13th Galena
I was inspecting the ballistae when, through the fortifications, I saw:
Fain’s forces are here! Surely this is the reckoning of which Armok spoke?
Those strings….they pull me again. Better to remain dead! Curse Armok, Curse him! I…go somewhere I do not wish to speak of, not even on paper. There I…dealt with Necrothreat’s ancient enemy, the Trolls. I can scarcely believe, even after I had learned the truth of our master, our god, that they have all along been his staunchest minions. Trollocs, they call themselves, not Trolls!
The pit in which they dwelt was a lowly cave, the smoke from their fires pooling murkily on the ceiling. I sat at one such fire, surrounded by the foul beasts. Their beady eyes seemed to be measuring me up for their black steel cook-pots. Shivering, I explained to them the wishes of Armok.
Afterwards I was jerked back to Necrothreat and was wandering the halls, trying to lose myself, forget what I had done, what I had to do, in the name of our god. God, or demon? It does not matter, I suppose. It was at this time that a messenger ran up to me.
“Here you go, sir…err…ma’am. A message from the military head” I look into his eyes and, seeming scared by what he sees in mine, he presses the message into my hand and runs off. Frowning, I look at the missive.
They have come, as Armok ordered! Normally, I would not wish help from them, even in the direst of circumstances, but the legions of dead are nigh on endless. I can at least rest in the certainty that they will all die, but still take some with them. They held back….they said they would send more! It would seem that Armok does not have as big a grip on them as he thinks….
My musings were interrupted by the hurried footsteps of the messenger returning. “My Lor…Lady. The Captain sends another report! He handed it to me and backed off looking at me warily, as if I were dangerous! What must they see when they look at me? Has Armok’s touch left a mark? I cannot dwell on these things. I must protect the Forumites, and also, though it galls me to say it, serve the whims of Armok. I looked down at my clenched fist and noticed the forlorn message hanging limply from it. Relaxing, I flattened it out…
Two more squads have arrived! Jogging towards the fortifications to see for myself, it happened. Between one step and the next I was wreathed in pain. My body felt like flame personified, blazing with a thousand aches. I closed my eyes, and when I opened them I was greeted by a much different scene than that of the sombre halls of Necrothreat. I groaned, a deep gurgle in my throat. Who was I? I did not know. I saw the bones sticking through what was left of my flesh. I did not care. I wanted one thing, and it stood near me, arms raised in greeting. I grinned, a twitching of my maggot-like lips. The thing looked confused, worried even. Then I pounced.
My head twisted around on its spine in time to see the axe of a troll cleave it in two. The hood slipped from my lifeless fingers.
Gasping, I sat up in the fortress. My joints ached like I had been lying on the ground for days. I groaned, remembering what I had done, what I had been. Looking around, I realised that I was in the hospital. Highmax28 was watching me through the bars of his cage, empty eye sockets staring sightlessly at me. In my mind I felt a feather light touch, and then Highmax’s voice drifted in. “Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelp meeee. Leeeeeeeeeeeeet meeeeeeeeeeeeee ouuuuuuuuuut!” Standing, I felt compelled to open the cage, let loose the fury of the dead, drown us in blood…NO! Jerking my hand away from the cage, I ran from the room, Highmax’s whispers drifting after me. Curse Armok and his “gifts!”
No sooner had I reached the hall than Armok jerked me away again, seared me from existence and then built me again in a castle of dark stone. The cement holding the bricks together seemed to be made of congealed blood….Tearing my gaze from the horrible monument to suffering, I looked at the room. Tables and chairs as ordinary as any found in Necrothreat stood in straight lines in the centre of the room. The things that sat in the chairs were far from ordinary. MMO and RTS Gamers. As one, they all looked at me at the same time. “We’ve been expecting you” They smiled identical twisted grins. I relayed Armok’s orders, then was jerked back to Necrothreat.
18th Galena
Days have passed, and they came! I had begun to hope that they never would, but seeing them dispatch the zombies, it gives me hope. Necrothreat may yet be free of both the forces of Fain and Armok!
The Gamers were defeated, as were the trolls. But Fain’s forces have been weakened! Gathering the Maidens and Stone dogs, we pour from the gates, a 20 strong force.
Tearing through our foes, we return to the fortress, only to be met with a scene of destruction. While we had been away some of our forces had been left behind to guard the gates. They had been pounced upon and…well, the report speaks louder than words.
But, in the end, it was worth it. We lost Bain and Chiad to Haxxors, as well as one or two others. Four dead in total. The siege isn’t broken yet, there are three haxxors left. But we cannot attack them. We dare not attack. They would decimate our forces, novices as they are. I begin to see that not all charges are noble.
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Just wanted to say that it was a really weird siege. The zombies were fighting each other, haxxors dead and alive were setting fire to things, ambushes coming up left right and centre. I think that it was only the zombies that were raised that rebelled, but I don't know.
Also, the bit where my zombie fights the necromancer, it should be noted that I tore his own hood off, then preceded to beat him to death with it.
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Topic: Necrothreat II - A Fort Cursed by the Gods! (Read 471358 times)