BATTLE OF SARTON'S GATE

The Conflict

Prelude

General Risan strode out from his palace to the courtyard of his domain, clad in the rune-covered black armor that was fashioned for him by the Runemakers of Sarton. He searched for his great steed, an large wyvern that was loyal only to him. Once he climbed atop of the saddle, he ordered his steed forward to meet his army that was awaiting him.
He wanted to be the heroic conqueror that was admired by all. Except he had opposition. The current King of Sarton, Angeas, was a man of peace who wanted to live alongside their neighbors without conflict, even considering signing agreements that allowed them independence. Risan vehemently opposed such a policy among the Royal court, deeming it a clear sign of weakness to all who heard it. King Angeas was a spineless fool in Risan’s eye, although he didn't say such thoughts openly.
Risan still was able to mount this offensive against the Pharas Tribe due to the majority support of the Sarton nobility, whose used their influence to outmaneuver King Angeas. Even the Sarton King’s influence was limited by the High Sarton Charter, which delegated power across a royal council to ensure that no one could become a tyrant. Angeas’ supporters couldn't stem the tide of Risan’s supporters, forcing the King to allow this battle to take place.
That triumph in court came at the cost of King Angeas forbidden any other general to join Risan’s campaign against the Pharas Tribe. Risan was displeased at the King’s decree, but he heeded it as he believed that his forces would be enough to achieve victory.

Deployment

General Risan rode on his grand steed alongside High Magi Helance at the front of his army that numbered 100,000 strong. His black heavy armor shined in the sunlight showing the Sarton magic runes etched onto them that gave him access to increased power beyond his already fearsome strength. The army consisted of a combination of soldiers, archers, and mages ready to charge. The battlemage was a young man who believed in the glory of the Sarton Kingdom, much like General Risan did

Battlefield

At the western border of the kingdom called Sarton’s gate, General Risan noticed a lone dark-skinned man walking towards them over the hill. He wore fine robes that marked him as a Pharas elder. The dark-skinned elder approached the Sarton army alone, showing no signs of fear over walking to an large army.

“What a fool,” General Risan said flatly. “Walking over here alone with no army behind him..”

“I could just kill him right here if you like,” Commander Helance suggested.


General Risan considered the idea as the elder stopped a hundred paces from where the General was. Risan nodded to the battlemage in approval of his idea, should the desire arise.
“Identify yourself, old man,” Risan demanded with a condescending tone.
“I am Gedor, an elder of the Pharas Tribe.” Gedor asked simply.
“Do you know who I am, elder Gedor?” General Risan asked.
“I’m aware of who you are, General Risan,” Gedor answered.
“I’m certain you’re curious as to why I have brought my army to your border,” General Risan said.
“The thought has crossed my mind,” Gedor asked simply
“To put it simply, my army is here because you refuse to bow before those who are superior to you. You refuse to bow before the glory of Sarton. And your people dishonor the gods of Sarton! No more! I present before you two paths, Gedor.” General Risan said
“Your tribe submits to the Kingdom of Sarton and all of our ways, including worshipping our gods. Or I will unleash utter destruction upon your people with a wave of my hand. Go back to your people with this message,” General Risan stated.
Gedor simply looked at General Risan for several moments, not moving from his spot at all. Then, he took two steps towards the General before speaking,
“I shall not deliver this message of yours, neither shall we bow to you or your gods. I pity your king for being burdened by taming a warmongering dog such as yourself.” Gedor said boldly.
General Risan couldn't believe what he just heard from Gedor at first. He responded,
“Do you realize what you are doing, old man? Do you understand that the power of life or death for your people is in my hands? And you dare insult me with no army behind you?” General Risan asked.
Gedor stood still without uttering a word.
“I give you one more chance to consider delivering my message. If you refuse once more, then destruction shall fall upon you & your people” General Risan said in a threatening tone.
Gedor spoke again with more boldness, “I said what I said. I also declare this day that I will crush this army with the might that my God has given me. Your battlemage will be a dead man, and you will return to Sarton with great shame.”
General Risan laughed loudly as did his captain and everyone else who managed to hear Gedor’s words. Several others in the frontline of his army began to sheer at Gedor.
“You truly have gone mad! You alone achieving victory against my forces? Ha!” General Risan mocked.

The Engagement

Something struck General Risan in the face with great force, knocking him off his great steed with a loud thud. Helance rushed by his side to pull him up, which General Risan quickly rebuffed. He rose to his feet staring at the elder, seeing that Gedor had a stone hovering just above his left hand. He realized at that moment what he did,
“You have invited certain death!” General Risan roared in anger.
High Magi Helance hopped off the steed that he was riding, approaching Gedor with murderous intent written all over his face. Energy swirled around his right hand as he walked towards Gedor. 
“Leave this old fool to me, Risan” Helance said to General Risan. 
High Magi Helance quickly approached Gedor at high speed, glaring at the Pharas elder with killing intent. He conjured a sword made from eldtrich energy in one smooth motion, holding the ethereal blade intenting on slicing him in two in body and soul. Gedor lifted his right hand in a steady motion, looking at the charging battlemage. A flash of fire emerged from Gedor’s hand, striking Helance within mere moments. Helance howled i as he was burned alive in front of the army, failing around for several moments before falling to the ground. General Risan was in shock over what just occurred, darting his gaze between Gedor and the charred remains of the commander. Risan, enraged, drew his greatsword and pointed it towards Gedor,
“By the gods of Sarton! Mages! Kill him!” he ordered
Four mages, two men & two women, appeared out of thin air to surround Gedor. They began chanting while raising their hands against him, releasing waves of energy at Gedor. Gedor raised a shield to deflect their attacks, before sending waves of fire at them. The mages dodged the flames by hovering in the air, summoning blades of air to cut Gedor in pieces. Gedor dodged the air blades by darting by them within impossible speed, moving in the air behind the four mages. Each of the four mages summoned waves of dark tendrils around them,
“Tad dam mek suk!” they chanted while directing the dark tendrils towards Gedor .
Gedor lifted his hands in the air, shouting loudly to the sky as he did,
“Hayah! May your servant know victory!” He declared.
Bursts of while light appeared around Gedor, shining with such intense brightness that General Risan had to shield his eyes. The waves of white light clashed with the dark tendrils, causing flashes of darkness & light in the atmosphere of the battlefield. The white lights overpowered the dark tendrils, and struck the four mages directly with ferocity. The four mages attempted to summon shields to block the assault, but the white bursts shattered their shields with ease. The mages were instantly incinerated by the waves of white light, their screams reaching the ears of the army.

More waves of white light emerged from Gedor, going directly towards Risan and his army. The screams of hundreds of soldiers filled the battlefield as the white waves struck, decimating anyone who was caught in their path. General Risan regained enough of his wits to address his army,
“By the gods! Mages, defensive barriers! Archers, shoot him down!” Risan bellowed.

The Sarton mages summoned magical barriers in a panicked state, protecting only themselves while disregarding the Sarton soldiers. Sarton archers fired arrows to attempt to strike Gedor down, only to see their arrows reduced to ashes before the white waves. They ran for their lives in pure terror, ignoring the orders of their superiors.

General Risan looked up at Gedor in the sky, looking to see a path where he can strike him down. Once he found a opening, he leap in the air as runes on his armor glowed brightly. He knew that his armor would propel him to his target. He prepared to cleave Gedor in half with his greatsword, hoping to end the elder’s onslaught.

Gedor turned his gaze towards Risan and raised his left hand, releasing a large wave of light towards him. General Risan raised his greatsword to cut through the light, striking it as he got within range. Everything went bright around them…..

Aftermath

General Risan was informed about what happened to him and his army when he regained consciousness. He was found lying on the ground with his armor scorched deeply, the runes being completely burned off. The Sarton army took heavy losses, with only a remnant of the force surviving the onslaught. The Sarton mages present at the battle were nearly wiped out, with only a few remaining alive.
General Risan stood at the border of the Sarton Kingdom’s territory, staring at the horizon as group after group of his forces crossed the borderline. The sun’s light shined on his battle-worn black heavy armor, displaying signs of scorch marks all over it. Risan had wrapped bandages on his arms, covering the wounds that marked hsi dark skin. The reminder of the impossible loss that his forces suffered. Risan gripped the hilt of his greatsword tightly as his rage burned increasingly hotter within him.
He had just suffered the most humiliating defeat ever in his life as a mighty general of the Kingdom of Sarton. At the hands of a tribe who refused to bow before glory of Sarton. And for having the gall to stand against him…
King Angeas received word of the aftermath of the engagement, simply telling the forces under General Folland to escort the survivors back home once they cross the border. General Risan would be addressed by the King at a later time. Risan knew what that meant in truth: the King was secretly pleased that Risan was embarrassed, and he would use this as an excuse for his peaceful decrees being pushed through another council session.
General Risan stared as the horizon as he thought of Gedor, and the powers that he wields that crushed his army. And of the revenge that he would get on the old man once he learned the secret of his power. Risan walked gingerly back with the rest of his forces, the injuries he suffered forcing him to move more slowly. The shame of his defeat hurt more than any of his physical injuries.
In the distance, a rather tall yet beautiful woman with blond hair & fair skin watched the Sarton army journey back to the capital city of the Kingdom. She closely regarded General Risan with interest, giving a slight smile as she considered the general.
“You could prove very useful, General Risan,” she said.
With a simple gesture of her left hand, the beautiful woman vanished from sight.

Conflict Type

Battle