The Battle of The Godsgrave
The Fall of Ozlith
The rally
The six remaining legions came home. Even the gods themselves came to see Mhirriah wed, a fact that would decide the fate of humanity. When the rift opened, the legions pushed back, bolstering the city's defenses.They retrieved the empress, storming the palace. They entered her chambers and found her still sleeping. She opened her eyes and stared in shock, strangely unaware at the events that unfolded just outside her bedroom door. Mhirriah gathered her Guard and her most trusted advisers to guide her next move.
They decided to evacuate the city, and nearly one hundred thousand people gathered outside the city walls. The next wave would arrive soon, picking up where the first left off. The city burned and its people were forced to watch.
The gods then gave Mhirriah a holy task: They would remain and buy time while Mhirriah took her people north, gathering what survivors they could until reaching the promised land. She was given a list of labors. The gods swore on their death that Mhirriah would ascend to godhood if she completed them.
Legacy
The truth's laid out in this story are known to no one in the present day. Rumors and various stories surface and then disappear, each dipping into both fact and fiction. Many ask: "Why did the legions choose to stay behind?"
The reason is simple, the demons were far too many, and despite how skilled the legions were, not one of them knew how to properly defend during a siege. They trained in taking lives, not defending them.
A massive force walking the distance would be slower, forced to fight on unfavorable ground, and would need far more in the way of food and water, something they had precious little of to begin with. The Journal of Mhirriah discusses the issue in depth.
The reason is simple, the demons were far too many, and despite how skilled the legions were, not one of them knew how to properly defend during a siege. They trained in taking lives, not defending them.
A massive force walking the distance would be slower, forced to fight on unfavorable ground, and would need far more in the way of food and water, something they had precious little of to begin with. The Journal of Mhirriah discusses the issue in depth.
Lines and trenches
The primus of each legion along with their six gods met to discuss their plan. With one god and legion leaving Ozlith nearly two centuries prior, they were not at full strength. The Godsgrave was their answer, a wall built from Ozolithian Mold. The core of the mold is made from a nearly unbreakable material, and it has shown to serve well as a fortress.
They analyzed the situation, and found they had some, but not many advantages. They discovered that Ozolithian Mold would kill a demon permanently, which took care of the first major issue. A demon's soul will return to the infernum when killed. It will simply come back to the field of battle when their soul rebuilds a body. When killed with a weapon made of the mold's core, or when the spores enter the body, the soul is forced to move on, unable to return to where it came from.
Another advantage they had was the benefit of having water on both sides. They decided to stage their final stand at the smallest stretch of land known. The land only covered a 10 km stretch, and they had the numbers to field within that stretch. They played into this advantage, dividing their side of the field into different zones. Every space of land would end in a trench that would be filled with water to further stall the enemy and give the Ozolithians time to breathe.
This decision also ensured The Legion of the Deep would not be at a disadvantage and could fight in their element anywhere on the field instead of having to remain near the ocean on both sides. The Ozolithians decided to divide up into groups, working to even the playing field as much as possible. First and foremost, they had no means of ranged support. A select few practitioners of the arcane and two of their own legions, The Sanguine Legion and The Widow's Legion were specialized in arcane warfare, but hey had no arrows for archers firing from the wall nor did they have any siege weapons.
They analyzed the situation, and found they had some, but not many advantages. They discovered that Ozolithian Mold would kill a demon permanently, which took care of the first major issue. A demon's soul will return to the infernum when killed. It will simply come back to the field of battle when their soul rebuilds a body. When killed with a weapon made of the mold's core, or when the spores enter the body, the soul is forced to move on, unable to return to where it came from.
Another advantage they had was the benefit of having water on both sides. They decided to stage their final stand at the smallest stretch of land known. The land only covered a 10 km stretch, and they had the numbers to field within that stretch. They played into this advantage, dividing their side of the field into different zones. Every space of land would end in a trench that would be filled with water to further stall the enemy and give the Ozolithians time to breathe.
This decision also ensured The Legion of the Deep would not be at a disadvantage and could fight in their element anywhere on the field instead of having to remain near the ocean on both sides. The Ozolithians decided to divide up into groups, working to even the playing field as much as possible. First and foremost, they had no means of ranged support. A select few practitioners of the arcane and two of their own legions, The Sanguine Legion and The Widow's Legion were specialized in arcane warfare, but hey had no arrows for archers firing from the wall nor did they have any siege weapons.
by Dylonishere123
Preparation
The legions knew they had time to prepare, but it was uncertain exactly how much time they had. In total, they had 13,000 volunteers, six gods, and nearly 20,000 centurions across all seven legions. They divided up work equally, the priestesses of The Red Maiden began drawing blood from all able-bodied men and women. They only gathered enough to prevent problems with combat effectiveness, but the blood flowed freely regardless. The amount of blood stored reached astronomical proportions. The painters of the sanguine legion would have the fuel their magic needed. The gods went to work on the Godsgrave itself, sowing the mold spores and willing it to grow far past its normal speed. The excess cores from the mold were taken and given to a partition of volunteers who carved them into weapons and arrowheads. As the stockpile grew, so did the Godsgrave. When the battle began, the structure reached almost 300M into the sky and stretched 8 km across from coast to coast between what is now The Weir Ocean and The Ocean of Arides.
The legions were hard at work digging trenches and building fortifications. The Mad Legion, along with their mad god, built the most diabolical siege weapons they could. The trenches filled with water to allow the Legion of the deep an advantage, as the ocean was far away from the central point of the battle. The base of the trench featured sharpened mold cores, serving as spikes, as well as a means to pollute the water with the spores. Mages were hard at work preparing themselves for the battle that was to come. They exchanged spells they knew or created in hopes it would serve as a more efficient means of artillery. When the preparations were done, The Deep, the god of the sea, bestowed a final gift upon the doomed combatants.
The legions were hard at work digging trenches and building fortifications. The Mad Legion, along with their mad god, built the most diabolical siege weapons they could. The trenches filled with water to allow the Legion of the deep an advantage, as the ocean was far away from the central point of the battle. The base of the trench featured sharpened mold cores, serving as spikes, as well as a means to pollute the water with the spores. Mages were hard at work preparing themselves for the battle that was to come. They exchanged spells they knew or created in hopes it would serve as a more efficient means of artillery. When the preparations were done, The Deep, the god of the sea, bestowed a final gift upon the doomed combatants.
The Calm
As if reminiscing on the great deeds of the legion that bears its name, the deep sent a leviathan, a massive monster of the deepest ocean. It beached itself on the western coast of what was once the empire's land. It's meat was harvested, cooked, and distributed among the ranks to ensure that their work was done tirelessly. They could survive for days with the meat they recovered, and that was without rationing.
In the evening before the battle took place, everyone was well rested and well-fed. Surprisingly, they were able to complete all preparations with not a moment to spare. The rift opened wider. Scouts returned from the smoldering city. Not only was the third wave finally here, but the leader of the infernal crusade traveled from The infernum to oversee the campaign personally.
This demonic prince became a crucial target. As the horde approached and each took their position, all one could hear was silence. When the sun peeked over the horizon, no rousing speech could be heard. They knew what they were fighting for, and knew how the battle would end. They played their roles well, and did so to the last man.
In the evening before the battle took place, everyone was well rested and well-fed. Surprisingly, they were able to complete all preparations with not a moment to spare. The rift opened wider. Scouts returned from the smoldering city. Not only was the third wave finally here, but the leader of the infernal crusade traveled from The infernum to oversee the campaign personally.
This demonic prince became a crucial target. As the horde approached and each took their position, all one could hear was silence. When the sun peeked over the horizon, no rousing speech could be heard. They knew what they were fighting for, and knew how the battle would end. They played their roles well, and did so to the last man.
The First Line
The horde approached, a vast sea of teeth and claws. Volleys came from the wall of the Godsgrave. Thousands of arrows rained down on the enemy. These demons have never experienced pain, much less the fear of death. The constant barrage of arrows did more than kill some of their numbers, it also crippled morale. The demons fought with ferocity but were also disorganized and easily routed.
Discovering that the mold was a weakness, the demonic horde became horrified and started breaking their own formations in an attempt to retreat from the danger. When they turned to run, however, they would see the Demonic Prince staring back at them. They tried to push their way through, but they were pushed back towards the Ozolithian line, some ending up being trampled underfoot as the horde advanced.
By the time the armies were within a hundred meters , the demons charged. The centurions did not. They stood true to their legend, casually walking out to meet them as they did for any foe. It was at this point the demons learned yet another new sensation, fatigue. The centurions had little trouble maintaining the line for a time.
Discovering that the mold was a weakness, the demonic horde became horrified and started breaking their own formations in an attempt to retreat from the danger. When they turned to run, however, they would see the Demonic Prince staring back at them. They tried to push their way through, but they were pushed back towards the Ozolithian line, some ending up being trampled underfoot as the horde advanced.
By the time the armies were within a hundred meters , the demons charged. The centurions did not. They stood true to their legend, casually walking out to meet them as they did for any foe. It was at this point the demons learned yet another new sensation, fatigue. The centurions had little trouble maintaining the line for a time.
Buying time
The point of the battle was not to win, but to buy time for the exodus of their people. The centurions were like a wall, an obstacle to be scaled. The strategy during this phase of the battle was to keep the front line as solid as possible. Arrows continued to fire, artillery spells were cast with reckless abandon, but these were aimed far into the back lines of the horde. Every explosive spell would leave behind a massive gap to be filled. Every volley of arrows resulted in entire groups of enemies falling down in rows.
Not only was this tactic effective at keeping the front line from being overrun, but it also made the ground uneven as the horde had to step over the bodies of their kin to reach the front line in the first place. This phase the battle lasted about 2 days, every few hours a horn would sound, back lines behind the first trench would move large wooden planks across the trench allowing the tired centurions to cross while the next wave of fresh and fully rested centurions would replace them.
By the end of the second day it was decided the first line was lost, and they must retreat beyond the first trench. This allowed the The Legion of the Deep a moment to shine.
The Horde met the trench filled with water and stared in confusion. The first few demons attempted to cross and let out screams when the water touched their skin. They died to the muffled sounds of Ozolithian laughter.
Not only was this tactic effective at keeping the front line from being overrun, but it also made the ground uneven as the horde had to step over the bodies of their kin to reach the front line in the first place. This phase the battle lasted about 2 days, every few hours a horn would sound, back lines behind the first trench would move large wooden planks across the trench allowing the tired centurions to cross while the next wave of fresh and fully rested centurions would replace them.
By the end of the second day it was decided the first line was lost, and they must retreat beyond the first trench. This allowed the The Legion of the Deep a moment to shine.
The Horde met the trench filled with water and stared in confusion. The first few demons attempted to cross and let out screams when the water touched their skin. They died to the muffled sounds of Ozolithian laughter.
The First Trench
The centurions of the deep fought well. They would leap from the water, skewer an enemy with their tridents, and fall into the water with them. They took the writhing bodies and impaled them on the spikes at the base. The Deep opened rifts to the deep ocean, letting an assortment of monstrous sea creatures into the trenches.
The legion of the deep did what they could to dispose of the bodies, throwing them into the rifts as the creatures entered to enjoy their feast. Blood of all colors began to dilute the water, making it difficult to see. It was only a matter of time before the first trench would fall, but it took seven constant hours of death to do it.
Not one to be made a fool of, the Demonic Prince forced the army to march. The sheer size of the horde pushed those in front forward and into the water in an attempt to fill the trench. The trench filled with bodies to the point where the water was displaced and the horde could continue walking unhindered across a bridge of corpses. A retreat sounded. The legion of the deep along with the creatures of the ocean were able to get out before taking too many losses, falling back to the second trench.
The legion of the deep did what they could to dispose of the bodies, throwing them into the rifts as the creatures entered to enjoy their feast. Blood of all colors began to dilute the water, making it difficult to see. It was only a matter of time before the first trench would fall, but it took seven constant hours of death to do it.
Not one to be made a fool of, the Demonic Prince forced the army to march. The sheer size of the horde pushed those in front forward and into the water in an attempt to fill the trench. The trench filled with bodies to the point where the water was displaced and the horde could continue walking unhindered across a bridge of corpses. A retreat sounded. The legion of the deep along with the creatures of the ocean were able to get out before taking too many losses, falling back to the second trench.
by Dylonishere123
by Dylonishere123
The second line
The second line is where the bulk of the battle occurred, taking nearly three days for the forces of The Infernum to completely overrun it. The Deep routinely pulled bodies from the first trench into rifts to the deep ocean, causing more gaps in the lines of the horde as they tried to refill it on top of the artillery and the volleys of arrows. There were a few occasions where they were able to push the horde back past the first trench, but we're unwilling to fill the trench with combatants once more in fear of losing more than they can spare.
At this point, Primus Giryat of The Mad Legion had a thought. After consuming The Blessing of the Deep, the potion that gave the Legion of The Deep it's advantage in water, Giryat insisted on traveling through a rift in the first trench. He hid in the first trench, surrounded by bodies until the prince drew closer. He emerged from the waters and challenged the prince directly, a duel to the death to prove his worth to the army he sacrifices without thought. The prince agreed, fearing his position if he refused. The battle between the two only built more fear in the horde. Giryat wielded two axes, swinging in random, unpredictable arcs. They each exchanged successful blows and dodges, blood spilling from their wounds. Giryat went for a final swing.
The prince took the moment to defend. Giryat finished winding up for the attack only to kick back off the ground, dodging around to the exposed side of the prince, and using the leftover momentum to swing the second ax, cleaving into the neck of the prince and severing his head. The horde swarmed him, enraged. Giryat felt no pain, fighting until his body simply couldn't keep him alive any longer. The second line fought well, but in the end, it met the same fate as the first.
At this point, Primus Giryat of The Mad Legion had a thought. After consuming The Blessing of the Deep, the potion that gave the Legion of The Deep it's advantage in water, Giryat insisted on traveling through a rift in the first trench. He hid in the first trench, surrounded by bodies until the prince drew closer. He emerged from the waters and challenged the prince directly, a duel to the death to prove his worth to the army he sacrifices without thought. The prince agreed, fearing his position if he refused. The battle between the two only built more fear in the horde. Giryat wielded two axes, swinging in random, unpredictable arcs. They each exchanged successful blows and dodges, blood spilling from their wounds. Giryat went for a final swing.
The prince took the moment to defend. Giryat finished winding up for the attack only to kick back off the ground, dodging around to the exposed side of the prince, and using the leftover momentum to swing the second ax, cleaving into the neck of the prince and severing his head. The horde swarmed him, enraged. Giryat felt no pain, fighting until his body simply couldn't keep him alive any longer. The second line fought well, but in the end, it met the same fate as the first.
The second trench
The second trench was much smaller than the first, and fell in nearly half the time. The violent storm of trident and tendrils coupled with the support from the wall held them back for nearly 4 hours. Tentacles belonging to the deep itself emerged from the water and assailed the horde, decimating enemy ranks.
Amphibious creatures capable of walking on land flew from the water, crushing the enemy with ease. The call for retreat was early, but indicated it was time for the widowers to take the field. Up to this point, The Legion of the Deep, The Tyrant's Legion, and The Matriarchs Legion (Mhirriah's Legion) were the only one's fighting. The Widow's Legion stayed as far back as possible, using their mastery of Arcana Mortis to assist in the bombardment of enemy lines.
Horns sounded and the black miasma of the widow's legion rolled across the field of battle, killing any and all caught within it with extreme prejudice. This bought the Ozolithians time, but eventually, the army continued to march, filling the second trench, and forcing the Ozolithian army to fight with the wall of the Godsgrave at their back. The Mad Legion took the field, taking advantage of the enemy numbers. The siege weapons they built were aimed closer to the front lines. The butchers of the mad legion tore into the horde, killing without pause as the siege engines refocused their assault. Not a single butcher died of friendly fire, to the shock of many. They worked in time with the contraptions on the wall, dodging and leaping away as their comrades rained death from above.
Amphibious creatures capable of walking on land flew from the water, crushing the enemy with ease. The call for retreat was early, but indicated it was time for the widowers to take the field. Up to this point, The Legion of the Deep, The Tyrant's Legion, and The Matriarchs Legion (Mhirriah's Legion) were the only one's fighting. The Widow's Legion stayed as far back as possible, using their mastery of Arcana Mortis to assist in the bombardment of enemy lines.
Horns sounded and the black miasma of the widow's legion rolled across the field of battle, killing any and all caught within it with extreme prejudice. This bought the Ozolithians time, but eventually, the army continued to march, filling the second trench, and forcing the Ozolithian army to fight with the wall of the Godsgrave at their back. The Mad Legion took the field, taking advantage of the enemy numbers. The siege weapons they built were aimed closer to the front lines. The butchers of the mad legion tore into the horde, killing without pause as the siege engines refocused their assault. Not a single butcher died of friendly fire, to the shock of many. They worked in time with the contraptions on the wall, dodging and leaping away as their comrades rained death from above.
by Dylonishere123
The Death of The Gods of Ozlith
At this point it was all or nothing. Those on the wall of The Godsgrave continued to assail the horde while every able-bodied combatant fought on the front lines. Centurions who died would rise again, using the Vigor they had stored over the many years of war to bring themselves back from the edge of death. The Widow towered over the army's beneath her, casting waves of death on her enemies and skewering demonic beasts with her spider like legs. The Sanguine Legion, resting on the wall, used the reserves of blood to devastate enemy forces with their mastery of Arcana Sanguis.
The Tyrant was the first god to fall. It towered over the enemy army in the form of a brazen colossus. After the horde concentrated its effort, he was brought to his knees and killed. The Matriarch followed soon after, rushing forth to avenge her fallen brother. At this point the Deep received word to strike. It mustered all its strength in an attempt to create a tidal wave that would wipe the horde from the land and carry them off into the ocean, and the Ozolithians with it.
Something went wrong, and the wave never came. The water level rose, which did enough damage alone, but the deep never made due on its promise. None ever discovered what became of it, but in truth, it attempted to build up such power that the shear strain killed it before the deed could be done. Defeated and facing his death, the Mad God rushed into the enemy lines, taking thousands with him before having his head severed by a newly-appointed Prince. The Widow came soon after, unable to resist the constant rush of enemies at her feet. She felt sudden rushes of pain as the demons under her tore at her legs. She jolted, fell, and the horde struck a killing blow. Her massive corpse still remains, her spider like legs curled in and rigid with her human upper half attempting to crawl away. Casseus Falco, The Primus of The Tyrant's legion, answered a call that pulled him away from the front lines, along with some of the most skilled centurions of each Legion that still lived. The Red Maiden met them on the other side of the wall with a message and a mission.
The Tyrant was the first god to fall. It towered over the enemy army in the form of a brazen colossus. After the horde concentrated its effort, he was brought to his knees and killed. The Matriarch followed soon after, rushing forth to avenge her fallen brother. At this point the Deep received word to strike. It mustered all its strength in an attempt to create a tidal wave that would wipe the horde from the land and carry them off into the ocean, and the Ozolithians with it.
Something went wrong, and the wave never came. The water level rose, which did enough damage alone, but the deep never made due on its promise. None ever discovered what became of it, but in truth, it attempted to build up such power that the shear strain killed it before the deed could be done. Defeated and facing his death, the Mad God rushed into the enemy lines, taking thousands with him before having his head severed by a newly-appointed Prince. The Widow came soon after, unable to resist the constant rush of enemies at her feet. She felt sudden rushes of pain as the demons under her tore at her legs. She jolted, fell, and the horde struck a killing blow. Her massive corpse still remains, her spider like legs curled in and rigid with her human upper half attempting to crawl away. Casseus Falco, The Primus of The Tyrant's legion, answered a call that pulled him away from the front lines, along with some of the most skilled centurions of each Legion that still lived. The Red Maiden met them on the other side of the wall with a message and a mission.
A volunteer from the wall approached me. He was terrified. He saw the carnage around him, the corpses of our gods, and it caused the words to catch in his throat. He told me I was requested beyond the wall, by order of The Maiden, herself. I left the front line and when I arrived, she was there to greet me and several others...
"This battle is far from over," she said, her voice ringing in my mind, spoken from a mouth-less face with a rage only she could muster, "Casseus, with these men and women you will venture south to the island where Ozlith began. At the heart of the Island you will find what you seek. You must keep its contents safe. I don't know for how long." I was reluctant. None of us wished to leave our brothers and sisters to their death. I was still fighting tears of my own recent loss, and the thoughts in my mind as we ventured south nearly broke me...
The end
In the end, the centurions were defeated. Those that survived in the field were forced back into the wall of the Godsgrave. The Horde bottle necked into the many entrances in the wall, but in the end the wall was overrun. Due to a great burst of Arcane power, the wall fractured and burst from within. As the rubble fell, it became clear there was no way to buy any more time. The remaining troops scattered to the wind, but most were dead within the hour. If any survived, they were met with the horrors of Embersheen and now needed to learn how to live in the most hostile of environments.
The worst part of the tragedy that befell the legions is the absence of The Alabaster Legion. Had the legion been there, as well as Gehova, the seventh god of Ozlith, the battle would have lasted far longer and could have ended differently. The sad truth, however, is that Gehova abandoned Ozlith. Once a god of peace, he never got used to their warlike culture.
The Red Maiden was not wrong, however. The Battle of the Godsgrave was the first battle in a long War. Casseus did exactly as he was told, and what he found waiting for him when he arrived at the specified location not only gave him hope for his people and the future of the empire he dedicated his life to, but it also gave him something to live for...
The worst part of the tragedy that befell the legions is the absence of The Alabaster Legion. Had the legion been there, as well as Gehova, the seventh god of Ozlith, the battle would have lasted far longer and could have ended differently. The sad truth, however, is that Gehova abandoned Ozlith. Once a god of peace, he never got used to their warlike culture.
The Red Maiden was not wrong, however. The Battle of the Godsgrave was the first battle in a long War. Casseus did exactly as he was told, and what he found waiting for him when he arrived at the specified location not only gave him hope for his people and the future of the empire he dedicated his life to, but it also gave him something to live for...
We walked along the path the red goddess marked for us, thirty men and women that stood as the finest of the legions. The land was changing. The infernum slowly turned our home into a hellscape of fire and ashes. Embersheen, they call it.. I spent my time wondering what awaited us at our destination. My homeland was annexed by the empire long ago. I'm ashamed to say I've never visited the island before. Even with the taint of The Infernum, the sight was glorious. We traversed the, now empty, Sea of Beasts. We traveled to the heart of the island, and what we found there I never could have predicted. On a basket of Magetwine was a letter and nestled within the basket, reaching up to me as I approached, was an infant...
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