EVENT #07: ASPHODEL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

[vivalamods]

EVENT #07: ASPHODEL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT PLANNING

The Corsairs have been mobilized and preparations are underway. As negotiators are dispatched to Vindess to prepare for the evacuation under Imperial noses, the crafters and suppliers set to work, preparing the new settlement and whatever airships can be spared for the evacuation. Some Corsairs have even taken it upon themselves to build or “liberate” more airships for the effort.

As always, when the goal is certain the Corsairs move as one. Together, they will see Asphodel completed. All hands are needed, the question is, where do you lend yours?

MISSIONS

Prepare Asphodel: Get the new settlement of Asphodel up and running to receive the refugees from Vindess.
Priority: Critical
Challenges: Corsairs will need to keep the settlement hidden while also making suitable housing and preparing farms and other amenities to sustain life. It will require a large amount of excavation to get in order, as well as construction of homes, furniture, and other facilities. The work will be backbreaking and the timetable is extremely aggressive.

Prepare Citizens for Evacuation: As the citizens of Vindess toil under Imperial lockdown, the Corsairs must prepare the entire population for evacuation.
Priority: Critical
Recommended Roles: Negotiators and Infiltrators
Challenges: Corsairs will need to convince the entire population to evacuate. There are a number of methods that can be employed, while many are going to be reluctant the Imperial crackdown has shaken the settlement and unease is high. There is evidence within the Imperial offices that Infiltrators can recover that show mass executions with lists of “dissidents” have been scheduled for April which the Corsairs might make use of if they choose to investigate. Other options include capturing potential dissidents and taking the entire willing population while executing or taking prisoner loyalists, or other methods the Corsairs determine for themselves to make this happen.


Acquire Airships: The Corsairs always need more airships, and moving an entire population will require heavy effort and can use as many ships as can be mustered.
Priority: Optional
Recommended Roles: All
Challenges: The Corsairs don’t have the major Ether Stones that serve as the airship engines and will need to either capture or salvage resources to increase the size of their fleet. While the Corsairs have been investigating airships that don’t require Ether stones, that research is still a distant dream, but some Corsairs may want to spend some time pushing that investigation along to see if they can make it a reality sooner rather than later.

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Comments

[allthepowersofhell]

Ravens, ravens, and more ravens. Wherever he looks, there the birds are. They are not all looking in his direction - but still he will feel it. That sense that they are watching.

Except for one - which turns, and flies away into the town.

[freearcadia]

The pirate is suddenly struck with a dim memory of an old movie with birds he saw once while heavily sleep-deprived with the way it felt like they were all watching. He quickens his pace to a brisk walk, intending to put distance, whoever or whatever is watching didn't seem intent on showing themselves soon.

[allthepowersofhell]

The birds continue to multiply. More and more appear, perching on every surface.

The wind, still just a moment ago, begins to grow and howl. The sun disappears behind dark clouds, leaving behind only shadows.

And when Harlock turns the corner from one street into the nexts, he will find himself face to face with a woman. Tall, horned, with pale green skin. Wearing rich, deep purple robes that could only belong to nobility, and carrying a crystal topped staff.

"Why, what a rush you are in," she says. Her voice is light and serene, as if this were an everyday encounter. "And where might a common citizen of the Empire run to with such rapidity?"

[freearcadia]

The sudden darkness and the wind picking up only added a edge of unreality, that he had walked onto an old horror movie as he continued to make his way until the woman caused him to start.

Rafflesia? His mind jolted in shock before he took in the full picture and realized that this wasn't the Mazone Queen - those were horns, not the spikes of a crown and with this kind of atmosphere, her skin would've turned chalk-white... and this woman had a certain air that he could not quite put his finger on.

Regardless of who she was, he knew that this question wasn't just mere pleasantry even as he gave a half-bow, his good eye watching her with a wariness from a life of uncertainty. "Pardon me, I am not certain as to what business it is of yours where I am going, My Lady."

[allthepowersofhell]

"Not my business?" She gasps, one hand delicately raised to cover her mouth. "Why, what an awkward mistake of mine, to overstep in such a manner...I hope my inquiries have not distressed you."

Her hand lowers, and her gaze turns harsh and her voice ice cold.

"But I am only a Duchess. Kin to the Emperor himself. What reason could I possibly have to ask about a dear subject of the Empire?"

And what right does a mere common-born man have to deny her whatever answers she wishes? None at all, of course. Not in Empire.

The ravens maintain their vigil.

[freearcadia]

His lips curled as her voice went icy - he could tell this was someone not used to being told no. The pirate felt a certain - almost perverse - thrill in ruffling the feathers of such people, especially if she really is kin to the pompous tyrant he saw in that video. It was indeed a very dangerous game but one he can't resist, especially at the moment he wasn't actually in the middle of a mission. "That I wonder, surely someone of your importance would have much grander things to consider than that of a man simply following his own whims."

[allthepowersofhell]

Perhaps unexpectedly...she laughs.

"Ah, but I do a grand purpose indeed. The most noble purpose of all!" she says, as she holds out one arm. One raven breaks from the pack, to land on her outstretched risk.

"My pets tell me such of interesting things. Like a fleet of scattered ships upon the sea, filled with scheming little miscreants. Miscreants who dare to come here, to quaint little Vindess! And how could I, as an Imperial Duchess, allow such miscreants to come and go as they please?"

[freearcadia]

His eye narrowed as she laughs, recognizing it - the laughter of one who believes themselves to be in a superior position. The questions weren't just a whim, but intimidation, interrogation. Now how did she know... was it those birds?

His lips curled into a grin that is more like the bearing of teeth as he straightens up from the half-bow. "Miscreants, Your Grace - what a gentle way to refer to a Pirate such as myself." He is playing with fire but Harlock know at this point there is no way that this will end without either a fight or the garrison being called down on him - or at least that is what he believed.

"I care not what a Duchess may allow or ban, even the Queen of an empire that spans the very stars could not get me to bend my knee." There pride in his voice, an easy confidence. "And is it not in the nature of a miscreant to disobey?"

[allthepowersofhell]

Pride, and confidence. This man possesses both in abundance.

Such joy Maleficent will take, in taking both away.

"It is your very nature, is it?" She says lightly - as the crystal on the top of her staff begins to glow. "Well, and who am I - a mere Duchess - to argue with such a thing?"

She turns then, as if to go - and simply leave Harlock unharmed. But then she pauses, and looks back.

"But I have a gift, for such a miscreant. For a pirate."

The crystal grows brighter now, and as she raises the staff high a dark, oppressive force fills the air around Harlock.

"Hear my command; from this day forth while your heart may be full of defiance, your body shall be compelled by dutiful obedience."

A flash of sickly light, and the curse takes hold. And she smiles.

"Now...kneel," she commands.

[freearcadia]

Harlock tensed as she turns, he did not believe for a second that the Duchess would just leave it at that and was ready to defend himself - from her, any soldiers that may run to her call - or the birds.

He shield his eye from the bright light as the air suddenly felt heavier as if he was on the surface of Neptune, heavy, choking. As the light flashes, a slight sense of bewilderment crosses his face what on earth just happened?

As he starts to retort about how he refuses to kneel, his body suddenly trembles, as his knee starts to drop to the cobblestone, the pirate's face going from bewilderment to alarm and then horror as his arm crossed the knee and he bowed his head - a surprisingly perfect model of a knightly kneel.

"What did you...?" He rasped.

[allthepowersofhell]

"Why, I gave you a gift, little pirate," she laughs. "No you need no longer be troubled by your disobedient nature. Ah...but we still have your fellow miscreants to consider, don't we?"

She taps her chin thoughtfully with one clawed finger.

"Ah...of course. Here then, is my command to you, little pirate: return now to your fellow Corsairs. Bide your time, and give no warnings. And then when your allies are most vulnerable...strike, and kill them all."

[freearcadia]

He paled, even as he felt his blood growing volcanic, rage bubbling under the placid surface - treachery and betrayal - the things he hated the most, and this witch is forcing him to commit both!

"You... will pay," He managed to spit out, even as he lowers his head, giving a nod of acquiesce.

[allthepowersofhell]

She laughs. Because of course, his pain and rage and distress...it is all for her amusement.

And then she walks away, as her ravens all at once taken flight. She has given her commands; she trusts that they will be followed.