Chapter 21 The Three Raids
Elias surveyed the landscape from a rocky outcrop, the sun barely peeking over the horizon. Today, he would take the offensive, raiding three separate bandit hideouts to bolster his forces and test his growing strength. With Riven at his side, they would confront whatever challenges awaited them.
The first bandit camp nestled in a shallow valley had crude wooden structures half-hidden by dense foliage. Elias signaled to his undead minions, who gathered around him in silence, ready for battle.
"Remember your roles," he whispered, his voice low but firm. "Zombies will act as shock troops; skeletons will provide ranged support. Riven, let's move."
As they approached the camp, Elias felt a thrill of excitement. The bandits were caught off guard as his undead army surged from the trees. The initial clash was chaotic; zombies charged forward, absorbing blows and drawing the attention of the bandits, while the skeletons took up positions at the back, readying their bows.
Elias unleashed his only combat spell, Fireball, launching it into a group of surprised bandits. The spell exploded with a brilliant flash, engulfing two bandits in flames and sending others scrambling. The chaos served to distract the remaining defenders, allowing his zombies to crash into the bandits, pushing them back.
As the fight raged on, the first bandit leader emerged, a wiry man with wild hair and a staff crackling with energy. "We won't let you take our camp!" he bellowed, brandishing his staff. With a wave, he unleashed a torrent of flames toward Elias's zombies, incinerating two in an instant.
"Riven! Engage!" Elias commanded as he prepared another spell, feeling the surge of mana course through him. Riven stepped forward to engage the mage, dodging the fireballs while trying to close the distance.
Elias targeted the mage with a Fireball, launching it at him. The mage countered with a wall of fire, but the explosion forced him back. The distraction allowed Riven to charge in, swinging his sword and catching the mage off guard.
The two fought fiercely, the mage using quick bursts of fire, while Riven blocked and countered with calculated strikes. After a tense struggle, Riven managed to outmaneuver the mage, striking a decisive blow that sent him crashing to the ground.
Experience Gained from First Raid: 145 (85 from 17 bandit kills, 30 from defeating the camp boss)
With the last of the bandits defeated, Elias took a moment to assess the battlefield. The bodies of the fallen bandits littered the ground, and he felt a rush of power. He quickly gathered the corpses, directing his ghouls to assist him. They formed a line as Elias began the summoning process for new minions.
He concentrated, calling forth the energy to summon from the corpses of the defeated bandits. The process took time and focus, consuming 10 mana points per summon. From the 17 corpses collected, he summoned:
6 Ghouls (equipped with sword and shield)
5 Zombies (unarmed)
6 Skeletons (equipped with bows)
Total Undead After First Camp:
Ghouls: 6 (new) + 2 (existing) = 8
Zombies: 5 (new) + 6 (existing) = 11
Skeletons: 6 (new) + 6 (existing) = 12
Grand Total After First Camp: 31 Undead
Elias rested for two days, allowing his mana to replenish and summoning more undead. He prepared to move to the next bandit camp, filled with anticipation for the battles ahead.
Second Bandit Camp
With the sun shining bright, Elias and his undead set off for the second bandit camp. This camp was larger, with more guards patrolling its perimeter. They would need a strategy to penetrate its defenses.
Elias took a moment to observe. He noticed a gap in the bandits' patrol patterns. "We strike hard and fast," he instructed his undead. "Zombies lead the charge; skeletons, cover us from the rear!"
They launched their assault, exploiting the gap in the patrols. Zombies crashed into the camp, taking hits as they pushed forward, while the skeletons began firing arrows at the bandits, pinning them down. Elias hurled another Fireball, targeting a cluster of bandits near the center. The explosion sent shockwaves through the camp, causing panic among the bandits.
As the battle continued, another bandit leader emerged, this one a stout woman with a staff adorned with a crystal. "You dare invade our territory?" she shouted, raising her staff as the ground beneath Elias trembled. "Feel the wrath of the earth!"
Elias commanded Riven to engage her while he provided support. The ground erupted, sending jagged rocks flying toward his zombies. Riven engaged her, trading blows while Elias focused on supporting his undead minions. The bandit leader conjured barriers of stone to shield herself but was forced to dodge as Riven closed in.
Elias launched another Fireball, striking the ground near the leader, which caused her to stumble. With a final, desperate push, Riven managed to land a blow that sent her crashing to the ground.
Experience Gained from Second Raid: 155 (95 from 18 bandit kills, 30 from defeating the camp boss)
With their leaders dead, the remaining bandits quickly fell into disarray and fled. However, in the chaos, Elias lost 4 Ghouls and 2 Zombies to the remaining bandits who managed to land critical blows. Elias directed his ghouls to collect the bodies once more, ensuring they had enough for the next summoning. He felt a surge of satisfaction as he surveyed the spoils of war.
Elias took two days to rest, replenish his mana, and summon additional minions from the corpses he had gathered from the second camp:
From the 18 corpses collected, he summoned:
6 Ghouls (equipped with sword and shield)
5 Zombies (unarmed)
6 Skeletons (equipped with bows)
Total Undead After Second Camp:
Ghouls: 6 (new) + 6 (existing) - 4 (lost) = 8
Zombies: 5 (new) + 6 (existing) - 2 (lost) = 9
Skeletons: 6 (new) + 12 (existing) = 18
Grand Total After Second Camp: 37 Undead
Final Bandit Camp
The following day, Elias and his undead minions moved on to the final hideout, a makeshift fortress built from crude wooden barriers and stone. Elias knew the bandit leader, a powerful fire mage named Garrick, would be a formidable opponent.
"Prepare for a tougher fight," Elias warned his minions. "Zombies will absorb damage, and skeletons will provide cover!"
Elias studied the camp, noting the defensive positions of the bandits. They were more organized this time, with watchtowers manned by archers. He knew that he needed to strike hard and fast to gain the upper hand.
"On my command!" he shouted, raising his arm. As they rushed forward, he directed his zombies to absorb the initial arrows aimed at them. They took hits but pressed on, their relentless advance striking fear into the hearts of the bandits.
Garrick stood in the center of the camp, a tall figure robed in dark clothing, his staff radiating power. "Fools! You think you can defeat me?" he sneered, raising his staff high. "Prepare to feel the fury of fire!"
Elias felt a surge of dread as Garrick unleashed a torrent of flames toward his zombies. The crackling fire arced through the air, striking several zombies and sending them to the ground. But Elias stood firm, ready to retaliate.
"Riven! Engage him!" Elias commanded as he prepared another spell, feeling the surge of mana course through him. Riven charged at Garrick, dodging the flames while trying to close the distance.
Elias unleashed another Fireball, launching it at Garrick. The mage countered with a shield of flames, but the explosion forced him back. The distraction allowed Riven to charge in, landing a hit that sent Garrick staggering.
The two fought fiercely, Garrick unleashing powerful waves of fire while Riven used his agility and strength to dodge and counterattack. Elias felt a mix of fear and determination surge through him. He gathered his remaining mana, preparing for one final push.
"Now, strike together!" he commanded, directing all his remaining ghouls and skeletons to swarm Garrick.
In the chaos, Elias launched his final Fireball directly at Garrick. The explosive force slammed into the mage, breaking through his shield. The flames engulfed him, causing him to howl in rage and pain as the heat washed over him.
In a last desperate attempt, Garrick raised his staff, calling forth one final wave of fire. But it was too late. Riven surged forward, landing a decisive blow that sent Garrick sprawling to the ground, the flames dissipating around him.
Experience Gained from Final Raid: 185 (120 from 24 bandit kills, 30 from defeating the camp boss)
With Garrick defeated, the remaining bandits fled in terror. Elias felt the rush of victory as he commanded his undead to gather the fallen