It had been a month since the 'accidental' demise of General Septimus Thralk at the Bleak Academy, and the school had been simultaneously gripped in a schism between its different faculties while being locked down and besieged by Thralk's loyal soldiers and would be successors. A vacant High Command seat typically was up for grabs by many more parties, but these two groups seemed the most hell-bent on filling the void left by the Rampager.
The ordered chaos however, would not be tolerated in disrupting Noxus's greater function- while it paralyzed part of the university belt of the city, business went on as usual all around. If any party deemed to drag more of Noxus into this fighting, the combined might of the military would squash the offending party.
Thus, anyone who wished to visit the Academy at this time... would have to do so at their own peril. Thralk's soldiers, called Rampagers after their commanders, were reputed for little else but savagery and barbaric headhunting practices... true Noxians. That they were forced to lay siege and wait outside the academy greatly irked the assault companies- their temperaments were held at bay by the draconian discipline of their officers, and the eldritch and arcane energies that suffused the sky above the Academy. No news of the conditions within were available.
The atmosphere at the Rampagers' Camp was thick with pent up frustration. Soldiers engaged in exercise duels to first blood, and how much first blood they did draw, considering they used their battle axes. Officers barked left and right to maintain order, using thick, barbed whips to flog any dissenting element. A portion of the camp was devoted to their most grisly practice- the heads taken from the necromancers at the academy, but most of them young men and women; no one of particular importance was there on their head garden.
Septima 'Headhacker' Thralk, the late General's eldest daughter and the currently most well known candidate for succession, was making plans at her command office in an abandoned shop outside the barred gates of the Academy, towering over many of her officers in her crimson plate armor. Half her face was scarred, covered by a long lock of her hair- the other half still beautiful if terrifying. Her vicious twin axes hung upon the wall behind her, her fearsome helmet on the table. Those who wished to speak to her would have to do so with great nerve, as the severed heads of three senior necromancers were impaled upon pikes and placed at the entrance...
Last Edit: May 17, 2013 19:17:56 GMT -5 by valeria
Post by Decavian Theun on May 22, 2013 7:27:50 GMT -5
Followed by his two bodyguards, Decavian was making his way toward the "Rampagers" camp. A few hours ago, when the high command meeting was held, Decavian felt like dealing with the Necromancers would be easy enough... Until he arrived at the actual scene of Bleak Academy. The known High Command member frowned the moment his eyes found the heads. The practice was gruesome. They were Noxians, not barbarians. Decavian's bodyguards stood ready, each of the trained men wielded sword, pistol and years of training.
Decavian advanced toward the camp entrance and noted the men in the front. If they had even the least of brain, they would at the very least recognize him.
The officers- the ones with symbolic red right gauntlets, barked the order over the din of practice. They were still Noxian military- if barely- and followed protocol upon Decavian’s arrival. “General on the Field!” At once the Rampagers ended their self-absorbed melancholy and stood at attention, arms outward in a Noxian salute.
He was promptly led to the command tent, past Septima’s trophies. The tall and muscular Septima Thralk towered over the present company, and she had just enough military courtesy to greet the General and salute. Still, she struck a terrifying figure, the fur of a large wolf adorning her armor- typical trophies of a warrior.
“General Decavian! What brings you here today? I am currently dealing with challengers to the High Command seat vacated by my father... several of the high Necromancers, who’ve yet to show their faces.”
Post by Decavian Theun on May 22, 2013 9:24:28 GMT -5
Decavian did not salute the officers back. He had more pressing matters and instead followed them to the command center with increasing pace. His bodyguards followed him, still weary. Decavian however, was not intimidated one a bit, not even in front of the imposing woman. Fearing these men and women would mean him showing weakness. He was stronger than them, better than them. The savages did not show him what a true Noxian is, as he sees it. Following Grand General Swain's example, total strength above brute strength or mental strength alone. He had his guards, the best of his unit, for physical strength. Not to mention Strength itself was ready should he need it. His mental strength called for a different matter. Should Decavian need, his riflemen were stationed around the camp, ready to pick up targets on his mark... Should the need arise.
Decavian turned to the large woman.
"Madam Thralk, this is an outrage! I'd like to know who authorized this conflict at once! And do not test my patience, nor try to include me in your petty squabbles. These necromancers are most important to Noxus! Not only because of their power but because of their knowledge!" Decavian commanded. He was furious, both at the sights and for the actions of the woman and her... Her... Beasts. That's how he called them in his mind.
Last Edit: May 22, 2013 9:26:22 GMT -5 by Decavian Theun
"With all due respect, General..." She started; information about the conflict was not very well spread, and decided to fill in Decavian as best she could.
"...The Academy made the first move by killing General Thralk, within their own walls. They are withholding the body of my father and his bodyguards. Secondly, several head Necromancers declared their challenge of my claim to the seat of High Command General. These... scholars and academics... have the gall to challenge for the seat."
"Rest assured, since the conflict began several days ago, the high necromancers have yet to show themselves. Rather than resolve this situation between the leaders, they have chosen to turtle inside their academies and send out their minions and students to fight us, with plagues and their undead. This... disruption to the city is not in the people's interests, and we are attempting to bring the high necromancers- any of them- to come forth and explain this incredibly hostile reaction. None of my men have seen any of them since being driven out."
She looked about the camp, knowing Decavian's distaste for more brutal methods of combat and lifestyle. "But I understand. we are keeping casualties to a minimum, and I have strict orders to take live prisoners. Thus far, none have surrendered. There is also another problem of..." This was difficult to verify, as the dead could not speak their side of the story.
The discussion would have continued on the presence of necrotic plague, but a vile stench emanated from upwind. In one part of the camp, bodies of dead Rampagers- and the bodies of Academy students- were being carted to a large pit, doused with oil and set alight. The pyre was cordoned off, Rampagers wearing face masks and signs abounded for everyone to keep their distance.
Not all of the dead remained still; the bodies of several students suddenly came to unlife, leapt from the pit, and sprinted towards the direction of the General and Septima. The ruins and camp tents provided them ample cover, while their unholy vigor granted them an unnatural speed. Warnings rang out, though the Rampagers were scarce on ranged weapons; their interceptions were few, as Rampagers angrily cleaved the ghouls apart that they could get their hands on.
Septima turned her head to see the undead racing towards them, and at once drew her axe- tossing one directly at a ghoul's face, causing it to crumple into a heap. The Head Hacker swung low against her second foe, the creature being liberated of its lower body- its momentum carried it forward. A third ghoul leapt on Septima's back, trying to gnaw at her neck, before her guards could react. Her guards were busied as well.
Decavian came face to face with the undead student- its features advanced in rot, hands ending in vile, black nails hard as steel. It opened its mouth to reveal sharp teeth, a blackened tongue and dark spittle- it moaned with a chilling groan no living thing could produce. Its entrails still spilling out of its guts in a putrid trail of gore, it quickly went for him, the closest living thing; a thing of stench, death and unreasoning hunger. This was no mere zombie... it was a ghoul.
"General!" Septima shouted out, unable to assist him as she had first to remove the thing on her back.
Last Edit: May 22, 2013 10:20:12 GMT -5 by valeria
Post by Decavian Theun on May 22, 2013 10:47:36 GMT -5
The Ghoul raced towards him, readying its vile nails and teeth to jump on him. Decavian's guards still unsheathed their weapons as a shot was sound. The ghoul crumbled to the earth, head splattered, a few feet from Decavian. Decavian held Strength in front of him, the explosive gun blasted the ghoul's brain and the whole head with it's explosive shot. By now his bodyguards unsheathed their blade in one hand, a pistol similar to Decavian's Servitude & Obedience in another and started aiding the rampagers, skillfully eliminating the undead as well as covering for both Decavian and Septima, killing the creep on her back should it still exist.
Decavian's face was grim. He hated the whole prospect of undeath. He shot at the air, three times, with Strength. The small fiery blasts above marked for the riflemen to shoot at any undead creep they can find. The monstrosities must not spread beyond this area.
Decavian pulled Strength back and took out Obedience & Servitude. The twin pistols would mean easier shots. Decavian have expected the undead, though not like that, not so soon.
"Damn them, damn them all. Watch for these nasty pieces of shit, Thralk." Decavian said, ready to shoot anything hostile that will come by. He will find time to talk when the fighting is done.
The surprise attack did only superficial damage to the battle hardened Rampagers Battalion; it would take more than mere undead to put them down. Plate and chainmail resisted their natural weapons well enough, but the support personnel of the Rampagers who were caught in the attack were not so lucky; five unarmored men who were bitten. Only one warrior was caught unaware and similarly attacked. They were herded to the fire pit where the bodies burned, and lined up by their armored compatriots.
Bitten was a weak word- large chucks of them went missing from the bites, and their skin dangled from their limbs in long strips. Two were frozen in place from the shock of their wounds, kneeling or seating in place. The others wailed in horrific agony, filling the night air with torment. The Rampagers, knowing the speed the plague turned, showed them a final mercy; this battalion had no executioner, as each member was a skilled head hunter, and in sickening synchronicity, decapitated their suffering servants. The Rampager who was bitten? he gladly fell upon his own blade and let his body fall into the fire.
Decavian's marksmen on the outer perimeter meanwhile would come face to face with Rampagers now that they'd reveal themselves. Technically allies, they simply acknowledged them and returned to their posts.
"Report! Where did those ghouls come from?!" Septima barked, as an officer wiped the black ichor from her shoulder pauldron and her fur coat removed to be burned. Such a waste. She moved towards the fire pits and inspected the damage, her men carting the now dismembered undead to the fire.
"Milady. The dead we were hauling towards the pyres...." The soldier that reported to the colonel spoke half in fear, knowing their leader's infamous temper. Septima remained civil in front of Decavian, to the messenger's relief.
"Then from now on, I want every corpse you encounter in this conflict dismembered and burned on the spot! attach an arsonist to each squad!" She commanded, and the messenger saluted. He went to disseminate the new order. Septima returned to her command center, the ruined bakery. On the large baking table, illuminated by overhead lamps, were the site plan and floor plans of the Academy, its side entrances marked.
"Well General, now that you've seen just how adamantly the Necromancers resist, would you be willing as to accompany me to confront the Academy's leadership? They are likely holding out in the Keep, the most fortified building in their complex. They have much to be accountable for."
Post by Decavian Theun on May 23, 2013 5:17:23 GMT -5
The fighting was done quickly, as expected. The woman wasn't lying when she said that they kept casualties to the minimum. Digusted by the whole idea of burning fellow Noxians, Decavian turned away. They were Noxians after all. The first thing to do is, stopping the Necromancers from sending more undead creeps and plagues. These things are uncontrolled, it is obvious because one just attacked him. Should these spread into the streets, the whole of Noxus can be afflicted.
Decavian's marksmen left their posts and entered the camp as they were told to do after they are found. A whole unit of 53 was there, a small part of his total force. He sighed and turned to Thralk as he reloaded Strength. His bodyguards reloading their own weapons.
"I understand what you mean, miss Thralk, but do you really think they will let you in? Even with me? I say not." Decavian thought for a moment and nodded. "I'll have to go in alone at first. I'll find out what this is all about and stop them from spreading the plague. I shouldn't be hurt. Hurting me would inflict on them the entire wrath of Noxus. Its safer than letting you come along like that... Though I will require you to aid me in accessing the keep itself. I imagine they let their experiments and minions loose in the courtyard and all around the campus." Decavian sighed as he was sheathing Strength. What a mess.
Last Edit: May 25, 2013 11:45:22 GMT -5 by Decavian Theun
"Indeed, if my understanding is not mistaken it removes the burden of control from their necromancers."
She commanded the Rampagers' officers to come before her, and they stood at attention to receive their briefing. Septima pulled out the plan for the grounds, and pointed to a few key points as she spoke.
"The creatures react quickly to sound and life. If you are willing, my men with your fire support can create a diversion in the main courtyard, holding a defensible position. Since the creatures have so far exhibited no organized movement, it should be easy to hold, While we go to the keep's service entrance here..." She pointed to an old service tunnel that ran in a tighter area where fewer ghouls would lurk.
"If we can avoid drawing attention to ourselves, remain quiet relative to the main force, we can have you there in no time. Does this sound agreeable to you, General?"
Post by Decavian Theun on May 28, 2013 5:18:37 GMT -5
Decavian nodded, but he was not about to send his men just with rifles. He had other troops in his unit. Some summoners and pyromancers should come in handy. He talked to his bodyguard for a moment and he started dashing out of the camp and ran until disappearing to the city itself.
"Yes, I already know about undead creatures though I'm grateful you remind me how annoying they are. I've sent for some more support since firepower alone may not be enough. We can also assume that the Necromancers inside the keep will not go so willingly and ask before they unleash their stronger creations on us.
Now, I suggest a different approach." Decavian said as he pointed at the map at various spots than answered according to each. "Instead of having our men get the chance to be slaughtered just for a distraction, I suggest bringing in some of my pyromancers to support the distractions, but it won't be enough. We will instead create a loud sound using gunpowder from my men's ammunition and draw the undead to them AFTER we create a fortified position. This means that we will move some of this camp's defenses including the sandbags and the makeshift fences into the keep, essentially moving the command center forward.
Next, we want to burn every dead, even if it was undead, the moment they are down. It is utmost important that your men carry torches because rotten flesh catches heat quickly. Excuse me for interfering with your plans by the way, miss Thralk, but it is my men on the line here.
Next, we want the necromancers inside the keep to know who are outside. If they have windows there, a banner of my command would work. I'll see to that should you confirm there are windows to the courtyard in the keep. After that, we create the large sound we talked about to draw all of the undead in the campus to the fortified position. Spikes may work if you have any. This will leave little to no undead guarding the service entrance. Through it, a locksmith may be of use. As you said we must be dead quiet which means we don't want to use physical force on the door. That's where a locksmith comes in. If you have one good, if not I can send to search for one quick.
Next, I want to keep my riflemen on the perimeter so that they may exterminate every undead that slips by. Not all of Noxus are warriors and we can't have them spread a plague. I already ordered half of my riflemen to scout and execute any undead passing by. The other 27, including the riflewoman who commands the troop will accompany the distraction.
Is that acceptable, Miss Thralk?" Decavian finished and leaned on the wall of the bakery.
((Sorry for any grammar/spelling mistakes. Its pretty long and I don't have time to check it up.))
Last Edit: May 28, 2013 5:21:32 GMT -5 by Decavian Theun
Septima nodded to the General's plan; it was apparent that she was used to waging battle without magic support. She showed disdain briefly, but conceded the necessity of using magic.
"Bah, at times like these I wish the Visari House was not in disarray- the siege is their specialty." She commented.
With clear, vicious orders the Rampagers' scant engineering corps. Septima grasped Decavian's plans well enough to summarize them and give them to her people. She also commanded the corps to be re-equipped for defensive battle, and verbal objections were met with thick, studded lashes.
The bloodthirsty Rampagers loathed adopting tactics that did not let them get into grips with their enemies, but their leadership demanded victory, not slaughter this day. Halberds and poleaxes were brought out for the main force that would create a distraction.
Once all preparations were made, The main gate loomed before the forces. The black gates of the Bleak Academy were chained shut, the bodies of dead students impaled upon the gate's spikes, like a macabre decoration and warning- as beyond them was the land of the dead. the darkness of night fell, the campus grounds were aglow with the unholy yellow eyes of creatures that sheltered in the darkness.
Having been animate for awhile now, these creatures actually evolved and became at home in the dark- no more mindless charges, they were now going to walk into hunting grounds.
Torches and lanterns were being lit behind the commanding officers, and an uncharacteristic silence came over the Rampagers. They wanted to fight living enemies that felt pain and fear- not the unfeeling dead.
"Are you prepared to walk in the land of the dead, General?"
Meanwhile, Bleak Academy Main Keep
Atop the roof of the Keep was the Bleak Lyceum- an open, seated space where many of the Academy's important functions were hosted. Today, the many surviving faculty members- many of them middle aged and old necromancers and doctors- gathered.
There was nothing but an air of dread and suffocating silence as the Ebon Knights- the Academy's custodians- herded another group of necromancers- led by an old man with a clean shaven face, messy raven hair, and flowing black robes- to be seated. All around the Ebon Knights stood spaced evenly, guarding the necromancers with visages that bled malice. Everyone spoke in hushed tones- only the most senior of the faculty knew what was happening.
At the center of the Lyceum stood a blonde woman in a doctor's coat, flanked by two Ebon Knights; her appearance suggested a youth, but her eyes conveyed deep cunning and wisdom- and age. Her voice seemed fatigued, her tone soft spoken; but the audience was gripped in fear when she spoke.
"Welcome, esteemed colleagues and faculty, to the 65th annual faculty meeting. I am... Dr. Valeria Van Mordenheim, the head of Pathology."
Last Edit: May 29, 2013 20:24:26 GMT -5 by valeria
That 13th person was different. He had no hood and he gave away an aura of threatening power. His green eyes did not give away the flames which only spark when a battle starts.
"Thralk, you already know the drill. You cannot spill any necromancer's blood without my leave. The Grand General himself has requested me to oversee this without any issues and I do mean to be rid of anything that might interfere. Understood?" Decavian said, his voice cold and lacking of any courtesy he had earlier. He was dead serious.
Decavian gave a few orders and 11 of his Pyromancers aligned with the riflemen who were going inside to create the distraction. A pyromancer and the summoner, who clearly mastered the school of destruction, namely fire, ice and lightning, took their places near Decavian.
"How can one can be ready to face the dead... Now I know how the Demacians must have felt, facing their own people." He turned to his men and the rampagers, raising his voice for both the parties to hear.
"Listen, all of you! The dead are out there, thirsting for blood. They can very well endanger our families and friends. So you mustn't give a step to them, you must stand strong and fight!"
Decavian turned to Thralk and whispered. "I was never one for speeches. Ready yourself Thralk, for if you die, I'll have one massive thorn in my side. Death ain't what's waiting anyone who dies here, but reincarnation as slaves."
Last Edit: May 30, 2013 0:21:10 GMT -5 by Decavian Theun
The soldiers grunted their affirmation, raising their weapons and beating on their chest plates. “To Victorious Slaughter!”
Septima gives the order, and the Rampagers guarding the gates slowly open it, revealing dark, empty campus grounds. The Support personnel came inside behind the fighting force, and Lanterns and Torches were lit up to be placed on the columns, and at intervals on the campus grounds. One could not help but feel the hungry eyes staring at the troops; to the ghouls, they were a buffet on legs.
A soldier gasped upon touching a corpse with his foot. He was about to shoot, when he realized the dead body was not moving. As was the plan, it was moved to the side and set aflame. More bodies of students and Rampager auxiliaries were found in many varied states of mutilation and being eaten. The stench that permeated the air was simply nauseating, but the soldiers shrug it off.
“...Stay near the lights. They’re going to come out of the darkness.” Septima said, and her soldiers complied with her order. Ranks were tightened and shields locked, as many mortal eyes scanned the darkness. More than once perhaps, a gun might be aimed at quick fleeing shadow, but the Colonel viciously barked her displeasure at any soldier that fired without her permission. Minutes pass, and no hostile action was being taken by either side. There was a thick tension in the air, as men worked in complete silence, wheras the... creatures... constantly made movement sounds and hissed, keeping everyone on edge.
“We are in their territory now. We are being hunted.” Septima’s second said, as the support personnel brought in the pre fabricated fortifications and equipment piecemeal towards the defensive point- the Academy’s Library. Barbed wire, fences and pike racks were being set up in the hallways, and explosives being carted to the location. In under half an hour, the plan was ready... and yet there was not a single undead creature that showed itself in all that time. Their silhouettes were clear in the darkness and shadows, and a auxiliary rifleman whimpered that something brushed against his neck...
“They are playing games with us...” Septima said to Theun, her disdain plain to hear. She looked about the fortified location. “Well, we don’t have much choice. We should move soon.”
Post by Markal Cassalantar on Jun 20, 2013 18:12:53 GMT -5
While the party of valiant, battle-hardened warriors made their way through the mysterious darkness the Bleak Academy cast within itself, a third party had been observing from a safe distance, lingering in the comfort of the shadows as he remained unseen, thanks to his darkened robes.
The contained yet sardonic laughing of a man could be heard from time to time as Markal shook his head, a wry smile strewn on his features, seeming quite entertained by the show that presented itself before him. He had been standing on the farthest, opposite side of the Ravager Base Camp and underneath the shadow the Academy's structure would offer. His staff was at his side, the eye sockets of the skull that decorated it showing a soft, teal glow, giving away the presence of the being that resided within.
Aah, my dear Estelle. Markal spoke out, seeming most pleased of himself as he brought his free hand to lightly stroke at the various jeweled brooches and trinkets pinned at his robe, namely the one shaped like a withered tree.
You have no idea how entertaining this is for someone like I! He laughed wholeheartedly. This is better than anything either you or I could come up with.
He turned to look expectantly at the skull, though other than the teal glow burning more intensely, nothing had happened - or so we like to think. Markal chuckled once again.
Oh, you think we should go further in...? See what secrets we may find during the disarray? Ah, my dear - this is but one of the reasons why I married you.
He laughed silently as he grinned, silently striding onward from his hiding place in order to get a better view now that the two leaders had ran out of his sight and further into the Academy Grounds. Despite his physical state, his form flickering like a shadow against the burning flames that consumed the rotting bodies all around the perimeter.
Whatever scouting forces the Rampagers kept in the back to have the main body's back, they would have a hard, if not impossible time distinguishing the possible form of an old, frail man garbed in black robes in the dark of the ever-growing night.
"Normal people die once, but great people die twice - the first time when their life ends .... and the second time - when their legacy ends."
Post by Decavian Theun on Aug 21, 2013 17:29:06 GMT -5
Decavian sighed. "I don't like this at all. This is plain wrong and its all your fault Thralk." He whispered to her, preparing his guns. In a sudden change of mind he ordered three more pyromancers with him.
The riflemen troop took their places under silent orders from their captain. The trained men aimed for the head.
"Alright, my troop is organized and ready. I haven't got a locksmith so I'll just have to shoot the lock myself. When you're ready Thralk, take point and we'll go."
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