[Karguk 37]
Stronghold of Sparta
Breath In. Breathe Out.
Calm the mind and body.
Breathe In. Breathe Out.
Feel the power around you but do nothing to influence it as yet.
Breathe In. Breathe Out.
Feel the position, the power, of the others sitting in similar lotus positions around me.
Breathe In. Breathe Out.
Taste the smoky, dry, spicy incense that filled the in the air of the currently gently warm room.
Breath In. Breath Out.
Ritual magic was something I liked a great deal. In part I'll admit because it was something that I'd had a basic education since I'd become the departed Vretkrag's apprentice shaman all those years ago. Another reason possibly because mediation was something I was far, far, better at than your average young orc, but a larger part was due to more 'scientific' nature of the magical processes involved. Ritual success or failure was generally based upon preparation, organisation, and ensuring things were accomplished in a step by step manner rather than a more immediate and forceful manner that most spells used.
Understandably due needing these requirements, the generally less immediate and flashy results, and the often boring and cooperative nature of said rituals. Missy for instance, who was one of those in the circle right now, was of that opinion at times back in her Academy and still somewhat less than eager at my enthusiasm for doing them. Then again I was of the clerical path as well, so maybe rituals and ceremony tended to come more naturally to me perhaps due to experiences in this life so far. Plus it allowed organised and *mostly safe* learning and experimentation with the arcane after learning from my...success...with my first mass ritual to the Gods.
Hence I planned these things out with quill and parchment in advance, after consulting with other more experienced mages, and only then going ahead with the actual casting. When these arcane rituals can have dangerous backlashes it was the only sensible thing to do I found. It was also why the Harpells were excluded obviously. Whole room would likely spontaneously catch fire...somehow...if they were involved. So it was myself, Missy, Nimmel and of course the one at the centre of the ritual circles chalked on the ground; Doctor Ned. Oh...and the six Gods-slaves of course who surrounded us in a circle in all their naked and tattooed glory as they chanted ever so softly in unison.
My mouth now began its own chant alongside that of Missy and Nimmel as I ignored the ache of my muscles from sitting here for several hours now. The downside of ritual magic there of course as three voiced began to sink up with each other into one as we went through the various repetitions of this stage of the chant. Something that gave direction to the sense of power that had been starting to build up around us since the start of our little session. Still I resisted the urge to reach out and attempt to 'control' the flow as I, we, let our collaborative effort be guided by the most powerful and senior wizard here. Well Necromancer, but he had more experience at such things than any of us and delegation based on merit was the best course of action here...
It was like pressure building up before a dam as magic thrummed and pressed invisibly against my skull from what felt like all directions.
Breathe In. Breathe Out.
Our Triangle of Wizards surrounding the One most powerful and feeding in the power and chant with each slowly passing minute.
Breathe In. Breathe Out.
As two Gods-slaves behind each of our Triangle fed power and their own voices as Six fed into Three and then into One.
Breathe In. Breathe out.
Focus on the flow of power. Focus on what is desired by the ritual. Focus on matching and syncing with the others in achieving this goal.
Breathe In. Breathe out.
Rising off the ground and hovering was always a rather odd feeling. Even when the concentration on the ritual had moved that and most other thoughts to the farther recesses of my mind. Not that it mattered as some part of my mind idly informed me that the others, Wizard and Gods-slave, had started to hover a few inches off the ground alongside the open book at the epicentre of our circle. When my eyes opened, as did the others in unison, it appeared that we all sat upon a faint roiling cushion of pink and red roiling mists as Doctor Ned's voiced enunciated slowly and clearly as each word seemed to echo and vibrated along with the magic. It was as I was aware of what they saw, what they heard, what they could smell...
..as one three pairs of hands opened palms outwards, backs of those hands resting on knees, as shimmering strands of power formed into small spheres just above our mediating legs, then bands fluttering out to connect to each others as the triangle locked together. I was dispassionate about such things right now though, just as expected my brain informed me without prompting, as my mind seemed to be aware of everything and anything within the room. From the faint taste of cinnamon Nimmil found in the incense, to the fact the Gods-slaves were rolling their heads in rhythm to the words of our united chant, and of the 'feel' of arcane energies following around us like a fog that had come alive.
Breathe In. Breathe Out.
...nashnik nymlithi nethorikly likka oulmtha ta-tha undas...
...the bound book hovered before us in the centre of our wards and casting circle, opening slowly and unaided to the first page as it began to glow with ethereal light as out magic flowed around and through it. Beneath us the chalk lines and circles glowed with white-blue light beneath the pulsing, roiling, pink-red mists that our bodies hovered upon...
Breathe In. Breathe Out.
...oulmatha tarbacka nier, shanat likka ta-thas murut el undas...
...the glow emanating from the book and its pages began to intensify as power flowed in and our united desire for the knowledge therein was guided by the Master Necromancer like a battering ram of power, or precision scalpel, or a hand grasping...
...nymlittli oulmatha shanbalat muru talu el outmatha ttha-hal...
...as the Tome before us shook violently in the air as the spell that had been slowly, but surely, grinding upon it for several hours...days...unleashed its full strength and desire upon ancient wards. Protective wards laid in place waited in readiness for any backlash from any protections that could have been placed upon it...but none came as I felt the magic ebb and flow with each passing moment. It was as expected so far I found, Six as Three, Three as One, the lock being picked, the door being opened, as old pages of the book opened in all their eerie glow as...
...shanbalat tal...as the strings knit, part and re-knit upon the flow of creation. Mystyrl's influence stands above these of course, but...
It was strange as always to have words and memories and understanding etched into your brain. I...we...arched back our heads as one unit, one mind, and gasped at the flow of a spell suddenly being learned unnaturally. Of knowing its forms, its understandings, the mechanics behind it...like cold water suddenly thrown upon us, or a burning brand applied to flesh. Pain, Knowledge, Triumph, Power, all wrapped up in an instant of the code being cracked. The Dam bursting, but in a controlled manner; Our eyes burned with ethereal light for but a moment before fading as did the flow of magic and we slowly descended from the hovering to sit upon the ground once more...
...permanent effects are not unknotted by these means. For a briefest of moments are the strings undone, but instantly they reform. As such a skilled Weaver shall not be impacted by...
I liked knowledge. The more of it the better really, or at least of the safer means anyway. It was interesting really as I let out a deep breath and looked around suddenly feeling reinvigorated...my mind clearer and more energetic. Ah...Insight perhaps? Hmmm...things seemed clearer and easier to understand right now. Having this for several hours would help my studies greatly I figured. Longer if the effect was slower to degrade away and the tiredness set in. Still...I now knew Dispel Magic. That would count as a success in my book...
'Speaking of Books' I thought glancing at the Tome on the stone floor. Long days, years in truth, lay ahead to understand it...but this was a solid start after seasons of starring at it blindly. A joy on my part shared by Doctor Ned as he hummed thoughtfully as he recovered first from our group and reached out to turn a page...
--
[Krowluc 15]
Stables, Stronghold of Sparta
"Well about time it bloody broke" he muttered as he felt the nice chill seem to fill the air as the loud rumble of thunder echoed over the town beneath the stronghold. Angry dark grey clouds in the sky above began to unload their burden as he heard the heavy patter on the roof above. Out in the street beyond the stables he could see small groups of orcish females, slaves and some goblins begin to dash for cover as the rain started to pour down from the heavens.
"Heh, didn't think to hear ya bitchin' about a spot of good weather and wishin' fer the rain instead Boss" came from behind him and too as his right as he glanced back from the wooden support beam he'd was resting back against. Bareyaras was strolling forward from further in the stables as Krowluc saw a faint flash of light out of the corner of his eye, followed a few seconds later another loud rumble over the patter of rain, from off in the distance. Just as he'd figured a few hours ago; after this seemingly unending humid heat a large thunderstorm was rolling into the valley for a time. He shrugged inside his sweaty and grimy heavy armour.
"Some of us are wearing heavy fucking plate Bareyaras, and ride horses with heavy armour, and fuck the heat is what I'll say after these unending ten-days of it regardless of clear or damp skies..." he looked back as the rain started to roar down upon the ground outside, and roof above, and he raised his voice a little to be heard over it "...an' ah'course we're up against Fire Giants, who just fuckin' love hot weather like we just had, so if they come now they'll not be as strong and able set everything on fire since it so hot and dry"
His half-elf squad leader seemed to think about that, then shrugged almost in sadness as he walked to his side and stopped staring out at the rain "Eh, suppose so, but damn if this'll put a stop to all the womens around here going around in fuck'all other than loincloths"
Krowluc snorted, rolling his eyes at the antics lot of idiots he had under his command, and folded his arms across his armoured chest "Thought ya said...what was it?...dems theres orcs weemens are fuglies as fuck ya know Boss"
"Nuh-uh, I was drunk and I was meanin' ta say was alls thems orc women are fuckin' awesome fucks aff'ya don't give a toss"
"Heh, sure ya did Bareyaras, sure ya did, and its nuffin to do with you been a horny bloody drunk and there been lots of lonely young half-orcs runnin' around here?"
"Nooo...maybeeeee...but some of them are almost human lookin' and don't have angry fathers or husbands lurkin around lookin' bash me head'in either!"
Krowluc laughed softly at that, though it was barely audible over the now pounding rain as he heard another peal of thunder from off in the distance "Aye, ain't the biggest decidin' factor for ye if they have big angry men in their lives? Still surprised ya managed to get away from that fella in Saltmarsh ya know"
"Eh, I'm quick on me feet Boss as ya well know..." he replied before giving a loud sad sigh "...lost me favourite pair of pants their too. Weren't worth it either, now there was a fugly lookin' elf wench let me tell ya! Bloody elven mages and their fuckin' magic"
"Just be glad the Captain and Nimmil managed to get you out of there alive ya bloody twit" Krowluc replied and chuckled in amusement as a group of four made a mad dash from the entrance to the stables. While the others ignored him beyond quick bows and signs of respect their 'leader' stomped in, water flowing off in steams from her suddenly water logged form, with damp hair plastered upon her glaring face as she faced them and waved a finger at them.
"Not one fucking word from either of ye!"
He couldn't resist "Hello Kyras, lovely day for a walk aye?"
"Ghhhrrrrr"
"Oh don't be like that Kyras, sorry, sorry!" he replied as she took her soaked hair in hand, glaring at both of them as Bareyaras chuckled at the state of her and her light riding gear. Fucking children that he was in charge of he mused as he continued talking "...anyway, before you rush off, anything to report?"
"Ghhrr...nothin' important Boss, just escorted those stupid fuggin gobbies down from their shithole, just got in and damned bloody rain comes down! Anyway they was sayin' was a bit of a raid about a ten-day ago near to'em but it failed and them Gnolls took heads and are headin' up to the keep to collect on the reward"
'Bloody adventurers, can't even get away from them even here it seems. Now in Gnoll format too looks like' he thought sourly, but he reminded himself they had their uses too. Mostly as canon-fodder for proper mercenaries and troops like his own; it was why he preferred a good solid contract to being used as cheap, stupid and expendable idiots like most of that sort were. Still his lot were being paid good coin, and settling down here was now largely acceptable even for the likes of Bareyaras. He hummed in thought a moment as a muttering and whining Kyras squeezed the water out of her hair while outside and above the skies unloaded what was likely to be a long downpour.
"No signs of Uthgardt or Fire Giants or anything other of our new foes"
"Nah, rumor is the outer holdfasts are abandoned even for those barbarians, hey one of that lot at the market were sayin' a couple of'em have arrive or sumin?"
Krowluc nodded "Aye, three...near adults and two children, Nimmil was drinkin' with one if ya can belief at the shaman's wizard-wife's request. Looks like Luskan or Mirabar is throwin' in their support or such, proper mercs and adventurers looks like...even if any of the even half-sane savages are bolting to avoid'em. Probably why the nearer families on the move, bad idea be caught with all that shit happenin' in the Crags since we arrived. Trying to poach the boy...man...of the three eldest since he can supposelt ride a horse and use a bow while ridin' said horse"
Bareyaras grunted "That'd be a find, keepin' our lot on their horses while riding has been a big success I'd say...gettin'em to hit out with other than lance or sword is another!"
It wasn't quite that bad Krowluc knew, but while he managed to resemble decent numbers of mounted warriors their numbers of mounted archers was barely a squad of ten in numbers. Or at least of mounted archers that could hit anything at a more than spitting distance anyway; so getting another, even if he was a dirty Uthgardt idiot, would be a damned good addition to the ranks. Seemed the Shaman had thrown the Uthgardter into the Auxlia, and one of the females as a wizard with Nimmil, so his height challenged companion was now faithfully trying to get him moved over to his cavalry force.
He shrugged again "Ah well Nimmil's on it so maybe we'll have a bit of luck"
"Eh, what's the dread midget up too since ah was gone" the thieving half-orc replied as she shuck off her fur top and again began to squeeze the water out of it. Once upon a time, when he was young and stupid, he would have stared or been flustered but in the field you ...just put up with this sort of shite from your comrades-in-arms. So he rolled his eyes as he recalled the gnomes enthusiastic blabbing about whatever it was she was saying and he didn't understand.
"Oh she's happy as a pig in shite she is. Something about learning new magic from the Pirate Necromancer and the Orc Shaman, didn't really understand much beyond 'it's cool' and 'history is awesome' and the like. Anyway Kyras head in and get cleaned up, we'll go for a few drinks up in Menkin's while said dread gnome ain't here to have us barred. Shaman's planning on marching up and down the valley in the next few ten-days so want to have a chat to both of ye about what we need to fix or improve in each of your squads before then"
In truth it was pretty impressive to see the fighting force that had been assembled here from human farmers, orc women and a bunch of stupid goblins & kobolds. The heavily armoured orc male warriors aside from those he even say were as good or better than most of the militia he'd seen in Mirabar, or any of the Northern towns and city-states. Pretty good for his Company all in all to work for this rising clan; if it worked they'd be able to fall in for land in this valley or nearby if they succeeded.
And damned if Krowluc the Ironhand was going to lose to a bunch of Uthgardt savages or those bloody wizard-zombies over in that pirate den of a city. Always slow to pay that lot were...when they weren't trying to screw you over on the price that was. It was why they loved Adventurers he suspected; idiot grave-robbers who you could afford to screw over when half of them were dead and they returned exhausted with whatever they were sent to hunt for. Something that Luskan was repeating of late from all news relating to their current war with Neverwinter, and attempts to attack the new Illusk here in the Crags. Whatever the case he had a training schedule to plan out now the rain was pouring down rather than the scorching summer's sun...
--
When: Late Summer, 1355 Dale Reckoning
Where: Shaman's Tower, Sparta
Training, study and learning have been the order of the past few weeks (ten-days sorry) by and large here in the stronghold. My own personal focus has been on advancing my arcane training in particular through means of study, research and rituals with the wizards I've recruited. Not with the Harpells of course, because that means explosions or things catching fire mysteriously during said rituals. Results so far have been rather positive, or at least it seems so to me.
Not necessarily in the pure destructive spell-casting capacity, but more in the general learning and understanding capacity of how stuff works on a more fundamental level. A significant portion of that 'research' and study being related to the second of the three Tomes we unearthed here in the UnderKeep after fighting Baron Crazy-Pants. As best we can tell this one is an 'apprentice to a higher level mage' range spell-book by 'modern' Faerunian standards; but it's really hard to know with so little background information on the creators of this place prior to its destruction.
One of the main points of understanding we have arrived at is that they appeared to be rather skilled, or at least focused perhaps, upon disruption based spells. Nimmil likes to call it 'Anti-Magic' with our recent progress on learning a variant of Dispel, and the magical resistant walls for instance, but the rest of us somewhat disagree on that judgement. Or at least that it's a premature estimation as don't even know the name of the bloody place and what occurred here (bar Nethoril Magic Nuked it at some stage evidently) all those centuries ago. Oh to have time to actually play at being archaeologist scholar here!
Anyway since I can't get to do that I can merely focus on my learning/teaching activities, alongside the daily grind of martial training, before we march up and down the valley in a few days. Harvest season is approaching and the army gets to become a mobile construction crew/crop cutters for a little while basically. My other duties as Clan Shaman (bashing heads, making laws about bashing heads and basic organisation training) of course take away from these things but I've been assured my education is rather comprehensive considering...well, orc and limited timeframe since starting evidently.
On that note I'm hoping Halnguk and Greshka are doing okay at the Tower of Twilight/Longsaddle with the other Harpell, the supposedly sane but most definitely powerful one. I know I'm supposed to have word with the next trade caravan from Longsaddle but it's always a concern, the promises given re their safety only existing in theory in this world. Considering the scry wards on this place I'd expect something of a similar concern on the other side, and Rose's situation for Wifne, I really shouldn't complain over much about. So my hope is they are actually learning something and return with new abilities to benefit the clan.
For now though I'm aiming to start the process of organising our 'army' for the match up and down the valley by sitting down with the various cohort leaders first. Then my own acolytes amongst them (often the same thing) to make sure that everyone knows how to follow their bloody orders on a march. With Ghorza off in Zybelin's Drift since she sent Hreshgk back it means that this joy is mine this time around. Well and Rose's too in regards the human auxlia, many of whom are her villagers after all. Truth be told she's getting rather good at the whole intimidation of idiots thing and learning basic logistics. I'm so proud.
Sadly most go now, work to be done before we march and I want to play with the children as well before I head out. Or the main army returns. Or the Harpells caravan arrives. And all the other 'or' things that will require me to do tons of work. Which remind me; ensure that Harpells and Doctor Ned either come with me on the 'tour' or that they have adequate minding in my absence.
--
When: 1355DR, Late Summer
Where: Encamped at river bank, heading towards kobold town
Getting an army on the move is always harder than it seems at first glance. Even over short distances as today I just moved it down to the river to where the crude 'northern' bridge of the valley is. But we got here, encamped, and have started on construction and fortification of a larger crossing in a decent enough amount of time. Going to work on that though, because decent enough and what is needed are two vastly different things. Bright side is they kept formation while marching, they followed orders and there weren't any major altercations or problems along the way. Same with our encamping, slower than I'd like but it's probably of a better standard thanks to the humans and kobolds than my standard clan-orcs I'd expect.
My plan is to camp here for a few days, or ten-day, (or however long it takes really) to construct a simple wooden and earth motte and bailey style 'Keep' here over the narrowest point of the river where we have a small bridge connected. Nothing massive of course, just a small fortification, with a moat from the river, that'll prevent easy access without permission. Once I've done that we can repeat the process at the southern 'bridge' as well as make it more permanent seeming. Honestly its strange how fast you can assemble basic constructions with primitive tools, some basic magic, and a large (albeit unskilled) workforce. Now distances that took us days to weeks to traverse can be cut across in hours or half-days; easier for us to power project and centralise administration with the valley basic.
In other news, I helped Lua with her ritual with her slave Lara before we left. Just outside the stronghold under a full moon and a grove of trees and all that ritual stuff she wanted. I also ensure I had a full bodyguard escort nearby encase anybody decides to get uppity or overly ambitious while I did so. In truth that was my contribution to the whole affair beyond getting to watch two drow women and Tris prance around in the nip after/while I/we all drank. So totally not complaining here even if there was an...issue. One I've avoided mentioning till now. Because there was a manifestation of sorts as ethereal dancing moonbeam drow stuff happened...and I'm not dead which is great I'll tell you.
My guards got knocked out, or fell asleep, but I'm going with knocked out as I had something of a fuzzy period as well when the Boss...did something in my head. Something was said along the lines of it'll come to be when needed and that, well was that. Basically what I was afraid might happen sorta happened and that's basically the best explanation I can give. Slave Lara is...better, I think. Lua assures me she is and has been 'blessed' by the Goddess in taking away her pain. Honestly she does seem 'better' as best I can see, but only time will tell. Whatever I can say it was freak as always, and I'm off now to talk to Rose and throw myself into my work and therefore take my mind off such things till I want to go through it in depth. Slan!
--
When: Sooner than I thought actually. Early Harvest time roughly.
Where: Kobold Town- Mountain of Shiny Iron.
Yes, yes it has a big long winded Kobold name but that's what it means basically so going with that today. Been a bit of a busy week all in all; what with bridge-fort construction and then recovering from my 'mystical' experience. I'm sure many a cleric out there wishes you got the attention of your patron. Word to the wise; No, no, no you don't - because that means work and/or cryptic messages to test you out. I've no idea what this was about, I'm sure I'll still be judged on come reporting time over the winter. Lua was delighted so off she went home with Tris (and Lara) to party it up. Ladies and Gentleorcs; A Good aligned Drow Priestess for you!
Whatever the case it's just me and Rose for the moment; Missy is riding herd on the Harpells and Ned along with Etlin. Good man Etlin, a right bud you are my fine bounty hunting comrade. Oggy is busy with Breyza and Old Breyjuk running things while I run around vassal scaring and harvest collecting. So the plan is to visit the kobolds here, then the goblins, before returning back and 'collecting' the others as we head south to the two human villages. I'd suspect Zybelin's Drift having nice warm hot-springs, and being full of humans and not kobolds, is behind the reasoning for that decision making process.
Oh sorry, I do have some others from Sparta; Menkin the kobold and his personal slave Feuryon (I assume not actual name) are here for instance. Which is good, mostly because this is his tribe of little scaly self-important dudes and he gives me more than just intimidation and such to work with. Honestly though I'm quite favourably inclined towards the little lizard egotists. Trust them, not a hope in hell unless I've the upper hand, but their industrious and hardworking. And also have an iron and silver mine that lets me forge both mundane and magically inclined weapons and armour from the ore. So I'll keep working with the self-interest of growing prosperity and the stick of force concentration by my clan and other vassals.
Anywho; Rose is currently learning draconic as a side while we're speaking to the kobold on a rather regular basis. I'm also trying to learn it too while engaging in some side teaching with the slave-girl he's got. Nice girl, smart too, and the kobold has her rather uncomfortably well trained in as a cross between a favoured family pet and personal assistant. He had her singing in draconic for his tribe and 'King' Tucker so that went over well with them. My own contribution to win favour is the army going to build a few houses, and fortify a watchtower, for them. They give us tribute and we enforce order and provide other benefits by them not opposing our dominion. Rose has learned so much of local level geopolitics right here and now!
Anyway, have to go now. Need to get some sleep before another long night of trying to keep this show on the road.
--
[Roland 05]
The Gilded Horseshoe, Village of Longsaddle
It still was unnatural to see, even for Longsaddle, as he strode into the Inn and surveyed the damage and those who'd likely caused it. He resisted groaning as he saw the one elven outsider whimpering on the floor while cradling her likely broken arm, while beside her a brown haired human man was unconscious with a blood covered face. Off in the corner a dwarf, one he knew to be involved with them since they'd arrived together was still drinking as if nothing had happened. He turned his attention to the left and nodded at the young guard from the Ivy Mansion Kiran as he neared him and his charges and other side of this brawl he expected; the two orcs and two of the Harpells.
'Well I suppose I should be just glad the place isn't on fire this time' he mentally reminded himself. Now that incident a few years back had been a bloody nuisance to deal with Zook...who was waving his arms around at him already. Just bloody great; he brought his hand up as he approached and the gnome Inn owner started to moan at him.
"Zook...don't start, I got here as soon as heard and its nothing serious looking either...don't give me that look, we'll get it sorted out and me and the boys will help you clean up the mess. Fair enough?...right, so someone tell me want to tell me what got me dragged out here out of my bed?"
"Ye serve fuggin' orcs in da fuggin place...ye gods damned nabby pam...hic...y idjits! Dems theres yer fuggin problem! Hic...Fuggin Orcs!"
'Oh great the dwarf is drunk as well as having gone a few rounds with someone' he groaned internally at the barely understandable drunken talk-shouting from the short idiot at the table as he attempted to rise. Only to be 'gently' shoved back down by the gauntleted hand of another dwarf. The town's own Gunnarstone Axe who was just glaring at the self-named adventurer with the bruised face. Roland guess he'd likely been here for a quiet drink and was now somewhat unhappy at having that drink disturbed after a long few days work behind him.
"Right thanks..." he muttered before turning towards Kiran, the unhappy looking two Harpell mages, and of course the slightly less bruised and bloody orc 'wizards' from up in the Ivy Mansion. Mage-Lord Harpell and his brother Lord Malchor would not be happy when he told them about this...even if it had probably been bound to happen with them being in fact being a half-orc and an orc 'girl'. Still he'd given everyone in town clear bloody directions on not to cause trouble with the damned orcs!
"...Kiran, I can already guess what happened but want to tell me, case I'm jumpin' to conclusions?"
"No I'd expect your right in your thinking Sherriff Roland, I was sittin' over here doin' what I was supposed too..." he nodded towards the two orcs and wizards "...and they were drinkin' when that lot over there..." he nodded at the wailing elf, the unconscious human, then towards the drunken...now singing...dwarf on the other side of the room "...and there walked in and started complainin' to Zook. Then figured they'd do a...public service as they put it...after a few drinks and 'saves the village from the orcs!' as they said.." he snorted "...just be glad they didn't have any weapons or this have gotten bloody"
Roland glanced back at the two on the ground, then at the halfling coming into the Inn. Ah, someone else just out of bed it seemed. And another person to do some work "Oi Elydn go get the Priestess or one her acolytes will ya?"
"Ughhh...fine, fine. On it Boss" he groused back after glancing around and then at him at the sound of Roland's instructions. Just as he was a just out the door Roland shouted out one final instruction "And not Keli, I've headaches enough as it is without her here!"
Not only was he sure the girl's cheerfulness could kill small animals if properly focused but considering her history with orcs it was always best to keep her and them as far apart as possible. Best not tempt fate after all by risking her snapping...or even more importantly her not snapping and him having to listen the inane cheerful prattle that inevitably followed in the wake of the girl. Once he had this sorted after all he'd be forced to drag himself up to the Ivy Mansion to escort these four back, along with informing Mage-Lord Harpell and his brother as well. He glanced back at Kiran.
"Broken arm? The other guy who's sleepin away?"
"Greshka there and elf went at it, and well...then she broke the elf's arm..." well that was better than he'd hoped since the elf looked like a mage. An elf-orc wizard cat fight was something that could have blown the roof off the Inn eve without the other two human wizard walking disasters huffing in the corner. Bloody Regwald Harpell lived in a world of his own after all...even without thinking about that crime against the natural order of things that he called a mount...
"FUCKING ORC BITCH!" wailed out from the elf. Or at least that's Roland assumed it was in elvish as Kiran ignored her and motioned to the dwarf.
"...then Halnguk here and the dwarf went at it, fists only..."
"Fuggin orc! Hic! I'lls shows ye next...hic...times!"
"...thanks the Gods, when their mate the fighter clocked young Hommet here..." Kiran paused and looked at the scrawny young mage "...also fella. Mages don't try have fist fights with Fighters, just sayin'..." before turning back to Roland "...then after fighter fella there started trashing him Regwald here knocked him out with a spell while I took care of the fourth one"
Roland looked around "What fourth one?"
Kiran blinked "Oh, sorry, he's tied up behind the bar. Weak likely twerp but went for his dagger on me and weren't takin any chances"
"Fuggin thief...hic...no fuggin muscles on'em! Nabby pamby pussy...hic...fuggin is...aughh...aughh..." the dwarf muttered before turning and puking up his guts out on the floor as Zook went into a impromptu song and dance of complaining. While he could understand that unhappiness Roland shushed him as he waved at Gunnar to handle the trouble-making Dwarf. Once Zook calmed down he looked down at him.
"A few drinks?"
The gnome spread his arms and shrugged "They were drunk when they came in. Think they were guards for that caravan that limped in last night, probably paid them with a barrel of booze when you told'em the roads are a death trap further south and the Inn's all full up"
Roland rubbed at his forehead, of course it was. Because the village now had a whole 'tent town' just north of the Zellerups place thanks to the war. Merchants and their guards kept wandering down from Mirabar or the villages to the east...or more truthfully limping in half-alive in most cases thanks to all the Uthgardt and monster attacks they'd faced. It had almost doubled the village in size since the chaos had started; a trap of sorts caused by the oasis of protection offered by the Harpell family here in the village. Seemed another group had just realised that and the 'adventurers' with them had gotten bored and drunk off the bat. He sighed. Great.
"Right, we'll sort that out with their caravan tomorrow, and don't worry Zook we'll make this lot pay you back out of their pockets or with services rendered..." there was ditches to dug, rats to be killed and fields to be harvested after all "...so relax would you? Just another tavern brawl and this time nothin's on fire at least"
"Should just sell this place" the gnome muttered as Roland glanced at the orcs this time "Ye heard that right, that what went down?"
"Of course my good Sir, that is indeed what transpired with these ruffians" the male, a half-orc replied in the creepily wrong foppish accent all these 'Illuskan' orcs seemed to have. It was just bloody unnatural. Then again he'd chosen to live in Longsaddle so he really shouldn't complain about that now should he?
"Grand, just what I like to hear. Let's get you lot back to the Ivy Mansion with Kiran while I get this mess cleaned up and this lot healed up enough for the Mage-Lord to judge them on the morn" and I can get back to my nice warm and comfortable bed he didn't add.
Sooner they got this done the sooner he could report to the Mage-Lord about a fight involving both the orcs and family members. He could feel the headache building already, along with the concern he was going to end up having to escort the next caravan to the orcs hidden mountain city. Boy oh boy but these 'adventurers' were going to pay for ruining his night...
--
[Zahgorim 21]
Illefarn Ruins, Deep within the Neverwinter Woods
"RAGGHH" he roared at the human in rage as pushed aside the walking corpse, and then smashed his shield forward into her face with a satisfying crunch. Causing the enemy warrior priestess to stagger backwards...for but a moment as he followed up by slamming his blade into her gut as around him the members of his bodyguard jerked back in surprise as the undead creatures they had been fighting suddenly collapse to the ground as if invisible strings had been cut. Which they probably had been he figured, pulling his blade free from the dead human and a roared for the others to form up around him.
"Forward! Forward!" he shouted as he motioned towards the cluster of robed humans and their guards struggling with another squad of the army's warriors as all around these old ruins the horde clashed with these human cultists and their creatures. It had been somewhat of a surprise fight for him and his warriors as his vanguard smashed into this lot here in the ruins. They weren't supposed to be here but instead in their supposed stronghold...about the only good thing was this seemed to be as surprised to run into him as his army was of running into them in these old ruins. Gods damned scouts seemingly just missing each other somehow in these blasted woods.
"Battlestave, knock them out!" he snarled as a group of half a dozen humans appeared on the broken and ruined rooftops, standing on the broken stonework and tree branches all clad in leathers and armed with bows. Seemed some of those damned bandits had managed to get away from the night attack on their encampment. The first one into view already had his bow part drawn even as Zahgorim managed to snarl out his command as his squads started forward. With a 'twang' an arrow was in flight as he brought his shield up to protect himself...
...pointlessly as it turned out, the simple arrow bouncing off the plate armour of one of his nearby warriors with a clinking noise. Unfortunately for the other humans they got no chance to unleash their own efforts as the young battlestave chanted and moved his hands, sword included, in a sweeping motion at the group of enemies on the roof. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the humans slump or fall off the roof, but that was a concern for others as he and the rest of the squad's dash forward now slammed into the flank of the humans fighting his battle-brothers...
...catching them completely by surprise as a dozen roaring and snarling orcs in heavy plate hammer into their flank with no resistance. Four of the humans were dead before they'd even realised Zahgorim and his fellows were amongst them, another of their number joining them as he turned to try face them before a swing of Zahgorim's blade took his head from his shoulders. Now the humans were out of order and confused, while the warriors of Illusk locked shield and with stabbing spear and blade began cut their way through them. Block, stab, block as a spear went over head, press forward with shields together...part shields and stab, pull back blade, lock shields again, spears...
Zahgorim panted for breath a few moments after what seemed like an eternity, before taking a deep breath in and out before readying himself for the next round as the clash of steel on steel, angry shouts, and screams filled the ruins and trees. He waved two squads forward while he himself moved to climb unto the larger and sturdier of the ruined buildings with their overgrowth to try gain a better vantage point on the battlefield they managed to get involved in. So far it seemed, judging from the drumbeat and banners nearby, that only his own vanguard was truly involved as yet. Considering they were in heavy plate climbing the walls required the one with the nearest natural ramp up it rather than the nearest high point.
'Still the view is good enough' he grunted to himself after finding a spot with some degree of cover that was high up enough to see some distance around him. Soon they'd planted a somewhat tattered command banner with a ox skull unto and he finally started trying to make so Gods damned sense of what was going on around him. Alot it seemed as best he could tell; there were clashes off to his side and front between orc warriors and groups of these humans and...hobgoblins?
"Oi, get back up the line and see where the rest of them are! Tell'em we've got human clerics doin' some sorta ritual and they've got some hobs as guards along with humans. Not Git and get me word back!" he said to the young lightly armoured runner before he dashed off and back up where Zahgorim pointed. At least there he could see a marching column of maybe four or five squads coming forward. Moonblades from the looks of them he guessed. One of Karg's lot, Darnuk of the Plains, came up to him in his head armour with that Red Hand of Ilneval upon his chest, blood soaked armour and blade, and an annoyed look upon his face. Zahgorim gritted his teeth at the look.
"What now?"
"Fuckin Trolls we figured were lurkin about musta heard the fuckin' fithtin' and there afer comin' from that fuckin' direction..." the warrior said with some anger motioning back from the direction from which he and his squad had come "...not far behind us Chief, they ran inta the humies from behind and figured let'em do the killin' while we formed up somethin' take'm down with. Got four squads of lads formed up other side that ruin already, so need to get back to'em"
Zahgorim grunted. That was just fucking great. He motioned to one of his better and loyal warriors, Yreshkl, and then at the approaching column "Take that lot and follow Darnuk here, use fire and an' magic on'em. Their big stupid bastards but they'll take a beatin like ya wouldn't believe..." he pointed at a few of the better Battlestaves and Warswords "...you, you, you and you got with them. You run back and tell them that we got gods-damned Trolls as well and we need magic or oil, or anything that'll burn them. Get High Shaman Phargk if you can! Now, all ye, Get!"
This whole thing was a mess, instead of ambushing and taking down the Trolls after forting up in these ruins as they'd planned they had blundered into a battle with these humans-who-shouldn't-be-here...and altered the bloody Trolls to an all you can eat feast nearby. For the moment they were attacking the humans as well, but those damned things in a group were going to cost him alot of orcish lives before they'd managed to put them down.
His blood was up as he watched the squads march off with the Red Brand Kinght, and all he wanted right now was to charge off and join them in killing his foes...but they needed to get a mailed fist form up first or that'd be a defeat waiting to happen. So instead he paced and shouted orders as more and more warriors came forward in their squads and he directed them this way and that to kill either humans, weak undead, hobgoblins or trolls within the ruined fort and the trees. And beneath of course as another runner arrived and told him they'd been driven out from some tunnels under the ground by some powerful human magics. He sent orders back to get barrels of oil and/or pitch, or mages to create it, and to burn those within those tunnels out...
"Youngin' seems you've got quiet the fight on here, heh heh heh" the ancient shaman greeted him as the pounding of the drums grew louder and the army finally began to arrive as a true war host and form up into something resembling organisation. Zahgorim nodded to the old as he saw archers, his own this time, on the rooftops and trees nearby. At least it looked like they were winning for the moment as the sounds of battle intensive and saw great roaring gouts of flames off in the direction where warriors had reported the appearance of the Trolls. Good...as long as they forest itself didn't catch fire and turn into a firestorm anyway...
"Yes Holy One, the humans and their shamans are here in great strength and we ran into them as we arrived. My warriors have driven them back, but Trolls have appeared and attack both of us likely at the sound of the fighting. They were trailing us, or them, as you thought"
"Hnnnn...the weak human God Bane they follow, most like' they came to this old place to raise creatures against us and bolster their numbers, fools that they are. Such a place as this to fight in!" the old one hissed in faint anger "These old elf places are not to be blundered over like some whelp shouting in a swamp of predators!"
The old one sniffed the air, surveying the scenes around him for a few moments as Zahgorim roared at some nearby squads to form up. High Shaman Phargk spat upon the ground "Chieftain, best we recall the warriors and form a united host before we got any further. Just as I had warned before, this place reeks of foul fey magics and we must loot with wisdom"
Zahgorim nodded, it was hardly ideal but this was chaos best fixed now with the full host arriving "Aye Holy One, I shall follow your wise words...OI YOU LOT START BEATING THE DRUMS! RALLY-REFORM! LETS TAKE THIS PLACE BOYZ!"
BA-DUM DUM! BA-DUM DUM! BA-DUM DUM!
The drums began to beat a stead beat one after another, echoing out from their position alongside a growing battlesong. Soon to be matched by those of others up and down the 'line' .as he started getting killing areas readied in front of walls of shields, axes and blades, themselves backed up by spears and then archers. At least the word coming back from the returning squads was good even if the ancient shaman and several of the shaman acolytes seemed unhappy about something regardless. And things had been going so well till now he mused as a group of four or five captured humans and hobgoblins were being dragged towards them by some of the returning squads. It wasn't long before they were telling them everything they knew...
"Good..." he grunted out as the moon continued to rise in the clear night sky above them "...sounds like we got the bulk of them human shamans and the remaining bandits here...and fucked up their rituals before they could summon an undead force here to serve'em..."
Sadly it seemed the good news wasn't going to be his as the battered and bloody form of the Red Branch Knight Darnuk was striding towards them, sheathing his eerie blade with those whitish ethereal flames as he neared to them with an unhappy grunt. Zahgorim motioned for one of bodyguards to give the returning warrior a wineskin, which was happily accepted and drank from greedily as he asked the obvious "That isn't a happy look on your face warrior now is it?"
Darnuk swallowed the last of the liquid, spitting out the dregs before replying in a tone as unhappy as he looked "No my chief, we managed to drive the Trolls off...gone after a bunch of humans last saw of them...but lost damn near two squads just kill one of fucking things. But that ain't the fuckin' problem, there's fuckin' undead elves out there now. One of them, and these bloody vine-things as well, walked outta fuckin nowhere and started into us, the humans an' the damned stupid Trolls ah'for the drums started beatin' and we pulled back"
Now Zahgorim groaned. Why couldn't things be simple?
The ancient Shaman merely nodded "Ah course, all treasures have their guardians as they say, likes as much our presence and these human fools trying to summon slaves ta serve'em has woken these defenders. Ah course, ah course...did this creature have flesh or just bone"
"Flesh High Shaman, at first it seemed but a wrinkly old elf but it was not amongst the living with way it smell an' moved. It reeked of da fuckin grave Boss, had bit magic too...saw it fuckin' roast one dem humans. Tried do same ta us but shield wall stopped it"
"Ahhhh, of course, those...things..." the old one muttered seeming to hum in thought while resting on the black-silver staff the Gods had granted them "...hmmmm...faced such before in times past when ah was whelp. Magic and fire and the gods blessings it seems will be needed to purge this place this night...heh, heh, heh. Fun times. Fun times indeed heh, heh, heh"
--
[Maekrix'edar'nesh Kirask'lden'nabal 01]
Rulers Cavern, Verthicha-di-shiny-uk
The tunnels and cavern were as gloriously warm as he remembered he mused sitting cross-legged along with a dozen others of his brethren down here in one of the larger 'rooms' within the mines. Compared to walking upon the surface with its cold, rain, and rapidly changing temperatures t was all rather pleasant. Just as nice as he remembered...and just as annoying with all the politicking that, of course, inevitably occurred on every visit he made to his tribe. In the end it just made it very easy to remember after a few days here why he left in the first the place to first adventure, and now to build his new den-tavern home. Posturing, plotting, whining, wheeling-dealing and most of all I want, I want, I want, I want, I want, I want from his surviving clutch-mates in regards everything.
'At least is good food Menkins supposes' he mused to himself eating at the beer cooked rat meat and its side of berries. Mhhhmmmmm...always a delicacy when cooked with beer and spices he found, even if the bug creatures didn't like it. Most likely because they had no proper taste like True Dragon-blooded Kobolds like he and the others! What poor wretched lives they lived not being able to enjoy such tasty treats. Truly their Gods were as wicked and cruel to them as every kobold knew!
The sounds of drums and bells was good too as he glanced up at his currently dancing human Feuryon, then at his fellow kobolds who had that mixture of surprise, jealousy, and speculation alongside being generally impressed and awed by his training of the creature. Thankfully the 'throne room' as Tucker liked to call with was rather wide and tall so that his pet could move around with ease to dance and such. And in the event of one of these greedy little cowards tried to turn on him serve as a useful attack beast while he used his mighty dragon magics to crush all who'd dared oppose him. For now though that seemed very unlikely since all were in awe of his magnificence, and those skills he'd trained into his pet, while she moved rather gracefully surprisingly for her bulky body through one of the clan dances.
"Wants sellings yes-yes?" he frowned back at Eshkta with the look hopefully of 'stop acting like a stupid gnome' as usual. The female might get all the attention because some of the clan thought she was wise, or more honestly because she was the best trap-maker of them all, but Menkin knew better; she was an idiot who'd poured all her intelligence into said trap-making skills. After all these years this expression was gradually starting to be his default one for her before he even opened his mouth.
"Noes nots sellings evers! Especiallys to likes of youse yes-yes!" he replied as if talking to a particularly stupid hatchling. Something which earned a hissing chuckle from a few of the others as Eshkta whined at his 'mean' reply like the simpleton she was of course. As if he'd sell off his most valuable creatures just as she was showing such promise like the one who'd laid her. In time she would be the perfect assistant and the older one was even now making him many, many, shiny coins in his absence along with training in the new slaves. And if he ever had to flee the orc then he'd have two big powerful beasts to haul his wealth to where they would found a new den. Didn't these morons not know how hard it was to find good minions in this world...well other than Tucker judging from the look of his old sire at the exchange between them.
"Eshkta's stoppings the silliness, mores importants things to talks abouts..." the clan King told her just loud enough over the banging of the hide drums and clinking of the bells "...likes orkies wanting mores and mores irons and silvers. Wantings better barters, buts cans doings youse thinks Menkin's?"
He shook his head in the negative "Noes, Menkin's not thinkin's you gets any betters from Orcs Kings. Orc Shaman not dum-dum orc like many orcs ares, is better Menkin's says to makings shinies times after times than makes ones bigs hauls and makes thems angries! Things betters nows yes-yes, and with much loots to comes as longs these orcs wins. More weapons and betters ones theys and wes havings thens betters chances we beatings other orcs and haves much loot at ends!"
"Hmmm...hmmm...what Menkin's says is makes sense to Tuckers as Mighty Old Wyrm King he is..." Tucker replied after a few minutes thought. He'd always been very bright for being an Eye of Kurtulmak, not as bright as a sorcerer of true dragon blood like he, Maekrix'edar'nesh Kirask'lden'nabal, was of course but still pretty wise for an old Priest-King "...and much shinies have comes heres from beatings humie and orkies in seasons pasts. Hmm. Hmm. Yes-yes, is bests makes somethings alls times than bigs sometimes and nothings other times. Hmm. Hmmm"
"Yes-yes is very wise Kings, very wise yes-yes!"
Menkin rolled his eyes as one tail-sniffing weakling complained to another of being the quicker at their praising Tucker "Cans nots be's such tail-sniffer Ipmip? Evens ifs Kings Tuckers is very rights for sayings such smarts things yes-yes"
The one who'd sired the mighty, glorious, dragon blooded Menkin motioned at the two younger kobolds hissing and snapping at each other as the others watched the dance or glanced between Menkin and Tucker "Sees whats I havings dealings withs alls times? Youse noes comes back dens and helpings?"
"Menkins nots dum-dum enough to have dealings withs this alls times and nots bes bigs wyrm boss!" he hissed back in amusement to the King and getting a hissing chuckle in reply "Menkins havings own den, with shinies, and magics, and slaves, and alls wants till become Dragon somedays. Is have deal with enough orc and goblin dum-dums everydays already for clan withs adding mores! Whys...even have to deal with wicked gnomes and not lets killings, or enslavings, or even punching hers stupid not-scaly gnome face!"
Hisses of horror, and sympathy, followed as he nodded sadly "Is bads points but Menkin's struggling ons and bulding magical tavern have always dreamed of despites this sad things!"
"Is okays, somedays, somedays..." Eshkta muttered patting his shoulder in sympathy "...Eshkta's agrees is stranges and unnatural haves works with stopid gobbies and bigs scary orcs and evils gnome"
Menkin shrugged "Eh, is not mind stupid goblins, they stupids and always gives us smarter peoples more than they should!"
"Heh Heh Heh Heh!" hissingly followed from the others at that. Because while it was annoying to have to work with goblins the truth was with the orcs keeping them in line it was actually rather profitable to trade with the idiots in Goblin Town. And then, after this great barter, to trade with the humans on the other side of the valley for many nice shiny pieces of jewellery and daggers to go with the ale. The humans made good ale Menkin had found, and it made him lots of shinies both here and from his tavern...and he never had to carry the big heavy barrels himself either!
"Nows whats we gonna does abouts those other kobolds in their idiots-mines?" King Tucker asked after they relaxed somewhat and Menkin allowed his pet to rest behind him after completing a few dances. While the mines were comfortably warm by his standards her sweat soaked hide indicated her opinion was less favourable so he gave her some good strong fungus brew to rehydrate her as she knelt obediently. He also made a mental note to clean her before stank up his part of the den later. Poor non-kobolds and their scale less hides, truly he was blessed to have such mighty dragon blood such as he had. Still the other kobold idiots who refused to accept the rule King Tucker were something he could do little about sadly.
"Is littles cans does. Is sads yes-yes, sads, but theys is too many to burns outs evens if only halves numbers of us and weakers. Orcs bes mads too if we gets rids thems. Theys sellings thems things and payings tributes Menkin's knows. As sees outsides they gives many warriors to serves orcs likes we does..." he shook his head "...and orcs not lets alls fights as part as same pack, mixes us alls up and makes those fight together as new packs for them. Buts nots complains Menkin says, they nots use them stops arrows or magics like many humans and orcs does with warriors they make give. Only weak dum-dums killed this ways and strongs ones lefts yes-yes"
"Hmmm. Hmmm. Tucker agreeing with Menkins. Have many better warriors nows thans before! Yes-yes manys mores even if many dies stills. But thats whats weak dum-dum young warriors is for anyways. Only bestest of bestests surviving like we alls dids to be proper wyrms"
--
When: Late Summer-Early Harvest time, 1355 Dale Reckoning
Where: Goblin Town, Valley of Sparta
I have escaped the town of the scaly little egomaniacs only to arrive in the dirtier town of the short tempered little idiots. Fucking Joy. I will say it's great their all getting relatively concentrated now around a small number of important areas; makes them easier to monitor and gives a bit of an economy of scale. On a military note it makes things much more easily defended from outsiders than having dozens of little spread out little clusters of families all trying to murder each other. For a tribal-feudal boss setup that we've got going it also helps a great deal with backing 'preferred' parties from amongst these groups; which is often the traditional ruler and cleric lasses.
Here amongst the Goblin's it's been a matter of beating discipline and lawfulness into them. Yes that sounds cruel but its a relative thing; we're fucking saints in the eyes of many of this lot since we aren't just killing them for the lulz. Oh and backing the right parties amongst them of course; no clerics of the orc hating deities allowed to run around causing trouble. Nope its mostly Meriadar here now thanks to our rather ruthless culling of the more fanatical elements that used to be here. Tolerance mixed with an iron fist of order works wonders let me tell you – some of them are starting to resemble real proper soldier auxlia. Whose discipline ripples over into the 'town' that's been assembled here such as structures and layout.
Because by the Gods if it isn't a mini-dirtier version of our basic fortified warcamps built around the mine. It even has something resembling an organised layout and latrines inside it, and actual fields on the outside of decent enough walls. Though with the fortifications I'll freely admit that such 'high' earthen and wooden walls are largely due to last year's efforts by my clan rather than this lot here. Still a rather shitty place, and the treatment of the slaves here is pretty bloody bad even by orc standards, but if I figure if we keep hammering Lawfulness into the Legions then that'll continue to spread amongst the vassals. The fact that we're even at this stage after only a half a decade is damned good in my opinion. Nature of the wild lands and hordes of course; boom towns aren't uncommon. Making them last being the hard part really.
Regardless of that while we're here I've put my army to work doing several things. One of which is pull in the harvest after Rose did her cleric magic thing and then take our own tithe from the collection. The dark times aren't too far away even without the war so I've been doing everything I can to keep expanding arable land and what we grow. Good news there is that food stocks are growing even if it takes away workers from other projects and the army. We're starting to hit the 'civilized' levels of having a regular meal every day and a full belly for even the lower ranks.
I know that sounds easy but I would mention most Orc Strongholds would be starting to exhaust the easiest resources near them by this time and clan growth. So hurray us I suppose. One of the other things I've had them do is range out northward from the valley; double patrols, a few larger raiding bands, and just general testing of cohorts moving. Also their hunting too I'll admit, and not just for scouts and enemies but for animals to eat or breed. Our goblins here for instance are developing a 'rabbit farm' of sorts it seems thanks to capturing lots of the damned things and getting a liking for the taste of them. I'll even say they don't cook a bad rabbit, who knew?
I'll admit part of the reason for sending out increased scouts northward from east to west to scout and patrol is that I've heard little of Wyrmog and its raiding season now. Harvest and Raiding falling close in line with each other obviously and Zah and co. are still off on their merry adventure with the army. Truth be told the lack of reports on the Furry Fucker is making me uneasy. Of course it is, because I can get rather paranoid, but the months between now and the winter have been rather active in past years and its...long story short I'm increasing patrols and continuing to fortify where we can to prevent easy enemy advances into our lands. Only time tell if I'm right or wrong.
--
When: Late-Summer/Early Autumn, 1355 Dale Reckoning
Where: Goblin Town, Valley of Sparta
I'm conflicted, or indecisive to be more truthful really. My patrols have been reporting sightings of humans north-east of us, scouting warbands and what-not along with a few skirmishes. Then today some of my 'rangers' come back and report they can see 'lots and lots of humies fars offs, downs plains! Yes-yes!' in their kobold speak. Supposedly moving north parallel to the lower slopes of the Crags, and I'm pretty sure it's an Uthgardt fighting force from the clashes so far.
Strange thing is their burning at odd intervals, or least that's what the scouts claimed anyway, and there are a few forifid holdfasts in that direction that are clusters of Uthgardter families. Hence the raiding and scouting parties I'd sent out that direction initially because they'll raid us to stay fed. I'd assume this is related to what our recent Uthgard arrivals and their word that they've a fire-worshipping cult in charge nowadays. Maybe this is a 'recruiting' mission? Or is it a prelude to an attack upon us just like I expected?
I'd bet on the second option personally. So now it comes down to what should do in response. Fortify here and lure them in? Attack them to spare the valley damage? Send word to Zah while I play defence?
For the moment I've sent word to Oggy; even without deciding yet I'm going to summon my Magical A-Team and further reinforcements of course. Ghorza too from Zybelin's Drift, and for all the other patrols to report back immediately. That gives me maybe day or two to commit to any decision, and hopefully get more information back on this 'lottsa, lottsa, humies' one group has seen.
Old Breyjuk is Chieftain so I need his input regardless before marching off with near the entirety of the auxlia and most of our clan warriors. After all are they trying to lure us out of the valley to launch a surprise attack from another direction?
Is the Furry Fucker lurking nearby and waiting to take advantage?
I'm calling my current 'strategy council' of my apprentice, a Red Branch Knight, a kobold sorcerer and a goblin Captan/Chieftain and try and get their input. More information, I need more information to make the right decision. Scrying, scouting and such will better inform me about what we face and what to do about it with what I've got here.
--
When: Marching Time, 1355 Dale Reckoning
Where: Valley of Sparta
The others have arrived with Oggy in charge and another hundred odd clan warriors, my wizards, and other odds and ends, to join our massed auxlia. Going to march out and meet them; as best I can tell we have the numerical advantage and they're loitering too close to our territory for comfort. Or at least in territory we'd like to clam as our own. Not moving showing weakness and all that to those smaller clans seeking to join us.
I've gathered up more troops from the kobolds and goblins, 'King' Tucker's along as well even, and I can't just wait to be attacked while an enemy horde is allowed to lurk neaby. Old Breyjuk agrees with me on that, even if Oggy says he's annoyed that he's to remain on guard with the remaining warriors in case of other attackers been hidden from our eyes. So its move fast, attack and pray for a victory it seems.
May the Gods be with us. Or at least the Boss Orc anyway.
--
[Karguk 38]
The Crags, North-East of the Valley of Sparta
If I'd wanted to launch a surprise attack I should have brought less troops, or at least sent them on head under tight command I now understood with some self directed anger. Below me I could see the Uthgardter war host already form up and ready to face us as the drums and shouting hammered out the sounds of coming battle all around me. Because their scouts had spotted our scouts and then our approaching army; so now our two armies were lined up opposite each other. Well, opposite each other and at different heights on broken terrain to more accurate. Still I had a decent overview of the coming battlefield as I gazed down upon our Uthgardter enemy. Or at least what should be an Uthgardt war-host from the banners but...
"These supposed Sky Pony tribesmen aren't very Uthgardt looking to my eyes now are they?" I muttered to Oggy and the others over the symphony of war playing all around us. Or at least the majority of the smaller army facing didn't look like an Uthgardter war-host; disciplined blocks of infantry backed up by a force of what seemed to be knights on armoured chargers. The warriors on the flanks of these infantry blocks at least looked more Uthgardt appearing, and overall less organised, than the ones in centre...but the enemy overall were far too well armed and disciplined looking to be a tribal levy. In part it was why I pushed to engage now rather on the plains further east where that heavy cavalry could be incredibly dangerous to a force like mine that was mostly made up of auxlia.
"Looks like someone's hired a mercenary company Boss and has'em pretendin' to be a bunch of Uttie savages ta get at us seems to me" our own mercenary replied motioning with a hand at the enemy. I glanced at Captain Krowluc as a few of the others around me nodded in agreement with him.
"You recognise them Captain?"
"Fraid not Shaman, I see the Sun of Lathander amongst those banners so they've got clerics most likely. So that means a well equipped and funded group, not somethin' an exiled Chieftain's daughter could afford. Gotta say my own horse ain't last long against that heavy horse either Boss"
Now I nodded. Yeah that little issue was already apparent to me. Pitting medium horse, which mine were at best, up against mercenary heavy horse was basically suicide "I know so don't worry about me sending you against them, not that the ground is suited for cavalry Captain from the looks of it anyway"
"Aye its bloody bad ground fer ah fight Boss, but we have the heights at least. Maybe they be dumb enough to come us"
Again I nodded in agreement. I doubted they would come up at us thought, yeah I was hiding my reserve and we should hopefully look weaker than we were to them, because charging up a slope wasn't a thing to expect out of mercenaries. Whelp...there was my original battle plan of crushing an Uthgardter force out the window I admitted to myself as I surveyed the battlefield. I'd figured that it was just a barbarian war-host with mercenary cavalry support but this was more a mercenary army with barbarian auxiliary support in many ways. Something that wasn't going to just conveniently charge to its death I expect. Well there was something we could do right now and test the waters a bit before committing to any major assault down the hill. Let's see if we can convert our height advantage into a range one. I motioned forward with my hand.
"Send forward two company's of archer-auxlia to there and send a few volleys into them. Let's see how they react to that..." I instructed to Ghorza, who nodded and herself gave instructions to the orc female in light leather armour nearby, as I turned to one of the young runners standing nearby "...get back to the rear and see how long it'll take to get the ballistae and hwacha setup"
'If they can get them setup in time' I didn't say with that because that can easily lead to them not getting into position. Had to keep things positive as negativity on these things, or even waffling, could easily lead to self-inflicted delays and problems I'd found. Especially with orcs you had to be firm and decisive in command...even when you weren't a hundred percent sure about what you wanted to do. Decisive action that was wrong led to people getting killed but being indecisive and dithering was a much more likely thing to result in a far worse outcome.
"I want scouts down that flank, the better kobold commandoes, and just ensure their ain't anything lurking amongst those trees or on the other side of that ridge..." I glanced at Hreshgk and the glanced at the higher ground to my left"...the slopes up there secure and the reserve in place?"
He signalled in the affirmative "Yes Boss, near a full century of our clan-orcs and another two of them kobolds under their King and his sorcerer"
It was a strange battle-line right now in truth...just like the Uthgardt one was if I was being honest. The front-line of my infantry was mostly human, with my own company in reserve, with goblins on my right flank with some kobold squads. Of course the other large portion of it were the female auxiliary archers from my clan and those few more melee oriented ones mixed in with the human auxlia infantry. For a battle between an orcish clan and an Uthgardt barbarian the battle-lines were looking curiously civilized human all in all. Which was a worry in a way; I had the numbers but what was the quality of their mercenary infantry versus that of our vassal levy?
'Well we're about to find out shortly aren't we?' I thought as the line of archer auxlia moved through the ranks of the infantry to a position closer to the enemy below. Closer than I'd like, but accuracy wasn't really the best with orcish archers, especially battle inexperienced female warriors armed with the mixture of the better bows and crossbows we could muster together. In all honesty they looked more like light infantry with their leather or cloth armours and wooden round shields; still, it was the best we could muster and they had better range than our shorter but better archer kobolds and goblins.
"Ughhh...that's a bit off where intended I'd reckon. Want us to start raining death down on their heads?" our resident currently in orcish flesh necromancer told me cheerfully as I resisted wincing at the first volley from the archers. Good news was they hit something - bad news was it wasn't anything much more than trees and rocks in the general direction of the enemy. Yes a few stray ones had seemingly hit a few enemies here and there along their battle line but I doubted they'd even injured a single enemy fighter in the process. Still I shook my head in the negative.
"No, we'll reserve than option in case they've their own surprises and wizards..." I motioned at my band of wizards, and more specifically Missy because I could trust her to be competent and to ride herd on the others "...but first...clear the skies please. Let's not have any surprises awaiting above us after all"
Grumbling of course as most found it a waste of spell-work, but it kept the Harpells and Doctor Ned busy with something till I needed to utilise them for other more important. All these mercenary foot, and what the Uthgardter 'recruits' had told me and Missy indicated it might be best not to tip my hand in regards our strengths this early in the game. There were counters for such things available to better organised military forces; such as a mercenary company or religious order like the one that lay across from us right now. If they had magic, or a powerful wizard, then I'd be able to counter...
"Aaaaaiiiiiiieeeeeeee" echoed from the sky above me as I glanced up and off in the distance a robed...man/woman?...plummeted from the sky suddenly. I blinked. Well in all honesty I hadn't actually expected that to work as falling...wizard...flew towards the ground between my army and that of the so-called Uthgardters. Didn't he/she have featherfall prepared? Because now seemed a good time for them to...
...a dull splat sound, a confused silence on the battlefield then a chuckle and clapping together of hands beside me from Doctor Ned informed me that...No...whoever it was had been criminal underprepared for this engagement.
"Well isn't that jolly good. See Crue, and you thought they wouldn't teach this old dog new tricks...and always to watch out for invisible flying wizards. I just thought you were being paranoid because of your rampant shaman paranoia but damn if they're aren't actual invisible wizards flying around trying to spy on us!"
Don't react in total surprise I told myself glancing at those around with a hopefully calm face. I could totally take credit for this as a wise leader...and not as being a fluke, or unexpected bonus. I kept my arms folded across my chest as I replied "It's not paranoia, it's called being prepared. Now let's see what they do in response to that shall we?"
We didn't have to wait long for that it seemed as a line of enemies trotted forward from their battle formations; archers clad in chainmail and armed with longbows apparently. A skirmish line that advanced without fear and in an organised manner to plant arrows into the ground and begin to draw back bows despite their height disadvantage or my orcish archers shooting at them. Their first volley was poor, falling short by a decent margin, but I had to resist swearing at their second effort. Several of my own archer auxlia went down clutching at arrow shafts that had pieced their light armour. The general cover of the terrain combined with the odd pavise shield had saved them from significant losses as the wounded were dragged away and their own volley readied in reply.
Something that wasn't great either as both lines began exchanging volleys over the beating noise of drums and war-horns that filled the warm summer's day in these hills. It was an exchange we were losing very apparently as time drifted bye, minute by minute and volley by volley, as more and more of archers went down or were forced to take shelter from the deadly accurate enemy missile fire. Unfortunately it was a situation that wasn't being mirrored on the other side despite their archers being largely in the open below us and being lesser in number. It wasn't that we were hitting any of them, several were clearly hit and wounded along with some fighters behind them, but...if this continued one at this rate of exchange I'd run out of archers an arrows before they did...
What to do? What to do?
'Letting this go on like this only benefits them. An attack is gonna cost, but less than just sitting here and taking it' I told myself and motioned at my 'command staff' and bodyguards standing around me as I committed to our next action.
"Withdraw the archer auxlia, I want three human auxlia companies to advance in a line at the enemy, shield-wall formation. Get the battle chants going. When they start moving I want the Hwacha and Ballistae to fire and drive off those bloody enemy archers and bloody their infantry. Go!"
Right now my best defence was a good offense as the drums and horn rang out the symphony of war that called out the formations to move. Out in their midst I heard Tris's voice starting one of the chants along with dozens of other voices as the blocks of infantry began to beat weapons off shields in preparation to moving forward. To their side the archers were withdrawing as behind me I heard orders being shouted out in regard my field artillery being brought to bear. Enemy archer volleys continued though and I watched as more of my fighters fell, and then had to be dragged back to be healed up if they could be. Thank the Gods for having Oggy and her acolytes for that right now...
Blood is rich and war is power!
Fight for the glory, and win through the hour!
Hzzzzzt! Hzzzzt! Hzzzzt! Hzzzzzt! Hzzzzt! Hzzzzt!
Their dreams are dust!
Their fate is sealed!
Hzzzzzt! Hzzzzt! Hzzzzt! Hzzzzzt! Hzzzzt! Hzzzzt!
We'll win through the day!
They'll die on this field!
Hzzzzzt! Hzzzzt! Hzzzzt! Hzzzzzt! Hzzzzt! Hzzzzt!
--
[Interlude 06]
--
[A Knight of the Order of the Aster]
...Mage Sarada's screaming fall from the sky to her death upon the ground was a poor sign he found as glanced at Lady Gwaeneth to see her frowning at the hills above them. One or two soft curses echoed on the air around them but little else despite this early setback in the battle thrust upon them. In the end such things were to be expected in the ebb and flow of battle, and the woman had always been too fond of walking the path of highest risk upon the battlefield. Now it seemed that such behaviour had caught up with the woman. It was a shame of course, but more importantly deeply problematic now that they had lost one of their usual surprise attack tactics with death from above from her spells.
"Apologies Milady, regretfully it seems our foes possess several strong mages as we had feared and that Sarada did not heed those warnings" Mage Twertas said bowing to Lady Gwaeneth. She waved him off as she instead surveyed the battlefield before them; for now all that they could see was the clash of the archers, and the new found stain of blood upon one of the rock ledges. Lady Gwaeneth's tone was as calm and collected as ever he thought as he watched for threats to her person as always.
"It is not your fault Twertas, as you say she hath failed to heed thy warnings. But the strangeness of this foe continues does it not my friend?"
The elder wizard nodded glancing up the slopes "Indeed my Lady, it is as you had state, there is darkness and strangeness a foot here in the Crags. Expecting dark hordes of orcs we did, but here stands few orcs but many humans and strong mages in support. The wicked hand of the Zentarim or the Host Tower comes against us fear I"
Lady Gwaeneth nodded absently and glanced at senior most knight "Merdebad? What sayeth you mine old friend on this madness before us?"
He brought fist to heart in salute in respect. For indeed there was a strange darkness upon these lands, one that had marched upon them as they had moved to secure the resources and recruits from the outlying clan holds while the sun of summer shone upon them. While confronting some orc savages, as those that had slain Lady Gwaeneth's father and brother in the seasons before here return to her people had been, they instead had been attacked by a large host of human soldiery with kobolds and goblins in subservient roles. Yes there were orcs amongst the host, and wicked orcish symbols amongst their banners flying above them, but far too few and well armed to be such creatures he and these others had slaughtered in great numbers many times before.
"It is likely as Mage Twertas sayeth in his usual wise words. The dark hand of the Host Tower having failed with those demon corrupted fools amongst your people had sent their minions to halt our righteous mission as the leaders of Mirabar hath feared. Or the rumours that the mad wizards of Longsaddle have fallen to darkness are indeed true. All I can say facing them now with only a portion of our strength may end poorly for us even with the blessings of the Morning Lord upon our holy mission"
She nodded as they saw the more numerous enemy archers begin to withdraw. By his own eye a charge of the enemy foot would soon be upon them. Around him the others voiced their agreement softly; their foe sought to trap and destroy them, and it was best to drive them from the field and return home than risk all here and now needlessly. Something his Lady agreed with as she replied
"Wise words Merdebad, we shall drive this scum from our sight if we must, then return home and continue to build upon our strength. My clan is yet fractious and filled with those of dark intent who would undo all our effort to bring them to the light...still best to leave a battlefield victorious and the forces of evil scattered in the Morning Lord's name than without. Send word to our fights; counter-charge the foe as they descend! Let a New Day Dawn!"
"Yes Milday, I shall..." he began to say ending the salute before shrieking cries up upon the slopes distracted him and they all glanced in that direction of the noise. Smoke was emitting from off in distance...from some sort of boxes or wagons perhaps?...along with the horrid noise as the enemy began to march forward with a war-chant. Suddenly it seemed hundreds of arrows were darkening the sky towards them "...what sorcery is this my fellows?"
Lady Gwaenth's voice roared out firm and clear from amongst them to the rank and file of the army "BRACE SHIELDS! COVER AGAINST ARROWS! ARCHERS WITHDRAW!"
Like a well oiled door he saw the men and women of the Company move surely and as one; ranks braced behind their own shields and those of their battle-brothers even as the sudden storm of arrows slammed into them. To this side Mage Twertas was already case his magics as he stood before them protectively, even if that was not needed for heavily armoured warriors such as themselves as this distance.
Instead it was the now withdrawing archers and the lighter armoured, and less well trained, Sky Pony clan warriors who fell as arrow shaped death rained down upon the front lines. Above them the enemy infantry advanced at the walk he could see, shields locked together and war chants upon their lips. He frowned up at them; such training and order gave lie to their attempt at pretending to be orc savages. Still they had shattered such before and would here again.
Lady Gwaeneth as usual saw more than he it seemed as she gazed along the descending enemy battle-line, past the bizarre magical hail of arrows and unto the broken ground between their forces...then up the slope tracking something he could not see. She drew her blade and nodded to herself firmly "Have those a horse dismount and form up around me, their advance is flawed and we shall break their centre and send them fleeing once we slay their leaders. In the dawn, beauty reigns, and the way is clearer"
He saluted again, firmly and with a smile as did the others. Let their Lady lead them to victory in the Morning Lord's name once again! "From death, life My Lady. It shall be as you say..."
--
[The Wild Mountain Rose Blooms]
...he was unhappy she could tell. Worried even she guess despite the calm look on his face as he shouted orders as the battle raged on below them. All around her others were in motion, orc and human as orders were followed and groups moved this way and that. She tried to follow the point of greatest danger as he'd taught her; the enemy had charged right into the auxlia as they'd neared them and had driven them back inch by inch with each passing moment.
The flanks were a mess as the broken ground prevent a proper charge on her left and the charge on the other flank had been halted it seemed by a bunch of screaming Uthgardt savages. They were winning against the Uthgardters, but only slowly...too slowly it seemed for him. She nodded as she saw the danger now of the centre coming apart and the whole line breaking apart. These enemies had pushed them unto a narrow ground and were pushing all three auxlia companies back as one...few of her people were dead she could see but they were scared now and the battle chants had largely stopped even...
"Okay you idiot, let's fix this mess you created" he muttered softly beside her hand on chin, almost hunched over as he walked. So softly she suspected only she could hear it as he suddenly straightened and drew his blade from his sheath to pulse with that glorious shining light as the day darkened around them. Now though his voice was firm and commanding as she followed along at his right hand side her own weapons coming into hand
"Missy, Doctor Ned, counter-spell anything they throw at us and throw any support you can to debuf...debilitate their lines. Oggy heal and support, I'm taking in the reserve before they breakthrough and cause chaos, time to invoke a Prayer it seems..."
He glanced around at the rest of them around her as orders flowed out and she saw Lady Ogrash wave her staff and call power to aid them in this trial "...and I need you lot to keep me alive while I do this. Stay together and don't let that line break no matter what. Understood?"
"Understood Lord!" her own voice growled out in guttural orcish as the war-horn blew and the dozens of armoured orcs and half-orcs around her formed up, locked shields in fornt of her, and marched towards where her villagers and those of the new one fought side by side with Ladies Loratriss and Lua'kah'wyss against those fighting under a burning golden sun banner. She gripped her magical mace, a gift from her new family, as sounds of battle grew nearer and nearer with each step of her booted feet. But it was the soft chanting beside her that was most on her mind as she prayed silently to her Goddess that they would all live to see another day, and another harvest. The orcish words were pouring out in that guttural tongue as he held his blazing longsword in both hands and marched forward almost unseeing of the ground before them.
"For I Unite the Tribe as a raging storm that cannot be broken,
And as one we sweep our foe before us in your name,
With strength of the mind as of the body we strike..."
It was strange she found, as if her doubts and fears seemed to melt away like the snow before the coming of the warmth of spring. Of course they would be victorious this day! Her blood boiled at the thought of these foes who would slaughter her people.
Threaten her family and friends would they? Damn them to the Pits for coming against her and her people! They would fall and she would stand above their broken bodies for the affront!
"In concert we are Unstoppable...
Unbreakable, Unbending, and filled with Righteous Wrath...
With unshakable courage we shatter all before us..."
The strength of the Great Mother was within her, her family and friends around her...and it was if she could feel them and the all the others around her at this moment. And she knew...knew...that each of their blows would be struck with courage and surety that the foe could not match!
All around her she could feel the enemy recoil in fear from them as their courage waned in face of her people's righteous anger and newfound focus. Her own mouth was no long dry, but as one her voice mingled with hundreds of others as a chant restarted all around her.
"Axes flash, broadsword swing,
Shining armour's piercing ring
Horses run with a polished shield..."
All along the battle-line she knew that their foes were falling back before them, slowly yes, but step by step they were ground down by the great glacier that she was a part of. Magic was unleashed upon both weak and strong, and she knew with perfect clarity that it would succeed. They were one. They were unbreakable!
Despite this still she knew a band of heavily armoured enemies were cutting their ways towards she stood with the others around chanting orc with the blazing sword held before him. So she moved, planting her feet and shield as group around a plate clad woman fought their way like the point of a spear through a body to slay its beating heart. But here they would be stopped as she felt the weight of the spear point slam into her...
Shield. Block. Push up. Swing your weapon. The line is broken apart and she is alone a moment. But a moment is all it could take as stood between her enemy and her family. A woman in plate armour and golden sun sigil was before her swinging two shimmering blades of power that drove all before. She lashed out with her Thorn. It was blocked and she stagger back a moment.
NO!
Thorn was taken from her hands as she braced once again as this one sought to get beyond her. Spears were thrust out to aid her as she looked desperate for her weapon. Her hope. It was too far away as she made to reach for it only to find her shield battered back with increasing fury...shock and rage upon the face of the beautiful woman attacking her at the sight of the flower and grain upon her shield.
No. No! She wouldn't fail here! Not now! NOT EVER!
Goddess help me!
Power swelled inside her and her hand suddenly gripped the weapon of shimmer energy that materialised there as she bashed her shield forward with a battle cry. Block and push, slash and bash, her blood boiled at her as the song of battle burned inside her like they had said of her fire blessed crimson hair. Her Goddess with her and she could feel the others coming her aid. The shimmer sickle of energy in her hand lashed out and reaped a harvest of blood as it slid past the rear of the enemy fighters left knee to a shriek of agony. Her foe had fallen and now...
...a shield slammed into her own and pushed her back with violent force. "MY LADY!" someone was shouting as other shields locked into place alongside hers and spears and blades pointed forward. The point of the enemy had been broken she could feel as other armoured humans helped up the fallen warrior and began to fall back desperately. She howled out her rage with the others at them as they sought to fight their way free as their fellows started to fall back before them as their spells were shattered alongside their will. Rose Humbletree, the Blood Red Rose, would be victorious this day she just knew...
--
[Nedorious Illian Kline III 07]
The Crags, North-East of the Valley of Sparta
Cocking his head slightly to the side Nedorious hummed to himself in thought feeling the battle magic cast his young orcish apprentice of sorts. Idly he allowed the benefits of the divine casting to wash over him, feeling stronger, more focused and powerful as he did so.
Ah, the benefits of having a skilled cleric available, he mused to himself as felt the presence of the other mages around him more clearly, and of the events occurring across the battlefield around him. A battle that had been going somewhat poorly till now he noted, though he was rather confident even prior to the invoked divine blessing; after all these orcs had him! Nedorious Illian Kline THE THIRD, First Orcish Archmage, Necromancer Supreme and...
'Oh spell time...Excellent' he noted almost before the order came from the mouth of his other young, human, apprentice after coming up the line from the orcish one. Seemed it was time to go on the counter-offensive magically as well as with the hundred odd orcs heading downhill alongside his orc apprentice. Just like he himself was doing a few moments later, albeit well behind the beefy meatshields as any proper mage would, along the rest of his little group. A little dose of a Horror spell would do nicely he figured...
"I hate having competent enemies" he muttered with a slight wince as he unleashed the spell upon the enemy ranks and largely saw an felt little impact from it beyond a few panicked reactions. Out at seas, or against a horde of bandits or barbarians that'd normally be enough to send them scurrying away in panic but not here and now it seemed. He huffed at the low level clerics and enemy wizards countering his spell, and those of his more skilled counterpart such as young Missasri, Harkle and Bella of the lazy eye. He sighed at that. And the poor girl wouldn't let him help her with that either! Boo to that!
"Well leas' looks like we're winnin' again now Boss..." Crue muttered to him as she followed along beside him with Etlin and his two former guardswomen trailing along behind "...even if ye managed ta do sweet fuck' all with yer fancy magic"
"Tut-tut now don't be such a negative nelly Crue my dear! We are but one small cog in this battle after all and must await the most opportune moment to strike!" he replied cheerfully as could practically feel the desire to charge off into battle that his dwarven bodyguard was giving off. That was always the problem with Cruenditha and battles he'd found, especially when in moments like this someone was wielding divine blessings to ramp up their army's courage, discipline and bloodlust.
Always a bi problematic at times like this he found, what with her dwarven blood and its demands to drink lots, dig holes in the ground, and murder things. Since the first two options were off the table it seemed she just wanted to lots of the third. Sadly for that probably wasn't going to be the case for her today as the battle was shifting back in his sides favour, but it was still a clash of organised formations. Plus from the banners this was one of those bloody bands that was made up of Lathander worshipping assholes...which meant they weren't likely to break and run without alot of effort.
'Well then, if they do break ranks and try make a run...its murder fog time' he cheerfully to himself as listened and watched the flow of battle going on around him while also watching for enemy mages and their attempts at influencing the battle. Trying to cast such spells right now when up against a foe with disciplined ranks and both mage and clerical support would just be silly.
"Is this...ah, normal for...these things?" Bella Harpell asked looking mildly confused and curious rather than somewhat on edge and nervous as she was not too long ago. Nedorious preferred young Harkle, he was much more fun to drink and research with after all, but young Bella was rather sensible once you got beyond turning down the fantastic services of Doctor Nedorious Illian Kline THE THIRD, surgeon extraordinaire. Seemed being involved in such a large engagement such as this, or perhaps a large scale divine battle blessing, was something new to her. He smiled.
"Ah indeed my dear Bella, things are turning in our favour so best be on the watch for desperate spell-work so be on guard even now I'd recommend! Now...oh yes, why it seems young Karguk is drawing up the righteous fury or his deity to aid us all in our task. Clears the mind very good does it not? Like you just know what you have to do without fear?"
The two nodded while their escort of four guards continued to watch everything like hungry hawks as Nedorious found himself having to raise his voice to get over the growing war-chant and beat of nearby drums. Ah this was the life...and oh weren't his enemies in Luskan going to be oh so surprised when the time came for the debt books to be balanced. Even now the militia levy, made up of recently conquered humans, goblins and kobolds, was matching what seemed a veteran mercenary religious free company on the battlefield. Excellent...excellent indeed considering his future goals he mused as he saw the enemy's attempt at a Forlorn Hope fall apart as he continued explaining as the relief seemed to flow off Missy who'd also been watching the events unfolding.
"Nothing like the rough and tumble one sees on the deck of a ship or driving off a bunch of bandits and raiders now is it? Have to be careful of hitting your allies, and everyone is all packed together with locked shields and wards backed up by their own mages and clerics. All rather exciting, yes?"
"Oh indeed it is now that you mention it Doctor Ned, why I shall have to write a treatise on such tactics when the time presents itself. Malchor spoke of such thing occurring on his adventures and..." young Harkle replied cheerfully after a few minutes of them watching the two battle-lines continue to grind loudly against each other below and the screams of the wounded as they were dragged back towards the healers. Now though the momentum was firmly on the side of his current allies, a sluggish advance but one that was pressing forward relentlessly as he barely heard the young Harpell's words. Soon, if he was on the other side he'd be doing something soon before the whole thing went to piss completely...a glance to the flank showed that the actual Uthgardt amongst this lot was already breaking and fleeing off in the distance and...
"Ah, I do believe someone is doing something over there my dear apprentice..." he said glancing to the rear of the enemy below where their surviving archers were upping stakes and beginning to withdraw back a distance and power fluttered faintly on the air "...best warn your husband my dear"
Something that she listened to he noted absently as she sent a young orc runner towards the Shaman and his bodyguard not too far ahead and below. As politely as possible he quietened the two Harpells and watched, felt, on the flank where it seemed that little lizard from the tavern was throwing fiery death into the routing barbarians there as what assumed were the tiny forms of kobolds chased after them amidst the broken ground and trees. That though didn't really matter to him right now, instead focusing on trying to figure out what the centre of the enemy would do since that was where the real fighters were at...
"And there we go..." he mused loudly as he saw the tell tale traces of a large scale spell casting at the rear of their foes line, and the change in the drum beats and horn blows from that side of the battle that went alongside that change. Misty fog just seemed to flow across the hills behind the Lathander ass-kissers, downwards towards the rear of their army and thickening with each passing moment as it descended "...retreating time they've decided. Hmmm...my dear I'd suggest our best option is to hit their lines when they attempt to disengage and pull back. Bit too far to disrupt that fog bank their throwing up effectively I fear. And if we can break up their retreat we can get a good number of them and make young Karguk a very happy orc I expect!"
"Ah didn't even get ta wet me axe and ye get to play fancy wizard bullshit as always. Thinkin' thats very unfair somehow Boss"
He shrugged as he began to draw power into himself as they got as close to the front as their escot of guards dared let them. It was a rather nice view in fact from this over hand as they spread out in a rough line of mages that overlooked the battling warriors below "Don't worry Crue I'll kill a few for you don't worry! I'm a generous employer after all!"
And there it was he saw. The enemy lines pressing forward suddenly into his allies forces with a sudden, brief, series of shield bashes and spear thrusts. Whatever missile weapons those behind had in hand being lobbed forward as almost as one unit the enemy banners started to pull back – but lashing out viciously with longer spears and other weapons as they tried to make distance between the two armies. And...not to Nedorious's surprise anyway the advance of young Karguk's army stalled as his shield-wall stumbled at the sudden and unexpected shift in enemy stance. Some stumbling forward as the line got distrupted by their efforts to press on enemy shields no longer their to be pressed on...
Still...
He grinned and felt power flow through him as it did the others to either side of him. That just meant there wasn't any chance of hitting allies this time as he unleashed arcane power upon the retreating ranks. Now if they'd just break he'd be able to do some real damage...
--