Other monstrous geographies - Revision history

Hailmur at 12:12, 28 May 2026

2026-05-28T12:12:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:12, 28 May 2026
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	* '''There are opportunities to try and stem the flow of vallorn power in uptime and downtime following the event		* '''There are opportunities to try and stem the flow of vallorn power in uptime and downtime following the event
	* '''The warding stones that once surrounded Béantal Dol are gone		* '''The warding stones that once surrounded Béantal Dol are gone
			* '''The casualties caused by the vallorn expansion will not be affected by the vallorn miasma
	The ghulai of the Tainted Basilisk have breached the circle of warding stones that contains the vallorn of Béantal Dol. Thanks to the Boyar’s Hasta their efforts have been only partially successful. Unfortunately, where the vallorn is concerned “partially successful” is still a significant threat.		The ghulai of the Tainted Basilisk have breached the circle of warding stones that contains the vallorn of Béantal Dol. Thanks to the Boyar’s Hasta their efforts have been only partially successful. Unfortunately, where the vallorn is concerned “partially successful” is still a significant threat.

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	What happens to Nesustak Forest and the Bloodwater Marshes, however, will depend on [[#Battle_Opportunities\|what the Empire chooses to do]]…		What happens to Nesustak Forest and the Bloodwater Marshes, however, will depend on [[#Battle_Opportunities\|what the Empire chooses to do]]…

			The vallorn of Béantal Dol ''can'' be combatted following the Spring Equinox, but it will require a significant commitment of [[army\|armies]] to prevent it consuming one or both of the threatened regions. Due to the long storing up of power, it will be attacking both regions separately with a strength of 30,000. To prevent it claiming the region and devouring almost everyone and everything in it, the Empire would need to ensure it did not get sufficient victory points to claim the region. If the vallorn is able to claim a toehold in the region, it would still be left with a quality similar to [[region qualities#Infested\|infested]].

			The good news - and there is some good news - is that the brave actions of the Boyar's Hasta and the destruction of the remaining warding stones means that the vallorn will become quiescent again after this season, whatever happens. In addition, the explosive speed with which the vallorn is unfolding into the two regions means that any downtime fighting will ''not'' be taking place under the influence of the [[vallorn miasma]].

	==Participation : Power of the Druj==		==Participation : Power of the Druj==
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	* '''Two major conjunctions to Sarangrave have been identified for the Spring Equinox but the Military Council can take advantage of only one of them		* '''Two major conjunctions to Sarangrave have been identified for the Spring Equinox but the Military Council can take advantage of only one of them
	The prognosticators have identified two '''simultaneous''' opportunities in the Sarangrave during the Spring Equinox. The first will allow the Empire to intercede in Nesustak Forest and fight the vallorn here. The other will allow them to do the same, but in Bloodwater Marsh. If the Military Council choose this battle, they will be forced to pick <i>one</i> of these two conjunctions.		The prognosticators have identified two '''simultaneous''' opportunities in the Sarangrave during the Spring Equinox. The first will allow the Empire to intercede in Nesustak Forest and fight the vallorn here. The other will allow them to do the same, but in Bloodwater Marsh. If the Military Council choose this battle, they will be forced to pick <i>one</i> of these two conjunctions.

	The vallorn of Béantal Dol can also be combatted following the Spring Equinox, but it will require a significant commitment of [[army\|armies]] to prevent it consuming one or both of the threatened regions. Due to the long storing up of power, it will be attacking both regions separately with a strength of 30,000. To prevent it claiming the region and devouring almost everyone and everything in it, the Empire would need to ensure it did not get 10 victory points. Fewer than that and it is likely the region would still be left with a quality similar to [[region qualities#Infested\|infested]].

	The good news - and there is some good news - is that the brave actions of the Boyar's Hasta and the destruction of the remaining warding stones means that the vallorn will become quiescent again after this season, whatever happens. In addition, the explosive speed with which the vallorn is unfolding into the two regions means that any downtime fighting will ''not'' be taking place under the influence of the [[vallorn miasma]].

Twiggy: /* End of All Songs */

2026-05-28T11:54:39Z

End of All Songs

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:54, 28 May 2026
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	But mostly what they have been doing is watching for the Tainted Basilisk. Watching the eaves of Bendol. Watching the pathetic Grynbor as they honoured the aberration at the heart of Sarangrave. When the ghulai make their move, the Varushkans are ready to oppose them at every turn.		But mostly what they have been doing is watching for the Tainted Basilisk. Watching the eaves of Bendol. Watching the pathetic Grynbor as they honoured the aberration at the heart of Sarangrave. When the ghulai make their move, the Varushkans are ready to oppose them at every turn.

	Observation indicates that the Tainted Basilisk have splintered as they moved, still hidden under their Night magic shroud. They spread their forces around the outskirts of Bendol, at key positions about the circumference of the ~~warning~~ stones. Their shroud protects them only while they are moving; the longer they stay in one place the easier it is to see where they are, to see the mists that hide them from prying eyes gather. When their agents reach the outskirts of Turan, the Boyar’s Hasta strike. A sudden ambush, a vicious fight of scouts and [[Arkad#Vikari\|vikari]] that leaves most of the Druj dead. Most, but not all. Some of the ghulai are taken alive, interrogated, forced to reveal their intent.		Observation indicates that the Tainted Basilisk have splintered as they moved, still hidden under their Night magic shroud. They spread their forces around the outskirts of Bendol, at key positions about the circumference of the warding stones. Their shroud protects them only while they are moving; the longer they stay in one place the easier it is to see where they are, to see the mists that hide them from prying eyes gather. When their agents reach the outskirts of Turan, the Boyar’s Hasta strike. A sudden ambush, a vicious fight of scouts and [[Arkad#Vikari\|vikari]] that leaves most of the Druj dead. Most, but not all. Some of the ghulai are taken alive, interrogated, forced to reveal their intent.

	They plan to breach the warding stones, to undo what the Terunael did in those last days after the disastrous ritual that brought the vallorn into being. They will unleash Béantal Dol, and it will wash across the Sarangrave, devouring armies and rebels alike. A fitting retribution, laughs one half-mad sorcerer. The folly of ancient humans, killing and consuming their distant heirs.		They plan to breach the warding stones, to undo what the Terunael did in those last days after the disastrous ritual that brought the vallorn into being. They will unleash Béantal Dol, and it will wash across the Sarangrave, devouring armies and rebels alike. A fitting retribution, laughs one half-mad sorcerer. The folly of ancient humans, killing and consuming their distant heirs.

Twiggy: /* End of All Songs */

2026-05-28T11:53:14Z

End of All Songs

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:53, 28 May 2026
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	<div style="float: right; max-width: 40%; width: 600px; margin-left: 10px;">		<div style="float: right; max-width: 40%; width: 600px; margin-left: 10px;">
	<quote by="Serafina Semenov, General of the Boyar’s Hasta">Hasta! You have worked like the bee at summers head, watched like the Spider watches its web. Let's now use that vigilance to spy on the Druj, To see what vallorn waking tactics they may use. But before the road calls us, raise a tankard high to our cousins in Ossium slaying peelers where they lie. With Hounds Hall, new forces ride along our own, and the best heckle from me earns a throne. With Courage, there is not a line that cannot break, there is not a thing the Druj hold that we cannot take.</quote></div>		<quote by="Serafina Semenov, General of the Boyar’s Hasta">Hasta! You have worked like the bee at summers head, watched like the Spider watches its web. Let's now use that vigilance to spy on the Druj, To see what vallorn waking tactics they may use. But before the road calls us, raise a tankard high to our cousins in Ossium slaying peelers where they lie. With Hounds Hall, new forces ride along our own, and the best heckle from me earns a throne. With Courage, there is not a line that cannot break, there is not a thing the Druj hold that we cannot take.</quote></div>
	When Sephals fell, they were already in motion. An army of Druj [[Night magic#Obfuscation\|obfuscated]] beneath a shroud. The thunderous rain must have seemed a boon to them, making it even easier for them to move east from Thornfen to the edges of Bendol. To where the great ring of Terunael warding stones holds in the floodtide of this ancient terror. A vallorn with the full power of a [[Brocéliande]] or a [[Axos#~~Axos~~ Territories\|~~Visokumo~~]], packed into a single region of verdant ruins.		When Sephals fell, they were already in motion. An army of Druj [[Night magic#Obfuscation\|obfuscated]] beneath a shroud. The thunderous rain must have seemed a boon to them, making it even easier for them to move east from Thornfen to the edges of Bendol. To where the great ring of Terunael warding stones holds in the floodtide of this ancient terror. A vallorn with the full power of [[Brocéliande]] or [[Axos#Axou Territories\|Visokuma]], packed into a single region of verdant ruins.

	Unmarked, the Tainted Basilisk come to Bendol and as the gates of the Tower of the Skink begin to splinter, they begin their terrible work.		Unmarked, the Tainted Basilisk come to Bendol and as the gates of the Tower of the Skink begin to splinter, they begin their terrible work.

Vsabo: /* At the Gate of Despair */

2026-05-27T22:09:11Z

At the Gate of Despair

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:09, 27 May 2026
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	As the assault begins, the skies ''truly'' open. The wind rises, howling around the ramparts, driving the rain almost horizontal. Fighters struggle in the mud, their footing suddenly treacherous on the rainslick ground. Visibility plummets, a massive battle between Empire and Druj, between virtue and hate, reduced to a hundred scattered skirmishes by the walls of water. Thunder rumbles, barely audible over the pounding of the rain. Yet the deafening beat of the ram is louder still, ringing out across the battlefield like the heartbeat of some terrible beast of war. Orc and human, Druj and Imperial, alike fall in the sucking mud and the rising tides, eyes and lungs choking with earth and drowning with filthy water.		As the assault begins, the skies ''truly'' open. The wind rises, howling around the ramparts, driving the rain almost horizontal. Fighters struggle in the mud, their footing suddenly treacherous on the rainslick ground. Visibility plummets, a massive battle between Empire and Druj, between virtue and hate, reduced to a hundred scattered skirmishes by the walls of water. Thunder rumbles, barely audible over the pounding of the rain. Yet the deafening beat of the ram is louder still, ringing out across the battlefield like the heartbeat of some terrible beast of war. Orc and human, Druj and Imperial, alike fall in the sucking mud and the rising tides, eyes and lungs choking with earth and drowning with filthy water.

	And then, with the storm at its height, the lion-faced battering ram of stone and mithril hits something within the solid stone of the gate. A point of weakness that had endured for hundreds of years, since the doors were first raised. A fracture line buried in the rock where only a mighty blow would uncover it. Perhaps the terrible rhythm of the blows, has weakened the gate. Perhaps it is something else. But whatever the reason, the hammering blow causes the stone first to crack and splinter, and then with a terrible roaring noise, to break.		And then, with the storm at its height, the lion-faced battering ram of stone and mithril hits something within the solid stone of the gate. A point of weakness that had endured for hundreds of years, since the doors were first raised. A fracture line buried in the rock where only a mighty blow would uncover it. Perhaps the terrible rhythm of the blows has weakened the gate. Perhaps it is something else. But whatever the reason, the hammering blow causes the stone first to crack and splinter, and then with a terrible roaring noise, to break.

	Another blow, another, battering against that point of weakness, opening the hole, pounding through the feet-thick stone. The flaw exposed, the gate begins to fragment apart. A terrible cry of despair goes up from inside the Tower of the Skink. The door is falling! After centuries of defiance, one of the two great doors of the Tower of the Skink is falling!		Another blow, another, battering against that point of weakness, opening the hole, pounding through the feet-thick stone. The flaw exposed, the gate begins to fragment apart. A terrible cry of despair goes up from inside the Tower of the Skink. The door is falling! After centuries of defiance, one of the two great doors of the Tower of the Skink is falling!

Vsabo: /* At the Gate of Despair */

2026-05-27T22:04:04Z

At the Gate of Despair

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:04, 27 May 2026
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	As the rain pounds the canvas above their heads, captains and commanders argue back and forth, seeking some solution to the walls and the gate. The opportunity to starve the defenders out is there, but there is no telling how well provisioned they are to withstand such a siege. The presence of two extra armies inside must be putting their supplies under pressure, but how much is difficult to say. There were many storehouses in Sephals and most were empty by the time the Druj were forced to abandon their position there. Worse, the healing power of the waters of life will help maintain the strength of the Druj just as it maintains the strength of the Empire.		As the rain pounds the canvas above their heads, captains and commanders argue back and forth, seeking some solution to the walls and the gate. The opportunity to starve the defenders out is there, but there is no telling how well provisioned they are to withstand such a siege. The presence of two extra armies inside must be putting their supplies under pressure, but how much is difficult to say. There were many storehouses in Sephals and most were empty by the time the Druj were forced to abandon their position there. Worse, the healing power of the waters of life will help maintain the strength of the Druj just as it maintains the strength of the Empire.

	The heavy rains help, but also ~~hinders~~. While it protects from long-range attacks, if it continues for much longer the Imperial armies risk becoming bogged down. And it shows little sign of letting up. Indeed, runners from the forces left behind in Sephals warn that the streets of the town are already starting to flood as the waters released from Jarangir’s Levy are deepened by a week of unrelenting rain.		The heavy rains help, but also hinder. While it protects from long-range attacks, if it continues for much longer the Imperial armies risk becoming bogged down. And it shows little sign of letting up. Indeed, runners from the forces left behind in Sephals warn that the streets of the town are already starting to flood as the waters released from Jarangir’s Levy are deepened by a week of unrelenting rain.

	In the end, the decision is made to try and take the Tower while the opportunity still remains. A second heavy battering ram is constructed. Rather than being made of wood, it is formed from a white granite column ripped from a Druj palace in Sephals, carried south through the downpour by orcs of the Summer Storm, and shaped by Urizeni engineers. At the last moment, a contingent of Navarr arrive from elsewhere in Sarangrave with a quartet of [[Great Forest Orcs]] freed from the weirwood grove in Whisperwood. They set to work shaping a weirwood frame to carry the ram, with the aid of their Navarr friends. The Boyar's Hasta contributes an amount of looted mithril armour and weapons which, when swiftly melted down by Dawnish smiths, serve to bind and reinforce it with the snarling face of a great maned lion.		In the end, the decision is made to try and take the Tower while the opportunity still remains. A second heavy battering ram is constructed. Rather than being made of wood, it is formed from a white granite column ripped from a Druj palace in Sephals, carried south through the downpour by orcs of the Summer Storm, and shaped by Urizeni engineers. At the last moment, a contingent of Navarr arrive from elsewhere in Sarangrave with a quartet of [[Great Forest Orcs]] freed from the weirwood grove in Whisperwood. They set to work shaping a weirwood frame to carry the ram, with the aid of their Navarr friends. The Boyar's Hasta contributes an amount of looted mithril armour and weapons which, when swiftly melted down by Dawnish smiths, serve to bind and reinforce it with the snarling face of a great maned lion.

Vsabo: /* At the Gate of Despair */

2026-05-27T22:01:30Z

At the Gate of Despair

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:01, 27 May 2026
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	Not that it is easy to feel for its size through the sheets of rain falling all around. Its towers scrape the clouds, but to be fair the clouds are very low at the moment weighed down with water. The banners of the lizard and the snake hang limp and bedraggled, soaked through, cheap dyes running down the wall in streams of sickly green and bloody red.		Not that it is easy to feel for its size through the sheets of rain falling all around. Its towers scrape the clouds, but to be fair the clouds are very low at the moment weighed down with water. The banners of the lizard and the snake hang limp and bedraggled, soaked through, cheap dyes running down the wall in streams of sickly green and bloody red.

	The walls are defended three ranks deep with Druj archers, but the rain makes it difficult for them to ~~dark~~ the sky any more than it already is. The Eastern Sky has great covered rams to manoeuvre into position, to assault the gates, but even they are a little taken aback at the sheer ''size'' of the things. Not of wood, not even weirwood, but of white granite these doors must need a team of slaves straining on a net of ropes to open and close. The rams of the Empire will struggle to do more than dent them.		The walls are defended three ranks deep with Druj archers, but the rain makes it difficult for them to darken the sky any more than it already is. The Eastern Sky has great covered rams to manoeuvre into position, to assault the gates, but even they are a little taken aback at the sheer ''size'' of the things. Not of wood, not even weirwood, but of white granite these doors must need a team of slaves straining on a net of ropes to open and close. The rams of the Empire will struggle to do more than dent them.
	<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: left;">		<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: left;">
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=Aurum8565.png\|\|caption=Dame Aurum De Castellan, General of the Eastern Sky\|align=right\|width=200}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=Aurum8565.png\|\|caption=Dame Aurum De Castellan, General of the Eastern Sky\|align=right\|width=200}}

Vsabo: /* At the Gate of Despair */

2026-05-27T22:00:06Z

At the Gate of Despair

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:00, 27 May 2026
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	==At the Gate of Despair==		==At the Gate of Despair==

	Through curtains of rain the Imperial force marches south to the Tower. Few are prepared for the sheer size of the fortification; it spreads across the horizon occupying the space between the foothills ~~connect~~ the Mallum and the lands of Axos to the south. Its towers are immense, dwarfing those of the Spires of the Dusk in their immensity. This is a chaotic structure of stone and weirwood, and mithril spikes, and ironbound ramparts. This is the last true stronghold of the Druj in Sarangrave, shouting defiance of the forces of virtue to the heavens.		Through curtains of rain the Imperial force marches south to the Tower. Few are prepared for the sheer size of the fortification; it spreads across the horizon occupying the space between the foothills connecting the Mallum and the lands of Axos to the south. Its towers are immense, dwarfing those of the Spires of the Dusk in their immensity. This is a chaotic structure of stone and weirwood, and mithril spikes, and ironbound ramparts. This is the last true stronghold of the Druj in Sarangrave, shouting defiance of the forces of virtue to the heavens.

	Not that it is easy to feel for its size through the sheets of rain falling all around. Its towers scrape the clouds, but to be fair the clouds are very low at the moment weighed down with water. The banners of the lizard and the snake hang limp and bedraggled, soaked through, cheap dyes running down the wall in streams of sickly green and bloody red.		Not that it is easy to feel for its size through the sheets of rain falling all around. Its towers scrape the clouds, but to be fair the clouds are very low at the moment weighed down with water. The banners of the lizard and the snake hang limp and bedraggled, soaked through, cheap dyes running down the wall in streams of sickly green and bloody red.

Vsabo: /* Wall Like A Dam */

2026-05-27T21:33:00Z

Wall Like A Dam

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:33, 27 May 2026
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	==Wall Like A Dam==		==Wall Like A Dam==
	The Tower has weathered the joint Imperial and Axou attack so far. Even with their [[Fire_and_the_flood#Shield_of_Our_Ancestors\|martial "necromantia"]], the ability of the allies to work together is limited thanks ~~the~~ the massive castle that lies between them. Spectral messengers still flit back and forth through the impassable hills, bearing messages and allowing the separate forces to coordinate, but it is no substitute for actually fighting together. The Empire, likewise, makes use of magic to help the disparate forces [[Clarity of the Master Strategist\|adapt their strategies]] to the ever-shifting battlefield, and the wicked cunning of the Druj.		The Tower has weathered the joint Imperial and Axou attack so far. Even with their [[Fire_and_the_flood#Shield_of_Our_Ancestors\|martial "necromantia"]], the ability of the allies to work together is limited thanks to the massive castle that lies between them. Spectral messengers still flit back and forth through the impassable hills, bearing messages and allowing the separate forces to coordinate, but it is no substitute for actually fighting together. The Empire, likewise, makes use of magic to help the disparate forces [[Clarity of the Master Strategist\|adapt their strategies]] to the ever-shifting battlefield, and the wicked cunning of the Druj.
	The garrison of the Tower itself is massive, well-equipped with potions and blade venoms, supported by the desperate residents of the fortress and those who fled the town of Sephals to that uncertain sanctuary. Five armies of the Empire move to lay siege to the place.		The garrison of the Tower itself is massive, well-equipped with potions and blade venoms, supported by the desperate residents of the fortress and those who fled the town of Sephals to that uncertain sanctuary. Five armies of the Empire move to lay siege to the place.
	<div style="float: right; max-width: 40%; width: 600px; margin-left: 10px;">		<div style="float: right; max-width: 40%; width: 600px; margin-left: 10px;">

Vsabo: /* The End of Winter */

2026-05-27T21:31:58Z

The End of Winter

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:31, 27 May 2026
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	Of the forces engaged with the Druj last season, only the [[Boyar's Hasta]], the [[Summer Storm]], and the [[Lions of Adelmar]] have remained. The [[Granite Pillar]] and the [[Golden Axe]] have pulled back to [[Dawn]], to recover perhaps from the horror of the Sarangrave. The [[Druj miasma]] still hangs heavily over the entire territory, of course, stronger and thicker than anywhere the Empire has encountered it before. It is no surprise that those who fight under such conditions need to fall back, to recover from wounds not just physical but spiritual as well.		Of the forces engaged with the Druj last season, only the [[Boyar's Hasta]], the [[Summer Storm]], and the [[Lions of Adelmar]] have remained. The [[Granite Pillar]] and the [[Golden Axe]] have pulled back to [[Dawn]], to recover perhaps from the horror of the Sarangrave. The [[Druj miasma]] still hangs heavily over the entire territory, of course, stronger and thicker than anywhere the Empire has encountered it before. It is no surprise that those who fight under such conditions need to fall back, to recover from wounds not just physical but spiritual as well.

	In their place come the [[Eastern Sky]], [[Gryphon's Pride]], and [[Citadel Guard]] out of [[Semmerholm]], and the [[Navarr]] of the [[Quiet Step]] from [[Astolat]]. They pass swiftly through [[the Barrens#The Bleaks\|the Bleaks]]; the Karass mark their passage silently their faces unreadable. From there, across the [[Sarangrave#Turan Flats\|Turan Flats]] to the wreck of Thornfen.		In their place come the [[Eastern Sky]], [[Gryphon's Pride]], and [[Citadel Guard]] out of [[Semmerholm]], and the [[Navarr]] of the [[Quiet Step]] from [[Astolat]]. They pass swiftly through [[the Barrens#The Bleaks\|the Bleaks]]; the Karass mark their passage silently, their faces unreadable. From there, across the [[Sarangrave#Turan Flats\|Turan Flats]] to the wreck of Thornfen.

	Last season, the Druj [[Fire_and_the_flood#Jarangir's_Levy\|broke Jarangir’s Levy]], unleashing a flood that scattered attackers and defenders alike. The waters have subsided now, for the moment at least, but they have washed away the few roads, as well as wrecking farms and smaller settlements across the northern region. It is in the wake of that flood that the Empire renews its assault against the Tower of the Skink.		Last season, the Druj [[Fire_and_the_flood#Jarangir's_Levy\|broke Jarangir’s Levy]], unleashing a flood that scattered attackers and defenders alike. The waters have subsided now, for the moment at least, but they have washed away the few roads, as well as wrecking farms and smaller settlements across the northern region. It is in the wake of that flood that the Empire renews its assault against the Tower of the Skink.

Dre at 19:42, 27 May 2026

2026-05-27T19:42:34Z

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