Day of the Red Sky (part 4)
The attack by the dracolich did one service to the gathered opponents of Vestilion, it united them. Where there had been a sense of assured victory, now there was doubt. Where there had been competition as to who would get the kill, now there was concern about if they would win at all. To that end, after the creature turned away, the leaders gathered. The many heroes of Grimhold along with the head of the Valona, clerics of Falan, and the remants of Lightstalker's faith rushed to meet. It took little time for them to settle on a commander.
Both cocksure by the choice and then a bit nervous, the veteran warrior Harris looked at the motley group assembled. He thought about leaving. Positioning everyone else in place, putting his contingent in the back, and sliding away seemed like a fair plan. Then he saw the eyes of his retinue. Many had not actually seen Harris fight. They had come to know him by personality and reputation. How far would he fall if he ran? His whole fiefdom could collapse, either by a loss of confidence or perhaps even taken over by Vestilion. With a mightily crash, he brought his hammer down and belted out commands.
Those assembled listened and moved into position just in time to meet the charge of the undead. Several waves of mindless creatures triggered spells and ate up time and energy of the now defenders. The intent was not to do damage, but to sap resources and time. It was clear, but little could be done to prevent it. As the charge ended, the dracolich flew by and strafed the allies. One breath of fire, hurting a few and draining more spells and defense, then back into the sky it went.
A calm fell. Minutes passed. The ground shook. Fire and undead hulks and drow charged out of fissures in the ground. Prepared for such a tactic, repelling the attacks again drained spells and resources. In the middle of the assault, the dracolich strafed them another time, fleeing as quickly as it came. Many of these undead fled below ground before being destroyed. Harris knocked out several Falanic crusaders who tried to give chase. Finn closed the fissures so they could not be used again.
A half an hour passed with no other attacks.