(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

[second_destiny]

[Asemu bows as he approaches. He at least knew how to treat a superior, even if diplomacy wasn't much of a strength of his.]

Hello, sir. My name is Asemu Asuno and I'm a trained Ranger. I'll listen to any advice you have, but for now, I need to learn more about what's going on. What can you tell me about the city's defenses?

[bnw_void_npcs]

Well met, Ranger Asuno. Our defenses are maintained by the Battalion of Steel, Caldera's crack troops. We've several hundred trained gunmen and swordsmen in our ranks. They are supported by the Rock Legion, our volunteer citizen's levy. They are not as highly trained, but as with all men and women of Caldera they are fierce and unyielding. Finally, there are the Earthkin, those who wield the power of earth, steel and flame. They are much fewer in number, but their powers are immense. They form our crack troops, and Gigas fears and covets their power.

[antiseptic]

[He bows as he introduces himself.]

I'm Jade Curtiss, part of the Rangers. I hope you won't mind answering some of our questions. Has there been a long history between your city and that of Gigas?

(Gonna jump in here so we don't end up asking the same questions)

[ladyofluminosity]

[Lux graciously introduces herself.]

I can't speak for the rest of our group, but I am sure that no one would object.

If you don't mind, I have a few questions as well. How long have you been sieged, and how have you been defending yourselves?

[bnw_void_npcs]

[He nods at Jade and then at Lux[

There's always been tension, but since we are furthest from them we were protected from their aggression, at least for a time.

We've been engaged in open battle with Gigas for the last two years. The siege has been about six months now.

[antiseptic]

[A flicker of uncertainty crosses his face, but is quickly replaced by his usual calm.]

"Furthest"? Are there other cities they have conquered?

[Then why were they (relatively) peaceful when they had arrived at the Union? Could the ones they met have been a scouting force, surveying the Union in preparation for an invasion?]

I apologise if this seems irrelevant, but what was your first contact with Gigas like?

[ladyofluminosity]

[She frowns a bit, a little less poker-faced than Jade is. She has a bit less experience in political negotiations to be sure. She'll hold her questions until Jade's are answered, likewise curious about the same things.]

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.

[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.

[second_destiny]

[That last bit especially catches Asemu's interest. They sound like Enlightened. Furthermore, it sounds like something Gigas lacks -- especially based off his own experiences with Team Evolution.]

I'd like to meet an Earthkin. It sounds like they have abilities similar to the kind you can find in Union.

[whateveryoueatliveitspart]

[The 14-year-old boy who approaches Ironborn gives a shallow bow that is more casual than formal, but is still intended to be reasonably polite and respectful. Formal situations aren't his forte.]

Hi. I'm Apollo, from the Rangers. Can you tell me what kinds of Pokémon the people here have bonded with? Have any of them been able to help defend the city?

[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?"

[flying_chains]

"Hello."

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

[bnw_void_npcs]

[He smiles wryly]

You're speaking to one.

[bnw_void_npcs]

Is that what you call it? We say "aligned" but I guess it doesn't matter. We are mostly fighting and fire types up here, with some ground, rock, and a few others from the surrounding areas. Our Pokemon have always fought by our side.

[kaidont]

How're you holding up?

[second_destiny]

Oh! Good, that makes things simpler. Can you give me a short demonstration of what you can do? I'll return the favor -- or go first, if you want.

[bnw_void_npcs]

[He's rather grim]

Yes, two cities have been annexed by Gigas already. Crescent to the north was conquered long before your time. Sanctuary to the south has been under Gigas for perhaps forty years now. Our initial contact with Gigas was limited until Sanctuary fell. Not a lot of trade or conversation. When Sanctuary came under fire, they didn't last too long. We couldn't even muster forces to defend them. We made some overtures to Gigas but were rebuffed. I've always known this day would come, it was just a matter of time.

[bnw_void_npcs]

Hmmm... I suppose that won't hurt.

[There's a burst of flame that envelops his arm and five fully-forged, rather ornate swords seem to pop out of the arm itself, flipping through the air with practiced ease and landing blade-down in the ground. They're all of exceptional quality, their blades still glowing slightly orange as if they were just forged moments before - which indeed they were]

[flying_chains]

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

[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?"

[ingoodhans]

[ Hans, one of the higher-ranked (and well-spoken) members of the Swords approaches Ironborn with a grim nod. ]

General, my name is Hans Westergard, a superior officer of Union's internal defense division. We're known as the Swords of the Savior, but that's of little importance to you all, I'm sure. With things so dire, I hope you won't mind indulging me with a few questions?

[ Hans certainly likes to hear himself talk, but he speaks sensibly. The refugees will need help, yes, but if they can't negotiate peace... ]

While I'm aware the conflict has been going on for some time, I imagine you've attempted negotiations with them in the past, with little success. Do you know with whom we should speak to, if we wished to try ourselves? Perhaps you might have some information about their generals, so that we might address them more personally?

[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.