Morning follows with a gathering - all the generals save for Jaela and the officers not lost in the planes. The only exception is Rosa, who is still recovering. Breakfast has been laid out, pastries of various sorts and drinks. A few people are eating as everyone streams in. Morniel and Gisfal are preparing, talking quietly together. Elena blinks about, doing this and that and seeing things set up.
Just as everyone gets in, "Good news-" Elena begins, as Jaela, Vivantha and Canderella come through the portal and in. "Oh, that. They're back."
"Yay?" Ithea asks amusedly. "Welcome back. Now we just need Adrian and the rest of his group. Maybe they'll match Jaela's timing?"
Ithea pauses for a second and waits. "...maybe not then."
Surraruthru looks up from a pastry filled with a red substance of some sort smeared across his jaws and teeth, give the new arrivals a gruesome smile with a cheerful chirp of, "Hello!" before turning back to the massacred breakfast food.
Moore waves at the arrivals!
"Hello, welcome back!"
"Welcome back," Morniel says, "Are you aware of the current situation?"
Calleigh is valiantly attempting to devour a mango the size of her torso. She waves a sticky appendage at the newcomers in greeting, not slowing in the least.
Huh, can Tryll benefit from the Heroes' Feast effect?
Can he consume food?
He's incorporeal. So probably not.
Then no. Heroes feast augmented with transdimensional spell would be kosher, as would a custom version designed for incorporeal creatures.
"Better make a recap," Jaela says, nodding at the greetings before claiming a seat and a pastry for herself. "My info's a day old by now."
"In short," Morniel begins, "Ithea's mission was largely a success, though Rosa fell. She has been called back but is traumatized from her soul's brief brush against Lixer. She won't be available for today's mission. Afina's squad succeeded beyond any expectation. Through chance and fortune, all of Hopelorn was destroyed by opening a massive rift into the Astral. There is more to it and that is why we are here today. Afina, if you'd fill in the blanks there?"
Once that's done, Morniel clears his throat. It gets attention, eyes on him. "Onto Operation Silver Shield. We have recently received intelligence from Mount Celestia that will explain the current situation. The Mercy-Bringer Domiel has been alerted by Erathaol to the danger of this rift and has gathered an army to seal it. Unfortunately, it is far too late for an easy solution. The rift has expanded many times over." Morniel snaps his fingers, an image appearing in the air. It is of a sphere of pulsing chaotic energies, changing colors like an ever-moving rainbow.
"The current area affected is a sphere approximately 20 to 25 miles in diameter. It seems stable for now and various forces have taken pains to cement this stability, enough so that launching offensive operations into the affected area is feasible." Another finger snap has a white dot appear on the upper northwestern side of the sphere, just beyond it. "This is where Domiel's forces have a camp established. We have an invitation there should we wish to take it. Recent divinations and the information provided by Celestia both confirm that gating or otherwise teleporting into the area affected will fail, due to the damage to the Astral from the rift. The only way ahead is through, we must fight our way into the rift."
A pause for a few moments, "Therein lie the problems. First of all, Hopelorn seems to have expanded. Reports from elements within the rift are that new buildings and structures in the style of Hopelorn are spontaneously appearing in the affected area. It is not a coherent city, more akin to fragments and buildings being generated. Secondly, the surviving creatures in the rift have all mutated. Many have gained daemonic, slaadic or demonic traits, mindless undead in particular have evolved into intelligent, malicious creatures. To the last, they oppose any efforts or intrusion into the rift."
There's a pause here, everyone listening. A quiet tension fills the air, until Simmer says, "So what you're saying is that they needs more fire."
Morniel's lips twitch in a smile, "Yes. Raziel blesses your initiative, Simmer. But as I was saying? Thirdly, wild terrain of all types has appeared. It's akin to uncontrolled Limbo, except the areas created sometimes have a fiendish tint to them. Fourthly, finally and by far the more importantly, is that this rift has been akin to a gong sounded across the planes. The disturbance has drawn the attention of entities far and wide. Many have chosen to intervene, be it to help seal this rift, to defend it or even to expand it further. My friends," Morniel says, "We are entering a war."
"A war that can be won," Kascha speaks up, "We have friends there that are helping."
"Precisely," Morniel lightly clears his throat, Kascha quietly eeeping and going silent with a fierce blush. "We have information on several groups that have been identified."
Moore stays quiet for now since Morniel seems to want to continue.
Would he be familiar with Domiel?
K:R.
Taking 10 for 48.
Domiel is the second of the Hebdomad. He focuses on the destruction of tyranny and the undead, as well as the safe and eternal rest of those heroes who give their lives defending others against evil.
I can go into more detail if you want, that's just the basics. I'm not sure how much you know OOC about him, so I won't repeat myself if you're already aware of him.
More would be great. OOC I don't know that much about him really.
"This is a disaster," Afina says bleakly after hearing Morniel's report. "I planned for a much smaller engagement," spent hours handing out orders and preparing contingencies too! "As well as assuming we'd be first on location. Given our hand in creating this, a late arrival will do our reputation no favours."
Still they must push on. "We don't have time to change troop assignments, and the groupings still work. I propose Smith move in to close the rift with Hammer clearing the way, effectively merging those forces. Anvil will remain in reserve to guard Aurora. The only change is to swap Ithea and I - her anarch abilities will be too useful in the rift to pass up. I'll keep Aurora safe."
"So everyone and their sister has their hand in it," Jaela muses. "Right. What about Seira? It's her plane that's getting polluted, sorta. Kascha, any news there?"
Domiel stands to end tyranny of all types, especially that of undead, which he finds offensive. He is a patron of life and the stealthy, his agents exterminating evil when needed. He fights with a large greatsword that can devastate even the undead with precise sneak attacks.
Morniel meanwhile nods, "Yes, but let us cover the situation before making binding decisions," Morniel says, "As Jaela says, many forces have been identified. Firstly," Another snap, this time a dot appearing on the southern bottom of the sphere. "A small fleet of githyanki ships have been sighted here. Reports from scouts indicates non-aggression and cooperation so long as the rift is sealed and the influence onto the Astral destroyed. There are unverified reports that Queen Vlaakith herself commands the fleet. How the githyanki responded so swiftly isn't clear."
"Ways and means," Sage Vul'lath murmurs. "I am not surprised if Vlaakith has chosen to intervene."
"Yes," Morniel continues. "Next, a expeditionary force from The Cauldron has made contact with celestial agents within the affected area. They are lead by Lady Amaryl Gaial." Another dot appears, this one a bit into the sphere. "Her forces are largely elementals of various stripes and some dragons. It is unknown if Seira herself is participating in the battles directly. They are most likely attempting to find a way to the rift so that they can seal it themselves."
"Third," This time a dot appears deeper in, "Advance scouts have encountered a pack of astral dreadnoughts. The beasts seem to be feeding on the energies of the rift, directly absorbing them when possible and consuming changed creatures when not. They attack anything they see. This behavior is completely unheard of in the dreadnoughts, which suggests the rift has somehow caused this. They are solitary creatures and do not form packs."
"Ugh." Canderella grimaces visibly, "Those things. Anything within sight of that eye's as magical as an old sock. Far too many spellcasters have been lunch because they got hit with their damned anti magic gaze."
"Yes, and as a pack, they're showing signs of using multiple gazes intelligently," Morniel confirms, "It is possible this is a previously unknown pack with unknown motivations and origins. It is also possible they are a result of the rift. Regardless, they must be dealt with if they interfere. Now then, there's reports of Inevitables being sighted as well as a handful as observers in Domiel's army. As of yet, I have heard of no word of an organized response by Mechanus, but it is likely a question of when rather than a question if they will."
After a moment, no immediate questions being asked, "Now then. The eladrin have been sighted, mostly single, powerful eladrin venturing into the rift. They will doubtless be allies if encountered, but as of now, there is no sign of an organized eladrin offensive into the rift."
Morniel pauses and looks around, "Questions so far?"
"Nothing from the lower planes? No demons causing trouble, no devils offering 'help'?" Afina asks.
"If only we were so blessed," Morniel says, "They're next."
"Hmm.. Well, we have quite a few potential allies there. We should send someone to connect with the Githyanki. Active allies or not, they should realize that a coordinated effort will be much faster than going it alone, even if it's just syncing up our timings. I know Aurora has dealings with The Cauldron, and if there's a chance Seira's with them, then we should definitely at least relate our plan to them so they can compensate for us. Kascha's an Eladrin, right? She should be ready to talk to them if they approach us. I think the area is too large for us to go seek them out individually, but they'll probably take an interest once we start working."
"If nothing else, having open lines of communication will let us respond to whatever forces the lower planes and Hopelorn are spewing out."
With this, Surraruthru turns back to Morniel and waits for further information.
Calleigh looks cheerful at the mention of eladrin, but deflates as it's stated that there has been no large incursion of them.
"Let's hear about the fiends."
"Yes," Morniel agrees, "All reasonable suggestions. Coordination of forces is being handled."
Gisfal speaks up now, "I've dealt with that and informed The Cauldron of our intentions."
"Now then," Morniel cuts back in, "Evil. Let us begin with the devils. First of all, bands of Necrolytes have been spotted within the rift. It is unclear if they are survivors or part of an effort by Lixer to salvage the situation. As of now, reports are unclear." Morniel then snaps his fingers, a dot appearing just outside of the western center of the sphere. "A group of powerful gelugon wizards along with various thralls have been sighted here. Under the flag of truce, they have identified themselves as The Cold Ones."
Morniel pauses just for a moment, letting his gaze sweep about the room. "The Cold Ones are a cabal of mortals and formal mortals sworn to Duke Leonar of Cania. Duke Leonar met with celestial scouts and impressed his desire to close the rift. An informal agreement to ignore one another has been accepted by both sides. As we all know, the devils cannot be trusted, but for now the general agreement is that closing the rift is more important."
"Deeper within there are reports of a band of erinyes and brachina. Details are sketchy, though intelligence suggests that they are The Flesh Harvest. They are a contingent that serves Glasya, Lord of the Sixth. The commander, exact numbers and other information is not known, as they are newly formed. Their motivations in this affair are unknown and The Cold Ones did not mention interference from Glasya."
"I expected Glasya," Afina speaks up, glad at least some of her planning was on target. "Perfect chance to show up her brother. We'll use other forces as a buffer between us and the devils where possible - cooperation just can't happen. What about demons or yugoloths or... anything else?"
"Is that agreement binding on us?" Jaela inquires. "Or made on our behalf in any way? And speaking of agreements, were the dragons in allied forces told about us?" She gestures at her forehead.
"Informal between Celestia's forces and the devils," Morniel says, "If we cooperate with them, we'll be expected to honor it as well. As for dragons, I have passed word along," Morniel remarks.
Clearing his throat again, "The daemons are active. First of all, there are signs and omens that the liches of Hopelorn are active. What they are doing isn't clear, though they are likely near or at the rift itself." A finger snap makes a black dot in the center of the sphere appear. "More information will hopefully be found as we approach closer."
"Secondly, the Shadow Seekers have been confirmed to be attacking anyone who attempts to enter the rift. They are a group of ultroloth assassins who serve The Adversary, one of his many diseased arms that enforce his will on the daemons. We know this because one made the mistake of getting Domiel's attention. It attempted to assassinate a throne archon leading a raid and Domiel took offense at the daemon. The daemon's subsequent confessions confirmed that The Adversary is interested in the rift expanding."
Morniel pauses, leaning forward on the table and hands down on it. "This is likely why efforts to travel to Krangath have failed since the rift begain. We believe that The Adversary or even the General of Gehenna desires for the rift to spread all across the Astral. Doing anything on the Gehenna side of the rift is functionally impossible now, so attacking it from that end isn't an option."
Morniel takes a breath, "And finally, the demons. They've been spotted - including some spontaneously appearing from Hopelorn itself. There is no organization to them. If you find one, obliterate it."
"Well, we did get kicked out of Gehenna despite Lixer's interdiction last night," Jaela muses. "I figured someone high up didn't like us spreading the Triune's word around. Anyway, back to the horrible undead. Don't they blame Lixer's forces at all for what happened? In fact, who's seen as the one to blame for this mess?"
Surraruthru subtly eyes Calleigh and Tryll...
"I have explained the situation to celestial agents of Domiel," Morniel says, "They understand it was an unforeseen accident by all sides - even that of the devils. I am not aware precisely how much other forces know," Morniel says.
"Let's tell the other major allied party, at least," Jaela voices. "I also wonder if calling it an accident is a good idea. It sounds similar to what Lixer's minions did at the Crypt. If this is their usual tactic, they could employ it again, so this is a good chance for us to get the insight of pretty much everyone involved in how to shut it down and fast next time."
"That was us. Sorta. We made a short-lived rift into Limbo that SHOULD have just interrupted spellcasting with wild magic but the devils and did SOMETHING and then there were explosions and we tried to get away and then suddenly everything smelled like the number eight and then we were in the astral." Calleigh explains. "But it's nice to see the relationship between the yugoloths and the Devils deteriorating. The Adversary wanting to keep the rift open can't possibly bode well for further cooperation" she says carefully. " Or something like that."
"It feels to me like we should at least send some contingency force against the astral dreadnoughts. They seem like the most likely candidates for disrupting attempts at sealing the rift." Moore says. "Perhaps some coordinated attack against them to drive them off between our group and possibly Sir Domiel's?" He suggests.
"But, even beyond that, we should certainly take steps at eliminating whatever of Hopelorn is left over. There's no good that can come of their continued existences." Moore says with a small frown. "That's what I think so far, anyway."
"It will be done," Morniel replies to Jaela.
"Agreed," Gisfal rumbles, "Time is of the essence. We need to move and strike swiftly."
"In light of that," Morniel looks around, "Are there any more questions?"
I'll move this along tomorrow if no has any.
"For what it's worth, if there's a diplomatic endeavor to perform, I'll help out if we don't have other people assigned." Moore says. "Other than that, no, but I'll leave the planning to everyone who's actually in charge." He says as he settles down to await further instructions.
"I have none. Switching out with Afina seems pretty straightforward, I can fill the desired role easily enough," Ithea replies.
"How far into the rift are we moving Aurora, before we split into groups?" Jaela asks. "All the way to the center? Staying just outside and spreading out to cover dozens of miles doesn't seem doable. And if we're heading in as one huge group, do we keep Smith in reserve even in the event of devil attack? Do we respond just with Anvil?"
"Anvil guards Aurora, the rest sortie into the rift either to hit the centre and close it or to support our allies by engaging targets like those dreadnoughts," Afina says. She doesn't like taking a mere support role but delaying has sacrificed their ability to take charge here.
"We can't take Aurora into the rift itself, there's too much risk of the corruption of the astral spreading into our demi plane. It's too slow besides."
"Agreed," Morniel murmurs, "I have been in discussions with Elena and Galariel about it. They do not think it likely, but a rift of this size is something Medi never saw."
Okay, I'd like a revised battle plan, y'all. If this is contingent on coordinating with allies and diplomacy first, say so.
Quick and dirty plan assuming no coordination with allies: Hammer and Smith go into the rift, fight their way to the centre, spam miracle/wish/dimensional anchor. Anvil guards the base.
But that will probably be changed by new facts on the ground and the need to help allies who are probably further along on this plan than we are on ours, so yeah. Plan subject to change basically as soon as we arrive.
Let's arrive next to Celestia's forces and see about pushing on.
Alright then.
From there, the party travels to the Astral. The trip shakes - a strange melange of images blurring past outside Aurora as it travels. Strange things, disturbing and disorienting. Then Aurora floats in light, the Silver Sea all before them. Ahead is black and whirling energies, a massive rift throbbing and pulsing. You can see celestials charging in and out of it, troops constantly on the move. Besides Aurora floats a large chunk of land, buildings and tents taking up all of it. Celestials - archons and angels mostly - cover everything there, working away.
"We have arrived," Morniel announces, "Shall we make contact with Celestia?"
"I'll remain here to command our defences," Afina says, excusing herself as she rises up from her appropriately sized chair.
"Very well," Morniel says, "Who will come with me?"
"Let's go see the leaders in person," Jaela proposes to Morniel. "Moore too, I think. Vul'lath, you should prepare our forces for departure."
Okay, so Afina's staying here to coordinate defenses. Very good. Jaela and Moore (as well as Morniel) are going to make contact with Celestia's forces. Excellent. What about Surraruthru, Ithea and Tryll?
I sorta assumed I'd be with Kascha since I'm supposed to be part of her group. I'll go wherever I'm useful, but I'm not sure I really have much to add out of combat at this specific time.
As far as I knew, I was switching with Afina and going on the backup/support group to watch Tepen/Jaela's backs, and...that was it really? The only sorta thing that seems to have changes is that it seems like Jaela decided to grab Morniel and Moore for a pre-assault diplomacy session with other good forces at the area, so I think everyone is just on standby/Aurora defense while the three of them do that.
Without direction, Tryll & Calleigh will find somewhere to be. No guarantees they won't cause trouble.
Okay, I'm going to split Moore and Jaela off while dealing with all of you.
As Jaela and Moore leave with Morniel to make contact, Aurora is abuzz with preparations. Elena constantly blinks about, seeing to this matter or that.
Go ahead and declare where each of you are, since it may matter.
Allowing room for the other two armies to sortie out the main gate, Afina currently has the defensive forces under her command spread out around the courtyard with a wide channel down the middle empty for others to depart. That'll close up later. The golems are all positioned near the main gate with the oozes and animals such as wolves and griffins close to Aurora's main portal chamber since they're not really capable of fielding into the astral, while the roof of the main structure is peppered with ranged specialists mostly bulked out by their centaurs. The rest are spread around fairly diffusely.
She herself remains near the gates, currently perched atop Smrgol's head both to oversee and be seen.
Calleigh is buzzing around Tepen, attempting to help and possibly succeeding to a degree. Behind her trails an erratic ring of mist as she darts back and forth.
Surraruthru is meandering around Kascha, waiting for something to happen or catch his attention.
Ithea spends her time with the rest of the team she will be leading, going over hypothetical scenarios and discussing how to respond to them quickly once they're out dealing with...well whatever they might face.
The courtyard is filled as the heroes prepare. Smrgol is silent as Afina sits atop his head, using the view to see the battlefield ahead. It is a roiling mass of elements and darkness, celestials flying and out of it at all times.
Tepen works with the other groups and around as commanded, weathering Calleigh's help with patience and focus.
Kascha merely waits as commanded, eyes outside on the battle ahead. She listens to commands and comments but seems far away, her gaze sharp as she takes everything in. "I never noticed," she murmurs aloud, hands twitching.
Ithea keeps busy preparing her team, everyone tense as the battlefield is prepared.
Amid all of this hecticness, the party can see a ray of sunshine from above. Literally, as if the sun reached the Silver Sea. It burns outside of Aurora's gates, chasing away the darkness like a scolded dog.
Calleigh points, "Ooooh, pretty!"
Afina makes a few more changes to her force distribution, setting the air elementals to patrol the sky above Aurora but still within the force dome while the ground underfoot is seeded with earth and mineral elementals to deter a burrowing infiltration and to offer a surprise flanking force should they be needed to emerge from below.
"I think that's Lathander," she says seeing the great beam of sunlight. Hopefully it means Moonlight is coming back, but whatever it is it's probably good. "Calleigh, Tryll, come with me," she calls over both to spare Tepen and to give their newest officer some more experience. "Lets go see what that sunbeam's brought us." Waiting for the coure and unbodied to catch up she flutters out through the gates to have a look.
The two promptly head out. From the sunbeam they step - a dozen creatures Afina now knows well. Adamantine golems, lead by Origin. "Oh look," he calls, "Aurora beat us here! Damn." He laughs, the golems all sharing a laugh. "Afina, Lathander ordered us here and told us not to come back until we were bored of smashing undead skulls in or the rift's dealt with."
At least they beat someone here! "It's good to see you again, Origin," she smiles up at the golem. "This is Tryll and Calleigh, they're new recruits to our Crusade," she adds to introduce the two with her. "Jaela's off discussing strategy with Dorniel before we commence our assault. You're welcome to join with our forces if you're willing," she invites.
"Thanks, that's the plan." Origin says, "We're good shock troops or any sort of defense."
"I'm keeping our golems in reserve to defend Aurora, but we'll probably fold you into one of our attacking armies," Afina says, keying the gates to allow admittance for these golems without subjecting them to hundreds of magical missiles. Wouldn't do anything to them anyway but it's just wasteful.
As they enter she leads them towards where Smrgol and the three slaughterstone behemoths wait near the gates ready to intercept any enemies that breach their defences. "Here they are, why don't you get acquainted?" she suggests. It'd be nice for them to socialise with intelligent constructs not manufactured by her. Broaden their experiences a little.
The golems head right on in. One of them lingers and looks to Afina, "Pixie, right?" It asks, smiling, "What in Lathander's light did you do to cause this? The Morninglord said it was easy to handle since it was like one of his plans going wro-er, getting interesting."
"It was a stealthy infiltration of Hopelorn to attack one of Lixer's bases," Afina says. "Things went well, we were dominating the resident devils in combat but they must have had some sort of delicate experimental magic going on that started to destabilise the structure. Of course we wanted to destroy it so we made sure to interrupt their efforts to recover things, but when a chaotic rift Tryll opened early in the battle finished forming it interacted badly with whatever magic the devils were trying. Blasted the entire city into the astral and left that hole to mark its passage."
She'd really like to be proud of destroying Hopelorn too, but the mess in its wake is just too much.
The golem whistles - how it does that is anyone's guess - and says, "That happens sometimes, but never that bad. Must've been some planar research or something strange going on there."
"If you see any necrolytes in there you can try asking them," Afina suggests.
"Oh yeah," The golem grins, metal mouth moving into a smirk. He slams one metal fist into his palm, "Can't wait. This'll be a nice break from dealing with Orcus and his goons, let me tell you. Been working on a demon cult the last few years 'till I got recalled to help sort this mess out."
"There should be plenty of variety of foes to sample in there. Devils, yugoloths, slaad, demons, undead, astral dreadnaughts..." Afina lists off a few. "Probably more we don't know about yet. Everyone wants to get involved here it seems like."
"Well, that's mighty fine," The golem says, "Good!"
"Hey, Afina!" Ithea calls out from where she's running drills, having heard Afina mention that they'd join up with an attacking group. "Would you say your friends will be in Jaela's group or mine?"
"Yours I think," Afina responds, glancing over to Origin. "You're all melee focused rather than magic focused, right?"
"Yes. We can manage a little bit of magic, but mostly healing or support," Origin says.
Hammer force it is, then! "They're all yours, Ithea. Why don't you get acquainted and see how you can best deploy them?"
The golems come right on over to Ithea, "Ithea, right?" Origin asks, "How do you do things around here?"
As everyone talks and prepares, Morniel, Jaela and Moore return.
Okay y'all. What I'd like out of you is a coherent plan including who goes where and all of that. Basically a refined version of what Afina posted.
"Right now we're just running drills. Jaela's force is going to be the main group, though not so much for combat but to deal with weakening the rift. So while they're the main group, we're the strike/rapid response group, making sure other forces don't stop Jaela's group, and generally taking them out if we can. Since we have to be fast in dealing with rapidly changing situations, we're currently running some drills and tossing hypothetical situations to improve our chances of already having a response ready. I think since we're unfamiliar with your group's abilities and you with ours, we should just do a brief summary of what relevant experiences we each bring to the group?"
Ithea looks around briefly checking for any disagreement before starting off. "So, yes, I'm Ithea, I'm in charge of the group though generally I'll be trusting you all to do your own thing unless something comes up where I want to suggest a certain course of action. I have decent speed, but generally focus on using my glaive and equipment's reach to deal with opponents, and revealing weak points for others to capitalize on. I'm a decent spellcaster as well, and can channel some magic through my glaive. Relevant to this scenario, I also happen to be an Anarch, so I may be able to sculpt the environment to some degree. I'll focus on trying to split up enemy forces and giving others opportunities to finish them off."
That all gets nods in the right places, "Oh really, you're an anarch?" Origin says, "That's fortunate. How'd that happen?"
Afina will stay and guard the base!
Probably nothing will happen but that's deterrence in action!
I'll leave attack plans to those enacting them. Use or change my outline to fit your needs.
"We've brought back gifts," Jaela says upon arrival. "I'll distribute the scrolls that make Astral islands to our top arcane mages heading in, and hold onto one of the scrolls that let you regen on Astral. There's also the nice gift Vlaakith sent us. Vlaakith's Haste. Guess she likes us." Shrugging, she adds, "Domiel's about to send the next wave in, so we'll be going along at least part of the way. No excessive heroics, if we need to fall back they'll cover us."
The officers in the caster force will move under my command with Domiel's forces, and Ithea's strikforce covering us. The regular casters will be under Tepen, and spread out alongside the celestial forces. They'll stay in relatively safe territory and join the celestial efforts to stop the rift via Dimensional Anchor.
Okay. Could I get a copy/paste of all the groups here along with a re-summary of who goes where in it? I'd like one post to hold it all.
Smith (Caster Force)
Command: Jaela
Officers: Tepen, Vul'lath, Tryll, Kascha, Surraruthru (bodyguard for Kascha), Balyss, Cresiel, Simmer, Canderella
Forces:
77 firre warrior/clerics. They range from 8 to 12 hd, having levels in cleric, paladin of freedom, barbarian and champion of Gwynharwyf. Alignment: Chaotic Good. Morale: 88/100 (Fanatic)
80 healers of medium size. They range from 4 to 10 hd, having levels in healer and cleric. Alignment: Chaotic Good. Morale 80/100 (Good)
20 elite healers of medium size. They range from 11 to 12 hd, having levels in healer and cleric. Alignment: Chaotic Good. Morale: 80/100 (Good)
100 triune movanic devas. They range from 6 to 9 hd, having levels in cleric, fighter and bard. Alignment: Chaotic Good. Morale: 87/100 (Fanatic)
200 hound archons. They range from 6 to 8 hd, having levels in paladin, fighter, ranger, cleric and favored soul. Alignment: Lawful Good. Morale: 60/100 (Fair)
200 justice archons. They range from 6 to 8 hd, having levels in paladin, cleric and fist of raziel. Alignment: Lawful Good. Morale: 60/100 (Fair)
12 githyanki acolytes of medium size. They range from 2 to 10 hd, having levels in sorcerer, wizard and savant. Alignment: Neutral, Chaotic Neutral, Neutral Evil. Morale: 67/100 (Good)
Hammer
Command: Ithea (Strike Force)
Officers: Baleruk, Moore, Crystal, Misalea, Arrel, Stille, Origin
Forces:
Lathander's Adamantine Golem Squad
1 Battle Horror
98 Ysgardian warriors. They range from 2 to 5 hd, having levels in fighter and barbarian. Several have lycanthropy, blessed by Selune to be able to control it. Alignment: Chaotic Good. Morale: 100/100 (Devoted)
131 female students of the Graceful Blow. They range from 4 to 10 hd, having levels in sorcerer, fighter and swashbuckler. Alignment: Chaotic Good, Neutral Good, Neutral and Chaotic Neutral. Morale: 100/100 (Devoted)
40 pixies from Lifasa. They range from 3 to 6 hd, having levels in rogue, sorcerer, ranger and scout. Alignment: Neutral Good. Morale: 70/100 (Good)
205 air elementals of small, medium and large size. They range from 3 to 10 hd, having levels in fighter and aerial avenger. Alignment: Neutral. Morale: 82/100 (Fanatic)
500 Ysgardian Regulars of medium size. They range from 3 to 12 hd, having levels in fighter, paladin of freedom, ranger and barbarian. Alignment: Chaotic Good, Chaotic Neutral. Morale: 95/100 (Fanatic)
50 Sylican regulars of medium size. They range from 3 to 12 hd, having levels in many different classes. Alignment: Lawful Good, Neutral Good, Chaotic Good. Morale: 70/100 (Fair)
20 knights of the wise convent. They range from 6 to 12 hd, having levels in fighter, rogue and knight of the wise convent. Alignment: Lawful Good, Neutral Good, Chaotic Good. Morale: 77/100 (Good).
28 air elementals of shinear. They range from 3 to 10 hd, having levels in dragon shaman. Alignment: Neutral, Neutral Good. Morale: 80/100 (Good)
50 elven detachment of the confederation of liberators. They range from 5 to 12 hd, having levels in many different classes. Alignment: Chaotic Good. Morale: 77/100 (Good)
100 triune courre. They range from 3 to 5 hd, having levels in cleric, healer and favored soul. Alignment: Chaotic Good. Morale: 87/100 (Fanatic)
84 pixies of the purple pixie brigade. They range from 5 to 10 hd, having levels in rogue, fighter and scout Alignment: Chaotic Good, Chaotic Neutral, Neutral. Morale: 70/100 (Good)
50 freed eidolons of rimefire. They range from 12 to 13 hd, having levels in sorcerer and frost mage. Alignment: Chaotic Good. Morale: 60/100 (Fair)
30 ladies of the butterfly kinship. They range from 7 to 10 hd, having levels in druid. Alignment: Neutral Good, Neutral, Chaotic Neutral. Morale: 74/100 (Good)
100 lantern archons. They range from 3 to 4 hd, having levels in scout. Alignment: Lawful Good. Morale: 60/100 (Fair)
210 lillend. They range from 8 to 14 hd and have levels in bard. Alignment: Chaotic Good. Morale: 70/100 (Fair)
Anvil (Aurora Reserve)
Command: Afina
Officers: Sylvie, Dana, Ebony, Ellese, Morniel, Tannin, Master, Vivantha
Forces:
1 Ironwyrm Dragon
3 Slaughtestone Behemoths
1 Shredstorm
55 cloud giant warriors from Elysium. They range from 17 to 17 hd, having levels in fighter. Alignment: Neutral Good and Chaotic Good. Morale: 100/100 (Devoted)
66 dire wolves. They range from 6 to 8 hit dice, having levels in fighter, spell-less ranger and scout. Alignment: Neutral. Morale: 95/100 (Fanatic)
231 elven warriors. They range from 4 to 8 hd, having levels in various classes. Alignment: Chaotic Good. Morale: 83/100 (Fanatic)
50 earth elementals of medium size. They range from 6 to 7 hd, having levels in fighter and ranger. Alignment: Neutral. Morale: 84/100 (Fanatic)
50 fire elementals of medium size. They range from 6 to 7 hd, having levels in fighter, scout and hexblade. Alignment: Neutral. Morale: 89/100 (Fanatic)
50 water elementals of medium size. They range from 6 to 7 hd, having levels in fighter, rogue and monk. Alignment: Neutral. Morale: 89/100 (Fanatic)
50 air elementals of medium size. They range from 6 to 7 hd, having levels in fighter, rogue and ninja. Alignment: Neutral. Morale: 84/100 (Fanatic)
12 earth elementals of large size. They range from 8 to 10 hd, having levels in fighter and dwarven defender. Alignment: Neutral. Morale: 84/100 (Fanatic)
163 catfolk warriors of medium size. They range from 3 to 8 hd, having levels in many various classes. Alignment: Neutral, Neutral Good, Chaotic Good, Chaotic Neutral. Morale: 98/100 (Fanatic)
25 conflagration oozes of large size. They range from 7 to 7 hd, having levels in fighter. Alignment: Neutral. Morale: 69/100 (Good)
143 tortles of medium size. They range from 3 to 7 hd, having levels in many various classes. Alignment: Neutral, Neutral Good. Morale: 90/100 (Fanatic)
992 refugees from the burning aeropolis. They range from 4 to 12 hd, having levels in monk, fighter, swashbuckler and various monk PrCs. Alignment: Neutral, Neutral Good, Chaotic Neutral, Chaotic Good. Morale: 87/100 (Fanatic)
100 satyrs of the sunrise. They range from 5 to 8 hd, having levels in bard, jester and battle dancer. Alignment: Chaotic Good. Morale: 72/100 (Good)
120 fey-blooded centaurs of halas. They range from 4 to 9 hd, having levels in fighter and deepwoods sniper. Alignment: Chaotic Good, Chaotic Neutral. Morale: 68/100 (Good)
50 dire lions. They range from 8 to 12 hd and do not gestalt. Alignment: Neutral. Morale: 50/100 (Fair)
50 griffons. They range from 7 to 12 hd and do not gestalt. Alignment: Neutral. Morale: 50/100 (Fair)
46 mineral quasi-elementals. They range from 3 to 10 hd, having levels in fighter. Alignment: Neutral. Morale: 60/100 (Fair)
Anvil's staying at base, but where are hammer and smith going? In other words, which is which in the above?
Smith and Hammer are both going together to the rift, presumably to where Domiel's forces are stationed and launch from there into the chaotic mess and doing on-site responses, with Jaela's forces focusing on studying/fixing, and Ithea's forces on fighting/guarding. They're still together otherwise.
If we're not going from where Domiel's forces are stationed, then Afina/Jaela can update on that.
Okay, how closely together are the two attacking armies going to work together? What sort of distances do y'all have in mind here?
Let's say three rounds of movement apart, so very close.
Alright, new topic up in a little while. Question: Do y'all want the two attacking groups in one topic or split apart? It'll impact how I run things.
I say keep them together, personally. If it's easier on you though, we can assume that the 3 movement round effect would cause us to switch threads as necessary? Would it be much easier for you or harder?
From strictly a management view point, keeping the threads apart would probably be easier. A lot of this and the NPCs are going to be handwaved so it isn't a repeat of the last adventure.
Then I'm fine with having them split.
Okay then, split it is. New topics incoming in a few. Locking this one.