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Post by Admin on Nov 14, 2022 8:46:40 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/KbDL8VM/art-obit-lou-albano~jpg "I admire your optimism," Tug says. OOC: Will need to wait a bit to see how the big gang of E, K, B, E, & R are doing. |
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Post by XuLiang on Nov 17, 2022 13:46:22 GMT
"Hope for the best, prepare for the worst." He sadly looks over the human and demon bodies as they ride past. He rides a slightly erratic path in the wake of the scouts ahead of him, not stopping unless he finds something very interesting. In particular he is looking for what kind of wounds killed them. (OOC - Might as well do something while they are trying to plan. He is using his Warfare to estimate what kind of forces he might encounter. He is particularly concerned about missile weapons, wondering if his horse archers will have an advantage or only parity in a mobile flowing fight which is their preferred fighting style. I know you are busy so just a line or two about the majority of wounds and how many are from projectile weapons, if any, should be enough.)
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Post by Admin on Nov 17, 2022 23:30:57 GMT
Few wounds are from projectiles; swords, axes, claws and bites are the most common signs of injury.
A few times during their ride, Tug takes out a trump card and concentrates on it, but he doesn't seem to be able to connect to anyone.
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Post by XuLiang on Nov 21, 2022 3:15:48 GMT
Xu Liang points this out to Lu Meng. “If there is fighting, pull back and let your arrows do the work. It appears that this army is ripe for your type of warfare.”
“Poke them and make them angry. Draw their charge into a kill angle. It is a pity I do not have an army of my countrymen. This is good land. We could clear these armies and the blood of our enemies would fertilize the grasslands for years to come.”
“Hmm… Perhaps.”
Xu Liang watches Tug with friendly interest as he attempts to Trump others but does not inquire as that would be rude. However, his interest in what he is doing is evidence that he would like to talk about it if Tug is willing.
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Post by Admin on Nov 22, 2022 7:48:28 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/KbDL8VM/art-obit-lou-albano~jpg "Just trying to find a few others to join our little expedition. No takers so far. Too bad, Brittany would be very useful to us."The ground begins a gentle rise which continues for most of the day. Closer to evening they start to hear the sounds of distant battle. Not guns and rockets but the clanging of steel on steel and yelling of combatants. They seem to be closing in on the city. |
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Post by XuLiang on Nov 24, 2022 5:03:37 GMT
As they pause for a late afternoon rest before what is likely the final push to the battlefield. Xu Liang says conversationally over the tea to Tug, “It looks as if we have almost reached our destination. It was hoped that we would be able to contact Lady Eivor before this point and that she would give guidance as to what we should do. My hope being that a diplomatic solution had been reached before my arrival, or at least was in process. But that does not seem to be in the cards.”
“With no time left, my hand is forced into being shown to you before your motives are clear to me. This makes me uncomfortable, but it is my hope that we are on the same side. If it turns out we are not, I am sure we can come to some reasonable accommodation.”
“So, we will have to take action tomorrow based on what the Regent Princess Florimel asked of me at the beginning of my journey. That will involve me disrupting the plans of the demon army ahead. You said earlier that you were more of an Amber man yourself and it pains me to have to ask you directly, but will you stand with us against the enemies of Amber? The safety of the men who have joined me hinges on your answer and my personal dislike of such a bald question is secondary to that.”
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Post by Admin on Nov 24, 2022 5:16:05 GMT
"This isn't my fight, but I will oppose whoever assails Mytorran until I can get what I want from the castle," Tug replies.
As they rest and eat, a woman comes to the edge of the camp. She is lightly armoured and carries a short bow, and a long knife hangs from her belt—obviously a scout.
"I didn't know anyone was left alive on these plains," she says. "But you won't be alive for long by yourselves. There is an army a half day's march to the south of here, and I suggest you join us before the demons find you."
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Post by XuLiang on Nov 24, 2022 5:59:54 GMT
To Tug before the woman arrives.
“Excellent.” Now I know what he wants us to think he wants. And perhaps it is part of the truth. “In return for your assistance my band and I will not interfere with your acquisition of anything from the castle, though we cannot speak for anyone other than ourselves. We will also assist in negotiating for those things if you need such assistance. Is this satisfactory?”
“Your candour in this matter is much appreciated and we shall be discrete in what you pursue.”
(OOC – Is she mounted or on foot? If she is mounted, what is she riding?)
Xu Liang stands and turns towards her, “Welcome young lady.” He bobs his head a bit, eyes never leaving her, “My name is Han Xu Liang. We are grateful for the news of the army that is on its way but will need a bit more information before taking action. Who are the commanders of this army? And if your mission is to scout the enemy, how much farther do you plan to go before returning with what you have learned?”
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Post by Admin on Nov 26, 2022 5:17:29 GMT
"Let's not call it an acquisition. Recovery would be more accurate." Tug says.
The woman is on foot, and she managed to avoid notice by the guards around the camp.
She looks at XuLiang suspiciously.
"My partner has already set off to the commanders to report your presence. Killing me won't keep your secrets hidden."
Tug grunts in amusement at her suspicions.
"Lord Motius commands the army with some royalty of Amber assisting him," she continues. "Lords Edward and Ryland, Lady Eivor, and King Brian of Ayalos."
Her tone suggests a low opinion of the royals compared to her Lord Motius.
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Post by XuLiang on Nov 26, 2022 5:58:08 GMT
“My apologies, that was not meant as a threat. We are on the same side of this affair. We are looking for Lady Eivor so notifying our presence to your commanders works out well for us, assuming that was a true statement and not a bluff.” His personal fan appears in his hand with a deft slight of hand he idly fans away the comment as if the truth or falseness of her statement is of no importance to him. “Lord Motius… That name seems familiar. Does he have twin sisters? I seem to remember two identical Ladies being pointed out to me with that name.”
He will wait for her answer and (assuming it is positive) then nod his head and say… “You are left with a choice then; the Captain and I can set out to join up with the army or we could assist you in your current endeavour. The distraction of a mounted group riding around might allow you to slip in and out of places that would not be possible otherwise. Though you seem to need little assistance in that.”
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Post by Admin on Nov 30, 2022 5:06:32 GMT
"Sisters? They're more like two vipers in a pit," the scout says.
Before she can answer the second question one of the sentries hisses a warning that a person of power is approaching. He saw the intruder this time.
Han recognizes Eivor emerging from the dark into the light of their fire.
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Post by Eivor on Nov 30, 2022 7:30:48 GMT
Eivor strides into the light, taking in the demeanour of those around her.
"We don't have much time," she says without preamble. "If you're here to help, we need to move, and fast."
"If you have any means to speed our journey now would be a good time to mention it."
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Post by XuLiang on Nov 30, 2022 9:34:54 GMT
Xu Liang deferentially bows to Lady Eivor but keeps his head up and Captain Lu Meng follows suit a bit deeper and lowering his eyes. “Lady Eivor, it is wonderful to see you at last. Yes, we are here to help. Captain Lu Meng’s men and I have horses and our companion Tug is also mounted.” As a subtle sign from Xu Liang the Captain orders the men to mount up and be ready. “We would have been here much sooner if there were Trumps available of the right people.” Around them the temporary camp is picked up by all the soldiers working quickly and efficiently leaving little but the campfire they are now standing around left.
“The scout here is on a mission and I was about to offer my assistance to her if she required it thinking that she would be able to lead me to you after she completed it.” One of the soldiers brings up Tea, saddled and ready, to Xu Liang. The soldier has a bucket of dirt ready to put out the small fire when given the order to do so. Most of the soldiers are looking out into the night and a few are looking up into the skies for signs of the wyverns. Most seem slightly embarrassed at the scout managing to slip among them. All are mounted except the Captain who is holding his horse while watching Xu Liang talk with Lady Eivor.
Kai, a large Fu Lion, then slinks up behind the scout perhaps startling her with his silent padding through the grass and his orange coat and green tips of his ears and tail blending almost perfectly into the savanna. “So where are we going now?” His tail twitches back and forth at the scent of Eivor, the smell of her avian form still hanging about her but he lowers his head respectfully to her if she looks at him.
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Post by Eivor on Nov 30, 2022 10:41:58 GMT
Eivor nods her greeting, but clearly isn't one for courtesies in the field. If Eivor is startled by the Fu Lion she doesn't show it.
"We travel to the city. There's no time for delay," Eivor says. Lacking a map, she clears a space on the ground and marks out the rough depositions of the forces and territory. "Brian and Kat have got inside the castle by trump. Ryland is with the cavalry (here), Lord Harold and Edward the infantry (here)."
"I've also spotted Hammett, Edmund and Dorian (here) heading towards the city on foot but I don't think we can count them as allies. They will have their own agenda."
"Questions?"
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Post by XuLiang on Dec 1, 2022 3:43:22 GMT
Xu Liang squats down with her over the map. “Many, but the most pertinent are should we link up with Ryland and add to his force, or continue to the city on our own? We are small force which is experienced in disruptive hit and run tactics. When we reach the city should we harry and disrupt their supply lines and any soft targets we can identify? We could also attempt to provoke a response and draw forces away from the main group. Or join up with the main host and help protect one of the flanks? What will be most helpful to you?”
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