The Accolade - Finale - Cryomancer Capital, Northlands

Gamer and I are going to get started with some of then roleplaying. Basically, this is the intro chapter to Accolade. It's first draft in nature, so there are probably mistakes. If you notice any, or think something is unrealistic, point it.
----------------------------------------------------

A harsh blizzard was falling across the Cryomancer Empire. Globs of thick, white snow coated every building. Bitter winds swept through the land, sending chills through the spine of anyone who dared to venture outside. Throughout the Empire, villagers were huddled in their homes, waiting out the storm. Even the streets of the Capital City were vacant – guards aside. Amidst the brutal weather, the Scion of Darkness was preparing to sow chaos across Ayvria . . .

Korgoth Darkhand stood on the roof of Lyed Zamalk, looking down at the streets below. His feet were firmly planted on a ledge. To further cement his balance, Korgoth grasped a Gargoyle with his right hand. Gusts of wind swung Korgoth’s yeti-hide cloak to the right side of his body. Snow covered much of his armor. The flesh of the “trophies” impaled on the spikes of Korgoth’s shoulder pads had been turned to a deep, frost blue. Though the weather was unbearably cold, Korgoth’s massive horned helm and Naamite plates kept his body warm. With each breath he drew, Korgoth knew that the era of the Ruinous Powers was drawing closer. A smile broke across the Dark Champion’s face as his crimson eyes scanned the city beneath him. Visions of every building and villager burning flashed quickly in his mind, and he savored each image just as lovers savor their fantasies.

“Soon, this world will be set aflame. . . The bodies of Nez’Gar’s infidels will burn together into one great pile of ash. But first, I must ensure that they all suffer like self righteous martyrs walking to their demise. . . Like animals the people of Nez’Gar have lived, stealing this land from my masters . . . And like animals, they will be slaughtered. Above them all, my brother Venomar shall be made to suffer until he begs for death. I want him to truly enjoy the thought of Kingslayer piercing his heart, moments before I grant him his desire and end Nez’Gar’s reign forever.”

The journey to the top of the Lyed Zamalk was a harrowing one. Korgoth, however, was determined to make it. Before sunrise, the Scion of Darkness infiltrated the Cryomancer City, and snuck to the back of the famous castle. Once there, Korgoth used a combination of warlock magic and brute strength to scale the walls. Down in the streets below, Korgoth spotted a group of about ten cloaked figures quickly moving towards Lyed Zamalk

“And so the end begins . . . “Korgoth said, before leaping off the ledge and onto the balcony several feet beneath him. With a wave of his hand, the Dark Champion created a buffer of wind to break his fall. This allowed him to land in perfect posture, with his right hand firmly planted on the ground. He then watched as the group of figures beneath him removed their cloaks, revealing themselves to be members of the Carnifex Guard – Sorrow’s personal core of assassins. They drew their curved blades and attacked the six unsuspecting Cryomancer soldiers guarding the Building’s front entrance. The Scion of Darkness then rose, and turned to his right, where there was a large window. After a sharp kick, the glass hit the balcony floor in mere pieces. With a chortle, Korgoth stepped inside.

The room was a fairly large bedroom – apparently for a Cryomancer noble, who was asleep in a king size bed propped up against the right wall. Massive brown cabinets, bookshelves, and tapestries depicting war scenes decorated the other borders. In the middle, there was table resting on a circular crimson carpet with yellow strings extending from it like sunrays. Books ranging from topics of magic to the history of the Northlands littered the table, along with sheets of manila paper and quills. Upon observing the scenery, Korgoth approached the table and turned it over. He then walked over to the bed, where the Cryomancer noble was now stirring.

“WAKE UP!” he shouted, as he flipped the bed into the wall. There was a hellish scream and a smack. When Korgoth brought the table down, the noble’s face was drenched with blood. Brain matter was squirting out of his eye sockets and open forehead like water from a busted pipeline. With the noble finished off, the Korgoth walked towards the table in the middle of the room. He grabbed the table by its edges, and hurled it through the door. Upon impact, the door fell apart, and Korgoth walked through the new opening.

The noise the table produced when it crashed against the floor of the atrium alerted many guards of Korgoth’s presence. However, he truly didn’t care. Though he had come here with a clear mission, Korgoth wanted to spill as much blood as possible. His training as the personal assassin of Viktor Icebane, the previous Cryomancer Czar, had given Korgoth a passion for battle. From an early age, he was forced to fight against all sorts of beasts, until combat was his heart’s only desire. To Korgoth, war was like a form of art. Each of his enemies was a blank canvas – their blood the paint - his fearsome rune blade Kingslayer the brush. Thus, the more opponents, the more chances Korgoth had to carve a masterpiece of death.

Three Cryomancer Guards dressed in blue and silver armor came rushing down the atrium’s massive white carpet. As they ran, the bottom of tapestries came lofting up into the air. One of them was carrying a spear, the others swords. Korgoth extended his hand, with all five of his metal digits aimed at one of the guards. He then spread his fingers, and the guard went flying through a window on the opposite end of the hall. Right away, the two remaining warriors stopped their charge, looks of horror washing away their once confident faces.

“For Oteyetse Geora, and Czar Nikolaus!” the spearmen shouted, as he hurled his weapon at Korgoth’s head. Having been trained by some of the greatest assassins and wars warriors during his years as Viktor’s personal killing machine, Korgoth knew much about timing and precision. Just as the spear was within reach, he drew Kingslayer and smacked the tip, thus swatting it away like a baseball. The spear flew over to a wall painting, where it became lodged in the eye of Boris Icebane.

“Your bodies will form the foundations of Sorrow’s Ruinous Empire! Die maggots, die!” Korgoth said, as he charged the two soldiers, his crimson eyes sending wrapping terror around their hearts. Within a matter of seconds, the Cryomancers found themselves face to face with one of Ayvria’s most feared combatants. Despite his gigantic plate mail armor, Korgoth moved at impeccable speed. He swung Kingslayer skyward at a diagonal, sending the former spearmen to the ground. Blood issued from a massive gash on his chest, staining the palace’s blue and white carpet. The other soldier attacked a second after his comrade fell, but Korgoth was ready for it. Kingslayer came up in a blocking motion, and collided with the Cryomancer’s sword. For several moments, the two blades locked. Korgoth’s strength overpowered his opponent, however, and he pushed forward with his weapon. This sent the Cryomancer flying into a nearby wall.

“You seem to have a death wish. I am honored to fulfill it” Korgoth said, pointing his enemy. He then extended the armored index finger of his free hand. The Cryomancer came flying forward – straight into Kingslayer. As the rune blade tore through the warrior’s flesh, his death throes filled the Capital Building. Korgoth then flung the Cryomancer across the hall. His body flew several feet, and then hit the floor. Entrails and blood spilled everywhere. Meanwhile, a dwarf was aiming at the back of Korgoth’s head with a shotgun. Just as the Scion of Darkness turned around, a spray of bullets came flying towards him.

“For the Mountain King, die devil! Haha, can’t stop that eh!?” the dwarf shouted, as smoke poured out of the barrel of his weapon. With a raise of his hand, a shield of fire surrounded Korgoth. When the bullets reached the flames, they melted into nothingness. Beneath his helm, Korgoth’s face formed into a wicked grin. By lowering his hand, the shield dissipated. The dwarf stood in horror and disbelief. Before the dwarf could fire a second shot, Korgoth conjured a fireball in his left hand it and tossed it at his enemy. Guttural screams flooded the hallway. Moments later, the dwarf was nothing more than a pile of ash on the carpet of the atrium.

Sounds of battle greeted Korgoth’s ears from nearby. The atrium was formed into a “T”, and currently Korgoth was standing in at the crossbar of that shape. He looked around the corner. About ten Carnifex Guard assassins were engaging in battle with a large group of Cryomancer warriors. Though the assassins were outnumbered, their skill would keep them alive – for a time. More assassins were emerging from other rooms in the atrium. At the same time, more Cryomancers were rushing from all over the Lyed Zalmalk to defend their nation. Korgoth knew that soon the assassins would be overrun, but that was of little importance. They were intended to distract the Cryomancers, so that Korgoth could perform his duty. Now, with the assassins occupying the Cryomancers, Korgoth decided it was time to get what he came for.

“You!” Korgoth shouted, pointing to an assassin who had just leaped through a balcony window into atrium. “Rally some of your brethren and go after the Tome! It’s time to remind young Czar Nikolaus just how brutal a man his father was. . .”

On the far side of the atrium was a massive iron gate that led to the Czar’s Throne room. As soon as the attack began, it had been sealed shut. Korgoth gripped Kingslayer with both hands. Dark red flames began to spread over and cover the weapon. A few moments later, the blade was completely ablaze with the dark fire. He pulled the weapon back, and plunged it into the gate. Kingslayer started to melt through the metal like a lit candle wick melts wax. At first, a small orange circle formed around the weapon. Several seconds later, this circle started to turn red. Pieces of hot, molten iron fell off the gate. Then Korgoth ripped Kingslayer from the metal, and a portion of the door came crumbling to the floor. This produced a small hole, through which the Scion of Darkness could see his prey – Czar Nikolaus Icebane.

“The hour of your death is nigh, Czar!” Korgoth shouted into the hole, before looking around. The Carnifex assassins were holding strong, but they were about to be overwhelmed. From the right hallway, a group of about three guards were rushing towards Korgoth. Another wicked grin broke underneath his helm as the Scion of Darkness met them in battle. Kingslayer collided with the first guard that came within reach of Korgoth. Blood squirted from the Cryomancer’s chest as he fell to the floor. With a spin, Korgoth continued his assault. Though the guards fought valiantly, in the end they were no match. It took only a few minutes for Korgoth to leave his enemies dying on the ground. Flesh and armor stood no chance against Kingslayer, which he returned to its scabbard. He then turned back to the gate.

“My impatience is beginning to grow. . . Burning through this gate will take too long! Korgoth looked around. Immediately, his eyes were drawn to one of the Cryomancers. He was badly wounded, and trying to crawl away from the battle. “Perfect!” Korgoth said, before letting a loud chortle escape from his throat. With one hand on the guard’s tunic, and the back of his steel helm, Korgoth approached the gate. Then, with all of his force, Korgoth slammed the Cryomancer into the gate. Brain matter flew outward in chunks as the gate came swinging open. Blood escaped from the Cryomancer’s skull, forming in a massive pool on the floor of the throne room.

“Death and chaos. . . “ Korgoth said, with an approving nod. He then tossed his human battering ram to the floor. “Your father would be proud, Nikolaus.”

“Oh, how the noble justify their actions. . .” Korgoth said, raising Kingslayer. “Let me inform you of the flaws and truths in your mindset. This chaos is indeed the means to an end. . .” He then bolted toward Nikolaus, swinging his weapon in a massive arc. “But it is not your own” he continued as Kingslayer collided with Nikolaus’ blade for the first time. “Tonight, the fruits of Sorrow’s brilliant plan will begin to consume Ayvria in dark embers. Fortunately, your father’s death played right into my master’s plans – a death committed not by you, but by me!”

"Before the end of the night, you will admit that my master will be victorious!”

With almost unnatural speed, Korgoth raised his fabled weapon in a blocking motion. When the two blades smashed into each other, Korgoth pushed forward with great force, sending Nikolaus back several feet.

“Your father’s death is very important. He did what was necessary to protect his people. That is something you have failed to do, Nikolaus! Through years of tyranny, not once did Viktor allow the Capital to come under attack. . . “ Korgoth’s eyes flashed crimson, as if he was overjoyed for what was about to happen. A hellish chorus of war cries sounded off in the distance. The Gol’Kar had arrived.

“You have disgraced the title of Czar, Nikolaus! As we speak, the Gol’Kar are charging through your city’s gates and slaying your people! None this would have been possible had you not taken the throne! Unlike your father, you are a weak and incompetent leader! What do you have to say for your failures!?” Korgoth said, as he raised Kingslayer and charged at his opponent, while swinging in a horizontal motion.