The War for the Rose: Book One Complete

[Cadorean]

My vote is to use the remaining prisoners in classical Russian war tactics, aka throw people at the problem until it stops. The one flaw with that plan is siege weaponry like catapults doesn't work as well on the defensive.

>every able bodied person that has been convicted should not be executed but rather enlisted. That way you at least get some use out of them before they die.

[Pvt. Prinny]

My vote is to use the remaining prisoners in classical Russian war tactics, aka throw people at the problem until it stops. The one flaw with that plan is siege weaponry like catapults doesn't work as well on the defensive.

Yes, and make sure to stress that they would be cannon fodder and not well-fed soldiers. And that they would probably die anyway.

[OnBackorder]

> "Obsidian, you've made a statement and we now have one-hundred less mouths to feed. There is no doubt that any thoughts of treason are gone, and if you stop this now the army's moral will remain."

> "Death is death. What if we make them fight?"

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Producing a penal military unit wouldn't be a bad idea, it just needs to be done carefully lest the convicted try to flee or turn on their jailers mid-battle. The placement of barrier troops behind and flanking the sides of the incarcerated is needed to keep escape and rebellion out of the question. A sense of, "Fight that direction and you may live, turn on us and you will be killed from both sides,"should be established and may even be called over the masses to boost moral/obedience. Simply handing out weapons, raising the gate, and hoping they dull a few swords on their way to death's door will not cut it.

Arming them is a bit of an issue. Must be very simple to use, IE: the pointy end goes in the other man, but nothing with range because of the trust issue, no bows or javelins. Wooden weapons are fine, they are not expected to live long enough for dulling to be an issue, and I doubt the starvation would allow them the strength to hold an iron weapon. I would go with pikes and short-spears, maybe clubs with a nails in them if they feel classy. As for armor, I assume they get whatever is left over. Leather will all have been eaten by this point, so at best they can expect an apron with a sheet of metal sewn into the chest portion. If anyone can think of a cost effective helmet, I'd be glad to hear of it.

In case of failure:
> Tell Hiding that her plan was a success, then cover her ears and walk quickly down the hall. Can't have her relapsing now can you?

[alexthewhite]

My vote is to use the remaining prisoners in classical Russian war tactics, aka throw people at the problem until it stops. The one flaw with that plan is siege weaponry like catapults doesn't work as well on the defensive.

>every able bodied person that has been convicted should not be executed but rather enlisted. That way you at least get some use out of them before they die.

This runs through your head, but it's not a good idea.

It takes years to learn how to shoot a bow well enough to be an asset in battle. Swords are the same way. That doesn't even touch upon the mental requirements needed to actually drive a sword through a man's sternum while he's trying to chop you to pieces.

There's a reason peasants do things like grow food or make clothes while the lords train and manage armies. It's because there is more to being a warrior than a helmet and a sword.

The Mudmen are, without exception, trained or experience warriors. Nearly all of them have killed before, and those who haven't have spent quite some time preparing to do so. Lords maintain cannon fodder, they're called men-at-arms. It's knights or the high-born who can't be spared.

The difference between a peasant and a man-at-arms is that the latter, at least, is prepared to die. He won't try and break and run or curl up into a ball and start sobbing or switch sides then and there; at least, he isn't supposed to. Putting an army of starving peasants against the Mudmen wouldn't slow them down much, the best it could do is dull their blades some. Even then, expecting the support of the peasants when you start throwing them to their deaths would be even stupider than expecting their support when you're executing them for a minor crime.

Producing a penal military unit wouldn't be a bad idea, it just needs to be done carefully lest the convicted try to flee or turn on their jailers mid-battle. The placement of barrier troops behind and flanking the sides of the incarcerated is needed to keep escape and rebellion out of the question. A sense of, "Fight that direction and you may live, turn on us and you will be killed from both sides,"should be established and may even be called over the masses to boost moral/obedience. Simply handing out weapons, raising the gate, and hoping they dull a few swords on their way to death's door will not cut it.

Arming them is a bit of an issue. Must be very simple to use, IE: the pointy end goes in the other man, but nothing with range because of the trust issue, no bows or javelins. Wooden weapons are fine, they are not expected to live long enough for dulling to be an issue, and I doubt the starvation would allow them the strength to hold an iron weapon. I would go with pikes and short-spears, maybe clubs with a nails in them if they feel classy. As for armor, I assume they get whatever is left over. Leather will all have been eaten by this point, so at best they can expect an apron with a sheet of metal sewn into the chest portion. If anyone can think of a cost effective helmet, I'd be glad to hear of it.

A peasant militia wouldn't be impossible, but creating one that is effective and not simply cruel will take time and effort. Flint might even go for the idea, if you pitch it right. Unfortunately, now is not the right time to contemplate it. Obsidian wouldn't go for the idea if it came from your mouth, anyways.

> "Obsidian, you've made a statement and we now have one-hundred less mouths to feed. There is no doubt that any thoughts of treason are gone, and if you stop this now the army's moral will remain."

Obsidian purses his lips and snarls.

LORD OBSIDIAN: And let the rest go unpunished?

FALLING SPIRE: They're starving to death. You made your point to both them and to the people of the Keep. Have some mercy, m'lord- these people expect us to protect them.

LORD OBSIDIAN: ...Fine.

He turns around, facing the three hundred or so gaunt faces behind him.

LORD OBSIDIAN: Hear me, prisoners. I have been convinced to grant those of you lucky to keep your lives leniency. However, I need not say what will happen if my mercy is taken advantage of. The rest of you may keep your lives.

Obsidian waits for some applause or something, but nobody says a word. Behind you, in the crowd of non-convicts, a man in a dusty priest's robe gives a short, amused laugh.

It is kind of funny, in a twisted sort of way.

LORD OBSIDIAN: Lead them back to their cells. I want these corpses moved up to the roof within the next two hours. And assemble the-

Whatever Lord Obsidian wanted assembled, you wouldn't find out, because the entire Keep rumbled and shook. The sky, which had been near cloudless the last time you had been outside, begins to fill with deep, dark, foreboding stormclouds.

SETTING SUN: Honitians.

CRUSHING FORCE: Can't be. It'd take a blasted Speaker of Erritt to make a storm like this so quickly.

LORD MARBLE: It is not Honitians, my lords. We are next to the sea. Storms often move in swiftly.

SETTING SUN: This swiftly?

LORD MARBLE: Well, no, but-

SETTING SUN: I've seen clear days turn into blizzards that could freeze your fingers off. This doesn't happen without some sort of magic.

FALLING SPIRE: ...It looks like it's moving towards the waterfront.

[alexthewhite]

==>

CRUSHING FORCE: The waterfront? Could Malamara have hired a Honitian priest? He would have the money for it...

SETTING SUN: Why unleash a storm on his own troops? And why spend thousands on a mercenary like that when no one is actively attacking him?

FALLING SPIRE: The why and how are pointless to speculate about. How will this affect our mission to Palegarden?

LORD MARBLE: A heavy storm is about to hit the waterfront, Priest Spire. That is going to make the job significantly more dangerous. How many men were you planning to take into the territory?

FALLING SPIRE: Setting Sun and six other soldiers, plus Hiding Spire and two priests.

LORD MARBLE: Supremely dangerous, and moving any more troops would just be noisy and cancel out any advantage bringing them along would have.

COMMANDER FLINT: Marble's got it, lad. I'd recommend against it.

SETTING SUN: We don't exactly have a choice, do we, my lord?

FALLING SPIRE: We do have a choice not to send Hiding Spire out there.

You are now Hiding Spire.

The lords, priest, soldiers, Masked, and bodyguard return to the corridor.

LORD COAL: Were you successful?

FALLING SPIRE: Yes, but we now have another problem.

He quickly fills you in on the matter of the brewing storm in the waterfront.

FALLING SPIRE: And so to conclude, the Palegarden mission has suddenly become significantly more dangerous. I'd rather not send you out there. I don't suppose you'd be willing to change your mind?

You bite your tongue. The reason you wanted to go to Palegarden in the first place was security, but if you aren't going to get that, maybe you ought to hand the mission to someone else. There's plenty for you to do here, anyways.

[mellifluousMastermind]

>In the long term, getting allies from Palegarden is the better strategy. Go. They need you.

[DS Piron]

> You still have an end to an offer to hold up there, don't you?

[alexthewhite]

> You still have an end to an offer to hold up there, don't you?

That's right, you did make a promise to Lord Marble. You were raised not to go back on your word, and he did fulfill his end of the bargain...

>In the long term, getting allies from Palegarden is the better strategy. Go. They need you.

HIDING SPIRE: Sorry, brother, but there isn't anything you can say to convince me otherwise.

FALLING SPIRE: I thought as much. Go to your room and get your armor and weapons. Setting Sun, Lord Coal, prepare the contingent of bodyguards. I'll head down to the chapel and find some volunteers.

LORD COAL: Hey, who's in charge here?

FALLING SPIRE: You are. Do you have an issue with any of my suggestions?

At this, Lord Coal barks a loud laugh.

LORD COAL: What in the Airwalker's name is going on in Tritower? Has Towering Spire discovered some dark magic that allows him to create copies of himself?

LORD LIMESTONE: If that's all, I have a war council to get to. Lord Coal, are you sure you don't want to attend?

LORD COAL: I'll be along, don't worry. But this mission takes priority, lad. Try and hold the fort until I get there.

LORD LIMESTONE: Yes, my lord.

Lord Marble snorts, then heads back upstairs. Flint's already gone; he left wordlessly three minutes ago. You all go your separate ways, leaving just you with Standing Slate.

HIDING SPIRE: Will you be coming to Palegarden?

STANDING SLATE: If you want me to. Not much for me to do here except for guard the likes of you, but that could change quite soon. That said, Palegarden may be our only hope.

HIDING SPIRE: Do I want you to come to Palegarden with us? Uh...

[OnBackorder]

Hiding, of course he wants to go. He said, "If you want me to." That is free reign for all kinds of amazing happenstance.

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But be coy about it.
> "You should come. The keep could use less mouths after what I pulled today."

[Cadorean]

Slate should come. He has already gotten accustomed to supporting you, and you're fairly sure he's a good fighter.

[alexthewhite]

> "You should come. The keep could use less mouths after what I pulled today."

STANDING SLATE: We can fit five people on the ship. No matter what happens, the Keep is going to have less mouths. Depends on how much of the guard detail makes it back.

HIDING SPIRE: How many, do you think?

STANDING SLATE: I haven't a clue. The waterfront is dangerous enough, but with the storm comes new threats. Flooding, Storm Riders, whatever's causing the storm in the first place...

HIDING SPIRE: Storm Riders?

STANDING SLATE: Ah, mercenary band. To join, you must climb the rigging of a ship during a thunderstorm. I've heard about half of those who attempt die doing it. They're fearless enough to begin with, but they think that their Sea God has blessed them during a storm. They become downright suicidal if you pour some water on their heads.

HIDING SPIRE: Are all the Southern mercenary bands so...

STANDING SLATE: Flamboyant? Aye.

You reach your room. You pull your armor over your head, secure your knives and bomb, and take a deep breath.

HIDING SPIRE: I'm ready.

The two of you head back to the warm room where you met Falling Spire earlier. He, Lord Coal, Crushing Force, and Setting Sun are there, as are five more soldiers, two priests, and Lord Limestone.

FALLING SPIRE: Oh, good, everybody made it. Hiding Spire, meet your travel companions. First, the diplomat. You already know Lord Limestone-

The young lord bows his head slightly.

LORD LIMESTONE: I cannot believe I was talked into this. I could be at the war meeting-

LORD COAL: Getting pushed around by Obsidian. You'll do more good to us in Palegarden, lad. Accept it like a man.

LORD LIMESTONE: ...Aye.

Falling Spire shoots an annoyed glance at the two lords, then turns back to you and points to two older men in priest's robes.

FALLING SPIRE: These two priests will fly you to Palegarden. Unfortunately, they are both sworn to speak First Tongue only.

HIDING SPIRE: Oh, that's not inconvenient at all. How come?

FALLING SPIRE: The city chapel fell and they ran while it burned. As penance for their cowardice, Priest Cinder and Priest Ore have both sworn to speak only in the language of the Airwalker until the culprits are brought to justice.

PRIEST CINDER: Nealak volla novari.

SETTING SUN: And that's it for the stuffy talking types. Now for the killer who will be accompanying you. These five soldiers are all capable bodyguards. You will choose one to-

HIDING SPIRE: Standing Slate.

SETTING SUN: What?

HIDING SPIRE: Standing Slate. I want Standing Slate to come with me to Palegarden.

STANDING SLATE: If that is acceptable.

SETTING SUN: But...I have arguments for and against each one of these soldiers planned.

HIDING SPIRE: I'm sure they were beautiful, but we've no time to lose.

FALLING SPIRE: My sister is correct. Unless there's something any of you wish to do, I believe now is the time to depart.

[mellifluousMastermind]

>Let's get going.

[alexthewhite]

>Let's get going.

Falling Spire and Lord Coal are the only two to remain behind. You head out with Limestone, Setting Sun, Crushing Force, Standing Slate, the two priests, and the five soldiers...there sure are a lot of you. Twelve in total. It'd take some kind of strategic mind to keep track of them all...

You are now Setting Sun.

You glance at your eleven compatriots. Each's current status is UNINJURED and their MORALE is at MAXIMUM.

SETTING SUN: I want you all to listen carefully. This is going to be a dangerous mission, and not all of us will come out of it unscathed. Some of us may die. If somebody is injured, and I say to leave them behind, we will leave them behind without hesitation. Is that understood?

There is a general murmur of agreement. You smile grimly.

SETTING SUN: Now then, we will need to split ourselves into three groups. The priests, Lord Limestone, and Hiding Spire must be defended at all costs. That means we must have a specific arrangement before we depart.

You quickly take stock of the eight warriors at your disposal:

-Yourself. The most skilled and experienced warrior here. You wield an axe that is most advantageous in quickly dispatching foes. You have experience as a commander and are the physically strongest of your men.

-Crushing Force. As your protege, she knows how to handle herself nearly as well as you do. She wields a pair of curved knives, though she is deadly without them. She is most likely second only to you in strength. However, she wears no armor.

-Standing Slate. A young knight with much formal training, Slate is skilled with his long-sword (although he's hardly brilliant.) His advantage over the rest of you is the fact he is in plate armor, and thus can withstand far more damage than the rest of you.

-Vayu, a young man-at-arms who wields a shield and short-sword. Lord Coal called him "composed".

-Fadl, a larger, older man with a halberd. Lord Coal called him "relentless".

-Shapur, a short, speedy archer. Lord Coal called him "accurate but impulsive".

-Uthman, a tall and wiry soldier, also with a long-sword. Lord Coal called him "steadfast".

-Qasim, a slight, handsome man who also wields a shield and short-sword. Lord Coal called him "courageous."

You need to make sure that you eight protect the other four. Traveling in one unorganized mass is an excellent way to get yourselves killed. Whether you want to split the party into smaller groups or just form a front and rear guard, you aren't sure.

The waterfront is a lot of small, narrow alleys, and the storm will further limit your visibility. You need to make sure everybody is protected, and if you are attacked, everyone will quickly be aware of the attacker's nature and position.

[Askia]

get hiding spire and crushing force to scout ahead, about 10 minutes of walking ahead

[OnBackorder]

Form two parties, one to locate danger and the other to protect non-combatants.

First, the scouting party with Hiding and Shapur covering the way back with Crushing as the forward scout. Shapur's accuracy speaks for his good eyesight, he may also be the only one able to climb rooftops with the girls, but his impulsiveness may bring unwanted attention so the scouting team can't form a triangle because he can't be without a handler. They should never stray too far from the main group, and CF will be leading the party.

Next, the caravan is everyone else formed up around Limestone and the priests. Setting will take the central position directly next to the non-combatants, his job is to bark orders and take out anyone who gets too close in a single swing. Quasim and Vanu will be to the front sides and Standing Slate will form the way front, they have the best defensive tools and Slate's helmet limits his viability too much to be on his own. Fadl and Uthman will form the rear, both have long reach from their pole-arm and body type respectively and should be able to help the main line as well as keep a good rear defense with the help of the rear scouts' ranged weapons.

Shorthand:
CF, HS, Shapur = Scouting
Limestone, Priests, Setting Sun = Center
Quasim, Vanu = Sides
Standing Slate = Front
Fadl, Uthman = Rear

[alexthewhite]

Form two parties, one to locate danger and the other to protect non-combatants.

First, the scouting party with Hiding and Shapur covering the way back with Crushing as the forward scout. Shapur's accuracy speaks for his good eyesight, he may also be the only one able to climb rooftops with the girls, but his impulsiveness may bring unwanted attention so the scouting team can't form a triangle because he can't be without a handler. They should never stray too far from the main group, and CF will be leading the party.

Next, the caravan is everyone else formed up around Limestone and the priests. Setting will take the central position directly next to the non-combatants, his job is to bark orders and take out anyone who gets too close in a single swing. Quasim and Vanu will be to the front sides and Standing Slate will form the way front, they have the best defensive tools and Slate's helmet limits his viability too much to be on his own. Fadl and Uthman will form the rear, both have long reach from their pole-arm and body type respectively and should be able to help the main line as well as keep a good rear defense with the help of the rear scouts' ranged weapons.

Shorthand:
CF, HS, Shapur = Scouting
Limestone, Priests, Setting Sun = Center
Quasim, Vanu = Sides
Standing Slate = Front
Fadl, Uthman = Rear

You are now Hiding Spire.

Once Setting Sun barks his orders, you all split into your own groups. The archer Shapur and Crushing Force are with you. Your party clears the gates with no trouble and start walking to the waterfront. Crushing Force gets the three of you up to the rooftops as quick as she can, and says to stay together. If someone catches something or someone in their eye, your job is to run back and tell the main convoy.

You keep moving south. It was drizzling when you left the Keep, but the rain is growing progressively heavier as you move into the storm. Thunder booms downwards every several seconds, lighting the narrow streets up. Your vision is quickly and seriously hampered, to the point that you can barely see Crushing Force's muscular arm shielding her face from the wind.

Did you mention there's wind? Because there's quite a lot of wind. It makes every step forward more difficult, an ordeal in of itself. It would be quite a lot easier if you stayed on the ground.

Roughly ten minutes after you left the Keep, you hear your first clash of steel.

It's certainly coming from behind you, and it's continuing. You've no idea how many attackers there are, who's engaged them, who's kept moving. Maybe you ought to head back...

CRUSHING FORCE: What was that?!

SHAPUR: I don't know!

HIDING SPIRE: Guys? Do you hear the fighting?!

You all have to scream just to be able to hear one another. Shapur's dark hair has been soaked against his skull, while Crushing Force's clothes are clinging to her muscular form.

CRUSHING FORCE: No! Behind us?!

HIDING SPIRE: Yes! A lot of it!

SHAPUR: We saw something big up ahead! Really big! Bigger than Setting Sun! I'm going to go check it out!

CRUSHING FORCE: And I'm going to head back, see what's going on! Hiding Spire, who are you going to go with?!

[mellifluousMastermind]

>Shapur's going to get his little ass killed if we don't come along with him. Go for it.

[alexthewhite]

>Shapur's going to get his little ass killed if we don't come along with him. Go for it.

You and Shapur start braving forward while Crushing Force draws her knives and disappears into the rain.

HIDING SPIRE: Where was this thing?!

SHAPUR: Balcony up ahead! Follow me!

Shapur starts running forward, and you duck your head, doing your best to keep up.

You see a balcony, but nobody's on it- at least, you don't think so. Shapur pays no mind to the fact you're starting to fall behind and jumps onto the balcony. He pulls out his bow and knife.

You're still nearly ten strides behind, so you try and hurry before a sudden gust of wind causes you to stop in your tracks and cover your eyes. The wind and rain are making this a lot harder than it should be.

You uncover your eyes and look back at the balcony.

Shapur's got his bow drawn and has an arrow pointed across the balcony. You look at who he's pointing it at.

You can't tell much about his attacker, other than the fact that the person

1. is very, very large
2. doesn't have an inch of skin showing

He looks to be wearing dark armor, blue or jet black. Either way it's covering most of his face, and what isn't uncovered, you can't see.

On his back is a greatsword of utterly ridiculous proportions. He slowly turns his head to look at you and gives you a slight wave.

SHAPUR: Hiding Spire, I could really use some help! Stop standing there and do something!

[Cadorean]

Is this the guy who broke into the Mudman camp at the same time as you? If so, wave back. Then kill it. If he isn't, forget waving and go straight to the murder part.

[OnBackorder]

> Wave back and ask for shelter.

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My bet is on Golem.

[mellifluousMastermind]

>Get the bomb ready just in case.

[alexthewhite]

Is this the guy who broke into the Mudman camp at the same time as you? If so, wave back. Then kill it. If he isn't, forget waving and go straight to the murder part.

It is most certainly not that guy. That man was tall, but nowhere near this large.

>Get the bomb ready just in case.

Probably a good idea. You pat the explosive on your belt and start charging towards the balcony.

Everything that happens afterwards happens very quickly: Shapur firing an arrow, the arrow splintering into pieces when it hits the giant, the giant moving forward with surprising speed, the giant loosing his greatsword, the giant separating Shapur's legs from his torso in one swing, Shapur's upper half sent flying off the balcony and plummeting to the ground...

You stop in your tracks, just one leap away from the balcony. Now that' you're closer to the giant, you can tell a few new things about him.

His armor is like none you've ever seen before, ornate and angular, with spiky shoulder pads and a strange, shimmering surface. It doesn't look like steel; steel rusts and corrodes in the rain, but the water seems to just glide off the surface of the metal. It doesn't seem to be terribly bulky, but the arrow didn't survive impact; it must be exceptionally strong while not limiting motion all that much.

His helmet has curved plates extending upwards, forming a pair of "ears" atop his head. The helmet has a peculiar design; it covers all of the man's face except for his eyes and a large amount of area surrounding his eyes. In other words, his helmet doesn't limit his visual field nearly as much as most full plate armor does.

The storm is making it quite hard to make out anything regarding his visual facial features. However, he still has that gigantic sword drawn.

The giant moves Shapur's disembodied legs out of his way with his foot and cocks his head at you, seemingly curious as to what you'll do next.

You aren't sure that the bomb would kill him.

[OnBackorder]

> Back away slowly and sheath your knives in preparation to run.
> Try to communicate.

[mellifluousMastermind]

>When and if communication fails, activate the bomb, drop it at your feet, and run, run, run.

[alexthewhite]

> Back away slowly and sheath your knives in preparation to run.
> Try to communicate.

Yeah, likely a good idea.

You put away your knives, and moments later, the giant puts away his sword. Raising an eyebrow, you put your hand back onto the blade, and the giant reaches back for his sword.

HS: So you won't take out your weapon unless I take out mine?!

??: ...

He doesn't say anything, but the giant clanks his head up and down in what is unmistakably a friendly nod.

HS: So, is there anything I can do for you?!

The giant nods his head once again, happily clapping three times.

HS: What do you want?!

The giant sticks one armored-sausage finger in the air and presses it to where you imagine his lips to be. Once he's satisfied that you've seen what he's doing, the giant retreats back into the building.

That may have been the most pleasant encounter you've had in Southflight so far.

Wait, wasn't there something happening behind you?!


You are now Setting Sun.

You believe these men who are wearing grey shawls over their faces and swinging swords shaped like lightning bolts are Storm Riders.

They came from behind, eight of them. Two of them have fallen. The street is too narrow for them to attack all at once, so instead, three are engaged while the other two are hanging back, hollering things in a language you don't understand.

Your rear guard didn't hold very well. Fadl went berserk the second he saw the Storm Riders, and although he managed to take one with him, the Riders quickly swarmed him. There's a pile of meat and armor that used to be Fadl, and you're doing your best not to look at it.

You quickly hollered for your side guards to join the fray, and now they're supporting Ulthman, who is doing most of the fighting with his long-sword. He took a Rider's arm off, but a Rider behind that one slashed his wounded friend's throat and took his place. Ulthman is skilled, but his opponent seems to be the leader of the party and Ulthman is beginning to give ground.

You ordered Standing Slate to come back to you, and now the two of you are standing at the ready in case Ulthman, Quasim, or Vanu fall. Quasim, on your right, has managed to wound his opponent, though the Rider hasn't slowed down.

On your left side, you catch sight of a stout, muscular figure; Crushing Force. She's perched on the rooftop, ready to strike, but waiting for her opportune moment.

What will you do?