War in ChinaThe Spartan Champion paces before the fortress of Dragon’s Tooth. His armor is bright, spear study and sword at the hip. He calls forth another challenge. He has faced several Dragon Guards, the best warriors of the Dragon Emperor, and won. He is confident in his victory today.
The gates open and a warrior, armored in plate, strides out. An anxious gathering of China’s soldiers watch from the top of the walls. The Spartan Champion grins.
“Finally, someone brave enough to die at my hands!”
The warrior makes no response, and readies his sword.
They charge. The Spartan lunges with a precise thrust, fast as a snake’s strike, meant to end the duel quickly. But the warrior sways out of the way, the spear point scoring off his face plate as he slashes a the Spartan. The blow is blocked by the shield, a dull thud echoing over the rocky plans.
The onlookers from both sides saw a dance, each movement deadly and fast. The Spartan abandoned the spear and drew his sword, and he and the warriors dueled with their blades, each strike as fast as lightning. The Spartan was the first to draw blood, from a strike to the leg, but the warrior was quick to respond with two slashes that sent the Spartan reeling and a spray of blood into the air. The Spartan narrowed his eyes, and blinked.
The Spartan appeared behind the armored warrior, his sword swinging through the space his opponent’s neck occupied moments ago. The Spartan froze in shock for a moment, and then tried to dodge away from the plunging sword.
Flak stood there a moment, his sword deep in his opponents chest. He then nodded at the fallen champion, then in a swift motion withdrew the sword and cut off his opponents head.
A cry erupted from the Spartans, and they charged. In moments the first of them were leaping around Flak, their spears and swords a blur as they attacked. But Flak was faster.
His blade a flash, Flak blinked around them, his sword bloody as he cut, each stroke masterful as he danced around the enraged Spartans. But even as he brought them down, they were responding with their own blows.
Wavebringer began his call then. The storms rushed in, obeying their master’s call. Thunder cracked and roared at his bidding. The hail began slowly at first, plinking off soldier’s armor as they stood, but it built quickly. Wavebringer felt resistance of mages trying to stop the assault, but Wavebringer was vastly stronger than them in this element. Soon hail the size of boulders began to rain down as Wavebringer channeled the wrath of 8 souls, each refined in a gem to channel the magic of the Outside into the world. The hail smashed down on the Atlantean army, crushing even the most armored of soldiers. The worst of the hail stayed outside the walls, but even the most fearless of them took shelter.
Flak’s dance began to slow as the wounds took their toll. His armor turned dark from blood weeping from holes made by enchanted spears and swords. A thrust from a young Spartan went deep into his chest. Flak slammed his sword into the face of the triumphant Spartan, and fell. Spartan dead surrounded him. Those alive moved in for the kill. Then the hail came, and Flak saw only darkness.
The Japanese force came once the hail stopped, killing those who resisted and capturing those who couldn’t. The Spartans fought to the last, often requiring Masamune to dispatch them. The forces of Dragon’s Tooth streamed from the fortress, assaulting the besiegers. The broken, shocked army was unable to resist, and fled. Only a thousand men escaped.
This battle turned the tide of the invasion. The Atlantean forces had to regroup, and raids on their supply lines made that difficult. The Spartans were devastated by the loss of two companies. Centuries of battle experience was lost. Gathered from reports from survivors, the commanders determined that Immortals were responsible. The Cisharni surmised that the Sindari were the ones responsible. They had been distracted by internal affairs of the empire, but now it was decided that the Sindari were perhaps the greatest threat they had faced. Atlantean army regulars were mustered, and vast levies from across the empire were taken. A few of the Cisharni decided to lead the armies this time. There would be no mistakes this time.
After Ascension: 110-120The Inquisitor and Artemis walked deep into the bowels of the citadel in the heart of Atlantis. The Inquisitor paced quickly, anxiety gnawing his heart. The two emerged into a training arena, the floor sandy, lit from above by lights crafted by Gromfin to mimic the sun. There a hulking brute sparred with members of the Atlantean Royal Guard, the best fighters of the Empire. They spun and leapt, their blades flashing quickly. The brute was quicker, his training weapon almost too fast for a mortal eye to track, but his was an unrefined, raw power. Eventually a halt was called, and the men discussed technique with him.
“Already he matches our best,” The Inquisitor spoke low to Artemis. “His temperament is also . . . disturbing. If the Pharaoh got his hands on him, I fear what he might do.”
Artemis shook her head. “He is our brother, we cannot keep him locked in here. He deserves the freedom to make his own choices. I’ll talk with him. I can’t stay here for long, I have elusive quarry to pursue in Asia.
The pair went down to the pit. The large Cisharni sat in a corner, red runes engraved in his body. He sat in silence, his head bowed. As they approached he spoke.
“The Firstborn was noble and bright, full of love and warmth,” the guttural voice echoed through the chamber. “He was murdered. The Secondborn was crafty, and skilled above all others in magics to protect his family. He was destroyed by his hubris. Now, only wrath remains.”
He looks up, his eyes red.
“I am the Thirdborn, and I bring war.”
Status Report
Americas: Octavian’s efforts of growing the Sind Confederacy bore fruit. Tribes that were reluctant to join were persuaded by Octavian’s reassurances. The confederacy swelled. Though factions were beginning to form about the role of traditions in this new society. Cities began to spring up, and farms planted.
Through the efforts of several Sindari, peace was brokered with the Aoraki in the south. All tribes were forced to either join the confederacy or the Aoraki. Small raiding parties travel across the borders and raid small tribes, but nothing large scale has taken place. The Sind confederacy grows by 40,000, to a total of near 100,000.
Japan: The kingdom under Empress Fuuri Noriko flourishes. Peace and justice reign throughout the land under her wise rulership. The invasion of Korea had gone well, and tribute flows back into the realm. Even the peasants experience great boons, their safety assured and taxes lowered. The kingdom is happy, and only the nobility’s thoughts are troubled by the war in China, and even then it is more an opportunity for glory than an actual risk. Their great fleet is assembled, and pirates are hunted down. It is a golden age.
Sindari:
( If I made no mention of your character, just assume that everything you stated was accepted by me and took place. If you needed a follow up and I missed it, just let me know and I’ll get back to you on that.)
Octavian: His efforts of growing the Sind confederacy bear fruit. The tribes that were more reluctant were swayed by his gentle words and reassurances. They joined the confederacy, but kept their traditions and worship. Gain 40,000 followers, and 1,000 worshippers. Colonies were attempted to be founded in the pacific, but volunteers were very few, and no islands were found suitable yet. (⅙ Project Colonies).
Serena has given all the information she will willingly, but over the 20 some years she considers Octavian to be a friend. She no longer sees the Sindari as an enemy, and thinks they may be better for the world than the Cisharni. But she doesn’t to fight them. She asks if she can live in America, help this budding civilization. She says that she can stop mental communication, and no one will think she is alive, anyways
Ryukan: He studies medicine, and marries and has 5 children. (Sindariness levels are ⅙, ⅚, 4/6,2/6,6/6)
Archaementes: You learn supply routes to the Chinese front, and you were able to slip several spies into the army headed for China. You have learned that Apollo will be one of the Cisharni headed to the war. Also (as regards to your event), after discussion with the members of your organization you believe that the quiet takeover of the bureaucracy of the greek cities is certainly possible (0/4 completed so far, need 4 years of hands on work to accomplish). Daughter: ⅚ Sindari.
Amelia: The islands of the Philippines truly become a place of enlightenment. Discussions take place in academies that have sprung up, the local kings, informed by wise advisors, have formed a council that governs the island. Trade with China and Japan has brought prosperity, and refugees from regions devastated by war have found a new home here. The scouts trained by Amelia, though few in number, have made an oversized mark on the war in China, allowing allied forces to move quickly through areas and surprise Atlantean forces. Though the corp is young yet, they already have gained much acclaim.
Flak: Pulled from the battlefield by his comrades, Flak was heavily wounded in the fighting. He has however gained much fame from his victory.
+5 influence.
Gravely wounded: will need to spend a year rebirthing, until then attributes are limited to 2.
Rigel: Gains a new wolf: 6/6 Sindariness
Turangol: Soul Gem investigation (He has determined that the soul inside is not generally intelligent, unable to communicate clearly, and draws power from the Void, or the Outside).
Wavebringer: Children (5/6, 1/6). Spymasters were only able to discover that hundreds of people disappeared around the Black Pryamid, and that is where it is likely held.
This turn is only a decade long because events are happening quicker. Dragon's Tooth is held for now, but an Atlantean assault is expected by year 1. Year 2 is when the Pharaoh was seen trying to get his soul gem into position at one of the 3 Nexuses. Because you defended the fortress, all Nexuses remain in friendly hands. Let me know if you have any questions!)
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Topic: Sindari: Immortals (Read 32283 times)