[The March Of Dead Men]
Kel Thuzard, One of the few Experienced Arch Necromancers and Leader of the Army of the Dead (well more like the band of Necromancers sent by His Lord To the North), was...in all honestly? irritated and wrathful at the wretched beings in the north. The fact his lord had whispered his commands to his followers of what was to be done and what forces needed to be sent was in all honestly infuriating to the Young Arch Necromancer. While only in his 30's since the grand unification, he had quickly become one of the premier masters of the dark arts. Allowing him to take the leading position and honor to glorify his lord in the war for the north. No doubt the forces of Kislev will eventually catch on to the theft of knowledge they held dear one day, but since they weren't bringing up the mortal forces...that should be for later.
Otherwise organizing the march to the north will require...allot...of resources, ships, wagons, and of course supplies for the ninety necromancers heading towards the enemy, hopefully enough of his brothers and sisters in the dark arts survive to see the new schools of magic that were being planned, as such places would most likely allow for far greater concentrations of magical research, and of course his study into creating undead spell-casters that weren't lich's or Demi-Lich's. Far too costly with not enough gain and control...still a avenue of research remained open, such as the Grave-Walker project.
Kel Smiled as he looked over the notes within his mind, remembering the curses and blessings required to keep a man both alive and undead with a foot in both realms...a living wraith unto the world, with a power to exert his will onto others, and easily control the dead far greater then any necromancer could hope to accomplish. All without the potential madness of long-lived vampire over the centuries...yes the Grave Walkers would be a excellent addition to the Dark Emperors forces, and as a stepping stone to true immortality.
Now what was he doing again? oh right, organizing the idiots around him so they dont cock up the holy mission to the north to eradicate the massive horde of chaos barging down into the world...why did the ice witches create massive ice barriers and fortress's against the few ways in from the northern armies was beyond Kel, including organizing their faith and gathering their power.
Still, that was THEIR problem, and Kel did not waste time on moron's and their pathetic ignorant attempts to say that nothing wrong can ever happen...honestly one just had to look through history to see that somehow some-way, the current invasion WOULD happen one way or another. Now that His lord was maintaining the barrier between the Dark Sea and the realm of the living, one could only hope that his lords power could be increased...but that would require objects of power...possible artifacts...yes...
Hmmm...wouldn't the power of the ever-chosen, purified and taken from the forces of chaos and turned to his lords own use be a way to empower his master? or how about any artifacts from the forces of chaos? many such powers exist, yet one must be careful...of course any cart containing such artifacts would be watched and regulated in lead boxes that he was storing onto some of the supply carts...even if it was a few precious drops of power, every bit would matter in the long run for the sake of his nation, and of his lord...as well as his own immortality to come.
Looking upon the undead army, it again enraged Kel to see that only 15% of them were in any shape of fighting form, like one would expect from during the conquest of Wallachia. The rest while well armored and well armed, were only cannon-fodder much like other undead forces, and that pained Kel to see...perhaps once they have started their own magical schools they could research ways to passively empower their master, he had heard rumors of strange stones and weirder things from the mists of Albion...if he could simply get a adventurers guild up, and post his...well...requests...perhaps his own research can be enhanced to start a way to empower Dracul besides the need for worship...
Though from what he heard of the eastern dragons, this Nippon and Cathcay would be easily subverted to the Dracul's faith...it would only require time and effort...that and the border princes as well-
"My lord Kel Thuzard, we are ready to head out now." One Necromancer called as he walked with a few of his brethren up behind Kel as he oversaw the gathering of the undead.
"Ah, good...Prepare to move out, we have a land to relieve of the Army of Neverborn." Kel ordered as he stared to walk towards the carriages that would carry him and his fellow's in the dark arts towards their destination.
"My lord, what is the plan for the sake of Wallachia?" One necromancer piped up with concern laced in their normally bland voice...one does not practice the dark arts and expect to keep much in the terms of their morals and emotions intact from what they usually practice, especially now they had divine protection from the worst effects.
"We are to relieve the southern parts of Kislev, while reinforcing any strongholds and capture any bridges we find. Any corpses we find we are to bring with us as Zombie cannon-fodder, all elite tier undead are to be given the blessings of Dracul when they charge, i expect you all to refresh yourselves on the military tactics and strategies required for commanding the dead...we are not some tom-foolery or peasent made hedge wizard. We are the Masters of the Dark Arts, and i expect a good showing when we bury the armies of the neverborn under the dead tide.
And oh, if you happen to hear rumors of artifacts on our travels...do tell me...we will need them to empower our lord against the evils of the northern thralls and the neverborn."
"As you will, Arch Necromancer...For The Emperor Of The Dead." The necromancers intoned with near dead voices, the smallest specs of religious fevor entering that gave them any semblance of humanity...and Kel smiled grimly under his hood.
"For Dracul..." he intoned as he stared silently northwards...the chill of the dead protecting him from the withering malice and evil that emanated from the northern skies...