[VIDEO] 9 April [SEELIE] A Call to Arms [OPEN]

[waterbearer]

[ The video is aimed largely past the speaker, to the twichting-writhing forms of three snake-like horned-creatures, the crackles of electricity still racing across their scales as they move. The locket is likely proper up on a rock or tree somewhere, as the speaker is turned to face the worms, his arms up and tattoos glowing electricity crackles from his hands. He is standing on land near a small river-stream near farmsteads. ]

Attention.

I am Kaldur’ahm, recently brought here with the rest of you. I was exploring the rivers and streams nearby and found that several had been blocked by these creatures, and that they were attacking the farms homesteads.

[ One of the worms seems to recover from the temporary paralysis, and lunges towards Kaldur, who leaps away and grasps two devices firmly in his hands. He jumps up again slams downwards on its tail with a water-formed spiked mace, inadvertently severing part of the tip from the worm. He bats the rest of the worm back further away and continues. ]

I am requesting assistance. Several of the civilians have been bitten, and are displaying signs of being in a critical condition due to the creature’s venom. I have been attempting to combat these worms for a few hours, and they grow more resistant to my electric paralyzation with each attempt I try.

[ The severed tail-end starts wriggling violently, and he forms a sledgehammer to knock it back several yards, closer to the still-paralyzed worms. ]

They are quick to regenerate from severed pieces, like echinoderms.

I need those who can help me combat these creatures and those who can help transport the injured to the castle, as well as individuals to help care for those injured by the worms.



{{ooc: The four first comments titled as "Alpha Squad", "Beta Squad", "Gamma Squad" and "Support Team" are for the 'action' part. (Where I will also attempt to GM as worms if people so desire). Feel free to answer the comm itself before immediately jumping into action, or to handwave being assigned to the team you are on and head straight for the action, as well as forming your own little threadlines!

They are more for organization purposes and keeping your squad-mates straight than anything else, and any number of threads can be started below the heading!

NOTE: IC'ly, the Squad assignations are happening on the spot.}}

Comments

[chromosomes]

[ He's pacing.

This is not a good situation (no shit, John, he thinks to himself, it's giant goddamn worms). The native forces may be trained but a majority of the new arrivals are not. And John wants to be out there, because he knows he can help -- but the last time civilians were left unattended, his CO killed them all.

And so he stays behind, stalking the battlements, looking out for signs of incoming -- either wounded or worms. He checks on the healers, on Thranduil; most of the time it is no more than passing him in the hallways, a quick nod, but this time, in the tent, he stops. ]

Sir. [ Quick, brief; Reaper doesn't have time to waste on greetings. That he's made it to Staff Sergeant has absolutely nothing to do with his willingness to kiss ass and everything to do with his actions on the field. ] Have you located an area where we can move the civilians and the wounded, if it becomes necessary?

[firith]

[ He hears the approach, fingers to his lips as he slides the figurines of a squad a mere centimeter over from their position, his locket perpetually open on the edge of the table in case anyone needs to (literally) chime in. Eyes remaining focused on the table, he addresses John without lifting his gaze or hesitation. Just as Grimm doesn't waste time on niceties, Thranduil never wanted any from his marchwardens; this isn't Mirkwood, but a soldier is a soldier. ]

The Keep is now under my protection, there are rooms enough to spare in the royal suites which stand high enough off the ground-level that the injured will be safe in the event of an emergency. [ His attention finally ticks up. ] The gates will not be breached while my magic lies upon them, yet the battlements are armed and lie outside the reach of my Arts. I would have you command the guards there, if you would take direction.

[ Valar knows he hasn't seen hide nor hair of the so-called High-King and High-Queen when it comes to defending Caer Glaem. It fast became apparent after Kaldur’ahm's message that the Shard-holders themselves were to be charged with every element of action. There are maps in Thranduil's head too, of sorts, and one pours out onto the table where others can see while the other is of the castle and his placement of their forces within it. Grisly as the reason is to put John at the front-line of the bailey's defence, it's realistic. ]

There is no knowing if the beasts will have smarts enough to follow the scent of blood from the wounded to the castle.

[chromosomes]

It's not the gates I'm worried about.

[ Not that battlements, either, though it's perhaps more realistic; a creature of below-human intelligence would see it as far more of a way in than it would the gates. ]

I'll take direction that makes sense, [ he clarifies after a moment; Thranduil's direction does, at least, make sense. ] Kaldur'ahm reports that fire keeps them from regenerating. If they're afraid of it, then that will help even more; I'll instruct the guards to have flaming arrows [ arrows, Christ ] at the ready.

[ But he steps closer, taps at the maps. ]

They're worms, though. Digging creatures. How deep do the walls go?

[firith]

[ Fire. ]

I will inform my son and his company. Should they come upon the creatures before meeting with the squads, they will need to know.

[ His gaze switches from John to the sliver of light leading out of the tent, heading toward it and expecting him to follow. He doesn't go far; only a few steps outside, eyeing the walls critically. ]

One would hope they range as far below as they do above. [ Which isn't wonderful news, even if they do. All the library research of the castle suddenly seems useful. ] There is an underground lake, far beneath the castle. We should have guards situated there.

[chromosomes]

[ There's nothing to say to that, really; John nods, then follows Thranduil out of the tent to look at the walls. ]

I can go between the lake and the battlements, keep an eye on both. An underground lake will be moist, though; they'll need fuel to keep fires burning.

[ He is far more thankful for C24 in this moment than he's otherwise had a chance to be; Reaper already knows far more of the castle than he otherwise would. ]

We may want guards with the injured, as well. People in pain can hurt others, and we don't know that the bites of these creatures do.

[firith]

You will need to conscript subordinates. [ The look he gives John says that if Grimm won't, Thranduil will begin doing it for him instead. ] We ought to consider this a trial basis for which individuals claiming sanctuary within these walls is competent under pressure.

[ He dips his head as he turns away to give a dismissive glance at the walls. ]

I own Arts enough to send those who cause trouble into a fitful sleep until I wish to wake them. If anyone in pain feels theirs is mightiest, I will render them safely unconscious. Please let me know if they do.

[chromosomes]

Can do. [ And if people don't answer, then he's not really above ambushing them and shoving them in the direction he wants, either. ] Trial by fire, huh?

[ Literally, if you're one of the worms. ]

Not sure the patients are going to be real fond of that, when they come to. But that's not my biggest concern. [ John pauses, ignores the urge to shift uncomfortably; for now, Thranduil is essentially his CO. He needs to be professional. ]

Last time I saw anyone bitten by strange creatures, two things happened. They either died, or they turned into one of them. I doubt that's going to be the case here, considering they seem just fine at creating more by being hacked into pieces, but I'd like to be prepared in case something like that does happen. Now or in the future.

[firith]

If they are causing unrest, I care nothing for their preference in how they are removed from a position of governing any such thing.

[ He tilts his head, considering the awful truth behind John's confession. ]

If they are bitten and ... turn, they must be secluded somewhere from the others. A tower ought to be secured as a precaution.

[chromosomes]

No, but it might paint a nice target on your back. [ He's fairly certain the elfking can take care of himself, but he doesn't particularly want him to have to. ]

Like I said. I doubt it's going to be the case here. But having something secure in case it does happen, now or in the future... well, it'd make me feel better, at least.

[firith]

Then you shall have to protect it.

[ Inasmuch as John wants to, given Thranduil would rather keep his own safety a personal matter. He doesn't say it as if he expects to be obeyed, it's a flyaway remark given how hard John is watching everything. ]

I leave the dissolution of the infirmary to a safe location entirely in your hands.

[chromosomes]

I'll scout out a tower.

[ With a look down at the map, John tracks the reported attacks. Too close, even if they aren't right at the gates. ]

Anything else, sir?

[firith]

[ Following his gaze. ]

No.

[ That's Elvenking for Dismissed. ]