Preparing for an Attack

Adventurers look to prepare supplies for the journey to an outlying village under threat from the undead army.

Rylen
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

An army of at least 200 undead has been spotted by Adventurer scouts, seemingly waiting in the distance, beyond a small village a short distance away from the Ninetails capital of Dun Loireag. For some reason, they have not attacked outright, leading many to be suspicious about what such a show of force might mean.

For Rylen, it is time to prepare. He has set himself to manual labor, lading crates of supplies into a wagon that is bound west towards the lands facing the worst of the undead infestation. "Get those tied down and covered up. The skeletons have flame arrows and we don't want the supplies to catch fire." He advises a Lander boy who seems to be taking care of preparing the wagon.

The Pooka is wearing a sleeveless shirt which buttons at the front, rather than his usual shirtless performance attire. However, there seems to be some weight on him, likely invested in the idea of protecting both Lander and Adventurer from the undead plight.
Goldenblade
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

Goldenblade has scouted the undead army, and is interested in helping, so she will approach Rylen about that. Walking up, she calls a greeting and asks, "How's it going?" Then, "What can I do to help out? I scouted them out, but I don't really understand much of what I saw."

She's still in what she wore in the colder weather, a full mail coat with heavy boots, but it's just starter gear, so it's not as heavy as one might expect. There's times she is cool with that, and times where it's a pain. It's not like it gives any actual protection.
Merek
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

    Merek takes time to prepare himself, while he walks along and to Dun Loireag, his light dark armor worn upon him while he takes the time to adjust his shield along the back with his sword, adjusting the wrists while he comes upon where Rylan was at. He looks to the wagon, "What kind of supplies do we have that we're shipping?" he asks.
Kauchemar
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

Kauchemar keeps hearing about these better than standard undead so she's come to the Dominions lands to see for herself. She also sees some familiar faces in the crowds while passing through and waves. "Rylen, Golden, hello!"
Rylen
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

Wiping a bare forearm across his forehead, Rylen gives his usual charming grin towards Goldenblade, though the expression doesn't seem to reach his eyes. "As well as can be expected, m'lady. We'll be heading out within the hour, I expect." He pats a hand at the boxes that have been loaded up.

"Honestly, what we could use, most of all, is more support against the incomming attack. We know it's coming, but not how bad it will be." Merek's arrival is met with an incline of Rylen's head, "Some of it is construction supplies to help board up houses, the rest is simple armor, weapons, and medical supplies. Anything that can help the Landers shore up their own defenses."

Hearing his name, Rylen lifts his head, looking beyond the others to spot the familiar form of the nightmare. "Ahh, Lady Kauchemar. Have you come to aid us, or are you just passing through?" He inquires.
Goldenblade
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

Goldenblade smiles to Kauchemar, "Hey," and hrms to Rylen. "Armor, weapons, and medical supplies?" she asks. "What about sandbags for portable fortifications? Or are these fortified towns we're defending?" She adds, to Rylen, "What kind of support do you need? I'm in, just tell me what to do?"

To Merek, she says, "This is the same army we were scouting the other day, right? The ones with conflicting logistical stuff going on?"
Merek
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

    Merek looks over to Kauchemar, though she doesn't greet him, the man does offer a little wave, while he takes the time to look back to Rylen then and along to Goldenblade. "Probably, there are different forward advances, this one I think was the one on the main road, led by Hector. I almost wiped a fair amount of his troops away, although he will defend all of them if he needs to, he seems to have knowledge of tactics, all the same, it should be managable." For a Merchant, he seems to know a lot about warfare.
Kauchemar
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

Her usual casual yet mischievous grin parts the nightmare's lips. "Any and all of the above my dears. As I practice some necromancy myself I wish to see these superior undead with mine own eyes." She nods to Goldenblade and Merek . "Good to see others have been preparing as well."
Rylen
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

"I'm not entirely sure what sort of fortifications they have set up, but I imagine we'll find that no village here in Ninetails is truly prepared to be seiged by an undead army." Rylen replies, shaking his head as he looks towards the wagon of supplies.

He looks between Merek and Goldenblade, taking note that the two of them seem to have some experience with the undead in this region. "I'm uncertain if this is the main force or not, but it's sizeable enough that I'm worried they might overrun the village." The Beastmaster chuckles to himself, shaking his head, the motion causing his silver hair to sway slightly. "I'm afraid I'm not a tactician. I leave most of that to Xander. He has the military experience, but he already went ahead to help prepare the Landers."

The nightmare's grin brings back that smile of his own, but there is still concern there in the set of his eyebrows. "It seems that they have some sort of ability to change Landers they capture into other sorts of undead. So keeping as many as we can out of their hands is important. They aren't immortal like we are..."
Goldenblade
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

Goldenblade nods to Kauchemar and to Merek. To Kauchemar, she says, "We're doing what we can. Just came to offer my services if someone," she eyes Rylen, "is organizing things." To Merek, she asks, "Er, how big is this enemy army? How big is our force? Or forces? Are we talking about a rough skirmish or an all-in battle?"

She says to Rylen, "Yeah, they can convert people into their army. They can also travel through the earth. Some kind of weird magic, not burrowing. They just sink down and go where they want." She's no tactician, either, and says, "I can only guess what they're doing, myself. But this is a bit more like a traditional tactics situation than a modern one, so basic pre-Napoleonic tactics ought to be fine, right?"
Merek
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

    "Indeed, they transport them back for the vampires," Merek notes, nodding a bit. Then he looks between the people, "Well either way, we need to do what we can, I've not seen them use the transportation for actual transporting of troops, just the capturee. It seems more will likely just be Auther along with Hector's advanced scouts, vampires, all of that."
Uta
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

    Uta marches into view. She paces back and forth, head turned down, one hand on her temple with the thumb touching her ear, fully absorbed in a discussion over chimlink. As is typical in such circumstances, only Uta's side of the discussion can be heard by people nearby.

    "Undead."

    "A whole army.""Reports say about 200. The source is reliable."

    "Me? I've brought healing potions and the current plan is that I'll stand by and patch up anyone who needs healing. Maybe experiment on how good a xylophone a skeleton makes. We'll see what transpires."

    "You're putting it too nicely. I would say things are /bad/."

    "How bad you say?" She looks up, finally returning to notice the world around her. Her head snaps left and right, as if looking for something she's not quite sure of what it is, yet, stopping the bare minimum to take her surroundings in. Her third movement focuses straight on her Pooka mentor.

    "...they're 'Rylen is wearing a shirt' bad."

    And then nods in some sort of deep agreement to whatever her interlocutor says on the other side.
Kauchemar
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

Kauchemar cupped a hand to her chin thoughtfully. "Now that is new information. So this is as much denying them resources as it is defending the locals."
Merek
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

    Merek looks then to Uta, while he nods along a bit to Kauchemar, "Well, that ritual isn't used upon all the Landers, just ones that generally are qualified. Anyway, I watched it while they used a ritual like that, one of their leaders needs to almost kill the Landers first." Then a nod along to people.
Rylen
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

"I wouldn't count myself a military leader, I'm afraid." Rylen answers to Goldenblade's look. "But I'm at least trying to organize volunteers and supplies. If you'd like to accompany us, you're more than welcome to. We could certainly use more Adventurers to fight." He explains.

"From what Xander reported the other night, it's an army that counts in the hundreds. Enough that we may end up having an all-out battle." He folds his arms across his chest, looking at them with his brows raised. "I can probably help defend against earth-travel. It's my strongest element, so I can likely slow them down, at least."

As for Uta's comment, Rylen raises a hand and presses it against his forehead, giving an audible groan. "You know, I do tend to wear shirts when I'm not performing, right?" He murmurs, mid face-palm. When he lifts his hand again, he smirks, "I'd prefer not to come out looking like an undead chew toy, if I can help it."
Goldenblade
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

Goldenblade nods at what Merek says, peering at Uta and half a conversation. To Rylen, she says, "How's your peko ranch coming. Can you supply mounts for a few squads of cavalry? That'd be a strong advantage against the undead, they're all basically infantry. I'm not sure what commands or powers you'd get, mounted, and I doubt there'd be a way to get something new worked out. But even mounted infantry would give us a mobility edge, and a mounted wizard would be like a tank. Or like an SPG, really."
Kauchemar
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

Kauchemar idly asides to Uta. "I tried the xylophone trick before. Great visual but doesn't sound nearly as cool as cartoons would imply."

Then turns her attention back to the main conversation. "Undead using tactics are still undead. Disrupting how freely they can move is still effective. And magic against their own ranged back lines."
Merek
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

    Merek seems to think about it, while he takes a hand to begin rubbing along his chin, "Well, I have my own Peko, and I believe that I will be doing what I can to assist. I think for now we need to mount full on counter-defense, not just defensive measures. I think it's best we fortify position at the villages. Either way, supplies will be important. Auther told me at one point that they seek to keep resources from the Landers, they will make them need for more, so to speak, so then... I think it's important we set up the supply line."
Uta
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

    "Ok, technically, if it's made of bones, it's called an osteophone...", Uta rambles on to whomver is on the other side of the link. "Unless the skeletons are made of wood. But I'm not sure I've seen many wooden skeletons of late... although... hm. Are wood golems technically undead trees? I was wondering if-" She blinks at Rylen. "You are? I... I haven't been paying attention."

    She murmurs some inaudible words, then severes her connection. "Sorry, I was distracted. Uta Furore, musical kung-fu nurse, reporting for duty," she salutes to all those presents, instead of just saying 'hi'. "Is there anything I can do to help with the preparations?"

    She grins at Kauchemar, flicks her menu open, and summons her staff in a shimmer of light. "You just need the right stick...", she adds with a grin.
Kauchemar
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

Kauchemar nods again. "Theyrecmaking it hard for Landers to support themselves or any potential defenders."
Rylen
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

"Unfortunately, the Peko ranch is mostly for training new players in riding and animal husbandry." Rylen explains, making a slight dismissive motion of one hand. "Most of the mounts we have aren't trained for serious combat, though I'm sure the Peko Army likely has some, but they'll be at a premium. Otto isn't the most generous of people, especially if he doesn't see a a profit for him out of it."

He nods to Kauchemar, seeming to follow her line of thinking, "The lesser undead aren't exactly intelligent, but with Vampires at their lead, they may be able to keep them under a tighter control. I haven't a clue about what their generals might be, but they seem like more than the vampires we've seen..."

Looking to Merek, Rylen adds, "We need more concentrated support from the Alliances. Right now, most of this is individuals trying to act in defense where we can. I know Giganpor is trying to arrange an intel and planning meeting... but that type of organization takes time that some Landers might not have."

Rylen laughs with his usual good natured smile for Uta's sake. "My class utilizes cloth and light armors, so I tend to wear that sort of thing when it comes to actual battle. For performances, if I can swoon a few ladies by being shirtless, it's that much more coin in my pocket." He shrugs, grinning to himself.

"As for help, manpower, supplies, communication between the Alliances, support from other Kingdoms outside Ninetails, intel. We've got a lot of things we need, it all depends on what you're able to lend to the cause."
Goldenblade
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

Goldenblade nods about using magic. "I keep underestimating magic," she adits to Kauchemar. "I don't know what all it can do, and all I really think of are fireballs and like that. Like artillery on a battlefield." To Merek, she asks, "What sort of resources? Food? Why would undead need food?" But Kauchemar offers a solution, and she ohs, "Scorched earth, then?" Uta's conversation completely puzzles her, she can't even comment, so she peers at Rylen and nods dissapointedly. "Maybe we'll be able to do something in the fullness of time. I don't know what the Peko Army is, I've heard the name, but no idea what it actually is. Can players do anything mounted on Pekos?"
Kauchemar
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

"In our line of work appearances sell as much as substance." Kauchemar grins as she holds her hands aside in a gesture of self-display. "Why do you think I dress the way I do~"

Then waggles a finger playfully at Golden. "Fire is an effective magic but contrary to what the Good Country Doctor may say it isn't the 'only' answer. Especially against an enemy that knows it's a weakness and may prepare to counter it, if they have vampires or other abominations that can utilize magic as well."
Merek
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

    Merek looks then to Goldenblade in light perplexion, "I meant they are keeping the Landers from their supplies," the man notes, "Also, most monsters do require eating." he muses, then he nods to Rylen, "We do know that there's someone behind even the Queen though. Even if we win, even if we fight and win all of these, then we'll need to know who Demiurge was. As well as to learn why she wants to take rulership of the whole world to simply meet someone else again."
    The man looks to Shadow Eclipse upon his back while he takes a moment to examine it, then he would nod along in thought as well while he scratches along the cheek.
Uta
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

    Uta nods at Merek's comment about monsters needing eating, and segues into replying Goldenblade's question. "Remember that this world, be it real or fictional, still follows plenty of rules set by a videogame. And about why the undead would need food, can you say 'braaaaaains'? It's what the players expect, so the game designers give it to 'em." She smirks at Rylen and Kauchemar. "There might be many reasons why they would need food, but I'm pretty sure zombies are going to need braaains for one main reason, the same reason why artists have a performing outfit. Because appearances sell as much as substance, to make a few ladies swoon, and get more coins in the pockets."

    She slaps her hands together, and rubs them. "Anyway. Is there anything I can do to help this effort? Set up a camp hospital? Build fortifications? Ready ammunition?"
Rylen
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

"The Peko Army is one of the Ninetails Dominion merchant territories." Rylen explains, "Just as their name suggests, they're the main suppliers of Pekos for the lands of Yamato. There are wild pekos out there, but if you're looking for quality, it will be from the Peko Army bloodlines." He taps his fingers on his arm, "Otto Suwen is their leader. He's not a fan of Adventurers."

Clearly, Rylen has some connections with the man, as he was able to open the Peko Ranch with help from Otto and his people.

He does grin at Kauchemar's comment, reaching a hand up to tap at the side of his nose, showing his agreement. Then, his eyes flick to Merek. "This is the first I've heard of anything about a Demiurge, but it sounds like something that warrants looking into. I'm not exactly a scribe or researcher, so it may fall to someone more involved in those areas of the game." He suggests.

"Right now, I'm less concerned about her reasons, when her armies are knocking at the doorstep to another Lander village." To Uta, he suggests, "A field hospital, possibly something that might be able to counter-act the zombie effect so that we can prevent people from turning. Any sort of suggestions on how to best deal with undead, in general."

With a glance around, he adds, "I'm open to suggestions. In the real world, I'm a physical therapist and teacher, not a tactician."
Goldenblade
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

Goldenblade nods to Kauchemar, but says, "I don't know how you attack people with water, doesn't that just get then wet? Or air would dry them, I guess? Do they do different kinds of attacks with those? Would they hurt undead more than fire?" Fire being traditional against zombies. "Is there an AOE version of Holy? I'd expect that'd lay waste to them fast." To Merek, she says, "We ought to organize some sort of cross-realm supply thing for the Landers to share food. Everyone being a little hungry is better than having a whole region starve."

She nods to Uta about undead eating brains, and says, "I was wondering about them eating the Landers' food, though. It's not even growing yet, this early in the season, I expect. That's why I'm confused. Though an army trampling the fields might werck the harvest." To Rylen, she ohs as he explains the Peko Army, and says, "Well, I'll ride out if that'll help. I'll learn how to use a lance and all. Because mobility is super important on the battlefield."
Merek
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

    "Magic is generally used with force, air can cut, water can too," Merek notes, "As for holy, it is useful though there are different kinds of undead. All we can really do is fight them like we would anything else," he notes, nodding a little bit, then looks to be generally thinking about it as well while he watches the place.
Kauchemar
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

"Whoa! Slow down before you hurt yourself Goldie!" Kauchemar breaks out laughing. Yes it does sound partway like a horse whinney as well. "You must realize that the elemental energy used in magic is more than just the water or dirt you typically think of."
Rylen
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

"I know there are Peko Knights out there, who utilize long swords or polearms and heavy armor while riding a Peko." Rylen confirms to Goldenblade, "Though I'm not as knowledgable about that sort of training. I'm a martial artist, who leans into the Earth element, so I usually have to be on foot when I fight."

The boy who had been working to tie down the supplies hops down, motioning to Rylen that they are prepared to head out. "And that is my call. I'm heading out to the village now. If you want to come and lend support, the guards here have a map of where we're going. Otherwise, do what you can. Lean into your strengths. And... try not to die."

With that, he gives the group a wave, moving to join the young man at the front of the wagon, walking along as it moves out.
Goldenblade
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

Goldenblade shrugs to Merek, then to Kauchemar, "I don't know anything about magic or how this silly world works. It's all pretty much just games as far as I can tell. I hit things, though, and they fall down. If they don't fall down, I'm out of options. You guys are all the magical types. If there's more to do, you'll have to work it out."

To Rylen, she says, "I'm gonna go out and scout, I'll be back later." And then he tells her the information she'd been fishing for before. "Peko knights are what I'm talking about," she agrees. "If we don't know, we can figure it out, and if we get it wrong, we can revise. The world is dynamic, we can make corrections partway though." And then she's off to scout.
Uta
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

Uta nods. "In any case, if anyone needs me, I'll be over there helping to set up a camp hospital..."
Kauchemar
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

"To understand everything in the world would be boring! No reason to learn, or to inspire!" Kauchemar grabs the back of the wagon and hoists herself up onto it. "I may as well accompany you. If we get into trouble I can Messenger off to warn others."
Merek
Dun Loireag - The Peaks

    Merek would offer a little wave along to people, and nod a little bit as well.