PALISADE 17: Upon Our Grace Pt. 4: Difference between revisions

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===Plot===
===Plot===
The [[Isle of the Broken Key|Broken Key]] settlement continues to flood: more and more of it is underwater. A group of [[Dim Liturgy]] monks remains in the [[Glass Archive]], chanting.


==== Thisbe and Zedd ====
==== The Battle ====
[[Zedd Z. Izzard]] reappears piloting a [[Vambrace]] and advances on [[Thisbe]], who is now under heavy fire. One of [[Asepsis]]' drones redirects some of the Vambrace's missile fire, giving Thisbe a moment to recover. She and [[Mow]] rush the Vambrace from either side and try to sandwich it between them, but they can't get in close enough to complete the maneuver. The ''[[Kestral White]]'' fires on the entire battlefield with its grapeshot-like cannons and everyone is hit (including many fighting on the [[Bilateral Intercession|Bilat]] side). This leaves both [[The Figure in Bismuth|Figure]] and [[Coriolis Sunset|Cori]] defenseless.
The [[Isle of the Broken Key|Broken Key]] settlement continues to flood. [[Zedd Z. Izzard]] reappears piloting a [[Vambrace]] and advances on [[Thisbe]], who is now under heavy fire. An [[Asepsis]] drone redirects some of the Vambrace's missile fire, giving Thisbe a moment to recover. She and [[Mow]] rush the Vambrace from either side and try to sandwich it between them, but they can't get in close enough to complete the maneuver.  


==== Cori, Bea, and Elle ====
The ''[[Kestral White]]'' fires on the entire battlefield and everyone is hit (including many fighting on the [[Bilateral Intercession|Bilat]] side). To help Cori against [[Bea Earlyday]], [[Brnine]] has Asepsis temporarily power Cori's mech in [[Devotion]]'s stead. Cori smashes Bea to death with her hammer. Unfortunately, she strikes carelessly, and on the backswing she skewers [[Griesel Sunset|her father]], killing him.
To help Cori against [[Bea Earlyday]], the Charioteer spy who attacked her, [[Brnine]] has Asepsis temporarily power Cori's mech in [[Devotion]]'s stead. Using Asepsis' power, Cori smashes Bea to death with her hammer. Unfortunately, she strikes carelessly, and on the backswing she skewers her father, [[Griesel Sunset]], killing him.


As this happens, a shadow eclipses Cori from above: [[Elle Evensong]] has arrived in her mech, the [[Cataphract]]. She stabs [[Tenn Alpenglow]]'s [[Plackart]] in the chest. Asepsis starts sounding wild alerts, having identified Elle as a [[BIS]] spy. The "goo-esque" aura of the Cataphract splits off into a second mech-like shape and tries to lift Cori out of the water to take her to safety. Cori resists and Elle instead has the secondary mech stay with Cori and physically protect her.
As this happens, a shadow eclipses Cori from above: [[Elle Evensong]] has arrived in the [[Cataphract]]. She stabs [[Tenn Alpenglow]]'s [[Plackart]] in the chest. Asepsis identifies Elle as a [[BIS]] spy. The "goo-esque" aura of the Cataphract splits off into a second mech-like shape that stays with Cori and physically protects her.


==== Phrygian and Kensley ====
[[Phrygian]] kills [[Kensley Marlowe Colver]]. From the ''Kestral White'', [[Kenneth Marian Colver]] signals for retreat, and combatants begin to flee. Figure radios Brnine: "Are you really gonna let them get away after what they did?" The ''[[Blue Channel (ship)|Blue Channel]]'' snipes the ''Kestral White'', deactivating its shields but not damaging the ship, and the ''Kestral White'' returns fire that batters some of the crew. Thisbe arrests Zedd, but elsewhere, [[Tea Time]] escapes.
[[Phrygian]] shoots themself like a spear into [[Kensley Marlowe Colver]] and kills her. They look down over the battlefield from an aerial position, feeling a sense of malaise about fighting a war. From the ''Kestral White'', [[Kenneth Marian Colver]] shoots up a flare in the signal for retreat. Combatants begin to flee.


==== Figure, Brnine, and the ''Kestral White'' ====
Elle tries to comfort Cori and reassure her that she'll get Cori out safe. Cori blames Griesel's death on Elle, then shuts off her comms. Elle is officially declared Cori's rival.
As the ''Kestral White'' tries to retreat, Figure radios Brnine: "Are you really gonna let them get away after what they did?" The ''[[Blue Channel (ship)|Blue Channel]]'' snipes the ''Kestral White'', deactivating its shields but not damaging the ship, and the ''Kestral White'' returns fire that batters some of the crew.


==== Thisbe, Zedd, and Tea ====
Phrygian cloaks and, with Figure distracting the ship, shoots the ''Kestral White''. Their shot penetrates the ship, destroying its engine. The ''Kestral White'' crashes into the sea below. Asepsis' sensors show that [[Queue 1224]] is in the Glass Archive. On Brnine's orders, [[Midnite Matinee|Midnite]] captures him.
Thisbe and Mow each grab onto one of the legs of Zedd's Vambrace, hanging on to prevent him from fleeing. As Mow continues to restrain him, Thisbe cracks open the Vambrace and scoops Zedd out, then shoves him in Mow's cargo compartment. Elsewhere, [[Tea Time]] escapes.


==== Cori and Elle ====
Phrygian tries to convince the remaining [[Gambeson]] pilot, [[Free Fidelity]], to stop fighting. They argue that Free could go rescue their own people from the sinking ''Kestral White'' and let the other ones drown. It doesn't work, and Phrygian is left feeling war-weary.
Cori's mech remains in a protective position over her father's corpse. Elle tries to comfort Cori and reassure her that she'll get Cori out safe. Cori replies, "This is your fault," and then shuts off her comms. Elle is officially declared Cori's rival.
 
==== Phrygian, Figure, and the ''Kestral White'' ====
Phrygian cloaks and sets up to shoot at the ''Kestral White''. Figure distracts the ship's sensors by locking on and shooting the ship repeatedly, hoping that those piloting will miss that Phrygian is about to take a shot. Phrygian fires with their Buccal Outpocket and the shot penetrates the ship, destroying its engine. The ''Kestral White'' crashes into the sea below where it immediately takes on water.
 
==== Thisbe, Midnite, and Queue ====
Asepsis' sensors show that [[Queue 1224]] is in the Glass Archive. Brnine sends [[Midnite Matinee|Midnite]] to try to capture him.
 
Thisbe sends a message to the mechanical scaffolding that moves vertically from row to row in the Archive: when it senses a synthetic lifeform beneath them, it should flip over and create a cage around him. Queue has already given these machines a directive to lock out anyone trying to give them a command relating to Queue, so Thisbe's request does not work. Fortunately, Midnite is already there: she pounces on Queue and hogties him.
 
==== Phrygian and Free ====
Phrygian tries to convince the remaining Gambeson pilot, [[Free Fidelity]], to stop fighting against them. They argue that Free could go rescue their own people from the sinking ''Kestral White'' and let the other ones drown. It doesn't work, and Phrygian is left feeling war-weary.


==== Aftermath ====
==== Aftermath ====
Once it's safe, Cori climbs out of her mech and tries to perform first aid on her father, but it's quickly clear that he is gone. She sits with him until [[Saint Decario Dicario]] shows up and gives her a hug. He tries to tell Cori about how proud Griesel was of her until she says that she needs to get back to the ''Blue Channel'' and call her family.  
Once it's safe, Cori climbs out of her mech and tries to perform first aid on her father, but it's quickly clear that he is gone. She sits with him until [[Saint Decario Dicario]] shows up. He tries to tell Cori about how proud Griesel was of her until she excuses herself: she needs to get back to the ''Blue Channel''. Brnine flies their hover car over to pick Cori up and bring her back to the ship. When she gets in the car, Cori starts crying for the first time.  
 
Brnine flies their hover car over to pick Cori up and bring her back to the ship. When she gets in the car, Cori starts crying for the first time.  


People are swarming Elle, celebrating her as a hero for taking out Tenn and keeping Cori safe. Thisbe asks Brnine for permission to arrest Elle, which Brnine grants. As a courtesy to Elle for having fought alongside the crew, Thisbe asks them if they would let the ''Blue Channel'' detain them rather than arresting them outright. Elle agrees on the condition that they are not put in restraints in public view. Thisbe leads them into the ship, where they seem strangely at ease.  
People swarm Elle, celebrating her as a hero for taking out Tenn and keeping Cori safe. As a courtesy to Elle for having fought alongside the crew, Thisbe asks them if they would let the ''Blue Channel'' detain them rather than arresting them outright. Elle agrees on the condition that they are not put in restraints in public view. Thisbe leads them into the ship, where they seem strangely at ease.  


As a consequence of the Blue Channel failiing to follow orders and go to [[Baseline]], a revolution has been attempted in Baseline and failed, badly. Many are dead, including [[Ce Gull]] and [[Broadleaf]]. The [[Frontier Syndicate]]'s plans for Baseline will continue apace.
As a consequence of the Blue Channel failiing to follow orders and go to [[Baseline]], a revolution has been attempted in Baseline and failed, badly. Many are dead, including [[Ce Gull]] and [[Broadleaf]]. The [[Frontier Syndicate]]'s plans for Baseline will continue apace.

Revision as of 03:56, 7 September 2023

Episode description

This episode carries content warnings for blood, civilian harm and death, parental death, conscription, torture and kidnapping.

Under the wings of the Kestrel White, war washes ashore the Isle of the Broken Key. Soon after the crew of the Blue Channel released Kenneth Marian Colver, Bilateral Viceroy to Palisade and convert of the Usher of Truth, he ordered his flagship to return and lay waste to the home of the Dim Liturgy and Devotees. Now, the Cause fights not only for ideals but for survival. A rifle takes aim. A hammer lifts into the air. A cannonade echoes for miles. The monastery burns. and the blaze casts a shadow too long for a single night’s contemplation.

This week on PALISADE: Upon Our Grace Pt. 4

I'm out / There's nothing here to care about / What's that sound? / What's that song about? / It’s nothin’ worth me sayin’ aloud

Dossier

Organizations

Violet Cove: The Dim Liturgy claim to have seen the Divine Devotion's arrival coming in their sacred text: A battered and corrupted backup of Crystal Palace's final predictions for the future. Now the two cults work together to oust the Bilats... and perhaps to do more intriguing things, as well.
The Devotees: A church from the Twilight Mirage that is committed to the worship of the divine Devotion, which they sometimes refer to as Fervor. Common practices include the regular checking of one’s pulse and multi-day group picnic outings.

People

Connadine (he/him): Commander of the BIS on Palisade. An expert in psychological operations and folklore. As a composer, his opus is the Adagio, a plan to get everyone on Palisade operating in ways not only predictable, but scripted. As a conductor, his orchestra now turns towards the second movement.
Saint Decario Dicario (he/him): Devoted Devotee warmonger and one-time lover of the Twilight Mirage rockstar Teleos Triton Tanager.
Sea Crepuscule (he/him): Master of the Concave Wing of the Dim Liturgy’s primary monastery, where he leads the search for specific details and predictions from the Glass Archive’s remnants. Additionally, the most highly placed member of the Paint Shop (and thus, most important shield for the BIS spies) inside of Dim Liturgy.
Marlon Styx a.k.a. Em (he/him): Undercover BIS agent assigned to infiltrate Violet Cove. Has become enamored with the Dim Liturgy’s holy text.
Tea Time (she/her): Assistant to the assistant of Dicario St. Dicario. BIS Spy.
Queue 1224 (he/him): A non-Columnar synthetic monk who helps with preparing parts of the Thing Itself for movement to Convex or Concave. BIS Spy.
Zedd Z. Izzard (he/him): Lovable dirtbag chef. Works in main hall's mess hall. Knows everyone’s favorite drink and most people's favorite meal. Satisfactory pilot. BIS Spy.
Bea Earlyday (she/her): Young Chariot pilot assigned to the defense of the Isle of the Broken Key. Under Griesel Sunset's command. BIS Spy.
Kay (they/them): Cashier of the monastery treasury. BIS Spy.
Tenn Alpenglow (he/him): Bodyguard of Kenneth Marian Colver and Knight of the Fabreal Duchy. Resents his assignation to guard the cowardly Viceroy, but takes seriously his sworn oath to serve under the Duchy's new masters.
Kenneth Marian Colver (he/him): Former member of the Curtain, now Kesh’s Viceroy on the world. Reports up to the Stargrave. Bread concerns have been replaced with violence concerns.
Kensley Marlowe Colver (she/her): Sister of Kenneth Marian Colver, pilot of a Gorget, award winning hunter of megafauna, and craven champion of cruelty.
Elle Evensong (she/they) - Elle arrived to Palisade along with the first wave of Devotees, making a name for herself as a cunning combatant and clever commander. She became a poster child for Twilight Mirage's support of Palisade (and, for members of the Dim Liturgy, a prophesied bridge between the past and the future). But as the war began to heat up, she seemed to vanish into the background. Pilot of the Cataphract.
Midnite Matinee (she/her): Leporine scout and member of the Blue Channel. She and her trusty Pack-model light AutoHollow Popcorn (she/her) used to run a repo company, but now are tentatively committed to the Cause and Millennium Break.
Routine Rennari (he/him): Half-Apostolsian, scion of a minor Kesh noble house, and the Blue Channel's heavy.
Hunting "Hunt" Tomorrow (he/him): Concretist specialist in communications and technology, assigned to the Blue Channel during its integration into the Cause.
Saffron Septet (she/her):  A doctor from the Twilight Mirage who lives as a digital consciousness, spread across a number of bodily forms including a heavy Torch Unit, a small motorcycle, and a unique and specially-crafted surgeon body.

Places

Isle of the Broken Key: Home of the Dim Liturgy since its obscure creation thousands of years ago. Now serves as base for the entire Violet Cove unit of the Cause, including the Devotees and (most recently) additional support teams from the Twilight Mirage.
Chimera's Lantern: The second moon of Palisade, shaped oddly like a wasp’s nest or paper lantern. New arrivals to the world find its occasional glow unnatural and frightening.

Objects

The Kestral White: Flagship of Palisade's Viceroy, Kenneth Marrian Colver. Hovers like a hawk on a thermal updraft, searching for its prey.
Gambeson: The Gambeson is only about 10 meters tall (less than half an Altar), but it is nevertheless a terrifying scourge of the battlefield. Modeled after an iron maiden, except with it's tortorous doors attached to its back serving as wings. Its head features a metalworked face, twisted into extreme and offputting smile.  Its skeletal frame serves not only as body, but cage: pilots are criminal conscripts forced to pay off their “debt” to Kesh by the Divine Plight, earning their freedom through combat achievements.
Gorget: When visible, the Gorget is a bright and fashionable machine, its long features clad in golden armor, yet hidden playfully covered by a chic red hunting cape. When walking, it’s posture is buoyed by a fashionable walking cane. But at a whim, the Altar’s pilot may extend the length of the cape, surrounding the entire body with a layer of magical camouflage, cloaking it from both sensors and plain sight. And at that moment, its cane twists and folds, revealing itself to be a perfectly honed rifle.
Cataphract: When the engineers loyal to Devotion studied the data from the Chariot Mk. 1 units, they saw they had a problem: maximum results required a lethal amount of blood from the pilots. One solution to this problem would become the Charoit Mk. 2, which offered more efficient energy exchange per ounce of ichor taken. The Cataphract, which draws on the blood of others to perform unimaginable feats, is the other.

Divines

Asepsis (it/its): The final living remnants of a Divine who pursues its particular vision of purity at the cost of everything else. Kept, studied, and utilized by Captain Kalvin Brnine.
The Reflecting Pool, f.k.a the Divine Past, f.k.a. Crystal Palace (it/its): In the era before the founding of the Divine Principality, Crystal Palace served as the supreme oracle engine of the Rapid Evening and the Principality of Kesh. At the end of that era, it lost its ability to predict the future, but continued as a vast archive of the past, and became canonized as the Divine Past (which now serves as the Reflecting Pool, center of the Witch in Glass’ kingdom). The final record of its predictions into the future are stored on Palisade, under protection (and study) of the Dim Liturgy and Violet Cove.

Contents

Plot

The Battle

The Broken Key settlement continues to flood. Zedd Z. Izzard reappears piloting a Vambrace and advances on Thisbe, who is now under heavy fire. An Asepsis drone redirects some of the Vambrace's missile fire, giving Thisbe a moment to recover. She and Mow rush the Vambrace from either side and try to sandwich it between them, but they can't get in close enough to complete the maneuver.

The Kestral White fires on the entire battlefield and everyone is hit (including many fighting on the Bilat side). To help Cori against Bea Earlyday, Brnine has Asepsis temporarily power Cori's mech in Devotion's stead. Cori smashes Bea to death with her hammer. Unfortunately, she strikes carelessly, and on the backswing she skewers her father, killing him.

As this happens, a shadow eclipses Cori from above: Elle Evensong has arrived in the Cataphract. She stabs Tenn Alpenglow's Plackart in the chest. Asepsis identifies Elle as a BIS spy. The "goo-esque" aura of the Cataphract splits off into a second mech-like shape that stays with Cori and physically protects her.

Phrygian kills Kensley Marlowe Colver. From the Kestral White, Kenneth Marian Colver signals for retreat, and combatants begin to flee. Figure radios Brnine: "Are you really gonna let them get away after what they did?" The Blue Channel snipes the Kestral White, deactivating its shields but not damaging the ship, and the Kestral White returns fire that batters some of the crew. Thisbe arrests Zedd, but elsewhere, Tea Time escapes.

Elle tries to comfort Cori and reassure her that she'll get Cori out safe. Cori blames Griesel's death on Elle, then shuts off her comms. Elle is officially declared Cori's rival.

Phrygian cloaks and, with Figure distracting the ship, shoots the Kestral White. Their shot penetrates the ship, destroying its engine. The Kestral White crashes into the sea below. Asepsis' sensors show that Queue 1224 is in the Glass Archive. On Brnine's orders, Midnite captures him.

Phrygian tries to convince the remaining Gambeson pilot, Free Fidelity, to stop fighting. They argue that Free could go rescue their own people from the sinking Kestral White and let the other ones drown. It doesn't work, and Phrygian is left feeling war-weary.

Aftermath

Once it's safe, Cori climbs out of her mech and tries to perform first aid on her father, but it's quickly clear that he is gone. She sits with him until Saint Decario Dicario shows up. He tries to tell Cori about how proud Griesel was of her until she excuses herself: she needs to get back to the Blue Channel. Brnine flies their hover car over to pick Cori up and bring her back to the ship. When she gets in the car, Cori starts crying for the first time.

People swarm Elle, celebrating her as a hero for taking out Tenn and keeping Cori safe. As a courtesy to Elle for having fought alongside the crew, Thisbe asks them if they would let the Blue Channel detain them rather than arresting them outright. Elle agrees on the condition that they are not put in restraints in public view. Thisbe leads them into the ship, where they seem strangely at ease.

As a consequence of the Blue Channel failiing to follow orders and go to Baseline, a revolution has been attempted in Baseline and failed, badly. Many are dead, including Ce Gull and Broadleaf. The Frontier Syndicate's plans for Baseline will continue apace.

Cast

Other Characters