Stradia: Gathering Storm
 

A grey, overcast sky blanketed the quiet village of Gole. Normally, it was a simple town with an economy fueled by lumber. However, everything was more hectic. It had been eight days since the northeastern villages of Ateria and Socre were attacked by a Venurian army. Farmers and workers from the countryside had temporarily pitched tents closer to the village as they worked vigorously to reinforce the walls and gates as best as possible.

The inner village was no more than one square kilometre in size, enough to contain all the essential buildings and several homes. Dozens of farms and cabins were built along the outskirts, with ample farmland east of the village, and the treasured forest of Gole to the west. Five hundred humans, dwarves, and elves lived in close proximity to the village, and about two thousand lived in the entire region.

Four days after the attack, word had already reached Midgaard via scrying pool. The decree was official, and messages were sent to the four closest villages to Gole (along with Gole itself) to mobilize a militia. The militia would act as a temporary barrier against the invaders as the Kenshurian army mobilized from their garrison in the southern regions of the continent.

The survivors of the Ateria and Socre attacks could say little about the invading force, since they had fled with half a day's headstart. They could only assume any last-minute attempts at escape were cut short by the enemy. It would only be a matter of days before the invaders would reach the next closest village: Gole.

***

Gorn Altreas, Elder of the Village of Gole and respected magician of Kenshuria, addressed the figures in the dim-lit town hall. Two of the figures took their seats near Gorn at the head of the long, oak table. The aging magician nodded to his faithful advisors before looking back to the other eight figures, which had randomly dispersed themselves around the room.

"I have sent scouts north. They should return tommorrow, and we will soon know the fate of this village. I've called you all here because you are the most capable warriors we have at our disposal." Gorn stood up and started pacing back and forth between the large fireplace behind his seat. "Four hundred people have come to Gole since Midgaard decreed the formation of the militia. But, eager as they may be, most of them are common farmers and workers. Most have never even wielded a weapon."

Gorn started walking slowly down the table, looking into the eyes of the various people in the room. He smiled as he passed Elmric, Durin, and Aieris, he had watched them grow up over his long years as Elder.

"I am entrusting the defense of the village to whomever will take it. Those warriors may be eager, but they still need captains. I suggest you all take the next few hours to get to know each other and the village. There is still work to be done; Weapons must be forged, walls and gates must be reinforced, early battle plans must be prepared. I will be organizing the other citizens and readying an escape route if it is necessary. Good luck, everyone. I will be around the village if you need me."

***

OOC: As stated in the text, Gole is pretty small. Specifically, there is an Inn/Tavern, a stablehouse (which houses 100 horses), two blacksmiths (both operated by relatives of Elmric and Durin), a masonry building, and a town hall. The rest of the buildings are either houses or warehouses/storehouses. There is a very large bonfire in the center of the village (just outside the town hall), often used for outdoor festivities or town meetings, and plenty of other, smaller bonfires are burning continually outside other buildings.

Gole has thin, nine foot tall wooden walls surrounding the main village (several houses lie outside the walls). There are two heavy wooden gates at the north and south midpoints of the village, allowing easy entrance on either side for caravans, travellers, etc. Gole also has four watchtowers, two on the sides of each gate. The watchtowers are three stories high, composed of wood and stone. The tower is fairly open concept, everything is wide open so the sentry can view 360 degrees while on top of the tower (so, no arrow slits).

As also mentioned, there are 400 members of the militia, not including you guys. There are 375 below average melee warriors and 25 average archers. Should you elect to become a captain of the militia, you'll be in command of a fair share of warriors/archers. Should you elect to do otherwise...well...do otherwise. Take this time for character introductions (mandatory!) and battle plans (optional, but recommended).

Elmric stood up after the Elder finished his speech and stretched lightly in his brown shirt and tunic. "Well Durin, looks like we'll be working our fingers to the bone for the next few days making weapons and armor. Are you up to the task? I know it's been awhile since you've had to forge anything since your brother has been working for you...but I think we can handle it. If you need any help with technique, just tell me..because it's important that we make these as strong as possible to withstand the coming horde."

Elmric looked over to the Elder, "Would it be permitted, if I was a captain, to see about bringing along a few priests from my order? Fighters are good and all, but I like to have a bit of holy guardianship assisting me. Especially since I follow Avelia and his lesser known brother, Lak'nizar the Wise, so closely. I personally believe that even a few clerics could help turn the tide in our favor."

Aieris watched as Elmric stood, and laid out his plans for the coming battle. As he completed his request to the Elder, Aieris leaned back in the chair, stretching her black-clad arms behind her head and crossing her legs.

"I understand we have some mediocre archers. Would you object if, in the few days before the Venurians arive, i try to give them some basic training? In a seige of the town, archers will be most important, and should we retreat, they are very good for long ranged attacks."

Turning to Elmric and Durin, she uncrossed her legs, and leaned forward, laying her arms on her legs as she spoke again.

"And as for you two. I'm not entirely sure what we're going to be facing when an assault does come, but I want arrowheads. Most of the archers we already have can probably be taught to fletch the arrows themselves, but you two will need to get us a fairly large supply of heads if we're going to attempt to fend off any attacks. Broadhead are probably easiest to make, so make those, even though they are less effective."

Standing from the chair, she turned to the Elder to finish her speech.

"That's all I can think of, Elder, but I will follow where you lead. If you think my time would be better spent somewhere else, then so be it."

As she finished, she sat down again, crossing her legs and preparing to wait for the impromptu council to end.

Remaining seated Glim turns to Elmric, "As far as getting weapons and armor goes, I should be able to help. And as to the upcoming fight, I have no desire to lead people, but if it comes to it, I will." with that he leaned back in his chair, waiting for what would happen next.

Elmric turned to Aieris for a moment, "I'll make the narrow head, long point arrows. I do a lot of that sort of work for the overzealous hunters. Though, I'll still make broad heads in case we run out of narrow headed arrows or the heads don't turn out quite right. Though, if we're going to be working together, I'd at least like to know your name. I'm Elmric Bremith, one of the two blacksmiths, and a Paladin in the service of Avelia."

Gorn took very little time to respond to the flurry of questions, requests, and ideas. As he smiled and leaned against his beautifully crafted oak chair, he spoke first to Elmric and Durin.

"Healers and priests are always welcome, Elmric. But I fear they may not have enough time to arrive at Gole before the Venurians are upon us." He glanced at Glim as he said this now. "Blacksmithing is important, I can trust Durin and Elmric to aid in that task. If you also possess similar talents, please, we need all the help we can get, as fast as we can get it."

Gorn then turned to Aieris. "Train them all you want. You are the most skilled archer in Gole, they would do good to learn from you. Perhaps you could take charge of archery positions around the town and in the watchtowers?"

The aging elf raised his hands and addressed the entire room now. "Consider Gole's meagre facilities to be completely at your disposal. I am giving each of you permission to become a captain of the militia and command several dozen warriors, should you choose to accept it. When the scouts return, I will call upon each of you again for a second council."

With this, Gorn started to make his way to the exit.

"Hold a moment, Gorn." Durin calls from his seat. Gorn stops at the door and turns with a smile.

Durin turns to respond to Elmric, "Its been ages since I've worked at a forge." Durin shifts in his chair to face the Gorn again. "If ye think I'll be of better use inna forge, then so be it. However, I believe I can strengthen our defences best if given some time with our walls."

Durin grips the handle of his axe. "As for the militia... I might be able to show 'em a thing or two about swingin' an axe."

Durin scans over the room to guage the responces to his suggestions.

Standing and walking towards Elmric, Aieris takes a moment to curtsy, black skirts held wide, before responding to his query

"My name is Aieris Adelphie, nice to meet you all. As for the arrows, do what you can, the more the better. For now, I had better head out and see what i can make of the archers we have. If any of you need me, I will be trying to find them."

As Aieris moved to the door, the previously silent huntsman standing next to it bowed slightly and asked: "May I accompany you, lady? I may not have much experience in war, but I have hunted long enough to know a thing or two about good shooting."

Elmric nods towards Aieris before she began to move towards the door. "I'll be in my forge if you need me." Elmric walked out the door and across the street to his forge, and stoked the fires a bit, before stripping off his shirt so he could work easier. He took a piece of metal off of a rack to the side, and slid it into the fire, letting it get malleable before he sat it on his anvil, and broke off pieces into smaller arrowheads with his hammer. After he had about twenty heads sitting in front of him, he began to work them into longer, sharper tips.