[Horde] Chapter Four: Session Forty-Three
Appearing Characters: Allari Elburn, Altruis Shadowsong, Arthak Saurfang, Azgadaan, Azuka Stormbreaker, Go'el, Gurtog Bloodboil, Gyth, Halno, Kayn Sunfury, Lantresor, Levia Blackflight, Mannoroth, Mor'ghor, Nitrogg Thundertower, No'Rash, Noriyaku, Nyxxa, Rexxar, Sadras, Sevis Brightflame, Sinestra, Zaeneas Emberlight, Zakuun
Outland Day 59
Arthak charges after Mor’ghor and swings Champion’s Forge down once and then twice, but the chromatic drakonid manages to just hang on as his weapon buckles under Arthak’s strikes. His eyes go to Arthak with fatigued rage.
Nyxxa closes and moves [Hunter’s Mark] onto Gyth before dropping her glaives and firing her bow with two rapid shots. They strike true, piercing the dragon’s scales, but the dragon too just barely stays up. The dragon roars and tries to wrap around Arthak with its bite and claws. However, the acid from Rexxar’s chimera shot seeps into the creature’s scales–changing his attunement to green. The poison of his fangs is ineffective against Arthak, but he manages to feint the orc, and then soars higher into the air.
Rexxar looks to Puffer, and then up to Gyth.
He draws more throwing axes and hurls them up at the dragon. One clips Gyth’s wing, another scrapes by his side, and a third slams into the dragon’s throat. The creature collides into the cliff and sends Mor’ghor hurling off–crashing at Azgadaan’s feet.
Azgadaan tries to shove Mor’ghor off the cliff, and the drakonid grabs onto Azgadaan and grabs his weapon, but Azgadaan pushes harder.
He shoves him off the side of the cliff and slams into the ground with a sickening crunch.
The group quickly recovers and Rexxar rushes over to Puffer to tend to his injuries.
The group nods and starts to continue on, but they feel a burst of heat from behind them, and they see Mannoroth and more forces charging for the bridge that leads to the throne of Sinestra. Mannoroth engages the honor guard of Sinestra at the foot of the bridge, and high up on the edge of the throne are swathes of draconic forces charging for the intruders. The water starts to glow with blood, and Sinestra stands up–in her humanoid form–high above on her throne.
Adrenaline rushes through the group, and No’Rash clutches his club tighter as his fel form lapses.
Arthak uses the embrace of Incineratus on himself, glowing magmatic cracks glowing in his flesh as he gains fire immunity.
He throws the stone to No’Rash, who then presses it against his chest–and it then shatters as the power of the fury of fire washes over him as well.
The group gives some nods of affirmation and then run up to meet Mannoroth at the bridge. Mannoroth spins his glaive and skewers two of the dragonspawn guards to clear a path to Sinestra. Sinestra stands up above, looking down as her voice booms.
Her eyes and voice warp as her body elongates, ashen wisps of magic materialize as massive wings emerge from her back. In a column of fire and smirk, she transforms into a massive, draconic form–breaking some of the stone pillars.
She extends her wings, darkening the sky as she stands at the height of the ogrish throne. Arthak and No’Rash stand on either side of Mannoroth, immune to the heat of his ambient fel fire. Arthak and No’Rash both start to close.
Sinestra screeches, beating her wings and taking off into the air. Mannoroth, however, teleports to close the distance and then run up to her, swinging his glaive as he cuts into her. Three orcish demolishers with harpoon launchers fire off, and two of them manage to land a solid hit–pinning her down. However, they immediately strain against her sheer strength.
The rest of the group works to close the distance–keeping themselves spaced apart as Mannoroth continues to wail on Sinestra. Sinestra’s burning eyes look towards the siege weapons and she opens her jaws, releasing a gout of fire that ignites everything. Those few that survive descend into madness, slaying each other in maddened screams. It destroys one of the chains of the harpoons restraining her, leaving the harpoons embedded as she takes off.
Mannoroth takes a swing at Sinestra as she flies off, but his glaive glances off her scales.
Meanwhile, a rylak had seen Azgadaan and swoops down to take a swipe at him, but misses.
The group takes some defensive actions, and Sinestra looks down at Arthak.
She casts [Shadowburn] and hurls an orb of shadowy fire at Arthak. The fire washes harmlessly over him, though the shadow takes hold. Sinestra narrows her eyes, noting the ineffectiveness of the fire.
Mannoroth casts [Telekinesis], and something emerges from the wreckage of the siege weapons as he drags a bolt thrower to his hand–it’s one that is still attached to Sinestra.
Sinestra’s eyes narrow as she looks at Nyxxa.
She opens her claws, and Nyxxa can see her own aura around a vile of blood–and her presence invades Nyxxa’s mind. She feels herself lose control of her body, signals going to her brain that shout for her to kill Arthak.
She is dominated by Sinestra, and she looks at Arthak and starts to dart towards him–running off the edge of the throne. With both of her glaives out, she swings at him, but Arthak is able to deflect all her attacks.
Arthak takes off into the air, using his fly speed and rages as he tries to pursue after Sinestra. Mannoroth manages to pull Sinestra closer, allowing Arthak to get into range. He grabs onto one of the spines of her back. He tries to drive Champion’s Forge between her scales, but is unable to do so. Sinestra whips her tail around and smacks Arthak with it, knocking him off her back.
Sinestra beats her wings, but Arthak shouts at her–distracting her enough that Mannoroth is able to drag Sinestra closer to the ground. She roars again, and rips out the harpoon Mannoroth is holding. It explodes, dealing damage to her, but freeing her from the tether. She bites at Arthak, shadow and fire eeking from the bite, and she swings her claw around–raking past him.
Halno hurls an acidic [Chromatic Orb] up at Sinestra, which pelts into her side.
Azgadaan moves forward and casts [Dispel Magic] on Nyxxa.
The [Dominate Monster] spell is lifted, and Azgadaan looks at Mannoroth.
Mannoroth summons a capsule of roiling energy and hurls it at Sinestra. It explodes into an electrified net, but she shreds it before it could wrap around her.
Azgadaan runs and jumps over one of the waterfalls and continues to run, jumping over another waterfall. However, his hoof slips, and he has to scramble to hold onto the edge of the stairs he tried to jump on it.
He continues to use his bardic inspiration on Mannoroth.
Nyxxa moves her hunter’s mark to Sinestra and fires her bow once and then twice, critting Sinestra with both strike before she drops behind cover. Sinestra releases a cry of pain and rage as one of the arrows clips an eye.
Arthak closes on Sinestra and reckless attacks, swinging several times as he drives his blade into her scaled hide.
Mannoroth runs further up the stairs and makes a running leap, grabbing onto Sinestra. The pair of them plummet down, and Mannoroth manages to pin her on the ground. No’Rash takes the opportunity to close on Sinestra, entering his fel form, but her flailing and scales are too thick for him to land a firm strike.
Sinestra flails her wings, and Mannoroth and No’Rash are both knocked back. She gets back to her feet and takes off into the air again.
Halno casts [Chill Touch] on Sinestra while No”Rash gets to his feet and uses second wind.
Azgadaan tries to pull himself up onto the stairs, but he slips, and then tumbles and falls 30 feet into the water below. He manages to get himself righted in the water and casts [Levitate] on himself from his cittern, hovering back to the edge of the stairs.
Sinestra is surveying the battlefield, but suddenly a beam of bright pink energy explodes from the west. The blast of energy slams into Sinestra as Noriyaku appears–the breath weapon punching a small hole in one of her wings as it slams into her side.
There is another roar, and countless other nether wyrms dive into the complex–passing through the stone as if it were nothing.
Nyxxa shoots Sinestra with two more shots, keeping up the assault of arrows from the ground.
Sinestra swings her tail at Arthak, but he dives under it and gets up to her as he swings at her with Champion’s Forge.
Sinestra sees Nori and then sees the other nether dragons.
She continues to soar straight up, and Arthak clips her with his blade. She extends her claws and starts to recite an arcane incantation. A glyph of burning ire appears above her and conjures a gate that she promptly passes through and vanishes as she casts the [Teleport] spell.
Nori immediately turns and starts to zip straight toward Sinestra’s lair.
Mannoroth leaps down.
He looks over at the carnage that Sinestra had wrought on his people, and there is a suspicious lack of reinforcements. Suddenly, there is a slash as some of the remaining fel orcs drop.
There are three elves, tattoos across their skin. A warlock is shot out of the air, and there is another female elf with a violet scythe that lands nearby. It’s Allari.
In a flicker of energy, Altruis also appears–looking down at Mannoroth with his glaives drawn. Mannoroth looks around and readies his own glaive. Altruis gets ready to leap down, and he glances at Nyxxa. Nyxxa starts to run, closing in on Mannoroth as No’Rash slams his club on the ground.
Nyxxa swings into Mannoroth and the intense heat around him flares. Arthak pulls the Doomhammer out.
He also rushes forward to try and attack Mannoroth. However, as he brings his weapon up, his own blood fights against him.
In the distance they hear the sound of a horn, and the war cries of the spirits of spectral vrykul joining the fight as others of their companions join the battle. A massive battle of demons and orcs are unfolding around them.
Azgadaan’s tank rolls up, and Nitrogg pops out of it.
Levia also flies in, and there is chaos in the battlefield behind them. A few orcs are sent reeling, and they seek Zakuun plowing through an entire contingent of fel orcs to reinforce his commander. There is also a loud howl, and a fel orc general slams through as well–Gurtog Bloodboil.
Altruis leaps down to Mannoroth as fel magic courses around him, and his flesh darkens with shadow–two long wings emerging from his back and two horns sprouting from his eyes. He had used [Metamorphosis]. He swings into the pitlord.
He spins his glaive and swings at Arthak, who is unable to block it as Mannoroth slashes again. He then stomps down on Nyxxa with one of his massive hooves–which sends her flying backwards onto her back.
No’Rash pushes through the resistance of his blood as he charges, managing to land a solid hit. However, as No’Rash winds up again, Mannoroth’s tail knocks him off balance. No’Rash growls and slashes with his claws, opening a bleeding wound. He swings twice more, landing a devastating blow. Mannoroth glances at No’Rash and kicks him in the face.
Halno casts [Chill Touch] on Mannoroth, but then he disappears in a flash of flame–reappearing next to Halno and Azgadaan with a laugh.
Azgadaan casts [Irresistible Dance] on Mannoroth, and reaches into his mind–his back foot twitches, but then he turns to Azgadaan.
Azgadaan starts to run up the stairs as Nyxxa gets back to her feet and starts to try and follow after Mannoroth. Zakuun, meanwhile, starts to sprint full bore at the group. Altruis also soars after Mannoroth on his conjured wings, managing to strike into Mannoroth once as No’Rash also closes again. Mannoroth runs to meet him.
He slams his glaive into No’Rash, which throws him on his back. He then stomps down, crushing No’Rash with his sheer weight. He then slashes at Nyxxa, opening a bleeding wound.
Sadras and Azuka are forced into the battle–separated from Summerpaw. Black energy smokes around Levia’s hands.
She readies herself to use path to the grave. Zakuun looks up at Azgadaan, narrowing in on him as Gurtog sees Sadras and Azuka.
He lunges for Azuka and Sadras, his eyes glowing a bright green as he expels an acid breath on the pair.
Meanwhile, Halno casts [King's Castle] to switch locations with Arthak–getting Arthak into melee with Mannoroth while he appears in Arthak’s former spot. Mannoroth continues to crush No’Rash into the dust, but he is somehow remaining conscious.
Arthak tries to attack, but his blood continues to fight him. He cannot push through.
Azgadaan casts [Blessing of Kings] on himself and moves in to engage with Zakuun.
He swings his maul into Zakuun, nearly disarming him, but Zakuun hangs onto the weapon before he manages to do so. He swings the weapon onto the ground, and the shattered ground erupts into a piercing spear that breaks through some of Azgadaan’s armor–opening a gaping wound.
Nitrogg pulls out his harpoon gun and shoots Gurtog. The chain wraps around the fel orc, restraining him. Sadras rages and swings into Gurtog.
She pushes him back, getting more distance between Gurtog and Azuka as Nitrogg swings with his battle axe–continuing to back Sadras up.
Arthak continues to strain against the blood of Mannoroth.
He stomps on No’Rash again, who is only just barely holding on.
Arthak pushes through the blood, and then he swings, and Levia releases her path to the grave. Bits of Mannoroth’s armor cracks, and Arthak continues to push him back.
Go’el and Rexxar enter the scene on Nisha. They leap off the dread raven near Levia and Rexxar runs down to back up Sadras and the others with Gurtog, and he casts [Mark of the Wild] on himself. He releases a howl, and his tusks grow longer as he hurls his axes with greater speed.
Meanwhile Go’el runs up and casts [Chain Heal], the spell bouncing from Arthak to No’Rash and Nyxxa. He then throws a windfury totem down.
Altruis flits around Mannoroth and uses [Steel Wind Strike]–slashing into both Mannoroth and Zakuun.
Gurtog bites at Nitrogg and then claws at him and then Sadras, managing to grab both of them in his massive arms. He screams, gripping them in either hand.
Nyxxa darts around Mannoroth and instead goes for Zakuun. She slices into him with a flurry of attacks, and Zakuun is forced to use his legendary resistances to overcome her stunning strike.
Zakuun stomps on the ground, and tries to pierce Nyxxa with the shrapnel of earth. But she completely avoids it as she lands on the tip of the earthen spear and makes the “come at me” motion.
Halno casts a thunder [Gravity Sinkhole] on Mannoroth’s head, and there is a crack of magic that strikes into him. However, he stomps down on Arthak, and Arthak is able to block the brunt of the attack.
Mannoroth swipes at Altruis with his glaive and then cleaves down into Arthak with two strikes. Mannoroth tries to shove Arthak back, but the orc holds his ground.
No’Rash gets to his feet and he is able to resist his bloodlust. He hears a voice in his mind. It’s Drek’thar’s.
There is a bright light over No’Rash’s red eye, and the blindfold he has seems to be emitting a light. There is a certainty and calmness with it.
He runs for Mannoroth and swings his club. With each swing, there is a spectral wolf accompanying him.
Mannoroth is starting to look like he’s taking this situation far more seriously than he had before. No’Rash smirks.
Zakuun looks at Nyxxa.
He tries to sing his halberd, but Nyxxa blocks it. Stones fly from the rubble behind Nyxxa, but at the last second she flips over and kicks one of the stones with her hoof.
Mannoroth then goes to teleport, but Nitrogg fires off a buzzsaw that disrupts his focus on the spell.
Azgadaan goes to run under Mannoroth, and Zakuun swings at him–opening up a more severe wound. However, he casts beacon of hope, and Levia swoops in and casts [Mass Cure Wounds].
Azuka uses giant’s might and swings at Gurtog.
Nyxxa continues to flit around Zakuun, carving into the demon with a flurry of attacks. She manages to stun him. However, Nyxxa gets stomped by Mannoroth.
Rexxar casts [Chimera Shot] and hurls an acidic axe at Zakuun, and a frost one at Gurtog. The axe sticks into Gurtog, who just barely stays up.
He turns around to focus on Zakuun and Mannoroth as No’Rash continues to swing into Mannoroth. However, Mannoroth is still fighting, and he stomps down on Azgadaan–who drops beacon of hope.
At that moment, Lantresor enters the conflict.
Altruis tries to swing in at Mannoroth, but the pitlord blocks all three attacks.
Nitrogg lifts his axe.
He brings the axe down on Gurtog, who drops both Nitrogg and Sadras.
He then starts to run towards the center of the conflict and Azgadaan runs and opts to jump into the water–knowing an explosion is coming. He then casts [Arcane Hand] at 7th-level.
Mannoroth starts to charge through the group, and Altruis and No’Rash slash at him. He swings at Altruis and No’Rash, and then stomps on Arthak.
Arthak follows after him and then swings the doomhammer down.
He can feel bones break beneath at the hammer, but then Mannoroth’s tail swipes him backwards. No’Rash tries to follow up, and collides into Mannoroth’s glaive. The glaive shatters, but the attack misses Mannoroth’s head.
Mannoroth laughs.
The shards of his glaive fall into the water.
Arthak balks for a moment, but he charges in again. Mannoroth grabs the hammer and forces it back, and down. Then he disappears, and reappears on the other side of the group. Levia flies over the group and casts another healing spell as Azuka starts to run forward to join the group.
No’Rash closes on Zakuun and whacks him in the skull with his club. Arthak soars over their heads and throws the Doomhammer, which strikes into Mannoroth. Rexxar unleashes a flurry of axes on Mannoroth, most of which strike true.
Sadras nods and backs off as Halno continues to creep closer and casts [Chill Touch] on Mannoroth–however, the pitlord deflects it aside.
Nyxxa looks Zakuun dead in the face.
She slices his throat, and the demon crumbles to the ground–quite dead. She then closes on Mannoroth, and fel fire washes over her as she strikes.
Go’el tries to cast [Hold Monster] on Mannoroth, pushing through Mannoroth’s defenses–until the demon shatters the spell aside.
Azgadaan casts [Dimension Door] to get back out of the water and commands his hand to punch Mannoroth right in his gut plate, leaving a large dent.
Azuka is unable to resist her blood as she tries to attack. Altruis closes on Mannoroth and manages to get several slices in as Nitrogg charges in. Levia flies down next to Arthak.
She casts [Heal] on Arthak, and a white glow washes through him. Lantresor runs forward and leaps over one of the gaps, landing directly next to Mannoroth with his blade at the ready.
Mannoroth backs up, and he looks down at Nyxxa. His eyes glow, beams of energy blast from his eyes and mouth. It blasts through Nyxxa, No’Rash, Arthak, Levia, and Azgadaan as he unleashes his felseeker.
However, it’s all fire damage. Mannoroth scowls in rage.
Nyxxa cuts into Mannoroth again, but Mannoroth looks down at her and uses [Power Word Stun]. The sheer overwhelming force of his presence wafts over her, and her body seizes up. Altruis closes on Mannoroth and swings into him with several strikes.
Mannoroth roars, the intensity of his fel aura increases.
Rexxar hurls a bunch of axes into Mannoroth, the axes sticking into the demon’s thick girth. He conjures magic in his hands and unleashes a fire storm of fel fire.
A rain of fire washes down on the bulk of the group.
Levia flies towards Nyxxa and readies another path to the grave. Arthak rushes toward Mannoroth, swinging in with the Doomhammer as he smashes it into both of Mannoroth’s eyes. Azgadaan punches Mannoroth with the arcane hand. He then fires off his wand of arcane missiles.
No’Rash runs up to Mannoroth and swings.
He shatters the bones in Mannoroth’s arm and then grabs his horn, pulling him in.
He rips his horn from his skull and slams it into Mannoroth’s head with his club with a flash of lightning. Mannoroth grabs No’Rash by the waist.
He opens his mouth, and he starts to explode from the inside out. As the explosion erupts, it shoves them all backwards. No’Rash gets the brunt of the hit and he goes sailing backwards. He slams through two walls, and he can feel himself fading very quickly.
Nyxxa manages to shake off the spell from the immense pain of the stun.
Levia flies after No’Rash.
Levia looks like she’s going to try and save him, but with the last ounce of his strength, No’Rash grabs her hand.
He tries to clasp Arthak’s hand.
No’Rash touches Arthak’s face and they press their foreheads together.
No’Rash’s body goes limp.
Levia tries to cast [Revivify] but it doesn’t seem to work.
Go’el also presses his forehead against No’Rash’s, and closes his eyes. Azuka stares, unmoving, from the bridge.
