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Friday, March 12, 2021

New Territory

 "Sir look at this we found how many there are and what warriors there are. It is a long list but it is helpful. These Order of the Beasts have some green worm, a camallis (mutant beast), hell horn warrior, etten brute, mutant octopus, a lion mutant and some draconic warlord in charge. Among them are 126 Orc beings, 128 Tessars, 15 Toceanids, 14 lizard men, some dreamer bladesman, 12 worm monsters, 13 Golems, 16 Drow as patrolmen, a mage knight, wormling, white beast, a cyclops fighter, an Oni Brute, warcrafter mercenary, demon roamer, 12 Gnolls, 9 Owil monsters, a bronze worming, and a vulture demon. The, the list goes on. Two croc warrior mutants, 107 shell reptile mutants, a dragon Mutant, 2 rhino mutants, 6 ape gorilla mutants, 6 mutant monsters, 5 winged demons, Tiger mutant, Fish mutant, Bull mutant, 100 of those cepholapoids, 10 roach humanoids, one war troll, blue brute 4 kanine prowlers, and a jungle troll on a leash. It is not the last I swear. Under the command of some Bearling and Troglodyte there are 13 sea trolls, one catfolk warrior, a hook bird monster, 13 dwarf demons, 13 thin archers, 396 monster soldiers, 2 beaked tentacle monsters, a witch troll, 13 humanoid monsters, 111 Ogres, 18 human thralls, 115 Death Knights we fought before. At the bottom they command a Reaper knight, 12 Nolizurs, 140 monster fighters, 14 Goanna humanoids, 15 starspawn, a purple half demon, some Goblin Abomination, a Monster Octopus Warrior, and a female demon monster. With a force like that sir they have that other island secure." Grinna the Goblinoid handed Cularis a journal of some sorts they found on one of the officers from attacking force. 

Izzine did her part in taking out the patrol. It was unfortunate she was hit in the shoulder by a Gantronese sniper rifle the Hujin 38. That was one rifle his troops feared the most when fighting snipers or marksmen. Every few weeks his guerillas would run into a marksman armed with one. Every they received new recruits by the dozens his men felt emboldened. He still had a force of 170 to command. There were of course the score of noncombatants who aided in other tasks while his soldiers did the fighting. Cularis was fortunate after this engagement. Ten days passed between now and the Zhenrai's arrival. News came to him about 1,000 reinforcements combining with the several thousand that came from the neutral islands brought relief. Within a week they would be on the way. To the south the Vestrisians engaged the Gantronese once again halting another attempt to relief the invading forces that struggled to hold on to the Unknown Lands. Such a vast territory would prove near impossible to occupy. Even the Vestrisians could see this as they left the local populations alone. 

Giving it more time, Cularis did not act until the rest of their forces arrived from Kilscar Orvain with more forces. With their new mercenaries and volunteers the three islands the Order of the Beast held became theirs. Gaining new territory allowed more room to build new structures or use the structures still standing. During the phase of garrisoning forces they engaged smaller groups of Gantronese forces, mercenaries, and other invaders. What he did not really expect were dragons to be recruited. Some Wizards ventured past Talus with their own mercenaries, and volunteers. In lands past Vorcadam, Talus, and Iperantos 16 dragons joined them. Showing their true strength these dragons took down a few invader ships, hindering any chances for the Gantronese to aid forces in the Unknown Lands. As days turned to weeks and weeks turned to months, they held most of the islands west of Kilscar Orvain. Half the dragons died, and five left due to boredom to the north. To help anyone seeking to join them his IBOIS constructed 4 lighthouse beacons. All four were set up on separate islands closest to the sea. One of the islets are reinforced with five cannons, three extra boats to the eight already there, and a small ship crewed by buccaneers. Most islets received the same armament to bolster their positions against the invaders. In this campaign his forces and guerillas killed an estimate of 462, 681 Gantronese troops along the coasts along the Unknown Lands. This was with help from the VUVR in their war over the city-states. 

Time went on with more victories, which were either costly or barely any losses. In the year 1844 AN or AE their core forces swelled over ten thousands. Most of the wizards resettled in the isles of Ruhontrha, and the city-states free of the Gantronese grip. Izzine continued to serve in Gredaro's place despite his recovery. However, in the Unknown Lands a lethal stalemate was imposed through the jungles, marshes, and hills. Both Gantronese and Vestrisian Forces had to fight the savage tribes, wilderness, and strange forces aside from each other. This concerned Cularis because the Gantronese were not crushed yet in the Unknown Lands. His IBOIS faction received more reinforcements from everywhere. 

Travelling from Old Nevora 9 Rogues, 22 Rangers, 5 Assassins, and 41 Orcs joined them. Seven heroes, 6 Evusian Rangers, 46 Pirates, and 11 Dwarf Gun Clerics marshalled to the IBOIS. Directly from Ruhonthra, and Korvatzi he received 260 Goblin Raiders, 7 Crusaders, 7 Monires Fighters smuggle their way to their islands. A team of 21 Bowmen seeking thrills arrive along with 11 female Rogues, 9 Swordsmen from Alagen, 5 Gnome Wizards seeking justice. Coming from several different countries came 128 bandits charged with crimes seeking to serve. One battalion of 900 bored Spearmen from Kilscar Orvain, Oramatra, and Oceanrest Var come to aid them. Checking some of their spoils he discovered they captured 43 gunships that required fuel, 9 troop shuttles, and 14 transports. These came with the 60 captured Gantronese bases on other islands and 291 aircraft and starfighters found. 

With each victory more forces came to their side. Five elves from Vestrisia, 8 vigilante turned rebels, 3 Death soldiers, and 5 sword soldiers from Iperantosi Islands joined. Seventeen Koriv Axe men join along with 4 alien Kitsune Mercenaries on a long-ship bringing bridge making material. Ten soldiers from Emerald Claw City, and 10 Knights from an Ivy Crown State that were now under invader occupation sign up. They bring 2 Death Knell Soldiers, 9 shield wall soldiers who build a tower on an island. Hailing from Estoras one lone Lizard Soldier with a castle key travelled here with 12 Dwarf Soldiers, 6 Zhont state Soldiers. Six more Death Knell soldiers come later simultaneously as 6 Phalanx Dwarf soldiers, a ninja shinobi, 4 Phalanx soldiers, 12 former Dwarf King Guards who bring a Death tower. Aliens came down to aid them such as 36 Dragon Lizardmen from a planet known as Nozur with 17 Orcs mounted on dire wolves. A contingent of 10 Elf Rangers arrive from Miccado as rebels, and 7 Evusian Rangers marshal to him with a female Black Mage. His faction also came across another one called the Exiled Rebels who recruited from countries that fell to the invaders. 

This included various knights and warriors from dozens of countries already occupied by the invaders. Full companies of 123 Eagle Knights, 194 Lionnes, 121 Red Dragons, 85 Falcon Hawks from the large island continent. Just 99 Dwarfs from Estoras, 56 Elves were part of a rebel group in Estoras, and72 members of two Wolf clans who refused to submit found their way here. From Talus, which was part of Gantronese Imperial holdings 26 warriors pushed their way here. From Vorcadam a group of 9 Serpent Knights joined this Exiled Rebels. Just 12 Swan Knights, 92 Independent Knights, 30 Crusaders, and 16 Purple Dragons came over to the Exiled Rebels. Many claimed to be from the likes of Tenmorath, Vamadria, Korvatzi, Vorbos, Retoriam, Vishnael, Fecuvia, Eviin, and Korvini. Each would have allied with the VUVR and the rest of the newly formed Calornese Alliance if they were not under the invaders' boot heels. For the next few years both factions put up a fight against the Gantronese while the VUVR, and their allies engaged larger fleets. They aided them several times each month as dogfights became massive like swarms of wasps and bees fighting each other. His forces also helped with a few skirmishes at sea between the Invaders and the VUVR whose U Boats paved a route for open trade for neutral states. 

In late 43-45 his forces rescued 89 Calornese Allied Pilots, saved 78 sailors, and captured 98 Gantronese pilots. Most of the pilots were turned over while the rest committed suicide while in their cells. With help from other pirates the Wizards hired, and rallied they captured 29 pirates and outlaws. During on battle his forces captured 208 Gantronese troops, allies, and collaborators. Most joined them since they came from Calorn. Whereas the rest were either sent to VUVR hands, executed, held captive or freed out of sympathy. As months passed by their VUVR partners and counterparts started suffering attacks in the Unknown Lands. One incident detailed a force of 4157 dying in an all-out attack on Vestrisian positions. Vestrisians suffered 904 dead, 1,343 wounded, and the rest were forced to pull back with the wounded. Little was known about who attacked the Vestrisians, but it did scare scores of Uxane who fled here and to the Iperantosi Isles, of which one island was almost unpopulated. Cularis and his fellow Wizard leaders had to be content with what territories they currently held. Whatever was going on in the Unknown Lands would only cripple them if they made any attempts to intervene. 

Thursday, March 4, 2021

Order of the Beast Returns

 Izzine stepped to the side letting her contacts lead them. They were informed about them, but she wasn't really informed about them very much. It was more likely hinted at. Yet according to the other Wizards a Goblin Mage managed to gather a sizeable, small army to fight the Gantronese. Cannie, Durditz, Bellime, Faidal, Christal and Voden herded them into a larger room as they climbed down. A well dug up and constructed bunker's interior lay before them. Entering an entry chamber in the shape of a trapezoid they could tell these IBOIS soldiers made themselves busy with its modifications and tunneling. Just looking at it Izzine could tell tools were used in its construction. Past the trapezoid room they entered a large rectangular shaped room with three tunneled halls along its flanks. Several of their contacts left them in the hands of Cannie, and Faidal. Cannie led them further through the bunker system that took them to a large hexagon shaped room that had rooms, and tunnels trailing off. 

Noticing the main rooms were empty Izzine assumed the rest were resting or something. Cannie grabbed Izzine by the arm and took her to a room on the left. She snapped her finger which signaled for the large Faidal to block the others from following them. In her own deep voice she explained to them Izzine was to meet the leader alone. Turning to face them Izzine told them to wait there. She followed Cannie into the other room. Cannie lightly pulled Izzine into a room that was shaped like a sphere cut in half. Inside the round room was a table with a map on it surrounded by a few officers. Only one of them Izzine could identify as Cularis. 

"Corporal Cannie reporting back in, Colonel Cularis sir. This is Izzine White-Spear the Zhenrai sent over to fill in for Gredaro." Cannie said with a salute to the higher rank. 

"How many arrived?" Cularis asked the Bard who was now Corporal Cannie. He placed a few white flags on some islands on the map. 

"Her 8 mercenaries and a crew of 43 pirates." Cannie replied. 

Cularis looked up with wide eyes of shock and horror in them. Izzine could tell this was not good news to him. He was expecting the whole armada to show up at this very island. Izzine was no military strategist or tactician yet it was obvious to her something was going on. Another battle was about to take place. 

"We need that extra force to beat back the Gantronese mercenaries! I only have a force of  174 to defend this island! All we get are 8 mercenaries, 43 pirates, and one Zhenrai! Radio Obrik about this." Cularis barked at them baring his teeth. 

"There are 5000 others coming this way." Izzine responded to the outburst. 

"Really? In Obrik's last message to me she said there were a thousand coming this way." Cularis scoffed a little. It seemed he was rubbing this information in the dirt after wiping his ass with it. 

"One of the Wizards informed me that you were able to seize another island. Or is this the only island you managed to keep?" Izzine put in hoping this would not insult the commander. His nostrils flared a little at this. For a few seconds he said nothing. 

"There are a dozen islands, some do not show up on maps due to failed expeditions, or other forces at work. Our common enemy the Gantronese invader held one island and another faction known as the Order of the Beast once held this one." Cularis said turning around to look at another map of Calorn on the wall. 

"Sir a group of O.B. forces have landed!" someone shouted from behind her. 

"Sverx! Everyone is either tired or wounded. Zhenrai this is your chance! Go use your powers or something." Cularis commanded Izzine. 

Without hesitation Izzine twirled around to pass a half goblin female that came up to her shoulder. She raced towards the exit eager to show what she can do. Her Order's missions were not as exciting as this first one for the newly formed IBOIS. Heading for the exit she hollered at the 8 mercenaries to get ready. Throwing off her robe Izzine summoned a few spirits to increase her combat skills and strengthen her. Running past the mercenaries Izzine climbed the ladder back up to the surface. Her eight mercenaries struggled to keep up. Once she was on the surface Izzine went straight to ascension to scan the island. Her mercenaries made a circle around her with their weapons primed and focused on every direction around them. Scanning the island below she found a force of 37 strange alien humanoids scouting the island as a unit. She got out of ascension and prepared herself. Stomping on the ground she launched herself in the air. Izzine flipped around landing outside the mercenary circle. She unsheathed her blade and raced to meet the scouting unit of invaders. 

Izzine did not stop for anyone. She was sent here to fight invaders. Rushing towards his unit her skills did not allow them time to react or even see her coming after them. Killing the 37 member scouting party she felt like this took away the invader's eyes a little. When she stopped to settle back in her normal phase her 8 mercenaries finally caught up to her. Each one were exhausted from running after her. She was clearly faster than them due to her abilities and training. Just looking at them she wondered if they really needed an army. A sharp pain went through her right shoulder as though something sharp impaled her there. Moments after feeling the sharp pain Izzine heard the sound of a rifle going off. One of the mercenaries pulled her down as the rest opened fire on an enemy she was not facing. Blood flowed from the wound soaking her robes. How could she be this clumsy? Sure she was still young, but how did she not sense this enemy? It hit her like a shock wave. This was a war, something Izzine was not too familiar with. She was plunging right into it. Letting the mercenaries carry her back she went into ascension to look at the 37 scouts. Among them was a horned warrior with blue skin, a croc mutant, some smaller ettin brute, shell reptile mutant, a lion mutant, as well as mutants for a few other animal humanoids. She spotted an Ogre, an ugly white beast, war troll, a blue skinned brute, a goblinoid abomination, vulture demon of some sorts, one big Troglodyte, and a few other humanoids she did not recognize. 

She was rushed back as quickly as they carried her. Sporadic fire was exchanged showing the invader pursued them. From the brush machinegun fire erupted forcing whoever pursued them back to their lines. Her mercenaries took her to the safety of the bunker. There she was tended to while the IBOIS soldiers under Cularis fought off the first wave. Izzine rested for a day before deciding to get up and walk around. Inside the medical chamber she found a wall dedicated to the IBOIS. 

She looked at a section of a wall with names, professions, and ethnic group. Among the first members to fight were Amphianoids, lone Crusader, an Elf Warlock, Warrior from Oceanrest Var, Grussians, Draconic Assassin, Barbarian, Cycloptic Warrior, Rangers, Boar Mercenary, Dwarfs, Magesar Rogues, Sentient insectoid. Izzine did not care for insects or bugs. Some gave her the creeps. Seeing there insect humanoids made it worse for her. Ever since her child hood she was creeped out by large insects. Shaking it off Izzine read more of the names on the wall. There was a young Barbarian named Efrit, an unnamed pinkish monster, an elf rogue outlaw called Gedwir, a winged crusader from Syrianos, some two headed wolf experiment along with 3 wolf pets. These wolves had names such as Borlin, Rolin, and Lina. As she kept reading she noticed some hand been labeled as aliens. This included an elite droid from another world, 4 bulky blue bots, 32 mercenary clones who came with 9 combat vehicles. Seeing them on the wall gave her the idea there were others who wanted to liberate Calorn. Izzine kept reading while her mercenaries rested and the pirates unloaded what was needed to make camp. Four half elf monks joined from Kilscar Orvain, a pair of orange elf knights joined from Miccado, a spearman, 6 goblin hybrids all joined at the same time as the monks. From other parts two Bone Cultists, a renegade elf wizard, reptilian gunslinger, a half Orc barbarian outcast, one Orc Ax fighter, and a hooded Mage fought and died as a team. Six Kilscar Orvain Warriors joined them because they were shamed for life. A young ninja warrior from Vorcadam joined because he was a runaway avoiding the Gantronese draft. Others included a long blade Ranger, crafty rogue, a former Paladin Initiate, and a pirate captain known as Barnabyss Froste.