Thinbloods. Ghouls. Thralls. Soldiers. All of them have started claiming positions on the bridges leading to Starfall Academy.
Spots are contested. Students are threatened and beaten. The danger at the foot of their door seems closer- now, more than ever.

There is an electricity in the air.

"Why? Why did she attack a school? My kid sister goes there- so why...?! It's... supposed to be neutral!!"

"I just don't understand. I'm a student here! I'm not a fighter! I just want to get my medical license!"

"H-- Hey... if we're going to die anyways, why are we attending class...?"

"Won't anybody... save us? The teachers? The headmaster? What happened to that fast guy with the sword?! He can help us!"

"Please... I don't want to die here... I can't die here!"

Their pleas go largely unanswered, as the assaults continue. Neutral territory near Starfall is claimed, and the show of force of large,

cloaked soldiers who will tear down any in their path is made readily apparent. After this day of chaos, though, there is pause given, and they largely disappear.

Marina Vranovo had this to say.

"One year.
You have one year to bring me the bodies of Ethric Athelier and Andrial Harino and any valuable possessions that they may have.

If you do, I'll leave Starfall Academy alone. If not, I will siege it, and burn it to the ground.

Poison them. Trick them. Whatever it is you desire. Your methods do not concern me.

All that matters is that I get what I want.

Of course, you can choose to ignore this warning and go about your lives- enjoy your one year of peace.

But if you'd like a lesson from the past, look no further than Shadowmire.

... rather, the absence of Shadowmire."

The fear and panic of the ensuing threat persists, as Starfall Academy no longer feels safe.

On this day in 1869AC... preparations will begin. Starfall will be attacked, and subsequently destroyed by 1870AC.

The pit of despair was destroyed first. The beacon for the future is next.

It seems that this time... Asphodel will not be marching alone, either.

In one year, the second phase in the Esshar Extermination Plan begins.

ASPHODEL has formally declared war on STARFALL ACADEMY.

ooc note: 'this day' means the 2nd day of 1869AC.

this is when asphodel will declare a raid and set a date

the raid itself is not in 4 days

Ghouls. Thralls. Thinblooded. Soldiers. And one by one, some of them start to vanish, usually when they are alone.
Some of the students are seen carrying around an undead arm or perhaps a vial of blood.
Is anyone surprised? This school has hosted many a violent child or 'hero' in the making about its grounds.

Some soldiers bodies are simply littering the grounds, a Cigarette smoking nearby while figures clean their weapons of the blood, wiping it away to show the glint of cold Mythril.

One soldier would be sent back, three shallow cuts along their back



"Marina. Queen Marina. Whatever you call yourself these days."
"Illythia's dead. You're free to do what you want, and the death of everyone is it?"
"Did nothing else matter to you? The woman who whispered in everyone's minds, who risked her family for what she wanted personally, this is what your fighting for?"
"Well come on then, Between Asphodel and Pauper, you've turned Esshar into a living Hel where no one wants to live. Well I'll die for the school, Doesn't matter if anyone else will. I owe Ethric the most in this life, he helped me when my father was slain, or when Seth was killed. Hel, I even returned the bodies my own Father had dug up. And I never gave up, because one man helped me to realize I shouldn't. I hope Blair knows how much he did help."

One last message is imparted, a Cigarette being put out on this soldier's cheek.

"Oh, one last thing. I hear Blair finally became the King of something. Tell him Vaskr, or Valya at the moment, says hello. And that even after I die, I expect him to try to keep his promise, from when he took my eye."
"You said you'd Kill Nidaz, remember? After you secured Marina from Illythia? I hope those words weren't empty. I wouldn't respect a king who didn't keep his word..."

Starfall Stands

It had been a while since word came out of the Irradiated Shrine, much of the work being done around the structure being done so in private. Whispers spread of rumors of preparations being made to build on the peninsula. That was until word came of Asphodel's approach. 

"I wonder when sh- ... Ah... There she is. Knew it was only a matter of time."

With the words of the Cirque find their intended target whether stated openly or not. 
Though instead of another long winded reply from the Warden of Starfall, a simple one instead found its way out to the public...

Quote:

"Its time we put an end to this Ariel... 

You've already helped destroy one home of mine, I'll not see another laid to waste. 

We'll do away with you and your degenerate allies all the same. 

Starfall WILL remain...

Meet me in the fields 'princess'. We'll turn the poppylus into sinka with our blood...."

Amongst the massive noticeboard that sits amongst the center of Starfall's campus, an ominous new missive has appeared.

Quote:Hello, Vaskr. 

I remember, all those years ago. 

When here, on this campus, you sought to try and sway me from my service to the Docros.

You deigned not to do it in public. You approached me in the shadows, after I was forced into a duel with an Osronan knight.

Do you remember where you bid me to go? Where you said I would be respected? Accepted?

Asphodel.

I'm here, Vaskr. You were more right then you could have known. Where are you? Asphodel is better, stronger, and more alive then it ever has been. And you aren't here to see it.

How pathetic it is, that the leadership of Starfall has fallen on your shoulders. An exile of Asphodel who now offers counsel against its march. A worthless servant of Seth. You casted judgement on me for my fealty to the family, as though you weren't the same. A pathetic blood-bag to an exiled Docro, slain for his treachery. A ruthless, violent vampire, who wanted more then he could ever  grasp. A beast who truly cared for no one Your idea of an honorable man.

You have no true morals, Vaskr. You're an abandoned blood-bag, who tried to kill yourself on the floor of the Docro manor all those years ago, after Nikolai bid me to punish you for your disrespect. You're weak. You're a coward. The most value you've had as a person, was when I traded you for Raghild. A fine bounty she afforded me, when she traded herself for your safety.

The fact that you are here to speak on behalf of the academy is evidence enough of how far it's fallen. Asphodel doesn't fear you, Vaskr. Nobody does. 

As the most dangerous person in Esshar, (something you sought to personally credit me) I offer you alternative courses of action, to your pointless resistance.

Instead of arming what worthless soldiers you have left, 

Instead of preparing meager defenses that couldn't possibly hold,

Perhaps you might choose to surrender yourself to the Iron Queen, and face her judgement. Maybe you'll be granted a swift, painless death. Maybe, you'll even get to live on as you once were: An Asphodel Blood Bag. Wouldn't that be nice?

Alternatively, there's an excellent shop just out west, where you can purchase a wonderful firearm. You can follow through with what you tried to do all those years ago.

Choose to remain at your post, and I'll seek you out personally on the field. I'll make such a bloody mess of you, your remains will have to be shipped back to Vanirheim in jars, not even enough to bury.

You won't get a headstone, Vaskr.

What marks your passing from this world, will be a red stain upon the ground. The place among the campus battlefield where I find you, and send you back to your father.

Make your decision, and make peace with your loved ones.

After hearing the declaration of war on Starfall Academy, a letter is sent by a dove, made out of pure. Holy light.

It was holding a message to Silvia orn Pellaux

Quote:

"Silvia, do you remember when we first met... After you defected to Asphodel? After you had slain the person dear to me? You might have granted him a final look to the city he fought for, a final gaze at the stars he was going to join. And for that? I have a quiet respect towards you... And despite what you had done, I forgive you.... I will forgive you when my blade will bring justice for all the crimes you had commited. And then Orsona will decide your fate... I refuse to kill you. Murder is a stain upon the soul. And I will not burden myself with such sin for sake of selfish revenge, this is not my personal quest... Writing this letter, I claim and promise to bring justice for all the people you had betrayed, for all people you have hurt, and unto Elthur..."
- Eleanora lei Soleis

The attacks grow more frequent, and the ceaseless tide of Asphodel's forces seems to grow like a wave.
A wave which threatens to rock the foundations of Esshar entirely.

Despite Osrona's fleeting hope in the face of their sneak attack within Asphodel, it's apparent that not even
that is enough to truly stop their march.




"Time's up, y'know?"

The engines of war move ahead, right on schedule. Starfall's peace of a year is soon to come to an end.
The second phase in the Esshar Extermination Plan has officially commenced.

Date: TBD

A tired figure stands after a harsh battle, fatigued from the constant fighting, currently in their male form.




"I guess I never realized how many bodies Asphodel has gone through, until I put them down a second time"

Vaskr Vol Hellstrom has continue to defy Asphodel even when attacked or personally sought after, not willing to leave the grounds or surrender, even with the taunts that had been given by Maazu. 

"Fear me? Never was the point. I was always told I had little worth by my enemies. Although, Seth Vanrouge always treated me well, like a friend and like a member of his family. And you Blair, you always told me to not be so down on myself, to pick myself up and to keep fighting. You both taught me a lot, so I'll simply say this for now, in honor of you, Blair."

"I let my defeats build me into something new, and I defy what you have become, not because I hate you, but because I loved who you were. I'm sorry."

Starfall Stands

A notice from Champion Merlin Emrys.

A light amongst the dark, a beacon piercing the veil that shrouds Esshar. 
An unyielding shield of the people, unbroken.

Guardian of the last bastion of defense, Osrona and it's monarchy.

Quote:

"I will not let you destroy Esshar."

"Blair - Do you remember me?"

"Tara - You know the warmth of my light - I wonder how your spouse feels. I'm afraid you've expended your usefulness."

"Marina ... I will see to it your terrifying empire is brought crumbling down."

Ever since the declaration of the march on Starfall, a certain Chronomancer has been preparing.

He's taken part in every battle between the undead and the Academy so far. He comes out with injuries, of course, but never unwavering in the face of it.




"Tick, tock. Tick, tock. You're right, time's up. Never in my life did I expect people to live for so long on borrowed time. Your graves are calling."

Along with Vaskr vol Hellstorm, Luke Hartz continues to defy Asphodel. He's been fighting undead ever since he arrived on Esshar, might as well go for it till the end.

"I'll be finishing what my teacher started, I'm sure this is what he wants."

The Chronomancy utilized by Luke is similar to a certain Grace who defeated Alexei in the past.

 "It's about time we bring this chapter of Esshar's history to an end. Though, we're tired of beating down on your lackeys, not planning to come yourself sometime?"

"I hope it wasn't all just an empty threat."

"We're waiting, Vranovos."

Starfall Stands.