Festival of War and Remembrance

The third war that came to be in the lands of MagicDuel was the war between the alliances of Guerrilla Golemicarum and the Knights of the Bell against the alliances of the Necrovion Sentinels and the Children of the Eclipse.

The GG alliance was still led by Yrthilian, the long-time King of Golemus, victorious from previous wars. The Knights of the Bell was lead by Liberty, a strong player, but a relative newcomer to the higher political levels.

The leader of the Necrovion Sentinels was the newest leader of all the alliances: Jester, as his name suggested, was unpredictable at times. A strong and smart man was hidden underneath the facade. He was also the first leader who was not part of the Khalazdad dynasty.

The last leader of the warring alliances was Tarquinus, leader of the Children of the Eclipse. He was a wise gentleman, pious and steadfast.

The third war in the history of MD came relatively quick after the second. In less than half a year after the second war, the diplomatic situation in the realm had suddenly and drastically changed. It had changed because prince Marvolo, son of Khaladad, had voluntarily stepped down, to make place for Jester as the leader of the Necrovion Sentinels. But with the emergence of Jester as leader, there also came a dire warning. In his opening statement as the new leader, Jester proclaimed that the new Necrovion would not just defend their homeland as the Khalazdad dynasty had. Under his guidance, the Necrovion alliance would actively seek war.

The community was divided. Jester’s followers flocked to Necrovion and expressed their support, while the citizens of the other lands could only try and show a strong and united force, alarmed at his desire for war.  A few remained who expressed their sadness over the fact that Jester broke with the more peaceful path of the Khalazdad dynasty.

The average citizen of MD was still reeling from the previous war and, because of its personal nature, expressed their hopes and desires that such a personal war, filled with vendettas, would not happen again.

But it did nothing to distract from the fact that war would soon come again.

It finally came on the 20th of September in Year 4. Liberty officially declared war on the Necrovion Sentinels and the combined forces of the Knights of the Bell and Guerilla Golemicarum invaded the lands of Necrovion. The reasoning of both Liberty and Yrthilian was that they wanted to ensure peace in the realm of MD. And much like the previous war, they had preemptively struck out at their enemy.

They saw it as their task to defend the weaker lands and alliances and decided to make themselves the enemy of Necrovion. They were swift in making a foothold and were quick to capture Prince Marvolo, even though he was not part of the military alliance. Prince Marvolo was soon after released as the intent was to remove the war-like spirit of Necrovion, not harm the citizens.

But not everyone agreed with their reasoning. Most Lorerootians, mostly done with rebuilding from the last war against Golemus, saw in Yrthilian a warlike leader and was, for some, the primary target for vengeance. Jester agreed, stating that Yrthilian was once again trying to replace a leader he didn’t like, as he did with Raven.

Sic semper tyrannis!  “Thus always to tyrants,” were the words uttered and it was the embodiment of the public opinion that was turning against King Yrthilian and Liberty.

After the war, it was revealed that Yrthilian heard rumors, and information from his spies, that Jester’s war policy had initially targeted Loreroot. Yrthilian, perhaps repentant from the previous war, had wished to defend Loreroot, as he was partially responsible for sending Loreroot to the lowest it had ever been.  But that was after the war, and it was hearsay.

The public opinion during the war however, had turned so badly against Yrthilian and Liberty, that a Lorerootian alliance, the Children of the Eclipse, had joined the war with Necrovion, against GG and the Knights of the Bell. The Savelite Church, sheltering Marvolo, had also sent reinforcements to Necrovion for the war effort in the form of strong soldiers, their bloodlust fueled by vengeance.

Peace, sister of Marvolo and daughter of King Khalazdad, through secretive espionage missions, had gained control over the GG alliance. It was seen as a small victory, but it did nothing to deter the warriors of the GG alliance to join the Knights of the Bell. But with the takeover, another incident had taken place. Wodin, long gone from his former glory, was now a summoned puppet, bound not to Yrthilian, but to the Alliance. Peace took control of Wodin and used him and his resources to help the Necrovion war effort. Peace said she would give back the alliance and Wodin to Yrthilian if her demands were met. Yrthilian refused and it was obvious the war would have to be decided on the battlefield.

The leaders of the warring alliances were more courteous to each other this time than the last. They had agreed to meet each other on the battlefield in Necrovion, with set a date and set rules. Strong fighters and young fighters all gathered and setup camp near the battlefield. Tactics and strategy were discussed and soon the hour was at hand. The Necrovions and CotE warriors were stationed at the Deathmarrow, while the KotB soldiers were anxiously waiting at the Caves of Torment.

Both armies marched toward each other and when the horn sounded and eyes had met, a great charge was given by both sides. When they met near the Gates of Despair, weapons clashed and creatures died. Arrows shot and people burned. And for the very first time, tokens and angiens were used in the fight with tremendous success. After the great clash, it became obvious that the GG alliance, especially without the help of the MR Fraternity, was no longer the strong and powerful alliance it used to be. The GG fighters, stationed in the KotB Bell alliance, and the KotB fighters as well, had been defeated, their blood seeping into the thirsty Necrovion land.

But it was a close fight, as all of the warriors of the CotE had given everything and only two powerful fighters of Necrovion remained. They were Pamplemousse, the Harbinger of Doom and Citrusy Wrath, and Ailith, the Berserker Babe with the Handbag of Peace.

But Yrthilian had one last plan. As Peace was in control of Wodin’s soul, so too was Yrthilian in control of Khalazdad’s soul. Khalazdad, when he was so very young, curious to the nature of Necrovion, had given the good half of his soul to Wodin, long before the first war had begun. A long time had passed and when Wodin was no more than a puppet, he gave the cube to Yrthilian in which was embedded the soul of Khalazdad.

Yrthilian had threatened to destroy Khalazdad’s soul if the GG alliance was not given back. And as Yrthilian did not give in to Peace’s demands, so too did Peace not give in to his. And thus a gate was summoned on the battlefield. The victorious few stepped through and the defeated others, still healing, quickly went in, wanting to meet whatever peril would face them.

The scene that met their eyes was Yrthilian in the process of burning away the sides of Khalazdad’s cube.

The Necrovion Shades however, decided to come to the aid of their first human servant. They had summoned an enormous army with creatures and powers unknown to many, intent on killing Yrthilian. But confusion had taken hold of many fighters–enemies and allies alike. Some Necrovions started to attack the summoned army and a brave and powerful fighter on the side of GG, Shadowseeker, defeated it. The summoned army retreated through magic unknown and thanks to the confusion, Yrthilian succeeded in his task. He had destroyed enough sides of the cube that he could enslave Khalazdad’s soul. The Balanced King of Necrovion, half shade, half man, had become unbalanced and a servant once more.

Many things had happened in such a small amount of time. Alliances were taken, battle was given. Some say that Yrthilian and Liberty was tricked into a war, thanks to the rumor that Loreroot was Jester’s first target.  But what happened next? After Yrthilian had enslaved Khalazdad’s soul, it was obvious that Necrovion and CotE had won a Pyrrhic victory. The war turned into a stalemate, no one side officially conceding defeat. But it would turn out that especially the GG alliance would lose the most, as public opinion had turned sour even in internal ranks.