North by Northwest (storyline)/2022-11-29 - Aeritorial Dispute (log)

Eoantos 29-30, 5122

by Leafiara Autumnwind of the TownCrier

Synopsis

Flying forms and shrill screeches fill the air around Wehnimer's Landing until revealing themselves: gold-feathered and blue-feathered griffins amassing behind Gnul the Stone King on the Thanatoph! An army of stone troll soldiers with archaic sigils etched on their bodies also assembles, then Gnul roars and the griffins initiate the attack!

Landing defenders amass to stave off the forces in a chaotic clash as the militia activates pylons and escorts civilians to shelter, the Hendoran outpost's crossbow-bearing soldiers take heavy casualties, the Rooks fire on the griffins, lions and bears roam the streets, Thadston jumps through a window to snap a griffin's neck midair, and the pylons of Amos' warship fire on the griffins!

War drums call forth the rune-etched stone trolls, who are immune to most (possibly all?) forms of magic, as adventurers seek to stave them off in a ground battle while the Rooks, Amos' warship pylons, and the Moot Hall pylon aim to cover the aerial battle.

Although Gnul's forces are eventually defeated, having overseen the struggle leads the stone giant with only a wicked grin and approving nod before he disappears into the night.

Log

Gnul's Forces Assemble

[Frith's Inn, Main Saloon]

Drawn by the aroma of good food and strong drink, you enter the main saloon. The innkeeper presides merrily, ensuring everyone gets a share of attention from the pretty serving wenches and the handsome lad behind the bar. Long benches and rectangular tables seat high-spirited patrons. You also see the fiery red Kyrou disk, the black Divinorium disk, the Scyf disk, the Silencieux disk, a falcon feather, some swinging doors and a cozy booth.

Icy flakes of snow descend from the sky.

[General] Roelaren thinks, "It is snowing."

[General] Pukk thinks, "Well, it is that time of year."

[General] Irval asks, "Snowing and blue smoke...but from where?"

A cold chill is carried in on the winds of Darkstone Bay as flurries of glistening snow drift about, falling from the great black sky above.

[General] Daratrine asks, "Isn't it winter?"

[General] Dwi exclaims, "Weeks left!"

[General] Gutstorm drunkenly thinks, "If yerd jibbletsh be frozen, it winter."

[General] Dwi thinks, "Ye jus needs some warmer socks."

[General] Roelaren thinks, "Yes tis winter."

[General] Dwi exclaims, "Aint!"

[General] Gutstorm drunkenly thinks, "We should tryter freeze a duddle and shee if we kin shuck dem at folk."

[General] Dwi thinks, "Sounds more fun den flagpole sittin."

[General] Tikba uncertainly asks, "Duddle?"

[General] Dwi exclaims, "Issa particular form o' magicks!"

[General] Pukk thinks, "Good evening."

[General] Gutstorm drunkenly thinks, "It ish now ***wink wink***."

[General] Yardie asks, "Is something amiss?"

[General] Daratrine thinks, "I just saw the night watchman."

[General] Directed to Daratrine, Yardie asks, "But the better question is, did he see you?"

[General] Daratrine slowly thinks, "I am pretty sure... but I just work for Rhett."

Flakes of snow flutter down from the sky.

[General] Daratrine thinks, "Yeah he definately saw me... it was awkward."

[General] Dwi thinks, "Thinkin is...harder den ye tink."

[General] Markx thinks, "Thar we go."

Amidst the falling snow, a huge black form quickly flies overhead then vanishes into the night.

[General] Dwi exclaims, "I like dark snowclouds at nite!"

[General] Dwi happily thinks, "Means good snowmens in da mornin!"

[General] Gutstorm drunkenly asks, "Dat da mannicore?"

[Help] Mourdeyan: "Nope, it's tha thrakmas elf...a big one."

[OOC] Dwi: "Ow..my bare foot jus found dat staple I was shore I lost a week ago.... <mutter>"

A shrill screech fills the night sky.

[General] Gutstorm drunkenly asks, "Haupwhistle, dat yood?" [one of the gnomes who built the metal manticore, the Ravager, in a previous storyline]

Off in the distance, barely visible within the flecks of falling snow, a huge bulking stone creature appears along a mountain edge of the Thanatoph. He stares out towards the north, in the direction of Wehnimer's Landing.

[General] Tikba diplomatically thinks, "Good evening, Gnul."

[General] Vaemyr thinks, "Not sure if you can hear our thoughts but... hello there Gnul..."

[General] Pukk thinks, "I'm Pukk, not Gnul. But I can hear your thoughts. Thank you for asking."

[Realm] Yukito softly murmurs, "He seems disgruntled."

Climbing into view behind the stone creature on the Thanatoph ledge, appears to be a great golden lion.

As the golden lion comes into closer view behind Gnul, its majestic eagle head is visible as it stretches its huge golden wings.

[General] Gutstorm drunkenly exclaims, "Hey, ye no tell me Gnul a shiller grippin!"

A second gold-feathered griffin climbs into view along the edges of Thanatoph.

[Realm] Yukito asks, "Is is the hatching time for griffins? It seems they should be... do they hibernate?"

[Town Square Central]

This is the heart of the main square of Wehnimer's Landing. The impromptu shops of the bazaar are clustered around this central gathering place, where townsfolk, travellers, and adventurers meet to talk, conspire or raise expeditions to the far-flung reaches of Elanith. At the north end, an old well, with moss-covered stones and a craggy roof, is shaded from the moonlight by a strong, robust tree. The oak is tall and straight, and it is apparent that the roots run deep. You also see the Diablic disk, a tidal jaguar, the Budroux disk, some wolifrew lichen, the Rushr disk, the Maleagant disk, the Gemany disk, the skull-shaped Irval disk, a sinuous bone white serpent that is sitting, a massive snowy white tiger, a black leather book flying around with its feathery wings, the Randsford disk, the flaming Nairena disk, a frost-covered yellow-eyed silvery lor mandrake, a lazy wild blood red dog, a pale-faced coppery barn owl that is flying around, the Guarrin disk, an amber-eyed tawny range wolf, a goofy tree spirit that is flying around, a bushy-tailed golden brown coyote, the Kelfyr disk, a grizzled porcupine, a round silver-banded barrel, an herbal remedy donation bin and some wide stone benches with some stuff on it.

Also here: Event Planner Leafiara, Conquerer of Reim Diablic, Dannai, Budroux, Sir Geijon, Rushr, Blade Yardie, Town Councilor Vaemyr, Bernadette, Maleagant, Gemany, Gnomumm, Xorus, Lord Thrassus, Sunwu, Archious, Goldstr, High Lord Irval, Imperatrix Lylia, Ulfwine, Roelon, Lord Randsford, Maiden Nairena, High Lady Lahanna, Tikba, Missoni, Drazaa, Chancellor Yukito, Magister Raelee, Markx, Kippe, Sir Cryheart, Sir Guarrin, Kelfyr, Dame Evia, Mourdeyan, Andromalius who is sitting

Leafiara curiously asks, "So, uh... what in the world is going on out there this time?"

Gnomumm says, "Ahh and it's mate."

Speaking to Leafiara, Thrassus says, "Griffins."

Cryheart says, "Seems I cannae make a pet of those two."

A third, then fourth, then fifth golden griffin emerges from the depths of the mountain, coming into view behind Gnul.

Guarrin says, "An odd alliance."

Evia says, "They're going to swoop down and pluck up all the shorties into their nests."

Leafiara says, "Those don't look like stone..."

Roelon deeply says, "Leafi someone mentioned imperial soup."

Ulfwine says, "Oh."

Missoni says, "They are very pretty."

Irval says, "King of beasts and a Giant Illoke. That makes sense after the minions that have attacked us. Er thats not good..."

Speaking interestedly to Roelon, Leafiara says, "Tell me more. That's a more important long-term matter."

Speaking quietly to Markx, Nairena asks, "You got names for the other 4?"

Speaking to Leafiara, Vaemyr says, "Golden Griffins... not really seen much like them before."

Irval exclaims, "More !"

Markx says, "'Ok. So we got Charles I-V."

Speaking quietly to herself, Raelee says, "... this may not be a night to spend on the Outpost's Rooftops."

Gnomumm says, "That's it, comne to me my children."

Ulfwine asks, "That is quite a flock, herd, pack? What do you call it?"

Goldstr exclaims, "A whole Pride a dem!"

Pukk asks, "Did you all miss me?"

Missoni murmurs, "Shame about likely having to kill them."

Speaking to Ulfwine, Guarrin says, "Pride."

Yardie says, "A murder."

Speaking to Pukk, Nairena asks, "You left?"

Speaking to a pale-faced coppery barn owl, Pukk says, "I know. I'm unforgetable."

Speaking to Ulfwine, Guarrin says, "Alternatively, a wing or flight."

Speaking to Ulfwine, Guarrin says, "Pride always sounded best to me though."

Nairena asks, "A gaggle?"

Mourdeyan quietly says, "Well, I have some blue griff feathers, perhaps I can add some gold ones...if they drop one I mean."

Ulfwine says, "I would prefer to call them friends."

Swathes of bright azure bleed into view among the falling snow around the Thanatoph as several blue-feathered griffins descend from the sky, perching upon various ledges along the mountain, their eyes trained to the north.

Speaking to Leafiara, Yardie says, "Griffins and Illoke."

Pukk asks, "Are we joining Cryheart to go meet this big brute?"

Speaking to Leafiara, Tikba murmurs, "You asked the other day how Gnul convinced the lions and bears to attack us."

Speaking to Vaemyr, Kayse asks, "What?"

Speaking to Guarrin, Evia says, "Or more alternately...whatever they want."

Nairena says, "A Gaggle of Golden Griffins."

Speaking wryly to Yardie, Leafiara says, "You're a little late to answering my question."

Mourdeyan quietly says, "Like those."

Speaking suddenly to Tikba, Leafiara says, "Oh, good point."

Speaking to Tikba, Leafiara praises, "Now that's the way to put together the pieces of the puzzle."

Speaking to Leafiara, Yardie asks, "Apologies. What was it?"

Pukk says, "So that is what we call the Gryphons when they all group up like this. A gaggle."

Speaking to Evia, Guarrin says, "Perhaps they will be open to parley."

Speaking curiously to Pukk, Leafiara asks, "Did you give the call when I wasn't listening?"

Speaking to Leafiara, Pukk says, "No. I thought you did."

Nairena says, "Has a nice ring to it."

Speaking to Nairena, Irval asks, "Are you calling them...geese?"

Speaking to Pukk, Leafiara admits, "I didn't."

Pukk recites:

"Everybody join Cryheart!"

Cryheart says, "Someone already did."

Speaking to Pukk, Leafiara says, "I was late to arrive here."

Mourdeyan quietly says, "Not usually, the Order will do."

Gnomumm asks, "So Gnul, your surrendering?"

Tikba amusedly says, "Today everybody decided on their own accord whom to join."

Markx says, "Well. It's somewhere between a gaggle and a pride."

Markx asks, "Praggle?"

Speaking to Irval, Nairena says, "Those are griffens."

Speaking to Leafiara, Pukk says, "Thank you for reminding me. I don't want to be fired."

Speaking quietly to Diablic, Dannai says, "Do take care of yourself lover."

Speaking to Yardie, Leafiara says, "Oh, I was just asking what in the world is happening out here tonight. I thought you were replying to me, except a couple minutes late."

Speaking to Leafiara, Pukk says, "I really need this job. It pays for my lunch every week."

Speaking to Kayse, Archious says, "I will be viewing from the Tower, should Elidal wish to give me a reason to involve myself."

Leafiara says, "I guess these griffins are what we saw earlier in the evening eating the roltons." [OOC notes: about six hours earlier there had been brief monsterbold sightings of flying shapes around the Landing, but they were only silhouetted by the sun]

An overstuffed snow white polar bear with deep blue eyes suddenly appears out of thin air! It growls loudly and bites hungrily at [insert your character's name]'s ankles before disappearing. You think you hear faint laughter in the distance.

Dannai quietly asks, "Any spells to be had?"

Speaking to Tikba, Pukk exclaims, "I like you already!"

Speaking to Leafiara, Yardie exclaims, "I honestly have no idea. Owwwww!!"

Bernadette softly says, "Good ting I wearin boots."

Nairena yells, "Leave my ankles alone you hooligan bear!"

Kiyna says, "Ow..."

Markx says, "Dang ankle biters."

Thrassus says, "He's lucky I don't turn that thing to ash."

Evia says, "Tonight they're maybe feasting on shorties, snacks first."

Vaemyr asks, "I'm a little unsure what the Griffins are supposed to mean though?"

Dannai quietly exclaims, "Any spells to be had please?!"

[General] Gutstorm drunkenly thinks, "Dwi did it."

Speaking to Vaemyr, Kiyna says, "Clearly he's recruited them against us? Sure are a lot of 'em."

[General] Dwi exclaims, "Ye wish!"

Cryheart says, "We shall fine out hopefully."

Mourdeyan quietly says, "Clear as mud."

Mourdeyan quietly says, "Nothin sure or clear juss yet."

A great patch of earthen wall appears to come alive along the Thanatoph as dozens and dozens of huge stone troll soldiers break forth and march into view, standing like a great barrier behind Gnul the Stone King. The moonlight above reflects ever so faintly along several runes etched into the stone skin of the soldiers, which cover them in a myriad of archaic sigils.

Kelfyr says, "I sure hope those settlers are moving beneath the treetops."

Mourdeyan quietly says, "Ah gads, here we go."

Leafiara considers, "Well, they're getting smarter."

Mourdeyan quietly asks, "King?"

Nairena says, "Umm."

Thrassus says, "More organized for sure."

Bernadette softly says, "Tanks."

Vaemyr says, "Ahh now we're gonna get the anti-magic soldiers... great..."

Leafiara says, "Or at very least more magically proficient."

Evia says, "Quite an impressive sight..."

Tikba says, "They are more organized, to be sure."

Markx says, "Let me be the first to die."

Roelon deeply says, "They learn quickly."

Speaking to Dannai, Pukk asks, "Did you miss me while I wasn't here?"

Drazaa whispers something to Kayse.

[General] Chandrellia asks, "Target in landing pleasE?"

Mourdeyan quietly says, "Okay."

Speaking to Leafiara, Vaemyr says, "Or immune to magic like the sigiled up Krolvin are."

[General] Evia thinks, "We all evaced."

Kayse whispers something to Drazaa.

Speaking quietly to Pukk, Dannai asks, "Shouldn't I be asking you that?"

[General] Evia thinks, "Kidding.."

Guarrin says, "Still. Seems an odd alliance."

[General] Tikba thinks, "I am here, Chandrellia."

Nairena says, "Lets hear him out first. Nothing to hasty."

Speaking to Dannai, Pukk says, "Cryheart won't admit it but he misses me terribly when I'm not here to liven up the group."

Speaking to Vaemyr, Leafiara says, "Well, sure, but even then, that's proficiency with arcane symbols..."

Evia says, "Heh."

Thrassus says, "They might be more than a bother, then."

Gnomumm asks, "So Gnul, thought we were discussin worker together?"

[General] Xess thinks, "I was mid-meal."

[General] Dwi exclaims, "Der's gonna be climbim!"

Speaking to Gnomumm, Chandrellia asks, "Why not?"

Speaking lightly to Gnomumm, Leafiara says, "No, that's just what some wish he would be willing to do."

[General] Xess thinks, "Rude."

[General] Chandrellia thinks, "Xess I'll deal with you a lil bit teeheehehe."

Speaking to Leafiara, Gnomumm asks, "Well isn't he upset because of the Imperial presence?"

Speaking to Leafiara, Vaemyr says, "Sure, but the Illoke and Stone Giants both have a lot of proficientcy there... based on the number of times I remember being earthen furied when I used to visit the stronghold and the bowels."

Speaking simply to Gnomumm, Leafiara answers, "Yes."

Vaemyr says, "Tis nothing new really."

Gnul's Forces Attack

Gnul raises his arms to the sky and roars once more! A great multitude of griffins, on vast wings of blue or gold, take flight and descend sharply down from the Thanatoph and into the Lower Dragonsclaw, in the direction of the imperial camp and Wehnimer's Landing!

Speaking to Leafiara, Gnomumm says, "So are we."

Tikba says, "Ah."

Irval exclaims, "Prepare!"

Kiyna exclaims, "They come!"

Ulfwine says, "And here they come."

Speaking to Gnomumm, Leafiara says, "Well, many in the town at least, that much is true."

Cryheart says, "Moving."

Evia asks, "Perhaps someone should ring the alarm?"

Vaemyr says, "Welp here we go."

Yardie says, "A Flock of Griffins."

Thrassus says, "The camp is less defended."

Roelon deeply says, "The town ah will defend."

Roelon deeply says, "However..."

[Realm] Vaemyr thinks, "Incoming."

Chandrellia says, "Good luck troops."

Tikba says, "Ah, the tower."

Speaking to Yardie, Pukk says, "A gaggle of griffins."

Nairena yells, "Here comes the Gaggle of Griffens!"

[General] Xess thinks, "Best bring liqour."

[General] The ghost of Kelfyr thinks, "They're inside the gates."

[OOC note: Fighting commences here. As mentioned in the last invasion and now again for the last time, I'll be cutting out nearly everything after combat starts in the interest of getting these out in timely fashion. Just imagine another ~63,000 lines of fighting, banter about where the enemies are, banter about triage, calls to action in different areas, the occasional superhero movie-style snark and quips, etc.]

A flash of blue-white light appears outside of Moot Hall as some militia guard shout, "The pylon is activated outside of Moot Hall! Blast those griffins!"

Gold-feathered griffins swoop down and attack several Hendoran soldiers along the ramparts of the imperial outpost. The soldiers fire back with crossbows, but there are many casualities as the warriors are savaged by the huge beasts, some torn in half, others thrown from the walls.

As militia take to the streets, firing bolts at griffins and helping townspeople escape into shelter, the rooftops become abuzz with the blur of dark hooded figures! The Rooks move about like liquid gargoyles, leaping from building to building, firing arrows upon the griffins as they swoop overhead!

Several young-looking militia clash in the streets with red bears and lions!

Several stone creatures move through the Lower Dragonsclaw forest.

With a roar to match Gnul's, the hulking form of the Wehnimer's Landing Mayor leaps out of his window, glass shattering all around him as he lunges onto the back of a low flying blue griffin! Thadston howls, the kroderine fragments in his arms gleaming with energy as he grabs the beasts thick neck and with veins bulging in his face, he growls and twists, snapping the monster's neck and fallling with it in the distance.

Sparks of blue-white energy come to life along the North Docks, wisps of hazy smoke rising up from a huge grey ship. The air around the docks begins to hum.

Along the deck of a huge grey ship at the dock, several pylons are positioned to the sky and one by one they begin to rapid fire crackling bolts of energy into the air, scattering a dozen griffins and igniting a dozen more into wreaths of flames!

BOOM! BOOM! Boom! More griffins drop from the sky.

A guard yells out in the forest, "Stop with the hammering sound, it's war time!"

Some guards shout out, "The forest is overrun! They're pushing for our gates now!"

War drums echo out from the pits of Thanatoph. Badum. Badum. BadumBadumBadum.

War drums echo out from the pits of Thanatoph. Badum. Badum. BadumBadumBadum.

The wall of rune-etched stone troll soldiers upon the ledges of Thanatoph begin to march down the sides of the mountain, weaving through the Trollfang and towards Wehnimer's Landing.

Dark hooded figures continue to run along rooftops of town, firing arrows at the griffins that soar overhead.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! More pylon blasts from the ship at the docks ignites the sky above town, scorching a dozen griffins.

A sea of rune-carved stone soldiers pour into the Dragonsclaw Forest.

Having never budged from his perch upon Thanatoph, the huge bulking stone giant finally shifts, grinning wickedly as he watches Wehnimer's Landing in the distance. He nods approvingly, then turns and disappears into the depths of the mountain.