"Necromancy at is finest." the princess pointed out to the
fellow noble next to her. She leaned against the balcony that looked over the
courtyard like street of the city. As daughter of Count Kurn Landtir Onyx
Vothir, the princess of Naxnonoth, Nash Angelsin Onyx Vothir was tasked with
observing experiments. From the balcony she watched a Dark Elf Aristocrat named
Ofathir suffering from Tormenting Voice Spell deal with a walking corpse called
Morte. It took every effort not to kill this walking corpse, which would be
used in Naxnonoth's defense. Behind her in another room connected to a study
one Crypt Creeper was in the process of completion. Using a snare pole
Ofathir's thrall pulled the walking corpse away from him. Seeing Ofathir was
safe Angelsin gestured for Ofathir to join her.
"Get your ass up here. Snatch up that glycerin gun along with that
Vullanese Windkisser23." She barked down at him ignoring the scene she
created. Angelsin did not care who watched her. Her own dark violet dress did
reveal a few windows for eye candy, but she was more uptight about
intercourse.
Ofathir took a few minutes to reach where she was with her left foot
tapping. One eye wincing at him as he plopped himself on the chair in the
study. To be fair with him she gave him two minutes to rest before kicking the
chair to get him up. Angelsin moved towards the corridor where other labs were
used to create more of the monstrosities her father used against invaders. With
Ofathir at her heels she moved through the corridor as another walking corpse
began its process of creation. Inside the main laboratory of the city-state the
pair of nobles muttered to each other over the current threat of a Vestrisian
invasion. Naxnonoth as an island city-state consisting of seventeen islands
close together was mainly a Dark Elf City-state. thirty-four islets, and 42
reefs partially surround this city-state. One of the largest islets is where
Naxnonoth authorities hold zombie crocodile dread maws, and zombified Hippo
Behemoths are held. These were creations of a Dark Elf Scientist called
Lazetop. Through the windows she spotted two of the largest islets next to the
fortified island of Zago. She recalled the entrances to Lazetop's palace are
guarded by a pair of zombie apes chained to the walls, or pillars. As they
exited the laboratory she turned around to get a good look at the large
structure that was once four buildings. One part was a solitary castle keep,
another used to function as an asylum, a third used to be a manor, and the
fourth functioned as an alchemist's lab.
"It is rather a curious situation. Does the rest of the world know
Naxnonoth creates its own army using the dead? It does explain our lack of
proper cemeteries." She pointed out more to herself than to
Ofathier.
"Vullan would likely cease being allies with us. I do not know about
other invaders, but Vullan's allies would perhaps stay close to us or abandon
us."
"Wrong, the world would stop trading with us and wipe us off the face
of the maps." Angelsin felt like she had to correct him on this as she
passed a skittering surveyor construct in the streets among the citizens of her
father's city-state. Through his eyes they were really subjects to her mother's
matriarchy until her death. Then her father transformed it into a twisted
republic that made it look like they were voting when it was really the elders
of each household who chose the council members while he took up the torch.
Glaring at this skittering surveyor construct she was certain it was being used
for peeping rather than actual observation or spying on invading troops.
Ofathir kept eyeing the women some of who walked with their lovers, husbands,
children, siblings, or friends. Apparel for Naxnonoth's citizen-subjects
included modern style tunics, loose fit jumpsuits, slacks, well-crafted vests,
buckled robes, v neck shirts of various designs. Other styles came from other
parts with a hint of their own Dark Elf blend. Their choices in apparel came in
colors of violet, black, crimson, red, some gold, dark blue, purple, dark
green, burgundy, and light gray. Some clothing came with just laces lined up
line buttons, others came with silver or gold buttons lining down or at an
angle. Among the apparel they wore jewelry from all over the world. Others
donned shawls of specific colors while others wore simple modern clothing made
from cotton, or denim. It was both jeans, with a long-sleeved shirt, or the
average trousers with a button-down shirt, fine suits, collarless shirts with
buttons or laces. Hairstyles varied in their culture yet it appeared a mixture
of modern styles and traditional. Closer to an alley she caught something in
the corner of her eye. One Silver-Fox Darl Elf Slave is returned to owner along
with a funeral longboat. It was more about servitude than enslavement, yet the
Dark Elves of Naxnonoth did not own them for longer than a decade. It reminded
her of a particular foreigner they knew.
"Ofahir where is that scholarly wizard we know?" She asked looked
at a tall dark elf male in a tailored dark blue suit. It would have considered
treasonous if the color blue, the Vestrisian flag, was banned. Lucky for this
handsome one it was not.
"Igvurd is at the other Alchemist lab on the island of Zezan."
Ofahir answered her as they passed a city guard in traditional style armor that
made him appear like a dark elf vampire baron's suit of armor.
"Let's go there then." She insisted rubbed her two fingers
together.
Memories returned to her that involved the young wizard. Beyond the eastern
islands was a group of islands where some wreckages encircled an old city.
Using her status she rounded up some lackeys to do her bidding. She decided to
send someone to reap the sea graff after a ship malfunctioned near the
shipwrecks on reefs to the eastern part of that isolated island. While waiting
for the looter to return her father sent over a troop of soldiers who entered
the ruins. They discover some species of frog beast found under catacombs of
that old city. Only half the soldiers return with the lackey wounded. Mending
touch is used by her chosen mage on their paid lackey. At these wrecks one
verdant Automaton is sent after beasts that attacked while the rest returned to
Naxnonoth. There she ensured the Lackey and Igvurd were rewarded with some
obedient dark elves. As they approached the wizard's resident island, she
recalled one of his rewards was pregnant with his seed. It made her smile as
they came to the island of Zezan.
Zezan was more of the island for education, studies, experiments, and
learning trade. Finding this scholar was no trouble as he was not a Dark Elf,
but a white half elf youth of sixteen years old. A brilliant mind, a little
timid, crafty, adaptive, and quite an alchemist already. Without much of a word
to his advisor, educator, or guardian she nabbed the youth who was one of
10,432 foreigners residing on the islands. Despite his frail appearance he
still showed some strength since most of his time was spend picking up heavy
equipment, and utensils. Having Igvurd around Angelsin could learn a bit more
about alchemy than what her brethren or kin chose to teach her. Roaming around
three of Naxnonoth's islands with the youthful scholar wizard she noticed some
people missing. Each island would be teaming with people roaming the streets.
Most of the missing would be reported to her. She saw hardly any postings of
people going missing. Igvurd, and Ofahir took note of this on their pocket
notepads. Angelsin would have those checked each time they wrote something
down. She realized Naxnonoth could field an army of just twelve thousand or
more. Yet that hardly gave this city-state much to defend 150,000 people half
of whom were able to fight for this city-state using melee weaponry. In the
lead she went to the most secluded parts of the islands. Using the paths
underneath the connecting bridges that linked the islands. That also meant
leaving the guarded perimeters of the inhabited areas though the paths that
lead to the sewers, catacombs, cave systems, and undercities. Trailing a path
that cut around the island using old dock ways she avoided those places. At
each secluded place Angelsin spotted more than 273 Forsaken Drifter zombies
used to prowl the coastal beasts of each part.
Each one lumbered in the sand aimlessly or in a circle while moving around.
Keeping their distance Angelsin could tell the clothing still clung to the
rotting flesh. Rainfall did not help with this idea for a defensive weapon. Yet
keeping them in this section of the island for long periods of the year was
successful with well-placed fences or barricades. Knowing how the watchful
guards felt about the living lingering around these "weapons"
Angelsin led their small party away from the secluded area of the beach. On the
third outer island known as Vurimu they come across a grave digger at a
cemetery housing on the island's third islet called Eiroc. This grave digger
looked to be half goblin and half human with the big ears chopped off. Pale
pink skin was evident underneath the tattered overlapping layers of cloth that
became their robe under a freshly given rain poncho.
"You, Grave Digger of the Cemetary, what is your name?" Angelsin
demanded from the goblin hybrid whose face was covered by the hood and a cloth
covering its face.
"Mykero Idurm lady master of the islands." this goblin hybrid
responded addressing her as a higher up.
"Mykero, have any new corpses come through your area?" She
inquired from the goblin hybrid.
"No, I have not seen any new corpses come through." Mykero replied
bowing his head. "You could check the island of Onzoss."
"The dungeons of Onzoss are full of dangers especially they dungeon
crawlers." Igvurd mentioned in a comprehensive voice that made Angelsin's
skin crawl.
"Inside those dungeons are at least 370 Dungeon Crawlers in one level,
380ish on another level inside the very dungeons of Onzoss. If we are
considering the number of dangers that lurk on that island there should be
thousands of creatures dwelling those cavernous dungeons. If recall correctly
close to 1,024 Naxnonoths committing Act of Treason were thrown into the pits,
cells, the sea, and catacomb-dungeons of that island. Along with the islets we
managed to transform into little prisons." Angelsin explained to the pair
of them. She knew Ofahir was aware of what happened to those who committed
treason. Yet as the daughter of the city-state's leader she thought it was best
to give a reminder.
Moving away towards the bridge to the next island where a third of the
island became a runway, one portion became a residency while the rest of the
island was left to be a natural cover. Most of the bridges were shielded by
well-placed foliage to fool any prying eyes. While crossing the bridge they
pass a wing crafter armed with a sniper rifle who just got a kill shot on a
drifter that got loose. Not bothering to watch him she proceeds to pass through
the island that houses some of the city-state's garrison. On this island she
knew there were at least 825 Satyr Hoplites, 370 Bomber Corps soldiers, 200 War
Wing siren soldiers, and their newly trained pilots. Her status allowed her to
observe the various aircraft given to them by their neighbors. Her eyes squinted
suspiciously at the foreign aircraft when an anti-infantry armored car rolled
up to her. In Dark Elf Etupali writing read Iguanodon Mount. It was the name
given to the vehicle as it acted as a small transport and attack vehicle.
A Dark Elf Wizard with a small dragon-lizard perched on his shoulder stuck
his head out of the driver's seat. Clearly dressed in uniform this Dark Elf had
the arcane symbol tattooed over his right eye. Next to him sat a Lumengrid
Sentinel Wizard from Vidothra whom the Nazdar sent with their lackeys. Behind
them drove a Nazdar Vehicle, some halftrack that arrived with a smaller Nazdar
ship that circled around their perimeter. Quick introductions were made as the
trio entered the vehicle. Her own father sent for her to be brought to one of
his own private manors where he kept his secrets locked away. Further towards
the western part of the city-state the manor rested on its own smaller cliff
like islet. At first it appeared like a prison turned into a manor on a
secluded hill. Seated in the passenger seat Angelsin got a good view of her
father's various defenses for his own personal manor. A steel-clad spirit of
some banished Zhenrai Knight fought an armed twisted abomination zombie near
the winding driveway. When they turned left she got a good look at a single
fire blast cannon used on Nyxborn the Rollicker Satyr for annoying the Ox herd.
Serves him right she thought. That vermin brought over some infectious host
that caused wretched throng to be sent off a neutral island used to graze and
breed oxen. Driving past this she could see nothing, but the grotesque trees
wet from the deluge before they made it to the door.
At dinner she witnessed her own father revealed their city-state's own
garrison. In the presence of six family members, her sister Cichia Onyx Vothir
(Minnhos), son in law Daco Yerdor Minnhos, younger brother Indre Somza Onyx
Vother, younger sister Ikeah Avre Onyx Evno, Ikeah's husband Drobsin Erdo Evno,
their aunt Pomobo Asosh Onyx Varvol, and his concubine Benekne Curlides-Stenn
he boasted. To some Sage of Lat-Nam Isle, Vidothra he mentioned over fourteen
thousand Dark Elves, 5,800 Satyrs, 1,200 humans, 2,800 Goblins, 883 Orcs in the
garrison of Naxnonoth. This city-state's barracks also consisted of 2,364 Cloak
Sirens. In her mind she recalled the barracks also included the sparring
constructs, which were used for training. This Lat-Nam Sage offered 515 of his
1,173 constructs to be used as combatants. Her father took this offer with a
gift of his own, a chest full of valued coins, and give servants to take back
home. One to act as a maid, another as a punching bag, a third to cook for him,
the fourth to accompany him, and the fifth as a playmate. Opposite Angelsin sat
a Scatter Arc Gearsmith Prodigy Artificer, one of 22 who joined her father's
ranks. Her own companions chimed in a few times about the various weapons the
VUVR might use against their enemies. Count Kurn smiled slamming his napkin on
the table. It made a bit of noise hitting the table.
"Dark Elf Refugee Pilots will be serving these VUVR. Our own kind are
being used against us in this conflict." He boasted aloud drawing
attention of the entire table. "These refugees have become weapons to use
in this current conflict against anyone who is not Vestrisian. It reminds of
what many Vestrisians go through when they are given a choice between
imprisonment or servitude, life of poverty or military profession. Somewhere
deep those kingdoms 290 children of the Meadow Schools sentenced to the Black Coat
training."
"Shall we change the subject; the war has not even reached our shores.
Nor will it come to Naxnonoth." Her eldest sister suggested putting down
her spoon to show she was done with her own thick blood soup. It was not real
blood, but juices, or contents of tomatoes, and another red fruit that was
mashed together along with onions, garlic, and other herbs added.
"Yes let's do that. Um father there are some people missing in the
streets-." she attempted to address what she discovered.
"Likely sick, stayed inside, on another part of the city-state, away,
or at work." He cut her off throwing some explanations. Those did sound
reasonable reasons for people to appear missing. Yet most Dark Elves work on a
certain island. His concubine nestled her breasts on the table drawing his
attention away. She rubbed them on the table while blowing him kisses.
Curlides-Stenn gave her this fake "I am prettier than you" expression
that was really a way of saying you can leave. Her other sister grabbed the
whole bottle to herself. The eldest sank into her seat, and the rest of the
family sat in horror. She could tell their thoughts rested on
"Mother" Onyx Vothir. A High Priestess who held the peoples' hearts,
interests, and awe was ditched for another. He got up to feel Curlides up in
front of the table.
Not sure if she wanted to watch Angelsin got up to storm away from the
table. Angelsin's companions got up to join her as she led them towards the
Manor study. As the one daughter who got involved in the defenses and
overseeing necromancer results, Angelsin possessed keys to his studies, some
military vaults, prisons, and dungeons. Pouring through some file cabinets,
drawers, and a safe she found some letters with unfamiliar names on them.
Plucking them up Angelsin read through the written letters that hinted at
kidnappings, abductions, and a massive trap meant to infect their enemies
around them. At first she could make sense of if until it hit her. She just
found a clue about her father's plan for the city while noticing some people
missing. Reading another letter, she discovered his plans on turning the entire
population into zombies with the use of some drug they created in the labs with
some necromancy involved. Love for her father drained from her as he planned to
destroy her only home, Naxnonoth. She visited other places around the Valde
Sea, Southern Islands south of Ottante, and Evusia. Stuffing the letters into
her dress Angelsin returned to the table hoping to confront him. Everyone left
except the guests, servants, chefs, and his concubine. One guest felt up
Curlides while he spoke to a Gears Artificer in a suite, and a pin in the shape
of a cog on his left breast. The other guest had a male half elf bent over the
table as if he was about to violate the male.
Seeing her father was focused on entertainment she took her leave for her
own home in the southeastern part of the islands. A full week went by when word
reached her about more hopeful lackeys joined him. A total of 351 Gears
Renegades with radical idea join her father's ranks. It was right after she
discovered another clue in the city in the center as well as the one on the
southeastern part of the islands. One of his scientists, Dr Shelhoff a squat
hunchback goblin-dwarf hybrid had his entombers at work near the least
populated parts of the islands. She saw just 76 out of 277 of Dr. Selhoff's
entomber zombies found fresh victims for her father's plan, the wretched of
their thralls. Wondering if she could somehow foil his plans by adding
something else to their defenses, she went to the training grounds of some
military islands. After negotiating some deals, she managed to get 800 jousting
dummies and one piston fist cyclops construct placed in the reserves of city
defense. That did not work. Grabbing up the young wizard and other artificers
she managed to convince them to side with her and end this necromancy.
One full month went by as she made orders for 513 explosive apparatus's to
be built. With alchemists, and artificers at her disposal she managed to make
plenty of the explosive devices and others right as the Vestrisians began their
bombing campaign of any collaborators to the invaders, and Vullanese allies. It
forced all the civilian Dark Elves, and their thralls to evacuate their homes
for Vidothra, and other neighboring city-states. It was one way to foil her
father's plans, which she herself did not plan. A few more weeks went by with
more of her father's zombie creations being destroyed by bombs, or shot by
Nazdar Grevaskii sent to the island as reinforcements. While checking their
garrison she noted to a Grevaskii commander that each non-Dark Elf fought in
the stead of a Dark Elf of Naxnonoth. In her mind she hoped to leave this city
before the bombs detonated upon her command. She gave it a couple of more days
before packing up as if she was evacuating. Gathering the small troop she
rallied Angelsin stole one of her brother's pleasure vessels and sailed towards
the Vullanese Islands. With intensions of acting as a refugee or castaway she
sailed around the city-state at night before giving the signal. 1,011 bombs go
off on that island port city-state that she once called home. She watched Naxnonoth
blow up in a fiery explosion that destroyed most of the cities.
Crossing the line by invading the Vullanese Islands was what it felt like as they climbed into the vehicles. In her mind she knew they could face fierce retribution from the two alien invaders. Landing with a force of ten to seventeen thousand the Vestrisians sought to chook a main island off. Yes, it was closer to Vullanese turf, which technically brought them behind enemy lines along the sea borders. Part of a unit made up of different races, backgrounds, types of military personnel Private Jordan Rozback Kazzarie held the military job of combat engineer/mortar team. This job required digging trenches, constructing pill boxes, setting up machine gun nests, or defenses. Even foxholes were required to be dug by her and a team of others who were not pulling mortar team duty. Somehow her attempts failed while in training and her first weeks in this war. She did everything by the book, and what the instructor said by numbers. Choosing not to let this hinder her persistence and determined mindset Jordan rushed on the landing zone. Only this time she was not going the field as a combat engineer in construction.
Landing on an area called the Sea Gate Oracle this female Orc's unit of 1,248 Orcs, Goblins, half-Orcs, half-Goblins witnessed what mages called Grasp of Phantoms used on their first landing parties. Only a few hundred targets at a time was all the Vullanese could pull off before retreating or finding a bullet in them. Five days ago they overheard the accounts of disturbing Forbidden Alchemy being done on humanoids. Taking this island was a priority. Behind their Orc, Goblin unit, a battalion of 309 Caregiving Clerics would land once the beach head was secured. As their boots hit the wet sand dozens to scores of her countrymen opened fire. Nothing could stop the VUVR from landing more units. Engaging hostiles combatants occupied 320 Borderland Rangers, 380 Highland Berserkers, and part of her own unit. Two hours went by in the fight over the beaches. To the east, their own forces assaulted Vullanese forces on the main island of Asnar.
Putting all her focus on the island, Jordan raised her weapon, a mortar then placed it on the sand. While their vanguard units, and other waves of units pressed their assault, mortar teams deployed on the taken ground. Setting it up with three others would not be so difficult if they had a building as cover. A hollow metal pipe tube on a metal base with bipod mount and sight. This weapon fired or launched projectiles in an arch pattern where the shell hits the area of designated target. No more than twelve mortar teams landed on the beach sector with thousands of other personnel. Despite being in the back they still succumbed to gunfire or stray bullets.
On their part of the landing Invasion Jordan's unit decimated 243 Vullanese Infantry, 638 humanoid combatants touched by Forbidden Alchemy, 376 Combat automatons. One hour later Jordan's own unit pushed forward at least a league and a half into the island. With her team she pushed forward following the second and first waves which now blended into one. Carrying the mortar she could see corpses among the blood, carnage, destruction, shot up sheds, guts spilled, bodies with bones exposed. A variety of stenches wafted into her Orc nostrils, blood, filth, shit, burnt wood, torched clothing, vomit, the insides of torn up corpses. Near some of the buildings used as defenses she found a few dozen dead Vullanese in the traditional military uniforms of orange and blue, or in modern military uniforms of tan, or grayish. Some had single breasted uniforms, padded leather armor called Arcane Padding, Nazdar fatigues, studded insulated armor, diagonal breasted, buckled, and laced. Each type of armor and uniform were now stained with blood, covered in bullet holes, punctured by debris.
In the process of securing another part of the beach head she overheard their colleagues to the southern part engaged a sizeable force. Whatever the island defense consisted of were more than what they could chew. Her whole unit moved south, allowing another unit, a battalion to take their place. Ten days of fighting brought them to the flanks of entire companies and small battalions. About six or more units of 285 Bishop Soldiers, 397 Palace Sentinels, 277 militia, 420 hired Buccaneers, 346 Vullanese Thirsting Shades, 421 Chaine Web Mages, 400 Grevaskii that were sent over. Each day they gained or destroyed a structure. Hours of fighting with the only undervalued music was gunfire, artillery, and grenades creating a ballad. Along these coasts of Asnar's twelfth island, they captured more buildings. These captured buildings included a merchant bank, a Theologian's Master Guild, cannon foundry, Inn, Warehouse, 4 workhouses, a complex, Apothecary Guild, two noble homes, Tavern, a fountain, a large well, and merchant shop. Most of the fighting left 29 other homes shot up, 6 taverns shot up, captured and ruined. One shipwreck was seized along with a Manor by the beach. Nearly 116 houses, 10 shops, lay in ruin from the invasion. A bakery was captured, two intact watch towers became theirs to use, four cemeteries lay in their hands. Prisoners numbered 448, 261 of which were wounded while 87 of whom went turncoat. Among these prisoners VUVR Military Police found five arcane revolutionists in their half traditional half modern clothing styles. Both seemed unimportant yet one of them wielded accumulated knowledge of the invaders' inner circles. One trove tracker who went awol during the fighting to discover pirate prizes found themselves in a trap. A lone spontaneous arcane artist rogue who inspired sabotage got beaten to a bloody mess. It did not sit well with the commanding officers in charge of this invasion. What did not sit well with a neutral faction was the apprehension of 48 alchemist apprentices. The neutral state of Rudeene sent one small fleet of four ships, which only distracted the V.U.V.R. navy in the regional waters. After the confrontation was resolved they resumed operations. One full day of the confrontation delayed a possible takeover by a few days.
When their forces pressed further they found more islands trailing from the island they just seized. Inside a street within the port settlement a Court Denizen suffered a spell blast and grasp spell from a Champion Monk. Both found themselves capture, arrested, taken prisoner as a result. Entering a less damaged street a small convoy what a turncoat mage called a cobble brute. First appearing like broken up portion of the street and raised heaps the arcane golem rose up to attack the convoy. It destroyed one vehicle while an Elite Skirmisher suffered some seal arcane spell that brought doom to the target. Going towards the other side they found themselves watching over prisoners of war, civilian clearing traps. On this island a total number of 3,441 or more civilians stayed behind, 761 of whom joined the VUVR forces. Within other parts of the streets 178 Elf Warriors sent over arrested 334 looters, their elites came across hundreds of spring jaw traps. Any remaining Vullanese forces pulled back to a forest island trailing off the one they just invaded. Their forces would pursue, but a mob of 382 vandals defaced 357 statues and busts. It incurs Demon Grasp traps on most of them. Only eight vandals died, seventy-four severely wounded, and sixteen went missing. The rest of the vandals came under arrest while a brigade and a half of VUVR personnel pressed on the forest island.
Known as Steveshair this island was covered in plenty of foliage that the trees appeared to line the beaches like a palisade. Easy to hide troops in this island became the main go to for the Vullanese. Their own navy would open fire on that island since the neutral fleet lingered and the Nazdar sent a small one to harass them. Returning their attention to Steveshair Isle Goblin free runners were seen racing towards the island using bridges, boats, rafts, and the shallowest parts. Just a couple of their own units went in. One battalion of 330 Hardy Veterans, and a company of 271 under the command of Major Abzon. Just as the combined units of 600 Orcs, Half Orcs moved in their Generals sent more available units. Her own unit spared, 259 of their own. Jordan Kazzarie found herself and ten other mortar team members moving in with their comrades. Inside this forest island they found a few labyrinths hidden inside Steveshair Isle. Narrowing the fighting down to this location their forces engaged a unit of 287 Goblins who called themselves Battershield Warriors, 260 Vullanese Troopers/Allied Knights called the Knights of Obligation, 158 Loyal Cathars backed by 263 Pirates of a Fleet Boarder the Vullanese managed to hire.
From her position Jordan launched the shells down on the enemy positions. Cracking of rifle fire, rattling of machineguns, popping sounds of grenades, explosions from mortar rounds went in sync with fires that sprang up along with clouds of dust and dirt. Splinters hit as many objects, and personnel in their path. Fires started on the island from various sources including a few accounts of arcane inferno used by a mage who was shot up by a forward firing team. All the noise of war filled the air around this island as their fleet and aircraft engaged the Vullanese for a short period. Screams and gunfire entered her ears between explosions as she loaded one shell after the other. It was her duty yet it made heart sink as it dragged on. Yes she wanted to fight, but she prayed for a quick short war. What relieved was seeing zero civilian corpses among the dead as they cross to the end of Steveshair Isle. Along the way she carried the mortar that was still warm. The Orcish rage in her sort of kicked in, but she was able to maintain it as hardly any combatants were left on the island. Something else was seen on this island. She spotted a Geist of the Moors during a Burden of Guilt the Vullanese held for their dead before surrendering. A Geist of the Moors in Vestrisia/Valde Isles was a humanoid who acted as a fiend to travelers.
At the end of Steveshair island they found more of these islands some of the prisoners spoke of. More islands to take is all she could think as they gathered their forces. Combining units of companies they fielded 475 to assault this island. Fortune smiled on the VUVR here as commanders pulled 370 sailors from four of six ships. With at most 845 soldiers and sailors they pressed on the next island called the Verdant Haven. Crossing over to this island each member of the invading force witnessed an attack by an estimate of 430 aerial attackers. Through binoculars their captains noted 438 skirmishers using kite gliders to pull off an attack on a destroyer. Several made their way to them due to wind currents. Her own unit opened fire on their ground forces. Each glider went down into the sea while one crashed into the sands near them.
After interrogating the prisoner, they discovered elven islands forming archipelago. They just took two or three of them. As for the island of Verdant Haven shield automaton constructs defended it. Alongside Vullanese combat mages these constructs were set to be used to fight the VUVR advances. One of their own allies attempted to attack this archipelago. Sending a force of 1,300 this ally found their forces crushed by these constructs. That was last year when the Vullanese had a stronger force to face their smaller enemies. Now it was weakened with mages using whatever they had in terms of spells. One of their own Lieutenants raced ahead only to find themselves partially disfigured by a wave of sand and salt water that rose up to grab them. The work of a major is all they concluded as the mass of sand, foam and shells forced him down. It had to be a powerful grip to keep an Orc down. Some of their own riflemen found the culprit hiding behind some brush before getting shot then pummeled. Each rifleman found themselves hit with arcane blast meant for minimus containment from a handful of mages.
Just a single mage raced back to the settlement that occupied this island. Three more were shot up while the last mage found surrendered scare out his mind. Revealing themselves as a Touched Soulmender known as Hadda Basilean they unveiled information to them. This Hadda flat out betrayed the Vullanese by revealing there are 33 other Mages defending two Verdant Havens with 278 Armory Guards, 11 combat professors, 276 pupils, 480 Guardian Automaton constructs and 470 Rusted Sentinels. Between the two Verdant Haven Islands, 800 priests, monks, acolytes, and associates run the islands that appeared as one. All the structures on the islands made the illusion of a castle or palace.
Forced to press further into these islands they found most of the constructs mentioned falling apart as they moved towards the VUVR personnel. Taking out these constructs wasn't as difficult as they first believed. Most had rusted pieces, remained unrepaired from the last fight, or left with no fuel. Yet chasing the humanoid, and living combatants proved a little jolting as they appeared from doorways, alleys, corners, and narrow passages. Some even forced them to give chase in places. A bad idea when y coming against a raging Orc who charges like a bull or bear when triggered. Each of the noncombatants raised a white flag hoping to presume their daily tasks. According to one of cooperative priests who took charge of the constructs, these islands were once attacked by 1,120 attackers who coordinated a charge on them. This charge was halted with help from Rusted Sentinels. Her own commanding officer took note of this as they came across more rusted ones falling apart, jolting, jerking, wobbling with each movement. Claiming these islands in the name of the VUVR allowed them to find bridges to the rest of the islands. It seemed strange for the Vullanese to let these bridges be taken without destroying them. A hint the Vullanese were starting to give up on this fight. Being a part of the Asnar Islands sent mournful feelings towards their fate. She knew whose side she was on yet inside felt sorrow these Vullanese. Orders pushed them across the bridges to the remaining islands. More units arrived to help them speed up the takeover. One company of Rangers full of young faces made the first advance. Directly behind the two Verdant Haven Isles rested an island called Ahenakir. Larger than the Verdants Havens combined this one used to be a volcano that collapsed in on itself. Five villages and one town rested on this island of Ahanakir.
Towards the center their units discovered some layer of night monster who was slain centuries ago. According to a local 350 or so Dusk Warriors avenged a victim of some night monster that came. A tale that intrigued the Vestrisian mind. Jordan pondered over the culture and lives these Vullanese lived. She thought she overheard that monsters from other planes of existence would come to these islands. However very little resistance was shown from the Vullanese side of this conflict in the Valde Sea. Due to the overwhelming force of the V.U.V.R. assault, this island was given up easily. Six settlements semi-full of the inhabitants. Ahenakr were surrounded by foliage, old ruins, wildlife, downed aircraft, altars, shrines, plenty of wells. Last thing they expected was for the remaining inhabitants to hoist V.U.V.R. colors. Hoping to keep the Vestrisians from watching them or apprehending them, 367 of these people pack up to evacuate. their unit's commanding officer, Major Balagog ordered from them to search these villages for any hidden tunnels, or caches. What they found was abandoned homes, cellars, and shops. One night they slept before pressing onto the next island. The name escaped her mind as it was brief and went past her own head.
All this island was in this archipelago of islands seemed to be the designated park or pleasure garden-forest. Going through this island appeared easy, creating an eerie atmosphere around the Vestrisians. Too quiet for their comfort her unit sort of rushed to the next island. On the other side of this island sat a castle like city on two close nit islands. More of a castle than one unleashed something from the gates. As a whole Orcs, half-Orcs, Goblins, half Goblins, half elves, humans, Zedirians wiped out two defiant strikes made on their advance to this castle. One defiant strike used 380 beasts clad in different types of armor mixed with different attire. Defiant strike number two fielded 370 mutations that belonged to a horror story. Some had tubes, metal staples, bolts, wires, alchemist experimentation showing and automaton limbs. Entering this castle, they found an Ogre Jail Breaker dealing with a fake werewolf after a wall of runes was demolished by a blast using an arcane shell in one of the mortars. Inside a chamber they found a Key Master Rogue gored by a tusk from an already stuffed trophy head. No doubt the work of the fake werewolf who now lay dead on the floor.
Deeper into this castle island they found chambers leading to caverns underneath the castle. Inside was a series of tunnels, cavern, chambers and grottos. Here they came across an Apothecary Merfolk cleric aiding a Vullanese armed with Mattock. Wrapping up their wounds from a recent quarrel that ended badly this merfolk allowed themselves to become a prisoner to the VUVR personnel. While bringing the pair of prisoners up to the main chamber they heard a great deal about intended kill contracts placed on 293 targets using ill-gotten inheritance. Apparently, the entire archipelago was their goal in terms of ownership. Instead, they received enough money to buy a manor. It was not what they wanted in the first place. Yet as they brought them to the commanders being held prisoners was not wat they wanted either as they saw this archipelago fall into Vestrisian hands.