[Horde] Chapter Three: Session Twenty-Eight
Appearing Characters: Alleria Windrunner, Arthak Saurfang, Azgadaan, Gel'nok, Gul'dan, Halno, Kargath Bladefist, Kael'thas Sunstrider, Khadgar, Lana'thel Duskseeker, Lantresor, Levia Blackflight, Mindi, Mork, Nyxxa, Sadras, Sagaz, Sinestra, Turalyon Windrunner, Vereesa Windrunner
January 7th
As the figures on the ice emerge from the mist, Halno notes they are well-armored and a few dozen in number. It’s hard to make out anything but silhouettes in the mist and snow.
Azgadaan and Nyxxa drop off the peons near the Sunwell Plateau and then take off again for Gramgun’kur.
The non-combatants that remained at Gramgun’kur to help start to retreat inland as the battle starts and the warriors start to get into their formations. However, they then hear a keening screech, and flying over the silhouettes are ten, large shadowy figures as dragonhawks sporting riders careen up and over the blood knights that are approaching via the ice.
Hails of arrows sail down from the dragonhawk riders, and fiery breath spreads across the orcish warriors and buildings. However, the orcs are able to defend for the most part.
Halno’s skeletal brigade starts to fire back at the dragonhawk riders, but it’s hard to tell if they meet their mark.
The Broken Blade beast riders mount up and Sadras starts to bark orders at them. They open fire on the dragonhawks using their longbows, but the dragonhawks are able to evade.
Levia sends Nyxxa to see where she is, and Nyxxa confirms she and Azgadaan are on their way. Nyxxa tells her to play it safe, and Levia hangs back until Nyxxa is able to arrive.
The elven rangers and members of the Eternal Spring start to move forward.
One of the Netherwind agent squads open fires on the Blood Knights, but none of the blood knights go down. The other Netherwind agent squad goes for the dragonhawk riders, but the beasts are able to swoop away.
The elven magisters start to move forward in response to seeing the Netherwind agents reveal themselves. Streaks of blazing fire and ice bolts streak up at them. Some of the Netherwind agents spill from the cliff as the magic starts to explode on the cliff face.
Halno starts to fire off instances of chill touch, and one of the dragonhawks drops from the sky, slamming into one of the buildings and sending its rider crashing into the ground.
Sadras also tries to hammer into the dragonhawks with her own attacks, and another dragonhawk drops. However, the rider stays standing, and the dragonhawks drop down to engage to try and get him back into their ranks.
A squad of blood knights slam into the orcish warriors. Their armor is black and silver with red trimmings, and they have long red cloaks that wave in the snow and wind. Swords, axes, and long pikes are met with the orcish warriors. There are only 10 of them, but they attack with a ferocity that the group of warriors was unprepared for.
The second blood knight group starts to rush towards the cliffside where the Netherwind agents are at, and they sprint right up the side of the cliff. They dive into the Netherwind agents.
The final group of blood knights dive into the second squad of Netherwind agents, and two of the agents are cut down.
Lana’thel materializes out of the first squad of blood knights and cuts a swathe through the orcish warriors. The warriors attempt fight back, but the blood knights are able to repel the attacks. The dragonhawk riders also harass the Broken Blade warriors.
Halno’s skeletons also attempt to fire on the blood knights, but the blows are easily deflected. However, as the beast riders also open fire, it seems the blood knights are starting to take damage.
Sagaz tries to damage some of the dragonhawk riders with chill touch.
The elven rangers move forward and release a barrage of arrows on the Netherwind agents. The Guardians of the Eternal Spring also move forward to bolster their forces.
The Netherwind agents on the cliffside try to fire at the magisters, but the magisters are able to deflect the rain of arrows. They then all teleport to disengage. The second squad of ethereals fire on the dragonhawk riders.
Seeing the target of the magisters are now gone, the magisters move to attack the Broken Blade warriors. The rain of firebolts slam into the warriors, killing several.
Halno releases a barrage of lightning bolts on the blood knights around Lana’thel, and four of the blood knights drop. He then unloads a flurry of chill touches at Lana’thel.
Then Lana’thel looks at Halno, her eyes ablaze with red energy that courses around Frostmourne. He is now a major threat.
Sadras had also fired at Lana’thel.
Meanwhile, at the Sunwell Plateau, Arthak is standing by keeping an eye on things. There is a loud noise that emanates from the sky. The cloud cover begins to turn red hot, and one after another, four massive flaming meteors careens down from the sky. They slam into the upper edge of the Sunwell Plateau. Fire and brimstone explodes into the night sky, and the beam of the Sunwell continues to flicker through it, but as the smoke and rubble clears, it seems the entire roof of the Sunwell chamber is no longer present. It seems that Arthak’s rylak patrols, fortunately, however were able to evade.
The surrounding orcs look up in awe. Arthak looks around to see if he can see anyone, but he’s unable to see anything in particular. Arthak calls for the Shadowsword soldiers to reinforce the main Sunwell chamber and then contacts Gul’dan for a status update and if he wants reinforcements.
Gul’dan: It seems the elves have sought to make a new entrance. I wager they’ll be here soon. Things will get interesting everywhere, Arthak. Go where you believe wise.
Arthak hands command of his people to Lantresor and takes the blademaster initiates to head toward the Sunwell chamber.
Meanwhile, Nyxxa and Azgadaan see the massive explosion happen. They try to drop the peons off in the woods away from the Sunwell, and Arthak sees the vessel zoom through the air.
Meanwhile, at Gramgun’kur, half the blood knights of the group that Halno attacked peel off to take care of their number, while the other half charge at Halno and Sagaz alongside Lana’thel. Halno’s skeletons are promptly obliterated.
Another group of blood knights continue to charge the Netherwing agents.
The orcish warriors continue to assault the smaller group of blood nights, and the dragonhawks assault the warriors.
A squad of Netherwind agents opens on Lana’thel’s squad of blood knights, whittling them down as they engage Halno and Sagaz.The second squad of ethereals fire on the dragonhawks. The elven magisters open up on the orcish warriors while Sadras slams into the dragonhawks as well.
Mindi takes over flying the shuttle while Azgadaan turns the ship invisible.
The blood knights converge on Halno and Sagaz. Barreling down the way is the leader of the upper section of blood knights, a dark haired, brutish man, and he goes straight for Halno. One of the blood knights with Lana’thel also sprints for Halno.
Halno enhances blink on Sagaz, teleporting him back toward their allies as he shouts for Sagaz to run. And then he casts firebolt on the blood knight that had closed with him, bursting the fire into the man’s chest before he tries to run. The blood elf slams an attack into Halno, and grabs him around the throat.
The rest of the blood knights start to close on Halno, but then Halno hears a voice boom. As he glances over, he sees Gel’nok standing at the edge of the archers. In his good hand, he has a stone that’s black and charred. He raises it into the air, and it looks like an eye.
He slams the eye into his chest, and it buries into his chest and shatters as it expands. The shards and spikes on his back grow and extend, as his body enlarges.
Sagaz tries to cast ray of sickness at the blood knight that has Halno, but it misses, and he quickly backs up behind Gel’nok.
Lana’thel is rimmed with red energy as she also charges, using a haste spell. Other blood knights try to head off Gel’nok.
Taldaram continues to crush Halno’s neck, and then he opens his mouth, and buries his two long, extended canines into his neck.
Another blood knight casts cripple on Halno.
Halno uses his new spell, dark puppet, and casts it at the highest tier he can. A shadowy figure appears behind Taldaram. He kind of looks a bit like… Halno. Except, beneath his shadowy cowl, there’s two burning blue eyes.
The other blood knight on Halno rips into him with their sword.
The shadowy warrior that Halno summoned summons a long, curved blade, and he attacks the blood knight that is holding Halno. Then it disappears, Halno’s concentration having faltered.
One of the other blood knights uses bless on her nearby allies, including Lana’thel and Taldaram.
Gel’nok charges forward and shoves Halno out of the way, grabbing some of the blood knights and going.
Sagaz uses ray of sickness on one of the blood knights, who ends up poisoned. Then he runs into the archers and disappears.
Lana’thel, however, moves forward and swings into Gel’nok multiple times, and then brings Frostmourne down into the side of him and climbs up on his back.
One of the other blood knights grapples Halno again, while their fellow strikes into Halno, dropping him while they continue to try and finish him off.
Taldaram stands and also swings into Gel’nok, while the other blood knights also start to dogpile him.
Halno firebolts one of the blood knights, but he is still held by them.
Gel’nok reaches down and grabs Halno and then attacks one of the blood knights to try and get them out of the way. The blood knight is tossed out of the way and Gel’nok starts to run. Several of the knights swing at him, and Lana’thel is still on his back.
Lana’thel drops off Gel’nok and swings into him, leaving him critically injured. Her blood knights follow up, and he crumbles down to the ground. Halno goes spilling out of his hand. Halno stands up and hurls a fire bolt at one of the blood knights, then starts to back up.
Blood knights start to close on Halno, and Lana’thel raises Frostmourne and looks directly at Halno and drives it down into Gel’nok’s flesh. His soul is drawn out of his body and into the sword, and she closes her eyes. When she opens them again, they are covered in a deep blue color. She then holds out her hand and casts death coil on Halno.
However, the spell heals him instead.
She takes Frostmourne back up in her hand and moves up to Halno. The blood knights swarm around him, and Halno blinks out from them, and disappears into the adjacent crowd and disappears.
Once Halno joins the archers he fires off a barrage of spells at her. However, Lana’thel follows, swinging into the Netherwind agents.
Meanwhile, Arthak charges through the halls of the Sunwell Plateau, and he hears the sounds of battle and shouting surge from behind. However, he pushes through, heading toward the Sunwell. A battle seems to have started breaking out there as well. As he winds down the hall, a dozen or so elves have started launching arrow after arrow into the warlocks in the area.
He sees Kargath is in the room, as well as Gul’dan. There is also an abundance of elves. The Blood Shrike is present, as well as two humans: one wielding a long staff and casting magic, and another clad in heavy steel with a greatsword that was shattered and reconstructed with Light. There is also a regally dressed elf that is likely their king, along with an abundance of others.
There’s also Sinestra, in her elven form. She is wearing armor, and she is walking along the side of a broken edge with a bow. She is firing arrows with alchemical concoctions into the orcs below.
Some of the Shadowsword that had been sent in are already dead, but there are others as well. There are also other orcs, but the elves are clearly trying to do something to the Sunwell.
Back at Gramgun’kur, the wounded blood knights disengage to return back to the ships. However, several of the remaining blood knights start to heal, and they swing into the Netherwind Agents again. The second remaining brigade of blood knights also swings into the second group of Netherwind agents.
Lana’thel goes all in on the Netherwind agents she is near, and she starts to carve a swath through them, causing Netherwind agents to vanish as their essences are drawn into Frostmourne. The agents return shots, their energy arrows plinking off her armor. However, she doesn’t seem to be slowed at all.
The Netherwind agents then enter into a full retreat and flee. The rest of the forces, however, stand strong.
The Broken Blade warriors continue their assault on the dragonhawk riders, but they can’t get a solid hit on them. However, the dragonhawks return the attack, but it seems to be a stalemate.
Halno moves and launches a barrage of chill touches at the dragonhawk riders. He then starts to work on retreating, dragging Sagaz with him.
The beast riders also engage the dragonhawk riders, but they are unable to get a lead on them.
The elven rangers continue their barrage on the Netherwind agents, but, likewise, are unable to land a solid hit.
The Guardians of the Eternal Spring now engage the Broken Blade warriors, and some of the orcish warriors are dropped.
The Netherwind agents open fire on the dragonhawks, doing a good deal of damage. However, the magisters arrive to fortify them, and they release their barrage of spells on Sadras’s beast riders.
Sadras makes a full round of attacks on the dragonhawk riders, which drops two of the dragonhawks as she slams two of the creatures out of the sky.
Azgadaan and Nyxxa arrive and Azgadaan blows his horn, summoning the spectral warriors he had summoned in Kilnar’s manor.
Sagaz fires off some spells at the dragonhawks, and another one is dropped. Seeing their numbers weakening, the dragonhawks start to ascend and retreat. The non-blood knight elves start to pull back on their attacks to play more defensively, but the blood knights don’t slow down. They push into the Broken Blade warriors, and the other segment pushes into the Netherwind agents further.
Levia runs up to Nyxxa as she sees her. Mork and Mindi stay in the vehicle, but the rest of the peons flee. Azgadaan leaves his spare mace with Mork, and Mindi assures Azgadaan that he will ensure that he will make sure everyone is safe.
Azgadaan asks Levia if she will stay with him and the spectral berserkers. Nyxxa opts to go off on her own.
Nyxxa then runs off to find Sadras and asks for the status. Sadras gives her the lowdown. Nyxxa also sees Gel’nok.
She hurries to join up with the Broken Blade warriors to try and stave off some of the attacks from the blood knights. She tries to return some of the damage as well, slashing into them before disappearing into the cover of snow. Two of the blood knights are dropped, but Nyxxa ensures to drop them non-lethaly.
Nyxxa looks at Lana’thel as she gets close.
Then Nyxxa vanishes again.
Lana’thel looks around, and she steps forward. A grin crosses over her lips. An orc runs at her, and she parries the blade and strikes down through the orc, dropping him.
Lana’thel then turns to carve into the orcs again. Thick black blood is streaking her armor and the blade.
Nyxxa sighs.
Lana’thel stops and looks in the direction of Nyxxa.
Azgadaan and his berserkers move forward to strengthen the orcish warriors. The unit then goes for the blood knights. However, the elven soldiers are able to hold off the assault.
Halno enters back into the fray, and he fires off a flurry of firebolts at the blood knights. Sagaz, however, doesn’t follow, and he retreats to see to the workers and the others retreating.
Sadras’s beast riders open fire on Lana’thel’s group again. Levia also tries to assist, and a wall of white flames erupts through the blood knight forces while she follows up with a flurry of firebolts.
The Netherwing agents fire on the blood knights near them, and Sadras aids them as she attacks.
Azgadaan uses his potion of eagle’s splendor and casts telekinesis, trying to rip Frostmourne away from her. The sword is torn from her hand, and it is planted in the ground in front of him all the way up to the hilt. He then uses remove curse on the blade as he touches it. The blade feels ice cold and heavy as he pumps the magic forward.
Lana’thel looks around, and her eyes focus on Azgadaan.
Azgadaan then steps forward and casts cone of cold. Lana’thel covers her face with her arm as it washes over her. Azgadaan starts to cast it again, and Lana’thel looks at Frostmourne. She smiles, and the blade shakes out of the ground, and then erupts out of the grip of his telekinesis, and flies back into her hand.
Azgadaan tries to pull it back again, but the telekinetic link is severed, and she starts to approach Azgadaan. Azgadaan tries to pull the sword again, but it doesn’t budge, and instead Azgadaan grabs Lana’thel with telekinesis and she is restrained.
Azgadaan then casts fire shield on himself. Lana’thel smiles again, and then she starts to vanish from his telekinetic grip. Azgadaan counters it. She tries again, and he counters it again.
Azgadaan just focuses on holding her, but she is able to break free. Frustrated, Azgadaan pulls his maul out, and prepares to engage her.
The blood knights around Lana’thel surge forward to engage the orcs around Azgadaan, while the other group of blood knights focus on keeping the Netherwind agents focused.
Nyxxa notes that Azgadaan has provoked Lana’thel, and she moves forward to help engage. Halno also joins the conflict.
The battle continues to unfold around them, and the Netherwind agents are starting to notice that any damage they inflict on the blood knights just ends up restored.
Sadras also enters the conflict with Lana’thel.
As the battle zooms in, Lana’thel strolls to the side and uses haste on herself. Then she moves on one of the berserkers and swings into it. The berserker stays up, but just barely.
Levia nods and complies, staying near the back. She casts spiritual weapon and then attempts to attack Lana’thel with it, but it misses. She also launches a firebolt, but it also misses.
Nyxxa looks at Azgadaan.
Nyxxa huffs but waits.
Another berserker attempts to attack Lana’thel while one of her blood knights casts bless while some of the berserkers move forward.
Taldaram cuts into the berserker that had engaged the other blood knight with his great axe.
Azgadaan moves up and uses dispel magic on Lana’thel, and her movements seem to be seized by the wave of exhaustion.
Nyxxa opts to go for the unnamed blood knight, but he is able to parry her attacks.
A berserker carrying the dimensional shackles Azgadaan gave him moves forward to ready himself to put them on Lana’thel.
A berserker continues to attack the blood knight, but the blood knight plants their blade in his side and bites into his neck. Translucent blood drips down her face.
Azgadaan tries to hold Lana’thel with telekinesis, but she is able to resist it. He then uses mind thrust, but she is able to resist the brunt of the assault.
Levia makes a spiritual weapon attack on Lana’thel, which misses, and then she casts beacon of hope on herself.
Taldaram attacks Nyxxa, trying to grab her, but the first blow misses. His second blow, however, bites into her, his axe rimmed with shadowy energy.
The blood knight finishes off the berserker she was feeding on, and then she attacks Nyxxa. However, Nyxxa is able to dodge.
Nyxxa disengages and then goes for Lana’thel after telling Levia to run if she goes down.
Nyxxa swings into the elf, dropping her down to critical. However, Taldaram follows Nyxxa, slamming into her with an arcing slice.
Azgadaan charges into close with Lana’thel, and he swings with his maul as it flares with arcane light. The maul slams into her, and she drops to the ground.
One of the berserker swings in on the unnamed blood knight, and Levia swings with a spiritual weapon. She also heals Nyxxa with renew.
The berserker with the manacles puts them on Lana’thel just as Sadras arrives and swings at the blood knight. The fighting continues as Halno actually comes into view and hits the blood knight with a chill touch.
Nyxxa disengages, and then she moves to try and coup-de-gra Lana’thel. However, Taldaram is fending her off, and she is unable to land a hit. Nyxxa opts to retreat.
Azgadaan manages to grapple Taldaram and drag him with him.
Levia attempts to use her turn undead, and it succeeds, but an attack on the one blood knight breaks the turning on it.
Nyxxa returns to Lana’thel’s side and brings her blades down, killing her. Nyxxa stares intently at Frostmourne as she backs off.
Taladram, in the din, moves to grab both Lana’thel and Frostmourne. He moves to disengage with Azgadaan and the party. Running away he hoists the weapon up, even as it seems heavy in his hands.
Sadras reckless attacks straight onto another Blood Knight. The Blood Knight is slowly becoming overwhelmed by the amount of damage they’re taking.
Azgadaan sprints to catch up with Taladram, trying to grapple him away from his escape. Azgadaan tries, but he slips by the first time and the second as Azgadaan tries to grab him. Azgadaan also casts branding smite upon the man.
Levia casts spiritual weapon again, one last go it hits.
Nyxxa hits Taldaram again, in a flurry of blades, successfully connecting on both hits. She then turns and disengages again.
A Blood Knight sprints, after Azgadaan attacking for a significant amount of damage, he makes it past with critical wounds shouting orders to the Guardians of the Eternal Spring. He shouts both for backup and backup alike. Still, it doesn’t stop him from collapsing from a firebolt from Halno.
