[Phase 9] Scarlet Moon Empire and Kooluk Empire Exploration

[Axiose]

Mountains East of Great Forest, Northeast of Haruna

The Scarlet Moon Empire exploration party sets off towards the mountains to the east of the Great Forest. After traveling for a few days and finding nothing they begin to run low on supplies and consider turning back at the next dawn.

After setting up camp and lightning a fire to ward away the cold night air, Jowy Atreides hears a strange noise and jumps to attention just in time for an unknown force to begin attacking their camp without hesitation--

[Scarlet Moon Empire vs Unknown]
----=<Round 1>=----
Jowy Atreides's Regiment (Infantry) and Dead Hand's Dead Hands (Archers) engage in battle!

Dead Hand's regiment suffers 200 casualties, leaving them with 0 soldiers, while Jowy Atreides's regiment suffers 90 casualties, leaving them with 6910 soldiers.

Jowy Atreides's regiment wins!

DocFrance and Taleria leap to attention to help Jowy Atreides but before they can, the light of the moon and the fire show across the valley there are far more of these creatures that are starting to surround your way to north and west.

Meanwhile, the Kooluk Exploration team begin to feel the deep sense of forboding that comes with an unsuccesful journey.

At what they decide will be their last camp before returning to the Empire, Timbo's sharp hearing makes out a struggle to the north. Taking the oppurtunity for discovery, the exploration party creeps north to discover what looks like Scarlet Moon Empire forces fending off unknown and curiously dressed enemies.

Before moving off, Pierrot_le_fou takes a deep, sharp breath in surprise and pulls Username and Timbo to one side to show them across into a deep valley along the east of the moutain range. At first the valley appears to be one big shadow until they realise that the "shadows" are moving and writhing around!

Charging foward without hesitation, Timbo and Username immediately charge head first into hundreds of these "creatures".

[Kooluk Empire vs Unknown]
----=<Round 1>=----
Timbo's The Wandering Prophets (Archers) and Shadow Hand's Shadow Hands (Infantry) engage in battle!

Shadow Hand's regiment suffers 1000 casualties, leaving them with 0 soldiers, while Timbo's regiment suffers 989 casualties, leaving them with 39011 soldiers.

Timbo's regiment wins!

----=<Round 2>=----
Username's The Slash Flash (Magician) and Dead Hand's Dead Hands (Archers) engage in battle!

Dead Hand's regiment suffers 2000 casualties, leaving them with 0 soldiers, while Username's regiment suffers 2959 casualties, leaving them with 22041 soldiers.

Username's regiment wins!

Kooluk Empire: 2 wins.
Unknown: 0 wins.

Kooluk Empire wins this turn!

While Timbo and Username are making headway battling through the creatures, Pierrot_le_fou runs headlong to reach the Scarlet Moon Empire forces who are running away from your own exploration team. A battle quickly breaks out:

[Scarlet Moon Empire vs Unknown]
----=<Round 1>=----
Jowy Atreides's Regiment (Infantry) and Dead Hand's Dead Hands (Archers) engage in battle!

Dead Hand's regiment suffers 500 casualties, leaving them with 0 soldiers, while Jowy Atreides's regiment suffers 233 casualties, leaving them with 6677 soldiers.

Jowy Atreides's regiment wins!

----=<Round 2>=----
Taleria's Regiment (Infantry) and Shadow Hand's Shadow Hands (Infantry) engage in battle!

Shadow Hand's regiment suffers 500 casualties, leaving them with 0 soldiers, while Taleria's regiment suffers 255 casualties, leaving them with 6745 soldiers.

Taleria's regiment wins!

----=<Round 3>=----
DocFrance's Regiment (Archers) and Dead Hand's Dead Hands (Archers) engage in battle!

Dead Hand's regiment suffers 500 casualties, leaving them with 0 soldiers, while DocFrance's regiment suffers 234 casualties, leaving them with 6766 soldiers.

DocFrance's regiment wins!

Scarlet Moon Empire: 3 wins.
Unknown: 0 wins.

"Taleria!" someone screams "Watch out!"

Pierrot_le_fou spots one of the Scarlet Moon Empire soldiers as a shadowy creature is about to leap upon him. From all sides now there are dark creatures dancing in the shadows, a sinister gleam of the moon reflecting in their eyes. Without a second thought, Pierrot_le_fou jumps infront of the Scarlet Warrior and assualts the creature--

---=<[Round 1]>=---
Columns of fire fan out from the hands of Pierrot_Le_Fou and strikes Dead Hand-- inflicting 42 points of damage!
Pierrot_Le_Fou strikes again!
Columns of fire fan out from the hands of Pierrot_Le_Fou and strikes Dead Hand-- inflicting 40 points of damage!

A terrible torrent of lightning arcs from Dead Hand!
Pierrot_Le_Fou reels back from the powerful magic, suffering 75 points of damage!

Pierrot_Le_Fou: 36 | Dead Hand: 41

---=<[Round 2]>=---
Columns of fire fan out from the hands of Pierrot_Le_Fou and strikes Dead Hand-- inflicting 31 points of damage!

Columns of fire fan out from the hands of Dead Hand and strikes Pierrot_Le_Fou-- inflicting 34 points of damage!

Pierrot_Le_Fou: 2 | Dead Hand: 10

---=<[Round 3]>=---
Columns of fire fan out from the hands of Pierrot_Le_Fou and strikes Dead Hand-- inflicting 38 points of damage!

Dead Hand is knocked out!
Pierrot_Le_Fou: 2 | Dead Hand: -28

Pierrot_Le_Fou is the winner!

The creatures suddenly stop in their tracks as if held by some invisible force. A small bell can be heard ringing in the distance and the creatures begin to move away towards the valley.

The Scarlet Moon and Kooluk Empire forces make their way slowly into the dark valley. At first all they can see is little more than the deep shadows created by the sharp valley walls, but soon enough you can see the shadows move and writhe about. A horrible gurgling noise reaches your ears along with the sound of tearing flesh.

Staying very quiet, your exploration force creeps up hiding into the shadows. After what seems like a day, the soldier's eyes become used to the dark and can see more and more of what is in the valley.

What looks like easily tens of thousands of dark shapes are moving about the valley, pulling up the dirt and rock in unison, digging towards something buried deep in the ground. At the far end of the valley is a raised slab of rock where a solitary figure sits staring at the hole being made in the ground--

Suddenly her eyes dart up towards your direction!

"Life!" she howls, a frightening and blood curdling scream sending shivers down the spines of each and every soldier. All the creatures on the valley floor look up towards your direction and without hesitation begin to charge and clamber up the valley walls. "Do not let them get away or I'll send you all to the Ninth Gate!"

"Time to leave!" Timbo asked not waiting for a response. The exploration team ran as fast as possible up the valley. The creatures now hot on your trail, all seemed hopeless until a strange voice beckoned you towards a cave.

"Quick! In here!" it shouted "What? Are you stupid? In here I said!"

The Scarlet Moon forces faced the Kooluk forces with dubious expressions which were returned in like.

"They won't find you in here!" it said again.

Deciding it the best course they darted into the cave causing them all a faint tingling sensation as they did. A small fire was lit in the cave illuminating a pale looking man with seven strange looking bells that hung around his neck.

"Who are you?! More importantly, who are they?!" demanded Jowy.

"Me? I am known by most as Abhorsen, but that is of little relevance at the moment." he spoke staring into the fire "They however, are what is important. The women in the valley is known as Chlorr. Those creatures are her victims; things of the dead raised to do her bidding. Why are they digging?" he did not pause "I do not know, but I would assume it's only best that we do not find out what she's digging for."

"Then we'd be-" Username began before being cut off

"You would be slain easily. She would toss you aside without a second thought. Only I can defeat her, or one of my kin, but it seems your stuck with me so you'll have to make do. Thankfully you did provide some distraction and her dead will be looking for us meaning you men can safely get me to her."

"How can we trust you?" Taleria asked

"In all honestly, you don't have a choice."

Timbo, Jowy Atreides and Username stood and looked into dark valley, Abhorsen stood silent beside them his eyes staring deep into the darkness.

"Well, no use in wasting time here." he half whispers as he pushed through the three explorers making quick headway down the valley. With Timbo in the lead, Jowy to the right and Username to the left, the three warriors quickly dashed to protect him from any possible danger.

They seemed to be swallowed up by the darkness as the shadows covered them completely. A dark and deep scream caused the very earth to shake and suddenly shapes appeared in the shadows only visible by the faint moon light.

Looking up, the can see the glint of moon light reflecting off something in the distance.

"Chlorr's Mask." Said the Abhorsen, his eyes flicking from shape to shape in the shadows. "Now!"

[Explorers vs Dead at Unknown Valley]
----=<Round 1>=----
Timbo's The Wandering Prophets (Archers) and Shadow Hand's Shadow Hands (Infantry) engage in battle!

Shadow Hand's regiment suffers 15000 casualties, leaving them with 0 soldiers, while Timbo's regiment suffers 18879 casualties, leaving them with 20132 soldiers.

Timbo's regiment wins!

----=<Round 2>=----
Jowy Atreides's Regiment (Infantry) and Shadow Hand's Shadow Hands (Infantry) engage in battle!

Shadow Hand's regiment suffers 3411 casualties, leaving them with 11589 soldiers, while Jowy Atreides's regiment suffers 6677 casualties, leaving them with 0 soldiers.

Shadow Hand's regiment wins!

----=<Round 3>=----
Username's The Slash Flash (Magician) and Shadow Hand's Shadow Hands (Infantry) engage in battle!

Shadow Hand's regiment suffers 11051 casualties, leaving them with 3949 soldiers, while Username's regiment suffers 9025 casualties, leaving them with 13016 soldiers.

Username's regiment wins!

Explorers: 2 wins.
Dead: 1 wins.

Explorers wins this turn!

-----=<Results>=-----
[Explorers]
Round 1: Timbo (Archers) 39011 - 18879 = 20132
Round 2: Jowy Atreides (Infantry) 6677 - 6677 = 0
Round 3: Username (Magician) 22041 - 9025 = 13016

[Dead]
Round 1: Shadow Hand (Infantry) 15000 - 15000 = 0
Round 2: Shadow Hand (Infantry) 15000 - 3411 = 11589
Round 3: Shadow Hand (Infantry) 15000 - 11051 = 3949


Charging forward, Timbo almost carries Abhorsen to where Chlorr stood. She nearly spat out his name "Abhorsen!" with a wrasp so sinister it sent a shiver down Timbo's spine.

"Is that any way to welcome a family member?" Asked Abhorsen, the glint of humour lost in the battle behind them. "Leave this place at once. Return to the Ninth Gate and be at rest."

"You forget yourself Abhorsen, I am no...longer...bound!"


Abhorsen swiftly takes the initiative!
Abhorsen is protected by Earth Magic!
Chlorr of the Mask is protected by powerful Earth Magic!

---=<[Round 1]>=---
Abhorsen delivers a CRITICAL hit!
Chlorr of the Mask reels back from the powerful blow, suffering 237 points of damage!

Chlorr of the Mask attacks Abhorsen!
However, Abhorsen deftly dodges the attack!


Abhorsen: 467 | Chlorr of the Mask: 185

---=<[Round 2]>=---
Abhorsen attacks Chlorr of the Mask and inflicts 95 points of damage!

Chlorr of the Mask attacks Abhorsen!
However, Abhorsen deftly dodges the attack!


Abhorsen: 467 | Chlorr of the Mask: 90

---=<[Round 3]>=---
Abhorsen delivers a CRITICAL hit!
Chlorr of the Mask reels back from the powerful blow, suffering 222 points of damage!
Abhorsen strikes again!
Abhorsen delivers a CRITICAL hit!
Chlorr of the Mask reels back from the powerful blow, suffering 282 points of damage!

Chlorr of the Mask is knocked out!
Abhorsen: 467 | Chlorr of the Mask: -414


Abhorsen is the winner!


A scream errupted from somewhere behind Chlorr's Mask before a golden light blinded the warriors who were watching the battle and caused rocks and stone to fall and crack from the valley walls. She shouted something, but it was lost under her the noise from the valley walls. The Shadow Hands that were battling the soldiers dissapeared and faded into the darkness. The Dead Hands merely collapsed and slumped to the floor.

"Hm.." muttered Abhorsen "She left her bells behind..." he almost whispered. He turned to face the exploration team and with a sharp gaze fixed their sight to him. "Leave this place. I will clean up this..." he looked around the valley "...mess"

The team moved to argue, but something forced them away. Abhorsen held a strange grasp on their gaze and the team felt their bodies slowly start to move away, almost against their will.

Something slumped infront of explorers. A small leather bandolier with six bells securely attatched, the ringers held fast, lay before them.

"They are her bells, minus Astarael, the Sorrowful. I feel I may need this one myself."

"But...what..." began a weakend Jowy

"From the smallest to the largest, these are the bells: Ranna, the sleepbring. Mosrael, the waker. Kibeth, the walker. Dyrim, the speaker. Belgaer, the trickster. Saraneth, the binder." He paused, as he made sure Astarael was securely fixed in a make shift pouch. "A small thank you. Do with them what you will. Now leave this place."

Both exploration forces head back to thier respective nations with feelings of exhaustion and happiness, each group taking with them 3 of the bells as relics of the battle.
_________________

[Axiose] [Fliktor]