A shadow falls across the Realm of Light. For three weeks, vampires assault a city. For three weeks, the forces of Darkness lay seige to the Bulwark of the South. For three weeks, Lord Physsion challenges Castellum Sanctum Immortalis, home to the White Wizard. He roars at the gates, daring the crusaders to sally forth from their walls, to cross the Blessed River. Some cower in the city, daring not to show their selves. Others rise, but they shatter and fly, lost in disarray. Finally, the Dark Lord crosses the water, and attacks the walls. He is denied, and attacks again.
But the holy fortress stands firm, defiant before the blood cries of her enemies. The Bulwark of the South refuses to fall. Grand towers of crystal diamond and holy light rise up to meet the heavens, and they bar the pass. Great arcs of light descend upon the armies of Darkness, and they smite the road. Ancient guardians of stone patrol the battlements, and they join the fray. The besiegers charge again, again, and again, hour after hour after hour, night after night after night. But still the wardens hold the gates, warding off the waves. They are the servants of the Wizard Zso_Zso, and he stands before them now, his gaze sweeping down to the toiling masses below. He leans on his staff, and issues a proclamation.
"You cannot pass," he begins, and the battle below dies. "I am the Master of Light, wielder of the Morning Glory. You cannot pass. The Black Arts will not avail you in my demesne, Lord of Darkness. Go back to the Shadow! You cannot pass." He raises the rod, and the Lord of the Vampires is smote. He falls back, and the invaders give up the hope, scrambling to flee the fortress.
Shadow rotates around the sundial, once, twice, and then a third time before Physsion speaks, and orders his captains to assemble. "The high walls stand yonder, impervious to blade and fang. Direct assault is not viable. Rash action, undue haste, will not conquer these walls, nor the abilities of the White Wizard. A new tactic is required." A mutter breaks out, but the General gestures for calm. "It is said that the Blessed River imbues the righteous who drink of its waters with renewed strength and vitality. I care not for so-called blessings, but if the legends are true, we must turn this source of strength against them..."
And so the vampires drink from the river and train, their power growing slowly but surely.
The White Wizard keeps a careful eye on the army at his doorstep, but nothing approaches the city again. Days pass, and the defenders grow confident. The enemy camps by the walls, but launches no assault. The attackers will run out of resources long before the sanctaury can be breached; the city is saved!
Then General Physsion orders the attack. The forces of Darkness fling themselves at the diamond walls, the once-formidable fortifications crumbling before the assault. The invaders rally to the crystal gates, and overpower the wardens. The Wizard sends out waves of light from his tower, blasting the invaders back. But it is not enough to defeat the Dark Lord; it is not enough power to reinforce the walls. Castellum Sanctum Immortalis falls to Darkness.
