Myareths Dawn (IC/Closed)

[Man in A Box]

Siege of GoldHold, MT. Asgramor

Lite and his men watched the battle from a distance "seems the white winged fellows did not even need to send letter to us for help" He looked to his men "gather up some of those swords form there dead, you will not be seen" he said before leading the rest of his men over to group B.

Two cloaks gathered a few swords and shields then headed back down the mountain as well. The swords seemed sturdy and pretty light, more like steel then anything else. Gyro would have a fine time learning how to make these weapons and metal.

As Groups A and B met up they all took a breather. Since there mission here was all for not they were pretty disappointed. Lite looked over his tired and cold cloaks and decided that maybe they could seek refuge here until group C arrives. The two groups began moving up the mountain again. and headed towards the Seraph's City. They Seraphs first sought refuge from the Hylion asking for them to care for there people and right down the history of them so they shouldn't deny the Cloaks asking to stay for only a night.

Lite told his men to make it up the mountain and that he would follow soon, but he wanted to make sure group C made it here safely. Lite mad his way to the plateau and looked out to the mountain there. He couldn't see a thing. he waited there, standing and pacing hopping that his cloaks were fine. Lite peered out in the distance and noticed something shining down the mountain and into the valley between the two humongous mountains. He quickly made his way down the side of Asgramor and as he did he cut himself but kept moving down. He looked around a few times. The shiny thing was gone, or at least out of sight. Then he saw some dark red in the snow almost black. he began to make his way towards it, slowly. He didn't know why he approached slowly and cautiously for reasons he he couldn't figure out. He found a solid object, a little dagger in fact. Lite plucked form the ground. It was read like blood and let out an almost human heat. He rose it high and swung it a few times. He could feel something from it, something calling him. He then felt light headed, feeling all his blood flow to his hand. He fell to his knees as he began to go numb all around. The sword felt as if it were melting in his hand, into a goo or liquid. Then it moved as if it were all alive and it pushed itself into Lite's cut.

Lite literally felt his blood flowing in his body, every single ounce. Lite felt warmth everywhere. Suddenly everything was fine. He could breath calmly and relax. Lite looked at the mountain again. He could see cloaks climbing it. Group C must've went right over him. Lite followed them... ignoring what had just happened but wondering what just happened.

[United Districts of 1]

GoldHold, Mt.Asgramor
The smooth white wall was pot-marked with spots where the stone had crumbled from the siege or age. The tattered banners waved blissfully in the wind as if they were oblivious to the horror that lay just at the foot of the wall. Inside the city itself it was a ghost town. The market was abandoned and the houses where barricaded shut as well as the rushed citizens of the city could manage. Only a few soldiers watched the streets from the edges of the inner wall that surrounded the Sentinels Keep. The walls of the keep were unscathed and gleamed in the mountain light as the sun danced its rays of the copper inlays around the base of the wall. Beyond the walls it was a stark contrast to the outer city. It was buzzing with disciplined activity as the sentinel guards stacked tall pillars of buckets next to great basins of water. Around the great brass lined gate was a semi-circle of sharpened logs with small nails protruding from the ends.

The preparations were readied just in time as the impending second attack slipped over the horizon. Several dozen lines of Black-winged seraphs landed near the base of the plateau and unstrapped the large hide packs from their backs. They slipped on their armor which could not be worn when flying as it was much too heavy and encumbering. The lines reformed and marched up the gently climbing slope in perfect rhythm. Their leader had massive scarred black wings with red runes painted on them. He also had several different swords clanging at his side, each different in appearance and past owner. His face held a unreadable expression as he commanded his troops. His armor seemed to suck the light from around it and replace it with darkness. He motioned for his troops to split into a staggered line as they neared the outer wall. As he suspected a barrage of sky-stone arrows made mince meat of his lightest troops near the front. He raised a bright green flag and his men sat down a shield wall and held position behind the densely packed front phalanx. Another barrage of arrows came from the wall, but this time the archers perched on the white walls were caught off guard as a wave of javelins erupted from behind the shield wall and caught most of the defending archers unready.

The line of Black-wings marched up the slope towards the wall with a steady emotionless march. They stepped calmly over the bodies of their comrades. The remaining archers did little to stop the horde marching up the slope towards the city. They reached the base of the wall and hoisted crude wooden ladders up the sides and the second rank of soldiers ascended the now abandoned wall. Overhead lighter-clad seraphs swooped over dropping pots of Fire-slime onto the roof tops and streets. They flew unopposed as they enveloped the outer city in fire and smoke. The great oak gates of the outer wall shattered into splinters as a large log with grips on the side was crashed into it. It seemed as if the city had been abandoned long before, or more likely in the commanders eyes, the enemy had set up a massive ambush somewhere among the main thorough-fare.


Fort SouthernWatch
The shocked seraphs looked into the priests eyes with little emotion. His face still held all the horrors of war and his eyes still gleamed empty. He coughed up a spat of blood and he sat quietly down. The healing spell didn't affect him as seraphs could not interact peacefully with magic, they could only be harmed by it. He took off his helmet to reveal the enchanted face that all seraphs are born with, but the magic warmth had drained from his shattered soul. He lay his shield down on his chest and folded his wings behind his back. The fire of life faded completely from his eyes and he fell into the peace of eternity at last. The few surviving seraphs had gathered around the caravan as they came back to their senses and held themselves high in the face of intruders.

[Man in A Box]

Gold Hold, Mt. Asgramor

The two groups of cloaks finally arrived at the city once again, this time much to late. They witnessed the flames of war "It's time we do what we came here for" one cloak called out to the rest. They made a formation and began to march forward. They set there heavy and spear units on the outside and made a circle in case there were attacked by multiple sides. Archers made an inner wall and kept eyes peeled for any black winged Seraphs. All the mages were grouped in the middle casting aegis spells around the group for protection. There was around 50 cloaks in all. Well trained and tough all around.

Lite and group C had just entered the city. They were in pursuit of the other two groups and hoped to find them before they got into any serious trouble. C group began to follow the large trail the two other groups made and began to catch up. All the groups regrouped and were only maybe 200 yards away from the army of black winged Seraphs. Lite called out to his men to reform and they changed the formation. The archers were in the front pelting the Seraph's backs with arrows with the spears standing right behind them prepared to move up and protect the archers in case the enemy were to come forward to attack. The other heavier units made a half circle in the flaming town. They could use the burning building and the town in general as an upper hand against the Seraphs. The rest of the unit's like the mages and soldiers like Lite were scattered equally among the half circle.

This formation was made to intercept the Seraphs instead of attack them head on. Lite has lead many battles and a majority of them to victory. Lite is considered a master strategist among the people and is a Warrior of Sunlight thanks to the many lives that he saved in war. Lite himself believed that he was overqualified for this battle. The Seraph's strategy was simply line up and charge forward so naturally Lite tohught they were simple minded enough to fall into Lite's tactical traps.

[New Eteria]

City of Angard,The Hall of Heroes

The leaders of the newly formed Suregardian Empire were gathered around the negotiating table. Arvel Surgarde of the humans, Aramir of the elves, and Hrongar Hammersteed of the dwarves. With one notable exception. Maragad, the oldest and wisest of the dragon race sat waiting on the fields of Angard for the decisions to be made. He however was not content with waiting. The Dragon cast his mind towards the hall where the two-legs were negotiating. "I am tired of waiting. Perhaps you will give me the terms of our treaty so I can be off. I have a hunger in my stomach that I cannot best for long" The dragon could sense the human talking "Greetings Maragad. We have devised a way to both keep our populations under control and to keep the dragons from runnng rampant across the land". Maragad was impatient "The dragons did not start the hatred between our races" The human replied almost instantly "Yes but you would have destroyed us almost without thought". Maragad pondered his meaning then spoke "Very well what are your terms". This time the elf responded "We have agreed that you will form an organization with our races. This oganization will be known as The Dragon Riders. We will bond the Riders to their dragons with a spell devised by our greatest magicians" Maragad objected almost instantly "The other dragons would never agree to me saying yes to this". This time the dwarf spoke up "They will if you set the example. If you can convince the others to agree to join the Riders the three of us will bond with a dragon and lead the Riders" Maragad was silent for a long time. He finally spoke "Who will I bond with?" The human spoke up saying one word. "Me"
discoveries
-Dragon Riders Effect: cavalry=10

[Numer]

The City-State of Sepris

Assyr scrambled to answer each of the Sovani's questions as they rode past irrigated fields of wheat. He didn't know how to explain everything about human civilization to the young creature. First, he tried to summarize everything by mentally picturing Sepris in his mind, its high buildings and monuments, beautiful and rich, but also the crowded, lively bazaars, loud with the haggling of merchants and the exotic smells and sights of Numer. He thought of war as well, chariots charging into each other with the force of thunder, the screams of the dying drowned by the drunken cries of the victors. The City-States' frequent and brutal battles. Finally, he pictured the delta from a birds eye view, a lush green paradise spanning for miles. He was no longer thinking in the normal sense of the word, rather "painting" a picture of Numer from his mind.

Soon, instead of answering questions, he began to contemplate the beauty and chaos of his homeland, one that had seen bloodshed and new life in equal amounts. He thought of the fiery eruption of Mt.Yresh, the floods of the Suppir, both devastating of course, but then he remembered the next step, both disasters making the land so fertile again, leading to the bountiful harvest. The harvest, oh the harvest! How could he forget? He thought of the massive amounts of fruits, vegetables, and grain yielded and the surplus kept in storehouses. He thought of the great harvest festival and the many customs involving it.

Next he thought of the great luxuries of Numer, its bazaars so rich and plentiful, all of the resources and scenic environments, and the trading prowess and goods of the people. To show the Sovani who he would soon meet, he pictured the Ensi's court and its wealth. He explained mentally the government of each Numerian City-State, and as many customs and religious beliefs as he could think of. Finally, he answered any questions that remained. "I believe humans are the most populous species in the world, there are thousands in Numer alone. Of course, we only live to around 60 or 70, so we must spread our numbers,"He thought.

Shocked, he realized that he had transmitted so much information within a minute, through memories stretching from his whole life. He could not believe how easy mental communication was. He waited for the Sovani's reaction to the brief but massive glimpse into humanity.

Just to help picture Sepris (Subject):
http://www.uncp.edu/home/rwb/lagash.jpg

Also, just look at a previous post for a description of the Ensi's court.

[United Districts of 1]

GoldHold
The attacking black-wing army was peppered from behind with a minute amount of arrows. The commander with his red painted wings motioned for his rear ranks to turn around and form a shield wall on both sides of the army. He laughed as the arrows and other projectiles bounced off the round bronze shields. The line waited for the impending enemy charge, the black wing commander stepped up and spoke in an ancient tongue lounge dead to the ears of any mortal.

"Kah, Kein, Kaal!" he raised his sword skyward and a deep black mist seeped from the end. The red runes on his wings flared brightly to reveal that they were in fact not painted on but actual features of his wings. He wore deep black armor that made even the great armors of the sentinels look primitive. It was a series of plates inter-locked over his entire body to form a hard shell of a yet unknown metal. The armor was criss-crossed with runes and symbols as old as the world itself. His shield bore the crest of the black-vigil, a sun being swallowed by a formless mass of darkness. He spoke again this time in a voice so wicked and perverse, so purposefully dead to the ears of the world that he was the only one to hear it. He spoke the words over and over again until his entire form was surrounded by a dense cloud of black mist. The stone beneath his feet began to crack as it became brittle and aged.
He swept his sword towards the human attackers and spoke in the language again.

For each one of the human attackers their mind was being plunged into its darkest depths of horror. Each soldiers own personal hell storming the real world. Friends to their right became disgusting wraiths and demons. Taking the opportunity the seraph line charged with a roar, each soldier kept perfectly in step with his rank to form a perfect phalanx. They lowered spears and roared into the human line. These feeble low-born would not escape seraph land alive. They thought they could match the sheer power behind a seraph blade but the bloody truth was soon to evident. Seraphs could crush crush a human easily as they could crush any other race, no matter how well trained.

[Man in A Box]

Lite and his man had only two fears. One would be that the Sun was not to be seen. The other would be to be imprisoned. Each forced them to fight harder, so they can reach freedom, so they can earn their own sun. The mages magical shields that were spread all over the area did some protection from the enchantments of the enemies. Lite called for his men "Listen to the sound of the wind" He called, it meant that they would follow his commands in his special code.

Lite and a few others examined the odd armor and runes on the dark Seraph. He looked to the men that wore a frightened face "Intimidation will neigh hurt us!" He called then examined the incoming wall of Seraphs. It was a foolish move. From these movements Lite instantly new these men weren't at all skilled in strategy. Lite would use that to the best of is abilities.

He began to whistle. In a certain tone and rythem. The front line where the archers were set were obviously the only thing that could be advanced upon by the Seraph wall was the archers and spears. Once the whistle was heard they began to move back keeping there distance from the Seraphs. The archers continued to fire there arrows, they're poor shots usually made so only lucky shots would make it. Lite made another whistle, another tune and another tone.

The two other flanks that were hidden in the burning town closed in on the Seraphs. Lite's forces now outflanked the Seraphs making the fight very much in the Hylion's favor. The troops backed each other up and kept a good distance from the Seraphs being sure that they wouldn't get caught by a multitude of Seraphs. They took one Seraph out using two cloaks. One distracted while the other killed. Lite watched his surroundment strategy took place. The cloaks were ready to back away in case they were routed. The smallest amount of casualties the better. They were there only to do damage then with out very many casualties. It didn't matter to them if they would completely defeat the enemy.

[Numer]

Fort SouthernWatch, The Seraphs Hold

A look of horror came across the priest's face as the life drained from the young angelic figure. He removed his helmet and lied down for the last time. The seraph died, a bright future swept away in a long, painful ordeal. The few remaining soldiers regained their grasp of surroundings and approached the caravan, suspicious and even hostile to the first Numerians to set foot in their land.

Speaking on behalf of the group, the lead merchant stepped forward and tried to calm the survivors. He spoke a in calm, peaceful tone, and attempted to get his message across despite the language barrier. "We come from Sepris, a City-State in Numer. We are a peaceful caravan here to trade goods and slaves on behalf of the Ensi of Sepris," He made a sweeping gesture to the rest of the group,"What has happened here? May we help in any way?"

Tension appeared in some of the guards, worried the seraphs would misunderstand and attack. Some clutched the handles of their swords, anxious on what would happen next. Everyone in the caravan waited shivering in the cold, the Numerians not used to any type of freezing weather.

[United Districts of 1]

The siege of GoldHold
The Black-wing line marched onward into the trap set by the cloaks with confidence. The commander was perfectly aware of the ruse and had planned with his own set of traps and plays. The line marched forward with spears lowered to waist level. As they neared the commander grew uneasy, the silence of the sentinels in the fortress behind him was not right and he sensed something was awry. As he ran through the possibilities of what the sentinels could be doing his legate shook him on the shoulder and pointed towards the shimmering brass door of the sentinels hold. It was vibrating violently as something pounded on it. The disturbing part was that the pounding was coming from within the holds walls. The black wing commander shoved his legate to the ground and then shot off into the air. He pumped his wings as fast as he could manage and sped away from the battle and goldhold. The pounding grew more intense and the thick metal began to bend outward. It gave a thunderous slam as it flew off its hinges and into the back ranks of the advancing seraph army. The door slid through the phalanx crushing seraphs as it went until it came to a stop in front of the humans.

From within the entrance to the hold came a heart-tearing growl as six red eyes blinked open from the blackness. It slid into the light to reveal massive claws the length of a seraph. It left long gashes in the stone as it went. The light of the noon sun blinked away to be replaced by inky blackness. The rear ranks of the seraph army met the creatures gaze with horror. When the beasts eyes met theirs the seraphs were seared in ash like a leaf over a kiln. After the rear four ranks had been turned into ash the rest of the seraph army broke ranks and fled. Their armor kept them from flying and so some desperately tried to rip it off or run away on foot. The massive creatures front half had now fully exposed itself to the air and it was unimaginable. Their was no order or rightness in this beasts form, only chaos and corruption lived in its world. Long snaking tendrils of blackness shot from its body to catch any fleeing seraphs in its horrid grasp. Soon the entire black wing army was gone or dead. The creature retreated back into the hold. The door was replaced by a writhing black mass that let out a foul stench. The fires of the city were suddenly extinguished and all the bodies that remained were torn into shreds by an invisible force. The humans however remained unscathed by the hell.

Fort SouthernWatch
The seraphs moved their hands towards their sword but were cut short by a wash of despair. The world around them turned black and horrid thoughts flooded their minds. They took to the air and flew swiftly towards the pillars of smoke on the horizon without acknowledging the humans.

[Man in A Box]

Gold Hold

Lite stood where he was and watched the battle. Nonchalant facial figure was painted on to his face as he watched the odd beast tear through the Black-Seraph's ranks. It made Lite think that battling these winged figures were useless. They had one surprise after another, unknownmetals and armors with odd spells and slimes that caused death. Monsters ripped the battlefield to pieces and odd magic that causes the dead bodies to tear away into the ground. Even the fire on the houses extinguished themselves. This was more like an act of god then a actual occurance... out of anything it seemed like it was all planned by both sides to set some sort of example each others poor battle strategies. Everything to happen likedominos falling upon eachother. As if fate decided who would win this conflict. Lite shook his head, he would not let fate weave his future. Lite would align his own path that only he would walk and the same went for each and every one of these cloaks. There is no future for the bystander. There no casualties amungst the cloaks, each were fine and all began to regroup in front of the gate. Lite took his spot standing in front of his garrison and spoke out to the Seraphs hiding in the fort.

"We, the cloaks form the Rising Sun, were out on a walk when we stubled upon this small conflict between kins of the winged folk and we decided to help a side out." Lite hesitated deciding to choose his words carfully "We will be leaving soon but wish to rest here for a small while then go back from whence we came and leave your people to your own squabbles"

Lite didn't like calling up to a wall. It made him feel small and especially if there was no direct answer back then he just felt stupid.

"Well if there are no objections we will make due with whatever supplies we find in this small town." Lite anounced to the wall... not that it was actually listening though.

He turned to his men, called an order, and then set off to find a suitable spot for his tent.

[United Districts of 1]

GoldHold
The ground around the cloaks feat formed into cones and held them in place. From inside the keep a otherworldly voice rumbled out over the ruined town. Its voice echoed around the walls and seemed to be coming from the air itself.

"You truly think I would let you leave? Mortals and their false sense of confidence and ability. You humans or hylions as you like to call yourselves are so fun to watch. So easy to bend and twist, to dominate like dolls. Your lives are so meager in this world and yet you still think yourselves influential. These Seraphia or Seraphs are good enough toys but they are much too submissive. They don't squirm like a human does. Lite of the House of the Rising sun is it? Yes of course it is. Your sun will not assist you in my domain. I do not believe I have introduced myself properly. I am Fear or Darkness Incarnate to your race. Killer of gods and eater of souls. You will not leave my domain without first completing some fun little tasks. First task is! Kill the person next to you without telling them. If you don't do it my pets will have a nice snack of him anyways."

[Man in A Box]

Lite as well as his many cloaks were forced to stop in there tracks. Lite scanned the area. This voice emitted throughout the air and Lite listened to the information it had give. This information was useless to him. No force would command the Hylion's will. The cloaks heard the command to kill the one beside them and they were content on disobeying these stupid commands. The Hylion listened intently and realized that this so called god killer is claiming ownership of there fates. This enraged the Hylion. It did not strike fear nor doubt but only pushed them to fight harder. Fight for the freedom of there souls.

"We Hylion will never be used as puppets by the hands of someone who plays with creatures for sheer entertainment. I think you pitiful for thinking that no creature has influence over the worlds destiny. Each and every one of us have influence over our lives and none other! The Sun in the sky may not shine on this land today but each of us carry a piece of the sun our hearts and it will push to prevail over any type of shadow you cast over this horrid land! We Hylion, not dolls to be played with by an over confident child! It is not our duty to kill the killer gods but if we must we will kill the god killer!"

The flaming souls of Hylion burned brighter and the Mages rose there staffs and they chanted there spells. The combined magic warded off the powers that trapped there feet. The cloaks regrouped once again.

"You are just another step to our freedom..."

The cloaks only gave a moment then Lite gave the command to leave this place and they began to march away.

[New Eteria]

Emperor Arvel Suregarde sat atop hi throne in the Hall of Heroes, waiting for his son to be brought before him. The massive doors at the opposite end of the hall flew open and the boy that he was awaiting walked in. The Emperor looked at his son and said "Peter, you will become the leader of the Riders. The Elves and dwarves have already protested my decision, but they do not know why I have done this. They think that I intend to control the Riders. No. I chose you because you have already proven yourself as a leader. I think that you will be able to inspire the other Riders to greater heights." Peter looked around nervously then said "Thank you sir" He then left to join with a dragon.