It has been a long time since our RP faded out of activity. Allowing that to happen was something that weighed heavily on me, because it's something that I know I have personally put a lot of love into. I'm sure there are others who feel the same way. However, I also felt that it was something that needed to be done. I was putting in so much effort to keep something alive and it didn't seem like anybody else wanted to be a part of it. It was draining me. It was thankless. And once I started VCU, I couldn't even find time to keep coming around. And even now, only when I've been coming back around more after being a bit of a stranger due to school, are people starting to want the RP to continue. It makes me nervous. This isn't me blaming anybody. I'm just conveying how I felt. The truth is that I ended up full of resentment; for what I'm not sure, I just know that's how I felt. But maybe we all just needed a break. I know there's people who want to RP, and I cannot ignore my desire to see the stories through. I know I'm a big part of the plot and planning and so I do need to be involved. But a lot of this plot will not be driven unless those participating work together to drive it. I believe that RP isn't a one person experience, it's a group all coming together to tell a story. Let's tell it together.
In short, I believe that there's enough of us here wanting to pick things back up. However, it's been a while. We need to see who we still have from back then and who we have now that is new and didn't get to be involved yet and how to incorporate them. I believe for all our sakes, that a brief synopsis of this phase of the war will be helpful, though it wouldn't hurt to go back and read the topics for yourself for some important details.
Main Plot / Everyone
A New Course of Action
An important meeting is taking place in Eyris castle, nearly a year after the Great Eyris Siege, when it is suddenly interrupted with news that a man claiming to be the true heir to the long thought to be dead Sentrian royal family has come seeking an audience, along with his two attendants. Curious, King James agrees to see him and is presented with a plea to help him retake his country from Drake the Serpent Fang. Naturally, everyone is hesitant to believe the claim to Sentrian royalty and the only thing the man named Amir has to present is his family sword. The group discusses things for a bit, agreeing that regardless, some sort of action needs to be made to get out of their never ending stalemate against Sentria. King Cyric and Chieftain Songhua need to return to their own countries as well, meaning Learania will be even more hard pressed. After hearing everyone out, King James realizes that the decision he has to make is very big and doesn't want to do the wrong thing. So instead of giving an answer right away, he tells Amir that he will take the night to think about it and reconvene their meeting the next day.
Setting In Motion
James seeks guidance in making his decision, and ends up discovering a old mural of former rulers of the nations together as friends, which fills James with determination to aid Amir. Rath then presents his plan for their course of action. The identity of Amir will be kept a secret, so as to not make the Sorceress Razevi aware of his existence. Instead, the three Sentrians will be presented as their guide for when they enter Sentria. Additionally, they will be accompanying a group of volunteer guildsmen led by Rath on a route around the maintains, through Estarcia and into Sentria from a different path, since the bandits have blocked the routes through the maintain. Meanwhile, the larger force will be keeping Sentria's main forces busy near Pentheus. After some farewells and preparation, Rath's group sets off.
Shadow Over the Plains
After Songhua departs Eyris, he makes his way home, stopping at the Elder's Encampment before going to his tribe's current location. When he arrives, he is shocked to find that Elder Kusume and Kenafa have been murdered by none other than Elder Shamir. When Songhua tries to retaliate, he is stopped by Chieftain Ishtur, who is is league with Shamir. Shamir reveals to Songhua that he has summoned an undead army that is on their way to attack his tribe, and offers to call them off if he agrees to follow him, thus betraying Learania. Songhua refuses and the two chieftains duel, and Songhua manages to get to his horse and attempts to escape. He is successful, but Ishtur has the final laugh as he manages to shoot him with a poisoned arrow as he flees to go aid his tribe. Not unsettled in the slightest at Songhua's escape, Shamir orders Ishtur to go to Learania and convince the bandits up north to cause trouble in order to help distract the country and give Sentria a leg up. Once done with that, Ishtur's orders are to head to the eastern colonies in Adliana where Learanians and Adlians live together in piece and kill them all. Shamir gives him Donarco the legendary Thunder Bow to aid him in these tasks.
Later, Songhua eventually arrives as his tribe is already engaged in battle with the undead army. He joins the fight and saves the live of some of his tribesmen, but sustains heavy blows. As the tribe retreats, Songhua sends Kalilah to meet up with Rath's group and warn him of what is going on in Adliana.
An important meeting is taking place in Eyris castle, nearly a year after the Great Eyris Siege, when it is suddenly interrupted with news that a man claiming to be the true heir to the long thought to be dead Sentrian royal family has come seeking an audience, along with his two attendants. Curious, King James agrees to see him and is presented with a plea to help him retake his country from Drake the Serpent Fang. Naturally, everyone is hesitant to believe the claim to Sentrian royalty and the only thing the man named Amir has to present is his family sword. The group discusses things for a bit, agreeing that regardless, some sort of action needs to be made to get out of their never ending stalemate against Sentria. King Cyric and Chieftain Songhua need to return to their own countries as well, meaning Learania will be even more hard pressed. After hearing everyone out, King James realizes that the decision he has to make is very big and doesn't want to do the wrong thing. So instead of giving an answer right away, he tells Amir that he will take the night to think about it and reconvene their meeting the next day.
Setting In Motion
James seeks guidance in making his decision, and ends up discovering a old mural of former rulers of the nations together as friends, which fills James with determination to aid Amir. Rath then presents his plan for their course of action. The identity of Amir will be kept a secret, so as to not make the Sorceress Razevi aware of his existence. Instead, the three Sentrians will be presented as their guide for when they enter Sentria. Additionally, they will be accompanying a group of volunteer guildsmen led by Rath on a route around the maintains, through Estarcia and into Sentria from a different path, since the bandits have blocked the routes through the maintain. Meanwhile, the larger force will be keeping Sentria's main forces busy near Pentheus. After some farewells and preparation, Rath's group sets off.
Shadow Over the Plains
After Songhua departs Eyris, he makes his way home, stopping at the Elder's Encampment before going to his tribe's current location. When he arrives, he is shocked to find that Elder Kusume and Kenafa have been murdered by none other than Elder Shamir. When Songhua tries to retaliate, he is stopped by Chieftain Ishtur, who is is league with Shamir. Shamir reveals to Songhua that he has summoned an undead army that is on their way to attack his tribe, and offers to call them off if he agrees to follow him, thus betraying Learania. Songhua refuses and the two chieftains duel, and Songhua manages to get to his horse and attempts to escape. He is successful, but Ishtur has the final laugh as he manages to shoot him with a poisoned arrow as he flees to go aid his tribe. Not unsettled in the slightest at Songhua's escape, Shamir orders Ishtur to go to Learania and convince the bandits up north to cause trouble in order to help distract the country and give Sentria a leg up. Once done with that, Ishtur's orders are to head to the eastern colonies in Adliana where Learanians and Adlians live together in piece and kill them all. Shamir gives him Donarco the legendary Thunder Bow to aid him in these tasks.
Later, Songhua eventually arrives as his tribe is already engaged in battle with the undead army. He joins the fight and saves the live of some of his tribesmen, but sustains heavy blows. As the tribe retreats, Songhua sends Kalilah to meet up with Rath's group and warn him of what is going on in Adliana.
Rath and Amir's Group
Earning Trust
Unbeknownst to Learania, an Adlian Chieftain, Ishtur, is convincing the northern bandits of Learania to begin raiding the country in order to be welcomed and spared by the Sentrian bandits when they take over. As Rath's group rests for the night, Rath goes to the nearby village to check on restocking on food and water. As the Sentrian trio look out on the village from afar, they suddenly see it come under attack by bandits. Amir tells his two companions to tell the group about the attack, while he races to the village alone to help. Once there, he sees Rath fighting alone while attempting to help as many villagers as he can and comes to his aid right in the nick of time. Somewhat shocked by the Sentrian's help, the two fend off the bandits together. Eventually, the two Sentrian companions arrive on the scene, having come to aid Amir right after informing the group, and begin to help as well. While Rath escorts the surviving villagers to safety, Amir takes on the leader of the raid, a bandit named Baba. As the other guild members arrive on the scene, they work to put out the fires and treat the wounded. The next morning, as they are setting out, the elder of the village thanks them with a gift of gold to help along the way. But more importantly, the three Sentrians had earned a place of trust with the guildsmen and more importantly, Rath.
An Unexpected Delay
As the group led by Rath continues on, they see that their path has been blocked by fallen trees. As they go to move it, bandits led by a thief named Celso suddenly dart out on all asides from the woods and begin to attack and pilfer Leena's wagon. Unprepared for the strength and capability that the guildsmen possessed (they had a freakin dragon), Celso resorts to taking Leena hostage and orders everyone to drop their weapons. As the remaining bandits loot what they can from the wagon and retreat, Rath offers himself up a hostage in exchange for Leena. While he occupies Celso's attention, Marina gets the drop on Celso and allows Leena to get free. Celso tries to escape, but it was futile. However, many of their supplies have been stolen. Also, the mercenary group Cloak showed up during the fight and informed Rath that they were attacked by the same bandits and their healer, Rin, had been captured.
Indemnity
Intent on retrieving their supplies, part of the group tracks the bandits through the woods, while others such as Leena and the fire dragon stay behind, since they cannot follow or be effective in such dense terrain. Eventually, they reach the bandit's fort and are immediately under attack by their ballista. While they fight their way inside, Rin is brought by Bucky the bucktoothed bandit to the leader of the bandits, a fighter named Harold, who forces Rin to heal the bandits against her will or else she'll be killed. The bandits are able to defend themselves against the guildsmen for a bit, thanks to the healing, but the might of the guild proves too much for them. Rath confronts Harold and orders Rin to lower her stave. Harold than attacks Rath, allowing a member of Cloak to get near Rin and assure her that it was safe to stop healing the bandits. Seeing that his captive was now healing his enemies, Harold charges at Rin, but is stopped. Seeing that she was in danger, Rath escorts Rin away from the fight, while others fight Harold and eventually defeat him. After retrieving their supplies and setting some other captives free, the group continues on.
Around the Campfire #1
People talked about things.
Change in Plans
The group waits as long as they can for Songhua, since they were supposed to rendezvous with him there, but spirits fall when there is so sign of him. Not wanting to give up on Songhua, a scout is sent out for one final look. Tension arises among the group, when the the scout returns with Kalilah in tow, who then tells them everything she knows about Songhua and warns them about the undead army approaching. With little time to prepare, the group engages the army in combat and fairly easily dispense of the undead warriors with exceptional coordination. However, little do they know that Shamir was watching the whole thing from his crystal ball...
Around the Campfire #2
As a new morning comes upon them after their battle with the undead army, the group sits around campfires and prepare for the day. Rath emerges from his tent and apologizes to Amir that he cannot continue to lead the group, for his must go aid Songhua. Rath makes Amir the new leader of the group, and then prepares to leave alone. However, Amir, along with the rest of the group stop him and insist on joining him. At first, Rath refuses, for if they change their plans, it could cause more problems for the war. However, he realizes that he now has no official say in what everyone decides to do and accepts their help.
One Small Moment
The group is led by Kalilah to where Songhua's tribe retreated after their encounter with the undead army. The location is an ancient network of caves filled with traps that only tribe members know how to safely traverse. The bulk of the group waits outside, while others enter. Rath then requests Kalilah to take him to where Songhua is, near the back of the caves...
Unbeknownst to Learania, an Adlian Chieftain, Ishtur, is convincing the northern bandits of Learania to begin raiding the country in order to be welcomed and spared by the Sentrian bandits when they take over. As Rath's group rests for the night, Rath goes to the nearby village to check on restocking on food and water. As the Sentrian trio look out on the village from afar, they suddenly see it come under attack by bandits. Amir tells his two companions to tell the group about the attack, while he races to the village alone to help. Once there, he sees Rath fighting alone while attempting to help as many villagers as he can and comes to his aid right in the nick of time. Somewhat shocked by the Sentrian's help, the two fend off the bandits together. Eventually, the two Sentrian companions arrive on the scene, having come to aid Amir right after informing the group, and begin to help as well. While Rath escorts the surviving villagers to safety, Amir takes on the leader of the raid, a bandit named Baba. As the other guild members arrive on the scene, they work to put out the fires and treat the wounded. The next morning, as they are setting out, the elder of the village thanks them with a gift of gold to help along the way. But more importantly, the three Sentrians had earned a place of trust with the guildsmen and more importantly, Rath.
An Unexpected Delay
As the group led by Rath continues on, they see that their path has been blocked by fallen trees. As they go to move it, bandits led by a thief named Celso suddenly dart out on all asides from the woods and begin to attack and pilfer Leena's wagon. Unprepared for the strength and capability that the guildsmen possessed (they had a freakin dragon), Celso resorts to taking Leena hostage and orders everyone to drop their weapons. As the remaining bandits loot what they can from the wagon and retreat, Rath offers himself up a hostage in exchange for Leena. While he occupies Celso's attention, Marina gets the drop on Celso and allows Leena to get free. Celso tries to escape, but it was futile. However, many of their supplies have been stolen. Also, the mercenary group Cloak showed up during the fight and informed Rath that they were attacked by the same bandits and their healer, Rin, had been captured.
Indemnity
Intent on retrieving their supplies, part of the group tracks the bandits through the woods, while others such as Leena and the fire dragon stay behind, since they cannot follow or be effective in such dense terrain. Eventually, they reach the bandit's fort and are immediately under attack by their ballista. While they fight their way inside, Rin is brought by Bucky the bucktoothed bandit to the leader of the bandits, a fighter named Harold, who forces Rin to heal the bandits against her will or else she'll be killed. The bandits are able to defend themselves against the guildsmen for a bit, thanks to the healing, but the might of the guild proves too much for them. Rath confronts Harold and orders Rin to lower her stave. Harold than attacks Rath, allowing a member of Cloak to get near Rin and assure her that it was safe to stop healing the bandits. Seeing that his captive was now healing his enemies, Harold charges at Rin, but is stopped. Seeing that she was in danger, Rath escorts Rin away from the fight, while others fight Harold and eventually defeat him. After retrieving their supplies and setting some other captives free, the group continues on.
Around the Campfire #1
People talked about things.
Change in Plans
The group waits as long as they can for Songhua, since they were supposed to rendezvous with him there, but spirits fall when there is so sign of him. Not wanting to give up on Songhua, a scout is sent out for one final look. Tension arises among the group, when the the scout returns with Kalilah in tow, who then tells them everything she knows about Songhua and warns them about the undead army approaching. With little time to prepare, the group engages the army in combat and fairly easily dispense of the undead warriors with exceptional coordination. However, little do they know that Shamir was watching the whole thing from his crystal ball...
Around the Campfire #2
As a new morning comes upon them after their battle with the undead army, the group sits around campfires and prepare for the day. Rath emerges from his tent and apologizes to Amir that he cannot continue to lead the group, for his must go aid Songhua. Rath makes Amir the new leader of the group, and then prepares to leave alone. However, Amir, along with the rest of the group stop him and insist on joining him. At first, Rath refuses, for if they change their plans, it could cause more problems for the war. However, he realizes that he now has no official say in what everyone decides to do and accepts their help.
One Small Moment
The group is led by Kalilah to where Songhua's tribe retreated after their encounter with the undead army. The location is an ancient network of caves filled with traps that only tribe members know how to safely traverse. The bulk of the group waits outside, while others enter. Rath then requests Kalilah to take him to where Songhua is, near the back of the caves...
Main Army - led by Amelia and Tibarn
Insideous Foes
As the main army led by Amelia and Tibarn arrive near where the stalemate is, they spot Viscen and his men retreating from the city. Tibarn takes his units and pursues them, while Amelia takes others to establish a base within the seemingly deserted port city. However, it turns out that it was a trap and Amelia finds herself facing the Shadow Guild, while needing to find and disarm bombs that have been laid throughout the city. The arrival of infamous pirate Captain Tarr proved to be beneficial, as he was also against the Sentrians, and a deal was made for him to help Learania as a mercenary of sorts. Once Tibarn noticed what was happening in Pentheus, he called a retreat and went back to aid Amelia in the city. Once enough damage had been done, and the Learanian troops were in disarray, the Shadow Guild retreated from the city. With barely any time to prepare, Tibarn and Amelia attempted to reorganize and rally against the Sentrian reinforcements that had just arrived at the border between the two countries and were charging at them.
The Battle on the Border
Drake arrives with his army and sends them charging at the chaotic Learanian troops, while complimenting Viscen on his dubious plan. The Learanians make a strong effort in defending themselves by creating a flame wall. However, it doesn't last long, due to the black powder that Drake put in Jezebel's control. The two armies then began their clash. Tibarn attempted to end the battle by taking on Drake, but found it wouldn't be that simple to take him out. Familiar faces surround the enemy numbers, as this battle is just getting started...
As the main army led by Amelia and Tibarn arrive near where the stalemate is, they spot Viscen and his men retreating from the city. Tibarn takes his units and pursues them, while Amelia takes others to establish a base within the seemingly deserted port city. However, it turns out that it was a trap and Amelia finds herself facing the Shadow Guild, while needing to find and disarm bombs that have been laid throughout the city. The arrival of infamous pirate Captain Tarr proved to be beneficial, as he was also against the Sentrians, and a deal was made for him to help Learania as a mercenary of sorts. Once Tibarn noticed what was happening in Pentheus, he called a retreat and went back to aid Amelia in the city. Once enough damage had been done, and the Learanian troops were in disarray, the Shadow Guild retreated from the city. With barely any time to prepare, Tibarn and Amelia attempted to reorganize and rally against the Sentrian reinforcements that had just arrived at the border between the two countries and were charging at them.
The Battle on the Border
Drake arrives with his army and sends them charging at the chaotic Learanian troops, while complimenting Viscen on his dubious plan. The Learanians make a strong effort in defending themselves by creating a flame wall. However, it doesn't last long, due to the black powder that Drake put in Jezebel's control. The two armies then began their clash. Tibarn attempted to end the battle by taking on Drake, but found it wouldn't be that simple to take him out. Familiar faces surround the enemy numbers, as this battle is just getting started...
Essentially, one group's route is full or small skirmishes, while the other group's route is a couple of big, long battles.
So who wants to bring this back and continue it? I don't want people who are just going to make like one post and then nothing.
Are there any things you'd like to plan out or get out of this phase of the war? If you want it to be a secret, you can PM it. I have ideas for people, too.
Let's work everything out that we need to.
