Fort of Last Hope

[Alatriel]

Daniella returns to the Fort, escorted most of the way, but not harmed.  Her face is calm, but her eyes bear a complicated look of sadness, triumph and many other emotions.

As the gates shut behind her once more, she addresses those that have come to meet her on entry.  She offers her password quietly to Kobal to release him from duty as acting commander, and then clears her throat and looks around at the troops.

"General Siphe has given us three days to burn or bury our dead, to rest, and to repair our defenses as best as we can.  I ask you to please take this time to pray to what gods you follow, and get enough rest in between shifts of repair work.  Our duty here at this fort is not finished.  You have all fought so well, and it has been an honor to serve with all of you thus far.  An honor and a priviledge.  The war will resume in three days time, make no mistake.  You have all fought so well that even the General himself has been impressed and moved by your ingenuity, your tenacity, and your strength of courage and conviction.  

"Tonight we mourn those that we have lost thus far.  I ask that those talented with music here to sing of them, so that we may remember them all properly, and do them the honor that they have deserved.

"Once the fighting continues, we will continue to defend.  We will defend this fort as we have been, because the lives of our comrades to the north depend on it."

She looks at the officers present.  "I need all officers inside the meeting room as soon as possible.  We have things to discuss... and someone please get Mister Garvill if he is able to leave the portal for a short while."

She then heads off towards an interior room of the Fort and waits for the officers to gather.

[Alatriel]

Before joining the officers at the meeting room, Daniella goes to a small room and draws her sword.  As the light of her sword fills the room, she holds it before her, the point at the floor, and kneels before it, her head bowed in prayer.

"Toran, Hand of Virtue, Great Leader, and ruler of my heart.  I ask you to be with General Siphe and to help him navigate through the decisions that he is faced with.  Please help him to find the path that is right, and to rekindle his faith in a greater good.  I could see it in his eyes that he knows that his leader has been corrupted by power.  Please help him to know that he still has the strength to shift the balance back towards goodness.  Please lead him to the path that will redeem him as well as those that follow him.  I can see that he is a man of honor.  Help him hold on to that honor and serve a cause that is indeed honorable.  I may not be able to speak with him again, but he may be willing to let You into his heart, that maybe he and I may not always have to be enemies."


After a time, she stands again, sheathes her sword, and goes to join the officers to let them know what happened.

[Dorganath]

When the messenger comes for Connor, he is pacing slowly around the portal with a thoughtful expression while discussing something with a couple of the other mages. As the messenger passes the through the doorway, he notices a box of spoiled food placed outside the door. The aroma of early rot is unpleasant but not overpowering.  Connor pauses in both his pacing and discussion when the messenger arrives and delivers the Commander's request.

"Inform her please that I will attend shortly," he says easily. "as soon as I can write down a few findings."

The messenger nods and offers a reflexive, "Yes, sir" before turning and leaving.

[Dorganath]

True to his word, Connor arrives in the meeting room after a few minutes (though probably closer to ten or fifteen in truth).  He does not say anything upon entering, but simply takes his place in the room and wonders about the reason for his presence among the predominantly military occupants.

[Alatriel]

//When Daniella first returned after the meeting with Siphe//

Once all of the officers and Connor have gathered, Daniella describes the meeting with those present.  She explains that Siphe is indeed an honorable man and believes in what he is doing, but seems to have lost some belief that Molvaren is really good for them.  General Siphe says he has to take the fort, but it seems this is not because of personal desire, but because of what would happen if he didn't.  She explains that Siphe offered to let every single person go freely and unharmed should they hand over the fort.  

General Siphe suggested that his men might wait a while before heading north, until perhaps after they hear whether Molvaren is winning or losing rather than joining the battle, if it will help Daniella and the allied forces.

He suggested that if it came to it, he and his men would surrender to Daniella after the dust settles on Fort Hilm if the Allied Forces win.

The look on his face showed his dislike of Myr'drachs and Drach Ori, but could not say it out loud or give any indication that his faith in Molvaren had wavered because he, too, was being watched.

He still believes in the true core of the beliefs of the Cult which is that he dislikes dragons and the control they have over humanity.  He does not want humanity to have to pander to the whims of dragons or beg them for scraps under their rule.

He warned her that any food rations that they may try to bring in through the portal to supply the soldiers would be affected by what the Drach Ori were doing, and that it was not something that he was a part of.  She looks at Connor during this part of the explanation and asks him if this could possibly be the fluctuations he was talking about.

After everyone is briefed on what happened, she asks them to please get some rest and mourn their losses because three days will pass quicker than they will like.
¬¬¬

During the days of peace Daniella moves about the camp helping where she is needed, and making sure that repairs are being made, but also that each group of people gets changed out as needed so that each day everyone gets a full night's rest.  

On day three of the truce, people can look out on the outer fort and the field beyond and see that though the Cult has retrieved the bodies of their men and women, the bodies of the Myr'drachs lay as they fell, untouched.

Fighting resumed at dawn on the fourth day.  All around the fort the enemies Catapults wound up and released almost simultaneously and moments later thunderous claps echoed around the fort as once again the bombardments proceeded.  A large army rolled forward and engaged the northern and southern walls simultaneously.   It is hours later before the enemy came against the inner western wall and several probing attacks were made over the course of the day.

By evening the attacks ceased on all walls.

No further attacks were made during the night.

On the second day, Daniella was informed that there was only a week's rations left.  Daniella and a group of others gathered to determine what needed to be done.  Eventually the decision was to send out scouts to see how far back Siphe pulled his men during the night- if he stopped the attacks during the night once more.  Once again the attacks stopped by nightfall, and Ferrit and another scout left the Fort, climbing over the walls, and sneaking into the enemy camp.  Those who waited attempted to rest, but were prepared to leave should Ferrit and the other scout return.  

It was dawn before the scouts returned, and the attacks started again.  Ferrit and the other scout were spotted by several Myr'drachs as they attempted to climb up the inner wall to safety.  Archers and other diversions were ordered to keep the Myr'drachs off of the scouts, and the Myr'drachs instead landed on top of the wall, only to be dispatched by the allied forces.

When Ferrit gave her report, it was as Daniella had hoped.  General Siphe had left them a clear path to get to the Ori camp.  They decided to leave at dusk the next night, using the mages at the fort as a diversion as they sent magical barrages at the enemy siege engines to cover the exit of the strike force.

Following Ferrit's expert footsteps, the group managed to find their way into the Ori camp without being seen, and the battle began.  After a bloody battle, and several hellballs, the drach ori and many Myr'drach guards laid dead on the ground, and before them stood a large device.  

Richard Watchman examined the device, as more waves of Myr'drachs came to try to defend the device, and the allied forces fought off the monsters to give him time to work... in spite of the way that Richard continued to assure them that there was always enough time, and that time was irrelevant.

Soon, more of the enemy troops began to advance upon them, and Richard shot several destructive spells at the device, which set off a huge explosion.  The strike team was able to get clear, but the enemy troops were incinerated.

They made their way quickly back to the fort, fighting off a few straggling Myr'drach scouts as they moved, but onward towards the fort.  

As they approached, Knight Captain Alerancy and her Rofireinite force left the fort in an effort to give the strike team the means necessary to return to the safety of the fort.  Unfortunately, more lives were lost as it took the strike team longer than anticipated to return.  Captain Argali Trueaxe fell as well during the battle, and was forced to use the bindstone, as the forces were not able to collect her body.

The next day of battle raged on and more lives had been lost than had been desired, but overall, the mission was a success.

[Alatriel]

Two days after the assault on the Drach Ori camp, supplies are starting to come in from Fort Hilm- the portal seems to be working again.

Scouts also return with the information that there is a very large build up of troops on the north and western sides of the fort.

Daniella informs everyone to prepare their defenses and ready themselves for the attack.  

She also talks to those necessary to make sure plans for evacuation are in order- just in case.

[RollinsCat]

With the portal working and supplies coming in, Andrew and Gel's job becomes a little easier.  Andrew uses that time with Tiller to fully detail the net-throwers so they can be built at Hilm (interpreting the instructions and required equipment) and sends a copy of the plans for both throwers - along with Tiller to help build - to Hilm so they can prepare on that end.

[gilshem ironstone]

Gel emerged from the infirmary walking side by side with a Driran Archer, limping, weary but calmer somehow.  The clasp shoulders and share an intimate look, and the Archer plods off to his camp.  

As news filtered down of the respite the commander negotiated, Gel'larian, weary but peaceful, spent the next days in service to the soldiers of the camp.  He sang, as was the commanders will, epics of the bravery he had witnessed the last days of the battle; weaving tales of the deeds that kept him going through his time of troubles.

When battle was rejoined, Gel joined the archers up on the battlements, and when the team was assembled to strike at the Ori, he instead decided to keep the spirits of those within the walls aloft.  When the team returned, victorious, he lead the cheers.

Upon hearing about the build-up to the North and West, with a renewed vigor, Gel'larian set about repairing any of the archer's equipment that needed it.  All the while he sings songs of coming hope.

[Pibemanden]

*After the portal has been repaired Storold arrives from Hilm after having heard the rumour of the wild magic area from various sources. He seeks out Daniella to inquire about reports made about the phenomenon and directions to the site, safety precautions while there and how long she thinks it will be safe for Storold to stay at the fort and still have a chance to get away from there without too many problems*

[Alatriel]

Daniella meets Storold straight away, and thanks him for his offer of assistance.  She finds a copy of a map made by one of the Ilsarians, and points out where the map shows the disturbance.  She explains that the tunnels move out away from the fort, and it should take him approximately half a day to get to where the disturbance is, and that most of the denizens of the tunnels have been cleared out.  However, she offers to send a few soldiers with him to help in case any new threats have moved in.  She also tells him that provided the portal remains active and open, he should be able to use that to return to Hilm.  As to the reports of the phenomenon, she asks someone to fetch Richard Watchman so that he can discuss his own findings with Storold.

[Pibemanden]

*Storold tries to find Connor and ask him of the possibility to bring some of the mages from the Spellgard research group in so that the disturbance can be studied as much as possible before closing it down. He informs Daniella that he intends to make camp near the place for around a day to ensure that the disturbance is studied in detail before he has to move on to other things.*

[Dorganath]

Storold finds Connor generally near the portal or near the building housing the portal. When he approaches, he finds Connor in a discussion with another mage that seems to be about preparations for a summoning ritual.

At Storold's request, Connor asks if there are any names in particular he would request.  Regardless of the response, Connor nods and agrees to retrieve them (if they're willing, of course).  A few hours later, several mages from Spellgard come through the portal and seek out Storold.

[gilshem ironstone]

In between assaults on the walls, Gel'larian wanders off to find Thane Kobal for an audience.

[Dezza]

// Six days after the assault on the Drach Ori camp  // Day 20 since Ractrafiorez deadline // The day after Molvaren overruns the 10 mile lines at Fort Hilm

// Due to posting the Hilm one before this Storold is a bit out of sync but we can assume he came to Hilm after escaping the 10 mile battle.


Assaults come at regular intervals over the days since the end of the cease fire and the assault on the Drach ori camp, each one initially seems to be testing each of the walls but it seems that the attacks from the south show little to no enthusiasm since it is now almost impossible to get over the rubble that is the southern wall without significant loss of life.

At this point however the attacks on the seriously weakened northern wall before more fervent. Jaedon puts more of his elite Drach Garra into the attacks and it becomes evident that they are building to a major push.

By dawn of day 21 it comes. After a steady and thunderous assault by the dozens of catapults facing the northern wall several major cracks appear around several of the guard towers near its centre including the ones on each side of the gate.

When the catapults go quiet a large group of Myr'drachs launches themselves onto the walls where weary defenders along with many of the adventurers in the Fort rush to try and drive them back. Following that assault there is a loud roar and thousands of Cult soldiers rush the walls yet again, armed with grapples and ladders.

In the midst of the battle after many days without any sight of them the dragons return. Even the one that had been protecing the monstrous trebuchet is put into the battle and soon Daniella orders all available forces to the defence of the western inner wall and the northern wall.

Even as soldiers are rushing to fulfill her commands Daniel and Vrebel who are on the northern wall see what the enemy has planned and order them to fall back. Even as the soldiers scramble to abandon the northern wall two of the dragons risk bolts from the few remaining anti dragon ballistae to swoop down and hover in place in order to drop heavy metal chain links over the remnants of the towers around the northern gate. Together they fly towards the north until the heavy chains become taut and after the constant bombarment over the last few weeks the walls protest at the abuse is short lived and huge sections of wall tumble forward crushing a number of Cult soldiers attempting to climb them.

As when the section of western wall fell huge clouds of billowing dust rise up obsuring vision nearing that area of the fort and beyond. As the defenders retreat to the inner northern wall many glance back expecting at any minute the Cult forces to pour into the fort but instead nothing happens and the Cult forces withdraw and soon after are seen moving their seige engines and other materials up closer to the now broken open northern wall. It soon becomes apparent they will take the Fort step by step and already by nightfall it seems they are readying for a major assault the following day.

That assault comes not the next day but on day 23 when the Cult brings up their Seige engines to launch into the main compounds of the inner fort. There is a brief moment of panic as one of the boulders collapsed more rubble over the entrance to the escape tunnels but it turns out to be easily removed.

Not long after that incident a boulder thrown by the monster trebuchet smashes the upper story of the building where the portal is located and Connor orders some of his people back to Hilm now that things are getting very dangerous for anyone inside the fort. Within a day of the constant pounding of the boulders the inside of the fort looks like a broken ruin. Shattered rocks and buildings litter the area, and fires burn out of control in a number of locations. Exhausted soldiers and mages work to try and control the fires as best they can but nothing seems to be able to stop the constant barrage from the cult engines.

Considerations are given once again for a series of forays outside the inner compound to try and elimanate the seige engines that are slowly destroying the defences, the fort and the will and determination of the defenders as well.

Into this discussion comes Connor who suggests that he may be able to provide some additional support should they wish to try and make a play for one of the dragons or the seige engines. Daniella hears what he offers and agrees with him then selects some of those in the fort who might be willing and crazy enough to create a diversion.

Finding Griff, Vrebel, Kromlek and Wren together Daniella approaches them.

"Gentlemen, I have a job for you, I want you to gather up some of the others. Perhaps fetch Ferrit, Gel, Argali, Gorm and either Kylie or Hayley. Connor has told me he has to head back to Fort Hilm, Molvaren has brought his army up to begin laying seige to the Fort itself. Apparently he overran the ten mile defences and just kept on coming and he is needed there.


But he has offered to summon some creatures for us in an effort to either elminate one or more of the dragons or some of those seige engines that are just weakening us with every stone they throw. With that in mind I want you to create a diversion. I want you to mount an attack to the west and try to reach Jaedons command tents. If you can reach him then capture him and bring him back. If not, make enough noise that they think thats what you are going to do and in the meantime Connor will do whatever it is mages do."

Several smiles appeared amongst them and they rushed off to prepare for the counterattack.

An hour later those requested stand inside the western wall ready and eager to be heading out to engage the cult forces beyond. At the allotted signal the postern gate as the bars removed and the adventurers slip out. As soon as they leave the shadow of the wall a dragon flies overhead once again delivering a payload of heavy rocks onto the defenders within. An explosion occurs a moment later with the only remaining anti dragon ballistae trying to catch the dragon and missing.

Moving across the dead body littered area at the base of the wall the group is immediately set upon by a group of fifty cultists working to scale the wall nearby. The battle is joined almost immediately and as it begins it draws the attention of large groups of Myr'drachs standing on the rubble of the western wall who begin to fly over to join the fray.

Meanwhile in a small rubble strewn compound of the main fort building Connor finishes his summoning ritual. Wearily he stands and looks at Daniella and nods. At that motion Daniella sweeps out of the area and rushes to the northern inner wall to stand with her soldiers ready if the Cult counterattack immediately.

As she rushes off Connor looks to the sky above where the glint of metal flashing in the sun is suddenly seen. He watches, hand over his eyes to shade the sunlight from his gaze as several shapes descend from up high, circling, lower and lower. Below them oblivious one of the dragons circles around the fort out of range of the anti dragon ballistae.


Moments later, but what feels like an eternity to Connor as he struggles to hold the strands of magic linking himself to the creatures, the circling dragon seems to jerk and spasm in the air as several slashes of silver strike it from above. Roaring in suprise and anger the dragon moves to veer away and its wing is virtually sheered off close to its body and it rolls over as it falls to the ground with a great thump outside the walls of the fort.

Faces look up to gave in wonder at the creatures that killed the dragon.
Creatures that resembled gigantic eagles one whose was almost 13 foot in length. Their plumage was tinted with a light azure color that almost allowed them to be invisible against the sky if it werent for th fact that their head and beaks and the edges of their wings had a glittery silver that flashed in the sunlight. As they wheeled about in the sky their eyes flashed with silvery lightning. As people watched, one moment they circled in the sky and the next they banked and wheeled and flashed like lighting towards the seige engines on the ground.

Before the Cult could react the strange metallic glittering edges of their wings sheared through cables, thick wood and even some of the steel on a number of the Seige engines. Leaving them totally useless. Suddenly realising that an attack was underway on their northern seige engines Myr'drachs began to fly towards the strange blade like birds but the creatures made a mockery of them. Their speed, agility and deadly beaks and feathers seemed to cut and slice anything they touched and for all their power the Myr'drachs could not match them and many died as they tried to engage them.

In minutes half of the enemies seige engines to the north were destroyed and another quarter of what was left badly damaged while the Cult was in disarray trying to stop the creatures and their deadly attacks.

At which point Connor sagged to a bench nearby and the creatures once again disappeared.

Meanwhile outside the inner western gate the adventurers found themselves hard pressed. Fighting on all sides almost they had not made it beyond the first street outside the wall and had formed a ring of defence with the casters in the middle. Up on the wall seeing the problems below Kobal ordered his crossbowers and archers to target the Cult soldiers between the adventurers and the gate. Cutting down the enemy behind them allowed them at least to back up to the gate and slip through dragging Gorm last of all who insisted that he could take just a few more before he was almost physically hauled through by Kromlek, Vrebel and Griff working together.

Later that day Daniella was called to a lookout post to see the enemy general inspecting his seige engines in the distance seemingly most upset about their loss. By nightfall the few remaining engines were being dismantled and dragged around to the western wall leading them to suggest that the main focus from now on would be that wall which the enemy had been pounding since they had taken the outer western wall.

Time was slowly slipping away but now it ws day 24 of the deadline that Ractrafiorez had given everyone and they were starting to think that they might just hold out long enough after all.

[Dezza]

Something of note:

http://forums.layonara.com/rumour-has/283293-rumblings-fire.html#post1719871

[cbnicholson]

Daniel makes his way first to Conner to ascertain the wizard's condition. Realizing he is suffering from spell exhaustion only, he escorts the man to a relatively safe location of Conner's choosing and leaves them there to recover. Daniel then goes to find Commander Daniella.
 
 "Commander, with all due respect, this fort cannot hold any longer despite the determination and faith of its defenders. I believe the time has some to make use of your fallback plan." Daniel seems almost reluctant to continue, but standing amidst the destruction and battle he gathers his courage. "Your troops have done all they can, There is little to be gained from dying here." Daniel lowers his voice for her ears only. "I am asking your permission to withdraw to Hilm and for you to dismiss me from your service, Lady Daniella. Our strength is needed in Hilm now and I know there is a purpose for me elsewhere.. I am to join with Steel, where ever he may be. Will you not help me in this? " He waits a few moments for her reply, barely wincing as yet another section of the wall falls.

[gilshem ironstone]

Gel'larian cursed as they fell back within the walls.  If they could have held out for a few more minutes, he was sure they would have started pushing through.  He diligently began checking his supplies so that he would be ready when the next orders came.

It seemed to him that he felt the rumble in his feet before the sound came to his ears.  He looked about in a vain attempt to see who was responsible, but of course, everyone seemed as surprised as he did.  He squinted upwards to see the plumes of ash billow towards the sky and as he watched the ask spread out, he could not help but think of conversations he had been privy to in the last year.

[Script Wrecked]

So too within the Orsgaunt mountains, from two of the tallest peaks, one of which lies close to the Fort of Last Hope there is a deep rumbling. Just after Connor departs from the fort after having summoned the creatures that attacked the enemy siege engines defenders in the fort hear loud cracking sounds from the mountains and scouts report a number of avalanches and dark smoke and ash rising from at least two of the peaks. Soon a think sprinkling of ash and soot begins to drift down over the fort and the battles being fought within creating yet more worries for the defenders.

Argali seeks out Mogrin and Herjak to see if they know or can determine who (or what) wakes the mountains.

[Pibemanden]

*Storold spends his time waiting for the mages seeking out Richard, hoping to get his account of the wild magic area and the location around it. When the mages arrives Storold prepares to head out with the force Daniella is willing to lend him and the mages from Spellgard.*

[Aerimor]

*Richard arrives to Storold.*

Mister Doesscha, how pleasant to see you.  *Richard bows in the traditional Huangjinese fashion* I trust you are well?

*After whatever small talk, Richard enthusiastically relates the information and observation about the disturbance.  His observations focus on the temporal and then delve into more general observations.  He expounds upon a few minor tests his administered and then ask Storold on how this anomaly seems to compare to others he has experienced.  When Richard learns of Storold's plan to visit the disturbance, Richard offers to go with him and tells Storold he'd love to watch the legend in action.*

//If accepted, Richard accompanies Storold for his travel there and back.  Richard will keep track of time to make sure he is back in the fort before the final two days of planed evacuation.