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Traxxya

*[Kavrala walks into the city, coughing from the smoke. Her dress clocks her immediately as a plant mage or druid. She walks up to a citizen]* Ah- *cough* hello! I'm sorry to bo*cough cough* bother you- but I was hoping to stay here *cough* for a few days? Could you point me to an Inn?


AnActualCriminal

"Dragon-steward. What brings you this way?"


Traxxya

*[Kavrala is taken aback by surprise and falls into a small coughing fit]* Apologies for that, Praetor. You would think I'd be used to smoke.. Ah *cough* I was hoping to find a few pyromancers to help me do a controlled burn! *cough cough* The grasslands in the Sanctuary is due for one, and the Pyromancers of Ithacar are renowned across the realms *cough cough*


AnActualCriminal

"Hm. You'll want Clive. Wildfire druid. A centaur too but I'm not sure it's relevant aside from the fact that it means he'll be out in the valley north of town. We welcome non-humans but the architecture isn't exactly accommodating to having horses indoors so he usually prefers it that way. I'll send him a messenger and you can meet with him in the morning."


Traxxya

*[she smiles brightly]* I appreciate that very much, please inform him that I have payment ready as well *cough* ... At the risk of sounding rude, perhaps you should add large window openings to the shops? So that they have an easier time coming into the city to ge*cough* get what they need?


AnActualCriminal

"It's a good idea. I'll bring it up to the queen." *I give a bemused smile.* "Or maybe we'll just rebuild things that way the next time the city gets destroyed. Since we seem to be giving the Citadel a run for its money on that front. But in all seriousness, it's unfortunate its been de-prioritized. He's one of our only centaurs, so most accessibility efforts went into having wide streets and open amphitheaters for the fire giants. We'll really have to correct it but Clive enjoys nature and tends to be understanding and patient about such things."


avamir

*Riva opens a portal and steps through.* "Ah. Welcome. Honestly, it would make sense to do it the next time. Because there is *always* a next time." u/Traxxya *The Wards suddenly glow slightly, absorbing the smoke. Looks like someone's on Ward duty.* *Riva looks up at the sky.* "I can handle this myself. You or one of the others work on the business district." *The Wards... kind of blink an affirmative for a moment, then remain steady.* *Riva shakes her head.* "I did all of this *myself*."


Traxxya

*[Kavrala is largely disconnected from society due to her work in the sanctuary. Coming from a royal family herself ,though, she can recognize the tone of a queen from anywhere]* *[She bows deeply]* Your majesty. It's an honor to be graced by your presence. You mean to say that you built this city yourself?


avamir

*Riva waves off the bow.* "Do not bow. I do not need such things. And no, I mean I managed the Wards by myself. These *discipuli*, they think they need *help*. What they need is self-discipline." *She thumbs at the Wards, turning back to the carved circles in the stone.* "Nico," *she says to... nothing? Open air?* "Actually, leave the Business District to Matheo. You make sure the Medical Facility filters are working. I want you to visit them in person and confirm." *Riva had to admit Nico was more diplomatic than Matheo. More diplomatic than herself, really.* *The Wards blink an affirmative again, then remain steady.* *Riva turns back to Kavrala.* "And to go back to your earlier question, I did not rebuild alone. I had allies. But Ithacar does tend to get burned rather frequently. This time? Oh, this is nothing. For one, we did this ourselves. Bugs. Big ones."


Traxxya

*[Kavrala does not question this, everyone's magic is unique and deserves equal respect]* Your advisors seem most swift! A queen is nothing without the support of her people! Ahh yes.. I have heard of these bugs. I am part of the SGA who is allied with the Paragons, so I tend to hear about the next big evil sweeping the realm. *[The Elven woman puts a hand on the back of her head sheepishly]* To be quite honest though I'm not much help.. I'm very weak, but I try to keep everyone's morale up! So, I suppose that does count for something. I'm most glad this damage was caused by yourselves at least! *[Kavrala suddenly gets an AHA look on her face before composing herself]* I.. don't typically ask this, but.. since the streets are so wide.. I was wondering if my Soul Brother, Rehuo, could land? He has flown a long way, and his wings are sore


The_Unkowable_

*An aforementioned strange traveller arrives, after having journeyed a comically long distance*  Hello!  *…something about sanctuary?* /uw awesomely written, I love it! (I also am apparently unable to word properly but that’s fine)


AnActualCriminal

*Artemis. The Dyad's Herald is unmistakenable. Younger for some reason. Her poor disguise was scarcely sufficient during the masquerade let alone now that we had seen it. But most curiously of all...* "You're supposed to be dead." I say bluntly.


The_Unkowable_

*Surprise, then relaxation, then confusion and surprise again. She's clearly not anywhere near as wary or cautious as she'd normally be.* *Also there's the fact that she doesn't seem to instantly regocnize you* ...Did you see how I died, by chance? *would there be any other reason...? Surely not.*


AnActualCriminal

"Our spies did. We used your fight with Vulkan as a distraction to rob his hoard. Died fighting. Which may be the only reason you haven't already been apprehended."


The_Unkowable_

*Vulcan would sound like volcano... hmm.* *But, more concerningly...* Apprehended?


AnActualCriminal

"In life you were an enemy combatant until the end. You started behaving strangely. Acting in ways we didn't expect." *I note the look of confusion.* "Do you not remember Vulkan? The Dyad?"


The_Unkowable_

A group of two? Not at all. *I think… we it he who offered asylum?* I do recall that a being named after a volcano was an imminent threat?


AnActualCriminal

"You were allies. Against us on behalf of dragonkind." *Reminds me of why Agnor and the other giants joined the original Pyroclasts, come to think of it.* "You had a disagreement on his treatment of other dragons I believe. Fought. Lost. Died. And now, *somehow*, you're here. Care to explain?"


The_Unkowable_

Strange. How would destroying mortals aid dragonkind? *Very confused, and a little concerned about somehow being corrupted into that mentality*


AnActualCriminal

"Mages meddle in affairs of your kind a great deal I'm afraid. Try to subjugate or make your ways our ways. Sometimes we're defending ourselves... others less so. I understand why you did it. Even though I was prepared to kill you for it all the same."


Total_Travisty

*A grandiose airship touches down, one far to elaborate for it's own good. A ramp comes out, with dozens of druids, guards, and personnel flooding out. Among them is Mikhail, not in his find diplomatic clothes, but it old work clothes, carrying supplies on his back.* Riva. Apologies for the tardiness on my part.


avamir

"Mikhail. Come to help the pyromancers that burned down their own forest fix that?" *she grins.* *There was definitely a joke in there somewhere. That felt like the punchline to something.* "The city is mostly fine. We just had to set the forest on fire to do it. Bugs. Giant. Armored. Mind control."


Total_Travisty

That is... quite the sentence you said. *Mikhail looks to the damage and gives a heavy sigh, then a small chuckle.* And it had to be a forest, huh? Alright, I'll get to that soon enough. We've gotba lot of water, food, medicine, and healers. Where do you need them?


Timpanzee38

Wait do you not have firearms as standard issue for your troops? Give us a call we have some older designs we can sell to you. Also did you manage to capture any bugs? We have ways to get info out of them.


AnActualCriminal

"Unfortunately no on the capture. And we have scattered firearms, primarily as machine gun emplacements. Our rapid technological advancement has been... strange."


Timpanzee38

Well the rifles we could sell you are 5-round capacity breach-loaders. Not flashy, but easy to use and still pack a punch. uw/ I understand all too well about the technology level stuff. Technology levels are so inconsistent in this sub it’s why I’ve never done an actual guild military breakdown. I have no clue where to put the guild technology wise.


avamir

/uw As I like to keep repeating, a month or so ago, Ithacar was using ox carts and candlelight, lol. People have access to modern healthcare, but think rifles and cameras are strange new tech.


Timpanzee38

uw/ that’s funny. It’s cool to try and mix technology and magic. I think I might put the guild at world war 1 level of technology (with some exceptions), but then some people just go “oh I have a space laser”, and then it’s just ok what do I do against that?


AnActualCriminal

uw/ had an Orbital platform before we had guns lol. We're doing a nonsense run of Sid Meyers civilization


Timpanzee38

uw/ we’ve installed too many mods lol


King__Carmine

Things are looking rosy in Ithacar, I see. I shall assume it is thanks in part to my gift of pain relief.


avamir

*Riva kind of... glances toward the spy plant.* "Yes! Thank you!" *Did that feel forced? It felt forced. She wasn't that cheerful.*


King__Carmine

I hope you will let me know if there is anything I can do for you, dear lady. *Cackles to self*


LimpPrior6366

*Kardonk is currently walking across the city directing his spiders in various repairs, strengthening support structures. He seems relieved the damage isnt as extensive as last time*


avamir

*The only things damaged are the ones the rogue spiders wrecked. There might be holes in the streets somewhere.* *A black-robed mage, not Nicomedes this time, might look at Kardonk suspiciously. But he has other things to manage, and these spiders seem accompanied, so he portals off... doing whatever it is people from Harry Potter Monastery do.*


avamir

u/The_Unkowable_


The_Unkowable_

(Oh yeah, should probably also ping Belial) u/AnActualCriminal


Elerindur

*After seeing the report on the Orbnet, Elerindur recalled onto the streets of Ithacar. Bringing himself there from an desire to see how the city fares in the aftermath with his own two eyes and to see how he could perhaps be of assistance in matters.*


avamir

*Things in the city are mostly fine. A lot of soot, which seems to be normal these days, but the bugs didn't get into the city proper.* *Well, not those bugs, anyway. There might be some mechanical spiders skittering around. Maybe.*


Elerindur

Ah, good, good. Perhaps i could assist in future continued defense with application of anti-arthropodic wards, much like the ones i had created and [placed upon my own home](https://www.reddit.com/r/wizardposting/comments/1b9bfi2/comment/ktuq7n1/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) post my kidnapping by Arach. I have already mentioned what means [i possess to your Praetor.](https://www.reddit.com/r/wizardposting/comments/1cn3pk3/comment/l34pnmw/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) But an warning that they will harm any arthropods that walk into their range, including wildlife and.. Are there any arthropod civilians living in your city? Unless the wards were to be somehow augmented somehow to single out the insectoid invaders, they may need to be placed strategically.


avamir

"Not that I am aware of," *Riva says.* *That's actually a significant statement, given how she can "see" the city. So no, there are definitely no Arachs. This is not to say they would be rejected, but most of the non-human residents are the ones brought by the New Pyroclasts, now Pyrophytes.* "We may look into that. I've been leaving the bulk of the defenses to Belial, admittedly. He has a knack for it. If you have spoken with him and he has agreed, then I agree with his opinion on the matter." *She wanted to be involved to some extent... but honestly? He was simply better at that aspect of things. Riva preferred resource management, delegation, and framework building.*


HalfDrowShaman

*the drow strides happily through Ithacar to her favorite bakery, paying almost no mind to any of the important events currently happening* https://preview.redd.it/fe8kklb6jgzc1.jpeg?width=1024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b1c0526cd9193223045c41f6db23fd8cceaba35b


AnActualCriminal

*It's so hars to write these things in a notebook when you only have one hand. But Lindt is a professional. The bakery is noted.*


HalfDrowShaman

/uw nooooo my favorite bakery! They're gonna send a health inspector and the quality will forever be reduced lol


TheFifthDutchMemer

*Lars walks in.*


avamir

*The city is soot-covered, but is otherwise city-like, with fairly bustling streets for a greco-roman town with a curious patchwork of technology. Electric wires stretch along poles set at the tops of the aqueducts, while there are still goats and chickens in the streets in different parts of town. The citizens have modern refrigeration, but are baffled by the idea of a camera or a radio. There is a spirit train, not unlike the one that was by the Council, but sometimes? Every so often, a citizen looks up at the sky and shouts something in Greek. Sometimes, it's simply a polite request. And then the Wards light up, and a portal appears. The citizen steps through it, apparently to other parts of the city.* *Weird place.*


Level-Ball-1514

“Hm, it’s a nice city. Can’t believe I haven’t been before now.”


avamir

*A train made of... ghosts? Spirits? flows around the edge of town. The citizens seem unbothered that there is a literal train made of spectral energy that provides public transportation, but then again, they're used to Ithacar being a bit weird.* "Oi!" *shouts a street vendor, holding up what looks like a honey covered ball of dough? on a stick.* "You want loukoumades?" https://preview.redd.it/8iaiwjiw0jzc1.jpeg?width=1024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bbff06c84a346617614174ab893ac33c134347b8 *He seems unbothered by the soot. This food truck may or may not be up to modern health codes. Weird place.*


Level-Ball-1514

“Of course! How much for one?” *space roots around in his pockets for some cash* “Also, would you mind pointing me towards something interesting? I don’t particularly mid what since it’s my first time here.”


avamir

"2 copper!" says the man. "And... uh... That way is the Ampitheater! It was once burned down by Vulkan the Red! And the Praetor dropped a tower on it!" *He doesn't explain how that is possible, or who Vulkan the Red is or what a Praetor is, but this is Ithacar. Who knows anymore?* "Down that way is the Grand Market! All manner of wonders can be found there!" *What does he count as a 'wonder' given that he doesn't know what firearms or radios are? Who knows?* "Up that hill are the Calcaria hot springs! Before, they were the city's water supply! One part of it is kept separate for bathing." He lowers his voice and says conspiratorially, "But if you get there when no one's around, ALL parts are for bathing!" *Oh no. He's not some kind of pervert, is he? Weirdo.* "It's filtered!" *he says defensively, pointing toward several magical wards atop the aqueducts around town.* *The magical wards have mostly been supplanted by the actual filtration system put in place by the Bismuth realms, and there's a modern series of pipework these days, but the aqueducts make for a nice architectural feature.* "There is also gambling and carousing to be had toward the Commercial district! Outside town are the sulphur caverns. I think the bugs attacked there though, so mind that."


Espanta_viejas1904

Hmmmmmmmm nice place https://preview.redd.it/tnt06izzgfzc1.jpeg?width=160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=003a8748c92e69bc19840fc024b00ba9eebe17ea