TVC - Chapter 40 - Khemri

[Drog_Manslayer]

Arg takes in a deep breath.. then speaks entirely too quickly to actually be understood...
"CuzDatNaggyGitWotKrumptLotsUfOrcsAn'DenEatedDereGreenynessAn'TookedIt'WayFromDaGodzAn'DaGodzDunLoikDatSozeDeySendzMeTa
GoKrumpz'ImBut'EzGotzLotzaBoyzSozeI'zNeedz'ElpAn'DaShammiesIzWotSaidzDatDaGodzSaidYooz'llBeDaWunTaHelpAn'DatYoozLookzOnDa
BackUfDaNoteDatI'zGifzTaYoozDenYooz'llSeeYoozShuldGoze!"

And if in fact Orcimedes looks on the "Back" of the "Letter" that Arg tossed at him he'll see another Orcy face, this time with a crudely drawn contraption of unknown design drawn next to it, and beneath that are the words "DO EEET!" also crudely drawn. Obviously since it's been written down it is the Law of Da Godz! Right? Right? Bueller... Bueller? Ok maybe not.

 

[Disciple of Nagash]

"It is a pleasure to meet a brother of V'azrin," Rowhaine said to Nehklior, "he is part of the Council, and has proved to be helpful indeed."

As Settra spoke Rowhaine struggled to keep is features calm and collected. Such a proud and arrogant response was to be expected from the ancient king, and he knew he would have to pick his words carefully.
"The might of Khemri is indeed known throughout all of Nehekhara. She has always been the mightiest of the cities, but even the mightiest can be brought low by the storm. The Dark Lord is not as he was when he reawoke and you triumphed over him, removing this city from his grasp. He has been made whole once more, no more the Dark Lord but a Dark God." Rowhaine paused for a moment, wondering where such words were coming from. He had never been the most articulate of people, but as he opened his mouth to speak, he realised the inner voice he had been listening had an unearthly quality. It seemed his goddess was as concerned as he that this would not fail.

"Now it not just Nehekhara that faces Nagash's wrath, but the entire world. Already we have heard word of strange happenings at Numas. The strong words of their King have gone quiet, and dark cowled strangers move in high position. If our suspicions are true it is possible Nagash has gained control over at least one if not more of the cities of Nehekhara. Against their combined might even Khemri would be hard pressed to be victorious.

There is also another matter. The mark of the Asaph upon me is truly a sign as you say. A sign that it is time for the old gods to be reborn, a time for the covenant to be remade." As he said the last words Rowhaine looked at Settra carefully, knowing the seriousness that such a claim had.


OOC: If any doesn't know what the covenant is (from the novel Nagash the Sorcerer), then PM me.

 

[Get of W'soran]

"The Covenant is Dead...do you truely believe it can be revived?" a hollow voice asked.
A Tomb King stepped forward, he wore shining Gold Armour with a Sword at his waist and a shield upon his back, also what marked him apart from alot of the other present mumified dead was a glistening crown with a Golden Serpent engraved around the outside of it.
A Lesser Prince Stepped forward as this Tomb King Spoke
"King of Mehkat, Ruler of the Sun, Enlightened of the Gods, Master of the Secret words, Servant of the Great One, Chosen of Ptra, Menhutep the Blessed!" he proclaimed.
Rowhaine could sense the blessed energy of Ptra flowing through this Tomb King just as the Tomb King could sense the blessing of Asph in the former vampire.
For Katie and Reshorn's part both grimaced and almost stood as the leant away from this figure for glow coming from his Blade, Shield, Armour and Crown was the holy sunlight of Ptra himself.


Meanwhile Nekhlior reached into a pocket of the white coat that he wore over his black robes and took out a mask which he placed over his face before drawing up the hood of his robes.
How the only flesh one could see was his rotten hands with nails that where too long and crusted with dirt, he then spoke
"If such a thing could be achieved..." he trailed off and glanced at Settra
"The Dark Arts are powerful but even the greatest of us who weild such power struggled during the Great War to combat the effectivness of the most powerful priests." he rasped

 

[Disciple of Nagash]

"I do believe," Rowhaine replied, "I am living proof that the power of the gods waxes once more. I was once as my comrades, a vampire. The touch of Asaph removed the taint from my body and brought me back to life. I speak not only of my own experience, but also that of my goddess. It is her own words that now is the time, now the Covenant can be remade. Now is the time for Nehekhara to be reborn."

 

[Get of W'soran]

Nekhlior turned to look at Menhutep;
"Great King this is true...I can smell the scent of death on him still...it is weak and growing weaker by the moment...but he was once apart of my Kind. After all what else could purge the taint of undeath from his body but a god? Even Na...The Great Necromancer does not have that power." The Necrarch Rasped.

Menhutep waved the Necrarch's comments aside
"Be silent vermin...I know he speaks the truth...the blade that lay dull for so many years glows once more...I feel the Great Father's light upon me once again." the Mummified King said.
He turned his gaze upon Rowhaine this time
"I had only wished to see if he truely believed his own words...doubtlessly he does."
Then the Tomb King did something completely unexpected...
He bowed his head slightly for a faint second to Rowhaine...to those who knew the Pride of his kind this was a great feat
"Your faith shames me Champion...I should never have doubted." he said.

 

[Trevy the Great]

"The Covenant was destroyed millenia ago, and non here can tell if it even can be remade, or should. If it was so easy for Nagash to sunder its very flesh in ages past, why should we place our hope in it?"
The lord of Nehekhara rested his head on a hand, his eyes staring over the vampires, deep in thought.
"But, if the covenant can be so easily broken, perhaps the armies of Khemri will need another option. Our only hope cannot be something so fragile. I pains me to do so, for this action constitutes blasphemy, but I accept your proposal. Khemri will extend a hand of alliance to the desert-cities and band together in war with this Council. We will march upon the gates of Nagashizzar and the Black One himself will tremble at the might of Khemri! For we are holy and blessed, and we shall not fail"

And he did say War, and the earth did tremble...

OOC: Virtual kick to Settra's bony backside!

 

[Disciple of Nagash]

"You are as wise as you are powerful King Settra," Rowhaine said bowing his head again, "for if the cities of Nehekhara fight as one nothing can stand in their way. Now-"

With a gargle Rowhaine's body arched back, a holy glow shining forth from his eyes.

"Heed my words and heed them well King of Khemri." The voice that came forth from his lips was nothing short of godly. It was that of a heavenly woman, wondrous to hear and yet sharp at the same time. The voice of Asaph.

"A storm is coming, a storm that without the Covenant Nehekhara will not survive. To remake that which was once broke, the usurper must perish. Only once his taint his gone from this world, will the barriers be removed and the Covenant made flesh once more.
Now you must make haste. The Dark God moves faster than the wind, already one of his lords marches at the head of the army of of Numas. War is upon you once more."

 

[Get of W'soran]

Menhutep stepped forward and nodded taking the Declaration of Asaph in stride, he had seen the gods work their way through mortal vessels before...intimitately.
Turning his gaze to Settra he spoke
"The armies of Mehkat stand ready great Lord already awoken by my Brother Amenakht, ever has my city stood by the gods and we will take the battle to Nagash if it means the restoration of our blessed religion."
The other Tomb Kings and Princes knew Menhutep as a Piously Fanatic and where unsurprised by his words.
Ptra's Blessed one shall fight once more he thought to himself with pleasure.


Meanwhile the far less impressive form of Nekhlior dry washed his hand as he stood next to Settra's throne
"Yes, Yes the battle shall be taken to the Traitor Nagash! And I shall stand with the Council and the Nehekhara armies with my great magics...Nagash shall see his own arts turned upon him." the ancient vampire cackled.


Meanwhile Reshorn had forgotten fear of Nekhlior or his distaste of Rowhaine and standing he had shuffled over to his once friend
"Rowhaine...are you well?" he whispered faintly.
Reshorn had no respect for the gods of this land...he knew them too well...and distrusted them to far...they where selfish masters and wouldn't think twice of ruining their mortal pawns.

 

[Trevy the Great]

Settra stood, his full height dwarfing those about him, enhanced by the dais upon which his throne sat. He bowed deeply to possesed Rowhaine and raised his right hand in salute.
"My lady Asaph, you grace us honorably with your presence on earth. Your council is most appreciated. To Numas we march! Raise the banners of Khemri and sound the horns of battle, for we depart to victory against the Usurper in the eyes of the glorious gods!"

 

[SarcasMagos]

He might have been about as unorcy as an orc can be without being...not an orc but the deep inset desire to join up with a bunch of other orcs to cave in skulls in a variety of ways was something no amount of inventing could get rid of.

"You dere!" Orcimedes roared at the goblin the newcomer was currently orchandling. "Quit muckin' about and get the protecty boyz some of da spare shootas and tell da squig herdas to git ready. We'z gonna Waaagh!" The inventor roared firing a few more shots into the air for good measure. Reaching back into his beard, Orcimedes took his komminicator out again as Fingy managed to slip out of the warboss's grip and scurry off to other parts of the fortress.

"Send me da kombat gear, we'z goin on a Waaagh! Not you ya lazy gitz! Yoo da zog said yooz were comin! I don't care wat I said, just send my my fings 'fore I head over dere and stomp da lot of ya!" A stream of orcy curses were thankfully covered by a rapid series of green flashes depositing Orcimedes's wargear on the floor [the stuff listed in the character sheet].

"I hope ya got yer crumpin gear," Orcimedes said with a wolfish grin as he begins putting on his armor and weapons. "Cuz I'm goin in 'eavy. An 'Ard," he continued, punctuating the last phrase by chambering the first shot in his shoota.

 

[Drog_Manslayer]

"Dats wot da Godz sezzed yooz'd do. Dey sezzed yooz 'af fingz wot do fingz wot krump fingz. We'ze gotz A WAAAGH! now.. So 'erez da plan. We'ze gonna go souf... and krump fingz. Guud plan, roight? Roight! I'ze be outside wiff me boyz. Jus' look fer da Big Squig."

Arg is refering to his giant Squigadon, of course, can't miss that one.

"Oh.. An' sum uf me boyz is a lil off." He makes a gesture to denote insanity or craziness, "But dun let dat bug yooz. Dey still krump fingz guud."

 

[Disciple of Nagash]

With a sigh Rowhaine slumped to the ground, the unearthly glow dimming but still present. He felt a trickle of blood run from his nose, the stress from having Asaph channelled through him showing. He felt a strong grasp on his arm, and looked up to see Reshorn looking at him in concern,

"I-I am fine, thank you," he replied, forcing himself to stand. Wiping his nose irritably he addresses Settra once more,
"King Settra. The vision that my goddess provided showed that Numas's host had already started marching upon you. I request that we be able to join your army and fight along your side."

 

[Get of W'soran]

Menhutep glanced from Rowhaine to Settra before speaking
"I can send a rider to Mehkat...but my army will be some time in coming...It must pass the Devils Backbone, past Mahrak and through the Charnel Valley up past Quatar and then the Springs..." He said shaking his head in disgust.
"They may be too late to fight the fools of Numas but I can have them ready for any reckoning we bring against Nagash."
Turning his gaze on Rowahine he questioned the Champion
"Tell me, do they come by land or along the great River?"

 

[Trevy the Great]

"All the forces of Khemri must gather, Menhutep. Summon your hosts, so that they may arrive sooner rather than later."
Settra turned to Rowhaine.
"If you wish, you may accompany my forces as an ally with any troops that you have. I would be honored to do battle alongside an avatar of the Asp Goddess herself."

 

[Disciple of Nagash]

"The come over land honourable King," Rowhaine said to Menhutep, "but we must make haste. They have already covered a great distance, and I assume you would not want them approaching too close to this esteemed city. I do have one question, to avoid future disagreements King Settra. The most effective magic against the usurper's armies, is that which he created himself. Reshorn is a powerful caster in this area, would you object to him using such skills in your support?"

 

[Trevy the Great]

Settra gazed at Rowhaine for a moment, contemplating the blasphemy of his suggestion. After a moment he spoke;
"No, I will not object." He answered, "But we must make haste if we are to meet Numas' traitorous armies before they reach our walls. To arms!"

 

[Get of W'soran]

Menhutep bowed to Settra
"Yes Glorious Lord, I shall have the message sent at once." he said.
Turning to a prince he nodded.
The Prince bowed deeply to his master and strode off and out of the hall.

Nekhlior swaggered over to Reshorn throwing an arm around the younger Necrarch
"Oh I would be happy to assist little Reshorn with his magic working" he said happily
Leaning in close he whispered something which made Reshorn go stiff and turning he glanced at Katie
"Hello? Are you Reshorn's Pet?"
Katie glared angrily, with the time she had spent with Reshorn she had forgotten all fear of the Necrarchs.
"Be silent you rotten corpse!" she spat at him.
Nekhlior stood in shock for a moment before turning and slumped off back to Settra's throne muttering about young one's and insolence.

 

[Gree]

‘’Great Settra’’ Sammael began, he had came in right after the rest of the vampires had walked in, staying silent, learning what he could, judging the most opportune moment to present himself.

‘’I appeal to your most beneficent self to allow me to stay here, in your city, to guard it against further assault by any future traitors, I would be honored if you would grant me this humble request’’

 

[Trevy the Great]

Settra's eyes narrowed, contemplating the request.
"Indeed, vampire. I will allow you to stay here in defense of the holy city." He decreed.

 

[Get of W'soran]

Nekhlior clapped his hands and grinned behind his mask
"Excellent! Then we can get going!" he said gleefully.

Glancing at Settra the Vampire stopped looking akward
"Err...if the Great Lord Commands it."

 

[Disciple of Nagash]

Hearing Sammael's request Rowhaine had to stop himself breathing a sigh of relief. Out of all the them, the vampiric skaven made his skin creep more than any other, his blessed vision showing the depths of evil the creature could truly sink to.

"I am glad we have managed to reach such an accord King Settra," said as he bowed low once more, "with your leave, myself, Reshorn and Katie will go to prepare our contingent for battle."

 

[SarcasMagos]

Orcimedes brushed off the warning without a second thought as he went for the fortress's exit, a series of clanks and creaks following the orc wherever he stepped, a testament to the gear he carried.

The exterior of the fort had transformed. At least to Orcimedes. It had been a while since he left his laboratories. A good thing he kept his goggles on.

Congregating around an enormous squig like creature gathered the newcomer's warriors, each bickering with each other like a proper orc, although something seemed off about them...probably nothing. Either way he had goblins to force into some semblance of a formation, with formation mostly accounting to "shootas in da back, da rest in front," As he began laying about the goblins, the familiar scream of his fly boyz could be heard, their ramshackle 'coptas belching fire and steam in equal amounts (with the occasional collision adding to the chaos). Eventually the goblins were in a semi-organized blob, leaving Orcimedes to find his personal transport to that Naggit. Fortunatly, if the horizon wasn't lying to him like it does from time to time, such a ride was not far off.

Orcimedes had built a great many things over his massive life span. From shootas, to squigs, to fly machines, to more and more varied types of armor. But these inventions always held a special place in his green heart. Maybe it was the sheer size, or the seamless blend of shootiness and choppiness, or the sheer tuffness of it. Either way, it never ceased to amaze him. Engaging his Teleporta, Orcimedes vanished and reappeared on one of the great shoulders of the Slasha Giant, atop one of the great turrets mounted on his shoulders. "Oi!" Orcimedes yelled at the goblin controling the levers and buttons near the giant's kontrol fingy. "Which way to da sand place?"

The goblin messed with several levers at seeming random before pointing in a vague south direction. "Send da boyz dat way den!" Orcimedes commanded the driver, who dutifully forced the giant to repeat the directions in its half dazed voice.

"We'z off to Waaagh! now," Orcimedes grinned as the vast orcy warmachine began its march.

 

[Disciple of Nagash]

This chapter is now finished. Please feel free to leave comments or constructive feedback.