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Post by Gaia on Dec 12, 2007 17:34:36 GMT -5
The wind swept across the grasslands. Dark clouds hung low overhead making it feel like early morning or late evening though it was actually mid day. This great plain lay just east of the lands claimed by Kalor and just north of the land claimed by the Dwarves. It was the spot chosen for the armies of the free people to gather. Old mother earth looked upon this beautiful land one last time, before it became the grave of many, before it was stained with the blood of the innocent and brave. Before it was littered with broken blade, spear, and arrow. But for now it was a simple field with tall grass that swayed in the wind.
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Post by Jonok Coldfury on Dec 12, 2007 18:15:12 GMT -5
Flarii sand skiffs slowly circled over the plain, looking for a good place to land and make camp. They were the first to arrive, it appeared. With a force of only 5,000, they would be fairly vulnerable before the larger forces arrived. Their force was so small because the Flarii do not train warriors, they train guards to protect their land. The commander of the army maneuvered his sand skiff down in an area that would be difficult to see coming from the portal, and fairly easy to defend. The others quickly followed suit. Within the hour, they had made a simple camp. They were quite cold, for they were used to the brutal conditions of the desert and here they were under intense cloud cover and a chilling wind. The sand skiffs were turned upside down to use as wind shields. They were not lonely, for they knew they would have company, the kind of company was what bothered them.
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Post by Land Of Zargon on Dec 12, 2007 19:47:02 GMT -5
The army of Zargon was close at hand. Dragoth scout flyer's searched the field below looking for enemy's, allies, and a good camping spot... They found two of three so they went back to report to the generals. Soon the sky was filled with Dragoths that landed in an area in front of a hillside there they started making the more important structures of the camp, such as the command center and preparing the food lines. Soon the rest of the army followed they slowly marched over the hill and began to make and fortify there camp. Lieutenants shouted orders left and right as the camp slowly became ready for what it would be used for.
As the day tread on the camp took shape. In front of the hill the Grogowen engineer team had dug trenches all the way across the bottom of the hill and around to the other side, slightly up the slopes stockades and battlements had been arranged around the hill side to provide a fall back, and behind that was the secondary camp (where the army was) The on the middle part of the slop more stockades and battlements where arranged. Behind this was the main camp with the cannons installed on the top of the hill to provide fire support where ever needed.
Stron himself along with a small contingent of guards came to the Flarii camp to speak with the Flarii commander.
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Post by Jonok Coldfury on Dec 12, 2007 19:54:07 GMT -5
Some of the Flarii warriors that were near the edge of the camp saw Stron coming.
"He looks important, go get the commander!" one of them said to the other in their native tongue. "Why don't you, you're the one who thinks he looks important! Besides, I'm cold! These clouds will be the death of me!" the other replied. "If your cold then it will do you good to go get the commander, besides, what if they aren't good, what if they are evil?" "... I see your point. I'll be right back."
Shortly he returned with the commander and they stood at the edge of the camp waiting for the Zargonians.
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Post by Land Of Zargon on Dec 12, 2007 20:06:54 GMT -5
Stron gave a slight bow "We stand now on the brink of inhalation of our entire world... In this situation all must rise up and fight for all they know and love. And it is with this understanding that I welcome you as friend and brother to this battle... Shall we prepare for what is to come as strangers or as friends?" Stron simply waved his hand out in front of him in a friendly manner. The grass swayed in the breeze and the wind swirled through both camps giving the large field a very empty and hollow feeling. This was indeed the place of a future clash... And not just any clash of steal and metal or of bone and flesh... No... this was a clash that would decide the fate of the entire land of Gorgraz!
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Post by Jonok Coldfury on Dec 12, 2007 20:13:01 GMT -5
The Flarii commander stepped forward. He stood there with his arms crossed for a moment before raising a fist, palm out, to eye level. He then slowly opened it until his hand was flat up and down. This was a sign of trust for the Flarii. "We fight as brothers. I," he said, laying his now open hand on his heart, "Farng Holnop." the commander replied in his broken basic.
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Post by Land Of Zargon on Dec 12, 2007 20:27:36 GMT -5
Stron extended his own hand and shook the commanders "Stron Emerald Scale. May our forces know victory for all the world."
The camp was finished and the sun was starting to lower behind a distant mountain, as it the sunlight began to change and dim fires could be seen dotting the camp as voices rose up from the fire sides. Most of them where of better times or the battle ahead, but among some circles there was little talking... These where the veterans of different wars those who knew what lay ahead. But around a few fires there was no talking only silence... These where the agents for they had seen battles both great and small through there years of service. They truly knew what they would face on the battle field and although none spoke they all had the same mindset. One Skrive agent by the name of Osaer was walking to join his comrades when he passed by a few recruits talking about the horrors to come, as he listened to them tell each other there fears and worries Osaer walked closer until one of the recruits saw him and froze. Osaer sat down beside them for a moment "Remember these words and remember them well... It is not what you fight, but what you fight for." With those words Osaer sat for a moment in there still shocked silence then got up and walked on to his comrades circle.
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Post by Land of Shadows on Dec 12, 2007 20:38:54 GMT -5
Drums could be heard in the distance and before long the first contingent of the army from the Land of Shadows could be seen topping a hillside on the opposite side of the field. The cultists and Urgals among them broke away and started making a camp for the main army that would be hear by midmorning. Shadow walkers lay hidden in the long shadows of the setting sun and would soon be invisible in the darkness of the night.
Fabador ordered a band of Urgals off of there mongrel hides and to begin work on the mounting platforms, and armor for there war beasts. They needed them ready for when the main army got there. Fabador then went back to his tent (The first constructed) He made no attempt to inform the other two factions that where already here of his intentions, but he assumed that as long as he did not attack that they would take the incentive and do the same. "This is a bother..."
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Post by Jonok Coldfury on Dec 12, 2007 20:39:17 GMT -5
"Many thanks to you, Stron. I feared for my men, we are few and the enemy plenty. But now the odds are evening,"he looked toward the sound of the drums,"And more come! Ha ha!" He shook hands. "We should meet these new ones." Farng said as he started toward the arriving group.
As the night came, the wind grew worse. The Flarii erected several windmills and used their power to turn hundreds of grinding stones. The warriors each took turns preparing their various weapons. Some of the warriors who had completed their tasks ventured into the Zargonian camp, looking to learn about their allies. There was much talk within the circles of the Flarii, they mostly told stories of the way their ancestors were, the way their people had once been grand warriors and had fought many wars. They did not mean that their skills had diminished, only that they didn't fight wars anymore.
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Post by Land Of Zargon on Dec 13, 2007 20:10:49 GMT -5
Stron looked at the army that had just arrived and squinted his eyes just to be sure he wasn't seeing things. "Umm Farng I can assure you that although those are allies they probably wouldn't like company. You live far to the east but I'm sure you have heard story's about those that dwell in the Land of Shadows. Yes my people have had run ins with them and its always been trouble. Most of the time they don't care for life or the loss of it." Stron nodded his head
"They have evil hearts and are only here for there own gain, but perhaps I am to hard on them. Generations of strife and pain have hardened my heart toward them. I suppose if they have the capacity... even if its for there own gain... To come out hear now to aid us in the battle than I suppose we can call them allies."
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Post by Jonok Coldfury on Dec 13, 2007 20:44:11 GMT -5
Farng stopped dead in his tracks upon the mention of the origin of the newly arriving army. "They not deserve welcome." He turned to Stron. "You need anything, I here," he said waving his hand in the direction of his camp. He slowly walked back toward the center of his camp, shouting out orders.
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Post by Land Of Zargon on Dec 13, 2007 21:05:25 GMT -5
Stron thought that his response to where there new found allies came from was well in expectation range. "O well" He thought. Stron signaled for his guards and they turned about and returned to camp where the fire lights and forges light the camp like burna bugs in summer. The camp was filled with the sounds of the forges working on last minuet pieces of equipment. All around the camp soldiers sat side by side and voiced there fears, hopes about the battle to come.
Stron had expected to see all of this for it was what happened before many major battles it calmed him to know that his solders where ready to face there destiny's and where ready to take a stand and defend all of Gorgraz, but at the same time Stron was racked with grief for he knew that many of these solders would be dead by the time this was all over. Stron looked around the camp as he walked to the inner camp he could pick out the different groups among his soldiers the recruits talking about anything and everything to pass the time, the veterans and officers making sure all there equipment was ready, and the agents sitting silently around there fires. He could also see the other factions such as the Black Core and the Chargers... Stron breathed in a deep breath and let it out in a long sigh.
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Post by Realm of Dargath on Dec 16, 2007 22:27:14 GMT -5
A low rummble resonated through the ground just before ten dwarven steam tanks appeared over a hill to the south of the other armys. It was the forward party, sent ahead to set up camp for the rest of the army. Each of the tanks pulled a huge trailer behind it.
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Post by Land of Shadows on Dec 18, 2007 17:16:00 GMT -5
Fabador left his tent to walk about the camp. Everything must be in order before the army arrived and he knew this. Fabador gazed out at the other camps and the newly arrived dwarven forces he didn't like the fact that his army would no longer be on the outside of the battle, but this was a fact he could no longer changed. Most of the camp was complete and cultists and Urgals alike sat around there newly made fires to keep warm, but when Fabador spotted a team of cultists that where taking a break from constructing one of the war beasts mount he grew furious. "You wretched worms! What are you doing? Karon marches with the army and will be here with the morning sun and I will not be punished for your impudence!"
The group of cultist where whithering and shaking on there knees as one of them had the courage to beg "P..P... Please... Great master... We beg of you to spare us..." Fabadors icy eyes grew dark and foreboding and his shoulders stiffened he had been angered and an example had to be made. Fabador thrusted his palm out underhanded and made as if he took hold of something, as he did so the begging cultist started to lift up and gasp for air. "Fools such as you do not deserve to work for the glory of the dark gods!" Fabador snapped his out reached hand into a fist and the cultist fell to the ground withering in agony until he died an incredibly painful death.
Fabador turned to the onlookers and to the rest of the camp emerging from tents and work stations at the sound of the commotion. "Let this be a lesson to all of you! The dark gods have no time for lazy worms! Fail and die, but serve them faithfully and with complete devotion and you too will be granted with the powers of the dark gods!" Many of the nearby cultists dropped to the ground in praise and worship until Fabador cut them off and ordered them back to work.
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Post by Realm of Dargath on Dec 23, 2007 0:43:52 GMT -5
The tanks stopped and dwarves began to pour out of them. They immediately began setting up tents, forges, and trenches. By the time they finished it was nearly morning.
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Post by Jonok Coldfury on Jan 1, 2008 21:21:14 GMT -5
(Merging in from " Wandering") The Army of the White Sash, the Cereashian army, came at a swift jog. They halted beside the army from Zargon and began to set up camp, consisting of several large wall-less pavilions and a large free standing stone door. Jonok casually strode into the Zargonian camp, searching for a commander. Commander Farng noticed the new comer entering the adjacent camp. He stood and strode over to greet him.
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Post by Land Of Zargon on Jan 2, 2008 1:25:53 GMT -5
Right when Dogin and Joe walked through the gate and the first soldier saw them he told a group of people and they told a group of people and so on and so on until the whole camp knew that they where there. Dogin gazed around at all the eyes of the soldiers and remembered why he liked being on the road all the time... These people admired him and looked up to him because they thought he was a legend... and perhaps he was but he only thought of himself as another soldier doing his duty.
Joe looked over and saw that Dogin was deep in thought "Chin up Dogin." Dogin snapped out of his thoughts "Ah. I suppose your right Joe we should report to Stron then make ready for the battles ahead." Joe nodded as they walked on. As they walked into the command tent all the current chatter that had been going on stopped as all the generals looked at the them. Stron looked up and half smiled "I was wondering when you two would make an apperence..." Looking from one to the other "So what can you tell me?" Dogin scratched his chin "I can tell you that our enemy is like none before us they do not rage war in the common sense as we know it. They do not fight for land, money, honor, or any thing you would find in this world, but instead they fight for the sole purpose of eradicating all life as we know it." The command tent was deathly silent and a cold wind blew in from outside. Dogin looked around the tent "Gentlemen we stand now on the brink of destruction even with the army's of all of Gorgraz standing with us we will face impossible odds... they numbers will be vast, there determination unwavering, and there endurance unbreakalbe..." One of the generals spoke up "Then what are we to do? We cannot face such creatures!" Stron turned and spoke "Peace. Remember it is not what we fight but what we fight for." another general spoke up "But sire these creatures sound unbeatable." It was Dogin who spoke next "Indeed they are strong and many will die in battle, but we must fight them here and now. If we fail there will be nowhere safe from the demon's wrath, but here with the combined army's of Gorgraz we stand a chance." The general spoke up "But its as you said even with our allies we will still be hopelessly outnumbered and..." Dogin cut him off "I said no such thing... I said we where outnumbered but nothing is hopeless." Stron closed his eyes and opened them again. "Enough of this for now." "But sire..." "Enough I said!" regaining his composer "In a way this is quite simple... We will prepare while we can for the battles, we will ride out and face this enemy alongside our allies, and we will win... Keep in mind all that is at stake." Everyone in the room was quite. "Alright I call a recess we will continue in the morn."
Dogin left the tent and Joe leaned over "So what d you think?" Dogin shrugged "It is like Stron said... we will ride out and face them with all we can muster and we will either win or lose..." Both Joe and Dogin gazed out at the night sky they both knew that it wasn't that simple...
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Post by Jonok Coldfury on Jan 2, 2008 13:22:41 GMT -5
Farng soon caught Jonok's attention. "Ah, Commander Farng, great to see you!" "Same to you, Wolfman. You seem a bit slow in getting your forces here." Farng replied with a chuckle. "Well, we cannot move across the land as quickly as yourselves." Jonok replied as they continued on. He was headed for what appeared to be a command tent. "I guess that is true. But that doesn't mean I cannot give you a hard time about it." They both laughed. They continued to catch up on what each had been doing until they had reached the command tent. Jonok, who's head was turned, bumped into someone. "Oh, I'm terribly... Joe, Dogin! I should've known you two would be here. This is Commander Farng of the Flarii sand skiffs." Farng gave a slight bow. "Greetings." he said.
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Post by Land Of Zargon on Jan 4, 2008 1:27:26 GMT -5
Joe chuckled "Any one who is able and choses to stand with us now is a good man in my books." Dogin was staring across the fields at all that had gathered hes mind was wandering from one thought to another never staying long... that is until he spied something he could not understand "Yes its good to meet you both... Hey Jonok. What are you people constructing? The large door like things what are they?" Dogin pointed off into the darkness of the night where he saw the construction.
Joe turned hes head to look off into the night where Dogin had pointed. Joes eyebrows scrunched together as he squinted hard to see what lay beyond the veil of darkness. "Well my eyes aren't as good as yours in the dark Dogin... But if its fine with you I'm going to go find the guys." Dogin gave a brief nod to his friend "Ill be there in a minuet." Dogin turned back to face Jonok hoping for an answer to hes question.
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Post by Jonok Coldfury on Jan 6, 2008 18:56:38 GMT -5
Jonok shook hands with Farng who continued on into the command tent. He then turned in the direction Dogin had pointed. "That... would be a door of the Skevante, of the Fifth Clan, called a Portway. It is one of the many wonders they left for us. The Portways are all linked together and are placed all over Gorgraz, but only with the proper key can one get to where he wants to go."
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Post by Land of Shadows on Jan 6, 2008 22:39:11 GMT -5
The war beasts mounts where finished, but there was still more to be done in preparation for the swiftly approaching dawn. Fabador walked through the camp then looke up into the glittering night sky soon it would be dawn and Karon would be here with the main army, then Fabador gazed out at the vast dew covered fields soon this simple field would be the sight of a vast and bloody battle... Fabador couldn't wait.
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Post by Land Of Zargon on Jan 13, 2008 10:53:28 GMT -5
Dogin slowly nodded his head then turned back to Jonok "The night grows short and there is still much to do for both me and you. I shall not waste anymore of your time and as for me I think I will go and check on the other agents... Haven't seen them in quite the while." Meanwhile Joe walked through the camp gazing from firelight to firelight searching for his comrades, but he knew where they would be. They always made camp near the gate so they could be first out.
As Joe walked into view of the Agents a large gray Grogowen with short horns stood up and started walking to-wared him "Joe! Its been quite some time since we wrestled back home huh?" Joe squinted his eyes at the back light Grogowen then his eyes opened wide as he recognized him. " Bromre? Is that you little brother?" he embraced his sibling in a hug that would have crushed a boulder "But when did they let you into our ranks?" Bromre brushed his ruffled fur back into place "Well I have to thank you on that one. The officers knew how good you where at being an agent that when I showed promise they enlisted me right out of battle school. I suppose they think I may become as good a warrior as you." Joe started to laugh "That maybe true in time little brother but for now it remains that I'm the better fighter!" The two brothers had a laugh and went back to the others where more friendly introductions where made and story's passed around.
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Post by Kalor on Jan 13, 2008 11:39:17 GMT -5
A trumpet sounded in the crisp air, the sound of several hundred sets of hooves beating could be heard as the Kalorian vanguard poured into the valley. Those that remember the glory days of the Kalorian empire would hardly recognize the the rag-tag band of horsemen who rode in. Some still wore complete sets of Kalorian Knights armor other wore mismatched pieces of armor. There were some former Outriders with leather and chain mail. Each man had his armor customized to his own use and everyones armor was dented and well used, but their spears and swords were sharp and their horses strong. Circling the allied army they came to a stop when the caught sight of the Shadow Army. The commander, a grizzled old veteran of the Second Orc War, the Fabianite War, and the Occupation grimaced as he dismounted his steed. "They are too close and there are not enough defenses here for them to be enemies..." he murmured.
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Post by Jonok Coldfury on Jan 13, 2008 20:32:56 GMT -5
Jonok nodded as Dogin headed off to find his comrades. At the sound of thundering hooves he turned to see another army approaching. They were mounted. As they drew closer he could finally see from where they were from. The Kalorians, the messenger was successful. He turned and entered the Zargonian command tent. Inside, Farng stood waiting for him. He slowly looked around at the generals.
The door and tents were complete. The soldiers did know their jobs and did them well. They now all chose their places to sleep and checked their weapons and armor. Calana was doing the same, though she had been made to do so inside a small tent reserved for the Gaurdian. The generals and sergeants had insisted. Her pallet was laid out, her weapons were sharp, her bow cleaned and oiled, arrows inspected. She then remembered the armor in her pack. She pulled out the bag and the chain mail inside softly clinked as it shifted. She reached in and pulled out the pieces out one by one. In the bag was a tunic, short leggings, and a helm. All of it was forged in a metal that was a dark silver in color. It felt light, almost too light. She pulled on the tunic. The metal was cool. Before she closed the armor up, she could tell it was too large. So large it was almost cumbersome. She pulled off the tunic and put the armor back in the bag.
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Post by Land Of Zargon on Jan 14, 2008 22:51:36 GMT -5
Stron had just finished pointing out the locations to set up the artillery batteries and the general gave a slight bow and headed out the tent to make the arrangements. Stron watched him go and saw the newcomers "Welcome friends and allies." A large gray Grogowen with many scars walked up and whispered something into Strons ear. Stron gave a nod and the Grogowen left the tent.
Dogin stood a small ways away from the edge of the fire light where his comrades sat. He had been on the road for a long time trying to put his past behind him many of those that sat around the fire passing story's he did not know. In this moment Dogin felt far away as if he where somewhere else cold and alone Dogin realized that being on the road for so long had not helped him get away from his past, but had isolated him from the present. Dogin took a deep breath and walked into the light of the fire it wasn't long before someone spotted him... Unfortunately it was one of the newer people a young bronze Dragoth "Hail soldier how gos your preparations? To approach us you must have something important to say." Some of the other agents that didn't know who he was laughed with him, but those that did know who it was went ridged as if they saw a ghost of the past.
Tahora walked over from a near by fire her scales glinted in the light of the blaze "Dogin! Hello. I knew your travels would bring you to this place." The young Dragoth looked confused "Tahora you know this soldier?" She looked upon the young agent "I suggests you bite your tongue before one of us rip it out of you..." The Dragoth and the other people who had laughed looked shocked as she continued "None of you should even dare talk like that to someone who has seen more combat than all of the agents combined!" She was about to go off completely until Dogin reseted his hand on her shoulder "A long time ago a remark like that would have angered me greatly, but then again that was a long time ago. I have walked many roads since then and have come to realize there is nothing in anger." Even Joe looked at Dogin in awe and amazement could this be the same Dogin he was with a day ago?
Dogin took a seat around the fire "My name is Dogin Hood and I have seen many things, and walked many paths, I have fought against creatures that even the Gods gave no name..." Dogin gave a sigh to the night air then continued in a tone that mad him seem much much older "But I am getting on in years and my tales grow old with me... So what have all of you been up to?" A smile crossed Dogins face as introductions where made and the storys and laughter filled the night.
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