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Post by xenocide on May 4, 2011 15:00:34 GMT -5
Of Greed and Kings
After the princeling leaves, I stand up and rearrange the things in my room to back the way they where before the prince. All the while I think to myself, 'One such as me, in high nobility? The boy must not understand what that will look like. My progeny will undoubtedly use it to rule these fools. But until then, being a noble under him grants me even more usefull tools...'
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Post by arathos on May 4, 2011 15:11:39 GMT -5
Chapters of the Rising Moon and Setting Sun
The robed man stood for a moment, eying the castle and its defenses. "Do you want the castle, or the man within it? I can give you either, though one will cost extra."
The Noble smiled, his crooked yellow teeth giving off a glow. "I care for the people being dead. "
He nodded, and walked off to his tent. As he entered the pavilion, the collected soldiers bowed before him. He fixed his gaze on a younger one, dressed in simple, dark blue clothes. "Assemble a team, and meet me near the south wall after sunset." Turning to another, heavily armored man he spoke, "Kukun, please ask our patron to focus his cannonfire on the northern end of the fort, and mass his troops there, as though in preparation for an assault. Keep our own forces evenly spread."
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rlandis
Journeyman
FOR THE EMPIRE!
Posts: 224
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Post by rlandis on May 4, 2011 15:17:27 GMT -5
Of Greed and Kings The next few nights for the Dark Elf would go well. The next day the Prince would leave for the Foltuk, go on "parade."
The King, by the end of the day, assembled a guard for the Dark Elf and sent him south with a few parting words. "Make sure they are all dead. "
Chapters of the Rising Moon and Setting Sun.
Noble Fernan grinned, with a mouth half full a chicken leg. "Open fire, as the man said. . . HAH! Assemble everyone! Place them, there, there, and there." The Noble pointed to the locations infront of the North side. "Make it happy, Major, make it happen."
The Major in mention quickly grabbed his staff and went to work, getting the band of soldiers set up, ready for the Southerner's word.
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Post by arathos on May 4, 2011 15:18:10 GMT -5
Chapters of the Rising Moon and Setting Sun
The sun slowly dipped below the sky, and the robed man and his few soldiers hid within a stand of trees in sight of the south wall, though now he, like the others, wore dark blue clothes that would blend in with the night sky. As the castle was shelled and troops massed for an assault, he waited and watched the guards on the walls. He had hoped that most of the castle's forces would be deployed to the north, to prevent the attack they would be certain was coming. He looked to the assembled soldiers that formed his team. "No pistols, no noise, no talking. We will scale the wall after sunset, cut down any who spot us, and make out way to the gatehouse. We will open the gate and destroy the mechanisms to close it." A few silent nods were the sum of their reponses, and with that he turned his attention back to the castle walls, waiting for the time to be right.
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Lady Masquerade
Journeyman
Look into my eyes. Do you see who I see?
Posts: 174
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Post by Lady Masquerade on May 4, 2011 15:19:45 GMT -5
The Dark Chapters
She whirled on him, wrapping her bloody fingers around his neck as she slammed him up against the wall. A wicked-looking dagger filled her left hand in an instant. Leaning in close, she practically spat in his face. "If all he requires is a lack of manly parts between a pair of legs, I can easily arrange for you to be the one sent to his royal bedchamber." It was hard to determine which was more threatening, her sharpened nails sinking into the flesh of his neck or the razor edge of her dagger pressed dangerously hard against his groin. Either way, one wrong twitch could prove to put a serious damper on the rest of his day.
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rlandis
Journeyman
FOR THE EMPIRE!
Posts: 224
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Post by rlandis on May 4, 2011 15:26:20 GMT -5
The Dark Chapters
Tzats, grinning and clearly enjoying the pain, spoke through a rasp. "Heh, the offer still stands. Now, I find the General would have much to say about my lack of manhood, come the invasion of Pontik."
Chapters of the Rising Moon and Setting Sun.
As was expected, the forces of the Late Noble Deo, amassed on the North wall. Soon the roar of battle erupted as the assault began. The cannons still roared with life, Noble Fernan uncaring for the safety of his own men attacking the wall.
"Bring down the walls and kill all who do not surrender! AH to the Gods with that, KILL EVERYONE!!! CHARGE!!!"
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Post by arathos on May 4, 2011 15:32:57 GMT -5
Chapters of the Rising Moon and Setting Sun
A sword burst through the torso of a soldier, a gloved hand clamped over his mouth. Once his struggling ceased, he was gently laid to the ground, the sword pulled free slowly and carefully. Several other bodies were around him, and the various invaders moved towards a ladder that would allow them down into the castle's courtyard. Their leader went last, narrowing his eyes in annoyance when he heard the cries from within, the soldiers calling that an assault had begun. A stray cannonball soared high and crashed into the stable nearby, and the invaders rushed behind a nearby shack, before they could be spotted. The leader peered around the corner, scanning the distance between them and the gates, and the strength of their enemies in between.
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rlandis
Journeyman
FOR THE EMPIRE!
Posts: 224
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Post by rlandis on May 4, 2011 15:35:09 GMT -5
Chapters of the Rising Moon and Setting Sun
A formation of Swordsmen with bucklers, pikemen and archers held the killing field just past the gate. On the walls, musketmen ran to get into position. They were all at the ready, looking at the gate, for when the last cannon ball would strike, shattering the gate.
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Post by xenocide on May 4, 2011 15:38:50 GMT -5
Of Greed and Kings
smiling to myself, I nod to the king and let the 'honor guard' he has assembled to lead the way, all the while sizing the men up to kill them.
[what types of guards am I looking at? burly guys? what are they? also, we dealing with horses and whatnot? what exactly is this honor guard i have equipped with?]
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Post by arathos on May 4, 2011 15:38:55 GMT -5
Chapters of the Rising Moon and Setting Sun
He cursed; they would be slaughtered in trying to take the gate, if not in open view of the defenders in the courtyard, then by the cannofire and the destruction being rained on the gate by their patron. It would do no good here; he sent one of his men back to his camp, to summon the rest of his army to scale the south walls and invade. Now that the wall was devoid of patrols, they might move in without any opposition. He decided to scrap his original plan of taking the gate, and led his troops towards the castle itself, hugging the walls and using the shadows to hide their approach. One of the invaders took out a grapple and rope, and stepped a bit forward. Perhaps, if they were careful, they could get inside the castle proper from an upper window, and at least ensure the prizes within would be theirs.
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rlandis
Journeyman
FOR THE EMPIRE!
Posts: 224
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Post by rlandis on May 4, 2011 15:47:38 GMT -5
Of Greed and Kings The Knights on their chargers, road with the carriage the Dark elf was in. Behind the Knights road the lightly armored Skirmishers. Their bows, always at the ready. The road South to Foltuk was an easy road, one which held very little discomfort for the carriage ride.
The Chapters of the Rising Moon and Setting Sun The Gate groaned with each cannon shot. Body parts of the unlucky few who got hit by the stray cannon shot, littered the ground. The dead were left to be, the focus being the gate and the rushing forces.
The Castle proper and the bailly were easy to scale. An alarm was raised, but quickly silenced by a lucky cannon shot. Though, fate had a way of flipping things from time to time, one of towers that were being scaled, quickly groaned and collapsed as a barrage of focused cannon fire rained hell upon it. It was a struggle and a fight to get into the main hall of the Castle. . . But it soon would turn sour.
As the band of soldiers stood almost triumphant in the main hall, their victory was shattered by the sound of clanking metal and spitting steam. Slamming into the Stone floor came the King's personal guard, two Giant Machines made of Magic and Engineering. The War Machines of the Federation quickly armed produced their weapons. Blades and hand cannons, Armor two inches thick, and a body as large as an Ogre's. Holding their ground and sputtering with steam and water, the machines held a stance of defense.
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Post by xenocide on May 4, 2011 16:05:15 GMT -5
Of Greed and Kings
I smile as we ride down the road, then swing the door to the carrage open and swing onto the top of the carrage. I then proceed to lay down and relax on top the carrage.
"I see no need to kill these men who so graciously escorted me here for this trip." I finally say to myself in an undertone. I lay flat and begin to rest for what comes after this ride will come some real work.
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Post by reigneer on May 4, 2011 16:36:51 GMT -5
Of Greed and Kings
A man walked around the emcampment. If you would ask anyone who he was people would look at you with either amusement or as an oddity. The clothing was so distinctive, an outfit rich bright blue with a white trim. The mask, a deep purple a silver star over the right eye/side of the mask, and a rising sun on the left with a wash of orange and red, spiking across the center divide. A symbolism of some sort, but tragically the meaning was lost on most. They only knew they liked it. His name was Kas. A minstrel known (at least here) for his humorous and uplifting tales. It was rapidly becoming common knowledge through the gossip that Sargent Sorilis had just paid him a visit this morn. Though there was debate over the reasons why.
With a spring to his step, Kas ventured to meet the day.
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Lady Masquerade
Journeyman
Look into my eyes. Do you see who I see?
Posts: 174
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Post by Lady Masquerade on May 4, 2011 17:45:52 GMT -5
The Dark Chapters
Through clenched teeth, she lowered her voice to just above a whisper, "Tell the general to find some other wench to let the human king sweat over her. That will never be my place so long as my body still draws breath."
Anethra released her grip on his neck and stormed off to her quarters, but not before leaving Tzats with a shallow slice across his front, just below the belt line. Would it kill him? She very much doubted it. Would it annoy the p*ss out of him for a week or two? She very much hoped so.
~~~
Once back in her quarters, she allowed herself a moment to relieve some stress. She hurled both of her daggers at the large wooden target dummy in the corner of the room. It gave her only a little satisfaction to see them both embedded to the hilt. She took a deep breath and sat at the large desk that was home to countless maps and battle plans. For now, they were merely cushion beneath her boot heels. Propping her elbows on the arms of the chair, she let her head hang in her hands, her fingertips massaging her aching temple.
A few blissful minutes of silence passed by before she heard the sound of a throat being cleared. "Commander?"
Without moving or even opening her eyes, "What is it, Lieutenant?"
"I was told we are to be ready to move out at dawn for Tor'ilith. Is this true?"
Damn it all. "News travels fast, I see. So fast that Kelissith can't even allow me to give the orders out myself." She finally raised her gaze to the other woman, possibly the only other person she'd ever allow to see her exasperation. "Yes, Naria, we're being sent out on assignment, if you want to call it that. Go ahead and alert the rest of the men. They may do as they wish for the rest of the night. They know the consequences for not being prepared." Anethra waved her hand dismissively, eager for solitude once more.
The lieutenant gave a quick bow and ducked out of the room to go and break the news to the rest of the squad. She had been about to ask the commander if she wished her to return later, but judging from the blades buried in the chest of the wooden dummy, tonight was not the night.
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Post by arathos on May 5, 2011 0:19:46 GMT -5
Chapters of the Rising Moon and Setting Sun
The machines stood before them, and a voice called out from behind. "Go on, you honorless dogs! Crawl back to your master. There is only death here for such shameful soldiers, if you can even call yourselves that!" A man made his way down the grand staircase behind the golems, his staff lightly tapping the floor. He was dressed a bit flamboyantly for battle, with his colorful orange and yellow silk robes and his neatly trimmed mustache, but the crackling of electricity arcing between the two spires at the tip of his staff gave him away as a magi, and as such one who needn't concern himself with the usual needs of self defense.
"Is there honor in cowering behind the vile works of filthy foreigners? Is there honor in taunting your enemies while refusing to meet on a level field of battle?" His voice was level and he watched, carefully, knowing he would not get a second chance in this fight.
"The farmer does not feel shame when he strikes down the snake with his stick. A fitting analogy, I think, for you Daimyo. My master did not recognize your banners, but your reputation as an honor-less sellsword preceded you. I should have expected Fernan to resort to this; he had no hope of an honest victory. Have you any last words before I smite you like the vermin you are?" The crack of flint igniting gunpowder was heard, followed by the odor of sulfur. The magi yelped, and staggered backwards.
"Bring a longer stick next time" He tucked the pistol back into his belt, and dove for the nearest column. The golems hissed under the power of hydraulics, and the whine of arcane energies powering up could be heard. Moments later, they were unleashing a salvo of bullets as they rushed forward, thundering footfalls shaking the room while their massive blades lashed out at the darting enemies before them. The voice of the magi could be heard above it, rushing away upstairs while shouting orders to the remaining guards.
Meanwhile, outside the gates...
Outside, Fernan belched and thumped his empty tankard into the hands of a waiting servant. "More, damn you! This is just getting good!" The gates shattered to pieces, and his men poured forward while the noble laughed, clapping. "That's the way, that's the way! Leave no survivors, and bring me Deo's head by sunrise!" He chuckled as the refilled mug was placed into his hand, and as the foamy drink started past his lips, his head tilted back, and caught a glimpse of the walls opposite his own. Men were scaling it, and pouring into the courtyard, practically unopposed. Even as he heard the shouts of dying men rushing into the killing fields through the broken gates, he smirked. "Worth every last coin. I'll have my breakfast in Deo's bedchambers." He looked down to one of his aides, swaying in his saddle. Only the firm grip of his bodyguard's hand, leaping out to hold him upright, kept him in the stirrups. "You! See if you can find an officer in that mess; tell him to try and save a few of the comelier concubines. I want to celebrate this victory in style." The soldier saluted and rushed off, leaving Fernan to grab the reins and look to his bodyguards. "Let's get on with it; we're missing the show from back here!"
Back in the main hall of the inner castle...
The place was a wreck of rubble and smashed columns. Despite their size, the golems were frighteningly fast. With their numerous hand cannons, they didn't even need to close in to make the kill. The leader had scaled a column as swiftly as a monkey climbing a tree, and followed the droplets of darkening crimson on the floor. His men desperately tried to keep the machines occupied while risking their own lives in the process; more than a few were dead or dying as a result. Thankfully, there weren't many guards left inside. Most had rushed outside to bolster the defenses. He turned a corner, and saw the magi from earlier knelt on the floor before a table. He had pulled his robe open, exposing his belly and the wound inflicted upon him. He reached for a dagger, but it was knocked free from his hand in a flash.
"Turn off the golems."
"Never; I will die in the service of my master."
"Do it, or you'll die like a dog rather than a respectable soldier. No one will mourn your passing, and your grave will be the sky where the birds that feast on your corpse roost." The magi bowed his head, his shoulders trembling with the effort of breathing as his life rapidly ebbed, but still he would not speak. The sound of footsteps circling him could be heard, then, "Very well, I shall do it myself."
The inner gates were battered open, and in charged the soldiers of Fernan, halting at the sight of the two massive golems and the dozen slain infiltrators. A few rounds of hand cannonfire pelted the invaders before they were spurred on, ready to fight. Moments after the first few ineffectual swings of steel against the armored behemoths rang out, the golems suddenly dropped their arms to their sides, freezing in place. The soldiers stopped for a moment, cautiously, before resuming the assault. Outside, Fernan's horse came to a stop just before the entrance. The noble dismounted, stepping over a few bodies before he saw his new hire walking out, stuffing something into a small satchel. "Well done, mercenary. You don't make the prettiest army all assembled together, but you get results, I'll grant you that." He smiled a wide, crooked and yellowed smile. "What's that toy you found?"
"My bonus; you agreed to share the spoils."
Fernan, drunk and in high spirits, nodded. "That is true; what did you find, mercenary?" Before an answer could be given, the tearful cries of women dragged from their beds could be heard, and Fernan motioned for silence. "Excuse me, my spoils have just been found." While Fernan was busy collecting, the golems were ushered away to the mercenary camp, along with the surviving soldiers and the wounded. The flames roared throughout the night, and Fernan's men were busy drinking and plundering long after the mercenaries had taken the few trinkets and supplies they desired and had left.
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