This is the last round, enjoy.
BlokBots
The Bots advanced on the wall. Those on the wall began to push into the opening but found the skellies already in their way. Some began to swamp Toma (- 1 HP).
They were so many the denizens of the castle could hear their every step as they marched resound within the walls.
More BlokBots joined the platform from above and underneath, creating a BlokBot testudo.
Finally the BlokBot leader Double arrived with a host of mages.
Falx
The sailors, still endowed with wall climbing skills, started scaling the walls.
"Quick! We must avoid combat and free the other prisoner!"
The female assassin jumped atop the walls and slashed at the Jinpu Tai gunner. "Die rebel scum!" But he miraculously managed to block with his revolvers.
Officer: "This area is infested. You, go see if there's any reinforcements left at the other side."
The rest of the Falx moved across the wall, preparing to sweep the battlefield with their numbers.
Deserters
Xalen: "Arise damn you, arise!"
Garth: "Shouldn't you be minding the undead?"
Xalen: "I need my horse damnit!"
Garth: "Wait, let me try."
Garth: "Much better."
Bulls
Realizing there was no stopping the tide, Valarius turned and addressed the remains of his battalion.
"BULLS! We have fallen! But charge now, and show the Boar God he was wrong to forsake us! Sing, at the top of your lungs, so even the far reaches of the heavens will hear our sacrifice was not in vain!"
And thus the Bulls began to sing their death song as they pressed forward, and even though they were only a few, their common voice was still powerful. (all Bulls gained an extra attack from Valarius' speech)
As the turn of the tide it is our turn to rise
The force of a Kingdom at war
Step after step our advance carries on
No foe may stop our approach
We fight and die together as we bathe in the shadow of death
Destiny calls we’ll not surrender or fail
Our hearts under one banner
As a unit we stand and united we fall
As one fighting together
Bringing an end to the slaughter (lyrics performed by Sabaton save for some fitting changes I made)
I lost some pictures somehow but the Bull crossbowmen poured the burning sand over the sailors before they jumped, killing all but 1 of them. They also shot the female assassin. 4 hits was a bit much for her low armour even if she had dodge.
The song abruptly ended when suddenly...
BOOM. Valarius had sacrificed himself to light the gunpowder stashes under the castle.
The assassins managed to bail the hell outta there.
The last remaining heavy was flung off the wall and into the river, where his armour would certainly pull him down.
This guy was smacked into the outer wall.
Two others were flung off the walls.
As was this one, into the ranks of the enemy.
Inside one of the crossbowmen who hadn't managed to run was killed, as well as the revolver-armed rebel. The brat and Bloodguard were nowhere to be seen. Had they been consumed by the flames?
The helpless Falx prisoner was crushed as her jail collapsed on her. There goes a subject for interrogation.
Three icons appeared at the side of the battlefield. They waved their staves, and all the Bulls that were still alive dissappeared.
The Bulls suddenly found themselves in a shadowy realm, faced by creatures that served the Boar God. They could feel his presence in the darkness beyond and soon, his voice spoke to them from the void:
"My loyal servants! You have proven yourselves worthy, and will bask in my power once more. But not your entire people! There are those who would side with those who you have endured for so long and allowed our people to become their slaves! They put you on the borders because they distrust you, because you are expendable. That is no freedom! Already the vile King is plotting the swift execution of those who failed to defend the border, and he will say it is justice, and the current Grand Chief will approve it not to jeopardize his easy life. He must be brought to justice! All these are traitors to our people, and the reason I took away my power from our people in the first place. Bearing my blessing, you will carry forth the wrath of the Bulls onto all those who would deny you your freedom, like you were meant to be!"
Valarius: "And I, Valarius, will pave the way."
Heavy: "Commander! You're alive! We thought you'd died in the explosion!"
Valarius: "Well, when I was down there setting up the crates I thought 'only divine intervention can save me now', and look what happened. Will you follow me on our true road?"
Crossbowman (whispering): "The commander seems changed somehow."
Phalanx: "We never felt so alive since the battle against the Imperials, we will follow you to whichever end, Lord Valarius!"
Bulls (as one): "Aye, to whichever end!"
Phineus
Phineus: "What? I was going to use that castle as a strategic point to stage invasions! It was going to become my palace of eternal darkness! I required the knowledge held within! Damn you, Bulls, it is I who will have the final laugh!"
His dark laughter soaring over the battlefield, the necromancer began channeling a spell of mass destruction. The earth began to rip, and unstable dark energies erupted from it. It took a toll on his body, but by then he didn't care. (-2 HP)
Phineus' minions began to perish as he channeled his spell.
Had it begun to backfire?
Xalen: "This is just too fucking great."
The platform crashed down as the BlokBots on the sides were annihilated by Phineus' magics, which crushed those beneath. The one on top was the lone survivor.
The destruction even reached the portal, but luckily for the Falx didn't harm it.
Their ranks were again thinned, especially the more lightly armed soldiers falling to the onslaught.
The druid pushed himself to his limits to stop the dark shadows from tearing through himself and his allies. (-1 HP)
Subute: "What is this? An earthquake?!"
The Hitokiri fighting the crocs were buried beneath the earth. Subute's meditation was once again disturbed, he was getting really pissed off now even for a warrior who vowed remaining calm was the way to survive.
The giant and pup were unfortunate enough not to be within the defensive sphere created by the druid.
As was the chieftain. He died without knowing what hit him.
Only a few factions to play out, tune in next weekend for the final conclusion of the conclusion. I finally got my new camera, don't know how you like it, but there are too many factors to sum up that slowed me down processing this round even today, so I sadly couldn't do it all just yet. However, we're getting closer!
Thanks for a great battle, I can't wait for the definitely epic ending and your next forum war.