Feb. Wk 2 Art Challenge - Man the Front

[Ubique]

this challenge is open to any typical form of art or expression, including 2D, 3D, poetry and short stories.

how is the war effort going? does anyone have a ballad they'd like to share about the manning of the front for the upcoming war or invasion going on? anyone want to make some more detailed images of the K'sir? i know i'd love to see more artwork about them *nudges Ehlanna and others* some Houses have the majority of their army out there. what does it look like? feel like? for your Bel characters?

[Ubique]

i figured this would be a popular theme given the war effort!

[Ehlanna]

Got there in the end ...

[mozenwrathe]

*Around a decade ago, was there warfare of a sort carrying on in the eastern parts of the known Ilfiran empire. Not a word was given out to the natives of Nanthalion or those of near by Valencia and Adenfort. (Relatively speaking, that is. Not to mention that not all the times were all those cities so... "comfortable" with each other.) The main reason for this was those attacking the cities of the coasts were pirates from a nation they had never heard of before. As they were overconfident about their ability in warfare, did they tell none about these seagoing marauders. It was unexpected the pirates would be so very water savvy, so when those on the boats actually got them on land, they planned on giving their adversaries a rather razor sharp reception...*

Not Valid With Any Other
by Lexan Blackfriar, wolven sorcerer

and from a slight distance did I see
together armies of sea and land
clashing with might and magic both
hoping to claw victory from the breast
of those whom opposed them greatly
before the red sea of Dødsfald itself
rose up to claim them all from the shore
dragging them down to Underverdenen
and laying all their bones on the ocean

my heart knew no end of excitement
watching boats with boastful flags
clash in the shallower waters
knowing that it was still far too deep
for any mere man to dive down
touching the bottom with their frail fingers
spurts of flame hurled from the land
crashing into masts many wolven tall
sending many men into the churning waters
where more fury and fight awaited them
unconcerned with the rights of the hopeful
for the flesh eating fish saw prey
and those who lived far beneath the waves
had goals of their own to seek out

cries of terror and rage and loss could be heard
before storms overhead began to circle
as those who loved and bled for home
chanted as one to create anew
something sick and horrid to any
unfamiliar to the waters weirding ways
but mine own eyes were unable to see
tumultuous waves rising and falling sharply
only the boats with their erratic movements
bobbing and weaving like drunken hauflyne'
my imagination supplying the faces of terror
of those knocked in between the ships
never to rise from the depths again

was this not my first time seeing war
but never on such scale at distance
had I know this is what awaited me
going to such distant harbour in that year
would have I stayed far inland and remained
untouched by ocean rains and seafaring curses
yet do I recall as I slowly made my way down
into more of the thick of things
one woman tending to two bleeding others
one of them looking close to grave-bait
the other fresher and still writhing in anguish
did I look over the woman with glowing hand
removing the arrow in the man's chest
sliding her a salve that could aid the first
the second almost too far gone for her talents
so to her did I give a strong liquor
to give her the carry on and reach deeper
without giving into the despair of exhaustion
smiling not even once as I walked past

and farther along this path of pain
while the waters of the open seas
frothed and become darker than night
did I see another woman leading her group
defenders from the city I surmised
for her garments and theirs were linked
by common colours and greaves alike
a shield of heavy steel did she carry
one round and perfect in her hands
for was she beautiful and terrible both
cleaving her opponents in twain
while those following her with spear and blade
did little more than to finish them off
any whom her blade touched fell
and those whom tried to flee back to ship
did her fellow militia harry and harass
arrows flying through the air at the pirates
only for spells to come down from the ships
some landing close to my feet and throat
as if I was part of their battle itself

could I hear running behind me
as four elven females with shield and spell
chased down my footprints to surround me
not to pin down but to protect
thinking I one of their allies uncovered
for were they most insistent now
to ensure my remaining behind them
stating they would "man the front"
as we approached one of the ships
so inadvertently did I wander
into the midst of another's war
fighting for the freedom of people
cared I no more about than water's falling
from the skies in a foreign land

after three more bolts of flame cascaded
almost slaying the beauties around me
chose I to act in more than my own defense
but to bring down those who stood against
not just myself but such little lovelies
whom under other circumstance would I be
working to get into my bed that evening
if not their older brothers with tight asses
but such thoughts were for much later
as for that moment did I strike down
far more than my share with shards of ice
as well as spears of stone from magic
watching brigand after brigand fall
with such savage satisfaction in my heart
did I almost forget this was never
my fight to take up to begin with

for me was this end and beginning
as the pirates chose then to retreat
back into the more welcoming waters
of open oceans where those of the cities
did not dare to follow in pursuit
for though the evening had been won
so many lives had been lost or ruined
would such an act be foolish at best
if not outright drawing people to their deaths
and as smoke rose from numerous buildings
with bodies strewn about everywhere
did I realize my talents would be demanded
and if I was able to speak well enough
could I gain much in return from these people
so did I stay for quite some time
including two weeks later
when those vermin of the open seas
chose to return with greater forces
and was I then the one at the forefront
making sure they knew my name well
as I found ways to introduce the bastards
to the bottom of the ocean floor anew