catch if that had been his plan all along, he did not want to say something in such bad taste.

What he was avoiding was the nobility, which he had been surprised by how many there were, and once might actually recognize him somehow which was the last thing he wanted. After a moment, he looks over his shoulder, "Can you help me down?" In response, a masked Ariados peeked over the edge of the building at Morgiana before turning around and extending a line of silk. Tying it in a loop for his foot, Sync rode it down and stepped off, giving it a tug when he did. Looking at Morgiana now at ground level, he recalled just who she was. "You were the girl with the large pack, right? Impressive."

[flying_chains]

Ah good, he can come down to ground level after all. As Sync descended he could see Morgiana look marginally more friendly. "It was nothing. I was simply doing my part to help out."

[kaidont]

[Oh hey look who's here. He doesn't give a shit about nobles, but he's not exactly the kind of person who'll be useful for negotiations and intel--and there's no point in crowding the dude anyway. So he's opting to just listen--but he notices you and quietly comes over]

Yo.

[flying_chains]

"Hello."

She favored Kaido with a nod and small smile before turning back to listening to the General.

[kaidont]

How're you holding up?

[flying_chains]

"Well enough. We haven't really done anything yet."