Their belief in their own purity has corrupted them.
Faust waves his hand a little to politely refuse Xiras's offer for a fan then muses over this information. It seems Sera really was trying to do good encouraging peace and order.
He turns back to the matters at hand and asks the sisters, What should we expect once we get there? Is Neld a magic-user?
Neld weld Mana? We were the only ones who could, and Kira didn't learn how to channel it properly until we joined up with the Orzhov. Hopefully this will be as simple as taking out the trash.
Athy said with confidence.
Hopefully, but he has already shown that he is willing to buy Mages to do his dirty work.
Kira said flatly.
Just be ready when we get there. Any more questions?
After a few more days of travel the group finds themselves in view of Morsera. The thrull and the nightmares are disguised by a bit of Athy's magic. When they approach the border something feels a miss, but no one can place what is wrong. As Athy and Kira, also disguised, talk to one of Morsera's border guards an explosion can be heard and a ball of fire shoots up from the center of the town. The Athy, Kira and the guards duck, and as they stand back up up start to heard shouts and screams. All but one of the guards turn and run towards the town.
Leave before you get yourselves killed!
The remaining guard yells before he turns and runs towards the town as well. Athy and Kira pay the guard little mind, look at each other and nod. Athy jumps into the carriage's driver's seat and Kira jumps into the carriage.
Hang on and be ready!
Kira says as the carriage rushes forwards into the town. As they enter the screams and shouts get louder, but Athy's voice cuts through it:
KELDONS!!
A second later the carriage comes to an abrupt halt.
Everyone out!! Spells ready!!
Kira jumps out as she draws her knife and has an ivory orb appear just behind her.
And this is the part where things go wrong...
Faust quickly dismounts off the carriage, ripping his Cross off his neck as he does so, his eyes glowing just a shade darker. An orb of dark energy appears in the hand with the Cross, the other searching amongst his robes until he found one of the scrolls given to him earlier. Now seems just a good a time as any to try this out.
He rips the air in front of him with the mana infused cross, reading from the scroll as he does so. A goblin with decaying flesh and dripping wet slime blunders out of the rip and into the world. Nice. A little creepy but still nice.
Having summoned his creature he looks around at the destruction racking his mind as to what he knows of these Keldons. Red mana barbarians who pillage and live as if they were still in the stone age. They seem tough, strong enough to stay standing after a few attacks. And they managed to burn this town well enough. Better be careful.
This time there is no room for error, I doubt the Keldons would be merciful
Xiras jumps up and runs out the door of the carriages, he produces closed fans from his just inside the arms of his robes, which begin to trails blue light as he runs.
He skids to a stop with his back to Kira, not quite touching but close enough to let her know he had her back. He flicks his wrists opening the fans in a brief flash of blue light.
"Faust watch Athy's back, I want no stray blades finding home in any of us, lead the way ladies." called Xiras
They should know their way hopefully the chaos doesn't cause any confusion.
As the group jumps out of the carriage they find themselves near the middle of the town. Around them the townsfolk run franticly in every direction as they are chased the Keldon Warhost. What remains of the building just across from them is the ground zero for the blast that they felt when they arrived. Two large figures stand in the middle of building's charred ruins; one of them is holding up another smaller struggling figure.
That was town hall!
Kira says as she points towards the building.
Then thats where we need to go.
Standing between them and the remnants of Morsera's town hall are a dozen Keldons ready to attack. The sisters draw on more Mana and pull out their weapons.
Xiras adopts a defensive stance, hoping to be ready for anything the battle may throw at them.
He draws upon more blue mana, causing the both fans to shimmer with the obtained energy.
Life: 20
Weapon: Fans 1/0 (Ready)
Plays: 1x Island.
Battlefield: 2 x Island
Graveyard:
Exile:
Faust barely registers the three figures near town hall. He was more concerned at the group of Keldons who has noticed them and were now preparing to charge.
He calls upon the mana of the swamps, then extinguishes the life of one of his spells to gain more energy. This energy he used to create a specter of despair, the memory of what had once been a living person.
Life:20
Cross drawn 1/0
Plays: 1x swamp, exile demonic spirit guide, 1x looming shade
Battlefield: 2x swamp t
1x festering goblinq
1x looming shadeq
GY:
RFG: demonic spirit guide
As the Mages prepare so do the Keldons. They split up into four groups of three; one Arsonist, Firebomber and Berserker per group. Just after Faust summons his Shade they charge with raised weapons and voices.
Xiras raises his fans to the sky then brings them down crossing them across his body. The fans glow, a faint breeze emits from the fans causes Xiras' long black hair to blow around, he makes a backhand motion with the right fan sending a blast of air into the berserker heading towards him. He does a similiar motion with the left fan aiming at the berserker heading towards Kira.
Those two dealt with Xiras readied himself for their strike, the arsonist moves in first swinging his club, it comes in low and to the side hitting Xiras at rib height.
As this occurs Xiras closes the fans reaches places them against the side of the arsonists head gripping it, and with a twisting motion snaps his neck.
He mentally prepares himself for the strike of the firebombers he left undeterred.
Plays: 2 x unsummon, targetting the keldon berserkers attacking Xiras and Kira.
Weapon: Fans 1/0 (Not Ready used blocking arsonist)
Life 19
Battlefield: 2 x Island. T
Graveyard: 2 x unsummon
Exile:
OOC: Will take firebomber damage if Kira / Athy don't do anything, assumed they would bother with the arsonist, hope thats ok
Even though he was none too happy that there were a number of large frenzied looking barbarians rushing straight towards him, a part of Faust was glad that they had decided to focus on all of them at once, and not just one person.
He orders his creatures to move in front of the Keldons, the goblin standing in the way of the berserker, the shade in front of the arsonist. As the creatures tear each other apart, the goblin leaves a miasma of decay, which seems to weaken the berserker. However is still stands, intent on reaching its target. Swinging his arm, he slashes the Keldon across the chest, finally dropping the warrior. Moving his head he notices the firebomber about to crush him, yet there was nothing he can do about it.
Life:20
Cross drawn 1/0 (use on berserker)
Plays:
Battlefield: 2x swamp t
1x festering goblin q (blocking berserker, -1/-1 on berserker)
1x looming shade q(blocking arsonist)
GY:
RFG: demonic spirit guide
Kira put up her hand and sent the two orbs of light she had summoned speeding toward the Firebombers charging her and Xiras. As their bodies were encased in light their pace slowed and they fell prostate before them . Moments later they vanished into the Æther. She then trades blows with the Arsonist.
Athy closes her eye and starts to silently chant. She opens her eyes a moment later and they are glowing black and the jet orb she controls splits into three. The makes two slashing motions aimed at the Berserker and Firebomber who are charging her. They stop in their tacks, twitching in pain. Their torsos starts to come apart and they desperately try to keep themselves together, but to no avail. The Arsonist, however, gets in a clean attack on her.
One of the Champions of the Warhost arrives in the field wounding Athy as he does. He rallies the remaining Keldons to him and calls over four more which send four small bolts of energy into the four gathered Mages.
The ladies then gather more Mana to them. Kira uses her gathered Mana to pull three Clerics clothed in red through the Æther and to her side. Athy brings to her side a group of seeming innocent spirits.
Xiras sees the firebomber vanish in the flash of light, he turns and flashes Kira a smile. Good to know she has my back too
Xiras spreads his fans readying them for battle once again, he makes a sweeping motion intensifying the mana swirling in gusts around him, a scroll floats up to eye height from the satchel.
He chants a few words then directs a blast of air at the ground which in turn erupts in a geyser of water, leaving a rather large puddle and a rather small merfolk.
Life 18
Plays: 1 x Island
1 x Coral Merfolk (uses scroll)
Weapon: Fans 1/0 (Ready)
Battlefield: 2 x Island. T
1 x Island. Q
1 x Coral Merfolk (Q and SS)
Graveyard: 2 x unsummon.
Exile:
OOC: Quick Question: Could I have countered the Keldon Marauders with the scrolls of spell snare if I had the mana available last turn? I assume not as they just turned up, weren't cast by a mage but confirmation either way would be nice.
A sting from the new Keldons alerted Faust to them. Another wave of Keldons. But we seemed to manage the last one just fine. Hopefully this one will be just as easy.
Calling forth a pit of flesh, he draws more mana onto his blade and sends it to animate two more goblins from the scroll he received. The arcane words drips off his tongue like acid.
Life:16
Cross drawn 1/0 (ready)
Plays: 1x spawning pool 2x festering goblin
Battlefield: 2x swamp 2t 1x spawning pool t
2x festering goblin q
GY: 1x looming shade, 1x festering goblin
RFG: demonic spirit guide
The Champion roars loudly and the group joins him. He points his sword towards the Mages and they all charge. The newly assembled ones split off and go after each Mage; the Champions leads the rest towards Athy.
Xiras flicks a blast of air at the firebomber charging at Athy, he tries to brace himself against it but is lifted off his feet and over the buildings lining the street in a flail of arms and legs.
The Merfolk rumbles with the marauder but is dispatched, Xiras steps in from the side, he slashes the edge of his fans across the neck of the Keldon, a fine jet of blood mists the air as the warrior falls to his knees.
Life 18
Plays: 1 x Unsummon targetting last Firebomber
Weapon: Fans 1/0 (Blocking Marauder)
Battlefield: 3 x Island. T
Graveyard: 3 x unsummon
1 x Coral Merfolk (blocked marauder)
Exile:
Faust sees the Champion directing the Keldon's attention to Athy, unfortunately he had already drawn upon his mana reserves. He hopes she is able to handle them herself.
Turning to the lone Keldon charging at him, he sends one of his goblins to take the hit. As the goblin collapses to the ground, it reaches out with the last of its strength to grasp at the Keldon, rooting it in spot, where Faust was able to take it out with a quick horizontal swipe.
Life:16
Cross drawn 1/0 (use on marauder)
Plays:
Battlefield: 2x swamp 2t 1x spawning pool t
2x festering goblin q (1 blocking marauder, -1-1 to marauder)
GY: 1x looming shade, 1x festering goblin
RFG: demonic spirit guide
Kira has her Clerics defend her and Athy from the Marauders and one of the Arsonists. Athy has her Lost Souls form a barrier against the Champion, who is only able to roar in frustration, and she trades blows with the remaining Arsonist. Faust and Xiras both feel a twinge of pain as the Marauders fall before their weapons.
Xiras flinches at the unexpected pain, as he kills the Keldon. He flicked the blood from the fans as they were becoming slippery, and reasserts his grip upon them.
A fourth wisp of cyan appears swirling in the Aura surrounding Xiras, he awaits the Keldons next charge
Life: 17
Plays: 1 x Island
Weapon: Fans 1/0 (Ready)
Battlefield: 3 x Island.
Graveyard: 3 x unsummon
1 x Coral Merfolk (blocked marauder)
Exile:
OOC: Shouldn't Athy have gained life from her souls of the faultless?
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Smile your day could be worse, so I did smile and it was worse.
A cut... nothing more.
Faust focuses on the unexpected sting as he kills the Keldon, willing it to go away, and in a few moments he was able to ignore it. He snaps his attention back onto the battle, and sees their enemies number dwindle.
He gathers more mana around him, adding to his resources, but otherwise does nothing. Patience is key. The Keldons don't seem to be the type to wait and think. This will be their undoing.
The Champion tries to rally more Keldons to his side, but he finds himself unable to even keep everyone who he has with him already. The two that he looses do not leave without making another mark on the battle however. He and the Arsonist strike at Athy once again.
With a gesture, Faust's rotting zombie shambles in front of the Champions strike, protecting Athy from harm, and dragging the helpless champion down into the Abyss with him. Another gesture gives life to a pile of limbs, a mockery of life, who trades blows with the arsonist. However, unlike the arsonist which drops to the ground unmoving, the zombie stands straight back up, grabbing hold of one severed arm and popping it back into place. Now then, where were we?
OOC: Kira blocked for Athy a few posts ago, so I assume the same applies for us.
Xiras sees the Marauder's final strike against the ladies, unable to do anything about that he turns to face those that continues to fight, to find Faust's creatures finishing them off.
He smiles slightly amused.
"Thank you Faust, for finishing that off. To the town centre!"
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Smile your day could be worse, so I did smile and it was worse.
The sisters are already on the move, drawing more Mana to them as they do. They slip pasted any Keldons who near them and make their way towards the figures in the remnants of Morsera's town hall.
Faust waves his hand a little to politely refuse Xiras's offer for a fan then muses over this information.
It seems Sera really was trying to do good encouraging peace and order.
He turns back to the matters at hand and asks the sisters,
What should we expect once we get there? Is Neld a magic-user?
Athy said with confidence.
Hopefully, but he has already shown that he is willing to buy Mages to do his dirty work.
Kira said flatly.
Just be ready when we get there. Any more questions?
Hopefully Neld wouldn't have hired any more mages and this will all go smoothly. He expects reality to prove him wrong.
Leave before you get yourselves killed!
The remaining guard yells before he turns and runs towards the town as well. Athy and Kira pay the guard little mind, look at each other and nod. Athy jumps into the carriage's driver's seat and Kira jumps into the carriage.
Hang on and be ready!
Kira says as the carriage rushes forwards into the town. As they enter the screams and shouts get louder, but Athy's voice cuts through it:
KELDONS!!
A second later the carriage comes to an abrupt halt.
Everyone out!! Spells ready!!
Kira jumps out as she draws her knife and has an ivory orb appear just behind her.
Faust quickly dismounts off the carriage, ripping his Cross off his neck as he does so, his eyes glowing just a shade darker. An orb of dark energy appears in the hand with the Cross, the other searching amongst his robes until he found one of the scrolls given to him earlier.
Now seems just a good a time as any to try this out.
He rips the air in front of him with the mana infused cross, reading from the scroll as he does so. A goblin with decaying flesh and dripping wet slime blunders out of the rip and into the world.
Nice. A little creepy but still nice.
Having summoned his creature he looks around at the destruction racking his mind as to what he knows of these Keldons.
Red mana barbarians who pillage and live as if they were still in the stone age. They seem tough, strong enough to stay standing after a few attacks. And they managed to burn this town well enough. Better be careful.
Xiras jumps up and runs out the door of the carriages, he produces closed fans from his just inside the arms of his robes, which begin to trails blue light as he runs.
He skids to a stop with his back to Kira, not quite touching but close enough to let her know he had her back. He flicks his wrists opening the fans in a brief flash of blue light.
"Faust watch Athy's back, I want no stray blades finding home in any of us, lead the way ladies." called Xiras
They should know their way hopefully the chaos doesn't cause any confusion.
Weapon: Fans 1/0 (Ready)
Plays: 1x Island.
Battlefield: 1 x Island q
Graveyard:
Exile:
That was town hall!
Kira says as she points towards the building.
Then thats where we need to go.
Standing between them and the remnants of Morsera's town hall are a dozen Keldons ready to attack. The sisters draw on more Mana and pull out their weapons.
OOC: Final turn before they attack.
4 Keldon Berserker
4 Keldon Firebombers
Weapon: Dagger 1/0 [ready]
Playing:
Plains
IP:
1 Swamp[1 :symq:]
1 Plains [1 :symq:]
GY:
~
Weapon: Dagger 1/0 [ready]
Playing:
Plains
IP:
2 Plains [2 :symq:]
GY:
~
He draws upon more blue mana, causing the both fans to shimmer with the obtained energy.
Life: 20
Weapon: Fans 1/0 (Ready)
Plays: 1x Island.
Battlefield: 2 x Island
Graveyard:
Exile:
He calls upon the mana of the swamps, then extinguishes the life of one of his spells to gain more energy. This energy he used to create a specter of despair, the memory of what had once been a living person.
Life:20
Cross drawn 1/0
Plays: 1x swamp, exile demonic spirit guide, 1x looming shade
Battlefield: 2x swamp t
1x festering goblin q
1x looming shade q
GY:
RFG: demonic spirit guide
4 Keldon Berserker [4:symtap:, 1 attacking each]
4 Keldon Firebombers [4:symtap:, 1 attacking each]
Xiras raises his fans to the sky then brings them down crossing them across his body. The fans glow, a faint breeze emits from the fans causes Xiras' long black hair to blow around, he makes a backhand motion with the right fan sending a blast of air into the berserker heading towards him. He does a similiar motion with the left fan aiming at the berserker heading towards Kira.
Those two dealt with Xiras readied himself for their strike, the arsonist moves in first swinging his club, it comes in low and to the side hitting Xiras at rib height.
As this occurs Xiras closes the fans reaches places them against the side of the arsonists head gripping it, and with a twisting motion snaps his neck.
He mentally prepares himself for the strike of the firebombers he left undeterred.
Plays: 2 x unsummon, targetting the keldon berserkers attacking Xiras and Kira.
Weapon: Fans 1/0 (Not Ready used blocking arsonist)
Life 19
Battlefield: 2 x Island. T
Graveyard: 2 x unsummon
Exile:
OOC: Will take firebomber damage if Kira / Athy don't do anything, assumed they would bother with the arsonist, hope thats ok
He orders his creatures to move in front of the Keldons, the goblin standing in the way of the berserker, the shade in front of the arsonist. As the creatures tear each other apart, the goblin leaves a miasma of decay, which seems to weaken the berserker. However is still stands, intent on reaching its target. Swinging his arm, he slashes the Keldon across the chest, finally dropping the warrior. Moving his head he notices the firebomber about to crush him, yet there was nothing he can do about it.
Cross drawn 1/0 (use on berserker)
Plays:
Battlefield: 2x swamp t
1x festering goblin q (blocking berserker, -1/-1 on berserker)
1x looming shade q(blocking arsonist)
GY:
RFG: demonic spirit guide
OOC: Condemn on two Keldon Firebombers.
Athy closes her eye and starts to silently chant. She opens her eyes a moment later and they are glowing black and the jet orb she controls splits into three. The makes two slashing motions aimed at the Berserker and Firebomber who are charging her. They stop in their tacks, twitching in pain. Their torsos starts to come apart and they desperately try to keep themselves together, but to no avail. The Arsonist, however, gets in a clean attack on her.
OOC: Dark Ritual, Doom Blade on Keldon Firebombers, Doom Blade on Keldon Berserker.
One of the Champions of the Warhost arrives in the field wounding Athy as he does. He rallies the remaining Keldons to him and calls over four more which send four small bolts of energy into the four gathered Mages.
1 Keldon Firebombers [1 :symtap:]
2 Keldon Arsonist [1 :symtap:]
4 Keldon Marauders [1 damage to each Mage][4 , and SS]
The ladies then gather more Mana to them. Kira uses her gathered Mana to pull three Clerics clothed in red through the Æther and to her side. Athy brings to her side a group of seeming innocent spirits.
Almost through.
Weapon: Dagger 1/0 [ready]
Playing:
Swamp, Souls of the Faultless
IP:
2 Swamp[1 ]
1 Plains [1 ]
1 Souls of the Faultless [1 and SS]
GY:
1 Dark Ritual
2 Doom Blade
Weapon: Dagger 1/0 [not ready]
Playing:
Plains, Order of the Stars [red], Order of the Stars [red], Order of the Stars [red]
IP:
2 Plains [3 t]
3 Order of the Stars [3 red] [3 and SS]
GY:
2 Condemn
Good to know she has my back too
Xiras spreads his fans readying them for battle once again, he makes a sweeping motion intensifying the mana swirling in gusts around him, a scroll floats up to eye height from the satchel.
He chants a few words then directs a blast of air at the ground which in turn erupts in a geyser of water, leaving a rather large puddle and a rather small merfolk.
Life 18
Plays: 1 x Island
1 x Coral Merfolk (uses scroll)
Weapon: Fans 1/0 (Ready)
Battlefield: 2 x Island. T
1 x Island. Q
1 x Coral Merfolk (Q and SS)
Graveyard: 2 x unsummon.
Exile:
OOC: Quick Question: Could I have countered the Keldon Marauders with the scrolls of spell snare if I had the mana available last turn? I assume not as they just turned up, weren't cast by a mage but confirmation either way would be nice.
Another wave of Keldons. But we seemed to manage the last one just fine. Hopefully this one will be just as easy.
Calling forth a pit of flesh, he draws more mana onto his blade and sends it to animate two more goblins from the scroll he received. The arcane words drips off his tongue like acid.
Life:16
Cross drawn 1/0 (ready)
Plays: 1x spawning pool 2x festering goblin
Battlefield: 2x swamp 2t 1x spawning pool t
2x festering goblin q
GY: 1x looming shade, 1x festering goblin
RFG: demonic spirit guide
1 Keldon Firebombers [1 and attacking Athy]
2 Keldon Arsonist [1 and attacking Athy]
4 Keldon Marauders [4 :symtap:, and attacking each Mage]
OOC: If they had been casted by a Mage yes, but given this scene, them already there just being called over to this instance of combat, no.
The Merfolk rumbles with the marauder but is dispatched, Xiras steps in from the side, he slashes the edge of his fans across the neck of the Keldon, a fine jet of blood mists the air as the warrior falls to his knees.
Plays: 1 x Unsummon targetting last Firebomber
Weapon: Fans 1/0 (Blocking Marauder)
Battlefield: 3 x Island. T
Graveyard: 3 x unsummon
1 x Coral Merfolk (blocked marauder)
Exile:
Turning to the lone Keldon charging at him, he sends one of his goblins to take the hit. As the goblin collapses to the ground, it reaches out with the last of its strength to grasp at the Keldon, rooting it in spot, where Faust was able to take it out with a quick horizontal swipe.
Cross drawn 1/0 (use on marauder)
Plays:
Battlefield: 2x swamp 2t 1x spawning pool t
2x festering goblin q (1 blocking marauder, -1-1 to marauder)
GY: 1x looming shade, 1x festering goblin
RFG: demonic spirit guide
1 Keldon Arsonist [1 :symtap:]
2 Keldon Marauders [2 :symtap:]
The ladies then gather more Mana to them. Kira holds hers, but Athy brings another group of Spirits to her side..
Weapon: Dagger 1/0 [ready]
Playing:
Swamp, Souls of the Faultless
IP:
3 Swamp[2 , 1 :symq:]
1 Plains [1 ]
2 Souls of the Faultless [2 and 1 SS]
GY:
1 Dark Ritual
2 Doom Blade
Weapon: Dagger 1/0 [ready]
Playing:
Plains
IP:
4 Plains [4 :symq:]
3 Order of the Stars [3 red] [3 :symq:]
GY:
2 Condemn
A fourth wisp of cyan appears swirling in the Aura surrounding Xiras, he awaits the Keldons next charge
Plays: 1 x Island
Weapon: Fans 1/0 (Ready)
Battlefield: 3 x Island.
Graveyard: 3 x unsummon
1 x Coral Merfolk (blocked marauder)
Exile:
OOC: Shouldn't Athy have gained life from her souls of the faultless?
Faust focuses on the unexpected sting as he kills the Keldon, willing it to go away, and in a few moments he was able to ignore it. He snaps his attention back onto the battle, and sees their enemies number dwindle.
He gathers more mana around him, adding to his resources, but otherwise does nothing.
Patience is key. The Keldons don't seem to be the type to wait and think. This will be their undoing.
Cross drawn 1/0
Plays: 1x swamp
Battlefield: 3x swamp q 1x spawning pool q
1x festering goblin q
GY: 1x looming shade, 2x festering goblin
RFG: demonic spirit guide
1 Keldon Arsonist [1 and attacking Athy]
1 damage to Kira and Athy as the Keldon Marauders leave play.
Now then, where were we?
Cross drawn 1/0
Plays:
Battlefield: 3x swamp 2t(animate pool) 1x spawning pool t(block arsonist, regen itself)
1x festering goblin q (blocking champion, -1/-1 to champ)
GY: 1x looming shade, 2x festering goblin
RFG: demonic spirit guide
OOC: I'm assuming we can block for each other. If we can't then I'll change this post.
Xiras sees the Marauder's final strike against the ladies, unable to do anything about that he turns to face those that continues to fight, to find Faust's creatures finishing them off.
He smiles slightly amused.
"Thank you Faust, for finishing that off. To the town centre!"
Weapon: Dagger 1/0 [ready]
Playing:
Plains
IP:
3 Swamp [3 :symq:]
2 Plains [2 :symq:]
2 Souls of the Faultless [2 ]
GY:
1 Dark Ritual
2 Doom Blade
Weapon: Dagger 1/0 [ready]
Playing:
Plains
IP:
5 Plains [5 :symq:]
3 Order of the Stars [3 red] [3 :symq:]
GY:
2 Condemn