Chapter 6: The Bearded Nightmare

We ventured deeper into this dark forest until we saw some ancient ruins of unknown origins. There was a fire burning behind it and with lots of noices. "Damn it, Dwarfs...and by the smell of it, they have gunpowder" whispered the Lothern Champion. "Let's avoid them, for now. There is not many  dangers in this world than a drunk Dwarf and I have no desire to get into a quarrel with them" I replied.

 

Then suddenly repeated firing was heard and then a loud voice "Which pointy eared Elf dares to disturbs our feast! This place is ours and no Elf is going to tell me otherwise!"

After a couple of minutes our Shadow Warriors returned. "That was very...unproffesional..." said one of the Warriors while another replied that a spider creeping on your neck makes screaming a logical response.
"We are merely passing through, Dwarf, and we do not mean to interrupt your feast..." I shouted back and the next thing we knew, guns were blazing from out of the ruins. "Damn it, damn them all to death!" I felt some dark power creeping all over me, the Wind of Death.

All of the fast scout forces were redirected towards the east side of ruined buildings while the main force of Lothern Sea Guard remained with me.

Guns were blazing and the fearsome power of the Organ Gun was heard across the battlefield, we couldn't take an inch of their territory so I ordered something daring...
The Ellyrian Reavers, Shadow Warriors and Sealandir were to move towards the Organ Gun while the Lothern Sea Guard gave cover fire.
It could have worked, but it seems that misfortune gripped our forces. It became a massacre.

Suddenly the Sea Guard failed with firing their arrows, same with Reavers and Warriors, and Dwarfs somehow knew exactly where our troops were deployed and responded accordingly. Every Elf I sent towards the Organ Gun was slaughtered horribly. My heart felt an intense grief which quickly was gripped by hatred. My troops wanted to run but I told them to be steadfast, I will have my vengeance!

The dwarfs came charging in, killing a lot of Elves and we ran but I knew that was my diversion. "Why did I recklessly offered my troops for this personal dispute?" I thought but the next thing I know it, I suddenly turned around with some remaining Elves and began chanting a Death spell, it sounded like a curse. The Dwarf coward faltered and I fired my spell at him. I could see him gasping for air while I cackled in laughter while I was choking him in mid-air untill he felt down. Then I realised what I have done...

"Mimas, Mimas! Wake up!" I opened my eyes and felt a headache while my eyes adjusted to the darkness.

I saw my brethren around me alive and well but shaking with fear. I could see? By Vaul, what has happened? No, I just see them as if their outlines are sprinkled with green magical dust! "What's wrong? Why are you all so afraid?" They were supriced at me directly looking at them. "We were all having nightmares but you seem to suffer the most off it" replied on them "but we dared not shake you from your sleep"
"Why not?" I answered, hearing my own trembling voice, still shaken up by the nightmare. I saw them looking at the ground surrounding me. All the gras and flowers withered and died in a five feet radius. The Wind of Death surely gripped me hard and tight if I did this in my sleep. "I think it's this place. Something must be radiating foul magics enchanting this area with darkness, even haunting us in our sleep. Let us try to catch our breath and we will look for the cause of all of this." I hesitated for a second or two and continued "As for my sudden outburst of death around me...let's just say I don't want to come across Dwarfs any time soon..."

Third battle of the Fantasy Campaign with 500 pts High Elves vs. Mark de Ruijter 500 pts Dwarves.
Result: Loss, Lothern Sea Guard regiment of Renown remains 1 xp.
General: Survived and killed the Dwarven hero, gained +2 xp with a total of 4 xp.