The Grand Reveal
Parent Story Bastiynia-Metalloid Crisis
On 30 Tarsakh 855, the Bastiynian Government publicly revealed the Winborne One skyship in the town square of Xaicestra, but the demonstration was interrupted by a brief invasion of metalloid creatures. This marked the beginning of the Bastiynia-Metalloid Crisis.
Preparations
On 4 Tarsakh 855, the government announced across all prefecture cities of the upcoming reveal.
Discovery of grand significance to be unveiled by the senate! Join Senator Winborne in the Xaicestran town square at the end of the month, and be the first to witness Bastiynia’s greatest achievement! This unveiling shall change the world!
Over the following weeks, thousands from across the country had made their way into Xaicestra with high expectations of what they would witness. Throughout the capital city, nearly every inn had been fully booked, the streets were crowded by colorful travelers, and the shops overpriced by capitalizing merchants.
During this period, crime rates had sharply increased as more and more law breakers found their way into the city and took advantage of the chaos. The police were in force trying to maintain the peace, but they were criticized for prioritizing the protection of governmental figures and the very wealthy.
By the 30th, the central market had been fully converted into a large viewing area for the event. It mostly contained standing areas, but there were several tall viewing towers to maximize its capacity.
Winborne's Address
With an estimated 5000 people in audience, Senator Ihnaro Winborne delivered a rousing speech from the capitol's balcony.
Summary
The Department of Discovery was founded by Winborne with the goal of investigating an ancient people lost during the Age of Dwarvenkind. On 3 Hammer 855, Rilitar Glyntoris of the DoD explored a ruin within the Inferno Peaks, and he discovered some significant artifacts. First was a cache of black powder, which ultimately led to the creation of the directorate of firearms. Second was a set of gearboxes of levitation, which Winborne demonstrated their anti-gravity capabilities. Then the senator revealed the Winborne One as it flew over the capitol. He began to explain how the gearboxes led to the skyship's invention and how the republic expects a prosperous future, but then the metalloids attacked.
Contents
Greetings, people of Bastiynia. Nearly a century ago, the eight great city states of these frozen lands joined together with the ambition of unity and prosperity for all. We have since worked as a single nation in leading the continent with our thriving economy, military might, and devoted morality. Especially in my six years as Senator of Xaicestra, we have proven time and time again that Bastiynia is the greatest nation on Sylvania. And today, that sentiment shall become undeniable.
As one of my greatest acts as senator was the founding of our Department of Discovery. The primary goal of the DoD is to scour the lands for ruins and remnants of a lost time — a time before our homeland was touched by familiar civilization. Much is still unknown about who once lived here, but we believe they were around for a brief period during the Age of Dwarvenkind. These ancient people may be gone, but a few of their fantastic remnants are still around, hidden within our own lands. Earlier this year, the DoD discovered one of these remnants; one that shall be written into our history books as the greatest discovery for Bastiynia, and for the world.
On the third of Hammer, a patrol led by DoD's Rilitar Glyntoris was searching through the Inferno Peaks, and they found a hidden entrance leading deep within the mountains. Entering within, Glyntoris encountered the ruins of an ancient and extraordinary city. The architecture of this city was like none we have ever seen before: its tall, narrow buildings were made of an orange metal, all connecting to each other through a series of pipes. Walkways, artificial lights, and even a few buildings were all suspended in mid air. Glyntoris searched the city and found no signs of inhabitants, but he did find many artifacts of magic and alchemy that were previously lost to time. He found pieces of glass that could funnel light into a tiny point that burns anything it touches. There were also stockpiles of black alchemical powder that, when exposed to even the smallest spark, will ignite into a powerful explosion. But, what was certainly the greatest find was a collection of these.
Senator Winborne presents the Cube of Levitation and demonstrates its capabilities
When this object is activated, it cannot be moved . Not by gravity, nor by any sheer force. This object, is what we call, a Gearbox of Levitation.
Gearboxes like this one are what allowed those structures in the Lost City to float in mid air. They magically cancel the effects of gravity of not only themselves, but also anything they touch. The controls upon it allow its user to freely move through the air like a ship through the sea. Their speed is bounded, but combining multiple gearboxes allow them to move even faster. Clearly, their potential is limitless and world-changing, and to prove it, I present to you, My Grand Reveal.
The Winborne One flies over the capitol
Behold! Bastiynia's greatest achievement! The Winborne One!
By harnessing the power of these gearboxes, we are able to provide lift to large vessels and take to skies. The Winborne One is the first of many sky ships we plan to build in the coming year. Flight will no longer be limited to those gifted in the arcane arts. Now, I want you all to imagine what these will do for our country. Forests, mountains, and dangerous wildlife can all be avoided by simply flying over them. And just like a fully crewed sailing ship, the sky ship can travel around the clock, but without the weight of water slowing it down.
The Winborne One explodes and the metalloids invade
Metalloid Invasion
At approximately 12:15pm during Winborne's address, the Winborne One exploded and crashed into the city. Seconds later, a massive swarm of metallic creatures flew into the city and dispersed towards several locations.
The first swarm flew up towards the pieces of the sky ship that remained floating. They were seen surrounding the remains and rummaging through. Within minutes, the floating debris had all either fallen to the ground or were taken by the metalloids.
The second swarm flew towards the rear entrance of the capitol building. Several officers of the Xaicestran Police Force and agents of the Bastiynian Secret Service were nearby at the time and defended the door. Six of these defenders lost their life in combat, but they were successful in preventing the metalloids from entering the capitol.
The third swarm flew towards the crash site of the Winborne One, about 450 ft. northeast of the capitol. They were seen rummaging through the debris and perching on nearby rooftops. Officers of the Xaicestran Police Force and members of VASTL rushed the scene to fight against the metalloids and rescue the injured.
The fourth swarm remained at the edge of the city and did not engage.
After several minutes, all swarms pulled away from their activities and departed the city.
Aftermath
Many lives were lost during the invasion and the days following. With over 5000 people in the cramped, fenced-in town square all attempting to flee in panic, the death toll from trampling was far higher than any other cause during the event. It is estimated that 121 people died and 352 people wounded from being crushed by others.
At the crash site, 14 people died and 40 people wounded from fires and collapsing buildings.
During the entire event, the metalloids directly killed 6 people and wounded 17 people, all of whom were officers of the Xaicestran Police Force or agents of the Basitynian Secret Service. The only civilians directly attacked by the metalloids were members of VASTL.
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