Having at his disposal a core of followers, with information pouring in about Eldaria's defenses and supply lines, John had what he needed to get his plans for conquest underway. He drew his new recruits to himself in the shadows of the city's low districts.
"It is time to strike against the false king who oppresses this land!" John declared. Around him, the rebels and criminals murmured in agreement. "I have seen the error of his ways with my own sight. The gods themselves have sent me to deliver Eldaria from his tyrannical rule."
John let his new elemental abilities crackle menacingly around him for effect. "I have been given my powers for a reason, and there's only one way to use those powers: to guarantee the defeat. Weapons and supplies will be required; a seed of dissent should also be sown in their midst-the capital. I want spies placed in barracks and in palaces so I learn troop rotations and his patterns concerning each new day. Scouts on trade routes will cause mischief-starving the city of supply routes-and subtle havoc wreaked by the saboteurs, undermining it within."
His disciples nodded, bright-eyed with eagerness, promising a reward in exchange for his overthrow of the establishment. John paired them off in teams for certain tasks to be performed under cover of night. Soon, reports would pour in about strange attacks, shortages, and rumors of a "divine champion" arising outside the city's walls. Panic and restlessness would begin to build within the capital's walls.
Over the next few weeks, John's forces labored hard at undermining the kingdom: caravans disappeared; small garrison outposts were overrun; and unexplained fires broke out in grain silos and weapon stores. The king's armies rushed into action but found nothing other than ghosts and rumors. Meanwhile, John's profile as a charismatic leader grew among the downtrodden within the outer villages he "liberated." More recruits flocked to his banners every day.
One morning, the king's spymaster burst into the throne room with grave news. "Sire, the unrest has spread. Your subjects in the western provinces openly call for your removal. Worse still, they say a sorcerer of immense power backs their rebellion and will soon lay siege to the capital itself!"
This was a threat to his dominion, and the king was furious. "Double the city guard! I want every able man armed and patrolling. No one enters or leaves without my consent. This upstart will learn not to challenge my rule!"
Paranoia and tension boiled over in the capital, but John smiled. His plans were going off without a hitch-soon, the throne would be his for the taking.
With the capital in chaos, John decided it was time to deliver the final blow to the reign of the usurper king. He called his huge army of thousands to gather on the plains outside the city walls. While his men prepared with flying banners and shining weapons, John walked among his followers.
"My children, finally the day of liberation has arrived!" he exclaimed fervently. "For too long we have borne the yoke of this tyrant. But never more-so help us, God, and all the saints." John raised his arms to heavens and called down bolts of lightning to crash melodramatically in the distance.
"With the gifts from above, no earthly power is to stand against us. Yet sweetest will be our victory if honorably we meet in open combat the forces of the king. Let no woman or child be harmed-no one is our enemy, save he who falsely sits upon the throne. Defeat him, and a new era of peace and prosperity shall dawn upon Eldaria!"
The place erupted with cheers at his words. His charisma and control of elemental magic had molded this originally motley crew of rebels into an inspired army, sincerely believing that the rebellion leader had been truly ordained by forces above. Following trumpet signals, the amassed ranks proceeded under a host of magical banners to an assault on the capital.
Already, weeks of shortage and attack and the threat of rebellion within growing greater had set in panic. The king was undaunted, though-his dominion would be defended literally to his last breath. With John's army coming into view on the open plains, the royal forces took to the battlements and about the gates, ready for the clash that was soon to be.
"Let the battle for Eldaria's future begin!" John exclaimed, commanding his forces to charge. Magical energies swirled around him as he readied to unleash his powers of destruction against the men of the king. The die was cast-in blood and sorcery, a new ruler would be decided this day.