Stark/ReportsfromInaeva

Reports from Inaeva

These are snippets of Laeo's reports handed in once the Reachfar made it back to Lookshy with his expedition party.

The first snippet is an overview of the campaign, followed by reports on the individual Ashigaru troops he was in command of during the mission.

After action report

After Action Report – City manse of Inaeva, Taizei Laeo Stark Commanding.

Travel to the city manse was largely uneventful, troop morale was high despite lengthy journey and civilian element was prepared for work. Upon entering the city the lack of direct evidence for its evacuation was unclear, samples from outer city may provide answers under examination, however initial survey suggests the city may have been constructed to house workers and associated serfs to serve the construction forges within the manse.

The Manse itself was constructed below ground, within the mountain itself, appearing to have been at least in part a mining complex. Some resistance was met in the form of quarrelling tribal groups from neighbouring kingdoms and an (apparently non-native) tribe of lizard-men. Captive tribesmen were given medical treatment and once we were sure they could be trusted were enlisted to aide in our journey.

Careful exploration of the facility led to the discovery of a large manufacturing facility, apparently used to produce essence enhanced tools and armaments as well as housing a trove of knowledge in the form of an interactive library. It also revealed that there were several Manses contained within the facility, the scientific reports will contain the specifics of the construction and layout of the facility as well as details of the recovered hearthstones. After a few days of exploration we were assaulted in the night by a group of denizens who had taken refuge in a higher part of the internal structure, they killed several of the civilian workforce and captured Haichei Makato in the course of action.

Recovery actions were deployed swiftly, tracking the assault to a rock fall on the far side of the mountain which had uncovered a passage into the facilities higher area. Haichei Makato was discovered in the clutches of the denizens who appeared to be preparing him for some form of sacrificial offering to a disease spirit through the act of crucifixion. The denizens were neutralised and Makato recovered, his condition was extremely poor however and were it not for the swift and gifted medical skills of Madorosu Maximillion, the Haichei would have expired within the hour.

During our escape from the facility we were accosted by some form of demonic entity resembling a large gorilla which we fought in what appeared to be some form of cathedral, heavily damaging a pipe organ central to the chamber in the process of dispatching it.

Following this encounter a decision was reached that we should pull back from the city and prepare an envoy to return to Lookshy and request a more heavily enforced team be dispatched to secure the site and continue the reconnaissance, however we were accosted by a noble from a neighbouring dukedom who commanded an overwhelming force we had no hope of repelling.

In the face of this force we retreated with the samples and information gathered to date in order that command be given all relevant data and that a group of experienced soldiers be available for debriefing.

Performance evaluation – Gochei Meimei

The Gochei has been faced with an enormous burden on the last leg of this journey which should be highlighted, essentially being the party responsible for assessing the threat that our Anathema status has represented to the on-going mission and the reputation of the legion as a whole through our deeds. This stress has been handled remarkably well in my opinion and I recommend that it be noted that I consider her a candidate for officer training.

Throughout the mission Meimei has demonstrated a remarkable affinity for tactical placement both as a skirmisher and an archer in support of skirmish elements, often being in place to see threats without bias to her own personal danger to the benefit of her squad. In reconnaissance roles she has deferred to the more skilled members of the command without allowing ego to get in the way of her duties, however her on-going image issues have prevented her from taking full advantage in the majority of the social interactions we have undertaken along the route, often choosing to present a hostile demeanour where using her natural assets may have induced a more positive result, although this tendency has subsided somewhat as she has become more comfortable with the members of the travelling party and particularly while in temporary command of allied troops. Care should be taken to ensure that she does not backslide in future assignments.

Recommendation of reviewing officer: While a desire for Gunzosha placement is an issue for this individual, it is the opinion of this command that she be given formal command of a Talon involved in peacekeeping operations under a Fanglord who can teach her the softer skills required to develop her potential for Officer candidacy and that her current assignment of Ashigaru armour be supplemented with training in the use of sentinel defence force systems.

Performance evaluation Haichei Chitomo

Haichei Chitomo excels in his field, a natural ranger and tracker, with an affinity for his surroundings which is second only to those of auspicious bloodlines in my experience. His skills with a bow are second to none and he is capable of operating alone for extended periods. His focus however could be exploited as a weakness however as his co-ordination with melee elements is not as crisp as it could be and his reluctance to close range could make the deployment of Gunzosha armour somewhat wasteful if he is reluctant to put it to best use in close quarters combat.

Recommendations Haichei Chitomo is my prime candidate for Aegis inset surgery, assuming deployment of heavy assets to secure the facility at Inaeva, as his guidance could be invaluable in determining strike locations and in handling the native terrain and the underground complex. Looking to the future his deployment, some training with essence powered weaponry may yield an enormous advantage in his use on the battlefield, if his skills with a flame lance are equal to those he displays with a bow.

Performance evaluation Haichei Daisuke

The Haichei represents many of the ideal characteristics of the Upright Soldier; he is physically uncompromising, selfless in the face of danger and dedicated to the completion of his mission and the orders of his superior officer. At several points during the course of this deployment he has shown a tenacity and durability which have saved the lives of his fellow soldiers and a large number of civilians, often facing foes which would have caused a more seasoned soldier to falter and assuming responsibility for essential burdens which left him defenceless barring the support of his comrades at arms. It is the duty of the reviewing officer however to consider the negative aspects of this soldiers conduct however, as well as the outstanding ones, and as such it must be noted that the Haichei demonstrates a poor tactical awareness, relying too heavily upon his prowess in close combat and neglecting the advantages of range and patience, and that he displays a somewhat unnecessary concern for the wellbeing of his squad mates at times, exposing himself to peril in order to ensure they do not come to harm.

Recommendations Assignment to Gunzosha training is recommended, however Daisuke displays little to no command ability and should remain a soldier of the line. Additional training in tactical awareness will be of great benefit, and he may be a prime candidate for the deployment of heavier weaponry than standard, a shock pike being issued to him may allow his commanding officer more flexibility in his deployment as it would increase his options for engaging at range.

Performance evaluation Haichei Makato

Haichei Makato is first recommended for recognition of wounds received in the line of duty, were it not for the skills of Medic Madorosu Maximillion he would have expired in the service of duty during this deployment.

The Haichei is at first glance something of an unusual choice for Gunzosha training, not overtly displaying the dedication or discipline such an undertaking usually requires, it is however the finding of this review that his greatest asset is in the unification of a unit. His natural ease in social situations helps to settle a unit into easy familiarity and smooth over initial difficulties in bonding. In his martial skills I find no fault, he is in fact a skilled swordsman and may make a fine Gunzosha, however his natural rapport with his fellows and civilians may make it difficult for him to view situations dispassionately, indeed he has been most vocal in suspicion of ulterior motives during the last leg of this journey, I suspect from fear of risk to his friends. His objections, however impassioned, were not without merit and he displayed a commendable bravery in light of his standing militarily in bringing forth his concerns to his fellow soldiers and particularly in light of the nature of the situation.

Recommendations It is my suspicion that Makato may make a fine Gunzosha, however his easy rapport, noble birth and determined attitude may make him a candidate for close protection work as an aide to an officer or bodyguard to a VIP. While officer training cannot be ruled out I believe that he requires more time to mature before such an opportunity will be best received.