The People...they are the sheep.
They follow the word of others without question, they go about their lives clinging to trend and taken for granted liberties.
Then the wolves...they have a taste for blood, for destruction. They prey on the sheep, attacking and poisoning the world with their feral bites.

Alas, the Sheepdog.
With the same taste for blood the wolf shares, however the destruction is honed upon the wolves, against the dog's enemies. It protects the sheep.

However, when both fight for their love, and for their people....
What separates the Sheepdog from the wolf?

The Last War of the Wolves was an eight month war between Hammerfell and the then mighty Empire of Cyrodiil. Heroes erupted from both sides, leaving a sea of blood at their feet.

Amongst each other, men.

Amongst others, wolves.

This was not a war for the faint of heart. In six months the Imperial Legions destroyed most of Hammerfell's armies....and in the last two months the High King of Hammerfell and his legacy had sent his men...his wolves to prey on their foe.

Every inch of land was fought for. Every hour the chances of one's life coming to an end increased.

Atrocities and unspeakable acts were committed by both sides.

And finally, on the eighth month of the bloody war it all came to an end.

The Legends of each side rose against each other, every wolf intending to claim the sheep their own.

Drunk with blood the warriors marched to ruin, to malice...to doom.

All with a smile upon their faces.





Storyline: It is the 2nd Year of the 4th and the treaty of Anvil signed between the Empire and the Summerset Isle finally brings peace after over a year of bloodshed that has seen countless lives lost at sea and on land. The terms were in favor of the Summerset Isles, and the entire Valenwood Province was given to them, re-creating the Aldmeri Dominion.

With the majority of the Legions battered, the impetuous Redguards of Hammerfell erupted in rebellion seeing their chance at independence. This was motivated by what the Hammerfell population felt was alienation and indifference toward the newly expanding Iliac Bay Wars and heavy taxation. Chancellor Ocato managed to keep peaceful relations with the newly reborn Aldmeri Dominion allowing him to send most of the Legion forces to Hammerfell to crush the wild fire rebellions.



The plan was simple, drive a main force along the southern coastal cities while using naval support to re-supply. At the same time, the Nords were allowed to attack from the north east and did so in small raiding parties largely unorganized but enough to spread out the Redguards superior numbers. Within half a year, the Empire's Legions had recovered all of the Forebear cities who put up much less of a fight then the Crowns would have allowing the force to remain largely intact. The Legion perused the Redguards up the western coast toward Sentinel but before it could be reached the Redguards sprang their trap beating back the Legions to Chasetown with light casualties however.

A letter was sent to the Imperial City requesting for more troops. The "roaring" walls of Sentinel were fierce and fiery unnerving all but the most veteran and elite of the legion. The once mighty military arm of the Empire was weak and worn. The Elder Council had no readied forces to send.

--------------------------------------------------------

The dragon symbol of the Empire was adorned down the walls of the Elder Council chambers. Each seat was filled and a thick air of gravity made it hard for everyone to breath. Arguments went back and forth for hours on what should be done. Logistics were again and again repeated like unyielding love poetry recited to one's dear. What would be done, what could be done, was the wisdom of the Elder Council exhausted?

"But then how do we crush these rebels? We must crush them on their own ground lest they become even more arrogant and invade the whole of Colovia!"

"Non-sense, our Nord allies would not allow such a thing to befall upon the Empire. Calm yourself."

"You're an old senile fool if you think the Nords will side with us if an invading force attacked Cyrodiil itself. No one north of Bruma has appreciated our little peace keeping Legion we sent to defend the Redoran boarder. The entire Nordic province is a reckless bastion of raiding marauders, lawless mad men and.."

The rant was interrupted by another voice, a strong and confident voice. It was the voice of Claudius, a tall and broad man of Colovian stock.

"We must simply look to see who our allies are and what if any military force they hold. To the south we have the province of Elsweyr but with the Aldmeri Dominion as a whole on their western boarder, and their fleets to their south, they won't bother considering taking any of their own troops out of their garrison. To the north as we know the Nords have already been given the go ahead to raid the north east of Hammerfell in an attempt to thin the Redguard defenses. To the North West we have Queen Elysana of Wayrest who has just gained a peaceful treaty in her favor from Daggerfall and Orsinium. She would gladly accept the invitation to stake some claims on land owned by Sentinel and who would we be to deny her? Finally to the East, we have King Helseth of Morrowind who has friendly relations with both Aryon of Great House Telvanni and Andarys of Great House Dres."

Claudius paused for a moment allowing for his words to sink in but before he could begin again the voice of Ocato finally spoke across the room. It was no secret that Ocato and Claudius were not on friendly terms. Each one suspected the other of having political ambitions that were too arrogant for the other and that would prove disastrous for the Empire.

"And how do you propose we motivate the good King of Morrowind to move an entire army of his all the way across Tamriel to fight on a war which he has nothing to gain while his political rivals at home scheme in his absence?"

Ocato grinned, thinking he had just given the rebuttal to shut up Claudius for the rest of the meeting.

"We make him Emperor."

Ocato's grin was only outdone by Claudius's. The entire council erupted in gasps of shock followed by murmuring, conversing and noise.

"Preposterous!"

"It's the only hope of the Empire!"

"We'll have the entire city in rebellion by morning!"

"He has proven his loyalty to us!"

"SILENCE!"

Everyone fell quiet. Claudius couldn't stand most elves, especially arrogant haughty ones such as the Altmer, Ocato. He would rather see an Imperialized Dark Elf like Helseth be Emperor then Ocato.

"Perhaps you had some aspiration for the throne Ocato, perhaps your entire goal is to hand the Empire to your kin in the Aldmeri Dominion. You were awfully quick to give an entire province to them in exchange this vassalage you call peace! Our people are starving in the streets of Bravil and Skingrad paying taxes for your kind!"

Claudius was now yelling. The old council member by the name of Craterus stood up. He was known as a man of reason and balance, usually quiet and correct.

"Making Helseth Emperor would cause problems. But how do we get him to fight for us you ask. We need every ally we can get. It is no secret we need an Emperor. Our constant bickering is proof enough for me of such fact. Why not offer a challenge then, to prove the worth of each of these rulers. Whoever shall quell the rebellion in Hammerfell, shall rule the Empire!"






Information you would like to know:

Relationship between the allied factions: As you may well know, Helseth and Elysana loathe each other. The succession of either one of them as ruler of the Empire will mean the death of the other. They will not openly attack each other doing so would mean the death of the entire operation. Though both Elysana and Helseth will have much smaller forces then the Legion numbers, they are required to take over Sentinel. Perhaps a wise Redguard general can figure out how to cause a bit rift between the enemy and charge against them amongst the chaos? On top of this Ocato has also joined this siege with the Legions with his Imperial Battlemages, wanting to show his worth in the eyes of the council and be made Emperor.
Likewise the two Redguard faction leaders will not see eye to eye either. One being a Crown, the other a Forebear, about the only thing they can agree is that they need to win this siege. If one where to somehow cause a civil war within Sentinel, one would save many lives that would other wise be spent taking the walls.

Some basic rules:

I was surprised that I would have to post this, but others insisted it would be a good idea.

1. Use good grammar and spelling. Type your post up in Word if you don't think you can do it. Everyone makes mistakes so I don't have anything against people who aren't good at the language. English isnt my first language either, but not using precautions such as Word shows you really don't care. Make your posts lengthy and descriptive. Even if it is just a boring conversation, describe, describe, describe!

2. Expect to die! Make more then one character. You may be assassinated, stabbed, beaten, drown, buried alive, mauled by scamps or blown up. Or you might just be unlucky and catch an arrow in your throat. Regardless you aren't invincible and I will call you on it if it happens. I'm not against powerful characters, that isn't an issue, but do it because you know how to do it. Don't RP a master mage if you can't write about it in depth and with skill. "Shoots a major fire ball that kills everyone." Doesn't make you a good mage. It makes you a chump and you will be booted. Like wise don't RP and awesome archer if you don't know some basics for archery. The same goes for melee combat.

3. I don't care of you have romance! Just don't get lewd with it. Yes I don't care if you RP six as long as you are tactful about it. I don't care it doesn't bother me, and if it bothers people they can just skip over it. Just don't obsess over it, make sure it has a point to the storyline and isn't "stupid."

4. When fighting you almost NEVER write the outcome of your opponent. You don't write "Shoots a volley of arrows and kills all of the cavalry." You would just write that you shot the volley. Like wise if the person who is RPing the cavalry MUST reply to the attack. I've seen a lot of instances were the other guy just ignores what just happened. I was lax in Holy Wars concerning this situation, I won't be in this. You write in the affect of your enemy's attack, or I let them do it. And if they do, by some miracle all of the arrows will kill all of your cavalry.

5. Do NOT be all knowing. It's just stupid when you have a guy in the RP that just seems to be able to guess everything. RP your character unknowing of something if he really doesn't know even if it means his/her death



All characters will be PMed to me(Immortal Blood). Your main character needs a character sheet. You can have many others without it. I don't really care. Your faction needs a sheet as well which I will discuss with you via PM. Name the PM "Character Sheet ______" whoever your character is and for the faction it is "Faction Sheet______"


Character sheet:

Name:

Race: (Use Lore sense.)

Age: (Use Lore sense.)

Birthsign:

Physical Description: (Describe your character, not his/her clothes and armor. Clothes can change.)

History:

Weapons:

Armor:

Misc. Items: (Enchanted Rings, necklaces)

Companions: (Do you have a servant or body guard hanging around like an NPC or a secondary character?)

Faction Sheet:

Faction Name: (Wayrest, Legion, Helseth's Forces, Redguard Forebears, Redguard Crowns.)

Rank: (King, Cavalry Commander, Spearman, Peasant Archer's etc)

The rest will be a back and forth discussion. Say you are given 1000 troops. Out of that 1000 you then reply to me what kind of troops you want. For example: (feel free to use any of these btw)

Nibenay peasant archer levies (300): Archers drawn from the Colovian peasantry trained in use of a bow. They wear a mixture of iron chain-mail and padded armor and are armed with an iron dagger for melee.

Colovian Heavy Cavalry (550): Steel plated Knights mounted on armored horses ride into battle with lances and maces. They have a powerful charge against most infantry but are to avoid spear and pike units.

Nordic Marauders (150): Hardy and fierce warriors from Skyrim who fight for gold and plunder. These brave warriors are usually armed with steel claymores or axes with wooden round shields. They are usually armored in chain-mail and leather armors.

And of course numbers would be higher and you can get very descriptive. You are also to keep track of your own forces. I will also keep track of some people incase they accidentally make a mistake.



Last but not least, I've always been a fan of the Daedra artifacts in the Elder Scroll Series. If you want one, tell me so and which one and see if you can come up with a story behind it for your character. I won't allow some artifacts and I may pick someone else for you if I see that the storyline would better from them having the artifact instead of you. It isn't that you may be a bad choice, but that the other person may have a better role for it.


Cast of Characters


Geraldduval:

Septimus Aquila - Nord. Knight Commander of the Imperial Legion and second in command to Quintus Cinncinatus. Known for being sickly thin, weak, difficult to deal with, dirty and a hopeless alcoholic.

Jean Molyneaux - Breton. Long dead, an apparition from Aquila's past that both aides and torments the drunken nord.

Centurion Lucius Varo - Imperial. Aquila's right hand man and adjutant. Born to the army and completely decensitized to violence and cruelty. known for being harsh in the treatment of friend and foe alike. Carries a fine Ra'gada dai-katana, taken from the Ansei Raza after a rescue attempt.

Centurion Titus - Imperial. Primary Centurion and adjutant in the tenth legion. Has a pleasant demeanor, and is ultimately, rather slow witted. He carries the Rose of the Alik'r, taken from the Elden Yokeda Haroun during a fight in the trenches.

Quintus Cinncinatus - Imperial. Knight of the Garland and overall Imperial Commander of the siege. Known to be ruthless in suppression of the rebellion and treatment of rebel civilians. Overall a rather stuffy and tedious man.

Rianorix the bastard/Decius Marcellinus/Alecto - Nord/Imperial. Spy master inside sentinel itself. A very religeous and pious man with a short temper and astoundingly violent demeanour.

Arcturus Ceanarel - Imperial. A cynical and bitter old legionnaire now in charge of a detachment of engineers.

Kewan - Redguard. Self proclamed Prince of Hegathe. Previously served as the mediocre imperial Govorner of the same town. Overall known to be power hungry, indecisive, and greedy



Webster52204:

Marietta Cillena - Centurion Battlemage of the Legion, given command of a small force of battlemages. Serves under any lord that she is required to, currently Christopher Montrose. Known for her business-like demeanor in battle, loyalty, and her prowess with the magical arts.



Lord_Tidus:

Bomilkar Barca - Redguard. The hot tempered and some tome irrational leader of the largest and most powerful desert tribe in Hammerfell. Coming from a long line of Kahns and Warriors, allied to the old Forbearer way of life, Bomilkar is a master of desert tactics and a skilled warrior who has been at war for most of his life. While he can be hot tempered and unreasonable at times, the hard faced and strong spirited Kahn has a strong passion for honor and loyalty, to his tribe, his country, his King, and most importantly, his family. Underneath the bitter warrior, lies a soft hearted man who's out facade only hides his true self, a man of great passion internal turmoil that has plauged him ever since his military service in the legion at a young age.

Roxanna Barca - Redguard. The hot, fiery and sometimes, tomboy, is a beautiful desert princess who knows how to handle her own in a fight if needed, but prefers the finer and softer things in life. While not spoiled, she does enjoy being lavished upon, and like her brother, holds deep and strong morals about loyalty and honor, as well as service to her family. Recently, she was engaged to the Elden Yokeda, Hauron, gaining great social stature among the people of Sentinel, and hopefully the whole of Hammerfell.




Squidmasher:

Swims-in-Shadows- An Argonian scout in Helseth's army. Possesses a vibrating gauntlet capable of destroying ships, buildings, and people.




Crazyjoker:

Christopher Montrose - Breton. Most anyone who has been around this knight for any times knows he is a proud man that values honor, courage, and other knighty values above all else.

Priscilla Declaire - Breton. A beautiful, young women and lover to Christopher. She is often very courteous and ladylike, and most that know her knows that she has a hard time when it comes to fighting. Deceased.

Ra'Kava - Cathay-raht. A loyal and most trusted friend of Christopher. For the most part he is friendly and strives to do what he considers right, but unlike Christopher, he see's the world in shades of grey instead of just black and white.

Phillip Gemain - Breton. Another loyal and trusted friend of Christopher's, and also his second in command of the order Knights of the Owl. He also values honor and courage like Christopher, and is very obedient no matter what the orders. He is a older veteran that has seen more then his share of battles.

Darius Hawker - Redguard. A crime boss that considers himself a man of the people. For the most part friendly, although he cant get mad rather quickly if he feels he has been wronged. He looks at the world in shades of grey also. He's very opportunistic and proud.

Adren - Redguard. The bodyguard of Darius, he is very proud and loyal.

Do'Raku/ Khajit ( Cathay-raht )/ The brother of Ra'Kava, he is a fierce and cruel. Most others also say he is very methodical, calculating, and cool headed in fight.

Aladril - Bosmer. The lead spy of Darius, little is known about him. He is rarely seen, even in the warehouse. He spends most of his time in the city, stalking through the shadows gathering info.

Cecil Velain - Breton. Like Aladril, this necromancer is rarely seen so very little is known about him. He spends most of his time in the back in his chambers working on his creations for his new lord.


FC4:
The Band of Bastards, BB

Once six, now five, the BB is a band of mercenaries that seem to have nothing in common accept being outcasts. Little known by any except the middle and lower classes of Tamriel. Often referred to as a circus. Hukral is a giant of a Nord at seven feet, Wikrun is a Telvanni rogue, Jassan is a four foot nine inch bosmeri thief with too many knives, Marsha is a gypsy-dressed Redguard witch with a naginata and a few secrets, and Ree'Ja is a skooma loving Khajiit with claws that are in need of trimming. As individuals they are not well known, their renown rising from their work in the BB. They are like a dysfunctional family; highly dysfunctional.

Helseth, King of Morrowind - Queen Elysana's brother and contestant for the Throne of the Empire, Helseth is the son of Barenziah. Sly, paranoid, and ruthless, it can be at times hard to read his face and at others simple. Shrewd diplomat and decent war general, he is all around a guy you wouldn't want to mess with often unless you had an ace up your sleeve. In which case, he would likely have his own ace to negate yours.


Storyteller:

Haroun Ashir- King of the Ra Gada. Known for his aptitude in the sciences and combat, appetite for women, and wild temper. It is no secret he harbors no factional prejudice, and follows all 58 tenants of Ra gada honor.

Raza-Bodyguard of the Elden Yokeda (Redguard King), is a second level Ansei and cold blooded. Known for never showing his emotions and keeping a poker face on at all times. Fabled to have a cruel bloodlust in war.

Felix Yotumba- Head of the largest Order of Swordsingers in Hammerfell, the Order of Leki. Known to be hesitant in matters that would compromise Ra Gada honor, but valiant when the order is finally given. Works as a second in command under the Lord Defender of Sentinel.

Kira- An old lover of Haroun who she has befriended since childhood. Although her past ties with the Royal family are unknown, it is known that she was born a Forebear and is now one of the most famed Smugglers in Tamriel, and legendary across the Iilac. She has a fiery attitude and loves all things a girl shouldn't in life. Tobacco, hard liquor, and of course the weight of coin.

Aziel- Perhaps the most famous of all Ansei in Hammerfell, Aziel is a young Prodigy of the Order of Leki. Known to be warm blooded and compassionate he has won in over eighty duels, and is the only known Ansei alive to have split his soul, effectively creating two shehais.

Jiann, Tiger of the Alik'r- Jiann is a ferocious, hot tempered brother of Aziel. Constantly angry, and known to be aggressive to any who he deems insulting.

"It"- An extremely eery and fearsome monster in the employ of the Order of Leki. Not much is known, except that it attacks anything that makes noise and gives loud, horrid shrieks.

Grim Hage- mad inventor in the employ of Sentinel and King Haroun. Hails from the line that created Sentinel's cannons, and known to have a horrible sense of humor that only he finds enjoyable. Old, irritable, and a tad insane.

Captain Kizaam- Brother to Kira, and Captain of the Sentinel Militia. Known to be a mediocre fighter, brave, and loyal to his city...he also harbors alcoholic tendencies.

Agnetha- Lady in waiting to Lady Roxanna of the Barca tribe. Kind, gentle, and soft spoken. Known for an open mind and practical look on six, alcohol, and proper luxuries required of the Royalty. She has proven herself a good friend and listener to many of the Crown women of Sentinel.

Mansel of the Shagun- Mansel is an elusive Spymaster. Usually harboring the colors of whatever room he is in, Mansel is known to be calm, collected, and calculating. His habits and vices are well kept secrets.


Lord Magiku:

Sadryn Heleran: Knight Brother of House Hlaalu, A middle-aged (for Dunmer) soldier, skilled at war tactics, who earned his ranks with a blade and intuition. Tends to be weary cautious of combat. Fiercly loyal to King Helseth Hlaalu, due to an undiscclosed (and will probably stay that way) incident between the two, basically Helseth saved him from political exile. Wears elite bonemold armour, and has an ebony lonsword and silver dagger.

Edril Othrelos:Kinsman of House Hlaalu, Young upstart dunmer male born from a noble house, has done small missions, but is serving with his mentor, Sadryn Heleran, as a squire and companion. Wears bonemold, uses shield and sword. Not much to be said about him, really.


Summary of Events


Week 1:
-High King Thassad III, official title the Elden Yokeda arrives with his army to Sentinel. Thassad having foreseen victory by using the city, orders the rest of the forces loyal to Hammerfell to join him. High Priest Rupatago welcomes the Elden Yokeda to Sentinel with open arms.

- Prince Haroun, son Thassad III arrives with a large fleet of ships, carrying six thousand of his warriors. Amongst them is an ancient order of Swordsingers.

-Pair of two mysterious Killers annihilate Government officials and townsfolk under mysterious circumstances, murders are left unsolved.

- Pelius Decimus Supreme Commander of the Imperial Legion is reinforced with a small force of Engineers led by a frail, but tact Genius, Septimus Aquilla. Aquilla seeing that unconventional methods of defense must be taken, orders his men to create a network of trenches and advises the other Legion commanders to do the same.

-Eager Nord Raiders send ships containing hundreds of men to raid Sentinel docks. but are completely decimated, this attack leaving Sentinel's docks damaged. Thassad himself entered battle personally with fifty men at his side, winning and gaining more love and admiration from the heavily inspired people.

-Thassad claims son Haroun, Defender of Sentinel, and all preperations against the enemy forces are conducted by him following this event.

-Both Sentinel and her enemies prepare for the bloody conflicts to ensue.

-All legion forces entrench themselves close enough to Sentinel with non-stop work in one night, appearing as if out of thin air to the city, who is left in awe and quite intimidated.

Week 2:
-Artillery is exchanged as well as sorties to each others positions, both ending in failure. Imperial's take remarkebly more casualties through the exchange due to a violent sandstorm hampering their equipments progress, Sentinel Cannons go unhindered.

-Nord Commander meets with Prince Haroun, secret truce is declared, and Nords agree to leave Sentinel alone in exchange for prisoners.

-Nord Raiders attack Dunmer camp, the battle being short and bloody, results in a loss on the Raider's side.

-Nords take a few days off, choosing to raid the heavily defended Wayrest camp. This battle results in the entire force sent out to be completely eliminated, down to the last man. A staggering loss.

-Septimus Aquilla's forces capture a wagon headed towards Sentinel full of Black Powder, the substance that Sentinel uses to fire their cannons.

-Septimus orders fireworks to be researched and constructed in hopes of creating a new devestating weapon for the siege.

-A small squad of Argonian soldiers under Morrowind rule are given a siege device by Telvanni Arch Magister Aryon, device is then used to take down many ships delivering cargo to Sentinel.

Week 3:
- Jarvo of Wayrest, a Bastard Son of the Queen, and commander of the Wayrest forces insults Bomlikar Barka, and is killed in a swift blow by the Khan. Wayrest command is given to Lord Leopold of Wayrest.

- High Priest Rupatago is assassinated

-Great Khan of the Hammerfell Tribe Barca arrives to aid Sentinel, 15,000 combatants join the besieged city.

- A massive armada arrives, bombarding Sentinel's North Wall. Fire is exchanged. In the same moment, fireworks containing daggers, shrapnel and other dangerous projectiles are unleashed against the Sentinel South wall, forcing Gunmen to retreat under cover. Imperials do not miss a heartbeat and attempt to scale the city walls.

- Imperial Attack was beat back, though it cost the Nord allies dearly.

- Imperials fall back to Chasetown, while few battered remains hold the trenches.

- Carlo, Faction Leader of the Forbearers is assassinated by a lone assassin, planting evidence to blame the Crowns, chaos begins to ensue.

-Xerxes, son of Carlo and inherited leader of Forebears insults the Elden Yokeda, in an attempt to save chances of peace, Bomlikar of Clan Barca chooses to adopt the Forebear youth. In doing so the Khan begins to ponder on offering his sister's hand in marriage to the Prince of Sentinel

-Septimus Aquilla, prodigous tactician, and Knight Errant of the Legion is publicly punished for his tactical withdrawl, in an effort to appease the Legions of the dishonor, seeing his necessary use however, leads General Cincinattus to promote him soon after and restation him back to the frontlines.

-An Ansei is found murdered in the streets

-All 500 captured Legionares besides Centurion Lucius Varo escape the City of Sentinel, the Ra Gada are unaware as of yet

- Septimus Aquilla orders Chasetown and his own trenches to be scouted out for spys

-A massive Dwemer mechanized weapon is recommisioned to be used as a weapon against the Legions in the Sentinel War Effort

- Wayrest goes through political trouble, conventional forces withdraw back to High Rock, new alliance assembles armies and recommisioned to Hammerfell

-Aryon Telvanni, arch magister of the Great House Telvanni defects from Helseth and joins the court of Sentinel as a wise advisor to Prince Haroun, his true motives have supposedly been stated, but caution envelopes the eccentric Telvanni, and few in the court remain uneasy.

-The Elden Yokeda, Thassad III is assassinated by a mysterious Dunmer fitting description of several magistrate reports, although the murder has not yet been reported, a staggering blow to the people of Sentinel has been made.

- Under the Leadership of Haroun, son of Thassad funeral arrangements are made as well as a marriage that would unite both the houses of Haroun and Bomlikar, bringing Crowns and Forebears closer to unity.

-Nocturnal blockade run made by Sentinel forces, transport ships carrying thousands of soldiers slip by with the help of a new terrifying Redguard weapon, the Thunder shot.

-Thunder shot blasted on Legion trenches, Ra Gada sally for a quick strike on the Imperial entrenchment wearing down the limited Imperial forces. Casualties were heavy for both parties involved, Allies come to rescue legion in rare moment of war time bravado.

Week 4:
-in the remains of the massive Dwemer Construct, Azura's star is found by the Kahjiit Ree'ja who takes it away and hides it.

-Just after being wounded in the shoulder by a stray arrow, the Hoon Ding manifests itself in Prince Haroun, Elden Yokuda and Ansei

-Swims-in-Shadows enters the service of Serosi, who promises him protection, entrance into Sentinel and to repair his gauntlet.

-Brodr is dismissed from the Nordic army by Duke Olaf who is enraged by the losses taken in the nights action.

-The Band of Bastards begins to split apart as Marsha blames a distraught Hukral for the death of Chris. They remain civil long enough to hold a funeral for Christopher Morris

-Do'raku, strongman for Smuggler Darius Hawker finds out about his lost brother's presence in the besieging army. He becomes determined to hunt down and kill Ra'Kava

-Septimus Aquila, upon seeing the crucified bodies of his soldiers swears a blood feud against the armies of Sentinel. No quarter will be give and none will be received between the Legions and the rebels. Hector and Kilak lead a party under white flag to recover their dead from the Imperial trenches. Enraged by the crucifixions, Aquila refuses. After an exchange of insults and condemnations, Hector challenges Centurion Lucius Varo to a fight. The legionnaires, after seeing Hector attack Varo, take that as a signal of violence and fire a massive volley of crossbow bolts, killing most of the redguards. Before his death however, Kilak fires an arrow that grievously wounds Septimus in the head, leaving him on the brink of death. After a long and brutal fight, Hector is left dead, and Varo is incapacitated

-Ka'Ruzah, an Orsimeri spy and assassin enter Sentinel

-Kewan, Imperial governor of Hegathe summons the governors of Sunkeep and Dragon grove to his city, in secret to discuss future plans. These plans are later revealed to be an open rebellion against the Empire. Inside the city, it is a chaos filled bloodbath.

-Guillaume Molyneaux, retainer of Duke Aphren Hunter adopts Sylas, the half-brother of Prince Haroun

-Elden Yokeda Haroun summons the Great Council to discuss matters. He reveals that he will marry Roxanna Barca, in order to unite the two houses, and hopefully heal the divinde between Crown and Forebear. Unwilling to hear desent, Haroun orders the death of Councilman Marcus. He is supported in this decision by Hanno, who temporarily is assigned to speak for the Forebears.

-5,000 Sailors taken from the Imperial navy ships arrive in the Legions trenches to request supplies. They are immediately pressed into land service by the army.

-Duke Menevia, his mind still unsure as to which side to ally with, rides to sentinel, seeking an audience with Haroun.

-Short on money, The legions are ordered to terminate all mercenary contracts, sending the BB to seek employment from High Rock

-A mysterious spy named Mordereth enters Sentinel

-Imperial Forces under the command of Captain Martin Foxx abandon Chasetown after killing all it's inhabitants and burning the city to the ground

-Commander Quintus Cinncinatus arrives in the trenches, and takes charge before riding to sentinel and seeking an audience with Haroun.

-Ree'ja turns Azura's star over to Serosi after threats and insults.

-Bolmikar's army finally lands south of Hegathe. The Kahn and a small detachment march to the city, only to b fired upon in the confusion.

-Javier, a bandit and freedom fighter rides towards Hegathe, hoping to join in the rebellion

Week 5:
-A gate of the outer Sentinel Wall is blown open

-Legion leaves trenches

-Breton Knights raid villages

-Helseth and Morrowind march, joined by Heleran and Hlaalu

-A Breton comes to Sentinel to discuss peace

Week 6:
-Dunmeri Forces attack and capture Lainlyn

-Serosi and Swims defeat an assassination attempt

-Large fight between KoTN, Breton forces and Ra' Gada forces.

-Necromancers seek to help Imperial Legion

-Septimus Aquila imprisoned

-Anticlerian army surrenders to Ra'Gada

Week 7

- The Elden Yokeda's army encounters the remains of Dragongrove. After grieving over the sickly sight of dead children and women who had fallen at the hands of Imperial soldiers, have vowed to cause as much pain and death to those responsible.

-Lord Aphren Hunter is assassinated within Sentinel, his two aides resume to take over the deceased Lord's forces and join the Ra Gada in their war.

- Bomlikar Barca's forces enter Dragongrove with the blessing of the town's Lord and Barca cousin, Adonibal.

-Adonibal agrees to join the war effort against the Imperials

-Septimus Aquilla and Quintus Cinncinatius are broken free from imprisonment by Jassan, a mercenary from the Band of Bastards

-Imperial Chancellor Ocato is assassinated in Gilane

-Manfred Flyte, Lord of Anticlere and twenty of his best men are taken as prisoners within Saladins army. They each serve as instructors for providing professional training to the unprofessional Militia men within the Ra Gada's forces. No easy feat, since they are on the move.

-A strike force of Dres horse archers ambush the forefront of Saladin's army, killing a hundred soldiers, and injuring more.

- The Imperial Legions begin to counter-march, in an effort to crush the pursuing Ra Gada army in an open field conflict, and march on Sentinel.

- Serosi and Swims-in-Shadows meet a beautiful,young, and mysterious thief Mercury. Soon after they board the Aldmeri Dominion Sunbird, and hijack it.

- The Band of Brothers enter Hammerfell's most infamous realm, Vulnim Gate.

- A handful of Swordsingers take on a group of fifty Knights of the Owl. The engagement ends in Imperial forcements exterminating the Ra Gada group.

- The Elden Yokeda issues an even larger group of Swordsingers to engage the Imperial Marines, used as a diversion for the larger army to arrive.

- A group of scouts meet up with the leaders of the Ayuub tribe, a Ra Gada Nomad faction, and Helios a civilized Ra Gada leading a band of war elephants and horseman. Eventually both bands agree to join the war effort.

Week 8

- The War of the Last Wolves begins its end

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j76/Titus-lord/Sentinel-3.jpg

--The Orange lines are the main roads leading through the city, the dark blue lines are city aquaducts and the green patches are city gardens.


Districts- The Great City of Sentinel is the Jewel of Hammefell, and Second Capital of the Provence. The city itself is massive and diverse, with people coming from all over to see the sights such as the Great Bazaar, the famous Sentinel Theater, the Great Temple devoted to the Yokudan Pantheon or the Sentinel Palace, home of the Elden Yokeda. These sights are just a few that Sentinel has to offer, with its marvelous and complex infrastructure and its unique and beautiful architecture, making it one of Nirn's most precious assets, if not the most, given the current state of the Imperial City under a decaying Imperial Regime.

The City is divided up into Eight Districts, each one, unique in its own way and very important to the social structure of the city, and especially its defense.

Poor District
Middle District
Rich District
Palace District (Which includes the Great Bazaar)
Temple District
Docks
Forebear District
Crown District

City Loyalists - The city itself, like most other cities of Hammerfell, is more of a city state then anything, only different in the fact that its the current seat of the Elden Yokeda. This said, the city is largely made up of loyalists who pledge their allegiance to the city, and its ruler, who just so happens to be a Crown, and Elden Yokeda. None the less, the people of the city hold no specific allegiance to either Forbearer or Crown, and while their are those who support the two sides, most of them remain neutral of sorts, which is why each faction was given their own district within the city, preventing any sort of perceived favoritism among the people, and adverting conflict by seperating the Crowns from the Forbearer's.

The Poor District

The Poor District is where societies unfortunate live out their days. This district is attached to the main Sentinel Gate, and while its not the most beautiful district of the city, it gives visitors the impression of how diverse the city truly is. The Poor District also serves as the cities Foreign Quarter, along with the Middle District for the more wealthier travelers, where people all over the world usually stay when visiting the city, as the other portions of the city are off limits to the rest of the world. This was just recently instated, due to the fact of the war, and the possibility that someone could use information gathered by visiting the other districts to bring ruin to the city.

The Middle District

The Middle District is the first thing a traveler would come to if entering the city from the north, and better represents Sentinels interests abroad, as the merchant princes make their homes in this district. The district is large, and not as heavily populated as the Poor District, which in fact has the largest number of people living in it, compared to the other districts, but the Middle District has the second largest population, off setting the possible bad impression people get from entering the Poor District. The merchants and traders of the city make their home here, along with the middle class sect of society, giving the district its name. As one might guess, the district is a large improvement, visually, from the Poor District, and is perhaps the most active portion of the city, aside from the Great Bazaar in the Palace District, making it the friendliest and most 'cultured' section of the city.

The Rich District

The Rich District shows the lavish life the richest of the richest of Sentinel live. This district is the most visualy stunning, and not surprisingly, the least populated. Unlike the other districts, the Rich district is marked by large manors of the nobles, the streets are wider, cleaner, and not as active as the others. The rich tend to stick to their manors, throwing lavish parties for each other and living the way their money has bought them, as kings. The most notable structure in the Rich District is the Great Sentinel Theater, a lavish and extravagant building where the great performers of Sentinel put on the most famous morality plays, famed through out Nirn.

The Palace District

The Palace District is the most busy and famous of all the districts. This is the commercial center of the city, where the Great Bazaar surrounds the palace that looms overhead. Here is where anything and everything can be found, if you need it, look no further than the Sentinel Bazaar. This sec. of the city remains the most popular of all, where people mengel and meet, sell and barter, where everything short of a mans soul can be bought or sold.

The Temple District

The Temple district is the religious center of Sentinel and the least busy. Here the Great Pantheon looms over the lush and beautiful gardens that surround it. Perhapses the most well guarded sect. of the city, only Ansei, monks, religious orders of the city, and of course the privileged can enter its walls. Inside the District walls lies the cities food stores, a massive granary that can only be accessed by those charged by the Elden Yokeda.

The Docks

The Docks of Sentinel remain a bustling place, day and night. Home of the Great Sentinel fleet, the cities warships can be seen floating out in the Harbor or in their berths while merchant ships sail in and out, loading and unloading. Here, the smell of fish is strong and the salty air of the sea hangs over everything. As of recent, the docks have become more and more active, as its the current base of operations for the war effort under the Kahn, Bomilkar Barca of the Aliki'r and his army of fifteen thousand men. None the less, food and supplies regularly run in and out of the docks and into the city, making it easy to get lost in the confusion.

The Forbear District

The Forbear district is, as the name implies, very faction specific. Here, the open loyalists of the Forbearer's live out their lives, separated from most of the others in the city so they can live their lives out with their fellows. This by no means means that they aren't allowed to venture out into the city, it simply implies that they have their own spot in the city in which they can be with those of their own kind. Notable building in this district are the mansions of the rich and the Forbear Bureau, which also acts as a palace for the current leader of the Forbear faction leader, located in the Western Corner of the District.

The Crown District

The Crown District, like the Forbearer District, is very faction specific. Notable buildings in the area are the rich manors and the Crown Beuro. Its noticeable that the Crowns district is much more lavish and well designed than the Forbearer District, mainly because of their allegiance and the fact that they are richer than the Forbearer's, having more nobles then anything in the city, or richer merchants.

Aqueducts (Dark Blue Lines on the map)

Sentinel has one of the largest and most sophisticated aqueduct systems on Nirn, which run through the entire city, delivering fresh drinking water to the citizens, filtering out the salt water from the sea and purifying it for drinking. These large structures dominate every district in the city, and are vital for the cities survival.

Defenses and Black Powder

Sentinel has many factors that prevent it from falling to attackers. For one, its high walls are a testimate to its greatness, dominating the badlands that surround the city and is all that needs to be seen to drive off most would0be attackers. Second, its brave men of the Sentinel Army, though most of which are militia, they are all that is needed to fire volley after volley of arrows at anyone foolish to attempt a frontal assault. finally, and perhaps the most famous and deadly of the cities defenses is what gives the 'Roaring Walls' their name, the black powder 'cannons'.

Black Powder

This is a mysterious substance that is developed by the great Sentinel alchemists. Its ingredients are unknown to most, which is key to keeping the Roaring Walls of Sentinel a secret. Even during the Imperial occupation, the secret remained well hidden from the Imperials, even as they began to exploit the province and its natural secrets. The Black Powder is the substance used that powered Sentinels great Cannons, mounted on their wall's and naval ships. These unique weapons launch large balls made of iron and other materials at high speeds, propelled by the Black Powder which is highly flammable and is used as the driving force used to propel these 'cannon balls'.

http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=946845

Sorry, no post, I don't know where the hell my characters are!

Baibars

They marched. For this was their way.

They marched all their lives. They lived on the move, following the herds, fleeing extinction. Asimilation. None of them wanted to be just another settled man or woman; for all of them were wanderers, in lifestyle and spirit. Each and every one of them, from youngest girl to oldest man, would've crossed Tamriel a thousand times before their mortal lives came to an end. They would've made for the greatest explorers, adventurers, field cartographers, storytellers. And yet, they were not that.

For that was not their way.

For that was not their life. Not their destiny.

Their life, their destiny, both were here. Both lay right in front of them, within hand's reach. It was decided that both would either bring great glory to them, or come to a crashing halt from the moment their Khan decided. For their Khan, he never changed his mind.

I will not change my mind this time, either.

I will not fail my people. My father did not fail them, my grandfather did not fail them. I will not bring shame to the Ayuubs. None of them, man or woman, will. For they are the bravest peoples in all of Tamriel, in all of Yokuda. No race can boast so many a great deed, nowhere. And in the comming days, another deed, perhaps the greatest of all, will be done. And regardless of how this ends, the Ra Gada will remember all of us, all of the warriors under the High King, with honor. They drove the Legions away from Sentinel. Now we shall aid in crushing them. And if we fail... No single being that could call himself an Ayuub and still speak truth will survive.

We either win, or die. No other way.

"Baibars!"

His head heavy, the Ayuub Khan looked up. Shirkuh had ridden up to him while Baibars was deep in thought.

"Gilane was spotted by our scouts. They're far ahead of us, but if we make haste, we should reach it sooner than expected. My only worry is that we will be worn out without a battle if we hurry even more." The Warlord gestured far beyond the tip of the Ayuub collon, his arm moving in an arch towards where the Vulnim Gate lay.

"The desert people can endure."

Shirkuh did not respond, instead hurrying away, blowing his horn in a signal to speed up.

We have no choice but to endure. The Gods hold us now, and if we do not obey them, we shall die. I only hope that Tall Papa and HoonDing are kind to us when battle's joined.

Bamboo Forest

The tracker had been following his quarry for weeks. The trail was easy enough, the man he hunted left a bread crumb trail of mangled bodies in his wake.

The sun was beginning to set, causing an orange tint of dappling sun to slice through the thin spaces of the Bamboo trees. The ground was undisturbed earth making any pressure releases easy enough to find, but the tell tale sign of his mark was the Ra Gada villager up ahead impaled in the chest with a bamboo tree....

The hunter wore an intricately painted fox mask, as well as an adamantium cuirass in the lamellar fashion. His whole person was a walking arsenal, throwing knives wrapped around his right leg, a mini crossbow, a garotte around his waist, a cruel looking Obsidian long sword on his back and enough potent poison to kill a lutemonster.

Stalking towards the corpse, he saw that blood still left the body....this man's heart had stopped within the hour. His fingers touched the victim's skin.

Still warm.

He looked up and around him...with no doubt in his mind...he was being watched. The hunter had now become the hunted.

-------------------------------------------
The Iilac Bay

Ozvald walked up to his Boss with the important supplies she had requested.

"Got my brandy?"

He grunted, "Right here boss."

Kira yanked the Cyrodillic booze out of his hand, still looking ahead. She stood at the very tip of the Carrack's main deck, her eyes fixed on Laynlin up ahead. They merged in with Haroun's ships, pretending to be sailors delivering the much needed food and supplies that Hanno would need to invest into anything up in that Indian country.

The Smuggler was not too fond of bringing her nephew along, but it was on Darius's conditions, and she thought it better to have young Asad under he watchful eye.

Taking a hearty swig from the bottle of brandy, she hissed aloud. The burning sensation of the alcohol only served to burn the cuts she still suffered from that bastard Dark Elf.

She gripped onto a rope, her heart and soul determined to complete the gig, gain the swag, and clear her debt. The gorgeous Redguard turned around towards Aladril, Do Raku, and young Asad...the poor bastard.

"Get your asses ready boys, we're hitting the ground in fifth teen!"

---------------------------------------------
Sentinel Palace, Sentinel

Felix Yotumba paced back and forth within the war room.

His withered hands resting within his robes sleeves, his eyes closed, and his mind solely focusing on what to do about the riots.

People were treating the refugees horribly, rocks were being thrown, fights were breaking out constantly, and at least two people had died within the day.

He was ordered by the inner council to cease the disorder at once, but short of using the fearsome Ansei of Sentinel itself, he didn't know what could be done.

"Felix...just do it. As a mad man, and one who sees logic far more important then emotions, I can tell you that riots will be disuaded if an Ansei is watching over....and we both know exactly what will happen if they persist. Its a logical decision, and one I cannot begin to fathom you looking to an alternative for." Grim Hage, Sentinel's pride in science, and embarassment in all other things hobbled from his table. He smoked a nauseatingly strong Tobacco from his pipe, a wet smoke that one.

Felix nodded, the Inventor after all was right. The Iron hand of the city's Ansei would be needed to keep it at bay, martial law did little to stop the overly populated poor district to erupt in anarchy. Bodies had already been hung from the Hanging Gardens, taking their name a bit too literal.

"You seem to be good at guessing at what I'm thinking."

"I am a genius after all."

"Very well, bring me the Bad bones."

-----------------------------------------------
Makeshift Infirmary , Saladin's Army, Laynlin Mountain

The Meat house. It was filled with the groans and screams of dozens of men. Many didnt make it, but Kizaam was suprised he heard any of it at all.

The hell?...I'm still alive....

Thats when he grunted under what was probably the most intense pain he felt in his aged life, he felt it's full torment whenever he tried to move.

"Ench...[censored]!" the Surgeon approached him, a leather apron donned on him, slick with the blood of the other men that had been damaged. The mere sight reminded Kizaam of a butcher instead of a doctor.

"Captain, stay still. You've received severe lacerations to your right hip and have bled profusively, you look whiter then a Nord's ass...secondly....your shoulder....your left arm has suffered irreparable damage....and...your just going to bleed out and cause yourself severe pain with it...."

Kizaam's eyes hardened and his heart dropped. He couldn't believe what he was hearing, he'd seen the horrors of war, and its aftermath, he knew the risks, but never thought it'd be possible to happen to himself. The bastard just kept himself invincible in his head, to make him do the things others couldn't, in a situation no sane man would.

He gritted his teeth, "Sew me up."

The Doctor looked down to his own feet, sighed, and reached down. Pulling up a bottle of cheap liquor....it was made from some amateur brewer in the army, the stuff was labeled with an X, smelled of acid, and looked like water.

The Doctor looked the commander solemnly, said " Drink up 'Cap....drink up.

"SEW ME THE [censored] UP! SEW ME UP!!!!" the fatigue never left his body, but the desperation at what he would soon be feeling was too much for him to bare.
His own screaming caused the pure grit and stress of shouting to make his throat bleed. He had a coughing fit, and after the doctor had left to gather a few other men, sat in complete silence.

He stared at the bottle, a scowl permanently etched on his face.

Asad.

His son came to mind. He couldn't help feeling sorry for himself, or trying to avoid the inevitable, he needed to be the man his boy required him to be. Forget ideals, forget Sentinel, and Hammerfell. Forebear and Crown, religion, or even the damned war.

Kizaam was a man who would play the game no matter what cards he was dealt, and he'd be there for his boy. He'd be strong for his boy, and would be there the day young Asad became a man.

So he gripped the bottle of moonshine and swigged it back until it was flowing out his closed mouth.

Half way through the bottle he quit, gave himself some quick wafts of air, then resumed drinking.

By the time the doctor arrived with his gurney boys, Kizaam was as a drunk as any bum could hope for.

A strap of leather was placed into his mouth.

"Bite down."

His legs were fastened to the table, his right arm held down by the same man pulling the leather in Kizaam's mouth back.

The pull was quick, but the surgeon was slow on the draw of the saw, giving Kizaam time to realize just how brutal this all was.

He began to scream, he began to cry, and when that saw was done, its final stroke. He had passed out.

Bamboo Forest, South of Lainlyn

Vott inhaled deeply breathing in the scent of blood, both dead and living. The scent was familiar and yet different. He'd killed one like him before in Sentinel. The massive Quarra vampire of seven feet in height found himself in the Redguard's blind spot albiet quite a distance away. In his right hand he held the three foot long handle that gripped the remaining six feet of the blade dubbed simply 'Hunger' for it's nature. A void attached to a massive sword handle absorbing all light, warmth and life and incasing it into a blade of solid ice. As the leather covering straps fell off bit by bit as Vott's hands rotated the handle in his hand, the light became dimmer and dimmer and a cold chill would be felt. Fear itself would whisper spiteful terror, fear itself would make a wish.

"What a beautiful canvas this forest is for me to paint on." Vott's voice was deep but not oafsome, but rather regal in sort. As the Redguard spun around to face Vott he would see the white eyes peering at him, the snow colored short hair showed signs of a powerful wind picking up.

"Allow me to introduce myself, I am Vott of the Iron Wind." The vampire placed his empty right hand across his chest as he bowed. At the same time, ice veins seemed to creep out from the ground under him. It was as if Skyrim itself began to seep out as even the bamboo trees became slowly encased in ice. The air all around became viciously cold, hateful, drawing one's breath and will out.



OOC: I'll post more tomorrow.

The cloud of dust was vast, but for what he could only attribute to skill, it was not as large as Helios had expected. The Ayuub clan moved with speed and grace that could only come from being one with the desert.

His left hand held the reigns with practiced expertise while his other rested on the pommel of his saddle while his body moved fluidly with the canter of his horse. Even with his riding skill, he still found it quite fortunate that the whole tribe was not mounted because half his company along with Simeon's elephants would have been hard-pressed to keep pace.

Half of his men and women hailed from the urbanized centers along Hammerfell's southern coast, but the other half were nomads of the mountains and plains. Their nomadic experience was nothing like these Alik'r tribes, but their was still comfort in their common existance.

Glancing to his right, he could see that Neesha's eyes was also taking in the organized movement of the tribe. It had been hard to read her when he had informed her of their destination - Vulnim's Gate. That place was an unspeakable word among the majority of Ra Gada, where only the most of angry of parents would ever threaten their children with such a place. He had seen the mixture of emotions in her eyes, both excitement and reservation. She had a warrior's spirit and relished the unknown, but one's mind always presented the alternative.

Past Neesha, he could see Simeon leading his family's army of elephants. The beasts were not accustomed to the desert, but they were hardy and had been trained with a father's hand - both nurturing and demanding. They were both mean and controlled and he secretly felt sympathy for those that would be caught in their way.

The desert had a way of bringing the most unlikely of allies together. He hoped the Imperials would be quite surprised.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGq1EYMBYKA

Imperial Legions
Sweat cut groves in the dust as it rolled down Aquila's thin and almost luminous skin. His eyes were heavy and his lung were empty. He had a hard time breathing in this heat. It was stifling.

"After this campaign, I never want to see another hot day as long as I live. I think I'll request a transfer to someplace nice and cold...maybe skyrim or bretony..." Aquila croaked. He coughed and cleared his throat before taking a swig of water. There wasn't much left in his canteen, just enough to get his uvula unglued from the back of his throat.

"Cold would be nice..." Jean Molyneaux said softly.

"Jean...." Septimus squinted his eyes against the sun as he watched his men dig their defenses. He swallowed hard to collect his thoughts before continuing. "Jean, what is it like?" there was a pause where even Aquila didn't breathe.

"It's quiet, Sepp. Very quiet." Jean trailed off before continuing. "It's still, like a forest during a snowfall. Quiet, cold, and still."

Aquila thought on that for a moment as the puckalees scurried about. The young boys carried water in buckets to the troops as they dug. The soldiers took the water happily as they sat down under stretched blankets for a rest.

"I think I might like that. I've always loved the forest during a snowfall." Septimus said calmly, almost happily. "Does it hurt?"

Jean turned his head towards Aquila, the hole in his throat twisting and separating, spilling black blood onto his tunic and down on the ground. Sand blew past it, refusing to stick to the ichor. Blood ran, pulsing onyx and jet from the breton's head and neck. The dead Molyneaux's eyes were black pools, deep, foreboding, infinite. Aquila felt the icy grip of fear form like an iron ball in his stomach. Jean just smiled.


"Yes, Sepp. It hurts..."

Andarys seemed to stumble in his mind looking out over the field as it lowered itself toward the south. The rythmic sound of a wet stone going over his sica time and time again seemed to be the only thing that anchored him to this realm. The distance between him and Alonesa plummeted him into a darkness he had long forgotten he could hold. Normally a commander's morale would suffer but he instead would drink the mournfulness and breath out hatred. Perhaps there was no logic in it, no reason but sometimes things like that limited one, only gave an illusion of a grasp at reality. All he knew, no all he felt was what was between him and returning to his place.

That rembling song, those weeping strings, they would not let go. Each breath seemed drawn out, this shivering finger tips reaching for the memories and to more. They'd be reached by the swing of his blade and with every dead rebel, closer he would be.

Pikes, maces, bows, blades, crossbows, cavalry, spells, spears and whatever else needed would be used to wash this parched earth with blood, their blood. A lover of the battle field is what one had to be. As Andarys rose to his horse he breathed deeply, his eyes gazing over his troops. He held no sentimental feeling for any of them, instead an appriciation for them as an artist would see art.

"They've been spotted to the south." Voneri's voice spoke softer than usual when no one else was around. Andarys expected just as much. They could arrive through the forest or over the open field east of it. He had been prepared for both.

Well, they all look about as irratated as a wet badger. That will come in handy though when I start to paddle me some redguard ass. Gaston thought as he sit upon his bay gelding watching row after row of bretic infantry march past, winding down the road like a metalic snake looking for its next meal. The gleam of thousands of helmets, shields, and weaponry could be seen far off into the distance, along with the thick cloud of dust that made most of the men constantly cough and shield their eyes.

The lines were buzzing with movement as officers upon horseback rode back and forth, ordering the men to " pick up pace " or " keep it moving ". The entire force was beginning to near the legion camp, and as a precaution, soldiers at the front of the column was given beatiful green and yellow banners to fly in the wind to announce Glenpoints arrival.

Off to either side of the large force rode the Knights of the Owl, adorned in full plate armor with their lances held straight up. With their cocky grins, backs straight, and chests puffed out, they were a sight to behold, much like a flock of peacocks. They had little idea if they would play an imporant role or not, and in truth most didn't care. Most would be happy just sitting at the back of the battlefield to watch the battle so they could return home to boast to friends of their vital role in the fight and their glorious deeds.

Most, but not all. At the front of the group rode Tristen, Phillips nephew and the man now in charge of leading the order his uncle held so dear. A large burden, but one the blonde youth was more then willing to bare. Unlike most of the men around him who wore proud expressions, his was one of solemn determination. His only prayer was that when he faced the enemy, he had the courage to lead his men into the fray and back out.

OOC. Sorry for the late crappy post. I should have more free time soon to add a post for Dragongrove and the others.

Gilane

The Knighted Redguard's black quill scratched across a parchment with precision and clarity - a large hand illustrating words of dire alarm and passion to be sent to the heads of his fellow legion commanders:

I regrettably report that an army numbering in the ten thousands in the company of monsters of which I cannot name intelligently are marching upon your station. I have laced my blade with the finest poison, and gave my shield perhaps its last and finest polish. I will stage an ambush of incalculable results, but if all goes to plan, this will be the last recorded document in the name of Commander Chark, Knight Errant of the Imperial Legion. I will be survived by the shine in my daughter's eyes, the strength of my sons, and the love of my wife. Give this letter to them at the conclusion of this war to see how a true man marks his value in this realm, and he does so without fear and without regret. I am proud to say that I served alongside the valiant men known as the Forlorn Hope, many of whom who had the courage and bravery to die in combat where I had not the honor. Yet upon the sunrise, I will join them in the halls of glory. Commit my memory to the dedication to any man raising their sword in the name of the Empire for I too am just a man who has been blessed to live in a time where a man's worth can truly be tested. My brothers... my sweet rose Elone, in all sincerity and warmth...

Commander Chark
Knight Errant of the Imperial Dragon

Quill was lain to rest as the ink began to dry beside candlelight, the resilient and bold commander folding the paper into a neat fold and squeezed to its build with his pincher fingers. Beneath the shade of his shining helmet resided glittering eyes that refused to tear, even in the face of what he was to do. He removed his helmet and placed it atop of his desk in a tedious manner. From his hip he drew his dagger and would stretch a lock of his dreaded hair out beside his face and would carve off a small portion of the braid. Holding it momentarily, he'd smirk.
Perhaps his daughter could make a doll's hair out of it.

The Commander didn't want to keep the carrier waiting any longer. He parceled the braid and the letter, and would hand it to the silent carrier. The messenger would nod in respects to his superior, and exit the office quietly.

In the back of the messenger's mind he was sure that was the last time they'd be seeing each other in this lifetime.

Bamboo Forest
Without wasting a moment the Redguard assassin removed a blade at his leg and threw it in Vott's direction, and with speed befitting of an olympian he charged forward, his gaze never leaving his foe, and his hands drawing the blade at his back. That cruel obsidian sword.

This is for Kojiro.

The underbrush at their feet swayed away from the speed of the man, and most likely the murderous intent between the two men. The Tracker was Jian, the Tiger of the Alik'r. Renowned for his prowess in battle, as well as his thrill for the hunt, and feared for his wild temper.

"NOW YOU DIE!!!!"

A single emotion, hatred, flowed through the man. His eyes and vision focused in a tunnel like state, energy flowing through him. He was in the famed Redguard adrenaline rush, his speed, strength,endurance, agility, and health all multiplied greatly. He was a war machine, and with his god given powers as a Ra Gada, a demon invincible in combat.

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Bamboo forest north of Laynlin Mountain, South of Laynlin

"Gods, thats a lot of Imps...and Grey skin devils to boot....[censored], it looks like they have the whole damned allied army...."

"I dont see any Bretons."

"Doesn't mean that there not there. The Old Dog is over there somewhere, probably making them dig in under the ground to pop back up under Sentinel."

"The Bretons took heavy losses...think they packed up and went back home?"

"Doubtful...the Knights are stubborn, you have to escort them back or they'll think their winning the damned war."

"Hehe, sounds like the Priests back at Sentinel. They think they still run the show."

"Either way, the General has a hell of a fight...and so do we all. Looks like they outnumber us...I don't like it."

"[censored] it, lets load up and get the hell out of here. Estimate from how many we see...this could be the big one."

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Saladin's Camp, 15 minutes later

Saladin sat down, a small boulder conveniently low enough for him to place a map over and not have to crouch down. Beside him were Manfred and Aryon, as well as Mogaba from the Knights of the Scarab, he assumed Guillaume was drilling his new soldiers or at least intimidating them into line with Manfred's instructors.

"Scouting reports say that there is a good chance we're facing the bulk of the allied army across that forest...just south of Laynlin. All prepped up and giddy to kill some Redguards....the bastards probably planned this all along. Drag us away from Sentinel so we have no city to do a quick hit and run." Saladin remarked. He'd grown more cynical and much less optimistic the longer they were on this campaign. The Imperials hadn't given up yet, no matter how much blood was drawn on their own side. Tens of thousands of their men had been killed...their morale may have lowered but it never plummeted.

"I won't lie, this will be one hell of a battle, and I'm going to be pulling every trick out the bag. Their dug in well, and have had time to prepare while we have marched head first into this. The contingencies I have had planned never took a counter march into consideration. Therefor we're going to have to rely on speed, surprise, and violence of action... We'll be leaving the western half of the fields passed the forest to the bay open. We'll need to use spook and trickery here."

Mogaba gritted his teeth, he didnt like the General's idea of hiding, he knew the Ansei and Knights of the Scarab could take these infidels down without effort. These militia....they just slowed the true professionals down.

The Docks

From the plush, red cushions of his large couch, the self proclaimed king of the docks was busy looking over documents brought in earlier that day. Slender, dark fingers flipped through the piles of parchments that contained trade deals, hits, and other important information vital to the continued growth of the Black Lotus Union, something that the older Ra Gada took very serious. With a heavy sigh, a hand was brought up to motion the servent girls over, girls that were holding ornate silver trays filled to the brim with ripe fruit, nuts, meats, and most important of all, alcohol.

Taking a crystal glass filled with flin, a drink he had imported all the way from Morrowind, he leaned back into the couch and gave the signal to a beatiful, young breton to begin her work. Pale, thin fingers that glowed a faint blue due to some form of restoration spell went to work on his sore shoulders, almost instantly bringing much needed release from all the stress he had been under.

" Adren, I have decided what I will do concerning the matter at hand. " Darius finally spoke, his calm voice betraying the wide range of emotions he really felt at the moment. Taking a sip of flin to wet his throat, he continued, glancing over towards the large redguard he treated like a son.

" Sir? " The reply came quickly from the warrior who had been keeping a silent watch over his beloved master. Moving closer, he knelt down by the couch and leaned in to prevent Darius from having to raise his voice.

" The refugees that continue to stream in from Sunkeep and the other small villages are becoming a major problem. Riots are already breaking out as crowed areas become even more so. I will not have my docks erupt in chaos. Already there has been looting that involved two of my warehouses. This I cannot, and will not tolerate. Later, you will take thirty men and the first five trouble makers you find will be executed in public. If the militia can't keep order, I damn sure will! " Darius paused for a moment to take another sip and to give all that he said to Adren time to sink in. After another deep breath and sigh, and a moment to let the anger that was building up die down, he continued.

" Now for the other matter. Take this. " He extended a leathery hand containing a sealed scroll to Adren, who took it with a nod and without question. " When you leave, take this to my men that control the eastern part of the docks. Tell them the warehouse that use to contain my moon sugar is to be opened to any refugees who seek shelter and food. It will be free of charge to any women and child, but any man between the ages of sixteen and forty will be required to work eight hours a day to repair my docks those damn Nordic bastards destroyed. There is money to be made in this war and I want trade resumed as quickly as possible. Everyday those ports are down is another septim out of my pocket. You may take your leave now. "

" Your will be done, my lord. " Adren said quickly, giving a quick salute with his fist before standing up and exiting the room. Soon he was off with thirty of the meanest, toughest, most sadistic looking members of the Union to bring the docks back under complete control, leaving Darius alone with only his beatiful girls and his thoughts.

That should take care of my problems for now. With the refugees a place to stay and work to do, there will be less riots and lootings in the streets and on my docks. Darius, you are one clever bastard. Now for my nephew, I wonder how he has been holding up during this war?

Manfred

Manfred rubbed his chin thoughtfully as Saladin spoke. A battle it is, then. All of this had to come down to one eventually, neither side seems to be able to allow themselves the luxury of a prolonged campaign. All the better, then. The sooner this is over, the sooner I can return to Anticlere... hopefully. I know nothing of the Ra Gada and their intentions in my regards, but I'm confident the Imperials, if they were to win, would let me go, as an ally of Wayrest. Ally not for long, if all goes well, but nonetheless. An ally. He frowned slightly. With the end drawing so near, the Lord of Anticlere was starting to get worried on what would become of him after the battle... If he survived, that is. He was confident in his abbility to do that, though. And he was confident that the Imperials would let him go if they won. But will they win? Which side do I think more likely to prevail? A risk has to be taken, I can't ballance between the two of them...

A risk has to be taken...

There was only one risk he could think of that would put him in favor with the Ra Gada. Another moment was all that took him to decide, he wanted to make this risk. The Imperials had little power left in High Rock and indeed the Iliac, if they won here, who was to say if there were no other rebellions. Wayrest was gaining power by the day, and would soon replace the Empire if nothing was done. Daggerfall was stuck grieving over her past, and many other dukes and lords were at least semi-loyal to Queen Elysana. The Aldmeri Dominion was looking with a greedy eye towards all the provinces of the Empire, who was to say where it would strike next. The Nords to the east were unpredictable at best. A restored, united, independant Hammerfall was the only place Manfred could look to as a trusty, powerful ally, given Anticlere would very soon be stuck in a similar position. The Ra Gada shores were close, unlike Cyrodiil. Their peoples recovered quickly from war, as Manfred knew from the War of Betony. They would make tough warriors, if they were to be drilled properly and were taught the value of discipline, and Anticlere could provide instructors if need be - it already had, in fact.

"Well, Saladin, if we are to join battle, allow me to be so bold as to ask for one thing. If Anticlere is to be present in this battle, then I'd ask that her presence was known. My men would preffer to fight under the banner of Anticlere, if you will allow that. If the Empire takes that as a declaration of war, so be it. In any case, the days of the Septim Empire are counted. I doubt the Imperials will hold out against the Aldmeri Dominion when the inevitable conflict begins, but it will be painful for both of them, and new nations will rise, during and after that war. If Hammerfall is to rise as an independant kingdom, it is my wish as the Flyte of Anticlere that my people would stand alongside you. And if this battle is won and we survive, inform your High King on first opportunity that Hammerfall has found itself a new ally... if you'll accept Anticlere's support, late though it may be."

Faction Name: Army of the King of Morrowind.

Rank: King

Forces: 6000

Royal Guard (100) (Captain- Tienius Delitian: Imperial) Clad in the strong and characteristic Royal Guard armor, they are covered from head to toe by the crimson metal, and consist of a close knit unit of various races, mostly Dunmer with a few Imperials and Redguards as well. They do not have shields, but are outfitted with a silver longsword and a silver dagger for backup. They do not often participate in battle, as they are the escort for King Helseth, and are often found surrounding him. In close combat they are ruthless opponents.

Hlaalu Calvary (400): (Captain- Jurrin Marrus: Dunmer) Riding upon large Guars, they travel across most terrain without difficulty. Outfitted in Hlaalu style bonemold armor, shield, and a Chitin spear, they also have a chitin longsword for close quarters combat. They are slightly slow and powerful chargers, rivaling the best of common horse-calvary in their spear charge strength.

Hlaalu Scouts (200): (Captain- Gurgian Mortis) Comprised of lithe and agile thieves outfitted with chitin armor and bows, they can traverse nearly any terrain and move with silent ease. They are not the best archers, being thieves before their draft into the war, but they are by no means terrible shots. Chitin daggers are used if they must go into close combat. Most wear only Cuirasses, greaves, and boots, but those that could afford it wear full body armor.
Sishma- Female Scout who speaks fluent Colovian
Heten- Male Scout who speaks Fluent Bretonic
Joshmel- Male Scout who speaks decent Yokudan

Hlaalu Light infantry (1,500): (Captain- Kurnor Jecklin) Outfitted in Netch leathers and Chitin armors, they wield chitin spears and longswords, and a chitin shield. They often bring up the front of the army. Many wear full body armor of either Chitin or Netch, but some wear pieces of both.

Hlaalu Archers (1,000): (Captain- Furninan Hullen) Expert archers that could rival the Bosmer with a bow, they use Bonemold Long bows and arrows and are armored in chitin cuirasses, greaves, and boots. If required they have a chitin shortsword for close combat. Their longbows are rivaled in quality only by Daedric bows.

Hlaalu Skirmishers (1,500): (Captain- Flaxion Hyren) Fitted in netch armor, they are characteristic in wielding chitin weaponry such as war axes, battle axes, javelins, and claymores. In battle they often charge forward after the Light Infantry, cutting down enemies before retreating to regroup. They have meager knowledge of Destructive magics to supplement their battle tactics, and chitin daggers for worst-case scenarios.

Hlaalu Ordinators (199): (Captain- Vindri Heloth) Ordinators of the Tirbunal Temple of Morrowind, they were wrestled from the temple to aid the forces of the King. The original Captain, Marsis Julian, has died of illness, leaving Vindri Heloth as the new Captain. Heldwyn is in charge of this detachment of men.

Hlaalu Knights (500): (Captain- Pernon Guro) Fitted in full Gah-Julan Bonemold armor, they wield steel longswords and Bonemold shields. They often come behind a calvary charge to clean up the survivors.

Temple Healers (400): (Captain- Lucius Jarius: Imperial) Along with the Ordinators, temple healers were brought along as well. They sport iron daggers to defend themselves if needed, and a variety of potions, but no armor. They have advanced restorative knowledge of course, but supplement this with alchemical and alterative magicks as well.

Hlaalu Noble Pikemen (200): (Captain- Durusis Yetuk) Consisting predominately of young, rich Hlaalu nobles of various races, they are all clad in ebony armor and bear a pike upon which the Hlaalu flag is tied. They carry an ebony broadsword if needed for melee combat, but they rarely use it.

Faction Sheet: Sadryn Heleran

Faction Name: Hlaalu Infantry (Loyal to King Helseth)

Rank: Brigadier General (In Helseth's Army, commander of this military division)

Size: 5010 men strong.

Dunmeri Pikemen (1000): House Hlaalu soldiers in chitin armour. Everyone has briastplates, greaves, and helmets, some have additional pieces. Equipped with Chitin and Steel spears (varies), and self-supplied daggers (varying quality).

Dunmeri Archers (2000): House Hlaalu soldiers in chitin armour. Everyone has Chitin briastplates, greaves, Netch Leather pauldrons, and boots. Equipped with Bonemold Longbows and chitin/bonemold/iron/steel arrows. All have chitin shortswords, and will might melee if need be.

Hlaalu Agents (10): Professional and loyal Dunmer agents and assassins, brought for use of Sadryn, and King Helseth, if necessary. All are highly skilled, use shortswords, and will carry secret messages for Sadryn and Helseth. Some wear Chitin/Netch Leather, others wear no armour.

Dunmeri Spellswords (200): Dark Elves skilled in the schools of Destruction, Restoration, and Alteration. Wear Chitin briastplates and greaves, Netch leather boots, gauntlets, pauldrons, and shields. Some have chitin armour pieces in place of netch leather, some don't use shields. All use Steel Longswords. All were given one restore magika potion each. Use restore fatigue and health spells (self and touch) from Restoration, Fire (Ranged) and Shock(Touch) from destruction, Shield (self and touch) from Alteration. Some have misc. enchanted rings/amulets.

Temple Healers (50): Dissident Priests, Ex-Tribunal Clergy, and Imperial Cult members. No armour, various weapons, usually maces. Rarely take part in fighting, only to defend. Very skilled in restoration (restore health,fatigue, cure disiese,poison, fortify strength) and alteration (shield, elemental shields) and some summoning from conjuration.

Morrowind Reserve Archers (500): Commoners of Morrowind, a volunteer/drafted militia. Equipped with Netch leather cuirasses, greaves, and helmets. Use chitin/iron bows and chitin/iron arrows.

Dunmeri Footsoldiers (1200): Dunmer outfitted with shield and sword, in light armour. In full chitin armour, helmet and shield, fighting with steel longswords.

Desert Scouts (50): Recruited in Morrowind or hired along the way, these soldiers scouted ahead and guided the army to Chasetown through the Alik'r. They fall in with Morrowind Reserve Archers, in the outward-most rows and columns.

The BB: Band of Bastards, Band of Brothers, Band of Blokes. Pick your poison
The BB is a band of people from all walks of life and all sorts of races. Outcasts to their homeland, misfits in their armies, or simply not desiring the same as other folk. Whatever their reasons, these people have come together to create a highly dysfunctional family of mercenaries. They will do nearly any job for money, but seek to avoid the battlefields of the war. Therefore, while always within the war-torn lands, they are rarely seen amongst those fighting in the lines of legions. One could consider them warriors for the common people. Or simply a group of warriors too chicken to battle in the war. However, recent developments have forced their participation in the battlefield.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p76/FC4888/art/Hukral-siege.jpg Hukral is a mountain of a man, weighing at least twice the average man and towering at seven feet tall. He carries the characteristic Nordic barrel chest and broad shoulders, and looks like your average Skyrim native. His short and straight blond hair and blue eyes give him a gentle look. However, his suit of steel armor ?lacking only a helm- his large aspis bronze shield, and his Fine steel claymore and fine steel shortsword make him seem more formidable. He wields the claymore as if it were a longsword, and the shortsword as if it were a dagger.

Hukral is indeed a gentle giant: he is dependable, loyal, and highly protective. He sports the intelligence of his Nordic ancestry, with knowledge in wilderness survival and use of natural resources. In battle he is a beast, charging into the fray with shield up and sword out eagerly. In social matters he is a gentleman. However, Chris' death has shattered him, as he blames it on himself, and so he is a little more silent and anti-social than previously. He suffers from moments of deep philosophy he'd likely be better off without.

In the past, he served as a soldier in the Skyrim Army, quelling small rebellions and riots, as well as defending townsfolk from savage beasts.

Hukral has been given a Black stallion by Lord Montrose of Wayrest.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p76/FC4888/art/Jassan-siege.jpg Jassan is the child of the group, despite being in his forties. He stands at a full four feet and nine inches of height, with windswept black hair and large sapphire eyes. His short stature naturally lends the Bosmer to stealth work, and as such he has become a thief of sorts. He wears burgundy linens rather than armor, and sports a belt with ten daggers. He also has two daggers on each arm: one on the shoulder and one in sheath hidden at the forearm of the sleeve. He also has four daggers on each leg, two at his thigh and two hidden in his leather boots. These twenty-two daggers are often thrown, rather than stabbed. Jassan also has a tendency to leap around acrobatically.

Jassan is very outgoing and jolly, finding something to laugh or shout happily about in everything he encounters. A sarcastic wit adds to this to give him a sharp tongue at times, though it will sometimes backfire for him. He is also egotistical and considers himself a hit with the ladies. He is the pickpocket of the group.

Jassan has been given a Chestnut horse, which he has named Nehighta.

Jassan sports an elegant way with words, stemming from his wit and sharp tongue, which he uses both to wiggle out of trouble, and give false pretenses.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p76/FC4888/art/Khajiit-siege.jpg The only beast-man of the group and a Khajiit, Ree'Ja does not get along well with Jassan. His fur is solid dark brown, and the Suthay-raht stands at around five foot seven inches. His favorite weapons are his claws, which he has not trimmed in years and as such have grown to at least three inches. Agile and acrobatic, Ree'Ja is the true leaper of the group. He sports thin leather armor upon his body, mainly on his torso, thighs, and forearms.

Ree'Ja is a cranky kitty, quick to snap at an annoyance and often in a mood. Yet if you want something done, he will do whatever is within his power to do so. He often spends his earnings on Moon Sugar, which makes him giddy and childlike. Otherwise, he is the most serious member of the group, most down to earth.

Ree'Ja has been given a Paint horse.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p76/FC4888/art/Marsha-Siege.jpg Marshamilia goes by the name of Marsha if those who speak her name wish to remain in one piece. The only female and Redguard of the group means she has to be tough, or she gets taken advantage of. She seems to take more advantage of the men, however, than the other way around. Her black hair is braided in a ring-like crown around the top of her head, before the remaining lengths of the strands simply fall back down to the length of around the bottom of her shoulder blades in beaded braids. Her face and dark brown eyes are tough and hardened, the softness of feminism seeming to have passed her by. Her form is feminine however, with lovely curves and an average bust. She does not hide her form, wearing a dark red bra beneath an untied crimson vest with golden designs embroidered upon it. Her burgundy pants are tight at her hips but flare out near her ankles. Her weapon is a Naginata, a pole-arm with a blade at one end that is about eight feet in total length, compared to her five foot and seven inch form. She wears golden bracelets and anklets, giving her a slight jingle when she moves. She also wears golden loop earrings. She is also a magic-user, capable of basic healing and destructive magic.

Marsha is a firecracker of a woman, and she has to be. Quick to wield her naginata and even quicker to snap at someone, she is cranky every day of the month. A sarcastic humor and stern seriousness exist within her, depending on the situation. She is very demanding, very dominating, and very arrogant. Oddly, she has not shown any interest in any men in the group, even those who have shown interest in her.

Marsha seems to be of the belief that in order to be strong, one must be independently capable of caring for themselves. This is why she resents the nobles of the world, who rely on their servants and underclass in order to reach their goals.

Marsha has been given a Bay Horse.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p76/FC4888/art/Chris-Siege.jpg
Once the only Breton and archer of the group, Chris was the most inexperienced, though battle-toughed by time in the legion. He died in the Redguard attack on the entrenched Legion, and is currently buried at the border of the bamboo forest south of Sentinel, a cross made from two arrows signifying his grave.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p76/FC4888/art/Wikrun-Siege.jpg Wikrun is the mage of the group, and as such they lean on him for healing after contracts, even though Marsha can heal just as well. Unlike Marsha, his focus in magic is not destruction. He chooses to make his forte in Alteration and Mysticism, with Restoration as an offshoot school of study. He is very skilled in the two primary schools of his teachings. A Dunmer naturally, his red eyes are matched with fiery red hair that falls in waves past his shoulders, bunched together in a ponytail. His skin is a dark shade of grayish blue and his body is well-toned and agile. He clothes himself in a forest-green robe with gold embroidery, and carries a leather satchel bag over his shoulders often. He has a small staff about half his height ?which is to say three feet- with a quartz orb atop it. He uses it more like a walking stick than a magical staff, but it in fact has a dispel enchantment upon it and can be used to channel his magic.

Wikrun is reserved by nature, as all wizards are, but he can be very social when the situation seems appropriate. He is gentlemanly typically, though he can laugh at a joke and even crack some of his own. He is easily the most intelligent member of this band, though far too humble to admit it. He also has a calm approach to magical work and fighting, thinking before acting. Thankfully for the others he is a quick thinker, as well. He joined them from Morrowind mainly because he never fit well in the Telvanni House.

Wikrun has been given a Paint Horse.

Wikrun had befriended one of Divayth Fyr's daughters in his youth, and his father was an old acquaintance, so Fyr had lent him his notes (written in Aldmeris) concerning Alteration magicks and their uses on living beings.

Name: Simithara Terrineth.

Race: Breton

Age: 32

Birthsign: The Tower

Physical Description: Simithara is the definition of a deceiver, and those who know her closely wonder if her mother was a Seducer. Raven black hair flows in glistening waves half way down her back, thick, dark, and lustrous. Her skin is of a fair tone, suggesting she does not spend excessive time in the sun, and smooth, with not a scar present. Her chin is curving, her nose almost delicately small and her cheeks plump. She in many ways gives the impression of a Court Maiden of High Rock. But her eyes can easily dispel such illusion. They are a deep, brilliant green that seems to mix well with her hair and skin tone. But staring into those eyes too long, or making her angry, can cause them to change, and give one the impression they are gazing at a demon in feminine curves. And she indeed sports such feminine curves, her form meaty, yet lithe and slim and carrying an average-sized bosom. Her face is often set in an expression of stone, unless she is acting or around those she considers friends.

History: Simithara is Mannimarco's High Priestess, and rumor has it she is even his daughter. Those rumors, however, are false, but she doesn't mind them and even encourages them. She has been utterly devout, born to two necromancers, in the teachings of the God of Worms. Her complete devotion and magical affinity have gained her favor in Mannimarco's eyes, as well as her beauty. She traveled to Morrowind during the Oblivion Crisis, and led the Necromancers of Morrowind in guerilla warfare against the Mage's guild there. Just before his death, in appreciation Mannimarco told her of the location of the Vampiric Ring, a powerful artifact that was then in the hands of a lich.

Now, after Mannimarco's death, Simithara searches Tamriel for a mortal vessel that pleases her King, and the power needed to aid him in his revival.

Weapons: http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/images/6836-5-1192689731.jpg dagger. The handle is fashioned from pure silver, and a silver dragon is sculpted onto the blade, which is made from bleached ivory.

Armor: Simithara does not wear much in the way of armor. Light, boiled leather is the hardest material on her body, while the rest is clothed in silks. A corset of hard black leather covers her briast and navel. Leather gloves run from her wrist to her elbow, and cover the back of her hand in a triangle, while leaving her palms and fingers bare. Short high-heel leather boots come up to her knees. Around her hips is a leather belt with dark silks fastened to it, which falls down to her ankles and cover her front and back, while leaving her sides open. This belt also houses pouches to carry various ingredients to her necromantic rituals. She covers herself with a silken black cloak when she is in intense sunlight.

Misc. Items: The Vampiric Ring, an artifact that can steal the life of others and give it to her. She also wears a golden pendant with a jade stone, which has a Chameleon enchantment that is half the strength of an invisibility spell and lasts for a mere minute.

Personality: Carries a sweet, false innocence about her whenever she is not doing business. When serious, her demeanor becomes more foreboding, cold, and vile. She is well aware of her beauty, and not afraid to use her advantages when opportunity arises. Often shrewd and cunning, she still holds a bluntness to her manner that counteracts those qualities.

Companions: Any undeath she desires to summon to her. These include wraiths and ghosts of all degrees of power which she can summon at whim. However, stronger spirits she can only summon when near places of death. An expert in anatomy she can strengthen corpses and skeletons to improve their quality if given ample time, and infuse them with the spirits of the dead. Depending on the violence in the area of death, the resulting spirits could be stronger or weaker.

By the grace of her God, she can maintain fifty of these servants at one time. The further over fifty she raises, the more taxing they become and the more likely she is to falter. Her other magical abilities are stunted the more she raises.

Vulnim Gate mountain range, South of Lainlyn.
Sunlight shinned through the cracks in the tree canopy, ricocheting off the tarnished steel of Hukral's bulking armor, and glimmering off his bronze aspis. It made it hard for Wikrun to look at his back for very long, as an occasional passing ray of sun would suddenly blind him. But it wasn't like either he, or Marsha, really needed to see anything.

That's what they had the dynamic duo for (though now it was the one). At intervals there would be rustling in the trees around them, breaking the silence of the morning and alerting the small Band and their battlemage caravan of the continued existence of their scout. And occasionally giving one or two mages a case of the jitters. That cracked a smile on both his and Marsha's faces. Still, Wikrun was solemn as the group moved, and he was sure Marsha was the same; the smile never lasted long.

Even Hukral seemed tense, though he wouldn't admit it immediately nor would many people even notice. But Wikrun could see it in his riding. His shoulders remained square, gaze set ahead, great bowl aspis near the neck of his black stallion. Jassan was likely the only one who wasn't exhibiting these solemn effects; but he wasn't even here. Horse and all, the little elf was absent. And he couldn't help but worry about the annoying git.

When your career, when your very life, consisted of battle, after battle, after battle -many of them surprise battles, few of them in this unnatural lines of army setup- you begin to develop a sense for bloodshed. A foreboding feeling that at some point in the future, you're going to be on the wrong end of a deadly weapon. It was a sensation Wikrun had never felt until a few years ago, after spending some time with the Band of Bastards before joining them. It was not a sensation he relished.

"Ree'Ja thinks we are half down mountain." The Khajiit reported, leaping nimbly from a tree to land on all fours, tail swishing. "Still looking for more downward trail, but Ree'Ja thinks we go down very little still, for some time."

"Thank you Ree'Ja. Just keep looking." Hukral replied, giving the Khajiit a curt nod. Ree'Ja turned towards the trees, then stopped, looking up to Hukral again.

"Ree'Ja see no sign of Ja-san yet, either." His catlike guttural voice seemed almost... worried.

"Just keep looking." Hukral repeated, the tense unease growing in his voice. Ree'Ja nodded, and leaped back into the vegetation.

A large crowd had already gathered around the old warehouse by the time Adren and his thugs got to the fifth victim, a youth of no more then seventeen summers that was plucked at random from the filthy alleys that stunk of fish and salt. His hands were bound behind his back and he was forced up onto a raised platform for all to see. Beads of sweat formed upon his short hair and skin, a mixture of fear and heat. Although he tried to fight it, anyone could his shaking and the puddle of urine that had started to form by his feet.

" All these men you see before you have been found guilty of starting riots, and stealing from warehouses owned by the Black Lotus Union. " Adren shouted, his loud, clear voice rising up above the crowd who spoke among themselves. He motioned with one of his hands towards the youth, then towards the blood coated planks ahead of him, where four mutilated bodies already lay in a large pool of blood. " Lord Darius has always tried to help the people of Sentinel, and this is how you repay him? " His cold gaze swept across the crowd, as if stabbing into each ones very soul.

Most of the crowd grew silent, but some members shouted insults and threw trash at Adren, but were held in check by the ring of gang members that held them back, weapons drawn ready to cut down any that tried to surge foward and help the youth.

The youth didn't even try to deny the accusations. No one would listen. No one really cared. All he knew at this moment was death was certain, and he wouldn't give these bastards the enjoyment of hearing his screams.

" If so, then let us show you how we repay our debts. " Adren said coldly, giving a small nod to a fierce looking argonian standing besides the youth. In the low light of the evening, his emerald green and bright yellow scales were beatiful to behold, but, he was also terrible. Black horns shot out from his skull, as if they were trying to pierce the sky, and his dark obsidian eyes seem to intense and full of malice. Then there was his grin that flashed countless yellow, jagged teeth that looked as if they could shred the very meat from your bones.

The young man glanced his direction before quickly looking straight ahead, trying hard to swallow the lump in his throat and slow his racing heart. He might have been a street urchin all his life, but he wanted to atleast die with some dignity. He almost lost it though when he heard the the metallic ring of the machete leaving its sheath. The worst sound a condemned man will ever hear.

The strikes were swift and brutal, and all thoughts of trying to hold back the screams were lost to the agony. The first blow that came across his back and sent him flying to the ground was answered with only a grunt. The second and the third resulted in screams of horrible pain as the crowd continued to look on in silence. The fourth only got a whimper. After the fifth and sixth, all was silent. The gore coated machete was left lodged in the youths skull as the argonian left, splattered from head to toe in a sticky, sickly sweet, crimson spray.

Minutes later, after the crowd started to leave, ropes were tied around the ankles of all five corpses, which were quickly hoisted up onto several lamp posts. A note was left hanging around each victims neck that stated their crimes and the reason for their execution. So in only a span of ten minutes, Adrens dirty work was done.

Vott grinned as the throwing blade was caught blade first by his palm. Eriely no blood flowing from the wound in his palm. The large vampire was remarkably graceful as he spun around throwing the small blade out of his palm back at Jiann. Along with that, a phalanx of ice sprang out of the ground in the direction the Redguard was charging from coupled with a fierce frozen wind bits of ice and thick snow hurling his way.

The roar of Skyrim was upon the Redguard. Vott's robe fluttered fiercly making heavy thudding sounds. He fed off of the Redguard's emotions like he would later feed on his blood. Amusemant was Vott's sentiment. Every kill was this way, how would the prey react. Kojiro would be scraqed out of existance like an insect that had been stepped on.



Aryon remained quiet stroking the pet cat he had found. Unknowing to him it was the feline form of Elysana's sorceress acting as a spy. Varulae's eyes, one green the other blue watched over the maps keeping in mind anything and everything Saladin would say. The question would be how to bring this information to the Empire's side. The damnable dark elf didn't leave her out of his sight. Why'd she have to have such a nice fur coat? Kaasha would be laughing at her if she knew of her situation. Where was Kaasha anyway...



OOC: svcktastic posts. Hey Duval where are your posts about Legionaires doing all that stuff they do and stuff.

ooc: Had to kill some nazis in 1944 Ukraine this weekend. don't worry, we got em so i got released to come back and help out here. as for Allies, to expidite things, can everyone who's in the area just assume that their commander character is at this mission briefing? And Immortal, could you please get us that map of the upcoming battlefield you said you were making?


IC:

Imperial Headquarters, Rasheda Farm, Lainlyn outskirts
Septimus eyed all his commanders who were present at the meeting. They were drawn from all ranks of society and all races. He smirked and his huge scar pulled against his eyes and the corners of his mouth, revealing teeth back to the molars. He began to speak but found his voice was raspy and unintelligible. After clearing his throat he continued.

"Legionaires and allies alike, take a good look at this map. This is going to be our battlefield today. Now I won't go over every minute detail of the plan just yet. Every combat commander has a packet with individual orders over on that table. You'll get them after the briefing and I will require signatures to confirm that everyone received their envelopes. No, this briefing will let you know what to expect, and what we think you can expect. I also demand opinions of everyone on the plan as well as suggestions." Aquila said. He paused for a moment to drink deeply from a steaming cup of tea cut with liquor. It was the strong and flavorful local tea mixed with Arak. A stone jug of the strong smelling stuff had been pulled up from the cellar of the farmhouse.

"We are spread in a long line outside of Lainlyn. The army of both Saladin and Hanno Barca are to our direct front, in the mountain pass. Our scouts have engaged the enemy vanguard and reports them to be mostly Sentinelian militia mixed with sword singers. We've ambushed a group of them and found that their militia are highly motivated, but reckless and prone to panic. Once they see us deployed, I assume the militia will be moved back to more of a support role. We can expect the enemy to put his best troops out in front, and for him to use his weaker troops to exploit any gains they make. Do not underestimate their strength in numbers."

"In the past, and in almost every action, the rebel has shown a fondness for a pincer or double envelopment attack. Those of you stationed on the flanks, expect both probes and heavy contact. Our lines look like a bow, pointed at our enemies. This will allow us to reinforce anyone who needs it far quicker than the enemy can. Interior lines will be key to this fight. There are two in front of us, the main enemy army under Prince Haroun was around Dragongrove last we heard. There is also a tribal army of mostly horseman reported in the deserts north of Hegathe as of two days ago. No matter where the enemy comes through, they can only come through a bottleneck. They will be tired, they will be hungry, and they will be ready for blood. So, commanders, make sure your junior officers use those bottlenecks to our advantage. In the unlikely event of an amphibious attack, we have the navy just offshore of Lainlyn that can put 5 to 10 thousand boots on the ground, or provide supporting fire while we redeploy. Even though I say unlikely, fight and deploy like you expect it to happen. The enemy is not dumb by any means, and can be counted upon to attack us where we are least prepared. Always watch your backs."

"Expect missile fire in a volume that you have never seen before. The rebels have horse archers, javelins, slingers, archers, and rely heavily on their missile troops to soften us up before charging home. Our main battle line is close enough to Lainlyn for us to garrison our reserve in the outlying buildings. For those men at the frontline trenches and bunkers, have them all build something along these lines..." Aquila pulled a http://img25.imageshack.us/my.php?image=arrowguards.jpg and handed it out to the commanders. " It doesn't have to look exactly like that, all it has to do is provide an overhead shield against missile fire. Those men behind the lines will construct shields and shelters at their own discretion. For materials you can use local bamboo, or you can tear down any local buildings for materials. Just make sure your men's heads are protected."

"Expect cavalry in large numbers. Horse archers, lancers, mounted javelineers, militia and normal saber-wielding cavalry will all be present. Early in the campaign I scrounged just about every nail and bit of metal I could. I had our smiths bend and weld these together so http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/Caltrop_from_Vietnam_1968.jpg. Our engineers have built walkways out of wood and bamboo, These will be distributed to the commanders who request them. If a counterattack is ordered, you'll drop them over the caltrop field so we can advance in safety."

"Are there any questions so far?"

" I have one, sir. But before I get to that, I also have a suggestion. " Gaston spoke up, his voice rough like a file rubbing up against a piece of iron. After taking a sip of his strong black coffee, he continued, drawing his silver dirk and and pointing at several areas on the map. The areas in question were close to the end of the bow, where the lines would be the thinnest and the easiest to punch through.

" As you have mentioned before, the enemy cavalry is massive, much higher then our own if my reports are correct. If we do not take precautions against this number, we might be forced into a route. Now I know you have caltrops to discourage their attack, but with all due respect, sir. I feel that it isn't enough. " Gaston took a moment to take another sip and to let his words sink in in the other commanders before he continued.

" It seems to me that the Nine has seen fit in placing us in the middle of a forest full of living spears for our final battle. Let us take advantage of this fact. I suggest using the bamboo to hinder a cavalry charge at our weakest points. Twelve foot lengths with one end cut to a point stationed infront of our archers, battlemages, and other units that can't stand up to a charge. "

" Also, who if I may ask, will be taking the brunt of the attack? Am I to assume it will be the legions? "

Imperial Headquarters, Rasheda Farm, Lainlyn outskirts
Septimus smiled his hideous crooked smile. His eyes searched the room until they locked on the breton. His head nodded up and down nervously as he took another drink. Then he turned around and began to shuffle through the envelopes. After several moments of searching, he pulled one out and turned to hand it to the breton, Gaston.

"An excellent question, I'm glad that you asked it. Yes, we will be using the bamboo to help repel any cavalry, and the manner in which it's to be used is up to individual commanders, but in general they will be made as http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheval_de_frise. Now as for further Anti-cavalry defense, you'll find that in your packet."

"The bamboo forest brings up another point. Once everyone here is briefed and sent to take up their place in line, We will try and fit as much of our army into the bamboo forest as we can. The enemy horse can't fight in such terrain and archers might as well be firing at a stone wall. For the most part, our right flank will be anchored into the forest. These men will be mostly swordsmen, and foot infantry while our spear and pikemen are in the open, where they must rely on the anti-archer defense, but also where they can operate more effectively on both the offensive and defensive."


"And no my dear gaston, The Legions will not bear the brunt of this fight. My men will make up the reserve." Aquila paused momentarily to see how the others would react. "Afterall my men have been rather greedy at the table of violence. It's time for them to beg for scraps while our noble allies engorge themselves on the enemy dead." This was the point he was most nervous of, how his allies would take this news. In his mind, the Legions had bore the brunt of most of the campaign while the allies had been relegated to menial tasks and recon missions. In truth, his men were tired, and a change of pace was in order.

Gods help me...let them think well of this...

IC:
Saladin's Army

Faron, the new commander of the 1st Cavalry Regiment, Saladin's light cavalry, had fit himself into his stirrups for only a second before Mogaba had shouted out towards him.

"Try not to get yourself killed! If you can't handle this, then you bastards shouldn't even be riding to battle tomorrow!" the Knight of the Scarab let out a hearty laugh as he slapped another of his Knights on the back.

The nervous, and young Faron didn't reply. He was nervous enough already, he didn't like the idea of going into sorties alone, he remembered what had happened during the first contact with the Legion's defenses.

However the plan was to raise hell before defenses could be raised, the Legion's main strength in this war was what they dug in, and used around them.

Scouts had reported the forests weren't disturbed by enemy presence, and that wouldn't last long.

"Dragoons, load up! We have a job to do! Keep your arms steady, and your horses calm. I promise you, I shall throw the first spear, follow my lead, and you WILL return home!"

---------------------------------------------------
Saladin

Saladin surveyed his men at work, some were setting up tent, while the others were moving into position. The mouth of the mountain was completely filled from side to side with men and supplies, a line cavalry leaving off in the distance around the forest.

The Ra Gada General leaned up against the rocky surface of the mountain, for some solace and a place to collect his thoughts.

There were many gaps in the plan that had to be filled, it was his mind versus that of all the allied commanders.

He reached into his clothing, retrieved a stale cigar and bit onto its end.

-----------------------------------------------------
Bamboo Forest
Jiann wasn't surprised in the least. The night he and his brothers had engaged Vott and Serosi, the Nord giant was somehow able to create ice in the desert, and control wind.

He didn't care about the devil magic, but the Nord following combat patterns would make this battle easier, he had accounted for this initial attack.

The Nord would send forth that powerful wind, shards of ice, and once Jiann closed the distance, he'd move in the last moment, swinging that damned sword.

The Ra Gada dashed to the side, narrowly dodging the monstrous blizzard, as he did so he retrieved yet another knife from his leg and sent it forth. A moment later bamboo stalks had collapsed and earth had exploded from the original fury of the Iron Wind's technique.

The wind and earth around the small battlefield was a collection of whirlwinds, two beings of such immense skill, speed, and power to the point of bordering on supernatural had caused the very elements of Nirn to morph violently in the area. A terrifying, and strangely fascinating sight to any who would observe.

"I SEE YOUR DEATH! AT MY HANDS VOTT!" under his mask he grinned like a madman, drunk with his fury.

He sprinted towards the giant, closing the distance as quickly as possible. His sinewy body extremely defined by his own extreme training, and even more so by his adrenaline rush.

He sent forth a thrust with his obsidian longsword, aimed at Vott's chest, and screaming wildly behind the attack.

OOC: Forgive all the scatter brained sounding posts, my mind is all kinds of [censored] up.

Vulnim Gate

The sounds of three score of Imperial Battlemages and mercenaries had awoken the ancient evil within Vulnim pass.

A loud rumbling...deep, deep within the caverns of the mountain side had sent forth dozens of shadows outside, cutting through the area overseeing the valley pass, leaving blood trails behind them.

Who had dared to enter...invading their home?

A loud shriek pierced through the ears of all the creatures in the desolate valley....

The Band of bastards would be having one hell of a night.

OOC: I thought it was day now, not night....

IC: "Which, I think, is a valid assumption to make." Came an ashen voice from one other corner of the tent, across from that of the Breton who had spoken up. Two crimson metal statues stood on either side of the ebony clad speaker, who's skin was almost as dark as the armor he wore. Heselth sat in a simple chair, while his various commanders stood around the tent, arms folded and listening as they regarded their packets. Helseth's hands were together, fingers touching tips before his face as he spoke.

"You have participated in the majority, if not all, of the major battles of this war, while your allies have sat back and tried to prepare themselves. Perhaps now it is time for a reversal of roles. I can assure you that Morrowind, at least, is willing to do such." It was a subtle, yet obvious, strike to the Breton leader. His emphasis on the 'tried' is what would kill the subtlety of his strike. However, his dark red eyes never once moved towards the Breton knight.

"The Dres Armies are positioned ahead of where you plan to situate yourselves. They are already in the heart of the forest and road areas that Saladin must cross to reach Lainlyn. It is the plan, from last contact with the Telvanni mages stationed with them, that they will weaken the cavalry and the front lines. I will come with my men to reinforce them. Who reinforces my army is not my decision to make."

Jassan shuddered slightly as he watched Helseth speak. The little elf was somewhat hidden from the rest, sitting on the top of a food cabinet near the kitchen area of the farmhouse, his head a mere foot from the roof and feet dangling from the cabinet edge. He began to see why some regarded Hesleth with awe and respect. He'd hate to get into a wits fight with the likes of him.

Well, no... take that back... I'd love to! Would be such a challenge! Results might be displeasing though...

"We will weaken the army as best we can, and if we must, retreat back towards your forces. Use our fighting time as additional time for you to build your defenses; we'll be retreating right into them likely." Helseth finished.
-------------------------
The forests of Hammerfall never ceased to amaze Simithara. Despite being so alive, they seemed to always be immensely dead; still and silent, the bamboo gave off a more... architectural than floral feel to the area, lending to a more lifeless and eerie atmosphere.

And she loved it.

It was through this dreary atmosphere that Christopher Montrose, The Kahjiit warrior, and several marines were walking. The Marines were guiding the weary group back the way they had arrived from, maybe even to a ship, while Simithara was leading the rear. Well... the lively rear.

At least two dozen forms shifted about in the dawn fog of the forest. Their movements were sporadic and slow, planned and periodic. It was a legion of unsleeping, men of white and dark skinned man races, of Knight and Ansei background alike, shifting their cold legs through the forest in an attempt to follow their enlivened mistress. Like a pack of dogs. One, however, was not shambling like the others; he walked upright, with a more or less smooth stride. This one was a tall, muscular redguard, clad in desert garments that were torn and burnt. He had no sword on him, only his bare hands, but any mage could feel the magic thrumming off him, and not all of it necromantic.

Simithara had her arm around Raza's waist, gently cradling his cold hip next to hers as they walked together, followed by a pack of horrors. Like a twisted, unholy family.

If they were heading for a ship, things would get interesting quick.
--------------------------
OOC: I suppose I ought take over Marietta for Webster for now as well.

IC: "What was that?" Marietta asked, gripping her staff tighter as the sound came over her ears. She wasn't the only one to react either. Every battlemage turned to look up the mountain, and Hukral had his hand back to his sword before Wikrun could even think of a decent spell.

"Shadows, from side of the mountain this one saw." Ree'Ja proclaimed from the trees, jumping down to the ground on all fours, looking back over his shoulder to the mountain peak above them. For a brief moment he looked like a panther.

"Vulnim Pass has its legends." Marsha commented.

"And what might they entail?" Wikrun asked.

"Typically a traveler death." She said it so calmly, so factually, it sent a shiver down even Hukral's spine.

"So, what do we do?" Marietta broke the silence. "What are we facing?"

"Whatever we are facing, we will face it. Marsha, you and Wikrun take the rear. Ree'Ja, stay with me. Marietta, have your mages stay alert. We keep moving." Hukral ordered, voice deep and authoritative and down to business. Since he seemed to be the only one with any idea what he was doing, few people argued.

Gaston accepted the packet with a nod, and was busy flipping through the documents to learn of Glenpoints role when Helseth finally spoke up. Although he listened carefully to every word, the old Bretons face showed no outward sign of emotion. That was until Helseth made his little comment that Gaston took as a insult.

If looks could kill, Helseth would be curled up on the ground by now, his face contorted in pain. After a moment, Gaston simply smirked, flashing his yellow teeth at that dog with the title King of Morrowind. " My lord. " Gaston began, his eyes and voice full of disdain. " Maybe you and your men should sit out this battle. We wouldn't want for you to break a nail. My men have already seen action outside of Sentinel and Sunkeep. How about yours? "

Gaston stopped for a moment as he listened to two of his Jr. officers snicker. Any normal person would have never though about making stabs at Helseth, but as far as Gaston was concerned, we was far better then any Dunmer, of royal blood or not. Taking another sip of coffee to clear his throat, he continued with a large smile. " Although, I'm sure if you ask nicely, my knights will be more then glad to allow you to hide behind them.

I'll be damned if I allow that son of a [censored] take the glory from this battle.

Feeling that he had berated Helseth enough, Gaston turned his attention to Aquila. " I do agree with King Helseth on one point, sir. The Legions have seen to much action, they should act as a support role for this battle. Glenpoint will glady do their part though, so do not worry about that. "

"I'll ask that our allies retain some form of professional respect..."Septimus said awkwardly. I hate goddamned politiking. It's like dealing with someone else's children. Can't discipline them the way they need to be for fear of their oppressive and overbearing parents taking offense...Sh*t His fragile patience and sense of face broke for a moment."Now goddamnit, if you want to hate the Dunmer, you do that after this campaign is over. I will not have anymore outbreaks like that. If we get f*cked up the ass in this next battle, we will ALL get f*cked. Not just you, and not just him...everyone. These sons of b*tches crucify our wounded and captured...There is no leniency, and no clemency. Now listen clearly, We either work together and kick the sh*t out of the rebels, or we bicker and insult and get collectively ass f*cked..."

"A pauper in the presence of kings...Your sense of the poetic and stirring is certainly unique, Sepp..." Jean Molyneaux chuckled. "Just think Sepp, When history records this battle...those will be your stirring and inspirational words..." Aquila visibly winced at his own rash stupidity.

Alessia, let my die with dignity... Aquila cleared his throat and tried to undo the damage.

"Look, when this is over we can all go back to hating each other. But right now, we must trust each other with our lives. I'm not asking any of you to like that fact. I'm merely stating the truth..."

Knight Commander Septimus Aquila sighed and took a drink.

An normal person would not have even dreamed of taking a stab at Helseth. Any normal person wouldn't have dared fathom stabbing at a King around his own elite guards, of a race so prideful only the Altmer out-snobbed them. And yet here was this stout, thick half-breed mixed mer-man of a province so rife with in-fighting the Houses of Morrowind looked peaceful, taking a jab at him.

Morrowind's king only turned to look at this man, his lithe, slender elven form clad in fitted ebony armor, looking down to meet him right in the eyes. The fiery heart of Red Mountain, gazing into the eyes of that inbred swine with all the calm and poise of an armed soldier looking at a pack rat opponent. One of his royal guards and Captain's Jecklin and Hyren moved forward in unison, only the crimson helmet of the Royal Guardsman hiding his snarl as the three moved to converge on the bretons.

Hyren was already reaching for his spiked chitin axe and Jecklin his shortsword, while the long and elegant metal of the Royal Guard was just tasting air outside the sheath when a single motion stopped all three. Helseth's hand slowly lowered back to the table, and all three men replaced their weapons and their feet, while Helseth's calm, unreadable stare simply moved to Aquila as he spoke. There was not an ounce of injury to his expression.

Only one person stopped at Helseth's raised hand, who he did not anticipate stopping. It was a small shadow of a man atop a cupboard in the corner, who now had knives between the knuckles of his fingers, ready to throw at a moment's notice. Everyone paused at Septimus' words though, and a small smile tugged at Helseth's lips, for once.

"Spoken like a true leader of men. Bluntly to the point, rather than the eloquent beating of the bush we rulers excel in. And as my commanders tell me, bluntly to the point is just what you need when planning for battle. My men are prepared to do their part, and have been waiting to do so for some time now. I will admit, many are thirsty for blood after the raiding of Lainlyn. They are all to eager to quell this rebellion, no matter who fights alongside them." Hesleth lifted his arms off the table before him and leaned back, looking around the room.

"We call ourselves allies, and yet we bicker over the map of the field, and snap at one another like starved cliffracers. But even they will work together to hunt prey, or deter a third competitor for a kill. I am willing to quell this rebellion alongside allies, if only to end this war and bloodshed."

Jassan watched from the top of his cupboard, three knives sticking handle-out from his closed fists as he crouched there, the toes of his front foot curled over the edge of the cupboard top within his shoe. Sapphire eyes darted between the parties of the farmhouse, looking for any signs of aggression, any drawn blade or movement to kill. If it were to be made, the little elf would be on it in an instant, daggers flinging to wound, and not kill, the aggressor, and prevent further violence. Either that, or pin him by his shirt to the wall. An idea Jassan entertained with a small smirk.

Rasheda Farm

Andarys glanced at Voneri who seemed almost stone like except for her fierce eyes which told him she was about ready to pounce on the Breton and bite out a chunk of flesh and veins out of his throat. She had quite the temper and Andarys had much practice dousing it with reason. A hand against her arm and her eyes turned almost childlike as Voneri turned to him. The tense muscles in her back softened as a slight sigh escaped.

Sep always had a way with words. Andarys wondered if the old bones remembered him. He had always been a mangled mess, no someone nobility such as Andarys would find as good company, but Andarys had spent his time in Argonia and could respect anyone who struggled on the battle field. "Pardon me for getting between all of this but general, i've made the preperations you've asked for and sent out the cavalry to scout and keep us informed." Andarys' respectful tone bothered Voneri a bit. Who was this Imperial? He looked as if strong wind would put him out of her misery. Such a demoralizing sight. She almost felt sorry for the broken man, almost because of his distinctive Nordic features.

"I hope he has a good bodyguard." Voneri leaned toward Andarys' ear whispering. If the so called 'general' would find himself alone with an assassin, that would be it. This one broken and battered man was all that was keeping their armies together. This strongest point was also their weakest. If Septimus were to die, what would keep the Bretons from selling Helseth and everyone under him to the rebels. Honestly to her it seemed like they themself could do the same thing. Perhaps she could just kill him right here and now, have a small skirmish, meet the Redguards before the Legions figure out what was going on and secure their passage home while the Legions and the Bretons all went to hell.

OOC: was suppose to post for some other stuff but I got distracted. =/