In the twenty second year of the Third Age, mankind halted it's constant conflict to face a horrific new threat. The Necrocron, the machined dead, metal grafted to undying corpses with the only purpose to assimilate and feed the machine. No one knows their source but it is thought that it is the sins of constant conflict has brought them to bare as man tried to destroy man with constructed technological terrors.
They feed upon the land like a cancer and ravage the populations. They abduct the living and mutilate them into decaying, unremorseful abominations. It is in that manner in which their army of flesh and bone and metal marches.
Two hundred years have passed and humanity is in its death throes. All but the last great cities have fallen. Millions have been assimilated into the undead army as it continues its grim march to man's utter destruction. Man's numbers dwindle. The living have resorted to defending the great fortress cities down to the last man.
The great fortress city of Verdinani, built during wars past, harbors a devastating secret. One that could become mankind's savior if found.
An artifact of legend capable of great power hides within the city's walls. Locked away and hidden, it was feared it was too great a power to entrust to man. Now times have changed and humanities salvation rests upon its expedited recovery.
Captain Orelius Titus is the commander of a small contingent of the ninth mechanized legion. His mission is to obtain the artifact at any cost.
The machined dead have beat him though. The fortress city of Verdinani is besieged. His mission is suicidal in nature but he is aware. All that matters is the recovery and extraction of the artifact. He has been battling the dead for years and is fanatically devoted to the salvation of mankind.
For twenty years he had battled the Necrocrons, rising through the ranks battle after battle. He was there during the evacuation of Chambri. He fought in the ledgendary rout of the Necrocrons at Oustgrad. And he witnessed the horrific defeat at the Three Rivers Pass. He still hears the screams and sees the harvesters consume his comrades. His ninth legion is only now a fraction of what it once was. He has a scar that runs from his right cheek up to his dirty blond hair. His piercing blue eyes now only have sagging tiredness. His muscular frame is weary of carrying the heavy armor of the legion. His sword has seen much combat, blood stains and cracks scar it. His pistol holstered by his side. His boots are worn but he tries his best to keep a kempt outer appearance.
He is accompanied by three Siege Breakers who are more mercenary than hero. They are of the few who have ventured into the blighted lands and lived to tell about. They are usually hired for their skills in running aid and escort to the besieged cities that serve as bastions. Havens that have withstood the onslaught and have not yet broken. The Siege Breakers skill in combat and prowess in navigating the blighted land is of legend. Many great heros have become of their ranks. But some have more sinister motives, their name has become synonymous with treasure hunters and looters. And some which the nobility will employ for less than legal purposes.
Artemis has been fighting the Necrocrons since she was a small child. They destroyed her home and she had to kill her undead parents. Alone and orphaned, she learned her skills from the legendary Siege Breaker Orpheus who discovered the Necromind. She ventured with him into the blighted lands and learned to survive because of his tutelage. She has seen the war mines which the undead use to build their monstrosities. She always tries to keep her red hair tucked under her cap, for least being snagged by the undead. Her skinny frame is more muscle than that of malnutrition. She keeps her clothing tight to her knowing that any loose garment will slow her down. A skilled marksman, she is handy with her sniper rifle. She has seen the effects of war first hand and tries to save as many as possible. She helped evacuate Tillet and even escorted the refugees to safety. She didn't even want to go on this venture but a bulletin from the Emperor said it could save lives. Now she is here, marching to a besieged city knowing full well that this could be suicide. But she secretly hopes the city can be saved by whatever this artifact is.
Zeus who is a boisterous fellow even though he is much shorter than his companions. He relishes combat but at a price. The emperor's bounty was too good to refuse and with that gold he can buy all the booze and women he can lay hands on. He hates matching though, and has cursed enough that he could be heard from Simoni. His dirty brown beard is unkempt compared to his short hair. He wields the cumbersome gatling gun, a heavy machine gun. His stocky short frame is surprisingly strong enough to support it. He has seen countless cities fall, and was once of honorable behavior. He now only looks out for himself. He dislikes being ordered around and would much rather travel on his own and more importantly at his own pace.
Keres is a more silent fellow, he keeps to himself mostly. His past is riddled with secrets and unspeakable deeds. A former agent of the Emperor's service, he now only serves himself. He has made his name as a bounty hunter and has killed undead and man alike. He has no quams about it. He was personally recruited by Commander Commidus for this mission. His stealthy nature has helped him survive for long periods in the blighted lands. He perfers short swords over rifles and have blades sharp enough to cut through flesh and metal. He dislikes the others especially the loud mouth short one, fearing he will give away their position.
Now Captain Titus personally dislikes Siege Breakers. Thinking them to lack the honor and discipline of a soldier. He wouldn't have even brought them along had it not been for his superiors wishes. It was felt they would be better suited to extract and guard the artifact.
Fifty men of the legion march under orders, many of them fanatically loyal to Titus. Many have served him faithfully, and they are fully aware of the dangers of this mission. They bring with them two field cannons, four light gun mechs known as Centurions that are armed with four heavy machine guns. They also bring with them a heavy artillery mech "Ares" to help break the siege. The troops are armed with the standard bolt action rifles with bayonets. Though the rifles do little to slow down the Necrocrons. Many engagements deteriorate to hand to hand combat. This is for which most soldiers carry swords and clubs.
The small company marches onward to the fortress city of Verdinani but first must pass through the blighted forrest. Unkown to the group, the Necrocrons have pushed forward on the front line and have taken the small village of Axiom. Titus must first navigate his men through Axiom's forrest and push into the village itself. Only then the road to Verdinani will be clear. They must hurry though, the city will hold for only so long.