As the Hoplites arrived at the base of the Unseelie archers, the first kill was traditionally granted for the King. By the time Etakhin sliced an Archer's throat, his shield was covered in arrows and burnt from the demonic fire. He had arrows in his legs, shoulder and one in his right upper arm. Bleeding heavily the king dropped to his knees and yelled curses and praises to Ares alike. Losing their leader did not demoralize the men who were reduced to 60-70. The rain of arrows and eldritch blasts had taken heavy tolls. Breathing heavily, the men began to slaughter the remaining foes, trying their best in Hand-to-Hand combat, overpowering the Unseelie.
Quickly atop the mountain, they killed every last surviving post. The remainders of their force looked at each other and then towards Sthenos, who was second-in-command to the General. With the last breath in his lungs he shouted commands to his men:
"Make sure you take their archery equipment that is still left. Pick up every arrow or spear you can find and distribute it evenly! We want to be ready, once these Abominations try to get up here! Take turns shooting so each one of us can take turns resting and tending to their wounds. If we're lucky we might get reinforcements."
Quickly the sons of Ares obeyed their new Commander's order and scurried to salvage every weapon they could get. Then they spotted the Pandemonium Champions, they had passed while charging up the mountain. Putting their swords and shields aside, they took over the Bows and shot in seperate Hails, covering the beasts in the arrows of their own allies. A few soldiers even went as far as throwing the bodies of the slain Unseelie down the mountain at their enemies.
While the soldiers were occupied, Sthenos took a look around the area and posted guards around this position. Then he stared at the Storm that was brewing ((North, South, East, West?)) and simply commented: "What by Hades, is that supposed to be?!"
The Conquest of Brux
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*Agony_Aunt
- Posts: 855
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
((Hate it when stories go unfinished, so despite the absence of Duke, ill move it forward)).
When Sandy fails to attract the attention of Augustus, she flies to the North a little, in the direction of the approaching storm, and lets out a loud cry, trying to get those who are involved the melee to pay attention the approaching storm. She notes the Hoplites have already noticed it as well so hopes they will use their heads and withdraw.
To Augustus' forces she cries: "Withdraw! Withdraw!"
The storm is approaching fast now, and will be upon the battlefield within minutes.
To the south, still not really noticeable unless someone with keep eyes (or an aerial advantage) a large horde of creatures are approaching quickly. They will be visible to most about the same time as the storm hits.
Meanwhile, a small bird flies towards the command tent with a small note attached to its leg.
Should someone retrieve the note it reads (in small script):
Storm will disrupt from north.
Natives from the south.
Both should disperse as my charms and spells fade.
Be ready to attack as that happens.
If they don't disperse... flee!
After giving her warning Sandy circles to the south to meet up with Drakos who is slowly following the horde on foot. He gathers his energies once again, hoping that indeed the storm he has gathered will not go critical, nor the creatures will be in such a frenzy that they will not disperse when the urge is lifted. Drakos does not want the native lifeforms to throw away their lives needlessly.
Not when there are mercenaries, the foolish, and the greedy, ready to throw their lives away dealing with the Unseelie. Drakos chuckled... now if only everything would go to plan. His plan.
When Sandy fails to attract the attention of Augustus, she flies to the North a little, in the direction of the approaching storm, and lets out a loud cry, trying to get those who are involved the melee to pay attention the approaching storm. She notes the Hoplites have already noticed it as well so hopes they will use their heads and withdraw.
To Augustus' forces she cries: "Withdraw! Withdraw!"
The storm is approaching fast now, and will be upon the battlefield within minutes.
To the south, still not really noticeable unless someone with keep eyes (or an aerial advantage) a large horde of creatures are approaching quickly. They will be visible to most about the same time as the storm hits.
Meanwhile, a small bird flies towards the command tent with a small note attached to its leg.
Should someone retrieve the note it reads (in small script):
Storm will disrupt from north.
Natives from the south.
Both should disperse as my charms and spells fade.
Be ready to attack as that happens.
If they don't disperse... flee!
After giving her warning Sandy circles to the south to meet up with Drakos who is slowly following the horde on foot. He gathers his energies once again, hoping that indeed the storm he has gathered will not go critical, nor the creatures will be in such a frenzy that they will not disperse when the urge is lifted. Drakos does not want the native lifeforms to throw away their lives needlessly.
Not when there are mercenaries, the foolish, and the greedy, ready to throw their lives away dealing with the Unseelie. Drakos chuckled... now if only everything would go to plan. His plan.
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*B-Smith
- Posts: 23
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
((I'll just go with the flow))
While the Hoplites were desperately holding their position, Sthenos observed the storm. Noticing that this disaster was heading towards them, he began to fully understand the pickle he found himself in: Moving away from the mountain would result in loss of a valuable strategic position. At the same time they would suffer even more casualties, resting in their holding. Not to forget the attack of Pandemonic Berserkers coming from the foot of the mountain.
Regarding the state of the Hoplites, there was only one thing left to do: Dig deep in their position, build up defenses from the wind and hope for the best. They would not give away this base, no matter what.
"Commander, look over there!" Sthenos gritted his teeth, as he looked into the direction the soldier had pointed out to him only to feel even more aggrivated: The Beasts that charged toward the Unseelie and towards this mountain were moving quickly. For now it was impossible to determine their allegiance, so Sthenos' first impulse was to assume they were hostile. He had to think quick, what would have King Etakhin done in this situation. He looked for barrels, bodies and other items around and ordered the men who were sitting in reserve to build up small barricades to let the wind pass over them for now. The tiny spark of hope that remained were the allied forces that were also charging up the mountain. Searching the bodies of the Unseelie and other monsters he found a few explosives. An idea struck Sthenos' head like a lightning.
After spreading the word, the Hoplites threw Barrels down at the approaching forces, filled with Unseelie body parts, then all men quickly withdrew to the wall. Having set the explosives into the rocky wall, they used the debris and stone parts that were left, as projectiles against enemies and a secure cover for the storm... Well semi-secure.
Now Sthenos waited for the storm. And prayed to all gods of Olympus, that they would see the end of this war through. Or atleast get a death on the battlefield granted, rather than being thrown around by stupid storm.
While the Hoplites were desperately holding their position, Sthenos observed the storm. Noticing that this disaster was heading towards them, he began to fully understand the pickle he found himself in: Moving away from the mountain would result in loss of a valuable strategic position. At the same time they would suffer even more casualties, resting in their holding. Not to forget the attack of Pandemonic Berserkers coming from the foot of the mountain.
Regarding the state of the Hoplites, there was only one thing left to do: Dig deep in their position, build up defenses from the wind and hope for the best. They would not give away this base, no matter what.
"Commander, look over there!" Sthenos gritted his teeth, as he looked into the direction the soldier had pointed out to him only to feel even more aggrivated: The Beasts that charged toward the Unseelie and towards this mountain were moving quickly. For now it was impossible to determine their allegiance, so Sthenos' first impulse was to assume they were hostile. He had to think quick, what would have King Etakhin done in this situation. He looked for barrels, bodies and other items around and ordered the men who were sitting in reserve to build up small barricades to let the wind pass over them for now. The tiny spark of hope that remained were the allied forces that were also charging up the mountain. Searching the bodies of the Unseelie and other monsters he found a few explosives. An idea struck Sthenos' head like a lightning.
After spreading the word, the Hoplites threw Barrels down at the approaching forces, filled with Unseelie body parts, then all men quickly withdrew to the wall. Having set the explosives into the rocky wall, they used the debris and stone parts that were left, as projectiles against enemies and a secure cover for the storm... Well semi-secure.
Now Sthenos waited for the storm. And prayed to all gods of Olympus, that they would see the end of this war through. Or atleast get a death on the battlefield granted, rather than being thrown around by stupid storm.
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*MirielKanan
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
Emmy has the magical users withdraw as directed. She likewise picks up the note and turns it over to an officer of Augustus. Later in the night when the camp sleeps, Emmy turns over the reins to another wizard telling him to lead the magic users well. She had to leave as she felt as though she were not well. She leaves Brux and heads back to Sigil. Eventually the Illness gets bad, but that in itself is another story all together.
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*Er_Nano_Infame
- Posts: 435
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
////guess i'll continue with the golgherro squad as well then
as soon as they spot the unselie army beyond the north eastern mountain the druidess sahil takes some time to focus and call for some birds ready to carry a message to the various allied parties, then to return back to her to tell if it succeded.
the whole group meanwhile rest a bit and prepares to assist daevos in his ambush, from their position up on the mountain side. the raid in the tunnels did tired them out some, though they retreated still with resources at hand (must say jall has quite an arsenal in her many dimensional bags, with equipments, scrolls, wands, staves, consumables...).
if this birds thing fails then they split in two groups, thinning again they small numbers, but is what it takes:
the druidess Ud sahil, her dinosaur, and the scout raido will go to warn emeraldine's group if the encounter her, and then the base camp, about the army, hoping to get the message to august (which likely won't happen for a while since he's busy fighting in melee). proper skills and spells would be used for a fast unnoticed travel, as most as is possible.
jall, the shaman rabismaalii, the duelist wizard myr and the barbarian champion balga will stand up on the hill.
in anyway, tactic would be to attack from distance and keep moving on the field to avoid close combat. they'd be permahasted by myr, or anyway by one of the many tools they have, when needs be
as soon as they spot the unselie army beyond the north eastern mountain the druidess sahil takes some time to focus and call for some birds ready to carry a message to the various allied parties, then to return back to her to tell if it succeded.
the whole group meanwhile rest a bit and prepares to assist daevos in his ambush, from their position up on the mountain side. the raid in the tunnels did tired them out some, though they retreated still with resources at hand (must say jall has quite an arsenal in her many dimensional bags, with equipments, scrolls, wands, staves, consumables...).
if this birds thing fails then they split in two groups, thinning again they small numbers, but is what it takes:
the druidess Ud sahil, her dinosaur, and the scout raido will go to warn emeraldine's group if the encounter her, and then the base camp, about the army, hoping to get the message to august (which likely won't happen for a while since he's busy fighting in melee). proper skills and spells would be used for a fast unnoticed travel, as most as is possible.
jall, the shaman rabismaalii, the duelist wizard myr and the barbarian champion balga will stand up on the hill.
in anyway, tactic would be to attack from distance and keep moving on the field to avoid close combat. they'd be permahasted by myr, or anyway by one of the many tools they have, when needs be
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*Agony_Aunt
- Posts: 855
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
The storm hits the northen flank sending both sides seeking cover. Wind, rain, hail, thunder and lightning. Occasional bolts strike close to the people on the field, sometimes burning, sometimes deafening or stunning, but mainly killing. The storm does not discriminate between allies and enemies, it is nature unleashed in its full glory.
The Hoplites being dug in suffer less than most, although action becomes largely impossible. Only enchanted missiles stand a chance of working under these conditions and most of the enemies on the field were retreating south.... south where the horde of natives were now engaged with the southern flank.
Again, the horde did not discriminate between the two sides. All it knew was rage, rage at those that would disturb and despoil their natural habitat.
The Golgeherro squad was fairly exposed, although ((as i understand)) being on the edge of things enabled them to remain mobile and pick and choose their positions. This saved many of the squad from an unfortunate fate. Still, the weather and horde would provide entertaining distractions and they would have to decide their maneuvers most carefully to avoid being caught in the middle of one or the other.
Drakos looked on, a little worried. He had miscalculated. The storm was looking ok, it had reached its peak and should now start to calm as the natural weather conditions started to take hold... but the natives.... they were running on their own anger now. His enchantment should be fading, but the enchantment was not all that fueled them. There was genuine hatred, fear, and even madness there, the Fey wanted the Unleelie gone and they were sending out their own enchantments to spur the animals to greater savagery.
"This is going to be a bloodbath" mused Drakos with a look of horror on his face.
The Hoplites being dug in suffer less than most, although action becomes largely impossible. Only enchanted missiles stand a chance of working under these conditions and most of the enemies on the field were retreating south.... south where the horde of natives were now engaged with the southern flank.
Again, the horde did not discriminate between the two sides. All it knew was rage, rage at those that would disturb and despoil their natural habitat.
The Golgeherro squad was fairly exposed, although ((as i understand)) being on the edge of things enabled them to remain mobile and pick and choose their positions. This saved many of the squad from an unfortunate fate. Still, the weather and horde would provide entertaining distractions and they would have to decide their maneuvers most carefully to avoid being caught in the middle of one or the other.
Drakos looked on, a little worried. He had miscalculated. The storm was looking ok, it had reached its peak and should now start to calm as the natural weather conditions started to take hold... but the natives.... they were running on their own anger now. His enchantment should be fading, but the enchantment was not all that fueled them. There was genuine hatred, fear, and even madness there, the Fey wanted the Unleelie gone and they were sending out their own enchantments to spur the animals to greater savagery.
"This is going to be a bloodbath" mused Drakos with a look of horror on his face.
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*Captain Vanguard
- Posts: 97
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
((I technically havent left this compleatley abbandoned but I understand peoples desire to continue.
Ill read up at some point this week and finish this one since I wish to reach a conclusion soon.))
Ill read up at some point this week and finish this one since I wish to reach a conclusion soon.))
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*B-Smith
- Posts: 23
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
As the skies cleared up, Sthenos demanded a quick count up. After the forces of nature faded, only 45 of the proud Doran soldiers remained. The constant attacks and the storms had taken their toll. At first a certain relief spread through the ranks: They would get a quick chance to recuperate and reform. The relief turned into disappointment: Where the Hades did their battle go? Then into confusion as they watched the Unseelie and the Hoplite's allies being overrun by a horde of rabid animals.
Sthenos had to choose now: Either try to hold the position and miss out on the battle or simply join in the fray and run danger of killing allies in the confusion. He let the men rest while forming his opinion. The death of so many of his brethern did leave a certain grief. Then again, they lived only to die in battle, after all that was what they were brought up to believe.
Finally he made up his mind and gathered the remaining forces:
"BROTHERS! So far this battle hasn't been going our way and this entire operation is not as we foresaw. It is impossible to determine who is fighting who by now. But we could do our part and keep this mountain safe... Or we could follow the call of our father Ares and slay every last one of those weaklings down there, claiming to be warriors. I don't know about you fellows, but I have no intention of surviving this shameful war. I say we gather all the weapons we can find and charge down this mountain, killing anyone in our path! I say, that those fools do not know what it means to fight for survival! I say that we teach those worms beneath the soles of our sandals! I say, we cut a bloody pathway into this chaos. I say we slay Seelie, Unseelie, beast and whoever pretends to play soldier down there. I say we put every single one of them to the blade.
That shameful display down there, will be our altar to our father, Lord Ares! They will fear us and their prayers will evolve around their mistake to have ever involved us proud sons of war. I am certain you will agree with me, when I say that I am fed up with half-arsed commands and false ideals. If the Gods of mount Olympus were on our side, then they will steel our resolve and sharpen our blades. Some of you might call this betrayal but not a single one of us has sworn an oath. And now our king is dead. And our brothers. And our fathers. And our sons. Our death will be a warning for all those fools in the future what a true man at arms is. HOPLITES OF DORAN, GATHER ALL THE WEAPONS YOU CAN CARRY AND JOIN ME IN THIS LAST CHARGE! I WANT TO SEE THEM QUIVER BEFORE US, WHEN WE STORMS DOWN THERE!"
With these words, a large shout could be heard from the post up the mountain:" DEATH TO ALL! RIP THEM ASUNDER! GLORY TO LORD ARES!"
The Hoplites, as commanded, took all weapons from the bodies of their brethern to Unseelie and Pandmonium champions alike. They gathered in a loose band and prepared to move out. With a silent signal, every single soldier threw a spear or shot an arrow down into the bulk of the frontline. Then they drew whatever weapon they had found and followed Sthenos at the front, charging down the mountain path. The energy they had stored up until now was used to fuel the insanity in their eyes. A burning rage meaning only one thing for their former allies and foes alike: We will have your heads!
As soon as they caught up with the first living being, not of their ranks, they would attack immediatly without warning. It did not take long until the rear part of both armies noticed that those bastards were now only fighting for themselves. Having given up on their formation, they spread out hacking, slashing, stabbing and dying as they wished.
Sthenos had to choose now: Either try to hold the position and miss out on the battle or simply join in the fray and run danger of killing allies in the confusion. He let the men rest while forming his opinion. The death of so many of his brethern did leave a certain grief. Then again, they lived only to die in battle, after all that was what they were brought up to believe.
Finally he made up his mind and gathered the remaining forces:
"BROTHERS! So far this battle hasn't been going our way and this entire operation is not as we foresaw. It is impossible to determine who is fighting who by now. But we could do our part and keep this mountain safe... Or we could follow the call of our father Ares and slay every last one of those weaklings down there, claiming to be warriors. I don't know about you fellows, but I have no intention of surviving this shameful war. I say we gather all the weapons we can find and charge down this mountain, killing anyone in our path! I say, that those fools do not know what it means to fight for survival! I say that we teach those worms beneath the soles of our sandals! I say, we cut a bloody pathway into this chaos. I say we slay Seelie, Unseelie, beast and whoever pretends to play soldier down there. I say we put every single one of them to the blade.
That shameful display down there, will be our altar to our father, Lord Ares! They will fear us and their prayers will evolve around their mistake to have ever involved us proud sons of war. I am certain you will agree with me, when I say that I am fed up with half-arsed commands and false ideals. If the Gods of mount Olympus were on our side, then they will steel our resolve and sharpen our blades. Some of you might call this betrayal but not a single one of us has sworn an oath. And now our king is dead. And our brothers. And our fathers. And our sons. Our death will be a warning for all those fools in the future what a true man at arms is. HOPLITES OF DORAN, GATHER ALL THE WEAPONS YOU CAN CARRY AND JOIN ME IN THIS LAST CHARGE! I WANT TO SEE THEM QUIVER BEFORE US, WHEN WE STORMS DOWN THERE!"
With these words, a large shout could be heard from the post up the mountain:" DEATH TO ALL! RIP THEM ASUNDER! GLORY TO LORD ARES!"
The Hoplites, as commanded, took all weapons from the bodies of their brethern to Unseelie and Pandmonium champions alike. They gathered in a loose band and prepared to move out. With a silent signal, every single soldier threw a spear or shot an arrow down into the bulk of the frontline. Then they drew whatever weapon they had found and followed Sthenos at the front, charging down the mountain path. The energy they had stored up until now was used to fuel the insanity in their eyes. A burning rage meaning only one thing for their former allies and foes alike: We will have your heads!
As soon as they caught up with the first living being, not of their ranks, they would attack immediatly without warning. It did not take long until the rear part of both armies noticed that those bastards were now only fighting for themselves. Having given up on their formation, they spread out hacking, slashing, stabbing and dying as they wished.
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*Agony_Aunt
- Posts: 855
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
Drakos watches the Hoplites attack with horror.
"Noooo!" he bellows as the first skinned, a golden skinned doe is slain by the hoplites.
"They have lost their minds" he said to Sandy.
"It seems so my dear, but they worship Ares, they live for battle." replied the Bronze dragon.
"I must stop them at all costs, i will destroy them!" he declared shaking his fist in the direction of the army.
"Calm down my love and use that vaunted wisdom you claim to have. Attack our former allies and cause division in our ranks, handing victory to the dark fey. You wanted to use these mercenaries to attack our mutual enemies. You need to channel their rage in the right direction."
"They slay the creatures, there must be reparations. Their blood will be the payment."
"Does it matter whether you spell that blood, or the unseelie do?" Sandy said wisely.
"Ah, dear heart, you see the truth of matters more clearly than I. But how..." he pauses to think.
"It seems i must join the enemy ranks for a short while, and convince the Hoplites to attack me... and thereby lead them into the unseelie ranks."
"It is a dangerous path my love."
"Aye, but it is my doing that the animals are becoming slain. My duty is clear.
Will you see what you can do to drive the native animals and seelie away from the allied forces and even perhaps from the field of battle, get them out of danger? This whole plan has not gone well, i would rather further casualties be limited."
Sandy nodded and leapt up into the skies, seeking how best she could herd the animals away from the battle.
"Damn" thought Drakos "Haven't taken the form of a Treant in some time.... always feels strange being a plant."
He snapped a pair of bracers on his wrists and activated their magic, and sprinted off towards the flank of the unseelie lines. As he approached he ducked into a copse of trees and changed into a Treant.
He stepped out and headed towards the unseelie lines, hoping that nothing there could discern he was not what he appeared to be. After he attacks a few allied units he hoped that no unseelie would have reason to suspect he was anything but another creature allied to their cause.
"Noooo!" he bellows as the first skinned, a golden skinned doe is slain by the hoplites.
"They have lost their minds" he said to Sandy.
"It seems so my dear, but they worship Ares, they live for battle." replied the Bronze dragon.
"I must stop them at all costs, i will destroy them!" he declared shaking his fist in the direction of the army.
"Calm down my love and use that vaunted wisdom you claim to have. Attack our former allies and cause division in our ranks, handing victory to the dark fey. You wanted to use these mercenaries to attack our mutual enemies. You need to channel their rage in the right direction."
"They slay the creatures, there must be reparations. Their blood will be the payment."
"Does it matter whether you spell that blood, or the unseelie do?" Sandy said wisely.
"Ah, dear heart, you see the truth of matters more clearly than I. But how..." he pauses to think.
"It seems i must join the enemy ranks for a short while, and convince the Hoplites to attack me... and thereby lead them into the unseelie ranks."
"It is a dangerous path my love."
"Aye, but it is my doing that the animals are becoming slain. My duty is clear.
Will you see what you can do to drive the native animals and seelie away from the allied forces and even perhaps from the field of battle, get them out of danger? This whole plan has not gone well, i would rather further casualties be limited."
Sandy nodded and leapt up into the skies, seeking how best she could herd the animals away from the battle.
"Damn" thought Drakos "Haven't taken the form of a Treant in some time.... always feels strange being a plant."
He snapped a pair of bracers on his wrists and activated their magic, and sprinted off towards the flank of the unseelie lines. As he approached he ducked into a copse of trees and changed into a Treant.
He stepped out and headed towards the unseelie lines, hoping that nothing there could discern he was not what he appeared to be. After he attacks a few allied units he hoped that no unseelie would have reason to suspect he was anything but another creature allied to their cause.
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*Captain Vanguard
- Posts: 97
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
Augustus watched the chaos as he ground his soldiers to a halt, everything turned into what he had feared it would, control slipped from his fingers and the Unseelie had turned their forces advantage to its peak. They had the numbers and while he had the men he depended, heavily On the Hoplites loyalty and that of the other mercinaries.
This was not what he had planned.
The Wild magic tore a hole through his men so wide he feared it had decimated more than a half of his troop, the soldiers lost made his eyes widen in horror, every life lost, every trace of his legend would be ruined by today.
He had to salvage this situation against impossible odds, or, find another way to win this battle.
"Desperate times..." He mused darkly to himself. How it had come to this?
Honour was a word for good men, men with courage and compassion in their hearts. His soldiers were comprised of every circle of cruelty he could imagine, from the berserking hoplites slaughtering their way through his own men and the enemy to the bandits following him lead by the brigand captain Daevos.
Well at least Daevos, for now had chosen not to slaughter his own companions mindlessly, that would be the end of this battle.
Infact, that was the only advantage point he could see now. On the upside they had conquered the tunnels using the half-drow mercinaries and the halflings had played their part in possitioning the enemy right in Daevos path. This was the only real fortune he could afford since it meant the Sea Captains river forces could finally assault the enemy head on and slaughter them from the banks.
As for Sthenos and the others, he would have to deal with them another time. They would do their job well enough and they had become an effective diversion.
"War makes sacrifices of the worthy..." he mused to himself agreeingly, justifying his own excuse for abbandoning the west, he left the dragons and the hoplites to each other, at least they would be busy trying to tame each other for now.
He forwarded his camp to the east and rallied with Daevos to join personally in the assault on the Unseelie, now it would be time to strike back, hard and cruel.
Relaying his orders at last he muttered grimly to Daevos. "This is not the battle I had hoped it would be, but I can still claim "a" victory from it. If we are fortunate the Unseelie's main force will be charging rght at us through the river, hoping to flank the hoplites and the fey, we can use that and take out as many of them as possible."
He mused to himself how to keep spirits up to the brigands then nodded to himself in conclusion:
"Men, this battle has become a maelstrom, but we will ride it and use it to our advantage, to the worthy seamen a conquest of plunder that could make poisideon envious will be reaped from the dead that are sewn this day.
I cannot promise you the great glory of the ages but I can promise you treasure, our enemies, in troves that will make your mouth water and your grins wide! Hearten to this day, because when it is over you will have the coin of kings in your palms, the wenches of the weak in your laps and the spoils of war at your conquest!
To the river brothers! We will send these beasts trembling in a slaughter they will NEVER forget soon! We came to liberate Brux and liberate it we shall and at the end of our liberty! We SHALL reap what WE HAVE SEWN!"
He felt the roar of applause from his own men, hoping in turn to keep Daevos and his own buccaneers happy with such an offer.
He turned directly to the captain now. "I do not know how loyal the Hoplites are now that they have lost all sense but they can be used, we will let them annihilate the enemies on the western front to the last man. The dragons are busy with them and their fey, and there are elementals aiding them so we can turn one distraction into another. They will take the bulk of our foes attack while we annihilate the flank. If were fortunate, we can rescue them from this self-inflicted chaos before it grows out of control."
He paused, rubbing his chin to muse something else. "Captain, one more thing... if the dragons proove to be too great a trouble for us after this little incident, I want you to turn fire on them during the maelstrom... they have been useful allies but equally dangerous enemies... they think to use me, I do not like being used."
That should have sent a clear enough message.
This was not what he had planned.
The Wild magic tore a hole through his men so wide he feared it had decimated more than a half of his troop, the soldiers lost made his eyes widen in horror, every life lost, every trace of his legend would be ruined by today.
He had to salvage this situation against impossible odds, or, find another way to win this battle.
"Desperate times..." He mused darkly to himself. How it had come to this?
Honour was a word for good men, men with courage and compassion in their hearts. His soldiers were comprised of every circle of cruelty he could imagine, from the berserking hoplites slaughtering their way through his own men and the enemy to the bandits following him lead by the brigand captain Daevos.
Well at least Daevos, for now had chosen not to slaughter his own companions mindlessly, that would be the end of this battle.
Infact, that was the only advantage point he could see now. On the upside they had conquered the tunnels using the half-drow mercinaries and the halflings had played their part in possitioning the enemy right in Daevos path. This was the only real fortune he could afford since it meant the Sea Captains river forces could finally assault the enemy head on and slaughter them from the banks.
As for Sthenos and the others, he would have to deal with them another time. They would do their job well enough and they had become an effective diversion.
"War makes sacrifices of the worthy..." he mused to himself agreeingly, justifying his own excuse for abbandoning the west, he left the dragons and the hoplites to each other, at least they would be busy trying to tame each other for now.
He forwarded his camp to the east and rallied with Daevos to join personally in the assault on the Unseelie, now it would be time to strike back, hard and cruel.
Relaying his orders at last he muttered grimly to Daevos. "This is not the battle I had hoped it would be, but I can still claim "a" victory from it. If we are fortunate the Unseelie's main force will be charging rght at us through the river, hoping to flank the hoplites and the fey, we can use that and take out as many of them as possible."
He mused to himself how to keep spirits up to the brigands then nodded to himself in conclusion:
"Men, this battle has become a maelstrom, but we will ride it and use it to our advantage, to the worthy seamen a conquest of plunder that could make poisideon envious will be reaped from the dead that are sewn this day.
I cannot promise you the great glory of the ages but I can promise you treasure, our enemies, in troves that will make your mouth water and your grins wide! Hearten to this day, because when it is over you will have the coin of kings in your palms, the wenches of the weak in your laps and the spoils of war at your conquest!
To the river brothers! We will send these beasts trembling in a slaughter they will NEVER forget soon! We came to liberate Brux and liberate it we shall and at the end of our liberty! We SHALL reap what WE HAVE SEWN!"
He felt the roar of applause from his own men, hoping in turn to keep Daevos and his own buccaneers happy with such an offer.
He turned directly to the captain now. "I do not know how loyal the Hoplites are now that they have lost all sense but they can be used, we will let them annihilate the enemies on the western front to the last man. The dragons are busy with them and their fey, and there are elementals aiding them so we can turn one distraction into another. They will take the bulk of our foes attack while we annihilate the flank. If were fortunate, we can rescue them from this self-inflicted chaos before it grows out of control."
He paused, rubbing his chin to muse something else. "Captain, one more thing... if the dragons proove to be too great a trouble for us after this little incident, I want you to turn fire on them during the maelstrom... they have been useful allies but equally dangerous enemies... they think to use me, I do not like being used."
That should have sent a clear enough message.