[Jaunt] Fear! Fire! Foes! Awake!

[willyousee]

[Usually Alcuin sticks to thoughts only on the Network, so his urgent voice live-streaming in Investigator's minds may be the first time they have ever heard him do this - but the message is more important than the method.]

The Sun Temple will be under attack within the day! Soldiers - Sentinels they are calling them - march on the Temple and are killing any they come across, villager or monk. Messages are being sent conventionally, but there is little hope they will get through. We're rallying all that we have, but I fear we will be too few with so many gone to the summit.

Please, someone carry word to the heads of the provinces at the summit and prepare them! I doubt they are meant to emerge from that place alive.

Comments

[venetianprince]

I'm in Nakumatou- in nearby, I'm coming! I can fight- I promise I'll help! I think I know where the Temple is... Just hold on a little longer!

[willyousee]

Be careful as you come, and move quietly! They are making good use of terrain and will likely have scouts out looking for any of the villagers they missed. I don't know if we'll be able to arrange a sally to come get you.

[truerevelation]

We've got a few guys stompin' around near Mibu, but they ain't doin' anything except being assholes yet from what I've seen. Think it's likely they're gonna start shit down here too? Ugh...

If you need backup and healing, I can probably get over there while nothing's goin' on here.

[willyousee]

They are gathering near you as well? Cassiel's blade, they've been planning this for a long time. A pre-emptive culling and quelling of rebellion, I'm sure of it.

We'll need healing later, but we do have some defenses and Claudia appears to be rallying the masters if the shouting is anything to go by. I should say hold for now - we may need you in reserve, and I do not trust those soldiers. If anyone speaks out against them it is likely to turn ugly.

[dino_zarf]

Blockades in Koroshima. Do you need supplies that we can portal over?

[willyousee]

We are not besieged, and not likely to be if the reports are true - supplies will come later. I suspect we will need people more than anything, but blockades, you said? How many troops does the Shogun have at his disposal?!

Information. I have no information!

[There's a short silence and the sound of pacing before he speaks up again.]

If they intend to keep the provinces from aiding one another, that will be the largest difficulty. Travel by conventional means would likely not bring help to us in time unless the groups are already on the roads. The distances are too great and the terrain too varied. But if the survivors are to continue on, they must band together or they will be overrun!

[amadine]

I can offer transport for any who can get themselves to Liminal Space.

...Alcuin. How many Sirens do we have? I know there's you, and me, and Raidou; do we have anyone else from the Chorus?

[willyousee]

Sabetha, I...

[He cuts himself short and almost audibly reroutes, thinking.]

Phedre and Joscelin are... lost to us. They were the only two with us then. Phillip knows but the one Song, and he is not here. Leonardo... likewise. Lupa as well. I believe. I believe it is just we three.

I alone cannot do enough. Not unless I am in the midst of them.

[leftbehindagain]

Motherfucker. [Naoki doesn't usually swear that strongly, but if anything merits it, this sure as hell does.]

If someone else can pass word along, I can get myself to Liminal Space soon. I'll need a little bit before I move on to the temple, but there's no point in leaving them hopelessly outnumbered, especially if you're likely to need a healer.

I really need to figure out the long-distance portal thing. Second time in three weeks it would really be handy.

[willyousee]

I have little idea how many healers we have, but the two strongest leaders left with the caravans. Armor is not common here, but the reports say that the soldiers wear it. I fear a healer will be very welcome indeed before the end.

[failgoyle]

...and I'm just going to stay right here at the fortress because he's not going to attack his own guys, sounds good.

I'll keep an eye on things. Watch for more troops leaving, stuff like that.

[willyousee]

The others there may be in grave danger. If you can help them, please, please do. I fear they are walking into a trap.

[tailforbrains]

Hey, uh. From what I hear the people coming to attack us are wearing wooden armor. Do they, like, have elementalists of their own for protection, or are they really that stupid? I mean, we have people here who can set you on fire or turn your wooden armor into a vine that strangles you from fifty paces.

[Because Neeshka thinks about these things. She's from a world full of wizards and elementals, okay.]

[willyousee]

I am not certain. They may have wards, or tattoos such as the monks wear. They say there are Imperial Dragons who give the land its blessings. Perhaps they call on them. Those who survived to make it here did not stay to find out.

[bypartisan]

Oh hell.

I'm with Masshuu now. I'll let him know. I don't know what I can do as I am, stuck as I am at the Shogun's castle, but I can damn well let anyone with an ounce of spiritual ability know what's happening.

[willyousee]

From what I have heard, I am not entirely certain that he will care. [Someone is cranky.] You might do better to go find Vilari-- ah, Sister Ritsuki, I believe she goes by right now. She will be near Riddick - Brother Ridou, heading the Sun Guard caravans.

[failgoyle]

...you...and Masshuu are both at the Shogun's castle?!

Dude, just keep him away from the statuary. Far, far away.

[wholeheaded]

I have my...Ambrus' wings, I can watch troop movements, get an idea of strategy. Maybe drop a flash-bang or several, give 'em something to think about?

[ like the old days, sort of, right myshka? ]

[willyousee]

Ambrose! [The relief is palpable.] Your help would be invaluable, yes, but please promise me you will be careful. There are tales of archers, and if you were shot down...

[capital_asset]

I'm still at the castle right now, but I can get to the Temple quickly if need be.

[willyousee]

...I am torn. You are one of the few we have there who is investigating, and I know you carry great power and abilities. If things go ill there, you would be perfectly suited to assist.

And yet I cannot deny that I would greatly appreciate your expertise, and if Sabetha and I are to revive the Chorus, your voice would help exponentially.

[fearinahandfulof]

I'm outside of the fortress. In the woods.

[willyousee]

Ah! Good. The others may need your assistance in breaking free or causing a distraction. Keep alert, and coordinate with Jules as to where the best places for disturbances might be.

[laceandcarnage]

I will look forward to tasting their flesh with my teeth and decorating the countryside with their entrails.

[willyousee]

[.....]

Ah... Thank you for your help, my lady. I know we can count on your expertise.

[fridgeninja]

I'm on my way back to the Temple now.

Would it be better to go by Liminal Space, or to deal with the roadblocks?

[leftbehindagain]

I'd say go by Liminal. If they're serious about the roadblocks, they won't let you through no matter how hard you insist, and the soldiers up here aren't bothering to ask questions. There's no point in getting yourself killed before you're in any position to help, whether we bounce back from it or not.