AFTERWORD

Chapter 73

Chapter 60

Overview

Carl and his team execute a coordinated multi-front assault on King's Point, the orc headquarters. The airship makes a bombing run on an invisible shield-protected target while dwarves trigger a volcanic eruption on the mountain housing the castle, and Meatus the feral god battles Harpocrates across the battlefield, accidentally aiding the attack by breaching the Dream castle's defenses.

Summary

The chapter opens with Mordecai warning Donut not to use his PA system while Harpocrates, the silent god, is present. Carl learns that Meatus—a two-part being consisting of a gremlin fused with Harpocrates's severed organ—is fighting Harpocrates across the map. Meatus is sapient, loves music, and refuses to be reclaimed. Florin reports a massive mechanized scorpion tank piloted by Warlord Stalwart emerging on the south flank. Louis pilots the airship toward King's Point castle in darkness, while Bomo and Sledge operate missile support from Shanty Town. Carl uses Overclocked to arm the bombs as they reach the target. The airship drops a full payload of No Disassemble and Waffle Maker bombs on an invisible shield-protected target, breaching its defenses before a green death ray from a synergy tower forces them to flee. Meanwhile, the dwarves successfully agitate lava tubes in the mountain beneath King's Point, triggering rapid eruption. Meatus defeats Harpocrates in combat and sends him flying into the Dream castle, destroying its deflector towers and breaching its shields, causing remaining elves to flee. The dwarves report the orcs activate an emergency backup shield over the mountain as pressure builds catastrophically. The mountain explodes with the airship dangerously close.

Characters

  • CarlCoordinates the bombing run and assault from the airship, monitors multiple battle channels while trying to restrain himself from micromanaging
  • MordecaiExplains the mythological conflict between Meatus and Harpocrates to prevent Donut from alerting the silent god
  • DonutOperates the PA system excitedly, discovers the play button, provides real-time commentary on the Meatus versus Harpocrates battle
  • LouisPilot of the airship Party Planner, executes the bombing run on King's Point castle
  • SamanthaObserves from Carl's lap and the cockpit, reacts enthusiastically to the bombing run
  • BonnieObserves from the airship, attempts to identify mysterious shield-protected targets with gnomish farseer
  • SkarnObserves from the airship's side during the bombing run
  • FlorinCommands ground forces facing the mechanized tank and orc units on the south flank
  • BritneyCoordinates multiple battle fronts and relays orders between airship, dwarves, and ground forces
  • BomoOperates missile support controls from Shanty Town alongside Sledge
  • SledgeOperates missile support controls from Shanty Town alongside Bomo, launches chaff and Mute missiles at painted targets
  • SemeruCoordinates on standby awaiting confirmation of the bomb run
  • RosettaCoordinates campaign operations and officially hands off southern campaign to Donut
  • ImaniComments on the failure of deflector towers to contain the gods
  • ElleMentioned as positioned in Reaver territory adjacent to the eruption zone
  • MeatusFeral god fighting Harpocrates across the battlefield; accidentally breaches Dream castle shields by sending Harpocrates flying into it
  • HarpocratesSilent god defeated by Meatus in combat and sent flying into the Dream castle
  • Warlord StalwartOrc pilot of the massive mechanized scorpion tank attacking the south flank
  • The KingMentioned as occupant of King's Point castle, target of the assault