RP:Collapsing the Tunnel

From HollowWiki

Part of the Surface Tension Arc


Synopsis: Baraneth finds a way to break Gevurah's protective enchantment and collapse the tunnel that connects the Underdark to the Sage Forest.

Guarded Tunnel to the Underdark

Baraneth steps into this slight clearing of the forest for the first time since her fated battle with the drow, breathing a quiet sigh. No army accompanies her today; this time it is a much smaller band of elves and allies, mostly other mages and a few giants, led once more by Beorn. Stepping forth, the elven mage's eyes narrow as they fixate upon the mouth of the cavernous tunnel that leads toward the underdark. "For far too long, they've been able to menace us from beneath our own home..." The elf begins, glancing back at her comrades for a moment. "...We must eliminate this threat, and quickly, while they are distracted in battle elsewhere." Knowing this task will require an immense amount of concentration, Baraneth falls back much as she did last time she was here, surrounded by giants that are prepared to defend her in the case of an ambush. Closing her eyes, the mage falls into a sort of trance, silently probing the location of this wretched enchantment that projects the tunnel. After a few precious seconds, Baraneth seems to locate it, a brow briefly lofting when she senses the sheer strength of the protective ward...


Perhaps sensing the elves above or the tampering with the ward, the drow that still reside in the tunnel are quick to take exception. Though the dark elves are not numerous, they do emerge with great haste and barbaric intent, baring wickedly serrated blades and prepping sinister spells. The frost giants are quick to notice, rushing forth to greet their opponents with such speed that the ground quakes beneath Baraneth's feet. Knowing they will need great concentration for this task, one of the other elves summons a quick cantrip that grants a sort of translucent blue sphere around them; it is not protective, but sound is unable to penetrate it easily, leaving Baraneth and the chosen mages around her ignorant to the sounds of battle. Because such an enchantment is also potentially dangerous, a few elves step out from behind the small crowd and adopt a defensive stance in front of the mages, ready to protect those behind them with their very lives.


Shielded from the growing din of war, Baraneth begins to summon an immense amount of magical energy; evidence as such forms in intermittent crackles of spidering energy that surround her. his crackling arcane force soon gathers around the other elves that fall into a similar trance, aiding in this grand task. This invisible mass of magic coalesces into a negating force that clashes against the ward, which of course responds in kind with a terrible blow against the minds of those attacking it. Some mages cry out and threaten to wilt, while others grit their teeth and steel their resolve, gathering every trace of magic in the area to aid in their task.


Though the scale of this conflict is much smaller than the last, the fighting that rages on while the mages summon their magic is no less intense. Blades clash, cones of flame lance through the air, and arrows are notched and loosed in rapid succession. Some dark elves manage wounds on the frost giants, but none are truly felled; any drow that attempt to engage the giants in one-on-one combat are smashed or crushed, while others utilize their superior celerity to streak by the slower giants en route to terrorize the mages in concentration. The elves that guard their spellcasting brethren are quick to engage the drow, readying bows and loosing them upon the drow with assumed precision. A pair of drow fall instantly when pierced in the throat, but others evade the arrows and bring their blades upon the defending elves. The opposing forces meet each other readily moments after, blades clashing furiously as the mages continue their task.


The magically attuned elves seem to be under great stress as they shape and mold their magic to strike upon the protective ward, bringing it to bear upon the dreaded enchantment. The invisible forces wage war upon each other, moving back and forth in a terrible struggle that seems to set the earth beneath them into a quaking rumble. The drow made ward brings a heavy weight onto the minds of the elven mages; some nearly succumb, falling to their knees while keeping their arcane focus as keen and sharp as possible. Slowly, the elven force begins to prevail; it strains and weakens the enchantment placed upon the tunnel, though the drowic force is not yet spent...


Meanwhile, the physical conflict between elf and drow has proven intense but brief. The frost giants stand wounded but victorious over the dark elves that stood to fight them, and though the elves guarding the mages suffered wounds and even casualties, the assaulting force they faced has been cut down, staining the forest floor with drow and elven blood once more. As if sensing the victory of their comrades, the mages summon up a final push through sheer force of will. Like a lance through armor and flesh, the elven force ruptures and vanquishes the drow made enchantment for good in one violent instant. The elven force quite literally explodes following the victory, a massive rumble ensuing that sends the tunnel into a crushing collapse, falling upon itself and sealing the path to the surface with crushing finality.


The drowic force, however, does not leave quietly; though beaten, it manifests on the surface in a final lash against the elves, striking out at Baraneth in particular. It wreaks havoc upon her mind and body alike, casting her from the ground and sending her into a violent impact with the nearest tree. She doesn't even have time to cry out in pain or shock; she is separated from consciousness instantly, falling to a heap on the forest floor. The rest of the mages collapse insantly, some perhaps having lost their lives. Though the tunnel is destroyed and the vile enchantment is dispersed, bodies litter this area once more. The elven allies that remain collect their fallen or wounded kin in retreat, hoping the war will soon be over for good.