vivala | MISSION #01: SAND AND IRON PREPARATION LOG

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MISSION #01: SAND AND IRON PREPARATION LOG

MISSION #01: SAND AND IRON

With the operation fast approaching, the Crimson Corsairs mobilize to prepare. As is often the case, the Supplier and Infiltration teams take the lead, deploying within Elysium and on the continent of Hesaeth. These preparations will be vital for the success of the operation team, and the Corsairs have devoted significant resources into seeing it through.

The Corsairs have delivered their verdict, and the mining site will be Captured for the benefit of the Crimson Corsairs. We expect this will invite swift reprisal from the Empire, and the Corsairs are expected to prepare assiduously to ensure unnecessary loss of life can be avoided.

The following missions have been registered for completion. For a character to count as having participated, they must have a minimum of 3 comments in the mission thread. Characters may only participate in missions in one of the available regions, but may participate in up to two threads if desired. If more than the minimum number of log participants is available for a given log, it will impact the efficacy of the preparation. As this is the first mission, the numbers have been kept intentionally low, we will assess requirements based on how we see player participation from this event and adjust as necessary.

SUPPLIERS

Gathering Supplies: This will mostly consist of gathering ingredients to make the food and drink to be distributed among the celebrants. It might involve hunting, foraging, farming, or other methods of production or gathering depending on your character’s preference. Failure to properly stock Elysium for the party will make the visiting officers angry and alert, ensuring they can mount a more effective defense of Hesaeth.
Requirements: To participate in this mission, your thread header should read GATHERING SUPPLIES. At least 4 characters will need to participate in this mission among all mission threads to make this a success.
Region: Elysium
Participants: Link, Snufkin, Maomao, Kaine (4/4)

Venue Preparation: This will consist of preparing the venue for the performance and banquet. It involves setting up the area, as well as constructing areas for seating and staging for the performances which will be held in the banquet hall. Failure to properly prepare will make visiting officers bored and restless, ensuring they can mount a more effective defense of Hesaeth.
Requirements: To participate in this mission, your thread header should read VENUE PREPARATION. At least 4 characters will need to participate in this mission among all mission threads to make this a success.
Region: Elysium
Participants: Momo, Musse, Eva, Link (4)

Munitions Development: The assault on Hesaeth will be a sneak attack, but extra firepower is always appreciated. Based on the recent salvage we’ve recovered, we believe we can make either a lethal poison or a sleep gas to be fired at the labor camp barracks. There is considerable argument among the Corsairs over which should be used, the sleeping concoction will potentially allow for the taking of captives. The poison gas will be potentially safer in neutralizing major threats, but there are many among the Corsairs and Imperial citizenry who will find the use of such a weapon abhorrent and this may lower our standing among our allies.
Requirements: To participate in this mission, your thread header should read either MUNITIONS DEVELOPMENT - SLEEPING GAS or MUNITIONS DEVELOPMENT - POISON GAS. At least 2 characters will need to participate in either of these missions to make this a success.
Region: Vault
Gambit: This will make up to two Gambits available - the Sleeping Gas Gambit and the Poison Gas Gambit. Either will be available for a one-time use in a mission log.
Participants (Sleeping Gas): Rezo (1/2)
Participants (Poison Gas): (0/2)

Illicit Substance Development: With the visiting officials, now is an excellent time for Elysium to put some of its finest hedonistic delights on display. To that end, they are developing more powerful alcohol and drugs to ensure the empire cannot mount an effective defense when the time comes. The enhanced alcohol should make the officers more likely to be asleep or impaired, whereas the drugs should ensure the officers are hallucinating and unable to give effective orders. Both should be able to completely incapacitate the officers and keep them from providing any aid to the labor camp.
Requirements: To participate in this mission, your thread header should read either DRUG DEVELOPMENT or ALCOHOL DEVELOPMENT. At least 2 characters will need to participate in either of these missions to make this a success.
Region: Vault or Elysium
Faction: Elysium only
Gambit: This will make up to two Gambits available - the Potent Drugs Gambit and the Potent Alcohol Gambit. Either will be available for a one-time use in a mission log.
Participants (Drug Development): Maomao, Musse (2/2)
Participants (Alcohol Development): (0/2)

INFILTRATORS

Observation and Mapping: Infiltrators will need to get a full layout of the labor camp, including troop movements, locations of armaments, and as many details as possible. This information will be critical in ensuring the team can quickly neutralize the threats on the ground. Failure to properly scout the area will lead to the team encountering unexpected and potentially dangerous threats on the ground.
Requirements: To participate in this mission, your thread header should read either OBSERVATION AND MAPPING. At least 4 characters will need to participate in either of these missions to make this a success.
Region: Hesaeth
Participants: T-800, Id, Itsuzumi, Aerich (4/4)

Prisoner Uprising: Infiltrators will need to steal into the labor camp and prepare the inhabitants for their impending rescue. This includes informing them and arming them so they can assist, if willing.
Requirements: To participate in this mission, your thread header should read OBSERVATION AND MAPPING. At least 4 characters will need to participate in either of these missions to make this a success.
Region: Hesaeth
Gambit: This will make the Prison Revolt Gambit available. It will be available for a one-time use in a mission log, but can only be used on this mission.
Participants: Madeline, Noctis, Harlock (3/4)

Steal Dispatches: Knowledge is power, and the Corsairs can make tremendous use of the maps, dispatches, and orders that flow through prison camps like this. Infiltrators will need to enter officer quarters and sift through refuse to find these missives and bring them back to the Vault for analysis.
Requirements: To participate in this mission, your thread header should read either STEAL DISPATCHES. At least 2 characters will need to participate in either of these missions to make this a success.
Region: Hesaeth
Faction: Vault only
Gambit: This will make the Hamper Reinforcements Gambit available. It will be available for a one-time use in a mission log.
Participants: Donatello, Angelika (2/2)

Players are generally free to play out the mission however they wish in terms of their log. A mission’s success will be judged across all participants in all logs. Players who want to make final group planning may use the top level in this post. Any Gambits will be made immediately available once the log participation requirement is met. The Execution phase will be posted on July 10th, but the cut-off to complete a mission log successfully for the planning phase will be July 15th.

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The plan was set - disguises for the inquisition, and a small stockpile of weapons to bring to the prisoners.

Harlock looked over the collection as he added a few bolt cutters into the mix. "Here, manacles, locks, this should help - they might be able to break into the guards' lockers and procure more weapons that way." With that, the man goes to get changed. "My accent is a little strong, so I shouldn't be the one talking until we get past the guards." He then added as an afterthought as he pulled his hair into a loose bun, putting on the face-concealing helmet.

"Everyone ready?"

Edited 2024-07-09 23:45 (UTC)

Noctis on the other hand had picked up the language fairly quickly given his home, Insomnia, is like a blend of cultures.

The spoken language that is. He can't make heads or tails of this world's written word at all.

He's already dressed, but holds the final piece, the headgear, under one arm.

"Leave the weapons to me." He says putting his own helmet on and waving a hand over the pile of weapons. "If we find more along the way, I can take those too."

Madeline is carefully tucking away what weapons she can. She's stoutly shaped enough to get away with concealing a fair few of them, particularly under a uniform. She glances to the rest and nods -- she'll leave the majority of that's left for Noctis then.

"I can do the talking then. I'm from here after all."

Her hair is short enough that plopping on the helmet is easy, even it takes some adjustments.

"Maybe? Honestly I'm not much of a soldier so ... but I definitely know the language here!"

He nods as he works on concealing his own batch. The uniform was loose, but that's to their benefit. "All right, we have to be ready to fight our way out if we're discovered."

Harlock felt confident, but he didn't survive what he had without a back up plan - for the most part, the pirate tches as he gets a good look at himself, before steeling himself - suppressing the innate disgust of wearing a uniform.

"We are going to try to avoid fighting our way out if at all possible." Angelika appeared late, but with a few vital last minute touches. "We are bringing in supplies, hope and a message but if we start a riot too early then it's of no use to anyone we hope to rescue or to aid in the attack." She secured a pin to Harlock's collar, adjusting it and then bowed. "Inquisitor, the strong-silent type. A grunt of disapproval now and then may do." A chain and a symbol of the divine were handed over to Madeline. "Sister, here's your badge of office." And then she swept onto Noctis and pinned another badge to his collar. "Junior Inquisitor. Follow our Glorious Leader's lead? Or maybe just work on saying 'For the Divine!'"

She took a step back and then pulled on her own black wig, transforming from a young woman into a very young man as she adjusted her stance. It wasn't impossible to notice little tells if you looked but...most people didn't look for girls wearing Inquisitorial uniforms. "I won't tell you not to fight if you don't have to, but if we do, we've failed the mission to an extent. Just, keep that in mind, please."

Madeline is quick to not in reply, taking the badge with a momentary look over it. The Inquisitors had always been a group of people she was somewhat unsure of. Dragons had to be careful after all and perhaps walking into this mission wasn't the brightest of ideas but she did want to help after all.

"Mm, no fighting is a much better option."

"'Junior' Inquisitor, seriously? I'm not a kid you know." Noctis grumbles then sighs, "For the Divine. Got it."

He does blink and raise a brow at the comment about failing the mission if fighting breaks out.

"How is that a failure? As long as we free as many people as possible, and no one's hurt, I say that counts as a success."

And Noctis is going to do all in his power to be sure no one is hurt. There was already enough of that in his recent past that he'd rather not repeat.

Harlock tries to hide a slight chuckle at Noctis's grumble. "It's less about age than seniority, no doubt there are older men serving as aid de camps to younger Inquisitors. But she does have a point, if we get to the point of fighting, we wouldn't have the power to do more than get ourselves and at best a handful out - then they'll be on alert for any future attacks." He reaches and adjusts the pin so it lays neatly against the collar, grunt and nod that he can do. "We have to be ready for that possibility, but try to avoid it." Harlock's mind drifts to an old memory before he straightens up, making his posture ramrod straight, running his hands over his clothing to make sure it didn't bulge in a suspicious way from the concealed bolt cutters.

"All right, I believe we're ready to go."

"He's right you know, there aren't that many ranks of Inquisitors. And it wouldn't make sense to have two full Inquisitors on this mission!" Thankfully the Inquisitorial uniform had an option for an older style sack-coat. It was loose and unfitted to the body, making it perfect for Harlock to hide things under. Though, Madeline had the advantage there. Angelika had perhaps the least concealed of any of them, but she did have the experience of having been inside the camp once before.

Going meant picking up the last piece of their cover story-spare rations to supplement the meager allotment the prisoners got. On her last visit, Angelika had suggested that compliant prisoners who listened to sermons might deserve more food than those who didn't. The same sermons that were the cover for their going into the camp. And, if they found any truly dire cases who might not live until they were liberated-well, the 'inquisition' might be able to take them away for 'questioning.' Not too many, of course, but the same cart they were delivering dried fish and hardtack with might serve to carry a few prisoners.

Madeline's brows quirk up gently at that. She had never paid a great deal of attention to the ranks anyone on the Imperial side might have had, aside from those in the upper echelons of course. Those held the majority of her ire given the grunt workers on the field rarely got the chance for much choice or say.

Adjusting her own outfit as the group begins to head out she bends her steps towards where that cart of ration supplies must be as she adds, "Plus when it comes to fighting you can't really control who may or may not get hurt. It'd be terrible to rescue anyone only to see them hurt in a fight."

He makes a few idle mental notes as he approaches the cart, and takes position while giving everyone a nod of confirmation that he's ready to go - once they're within earshot of the camp, it's probably not a good idea to engage in idle chatter.

Harlock on the surface seemed collected, but there's a tightness in his jawline, and the way he curled his hand that betrayed a smothering anger.

Well, that kind of tightness was a thing real inquisitors cultivated. That anger at the world, the smoldering rage-even Angelika's face went from wide open and happy to tight, frustrated and suspicious. It was partly being in character-and partly being dressed up as a boy again, even if for a good cause.

But ahead looms the gates of the facility and they are just going to walk through, with only their boldness and daring to safeguard them. That, and a set of fake identity documents for each of them.

They don't have Inquisitors in Eos, the Cosmogony being the main detail on the Old Gods, so Noctis realizes he's out of his element here.

"Alright, alright. I'll take your word for it." He says at length, fixing his own outfit.

As for the fighting. The last thing he wants is someone to get hurt, so he'll also refrain. But if needed, Noctis will be ready to throw down.

Noctis is quiet as they approach the gate. At he's got the hardened expression down.

Madeline's chosen to go with a helmet that just a bit more face concealing than the others. It's not wholly out of character for the Inquisitors and she has too much of a 'baby face' in a way to look truly terrifying unless she drops her transformation.

At the gate she silently offers up her identity documents when asked. That doesn't seem to fluster the guard on duty at least!

Harlock's own helmet covered most of his face, given his rather distinctive features. As Madeline offers the papers, Harlock scans their surroundings, his arms crossed over his chest in a gesture of impatience, but making notes of where things are located - bunkers, supply sheds, anything that might be of use later, or urgent enough to tell the rest of the Corsairs once they return.

"Hm." He grunted as it seems the documents isn't arousing suspicion.

One of the guards looks up at Harlock, and catches sight of his eye, feeling the negative vibes coming off him-and makes a rather unmannly sound as he thrusts the doccuments back. "Everything in order, go on sir!" He's so wound up that Angelika has to fight off a girlish giggle, instead bringing herself up to her fully lifted height. "And is everything in order here? Have you gathered all the Servitors?"

The man nodded swiftly and pointed across the yard at a large lift, big enough for all of them and the cart, or for a few scores of workers at a time.. "T-they're in the main gallery of the mine! Just-just take your cart to the elevator and the guard operating it will let you down into the mine. We don't have any other space where you can assemble all the workers, so this is the best we can do, I'm sorry sir!"

Angelika paused a bit to make the man sweat and then nodded slowly. "Very well. Better to do the Divine's work in the open air but we shall see what we can do." The cart rolled on into the courtyard and she spoke softly. "Well, that's the first hurdle past. Let's hope they don't have too many guards actually watching us. We could order them out, but that would attract attention. I just don't know how much"

Thankfully, they reached the elevator without incident-and began the descent into the earth.

Noctis allows the others to exit the elevator first. Probably better that way if they're to keep up appearances of seniority.

Although it wasn't long ago that he was in this same situation, the sight of the prisoners is jarring and it hurts his heart to see people in such conditions.

He might like to give off the aloof impression but he really is a King at heart and so he hates seeing people suffer. All those years of schooling his expression come in handy as his helmet leaves the bottom of his face exposed.

As for the guards, there is a pair at the elevator and at first glance, he sees a lack of reinforcements. Do they really believe the people this broken? Well, it might end up better for them.

He looks to his companions for what their next move should be.

Madeline has to huff out a little of her displeasure at the sight they're greeted with. Her passionate hatred for the Empire certainly isn't helped with this but she's not about to break her disguise with an overt reaction.

Instead she begins walking down the line of prisoners, taking in each one of them. She knows they likely want to find the ones who aren't quite as broken. It sounds cruel but those with most grit and determination will use the weapons to a better advantage. It was those that would lead the weaker prisoners in the fight and protect the ones who couldn't fight at all.

She's already decided Harlock will likely have a good eye for the ones to eventually pass weapons to. She ends up doubling back to rejoin him, trying to let what can be seen of her eyes do the talking rather than her lips.

He supposes it's the one time he's not an actor helps - his contempt and anger was helpful in this case. He gives the Guard who rode with them a glare.

So they don't like being underground? Well, he can't exactly blame them, but interesting nonetheless. As he steps out, he scans the crowd, a few guards posted, trying not to draw their attention - and the prisoners made to sit in rows.

He lifts two fingers, gesturing Madeline and Noctis toward an older man that seem to be swaying in place, as he walks with a clipped step in front of a rather defiant looking young woman. She lunges, and he swiftly dodges, pinning her down.

Harlock held his hand up to discourage the guards from interfering, as if saying he has it handled.

The gallery is packed with people-sitting in rows on the floor, the guards crowded against the walls by the mass of prisioners, so many it's hard to move.

That Is impressive-the way he doges and pins her down in a single move. There is a need to fight off a girlish urge to sigh, so instead Angelika turns to one of the guards. "You're not needed here. In fact, if you don't want to have your stomach turned over, perhaps it's best if you step out. We may be about to see a field-interrogation. I've seen the inquisitor work before and-well, it put me off meat for months."

The guards gulp-and one says "But if you're hurt-" before Angel points at Harlock. "I want you to look at him-really look at him. Do you think, that this lot can do anything to hurt him? Cannonballs cannot hurt that man." The guard's throat bobs-before he turns and retreats out of the gallery, followed by his fellows, the last pulling a door shut as they take 15 for a smoke break.

Angelika waits a beat pulls a long scroll out of her coat, and then points her fingers at two points on it and concentrates. "Right. I need to make it sound like a butcher's shop in here. Give me a bit to create the illusion." Silvery magic shines out from her, as power builds and a bubble pushes out to the walls of the gallery, washing over everyone within it-and sealing them off from the outside. The wig-and Angelika's clothes, dance in the phantom wind of high magic, before it settles down. But her concentration remains-and she holds it absolutely with all her might. Near the edges of the bubble, one might hear cries for mercy-and none given. But maintaining the illusionary magic, not her normal speciality, but a borrowed scroll of pre-made formulas, is still taking her entire attention. It's up to the others to rouse the people to rebellion. She's just blocking the ears of any who might listen.

Noctis nods to Madeline heading over to steady the swaying man, though Noctis is also looking down the rows and picking out the stronger prisoners when the woman lunges for Harlock. The older man has her pinned in an instant and Noctis is impressed, but refrains from giving any indication. Reminds him of something Gladio would do. He makes a mental note not to get on that guy's bad side. Noctis waits to see how Harlock will handle this before he goes to any of the other prisoners himself.

Then the guards take their leave and Angelica starts to weave her spell, her magic different from that of the Lucian Kings, which is intriguing in its own right. As the illusion unfolds, he wonders how long they have and when they should start arming the ones who would be able to hold their own.

They have to hurry, both for Angelika's energy and for what time the guards will be gone. Madeline goes over to the old man, her gestures tender with him until at least the guard leaves. Then he gives her a slight sideways glance -- was it an act? She gets the impression it might be and the conspiratorial look he gives her after confirms it.

When he asks her in the low whispers of a more Draconic tongue, "What are you doing here?" is when she huffs out a breath at him. She shouldn't be amused, not in this tense situation and yet she can't help but be. She replies in a gruff voice, still trying to keep up some of the ruse.

"You're a fine one to talk. Here."

The man is far firmer on his feet when she lets him go and begins to delve under her costume for the first weapon. Maybe it's too soon but she's not about to let one of her few remaining kinsmen not have some kind of weapon to keep up their guise.

She turns a sideways glance to the rest of the prisoners. With Angelika masking sounds now she feels far freer to be blunt with them. "We're here to provide you weaponry for a rebellion. Those of you who wish to stand up and fight for your freedom take a weapon."

Harlock exhales softly once the Guards scramble away.

"Calm yourself," He whispers as the woman as she managed to get an arm free, attempting to take a swing, but her aim was off thanks to Madeline's announcement, confusion crossing her face. The pirate pulls away, as starts to draw one of the bolt cutters out. "You got the right spirit, but the wrong time - Help is coming. Take this, it'll help you and anyone else willing to fight when the time comes."

"...You're helping us?" She repeats, uncertain if it is true or some kind of trick.

"Yes. For freedom," He answers. "Who here is sick, or injured - the -" The man pauses, fishing for the word, what did those interrogators say on his bad days before he escaped? Ah. "Worse."

"Are you trying to get us killed?" A lionkin piped up.

Edited 2024-07-15 04:29 (UTC)

Angelika is...pretty deeply checked out at this point. She's lost in the sauce of a multi-sensory illusion, while also excluding the entire hall from it. But her lips move in a chant, even as her hands stay glued to the scroll. Near the walls, the barely audible screams and shouts are replaced slowly by imperialistic preaching, a sermon beginning. On sinfulness and knowing your place.

She wishes she could speak up-but all her attention has to go into maintaining a spell-work this complex and she can't let it flag, even as sweat begins to come out of her pores once again.

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MISSION #01: SAND AND IRON PREPARATION LOG

OBSERVATION AND MAPPING - PRISONER UPRISING - Harlock, Madeline, Noctis

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