Run By: Dokuganryu (3xp)

Players: Dreams of Elsewhere, Sun-Shattering Tyrant

Synopsis: A siege on the Gemborn City leaves the great dragon Morodoz dead.

The inside of the mountain of the Gemborm's blasphemous city is magnificent. It's the only proper word for the environment as a whole - the cavernous scope of the cave is so high there are actual clouds forming at the top, the gemstone spires and buildings spike into the 'sky' and reflect, refract, and catch the light of the odd-colored sun...

 Almost immediately, it becomes apparent that the 'sun' is not a sun. It is a massive, serpentine wyrm, burning with hair and wings of a color most absurd (the closest equivilant is black), looping endlessly in a figure eight in the very sky. It 'shines' its blasphemous light upon the city, brilliant and horrifying all at once.

 The clouds above part for a brief moment, revealing another disgusting wyrm spiralling its way through, exuding the clouds of sickly green poison like a bleak, foul smog machine. Upon the ground, small creatures - about human-sized - scurry about, carrying gems and rocks and all such objects about the city with no discernible pattern.

 However, this time, the city is prepared. The gemborn march as their draconic masters flit or rumble or rock about the ground; each soldier, each caste member, arms themselves with some of their advanced and powerful technology, readying to defend their city.

 Even if it is to the death.

Dreams of Elsewhere stands just outside the gemborn city, eyes wide. She hoists her pack up and against her back, and couldn't begin to say what's brought her here. Dreams, perhaps.

Sun-Shattering Tyrant on the other hand, knows exactly why he's here. As do the thousand moving with him. As do the four commanders who help lead his host. The Emerald Tyrant's eyes gleam with ambition at the metropolis. Behind him, soldiers mumble amongst themselves, only to be silenced by forced hushes from their neighbors.

"So then," the warchief announces pridefully, not quite yelling, "We've reached our destination!" He turns to face his men, grinning from ear to ear, "We'll break to prepare for our incursion out here. Be sure you've steeled your hearts, men- we move into the belly of the beast in an hour and a half."

The host of former bandits, brigands and mercenaries offer their leader a makeshift salute before breaking formation to revitalize themselves for the upcoming battle. Mao nods, satisfied, and turns his senses toward the city and its vast holdings.

Dreams of Elsewhere blinks, and scurries to get out of the way of the warparty. Hiding as best she can in the rocky outcroppings, peering over one of the boulders at the leader.

Good thing no scouts will find her.

Ayep.

Sun-Shattering Tyrant suddenly stiffens in his stance. Was that... someone running? No, it couldn't be. Not all the way out here...

As the war party scatters into their own little circles of comraderie, and spreads across the area before the city's walls, they begin drawing closer, and closer to a particular rocky outcropping.

Dreams of Elsewhere meeps, ducking behind the rock. Was she seen?

Footsteps, steady, heavy... And then, they stop, as if disturbed by something mid-step. They begin again, closer, and closer...

Until a man, dark skinned and standing several heads taller than his fellows wanders up to the boulders, and peers over their crest at the ground beneath- and anyone who might happen to be hiding there.

Dreams of Elsewhere looks up, eyes wide. "Uh. Hi."

The towering figure narrows his eyes, turns back to the warpack, and then back again to the intruder. His voice is fitting for his stature, deep and strong, "You'd best have a good reason for spying on us."

Dreams of Elsewhere hesitates, and then peeps, "Because I saw this army in my dreams? I'd wondered if you'd be here..."

"Your dreams, is it? How do I know you speak the tru-" A firm hand thumps the larger man's back, a boistrous voice joins in, "Graham, relax, a girl this beautiful couldn't possibly hurt anyone." "You're too naive, Tim. A spy is a spy." "And I say she's not a spy. Besides, it's not as if we'd be able to do anything but bring the boss over here, right?"

Dreams of Elsewhere quails at that for a moment, before standing up straighter. "I'm not a spy! I'm Dreams of Elsewhere, granddaughter of Burning Feather! You let me in peace, or things are going to go badly for you!"

...A heavy silence. "Right! So!" The source of the voice peers back over the boulders, resting one elbow on the stone and his head in that arm's palm, "Young lady, I apologize for my companion's behavior. Graham's a bit rough around the edges, but he couldn't harm a fly." "You take responsibility for this then, Tim. If she wrecks things, it's your head." "Fine, fine. Just go and eat something already. You're too damn cranky when you don't eat."

The giant mumbles obsceneties as he trudges his way back to camp. Someone did indeed wake up on the wrong side of the bed today.

Dreams of Elsewhere smiles at that, and rises up, still somewhat warily considering 'Tim'. "It's okay," she says, rubbing her wrists. "I know what it's like to be startled. But... why's this army here?" She points out at the mountain. "I mean. Not much here, really. Is there?"

Tim scratches at his scalp, the red mess of hair rustling as he does, "Well, the boss is looking for something in this here hill. We're new to the area, ourselves, but he seems to have it in his head that there's some kind of treasure hidden down in there. Something about something really big having been put down here and deserving investigation." Tim obviously failed to roll high enough to resist Manipulation: Mammaries.

"I can take you to meet him, if you want. He might look big and scary, but he's really a nice guy when he's not fighting anything," the young commander reddens ever so slightly, "I-If you wanted to come along, I mean."

Dreams of Elsewhere hesitates for a moment, then nods. "If you would," she replies. "You weren't in my dream. Maybe he was."

"Well, shucks," Tim smiles sheepishly, offering the girl a hand, "I guess I'm not the man of your dreams?"

"No," Dreams replies. A bit cooly. "You're not."

"Better luck next time then," Tim sighs and turns back to the camp, "Well, let's go?"

Dreams of Elsewhere nods again.

Deflated, the young man leads his charge through the camp and towards the leader of the band of warriors. Standing at the same height as the darker man from before, the Commander keeps a watchful eye on the mountain, as if looking for something. He turns as he is approached, his young lieutenant starting, "Commander, I've found a girl watching us from up in some of the rubble. She said she wanted to talk to you." "Alright," he says after a moment, gaze moving to the girl, "Take your leave, lieutenant. I'll take care of this one."

Dreams of Elsewhere looks at the Tyrant. "You're not a Monster, yet," she states, bluntly.

"Sir." Tim salutes, grinning one last time at his companion before moving back into the camp for a well deserved meal. Mao crosses his arms, thick with muscle, scars and tattoos, "Monster?" He laughs, "Young lady, that's because we haven't started assaulting the mountain yet."

Sun-Shattering Tyrant says, "They don't call me the Crimson Typhoon for nothing, you know."

Dreams of Elsewhere hmms. "Can I watch?" she asks. She's got a curious look to her eyes now, watching the Tyrant. "I think you're going to win. And I think it'll be interesting to see. So. Can I?"

Sun-Shattering Tyrant considers her request for a moment before answering, "I don't suppose there's any reason you shouldn't... But I'd appreciate it if you keep what you see quiet, hm?"

Dreams of Elsewhere nods, raising one bandged hand to cross her heart. "Of course," she replies. "I promise."

Sun-Shattering Tyrant says, "Alright, then I've got no problem with it."

Sun-Shattering Tyrant says, "Have you eaten?""

Dreams of Elsewhere nods, reaching into her pack to pull out a half-eaten apple. "Yeah. Although I'm glad you showed up today. I only brought enough supplies for another day or two, and I'm really more of a city girl."

Sun-Shattering Tyrant says, "We have enough supplies in stock to feed you for a while, if this campaign takes that long. When you run out, inform me or one of my secons, they'll fix you up," the Tyrant nods, turning an eye to the sky, then back to the girl, "I am Mao. Have you a name, young lady?"

Dreams of Elsewhere nods again. "Dreams of Elsewhere. A pleasure to meet you, General Mao."

(Judge) Sun-Shattering Tyrant rolls Wits + War: [ 3 4 4 6 7 7 9 ]

        Resulting in 3 successes.

(Judge) Dokuganryu rolls 8: [ -1- 2 5 6 6 6 6 <10> ]

        Resulting in 2 successes.

Though they had hoped to go unnoticed, the Gemborn drilling their way under the camp are quickly noticed by the guards of the Sun-Shattering Tyrant's camp. As the ground starts to shake, the guards let out a yell of shock. "Invasion!" They cry as an odd drilling...machine?...breaks its way through the ground, slamming to a halt; Gemborn warriors pour forth, clutching advanced-looking weaponry, but are quickly met by the sentries.

"And you miss Dre-" The ground shakes, and the warchief steadies himself, "Excuse me." A cough, clearing his throat, "All hands to battle! Leave none standing!

(Judge) Sun-Shattering Tyrant rolls War + Wits: [ -1- 6 7 7 7 9 9 ]

        Resulting in 5 successes.

A strange atmosphere ripples through the camp. The soldiers take up their arms: Long, vicious spears, shields, but beyond that, there's a secondary, noticable change to their status. It's as if they turned from men to war-machines. A roar erupts amongst the soldiers- a collective battlecry, as the mass of men thunder down into their foes. Among them, four individuals- two of them already introduced, slip independently towards their prey. The Tyrant crosses his arms, clenches his fists, and moves to join them himself, shouting orders all while tensing himself for the engagement. It's time to rip and tear and maim and slay, and each and every soldier knows- and relishes it.

(Judge) Sun-Shattering Tyrant rolls War + Wits + War + Wits + 1 + 2: [ 2 3 3 3 3 5 5 5 5 8 9 9 9 9 9 <10> <10> ]

        Resulting in 10 successes.

Like pirannahs devouring a flayed corpse of an ox, the battalion descend onto the would-be invaders. Spearman after spearman charge into their ranks, with each foe impaled, a banner would be made of his corpse. They close in on all sides, jabbing with their spears, crushing with their shields- herding, suffocating, slaughtering.

They move so efficiently that their commander has little time to actually fight, himself, but spills enemy blood none the less. He grins, standing before his legion, "Good job men! Take their weaponry and what you can scavenge! They've made the first move, and we won't be left behind! All units, into the caverns. Move!"

The Gemborn are helpless to stop the destruction of their people. Slowly but surely, the army falls to pieces, breaking up one by one.

 From within the mountain, the sound of something huge and heavy echoes, even as the un-light of the dragon shines forth from the caverns. And out they flow - Lylani the Lightbringer, Morodoz of the Smog, twin engines of destruction burning light and pumping poison smoke out into the air. Lylani flashes only this warning:

 /Attack!/

 And the twin dragons descend.

(Judge) Dokuganryu rolls 10: [ -1- 2 2 6 6 6 7 8 9 <10> ]

        Resulting in 5 successes.

The slaughter is immediate and brutal; hundreds of men fall and die before the radiant light, the poison smog, the brilliant fury of these things-like-gods, simply curling up and dying or crumbling to dust as they breathe the fumes. Morodoz's single eye gleams as its breath sweeps across the field even as Lylani roasts through a column of troops.

 "Fall back!" Someone shrieks.

(Judge) Dokuganryu rolls 3: [ 6 8 9 ]

        Resulting in 2 successes.

"Men!" Their commander stands at the van of retreating band, his voice booming in defiance of the twin beasts, "What beasts are these that we have not conquered? We've destroyed entire brigades, ravaged cities, slaughtered foul creatures beyond any we've ever seen! Are we to flee from these simply because they are mighty? Do we cower before their might without bearing our own? Men! Advance! Rend their flesh, sunder their bodies! Join me," He braces himself, and leaps at one of the beasts, fists raised and exuding an aura that is simultaneously terrifying and energizing, "Lest you all be left behind!"

(Judge) Sun-Shattering Tyrant rolls Charisma + Performance + 2: [ -1- -1- 2 4 4 4 6 8 9 ]

        Resulting in 2 successes.

The soldiers, hearing this valiance, stop their rout, gazing on the brilliant fire with awe before plunging into it themselves, spears raised with fear of death blown apart by their commander's valor.

The Tyrant engages the dragons first, his mighty arms slamming into their forms like hammers of divine judgement. Then come the roaring legion of men at his command. Following his example, they rush in with spears and run through what flesh they can- swarming, like bees assaulting someone foolish enough to swarm the nest. His lieutenants break from the horde, each armed with weapons of glistening, exotic metals to bring death to these two fel beasts. Echoes of voices raised in rage and bloodlust and agony thunder throughout the mountains- music to the ears of their infernal lord.

(Judge) Sun-Shattering Tyrant rolls 2 + Wits + War + Wits + War + 1: [ -1- -1- -1- 3 3 4 4 5 6 7 7 7 7 7 7 9 9 ]

        Resulting in 8 successes.

(Judge) Sun-Shattering Tyrant rolls 10: [ 2 2 3 5 5 5 6 7 8 9 ]

        Resulting in 3 successes.

(Judge) Sun-Shattering Tyrant rolls 1: [ 8 ]

        Resulting in 1 successes.

Morodoz the Smogbringer roars as he's attacked from all sides, thrashing in his smoke. Lylani flashes a warning to him, but it's too late; he's caught admist the stabbing spears.

(Judge) Sun-Shattering Tyrant rolls Wits + Awareness: [ 2 2 6 <10> <10> ]

        Resulting in 4 successes.

Odd. While Lylani has no eyes, Morodoz has one huge one, and it looks like it's pulsing.

Pulsing. Pulsing means it's probably a target for SOMETHING, or a heart! As blood seeps into the earth, its coppery scent fills the lungs and heads of the soldiers. More blood must be spilled. This is not nearly enough. More ichor... "Soldiers!" Their commander roars, swinging over the beast toward its face, kicking and tearing himself as he traverses its body, "Its eye! Van quarter, assault the eye! The rest of you, keep at it!"

(Judge) Sun-Shattering Tyrant rolls War + Wits + War + Wits + 1 + 1: [ -1- -1- 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 5 6 8 9 9 9 ]

        Resulting in 4 successes.

(Judge) Sun-Shattering Tyrant rolls 7: [ -1- -1- 2 3 4 6 8 ]

        Resulting in 1 successes.

Morodoz lets out a shriek of horror and pain as its eye is attacked. The dragon falls, a horrific -THUD- crashing across the ground as it dies, eye leaking some sort of Essence-charged fluid. Lylani, in horror, backs off, flowing back into the caverns, perhaps to find a new alternative; Morodoz's body crumbles to dust, leaving nothing but a hunk of metal. The survivors of the first assault cheer loudly at the death of the smog-covered creatures, giving a great shout of "HUZZAH!" for their commanders and pumping their fists into the sky as they let loose with victory chants.

Mao lands with two feet on the earth as he drops from atop the once-dragon. He grins and raises a fist to the sky, "Victory! Soldiers, today, we have slain a god, and many of us lost our lives in the process. But all you who live, do not mourn! Their deaths resulted in our victory! They lived as soldiers, died as soldiers, and their spirits continue to carry us forward! But for now men, tend to the wounded, recover who you can. Whoever is too injured to move on is to offer their equipment to one of us who is able and wait in safety for our return once we move into the halls. The rest of you, catch your breath and secure the Starmetal! We advance as soon as we are certain to grasp victory.