Group 38 - Chapter 3 - Darkness Awaits

Where the RPGs take place

Moderator: The Makers of Chains

User avatar
Nightcall
Malekith's Personal Guard
Posts: 844
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:16 pm
Location: England
Contact:

Post by Nightcall »

To the right of the battlefield, the High Elf horses were charging, doing all they could to break past the hydra and slam into the flanks of the Dark Elves. The monsters many heads writhed and snapped, spewing searing fiery breath, or biting down on horse or rider, lifting them aloft, and then snapping it's jaws shut before feasting on their flesh. Well trained and armoured, some of the horses made it through, weaving past the deadly creature and slamming into the foot troops.

It was now that the front few of the crossbow unit were forced to draw their swords. The Asur had been cunning. Rather than attack a unit armed with spears, they sought to decimate the ranged unit on the right of the host whilst the Cold One Knights were distracted on the left. Whilst the unit realised what was happening, the High Elves had already begun to stab down into those at the front with lance or sword. By the time the unit had managed to reload and begin responding, the horsemen had already begun to press a wedge into the side of the unit. The sergeant yelled a command to attack the flanking Asur, but his voice could barely be heard over the roars of the hydra.

Nathra and Kailleth had been grouped in the main unit with Lord Chillbane. The lordling had given the order for them to attack, and then had somewhat recklessly taken off on his cold one to lead the unit of knights in a counter-charge against the High Elf cavalry racing in from the left. Had he been too ambitious? Or was he over-stretched in his expected duties? One could not lead a unit whilst riding at the head of another. Instead, the warriors were led forwards by a standard-bearer and a drummer, pounding a drum made from the hide of a slain foe. Each hit matched the host's marching steps, and as the drumming increased in speed, so did the army. Soon their march became a trot, and then a fully blown run at the hated High Elves. The gap between the Druchii and the Asur archers needed to be closed quickly, to limit the casualties left by the hail of deadly arrows. It was these that the unit was focussing on. But first they had to get through the spearmen.

The Hag sang a blasphemous hymn to Khaine as her war maidens wove their dances around any enemy they encountered. Some fell to Asur sword, others were impaled on spear or shot by arrow. None cared, indeed some even appeared blissful as they were welcomed to Khaine's realm. For every witch elf slain, half a dozen Asur were felled by the rampaging beauties and their venomous blades. There was no clear target for their murderous work, yet the Chracians to the left of the cavalry that had met the hydra had met the brunt of the Brides of Khaine. Grunts of anger or oaths of vengeance were sounded as mighty axes were swung. The witches were swift and nimble, and the warriors of Chrace were set against a worthy set of opponents. It was here that Irrileth found herself. The young woman, eager for blood, stood at the rear of the unit with shield and sword. Taking in the mutilation and savagery around her, she had to respond quickly as a muscular High Elf roared at her and brought down an axe from above, aiming to cleave her in two.

Meanwhile the crew on the repeater bolt thrower were still trying to bring down the war eagle and its damned rider. The mage had yet to send down another magical attack, but it seemed he had noticed the hydra. With a shriek, the eagle changed course, and began to swoop towards the enraged monster. 'You there, pass me another bolt!' one of the crew shouted to a petite corsair, bearing a spiral tattoo and an arrow scar upon her face.

Cade, the horses are charging into your unit. How do you respond?

Nathra, Kailleth, you are about to slam into the spear and shield unit. You may try to bypass them, or you may engage. The ultimate goal is to kill the archers.

Irrileth, the lion pounces! Best defend from that Chracian, and try to teach him a lesson.

Heldrana won't be manning the weapons forever. Just a way to get her into the battle.
Casaythe Blackstorm - Warrior (Corsair) - Group 22
Skills: Awareness, Endurance
Equipment: Short Sword, Glaive, Medium Armour, Sea Dragon Cloak, Repeater Crossbow, clip of bolts [11/20], 405 gold, Talisman of Darkness, Tool Kit, 2 months' rations
Stats: WS4, S4, T5, D3, I4

Mod, Group 38
User avatar
Mostlyharmless
Noble
Posts: 456
Joined: Tue Jan 16, 2007 5:33 am

Post by Mostlyharmless »

" . . . pass me another bolt!"

"Another bolt, aye."

Heldrana rummaged through the ammunition for the bolt thrower, looking for the variety of bolts that actually help when bringing down flying beasts: chain bolts, designed to tangle the rigging of ships, it would work just as well on the eagle's wings. Pass a bolt, pass a bolt, do they even know what they're doing? Ah! Chain bolts! She snatched the ammunition and handed it off to the loader.

She then slouched, appearing bored, but with an eager glint in her eye. She had always enjoyed her raids on Ulthuan's shores, and the potential for plunder was significant. All she had to do was kill the right people, like that fellow on the eagle. Still, it would not do to abandon the Reapers. She had been hired to man and defend them, and she would fulfill her contract.

As she saw the Asur horse wheel around the mighty war hydra to engage the foot, she unconsciously drew her sword. Battle was joined all around her, and she would satisfy her own bloodlust before the day was out.

Heldrana will continue to assist with the Reapers to maintain the output of fire. Should the enemy venture close, she will engage, but she will not abandon the war machines without orders, or, at the very least, a golden opportunity to make a significant impact on the battle.
Last edited by Mostlyharmless on Fri Aug 24, 2012 11:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Heldrana Doomtide (Group 38 - Warrior)
WS:4 S:4 T:3 D:4 I:3
Equipment: Sea Dragon Cloak, Leather Armour, Buckler, Short Sword, Throwing Daggers (4), 1 flask of wine, tinderbox, 5 gold coins, Chracian Axe (2 handed weapon)
Skills: none
Jcitalia4
Beastmaster
Posts: 360
Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:39 pm
Location: Dundee

Post by Jcitalia4 »

The next volley was away. Stuck into those damned chracians, some fell but not nearly as many as Gaelus would have liked. Those thick hides on their shoulders protecting them from the worst of the missle fire. Their good fortune was shortlived, however, as the brides of khaine, in their maddened frenzy, crazy into the lion lords. Gaelus wasn't a religious man but he secretly whispered a prayer to khaine their the brides would rent their wrath in a bloody fashion upon the axemen.

All across the battlefield units were engaged. Their sister crossbow unit already near decimated from the wizards spells trickled their members over to their unit to bolster their ranks and provide safety in numbers. The repeater still fruitless tried to bring down the eagle that zipped all along the battlefield. Their illustrious leader abandoned the bulk of the army to aid the cold one's against the elven horse, leaving the warriors charging towards the elven spears on their own under a hail of arrows. The hydra snapped and clashed at the cavalry around it.

Their lordling barked To the skies! Bring that eagle down!. They all readied their weapons and aimed high...

Gaelus's head was ringing, there was a din of battle in his ears and he struggled to understand why he was on the ground, a mouthful of dirt. His handbow a bit away, he grasped out at it as he rose to his knee. As he looked up, his memory slowly came to him. Unfamiliar shapes moved about him. Then suddenly, he remembered the crash! The horse! They had circumvented the hydra and charged straight into their flanks. In an instant, Gaelus was on his feet. He quickly assessed his situation. They were all about them, the elves charge had been menacing for the lightly equipped druchii. He saw their unit's lordlings corpse bent over, impaled on a spear nearby. The shaft preventing his lifeless body from completing its fall to the ground.

The remaining rank sergeants were hastily trying to make a defense. Rally!, Dress ranks! they barked at the dazed dark elves. He wasn't sure if he saw his own squad sergeant, Saulk, amongst them. Useless, Gaelus realized, this had already become a melee. More would die in the attempt to form up without a significant reprieve. They needed time.

Gaelus rushed into action. Left for dead he came as a surprise to many of the horseman around. His handbow had still been fully loaded for their interrupted shot against the eagle. He emptied the clip in quick succession, one bolt for each horseman nearby. He didn't stop moving to assess his shots, to stop was to die and they needed time to reform. Once spent he quickly reholstered his weapon and rolled behind his most recent target. He grasped at the nearest thing that could be used as a weapon/shield and moved to race around the horses, hamstringing them when he could and making quick cuts at the Asur when possible. He knew the most important thing was to never stop moving. In these tights spaces, he was faster than a horse could turn. And so he went, slicing and moving, stabbing and moving.

I do hope help arrives soon, this could end up being quite tiring...

Gaelus will try to recover from the charge. He will then move to provide time for his unit to readdress ranks. He will move as fast as he can about the melee firing a bolt at close range at the most unsuspecting horsemen as possible until his clip is spent. He will then holster the handbow and grab for something else (OOC: this can be a weapons, shield or even the unit's standard, i'll let you roll to decide as he is almost blind fighting and moving on instinct at this point). From here he will stay on the move, mainly hamstringing horses but stricking distracted Asur when the opportunity arises. His main point will be to not be pinned in a location and to harry the enemy for long enough time that his unit can reform.

OOC: I really had a lot of fun writing that!
Cade Thanal (TN: Gaelus Stormscythe) (Group 38 warrior)
WS3 S4 T3 D4 I5
Equipment: Light Armor, Short Sword, Repeating Handbow (9/10), Helmet, Asur Short Sword, High elf Mage-prince pelt, Lion pelt cloak, Sword belt with gold buckle and sapphire, 10 gold
Skills: Disguise

Dolan Steelshorn
WS4 S5 T5 D3 I2
Equipment: Glaive, medium armor, shield
Skills: Endurance

Taldein, the Draich'Arha (CC Thread)
WS4 S3 T4 D3 I4
Equipment: Draich (EP4), Helmet (EP1), Pendant
Skills: Power of Ulgu (1)
User avatar
Minigrift
... And Hell Followed
Posts: 1418
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 10:52 am
Location: Scotland

Post by Minigrift »

The Druchii mercenaries hit the Asur line hard, spear-elf fought spear-elf as the remaining dark elves poured into the hated kin. The beautiful shade was waiting for the opportunity to strike and wasted no time in entering the swirling melee when it presented itself. One of the lead warriors fell to the ground with a ragged whole in his chest where he was brutally stabbed with a spear, which would have weakened the Druchii formation, but Nathra was quick to fill the gap in their line.

She grabbed an armour-strap of the falling warrior in front of her and used it to propel herself over him and unleash a flying kick into the face of the Asur who was reigning in his spear. Simultaneously, her longsword flashed out right-handed to cut into the exposed neck of the Asur fighting next to him, who was busy fighting one of the dark elf warriors. As she controlled her fall to the ground, she concentrated her attention back to the elf she had kicked in the face, slashing him into the chest round his shield just as she landed in a crouch.

"C'mon, you brazen curs!" She yelled, to inspire her comrades. "Fight like you mean it!"


OOC: Best I could do I'm afraid. Have had a tough day today and I'm really tired. I'm sure you won't mind... Too much!
Nathra Severain - Shade (Group 38)
WS:5 S:4 T:2 D:6 I: 3
Skills; Acrobatics; Basic Stealth; Free Running
Equipment: Longsword; Shurikens (6/10); Shade Cloak; Asur Arm & Leg Armour Plates; Misericorde; Gutting Knife
Inventory; Ornate Tiara; Sword Belt; Asuri Orb; 106 gold
User avatar
Nightcall
Malekith's Personal Guard
Posts: 844
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:16 pm
Location: England
Contact:

Post by Nightcall »

The crew on the repeater bolt thrower released their load, the chain bolts spinning as they flew in an upwards trajectory towards the eagle mounted mage. The elf noticed the missile with barely a second to spare, and with a pull of his reins, urged his eagle to twist sideways. Lifting its right wing, the enormous bird tilted its whole body, and the bolts flew above it missing it by less than a swords length. The eagle righted itself with a screech, and then flapped its wings twice to gain height as the High Elf scanned the battlefield below him. Spotting the war machine and its crew, he pointed at them with his staff, at the same time urging the eagle to swoop. The bird began its dive, folding its wings in against its body. 'Load! Reload, damn you!' the unit leader commanded. Two Druchii frantically tried to load a bolt and pull the windings back in time, but their actions were too slow in comparison to the great eagle's fall.

The mage twirled his staff calling the power of Chamon to his bidding, and when they were less than thirty foot above the bolt thrower and crew he pointed his staff at them and unleashed his spell, throwing a bolt of silvery light at them. A sheen of heat surrounded the crew and bolt thrower, and the crew howled as their armour grew hot. The bolt thrower groaned, the metal joints and fastenings glowing red, orange, then white, before it exploded into smithereens. The mage issued a melodic laugh, before his eagle rose upwards once more, safely out of range of the handbows.

Heldrana saw the attack coming and instinctively rolled back behind the crates. Despite being hit by some splintered wood, she was shielded from the worst of the deadly magical blast. The force of the explosion threw her back through the air towards the main unit of Druchii warriors and mercenaries. The corsair slowly lifted herself to her feet, and surveyed the carnage that she had escaped.

To her left, the Cold One Knights were engaged in savage combat against Ellyrion horse cavalry. To her right, was the rear of the main mercenary and warrior unit.

Farther across, the crossbow and swords unit were fighting like a pack of wolves against the second horse cavalry. Several of the Ellyrion reavers had been pulled down; their horses slain or wounded, their riders were hacked to pieces as soon as they could be reached. Cade's first shot had dismounted a rider, the second slew a rider instantly as it sank home deep into his skull through his eye. In his hand he gripped hold of a dropped short sword, crafted by Asur smiths and only moments ago wielded against Druchii forces. There was little room for manoeuvre, and Druchii and Asur alike were trampled by panicked hooves. The smell of horse sweat mingled with the stench of hydra bile, and swords hacked away from both sides. Slowly the cavalry were gaining an advantage, the weight of the steeds far too much for foot troops to hold against. But as their doom seemed eminent, a cry was issued from the Beast Masters. 'Watch yourselves, she's gone into a frenzy!'

Seconds later, a deafening chorus of roars resonated around them as the hydra angrily noticed the horses that had escaped its many jaws. It furiously snapped down four of its heads, three successfully clamping on horse or rider and breaking them as it bit down and shattered bones. Screams of elf and horse rang through the air, and the dozen or so remaining Cavalry riders faltered as they saw what had become of their kin. With a cry, they sallied around to the north in a clockwise gallop, hoping to reform and charge the Druchii from a better angle. 'Reform!' called a sergeant, snarling as he noticed the damage across the battlefield that the eagle riding mage had inflicted. A horn blew, giving the signal to regroup.

The Witch Elves continued their fatal dance around the Chracians. Many were painted with fresh blood, and several shrieked with joy as they gathered pelts of their own, taking the skin or scalps from their victims with sharp slices of their ritual knives, tearing their trophies free from the dead or dying. Irrileth was overwhelmed by the smell of blood in the air. Despite not joining the Temple Brides' ritual slaughter, she was eager to spill blood for her own purposes. Unfortunately for her, so was the Chracian. Distracted by a nearly skinned elf, groaning to her right on the floor of the battlefield, she did not notice the warrior until he roared at her and brought his axe down. The last thing she heard before she was cleaved from shoulder to hip, was his vengeful oath.

Nathra was weaving her way through the shields and spears of the enemy as Kailleth engaged their opponents further along the line. With deadly grace she dispatched her foes. Cutting the throat of a surprised elf, she slashed across the chest of another, cutting around his guarded torso before landing in a crouch and issuing a challenge. The Asur were only happy to entertain her request. In the line behind the two elves she had slain, another spearman arced his speartip downwards as he thrust it at her neck. To her side, two more elves did the same.


Heldrana, the bolt thrower has been destroyed. You have been thrown outwards by the magical explosion. The other three crew members have been blown to bits, either by the spell, or by shrapnel. She can wander into battle on her own, or melt into the main unit of melee troops.

Cade, hooray for hydra! Things are going a bit better all of a sudden. The cavalry are facing away in a semi retreat, giving the opportunity to recover and shoot them from the rear. ((OOC, do you want me to refer to your character as Cade or Gaelus – have gone with Cade so far as Gaelus is sort of a secret identity, right?))

Irrileth has been slain in battle. ((OOC, killed off at Carathyle's request))

Nathra, you have three Asur trying to skewer you. One from in front, two from the right. ((OOC, no probs! At least it gives me something to work with ;) ))

((OOC, I'll be tagging Kailleth along until he returns from holiday. Then he gets cool action posts like the rest of you. :lol: ))
Last edited by Nightcall on Fri Aug 24, 2012 6:18 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Casaythe Blackstorm - Warrior (Corsair) - Group 22
Skills: Awareness, Endurance
Equipment: Short Sword, Glaive, Medium Armour, Sea Dragon Cloak, Repeater Crossbow, clip of bolts [11/20], 405 gold, Talisman of Darkness, Tool Kit, 2 months' rations
Stats: WS4, S4, T5, D3, I4

Mod, Group 38
User avatar
Mostlyharmless
Noble
Posts: 456
Joined: Tue Jan 16, 2007 5:33 am

Post by Mostlyharmless »

Heldrana shook off the shock of the impact as she took in her surroundings. The rest of the crew were dead, not really bad for her. They were weak. They deserved to die. Instead of mourning, she busied herself taking what trinkets she could from the bodies, along with anything of use. She also snatched up one of the remaining bolts, not an ideal weapon without the bolt thrower to fire it, but it was balanced for flight, and she could throw it just as well as any spear.

She could, of course, cut her losses and fade into obscurity, but she was Druchii. It was time to go on the hunt.

She looked about for an opportunity. She saw the Brides of Khaine engaged with the Chracians. They certainly wouldn't mind another woman getting in on the action.

She surged forward towards the Chracians, hurling the make-shift javelin into their ranks before drawing her sword. She let out a ululating battle cry while leaping acrobatically to engage, her sword arcing downwards upon the heads of her foes. Upon entering the melee, she is a whirlwind, striking with sword and back-handing with buckler, her sea dragon cloak swirling behind her.

Heldrana will fight like the diminutive daemon she is. She will only back off if she gets too ahead of the witch elves.
Last edited by Mostlyharmless on Fri Aug 24, 2012 11:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Heldrana Doomtide (Group 38 - Warrior)
WS:4 S:4 T:3 D:4 I:3
Equipment: Sea Dragon Cloak, Leather Armour, Buckler, Short Sword, Throwing Daggers (4), 1 flask of wine, tinderbox, 5 gold coins, Chracian Axe (2 handed weapon)
Skills: none
User avatar
Minigrift
... And Hell Followed
Posts: 1418
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 10:52 am
Location: Scotland

Post by Minigrift »

Double-edged, Nathra's words were. For though they might have inspired her allies to greater feats, they also inspired the enemy to try and kill her. No less than three spears tips swiftly came her way, two from her right and one directly in front of her. Given no time to think, the lithe shade acted on instinct. Nathra ducked under the first spear as it whistled over her shoulder, then grabbing it with her left hand she shoved it hard to the side then down, catching the other two spear heads mid-thrust to push all three spear-tips into the ground.

She pulled hard on the shaft she held, and used the same corpse again to propel herself through the air, the shade let go even as she spun round in a graceful arc over the spears. The moment her left hand was free Nathra pinched a shuriken from her belt and readied it to throw. Her longsword whirled out as she finished the spin, catching the nearest elf in the neck, causing a furtive spray of blood from his artery. Leg's splayed, Nathra landed easily, she glanced to her left, and seeing the beautiful blue eyes of the Asur, she launched her shuriken into his face near point-blank.

But the raven-haired beauty was not finished yet. She was well within the effective range of the enemy spears, which rendered them all but useless, and she was on the shield-less side of the last one to attack her. Her longsword flashed out, first up to catch the last Asur's sword arm, then round and down to swipe at both of his legs in one swift motion. Both attacks aimed where his armour was weakest.

Placing her free hand on the back of the Asur whose she had slashed up the chest, Nathra leant backwards and kicked with both feet at the second Asur whose neck she had slashed as he fell to his knees clutching feebly at his mortal wound. Nathra sent him backwards into his comrades, and sent herself into a back flip, landing in a crouch behind the corpse she had used for leverage.

A twisted, feral grin decorated her face even as she began to laugh maniacally.

Deflecting the spears, slashing one in the neck, throwing a shuriken in ones face, slashing another in the arm and feet, then kicking the first one back into his friends.
Nathra has begun to laugh and welcomes more lambs to the slaughter.
Nathra Severain - Shade (Group 38)
WS:5 S:4 T:2 D:6 I: 3
Skills; Acrobatics; Basic Stealth; Free Running
Equipment: Longsword; Shurikens (6/10); Shade Cloak; Asur Arm & Leg Armour Plates; Misericorde; Gutting Knife
Inventory; Ornate Tiara; Sword Belt; Asuri Orb; 106 gold
Jcitalia4
Beastmaster
Posts: 360
Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:39 pm
Location: Dundee

Post by Jcitalia4 »

Gaelus didn't have time to see what befell the elf that was fling from his saddle from his shot, he had turned to fire at another which he was satisfied to his bolt bury deep into his skull. And so he went, his ammo spent he replace the handbow and in swept up one of the fallen elves' short swords

For all the hatred we have of them, they still know how to make weapons worthy of wielding

He hadn't had much practice using two weapons at once but for what he needed to accomplish, it wasn't necessary. His guerilla like movements amongst the Asurii ranks did well to aid his unit, they had been able to regroup. They were still, however, outmatched. They weren't well equipped to deal with a charge, much less, mounted foes.

They seemed upon a precipice. A sudden roar and a warning nearby let out and Gaelus had to near jump completely on his back to avoid the hydra head that smashed down on the mounted elf before him, the shadow of it his only warning. Several horsemen died in quick succession in this way and it was simply too much for their spineless courage.

Reform!, Gaelus turned to see Saulk taking control of the unit. Their training quickly burst them into action and Gaelus, picking up a discarded bolt cartridge from one of the dead on the way, made his way back into the unit's ranks.

Let's teach them a lessen for their cowardly charge into our flanks. Made ready! Aim!. Like fish in a barrel, Gaelus thought.

Gaelus will rejoin the unit and join them in their firing upon the routed horsemen

OOC: Cade is fine. And you're right about the kind of secret identity situation. Also, I didn't know if you accepted my telling of the unit's lordling dying in the charge (my previous posts kind of made him out to be a wimp) so I had his rank Sergeant, the character i kinda created named Saulk, seem to rise to the occasion. Thoughts?
Cade Thanal (TN: Gaelus Stormscythe) (Group 38 warrior)
WS3 S4 T3 D4 I5
Equipment: Light Armor, Short Sword, Repeating Handbow (9/10), Helmet, Asur Short Sword, High elf Mage-prince pelt, Lion pelt cloak, Sword belt with gold buckle and sapphire, 10 gold
Skills: Disguise

Dolan Steelshorn
WS4 S5 T5 D3 I2
Equipment: Glaive, medium armor, shield
Skills: Endurance

Taldein, the Draich'Arha (CC Thread)
WS4 S3 T4 D3 I4
Equipment: Draich (EP4), Helmet (EP1), Pendant
Skills: Power of Ulgu (1)
User avatar
Nightcall
Malekith's Personal Guard
Posts: 844
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:16 pm
Location: England
Contact:

Post by Nightcall »

'Fight, my brothers! We will drive them back to the sea, and darken the waters with their blood.' A raucous cheer rang out in reply to Abelus Finblade's rousing words. The Captain of the White Lion regiment had seen three hundred summers, and had like the rest of his kin who stood in battle, been trained how to hunt and wield an axe since he was old enough to walk. Clad in chainmail tunics, fine lion pelts, and ornate helms, the Chracians hacked and chopped into the Witch Elves with their mighty axes. The weight alone would kill a man, but combined with the razor sharp edge, these weapons were capable of cleaving an opponent in two.

The Witch Elves danced around the warriors, twin blades swirling and slicing. Cursed venom edged their knives, whilst their potent draught drunk before battle invigorated them, causing no fatigue to interrupt their frenzies. It was into these dancers that Heldrana ran forth, throwing a stolen bolt as if it were a spear. A Chracian narrowly dodged the missile, stepping backwards, before looking for the one who had thrown it. Seeing the nimble corsair, he pointed at her to declare that she would be his prey, before raising his axe above his head and running towards her with a guttural growl.

Nathra was in her element. Easily avoiding the three spears thanks to her acrobatic skills, she punished her would-be slayers with vicious slash of her sword to the neck of one, followed by a shuriken to the face of another. With a cry of agony, he reached for his face, the weapon taking out his right eye. Kin near to him pulled him back, noting his injury, and protected him with their spears. The third elf was carved up in a display of agility that put the Asur that witnessed it into a state of envy. Nathra landed behind the shield line, alert and ready to fight any who would face her. At once, the creak of bowstrings could be heard behind her as the archers readied themselves.

Kailleth had yet to break through the ranks of spearmen, and was pressed in a tight pack with other mercenaries. Dodging spear thrusts and attempting to stab through open guards, he slowly tried to make his way forwards.

The hydra snorted and inhaled, a wheezing sound heaving through its many necks and chests. 'Get down!' someone screamed, and a moment after, the monster exhaled a plume of sickly green fire across the battlefield. In its frenzy, the hydra belched its searing breath across any that were unfortunate to be in it's path. Some of the crossbow unit took casualties, as did the Witch Elves. But the beast roasted more Chracians and Horsemen than Druchii. It was a hefty price, but one worth paying.

'Get that damn hydra under control!' Roared Lord Thaekan, who had seen the beasts rampage from his position with the command group. The message was relayed swiftly, and soon the Beastmasters were behind the monster, urging it with hooks and spears to instead turn its attentions directly upon the Chracians alone.

Recovering from the chaos, the crossbow unit primed their weapons and let bolts fly into the remaining Ellyrions, who by this point had the whole flank sides of their horses in range of the Druchii as they desperately tried to regroup and wheel around for a second charge. At this rate, there would not be many of them left. 'Fire at will!'

Heldrana, the bolt missed. You have a Chracian heading to you, aiming to cut you in two from head to guts. You are surrounded by fighting Witch Elves and Chracians, but you only have the attention of the one warrior on you at the moment.

Nathra, the sword slash killed the one spearman. The shurikan injured the other spearman but he is not dead yet. The third is also successfully slain. She is now between the spearmen and archers, the archers are ready to shoot her with arrows, but cannot do so yet as if they released arrows, they would risk killing the spearmen. So it's a bit of a stalemate. What does Nathra do next?

Kailleth, you are still in the main warrior group, pushing into High Elf Spearmen.

Cade, you have narrowly survived being roasted by the hydra's searing breath. With a new clip of bolts, you are ready and free to fire at the horsemen at will. ((OOC, thanks for clarifying. And that's fine. It makes nice reading, and as long as it illustrates your characters actions without interfering with the Mod posts, I don't mind at all. I have made a list of notable characters in the first post of the OOC thread so everyone knows who is an intended major NPC in the story. I won't add Saulk or the Lordling though as they're part of your descriptive posts.))


Nathra, -1 Shuriken
Heldrana, +1 flask of wine, tinderbox, 5 gold coins
Casaythe Blackstorm - Warrior (Corsair) - Group 22
Skills: Awareness, Endurance
Equipment: Short Sword, Glaive, Medium Armour, Sea Dragon Cloak, Repeater Crossbow, clip of bolts [11/20], 405 gold, Talisman of Darkness, Tool Kit, 2 months' rations
Stats: WS4, S4, T5, D3, I4

Mod, Group 38
User avatar
Minigrift
... And Hell Followed
Posts: 1418
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 10:52 am
Location: Scotland

Post by Minigrift »

Once settled into the 'cover' she had provided for herself, Nathra took a few moments to survey the skirmish. The Asur were fighting hard, but the Druchii were quickly overwhelming them. Nathra herself had opened up the enemy line with a stunning display of agility. The creak of bowstrings was heard, she looked across to the archers who were a goodly distance away. The Asur were noble and honourable, there was no way they would shoot upon their brethren and Nathra was too far away and not stupid enough to charge them all herself. She could maybe avoid three or four arrows, but twenty? Thirty? That would be near impossible even for her.

Some of the more bloodthirsty mercenaries quickly filled the gap that Nathra had cunningly provided. The nimble shade stepped into the fray behind them. The left flank of the Asur was quickly crumbling but the right side still remained strong. She quickly singled out one of the enemy spearmen in the back rank who was stabbing his spear over the heads of his friends into the dark elves, leaving his under-arm exposed. Nathra readied a shuriken and coiled her arm up taught, she took a breath and held it, then savagely unleashed her projectile with flick of her wrist.

Wasting no time she commando rolled into the side of the exposed High Elves, aiming quick but deadly strikes at the rear armour of the knees, effectively hamstringing her two targets. She left the one in the front rank for the dark elf to finish off, and targeted the one behind, finishing him off with a deadly swipe at his neck as he fell to the ground. Nathra cartwheeled to the side and once again took her place in the unit of Druchii warriors.

"Enemy archers ready to fire," she screamed. "Spearmen, form up!

One shot at an exposed under-arm, two quick slashes at the backs of the knees, then a swipe at the neck of one.
Resuming her place in the Druchii unit. Will use the spearmen for cover in a similar fashion to what she did in a previous post.



OOC: Assumed that Kaileth was fighting the right side of the Asur spearmen, since he/they seem to be struggling I thought it might be nice if Nathra helped them out a bit.
Nathra Severain - Shade (Group 38)
WS:5 S:4 T:2 D:6 I: 3
Skills; Acrobatics; Basic Stealth; Free Running
Equipment: Longsword; Shurikens (6/10); Shade Cloak; Asur Arm & Leg Armour Plates; Misericorde; Gutting Knife
Inventory; Ornate Tiara; Sword Belt; Asuri Orb; 106 gold
User avatar
dreadlord7476
Cold One Knight
Posts: 245
Joined: Wed Apr 27, 2011 7:32 pm
Location: BC canada

Post by dreadlord7476 »

As Kailleth came around the corner of one of the weapons wagons he found a Nobel bossing his band of mercenaries in to ranks to fill out his unit. Kailleth smirked as he slipped into the ranks and started marched in to the line of battle, as the unit crested the hill and saw the Asur Kailleth felt the hatred surge through the assembled Druchii, to the sound of cracking leather and metal rasping from there sheaths. Kailleth saw the spear and shield armed Druchii moving to the front of the unit and made a show of their discipline and heraldry on their shields. Kailleth watched and was happy he was in the middle ranks of the unit setting his shield on his arm and loosening his muscles and joints.

Soon they were marching across the killing ground advancing on the asur, arrows where raining down but Kailleth had his shield up and crouched low to the ground so no arrows fond there mark well not him any way. as they advanced on the archers they where rudely cut off by a phalanx of asur spears, the too hosts came together In a roar of hatred and murder.

Kailleth though his weight behind his shield as the druthii hit the spears but was stopped dead and stumbled back as he ran into the trio of spears that slammed into his shield, the rest of the Druchii pushed past him as he regain his feet, with a roar of frustration Kailleth pushed his way to the melee shouldering past and smacking some Druchii with the flat of his blade to make room for him, after sevrel moments of struggling Kailleth made it to the front locking his shield with the other worriers and keeping his blade low,

Kailleth will keep his shield high and his sword low hoping to deflect the spears of the asur up with his shield the slash at legs and stab guts and groins, but never leaving the line of Druchii
Twitter @dreadlord7476

the dead savoir nothing, revenge is a dish for the living

kailleth blackthorn Group 38
Warrior
ws5 s4 t3 d3 i4
2long swords, light armour, sheld
Jcitalia4
Beastmaster
Posts: 360
Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:39 pm
Location: Dundee

Post by Jcitalia4 »

Ooc: typed from my iPad as laptop broke down so apologise for mistakes (usually from autocorrect)

They loosed a broadside volley into the terrified horses. At this range and because of their position, it wasn't a particularly difficult shot. Gaelus knew the with the hydra terrorising nearby that the missile fire would have a devastating effect on their courage. They were as good as spent on this battlefield. If Saulk was the character he had judged him to be, he would sense this too very shortly. As if on queue...

"Ready march! Standard to me!" he yelled. They all made ready and move into position to march, holstering their weapons after making them ready for future use.

"March!"

Saulk moved them with surprising acumen even for one of his veteran status. They positioned themselves in support of the embattled warriors flank. The enemy archers just opposite them, a dangerous position to be in. Not wanting to stay in such a vulnerable place for long Saulk wheeled them around the spearelves spear side flank.

Ready charge! . In unison, the druchii drew their hand bows in one hand and swords in another. A tactic well rehearsed in preparation for this battle. They would fire as the charge distance closed and engage with their swords. He had heard of its devastating effects from the veterans and Gaelus was eager to witness it first hand.

"Charge!" Saulk yelled and started running forward, the unit closely behind him. They began to pick up pace as they neared. Around 15m away, Loose! he ordered, and a wall of bolts greeted the spear elves just as the druchii handbowmen welcomed themselves into the melee. Gaelus fired another bolt at a bewildered elf turning to face them before slashing down at another as their force hit with a clash against the turned spearelves.

Gaelus will fire into the horses as ordered. He will then join in the unit flanking the spears, firing a shot on the charge and on impact (assumining repeaters make this quite possible) before swinging at another elf in attempt to dispatch him

Ooc: I count three shots fired. it ok to move the unit like so? Thought it made for an interesting battle and can see the logic in the manoeuvre.
Cade Thanal (TN: Gaelus Stormscythe) (Group 38 warrior)
WS3 S4 T3 D4 I5
Equipment: Light Armor, Short Sword, Repeating Handbow (9/10), Helmet, Asur Short Sword, High elf Mage-prince pelt, Lion pelt cloak, Sword belt with gold buckle and sapphire, 10 gold
Skills: Disguise

Dolan Steelshorn
WS4 S5 T5 D3 I2
Equipment: Glaive, medium armor, shield
Skills: Endurance

Taldein, the Draich'Arha (CC Thread)
WS4 S3 T4 D3 I4
Equipment: Draich (EP4), Helmet (EP1), Pendant
Skills: Power of Ulgu (1)
User avatar
Mostlyharmless
Noble
Posts: 456
Joined: Tue Jan 16, 2007 5:33 am

Post by Mostlyharmless »

If there was one thing Heldrana knew, it was about fighting fair and how that was the style of the dead. She was a corsair of the Black Arks. She fought dirty.

Chracian armour was tough plate and mail, difficult to penetrate if you didn't know the weak points. These Chracians left a very crucial weak point exposed: the scale skirt was split in the center. It was a flaw to be exploited.

As the Chracian charged, she deftly side-stepped his axe, pirouetting behind him and kicking him hard in the groin. She wasted no time to finish him off, stabbing with her short sword where his breastplate and helmet leave a small window of flesh exposed.

Heldrana will do just that, attempt to dodge the axe, kick him in the groin, and finish him off. If he dies, she'll take his axe. A melee is no place to fish for loot beyond immediate grabs like weapons.
Heldrana Doomtide (Group 38 - Warrior)
WS:4 S:4 T:3 D:4 I:3
Equipment: Sea Dragon Cloak, Leather Armour, Buckler, Short Sword, Throwing Daggers (4), 1 flask of wine, tinderbox, 5 gold coins, Chracian Axe (2 handed weapon)
Skills: none
User avatar
Nightcall
Malekith's Personal Guard
Posts: 844
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:16 pm
Location: England
Contact:

Post by Nightcall »

General Thaekan watched from the rear of the host as Lord Chillbane's Cold One Knights ploughed into the second Ellyrion cavalry. Horses screamed and nauglir roared and hissed. The Ellyrian reavers fought with lance, sword, and bow, but there was little they could do to defend their noble horses from bone shattering sweeps of nauglir tails, or crushing bites from their venomous maws. Chillbane laughed manically as his mount grabbed hold of a charger with its front claws before biting down and breaking the animal's neck. Falling to its knees, its rider fell to the ground and was crushed by a heavy clawed footfall of Chillbane's green scaled cold one. 'Good girl!' he laughed, patting her on the shoulder as she looked for her next target.

The fight was brutal, but it was over quickly. Some of the knights had to beat their cold ones to attention as the beasts had refused to charge forwards, instead filling their bellies with the spoils of their charge. Gorging on elf and horse meat, they would be sluggish and slow witted if they were allowed to eat their fill now. Chillbane roared a command and the knights regrouped in a wedge shape as they surveyed their next target. Chracians.

This line, to the left of the spears and archers, had yet to be challenged, and had reaped a fearsome harvest. Filled with pride, and confident of victory, the lordling lowered his visor and smiled behind it as he envisioned their brutal eradication. 'Nobles of Naggaroth, with me!' With feral snarls and yells, the Knights charged forwards, straight into the side of the Chracians. The hunters of Chrace could do little to defend themselves. As a corsair wench threw herself into the fight, one poor warrior fell to his knees as a swift blow caught him between the legs. As he was despatched, the suffered one last indignity. She took his axe.

Back in the main melee, a shade clad in a harpy cloak had negotiated the enemy's ranks of spear and shield, causing a surprise opening through which the rest of the Druchii warriors could follow. Asur warriors fell as she slashed through them, calling her kin through and warning them of the archers. Those with shields held them forwards and charged through, shoving the Asur defenders out of the way. Hacking and slashing at their traitor cousins, the Druchii poured through the gap.

Kailleth surged forwards with those he had been fighting with, and soon found himself between the lines. As soon as the High Elves realised the line was broken, and their dead outnumbered the living, arrows were released. Shields raised, most were deflected. A Druchii standard was held aloft, a warhorn blasted, and the order given, 'Kill those bastards. Charge!'

On the right side of the enemy army, the first Ellyrion cavalry was suffering. The hydra was still spewing forth scorching fire, and despite their bond with their steeds, the reavers struggled to command them into a charge. In the disarray many fell, pierced by Dark Elf bolts. In a matter of moments, it was all over. The unit then gave its attention to the spearmen, taking advantage of the breach in the line and attacking from the flank. The Druchii trotted to meet the enemy with zeal, eager to spill more blood. Alternating between shots and sword, the attack was devastating. The hydra continued its rampage into the Chracians unit to the right of the main host, the Witch Elves carefully dancing out of the way of the monsters many snapping heads.

Heldrana, you have successfully killed the Chracian. The Cold One Knights are now in the fight against the left hand line of Chracians with you. ((Dice rolls show your attack is successful, as is the looting of the axe))

Nathra, Kailleth, the spear and shield line is broken. Time to get those archers. They are firing upon you. Range is their greatest armour, so the faster you attack them, the less risk there will be for you to take an arrow to your person!

Cade, you are now joining the attack of the spearmen who are in disarray after the main Druchii group have charged through. ((OOC, I rolled to see if this charge would be effective, and dice said yes... this time ;) ))


Heldrana - +1 Chracian Axe (2 handed weapon)
Casaythe Blackstorm - Warrior (Corsair) - Group 22
Skills: Awareness, Endurance
Equipment: Short Sword, Glaive, Medium Armour, Sea Dragon Cloak, Repeater Crossbow, clip of bolts [11/20], 405 gold, Talisman of Darkness, Tool Kit, 2 months' rations
Stats: WS4, S4, T5, D3, I4

Mod, Group 38
User avatar
Mostlyharmless
Noble
Posts: 456
Joined: Tue Jan 16, 2007 5:33 am

Post by Mostlyharmless »

Heldrana felt a rush of adrenaline as she dispatched her would-be killer, feeling the warm fountain of blood gush over her hands. She licked her hand and grinned as she took the Chracian's axe, raising it in salute to the cold one knights who had joined the fray.

Cold ones . . . dangerous to get into that mess with those dumb brutes. I'm just as likely to get snapped up by a lizard as get cut in half by an Asur, maybe more so.

She began to make a tactical withdrawal, fighting defensively to deflect any incoming blows. Upon making her exit from the fight, she surveyed the battlefield. It seemed that the majority of the Asur forces were in full retreat. There was not enough time for her to get stuck in with the mercenaries. Not much left to do except stalk the battlefield like a vulture, dispatching any Asur wounded and dragging any druchii to the surgeons.

That is, until she heard the screech of the eagle and the sudden realization that the wizard was still in the sky. She searched around for some kind of missile weapon. It was time to bring that bastard down.

No attack actions, only defensive. Heldrana is looking for a missile weapon of some kind, a discarded crossbow or bow, anything she can use to shoot.
Heldrana Doomtide (Group 38 - Warrior)
WS:4 S:4 T:3 D:4 I:3
Equipment: Sea Dragon Cloak, Leather Armour, Buckler, Short Sword, Throwing Daggers (4), 1 flask of wine, tinderbox, 5 gold coins, Chracian Axe (2 handed weapon)
Skills: none
Jcitalia4
Beastmaster
Posts: 360
Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:39 pm
Location: Dundee

Post by Jcitalia4 »

So the stories were true. Just had been told to him on the voyage down south, the shot and sword charge hit with devastating effect. The back of the Druchii line had been broken. The spearmen's resolve withered into nothing and their archer brethren, at seeing this, soon realized that there was no longer any point to check their fire. Arrows rained in from above, the more experienced corsairs enjoying a new found intimacy with the shield and sword druchii whenever a volley came in overhead. Gaelus was quick to take up this practice.

Gaelus continued to move and slash about, his handbow now replaced with the previously retrieved Asurii short sword. He supported his brethren in fights were they were struggling, and attacked the unsuspecting when the openings presented themselves. Those who engaged him directly, he fought savagely and mercilessly but with a guile and cunning that many Asur would feel themselves above doing. They would call it dishonorable or "dirty" fighting, but Gaelus was not above distracting, backstabbing or throwing dirt into the eyes of his foes. If the end result was him living and them dying, they were the fools. Honorable and dead, but still fools.

With the spear's line dissolving like sand through a hand, the rage of battle began to disappear from Gaelus's fellows. The druchii warriors were already organizing to advance on the archers. Nearby the hydra and cold one knights were tied into a vicious battle which the axe wielding chracians. Gaelus once again looked upon these elves with a loathing and envy he felt at the beginning of the battle. He shook his head at these feelings, Now is not the time for petty thoughts Gaelus...

Saulk quickly ordered the rally from the musician and the unit, after dispatching their nearest foes reorganized around him. He manoeuvred them in an area where they could support the advancing warriors by pinning down the archers as well as providing a flanking option into the Chracians, should the opening occur.

If anyone is paying attention, Saulk just might get himself a battlefield promotion with his demonstrated prowess and initiative. I should redouble my efforts to gain his confidence, it just might pay back in surplus.

Make ready!, once again the drill, like all before, Aim! ...FIRE!

Gaelus will fight amongst the spearmen until they have completed their route. He will then rejoin the reformed unit and support the warrior units advance with missle fire. If an opening presents itself for a charge into the chracians and Saulk deems it to their advantage, he will join them in the charge.

OOC: Lovely little prologue, doing well for helping to develop my character I'd say!
Cade Thanal (TN: Gaelus Stormscythe) (Group 38 warrior)
WS3 S4 T3 D4 I5
Equipment: Light Armor, Short Sword, Repeating Handbow (9/10), Helmet, Asur Short Sword, High elf Mage-prince pelt, Lion pelt cloak, Sword belt with gold buckle and sapphire, 10 gold
Skills: Disguise

Dolan Steelshorn
WS4 S5 T5 D3 I2
Equipment: Glaive, medium armor, shield
Skills: Endurance

Taldein, the Draich'Arha (CC Thread)
WS4 S3 T4 D3 I4
Equipment: Draich (EP4), Helmet (EP1), Pendant
Skills: Power of Ulgu (1)
User avatar
Nightcall
Malekith's Personal Guard
Posts: 844
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:16 pm
Location: England
Contact:

Post by Nightcall »

From this height, the swirling troops below looked like ants. The noise of battle was soft, muffled by the clouds beneath him, through which he viewed the carnage below as he passed breaks in the clouds. His eagle glided effortlessly on the air currents.

The mage watched the attacks and defences, considering his next move. On the right of the field, the reaver cavalry had been all but wiped out by heavier cold ones, who were now moving into a unit of Chracians. In the centre, the cursed Druchii had broken through the Shield and Spears, and were now making for the archers. The Asur swordsmen were behind them, waiting for the command to attack. What was holding them? To the right of this, the second rank of Chracians were in combat with near naked Witch Elves, a struggling handful of horsemen dying one by one, whilst a hydra belched green flames across the ranks of White Lions. Druchii armed with handbows and swords joined the fight, pouring into the side of the Shields and Spears from the side.

Unless something was done quickly, the battle would become a massacre.

Closing his eyes, he summoned the power of light to himself, the sun's warmth upon his face. Up here the sky was blue and clear, not marred by the gloom and cloud that seemed ever to linger over the Shadowlands. He waited until his golden staff seemed warm, the red stone upon its top glowing, patterns swirling within the jewel. With a thought, he commanded his eagle to swoop.


Lord Chillbane hacked at Chracians as he urged his cold one into their ranks with his spurs. The beasts of his cavalry roared over the shrieks and shouts of the warriors as they fought to defend themselves. Swinging their mighty two-handed axes, some were lucky enough to slay a couple of nauglir. But before they could find their next targets, they were butchered by vengeful knights or their ferocious mounts. The Lordling was satisfied with their progress, already imagining the privileges that would be granted to him once the battle was over. But then the air around him suddenly exploded with a flash of light.

Blinded, he struggled to find the source, but judging from the cries of the knights around him, they too had been effected. There was a shriek, the call of an eagle. He couldn't see. "Damn you!" he cursed, sweeping his sword frantically around his body.

And then a line of golden fire erupted across the entire cavalry. The last thing Chillbane heard was the cries of his men and the cheers of the High Elves, as the mage urged his eagle upwards once more, his mind set on finishing that hydra.


The left hand Ellyrion cavalry is destroyed, but so are the Cold One Knights. Left hand Chracians are in a bad way, about 300 remain. In the centre, the Shields and Spears are nearly wiped out, the archers have drawn swords and are in melee, whilst those far away enough are still shooting into the Druchii. Behind these, the Asur swordmen are waiting for the command to attack. To the left of these, Chracians are nearly wiped out by Witch Elves and the Hydra.

Druchii forces are holding up, we have 1 unit of handbow and swords, shield and spears, Witch Elves and the Hag, 2 sorceresses, a hydra, and mercenary mob. Cold One Cavalry, 1 unit of handbow and swords, as well as the bolt thrower are destroyed. Lord Chillbane is dead.

Heldrana, in the chaos of the mage's attack, you run out of the way but your vision is temporarily blinded. Your sight will come back slowly. You managed to evade the blast.

Cade, you are still attacking Spearmen, but their numbers are suffering greatly thanks to the flank attack. Their unit will be down quickly at this rate. The archers are shooting over them, trying to hit your unit. ((OOC, great stuff! I hope this is the case for you all ;) ))

Nathra and Kailleth are still giving it all they've got, now focussing on archers at close range. The archers are fighting back with sword, whilst those a few rows back are shooting arrows whenever a clear shot presents itself. Risky business!

Khitai, you fight with the main mercenary mob, but closer to the hydra and Chracians than Nathra and Kailleth. Please post a little description of why you are in the battle, what you're up to, etc. The next Mod post will be more specific then, once I know what you are doing.
Casaythe Blackstorm - Warrior (Corsair) - Group 22
Skills: Awareness, Endurance
Equipment: Short Sword, Glaive, Medium Armour, Sea Dragon Cloak, Repeater Crossbow, clip of bolts [11/20], 405 gold, Talisman of Darkness, Tool Kit, 2 months' rations
Stats: WS4, S4, T5, D3, I4

Mod, Group 38
User avatar
Assani
Highborn
Posts: 619
Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2011 5:53 pm
Location: Norway

Post by Assani »

He held his dagger tight, pushing it into the scouts back. He told the truth. Out on the plain a massive army was camping, the witch king was gathering a massive army ready for launch.

They moved towards the guards, and when they approached he pushed the scout towards them and stood unthreatening before them.
So, you are gathering an army?
The guards were put off guard by Khitai's move and stumbled a bit. Khitai was expecting an attack, but it didn't come.
So, are you gonna let me meet yor officer or what, I want to join and stain my scimitars with blood.

The guards stood there as question marks, whipespering something to eacthother before on of them nodded and led the way. The scout joined them. It would be his last minutes of air, before he was sent to the afterlife for being caught by Khitai.

He was sent to a tent where the strollers were signed in. An officer stood there and pointed where they meant they belonged in the army. No question was asked when Khitai arrived, they just seemed glad to have more crew fighting for them. After all, it was battle against the high elfs, so evere grey skinned elf was needed.

He was going to war, and he felt it was about time he did some killing. The last time he fought was with Kayla and Cali in a castle over a year ago. The friends went their different ways 6 months later. Kayla had to do her ting, and she wouldn't let him join her, even when he insisted. He knew she wouldent. Cali joined a ship and went back to the sea, a place Khitai wouldn't set his feet if it wasn't absolutely nessesery.

The lineup was ready, and Khitai was put in a huge spearman unit in rank three. What he did there he didn't know, he was special and he was about to prove it. The line moved forward starting the attack, and some fell in the first clinch. Behing the high elfs was lines of bowmen, and they seemed to be a god target for him.

He broke from his line pushing the the elfs in front of him to the side, reaching the enemy's line with his scimitars pointing down and out.
Slay theese ugly elfs
He brought his weapons up words ending in a cross above his head, two high elfs fell lifeless. With his speed and agility he was now in the third rank, bringing his weapons the opposite way than the first attack, sliceing two more highelfs and sending them to afterlife. He used his momentum to get forward, heading for the bowmen.


Going for the bowmen in the back

OOC:
Not the best post I know, but now it starts:)
Image

Khitai - Khanite - Group 38
WS5 - S3 - T2 - D5 - I3
Skills: Ambidexterity, Two Weapon Fighting
Equipment: 2xfine scimitars, dagger
Inventory: Gold 30, Crowns 40, 1 Red ruby
Jcitalia4
Beastmaster
Posts: 360
Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:39 pm
Location: Dundee

Post by Jcitalia4 »

Cade was beginning to tire. Not physically, but mentally because the slaughter of the spearmen was beginning to become a chore. The unit was done for, but still those few that remained either didn't recognize their plight or were too stupid to realize they'd be better off running for the hills. This greatly annoyed Cade. Already the arrows were hailing in from the front and every second they stood their longer having to finish the culling of the spears increased the chances that some lucky, no talent asur would get a lucky shot and end his adventure.

Eventually the field thinned enough that they began once again to organize into a cohesive unit with the front rank dealing with the remaining spearmen, those remaining squad sergeants or veterans who replaced them organized hind ranks to prepare a volley in answer to the archers.

Saulk gave the commands from a position at the unit's flank. Cade noticed this position differing from the usual place up front. While one might think it as cowardly, he knew better. Command and control are the most effective tools a leader can bring to a unit. If he would be engaged up front, this maneuvre to redress ranks would have been a very difficult undertaking. From the side, his control was absolute.

Ready a return volley!, Saulk shouted, Fire!

Cade will fight the spearelves until he is able to rejoin the unit and then fire into the archers

OOC: Have night shifts tomorrow so found posting an excellent excuse to stay up! ...though I really should be working on my case presentation...
Cade Thanal (TN: Gaelus Stormscythe) (Group 38 warrior)
WS3 S4 T3 D4 I5
Equipment: Light Armor, Short Sword, Repeating Handbow (9/10), Helmet, Asur Short Sword, High elf Mage-prince pelt, Lion pelt cloak, Sword belt with gold buckle and sapphire, 10 gold
Skills: Disguise

Dolan Steelshorn
WS4 S5 T5 D3 I2
Equipment: Glaive, medium armor, shield
Skills: Endurance

Taldein, the Draich'Arha (CC Thread)
WS4 S3 T4 D3 I4
Equipment: Draich (EP4), Helmet (EP1), Pendant
Skills: Power of Ulgu (1)
User avatar
Nightcall
Malekith's Personal Guard
Posts: 844
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:16 pm
Location: England
Contact:

Post by Nightcall »

General Thaekan fumed as he saw his knights incinerated by a blast of summoned fire. The cold ones and their riders would be missed sorely, and were not replaceable. Many a noble son of Naggarond died thanks to that mage. The Druchii lord wanted him... alive.

'What is your wish, my lord?' asked one of two slender women. Both with ebony hair, and skin the colour of alabaster, these were sisters the covenant. Skilled with weaving the winds of magic themselves, and twisting Dhar, the two sorceresses stood awaiting their command. Up until now they had turned their powers to weakening the wards on High Elf armour, or chanting curses to prevent their archers from aiming true. Whilst their ritual was interrupted, the Asur seemed to gain some of their momentum, and the swordsmen in their rear lines were assembling for a push.

Thaekan looked up at the eagle circling the clashing forces. 'Bring that eagle down. The mage... I would have him as an esteemed "guest."'

The general's standard bearer smirked, knowing full well the extent of his master's hospitality.

The two sorceresses bowed lightly, and gracefully walked towards the host. Their robes hung from their hips, fine silk contrasting against the armoured Druchii. They walked calmly and with purpose, as if the chaos and carnage around them were just imagined. Once satisfied they were in a favourable position, their ritual began.

Heldrana, still suffering from the effects of the mage's blast, was staggering about. Her vision was recovering, but it was blurred and hazy. Her hands fumbled about as she searched for something that would suffice as a missile. Dangerously close now to what was left of the left rank of Chracians, the ailing corsair attracted the attention of two of the warriors, who jogged towards her with their mighty axes. One swung horizontally across in an attempt to strike her head from her shoulders. Luckily she saw it coming through her blurred vision, and ducked before rolling forwards to avoid the blow. The warrior's companion brought his axe down, which Heldrana tried to deflect with her stolen Chracian axe, but only succeeded in avoiding a fatal blow across the midriff. The ithilmar axe head protected her from the brunt of the blow, but the Chracian's axe slid off the edge of hers and bit into her left forearm. Snarling in pain, she cursed the Mage for hindering her sight as the first Chracian raised his axe for a second go.

The push was on against the High Elf archers. The spears had nearly been wiped out, and only a few now stood, defiantly defending their kin until the end. A white-haired Khainite grinned savagely as he leaped through the remaining defenders, neatly slaying two with a spin of his scimitars. With a bound, he was soon through the line and near Nathra. The beautiful shade threw him a haughty smile, and the two charged towards the archers. Mercenaries with them took this as a perfect opportunity to join and raced after into the bowmen. The Asur drew their bows as fast as they could, setting arrows into the charging troops. A few were downed, but many more made it through. Kailleth groaned as an arrow found a gap between his shoulder and chest plate, and he quickly pulled it out with a grunt.

Panic spread quickly as the Asur were greeted with swords and spears, bolts and cruel hooks, the Druchii relishing the butchery and savouring the fear in their weak cousins' eyes. The archers began to draw their short swords to give themselves what chance they could to defend themselves, but by now their survival rates were low indeed. Khitai spun his scimitars about himself, splashes of blood decorating his clothing as he slew for the Bloody Handed God. A few Asur bravely entered combat with him, one lunging forwards with a low stab to his belly.

Cade's unit had managed to push through and slay the spearmen, and instead of attacking the Chracians on the right, their sergeant had given the order to join the massacre. Their disciplined bolt shots had efficiently felled the spearmen, who dropped like stones into the churned and bloody mud.

The hydra had all but finished off the Ellyrion cavalry, and one rider sat alone on his mount, surrounded by Witch Elves, who taunted him as he wheeled his horse in a circle. In a last act of bravery, the High Elf lowered his spear, crying an oath to Finubar, the Phoenix King, and charged towards the hydra. The Witch Elves stepped aside with amused smiles on their lips. The elf made it a few yards before being washed in green flame. His death scream was ignored, and the Witches continued their battle with the Chracians. By this point, Cade's unit was now toe-to-toe with the right flank of archers, and the High Elves were being eroded. An arrow whizzed past his cheek, grazing his face, lending an urgency to finish the cowards off.

The Mage, seeing the tide of battle was well and truly against his brave troops, frowned, and flew towards the hydra. With a wave of his staff as he flew over the swordmen, the ithilmar armoured elites began to march forwards into the fight upon the archers. These were no citizen levy, they were trained and hardened knights from the nobility of Tor Elyr and Saphery.

The two sorceresses are behind the main mercenary force, roughly in the centre rear of the Druchii forces. They have started to pull Dhar to themselves, but aren't ready to attack yet.

Heldrana, you have wandered into the Chracians on the left. Two are attacking you. One has cut your left forearm, to the point that you will need stitches if you survive the battle. Your vision is nearly back to normal now.

Kailleth is in the rear of the mercenaries charging into the High Elf archers. He has been shot by an arrow where his right arm meets his torso. He has pulled the arrow out, but it will require attention eventually.

Khitai and Nathra are amidst the High Elf archers in the front line of Druchii mercenaries. An archer has lunged at Khitai, his sword aimed at your guts.

Cade, you are now into the archers, and your unit is in thick combat. An arrow has grazed your left cheek, leaving a thin line across your face.

The Mage is heading towards the Hydra, whilst the High Elf knights at the rear, are marching on foot into the Archers to aid their kinsmen. These guys have ithilmar armour and wards, with fine ancestral blades. Whilst the sorceresses are distracted with their ritual, the Druchii have no magic to overcome the High Elf wards.

((OOC: Haha! Procrastinators Unite! (tomorrow) ;) ))
Casaythe Blackstorm - Warrior (Corsair) - Group 22
Skills: Awareness, Endurance
Equipment: Short Sword, Glaive, Medium Armour, Sea Dragon Cloak, Repeater Crossbow, clip of bolts [11/20], 405 gold, Talisman of Darkness, Tool Kit, 2 months' rations
Stats: WS4, S4, T5, D3, I4

Mod, Group 38
User avatar
Minigrift
... And Hell Followed
Posts: 1418
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 10:52 am
Location: Scotland

Post by Minigrift »

The Asur spearmen eventually fell to the the Druchii mercenaries and Nathra felt it was about bloody time they did! The dark elves were quick to regroup and charge at the waiting archers. Some of the mercenaries fell as they charged, arrows protruding from various dangly parts. Nathra used her usual tactic of using her allies as living shields and reached the Asur lines unscathed, though she did have to avoid an arrow or two on the way in.

The archers discarded their longbows in favour of melee weapons as the sword and shield armed mercenaries engaged them to the front, with many more piling in from behind. The beautiful shade waited for the enemy to get stuck in before making her presence known and the Asur and Druchii were fully engaged when Nathra leapt over the two mercenaries in front of her into the midst of the hated kin.

She slashed out to the right as she glided to the ground, changing the angle of her strike mid-swing to cut into the neck of one of the Asur engaged to the front. Reigning her sword in as she landed, she grabbed the weapon two-handed and thrust it under her left arm pit to stab another Asur neatly in the back. Nathra pulled the sword out and levelled it in front of her to parry an incoming attack, she guided the thrust safely to her side as she ungripped her sword with her left hand and grabbed her opponents arm to pull him off balance as she slashed her weapon through his mid-section.

There were still Asur to slay...

Nathra is ready to fight her next victim!
Nathra Severain - Shade (Group 38)
WS:5 S:4 T:2 D:6 I: 3
Skills; Acrobatics; Basic Stealth; Free Running
Equipment: Longsword; Shurikens (6/10); Shade Cloak; Asur Arm & Leg Armour Plates; Misericorde; Gutting Knife
Inventory; Ornate Tiara; Sword Belt; Asuri Orb; 106 gold
Jcitalia4
Beastmaster
Posts: 360
Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:39 pm
Location: Dundee

Post by Jcitalia4 »

The din of battle was heavy on Gaelus' ears. The warriors' charge had finally reached the bowmen of the Asurii. It wasn't a pretty sight. Saulk, Gaelus supposed because his blood was up, followed up their support with a charge right into the thick of it. As they raced along towards the battle line, Gaelus lost sight of what was going on around him. A precarious position which his noble blood didn't like, however, as a common rank and file, these things shouldn't concern him. Still they did. Gaelus' last thought before instinct took over was:

It wouldn't've been my first choice of execution but I can't complain about slaying a few more elves now can I?

With a crash they were in. The melee was a mixture or ordered action and discipline and bouts of chaos. The order brought about by the harsh commands of the sergeants and veterans. The chaos existant where either zealous courage, fanatical stupidity and bravery, frenzied warriors at a loss to their own situation and abject cowardice broke pieces of the lines of battle. He saw a silver-haired khainite spinning in and out of the Asurii. Why are they always spinning, those khainites? . He also saw a very out of place Autarii stabbing in and out of cover from behind the warriors shield wall. You would be better suited outwith such a combat my dark haired wild one. All about him, the melee pushed and pulled. It was definitely going well for the druchii. Archers were best doing what they do best, shooting, not swordplay.

It felt second nature now to Gaelus, having already whetted his blade and technique this battle. The anxiousness was far gone. It seemed almost simple now. The thrust and shot. Parry and release. Organized with his brethren, then went on into the heart of the fighting.

A cutting sound through the air zipped by Gaelus' ears. He felt a wetness on his cheekbone. In a brief respite, he reached up to touch his face. Blood coated his fingertips on examination. Gaelus scowled.

And I was soooo pretty... Curious that I don't feel a thing.

Gaelus looked up across the melee in the direction of the arrow that struck him. He spotted an elven archer with a grim, determined look of him staring right into Gaelus' being. Bow in a released motion in his left hand, he saw his other hand searching over his back into his quiver.

Poor bastard, Gaelus grinned to himself. Would have been wiser to move along than make yourself known to me

With a roar, Gaelus tore through the melee. Those that stubbled into his way either to engage or otherwise, quickly felt the edges of his blade or the bolts of his handbow in a very intimate manner. Closing the distance he lept at the blond haired elf just as he began to nock another arrow, screaming a fury as he did so.

Gaelus will close the distance to his shooter, attacking any along the way. Upon reaching him, he will leap at him and butcher him duly for his transgression.


OOC: That bastard shot me! Was that just plum bad luck or some sort of punishment? Only asking really because of the post you'd made about injury if we didn't post.

((OOC: T'is but a graze, brave sir! Can't have you all run against a unit of High Elf Archers and get off scot free now, can I? I had rolled to see who had been shot at, and unfortunately you and Kailleth were targets. As you had posted, I let you off being injured. See, I'm nice really. :lol:))
Cade Thanal (TN: Gaelus Stormscythe) (Group 38 warrior)
WS3 S4 T3 D4 I5
Equipment: Light Armor, Short Sword, Repeating Handbow (9/10), Helmet, Asur Short Sword, High elf Mage-prince pelt, Lion pelt cloak, Sword belt with gold buckle and sapphire, 10 gold
Skills: Disguise

Dolan Steelshorn
WS4 S5 T5 D3 I2
Equipment: Glaive, medium armor, shield
Skills: Endurance

Taldein, the Draich'Arha (CC Thread)
WS4 S3 T4 D3 I4
Equipment: Draich (EP4), Helmet (EP1), Pendant
Skills: Power of Ulgu (1)
User avatar
Assani
Highborn
Posts: 619
Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2011 5:53 pm
Location: Norway

Post by Assani »

Blood splashed around and on his clothes, he felt the his blood boiling and his rage almost reaching its peak.
He slayed the last spearman in his path and with his momentum and speed he was rapidly closing the gap to the archers. The archers was desperating shooting against him and the other mercenaries that was charging head on. Some fell, but most of them slipped thru the rain of arrows.

When Khitai reach the archers they had switched to short sword and shield. Sadly not all of them had time to get their shield in hand. An archer swung his sword against Khitai's guts, a poor attempt. Unfortunately this archer didn't have time to get his shield up. Khitai was prepared for an attack. He easily blocket the attack with his left scimitar bringing it from the inside and out, leaving the archer defensless and wide open. With his other scimitar he lunged out an attack straight ahead, and with the speed he had the archer soon had the shaft in his chest, and the rest of the scimitar sticking out his back. Khitai push the archer of his weapon, and the dead high elf landed on the poor fellow in second rank. He looked terrified. Khitai was ready for his next victim.

Killing an archer and pushing him into second rank, ready for a new attack.
Image

Khitai - Khanite - Group 38
WS5 - S3 - T2 - D5 - I3
Skills: Ambidexterity, Two Weapon Fighting
Equipment: 2xfine scimitars, dagger
Inventory: Gold 30, Crowns 40, 1 Red ruby
User avatar
Mostlyharmless
Noble
Posts: 456
Joined: Tue Jan 16, 2007 5:33 am

Post by Mostlyharmless »

Heldrana reeled in pain as the axe cut into her arm, her vision suddenly clearing with shock of pain. That one hurt . . . alot. As the Chracian brought his axe down for a killing strike, time seem to slow. She felt each heartbeat as the axe fell. This was it. She was going to die. Slain by some nameless cur. No honor left, nothing. She would just be another corpse on the battlefield . . .

no . . .

Her eyes met his, his hatred burning like hers.

no . . . not here . . . not yet . . .

The axe was falling.

"NO!" She cried out, bringing her own axe to bear to block his strike, pushing back against him with all her strength. Her hatred was burning. They would have her blood, yes, but they would pay a heavy toll for the privilege.

She swung her axe, sweeping across both of their midriffs, following through, allowing the weight of the blade to spin her, she swept across again. Her vision was strange now, a red mist was encroaching. She had heard tales on the battle frenzy that could overtake a Druchii, but she had never experienced it. This was it. This was bliss.

Heldrana has entered into a frenzy of sorts. Essentially, she's going completely on the offensive with these guys. She will keep fighting until they are dead, or she is dead.
Heldrana Doomtide (Group 38 - Warrior)
WS:4 S:4 T:3 D:4 I:3
Equipment: Sea Dragon Cloak, Leather Armour, Buckler, Short Sword, Throwing Daggers (4), 1 flask of wine, tinderbox, 5 gold coins, Chracian Axe (2 handed weapon)
Skills: none
User avatar
Nightcall
Malekith's Personal Guard
Posts: 844
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:16 pm
Location: England
Contact:

Post by Nightcall »

A song rose from the rear of the Druchii lines. Feral female voices chanted ancient forbidden words over the din of battle, corrupting the Shadowlands with their evil. The two sorceresses danced sensuously as they pulled to themselves the energies released by the pain and suffering of those on the battlefield. The greater the agonies suffered, the more potent the power drawn. After a few moments, the energies became tangible, a light vortex swirling from the centre of a circle marked out in the ground around which the sorceresses danced. As they sang, the vortex became more solid, a swirling zephyr of blackness, laced with deep purple and crimson. Light itself seemed to be pulled into the swirling spell, and a fell wind raced towards the centre of the ritual circle, tugging at the banners of the Dark Elf host. The females raised their arms to the sky, looking calmly for the Mage. Alight with magic, their ritual was complete.

Cade felt the sting of the arrow that was meant to pierce his eye, and locked eyes with the elf that had shot it at him. The Druchii nearly sympathised with the archer for gaining his attention, and in the time it took him to notch another arrow into his fine recurve bow, Cade had charged forwards, viciously cutting one of the archer's brethren open from shoulder to belly, and felling another two with ruthless headshots from his handbow. He was upon his assailant in an instant, and with a grin, swept his stolen shortsword across which neatly severed the archers head. As his blood plumed upwards and the bowman fell to his knees, Cade couldn't help but find humour in the fact that he had been slain by a sword forged to defend Ulthuan. Behind him, the rest of his unit were fighting their way through the High Elf archers. Citizen militia, these were poorly trained and of little experience. It showed, as they were slaughtered with efficiency and ease by their hardened Dark Elf cousins. As a glint of shining armour gave the oncoming march of the knights away, Cade wondered if at last, a worthy adversary was now approaching.

Vaulting and sliding through the ranks of Asur, Nathra grabbed hold of a surprised archer, one arm around his chest, the other around his throat. Less than a second later, four arrows thudded into his chest, fatally wounding him. Knowing these were meant for her, the dark haired beauty whispered 'Thank you' into the dying elf's ear before letting him fall to the ground. Rushing forward to her next target, she leaped high into the air, flipping over the shoulder of a blond haired soldier. As she arced over him, she grabbed his head and snapped his neck with a twist, landing gracefully and walking calmly towards a shaking High Elf, his sword held out to meet her. Her pace quickened to a run and he barely had time to parry a strike aimed to his shoulder. Nathra had feinted her attack however, and the shade moved her sword across in a figure of eight motion before gauging him across the chest with a deep wound, breaking ribs and opening him up. He fell with a scream. Holding her blade up, she paused to see where next she should strike. It was at this moment that the knights appeared from the rear, moving into the struggling archers. One, wearing a blue horse-hair plume on his ithilmar helm, pointed at the shade with his sword and called out a challenge.

Above the field, the eagle swooped towards the hydra, the wise bird urged on by the will of his master. The many-headed monster appeared to be hunting as it bit down on the stragglers of the Chracians as they hurried to join their fellows to the left of the host. 'We must aid them, Goldclaw.' he explained and the eagle shrieked in reply, folding its wings to speed its descent. As the mage reached within range of the warbeast, he pointed his staff and with a single word of power released a shimmering bolt at the hydra. With the tearing sound of a lightning bolt, the blast hit the monster in one of its necks; the head rolled back, and with a moaning roar limply fell to the ground, the bolt severing through the beast's throat. The stump oozed bloody ichor for a moment, spraying venomous blood in a shower around any that were unlucky enough to be nearby, but then to the dismay of the mage the stump began to bulge and another two heads uncoiled from long necks from the wound. Hissing fiercely, these new heads added to the hydra's ferocity.

The mage frowned to himself and began the utterings of a second spell, just as the sorceresses unleashed their fell magic. Their vortex took to the air and in moments took the form of a shining snake, crackles of purple rippling about the black mass, highlighting it's head, fangs, and scales. The ethereal monster rolled through the air above the astonished forces below. Its eyes glowed as its mouth opened, a black abyss inviting the mage within. The elven hero gasped and urged his eagle to climb higher once more, forgetting the hydra for the moment. He pointed his staff at the summoned abomination and channelled the power of light towards the serpent, which easily dodged the ball of energy and spat forth a bolt of indigo fire from its own throat in return.

Khitai swirled through the archers, relishing the slaughter as they died messily. The more blood that was spilled, the more Khaine was pleased with his efforts, and the follower of the Bloody Handed god was already painted red with the holy offerings he had made. A terrifying sight to behold, he sliced as he moved forwards, coming to a stop only when he saw a line of silver clad High Elves marching steadily forwards. To his right, a group of Witch Elves were slaughtering Chracians as they fled to regroup with their kin. Any stragglers were hacked from behind with poisoned blades. Good pickings. The Khainite pushed past the melee troops of the Druchii force who were in combat with what was left of the archers, and headed to join the bloodbath. However, his path was blocked by a vengeful archer, screaming at him furiously as he slashed his shortsword at the Dark Elf's legs. Behind came the creak of a bow, and casting a quick glance over his shoulder, Khitai saw a wounded archer about to release an arrow to bring him down.

Kailleth's right arm throbbed dully where it met his torso. Armoured how he was, he was not able to pause to check the injury. He could lift his longsword, but could raise his arm no higher than chest level. His muscles ached and burned, and he instead needed to defend himself more heavily with his shield, which he swung about himself with his left hand. Keeping up with the main force of Druchii warriors, he stabbed at any High Elves on the ground that he came across who were still alive, but made sure he remained near the back of the host. He was in no state for heroics. At least back here, he had time to scan the dead for anything useful.

Meanwhile, Heldrana appeared to be struggling. Tthe shock of the Mage's attack earlier combined with the pain of the wound on her forearm had until now made her slow to respond. It was soon about to matter no more, as the Chracian before her brought his axe down with ferocity to cleave her in two.

At that very moment, she was filled with the determination to fight, to survive, and kill those that were attacking her, or die in the process. As she swung the axe with great effort, sparks flew from the metal edge as it met and blocked the Chracian's weapon, shoving him back and off balance at the same time. At that moment a skinny shade* appeared, swiftly shooting the surprised warrior through the throat with his shortbow. The Chracian clutched his neck and gurgled as he choked on his own blood. 'Pay attention, you'll get yourself killed.' He uttered at the female corsair. The remaining Chracian warrior took a couple of steps back, rage in his eyes as he saw his brother-in-arms fall, Heldrana sweeping her stolen axe for a strike across his midriff. It struck true, and his entrails spilled out as the warrior roared defiantly as he met his doom. Just then, the sound of hooves pounding thundered towards them. The Druchii horsemen were finally joining the fray.


Cade's furious attack was successful. 3 Archers fell during his charge, and has decapitated the bowman that shot at him. The charge has led him closer to the knights.

Khitai is being attacked by a sword wielding Archer, who is aiming to cut through his shins. At the same time, an archer is releasing an arrow with the intent of killing him. The High Elf has aimed at his throat.

Nathra is vaulting through the enemy and has just found the first of the knights who is challenging her ((OOC: I've posted that she's currently wielding her longsword, feel free to switch weapons as you please))

Kailleth is struggling with weakness in his right arm thanks to his arrow wound. Doing his best to stay alive. He has the opportunity to loot this turn ((OOC: But if you miss this post, you miss out I'm afraid. I'll be rolling to let you know what you find))

Heldrana has had a lucky escape. She's killed one Chracian. There are more about, their attention has been drawn to the approaching Druchii horsemen.

*Umbra has entered the story. Umbra has killed a Chracian and is helping Heldrana.

((All: Please check the OOC thread for a battle summary))
Casaythe Blackstorm - Warrior (Corsair) - Group 22
Skills: Awareness, Endurance
Equipment: Short Sword, Glaive, Medium Armour, Sea Dragon Cloak, Repeater Crossbow, clip of bolts [11/20], 405 gold, Talisman of Darkness, Tool Kit, 2 months' rations
Stats: WS4, S4, T5, D3, I4

Mod, Group 38
Post Reply