[OOC] Blood on the Sands: Azoth at War (Open!)

[Slamurai]

<Snipped quote by Aristo>

Given the Firebrands reside in the Claws and Zar Endal's proximity to the mountains I imagine we've clashed in the past or at the least have crossed paths before? On that note if you're looking for ideas, I don't know if the Phantom General would seek to take advantage of this but Zar Endal is currently vulnerable with Lord Alkhazar leading a sizable portion of it's military force to support Zar Vorgul. Alternatively if you're seeking to get involved in the main action at Vorgul maybe the Firebrands accompanied Alkhazar to the city? Just some ideas. :)

@Lone Wanderer

You're right - I think conflict between the Firebrands and Zar Endal would be inevitable, given their proximity. With Alkhazar away, it'd be the best time to strike; maybe Barsabbas had been waiting for this chance for a while.
Because Zar Endal is a Drathan state, it'd most likely perceive Barsabbas as an enemy, even with him no longer truly representing the Salished. That is, unless Alkhazar can overlook Barsabbas' origin and is willing to deal with him outside of the greater Drathan eye...

[Slamurai]

And now I've had to spoil the surprise I've been building up to. :(

EDIT: @Lone Wanderer@Aristo

Can we work something out? I've been dumb for keeping my plans secret so long, and my intention to wait until after my next post to bring it up has cost me the idea. I really don't want to start over because I've but so much time and thought into this, but since I was an idiot and have kept my mouth shut these last few days, it'll be my fault if I have to. I guess it just seemed like it would make more since if I waited to ask until after the Arakkai began to leave.

@Nieszka

What've you got in mind? Not trying to step on toes, so I'm sure we can work on a solution with whatever your plans are.

[Nieszka]

Well here was my plan for through the next few posts. I mean I've got to keep some of it a surprise. Copy/pasted from Pages so sorry for the format.

SPOILERS

Plot Line (in posts)

Origins ✓
Cerys is Chosen while making a traditional journey at the end of her training as a priestess
Can only see the Wanderer after the ritual, though his presence is obvious before
Hair color/marks become permanent
2 witnesses

Destruction and Humility ✓
The Swordsinger clan (the clan of Cerys’s birth) was destroyed while she was away
Helping the clan to shelter/safety
Bending the knee to Eranor Blackwater in exchange for the safety of her people
Shows that she is willing to do anything for the Arakkai and that she does not pursue this for herself, but fo them

The Summer Solstice ✓
The myth of the banishment of the Saliszi
Wise woman names Cerys as Chosen
Cerys lawfully becomes chief through a challenge, taking advantage of Eranor’s folly

Allies
Wise women, leaders, and guards arrive from the other three Arakkai clans
Two of the three (Hammersong, Longclaw) join her ranks, the third (name pending) refuses, and claims that they will all die in the service of a heretic
End with something like “It is time for the Arakkai to come down from these mountains)

Post with the hermit? (ask Ink Blood after Part IV)
As the Arakkai leave the mountains, they will come very close to the Labyrinth
At the end, have Roc scouts return with news of the leader’s departure from Zar Endal
Trepidation at the malicious expanse of desert

Taking Zar Endal (TALK TO LW AFTER PART IV)
DIFFICULT CROSSING
Things to ask Lone Wanderer (Provided that he doesn’t mind me taking his city)
What reinforcements were left
Are there walls/gates to get past?
What weapons will the city have to defend its self?

Liberation
After breaching the walls, secure the city and break the chains of all slaves
We are the Unbroken speech that’s quoted in my lore sheet

[Lone Wanderer]

@Aristo@Nieszka Any efforts to siege and seize Zar Endal in whatever manner you two agree upon has my full consent and support. Just know that there shall be a reckoning. ;)

<Snipped quote by Lone Wanderer>

You're right - I think conflict between the Firebrands and Zar Endal would be inevitable, given their proximity. With Alkhazar away, it'd be the best time to strike; maybe Barsabbas had been waiting for this chance for a while.
Because Zar Endal is a Drathan state, it'd most likely perceive Barsabbas as an enemy, even with him no longer truly representing the Salished. That is, unless Alkhazar can overlook Barsabbas' origin and is willing to deal with him outside of the greater Drathan eye...

@Aristo

Oh for sure Alkhazar would be intrigued by the idea of dealing with Barsabbas and no doubt some communication has been made. Depending on what's resolved regarding the fate of Zar Endal and the Firebrands involvement in that, we could say that those talks either ultimately failed or maybe prior to the current date we've had some kind of uneasy relationship which has ranged from skirmishes and raids to helping each-other out from time to time when absolutely necessary.

[Flagg]

Grrrrrrrrrrr! I was looking at Zar Endal. The other clans of the Arakkai are going to come together next post and then will march down from the mountains. If there's nothing to take, then I'll have to figure out a completely new way to get them into the desert. And throw away the next 3-5 posts I've planned out.

@Nieszka

@Lone Wanderer @Aristo

I think @Nieszka's clans taking Zar Endal and Barsabbas marching north with Alkhazad to support Zar Vorgul would solve this issue. It's just my two cents, but I think an alliance between the really bizarre figures of Barsabbas and Alkhazad would be cool to explore, and them both coming to Zar Vorgul would tie them to the central plot.

Please keep in mind also that we can also just add stuff to the map- more Drathan cities and towns exist, surely, than what I've put up there, so if there's a need for more places to conquer...let's make them up. The map is more of a rough guide than anything meant to limit the plot.

[Squad 404]

AFAIK the map needs updating anyway. It's a little out of date ATM.

[ECDN]

Hey @Flagg, here's the character I've been working on, as well as a bit of a lore post to describe his home country to go along with him, since I wanted him to be a bit of a foreigner. Of course, I was working under the pretense that it was okay to just make up an entire country, but if not, I certainly don't mind just making him a part of the common rabble.

Mahaad Abshir

Name: Mahaad Abshir

Description: Mahaad Abshir was born and raised in the southern country of Eyhwan, where greedy tyrants rule over the poor citizens of the nation, who often resort to crime and otherwise unfavourable lifestyles in order to survive. Murder and theft are rampant, and the growing and sale of mind-altering substances is one of the biggest and most viable industries. As a result, Mahaad learned from an early age that crime does in fact pay, as long as you can get away with it. His entire life, the Eyhwanian has survived by carrying out tasks that many common folk or nobles in other more well-to-do countries would never dream of - piracy, assassination, and slave-trading, the latter of which is what brought him to the Red Desert. Specifically, the various city-states that make up the Drathan Union. It is here where he's made a living by tracking down and kidnapping Aboriginals - the Nyr'Kiin - to be transported to the Drathan mage-lords as slaves, or whatever else the pale abhumans would do with the bugpeople. Mahaad cared little, as long as he was paid well for his work.

Race: Human

Faction/Unit: Independent/Slaver

Location: The Red Desert

Synopsis of Role: As a professional criminal, Mahaad has developed quite a silver tongue and sharp wit. His prowess on the battlefield is as good as any other thief's, but it's his charismatic personality and natural charm that's gotten him out of most predicaments unscathed. His oddly optimistic attitude and relaxing aura are his strongest weapons, and have proven to be a valuable asset over the years, especially since coming to Azoth. While he is only one man, his personality alone has helped him develop some interesting relationships with powerful people throughout the Drathan Union. In such a harsh and hostile country, his skills in diplomacy and speechcraft are something of a rarity, and certainly ones that could prove to be useful in the face of war.

Eyhwan

Name: Eyhwan

Type: Country

Faction/Unit: Independent. Not associated with the Avanagashan Wastes, save for the occasional Drathan lord who finds himself seated as the nation's ruler for any period of time.

Description: Eyhwan is an island country located a week's journey south of the Smouldering Coast, accessible only via ship, or any other means of traversing the oceans. It is governed by tyrannical slavelords, pirates, murderers, or whatever other evil soul manages to climb his or her way to the top at any given time. As a result, the common rabble of Eyhwan have lost faith in any ruling party, and instead fend for themselves, surviving by any means possible. Crime is rampant throughout the country, though with ever-changing sets of laws being put in place, the word crime has something of a malleable definition in Eyhwan. Regardless, the people who inhabit the country have learned to survive by any means possible, whether that be fleeing the country, or staying and fighting their way through life.

If there's anything that needs changing, or anything that just doesn't really fit, just lemme know. It's not like I'm married to anything here!

Also, after reading through the OOC, I've managed to come up with a little something that may be of interest to @Aristo, @Nieszka, and @Lone Wanderer. Assuming all is well with Mahaad's character sheet, of course.
Since Mahaad is a slaver transporting Nyr'Kiin slaves to and from the Drathan city-states, I was thinking he might already be on good terms with Alkhazar. If Barsabbas and the firebrands, as well as Cerys and the unbroken, have plans to invade Zar Endal, Mahaad may be in the right place at the right time. Both parties seem strong, but Barsabbas seems a little too intimidating to be a great diplomat, and Cerys likely isn't all that well-versed in communicating with people other than the mountain tribes. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on either of those things though! But for the right price, I'm sure Mahaad could be persuaded to help them with whatever goal they have in mind, as I'm sure they're aware that a powerful force behind them is only one side of the coin when it comes to war, specifically invasions. Plus, he's got all these supposedly able-bodied Nyr'Kiin with him, albeit against their will, that Alkhazar wasn't around to claim as his own. I'm sure they could find a good use for a group of insectoids. ;)

[Nieszka]

@ECDN

I won't deny that having a smooth-tongued acquaintance would help the Unbroken, but Cerys's birth tribe was destroyed by Drathan slavers looking for able bodies. If they met, she would likely free Mahaad's slaves by force at the very least.

Needless to say, any alliance we formed would not be an easy one, but that sort of tension does make for excellent storytelling.

[Flagg]

Hey @Flagg, here's the character I've been working on, as well as a bit of a lore post to describe his home country to go along with him, since I wanted him to be a bit of a foreigner. Of course, I was working under the pretense that it was okay to just make up an entire country, but if not, I certainly don't mind just making him a part of the common rabble.

Mahaad Abshir

Name: Mahaad Abshir

Description: Mahaad Abshir was born and raised in the southern country of Eyhwan, where greedy tyrants rule over the poor citizens of the nation, who often resort to crime and otherwise unfavourable lifestyles in order to survive. Murder and theft are rampant, and the growing and sale of mind-altering substances is one of the biggest and most viable industries. As a result, Mahaad learned from an early age that crime does in fact pay, as long as you can get away with it. His entire life, the Eyhwanian has survived by carrying out tasks that many common folk or nobles in other more well-to-do countries would never dream of - piracy, assassination, and slave-trading, the latter of which is what brought him to the Red Desert. Specifically, the various city-states that make up the Drathan Union. It is here where he's made a living by tracking down and kidnapping Aboriginals - the Nyr'Kiin - to be transported to the Drathan mage-lords as slaves, or whatever else the pale abhumans would do with the bugpeople. Mahaad cared little, as long as he was paid well for his work.

Race: Human

Faction/Unit: Independent/Slaver

Location: The Red Desert

Synopsis of Role: As a professional criminal, Mahaad has developed quite a silver tongue and sharp wit. His prowess on the battlefield is as good as any other thief's, but it's his charismatic personality and natural charm that's gotten him out of most predicaments unscathed. His oddly optimistic attitude and relaxing aura are his strongest weapons, and have proven to be a valuable asset over the years, especially since coming to Azoth. While he is only one man, his personality alone has helped him develop some interesting relationships with powerful people throughout the Drathan Union. In such a harsh and hostile country, his skills in diplomacy and speechcraft are something of a rarity, and certainly ones that could prove to be useful in the face of war.

Eyhwan

Name: Eyhwan

Type: Country

Faction/Unit: Independent. Not associated with Azoth.

Description: Eyhwan is an island country located a week's journey south of the Smouldering Coast, accessible only via ship, or any other means of traversing the oceans. It is governed by tyrannical slavelords, pirates, murderers, or whatever other evil soul manages to climb his or her way to the top at any given time. As a result, the common rabble of Eyhwan have lost faith in any ruling party, and instead fend for themselves, surviving by any means possible. Crime is rampant throughout the country, though with ever-changing sets of laws being put in place, the word crime has something of a malleable definition in Eyhwan. Regardless, the people who inhabit the country have learned to survive by any means possible, whether that be fleeing the country, or staying and fighting their way through life.

If there's anything that needs changing, or anything that just doesn't really fit, just lemme know. It's not like I'm married to anything here!

Also, after reading through the OOC, I've managed to come up with a little something that may be of interest to @Aristo, @Nieszka, and @Lone Wanderer. Assuming all is well with Mahaad's character sheet, of course.
Since Mahaad is a slaver transporting Nyr'Kiin slaves to and from the Drathan city-states, I was thinking he might already be on good terms with Alkhazar. If Barsabbas and the firebrands, as well as Cerys and the unbroken, have plans to invade Zar Endal, Mahaad may be in the right place at the right time. Both parties seem strong, but Barsabbas seems a little too intimidating to be a great diplomat, and Cerys likely isn't all that well-versed in communicating with people other than the mountain tribes. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on either of those things though! But for the right price, I'm sure Mahaad could be persuaded to help them with whatever goal they have in mind, as I'm sure they're aware that a powerful force behind them is only one side of the coin when it comes to war, specifically invasions. Plus, he's got all these supposedly able-bodied Nyr'Kiin with him, albeit against their will, that Alkhazar wasn't around to claim as his own. I'm sure they could find a good use for a group of insectoids. ;)

@ECDN

Accepted. One thing- Azoth is just a name for the world- as in, Earth. The area where the action is taking place = the Avanagashan Wastes aka the Red Desert and to a more limited extent the Ashlands (heartland of the Drathan Union).

Eyhwan works perfectly, and may occasionally be 'ruled' by a Drathan lord before he or she gets themselves murdered. Many Eyhwan emigrees would live and work in the Union.

[ECDN]

<Snipped quote by ECDN>

Accepted. One thing- Azoth is just a name for the world- as in, Earth. The area where the action is taking place = the Avanagashan Wastes aka the Red Desert and to a more limited extent the Ashlands (heartland of the Drathan Union).

Eyhwan works perfectly, and may occasionally be 'ruled' by a Drathan lord before he or she gets themselves murdered. Many Eyhwan emigrees would live and work in the Union.

@Flagg

Ah, my bad. I'll make a few edits to the post to fix up the location names and shoot it over to the character sheet section!

[Lone Wanderer]

Also, after reading through the OOC, I've managed to come up with a little something that may be of interest to @Aristo, @Nieszka, and @Lone Wanderer. Assuming all is well with Mahaad's character sheet, of course.
Since Mahaad is a slaver transporting Nyr'Kiin slaves to and from the Drathan city-states, I was thinking he might already be on good terms with Alkhazar. If Barsabbas and the firebrands, as well as Cerys and the unbroken, have plans to invade Zar Endal, Mahaad may be in the right place at the right time. Both parties seem strong, but Barsabbas seems a little too intimidating to be a great diplomat, and Cerys likely isn't all that well-versed in communicating with people other than the mountain tribes. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on either of those things though! But for the right price, I'm sure Mahaad could be persuaded to help them with whatever goal they have in mind, as I'm sure they're aware that a powerful force behind them is only one side of the coin when it comes to war, specifically invasions. Plus, he's got all these supposedly able-bodied Nyr'Kiin with him, albeit against their will, that Alkhazar wasn't around to claim as his own. I'm sure they could find a good use for a group of insectoids. ;)

@ECDN

This works for the most part though even when Alkhazar is in the city it is unlikely that he actually deals with slavers directly unless they've earned his curiosity which perhaps Mahaad has in the past. The Master of Zar Endal is a fairly aloof ruler and leaves the day-to-day running of the city to his lessers so even with Alkhazar gone there would be officials for Mahaad to deal and trade with. A more likely reason why Zar Endal hasn't purchased Mahaad's slaves might be due to a breakdown of the dealmaking with city officials unless Mahaad has a precedent of only dealing with the Masters themselves.

[Slamurai]

@Lone Wanderer@Flagg

I think I've made up my mind of what direction to take. Expect a post tomorrow, if not tonight, of Barsabbas' involvement in the big picture. Is there any more background on Zar Endal in the works?

[Lone Wanderer]

@Lone Wanderer@Flagg

I think I've made up my mind of what direction to take. Expect a post tomorrow, if not tonight, of Barsabbas' involvement in the big picture. Is there any more background on Zar Endal in the works?

@Aristo

Looking forward to seeing what you've decided upon! For Zar Endal I don't really have anything planned beyond a few basic ideas in mind (I hadn't expected it to be relevant anytime soon). I'll give it some thought and those whom are wishing to be involved with it are free to add whatever details and character they wish.

[Slamurai]

Post up - it's shorter than I might like, but it says what it has to, for now.

[Flagg]

@Ink Blood @Lone Wanderer @The Wyrm @Dead Cruiser @Sightseer @Aristo@Cairo @Valor @Nieszka @DracoLunaris @Darkspleen @RyanTadashi@Culluket @ECDN

Ok folks, war council post to be put up today or tomorrow. Thanks for bearing with me.

[ECDN]

I'll have an introductory post done up for Mahaad later today - work has me swamped these last couple days. Thank god (or someone, at least) for weekends!

[Flagg]

@Ink Blood @Lone Wanderer @The Wyrm @Dead Cruiser @Sightseer @Aristo@Cairo @Valor @Nieszka @DracoLunaris @Darkspleen @RyanTadashi@Culluket @ECDN

Hi all,

I'm sorry, I couldnt get the post up today. I may or may not have time to write this weekend, but please know I'm totally committed to this RP. Please consider throwing some posts up in the meantime, since momentum is important and I think we have a cool thing going here.

[Sightseer]

Don't worry, you've been a very active/communicative GM so far, so I'm not sweating waiting a day or two more for an IC post.

I'll try to find some time to write some short, madness filled post for the Mad Knight over the weekend.

[Slamurai]

Roger doger! I might be able to sneak in another post sending the Firebrands off, then.

[Squad 404]

I'm personally just gonna wait for the war council stuff and probably until Zar Vorgul is attacked/taken. If someone wants to approach the hunters guild I can certainly RP with you though it'll be in an interesting place since the last I mentioned of Glory she was arriving Post Z.V. attack and thus wouldn't be there but I can probably just churn out a few basic NPC's and such, but the army on the march is a big deal for them as I put in my last post, so I'm kinda just shuffling my feet until that happens and I have to work with that.

Also one of the images in the OOC OP broke. Just as a heads up.