The World of Layonara
In-Character Forums => The Dragon Storm Campaign => Topic started by: Dezza on June 24, 2011, 10:28:12 pm
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Within three weeks of Molvarens departure from Hilm thousands line the still rubble strewn streets of Hilm city to watch line after line of soldiers, cavalry, pikes, shields and a various assortment of supplies and auxilery as they wend their way out of the castle and surrounding city and into the lands surrounding them heading south. Their ultimate destination being Briardusk.
At their lead is several hundred mixed cavalry and a shining figure bearing a Toranite standard. Behind Lady Daniella Stormhaven rode a score of hand picked Toranite shock cavalry and then came the various functionaries and army commanders from Hilm as well and so on and so forth. Long lines of rejuvenated and eager soldiers marching to reclaim their lost lands.
The only dark side to mar the leaving of the fifteen thousand strong army was the announcement that the legions of Rael troops will soon be recalled from Hilm unless Lord Rael is invited by the leaders to continue to support the war effort in its new phase.
Sir Lance, Queen Langovale, Lord Alexander and many others watched from the castle walls as the army led by Lady Daniella flowed south along the main road. Sir lance knew that if Rael withdrew it would leave Hilm Castle vulnerable again with many of its soldiers travelling with Lady Daniella to reclaim the lands south of Hilm Castle. He also know he had to work hard to prevent others from deciding their job wsa done and taking their soldiers away as well. The war was far from done yet.
As he stood on the wall Lance looked around the horizon, dark clouds still hung in the air to the north and the south west over the Orsgaunt mountains. While to the north west the sky was dark speckled with black and orange as even from this vast distance the fires and smoke from the erupting volcano's of Molten Isle cast a dark shadow over the entire northern regions of the world.
He worried that soon Boyer would also recall their troops since their country had been affected to a large degree by the fallout of ash and fires sparked by lava balls thrown hundreds of miles from the volcanos of Molten Isle that had truck their northern regions.
Work had arrived that morning that Ractrafiorez had been back to the renmants of Fort of last Hope and that the Jaedon Siphe's Siphe garra had now reached the five or six thousand mark and continued to grow everyday as highly trained man and women of the Drach Garra abandoned their Cult Masters in favour of the former General.
So too word had finally arrived of the Cult defeat at Zolinar and the horror stories that came with them of demons and devils, of the Risen Storan and the complete and utter destruction of Zolinar so that every building, every stone, every blade of grass had been reduced to nothing. Zolinar no longer existed but a barren and scorched area of forest that once housed a bustling and thriving city. Queen Langovale had wept when she heard what had happened and deputations had already been sent to Nesar to protest at what had occured. Lance worried about Sundance and the Nesar army there doing the same thing but was reassured due to it being under Razeriem and Gork's control for the moment with no Corathites present. he knew one day there would have to be a reckoning for the leaders of the army that assaulted Zolinar, that this man who called himself the Mad Doctor would have to be found and dealt with...and Storan..well, that was a new worry for the future.
As Lance watched the army depart he considered his own departure in two days time. With Rael potentially withdrawing it was not going to give him anywhere near the 20,000 soldiers he was hoping to take to Sundance. In fact he and Lord Alexander had engaged in stern words he day before over just how many Lance would be able to take. Lord Alexander wanted at least ten thousand soldiers left to protect Castle Hilm and the north as well as the supply route to Alhon. That meant Lance could only field five to ten thousand able soldiers to go south. The plans had changed slightly in that he would give Daniella a head start then advance south and bypass the engagement at Briardusk. If Daniella looked like she was going to have problems the advance to Sundance would be given up and lance would join her at Briardusk, but for now he would go to Sundances aid.
As Daniella's large army slowly moved south her scouts spread far and wide. At regular intervals groups made up of about three scores would move off to resecure border posts to the west while other hunting parties ranged to the east towards the Orsgaunt mountains to flush out any remaining pockets of Cult soldiers or wayward Myr'drachs. Eerily however their advance south meet no resistance and within days the army was a hundred miles south of Castle Hilm and not far from the remains of Wallach's crypt.
Here the army settled for several more days while Daniella confirmed through arriving scouts who reported to Jillseponie that their rear was clear, the border posts reinstated and Lances army was on the move. Daniella knew the next week and a half would be unpleasant for the army following her, a journey through the Withered lands was hard enough at the best of times but when you faced the possibility of being attacked by hostile forces as well as the hostile natural creatures that lived there it was going to be unplesant indeed. She knew at some point she would branch off and head to Fort of last Hope while Captain Argali, Captain Vrebel, Captain Kromlek, Captain Gunder, Captain Daniel and others could continue on to Briardusk and settle the army and begin to gather intell on what they faced until she returned, she still worried at every detail and prayed regularly for strength and guidance.
Days later the army packed up and moved into the Withered Lands and within days they met their first resistance. Drach Tesak had set up a myriad of traps and deadfalls throughout different areas and it seemed Drach ori had also set up magical traps as well. Daniella lost a number of soldiers to the deadly traps before slowly the advance and asking some of the more seasoned adventurers to move forward with Jills scouts and support the recovery of the traps. For perhaps the first time in her life she would have liked Lord Arkolio to be present to deal with the traps since he seemed to have a knack for them but then she thought she'd have to put up with his own self aggrandizement for the entire journey. In that moment she was glad he decided his Katherian soldiers and he would stay in Hilm and help with the clean up. Mind you she was a bit concerned about hearing they were looting the bodies as opposed to cleaning them up.
Their movement slowed to a crawl through the ravines and it took more than a week to reach the other side and be within a few days march of Briardusk itself. Here Daniella stopped the army again and prepared to take a small group to the east to hopefully meet and speak with the former Cult General, Jaedon Siphe. It was here she heard some disturbing news. A Toranite patrol had failed to return from a sweep in the Withered Lands. Almost a score of solid dependable Toranites unnacounted for. Daniella waited another day while Ferrit was sent out with Jill to look at the area they were supposed to be and when they returned they reported finding no trace of the patrol.
Concerned but unable to do much about the incident, Daniella gave her Captains their instructions and left with a score of Toranite Cavalry as well as Drexia and Ferrit and set off for the remains of Fort of last Hope.
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Two weeks later and so much has happened!
Lady Daniella has returned to the army camped north of Briardusk with startling news. A fanatical sect of Toranites were behind the attacks on the Siphe Garra and have been brought down and Jaedon Siphe has issued a startling request that has left many Hilmites angry and confused. He wants to carve out his own little kingdom in the middle of Hilm.
In the last day also Sir Lance has arrived from securing Sundance in Hilm control. Having left most of his force there to secure the lands to the original border with Nesar he has arrived with a smaller force to join the existing one waiting to assault Briardusk.
Sergeant Brank Far has brought 1000 Elite Heavy Nesar Infantry to join the fight.
A number of adventurers have begun to arrive at the scene also in preparation for the coming conflict.
Scouts have spent their time trying to find ways in, out, around, under and over in getting into Briardusk coming up against blank walls at every occassion.
What they have been able to find out is that there is maybe eight to ten thousand soldiers, which includes maybe 5 or 6 hundred Myr'drachs and approximately a third of the army being enlisted Drachs of different orders within the city. They also indicate there are a number of Drach Ori and ex adventurers as well.
It is clear to all those arriving that the enemy have dug ditches around the city and filled them with as much debris and dead wood as can be found for miles in each direction in the Withered Lands. They have soaked the ditches in thick oil as well. The city is surrounded by not one but three rings of thick earthernwork walls reinforced by steel framework inside them. The outer two formed in the last few months after they took the city. Dragon fire has been used to bake the walls to a dense and extremely hard consistency.
The concerning matters as well is that the Drach Oi have also set up some sort of magical defense around the city. There are buildings at regular points with large metal rods protruding from them and extending at least 60 feet into the air. There is one of these buildings in a ring around the inner city every 1200 feet or as close as possible to it. At night the metal rods create a humming sound that can be heard across the withered lands to where the army is camped to the north awaiting orders.
As well as that at night there are strange growling sounds coming from a building close to the middle of the city.
Two dragons have also been causing trouble destroying a number of war machines set up by the allied forces. On top of this night allied sentries have sworn they saw a large dark shape fly over the allied lines on more than one occassion but have assumed its one of the dragons.
At least a dozen scouts have been lost, never returning on scouting missions.
Finally the land around the city lives up to its name, the Withered Lands and is barren of just about everything meaning the army is relying heavily on supplies being brought down almost daily from Castle Hilm.
Into this situation, with Lady Daniella's arrival with five Siphe Garra War Advisors plans begin to be made for the inevitable assault on the city.
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Argali addresses the force's commanders.
"The firrst thing we arre doing iz torching their fire ditches, no? Once they have burnt out, then we take the action."
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Steel arrives and spends some time conferring with Razeriem before making his way to Lance Stargazer's command tent. Assuming he is given entry, he addresses the commanders present.
"If you attack Briardusk, Kuhl is lost to Molvaren. This is Molvaren's gambit to drain you of men and leave you nothing with which to retake Kuhl. I would suggest that instead of attacking, you lay in for a prolonged siege. Starve them out. Keep them busy. And then pick a weak point in Kuhl and attack. Force Molvaren to retreat from Hilm just to maintain Kuhl. And then hit Kuhl hard.
Do not make the mistake of attacking Briardusk. Your men will suffer and die, and all you will have accomplished is regaining a crumbled city and a weakened Hilm that sits next to a secure Kuhl. I'll say it again, do not attack Briardusk."
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Daniella looks at Steel.
"Your suggestion is noted and will be taken into consideration, Mercenary."
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*Jil quietly looks over her map making notes and moving markers according to reports that come in, appraising the others when anything important is given to her (See Scouting descriptions above). She keeps an ear open to the discussions going on, waiting to interject her thoughts when appropriate.*
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"We can make the double feign, no? We set fire to theirr ditches, which will make everything smokey and be verry annoying for them. We take ourr army past Briarrdusk into Kuhl. Hopefully, they will be going, 'oh my goodness, what iz going on?' Hopefully, they will not be able to resist, and come out after us, possibly with the intent of pincerring us between anotherr forrce from inside Kuhl. Instead, our secondarry forrce comes up behind their Briarrdusk forrce which has now taken to the field, and we arre pincerring them between ourr two forrces. Then we retake Briarrdusk and proceed into Kuhl.
"It all depends on how much forrces we have, and how much forrces they have."
In a softer voice, "It would be the good opporrtunity forr the General Siphe to be showing which side of the fence he iz sitting."
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"Siphe has said that Briardusk was the staging area for something big that the Drach Ori were planning. They are prepared for us, and I agree, they probably want us to attack them." Daniella looks over those gathered. "I had hoped that General Siphe would join our forces to help retake Kuhl. He still might, however, we can't count our chickens before they're hatched. As of now, we have what we have here. We've fought some of the other so-called Grand Plans of the Ori before. We destroyed their mechanism that was spoiling all of the food at Last Hope, and we've fought against countless Myr'drachs and other abominations over the years, and there are some of us here that fought against the vile contraption surrounding the Broken One's body. If those weren't big, then I don't really know what is. But we have to prepare for the worst. There is a possibility that there are no innocents left alive in Briardusk. But even if every single citizen of Hilm has been killed, we still have to retake this city. We have to get them out of Hilm. Captain Trueaxe, your plan is good. Let's see what else we can come up with before we make the final decision."
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*Wren surveys Briardusk, taking in all the information gathered. He listens to the advise being given to the commanders. After Steel and Argali preset plans Wren frowns*
Tough nut to crack. We can break ourselves against this rock if we try to take Briardusk but at the same time we cant leave this force behind us. Also whatever last ditch effort the Ori are up to cant be given time to come to fruition. Those rods and that hum at night *shakes his head* there is a lot of power at work. We destroyed a large source of there power when we took out the Broken One's body. Where and what is the source of this current power? Whatever the source there has to be some indication where it is coming from, you cant just mask this large a display.
I cant speak to the large military movements, there are much better military minds here then mine *smiles*. But on the subject of small movements, there may be a play for us to make. Locate and disrupt the source that the Ori are using. That should slow things down here a bit. *looks around*
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*Vrebel nods to Steel after hearing the others talk including the commander*
The tables have turned and seems that Briardusk is Molvaren's Fort of Last Hope. He'll want us to be here for a while.
The longer we lay seige at Briardusk the stronger and more fortified Molvaren becomes in Kuhl. Briardusk feels different somehow. The humming from those buildings dont sound good and I bet it means alot of charred bodies before this fight is over. They got two dragons, hordes of mydrachs and some impressive physical barriers to overcome.
But they possibly have women and little girls in there that may still be alive. They're doin things to them I dont even wanna imagine. I aint one to run from a fight especially when there's women folk to save. *He furrows his brows*
I say we take the fight to Dusk. If Siphe wants to prove that he deserves his little kingdom he better help us. This is in his so called kneck of the woods anyways!
If he joins us in Briardusk then we can re deploy to Kuhl and let him show his worth by continuing the seige in Dusk.
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*Gunder chimes in confidently*
Oi say we crush da forces at Briardusk, den keep on movin' roight to da heart a Kuhl fer Molvaren.
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*Wren listens to Vrebel*
Not so sure it is a good idea to bring Siphe here and leave him here. He has not really turned sides, he has merely seized the opportunity to get himself a kingdom. I don't think he can be trusted with our backs at this point. Just my opinion of course *grins*
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Daniella speaks up again.
"Alright, I'll have not one more word against Jaedon Siphe. I know as well as the rest of you what he's done against us. Apparently none of you realize what he's done for us just yet. I'm not saying you have to become friends with him, but you should at least understand this.
When we met at Last Hope, he gave us time to recover our dead. He continued the fight because he felt he had to. Even still, he gave us time to recover each night from that point on. He didn't have to. He gave us the opportunity to destroy the Drach Ori camp and the device that was destroying our supplies. Yes, I'm sure you could argue that it benefitted him as well, but it benefitted us more. He was supposed to join Molvaren against us in Fort Hilm. He didn't do that. Instead he told me he would find a way to not be able to make it there. In fact, he has pulled forces out of Kuhl and away from Molvaren. Yes, we have fought against him for years. Yes, he is a stubborn and unyielding man in combat, but he defeated us at the Fort of Last Hope. He has upheld his side of the truce. A truce that our side has now breached once because of disobedient, rash actions. Something that caused the deaths of good men and women, and almost cost us this very fragile truce that we have now.
So if you can't understand that what he did for us was give us opportunities to do what we've done, then understand this. I know that that man has at least kept his word to me. If that man says that he is joining forces with the Allied troops, then he is joining with the Allied troops, and if any one of you from that point on decides to try to betray him or his men because of spite you will answer to me directly. If you are planning it now before he has been given enough time to make a decision that will affect the lives of his men and their families, then go ahead and leave now. I do not reward honor with betrayal, and I will not stand for it either."
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Vrebel seems a bit taken back by Commander Daniella's fervent support of Siphe but keeps his composure and offers a slow salute to her and a nod to Wren before speaking
I agree Commander with what you said regardin' Siphe and his actions up ta now. He fought us hard at Hope, displayed honor in battle and gave us chances in this war that we wouldn't of had otherwise.
Far as his thoughts and motives *shrugs and gives Daniella his best poker face* I'm guessin' you'd know em' better than anyone here.
As we sit, our forces are in danger of bein' surrounded on three fronts durin' this seige. Briardusk to our south, Molvaren to our west and Siphe to our east.
He glances at Wren
I dont like that Siphe is aligned with Ractrafiorez but I'm inclined to agree with Commander here. If he fights against Briardusk that's one less front we have ta worry about. He is skilled at laying seige as he has proven in Hope. Heck maybe even give him his rocky kingdom in exchange for his help at Dusk. But I dont make those kinda decisions thank the gods.
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*Tralek waits and listens while the others speak and at a pause he would interject*
Hmm, yes, Briardusk is going to be a tough battle for sure. They are fully prepared for us. To leave it and go into Kuhl I think unwise though. *Nods to Daniella* Siphe has shown honor in battle and he has fought us hard for sure. *Nods to Vrebel* I do think it's time though, for Siphe to show he means what he says in wanting to be recognized as a true Hilmite. We have seen Siphe fight us, but we've not seen him fight against Molvaren. If he officially wants a part of Hilm, then I think its time we see him and his elite draw swords and spill blood against the Molvaren controlled Briardusk.
In the meantime, before Siphe can get here, we can prep Briardusk for him. I've been studying this border of magic around their defense and I've noted the buildings at certain intervals. It is my suspision and theory that these buildings are links into the magic cycle and if you destroy one, it may break the cycle and cause the magic defense to fall. I say we send a group in to take out one of these magic defense buildings and cause any other havoc we can find on the way. Then we wait for Siphe to arrive and we stand guard as he and his own make the assault. If Siphe is worried about leaving Hope, well then he has to trust us too right? As well, he has the Ractrafiorez to guard it and keep him posted if there are any threats approaching Hope.
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"No, General Siphe is waiting for a decision from the Belinaran nations to support his claim to the lands that he conquered and to appoint him as official steward of the Fort of Last Hope. If they accept him, he has given his word that he will join us against Briardusk. If they do not, he feels he has to defend his lands. He is not going to rejoin Molvaren."
She looks at the members of the Siphe Garra present. "You five know more about what we can find in Briardusk. What do they have that we don't know about?"
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*Over the conversations Lance is studying the map and before the question to the Siphe garra members he states clearly*
We are taking back the city, That are our orders as they stand, we need to reclaim the territory stolen and this will give us an entrace to Kuhl,
We have indeed no time to lose, Our enemies are securing the Kuhl kingdom as we spoke, withdrawing and fortyfing their defenses, gathering their supplies, the more we spend here the more stronger will be the battles ahead .
**he looks at the Siphe Garra members on the table awaiting for them to Answer to Daniella *
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It was three days since the order was given to complete the siege around the city and the combined allied host had spread out to completely enclose the city of Briardusk.
Fire and smoke still billowed into the air, at times almost completely obscuring either the city of Briardusk or the surrounding sieging allied army. Since the disastrous assault led by Honorary Captain Vrebel on the eastern defences of the city Lady Daniella had ordered no further assaults and for the trenches to be fired. Before long archer companies from Hilm had advanced in long lines to pepper the trenches with fire arrows and set the thick oil alight.
And now, there seemed no signs of stopping the blaze. There had been plenty of activity over the last three days however. Most of all the fallout from the failed assault and the lost of over half of the Hilm 10th Division as well as many of the adventurers that had joined them. Analysts had spend the last few days going over the details again and again to determine how such an operation could have gone so badly.
The results of which came to light in a meeting with the allied commanders as Sir Lance returned from Castle Hilm yet again with orders from Lord Alexander. During the meeting it was revealed that the assault failed due to the following reasons.
1/ The enemy trenches proved to be very difficult to navigate over.
2/ There was little magical reinforcement for the assaulting division.
3/ The enemy archers had well defended positions and took a heavy toll on the attackers before they even reached the outer earthwork walls.
4/ The enemy war machines were perfectly geared to strike the trenches and the ground between the trenches and the first earthwork wall providing a clear killing ground.
5/ The nature of the very flat terrain around Briardusk for miles meant the enemy could see everything the allied forces were about to do and were ready for the assault.
Once the analysts had presented their findings with the help of the Siphe Garra to the grim faced and a few red faced people present Sir Lance unrolled the orders from Lord Alexander to be read to those present.
"From Lord Alexander to the allied commanders at Briardusk,
Henceforth let it be known that should any 'actions' be undertaken without sanction of at least one of the following persons, Sir Lance, Lady Daniella, General Polis (who will arrive in a day from Hilm and will act in my capacity at Briardusk), Knight Commander Kerivan of Rofirein or Moraken, who should be with you in a day or so. This directive can only be overridden in the event that all of the above become incapacitated and unable to fulfil or conduct the chain of command effectively on the battlefield. I would suggest that if such was the case then we have lost at Briardusk and there is no hope left."
A few moments of silence fills the air and a few people look around at each other before Daniella speaks.
"I have asked one of the dwarven engineers from Hilm to attend this meeting with Captain Argali. Her, Azka, Kromlek and Gunder took the engineer under cover of the darkness and smoke last night to investigate the trenches and assess how much longer they may burn."
A nervous dwarf steps forward in Hilm colours and speaks,
"Well, it seems dey knew wot dey beh doin', ye see deh oil in deh trenches nay beh burnin' away. Actually it is but dey are bein fed from deh underground or by some means from anudder source and dats why dey not beh goin' away."
Gunder took over at this point and finished explaining how the oil must be being released into the trenches from somewhere and therefore feeding the fire so there is no way of discovering just how long the fire might last.
Ka'troth then added, "If that is the case it certainly seems that everything the enemy is doing here is leading towards drawing out this conflict for as long as possible. It is Undrok's style. He will not willingly engage in battle but rather set traps and lures letting you waste your men due to actions out of frustration or desperation."
Lord Arkolio, who sat in a chair near the back of the tent one leg draped over it then spoke up. "So all you need is a really big cork? Why don't you stick Vrebel into it, he's big and corklike. Besides he has already demonstrated how clever his is at stuffing things up." With a faint grin he rolled a coin across the back of his knuckles then caught it in his fingers.
Vrebel laughed condescendingly but it faded away as several around him gave him dark looks.
"Unfortunately, he's right," Lance quipped, "about stopping the oil anyway." We don't have forever to assault this city. We've got almost fifteen thousand men surrounding Briardusk now and no means for foraging food and water in limited supply. We are relying heavily on supplies from Castle Hilm. Besides that the honour of Hilm is at stake here. If this takes too long we risk losing more of our allies and then we risk the opportunity to recapture Kuhl. So, we are all open to ideas. In the meantime we will be sending out scouts day and night to try and find the source of this oil. IN the meantime Tralek, Dorn, Razeriem and hopefully Moraken when he arrives can work on whatever it is the Ori have in that city for the time when we can actually do something about it."
With that the meeting was ended and people started to drift away to various tasks.
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A few moments of silence fills the air and a few people look around at each other before Daniella speaks.
"I have asked one of the dwarven engineers from Hilm to attend this meeting with Captain Argali. Her, Azka, Kromlek and Gunder took the engineer under cover of the darkness and smoke last night to investigate the trenches and assess how much longer they may burn."
A nervous dwarf steps forward in Hilm colours and speaks,
"Well, it seems dey knew wot dey beh doin', ye see deh oil in deh trenches nay beh burnin' away. Actually it is but dey are bein fed from deh underground or by some means from anudder source and dats why dey not beh goin' away."
Gunder took over at this point and finished explaining how the oil must be being released into the trenches from somewhere and therefore feeding the fire so there is no way of discovering just how long the fire might last.
Azk'a listen quietly to the reports made about the fire in the trenches and just grins... in a way of saying I told you but no one listened.
Then when all is said, he ask once again about magical means to collapse the trenches... like a small quake or something of the like... and again points out that if the magicker where still thinking of disrupting the magical field they really must think of the consequences and try NOT to blow the whole city along with the towers.
After he has said his piece he goes away grumbling a little and walks back to the dwarven fire to share food and drinks.
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I have been speaking with a few of my scouts and a couple ideas had some merit. Or maybe a variation of such. One suggestion was to get some tunneling engineers. Someone could measure a distance to a structure inside and we could tunnel our way in. Who knows, we may come across what they are using to feed the trenches. The tunneling would provide alot of cover from prying eyes and would hopefully surprise them.
Another thought was to get a hold of some gnomish devices that are anti-magical. You know, give off a dead-zone or enhanced with major disjunctions and have them catapulted into the city to break down their magical defenses. I was told Storold had come across these before, but had them destroyed. If we were to find more ...
Anyways ... just a couple ideas the scouts were pondering to get past the trenches and their archery defense.
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Abi sits in the back of the tent quietly listening to all the generals and dwarves talk about how to breach the trenches and dealing with the fires and such. Afterwards she approaches master Gunder to offer up a suggestion.
Master Gunder, ummm...i know you and your dwarves are way smarter at this than i am. But it seems to me creating and maintaining breach points shouldnt be that difficult. I mean yes, the fires will keep burning and are being fed, but why not just select a few points to dam off. Fill the trench with rubble as a choke. SUre one side may keep burning and be fed by whatever means they are doing it, but the other side will eventually burn off. And filling the trench with rubble and damming it off will create natural bridges we can cross and maintain easily enough.
If your worried about who is gonna do it, why not get the magicers to harness the broken gollums roaming the roughlands and put them to work? They can get the initial work of daming and filling done easy enough. And if they are attacked, we can setup archers or whatever we need to cover them easy enough while they do their work.
Just an idea.
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*Vrebel holds his head up and stares down those who give him dark looks. He turns and walks out of the meeting room after the cold post op assessment is given. Though the loss of the men and adventurers under his command is apparent on his face he is determined and heads to the Tenth's tent to be with the remaining force offering them praise for their valor and bravery under insurmountable odds. He makes a special effort to speak with the injured in the hospice tents to give them hope*
*After, he wanders to his private tent and lays on his back in contemplation, the smell of burnt flesh, either his or others, reeking from his body. He nods to himself*
Nasty first mission but they knew the dangers goin' in. Brave folks them Tornanites. Undrock will feel my blade in his gut before this is over.
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*Wren goes back to where his small tent is placed. Looking out at the fires burning and the thick black smoke filling the air*
Very smart, we will be absorbed in dealing with this fire for some time to come. After that there will still be all the other defenses to get through. All the while they will be carrying out their plans with all the time in the world. I think Jill had the right idea of sorts, ignore the fires and everything else and go under it all.
*he thinks for a bit and then goes to see Raz and Steel when he finds them*
What if any beasts of the world can make large tunnels really fast?
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Steel stands in the shadows against the cloth wall of the command tent interior. There is an edge to his voice.
"As a small child, fascinated by the tiny flame dancing on the wick, I reached for it, wishing to explore, to have the wondrous light for my own. I let my fingers play over the flame, and it let me know what it thought of that. My fingers burned; I howled in pain. I learned that day that fire burns, and to reach for it means that I will burn.
Why do you insist on being burned?
You don't have the army Siphe had when he attacked Hope. You don't have flying dragons and drachs. You don't even have that many siege weapons, though with time that can be remedied. I warned you that Hilm would suffer undue amounts of loss if you attacked Briardusk. But it's not too late. You can yet turn from Briardusk and move to a new target.
And don't tell me, "We have been ordered to retake Briardusk." Were you also ordered to send your men to meaningless death? Tell Alexander that this is folly and he will change his orders.
March for Tulam, and then aim for Westgate. You will have much more success in the open field against the border troops. And you will then be able to take advantage of Molvaren's scrambling to defend Kuhl. Pits, avoid all the cities. Control the countryside and force Molvaren's troops into the cities, and then starve them out while you grow food on the open fields you now control.
Keep your scouts watching Briardusk, and when you accept Siphe's offer, his men will be in the perfect position to deal with Briardusk.
It's either that, or I go find someone else who can restore the throne to Langovale, because there won't be any of you left to do it. And the list of candidates are very slim these days, and not one of them is a very nice creature. I hear Fisterion is a willing negotiator."
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// Completely ooc I am rapt with the responses posted so far in relation to this endeavour!
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Abi sits in the back of the tent quietly listening to all the generals and dwarves talk about how to breach the trenches and dealing with the fires and such. Afterwards she approaches master Gunder to offer up a suggestion.
Master Gunder, ummm...i know you and your dwarves are way smarter at this than i am. But it seems to me creating and maintaining breach points shouldnt be that difficult. I mean yes, the fires will keep burning and are being fed, but why not just select a few points to dam off. Fill the trench with rubble as a choke. SUre one side may keep burning and be fed by whatever means they are doing it, but the other side will eventually burn off. And filling the trench with rubble and damming it off will create natural bridges we can cross and maintain easily enough.
If your worried about who is gonna do it, why not get the magicers to harness the broken gollums roaming the roughlands and put them to work? They can get the initial work of daming and filling done easy enough. And if they are attacked, we can setup archers or whatever we need to cover them easy enough while they do their work.
Just an idea.
*Gunder nods to Abi* Aye, blockin' da source be a good oidea, dat may be providin' us wif a means ta bus' thru der defense. But if'n we got toime, makin' a tunnel unnerneath be a good oidea too.
-
After having a nice chat with Harbist, Abi heads out looking for Gel'larean Windsbreath, as he seemed to be the guy in charge of the scouts.
"Hiya Gell, " aBi smiles friendlily in her usual manner as she finds him wandering around. "Look...Ive been thinking ( I know right..dangerous ;) ). Im wondering if there isnt more information to be gained by a few more scouting missions around briardusk." Her demeanor now becoming slightly more intent as she speaks "Sure we know the general layout of the area and some of the outer defenses. But im hoping to go have a look myself. See if theres something that hasnt been overlooked. Maybe meet up with a few of your watchers and see what they think. Sometimes they dont report things that seem too trivial or unimportant or they just miss things while looking at other stuff." At this last bit she bites her lower lip as if thinking about something...She then continues on in a more serious tone.
"It also sounded like there was trouble with some of the scouting parties being ambushed, if i heard that part right anyway. We would be stupid to think that they are not sending out or somehow gathering information about us as we sit here. I think its time we revisit our intel gathering."
As she lets her idea sink in she chirps up her usual carefree way which seems odd and abit startling after her previous moments of seriousness. "You dont mind do you, if i go have a peep?"
"Im hoping to see our best and most detailed maps of the area as we know them to plot out a best course and areas to maybe focus in on." Her voice now lowers but still retains a bit of her usual squirrely self, as if she knows she asking for alot but expects it anyway, " IT would help if i had your permission in this. Im not sure our general Daniella would let me see things without your consent if I just showed up." :\
-
He smiles as Abi talks on, and once she is finished he starts walking towards the command tents.
The scouting is actually the purview of Lieutenant Kendall, but I am sure she will be grateful for an extra body. Lets see if we cant get a look at a map before we get out there and put your exquisite arrows to the test, huh?
Upon arriving at the command tents, he explains to the guard that he would like to see a map of the area, and that Lady Daniella would vouch for him.
-
*Mrs. Kendall is inside the tent already looking it over and going over scout reports. She hears Gel speaking with the guards and she tells the guards to allow them entry.*
"Yes, I can use an extra hand or two," she says as they enter the tent. She points to different items upon the map.* "These here indicate the trenches, the outer buildings ...," She continues to point things out and explain what it is they are looking for. "As you can see, we're stretched kinda thin, and the way things are cleared around Briardusk, its difficult t get in too close without attracting a flight of arrows or spells. So, if you're volunteering, I'm not turning you away."
"If you wish to help, I need your names to put on the register. Gel'larian, you I know, *She smiles* ... And you Ms?"
-
Gel'larian volunteers her name.
Firesteed. Abigail Firesteed.
-
Smiling as Gell proffers her name she waves and says "thats me. Weve met before. You donbt remember me?" She frowns as if saddened by that. But tehn immediately smiles again and continues on.
"Well Lt sir, After that last fiasco. IT got me too thinking that we know way less than we should about stuff. I was thinking that before we even headed out" Speaking concernedly as she goes over the map.
If I remember aright, I heard some of our scouts had been ambushed themselves which is nota good sign when we are supposed to have teh city surrounded. I know theres not much time left, but I really think we outta revisit waht scouts you have out there and see if they noticed anything unusual that they may have not thought to put in their reports. ALso..is it true about the ambushes? If so..please point out to me where." She studies the map quite intently as she speaks.
-
*Tralek makes his way to the Command Tent once most of the leaders are present*
Well things are heating up *looks around for those that notice his insensitive pun*. Lord Alexander has ordered us to take Briardusk (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=17978&day=2011-8-8&c=3), so take it we must. I agree it might be wiser to wait and hold Briardusk at siege for Siphe and his men, but I don't make those decisions and I'm not the one to confront Lord Alexander on this *looks in the room to meet eyes with Lance and Daniella*
So, by measure of what happened when we last tested their defense, we will need to change our tactics drastically or this will be an utter failure. I think that is something we all can agree on. The question is how and what can we do?
First we need to share all the information we have. I will start *Tralek has two guards bring in a rough scale replica model of the city*. This model is courtesy of some fine Hilm engineers. Raz and I have been working with the mage from Liwich and after a week of testing a multitude of things and analysis of over a dozen different sources of information we can say this:
1. The humming from the towers gets louder when there is more humidity in the air.
2. There are strong traces of Transmutative magic with underlying Evocation as well.
3. There have been random bright flashes and crackling coming from some of the Towers at night. This happens several times at night at random Towers.
4. The humming coming from the tower remains the same pitch, but it became much louder when we made our test assault on the trenches. Once we pulled back the loudness of the humming returned to its normal level.
I don't know really what to make of this, but my hope is together maybe we can. It seems they can control the strength of the Tower's power when they feel a need. It also looks like the Tower's power is not stable, rather it may be spiking randomly and it appears to be affected by water in the air.
*Tralek shakes his head and rests his weight on his hands stradling the well made model*
I'm all ears on any suggestions. I was going to say maybe a Mistite or two could call upon some storms. That might serve two purposes, in disrupting the towers power and helping to put the trench fires out. But, then the storms would cause more of a mess for us with slick ground and muck.
Maybe if we could sustain an attack on the trenches long enough, and I mean for a long time, it might be too much of a drain for the Ori controlling the Towers and we might drain or deplete its source of power.
I'm afraid the only real affective way for us to deal with the Towers is to get up close and personal with them. Then it will be up to Raz, me and the other mages to on-the-spot try to disarm or reverse them on themselves.
I like the idea of digging under, but I'm not sure how we're gona do that. It's a long way to dig and the tunell needs to be wide enough and stable enough to let troops travel for quite a distance (//a couple miles?).
To get past the trenches, like Abi said, we could plug two sections of the trench and then put the fire out inbetween with some Gusts of Wind or Thunderclaps. Problem is the oil will still be hot for a good number of hours, and would be easily lit again by incoming fire arrows.
*Realizing he's been rambling he takes 5-6 steps back*
We need to talk about this some more, I don't have anything more, but lets at least figure a better plan for going in...something.
-
After a long consult with Jil, Abi sets out with a small party to see about finding a way to assault the city from below.
After several days she returns reporting that there is no way that she has been able to find a way to do this. "They are ready for a fight below ground as well and are really entrenched." *she grins ruefully at the inadvertant pun she just made, especially in light of the seriousness of the situation. :\\
"Ive traversed some of teh tunnels in the deep around briardusk and there is no way we are gonna be able to attack from below. It seems they are prepared for an attack form that direction."
-
After giving her report, Abi takes her leave and immediately starts seeking out Harbist and the other engineers to seek some advice about the trenches. the more she knows about what to look for the better, and what to possibly do about it once she finds it.
Having her first scouting objective come up empty, and upon the advice and counsel of Jil, Abi prepares to head out in search of the mysterious source of the everflowing oil.
//PM sent
-
Looking at the reports, tunneling is not going to do it. Unless there are already tunnels from the deep going under, we could send a few scouts to check it out.
Check with the engineers and the possibility of using the Golems. Lets check with some druids and see if they have any kind of earth moving spells that can be utilized to collapse or fill the trenches, then turn the mud to stone. I am not totally familiar with their abilities. If overpowering their towers with storms is a possibility, and we combine these uses, it may open up a clear path for us to make it quickly to the gate with minimal losses. If this is plausible, we'll need mages of high caliber that can cast disjunctions and such on whatever protections they have at their outer rim. And Archers to concentrate on the flyers so the ground troops have less to worry about.
*She sends runners to head out and gather this information.*
-
Gel'larian listens to Jil and instead of going off to gather the requested information, sets off on another investigation.
-
*Raz waltzes into whatever meeting is being held to bounce around ideas.*
I'd say I'm sorry I was late, but I'm not. Good things are worth waiting for. From what I caught of Tray's talky talky, it is accurate and correct. But while I was busy not sleeping, I had an idea. *Pauses* Well many of them, and most of them inappropriate for the current discussion. *Grins.*
This field of theirs is putting out a tremendous amount of SCU's. Trying to punch through it would likewise take a hefty amount of effort. The field is putting out evocation magics in the form of lightning and electricity. One of the reasons why when the air is humid it runs louder. The build up of electricity also causes those crackles you hear at towers randomly. One immediate idea to counter this shield would be to attempt to ground it or parts of it. And I suppose this would be worth pursuing, that is unless you have a better idea.
And we do, we have my idea. Why ground that much energy if would could instead channel it for our own uses? Electricity has the ability to be channeled and redirected in addition to being grounded. My idea is to capture one tower, affix a large channeling rod, adjust the energy flow to go down my large rod to the points of our choosing.
If we channeled that energy for our use, it would make one heck of a boom.
I found a few dwarven engineers around the camps and ran the mechanics past them. They liked the idea of using hands-on smithing and engineering to defeat a magical field. They tell me they could handle the forging of a rod to my specifications. However to handle the amount of charge we are expecting, it'll need to be made out of Titanium or better. And it needs to be a large rod if we are to direct it for our purposes.
What we need to pull this off will be at least 20 ingots of titanium. Anyone that has access to titanium and can arrange to have it sent here immediately, we will need this resource as soon as possible.
We will need to successfully take a tower and hold it long enough to affix this channeling rod and make a few adjustments.
I have gone over the theory of this and know it could work. And I'd love a chance to see that much evocation channeled into one point or the other.
We also need to decide which tower and any primary target for use. I expect while the rod is channeling, the field will be of little concern.
*At various times of his presentation to this point Raz has smirked and attempted not to snicker. Now he puts on a more serious face, looks for reactions from those gathered and strikes a 'Captain Morgan' pose of confidence.*
We have a chance to use greater force against itself.
Any immediate questions before we get 'Raz's Boom Stick' up and running?
-
Steel unceremoniously slaps his forehead at the boom stick comment.
"And how do you propose we get to the tower?"
-
"If you arre not wanting to blow yourrself up, the earrthworks are irron reinforrced, if you want to do the grrounding."
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Daniella listens to the mages talk.
"While I appreciate your enthusiasm for your idea, Razeriem, the Mercenary does have a point."
-
After conferring with the dwarven engineers about how they think the oil would be refilling the trenches and what she should look for Abi prepares to head out. Going over the maps with the engineers to plot her course, they decide on a few places that would most likely be the source of the oil.
There is alot of ground to cover and not alot of time. ABi informs Jil, showing her the most likely areas to look according to the dwarves. She then indicates to jil where she is planning to start her investigation and hopefully be able to report back soon with good news.
She disappears into the shadow of darkness, heading towards her objective.
-
I probably got enough titanium to make yer rod at me house in Lor.
*Vrebel nods to Raz as he appears out of a dark corner of the tent were he was sitting listening to their discussion*
Its all yer Raz. Guess we can get Connor or someone to bring it over if you think it will work on redirectin' them energies comin' off them buildin's.
Another thing though, I remember that mage type *looks around for the Liwich mage* talkin' bout Gel's arrows and how its the same energy comin' off them towers. Maybe what we need to do is strike them towers with arrows from an arcane archer like Gel. The towers are tall enough, sixty foot tall, that you dont have ta get that close to em and I hear that the truly skilled archers can aim their arrows with precision. I'd say strike at least two towers at the same time with as many arcane archers we can muster. It might be that since the energy from the towers is the same as the arcane arrows that it could short out the towers.
Or we can try and forcibly take one of them buildin's and ground it like Raz was sayin'. If we do, we'll need to stop up them oil trenches and bring some mages before we assualt their lines again.
-
*Responding to Vrebel*
Send for it, don't trouble Annalee's brother with transporting it, just get it heading our way now. It'll take us a while to figure out those trenches, and plan out attack strategy.
*Sighs* Your plan to take out the towers is to shoot arrows at them?
We appreciate you seeing to the titanium.
*Speaking to the rest.*
We are NOT grounding out the field, we want to harvest that energy and use it against them.
*Looking to Steel and then others* Yesterday you had to take an entire town. Today I ask you to take but one of its towers.
How do we get there?
We can spill blood and fight our way up to it.
We can employee a dragon and fly up to it.
We can perform a ritual of teleportation and teleport on top of it.
We can use my captured Kuhl uniforms from Sundance and dress as Kuhl military and figure out a way to sneak in.
It does not really matter to me how we decide to take a tower, but take one we must.
We need to get a small group into a tower and hold the tower long enough to attach my rod. Once that is done, the fields will be nullified and a traditional attack can commence. We then can turn the weapon against the enemy to cover our forces while they gain the city.
-
"We could take half of Kuhl with the forces we'll lose trying to take Briardusk."
Steel sighs.
"Alright, look here. If you want to take the tower, you won't be able to do it by flying in on a creature- you'd get shot down by magic arcs of energy and mundane arrows. We can't teleport to it, because the magical interference could very well mean we get shunted out of the attempt and into mid-air or inside of a wall, or worse. We don't have any ways of sneaking inside, or of getting inside without attempting to break down or scale a wall at this point. Going underground will take weeks. A direct attack to reach one is impossible. Either you wait, build a huge number of siege engines, as well as tunnel underground to start sapping the walls, or...."
He shakes his head.
"You may have a chance with the right kind of diversion. And what I mean by 'right kind,' I mean the kind that is very, very costly. The kind that Fort Hope was for the effort to destroy the Broken One. Are you willing to sacrifice that much again?"
-
*Vrebel smiles at Raz's dismissal of his brilliant idea*
I thought it was better than challengin' Undrok ta chess. Anyways, there not ordinary arrows and I'd say it always better tryin' the easy way first then goin up from there. I'll send word for your ingots.
Only reason I mentioned Connor is I thought there was a time issue. He's also got expertise in portal magics which may have helped us in figurin' out how their gettin food in there and maybe contaminatin' it like they did to us in Hope.
*He turns to Steel*
Agreed on what ya said Steel. I think we do have a shot at one of them buildin's though if we can take out a section of the trenches. Commandeer a few of these golems we got wandering around or summon a few more and have them fill in a section with dirt. We know they use boulders and their range so we go in and let them launch and fall back to a safe distance. We then assault on of the buildin's with a strong group adventurer's with mage assistance. I'd say leave the infantry out this time as they will take too much casaulties and thier more important for containment. Also we wont all be able to squeeze in the building to set up Raz's rod.
I'll let you know if I got any more ideas *nods and sits down*
-
*Gel and Abi return with news that they have found the source of the oil. Jil calls the others together in the tent where the map of the area is and she points out the locations of the two sinkholes filled with bubbling oil, the trail they followed to near the allied lines, to a nearby trench. There amongst the thick oily smoke and piled debris is a heavily camouflaged low building about 100 meters past the trench, a pipe leading into the building.*
Our many thanks to Gel'larien and Abi in their fine scouting skills. We now have our respective targets, lets get some plans formulated to make this work to our best advantage ... *She looks to the others*
-
After reporting to JIl, ABi heads over to the dwarven engineers and starts giving them very specific details on what she and gel discovered,
After conferring with them on this, she 'borrows' a couple of bottles of their beer and looks around for Gel. After finding him, she 'encourages' him to have a quick toast to a job well done and to get ready for the next step. "This was the easy part," she grins as he imbibes the beer, "the next step is gonna be a bit tougher so enjoy this while you can."
She then offers him a grub or two as she pops one into her mouth and munches happily. O.o
-
In the midst of the preparations for the assault Lord Alexander himself had called for days ago another messenger arrives. The mage approaches Lady Daniella and Sir Lance as they are conferring with several of their command staff over the recent find of the location where the oil is being pumped into the trenches.
The Lucindite nods to them both briefly and hands them a sealed scroll tube before backing away. Lance takes it and opens it scanning the contents. His face goes ashen and he passes the note to Daniella who reads it her frown deepening as she does.
Sir lance turns to the Mage. "Get me one of yours here who can take me back to Hilm, immediately." He begins to gather his equipment and looks to Daniella. "You can handle the assault to disable that oil pumping station. I will return to the Castle and see about Lord Alexander. I may or may not be back in time. Toran's Light guide you and keep you safe."
Daniella nodded firmly, "We will do what needs to be done. Toran be with you."
As Lance marches out of the command area with a mage Vrebel nearby pipes up. "Whats going on Commander?"
Daniella glances to where him, Az'ka, Gundar and Kromlek are standing in a group. "Lord Alexander has collapsed and been taken ill. Nesar have delivered a message and it seems Jaedon Siphe is going to get what he wants. Things are about to get a whole lot more complicated it seems."
A hubbub of talk ripples around the compound and Siphe Garra Ka'Troth walks over to Daniella. "I will send two of my men back to Last Hope to ask for the Generals orders."
Daniella suddenly tired and sensitive to all that was going on merely nodded. "It seems fate has dealt the General a beneficent hand. Send your men and I will pray that the General decides to move his backside and get over here to help us out. Even at a forced march it will be up to two weeks before he will get here if he is going to join us. The way the enemy is dug in here it's going to take a very big shovel to dig them out."
Ka'troth, Of the Second Rank of the Siphe Garra saluted Daniella respectfully then also left the compound to see about his men.
Daniella turned back to the rest gathered and took a deep breath, whispered a prayer to Toran for strength and with that providing an inner light for her she approached the next task.
"Come closer everyone, we need to crack this nut open." She points to Traleks scale model of the city and to a spot near the south western area where just inside a black line indicating the burning trench someone had placed a piece of rectangular flattish wood to represent the buried oil pumping building. "This is our primary objective, it is the key to unlocking the trench and giving us access to their outer earthern wall barrier. We cannot assault the city directly until we can clear that trench and to do that we must deal with this." She grabbed a spear leaning against a rack nearby to stab the piece of wood. "Lets hear your ideas."
-
Even as the conversation began a rider galloped up to the compound and fairly lept of his horse racing across the area to where everyone was gathered looking at Traleks scale model.
The young scout skidded to a halt and dropped to one knee. "Lady Daniella!" He fairly shouted his excitement evident in his dusty face.
Daniella stepped from the group and approached him. "Speak your message."
He young man stood quickly, his movements excited and animated, his speech rapid as he spoke. "My Lady, thousands of them! Marching this way!" He drew in a deep breath as worried faces glanced at each other.
"Who? Who is marching this way?" Quizzed Daniella almost fearful of the answer.
"Toranites, Rofireinites, Voraxians, everyone!" The young scout beamed his excitement. "The ones that helped at Stormcrest Hollows. They sailed around to Horn and have marched all the way south past Castle Hilm to join us here! They are about half a day away."
Daniella felt tears come unbidden to her eyes at the news, brusquely she gathered her wits and looked skyward for a moment praising Toran for his gifts.
"Bring their commanders to us as soon as they arrive and make sure they are well received."
As the scout rushed off again, Daniella turned back to those gathered in the compound trying hard to wipe the smile from her face and focus on the task at hand.
"Everyone, we have an assault to plan!"
-
*Jil speaks to lady Daniella and others that are there to plan the attack*
According to the reports is that our problem is that to get to the building that is barely visible above the surface of the ground, we need to cross the blazing trench and cross 400 feet of open terrain on the other side with no cover whatsoever, which is behind a wall of thick burning oil smoke so its difficult to get any clear glimpses. They were lucky to have seen it at all it is so well camouflaged. Just before dark they were able to catch a glimpse before it goes of a dozen Drach Garra marching down in front of the building until only their heads were visible above the ground then they too had disappeared. Moments later another squad marches up out of the ground (must be a descending entrance to the building below ground level) and they march up and out and into the earthwork barrier about 100 feet behind the back of the building. Then when darkness fell it was almost impossible to see anything through the thick black smoke. So the place is going to be extremely well defended.
*She turns back to her papers and the map, marking locations, making changes and looking over more scouting reports.*
*She Turns to scouts still in attendance* I need a few to go out and meet the oncoming help. Look for any trouble or spies along the way and report to the advancing commanders. Then help provide escort on the way back.
-
As the discussion of tactics unfolds Jil is forced to leave before any decisions have been reached and about an hour later soldiers from the allied camps nearby gather on the road leading into the area to welcome the combined host coming down the road.
Rank upon rank of infantry followed by hundreds of cavalry in formation. many appear tired and worn from their long march but are in good spirits as they arrive to the applause and welcome of the hundreds of soldiers that have gathered to greet them.
Jil escorts a small unit of mounted men and women and a group of three dwarves who are on war ponies towards the command compound where soldiers take their mounts to tend and care for them.
Jil then takes them to where Lady Daniella and many others are making their plans. As they approach Daniella turns to greet them.
"Knight Commander Talian For of Westerngate Milady." A Rofireinite Knight of the Wyrm wearing armour that has shown signs of combat and then been repaired. "I've fifteen hundred infantry and five hundred and forty cavalry ready for duty."
"Field Captain Kellie Orgreste of Huanjgin, Chosen of Toran." She bows deeply to Daniella obviously in some awe. "We have just under two thousand foot soldiers and several hundred cavalry including fifty Elite Toranite Shock cavalry."
"General Mournmalk of deh Voraxian Council lass, we figured yeh moight beh needin' a hand out here. Oi've brought wit meh about fifteen hunnard sturdy Voraxian's ready teh foight deh gud foight. Give em a day or so teh catch dere breaths an dey beh gud. Deh odders moight need a day more."
All around the clearing faces are beaming as the newcomers are welcomed and its not long before General Mournmalk crosses the space and greets Argali personally, hugging her firmly and congratulating her on her accomplishments to date. He then shakes hands firmly with Azka, Kromlek and Gundar before requesting they introduce him to some of the other dwarves in the army gathered.
Not long after the group reconvenes in the compound with the newcomers and get down to some serious planning, their spirits boyed by the new companions.
-
Daniella greets each of the newcomers, thanking them for joining them. Once the meeting reconvenes she outlines the challenges to date, the information that they've gathered, and the possible plans presented by the mages. She explains the difficulties in getting close enough to the fort in order to take even the one tower, and goes over each of the previously discussed possible tactics. (She leaves out the one that was suggesting putting Razeriem in a catapult and firing him at the tower.)
-
*abi looks over the maps with JIl when things quiet down for abit. After hearing about some of the ideas that have been thrown around she chimes in.
"SO, the team that wants to take a tower needs a distraction. And we need to take out the oil flow. Do you think we could do both at the same time? Use the oil pump as the distraction." She taps her chin thoughtfully. "We know we can cut it off at the source, by either of those 2 wells without much difficulty." She indicates the two source wells, " But we dont know how long before whats left int he pipe runs out at the pumping station."
She purses her lips as her thought continues. "Maybe we send a small task force to take out the pumping station directly. We attack at night, use a golem or summon or something to throw a slab of rock across the trench to give us a way across easily and quickly. We assault the garrison as hard and fast as we can. Disable it or destroy it as best we can and fall back across the trench." Her her voice goes a bit low as if thinking to herself, but loud enough to be heard easily as she continues on. "Also, what if we send a few thousand troops behind us, enough to make an excellent and legitimate show of force into the area as if our next assault will come from there (which i suppose ultimately it could too). They will cut off the oil flow from the 2 pits directly no matter what as they travel towards the garrison. And from there move towards the pumping station as if that's where we are going to launch our attack. No matter what the oil stops, and the trenches are open. Ideally with as little loss of life as possible." She continues on a little faster now. "After we launch our attack on the garrison all eyes should be on us, that will give Raz and his people time to try their plan and assault one of those buildings that they choose. "
"So, a team takes out the pumping station first. The army follows us, disabling the oil at the source along the way. The enemy sees the army and decides they have no time to repair the pumps, the fire goes out. The army can then cross the trenches at that point if thats what you want to do because the fires should be done there first anyway. The assault at the pump station, feigned or otherwise provides the distraction raz needs for his team to try their plan."
She scratches her head as if all that thinking has given her a headache. "Hows that sound?"
-
*Griff beams as he sees Fourth General Mourmalk entering the camp and makes his way over to the General as he's meeting some of the dwarves*
Aye General *he salutes* tis a grand soite see'n ye, n all deh kin ye bring. Vorax has blessed us wit ye com'n 'ere. Oi'm Griff Silversand, Holy Warrior serv'n deh Fatha *he offers to shake his hand*. Let meh know where ye want meh General. Tis an hona tah serve ye n deh name a Vorax. Lets show des drach cult toypes a proper Voraxian welcome. *raises his axe and grins*
-
The discussions run long into the afternoon with several breaks for meals in between. Then just before evening three scouts ride into the area first reporting to Jil who then turns and races over to where the meeting was about to reconvene.
"Lady Daniella the outlying scouts have picked up a large dust cloud to the north on the main road from Castle Hilm. I've dispatched riders to get word to us as soon as they know what it means."
Daniella nodded to Jil then sent orders for two companies of archers and infantry to begin equiping themselves and moving to the road just in case. Those in the compound make their way to the northern edge of the compound where it is now clearly evident the large dustcloud further out across the flat land of the Withered Lands.
Within minutes riders are coming fast towards the compound from different directions. Jil races out to meet each one nodding and talking to them before turning them around and sending them off again. ONce the last one turns about she runs back to the group who are waiting. Jil has an odd expression on her face.
"Lady Daniella the scouts report...they report. Well, there is an army of giants heading this way. Three or four hundred of them if the scouts reports are accurate. They carry a standard bearing the symbol of Grannoch."
Immediately Daniella turned to Argali standing near the Voraxian General and Griff. "Captain Argali, front and centre. I want you to go out and meet them, I'll stand down the soldiers and prepare an area where the giants can set up their camp." Daniella couldn't help starting to feel like they just might pull this thing off.
-
Argali head bows to the Lady Commander.
"Fourrth Generral, Rhaznaztar(1), captains." She takes her leave, and heads out to meet the giants.
(1) Paladin
-
Within hours plans were made and the gathered army regulars, their leaders and the volunteer adventurers to the Allied cause moved around the allied seige lines to the south western edge. A disassembled catapult was already waiting, its metal and hevy timber frame supported by timber and steel rims.
At a signal from Daniella; Vrebel, Gorm, Kromlek and Argali each grabbed a protruding bar from each corner of the frame and pushed forward. The hard flat ground giving little resistance as they moved, masked by the thick pall of dark smoke rising into the darkness of the night ahead of them and blotting out the stars.
As they drew closer to the raging fires in the trench around Briardusk the heat intensified and caused sweat to break out on them. They covered their faces with whatever they could against the heavy fumes billowing into the air.
Nerves were tense as Daniella tapped Argali on the shoulder and with a sharp word the crew pushing the frame increased their pace, muscles bulging with the effort. Their speed increased and as they reached the edge of the trench they gave a mighty push. The frame burst over the edge and protruded out over the fire below before Gorm leapt onto its back edge to tilt the front up long enough that it struck just below the lip of the other side and wedged into the dirt wall of the trench.
Thick black oily smoke and flames licked up and through the base but already Jil was flying across to the other side rolling onto the ground just beyond and crawling on her belly across the open area scanning for enemy scouts. She was quickly followed seconds later by the halfling Dogboy, Angela and Arkolio who quickly took what little cover their was in the open terrain hoping the enemy had not seen their breach.
Seconds later, covered in dark stains from the oil fire the others appeared one by one and fell flat to the ground. Vrebel, Gorm, Argali and Kromlek discarded the heavy sheets of metal they had carried to get back across after the incursion onto the ground near the edge of the trench.
Jil turned to guage if their intrusion had yet been noticed by sentries on the earthernwork walls five hundred feet distant when out of the shadows nearby a Tesak appeared and stabbed Dogboy, almost slicing his throat completely before leaping onto Kromlek and stabbing viciously then ducking and weaving amongst those lying on the ground trying to catch their breath. The Tesak attack was short lived but nasty, and Arkolio managed to close the wound and heal the halfling before his life's blood threatened to coat the ground in a red stain.
Sweat pouring off them, breaths held, cloths held over faces, the group stayed low while Jil checked to make sure there were no more suprises and that the wall sentries hadn't noticed the brief but bloody skirmish.
Jil slithered back to the others removing her cloth mask to speak and almost gagging, "We havent been seen yet, but that sentry is going to be missed soon. We need to move." Many faces nodded in response in the flickering light caused by the raging fires behind them that had by now consumed the catapult base they had used to cross with. Jil crouched low and ran across the open terrain keeping to shadows and low mounds as best she could leading the group to the low structure not far from the earthernwork defensive wall behind it.
Upon reaching the area they dropped down into the descending ramp that led to a set of heavy doors. Fearful of discovery at any minute they waited anxiously as the halfling Dogboy tended to the mechanism to open the doors. Moments later they were in and it wasnt until they were inside and the door closed again that they realised Arkolio was no longer with them.
Unable to waste time looking for him the group entered the fume filled and claustrophobic underground oil pumping station where they encountered mishappen giants working large furnaces and pumps to keep the natural oil entering the defensive trench day and night. The group penetrated the complex defeating all those who came at them, a few Drachs and Ori were caught and dealt with until they reached the turbine room where the oil was drawn up and funneled out to the trench through a series of pipes.
Dealing with those present the group set to deal with the mechanism. It was here that the powerful barbaric dwarf Gorm attacked a steam pipe which resulted in super heated air melting most of the skin on his face and head requiring intensive healing to try and repair. Even so it would take weeks for him to regrow his hair and beard again.
As the group worked to disable the turbine and pumps Argali set about destroying the furnaces creating the steam to run the pumps to the turbine. Steel and Tralek began to investigate an unusual door leading from the back of the area but were called back to the main group when Angela transformed into a giant with a huge maul and began smashing equipment anywhere she could find it. The turbine whirred to a halt but the damage was done and the seals broken allowing the oil to continue flowing up and out of the pits and into the complex slowly flooding it.
The group reformed and fled back through the short corridors to the entrance but not before on the way the halfling Dogboy threw a firebomb over his shoulder. Reaching the exit he began screaming at them to run. The door was yanked open where Arkolio was standing ready and hissing at them to hurry because another patrol was on its way.
As a group they bolted across the open terrain and were spotted by many of the archers on the walls. Arrows sailed into the night and within moments the first catapults unleashed their cargo that crashed down around them.
Steel was the first to reach the trench and began trying to drag the metal plates into plate so he could cross. Vrebel wasnt far behind and together they got one into position and charged across followed soon after by the rest. As Gorm struggled across half led half dragged by Argali a boulder crashed down onto the board sending it spinning into the fiery trench beneath them just as their feet touched ground on the other side.
The filthy, oily smoke stained group were halfway back to the allied lines when a massive detonation lit up the night sky. Dirt and clumps of debris flew hundreds of feet into the air, several more explosions ripped through the ground throwing great clods of earth skywards before settling and a huge maelstrom of fire raged high into the night sky well above the highest buildings in Briardusk.
The group was welcomed heroically by allied soldiers as they reached the safety of their own lines and turned to survey their handywork.
Daniella seemed pleased with their results and even more so as dawn arrived when they had a better picture of what had happened.
Where the building had once been in the earth was a massive rubble filled crater. Almost two hundred feet of the outer earthernwork wall had been destroyed causing a wide breach in the enemy lines. Jil had reported early that no more oil seemed to be entering the trench and on the far side already it seemed the fires in the trenches were dimming. In a matter of days the fires in the trenches would be dead.
However Daniella didnt have that long to wait and got things moving straight away. By midday the next day the giants had been moved to the south west to throw boulders to try and fill the trench for an assault in a few days. A task which they set to eagerly. They too had lost a lot of kin in the battles against Molvarens forces in Castle Hilm months before and were eager for revenge.
Already the enemy were working to build up what rubble they could to try and replace the destroyed section of wall. It was now a race against time. Could the allied armies full the trenches and get enough soldiers across to exploit the breach before the Cult could refashion their defences to some sort of reasonable state.
As the day's passed Daniella chaffed at the bit, it wasnt only the worries about the race to exploit the breach but the fact that three wagon trains of precious food and supplies for the seiging army travelling from Hilm Castle to Briardusk had been waylaid and all the goods stolen. On two of those occassions the Kartherian Soldiers who had offered to patrol the roads had arrived too late to stop the mysterious bandits that plagued them.
However in that time three pieces of information came to the allied forces.
1/ Razeriem with some help from Dorn, Tralek and Morakken believed he had a way to disable the Ori towers around the city once the armies penetrated the outer defences.
2/ Lord Alexander was recovering from his collapse and seemed to be comfortable in Castle Hilm and slowly resuming his duties.
3/ General Jaedon Siphe had sent word to Castle Hilm and Lord Alexander that he accepted Queen Langovales restrictions on the appointment of his own principality and would make four divisions (4000) of Siphe Garra ready for march to Briardusk immediately.
-
After a constant barrage of rocks over a period of three days enough had filled the trench near the south western area where the breach had occured from the explosion for a division to cross at a time.
Sir lance arrived in the middle of it again from Castle Hilm to announce that Lord Alexander was resting comfortably and would make a full recovery.
Several Hilm and Dragonsong heavy infantry divisions had been moved from their positions in the seige lines to the south western staging area just behind the lines in preparation for a full scale assault on the city's south west outer defensive wall. Both lance and Daniella were keen to take the wall breach and destroy as many of the enemy seige engines in the area beyond before the enemy could remove them. If they could take the area then they would have a clear path to the city's last remaining defensive wall. A high earth/stone and steel wall around the city itself, twice as high and twice as thick as the one they had blown a hole in the previous days when they stopped the oil flow.
By the morning of the fourth day everything was in readiness. A signaler sounded the horn and was echoed by several more to give the signal to march. The enemy were gathered on the walls and across the breach in the outer earthernwork defence. Myr'drachs hovered in the air above the walls ready to descend onto the forces moving in against them.
Four thousand Hilm heavy Infantry, 2500 Dragonsong Elite infantry, 2000 mixed Voraxian, Toranite and Rofireinite forces along with a 1000 other mixed forces advanced across the open ground towards the rubble and rock filled trench. The front rank was filled with various adventurers with magical shields on themselves and as many of the soldiers around them as they could manage.
Banners curled and snapped in the wind above the advancing army, banners of a dozen nations who were still supporting Hilm in the endeavour to clear their nation of the invading Cult forces.
The first ranks hit the trench and began to move across them. First fifty , then a hundred, then five hundred, then a thousand and still nothing from the enemy Cult.
But within seconds after that the sky ahead was filled with the sound of catapults snapping their heavy loads into the air. Dozens of rocks appeared in the sky and seemed to slowly drift down towards the soldiers crossing the trenches. For a moment Daniella thought time stopped and everything seemed surrealistic but then the moment was gone as the rocks thundered into the ground like deadly rain crushing, killing and maiming soldiers all around her. The screams of panic and sounds of death struck her ears full force. Vagually she could hear more horns sounding a faster advance. She draw her sword and a beacon of Light appeared around her and she charged. Those nearby saw her light and followed, a sense of power and strength flowed through them and before long the allied army were surging forward trying to get ahead fast enough so the enemy catapults could not change their trajectory quick enough.
As the army pushed forward, boulders continued to fall on them without mercy, men, women and horses died all around those driving forward. The front ranks raced towards the breach and then began to slow down as they were faced with a solid wall of archers. They heard the shout and a thousands of arrows blotted out the sun and descended into the massed soldiers advancing. The screams of the wounded and dying echoed around the battlefield and the advance slowed.
From above Myr'drachs continued to hover most unlike their actions in the past. From his front line position Vrebel could see Gorm nearby, his beardless face almost amusing in the heat of the situation and Kromlek not far away either. He realised the soldiers with them were on the brink of withdrawl in the face of the rain of death now coming at them from the lines of archers. It almost seemed hopeless even for their mighty strength to get to the breach before the archers or the Myr'drachs would tear them down. But, do it he must. Vrebel raised his arm and roared at those around him to advance. Gorm eagerly raced forward bellowing loudly. Far to his right Vrebel could see daniella's glowing nibus of light leading her soldiers ahead too and swore he would be the first to get there. He roared to those around him and charged.
Just as he did a maelstrom of fire engulfed part of the breach followed by sheets of ice. The mages led by Moraken had got within striking distance and unleashed Al'noth fury on the enemy. For several moments the suprised enemy ceased the rain of arrows and the allied forces drew closer.
But the enemy had help too and within minutes the Drach Ori started their attacks countering the magics being used against their soldiers and striking back at times with some of their own. Abigail flinched as a fireball roared over her head, the middle of a pitched battle was not the place for her but still she wanted to do her part. So many were dying around her but sshe couldnt think about it. She saw Jil nearby running along her bow in hand firing every so often as she tried to cover the distance to the enemy breach.
The first elements of the allied forces hit the breach and began to make their way over the broken rubble and debris the cult had piled up over the last few days. Vrebel stood on a rock and gazed at the enemy archers barely 50 feet from him. Six stood in a group and trained their arrows on him all at once. There was no where to go. Vrebel saw his death facing him in that moment and then Whoosh a massive stone boulder crushed into the archer group scattering them like skittles. Vrebel blinked and glanced back over the bloody body filled battlefield to see the giants moving into position and launching boulders into the enemy on the walls and the catapults beyond. With another war cry and a feeling of Euphoria coming over him he turned to climb the debris. A scream echoed above him and as he glanced up a wave of Myr'drachs tore into the adventurers in the allied forces.
Later Lance would say that the Myr'drachs specifically targeted the adventurers present engaging them in fierce combat leaving the soldiery to face the enemy cult soldiers one on one.
The massed chaos of the battle continued on and Lance could see the heavy losses his armies were taking in trying to gain control of the breach in the enemies walls. He called up the reserves and sent them in and then he formed up all those nearby in the seige lines and sent them in too for good measure. They had to hold that breach.
Back at the battle Gorm and kromlek found themselves side by side on the other side of the breach. Myr'drachs faces them on both sides and back to back they faced them fighting to stay afoot and get axes to the wings and bodies of the fierce creatures. Beyond them the land was filled with catapults and cult soldiers around them, fleeing cult archers and squads of Drachs moving into position to charge the allied forces now climbing into the area over the breach. As more of the allied soldiers penetrated the breach two massive shapes suddenly ascended into the sky above the city rolled over in the air and descended towards the allied soldiers trying to get to the breach outside the walls. First one Dragon and then the other flew long lines breathing fiery and acidic death on the massed soldiers outside the breach.
In horror Lance watched rank upon rank of soldier obliterated in the dragon attacks. From his position in the enemy seige lines where he was coordinating the battle he felt sick in his stomach. Already he could see the advancing elements of his army faltering in their steps not willing to drive forward into the face of the dragon fire. He saw Moraken turn his mages magics onto the Dragons but in doing so the Drach ori were freed up and began pelting his armies inside the breach with powerful magics. He could see things falling apart in slow motion. He was barely aware of Griff beside him tugging his sleeve and pointing behind them. When he finally focused he couldnt believe what he was hearing.
"Oi Commander, dey got anudder Dragon, a Big un, comin in fast. Looks loike e's goin teh hit us ere. Better take cover loike."
Lance blinked watching the sky, sure enough a huge dark shape was descending out of the sun towards their lines. Slowly, numbly he drew his sword ready to face death, behind him the assault was falling apart despite the best efforts of all those involved. The order to retreat was upon his lips. The dragon drew closer, closer. Lances fingers gripped his sword the order to retreat lost from his lips. All around him men, dwarvs and soldiers either ran away or turned to face certain death.
And then...WHOOOOOOOOSH.
The massive dragon form blew past them whipping the dust off the ground into a frenzy of choking billowing cloud and Ractrafiorez had arrived at the battlefield. His montrous form dwarfing the dragons of the Cult who were compltely unaware of his presence until it was two late. His powerful jaws clamped onto the neck of the first dragon as it drew breath to strike again snapping it clean in two with a sharp twich of his mighty serpentive neck and then he twisted, flapped huge wings and gained altitude coming down on the second dragon using his glimmering talons to rip the back open of the second dragon.
Below in the battle stunned soldiers gasped as the bodies of the two dragons fell to the ground with massive thuds and then it was Racxtrafiorez's turn to straff the enemy. Inside the breach his immortal fire breath burned and melted anything it touched, Ori, Drachs, catapults, archers, nothing left but pools of liquid or drifting ash.
Once, twice the dragon flew back and forth, ripping apart several Myr'drachs in the process. Then he turned his attention to the inner wall surrounding Briardusk moving towards it through the air. The allied forces saw him draw breath to assault the inner wall and as he did so a massive discharge of lightning blazed through the air, the sizzling crackle and resultant energy causing everyones hair to stand on end. It struck forth from the nearest metal tower inside the city walls a blazing arc that struck Ractrafiorex on the back. A huge black smoking burn hole appeared in his back and he roared in fury flapping his wings desperatly to gain altitude as yet another arcs flashed force striking his underside and causing another great burn hole to appear. melted flesh and scales dripped to the ground below and Ractrafiorex, shrieking in pain and anger withdrew from the battlefield striking back the way he came from the east.
Stunned by the turn of events Lance gaped at the destruction wrought by the dragon so quickly and the resultant energy from the Ori towers around the city. The sound of men jogging in heavy army came to his ears and across the barren terrain of the Withered lands 4000 SIphe Garra jogged towards him led by Kal'Troth. They reached his command tent where Kal'troth saluted him and led the men forth towards the battlefield.
Meanwhile inside the front lines the enemy were withdrawing, fleeing toward the inner wall and the safety of the Drach Ori towers. Worried that more of her soilders would be killed by the Ori towers Daniella ordered an end to the advance and for them to secure their positions and hold the breach and surrounding walls.
Chaos ensued for the rest of the day as the cost of the assault was counted.
-
*Gunder chimes in*
Innerestin' oidea.....oi could be providin' da titanium if'n dat's what we wantin' ta do.
-
A week later the enemy under heavy assault right around the city had completely withdrawn from the outer defences and resumed position inside the walls around Briardusk itself.
It had not been a good week for the enemy. After taking heavy losses in their initial assaults the allied forces surrounding the city had systematically taken the enemies outer areas. Their seige engines that had not been overrun and destroyed by Hilm forces had either been torched or dragged inside the city by retreating Cult forces where the buildings and structures within it had severely hampered their use. Without dragons to support them the Cult had to rely on the Drach Ori for support and the dangerously effective defence system they had established.
On two occassions divisions of Hilm soldiers had approached the wall defences to be struck by thunderous bolts of lightning from the strange metal towers. Captain Argali who had led one of the incursions across the open terrain had escaped with some pretty severe burns and having lost several soldiers who were instantly turned to piles of dust. After that no further assaults against the last remaining defensive wall had been ordered by Lance or Daniella. Instead the allied forces had moved their lines up to the smaller outer defensive wall the Cult had abandoned.
Then on the fifth day as the allied forces were almost done securing their positions right around the city the warning horns were sounded as dozens of flights of Myr'drachs rose into the air. Soldiers everywhere rushed to their positions ready for the coming assault, but it never happened.
Instead the Myr'drachs flew higher and higher before turning towards the west, flying out of range above the allied forces and retreating back to Kuhl.
Jil had very quickly had her scouts counting the numbers of fleeing Myr'drachs to provide a final estimate of over three hundred of the creatures. Almost all of the Myr'drach forces they had at first considered to be present inside the city when the allied armies first arrived.
Eager to capitalise on the fact that it appeared the enemy were less than eager to engage them and were fracturing under the stress Sir Lance ordered a morning assault on the seventh day since the oil pumping station had been destroyed. The fight was to take place on four fronts and test the resolve of the defenders still within.
The Siphe Garra with support from Steel and Angela and many Hilm crossbowers from the east, Hilm garrisons under Captain Vrebel and Captain Kromlek with support from Gorm from the west, A northern force with the Voraxians under Griff and supported by Tralek, Jil and a southern force led by Lance and Daniella with a large contingent of the Toranite and Rofireinite forces. The giants under Captain Argali would provide heavy artillery and try to target the metal towers while the remaining forces would hold the established lines and provide cover if they had to retreat.
Meanwhile taking position on the outer wall at the southern point Razeriem, Dorn, Morakken and other company commanders and leaders gathered to study the results and what information they could about the metal towers. Razeriem in particular had been shown some deference since announcing a way to defeat the magical device and being supported in his ideas by the powerful Mage Moraken. This was to be an initial test before the actual event where the great titanium spike that was almost completed by a number of Dorandites with the army, would be used.
Horns were blown and signals raised as the armies commenced their assault. halfway across the open area, six hundred feet from the walls, the enemy catapults and archers opened up from inside the city. The allied forces pressed forward men and women dying all around.
Four hundred feet and the Drach Ori poured out their Al'noth into the charging forces. Magic ripped into the ranks causing untold damage until mages and clerics from all over the world who had joined the allied armies unleashed return fire or countered what they could of the Ori spells.
Two hundred feet from the walls the ladder bearers out in front, those killed or injured unable to continue were left behind and new soldiers would take their position on the ladders. Pushing hard to get to the wall and raise them up for their comrades to climb before they could be struck down.
Several paces within that point a dull hum filled the area right around the city, static electricity was so palpable everyones hair was standing on end, a loud buzzing sound pulsed and suddenly lightning crackled forth from the nearest towers at the invading forces. The air reeked of Al'noth and the smell of burning flesh. Arcs of lightning tore up the ground, disintegrated attackers and blasted anything it touched to bits. The attack slowed, then faltered then began to withdraw. The lightning struck out at random appearing much like the druidic call lightning spell but issuing forth from the metal towers.
Frightened mounts whinnied in fear as their riders struggled to regain control and turn them away from the city and back to the defence of the outer wall. Signals to withdraw were issued all the way around the city which were followed eagerly. Not one assault group had gotten closer than the 150 foot mark to the enemy walls before turning and abandoning the assault.
From his vantage position Moraken turned to Razeriem. "You said that thing will be ready in a day or two?"
Raz nodded and Moraken continued, "Lets hope it works then." Together they watched the shaken troops return to their camps and the clerics, healers and lay people helping with the wounded rush forward to begin tending to the injured and dying.
-
In fact due to some unforseen supply shortages coming from Hilm Castle it was almost four days later before Razeriem and Moraken informed the commanders of the seiging force that they were ready to enact the plan.
The leading Grannoch Giant, Son of the Earth Gra'doth volunteered his giants to carry the 80 foot long titanium spike that the engineers from Hilm and some from Rael, had been busy creating, with some of the priests of Dorand. His giants would form a guards unit around the object and protect it from incoming attacks. The bulk of the mages and clerics would provide magical support guided by Moraken as they advanced.
While the giants advanced with their heavy Al'noth support every available seige engine would be brought into range of the city and release their payloads as fast as possible. This move put them into the same range as the enemy catapults but the risk was worth it if they could penetrate and bring down the Al'noth based electrical device the Drach Ori had established around the city.
What continued to amaze the attackers was that not one attempt to parlay or communicate with those inside the beleagured city had received any response. And what was more puzzling was that even though the dragons were dead at night there could be heard the occasional strange roars.
All attempts to penetrate the 150 metre mark outside the city walls had met with defeat. Drach Ori patrolled the walls, heavily guarded identifying any who tried to sneak closer than that range.
Kal'troth, one of the leaders of the Siphe Garra force offered his men to provide support for the giants once they reached the battle zone. Word had arrived with the Siphe Garra force that General Jaedon Siphe would not be joining them due to the sensitive nature of the forces under Lady Daniella and Sir Lance. His reasoning being that too many would still consider him their enemy for him to participate so early but that he trusted his senior commanders to make the right decisions.
All allied forces surrounding the city were put on notice to prepare for the assault. Once the giants used the titanium spike to disable the Dracah Ori towers three main forces were to engage the enemy on different fronts while a strong group of adventurers would penetrate the hopefully captured walls in one of those areas and enter the city to hunt down as many Drach Ori, Myr'drachs and hopefully Undrok himself to prevent as much slaughter as possible.
As the day dawned, a red sky warning of the trials to come on the last remaining field of battle within Hilm.
-
And dawn the day did the assembled armies of Hilm and their allies gathered and forming an impenetrable ring around the city of Briardusk.
The sky was dull and red the last vestiges of the fiery trenches fading away and the dull gloow of the volcanic eruptions in the distance over the Orsgaunt mountains far to the west.
The four hundred giants protected by Moraken and what mages the armies could spare as well as the 4000 Siphe Garra received the order to advance, the huge titanium spear created by the Dorandites to enact Razeriems daring plan in their centre.
As the giants reached the halfway mark signals sounded for the three spearheads, one to the north, one to the east and one to the southwest began their own advance on the last defences around Briardusk.
The catapults and seige engines began their assault and were answered in kind by volleys from the enemy. Drach Ori magics flashed into the advancing forces causing death and confusion.
For the advance everything had been committed, it was the last chance to break Briardusk before the winter months would make it virtually impossible for the army to remain in seige.
The giants reached the fated 150 foot mark, already dozens of them had fallen to Drach Ori magics and catapults that had ripped into their ranks. As they got closer more and more of the defences of the city were concentrated on them and then they crossed the mark and the electrical defences of the city lashed out incinerating several giants before being drawn to the titanium spear. More and more power arced into the spear unable to break its attraction, the giants carrying it were forced to stumble along, eyes closed toa void the glare, the heavy leather padding they wore only just protecting them from the burning energies. Then at maximum power the lightning arced back to its source from the tip of the spear setting up a chain reaction of explosions around the city as the power burst flowed from tower to tower.
And then the giants crashed into the walls, some leaping so high they grabbed the top sections and hauled themselves up. Drach ori flooded to the defences and the Myr'Drachs remaining descended to engage.
Siphe Garra forces used ladders and hooks to climb and scale the walls while the Al'nothists led by Moraken did their best to keep the Ori off them.
Within minutes three separate forces enaged the defenders walls, thundering into them with enraged fury. At the eastern charge a small group of battle hardened Voraxians Red Axes gained the towers to the gates and held off hordes of Cultists to secure the mechanism to open the gates. The eastern allied force poured into the breach to be met with stiff resistance that effectively stalled any advance.
Into that stepped the adventurer force, waiting for an opportunity to enter the city and hunt down Undroth. Led by Sir Lance and Lady Daniella they stepped into the lines of the breach, Captain's Vrebel, Argali and Gunder, ably assisted by Azka and Gorm hit the enemy wall hard smashing a path through them.
Behind them Jill and the odd halfling Dogboy picked off enemy archers and casters amidst the nearby buildings while Tralek, Aden, Abigail, Czukay, Quantum provided assistance and support as needed taking on groups of Cultists by themselves of working together. Razeriem joined them not long after seeing the results of his titanium spear destroy the Drach ori towers, weaving a flickering blade in one hand and casting magics with the other.
The enemy drew back and the allied forces flooded into the city to pursue them. Sir Lance split from the adventurers to coordinate the main attack and left Lady Daniella to direct the adventurers.
They raced deep into the city seeking the elusive despot Undrok, sector by sector clearing areas for allied forces to move into and take over.
Word soon arrived that all three allied forces had penetrated the city and were fighting street by street, house by house for control but it was soon apparent that one district in particular was holding out against the eastern force. Taking the initiative Lady Daniella directed the adventurers into that area and soon engaged the monsters that had been heard outside the city. Huge constructs made from the bodies of Undroks enemies, the walking monstrosities were put down with impunity by the adventurers.
Penetrating deeper they faced the stiffest opposition yet, the best that Undrok had to offer was thrown at the adventurers, but it was not enough. They broke into the building where Undrok had situated himself and confronted the evil man within his very domain.
The time for talk was over, this man had caused all the blood and death and destruction for the capture of Briardusk and he was dealt with as he tried to escape leaving the adventurers to rejoin the armies and work to put Briardusk firmly into Hilm hands once more.
In the weeks that followed the city was reclaimed, the prisoners set to rebuilding what had been damaged. Briardusk, much like Sundance, was a shadow of its former self and would likely take years to be restored to its former height.
Briardusk lacked the resources to be a major staging point for an invasion of Kuhl but it was essential in the supply chain for any such action and thus was vital.
And as the dust settled and winter crept in to lay fine layers of ice over everything and pockets of disease threatened to sicken the populace the movers and shakers began to contemplate what next season would bring.....
Thus Officially ends the Dragon Storm Campaign.....
-
*As the dust settles on the battlefield of Briardusk, Lance rides over his horse Avenger, a tired look on his eyes looking at how the city was devasted, his wife riding on the back of his horse, in silence as well contemplating the scene, Lance takes the time to over see how the cleaning teams are starting to redo the works, taking back the city was hard and indeed really expensive both in men and resources, the land will never be the same, stained with blood as they walk.
There are priorities and he knows it, the palisade and the walls should have to be stood first , no use to lose the city and thrash the efforts made to retaking it , so many lives lost , so much sadness in the place.
The couple rode forward to keep looking the city, he had on mind several officers amoung the ones he could chose one to oversee the city rebuild, and at the same time he knows that the war was far from over. With a tired look , he rode to the exit of the town, the spires of steam and smoke still visible, the abandoned siege machines as silent withneses of the destruction, and yet so many stories they could tell. Lance's gaze steels itself and shaking his head to remove any hessitation he raise his blade to the setting sun.
- Its just starting now - he says to the horizon - Now the true strategy and battle start , May Toran watch over us .May the light guide our steps. May the virtue guide us, and don't let us forget why is that we are figthing for.
With a last look towards the Khul territory Lance heads back to the officer tents, sending word for the commanders of the units to attend the meting, there is still lots to be done, the message is clear. We are not done. Reminding the officers that this victory is the start for bigger ones , that retaking Khul is the objective and resore peace in Belinara
This is time for planning and thinking.. This is still time of war
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*Upon heading back to the main command tents, Jil organizes small groups of scouts to set out and search the area for any stragglers that escaped the city and/or small pockets of resistance forces that may have regrouped so that they may be dealt with and no longer threaten what was left of the local populace. War is never truly over, she knows, but a respite from the larger conflict. There will still be fanatics wanting to push things, but at least it will be on a much smaller scale that local authorities can deal with.*
-
He tried to help to the best of his ability with the wounded, the dead and cleaning up; never speaking much he listened to the others talking and let nobody know which toughts formed behind his pale face. He looked worn and exhausted, departed early without leaving something behind.
Later, he began his real work that had begun with Briardusk and had to be disrupted a few times. There was information to be obtained and assessed, questions to be answered and skills to be honed for the aftermath of the siege.
-
Exhausted an weary from the fighting as much as everyone else ABi steels herself for her next mission.
After getting Jil's orders she heads out with a couple of scouts to see if she can find any last pockets of the enemy holed up anywhere, and to report on the status of the lands immediately surrounding briardusk.
Hopefully all will be quiet, but as with the aftermath any war or battle there is always something left to screw with the recovery.
-
*After spending a few days in town helping those he is able Raz departs with a handful of soldiers. Stopping ever so briefly by the command center as he departs town, he says to Daniella and/or Lance.*
"I am done fighting land wars for now. If you discover a problem you need the key to the solution for, send me word and I may provide the help to unlocking your door. I have a project that needs my hand, as it has been untended for these many long months. Good bye, fair well and remember this is a task half done."
*Razeriem departs the city after briefly looking for something.*
-
*A flag can be seen making its way through the rubble and fallen. As it gets closer, a rider on a small horse can seen as the flag bearer. It is a Voraxian flag and the rider is Griff. He makes his way through the stale battle field helping to look for wounded that may be mixed in with the dead. He gets off his mount from time to time checking on possible survivors. Later he helps burry the dead and prays with the Voraxian clerics for fallen kin.
He then make his way over to General Mournmalk's tent and is only there briefly before he is seen coming out. Then he heads to the Red Axes tent and mingles with the kin there. He is seen still dirtied and in full armor as he makes his rounds to congratulate their efforts and console those in mourning for fallen brothers, sisters and friends. He plants his flag squarely in the front of the camp where other flags are standing. He finds a small group of kin stading alone of what appears to be higher rank Rex Axes and speaks with them. At one point he is heard:*
"Aye kin weh could nay ud done it wit out ye. Praise Vorax fer yer arroival. Deh Red Axes fought wit hon'a n steadfastness dat give proide tah all dwarves. His holy moight glowed in your axes and deh enemy's knees buckled at yer charge."
*some other words are exchanged as they reach down to a small table next to them and grab their steins and take a deep swig. Then they all raise their axes high and angle them to the center and say together:
"Praise Vorax - Hail deh Fatha a Battle. Weh foight tah deh end, and it ain't ova yet."
-
*Tralek walks the ruins of Briardusk and goes to the towers that once unleashed the devastating electric attacks. He tries to gain as much knowledge as possible from the fallen and damaged towers as to how the Al'Noth was controlled, concentrated and directed in such a way. He is curious how the towers functioned as such. From the top of the towers he looks over the smoldering and black landscape and breathes a deep sigh.
He then leads a search party as they comb the areas of the City of Briardusk. His main focus is to find out how the city was getting resupplied when they had it surrounded. He helps them look for secret doors, passage ways or any hidden exits out of the city. Any hidden treasure or documents are bonus finds, but his main purpose is to find out how they were being resupplied.*
-
*Vrebel lingers around the city helping to route out any lingering pockets of resistance. At one point he is seen near the center of town talking to some of the leaders of the city and pointing to the ground. To remember the fallen and the brave retaking of the city he throws out the suggestion of building a monument with the titanium rod Raz thought up as the center piece.
"It'd make a good flag pole to" he hollars back as he walks away.
*Vrebel looks about at the citizens of Briarkdusk and the soldiers who have come from all over some celebrating and others comiserating and takes a deep breath as he looks to Kuhl.*
This war still aint over yet. Each day we wait he'll get stronger n' more fortified.
*He shrugs*
Heck let em celebrate fer now they earned it.