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Nesar-Kuhl

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Dezza:
The tree line was oddly quiet, only the thumping of heavy hoofs on the ground from impatient mounts, snorts from their noses and the clinking of harnesses drifted down the cleared mile of forest between the city of Zolinar and the Kuhl Forest. The horses of the Black Ravens formed a long dark line out in the open before the trees. Masses of undead milled about while behind the horses mages, clerics and other Corathite servants watched with dark glittering eyes he field ahead.


Behind them nervous Nesar soldiers stood in long lines waiting for signals from the Corathites to begin the attack. What they had seen and witnessed over the last few weeks enough horror to last them a lifetime. It paled into significance however at what they were witnessing now.


The Priest of Death Ozrin Nai, joined by several highly ranked priests and servants of the Dark God stood on the ground halfway to the city of Zolinar defying the enemy they had begun to mill around on the city's palisade defences.


Around them four tall poles had been erected just before dusk and some of the enemy Drach Tesak that had been captured in their relentless raids had been eviscerated and sacrificed in the open on the battlefield to the Baron of Death. Their entrails and body parts being pecked apart already by crows while their blood dripped onto the ground of the battlefield below.


The ceremony complete a roar came from the back of the city and yet again the dragon that had become a major problem for the embattled Corathite army rose into the air and began to climb.


Ozrin Nai cried harsh words aloud and the chants of those around him joined him and before them a gate ground open yielding forth heat that washed over those gathered. From the circle of blood on the ground creatures poured forth, demons of varying types and strength lusting for the blood and souls of mortals. Their howls, cries, jibbers and hisses loud in the air. Angry at being unable to turn and strike at those who had summoned them they turned to the nearest opponents where they could and set off towards the city.


Myr'drachs lifted into the air and angry black swarms and moved forward to land outside the palisade, exactly as Alandric had planned. With a single horn every one of the remaining war machines in the nesar army unleashed their cargo and entire groups of undead carrying disease and other nasty surprises were launched into the city.


Fire suddenly erupted in the area before Zolinars palisade as a greater Balor summoned by Ozrin Nai himself unleashed fury on the Myr'drachs and the battle was joined. Beast verses demon ensued in front of the palisade, the fire quickly spreading to the walls of the city after Alandrics engines had plastered the area of the last few hours by every bit of oil they had left.


The fire spread in fits and starts closer and closer to the palisade while a vicious battle took place between demons and Myr'drachs outside the city. Within the city itself the defenders raced to deal with the undead in the streets some one which were attempting to plunge into the water supplies and wells.


All around him in the trees Jehorums Ravens chaffed at the bit, wanting to charge down the hill and involve themselves in the raging fires and planar battle going on. Only fear of Jehorum and the Doctor who led them holding them in place. Eyes glanced desperately at Alandric who stood just in front of the forest out in the open one arm raised to the sky holding aloft a dark staff.


The demons were dying one by one, torn apart by the mighty Myr'drachs and the Dragon was starting to descend on the tree line and still Alandric held as the fire crept closer and closer to the palisade seemingly unbeknownst to the defenders who were focused on the demons outside and the undead inside.


Closer and closer it drew until it began to lick at its base and suddenly those in the tower over the main gate noticed the fire and the threat it provided. As figures started to scramble to bring buckets to bear, the dragon lined up its approach from east to west ready to cover the entire line of Alandrics' forces in acid breath. Jehorum watched the dragons approach glancing between Alandric and the dragon, back and forth as closer and closer it drew. He could see it breathing in deep gulps of air preparing. The sardonic face of Adder turned to glance towards Jehorum. Eyebite and Gimli closer by him. He seemed to be enjoying the moment of impending doom immensely.


The fire seemed to dampen for a moment then flared and blazed brightly, suddenly shooting up the palisade, the flames completely obscuring the tower and the occupants within it. From their position Alandric could hear the screams of the burning men and women inside the tower.


His arm dropped and almost as one, fear of having to face the advancing dragon driving them the Nesar-Corathite army charged forward. Undead shuffled along in large groups while the Cavalry raced forward forming into ragged formations in which to strike at the Myr'drachs trying to clear up the last of the demons and behind them running for their lives came the panicked Nesar infantry. Those too slow were caught in the dreaded dragons acidic breath, the skin burned from their bones within seconds of them being struck.


On the gentle slope, Alandric walked forward between the massive tree stumps left after Cyn Chen had all the trees around the city cut down to build the palisade that now defended it. The Ravens reached the Myr'drachs first and and soon the sound of screaming and dying mounts and their riders filled the air. Fire roared its fury over the main tower and gates into the palisade slowly spreading along its front the fire added to by mages and clerics launching spells into the same location. Alandric had put everything into breaching the gates and gaining a foothold to the city so that his plan had a chance of working.


As the Ravens engaged the Myr'drachs the undead and the Nesar soldiers poured between them making for the palisade itself. The fire had spread further and further to the left and right rising up in huge sheets of flame to obscure the vision of the archers manning the walls and forcing them to withdraw from the heat emanating forth. Several Drach Ori attempted to put out the flames by Nesar sniper archers and Corathite mages were specifically looking for them and any time they appeared they faced a vicious assault from the attackers.


As Alandric reached halfway to the palisade the Nesar soldiers and undead were reaching the heat soaked area and slowing down unable themselves to find a way through. Several started to fall to Cult archers able to shoot at times through the flames.


Alandric watched the Ravens for a moment, they were trying to form up in groups of three to every one Myr'drach in an attempt to bring down the formidable creatures or to at least keep them busy long enough that Alandric could carry out his plan.


Turning back to the slowing advance Alandric called forth his own demon, a powerful creature from the Pits who leapt froth with a snarl at Alandrics direction unleashed torrents of fire on the main gate adding to the conflagration and burning alive many of those who were on the inside trying to put out the fire or shoot at the advancing forces.  Behind it Adder and several mages began dropping sheets of ice onto the ground to form a path to the gate to enable the soldiers to move forth. The demon reached the gates and overhead the Dragon descended again to strike at it rage overcoming its senses. The Demon raised a monstrous flaming sword and cut through the gate in a single sweep then pushing through, flames roaring all around it.Then the Dragon hit and the demon, the remainder of the gate, the tower and dozens of Cult soldiers beyond were engulfed in a great sheet of acid destroying much of what remained.


Adder cheered and added more ice storms into the breach before cajoling the undead into the gap then the Nesar soldiers. Beyond the gates however was another story. Back across the street Cyn Chen had assembled her forces. Arrows rained out in slews peppering the undead and then into the Nesar soldiers beyond. Hundreds died in the initial assaults through the gate before the masses of undead, almost impervious to the arrows of the defenders began to give the soldiers a chance to get into the area in small groups. Many were dispatched quickly by the defenders and it wasn't long before they were starting to hesitate to go through even with Adder and other Corathite mages and clerics hurling abuse and threats at them all.


From Alandrics vantage point he watched carefully as they gate was breached then laughed as the dragon helped to finish the job. Even though it had removed his demon it had done more than Alandric could have wished for. He surveyed the field once more, the Ravens had managed to take down some of the Myr'drachs but the fierce creatures were ripping through the Ravens ranks. The Nesar soldiers were slowing in their advance into the city as they met fierce resistance amongst the Cult soldiers within.


It was time, thought Alandric. High in the sky the Dragon climbed for altitude then began a lazy circle to choose its new target. There, a small pocket of people on the field beyond the battle with the cavalry and the Myr'drachs. That was the Dragons new target. It's gaze centred on the man in black in the centre of the group, Alandric, and began its run.


Far below, oblivious to the dragons impending attack Alandric drew forth a skull from a place within his robes and placed it onto the ground. Speaking words taught to him in confidence he drew froth a vial of blood and opened the stopper. Even as he did so a cloud moved in front of the sun and a shadow was suddenly cast across the land.


The dragon above began to descend, its target clear, the sudden shadow not distracting it from its target far below.


One drop fell onto the skull, then two drops and soon a splatter of blood dripped and ran over the skulls smooth surface as Alandric continued the words he had been taught for just this moment.


The earth shook, a tremour that was felt through the city of Zolinar. High above the Dragon perceived the tremour as a shockwave in the ground that spread out from the target it had chosen, but still it continued on its path.


Alandric dripped the last few drops of blood onto the skull on the ground and completed the words of power.

The skull suddenly rose from the ground taking on an ephemeral quality as a shimmering form began to coalesce around it and then spreading down. A humanoid shape took form and slowly took solidity. Alandric stepped back and dropped to one knee as the figure finally took full form and gazed around him. Dressed in black armour with a flowing cloak of dark purple silk that flapped in a non existent wind the form drew forth a large jagged two handed sword of an unusual metal that glowed with a deep purple ominous glow in its right hand, a short silver and black staff topped by an unusual red gem held in its left hand.


Suddenly the figure glanced skyward, its skeletal eye sockets glowed deep purple like the two handed sword hand easily in one hand as it watched the advancing dragon.


Storan, once an emperor of all he had conquered, a mighty warrior mage, binder of Pit creatures to his will uttered words that caused the area to throb with power.  An intense humming sound began and the dragon's descent slowed in time while Storan moved quickly, ancient words of the Al'noth flowing from his fleshless mouth and sheathing the area around them in such power that Alandric could only dream of. Creatures suddenly appeared around Storan, ancient warriors who served him in life and bound to him in death, the best of the best throughout his history wielding a variety of weapons and bearing armour from warrior codes across the Pits. They formed a defensive phalanx and a large banner unfurled from one larger than the others bearing a horned Pit Fiend Skull as a helmet. The banned flapped once, then twice as a wind borne of primal energies flowed across the area. The third time is snapped open completely revealing a dark purple field with a black sword pointing downwards.


Alandric began to laugh, caught in the safe area outside of the time alteration that Storan had initiated he felt the powers emanating from Storan and the portal he had opened. Words of power continued to flow from Storans fleshless face each one calling forth more and more primal energy into the world of Layonara.


Above the group on the ground a huge shape began to form, thunder cracked and lightning blazed in the airspace between them and the dragon caught in Storan's magic that was slowly descending. A cloud of vapors poured forth from the portal and began to take form.


Across the field of battle, and outside of the range of Storan's spell the battle slowed naturally as peoples gazes were drawn to the growing storm cloud and the unnatural wind that was now whipping about the area.


Cyn Chen ascended stairs rapidly with her command staff to the top of the tallest building in the city emerging on the roof as the cloud suddenly became corporal. What they saw stunned them and chilled them to the core.


It appeared as a massive blob of flesh that seemed to simply hover in the air. A huge mass of crimson ridged flesh almost a hundred feet in diameter most aptly described its immediate appearance. As Cyn Chen watched the blob of flesh seemed to pulse and eyes and dark orifices appeared all over its body that could only be described as hawklike. The eyes ranged in sizes the largest being over three and a half foot long but they shifted and changed their size and shape as the blob hovered there.


Cyn Chens eyes drifted to one of the black orifices on the creature and blinked as suddenly spells burst forth from them, balls of fire, lightning bolts, sheets of acid and flame that struck out across the area towards the city of Zolinar.


Ducking involuntarily as the magical bursts struck around the city Cyn Chen felt a dryness in her throat and fear in her belly. From her vantage point she could already see her troops near the main gates drawing further and further into the city to escape the huge floating shape outside it.


Desperately Cyn Chen glanced up as the dragon suddenly moved downwards as Storan's magic released it. Unable to shift its descent the Dragon plummeted straight at the flesh creature in the sky. Bolts of lightning arced into the dragon as it closed on the creature and then they collided, the dragon sinking deep into the creatures form.


For a moment the blob of flesh stretched and flexed and Cyn thought the Dragon might tear a hole through it but then with horror Cyn noticed that the dragon was stuck on top of the creature pitifully trying to move its wings, tail and legs only to find them becoming more and more useless until the dragon was entirely paralysed and lying there helplessly its wild eyes rolling in its head. Even as she watched, masses of flesh extended out from the blob from several of the black orifices, almost like some sort of sick appendages and reached up to grasp hold of the dragon. Powerful magic pulsed through them and the dragon was incinerated it its grasp.



Below the unnatural creature Storan's words spread across the landscape towards where the Ravens were engaging the Myr'drachs and wrapped them in a sea of death. From out of the forest behind Storan thousands and thousands of undead birds intermingled with some larger undead forms of wyverns and drakes filled the sky like a blanket and descended into the melee, smashing themselves relentlessly into the Myr'drachs, clawing at eyes, crawling into mouths, ears and breathing holes. Tens of thousands of the creatures engulfed the Myr'drachs without mercy and as they smothered them the Ravens took the opportunity to plunge, swords spears and lances into the Myr'drachs killing them as best they could.


Cyn Chen watched from the building rooftop as her defence of Zolinar was ripped apart from magic more powerful than anything she had ever witnessed before. The area outside the city was a dark blanket of flapping, chittering and clattering winged shapes. She could see already many of her Myr'drachs either being dragged down and hacked to death by the Corathites Ravens or else fighting to free themselves of the undead birds and trying to flee the field of battle.


Inside the city her soldiers had fallen back long enough for the Nesar soldiers to gain the gates and form a bridgehead inside the city and even as she watched she knew much of the fight had gone out of her armies at facing such foes. Even the Nesar soldiers near the entrance to the city were nervously half watching what was going on outside.


Cyn desperately reconsidered her plans then swiftly made her decision as the massive blob of flesh in the sky started to float towards the city itself. Magic flashed from the dark orifices on its body setting alight building after building as it moved. She realised then what the enemy before her was intending. They didn't want the city, they intended to destroy everything and leave nothing behind.


Cyn dispatched orders to her people straight away. The local soldiers and the forces here originally could hold it alone she was not about to risk herself of her beloved Tesak in a fight such as this. They had nothing to match what was before them.


What followed was a slaughter and destruction of immense scale. As the Tesak fled the city so to did many of the remaining Myr'drachs fending off the undead birds that chased them relentlessly until reaching the range of Storan's control whereby they fell to the ground as lifeless piles of bones. The creature summoned by Storan wobbled its way over the city destroying anything and anyone from either side. Cult soldiers were obliterated along with Nesar soldiers by the creatures primal magics, launched from the dark orifices all over its body until after a time it began to wobble unsteadily and then puffed out of existence leaving a city burning below it.


Alandric walked down the hill alongside Storan and his phalanx of elite undead warriors taking in the scene of destruction before him until Storan halted where on the ground the skeletal remnants of the dragon had fallen after sliding off the flesh creature that had killed it. Here Storan paused and turned to Alandric, his dark purple eyes glowing as ominously as his sword.


"And this to seal the agreement." Then he turned to the skeletal remains, uttering deep and ancient words of power and magic as the bones shifted and reconnected and the creature rose from the ground shifting its head to turn and face Storan who waved it towards the city. The undead dragons mouth opened and roared silently before it flapped fleshless wings and leapt into the sky then descended into the city tearing apart buildings and anything resembling life.


Alandric watched as the remnants of his army including many of his Corathites fled the city racing back up the low rise towards the forest edge there to turn and watch the undead dragon tear what was left of the burning city apart with its claws and magical fire breath. He saw Adder and Gimli dragging Eyebite from the battle below who was bleeding heavily. Then he saw Jehorum reform the remaining Black Ravens and begin hunting down soldiers fleeing the destruction going on within the city.


Moments later Ozrin Nai and a large group of Corathites drew near and halted staring with awe at Storan and his guards while Alandric gloated and turned to them.


"Nothing is to remain here Ozrin, nothing, send out the word, this day the followers of Corath will show everyone what happens when you defy us. Go and kill, maim, torture any you find for tomorrow we leave this place with nothing but the dead. We have done our job, it is time to go home."


As the Corathites rushed off eagerly to pass the word Alandric turned back to Storan and bowed deeply.


"I agree that your promise is fulfilled as you said it would be and to a far greater benefit that I could have hoped for. You will have all that you asked for and more if need be."


Storan, once trapped for eons and not long freed from imprisonment regarded Alandric. "Yes, you will. Now you have seen some of my power, it is only a taste of things to come." With that he turned and marched into the glowing portal followed by his elite warriors and as the last one entered it snapped out of existence. The wind died instantly, the sun moved from behind the cloud only to be obscured again by the smoke and fumes drifting high into the air from the former city of Zolinar.


All through the night the undead dragon creature by storan demolished anything standing while the Ravens and Corathites hunted for fleeing soldiers and delighted in their own forms of entertainment anytime they found some.  Terrified Nesar soldiers who managed to survive the slaughter withdrew to the forest and others simply fled in groups to the south eager to be free of the fighting and the unnatural and mad Corathites, especially the one they called the Doctor, the worst of them all.


By the next morning the sun rose over a burning pile of rubble that was once Zolinar and as the sun touched the bones of the undead dragon it clattered into dust signalling the end to Storans part in the destruction.


Stories soon spread of the arrival of Storan and the destruction wrought by the creatures he summoned. Of the complete and utter destruction of the city of Zolinar and almost all those who were left behind when Cyn Chen and her Tesak fled the field of battle. Of the undead host of birds that came to Storans bidding, of the horrors and the terrors that walked the forest that day and of the atrocities unleashed on those found by the Corathites after the battle was over.


Such was the price of war some in Nesar said while others wondered at the high price of working with Corathites.


Either way Alandric and his remaining army moved south as he had said leaving behind nothing but rubble and death in what was once a large thriving city in a lush forest in Kuhl. As well as realising to the world that as one threat is diminished, another rises in its place. The world had only just got a glimpse of what the future 'might' hold.

Spike:
//I think my favorite part of these write ups is that the Green Dragon Cult are the good guys :p .

Dremora:
//Makes it strangely more enjoyable to read between two bad guy armies as opposed to good v bad.
Guess its just a change from the norm, even though the norm is also good fun :P

jrizz:
//Ummm holy c#%p!!!

Polak76:

--- Quote from: jrizz ---//Ummm holy c#%p!!!
--- End quote ---


Couldn't ask for a better reaction!!

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