My Lands: Black Gem Hunting

We congratulate players mat473 and MoNika2022 upon annihilation of an Arch-Ruin and winning 21623 Black Gems on server Skynet.
Looking forward to reading the Story about the great feat!

Once upon a time, ... long, long time ago, ... nah, this ain't a fairytale, this is a virtual world: Dark age: Skynet.
Since forever, the Templiers were guarding peaceful trade routes against bandits and thugs. They have proven to be brave, wild, yet professional warriors. They had a rule to never leave battle while there is an enemy standing, unless they were so overpowered they would be unlikely to even scratch the enemy. Their battle strategies were so exceptional, other orders were copying and studying them. Their discipline, loyalty and strict codex become legendary, earning trust of many kingdoms around and allowing to build rather large reservoir of gold.
Our faction originates from this order and although one could say we only recently moved here and are not ready for a full-blown battle, we sure are fearless of what is to come.
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The date was 7.4.2023 of what seemed like an ordinary rainy day. Nobody was expecting anything special to happen. But slightly after midday, as I was slowly sipping hot tea, a explorer from nearby lands returns all sweaty and exhausted; barely speaking he informs he was ordered to run as fast as possible to let us know a huge pack of bandits is camped nearby. First reports show they must be on the run as they seem to have "borrowed" a rather large amounts of black pearls from some poor trusting victim. Elite spies were sent immediately and boy, were the reports true.
It struck us like a lighting - we must act quickly, by now, the victim sure must've realized what happened and offered a huge bounty for recovery, meaning soon there will be literally queues of other players trying to take what is ours. The fact they were found on our lands gave as an advantage, but we sure know this is going to attract way more attention than we would like. Also, the bandits itself were not idle, trying to recruit whoever has passed by them. We had to act quickly. Messengers were sent in all direction, asking all allies, who could possibly help us. Luckily for us, shortly after, an old friend, Mat473 acted upon this.


Well, I will tell you more details about the war tumult that took place that day. As I already mentioned, in the front line, the neighboring ruler Mat473 and I sent mercenaries to attack to thin the ranks of the enemy. However, the hordes of monsters grew larger by the minute. We must not delay, otherwise the expedition will be ruined. We set out together with the neighboring ruler side by side. At the head of our troops are valiant warriors who have already demonstrated many virtues. The journey is dangerous and it seems long, moreover, this expedition will cost us quite a lot, but even that will not stop us. Our warlords set the pace and both parties follow them faithfully. We finally stood before the gates of those bloodthirsty beasts. Come on, break down the gates!!! The last orders of the warlords are heard and everyone knows what to do. It's not the first time they've stood by each other in a fierce battle. That's when all hell breaks loose. The archers hurl their arrows into the enemy line on the ramparts, but are returned fire. The creatures don't give us anything for free, but the moment of surprise seems to work in our favor. The soldiers broke open the castle gate with battering rams and are already pouring into the castle courtyard, followed by horsemen. The cavalry is dominated by warlords, stalwart warriors, brave and fearless, who long ago swore allegiance to the crown. Their armor, with intricate patterns hammered into raw iron, is now all stained with the blood of their enemies. They knock down enemy fighters one after another, shattering their skulls, crushing their shields. Thousands of dragons descend from the sky, flames whipping from their mouths, which lick the defenders on the walls, grab them with their claws and throw them against the cold stones of the walls. It's a bloodbath, weapons are clanging, the ground is covered in blood and littered with the bodies of fallen monsters that lived only to make others suffer, lived to kill.
After a long, furious fight, suddenly there was a grave silence. The bodies of fallen defenders lay everywhere, only in places the faint moans of those who were between life and death could still be heard. They were helped to the next world by soldiers who helped them end the suffering with their swords. Our healers performed a magical ceremony to heal and bring back to life the handful of our wounded and fallen. The day smelled of steel and blood, smelled of anticipation..........expectation, of better times. Our porters immediately went to load the incredible wealth that the monsters had left behind.

We are embarking on a journey back, stronger, more confident, freer.

IN THE NAME OF THE KING

let this victory be written in the annals

It is Friday 7/4/2023 a few hours after noon and I am quietly sipping hot tea. Just then, a panting messenger runs in with the news that there is a horde of monsters in the nearby area led by their ruler and that the neighboring lady Monika2022 is asking for my help. I do not hesitate for a second and make preparations for a great battle expedition. I still have to agree with Mrs. MoNika 2022 on the tactics of the fight, so I am passing on my dispatch to the messengers. Everything is arranged and our joint campaign can begin.
In the front line, we send mercenaries, brave warriors to thin the ranks of the enemy. In the second wave, we go into the tumult of war side by side. Although this struggle seems futile, our faith in victory is unsurpassed. Our troops are fighting bravely, but the monsters are not going to give up so easily. It's finally over, the ground is soaked in blood and monster bodies are lying everywhere. Loss of life is also reported on our side. It was a fierce fight, but we come away victorious. Honor the memory of our fallen, their lives were laid down for the right cause.

documenting scans

one more

mat473 and MoNika2022, it is enough to write just one story. It should be posted as single post not several posts. Please, work on the literatural side of the story.

Although it is a joint work, it is only one story, which I, MoNika, begin with finding the archruin, and Mat473 ends with its destruction. They are not two separate works. I think we fulfilled the task according to the assignment, and we also played it in an original way, where part of the story is told by me and part of the story by Mat473. But if you don't like creativity, I can put it in one context and send it for both of them myself.

Thank you

MoNika2022, we can accept the story as two posts, but still there is too little description of the battle itself.

added up to the story

MoNika2022, please, add the last post to the first part of the story by clicking `edit` under your previous post, so the story is posted as one message not several.

I made a correction and added more details about the fight directly into the story.

The rewards are waiting on the server.