[Alliance] Chapter Five: Session Fifty-Five
Appearing Characters: Aelthalyste Everpost, Alleria Windrunner, Annibeth Lansing, Anya Eversong, Arator Windrunner, Arellas Fireleaf, Arthas Menethil, Belmont, Benedictus, Benjamin Warde, Darion Mograine, Dorgar Stonebrow, Elissa Cross, Esara Verrinde, Fellari Swiftarrow, Ferren Marcus, Finnall Goldensword, Genn Greymane, Gilveradin Windrunner, Giramar Windrunner, Halduron Brightwing, Harlan, Harthal Truesight, Herod, Holla Sunshield, Invar One-Arm, Jaina Proudmoore-Menethil, Kael'thas Sunstrider, Korloff, Liadrin Everpost, Lirath Windrunner, Lor'themar Theron, Loralen Nightseeker, Maraad, Mariella Warde, Maxwell Tyrosus, Mia Greymane, Morra Starbreeze, Motah Tallhorn, Natalie Seline, Nathanos Marris, Nazgrim, Orman, Rekshak, Remnii, Renault Mograine, Rhonin Windrunner, Riff, Rommath Pyrewing, Sally Mograine, Samia Inkling, Seria, Sylvanas Windrunner, Taelan Fordring, Teemo Manabrake, Thal'ena Dawnseeker, Theo'remar Goldensword, Turalyon Windrunner, Uther Menethil, Vaelastrasz, Valea Twinblades, Velonara Dewflow, Vereesa Windrunner, Yana Bloodspear, Zabra Hexx, Zagarra
October 30th
With the help of Samia, the group headed to the staging ground to join up with the other forces that were preparing for the battle. Rekshak had informed them the Warsong would meet them at their camp, and Nazgrim thanked the group for their aid and pledged he would repay his debt to them with steel.
The group reappeared not far from the base of the hill the Scarlet Monastery was constructed on. They could see the very tips of the monastery’s spires up over the cliff side. The forward camp that had been established was at the base of the path. Fortifications had been erected up the long path, as the Scarlet Crusade had clearly fortified the approach with barricades, and there were also siege weapons erected in the high cliffs.
The major camps represented in the fighting forces were the forces of Lordaeron, the forces of Quel’Thalas, the Argent Dawn, a small elite force of mage-hunters from Venetia, and various independent forces such as the Aurum Blades. There was a tenseness over the area, as there were Crusaders watching from various vantage points. They glimpsed Benjamin Warde speaking with Mariella Warde, who was actually his cousin, along Jaina, both Arthases, the Scales of Azeroth, and many other familiar faces. Even Benedictus was there setting up the first aid camp along with Mia Greymane.
Uther approached his kingly father as he was speaking with Genn sorting out logistics. Genn assured Arthas that they would get fortifications in place, and Arthas thanked him for his experiences. Genn pointed out Uther had arrived and then set off with a greeting. Genn said it was only right that given Uther helped him reclaim his kingdom, that he help Uther reclaim his. He put a hand on his shoulder as he passed by.
Arthas smiled at Uther.
Arthas laughed.
Uther felt an intense mixture of connection and nostalgia as he looked upon his father.
Uther felt a tightness in his throat.
He produced Light’s Vengeance and held it out to him.
Arthas hefted the weapon in his hands.
Arthas pulled Uther into a hug.
Later that evening, there was a small contingent with the banner of Andorhal, and Annibeth Lansing herself with some of her militia was leading it. Nathanos, Velonara, and Loralen were also with them, flanked by Nathanos’s hounds.
They overheard a small fight between Sylvanas and Nathanos, as she had commanded him not to come. Loralen was also wearing a porcelain mask over half of her face.
Riff had charged to Seria the moment he saw her, and she quickly realized that in the few weeks he had been gone, his true form had grown noticeably longer. He gave her a big hug and said he had missed her. He then launched into what he had done, as he and his group had traveled all over where the plague was spread.
Seria had sheer pride on her face as he continued to talk to her about everything they had done and what he had learned. Apparently even when Vaelastrasz had breathed fire over the blighted area, it didn’t heal. Seria then took Riff to formally introduce him to Zabra Hexx. Riff asked Zabra, unprompted, if he knew any stories about Hakkar.
Seria also showed Riff the dagger she had purchased, and his eyes immediately became transfixed on it. She explained what it was, and his hand started to reach out for it slowly. He was acting strangely, and Seria swiftly pulled the dagger, which had trembled in her hand, away. Riff snapped out of the trance.
Seria asked if he wanted to talk about, and Riff considered but said he didn’t want to right then. He asked if something was wrong with him, and Seria said there wasn’t, so he suggested they go back and talk to “Grandpa Zabra”.
That evening, Gil gathered up the Windrunner family for a check in. There was a tension in the air, and Vereesa was attempting to keep things light, but there wasn’t much levity to be had. It had a distinct vibe of “the calm before the storm”. Sylvanas and Alleria were both fletching arrows with their backs facing each other. Nathanos was lurking along the edges of the group near Sylvanas. Turalyon was tending to his armor and his weapon. Rhonin was translating more journal entries from Vel and ensuring her belongings that she might want were safe. Esara was laying her head on Lirath’s shoulder, and Lirath was staring intently at the fire and looked like he hadn’t slept in days. Giramar was also present, but he was going to be helping at the camp with the first aid medics and running messages. He was quietly feeding his squirrel familiar next to his dad.
Gil was a bit of a loss of how to approach the situation, and Vereesa approached Gil to ask how he was.
Vereesa looked at Lirath.
Gil walked over and sat down next to Lirath.
Lirath continued staring at the fire, but he nodded.
Lirath collapsed in on himself and started to cry. Gil put an arm around his father’s shoulders.
Lirath looked at Gil with a sad smile, his eyes wet with tears.
Lirath put an arm around Gil’s shoulder and leaned his head against his.
Esara smiled and put a hand on Lirath’s knee. Vereesa sat down next to Gil and put her arms around him and Lirath. A cloak draped over Lirath’s shoulders, as Alleria had leaned her back up against her brother. Turalyon sat down nearby and placed his hand next to Alleria’s hand, who wrapped her pinky around his. Sylvanas moved over and sat down near the group as she tossed another bit of wood into the fire. Vereesa grabbed her hand. Nathanos shifted closer to Sylvanas, watching, and Giramar’s squirrel nestled into Gil’s lap. Giramar sat down next to Sylvanas. He smiled up at her, and she couldn’t help but smile back and muss up his hair. The ground around them swirled to life with violet magic as Rhonin erected a [Tiny Hut] over all of them. He sat down next to Giramar and patted his knee. The stars were still visible overhead through the translucent force. Constellations danced on the surface, depicting happier times: the Windrunner sisters in an archery contest, Gil holding a bow for the first time, the birth of Giramar and Galadin, the day Gil became a Farstrider, the day Vel graduated from the Kirin Tor, marriages for everyone, when Vel and Gil were first born. Each one danced across the dome.
Also that night, Elissa came to find Uther as he was getting ready to go to bed. She greeted him softly, and she said she wanted to come and check on him as everything had been really hard.
Uther looked tired.
Elissa looked up at the hill.
Uther’s shoulders dropped.
Uther hung his head, but then looked at Elissa with tears in his eyes.
Elissa grabbed Uther’s hand.
Uther chuckled quietly.
Her expression was conflicted, but not bad.
Elissa shook her head.
For a few moments, the stress of that weight washed over him instead.
A look of determination crossed their faces as they thought of what needed to be done the next day.
October 31st
The next day, the last groups of the offensive arrived. They awoke that morning to the sound of horns and orcish war chanting. There was tension as the orcs made their way into the camp. The elves and the orcs eyed each other warily.
Lor’themar and Kael’thas met the Warsong as they entered, and Lor’themar called Uther over as he could speak the orcish tongue. He requested Uther act as translator, and he then regarded Rekshak and Nazgrim.
Lor’themar offered his hand to Rekshak, and the orc took it.
Rekshak nodded and the information was passed through his number.
Representatives of each of the major groups gathered to discuss the plans for that night. A heavy rain coated the camps with snow and sleet, but the storms broke in favor of heavy winds.
Lor’themar had erected a rough map of the surrounding area at the center of the tent. He welcomed everyone to the war front and stated they would begin their march on sundown. The monastery was well defended by natural fortifications, and the only way up the hill was by a singular path, but there were also cliff faces that could be scaled by those capable of vertical climbs.
Maxwell pointed at the map and said the bulk of the forces needed to go up the main path, which was narrow. The Crusade had the high ground, but they would not be able to fill the pass with numbers. He believed the Crusade still outnumbered them, but the number was less than two to one. The monastery itself was also not a fortress, and he didn’t believe it would be a prolonged siege. He believed it could be captured by sunrise, and they were expecting a new moon that evening, which would benefit the orc and elf forces and the Crusade’s own light sources would work against them.
He also expressed Zabra was most familiar with the monastery, and Darion’s brother was a commander. He asked if they had any insights, and Zabra offered there were very few ways to enter the ground outside the main gate unless they could vault themselves over the walls. Darion said his brother would likely not be a part of the vanguard, as he and the Grand Inquisitor would likely be in the most fortified location: the chapel at the heart of the monastery. From there, it was likely they would be providing support through magic. They needed to be stopped.
Tyrosus nodded and asked if anyone knew where he might be. Rommath suggested he would probably have taken control of the libraries in the monastery, and Zabra confirmed he was familiar with a specific area that seemed most likely. It was wasn’t far from the chapel. Rommath said his primary objectives were rescuing their captured ambassador as well as capturing or destroying the wrathcaster.
Uther offered a confident smirk.
Zabra snapped his fingers and said there were places in the temple that were sanctuaries. However, all things considered, the Scarlet Crusade were squatters. He had lived there for two decades. He felt it was safe to say that he could call the place his home and he welcomed them all in.
Kael’thas smirked.
Liadrin said they all had their places and plans.
He looked at Kael’thas, and Uther stepped in to continue translating.
Liadrin pushed that the situation was not one in which no quarter should be given, as anyone that surrendered or took up blades against the Crusade should be given the opportunity to aid them. Likewise, taking as many members of the Crusade alive they could would be advisable, as they were expecting a wholesale slaughter, and doing so would just damn their names in the eyes of the populace.
The operation would begin at sundown.
Gil asked Samia for the Demon Soul back, as he could use it as a catalyst for magic to put people asleep. Samia relented, but told him not to push himself. Gil tried to joke it off, but Samia grabbed him by the collar and told him to say it. Gil promised he wouldn’t.
Uther hefted Marrowgar’s former weapon, Bryntroll the Bone Arbiter, as he decided to use a weapon of the undead against those that feared them.
That evening, everyone prepared to launch the siege. Uther rode to the front atop Radiant, Bryntroll grasped in his hand as he did a pace ride up and down the lines.
Uther turned to look toward the monastery.
The forces joined him in a bone-chilling roar and they charged for the hill. Elves charged on foot and on hawkstriders. Orcs were on foot and dire wolves. The allied forces were easily a couple hundred. They saw the barricades of the Crusade, and fighting would start within moments.
But then... they also saw the beginning of crucifixes along the pathway, looming in the dark. There were gasps and murmurs as upon which they saw the charred, blackened bodies of vampyrs erected, having clearly been left to burn in the sun.
A bright light illuminated from the highest point of the cliff. In the air above them, they saw Sally Mograine herself with a small attachment of warriors and soldiers.
A silent pall fell over the battlefield. Sally stepped forward. There was a figure in front of her that was being held by an armored individual with a massive axe hefted over their shoulder. The axe was orcish in appearance, and it was recognized by the Warsong as Gorehowl: Garrosh’s axe.
She nodded to the man at her side, who ripped the hood off the chained man on the ground. It was revealed to be Taelan Fordring, who was battered and beaten.
Lor’themar cleared his throat.
Sally scowled as she looked at the gathered crowd.
Lor’themar gave a signal, and Halduron Brightwing called out a command. Arrows sailed through the dark sky, and there was a blur as a bare-chested man with a shaved head appeared and grabbed an arrow that had headed straight for Sally. Rhonin and the others attempted to grab Taelan from the portal with magic, but the spells hit on a shield of magic. Arellas Fireleaf stepped out, preventing them from breaching the gap.
The champion with Gorehowl grabbed Taelan.
Gorehowl fell, and Taelan’s head hit the ground. The wall of force opened to allow his head to tumble from the cliff, and it lit ablaze with holy fire.
When it hit the ground in front of them, it shattered into burning ashes.
Kael’thas’s eyes ignited with fire, and the skies opened up. A meteor slammed into the cliffside, but at the last moment Arellas teleported them away. The rocks shattered from the impact. Kael’thas raised his hands again, his eyes crimson, as the sky swirled with more meteors.
Rommath rushed forward and grabbed Kael’thas wrist.
Kael’thas looked at Rommath, and then closed his eyes.
Kael’thas turned toward the Scarlet Crusaders that were now mounting a defense.
There was a sound of bones cracking and flesh shifting as he stepped into the darkness. They watched as his form began to grow. His fingers grew sharp claws and his cloak unfurled into great wings, his eyes bright and burning crimson.
A long set of horns grew from his head and his jaw grew numerous more fangs.
Kael’thas took off into the sky and flew directly into the battle amidst the battle. Fire streaked from him, and the image of Al’ar careened from the sky behind him and rained fire on the Scarlet Crusaders.
There was a moment of shock from Lor’themar, who looked at Rommath.
Rommath shook his head.
Rommath leaped into the air and transformed into a bat to take off after Kael’thas.
Lor’themar held up his sword and the forces began to charge. Uther took up the front, and Lor’themar leaped in front of him with his blade partially drawn. He disappeared as he rushed forward and he proceeded to use [Steel Wind Strike], decimating a dozen Scarlet Crusaders at the head of the vanguard.
Uther continued to charge through the throng on radiant, his axe cleaving back and forth. Radiant kicked Scarlet Crusaders as they fought their way up. Hot oil was spilled off the upper cliffside, and Radiant’s wings unfolded. Uther used his shield to block the hot oil and redirect it. He looked over and saw Jaina levitating, her eyes aglow. She was floating within a water elemental, controlling it from within.
Spears of ice rained down and imprisoned an entire group of crusaders in the ice. With her other hand, she washed barricades aside. Another horse, Indomitable, landed next to Radiant and king Arthas swung Light’s Vengeance around.
Arthas and Uther each called each other’s names and ducked under each other’s swings as they smacked crusaders on each other’s flank. Then there was a howl, as wild Arthas in his worgen form leaped down wielding two axes and started to spin around in a storm of blade and fang. The two Arthases ended up back-to-back and started to cover each other.
Seria roared and turned into a bear. She and Riff charged through several groups of soldiers and started to assault the ballista. One of the ones she missed rounded on her, and shot at her. She ducked under the bolt, but then it slammed into Riff. There was a moment of panic, but the bolt shattered on him, as he was immune to nonmagic damage. Riff sprouted wings and his eyes began to bleed as he puppeted the crusaders and forced them to push the ballista off the cliff.
As the fight started, Maraad whistled and summoned his elekk. Remnii pulled out her crystalline figure and summoned the unicorn contained within it, which Remnii got on and started to ride side-saddle. Natalie stepped from a nearby shadow, her body wreathed in darkness. She used powerful psychic magic to wrest an entire group of crusaders to their knees.
Liadrin rode through on a hawkstrider with deep crimson feathers, her sword drawn.
Gil summoned a massive illusory dragon, realizing there was not going to be room for the creature inside the monastery. It soared along the battlefield and knocked out groups of crusaders with poisonous mist that sent them to sleep.
Rhonin was riding behind his wife on the back of a hawkstrider as he fanned a bunch of runic circles around him.
He shot out a powerful [Chromatic Orb] that started to jump around a bunch of crusaders, knocking them all to the ground.
Vereesa leaped off the hawkstrider as Rhonin grabbed the reins. Vereesa took aim at an animated suit of armor that glowed with holy fire. The arrow exploded into vines that bound the armor in place. Sylvanas and Nathanos, who were fighting back to back against the armor, took their shots. Sylvanas drove her blades into the armor, and magic scintillated around her as she ordered her Farstriders to fire. Mist materialized into Alleria, who unleashed an arrow right through the center of the construct’s helm. Turalyon jumped off a nearby cliff, his broken blade glimmering with Light, driven into the chest of the armor.
Remnii conjured a [Crown of Stars] and hurled the motes at various enemies as she charged through the throng of battle. The crusaders retaliated with their own holy fire, but T’uure bathed her in light as her own radiance protected her. One of the crusaders threw their weapon down in surrender, and another was swiftly knocked out by Benjamin Warde.
Belmont and the mage-hunters swiftly took out several mages with expert precision. Orcs bellowed a warcry as the Warsong started to storm the barricades. Garona deftly ran around the battlefield, using poison to knock people out.
Elissa reared back on Daisy as she raised her ring in the air and brought shooting stars raining down on her enemies. Running, on foot, beside her was Morra Starbreeze, who was launching various spells at any others that Elissa missed. One of the Scarlet Crusaders tried to trip Daisy up with a bola, but she leaped over the bola and landed perfectly, free of the restraint.
They saw a half dozen Finnalls take to the field as she used her mirages to fend off crusaders. Theo’remar backed her up with fire, and he looked warily up in the sky. An ear-piercing screech could be heard overhead, and hundreds upon thousands of bats and ravens filled the sky and started to pour into the monastery. They could see Kael’thas diving through the sky, which was blackened with the creatures of the night. Al’ar released streams of fire over one corner of the field.
At that moment, holy radiance spilled over the battlefield and blasted them with holy light that the group grit their teeth and charged through. A radiant winged form floated in the air in front of them: a guardian of faith that had been summoned in front of the bridge to the monastery. The entrance to the grand vestibule was less than 200 feet away.
Before them were scores of soldiers, prepared to stop them. On the other side of the guardian of the faith, before the fountain, was none other than the Ashbringer. He pointed his blade toward them.
The Ashbringer’s grip tightened on his blade. There was a moment of hesitation.
From the crowd of soldiers, a half-elf woman with a brilliant shield stepped forward. Several others also stepped from the crowd. A paladin with a winged helmet and called to Uther they would save him from himself. A weapon master stepped forward, as well as a woman with two short blades. There was a large broad-shouldered stromic man with six different swords on his person. On the balcony was an older gentleman with a warpriest’s garb called for a swift conclusion to the conflict, and a dwarf with bright red hair and a crimson helmet.
Above all of them was the champion that had executed Taelan Fordring, Gorehowl hefted on his shoulder. The rest of the group’s allies surged forward to fend off the grunts as the part itself took on the champions of the Scarlet Crusade. (Harlan, Harthal Truesight, Holla Sunshield, Valea Twinblades, Orman, Dorgar Stonebrow, Herod, Ferren Marcus)
In addition, Gil and Seria saw a woman and a man hiding in the bushes (Yana Bloodspear and Invar One-Arm), and Seria caught sight of an elven archer (Fellari Swiftarrow) on the parapet in the distance.
Uther’s weapon and shield shone with holy radiance. Seria roared and charged toward the guardian of faith. A blast of radiant energy swept over her, and she opted to focus on keeping the guardian of faith trained on her. She soaked two hits, and the magic dissipated. She then focused her sights on the Ashbringer.
However, at the last second Hight Protector Holla Sunshield pushed Arator away, taking the attack instead. Holla moved forward and swung her mace up at Seria and tried to shield bash her away.
At that moment, Motah Tallhorn dropped in on High Abbot Ferren Marcus from Vaelastrasz’s back. The High Abbot was pinned down by Motah, who tried to assure him that he wasn’t trying to hurt him, but it was in a language the abbot didn’t understand. He struggled, but was unable to break free.
Armsmaster Harlan charged at the giant bear and pushed her off Holla and the Ashbringer. Yana Bloodspear attempted to ambush Seria, but Seria had seen her coming. Yana drove her spear into the ground and spun around it, kicking Seria in the side with the blades on her boots. She then jumped away from the bear. Valea Twinblades followed up on the attack with her twin blades. She kicked up into the air and grabbed a pouch that she threw in Seria’s face. There was a burst of powder that started to itch at Seria’s eyes, but she shook her head and cleared the powder away. Valea scowled as she landed two ineffective strikes and then backed off.
Fellari Swiftarrow took aim, and an arrow slammed into Seria’s side–dazing her.
The Ashbringer took a step forward, and his armor glowed with a bright golden light. The air around him started to glow. He then started to pick up speed as he headed right for Uther. He leaped into the air.
He brought his sword down, and Uther brought his shield up to block it. He shoved the shield aside, and then struck again, Uther raising his axe to meet the second strike. Holy magic pulsed through the pair of them as the Ashbringer pushed more holy radiance into his weapon.
The holy fire washed over Uther, and he felt a searing pain as the blade exploded in furious light. He threw himself in the way of the cone of light, and he felt himself burning in the holy radiance of Ashbringer.
As the Ashbringer looked up at Uther, he lowered his weapon a bit and took a step back. His grip loosened, and as the holy radiance dissipated, he still felt the pain searing him. He felt a sting on his face, but he barely noticed. However, as Gil looked up at Uther, he saw the mark that was left from the act of sacrifice.
Elissa looked over and gasped, and Remnii called out in concern, as a burn scar covered one of Uther’s eyes, leaving one brilliantly gold.
Uther could see the doubt creeping into Arator’s conviction.
