The War of Fallien Discussion Thread

[Witchblade]

As the title suggest, this is concerning the war taking place in Fallien.



Instead of making this as one large or multiple large Feature Quest ideas we are setting up the war so that people may participate in it to the needs of their characters. Cyrus and I will be running a main thread where the larger events will be happening and anyone who is interested in joining may create their own threads with ideas that you can shape yourself instead of being dictated into doing.

There are Cultists surrounding the city and Harpies coming in from the air.

Please submit your questions, ideas and comments here so that you may recruit others for your quest and so that we can make sure you’re not going to blow up the city.

And yes, we realize the war has been going on for some time now, however threads have died and it seems people have forgotten about it so here we are reminding you that this is not going away! In order for the war to end people must participate in it and help destroy the Harpies and Cultists.

Currently running threads:

Main Thread - A Diary of War (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?p=46811#post46811) (Ira Shinkara and Izvilvin)

An Escape to Nirrakal (Dakkon, Nein and Special Forces)

[MiaKane]

ready to go when you are

[Zerith]

An odd question.

Would you consider "Fragments of the Past" part of the war going on? I mean, we are thwarting an attempt to assassinate the Jya.

[The Valkyrie]

I would actually consider it to be an almost prequel to the War - as though the thwarting of the assassination led to the alliance between the Cult and the Harpies and the Siege of Irrakam. Does that make sense at all?

[Witchblade]

It makes perfect sense in my mind.

Don't let that stop you from joining the war though, Z-Man. In fact, i encourage it if you want to stay breathing. *shakes fist*

*EDIT*

Through events that Cyrus, Val and I have planned we currently need two or more people to escort The Jya and Brynn's daughter Astrid through the underground tunnels and towards Nirrakal. There they will leave The Jya and Astrid in their safe hands, rally the Nirrakal tribe to fight for Fallien and return to Irrakam with them.

We need these people to:

A) Be able to understand maps and navigate the confusing tunnels as well as spot and disable any possible traps in them.

B) Not be eaten by Hannibal Lecter

C) Not allow the thread to die!

[DakkonRyck]

Count me in- no better way to get back into Althanas then to dive into something. I'd help escort as Dakkon has experience navigating tunnels... traps not so much. But for now I'll just jump in on the war.

[Osato]

Heh, I'm about to make a new charry... lol. However, he's going to end up joining with the Cultists... do I get anything for fighting with them? Rewards and such? Or is that basically a loosing side to join, no matter what I do?

[The Valkyrie]

Oh I'm quite certain that the leader of the Cult of Mitra will reward you somehow, most likely with poisons or other more subversive items. That would definitely be something we could discuss. But yes that side will definitely lose the war, that has already been decided.

[Nein]

Not so good at nagivating maps, or pointing out traps, but I'm sure Drenn will be quite content to attempt to find them, or spring them in his own ignorance. No promises on the Hannibal thing though, it's a tough call to make.

[Osato]

That takes the fun out of even trying... why can't that side win? If I rally the antagonists of Althanas and rp well enough, shouldn't that make any difference?

Lol. I'm just playing... I think it'd be cool to see a change and difference if peeps took sides, but that's cool.

I'll probably have a charry up soon enough, definitely something a little twisted and a little unloved. ~_^

[Witchblade]

It won't make a difference on who wins, the only thing you'll do is add to the body count and destruction that is taking place in Irrakam. Though yes, it would be an interesting plot twist if the Cultists won I don't think Val would appreciate it if I destroyed her people, even though I would make them rally a resistence, come back, kick ass and take names.

*shrugs*

All right, Dakkon and Nein, you'll be escorting The Jya and Astrid, they'll be your NPC's and they absolutely cannot die at all cost!

I'll be starting the main thread today and I'll let the two of you know when you can jump in. We'll play it so you'll come in the main thread and meet up with Izvilvin and Ira, we'll hand over the protection of The Jya and Astrid to you and then you'll leave the main thread to create your own. If you're ever confused you can always talk to one of us.

[DakkonRyck]

Alright I'll keep an eye out for the Thread Witchy. And don't worry Nein- Hannibal ain't got nothing on Aleria.

[Iriah Caitrak]

All right, I've got the main thread up now, anyone wishing to keep track of what's going on may find it here (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?p=46811#post46811)

I'll also be editing it into my first post for organizational reasons.

[The Valkyrie]

The point of the Hannibal comment, is not whether or not you could kick his ass, but rather that he eats the rude, and you MUST absolutely be 100% courteous and polite with both the Jya and especially with the Nirrakali Glasswalkers. Oh and I need to talk to you guys about a creature that hasn't been added to the bestiary but that is an integral part of Nirrakali culture in the caves, as well as a danger while you are in the tunnels. I'll PM you soon.

[Special Forces]

Leo could help defend the Jya and the girl but he can't disarm traps.

[Witchblade]

All right, three is the max though. Anymore than that and we'll be worrying about things getting confusing. There are other things people can do besides escort The Jya. we have Ther Merchant's Walkway, items need to be moved around in there, provisions need to be protected, we've got The Outlander's Quarters already filled with the criminals of Irrakam. There's plenty of other stuff people can do if they're interested.

[DakkonRyck]

Thanks for the heads up Val- I hadn't even thought of that.

[DakkonRyck]

That thread you posted is for the escorters to come into whoever they will to form the escort- then will move to a sepreate thread once they've left.

Thats my understanding- I'm just double checking.

[Cyrus the virus]

It is, but you don't need to post just yet. I need to throw up a post so we can move to that point. It'll take another day or so, I guess, for the escorting to actually begin.

[Ataraxis]

Well, Witch goaded me into participating in this War some way or another, so if there's anything that needs to be done in the Outlander's Quarters, I'd be glad to do it.

However, would an Exile still be accepted back to the Outlander's Quarters? Or would they not care if everything's become a fiery bedlam?

[Arsenic Ruin]

-Speaks in tiny voice- I would like to help?

[Witchblade]

Ataraxis, I think it would be a great reward for your character not only to receive something after this war is over but perhaps be given some kind of citizenship in Fallien so she no longer has to stay in The Outlander's Quarters.

Arsenic you may assist as well. At the moment Izvilvin and I do not need anything specifically done, however the whole city is under siege in some way or another if either of you have an idea you would like to do, post it here and we'll see about getting that started.

[Witchblade]

All right, Dakkon and the rest of the gang going to Nirrakal. You can make your introduction posts into A Diary of War. Remember that though the fighting has started the streets are filled with little to no Cultists at the moment, however there are plenty of Harpies attacking from the air.

In my next post I'll be leading everyone out of the underground tunnels and into the streets to find people capable of leading The Jya and Astrid to safety. We of course, need to run into each other. It would be much easier if you three become a group before Ira and Izvilvin find you.

[DakkonRyck]

I'll post shortly- still getting set up with my new classes and unpacking. I should be able to post either tonight or tomorrow.

[Farmboy]

So is 'Finding Their Sea Legs' not relevent anymore?

[Storm Veritas]

Who's turn is it in the "Luxury...Hospital" thread? Slavegirl, I thought it was yours, but I could be wrong. That was shaping up very well, and I have no intention of abandoning it.

[Osato]

Umm... what threads am I supposed to post in with my bad guy? Anything specific?

Heh.

[The Valkyrie]

Everything is still relevant - Witchy and Cyrus just started another main thread to keep things fresh because I made the mistake of catching the flu and letting the whole siege slide. That's okay though because sieges last for weeks or months, and so we are just being realistic.

As far as the LRH Storm, I'll try to post, I've just been sick and busy and stressed and depressed and wow life is just hating me at the moment. But I'll try to get a post up by the end of the week.

Everyone else who has posts ---- get going, don't let this thing die!

Oh, and as far as you with the baddies Osato --- I dunno... I'm not really sure who has any bad guy threads going - although you could see who has a space in a good guy thread and just be the bad guy to throw a wrench into the mix. Always play with their minds...

[Dirge]

This will be the bad guy charry, btw. And I supposed I'll just jump in then. W000T!

[Nein]

Seems like our cue, and if it is, I'll be posting tonight.

If not, warn me before I do :)

[Ataraxis]

Well, would it be plausible to dismantle one hostile group of cultist or stop one or two small waves from getting to Irrakam? I'm not too sure what else I could do. Though if Arsenic finds something, I'll be sure to join him.

[Witchblade]

The Cultists are mostly kept outside of Irrakam by the massive wall that surrounds and protects the city, however they will be trying to sneak in with small numbers to somehow disrupt the Fallien troops inside. So, Ataraxis, if you would like to do anything like that feel free.

[Slayer of the Rot]

Sorry for how long it's been taking me to post in War Drums...but as people can see, my activity has been spotty over the past couple days, and I haven't been on AIM, though it's for good reason. My great grandmother died in the hospital after going in for treatment for a hip she broke. It's been a lot more difficult than when some of my other relatives died because I was a little closer to her.

Off of the sob story, I'll be posting when I can. Sorry again.

[Witchblade]

I'm sorry, Dan...

If you're having too hard of a time or you need to drop out, or whatever, just let me know...

[Dirge]

.Shifting.Sands.of.Sorrow.

The idea behind this is a way for the cultists to have at least a little of a fighting chance. Of course, the minds of the people in charge of the cult are probably a little twisted, and satanic in a sense. So, budding off of that, I have come up with an idea that I was going to use for my site but adapted to ALthy for now.

So, the .Shifting.Sands. are a form of defense and offense, in a sense. It is a sacrifice, stealing the bodies and souls of the zealots and transforming them. In a sense they would become sort of immortal. So here’s the idea:

Months prior to the invasion planning had been started for the development of a weapon that not even the Keep could stop. Pure material contraptions had been all but cast out, given their limited capacity for power, slow speed, and general weaknesses. (It just didn’t make sense to make a thousand foot high catapult if it would take half of the army to guard it, two months to deliver it, and make it an obvious and impossible to defend target.) So, upon putting together the twisted minds of the more powerful cultists casters ((I still don’t know what you want me to refer to them as)) the idea was formed.

Magic was, and probably always would be, the most pure form of energy that could be readily harvested and bent to the will of the caster. Magic also was a tool that could produce the most sinister of creations, tearing apart the shell of humanity, consuming the soul, and replacing both with a bloodlust and desire to follow only what was commanded of them.

The idea was like this. A well of sorrows, a sacrificial pit that was rather deep, was to be created. In this pit the spell would be cast, and it would take the sacrifices of multiple casters to produce the blood required to fill the small pit. Once cast the area about the well, up to a mile, would become tainted (not physically changing but elementally changing into the twisted tool of the cult).

That’s the first part of the plan. The second part is where the shifting sands come in. Troops were told that they were going to become powerful, immortal beings in order to serve the cult. They lined up, droves of them, to give of themselves for the cult (but more so for themselves). Each was told to bring only what they would go into battle wearing (armor, swords, and no personal gear). When they arrived they were killed, each one, slowly in front of the others.

The result was the shifting sands. An army created of the stolen souls of humans, melded with the sands, nigh impervious to death.

.Characteristics.


A soldier of the sands has only the gear he had when he was killed and melded with the sand. No additional armor, upgrades, or weapons can be given to them.
They are at the will and command of the most powerful cultists caster present at each tainted location (or closest to it within a couple of miles), who will feel their souls looking at him when they do not have a task at hand. To communicate with them is like talking to a hive mind, one word and they will all listen. The further the caster is away the less likely they will be able to command the army, as well as the weaker they are the less likely they will be able to command the army.
A soldier of the sands can move ‘almost’ unseen. Like sharks fins above the water, the soldiers heads peek out just a bit.
Though they cannot die in a mortal sense, they do have certain points that must be struck (at least half of them) in order to “kill” them. The first two are the most pivotal, if both are struck they are immediately banished. The head and the chest. Others are the shoulders and either side of the hips (all four will detach an arm or a leg).
The ‘points’ are not exactly physical, but meta-physical points. They are all small orbs of a bluish green, consisting of magical energy. The points are what are used to hold them together and continue moving them, a life source if you will.
They are ‘immortal’ because destroying the ‘points’ does not kill them but instead dismisses them. Once dismissed the ‘soul of the sand’, their previous souls, must make the trip back to the closest of the tainted sands areas. They move at the speed of a steady run (perhaps around 15 mph).
Each tainted sand area has a particular limit to how many warriors can be created from its sands. The larger and more elaborate the pit of sacrificing is the more troops can be summoned from it. The average pit can create one hundred (100) soldiers. Smaller pits can have up to fifty (50), and the largest has yet to be created (though is in planning) that can have up to five hundred (500) souls.
Once a pit is created and the sands have been tainted, the pit cannot be added to in order to increase the number of troops available for creation. More pits cannot be created on desecrated grounds, within the tainted area, and must be created on the soft sands of Fallien for now.
This form of ritualistic summoning cannot be performed in the mountains (to create rock soldiers yet), near water, in an Oasis (again yet), or within a city.
If the tainted area is a mile, we’ll say, a soul regenerating at the edge will regenerate slower (Half a day) than one at the epicenter (three hours) of the circle.
In order to fully destroy the sands one must purify and then destroy the sacrificial pit that was used to taint the sands. The sands will slowly be cleansed, over the period of a couple of days, but during that time the soldiers of the sand can and will regenerate (though at half the speed they would otherwise).
If not given orders (there is no cultist to command them, they are not given a command yet, ect) they will remain within the circle of the tainted sands. While in that circle they will identify threats from enemies, defend the living cultists, and defend their sacrificial pit first and foremost.



What do you think? Would it fly?

[Cyrus the virus]

I'll let Witch handle the continuity stuff, and making sure this fits with Fallien as she's the co-writer, but I myself will only agree to this if you get rid of those periods in .Shifting.Sands. Because that's silly.

[Witchblade]

Yeah, those weird periods you use are kind of odd and annoying, especially when you put them in actual posts in quests. :p

This idea is very interesting, I like what I am reading and I definitely think it will make the battle for Fallien a lot more complicated and actually give us more of a challenge, which was what I was looking for. Theses sand soldiers do remind me of Arta, the only main difference is that these soldiers can be commanded while Arta are just mindless killers, similar to zombies but a lot more powerful.

As these sand soldiers themselves are in fact tainted souls, have you given thought to what would happen if they came up against a large force of Calerians? Calerians are in fact a tribe that lives in the outskirts of Fallien and they have the ability to release souls trapped in the physical plane as well as that of Purgatory. So if a bunch of Calerians attempted to release the souls of these sand soldiers, what exactly would happen? Would the tainted sand that they come from just decreased in the number of souls within it or would Calerians seemingly have no effect on them, an outcome I do not see happening since they're weapons are purposefully formed to attack souls.

I don't like this idea spreading over into the mountainous regions, or areas with water, I think it would be better suited to keep the soldiers as sand soldiers.

Another thing, how do epople come about cleansing this tainted area of the desert?

[Cyrus the virus]

Izvilvin kills dem mothafuckas, that's how!

[Osato]

People that attack souls should and would be able to dismiss the sands quickly enough, but not able to kill them because they aren’t linked to the sand shells they are using as a body, but instead to the tainted sands. Attacking the sand people’s souls would be like killing only half of their soul, which would just respond back at the tainted areas.

The mountain region and water things were just for much later, and a little more of a detailed description on what I had thought out.

Cleansing would be something like draining the blood away and filling in the pit. I know it would sound easy, but when you have a hundred sand soldiers attacking you and constantly regenerating it becomes quite difficult. Also, any divine spells that could be technically used as a purifying spell (mostly attributed to clerics and paladins) can be used to turn the blood into water or get rid of it somehow. I don’t know, use your imaginations. And the sand will slowly turn back to normal.

Say, you have a tainted area of a mile and you have cleansed the pit. That mile will slowly shrink inwards until it reaches the middle, where the pit was. At that point the sand will return to normal and the souls that were connected to it will be released for good.


((And periods are now forgotten... didn't realize I had done it IC'ly either, Feh.))

[Witchblade]

Ahh, so I'm sure the Priestesses would be able to cleanse the area as the soldiers keep the sand soldiers busy and away from them.

I definitely like this idea, are you planning on using it in Marching? Or did you want to jump in during a specific part of the main quest Izvilvin and I are running and have the soldiers attack Irrakam directly. Of course, both options can be done as well.

[Osato]

Probably both... though Marching would only be a test run... or a precurssor to the main thread that I'd place the brunt of the force in.

I suppose, realistically, that we'd only have about 1000 (at the very most) acting as sand warriors. If that's too many no worries, I can cut it down... but the pits that they are going to be spawning from will be quite far away too.

[Witchblade]

For Marching we'll need to make it a smaller number since it's the test run, we'll make it around 700 soldiers or so and if it runs smoothly I'll think about bumping it up to about 1000-2000 for a main assault on Irrakam.

[Osato]

Lol, that's a lot. I was thinking something around 300-500, but 7's cool too. Lol

[Witchblade]

Well, I figured 700 against a force of roughly 5000.

[Dirge]

Adding the 100 that I have personally... that's about 800. And I don't plan to have all of mine die yet either. Lol

[Cyrus the virus]

Izvilvin will fight your sand bitches alone!

Rather, I support the idea because I like to kill.

[Witchblade]

Nein, Special Forces, where are you two? We're waiting on you and making me wait on your posts and making me question whether or not I can trust you guys to keep this thread running. I can't die, if you guys drop out in the middle of it, we're screwed.

And Kyle, 700 soldiers max, including your own force of 100. No adding extra numbers here. ^_~

[Nein]

So we're supposed to post now?

It was rather unclear, sorry, I'll be there in 20.

All this talk of "sand bitches"...

[Witchblade]

Killing sand bitches is fun. :p

All right, just to keep everyone in the loop. I've sent out a PM to Special Forces, if he doesn't get back to me within the next few days we'll move on without him.

[Farmboy]

Is Christina intending to continue Finding Their Sea Legs?

[Witchblade]

I would assume so. I'll harrass him on AIM tomorrow, right now I'm heading off to bed.

[Nein]

I'll assume Dakkon and I have some time to acquaint ourselves?

Shouldn't take long, hopefully his NPC's will clear my burden.

[Witchblade]

Yes, would you three please continue to post and form a group, once you've done that Izvilvin and I will run into you and give you, your mission.

[DakkonRyck]

Ahh- alright- I'll post then and clear his so called Burden.

[Nein]

So called?

Let's see you take on three harpies unarmed... ;)

Responding.

[Dirge]

I'll post in the Beat of the War Drums today... and I was wondering what was going on with the luxury resort... hotel thread? I wanted to post in that one too, but I didn't see it going anywhere.

[The Valkyrie]

I'm just lazy and haven't posted as Slavegirl yet. Depression and going out of town don't combine for a conducive writing environment... I'll get to it... eventually... go ahead and post if you want to.

[Nein]

Sorry, can't write for the love of me - don't want to force it.


Check the last two paragraphs of Scara Scourge if you want to make sure. Vomit inducing or teeth clenching are leading for descriptions of how utterly worthless it is.

[Osato]

Heh, overdue, but I'll get too it. No promises this time... -_-

[Nein]

Found my words, sorry about the wait.

[Witchblade]

It's cool, we all lose our inspiration from time to time.

[DakkonRyck]

As to the response of Dakkon taking on three Harpies. So far he's taken on a great deal worse which could include the following. One Huge Spider like creature which he had to scale up to do anything too. Two air born 'Kitals' in the end of one of his Storylines. Various other critters as well. Oh a Giant Snake that was fun. But my personal favorite was the creature fought during the gathering of the Demon-Steel. Or perhaps the five Larosian Bounty Hunters he had to fend off before part 2 of the End Game quest series.

Dakkon is good with mobs. Despite not being greatly skilled he is intelligent.

Harpies? Pssh- just cause he can take on all three doesn't mean he's going to. Not stupid.

Either way- posted.

It must be rembered though. Harpies fly- and thus gain serveral advantages and disadvantages depending on the situation.

(Note: I was a little tipsy when I wrote this- not bragging.)

[The Glassmaker]

Hey, all. How goes recruiting of the Mi'sheteri? Perhaps, once you reach the caves, my character could become involved? Due to his history, he'd be most willing to join the fight against the harpies.

[Cyrus the virus]

I see no problem with that.

[Witchblade]

That actually fits in perfectly since we wanted to recruit a bunch of the Nirrakal warriors and have Dakkon and his group bring them back to Irrakam.

Anyway, now that you three are together Cyrus and I will start posting in the quest again. We'll meet up with you within the first two or three posts and recruit you for your mission. :p

[DakkonRyck]

I know its my post- I'll be posting soon give me a bit to get some things sorted out with the apartment.

Long story short- essential electroic objects broke which is making life hell- and I got a bit behind in school. Expect a post tonight or tomorrow at the latest.

[Cyrus the virus]

I'll post shortly after, or even before. I keep forgetting/collapsing after study! Sorry dudes!

Must catch up on threads =O

[DakkonRyck]

Posted! Huzzah!

[Cyrus the virus]

I'll try to get a post up now!

[Witchblade]

sorry I haven't posted lately, I haven't had it in me. I'll try to get one up soon though.

[Dirge]

No worries, I'm going through the same shite... hopefully things don't die though. :(

[Witchblade]

I have to get in contact with Kell about our thread. I have no idea where he disappeared to...

[Nein]

Uh oh, did our quest go inactive?

Just wondering how everyone's doing on time and creativity. Good? Bad? ... both?

[Witchblade]

I think Dakkon's disappeared...

I'll have to harrass him in MSN the next time I see him.

[Osato]

Yeah... I wanna continue maming and destroying the poor Fallien people...

[Aryr de Morte]

Would it be too late to get in on this?

Taking part in a large scale battle would be this character's fancy.
Something magical or mysterious for Kylexan (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?t=4674)
Or catching runaway (thing here) for A'rei.

[The Valkyrie]

Even if you aren't taking part in the main siege battle thread, you can definitely make spinoff threads concerning the siege - these are most definitely encouraged.

[Aryr de Morte]

Would being a sort of on-the-fly commander of around 150-200 elite soldiers be okay? Also, who would I fight? Another PC or a solo quest (Just read up on the forces of the enemy and fight an NPC commander, unless you have a specific idea?)? Either would be fine with me and either outcome, winning or losing, would be fine with me.

[Osato]

Umm... I'll fight you with Dirge on a larger scale battle. If you want to assault one of the shifting sand points with your character and his small contingent I'd be willing to throw up a small battle with you...

EDIT: I also have planned to get some sort of weapon, probably a unique spear of some sort, for Dirge too. If you want to do something around that just hit me up and we can throw up a thread for it...

[Aryr de Morte]

I'll get on AIM soon and we can discuss then.

[Witchblade]

Spin-off threads are fine, Kyle, don't go too crazy with your little set of minions I've allowed you or I'll pull the sand right out from underneath you. :p

I encourage--if you are going to do some kind of battle--that you of course recruit other people to join you. If you ever need help on anything, you can contact me via MSN, AIM or PM.

[Osato]

Yep yep, the only problem being that I don't have any allies in this fight... lol. If Emma wants to pull people to help, that'd be cool.

[Aryr de Morte]

I'll put a nice "Join now bitches" kind of thread, I guess. :)?

[DakkonRyck]

Hax! I posted. Sorry people... stuffz happened.

[DakkonRyck]

I think its time for another whisper bump reminded for 'The Dairy of War' Whom is next?

[Nein]

It's possible I could post, but the stress of my impending schedule is starting to get to me. If I survive the weekend, then I might be in the mood to write. Just letting everyone know...

...I'll go cry now.

[Cyrus the virus]

I'll try to take on a bigger role in this so as to help it move along. I can't really deal with another 3-6 months of this >.<

[Witchblade]

It's my turn, I've been neglecting it due to my real life issues.

I haven't really felt like writing about war and death... but I was just about to work on my post this morning.

[Cyrus the virus]

S'okay Witchmeister. Just give me some guidance and I can put more effort into taking a leadership role, to take some of yer burden, aye?

[Witchblade]

It's already up. It's shit and don't I know it, but it's up. Let's get Dakkon and his group on their way to Nirrakal and then you and I need to discuss some following events. I do have a few ideas...

[Nein]

Who is to make the second thread, where we three accompany the Jya?

I assume it will begin rather shortly, considering our confrontation is almost over and Izvilvin wishes to begin his harpy massacre.

[Cyrus the virus]

Damn right he does!

I figure one of you will make the second thread and take on the responsibility yourselves. It'll also give you guys a bit more freedom, rather than just following us around. I figure you'll each get another post in, at least, before we move on.

[Witchblade]

Yeah, I have to wait for Dakkon to show up on MSN to let him know it's his turn to post. I know he's in the middle of finals, or some huge ass tests or whatever right now so it may take a few days.

[DakkonRyck]

Posted. No finals yet- in my third term but it's a short term so teachers are just CRAMING in the assignments. But yes... I le'posted.