Take a Bow

[Fable]

Winter 81 515 AV

The door, in and of itself, was unassuming. It was made of a simple, sturdy wood that was a hair lighter than the night sky. There was a practical brass knob and a solid frame, only it stood all on its own, nothing but the large plaza of stone surrounding it. In the spirit of Alvadas, or at the very least the spirit of what Alvadas had been, there was a playful, multi-hued triangle slapped onto the otherwise unremarkable wood. No matter the perspective, the shape seemed to stare back (and odd sort of feeling as the thing didn't have eyes to see), and while the door was, for all intents and purposes, just a door, it seemed like so much more.

It had appeared just like anything else, over night and without fanfare, but there was something very real about it. In fact, it was so real, it made everything else seem just a bit paler, just a bit off, just a bit less.

People gathered around it, their haggard patience tempered by the door's allure, but none stepped forward, not for a time. Few could remember when fear had been the predominate face worn by the carefree denizens of the city of illusion, and as they gazed at the door that gazed back at them, each considered their options. The door was what it was, but there was no doubt in anyone's mind that passing through it was a one way trip.

Alvads, however, could only be afraid for so long. Curiosity and imagination, those were the true virtues of the city's people, and slowly, investigations began. The door, once opened, revealed only the empty space behind it. Moving a limb through the space was as easy as doing so anywhere else, but as soon as the first young man poked his head through, he was gone, as if he had never existed at all. After that, investigations became rather fervent. Discoveries were made, and as the first bell chimed after the door's appearance, there were several "rules" that were posted within the color-shifting triangle.

1. You cannot pass through the door without a weapon.
2. You cannot pass through the door if you are severely wounded.
3. Children cannot pass through the door
4. Only one person can pass through the door at a time.
5. The door cannot be damaged by anything.
6. You leave, you don't come back.

Slowly, people began to gather once more, only this time, they came armed and with a glint to their gazes. The Zith were the first to leave, the only race that seemed able to pass through the door without adhering to the first rule. Not a single one of the winged men and women were left by the time the others began to file through, and after the initial shove, passage through the door became much less common. Those who had left, those who had remained, and those who were torn between decisions: choices were to be made.

Those who pass on the first day :

There was fire and shouting. The clash of metal and the visceral tearing of flesh reverberated around the battered streets of the once familiar city. Screams could be heard, both human and no so much, and the sky was filled a heady, dark haze, the scent of burning meat and a fetid, sour rot hung thick about the battleground. Bodies could be seen in the distance, though whether they were friendly or fearsome, a familiar, commanding voice pulled any and all attention to the surprisingly haggard appearance of The Silver Serpent. His voice rang clear, even from the rusty smears of blood that tarnished his immaculate skin and clothes. "Those who wish to fight, with me."

Immediately after him, the silky tones of The Sanguine Seamstress slid their way across the backs of those gathered. Her pale skin glistened, almost glowing amid the flickering fire's light. She was clad in dark leathers, elegant even with her hair tousled in a mess of fine white fibers and make-up blotched with soot and grime. "And those who do not would do best to come with me."

Those gathered split, some following behind the straight backed Serpent, who's eyes moved like a hawk's as he sped down the broken cobbles, the rest followed the Seamstress, who moved with an effortless grace but at a pace just as hastened.

The Serpent wove through the streets, his steps sure and steady. The sounds of fighting grew until a corner was turned that led into an open plaza were the living fought back against the undead. There were other creatures, dark and twisted, and the shouts of pain rose from man and animal alike. "Make your stand, and keep these creatures at bay. Do not allow them passage." With that, he hurried off, his footsteps quickly lost to the screams and roars of the fighting as the enemy descended upon them in yet another wave of seemingly endless brutality.

The Seamstress brought those who followed her to a small plaza. There were tents and cots set up, most of them occupied with the injured. Ionu's Mercy stood strong and proud amid the chaos, and people bustled into and out of it like ants, shouting and shoving to administer what aid they were able. "If you see a wound, dress it. If you don't know how, go find the Tailor. She will give you jobs he thinks you might be useful for." With a curt nod, the Symenestra headed into the Mercy, the mass of people splitting apart to allow her passage umimpeded before returning to their harried hustlings.

Those who pass through the second day :

It seemed the door opened to places at random. Sometimes, it placed a pair, other times a group of ten, but most times, it was just one person in one ally with only one way to go. All streets, however, seemed to lead to the same place: a camp, of sorts, where houses had had their walls taken down to allow easy access to their interiors. The plaza itself was set up with azure tents and where the narrow paths between them gave way to open space, there were cots lined up in even rows upon which the injured and dying lay. One could only look for so long before an order was barked or a job given. Those who could fight were quickly ferried away to the battlefield, while those who could not were put to use tending those who could do nothing.

The Seamstress and The Tailor presided over the affair. Other speakers roamed the camp, putting their skills to use where they could and offering support where they could not. Those who were guided along the cramped alleyways that wove their way through the city's heart, were met first with the sounds and smells of death, then with the flash of metal and splatter of crimson and obsidian. The dead had risen in more force than any could remember, and their tireless, clawing bodies proved a challenge for even the most seasoned of veterans.

Upon the battlefield, there were many commanders.

To the north, where the bulk of the undead seemed to crawl out of the broken streets and demolished buildings, Madara and Godric Craven held them back. Others were with them, but the two seemed to shimmer with the collective strength of the spirits they commanded.

To the east, Einar and Everard Craven fought back against those that trickled past the front lines, their forces bolstered by the sharp, commanding orders of the Serpent. Though less in volume, the creatures there were far more bestial, and certainly far too great a match for any one person.

To the west, Okana rode upon Thuk's mighty shoulders as the pair beat back the rotting hordes. Menna and her spirits kept the duo safe, the child's face fierce and defiant even in the face of such overwhelming odds. Those who surrounded them fought on, inspired by the Jamoura's roars, echoing his deep, rumbling cries with their own.

All throughout the battlefield, between the crumbling buildings and winding streets, there were smaller skirmishes. Bear kelvics mauled jawless, spear wielding abominations. Eypharians danced alongside one another, cutting down those in their path with effortless grace. Akalak struck back against those who sought to harm the few konti who knelt beside the wounded and dying. Pycons and akvatari, ethefael and jamoura, symenestra and dhani, all who called the city home fought to defend it in any way they could.

"Do not let them pass!" The chant echoed throughout the streets, bouncing from group to group as each raised a roaring greeting to its passing.

Alvadas was at war.

Player's Note:

If you would like to go through the door on the 81st or 82nd, please feel free to start threads depicting the passage. I'll be keeping and eye on them.

Please feel free to describe the fighting as you wish. Primarily, you will be fighting undead creatures, however there may be others among them. Please do not write interactions with NPCs that would normally require ST approval without first checking with Fable. Please feel free to make use of "one time" NPCs to assist your characters in the fray or in the camp, these will not require ST approval as long as their "skills" consist of at most one expert skill and a handful of competent ones. Most of all, however, have fun! Expose your characters to situations you might never had thought of before, and don't be afraid to take risks. If you feel as thought your character may be in a tight spot, please don't hesitate to send me a pm and ask for a random intervention! If there are any NPCs you would like to know the whereabouts of, please post their names in my office, and I will try to add them in to the updates as this even progresses.

Good luck!

Aislyn, if you plan to leave through the door, please PM me. You will have a separate prompt.

[Fable]

Questions!

If any of you have questions regarding this event, please first check here to see if it has already been answered. If it has not been answered, please PM Fable. I will try to add any and all questions as they come!

81 and 82

☣ "The whole of the city seems to have become a repeating loop of houses and the Bizarre" Does this mean inns are missing as well? Is the Bizarre now the only source of food for people who don't have food stockpiled in their houses? ☣

No, the inns are included. Basically, the only business is the bazaar. All others aren't accessible or present. Food is where you can find it, though there is food to be bought in the bazaar.

☣ Will we just find blank wood/stone/whatever where the doorways to the underground would normally be? ☣

The doors and other portals will lead to mundane locations: cellars, alleys, rooms and homes etc. They will still exist, just they won't lead to the underground like before.

4)What's in the middle of the city 61-80? Is that where the bizarre is? Does that mean we can pretty reliably find the bizarre by following the circle inwards?

There is just an empty plaza of cobbled stone in the middle of the city. The Bazaar and any and all other locations are placed on the perimeter.

☣"Only one person may pass through at a time." Would this prohibit PCs from roleplaying through the door prompt together? Would characters end up in different situations no matter what? ☣

You can only pass through one at a time, but you can end up with other people on the other side; to clarify: only one person can physically pass through the door at a time, it never is wide enough to allow more than one person to comfortably walk through. ICly it's random, but I have no issue of people want to explore the city together and get placed in the same area as another PC.

☣ Would it be possible for PCs to meet up within apocalypse land, or is this a personal-quest sort of thing assisted by NPCs? ☣

You are free to navigate the city and meet whomever you wish within reason. As a note I should have added, the illusions don't seem to be working in the city beyond the twisting, maze like streets.

☣ Are 'the undead' literal zombies? Could someone a person recognizes be dead-ified? ☣

They are undead. Some are probably human corpses, others are amalgams of animals and other races. There are creatures made out of rotting sludge, boney skeletal fiends, and anything else you can think of that might rise from the dead (again, within the continuity of Mizahar). If you're feeling you may be pushing the "undead" trope, feel free to send a pm my way to see if it's not too wild, but don't be afraid to have a little fun!

☣ Are the the other monsters monster from the lore, or do they tend to inherit traits from animals but just more monstery, or is this another "whatever gross thing you can imagine" thing? ☣

They can be from lore, but most of them are going to be nightmarish, undead things that people haven't seen before. (Think undead bears with human heads and spider legs or just... crabs, because crabs are kind of scary to me)

☣ "Not a single one of the winged men and women were left by the time the others began to file through" Should we assume this doesn't apply to any zith or half zith pc in Alvadas? ☣

This is just for those Zith who migrated to the city at the beginning of the season. Any pre existing Alvad zith, NPC or PC, isn't included in that first movement.

☣ How do buildings work in this battlefield? Are the disappeared buildings here? Are people's houses here? Should we just assume this is like regular Alvadas but with zombies? ☣

Buildings are static. For the time being, unless a specific building is described in the main plot line, assume it's still missing. Most of the houses will appear as if they've been deserted for at least a season, though some may have valuables in them. The streets, however, have become like a labyrinth. They still "move", but it's now on a daily basis at their fastest.

☣ Can we go in these buildings? Can we loot people's homes? ☣

You can go in them and you can loot them, just keep in mind you'll need somewhere to store the goods. Also there are zombies so. Good luck.

☣ Can we go to the underground from the battlefield? Maybe more importantly, would that be a very very bad idea? What would have happened to people in the underground when it disappeared? ☣

The underground, currently, is unavailable. It will become accessible within the coming updates of the main plot, so keep an eye on Take a Bow! Details on how dangerous it will be and what to expect will be released at a later date as well.

☣ Is the Alvad's home base on the south side of the city, or in the middle? Are the hoards of undead coming mainly from the north, or from all sides? ☣

The base camp is in the south. It's mostly surrounded by the city's wall, while the battlefield is technically in the middle of the city. More accurate geographical information will be released this weekend with the next update to the main plot.

☣ What would one see if one used auristics to study the door, the "cracks in reality" or the undead? ☣

It would look similar to what one might see if one saw an illusion flicker: a lapse of strength or a wobble in reality. The undead are up to you, but keep in mind their djed and auras are twisted but not necessarily unnatural.

☣ How are the people in the battlefield getting food? Is there like a food area thing, mess hall, or whatever? ☣

Food and any other supplies can be found in the base camp. There will be more information released on that this weekend as well, but I can drop a hint that it will be a withering read.

☣ How closely are the speakers organizing the battlefields? Are people fighting them back in waves, or is it like "fight til you drop from exhaustion or until you decide you've had enough for now"? Are there organised lines of people ferrying the wounded back to the base camp? ☣

The only Speakers that are organizing things to an extensive degree are the Serpent and the Seamstress. The others are doing what they can, be it fighting, tending the wounded, or navigating the mazes to lead people to and from the fight. Currently, they're in the midst of the first wave, so it's pretty much just chaos. If you choose to fight at the front with Godric and Madara, that's the most organized fighting and those two are barking out orders through their ghosts. Everywhere else is more "fight or flight". There are people ferrying the wounded back and bringing reinforcements when they arrive, but there is no organized system currently.

☣ I am not a good fighter, but I does have a natural racial advantage in running. Could I approach a speaker like "hey do u need a guy to run from battlefield to battlefield"? Would they take me up on it ?☣

This one I leave up to you. If Alvads are fighting back zombie hordes and someone has a way to make it easier, I will let you use your own digression to decide how someone wild respond to that. The Serpent and the Seamstress as well as the other "generals" in the main areas of fighting would be too busy to handle that sort of thing though, just as a disclaimer.

☣ Are the undead vulnerable to poison? Can we kill them just the same way we can kill normal peeps? Or is it a "go for the head thing?" ☣

It would depend on how much flesh is there, but any undead that seem to rely on sense may be affected by poison. Fire is always effective for most undead as are weapons and armor infused with soul mist. Depending on te creatures you develop as you're fighting (or running), please feel free to assign logical weaknesses as well.

☣ What counts as a weapon? What if someone was a master of unarmed combat? My face is as dangerous as any weapon, does that count? ☣

Whatever can be wielded as a weapon counts as a weapon. It's dependent on what the character views as a weapon, so an unarmed combatant could pass, but only if they truly believe their fists to be weapons, that sort of thing.

☣ Do the undead have weapons? What kind? How intelligent are they? Is there any organization among their ranks or are they just raaaar smashing into our ranks? ☣

This varies. There are some intelligent undead and some smash and bashers. This will be up to you. There will be more information revealed as the main plot progresses.

☣ How aware are they? What senses do they rely on? Can they be tricked into traps? Or snuck past? ☣

Again, variable, however the more expensive "grunts" are typically not confused by illusions or tricks, as they sort of just run at you, though this also means they can be "tricked" in the sense of using their simplicity against them.

☣ Are they actually rotting? How well could Rey smell them in his Dhani form? Do they give off body heat? ☣

Some are, some not so much. Again, variable, but I think a dhani or kelvic would have no trouble smelling them if they could get over the smoke, blood, burning, etc of a battlefield.

☣ Do they feel pain? Can they be scared? Or do we have to kill them to stop them? ☣

Some feel pain, but the majority probably won't be cowed and will kill or be killed.

☣ Can we do this the walking dead style and cover ourselves in blood to become one of them? ☣

It would be a tactic that would probably work with the less intelligent, more instinctual undead. Those that have a little more wit to them or that use their sight to hunt would probably not be fooled by that.

☣ Where do the people sleep? Just anywhere they can cram themselves in basecamp? Or in the nearby houses? ☣

There is room in the Southern Bastion to sleep on the ground, but there are still houses that line the labyrinth of streets. If you can find a way inside them, you can sleep there as well. Some of the houses have had their doors and walls torn down, so there is that option as well. So... Both!

☣ Does the fighting continue all night? ☣

It slows at night, but people run the risk of being killed in their sleep if they don't have someone keeping an eye out!

☣ Roughly how many people are in the battlefield/at base camp, and how many can we expect to be injured by the second day? ☣

On the first day, there are about 1,000. On the second things get a bit better organized, and it's around 900.

☣ Where do the dead get tossed/stored/burned? ☣

If you mean the undead, their corpses are used to block off alleys if they can. If you mean Alvads, there is a designated corner of the Southern Bastion's plaza for the dead. At the end of the 82nd, there still isn't a clear plan as to what to do with them.

☣ It being rather late into winter, would apocalypse-Alvadas be as cold as regular Alvadas would be? I know that snow is possible in regular Alvadas, but in the apocalypse would everything be too on-fire for weather to really be a factor? ☣

Alvad winters are typically warm and pleasant due to Ionu's and the city's influence. However, as the illusions don't seem to be very active on the battleground, the weather is going to be a bit colder than usual. Fires are lit half for their use against the undead and half for the benefit of warmth. The "circular" Alvadas behind the door, however, is still temperate.

☣ Are zombies affected by the cold or the heat? ☣

The cold will slow them. Fire is effective against almost all of the undead, but be advised setting them aflame will whip many of them into a frenzy before they expire.

☣ Are listeners/silencers still prevalent when the Speakers disappear, even if they’re unseen? ☣

Yes! Though Unspoken are preoccupied, the Listeners are still out and about. They just don't have anyone to talk to.

☣ I’d like to think of the shadows form ’The Man Behind the Curtain’ as escaped reflections from the House of Broken Mirrors. Would the reflections act like those in the House; IE changing based on who viewed them, or are they the same shadowy figures for everyone? ☣

The latter. They're far more ominous than the more whimsical escaped reflections, but if you're wanting to write in an interaction with them showing up...

☣ On a similar note, are the reflective surfaces themselves affected by having a shadow in it? For example, a PC attempts to investigate a strange shadow in a puddle on the street by disrupting the reflection, only to be pulled in? ☣

The shadows aren't something you can physically interact with. Think of them as time wraiths: they exist in a parallel universe where only a vague image of what they are can be seen in the mirror link between the two worlds. This isn't a canon explanation, but it helps me, personally, visualize them better. They can be seen in any reflective surface (smooth metal, puddles, mirrors, glass, eyes, etc.)

☣ Do injuries gained during the events of Take a Bow count in regards to ‘sustain an illusion inflicted injury’? ☣

No.

☣ What are the supplies like in the Southern Bastion on the first day versus the second? Quanity/quality/demand/etc. Where are they coming from? Voodoo magic? In which case are the people doing the voodoo magic open to teaching ? ☣

Supplies! For the time being, assume there is no shortage of supplies unless otherwise indicated. I understand that that may not be the best answer, but keep any eye out. As for voodoo magic, no. There are no supplies coming in through voodoo magic. Not yet. (Though magic teaching of any kind would need to be approved via myself if you're running it through an NPC. )

☣ Would a short interaction with a NPC such as Menna warrant moderation, if only for a post? A short interaction being a mention of a PC conversing with them, even if what exactly the NPC said was not explicitly stated. ☣

That is fine. The moderation restrictions are more to limit players having NPC do things for them rather than collaborating with other PCs or making use of their own skills. For the sake of story, you may use minor interactions with the restricted NPCs. If, for whatever reason, you feel it may be questionable, please PM me! I'd much rather know where you're coming from than to stumble upon it with a disappointed frown.

☣ What cuts off the people at the Eastern Advance from the Southern Bastion? Are they surrounded by undead, or do buildings form a barrier? What’s to stop undead from working their way around? ☣

[81 - 82) The alleys rearrange themselves so that nothing can pass. The undead are, for the time being, in front of them. Technically, only the buildings and the Eastern Advance are there to stop undead. You may do what you like with that information.

☣ If there is a source to the infection, is the infection actually contagious, patient zero kind of style? Can it affect those still living? I'm holding onto my hopes for the zombie apocalypse. ☣

I am sad to dash your hopes, but if you are bitten, you're not going to turn. However, you might find some vaguely familiar faces among the undead hordes. Insert ominous music here.

☣ Is the issue with what-to-do-with-the-dead a PC-solvable problem? Could I just suggest a mass cremation and that somehow not be an idea someone else has already thought of? ☣

Burning flesh, bone, and hair is a pretty unpleasant scent. Keep in mind that a large part of the camp is being used to treat the wounded, and it's difficult to move and operate with a smoking pyre of the dead in the middle of everything. At this point, most of the dead are concentrated on the actual battlefield. The wounded that have passed are relatively small in number (think 50s - 100s). This entire event, however, is designed to be PC influenced. Anything you believe you're character might do can have a large or small impact depending.

☣ Are weapons and ammunition (arrows and bolts) readily available to those fighting? Would what ammunition that can be found be of the normal kind, or would things like flaming or whistling arrows be available? ☣

Typical, mundane ammunition is readily available. Fancy kinds can be crafted by your PC or by a meaningful NPC interaction, but they are not stockpiled and ready to be taken. If you're fighting, however, people are going to want to help you, especially in the camp where most of the NPCs are either injured or not combat oriented.

[Fable]

Quick Reference Guide

In hindsight, I realize there are details you need as writers that are difficult to get out in snapshots of what's going on! Please do keep in mind, creative solutions are encouraged, but they do need to be within the scope of your skill levels.

Also as a note! This is OOC information meant to help give some structure to you all as players. The actual organization by "rank" isn't even in the slightest military. People listen to the people they feel like they should be. Remember, Alvadas isn't a military power; most of its people have no concept of "generals" or "flanks" or any of that, they're mostly just doing what they can to help out!

Day 81 and 82 :

☣ The Northern Front ☣

"Leaders": Madara Craven ; Godric Craven
Primary Goal: Push back the brunt of the undead and force them to funnel through the streets to the East and West.
"Forces": There should be about 3,000 - 4,000 people here, with about three quarters manning the lines at any time. They are the farthest "unit" from the base camp to the south, so there is a very small "camp" in the immediate area for people to rest, eat, and be very sick if they need to be.
Summary: Forcing the undead into "waves", archers thin the lines while melee combatants cut down the rest. Godric is able to keep the front lines safe, for the most part, for about half of the 82nd, however he overexerts himself and must retire, leading to an increase in injuries by the end of the day. Madara personally executes anyone who tries to push past the boundaries she and Godric have set with soulmist, as she doesn't need people in the way and anyone not willing to listen to her will quickly find their souls torn to shreds, living or undead. For the most part, they are able to form a wall of undead corpses, making it difficult for the advancing forces to climb them. Fighting in this area is one of volume: the enemies aren't particularly strong, but there are a lot of them! Make sure not to get overwhelmed, because if you do, chances are no one will be able to help you!

☣ The Western Guard ☣

"Leaders": Okana ; Thuk ; Menna
Primary Goal: To defend the largest path towards the southern camp
"Forces": There are about 2,000 - 2,500 people here, with about 1,000 fighting at any given time. They are the closest "unit" to base camp and do not have any sort of temporary camp set up.
Summary: Okana as the mind and Thuk as the muscle, the pair lead a smaller, more technically advanced group of fighters against the more agile and difficult to combat undead. These include larger, behemoth type creatures, sludge based monstrosities, and the more limber undead who are able to wield weapons. Menna and her ghosts are able to keep the majority of the most dangerous undead at bay, but even she isn't able to kill them. Near the end of the day, things start to look dark and their forces are pushed back, losing valuable ground. Pushing past the front line has no dire consequences other than the extreme danger the undead there pose.

☣ The Eastern Advance ☣

"Leaders": Einar and Everard Craven ; The Serpent
Primary Goal: To find the source of the infection and destroy it
"Forces": There are around 2,000 people here with scattered skirmishes typically consisting of anywhere from 2 to 20 people in total per undead. As this "unit" is more focused on pressing back, injured are either left behind or dragged back to base camp or stored in various houses that are available to hide them from the undead hordes.
Summary: Though not the most martially inclined, The Serpent uses his silver tongue to guide and direct the flow of battle. Einar and Everard take the head of the unit, tearing apart what they can and pressing forward to leave what remain for those taking up the rear. While the east has, by far, the least amount of undead, the creatures are incredibly dangerous and can easily overpower a single person. Teamwork is key, and the twins perform beautifully. They manage to push past the relative line of where the Northern Front is located, setting up a temporary camp by the end of the night. The city seems to favor them, as the streets behind them shift around the 18th bell when all the undead are routed from the area, leaving them effectively stranded but keeping the base camp safe.

☣ The Southern Bastion ☣

"Leaders": The Seamstress ; The Tailor ; Raenah Duval
Primary Goal: To mend and protect the wounded
"Forces": At the beginning of the 81st, about 100, by the end of the 82nd, around 2,500. Of the final 2,500, caretakers and laborers number around 400. People are constantly sent into the battlefield to deliver supplies and, if they can, bring the wounded back.
Summary: The Seamstress oversees those at Ionu's Mercy, tending to the most desperate cases and leaving those with more minor injuries to everyone else. The Tailor organizes work within the camp, but does not have any particular plan for those coming and going, instead focuses on maintaining clean medical supplies and making sure inventory is taken every half chime. Raenah and the Withering Rose serve as the mess hall, the classy establishment is effectively gutted for the time being, with the main wall torn down so that people are easily able to enter and leave without the use of the small door. People are assigned a plethora of jobs from cooking and cleaning to performing minor surgeries, almost all without much prior experience.

- Things to Take Note of in General -

☣ On the 81st, fighting is chaotic and far less regulated. There are also not nearly as many undead.

☣ By the 82nd, things are relatively organized, however there are still areas all over the city where undead seem to have crept it. The eastern side of the city, however, is clear of undead as Einar and Everard's team cut through them by the end of the day.

☣ The Southern Bastion is chaotic, but there is plenty of room to maneuver. Front walls of homes are torn down to provide easy access space, and the plaza that it's situated in has more than enough room for 5,000 to 6,000 people to lay down comfortably in. The Withering Rose, Ionu's Mercy, and a large freshwater spring are the main landmarks of the area.

☣ Undead at the Western Guard tend to either be strong and slow or fast but relatively weak.

☣ Undead at the Eastern Advance tend to powerful, though their size varies from "medium" to "massive". They are not the most clever, however, and can be taken down relatively easy with group tactics.

☣ Undead at the Northern Front are relatively weak but many in number. Retreating from the front lines is not only possible but encourage when one runs the risk of being overrun.

☣ "Heroics" at the Northern Front are discouraged to the point of actual execution via ghosts.

☣ If you plan to help the Eastern Advance, be advised if you do not return to the Southern Bastion before the end of the 82nd, you will be cut off from the main path near the end of the day.

☣ Any race actively fighting against the undead faces zero discrimination from other Alvads. If you're not undead, you're an ally and therefore an asset. The more bestial races (Dhani, Zith, Charodae, Jamoura, etc.) are actually welcomed over anything else.

☣ The paths to the East and West are relatively clear, with only a few instances of undead popping up. To get to the North, however, there are many more undead that have slipped past and funnel more towards the West than the East. There is no direct patch from the Southern Bastion to the Northern Front at this time, you must either first head West or East and wrap back to the North. Keep in mind that one the path to the East closes, the only way is past the Western Guard, which is still about a half mile from where the main forces are fighting. (To clarify, the turnoff to the Northern Front from the Western Guard is well before where the Western Guard is actually situated, even after they lose ground by the end of the 82nd)

☣ Finally: If you're not skilled in medicine, combat, cooking, or any of those things... This is the time to learn! In base camp, there are chefs, doctors, and many other skilled NPCs that you can make use of to help your characters learn and assist their fellow Alvads. On the battlefield, there are teachers and mentors alike, all willing to train on the go as you combat the hordes. If you're nervous about your characters not being able to do anything, don't be. The roaming undead between the Northern Front and the East and West are dangerous, but they can be killed by novices as they are relatively mindless. Take risks and don't be afraid to get a little down and dirty! If you feel like you've written yourself into a corner, send me a PM and ask for a little intervention. Do note that that doesn't necessarily mean an Akalak in shining leather is going to swoop in and save you, but something certainly will happen!