Chapter One

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The beautiful land of Iridia has a wealth of races and incredible beauty about it - and, of course, war beginning amongst the various factions that have now appeared - some time ago, several people appeared amongst this land, with heavensent powers and a natural ability to lead, that brought about several empires of their own. The goblin tribes formed under one banner to produce the nation of Gha^zhakh, the slaves of the Golden Horde threw off their shackles and formed the advanced kingdom of dragon-fall, and the Gal'gai of Alsland have allied with the Giants of Jotunsøy. these empires appear to be gathering forces, and what this will result in, no one can tell...

As William struck down one of the hill-men with an Uruk sword he had grabbed when he had been disarmed, he realized night had fallen he knew not how long the battle had raged. one of his soldiers found his hammer and returned it to him. William handed the Uruk sword to one of his runners.

William: here lad take this back to our supply stores I think I will keep it as a trophy.

A ram was brought up and started hammering away at the gates leading to the third level every time it crashed against the wall a cry rose up from the Men and Dwarves of Dragon-Fall a joined "URAH!!!!! and baruk khazâd khazâd ai-mênu"

The goblins swarmed into the third wall, firing bows, spear chukkas, and rock lobbas. A small infantry force was dispatched on the ground, but the goblins dealt with them easily enough. the hill-men and orc, uruk, and trol-men were outnumbered, and the only thing left capable of doing damage was the troll-men's missile weaponry, both handheld and siege, on top of the walls. Those were only going to last so long against the now morally-positive goblin army sweeping over them, however, and it looked like the keep might be taken soon. Moreover, it was night-time, and as a result, the goblin's aim actually increased, firing with new vigor as the chill of the night-air pushed them to further attack.

"I see." says the lead knight. "Is there anything you would like to know about us?"

Antonio: tell me about your people and also let me know if any of these good interest you.




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With a loud crash the last gate broke and flew open and in charged the Verlorene Haufe they hit the enemy ranks and with great battle cries and shouts they hacked a bloody swathe through the Orcs, Uruks, Troll-men and Hill-men. Behind them in rushed the Iron Guard. It looked as if the battle was won and the the doors of the keep swung open and out lumbered three monstrous armored trolls they began batting goblins men a Dwarves around with their giant hammers. Then out poured an army of Wights undead warriors of the old kingdom the air temperature dropped noticeably and a sense of dread would wash over all of them. Then out of the fortress came a Cargûl a wraith clad in red robes he cut down men as he walked by their blades seemed unable to harm him as he advanced through the ranks many fled before him. A fell voice rang through the air from a balcony above followed by a laugh that shook the very mountains.

William made his men turn back with a blast of his horn. "Get back you cowards if you flee we will all die stand and fight."

The men of Dragon Fall Rallied around their king and stood their ground.

The cabin-boy flew into the captain's quarters, yelling at the top of his lungs. "Cap'n! You're going to wanna see this!" He yelled, the captain looking incredulously at the young boy. "This better not be sum' prank." He stated, annoyed that the kid just barged in. "Them Gobby's are doin' sumthin strange out thar!" The captain took another second to look at the kid, disbelieving him, then slowly walked out onto the deck of the small Farseer scout, took out his spyglass, and scoured the coast for this 'strange thing.' Then, he saw it. "What in the Crescent Sea...?" He started, looking at the small fort that the goblins were building, slowly, but precisely and with purpose, and also wielding crafted iron-made weapons and other things that just aren't normal for a disorganized tribe. "That thar can't be possible..." He said, folding the spyglass.

They were meant to scout out the goblins so as to ascertain the size of the force necessary to drive them out and establish a colony here. They weren't expecting something organized. "Bring her around, back to Sovanis now!" He barked at the helmsman, whom promptly replied, spinning the small craft in the water and aiming it north, back to Aurisium "This is insane." The captain muttered, taking another look at the garrison. They saw a few villages, nothing special, but the fort was definitely unexpected.

The goblins began to flee, after a couple minutes of fighting, as the Cargul's fear was driven into their hearts. Fas himself was overcome for a few seconds, but the strength of the Waaagh! Within him allowed him to overcome those effects quite quickly. Seeing that his army was beginning to rout, he knew what to do...
Fas charged forth, out of the now fleeing goblin ranks, cutting through all in his way. With him came all three of the special divisions of his army, Gitilla's wolf riders shooting and killing a wraith every shot, the war vet's ruthlessly crushing and breaking through the lines while seeming to dodge incredibly fast attacks by pure reflex alone, and the 'eavy Hacka's cut deep furrows themselves, guardin themselves from the wraith's attacks with their considerable armor, particularly at head level. The goblins, seeing this, were filled with more courage at seeing the enemy being pushed back, and got back to their positions just before the lines would have been overwhelmed with just Fas and the mercenaries holding it. This, combined with the Waaagh! Energy coming from such an open and bloody combat, helped spur the goblins despite the Cargul's power of fear. Holding the lines, goblin fought wight, both sides losing numbers quite quickly. the goblins were being slowly pushed back, now, but the line seemed as if it wouldn't break just yet.

As the soldier finished his report to the High King and the few Sovereigns that were present, David was eerily silent about this new development. One of the Sovereigns were brave enough to break said silence, however. "Sire, if I may, it would be wise to eliminate this threat. A horde of filthy wretches is bad enough, but if they were to be an organized horde of filthy wretches, I dare not say more."

The High King was still silent, as another Sovereign spoke up. The newest one, Sovereign Altus of Altius. "Why would they be a threat, sire? They are hardly a threat to our army." He stated calmly, oddly stately for a young kid like him. "Indeed they aren't." The High King agreed, as if coming up with an idea. The other Sovereigns fell silent as they waited for his decree. "As such they will make a pleasant addition to our mighty empire. Order our armies to amass, within the month, the Goblins shall become one of us." The rest of the Sovereigns stood up and bowed, stating, in unison. "So shall it be done."


Kyle watched from the bow of the ship as the entire fleet of the empire amassed and formed up in front of his eyes. He hardly cared for the fate of the goblins whom would soon be his enemies, but he wouldn't wish such an untimely demise on them either. It felt odd that, for once, he disagreed with his royal master. "Sire, the fleet is a'ready." The captain reported, breaking Kyle out of his trance. The kid turned toward the older captain. It was ironic, really, that this captain was under his command. "Good." Was all Kyle replied, walking toward the large crystal cannon on the deck. If he was to bring about the Goblin's demise, he would at least give them the honor of being attacked by himself first.

He held out his hand toward the crystal, activating it. The Crystal responded, glowing brightly, and then launching a huge fireball into the air, arcing towards the land, and impacting on the Goblin fort. Soon, the rest of the fleet followed suite, opening fire on the goblin forces without even landing to meet them head on.

Just as it appeared the entire army of Dragon-fall would rout from the field a bright light flashed and the men felt a small spark of courage mustered into their heats and the went back to battle while they took heavy losses. The losses of the enemy were nearly the same. Then with another flash of light seemingly appearing four men clad in heavy armor and carrying war hammers appeared. One among them stood taller and his eyes glowed a blue white a pillar of light from the sky dropped upon one of the trolls who turned to stone as they advanced through the battlefield the wights fled before them all but they leader broke off and joined the melee the leader came forward and in a voice like thunder spoke,. "Foul Creature of Shadow! You have no place in this world come face holy judgement.!" On his march toward the Cargûl he passed by Fas and handed him a sword its blade glowed with a blue white light and felt cold to the touch.

Arathor: I shall require your aid to defeat this creature this is "Wraith's End" an ancient blade of the holy paladins of yore it can harm the Cargûl but this creature does not suffer wounds like you or I we must wear it down until i can destroy it follow me.

Arathor charged forward and swung his hammer at seemingly nothing but wave of white light flew from it and the Cargûl screamed in anger as it impacted.

"A little big..." Fas said to himself, looking over the scimitar before shrugging and hurrying behind the stranger. The goblins, changing tactics, moved into edge formations, what night goblins they did have with them using spears in the back of the formation with scimitars in the front. The special divisions made up the middle of each "tooth" of the wedges. Meanwhile, the wolf-riders circled around, lending aid to any part of the formation that gained trouble, while attacking and pushing through weak parts of the wraiths lines.

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"Eh? Dat's a big rock in da mid'l of da ocean..." One of the goblin scouts muttered.
"Ya idiot! Tha's not a rock, that's a... Ship..." The other scout said, struggling for the words "Ye, a ship that the 'umies use. they float on the water and bring em where they need to go, and... it's a big 'un." the scout said. as the leader of his small force, he said to the younger goblin, a new one under his command. "Get yer wolf and tell the capital a ship bigger than our garrison's been spotted off the coast. double-quick."
"But-"
"move yer arse!" The goblin yelled, getting a bad feeling. it reminded him of a human strike fifty years ago. he moved to tell the rest of his garrison the attack, at which point the fireball hit one of the walls, exploded, and blew off a large chunk of the wall section. "Damn!" He yelled, before getting on his own wolf, and riding forward. "Tell me on yer own rides if anyone disembarks! And tell us what the hell they are, too!" He yelled back to the other 2 scouts in his command. They were good lads, and he knew he could count on 'em... so long as they didn't get themselves killed.
The goblins instinctively swarmed out of the fort, seeing the wall break telling them they probably weren'tgetting any cover from their small garrison. seeking only to get away from the cannon, they looked towards a small embankment for cover.

The wights continue to assault the allied forces the Men of Dragon-Fall formed a position next to the goblins with halberdiers forming the edges and with the iron Guard in the center while rangers and Crossbowmen provided fire from above on thee wall behind them. The war clerics dueled with the armored trolls And Uruk Berserkers that poured out from the keep smiting them with holy magic and building up wrath to stake again by pummeling enemies with their great war hammers.

The Cargûl screeched a horrid and foul sound that seemed to pierce ones soul as Arathor swung his hammer forward at the last of his charge. The Cargûl blocked expertly with its blade and whirled around putting a distance between it and Arathor it raised its free hand and shot a ball of shadow that crackled with purple lightning at Arathor. Arathor raised his hammer across his chest and a scree of white light appeared and the shadow ball seemed absorbed by it. the Cargûl charged at Fas striking at him with its sword as Arathor was distracted by absorbing the attack. The Cargûl fought like a disciplined swordsmen using a western style that was a clear balance between attack and defense.

William wrangled with a Rhudaur hill men that had disarmed them they were a flurry of fists and kicks as the dueled William having the benefit of reach on strength of the smaller man but the Rhudaur hill men moved like fluid water as he struck back. The King's men kept any one from interfering in the melee as the formed a circle around them forming a fighting ring. all around them the men of Dragon-Fall fought hard against the Rhudaur hill men who had proved to be warriors as fine as the men of Dragon-Fall.


On the goblins side of the fight the wights rose reanimated corpses from the ground the undead swarmed out of the ground and at the goblins.

The Dominance did not allow any soldiers to disembark quite so soon, not before the first volley from the rows of Crystal cannons was unleashed upon the goblin fort. As Kyle aimed and fired the large cannon yet again, though, his heart seemed to plead against this massacre. His mind, however, refuted him. Orders were orders.

As the second volley from the cannon rows was unleashed, several Crystal Heavybladers flew off of the Dominance and its few escorts and was sprinting straight for coast. With one swordsman and archer per, and given their speed and obvious advantages, it would be a wonder as to how the goblins would counter.

~Suðurland~

"Very well then." says the lead knight, Mardon. "I am Mardon Fjorisson. My name means 'to mar'. It is a warrior's name, from the verb 'marden'. As for my last name, it means nothing more than that I am the son of my father, Fjori. You are standing on Suðurland, the southernmost island of Alsland, and also the oldest. We Gal'Gai settled this fair island more than 2000 years ago, then moved inland, to the much larger island of Alsland. We came here after we were pushed out of our original homeland by an unknown force. Some say it was because the gods, who created us, were unhappy with our lazy behavior in the paradise they had created for us. We had stopped worshiping them, so they destroyed the paradise, and sent our ancestors on the journey here, were the land was much more intimidating and forbidding. Since the first settling of Alsland, we have learned to live well on the land and in the mountains, but it is still a conscious effort. One can easily get lost in a blizzard, or wander into cave for shelter and never come out."

"Our nation is known in our own tongue as Soveireinkunngsrulann Alsland, which means 'The Sovereign Kingdom of Alsland' in yours. Most Gal'Gai believe that we are the farthest north of all the Iridian peoples, but there are mysterious lands even farther from mainland Iridia than ours. We do not know if they are inhabited; the terrain that we can see appears to be much too inhospitable for anything to live there."

Antonio nods listening attentively.

"Well that is an interesting story." Antonio hands him the translation book. "I'd recommend you use that to train one of your diplomats I'm sure the king would love to have talks with your people. And as for my main reason for being here do any of these good interest you?"

Antonio gestures to a small box of gems, a crate of Arquebuses, a set of very finely made Dwarven swords and a suit of lamellar armor crafted from gold steel by the Dwarves.

The goblin wolf-riders practically flew towards the crystal heavyblades, being just as maneuverable and a little faster than their more advanced counterparts. Some of the goblins on top wielded lances, while others used shortbows. The lancers charged forth, not giving the heavyblades room to get past them without exchanging blows, while the archers moved to the side, readying to fire. The wolves were shorter than the heavyblades, but if one were to get near them, they'd have no problem biting and breaking one of the soldiers' legs. All in all, twenty five wolfriders moved to counter the heavyblades, as the rest of the goblins charged away from the scene.

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Fas stepped partially out of the way, using one hand to move his new scimitar in a downward block, while using his second hand along the middle of the blade in order to help steady it. Rather than meet the cargul in a head-to-head block, the move was meant to make the strike glance off to the side. Fas would then quickly move himself a half-step back, stepping into a defensive stance, taking the opportunity to attempt a quick slash only if he saw the Cargul relax it's attention on him.

The Cargûl lunged forward and made a low sweeping slash intent on cleaving Fas in two. Araphor Came back into the fight closing the way between them with several quick bounds he rose his hammer high over his shoulders and swung down at the Cargûl but the Cargûl blocked the attack from behind with a purplish forcefield.


William continued to battle with the Rhudaurian hill chief and with a powerful kick to the center of the chest he sent the man flat on his back.

William: Why do you fight along such creatures you are men not monsters what threats or persuasions lead you to such folly?

Chieftain: *the Chieftain jumped up back on his feet.* The dark sorceress threatened to slaughter our people if we did not serve her already she had set her orcs free in our lands they pillaged and burned our towns raped our wives and daughters creating vile half orcs. When i pledged my people to her all these things stopped.

The heavybladers still matched the wolf-rider's numbers regardless, and at least half were still hovering over the water, firing away at the wolf-riders with their bows and arrows. Those that engaged the wolf-riders at point blank proved skilled, having both people wielding swords. While they may not be as fast, they weren't necessarily at a disadvantage, and the explosions brought on by the Dominance's bombardment supported such.

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Kyle watched as the goblins retaliated. That was unexpected, but he was still capable of annihilating them. He aimed the cannon and fired into the enemy lines, attempting to avoid friendly fire. The fort was not a target anymore, the garrison was. The reinforcements will end this battle quickly.

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As the goblins fled, they would noticed several glittering lights on the horizon, speeding towards them. Said lights revealed to be a large wave of lightbladers, poised to carve straight into the fleeing infantry.

~Suðurland~

Mardon inspects the gems, holding them up in the air to see their cuts and colors. "I must say, I do fancy these gemstones, but I could just as well mine them here on Alsland." He says matter-of-factly. He then looks at the Arquebuses, picks one up, and inquires. "What exactly is this? How do I operate it?"

(Apologize for the lateness. Psychology101 is a [censored].)

Fas jumped upwards, narrowly avoiding the strike with an elegant flip backwards. Giving up ground like this, however, was not a good idea, Fas realized. Charging forth, green lances of light shot from his eyes to just in front of his opponent, creating a smokescreen of dust in front of the Cargul, obscuring it's view. However, rather than push such an advantage directly, Fas instead maneuvered to the side with a good amount of speed, hoping the spectacle would at least slightly distract the thing as he leaped in for a quick thrusting maneuver.

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In front of the goblin lines, the ranks opened up. 10 chariots, massive things holding 4 goblins and 3 wolves apiece, rode forth to push back the lightblades, a wolfrider in-between each. a mixture of archers and lancers were atop the chariots, thought the riders themselves were almost entirely lancers. It seemed the goblin commander had been careful enough to avoid a sneak attack.

Elsewhere, the wolf-riders fought hard with the heavyblades, using the terrain to their advantage as they were forced on the defensive. The goblin shortbows, while effective against most living things, for the most part did minimal damage to the hoverblades themselves, but more to the pilots they carried. Scimitar met scimitar in close combat, but the superior range of the goblin spears allowed them to match better in such direct combat, even though at a range they found themselves a bit in trouble. The only other advantage was that the wolves, while less durable than their riders, were able to crouch, dive, and jump to the side of blows, able to not only react better than a simple hovercraft in such situations, but with all the reflexes and speed of a predator, not to mention not needing to distract their riders while doing so.

The Cargûl blast Arathor back with a wave of shadow but Fas' distraction succeeds and the Cargûl roars in pain as the strike hits he bats fas away with his arm and sends a ball of shadow lightning at him.


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Antonio takes another arquebus from the crate and has his men set up a few targets.

"This my friend is a firelock known in our tongue as an Arquebus it is a projectile weapon that uses black powder to propel a shot usually like this one. *he holds up a soft lead ball* at a target it hits with enough force to pierce anjy armor and its quite accurate." *Antonio demonstrates the loading of the weapon he aims at a target and fires. With loud crack and a cloud of smoke the Arquebus reports and the shot strikes the target a block of wood about three inches thick and splits it in two.*

"As you can see its quite an effective weapon but it tends to overheat or foul with powder after several shot you must let it cool off and then clean it with a scouring brush or you risk it blowing up in your face. Now do as I just did and see if you can hit the target."

"Very well." Says Mardon. He picks it up and squeezes the trigger, but drops it when he hears the bang. The lead pellet flies off course and hits another knight, Jonas, but the bullet only makes a dent on the armor.

"Evidently these are not powerful enough to penetrate our armor." says Jonas. "Although I did feel the force of the impact quite strongly."

Fas is hit by the cargul's strike, and just barely dodges the shadow lightning, using a handspring to pivot just barely out of the way, the strike hitting and breaking off a piece of his shoulder armor.
"It really seems this armor can never get through a battle intact..." Fas mutters to himself, worried in spite of himself. This cargul must have a large amount of power to so easily harm damage resistant armor. Fas shifts into a defensive stance as he decides what to do next in the fight.

Antonio shakes his head. "Your armor must be well made indeed but you are lucky to be alive. any stronger of a powder load and you would have been more than dented. Any way these also have the befit of being both faster loading and easier to train men to use than crossbows and have greater armor piercing values. as for something you seemed to be disinterested in this dwarf made armor. I should show you something."

Antonio puts on the dwarf armored cuirass and allows one of his men to shoot him in the chest with an arquebus Antonio flys back and land hard on the ground but when he rises the glittering golden armor is unscathed and antonio produces the flattened ball.

"Perfect for a king or some one of importance its made from a rare metal but its protection value is matched only by mithril."

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The Cargûl roars in pain and anger and Arathor takes the opening as he bounds back to his feet a pillar of light from the sky envelops the Cargûl. It once again screeched but the light soon vanished and a deep shadow replaced it the Cargûl emerged its robes singed visibly wakened but not defeated the Cargûl raised its arm and a several balls of purple light spread out and went into the ground and out of it emerged dozens of reanimated corpses the undead charged at Arathor and Fas. Arathor hit the first of the Skeletons with his hammer and with the sickening sound of crunching bones it shattered.


Meanwhile King Hammershot defeated the Rhuddaur Chieftain in their honorable spar. he knelt before the king in defeat.

William: "Do not sacrifice your people to this darkness any more join me fight by my side and we can conquer it together."

Chieftain: "I am Crannog high chieftain of my people i pledge our strength and honor to you and yours king of Dragon-Fall" *Crannog rose and blew three short notes from his horn and immediately the Hill men began to attack the orcs and wights instead, utter chaos ensued in the ranks of the enemy the Dwarves took advantage of this charging forward and driving the enemy force bay to the very doors of the keep*.

(Crannog)

Roach wrote:Antonio shakes his head. "Your armor must be well made indeed but you are lucky to be alive. any stronger of a powder load and you would have been more than dented. Any way these also have the befit of being both faster loading and easier to train men to use than crossbows and have greater armor piercing values. as for something you seemed to be disinterested in this dwarf made armor. I should show you something."

Antonio puts on the dwarf armored cuirass and allows one of his men to shoot him in the chest with an arquebus Antonio flys back and land hard on the ground but when he rises the glittering golden armor is unscathed and antonio produces the flattened ball.

"Perfect for a king or some one of importance its made from a rare metal but its protection value is matched only by mithril."

"I think Kunng Viljelm would like this set of armor." Says Mardon. The other knights murmur in agreement. "As for Mithril, we have precious few mines for ourselves on this island, which is why we don't have armor made of it. We make our armor out of the next best metal, Kallinium. How much would you like for the full set of your dwarven armor?"

Antonio: A gift we could return to our king would be welcome perhaps a blade or some special jewelry.

Fas gestured with his hand, and after saying a few magical words a yellow flash of energy would leave Fas's hands, moving rapidly in a spiral pattern, before hitting Arathor, becoming a thin aura of energy around him. Arathor would find that he would strike true and better with each strike, his reflexes always going for the weak-point on an attack and slipping through enemy defenses much easier, as Mork's cunning influenced the sharpness of his own mind. Fas cast the spell just in time, however, and just barely managed to turn aside the next skeleton's strike, using his arm to guide the sword away. Ordinary armor would be cracked or cut after doing such a thing, though not broken, but Fas's wasn't scratched. Moving in, he struck and defended as though in a gentle ballet with the skeletal beings.