12-12-2008, 08:34 AM
Chapter 3
The group double-timed it out of the building, to see the sky on fire. Green tinged meteors rained from the sky and pounded to the floor, creating small craters that sent dust flying in all directions. A few seconds after impact, each rock unraveled to reveal an Infernal, each gleaming hot with rage, ready to bring the destruction their masters so dearly crave.
Those dwarves who were fighting earlier managed to run past the doors, just as they were banged shut and refortified with strong metal bars. Hogarth, who was actually fully awake at the moment, ran up the slope towards the battlements, joining the rest of the dwarven archers to repel the first of the waves. There were a few moments of silence... then it all kicked off; a frantic releasing of all bows, catapults, and any other ranged weapons that were available. Demons bellowing with pain and anger. It wouldn't take much for the Legion to get a lucky shot of an Infernal meteor inside the stronghold, then the real slog would begin.
Materalus sprinted up the slope and begin pelting the demons with magic. Ice shards rained upon those Infernals that were advancing, some even freezing to the
floor, it helped the battle, but it was evident that they would eventually reach the walls. Myana and Semellet were rushing around, taking up the jobs of field medics along with the seasoned dwarven first aiders, who were mostly paladins, but the occasional priest could be seen through the chaos. The others had to make do with self-prepared bandages until proper help arrived.
About four minutes into the fight, the Legion began sending in Doomguards. A wave of dread washed over a few of the Alliance army, but they did not break. Some soldiers took it in their stride, revelling in the challenge despite the very real threat. Outside the stronghold, the ground was littered with broken up rock, still slightly glowing green-yellow with the corrupted power reluctant to leave the tool it was controlling. Fewer still were the corpses of Doomguards, who were typically more hardy than the Infernals. The Infernals were almost regarded as cannon fodder, their only point is to send enough in to weaken and tire the enemy, and then send in the elites to finish them off with a quick blow. At the moment this was not the case, the dwarves fought as strong and as determined as ever, nothing would come between them and the protection of their homes.
Infernals were constantly hammering on the doors, but they were being picked off before they could do any major damage. The addition of forces has made this significantly more difficult, however. When the first Doomguard reached the strong wooden doors, it lurched from the weight of the first blow. The demon was took down quickly, but another was suddenly in its place, it wasted no time in wreaking damage upon the door. The dwarves that were a part of the 'welcoming party' stood their ground until the first collision. Half the squad slammed their body masses into the gate in a vain attempt to keep it closed. A purple fist slammed through the door, knocking several warriors to the floor, it spun around and opened, and then began to recede. The hand grabbed an edge of the hole and pulled, ripping a a massive chunk of wood out. It didn't get much further before the team on the battlements rained their shots down on it.
Fortunately, most of the fight was now on the other side of the complex, allowing a couple of crudely battle-equipped blacksmiths a small time to rush to their forges for any scrap they might seal the leak with, there was no time to waste. A minute later they returned, holding several metal sheeting, the strongest they could find. One dwarf assessed the situation and shook his head.
"It be be pointless to repair it as is, because it'd only take another attack similar to last time for it ta reopen!! One of us needs ta go ootside and cover it there!"
After zero volunteers, the speaker bravely accepted. The warrior's muscles strained as the doors opened slightly, and the smith nipped out and began hammering a makeshift repair. It was at this moment an Infernal caught sight of this meddler, it roared and marched towards the dwarf. Panicking, the smith managed to hammer in one last bolt, and sprint inside just before the demon arrived. The corrupted elemental spotted the metal that was roughly hanging to the wood, underestimating the dwarves' ability to work metal, let alone in short spaces of time, and began punching and clawing at the repairs, to no avail. The bowmen cheered at the fast craftsmanship and defeated the Infernal where it stood.
Minutes that seemed like hours passed, and the demons retreated after a seemingly relentless assault. The besieged stronghold gladly snapped up this opportunity for a quick rest, for the next wave would surely be upon them soon, and most likely in greater force.
The group double-timed it out of the building, to see the sky on fire. Green tinged meteors rained from the sky and pounded to the floor, creating small craters that sent dust flying in all directions. A few seconds after impact, each rock unraveled to reveal an Infernal, each gleaming hot with rage, ready to bring the destruction their masters so dearly crave.
Those dwarves who were fighting earlier managed to run past the doors, just as they were banged shut and refortified with strong metal bars. Hogarth, who was actually fully awake at the moment, ran up the slope towards the battlements, joining the rest of the dwarven archers to repel the first of the waves. There were a few moments of silence... then it all kicked off; a frantic releasing of all bows, catapults, and any other ranged weapons that were available. Demons bellowing with pain and anger. It wouldn't take much for the Legion to get a lucky shot of an Infernal meteor inside the stronghold, then the real slog would begin.
Materalus sprinted up the slope and begin pelting the demons with magic. Ice shards rained upon those Infernals that were advancing, some even freezing to the
floor, it helped the battle, but it was evident that they would eventually reach the walls. Myana and Semellet were rushing around, taking up the jobs of field medics along with the seasoned dwarven first aiders, who were mostly paladins, but the occasional priest could be seen through the chaos. The others had to make do with self-prepared bandages until proper help arrived.
About four minutes into the fight, the Legion began sending in Doomguards. A wave of dread washed over a few of the Alliance army, but they did not break. Some soldiers took it in their stride, revelling in the challenge despite the very real threat. Outside the stronghold, the ground was littered with broken up rock, still slightly glowing green-yellow with the corrupted power reluctant to leave the tool it was controlling. Fewer still were the corpses of Doomguards, who were typically more hardy than the Infernals. The Infernals were almost regarded as cannon fodder, their only point is to send enough in to weaken and tire the enemy, and then send in the elites to finish them off with a quick blow. At the moment this was not the case, the dwarves fought as strong and as determined as ever, nothing would come between them and the protection of their homes.
Infernals were constantly hammering on the doors, but they were being picked off before they could do any major damage. The addition of forces has made this significantly more difficult, however. When the first Doomguard reached the strong wooden doors, it lurched from the weight of the first blow. The demon was took down quickly, but another was suddenly in its place, it wasted no time in wreaking damage upon the door. The dwarves that were a part of the 'welcoming party' stood their ground until the first collision. Half the squad slammed their body masses into the gate in a vain attempt to keep it closed. A purple fist slammed through the door, knocking several warriors to the floor, it spun around and opened, and then began to recede. The hand grabbed an edge of the hole and pulled, ripping a a massive chunk of wood out. It didn't get much further before the team on the battlements rained their shots down on it.
Fortunately, most of the fight was now on the other side of the complex, allowing a couple of crudely battle-equipped blacksmiths a small time to rush to their forges for any scrap they might seal the leak with, there was no time to waste. A minute later they returned, holding several metal sheeting, the strongest they could find. One dwarf assessed the situation and shook his head.
"It be be pointless to repair it as is, because it'd only take another attack similar to last time for it ta reopen!! One of us needs ta go ootside and cover it there!"
After zero volunteers, the speaker bravely accepted. The warrior's muscles strained as the doors opened slightly, and the smith nipped out and began hammering a makeshift repair. It was at this moment an Infernal caught sight of this meddler, it roared and marched towards the dwarf. Panicking, the smith managed to hammer in one last bolt, and sprint inside just before the demon arrived. The corrupted elemental spotted the metal that was roughly hanging to the wood, underestimating the dwarves' ability to work metal, let alone in short spaces of time, and began punching and clawing at the repairs, to no avail. The bowmen cheered at the fast craftsmanship and defeated the Infernal where it stood.
Minutes that seemed like hours passed, and the demons retreated after a seemingly relentless assault. The besieged stronghold gladly snapped up this opportunity for a quick rest, for the next wave would surely be upon them soon, and most likely in greater force.