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nordock:stories:army_of_the_dead

Army of Dead

I was not expecting excitement this day, however adventure found me. And I am glad of it. I will attempt to recall everything that happened – although I fear I may miss some, for my memory is a bit hazy, as it grows quite late.

It was morning. Having just spent the night at the Weary Rest Inn I was ready to be on my way again. After some haggling with the innkeeper over the price of breakfast, I set about getting my gear loaded again.

Everything packed away neatly into my bag, I tightened my belt and pulled out my sling. After summoning, Draug, my companion, to my side we headed north. We ventured through the land of gnolls, being attacked by the furry half-men with unending fevor. After clearing out a cave filled with the beasts, I did a quick check to make sure it was safe - I didn’t want a gnoll coming in and interupting my sleep - and discovered another in the cave with me!

No, not another gnoll, but another elf. After the briefest assesment of each other, we decided two would be better than one against such foes. Fuji was the elf’s name and we quickly readied ourselves after our brief repast. We suprised the first group we came upon, and made quick work of those lurking in the camp. Upon entering a brokendown tower in the camp we were nearly overrun. It was a welcome suprise when my friend Scorpion entered the tower behind us and lent his hand to our battle.

Dispatching the rest of the gnolls, we decided to head further north, into the great forest. After a quick stopover in Tobaro for supplies we were on our way once more. As we approached the forest we met an old man, staggering towards us from the north. Wheezing with effort, he gasped out, “Boy - in the forest - please,” he coughed and blood speckled his lips, “Please help!” With that the old man collapsed into our arms, though we tried to revive him, he was lost.

The old man’s condition, along with the news of the boy, trapped in the foreboding wood, stirred us into action. Heedless of our own safety, we rushed forward into the dark wood. At first, we met with a small group of bandits. We dealt with them silently, as to not alert any others who may be lurking in the wood. Cautiously, we approached their main camp. We were met with fierce battle. The bandit forces had been tipped off to our prescence and they were prepared. Fuji fell to their onslaught, truly, only Scorpion managed to hold his own against the rogues. Finally, as he knocked the last combatant to its knees, the villanous bandit spoke, “Hold,”

Fist raised, poised to strike, Scorpion glowered at the bandit and asked, “Where is the boy?”

“Pah!” the bandit spat, “the boy and his family have dishonored me. My honor can only be restored with the paying of a blood debt. I intend to kill the boy,” the bandit scowled contempuously at us.

Scorpion narrowed his eyes, “The boy is but a child.”

“Indeed,” I nodded, gripping my club in sweat-slick hands, “How does an innocent owe you such a debt?”

“The debt must be paid in blood!” the bandit growled.

“Then the blood shall be yours, for you have killed the child’s grandfather, he owes you nothing!” with a flurry of blurred fist, Scorpion laid the badit low.

Nerves jangling, I turned to where Fuji lay in the grass. Her spirit had fled, through through the use of a spell I was able to call it back. Revived she turned to speak, but we were approached by a mage.

“Gold,” the mage said plainly, “For gold you may have the boy, he is of no use to me.”

We agreed that coins were easy enough to part with, especially for something as priceless as an innocent life. The mage agreed that we should have safe passage out of the wood with the boy, in exchange for the gold. The mage released the boy from his bonds, and we explained to the frightended child we were here to help him. Lip trembling, the boy agreed to follow us, although he was still very afeared.

We made it out of the woods safe enough, and left the boy’s bounty at the edge of the wood. Tugging on my sleeve the boy looked up at me with round, tear filled eyes, “Where’s Grandpa?” he asked tremulously.

I cleared my throat, prepared to explain, when Fuji interrupted, “See that red dirt over there?” she pointed to where we had met the boy’s grandfather.

I gasped at the cold hearted nature of her statement, and covered the boy’s ears, “He does not need to hear such details!” I hissed.

Pulling my hands away, the boy’s chin quivered, “What happened to Grandpa!”

With a great deal more compassion, Scorpion explained what had happened, and the boy burst into tears, “We were only after mushrooms, just some stupid mushrooms!”

After comforting the child, we asked if he had any other family nearby. He explained he had a grandmother in Tobaro, and we gladly agreed to take him to her.

The boy thanked us as we reached the city, and then ran off home.

At that point Fuji sais she must also depart, and bade us farewell. Moments after we had said our goodbyes, Scorpion received a message from Sryraxis, asking for our aid in a battle. And we were off again!

Scorpion, Sub and I had a good time against our oppenents until we ran into some walking dinner – dinner that ate us.

After a bit of divine intervention we were quickly on our way once more. As we left through the north gates of Brosna we met up with a couple of the Nega family, Vanessa and Vryax – at least I think his name was Vryax – the Nega’s joined with us, eager to kill the escaped fowl with us.

We were headed towards the chickencoop when we came upon Blue and Oliver, dining on bbqed chicken. Grinning around a mouthful crispy chicken Blue said, “Sorry, we didn’t save any for you!”

Introductions were made all around, and we were just about to see if we could find some more ‘dinner’ when a horde of lizardmen surrounded us! Just as we had finished of the lizards, a pack of most ferocious wolverines attacked! The blood of the beasts not even dry, the earth started to shake. On my knees, my mind swimming, a goddess appeared before us. Then everything went black.

When I came to – we were at the gates of the world. Shaking my head to clear it, I looked around, and found those I was with there aswell. We called out greetings to one another, and reformed. Oliver called us over to meet a new face. The young woman’s name was Rozhia – or something close to that, and she implored us for our help.

We agreeed to meet in Benzor, at Oliver’s home, to hear more of her tale. I arrived to see Rering and Oliver already there with Rozhia, as well as Elvin. Rozhia explained that she had seen a specter of a girl, and was led to believe her soul was trapped by foul magics. We agreeed to assist her in freeing the girl’s soul, but we needed to gather more allies to us.

I let them know I was expecting more company and soon Vanessa and Vryax arrived aswell. Some of the others were put off by the appearance of the dark elves.

Oh the frusteration! Nothing, nothing bothers me more than a biased predjuduce. I have travelled with many of the Negas, and while they have a dark side, I have never been betrayed or slandered by any of them. Yet Rering and Rozhia badgered them incessantly, deamanding they swear oaths as to their intentions. I said as much about my opinion of such actions, and my views were brushed aside. Had it been me interrogated in such away I would not have stood for it. I patently did not expect the Nega’s to. However, they appeared to be used to such accusations, and humbly agreed to swear to the good of the group.

Such aside, we decided to meet outside the north gates of Brosna. Blue and Sub met us there, and we were preparing to set out to assist Rozhia when the gate guards stayed us. They reported there was an undead army on the move. It was headed to both Brosna and Loknar. While I was curious about the girl, and wished to help free her soul, the army of undead was a much more pressing matter.

We headed south – through Brosna and the old city. As we continued south we had a bit of an altercation with some drow guards, but that was quickly enough resolved as a misunderstanding. As we approached the killing fields we gathered closer together, and stepped cautiously. Several went ahead to scout, and reported an army of vampires and liches – perhaps there was more, but the could not see beyond the initial ranks.

Those of us able to wield magic wove all of the protections we could about our band, and with a final tightening of gear, we engaged the enemy. The warriors among us charged forward, fierce battlecries bellowed from their mouths as they clashed with the undead host. We called upon all of the resources avaliable to us and rained hell down upon the vile undead!

It looked like the battle was turning in our favour, when from the rear of the undead army jalakai sprang forth. They were incredibly fast and hard to spot. They ran through our ranks cutting us down where we stood. The gods were kind though, and returned us to the battle uninjured. Those of us who had fallen rejoined our companions who were still standing, and we regrouped.

Heartened by new travellers who had come to join us, we charged the undead again! We slung spell and arrow at them, drawing upon all of the powers avaliable to us. Finally, the last of the foul creatures dead we looked to an abberation on the plain. From the blood slick grass spouted an inferno. Swallowing back the fear that rose in my throat like bile, I looked closely at the unnatural flames.

From out of their midst rose a most powerful lich king. With no time to think, only act we attacked. He seemed to shrug us off, and moved past us as if we were standing still. While we were still struggling to react to this he called spell upon spell down on us, cackling with maclicous glee. Soon though, we got our footing and surrounded the foul creature. Unable to escape us, he fell, unfortunately he took several of our band with him.

Wiping the blood and sweat from my face with the back of a tattered sleeve, I surveyed the field. Many of my companions lay dead, but the cities were safe. Slowly, those of us who had fallen were rasied by our dieties and restored to the land of the living.

Knees shaking with fatiuge, I leaned on my sheild and struggled to remain upright. In the aftermath of the battle I felt weak and sorely in need of some recovery time. It was then that the goddess appeared before us once more. She rewarded us all. As well as the knoweledge gained from such a battle we received a boon from her, most fantastic potions.

She left us with her blessing and departed from our plain.

Grinning with the pleasure of our success, I walked with my companions to the docks. I was exhaused from the battle so I said my goodbyes and departed.

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nordock/stories/army_of_the_dead.txt · Last modified: 2022/05/26 19:44 by WafflesMcDuff