An imminent declaration of war, Thimon Options

[Will]

Two Starsdays past a group of brand new mercenaries found themselves in a very difficult situation. Rumour has it that they were pulled from their beds to a demonic plane that was under attack from an undead source. Oddly; the source of the attack was from just outside Thimon. The Undead claimed to be followers of the Dark Convergences and their mission appeared to be to attempt to converge other planes with Primus or at least open portals etc.

If rumours are true the party were unable to stop the followers of the Dark Convergences and the demonic army of Doomsayer currently sits outside of Thimon. The army is relatively small perhaps a few hundred demons; they are Doomsayers elite bodyguards, the rest stuck on their home plane.

The party it seems had some success because Doomsayer has managed to keep control of his army whilst he waits for an envoy from the Empire to make contact.

Various proclamations from Doomsayer to the various cities of the Empire state;

We never wanted to be here, we are now stuck here. I don't want war with Primus but our very nature demands it. I am Doomsayer a demon of pacts and I have agreed that my army will not march on a city in the Empire for 28 days. In this time I expect your leaders to find a way to get us home. If not then my army will march on Thimon as I will no longer be able to hold the chaotic ravenous horde back. The choice is yours, I am entirely an entity of my word and my word is never broken.

In other news rumours abound about a new plucky dwarf with no fear who has hit the mercenary scene, a proper dwarf, short in nature and big in courage, fighting off foes much bigger than them. Let's hope that this courageous fighter is seen again!

[Will]

I have had no response and no communication from anyone in authority and your time is nearly up. If no envoy has met with me to discuss re-settlement terms, transportation or some other kind of plan shortly we will march on Thimon to feed. We must be at war; it sustains us. We wish to avoid a fight that will eventually ensure our destruction as 200 of us against all the mercenaries of Primus are stupid odds but a death in battle is better than a death from inaction. You leave us with no choice.

I expect a decision soon.

Doomsayer

[Will]

In response to the call of the Doomsayer, with a flash of light the Lord Knight Tristan appears a short way from the encamped demons. Stopping just short of horses and banners, here for business clearly as opposed to show, the group approaches, expecting to be heard...

[Will]

The small collection of Knights of the Land approached the hoard camped outside Thimon. High above (but not high enough) the rhythmic beat of dragon wings drew attention, the great silhouetted figure present in all minds.

The demons appeared to number around 200, made of muscle and sinew, their weapons covered in crusted, centuries old blood. Covered in small scars all over their skin, the bigger the demon the more numerous the scars. They had a look to indicate that they have been carved into their own skin such was the symmetry of them all.

Six demons stepped forward to meet the Knights; one tall and slender, his scars glowing with pulsating magical power. Those that could read them saw that the runes were clearly incantations commonly used to cast spells known to the wizards of the Black mana dragon. Another of the six was barely visible; evil exuding from his insubstantial form, souls swirling, screaming and begging for freedom. One had longer limbs and a large bulbous head, his skin different to the red and black of the others. It instead had a certain purple hue to it. One of the group was unmistakably attuned to the powers of nature, but twisted and ungodly, maggots erupting from his skin as flies swarmed all over. The decay of the land given demon form. One more, seemingly a bodyguard made up the group. This demon was slim and lithe, beautiful yet unerringly powerful and dangerous. Clearly very powerful her very presence caused the ground to tremble like the earth itself was trying to escape.

From this group Doomsayer stepped forward, fearsome and terrifying, tall and broad as any of the Knights that stood before him. His armour was covered in dried blood, his skin peppered with so many scars that nothing beneath showed. His voice boomed unnaturally but it was clear to Lord Tristan that magic and more besides was at work as the fingers and lips of some of the bodyguards moved almost in-perceptively.

"My name is Doomsayer. It is about time someone, anyone came to see me. I asked for an audience with someone of import so that we may arrange some kind of settlement here on Primus but no one came...……." the demons continued to stare, their lips barely moving. "You are however here now...…. though we never wanted to be here. We are a race of war demons, raiding across the planes but Primus was not a target for us; the mercenary community are simply too much of a deterrent."

The demons as one shifted slightly before continuing. "We were brought here in part because of the faith of the Dark Convergences. They merged part of our realm with Primus. Fortunately some of your mercenaries were... partially successful in preventing the convergence happening fully. On the other hand... they were not successful enough and that is why we were brought here...…."

High above the dragon belched a great bout of fire into nothingness, continuing its gentle circling above the gathered mass. Doomsayer continued, unphased. "I have to say that even with my might I would not have been able to hold back the hoard much longer, such is their thirst for war.... some have already begun to scheme and make plans for war."

Sirac spotted a slightly nervous look amongst some of the bodyguards, but the slender, lithe female flexes her muscles ever so slightly. The rest immediately... calmed? Or was it in fact nervousness, or an air of fear falling over them. Then she spoke. "My Lord has the allegiance of 200 of his personal bodyguard with him, he will if he needs to lay waste to that city of yours...Thimon; of that I have no doubt. But my Lord is wise as well as fierce, as a true Warlord should be." She glanced sideways and the others all nodded... in fear?

Doomsayer spoke again. "She speaks the truth but I wish to avoid war on Primus if it can be helped. So what do you propose?" He drew a breath.

"And is the one known as Uriel the lucky goblin amongst you???"

[Will]

<<please note that the contents of this thread so far have no World Point backing, and is currently just a narrative of what people are asking or directing their character to do>>

As Lord Tristan and his retinue took in the words of the Doomsayer, with the dull thump and accompanying breeze overhead from the dragon's wings, other forces and influences began to gather, or at least... make their presence known.

Abbad and the Obsidian Cabal were first, noted to have appeared, presumably from the Shadows like any good bunch of evil persons, some half a mile from the discussions. A group of maybe 20 mercenaries, they stood, silent, watching. Taking in what was happening across the fields. The stance and message was clear; they were ready to act were actions needed. Different members kept stepping into and out of shadows (where were the shadows coming from? It's a field!), passing messages back and forth to Abbad who listened, gave instruction and continued to watch. Brooding and threatening would be understatements...

Another force, again dark, less potent was seen at work around the outskirts of Thimon. The newly founded Church of Primal Darkness. Their rather... interesting collective devoting their time to building ritual wardings and dark defences around the city. Like the Obsidian Cabal, they showed no interest in involving themselves in the discussions; they seemed content to let Lord Tristan get on with it. But it was clear that they too were expecting a rather more... violent outcome.

And as if to really punctuate the gathering might of Primus, Dave Stone landed a short distance from the Lord Knight, the vast, sinewy bulk of his black dragon causing the ground to shake alongside a satisfying thud. The dragon let off a short gout of flame into the sky, a greeting perhaps, before turning to face the Demons, its nostril's flaring from time to time as it breathed deep.

Lord Tristan, acutely aware of the forces around him, began to speak.

"Doomsayer" he took a step forward to demonstrate his confidence, his shield glistening with Holy light, offsetting the dark allies at his back, other Knights excluded. "Regards this Uriel, you are welcome to wait if you do not bring harm to the land and its people to see if he arrives" Tristan squinted just past the Demon leadership group to see a cloudy shadow discussing something urgently with one of Doomsayers lackeys. Frowning he continued "But you will retreat another 5 miles from the city to continue your wait, else we will bring the fight that you seem so eager to taste upon you, and it will not be one that will bring you the satisfaction that you seek." The shadow had drifted away by now, and Lord Tristan noted that the lackey was now talking to the tall, slender Demon. "The forces of Primus are gathering to meet you, and the fight will be brief. Brutal. Final. We shall not allow you to threaten our people." Doomsayer's lips (were they lips?) curled into what was probably a smile.

"Lord Tristan, clearly you underest...." he broke off as the slender demon approached and whispered something in Doomsayers ear. The smile was definitely a smile now. "Clearly you underestimate me, but that does not concern us. It is to your detriment. We will wait. Here. And you will bring us Uriel. We will not bring harm to the land or its people whilst we wait. Then we shall see where we go from there. How are those for terms?" Behind Doomsayer the slender demon was clearly issuing fresh instructions, communications being delivered throughout the ranks of the 200 assembled behind.

Abbad's eyes narrowed, the dragon's nostril's flared, and the laying of defences by the Church of Primal Darkness continued with renewed vigour. The tension in the air was palpable.

[Will]

With a gentle... noise a smallish goblin in a strange round hat and a pink Shaehan tabard appeared next to Sirac, who took a single step backwards. Taking in the scene around him, Uriel scurried over to the demon, slowing down perceptibly as he got closer, his initially confident small steps turning into far less confident, far smaller ones, the hummed tune on his lips dying away.

As he stood between the glowering Knight and the far too smug Demon he looked at both, who looked back at him.

"Ah, Uriel" boomed Doomsayer. "You have what I asked?" Uriel approached in an almost embarrassed shuffle and looked apologetically around.

"Um, yes Sir, Mr Doomsayer... just please go away now and don't hurt anyone thank you" the words spilled out in a sort of incomprehensible garble before Uriel whipped a small talisman out of his bag and handed it to Doomsayer before retreating. Lord Tristan looked on, his eyes narrowing, tensing ready for whatever came next. On the rise the Obsidian Cabal were all on their feet, the scaled hide of Seven now clearly moving through the ranks eagerly picking out his next prey.

"Thank you... you may go" Doomsayer turned to Tristan. "And so too shall we. There is no longer need to be here, and Thimon should no longer consider us a threat" behind him, deep in the midst of the demons a deeper shadow began to swell. "Farewell".

Stepping from the deep Shadow a new demon appeared, one that had not been seen in this age, in this form. Garbed from head to toe in flowing black robes, a simple skull pin clasped to his right shoulder. His features (how do we know it's a he even?) were... vague, like a shadow that has not quite found the clear light to sharpen the edges, but the power was palpable, almost visible. Through the shadow portal with him a number of other figures, also dressed in black with skulls arrived, taking up defensive positions and stances swiftly, beckoning the demons closer. Following the orders passed down by the slender demons, they did so.

There was no doubt in the minds of anyone watching this unfurl who the new arrivals followed... The Destroyer.

As soon as the new demon arrived Tristan raced forward, followed by his allies, thrumming with gold and ivory power as Sirac waited back a few moments to enact his most potent enchantments and protections. Bringing his sword down in a wide arc, simultaneously drawing his shield up to parry the initial thrust of an attack by a random demon minion, he took aim for Doomsayer's head. Unfortunately the demon stepped back just in time as another, lesser demon leapt to his protection. Tristan's blow cleaved the defender in half but before he could follow up with a fresh attach more demons were interposing themselves between him and his target.

In the centre of the horde, the new foe began chanting at the top of his voice, declaring the tenets of the faith of the Destroyer. The demons around him listened each, crying out "yes" with increasing vigour and enthusiasm.

As Tristan moved in, the Obsidian Cabal launched themselves, mystically, into the fray. Seven, without fear nor regret slipped through the shadows, choosing his best target, and stepped back out again. Behind. The dagger stick swept cleanly through bone and sinew, before he stepped back into the shadows. A manic smile fixed to his face. He was not here to save. He was here for the killing... Abbad took a slightly more restrained approach, keeping his distance and weaving dark magics to steal the vitality from the demons, and conjure dark energies to fell more whilst the rest of the Cabal got to work.

The shouts of the new demon were reaching a crescendo. Barely 30 seconds had passed now since his first appearance but clearly things were moving apace. Doomsayer was nearly with him, his retinue close behind.

The dragon let out a great gout of fire, incinerating 5 demons instantly and leaving a smouldering scar on the ground. Lumbering towards the horde it snapped at and swallowed another demon whole, taking a moment to swallow it down to fuel the next inferno.

The shouting at the centre stopped. 40 seconds had passed maybe. Doomsayer was with the demon.

The Knights pushed forward, hacking demons down left and right. Sirac was with them now and they were pushing harder but only as hard as a band of maybe half a dozen could manage regardless of their strength against a wall of flesh and claws. The Church of Primal darkness were hurriedly adjusting their defensive rituals to a more offensive stance; they had been expecting the fight to come to the city walls.

Doomsayer looked the new demon straight in the eyes. "Yes" he whispered, but it was a whisper that invaded the minds of all around. Sinister, joyous, glad.

And with a final cry (less than a minute had passed) the newest demon raised his arms above his head and called out in words that punctuated the heavens themselves; "Greater Word of Recall!"

Tristan's blade cut into a final demon only to find no more. The trail of bodies behind him were numerous but not numerous enough. His fellow Knights stood breathing deeply, taking in the sudden emptiness around them. The dragon stood chewing on some demonic bones, unperturbed by the shift of events, though Dave dismounted to approach and speak with the Lord Knight. Likewise, Abbad and the high priest of Primal Darkness joined the central group, and they began to converse, and scry as best they could, about what had happened.

Amidst the carnage no one had yet noticed the absence of Uriel. And no one paid too much attention to Seven, stood amongst a couple of dead demons, staring around, clutching his spear dagger, hissing and looking for a new target.

Either way... the demon horde was gone...

But where?