Battle of Stormwall - The Port has started at Outside Arx - City of Stormwall - Port.

Michael checked charm + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Baron Archibald Chirpington, a Gyrfalcon, 1 Grayson Guardsmen, Severa, the Guard Shepherd arrive, following Aiden.

Baron Archibald Chirpington, a Gyrfalcon, 1 Grayson Guardsmen, Severa, the Guard Shepherd leave, following Aiden.

Emily wields Starfall, an alaricite bow.


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For many military thinkers in the Compact, the strategy used by the pirate king called the Gyre made little sense. If he had as overwhelming force as was claimed, why the glacial pace in attacking? Why the slow approach, rather than quick strikes with force upon near helpless settlements and force the Compact to reach on his terms, rather than slowly approaching and letting the Compact mass forces? But if he is as mad as some claimed, who can say? And so at House Crovane's ducal holding of Stormwall, the largest gathering of military force for the Compact since the Crownbreaker Wars is seen, with nearly virtually all of the Northlands rallying to their eastern most ducal vassal. Tens of thousand of northmen line the beaches and walls of Stormwall, and they aren't alone. Tens of thousands of House Grayson and House Valardin and all their bannermen stand with them, and tens of thousands of templars and knights of solace of the Faith militant stand as well. Meanwhile, near the Lycene city-state of Setarco, the largest gathering of Compact naval forces since House Marin's was destroyed in the Reckoning have gathered to smash one of the three fleets of the Gyre. In the face of that, some thought perhaps the Gyre would rethink his strategy and turn away.

He hasn't.

At Stormwall, hundreds upon hundreds of ships, each swarming with figures, have appeared on the horizon. Many of the ships oddly look like they shouldn't even be seaworthy. Some looking more like wrecks dredged up from the depths, but sail on they do. They are coming.
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Michael has long since ceased pacing now. Sword in sheath, but hand about it. Shield across back in case it gets to that point. But it probably won't. Right? A locket is resting upon upon his gloved hand and he waits....calmly? Or at least outwardly calm.


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At Stormwall, as the enemy is sighted on the horizon, flashes of lightning are seen in the sky, and rain begins to fall as one of the city's namesake storms begins to swell. Many of the soldiers wrap cloaks around themselves and swear under their breaths, but through the slow approach, at least a few of the enemy vessels are seen to capsize. Good fortune, that.
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Its the waiting that will kill you and even from her position she can see Michael pacing and then finally coming to a still. Emily draws a breath and looks out towards the sea but from their point of view its hard to make much out until the ships make landfall - and hopefully none will. She turns to one of the group of rangers that she's moved to assist the retreat of the beach forces and speaks lowly with him.

Harlan is back at the city. He was supposed to have the Ashford archers under Aiden -- which changed when Aiden was made General of the Grayson forces -- giving command of all the Grayson archers to Harlan. He's spent the time after that going over the plans once again, even though he knew most of it already. Once that was done, he spoke to the other subordinates under Aiden to clarify things before going out among the men to bolster spirits and just keep an eye on things until more word comes from the beaches, especially waiting to see if there is any fog.

At the port, men swear as the storm begins to fall, but the burning pitch on the siege weapons can stand some rain. Less danger to the city for fire spreading from bad shots, at least, and should still be enough to ignite a ship on solid hits. Word is the General of the North, Princess Marian, has given word to the port to begin firing siege weapons and to hope trebuchets can sink a few before they draw into range. ((ooc Anyone can roll command + leadership at 30 to encourage siege weapon crews, or dexterity + archery to man one))

Malesh is seated with his captains and other officers. Around them the command guard stand ready with sword and shield to keep the leaders who can't fight their way out of a wet parchment bag (like Malesh) safe. As word comes that the ships are spotted orders are given and the runners and flag wavers set about theor tasks. Hundreds of archers and half again as many shield-bearing sword men start to form up. Small stakes with colored flags show them where to stand for now, with several sets of similar stakes behind them to show their fallback positions. Before them the field is littered with defensive works, trappings, pits, trences, and other devices of ill intent. These, along with natural features, serve as landmarks the archers have been practicing with. From each set of colored stakes they know how to draw and aim for each landmark, either with the traditional angle of attack, or Malesh's high-angle-anti-dead arcing fire.

Michael checked command + leadership at difficulty 30, rolling 21 higher.

Harlan checked command + leadership at difficulty 30, rolling 4 higher.

Malesh checked command + leadership at difficulty 30, rolling 58 higher.

Emily checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 15, rolling 52 higher.

Once the rain starts to fall, he starts sending out word to make sure that the archers are protecting their bowstrings and ensuring everyone has extras, just in case -- rain can foul them, after all.

The locket is closed and tucked under breastplate now. The thud of trebuchets releasing their stones into volley is enough of a sign that it has begun. His sword is pulled free from its sheath and glints brightly in the light.

Enemy ships are ablaze, as Michael and Malesh' trebuchet teams each sink an enemy vessel, and one Harlan targeted seems to be reeling from a glancing hit. Emily carefully aims a trebuchet and the pitch has a ship coming towards the port capsize, and has two other ships struggling to maneuver around it. But then the enemy ships start to return fire upon the port, with catapults and trebuchets raining boulders and flaming pitch. ((Everyone check dexterity + dodge at 15 please))

Emily checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 14 higher.

Malesh checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 9 lower.

Michael checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 29 higher.

A fiery mass of pitch lands on the trebuchet Malesh is commanding, sending scalding pitch everywhere, some splashing right on the Marquis as he frantically tries to get clear.

Malesh takes very serious damage.


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At Stormwall, fire fills the night sky despite the swirling rain, as burning pitch is launched from the Port of Stormwall's defensive trebuchets towards the approaching ships upon the order of Princess Marian Redrain. Enemy ships are ablaze, but fire rains down in return, and Prince Edain Valardin and Prince Jericho Valardin are seen on the beach shepharding particularly short sighted infantry away from falling boulders. In their defense, many protest that full helms and night aren't a great combination for avoiding burning rocks. Some enemy ships are lost, and an excellent shot from a trebuchet fired by Lady Emily Deepwood has one ship capsize and slow the advance into the port, but hundreds still come on, and soon the massive enemy fleet will be in range to attempt to land on the beach. Enemy fire lands on the port, and word is Marquis Malesh Stonewood has been badly hurt.
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Outside Setarco no storm comes, but on the horizon the darkening of the sky from the masts of the ships that make up Maelstrom's End are visible even from the Silken City. As the people send prayers of hope and strength from the city, hundreds of ships approach the Compact's fleet.
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At least a few of the stonewood men are encouraging their Marquis to find a healer in the rear, in the mountain passes, but many look expectantly at him to see what he chooses to do.

Harlan checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 13 higher.

Puma, The Stonewood Forest Cat arrives, following Gailin.

Malesh is quite proud of himself for his proving that reading about fighting can translate to actually commanding men in the field. His hea swells and his pride warms him from within. Burning, hot, sticky pride burning from within... wait, no, that's the enemy's burning, hot, sticky pitch burning him from without. He's lucky to dodge a pig's bladder in his normal clothing, but decked out in the steel of his parade armor he'd likely have been better off not trying to move at all. He lurches to the side and falls over, the enemy fire baptising him to the dangers of the battlefield. He prays hard then, if screaming and begging the gods count as prayers. Runners are sent and flags wave, Marquis Stonewood has fallen and commanders need to shift their rolls as he is hustled slash dragged back to the castle, with runners sprinting before his helpers to try and pull some healers forward to meet them in the middle.

Emily thankfully manages to clamor out of the way of falling debris from the trebuchet being hit, but not so for Malesh. She watches as the pitch and debris spreads across some of the Stonewood troops and what is likely the Marquis' position. She looks back to the beach after having come out to help with the siege weapons before watching as a red flag goes up and her brows furrow. She whistles back towards the treelines and starts in the direction of the group of archers that will be her's to command. She catches sight of Malesh in his departure and touches her hand over her heart. "Gods protect you, Malesh, we will hold." She turns the, ready to take up the position of command and glancing aside at those waiting to engage. "We fight for the Marquis, the Duchy and the Compact!" Rally them troops.

Michael's call is what has his troops moving quickly. He knew that thing was headed towards his group and they split away to reform further away after it tumbles and still crackles pitiously upon the ground. Damnable pitch. "We are holding here. Eyes on the sky."

In the port, the enemy sails closer, there will be one more chance to land fire before they arrive, and a return of fire it seems. ((Same checks as before, command + leadership or dexterity + archery at 30))

Harlan calls to get the men on the siege weapon out of the way (as well as himself) before he waves them back, "Let's keep the fire up!" He pays attention for any runners coming his way -- lots of things to do, after all!

Emily checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 30, rolling 26 higher.

Harlan checked command + leadership at difficulty 30, rolling 5 higher.

Michael checked command + leadership at difficulty 30, rolling 7 higher.


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At Stormwall, thousands of the enemy are making landfalla at the beach, while a smaller force is trying for the port. The enemy does something unexpected, and starts to rain fire down upon the beach, irregardless of their own troops being engaged in the fighting.
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Harlan sends the siege weapon crew back to work, before runners let him know that the enemy is making landfall -- and that there's no fog. He nods, and sends runners to the subordinates, ordering them to prepare the longbows to fire upon the enemy once range and wind is determined. He pulls out his own longbow as well, to prepare.

Gailin checked command + leadership at difficulty 30, rolling 9 lower.

Harlan receives another runner, listening. He nods and sends runners to the subordinates under his command, calling out to one of the longbow-leaders, "Prepare a rotating line of fire! One third draw, one third release, one third reload! Volleys into the ships and long boats!" He adds to a few runners, "Tell them to watch the flanks!"

Another ship sailing to the port capsizes under Lady Emily's fire, and more ignite, but still they come on. Enemy longboats are starting to sail in and make landfall as some of the ships drop anchor, and infantry move to fight upon the docks. Even as the enemy lands, fire falls from their trebuchets whether it lands on friend or foe alike. That kind of indiscriminate fire is considerably less easy to dodge, as arrows and pitch rain around them. ((dexterity + dodge at 30 for everyone))

Emily checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 3 lower.

Michael checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 19 higher.

Harlan has yet another runner come up to him (they're going to be bombarding him all night, probably) and he nods, then sends a group out to tell the archers on the wall to provide covering fire for any wounded retreating to the city.

Harlan checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 6 lower.

Gailin checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 17 higher.

Harlan calls for people to get out of the way of incoming fire, but because he was dealing with runners, he gets splashed a bit by some nearby pitch landing -- luckily, it's only hitting his armor, and he finds something (probably his leather gloves!) to swat it off/out, waiting for details on range and wind to start the volleys!


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At Stormwall, hundreds of the enemy vessels have tried to land simultaneously, and while Valardin's cavalry charge has cut down many on the beach, tens of thousands are forming up ranks miles down the shoreline and starting to march towards Stormwall. The enemy continues to try to assault the port, and rains down fire upon the defender as Stormwall's trebuchets continue to claim losses. But soon, the land bombardments will be a distraction compared to the massive clash of troops on the beach.
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Helping to negotiate the aim of another trebuchet, Emily lands another blow upon the ships with the crew firing. Though as return fire hails in from overhead she nearly clears the area along with the others. A bunch of pitch slams into her side, sparks flying about her. She manages to brush it off her before any last damage is done. The leathers are a bit scorched but she turns about and calls to the men. "Ready the line to help those on the beach. We will cover their flank!" she looks back out, waiting to see if they have another volley to give.


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Outside Setarco, the volley of arrows slows as the fleets crash together, and Captain Ariella Igniseri is the first injured among the Compact's forces. But she breaks off the arrow with determination and keeps shouting orders, undeterred. As the fleets sail even closer, Admiral Wash Kennex rams one of the invading fleet in a perfect maneuver, sinking it even as a ship of Southport sinks beneath the waves. It's early in the naval battle yet, still too close to tell who might win.
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"To arms." Michael's call is loud enough to be heard down his line. "We will be the line to hold while the Beach Forces retreat to us. Stand firm. Stand with me." Michael's shield is pull back from and Brightroar slams against the front of it. They shuffle from cover and move to a position to hold back the chasing forces.

Harlan sends out the word -- longbows to start volley fire as dictated earlier, archers on the walls to cover the retreat -- and directed to aim at the heads of any enemy close enough. He also gets his longbow ready to start adding in on the volleys.

As her archers draw, Emily pulls Starfall upwards and nocks her arrow. She waits and when calls out orders she cries, "Aim for their heads! Strike true for the Compact!" she cries and will release her own arrow when the first come in range so that the rest of the Duchy's forces release not far behind.

Gailin nods his head slamming the hilt of his claymore to his chest in salute. "Im right behind you, lets give these bastards something to fear! Im ready for a fight!" Gailin growls out following Michaels lead.

Emily whispers a prayer to Gild and Gloria to guide her arrow and all those that are now under her command.


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The storm becomes noticeably more violent during the battle, wind and rain battering several of the enemy ships. Suddenly, the darkened sky becomes blindingly bright as lightning strikes several of the ships which had been raining fire upon the shore. Not a single bolt - but for several seconds, lightning strikes again and again, and the enemy vessels catch fire, and then explode in a cataclysm of flame, fury, and shattered wood. Immediately after that, it appears that the enemy fleet begins to withdraw.
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It's the crash of battle outside Setarco, when the fleets drive together, that sees the first hard losses. Five ships go down in that first pass, but six of the enemy's are sunk. To an accountant, this sort of parity means the Compact will win. But at what grave cost? The sound of sailors sinking into the depths is covered by the clash of battle above the waves.
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Erin, Crimson Blades Private arrives, following Violet.

6 Crimson Blades Sergeant, Oak, the brown-coated War Horse arrive, following Tobias.

white-tailed eagle, 4 House Riven Soldiers arrive, following Thesarin.

Michael and Gailin stand apace with a long and wide formation of Bisland and vassal house troops. "Split ranks! Let them pass!"

Genevieve moves fleetly towards where the Crimson Blades are forming up, careful not to trip or fall during her rapid progress. Skidding to a nimble halt across the slickened ground of the port, she dips a sharp nod to Violet and perhaps Tobias (should he be within sight) already readying her bow.

Standing at ready to provide support to those retreating from the beach, Emily remains with the Bisland Duchy archers and with Starfall in hand the group is made ready to fire. "Fire to cover our allies! On my word fall back and then fire at will!" Her voice lifts high and clear, some of her armor still smoldering from a bit of pitch. She firms her own stance amongst the smoldering wreckage of some of the trebuchets.

Coming in with the rest of the army are the men and women of the Crimson Blades. Curiously, they look much less battered and bloody compared to the rest of the troops. Tobias takes the lead, his hand waving towards an open space in the Port area as the ordered formation of mercenaries marches in, "Crimson Blades to standby. Colonel Marjawn and archers, with me." Tobias orders as he heads up to the walls to get a look at the situation outside.

Harlan is in the city, somewhere between the courtyard where the longbows are at, and the walls where the other archers are. He's been directing longbows to fire waves of volleys (load! aim! fire! -- in three groups), while having the ones on the walls fire at the heads of enemy close enough and otherwise providing covering fire. Harlan himself is adding arrows to the volleys as he can.

Which probably isn't that often.

Thesarin falls back toward the city, dripping with rain and other people's blood. His face is covered in streaks of black charcoal and clay, running from the rain, and split by... a smile. Toothy and ear to ear. "LADY EMILY," he calls out. "BEEN A TIME!"

As the infantry flood into the city, much of the city is in chaos, as individuals who refused to evacuate fill the streets and add panic and disorder. Meanwhile, the enemy ships have started to land at the port, and some are surviving to attack, while troops take up defensive positions on the walls for the incoming hundred thousand plus enemy soldiers on the beach already bringing scaling ladders. ((For anyone attempting to calm the handful of civilians that refused to evacuate, roll charm or command and your choice of social skill you can justify at 45. For everyone else, time to repulse the enemy at the docks, so it's dexterity + weaponskill at 45))

Michael is standing amidst the fresh troops that await their movements. Then he spots Thesarin and Brightroar lifts up into the air, Thunder..Thunder...I mean. "WE WIN GLORY!"

Michael checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 45, rolling 2 higher.

Taking blow after blow as Marcas pulls back, sweeping his blade in front of him to help clear a path for himself, Princess Echo and the rest of the Redrain troops, he is battered without respite, but fortunately for him, his armor protects him without fail, making it to the port a bit shaken but otherwise fine. Leaning against a nearby wall, he exhales heavily through the mouth of the direwolf on his helm. A finger pokes through the hole to run across the woad he's left since the ceremony, a grateful look upon his weathered features. But the battle is nonstop...

Harlan checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 45, rolling 6 higher.

Violet checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 45, rolling 19 higher.

The voice catches her ear and the Lady Deepwood turns her head a fraction as she pulls another arrow free to ready. "Count! I hardly recognized you! Looking quite dashing today!" she calls back and then refocuses on the fight. Emily releases her own arrow without much waiting to nock another in preparation for more to come. All of her archers have been given the mark to fire at the heads.

Marcas checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 45, rolling 11 higher.

Genevieve checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 45, rolling 4 higher.

Daemon checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 45, rolling 4 higher.

Echo checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 45, rolling 41 higher.

Emily checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 45, rolling 10 higher.

Gailin checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 45, rolling 6 higher.

Violet has been studying the streets every single minute she could spare since arriving. So she knows the shortcuts heading to the walls with Tobias. Still it is a struggle to get there as the forces continue to come and now from new angles. Squads rotate on the narrower and chaotic streets to cover the retreat.

Tobias checked command + intimidation at difficulty 45, rolling 13 lower.

Thesarin checked command + leadership at difficulty 45, rolling 28 higher.

Harlan continues to send runners to and fro between random shots from his own bow. He calls out to the runners, "Tell them to hold! This wall is ours! Continue to fire upon the enemy!" Of course, this is mainly just repeating instructions he gave earlier -- but reinforcement is good!

Violet checked command + leadership at difficulty 45, rolling 9 lower.

Panic does incredibly stupid things to people, and Tobias commanding his Crimson Blades and trying to cow the civilians in midst of panic finds himself trampled by ones trying to run for the gates leading to the mountain pass.

Violet, unfortunately, is also similarly mobbed, though she does at least get an impressive shot off at the enemy first.

Violet takes moderate damage.

"Coming already." Tobias says grimly, "Crimson Blades, fall back along the walls. Colonel, you're in charge of picking targets. Remember, we're here to take down the officers. Fire as you can, but priority are the high value targets." Tobias then starts to head down to where the civilians are being annoying, and starts to shout, "YOU CHOOSE TO STAY HERE DESPITE EVERYONES WARNINGS. GET OUT OF THE WAY AND LET US DO OUR JOBS! GO!" Tobias works on herding the populace... and fails miserably, getting trambled. Luckily, Tobias is an armored behemoth, so he isn't really hurt.

"WHAT THE FUCK!" Thesarin bellows at the civilians, as the blood-spattered, rain-shot, fur-clad, tattooed, painted, and arrow-shot shav strides toward a clutter of civilians. "You FUCKERS are on my battlefield, and I won't have anyone standig idle! You--help carry the wounded! You arseholes--gather cloth and wood for splints! I want the rest of you gathering arrows and running them to the archers! Now! NOW! GO NOW!"

People to defend does up the stakes a bit, and Daemon is rushing those who charge through the port to battle them head-on. Steel clashes with steel and eventually one or two are dropped to the Knight's boots. He does what he can, if only to buy those herding the civilians away that much more time they may need.

There is an angry cry of pain as Violet is overwhelmed by paniced people. For a moment she goes under the throng of people, getting trampled is never fun. "GET OFF ME!" She growls before she begins to push herself to the wall and out of the way of the throng. A long sharp whistle followed by three is carried through the scout company, as archers pulls back against the walls. Violet might be limping and favoring one knee.

While panic is in the streets, fortunately Count Thesarin Riven is extremely good at being very, very loud. While there looks like a full blown panic was on hand, most start to calm and become orderly and get out of the way of the thousands of troops streaming into the city and trying to organize a defense. Loudness is an underappreciated skill in most of the Compact, but in the Northlands, he's right at home. He's honorary Northlands Very Loud. Meanwhile, the battle at the docks is short but brutally bloody. Echo in particular is seen carving through the enemy, and soon thereafter the docks are secure, but it was no more than several hundred enemy, and easily repulsed, as the last of the main ships of the Gyre withdraw under the brutal storms. That leaves the small matter of a hundred thousand now trying to scale the walls.

As calmly as possible, Genevieve offers an arm or a shoulder to Violet, or else allows another Blade (perhaps Private Erin?) to act in her stead.

Once he's aware that the enemy is trying to scale the walls, Harlan sends runners to the archers lining the walls, with orders for a few in each squad of archers to start loading up rocks to drop upon the enemy -- again, aiming for the head. Head shots for the win!


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At Stormwall, the beaches are clear of Compact forces after they stage a successful withdraw, with most of the infantry filling the city and manning the gates. Panic from the handful of civilians that had thus far refused to evac was a problem, but Count Thesarin Riven managed to restore order and get them out of the way of the incoming troops, while a short and brutal battle at the docks secured that from the last attacking by ship. But now a hundred thousand of the Gyre's troops are attempting to scale the city, and ladders are being brought up by the thousands.
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As Tobias gets up, he gives an appreciative grunt Thesarins way, before he's shouting orders as he gets to his feet, his black and red winter cloak soaked from the rain by this point, "Crimson Blades, to skirmishing positions! We prepared for this!" Tobias starts to clank his way back to the wall and starts to scan the enemy ranks, looking for targets as his people move along the walls, archers taking pot shots as the infantry play bodyguard.

Genevieve is overheard praising Thesarin for: Effectively loud.

Violet nods to Genevieve as she is helped up the stairs by her. That is the only issue she really seems to take the help on. There is a snarl of pain on her face as she finally seems to get the better of the pain. Then she is charging up those stairs and pulling out her spyglass. Once again Genevieve is handed her bow to hold while she cans the forces. Her majors following Tobias' command while she has her own orders.

The hail of arrows never really ends, as long as an archer can still draw they do and Emily glances aside to check her lines and their supply of arrows. But thanks to Thesarin they are refreshed soon enough and she cries for the archers to continue firing at will. Her own bow is quick in its response, hearing the call of the other regiments and forces as they rally once more and turn to join the fray. "Keep them from the walls!" though she notes the rocks being tossed over the side, picking her own targets with care.

Daemon hadn't thought to bring a bow, nor was he particularly good with one. He is quick to charge up to the battlements however, being there to stab a foe as they come along or to perhaps kick off whatever equipment they're using to scale upwards. Deep breaths, and strikes!

Bisland Troops rush to the battlements and stand ready to repel borders. Michael standing amongst them and moving behind them to ensure coverage has spread. Nervousness has struck his forces a touch. There are a lot of people trying to climb up the walls! But Michael is behind them and they don't let it show.

Standing guard grimly should any of them make it this far, Marcus removes his helmet for a moment to wipe some sweat-soaked long hair out of his eyes, lion-like mane suffering from a serious case of helmet head. Jamming it back on afterwards, watching as Echo slaughters many with ruthless efficiency, he nods his head at the diminutive Princess with a massive sword. "At your command, Princess."

Taking hold of the bow passed to her by Violet, Genevieve immediately begins to run her gaze across the scene below the walls, offering no further aid to the taller woman unless it is requested. Looking between the Colonel and Tobias for just a moment, she then reaches for an quiver-stowed arrow, preparing to hand it across to Violet if need be. As usual, her face is a picture of blank neutrality, though perhaps underneath the surface of her brow a hint of costernation flickers.

Taking position by the walls after cleaving the last of the remaining enemies who had followed them from the beaches, Echo peered over the edge. "Leave the commanding to someone else," she said aside to Marcas, breathlessly, though she did cant a blood-stained smile his way.

Thesarin turns toward the Riven soldiers as the Gyre's forces approach. He starts shouting to them in his native tongue, some sort of shav war chant from the forests. Call and response, and the soldiers from the Isles and the Crownlands who don't speak the language... well, they're chanting back. Loud seems to be the order of the day, as he bangs his hands against his chest, steel on steel, chanting together. Getting the blood up.

Thesarin says in Crownlands shav, "WE HAVE COME TODAY TO DIE! WE HAVE COME TODAY TO LIVE! WE HAVE COME TODAY TO FIGHT! WE HAVE COME TODAY TO KILL! BRIGHT BLADES! HOT BLOOD! STEEL HEARTS! WE HAVE COME FOR YOU!"

Thesarin says in Crownlands shav, "KIN IN HONOR!"

Violet checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 60, rolling 37 higher.

Genevieve checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 60, rolling 10 lower.

Tobias wields Requiem - an elegant, alaricite longsword with a spiral guard.

Hundreds upon hundreds of scaling ladders start to go up against the walls, and Princess Marian has ordered pikes and archers to try to clear them. But they come on and on, and some are certainly making it to the top of the wall. It hurts the eye, but it seems like something in on the ground is so dark it becomes formless, blotting the ground, and is directing the ladders. ((Everyone now can roll dexterity + combatskill at 40. And for anyone that has noticed The Big Bad and is shooting at it, difficulty 60))

Harlan checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 60, rolling 8 lower.

Emily checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 60, rolling 14 lower.

Tobias checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 2 lower.

Marcas checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 5 lower.

Thesarin checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 5 higher.

Echo checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 10 higher.

Hearing Thesarin's cry to the prodigals, Emily carries the cry further as she lifts her voice and continues to rain fire down upon those trying to climb the wall. "KIN IN HONOR!"

Michael checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 15 higher.

Gailin checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 10 higher.

Rickard checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 10 higher.

"ON THE GROUND!" Violet bellows and turns her bow and shoots at the darkness on the ground. The archers under her command follow suit, locking on where their colonel has ordered.

Daemon checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 28 higher.

Harlan fires at the thing on the ground, sending a runner out to the walls to have some of the more elite archers try to aim at the big black thing.

Genevieve checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 40, rolling 5 higher.

The fighting on the wall is intense. Harlan, Tobias, and Marcas all take minor wounds in the combat as more and more make it up the walls.

The Crimson Blades continues to dance around the walls, trying to keep out of the main fighting... but stragglers pop up here and there, and a group manages to close in on Tobias and his people. There are loud clangs as weapons bounce off Rubicund and alaricite plate armor. The armored behemoth merely grunts from the hits, but he'll probably bruise later. Nonetheless, he keeps fighting. "Keep moving!" Tobias grunts out in order as his alaricite blade continues to dance around the enemy.


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At Stormwall, more and more ladders go up, though it seems that the entire enemy line falters with Violet of the Crimson Blades shoots at -something- in the darkness that dissolves when an arrow strikes it. Still, it's but a momentary distraction, as the Gyre's forces are trying to swarm the walls in ever increasing numbers as pike men and archers desperately try to batter them down.
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Trying to repulse the attackers as they make it up the walls, Marcas shoots a grin back to Echo. "Indeed, Princess. Not a job I would want either. We're here to kill." Unfortunately, this short bit of inattention causes one of the grisly enemies to catch him unawares, a blow hitting him squarely in the side, causing the grizzled soldier to emit a loud grunt of surprise.

Thesarin stands at the wall, sword in one hand, axe in the other, laughing as he sets to his work. He shouts and snarls and curses in his native tongue, calling out insults at enemies that almost certainly don't understand him, but probably get the gist. Mighty thews burning as he cuts through the pressing ranks of the Gyre's forces, stepping over the steaming dead and wounded to keep on at the fighting.

As the walls become more and more overwhelmed, their breathing room shrinks further and Emily watches as several amongst them begin to fall or become targets by those creatures that make it to the top. She walsk down along the line of her archers which number quite a few yet when she hears the bellow from Violet. Concern draws her brow and she looks to her men. "KEEP FIRING! You slow they get faster!" She gives off a sharp whistle and calls from the ranks eighteen rangers who gather quickly. "You are to accompany the Crimson Blade Colonel in her pursuit. Fell that demon," she says sharply and they peel away quickly, moving to follow Violet in her task.

Harlan continues to lead the archers, although one of the enemy gets close enough to attack him, slamming into him. Luckily, his leathers save him for the second time tonight, and he only grunts faintly before shoving the enemy away to be dispatched somehow, "Keep at it! Fire at their heads! Dislodge ladders! Drop stones!" These are to different groups, though -- a runner approaches and he adds, "Keep an eye out for more of that darkness! Spread the word!"

More and more clamber up, and troops begin to fall in creasing numbers, particularly to the steady rain of arrows coming from below. Some of the troops look like they are on the verge of panic and need to be steadied. ((To rally troops, command + leadership at 45. To command troops offensively, command + war at 45, and just one or the other there. And for personal combat, dexterity + weaponskill at 45 now. Will get steadily more difficult as the battle goes on, unless the cavalry can relieve the walls))

Michael has rolled a critical success!
Michael checked command + leadership at difficulty 45, rolling 100 higher.

Daemon checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 45, rolling 15 higher.

Emily checked command + leadership at difficulty 45, rolling 20 lower.

Marcas checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 45, rolling 10 higher.

One after another, Daemon is quick to send down those few who do scurry up to the other side of the walls. One ladder is kicked and another poor soul is simply run through and shoved from the battlements. But more are coming, and more meet his blade as they come along. It's not pretty work, but he's doing an alright job of it.

Rickard checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 45, rolling 10 higher.

Emily checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 45, rolling 3 higher.

Echo checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 42 higher.

Echo checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 45, rolling 20 higher.

Gailin checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 45, rolling 1 lower.

Tobias checked command + war at difficulty 45, rolling 15 higher.

Genevieve quickly hands Violet another arrow.

Harlan checked command + war at difficulty 45, rolling 12 lower.

Violet takes a moment to aim her shot even as the darkness writhes. For a moment she takes a deep breath and her eyes don't quite close as she releases her arrow. It's aim is true and it shatters into the darkness. There is a tight and satisfied smile on her face and then she is moving along the wall seeking a new target. As the guard from Emily join her she nods her head. "Form up behind me," She tells them as she puts the spyglass to her eye once more and begins to scan the opposing forces with fierce determination. Around her the archery company is working on cover and defensive tactics.

Violet checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 45, rolling 26 higher.

Thesarin checked command + war at difficulty 45, rolling 5 lower.

Harlan tries to rally the archers to keep firing, and calls for the reserves to start cycling in to keep people fresh, "Keep it going! Cycle archers out as needed! HOLD THOSE DAMN WALLS!"

Genevieve checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 45, rolling 0 higher.

Once the group peels away, Emily is left with the sizeable force and turns back to face down those that threaten to become th incoming tide of the sea. "DON'T BACK DOWN!" her voice falters as she faces down the rising hand of a rotting creature coming over the wall. She manages to get off a quick enough shot to fell the thing down over the side. She catches her breath, winded as she reaches for another arrow at her back, finding only a few left she looks to Harlan as their archers seem to take a step back a bit. She narrows her gaze and steps up to lean down over the wall and fire again.

Harlan checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 45, rolling 11 higher.

Harlan does, however, have the time to take one shot, using his powerful longbow to fire upon an enemy somewhere.

Thesarin has rolled a critical success!
Thesarin checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 45, rolling 33 higher.

Genevieve follows Violet with quick steps, winding through the troops on the walls until the women come to a halt. Looking back over her shoulder amid the chaos, she frowns deeply.

Finding a particularly good spot away from the main fighting, Tobias starts to scan along the enemy ranks again. Taking out a spyglass, Tobias looks over the flood of enemy troops for any sign of the darkness again. Violet can handle the on the spot commanding for now.

"ON! ON, YOU FUCKERS!" Thesarin leads from the front, cutting his way through the incoming pirates, splatered in blood and filth and rain and mud, but... it's not enough. The blue and white soldiers are staggering and coming apart, being pushed back, while Thesarin himself cutting swathes in the ranks of the Gyre's forces.

Gailin slashing kicking and continuing to fight like a mad man. "I got this." He smirks a smile on his face. His pride and arrogance growing with each strike. "Shit" He says as one of his strikes go a little wide.

The Lion clambers up from further down the wall to vault atop a battlement. "Bring the pikes forward!" Michael calls out from atop a higher battlement! Bisland troops coming forward. "Hold the wall! Latch the ladders!" Pikes push forward amongst struggling infantry and press into the rungs of the ladder. Brightroar lifts into the air and the troop's eyes are upon him. "HEAVE! HEAVE! HEAVE!" Brightroar slashs down and the infantry push and the ladders press back almost collectively, hanging in the air before spinning and fluttering down amongst their own troops.

House Ashford troops surround Harlan on top of the wall as the enemy swarms over, and a rain of arrows finds itself landing among the Ashford men, hundreds upon hundreds of arrows, clearing the wall as the enemy tries to swarm over it and then troops led by Michael are there, pushing them back, and Thesarin is among them cutting down many around the duke.

Harlan takes moderate damage.

Standing next to Princess Echo, the grim Northerner continues to slash and carve his way through the seemingly unending ranks of horrific foes that advance upon them, his eyes occasionally cutting over to watch her lay waste to everything around her with brutal efficiency. Impressed, Marcas grunts in approval while watching Thesarin and Michael rally soldiers to repel the attack, watching with a grimace as Ashford troops fall by the dozens.


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At Setarco, the battle is well and truly joined - the captains and admirals of various fleets all working together to deliver what they hope to be a rout to the Gyre's Fleet. And it's working, though the lookouts at Setarco can see ships of the Compact sinking into the waves, more of the Gyre's fleet are sinking than the Compact's. So far. Still, there are many wounded, among them Prince Jasher Thrax - bleeding and injured still he stands, doggedly determined to stand against the pretender-king of the Mourning Isles.
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Harlan becomes a pincushion for a bit, and is more obviously hit at ths point -- he's bleeding, but doesn't look like he's seriously hurt, backing up with some men enough for MIchael and the Bislanders can get things cleared. He nods towards Thesalin, pulling a few arrows out of his leather armor (the ones that didn't actually -penetrate- that is!) and prepares to continue leading the archers. Apparently, he's not bad enough to need a retreat.


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At Stormwall, a brutal push by the enemy against the city's walls is beaten back by a valiant rally by Lord Michael Bisland, who leads the defenders in a counter push that shoves off the walls and temporarily forces the ladders off all the walls. Thousands of dead litter the base of the walls below the city, but tens of thousands remain, with the ladders already being raised ontop of their mounting dead.
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Though the battle was getting increasingly more difficult, Michael's words strengthened Echo's resolve. With a shout that broke into the cold northern air, the Redrain chevalier's fingers tightened on the grip of her sword and her blade swiftly struck down pirate after pirate, cleaving through every enemy she could in an effort to hold the line.

Violet pauses and then crouches behind part of the wall. There she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. She spends several seconds like this and then opens her eyes. As she stands she turns to Tobias and shakes her head, "Archers, let's get these assholes off this wall! DOn't let those new ladders up!" She bellows the order, taking up her bow and following suit, making sure those ladders go clattering to the ground as best she can.

Daemon could feel his fatigue, slowly but ebbing away at the mans stamina after moving from beach to docks, and now to walls that span the northern city's defenses. He only has time to draw in one chilled and painful breath to his lungs, before he's exhaling a shout of fury at the seeming unending onslaught of Marinites. "If there is truly no end, then we will stand for eternity." He growls. "The Gods are with us and we will not be broken."

Thesarin stands panting, scratched and battered and blood-soaked, tall and proud, blade in one hand, sword in the other. He stands at the walls, looking over the teeming hordes at the base, and with a heaving breath, he gives a nod toward Harlan. "Duke Ashford." He nods to the man with a noise at the back of his throat. "Reckon we've got work still."

Still, they come on. Michael won a temporary respite, and it bought time for Marian's orders to use burning pitch down the walls and also form shield walls against the enemy archers, which had already begun but was taking on added fervor at her orders. The ladders are coming back up, grievous as their losses were, and thousands of Compact dead are lining the streets with areas of the wall constantly reinforced. ((command + war at 50 for trying to gain any advantage for the troops, and dexterity + weaponskill at 50 in fighting on the walls, against the ever mounting pressure and weight of numbers))

Nodding grimly at Violet's command, Genevieve fleetly nocks another arrow with liquid ease. With narrowed eyes she aims towards one of the abominations below, one of those that has the greatest progress in pushing a ladder up to the soldier-packed wall. Even as dead bodies fall around her, she keeps her bow steady, seeming to tune out of her surroundings with extraordinary focus.

Daemon checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 18 higher.

Echo checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 10 higher.

Emily checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 50, rolling 14 lower.

Harlan checked command + war at difficulty 50, rolling 0 higher.

Gailin checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 21 higher.

Michael checked command + war at difficulty 50, rolling 15 lower.

Genevieve checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 50, rolling 12 higher.

Violet checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 50, rolling 10 higher.

Tobias checked command + war at difficulty 50, rolling 5 lower.

Marcas checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 1 higher.

Harlan checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 50, rolling 10 lower.

Thesarin checked command + war at difficulty 50, rolling 2 higher.

Emily checked command + war at difficulty 50, rolling 33 lower.

Tobias checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 18 lower.

Thesarin checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 17 lower.

After a moment, Tobias looks back to the Crimson Blades, "Fall back to the nearest staircase. Archers, keep up the fire. So far, no serious targets." Tobias commands. As they go along, Tobias is happy to drive Requiem down into the heads and ladders of the invading army.

Violet checked command + war at difficulty 50, rolling 15 lower.

Harlan nods towards Thesarin and says, "Count. Indeed we do. Thank you, I owe you a drink." He then waves his blingybow (I mean, it's green and metallic -- what else could it be but a blingybow?) over his head and roars, "RAIN HELL UPON THEM!" He lines up his own shot -- then notices the burning pitch, and turns his head to yell for a runner -- spoiling his own aim.

Rickard checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 7 lower.

Confusion on the wall is made more so by the Ashford archers receiving rain of arrows. Emily turns her attention forward as Michael calls and rallies the Bisland troops. She pulls her next arrow and readies it as she fires over the side to any who look to take up the ladders again and misses. Growing more weary, her call is not as exuberant as it once was and now that she is without arrows, she moves to hunt up a few more, flexing her fingers and aiding the removal of any and all ladders as they are brought to the wall.

While troops try to do their best to shield the archers from retire fire, arrows fall like rain around Lady Emily and Duke Harlan, and the kite shields can't stop all of them.

Emily takes moderate damage.

Harlan takes moderate damage.

"Shields overhead! Come forward, cover your front line!" Michael leaps down from his hazard position, silhouetting him against the sky. Arrows flow through the exact spot he stood before but is ignored as he moves to lift his shield over the head of a troop on the wall.

At the words of their commander, the archers of the Crimson Blade are falling back to a superior position, but their general finds himself in a brutal fight with Requiem in hand, cutting down several of the Gyre's minions before one with a war maul gives him a horrifying crunching hit to his chest, knocking Tobias down away from the wall.

Tobias takes serious damage.

Similarly, Count Thesarin finds himself swarmed by enemies, cutting down several but taking cut after cut after cut on his armor.

Violet does her best to provide cover, but things are becoming overwhelming. And as that feeling sweeps over her Violet sets her stance and picks up her pace at shooting at the ladder bearers and those climbing them. When things seem to be failing despite their efforts she shouts, "BLADES Fall back to the stairways," And she gives a shrill set of whistled orders for those who cannot hear her bellow. Always one to be the last of her people to leave from an area she sees Tobias go down. "No, ARCHERS COVER," And she surges with Alpha squad and the elite archers to guard her. Alpha to bring up shields and fend off the threats from their commander while Genevieve and Erin are directed to help the Commander to the stairs.

Harlan then takes more hits while trying to rally the archers. He's still standing, but more obviously wounded at this point. Still -- he's not retreating.

Gailin claymore swinging taking down as many of his enemy is closing in on them. "Get the wounded out of here. We need to keep them away from our wounded." He shouts before turning to see Tobias getting knocked down and looking over to Thesarin. "Oy you alright there?" He shouts over to Thesarin as he strikes down another foe or two.

Thesarin stands. He stands as tall and firm in his place as an old oak, as the weight of numbers start to press on him, starting to force him to give ground. Might be the orders he's still shouting, or might be the example he's setting, but the soldiers he commands are clawing themselves back into position, to hold at the walls. "DENY HIM! DENY HIM AN INCH OF DIRT, DENY HIM THE HOMES HE'LL BURN, DENY HIM THE LIVES HE'LL TAKE! STAND AND HOLD!"

As she walks amongst her archers, Emily is returning to her position with several more arrows when the next volley rains down over head. She lifts her arm then and ducks her head beneath. One sticks true, finding the meat of her forearm just past her bracer. The arrow caught a bit of the leather armor, glancing and digging into her skin shallowly. She pulls her arm down, pulling the arrow free and holding it ready to use. A steadying breath is drawn and she slams what arrows she has - plus the one with her blood into her quiver. There are a few fresh dents and scrapes in her leather armor where other arrows did not find their purchase. As she hears Harlan try to rally his troops Emily is shakily trying to restring and arrow. "We can not let them over," she breathes, glancing then to Thesarin having not seen Tobias while shielding herself. "Thesarin!" She cries in question. "Harlan we have to fall back into the city," she finally says and then she cries out. "FALL BACK TO THE CITY!" the call is carried down the line as a few linger to help protect those seeking to find better cover.

As she walks amongst her archers, Emily is returning to her position with several more arrows when the next volley rains down over head. She lifts her arm then and ducks her head beneath. One sticks true, finding the meat of her forearm just past her bracer. The arrow caught a bit of the leather armor, glancing and digging into her skin shallowly. She pulls her arm down, pulling the arrow free and holding it ready to use. A steadying breath is drawn and she slams what arrows she has - plus the one with her blood into her quiver. There are a few fresh dents and scrapes in her leather armor where other arrows did not find their purchase. As she hears Harlan try to rally his troops Emily is shakily trying to restring and arrow. "We can not let them over," she breathes, glancing then to Thesarin having not seen Tobias while shielding herself. "Thesarin!" She cries in question. "Harlan we have to fall back into the city," she finally says and then she cries out. "PREAPRE TO FALL BACK TO THE CITY!" the call is carried down the line as a few linger to help protect those seeking to find better cover.

The scream of pain as the war haul impacts brutally into the alaricite plate armor could be heard fairly clearly in the middle of the fighting... and so can the scream, and subsequent *CRASH* as the armored behemoth crash lands brutally against the ground below. Blood is spat from his mouth as Tobias groans in pain. "Urgh...." Tobias move to try to stand, but it's slow going.

Unbowed, Daemon still fights and gnashes away at their enemies. His Oathland's marital training has faded in his stance. It's more primal, more just a need for survival than a Knight with years of experience. Armor rattles, steel bends, but as they say, honor holds. As he witnesses Tobias fall from the walls, his eyes widen. A provocation that has him raising his blade for an equally strong retaliation to their attacker.

Harlan receives another runner about the time Emily starts calling out, and sends that word out, lifting his own voice, "ARCHERS! ORDERED RETREAT! RETREAT AND FIRE IN RANKS!" The idea being that one rank will turn to fire while the second will move behind them, and vice versa, to keep up fire while the retreat begins.

Momentarily flinging her bow across her back, Genevieve nods once to Violet, then once to Erin. Charging as quickly as possible without knocking anyone over or falling herself, she runs with her fellow private down the stairs towards where Tobias has fallen, and attempts to assist him to a place of safety. Some effort is made not to worsen any injuries he might have taken, but Genevieve and Erin need to get him out of the fray before he takes another one. All throughout, she's ready to draw her shortsword as protection against any attacks of opportunity.

Swinging his red bastard sword desperately, trying to clear the walls, Marcas manages to cut down many, but it is nothing compared to the horde that pours over and manages to carve a swath of death and destruction in the Compact defenders, his grey eyes gazing around, the soldier backpedaling some.

The battle is ferociously fierce at the wall, with thousands upon thousands trying to swarm up and the defenders desperately knocking them down, as piles upon piles of corpses mount, and piles of corpses of Northlands, Grayson, Valardin and Faith militant surcoats litter the dead. Orders come from Princess Marian to abandon the wall, and start to use the corners of the streets to do street fighting, and pepper the enemy as they flood over the walls with archers from below. ((Any that want to just run for it out of the room can do so at any time, though that's a very IC act to bail. For those staying, it'll now be dexterity + weaponskill at 40 mandatory, and those who want to rally troops and keep them from routing need to check at command + leadership at 40. Lower than last round due to the change in tactics and surrendering the wall))

The archers start that retreat, using the maze of the city to force the enemy into bottlenecks, alleys, corners and dead ends using hit and run tactics as well, per Harlan's orders.

Harlan checked command + leadership at difficulty 40, rolling 12 lower.

Daemon checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 27 higher.

Gailin checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 21 higher.

Echo checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 74 higher.

Echo checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 40 higher.

Michael checked command + leadership at difficulty 40, rolling 8 higher.

Emily checked command + leadership at difficulty 40, rolling 7 lower.

Thesarin checked command + leadership at difficulty 40, rolling 15 higher.

Violet checked command + leadership at difficulty 40, rolling 6 lower.

Harlan checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 40, rolling 30 higher.

Emily checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 40, rolling 6 higher.

Violet checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 40, rolling 10 lower.

Thesarin checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 13 higher.

Marcas checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 33 higher.

Harlan works on trying to lead the archers and send out more orders -- but he's taken enough wounds that he wavers briefly -- at a critical time. He's able to fire an arrow very well, though! So...there's that? Go blingybow!

So it is that the call to retreat sounds, and Daemon is following in the footsteps of those already making their way down the walls. Though he's no archer, he does do his best to cover their retreat from the back of the pack. Serving as a sort of bulwark to any foes that would try to rush passed him to get to the firing bows. "Move, move! I'll keep them off you!" He shouts to the group that is in the midst of running, between wildly lashing out with his blade.

Tobias checked command + leadership at difficulty 40, rolling 26 higher.


"BISLAND ARCHERS RETREAT! Offer cover and move them through the streets of the city! Use the corners and alleys to break them apart. Engage when you can!" She calls out and as they file off the wall she turns and pulls free an arrow from her quiver, quickly releasing it with a muddled twang due to the combat around her. It strikes true and the undead falls over the side as she is leading her men down the stairs. She shakes her injured arm out, clearing the tingling sensation.

Rickard checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 4 higher.

"Hold together! FORM RANKS! Shields to the fore! Wounded to the back!" Michael steps forward as the walls get abandoned, pushing ladders back helped. But it wasn't enough. They are leaving the wall but in an ordered fashion, every charge gets met with the combined might of the Bisland Infantry holding fast and breaking it.

They reach the stairs and make their way down into the city and fall back amongst the streets and buildings. "You know your assignments! Stay alive, make them pay! WE WIN GLORY!" Then Michael moves with his own guard away.

"We're not done yet. Get back in there and hold them off! For the Compact. FOR THE KING!" Tobias gives to those nearby... and starts to cut down the enemy as he heads back into the city, going for the healers, "Colone Marjawn, you're in command until I get back from the healers." Tobias informs her.

6 Crimson Blades Sergeant, Oak, the brown-coated War Horse leave, following Tobias.

Violet is trying to shout over the ruckus, but her voice just doesn't have the bellow of some others. So her orders are lost in the ruckus but to those nearest her. "Everyone regroup and cover retreat through the streets!" She shouts before turning to Tobias and nodding curtly. "Yes sir," She says before turning back to try and shout orders over the chaos.

The Warchief giving the order to flee the walls, Marcas starts to slowly disengage towards the city proper to fight in the streets, but tries to cleave a safe path for the wounded and Princess Echo attempting to get out before he will do so himself, although the latter laying waste with her sword doesn't really appear to need it. Still, there'll be no leaving a Redrain Princess behind.

"FIRST RANKS FALL BACK! FORM BEHIND THE SECOND! SECOND RANKS, BACK!" Yes, a moment ago Thesarin was crying for them to hold. Now he's sounding the fall back. That's war for you. He keeps to the front, though. Last to leave. Still swinging, bringing that bix axe down again and again, splattering the walls with steaming red over the stone as he falls back with the troops.

With that, Erin and Genevieve rush back up the stairs, weaving and dogding past bodies of all manner, to rejoin Violet, awaiting further orders.

Gailin swings his claymore hacking down more foes. As Michaels orders are heard he turns to look at him his face and armore streaked with enemies blood. He has no shield nor is he wounded. "And where do you want me?" He shouts looking to Michael for some indication of where in the ranks hes wanted.

The battle in the street is brutal. Hundreds of arrows constantly rain up at the forces scaling over the wall, dropping scores of them over and over again but more and more make it to the ground, and a spear is thrown catching Violet right in the side. Some of the Ashford mean look near routing, but steady after Michael and Thesarin lend their words, and ever so slowly they are starting to give ground. But the fight looks increasingly poor, even as they bleed the enemy every step of the way, leaving thousands of dead in their wake. At least ten thousand Compact dead lie in the port now, with blood running in rivers mixing with the rain water, and the forces are steadily, steadily pushed back towards the Crovane castle. ((The forces are being pushed out of the city proper and towards the castle. Everyone has to move towards the Heart of Stormwall, unless you wanna do a last ditch attempt against overwhelming odds))

Violet takes moderate damage.

Daemonppl

white-tailed eagle, 4 House Riven Soldiers leave, following Thesarin.

Harlan catches his breath finally and sends out messages to all the Grayson and Ashford archers to fall back, calling out again, "FALL BACK!" And he's starting to fall back into the city.

"FALL BA-ACK!!" Violet falls back into Erin as the spear catches her into the side. Gritting her teeth she reaches out and grabs hold of the shaft. "RETREAT!" SHe shouts and lets Erin and Genevieve pull her back.

Erin, Crimson Blades Private leaves, following Violet.

Puma, The Stonewood Forest Cat leaves, following Gailin.

Relic leaves, following Harlan.


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The fighting at Stormwall reaches a fevered pitch, with tens of thousands of the attackers lying dead at the foot of the walls but most now streaming into the city. The Compact forces have fought street by bloody street but have been driven from the port, and have fallen back to the Crovane castle as a last bastion before potentially surrendering the city entirely.
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The waves wash over the rapidly sinking fleet at Setarco. The Compact fleet has lost some ships, true - but not anywhere close to the numbers of the Gyre's fleet. No, this was a resounding victory for the Compact who chose to stand together to guard Setarco. As the Compact carries the day, High Admiral Victus shouts loudly to the open sea, "You come at us swinging Marin, you fuckin' best do better than this. The Isles didn't budge and neither will this Compact. The Compact stands, united and unbowed. Next time," he says with a sneer as the sharks circle below, "bring friends."
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From the passageway near the tunnels leading to Stormwall, a force of cavalry has managed to hold off a terrible attack, and those near would swear they heard something that sounded like the shattering of a mirror. The valiant defense was not without cost, as Lady Eirlys Greenmarch gave her life to protect Dame Esoka Greenblood.
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The city of Stormwall seemed lost, as the defenders were forced back to the castle of House Crovane that stood at the west of the city, with its gate to the mountain passes. Reinforced by all the defenders, the forces of the gyre swarmed ever closer, and the defenders bleed them for each step, as they drew deeper and deeper into the city until they sieged the castle itself. And then, the Compact forces road out the west, abandoning the city of Stormwall... as it started to blaze. Incendaries everywhere throughout the city went up, while tens of thousands of the Gyre's minions were trying to navigate the confusing castle and the narrow roads. They died burning by the thousands and thousands, as Stormwall blazed withe a light that could be seen for miles away, and it's said the ash could be detected in the air from as far away as Old Oak. Thousands of the gyre's soldiers tried to hop the walls, only to be ridden down and cut down by the Valardin cavalry waiting in the passes. The city of stormwall was burned to the ground, but of the Gyre's forces that landed, they were killed To The Last.

Still, at least a significant portion of that fleet withdrew, and questions remained, what happened to Darkwater Watch?
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