Last Stand of the Dorinthians (Final Chapter)

[Fenris]

"Not here." Nik says as his head sweeps left to right as if looking around. The heroes realize that despite his missing eyes, he does seem to be able to see. Nik leads you to a quieter area.

"I have seen things, Dartis, although you have already made the hard decision and involved the Tallione Empire, welcoming them instead of keeping them as enemies. You also somehow survived your other trial, and your decisions will aid in the battle to come. But the battle has already started, and the elves are already dying in a civil war. You will need an army to get you into the elven lands in time, yet in the end victory does not have to be won by force of arms. I have seen a large crystal, which if employed can decide this conflict for good or for ill."

"Well I have two armies Nik, and a solid back up if you know of my trials. I need the armies to enter the forest, but not to win the cure. For that I need a crystal? I bet it's like that weird Avariel one we found with Astraughlay. But only he knew how to use it. Can the elves use it against us?"

Dartis throws his hands up in confusion and indecision. "I would almost rather be back facing Bambosel right now. At least there it was a fight and I knew what to do, here though...." Dartis trails off. "Any other help Nik, I am at the end of the path my friend, I need what ever guidance you can give me. I lead the last of the Dorinthian cavalry out tomorrow, and I doubt we shall return. That will be fine if we secure the cure."

 

[Deuce Traveler]

"The Magi will move from their tower to the Council room, and from there their leader will employ the artifact and move the earth itself against us. I believe that will be our darkest hour, but if it lifts you and your allies will have to decide between the sword and the olive branch."

You continue to make your preparations, and when the time approaches you lead the cavalry out towards the elven city of Saleentra. A smiling Sanmar waves at you as you pass. "Thank you for your hospitality, Dartis and Caramip! We will join your army after such a great time last night. Refugee women taste better than I had thought, and Ulavree has found herself interested in a heart or two." Caramip looks as if she wants to ask what he is talking about, but he is off to join the infantry before she has a chance.

After more than a day of marching the army encounters the Tallione army, and Commander Sassarius comes to greet you. As Caramip, Dartis, Kyle Radnal, Cal Dorin, and the commander prepare to heatedly talk about the best way to approach scouts shout that a couple hundred of fleeing elves are heading towards your forces. As the five of you ride forth to meet them you are relieved to see Silas walking towards you with the robed ship-captain you had recently saved off the Crystal Sea coast.

 

[GlassEye]

Silas tries to engage Silgaan and Silas Generwine in conversation and keep spirits of the other elves up as they travel. After a day and a half, however, Silas himself is feeling strained. But when he sees the five horsemen at the head of an army traveling towards them he gives a loud "Whoop!" and rushes forwards. He embraces Dartis and gives Caramip a hug. "It is good to see you again, my friends!" He grins in welcome but a shadow of pain in his eyes previously unseen seems to have taken root within the wizard. Suddenly Silas realizes that this is not just a reunion of friends and he bows to Cal Dorin and acknowledges Kyle Radnal and Commander Sassarius. "Things have...not gone well with the elves. We should hold a council of war." He speaks the last word with obvious distaste.

 

[Fenris]

Silas tries to engage Silgaan and Silas Generwine in conversation and keep spirits of the other elves up as they travel. After a day and a half, however, Silas himself is feeling strained. But when he sees the five horsemen at the head of an army traveling towards them he gives a loud "Whoop!" and rushes forwards. He embraces Dartis and gives Caramip a hug. "It is good to see you again, my friends!" He grins in welcome but a shadow of pain in his eyes previously unseen seems to have taken root within the wizard. Suddenly Silas realizes that this is not just a reunion of friends and he bows to Cal Dorin and acknowledges Kyle Radnal and Commander Sassarius. "Things have...not gone well with the elves. We should hold a council of war." He speaks the last word with obvious distaste.

Dartis laughs, "Always ready for a fight still eh Silas?"
"A council of war was just what we were about to begin, and lo here come elves to guide us and provide us the information we need."

Dartis extends his hand to the robes elf ship captain. "Sorry I never got to introduce myself properly before. Hydra's get in the way of formalities. Dartis." he says with a smile as he offers his hand.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

"Councilman Silgaan... ummm, or perhaps just Silgaan," the elf gives a pained grimace as he corrects himself. "Your friend is correct in that the fight has not gone well for us. The Magi now control both the Council and the city."

 

[GlassEye]

"Yes, this is Councilman Silgaan; one of my rescuers." Silas looks solemnly at Dartis and speaks quietly but with feeling. "I've had my fill of fighting, Dartis. If we resolve this, and I survive, it is time to build; there has been too much killing." Silas hesitates and looks around. "Perhaps we should gather over there and speak of what is to come next."

 

[Deuce Traveler]

OOC: Who does Silas pull aside to speak? The heads of the forces, or just Dartis and Caramip?

 

[GlassEye]

OOC: Silas would pull aside Dartis, Caramip, Councilman Silgaan (and any other of the elven leaders that are nearby), Commander Sassarius, Kyle Radnal, Cal Dorin, and Silas Generwine. Silas would have stayed near Silas G. since he isn't yet certain that S.G. told the truth.

With a glance towards Silas Generwine Silas begins to speak, "First, there is something that I need to know. When was the last time any of you spoke with Kel? I had heard rumors that he was killed and others that he had escaped the elven lands in secrecy and made his way to allies. What can you tell me?"

 

[Deuce Traveler]

A small congregation gathers and forms a strange adhoc council of war. Silgaan brings a stumbling Silas Generwine, while Silas the abjurer is happy to meet Kel once more. Others join the group. Altogether, there are Silas the human, Silas the elf, Silgaan, Kel, Commander Sassarius, Kyle Radnal, Cal Dorin, Caramip, Dartis, Phly Loughphray, and Lender Bermax.

There were others left behind. Alexander is taking care of the sick and dying Syra Dorin back in New Dorinth. Barok left to track down Rix and his band of kobold rogues somewhere to the northwest. He hopes to rejoin the group with a couple dozen of extra blades. Danica, Chalik, Ventus, and Connavar have all stayed back either because of savage stages of the illness or to take care of the town. Nikolos is with the army along with Heron Silvertongue, as they take care of the sick men.

Dartis' cavalry contains 50 horse and Caramip, but there are over 150 Dorinthian infantry in the field led by Kyle and Silas. Cal is in overall command of the Dorinthians. The dwarves have brought 100 axe-men, while the gnomes have 40 members of light infantry wielding picks and another 30 with crossbows. Three illusionists lead them, along with a quiet Phly. The rebellious elves have mostly been defeated, but there are 20 longbow archers and 30 swordsman still willing to fight. Silgaan is a talented wizard, but the fight seems to be out of the rest. The Tallione Imperials have rushed forward with those that were still fully healthy. They left many behind in this forced march, but they have 300 arrogant legionnaires and 30 cavalry led by Sassarius. The enemy elves most likely number 500 men in chain mail and carrying either swords or bows, so the battle favors the allies. However, it is acknowledged that there are unknown magical powers at the command of the defenders which may make your invasion difficult.

Then there are the trust issues...

The group of you stare for quite some time until Cal looks at Sassarius and says, "So... we should discuss our supplies and way of march."

Sassarius raises an eyebrow and says bemusedly, "I suppose now is the time to discuss allocating our forces..."

Finally it is Lender who breaks the tension with a whirlwind, "If you think that for one instant I'll allow my men to guard the flank of this bastard you've got another thing coming!"

Sassarius struggles with his composure as he says tightly, "Afraid we'll show you up, short one? Or would you rather guard the flank of the so-called elven rebels who up until now were for genocide?"

The rest of the dialogue goes equally as poor and accusations fly loose, fast, and free. The true challenge may not be in the battle ahead, but in keeping the forces under your control intact. Never did a day and a half march seem so long.

 

[Fenris]

OOC: Did Eroll, Sanmar and Ularvee make the trip? Dartis will activate his shield for this speech to boost his Charisma.

Dartis rolls his eyes at the petty squabling. He walks between Lender and Sassarius, lays down and starts coughing, somewhat forced but not entirely.

"Don't mind me guys, I'll just lay down here while you argue. Perhaps I won't even be dead by the time you finish." Dartis waits a while in the awkward silence that follows before standing up again, his point made in spades.

Dartis faces his ragtag group of allies. "I have now fought along side each of our allies, dwarf, elf and gnome. I know that in the past there has been anxiety over the Tallione army. But they have as much at stake here as the Dorinthians. And I am sure they won't let pride get in the way of saving humanity" says Dartis with a hard look at Sassarius.

"I and the humans are here fighting for our immediate survival, a cure for the disease eradicating our people daily. It is a hard fight since we too are sick, but it must be done for we fight or die. The dwarves and gnomes are here becasue they know now that they too will become targets for this insidious disease someday. But it is our elf friends who may have the hardest time here, they have had to confront the fact that it is some of their own kin who have done this, and it is they who must destroy family and friends to do what is right and to save all the people of the lands."

"Commander Sassarius, Lender Bermax, do ou have a wish to see your people eradicated? I know Lender that this man besieged your home, becasue your sheltered my people, and I am grateful for that refuge. I know the memories of dwarves are long, but you must think of the future, not the past. You have now seen the ravages beset on the humans, I doubt you wish to see it replayed in the dwarves. Sassarius, do not forget the missive that your Emperor wrote, you goal here is to recover the cure. If, for a moment, you drop your blasted Tallione arrogance to accomplish your mission, the Emperor will not care, he only cares that you recover the cure. You will fail without us Sassarius, you will fail your station, your Emperor and your people. Bending your stubborn neck does not equal bending your knee."

"We have very little time, every delay helps the Magi as we become more sick and frail. Dissention is their ally right now. We cannot allow them that weapon. We shall order the columns, Tallione, Gnome, Elf, Dwarf and Dorinthian. That should resolve immediate concerns and leave cavalry on each flank. If we do not march together, we will all perish. The Magi must not be allowed to fortify their defenses, we must march now! Death awaits us one way or another, the road forward offers hope to our families at home."