Monster that ate Selid-Din! Construction leading to battle!
The Saga:
On July 27th of the Year 18 AD (After Darktimes), the city of Selid-Din was coronated into the Kingdom of Nyrond as a member city and blessed to the Goddess Ishtar.
The day was bright and eventful. Banners and pennants flew proudly, children played and adults laughed and drank and there was much merriment. The citizens enjoyed the love of the Goddess and it was a merry day.
The officials of the city were less merry as many offices and ceremonies were happening that day. The Regent was sworn in and blessed. The Protectorate Council was elected. The Magistrates were sworn in and blessed. It was a busy day with many speeches. There was even a test of the Law as there was a tie for the position of Protector of the Adventourous betwixt Jevlar Cain, a Finneorite Stonemason turned adventurer and the Jedi Knight Roc. The Magistrates decided the Protectorate Council should break the tie and Roc was elected by one vote.
The day also saw 2000 more Footman and 500 more Shield Knights march into the city by command of the Regent. He expected trouble and ordered a doubling of the grrison for the week. The Executor he answered to agreed and the knights arrived girded for battle. The Archbishop and her Ishtari spent many hours speaking and praying to the warriors and people of the town on the ways of war. The Grainhouses were fortified and night found the city leaders tense and the people still enjoying the revelrie.
Thats when it struck....
The First Citizen was the first to feel its presense. Deep in the earth, the stone screamed out in pain. He felt the stone screaming closer and closer, right beneath his feet and the Keep of the Regent where the leaders had gathered. The Jedi Roc contacted the Dwarven King Thain Dethhowler, whose hall lies beneath Regent Hill. The dwarves were fine one moment and consumed by a horrible force the next without time to explain. Thain was rescued by the miracle of friendship but all other dwarves perished.
It was at this point the Jedi Roc realized in a vision he needed to be at the Dojang of the Way of the Dragon. That is where the Force felt his presense best served. He fled quickly down the streets. As he fled, agang of 4 Master Assasins struck with crossbows from various bulidings. They possessed quarrels with bits of hair and nails (Rocs) and nearly slew him in the first volley. His lightsaber blocked 3 of the bolts but the poison upon them laid him nearly unconcious. He called mentally and his young companion, the dracon Mnemeth, flew to his aid. The First Citizen called for an evacuation of the Keep and the leaders streamed from the Keep just as the Regent main Tower disappeared in a puff of dust. Rising from the hole was the servant of dark, a Beholder. It was 40 feet in diameter and unbeliveably strong. It began by lifting up a building and throwing it upon another building, destroying both. Ridden Thorn made the bowshot of a lifetime at its central eye, but some shield protected it. That was the last thing Ridden did as a death ray blasted thru his chest killing him. The entire leader group was surrounded by the main eyes antimagic and could do nothing...so they ran down Regents blvd as fast as possible. The creature seemed more interested in destroying the city than the people fleeing, though more defenders and citizens were slain as whole blocks turned to flesh and disintegrated into blood and goo, or buildings simply disapperared, or the creatures great maw ate the building whole!
The leaders fled for several minutes, running toward the city square.The creature did not pursue as quickly as it needed time to create carnage.It was at this point the Charis spotted Rocs plight and ran to his aid. She threw her blade 3 blocks and struck an assassin. Then the sword pulled itself from his side and slashed him dead and danced back to Charis hand. She lept upon a roof to pursue the others. They kept Roc pinned down as he tried to mount Mnemeth and fly away. As he flew away, Oberon called for aid and Manwe sent a Pegasi to carry him after Roc to aid him. And Roc needed aid, for the City Park was in shambles. White fire, wild magic had consummed the Dojang and was slowy spreading over an area. Alexander stood in the center of the inferno, calmly stating "The Lord of Lies shall not possess the keystone, me.This city is an illusion created of lies to trick me. It must be destroyed." He then thrust White Gold at the Tree of Life (decoy) where the Archdruid Arial and the Druids Dale, Kunta and Serrena stood vigil. They lifted up there arms and threw Lordsfire, blocking the brunt of Whitefire but not the collateral damage to all around them but there small circle. White Gold was creating an ever expanding circle of destruction and the druids could only save their small area and prevent some people from death...but the destruction seemed total.
Roc approached by air but a errant blast of wildmagic took Mnenmeth out from beneath him. He rolled of his back and healed his mount. Father Oberon prayed dearly as Roc approached Alexander to calm him. His Jedi mind trick worked for a moment and Alexander relented on his attempts to destroy the tree. This moment was all the Druids needed. Desite Arials cries to the contrary, 3 Creeping Dooms struck the battered and confsed Alexander before he could defend himself in the throws of confusion. He died instantly. But already the entire park and North East quarter of the city was gone.
Meanwhile, the Beholder advanced.
The retreating leders were held up by the Commander Perigon shy just short of the Town Square on regents Blvd. Inspired by the strategy teachings and miracles of the Church, he thrust his sword, Indominatable, into the earth and began to issue orders.
"We must make a stand! Splitting up to keep out of the central eye is the only way. The people have heard the alarms and retreat to the brothels and Wards of Warnings we set up throughout the city. Now we stop running and strike back! Lt Commander Collin, take my Winged Knights and harry him from above. The Hacdeshani and the Archbishop will be able to approach from behind it in a few minutes. We must stop this damn thing!"
Sulla Azrok, Hacdeshani of the Bright Desert, said "Wolf pack tactics. We strike form the sides. I shall go south. Who is with me?!"
"I am." said David McBride.
Bas the Hobbit had already made his way, quiet as a mouse, to the corner of the square near the Church of Ishtar. He pulled forth his Crossbow and began to take aim. He wanted that central eye.
"I shall strike from the North. First Citizen, you stay in the Town Square. He shall make for it, and you. Then we strike from above, behind and either side. Charis is already on the rooftops chasing those assassins. The main eye will most likely be trained on you, then we have a chance. Morganna, stay with the First Citizen. MOVE!"
The party split up as the eye advanced. Morganna, now 5 months pregnant with her second child and her first 2 years old and on her back in a carrier..moved herself to invisibility with a trick. Her Mind Blank in place, she hoped to escape its notice. Frank the faerie repeatedly tried to Blind an eyestalk and noticed it nearly worked. The Regentess called upon her faierie friends and 5 answered. "Follow those damn asassins. I don't want them to escape. Cover them in faerie dust and make them glow!"
The giggiled, marvelling for a moment at the monster only 400ft away, and left to do her bidding. Morganna followed the Great Druid who ran casting spells as he ran.
As the part assumed their position the Beholder advanced slowly down the street, destroying things as it came. It always seemed to know where the worst attack would come from and concentrated its eye and firepower on that spot. Its skin repelling all but the most magic of weapons, the common warriors were doing little good. The Bishop and her supporting force of Knights and Hacdeshani arrived. The Master of Lions, Paladin, covered them in a strong protective field as the Bishop threw horrible spells of destruction. The creatures innate power shrigged off the worst of the effects. It wisely stayed above the ground, 40 ft, so the Hacdeshi could not close effectively.
The Bishop's distraction caused it to focus its attacks on them while the party got into osition for the attack. Its rays harmlessly deflected off of the Antimagic of the Hacdeshani but Paladin and his cohorts were slain as a apartment building was thrown at them, crushing them instantly.
The Bishop's resolve never faltered. She ordered her clerics into the thick of battle. Beneath the very shadow of the Beholder, acolytes and priests of Ishtar bravely stood praying so that all heroes had ready medics, blessings fortifying them and any other mirculous need they could provide.
The intial onslaught was nearly ineffective. The heroes began to worry.
Sparhawk and the Knights dealt blows to its body from all around. It shrugged off nearly all and could withstand their assault for a long time. Still, knights cahrged into its maw to slash and hack unafraid into glory. Charis the Steel Lord leaped upon it body with a tremendous jump! She stood upon its top and slashed at stalks all around. Despite many stalks beams strinking her, she only felt the icy grip of fear. Calling upon St. Darnock, her longsword named "Flashing Death" and her dagger disappeared and sword called "Pain" and "Sorrow" greeted her. Sorrow overtook her fearful mind and she hacked on. Alas, she was also slowed and failed to sever her first stalk intially.
The First Citizen lashed out with his stones but they failed to light as the Central Eye blocked it.David came into place and the first success against the foul creature...magical Bands of Cireelion surrounded an eye stalk rendering it alive but unusable by the creature!
Sula followed suit...and struck out with his Bloodspear. But the monster forsaw the impact Sulla would have and lightning fast swallowed him whole. Sulla struck anyway, causing it pain with the Bloodspear but Sulla perished in ithe moster's innards.
Screams came from a building where dozens hid as it was picked up and hurled against another. Lt Commander Collin of the Shield Knights was tageted for Death but the Great Druid was able to forward some protection as the Main eye looked away for an instant. The Lt Commander survived due to the Great Druid's efforts.
The battle was joined in
earnest. The following is an accounting of
individual actions as the choas of battle does not allow a
timeline fashion of recounting:
* Roc, after his confrontation with Alexander, felt the presense he had felt before. The Elder Brain. He took Mnenmeth and Oberon and sought out its lair. He found a place, the Gazebo on the Lake, where he sensed a gate. Here he found the slain body of Father Gabriel of Shammash. When he passed thru the Gate he found Severin, the daywalker, engaged in a life and death struggle with the brain. Many vampiric illithids lay around slain and the Brain had pushed Severin nearly to hi limits. With the arrival of the Jedi and Father Oberon, the tables turned and the Brain is no more. Alas,after the Brains death, the Gate closed and the three heros were stranded nearly half a continent away.
* Bishop Birdsong and her forces provided lifesaving blessings (rerolls) which saved nearly every hero. Her blessings and prayers impacted the battle immenselty as the creature was nearly impossible to hit. The Hacdeshani, whil not able to do much damage, absorbed many attacks that would have gone aginst those able to engage. Alas, her husband was slain.
* Regent Perigon and the Shield Knights harried it directly and in the forefront. The Winged Guard had the most impct, driving into the main body for a long time. Though the damage was minor intially, the blows added up to a serious blow. The Regent Sparhawk was eaten towards the end of the battle but Barrier, his armor of the elements, preserved him even in the pit of the creatures stomach.
* Charis and David, in cooperation, destroyed nearly 6 of the eyestalks. Charis became the main focus of many rounds of eye attacks. Luckily, the Steel Lord possessed three swords which enabled her to withstand the charm and fear when they overcame her. Charis spent theentire battle on the creatures back as the primary thorn in its side. Davids spells, amazingly, seemed to continually overcome the creature and he had great luck with even simple Magic Missles. The eyestalks payed the price.
* Morganna spent the battle with the Great Druid. She worked in concert in attepts to distract the main eye so the Great Druid couldescape the area of the main eye. alas, the creatures ability to forsee overcame their ruse.Morganna then switched to repeated Blindness spells and Chromatic Orbs. By a miracle (with reroll and +3 after roll) a Chromaic Orb slowed the creature. Here is where the battle turned.
* The Great Druid was always on the defensive. He too, absorbed many attacks and twice buildings were thrown at him. With the elfstones,within a ward of warning, he tore the buildings in two before they reached him! He drove protections and captured its Main Eye's attention with the stone.When the Druid Council finally arrived via Plant Door, after finishing with Alexander, the battle was assured.
A twist occured as the battle turned. Sneaking thru the Sylvania (elvish quarter) was thousands of Elves behind King aranath. He appeared with a smug quirk on hius face astride a charger. He raised his hands and it looked as if the elves would fire upon the heros. But the arrows arced high, striking eyestalks and the creature. The heros sighed relief. King Aranath stood with them!!
The creature had lost most of its eyestalks and main body was seriously wounded by the Winged Knights, now Holy Fighters with Ishtar's blessing. The 4 Druids arrived and blasted with Lord's Fire. The Great Druid unleashed the Elfstones. It blocked the elfstones but more stalks were blown off by the Lord's Fire and Charis and David's assault.
Then the Hobbit stepped up. Little Sebastian, had been aiming at the central eye for the entire battle. Sebastian is a sharpshooter, and should he spend 10 rd aiming, his accuracy increased dramatically. Further, his crossbow has many aids to accuracy and he wanted that eye! With many eyestalks missing, Bas shot away and hit! While the damage was negligible compared to the whole, the creature became fully enraged! It focused its main eye on Bas and focused its remaining eyestalks as well. The Hobbit, terrified and trying to hide, survived the remaining eyestalks. As it reached down to eat him and the ground he stood upon, the Druids struck.
Lordsfire Napatha drive into its body from behind. The seeking stones lashed out and hit it full broadside. The remaining Shield Knights rallied around Lt COmmander Collin and struck at the body. A slowed and nearly hobbled Beholder fell heavily to the ground. Hacdeshani and Shield Knights leaped at it. It screamed...shuddered...and was still.
More than half the city lay in ruin. The victory was a bittersweet one.
The night past, morning came. People began to gather about the Church of Ishtar. Through sheer luck, while most of the battle took place on the very street it sttod upon, it was nearly unscathed. Perhaps its size or perhaps the Goddess. The people gathered, weeping and forlorn...more tragedy for a world so wracked by the Dark One already.
The Bishop, husband lying in her arms, cried out to Ishtar in Love and Sorrow, Victory in battle fresh to her followers, and the Great Eye before her as sacrifice and pled:
"Sweet Istar of Love and War. Do not let our victory become defeat. Do not let the foul dark one lose to us in battle yet win by destroying what we love. This is not just. We beg thee and inloke thee...help thy children in our hour of greatest need. Thy city bleeds...and my noble husband lies dead. Please."
The moring sky broke open and a thousand motes of light descended. A greeat Angel descended from Hevan, masuline (Ishtars angels are not gender neutral) and naked, the people gloried and marvelled. he held in his hand a sword. The Great Sword of the 12, the Sword of Love.
"Here is Woundhealer. With it, parry the blow to your hearts and heal thy city. So Ishtar hears thy pleas and answers them for her noble city." the angel said.
The people wondered as Beatrice wept and stabbed her dead husband thru the heart. The blade passed thru flesh which was unscathed. Palladin gasped and opened his eyes. A miracle! The Bishop then rose up and spoke, so the whole city would hear:
"Behold! Woundhealer! From Babylons vaults the angel brings this balde of power...yet a miracle for the balde once again is empowered. Those who would see the people and city prosper and be healed step forward. Those who would give their life to save this city...step forward."
The Bishop, stepping down from the altar strode to the Cairns of Law. Her she placed the blade into the earth and placed her hand on the hilt. The Regent, Sparhawk Perigon, strode forward and said " I will give my life so that those under my care may be safe. I can do no less as a Shield Knight." He placed his hand atop the Bishops.
The Regentess stepped forward as well and placed her hand atop Sparhawks in silent agreement to her dedication to the city. It was now their home, and their families.
David McBride, Hand Mage, stepped forward but was stopped by a High Priest of Ishtar. Many watched his willinness to make this sacrifice but others were required for this sacrifice for the ritual to work.
The First Citizen sighed, shrugged his shoulders and said in a simple manner "Well, I started this. I guess I am in as well." He placed his hand atop the regentess.
The Dwarf King Thain Depthowler felt a urge to vindicate his dwarven people who were slaughtered and gruffly stepped forward, placing his hand atop Ligurius's.
Then, as a surprise to all, the Elf King Aranath stepped forward andplaced his hand stop Thains! "Should so many of good heart desire this, it must be supported. And should the Dark One desire its fall so badly, that reasonis doubled. The elves stand with Selid-Din."
The hero Bas lept up and tentaively placed his hobbit hand atop the Elf Kings...
Finally, Endlavar Stepfree, a Centaur commander of the Sylvan forces steps forward. "Let a Paravian of true blood seal this pact. Let us make a place where the foes are the demons without and not the demons within us all. Home." These Seven...the Seven Woundhealers of Selid-Din...fall as if dead. And the Sword of Love begins to moan.
As the sword moans, the very earth heaves as rock is tossed into the air. People scream for a moment and then stare as the stone lands again forming ablock of homes once destroyed. And another. And another. Then the people crushed that were in those homes stumble out. The trees spring back to bloom and appear. Thru the Love and scarifice of the Seven...the city is healed.
Once restored, the Seven Woundhealers of Selid-Din rise back and stare out among the populace. the Sword of Love has taken their lifestrings and bound them to city and people forever. Bishop Beatrice led her flock back into the light of victory in war and love of home and heart.
Thus the prophecy came true and Selid-Din was destroyed the day of its coronation. The day after, what no one forsaw was the power of love.