Peeling Through the Jungle

 Rummaging through the various items Toyol could not shake the warning about the Goblin Balloon Brigade they were warned about. If they really worked for the Gantronese its unit was likely reduced. Since they engaged the VUVR and the Calornese coalition since 1841 those Goblins definitely started out with 3,000 or more. Gathering everything they could Toyol's unit returned to base a few units engaged hostile forces only to find themselves aided by the locals. Gantronese forces appeared to be dug in further inland, but still held a presence along an unevenly marked frontier in camps or outposts. Among the locals plenty of other races joined the fight against the Gantronese. Toyol's commanding officer appeared a little too nosy, and eavesdropped on a few high-ranking officers. This coalition received 306 Drow rebels to assist them towards the far western part of the front. Another group called the Gith, another humanoid race from some other plane or world of existence sent 441 rebels to join any locals against the Gantronese Empire. Still on the lookout for anything they missed Toyol's own unit found themselves inside group of clearings that appeared hand made. Taking cautious steps with Greenville, Wallace, Leethem, and Grimlock in the lead the unit kept their eyes peeled for hostiles. Next to him was a half-elf Corporal Ralowraek, held the profession of Prowler Apprentice, and Stabler before that. He kept his eyes on the trees as they proceeded with caution. A younger member of their unit some tall half-goblin known as Plizasb, a plasterer/painter who was sent over after seeking a change in his life, moved too far. Everyone screamed for him to get back in formation when ten bolts shot into him from above. 

Within the branches they spotted nearly four hundred Goblins hooked to the branches, releasing their balloon transports from the branches, or diving down to meet the Vestrisians. As a unit Toyol's fellow soldiers opened fire losing a few members, ending an attempted ambush on their battalion. Arrows, bolts, javelins, rocks rained down on the clearing hitting some Vestrisians. Hundreds of bullets shot into the tree branches above them killing 389 Goblin Balloonists. Whoever laid out this ambush was either a Gantronese planner, or a high-ranking Goblin Chief. Before the last attacking Goblin died from falling out of the trees, Toyol thought he glimpsed a black cat like creature. Whatever that creature was it looked to be the size of a horse. Knowing he was not in a position of rank Toyol shook it off. Three days passed as they made their way back to base. Back at base in the Oceanrest Var Toyol's unit did not get a chance to sort through any of what they found. Colonel Blintz ordered for them to attend some training courses or at least witness 313 recruits learn about pressure points, and practiced tactics from 74 Instructors. For the lot of them it was pretty boring. After resting for 48 hours they head out again towards the swamps near Oceanrest Var. His unit check on about 31 leagues of swamps nearby. A small amount of landmass compared to the estimated 1,761 Leagues. Heading out again to the swamps this time they found some cache of weapons just west of the small stretch of swamp near Oceanrest Var south of the 31 leagues they checked for hostiles. Forced to check the 31 leagues of swamp again Toyol's unit engage 533 Goblin Pikers, 402 Biomancy Experiments for a few hours until a friendly unit of 756 Magesar Skirmishers arrived on the scene. The very same Magesar unit who came in from the west thwarted a battalion of more than three hundred Gantronese. Toyol fired his weapon at a Biomancy experiment that looked more like an animated corpse with three arms, with animalistic claws, extra fangs, heavy set horse leg. It went down as a few more charged at him. One Knight rushed to cut them down with a machete they carried with them. Among the eight hundred members of Toyol's unit other knights, former Necromancers, Bards, martial arts adepts, rogues, archdruids, former Gladiators, assassins, mages, arcane users, ex swashbucklers, thugs, scouts, nobles, former guards, commoners, ex acolytes, champions, priests, monks, farmers, fishermen, bricklayers, and artisans who almost fainted during training at bootcamp. Most of them joined or enlisted between the ages of 17 and 38 spending one or two years of training. Some were even enlisted by their parents or guardians at the ages of 15 or 16. In order to fend off an encroaching enemy like the Nazdar and the Gantronese more personnel would be required. According to one of the Lieutenants most of the veterans and seasoned combatants fighting for the VUVR were at the frontlines of Vullan, Gontrella, Blackmel, Vimasdra, and Muskalla. 

This move against Gantronese forces allowed the various Byway couriers from the city of Tittania to move out. Several days later it turned out to be just a rumor to spread a bit more hope. Camping out further away from the swamps his unit was alone save for another unit. This one unit of 835 personnel was one of those mixed ones with Marines, Airborne, Infantry, Knights, Rangers, Spellblades. Some of them were nobles, and knights or a mix of both. Their experiences in the field overshadowed their own experiences. Another hour passed before another wave of Gantronese and their allies attacked from the jungles, and swamp areas. It became a move the Gantronese came to regret. Toyol was sent to scour the area for more hostiles or stragglers. Moving past the corpses his comrades shot the young soldier entered an abandoned encampment. Inside one of the tents he came across a Ghoul Caller Accomplice of some sorts. Seeing the Ghoul Caller Accomplice in their tattered robes wielding a shovel, and in shackles he took them prisoner. Whoever enslaved this Ghoul Caller Accomplice they removed their real named replacing it with Vabrik. Unconvinced this Vabrik knew much other than collecting corpses a Major came over to blow a hole through his head. Unsure if he should be upset or angry Toyol chose to stay quiet. 

After several skirmishes broke out over the course of a week they heard of some Mephatic Vapors being used against coalition forces. Wherever it was used the vapors took out 355 or so coalition forces. Forced to engage a hostile tribe known as the Megwith confederacy Toyol's unit and the mixed unit maned to push the front further. Everything looked the same with the trees, bushes, and branches acting like a wall they could pass through. Green, red, brown, violet leaves covered whatever hid inside the jungles. To Toyol it appeared like a broken labyrinth maze of dense jungle trees. Clearings, isolated villages, abandoned huts, outposts, camps, totems, shrines, decaying carcasses, easily startled animals, discarded weapons, broken down vehicles, old campfires, and downed aircraft added to the scenery for the past weeks of his deployment. Going through the abandoned Gantronese camps and camps of the Gantronese allies his unit discovered plenty of finds within the encampments. Within the tents, and makeshift huts Toyol's unit discovered 446 pieces of troll hide molded or turned to armor. Twenty sacks of grain, 22 barrel-canisters of fuel are gathered up. Rations, clothing, uniforms, fatigues, helmets, various weaponry, tools, duffle bags, crates of ammunition, harnesses of grenades, med kits were most of what they found. Past the encampments they run into a herd of brontodons, giant reptilian creatures with long necks, crowned heads, bulky bodies, long thick legs, strong tails. Plenty of these beasts were spotted in the jungles of this part of the world. 

Grabbing up what they could the unit paused before moving back to headquarters. Wallace placed a retractable flagpole in the ground to show they claimed this area. He pulled out a flag from under his uniform that was rolled up in a long sleeve. A green flag with a gold anchor, shield trident, star, and crown resting on a sword. Inside parallel black lines are a gold line and red line at a diagonal. It represented the Calornese Alliance that was formed between the nations fighting against the invaders. Once Wallace placed the flag on that pole, he pulled out another flag, the VUVR flag. The earlier version of the VUVR, a gold crown encircled by a moon, and laurel on a field of blue. It represented the Kingdoms, Republics, and the continent of Ottante that unified. By placing this flagpole with two flags on it his unit was conveying they controlled this region. Doing this in a clearing would only enrage the enemy and the locals. However, they had little choice than to claim this as their territory. Territory that would not be occupied for very long. Toyol overheard the plan was to push the Gantronese out, occupy the region then leave once the war was over or the area was deemed secured. Helping the Commanding Officer Wallace wasn't difficult. Just keeping the sweat out of his eyes was proving an impossible task unless he wore a bandana, or something meant to keep the sweat out his eyes. Not something complicated to find on him. Yet even that was soaked in sweat. Just the humidity of the jungle nearly took the breath away. Or was it the density of the jungle that got the best of them while they peeled through these jungles. 

Forced to move westward Toyol and his unit run into a solitary hut with a figure inside it. This hut blended in nicely with the environment. Nearly carved into the lower part of the thickest tree it was covered over with branches. Uncertain about the hut his unit moved around cautiously in a crouched position. Squinting his eyes Toyol thought he spotted more of these huts that blended in the jungle. He nudged a Lieutenant who would listen. Pointing out what he saw Toyol noticed he wasn't the only who saw that. His whole unit feel silent as they made an advance while attempting to encircle this hidden village. As silent as they were the jungle could not be kept quiet around them. Seven of his fellow soldiers moved towards the hut while everyone else kept their eyes peeled. Amidst the jungle noise of exotic birds, chirping, cawing, screeching, and some gurgling he could still hear himself breath. His ears felt as though his own nostrils were breathing right into them. All he could think about was who was watching their move. Sure they had a few other units close, but what worried him was what they could not see. Glancing around he imagined other hostiles hiding in the jungles. Two of the forward seven-man team fell to the ground on the tree roots. Darts flew from the windows, trees, and brush taking out a score of his unit. Most of the darts hit trees, the ground, roots, a few boots with little effect, bounced off helmets, dug into the wooden parts of their weapons, sleeves of uniforms, or the shoulder parts without puncturing the skin. In retaliation his unit opened fire into the hut, and the area surrounding. it. Several more darts shot back in return with half the unit facing the source letting out a spray of lead into the jungle. 

Yanking on Toyol's sleeve Leethem ordered him to move forward with a larger team. Their seven chosen lay dead, or wounded riddled with darts puncturing their limbs, and body. Four medics rushed to them as Grimlock had Greenville round up thirty-two of their battalion to check on the newly discovered settlement. With their battalion's captain in command, they moved with caution with the rest of the unit watching their backs. Checking the settlement, they discovered what the captain called Guilt Grove Stalkers, a clan of jungle elves serving the Gantronese. It was unclear how large the band really was or if there were any still around. Counting the corpses they found 327 dead Guilt Grove Stalkers in their leaf tunics, greenish skin cover, bone headdresses. Among them they discovered a Ghoul Caller Accomplice, some hooded figure in old style clothing wielding a spade meant for killing and digging. Toyol's closest colleague checked what the Ghoul Caller Accomplice looked like. Pulling back the hood they found a stitched-up face, missing eye, crooked nose, drooping left lip, dirty skin, scars, pimples, bumps, and boils all over. Whoever this Accomplice was they were wanted by the Order of Defiance over corpse stealing according one of their Lieutenants. The Order of Defiance was another faction within Vestrisia with ancient origins. Its members refuse to obey specific laws while enforcing their own. Toyol barely got to know more when he was ordered to check on a shot up hut. Inside he found what appeared to be a lab full of shattered instruments, glassware, alchemist desk, flasks, vials, spell books, trinkets, potions, vessels, retorts, alembics, and a dead conjurer leaning on the desk. This Clever Conjurer was shot while searching through an index. Leaving the area with their dead and wounded Toyol's own unit returned to base. Upon their return they received news of new allies siding with them. A warband of 344 Gnolls turned against Gantronese forces after their pups are kidnapped as leverage. Another band of 393 Goblin rebels joined their VUVR forces after chieftain or shaman are killed. 

The New Undead Huntress

 It was already mid-November and October was long finished. Halloween or All Hallows Eve was through. Winter was setting in early on their planet. Adopting the calendar from a planet called Earth or the United Nations planet suited their needs. At least now they had set dates that made sense. Behind the backs of these Earthlings his home world and kingdom adopted this genius calendar. Wandering the campus of a small college in a valley, a tall, sombre, gloomy yet handsomely strong figure walked along the area called the villages of the campus. After visiting a certain handsome prince who appeared just like him, but the shortest of the Maronites. It is a name or label given to him and those who look like himself. This handsome little rogue who lived in his own dorm room happened to be more of a Myrmidon or Warrior Servant recently became a knight. While moving around Solomon Mansley "Cain" spotted a female student at her window. Squinting his eyes he noticed something familiar about her. Studying her for a few seconds he noticed she looked exactly like a certain Maronites' wife. Sir Denson, a War Baron to a kingdom that was once a Republic had a wife who looked just like this one little student. 

Uncertain if she was related or not, he gave Denson's wife a little call. Not caring who watching even if it was that student, he rested the holocron communicator on the ground. It took a few moments, but a life-sized blue specter version of her emitted from the device. After a few minutes of conversation half of which he did not want to have about leaving students alone Solomon learned that this one was not at all related to her. Bewildered by this he left Denson's wife alone. Her family members were all 6 feet tall or something. One intimidating sight for anyone under her height. However, on the field this wife of Denson's proved to be a powerful mage who incinerated buildings.  Taking another look at where the student was Solomon saw she was not in the window. When he looked back down, he found her with the most excited expression on her face. Those wide eyes, goofball happy mouth was also bouncing with delight. The first thing he thought was did she even have a key to reenter her dorm room. Whoever this little one was she was too excited to even care about the cold air. Stumped on what to do Solomon looked side to side making his large mane hair swing a little. 

At this moment he knew he was given no choice than to interact with this one. She grabbed him by the hand and escorts him inside. Entering an all-woman's dorm in this village was not his idea. Yet to his fortune the rest were sound asleep. Babbling on with excitement this Denson's wife look alike turned around to see his face. Unable to stop himself from smiling he knew right away she met that little rogue of a knight. The excitement turned to shock and awe. Immediately assuming he was his older brother she offered him tea. Solomon could not refuse a hot beverage. Ignoring whoever else was inside the dormitory den or common room Solomon sat on a chair wondering if the rogue did something to scare her or upset her. His focus was entirely on this one who gave him her name with the what the heck at the end. Introducing himself Solomon revealed to her that the rogue knight was not a relative, but a native born on this planet with a DNA that made him a warrior. Taken aback she asked all sorts of questions. Answering one as best he could he flipped off the RA who entered the building calling her a fat cow with glasses. As he spoke with the adorable big eyes listening the wife of Denson burst into the building. Not caring at all about the rules of the planet. With the rogue knight in tow. 

His monkey like tail stuck out of a hole in his leathery trouser like greaves. Knowing the little knight Solomon knew he preferred camouflage fatigues. Plopping him on the couch he blushed at the sight of Denson's little look alike. Solomon knew he could take full advantage and heckle the dickens out of him now. Yet that would have to wait. What needed to be done now was what to do with this one look alike. Denson got her to shut up however she almost teared up. Solomon's line of work or profession dealt with the living dead, undead, reanimated corpses or all manner of stitched creations. What Denon's wife suggested was to make this little doppelganger a female vampire slayer from another world. At first he refused the offer not wanting to put her in harm's way. Then he looked to the rogue who laid back on the couch with his feet propped up. Even he wasn't sure if she should join. She snapped at him claiming something along the lines of martial arts or fencing or whatever. The little knight waved those away revealing his own combat experience when he was in the airborne of the IGC. Giving him a disgruntled look, the girl threw a pillow at him accepting whatever offer they were giving. Nodding his head Solomon agreed to accept her under his wing. As some sort of apprentice Huntress this one would be hunting down the undead or zombified creatures on a seasonal time frame. 

Going through the Jungle

 He received the two letters from his aunt, Omgada Sanin, a town herbalist-apothecary supplier. Letabi Cirzo was an upcoming herbalist and wizard among his Dark Elf community. Mainly brown, dark tan, purple or blue in skin color Dark Elves of Calorn vary in terms of their culture, and appearances. Most of them became combatants, or contractors such as Warriors, bodyguards, rogues, assassins. Others entered the profession of blacksmithing, steed breeding, herding life stock, artisanship. Some like himself and his aunt become herbalists, healers, or alchemists. A thousand or so years ago he would find himself forced into a survivalist competition or a cruel means of weeding out the weak. For his herbalist career path, he had several orders to join. One of these orders was called the Healers of the United. Based in Geverine-Ezonel borders, this order was renowned for its involvement in the medical fields when it came to provided the herbs used to create pills or other medicines. 

Hundreds of Dark Elves were in the service of Lheobethe well before their peoples fled Gaia- Ghudran- Giadra. On a VUVR amphibious transport Toyol rode with his unit. It took him three years to get over here after a horrible incident. Herbs needed to be mixed without certain ingredients. Thanks to his aunt he was out of the humiliating alchemy school of Evusia. Ten years another would take his place, which was why this herbalist wizard left to join the VUVR. On board one of the VUVR amphibious transports Letabi Cirzo rode alongside a fellow half Dark Elf Lheobethan Toyol Yogosh who was kicked out of the Creed of Piety School in Lheobethe. In the back of their amphibious transport sat another half-dark elf named Exo Mindflayers. 

Placed in a unit of 882 the trio of half Dark Elves sort felt out of place here. Mostly humans, half elves, some orcs, and half goblins crammed into the boats made up their unit. Some spoke of their days working at a Factory Coffee House, a Ketchic Creek Bakery in Naatidra, or working at some barbeque restaurant which were a new type of public place. There were jabbering about scoops of ice cream, fudge, beer with a nice meal or sloppy burger. Large Sausage in slice bread washed down with ale, or mead. One Goblin went on about stuffed fat squirrel on a spit or kebob in the country. Toyol heard someone speak of a Vagabond miscreant grab some luscious melons on some serving girl before getting kicked out. Another mentioned some zombies or undead being still being spotted in downtown of their home city. An Orc who worked in Zethra then on Malvieth told the group about two ugly guys caught suckling on some Kimono babe's tits or something. Toyol thought he heard the Orc say he smashed the two men's heads in for doing that to a patron. 

Coming up on the coastal city-state of Oceanrest Var. their boats were greeted by screaming Seahawks, gulls, winged wretches in flocks. Orders were not to shoot at the birds but to wave or swat them away. Oceanrest Var rested on a small peninsula with warded walls surrounded by a dozen other settlements with Oramatra not too far way according to the maps. Even though they could have come from Borvados by land it would take longer. Rain season arrived this month. Most of the roads of Borvados would be flooded for weeks. Travelling by the sea was preferred as other city-states were involved in their coalition. Northwest of Oceanrest Var rested the city of Oramatra. The same went for other cities such as Khasungai, Kilscar Orvain. In his mind Toyol recalled Khasunghai was not too far from Kilscar Orvain while another city called Magesar sat east of Oceanrest Var. Travelers spoke a Bronze Sable Cat statue of Oramatra. It was sent to grant prolonged life to whoever touches the statue. Getting closer to the port city's docks they spot familiar structures from their side of the world. Five Evusian style castles among the outer walls of Oceanrest Var. Constructed from the materials available in the area these castles appeared more like two circular keeps that overlapped. Like two rings put together forming the shape of the number eight. No towers to be seen just a pair of keeps with thick walls connected. Despite the size of the structures, they blended in nicely with the walls and other structures of Oceanrest Var. However, the structures of Oceanrest Var appeared far different. Among the houses of Oceanrest Var Toyol spotted three Alagen Style houses. Multifaceted homes in the shape of a large gazebo or pavilion Once they reached the docks, they were greeted by fellow Vestrisians, Alagen Soldiers, Soldiers of Nahem, and Lybresan. One by one they climbed off the boat and onto the docks. Half the docks were made from wood while others were made from smoothed out stones in the sand bed or the large slabs that did not break when moved.

In various style fatigues of either green, tan, brown, or a mixture of the colors the coalition soldiers could be identified as Orcs, Goblins, Half-Elves, Half-Orcs, Humans, Forsythans, and some tame Gnolls stood among them. Most of them were armed with T.M. 13 bolt-action rifles, an early version of the E gas powered rifle, plenty of the E-7 repeat rifles, and the Carbines. It seemed strange for there to be no submachine guns in sight. Did they already lose them in the jungles of the Unknown Lands? As he stepped forward with his unit something moved in the waters. His gaze turned to the right to see some crocodile lurking underneath the docks. Lheobethe hosted plenty of these reptilian predators that only waited for their meal with patience. While growing up in Lheobethe in a Dark Elf refugee town Toyol knew of a nest of 433 crocodiles in one of the rivers. Here in the Unknown Lands, he would likely encounter more than 16,000 Lurking crocodiles. Toyol hoped he would sleep in a bunk high enough to avoid an encounter at night. One of the Half-Elves caught their attention. Colonel Xan Grimlock stood at 6 feet tall with broad shoulders, strong arms, powerful legs, pecks. In his uniform he appeared very intimidating. 

"Gantronese forces are still lurking in the areas north of our positions. Over a dozen cities chose to side with us. It is not clear how long they will be allies with us." Grimlock quickly addressed the newly arrived units. 

"That idea can also be applied to the tribes." one of the humans chimed in for the Colonel. 

"Thank you Major Clearague. Currently our coalition forces stationed 150,000-200,000. It is almost nothing compared to the Gantronese forces present. Other than Major Clearague these are Major Hortwith, Major Wallace, Captain Greenville, Captain Lethem, Captain Sir Klaus Steffan of Buhurt town. Before we send you into the jungle after a few days of rest the other settlements around Oceanrest Var are Dapesh, Urada, Shenmari, the others I cannot name at the moment. Let's settle you fuckers in for the night. Follow suit." Colonel Grimlock briefly filled in the new arrivals. 

Toyol and his unit followed the commanding officers further into the exterior boundaries of Oceanrest Var. Exhausted from their journey his unit appeared oblivious to their surroundings. In a mass herd of 882 newly arrived soldiers Toyol's unit was joining a force of 2,314 coalition personnel already present. Today they arrived with a force of 1,450 personnel who returned. Among their coalition they had others among their ranks. One large company of 348 volunteers from exiled Kilscar Orvain, Oramatra, Magesar, Oceanrest Var in dyed fatigues. Passing through Oceanrest Var his unit went around the markets through a few streets of mudbrick complexes, shell shaped homes, and workshops. Toyol never got a good look at the people as he was pushed to follow the rest. For four days their unit rested before moving out on patrol. Everything seemed normal until they reached what the Oceanrest Var peoples called their borders and outskirts. Marked by border poles connected by crisscrossing chain links, jagged smoothed sticks forming a face or symbol Oceanrest Var's boundaries had some Gantronese helmets on pikes or spears. 

In a smaller unit of 34 Toyol's larger unit split up to scout the area. Although their forces pushed the Gantronese away from the main city-states' borders bands of collaborators still prowled the area. Towards the middle of the patrol they found a unit of 441 armed warriors committed to honoring the fight against the Gantronese give chase to a unit of Goblins. Using the weapons the VUVR and Coalition gave them these warriors chase away 392 tunnelers who came from Kilscar Orvain's region. A long stretch from here, but that only meant collaborators still operated behind their lines. One of the veteran soldiers who returned with them, Sergeant Haizhe, told them the collaborators would often slip through their lines at night, or overrun positions held by volunteers. Although they did not go through the way they came their guides took through a checkpoint manned by a team of six warriors, and four coalition soldiers. For a few days they moved towards the front lines, which were not exactly well defined or marked in the Unknown Lands. According to Grimlock, Clearague, and their assigned commanding officer, a half-orc known as Colonel Blintz, their unit set out. With orders to prowl the area, collect any weapons, gear, equipment, ammunition on the ground from previous fights. Mainly jungle foliage, some unkept roads, marked tribal areas, abandoned outposts, villages with mixed allegiances, and neutral attitude. One of the villagers warned them of a Goblin Brigade in the area that works for the Gantronese. While searching for weapons, gear, equipment, and ammunition they found most of it were taken by the local tribes. Leaving them corpses, torn uniforms, helmets, used up magazines, straps, tin cans of rations, badges, banner poles, spades, utensils, dog tags, first aid kits, carabiners, broken rifles, canteens in various conditions, torn bandoliers these tribes took all the good stuff. Toyol realized going through these jungles and swamps would take some time in the year 1843. It would not belong before they entered the year of 1844.