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Post by Gamemaster on Nov 15, 2007 4:16:35 GMT -5
(OOC: This thread begins by continuing the action played out in the "On the March" thread at the link below. The rest of this message reposts a portion of the action from the previous topic which details the return of Nemt and his kantora to Zekran from Kopixer after a long and difficult journey.) www.naegame.proboards83.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=southplains&thread=1172438636&page=13near Zekran, Zekresh Empire 26th day, 1st month, 41 Cledman VI The troops of the 3rd Kantora Zekresh and the 1st Kantora Sishan awaken early and after a quick breakfast, are on the march towards Zekran. Various travellers pass them by in both directions. By midday, they are within sight of the city. There is no sign of battle and even after the troops are easily within sight of the city's watch towers, there is no alarm call and the gates through the city's defensive wall remain open.
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Post by Nemt on Nov 15, 2007 8:56:09 GMT -5
(OOC: Is this kind of security typical, as far as Nemt knows?)
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Post by Gamemaster on Nov 15, 2007 20:08:06 GMT -5
(OOC: Yes, in peacetime. You've never been in Zekran in wartime, but it wouldn't have been surprising if they had taken some precautions to prevent two kantoro of troops from marching right into the city.)
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Post by Nemt on Nov 15, 2007 21:53:22 GMT -5
Nemt continues to march towards the city, planning to enter with the soldiers.
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Post by Gamemaster on Nov 16, 2007 8:42:30 GMT -5
As the two kantoro of soldiers approach the gate to the city, they see nothing unusual. There are a considerable number of buildings outside the city wall, mostly residences of poor people. These have been constructed in the centuries since the wall was built. Civilians are going about their daily lives and barely pay attention to the soldiers approaching.
When the troops reach the wall, they can see that there are, in fact, two sentries on duty. They are wearing the distinctive helmets and armor of the Kantora Solurenesh, (the "Golden Phalanx") which is the imperial guard. Normally they only guard the Starmet Uloresh, the imperial palace, not the gates. They are also known for being the most elite unit in the Imperial military.
The sentries have horns with them which sentries traditionally carry in order to sound an alarm if necessary. The sound of the horns is rarely heard and has not been heard during the approach of the troops. The sentries don't exactly challenge Nemt or Gamuk or their men. As the troops reach the gate, which is still open, one of the sentries casually asks, "What kantora are you guys with?"
It isn't even a proper sentry challenge since the sentry didn't actually ask the men to stop and be recognized. Some of the soldiers call back an answer while marching through the gate. Some say "3rd Kantora Zekresh". Someone says, "the 1st Kantora Sishan is with us as well."
With this, the sentries seem to have no further interest in the fact that over a thousand soldiers are marching right into the city.
Gurikan Gamuk asks Nemt, "Should we go to the Imperial Army Headquarters and let them know we're here?"
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Post by Nemt on Nov 16, 2007 10:19:20 GMT -5
"Yes, we should head there now." says Nemt. "Hopefully they'll be expecting us."
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Post by Gamemaster on Nov 16, 2007 11:03:53 GMT -5
The troops march to the Imperial Army Headquarters unimpeded. The city of Zekran seems to be quite normal. Civilians are going about their business.
When the troops arrive at the Imperial Army Headquarters, they find it almost deserted. There are a few soldiers present and soon Nemt and Gamuk are meeting with Ekanor Falan Sarman, the senior officer there.
Sarman inquires and is told that it is the 3rd Kantora Zekresh and the 1st Kantora Sishan that have arrived. He seems surprised and says, "I was expecting the 3rd Zekresh, but how did the 1st Sishan get here?"
Gurikan Gamuk says, "We came by sea. The naval force blockading Zekran has weakened and we are now able to bring troops across from the South Peninsula. I volunteered for this mission, as did Nemt, but my commander Ekanor Falan Lanuk is sending more troops across from Sishan. The regional commander, Gurikan Falan Zanyva is preparing to start sending troops from all over the South Peninsula. I have been told to inform you that he can send at least twenty kantoro, maybe more."
Ekanor Falan Sarman seems impressed, "That would have been very helpful. It might have made the difference if they had come sooner. Obviously you haven't heard the news. The fighting is over."
Gurikan Gamuk is shocked and says, "What? Who won?"
Ekanor Falan Sarman chuckles and says, "Nobody won. The Emperor has recovered from his illness. Yesterday he suddenly walked into a meeting Levorek was holding and demanded to know what was going on. Now the army is taking orders from the Emperor. There are no more regents. Levorek is being held in the palace by the Imperial Guard. The Emperor has commanded Rubanya to come here as well as Krulmuk and Valast. Nobody knows how he is going to deal with what happened, but we're all expecting heads to roll."
Gamuk says nothing, but he is clearly in shock.
Sarman says, "I'll send a message to Zanyva to tell him to stop sending troops and we'll make arrangements to send you and your men back to Sishan. In the meantime, take your men and pick an empty barracks to sleep in. Almost all the Zekran garrison is away at the moment. They're probably at Yishil by now."
Gamuk nods and turns away. He goes back to his men and starts giving orders.
Sarman says to Nemt, "Gurikan Nemt, or should I say Ulor Nemt. Welcome home. We've all heard about you. You probably want to rest after such a long trip. Why don't you get your men settled in to their old barracks and then you and I can talk if you wish. I'd be interested to hear any stories you have to tell about your time in Kopixer."
(OOC: Nemt knows Sarman fairly well. Sarman has been Krulmuk's assistant for many years.)
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Post by Nemt on Nov 16, 2007 12:54:50 GMT -5
"It feels good to be home, Ekanor Sarman. I'm surprised and relieved to hear the Emperor has recovered...I'll be more relieved when I the council members back here though. The soldiers have been through a lot, I think I'll allow them to return to their homes if they'd like until tomorrow morning, after settling at the barracks."
If Sarman has nothing else to say at this point, Nemt takes the third Kantora to the barracks and tells them they're free to move about the city as they please, but to report for duty tomorrow morning, then returns to speak with Sarman more.
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Post by Gamemaster on Nov 16, 2007 16:30:37 GMT -5
(OOC: You called him Ekanor Sarman, but his rank is Ekanor Falan. He notices, but doesn't comment on it. Unless you meant to do that, I'll assume you correct it and proceed to give your troops permission to take time off and return to speak to Sarman.)
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Post by Nemt on Nov 16, 2007 16:41:01 GMT -5
(OOC: I thought the falan could be omitted, like in English a Brigadier General could just be called a General, a Gunnery Sergeant could just be called Sergeant, etc.)
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Post by Gamemaster on Nov 16, 2007 17:57:35 GMT -5
(OOC: Yes and no. Since Ekanor means "Lieutenant" or "Assistant", it is grammatically correct in Zekresh and Krulmuk might call him that, but since Ekanor by itself is a different and much lower rank, officers get touchy about that. They prefer the full rank, especially when someone of equal or lesser rank is speaking to them.)
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Post by Gamemaster on Nov 19, 2007 22:57:02 GMT -5
When Nemt returns to speak to Sarman some more, Sarman says, "So, tell me of your journeys. I heard you saw some action in Kopixer."
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Post by Nemt on Nov 19, 2007 23:46:02 GMT -5
"Yes...the battle at Arinixervolt, I am sure Krulmuk must have informed everyone after learning of our victory."
Nemt goes on to tel Sarman of his travels, explaining how much more different the nations in the empire were than he had imagined. Starting with the sea voyage and the suffering along the river from the shore to Arinixervolt. "It was like they had become nomads." Nemt says, continuing on to the plight of Kopixer and the capital itself. Nemt then explains the condition of the garrison there, and how many soldiers had become mutineers and aligned themselves with bandits and rebels. "Krevimuk, the old garrison commander, and I planned an assault on the rebel forces almost immediately after we had arrived in the province." Nemt says.
"The enemy was stronger than I had anticipated" Nemt continues, detailing the order of battle and the fight itself, mentioning his personal efforts to reform the broken line and launch a final assault before the enemy fled. "The battlefield was filled with the dead and dying" Nemt says "but none of them were ours - all rebels"
After detailing the aftermath of the battle, Nemt explains how he had little time to govern the province before being recalled to Zekran, but is certain the famine conditions will improve without constant bandit raids and harassment, and goes on to tell Sarman of the meeting in Osim and the voyage home - including the naval blockade.
"I imagine most men much older have not seen nearly as much, Sarman" Nemt says.
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Post by Gamemaster on Nov 20, 2007 4:07:52 GMT -5
Sarman interjects at various points in the commentary. He says, "I'm not surprised they were on the verge on turning into nomads. I heard all the people out in the southwest were nomads before the Empire brought civilization to them."
Later, he adds, "Yes, we heard about the battle, but I never got the details."
Sarman is quite shocked at the tale of the naval battle, "Our own Navy! They just started sinking your troop ships? That's outrageous!"
In response to Nemt's last comment, Sarman says, "Yes, you've seen a lot in the past year. A battle on land and another at sea. You may have more recent combat experience than any other kantora leader. Even the guys fighting at Angenmar Paven only saw one battle. From what I've heard, Angenmar Paven was the only real battle in this whole thing. The only land battle, I mean. I hadn't heard about your sea battle until now. It's possible that the fighting started at Yishil before they got the news, but I doubt it. Krulmuk estimated it would take them several more days to get there. There was also a skirmish at the Ulor's palace in Salan Kast. Krulmuk ran Prince Shalimuk out of the province and nearly captured him. There were probably other incidents we haven't heard about yet and maybe even some real battles, but I doubt it."
After that Sarman gets thoughtful and says, "I wonder what will happen now. The Emperor is probably going to say who was right and who was wrong and woe unto those who followed the wrong regent. If the rumors are true that Levorek is being held prisoner in the palace, that's a very bad sign. Likely he'll be executed for treason and Krulmuk with him. I'll be lucky if they don't come for me as well."
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Post by Nemt on Nov 20, 2007 8:48:41 GMT -5
Nemt remembers speaking with Krevimuk before leaving Kopixer and asks "What could they execute you for...following orders?" clearly disgusted by the political situation. "Tell me just what's gone on here since I left?" Nemt asks.
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