Truth Week, Dark Season, 1619
King Broyan and the Larnstings, the Night Leapers, the Storm Walkers,
and about half of the king's companions remained in Whitewall. Even
the Humakti left in order to defend the Volsaxing refugees, but the
small band of Uroxings stayed. There were 68 Lightning Rams left, but
Dorasa, Herger and Brenna decided that they would leave along with
most of the Lightning Rams.
For Brenna, the decision was easy. It was her duty to protect her son Beren and the tribe he would refound, Herger's choice was more difficult, but for him the battle with the Lunars would be won by rallying the Orlanthi in the hills. As always, Dorasa went with her big brother.
Only seven of the Lightning Rams would remain: Korlmhy Mountain Gale, Nisk the Fyler, Goral the Rider, Volanth Little Storm, Orngarang Driver, Brolaf Gorulfsson, and Gurdurn Gorlafsdottir, Still the Ram's horns would be with them, and the support of the entire band behind them.
Most of the followers left as well. Broyan refused to force others to stay in Whitewall and insisted that he only wanted those who freely chose to stay and possibly die. Not surprisingly, many chose not to. Ultimately, there were only about 300 who were willing to swear to defend Whitewall against the Bat. King Broyan wanted nothing left in Whitewall but those sworn to defend the sacred fortress. As said Korlmhy Poet:
"Tell I will the fierce one's
words which at the sword-assembly,
fearless, spoke the battle-keen king
to his sworn oath men:
Bade the spear-storm bringers not
ever think of flight - his
dauntless words no doubt will
endure forever - in battle."
Beyond the lines of circumvallation that the Lunars had constructed, some 10,000 enemy soldiers camped below. Their tents seemed to fill the Northvale and the sounds of their camp could be heard from Whitewall.
The Varsmarings recalled when they first saw the dread Crimson Bat of Shepelkirt - way back in the Disaster Year (1602). They were but children and they recall seeking shelter in the crofts of the Starfire Ridge. They remembered seeing that small red moon moving in the sky, as it got larger and larger. The next day, a few riders came from Runegate and the adults began crying. The riders were all that was left of Runegate. They told an appalling story that the Bat had boiled men away with its spit and devoured the Sartarite army, including Maniski, the father of Nisk, Kaylin and Jorator.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx boxed text xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxIn the Great Study of Lhankor Mhy, Chollanth found some commentary on the Book of Drastic Resolutions, called "The List of Demons at Castle Blue" - which is basically a demonology text.
The commentary helped Chollanth answer specific questions:
The Crimson Bat is a might demon, a horrific manifestation of the Cosmic Death. It exists to travel about and reminds everyone of Shepelkirt's great power. It flies through the air with a distinctive slow beat of its immense winds, emitting its terrible, maddening Chaos Scream that affects everyone with a one mile radius, except for its cultists. It can belch forth a cloud of acid, squeeze chaotic blood from its numerous eyes, and knock down people and buildings with the wind from its wings. It so full of Lunar power that it emanates a Glow Spot that gives all Lunar magicians in the region the benefit of the Full Moon. It also absorbs any and all magic cast at it or any of its followers who ride up on it.
2. How do his followers convince the Crimson Bat to act?
The great Crimson Bat is ill-tempered and difficult to persuade. The senior priests of the Bat possess a series of rituals called Mastery of the Bat that gives the cult control over the Bat and prevents it from returning to a wild demonic state.
3. Has the Bat ever punished his followers for their impudence as some gods do?
The Bat devours impudent followers and annihilates their souls.
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In the Hall of the King, Chollanth told Broyan and his councilors of the many powers of the Bat. King Broyan asked Chollanth how the Bat could possibly be defeated. Chollanth said that the weakness of the Bat is that it must be mastered - if its riders lost control, it would eat them and slip from Lunar control.
King Broyan warmed to Chollanth's news. The King warned the defenders that they might still all meet their final death, but with the aid of the gods, they would be victorious even in death.
On the last day of Dark season we saw the glow of the Bat coming through the mountains. Those who had not sworn the oath to face the Bat knew that they must leave Whitewall.
Before the Lightning Rams left, Kera performed the Arming of Orlanth for her husband, Korlmhy. Herger gave his brother the Shield of Winds, and Brenna gave him the spear Red-Painter. Kera kissed her husband, maybe for the last time, and told him to come back to her dead or alive. Korlmhy made Herger and Dorasa swear that they would protect his wife and children as their own. Dorasa hinted that she we be willing to be VERY close to Kera. Korlmhy gave Herger 60 gold wheels and Brenna 30 wheels. Korlmhy gave Dorasa the Farwalk Sandals to help with the ritual and so they could cross the river when they left Whitewall. Dorasa left Korlmhy with the broaches she received from Broyan, to enhance his loyalty to the king and Herger gave Korlmhy the cuttings from a hawthorn tree, so that Korlmhy might find his way out of Hell.
On the first day of Storm season the Lightning Rams slipped out of Whitewall and descended down the treacherous west cliff towards the Gavren River. Dorasa slipped on the Sandals of Darkness and was able to guide the entire group across the ford without being spotted by the Lunar patrols. We quickly traveled to the Auroch Hills.
Back in Whitewall the remaining defenders made sacrifices, performed rituals and swore oaths to the gods and each other. Chollanth pledged to help Korlmhy perform the rituals in proper Hendriki fashion, and to bring to Lhankor Mhy an accurate account of the battle. King Broyan and a hundred god-talkers performed a great ceremony and made many sacrifices on Storm Hill. Nisk pledged his flying breath that he would face the Bat and not flee.
On Water day, from the Auroch Hills Brenna and Herger could see the Bat flying south through the distant hills; its followers were rounding up people from steads and feeding them to the monster. On Clay day, the defenders of Whitewall could see the Bat directly. Its wingspan was as big as the citadel. The Lunar army began moving back - they feared the Bat as much as we did.
"Comes the darksome demon flying,
Crimson Bat, accursed creature of the north;
He feeds on the flesh of fallen men,
with their blood sullies the seats of the gods."
The Lunars were bold enough to attack on Windsday. Korlmhy summoned a great and terrible storm. He had the support of the defenders, and from several Orlanthi communities. From the Auroch Hills the Lightning Rams performed sacrifices and rituals to help Korlmhy. Around Whitewall, the very winds were chanting in Storm Speech. Although the storm did nothing to deter the Bat, the storm drowned out the keening shrieking of the Bat.
There was a howdah the size of a playing field atop the Bat, complete with a temple and small buildings. More than a hundred veteran soldiers and some dozen priests were atop the Bat.
About 150 defenders were prepared to leap or fly onto the Bat - these including King Broyan and his Larnstings, Elmalandti and the Stormwalkers, and Aventus Hill Leaper and the elite warriors of the Night Jumper clan. King Broyan waited until the Bat was only 300 yards away, then leaped to the back of the Bat. The Stormwalkers flew up, but the Night Leapers managed to get snarled in a flailing tentacle, and a tenth perished. Nisk, glowing with hero light, led the Lightning Rams right behind Broyan. However, confronted by the presence of the Soul Devourer, even Nisk hesitated momentarily.
"Then Vingkot's light glittered from Ililbervor.
Out of its gleams came lightning flashes.
Then helmeted to Shepelkirt's steed
Came the Orlanthings flying.
Their coats of mail were soon blood-bespattered.
>From their spears bright flashes gleamed."
A brilliant herolight surrounded King Broyan who rushed up to the altar and struck down the chief priest with furious vengeance. Those present saw King Vingkot cut down the chief priest and his guards with his sword. King Broyan was aided by the Thunder Brothers who could be seen fighting a bloody melee with the Bat Guards.
"Then White Hilt in High King's hand
Bit through the foe-thane as though thrust into water.
Spear-shafts rattled, shields shattered,
Swords crashed down into the skulls of men."
The Night Jumpers stood firm against the attempts of the Bat Guards to force them off the Bat.
In the temple area, Sarandar Crimsoneyes, a hero of the Crimson Bat, tried to kill Ingkarthen Korlmhy and thereby stop the Chanting Storm that made it possible for the Orlanthi to fight the Bat. However, Vanganth the Flyer flew at the Lunar and with his terrible swift sword, slew him instantly.
The Bat released an acid cloud, poisonous blood came spurting out of its eyes, and it flailed several of its tongues onto its back. The Night Jumpers were the most affected and many were swept off the Bat to their doom or devoured by the demon.
King Vingkot and the Thunder Brothers charged to the aid of the Storm Walkers, who were hard-pressed, but the Bat Guards rallied and killed many of the King Broyan's companions. Many of the Night Jumpers were slain by the Bat Guards as well and the survivors used their magic to hold their breath rather than suck in more acid. The battle atop the Bat became a confused melee with the defenders rallying to the Sword and Helm and the Bat Guards fighting desperately to kill the king. As Korlmhy Poet said:
"As edges swing,
Blades cut men down,
Broyan the King,
Earns his renown."
Without handlers, the Bat went into an uncontrolled frenzy, and began
climbing sharply to shake off the defenders. Vanganth the Flyer came
swooping to King Broyan's aid. The Night Leapers were pushed off the
Bat and fell to their deaths. King Vingkot pressed the attack on the
Bat guards, and cut them all down with White Hilt. King Broyan told
the victorious
Orlanthi to get off the Bat. King Broyan and his companions leaped
back to Whitewall. However, the Storm Walkers were caught in the
Bat's tentacles. Fortunately, Ingkarthen's wind picked up and got
them away.
The Lunars had lost all control they had over the Crimson Bat which was in a terrible demonic frenzy. The Bat flew down to the Lunar camp to feed, knocking down part of the indestructible walls of Ililbervor on its way down. The Crimson Bat feasted on those Lunars that did not flee before it, killing hundreds of soldiers and servants and causing complete chaos amongst the Lunar ranks. Ultimately, the Lunars did manage to drive it to the south after it had gorged itself upon those who could not escape its terrible hunger. The Bat grew bigger but less solid, and eventually disappeared from the mortal world.
Still charged with hero light, King Broyan led his companions down from Whitewall and attacked the Lunar camp. Kallyr Starbrow and her band of Sartarite and Volsaxing rebels came down from the hills to join them the attack. The Lunars were completely demoralized and were routed. However, King Broyan knew that they were still heavily outnumbered - unlike some of his more impetuous warleaders -, and after pillaging the Lunar Camp, the Orlanthi withdrew to Whitewall. Leika and Kallyr made it back to Whitewall.
The Orlanthi had won an unthinkable victory - they had driven off the Crimson Bat. Their victory came at a terrible cost - King Broyan had lost 20 men, the Storm Walkers 15, and the Night Jumpers all 49. Out of 154 who leaped from Whitewall, there were only 63 survivors. King Broyan made huge sacrifices to thank Orlanth for victory and sacrificed one fifth of the plunder. King Broyan had the bodies of the Orlanthi dead burnt and given to Orlanth.
"Cattle die, kin die,
The man dies too.
But good fame never dies
For the man who earns it.
Cattle die, kin die,
The man dies too.
One thing I know that never dies,
The good name of the dead."
Everyone who fought the Bat came back changed. It was not just that they received a tattoo signifying their involvement, but it was something deeper. They had stood and faced the Chaos Void. For them, nothing would be quite the same again.
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