Bloody Day of Atonement in Empire

Saturday Night there was blood at Chaston’s Temple, There was blood where Hendoran Nobles gathered, there was blood spilled from the green-haired lady, and so many deaths. Catch up with the visions & leading events by Rovvigen, Town Crier correspondent:

http://bit.ly/2bshncF

Category: Towns
Topic: Wehnimer’s Landing

Date: 08/28/2016 05:17 PM CDT

From: WLEONARD

Subj: We need to get to Talador, NOW!!

Wehnimer’s Landing South Ring Road
By Rovvigen

Feastday, Phoenatos 27th

A small group of local residents gathers around the small well next to the palisade. As individuals watched the horrid visions of happenings in Talador coming from the well, many had thoughts of revenge and disgust in their hearts.

Within the well, a pool of greyish-blue water appears.

Pale motes of golden light flicker among the grey-blue water, drifting about like bulbous fireflies just beneath the surface.

A young woman arrives with an empty bucket. She looks at the line of people and sighs. She then sees the swirling, grey-blue water in the well. She shakes her head and walks back home.

Within the grey-blue water, images begin to take on a more sharp, distinct view. A pair of bridled oxen move down a lane, hauling a dark-haired teamster and a wagon full of bricks. Across the road, two soldiers stand guard on a corner, a white square on a field of black on their tabards. Behind them is a tall blood marble pillar with a broad white banner emblazoned with a golden crown.

The sound of a loud church bell rings out, echoing from deep within the well.

From within the well, voices can be heard. “We will rise.”

From within the well, voices can be heard. “We will fight.”

From within the well, voices can be heard. “We are Blameless.”

From within the well, voices can be heard. “We will rise.”

Within the grey-blue water, the great mountains of Talador rise in the distance. Standing as a monolith among the city, is a huge white marble temple upon a hill. Carved stone steps rise from the base of the cobblestones creating a steep slope up to the entrance of the grand structure. All along the steps, statues of all Arkati are represented. Many of them have been smeared with blood at their feet.

Within the grey-blue water, a sea of white winds up the stone steps of the temple like an elongated alabaster serpent. Beneath the glow of the moon, a host of white-armored men stand along the steps, crown-shaped scars burned into their bald scalps. At the high point of the stairs, before the temple’s doors, a huge white-cloaked figure stands, his back to the steps.

Puptilian says, “Chaston isn’t a large man. Most likely Drangell.”

Within the blue-grey water, the huge white-cloaked figure turns around, casting aside his hood. Drangell smiles, wide, and wicked. The sea of white soldiers below him reflects in his wild eyes. Along his arms and neck and shoulders, dozens and dozens of wounds are present, each one slowly healing as you watch.

Within the grey-blue waters, a dozen white-robed priests appear from behind Drangell, carrying with them golden chalices, brimming with a sanguine liquid. Each priest steps before a row of Blameless, handing the ornament cup forward. One white-armored crusader takes a sip, then another, then another. Slowly, the cups pass along the columns of soldiers.

From within the grey-blue water, Drangell’s voice echoes out, as if right beside you, “My Atonement is at hand! Let my blood make amends for my wickedness! May Koar ignite in you the everlasting life, may you cheat the final curtain of death as you bring the God-King’s justice to this world!”

A young woman walks by and shouts, “It is not too late to know the Light of Koar! It is not too late to walk in his grace and be bathed by his glory! Turn from wickedness, embrace the God-King!”

Within the blue-grey water, the images faded. Soon they are replaced by another scene. You see the inside of a hall, with a long wooden table and high-back chairs. Some servants move about in the corners of the room, while a handful of men sit around the table, talking and drinking. On each of their hands is a signet ring depicting the image of a blue phoenix on a field of silver. Behind then, hangs the banner of Talador as well above a hearth.

Within the blue-grey water, there is a loud crack, as the doors of the meeting room explode inward. The men and servants scramble, alarmed and uneasy. Within the open door, Prelate Chaston stands, his eyes golden and glowing. Two dozen Taladorian soldiers stand behind him.

Within the blue-grey water, the Lords of Hendor ruling over Talador reach for weapons, drawing steel and throwing over the table. The Taladorian soldiers flood the room, ruthless and savage, screaming to Koar as Chaston stands on, watching. The conflict is quick, both sides experts in battle, but the sheer numbers overwhelm the Lords of Hendor, and the Taladorians slaughter each one in a brutal, bloody display. One servant survives, whimpering in the corner.

Within the blue-grey water, Chaston approaches the servant in the corner.

Within the blue-grey water, the servant whimpers, looking up with tear-streaked cheeks. A pool of urine spreads beneath him. Chaston smiles, catching his eye. Chaston whispers something unheard, and the servant begins to claw at his own eyes, scratching at his face ruthlessly until he collapses.

The water within the well churns again, the images changing. Another scene appears. You see a grey-cloaked red orc, scaling the exterior of a huge white temple.

A few young children awkwardly march through the street, clumsily trying to keep in step with one another. Between giggles, they chant, “Praise be to Koar and his everlasting Light.”

Within the grey-blue water, the red orc comes into clearer view. He drops through a window, landing in a large spherical chamber. The marble floor is white and pristine. At the end of the chamber, a huge glass coffin rises up like a crystal sarcophagus. Witin the vessel, a green-haired woman resides, her eyes frozen in surprise.

Within the grey-blue water, the rec orc pads slowly towards the coffin. He reaches into his cloak and pulls out a small crystal talisman filled with a bubbling cerulean liquid. He places it along the side of the coffin, muttering something, as the liquid begins to drain out of the talisman. Suddenly, doors within the walls of the chamber open.

Within the grey-blue water, the red orc suddenly snaps around, instantly drawing his kelyn-bladed longswords. His snarl says it all, as the chamber begins to fill with white-armored soldiers. The crystalline surface of the coffin behind him begins to slowly melt away.

As folks in the landing watch the visions in the well human militia pikemen continue to charge in and out of the area
A human militia pikeman charges in!
A human militia pikeman charges in!
A human militia pikeman charges in!

Within the grey-blue water, the crystalline coffin’s front side finally melts away. The green-haired woman lets out a labored gasp of breath, her eyes squinting in rage. The red orc sniffs, as more Blameless step into view. The orc’s eyes widen, and he turns and retreats towards a window. The Blameless rush in, and the green-haired woman shouts loudly, a cascade of gold and green flames leaping from her fingertips, washing the entire approach of white-armored crusaders in a glowing viridian fire!

Within the grey-blue water, the entire chamber glows with an emerald light from the dancing flames. The red orc is no longer seen. The viridian fires continue to lick the walls and floors of the hall. The green-haired woman steps down out of the coffin.

Within the grey-blue water, the wall of emerald flames continues to burn. Suddenly, the host of Blameless march out of the fire, their flesh scorched and bubbling with pus. Their bodies begin to regenerate as they rush towards the woman, their bodies still wreathed in flames but unstoppable.

The Mayor of Wehnimer’s Landing informs folks to pay close attention.
Puptilian says, “Pay close attention. As you can see that is the results of everblood. And more dangerous then what we witnessed so far in the Blameless.”

Wiithin the blue-grey water, the emerald flames still rage violently. The army of Blameless grow in size, rushing through the viridian inferno. The green-haired woman begins to utter another spell, just as a huge giantman leaps through the wall of flames, the fire searing his flesh and his response is laughing wildly back at it. A huge greataxe arcs up over his head, and as the woman tries to gesture, Drangell buries his axe into her slender form, cleaving her from shoulder to hip, her body collapsing under the weight of his strike and crashing against the coffin.

(Woman with green hair was Lady Noralia, an Imperial Drake, who was murdered by the hands of Dragnell himself.)

Puptilian says, “We need to break the curse of the everblood if we are going to win this war.”

Within the well, the grey-blue water suddenly goes back to normal.

Many people joined the Commander and got ready for battle (from the Landing) as the marched into the city of Talador through the purple fog.

After the well water returned to normal the Commander of the Hendoran Outpost which is located outside the landing in Lower Dragonsclaw arrives after townsfolk witness the gruesome and chilling visions that took place in the city of Talador.
Sir Thadston just came marching in.

Speaking slowly to Thadston, Aydan says, “I think you’re the only surviving Lord of Talador at this point, too.”

Thadston clenches his jaw.

Speaking to Thadston, Puptilian says, “We witnessed it. They perfected taking the everblood from Drangell and giving it to the blameless. Her fire spells did not stop them.”

Speaking to Thadston, Puptilian says, “We need to find a way to counter that curse.”

Thadston says, “We need to get to Talador.”

Thadston says, “NOW.”

Puptilian recites:
“Save the orc, Save the Hendor Nobles, Kill anything that is from Talador. What you attack and be ready to help as you can”

Thadston says, “We shall move out.”

Thadston says, “I do not know if the portal will keep them from coming to our side.”

Thadston says, “So we must not open it in town.”

Thadston says, “I will not have those horrors released here.”

Thadston says, “Join me.”

Puptilian recites:
“We go to save Hendor Nobles and our Red Orc. Watch what you attack, keep hendor alive, and kill any talador or blameless in our way”

Thadston recites:
“Some of my men will accompany us, and be doing our mission of retrieving the Lords and their families. If you see HENDORAN knights, be wary not to strike them! “

Thadston recites:
“Everyone else DIES!”

Thadston says, “Fight, and defend.”

Thadston recites:
“Fight, and defend. My men will seek out the Lords and their families. If you see the orc, show him the way out.”

Thadston glances at a thick cloud of purple fog.
Thadston throws his head back and howls!

Thadston wanders into the thick cloud of purple fog, disappearing.

Once in the fog people encountered many of Chaston’s Crusaders, Justicars, and Templars.. Bodies once in the fog were piling up within the confines of the North Trail to Talador. Thadston ventured on with his army in tack to the Temple. What seemed like hours passed Thadston showed up and said he had failed at his conquest and his men had all perished.