The Fate of the Archangel Book 2 Chapt 2
(No major changes except that the text setup has changed)
The Fate of the Archangel
Book 1
Chapter I
The fog was calmly rising in the ruins of the Hil Alor temple. Far, far away in the Vepcisian lands, Sergeant Leckorn was discussing with his captain.
-“Where do you think they will attack next, captain?
-I don’t know… (the man hesitated) they can come from everywhere…
-Yeah, I know… last time, they even attacked by the sewers! Fortunately, we had time to position the cannon to send a nice grapeshot into the mass of Suldurians…
-These demons never give up, do they?
-‘Can’t know, captain… It seems there are always more and more warriors who come to fight us… One day, we’ll have to leave the lower town to reach the upper town… If we don’t get reinforced soon, we’ll have to retreat, that’s certain!
-Anyway… sarge, prepare the men… We must reinforce the Salo Tan Citadel…
-Where’s the lieutenant?
-He died yesterday… Pollius has been named lieutenant, but he’s fighting in the sewers right now…
-Okay, I’ll take 30 men.
-Carry on. Meet at the gate.”
Leckorn ran to a ruined part of the temple. He made quick signs and whispered some orders to his men. His men took their mail coats, their swords, their long bows, their rusted helmet, their rectangular large shields, and sneaked silently with a remarkable stealth between the destroyed columns, barricades, wooden stakes, wooden barriers, the walls of bricks tinted with a dark green moisture… The sound of the “cling” “cling” of the mail coats lightly grazing the shields was the only noise heard. The sergeant reached the gates of the temple. The Eldar captain was waiting for him with some Eldar rangers. About 20 of them were already ready for action. Leckorn’s section was composed of humans (which are a bit better in close combat than the Eldars… Though, the Eldars are expert archers). Leckorn was a veteran since a long time… He still remembers when he arrived to the ruins of the lower town at the age of 17… Young, inexperienced… He rapidly realized that war was an horrible thing… But he had grown up in a world of war, a world of terror where he fell in deep admiration with the strength and might of his people, having fought for hundreds and hundreds of years… He kept fighting until he reached the age of 34 (which is his actual age). He had seen so much young soldiers like he once was dying, screaming… screaming… and screaming…
Each night, he heard again and again the screams of his friends being slaughtered by the Suldurians… He heard again the sound of the cannons, desperately releasing so much shells and cannonballs that sometimes the cannons had to be cooled down with water before it melted. He heard again the sound of the thousands of grenades he threw, remembering the distinct sound of the explosion, and the flesh flying apart. His culture had a mix of modernity and of traditions… The soldiers used bows, swords, and spears, while they also used grenades and cannons, weapons acquired with the recent discovery of gun powder. The soldiers wore mail coats and iron helmets.
The Captain was an Eldar. He was tall and slim, but his skills with a blade were unmatched. The soldiers were glad to follow him as he wasn’t the kind of officer who stays behind and gives orders…
The 52 soldiers ran still as silently as ever through the ruins and reached a large ladder. They climbed it and hopped on the stone wall. They went through an old destroyed tower, climbed another ladder, reached a large trench filled with wooden stakes… and finally reached what they were looking for… but they were too late… The men they were supposed to reinforce were already fighting as the noise of combats reached their ears. The Captain yelled at his men to take up their bows. He also ordered Leckorn to get into the Citadel at all costs before the 2 sections went into the temple. The trenches were dangerously covering the trenches, so the scene was hidden from them. Leckorn nodded and brought 10 men with him. He ran on the wooden footbridge over the trenches and met up with other soldiers. He yelled “The way’s clear, come on!” and the Captain rapidly joined him. Leckorn said:
-“What’s the situation? What’s going on?
-We just repulsed a Suldurian attack… You came just in time, sergeant…” answered the other soldier. “Unfortunately, we’re lacking of cannonballs… Come with me, I’ll show you the way to the Main Place.”
The Captain and his men followed the other Vepcisian soldiers to the Main Place (also called Place-of-Arms)… The Citadel was divided in 3 sections: The Gateway, the Main Place, and the Bastion. The Bastion was the fortified part of the citadel, as it was an artificially made plateau fortified with an incredible ability. The walls were thick and almost not attackable. Though, the Suldurian gargoyles were still as deadly as ever. The best place to fight wasn’t the gateway (as the walls around it were breached to several places), it was the Place-of-Arms, as this was a large place… the perfect terrain for an effective defence with some cannons. Leckorn was disgusted to see soldiers and Suldurians lying down on the paved place… lying dead forever. The last combat was probably more deadly than he had expected… The Main Place was fortified with trenches, and the whole place was fortified with wooden stakes. Some strategic points (as the breaches in the walls or the gateway) were fortified with these large wooden stakes. These years of war transformed these once peaceful cities in permanent fortresses… Each street was fortified, there were trenches everywhere, there were bodies constantly lying down in the houses… Some rivers were separating the city in different sectors, but these rivers were turning to red… with the thousands of bodies that sank in it… The city of Flemiria was more chaotic than a battlefield… it had become Hell itself.
The leader of the Citadel defenders was a human lieutenant called Websoth. He warmly greeted his reinforcements, and assigned some positions to Lemir’s men (the name of the Eldar Captain)
-“Captain, do you hear them?
-Yes, Leckorn… I hear them… Get to the trenches… And ask Jalus to put the cannons in place. Also ask him to place the mobile artillery pieces on the Bastion wall.
-Yes, Captain…”
Leckorn reached the men hidden in the trenches near the Gateway. “Be silent, men… silent like… (he hesitated for a second) like Death itself.” There was silence for a minute… and then…
The screams began.
Chapter II
“FIRE!” yelled Websoth!
The Suldurians mounting gargoyles flew in the dark sky as crows waiting for an agonizing animal. The gargoyles screamed with their terrible wrath that made each soldier panic the first time they fought them. Leckorn remembered…
“I remember… the first time I met the gargoyles… I remember… their screams… I remember… their agility and their swiftness… I remember… my hands shaking on my bow string… I remember, having missed “them” the first time I shot with my bow… I remember… the incredible pain you feel when their claws hits you and tears apart your mail coat, and a piece of your flesh… I remember… seeing my friends around me, watching me falling on the ground, spilling my blood on the hard ground. I remember… their screams of terror… that they released when they saw me almost dying… And after, they all died… one after the other… during constant years of wars…”
But this time, Leckorn was used to war. He was calm and knew that one day or another he would die… but why not make the enemy pay before death takes your life away? The soldiers took their bows and released a volley of numerous sharpened arrows. Several gargoyles were pierced by arrows as their lifeless body fell with an incredible speed. Several gargoyles crashed hard on the soil and some even fell in the trenches. Though, the soldiers’ shields protected them well. Other gargoyles dived in the air and crashed on some soldiers, hitting them fiercely with their deadly claws. Other gargoyles were mounted by Suldurian mages. The mages threw some black rocks covered with some mysterious powder… Several of these stones were thrown and the only contact these rocks ever had with the ground ended in terrible explosions. The Vepcisians hid themselves in the trenches and kept shooting at the numerous gargoyles flying in the skies. Jalus, the Artillery Commander, ordered his men to place the Anti-Air cannons. Each of these cannons were loaded with pointed cannonballs (longer and less wide cannonballs to allow a better “penetration” through the air) which were really smaller than the original cannonballs. These “Anti-Air” cannonballs were put in a large belt containing 20 of these Anti-Air shells. With a great mechanism, the Anti-Air cannons could fire at an interval of 1 “missile” per 3 seconds and took at least 1 full minute to be reloaded. Jalus ordered a corporal to get on the Anti-Air cannon and gave him precise orders where to shoot.
“3 cranks, Morth! 3 cranks! Okay! Aim at 4 and 6! 4 and 6!”
The soldier, with a remarkable dexterity, manoeuvred the machine with a great rapidity to the wished angle. After, another soldier at his right pulled on a thick rope at an interval of 3 seconds, the exact time for another shot to be fired. The missiles took down several gargoyles as the corporal Morth kept aiming at the gargoyles with a moving fire. After a certain lap of time, the ammunition belt was empty. “RELOAD, Tenk! RELOAD!”
While, other Suldurian soldiers on foot charged through the destroyed gateway. The Suldurian leader ran as fast as he could to reach the trenches. Some arrows wiped out some of his soldiers, but he had soldiers in abundance. But, cannonballs went with an incredible speed 3 inches near him and crashed on the ground, exploding a few meters away from him. Several bodies flew over him and landed pretty much anywhere on the ground. Other cannonballs whistled around him, but he kept going forward. Lemir, on his side, took his spear and threw it at the Suldurian leader. The spear went through the surprisingly hard armour and blood fell on the ground with the body being propelled a few meters back. Websoth took his double-handed sword and didn’t hesitate to thrown himself in the melee. Sergeant Leckorn charged out of the trenches, followed by the courageous and outnumbered Vepcisian soldiers. Explosions around him propelled him back in the trenches. The weight of his mail coat made gave him a great shock and he almost lost his breath. He quickly got up and followed the last soldiers leaving the trenches to join the melee.
Leckorn saw several bodies of his brothers-in-arms being tore apart by the “dark stones” (also called “Black Booms” by the veterans) and saw that the offensive was more costly than he had expected… He saw the brave Websoth cutting apart a Suldurian footmen and saw the sword, with the swiftness of the wind, parrying another hit from a Suldurian scimitar. The ground was covered with blood as the combat was raging. Lemir sliced a hand of a Suldurian soldier as this soldier was going to thrust his claws (a special weapon of the Sulrurians. On a glove were nailed up claws of dead gargoyles… perfectly matching with the common shape of the Suldurian twisted hands, these weapons rarely needed adjustments. Sharp and hard, these weapons were perfect for stealth attacks… killing without warning the enemy of your presence…) in his back, but Lemir had the good reflex to crouch, to turn back and to swing his sword at his enemy. The sword hit the hand and the Sulrurian ran for his life as fast as the rest of his strengths allowed him to. The other Vepcisian soldiers roared as they fought their way to the gateway. The Bastion held firm, even if some gargoyles tried to attack the high ramparts. The gargoyles who tried to kill some gunners were rapidly taken down by some of the most skilled Eldar archers protecting their only REAL effective defence against aerial attacks. Some of the archers left in the trenches kept sending their arrows to take down as much gargoyles as possible. With a bit of luck, the gargoyles would abandon the combat and the infantry would follow.
The Gargoyles flew away from the Citadel and the infantry rapidly reached the trenches. The Vepcisians quickly fell back to the Bastion gate. They entered as fast as possible through the dark iron gate, but strangely they didn’t close the door. The Suldurians massively went into the narrow entrance, but most of them died as a heavy hail of bullets hit the compact mass of soldiers. The Vepcisians cheered as they pursued their retreating enemy. Websoth, despite the heavy casualties his men suffered, was happy that he could at least drive the Suldurians back. His men would at least have more confidence in him! Fortunately, most of the “casualties” were composed of “wounded soldiers”. One man out of 6 were killed and 3 men out of 6 were lightly or heavily wounded. Captain Lemir wasn’t wounded during the battle, Leckorn got his left arm broken during the battle, Websoth got wounded to the forehead (a claw slashed his nose and his forehead, drawing a large scar on his face) and Jalus got almost killed during the battle, being thrown down the Bastion by a gargoyle who unluckily grabbed him and threw him down. Though, he luckily survived, with only a few ribs cracked. His heavily plated armour saved his life.
Leckorn thrust his sword in a few Suldurian bodies to make sure that they were dead once and for all. A few moments after, Lemir asked him to bring 20 men with him and to join Lieutenant Pollius into the sewers to see where he was in his fight in the sewers. If possible, Leckorn was asked to help Pollius and his men to reach a certain “place” determined by Pollius himself and the High Commandment. Leckorn grinned as one of his friends came to see him.
-“Sarge, what’s the matter here?
-My dear Uselk… Despite your rank of Corporal, you must learn not to mind business of your superiors. When they tell you to go to a place, you listen to him and you usually find the best way to die in these kinds of mission. I need men who are used of running fast with a good stealth…
-I’ll come, Sarge. I won’t let you down, Sarge.
-Really? That’s nice from you… Go take about 20 of the best men here and ask them to be ready in an hour.
-Sure, Sarge. I like being your slave, Sergeant!”
Both friends laughed as it reminded them the times where their first Captain was a real dictator… 20 men were chosen by Uselk and an hour they reached the rusted sewers trap. The difficulty in this kind of terrain was that the sewers were really elaborated, and were so vast that any man could easily get lost in a few minutes. Though, Uselk had fought for a whole year in these sewers… and he nearly knew perfectly the lower city sewers…
Leckorn slowly approached near the sewers trap… He looked right and left, and jumped in the disgusting sewers with some kind of primitive parachute (as there were no more than 4 or 5 ladders in the whole city to access the sewers without falling flat on the floor… in a place where the surface of the world was 30 meters up you). His friends knew that they could easily get lost in the darkness… and they had full confidence in their leader. Uselk gave a last look at the grey sky, and he jumped in the abysses, hoping that his parachute would open in time.
But, far from the carnages and heroic wars going on in the Vepcisian lands, a proud people had decided to unite once and for all their divided kingdom… The Parmeonian King Polyön II had just decided to unite his country… to be able to see… what was standing beyond Mount Kohrill… But for this, he had to make a dangerous choice… putting down the walls of the Independent City-States…
Far away in Nel Parmeo, King Polyön II was about to begin to accomplish the fate of his nation.
[Special Informations on Factions “Vepcisian and Suldurian Empires]
[[[-Tales of the 2 Empires-
Sources: Tales from the East
East of Mount Kohrill lie vast and dangerous lands… Lands with poor soil, lands where the ground is constantly dry, dusty and cold. Lands… where even the rats don’t want to live, as they could easily be hunted for food. Depleted lands, the lonely lands of Rekiarsm are divided in 2 distinct factions: The Vepcisian and the Suldurian Empires. 2 empires fighting against each other since the world is world.
The Suldurian Empire, founded by Xionus, a powerful vampire whose spirit was twisted by years of studying Alchemy books. Vampires are creatures with a relatively pale skin. Contrary to local legends, the vampires do not feed themselves of blood. They are simply creatures born in the night, living in caves. The gigantic city called “Ageon”, the Suldurian capital, is a gigantic city built with an oriental style. Particular style indeed… The Suldurians’ name come from Suldur, the 15th leader of the vampires. With several wars (enumerated later on in the text) and bloody campaigns, he succeeded to unite his people. The Empire was born. Several armies were formed, as the Suldurians know instinctively how to fight. Living together with the gargoyles, the Suldurians succeeded to become a fabulously effective military power. Spreading terror in the ranks of their enemies, the Suldurian warriors mounting the gargoyles are some of the deadliest creatures that ever fought in the world. Though, the gargoyles are few in number and prefer to live a peaceful live. The Suldurians use claws and can cause the enemy’s armies to run away in fear. Though, the brave Vepcisians fought them for centuries. The Suldurian society is not really complex… A new Emperor is made until his reign ends by his death of his resignation. The Suldurian Empire is vast and has never been conquered, as its only enemy is the Vepcisian Empire, which is too weak to launch a successful attack.
The Suldurian and Vepcisian Empires are like white and black, light and darkness… 2 different sides of a single coin. The Vepcisian Empire is a regrouping of Humans and Eldars (elves). In 789, the 2 people decided to unite themselves together to form a Confederation, known as the Confederation of Vernion. Vernion was an Eldar King. With the human King Brackium, Vernion created a permanent army to defend their territories against the Suldurians. The capital of the Confederation of Vernion, Lef Koradon, was then besieged by the Suldurians. With a great courage, the people of the Confederation took their weapons and formed one of the greatest armies that walked on this earth. Brackium died during the battle, killed by a gargoyle which tore his body apart. Vernion survived the battle and won the battle. Vernion married Brackium’s daughter after the war, and from this union was born Vepcis. Vepcis was one of the first half-blood Eldar. After his father’s death during a war far in the West, Vepcis made himself Emperor. He created several armies and greatly developed the cities and the Vepcisian culture.
One day, Vepcis received a message: a city was attacked by the Suldurians. He arrived with 3 armies. The battle was hard, but the Vepcisian won. A bit before the battle ended, Vepcis saw the Suldurian general, which was called Suldur. They fought bravely each other until Vepcis got frozen by a magical spell of Suldur. Suldur escaped with the rest of his army, while the Vepcisian soldiers cried, seeing their greatest King being frozen forever. Alchemists and the Eldars’ magic didn’t help anything… Vepcis was frozen... forever. The Vepcisians never chose another Emperor, in honour of Vepcis the Frozen. His body was hidden to an unknown place, and the Eldar and Human generals created the greatest network of trenches, barricades, walls, fortresses, known as the “Fendel Barrier”. This battlefield takes about 2/5 of the total surface area of the Vepcisian Empire and protects all major cities. Though, with time, the Suldurian incursions made of the Fendel Barrier a real permanent battlefield. Barricades, walls, trenches, artificial rivers have been created… anything to stop the Suldurians. With time and the constant raids on the Vepcisian cities, the cities began to fall in ruins. The Vepcisian Empire is totally ruined… There are no beautiful things to see there, except if you consider that war is a beautiful thing. The Generals do their best to protect as best as they can their cities, but they often fail. When they do succeed, the Suldurians always come back. The frontline is large and devastated, as the Empire itself.
Talking about armies, the Suldurians have technological advantages over the Vepcisians. They master the art of Magic, which allows them to use it as they want. They can create catapults with flesh and bones of dead warriors and they can do many other horrible things. The Vepcisians master gunpowder. They use cannons with grapeshot and shells, they also use some mortars (even if there are few in numbers). Though, the arrows of the archers and the swords of the Eldars and Humans are still as effective as they have always been. In the South, the Vepcisians bought some mechanical means of transport: armoured vehicles that don’t even use a horse! These vehicles only use a mysterious liquid that is only sold in Dalan Norr, a lone and unexplored city.
With centuries of constant wars, the Vepcisians feel abandoned… what if a new Vepcis took up the sword and claimed back what belongs to the Eldar and Humans? What if the Vepcisians had still strength to fight the Suldurians? What if… the Suldurians decided to finish this war with their old enemies?]]]
-Map of the Known world
http://www.imagedump.com/index.cgi?pick=get&tp=313324
Source: Archives of Nel Parmeo
Book 2
“Rise of Parmeo”
“The great armies of King Polyön II are some of the most powerful and fearless armies in the known world. Each of these Armies have a sense of total devotion to their King… who has the most privileged place in the Parmeonian politics… but the Oracle has supreme power. Being able to communicate with the “Winded Ones” is a gift from the “Winged God” himself… but can this gift destroy us all?” –Colonel Hoemir of the 3rd Army
Chapter I
In the halls of Nel Parmeo’s Royal Palace, King Polyön II was having a discussion with Nadir Berenus, his Right Hand.
“-I feel that something troubles you, my King…
-The road to the cities to the North and to the West… are now blocked.
-Blocked? How come?
-The Independent City-States… have united themselves once again.
-I knew that they had huge and powerful armies, but I thought they were still fighting between themselves!
-Now that they have united themselves, they now attack the trading convoys, and they are blockading the roads to Nel Parmeo… These cities are going to strangle what Agnor himself had died for!
-I suggest that we mobilize a gigantic army, my King. With good propaganda, hundreds of people will join our ranks, and we will create the deadliest and most powerful army that ever marched in the Parmeonian lands! If Jokrilla, Nefezum and Trondforge fall, the rest of the rebel cities will fall… and then we will be able to dream, my King! We will be able to know what’s going on outside our borders, instead of struggling for our economic prosperity!
-The idea is interesting…
-And no one will stand in our path…
-Hmm…
-What do you think of the idea?
-Call the propaganda Minister…
-With pleasure, my King.”
Nadir knew that the King had made his decision… and he was joyful that he still had this peculiar “influence” on him. At least, the Parmeonians would stand together and unite themselves! And then, an Empire would be born. Conquests, vast unexplored lands to march on… At last, the Parmeonian armies would cross the gates of their cities and attack!
***
Within the next days, the propaganda Minister had done his job. Hundreds and hundreds of civilians had decided to join a newly created army, composed of half of each of the 10 armies and of hundreds of volunteers who would take the arms to vanquish the Independent City-States… Nadir Berenus would lead this army with the King’s permission, and Berenus would be assisted by the famous Colonel Hoemir, who had fought for years against the Targuts. The newly created army was called “The Grand Melken” (which means the Grand Army in Parmeonian language). The Grand Melken was composed of more than 50 000 volunteers, and 20 000 experienced soldiers, which reduced the 10 other armies to half of their initial strengths. In 4 months, the whole army was regrouped, trained and equipped. Nadir Berenus, accompanied of Colonel Hoemir, looked beautiful on his black stallion. Hoemir, on his side, was mounting a standard brown horse instead of one of these magnificent and expensive horses that the generals and officers have. “War isn’t a matter of beauty… it’s more a matter of effectiveness.” thought Hoemir as his horse trotted out of Nel Parmeo’s huge gates… Hoemir was a man disgusted by politics and disgusted of the King himself… He scorned this monarchy his father had given his life for, and he scorned this “future empire” where corruption and traitors were everywhere. He saw no glory in his Kingdom, but he respected his soldiers. He respected Halus the Iron Fist, the leader of the Paladins of the Iron Hand. He also respected his great knights, who were the finest soldiers of all. He was a close friend of Halus as Halus had his same point of view. Halus wasn’t a great soldier who could kill dozens of soldiers by himself, but he was a determined warrior. His Paladins and himself fought for their Order. They fought for the honour of their Order as their values were based on the Oracle’s ones. Halus firmly believed in the mighty God and in his servitors, the Winged Ones… that the Oracle called “Angels”. He wasn’t really reassured as he remembered the recent events that took place in the Public Place a few days ago…
“-Do not go to these lands! Do not break the equilibrium! If you enter the gates of Jokrilla, your lands will be stained with blood… and they will come!” screamed the Oracle.
-Well may they come! Our armies will defeat them whoever they are! We will create the greatest nation! And the world will be ours! Damn this God who told us to stay away! There will be no damn omens who will tell me what is good and what is wrong! I decide what is good for my people!” answered the King.
***
Several days later, the Grand Melken was already a mile away from Trondforge, one of the 3 main rebel cities. The cheers of the Nel Parmeonians were far behind, and the people was already tired of this war… The food destined to the civilians was greatly reduced as most of the food went to the Grand Melken instead of the population. Already, there was more tension in the Throne’s room…
***
Nadir Berenus and the Grand Melken reached the gates of Trondforge… And they were met by an army of 45 000 men. Nadir prepared his men for the first battle of this Grand Army that could change the world.
[Special Infos on Factions]
[[[Faction: Parmeonia (Parmeonian Kingdom)
Sources: The Royal Vault of Nel Parmeo
Main cities:
Nel Parmeo (capital), Lessarium, Vandera, Perdica, Welzassil…
Nel Parmeo: Capital of our Kingdom, Nel Parmeo was founded in 3575 by Agnor I. Compared to Espega, our capital is really younger in appearance. Nel Parmeo has a population of 210 000 people. The huge walls defending this city are thick and are made of marble. Nel Parmeo’s citadel, the Agnorian Citadel (named in the honor of our founder), never fell, like the walls of our city. The city was built on a hill, which gave the inhabitants of Nel Parmeo a strategic advantage over any attackers. Everything of the modern Parmeonian civilization began here. In the South-East of the Parmeonian Kingdom, Nel Parmeo is the city farther from the main cities.
Lessarium: Largest city of the Kingdom, Lessarium is the oldest city of our civilization. In the North-West of the Parmeonian Kingdom, Lessarium is a huge city. Lessarium was founded by Ragnüryon. The first people of Parmeonia fought during years to gain control over this region rich in iron. Once the last native tribes were beaten, Ragnüryon decided to found this city. Lessarium has the 2nd army of Parmeonian Military Forces.
Vandera: Founded in 3765, Vandera is the most known city outside the borders of our lands. Vandera is a city hidden in the swamps in the West of our lands. Vandera is the richest city. Living of the trading of salt (a rare product), exotic plants, expensive and rare medicinal potions, and “mystior”, the best trees to make the best arrows, Vandera is a prosperous city. Guarded by the 7th army, Vandera often had to fight for their mines for their swamps, as it is their main source of salt. Vanderans evaporate the extremely salted waters of the swamps in a special machine, which gives a good salt of quality. The water is released in the swamps after. Vandera has never been conquered by other forces of the Extern World, as the swamps act as a natural barrier.
Perdica: A gigantic fortress-city near Nel Parmeo, Perdica is the main Military base of our Kingdom. The 3rd and 4th armies are in a permanent state of alert, always ready to repulse any attack from the Extern borders. This is the heart of our military power. Built by Nadir the Architect in 4120 after the disastrous War of the Eastern Tribes, Perdica saved Nel Parmeo from being constantly plundered by the Targuts…
Welzassil: To the extreme-north of our borders, Welzassil is the last Parmeonian Bastion between us and the Barbarian Kingdoms of the North. Constantly being repaired and re-built, Welzassil has been one of the few regions conquered by us during the Agnorian times (times during the foundation of our capital). With terrible casualties, Lepsyo Athol and his men succeeded to take this mountain pass and to erect a fortress there in less than 2 years. Constantly being attacked, the construction of the fortress has been difficult and costly. Though, this fortress blocks the Barbarians from further invasions of the Barbarians. Only the best men are sent there, as defending such a fortress is difficult against the savage men of the North. Though, during these last years, our King didn’t decide to restore the crumbling fortress. The fortress begins to deteriorate, and the soldiers of Welzassil are lacking of reinforcements. In Welzassil, the 5th Army fought since years and years. Constantly being modified, supplied with new men, the 5th is the oldest modern army in Parmeonia (after the Agnorian times).
Independent cities: Cities such as Jokrilla, Nefezum, and Trondforge, are in the center of the Parmeonian Kingdom, but they are not considered as Parmeonian cities. In 3872, Ajartil of Jokrilla decided to found a new faction with the ones who would follow him. Other cities rebelled, but their alliance shifted with time. The Parmeonians rapidly sent armies to defeat the rebels, but the 4th and 3rd Army were defeated (and were re-created after). A prophet came in Nel Parmeo and warned that if the Parmeonians only dared to cross the gates of one of these independent cities, a plague would ravage the Parmeonians city… And that if they even crossed the Citadel’s gates, meteors would fall from the sky to devastate the whole world… And that each soldier who would enter the Throne’s room of one of these cities would be sent to hell. The Parmeonians then decided to leave the Independent cities alone, even if they still had a doubt about the prophecy.]]]
Chapter II
Having mentioned several things about the Parmeonian culture, the author did a major mistake: he forgot to mention the religion in Parmeonia…
*Note from the author* This religion is based on a single on the tale of the first of the Oracles. The legend told about Aerinil, the first all-mighty God, who was the Guardian of the World. But, the Angels got betrayed by unknown creatures. So, the Apocalypsia (apocalypse) began. Though, for an unknown reason, the Angels stopped attacking just when they had reached Mount Kohrill. They went back to the Heavens, leaving behind them a parchment with 5 Commandments and a world about to explode. These Commandments would become a model for the Parmeonian society, not born yet in these times (meaning that their ancestors discovered the parchment). The people of the Earth then re-built a new world. The religion became a religion equivalent to Catholicism in a certain epoch (in the real world). Thousands of people were killed because they thought otherwise… which made a world where these Commandments were respected with fear instead of understanding. The Commandments are:
“1. Your God deserves respect. Respect, and obedience.
2. Thou shall kill for your God.
3. Thou shall destroy the “heretics”.
4. Thou shall not steal what belongs to your God, which means everything.
5. Thou shall not go further than the Original Borders of your country. If no, Legions of Heavens and Hell will come to destroy your world… and this time it will be forever.”
There was a 6th statement… “The Portal shall not be opened. He who will enter it will never come back.”
Which Portal does this talk about? No one knows…
Okay… back to the story, now.
***
-Trondforge-
The Grand Melken was already besieging Trondforge since 3 days. There had been little assaults quickly repulsed by the Rebels. The rebel soldiers were trapped in their fortress, but they wouldn’t charge their way out for sure! Sallying forth when outnumbered by the enemy would be a suicide! Unfortunately for Nadir and his men, there were too much technical problems to launch a successful assault.
By the 3rd morning since the siege of Trondforge, Hoemir was probably the man the most realist, knowing that the operations were progressing with a painful slowness. One of Halus’ lieutenants, a bald man in his mid 20s called Selemus, dared to ask his superior what was going on.
-“Colonel Hoemir?
-Yes, lieutenant?
-Why aren’t we attacking?
-The cannonballs have still not been delivered yet…
-How come?
-The Ministers are not urging themselves for this war… this war… that the people is already tired of.
-My cousin sent me a letter from Nel Parmeo… He told me that our King had to double the guard in the city, as the population grows more and more dangerous, angry about this war.
-I know… Half of the archers in this army have nothing more but 20 arrows to shoot! The supply chariots are late! This war has been done too hastily… and it wasn’t organized and planned enough for such a great war.
-Let’s hope we can hold the other armies back while we besiege Trondforge… We will get overwhelmed in no time if we don’t attack too soon.”
When he heard this last sentence, Hoemir immediately ran to meet Nadir, which was helping the Artillery Commanders to position their catapults, less effective weapons but they could get stones pretty much everywhere instead of waiting for the supply chariots containing cannonballs and gunpowder.
-“General! General! We must move! Fast!
-Why, my dear Colonel? We will wait for supplies before we attack! That’s simple!
-Noooo, general! Don’t you understand? If we are to fight, let’s fight the other towns before they regroup and overwhelm us! Jokrilla’s army has more than 50 000 soldiers! And Nefezum has more than 40 000 soldiers! If their 2 armies reach each other, our army will not hold! I suggest that we split the army in 2, Milord.
-You mean that an army will continue to besiege Trondforge while the other part attacks the enemy before it regroups? We need the best men for this operation… If this army gets beaten one time, the besieging army will have no choice but to retreat!
-I will lead these men… It’ll give time for the supply convoys to reach the besieging army, to deliver these damn cannonballs that we need so much! Without these cannonballs, our catapults will never be able to break such thick walls of stones! For that, we need more firepower! The best our catapults will do will be to damage the buildings IN the city…
-Okay… Take the men you need and leave me, I’m busy! This will be YOUR operation, this will be YOUR responsibility to lead these men and if you fail, it will be YOUR failure… UNDERSTOOD?
-Yes, General.” answered back Hoemir with a bitter tone.
Hoemir ran to meet his Captains to rally 30 000 of the volunteer soldiers and 12 000 of the experienced soldiers. He also asked Halus and his 500 Paladins to join him, and Halus gladly accepted with one of his authentic laughs. And in the next hours, the Grand Melken was separated in 2, and Hoemir was heading to Nefezum, south of Trondforge.
***
[Special Infos on Factions (Parmeonia)]
[[[People:
The people of Parmeonia are humans. People have a great diversity of appearances. People have either white skin, black skin, dark white skin, tanned skin (in the regions of South)… Parmeonians are proud of their nation and any offence is sure to be answered by an army. The walls of marble of Nel Parmeo are a sign of the Parmeonians’ pride… and decadence. Marble is not the hardest material to make a wall… and a potential attack could break the walls without major problems except the Parmeonian armies.
Military History:
Armies: There are 10 Armies in the Parmeonian Kingdom. Though, the territory is large and it is difficult for the armies to cover every area. Armies are generally concentrated in cities or fortresses. The 1st Army, the Royal Army, created in 3575 (foundation of Nel Parmeo) is a permanent army garrisoned in Nel Parmeo. The leader of this army is the King himself (Polyön II) and the King’s Right Hand (honorific title. The King’s Right Hand title is given to the best Parmeonian general), Nadir Berenus. The soldiers of this army wear ancient armours, use ancient weapons of the Agnorian epoch. They use long curved blades as swords and these blades can also be used as spears. The shields are rectangular (4 times higher than the width of the shield). The helmets are generally iron helmet with 3 holes delicately curved in: 2 holes for the eyes and 1 hole for the mouth. The armours are solid and the mail coats are definitely an epic addition to the Royal Army. The 2nd army (led by Kor Lindus, a new-blood general), stationed at Lessarium, is a new army. Recently created, this army has the youngest soldiers under its banners. The soldiers of Lessarium have the finest swords, but the 2nd army is especially famous for its Paladins of the Iron Hand. The finest mounted knights are trained since their childhood to be part of the Iron Hand regiment. The 3rd and 4th armies (commanded by Narub Trenus and Satcha Beg) are stationed in the Fortress of Perdica. The finest men are in these 2 famous armies who repulsed several times incursions from the Targuts of the East. Used to fight with an oriental style, these 2 armies are often helped by the 8th, 9th and 10th Armies… These 3 other armies are armies of the Militia. Smaller armies, but these men know perfectly their territory. In case of an invasion, the Militias can take care of the attackers with their superior strategic tactics. The leader of the Militias is an old Prince named “Marfirius Agnorium”… Some say he’s a descendant of Agnor himself… The 6th Army, led by Prince Apollodrus himself, is an army of veterans. They often fight with the glorious 5th Army at Welzassil (led by Herkul Hepidros), as Prince Apollodrus’ domain is a near the Mountain pass. Finally, an army of regulars is stationed at Vandera, the 7th one.
History: There is not much known before 3575 (foundation of Nel Parmeo). Few texts mention of Ragnüryon and first people of Parmeonia, but not much. In 4115 a disastrous war between Nel Parmeo and the Eastern Tribes devastated the Parmeonian lands. The Targuts of the East. After the defeat at Lake Yuspir, the men of Perdica saved the day at the battle of Menergon Hill. After this battle, the Parmeonians decided to become a great military power. Luckily, except the Barbarian incursions to the North, there were no more wars after. In 4237, the Suldurian Empire to the South of the Parmeonian Kingdom sent an army to conquer Vandera. Fortunately, the Militias of the 8th Army helped the army of Vandera to repulse the attackers. For Vandera, this war had cost a chance to become an independent city-state (independent from Parmeonian influence) as their army was tore apart on the battlefield of the swamps.
Geography: The Parmeonian Kingdom is at the west of Mount Kohrill (center of the known world). The Kingdom is large and extended, but the Suldurian Empire to the south is threatening. The Targuts of the East (Between Parmeonia and Mount Kohrill) share the eastern border. To the North are the Barbarian Kingdoms… but the map is incomplete due to the hostile relations with this People of the North. To the West of our Kingdom is the Great Ocean… the large sea… an unexplored region though.
Politics:
Parmeonia’s political system is based on monarchy.]]]
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Re: The Fate of the Archangel [Chapter I]
Originally Posted by Greek Phalanx
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