The Horde
While roaming groups of undead are a constant threat outside civilized lands, "The Horde" is a large undead force that is said to be under the command of a mysterious necromancer, a dark magic-user rumored to wield unimaginable powers. The very air seems to crackle with an aura of dread as the necromancer orchestrates the movements of this unholy legion, a terrifying blend of dread and death.
At the forefront of this nightmarish army are undead creatures, each imbued with Chaos energy or manipulated by the unseen strings of minor demons who lurk in the shadows. These grotesque puppets move with a perverse semblance of life, their hollow eyes gleaming with a cold and eerie malevolence. The necromancer's mastery over the forces of chaos is evident in the unnatural vitality that pulses through these undead minions, as if the very essence of disorder courses through their veins.
The horde's ranks are comprised predominantly of human and large animal corpses, grotesquely reanimated to serve the necromancer's unholy cause. Occasionally, massive humanoid monsters, twisted and distorted by dark magic, join the nightmarish procession. The battlefield becomes a grotesque display of the macabre, with undead warriors and shambling corpses united under a common banner of death.
With a dark symphony of chaos, death, and malevolence, the necromancer's horde advances, leaving a trail of desolation in its wake as it seeks to fulfill its unholy purpose in the accursed lands.
Despite the ominous presence of the necromancer's horde, a dark cloud of uncertainty shrouds its true intentions. Thus far, the undead legion has refrained from launching direct assaults on any settlements, leaving the villages and towns in a state of fearful anticipation. The silence before the storm hangs heavy, as the necromancer's plans remain veiled in mystery. Whispers among the living speak of an impending doom, yet the true nature of the impending threat remains elusive.
Reports from the few who have witnessed the horde firsthand tell a chilling tale. The numbers of the undead seem to swell with each sighting, as if the necromancer's dark influence is reaching farther and deeper into the realms. Villagers speak of the horde moving methodically, as if testing the waters, its advance marked by an aura of malevolence that chills the very air. Yet, curiously, the settlements stand untouched, as if the necromancer is biding his time, weaving an intricate web of dread and uncertainty.
Composition
Manpower
The horde is a vast and relentless force, numbering in the thousands as it sweeps across the darkened landscapes. The bulk of the horde consists of reanimated human and animal corpses, driven by the insidious will of the necromancer. These foot soldiers, their bodies twisted and animated by dark magic, form the relentless core of the horde. Their sheer numbers overwhelm the living, and the sight of the undead legion advancing is a harbinger of doom.
Among the macabre ranks, towering undead giants stride purposefully, their massive forms looming over the lesser undead. These colossal creatures are brought to life by the necromancer's mastery over death. Their mere presence on the battlefield instills terror, as their immense strength and resilience make them formidable foes. These undead giants serve as living siege engines, tearing through fortifications and trampling anything in their path.
Circling above the horde, the necromancer has harnessed the dark forces to create aerial units in the form of undead birds of prey. These eerie creatures, once majestic in life, now soar through the skies with a still grace. Animated by the same necrotic energy that powers the horde, these avian monstrosities act as the necromancer's eyes and talons in the sky. They swoop down upon unsuspecting enemies, their sharp claws and beaks tearing into flesh as they rain death from above.
Weaponry
The weapons wielded by the nightmarish horde are a twisted fusion of crude makeshift tools and remnants of old weapons that echo with a haunting resonance. At the forefront of this grim arsenal are the makeshift implements crafted from scavenged materials, reflecting the desolation and resourcefulness of the undead force. Rusty blades, repurposed agricultural tools, and splintered wooden clubs serve as the primary instruments of death for the reanimated corpses. These crude weapons are grim reminders of the horde's relentless pursuit of destruction, each one bearing the scars of previous battles.
Interspersed among the makeshift weaponry are remnants of ancient arms, a testament to the horde's grisly diversity. Some undead warriors carry tattered and weathered swords from a bygone era, their edges still capable of delivering deadly strikes. Others wield battered shields adorned with the insignias of long-forgotten knights, now tarnished and worn. The clattering of corroded chainmail adds a haunting cadence to the horde's relentless march, as remnants of past battles meld with the grotesque creations of the necromancer.
History
- The Battle of the Blackened Prairie (Kingdom of Markia): In the early days of the necromancer's horde, the valiant forces of the Kingdom of Markia gathered to defend the fertile region northeast of Windcrest Prairie. The undead onslaught was relentless, with the horde's numbers seemingly endless. The Markian soldiers fought with unparalleled bravery, their finely crafted weapons clashing against the twisted horde. However, the necromancer's dark magic proved overwhelming. Undead soldiers and aerial predators, imbued with chaotic energy, turned the once-green fields into a nightmarish battlefield. Despite the Markians' valiant resistance, they were eventually driven away, their forces scattered and broken. The fields became a haunting testament to the necromancer's power, now tainted by the lingering echoes of a lost battle.
- The Siege of Darkwood (Forest Ambush): Darkwood Fortress, a formidable stronghold nestled within a dense forest west of Portsley, stood defiant against the encroaching darkness. The necromancer's horde launched a surprise attack within the shadowed woods. Undead animals, animated by dark forces, lurked amidst the trees, adding a sinister aspect to the assault. The defenders of Darkwood, skilled archers and hardened warriors, fought with unwavering resolve as they utilized the fortress's sturdy walls and intricate defenses. The aerial undead birds of prey circled above, preventing reinforcements. In a relentless siege, the necromancer's forces breached the fortress's defenses. Darkwood Fortress fell into chaos as undead creatures poured through the breached walls, leaving the once-mighty stronghold in ruins. The surviving defenders fled, abandoning Darkwood Fortress to the encroaching darkness within the heart of the forest.
- The Battle of Ebon Spire (Undead Titan's Appearance): Ebon Spire (formally Sunlit Spire, a sacred temple to Unconquered Sol that stood at the top of a series of hills north of Portsley) became the focal point of a desperate stand against the advancing horde. The Kingdom of Lavonia, having fortified the temple with golems and siege weapons, believed they could withstand the necromancer's dark forces. However, the undead onslaught proved unrelenting. The necromancer, shrouded in malevolence, led the charge with the appearance of an undead titan, a colossal monstrosity that overwhelmed the defenders. The temple's sacred ground was desecrated as the undead giants, animated animals, and the titan tore through the defenders. Despite the Markians' use of golems and siege weapons, Ebon Spire crumbled beneath the necromancer's dark magic. The survivors were forced to abandon their sacred grounds, leaving the once-holy temple in ruins as a grim testament to the horde's destructive advance.