Rosalind wields Stormpiercer, the Longbow of House Blackwood.

Martino wields an ornate sabre named Glass Splitter.

Ariella wields Revival, a rubicund saber.

Skaldia wields Windweaver, an alaricite longbow.

Caspian wields Charm and Grace, alaricite chain knives.

Stanley wields First Captain of the King's Own longsword.

Titania wields Storm Breaker, a bejeweled diamondplate short sword.

Preston wields Crusader, Blade of the Templars.

The army assembled by the Compact is massive, but even with the sight of armies from every holding in Arvum, the anxiety upon the walls is clearly felt as Azazel's demonic legions come on. Flags of all of the Compact are here, alongside of the Faith of the Pantheon, the Iron Guard, and even those not so easily recognized, with some of the refugees taking up arms on behalf of their new home they wish to hold to the last.

The ground shakes at the thunder of Azazel's demons marching forward. There's some things visible that had not been used in the previous attacks on holdings, including one monstrous three headed giant standing at least a hundred feet tall and wearing battle armor the size of decent sized houses. Looking at Azazel's army is staring into the Abyss itself, and they are hungry.

But the Compact is not without its allies.

((Pre-battle round of trying to rally the troops. There's 102 points of supernatural allies here, with multiple Primordia, so difficulty is downgraded two tiers from daunting to normal. Can check any leadership, social, or war rolls to improve troops through the combat.))

Reese checks command and leadership at normal. Reese is successful.

Caspian checks charm and propaganda at normal. Caspian is successful.

Cerys checks command and war at normal. Cerys is successful.

Vitalis checks perception and empathy at normal. Vitalis is successful.

Ariella checks command and war at normal. Botch! Ariella fails badly.

Martino checks charm and propaganda at normal. Martino is successful.

Pasquale checks command and war at normal. Pasquale is successful.

Elora checks command and war at normal. Elora is successful.

Stanley checks command and leadership at normal. Botch! Stanley fails completely.

Triton checks composure and survival at normal. Triton is successful.

Raven checks command and war at normal. Critical Success! Raven is spectacularly successful.

Lucie checks command and leadership at normal. Lucie is successful.

Preston checks command and leadership at normal. Preston is successful.

Titania checks command and war at normal. Titania marginally fails.

Skaldia checks willpower and animal ken at normal. Botch! Skaldia fails badly.

Austen checks command and war at normal. Austen is successful.

Marina checks command and war at normal. Marina is successful.

Rosalind checks charm and survival at normal. Rosalind marginally fails.

Reese lives on the watch tower at Seawatch gate and so when the battle is starting she comes outside her watch tower while adorned in her pink armor and holding her pink blade. She is quick to join the forces, heading over to the templars who are there. The pink templar says a prayer to Gloria, lifting her voice to carry. "May Gloria be with as we defend the gate. May she guide our blades and be in our hearts and strength our will. May she help give us the strength to defend civilians inside these gates." She says. She tries to blosters the troops her as best as she can.

Acantha checks command and leadership at normal. Acantha is successful.

Jeffeth checks command and leadership at normal. Jeffeth fails.

Romulius checks command and war at normal. Romulius is successful.

Caspian is standing atop the walls armored and waiting..the Primordia Phoenix swoops above him, the flaming bird letting out a challenging cry to the approaching forces. Caspian looked up at the bird and grinned, nodding his head to something shared but not heard. "friends, behold the army driven by fear and hatred. let us show then what it means to be free, to fight for what we love! let us remind them that they do not match to victory, only death! we do not stand alone! we fight for the free!"

[Magic - Cantrip - Bird Speak] As the forces of Azazel approach the Seawatch Gate, Skaldia runs to join the defense. She tries to call all the birbs to help, because birbs are awesome. But maybe the birbs are smarter than she is, or she hasn't /quite/ got the hang of talking in a way that birbs can understand. "Calling all birds! Help us defend Arx!" she calls, trying to talk in birb speak or whatever. Because instead of rallying to the Huntress, they instead fly off in all directions, fleeing the oncoming horde. All of them, that is, except for Libera, and Hawk.

Standing with the Templars, Cerys is here with her spear drawn. The woman bows her head as Reese begins to pray, listening to her words and finding encouragement from them. Cerys isn't one for giving long speeches but what she does say, with her experience in battle is, "protect each other--keep eye out for each other--we are stronger together," sincere words, ones that are spoken with strength and conviction.

Adjusting his helm, Duke Martino Malvici is surrounded once more by Malvici Commanders and members of his own fealty. The red rows of pikemen, archers behind them, infantry to the sides are dominating his sight in the distance. Turning his turning his chin to speak with those around him within his command, his voice pitching slightly here, the Lycene Duke is speaking with his deep tones rolling out. "We saw off one hoard, Citizens of Southport and of House Malvici. Over two-thousand years ago held our position here in Arx. We held back their advance and, today. Today, we do the same. We protect. Neither by chance nor by fate do we claim tomorrow as ours." Lifting his hand up slightly, he is squeezing his right fist together as he instructs the commanders to his left side, "See to it that we do not yield. Not today when we are called upon. This, this is our purpose."

The easy-going, grinning countenance of Marina Redreef is one of those Compact allies that might be unexpected against Azazel's horde - largely because the whole smile is made disconcerting by the fact that pools of darkwater are where her eyes once were. She's giving strategy advice to a small contingent of Redreef soldiers that have followed the lady to the stand at the Seawatch Gate. It appears that they are a cohesive unit, and none among them balk at taking command from their not-entirely-human looking leader.

Vitalis got a glimpse of the breadth of the army from above when they overflew it on the way to Nefer'khat, but that was a horde stretched across the whole of Arvum. Now they are all HERE. "Gods." He bows his head and prays, lips moving silently briefly as his hands curl around Defiance, looped in his hands. He is no battle field commander, or champion shouting promises to friend and foe. He looks around to the defenders he's near, passes with a quiet word or a grim smile, a squeeze on the shoulder or nothing at all for those who don't want witnesses to their fear... he moves among the defenders to bolster in his way.

Rosalind is standing with her family, bow drawn. She grows ready, but murmurs to her twin,"Hey--don't trip or anything. Where you go, I go." Then she looks at Elora and grins a little. "It's been an honor having you in our family."

Triton is not really an officer today, although his oble rank kinda has him in the arean anyway. More like an NCO, though, he is out with the Ravenseye troops and he is focused on the enemy with iron intent. As he steps up beside the men on the line, he growls in a voice that seems to have an actual growl rolling through it, "We fail this and we fail the gods, the spirits, our families! Stand and kill!" Very heartfelt. Maybe a bit more motiating, though, is the fierce calm with wwich he regards the enemy lines. Or maybe ... just maybe it is the way he seems to grow in place, the way his form is overlaid with that of a transucent white bear, the way he expands into that one-ton form and becomes the bear. Might be even better than brave words.

Raven is either bravely or foolishly out at the most exposed point that was still found worthy of being manned for defense with a group of Pravus troops "Remember Lyceum barely broke a sweat sending these nipping nimwits off! Lets hit these foul turd-munchers so hard they feel it centuries from now! HOLD NOTHING BACK!"

Lucie Laurent leans forward against the parapet to peer towards the approaching horde. She frowns out at it for a long moment, taking in this segment of it and that, and then finally, she shoves away from her lean against the wall. A small group of knights from Artshall are with her, and she turns to them, mustering a grin. "Bet I'll get to the giant before any of you do." It's hardly a speech, but it's a show of some confidence, at least, however ill-founded.

Preston has arrayed a sizable contingent of the Faith Militant out towards the gates - sitting back near the command tents in various parts of open ground are the large war trebuchets of the Faith, counterweights slowly rising as they prepare to loose over the walls. As the sound of the enemy comes closer in the distances, Preston nods to the various Knight Commanders assembled and disperses them to their units before he places his sword point into the ground and kneels on one knee in prayer, the Knight Commanders repeating his words to the various Faith Militant units, who kneel. "Gloria, look to your Templars this day and to all who fight with us. May Vellichor grant us the wisdom to know our duty, may Limerance bind us with our oaths, and may you grant us the resolve to hold our honour until the end." And with that Preston rises, and he gestures for the knight commanders to get their troops to rise and into position.

Austen stands on the wall, his claymore gripped tightly in his hands as he watches the demons march forwards, a flicker of fear passing across his face even as he tries to maintain his stolidity in the face of the abyss itself. He turns towards the detachment of forces he's been made responsible for and raises his voice and his sword. "All of us, every one of us, we made promises. To protect the King, the city, our loved ones. We swore an *oath* and today we will fulfil it! For the King! For Arx!" he shouts.

"Gods above and below. Do you feel that?" mutters Ariella, who is standing on a crate of supplies near where Martino gives his lovely speech. "Like the deck of a ship in choppy waters. How many are there?" Before her question can be answered, the sky begins to rain blood and she blanches, raising her hood quietly and jumping down from her perch. She will be inspiring no one at this battle either, it seems.

Acantha wields Icebreaker.

The Storm of Ravenseye stands still and ready, with Elora walking through the ranks. Her gentle manner somehow increases the effect of her words, making her the kind of General who understands their soldiers and how to pump them up before a fight. She makes a point to speak to as many as possible, personally encouraging them to fight for the lives of not just their loved ones or themselves, but for the fundamental right to -exist-. "We must hold this wall, Stormheart," she can be overhead saying. "There is no acceptable alternative, and so we will hold it."

"To the last."

Sir Stanley is still pulling on his armor when the calls to the gate were made. Following behind the King's Own who seek to hold the line. A command to those within the palace to hold their positions only to be left staring at the large massing darkness with thunder of their steps. The old knight drops his helm in fumble to pull it over his head.

Standing amongst those from the Northlands, clad in her rubicund armor stands the Sword of Farhaven like fire incarnate. Sea blue eyes blaze from within her helm, Demonslayer held at the ready as she observes Azazel's army marching forward. Her head slightly cants to the side, listening to the rallying cries of those assembled to fight what is likely to be the perhaps last, and hardest battle of their lives. Morrighan was a warrior more than she was any kind of leader or commander, if nothing else, she glances up to the sky, making a sign to Lagoma. "Aye, to th'last. Now an' forever. I'll make them burn." The hue of her eyes changes briefly, a flickering swirl of red, orange, and yellow.

Elora gives Rosalind a small smile. "Just don't die." To Triton, she leans up just a little to give him a soft, lingering kiss. "Spirits guide you, my Lord," she murmurs when pulling away. "Come back to me."

There they are. Souls as black as hell. "The Gods are with us!" Shouts Romulius in his armor, alarms its blade in hand. "Send these fowl beasts into the abyss. And if this is our end? Let our names be written on the manuscript of this earth as those who stared death and carnage in the eyes and showed no fear!"

Triton growls a bear thing to Elora thaaonly she will understand and rears up to better see the incoming meat.

Pasquale stands calm and dignified amongst the Malespero contingent even as the enemy comes in. His very presence shaped to help the soldiers overcome the fear that comes with such a terrible host. His bow remains tucked away in its quiver. His sword remains sheathed at his hip. His eyes skim the oncoming hosts with all the intensity that a fierce intellect and host of knowledge on the matter of war can give. He watches the enemy come on. He stands unflinching beneath the rain. And when the first parts of the battle reach them he recites the first few words of a song; a dirge for the loss of home and family, which his men pick up and continue before even the first part of the verse has been voiced. From then on the men sing like the mismatched sailors their ancestors were, beating a slow rythm against shields to keep the time. The men sing and for a moment Pasquale squeezes his eyes closed to soak in the moment and prepare his mind for the coming test of magic.

Titania stands on top the Seagate watching her sword in hand as her blue eyes filled with determination, she bows her head. A soft prayer then she looks up.She readies herself, "By Sea and Sky!" she calls out as she moves to switch to her bow for the moment.

Titania wields Intricately forged ancient steel recurve bow.

Through the rain of blood, through the lightning flashes striking down and the bright light echoing the mountainous shapes overlooking down, the attack comes on. The gigantic giant brings a war down on the earth, causing tremors, as millions of voices surrounding Arx begin chanting, "AZAZEL! AZAZEL! AZAZEL! AZAZEL!" And an endless number of banners with maws are shown flying in the wind as they stop briefly, just out of range of the city. And then all thousands upon thousands of faces on the banners scream at once, "KILL THEM ALL!"

The attack begins.

The first siege weapons begin to fire as the demonic horde comes into extreme range, the trebuchets filling the raining skies with massive boulders launched at the forces. The ballistae on the walls given as a gift to the Compact are made of a strange metal, rarely seen in the Compact, and fire for the first time at a supernatural foe of the Compact. The ballista glow with a bright nimbus of white light, and then as the bolts launch, a massive strike of white light carries the bolt at a speed too quick to be perceived, leaving a straight line of fire burning in its wake and causing massive explosions where they hit.

There are thousands of demons within the horde casting spells up at the defenders, as noxious gas, lightning, fire, and auras of death move upon the lines, with defensive magic doing what they can.

And the main force of the army begins to come into range, with hundreds of thousands of arrows filling the air as their infantry charges the gate.

((Round 1: Rolls at normal difficulty, if you are using magic or cantrip, note it in poses, and the 3 cast limit of high magic still applies to these battles))

Ariella checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Ariella is successful.

Cerys checks dexterity and huge wpn at normal. Cerys marginally fails.

Preston checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Preston is successful.

Elora checks command and war at normal. Elora is successful.

Ainsley checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Ainsley marginally fails.

Caspian checks dexterity and small wpn at normal. Caspian is successful.

Reese checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Reese is successful.

Austen checks strength and huge wpn at normal. Austen is successful.

Martino checks charm and manipulation at normal. Martino is successful.

Marina checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Marina is successful.

Pasquale checks wits and war at normal. Pasquale is successful.

Morrighan checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Botch! Morrighan fails badly.

Triton checks stamina and survival at normal. Botch! Triton fails completely.

Raven checks mana and occult at normal. Raven is successful.

Skaldia checks dexterity and ride at normal. Skaldia is successful.

Vitalis checks perception and huge wpn at normal. Vitalis is successful.

Stanley checks command and leadership at normal. Stanley is successful.

Acantha checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Acantha marginally fails.

Lucie checks command and leadership at normal. Lucie is successful.

Jeffeth checks strength and huge wpn at normal. Jeffeth is successful.

Rosalind checks strength and occult at normal. Critical Success! Rosalind is spectacularly successful.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Elora before departing.

Skaldia checks dexterity and archery at normal. Skaldia is successful.

Titania checks dexterity and archery at normal. Titania is successful.

[MAGIC]"Azazel this you .... suckers!!!!" (even in battle, Jeffeth is too pure to curse). But he is also SWOLE AF! He hefts up that huge hammer and smashes it to the ground to wave-blast at the line of marching monster.

[MAGIC - DEFENSIVE - RIDE THE WIND - ] As the hordes of Azazel's armies arrive, and Hawk and Rat make their appearance, Skaldia takes a running leap and suddenly she is airborne, wings sprouting from her back, and tailfeathers sprouting from... well, her tail area. Yet, she still retains the form of a very lithe and agile woman. She flies up into the air with bow in hand, ready to attack the airborne creatures. "Hawk!" she calls, "I am with you! There's sort of a glimmering golden aura around her, as if she is surrounded by the glimmering presence of the great Hawk. Skaldia will start shooting arrows at the enemies from the air, taking out the ones with the banners specifically. Because fuck those people-munching banners.

Walking forward from the Malvici command, Martino's sharp green eyes are casting out beyond the star iron protective netting over his face and helm worn towards that of a row of Abyssal beasts near-to the front of his Malvici soldiers. Seeing his pikemen take the brunt of an attack, he is turning his eyes towards one commander to inform them, "Blow upon the horn. Tell those first few rows to drive forward. To form a point and angle in." The movement a risky one, one where lives are to be almost certainly lost on his side. "Then form the next row. Repeat the movement, repeat until a split forms in their ranks either side of our pikemen."

[MAGIC] Marina winks to her Redreef soldiers at the end of a rousing (though questionable to anyone overhearing) speech. Then? She's leaping into the battle with a fierce grin, taunting the shards as her rubicund blade flashes red through the air. Around her, thick tendrils of darkwater slip around enemies and drag them down to the ground, encompassing them fully and drowning them on dry land. Her laughter rings out as they fall.

Between Benny being heavy footed with his large paws padding the ground and the big ass willow spirit that is with Acanth she might feel like they've got this. She definitely doesn't FEEL like they've got this. She gives a motion to Benny and the large beaver bends down to receive his soft noggin to noggin boop before they set out to beat back Azazel's forces. "No dying! Build!" she calls out to him. Then she heads into the battle, swinging Icebreaker as a welcoming to Azazel's forces.

Triton [CANTRIP: Distract] - Waving an ... arm...leg...paw at the enemy lines, Triton bellows a roaring challenge. A bear suddenly dashes ion from the side of the enemy front line and dashes across the ground toward one side. Might have caused a little confusion amongst the lead uglies, but the dumb illusion runs right through an abomination and sort of pops lie a soap bubble, vanishing in an instant. Pooe Elora likely gets an earful of rumbling bruin curses that mostly nobody else will understand.

[MAGIC - Attack - Charged up Crusader] Preston looks up as the skies begin to rain blood and the Carnifex lets out a wear sigh before pulling the cheek flaps of his helmet closed and locking them before the visor goes down. He steps to the front of one of the units of the Templars, the banners indicating it is a local Arxian unit. He nods "Hold the gate!" he bellows before charging into the emerging maelstrom there. Preston places the flat of his hand against Crusader as he charges, the blade glowing brightly and beginning to emit a high pitched hum that sounds like singing. The Templars begin to help form a shield wall while the pikes come up, Preston stabbing down into the demons with the glowing blade "Tell Solace to mount their horses, sweep any that get through!" he barks at a squire.

There are /so many/. He's not afraid. Alright, Ainsley might be a little afraid in the face of the massive horde. He and his men make to engage the horde but he doesn't seem to make much headway in... But at least he doesn't give ground either. He calls out to the iron guard as he tries to hack into the horde, "/Iron and blood/! Fight with everything you have!"

"Archers! Bows up." Elora's voice is calm and steely as she commands the Storm to move. "Light arrows." Alchemical fire is ignited on the tips. "FIRE!" The arrows streak through the air like comets, carrying fire and pain with them. "Second volley up." The next line of archers do the same routine, Ravenseye just cycling through the rounds to keep up a constant barrage of fiery missiles.

[MAGIC - ATTACK - SHARP LOOK] Vitalis curls away from the bright white of the ballistae firing - it cannot blind him, but that doesn't make the brightness not hurt. He blinks away the afterimage and shapes resolve in the sky, swooping talons and shrieks follow Azazel's command. He gives Defiance play and spreads his feet, bracing. "INCOMING!" An imp streaks down and he twitches his wrist, eyes keen ahead and watching - getting the timing - and CRACK! Defiance's sharp report echoes over the Seawatch Wall.

[Magic-Shield Wall] Pasquale's eyes skim the oncoming foes, note the terrifying brightness of the ballista and witness the first soldiers tumbling down to magical assaults. His lips thin as he considers the options and then with a simple sweep of his hand above the soldiers he makes his decision. Above the center of the battle line he paints a a glassy shield which resolves, expands and doubles.. and doubles again, until an entire shieldwall of translucent glass has been formed above a section of soldiers on the very front of the line. Several of them explode not to long afterwards but for at least a moment the threat of fire from above is negated for the brave men and women preparing to go toe to toe with the horde.

Cerys goes in with her massive spear, there's so many that she finds herself disorientated for a short bit, it's not enough to cause herself dire harm, but it takes a moment to find her footing again.

[[MAGIC]] Raven throws her sword up to signal the charge and even the soldiers charge forward with a mighty cry Raven is consumed by inky back tendrils which slither and writhe restlessly until they abruptly launch from her and snatch demons from the sky, burrowing into their targets and then suddenly swelling until there's a series of gory bursts like the grossest water balloons bursting sending viscera out in every direction.

Lucie's here for the purposes of keeping things off the battlements, and, on the whole, getting shot would be counterproductive. She waves a hand to her group of knights and calls, "Shields up, wait it out. They'll have to stop shooting." She hunkers down herself to wait it out and, from there, she peers along the wall, assessing other warriors on it and how they're faring.

Romulius checks dexterity and huge wpn at normal. Romulius is successful.

Reese looks over to her Ainsley and seems encouraged to see her once-upon-time cousin here. She gives him a quick grin and seems encouraged by him not being frightened. She has her blade wielded and stands ready to fight.

Austen is a man not-predisposed to staying out of the fight. As the demons charge, so does he, standing head and shoulders above many as his claymore flashes as it swings in huge arcs, slashing through the hordes in front of him, spraying ichor and whatever else is contained in demons all the way around him. Splatter splatter.

[Magic] "Stay in one piece," Ariella commands Martino, her golden eyes lingering on him for a long moment before she turns to face the fray, sword igniting in her grasp. In silence, she tears off into the fray, determined to slice her way through.

[Magic] Rosalind can be seen off to the side, murmuring something with her eyes upward. FIRE can be heard as and PROTECTION as well, before she starts running. Darting actually. The red head starts running faster and faster, with what looks like literal fire surrounding her, before it is just that, in front of her, destroying everything in it's path, as well as Rosalind's. Who in turn, leaps ontop of the closest giant, her nails digging deep as she claws at it's bear skin.

Morrighan checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Morrighan is successful.

Despite the terrible damage, Morrighan does not take a permanent wound.

Morrighan checks 'unconsciousness save' at easy. Morrighan is successful.

Morrighan remains capable of fighting.

Stanley manages to get a grip on his direction. Spotting Vitalis in the crowd a nod towards the Baron with wall of knights at the ready. "Hold the wall!"

\ [magic] as the defenders are set upon and the battle joined Caspian gives a laugh. "try to eat us will you? I think you will find the meat a bit to tough to chew!" heatless flame forms around his fist and engulf the daggers and chains. blazing arcs cut through swatches of fires as he whirls the chain blades around, cutting through the attacking demons. "let's shut that mouth up!"

"MAKE READY! Send them to the abyss!"

Screams Romulius as the enemy approaches with such reckless hate. "FIRE!" And his army adds to Arx's own, sending wave after wave of arrows at the enemy! He lifts his blade high. "Make him pay for every inch he gains on us!"

Skaldia is overheard praising Morrighan.

Morrighan readies Demonslayer, eyes narrowed at the oncoming horde - how long has it been since she's been in a proper battle? Too long to count, but these were unlike any enemies the Last Daughter has faced before. It was perhaps that very fact that lead to her mishap with her first attack against one of the demons from the horde. She moves in to charge, her blade poised to swing, but is blindsided by an attack out of her peripheral, too fast for her to avoid. The blow strikes against her armor, denting it considerably, and the Sword takes a rolling tumble across the ground, leaving spatters of blood as she goes. "You mother fucker," comes a pained growl, and those blue eyes turn fire red as she looks up with gritted teeth. Today may be the day she dies, but not now. Not this moment, and she pushes herself back upright, her rage flaring.

As the battle begins, the fire put out by the Compact is intense are draws enormous casualties among the front ranks of the horde, but the return fire is brutal, with the rain of blood also obscuring the falling arrows, and lightning strikes fall within their lines. Above, the mountainous form of a hawk is flapping its wings, causing storms of incoming arrows towards the ranks to be swept away in the gale.

((Due to the NPC presence, luck rolls are at easy for the defense turns, but usual rules apply, if you fail the check, let me know if you use magic.))

Apostate has called for a check of luck at easy.
TIE: Critical Success! Jeffeth is spectacularly successful. Critical Success! Martino is spectacularly successful.
TIE: Raven is successful. Titania is successful.
TIE: Hawk is successful. Marina is successful. 4 Redreef Wardens is successful. Cerys is successful. Morrighan is successful. Stormy, a silvery gray hunting hound is successful. Honeymare is successful.
TIE: Rosalind is successful. a blue and gold macaw is successful. Umi, the curious turtle is successful. Libera, a quiet hawk is successful. Caspian is successful. Benny The Beaver is successful.
TIE: Saymore, the parrot that just won't stop is successful. Vitalis is successful.
TIE: Brother Chester is successful. Reese is successful. Pasquale is successful. Mar, the Magpie is successful.
TIE: Johannes, the impeccably-dressed Malvici maggiordomo is successful. Ainsley is successful.
TIE: Peaches, a lovely white war filly with a peach saddle is successful. Smile is successful. Triton is successful. 1 Ravenseye Warrior is successful. 3 Sanna House Guards is successful.
TIE: Deliverance, an albino falcon is successful. Cosimo de'Malvici, the Southport banker is successful. Rosalie, a lady in waiting is successful. Austen is successful. Stanley is successful. Elora is successful. Spirit is successful.
Ariella is successful.
TIE: Preston is successful. Rascal, a hyper terrier is successful. Dom, an unassuming assistant is successful. 2 Northern Rangers is successful. Acantha is successful. 1 Kennex corsairs is successful.
TIE: Skaldia marginally fails. Marcel, a young Malvici assistant marginally fails. Lucie marginally fails. Kalakh marginally fails.
TIE: Chuckles, a morose raven marginally fails. Connal, a Northern Wolfhound marginally fails. Lord Adriano Magnotta - Commander of the Magnotta Marines marginally fails.
Botch! Romulius fails badly.
TIE: Botch! 2 Whitehawk Guards fails completely. Botch! Louis, a Malespero Armsman fails completely.

Titania starts to open fire on the enemy, her bow that she got so many years ago still faithful to her, blessed by Giada she starts to pick enemies off, she is angry and using that anger to destroy the enemies coming in. She isn't stay still either, she keeps movng.

2 Whitehawk Guards have been dismissed.

Louis, a Malespero Armsman have been dismissed.

4 Redreef Wardens have been dismissed.

Chuckles, a morose raven have been dismissed.

Lord Adriano Magnotta - Commander of the Magnotta Marines have been dismissed.

Connal, a Northern Wolfhound have been dismissed.

Saymore, the parrot that just won't stop have been dismissed.

Dom, an unassuming assistant have been dismissed.

1 Kennex corsairs have been dismissed.

Honeymare have been dismissed.

Spirit have been dismissed.

Umi, the curious turtle have been dismissed.

Mar, the Magpie have been dismissed.

Johannes, the impeccably-dressed Malvici maggiordomo have been dismissed.

Marcel, a young Malvici assistant have been dismissed.

Cosimo de'Malvici, the Southport banker have been dismissed.

Jeffeth casually plucks Romulius by the nape and re-positions away from an incoming shard. Then hits that shard in the fucking face.

Peaches, a lovely white war filly with a peach saddle have been dismissed.

Stormy, a silvery gray hunting hound have been dismissed.

Rosalie, a lady in waiting have been dismissed.

3 Sanna House Guards have been dismissed.

Skaldia checks dexterity and ride at easy. Skaldia is successful.

The ground is already thick with the dead, as the ground leading to the walls of Arx are thick with ichor left demons beginning to dissolve. Millions of rats have swarmed out from the city and are nibbling, climbing biting at the multitudes of the shards as they come in, troubling their advance, but come on they do. A phoenix shrieks and rains fire across the battlefield, as a fiery cyclone stands in front of the front gate, incinerating some of the ogres that tried to smash the gate. And still they come on.

((Round 2: 214 Victory Points, same rolls still at normal, which will hold true as long as no supernatural buddies get ganked.))

Ariella checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Ariella is successful.

Pasquale checks wits and war at normal. Pasquale is successful.

Vitalis checks perception and huge wpn at normal. Vitalis is successful.

Preston checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Preston is successful.

Ainsley checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Ainsley is successful.

Reese checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Reese is successful.

Jeffeth checks strength and huge wpn at normal. Jeffeth is successful.

Marina checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Marina is successful.

Caspian checks dexterity and small wpn at normal. Caspian is successful.

Cerys checks strength and huge wpn at normal. Cerys is successful.

Rosalind checks dexterity and archery at normal. Rosalind is successful.

Martino checks charm and manipulation at normal. Martino is successful.

Raven checks mana and occult at normal. Raven is successful.

Lucie checks command and leadership at normal. Lucie is successful.

Skaldia checks dexterity and archery at normal. Skaldia is successful.

Acantha checks command and leadership at normal. Acantha is successful.

Triton checks stamina and survival at normal. Triton is successful.

Stanley checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Stanley is successful.

Morrighan checks mana and occult at normal. Morrighan is successful.

Romulius checks dexterity and huge wpn at normal. Romulius is successful.

Austen checks strength and huge wpn at normal. Austen is successful.

Jeffeth just keeps smashing shit and doesn't stop. Somewhere along the line, he's tapped on the shoulder by Marina and asked a question. He grunts, grabs her by the snakeskin, and then yeets her straight at a target group of particularly foul-looking assholes.

[Magic-Rain of Shards] As his shields are ripped apart by the approaching magic Pasquale notes the direction each and every attack felt like it came from. He takes note, he calculates and then sweeps his hand again. So focused in his intent that his attention barely even flickers as his bodyguard gets downed by a lightning bolt that might have been random, or not. This time however instead of forming into neat shields his magic pulls up a hundred (perhaps even more) shards of something that looks somewhat like sooty glass into a swarm hovering about him. Then he sends it outwards after the source of that extremely annoying lightning. A hundred little pieces of death and injury heading in a swarm towards their target. And if the swarm takes down a dozen shards who just happened to be in the wrong place at the same time - Nobody will mourn.

Elora checks command and war at normal. Elora is successful.

[Magic - Utility: Shadowplay] Flaring his teeth from behind his lips for a moment towards Ariella, Martino is nodding his head towards her as she is tearing off to join the Igniseri and Malvici. "This isn't the end." Turning his sharp green eyes towards a Lady Lucie Laurent out there at the side, Martino is lifting his left hand up to reposition several infantry around, "Form a wedge! A wedge around the Laurent Lady. May no harm come to that one." Several Malvici guards moving from their back rows, holding shield up as protection and become a sacrifice. "There. That is our -chance- Malvici. We do not yield from -this- position and against these creatures of the Abyss." Sharp green eyes of his focusing forward, focusing down on the rows of Malvici soldiers and the creatures before them. Eyes focusing on those abyssal shadows, Martino lifts his hand and stills it with a sharp move. Each shadow before that front row unyielding from their position at all. Allowing for a free cut from the Malvici soldiers.

[MAGIC] The ever-grinning Marina doesn't miss an opportunity, and Jeffeth is a BIG opportunity! She asks if he'll throw her into the midst of the enemy - and he delivers. As she lands, her sword whips out savagely as more and more tendrils of darkwater grab shards and try to drag them into the depths. There are no depths here, and so they are given a watery land grave as she disembowels yet another. The Redreef lady is gleeful in the chaos.

Lucie chose quite the wrong moment to lift her head in order to look along the rampart, and arrows start to fall thickly around her and the contingent of knights. One arrow comes hurtling towards her. Just at that moment though, soldiers in the colours of House Malvici come by, courtesy of Martino, and one, with a particularly elaborately plumed helm, happens to get his head in between Lucie and the arrow. She winces.

Arrows are still falling nearby, but there are wounded people, so she presses to a full stand. "Clear the wounded from the rampart, then prepare to meet them," she directs some soldiers.

[MAGIC - ATTACK - SHARP LOOK 2] Vitalis catches Stanley's eye and gives him a nod even as they lay about themselves with blade and whip, the clash and crack falling into a rhythm. Vitalis becomes aware of a presence. Next to his heart, a warmth, the sense of it at his shoulder, a tail looped around his neck to hold. Rat. Rat whispers the secrets of survival, whiskers tickling Vitalis' ear. He stills in the moment to listen and then, surges back into the fray, Defiance's reports find just the right spot to strike and flay open skin, ichor splatters under his relentless assault. They are holding, but how long CAN they hold. The horde seems ENDLESS.

[MAGIC #2 - Offensive - BUFFET] A flying demon just barely misses Skaldia, flying right at her, but the hawk girl easily sweeps aside, then turns and shoots the demon in the back, while still flying above. Turning again, Skaldia sees a volley of arrows, and she swoops in and out, around the fall of deadly arrows as easily as breathing. She's really quite magnificent up there, with her alaricite bow and her hawk-themed alaricite armor mingled with leather and diamondplate. She wears Felicia's star iron circlet as well, and multiple bits of Cufre's jewelry. Her sisters are with her, even if not physically present.

Skaldia flits, she shoots, she dodges, riding the wind as if she were blessed by Hawk herself. And well, she is. The Banshee of Harrow Hall sees an opportunity to attack, and suddenly she rises up in the air, and her wings start flapping, buffeting enemies and sweeping them back away from the walls. The golden outline of Hawk does the same above her, and suddenly, a bunch of feathered quills sprout from Skaldia's skin, and start shooting toward the demon horde, given momentum from the wind so that they hit with deadly force.

The walls of Arx provide a lot of protection, but right now the focus is on Ravenseye's archers. "Fire bowls!" Elora's voice cuts through the air, and a few dozen bowls of burning alchemical fire are dropped off the parapets in an echo of Farhaven. What's good, Azazel?

Triton [MAGIC: Maul] - Aelgar roars again, his challenge maybe not so overwhelming in the din of the battlefield but anyone close by will not doubt the intent of that rage-filled crash of sound. He rears and he swipes with a massive foreleg, eyes gleaming redly with power from somewhere. Anyone following his gaze might see he is looking toward that huge giant lumbering arxward. As his paw swings, such observant people might notice a spray of blood and flash across the skin of the giant, across the face, as though a giant clawed paw had raked through its eyes. Deeply.

[[MAGIC]] Raven has her sword in one hand but it's not swinging yet-her other hand is lifted and fingers splayed wide and her eyes intent on the task of corralling those inky black tendrils in their gory work as more demons are seized and effectively turned inside out before being discarded.

[Magic] With every swing of Ariella's blade, phoenixfire trails behind it, adding incineration to injury upon each of the foes she fells. After a time, the gold of her irises seems to glow and burn as well, though surely it is simply the reflection of her flaming sword. "Where is that BIG MOUTHED BASTARD that you serve?" she calls out in a rage, winging some fire at the mouthy banners in hopes they ignite. "What kind of COWARD hides from the battlefield? COME OUT YOU GREEDY GOB! I'VE GOT SOMETHING FOR YOU."

Austen snarls as the shards fall and continue replacing each other. He lifts his claymore briefly to deflect the rain of arrows as best he can, others pinging off his armour before he dives back into the fray, roaring his anger into the face of one before he cuts its head off. Bye face.

Reese continues to fight on with her silvery pink blade drawn. She is focuses on killing whatever demons she can get close to. Her breathing is elevated and her cheeks are flushed from the intensity of this. She is far too focused to speak right now, but instead keeps focusing on her fighting.

Triton [MAGIC: Maul] - TRITON roars again, his challenge maybe not so overwhelming in the din of the battlefield but anyone close by will not doubt the intent of that rage-filled crash of sound. He rears and he swipes with a massive foreleg, eyes gleaming redly with power from somewhere. Anyone following his gaze might see he is looking toward that huge giant lumbering arxward. As his paw swings, such observant people might notice a spray of blood and flash across the skin of the giant, across the face, as though a giant clawed paw had raked through its eyes. Deeply.

\ [magic] "they thought they could scary is, but we have been them back at every turn! We bested the traitor, let's show these abyssal bastards the consequences of their actions!" The flames continue, the blades blazing brilliantly as the champion cut his way through the abyssal creatures. The Phoenix a ove let out a "skree" as it swooped low, flames pouring dirty in it's wake.

Ainsley's focus becomes sharp, his attention focused directly on the monsters in front of him. His beloved alaricte blade slashing and dicing through abyssal flesh as he attempts to cut through the horde directly.

Dangerously enough, Romulius is /right/ in the way of a shard. Only for Jeffeth to pull him by the nape of his neck out of the way! "Thank you." Romulius declares towards him, only for his sword to be lifted and SLICES clean through a shard that was appraoching Jeffeth's flank! "Now we're even!" He smirks at the man, and he calls out. "IS THAT ALL YOU GODLESS BASTARDS HAVE?! NUMBERS AND FIRE?!" Romulius taunts the enemy, laughing as his blade lifts into the air, slicing a foe in twain and another completely in half!

[MAGIC - Aquatic Sanctuary] Looking to see where everyone the wind seems to pick up around the Paladin of waves, her eyes become more intense more vibrant blue. Her breathing becomes deep and heavy as she starts to move her hands, different hues of blue starts to form around everyone as it does it starts to form a blue shimmering water like barrier to keep those inside of it, there a extra layer of protection!

[MAGIC - ATTACK] Pushing herself upright onto her feet, it takes but a brief moment for Morrighan to steady herself, and she readies Demonslayer once more. "You'll pay for tha'," comes a mutter under her breath as she slides a hand over her blade. It glows white hot just before flames erupt, forming over the surface, flickering and dancing wildly. The flames grow, building as the dame takes a single step forward. "BURN!" she yells, and swings her sword arm out in an arc, and from Demonslayer a wave of flame surges forward to smash into the front line of the horde.

The Templars, and Preston, keep fighting to hold the gate and the wall, stabbing down into the demons as slowly the press of bodies around the gate swells. As a moment of lull appears, his eyes swivel to the sky and he sighs "Get the trebuchets firing - thin down the rate they get to the gates! Or at least get them here with fewer limbs. Too many damn limbs!" Preston peers back over his shield at the demons, and takes a deep breath before he begins to sing one of the canticles of the Faith, a good Oathlands Orthodoxy one about unrelenting duty, as he puts his shoulder into his shield.

[Magic - Itty Bitty Bennys!] Acantha was trying to be sparing with magic. She wasn't sure what she was capable of. But this was a fight she wasn't going to win without the use of magic. She holds Icebreaker out in front of her as a barrier for a few quick moments as she channels the primal through her hands. And off to the side there is a small pool of water that forms. One...two...three... and more sets of black beady eyes peer above the water. Then the little round spectral forms of beavers with gnashing teeth and clubbing tails rush from the little pond and into the mass of Azazel's forces as Benny and Whomper continue their fights as well. Benny looks amused as he squashes demons.

Elora Out of nowhere, a falcon streakingly divebombs its way to the Ravenseye positions, but he doesn't stay long. There's a brief exchange before Elora sends the bird off again. With a deep inhalation, she looks out over the battlefield. Whatever she and the falcon did has left the woman with a grimmer than before expression.

Even were the skies not raining blood, the fields outside of Arx would be drenched. Some of the siege weapons of Arx have been destroyed, and one of towers holding one of the platinum ballistae explodes a shower of sparks and flames as a demon throws a spear of black lightning at it before the demon is promptly incinerated by a phoenix. The assault is faltering in the face of the spirited defense of the Compact, but it comes on, inflicting grievous losses. ((More luck and then defensive checks))

Apostate has called for a check of luck at easy.
Critical Success! Lucie is spectacularly successful.
Marina is successful.
TIE: Triton is successful. Morrighan is successful. Martino is successful. Kalakh is successful.
TIE: Brother Chester is successful. Raven is successful. Caspian is successful. 1 Ravenseye Warrior is successful.
TIE: Ariella is successful. Honeymare is successful.
TIE: a blue and gold macaw is successful. Stanley is successful.
TIE: Deliverance, an albino falcon is successful. Romulius is successful. Titania is successful. Connal, a Northern Wolfhound is successful. 3 Sanna House Guards is successful.
TIE: Hawk is successful. Preston is successful. Austen is successful. Spirit is successful. Reese is successful.
TIE: Rosalind is successful. Acantha is successful. Ainsley is successful.
TIE: Jeffeth is successful. Cerys is successful. Pasquale is successful. Vitalis is successful.
TIE: Skaldia marginally fails. Libera, a quiet hawk marginally fails. Rascal, a hyper terrier marginally fails.
TIE: Smile marginally fails. 2 Northern Rangers marginally fails. Benny The Beaver marginally fails.
Botch! Elora fails badly.

Skaldia checks dexterity and ride at easy. Critical Success! Skaldia is inhumanly successful in a way that defies expectations.

The three headed giant leading part of the assault is forced to take a knee, his eyes blinded, but is still flailing at the walls of the Seawatch. The first ladders are up from the swarms, and shards are among them by the thousands, trying to swarm over the ranks of the templars and iron guard. The banners of Azazel are screaming obscenities and what sounds like incredulity at the Compact defense, and beholders rise up to commit more fully to the attack as swarms of thousands of demons sweep from the air to land among the Upper Boroughs, falling upon civilians all too often.

((Round 3: 485 Victory Points. Checks still at normal.))

Jeffeth checks strength and athletics at normal. Jeffeth is successful.

Ainsley checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Ainsley is successful.

Pasquale checks wits and war at normal. Pasquale is successful.

Austen checks strength and huge wpn at normal. Austen is successful.

Romulius checks strength and huge wpn at normal. Botch! Romulius fails badly.

Elora checks command and animal ken at normal. Elora is successful.

Triton checks stamina and survival at normal. Triton is successful.

Skaldia checks dexterity and archery at normal. Skaldia is successful.

Lucie checks command and leadership at normal. Lucie is successful.

Ariella checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Ariella is successful.

Cerys checks strength and huge wpn at normal. Cerys marginally fails.

Martino checks command and war at normal. Martino is successful.

Vitalis checks dexterity and huge wpn at normal. Vitalis is successful.

Stanley checks command and leadership at normal. Stanley is successful.

Morrighan checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Botch! Morrighan fails badly.

Titania checks dexterity and archery at normal. Botch! Titania fails completely.

Preston checks mana and theology at normal. Botch! Preston fails badly.

Marina checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Marina is successful.

Acantha checks command and leadership at normal. Acantha is successful.

Raven checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Botch! Raven fails badly.

Rosalind checks dexterity and archery at normal. Rosalind is successful.

[MAGIC] From literally NOWHERE, Geralt Crovane scream-runs into battle! The giant Northern Barbarian is frosted head to toe with bloodlust in his eyes. He runs into the fray and just starts punching things and trying to rip their body parts off with his bare hands. "YOU'RE ALL DYING TODAY YOU MOTHER FUCKERS!" he wails in a bloodcurdling snarl.

Jeffeth, amidst thwacking shards with his war hammer, double-takes at Geralt and notices he doesn't have a weapon! The swole behemoth grandmaster steps back, unlatches his spare warhammer from his back, and tosses it to Geralt.

Geralt catches the hammer in one hand and steps forward to his Smash Bro. Together, Geralt and Jeffeth, they clasp hands in one epic handshake - dual biceps simul-flexing in brotherhood! The hand-clasp sends a devestating shockwave rippling toward the front line of Azazel's forces. (Jeffeth attack spell)

Caspian checks dexterity and small wpn at normal. Caspian is successful.

Moving his chin towards the commander for the right side flank of the Malvici archers, Martino is speaking to someone of just-slightly taller height in full plate armour. "Instruct the archers to aim, en-mass, towards that blinded beast and to step back for the next to move into their position. Get me a report on how many arrows remain, how many bundles do we have down there?!" Turning to the commander at his other side, Martino is moving his right hand up to gesture them across to the siege units. "Now, aim them towards the collapsed beast there. And, after, get me visuals on that Igniseri."

Triton [MAGIC: Maul] - Triton weights a ton in the moment and it is solid bear muscle. Even so, he is stanbding tall in place while the Ravenseye troops flow around him to repel boarders at the walls. His eyes, still glowing a deep red, are focused on that flailing giant and once again his thick foreleg swings in a bearlike blow outward. Across the intervening space, another slash of clawed furrows appears on the kneeling giant, this time at the neck as the Bear Spirit's child tries to remote-rip away everything between jugular and fresh air.

Reese checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Reese is successful.

[[MAGIC - AOE - Havoc]] Quietly, Elora walks forward, something gathering around her: the scent of the deep forests and wild places. Her hand points forward. "AWAY!" she states loudly, firmly, with authority... A mass of spectral dogs surges forward out of the thin fucking air, each one clearly a Stormheart Bear Dog. The 'pack' crashes into the Giant, savaging it and anything else that's abyssal in the area.

[MAGIC] Marina continues to bring the fight to the Azazel horde with nearly reckless abandon - she is pushing to the limits of her physical and magical capabilities, with the darkwater tendrils around her creating a maelstrom that few shards in her vicinity are able to escape. "YOU CHOSE THE WRONG SIDE!" She howls at them, swinging her blade to emphasize her point. '

[Magic - Shard Rain]Once again Pasquale draws up a swarm of glasslike shards before pouring them into the enemy lines. This time he doesn't seem to be focused on a specific target, instead seeking to wound and kill a swathe of the oncoming horde.

Triton Never be a giant in a battle. Kinda makes you a target...

[Magic] Ariella has a new hyperfixation, and it's the banners of Azazael. "GIVE," swing "ME," slash "THE," sizzle "NIBBLER," she nearly screams herself hoarse trying to outdo the obscenity-screeching mouths, using every name she knows Azazael hates. It isn't clear, at this point, whether she's trying to destroy them or simply catch Someone Else's attention. but it seems an awful lot like she must have a death wish.

Triton LOL Ariella!

[MAGIC #3 - Offensive - Buffet] It's kind of insane how Skaldia is up there, flying around, shooting demon after demon, and she never gets hit. There is an inhuman quality about the way she rides the wind, wings flapping, then spread with a wingspan of at least seven feet to soar, dodging demons, blows, and arrows and other attacks as if she has eyes in the back of her head or something. Maybe Hawk being with her had something to do with that, it's hard to say. She continues to attack, and attack, and attack, while Hawk glows alongside her, or hovers above the city, doing Her thing as well. The flying Huntress of Harrow attacks again and again to do the best she can to help hold back the tide. Eventually, she rises up once more, and aims her buffeting attack now at the beholders, more sharp pinions sprouting from her skin, and aiming toward the eyes of the beholders. "Die, you hideous beasts!" she cries out, shooting at them with her bow too.

[[Magic - pink templar]] Reese continues to fight on! She so far is standing steadily against the hordes of demons. She as she fights she gets that pink glow she had at the last seawatch battle so many years ago. Her blade moves with epic speed and power, cutting down demons.

Rats boil up from the grates, darting through the throngs, spilling over the walls, an unearthly skittering, and faint sharp shrieks. What they lack in size, they make up for in numbers and sheer bloody determination. Clawing eyes, and nibbling, nibbling, nibbling... Azazel doesn't have a corner on nibbling (right, Ariella?!). Not today. Vitalis feels the surge of that determination and surges forward again, striking, determination balanced by pragmatism, he doesn't reach for his magic and simply moves with the ebb and flow.

[[MAGIC-Cantrip-Ignite flame]] As the ladders hit the wall, Preston peels away from the Templars to move to the wall, signalling for some of the troops there to begin to throw pitch. He reaches out to try and ignite the flammable material, trying to spark a fire on the ladders. Unfortunately he gets ambushed on the walls as another demon comes up behind him - could this be the end of the plucky Carnifex? Let's hope not.

Raven purses her lips and lowers her 'empty' hand and begins to swing her sword but unlike her magic there's an issue of range and there's a slight wobble as the Blackheart is forced to change her perspective suddenly causing her to go through a sudden an unexpected recalibration.

[MAGIC] Austen continues to carve his way through shards, though he's rapidly becoming surrounded by more. He grips his sword tighter, the weapon glowing suddenly as a burst of light emits from it and him, shoving the combatants away from him like a bubble just burst its way into existence.

[magic] the champion is more akin to whirling vortex of white fire, the blades flashing around him as they carved easily through demon flesh. He charged towards where the fighting was thickest, the Phoenix overhead burning demons and tearing into them with beak and talon. The pair hammered the attackers as Caspian roared out "if Azazel had any balls he'd be here in person!"

[MAGIC - 1st use] Lucie finally steps back towards the parapet as creatures start to swarm up ladders, and she surges forward to meet them with a call of, "Artshall!" And as she leads from the front like that, her group of soldiers are invigorated, strengthened, and they manage to propel a ladder with a number of climbing shards away from the wall, sending it crashing down.

Titania for a moment is taken back at what is going on around her, she is holding her bow in her hand as she watches. The young woman never thought she be standing on the seagate fighting for the safety of the world. Taken aback for a moment blinks and shakes her head and starts to fight the ones coming up and over the wall on ladders.

Sir Stanley, leads a fearless charge against the towering giant that threatens the city. His hoarse voice bellows out commands, rallying his comrades to follow him into the heart of danger. Despite his usual cantankerous demeanor, Sir Stanley's face is alight with a rare grin. With a deft slice of his blade, he weaves through the chaos, evading the giant's lumbering strikes with the agility of a much younger man. With a swift maneuver, Sir Stanley manages to ascend the massive creature's back, his grip firm on his trusty sword. As the giant attempts to swat him away with a colossal hand, the old knight expertly dodges, finding purchase on the creature's neck with his blade. With a determined grip, Sir Stanley holds tight as the giant thrashes and spins, desperately trying to dislodge the tenacious knight from its back. But the old warrior refuses to yield, his resolve unshakeable even as the world spins around him. In a final, dramatic clash, the giant crashes to the ground with an earth-shattering impact, the weight of its massive form crushing Sir Stanley beneath it. The air is filled with the sickening sound of flesh meeting stone in a resounding squish.

Stanley has died.

Connal, a Northern Wolfhound have been dismissed.

Honeymare have been dismissed.

1 Ravenseye Warrior have been dismissed.

3 Sanna House Guards have been dismissed.

2 Northern Rangers have been dismissed.

Spirit have been dismissed.

Nothing like the smell of charred, crispy demons in the morning - or afternoon, whatever the case may be, and the flames surrounding Demonslayer fade away. The Sword of Farhaven remains at the front line, but perhaps like any source of light in the dark, it attracts attention. Not the good sort, either. Gripping the hilt of her blade, Morrighan swings, offering attack after attack, but all are deflected, metal clashing and she gets pushed back, cast in the shadow of a larger demon that begins to make its approach. "Shite," she swears, taking a step or two further away to brace herself for whatever may come.

[Magic - Cantrip - Icy Blast] Acantha sees Benny take a hit and she seethes for a moment. She knows he can take a hit. BUT THAT'S HER BEAVER! She rounds on the next demon that she sees, her hand coming up to grip it's face to deliver a blast of ice that is colder than the heart of the Everwinter right in its face.

A massive roar of victory goes up from the ranks of the Compact as the giant leading the assault dies, Sir Stanley Cooper taking it with him. The moment of rally has the different soldiers of the Compact fighting intensely to push the winged demons from the streets and air of the Upper Boroughs, and the shards from the walls of the Seawatch Gate.((Bonus Round 3, can check offensive skills again, victory points stand at 746.))

Ariella checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Ariella is successful.

Cerys checks dexterity and huge wpn at normal. Cerys marginally fails.

Skaldia checks dexterity and archery at normal. Skaldia is successful.

Ainsley checks mana and medium wpn at normal. Ainsley is successful.

Vitalis checks dexterity and huge wpn at normal. Vitalis is successful.

Lucie checks command and leadership at normal. Botch! Lucie fails badly.

[MAGIC - First Use] Ainsley sees Stanley get onto the back of the giant and a feral smile curls on his lips. Only for it to drop away when Stanley goes down /under/ the Giant. "NO!" Ainsley gives a hoarse scream and his arm goes out, "By Gloria!" He seethes, "I WILL SEE YOU CRUSHED!" His sword is raised high and his other arm flung out, golden light coalescing around his arm and forming into the shape of a giant tower shield glowing with the symbol of the Goddess of War. He starts to swing /the shield/ at the demons around him.

Triton checks stamina and survival at normal. Triton is successful.

Morrighan checks mana and occult at normal. Morrighan is successful.

Romulius checks dexterity and huge wpn at normal. Romulius is successful.

Marina checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Botch! Marina fails badly.

Preston checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Preston is successful.

Austen checks strength and huge wpn at normal. Austen is successful.

Rosalind checks dexterity and archery at normal. Botch! Rosalind fails badly.

Pasquale checks wits and war at normal. Pasquale is successful.

Martino checks charm and manipulation at normal. Martino is successful.

Caspian checks dexterity and small wpn at normal. Caspian is successful.

Jeffeth checks strength and athletics at normal. Critical Success! Jeffeth is inhumanly successful in a way that defies expectations.

Reese checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Reese is spectacularly successful.

Elora checks command and animal ken at normal. Elora is successful.

Raven checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Raven is successful.

Acantha checks command and leadership at normal. Acantha is successful.

Titania checks dexterity and archery at normal. Titania marginally fails.

[MAGIC - (last cast)] Jeffeth sees a group of shards descending upon Rosalind - oh noes! He drops his hammer and grabs the nearest shard by the head, swings it around, and then sends it flying at the whole group coming to ambush her. It crashes into them like a bowling ball and a shockwave is released. Lots of blood and guts, gore and probably other unmentionable liquids and goo all over Rosalind now but at least she's safe.

Marina checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Marina is successful.

Despite the terrible damage, Marina does not take a permanent wound.

Marina checks 'unconsciousness save' at daunting. Marina fails.

Marina is incapacitated and falls unconscious.

Vitalis flinches forward at Stanley's charge - another such charge too close, too raw. Norwood. The shout doesn't even get past the gate of clenched teeth - the moment is seared in memory on a day where little will stand out save the shrieking and blur of limbs and blood and ichor. And the crunch. It curdles his blood. The tide of rats swarm around the great island of the fallen giant, nibbling at its fingertips, nose, ears. So many noses and ears. Yes. Yes. Vitalis shakes himself and pulls a dagger, Defiance and an eye-charm blade, heart hammering, he wades back into the throng.

As the demon falls, Skaldia roars along with the other defenders, and she rises up in the air again, hovering as she turns to shoot more flying demons as they seek to fly over the walls. At one point, she reaches out and rakes one with her talons (talons?) as one gets too close, and then she rakes another one, before she goes back to shooting at them as they fly away from her. In time, she does land eventually on the walls alongside a flank of other archers, and she continues to shoot. But she is looking a little bit tired now, and she's no longer flying. Even the Banshee of Harrow Hall has her limits, apparently. Still, she continues to shoot, blinking sweat out of her eyes, heart racing. "Keep fighting!" she calls to the other archers, many of them Banshees under her command, about sixty in total. "Keep them out of the city!" She shoots, and shoots. She runs out of arrows, and has to get more from those stockpiled nearby. Apparently she had planned for the moment when her wings might give out on her. She lets them disappear, and is once again just a normal armored woman, fiercely fighting to defend her beloved city.

As it turns out, no, it isn't the end. As he gets ambushed, the huge shock of the Giant's felling causes the demon to wobble and for Preston to shift as he gets his footing secure. Glancing the demon out of the corner of his eye, he turns quickly. His shield is dropped as Crusader presses into the chest of the demon, and Preston brings his other hand onto the hilt to push his weight into it. As the creature begins to tumble back, Preston pulls Crusader free as it goes over the wall and picks up his shield and stays low as he runs behind the crenellations to the Templar knight in that faith-defended section of the walls, tapping the man's squire "Run down. Get the Solace cavalry out. They are to run down the flyers that are landing - infantry and archers to stay at the wall. We hold!"

Triton [MAGIC (3): Maul] - With the giant down, Triton turns his attention to the demons and shards, his massive form lumbering into the fray with a beastial snarl and crashing through enemies left and right. Fangs flash and limbs rip, six-incch claws slash and guts unravel. The brutal bruin bellow resounds through the ravenseye ranks, summoning the surrounding House troops to follow him. He is probably still listening for the House drums and trumpets and shouts, but not so much looking back. More leading by example while the brains of the family keeps her hands on the reins.

Austen pulls back from the fight briefly as he sees Stanley climbing the giant. His breath catches in his throat as he watches the way he dodges the creature and rises above the giant. When Stanley stabs the beast he cheers loudly, a cheer that dies in his throat, expression turning to one of horror as the giant falls with Stanley underneath him. "First Captain! No!" he cries out before he steels himself. "FOR SIR STANLEY!" he yells, throwing himself back into the fray.

[Magic #2 -Pink whirlwind] - Reese continues to fight on, the pink templar has this pink glow or aura around her. Her blade moves with extreme quickness, a pink sort of energy or light seeming to come from her, hurting the demons she gets close to. She cuts down the demons with amazing skill, dancing with agile dangerous grace from one to the other and leaving abyss bodies in her wake.

Elora steps back when the giant goes down, and puts her fingers in her mouth to emit a shrill, loud, piercing whistle. "MOUNTED ARCHERS! FLANK THOSE FLIERS!" she bellows afterwards. Ravenseye's light cavalry takes off in a thunder of hooves and Shav battle cries that add to the confusion and din of the fierce battle. The horses sweep towards the demons landing, strafing them with mounted archery as they go, attempting to harry them onto their 'back foot' so to speak.

Lucie cheers as she sees Stanley toppling the giant. Then there are shards gaining ground farther along the wall, so Lucie charges off that direction with her group of knights, but gets into the middle of them far too quickly, risking getting swarmed - at least until someone clears out the shards. She catches her breath and looks about.

Pasquale checks mana at easy. Pasquale is successful.

[Magic] By now, Ariella is too full of rage to speak. She is hacking and slashing at everything not-an-ally that comes within the reach of her blade. The air around her shimmers with a heat mirage, and at times when she moves it seems as if the fire is trailing from the gaps in her armor or ends of her hair rather than her blade. All an illusion, perhaps.

[Magic - Offensive: Tendrils of Shadow] Sharp green eyes of Martino's are across and forward on the battlefield, seeing sight of several shards at one of the walls near-to a flank of Malvici soldiers, he is lifting up his hands once more. "No. Not -there- can you be." With a swift move of his right hand across his front, a long tendril is forming out from Martino's own shadow to snake along the ground and strike against the shadow of those charging at the side. Moving his left hand over an imaginary line before his right, the Malvici Duke is gripping his own shadow somewhat before turning his torso. Pulling with his might to manipulate both his and those shadows before him to drag them down to the ground in a shock of pain.

Rosalind hops away when the giant falls over. She quickly starts to lift her bow, getting it ready. But for some reason, her fingers start to tremble and the arrow drops. Rosa goes to recover it, but she gets distracted by Elora's words and well--have you seen her brother?

The problem with being yeeted into the midst of the enemy is that you are in the midst of the enemy. A problem which Marina soon realizes the full horror of as she tires and her dark darkwater tendrils recede. As she begins to retreat, she takes a nasty hit to the head, falling unconscious.

[MAGIC - 2ND USE - UTILITY - FIRE MANIPULATION] Just a little longer. If she can just hold on, maybe she can do some good. Morrighan luckily misses out on an attack that was meant for her, and could have put her in the dirt. The Sword of Farhaven tactically retreats a short distance, eyes quickly scanning the battle-worn landscape. There's an abundance of fire, fire that she can work with. -Thank Lagoma-. With eyes blazing in a mixture of red and yellow, she reaches out towards the many sources of flame, manipulating them, willing them to follow another path, a path that would feed their flames, a path towards the horde, hoping to further hinder their movement and buy them a little more time - and maybe scorch a few more suckers in the process.

[Magic (#4) - Manipulate Suffering] It's hard to describe exactly what it is Pasquale has done that results in the straightening of shoulders around him. Suffering, pain and anguish slips away from the allies and gets pushed into the hearts and bodies of the shards instead. It's not really a soothing thing, this change, its more like something was stolen away leaving people a little numb, a little out of sorts - But there is less pain for those teetering on the edge and for some it makes all the difference.

Triton [MAGIC (3): Maul] - With the giant down, Triton turns his attention to the demons and shards, his massive form lumbering into the fray with a beastial snarl and crashing through enemies left and right. Fangs flash and limbs rip, six-incch claws slash and guts unravel. The brutal bruin bellow resounds through the ravenseye ranks, summoning the surrounding House troops to follow him. He is probably still listening for the House drums and trumpets and shouts, but not so much looking back. More leading by example while the brains of the family keeps her hands on the reins. At one point, he rears and swipes at a group of shards coming overte wall, his long-disance maul taking them all down before they can join the melee. (re for magic clarity)

[Magic - Itty Bitty Bennys] Acantha is using Icebreaker as a guard for the moment. Whomper and Benny are doing their own thing in trying to beat back the horde and she's just trying to not get overrun by them. She summons up another parcel of spectral beavers to attack the forces. The adorable little murder machines tearing into the demons without remorse.

Raven has switched from using magic to making use of her blade, perhaps deciding the battle is happening on favorable enough terms she doesn't need to risk exhausting herself. She slashes high, making use of the sword's scythe-like shape to literally reap demons with a soft grunt as she puts enough strength into the momentum to chuck corpses off to the side.

The champion danced among the shards, and even as the flames sputtered out, the lethality of the man did not diminish.

Despite the rally, the fire is only intensifying, with numerous shard crossbow men up over the walls and trying to unleash massed fire, as more and more demons sweep down from the air. ((Luck round, which will be the end of round 3 finally.))

Apostate has called for a check of luck at easy.
Critical Success! Brother Chester is spectacularly successful.
Cerys is successful.
TIE: Skaldia is successful. Caspian is successful. Lucie is successful. Austen is successful.
TIE: Elora is successful. Romulius is successful. Martino is successful.
TIE: Jeffeth is successful. Raven is successful. Triton is successful.
TIE: Stanley is successful. Connal, a Northern Wolfhound is successful.
TIE: Marina is successful. Smile is successful. Pasquale is successful. Benny The Beaver is successful. Honeymare is successful. Rascal, a hyper terrier is successful.
TIE: Acantha is successful. Kalakh is successful. Ainsley is successful. 3 Sanna House Guards is successful.
TIE: 2 Northern Rangers is successful. 2 Whitehawk Guards is successful.
TIE: Hawk is successful. Reese is successful. Deliverance, an albino falcon is successful. Vitalis is successful.
TIE: Preston is successful. Ariella is successful. a blue and gold macaw is successful.
Titania is successful.
Morrighan marginally fails.
TIE: Libera, a quiet hawk marginally fails. Rosalind marginally fails. 1 Ravenseye Warrior marginally fails. Spirit marginally fails.

The giant falls!

...But at a cost.

Romulius is covered in the blood of his foes, his blade slicing through demons left and right, his fist is thrown, his teeth gnash and bite, his feet kick and trip. His blade is /thirsty/. /hungry/. "FOR STANLEY!" Romulius echoes the battle cry, before he LEAPS towards more of the enemy, trying to kill even more.

Spirit have been dismissed.

Libera, a quiet hawk have been dismissed.

1 Ravenseye Warrior have been dismissed.

Brother Chester have been dismissed.

Hawk have been dismissed.

Apostate has called for a check of dexterity and dodge at easy.
Morrighan is successful.
Rosalind is successful.

The death of the giant has the demonic attack faltering, as Azazel sounds more and more enraged and incredulous at the defense, sounding particularly incensed at the presence of great ancient spirits 'that should be nowhere near Arvum' according to the gibbering mouths. The hordes seem particularly spurred on by threats to 'eat every last one of them' if they fail, and are launching more costly frontal assaults while raining death upon the Compact.

((Round 4, Victory Points 967. Checks still at normal for the fight))

Caspian checks dexterity and small wpn at normal. Caspian is successful.

Pasquale checks wits and war at normal. Pasquale is successful.

Ainsley checks mana and medium wpn at normal. Botch! Ainsley fails badly.

Preston checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Preston is successful.

Rosalind checks strength and occult at normal. Rosalind is successful.

Reese checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Reese is successful.

Martino checks command and war at normal. Martino is successful.

Vitalis checks perception and huge wpn at normal. Vitalis is successful.

Elora checks command and animal ken at normal. Elora is successful.

Skaldia checks dexterity and archery at normal. Skaldia is successful.

Lucie checks command and leadership at normal. Lucie is successful.

Raven checks mana and occult at normal. Raven is successful.

Pasquale checks mana at normal. Pasquale is successful.

Triton checks stamina and survival at normal. Triton marginally fails.

Cerys checks dexterity and huge wpn at normal. Cerys is successful.

Romulius checks dexterity and huge wpn at normal. Romulius is successful.

Ariella checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Botch! Ariella fails badly.

Acantha checks command and leadership at normal. Acantha is successful.

The gibbering mouths of Azazel are really annoying! Skaldia turns her attention to them, deliberately taking aim at the banners with mouths on them, or their bearers, at any rate. She wants to take them out. "Banshee Archers!" she shouts. "Focus on those gibbering mouths! Let's shut them up for good!" She draws another arrow from her quiver, taking aim, and shoooting at another. The Banshees with her do the same, focusing on the gibbering mouths.

Austen checks strength and huge wpn at normal. Austen is successful.

Jeffeth checks dexterity and huge wpn at normal. Jeffeth is successful.

Titania checks dexterity and archery at normal. Titania is successful.

Morrighan checks mana and occult at normal. Morrighan is successful.

[[MAGIC - Use: 2 - Scaled Hide]] When the demons start climbing over the parapet, the wild loamy scent rises around her as the visible bits of her skin slowly thicken, harden, and crack into heavy scales, from hairline below the collar of her jerkin. That done, she starts barking out orders, to get the Storm back into position for this development.

[[MAGIC - Use: 2 - Scaled Hide]] When the demons start climbing over the parapet, the wild loamy scent rises around ELORA as the visible bits of her skin slowly thicken, harden, and crack into heavy scales, from hairline below the collar of her jerkin. That done, she starts barking out orders, to get the Storm back into position for this development.

[MAGIC] Austen smashes his way through more demons, the large knight untiring, his sword glowing again in a burst of fire as he carves a swathe through the many shards of darkness. But there are still more to fight and he just... keeps going and going. Smashy smashy.

[Magic 2] There's a shield Rosalind has. A shield with lightening bolts that seem to spark to life. Using it front of her to practically destroy everything in front of her, she runs with a loud growl. Stopping in the middle of everything, Rosalind seems to start using all of her body, nails, teeth, all of it, to destroy whatever shards and demons are in her way. From her throat comes a loud, blood curdling scream.

[[Magic - Use 3 - Pink Power Templar!]] Reese is still in thick of the fight. She keeps up the pink heated energy around her for now. Her cheeks are flush pink and her skin looks overly warm. Her blade shines with a pink glow as well. She strikes out at demon after demon, hitting any abyss creatures in her path. Her strong blade arm moves with speed and skill. Her feet dart around with hyper energy. Her attacks are enpowered. She cannot speak much during this, being too busy fighting, but she does cry brieftly to Gloria. "Gloria give us strength, be with us!"

Lucie, recovered from being surrounded earlier, hefts her sword up and charges a short way along the wall towards another group of shards, her knights following, and they set about them, gradually driving back a small group.

[[MAGIC - Use 2 - Charging Crusader]] As the cavalry of the Faith Militant peels off to go and deal with some of the fliers that landed in the districts, Preston turns back to the melee. He takes a glancing blow on his pauldron, thankfully the blow skittering off the diamondplate. The Carnifex roars, and brings his shield around and pushes it into the demon's chest as he pushes it against the crenelations of the wall. Crusader is inelegantly wedged into the beat's side, and Preston then tightens his grip and his lips move under his visor in murmered prayer. As that small spark of Gloria within the paladin charges crusader the demon screams and sizzles before it falls silent and Preston pulls out the glowing sword - it's singing hum no longer muffled by demon flesh.

[[ MAGIC USE 3 - Raven]] Raven seems to get impatient with killing demons at a slower pace and after a moment of restless debate her free hand is lifted again and once more inky black tendrils erupt, writhing over her frame then leaping into the air to burrow into the nearest victims, splitting them apart from the inside out in gory and very messy fashion.

[Magic#5 - Shard Rain] Even as the battle continues and Pasquale's soldiers are winnowed down by the unrelenting horde. Despite the fact strain is starting to show in the lines about his mouth and eyes, Pasquale calls for more of those razor edged shards of sooty glasslike matter and flings them into the guard around one of the banners.

Triton is still ripping and tearing at demons and shards and anything else that looks Abysmal as he tries to deny passage further into the city. There are so many, though, and they are flowing around him in greater numbers than he is stopping. There are other troops beside him, of course, but it may take more than that to hold this wall against the invasion.

[Magic -Itty Bitty Bennys] Acantha's been clawed and is getting covered in blood and whatever the demons are leaking. She's not real sure what that's all about. She summons more of those beaver brutes to charge into the demons. "Don't mess with the beavers!" she shouts out as she pushes the demons back with force. (Third Magic use!)

[MAGIC #3 - ATTACK - SHARP LOOK] It's chaos. Pure chaos. Azazel's gibbering madness and rage, the shouts and cries of defenders, shrieks of shards, flame, ice, bodies flying, and in the throng Vitalis finds quiet. Tickling whiskers at his ear. He scans, and sees it -- the chock on wagon. He pauses and goes to a knee fishing oil and cloth from his pack. Wheeling near Caspian, lighting the cloth before Caspian's flames die entire, "Thanks." And this he lobs at the wagon, which lights and begins to burn. CRACK! With Defiance, he strikes the chock out from the wheel and the wagon goes trundling, aflame, towards the wall into a knot of attacks.

Walking along the edges, Martino is glancing back over his shoulder down to the table where the Malvici lines were drawn up on the board. "Move these ones around once more, pull back that row of archers and swap them across for the next rows. Pull forth the medics as well, pull back our lines of the wounded, clear space for fresh to enter and continue to hold them back at that pass there." The Malvici Duke is there tapping on the board once more before turning to walk towards the edge of his vantage point to see the House colours beat up against the hoard of abyss.

Ainsley checks 'death save' at easy. Ainsley marginally fails.

Ainsley has died.

Ariella checks 'death save' at easy. Ariella is successful.

Ariella remains alive, but close to death.

Ariella is incapacitated and falls unconscious.

Ariella checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Ariella fails.

Ariella has suffered a serious wound!

[MAGIC - 3RD USE - DEFENSIVE - THUNDERWAVE] Azazel's sounds of rage was like music to Morrighan's ears, prompting a smirkish smile to cross her lips, even if for a brief moment. "Jus' a lil' more then," she murmurs under her breath as her eyes take on a different coloration, a mixture of dark blue and purple swirled with gold. Lowering Demonslayer, Morrighan reaches around to pull her alaricite trident from her back, wielding it in her left hand. Small bolts of lightning arcs across the shaft of the weapon, crackling with magic. Lifting her trident high, she slams the pommel into the dirt, the sound rumbling with a whip crack of thunder, and in turn sending a wave out towards the horde to push them back further.

Eventually, rage gives way to recklessness. Ariella, blind with absolute fury, whirls around with a spectacular arc of fire making every movement a feast for the eyes, until an enemy club becomes a feast for her face. BAM. She flies several yards and lands in a heap, and that burning brilliance surrounding her is snuffed out. Perhaps someone will drag her to safety despite her careless approach to this battle.

[Magic #3 - Abyssal Vortex] Titania is looking tired the water barrier took a bit out of her as she continues to fight the demons trying to keep them off the wall, her eyes flash as a group gets up onto the wall and water vortext starts to form around them, trapping them the watery maelstrom damaging them and pushing them off the top of the wall.

Ainsley's glowing shield is glowing bright, brighter than it was before. His sword starting to shimmer with light as well. He charges across the battlefield and finds himself something to take a running leap off of, his sword glowing bright--bright as a star. As if he were about to unleash a massive wave of Gloria-touched righteousness.

He gets maybe a foot of air-time when a massive congeries of monstrous maws shoots up into the sky after him and *CHOMPS* straight onto the bottom half of the Paladin of the Sword. Blood sprays across the battlefield as the conglomeration of maws shakes and jerks Ainsley clean in two.

The once Prince doesn't even have time to scream. No time to cry out for his beloved wife (or goddess).

He's dead before the upper portion of his body hits the ground.

The creature screams across the battlefield, "I SAID I'D EAT EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU MOTHER FUCKERS."

Caspian grinned to vitalis and then dashed forward to stab his knives into a demon. Smattered in gore and viscera, the men continued relentless assault. The Phoenix continued charring the enemies ranks en masse

The blood rain continues to fall, mixing with the blood of the fallen and tears. There's no time to grieve. There is only fighting and dying, as the Iron Guard rallies around their fallen commander and fight on.

((Round 4 defensive round, checking luck. After this round, someone can drag the unconscious like ariella to safety))

Apostate has called for a check of luck at easy.
Jeffeth is successful.
TIE: Triton is successful. Pasquale is successful.
TIE: Raven is successful. Deliverance, an albino falcon is successful.
TIE: a blue and gold macaw is successful. Connal, a Northern Wolfhound is successful. Vitalis is successful.
TIE: Honeymare is successful. 2 Whitehawk Guards is successful.
Ariella is successful.
TIE: Marina is successful. Austen is successful.
TIE: Preston is successful. 3 Sanna House Guards is successful. Kalakh is successful. Ainsley is successful.
TIE: Skaldia is successful. Rascal, a hyper terrier is successful. Cerys is successful. Romulius is successful.
Martino is successful.
TIE: Acantha is successful. Titania is successful.
Lucie is successful.
Reese marginally fails.
TIE: Benny The Beaver marginally fails. Rosalind marginally fails.
Smile marginally fails.
TIE: Botch! Elora fails badly. Botch! Caspian fails badly. Botch! Morrighan fails badly.
Botch! 2 Northern Rangers fails completely.

Reese checks dexterity and dodge at easy. Reese is successful.

Caspian checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Caspian marginally fails.

Elora checks command and animal ken at hard. Critical Success! Elora is spectacularly successful.

Rosalind checks dexterity and dodge at easy. Rosalind is successful.

Likely seeing that mighty wack given to Ariella while combing through for bodies and the wounded among the Malvici, several of the medics are moving to grab onto either underarm of hers to hoist onto a full-length carrying sling. The sort of thing where people stand either end to carry someone out of there. More bodies pilling up, the tears of the demons starting to cause the pikemen to yield and sink back, Martino is soon being greeted with the presence of an unconscious and bloody Lady Ariella Igniseri across the Malvici war table. "The surgeons. Bring them up here to tend to her at once. See this is healed, sewn. Sutured or whatever the damn happens here." Kneeling a little, Martino's left hand is moving up to cup against Ariella's cheek as right is moving into her hand to squeeze on tighter. "They'll be here soon." Hush, low, tones from the Malvici Duke. Ignoring the battle behind him for these moments.

Triton growls as cries go up of the commander going down, but before he can spin and charge the command post more yells report Elora's survival and so he just carries on eating Eaterkin.

Raven blinks as her Iron Guard Commander is dispatched and there's a detached stare at Ainsley's torso. her nostrils flare and she draws in a deep breath and bellows "AZAZEL!! When I get done with you it'll make your nibbler years look fucking dignified!" her lips peel from her lips in an irate sneer "Fuck this shit, want me to embrace this shit I'll embrace this shit."

Raven says, "YOU will rue this day, Azazel!"

Skaldia checks composure at daunting. Skaldia fails.

Blood flies through the air as Romulius continues to swing his blade amidst a field of dead, both the demonic and allies alike. Yet, he hears a cry that the commander has fallen and for a moment, Romulius's face just becomes downtrodden. "MAKE THEM PAY!" he shouts, before he charges towards the enemy line. "I swear Ainsley...your sacrifice will not be in vain." Romulius declares. "HOLD THE LINE!" he shouts, furious and bloodthirsty as he laughs, charging into the enemy.

The amount of dead piling up outside of the Seawatch Gate is actively impeding the forces of Azazel, who sounds more and more furious by the moment despite feasting on the Lord Commander of the Iron Guard. That particular manifestation of Azazel is impaled half a hundred times by furious Iron Guard pike, but the demons seem undettered. With the shrill screaming of Azazel behind them, scores of minotaurs are climbing up the walls while oil is poured down, and a battering ram team is trying to bring it to bear on the front gate, maneuvering around the massive body of the giant.

((Round 5: Victory Points 1124. Checks still at normal. Also did someone drag Marina to safety? Missed it.))

Reese checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Reese is successful.

Pasquale checks composure and war at normal. Pasquale is successful.

Pasquale checks mana at hard. Pasquale is successful.

Cerys checks strength and huge wpn at normal. Cerys is successful.

Caspian checks dexterity and small wpn at normal. Caspian is successful.

Rosalind checks dexterity and archery at normal. Rosalind is successful.

Romulius checks dexterity and huge wpn at normal. Critical Success! Romulius is spectacularly successful.

Lucie checks command and leadership at normal. Lucie is successful.

Skaldia checks dexterity and ride at normal. Skaldia is successful.

Austen checks strength and huge wpn at normal. Austen is successful.

Triton checks stamina and survival at normal. Triton is successful.

Morrighan checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Morrighan is successful.

[[Magic - Use: 3 - Boom/Scaled Hide]] eyes rest on the creature that is bellowing at them, an ally's body at its side. Her eyes harden as a dark, crooked smirk curls the corner of her lips. All of a sudden, this soft-spoken and gentle mannered woman's voice rings with clarion command over the entire battlefield. "AZAZEL! I see you. Afraid to come in the flesh because you abhor your mortality. You hide yourself on cloth. When you get the balls to manifest, we'll see just how hungry you are." Once again, her skin begins to thicken and scale, giving her a decidedly unhuman look.

Raven checks mana at easy. Raven is successful.

Raven checks mana and occult at normal. Raven is successful.

Preston checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Preston is successful.

[[Magic - Use: 3 - Boom/Scaled Hide]] eyes rest on the creature that is bellowing at them, an ally's body at its side. Her eyes harden as a dark, crooked smirk curls the corner of her lips. All of a sudden, this soft-spoken and gentle mannered woman's voice rings with clarion command over the entire battlefield. "AZAZEL! I see you. Afraid to come in the flesh because you abhor your mortality. You hide yourself on cloth. When you get the balls to manifest, we'll see just how hungry you are." Once again, her skin begins to thicken and scale, giving her a decidedly unhuman look.

That's when she sees Morrighan go down. She runs and jumps at the woman, shielding her with her body as she knocks her to the side. <fix>

Elora checks command and war at normal. Elora is successful.

"Sir Ainsley, no!" yells Austen as he sees Ainsley torn apart, his eyes widening in horror for what feels like the hundredth time this battle. He throws himself into battle even harder, his swings beginning to slow just slightly, his body starting to tire as his sword swipes through an unending horde.

[MAGIC - UTILITY - Hawk's Flight (sacrificing star iron circlet)] As Ainsley leaps into the fray, only to get munched by one of those terrifying maws, Skaldia stares at the spray of blood across the battlefield, and the fall of Ainsley's torso to the ground. She screams at the sight, blinking back tears as she sees what was likely going to be an epic moment suddenly turned to tragedy. It is heartbreaking to watch. Her freckled face turns bright red with rage as she grips her bow. "KEEP FIGHTING!" she shouts at the top of her lungs. "Give the bastards whatfor!" She reaches up and yanks off the star iron circlet that once belonged to Felicia. She holds it up in her hand and tilts her head back, screaming, "Felicia! I'M SORRY!" And then she consumes the primum from the sparkling circlet that once belonged to her older sister, the Death Knight. It crumples in her hand, falling to dust. And then the hawk wings sprout from her back once again. She picks up another quiver of arrows as her feet lift off the ground, and then she's back in flight once again, shooting enemies while airborne.

[Magic 4, mat given - Pink Rage!] Reese cries out as Ainsley is eaten. She has no other words than that cry as her cousin by blood is taken down. Her pink glow flares up and heats into a deep rose aura in response, surrounding the templar, burning and downing enemies as she fights on with her glowing sword of ribbons.

Skaldia drops star iron circlet adorned with silver and bone.

[Magic #6 - That Banner Must Die] Pasquale is still very much in his mind, plotting out the paths of the battle, sending messages on the wings of minor magic to his soldiers, and generally making like an immovable fortress amongst the chaos. And as the battle continues to rage around them he continues to pour those smoke-quartz shards into one of the enemy banners - and any shard foolish enough to attempt to get close to it. His expression doesn't quite fit the death and disaster of the moment. A slight smile clinging to his lips even as he continues channelling magic through a mind and body that must surely already be facing exhaustion.

Skaldia checks dexterity and archery at normal. Skaldia is successful.

Triton [MAGIC (4: sacrifice alaricite) MAUL] Triton sees the battering ram trundling in. Surrounded by foes, it might be hard to get to...but he has an option for that! Once again his eyes glow red and his mighty paw lashes out and, far over thataway there is a splintering sound and a spray of wood ships, metal bits and some blood from the crew as his magic crashes a fierce smashing blow into the threat. All around him, weary ravenseye voices scream defiantly as warriors see the strike from their Lord produce visible results. But will it be enough?

Acantha checks command and leadership at normal. Acantha is successful.

Vitalis checks perception and huge wpn at normal. Vitalis is successful.

Morrighan was getting overwhelmed, it was a relentless assault, and it was seeming like it would never stop. The dame was still standing by either luck or sheer willpower, but regardless of which, she was still going. Still fighting. Defiance now returned to her back, she lifts Demonslayer, moving in to attack with a gleaming arc of her blade. With a clang of metal striking metal she was deflected, and all she could see was her opponents weapon moving in to strike, but the redhead is saved by Elora. Shoved out of the way, Morrighan narrowly misses being struck, but it gives her an attack of opportunity, and she thrusts her blade upward, shoving it in as far as she can go to piece the bastard's heart. "Thanks lass," she quickly offers, "Reminds me t'get you a drink later. I owe you one."

Atop the wall, Preston has a rather grim view of Ainsley's death - his eyes quickly darting to the Iron Guard who seem to be standing despite that and there is a small sigh of relief "May the Queen take him to the shining lands" he murmers before he is shaken out of his reverie by another creature mounting the walls. The fight becomes hectic for a moment, Preston going down in a tumble with the demon before managing to wrestle enough space to stab the creature through its side as his gauntlet holds its biting face against the stonework. As he clambers back to his feet, the joys of demon ichor marring his shiny armour he glances out at the field "Just a while longer! They will not be able to press this much longer before having to pull back for a time." His eyes lift for a moment to the horizon and he shakes his head "Now would be a good time for something fucking useful Fawkuhl."

Titania checks dexterity and archery at normal. Titania is successful.

Rosalind blinks at the falling tose. For just a moment. But then like the warrior she is, she quickly starts loading her bow. She starts shooting at more and more shards, appearing more determined than ever. She spies big teddy Triton, grinning a little at him. Focusing again, she shouts,"Embrace the Storm!"

Lucie's small group of knights starts to press back along the wall towards the space above the gatehouse, and on the way, she grabs hold of the shoulder of a soldier, saying, "Fetch fire to burn the ram." Then she turns towards a shard coming up over the wall and squares off once more with her sword ready.

The amount of dead are everywhere. The manifestation of Azazel is meeting spear after spear after spear of the Iron Guard, but it seems unfazed. Blade in his hand, Romulius seems to be looking around for something. "Ainsley..." He looks around, trying to find his *sword*. If he can? Maybe it can help give them an edge. He starts rushing ahead, slashing through enemy after enemy, all while managing to avoid being struck down by the evil hordes they all struggle against. No calls leave Romulius's mouth. He's determined. He's determined to push back against the struggle. He's determined to honor Ainsley's memory...and he's determined to give the monsters a piece of human will.

[Magic - Itty Bitty Bennys - Sacrifice Given] Acantha's feeling the despair settle in, but she has to keep fighting. There is so much at stake here. There is a future to secure. She takes up the string of brass hair bells that Vano gave her ages ago and sacrifices them for the next bit of magic. They needed more beavers on the field to route the demons and this would hopefully suffice.

Elora crawls off Morrighan, checking her over quickly. "I'll take you up on that," she mutters breathlessly, pulling some bandages out of her black leather belt bag for healers and shoving them into the other woman's hands. "Wrap those tight around that slash, and they'll slow the bleeding." Then she's dashing back to her post. "RALLY!" she bellows, though certainly not with the same vigor as her defiant, heard over all the noise challenge to Azazel. "Pike, advance!"

Titania takes a deep breath so much blood, so much death she watches as Ainsley dies, "No!" she takes a step back her breathing heavy as she looks to Preston who she is up on the wall with. Her eyes intense tears silently falling from her eyes, tears fall down her cheeks. She lifts her bow up and she continues to shoot those that dare try to come up the wall.

Demons lashed out at Caspian as he slashed his way through the horde.. He didn't see the valorous sacrifices of other from where he was, but he knew they were being made all around him.

Elora gets fresh gauze bandages for one's legs from black leather belt bag for healers.

[MAGIC #4 - ATTACK - SHARP LOOK] The wagon trundles over the edge and Vitalis leans, watching it go over and crash, flaming, at the base of the wall, black with the bodies and ichor of Azazel's minions. He turns back to the battle, dodging and weaving through the chaotic gyre. He sees a woman that he doesn't know, savaged, a pack of shards bearing down on her. He is reaching to drag her clear, but is beat there by Raven. "Blackheart! Timely!" He turns and cracks Defiance at the oncoming throng, harrying them for Raven to get the woman out. He doesn't look back.

The battle is brutal in its intensity, but the Seawatch Gate is holding. At terrible cost, and just barely from the weight of numbers thrown at it, but it is holding. The demons attack with increasing ferocity, and all too often seem to be trying to terrorize the citizenry of the Upper Boroughs rather than attack the soldiers defending it. Demons being demons, really.

((Round 5 Luck checks))

Apostate has called for a check of luck at easy.
TIE: Critical Success! Rosalind is spectacularly successful. Critical Success! Morrighan is spectacularly successful.
Raven is successful.
TIE: Cerys is successful. Romulius is successful. Caspian is successful. Lucie is successful. Ainsley is successful.
TIE: Ariella is successful. Vitalis is successful.
TIE: Skaldia is successful. Marina is successful. Preston is successful. Reese is successful. Smile is successful. Kalakh is successful.
TIE: Benny The Beaver is successful. Connal, a Northern Wolfhound is successful. 3 Sanna House Guards is successful.
Austen is successful.
TIE: 2 Northern Rangers is successful. 2 Whitehawk Guards is successful.
TIE: Pasquale is successful. a blue and gold macaw is successful.
Acantha is successful.
TIE: Jeffeth is successful. Elora is successful. Titania is successful.
TIE: Rascal, a hyper terrier marginally fails. Martino marginally fails. Honeymare marginally fails.
Deliverance, an albino falcon marginally fails.
Botch! Triton fails badly.

Raven forgoes attacking, sliding an arm under one of Marina's arms and hauling the other woman with her to the rear, looking for somewhere sheltered to leave Marina somewhere she might be safe.

The demons are actively furious at the mortal for holding on. They should be fleeing in terror! They are used to that and expect it, and yet, they hold bitterly on. Something with the power of a dark god ate their guard commander and they are -still- fighting, and that they have not routed is a personal affront to every demon there.

((Round 6, 1301 Victory Points. Checks at normal still))

Pasquale checks composure and war at normal. Pasquale is successful.

Pasquale checks mana at daunting. Pasquale fails.

Romulius checks dexterity and huge wpn at normal. Romulius is successful.

Preston checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Preston is successful.

Reese checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Reese is successful.

Lucie checks command and leadership at normal. Lucie is successful.

Martino checks charm and manipulation at normal. Martino is successful.

Rosalind checks dexterity and archery at normal. Rosalind is successful.

Elora checks command and war at normal. Botch! Elora fails badly.

Vitalis checks perception and huge wpn at normal. Vitalis is successful.

Cerys checks strength and huge wpn at normal. Cerys is successful.

Morrighan checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Morrighan is successful.

Skaldia checks dexterity and archery at normal. Skaldia is successful.

Triton checks stamina and survival at normal. Triton is marginally successful.

Austen checks strength and huge wpn at normal. Austen is successful.

Titania checks dexterity and archery at normal. Titania is successful.

Raven checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Raven is successful.

Jeffeth checks dexterity and huge wpn at normal. Jeffeth is successful.

Caspian checks dexterity and small wpn at normal. Caspian is successful.

Acantha checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Critical Success! Acantha is spectacularly successful.

Eventually, Ariella partially stirs, struggling to open her bleary eyes and lift her damaged head from the table she finds herself on. "WhatmI..." she mumbles, struggling to sit up and groping blindly for her sword. "Lemmegoback. The Nibbler..."

[Magic 5 - Mats given - Pink storm] Reese continues to fight on! The pink energy around her starts to swirl in almost a storm like fashion, taking out demons and creatures of the abyss in her wake.

Triton [CANTRIP: Distract] goes down for a moment after attacking the ram since huge bears can miss things literally beneath their feet. He is tripped by a demon thing, falls and rolls, then comes up unhurt and swinging again. Almost simultaneously, a second bear darts off to the side appearing real but quickly vanishing into the chaos as the distraction cantrip runs its course.

[Magic #7 - Die Banner Die] Pasquale's focus remains locked onto the flow of war around him. That mild smile still on his mouth even as blood starts a slow drip drip down from his nose from the effort. He lifts a hand to push a knuckle to the irritation before raising it once more to lend him a little visual aid to his aim. Another swarm of shards takes form before once again sailing like a hail of arrows down onto the banner and its guardians.

[Magic #3 - Offensive: Tendrils of Shadow] "Ariella!" Martino's shoulders and back are towards the battlefield as the Malvici Duke is forgetting in part that behind him the hoards of the Abyss are charging in. Firing their shard ways and arrows deeper into the Malvici camp as his own numbers are diminishing there on the front lines. Squeezing Ariella's hand tighter for a moment, Martino is feeling a hand from Dame Morrighan Marin on the surcoat worn across his shoulders to yank and pull him back into the fight itself. Moving his hands up from his hips once more, Martino's shadow begins forming those long tendrils again at the base of his feet before he is wilding moving his hands forwards to almost dismiss them to latch out between the Malvici soldiers onto the rows of several shards. The moment his shadow latching onto them, he is flaring his teeth as he is angrily pulling back on it. Hissing heavily within his throat, "We -defend- and await tomorrow."

EVentually....Romulius finds what he's looking for. The blade. Ainsley's blade. He pulls it out of the ocean of corpses, and he holds it over his shoulder. "Alright then....bastards." He looks at the horde, at the demons that continue to attack. "COME AND GET IT!" Romulius laughs as he rushes into the enemy, trying to draw forth the blade itself and swinging it at evil, trying to dig deeper. Trying to put a hole into the enemy. Trying to make them /scared/. He pushes ahead, he fights hard. The demons are getting frustrated. They can win. "Never surrender." He mutters to himself.

Raven stands over where she's sheltered Marina's prone form, lunging ferociously at any of the minions that come near either of them "Fuck. OFF!!!"

The onslaught never seems to quite temper, Cerys watches as the hordes continue, brandishing her spear and taking whatever comes her way. The slender woman moves with relative ease, though the anguish of the situation shows on her features.

Jeffeth is just...giant hammer swinging things. He and Geralt look like they are at the homerun contest trying to see how far they can hit these things. (Jeffeth is winning)

Rosalind stands straight, noting her family. Honing in, she lifts her bow and starts shooting at whatever comes nears him. Trying to keep him safe. He needs it, being the baby twin and all.

Skaldia's running out of magical strength and things she's willing to sacrifice, and she isn't taking any risks. She lands again on the wall, and goes back to just shooting at flying demons that are trying to get over. She glances around swiftly, starting to look a little bit worried. But she focuses on fighting. Until someone calls for a retreat, she's going to keep fighting, and do her best to stay alive, for Hawk.

"You'll never win against us, against all of us," Austen snarls at the demons as he splatters them across the walls of the city. "We swore an oath and we will not falter. We will prevail!"

For a moment, Preston leans against the top of the wall - taking a moment's respite from the battle. A demon tries to come up a ladder and Preston slams Crusader's pommel into its head and face repeatedly before he stabs down and sends the beast down. As he looks over to see it land, he spots the signs that the enemy won't be able to press through today, and he reaches to lift his visor to let the cool air blow on his face "Don't let up" he bellows "One last push Faith Militant! Dig deep, and show Gloria your worth!"

[MAGIC #5 - ATTACK - SHARP LOOK] Vitalis exhales and looks around, scanning for where he might do the most damage. Of a sudden, he staggers. His vision sudden the vision of countless rats. He sways on his feet and goes to a knee, wretching at the onslaught to his senses. A mortal mind is not meant for this. He empties his belly onto the flagstones and then staggers up, wiping his mouth with the back of his wrist. Spitting. He grits his teeth, lips twitching, eyes dark, Defiance trailing behind him like a tail. Teeth bared, he dives back into the fray.

Romulius wields Threnody, an alaricite longsword.

Marina is very unconscious, but will be very grateful for Raven (and Vitalis' assist) if and when she comes to and learns of how she was saved.

Acantha has been sending spectral beavers to tear into people. This time she doesn't use her magic, she winds back with Icebreaker and then brings it down with force on the skull of a demon, shattering it as she does. Benny who is out in the field sees the incoming to Elora and bats the tresspasser up into the air and then whaps him with his tail over a field away. Whomper is still...whomping things!

Blood covers Demonslayer as Morrighan rips it from the corpse at her feet, and with a quick flick of her wrist, she removes the majority of ichor from her weapon. The dame assesses the battlefield, eyes flitting between enemy and ally - one of the latter that appears to be in need of help. "For fucks sake," she exhales before moving. With a quick, albeit short, burst of speed, she dashes towards Martino, blade at the ready, her other reaching for the scruff of his neck - or whatever it is she can grab, to yank him away from danger - or pull him back towards it. "Oi, fuckin' pay attention. This ain't th'time t'lose yourself. Focus, we need all hands, t'kill these fuckers," she says, sternly, but in no way hostile.

[MAGIC - 2nd use] Lucie stands fast atop the gatehouse, warding off another shard, but more than that, as she again fights, it imbues the warriors with her with further strength and vigour, and they clear out a small segment of the wall in very short order. She pauses only to watch Benny go, just briefly, then another Abyssal being comes into her field of view, and she returns to the melee.

[magic] Caspian was fighting a loosing battle, but then they all were..a burst of flame marked that he was refusing to stop all the same

"FORMATIONS!" Elora commands, and the Storm begins to reform. "ADV-GAAAAH!" The little blonde is taken aback by the flying beaver, but she gives him a deeply warm smile. "Thank you," Petrichor's Ambassador says softly to the animal. "I appreciate it, sir." And that's all the time she's got before she has to get back to her troops. "ADVANCE!"

There's a special furiosity given by demons that know they are losing, or in this case, not winning quite nearly as much as they want. It's a tantrum in the ferocity of their attacks.

((Luck round))

Apostate has called for a check of luck at easy.
Raven is successful.
TIE: Marina is successful. Romulius is successful. Acantha is successful.
TIE: Rascal, a hyper terrier is successful. Martino is successful. Pasquale is successful. Ariella is successful. Lucie is successful. Vitalis is successful.
Elora is successful.
TIE: Preston is successful. Austen is successful.
Triton is successful.
TIE: 3 Sanna House Guards is successful. 2 Northern Rangers is successful. Deliverance, an albino falcon is successful.
TIE: Smile is successful. Caspian is successful. Benny The Beaver is successful. Kalakh is successful. Connal, a Northern Wolfhound is successful.
TIE: Cerys is successful. Rosalind is successful. 2 Whitehawk Guards is successful. Morrighan is successful.
Honeymare is successful.
Jeffeth is marginally successful.
Reese marginally fails.
Skaldia marginally fails.
TIE: Botch! a blue and gold macaw fails badly. Botch! Titania fails badly.

Reese checks dexterity and dodge at easy. Reese is successful.

Titania checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Botch! Titania fails completely.

Titania checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Titania is successful.

Despite the terrible damage, Titania does not take a permanent wound.

Titania checks 'unconsciousness save' at daunting. Titania fails.

Titania is incapacitated and falls unconscious.

Skaldia checks dexterity and dodge at easy. Skaldia is successful.

There's a shrill scream from the endless banners in the demonic horde, "EASIER PREY! WE'LL REGROUP FOR EASIER PREY!" The fighting is still intense, but the forces beyond the wall stop pouring in. The tens of thousands of shards among their lines are still fighting bitterly to the death, and many demons among them, but it looks like Azazel's forces are beginning to break off. ((Round 7, 1481 Victory Points. Final round, will not be a luck round after it.))

Vitalis checks dexterity and huge wpn at normal. Vitalis is successful.

Elora checks command and animal ken at normal. Elora is successful.

Reese checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Reese is successful.

Austen checks strength and huge wpn at normal. Austen is successful.

Romulius checks dexterity and huge wpn at normal. Romulius is successful.

Pasquale checks composure and war at normal. Botch! Pasquale fails badly.

Skaldia checks dexterity and archery at normal. Botch! Skaldia fails badly.

Morrighan checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Botch! Morrighan fails badly.

Cerys checks strength and huge wpn at normal. Cerys marginally fails.

Lucie checks command and leadership at normal. Lucie is successful.

Rosalind checks strength and occult at normal. Rosalind is successful.

Triton checks stamina and survival at normal. Triton is successful.

Jeffeth checks strength and athletics at normal. Jeffeth is successful.

Martino checks charm and manipulation at normal. Martino is successful.

Raven checks mana at easy. Raven is successful.

Acantha checks command and leadership at normal. Acantha is successful.

Jeffeth checks mana at easy. Jeffeth is successful.

Raven checks mana and occult at normal. Raven is successful.

Triton checks mana at easy. Triton is successful.

Caspian checks dexterity and small wpn at normal. Caspian is successful.

[Magic] Jeffeth does the wave again, sending several already fleeing shards careening into some not-fleeing demons.

[MAGIC] "You will find no easier prey. Wherever you run we will hunt you, wherever you fight we will defeat you, wherever you exist we will *eradicate you*," Austen yells back at the screaming voice, blasting fire through their ranks with the swing of his claymore.

As Titania goes down on the wall, Preston thankfully is not too far away "Clear them up! Containment!" Preston calls to the Templars, before he grabs two younger Templars on the shoulder to help him as he rushes over to Titania. He lifts his arm, a warm glow of a magical shield as he grabs the neck of Titania's armour and pulls her backwards and away from the enemy, before - with the held of the two templars - he carries her down from the Walls and to the Faith aid station, staffed with mercies and solace guards. He waves at them "Go, recover those who have fallen. Save those you can. We will need every arm that can bear a sword if that is just their first approach."

Caspian slices through a demon and scoffs. "search the city, you still find no prey here! only warriors,! only those who will crush you and your pathetic dreams into the dust!"

"They're Turning!" Elora yells to her troops. "Keep up the pressure, Stormheart! You are the winds of the Storm. It is on you to shatter them. AWAY!" Once more Elora throws her hand out, pointing at a gnarl of demons still marching forwards. And once more, a large pack of "Stormheart Bear Dogs" rip through the beasties, viscera splatting everywhere before the swarm fades again.

"Fucking coward," mumbles Ariella from where she lays, after hearing the rather gratifying shrieks from the bannermouths of Azazael, smiling to herself as she zonks back out. Here's hoping she doesn't succumb to her obvious concussion.

[[ MAGIC ]] Raven lifts a hand and writhing black tendrils erupt from the air around her and set to dispatching any demonic minions that get within spitting distance of her or her unconscious ward "Like we don't understand vengeance." she grumps.

[Magic #4 Mats Given - Utility: Shadowplay] He had done it once before, Martino is inhaling deeply as he is reflecting within his very core for a moment. Moving both of his hands up, he is focusing his sharp green eyes down on the row of shadows from some creatures charging towards the side as the Malvici line is breaking back. The medics there at the mercy of some, Martino is flattening his palms before murmuring low. "Stay." The shadows of the creatures rigid once more, holding them in position for the battle medics to pull a boot dagger out to deliver a critical blow and continue to wave citizens and Malvici back into the city.

Vitalis checks mana at easy. Vitalis is successful.

The demonic horde stops pouring in, but that doesn't mean that Romulius is going to show any kind of mercy. His blades slash through the enemy, Bainteoir and Threnody in harmy, ROmulius becomes a whirlwind of death, slashing and cutting and slaying. His head leans forward, headbutting a shard off of their feet and impaling them with his greatsword. A twist of his heel and he strikes another. When his personal space is clear of the beasts, Romulius seems to drop to a knee for a moment, but he starts to rise back up to a standing position.

"WE. ARE. ARX! WE. ARE. ARX!" He starts the battle chant.

Triton [MAGIC (5th, 1st without a burn): MAUL] - Triton once again sweeps his paw at the air, those unsettling red eyes fixed upon the withdrawing horde near him, and then his magic reaches out to smash across a group of demons with a mouthy thing and an ogre in their midst. The resulting spray of blood and flesh obscure the extent of the damage, but his roaring cry of victory is very clear. The White Bear Spirit hates Abysmals (it's in the clues!)

Elora checks mana at easy. Elora is successful.

[[MAGIC - Use: 4 - Havoc]] "They're Turning!" Elora yells to her troops. "Keep up the pressure, Stormheart! You are the winds of the Storm. It is on you to shatter them. AWAY!" Once more Elora throws her hand out, pointing at a gnarl of demons still marching forwards. And once more, a large pack of "Stormheart Bear Dogs" rip through the beasties, viscera splatting everywhere before the swarm fades again. <right place>

[Magic - Benny's Again - Sacrifice Given] Acantha's looking over the field and given the circumstances she is leaning on magic for this fight. It's something that she doesn't want to do, but she brought some of her most cherished things. She takes the coronet from her belt and offers it as a sacrifice. Taking with it what she felt when she wore it. One of her proudest things. Now it was going to be burned away. When she does, there is another round of Tiny Benny's that erupt from the water and dive into the demon crowd.

[Magic 3] With a loud scream and a face as Rosalind's hair, the Ravenseye is on the move. Hearing Elora is all she needed to hear before she is on the ground running. Taking out demons and shards with her with a swipe of her fist. They fly through the air, much like a bug.

[MAGIC #6 - ATTACK - SHARP LOOK] At the cry from beyond the wall to find easier prey, Vitalis does finally snap. Jaw clenched and seething, he lashes Defiance around the neck of a shard turning to leave and hauls it close, stabbing his blade up through its back, sawing in. It thrashes and screams, fountaining blood over his hands, "No easy prey-" he grunts and throws the still twiching creature to the ground, "-here." His eyes flash with motes of gold and shadow. He harries the demons turning tail. That's right. /Get out of our city./ As one, the rat throng stands on its hind haunches and ...

...HIIISSSSSES... "GET. OUT."

Elora is briefly distracted by the rats, perking up like someone just offered candy to a child. Then there's a flash of guilt and refocuses on her job.

[Magic 6 - mats given, Pink sacrifice] - As the battle start to turn with Morrighan, Pasquale and Skaldia about to perish, Reese is tipped off by Gloria, becoming aware of what is happening. She is infused with even brighter and more rosy pink light that fills th whole battle field, pink tendrils coming around to grab Morrighan, Pasquale, Skadlia and even Hawk out of danger, pulling the away from the demons and those who eat. Reese herself fights on even as her tendrils rescue, pink lights rapidly exploding demon after demon ad turning the curse of the battle in their favor. The abyss forces fall or flee before the light light in a fight explosion of bright almost blinding pink light, Reese is no more.

Reese has died.

Elora spots Reese's sacrifice. Her hand whips to her throat, throwing off her own pink cloak and waving it through the area in tribute to the fallen paladin. That's a hell of a thing she just did.

Raven recoils a bit from the bright light, eyes lifting to shield herself. Fortunately Marina's nicely shaded while she sleeps off the battle-bap she received.

They were so close. Azazel's forces were turning back. "We can do this, dunnae give in, keep at th'bastards!" Perhaps, just perhaps Morrighan was saying this more to herself than anyone surrounding that could hear. Her body was growing weary, Demonslayer was getting heavy, and she was making mistakes. Too. Many. Mistakes. It was unlike her, but despite that, she was trying, trying to help. Trying to make a difference. To maybe turn the tide a little further. But one slip up, a miscalculation, and yet again death threatened to take her as it had with so many others. Before that could happen, she finds herself grabbed by...something pink? Ribbons? She can only see out of the corner of her eye as she's being pulled away that Reese had been her savior. Huffing for breath, the Last Daughter watches on in shock at the Grayson Princess' final act, one that save her - and others. At a cost. "Gods dammit," she curses, falling momentarily to a knee as the woman falls, no more. Her armored fist slams into the ground in a mixture of anger and guilt. "I won't let it be for nothin', I'm sorry."

[Magic (failed)] Pasquale dabs another drip of blood from his nose before once more gathering the shards. They come sluggishly, taking to much time.. Time in which the enemy takes a chance on reaching him. Hurting him. He has the time to see it coming. That impending hurt, if not death, in the form of twisted and terrible shards. Just enough time passes to register it, start to come to terms with it, and then the PINK. Pink tendrils, pink explosions. And in the end he's whole and safe. And just a little blinded. He blinks rapidly to try and clear the afterimage and takes his first involuntary steps of the whole battle. A couple of steps backwards. Trying to work out what just happened and what it means.

[MAGIC - 3rd use] Lucie cheers as the demons begin to draw away in part, then she stops short as she looks towards the flash of light where Reese had been. Lucie looks over wide-eyed, then she charges forward with her group of warriors, laying into a group of shards, driving them back from the wall.

And they are pulling back. The forces of Azazel pull back from Seawatch gate, leaving the Upper Boroughs battered and bruised, but triumphant. The blood rain stops and skies begin to clear, and the forces pulling out of range of siege weapons. They will come again for Arx, but it survives the day.

There are losses, painful and tragic ones. It's time to see to their wounded, and mourn their heroes.

But Arx is still here.

One minute, Skaldia is about to lift her bow to take aim again, and the next, there's a giant demon flying toward her. But then, tendrils of... pink... wrap around her and yank her out of the way. The Banshee of Harrow hall lets out a gasp as Hawk is brought right along with her, to safety, as demons explode all around. She falls to the ground as suddenly the pink tendrils are gone, and she turns just in time to toss her red hair over her shoulder, watching the last glimmer of light fade where Reese once stood, and the Harrow's eyes widen. "Oh no!" she cries. Tears stream down her face, but she and Hawk are okay. They are alive. Swallowing hard, having no time to grieve or think about what just happened, Skaldia scrambles to her feet, picking up her bow once more. But then the demons are pulling back, and she collapses again to her knees, and sags, her bow coming to rest on the ground in front of her.

Ariella wakes up.

Marina wakes up.

Raven looks down to Marina and gently nudges Marina's prone form with a foot "Get your rest now, woman. When you wake up we're going to figure out how to REALLY fuck with Azazel's world. You were right. It's time we make the most of this shit."

Marina comes to, thanks Raven profusely, and then dashes off somewhere with purpose.

Triton stands again, up and up, probably close to tenty feet of bear muscle, head turning to watch the fleeing Abysmals. From somewhere around him comes disgusted grunt evemn though his own muzzle does not move. Then he slowly folds down to the ground, shrinking, until he is a man again. Turning, he claps a Ravenseye man on the shoulder, an animalistic growl sounding disconcertingly from his mouth, and then he is striding toward the House command center to presumably find his family.

Acantha is...tired. So much has been lost, even if the forces have pulled back for now. She crouches down for a moment, trying to keep it all together. There is a look for Benny and given Benny is the size of a house right now he is easy to find! She hurries over to him, checking his wounds and looking annoyed that they hurt him. "You wanna build a dam?" she asks him. "Thank you both for helping...we'll need it." she tells Benny and the Willow.

Elora looks so tired. So very very tired as she watches the Shards retreat a bit. She's had some close calls, and a significant chunk of her troops are not exactly in fighting condition. Her bloody fingers streak back through bloody hair when the 'rain' stops as she looks around, pain in her eyes. She's not wounded, no. But she's seen enough death in her life already. So instead, she goes to find Benny.

Pasquale checks with his soldiers before turning his tired eyes onto the surroundings. For a moment he seems almost undecided but soon enough he speaks to one of his officers and trudges off for what is likely to be some very hard earned sleep.

For a moment, Romulius covers his eyes when Reese makes her sacrifice. And suddenly...there's silence as the rain stops.

Slowly...Romulius steps backwards until he slumps into a seated position. His breath is shallow. He has two blades in his hand. "Ainsley...I'm sorry." He frowns, grief starting to take a grip. Yet, he keeps Threnody in hand. He looks around, trying to find the wounded, anywhere he could help. He was covered in blood. It's some miracle that it isn't his. The price of this victory was near pyrrhic with how much they lost.

Rosalind tries to wipe the dirt from her face, but winds up smearing even more. She had seen what Reese had done and she finds herself very sad, even if there is relief as the shards leave. "So many have been lost,"the Ravenseye murmurs quietly, head lowered. With a silent prayer, Rosa hurries off to find her family and help aide where needed.

Pulling his surcoat across to his side, moving it across the hauberk worn, Duke Martino Malvici's feet are heavy upon the ground as he is listening to a Malvici commander at his side update him on the numbers lost. The scores of the dead but, at this point, this is weight on his shoulders. Closing his eyes, he is panting somewhat to rake in breath to collect himself. "Care to those we've got, get the names of those we've lost that we know. We will see to the largest a Vulture's Feast to remember each." His hand moving to squeeze on the commanders, dismissing them before returning to Ariella to inspect the work of the surgeons

Watching the end of one of his more senior Templars, Preston stares at the remnants of the pink explosion - just standing cold and still. He almost tears the helmet from his head, along with the padded coif he wears and he looks back - as if perhaps somehow Reese might walk back. But, as it settles and she doesn't, his eyes clench shut - their corners glistening with faint tears before he turns away. Preston moves away from Titania and slams his plated gauntlet into one of the supply shelves, screaming out in frustration over the thud of the impact. "Damn it Reese! This...not yet. Not yet." Taking a deep breath he moves and steps out of the aid area and looks to one of the Templar officers and grabs a Solace squire as well "Let the formations know to reform and prepare for renewed assault. Post sentries. And get reports on the siege weapons to Dame Ida. We paid blood for this fucking gate. It is our fucking gate, and he can't have it."

It's not clear where they go, exactly. Or when. Vitalis can feel them, but every time a skittering scrape of claws catches his ear, or a flash of movement, low, his eyes, when he looks, there is nothing. And so, it goes until there are no more rats left. Vitalis shudders and spits, still tasting the sour bite of bile and stomach acid. One rat remains, and it cleans its whiskers of gore, dark eyes glittering at Vitalis briefly, before it, too, turns and disappears into the shadows. He swallows, exhausted, eyes moving in jagged jerking paths to follow the retreat of the demons, after image of the salvation Reese offered them floating before him. He stumbles and ... sits. Hard. And stares for a long, long, time.

Elora does her thing bandaging wounds and then looks around for Rosalind and... "TRITON!" The little blonde sprints to tackle her husband.

"Ah, fuck," Morrighan exhales, straightening upright while watching the horde pull back in a retreat. She looks around at all of the fallen, demon and human alike. This was to be expected but it hit harder than she liked. Loosing a pained wheeze, the dame eases Demonslayer back into its sheathe, and she lifts her hands to pull her helm off and away from her head, causing red curls to tumble down, though some damp with sweat. "I need a fuckin' drink," she says unenthusiastically, "An' maybe a Mercy. If you were lookin' out for me t'day," Morrighan mumbles, glancing at the flames of a nearby fire, "Thank you Lagoma. I'll try nae tae disappoint you next time, but.." Her thoughts go unsaid as her features shift into a mournful expression. This was too costly and she looks horribly guilty.

Raven moves to cover the remains of Ainsley and orders a few of her men to stay with him until he can be given to his family for last rites. This done, she too turns to head out. She pauses and watches Preston a few then continues onwards.

Elora checks 'recovery treatment' at normal. Elora is successful.

Elora puts fresh gauze bandages for one's legs in black leather belt bag for healers.

Triton grabs Elora out of the air and kisses her, his voice still cutteral the sounds coming out not words...not human words... "WHo did we lose. What was the cost?" Hesitently even in bearkspeak. Looks like the whole shapeshifting thing does not wear off right away.

Elora checks 'recovery treatment' at hard. Critical Success! Elora is spectacularly successful.

Triton grabs Elora out of the air and kisses her, his voice still gutteral the sounds coming out not words...not human words... "Who did we lose. What was the cost?" Hesitently even in bearspeak. Looks like the whole shapeshifting thing does not wear off right away. (FIxes ebcause bluetooth and clumsy fingers)

Elora shakes her head as growling comes out of Human Triton's mouth. "I don't know yet, my Lord," she says softly, ever proper. "There hasn't been time to take the counts. I'm just glad you're here. Are you okay?" She pulls back, looking him over. "Where's Rosalind?"

Elora spots Titania, and inhales. "I need to go," she murmurs. Then she moves to Titania's side. With some quick field dressing she calls over two Ravenseye guards. "Take her to Saving Grace," she says. "Hurry but don't jostle her."

Triton waves off toward where he had come from, growling something and clearly telling Elora something.

Titania is carried off not yet awake, there is a soft groan when she is moves, but off to the hospital she does.

Triton, 2 Whitehawk Guards leave, following Elora.

Titania wakes up.