[OFFICIAL] Handshake Roleplay #1 : Square One

[Edge45]

"Ehh, well... we gotta inform our superiors before we can bring you to the Cakemaster."
"Wait a moment please," a sergeant then turned to the back and told a soldier to inform the higher ups.

It took only half an hour for the message to come back and forth.
"Apologies for the long waiting, Egilians, but now we're ready. Let's go."

During the waiting, the Gunship turns off, it remained floating however. It seems the Vanguards are drinking some tea or rum while they looked around the Pherithian lands but did not leave their positions. When the Pherithian returned. "Finally, lead on mate." Saidan replied. "Alright lads! The same thing, stay here and the rest of you on me."

 

[Deroc]

@Devin

I guess volya could enter some afterlife

Great!

==========

{ Eisen }"

"No, we will not conscript women into our armies! They are more precious than to die on battlefields" Felix replied

"I'm sorry, but the Cakemaster has the final say. If so, then the Cakemaster says you must abolish conscription. The Cakemaster wants you to also conscript women if you conscript men. And if you allow men in your armies, then women should be allowed to join your armies too."

"If you're annoyed, blame your High Priest for signing the peace treaty. The treaty says Eiramond has to accept advice from Pherith if we force you to. Oh, and it says that gender equality must be enforced too, so, yeah."

"I don't know what you call it in your homeland, but here it is called annexation. Surrendering our power and autonomy is not in our interests"

"No, you got us wrong. You get to keep some autonomy and power, but we'll be together as an alliance of military and trade. Like an autonomous state. How does that sound?"

"Those lands need to return one day, one way, or another"

"Probably after the Black Star is neutralized. But this is just an idea, Eiramond can keep the lands if you can accept the risks of seeing your land being invaded by the Black Star."

"I think i need some rest, we can continue the discussion later" Felix continued

"Hmph... fine."

==========

{ Western Eiramond And Arygosian Eiria } <✔>

They cannot shoot from their backs or sides, especially a head shot, can they?

Well, I think our minds are different. I thought they are in groups, but they do not stick together, I mean, here's a cuboid of supplies, then three people on the left and two people on the right, something like that.

===============
@Edge45

During the waiting, the Gunship turns off, it remained floating however. It seems the Vanguards are drinking some tea or rum while they looked around the Pherithian lands but did not leave their positions. When the Pherithian returned. "Finally, lead on mate." Saidan replied. "Alright lads! The same thing, stay here and the rest of you on me."

*Pherithians then lead Saidan and any escorts all the way to Deroc's palace in Fanixburg*
*after telling Deroc about Saidan's arrival, Deroc agreed to let Saidan enter the palace and meet him*

 

[Devin]

{ Eisen } <✔>

"Thank you for your advice lady Azlariah and sir Deldrach" Felix said
Felix sits on his chair, "To ensure our future, Arygos must be destroyed, from inside and outside" He thought.
He kept thinking about ways to inflict tension between Arygos and foreign nations.
"Riflemen don't need much training, we could quickly mobilize, if we stash enough supplies"
Felix orders the construction of a stockpile of 45000 rifles.
"Training civilians doesn't mean they'll join our armies, hmm, yeah that is a great idea" He thought
"And training isn't conscription right?"

-
{ Rifle Training } <✔>

Governmental institutions of rifle training are established through the realm, providing free practices with military rifles at enclosed grounds.
Free to both men and women, the training grounds are promoted.

The civilian population must also undergo a military "education" here and then, the education is not mandatory but not having it yields disadvantages.

-
{ Seryl's Village } <✔>

"Well," Seryl replied, "I have plans to educate and nurture these menchildren, but I'm afraid it'll take me a long time and energy to guide these babies... So I guess, I'll just pour in all of my language skills in telepathy to these guys... do you think it's a decent idea?"

"It is promising, but it might malfunction... your choice anyways" Fred replies

 

[Edge45]

*Pherithians then lead Saidan and any escorts all the way to Deroc's palace in Fanixburg*
*after telling Deroc about Saidan's arrival, Deroc agreed to let Saidan enter the palace and meet him*

"King Deroc of Pherith, we from Ehelion asks, would you care to join with us in our campaign against the Empire of Nepoyze?" Saidan simply asked.

==========================================
In the Ehelion-occupied Aincrad, capital of Karastus. On the basement and prison sector of the Aincrad Royal Palace.

The Karastusan King and his family of a wife, and two teen daughters are held captive along with the rest of the nobility behind bars. Ehelion soldiers in black armor guards and patrols the area thoughroughly, armed with rifles and light swords. Numerous shady figures sneak up from the shadows, they don't appear to be Karastusans, Ehelions, or Hopenese. Upon reaching the royal family's cell, these figure silently wakes them.

"Shh... quietly your highness, follow us." Whispered one of them, as the person opened the cell.
"Who are you? You the voice of a woman." The Karastusan King replied.
"Now will not be the time, you're getting out of here your highness." The cloaked person in a woman's voice answered.
"I will not leave without my family and these men behind." Said the King.
"Unfortunately your highness, we can only afford on taking one." The person replied.
Shouts are heard, Ehelion soldiers are alerted as they noticed the presence of the infiltrators. "We got insiders! Vosnar!" "Warn the King!" "Get to the cells, they're gonna free the prisoners!"
"Hurry now your highness!" The female infiltrator said hastily. "Tsk, then take my daughters, both of them please, get them out of here." The King replied. "Please, take them!" The Kings wife followed.
The infiltrator sighed, and took the two girls. "Lady Griselle, black guards incoming, two of them." One of the infiltrators warned their leader. "Very well, you two, wear these cloaks." She gave the King's two daughters with their cloaks.
"My daughters, go with these people, you'll be safe. Take care of each other, my loves." The King bid farewell."

After some "drama," the group hastily left. By the time the Ehelion guards arrive, they're gone already. "Shite, whoever they are, they're good." Said one of the guards. They secured the cells if they were opened, but they looked like they weren't even touched or opened. The King and the Vice Minister arrives at the scene. "Tsk, not even a trace, get to all the navy, check every ship in and out of the city!" The King ordered, although he was surprised the Karastusan King remained.
"Well, atleast you had the honor to stay and let your daughters escape." The Vice Minister said to him.
"Damn invaders, you ruined our lands." He angrily replied.
"Antagonistic as it may, it was required. Now for your foolish decision, all those who've escaped will die. You and the rest will follow in the execution." King Edgar spoken.
"They're gone already, the Resistance will cut Ehelion's wings, and they will become like chickens laying rotten eggs." He said.
"Heh, you better think first before your mouth." The Ehelion King took his revolver gun, and shoots at the Karastusan King's wife's forehead, and she dropped dead. "Execution starts today Vice Minister."
...

Outside Aincrad, an Ehelion caravel embarks heading back to the Summer Islands before the Ehelion fleet are on heavy alert.
"My my, how unfortunate. You ladies better do your worth than your father." The infiltrator leader removes the hood of her cloak. Blonde hair, and blue eyes. She speaks to the two royalties, which are twins.
"Lady." One of them spoke, then continued the other one "-we will-" "-help-" "-take down-" "-Ehelion-"
"Do you mind telling me your names then?"
"Maya Kristein Di'assus-" The older one answered, "and Arya Kristein Di'assus." The younger followed.

 

[Deroc]

@Devin

"Riflemen don't need much training, we could quickly mobilize, if we stash enough supplies"
Felix orders the construction of a stockpile of 45000 rifles.

"Great. But all your weapons and soldiers are subject to our command. And we wouldn't allow any paramilitary organizations. We should have gun control to stop those fanatics from taking your throne again."

"Training civilians doesn't mean they'll join our armies, hmm, yeah that is a great idea" He thought
"And training isn't conscription right?"

"Training isn't conscription, yeah. But! Do please keep the civilians away from the guns, until the need comes. If we just freely give our guns to the civilians, terrorists might rise up against all of us. Then you won't keep the throne, then both Eiramond and Arygos would suffer in pain."

==========

{ Rifle Training } <✔>

Governmental institutions of rifle training are established through the realm, providing free practices with military rifles at enclosed grounds.
Free to both men and women, the training grounds are promoted.

But the Pherithian authorities would send troops to watch over the training grounds. And civilians are normally forbidden to possess rifles of their own outside of these training grounds.

The civilian population must also undergo a military "education" here and then, the education is not mandatory but not having it yields disadvantages.

Pherithian authorities remained silent over the matter, though Lady Cadusa did suspect something wrong deep in her gut.

==========

{ Seryl's Village } <✔>

"It is promising, but it might malfunction... your choice anyways" Fred replies

"Ehh, well... Well, hmm, let's just start teaching them the basic words..." Seryl responded.
*Seryl transmits basic knowledge of their languages into the minds of the barbarians in an instant via telepathy*

===============
@Edge45

"They're gone already, the Resistance will cut Ehelion's wings, and they will become like chickens laying rotten eggs." He said.

lol, that's some funny shit you wrote

==========

"King Deroc of Pherith, we from Ehelion asks, would you care to join with us in our campaign against the Empire of Nepoyze?" Saidan simply asked.

"Ahh... the great, vast lands of Nepoyze. I have been looking at Nepoyze for years..."
"But wait a moment. Do you have other allies as well? I assume you might have probably found a few other allies to deal with this gigantic enemy as well. If we have enough allies, then I might join."

"And we need to come up with an agreement after having conquered the land of Nepoyze."

 

[Devin]

{ Seryl's Village } <✔>

"Ehh, well... Well, hmm, let's just start teaching them the basic words..." Seryl responded.
*Seryl transmits basic knowledge of their languages into the minds of the barbarians in an instant via telepathy*

The barbarians did not understand at first.
But soon they would be using the new words along with their old primitive language to talk with the elves

 

[Edge45]

"Ahh... the great, vast lands of Nepoyze. I have been looking at Nepoyze for years..."
"But wait a moment. Do you have other allies as well? I assume you might have probably found a few other allies to deal with this gigantic enemy as well. If we have enough allies, then I might join."

"And we need to come up with an agreement after having conquered the land of Nepoyze."

"Hm, King Edgar hasn't given the details about the division of that empire after it has been claimed. Though he did anticipate... *cough* Pardon, I'm sure you can understand that we should be talking in a very secure place, a place not even a shadow can watch. Hm?"

 

[Deroc]

{ Seryl's Village } <✔>


The barbarians did not understand at first.
But soon they would be using the new words along with their old primitive language to talk with the elves

What would they talk about? Hunger? Love? Lust? Marriage?

===============

"Hm, King Edgar hasn't given the details about the division of that empire after it has been claimed. Though he did anticipate... *cough* Pardon, I'm sure you can understand that we should be talking in a very secure place, a place not even a shadow can watch. Hm?"

"Well, can I bring along some of my advisors too?"

 

[Devin]

{ Seryl's Village } <✔>

The younger men talk occasionally talk about them being such good and strong hunters. They compliment the elves for their sexy figures and beauty. They tell the elves how much they desire to have intimate relations with them and marry them.

6 of the 7 young men are already married and desire secondary wives.

The female barbarians also chat with the elves, some of them also suggested woman on woman relations.

Nearly all of them are also married.

Elders occasionally talk about their experience, they are not really interested in sex due to their age.

The children talk about their ambition and games.

 

[Deroc]

The female elves also chat with the elves

???

I'm confused... :/

 

[Edge45]

"Well, can I bring along some of my advisors too?"

"Well how strange you ask that your highness, I will only say to bring the trusted ones." Saidan replied with a smaller volume in his words.

 

[Devin]

???

I'm confused... :/

Fixed

 

[Deroc]

@Devin

{ Seryl's Village } <✔>

The younger men talk occasionally talk about them being such good and strong hunters. They compliment the elves for their sexy figures and beauty. They tell the elves how much they desire to have intimate relations with them and marry them.

The female elves all giggled in amusement. They felt adored, but they also felt a desire to dominate, command and conquer.
But they want to wait for a moment. They want to integrate the younger barbarians beforehand. But still, the elves pitched the barbarians' cheeks and touched their necks and arms sexily.

6 of the 7 young men are already married and desire secondary wives.

Some female elves are fine with that, as long as they always obey and serve them.
While some elves demand any pursuers give up other wives before marrying them.

The female barbarians also chat with the elves, some of them also suggested woman on woman relations.

Only a few elves were interested with lesbian relations, sadly. Most of them want to conquer males and eunuchs, but they don't get turned on by other women.

Though there are still some elves who are interested in lesbian relationships.

Elders occasionally talk about their experience, they are not really interested in sex due to their age.

The children talk about their ambition and games.

Some of the elves began asking the elders random things, mostly their pasts, the history of their tribe, the culture of their tribe, etc.

The young boys get a lot of attention and love from the female elves.

===============
@Edge45

"Well how strange you ask that your highness, I will only say to bring the trusted ones." Saidan replied with a smaller volume in his words.

"You put it that way, hmm... well, never mind, I didn't know what I was saying." Deroc replied with a small volume as well. He also felt a bit embarrassed.

"Dyffros, Kakaocake, come with me."

*Dyffros, the tall, muscular and agile male elf who is a confidant to Deroc, complied*
*Deroc then led them to a conference room*

"Okay, is this place good enough for the talk, Herr Saidan?"

 

[Edge45]

"Okay, is this place good enough for the talk, Herr Saidan?"

"Very well, your highness." Saidan replied before one of the Vanguards gave him a scroll containing a map. It shows the Empire of Nepoyze, with red arrows approaching from Karastus, orange arrows from the Hopenese, then green arrows from Pherith sweeping the Nepoyzian coastline as Ehelion land.

"Alright, established the Sight." Saidan ordered. One of the Vanguards channels an ability, and a magical circle glowed in blue appeared, an orb floats inside the circle, and the Vice Minister Ezekiel appeared.
"Greetings Lord Deroc, King of Pherith. Well met again Prime Minister." He greeted.
"Anyway. King Edgar has called for help in an offensive against Nepoyze. And the Imperial Hopenese seemed to have agreed to help. So at the same time, letting them take considerable damage since they're bound to be enemies soon. I ask now that can you agree in declaring war against Nepoyze?"

 

[Deroc]

"Very well, your highness." Saidan replied before one of the Vanguards gave him a scroll containing a map. It shows the Empire of Nepoyze, with red arrows approaching from Karastus, orange arrows from the Hopenese, then green arrows from Pherith sweeping the Nepoyzian coastline as Ehelion land.

"Alright, established the Sight." Saidan ordered. One of the Vanguards channels an ability, and a magical circle glowed in blue appeared, an orb floats inside the circle, and the Vice Minister Ezekiel appeared.

Deroc was greatly amazed by the advanced magic displayed by the Egilian ambassadors.
"Fancy. Even fancier than most folk in my homeworld... interesting..." Deroc spoke softly in amusement.

"Greetings Lord Deroc, King of Pherith. Well met again Prime Minister." He greeted.

"Greetings, Egilian officer. May I know who you are?"

"Anyway. King Edgar has called for help in an offensive against Nepoyze. And the Imperial Hopenese seemed to have agreed to help. So at the same time, letting them take considerable damage since they're bound to be enemies soon. I ask now that can you agree in declaring war against Nepoyze?"

"Hmm..."
Deroc lifted his head upwards looking at the ceiling, as he was trying to think. After a minute. "Sure!" Deroc spoke it aloud without any remorse and hesitation.

"But wait, we need to discuss the partition of their lands if we were to attack Nepoyze."

 

[Edge45]

"Greetings, Egilian officer. May I know who you are?"

"I am one of King Edgar's trusted advisors and brothers-in-arms, lord of Pherith, you can call me Minister Ezekiel without any pleasantries." The Vice-Minister replied.

"Hmm..."
Deroc lifted his head upwards looking at the ceiling, as he was trying to think. After a minute. "Sure!" Deroc spoke it aloud without any remorse and hesitation.

Spoiler: ...

"... right..." The Vice-minister seemed like he wasn't expecting a direct-to-the-point decision. But anyway he cleared his face before a second.

"But wait, we need to discuss the partition of their lands if we were to attack Nepoyze."

"Indeed King Pherith. We are currently investigating the Nepoyzian mainland with our mercantile spies. However we are still limited to the beaches, and we will need to recheck them again." The Vice-minister replied.
"Geez, you sure are motivated for taking over a big state." The Prime Minister speaks to the Vice-minister in a funny disappointed tone.
"Now now Prime Minister. *ahem* King Pherith, we acknowledged your decision for war, so let us two great nations work together. The King has left me to handle the intelligence of the invasion. Now I in behalf of the King, asks a favor that can you provide us with every detailed info of Nepoyze being a neighbouring nation of the latter."

 

[Deroc]

@Edge45

"I am one of King Edgar's trusted advisors and brothers-in-arms, lord of Pherith, you can call me Minister Ezekiel without any pleasantries." The Vice-Minister replied.

"Greetings, minister Ezekiel. Nice to do business with you." Deroc greeted after knowing of Ezekiel's name.

Spoiler: ...

"... right..." The Vice-minister seemed like he wasn't expecting a direct-to-the-point decision. But anyway he cleared his face before a second.

Deroc could see Ezekiel's shocked face.
"......" He was speechless after seeing his expression. But anyways, that was not any important, but Ezekiel might have noticed Deroc's reaction to his brief shocked look. Maybe knowing that Deroc wield great powers and senses this way.

"Indeed King Pherith. We are currently investigating the Nepoyzian mainland with our mercantile spies. However we are still limited to the beaches, and we will need to recheck them again." The Vice-minister replied.

"So what have your spies found out so far the first time?" Deroc asked.
"I have spies all over Nepoyze, and seems that they are getting weaker and weaker in quality, but bigger and bigger in quantity. We need a lot of battlemages to fend off their numbers. Or do you Egilians have something like airships, or thickly armored Warwagons each with a cannon turret that can turn around and blast the foes from a distance?"

"Now now Prime Minister. *ahem* King Pherith, we acknowledged your decision for war, so let us two great nations work together. The King has left me to handle the intelligence of the invasion. Now I in behalf of the King, asks a favor that can you provide us with every detailed info of Nepoyze being a neighbouring nation of the latter."

"Great, may our cooperation be smooth and our invasion be successful."
"Well, about Nepoyze, you can ask Kakaocake and Dyffros about that." Deroc then turned his head looking at his confidants, "Do your work."

"Okay," the two confidants replied,

Details :
*Nepoyze has a big population and its lands are vast and plentiful*
*many Nepoyzeans were hibernating, disillusioned and fatigued, they seem to lost all hope, living like soulless drones and robots*
*Nepoyzean technology seemed to be backwards, though they do have some cannons and a few weird ancient technology products as well*
*but Nepoyzeans have formidable wizards*

===============
@Porcelain

After days of sailing, a few Pherithian scholars, accompanied by gunners, archers and swordspeople, have finally set their foots on the desolate island of Almorne Island, in the middle of the Summer Isles. They then trod their way silently and carefully into the jungle.

Somehow they felt a strange presence coming from the island, but a few among the tourists suddenly found themselves aroused all of a sudden, as they approach the

 

[Edge45]

"So what have your spies found out so far the first time?" Deroc asked.

"A beachhead that can be flanked from three sides, a direct invasion will be a foolish move."

"I have spies all over Nepoyze, and seems that they are getting weaker and weaker in quality, but bigger and bigger in quantity. We need a lot of battlemages to fend off their numbers.

"So numbers are what they make up, in such cases, we'll be unto our Counter-to-Defense doctrine. Until the Ehelion Frontier are able to land on the beaches, ships will bombard these areas in order to slow the Nepoyzean reinforcements." The Prime Minister joined, circling parts of the map, within the Nepoyzean mainland, the areas just ahead of the southern coastlines. "The King's plan for the invasion starts as an armada piercing the Nepoyzean navy and landing on a beachhead. At the same time, he plans that Pherith will invade Nepoyze through the coastline in the south. You will creep there until you meet with the Ehelion landing. Once both joint armies meet, expanding the frontline will be the goal. We are still preparing measures for the Hopenese, but they shouldn't trouble for now." Saidan continued.
"As the Frontier unloads, if the Nepoyzeans are very well prone to our mages the Pyromancers and Archons, then we'll expand the landing and established emplacements as fast as possible in these areas." Saidan again circled three points, one on front of the landing site, the other two on the sides.

Or do you Egilians have something like airships, or thickly armored Warwagons each with a cannon turret that can turn around and blast the foes from a distance?"

"We will refrain from using our aerial arsenals until it has been confirmed that they're no or less such anti-air countermeasures." The Vice-minister said.

"Okay," the two confidants replied,

"Uh yeah, good to work with you Lord -uh Kakaocake and Lord Dyffros." The Prime Minister greeted.

Details :
*Nepoyze has a big population and its lands are vast and plentiful*
*many Nepoyzeans were hibernating, disillusioned and fatigued, they seem to lost all hope, living like soulless drones and robots*
*Nepoyzean technology seemed to be backwards, though they do have some cannons and a few weird ancient technology products as well*
*but Nepoyzeans have formidable wizards*

The Ehelions took the details into account.
"Interesting. I suppose Pherith have a strong doctrine for intelligence and information gathering. How are your opinions then for the current plan?" The Vice Minister is fascinated.

==================
@Porcelain + @Deroc

Response to the Almorne Island will come depending on the activity and numbers happening there. Highly suggest you don't gain the agro of the Flamefeather Southern Fleet stationed on the islands north of Almorne.

 

[Porcelain]

After days of sailing, a few Pherithian scholars, accompanied by gunners, archers and swordspeople, have finally set their foots on the desolate island of Almorne Island, in the middle of the Summer Isles. They then trod their way silently and carefully into the jungle.

Somehow they felt a strange presence coming from the island, but a few among the tourists suddenly found themselves aroused all of a sudden, as they approach the

The air around them is thick and choking, while the damp heat of the jungle radiates through their bodies. This combination alone makes traversing the majestic swamp of a place difficult. The task at hand is only made more debilitating by the density of the flora. Shrubs, trees, vines and large flowers all clash against each other, fighting desperately for space. The group cannot see no more than three meters in front of them while they walk, as their vision is skewed by copious amounts of green. Yet if the group had not been prepared for this, they would not had arived there at all. It is presumed that each would be lightly clothed and sweating buckets nonetheless. The soldiers, though undoubtfully well equipped, could not be wearing much in the way of armour. Such brilliant protection would not have the mobility to climb over the plants and burdening the weight and heat of full leather let alone plate armour would be enough to kill a man.

As they travel they find themselves climbing a shallow hill. The torment of doing so brings attention to the fauna of the region. Birds call and insects sing with lively abundance, the variety of said sounds producing a vast and beautiful spectrum. An orchestra of inhuman noises, echoing from the trees, the grass and recently the sky as a flock of low flying birds storm their way above the canopy. As they walk, the ground begins to level and much to their relief, it eventually dips. Though they are stopped in their tracks. A steep drop appears in front of them. Upon walking around this reclination, as one does, the group discovers that the fall was accompanied by a shallow cave. It is a wonder they came across such a formation with this brutal terrain. The opening is almost perfectly hidden by the trees just a few paces backwards.

To the scholars' displeasure, the sounds of the local animals begin to whisper and at this point the air is becoming quite humid. Adding insult to injury, rainfall is predictably coming soon. Just like the half baked plot to any bad story, the shelter of the cave is looking particularly inviting right now. Of course, the group could not stop long. They have a dead line to meet and a camp site to set up before night comes. But due to their digilant efforts they do have an hour or so to spare. Perhaps a short break to eat and regain strength would be well earned.

 

[Deroc]

@Edge45

"A beachhead that can be flanked from three sides, a direct invasion will be a foolish move."

"Then we have to resort to insidious plans and weird tactics then." Deroc replied.

"So numbers are what they make up, in such cases, we'll be unto our Counter-to-Defense doctrine..."

Deroc's eyes got a bit bigger as he heard the word "Counter-to-Defense", as he had never heard of the word before. Despite all his years back in his homeworld of Terra.

"... Until the Ehelion Frontier are able to land on the beaches, ships will bombard these areas in order to slow the Nepoyzean reinforcements." The Prime Minister joined, circling parts of the map, within the Nepoyzean mainland, the areas just ahead of the southern coastlines. "The King's plan for the invasion starts as an armada piercing the Nepoyzean navy and landing on a beachhead. At the same time, he plans that Pherith will invade Nepoyze through the coastline in the south. You will creep there until you meet with the Ehelion landing. Once both joint armies meet, expanding the frontline will be the goal. We are still preparing measures for the Hopenese, but they shouldn't trouble for now." Saidan continued.

"Hmm, sounds like a wonderful plan. But are you sure that your forces could handle the numerous Nepoyzeans and step on the beachhead? What if your plan failed? " the Cakemaster asked, then continued, "I think we need Hopenese help. Make the Hopenese attack the Nepoyzeans first, that way the Nepoyzeans would be hooked up to the Hopenese. That way, we can then take as many of the Nepoyzean lands as possible with ease."

"As the Frontier unloads, if the Nepoyzeans are very well prone to our mages the Pyromancers and Archons, then we'll expand the landing and established emplacements as fast as possible in these areas." Saidan again circled three points, one on front of the landing site, the other two on the sides.

"Okay, sounds like it could work." There wasn't really much to say about this expansion plan, other than a simple acknowledgement and agreement.

"We will refrain from using our aerial arsenals until it has been confirmed that they're no or less such anti-air countermeasures." The Vice-minister said.

Deroc lowered his head down for about three seconds, thinking about something. But then he quickly responded with a plain and simple "okay".

"Uh yeah, good to work with you Lord -uh Kakaocake and Lord Dyffros." The Prime Minister greeted.

Kakaocake and Dyffros greeted them back in response, with usual smiles, nothing too shy nor bold. Just a casual smile, a business-like smile.

"Interesting. I suppose Pherith have a strong doctrine for intelligence and information gathering. How are your opinions then for the current plan?" The Vice Minister is fascinated.

"Ah, yes, it's true. One of the most important steps we should take, is to lure the Nepoyzeans to a total war with the Hopenese. But they have some battlemages as well. So before the official invasion, we should sneak some agents in and take these wizards of theirs out."

===============
@Porcelain

The air around them is thick and choking, while the damp heat of the jungle radiates through their bodies. This combination alone makes traversing the majestic swamp of a place difficult. The task at hand is only made more debilitating by the density of the flora. Shrubs, trees, vines and large flowers all clash against each other, fighting desperately for space. The group cannot see no more than three meters in front of them while they walk, as their vision is skewed by copious amounts of green. Yet if the group had not been prepared for this, they would not had arived there at all. It is presumed that each would be lightly clothed and sweating buckets nonetheless. The soldiers, though undoubtfully well equipped, could not be wearing much in the way of armour. Such brilliant protection would not have the mobility to climb over the plants and burdening the weight and heat of full leather let alone plate armour would be enough to kill a man.

The scholars were mostly lightly clothed, although as a note some of these scholars are quite well-versed with magic spells. But the soldiers wore light but hard chest plates within their clothings, which wouldn't slow them down though it would make them hotter.

"Ughh, what place even is this... it's so fucking hard to trek here..." a Pherithian soldier complained, while struggling to move inwards.

"Yeah, this isn't no Württemberg at all, despite what our Cakemaster believes..." another added with a sigh at the end, "Even the best Dark Wizards in the legends will have problems with this jungle."

Fascinated by the myriads of new floras and faunas here, some scholars instead happily collect samples all around the jungle as they progressed.

As they travel they find themselves climbing a shallow hill. The torment of doing so brings attention to the fauna of the region. Birds call and insects sing with lively abundance, the variety of said sounds producing a vast and beautiful spectrum. An orchestra of inhuman noises, echoing from the trees, the grass and recently the sky as a flock of low flying birds storm their way above the canopy. As they walk, the ground begins to level and much to their relief, it eventually dips. Though they are stopped in their tracks.

"Hmm, but the wonderful music of nature makes this trip a little better..." one of the Pherithians mumbled.

A steep drop appears in front of them. Upon walking around this reclination, as one does, the group discovers that the fall was accompanied by a shallow cave. It is a wonder they came across such a formation with this brutal terrain. The opening is almost perfectly hidden by the trees just a few paces backwards.

"Wait... what is this..."
"A... a cave?"
"Is it hazardous?"

For a few minutes the Pherithians stood frozen before the cave, staring at it with mixed feelings of craving and paranoia. But they knew they can't kept on standing like statues. Not only were they getting fatigued and hungry, they don't want to be preyed upon by other hungry beings either. So without making a noise, they carefully and slowly crept their way towards the cave.

To the scholars' displeasure, the sounds of the local animals begin to whisper and at this point the air is becoming quite humid. Adding insult to injury, rainfall is predictably coming soon.

"Dammit..."
"It's getting noisy. Looks like our arrival and noise shocked the wilderness. I feel many eyes are on us right now..."

"Everyone, stay alert!"
"Jawohl!"

Just like the half baked plot to any bad story, the shelter of the cave is looking particularly inviting right now. Of course, the group could not stop long. They have a dead line to meet and a camp site to set up before night comes. But due to their digilant efforts they do have an hour or so to spare. Perhaps a short break to eat and regain strength would be well earned.

The Pherithians eventually discarded their paranoia, heading straight for the cave while keeping their alerts high. They believed they had guns, so they thought any worries were silly and nothing could bother them. They opted for a short break and ate some snacks.