Well, Lace and I have been doing a lot of brainstorming via PMs, and I think it would be a good idea to get them out in the OOC thread. So, here goes nothing...
Tsaesci Battle Plans
Firstly, here is a map that Lace made, which contains the Tsaesci's battle plans. The Tsaesci have kept this map and copies of it ever since they obtained it during Emperor Uriel V's failed invasion on Akaviri. It is very old; hence, there are mistakes on the map. The Tsaesci do not know this. The major inaccuracies that are portrayed in the map are the absence of Morthal and Markarth being drawn where Rorikstead is. (Click on the pictures to blow them up.)
Original Tsaesci Battle Plans (the one we will be referring to)
Translated/ slightly clearer Tsaesci Battle Plans (for your convenience)
In the maps, the Tsaesci invade via warships, attacking three holds with three armies: thy will be referred to as the Solitude army, the Dawnstar army, and the Winterhold army. Solitude army takes Solitude, Dawnstar army takes Dawnstar, and Winterhold army takes Winterhold. Solitude army takes "Markarth" (which is really Rorikstead, but on the Tsaesci's old, inaccurate map, it is labeled as Markarth). Dawnstar army and Winterhold army join to take Windhelm. Solitude army takes Falkreath. Dawnstar-Winterhold army takes Riften. Solitude army and Dawnstar-Winterhold army join at Riverwood to take Whiterun.
Note that these are just the Tsaesci's
plans and our goal is to stop them.
Storyline Brainstorming
Mum-mra or Ri'tai (it might have to be Ri'tai, since he knows the Tsaesci's language) overhears the Tsaesci conversing about a detachment sent to Markarth.
The Fourth Company arrive at Rorikstead at dusk, deciding to spend the night, and we begin to recruit any new militiamen at the inn. Melee sees us and becomes interested in the idea of defending her country, yet she knows that she could never leave her comfortable and secure life as an apothecary.
Our company pitches dozens of tents, builds a few campfires, etc. in the grassy land surrounding Rorikstead (picture an Imperial camp, but much larger and without any emblems of the Empire). Then the Tsaesci detachment storms Rorikstead, believing that it is Markarth, killing most of the company and taking many others as prisoners. Arcadia is killed in the chaos, but Gorz, Trenya, Tove, Ahsamiir, Melee, and a Redguard named Sorian (we can all control him in the RP) survive the onslaught. We run off into the woods and hide from the invaders. Once we're sure that we're safe and alone, we settle down in the forest and make a fire. Sitting around the campfire, our characters become more acquainted with each other. Sorian tells us of his story (we can come up with that later). Sorian is badly wounded, and Melee tries to tend to his wounds; however, even her endeavors at healing are fruitless. Sorian dies that night. His death sort of "seals the deal" for the rest of us, and gives us a uniting reason to fight for the survival of Skyrim. (Lace thought it would be nice to have "unison for a common cause" as a major theme for the RP; I think it's a great idea, as well.)
We return to Rorikstead to see if we can salvage anything useful, and Melee cries/ gets all dramatic when she sees Arcadia dead. We end up finding out that Arcadia killed a Tsaesci warrior, and after searching it, we find a redrawing of the Tsaesci's battle plans. We realize that they're all messed up. This would also give Melee a strong motivation to join our gang in the war against the Tsaesci.
Meanwhile, in Solitude, you and Ri'tai panic as one of you overhears that "Markarth" (actually Rorikstead) was completely obliterated. After having been lead through the same hallways for several months prior, you decide to attempt a prison break. It would be interesting to see how that goes about...
Since Mum-mra and Ri'tai believe that the Tsaesci have attacked Markarth, they'll head out that way... Our group, having realized that the Tsaesci believe that they have destroyed Markarth, will head to that way, as well, hoping that it will be a sort of temporary safe haven to regather ourselves and prepare to regroup with the militia/ fill in Elisif about the events in Rorikstead. On the way to Markarth (preferably close to the city, for realism), we could run into Mum-mra and Ri'tai... and a few Tsaesci are still stalking them. Gorz, Tove, Trenya, and Melee could show off their fighting skills for the first time in the RP. ^_^
That's as far ahead as we've brainstormed. The whole purpose of this is for our ideas to be contributed to by the rest of you guys; after all, it's everyone's RP! ^_^