Session 25: War is Upon Us Report

General Summary

Aria assembled a war council following the efforts around the city, it included Galadren and Luthedir of the Sea Guard whose second ship had now returned. Nyvressa was also present to give what intel she could concerning her mothers forces if War was to be waged. She would explain that there was a small group of elite hunters who would battle the horrors beneath the city, the scouts they would send to forage and survey the surface, a unit of fanatics loyal to her mother, and their standing guard, which while well equipped rarely engaged in combat. Lastly she knows sometimes they would also tame or restrain aberrations from the deep to fight the undead for them. Luthedir would frown slightly at this, "We are assuredly outnumbered then." Daereth would nod in agreement, "And with no wall, we can not rely on defensive positions to aid us. Aria would shoot a small glare at mention of this wall again. Clearing her throat, "I had met a mercenary groups officer while visiting Eglasil.." she would look to Daereth forgetting the name. Clearing his throat, "Black Moon Company," he would offer. Luthedir would nod, "If they are available and you can afford some of their men, they are all talented Psionicists, young and eager for adventure, usually fresh out of their levy service and eager for glory." Aria would smile, "perfect...I will send a letter." Nymeria would speak up, "Perhaps it would be best if I delivered that letter...I have business in Eglasil and I think it may be best to take our newest guest with me....any magics used to locate her may be to our benefit if she were away, and, buy us some time, and her some safety." Nyvressa would protest at first, while Aelorna would frown, her new friend being whisked away, but Aria would nod in agreement, "It would be for the best lady Nyvressa, and I will dispatch our scouts to keep watch, they can use the Horns to alert us if Nyxthranis goes to war."
 

With the meeting settled Daereth and Bahzel would depart to take up a war footing, Bahzel to instruct the city watch of War Time curfews and preparations while Daereth would drill and muster the 1st Hrivenor Regulars from their barracks. Talindra and Aelorna would begin to assemble any in the city with medical training or magic to prepare to treat the wounded and injured if a battle was to occur while Zaelith and Malakar would entreat with Winter for aide, tho it seemed their please and prayers would go unanswered. Isenara would collect those magically inclined to see if the monolith defending the river could be turned inland should they need the refuge fort. 2 days at sea and Nyvressa would become aware of the scrying eye watching her and would alert Nymeria who would politely wave. The next day Selestiel would blow the horn signaling to Aelorna that the armies of Nyxthranis had just departed the mountains. The war council assembled, Daereth would frown, "It does us no good to meet them here...no wall and all.." another glare shot his way. "If we move to the Monolith, they can simply march past us, tho they would have us behind it would allow them to choose the battle field." Luthedir would point at the fork of the tributary that fed the Urithore River, "Can we meet them here." Daereth would frown, "Its possible but it will be close, if we push the men we may beat them before they cross." Luthedir would nod, "My men can travel up river via ship and be fresh if yours arrive tired from March, forcing them to cross under arrow fire to meet our spears sounds better then the alternative." Aria would nod in agreement, "Very well, and if the Black Moon arrives they too can land at the Monolith and join us."
 

With the plan in place Daereth mustered his men for the march and the expedition set out west. Moving at a fast march across their freshly made roads the army made good time. As Nyxtrhanis forces marched over mountains the skies opened, and perhaps Winter had heard the expeditions prayers as heavy snows fell in the fleeting days of winter and slowed their march. The Seaguard arrived first, followed by the Blackmoon Company which had arrived via Sea. While their contract had not been fully negotiated the Lieutenant leading them, Raerin, seemed unconcerned at the prospect and his soldiers eager for the fight ahead. Lastly the 1st Eriadore Regulars would arrive having marched hard to arrive, but their efforts would pay off. With the snow they would have a full days rest before meeting the Nyxthranian host at the river crossing. That night Selest would arrive with her scouts, reporting on the enemy composition, 300-400 armed elves and a Void Worm from the deep at their command. The 300 Autumn and Winter elves would be out numbered but the weight of training and experience were in their favor and they had the River to aid. Aelorna and Talindra set up their triage camp in the rear, and Aria picked some high ground to survey the battle from. Daereth, Malakar, Zaelith, Bahzel, and Isenara would join the 1st Eriadore as they guarded the bank to ensure no night Crossing, the Autumn elven forces forming on their flanks. As the sun rose the Nyxtrhanian forces saw the crossing was guarded, eager to join in battle they pushed to ford the river.
 

The Seaguard let their long bows fly harrying the Shadow Elf forces as they moved to cross the river. The Fanatics of Zyvara would be first to cross howling their curses and painted in blood of sacrifices instead of armor they threw themselves at the Blackmoon Company. Wicked curved blades impacted armor and shields as the mercenaries held the line. The 1st Eriadore pivoted left and let their repeating crossbows sing catching the lightly armored fanatics in the flank with devastating effect. The Blackmoon Company exploited this and pressed forward driving the fanatics back into the River and breaking them. Daereth called for shields to lock as a hail of crossbow bolts now assaulted their lines as the Hunters of Nyxthranis, fired and crossed under this cover then fired again from the opposing shore. The Void worm and its handlers pressed into the river next thru the fleeing fanatics and across to become bogged down on the beach as they emerged from the water. The Nyxthranis infantry fired their crossbows then waded across only to find themselves mired in the mud of the swollen winter river near the shore. The 1st Eriadore would fire their last set of bolts into the Hunters then charged, inspired by the heroes amongst them they would crash into the Hunters of Nyxthranis and in the press of the melee break them, suffering minor casualties themselves. The Seaguard would fire upon the Void worm before charging down the Riverbank against the mired Nyxthranis soldiers. Trapped in the mud they would shout their defiance to the Seaguard, who paid no mind, cutting them down to the man in a bloody display. The Blackmoon company would feel the fear of the Worm as it sapped their wills but press onward, cutting the beast down and its handlers with impunity.
 

As the battle cleared, the Nytraven forces suffered no losses as Talindra and Aelornas medics tended to the wounded. The Nyxthranians however had lost hundreds of their men. Among the dead was their Prince Maeltheron, nearly trampled in the mud, his body was recovered and would be loaded onto a wagon as the other bodies were burned to ensure the blighted land would not raise them. Aria with unanimous support ordered the armies to advance. Chasing the fleeing survivors to the gates of Nyxthranis itself. Making camp just beyond the cave entrance, Aria would demand the Speaker of Leowyn come forth and answer for her crimes. The Lady Zyvara would ride out flanked by the First Hunter Draevira whom had survived and her Husband Khaelheron. "Glory to you Matron Nytraven, the day seems yours for now, but in the darkness of the caves beyond surely you will find your doom," Zyvara would say calmly. Aria would smile faintly, "The day is indeed mine, we came to you in friendship and an offer to rebuild our people, you have instead only offered death and treachery." Zyvara would glower, "And you have stolen my daughter and heir, surely an act of war." Aria would return, "She fled you to us for sanctuary, I did not need steal her.....and now hear this, you will release all elven slaves to me, those among you now who will serve me as I restore our lands people may give their oaths, and the rest, shall be put to the sword, and I shall return your sons body to you." Zyvara will snort, "You offer only death, then it is death you shall have, free our slaves and take our lives at your peril." Giving no mention to her sons body she would turn her lizard mount and the three would return to the gates of their city. Malakar would call after, "First Hunter, your Mistress ensure the death of all, there is another way!" Draevira would glance to him for a moment and say nothing as she followed back into the city. A lengthy siege would not abide, and assaulting into the darkness would be at great cost, the battle was won but the War still raged.