The Death of a General

Feb 29th - Mar 3rd

Orbelain’s army travels four days north toward Gulhaven. On the field in front of them is Drusor Luckwarden’s mercenary army, a force of similar proportions, bolstered by troops trained by Queen Jirenna of Khulandir. Drusor sits on a horse in front of his men, a battle standard by his side but Orbelain will not enter into the niceties of pre-battle ramble with him. Instead Orbelain drives his men forward into battle.

The two armies come together and there is ferocious skirmishing on both sides. Orbelain knows that Drusor is testing for weaknesses, indeed he opens up a few holes in his defences but the Drenai mercenary does not take the bait. After the initial trials Drusor strikes the first blow in earnest and his elves and men take out Orbelain’s left flank. This crushing defeat leaves Orbelain with a quandary; shore up the broken flank and lose more men or turn his attention to the stronger right flank.

Orbelain counterattacks with equal ferocity and he turns near defeat to near victory, as Drusor’s own flank is crushed. Stood next to Orbelain is Zaelador, Vohaas’ demonic general, the demon is impressed by the guile of Orbelain and also the sheer prowess of Drusor himself. The Drenai general is in the thick of the fighting.

Soon Drusor smashes through the heart of Orbelain’s forces, the two halves are pushed apart and he has to act quickly or the day will be lost. The remnants of the Forlorn Hope drive themselves together and effectively cut off the head of Drusor’s force. Drusor himself is surrounded by the veteran guards whilst the rest of his force struggle to reach their leader. Orbelain drives forward and can see the mercenary slaughtering all in his path.

The fighting is close and chaotic. On another day Orbelain would have won but the savagery of Drusor’s men proves decisive. Soon the Forlorn Hope are scattered, the Khulan’s and mercenaries surround the last pocket of resistance and Orbelain is trapped.

Zaelador draws a katana and moves towards Drusor as the general approaches. With almost negligent ease Drusor Luckwarden disarms Zaelador before cutting him down with a vicious flick of one of his greatswords.

"At last an opponent worthy of me," Drusor grins at Orbelain.

But Orbelain grabs his demonic greataxe and launches himself into combat. Drusor knocks the axe from his grip and – when Orbelain brabs a shortsword – he knocks that away also.

"I don’t want to kill you," Drusor says, "on the contrary you and I have much in common."

Orbelain spits at Drusor’s feet and grabs his axe once more. To this Drusor sighs. "Very well young man…let’s end this then."

Drusor wields two greatswords as though they were rapiers. His massive frame is able to cope with the sheer brute strength and dexterity required to wield blades in such a manner. Orbelain is a good axeman but realises – very quickly – that he is outclassed. Only stoneskin prolongs the fight, which is now being witnessed by the remains of Drusor’s army.

On several occasions Orbelain comes close. On another day his great demonic axe would have taken Drusor’s mighty soul but the Drenai is remorseless and relentless. When the final blow comes it is quick. Orbelain’s head is smashed into small pieces and Drusor is left to count the cost of the battle. Fewer than five hundred of his soldiers remain…

Meanwhile Morikand, Vetrick, Graz Tak and This Revom leave Van Myrid in the ship and head south and west toward Khulandir. They are joined by a grey orc priest of Elena called Headlock. Morikand retires to his chamber in an attempt to create another spell.

Graz Tak receives telepathic taunts from Asigoth – the demonic assassin – and when he takes these concerns to Morikand the demonologist brings out the soul compass. The pendulum on the compass locates Asigoth and they move on deck where one of the Forlorn Guard is stood. Vetrick strikes him down immediately realising that he has been tricked. Graz recieves further taunts and they all realise that Asigoth is an assassin that can fool even the soul compass.

Morikand creates a pentacle of protection specifically designed to protect against Asigoth. He casts stoneskin on Tihs and Headlock before continuing his studies.

Later Morikand summons a demon from the Plane of Life and binds it into Graz’s blood, which the master thief quickly drinks. Below them the forest of the Khulans can be seen and Vetrick steers the Eagle into one of the larger rivers.

A few hundred Khulan elves emerge and when Morikand tells them of their desire to speak to Queen Jirenna one of them rushes off to take a message. After a couple of hours more and more elves emerge. Thousands of Khulan warriors surround the ship.

Whilst they wait Morikand summons Venar, a grey haired woman from the Plane of Prayers. He converses with the woman in demonic tongue and instead of binding her they come to an agreement. Venar then turns to Vetrick and opens the small lantern she carries. "This light will cleanse your soul ranger," she says.

There is no hesitation from Vetrick. He places his hand inside the small lantern and screams. The pain is unlike anything he – or any other human – has ever experienced. He falls unconscious to the floor and Venar says; "It is done…his soul is pure again."

When Vetrick wakes a beautiful elven woman; Princess Martyra of the Khulans, comes aboard and announces that she is the emissary of the queen herself. The conversation with Morikand and Vetrick is short. The princess will not agree to any meeting between the queen and themselves and the party become more and more frustrated with the situation.

When she turns to leave the princess is struck by something expertly thrown from the shadows. A small throwing star cuts Martyra’s jugular vein and blood spurts like a fountain from the falling elf. Morikand is quickest to react. Before the guards and soldiers know what has happened he casts demonic shield and takes the ship up into the clouds. Arrows bounce harmlessly off the impenetrable barrier and soon the Eagle is in the clouds and they are safe.

They all suspect Asigoth.

Morikand summons a demon from the Plane of Trees to take the body back down to the queen and with a message attached explaining what occurred. Before long an eagle arrives (which Vetrick befriends and uses speak with animals to talk to it). The eagle delivers a stark warning from Queen Jirenna; a warning that her vengeance will be swift. "…you will be dead before the year is out."

That night, when Morikand is asleep, Asigoth makes an attempt on his life. He appears in the doorway of the summoning room (where the entire party are inside the pentacle of protection) and hurls a demonic dagger at the sleeping demonologist. Vetrick is too quick. He deflects the deadly blade and sends it crashing against the walls of the ship. Asigoth parries a couple of attacks before teleporting way.

Morikand casts true name on the demonic dagger left behind. It is Sordid from the Plane of Death. After a brief conversation he banishes it.

The last leg of their journey takes them north. The vast citadel of Gran Breton looms large below them and Vetrick lands in the largest courtyard of the palace itself. Soon the party march into the court of Korven. Generals, bodyguards and nobility surround him as he greets Morikand warmly.

Morikand dispenses with any pleasantries and demands payment for the sacking of Morinae. It soon becomes clear that the oily, treacherous leader has no intention of honouring their deal. In fact he is surprisingly calm as the atmosphere becomes heated and the party begin to sense that Korven is not their ally after all.

Vetrick has seen enough. He ignores the hundreds of elite guards all around the throne room and draws his mighty greatsword. But as he advances on Korven the king does not flinch, does not even try to defend himself. Vetrick moves in and Korven merely smiles…