idunia {Return to Sender}

[Sandman_Plays 659]

 

 

13th of the Grand Harvest, 266 S.A.
 

The day started like any other. Ser Caspian awoke in Kazan, fed his horse donned his armor and rode out toward Idunia, upon his arrival he was greeted with his usual administrative duties, piles of mail and reports had littered his desk, the war with the Horde and Urguan had been taxing most of his time, he placed a Gauntleted hand beneath his chin and sighed, slowly sipping from a water cup he tried to focus only for the shouts to disturb his peace once more.

“SER CASPIAN, SER CASPIAN! Gates SER!” The voice cried, the man rose from his desk, a deep eyeroll was seen before he began to march out from his office “What now…” He murmured.

Upon his arrival, he found himself staring at a familiar plate, the same plate he had seen on a Kha not long ago, when a raid was launched upon the Beastfolk Portectorate, a small group of hardened warriors were sent to bring the emperor some heads, and such had been done in haste. Though Caspian was no fool, he could not determine if it was the same person, only the armor struck resemblance.

After a brief search it was found the person in the gatehouse was a non-threat, though their actions caused Caspian to ban them from the city for the day. Then, it was time to return to his desk and continue to slog through the paperwork… Before it changed course once more; A cry for help was heard.

“Something's happening in the Library! QUICK!” The voice called, the desperate plea heard by most of the present soldiers in Idunia. The group came rushing through the doors of the Library to see one of their very own half dead upon a table, a large Lion Kha in tribalistic armour standing ever present, coated in its victim’s blood.

Caspian's eyes fell upon the scene before he ordered those present to kill it, whilst a medic slipped behind the group to grab the injured man, Tharon Zimrabar. The battle raged on and the Kha was ferocious in its attack… Only for it to be eventually cut down, falling to the floor barely breathing as blood welled in its wounds, before Ser Caspian and Holy Ser Valithaeil slammed their blades down upon its neck, Ser Caspian claiming the head as he found a quiet rage washing over him.

“The gate was a distraction…" He steamed, anger in his blood rising, Caspian’s next word booming across the room.

"ADMIRAL!"

High Admiral Maerîl O’Rourke appeared at Caspian’s side rapidly. “Is there a waterway into the Beastfolk Protectorate lands?”

“Aye, Ser… why?” She’d ask, though perhaps she knew the plan already, a brief grin spreading to one side of her face, stretching her scar.

“Build me a boat… cargo ship in nature… fill it with explosives and send it up river.” His command was simple, but obvious. Ser Caspian had called for the death blow toward the monsters of Metztli, a singular brutal action to render them infirm for a while, a simple and singular way for Caspian to ensure the safety of Idunia.

And thus the plan was set into action, Maerîl worked on the boat… building it quickly and efficiently as the marines of Ildon worked tirelessly to fill it with explosive material. Aptly named Zimrabar’s Revenge, after the attacked soldier, the ship was soon ready.

Once the day of reckoning came, Ser Caspian and Admiral Maerîl boarded the large guide ship, flying the colors of Ildon and Colborn as they sailed off. It was early morning, the only sounds that of a light breeze catching the sails, the morning squeaks of seagulls, and the gentle lapping of water against the guide ship's hull. Attached to its side was the explosive barge… the instrument of her and Caspian’s vengeance.

They came to the natural flow of the river’s edge… the tide seemed to be tugging at the two ships, before the lines of the explosive barge were cut.

“We have one shot at this… let's pray it works Admiral.”

“Aye.. the tide favors us this day, Ser Caspian” She replies calmly.

The pair watched as the barge slipped into the stream’s natural tide, before turning the guide ship around and sailing quickly away.

 

From within the Kharajyr homeland, it was but a normal day. The morning had been pleasant, the horror that was about to unfold unbeknownst to them. Kharajyr were sitting around their lake fishing and washing their clothes, not paying much attention to the small blackened hull of the explosive barge that had slipped through their trade-gate.

Tick… Tick…. Tick… BOOM! 

 

 

The first thing the citizens of the protectorate would notice was the deafening boom, as their eardrums burst beneath the sudden change in pressure. The shockwave slammed into them, sending them sprawling out across the mesa ground. Houses that were not secured turned to splinters and rubble, and most Beastfolk around the waters edge and nearby market were killed immediately from the force and heat of the explosion.

Part of an Iron gate flew forward SLAMMING into the travelling merchant Dorin Starbreaker! His arm ripped clean from his torso as his body collapsed onto the Oasis floor, crimson ichor spewing from the gaping wound. Sa'Maku, a Kha whose home was decimated before them, would feel the shock wave slam into him, sending him airborne into a nearby palmtree with the unmistakable CRACKING of ribs.

Those who were present and alive watched on in fear as the blinding flash of light dispersed and the cloud of dust kicked up by the barge finally resettled, around them they saw scorched earth, and dead Beastfolk.

An estimated 500 soldiers and citizens of the Beastfolk Protectorate perished in the initial blast.. Some more perhaps to succombe to wounds later on, though for now it was the closest estimate.

The once calm river of the Beastfolk Protectorate washed over everything in its wrath, a large surface wave created by the sheer force of the barge. Flame spread and people screamed, the Beastfolk who were somewhat away from the explosion felt their fur burning to nothing, their very skin being exposed to Owyn’s flame.

From the guide ship Caspian and Maerîl watched the mushroom cloud emerge from the Protectorate. Nodding to each other for a job well done. From the bank, Yhl'Flaaowni, Priestess of Metztli, watched the Knight Commander and Admiral of Idunia sail away, to the screams of her people at her back and prayers of horror and salvation upon her lips…

 

 

 

 

{!} A joint letter was then sent out to those relevant.

“Today we struck a blow against the Beastfolk. Idunia has stepped forward and put a dent into their kind,

after their constant attacks against our people we have finally struck back.

This time in full, let the smell of burnt flesh and screams of their people be a lesson: Do not bite off more than you can chew.”



 

Signed,

HER HIGH LADYSHIP, Maerîl-Emigliana, Matriarch of the House Rourke, Lady-Paramount of Ildon, High Admiral of the Host of Idunia, Master of Tomes, Bard of the Harren Court, Templar Justiciar of Malchediael, Knight of the Realm, Founder of Ildon, Savior of Rourke, Chief-Cennesaei of the Elendâri, Champion of Delgorthad, The First Oathman of the Númenaranyë

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

 

His Excellency, Ser Caspian Beowulf Colborn III, Knight Commander of Idunia, Kapten of the Carrengaurd, Lord of Kazan, The First Sword of Slesvik.

 

ooc- thanks to Dizzy for letting us do this instead of a generic raid very cool of you :3

[Marthia 273]

Sascha read this missive with glee. Decisiveness was something she admired and sought to reflect in every action she would soon take in this war. 

Let them lose sleep, pondering their next move.
 

Edited January 4 by Marthia

[Metamancy 1766]

"Flaaowni-nim..." Cheong-Won spoke out, her hands shaking as she held the missive.

She shook her head.

The spirits would watch over Flaaowni.
And that was enough.

[Areon 947]

Somewhere in the Seven Skies, Admiral Oisin O'Rourke, the first Count of his house, stands with a proud smile knowing that his kin still serve honorably in his most beloved line of duty.

[Cally 1080]

 

Spoiler

I can hear the meowing

Admiral Maerîl wiped herself clean of black powder as she sailed away with Ser Caspian, giving him a glance. She looked back and signed the lorraine over her chest, hoping that perhaps the dead would find their grace in GOD knowing they had gambled in the category of Idunian lives long before she had decided to send the boat off. The suffering of many would have to suffice for the near-death of her loyal soldier of Zimrabar. 

 

And for that decisiveness, she smiled. 

[Norgeth 1894]

Mirion-Angbar Zimrabâr helped load the boat bearing his family’s name with explosive barrels, stepping back as it was sailed out to its destination by his liege and the Knight Commander. “Do not mess with House Zimrabâr again” he said to himself as it left port “Khôr Aeradar. Deus Magnus. . .”

[DizzyGrey 1229]

"SHE WANTS THEM DEAD." Yhl'Flaaowni howled as she tended to the wounded, the blood mage's magics working overtime with the pulse of her heart to keep those wounded from falling into the afterlife. "No- She wanting thems alive." Her tone turns cold as her eyes darken, aged fangs glinting yellow in the light.

 

"Thems hearts, thems souls." She ranted amidst the blood soaked temple, pausing only now and then to bark prayers to the sigil of the Moon within. "All will scream for this."

"Metztli nequitlanequiltzi." She hisses, in the warcry of her people. "Their blood am hers."

[Kardika 1057]

a salvian yawns upon hearing the news "dem' imps are vain ain't dey? not every' litl' incursion' gives need fer' a victory missive"

[IvIorwenna 148]

Sa'Caxhuarra lay weary of mind in the bed of the Protectorate's clinic, her eyes twitching under their lids as aid is rendered upon her by a foreign Shaman. His rumbling voice fell silent on her ears as he performed his arts. Though in time her body would recover, a scar may be left on her mind from the traumatic experience. Tick-tick-tick, she heard, and as soon as came the light, her mind swam with darkness.

[___ 361]

The elder Hou-Zi paced back and forth, muttering various obscenities under his breath. “All those explosives, and our wall still hasn’t been destroyed? Now our alchemists will need to waste their time finishing the job!”

[Cheese 8883]

27 minutes ago, Kardika said:

a salvian yawns upon hearing the news "dem' imps are vain ain't dey? not every' litl' incursion' gives need fer' a victory missive"

Constantina flipped through the morning paper, and noted a lack of news denoting any enemy victories. After confirming with her courier, she smiled with relief upon finding out there weren't any unpublished victories either! "What delightful news for our good Imperium," She hummed; this had been an excellent start to her day.

[Pepto 677]

Earendur Marsyr made quick work in cleaning his hands of black-powder, after preparing that vessel with the Admiral. A lorraine signed for the poor souls who would find said vessel, if at all the beastmen might find some mercy from GOD, regardless of their vile source.

[Baccaaa 490]

A fellow captain and pyromancer smiled the sun's smile at the news. "That is how you do it, yeah! I love Maerîl and Ildon!" Uriella said as she watched the scene unfold, cherishing a goblet of wine from safe distance.

[Riot 743]

.... Dorin Starbreaker lies queitly in the clinic.

[Wasteland_Shaman 97]

The Lurgoth shook his head, he rode out from the city with his travelling companions, a young kharajyr cub, a fellow shaman and the injured Dorin Starbreaker...Smoke and ash fell behind him yet the Uruk heard whispers in his mind as his horse tread along the path to Urguan...

 

"Flay them...Flay them all...These infidels shall pay for believing in fairy tales and following false gods..." 

 

The Uruk simply rode on with his party, paying heed to the voice of The Flayer in his head, he kept the course...Until a skipping otter caught his attention.