Verminasia lost nothing. Unit leaders who fought in this battle are listed:
Ying
Radix
Tatianna
Mithrax
Kryron
Gares
Saravhana
Praxsis
Rand
Wryllish
Argath
Ickus
Arakayd
Klaudea
Kyteck

Arkane had no troops and no leaders fought. It took the Verminasian army 3 days to march to Arkane, no one ever saw. And this chapter in history is over....or has it just begun?

The Verminasian army was startled. It had only been a few days since they had conquered the most strategic city on the continent. One Army Captain pondered what to do. "Arm the gates!" he yelled. A flash of light appeared into the room, a shimmering gate rising from he ground. Queen Finnadria stepped out of the gate as the gate closed quickly behind her. The Captain immediately kneeled before her.

"What should we do your highness?" He asked.
"How many of them are there?" the Queen replied.
"There's no way to tell yet, highness".
The Queen pondered. "Retreat to Verminasia, we are better fortified there," she proclaimed.
"Aye Highness. FULL RETREAT! Secure the gate and head home! By orders of the Queen!"
Everyone obeyed.

High lord Hammurabi paced. "You would think they would have put out those fires by now. Are they asleep?"
"Punji, scale the wall, take a peek".
Punji nodded and scaled the Arkane wall. He returned a short while later. "I saw no one but citizens and they were trying to extinguish the fire, sir. Perhaps a trap?" the Assassin reported. Hammurabi nodded his head and orders the battering ram to the front. A full 20 minutes later, the battering ram broke the gates open. There were no soldiers in sight.

Hammurabi smiled. "I bet Oge never had an army flee in terror." Hammurabi drew his sword. Here's to conquest! All Marauders present lifted their weapons in a glorious salute.

Marauders present:
Hammurabi
Dramyr
Punji
Thorne
Xanic (who died in the previous sim fight where I made VR defend, was just for fun)
Diamante
Solestri
Archmetes
Yarl
Stridar
Bakshra
Grraul
Esuna

Subject: Invasion Arkane.... again.

The Verminasian soldier looked at the Northern gate of Arkane. Well, that's what it was called, even though no gate stands there. None has stood since Arkane fell to his Army the first time. The only sign of resistance these last few days had been the continued boulder being launched from within the city somewhere. He had lost a few friends in those onslaughts but not nearly enough to sway their sizable force. Finally the order came down. "CHARGE!!!!" His adrenalin pumping into overdrive, he breaks into a full run, his battalion around him. The fallen gate looming before, still no resistance, other than the occasional boulder lunging into his army behind him. Blood lust fills his soul and he belts out a war cry, mirrored by the men who follow him. Still nothing. Something wasn't right, but by now they were in full charge, no turning back. Three whole battalions pour into the gates open archway. As soon as the third enters, loud yells reach out from behind. The soldier turns and sees his men burning; hot oil splashing over them. Then the arrows began. Seemingly out of nowhere, archers on both sides of the battalions start pummeling them with arrows and then the soldier sees them, two mages, and one on each side. Explosions rip through his ranks. The oil on his men is igniting and building a wall of fire. The Verminasian army still outside the wall cease in their charge. For the burning mass before them is impenetrable. Pike men rush out of the houses around the gate and close ranks melee breaks out. The soldier fights, taking down some the pike men, as his men fight with true valor. Of course with a wall of fire behind you and an army around you, you tend to fight with valor. The soldier and his ragtag battalion, what was left of it, continue to smash through the ranks of pike men. The soldier turns, slaying the young pike man who just ran his friend through. Then he feels it: the burning pain in his side. He turns slowly and sees the reason. A knight, bearing the mark of the Marauders stands before him, his sword dripping blood, an evil leer on his face. The soldier falls to his knees and with the last of his strength, brings his sword to bear and splits the knight in half. Before the Knight even hits the ground, the soldier drops. His blood pumps out in spurts and then gently slows to a trickle. The young soldier, known to some as Benigaris succumbs to the gods request for his soul and he perishes. The last of the three battalions that had entered. Silence then takes to the airs. All is calm as the fires dwindle to a mere whisper of what they were.

Subject... Verminaisia/Marauder war part II.

The fires die down as the smoldering bodies are finally robbed of their flammable composition. Anger surges through the hearts and souls of the Verminasian army. As the shock of what just happened slowly wears off, rages begin to flare. A new charge is ordered but first, some necessary precautions. A lone mage begins an incantation, the winds pick up then load explosion erupt thought the Arkanian city. Archers begin to send flight after flight of flaming arrows blindly into the city. Then the call is made, "CHARGE!" With that, a loud war cry is bellowed forth and the army begins to move.

Inside the city, Grimslade paces. "Why can't we go out there and face them. I hate all this waiting."

"Patience, my friend," Hammurabi said with calmness in his voice. "The battle will come to us soon enough. But when it gets here, they will wish they had stayed home. "

Grimslade turned to try one more tactic so that the waiting could end.

"I know how we could end this," he began, "and without losing a single man."

This of course piqued Hammurabi's interest. "Go on," he said.

"Well, we just YEAAAAAAAARRRRGGGGGHH...," Grimslade screams out as flames shoot up his back. A stray Arrow has found its way to him and he succumbs to its flames.

Outraged, Hammurabi, orders the counter charge. Another war cry bellows forth and the battle begins in earnest. The armies clash screams and explosions, blood and smoke, turn the city into a grisly, yet colorful, exhibit.

Hammurabi grabs Dramyr and says, "Come with me." They rush into the fray, determined to make Verminasia pay for the life of their friend and confidant. Two unfortunate souls stood between them and Arakayd: Kristian and Eegore. They were hell-bent on protecting their general. Hammurabi and Dramyr engage them. Sparks fly everywhere as their weapons collide. Eegore lands a slash onto Hammurabi's shoulder but all that does is increase his rage. He feigns a low strike but then shifts up and catches Eegore off guard. Eegore slumps to the ground as his head rolls off on a path of its own.

Meanwhile Dramyr crosses swords with Kristian. His blade dances the dance of death and welcomes Kristian into the dance as he slices deep within Kristian's abdomen. Kristian falls, nurturing the ground with blood as does so many this day. When they regroup, Arakayd is no longer in view.

Hammurabi swears, "He will die as will that wench queen of his. This is my oath."

Raije claimed 3 more lives this day. May Grimslade, Eegore, and Kristian rest in peace.

The Marauders swiftly go to plan B which in essence turns over control of the army to a triad of commanders. Orders are issued and the war continues. An explosion goes off in the battlements, bringing down a battalion of archers from it walls. Arrows thud into the armies on both sides. As a mage prepares to cast at the marauders Archers again, he is pierced through the heart and drop where he stood. Many more fall from the chaos of the melee. Both sides are dragging now as fatigue from days of battle creeps in. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, more foot soldiers arrive, bearing the marauders crest. They attack the fatigued Verminasia's driving them back to the walls. The smoke starts clearing from the battlefield and the devastation is finally seen. Bodies lie everywhere. Death has claimed many men from both sides of the battlefield. The battle still continues. Marauders are moving in on the now much smaller, Verminasian forces.

Three more heroes fell this eve: Praxsis of Verminasia, Stridar and Xanic of the Marauders. Raije receives them with open arms.

A loud horn blares over the battlefield. Swiftly the Marauders withdraw from battle and begin to regroup. Another, different, horn blows. The Verminasian soldiers quickly retreat to the gates. As the first battalion hits the opening, hot oil splashes down, halting their withdrawal. Flaming arrows infiltrates their numbers. The screams are awesome as the men burst into flames and die an agonizing death. Being a smaller group than when this war started, the fires die more rapidly. The rest of the Verminasian army bursts through the smoldering bodies and head for home at full gallop. As soon as they rush out the busted gates of Arkane, an explosion goes off. Under their feet the ground had been saturated with oil. It bursts into yet another wall of flame. Many more soldiers fall to the marauders clever use of fire and oil. Still, they push on. Weakened and tired, they push onward, seeking their home and safety.

No player deaths were encountered this day. The war in Arkane is OVER. Marauders hold the city.

Subject - The retreat

The battle weary Verminasians push their limits to make time between them and the city of Arkane. They are now one days march to their city gates and are starting to relax a bit. Then the message is received. "Word from our eyes to the south, my general, " the messenger said as he hands Arakayd the rolled up parchment and places the pigeon in its cage.

Arakayd unrolls the parchment and reads, a look of alarm on his face. Swiftly he issues orders and the Verminasian army comes to a halt. Archers notch there bows awaiting the inevitable. Then, out of the misty night, they see it. Marauder knights bear down on them at full charge, their mounts foaming from the hard ride.

The archers unleash their arrows sending a devastating swarm into the midst of the knights, bringing down a large amount of them. But it is not enough. The Knights are upon them with an almost sinister speed. The first line of archers is cut down without any chance of retreat.

Arakayd rallies his soldiers and advance on the now engaged knights. "Where is that damn escort," he mutters.

Just then, in the distance, he hears it, the welcome horn blasting from the east.

Subject - retreating army part II

The knights, as swift as they had entered the fray, turn and as fast as their mounts can carry them, head for home. The Verminasian archers send their deadly stings flying into the backs of the retreating knights. Many fall, but soon they are out of sight. As soon as they drop below the horizon, several battalions of Verminasians burst through the cover to the east. Upon seeing the destruction, they immediately get into defensive postures. "Hail, Lord Arakayd, I am happy to see you well." the battalion commander says. "I bring you important news. It's the queen, my liege, she's... dead."

Arakayd stands stunned. "How?" he demands.

"It is a mystery, my liege. What is known, however, is you are to be crowned upon your arrival." Arakayd, still in shock, orders the battalion commander to bring the men home, and then mounts up and speeds off to Verminasia.

After the battalion commander was sure the marauders had left, he regroups his men and begins the day long march back to Verminasia.

As silent as possible for a large army, the Marauders make their way towards Verminasia. Suddenly a mage reports to Archemetes. "Sir, we have detected a presence of two battalions just east of us." Just as he finished saying these words, a horde of arrows begin their decent upon his forces.

Archemetes swiftly orders a halt and places his men in defensive postures. Other orders are given out and a couple of battalions move. However, the arrows stop as swiftly as they had begun. The first battalion returns and its commander reports, "Sir, the forces east have fired their volley and fled. We were to late to stop them. It is obvious however, that they know we are coming." Archemetes mulls this over a bit, then, his mind made up, places new orders. This wasn't going to be as simple as he had hoped.

The Marauders catapult reloads and fires as fast as it can possibly go. The mages begin their chants and explosions are heard in the distance. Then they hear it, not only is there the sounds of explosions, but there is also a fierce war cry. Just then, the Verminasian army bursts into view. Archers from both sides begin pounding their adversaries. Then, they collide. Blood and gore spill forth upon the battlefield. Screams of rage and pain spew forth accosting those who would listen. The catapult is silenced as the crew working it is crushed beneath the charge. Men on both sides die grisly deaths yet the fighting continues. Skill is thrown aside and replaced with sheer reflexes as the will to survive overcomes all involved.

Three have fallen this day; Malinche and Quar of Verminasia and Cryl of the Marauders. May their Gods take pity on their souls.

The fierce fighting continues just south of Verminasia. Units are chopped down like stalks of corn on both sides in the melee. The last of the Marauder's Knights falls to the mass that encompasses them. But they are swiftly avenged as another Verminasian battalion falls. Many, many more are slain in the chaos that war chooses as a companion. Several battalions on both sides then retreat from the battlefield, leaving many more to hold their own.

No Player Deaths this Glorious Day.

A horn blares loudly to the south and the Marauders begin their retreat. The Verminasian army attempts to give chase but is stopped by arrows being fired from the archers of the retreating army. A command is uttered and an explosion goes of in the marauders ranks. Arrows plummet into those retreating as they begin to gain distance. Then all is once more quiet.

One death this day; Jemadar has succumbed to the blade. His death was an honorable one.

Once the Marauders where out of earshot, the Verminasian army receives its order to return to the city. Something big was afoot. Apparently something had happened to the king. Speculation began instantly. Rumors of a Marauder assassin infiltrated the army's core and their anger began to grow. Their new leader, Drakkon, swore to investigate this untimely death and if the Marauders were responsible, they would die a thousand deaths.

Meanwhile, on the trail back to Arkane, the Marauders army is called to a halt. A lone messenger rode up at full gallop coming to a swift halt just before the three High Lords. "Sirs, important news from Verminasia, the king, King Arakayd, has died. Details are sketchy but Drakkon is now in control of the kingdom. Rumor has it that you ordered Arakayd's death. Anyway, they are investigating." The High lord's immediately call their generals and begin to deliberate. What will happen? Only time will tell.

The Baron walked to the center of the Arena raising the still Althainian Champion's arm as the fans cheered Bupu. The Black Robed Champion collected her 25 eggs and Baron Randorf headed back to the plush VIP box seats to see his guests off.

Out of the doorway as Randorf walked back in ran a black clad man, standing 5 feet in height.

With a dagger in hand, the man lunged for King Andelas' throat. Andelas quickly raised his arm and the dagger sank into it causing blood to spurt onto Randorf's curtains. The assassin's momentum carried the King of Verminasia over the seats out of the arena.

As the two men fell several feet to the ground, the Queen screamed.

"Baruch!!!!" She screamed in terror.

"I am here, my Queen".

Baruch looked over the side of the arena wall and sighed.

Down below, the two bodies crashed into the ground. The assassin lost his dagger on impact and Andelas lost his consciousness. Without a weapon, the assassin began to choke the remaining life out of Andelas with the strength he hadn't lost in his fall.

Baruch, an agile Jongleur, tied Randorf's blood-stained curtain to a heavy throne arm and swung himself below to the ground. The assassin released Andelas, still alive and kicked Baruch in the front of the face before he had a chance to react. Falling backwards, Baruch flipped backwards drawing his sword in the same movement. Surprising the Assassin, Baruch drove the sword into the shoulder of the would-be assassin. The assassin stumbled backward and quickly disappeared as if he were summoned.

The Verminasia guard poured onto the scene and took their injured, but living King to safety.

"Search the Palace, they must be somewhere. The King and Queen MUST be found." The Guard was very concerned. The palace was ablaze yet the people he swore his life to protect were nowhere to be found. With haste, he made his way through each room. His heart sank with every empty room.

"Kidnapped perhaps?" He thought to himself. As he strolled through the courtyard he came upon a large crowd.

"What is going on here?" The guard shouted. He looked up and then without being able to breathe, he dropped helplessly to his knees.

On top of the Cities gates were strung two bodies, both with multiple arrows stuck in them.

King Andelas and Queen Azhiraz had been assassinated, and Verminasia was in shock.

Snarkerl raised his head from the ground and yawned. The Dragon's large pointy teeth were the same size as the Balanx who was trying to wake him.

"You've missed the entire war, or at least the first wave!" Austanis said. "I can't tell you what's to come, but I can tell you what you've missed if you like." He said without any emotion in your voice.

"So some mortals went to war and killed one another. What do I care?" The Green Dragon hissed.

"Not quite" Austanis said, "a bit more than that occurred."

The green dragon yawned. "Didn't you alter something historic by waking me up? Go away!"

Austanis "No, you'll be dead in an hour anyway."

Now the Balanx had the Green Dragon's attention.

Snarkerl changed his expression from careless and tired to serious. "Speak. Or you'll be joining me."

"One day, but not today, my green friend." Austanis replied. "The Gods have started a War with each other."

Snarkerl asked "A full war?"

Austanis nodded his head, "All out war. The Good Gods against the Evil with the Neutral Gods caught in between trying to find peace before the world is destroyed. Many in Algoron are dead, much is destroyed."

"How long did I sleep?" asked Snarkerl.

"Not long, especially for a Dragon. You slept about 3 days." Austanis replied. "But as you know, when the Gods choose the affect the world, it happens quickly. Many Dragons slept, as did many mortals. That was not by choice, but by the protection of some Gods."

"So I slept to be protected only to be killed in 1 hour?" The dragon snarled.

"Yes. Your protection has run out." Austanis said without emotion.

"Wonderful!!" The Dragon said sarcastically. "What else happened? Who's dead?"

"The Dragons who did not sleep launched a full assault on the Slayers keep. Much to the mortal's credit, they fended off the Dragon coalition. Their downfall occurred when a Blue Dragon landed awkwardly on top of the keep. It was crushed under the Great Wyrm's weight."

"The Slayers Doom was the result of a fat Blue Dragon landing on them?" The dragon laughed.

"I wouldn't call him fat, big boned for sure, but he was a Great Wyrm, just as you are. Anyway, other clans fell to the Gods themselves. Armada was destroyed by the Pirates. The Gypsies wagons were burned by the Kingdom of Verminasia as order by Malachive. Malachive, son of Necrucifer single handedly destroyed the Pirates killing many and reducing their hideout to rubble. Malice fell before Nadrik and his Knights while Valor was destroyed by Necrucifer and his knights. Eclipse was terminated from within by Renegade Yinn opposition."

"Knighthood and Shadow took out Malice and Valor?" the dragon asked. "And Malachive? I already refused to join him! I knew he'd destroy the world instead of conquering it!"

"Yes." The Balanx replied. "It seems the honorable factions had the discipline to accomplish their lord's goals quickly. There are a lot of survivors and it's my understanding that those left alive are seeking a place in the newer starting clans. The people are calling these new orders Bloodlust, Wrath of Justice and the Order of the Talon."

"Why are you telling me all of this?" The dragon asked.

"I am here to document your death. I am just passing the time with this story. It feels refreshing to share my knowledge, especially knowing you can do no harm with it."

"I suppose I should feel privileged. Continue." The Dragon said again sarcastically. "What of the rest of the World?"

"The Elves enclosed themselves in the forest avoiding the war, as did the Dwarves who shut the mountain's gates. Both thought it was the rest of the world's problems since they were not attacked. A natural reaction I suppose. The Conclave finally did the inevitable and merged the towers under one ruler. They are the same as they were, except unified as 1 conclave with the 3 factions. They are also building a non-warring faction to teach magic. Sebatis even moved the Red Robe tower out of the main focus of these battles, to Ice Wall.

"The Austinians were destroyed by Goblins who simply sought out loot in the time of turmoil. The survivors are now calling themselves the Gray Church and are opening their doors to anyone without constraints.

"A lot of artifacts and magical items were destroyed in the world. Mages seem to have an awful advantage, for now, as the fighting types tend to figure out how to counter that. They've already starting manufacturing better armor types. The Banks have crumbled as they were looted. Looters ran rampant on those kept sleeping as well. Hundreds have been executed for their part in that. Yes, it appears the first wave of this war is over and order is coming back - for now."

"And what of me? How am to die? And why?" The dragon asked nervously.

"You're going to die by Malachive's hand for not joining him." Austanis said.

"And where is he?" The dragon asked.

"You are speaking to him, idiot." Austanis said.

"What?" The dragon asked as he watched Austanis' form change to Malachive's.

"I hope you've enjoyed today's report. Enjoy yourself in Hell dragon." Malachive said with a smile.

Malachive struck his hand into the dragon's chest and pulled out its enormous still beating heart before the Dragon could react.

The dragon's mouth flew wide open as to yell in pain, but before it made a sound, Malachive threw the heart into the dragon's mouth, forcing it to swallow it whole.

Malachive grinned as he simply said "Heh"

As soon as the thought crossed Dormex's mind, he felt himself being pushed into the alley by a blue robed dwarf with a thick red beard. How the dwarf snuck up on Dormex, he could not figure out. Standing in the alley was a particularly thick dwarf with thick black curly hair and a long black beard that was every bit as curly as his head.

"Now look here, gentlemen. I do not think I am the type of person you'd want to try to rob. I've have you know that I am a well known assassin and employed by the Lord Randorf Del'Nichi himself" said Dormex while he eyed the black haired dwarf grip both of his axes.

"A well known assassin, are yae?" responded the red headed dwarf. "You've only killed one person, Dormex, and it was a 94 year old human. Hardly something to brag aboot." "He was a grand wizard! 94 years old for a wizard is nothing" argued Dormex. "And how do you know who I am?"

"We work fur Randorf as well. Ah bae Yarmelxor and this bae Zharrmur" the red bearded dwarf replied. "We've been sent here ta oversee thae mission." "You hardly look like assassins" said Dormex.

"Nue? Thute's because we're nute!" proclaimed Yarmelxor. "Ah'm ah priest o'Raije and Zharrmur herewell let's just say Zharrmur has an axe and ah temper." "A Battlerager? I guess Randorf doesn't mind the mess. Well, my rate stays the same." Dormex says.

"Just due whute yur told, human" said Yarmelxor. "This person we are tae kill is a very powerful mage, which is why ah bae here. Ta counter-curse whatever he does to yae. Zharrmur here is gonna back you up in case yae get in trouble."

Dormex smirked. "I won't have any trouble. I mean, sure this Minotaur is good inside of an arena, but in the real world he won't even see what's coming to him. In fact, I bet I'll end his life before he can even wake up." "There'll bae nue poisoning em" Zharrmur interrupted with a strong dwarven accent.

"Uh... Why?" replied Dormex. "It's the safest thing to do and if it doesn't kill him, it will at least give us a huge advantage. My poisons aren't like the weak mage poisons that just make you ill enough to not get any sleep." Zharrmur raised his voice. "Ah'll tell you why yae scrawny human! It's so ah can..."

"Zharrmur, no" yelled Yarmelxor in protest. "You keep thute information tae yourself, like we agreed." "Nonsense, ah have tae knuwe!!" yelled Zharrmur.

Dormex shook his head. "Why are we all sneaky like in an alley hiding like criminals when you two are arguing so loud that half of the city already knows what we're up to?" Yarmelxor nodded in agreement. "Let's go. The Minotaur is home nuwe. Dormex, you pick the lock, ah'll cast ah prayer tae keep thae door closed and disable any s pell traps while you find thae Minotaur. Once yae find him, you try tae kill em any way yae like and then" "NO!" yelled Zharrmur. "If yae poison em ah'll kill you both." "What the hell?" Asked Dormex who was now pulling at his own hair. "You may as well tell em, Zharrmur" said Yarmelxor. "I .." Zharrmur looked around to make sure no one was too closed to hear his voice. "I want tae take ah bite out of em." "So do we all" said Dormex in a matter of fact manner. "It's a high profile assassination. This will allow me to raise my rates. But I don't think fighting him is smarter than just poisoning him in his sleep." "Thute's nute what hae means" said Yarmelxor plainly.

Dormex looked perplexed. "You mean.... You mean you actually want to eat him?"

Zharrmur nodded and grinned. "I want tae take ah bite out of em." "It's ah stupid idea" said Yarmelxor as he rolled his eyes. "Zharrmur thinks the Minotaur will produce some kind of steak."

"He's gute horns!" said Zharrmur who was once again yelling.

"I assure you, Zharrmur, that it will nute taste like ah cow!" Yelled Yarmelxor. "Besides, he's ah powerful mage and it would likely make turn yae into ah goat or something." "Dorbeldex took ah bite out of an elven mage once" Zharrmur argued. "Ripped his ear right off! And the next day he found ah nuwe axe that did twice thae amount of damage his old one did. So if all hae did was bite em, imagine whute ah'll find if I actually swallow some of em! Besides, Krugnoir thae old told me himself that Minotaur taste exactly like cow steak."

Dormex placed his face into his hands. "This can't be happening." Yarmelxor sighed. "Ah've argued with him about this for three days nuwe. Zharrmur isn't changen his mind. Kill the cow another way."

"Fine" said Dormex. "I'll get us into the mansion and slit his throat. I'll need Zharrmur to hold his hands down so he can't cast a spell after the fact."

"Idiot boy" replied Yarmelxor. "He's a mage. They cast spells with their words. Slit his throat and you've nothing tae worry aboot." "Oh right. I'm ready when you two are." Dormex said.

"Right then. Let's bae off." Yarmelxor said as the three headed toward the AGL Champions Mansion.

"I had not expected all who call themselves good or otherwise to assist. How the world has changed."

Maylstrom flew down into the woods almost landing on a startled traveler. With one effortless motion, he bit the man in half. Looking down at the dead mans face, Maylstrom frowned.

"This world will not fall to force. Yes... I understand now. It will fall to greed."

Maylstrom studied the dead mans face carefully. His massive form shrunk down until it matched every fiber of the dead mans.

"I have a better plan and if I must walk as one of them for a while, then so be it."

The human walked away from the corpse and headed for the city near by.