Chapter 12 - The Hosts of Orhan
With the Period of Destruction close to their end magic began to increase in power to the point where it was hard to control even the simplest spells. Many magical items and artefacts went wild, randomly discharging their power or simply exploding, taking many an inexperienced wizard to his death.
It is thought that one such accident was responsible for the explosion that caused the near total destruction of the Magic Academy of Phelann on the island of Memee.
In the middle of the summer three more wards gave out, releasing the liches Kul-Thor, Chrotos and Thronar upon the torn continent of Myaasia. Kul-Thor was by far the most powerful of the three and his army the greatest, so Chrotos and Thronar accepted his command over their armies.
Their combined strength was greater than any of the armies unleashed before. Kul-Thor turned his army to the west, and while it was marching he went north to Zerim, where he slew the renegade lieutenants of the deceased Clagor, uniting the splintered groups and, not content with the frozen lands in the north, led this host south to unite it with the rest of his army.
The gargantuan host of unlife passed the inner sea and reached the lands mostly untouched by the ravages of the other liches so far. No one can imagine the destruction and killing that must have happened in these months and still retain a sane mind. Those who were able to flee the destruction would be haunted by nightmares for the rest of their lives.
But finally the resistance was forming. All the Lords of Orhan had gathered their followers and prepared to meet Kul-Thor on the field of battle.
Just west of the inner sea, Kuor and Valris raised the standard for all to rally to stand against the unlife:
From the southern continent of Emer, Iorak led those that had survived Furthar’s onslaught.
From Govol, Storm and Teris guided the survivors of the civil war that had devastated the lands there towards the banner.
Crog had forged an alliance between the surviving followers of Krao and the remains of the Uruk-Hai that had been destroyed by Xodur’s army and joined his fellow gods.
Chondra had gathered the scattered people of the plains, who had suffered most in the wars so far.
Reann arrived at the head of his host, already battered by numerous battles all over Myaasia.
Kieron, still weak from his ordeal with Furthar appeared, more grim than anyone had ever seen him.
Finally Am arrived, leading a small company of heroes from the Thousand Islands, where the free people of Vesper had overthrown the imperial occupation and were now ready to join the last battle for the survival of Myaasia. The army was commanded by General Painia Sevier and included such famous personalities as Lady Ders and Belli'mar Juraveil who sadly did not return from the battle.
Also in his host were a number of dragons, for though Ferder had suffered hard losses in the Dragonwar, they had still sent troops to this battle.
Much to the surprise of all the others one last host joined the army: Greyre and his followers kept mostly to themselves, but still went into battle alongside the Lords of Orhan.
Others besides the gods and their followers joined the host as well: Numerous dragons of all colours and clans, giants, goblins, kobolds – even a clan of driders and a small contingent of the CALF and the ALFC (they had decided to put aside their differences for the time being) – they all flocked to the banners.
It is impossible to put into words what those who were part of that army felt. I have talked with survivors and when they tell of the days before the battle - the apprehension, the fear, the gods themselves walking among them – there is a certain look in their eyes… A look that tells of the pride they felt, but also of the fear. The glory of the gods, but also the doom that would cloak Myaasia should they fail. The comradie they shared with beings of all other races, but also the sorrow they felt when those comrades died before their eyes scant days later.
But those days would not last long, for Kul-Thor gathered his army to meet the Hosts of Orhan in what would later be called the Battle of the Gods…