FSTGOD 3 Game Thread

[Rogue 9]

Rynskald looked out over the assembled troops at the port of Mern. The storm was coming, and in more ways than one. He shook his head as men loaded the military transports bound for Taurian ports. It would hit soon.

[Comrade Tortoise]

Arlenian was meditating in her quarters, floating above the floor in a half-lotus position when a knick came to the door.

She set her legs down and with a roll of her eyes answered the door.

"Archmage, there is a message from the capitol"

"Thank you Dendros"

She took the letter and unsealed it. Then her eyes brightened

"Dendros, go the barracks, and inform the men that they are to gather their marching kits and be in the Bailey within the hour"

"Yes Mistress"

SHe then wove several words and sent a brief magical message

...

Father Asmodeus woke from slumber

"It is time" he said, and wondered if his fellow Inquisitor was in place.

[The Silence and I]

*Yawn*
Elemental Master Dardeo awoke to another clear, bright day. He crawled, slightly stiff from his slumber, out of the ice cocoon he had crafted the night before. He was pleased to note he had not drifted out of the harbor and the various ice forms he had helped create were still nearby. Mostly failures, those would-be ships were to be fused together and used as a floating dock. Not that the current fixed docks were no good, this just would be easy to accomplish and might be useful. Besides, simply melting them away would be a waste.

After catching breakfast he swam over to the floating masses and found Elemental Master Shante, just finishing his own meal. Several Heavy Battlers milled around nearby, fooling around and waiting for the day's work to begin.

Across the harbor he saw another team preparing for the day. The new shipbuilders, they were guided by the Nithgaard in the ways of wooden ship construction. Dardeo had to admit the Nithgaard's help was invaluable, even if he did feel less useful now that the ice hulls were no longer needed. After today the ice project would be completed and he'd go back to his former regimen, advising Chief Mauloullrye and playing with his little daughter and her play friends.

<><><><><>

Chief Dollindereum was in the Combined Counsel Chamber with Chief Mauloullrye and each leader's staff members discussing the agreements with the various peoples encountered. The talk covered, in turn, the goods they would have to produce for their new trading partners:
Pearls and dyes for the Confederacy Of Dusk; pearls, gemstones, dyes and ivory for Æthelmearc; driftwood, a few pearls and information for Arcto-Morka-Morsum.

"Which brings me to our ending discussion," Dollindereum announced, "not only must we increase production of dyes, build another pearl farm and send hunters out for ivory, we must make plans for gathering information desired by the Morkan. Fortunately our recent travels have gathered some information of their own, but that is not enough. Lymnno'kitcha, Terikehh I value your advice in this matter as always. Mouloullrye, you know your close helpers more than I do, with your agreement I will encourage all to speak on this together."

Chief Mauloullrye gave a gesture of approval, "Haukjanin, Uidid and Seerah, you have more skills for this than I, please present your ideas."

Haukjanin spoke first, her voice serious as it always was: "We do not blend with landwalkers. It is impossible to mingle with them unseen, unobserved as one of them. We can only present ourselves as travelers and traders. Common information we can find with our ears and eyes, encouraging landwalkers to reveal more requires us having something they want. We have all heard stories of landwalker greed and desires, especially the most common kinds. You know, the short lived ones with the boring hair. If we want uncommon information we need to tempt them, surely there are those willing to talk for pearls or our finest rare dyes."

Terikehh spoke next: "I believe you speak true, however, what kind of information do we need to acquire? We are far removed from most landwalker nations, we do not need their secrets, I doubt the Morkan desire everything in our power to acquire? No doubt they want to know some of the politics, alliances and military movements of other landwalkers, but much of this may be learned with a keen ear and eye, yes? What do they care of distant government secrets, blackmail information and the like?"

Uidid spoke up to answer him: "Do not underestimate the power of secrets. While I think the Morkan are uninterested in delicate political maneuvering, what I think of them may be unimportant. Our peoples have had little contact despite our relative closeness."

Lymnno'kitcha twitched approvingly, "We cannot know what information the Morkan desire until we have occasion to ask them. As that will take some days I suggest we begin by gathering what we can with our eyes and ears. Our merchant fleet is not ready yet, nor are our crews. Perhaps swimming parties should be sent, to observe shipping lanes, and other movements without themselves being observed."

Terikehh, excited now, jumped at the pause: "It even may be possible to get closer to landwalker shores and harbors than we might assume. To many Southern nations we must be nearly unknown. With a little work we can appear to be seals to careless eyes, or at worst some strange sea creature. Many of our dyes are water safe, we could dull our colors, or wear seal skins perhaps."

Haukjanin spoke up: "Playing at being seals might end with a hunter's spear or net. I say stick with observing from the sea, if war ships move somewhere we will know where. If trade ships commonly frequent the same places we will know. Seerah, how large a net of observers can we field now?"

"Until the merchant ships are ready I do not wish to place our kind close enough to be caught." Seerah said. "Some harbors have allowed our parties to walk about unmolested, but not all and there are many more we have not visited. Staying then, in the water, we can--" he points to a map purchased by scouts some weeks ago "--project a net centered on us covering perhaps 30 sea ports, extending as far South as The Yorathan Alliance, whatever that is, and as far West as this group of small cities past the Confederacy Of Dusk. Send teams of two for a constant rotation covering each port. I'd say we can find or train 60 Skarklagger in short order. With some time we can train even more, perhaps have a presence across the entire map, observing ship movements."

"That's a future we may or may not pursue." Lymnno'kitcha commented. "The Morkan are unlikely to wish to expand nearly that far South and we have no intention to expand anywhere. By the time you can train more observers anyway we will know more of what the Morkan want us to learn."

Eventually it was decided to cover 20 sea ports with teams of three, the idea being that one Skarklagger was always coming or going and two were always together for company and protection. All nearby sea nations would be observed with the exception of Arcto-Morka-Morsum.

[SirNitram]

The city of Paltar glided above the water, as in a chamber well-shielded from the Mythallar's power, tests were run. Minister Malkamar stood by as he watched.

A stone drank of the magic hurled it's way, gulping it down greedily, as if it sought to drain the world of power. Then, all of a sudden, cracks formed, it stopped drinking.. And magic surged back out, illuminating the room with witchlight.

"An imperfect stone." Murmured the half-ogre. "But still capable of duplicating the Chardalyn's quite well. Except for where it shattered and released it all." He commented.

"The final capacity should be far superior to a Chardalyn." The mage spoke softly. "But we have much work to do."

[Comrade Tortoise]

Avivoca walked into his lover's chamber

"The orders have been sent and received. The legion is marching. As is it's archmage. In addition, Asmodeus is in position."

"Good. How long until they reach the city?"

"Four days forced march, a week at normal pace."

"Good. I shall join them"

"What love?"

"Just as I said. I will use a teleportation spell and join the army. If only to I fear I have been using simple spells long enough. Call it a mid-life crisis but I long for battle again"

The other mage simply nodded. Magic was addictive and there was no better high than channeling battle spells

A few seconds later, Elan vanished with a popping sound.

[Rogue 9]

Sir Gilchrist sat astride Thunderer as both he and his warhorse looked out over the assembled warriors of the Order of the Grey Mist, Sir Kendrick beside them.

"Your knights are in excellent form," the paladin said to the Lord of the Grey Mist. "I'm certain they will acquit themselves well, to both their credit and Eire's."

"Thank you, milord," Kendrick responded. "We go to win victory. If the necromancers believe they can simply kill and enslave at will, they shall think again."

"I'm sure they will. The Triad go with you," Gilchrist said as Thunderer wheeled around to ride off to the next formation. Behind them, the knights of the Grey Mist began loading their horses onto the troop transports as gryphons soared overhead.

[Dark Silver]

1st Hour of Second Watch, 163rd Day of the Year of Avacts'ssss
Location: coastal Keep of Dtach-crat, Ilithian Mainland holdings.


Rem'luss Tret-nal, Commander Lord of the Ilithian Fortress of Dtach-crat Keep, looked out over the sea's horizon. He had been watching ever since the first dark sail appeared, followed quickly by more.

Far more than any seen since the days of the Great War between the Ilithian and the Northern Elves. The black masts and sails had taken only a hour to fill all the eye could see, and then above, the Royal Airfleet appeared, massive airships bristling with weaponry, flanked by the flapping visage of the Dracoliches.

Each of those grand vessals were filled with soldiers, slaves, weapons and armor, the tools of war.

Soon, the Ilithian Army would leave thier lands, and begin to reclaim thier vast empire, and the Beloved of Chemosh would rule as they did in the old days.

[Lia]

The Gar'lar'andh found themselves sharpening spears, crafting arrows, readying and fortifying their defenses. Soon, they would be moving out, forward, helping to strengthen the lands of the Taurean as well as their own. This strange, dark threat, suggested at by vague stories of the T'eseh intermingled with the ill prophecy of the Taurean, seemed surreal to those sun-loving, peacable folk, but the shadow suggested by Esunn's visions was of a similar darkness.

Better to be a thorn in the side of darkness than a warbling, quickly-snuffed light.

Amongst the T'eseh, there was much excitement. The Thorns rarely had more to do than practice their archery, drill, following old patterns ingrained into a group mentality. Generations of comfort had worn away much ambition, but could not entirely clense it from them, for men's hearts are crafted of it. Messages were passed along, wives and husbands kissed each other goodbye, orders moved through ranks.

[frigidmagi]

Ra'akon Pennsulia

Captain Arriltian of the Sea Guard looked out over the swamp that blocked any real view of the interior, although to be honest they didn't really have any interest in the interior. They were here on the tip of this swampy, muddy, verdent green strip of land to build a port and a estblish a colony around the port. It would function as a way point both for merchants and warships out on the continious partols of the eastern inner sea that was regarded at least by the Sea Guard and the Navy as a Taurian Sea.

Labors were already hard at work creating a clearing to build living quaters and a stockaide wall to surround it. As they worked a detachment of Sea Guards and Crossbowmen stood guard gazing out into the swamp alertly. There were most likely dangers in the swamp afte all.

"It looks to be going well," said Nessian, a senior priestess of Mairen one of several priests and priestess sent out to ensure the health and well being of the colonist and their guards. She was in her 40s and was approaching old age with grace and the Captain was glad to have her wisdom around. Anniren knew he had enough problems to handle.

"Yes Ma'am," he answered her as another large smooth trunked tree fell to the axes.

Unknown to either of them a pair of golden eyes watched from the branches of large tree not to far away. The outlanders the watcher noted were great, gangling, naked looking things, but well armed and organized. It was an open question as to what this meant for The People. Others would have to be alerted.

[Charon]

Gregori was knelt in prayer, his massive hammer pointed down, his hands wrapped tightly around the grip. The young Inquisitor mumbled gently to himself.

"Lord Dahhok, guide my weapon so that I may save those who have been lost to you, and so that I may protect those who have not. Give me the strength to do your will as a follower of you, and forgive me for the sins I am about to commit against your fallen people."

Gregori then began whispering a verse of prayer in ancient Pendran.

Gregori Bradley was in a small wooded area within sight of the city Lars Port. The guard within looked to be mobilized, though through the guidance of Dahhok, Gregori had yet to be spotted by the daemons that whispered information to the mortals that had summoned them, they must know that he was nearby though, such a concentration of daemons would not go unnoticed, and they would know this. For now, Gregori simply waited, as he had for the past day, allowing the holy influence to slowly weaken the daemons day by day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nikolai Kainus sat in his chair within his private chambers with his hands steepled in thought, on his desk were sprawled reports coming in from everywhere on the continent of troops massing. The West was soon to become a bloodbath from the reports that were coming in, the snakes were moving again, and the Taurian and other nations were looking to finally destroy them.

The Hydiliaens were moving on Lars Port and Lorloth's Bay, this in itself would not be bad, if it weren't for the fact that the church had almost shouted at the top of their lungs their support of such a course of action. Wave daemons infront of a religious man's face and they'll scream bloody murder every time.

Further West, Eire-Pict was massing for an attack against more necromancers. Nikolai had as much love for the undead as the next follower of Dahhok, as such this much pleased him.

In the North the Confederacy was massing their own forces, the bears were growing curious about the lands around them, and the Skarklaggers were finally beginning to come out of their seashell.

It was time for the Koronan Empire to make it's move. The Nithgaard were safely squared away for now, but action had to be taken to the South. Nikolai wrote a message down on parchment quickly and handed it to a boy who took off down the halls of the citidel.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Markus Caustus was finishing his planning as an exhausted boy rushed into his room.

"Haven't you ever heard of knocking?"

The boy took a few deep breaths, "I'm sorry Sir, but there are orders from the Kainus.

Markus quickly got to his feet and snatched the letter from the boy, his dark eyes quickly scanned over the letter and a smile broke out on his face. "Wonderful, tell the Kainus that my army is on the move."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As the sun set a fleet of Koronan's ship was on the move, heading South. The massive warships made up the bulk of the navy, but they carried few weapons, instead they were loaded with men and had a heavy escort of ships. The Koronan Empire too was on the warpath.

[LadyTevar]

At Tara in this fateful hour, I place Heaven with all its Power
And the Sun with its brightness, and the Snow with its Whiteness

The ancient spellsong rose in the back of Gliadrachan NicErne's mind. It was part prayer, part wish, drawn out by the reports she was receiving from her spy masters.

And the Sun with its brightness, and the Snow with its Whiteness

The Skarklaggers were taking to ship-building as easily as they took to water. They had already made a few suggestions, showing that their skills at ice-boats could be transferred over into woodworking. Gliadrachan did not worry about the trade in return. The Skarklaggers would take some time to truly get enough stock up for useful trades; right now the Nithgaard's favors could accumulate until she could ask for what Gliadrachan truly needed.

And the Fire with all the strength it hath
And the Lightning with its rapid wrath
And the Winds with their swiftness along their path

Another report was read, scrutinized. As she'd thought, the Koronian's attempts at diplomacy were but a feint, an excuse to enter Æthelmearc and stir up bad feelings. They had made stronger ties with the Hume nations of the South, and their church was making the first calls of war agains the 'dæmons' they so hated. They would attack the Necromancers first.

And the Sea with its deepness, and the rocks with their steepness
And the Earth with its starkness ...

She should let them be. She should let the Humes war, moving only after the war ended to stablize what was left of their kingdoms. It was a good plan, a fine plan, to worry only about the Bears and the Dusk Confederation to her North, the Dragon to her East. Protect the Skarklaggers, the innocent little water-spirits and their ice-shaping mastercraftsmen from what will come.

All these I place, with the gods mighty power and grace

But the crystal in front of her showed the true threat. A massive army, glittering in the sunlight, all shades of copper, green, and black. An army that slithered across the land, and pulled in its wake an army of undead.

Between myself and the Powers of Darkness

The Snakes were going to War.

Gliadrachan sat on her throne at the heart of the Citadel of Taranach, a prayer in her mind and on her lips. The second Serpent War had begun.

[frigidmagi]

Taurian

Preparation was the order of the day. Troops were gathered, weapons and armor inspected, armies readyed. The smell of war was on the air. In the temples sarifices were made and prayers chanted as priests and priestess made ready to go to war.

It was not yet time, but soon.

[Masterharper]

This was quite a show of force, it should be noted. Nothing in the History of the Morsum had quite happened like it before. While inherently militaristic, these bear-people of the north had not taken occasion to gather in a significant military force since they first emerged from the icy wastes to the north and swept southward, mysteriously stopping at this very point. Thousands, if not tens of thousands of fur-covered white hides, wearing heavy armor--many dullled with smoke so as to not glisten in the sun, milled about in pseudo-militaristic order. Hundreds of giant polar bears, being ridden by Morkan lay in ranks, mostly lazing, some stretching and being tended by their trainer pairs. Mammoths over a hillside to the north could be seen, a few lone Morkan idly watching over the beasts. Though the walk was long, and the lands dangerous even non-military bearfolk had come to see this, for it was rumored to be a historical event in the making.

Even trolls and giants--smaller though their numbers may be--had come to this place standing tall and taller than the many armored bears. The fortress off to the west, snuggled in the powerfrul grip of the spine of mountains splitting the Morkan territory.

Flanked by two of the Ursine individuals wearing customary robes of the Aurora Magus, Helalsius begins walking through the ranks. Behind her, one to the left, one to the right: Korsius Thunderbringer and Manevius. The great Ice Giant hero, and the Demon Troll (who was not really a demon at all.), respectively. The many peoples, gathered together, cheer at the coming of these three. Helalsius seems a bit weary, for she has travelled much these days, but her movements are definate, deliberate. Korsius' stride is long, slow, and he surveys the great crowd he towers above with a wary eye. Manevius walks with a slight hunch, though not as pronounced as the rest of his kind; he wears a smug grin, and an almost-crazed look in his eye.

The wind quites down to a stillness, and the clouds in the sky idly float by as Helalsius takes her place, standing now on all fours to tower above even the Giant. "My people!" She shouts, her voice projecting across the icy wastes. A hush falls over the crowd. "The time has come! Today, we will leave the confines of our great nation, to expand our borders!" The crowd cheers, she nods, motioning for them to be silent. "This is a great time in our history! We shall make our way south, to the great mountain, and then east, along the ocean shores!" They cheer again, and after allowing the crowd to settle of it's own accord, Helalsius proffers the instructions, "Report to your superiors. You will procede from there!" She turns about, setting herself down on the ice as the crowd disperssed, looking to her two commanders and begins talking with them.

The south was an untouched snowy plain, dotted with evergreens and rocks, for now. A few wild animals grazed in the far distance, coming out from hiding some time after those troops had dispersed. The lone mountain that could not yet be seen in the distance, but they knew was there, would be their first goal. The Morsum's forces, should all go well, would drive straight through the unorganized savages of the northlands, take the sacred mountain, and work from there.

[Dark Silver]

Even at the great speeds capable of the Ilithian navy, it was hours since the sails appeared on the horizon, till the first ship reached the fotress keep.

The ship was low in the water, it's decks teeming with activity. The fortress commander watched the decks crawling with not only the crewers of the Tying'Rta-Kohb, but massive hulking warrior Nag'ha-Tkan, thier swords held at the ready, to the smaller, more sinister looking assassins and archers.


Overhead, the Dracholiches wings beat in the air, the rotted flesh and sinew visible, as where the bare bones. Undead life glowed in those hazy eyes, and the Ilithian forces could feel the twinges of necromantic fear they inspired in all other races.

In the distance, cutting through the dawn lightening skies, came the one great Airship, the most fearsome of the fleet, it's black hull absorbing the dawn light, the spires and raytubes which held the carthedin crystals - which allowed for the marvels of engineering to stay afloat - pulsing with restrained energies.

It was the High Lord's ship, the flagship of the fleet, personal ship of the Lord of Demise - used most often by the Heads of the Hydra when they traveled.

Which meant the fleet was being lead by one of them.

If Rem'luss Tret-nal had been capable of sweating, he would most assuredly be now.

The great Black Ship settled over the fortress, and began to descend to the Air Dock.

[Agent Fisher]

Agon Holds

Taldarin stared into the distance. Ten years of relative peace. And now it all goes away. While he hadn't received word of any wars starting, he knew it was only a matter of time. He could feel it coming. His magic was telling him it was time to defend the realm once more. Pity, I had hoped to train an apprentice before then.

He turned and walked towards the council chambers. Entering, he saw the rest of the Riders seated.

"It is time. Call up the army. They are to be prepared for war. I had hoped peace would last longer, but it is not to be."

[Comrade Tortoise]

When Elan reached the legion of Arlenian something hit him.

As he scanned over the columns of troops he realized that he would need more men to take a walled city of the size of Lars Port. It would be different if there were not rumors of Daemons assisting the city, but that was a possibility.

He immediatly sent a magical message to the Eastern Frontier Legion under the control of Syracusa.

he got a reply back in the form of another Sending

"Elan, your greatness. Forgive me for my presumption but I anticipated the need for more troops and conveniently have my Legion on 'maneuvers' near the road. We will meet you at the border in two days time"

This made the Senior Archmagus smile. Syracusa was an excellent tactician, and it was his scouts and skill at divination that initially did reconnaissance on the city.

[Thirdfain]

High Korlech

High Korlech- the great, silent high-city in which the Sublime State made it's capital, sat on the bay like some great creature, a massive spider perched at the center of the web of hercegal and state highways, extending vast quay-pincers out into the quiet water of the Sweet Sea. The glittering marble tomb-palaces and estates of the highest orders of the ancient government was seperated from the vast, twisted rookeries of Low Korlech by a grand and ancient wall, smooth and rounded, made of some substance no longer worked by the hands of men. In fact, the city was ancient- in millenia past, it had been a provincial capital in the long-dead Mouldered Empire. Now, it was the center of a far smaller and less conspicuous nation.

Horse-couriers sped down the old imperial roads, carrying dispatch from the inner circles in the Capital. Distant garrisons formed up and marched, bearing the tall standards of their honved to the hercegal seats. Proud units of retinue-lancers lead the accumulating units to muster-fields.

Times were dangerous- it would not do for Korlech to stand undefended.

[Cynical Cat]

The Confederacy of Dusk

Thousands of warrior thanes marched to the port town of Skarabrak, arriving to join Malevan's household troops. Few knights were present, although the Rangers could be seen in numbers near the Hallowed Ones. Every civilian boat that could carry men across to the Island was drafted into the Witch King's service. Of Malevan himself, few could say for the Witch King was not seen. Chieftains, the Grandmaster, and the Marshal gave orders in his stead.

As for Malevan, night had fallen. He had taken to the air on the back of the Night Dragon, hunting for stray Viconian ships on patrol. In the past he had tried too hard to avoid war, now the Viconians would have no options but submission or facing the bottomless depths of his fury.

[Comrade Tortoise]

The combined legions of Arlenian and Syracusa reached the edge of the Great Forest and stared across the no-man's land which lead to the walled port city of Lars Port.

Elan leaped to the front, landing in a crouch on his haunches. The others stood similarly.

"Syracusa, what are there defenses?"

"Our scouts reported that the walls are three meters thick. As you can see they have towers evenly spaced along with wall with crenellated battlements. The gates are protected by two flanking towers and are spanned by a reinforced gate and a portcullis. There are probably murder holes in the intervening space, as there are in our castles and cities."

"Artillery?" Arlenian piped in

"My scouts said they saw ballistae" The mage looked through a looking glass

"Yes, ten of them. On each of those taller towers. They will nullify the advantage of our longbowmen unless we can take them out"

"Alright" Elan concluded. "Have the men begin setting up a fortified marching camp"

"yes sir"

Arlenian's throat pouch expanded and a loud series of clicks and chucks came from it, signaling to the assembled army that they were to build said marching camp

And the siege had begun.

[Charon]

Vicona

Jacob Tselmir stood in the crow's nest watching carefully for signs of attack from the damn fool Confederacy. Both this ship and her sister ship, of whom he could see the soft fire light coming from her a few hundred yards off, had been drastically reduced in weight to allow for greater speed. If the Confederacy was going to attack, they were going to clear the way with the Night Dragon first, and there was no way a ship could.

Jacob heard a commotion to his right and looked, it was his sister ship and they were frantically turning their ship. A few seconds later a bolt of fire launched into the air, that was the signal. The dragon had been spotted, but it must be right on top of them. Jacob shouted down to the men.

"Dragon!"

In a flash the lazing sailors were on their feet and getting to work at turning the ship while specially modified ballistas trained on the skies, hoping for a glimpse of the great black beast while the two ships made for their escape.


Ra'akon Peninsula

Ha'aori scrambeled under the tent flap of the great Shaman's tent. He'ershi looked at the young Ra'akon without fear in his eyes.

"What is it boy?"

"There are creatures which stand taller than we and they are in our lands!"

He'ershi simply nodded slowly. "I see."

Ha'aori sat for a few seconds in silence as his shamen said nothing. "Err, what are we to do honored one?"

He'ershi smiled at the young Ra'akon. "Nothing as of yet, simply watch."

"We are not going to attack? Or even meet with them?"

He'ershi shook his head. "If we meet with them now, it may only prove to be our undoing as they may not react in kind. Should we attack, it will likely bring more of these creatures, perhaps more than we can defeat."

"But what of the other tribes?"

"Go to meet them personally. Inform them of what you've told me, and tell them that the Ma'athlon tribe is keeping the situation under their watchful eye. They will respect our lands and do nothing until we do."

The young Ra'akon nodded and quickly got up and sprinted out of the tent, off to warn the other tribes. He'ershi himself slowly got to his feet and went outside to inform his people of what had happened.


Lars Port

King Alphonse sat in prayer to The Three when one of the Hylidaeians slowly entered and shut the door behind him. "My lord."

Alphonse slowly got his feet, one could almost feel the power of The Three coursing through his body. "Yes child?"

"The false have arrived my lord, the seige has begun."

"I see, and our messenger to Lorloth's Bay?"

"Has not returned my lord, it is possible he was used in a sacrifice."

Alphonse snorted in derision. "Damn fool council is too eager for blood."

The frogman tilted his head to the side some and croaked under his breath. "What are we to do, my king?"

Alphonse smiled, "Send out an envoy to see what they want."

The frog looked confused for a few moments, seeming to question this. Before it could voice it's opinion Alphonse lashed out with his hand, delving it into the creatures flesh and gripping around it's heart. The frog looked in shock for a few moments before Alphonse pulled out it's heart, the frogman fell backwards, it's blood pooling around it's limp body as Alphonse placed the heart on a pedetal. "For you, my lords."

As the Hylidaeians were setting up camp, a trio of riders, two Kainan, one of their own, came riding out of the city gates carrying the white flag.

[Cynical Cat]

The Confederacy of Dusk

So they had managed to spot Azzerekess at night, a task of considerable difficulty, mused Malevan. But it would not save them. Two ships were prey to the Night Dragon, even if Malevan wasn't present.

Starfall. Gleaming lights appeared on the dragon's wings, a patch of stars added to the night sky. Then they fell from his wings, descending upon the ship that was almost beneath him. The stars were the size of a human fist and burned through canvas, wood, and flesh with ease. Burning through metal would cost them much of their strength, but there was only a few that struck iron. The rest burned through sails and unlucky sailors before burning through the deck and then through the bottom of the ship's hull.

The other boat faired no better as the Witch King unleashed the most powerful of the Firebearer's war cants. A great phantasmal dragon's neck and head appeared beside the other ship. Illusionary jaws gaped wide. Mage fire blasted out. Men were instantly blasted to char and the entire ship set alight as the Dragonhead swept the deck.

[Comrade Tortoise]

Longbows were trained upon the messengers, but their deadly shot was not let loose as their riders approached.

The soldiers went about their work, digging a massive trench around their camp, the dirt from which would form an embankment and be embedded with a short palisade and sharpened stakes.

Elan strode forth to greet them, along with the newly arrived Inquisitor, Father Asmodeus. Each sheathed in magical wards to guard against treachery

Elan looked them over. Then, in the common tongue spoke.

"I am Elan, head of the Conclave of Wizards and Chief Executive of Hylidaeus. If you have come to parlay, make it quick."

The priest was not as aggressive. He was more concerned with saving the wayward faithful, and spoke to the Hylidaeian in their ranks in his own tongue, low enough not to be heard by the Kainans, but well within the range of more sensitive Hylidaeian ears

"My son, listen to your heart, listen to your mind. The voice of Dahhok speaks within them. Come back to your home, back where you need not live in fear of The Three and their blood sacrifices. Where you can participate in the Spawning and raise happy, healthy children. Come back my son, into the fold. For though we shall burn the evil of The Three from that city and do not wish to see our people harmed, or the innocent."

[Charon]

Off the coast of the Confederacy of Dusk

Azzerekess had been focused on the two ships that had been obvious, now that they were burning, they were less important. As such the dragon's eyes caught sight of a third ship, trying to run silently and keep out of the dragon's sight.

The other two ships were floundering. Sailors from the ship that had been struck by the stars were busy dousing flames that had been burned into the sheets as others ran to the ballistas and fired them towards the dragon. The second ship however was in much worse condition, screaming and burning sailors threw themselves overboard and the stench of burnt human flesh hung in the air as much as burning wood. Other sailors that had been below decks were now combating the fire, trying to get the flames under control.


Lars Port

The Kainan drew up his horse and narrowed his eyes at the Hylidaeian.

"We come to determine what your forces are doing at our doorstep and what we have done to suffer such a fate."

The Hylidaeian that was with them spoke up then. "They come here to burn the city and kill those who would disagree with their way of life." The frogman looked at Elan and croaked dangerously at him. "We serve The Three willingly for they have openned our eyes to the true way of life. Leave these lands or your army shall be destroyed by their divine might."

The Kainan raised up his hand to the Hylidaeian in a motion to silence the frog. "We shall not allow you to burn the city outlander. Keep to your own walls."

[Cynical Cat]

The Confederacy of Dusk

Azzerekes swooped away from the stricken vessels, turning to the hidden one. Both of the vessels were heavily damaged. One was burning badly, the other was holed in two dozen places. They were of little consequence.

Darkness was the Night Dragon's element and no ship could hide from him at night. He closed swiftly, his black body almost invisible under the night sky. Ballista bolts flashed at the dragon, but hitting a fast moving, almost invisible target hundreds of yards away was very, very hard. One bolt came within five yards of the dragon.

For a brief moment, the Night Dragon's eyes shown silver. Silver light flared about the hidden ship's sails and then white fire was consuming the canvass. Malevan uttered another war cant, invoking a spell less demanding than the Dragonhead. A light blazed overhead in the sky, one almost too bright to look upon. The new sun fell toward's the water.

With its sails set ablaze and its speed crippled, the ship was an easy target for a sorcerer as experienced as the Witch King. The new sun slamed down on the decks, bursting in an eruption which sent fire ravaging the upper deck. The dragon circled up and higher, a shadow hiding in darkness, observing the damage and the humans desperate efforts to save their ships.

[Comrade Tortoise]

"I appreciate the mistranslation" The Inquisitor said in common
"I said burn the evil. Not the city... Though I find the tacit admission of evil amusing" The Inquisitor continued

"No sapient creature should ever be sacrificed to ANY deity. I have seen what the three demand of their supplicants. They are Daemons, deities of hatred, cowardice and ignorance. I find it ironic that you threaten to bring down the divine might of cowards upon us."

Asmodeus clasped his hands together and prayed silently for a brief moment, before staring directly at each of the three assembled before them, reading their minds in turn while Elan spoke

"You do not get to play 'innocence abused' with us. No god should demand or accept sacrifices of life for any reason. Nor should such ever be acceptable. Sacrifices of sapient creatures are an abomination. And evil in their own right. Now go, back to your walls and tell your masters that you are besieged"