Attack on Ishtanur

Overview

The Attack on Ishtanur is the failed allied assault on Ishtanur during the campaign against Zain, Raphael, and their allies. The strike targets Ulzathir's capital. Zain is away at Rimvold. The attackers aim to break his power before he can return.

Course

Simon, Aelius, Vianna, Kren, Lysander, Splin, and allied troops advance through Ulzathir after taking Zhurakûn. Near Ishtanur, they meet prepared defenders, Malverand-style ships, divine and cosmic shields, and the forces left under Zhulkar, Khezriya, and Qadir.

The attackers push hard enough to devastate the outer districts and surrounding forest. Simon rains meteors onto the battlefield, Aelius fights with plasma and the Glaive of Frost and Fire, Vianna uses plasma blades, ice, and blue flame, Kren shields her with air magic and carries her forward on air currents, Lysander shields the army, and Splin protects soldiers with starfield barriers and sonic shockwaves.

The defense holds around the shielded heart of the city. Zhulkar duels Aelius after nearly killing Vianna, Qadir moves through Ishtanur's shield lines as a fast aether mage, Khezriya directs the Ulzathir counter-bombardment, and Archibald fortifies Ishtanur with advanced divine shield generators. The defenders keep replacing damaged generators, maintaining layered divine and cosmic shields even as the attackers drain their essence cores.

Outcome

Simon halts the Attack on Ishtanur and meets Zhulkar, Archibald, and Khezriya at the shield line. He offers to spare Ulzathir if the defenders stand down. Zhulkar and Khezriya refuse. Zhulkar knows Ozaith's public identity is false. He defends Zain because he believes Ulzathir needs a ruler.

The Attack on Ishtanur ends when danger from the Rimvold front reaches the attackers through Spin and Splin. Aelius orders a retreat, the army withdraws, and an eerie red glow heads toward Ishtanur; soon afterward, Zain flies back to Ishtanur at high speed, wreathed in red sparks, and collapses in front of Khezriya and Zhulkar. Zhulkar's defense keeps Ulzathir in control of Ishtanur.