The River Stross began its life in the highlands of southern Vissan and wound its way northward in search of the sea, carving many valleys in its path. One of these valleys was Kriegenfolvul, the Valley of the Crying Fowl, named for haunting evening songs of waterfowl that echoed across its vast lake, from ancient woods to verdant hills.
It was in the center of this lake that the Imperial Palace of Vissan had grown from a meager earthenwall fort over centuries as Vissan itself grew from a handful of villages to a sprawling empire.
Now, as the sun began its descent toward the western hills, the songs of mergansers and loons were silenced by the great whompfing of wyverns circling over the valley, and the shouting of orders at soldiers along the road.
"Keep searching!" Dagria bellowed from the top of her captured tower. "We know there are more of those Vissan dogs hiding in the woods! If you don't want to be hunting them by torch, then you'd better kill them all while you've still got daylight!"
In the twin tower on the other side of the road running to the palace's drawbridge, her counterpart chuckled to himself as he ran a marveling hand down the stock of the ballista at its top. Give the Vissans one thing, they knew a thing or two about engineering. Calderia had no call for such exquisite machinery when all their towers were equipped with focusing crystals. The tower his partner was currently shouting her lungs out from was equipped with such a crystal, and it amused him to hear her scream her frustrations with the fact that she couldn't use her tower's weapon at the soldiers below.
He dearly hoped that some of the scattered Vissan troops would emerge from the trees near enough for him to try this wonderful engine of death on them.
Chapter 8.4: Fire Emblem
Objective: Capture Forts at L19, N19, and AC 5.
Enemy Commander: Acciller and Dagria
Enemy Army Level: Army
Ally Commander: Nera
Ally Army Level: Army
Bonus Objective: Find 10 hidden Vissan troops.
All player characters and NPCs are deployed.
Round 0 Deadline: 9:00pm PST, 4/27.
Edited by Wryte on Apr 25th 2021 at 8:45:01 AM
"This is it, everyone," Addelus called out as he brought Tess down to land before the assembled warriors, mages, soldiers, and other assorted weirdos who made up this army. He and some of the other fliers had taken a brief scouting flight above the valley, and now as he returned with the report, something about the sight of all these people together struck him. Not long ago it seemed impossible that all of these people - former knights and nobles of Frael, dragon-blooded warriors and sages, irreverent rogues, pious champions, enigmatic magicians, Imperial spies and soldiers, and even a couple dancing girls - could possibly hold any cause in common. But here they were, all putting their lives on the line together for the future of all Tropera.
He took a moment to clear his throat of the lump that had formed there. "Calderian forces are all around the palace. Leoran isn't in the field, so we have to assume he's already inside, maybe even already charging the Emblem. But we can't stop now! All we can do is press forward, and hope we're not too late to stop him."
He pointed northeastward, toward the town on the riverbank where the road turned west toward the palace. "We've also noticed what looks like a fort on the other side of the river. It's strange, because it doesn't seem to be guarding anything, but it's manned by Vissan troops and it looks like the Calderians are preparing to attack it. That might be our secret entrance to the palace that Diane theorized."
He paused, chewing on his lip before he delivered the next piece of intelligence. "Lastly, we spotted a Calderian force advancing toward us from the south, most likely reinforcements from the army besieging the capitol."
"Leave that to us," Greham's second said, exchanging a nod with her commander. "We'll hold them off as long as we can."
Addelus nodded gratefully. "Thank you. We'll find you any reinforcements we can." He steered his pegasus to his place at the rear of Tigerlily's formation and faced the enemy lines that were beginning to form ahead with a deep breath. "Let's waste no more time, then," he said, and thrust his fist into the air. "For Tropera!"
"For Frael!" Tigra added, raising her axe.
"For the Empire!" called Greham.
"For our friends!" shouted Malia.
"For the fallen," Diane intoned.
"And for one hell of a story!" Scherwiz cackled.
Round 1 Deadline: 9:00pm PST, 4/30.
Azadokht hears the cries sound all about her and, within herself, feels everything fall into place. Here, at this moment and with these people, in the heart of Vissan, she belongs – where she must be and who she must be.
Mihr, go with me.
And so she begins her dance. And through it she beckons forth the Light from within herself and Illuminates those around her, to spur them to greater glory.
For she is Azadokht and she is Radiant.
And even as she wings forward, her eyes fall upon Malia and Addelus as they begin their own performances, filled with their own joy and determination. And she laughs.
Before anyone else’s turn, Azadokht performs a Dance of Luck, then continues to O42.
Requesting that, after Azadokht’s but before anyone else’s turn, Malia moves to K43, performs a Dance of Toughness, then continues to N43.
Requesting that, after Azadokht’s and Malia’s but before anyone else’s turn, Addelus moves to K43 and performs a Rally of Resilience (Res).
Osroes moves to M37 and attacks Calderian 2 with the Greatbow.
Requesting that, in general, the NPCs attempt to avoid moving to tiles that will allow for ‘conduction’ of Chain Lightning Tome attacks.
Edited by Existential_Tempest on May 2nd 2021 at 9:42:11 AM
Bette dashes to R42. Equips her Nosferatu Tome.
Wait until after Astra's move. Vera Dashes. Move to L38, pick up Astra, then move to N42.
Edited by nman on May 1st 2021 at 2:35:03 AM
Round 1: Player Phase
- Azadokht performs a Dance of Luck!
- Addelus, Amystra, Astra, Bette, Diane, Grendan, Kiri, Osroes, Scherwiz, Sophia, and Vera gain +5 Luck.
- Azadokht continues to O42.
- Malia moves to K43 and performs a Dance of Toughness!
- Addelus, Amystra, Astra, Bette, Diane, Grendan, Kiri, Osroes, Scherwiz, Sophia, and Vera gain 5 Damage Reduction.
- Malia continues to N43.
- Addelus moves to K43 and performs a Rally of Resilience (Resistance)!
- Amystra, Astra, Bette, Cassandra, Diane, Greham, Grendan, Kiri, Malia, Osroes, Railen, Scherwiz, Sophia, Tigra, Vera, and Xel gain +5 Resistance.
- Osroes moves to M37 and attacks Calderia 2 (Greatbow)!
- Osroes' attack deals 28 damage to Calderia 2 (23/51).
- Xel moves to R41 and transforms into dragon form.
- Xel defends.
- Railen dashes to M36.
- Bette dashes to R42.
- Amystra moves to Q43 and prepares an attack (Nightmare Tome).
- Cassandra moves to M40 and defends.
- Astra moves to L37 and attacks Calderia 1 (Smite Tome)!
- Astra's first attack deals 26 damage to Calderia 1 (25/51).
- Calderia 1's counterattack misses.
- Astra's second attack deals 26 damage to Calderia 1 (-1/51).
- Calderia 1 dies!
- Vera dashes to L38 and picks up Astra.
- Vera continues to N42.
- Grendan moves to L35 and defends.
- Kiri moves to K38 and prepares an attack (Mambele).
- Sophia moves to P42 and defends.
- Diane dashes to P39.
- Greham dashes to O40.
- Scherwiz dashes to N38.
- Tigra dashes to Q40 and defends.
Round 1: Enemy Phase
- Calderia 2 moves to N37 and attacks Osroes (Elfire Tome)!
- Calderia 2's attack misses.
- Calderia 3 moves to O38 and attacks Greham (Divine Tome)!
- Greham Quick Draws his Throwing Axe.
- Calderia 3's attack deals 9 damage to Greham (31/40).
- Greham's first counterattack deals 45 critical damage to Calderia 3 6/51).
- Greham's second counterattack deals 15 damage to Calderia 3 (-9/51).
- Calderia 3 dies!
- Calderia 4 moves to R40 and uses Consecrate Tome (4/5)!
- All spaces within 2 of R40 become Hazardous Terrain, dealing 3 damage to hostile units entering this space or starting their turn there.
- Calderia 5 moves to Q39 and defends.
- Calderia 5 attacks Tigra (Steel Blade)!
- Calderia 5's attack deals 8 damage to Tigra (32/40).
- Tigra's first counterattack deals 8 damage to Calderia 5 (33/41).
- Tigra's second counterattack deals 8 damage to Calderia 5 (25/41).
- Calderia 6 moves to T41 and defends.
- Calderia 6 attacks Xel (Crossbow)!
- Calderia 6's attack deals 12 effective damage to Xel (27/39).
- Calderia 7 moves to S40 and attacks Xel (Chain Lightning Tome)!
- Calderia 7's attack deals 0 damage to Xel (27/39).
- Calderia 7's attack jumps to Bette!
- Calderia 7's attack misses.
- Calderia 8 moves to S42 and attacks Xel (Luna Tome)!
- Calderia 8's attack deals 8 damage to Xel (19/39).
- Calderia 48 appears at M34.
- Cadleria 49 appears at N33.
Round 2 Deadline: 9:00pm PST, 5/5.
Bette to T42. FALCON PUNCH Calderia 6 with Onyx Bangle.
Vera removes Astra to preferred space if she goes first. Move to S44, attack Calderia 8 with ABUS GUN.
Requesting that before anyone else’s turn, Addelus moves to P41 and performs a Rally of Toughness.
After Addelus but before anyone else’s turn, Azadokht moves to Q41, performs a Dance of Luck and strikes at Calderian 4 with the War Ribbon, then continues to O44.
After Cassandra and Railen’s turns, if Calderian 48 is not defeated, Osroes moves to N33 and attacks Calderian 48 with the Greatbow. If Calderian 48 is defeated but Calderian 49 is not defeated, Osroes moves to M34 and attacks Calderian 49 with the Greatbow. Otherwise, Osroes moves to N33 and defends.
Requesting that, if either of the two remaining forts will not be taken by the end of the phase, Scherwiz does so.
Edited by Existential_Tempest on May 6th 2021 at 7:00:10 PM
Round 2: Player Phase
- Addelus' Resilience buff expires.
- Azadokht's Luck buff expires.
- Malia's Toughness buff expires.
- Addelus moves to P41 and performs a Rally of Toughness!
- Amystra, Astra, Azadokht, Bette, Diane, Greham, Sophia, Tigra, Vera, and Xel gain 5 Damage Reduction.
- Azadokht moves to Q41.
- Azadokht takes 0 damage from Consecrate.
- Azadokht's Toughness bonus is consumed.
- Azadokht performs a Dance of Luck!
- Addelus, Amystra, Bette, Greham, Sophia, Tigra, and Xel gain +5 Luck.
- Azadokht attacks Calderia 4 (War Ribbon)!
- Azadokht's attack deals 36 damage to Calderia 4 (3/39).
- Azadokht continues to O44.
- Bette takes 3 damage from Consecrate (35/38).
- Bette moves to T42 and attacks Calderia 6 (Onyx Bangle)!
- Bette gains Toughness.
- Bette's first attack deals 43 damage to Calderia 6 (-2/41).
- Calderia 6 dies!
- Astra dismounts to N41 and moves to L37.
- Astra attacks Calderia 2 (Flash Tome)!
- Astra's first attack misses.
- Calderia 2's counterattack misses.
- Astra's second attack deals 23 damage to Calderia 2 (0/51).
- Calderia 2 dies!
- Vera moves to S44 and attacks Calderia 8 (Abus Gun)!
- Calderia 8's counterattack deals 11 damage to Vera (24/35).
- Vera's Toughness bonus is consumed.
- Vera's first attack deals 38 damage to Calderia 8 (-2/36).
- Calderia 8 dies!
- Grendan moves to O38 and defends.
- Cassandra moves to M35 and attacks Calderia 48 (Holy Lance)!
- Cassandra's first attack deals 30 damage to Calderia 48 (21/51).
- Calderia 48's counterattack deals 14 damage to Cassandra (19/33).
- Cassandra's second attack deals 30 damage to Calderia 48 (-9/51).
- Calderia 48 dies!
- Amystra moves to T43 and defends.
- Railen moves to M34 and attacks Calderia 49 (Ambush)!
- Railen's first attack deals 23 damage to Calderia 49 (28/51).
- Calderia 49's counterattack misses.
- Railen's second attack deals 23 damage to Calderia 49 (5/51).
- Osroes moves to M34 and attacks Calderia 49 (Greatbow)!
- Osroes' first attack deals 28 damage to Calderia 49 (-23/51).
- Calderia 49 dies!
- Xel takes 0 damage from Consecrate.
- Xel's Toughness bonus is consumed.
- Xel moves to S41 and takes 3 damage from Consecrate.
- Xel attacks Calderia 7 (Piercer Pin)!
- Xel's attack deals 24 damage to Calderia 7 (12/36).
- Calderia 7's counterattack deals 0 damage to Xel (16/39).
- Kiri moves to P38 and attacks Calderia 5 (Fire Breath)!
- Kiri's first attack deals 25 damage to Calderia 5 (0/41).
- Calderia 5 dies!
- Sophia moves to S42 and attacks Calderia 7 (Chain Lightning Tome)!
- Sophia's attack deals 22 damage to Calderia 7 (-10/36).
- Calderia 7 dies!
- Sophia's attack jumps to Calderia 4!
- Sophia's attack deals 14 damage to Calderia 4 (-11/39).
- Calderia 4's Miracle prevents death (1/39)!
- Scherwiz dashes to N33.
- Malia moves to Q41 and takes 3 damage (24/27).
- Malia attacks Calderia 4 (Zeal Tome)!
- Malia's first attack deals 3 damage to Calderia 4 (-2/39).
- Calderia 4 dies!
- Malia picks up a Consecrate Tome.note Malia is carrying too many weapons and sends a Brave Axe to storage.
- Diane heals Xel (Physic Staff 4/5).
- Diane restores 18 hit points to Xel (34/39).
- Tigra takes 0 damage from Consecrate (32/40).
- Tigra defends.
- Greham moves to Q39 and takes 0 damage from Consecrate (31/40).
- Greham's Toughness bonus is consumed.
- Greham defends.
Round 2: Enemy Phase
- Calderia 4's Consecrate expires.
Round 3 Deadline: 8:00pm PST, 5/8.
Vera to R38, picking up Bette along the way, and defends.
Bette dismounts and goes to T35. Attack Calderia 10 with Nosferatu Tome.
Requesting that, after Vera’s but before anyone else’s turn, as part of his turn Addelus performs a Rally of Resilience (Def) at R40.
After Kiri’s turn, Azadokht moves to P38 and performs a Dance of Might (Mag) for Diane.
Requesting that, as part of her turn, Malia performs a Dance of Stamina for Diane.
Requesting that, as part of her second turn, Diane attacks Calderian 9 with the Spirit Sword.
Osroes moves to T34 and prepares an attack with the Greatbow.
Edited by Existential_Tempest on May 10th 2021 at 10:48:06 AM
Round 3: Player Phase
- Addelus' Toughness buff expires.
- Vera moves to S42 and picks up Bette.
- Vera continues to R38 and defends.
- Addelus moves to R39 and uses a Vulnerary (2/3) on Vera.
- Addelus restores 10 hit points to Vera (34/35).
- Addelus continues to R41 and performs a Rally of Resilience (Defense)!
- Bette, Greham, Malia, Sophia, Tigra, Vera, and Xel gain +5 Defense.
- Amystra moves to X44 and defends.
- Cassandra dashes to F36.
- Grendan dashes to X45.
- Astra dashes to E41.
- Xel moves to W40 and defends.
- Railen dashes to U35.
- Bette dismounts to S38 and moves to T35.
- Bette attacks Calderia 10 (Nosferatu Tome)!
- Bette's first attack deals 33 damage to Calderia 10 (21/54).
- Bette's second attack deals 33 damage to Calderia 10 (-12/54).
- Calderia 10 dies!
- Kiri moves to R34 and defends.
- Azadokht moves to P38 and performs a Dance of Might (Magic) for Diane!
- Diane gains +10 Magic.
- Osroes moves to T34 and prepares an attack (Greatbow).
- Sophia moves to W41 and prepares an attack for the nearest enemy after Calderia 14's turn (Chain Lightning Tome).
- Tigra dashes to U34 and defends.
- Greham moves to W39 and prepares an attack (Throwing Axe).
- Malia moves to Q39 and performs a Dance of Stamina for Diane!
- Diane gains an extra turn.
- Malia continues to U39.
- Scherwiz dashes to G33.
- Diane dashes to V34.
- Diane attacks Calderia 9 (Spirit Sword)!
- Diane's first attack deals 34 damage to Calderia 9 (5/39).
- Diane Silences Calderia 9 (0/39).
- Calderia 9 dies!
Round 3: Enemy Phase
- Calderia 11 moves to U32 and attacks Tigra (Chakram)!
- Calderia 11's first attack deals 2 damage to Tigra (30/40).
- Tigra's first counterattack deals 24 damage to Calderia 11 (30/54).
- Calderia 11's second attack deals 2 damage to Tigra (28/40).
- Tigra's second counterattack deals 24 damage to Calderia 11 (6/54).
- Tigra's third counterattack deals 24 damage to Calderia 11 (-18/54).
- Calderia 11 dies!
- Calderia 12 moves to Y40 and attacks Xel (Abyss Tome)!
- Calderia 12's attack deals 6 damage to Xel (28/39).
- Calderia 13 moves to X40 and attacks Xel (Steel Blade)!
- Calderia 13's attack deals 5 damage to Xel (23/39).
- Xel's first counterattack deals 28 damage to Calderia 13 (10/38).
- Xel's second counterattack deals 28 damage to Calderia 13 (-18/38).
- Calderia 13 dies!
- Xel picks up a Wing Spear.note Xel is carrying too many weapons and must send one to storage.
- Calderia 14 moves to X40 and attacks Xel (Swordslayer)!
- Calderia 14's attack deals 1 damage to Xel (22/39).
- Xel's first counterattack deals 28 damage to Calderia 14 (10/38).
- Xel's second counterattack deals 28 damage to Calderia 14 (-18/38).
- Calderia 14 dies!
- Calderia 15 moves to X38 and attacks Greham (Silver Bow)!
- Calderia 15's attack deals 9 damage to Greham (22/40).
- Greham's first counterattack deals 18 damage to Calderia 15 (24/42).
- Calderia 15's Avoidance is reduced!
- Greham's second counterattack deals 18 damage to Calderia 15 (6/42).
- Greham's third counterattack deals 18 damage to Calderia 15 (-12/42).
- Calderia 15 dies!
- Calderia 16 moves to U32 and attacks Tigra (Silver Bow)!
- Calderia 16's attack deals 4 damage to Tigra (24/40).
- Tigra's first counterattack misses.
- Tigra's second counterattack deals 21 damage to Calderia 16 (21/42).
- Osroes' prepared attack misses.
- Calderia 17 moves to U33 and attacks Tigra (Axereaver)!
- Calderia 17's attack deals 2 damage to Tigra (22/40).
- Tigra's first counterattack deals 22 damage to Calderia 17 (20/42).
- Tigra's second counterattack deals 22 damage to Calderia 17 (-2/42).
- Calderia 17 dies!
- Calderia 18 moves to V33 and attacks Tigra (Silver Bow)!
- Calderia 18's attack deals 4 damage to Tigra (18/40).
- Tigra's first counterattack deals 22 damage to Calderia 18 (20/42).
- Tigra's second counterattack deals 22 damage to Calderia 18 (-2/42).
- Calderia 18 dies!
- Calderia 19 moves to V33 and attacks Tigra (Brave Bow)!
- Calderia 19's first attack deals 2 damage to Tigra (16/40).
- Tigra's first counterattack deals 22 damage to Calderia 19 (20/42).
- Calderia 19's second attack deals 2 damage to Tigra (14/40).
- Tigra's second counterattack deals 22 damage to Calderia 19 (-2/42).
- Calderia 19 dies!
Round 4 Deadline: 8:00pm PST, 5/12.
Edited by Wryte on May 10th 2021 at 2:16:32 AM
Xel moves into range of Calderia 12 and attack's if unit is still alive. Otherwise dash to AA 34. Railen moves U31 and attacks with Ambush.
If Calderia 12 is alive, Vera goes to Y38 and attacks it with Silver Bow. Otherwise, go to W32 and attack Calderia 16 with Holy Bow.
Bette to U33 and attack Calderia 16 with Onyx Bangle.

Azadokht watches on with a smile and a sigh, placing a hand on her hip. All’s well that ends well… Good.
Need to see Mum and Dad if we make it out of this. Been too long.
She pivots back, steps lighter on the ground, towards a certain mail-clad pair a little behind the others. Azadokht comes to a rest next to Rsama’s head, reaching up to rub the cream-coloured pegaz on the muzzle and laughing lightly when he nuzzles at her face in return. She turns to meet Osroes’ gaze on them both, happy despite itself. “You doing okay?”
“All the better for you.” Osroes bows his head, pausing for a moment and resting a hand on Rsama’s back for support. “We… I cannot get out of my mind that we will be marching on the Imperial Palace. Richtavia may well be there – likely vulnerable.”
Azadokht blinks, then glances behind her to check that the others aren’t paying attention. “You think…”
“It would be an opportunity greater than anyone has had in a century.” Osroes looks to Azadokht, gleaming sorrow in his eyes. “Vissan might well be thrown into civil war for the succession – they couldn’t think about expanding, not for years. Our people would be safe.” Osroes brings his hand up, massaging his forehead. “A few months, maybe even weeks ago, I might have…”
Azadokht steps forward, raising her arms to offer an embrace and wrapping them around Osroes when he moves to meet her. There is a moment of calm before he speaks again in a low, slightly trembling voice. “It would make no sense. A conflict like that would slaughter so many innocents – and even then, it would only draw Vissan’s eyes onto us. The son of the leader of a few disparate tribes assassinates the most powerful monarch in Tropera?” He gives a bitter laugh. “How many would-be rulers of the Empire would bring their armies to win renown by avenging the slight?” Osroes sighs, letting his head fall to bury itself in her shoulder. “I am a fool. Twice over, now.”
“We’re barely of age, ‘Roey.” Azadokht tightens her hug, even as Rsama huddles closer to the two of them protectively. “We’ll make mistakes, even if we’ve got some heavy burdens to shoulder. The only thing we can do is learn from them and everyone around us – live up to their belief in you and make it your own.”
She leans back. “And you’re learning already, aren’t you, if you know you’re not going for that? You studied all that history for a reason, and you’ve got the mind for it, unlike me.” Azadokht smiles, hands going to his hips for a lift. “Now, come on. We can stop something like what you said happening by beating Leoran – that we can be sure of.”
“Yes… Yes.” Osroes lets out a puff of breath, then gives a nod, levering himself onto his companion’s back with Azadokht’s help. For a moment, he takes in the world around him from his vantage point, then reaches down to pat Rsama on the neck and offers his other hand to Azadokht, returning her smile. “Thank you… I’m so glad you’re here, Aza. So glad.”
“Don’t you worry – I’m not going anywhere. Got an idea for that, once this is all over,” she answers, taking it and leaping up behind him. She presses a kiss to his cheek. “Something to look forward to! Now, come on. Let’s go show them who we are.”
Edited by Existential_Tempest on Apr 25th 2021 at 5:16:05 PM