Mythra
08-16-2003, 09:52 PM
Words, like so many grains of sand slipping through your fingers, can be ineffectual. Or words, if wet with enough conviction and truth, can hold the sea in check. When one is threatened repeatedly and wronged beyond measure, we need the words we speak to be like wind moving sand into towering dunes upon which we make our stand against those who do us wrong. As Port woke that morning, he considered all the words spoken the night before. What would the day bring?
Mortum's quiet alarmed no one. Around the perimeter of the city, Xnath, Voot, Buc and Gohan paced invisibly, signaling constantly. Maliss unrolled her plans in the barracks and quickly pointed to several marks. Drider, Torina, Alodar and Ashalar nodded, memorizing the plans. Priests and channelers sought the quiet shadows for meditation. Their job would take much concentration and likely drain them of all their resources. Gabrielle, Ello and Vego murmured quietly. Their job not only involved marshalling The Shadow Legion nation but the somewhat difficult communications with their friends and allies. With the bane weakening the very air around them, they feared that even the slightest wrong word bent by the bane would disrupt a call for assistance. The Keeper of the City moved nameless and silent from wall to building to gate. All was secure.
Luther's message arrived from the border of Khar Th'Sekt. The Sloth were on the move and not alone. They numbered twenty with the Merc's. The fresh oiled blades sang as they were sheathed. Arftros, Zidane and Halbrac hurried to the northwest tower. Soon they were joined by the Grannus, Achi and Koca and others of the Legion. The first battle of the long day and night began.
In retrospect, many will call this a war of proliferation, each side calling in help as they assessed the numbers facing them. When the sun had long set and with the moon's glow dimmed by the bane and all that it meant, guilds from all over Aerynth stood on one side or the other of the line drawn in the sand. Zhelavar, safe in a corner, jotted down their names: Knights of Glory and Beer, Remnants of Swords, Phoenix Rising, Momentist Legion, Head Hunters, Lords of Death, Mercs, Knights of Terror, Parliament of Rooks, Exile, Shadow Guard, Juevos del Diablo, The Silent Brotherhood, Jin Dynasty, Strife Brigade, and Ackulla. A long list he thought, shaking his head. The decisions of his own guild to ask for assistance came after grave consideration. He recalled the words of Senior Officer Roberts:
"Baning someone is declaration of intent to destroy that city. Regardless of the anticipated threat, it should be viewed as the most serious of transgressions upon our guild. I would not bane a city unless I thought I had the backing to tear it down. I seriously doubt SoS thinks they can defeat us on their own. I would assume they are bring every ally they can get to come. And even if some of them balk at supporting them, the fact that they will be asking should be impetus enough for us to take similar actions in this situation."
"We risk World War," whispered Delly. Several nodded in agreement.
"They created the risk," Port said. "Their holy edict." With growing comprehension, they all looked at Luuu.
SoS and allies shattered the northwest towers with spell after spell and the defenders fell. New vantage points were secured and the battle waged on. The Legion dispatched ground troops to fight them near the hills. Their timing perfect, SoS gained the Eastern towers where they picked off pursuing Legion. Moments later KGB and LoD arrived to the north as ML and SG arrived on the southeastern tower to repel SoS. Thus the fights continued throughout the night with forces advancing and fierce combat sending many to their early deaths.
The eerie light fell over them tickling their fears. Smoke stung their eyes as they tried to find a path around the slippery blood beneath their feet. And the sand as if possessed swirled into the eyes of all.
The Keeper of the City sent word, "the bane has weakened our Tree of Life considerably. The hour has come."
Moments later, scouts near Khar reported the amazing news. The opposing forces were dwindling. Pondering the meaning of it, they reformed their ranks along the north walls and waited. They didn't wait long but the news when it came was surprising. HH and RoS were at Wenchville siege weapons in hand as they pounded on the weakest buildings. With the bane draining their Tree of Life at Mortum, the defenders weighed their options. A band of the Legion was dispatched to fight at Wenchville where Gabrielle and Berra out-maneuvered the attackers. At Mortum, defenders stood ready on the towers. But no Sloth emerged from the mirage of sand. Warriors, heavy siege weapons in hand, strode to the bane as the countdown continued. The Legion manned a single bulwark aimed at its heart. And with no opposition in the final hour, the bane was destroyed.
It is rumored that the Suzerain of Sloth has never lost a war against a city they've baned. Had they lost faith in their Prophet? Had they realized that an edict against entire races should be abandoned? Such were the questions in the minds of the Legion as they cheered. To the Lords of Death and Shadow Guard nations! To Phoenix Rising and Momentist Legion. To the Knights of Glory and Beer, Exile, Knights of Terror and the Parliament of Rooks: The Shadow Legion bows solemnly. Your aid on this night shall not be forgotten. In the days to come, you shall not stand alone.
Mortum's quiet alarmed no one. Around the perimeter of the city, Xnath, Voot, Buc and Gohan paced invisibly, signaling constantly. Maliss unrolled her plans in the barracks and quickly pointed to several marks. Drider, Torina, Alodar and Ashalar nodded, memorizing the plans. Priests and channelers sought the quiet shadows for meditation. Their job would take much concentration and likely drain them of all their resources. Gabrielle, Ello and Vego murmured quietly. Their job not only involved marshalling The Shadow Legion nation but the somewhat difficult communications with their friends and allies. With the bane weakening the very air around them, they feared that even the slightest wrong word bent by the bane would disrupt a call for assistance. The Keeper of the City moved nameless and silent from wall to building to gate. All was secure.
Luther's message arrived from the border of Khar Th'Sekt. The Sloth were on the move and not alone. They numbered twenty with the Merc's. The fresh oiled blades sang as they were sheathed. Arftros, Zidane and Halbrac hurried to the northwest tower. Soon they were joined by the Grannus, Achi and Koca and others of the Legion. The first battle of the long day and night began.
In retrospect, many will call this a war of proliferation, each side calling in help as they assessed the numbers facing them. When the sun had long set and with the moon's glow dimmed by the bane and all that it meant, guilds from all over Aerynth stood on one side or the other of the line drawn in the sand. Zhelavar, safe in a corner, jotted down their names: Knights of Glory and Beer, Remnants of Swords, Phoenix Rising, Momentist Legion, Head Hunters, Lords of Death, Mercs, Knights of Terror, Parliament of Rooks, Exile, Shadow Guard, Juevos del Diablo, The Silent Brotherhood, Jin Dynasty, Strife Brigade, and Ackulla. A long list he thought, shaking his head. The decisions of his own guild to ask for assistance came after grave consideration. He recalled the words of Senior Officer Roberts:
"Baning someone is declaration of intent to destroy that city. Regardless of the anticipated threat, it should be viewed as the most serious of transgressions upon our guild. I would not bane a city unless I thought I had the backing to tear it down. I seriously doubt SoS thinks they can defeat us on their own. I would assume they are bring every ally they can get to come. And even if some of them balk at supporting them, the fact that they will be asking should be impetus enough for us to take similar actions in this situation."
"We risk World War," whispered Delly. Several nodded in agreement.
"They created the risk," Port said. "Their holy edict." With growing comprehension, they all looked at Luuu.
SoS and allies shattered the northwest towers with spell after spell and the defenders fell. New vantage points were secured and the battle waged on. The Legion dispatched ground troops to fight them near the hills. Their timing perfect, SoS gained the Eastern towers where they picked off pursuing Legion. Moments later KGB and LoD arrived to the north as ML and SG arrived on the southeastern tower to repel SoS. Thus the fights continued throughout the night with forces advancing and fierce combat sending many to their early deaths.
The eerie light fell over them tickling their fears. Smoke stung their eyes as they tried to find a path around the slippery blood beneath their feet. And the sand as if possessed swirled into the eyes of all.
The Keeper of the City sent word, "the bane has weakened our Tree of Life considerably. The hour has come."
Moments later, scouts near Khar reported the amazing news. The opposing forces were dwindling. Pondering the meaning of it, they reformed their ranks along the north walls and waited. They didn't wait long but the news when it came was surprising. HH and RoS were at Wenchville siege weapons in hand as they pounded on the weakest buildings. With the bane draining their Tree of Life at Mortum, the defenders weighed their options. A band of the Legion was dispatched to fight at Wenchville where Gabrielle and Berra out-maneuvered the attackers. At Mortum, defenders stood ready on the towers. But no Sloth emerged from the mirage of sand. Warriors, heavy siege weapons in hand, strode to the bane as the countdown continued. The Legion manned a single bulwark aimed at its heart. And with no opposition in the final hour, the bane was destroyed.
It is rumored that the Suzerain of Sloth has never lost a war against a city they've baned. Had they lost faith in their Prophet? Had they realized that an edict against entire races should be abandoned? Such were the questions in the minds of the Legion as they cheered. To the Lords of Death and Shadow Guard nations! To Phoenix Rising and Momentist Legion. To the Knights of Glory and Beer, Exile, Knights of Terror and the Parliament of Rooks: The Shadow Legion bows solemnly. Your aid on this night shall not be forgotten. In the days to come, you shall not stand alone.