The Sorcerers' Revolution

"Speaking of names." A dwarf who had been writing up a record of the meeting, "What about us? What about our name? What are the people to rally too exactly?"

The maps the minotaur helped himself to had the sewage system of Saturn City marked in detail. Manholes, storage drains, outfalls, and all the interconnected tunnels and pipelines were displayed. Most of them tunnels were large enough for a human to walk through without any trouble.

A good chunk of the underground system had once been dwarf tunnels leading from inside the mountains to the coast. The colonists had appropriated, and then expanded upon, them to take out refuge and rainwater from the city. Of note was that the drainage system did not, obviously, have checkpoints for non-humans to have to show ID to pass through. Also of note was that the drainage did not go directly from the city into the ocean, the water and waste was carried by the sewer a good distance outside the city to the north, where it connected with neighboring Rhea City's drain system before being tossed into the ocean.

edited 28th Jun '12 2:52:06 PM by Parable

"That," Illtyd said looking over at Eruiel, "I'll leave to our resident visionary."

"I'm still not sure why we bothered getting the maps for the sewers. It's a foetid deathtrap down there. There are rats the size of pigs breeding down there, and I'm certain the legend of the mutant alligators living in the drains is more than a myth. Plus, the textile factories have started dumping poisonous chemical wastes directly into the sewers, to save costs on building pipes to the ocean. I'd honestly rather deal with ten armed policemen or an angry minotaur, than set a single foot down into that hellhole."

Illtyd looked at him raising an eyebrow, as if to ask, 'seriously? what prompted that?' Part of him suspected honestly that the anwser was 'just to hear the sound of his own voice'. The rest suspected it disingeniously. That was the issue with this organization; everyone had an opinion and no one had a resolution. This was probably going to devovle into another argument all while the organization got no farther. This is a large part of why Illtyd so sincerely missed the Elvish Princes and Dukes.

He coughed, "Could we stay on the topic of names for the moment?"

Derrick shook his head.

"My apologies. It's just bad memories getting ahead of my mouth, nothing you'd care to know, elf. I have nothing to suggest on the topic of names."

Thank you for telling me your plans asshole, the goblin thought. There were several spots he had around the nonhuman quarter that he used as information drops. He would leave a token stone in one or two of them later to let his police contacts know he ha something for them. Just how much he would tell them though he had not yet decided.

edited 28th Jun '12 5:34:34 PM by tricksterson

Eruiel closed her eyes as she considered the question of what to name their budding revolution. What name would join the hearts of all the varied men, women and children which now toiled under the current regime?

"Before I say what name I think we should take on... I would like all of us to remember a certain people. They were not the most friendly of people or the most understood by their neighbors. Yet my mother spoke to me of a of a race of wonder and magic, of mystery and fancy. Some of their stories were some of the most wonderful I have ever heard... and some stand as the most terrifying and tragic I know, stories which made me cry and hide under my covers in my childhood. Yet my mother continued to tell me these stories... Because they are all that remain of a once proud people. While the invaders managed to enslave and dominate our people... there remained a race that could never be tamed. Now, on this world there is not a single Fae left, said my mother. That is because they would never bow their head, they would never give up their freedom"

"My friends... my fellow revolutionaries... I wish for us to ever remember the Fae. For we who fight for the freedom of our people are the new Seelie. The fought alone, against an unknown enemy from lands far away. We are not alone, for millions have suffered what we have. The regime we must tear down is one we know intimately, as it is one that has hung in menace over our heads for a lifetime and more. This time, the people of Laodicea will not rest until we obtain freedom and equal opportunity for all"

"We who stand together today are the Laodicean Liberation Movement, Seelie warriors all and the legacy of the Fae!" proclaimed Eruiel to all who stood in the warehouse, a determined yet hopeful stare in her blue colored eyes.

Then after an appropriate amount of time passed she turned to Cazania "Jones has given us something new to work on. If you will, please help everyone get organized and make preparations for the birth of the Saturn Guard. We will need to count the volunteers, know which areas they can cover and many other preparations... Can I leave those to you as I discuss some other issues with Jones and a few others?" said Eruiel as she stared at Illtyd, Taugir, Derrick, the old Goblin and the rest of the conspirators which she had met on that fateful day on the inn.

"I recall the Fae well and I cannot speak kindly of them, but then we cannot choose our brothers," Illtyd said looking around the table, "I have no objections however..."

"There are a few I'd still like words with but that can wait," Illtyd said gathering pencils and papers, "There's a great deal of scheduling to be done, however, if you could on your way out, I'll leave two note pads and a box. One for those who need shelter and are interested in renovating and squatting here, joining our Shelter wing and another for those interested in the guard. If you have something different to offer the organization then fold some paper and put it in the box. Leave a pen name that you can be contacted by. Not your real name. And a way to contact you, perhaps even through a friend who has given us a drop box. If you cannot read, then talk to the man next to you and tell him what to write."

"While I have exchanged names with many, I have only known you for a short time," He got up and looked at the group once more, Aushed the Dwarf, the young Centaur Cazania, Eidir the Elf and many others who looked on now, "Though we may barely know eachother, we have cast the die upon our lives and shall rise or hang as freemen. Look around the room, though you may not know the name of the one next to you, in these coming months and perhaps years they shall be your family, brothers and sisters in blood and tears, for both shall be shed bitterly side by side. And in that, I wish you all fortune."

edited 28th Jun '12 10:20:47 PM by Fauxlosophe

Taugyr grunted at the half-orc. "Sewers ain't a problem. When I was a calf, I had to live and sleep down there some months when you couldn't get a bed. Never saw no alligators, and the rats, well..." He gave a grin. "The bigger they were, the more meat I had to sell." He looked back down at the maps, tracing his fingers down some of the line carefully. "You don't have to go down there, but it is the safest way of getting around and infiltrating the human districts without getting caught or arousing suspicion. I suppose it's possible to get through the checkpoints," He glanced at Jones. "but not everyone can get their hands on fake identification, and you can't smuggle guns or supplies that way." He shrugged, putting the maps aside. "It's the best way of moving around if you don't want to get caught, but it's up to you whether you want to do it or not, I suppose." He picked up his rifle again and began to clean it once more.

At the mention of their new name, Taugyr merely shrugged. "Sounds all right." He didn't seem particularly moved by the name. He'd fought under many banners, and their name didn't really effect him.

"Nice speech elf." Taugyr grunted under his breath to Jones as the others began to leave the original ring to their own meeting. "Just don't get all sentimental on me." He gave Illtyd a friendly elbow in the ribs. "Now, what abouts are we to be discussin' in this meeting?" He asked, his question directed primarily at Eruiel.

Eruiel motioned for the core members of the Revolution to walk with her to a more private section of the warehouse to speak more sensitive matters "We here are those who started this whole thing. In one way or another all of us are looked for when direction is needed. I do think it important for all of us to get in the same page. Getting feedback from those we fight with is important and so is integrating with them, but before that we all must agree on a general direction, a general plan. People might feel disheartened if we don't seem to reach an agreement on things... thus I wish for us to regularly discuss the important matters of the revolution together"

edited 4th Jul '12 8:36:39 AM by daltar

"This seems like a rather haphazard organization of an inner circle," Illtyd said looking around, "If we're going to play officer's club, I'd at least like to single out those with experience in administration first or capable of offering something worth while other than showing up first."

edited 1st Jul '12 4:53:15 PM by Fauxlosophe

Derrick seemed to be offended by what Illtyd said.

"I was the foreman at one of the largest manufacturing plants in the entire city. It was my job to keep all of the workers in line, and if they got out of line, well, I put them back in their place. I was administrating more than triple the people than there are in this group right now. It was a mostly honest job, but I'm sure I can pitch in something with my experience."

Taugyr scratched his horns idly as he thought about the half-orc's comment. "I suppose that'd be useful." He said, his deep bass voice thoughtful. "It ain't combat experience or anything, but logistics and organization..." He scratched his chin a little. "It may not be a direct match, but it should be of some small help, at least. Besides," He spread his arms wide. "You did provide our base of operations." He shrugged. "I don't believe it is you being questioned."

He turned to face the rest of the group. "I suppose it might as well come out now, if we're talking about our particular skills." He sighed. "I'm an ex-soldier. Lieutenant, to be exact. First Minotaur Division, Unidos army." He shoulders sagged slightly. "I ain't proud of serving them, but I got experience. I can fight and shoot, I can command, and I can train these sorry slumdogs into something resemblin' a fightin' force." He glanced over at the others filing out of the factory. "I also got some former contacts that could be of use, some smugglers and gun runners, and quite a few veterans like myself that might be interested."

"Well, I have not everybody has real combat experience or knowledge of weapons, so there should be no reason you should be left out. Nobody wise would ignore a minotaur's strength. But I'd be careful with your contacts. If we get the attention of any criminal gangs in this city, we will have to deal with a whole new world of problems."

"I'm a Healer. Not like my gradnfather," Gordous said ruefully, "He was a true shaman. But I do what I can with the mundane resources I have."

edited 2nd Jul '12 5:15:38 AM by tricksterson

Taugyr shifted. "That's useful, naturally, but being a healer doesn't exactly qualify as experience in leadership or administration." He raised an eyebrow. "We're looking for skills useful in leading a rebellion. While a healer would be of use, of course, I hardly see it as justification for being a member of the..." He held up his fingers. "'Officer's club', as Jones here put it."

"For one thing, you might want to rethink the whole ide of an 'officers' club. It will be too easy for you to become an elite no better than the humans who rule us now. not to mention while the fighters are going to be the backbone of this revolution of course, you need to keep touch with the popular bsse. I've healed their wounds and illnesses,more my own people than any other but any who needed me. I know the street and I know it's needs and wants."

"I can't say I disagree," Illtyd said looking at Eruiel before glaring at the Goblin, "But I ain't keen on having someone who just tagged along uninvited suddenly joining us. I don't remember you from yesterday's meeting."

"I got a short list of a people who 're able to help us with planning and potential group leaders though I'd like a proper sit down with a few of them first," Illtyd turned to the group again, "While I don't like the idea just inviting anyone who happened to be sitting on their ass in a rundown bar on the right day o' the week. We need to split into cell and organize ourselves well if we don't want to be dragged down by arguments and interrogation. A big open group is a recipe of splinters and failure and I ain't keen on getting myself hung. This means that anyone good at organizing are in charge of organizing. If your good at healing keep doing that. Nobody here is claiming to be better than you. I ain't claimin' no more prestige than a healer but you are talkin' out your ass with that line comparing allowing warriors to manage war and clerks manage clergical work with an oppressive regime."

"I ain't sayin' your excluded on any special groups, just earn our trust and we'll let you go about doing what you do best. Airight?"

edited 3rd Jul '12 3:28:04 PM by Fauxlosophe

"Before we get to questioning who is worthy or not here," The old Goblin said while setting up a box for himself to sit on, "I should remind you that the train with the rifles fit for us small folk are due to leave east in an hour. We were supposed to 'liberate' them before they left the city."

After settling himself down he gazed at the assembled non-humans. "I have an elf friend who proposed something to me earlier. If we make away with these weapons, eventually people will notice. Why not damage the train to make it look like an accident and the weapons were lost because of that. My elf friend knows some magic, better then I do. He could set a boxcar on fire and let that erase any proof we was there."

He looked up expectantly. "Time is of the essence."

"And thus, the moment for action is upon us" says Eruiel as she hears the Goblin's words taking a deep breath before opening her eyes again, these now filled with resolution "Very well, this plan sounds good to me but I would want Taugir's and Jones advice on such a course of action. They are our expert when action is to be taken"

"It sounds like a simple job. Almost too simple," Illtyd perked up, "If anyone of you have weapons to collect, now is the time if you can make it in time. There's an old oak tree. Not far from the town, but far enough that we won't be seen. Get there in half an hour. Understood?"

edited 8th Jul '12 11:16:08 PM by Fauxlosophe

Eruiel nodded her head "Understood"

OLD OAK TREE NOT FAR OUTSIDE OF TOWN

An assembled team of the recently christened Laodicean Liberation Movement met up roughly 30 minutes later at the tree Jones had set as their gathering point. As the elf had stated, they had not been seen, mostly because there was no one to see them. The tree was on the other side of rolling hills that bordered Saturn City. On the other side were the outskirts of the city, where the train junction that split into various tracks taking people and products to other areas of the colony was located.

"I don't know why we needed to bring the wizards along." A goblin grumbled, "I've been nabbing off trains since I was this high," Here he lowered his arm to about half a meter off the ground, "I can do this myself."

"Did you ever steal from an army train?" An elf asked, "When was the last time you stole guns from a guarded train?"

"When was the last time you did?" The goblin shot back.

The elf was taken back for a moment. "I haven't ever attacked a train." he said slowly then with a trace of smugness, "But unlike somebody, I have fought in resistance groups before. I have experience with these sort of things."

"Losing experience doesn't count."

The only dwarf in the group, Auhsed, motioned for both of them keep quiet. "You sound like children. Shut up already!" Looking over to the rest of the group he said, "All right, going over this one more time; Our rich human friends will create a distraction up front. Team A will spellcast us some cover while Team B gets the guns. After they've hauled out everything they can take they'll fire up the train. Remember, it has to burn good and fast to look like we weren't here. Everyone got that?"

"Understood!" said Eruiel, who had changed into an outfit more fitting for a heist than a public speech. These were the most nondescript clothes she could get her hands on and a hat to try and hide as much of her hair as possible. She also had a scarf with the which she planned to hide the lower half of her face. Right now she stood still, listening carefully to what everyone was saying. What they were about to, just about everyone here had more experience in than her.

"Affirmative," said Derrick, in response to the dwarf.

Derrick was dressed like a bandit, wearing heavy leather clothing and a black bandanna tied around his mouth to protect his identity. He had a few petrol bombs carried on his belt, specifically for burning down the train, but was otherwise unarmed, not that it worried him.

edited 24th Jul '12 6:43:47 PM by TailsDoll