Sunken Kingdom/FallenNova

Roleplay from Grante Le Monte

Message sent to Everyone in Lux Nova

"A tale or two of my hardest fought battles? We would be hear all night and it would feel like Sir Anais was chatting if I were to do that. But I think I could think of one that would be befitting of this moment. The turning point that started the fall of Nova." Motioning to a chair nearby, Grante pulled one up for himself as he called for another refill. "At one point, if you would believe it, I thought we had the upper hand. To the point where we could even mount an expedition into the east and strike out ther base of operations in Irombro. But I was mistaken. The army had gathered in Bym, using the meager forts built there and the mountainous terrain to our advantage. For you see, the undead are not bright, though I am sure you know this now. And as we mustered our forces, it was as if word of our plans had leaked to the necromancers. What once was clear land became overrun with a horde. But we thought little of it. It was shambling towards us as we sat atop our mountain fort. Most of this horde would not even make it to the walls. But then our scouts brought news of another one right behind it. No matter. Arrows were notched, swords drawn, and he fended off yet another. And this continued on for what felt like days. With each wave, the shambling undead grew closer to our walls." Grante took a pause to wet his lips then continued. "Soon enough, they had begun climbing the fort. While it was well-built, it was only wood. We never did have the chance to construct any stone walls here. A lack of foresight from the Decurion before me that I had to deal with. Finally, we were face to face with these undead. No matter how often you face them, one is never quite ready for the stench that comes with them, or their distorted forms. But we beat back this wave as well. And the next. And the one after that. But it was clear what the necromancers had planned. To simply beat us into submission with sheer numbers. One might have thought to pull back, but if we did, Bym would be lost and we could not face these hordes in the open field. Sure, we could have holed up in Nova, but we would have simply ended up here sooner. And so we fought. Supplies ran low. Our archers soon had to resort to using what weapons they could find as the arrows ran low. There was just no time to make more, and the field below was overrun with the risen dead." Grante paused again, this time to simply add suspense. "We finally caught a moment to breath after pushing back what must have been the final wave. And as I looked out to the corpse ridden field, my heart sank. Their main force had just arrived. I did my best to rally those that were left standing. Even the wounded stood atop the battered ramparts, weapons in hand to defend their homes. We braced ourselves as the undead mass slammed into the wall, shaking it and us to our cores. By now, there was not much of a climb left due to the piles of bodies, and they were quickly upon us. We fought hard, and for every one of us to fall, at least ten of them would go as well. But we found ourselves slowly pushed off the ramparts. As we fought down the stairs, I could see hands reaching through the wall. And within moments, the walls were breached. I did all I could to keep our men from fleeing. And they held. For a time. But soon, I found myself wounded. Our broken line finally began to crumble. Those that could, covered the wounded's retreat. My men tried to drag me away, but I remained, helping hold one of the few paths left down the treacherous mountains of Bym. As the last of the army pulled out, us few defenders found ourselves overwhelmed. The last thing I remember is being dragged into some bushes that were out of sight by my faithful captain Warmund." Grante stopped and raised his mug when he mentioned that name. "And while I did not lose him there, he did perish in a later battle. A braver man I could not ask for to stand by my side. That, Emperor Jecht, is the tale of the Fall of Bym. What I believe to be the beginning of the end of Nova."

Grante Le Monte (Decurion of Nova, Duke of Lux Centralis, Count of Elloranaal, Marshal of the Liberators)