Not being familiar with Ghyran, Argannon had decided to make a slow approach of the Slidecrown Isle. He did not yet know what had drawn them here but many, varied forces were approaching the island. So instead of leading the Fangs of the Deep straight into an unknown situation the Beast Master decided to send out scouting forces.
One such scouting force, under the leadership of the Soulscryer Atalach, came across a warband devoted to the foul god Nurgle that had broken into two rival camps. Seeing an opportunity to strike a blow, however small, against their hated enemies and maybe collect some useful intelligence from any potential prisoners Atalach had his warriors approach stealthily. He intended to wait until a fight broke out between the worshippers of the ruinous powers and then ambush them. The resulting confusion should make it easy to defeat both parties.
It was a good plan, and well executed. The Idoneth Warriors managed to get quite close without being discovered. Namati Thralls and Reavers, a unit of Ishlaen Guards and even a fierce Allopex were all ready to launch a devastating attack. Unfortunately they were not the only ones. As arrows were loosened from Whispebows and Lanmari Blades swung, Fangmora Eels and the mighty Allopex tore at chaos-corrupted flesh a horde of slavering undead attacked from the other side of the battlefield.
Ironically the attack of the repulsive ghouls resulted in the warriors of Chaos becoming aware that they were ambushed much quicker and thus they could offer a much more coordinated resistance. Although the Idoneth did cause respectable losses among the Chaos worshippers, it quickly became clear that this would not be the quick, decisive strike that Atalach had planned. It would be a draw-out fight against a foe that was much better prepared than expected. A much more perilous position than Soulscryer wanted to be in. And when a flying monstrosity of bone and rotting muscle joined the fight that position rapidly became untenable.
Seeing no way to save the day, Atalach made a difficult decision. Since he had put the scouting force into this position he would be the one to pay. He would remain behind with a unit of Namati Thralls to give the rest of the scouts the chance to retreat. If there would be no victory here then he at least could ensure that the information they had collected about the Slidecrown Isle and the other powers having their eyes on it made it back to Argannon.
So, as Atalach used his Talúnhook to decapitate a chaos champion, moments before he himself was crushed beneath the claws of the undead monster, the rest of the Idoneth Deepkin fled the battle they could not win.
