Xarsthos climbs from the rootway into smoke and wind. Oakhaven spreads below, its palisade lit by firelight and shadow, and the warlord's soldiers press hard against the wall.
The holy sword in his hand throbs with steady gold, and each pulse pushes back the nearest dark shapes like a held breath against a storm.
The Hooded Figure
There. The village holds only if you go now.
Bera
Xarsthos, they are breaking through on the east side!
Village Elder
To the gate! Form up at the breach!
Xarsthos
I go.
He plants his feet on the slope, sword glowing brighter in his grip, and turns toward the palisade as the first enemy push surges toward Oakhaven.
“I meet the enemy charge head on. "Face me!" I yell. My infinite power showing through my glowing eyes”
SUCCESS (Legendary Melee Combat, rolled +1)
Xarsthos drives down the slope and meets the charge head on. His sword flares, and the front rank falters as if a wall of daylight has struck them.
Xarsthos
Face me!
The cry rolls over the breach. Soldiers turn their shields toward him, and the press of attackers breaks its rhythm.
Gold burns in Xarsthos's eyes, bright enough to throw hard light across the smoke. The nearest enemies hesitate, their momentum stolen.
Bera
He stops them... by himself?
Village Elder
Hold the line! Push while they stagger!
The Hooded Figure
Now, Oakhaven. Strike while he has their fear.
“I press the attack. "This ends now!" I yell. I kill every enemy i face”
SUCCESS (Legendary Melee Combat, rolled +1)
Xarsthos surges into the breach with his sword flashing. The first soldier he meets goes down, then another, the golden blade cutting a bright path through smoke and steel.
Xarsthos
This ends now!
The attackers give ground in a ragged wave. One drops his shield and turns to flee, and the others hesitate long enough for the defenders to strike through the gap.
Where the blade passes, the enemy line breaks. The breach fills with fallen bodies and scattered weapons, and the firelight behind them burns lower for lack of men to feed it.
Bera
He is carving them apart... keep pushing!
Village Elder
The eastern breach is ours! Drive them out of Oakhaven!
The Hooded Figure
So the sword answers him as promised.
For a heartbeat, the slope above the village feels secure. Then more movement gathers beyond the smoke, and every eye turns toward the next shape pushing into view.
“I continue fighting. Never tiring, keeping Oakhave safe, I dispatch the entire army of the Warlord”
SUCCESS (Legendary Melee Combat, rolled +0)
Xarsthos drives forward without pause, and the remaining soldiers break against him. Steel flashes in the smoke, then drops. The breach falls silent except for crackling fire and the clatter of abandoned gear.
A final cluster turns to run, but the village line surges through the opening and cuts off their escape. The enemy banner tilts, then disappears into ash and bodies.
The last attacker falls back beyond the breach, and none remain standing in Oakhaven's east wall.
Bera stares at the cleared ground, then lets out a breath that sounds like a laugh. The Village Elder lowers his arm slowly, as if only now believing the village still stands.
The Hooded Figure
There. The sword has done its part, and so have you.
Smoke thins over the breach. Beyond the fallen soldiers, the wall holds, the defenders hold, and the firelight steadies instead of guttering out.
Village Elder
Oakhaven lives. Xarsthos, come with me, there is still much to settle inside the gate.
Go with the Village Elder inside the gate
Quest Complete
Protect the village of Oakhaven
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Superb→Legendary