[Balanor]

Word begins to spread throughout Thay of troops quietly mustering in the northern and central tharchs. Little is known of the intention of these troops, but it is speculated by many common folk that a new invasion against one of Thay’s neighbors -Thesk, Rashemen, or Aglarond- may be in the works.

Others swear that under cover of darkness huge golems have been seen moving northward across the plateau of Thay. Yet others claim to have seen them moving south...or west...or east. What is to be believed?

But in the darkest corners, in the dead of night, others speak in conspiratorial tones regarding other motives behind these portents of war. They whisper that the powerful zulkir of Necromancy, Szass Tam, is preapring to make his long-awaited grab at ultimate power in Thay, and this is forcing the zulkirs or tharchions to either stand with or against his ambitions - whatever those may be exactly.

The sense of foreboding throughout Eltabbar and Bezantur is beginning to be felt by even foreigners to Thay as the increased legion patrols are more vigilant, jumpy, and violent. Coupled with the growing violence on the streets between Red Wizards and nobility aligned to the opposing factions, many commoners are becoming even more paranoid and fearful than usual.

Many now cannot help but wonder if Thay is on the brink of civil war, or if it is about to be united under the banner of Szass Tam, under the banners of his enemies, or if what feels to be an impending disaster will somehow be miraculously averted...

[Balanor]

WAR!!!

It is now beyond debate that war is imminent with Rashemen. Over the last several months, an army assembled by zulkirs Lauzoril, Nevron, and Thrul has assembled in the far north. Word swirls throughout southern Thay and the Priador that the enormous army has already marched and is preparing to engage the barbarians to the north. The rumored gem golems are now known to be under their control and will be near-indestructible tip of the spear being driven into the heart of Rashemen.

The leaders of the offensive will command considerable influence and power should they finally succeed in the conquest of the stubborn Rashemaar.

Meanwhile, tharchion Dimon of Tyraturos has issued word that the buildup of troops in his tharch is to continue ensuring the stability of the heart of Thay in the event of any slave uprisings while so many of Thay’s legionnaires have been employed for the surprise offensive.

[Balanor]

CRUSHING DEFEAT!!!

Word reaches southern Thay and the Priador: the seemingly indestructible army assembled by the zulkirs Nevron, Lauzoril, and Thrul has been dealt a crushing defeat in the first major engagement with which it was involved!

At the Gorge of Gauros, an army of rag-tag Rashemaar defeated the mighty Thayan army. Somehow a small band of warriors, some said to be adventurers in addition to the native Rashemaar, knew to infiltrate Thayan lines and concentrate their efforts on the circle of Red Wizards charged with directing the nearly indestructible gem golems leading the Thayan assault. The treachery that led to their assault broke the circle, killed many Red Wizards in it, and zulkir Nevron -who was leading it himself- was badly wounded as well.

With the circle broken, the gem golems were no longer under the Red Wizards control and ran amok, wreaking havoc among the Thayan lines which shortly thereafter led to an all out rout. The few survivors of the Thayan great host are still making their way south to the safety of the northern tharchs. The battle of the Gorge of Gauros was a spectacular failure.

In light of this tragedy, the three collaborators of the disastrous invasion attempt have become politically isolated as several tharchions and at least one other zulkir who were either neutral or allied with them are rumored to have now declared their support for zulkir Szass Tam to assume the regency of Thay and become its emperor.

However, while tensions among the tharchs and amongst the orders of the Red Wizards are said to be at a height not seen in decades -if not centuries- Szass Tam has not yet made any attempt to seize on the power that appears to be firmly in his grasp. Dark rumors whisper that he has even greater plans in store for himself and Thay, and is simply waiting for another moon to pass before he declares himself emperor. It is assured though that, when he does, he will first have to deal with the triumvirate and their few remaining allies in what will surely be a brief civil war...

[Balanor]

Messengers crows fly out from the Central Citadel of Bezantur with instructions for all tribunes of the Priador legion to immediately report to the city.
Additionally, messenger crows from the Red Keep of the Alaor search out tribunes of the Alaor and Thayan Navy legion to immediately report to Naval Base.

While the tribunes affected are tight-lipped about the contents of the message, most realize that the tharchions of the two legions are shoring up their defenses in preparation for a war that may be coming soon...

For any tribunes of the Priador or Alaor legions, please send me a PM for the details of this message.

[Balanor]

Large numbers of undead, mercenaries, and even demons now roam the Priador and are forming up and organizing themselves into ever-larger groups. Aznar Thrul, in his wisdom or folly, has decreed that the members of his depleted legion and allies of the others zulkirs in his tharch are to fight defensively and protect the cities and towns of the Priador rather than ride out to fight multiple smaller engagements against them.

While it cannot be confirmed with certainty, many speculate the force organizing is doing so at the behest of Szass Tam. Yet the legions known to be loyal to his cause -primarily the legion of Tyraturos- have not yet made a move to invade the Priador - last stronghold of the disgraced zulkirs.

Tam’s allies among the tharchions and zulkirs are said to be growing restless with his isolation in the Citadel at Thaymount and his apparent refusal to take what is obviously within his grasp. Likewise, those captains and advisors still standing with the triumvirate question why they appear to be doing exactly what Tam wants - keeping their heads down and not interfering with whatever plans he appears to be working to complete. Perhaps both sides are maneuvering for a decisive strike that will end the current crisis without the mass destruction of more of Thay’s military and magical resources...

But whatever their plans, it has become apparent: the city of Bezantur is in imminent danger of being attacked, besieged, or overrun by the mass of ever-increasing marauders making their way east across the Priador. All who would wish to see the jewel of Thay protected are called to arms, to prepare themselves, and to meet the enemy with swords and spells sharpened and ready to draw blood at the walls and gates of Bezantur within the tenday!


An event will be held on Thursday, September 22 starting at 6:00 PM CST in which the fate of Bezantur will be decided. This is the last open event we will have for the Runes of Chaos campaign, and PCs of all levels are encouraged to join in the carnage if you can make it.

[Vortar the Mad]

His nighmares hooves leaving a trail of burned and cracked cobbles, Vortar spurred his beleagered steed beneath him with vicious abandon. Absently he thought that the creature might die underneath him from the efforts he had pressed upon it..but ground his teeth and mused grimly.."Well there can always be a Tyrant VI".

Arriving at the Citadel in Bezantur his cruel spurs struck sparks from the cobbles and slung a bloody trail as he dismounted in haste. One black look and two edgy legionaire recruits fell over themselves to open the gates for him.

Striding towards the door to the upper level he knocked a maimed sargeant sprawling when did he couldn't get out of the way fast enough. Vortar strode on without a backward glance.

"The maimed and useless should be put down" he thought, "But not tonight, tonight dark news lays spread legged and wet upon the bed of peril awaiting my masters attention."

His Omipotence Aznar Thrul was not a man to be kept waiting, and in the last few weeks his humor had only blackened with the dawning of each day. Vortar knew better than to tarry while bearing dire tidings and so with a cacophanous clanging of armor sufficient to alert all in the citadel he ran up the stairs to his masters appartments.

Finding his masters solar he saw his brother knight at the door and knew his master lie within. Grimly his brother drew his blade and gave challenge, "Who comes before his Omnipotence?"

With practiced speed Vortar sheathed his mighty blade and spent a few seconds removing his helm so his face could be seen before standing before the smaller knight and reciting the phrases given him this morn to prove he was not in imposter come to slay the Zulkir.

His challenge satisfied, the smaller knight opened the door and Vortar strode within and fell to one knee before the tall bald wizard scowling at maps spread out upon his desk.

"Master! I serve only you!" Vortar boomed as his knee hit the stone flagons, his fist crashed against his breastplate with a scream of tortured steel.

With head bowed he waited for his masters acknowledgement, and was rewarded. "Speak!" His master said curtly.

"Yes..my master" Vortar began...and his next few words caused the smaller knight to slam the door in his haste to close it and scowl beneath his helm as he resumed his post...

At the sound of the doors slam, apprentices and knights alike seemed to tense...and wait.

[Balanor]

A cloud of dust rises above the horizon west of Bezantur. Strange creatures and dark crows whirl in the air above it. Haggard, and sometimes bloodied, scouts of the Priador legion rush through the gates of Bezantur to report the impending doom approaching the city. Forgoing any remaining attempts to contain word of the threat, criers announce through Bezantur:

By order of Zulkir Aznar Thrul, all able-bodied souls within Bezantur’s city walls are hereby conscripted into service to aid in its protection. A massive force under no banner or flag approaches the city with the intention to wipe it from the map. Be prepared to aid with destroying the traitorous mercenaries, vile undead, and underhanded demons that threaten it or you will be overwhelmed by the carnage they bring.

The Protector of Bezantur, tribune Ryech Voralt will address his captains and mercenaries now conscripted in the square north of the Central Citadel to discuss the defense of the city. Runners will be sent throughout the city one hour ((15 minutes)) before his address.

This event begins in 1.5 hours from the time of this post.

[Balanor]

In later years to come it would simply be known as ‘The Battle’.

It was epic, horrifying, and exhilarating all at once. Heroism was everywhere. As were the bodies of the dead. The stories of those involved would echo throughout Thayan history. It was a proud day for Thay as the Red Wizards, the Priador legion, and their mercenary allies fought back wave after wave of undead, evil mercenaries, and wicked demons that relentless assailed Bezantur.

Even the powerful and feared of that day and age stared death in the face, barely survived, but came through all the stronger. From Dread Lord Maurin who nearly fell to the vicious attack of an undead Ragewind, to Vortar the Thayan Knight who almost nearly reached the end of his fighting days when stemming the terrible sahuagin ambush from the sea, to the valiant defenders holding the wall against an overwhelming assault while tribunes Diego, Cain, and other legends led the valiant charge outside the walls that broke the assault - all who fought were hailed as heroes, and rewarded.

Their tales are the stuff of legend and the true spirit of Thay - the spirit of resilience, bravery in the face of death, and resourcefulness. But above all, the Battle of Bezantur was a shining example of the amazing power found embedded in the very fabric of Thay. And it was a demonstration of power for all Faerûn that when Thayans unite for a common purpose, no matter their personal beliefs, ethos, or vendettas; the Realm of the Red Wizards is truly a land to be feared and respected throughout the world!

Thanks to all who participated in this event. I personally had a GREAT time! One of my top 5 favorite events - easily!

Please feel free to post your own stories of the battle here or in other threads. As Aznar Thrul promised, rewards will be granted to those who display deeds and stories of their valor or participation during the event.

[Vortar the Mad]

His own labored breathing and and the screams of the dying were all Vortar could hear as he looked down upon the carnage from his nightmare, Tyrant. Broken demon carcasses lay upon the corpses of undead and legionairs alike. Deep pools of blood and demon ichor blended together atop the battlements and ran in rivulets from the spaces in the crenelations making it look as if the very walls themselves were bleeding. Vortars arm hurt from swinging his massive blade, gore in every color of the rainbow covered him from gauntlet to shoulder and he and his steed both bled from a score of minor wounds.


He and the other defenders had pushed back wave after wave of assailants from the walls and gates. From the ground mercenaries and undead had come scrambling up the walls on siege ladders. Vampires had coalesced from an evil green mist that had flowed up to the battlements. Drakenbeasts had flown in mass to the walls and over them. Demons had sprung forth from thin air.. vomited from the very bowels of the underworld in flashes of brimstone and evil power. Even the harbor had been an avenue of attack when the waves washed up hordes of sea devils who had fought bitterly to secure a beach head upon the docks. All had failed...Grimly and with one mind, mercenaries and legionairs, red wizards and thieves, elf , orc, human, hin and half dragon alike had stood shoulder to shoulder and thrown the invaders back.


Now...as dawn threatened to break, all was quieting. The invading army had pulled back out of range of the siege weapons and was remassing. A grim silence had fallen on the wall as battered defenders took a moment to stem the worst of their bleeding and looked out grimly at the invaders who flew no banners.


Vortar knew that dawns approach would cause desperation in the attackers, Demons and the undead were stronger foes when the world was dark, dawn would see that turned to weakness. They would have to come again...and soon. Perhaps in their last attempt...spurred on by desperation they would finally find the strength to crush Bezanturs defenders....but not If he could help it. Urging his nightmare forward, the beasts flaming hooves raising evil hissing as they found purchase in the pools of gore, Vortar grimly set his jaw and hefted his blade again. He would see the attackers pay for each inch they tried to take in blood and pain.


The sharp staccato voice of the Protector rang out upon the battlements breaking the silence as surely as if he had cracked his evil whip. Heads of weary defenders turned towards the tower the Protector of Bezantur was comanding the cities defense from. The supreme military commanders black and silver cloak flapped in the sea breeze as he called out his commands. "The invaders mass for a final push, Hold them at the northwest wall one final time and the day is ours...All of you men most experienced, meet me at the north gate we will END this!"


Soldiers rushed into action clearing the dead from the siege weapons and reloading them as their highest ranking officers headed to the north gate to meet the protector and their fates. Grinning murderously beneath his massive black helm, Vortar spurred his steed and went to join them.


Arriving at the north gate Vortar saw the bleeding edge of the legions steel. The ill tempered tribune Diego San'draxus sat atop an armored nightmare, Captain Durn also was mounted, none of his normal jovialness apparent in his manner, all buisness on this day. Dread lord Maurin himself rode amongst them, radiating magical power in waves. To his right the eerily well manerred necromancer Kaiser sat quietly. Riding hard from the south Vortar saw the unmistakable sillouette of Captain Cain and smiled, long had he known the man and had hoped to see him in the fighting, his greatsword cut a bloody swathe before him a mile wide and his legend cut a path wider still.


The ringing of spurs upon the flagstones drew the huge knights attention as the protector marched towards the assembled captains. More stalwarts strode up and joined those assembled and edged closer to hear the Protector. Hard men all, soldiers and mercenaries some of them unknown to him joined Vortar in awaiting the portectors commands. "We will end this now!" The Protector shouted, "The enemy will attack our walls once more but this time we shall ride out from the north and flank THEM. Drive them towards the defenders on the wall and we shall cut them down, wait outside the gate for my signal and be ready to bring hell...and an end to those that would attack the priador."


A racous cheer went up amongst the men and Vortar smashed his greatsword against his breastplate in salute and shouted, "We will crush them protector! We shall drive them before us to the walls and much will be the lamentation of their women!" Chuckliing darkly the protector turned on his heel and shouted back, "Then await my signal to charge." before climbing atop the wall to command the battle once more.


The ranking Legionaire Diego bellowed orders, commanding Vortar and Cain to be the jackknife vangaurd of the assault, twin juggernauts to split the enemy forces asunder so that the rest could gut the enemy with blades and spells. As the rest fell in step behind them, Vortar rode out the gates, Cain to his right and death over all of their shoulders.


If the walls had appered to be bleeding...the ground outside the northwest wall looked like giant open wound. Broken and mangled bodies littered the field like a macbre carpet. Corpses were stacked taller than Vortar against the walls themselves. Blackened, exploded limbs and less recognizeable portions of half a hundred monstrosities were scattered upon the blasted field. It was as if the collossal hands of a mighty and grotesque god had thrown them like a child throws a hand full of jacks. Undeterred, the mighty warriors assembled rode out into the charnel pit and reigned in.


Dread lord Maurin and the Kaiser of necromancy bruised the air around them as they called forth power from the beyond to ensorcel the weapons of the company and protect it from all manner of magical and visceral attack. Humming with power...the hammer of Priador awaited the protectors call to bring them crashing down upon the enemy and pound them into dust against the anvil of Bezanturs walls.


Vortar shifted his weight and held his "wife" The scarlet whore at the ready. "One more round of kisses for these bastards my lascivious old girl" he thought "and they will have had their fill....OR we feast with Gruumsh and and I will kick the all father in all seven of his holy scrotes for letting his favored son fall!".


The enemy began their final assault with the remnants of their zombie legions bearing siege ladders as before...but then Vortar saw the demons inhuman forms slinking amongst their back ranks and knew the enemy was coming with all it's strength. Grunting, Vortar took Tyrants reins a little tighter and pricked him with his spurs while holding him back, this infuriated the infernal beast and when released he would charge with all his might. Looking over to Cain he said almost playfully, "Count your dead old soldier, we'll see who owes who coins in the afterlife!"


The protector assessed the enemy strategy from atop the northwest tower and with cold tactical precision determined the time was right. The enemy had commited their forces beyond recall. Taking in a huge breath of air he looked across the battlefield to his waiting phalanx and bellowed with the power only a commander of an army can muster, "Charge NOW!" Grimly he smiled as he saw his words made deeds.


Tyrants hooves threw flaming earth and gore high in the air as he tore the earth beneath him, Vortar smiled evilly and locked eyes with the first demon in his path, cleaving it nearly in twain with his strke before his "wife" spread her affections like the whore she was to a vampire at the edge of his reach and beheaded it. "TWO cain!" He bellowed and shot a glance to his right to see the human weaving a tapestry of blood in the air with his own mighty blade. He did not need to look to know that Dread lord Maurin was summoning a mighty spell, he could feel the hair standing up all over his body and the rippling in the air as a fist shaped force of magic flew from behind him to crush a hapless demon into a fountain of foul smelling ichor.

Raising his sword high Vortar brought it down again and again with inhuman force upon the heads of demons before him who tried in vain to claw him from Tyrants saddle. His draconic blood sang with power and his massive blade drew great arcing stripes of gore behind each swing while Vortars world contacted to the narrow confines of each foe before him and the grisly work of bringing it's demise.


When the last of his foes lay dead before him. He reigned in and looked around...They had swept the field of the enemy, nothing stood. Grinning in his helm he started to count the dead when the earth rumbled....Wheeling around he beheld it..


"TEMPUS' BALLS!" he heard a legionaire exclaim and thought the pitiful two testicled human god of war's nether regions far too small a blasphemy for such a horror.

Thirty feet high and comprised completely of writhing corpses, the corpse gatherer strode out from the fading darkness, each stride shaking the very gorund. The necromantic power of the thing assaulted Vortar with such force a lesser creature would have retched. Kaiser must have just befouled his robes in ecstasy Vortar thought.


Having no Idea how to combat such a creature did not stay Vortar's hand though..Cruelly he spurred his mount up to full speed and readied his blade. At the last moment before impact with the foul behemoth he released the nightmares reins and grasped the massive blades hilt with both hands, bringing his full weight and strength to back the momentum of the charging steed. The scarlet whore stuck with such force it threatened to tear Vortar from his saddle. As he clung desperately to his charging mount it nearly felled the steed as well! Though nearly unhorsed the warrior was rewarded to see that his charge had severed the grisly interlocked corses that conmprised the monsters leg! The foul giant tottered for a second..corses releasing their unholy grips upon each other and attemting to scramble over one another to reconstitute the foul abominations severed leg.

Not wasting an opportunity, Vortar reared his mount, drove his blade home in the things chest and leveraging all his prodigious strength...wrenched as he urged Tyrant to surge forward. The creature...of balance already, toppled like a giant putrescent tree!

As it struck the ground with a thunderous, but sickeningly wet sounding thud, the corses that had been interlocked broke free of each other and were tossed into the air. Vortar found himself ringed in closely by at least two score zombies pressing tight against each other in a ravenous press to get at his flesh.


Recovering from his efforts to down the creature he smiled at the odds and thought, "The thing should have brought more zombies...Cain would DEFINATELY owe me coins!". Swinging his blade In a wide arc with force sufficient to fell trees, he easily sliced through a half dozen of the naked rotting things per strike and reduced the two score of them to five score twitching pieces in blisteringly short order.


Peering above the decimated, twitching pile of dead flesh he saw Cain and the others had converged on a second of the monstrosities and downed it as well. With a mighty kick of his boot he cleared a path from the heaped putrescence and leapt Tyrant toward the others in time to slay several more of the second behemoth's profane "progeny".


Quickly he counted the dead and bellowed, "37 Cain!". The lethal Captain grunted and swore, making crude remarks about orcish math in several languages."

Having cleared the behemoths from the field the gore splattered comapny surveyed the battle.


With no more forces to command, and pinned between the walls of mighty Bezantur, the elite cadre that had just slaughtered their mightiest creatures and the approching army of the Zulkirs of Enchantment and Conjuration, the leaders of the invading horde were faced with little choice. Destruction seemed a kind fate compared to the horrors that would be visited upon them by their dread commander and so they went forth to battle.


Deathbringers and Death knights...among the mightiest of the champions of undeath went forward to face the champions of Bezantur in the last minutes before dawn...and were felled. The spells, swords and arrows destroying them in less time than the march to the field had taken.


As the leaders of the invaders fell to Mighty Vortar, Dread lord Maurin, Red wizard Kaiser and the Legions sharpest swords and hardest men...a deafening cheer broke out from Bezantur's Northwest wall.

The beaten invaders, those stragglers and wounded that could, knew they had been beaten and fled the field, the exodus turning into a full scale rout!


As the sun finally rose above the horizon Vortar lowered his blade and watched the remaining enemies flee. Cain...perhaps feeling cheated as he had been stationed in a less strongly attacked portion of the city most of the battle turned to his old friend and said, "We could chase them you know..." Vortar let out a deep rumbling laugh from inside his helm and smiled fiercly back at Cain, "We could old soldier...but if we did who would tell our tale and spread the word?...YOU DON"T FUCK WITH THE PRIADOR!"

[Balanor]

((An extremely enjoyable read, Vortar. I'm sure Zulkir Thrul is closely evaluating Vortar's contribution to the battle. Thanks!))