dev 4 - raid event

As the sun sets on Dawn and the clouds cover the stars, a single ship comes into the bay with sails drawn and lanterns doused. It isn't until a sizeable amount of soldiers from said ship have infiltrated the streets of the Valmasian settlement that alarms are finally sounded.

Cannon fire from the boat itself thunders through the air, waking many from their sleep, and the drakanites garbbed in dark armor with occultic wings take through the streets with aims to save their captured comrades.

Another enemy? At this hour?

The Lich King was not amused. A single mental impulse was enough to mobilize the armies of undead; countless servicemen under Arthur's wing immediately awakened to find themselves prepared for combat, standing guard at the side from which they were approaching - whatever this group of magi thought they would get, there's one thing certain, they would get a lot of resistance.

The skies darkened. The thunder roared with summoned storm.

"They dare invade us boldly like this? A dire mistake."

That glow. That putrid glow of sickly blue in his eyes, two fires that have long replaced his eyes- the Lich King's power was coming to its fullest, and with each passing second, the Storms above their heads were gathering to a thicker, darker cloud; not too long before the fighting would begin, bolts of lightning already strike somewhere ahead - aimed at the approaching enemy.

"The price for that mistake will be their lives."
(Arthur Rowan)

The cloud cover is revealed to be something else entirely; smoke and mist sweep across the sky. The moon and all other lights that would otherwise give illumination to the city are stifled to increase the confusion and disarray while the Dark Flame's Lightning Brigade cut through the streets in scores. They concentrate themselves near prisons, dungeons, any place where a prisoner may be held and detained.

Amidst the night's chaos, many cross paths and blades.

Runa-Vaan v. Grank

Sors-Gisei v. Erek

Taiga-Arthur v. Abutus

Kairi-Dylerun v. Korish

Amalka-Vedran v. Blazh

Sienna-Masoumi v. Gurvan

Jessi-Aldrah v. Gorou

Eniel-Elisa v. Teldir

(Cap 1-2, but this is only a CoI raid so try not to sweat it if you get capped)

One of the Dark Drakanites. Had to be.

In truth, the Lich King had seen too much in his life to be intimidated; countless rivals from all across Agartha who try to uproot his rule, and many more that try to kill him. Why would he be concerned much about yet another raiding parting coming to Dawn? By the time it's over, they will be naught but pieces to feed him, drinks of mana for him to reap.

Wells of lifeforce to drain.

And this particular magi? He looked just sufficient enough. That powerful Occultic aura, the presence, the might- all the necessary ingredients for Arthur to take his life and fuel his own ascension. Except, there's one more task to do before that could happen - actually defeating it. Would he be up to the task? Obviously.

And with sudden presence of Taiga by his side, amidst the combat? There's only more reason to believe that he would be successful no matter what.

"Bold move for someone to move into the lair of the Lich King."

The staff held in his hand, with the fury of storms following him. There's no doubt that the energies he held were impressive- and the combined presence of many bodyguards, it's clear he was leading nothing short of an army.

"Show your worth, warrior. This fight will decide only one thing - I will either take your lifeforce and send you to stars, or add you to my army."

"Impress me. There will be no second chance."

A glare of the blue fires, a sudden jolt of lightning - and it all began.
(Arthur Rowan)

The Dark Crawler scowls as he sees a sizable force of Dawn Magi meet them. Cannonballs didn't work - should've used his blessing like he suggested. But oh well, the shamans suggestions were always thought of as mere superstition.

As his comrades charged, The Dark Crawler would too. Bringing forth gusts of mournegale to cull whatever resistance was given. Slicing winds would find their way wrapping around non-magis, and some of the magis themselves. Hugging deeply, yet not causing much of an issue thus far.


Eventually he'd be met with The Lich, and the Lich's son in law. High value targets that would grant him the recognition he needed. To prove that his spirits weren't to be manhandled like his lord has suggested.

"Aye! There be two of the corrupted. Legions of Dawn, you ain't got anythin' compared to the Arch-Drake Rygalis."

A light chuckle. He draws his scythe, and the flowers on it begin releasingspores. Restricting the battlefield in massive swarms of organic fog.

"You'll see the Dark Flame's might today."
(Abutus Dark Crawler)

The small fry are nothing to him. He cuts through them in a tornado of blood and gore, and the crowd splits around him. They realize they're walking straight into death, with no chance of survival against a predator such as Taiga. He's merciless, calculating, prowling forward and lashing out at anyone who dares to get close. It clearly marks him as a dangerous combatant - and would surely attract the attention of the powerful commanders of this small army.

Taiga's glowing, crimson eyes would take in the sight of one of their strongest, lining right up with none other than Arthur Rowan himself. What trouble it would be, if Arthur of all people were to be injured on his watch. Taiga almost instantly switches his thought process, movements becoming absurdly quick as he leaps over to Arthur's side, cutting through the rank and file to form a clear battlefield for the titanic magi to face off!

His blade and cloak are soaked in blood, and Taiga seems tobe all but a shadow of his usual self. Back arched, muscles tense with his whole form bristling with a savage energy. He levels his gaze to Abutus, taking position next to Arthur as he begins his speech.

Taiga offers no such words. He's far closer to a beast than anything else right now.

When that smug bastard opens his mouth to laugh? Taiga leaps forward, aiming to shove his blade right between their teeth.
(Taiga Rowan)

Dark winds cut across their fight. Ironically taking out most of the grass and other wild life. Toxins spread across the battlefield. Seeping into any cuts left by his Fel.


Taiga would be barraged by Tornadoes and Poisons. Leaving infected cuts all across his body.

While Arthur would be infested by Abutus' spores. Growing plantlife inside, and outside, of his own bones.

(Abutus Dark Crawler)

A single misstep is all it took. Right into the eye of the tornado, a fraction of a second away from slicing this bastards head clean off. Taiga swings -- and is consumed. Darkened winds swirling around him as he fell directly for the magi's trap, a suddenly flurry of razor sharp winds annihilating him.

He's swept away, every big of power he had left used to clutch tightly to his blade as he swirls through the skies, flesh rending again and again. By the time Taiga lands, he's already painted half the field with his own blood, and he crumples into a beaten, broken pulp on the floor.

Alive, certainly. It looks a lot worse than it actually is. But just moving right now would result in his life gushing out from the myriad of open wounds. He couldn't get back up and fight even if he wanted to, for fear of bleeding out right there. He had no choice but to sit there and wallow in his defeat.

Damn it.
(Taiga Rowan)

This did not go as planned.

For all of the might of the storms summoned, whether it was because of his age settling in, or the frailty of this body, he could not withstand the damage just like he used to- in a sense, it was the reality check to the Lich King, that it's time for him to move on further and improve before he stagnates into something much worse than he already is.

Did that mean in moral sense? Of course not. The man always looked for ways to become better than what he already is.

The barrage of dark winds, of spores, it all covered him too much- in the end, his effort was not enough, and he was overwhelmed by this. He didn't even rush to blame Taiga for this failure, no - this meant that he had a lot of work to do, still, and that he cannot allow himself to rest with an absolute peace.

Though...

'Protect the Lich King! Cover the retreat!'

Loyal to the end. Offering cover to Taiga and Arthur alike, few undead went on to continue battling the Drakanite, up until they've had enough time to get away. The others? They assisted them, carrying them away if need be.

But disgruntled Lich King did not speak. All that he did was mentally order the Undead to retrieve them both elsewhere, somewhere safe- whether Taiga wanted it or not, he was taken by Arthur's servants to the safety, while the other warriors distracted their foe.

Perhaps, another time.
(Arthur Rowan)

The smoke cleared...

Runa-Vaan v. Grank - DAWN - DEATH
Sors-Gisei v. Erek - DAWN
Taiga-Arthur v. Abutus - FLAME
Kairi-Dylerun v. Korish - FLAME
Amalka-Vedran v. Blazh - DAWN
Sienna-Masoumi v. Gurvan - FLAME
Jessi-Aldrah v. Gorou - DAWN
Eniel-Elisa v. Teldir - FLAME

And what remained of the Lightning Brigade continue to move back through the streets. The cannon fire continued echoing from the docks, cannon balls wrecking and crushing through buildings to keep any advancing guards away.

For every Dark Flame cultist that fell, another handful of undead met their match, and it wasn't until the moon was seen again that the stalemate was recognized.