polemos:campaigns:many_in_freedom:events:operation_northern_sword

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polemos:campaigns:many_in_freedom:events:operation_northern_sword [2017/12/11 22:09] – [Adavel Insertion] Blake Andertonpolemos:campaigns:many_in_freedom:events:operation_northern_sword [2020/08/15 16:04] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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 ^Start Date  |241/11/19  | ^Start Date  |241/11/19  |
 ^Main Objective  |Obtain military support from Anthegalia. | ^Main Objective  |Obtain military support from Anthegalia. |
-^Mission Status  |Ongoing  |+^Mission Status  |Complete - Mission Success  |
  
 ===== Mission Assets ===== ===== Mission Assets =====
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 At the insistence of [[polemos:8th_age:characters:tyr_eleythos|Tyr Eleythos]], Reiko would also be bringing her newborn son [[polemos:8th_age:characters:uthyr_eleythos|Uthyr]] so that she could seek asylum if the ARC were to fall before her return. At the insistence of [[polemos:8th_age:characters:tyr_eleythos|Tyr Eleythos]], Reiko would also be bringing her newborn son [[polemos:8th_age:characters:uthyr_eleythos|Uthyr]] so that she could seek asylum if the ARC were to fall before her return.
  
-The ranger Serenity was initially slated to stay behind to help with MARCS-ship intel analysis, but was contacted by [[polemos:8th_age:characters:lucius_cadius_titus|Lucius Titus]] of the USC. The communication was purely personal in nature but the contact led to suspicion around Serenity to the point that she felt time away from RANGECOM warranted. She would journey as a field member of Seraph Squad instead of her usual combat controller role.+The ranger Serenity was initially scheduled to stay behind to help with MARCS-ship intel analysis, but was contacted by [[polemos:8th_age:characters:lucius_cadius_titus|Lucius Titus]] of the USC. The communication was purely personal in nature but the contact led to suspicion around Serenity to the point that she felt time away from RANGECOM warranted. She would journey as a field member of Seraph Squad instead of her usual combat controller role.
  
 Since the onset of the civil war, Anthegalia has closed all lines of communication with the outside world, including the usual networks used for diplomatic communication. After the formation of the UFPF, Reiko started sending regular messages explaining the federation's position and asking for a re-establishment of diplomatic ties. During Lucius Titus's MARCS-ship speech she finally got a reply - a simple binary message that indicated Lat/Long coordinates to Adavel. Adavel is a small island south east of the main island of Anthia, and by most sea routes the nearest island to Agathos. For centuries it was home to the only port of entry for foreign ships, and also allowed small Umerick and Agathonian colonies throughout the years. It's home to around 15 thousand people and acted as a customs port before full isolation policies went into effect. Since the onset of the civil war, Anthegalia has closed all lines of communication with the outside world, including the usual networks used for diplomatic communication. After the formation of the UFPF, Reiko started sending regular messages explaining the federation's position and asking for a re-establishment of diplomatic ties. During Lucius Titus's MARCS-ship speech she finally got a reply - a simple binary message that indicated Lat/Long coordinates to Adavel. Adavel is a small island south east of the main island of Anthia, and by most sea routes the nearest island to Agathos. For centuries it was home to the only port of entry for foreign ships, and also allowed small Umerick and Agathonian colonies throughout the years. It's home to around 15 thousand people and acted as a customs port before full isolation policies went into effect.
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 The goal of the operation was to invoke Article 2 of the Free Peoples Alliance charter that Anthegalia signed in AE 214. This is the unified defense article that should bring Anthegalia into war against the USC. While the treaty was signed with the old, defunct, Republic of Agathos, Reiko planned to argue that the spirit of the treaty should be kept, as various defense treaties between the Angthegals and Arthenians go back centuries. There were also unsolved mysteries surrounding references to an Anthegalian secret project “Kalasfird” in old republic documents, but the main objective was to achieve martial support not technological. The goal of the operation was to invoke Article 2 of the Free Peoples Alliance charter that Anthegalia signed in AE 214. This is the unified defense article that should bring Anthegalia into war against the USC. While the treaty was signed with the old, defunct, Republic of Agathos, Reiko planned to argue that the spirit of the treaty should be kept, as various defense treaties between the Angthegals and Arthenians go back centuries. There were also unsolved mysteries surrounding references to an Anthegalian secret project “Kalasfird” in old republic documents, but the main objective was to achieve martial support not technological.
  
-Ostensibly bringing along the rangers along for security, they were in reality to limit the damage should Reiko fail. They were to beg, borrow, or otherwise obtain anything of value from the Anthegals, even it was just securing an expeditionary force from an EB'G marquis, or a vital piece of intelligence.+Ostensibly bringing along the rangers along for security, they were in reality to limit the risk of Reiko failing. They were to beg, borrow, or otherwise obtain anything of value from the Anthegals, even it was just securing an expeditionary force from an EB'G marquis, or a vital piece of intelligence.
  
 ===== Adavel ===== ===== Adavel =====
-Launching from the middle of a freezing rainstorm with a tilt-thrust aircraft with cloak paneling, mission forces reached the island of Adavel without setback. Upon arriving, however, they found no tower signals to use for communication, or any other network signals at that. The pilot recommended a ranger scouting party to the island while the rest of the team waited for an all-clear signal.+Launching from the middle of a freezing rainstorm with a tilt-thrust aircraft with cloak paneling, mission forces reached the island of Adavel without setback. Upon arriving, however, they found no tower signals to use for communication, or any other network signals at that. A heavy mist surrounded the main island of Anthia which would usually be in sight from Adavel. The pilot recommended a ranger scouting party to the island while the rest of the team waited for an all-clear signal.
  
-Seraph squad volunteered to act as scouts, and after a combat touch-and-go-landing secured the runway to find it intentionally damaged, but otherwise abandoned. +Seraph squad volunteered to act as scouts, and after a combat touch-and-go-landing secured the runway to find it intentionally damaged, but otherwise abandoned. All non-public areas were locked and power was out across the island. Signs indicated it had been several months or years since the island was abandoned, and in the fields outside of the main town there were ruined farmsteads indicating this was not the first time abandonment had occurred.
- +
-FIXME+
  
 +After giving the all clear the rest of the expedition disembarked, and they set off for the coordinates. At the appointed spot they found themselves on one side of the town plaza, at the foot of a large monorail station that had a line running into the mist toward Anthia. The group found the station was the only building with working power, and that an unmanned monorail car was waiting to receive them. After boarding the monorail it departed automatically. After some time the car cleared the mists and rolled into the station in Anglestad, the City of Angels.
 ===== Anglestad ===== ===== Anglestad =====
-FIXME+The monorail stopped at station in Vaanshtapschluss, the deep water harbor that served as the only entry point into Anthegalia for foreigners. The expedition was prevented from disembarking by a large force of heavily armed EB'G agents, led by [[polemos:8th_age:characters:elena_von_rut_lucrenia|Margrave Elena von Rut Lucrenia]]. Upon identifying themselves Elena allowed them into the country, and informed them she would act as //Mela//, or guide. She informed them they were to have an audience with the //Mulkeser// (ally to man, a title of the king) the next day, but they could spend the night as guests in the Abhimelstot - the castle in the sky. 
 + 
 +Seraphim Squad spent the rest of the day exploring the local culture and acclimating to the Drot'hul - nano-machines that were dispersed by the government through a network of towers that healed most afflictions and improved mental and physical endurance. 
 + 
 +===== Trial by Ordeal ===== 
 +The next day Reiko Eleythos met the King of Anthegalia, along with Seraphim Squad. Before Reiko could make her request, however, the King suddenly placed her under arrest. She was charged with demon worship for her part in the Agalos Miracle. Orthodoxy teaches the need for miracles had ended with the cessation at the start of the 8th Age, thus her supernatural power must have come from an unholy source as a trick. After being bound and dragged away the King ended the public audience, through Seraphim Squad was covertly invited to a private audience. 
 + 
 +Meeting on the balcony outside the throne room, Seraphim Squad protested the arrest of Reiko and demanded she be given a fair trial. The King assured them that justice would prevail, but that even though he could see the "Mark of Tzadkiel" on them, he could not simply let them vouch for her innocence. 
 + 
 +The King stated Reiko could be found innocent of the charges by performing an ancient Trial by Ordeal. The trial would determine if the accused was lying about their innocence by placing them in a deadly situation to prove that God was on their side. Given their divine contact the King would allow Seraphim Squad to act as champions for this trial, taking Reiko's place in the trial. 
 + 
 +The King then gave them their trial - to slay a "spawn of demons." He explained that the divine machines were not actually machines, but were containers for Daemonas to feed on the domination of a human soul for longer than a lifetime while remaining hidden. This has, in a hidden way, led to the current war and other suffering. But these dark forces, knowing that Anthegals can often see through these hidden threats, are attacked in more overt ways away from the prying eyes of man. Thus dark creatures have become a plague on the land. While the EB'G has been recalled and contained many of the larger threats, Reiko's ordeal would be to find one such evil monster and kill it. Seraphim squad would have their choice of target, but could not rely on EB'G intelligence and would need to bide their time for "a truly worthy foe." 
 + 
 +Seraphim squad was provided with Kampfkrost (anthegalian war horses) from the royal stable and a couple weeks of provisions. They left Anglestad through a mountain pass into central Anthia. 
 + 
 +===== Gotstad ===== 
 +During the week-long journey to Gotstad, the first large city on their route, Seraphim Squad met a trucker who had a disturbing rumor about the town. He said the countess, one [[polemos:8th_age:characters:valeri_von_gotlund_erisa|Valeri von Gotlund Erisa]], had suffered an accident while riding in the snow and broken several ribs. Before she could fully recover she was attacked by a fired town guard. While she was only wounded, an EB'G Judge who was accompanying her was slain. The Judge, [[polemos:8th_age:characters:fredrick_von_tavaria_heralsburg|Marquis Fredrick von Tavaria Heralsburg]], had been investigating corruption in the court of the countess. While the corruption charges were minor and quite possibly politically motivated, the death of the judge has given the investigation more merit. 
 + 
 +Worse still, the Judge's body disappeared from the morgue before an autopsy was finished. Since then several townspeople have been found murdered, usually disemboweled with bite marks on flesh and bone. The city constabulary has had no luck tracking the murderer. The frustrated countess has even promised her hand in marriage to whomever can return order to her city. 
 + 
 +After hearing the rumors Seraphim Squad decided to investigate further. Arriving in the city they made their presence known to the Countess and were given boardings in the servant quarters outside the castle. They reviewed the facts with local law enforcement. 
 + 
 +That night Seraphim Squad patrolled the city streets. Late into the night they interrupted a figure feeding on a fresh victim. Though they had not heard the murder happen they surrounded the attacker. Before they could confront him, however, they were set upon by a second figure. Both attackers appeared to have once been anthegalian males but had decayed flesh and had grown sharp claws and teeth. Faces contorted in rage they fought with bestial single-mindedness, and appeared unfazed when shot in the head and other normally vital areas. With the help of some unknown weapon wielded by [[polemos:8th_age:characters:elena_von_rut_lucrenia|Elena]] and the light from the Lamp of Creation, the creatures were finally slain. While Elena was initially disturbed by such a display of supernatural power, after touching the orb herself she concluded it was not a trick by demons and so the examination of the corpses continued at the morgue. 
 + 
 +After medical investigation by Inquisitor and spiritual identification by Apostle, the rangers found the creatures to be male anthegals corrupted into ghouls, presumably by a vampire. The decision was made to remain in Gotland until the creator of the ghouls could be identified and killed, a topic upon which various methods from hysop stakes to garlic were discussed.  
 + 
 +After reports of the night's events spread the hunting party was summoned to the castle. There the countess congratulated them for bringing a sense of normalcy back to the city, and said she would remain true to her word and marry one of the rangers. This was a matter of some controversy (anthegal women take their duty to the bloodline seriously), but before the matter was resolved the countess announced that she would hold a mead hall celebration in honor of Seraph Squad. The rangers concluded to use the opportunity to search for the vampire, and made preparations in advance of the event through blessed ammunition. 
 + 
 +As the mead hall continued into the night, it became apparent the countess wished to put the whole matter of the ghouls behind her and had no interest in pursuing a vampire. Suspicious, the ranger Ethos made a thinly veiled threat to the vampire in a toast to the assembled. 
 + 
 +Late into the night the countess made a scandalous proposition to the ranger Ruckus. After being led through a secret passage by the countess's personal knight Erlic he shared a bath with her, but when he emerged he attacked his comrade Ethos. During the ensuing fight Ruckus was knocked unconscious by a holy bullet to the arm, but not before he had impaled his friend. It was only by the quick thinking and emergency nanomachines of Elena that his wounds were not fatal. Apostle determined that Ruckus was most likely enthralled by the vampire. While Serenity has missed the encounter in the bath due to strange memory gaps she had recently been having, the evidence was clear that the countess was the culprit. The ranger silvertongue convinced the house guard to assist them in confronting her, and they stormed the baths together. 
 + 
 +===== Vampire Hunt ===== 
 + 
 +They found the countess with her enthralled Elric and a servant girl taken hostage. She summoned wolves to surround the castle and prevent any guests from leaving. Although she dominated the ensuing battle with dark power, a distraction allowed Ethos to use a cloaking shroud to make an unseen attack and wound her. She leapt from the balcony and turned into a bat, but not before Elena was able to apply GPS-tracking nanomachines through a Gauss air-burst capsule. 
 + 
 +The rangers and EB'G agent followed with their war horses, trampling and shooting wolves along the way. In Gotstad they were able to avoid an ambush the countess had laid, and the ranger Nexus was also able to wound her. Continuing her pursuit, the group concluded that their target was headed to the cemetery, likely to seek the protection of additional ghouls she had created. 
 + 
 +Seraphim Squad prepared for battle at the edge of the cemetery, and had marksmen positioned at the outskirts while a main force approached the mausoleum the tracker had stopped at. They found the countess inside the large stone structure, its stone seal tossed aside, while ghouls rushed the attackers from every angle.  
 + 
 +As the group fought the ghouls the countess hypnotized the ranger Crownclown. In an attempt to snap him out of the spell he was shot in the abdomen, and would have bleed to death had Elena's nanomachines not been on hand. With the ghoul numbers dwindling, the vampire tried to hypnotize the ranger Nexus. Instead, he was able to place several well aimed shots and finally kill the monster. 
 + 
 +===== Kalasfird ===== 
 +Returning to Anglestad with a pair of vampire teeth, Seraphim Squad was met by a recently released Reiko Eleythos, and the King who named them //Anthkamerad// (which gave them rights to make requests of the EB'G) and //Anthvaan// (which gave them the right to enter or live in Anthegal).  
 + 
 +After a well deserved rest, the expedition prepared to return home to the continent. The King, however, had one final gift for them. In a secret underground hanger under the port Vaanshtapschluss he revealed the "Might Sword of the Northern Alliance," the Kalasfird. 
 + 
 +A large airship decloaked panel-by-panel. 450 yards long, like a spire set on its side, it is smaller than USC MARCS class ships by close to 60%. Its hull is a metallic alloy, painted matte gray. At the spire's “base” is a quadrant of main engines. A large flat ring sits on a bias around a third of the way down from the base, with a dark reflective covering on the outward face. The ring is held out from the hull by four arched wings that sweep back past it. A main tower is built to rise out of the top of the ship, thicker than the wings but swept back in the same style. At it's joint where the sweep becomes more pronounced there is a balcony and windows for an observation deck. A final pair of smaller, straight wing-lets hang down from the front section of the ship, such that viewed head-on the ship appears as a seven-pointed star exploding out of a circle. As the main body tapers down past the ring there are a pair of dorsal battleship turrets, and at strategic points on all sides there are man-sized retractable panels for gun and missile emplacements. The weaponry culminates near the tip of the vessel, where a rectangular bulge extends out parallel, almost to the nose. Set inside the bulge is a massive round gun barrel, one that could reasonably extend all the way back to the base of the ship. The ship is marked with the battle emblem of the UFPF. 
 + 
 +The rangers were then given additional details during a tour of the ship: 
 + 
 +  * The Kalasfird was built with Anthegalian technology, but with Agathonian design aesthetics. 
 +  * It is only around 90% complete. 
 +  * It is not a true MARCS ship - rather it's classified as a new MALTDS class (Mobile Air - Large Target Destroyer Ship). It is a ship designed specifically to destroy MARCS-class ships rather than support army-sized units in combined warfare. 
 +  * The ship specializes in 2 things to achieve defeat of an enemy MARCS-class ship- point defense and the main weapon. 
 +  * The outer face of the ring is lined with focal lenses for a lasers of various wavelengths (visible lasers, masers, x-ray lasers, etc). 
 +  * The forward edge of the ring houses thousands of micro-rocket batteries. 
 +  * The rest of the hull is peppered with hundreds of omni-directional point defense systems housed in internal bays (vulcan cannons, railguns, larger missile launchers, etc). 
 +  * The main weapon was originally designed to be a world-first particle cannon, but the main power source was found to be lacking. Since the engineers already had a large magnetic barrel they re-purposed it as a super-heavy Gauss cannon. It can throw 5m diameter alloy slugs/sabots at hypersonic velocities. 
 +  * The crew and captain of the ship must always be EB'G, and will have the right to refuse any order, but the UFPF is free to use the ship in their war efforts. 
 +  * The crew numbers around 1200, with an additional battalion of EB'G marines to repel boarders and conduct near-field security operations. 
 +  * The ship has a set of 6 Civil-Class K-H Generators. This is nearly equivalent to larger USC MARCS-class ships. 
 +  * All hull panels are capable of projecting optical camouflage and other forms of active sensor cloaking. The system is known to be ineffective before 1 hour (position can be extrapolated due to low acceleration) and 4 hours (satellite and other strategic sensor ararys can see the massive distortions). 
 +  * The ship has 3 command bridges: 
 +    * RSIC - Regional Strategic Information Center - Handles battlefield-level information organization and joint operation functions. Is intended to be the command center for a full army group. Stationed at the base under the main tower, in the safest/most armored part of the ship. 
 +    * CB - Command Bridge - Handles point defense optimization and other ship functions in battle - stationed centerline below the secondary guns in a protected hull section. 
 +    * OB - Observation Bridge - Unused during battle, but allows for command meetings and ship operations during travel and information gathering missions. 
 + 
 +===== Reconciliation ===== 
 +After much debate, Ravenhold in Filos was named the first target for the //Kalasfird//, which would put it in combat with the USC MARCS-class ship //Salvation//. 
 + 
 +Never one to waste an opportunity for inspiration, Reiko Eleythos gave Apostle the honor of providing a human name for the ship. He chose the name //Reconciliation//, both as a gesture towards the non-Arthenian peoples of the federation, but also as a contrast of the worldviews between the USC and orthodoxy. 
 + 
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