Open War of the Condemned

[Start Dale]

Before he had reached the butchers he watched a commotion develop, it appeared the Imperial forces were lining the children up to be taken to one of the training camps. He saw the child swiftly grad the axe from the Elf and stab the guard, then the Elf with Martial training that surpassed the Imperials restrained him. The child made off like a fox, yet even before the guards started he knew the child was done for. When the young boy was captured and dragged back mentally he redressed himself, young man now, more so than most others here Donmjark included. He knew from the guard’s eyes it would have been more merciful to use an arrow to stop him in the escape dead. The young Nord’s dead body slumped to the ground in front of his peers, another lesson for a Nord’s new place in the world. To the other children’s credit they didn’t cry out, he wanted to tell them that their fellow would be in Sovvngarde by night fall, maybe they already knew, like true Nords in there very bones.


He watched the Elf be dragged away, a Breton old, yet firm hobbled back to the butcher’s hood drawn up. He watched the step and meaning in the stride, the two must know the Elves fate on the gallows already, it looks like an escape attempt already.


Donmjark hadn’t moved while he watched all of this, he had remembered the Briarheart’s words “Forsworn don’t interact with others bar basic trade, we may have our freedom now and the Reach may once again be ours, but we know who to trust; Forsworn, it is in our very flesh” So Donmjark had stood still head bowed Deer meat weighing down on his back, he hadn’t even met the eyes of those involved.


Inwardly he muttered “You could try being a Nord again”. Resolved he walked straight over to the Imperial encampment, he knew the offal and blood of the Deer plus the dirt of the Forsworn life had disguised his Nordic skin, the helmet masking his features. He dropped the Deer at the feet of the Quartermaster “Tithe for the troops the Briarheart sends his regards” without once looking at the quartermaster he walked off. The Imperials had obviously been briefed on the customs of the Madmen of the Reach, he didn’t even respond till Donmjark was far away, grabbing the Deer and dragging it to the roasting spit.


Donmjark walked out of the village and waited till he was a good distance out before he doubled back. It was dusk by the time he had made his way stealthily back to near the gallows. He has yet did not know what he would do, he just knew he had to be here or he would die old and in the dirt at that encampment.


Secluded in the undergrowth a short distance from the gallows he watched the crowd build in the dawn light. The guards guided the Elf in chains towards the rope; slipping the noose over his head they pronounced him guilty. Without ceremony or words of passing they released the trapdoor, the rope didn’t snap the neck like it was meant to. The Elf dangled there suffocating, Donmjark moved to a crouch and again as if he was back in the wilderness he found himself stringing an arrow, he had been almost unconscious of the act, now it was happening he smiled.


In the crowd a large brute of a creature or man it was hard to tell for the size and sudden rage, started throwing guards round like rag dolls.


Donmjark calmed his breathing and sighting one last time closed his eyes and turned his head and released the arrow. Before he turned round he uttered a prayer the first for years “Talos guide it”. Turning his head round he saw the arrow had done its work; the elf was on the ground on his knees gasping for breath noose dangling off of his neck.


He strung another arrow from his hidden vantage point and aimed for the nearest of the Imperial guards.

 

[solace84]

Felian fell to the dirt, gasping for air. He recollected himself quickly as Isnar ran up to him, it seemed that the guards were momentarily busy looking toward the Nord.
"Damn it Isnar what took you so long?" Felian asked as the old man cut off his bindings, the elf saw his bow and katana blade buried in the sand at his feet.
"At least you did something right," the elf joked. Isnar made some lame excuss about frost runes, Felian didn't pay to much attention as their time was short.
A guard ran at them from the side, then suddenly an arrow zoomed by and struck him in the back, bringing him down. 'someone is helping us' he thought as he readied his bow with three arrows at once.
Felian turned toward the Nord, Crengar, who was quickly being over-run.
The wood elf aimed and fired as the three arrows took out three guards attempting to kill the Nord. As quick as a flash, the Bosmer turned his direction toward the watchtower. It was too late, the guard in the tower sounded the bell. Felian pulled back and fired an arrow, which struck the tower guard through the throat and pinned him to one of the poles.
Many guards charged in now as Felian threw the bow upon his back and unsheathed his katana blade.
"Isnar, do something!" he yelled as he pressed in for attack.

 

[Skyrimosity]

As the commotion picked up, Edwyn ran to where it began. A few people, one must have been the Bosmer the scouts from yesterday must have told about, were fighting the guards of the Oppressors. Edwyn saw a man giving orders during the confusion and walked up to him. "What shall I do sir?" "Well, you should..." Edwyn had bound a sword and quickly cut the man's throat, causing more confusion among the chaos. Edwyn walked to their barracks and entered the door. The men inside were hastily putting their gear on, unsure what had happened. "Free Skyrim!" Edwyn killed a half-dozen men in a haze of strikes and blood before any raised a sword. As everyone wielded their sword Edwyn ran back outside among the commotion. He knew the scouts were going to Balgruuf by now so it was only a matter of time before more Resistance came.

 

[Dinkleberg]

(Before latest posts)
Aziezl's streak of unluckiness failed to stop there. He found out not a single carriage was headed near Irkngthand this afternoon, he had no choice but to spend the night in Whiterun. Though it was difficult to try and sleep through the loud noises emanating from outside the Bannered Mare, he was able to eventually drown out the yells and screams to manage going to sleep at last.

(Now up-to-date)
The morning brought on Azi's worst nightmares. Upon readying himself and leaving the Mare, he was stopped by Imperial troops racing towards Whiterun's gates.
"Make haste Altmer. The Jarl has demanded an immediate dispatch of soldiers toward Rorikstead. An uprising has occured, and it is time to prove ourselves to the Aldmeri Dominion as faithful warriors. No time left for explanations, we must move!" Before Aziezl could get a word in, the flow of soldiers moving towards the gates pushed him along as well.

The whole trip had his heart racing out of control. He couldn't fight an actual battle without some sort of assistance from his automations, and building one during the fight would reveal his secret to all his "comrades". He couldn't turn back, and soon enough they had finally arrived at the town's outskirts. They were met with members of the Resistance battling Imperial guards on the outside. As the battle ensued, Aziezl had planned to make a quick escape, but realized it was pointless as soon as he saw Imperial guards getting picked off one by one by arrows shot by a hidden marksman. He would stick out from the crowd if he ran, so he hid inside it instead. The same Imperial from before grabbed Azi's wrist and led him into the chaos filled town.
"Let's move comrade! On this day, we quell this uprising and future ones to follow!"

As soon as he entered the town, he immediately lost the Imperial within the commotion. At the center of this riot, a mountain-sized Nord was thrashing about while others were joining on. Aziezl needed to hide. He was almost positive this day would be his last. He seeked to take shelter under the hangman's gallows, only to see it occupied by a wood elf and an elderly breton. With blades almost coming in such close contact to him, he ran along the border of the town to stay out of combat, eventually making it to the barracks. He took cover to remain unseen as a man was leading the captives out of their cells, thus emptying the barracks and providing an ideal spot to remain until this was all over. Azi took a deep breath of relief, only to be cut off by the sound of the door behind him slamming shut. An angry Nord prisoner had stayed behind.
"Your time is up elf, prepare for the worst damn beating of your miserable existence."

 

[Start Dale]

Donmjark aimed at another Imperial guard releasing the arrow, he drew another and released it before checking the previous had hit its target, then another firing off shots in quick succession. He paused while watching the conflict, thankfully all his arrows were finding their targets true enough still he was uncomfortable, finally in combat against the enemy again and he wasn’t in his armour with his battleaxe.

He thought of his stash of weapons, first thing he wanted to do was get them, he fired another arrow off downing a further guard. At least he wasn’t totally useless reaching to the quiver his hand grasped at emptiness. “Damndable luck, Forsworn blades are no good for combat and I’m stuck in this light hide armours, I couldn’t take a blow. Talos, little help down here” his head then spotted the barracks “You couldn’t have made it closer”.

Tossing the bow over his back he scouted the area from his refuge, it looked like most of the forces had centred on the gallows and the uprising there if he circled round the farm it would be almost a clear dash to the barracks. He pulled the Forsworn sword and dagger out and circled round the outskirts of the farm. He was but ten metres from the barracks, thankfully no one had spotted him yet when he saw a short in stature Altmer dodge into the barracks, and weird for an Altmer he was wearing Dwarven armour.

Donmjark watched the door slam behind him, knowing he would be discovered soon he made the sprint to the barracks and pushed his way through the door. As he slammed the door shut he cast his eyes around and saw a large fellow Nord squaring up to the smaller Elf, that was no Altmer not with features as refined as that. The large Nord looked over his shoulder and took in his appearance in one glance “You picked the wrong time to return to civilization Forsworn scum” he spat at him. Donmjark returned with “Fool we are all Forsworn now, the bloody Altmer saw to that!” He could see in the eyes though, the Nord was entering a berserker rage past reason, would he have to strike down his own kin due to his disguise.

 

[Dinkleberg]

"Your time is up elf. Prepare for the worst damn beating of your miserable life."

It was quite ironic, actually. Aziezl had started this journey to benefit his research, but in a moment, it would all be ended by some burly Nord in a rage. Azi slowly backed up into the wall behind him. He began to think,
"No... this can't be happening. Years of research, construction... No, I refuse to die now, I won't!" He slowly pulled the dagger from his waist. But who was he kidding? Even though he was well-armored, he had never fought a day in his life, he was clearly outmatched.

But just as the Nord was set to strike, Azi saw the door to the barracks open once more. This caught both their attentions. It was, it was... a Forsworn?! The first thing the astounded Dwemer noticed was the trusty bow on his back. Could this have been the rogue archer from earlier? At this rate it didn't matter, what did matter was the window of opportunity this interesting situation provided. While the two Nords came face-to-face, Aziezl threw himself into one of the cells to try and devise an escape.

“Fool we are all Forsworn now, the bloody Altmer saw to that!”

Aziezl heard the Forsworn man from outside. If he had such a grudge towards the High Elves, why would he even bother trying to save him? He didn't spend time thinking about it much, but something else was burning him up inside. He wanted to escape from here, but he knew he couldn't abandon the man who might have just saved his life. Luckily, he kept a spare Dwarven Spider Body in his satchel. He quickly attached its gyro and core inside. Within it also placing a spare soul gem.

"Worst of all, not only are you Forsworn, but you're protecting those damned elves as well? I'll see to it these barracks become your grave!" The outraged Nord picked up the iron sword belonging to the barrack's fallen guard. It was inevitable. He wanted a fight more than anything. Aziezl knew the Forsworn member would be able to handle himself, but just in case, he activated the spider to serve as a distraction.

 

[Star Gazer]

"Isnar, do something!" Felian yelled. Isnar felt magicka coursing through his veins. "This way. Narrow passage to our south. Easy to defend." Isnar said. The old man blended in with the other civilians, screaming in horror. Once Isnar had made it to the passage through the mountains, he called to the rest. "Over here!" Isnar yelled. Screaming hurt his throat and he was out of breath from walking. He readied a fire rune in his hand, while tossing his staff to the side and leaning on one of the rock walls.

 

[GuardianCren1812]

Crengar took his chance as three of the surrounding guards lay dead, picking up two blades from the corpses. Despite his limited movement, he could at least kill something now. He turned and slashed down on a charging guard, severing his head with one blade while the second sliced through the man's torso, taking out both lungs and the heart. He grinned to himself as he remembered who actually made these blades.

He hoped he bought himself enough space to try to focus his strength in freeing himself from his chains. But it was no use. Despite how rusted they are, the chains were made especially for him.

He's on the defensive...but then, not another guard approached him directly after watching him shred one of their comrades like mere parchment.

 

[GuardianCren1812]

Crengar heard the call from the mountain pass, just barely. He shuffled back from the guards before he felt a familiar whip strike at his arm, making it numb a few seconds.

"You're not going anywhere, beast." said his dreaded Thalmor overseer, coiling the whip for a second strike. He spoke to the guards, focusing his glare on Crengar. "This one's mine...get the ones in the mountains!" The guards nodded quickly and complied, going in Isnar's direction.

Crengar rolled his arm a little, shaking off the numbness, growling deeply. "I've waited a long time for a chance to wring your little neck, elf." The thalmor, in his usual tone of arrogance, scoffed. "You won't have your chance once I have you crawling on all fours again, slave."

The overseer held the whip back in a ready stance, savoring the moment. Crengar, knowing his only chance was the whip, watched and tried to time and predict the strike. He heard the *swoop* as the whip blade came flying to him, statically charged. Crengar held his breath and lifted his wrists up, praying to Talos.

*Crack!* the whip connected, cracking at Crengar's wrist chains, just enough for Crengar's brute strength to do the rest. He knew he only had a few seconds, thrusting one of his blades between a chain link around his ankles with just enough force to break them.

"Now your mine." Crengar mused as he charged in, roaring like a feral beast. The Thalmor, overtaken with disbelief, watched helplessly in denial. Crengar, his rage fully charged as he picked up his nemesis, throwing down the Thalmor and beating him senselessly. Just as much as a tundra Giant would crush a mammoth poacher, soon there was nothing but gore and elven metal left of the foul altmer.

He took the key from him and started dropping off the shackles as he made his way to Isnar's path.

 

[Star Gazer]

"This one's mine...get the ones in the mountains!" one of the thalmor called. Isnar heard it from the mountain, surprised he could hear as well as he did. Isnar felt dread rising in the pit of his stomach. Felian is too far away to reach me before those guards do. Isnar thought. I'm not going to die in this mountain pass. Numbers don't matter when the trail is this small. It will be one on one until Felian or that beast of a man attacks them from behind. All I have to do it hold them off for a short time. Isnar concluded. The magicka in his chest sourced to his arms, wrists, and finally fingers. There were about six guards. Six well armed, young men, versus an unarmed old man. Isnar placed a rune in front of him. The fire rune was well hidden under the tall grass, mere inches from where he was standing. The guards rushed over to him. They formed an offensive line, ready to charge at the old man. Isnar picked up his walking stick. "Billy? Is that you? Come on in and bring your friends." Isnar said, pointing to the other guards. "Come on, I made you a special meat cut for you and your mother." Isnar turned around and started walking. The guards looked at each other in confusion. "He's delusional. He aided the prisoners, so he dies." The guard said, pointing a sword at the old man. The trail was only big enough to fit two of them at a time. The guards took one step, and two of them ignited, being fried instantly. The rune lit the grass and the bodies, making a wall of fire and burning flesh. The guards would have to put the fire out before they could advance on him again. Isnar placed a lightning rune behind the wall. Just for peace of mind. Isnar thought.

 

[GuardianCren1812]

"FAH PAAZ KEIZAAL!!" came the barbarian's war cry from behind the four remaining guards as he took two down with each blade. The remaining two turned quickly.

"What in obli--!!?" was all the third Imperial could yell in surprise before the giant Nord split his head in two.

Now it was the last one, raising his shield desperately. He couldn't hide his terror as he trembled, with a trail of moisture dripping down his leg at the sight of this monstrous man who killed three of his fellows in mere seconds.

Crengar took some pity on him. Giving him a clean, quick, and merciful death through his heart after lifting his shield with his other hand.

 

[Star Gazer]

"Get those bodies out of the way." Said a thalmor agent on a horse. The beast he was riding was clad in armor, but the head and neck was uncovered. "Yes sir, but it will take a few moments." "Then I will have to do this by myself." Said the arrogant thalmor. He dismounted from his horse and pushed the bodies out of the way. "You filthy imperials can never do anything right." The elf said, walking down the path, leading the group of four guards. The elf set a foot upon the lightning rune, and was sent flying into the air. The guards were thrown back, and ran back to the entrance to the mountain pass. "We will wait him out. This is no pass, it is a dead-end." Said the largest of them.

 

[GuardianCren1812]

Crengar watched from within the path, grinding his blades together to make an occasional spark, eager for another fight as a battle lust broiled inside him. Yet he would stay out of a willingness to protect the old man with him.

He couldn't help but chuckle though when he saw the Thalmor fly and the imperials scurrying back to the entrance.

"They're staying at the entrance, first smart move the Imperials have done all day." He looked to Isnar, considering their next move.

 

[Start Dale]

"Worst of all, not only are you Forsworn, but you're protecting those damned elves as well? I'll see to it these barracks become your grave!" The outraged Nord picked up the iron sword belonging to the barrack's fallen guard.

The Nord approached swearing Iron sword in hand slashing at the air “Come Forsworn, let us have at it” bracing Donmjark waited for the first lunge from the large Nord in the barracks saying nothing he just waited as his opponent closed the distance. Scanning the barracks he noted the dead men lying here, someone had been through this place like a hurricane of death not long ago.

Out of the corner of his eye the armoured short elf had constructed one of those Dwarven contraptions, he released it to the ground and it rushed at them. The Nord turned his head to the sound of the metallic scurrying. Seizing his chance Donmjark, leaped forward and with the end of the hilt of his sword brought it down hard on the temple of the large Nord. The man crumpled under the blow, slipping quickly into unconsciousness. Now he was still Donmjark could see how malnourished the Nord was, he was obviously starved past reason, he left him unconscious and stared in amazement at the Dwarven spider device.

“You make those?” the what must be a Dwarf looked at him “If you aren’t Thalmor you’d better come with me” As he scanned the dead bodies in the room he saw what he was looking for Banded Iron armour “Good enough”. He slipped it on over the Forsworn garb, grabbing the Iron sword from the downed Nord. In the corner he spotted an Iron warhammer, grinning he grabbed it “Not my normal speed but anything is better than this” he tossed the Forsworn blade to the side.

Finally he found an iron shield, which he tied to his waist on the other side of the Iron sword and donned some Iron Gauntlets and boots then strapped an Iron Helmet to his head, he felt the reassuring weight of the warhammer in his hands. He grabbed as many arrows from the bench as he could and slipped them into his quiver along with an Imperial bow slung over his back “I almost feel whole again”.

“Listen i’m getting out of here, if you can make more of those things you could be of use, there is a path out of town but it appears to lead into a dead end, before wrapping round a cliff face” He opened the doors to the barracks “it appears the escape party and the entire remaining contingent of Thalmor and Imperial forces have followed them that way. If we can get to them and lead them round the cliff face we can get them out through the forsworn encampment further along and out into the wilds before they can follow on their horses”.

Donmjark stepped out of the barracks and looked back in to the armoured Dwarf who had been rejoined by his spider “You coming with? I wouldn’t want to be here when the Thalmor reinforcements arrive”.

 

[Star Gazer]

Isnar walked until he reached the rocky wall, trapping him between nature, and the imperial force. It feels as if my magic is running low, and my bag of tricks seems to be running dry. Isnar took mental note of his resources. He remembered having a bear trap under his bed at the meat shop, oh how he could make use of that now. Climbing the rocky wall behind me would be impossible, given that I only have one arm and limited physical ability. The guards were eager to avenge their fellow soldiers, but afraid of any more traps Isnar had placed. Little did they know, the only thing holding them back was fear. The soldiers drew their bows and sent two volleys of arrows flying toward Isnar. The old man stood, not expecting to be fired at, when an arrow flew at him and struck. Isnar looked to his one arm and saw an arrow sticking out of the top of his walking stick. Isnar collected all of the arrows and broke off the arrowheads. There were eight arrowheads in all. Isnar put the arrow shafts in his satchel, not knowing if he could use them later, and put the arrowheads into the ground, pointy side up. Isnar then laid onto the grass behind the arrowhead trap, and stuck the shafts through his cloak, giving the impression that he had been shot multiple times. He allowed the guards to charge.

 

[GuardianCren1812]

Crengar didn't expect the volly of arrowfire, else he would have pulled Isnar out of the way, and jumped behind cover himself as a few arrows hit his shoulder and hip. But he pulled them out, giving them to Isnar as he could tell he was planning something. He nodded at the old man's ingenuity and endurance though as he watched him pull the arrows out of him and play dead behind the arrow trap he fashioned afterwards.

He hid behind a boulder, crouching down as far as he could, waiting for the shrieks of pain.

 

[Hermaeus_Mora]

Felyse was watching from a distance, perched on a roof. Her crossbow was loaded and ready, and she wanted to see some Imperial blood. The old man had almost been shot, she saw, and Isnar was her friend. She took a deep breath, and waited for the Imperials to get into her line of sight...

 

[Star Gazer]

Isnar looked at Crengar, nodded, then shut his eyes. The guards ran up to the duo, but saw that there was only one there, and he had been injured. Or at least they thought. The four of them ran up to Isnar, and stepped on the arrowheads. The sharp flint cut through the leather boots, and cut through their feet like knives through butter. The men screamed as they fell to the ground. Isnar nodded to Crengar. "Before they get up."

 

[Hermaeus_Mora]

Felyse shot her crossbow as she released her breath, and saw one bolt pierce the leather armor those soldiers were wearing. She laughed silently as she slid off the roof, moving to a new covered position to waylay some soldiers.

 

[GuardianCren1812]

Crengar pounced like a saber cat, throttling his blades through the downed men rapidly until their bodies looked comparable to Elyswyr (sp) swiss, sometimes walking on their bodies to avoid the arrowheads.

"Damn this feels good." he called in glee as he got back in his position, grinning at the old man.