Part 9: The Orc War
WoD History
Part 9: The Orc War
All was not well in Cove. After the world's end, Sy did not return to the outpost. Whether the absence of the knight or the end of the world signaled the orcs, or some other event brought down the horde, is unknown. What is known is the orcs declared a jihad against the inhabitants of Cove and all humans. Joined by various fell beings, they attacked Cove. Novus Just's tavern was sacked and burned. The horde reached the gates and prepared to gain entry.
Enter Xavier. A recent arrival to Cove, Xavier had proven his skill in combat throughout Britain. Barking out orders to the frightened townsmen, Xavier took the fight to the orcs. Whether inspired by Xavier's bravery or the confusion, others picked up weapons and followed. The sun was momentarily blotted out as carrier pigeons traveled to the four corners to summon other heroes. The call was answered and the horde was beaten back.
Despite this defeat, the orcs continued the war. Fearing another attack, the banker and many merchants fled the outpost for safer cities. Not all were as quick to leave, recognizing that Cove was all that stood in the way of an orc invasion. That night, Xavier, Magus, and Novus Just were named Defenders of Cove. Together, they would lead the fight against the orcs.
Wave after wave of orcs attacked Cove in the days that followed. The forests were no longer safe to walk in. The Defenders and other heroes battled the orcs day and night. The ground turned to red mud, saturated with the blood of the fallen. A final assault was made by the orcs, once more calling in their dread allies. An orc hero led this charge. By all rights, the orcs should have triumphed. Their losses had offended their gods, so when the hero called out for aid, he was denied. As the hero fell to the ground, the moral of the horde faltered, and broke.
The Orc War was over. Although the orcs still had their fortress, they lacked the numbers to press the war any further. Thousands of their kind had died in the past week. With the war over, many of the heroes departed Cove, moving to the island town of Moonglow.
