Battle of Canahedo

[Archbishop 1784]

 

 

Within the Orcish city of San’Tor sat a much small civilisation. A village based around two multi-coloured mountains, a single path swirling around the largest of the two with houses dotted alongside it. It was simply another day within the Kharajyr village of Canahedo. A bunch of kharajyr sat within the hot springs of the village, each yearning for the soothing warmth and steam.

 

There were many visitors to the village on that day, and Ascended, a goblin and many others. The day was going smoothly, kharajyr kittens danced and played happily amongst the grass, workers going about their duty and priestesses teaching the younger generation. However a loud boom broke the peaceful serenity of the village. It came from the ocean which sat close to them. A large crowd then gathered atop one of the two mountains, the tops of their houses and Muun’Light Lookout to see the cause.

 

As the group and its visitors gaze darted across the ocean before finally being drawn towards a distant orange glow, a glow of which would begin to increase in size as if it was getting closer. Growing concerned, the group then descended to the mesa beach to observe the approaching object. It was a ship, albeit a ship on fire and in ruin. After spotting this they then returned to their lookout posts before a shout is heard from the gate.

 

“Can I have entry, I am being chased!” A raspy voice called out to the inhabbitants, and quickly they formed around the gatehouse and provided the old man entry. He then disclosed to them that he was chased by cultists and the burning ship was his. But before either party had a chance to say anything else, an arrow flew past, narrowly missing a kha’Leparda.

 

“Quickly! Retreat into the barracks now!” A voice yelled out, it was Mukar, the Sage of the Temple of Metztli. He swiftly lead them into the barracks and locked the gates. After heading to the larger hall and distributing weapons to those gathered to defend their home they would then head back towards the barracks gate. Only to find that a large party of cultists had broken into the city and had started to break the barracks gates and delving deeper into the village. However the Sage ordered two to stay behind, a Goblin by the name of Jitz and a Kharajyr named Kavari. They were to stay behind and charge out into the attackers when they saw the much larger group of inhabitants attack the cultists from behind. The Sage then lead the majority of the party down a hidden tunnel and out of the mesa mountain side. Silently they would make their way over to the wall, of where a ladder had been set up. They sat silently, a few feet away from the cultists but unseen and unheard. Before finally a warhorn blasted throughout the land and the large party leapt upwards and into the large band of cultists trying to break into the gate.

 

 

Almost instantly after the warhorn had been blown, the gates to the barracks then dropped open. The two warriors charged out head on whilst the larger group flanked the band of cultists. They were outmatched and one by one the cultists fell. However this would only be a start to their battle.

 

Two kharajyr known as Zinawr and Astrawla continued upwards to the village square whilst the others celebrated their victory, however the celebration was much too short to have. Both Zinawr and Astrawla called out for aid as the square had been overrun by the cultists. The much larger group would once more charge with their blades held high and after a short while, the cultists were defeated once more. But as the group then diverted their gaze to the larger mountain, they would see that the cultists were occupying the path that wrapped around it.

 

“There are cubs in the bathhouse!” Yelped out a frantic Zinawr as the group quickly composed themselves and formed back into ranks and ascended up the path. Quickly flooding into the bathhouse to ensure the cubs safety they were met with a much larger band of cultists and were forced to fight. The cultists had managed to bring down an Ascended known as Kalviin, however the band of both kharajyr, Smoeni and Orc managed to save him and put an end to the cultists which occupied the bathhouse. Two kittens were brought out unharmed but visible distraught by the proceedings that had transpired. After ensuring the two kittens were put into a place of safety, they then ascended further up the path where they met with a smaller group of cultists.

 

The large band of defenders surged forward and easily struck them down, but much to their dismay the cultists had planned for such an eventuality and a huge party climbed over the top of the mountain and descended down into the unsuspecting defenders, many were pushed from the path however not killed. The Smoeni leader was struck down and severely injured as the group withdrew and prepared for another charge and charge they did.

 

With their swords held high they engaged the larger band of cultists and after a short while later, they were defeated. After having defeated the majority of the cultists they could easily make their way further up the mountain path, striking down the odd stray cultist as they did so before finally approaching Jakarra’s abode, a place in which the cultist leader had took refuge.

 

They swung the courtyard doors open and flooded inside, slaughtering the cultists which stood guard. The Sage unlocked the doors of Jakarra’s abode and allowed the defenders entry and they quickly filled the small fortress. Each would slowly ascend the ladder before reaching the top, and after a short battle the leaders were killed.

 

However a smaller band of cultists that remained followed them up the path and filled the courtyard. A brave kharajyr warrior, known as Kavari leapt down from the fortress’ roof and onto the cultists. She brought many down before the others could arrive to aid her. Then smoke began to rise from below, the cultists had set many buildings on fire and so the group hastily made their way down into the square and used their helmets as make-shift buckets and shields in an attempt to smother the fires. However the battle had took its costs, and not many were able to help with this due to exhaustion.

 

Though, after a short while the fires were put out, leaving charred remains into several buildings and charcoal and soot covering parts of the path. The Sage then descended to the cultists boat and gathered many trinkets and treasures from within before bringing them back up to the city. They riches were shared out evenly amongst all present, a token of their victory.

 

“Victory!” Called out the Sage, followed by most present as they cheered and celebrated their victory. In the eyes of the Kharajyr, Absyyl had attacked and Absyyl had failed. For now however...

 

((I’d like to give a huge thank you to Cjmate8/Shambleau for hosting this event for us. It was very fun and I speak on behalf of everybody who participated, we enjoyed it very much.))

 

[dm420 186]

Astrawla groans, walking to her home, only happy to actually be alive and the denizens surviving, none harmed. "Muukarla and Zahbus, you are okay. Come with mother now, we shall rest another glory day." she smiles warmly to her children, overjoyed that they managed to survive once more, they both jump onto the bed and snuggle against their mother. "Good night, loves."

[Remyy 952]

The Smoeni leader would grit her teeth, after being returned to the home mid-battle. Her side continuing to shed crimson liquid, as did her arm. It took several hours, and the sacrifice of another woman's nose before being successfully bandaged up. The Smoen figure would hiss up towards the Smoeni warrior, who had the bad luck of having to treat her.

"Gather your sisters, and prepare to hold a prayer"

She leaned back into the bed, releasing a puff of air. It wasn't long, when another young women entered, offering a sealed letter to the injured figure.

"It is for you, Leopard."

"Ahernug."

Arezara took the letter, shooing the messenger off with a simple wave of her hand, beginning to open the letter, scanning it over with her discolored eyes. Her already bitter mood only worsened, her frame slowly moved up from the seat- beginning to place the furs back onto her shoulders.

"She will be punished."

[DrinkPesticide 52]

Zinawr stood idly in the meeting hall, his gaze cast over a pair of Kharajyr cubs fondly, the pantera would have his right leg above the ground, his weight supported by means of a cane he leant on for support, "A while before Absyyl next attacks, Zinawr hopes." The Kha' murmured to himself.

[iris1612 1780]

Jakarra receives the report of the battle with satisfaction. This was the first of many trials his people would have to endure, and they had succeed greatly. 

[Lykos 276]

   It was a long day, as all days were for the road-weary Kha'Leparda. The badlands had sand that would burn even the thickest of paw, but long roads oft teach important lessons. Kneeling, Kavari reties the wraps around her feet, only to look up and rest her arms atop her bent knee, blue eyes blinking as they beheld a sea of orange and yellow. The mountains and crags were sharp and intimidating, and oh so alien to a Kha born with the jungle in her heart- but those ugly cliffs offered shade from a more sadistic sun. Only a few days had passed since she was still on her endless, lonely road. Only a few moonrises before now, she only had herself to worry about. Now here she was braving the heat to find enough herbs and roots to help the wounded in her newfound home. With a growly sigh, hints of pain seeping through her determination, she stands up, taking a look at her surroundings, and for the treasures she sought out. Pulling the ragged red cape tighter around her shoulders, she sallies forth as she recounts her experiences.

 

 

   A mere day before this trek in the sand, she had met an unexpected face. She was wary, cautious. Paranoid. For the past decade, she had been on her own- self reliant, but also solitary on the thorn-covered road. Other Kha were a rare sight, and often played the part as harbingers of trouble. Trouble for her. When she met Mukar, she knew he would bring adversity... Yet for some reason, she found herself following the Sage down the road, all the way to the last Bastion of the Kharajyr in Axios, a town nestled in the mountains under the Rex's shadow. Kavari was yet wary, but as Mukar showed her through the temple, the Leparda felt something that hadn't graced her for years- calm. The unexpected gifts did not stop at a rekindled connection, even. Mukar extended an offering- something that hit Kavari through any sort of psychological armor she had built up over her lifetime. Without so much as a request, he gave her a home. People she could talk to without fear of being killed for her pelt. It put out fires in her mind she didn't even know she had... But of course, another Kha on the road always meant trouble.

 

-

 

   Sliding down the dune, Kavari closes in on her prize, one of the few plants that thrived in the deathly environment. Using naught but her claws, she digs the hardy root out of the sand, stowing it in her backpack. One down, fourteen to go.

 

-

 

   Early in the morning, as the sun kissed the horizon, an explosion rocked the city of Kha, those that were present grouping up. Kavari immediately sprinted back to her new hut, getting back into her travelling gear- But for the first time, she wasn't running. She wanted to, yet she found herself tying the sheath of her sabre to her hip dutifully, heading out to follow the Sage that had lead her to that moment. Cultists, an enemy fought before, burns that still stung. The raid passed over her like a feverish dream, Kavi fighting with more ferocity than she had in years. With sword n' board, she bashed and slashed, kicked and clawed. Her fury was felt by the hapless ghouls, doubly so by those that sought to finish off those that they had fell. Thrice she dragged the Ascended back to his feet, but the raid was not yet finished.

 

-

 

   Even now, it wasn't finished. the wound she had earned across her forehead still bled, slowly as it did, and she needed to find more of the herbs that hid from her under the sand. She didn't know how to treat the wounded beyond anything simple, but years on the road oft teach important lessons. Which plant helps, which plant hinders? Of course, a small volume of a poison can act as a medicine, but too much medicine can act as a poison. Even now she had to be careful. The battle wasn't over just yet. It wouldn't be until the gates of her new home were repaired. It wouldn't be until every damned Kharajyr around her was safe and healthy.

 

The road of adversity never ends... But Kavari was a traveler. So onward she trudges, through the blistering sands. The hot springs called, after all.