Group 22

[Drainial]

Elysian will try to muster the mental fortitude to attempt a dispel. Alternatively if word of pain stops of its own accord he will follow the others.

OOC: I have little time today and am going away for a few days tomorrow. If I can I will expand this to a proper post later.

P.S the word of pain is the name of the serpent lord Cheoresh, unless SOM changed it.

OOC - I took the word from the Warhammer Invasion card "Word of Pain" - it is the caption below the card and is in speech marks, so I assumed it was the 'trigger word' to use.

The dark elf army book states 'Cheoresh' as the word of pain. It is the name of the aspect of Khaine known as the lord of pain. Such is the trouble with new writers.

The way I see it, we are both right, even though one of the writers is wrong

[Raneth]

V was right; Elysian's little trick drew quite the attention and her shield rattled with impacts as Kronus' men sought to end the small Shadowmancer. But then, she could feel another force focusing on them. Kirathi once again lashed out, the tang of ozone in the air the only warning of immense agony being visited upon Vryala and her friend. She tried screaming; no sound would come. The very air was stolen from her lungs. Barely even registering her own body collapsing, she begged the Lord Khaine for a quick release of this terrible, unbearable sensation, results be damned.

Then again, it was mere pain - though excruciating all too familiar to V - and seemingly no more than that. Moreover, Karonath still fought outside, risking soul and skin for the whole of Vikarh. Vryala knew she could not live with herself if she hadn't summoned absolutely every single ounce of strength and resolve to help her friend.

Like Elysian, Vryala will draw upon her deepest reserves to resist the agony, knowing that K and Phalx still need their backs covered.

[Kinslayer]

Karonath saw the first two crossbow bolts hit the floor beside her as she burst out of the building and into the square, and the prospect of being shot just before the gate was opened made her change her mind. No longer was she going to charge the guards and Kirathi, she was going to charge through them. With a silent prayer to Khaine, she increased her speed and ran as fast as she could straight at the nearest guard, her blade hissing through the air the only war cry she needed to intimidate him. The bolts being fired from the wall could not keep up, hitting the floor behind her heels rather than taking out her legs as she ran. When Phalx appeared in the doorway behind her, the guards firing decided to let her foolhardy run continue and started to shoot at the stationary target instead. Phalx ducked back inside after catching a glimpse of where the guards were crouched on the wall, bolts ringing off the edges of the doorway beside him.

K hit the guard with all the force and intent of a chariot, her magical Draich swinging out sideways like a scythed wheel to strike under her opponents shield at his legs even as she plowed past for the Sorceress. The guard ran his blade along her side as she passed him, lifting his shield in the same instant and thus opening his leg for her well timed sword stroke. Her chest plate held against his sword, the iron blade glancing off with no more than a scratch, while the guards leg was almost torn off just below the knee. He collapsed, but Karonath didn't see it. She was already past him and going past the Sorceress. The witch was still looking up at the balcony, her eyes unblinking as she held Vryala and Elysian in her terrible grasp, but the flash of silver that was Bloodfeather passing seemed to wake her from her reverie. The black iron staff she held came up, batting away Karonaths' decapitating stroke. The Khainite ran on, intent on reaching the gate house as the iron doors screeched and began to open now that the portcullis behind was all the way up.

Elysian was desperately trying to keep the Sorceress out of his mind, but every attempt he made to throw off the pain was smothered by her power. He was unaware of Vryala enduring the same agony beside him, the Warrior so determined to join the fight rather than die on the balcony that she had pushed herself back up to one knee, despite the pain racing through her body, and was stumbling towards the door, grasping at the wall for support. Then, amidst the turmoil that was the sea of magic that flowed through the air around them, Elysian felt the slightest change in the winds. The Sorceress had broken her attention, he knew at once, and he capitalized on the moment and forced all his will into a mental barrier to expel the agonizing pain. Vryala likewise gave one last surge of physical strength, throwing herself into the building and almost headlong down the stairs inside. Then the pain ceased, as quickly as it had begun, and both of them were moving once again.

[Raneth]

Desperately dragging herself away from her agony's source, V nearly hurled herself into the building, and right onto the stairs leading down. As she tumbled, Vryala could feel the wracking pain reside and being replaced with a great lust for revenge. Quickly regaining her footing, her heart pounded in her chest as she almost jumped the final steps to ground level; arriving just as Phalx was ducking back from a few disturbingly well-aimed shots from above - evidently, the guards atop the wall had shook off the shock of being pelted by grenades. Despite her grave injury, V wasn't about to let up. Karonath was still out there, and she'd be damned if she failed to support the Khainite's efforts.

Coming through! she screamed at Phalx, the smoke bomb already on its arc through the doorway.

V intends to follow K, using her shield as a battering ram, trusting in the smoke bomb to keep her safe from the remaining traitors stationed on the battlements.

[Drainial]

OOC:Same problem as before but in brief.

Elysian will pick himself up and make his way to the gate by the shortest possible route though avoiding guards if at all possible. He will be ready for any more dark magic shenanigans but his aim is to get close enough to the gate to lock up the mechanism with Chamon.

[Kinslayer]

OOC - No problem Drainial, we all get busy from time to time. If I were you I'd want to hang around for the next scene though

IC -

The square was now the scene of a skirmish fight, crossbow fire overhead as less than a dozen Druchii fought in the space inside the gate. The group could but wonder how far behind them reinforcements would be, Varin having left on his Dark Pegasus to bring word back to their friends at the estate, and more importantly to the Drach or Bane. No doubt most of Vikarhs' forces were tied up in fights of their own, but this gate was of vital importance to their hold on the City. If they lost the gate, Vikarh would be in peril. The last they had heard, the City Guard were defending the east gate and driving the Skaven from the tunnels beneath their feet. The Cities' elite warriors were defending the centre, cutting down the vermintide even as a greater enemy was at their gates. In a way, the fate of Vikarh now lay equally as much on the results of the skirmishes that they knew would be taking place all across the vast City, the populace doing as much to save their home as any of them.

The sounds of reaper fire and the bellowing of monsters from the east were now lost below the iron screech of the gates grinding open right before them. All other thoughts about the City were now removed, this was their fight and they couldn't wait for aid. Kronus had taken the gate and was opening it, the traitorous highborn about to let whatever was coming from outside walk straight into Vikarh. The group hoped that they might be able to stop him, but they knew full well four could not stand against an army. It was a matter of moments now before the gate would be wide enough for a man to pass through, and one major obstacle still lay in their way. Kirathi, the dark Sorceress of the covens, and traitor lackey of Lord Kronus, still stood between them and their target. And she was not about to stand by and let them through.

Karonath had taken barely two steps past the Sorceress when the traitorous Seer span on her heel and threw out her black staff. A hiss of arcane power turned into a bolt of purple energy, which hit the Khainite in the back half way to the gatehouse. The magical missile knocked her off her feet, and she was sent sprawling across the floor even as crystals of ice began to form on her armour and blade. She was flipped with such force that she saw dark stars dance across her vision, and the feeling that she was about to black out was only increased by the numbing coldness that spread across her body, seizing her joints and freezing her armour around her. The chill wind of Dhar had struck her down, and while her golden plates seemed to have saved her from immediate harm, she found herself sluggish and slow now, chilled to her very core.



Smoke erupted from the building doorway as Vryala hurled out another bomb, the guards on the wall suddenly losing sight and firing off a few blind shots into the haze before stopping to reload. V barely waited for them to cease firing, hurling herself past Phalx with a shout and running headlong into the smoke. Even she couldn't see, but she knew in which direction the gatehouse lay, having just seen Karonath break past Kirathi and head for it herself. She would not let her friend go it alone, and the rest of the group were right behind her now as well. Phalx followed her out through the smoke, not wanting to be outdone by his rival companion, and Elysian was just descending the stairs behind them. Now that his mind was free from the clutches of the pain cast by Kirathi, he intended to stop the gate opening with a spell that would seize its gears and prevent it letting the darkness outside into Vikarh.

The three of them came out of the smoke to a very different scene than they had previously been looking at. Where Karonath had broken through the guards and made a run for the gatehouse, she now lay on the floor half way across the square, Kirathi with her back turned to them looking down on her with her staff still extended. Where the gate had just started to grind its way open, giving haste to their actions, it was now far enough open for three men to march in side by side, and was still opening yet further. In what was normally an open plain outside, they could only catch glimpses of the pelting blizzard that had been descending the side of the Spiteful Peaks. Now that magical storm was on their doorstep, and there was no doubt that whatever horrors it contained were about to be unleashed upon the City. There was no stopping Kronus now, there was only the chance to strip him of his satisfaction by exacting their revenge, and trying to close the gate thereafter.

Phalx put a bolt into the head of one of the guards on the wall, having memorized their positions when he had earlier glanced out of the door. As he ran after Vryala, who was charging full speed at Kirathi despite their change of fortune, he sprayed the other guard with the rest of his bolt clip, ensuring that he too was sent sprawling off the wall into a broken heap on the ground outside. Elysian had already started to draw the wind of Chamon to him, but as the blizzard outside drew ever closer he felt the winds of magic also being thrown into turmoil and disarray. One moment a tide of Chamon drifted past that he tried to snatch from the air, the next it was being washed aside by Aqshy, and then Shyish, and other darker powers. The winds were in utter chaos, as though a great storm that had been brewing was now starting to discharge itself into the mortal realm. He felt his grip on his spell slip, and knew he would have to try something else.

As if in answer to his thoughts about the magical storm reaching the mortal plane, it suddenly started to rain.

It started to rain blood.

Vryala, -1 smoke bomb
Phalx, -1 crossbow clip

[Drainial]

OOC: Alright so I need to get on a train tomorrow but right now I am drunk and in the mood for a little role playing.

IC Try as he might Elysian could not gasp the familiar wind of Chamon, though Kirithi seemed to have no trouble. Given the power of the wind that was brewing that was not great surprise, where the eight winds blew with such power it was no surprise that Dhar would grow strong. There was nothing Elysian could do save let the moment pass or attempt to surf along its perilous ridge.

Harnessing the power of a storm of chaos such as this was dangerous beyond all mortal comprehension, no blizzard of magic such as this had been seen since the towers of Ghrond had been threatened by Nagria, daughter of the Vaukler of Hag Grief. Never the less Elysian knew he must attempt to ride it. Surely Kirathi would, and if he was to have any chance at all to stop her he must do the same. The very air began to rain blood, one of the thousand steps towards the scourge's path to sainthood. With a sigh of resignation Elysian gave himself to the winds of magic, for better or worse Vikrah was the city he knew, the city he loved. If he was to die for any purpose its survival was the one he would choose. The gates had to close, if not all was lost.

Elysian will dive headlong into the storm of chaos setting aside his usual safety precautions in order to put his all into the magic work he is attempting. The gates must be closed, that is his goal, or at the very least they need to stop where they are. Reasonable reinforcements can mean that three at a time can hold but any wider and the city is fucked. Elysian gambles his life and his sanity on this act and will gladly use his remaining power stone if necessary.

[Raneth]

OOC: yeah just what we need, a drunk Mage riding a magic tsunami

IC:

The sounds of impending war were growing stronger; the blasphemous howling outside, the creaking of opening gates, the clash of sinew and steel all combining to herald the City's doom. V raced to aid Karonath, knowing Phalx to be hot on her heels - surely he would not allow himself to easily be outdone. Any animosity between them forgotten for the moment, she took a measure of pride in the Shade's skill as she registered the remaining traitors topple from the wall to their deaths.

K's charge had been stymied, though V believed the Khainiite wasn't down for the count just yet; it was the sudden crimson downpour that really had her worried. Her knowledge of the arcane was limited, leading V to reckon Kirathi was the sole cause of this terrifying omen. Well, that just won't do, she grinned defiantly, and altered her charge path ever so slightly. She'd faced powerful Mages before; albeit of the Asur kind, she reckoned their Convent counterparts were about equally fond of close combat. For Vikarh!

Vryala attempts to bust through Kirathi's remaining goons, and present the witch with a righteous flurry of sword strikes. She'll try the same tactic that'd worked so well against the last arcanist she'd faced, intending to put her on the defensive and lop off a hand when she sees an opportunity.

[Layne]

As she ran past the first guy K gave a little wiggle of her sword, and he obligingly lifted his shield high and swung level. She let it hit her shoulder where her armour was strongest, and then dipped down and removed one of his legs. She looked about and noticed that the Sorceress didn't seem to be paying much attention - or, she was pretty well focussed on something else. Whatever the deal was, K knew she heeded hitting just now.

She swung again as she ran, but the lady realised just in time, putting up her big black stick in the way. K hadn't killed or even harmed the girl but she had stopped her from doing whatever she was doing for a moment. She let her blade slide along the stick as she ran on. Giving it a last twist as it slipped off the end.

She charged on for the gatehouse door. She could see the gap getting wider, and through the gap the things approaching it. She could see people moving in the gatehouse. She only had to get to that arm she could see, and maybe cut it off, at least get it off that handle for a while - and then something hit her. She was bemused for a second - no one behind had a bow - no one behind could be faster than her - had the Sorceress hit her? Then she hit the ground, skidding along almost to the gate house door. She felt whole more or less, and nearly at her goal - she tried to stand herself up but couldn't.

She felt unaccountably cold. There was frost on her armour, and it made cracking sounds as she shivered, trying to make some kind of motion, Great Khaine she was so close!

So cold... it must be that lady's doing, if that was how it was she had spent a few precious seconds not bothering anybody else, almost enough for K but not enough. There was one more thing she had to do before she froze to death.

K will try to wriggle up some heat and get moving to the gate house.

[Dauricha]

OOC: Apologies, just started new job, should be back on it now.

IC: Bolts flew, and the gates groaned open. Deathspitter gave a low groan as it clicked empty. Two more of the whores guards lay dad though, bleeding out on the hard cobbles. Phalx could now catch a glimpse of the world outside of the gates. This was not good. The clouds were changing, and he caught an odd taste in his mouth. What in all the bloody hells and night was going on! More death no doubt, more pain and demons, or some bollocks.

Phalx hissed. Vryala as always was charging like an enraged bull. Fine let her, she could take a hit. Now the gates, that was the issue that needed sorting, get them closed and then deal with the finger waggling psycho. He hoed Elysian could keep whatever was at bay.

As he thought this, blood began to rain.

Phalx will 'Shade it up' and try to sneak past any opposition into the gate house. From there it will be cloak and dagger, until he is free to see if he can get the blasted doors closed.

[Kinslayer]

Although the square was suddenly in chaos, each member of the group stayed focused and set themselves a clear goal or target. Elysian was going for the gate, he had to make sure it opened no further. Vryala was going for the Seer, someone had to keep her busy and her body still ached for revenge. Karonath meanwhile stayed intent on reaching the gatehouse, to find Lord Kronus and his guards and attempt to stop them. Phalx saw K go and knew she could not do it alone, and saw the gate grinding open and did not trust in magic to see it closed, and thus went for the gatehouse as well. Splitting their efforts could well lead to their demise, for the group acted best as one coherent unit, but the situation was desperate and called for them to act with haste and confidence, trying to stall all threats at once.

Elysian could still feel the winds flowing ever more out of control as red rain started to pelt his exposed face, and he waited only for a surge of Chamon energy to appear before he dove headlong into the maelstrom. He cast out his mind into the arcane current, and was instantly swept up by it. He felt raw magic course through his veins, lifting him into a new state of power he had not experienced before. Just like the fast moving waters of a rapid flowing river though, he felt himself being dragged along with it. His mind was being pulled away from his body, even as the power in his control continued to grow. And like every great river, its current lead to a devastating fall. The power would take him over the edge and into the abyss if he did not stop himself now and fight against it. His mind forced its way back towards his body, trying to tell his hands to reach for the powerstone at his waist before the magic hurricane consumed him.

Vryala was almost unaware of the magical storm, as it was yet to fully explode out of the aether and into reality. She was hardly aware of the red rain that began to stain her armour as she let out a roar of aggression and flew at the guards. If they were willing to die for their Sorceress charge then she would give them their wish. One of them was already down, bleeding out from the grievous wound Karonath had inflicted upon his leg. The other two were more prepared to meet her charge, raising their shields and coming at her as she stepped on their fallen comrade and lunged at them sword first. Her sword met a shield, and then she had to block herself, before her weight put the first guard off balance. She span, delivering a powerful downward stroke that sent him reeling, before turning to shield bash the second. Blows began to fly left and right, before she got her sword into his neck and forced him to the ground. She span back around just as the first guard rose up behind her. Her sword was already in his faceplate. Now she turned her attention on Kirathi.

Karonath gritted her teeth as the numbing cold forced to keep her down, fighting against the spells effect with all her strength until the ice around her armour joints splintered and broke away. The plates in between were still frozen solid, but as she regained the use of her legs and arms she snarled and forced herself back up to her knees and then her feet. As she rose she cast a sidelong glance at the Sorceress, and saw Vryala butcher her guards right in front of her before turning to face the Seer, her armour soaked in blood and her eyes blazing with an almost fear-inducing blaze. With that glance, and upon seeing the look in her friends eyes, Karonath knew that the witch did not have long left to live, and so turned and left her friend to finish the kill. She plunged herself into another headlong charge for the gatehouse, strength and energy slowly returning to her limbs after the Sorceress' spell had slowed her down. So much so in fact, that the Shade had somehow got ahead of her.

Phalx moved like a wolf circling his prey as he quickly but silently skirted around the combat, reloading Deathspitter on the move as he passed under the opening gates and headed for the gatehouse. By the time he had loaded his crossbow, both of the guards in front of Kirathi were dead and Vryala was blocking any chance of shooting at the Sorceress herself. With no further targets, he let his crossbow fall to its strap and drew his sword. He sped past Karonath as she slowly rose to her feet, her armour covered in a layer of blue-white ice which was quickly turning red thanks to the unholy rain. It was unusual for him to be the first into combat ahead of the combat mad Khainite, but there he found himself just as their true foe revealed himself.

The two ironclad guards emerged from the gatehouse clutching their halberds, their faces hidden beneath their daemonic helmets. Behind them was Lord Kronus.



*************************************************************


Fiat and Saldrimek leaped into the saddles of their mounts, Blackthorn having already disappeared into the darkening skies atop his Dark Pegasus. Their Lord had only returned for a moment, landing his dark yet magnificent steed upon the wall of the Estate much to the surprise of the guards. Only they and Sevro had expected him, seeing his fast approach just before he touched down and told them to get to the North Gate with all haste if they wanted to see their friends again. There was no further explanation, because there was not time and it was not needed. His mount had kicked back into the air and was heading for the Tower of the Drach a moment after he had arrived, and they were already moving.

Sevro had begun barking out orders to his men, bringing some of his reserves up to man the wall as he tried to rally his best men in the courtyard so he could lead them out as one regiment. The guards were well disciplined and quick to prepare, but Fiat and Saldrimek were through the gate and galloping down the street with all haste before they had even gathered their swords. Now the two raced down the street towards the crossroads, where they would turn north and head straight for the gate. The streets around them were either ghostly empty or in total chaos, citizens fighting off Skaven in the mouths of alleyways or forming mobs that all seemed to be marching east.

Defence of the Estate was no longer Varins' primary concern it seemed. He wanted them to help defend the City itself.



*************************************************************


Casaythe Blackstorm and Caraoc were sitting at the bar of a small tavern on the edge of the Merchants District when a member of the City Guard suddenly burst in. The two had met in the City several months ago, and after bumping into one another by the small harbor several times had decided to band together. They were just sharing a drink over their latest victory, when they had helped one another defeat a mob of crazed rogues who tried to ambush them and steal their equipment. The City was going mad, reports of Skaven ambushes coming in with every newcomer to the inn, as the bartender himself continued to rave about the coming doom of Vikarh. It was true at least, or so they were told, that an army of beastmen had been amassing on the plains to the east of the City in the wake of a fast coming magical storm.

Which is why it surprised them when the City Guard burst in, pointed his sword back outside and shouted loud enough for all present to hear.

"Anybody with a weapon get your Khaine damned arses to the North Gate, now! Anybody else is coming with me to the armoury to get one! Move!


OOC -
Yep, that's right, I'd like to Introduce Nightcall and Calisson to the game! I can't see Khel or Kefka coming back to us now unfortunately, so goodbye to two good friends as well.


Elysian, -1 powerstone

[Raneth]

Two guards stepped in to block Vryala's path to the witch; launching herself off the corpse of their fallen comrade, she slammed into them with the force of lightning. They were disciplined, however, and V had to deflect a blade before forcing back the offender with a vicious slash. The other one promptly tried to match her skill with the blade, soon finding himself overpowered; Vryala grinned as she rammed her blade through his jugular, leaving him to bleed out agonisingly. The one she rebuffed initially had only now recovered, and lunged at her with every intention to avenge his fellow traitor - but Vryala would have none of it, shearing through the face plate to inflict another gruesome death.

Still bleeding, yet triumphant, V rounded on the Sorceress, who was now backing away with a worried look in her eyes; undoubtedly trying to gather enough energy for another devastating spell. If it were up to her, Kirathi would never be granted a chance to unleash it, and with Death at their doorstep there was no room for letting up. I beg of you, great Khaine, give me strength!

Vryala rushes towards her target, her plan largely unchanged - a flurry of blows to put the witch on the back foot, then a bull rush to get grappling. Let's see if this b*tch would enjoy a bear hug from ol' V.

[Nightcall]

'So tell me again how you ended up that funny colour?' Casaythe queried of his odd looking drinking companion. Half paying attention, he fiddled with a cloth bag, taken from a would-be attacker. The rogue gang had chosen the wrong Druchii to assail. The fight on the way to the inn had brightened up an otherwise tedious day, and now Casaythe and Caraoc were enjoying the plundered spoils in the usual manner; drinking them away in a small backstreet tavern.

The corsair had spent the last ten months in Vikarh, scratching a living as a sell sword. Since a disastrous game of dice in Karond Kar, he had been betrayed, losing his ship and crew. Casaythe had sworn to regain the Willbreaker and reap a bloody revenge on his enemies. But things had been too hot for him in the city of the Tower of Dispair, and he had made his way to this "hive of opportunity" to gain wealth and lie low for a while. With each day that passed, his hate grew, more ingenious methods of revenge and punishment entertaining his thoughts.

His long white hair fell over his shoulders, and a glint shone in his icy eyes, as he recalled more amusing details of his and Caraoc's earlier skirmish. His companion certainly didn't look like he was capable of the powers he possessed. They were useful at sea, and when utilised on land... well at times, it was just funny. Casaythe took a gulp from his cup, some strong dwarfish spirit the bartender had told him, and sighed as the liquid burned his throat.

He eyed the bartender who had changed subject from Skaven to hordes of Beastmen to the east of the city, and a storm of fell power that would bring death to all. He savoured his doomsaying, proclaiming the end was nigh for Vikarh. 'The end's always coming, according to you. Shut up and get me another drink.' Casaythe grumbled, sliding a silver coin onto the counter.

OOC: Just setting the scene shortly before the call to arms is given. Will post again with actions after Calisson has posted.

[Drainial]

Riding the storm proved to be a difficult and nearly fatal experience. Such things promised great power but at great risk, as a Druchii Elysian was willing to try those odds but on this occasion he had been fortunate to retain his sanity, and his soul. A glance at the rest of the scene spoke volumes, Kirathi was in trouble with V having closed her down. Elysian knew well what it was like to have that tank baring down on him, it was terrifying even in practice, hopefully the sorceress would soon be dead. The others though faced Kronos and what certainly looked to be elite guards. Not for the first time on this mission Elysian wished for Fiat and Saldrimek; Karonath was likely the equal of these warriors one to one but though Phalx was no slouch at knife work neither he nor Elysian were suited for combat against knights in shining armour. Unable to gather the requisite energy to seal the gate Elysian decided to lend aid to his companions in his own style. Chamon was proving truculent, perhaps he would have better luck with the more practiced wind of Ulgu.

No flashy heroic attempts this time. Elysian will go back to an old standby and try to pull shadows over the eyes of the two warriors, Kronos will have to wait.

[Layne]

First her armour started to crack apart, and then with a little more effort her joints started to move. She rolled over first, then pushed up on one hand, and saw V smash down one guard. Encouraged by the sight, she dragged her other hand numbly behind her and pushed that side up too. V bashed and spun and flickered in front of her. She wiggled her legs a bit, and then drew them in to her, and pushed up to stand. She couldn't feel very well what was going on down there, but she could see it.

She also saw V put her sword into a second guards' neck. She saw the guard knocked down behind start to rise, too, and then stand, and then receive V's sword right through his face before he could try again. She turned away from the Sorceress, for she was about to die, and K knew that she had done her piece there. She turned then, just in time to see Phalx run past her on the other side. There is a boy going to die thought she, and surged after him, throwing off more ice as she went.

It seemed almost that as the Sorceress attention drifted to other things, and indeed as K put it from her mind, so the cold lessened. She ran after Phalx nearly fully energised again. Then to giant guardsmen stepped out of the gatehouse, followed by a magnificently armed gent who could only be Kronus.

K will run at the guy on the left [i'm pretty sure she's on the left hand side of this combat] slightly to his right, and swipe towards him. She hopes he will swing at her, she will deflect it, and then she will be able to push him backwards into Kronus.

[Calisson]

Ever since a fisherman had dropped him on the piers of Vikarh, Caraoc had been happy to have found Casaythe Blackstorm, an experienced corsair captain. Casaythe was a natural leader, and Caraoc was one of the most talented pilot alive to have roamed the whole Great Ocean. Together, they had the potential to lead a fearful fleet of raiding corsairs.

But during last months in Vikarh, no progress had been made in recruiting a crew and a ship.
The two of them were still by themselves, and the scarce money they had gathered would not suffice to buy even a single oar.

-=-=-

"Funny colour? I told you many times, that’s moonlight tan, there’s nothing funny about that."
Corsair jokes, they were making fun of the same things over and over.
Caraoc's dark grey skin, pale bluish hair, dark blue eyes, single blue tooth had long been a topic for corsair's jokes of all kind. That was part of their way of life.


Today was a different day, somehow.
Caraoc could feel a storm filling the air, but it was not coming from the sea. Normally, that should have been worrisome, but on the other hand, his arcane senses were sharpened to a high level.

"Talking about colour and moon, have you seen how orange was the moon tonight?
Orange, like Antares and like Mars. And Jove has just started to align with Mars inside Antares scorpio’s claws. They will merge totally for the next few days. There’s a meaning. You told me you were born in November, the month of Scorpio. There’s a forthcoming change in your life!

What I have seen in the stars incites me to shift our strategy.
Maybe, instead of wasting more of our time trying to find a crew of sailors, we could recruit a few landlubbers with guts, and train them to go at sea?"

Their conversation was interrupted with the arrival of a guard, shouting “... with me to the armoury to get one! Move!”
Caraoc told Casaythe:
"That’s our chance! Free weapons, free trial of would be companions, shouldn’t we go?"

Inciting Casaythe to move on.

<OOC: my first post in mythical RPG 22! >
__________________
Caraoc the pilot - WS3 S4 T2 D5 I5
Equipment: staff, short bow, repeater handbow (5/20 + 6x20), Sea Dragon Cloak,
Inventory: -
Mount: -
Gold: 100
Skills: Power of Azyr (2), Evasion
Class: Mage - Kinslayer, please confirm inventory is OK, esp. ammo.

[Nightcall]

'Got stained by a giant squid, who spat you back out I reckon.' Casaythe mocked in reply with a grin, picking up his next drink. Caraoc was of the mind that Casaythe wanted a new ship and crew entirely. That was true of sorts. A new ship would be required to hunt down that bastard, Anthor, and The Willbreaker. His original crew would of course need replacing. Mutineers were only good for two things; gut cord, and sail cloth.

His fortunes had been slow to grow, hindered further by his love of taverns and the pleasures a city of this calibre had to offer. His time on land had been entertaining at first, but now he was beginning to miss the roll of the waves and the salt spray in his face.

Caraoc started talking about all things celestial again, and Casaythe didn't have the mind for that. At least though it made a change from the doom and gloom the bar's patrons were gossiping about. Casaythe had a large gulp from his cup and rubbed his forehead. 'Scorpio? Mars? Change in my life? What in Khaine's name are you going on about now? Get some liquor down you.' He shook his head and took another large sip of the clear dwarfish drink. 'Mind you, you could be on to something.' he added, noticing his companion showed a little unease about something. 'It would take a year or two to get them up to scratch, but at least they'd be more likely to be loyal.' he rubbed his chin thoughtfully, thinking of how best he might come across able and willing men. A cudgel over the head and a swift kidnapping would do for the more niche skilled crew perhaps. It certainly would be cheaper.

The door burst open and a flushed guard roared out a call to arms. Casaythe looked at Caraoc and raised his eyebrows before downing his drink. As the bar began to empty, he downed a couple more that were abandoned on the counter before standing up and taking his glaive from where it was propped near the fireplace.

Caraoc's suggestion was an interesting one. 'Free weapons? You might need 'em but I'm alright...' he chuckled. A shortsword hung from a scabbard on his left hip, and on his back was slung a repeater crossbow. He wore a chainmail tunic over his clothing, plate guard covering his shins and forearms, with shoulderguards and cheap chest plate covering his torso. It wasn't the heavy armour of a warrior of renown, but it looked the part, and didn't hinder his movement too much. Stained with copper and green tones, it had a maritime feel to it, a motif of a kraken on his right shoulder adding to the effect.

'I hope we're getting paid for this.' he added, making his way to the door.

Casaythe already has all his stuff on him. Being a dishonest vagabond, the last thing he would do is trust anyone to look after his weapons and armour. He is heading out to see what all the fuss is about.

OOC: Kinslayer, I take it you want us to head to the North Gate now? And can we see the magic storm, bloody rain, and so on?

[Dauricha]

The rain stank, as it soaked into his dark cloak. He did not see the Khainite being blasted, moving past the mad combat as he made for the gate house. Vryala had chewed through the guards, surely the whore sorceress would be dead soon. With the gates closed the disaster would be fully averted, and they could continue the hunt for the mad lord.

It seemed the Lord Kronus had come to fight his hunters. Flanked by two vicious guards he came out of the gate house, into the blood soaked streets, as the demonic rain continued to fall. Piss and bloody darkness. Phalx's mind screamed. It was on a rare occasion indeed that he found himself at the point of an attack. To freeze was to die however, he needed to move he needed to act.

Greetings, you will soon be dead. He cackled as he leapt into battle. The guards were heavily armoured, but he was well skilled at finding weak points. The halberd was a fierce weapon, but near useless if one got inside its guard. Phalx charge the left one, hoping he was faster then the demon masked git!

Phalx will charge forward. He will use his sword to deflect any halberd attack, and dagger to stab in, under the helmet or other weak point. Whether or not this attack succeeds, he will dodge back and away, out of the halberds ranges as he reevaluates the situation.

[Kinslayer]

OOC - K went straight across the square while Phalx circled around inside the gate, so Phalx is on the left and Karonath on the right.

IC -

The skirmish at the gate continued, all of the traitorous City Guard now slain but Kronus and his personal guards having just emerged from the gatehouse. Kirathi still stood which meant the group were now facing two powerful enemies at once, but thankfully Vryala was already in combat with the Sorceress. The Warrior surged forwards as the Sorceress seemed to reach into the winds, the air about them suddenly tingling with magic once more. Vryala slashed away with her sword, the Sorceress using her iron staff to block as she drew a long silver dagger. Despite her obvious inexperience in combat, the Sorceress was as agile and fast as any elven opponent Vryala had yet faced, and as she struck V across the shield with force enough to send her stumbling back, she had no doubt that there was foul magic fueling her attacks.

Elysian seemed to stand motionless for a moment as his mind fought a battle all of its own, but with a surge of mental strength he forced control back into his limbs and turned to face Lord Kronus. The wind of Chamon that had risen so suddenly was gone before he could grasp it and bend it to his will, the gate still grinding open on its mechanical iron hinges. Now it was wide enough to let a cavalry lance through, soon it would be at its widest and they would need to fight ten abreast to hold the gap. He sensed dark magic frothing in the air around the Sorceress as she entered a duel with Vryala, but a sudden surge of Ulgu shadow magic made his mind up for him. He grasped the powerful energy before it vanished like the last time and used it to bend the shadows around Kronus' guard. At his will the darkness closed in over their eyes, just as Karonath and Phalx charged in.



Phalx was two steps ahead of his Khainite comrade when he met the guards in combat, surprised as they flailed wildly with their halberds in the place of well aimed strikes. Sensing the attention of his arcane ally upon them, Phalx wasted no time in dodging under the halberd and lashing out with his sword. The blinded guard thrashed around with his weapon, batting the sword aside and momentarily giving Phalx an opening at his neck. The Shade plunged his minotaur horn dagger forwards, but the guard turned his head as if to shake away the shadows and the dagger screeched across the daemonic faceplate instead. The sound of the blow seemed to give the well trained guard sense of where Phalx was positioned, and the back end of the halberd came up in a heavy swing which forced the Shade to hope back out of range and look for another opening to attack.

Beside him, Karonath hurled herself into the other guard and chopped down at him with her Draich. The armoured giant eluded her blow, seemingly more because he was moving to get a clear view of her than because he saw the attack coming in time. His halberd lashed out at her, striking down towards the earth, but she had expected such a move. She locked her blade against the halberd and forced it down further, before throwing her weight into another strike which despite not punching through the thick black armour plates of her opponent, succeeded in knocking him back into his treacherous Lord. Elysian had done well to blind the guards to their initial attacks, but their combat instincts were sharp and they would not be put down so easily. In the space behind them, K could see Kronus drawing two swords from the scabbards at his hips. In a moment the brute before her would move out of his way, and their target would enter the fight.



The power in Kirathis' return blow had sent Vryala stumbling back towards the gate, and she turned her back to it as she instinctively brought her shield up against the dagger that was headed her way. She flew at the Sorceress once more, not willing to let the power in her staff fool her twice, and began to unleash a series of quick strikes to put the witch on the back foot. As Kirathi started to back away from her, struggling to keep up with the momentum of her blows, Vryala suddenly burst forwards and barged into her with force enough to send her sprawling. The Sorceress fell back and away, and even as Vryala stepped forwards and lifted her sword over her head with a victorious roar, she caught sight of two riders further down the north road, charging her way. It only took her a moment to realize it who it was, Fiat and Saldrimek thundering towards them, the first reserves that they would have in this fight. She only hoped it would swing the odds back in their favour, that they could close the gate again before the army outside came in.

If Vryala had hesitated in her overhead attack she was not aware, but the lightning fast mind of the Sorceress seemed to pick up on her emotions as quickly as they emerged. She was suddenly aware that Vryala had spotted help arriving behind her, and as Vryala chopped down at her head she kicked herself backwards across the stone square. Vryalas' blade caught her leg and opened a cut down her shin, but before she could step forwards again and finish the job, the Sorceress propelled herself away with another powerful kick and then rolled to the side, coming to her feet a few paces away. In the same moment the air about her seemed to grow dark, and across the square the shadows over the guards' eyes suddenly dissipated as Elysian let his spell drop as he turned to shout out a warning. The Dhar energy that suddenly surrounded the Sorceress could only mean one thing, and he knew that nobody present was prepared for it.



There was a tremendous thunderclap, and a bolt of purple eldritch lightning suddenly lunged down from the dark clouds forming overhead. It hit the ground where the Sorceress stood with enough force to blacken the stone and send ten yard long cracks running through the paving in every direction. The Sorceress was momentarily lost from sight behind a veil of blinding light, as tremors suddenly resounded around the square accompanied by the sound of splitting stone and the crackle of magical lightning. A huge pillar of the blackest stone imaginable rose up from the ground, its sides covered with leering daemonic faces and skulls. Almost instantly the arcane fulcrum had risen twenty feet into the air, violet lightning cascading around its black sides and filling it with magical energy. The Sorceress Kirathi was somehow on top of it, controlling the pinnacle of power as a nimbus of energy formed between her hands.

Vryala had been knocked onto her back as the stones beneath her feet were torn upwards as the fulcrum was called forth, and lay at the base of the dark spire looking up at it. The storm clouds above began to swirl around the spire, the blood rain suddenly pounding down harder as forked lightning began to dance overhead. If the Drach had not believed Varin that something was going on by the gate at first, there was no doubt he would now, the storm would be visible from any tall building in the City. Saldrimek and Fiat fought to control their mounts a few yards away as the terrified steeds halted their charge and tried to turn around, rearing up and snarling at the unexpected protrusion that now stood before them. They were still struggling with their steeds when the Sorceress cast out her hands, and an orb of darkness swirled into existence a few feet above their heads.



*************************************************************


Casaythe and Caraoc stood up at the bar and turned to face the guard who had just burst in. Many others did the same, as a few well mercenaries shouldered past him and went outside for a look. Others stayed where they were, not even turning their heads to look at him. The guards' hand went to the scabbard at his side and grasped the hilt of his sword, at which point those who had stood up quickly moved to the door, Casaythe and Caraoc dragged along with them. It was Druchii law to defend your City in times of desperation, and it was the authority of the City Guard to ensure such laws were enforced. One of those citizens who had decided to stay in their seats would likely be made an example of, and sure enough a minute later the rest of the taverns customers came piling out into the street, the guard at their backs with his sword unsheathed and stained red.

Some of those that had been drinking were merchants, who had quickly left to return to their houses, either to gather arms and summon their guards or to simply flee and hide out the fight. Of those that remained, most were armed with no more than a dagger or pocket knife, and the City Guard was quickly pushing them into the team that needed arming further. Caraoc and Casaythe were looking not to the streets but to the skies, for in the north there was a storm. Lightning danced and black clouds crawled forth, where the skies had been clear upon them entering the tavern shortly before. It seemed the bartenders ranting had been somewhat correct, and not only was a magical storm coming, it had well and truly arrived. The streets around them were empty save for a couple of small groups of City Guard who jogged past heading north. They turned their attention back on the one who had summoned them outside, and realized they were the only two left standing where everyone had been.

"Well at least two of you are decently armed!" the guard roared, "Head north and protect your City from whatever the hell is going on up there. I'll be back once I show this lot how to point a sword."

With that, the guard was leading everyone else away to the west. The two mercenaries were left standing outside the empty tavern, looking to the ominous storm clouds for direction.

[Nightcall]

The patrons of the bar emptied their drinking establishment, spilling into the streets. Casaythe was certain of their strong desire to do their civil duty and defend their city, even the ones that threw back panicked glances as they ran off down various streets, surely to gather arms and join the fight. Not cower in their cellars until danger had passed. He nudged Caraoc with his elbow as the guard stomped out of the bar, his sword slick with fresh blood, a spatter of crimson on his chest. 'Make no bones about it, seems he was serious.'

The corsair looked about himself, gauging the situation. Was the barman right after all? Were the beastmen attacking, or was the city in far graver peril than that? What was going on? Whatever it was, Casaythe had that feeling he was about to head into a whole lot of trouble.

To the north, the sky had darkened with a swirling black cloud. Lightning flickered from its tempestuous heart, and an ominous foreboding of evil lingered about the storm. It certainly did not seem natural. 'That's not your doing, is it?' he questioned, wondering if his companion had any idea what had caused the sudden storm's arrival.

The guard roared again, and Casaythe was surprised to find that he and Caraoc were the only ones remaining in the street outside the bar. He tapped his glaive on the slick cobbles, and inspected the sharp blade. "Whatever that storm is, that guard wants us to head towards it." he realised.

'Right you are.' he replied to the guard, casting a sidelong glance at Caraoc. He had no desire to argue with a man who motivated people with the end of a blade.

'Let's get a move on. We don't want to miss all the fun.'

Casaythe does not know what has caused the storm, but is interested in finding out. He will run through the streets to the north to see where the fight is and join in. His strong sense of self preservation will prevent him from doing anything overly heroic.

[Raneth]

Despite her nature, Kirathi was no slouch in combat, and defended her life with admirable skill. As the bloody rain continued to fall the two traded blows, the witch demonstrating uncanny agility to counter Vryala's overbearing strength; but in the end it was V who stood tall, her blade raised high to finish the Sorceress once and for all.

Then her ears caught the sound of hooves on cobblestones a bit further off, and she risked a glance to confirm these new arrivals were indeed her friends Fiat and Sal. Wrong move. Kirathi immediately capitalised on the distraction, brief as it may have been, kicking herself away and so suffering only a leg wound when her head was supposed to come off. V gave chase, but was rebuffed rather brutally by a mighty purple thunderclap.

Furiously blinking away the stars dancing before her eyes, Vryala could see the scene had changed. A pillar had erupted from the ground where that arcane lightning had struck, the witch standing up top chanting in ominous tones. V looked around, unsure of the meaning or implications of all this - but then she noted a ball of dark force drifting above her returned comrades' heads, and knew they were in mortal peril.

Guys! RUN!

Whipping out her repeater once more, Vryala peppers Kirathi with bolts in hopes of saving her friends.

[Drainial]

Nothing was ever easy. A single moment was all it took for the situation to go from dangerous to dire. As the black fulcrum rose from the earth Elysian knew that more than ever before he was completely outmatched, and when one considered the magical foes he and the others had recently faced that was a terrifying prospect indeed. His only hope, their only chance, was that Kirathi found the storm of magic almost as difficult to control as he did. Already Vryala fired at her, a mundane distraction that should if nothing else occupy some of the sorceress' attention. In the end though Kirathi was only a distraction, a terrible dangerous distraction, closing the gate was what really mattered. The two guards were already engaged, Kronos on the other hand was still very much in the way. Never the less Elysian was now the only one not in combat of the group and so he felt he needed to make an attempt to get inside the gate house. Taking on a Druchii highborn alone did not seem like the best idea though, Elysian would stick to dirty tricks. Summoning the wind of Ulgu once more he began chanting softly even as he ran towards the door.

Elysian will try to slip past Kronos and the guards to get inside the gate house and close the gates. To aid in this he will cast a spell on Kronos that will convince him that he can't move his legs. Somewhat similar to the movement spell in the law of shadows, miasma or some such.

[Kinslayer]

OOC - Just a heads up as well as completing the summary I have added two new maps of Vikarh to this thread - http://www.druchii.net/viewtopic.php?p=852571#852571

[Calisson]

Until that day, Caraoc had never raised much concern about the fancy gossips they had heard in one or another tavern.
Who would believe those tales about daemons in an invisible tower in the midst of the city, or, why not, vampires and zombies?
But this time, there seemed to have been some truth in stories heard about Skaven and Beastmen.
The barman had said something like:
"Now suddenly the City is in disarray. A large army of beastmen and chaos beasts has been forming east of the City, all manner of creatures from harpies to orcs flocking to it in anticipation of the blood that will be shed in the days to come. The Skaven have attacked simultaneously, erupting from the sewers to attack people in the street, and a counter offensive has been launched with most of the City Guard going underground to flush them out. The warriors of the Drach himself are waiting for them when they emerge."

Alcohol makes anyone braver, and Casaythe and Caraoc had more than their share – for free, thanks to the guard.
So they went out, if only to figure out what whas going on.

-=-=-

Once outside, Caraoc immediately felt the gust of wind. Magic wind.
He knew well that feeling. He had experienced it quite often. It had become a familiar companion long before a High Elf mage unwillingly helped him to understand that this odd feeling was actually magic wind.
Before that day, he had thought that magic could be used only by Mages. But during that battle, he had realized that this Mage was undergoing the very same arcane experience than him. And when the Mage had swallowed a part of that wind of magic, Caraoc had witnessed a drop of magic power in the ether. The Mage’s spell nearly killed him, but Caraoc’s counter spell surprised both of them – a fatal surprise for the High Elf. This was how Caraoc realized that he was a Mage himself.

Ending this rare flashback, Caraoc scrutinized the sky. A storm, and a mighty one, as it was aggravated by winds of magic. Storms and magic winds were Caraoc’s elements alike.
He smiled at the prospect of the flood of magic energy that soon will irrigate his body, once again.

"That's not your doing, is it?" asked Casaythe? Caraoc thought about the beans they had for lunch, but the situation was exciting enough not to spoil it with a trivial joke.

Caraoc replied:
"That’s hell of a magic storm. Earlier in the bar, I told you that I had a mystic crystal revelation.
There it is."
With the help of the last drinks, he started singing:
"When the moo-oo-oon is in the seventh house
And Jupite-er aligns with Mars
You, gui-i-ide, will peace the planets
My stee-eer will lo-ove the stars
This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius
The age of Aquarius,
Aqua-a-ri-u-u-u-us, Aqua-rius."
The song had ended in a shout loud enough to cover the sound of the storm. Great performance since one could have believed that the song actually aggravated the storm.

Now that the magic energy had filled his chest, Caraoc would run effortlessly.
As Casaythe was running towards the North Gate, Caraoc kept the same pace.
"That’s it, Casaythe! The age of aquarius, or water, will soon come, even we must remain ashore for a while.
Still, together, you will be the guide and I will steer."
At least a part of the song made some sense: Casaythe had been a corsair captain, Caraoc a corsair pilot.

This is when they started to feel drops of rain. Blood rain.

"Run, my friend! Let’s meet our destiny!"

Running to the North Gate along with Casaythe.

-=-=-

OOC: thanks http://www.metrolyrics.com/aquarius-lyr ... z20LZYCvO1 & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9oq_IskRIg
OOC: Kinslayer, thanks for the maps. Assuming that the River Spite is large enough to make Vikarh a decent harbour.
OOC: Kinslayer, please confirm inventory is OK, esp. ammo.
__________________
Caraoc the pilot - WS3 S4 T2 D5 I5
Equipment: staff, short bow, repeater handbow (5/20 + 6x20), Sea Dragon Cloak,
Inventory: -
Mount: -
Gold: 100
Skills: Power of Azyr (2), Evasion
Class: Mage

[Kinslayer]

Caraoc and Casaythe had been in a small tavern on the edge of the Merchants District, and now stood out on the narrow street they had been left alone on by the guard. The road led off to the north-west, and they decided to follow it in that direction until it connected with the main north road, close to the Nobles' Market. During their jog up the road, Caraoc sang to himself to prepare his mind for the task ahead, his own way to gain concentration and focus. Casaythe led the way a few steps ahead, keeping a wary eye on the side streets and alleyways as he realized how empty the streets had become. As they moved further north towards the darkening skies, they began to feel the first drops of rain upon their skin, and saw red dots forming on their armour and clothing. They had to stop and hold out a hand each to the air, confirming their suspicion that it was indeed raining what appeared to be blood. Whatever lay further north, no good could come of it.

They reached the north road and began to follow it, still a long way from the gate despite their fast pace on foot. A rider could make it from the middle of the City to the gate in ten minutes if he pushed his steed, but to run even half that distance would take the two mercenaries considerably longer. It wasn't long before they saw the first sign of Druchii life since leaving the tavern, a small band of mercenaries fighting something in the street just ahead of them. They slowed their pace until they were walking, none of the mercenaries ahead having noticed their approach. It wasn't until they drew closer that they realized what it was they had been fighting, the warband overcoming the ragged robed creature before making off down a side street towards the Nobles' Quarter.

Casaythe and Caraoc approached the now dead attacker, and one of them stretched out a foot to flip the corpse over until its form was revealed from beneath its dirty robes. It was a Skaven, of that there was no doubt. The creature had the features of a rat, with overgrown chisel teeth and a long pink tail, rank fur covering its body, its eyes small, red and lifeless. The body confirmed one of the rumours they had heard over and over, that the ratmen were not only underneath this City, but were attacking from below. Having caught their breath, the two began to jog along the road again, wondering if the ratmen were the cause of the great magical storm that they were drawing closer to with every step. They began to feel more wary, checking every spot of darkness and shadow for one of the lurking rat fiends. A few hundred yards down the road, they found another one, only this time very much alive.

They were more than halfway to the gate when the ratman scurried into the road ahead of them, instantly stopping to sniff the air before looking their way and spotting them. It barred its teeth and pointed its rusted sword.



*************************************************************


Things by the north gate were going from bad to worse, despite the much needed arrival of two more of their number. The gate was grinding the last few feet to being fully open, and now behind the mystical haze outside were the dark silhouettes of approaching enemies. They marched forwards not in a mad rush like the beastmen and orcs, but in organized ranks that stomped through the snow in a fearless advance. Whatever they were they were big, no taller than a Druchii but much more broad. In a matter of seconds they would become properly visible to those inside, but the group only caught glimpses of them in the corner of their vision. They were more preoccupied with the opponents they were fighting, still trying desperately to get through them and into the gatehouse in time. Unfortunately, it now seemed as though time had run out.

Kronus' guards pushed their counter attack the moment Elysians' hex was lifted, and the powerful strokes of their halberds put both Phalx and Karonath on the back foot almost at once. Not only that, but Lord Kronus was not shy of entering combat himself, and he advanced between his two guards, slashing first at Phalx and then at Karonath. Elysian was close behind them, but even as he reached into the wind of Ulgu to try and befuddle the mind of the highborn he realized it was too little too late. The gate let out a metallic sigh as it settled on its hinges, wide open before the army outside which now marched out of the blizzard and into plain sight. Elysian still found his way into the mind of Lord Kronus and tried to stall him, but had to consider whether it was best to go for the gatehouse or to simply use those scant seconds to retreat and fall back.

Atop her dark fulcrum, Kirathi suddenly came under fire from Vryala, the bolts whipping through the air around her and at one point striking her iron staff. An ethereal blue shimmer seemed to pass across the air around her as the bolts that should of hit did not, the pillar seeming to ward away the mundane bolts. Still, she had at least gained the Sorceress' attention, who glared down at her with eyes filled with arcane balefire. Vryala felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, and acting on instinct suddenly threw herself aside as a bolt of pure darkness suddenly flew from Kirathis' staff and blew another smoking hole in the stone ground where she had been standing. Vryala looked over to Fiat and Saldrimek, seeing that they had abandoned their mounts as they tried to avoid the crackling orb of darkness. The black sphere seemed to suck the very life out of the horses, both of which collapsed stone dead as the black horror lingered over them.



Now Kirathi had put her attention back on the sphere, and she thrust out her hands and steered the ball towards them once again. Fiat and Saldrimek had charged past Vryala in the direction of the gate, shouting something to her that was lost over the ringing left in her ears after the thunderclap that was the doombolt almost hitting her. She could but watch as the two warriors ran across the square to the others, and then she saw what was coming through the gates. The magical blizzard had done its job in shrouding the armies' advance, and now it melted away to reveal the armour clad giants that were on their doorstep. Iron helmets topped with curved horns covered their faces, but they were unmistakably human, and clearly were men from the Northern Wastes. What they wanted with Vikarh none could even guess at, but in they marched holding tall shields and wielding large bastard swords, spiked maces and iron hammers.

The sphere of darkness swept across the square, but as it drew closer to Kronus and his men Kirathi seemed to let the spell drop, noticing the advance of the Chaos army and perhaps deciding to let the group die by the blade rather than by her magic touch. Vryalas' distraction had saved Fiat and Saldrimek from apparent doom, but now the two had reached the gate just as Karonath and Phalx backed into them, Elysian casting out his hands to stall Kronus in his tracks. Vryala was still at the foot of the fulcrum, ready to run forwards to join her friends but already able to see that they were now vastly outnumbered and about to become overwhelmed. She was often the voice of the group, and now had to consider whether to spur her comrades on into the fight, or call out for them to retreat.

As if to help her make her decision, Kirathis' voice suddenly boomed down from atop her arcane fulcrum, carried on the foul winds across the entire square.

"Come forth Lords of Chaos! The way has been opened to you! Slay all who stand in your way!"



OOC - So Karonath and Phalx have now been pushed back away from the gatehouse into the middle of the square, where Elysian is standing. Fiat and Saldrimek have just arrived at their sides, but now they are facing not just Kronus and his two guards but can see a wall of Chaos Warriors bearing down on them just behind them. And I mean ten abreast, and still coming through the gate despite their front rank being almost half way across the square. The area is filling with enemies faster than you can slay them, and the Sorceress is behind you atop the arcane fulcrum. Vryala is at the foot of that pillar, watching the whole scene after being dazed by the doombolt.

(Don't worry you didn't fail in your task as this was intended all along despite your best efforts).