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Game synopsise Monday 20 & 27th September 2004
So it was that with the aid of the terrible Arya the chosen ones extracted all of the information they could from Dichio, before cutting off his head and throwing the grisly remains from the walls of Whitewall – secure that they were striking a blow against the forces of chaos and Lunar bred entropy.
The heroes resolved that they should effect the destruction of the bat broaches. They made their way to the Orlanth temple and found the Vingans still chanting and praying around the large sacred circle that they had marked out. Teleporting thirty warriors was unheard of, and required weeklong ritual preparations and was still not guaranteed success.
Consulting with the priests that were present they piled the evil broaches together and sought Orlanths might to smite the evil items with lightning and thunder. Such a mighty blast as was invoked left a black scar on the temple paving, miraculously washed clean by Olend as he invoked healing rains of Heler to cleanse the vestiges of Shepelkirts (1) evil magic. Whilst all this was happening a great cry went up. An evil grey mist was seeping from the Lunar encampment, moving towards the broken bridge. It seemed to gather momentum – clearly some devilry was prepared for the Orlanthi.
The grey mist swamped the gatehouse and immediately there was a hue and cry and much wailing. The Chosen Ones saw men fling themselves from the walls. The heroes took flight towards the gate whence came the greatest commotion. Aren took his place upon the gate, Kurash on a nearby roof. Olend strode upon Orlanths breath (2) casting his gaze about so that he might find some evil to smite. Arya had descended and had found men and women possessed of some unholy magic’s. Calling upon Orlanth to cleanse His peoples spirits and Vinga’s defender wind to protect she cast out evil spirits here and there.
It was Olend Yetorsson who caught sight of the six-armed demon, carrying bent blades of the evil empire in each hand. The fiend itself, a naked obsidian female, ten feet tall (3) and blasting evil red magic here and there, striking down those it touched. Men fled before the horror of the advance, the advance upon the gate of Whitewall itself! Olend flung himself into the fray only to bed stricken from the gently raining sky. Kurash tried to probe the mind of the demon only to collapse, frothing at the mouth. Arya was brushed aside as the moon spawn advanced. Only Aren was left to defend Broyan’s gate – he let fly his arrow, straight and true.
All were suddenly blinded by a mighty blue-white flash, and could see but in after images for a few moments after. When those that still stood could see once more they saw that Elmalandti Wildstorm stood forth with his boon companions, the fair company of Stormwalkers. No sign of the demon could be found, destroyed it seems by Elmalandti’s thunderbolt, his beard and long hair still sparkling with small flickers of electricity. It seems that his arrival was just in time.
The Heroes lead the Elmalandti to the High King, talking of this and that. Broyan offered guesting. Kallyr smiled broadly.
The following day started bright enough and a Thane entered the High Kings hall – a party of Lunar’s approached the stricken bridge. It was none other than Jorkandros Blinder, commander of the siege of Whitewall, whom the heroes had seen in procession through Jonstown. Jorkandros hailed from a well-placed noble family in the heartlands and was a true Yelmite - encased in proud a golden plate cuirass and all the fine regalia of the Dara Happan Heartlands. King Broyan went forth to hear what Jorkandros would say. It needs here be said that King Broyan is a true worshipper and son of Vingkot and has no love for the Dara Happans, but he would hear the sun mans words. Thus Jorkandros addressed the King, ‘Hail and well met High King Broyan! May the sun shine upon you and Her blessings bring peace to your heart!’
‘Get on with it. I have no time for honeyed words with such as you!’ shouted Broyan from the gatehouse.
‘High King Broyan, the emperor seeks the friendship of the Heortlings, as loyal subjects of the empire.’ Began Jorkandros, Broyan snorted.
Jorkandros continued ‘we wish you to surrender to us; here are the terms. The High King will acknowledge the Red Emperor as his liege lord, collect the emperors taxes and shall have leave to govern his own affairs in the name of the emperor. He will be appointed a royal advisor and a regiment of the Heartland Corps, the Jintori and a company of Thunder Delta Slingers shall be garrisoned at Whitewall. The Temple to Orlanth shall be closed and all worship of the rebel god Orlanth shall be outlawed. Converts to the Seven Mothers will be exempt all taxes for a year and half taxes after that. If you accede to these terms then you shall live and prosper in her light. If in folly you reject these terms your fate shall be the left to the Crimson Bat. Come King Broyan – what say you?’
All eyes were upon the King, because of his famous temper. ‘Return to me at Yelm-rest (4) sunman and you shall have you answer!’ said King Broyan.
‘Very well then, High King but think thee well on these matters and save thy people a terrible fate.’ Replied Jorkandros and turned his horse, a Jillaran racer and spurred it toward the camp. The High King called a council immediately and left the gatehouse.
Arya turned slowly away. Her gaze had fixed upon one man in particular to the exclusion of all others and barely heard the parley. The sorcerer Phineas Nigellus was in the company with Jorkandros. Her that has taken the red vows burned in her heart. Did Phineas realise that vengeance stood before him. But what of her sister? Was she in the Lunar camp? No time to think she hurried to the Kings council.
The King consulted those present to learn their council. It needs here be said that everyone agreed that for Orlanths sake they wouldst not surrender to the Dara Happan. No, they would stay and hold on as long as they could. Who among them would trust the word of a Lunar, faithless and accursed.
A melancholy descended over Whitewall that week. Preparation continued and fear grew amongst the defenders. The Crimson Bat they heard had never been defeated in combat lest it be with a dragon (5) – but dragons were in scant supply within the walled courtyards of the pale city.
Arya the Firebrand found one night a red scarf upon her pillow. She asked Vinga if this was a sign. She received no answer but took the scarf to Tarosea. She did indeed confirm that this was a sign and asked about her vows. She spoke of how she had seen Phineas at the parley. Tarosëa suggested that it might be time to forge her blade of vengeance. Arya agreed and sought out the Redsmith (6) who, with Tarosëa’s aid forged her a mighty blade. Arya Twinblades they called her after for one does not cast aside the legendary blade Frostreaver.
The day Arya received her blade of vengeance a red glow was seen to grow in the northern sky. An evil portent, coming from the north as evil always does. The well-laid plans were instigated, and Elmalandti lead the Godyr of the Thunderer to create a mighty hurricane that the fierce scream of the bat could not be heard. At the centre of the storm was a calm. The assembled warriors and Godyr of Orlanth steeled themselves. The Chanting of the ring of Vingans raised their voices and their chanting. The air throbbed with magic. Amid the tumult many a warrior could hear the sound of his heart beating, fit to brast. Then the first cry, ‘Aiieee…The Bat I see it, yonder! Chaos is coming …’
Murmurs began amongst the assembled. There was much fidgeting as warriors looked about them, doubt gnawed at them, others grim resolve. Broyan striding backward and forward. The bat neared. Kallyr bit her lip, and started as if to say something, but no. Broyan turned to his men and women. He looked at Kallyr, at Elmalandti, Beti and Bors the captain of his Larnsti. The Chosen ones surveyed each other.
Then amidst all they heard Broyan’s thunderous voice, ‘WE cannot live? WE cannot defeat this Chaos? Would Orlanth say such things? Would he at least try? Come then brothers and sisters. One last time into battle. One more time for our Gods and our kin.’
He walked back and forth, squeezing a shoulder here, looking deep into the eyes of a shaking warrior there. ‘Dear friends, once more when the blast of war blows in our ears, then; imitate the action of the Alynx; stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood and disguise fair nature with hard-favour’d rage; now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide. Hold hard the breath, and bend up every spirit to his full height! Fight this evil creature, sons and daughters of the righteous storm! Your blood that is fet from fathers of war-proof; fathers that, like so many Vingkots and Heorts’, Have in these parts from morn till evening fought, and sheath’d their swords for lack of argument!’
And at that moment he laughed. A clean laugh. A laugh that feels like warm breath upon the heart. ‘Come, dishonour not thy mothers!!!’
The mood was changing; iron resolve forming in the veins of those that quavered. ’And you, good Carls and Thanes, whose limbs were made in Heortland, and in Sartar, show us here the mettle of your pasture. Let us swear that you are worth your breeding - which I doubt not! For there is none of you so mean and base that hath not noble lustre in your eyes.’
A strange tingling started to run through the bodies of the warriors prepared. The chanting of the Vingans grew and Tarosëa rose into the air arms outstretched, tracing an air rune! Broyan’s voice, raised to supernatural volume, imbued with the power of mighty Orlanth! ‘I see you, straining upon the start - the game’s afoot! Follow your spirit; and, upon this charge CRY ‘BROYAN FOR WHITEWALL! HEORTLAND AND ORLANTH!’
With that Tarosëa called aloud ‘Mastakos (7) carry thyne brethren to the foe!!’ The assembled warband each felt a peculiar tugging below the navel, then suddenly felt they yanked forward hard so that they lost immediate grasp of their surround. They stopped hard and suddenly and looked about. They felt a cold, creeping putrid evil seeping into their feet strangling their very soul. The air was still. They stood upon the evil bat. It seemed that stood within a pall of quiet air. There was a sheen and a ripple, and could tell the mighty hurricane raged outside. At their arrival the bat began to lurch this way and that, rocking violently as large chaotic ticks leapt upon the band and evil bat winged priests took flight from the bats collar that acted as a ill favoured bridge of some misshapen ship to carry hither thither the bats unholy worshippers! Upon the highest dais of the circular deck floated a large glowing piece of moon rock. Evil red light issued forth, struck one of the Larnsti and he fell, cut in half by the dolorous beam.
Olend Yetorsson fancied that he saw the priest who had directed the beam and flew to meet him, hail and winds encircling him, driving him forward. The evil priest showed then an incredible leaping ability as he jumped to meet the Helering. Olend caught the fiend on his shield knocking him to one side. He flew towards the stricken priest to deal him his death, knocking the priest from his feet. As he did, another Larnsti fell dead from the evil moon rocks blast.
Arya the Firebrand took Frostreaver from its sheath and cast about the melee seeking for one worthy of her attention. She set eyes on a fiendish five eyed demoness filled with chaos and evil magic. They lurched toward one another blades twirling. Five eyes made to attack with her acid eye spit but Arya’s upward cut caught the creature on the cheek, leaving one evil eye hanging out by its entrails. Arya followed up by striking a crushing, slashing blow across the body. Stricken before the Vingan, Arya wasted no time in removing the fiend’s head.
Kurash and Aren fended off attack by a horde of chaos ticks. Kurash suggested that they don the sandals of darkness and move where to where they might do most damage. Kurash aiding Aran’s deadly bow skill with his deep knowledge of chaos. So, invoking Desemborth, Aren lead them unseen to the foot of the stairs that lead up onto the bridge of the bat.
Olend seeing yet another fall to the dolorous beam summoned up all his power and might and with a cry flew towards the moon rock as a furious tornado of hail, rain, wind and lo-metal! He struck at the rock summoning with all he had, and miraculously managed to crack the rock, which stopped glowing. At that moment a number of things happened.
Arya the Firebrand had dealt death to another of the bat warrior-priests and saw that King Broyan was in a desperate melee with a warrior-priest of the Bat. Aren and Kurash had reached the top of the stairs and were looking for the chief priest when they saw the King be struck by a dreaded mind blast. The High King staggered backward and fell amongst his fallen Larnsti. Arya called upon Mastakos and with a burst of speed hurled herself to succour the King. The warrior-priest drew a wicked glowing red gladius and with a fell gleam in his eye leaped upon the King intent on dealing him his death. As he did so the chief priest revealed he to all when, with a howl of rage, flew toward Olend ravening with claw and fang! He struck the Helering terrible blows, staggering him but the scale of Culbra remained true. All looked bleak for Olend as the Chief Priest had the advantage and it seemed that Olend for all his heroics was over matched. Kurash Ingardsson whispered in Aren’s ear and the slayer raised his aim and shot at the chief-priest intent upon the life of Olend, narrowly missing.
At that moment Orlanths javelin (8) hit the warrior-priest intent on the life of King Broyan with a mighty clap of thunder, dealing him his death there. Elmalandti dropped to his knees gasping, but the King had been saved! The evil chief-priest worried by the arrow of Aren turned his gaze toward the Desmborthi, thinking to blast him with magic. That was all the opening Olend the Stormwalker needed. Summoning up every last sinew and thew and magic he committed himself entirely to a desperate strike at the Chief Priest who had taken on a terrible aspect. He slashed him from shoulder to navel. As he fell from the sky Aren let fly another arrow, striking the fiend through the heart dealing him his death there.
The Orlanthi as one took flight as the Bat lurched this way and that. Arya with a mighty heave lifted the body of the stricken High King and carried him from the field. They passed out of the rippling shell and took the full force of the hurricane. The winds found there way around the bodies of Orlanths chosen warriors. The scholar Kurash Ingardsson was hard put though, in that biting wind.
Those hat would, watched the bat, as it seemed to attack the Lunar encampment, with redmen running here and there. A mighty lightning bolt struck the bat and traced a hideous scar along it. There was an explosion of red light and when the flyers looked they saw the bat was gone. It was then that they noticed that the sky was unusually dark and looking up saw a mighty Ohorlanth cloud (9) and as they beheld that mighty storm cloud they felt their lungs fill with air and sparks tracing through their bodies. They were struck with an epiphany – this WAS their God Orlanth, brought here into the middle world. What dreadful portent was this? Kurash looked where there was light and fancied that he saw dark threads in the sky that was clear. Something that looked vaguely like a web. The dark threads then faded as they had appeared.
The returning heroes landed back at the Orlanth temple. The King was not dead! He was carried to the houses of healing. There was much cheering and adulation for the heroes. Olend was lifted upon the shoulders of the crowd.
Kallyr came forward to the Chosen Ones. She bade them accompany her to the houses of healing where they could find out how was the King. She was particularly insistent on Kurash attending as he had proved his knowledge of chaos and the bat, and this may some time explain the Kings malady. It must needs be said that at this time Olend was making the most of the adulations a lead the fine looking fellow who had caught his eye to engage in those practices sanctioned by Heler and Nandan!
So it was that the Chosen Ones Aren, Arya and Kurash were brought to the High King. The healer woman chided the warriors, but Kurash pompously put her in his place and conducted his investigation. It was Arya who concluded that the Lunars had a mind blasting magic and that the King would recover, but how long that would take she did not know. Arya had that knowledge due to her time as slave to Phineas Nigellus, a sorcerer and user of foul magic of the Red Moon. Kallyr told the heroes that she was going to organise the city, wild celebrations were taking place and she was concerned that the defence of the city was not neglected. She asked the heroes to attend the moot that she would organise to discover who would govern Whitewall whilst the High King lay stricken.
So now we turn to the gathering in the great hall. After many searchings they discovered Olend amidst his erotocomitose lucidity and bade him accompany them to the moot. In the hall they found Elmalandti, Tarosëa the Vingan Disciple, Gyffur Ulfsson and many of the Volsaxings. Olend approached Elmalandti and asked him whether he will put himself forward. He said no, that he had no desire to do so, and would support Kallyr in her claim. He suggested that the Chosen Ones would do well to support Kallyr also. Olend warned of Queen Beti of the Colymar seeking to stand against Kallyr, and had the backing of many in Whitewall.
Arya spoke with Tarosëa. Arya was aghast when Tarosëa said her work was done and that she would be leaving Whitewall. Arya beseeched her, because of the war they were now engaged in. All Tarosëa would say is that Arya would be welcome to join her at Tarthcaer when her vows were achieved. As a disciple of the defender storm and mistress of the Castle of Mist, Tarosëa had her eyes and plans set on otherworldly things and cared little for cities, kingdoms or clans.
Aren Sureshot approached Gyffur. He let slip that Queen Beti had told the group that they would have the favour of the Colymar if Kallyr were to go unaided upon the bat, if she was to get into difficulty. Gyffur nearly choked and pushed Aren aside as he thundered from the hall. When Aren returned to the heroes all he could do was shrug.
Shortly after, Queen Kallyr and Queen Beti strode into the hall. Kallyr strode up and stood in front of the throne upon the Kings Dais. A dark cloud entered the back of the hall – it was Gyffur. He stayed at the back. Kallyr stepped forward and said that she and the healers believed the High King would eventually be able to take up his rule once more but that they needs must choose a faithful steward who would govern in his stead. At that Queen Beti strode forward and claimed the right to lead the peoples there. There was a great wapentake at this. Then Kallyr did something that nobody expected. She spoke thusly, ‘Queen Leika, although I recognised your claim I believe that the only King or Queen that should rule the Volsaxi should be the High King. I leave aside my claim and support Kurash Ingardsson, for his knowledge has served both the High King and Orlanth as if he were Lhankhor Mhy himself. His knowledge and timely arrival brought not only the knowledge to assail and defeat the bat, but brought with him Tarosëa and the Vingans who teleported us hence. No, I say Kurash for Steward, who says yea?!’
There was a furious wapentake at the word yea and so it was that Kurash was acclaimed Steward (10) of Whitewall amidst the worried expressions of the Chosen Ones and a look of pure anger upon the face of the Queen of the Colymar.
(1) Shepelkirt – a derogatory heortling word for the red moon
(2) Orlanths Breath - The air.
(3) The 10 foot obsidian, 6 armed, scimitar wielding demon was purportedly the likeness of Yara Aranis, but how it came there and where it went is not revealed.
(4) Yelm rest - Sunset
(5) Dragon – The only Orlanthi recorded instance when the Crimson Bat was defeated was at the battle for Boldhome (capital of Sartar) in 1602. A dragon appeared and destroyed the bat and itself.
(6) Redsmith - Blacksmith
(7) Mastakos – Orlanthi god of movement. Orlanths charioteer.
(8) Orlanths Javelin – A lightning bolt
(9) Ohorlanth cloud – Orlanth appears in many forms, this being like a super cell storm cloud wreathed in lightning.
(10) Steward – This is a western convention. In the kingdoms of the west, Knights rule feudal lands. Western freebooters have often invaded and occupied Heortland because of it proximity to Cholorinthor Bay