The Siege of Van Myrid

cy 4863 - Janos 30th

The party emerge from the altar of Malakar into a battle scene. The temple is in ruins, the walls and ceiling are on fire and all around them are dead or dying priests. Above fly demons who rain down fire and lightning on those below. Other demonic creatures are on the ground but the Bretonian and Khulandir palace guardians are upon them cutting them down with lethal efficiency.

Taryn launches an arrow from the Bow of Kings, punctures the heart of a flying demon which is then engulfed in primal fire. The last of the five weapons of Lord Kal from the Caves of the Dead is handed to Hosskal – the mighty Valkaras a slightly curved longsword – and the party move out of the falling temple.

When the fighting stops they emerge into the Temple District where two other temples (Willowstar and Elena) lie in ruins before them. It is on the third temple – that of Jarik Saal – that all eyes focus. Sat atop the highest spire is an enormous creature, the largest dragon they have ever seen. Its scales shimmer as the light catches it sending a prism of colour all around it.

Brazer Silverbow caresses the creature’s mind and is stunned. He senses a creature older than the universe itself, in fact he senses this creature has existed in many universes. The mind is more complex, more powerful than anything else the young Marraq has ever encountered.

"You have a subtle touch with the mind," the dragon says, "I am Hamroth, Lord of the Glaennyn. Welcome to Hell!"

The Glaennyn lord informs them that Valadain Raikos is on the way. All around them the sounds of battle can be heard from all corners of the citadel. Soon Valadain emerges, a haunted face that tells of the hardship that he and his people have endured. A man who has foregone sleep just to keep the city alive.

"I am Taryn Bzar…well met Valadain Raikos."

"I owe you a debt I will never be able to repay for saving Arvial and my son."

"We are here to rescue you my lord."

Valadain laughs. "I will not leave until all my people are safe."

"Then we will help you in this battle. Illeum and queen Kirenna have sent one hundred of their finest guardians. But tell me Valadain, why do you not reinforce this place through the temples? Surely you could have ten thousand men here within a day?"

"We will speak of this in the palace," he says. "Did Illeum get my message?"

"We know of no message, lord," says Brazer, "but I can help you in this." Brazer – using the power of the mantle – touches Valadain’s mind and then strives out west and south until he finds the mind of Illeum. He maintains a telepathic link with the two half brothers whilst the party listen in to the conversation.

Illeum and Valadain keep it brief. Valadain assures the emperor that he can maintain Van Myrid for a year if he has to – particularly with Hamroth’s help. Illeum Runesabre tells him of the army they muster and Valadain warns of the hidden army Illyanth has in the northern Olshay Range.

"Taryn and his companions are on a mission." Illeum says, "they intend to slay Illyanth and stop this war. There is merit in their plan so I think all our efforts should lie in keeping her and her armies busy so that they can get close to her."

"Brave indeed," Valadain says, "But it is a better plan than I have. I will help them anyway I can Illeum."

"Good," the emperor says, "we will speak later Godslayer."

Valadain breaks the link and turns to the party. "Come with me to the palace and we will discuss this further."

But Taryn shakes his head. "We will prove our words on the walls my lord and then we will talk."

Valadain smiles. "Then when you have had your fill of slaying come to me in the palace."

As they leave Brazer touches the mind of the Glaennyn lord once more and gets a panoramic view of the awesome scene beyond the walls. An ocean of Elenorians are gathered around the city, siege towers and ballistae, a production line of warriors that crash against the walls like an angry tsunami.

From this viewpoint Brazer spots the concentration from the Elenorians. Their tactic is to bombard a section of wall and then try to over-run it. Brazer leads them to the wall above the Grand Library where the next assault is gathering. Once there the Bretonians and the Khulans stay close.

The heavy bombardment pounds the walls and the Myrid troops lie in wait below the battlements. Some of the Myrids sleep whilst others wait for the inevitable onslaught. Arrows keep any watchers at bay until the sound of grapples on the walls signals a bellowing battle cry from a Myrid captain nearby.

The troops emerge at the battlements. Brazer Silverbow spreads his mind out amongst the sea of Elenorians to find the leaders or at least the most competent or unusual minds. He sends this telepathically to each of his companions and Taryn puts the first arrow through the eye of an Elenorian captain.

The battle begins.

Siege towers numbering hundreds trundle towards the walls. G-Lest casts warp wood on the first such tower, bending and buckling the base of a tower which immediately starts to list badly. Taryn picks out soldiers at the base of two other towers and puts an arrow into their necks. The resultant spurt of blood ignites the base of these towers and consumes any Elenorian within a few feet. The wood burns hotter than any furnace.

On the walls Hosskal leaps amongst the Elenorian grapplers and decapitates two immediately, the blade Valkaras giving him incredible ability and power. The Bretonians’ heads are turned by Hosskal’s savage swordplay as he cuts down opponent after opponent in a blur of steel and blood. G-Lest augments their attacks with bless and tries to stay out of the battle as much as possible.

Soon the walls are full of Elenorians. Bows are discarded in favour of blade, the clash of steel on steel rings out across the city. The fighting is brutal and death is quick. A huge cheer goes out as one of the siege towers crashes onto hundreds of Elenorians. G-Lest is already working on the second tower. Clytem, wielder of Kal Amoth the ring of sorcery, launches a fireball into the crowd below. A great ball of flame expands and destroys scores of Elenorians.

Taryn Bzar is amongst the fiercest fighting. His shortsword ideally suited to close combat, his quick reactions and lightning reflexes make him a difficult target as he cuts throats, eyes and femoral arteries to produce his deadly gouts of flame. Now G-Lest is involved in combat – not even his sanctuary can aid him with so many opponents.

Hosskal is like a man possessed. He deflects not only his own attacks but those coming close to Clytem. The half Marraq uses his blade to cut down many Elenorians as the death toll rises around them. Two more siege towers – the ones targeted by Taryn’s fire – abandon the blazing siege engine as hundreds of Elenorians fall to their deaths amongst the hordes.

The enemies are relentless. When Brazer Silverbow’s stomach is opened by a sword G-Lest and Taryn rush to him to cure light wounds. Inevitably there are more wounds, the most severe being Taryn who receives a near-fatal crack to the skull. Even dazed he dispatches two opponents before being cured by himself and Brazer Silverbow.

Hosskal slices through the enemy with great sword-borne skill, he deals death left and right, he surprises the veteran troops on the walls and begins to gain a devout following amongst the soldiers he fights alongside. Even the hardcore Bretonian palace guards are impressed, men accustomed to the most terrifying combat, men used to dealing death so nonchalantly themselves.

All around him are the severed limbs and battered skulls of his victims. Hosskal feels the great joy of battle, senses how Lord Kal must have felt in the early years of his reign. He revels in the mutilated corpses all around him, his spirit soars as no-one can touch him; not even the best Elenorian can face him.

"Is this the best you can do?!" he yells in the middle of the fiercest fighting…