Day Six, part 2

Epic Final Battle!


AND THE GODS MAKE IT ALL WORTHWHILE

As we were making out way back out of the invasion base for another raid, we see coming into our secret area a lone Elerdian. Who could it be? Why would they walk right into our base? Its name: Korroke.

Without thinking everyone starts wailing on it and it just stands there, taking it. How could it be so strong?! Who is it? It must be... it must be one of the gods! A rough cease-fire is called and we all stand round it in awe and wonder.

This Elerdian god still does not speak our language but it makes it clear that it's not here to harm us. No, it wants to play with us.

It leads us down into the wide courtyard outside the invasion base and then asks if we want to fight the biggest, baddest monsters that Chrysalis has to offer.


Hell Yeah we do!


Giant Poms!

Crowds of Elerds started to congregate around us, watching as the world's most fearsome monsters would suddenly appear around us, in threes and fours, glowing and snarling and flinging Poms and humans alike left and right.

The Elerdians made no move to attack us. They made it clear they were "just here to watch."










Jocelyn killed Christmas.


And Christmas got even.





By this point I couldn't even walk into the courtyard without being instantly slaughtered so I stayed in the outskirts. Thankfully word had gotten around and some of Rogwel and Elerd's strongest champions were coming down to join in. Fighting alongside each other!








See you all in OBT!

It was nothing if not a memorable end to a memorable week. And though we all have to start from the beginning next week, I think we've all learned many things and met many worthwhile people. And the next week, and the next and the next, will better all around for everyone.

For now, goodbye all! See you on the other side!

Day Six, part 1

The Final Day


Say it ain't so, Maestro

It's official, Ye Gods have spoken and decreed that tonight it going to be the end of the first leg of our little trip and tomorrow we'll all have to start anew.

Frustration in Rogwel set in quickly. Well, if we've only got a few hours left, might as well make 'em count. I gather up Jocelyn, who was already miffed enough about missing yesterday's festivities, and hitch a ride with the invasion party back to the scenic land of Elerd, home of powerful magic and killer bunnies and, ultimately, destiny.




Again we fought our way into Bijumir, this time splashing around their kiddie pool for a bit


Lightwind does the sad dance of frustration


Actually all human dances look like the sad dance of frustration

And again we trample down to Nasdaim.


Once more unto the breach, dear friends!



Behind us some sort of siege engine appears, which was only the beginning of the strange events of this day. I was too startled to get any pics. I dashed straight into town to see the sights, pursued by an irate evoker named Endora.



I try to hide from her in some sort of lava factory while waiting for backup.


Note to self: don't try to hide in some sort of lava factory

Only one place left to raid: the Castle!




Shit just got real

Ok, here's about where communication broke down and something incredible happened, and we were all too shocked to take pictures or even form an accurate recollection of what went down.

Best I can gather, we were doing well against the castle high priest, having surrounded him and killing his bodyguards. Some Elerdian counter-forces were inbound but we held steady. Then, suddenly, just as things seemed to be turning in our favor...

We were attacked by giant Poms.


Little help?


What the monkey? Giant Poms? Did anyone just see that?

A whole gang of three-story tall, giant Pom ancestors, Pom-giants, Pom-Jotunn suddenly appeared out of nowhere and, shocked beyond shockingness, all of us sorta went "Wha?" and fled or died or fainted. (Jocelyn managed a rare combo and flediefainted.)


Seriously. Giant Poms.

By invading so far into Elerd in such force apparently we had angered the very gods of Elerd itself, who had come down and dropped a m&*$^#*@$ gang of giant Poms on us!

But let me tell you, that was just the beginning.

What happens when the gods are let loose?

-david

Day Five, Part 2

Poms Meridian: or, the Evening Redness in Elerd



We rumbled through Elerd like a Viking horde. They stopped only to slaughter guards and I stopped only to snap pictures.

I realized that my delicate sensibilities had to be put on hold when in such company. And yet, as the miles passed I grew fond of them and their ways. In their turn I believe they put up with mine.



First they headed south, wiping out all the outposts on a meandering, wavy line that began at the invasion base and ended in the main Elerdian town, Nasdaim.




Ow

Here we made it right to the walls, before being beaten back by the head guard and many defenders.

But no one was about to admit defeat just yet. The band regrouped and headed north, all the while shouting war-cries and racial epithets and all sorts of unsavory things.


Yes, let's invade super-creepy scary tree island, that's a good idea



Here we fought their way into Bijumir, where the warband was stopped beneath the walls by another defending High Priest. This was one bad-ass dude. He could stun everyone around him with his bad-assery, and then while they were stunned beat each one of down with his sword of butt-kicking.

I knew I wasn't much of a match for this bad dude so in the confusion I darted into town.







This is the last photo I got before being cornered on the docks. A pretty town, but not anywhere I'd want to be spending my last breaths just yet.



Bloodthirsty but well chastised by the defeats at the walls, the war party started to crumble as people headed back to Rogwel for the night. Still untouched was the Elerd castle, and plans were made for a new attack tomorrow.

By now there was nothing to lose. Word had already passed down from on high: the end of this wonderful week is to be the end of a great many things. And if any of us live to see that end, we shall do so as brothers and sisters. Rogwel or Elerd alike!

Back in Garnedine the Rogs swear that if they're going to go out, they're going to go out fighting. And, as you might have already surmised, I'll be alongside to watch.

-david

Day Five, Part 1

Poms for Peace!



My first day of my new vocation: Rogwel Ambassador. I feel flushed with purpose and excitement. Today I will journey to Elerd. I will go without arms, and I will do my best to speak to them, and damn the consequences!


Finally, a proper garden party

I catch up with J for brekky in the garden and try to tell her of my plans. It's a little hard to talk about peace to someone carrying a Pom-sized sword dripping with elf blood.

She agrees to come along of course, though I bet it's not peace she's after.


David Drocilephisus Rangidoon Bop, Ambassador of Dance



My sanguine friend and I head back to Garnedine and board the Zeppelin for Elerd. Oh but do I love zeppelins! Gives me a shiver every time I see them swoosh through the air, bigger than sky whales, rumbling with incomprehensible power. Plus they served a nice light lunch and complimentary beverage.


The invasion base in Elerd


The unofficial ambassador to Elerd, and the plucky young girl that helps him out


Um... Yer standing too close


The first thing we find in Elerd is a dead Pom. This does not bode well.



So this is Elerd. Beautiful, really. Dark and mysterious, with vegetative nature sprouting from every angle in strange woolly curves.






Even the monsters are cuter than ours

But at every crossroads we came to, guards jumped out at us. These were not the Elerdian citizens I wanted to speak to! These are just blind automatons, mindlessly soldiering their duties! I have no desire to kill them so we run, much to my friend's disappointment.

I begin to go south and somehow we lose each other in the convoluted forests. She tells me she's going back to the base to head home. I sigh and wish her well. I will continue without her if necessary.



All of this scenery, but no Elerds. Where could they be hiding? In their towns? Are they all in Rogwel, trying to take us over just as I'm trying to broker peace? Or maybe there are no Elerds. Maybe it's a lie invented by the corrupt council to keep us in a state of war. Maybe the whole continent is deserted!

Oop, there's one.

I go up to him and give a customary cheer.

He hits me with a sword.


Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

There I am, running like a little girl all the way from the outpost back to the invasion base, weaponless, downing potions, out of breath. Who would attack an unarmed Pom clearly of no threat?

Somehow I make it panting back to the invasion base, hidden for the moment from Elerdian eyes. Something is wrong here. Something is wrong with this country and ours if this madness must continue.

Back at the base I run into a whole band of Rogwelians. A war party! They are massed and grouping and growing in number. Their purpose is obvious. This is an invasion!

I decide that though I am a pacifist at heart the only way I will be able to explore this wide and dangerous world is to tag along with those much stronger than myself. I will become the unofficial cultural attaché to this bloodthirsty warband. And may god have mercy on our souls.

-david