War Season 42: Scouting Briefing

From FiranMUX

Anarinuell: Palace District -- Army Barracks

Riosan makes his way quickly into the barrack and finds a place to stand and wait until things get started. The pilot already has his signature grin on his face, though now his eyes are full of fire.

Ion makes his way into the army barracks. Ion has arrived.

Arik gets up from his pre-briefing nap... or lunch. Whichever it is he takes up a spot near the side like usual. Noting Ramisa near at hand he heads near her after a polite nod.

Tyrsun paces into the Barracks, a bit brooding as he usually is these days before finding himself a nice, open spot where he won't be crowded by the sentries, and folds his arms across his breastplate.

Tagda arrives, all in uniform, ready to listen.

Marsalos has been here for a while, blank scrolls set aside in case he needs to do that whole writing thing at some point. He's also standing, arms folded as he waits while people ooze their way in.

Ion is...looking more than a little harried as, with moments to go, he manages to reach the doorway. He pauses just long enough to settle his breathing, adjusts his clothing to remove any particularly unsightly wrinkles, then steps inside and slips off towards one of the rear corners.

Ramisa gives Arik a short nod as he moves close to her.

Donos's escort herald his arrival, aides trailing the Ista Aldrik lord as he enters the barracks. Looking about the room he frowns, turning his head towards Tyrsun. "Lord Captain, I don't care who's responsible but this is a mess. Find some sentries who've done something wrong and get them to tidy the barracks." Order given he passes through the long room, turning as he gets to the end. *Firan*

Adan smiles slightly as Tyrsun is ordered to deal with the mess, but then folds his hands in front of him to take some notes on this particular briefing.

Melani gives a general salute to the room as she arrives, since lots are of higher rank than she in the room, and then goes to have a seat and listen.

Tyrsun wrinkles his nose slightly at the order from Donos. "Yes, Sir." Just as he was getting comfortable, too. Glancing over at a passing, lazy-looking sentry, he reaches out to pluck the teenaged soldier by the back of his tunic and drag him back over. Murmuring some orders and pointing at the armor strewn about the barracks, he is about to let the lad go when he rethinks it. "Never mind," he mutters a bit more audibly, and then lets the boy go. Apparently, he's got an idea for later. *Firan*

Donos says "Information is going to determine the pace of this war. Accurate maps, intelligence on the goat's concentration of forces, how they're arrayed and the state of the terrain close to Ellish, all the way up to the city itself. This campaign, more than any other, requires fast, accurate scouting of the land between Agadin and Ellish. In short, if we don't get accurate intelligence by those we send out, then we're going to end up with a lot more casualties. Between the point we depart for the front, and when we arrive at Ellish, it's the one factor that can make or break this campaign, especially given our supply needs are now catered for." *Firan*

Adan nods his head slightly and takes this all in. He takes a few notes for himself.

Ion remains attentively silent in his corner, his hands clasped behind his back, his body ramrod straight. He exhibits no expression of confusion or comprehension, and simply continues to watch. And listen.

Marsalos is listening, arms folded and his shoulders set at a more than confident tilt. His eyes stay on the front on the room, brow quirked as it usually is.

Tagda looks over all those who are here and then heads over somewhere by Tyrsun and Marsalos. She squints at Arik as she passes him.

Riosan listens to all of this with a broad grin on his face and a flash of fire and excitement in his eyes. He isn't taking notes, but judging by how seriously he's watching Donos, he's getting every word.

Arik listens quietly from near Ramisa. He doesn't look particularly surprised. Higher deaths for limited information is a fact of life. If he notices being squinted at he doesn't seem particularly concerned instead just listening intently to Donos.

Tyrsun glances over as Tagda comes to stand near him, and gives her a quick salute before turning back to listen further to Donos.

Marsalos tilts his head slightly, eyes flickering to Tyrsun and Tagda. His brows raise and lower, a playful smirk on his face before he looks back at Donos.

Melani is just quiet and here to listen. Right now she's quiet, and likely will be until she's got a question!

Tagda hrms at the salute, and then half salutes back. She forgot she was wearing her insignia and junk.

Donos says "To achieve this will require accurate maps. Now, we have a great deal of old maps of the terrain between our forts and Ellish. However the closer it comes to the city itself, the more out of date they are. Moreover, just knowing the ground is not enough. I need to know detail on the terrain, how steep a hill is, whether a light forest is traversable by wagons or needs to be bypassed. To achieve this is where you, and the other scouts of the army will come in. Strategic scouting will be handled by the air force. Flights will leave within hours of our disembarking to reconnoiter the last known goat positions and report back. Tactical scouting will be handled by the infantry. When we approach the goat armies, they'll head out, get exact fixes on their positions, report back on the terrain and where we can ambush them or fight to our advantages." *Firan*

Ramisa remains quiet, intent and serious as Donos speaks. Occasionally her gaze will flick across the others listening to Donos, especially when salutes are being thrown around indoors, but for the vast majority of the time they remain upon Donos himself.

Donos says "I cannot emphasise enough how vital this is going to be to the flow of the war. Scouts will have one of the most perilous of tasks. You'll be operating in advance of our lines, in small numbers and so vulnerable to any enemy forces. For the air force the key will be to pull out if spotted. For the scouts on the ground, if you're spotted you might simply not be able to pull out..so make sure you don't get seen. For both air patrols and ground movement must be reported. The more information we have, the more likely we are to pull off a crushing blow on their forces while minimising our own casualties. In short, the lives of everyone in the army rests on how well you do your jobs." *Firan*

Donos looks about the room after his pronouncement of minimal pressure. "Now, before I detail the exercise for you, does anyone have any questions regarding scouting for this campaign?" *Firan*

Adan shakes his head slightly. No questions here.

Riosan furrows his brow deeply and then shakes his head at Donos. Though at this point, he's seeming less sure that he should actually be here.

Melani shakes her head as well!

Marsalos also shakes his head once. Straightforward so far.

Ion's gaze flickers down to the floor and then returns to Donos. He shakes his head, the movement barely noticeable, then resumes his listening.

Tyrsun gives a slow shake of his head, like everybody else.

Ramisa makes sure the details have soaked in and then shifts her position slightly "How will the scouting individuals be selected?" *Firan*

Donos says "Volunteers who show they have the skills to do the job. With due apology to their noble lords present, I don't want some hulking Gold Dragon who thinks that his armour gleaming in the sun is more important than the mission at hand." *Firan*

Ramisa gives a brief nod at Donos's answer before offering a "Thank you Sir." and going back to her lurking. *Firan* Something occurs to Riosan now and he quickly raises a hand. "First General? Is mapmaking then a required knowledge for any scouts?"

Arik looks like he might ask a question but lets it be as he nods at Ramisa's question.

One of Tyrsun's eyebrows twitches at Donos' comment.

Marsalos smirks a bit at that. Not looking at Tyrsun, nope.

Tagda tries not to laugh. She does look at Tyrsun. A giggle erupts, but Tagda quickly stops herself.

Donos turns towards Riosan, quirking an eyebrow up. "Well that depends Sentry. Do you want me planning a battle on the basis of 'it was a bit towards the setting sun, and there were some woods nearby' or with an effective map to tie into all the other reports. Can you scout without knowing how to map..yes. Will you be any good at it...that will remain to be seen on how good your memory is." *Firan*

Riosan nods at Donos seriously and salutes him quickly. "Thank you, M'Lord First General." He then goes back to where he's sitting, looking very much like he's in the wrong place. *Firan*

Donos says "Very well, we shall be conducting an exercise as scheduled. This exercise will be over a wide area and will test your speed, accuracy and concealment skills for the infantry. Observation skills will be at a premium for the air force. I'll let you all assemble whatever you think you need for a scouting mission. Report back at <RL 7pm EST> for your orders." *Firan*

Ramisa notes, mostly for Riosan's benefit, in a voice intended not to compete with Donos' orders. "I'm available to train scouts in the skills required." *Firan*

Adan gets to his feet and nods to Donos. "Aye, sir. Thank you, sir." *Firan*

Tagda doesn't look like she's going to go scramble to get anything for a mission. She stands there, trying to stop smiling at the image of Tyrsun standing in the sun with his blinding armor.

Riosan stands up immediately, salutes Donos, and makes his way over towards Ramisa with a broad grin on his face, "Alright, so I don't know anything about making maps. Is there a specific time you could possibly help me with that?" *Firan*

Adan walks by the guards and out the door. Adan has left.

Tyrsun doesn't look the least bit pleased by any of this. And he's not looking at Marsalos or Tagda. He just keeps his attention trained on Donos.

Ion, finally, moves. His arms unlink, his armor shifts, and he steps forward to offer a sharp snap of a salute in Donos' direction. This done, he takes only a moment to rally his courage before heading off in Ramisa's direction, pausing to hover a few feet away from Riosan.