by The Kingpin » Sat Jun 16, 2012 1:48 am
The Valenhadian army marched fearlessly into the heart of the darkness that had engulfed Aster beneath its hellish cloak. At their head, Knight Commander Alexander led his forces on drake-back, the drake remaining grounded for the time being, as were most of the Dragons, for the sake of not allowing the much faster beasts to pull ahead of the army. The sum of over fifty thousand troops marched side by side, their footfalls coming in unison with such synchronisation they seemed to be one massive war machine, the blue and gold Valenhad coat of arms emblazoned on their shields. pikemen marched at the forefront, spears rising high in the air, their large shields hiding a good half of their bodies. Behind them stood platoons of other forces. Behind them, siege engines mounted on the backs of countless beasts, some from Valenhad, others from the Desert Factions, moved steadily forwards. booming bellows and guttural snarls created a fearsome cacophony of rage, tusked behemoths and plated giants trundled forwards, eager to bring down the enemy that stood ahead.
The Desert Factions themselves formed ranks to the side of the Valenhadians, the forces split into platoons of ten thousand or more. The most seasoned of their men stood at the forefront, light armour covering their bodies, many armed with dual scimitars, some with a sword and a shield, yet more using glaives, bladed staves and scythes, among numerous other, more exotic weapons. Their icy eyes and hardened faces stared out into the darkness ahead, and the horrors they would no doubt face, unwavering. Defeat was not an option. Withdrawal was not an option. A stalemate was not an option. The only option that existed was to break the tide of horrors that emerged from the horrific mist as long as it took. Every soldier in their ranks had been told of the strength of their opponent, both the units before them and the ultimate force directing them all. They had been told that conventional tactics would not work, and that they should aim to cripple their opponents primarily.
To the Valenhadian army's other flank was the Zupppolandian armed forces. upwards of twenty thousand soldiers marched, clad in iridescent blue-green armour reminiscent of that which wrapped Desrium's form. They wielded a variety of weapons, among which being tridents, double-headed axe-staves and jagged, needle-like serrated blades. numerous large crustacean-like beasts trudged forward with them, the beasts massive by human standards, armed with two sets of pincers and covered in rocky, jagged spikes. glowing bioluminescent patterns dotted their plated hides, throwing off the locations of their 6 eyes. For all intents and purposes, the force that had been assembled here was the greatest Valenhad had seen in millennia; perhaps the greatest ever to march on its soil. If they did not succeed in the coming battle, nothing would succeed...
Arashi meanwhile, walked at the back. His glowing mane shimmered brightly with energy, his eyes glowing deep red as he looked into the distance, staring at the impenetrable darkness. He was certain that fool Zazikel had assembled his minions to fight. But it would be of little consequence. He made a mental note to track down the Archdemon at the conclusion of this battle. And, should this battle fail, he would see to it that he destroyed as much of the enemy force as he could before he eventually fell. For now however, his focus was on the battle, and his role in it...
Septimus walked alongside Radamand and Tzeentch, clad in Dragon form, runes covering his entire body as a result of meditative work he had been doing over the past hours. His eyes were engulfed in blue-white light that flowed from them in wisps, and power rolled and flowed beneath his scales eagerly, barely contained. His concern over the upcoming battle was overshadowed by the burning anger he felt for the destruction that now surrounded him. This could not be allowed to continue. This decay ended today...
Andruil stood amidst the Valenhadian ranks, sword in hand, the runed decorating the blade glowing like a beacon as it warned of the impending danger around them. his feral yellow eyes seemed to almost glow, and he felt a calm that had not been felt in years. Before the departure from the shrine, the Knight had approached a number of Council representatives in regards to the wards that bound his Lycanthropy. In such a crucial battle, he could not risk being overpowered by the Beast within. The mages of the Council had bolstered the Wards, returning them to their original strength, as they were in his Grandfather. No more would he feel the aggravation, irritation and restlessness of his condition plaguing him. He now had the ability to shift at will, and could retain his consciousness for prolonged periods even in his beastly alter-form...
"Ah yes, organised chaos. the sign of a clever but ever-busy mind. To the perpetrator, a carefully woven web of belongings and intrigue, but to the bystander? Madness!"
–William Beckett, Lore of Leyuna RPG