Last time, on CYOA, as written by Skipper of WoW Druid: Click Here.

And now, as the saga concludes:

Fully surrounded by the death and devastation that the Scourge had laid before him, Corrigan had the most brutal of decisions to make. He could try and rally his men and hope that reinforcements from elsewhere in the kingdom could swing the tide…or he could try to help the citizens escape, and know that doing so would sacrifice his once-loyal soldiers.

“Serve…protect…” He muttered under his breath as he slowly backed away, battling internally before finally closing his eyes for a brief second. “Light guide me to make the correct choice…”

And with his words, the fog in his mind cleared and his priorities fell into place – he was to protect his citizens, those he was sworn to guard – even if he and his troops were to fall in the process. Calling upon strength he wasn’t aware he still possessed, Corrigen bellowed, “Hear me, soldiers! Fight, as though your lives depended on it. The Light will guide your way!”

‘And let it guide me as well,’ he thought to himself as he turned his back on his soldiers, turning to head further into the city to encourage the citizens to flee en masse.

But before Corrigan even managed a few steps he heard heavy footsteps behind him and the unmistakable stench of the recently dead filled his nostrils. As he turned his head, he saw an impossible sight – Rufus stood before him. Only, there was little that remained of the Rufus he once knew.

This undead Rufus, raised as a death knight, pointed an accusatory finger at Corrigan, preying on his insecurities and managed an almost malicious sneer on its ghastly face. “A true commander does not abandon his troops…” whispered the air, sending a chill down Corrigan’s spine.

“No…” he whispered. “I’m not a coward…I’m not…”

The undead Rufus swung a mighty axe and silenced the once commanding Paladin, ending the conversation as quickly as it had began.

CORRIGAN HAS DIED!

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Last time, on CYOA, as written by Fulguralis of Killing ‘Em Slowly:Click Here.

And now, as the saga continues to unfold:

Corrigan paused for a moment as he considered his options. While the southern gate would put him further away from the Scourge attackers, the east offered the possibility that they could shortcut through the foothills.

“The Eastern Gate,” Corrigan finally answered, with far more resolve then he thought possible. “We shall make for the hills, and escape through the caves.”

There was danger with this decision, of course. The caves could be occupied by bandits or worse. The scourge could see the escape attempts and move to cut them off. Or the thin ranks at the gate could be overwhelmed while Corrigan waited to take action…

With this thought in mind, Corrigan gazed through his paltry ranks and finally spotted a Lieutenant, his young face still pock-marked by acne. Deep in the recesses of his mind the name ‘Lionhart’ processed, and after snorting derisively at the irony, he called out, “Lieutenant Lionhart, I require your ear!”

The solider, having already mounted his stead, and older chestnut mare, galloped over then gazed up at the commander with wide eyes. “Yes-s-s-s sir?”

“I order you to lead this group of citizens and soldiers out of the east gate,” Corrigan told him as he watched the man’s face go white with fear. “I will bring up the rear to ensure that no scourge breaks our ranks.” Before Lionhart could move, Corrigan added, almost as an afterthought, “Take Rondrey with you.”

The old priest gazed at Corrigan with a mixture of disgust and surprise, and once young Lionhart was out of earshot, Rondrey hissed softly, “You are a fool to send me to the front.”

“Perhaps I am,” Corrigan retorted softly. “But these people can live without this fool, should that be necessary. You on the other hand…” Corrigan watched as the Rondrey’s eyes softened slightly, and he quickly added in a more commanding voice. “Go. Go now.”

Rondrey headed towards the front of the rag-tag group but paused, turning back to face the Commander. “Light be with you, Commander.”

Corrigan nodded briefly, then bellowed, “We march!” and watched as Lionhart, despite his fears, began to lead the citizens towards the east gate. Corrigan continued to watch until he saw the last back of the last citizen escape from his view, and it was only then that he took off in that direction.

The group made surprisingly good time to the foothills of the east but then their progress seemed to slow, and finally, a young squire came running back, face red from exertion. “Commander Sir…” he panted. “The Lieutenant wishes to know if we should cut through the path ahead…”

Corrigan squinted off into the distance and could barely make out the path in question, and knowing it lead to a system of tunnels beneath the hills, he nodded to the affirmative. “Yes lad. Go quickly and tell him. We have little time to waste!”

And indeed, a glance over Corrigan’s shoulder showed darkening skies that weren’t caused by any weather phenomenon known to man. No…those eerie grey and green looking clouds could only mean one thing – the Scourge had broken through the main gates.

Hastily, the group took off again, moving towards a cave that would lead to a tunnel that may well mean their freedom – at least for now – from the scourge. They seemed to be making good time when suddenly they stopped, doing so in such an abrupt manner that Corrigan nearly trampled several citizens in his attempt to whoa his horse.

As Corrigan tried to assess this situation, he saw Rondrey limping back his way from the front, aided by the shoulder of one of the citizens. “What in the name of the Light happened to you?” Corrigan cried out as he leaps from his horse and approached the old priest, belatedly realizing that the man was bleeding badly from the head.

“Cave…” Rondrey whispered, as his body spasmed. “They jumped Lionhart…” was all that he managed to get out before he passed out, too beaten and exhausted to continue.

As Corrigan gazed at the old priest at his feet, he became aware of the increasing volume of buzzing behind him. The green and grey clouds were getting closer.

“Great…” he mumbled under his breath. “Now what in the Light shall I do?”

YOU CONTROL THE FATE OF CORRIGAN AND THE TOWNSFOLK

If you think Corrigan should turn and fight the oncoming Scourge, the story continues next Wednesday at DeathCoil.org.

If you think Corrigan should gather up what remains of his group and try another cave, the story continues next Wednesday at Creep the Prophet.

If you think Corrigan should charge ahead and try to rescue Lionhart, the story continues next Wednesday at Sideshow and Syrana.

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Yet again got a round about tag from Anea, here…

She was tagged by Pixelated Executioner, who was tagged by Miss Elf, who was tagged by Eresin, who was tagged by Davlin who was tagged by Harii who started this whole mess.

Confused yet? Good.

This is supposed to be done “in character”, so here goes…

1. What is your name and where did it come from?
Grimtorn: I’m not honestly sure. It may have been my name prior to this…existence…that I have now. It is my name now, and that’s all that matters.
2. How old are you and what is your birthday?
Grimtorn: *arches a furry eyebrow* Your guess is as good as mine. Does this “second-life” start as a do-over?
3. Are you in love and with whom?
Grimtorn: I have no emotional attachments.
4. What is your favorite mount and why?
Grimtorn: I have acquired a Winged Steed of the Ebon Blade. I believe it was previously an Alliance flying bird of some sort.
5. Do you prefer a certain type of Azerothian meal and where do you get it from?
Grimtorn: Though I do not require food any longer, I have been known to indulge in Dragonfin Filet. The hunter, Malanior, tends to package it up and mail it to me.
6. You know those giant mushrooms in Zangarmarsh? What is your theory on how they came to be and why are they so huge?
Grimtorn: Probably the work of my former master.
7. If you saw the Lich King walking toward you, what would you do?
Grimtorn: He has approached me many times. He has made me whatever this is I am today. He destroyed any traces of my humanity, then left me to fend for myself in a world no longer familiar to me. The undead may call themselves Forsaken, but it is those of us he left behind who are truly the Forsaken.

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