History of ConflictSpoilerConflict of Two Archmages.
History of conflict.
Before start to speak about this important battle what happened on enclave Valstiir, it is important to first know history behind conflict of two Archmages. Conflict between two Archmages and enclaves, Roz'dha and Valstiir, have history of few months. Someone may say what this conflict have longer history behind. Truth is, what two Archmages was not able solve this conflict peacefully and in early days few small battles happened in lands of Lower Empire. Rumors says what main goal Archmage Roz'dha it is achieve divinity in other words to become god. Perhaps it is main reasons why Roz'dha fights with other enclaves and perhaps Valstiir was key person to achieve his goal.In majority, Roz'dha used necromancy school magic. Important to say, what Roz'dha not only achieved lichdom but also in past defeated one or more Archmages with their enclaves. Archmage Roz'dha have large experience in art of magic and perhaps Roz'dha may be one of skilled necromancer in Empire in our time. His army, his whole enclave was entirely based around negative energy and so Roz'dha army was mainly made from undeads. Though few veterans speaks what it was possible to encounter with demons and other outsiders from Abyss who was served to Archmage Roz'dha. And of course many armies of undeads was lead by powerful and intelligent undeads such as vampires, cursed warriors, wights and so on. Important to note, what in ranks of Roz'dha enclave there was also alive humans and beings. Mostly it was arcanists necromancers, servants and agents who was enslaved or was attracted by power and promises. Small conflicts and battles what was happening in Lower Empire between agents of two enclaves and their armies was slowly leading to culmination of whole conflict between two Archmages. Nor Roz'dha nor Valstiir not was stepping back and each Archmages was planning to win and slowly small fights between their agents was escalated to large battles between armies on grounds of Lower Empire. It was only question of time when main forces of Roz'dha will come to try claim and destroy Valstiir enclave.
Battle for Valstiir
Brilliant and Wise Valstiir was long preparing for what will come. All arcanists and citizens of Lower Empire was working all together as single tool in Valstiir's hands, following her orders without any words and hesitate. Valstiir was ready for final battle between two enclaves and she prepared not only defeat Roz'dha but and destroy his enclave. Risky but worth effort plan to destroy whole enclave by powerful sun-ray. It was not that easy to make and important part of this plan was to break inside Roz'dha enclave and place beacon for sun-ray. Magical staff what was trusted to one Arcanist.
Roz'dha enclave was slowly floating toward Valstiir enclave. Closer and closer. Air was foul and it had smell of rot and death. All noble houses, all arcanists and few brave adventurers was on streets of Valstiir enclave, prepared for last battle, prepared to give their own life to destroy army of lich and bring victory to Archmage Valstiir. Battle started unexpected too soon. Perhaps Archmage Valstiir not paid too much attention to it or her mind was busy with other non less important tasks or even it was work of traitors and Roz'dha agents, but Roz'dha first assault group was used Valstiir's portals in Lake District which not was closed or warded by magic. Small group was trying fight back against assaulting group of undeads and demons but it was not enough forces and more and more undeads was coming from portals. Valstiir small forces made retreat to Market District where was located main Valstiir's army and Valstiir herself. Roz'dha swiftly claimed Lake District and used portals as source for own army which was already walking in Valstiir streets. Roz'dha clearly had plans quickly end this battle, not trying give any time to his enemies to regroup. Roz'dha started send his main forces from Lake District right to Market District. But brave warriors of Valstiir repelled coming waves of undeads and demons again and again. It was single moment when Roz'dha forces stopped attacking and Valstiir used it as opportunity to create powerful portal spell what was able to bring single group on Roz'dha Enclave. Many brave warriors (and your author) walked forward to portal, promising what they will bring victory to Valstiir. As group of brave heroes teleported on other enclave, battles on Valstiir renewed and continues. Narrow streets of Valstiir was filled with blood and bone dust.Strong spells was casted from both sides and battles in different Valstiir districts did not stops. In same time group of brave heroes inside Roz'dha enclave was already making their own way to deeper parts of enclave. Most strongest undead guardians, demons, nightwalkers, arcanists was trying to stop them but brave heroes was continue their way. Even Archmage Roz'dha himself was trying corrupt and convince heroes change their sides promising to them immortality and endless power. But heroes refused offer of Archmage. Heroes was close to their final destination. Mythallar. Place where trusted Arcanist should put magical staff which would serve as beacon for powerful sun-ray. Mythallar was guarded by powerful vampire of giant size and strange outlook. No any spells or any sword was able to make deep cut to this creature. His wounds was regenerating with great speed and his hits was strong enough to left deadly wound without much efforts. But heroes acted swiftly, they disturbed vampire and arcanist used moment to put staff in Mythallar. After moment - large amount of magic was conjured on Valstiir enclave and it was sent toward Roz'dha enclave. It was enough to destroy whole enclave. Spells and magic of Roz'dha enclave begins slowly fade and large dark castles started slowly crumble. Vampire guardian not was defeated and heroes was in need to leave falling enclave before it was too late. Running long corridors and followed by giant vampire - heroes managed to escape in last moment. Roz'dha enclave was very close to Valstiir enclave and some parts was crushed against Old Quarters of Valstiir. Followed Vampire was turned to dust once it followed heroes outside of Enclave where he was burned by sun rays and spells from arcanists.
With destruction enclave, remaining undead army on streets of Valstiir was destroyed too. And so heroes of Valstiir which names engraved on statue in Old Quarters was bring victory for Archmage.
From memories of one hero.
I grew up in Valstiir, but I left the floating city when my family cast me out for reasons which are not relevant here. In the following months, I settled below and divided my time between Hadrian and Southbank. I rarely returned to Valstiir apart from the occasional visit to the Church of Tyche which is one of the few places there I have fond memories of.
When the threat of Rozdha rose once more, I was conflicted. I had little affection left for the enclave above or the family that had disowned me. It was tempting to simply let matters happen as they will. But my best friend, the elf Allania, had been bestowed with something that was both a great boon and a terrible burden- a helmet of Amaunator that many believed could turn the tide against the undead villain. I forced myself to board that airship with the sole intention of supporting my friend.
We assembled near the solar collectors of Valstiir, machinery that I could not ever hope to understand. My intention of standing by Allania’s side were quickly ended… we were all separated into groups with varying missions. Allania would be on the front line, away from me. I saw another friend, the halfling Bosco Fries, join a group that was infiltrating Rozdha’s enclave. He wished me godspeed as he departed. It was the last time I ever saw him. The group I was assigned to was ordered by Lord Dukkarus to protect Archmage Valstiir as she performed a ritual. Stronkonov was leading this party, and someone gave me the simple orders “protect the Archmage, and stay close to Stronkonov”.
We repelled the first few waves of undead horrors with relative ease. I fired bolt after bolt into their masses and sang my songs and cast my spells to inspire my fellow defenders. Stronkonov was an unyielding wall of muscle. The Archmage worked with incredible discipline, seemingly oblivious to the swirling violence so close to her person. I saw Will Rogers leading the line of defenders close to us, shouting orders as he cut through the enemy. At one point a wounded bone giant managed to smash through the line and approach the Archmage. By some miracle I was able to finish the battered monster off with my spear and a song of curse before it could reach the Archmage.
In a lull in the fighting, I was tasked with helping to clear the street of the shattered undead corpses so we had room to fight. We had just barely finished that when the assault began again. Yet another horde of shambling monsters of splintered bone and rotting flesh hurled themselves upon us. This time, our line began to creak and Will Rogers ordered a retreat to the council district. My blood was up. I was fighting harder and better than I ever had before, and in my youthful arrogance I thought I could cover the retreat. But it was too chaotic. Warriors far greater than I fled past me, and I did not realise the danger I was in until my retreat had been blocked by a mass of festering walking corpses.
With any hope of reaching the council district now lost to me, my thoughts turned to self-preservation. I remembered the streets well enough to flee down some narrow alleyways and lose the bulk of my lumbering pursuers. I found an unlocked door and hurled myself through it. As the monsters attempted to pound their way in I piled up every scrap of furniture I could to make a barricade. With time to think now, I despaired at my foolishness. I could not help my friends or the other defenders, trapped as I was. My exhaustion suddenly dawned on me and I slumped against my barricade, dozing off despite the noises of the walking corpses attempting to claw their way inside.
When I awoke the city was almost silent. I slipped out of my improvised sanctuary and found the undead that had trapped me had been slain, presumably by adventurers or the town watch. As I staggered towards the airship back to Hadrian it was clear that Rozdha had been defeated and Valstiir had survived. From the people I passed I heard the most startling tales. A servant of Amaunator had manifested and fought alongside my friend Allania. Rozdha’s enclave had fallen and crashed to the earth below. But it was not until I arrived back in Hadrian that I saw Allania again and knew that she had survived, and I learned the tragic news that Bosco had not. He would have been proud of me if he’d seen me fight… he told me once “you are more powerful than you think. If someone comes at you, you put them in the ground”. After surviving the battle of Valstiir, I am actually starting to believe in myself.
Epilogue.
It is known what Archmage Roz'dha not was presenting on his own enclave. Perhaps he was prepared for his defeat and it is question of time when Roz'dha will gather new forces in attempts to claim enclave of other Archmage and try ascend to Divinity.
Sharifa Mel'Amen, Morgaine Pritchard
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