The Battle for Caldera

[bravenewmods]

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.))

Comments

[somnambulatory]

[Jinxie and her Pokemon move into position next to Lux, waiting for further orders. The tentative plan, as far as she's concerned, consists of the following:

-Dokuro the Duskull employing Confuse Ray and Will-O-Wisp whenever possible, with Night Shade and Pursuit to defend himself

-Waff the Drifblim using Gust to attack large groups, Minimize to defend itself, and Stockpile combined with Swallow for healing

-Foxfire will back up Dokuro with Confuse Ray and Will-O-Wisp use, Safeguard to protect the group from status ailments of their own, and Hex to hit enemies with status ailments hard

-Whisper the Duosion will act as a special tank, hitting things with Psyshock and healing with Recover and Pain Split

-And finally, Sparky the Rotom will defend itself with Double Team and Substitute while it tries to sneak in toward the siege engine to possess it

It's a lot to keep in mind, but Jinxie's been training her Pokemon hard for a long time now, and she trusts they can handle it.]

[bleeding_heart]

On deck...?

[Merrill is pretty sure they aren't on a boat, but she doesn't have time to puzzle out that particular colloquialism before she's being hustled toward one of the medical tents. And once she gets there, it's entirely forgotten anyway.]

So many... were they all caught in the attack?

[bravenewmods]

A cloud of dust appears on the road that, as it comes into view, appears to be a number of Ponyta-drawn carriages. They're driven by soldiers wearing what appears to be metal cuirasses. On horseback and on foot, a column of soldiers is traveling along as well, there are maybe twenty five soldiers guarding the five wagons, ten on horseback, one for each wagon, and ten on foot. All of them have visible Pokeballs at their belts.

nerd party + 1!

[radiantwingedone]

.... Maybe I just have a habit of showing up early...

[ He can't tell now. Maybe he did just show up early, because he made sure he didn't get involved in anything beforehand? Laulyse seems amused by Duke's confusion, but greets the rest, as Myorzo swings her basket a little more cheerfully. Friends~ ]

... Ignoring timing, we have everyone, so- [ Blink, wait, he doesn't recognize someone, not sure if Dhaos does either, because Aster seems to. Aster why did you invite a girl! ]

... Aster, your friend is?

[ He's skipping steps, because he's already looking down the hall to start going. Duke is a little absent minded when not researching, why did any of you let him be sortof in the lead? ]

[stahlflugel]

Eren catches sight of the entourage through the dust, illuminated by the flame of their Ponyta's manes. He feels his heart sink down to his knees.

"Holy shit," he whispers harshly, still in Pokémon tongue, "We're going to need reinforcements."

Rosa flutters up to him, landing on his back and surrounding him like a cape. She's definitely not cowering, nope. "E-eren... there's too many...! We don't have to do this, you know... we should turn back."

"We can't turn back now. We said we were going to do this, and we have to," he turns his head at Wukong, then Nero. "I'll be back. One of my Pokémon companions will be perfect for this. Rosa, stay with Wukong, ok?"

Without waiting for a response from the others, Eren makes his way deeper into the forest using the trees as his highway, to somewhere he can summon a pokémon without attracting too much attention.

Rosa, left on the branch, frets a bit and bites at her lower lip before fluttering over to Wukong. No perching on him, since she's much, much larger... but she is making herself as small as possible behind him. "I... um... You're pretty small... I could probably carry you while flying, if we need to make a fast getaway.... Alright?"

[withcourage]

[But she is his friend, Duke! :c]

[Tonitrus, meanwhile, greets the newcomer pokemon and Dhaos, as well. He is getting pretty excited to finally get something done rather than follow Aster around as he studies pokemon around the town.]

Oh, right! I thought I mentioned, [He hadn't. Derp.] but I was going to ask a friend if she wanted to come, and so here she is! This is Hilda; she's my housemate and good friend! Hilda, this is Duke and Dhaos.

[bravenewmods]

[They have about 10 minutes before the caravan arrives. Whether or not they've been alerted that something is wrong is uncertain.

The men on the ground seem to be out, for now, but they could very well stir at any time. Michiru's target's nose seems badly broken from her attack; he gurgles somewhat in his unconscious stupor.]

[bravenewmods]

[ The peace and calmness while they escort the group of people will be interrupted as they near the warp point to Union. There is a group of Gigas that seem to be waiting and ready to intercept and attack the group once they get near. ]

[bravenewmods]

[It's time to pick a target and start the attack.

There are five siege engines clustered up by the gates, all in a row. The ones in the center are pressed up against the gates right now, with the others flanking them in a V-formation. There doesn't seem to be any particular reason for this.

The army is in much the same position as it was when the Unionites first arrived. Rows upon rows of soldiers - infantry up front, cavalry atop Ponyta and Pidgeot in the back.

There isn't much going on at the moment. The soldiers chat amongst themselves, but they're too well trained to lose sight of the fact that they're in the middle of a war right now, regardless of how long the siege has been going on.

It may be best to simply strike while the iron is hot.]

Roxas' group shenanigans let's go

[meguriau]

(OOC: Split into two "groups"/Scenarios due to preferences OOC. ]

Group 1 - Roxas and Lea

[ The two of them were currently together as they went back for a refugee that had fallen behind. Now they're trying to catch up to the group again. Or something. It's Sora and Keeper currently at Roxas' side though he has a few of his other Pokemon in his warp band as they try and work their way back.

Try seemingly being a keyword here. ]

Group 2 - Blue and Roxas

[ Blue and Roxas were currently paired as Lea stayed behind with Xion due to "unfortunate circumstances". They were with yet another group of refugees trying to work their way to where they can warp back to Union. If it was even more possible Roxas seems to be quieter than usual during this trip. ]

[bravenewmods]

She nods gratefully.

"Her name is Florrie. ...It's Florence, but she only likes being called Florrie. She's about this tall -- " A hand up around chest level. "She's 11, and she has brown hair down to about her shoulders. She was wearing a green dress."

She tries to keep her voice calm.

"There's a wild Pokemon who follows her around - a little bird, orange and red. They might be together."

[thefloorislava]

[It wasn't easy, that was for sure. They were doing a pretty good job of avoiding Gigas troops, using Robin the zoroark's illusions to disguise them. His skills were limited, still, and disguising two humans, himself, and three other Pokémon (Lea had also brought along Sharky, now a gabite) was a challenge. What he'd managed is to make them not... completely invisible, but unnoticeable. They slipped past people without anyone really acknowledging their presence... unless they were looking closely. But Caldera was an unfamiliar place, and it was easy to get lost.

Which, they were.]

... Haven't we passed this building already?

[footprints_on_your_face]

Commander Kiske! Can I go with Morgiana to look for the missing child?

[Chie is fully prepared to accept a 'no' answer, but she's also aware that she needs to ask permission in the first place.]

[incousinswithyou]

We better hurry, then.

[producing some rope, she hands a length of it to Haruka before proceeding to expertly tie up her guard, using a piece of the guard's own clothes as a gag. While she's at it, she'll pocket any keys or papers she comes across.]

[meguriau]

[ Roxas still wasn't sure about this. Verdant Forest sure; he's gone there several times and eventually even bonded with a special colorful (in more than one way) Sentret. Canyons? It's a stretch but he was with Sora and eventually Lea and Riku so that place is okay too.

A city with enemies forces and Pokemon who don't seem to be very happy? Not so much. But thanks to Robin they haven't had any problems there.

The problem is more than certainly the fact that they had no idea where they were going. Roxas looks at the building Lea mentioned and nods his head. ]

Think so. [ He looks over at another building. ] That one too.

[ They were definitely somehow going in a circle. Or a square. Or Whatever shape they're going that isn't straight. ]

[lifeissuffering]

[Ogami immediately snaps into commander mode.]

Rise, see if you can get an idea for their abilities. Sakura, you're with me. Hotaru, please stay near the back. No reckless moves anybody, we'll need to sweep them quickly.

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka does the same for hers, her face remaining expressionless. It can't be helped, folks. You got in the way.

When she's done, she assesses the area between them and the caravan. Is it just open desert, or is there a good place to say something witty while striking a pose while silhouetted against the sun hide and ambush their target between the supplies and the outpost? If so, let's head there.

If not, flank them on Pokéback? ]

[a_gentle_boy]

[As Kanji rushes back and forth, he will occasionally meet someone touting medical supplies back and forth. ...He may be thankful to see that no leaf clothing is being given away.

There's not much time to talk, but eventually, he'll catch Lucas frowning by the Warp.]

That's the last of the Potions we have...

After the above thread... (cavern exploration)

[actsmagnificent]

[ Well, these sure look like caverns under the mountain. Haruka may have disrupted the supply manager to get this information, but it was certainly reliable. If there are any clues to be found about the mysterious "red giant" that plagued the city before Caldera, chances are they might be here. ]

Sewa?

Stay close. I'll send a scout ahead.

[ Off goes Murkrow to get the lay of the land. Now, remind her why, in addition to a certain stowaway riding in the hood of her cloak, she's got Hotaru and Usagi Tsukino (of all people) in tow? Yes, the city's at war. She supposes it can't be helped.

Yet she takes her first tentative steps into the cavern wishing they cast one or two fewer shadows. ]

[threemoms]

[ Hotaru's there because she's useful okay!!!!!!! ]

I don't sense anything... unnatural. [ Or does she? It's harder to tell in human form - Absols could sense distrubances through the earth and air, and Hotaru was no exception, but in human form it was less reliable.

If Usagi weren't here, she'd be more comfortable shifting into Absol form. Actually, she'd be more comfortable as an Absol with Usagi, but shifting would draw too much attention and she hated attention. Bah humbug. ]

[timeywimeyorb]

[There's a brief flash and a woman teleports into their midst. Setsuna may be late but she's always fashionable.

Terrible introduction jokes aside, Setsuna looks worn from the teleport and notices that she's arrived in the middle of some action...or the end of some action.]

Sorry. It seems I missed somethings.

[bravenewmods]

[Michiru will find a keyring filled with keys, one of which ostensibly is for the locked shed. She'll also find a bag filled with black powder, some wrinkled up letters - all from his family in Gigas, unfortunately, a coin purse, and seven Pokeballs.

Probably don't want to touch the Pokeballs.

Unfortunately, there's not really a good place to ambush the caravan potentially besides the small cliff they were just on.]

[incousinswithyou]

[dissuading Usagi from tagging along had proven fruitless and unfortunately (fortunately?), she's not cold hearted enough to actually make the girl go back on her own. They have work to do, besides.

No, she'll keep a sharp eye out on their surroundings. Everybody else should be busy enough with the plans, but it doesn't hurt to be careful.

Her eyes fall on Usagi and. She'll hide a sigh.] Hotaru, will Celosia help us when we enter the cave?

[incousinswithyou]

[nothing official looking enough for her. She'll pocket those keys, but leave the rest alone.

Standing back up, Michiru smiles at Setsuna.] Not by much.

[considering the lay of the land...] Shall we set up the reception here?

[...might as well drag these guards off to the side, hide them somewhere.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka looks back up at that cliff. It's the best vantage point, yeah. And World Shaking isn't known for his stealth. ] We're just getting to the good part anyway.

[ Three is also better than two for what's coming up. She checks the caravan again quickly, then jerks her head at the cliff. ] Curtain's in five. Let's make sure there won't be an encore.

[ And with that, she'll head back over to prep for the ambush. Between her jumping prowess, her strength, and her speed, scaling a cliff is nothing. ]