PART 3 – Preparing for battle
Together the small band of warriors accompanies Lady Corrigan to the edge of the forest. Darkness is setting in, the last of the sun's rays fading with the approaching night sky. They stand on the edge of the treeline, at the crest of a sizeable hill that looks directly across an even larger hill. They survey the battlefield before them. The sight removes all hope. Their quest doomed!
Around the base of the valley runs an impassable river, where only a few fjords bridge passage from one side to the other. Upon the top of the hill a huge encampment of Sentinel warriors stands, home to a vast array of enemy forces. Many times more than their small force. The objective of their quest – the human warlock lies beyond them. He stands imprisoned beside a monument of some sort. Called a Dolmen. Very likely it has magical properties rendering his abilities and those of any mage useless. Those same powers no doubt keep him from escaping too, bound by some unseen force to the vicinity of the stones. Scattered around key locations smaller groups of sentinel warriors have taken up guard potions to watch for any encroachment of their camp. In frequent regular intervals small groups patrol the camp perimeter. Visiting each guard post in turn.
It is not all bad though, sensing through her connection to the ether of magic, Lady Corrigan identifies several locations were pools of replenishment can be found. If they can get to these pools between combat, they will be able to regain mana, lifeforce and innate skill useful in battle.
However, this encounter will be one tough nut to crack.
Though her force is small by comparison. They are no doubt very capable, immeasurably tough and unforgiving in a fight. Looking around her motley crew, Lady Corrigan starts to prepare a crude plan of action to take her forces to the centre of the enemy encampment.
The Lady Corrigan possesses a multitude of magical abilities, both passive and offensive. Being a sorceress she has the innate ability to regain mana over time. She also possesses the offensive capabilities of Dragon's Breath which can cause an enemy unit to catch fire and kill a percentage of its forces. Aura of the Sidhe is a spell that affects an area, that can turn a losing battle into a victory, by causing non-Sidhe troops to lose hit-points, while Sidhe troops in the area regain any that have previously been lost. Venomous Curse slows enemy forces down, while also delivering damage to the target killing some of them. While the Hold spell could be invaluable to paralyse the overwhelming numbers the enemy possesses., so Lady Corrigan's forces can focus on taking them out one at a time. Finally the sorceress is blessed with the passive ability called Enchanted equipment. This grants all members of the unit she controls with magical equipment, which is provides a bonus to combat.
In her army are a very small group of Seelie archers, a squad of Autumnbreed and a squad of Winterbreed. The Seelie archers are perhaps the most powerful of the lot, possessing many abilities including: Mistlord, Deadly Arrows, Magic Resistance to name a few. The Autumnbreed are light infantry possessing the abilities of: Shadows, Pathwalker and Nightsight. While the Winterbreed are heavy infantry possessing Pathwalker and Magic Resistance abilities.
It is clear given the abilities of these warriors that except perhaps the Winterbreed are suited to guerilla warfare. But Lady Corrigan has an idea of how best to use the Winterbreed. After assigning her troops their first objectives the small group gathers their mental strength, reciting a battle prayer to their gods. Weapons at the ready they march down the hill in their loose formations. As they take their first steps towards destiny, Lady Corrigan raises her arm and kisses the ring on her finger, wishing for the good grace of the gods to be with her this day.
The battle has begun.
