bravenewworld | Gigan Mobilization

Entry tags:

Gigan Mobilization

After weeks of waiting uneasily in the aftermath of the chaotic infiltration of Gigas to right a terrible wrong, the Council finally decided that it’s time to make a move. It's wasn't a decision that they made lightly, but the events in the distant city has proven a point that they had all seen coming:

The time where they could stay in the safety of Union's walls was no more, not when the Gods themselves were far from the infallible beings that they had believed for generations. It was time for Humans to once again take their stand. Joined by their allies from Caldera, Sanctuary, and the other surrounding cities, the people of Union Alliance gathered their supplies and set out west-- toward Gigas. The distant city had not remained silent either, rumors spreading of mobilization, and the fires of war loom as large as the four imprisoned titans over all the land.

The Gods had saved humanity countless times before. It was time that humanity returned the favor.

[OOC: Event Sign Ups are now open! We encourage all players to participate in this pivotal event. You can pick your teams of five yourselves, or you can request to be placed in a randomized pool that will be determined at the end of the sign up period, on 7/15.

An OOC post will be made explaining the next stage in more detail. Please use this post as a catch-all for your IC needs.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A: UNION (ALL RIGHT, COWBOY, PACK IT UP AND MOVE OUT)
[ War. Some have said it was always going to be the outcome, might point out that Union merely hastened the inevitable.

That does not content Sophia, who can be found helping pack up supplies and medical kits for the rangers, or running errands around Union to arrange last minute deliveries. All the while, a young Noibat clings to her hair, making for an observant hat, while a very unhappy Leafeon follows at her heels at all times: Gebo is not happy that Sophia intends to leave her behind.

Watch your step! Busy and distracted as Sophia is, you might run into them while she's running messages - or they into you! ]

B. ON THE ROAD (WE'VE GOT A LONG JOURNEY AHEAD OF US)
[ It's not a short trip to Gigas by any means, especially when joining up with allied armies for a march across a decidedly unfriendly desert to meet a decidedly aggressive enemy force. Sophia herself hitches a ride on one of the Ranger wagons, lacking a bondmate who might be able to bear her burden.

She had been given the option to remain behind - her pacifist preferences were hardly a secret - but it hadn't been right, to stay back while others went forth to do what was right. And there would no doubt be something else she could do, to help her friends and allies, or perhaps the Gods themselves.. She'd only truly know once they were there.

Keeping two of her pokémon friends with her to start, the remaining four (who'd declared they'd be accompanying her and had brooked no arguments on the subject) were waiting to be called once the train neared the edge of the Warp Band network's reach.

That meant that Ymir the Doublade was in almost constant attendance, and the pair could sometimes be found helping prepare meals on the evenings that the army train stopped for the night. At other times, Sophia lingered by one of the camp fires, or over at the edge of camp, away from the noise. Here, she and Ouka the Lucario might be found meditating - or trying to. The closer they got to Gigas, the greater the headache she could feel brewing, and Sophia was no longer certain that it was due to the heat..

When meditation failed, spell practice was the order of the day (evening?) instead, indicated by the occasional glimmer and flash of barrier magic. Perhaps that's what catches your eye? ]

C. WILD CARD!

[ Choose your own adventure! ]

Edited 2016-07-11 10:57 (UTC)

[Raine often gravitated toward the far side of camp to break away from those milling noisily, making her own observations for this historic - and admittedly, worrisome - approach of theirs and studying up on technology.

She wasn't one to interrupt while meditation was in progress, but it was clear enough to her that the nearby Sophia was having trouble. Those little winces were telling enough. When she looks about ready for a break, Raine quietly speaks up.]

Do you need some more water? You always seem to have trouble near Gigas...

[ Sophia starts. She hadn't anticipated anyone's approach - meaning she'd been focused on the wrong thing, no doubt, something Sanger might have scolded her on had he been there - but that does not mean she's unhappy for the interruption.

Opening her eyes, there's a wan smile for Raine. ]

...I wouldn't say no, if you have some. [a sigh] I'd thought maybe gaining a steel typing would help offset that but it doesn't seem to have made much of a difference.

[She nods, and holds out a bottle toward her.]

Well, heat can be difficult for steel types as well as grass, albeit in different ways... I hope it hasn't been too much of a strain for you.

Too true. Ah well..

[ The bottle is accepted gratefully, the cap carefully unscrewed. Sophia then pauses and looks to Ouka, who shakes her head at her trainer. The Lucario knows the human needs water more than she does, and there's a friendly nod for Raine from the pokémon. ]

It's not so bad right now. Cooler evenings help. Of course, we can't guarantee it wont be a campaign during the night. [Heat would be as great an enemy as the Gigans themselves in the days ahead. She sips the drink, then looks up, smiling] I will endure. How are you doing?

Hmm... it'll be worse for you the closer we get, I imagine.

[So she's going to continue to keep an eye out for her, and that's all there is to that. It helps keep her grounded, anyway. Ouka gets a smile. That pokemon had certainly grown up well, these past few months.]

... Frankly, I'm nervous, but there's not much to be done for that.

[Of course Sophia gets her honesty, though it's not an unusual sentiment. They had already failed once, and there was so much riding on this war effort.] However long the campaign lasts, we just need to keep our wits about us. They probably have even more 'surprises' than we've already seen.

I've made provisions to ensure I keep water with me at all times. [She'll not be fainting any time soon, thank you.] Perhaps when we get home, I shall look into a Photosynthesis spell. That might take the edge off things?

[ When. Not if. Even if the war ahead of them terrified her, she had to keep her thoughts in check. Her smile is nervous, sharing that feeling with Raine, and she motions for the other woman to sit with her a bit. The night is cool, and better enjoyed in company, after all.

She rubs at her forehead a moment, before taking another sip of water. ]

They occupied Sanctuary, and kept Caldera under siege for many years.. Yet Union has persevered, for the most part. We can only hope there are no other Gods tucked away in a back pocket somewhere.

That sounds worth looking into. [She nods, shifting to sit down next to her. The spelltalk, they could address in time.]

I truly hope they have no other gods, but their capabilities concern me. And yet ... Union was an unknown for many years, and the Gigans were too busy conquering the lands to the west to even discover them. They're worlds apart when it comes to ideologies. Union hasn't truly faced anything like this in hundreds of years, and yet they do seem to be stronger, don't they? [Of course, they had the support of the other nations behind them to make up for the military numbers, but to be the heart of the effort?] I wonder if that will ever stop seeming so strange.

[Living in Sanctuary and experiencing the occupation would do that. It was only a little over a year when those changes had been made, and everything since then had been a whirlwind.] To realize that we've come to this point from even a year ago is... really something.

I admit, when there's more time, I do want to look more into commonalities between mage gifts and typings. Steel doesn't strike me as..typical. Not in Magi, anyway. Perhaps that might help identify who my family was.

[ Grass and Steel were an unusual combo at the best of times, from what she could ascertain. Certainly not the sort to be found in Caldera! ..It's a small hope, anyway.. ]

..Truly, I am more surprised by the amount of time that things have taken to change. Even in the last six or seven months. Especially after such a long period of isolation...Union remains unique, though not without having weathered strong storms.

..I can only hope that this coming mark left on history will be one worthy of remembrance. [and not because of failure]

Most Magi tend to ignore their natural typings, given the reach of their capabilities. Granted, Steel-typing is not something I've seen show up often myself, so it could be something to go on. So many families were lost...

[And the towers, abandoned, warded, or left as rubble. She wondered if even a year's worth of restoration efforts had done anything to improve that, as much as she was avoiding the city now.]

... Indeed. We've got a lot of work ahead of us, either way. Our focus right now has to be on succeeding, though I don't know what that will cost us.

That's true enough. What are the most common typings? [that there was loss brings forth a worried look, before she shakes her head] I'll make note of it, for checking later.

We do. Should we plan for the worst while hoping for the best?

... yes.

[Preparing for the worst while hoping for the best... it sometimes felt impractical to hope when one wanted a clear outlook, but the preparation would balance that out. Success did not perhaps mean, survival, but this was war.]

Let me think... the most common primary types tend to be Psychic, Bug, Dark, and Normal. The next tier tends to run Fire, Fairy, Poison or Grass types... other combinations are considerably rarer. There are... circles... that do keep track of bloodlines, however, or have tried to. You'll just need to know where to make the inquiries.

[There's a slight bit of hesitance in her words, but she hopes that Sophia hasn't noticed.]

[ The bottle is rolled between her hands, expression thoughtful, before one last sip is followed by the lid being reapplied. ]

Tiers, you say. Waver has mentioned something of a caste system when it comes to power and learning. Do the typings affect that at all? Or is it only the extent of knowledge and power that matters? [she doesn't miss the hesitation, but she doesn't - yet - call Raine on it. Just tilts her head a little more quizzically. ]

No, they don't affect it at all. It's the bloodlines and abilities that are taken foremost into consideration. [It always was an uncomfortable subject, as much as she kept her voice as calm as possible for it.]

The oldest families tend to have the access to the most 'knowledge', which in turn gives them the most influence and power over others. The more a family has branched out, the more different types start to appear among them, though who can say what influences that aspect the most among enlightened? A full-fledged mage can wield any type of spell to their advantage with the right amount of studying. That is the pride of Sanctuary.

Hmm. And the lower you are in terms of influence and power, then wider that gap in knowledge available to you, yes?

[Both Waver and Harry had vaguely indicated their position in Sanctuary's society when discussing magic with her in the past; Raine has not elaborated, but Sophia is left wondering.]

..That sounds to me a sure way to lose more than you gain in the long term. But I suppose nobility don't care beyond their own needs. [there's a disgruntled noise from Ouka, who shuffles closer to Sophia.] Well, the Mage Council came and went evry quickly from Union. Perhaps we can change that, there..

[We? well, maybe it's a little arrogant of her to say that, given her newness to her powers even 6 or 7 so months along. But sharing knowledge had worked well so far.]

That's correct.

[Raine hadn't elaborated before, and still seems to hold to that secretiveness as she listens to Sophia's questions and responds accordingly. The facts are what are important, not her personal narrative.]

They're very strict. Even before the occupation, it was how our society had developed. With the dwindling of some of the greater families, most ideals focus on how to preserve the old blood, even now. [Certainly backwards by Union standards, and it said quite a lot about the mages that were living there, non-conformists all in their own ways.] If that is to change, it may take a very long time.

(no subject)

soulofmagus - 2016-07-26 00:29 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

wise_maiden - 2016-07-26 03:08 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

soulofmagus - 2016-07-26 16:19 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

wise_maiden - 2016-07-26 21:45 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

soulofmagus - 2016-07-27 00:17 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

wise_maiden - 2016-07-27 01:56 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

soulofmagus - 2016-07-27 02:11 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

wise_maiden - 2016-07-27 02:41 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

soulofmagus - 2016-07-30 14:46 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

wise_maiden - 2016-07-30 17:35 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

soulofmagus - 2016-07-30 22:22 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

wise_maiden - 2016-08-01 19:35 (UTC) - Expand

[Saber has to dodge a bit to avoid getting run into, but she's finding that a lot easier these days for some reason. She takes a look at the supplies Sophia is running and the determined look on her face.]

You're coming with us, then?

Oh, Saber! [Now here's a sight for sore eyes] Yes, I am.

[ There's an unhappy confirmation from the Leafeon at her side, while the noibat peers curiously at Saber, before lifting a small claw to wave at her. ]

War is coming, whether I like it or not. I have no wish to fight..but there must be something I can do to help nonetheless.

[She nods.]

It's...interesting to me, nonetheless. Fighting is my role, what I'm good at, and yet I look around and see almost everyone volunteering whether they're a soldier, a guard, or a civilian. It's strange.

Edited 2016-07-18 16:48 (UTC)

Ultimately, Saber, it is all down to choice. If war is to be inevitable.. Then I would rather choose my own place to be and the time to be there, rather than let Gigas decide that for me..

[ Whether she means live or die, or something else entirely, is unclear. She adjusts the box in her arms. ]

And since I am going, the least I can be is useful.

[Saber thinks about this, and nods.]

That's a good outlook on things. We can't always choose our fate, but we can choose how we face it.

[Then she offers a hand.]

Let me help you with some of that, if you don't mind.

Exactly.

[ There's an unhappy noise from the Leafeon, however. She wishes to stay with Sophia, to choose to stay at her side - but Sophia won't bring her when she goes to Gigas.

The aquamarine haired woman may not understand exactly what is said, but she certainly gets the gist, and glances down in sympathy - but it's clear from her expression she won't budge on that.

She does look briefly surprised at the offer, however. ]

I..Thank you. I don't want you going out of your way if you're busy yourself, though.

[not that she's ungrateful, it's just that she's not certain what sort of preparations Saber needs to make. Assuming she has anything left to do.

The little noibat crawls further up her hair, and chitters at Saber happily. Me! Me!]

[Saber nods solemnly to Gebo. She understands the sentiment.]

I don't have much in the way of possessions or worldly affairs, and even I need a break from training at some point. It's no trouble.

[ Me! Me! Carry me!

There's finally an amused sounds from Gebo, having returned that nod, and she simply shakes her head at the bat. ]

Then thank you. I do accept. If you could take this box?

[The larger and lower of the two she's holding, in addition to the bag sling over her shoulder. There's a flicker over her skin as her recently gained steel typing helps reinforce her strength - that box is heavier than it looks, and clinks slightly; it contains medicine vials for deliver back to Ranger HQ. ]

Have you been training for war, or for other things? I have not seen much of you lately.

[Saber grabs the box and hefts it more easily than a woman of her stature really should - Sophia isn't the only Enlightened helped by typing. When she hears the clinking, though, she makes sure to stay careful.]

Mostly war. Fighting is my specialty, after all, even if it isn't my type. I also find that my partners look to me for guidance. Apparently Warp Bands promote that kind of loyalty for anyone, not just humans.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only