War Council

[bravenewmods]

It has been several days since the people of Union arrived in Caldera. The evacuation of the wounded and those unfit to fight is well underway, and supplies are being brought in periodically to bolster the people of Caldera. It is time to take action. On the dawn of the third day, General Ironborn summons the visitors from Union to a war council in the largest building in the city. All are welcome to attend.

But when they arrive at the set time, they are greeted by a perhaps familiar, smiling face. Rory Donnachaidh greets them with enthusiasm.

"Well met. I had heard it was Union that answered the summons from my home. ...And to think you barely had the means to reach your eastern mountains when last we met. You've come far!"

He drops his smile for a more serious expression.

"I have assured the General that you are nothing if not single-minded in your pursuit of what you feel to be just and right. We're impressed by the speed with which you've acted so far, but it is time to face the Gigas army. The General has impressed upon you that we cannot hope to win in direct battle - the options remaining to us are diplomacy and sabotage. As a representative of Team Evolution, I am in a position to bargain as a third party with allies on both sides. I shall be accompanying the diplomats. Do not betray the extent to which my interests lie towards Calderan independence, I beg.

"Well, then." A polite bow. "I shall be relying upon you all to help us end this war."

He turns to General Ironbrand with a nod and steps back.

General Ironbrand steps forward and gruffly clears his throat.

"As weenie, er, ahem, as Rory was stating, we cannot hope to stand against Gigas’s forces. But I think with our friends from Union, we stand a chance."

He places a map on that depicts a rough layout of the mountain and Gigas’s forces.

"Gigas has placed a lot of effort in protecting their siege engines. The army is massed around them and they are content to hammer our defenses without committing forces. They have occupied much of our farmlands but have left them guarded with only a token defense, as they feel they have us well locked in the city and think our Earthkin are unable to commit to offensive movements. Additionally, their supply lines are not heavily guarded, there’s a steady stream of food coming from Crescent to keep them fed. That’s their weakness. If we strike quickly and with small but powerful strike teams, we can cut off their supply lines. Recovering some of the food would be ideal, but honestly destroying it and setting it aflame would likely work best. With the supplies crippled, likely it would be several days before they could get more and a hungry army is an unruly army. This might open some other avenues to us. Of course, I don’t know your true capabilities, so if the people of Union can provide any further ideas or guidance we would be most appreciative."

((Characters will have the choice to speak with Rory, to speak with the General, or to discuss the plans amongst themselves. Other possibilities may still be suggested in character, of course!

Important OoC Note: Due to a combination of a large quantity of modwork at this time and the war environment being particularly volatile, we ask that people refrain from placing themselves in Danger at this time. ICly, the soldiers will not be allowing people to travel in the warzone on their own. OoCly, if your character is below the Danger Level, we will ask that you find a group or leave off until the end of the event. Thanks!))

Comments

General Brand Ironborn

[bnw_void_npcs]

The General is pondering the map thoughtfully. His eyes, however, are alert as he is thinking of his next move.

[somnambulatory]

[Jinxie's around since she's been helping with the supply lines, and since everyone was invited and she wants to do her best, she's decided to attend. And she's no strategist by a long shot, but she does have one idea. Maybe the General can help it take root and turn it into something workable.]

Um... what if it were possible to take control of one of Gigas' siege engines?

[bnw_void_npcs]

It would certainly be a great boon to us, the problem is getting to them. They're damn near at the center of the whole army.

[somnambulatory]

I have a Ghost type Pokemon that can possess machines. It might be able to do it if we could find a way to sneak him past.

Rory Donnachaidh

[naturaldissension]

He looks thoughtful and pensive as the General opens the floor to discussion. One gets the feeling he is thinking of an appropriate comeback to 'weenie'.

[ingoodhans]

[ Hans, ever-observant, sidles up to Rory and whispers, though it's a stage-whisper more than anything. He's just making nice. ]

I'd make some kind of jab at his moustache, but that's just me.

[ Really, he's more interested in actually getting to meet one of the elusive members of Team Evolution-- they were the talk of the town back when they'd first appeared at Union's gates, and now here was their not-quite leader, joining them again. An interesting man to be sure.

Hans smiles, holding out his gloved hand for Rory to shake. Why shouldn't he at least pretend to trust someone who's looking out for the sake of his homeland? Isn't that what everyone from Union is doing, too? ]

So, you'll be leading our attempts at diplomacy. It's very nice to meet you. Rory, was it? [ Hans even gives him a bit of a bow. ] I'm Hans Westergard, with Union's own Swords of the Savior. Did you happen to hear about them while you last visited?

[ Ah yes, make small talk with the guy who showed off Mega Evolution... ]

[naturaldissension]

Hm?

[Rory leaves off his inner thoughts and blinks for a moment at Hans.]

His --

Ah! Ahaha, yes, perhaps so. I fear that no matter how many years pass, the General will never think of me as anything other than a boy.

[A slight pause.]

You'll have to forgive a doddering old man for his rudeness, of course; he's getting a bit cranky in his old age.

[This is pitched a little louder than it perhaps needs to be.]

It is a pleasure, Hans Westergard. I am Rory Donnachaidh, Lead Director of Field Research and apparent Ambassador for Peace. I did indeed observe your organization several months ago.

[ingoodhans]

It sounds like you've known him for a long time.

[ Hans smiles warmly. Always nice to see "family" getting along. Or not, but you know. Hans is nothing if not cordial. ]

Please, just call me Hans. We're both aiming for the same thing, after all-- to resolve this matter with as little bloodshed as possible. That's something we can all agree on.

[myfedorarocks]

[Flemming smiles. It's warm and polite, though he does look rather tired, all things considered.]

I don't believe we met the last time Team Evolution was in Union. My name is Dr. William Flemming. I'm an Engineer for the city and I've come on behalf of the department as part of negotiations.

[His voice is cheerful, but still a bit guarded, though he offers his hand just the same.]

[naturaldissension]

[Rory will accept it.]

A pleasure, Dr. Flemming. As you may know already, my name is Rory Donnachaidh. ...I fear your people and I did not see eye to eye the last time we met, but your assistance is certainly appreciated.

[myfedorarocks]

[The handshake is firm but brief.]

It's an unfortunate difference in ideologies, but as you are here to assist Caldera, I'm certain that it'll be a noble gesture to my superiors.

I listened to the discussions on Gigas a couple days ago and am aware that the situation is rather tense. As their technology far outweighs what Union has at its disposal, you'll understand why I would like for negotiations to go as smoothly as possible.

What do you suggest we do?

[The council immediately sending out a group of people to a previously unknown territory was probably not ideal, but they also hadn't had much of a choice.]

[nighttimegps]

[Although she'd come along to aid in any diplomatic efforts, or whatever else she might be able to help with, Renko couldn't help but feel at least a little nervous during this meeting.

She was previously a resident of Gigas, something that the residents of Caldera would likely not approve of. And then there was also Rory. Having pretty much abandoned the Team to stay in Union, she wasn't sure how she would be met.

However, if Rory recognizes her, he'll probably spot her trying and failing horribly at being inconspicuous.]

[naturaldissension]

[It doesn't take him long to recognize their erstwhile companion. They had numbered few to start with, and when the headcount on the way back had been less one...]

Miss Usami.

What a pleasant surprise. When we saw you were missing, I had thought you had succumbed to the Caterpie in that forest. Quite deadly, I hear.

[nighttimegps]

[Renko had to put some serious effort into not wincing when she heard her name spoken. She couldn't just ignore him, though. Could she? Best to just see what he wants for now.

She could always just excuse herself or something if the need arose.]

They're not so bad. I apologize, I was involved with something and missed your departure.

[While not entirely false, it wasn't entirely true either.]

[antiseptic]

[Well now, this is a surprise.]

Rory Donnachaidh, correct?

[Jade smiles, easy and polite as he approaches Rory. Last time, he had been content to allow Erwin to interrogate the man.]

[But Erwin isn't with them today, and he doesn't trust his Rangers to maintain their cool when speaking with Rory.]

I don't believe we've met before. I'm Jade Curtiss, one of the Rangers from the Union.

[He won't waste time on small talk.]

Am I to assume your presence here means the whole of Team Evolution has decided to take an active role in things? Or are you acting independently?

[Caldera's situation is serious, yes, but he's more interested in Team Evolution's allegiances and what that might mean for the Union's future.]

[naturaldissension]

A pleasure, Ranger Curtiss.

[A small smile comes to his face as he recalls the last conversation he had had about Rangers. This man didn't look quite the type to be wearing a fur cap or breeches.]

Team Evolution has a great interest in the outcome of this war, being neutral parties and long-standing allies of both cities. We wish to see this ended with minimal bloodshed.

As an adopted Calderan, I have an interest of my own that my coworkers are quite aware of and kindly overlook.

[antiseptic]

If your interest in this war is so great, why have you not been involved until now? I heard two other cities have been captured already.

[His tone is that of curiosity, with no accusation behind it.]

[stahlflugel]

Eren, in human form with his arms folded, is watching Rory intently, with his newly bonded Ponyta at his side. Finally he takes a step toward the man.

"Hey! Aren't you from Gigas?"

[naturaldissension]

"No."

He responds with a faint smile.

"I fear the good Dr. Verdine left a more memorable impression in her wake than I. I am from a settlement that no longer exists - luckily for myself, I failed to cease to exist alongside it and have been fortunate enough to call Caldera a second home since that time."

[stahlflugel]

"... Oh," Eren feels a little stupid, now. And yet, he's still not sure the guy isn't lying. "I thought Team Evolution was mostly part of Gigas. It's... not?"

[incousinswithyou]

From the hearsay, I was expecting something different. [looks like somebody wasn't in town when all those interesting happenings went down. Have a smile and a sidelong glance.]

The General seems to have no small faith in you. [depending. Between the 'weenie' comment and the fact that you're privy to the meeting...

...well, let's be fair. It's hardly a closed door meeting.]

[naturaldissension]

I left my demon horns at home today, I am afraid.

[The charming young woman receives a slight bow of acknowledgment.]

It is a matter of a difference in ideology. Caldera is accustomed to the ways of Team Evolution. Union is not.

[toxicrevenger]

[Pamela approaches with her hand out. She's not sure of exactly what to make of Rory. This is the guy that used Mega Evolution in a pokemon battle against Feliks, and she certainly doesn't think too much of the irresponsible actions that caused earthquakes in Union. A researcher should always apply the precautionary principle to his or her work, after all.

But he is a researcher and she is curious. She's not sure which will hold more weight for Gigas, and it's probably best to quietly ask Rory a few questions before they speak to the Gigas representative. She approaches and offers a hand to shake.]

Rory Donnachaidh? My name is Pamela Isley. I'm a researcher and a member of Union's nobility. I was wondering if you might answer a few questions. Starting with which Gigas would value more - the opinion of a researcher or the opinion of a noble?

[naturaldissension]

[Rory takes her hand.]

A pleasure, Miss Isley.

If I understand Gigas, I doubt they hold any stock in what Union would consider 'nobility'. Intelligence and swiftness of thought, however, ought to be universally appreciated.

I have not dealt with Valeria or General Cassius in the past, of course, but that would be my instinct.

Open Discussion/Plotting

[bravenewmods]