It has been over two decades since the first Skirmishes between the Men of the North and Dwemeris with her accompanying northern settlements,
the city of Bamz-Aschend sent reinforcements in response, but with the relentless attacks from Chimeri Raiding bands, the Dwemer are finding themselves under increasing pressure.


1E 230 Aeszhi-janz Asthaal, the estate of Lord Asthaal

They know no breath of repose....

Lord Asthaal utters as he approaches the Battlements along the walls of the estate, to the east he stares into the battle, his bronze weary eyes faintly glowing against the setting suns precipice, a light breeze blows the smell of smoke and blood, the heat of steam makes the humid air no less tolerable. over a hundred Chimeri tribals have brought battle to the Doors of the estate and are locked in a heavy skirmish against dozens Dwemeri Constructs, Armored Golems inhabited by Dwemer defenders. their battle cries fill the air against the mechanical clanks and thuds and hissing of the Animculi, Centurions clash with tribals swerving and swaying, constantly moving and pivoting in place and retracting and extending their blades to give extra bite to their swing, Dwemer Vvards in battle armor take on several warriors at once, maneuvering their bodies so that heavy blows always reach the chest Hails of Chitin Arrows streak into the battle field at times hitting weak points on the centurion heads and destroying them, the Chimer warriors use a tact of innovation and throw balls filled with flammable resin and coat their Dwemer enemies in it and set it aflame to suffocate them. Asthaal stands firm gazing, anolyzing the battle, the Chimer assault began in the evening as the residents of Aeszhi-janz were winding down and preparing for the night. Oten, his Chief Vvard of the Estate stands just ahead turning his view to different points in the battle, silently giving orders. he notices Asthaal and respectfully turns to the Lord.


"Lord Asthaal, it is not safe to be out here. they've hidden positions just out of reach and they are taking chance shots at the battlements...."

Asthaal's expression focuses, and takes a step to his right narrowly avoiding Chitin arrow as it whistles past and shatters onto the Dwetanite floor electricity crackles from its shatter remains. the Chief dons a face of concern, he spoke again with more assertion "Enchantments?...Sire Please return to the Vvarden Chamber". Asthaal gazes at several points in the distance based on the arrow that nearly struck him, past the open plains lie hills thick with brush."there, a number in the distance" Oten retorts "Sire!" Asthaal turns directly to Oten and cuts him off "Oten, my friend, you earned your place as chief Vvard not only for your battle prowess and sound judgment, but also because I trust you, so...will you please trust me" Oten stares intently at Asthaal he then concedes "Yes sire, I just do not wish a lucky shot to take down you as they've done to others...it is unfortunate we cannot get reinforcements from Tureynulal " Asthaal Smiles "how interesting is it that luck is one of the things we can't see it would be shortsighted of us to acknowledge it, as well as dismiss it the wisest would be to not dwell on it" he spoke as he went back to the edge of the walls "as for Tureynulal, they have enough problems..." he then closes his eyes and his head is filled with the battle pvssyr of the defenders and constructs.

"Two magicka users have entered the battle, they took down 4 Centurions already...."

"Fa! you cannot be serious, I'm already dealing with 5 warriors at once, we do not need magicka users"

"Ankosetch, the Chimeri just keep coming"

"Nechath's hit! he's not moving"

"stop the Magicka users!"

Asthaal hearing his defenders on the verge of disarray rallied them as the constructs cover their assembly "Athchun Zemynas Dwemeri!, regroup!" the defenders quickly disperse from their opponents and barrel through attackers to reach each other as they assemble closer to the walls of Aeshzi-Janz. "I have a plan" Asthaal vocalized as he directed the wall defenders to various positions and gestured for heavy centurions to take positions near the battlements. "but sire those centurions are low on firepower and are almost out of energy" oten comments as he watched the hulking Animculi thud past to their posts and raise their cannons. " We need respite... this should cut their ability to continue attacking" the defenders on the ground form up, the Animculi cover the wounded and continue fighting, they fight in coordination rolling, circling single groups of enemies in unison and close in briskly with blades extended impaling many chimer through their chitin Shields, several elite Chimeri fighters wield Daedric Blades, Pure Ebony weapons forged by magicka and infused with Daedric essence and quite effectively cut down scores of constructs with their lethal enchantments.

Asthaal then gestures giving orders through The calling to deploy more constructs, openings in the walls appear and scores of Dwemer Centurions roll out moving past the battle group, the Chimer notice and try to fall back but its too late, the Centurions already in the battle follow suite and roll ahead as well leaving the heavy centurions and the Dwemer Vvards, formed up and nearly impenetrable. the Dwemer Centurions roll with such force such Velocity, a storm of dust precedes their wake. the Chimeri Archers Fire fruitlessly in the dust but even echanted arrows that do hit simply bounce off the rolling balls, the dust envelopes the Chimeri several Magicka users serving to bolster the chimer lines and heal wounded retrieved from the battle cast fire balls at the silhouettes, the sun leaves the last of its glow as the centurions no longer reflect its sunlight and all that can be seen are the flurried fire ball cast, but it was a massacre as Centurions spun in place like saw blades rolling through and cutting down Archers, Mages and what few warriors was guarding them


"FIRE!" Ashtaal bellows, the Heavy Centurions unleash oblivion on the warriors who charged the regrouping Vvards, who dare not move and inch as they Chimer are blasted, Asthaal can see the flashes and explosions, he hears the cries to Azura and frantic screams and hysteria, the trap was sprung, the 50-70 or so remaining chimer scattered, some running directly toVvards the Dwemer centurions to the east who cut down some here and there as they return to the estate "They are retreating" Oten affirmed, He turns his attention at Asthaal, on his face was not an expression of relief or victory, but of remorse and worn. "You should return to the Vvarden Chamber sire, trust my judgment on that..."Asthaal stares into the distance for a moment, and then nods "yes...I think I should" Asthaal heads back inside as Oten gestures for defenders to enter the Estate. Inside he sees the various guests, they were already informed of the "victory" but still show concern, they are well aware its not over just yet. Asthaal heads upstairs, he can hear the humming of a child as he walks the brightly lit halls towards its source, and through a doorway he sees his daughters moving and shifting a puzzle-box with delight, as one side shifts out another shifts in clinking and clicking with each spin and press, she then turns her head to him.

"Hi Father" she smiles.


To be Continued