And now words from our news anchor at the station

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Watching the assorted knights fighting the black skeletons I made as higher tier infantry I turn from that to the main action of the high grade pawns. The wight I despatched to make this fight believable is currently holding off the paladin rather well, looks like this guy is comparable to high-silver. The wight is currently also high silver so it cannot actually beat the paladin by itself in a speedy manner. No matter, with this I know a good deal about the potential forces I will face. But then again I sometimes prefer the simple core part of necromantic battle tactics and in general all army battles, overwhelming numbers. I am a very unorthodox general but simple number games do matter.

Our wight has a few helpers in the form of a wraith host flying around and being a nuisance, even if it is an improved wraith it is still rather weak in comparison. Then again it’s main job is causing the paladin to be off balance not to actually do meaningful direct damage. The many tendrils of shadow flail around trying to hold the paladin. I put a little effort into creating such disturbing imagery as faces half melted and flailing bone arms to appear. Anyone caught in the grasp will be subjected to intense amounts of fear and terror, some are strong enough to desperately escape while others die as their hearts fail them. This is rare but the fear spreads all the more because of this.

Of course our little ‘Lich’ is supporting everyone with spells which are making this a slow but eventual death for the paladin. Our actual lich is busy controlling his old body to do such acts, still I feel a little too much malicious joy. Should make sure that is balanced out, I do not need my creations going psychotic. That would only decrease the efficiency. Some of the little command cadre here are actually betting raw miasma stones I gave as allowance on how long the paladin lasts. Nothing I need be truly concerned with since they are here to record numbers. As long as they keep record of the casualties I do not care about this side business. This lot is never getting into an actual battle anyway since they have the nice permenant job of being bean counters. Meanwhile the others who are productive are paying attention to the tactics used so far...

Actually nevermind they are betting too, I suppose this is one way to make them more interested in learning. I should keep this as a note for the future if something similar comes up. I was hoping for a bit of professionalism but no real need to thrash them yet. Back to making sure everyone important is killed in a non messy fashion so I get plunder to use. As part of a little clean up plan for the remainder outside I sent one of my prototypes to deal with them and it is certainly doing work. Watching through the eyes of my surrogate grants an interesting perspective as I have it walk through the gates to oversee my creation.

It is a bit incomplete but still has most of the core functions I care about and am testing out for viability. Of course making these into the so called ‘production model’ for wide scale use is a concern but at least it was not a complete waste. If it turns out to be too wasteful to make more of it,I have other projects. While my prototype focuses it’s main form in getting rid of the levy and other fodder I have the more important priests, knights and mages silenced by it’s other functions. If this does not work then I just send out the Revenant Host to clean house, having it hover above for now is certainly giving me a bit of side show entertainment from the reactions. I still do good work with terror weapons, always quite effective results.

Cue reactionary reporting from on scene and an interview

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“BLESSED LORD ABOVE US!!!!!!”

“By the Light what is that monstrosity!!”

“We are all going to DIEE!!!!”

‘Wilhelm scream’

“RRRROOOOOOOAAARR”

“Mind Shaking Ghostly Moans”

‘My master has called for these beings to die and I will comply, for I serve my creator. These beings that have rejected my lord’s dominion have had their sentence passed and I am the executor. They scream in fear or defiance but it matters nought to me. My arm cleaves a path through those in front of me as it’s massive scythe cuts those struck in twain, those I missed during my swing to my sides are dealt with by my kin. The waving blade of bone attached to my back controlled by my spirit kin ensure that those that dare strike me from behind or attempt to run are slain. A group of them corralled by one of their so called leaders attempts to resist me despite what has occurred to their brethren, but I see no reason to crash into them so easily as they believe. I raise my other limb and release fury upon them as bolts of bone fly outward and strike many, as the spirits in the arm move bony hands to reload the bolts I swing my other arm into those still standing.

As the sentence is passed on another group I sense more that still must have the decree enacted. My lesser brethren have penned them in for there are none that now can threaten me. Those that can threaten the passage of punishment have been eliminated by my roving kin and task accomplished the roving spirits return to the spikes that host them on my back. I direct the other less servants of my lord to disperse those that disobey the lord’s decree. None may gain clemency here for all who trespass with intent to destroy my master’s works are guilty and so have been sentenced appropriate. It is simpler to deal with them piece by piece in a set area. Another group of perpetrators realize the decree given to them and so forfeit their lives willingly and so are not punished further.

Those that still resist are drained of some of their soul energy being being allowed to leave, whether the soul stays intact is not my concern. All who have resisted my lord have had such a punishment enacted and our numbers grow because of such a decree. My master has whispered to me of progress and tests and I will pass all I can for that is what I wish for, to serve my master in what ways I can for I am a warrior and death is my cause’

Thank you for your words and back to our anchor

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With the rather successful work done outside now to finish up with cleaning the insides, the rather large amount of holy light being flung around is annoying to my eyes purely due to how glaring everything is. Thankfully there are no mirrors in the room since that would simply be much too burning to the eyes, still I simply have to pat myself on the back as my creations are still holding up even if the miasma has cleared up to a large degree. Certainly I can see the confidence that they had of being able to purge this area but did they think that they could do so further on into the fields? Still more raw material for me in my work to subjugate the area is simply falling into my lap so easily.

Our unfortunate pawns have been rather dwindled and only the poor paladin along with a handful stronger lackeys are holding on, a number of scattered black bones and broken armour attest to their struggles but still I can make more or simply fix the ones still there after reimbuing them with energy. I see that they are about to go for the last ditch effort as the light only increases in the room. Now this would be annoying for me if this lot goes berserker as the final few minutes come up. The wight and the paladin have been rather absorbed in their little duel. Quite a few minutes have passed as they fight back and forth with longsword and shield. The paladin brings his shield to the side as he thrusts forward, the wight with his sword in low guard parries the blade to the side and retaliates. The paladin backs away and attempts to bat the sword away with his own. The two lock blades before the wight twists and shoulder bashes the shield arm. Driving the pommel into the body as well a dent is made in the scarred plate mail.

The paladin swings the sword but is blocked. Driving his own body forward the situation resets as they stand separated by only a few feet. The paladin is breathing heavily and is shaking in exhaustion. If he expected a moment to catch his breath he is wrong, bringing his blade from down low a thrust is thrown but it is a feint and turns into a cut. Another ringing blow as the paladins swordhand is hit and the blade falls away. The paladin back peddles and his face is enraged as he looks upon the corpses of his comrades. Quickly he drops his hand and reaches for a pouch on his belt. Ahh the moment I was waiting for.