The Battle of Raindawn was the defense of Raindawn against Zharrek and the shapers of Shroudvale. Jin Leiyun fought Zharrek while the city's mages held off the assault. The attackers withdrew, but the fighting and Essence draining damaged the city, and Master Han died shielding its people.
Background
Zharrek's forces swept through Linsothar and Shaoying toward Thundermarch and the pass into Xalmyrra. They were seeking the relic taken by Malcairn. Emperor Feng asked Jin to protect Raindawn, which lay on their route. Kaldaryn's main army was still working through the ravaged territories farther east and could not reach the city in time.
Jin traveled to Raindawn with Zhang, Master Han, and Isrynn. Kren went to guard the nearby pass. Yingshui, the city's commander, coordinated its defense. Zhang proclaimed Tianlei's return to the gathered mages, soldiers, and refugees. Their renewed belief freely offered Essence through Jin, strengthening the god's shard.
After weeks of unsuccessful scouting, Jin found the shapers replenishing themselves at a cluster of Essence towers. Zharrek offered to end the killing and return to Shroudvale if Jin came with them, saying Tianlei's shard would serve the shapers. Instead, Jin escaped his trap and returned to prepare the city.
The Battle
Earth and water mages raised a defensive wall, while channels and water traps obstructed the attackers. Cosmic and divine mages used tower platforms to shield the city and attack the approaching army.
Zharrek began with a massive meteor. Jin could not deflect it far enough with aether magic, so he shattered it with air blasts above the city. Smaller meteors followed as the shapers spread out to flank the defenders. Zhang fought outside the walls, Yingshui and Isrynn secured the western flank, and Master Han defended from the highest tower.
Jin fought through the shapers to reach Zharrek. Unable to break his layered barriers, he drew heavily on the surrounding Essence, and Zharrek did the same. Their draining hollowed nearby shapers, withered the land, and left the river black and sluggish. Raindawn's streets and walls also lost their color and strength. Their blows and spells tore apart the surrounding ground and collapsed sections of the city's walls. One cosmic blast that Jin diverted struck shapers and allies alike.
When the surrounding Essence was exhausted, both combatants had to rely on their reserves. Jin broke through Zharrek's defenses and threw him to the ground. Zharrek then retreated with the surviving shapers. Most attackers at the pass were killed, but a few slipped through toward Xalmyrra.
Aftermath
Raindawn survived with broken walls, scorched and split streets, and hollowed dead among the ruins. Jin's own draining had contributed to the devastation. Master Han had overloaded his Essence while protecting the city from Jin and Zharrek's clash. He refused Isrynn's offer to delay his death with temporal magic and dissolved into white Essence after Tianlei acknowledged his sacrifice.
The renewed belief gave Tianlei enough Essence to speak again. He sent Jin east toward Skarnheim to follow Zharrek, while Zhang, Isrynn, and Yingshui stayed to help rebuild Raindawn. Kren returned to report to Garrik.