The dose makes the poison - Revision history

Hailmur at 15:43, 18 September 2026

2026-09-18T15:43:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:43, 18 September 2026
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	The dour Varushkan warriors are bound around with [[Day magic]] that grants vital [[Clarity of the Master Strategist\|clarity]] for the battle that is to come. A half-handful of [[Military unit\|Imperial captains]] accompany them, but for the most part it is the warriors of the Axe alone that walk south out of the Barrens into the ruin of the Lower Tarn. As they march, orcs watch them from the trees. The Karass resent the Last Battle, and resent the Imperials who visit. They make no effort to impede the army - they are not so brave - but neither do they offer any aid. It's doubtful they have much to give anyway; their warriors are busy in [[the Mallum]] after all.		The dour Varushkan warriors are bound around with [[Day magic]] that grants vital [[Clarity of the Master Strategist\|clarity]] for the battle that is to come. A half-handful of [[Military unit\|Imperial captains]] accompany them, but for the most part it is the warriors of the Axe alone that walk south out of the Barrens into the ruin of the Lower Tarn. As they march, orcs watch them from the trees. The Karass resent the Last Battle, and resent the Imperials who visit. They make no effort to impede the army - they are not so brave - but neither do they offer any aid. It's doubtful they have much to give anyway; their warriors are busy in [[the Mallum]] after all.
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=~~GeneralGoldenAxe~~.jpg\|caption='''Vojsuli Cherenkov''' (right), General of the Golden Axe\|align=right\|width=300}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=Vojsuli Cherenkov.jpg\|caption='''Vojsuli Cherenkov''' (right), General of the Golden Axe\|align=right\|width=300}}
	So, gathering momentum as they go, the Golden Axe leaves the Bleaks and enters a Therunin that is, at least in theory, still held by the Druj.		So, gathering momentum as they go, the Golden Axe leaves the Bleaks and enters a Therunin that is, at least in theory, still held by the Druj.

Novemberalice at 15:51, 9 September 2026

2026-09-09T15:51:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:51, 9 September 2026
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	<div {{floatleft}}>{{CaptionedImage\|file=Axe of Dusk.jpg\|align=left\|caption=The Golden Axe brave the rotting marshes of Therunin, and the spiteful poison that pools there.\|width=500}}</div>		<div {{floatleft}}>{{CaptionedImage\|file=Axe of Dusk.jpg\|align=left\|caption=The Golden Axe brave the rotting marshes of Therunin, and the spiteful poison that pools there.\|width=500}}</div>
	==Gold Axe and Iron Boot==		==Gold Axe and Iron Boot==
			{{audio\|link= https://youtu.be/kGkKpXXsfT0?is=UJJbDoMIdaUrJFX3}}
	The rich bayou and dense forests of [[Therunin]] are a shadow of what they once were. Since the [[Ashes#Ring_of_Ashes\|surprise assault]] of the Druj a little over two years ago, the [[Navarr]] territory has been torn by war and poison, ravaged by [[Spring magic#Chaos\|chaos]] and [[Spring magic#Ruin\|ruin]]. The [[Thimble]] was lost, the [[Therunin#Holt_of_the_Oak_(ruined)\|Holt of the Oak]] fell, [[Isaella's Dance]] and the [[Iron Helms]] made the ultimate sacrifice to help their allies win free of a Druj trap, the ancient hospital of [[Therunin#Peakedge Stead\|Peakedge Stead]], the newly built apothecary college of [[Thornsinger#Thornsong House\|Thornsong House]] burned, and [[Ossegrahn\|Lord Rain]] withdrew his healing rains from the Empire. Worse, the wicked sorcerers of the [[Druj_armies#Tainted_Basilisk\|Tainted Basilisk]] roused the vallorn of Tharunind. Only the [[Songs_like_trees#That_Hill_and_Wood_Shall_Slay\|valiant efforts]] of [[Wolves of War\|League soldiers]] and [[Golden Sun\|Dawnish knights]] saved [[Therunin#Peakedge Stead\|Peakedge Stead]] from being overwhelmed; only the courage of [[Pilgrim's Defiance\|Highborn pilgrims]] protected [[Therunin#East Ashes\|East Ashes]] from [[A_bright_cerulean_flame\|being consumed]]. Despite all that sacrifice, all that valorous desperation, [[Therunin#Eastring\|Eastring]] was [[Crimson_and_green\|still lost]] and while the Druj paid a high price for their arrogance, there is no hope of the steadings or the [[weirwood]] groves being recovered until that day when the Empire takes the final battle to the vallorn.		The rich bayou and dense forests of [[Therunin]] are a shadow of what they once were. Since the [[Ashes#Ring_of_Ashes\|surprise assault]] of the Druj a little over two years ago, the [[Navarr]] territory has been torn by war and poison, ravaged by [[Spring magic#Chaos\|chaos]] and [[Spring magic#Ruin\|ruin]]. The [[Thimble]] was lost, the [[Therunin#Holt_of_the_Oak_(ruined)\|Holt of the Oak]] fell, [[Isaella's Dance]] and the [[Iron Helms]] made the ultimate sacrifice to help their allies win free of a Druj trap, the ancient hospital of [[Therunin#Peakedge Stead\|Peakedge Stead]], the newly built apothecary college of [[Thornsinger#Thornsong House\|Thornsong House]] burned, and [[Ossegrahn\|Lord Rain]] withdrew his healing rains from the Empire. Worse, the wicked sorcerers of the [[Druj_armies#Tainted_Basilisk\|Tainted Basilisk]] roused the vallorn of Tharunind. Only the [[Songs_like_trees#That_Hill_and_Wood_Shall_Slay\|valiant efforts]] of [[Wolves of War\|League soldiers]] and [[Golden Sun\|Dawnish knights]] saved [[Therunin#Peakedge Stead\|Peakedge Stead]] from being overwhelmed; only the courage of [[Pilgrim's Defiance\|Highborn pilgrims]] protected [[Therunin#East Ashes\|East Ashes]] from [[A_bright_cerulean_flame\|being consumed]]. Despite all that sacrifice, all that valorous desperation, [[Therunin#Eastring\|Eastring]] was [[Crimson_and_green\|still lost]] and while the Druj paid a high price for their arrogance, there is no hope of the steadings or the [[weirwood]] groves being recovered until that day when the Empire takes the final battle to the vallorn.
	<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;">		<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;">

Hailmur: /* Peak Pharmacy */

2026-08-20T16:43:27Z

Peak Pharmacy

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:43, 20 August 2026
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	<div style="float: right; width: 250px;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Assembly Highborn.png\|width=250px}}</div>		<div style="float: right; width: 250px;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Assembly Highborn.png\|width=250px}}</div>
	* '''The Benefactor of High Chalcis could choose to support the Apothecaries' Guild by redirecting herbs from Highguard		* '''The Benefactor of High Chalcis could choose to support the Apothecaries' Guild by redirecting herbs from Highguard
	* '''The Gardens of High Chalcis would provide no benefits, the Benefactor would lose their sinecure, and the High Herbalist of Sybella would have fewer herbs available to them~~, but~~		* '''The Gardens of High Chalcis would provide no benefits; the Benefactor would lose the production from their sinecure; and the High Herbalist of Sybella would have fewer herbs available to them
	* '''Doing so would remove the need for the Senate to pay to support the Apothecaries' Guild efforts		* '''Doing so would remove the need for the Senate to pay to support the Apothecaries' Guild efforts
	The poison in Therunin has advanced to the point where it is no longer feasible for the [[Benefactor of High Chalcis]] to simply [[Benefactor_of_High_Chalcis#Redirect_the_Bounty\|redirect the bounty]] of Reikos to [[Wasp_nest#Peak_Pharmacy\|resolve it]]. That is not to say that the herbalists of Reikos could not provide valuable assistance. They could however provide the large number of herbs needed and remove the cost to the Imperial Treasury. Instead the majority of the herbs would come from High Chalcis, and any shortfall would be made up by devout herbalists in other parts of [[Highguard]]. As always, however, using this power would mean the [[great work]] would provide no additional herbs to the herb gardens of Reikos during the time it took to clear the poisonous taint, and the Benefactor themselves would receive no personal herbs either. This decision would ''also'' have implications for the [[High Herbalist of Sybella]] – with fewer herbs available to buy in Highguard they would lose access to the top two ranks of their ministry while the purification takes place (this would not impact their ability to buy herbs from the Kruidenkenner however).		The poison in Therunin has advanced to the point where it is no longer feasible for the [[Benefactor of High Chalcis]] to simply [[Benefactor_of_High_Chalcis#Redirect_the_Bounty\|redirect the bounty]] of Reikos to [[Wasp_nest#Peak_Pharmacy\|resolve it]]. That is not to say that the herbalists of Reikos could not provide valuable assistance. They could however provide the large number of herbs needed and remove the cost to the Imperial Treasury. Instead the majority of the herbs would come from High Chalcis, and any shortfall would be made up by devout herbalists in other parts of [[Highguard]]. As always, however, using this power would mean the [[great work]] would provide no additional herbs to the herb gardens of Reikos during the time it took to clear the poisonous taint, and the Benefactor themselves would receive no personal herbs either. This decision would ''also'' have implications for the [[High Herbalist of Sybella]] – with fewer herbs available to buy in Highguard they would lose access to the top two ranks of their ministry while the purification takes place (this would not impact their ability to buy herbs from the Kruidenkenner however).

	Once committed, the effects would start as soon as the Apothecaries' Guild chose to begin cleansing the taint, and persist until the corruption was removed from the Lower Tarn Valley, the Benefactor chose to end them with another announcement, or the sodality ended the endeavour.		Once committed, the effects would start as soon as the Apothecaries' Guild chose to begin cleansing the taint, and persist until the corruption was removed from the Lower Tarn Valley, the Benefactor chose to end them with another announcement, or the sodality ended the endeavour.

	====Militant Physicks====		====Militant Physicks====
	<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=ValiantPegasus_Colour.png\|align=right\|width=200}}		<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=ValiantPegasus_Colour.png\|align=right\|width=200}}

Beeswax at 12:31, 19 August 2026

2026-08-19T12:31:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:31, 19 August 2026
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	The Druj are not the only people in the Tarn Valley, however. There are a handful of isolated Navarr steadings who have refused to leave. Through everything - the rampage of the Druj and the poisoning of the marshes and the rousing of the vallorn - they have remained steadfast. Most paid the ultimate price, tortured by the invaders or forced to seek the cold oblivion of [[Kaela#The_Gift_of_Kaela\|Kaela's Gift]]. Some withdrew to the places they knew the Druj would not follow, into the depths of [[Therunin#Greenheart\|Greenheart]], and while many were lost as Tharunind awoke, others survived and continue to strike against the Druj encampments to the north.		The Druj are not the only people in the Tarn Valley, however. There are a handful of isolated Navarr steadings who have refused to leave. Through everything - the rampage of the Druj and the poisoning of the marshes and the rousing of the vallorn - they have remained steadfast. Most paid the ultimate price, tortured by the invaders or forced to seek the cold oblivion of [[Kaela#The_Gift_of_Kaela\|Kaela's Gift]]. Some withdrew to the places they knew the Druj would not follow, into the depths of [[Therunin#Greenheart\|Greenheart]], and while many were lost as Tharunind awoke, others survived and continue to strike against the Druj encampments to the north.

	Some of these steadings emerge as the Varushkans press south into the Tarn Valley. They are on the verge of collapse, starved of provisions and supplies, but still they fight. There is no doubt that some of them have heard the words of ''Wastewalker'', and like ''Dochas ~~of the~~ Weeping Glade'' have taken his gifts, but now is not the time to balance that scale. It is not the Varushkan way to question those who feel they must take dark bargains to survive and as long as they are discreet, most soldiers do not pry too closely. Don't ask questions you don't want answered, older soldiers tell their younger comrades. It is for [[general\|generals]] and [[archmage\|archmages]] and priests to argue over the right and the wrong of tainted weapons, not those who know they must face the greater darkness. Even so there are a few too far gone to trust. The thorns of ''Willowjoy Steading'', who file their teeth to points, who wear armour decorated with flayed orc faces, and who openly fight alongside the long-armed, black-clawed, shaggy beasts of the [[Realms#Winter\|Wasteland]] receive short shrift. When a Varushkan soldier spies them gnawing their way into the belly of a fallen Druj, the response is swift, merciless, and bloody.		Some of these steadings emerge as the Varushkans press south into the Tarn Valley. They are on the verge of collapse, starved of provisions and supplies, but still they fight. There is no doubt that some of them have heard the words of ''Wastewalker'', and like ''Dochas Weeping Glade'' have taken his gifts, but now is not the time to balance that scale. It is not the Varushkan way to question those who feel they must take dark bargains to survive and as long as they are discreet, most soldiers do not pry too closely. Don't ask questions you don't want answered, older soldiers tell their younger comrades. It is for [[general\|generals]] and [[archmage\|archmages]] and priests to argue over the right and the wrong of tainted weapons, not those who know they must face the greater darkness. Even so there are a few too far gone to trust. The thorns of ''Willowjoy Steading'', who file their teeth to points, who wear armour decorated with flayed orc faces, and who openly fight alongside the long-armed, black-clawed, shaggy beasts of the [[Realms#Winter\|Wasteland]] receive short shrift. When a Varushkan soldier spies them gnawing their way into the belly of a fallen Druj, the response is swift, merciless, and bloody.

	Realistically it is only a few of the emerging Navarr who are suspect. The rest have done what their people always do. Scattered, hidden, prepared, rationed their food, and water, and arrows. Made contingencies, used their mastery of woodcraft to scout and where possible ambush or assassinate. They may treat the Varushkans with a little suspicion - more than one voices surprise it is the Golden Axe and not the [[Black Thorns]] or the [[Quiet Step]] that have come to Therunin and the small number of orcs of the Great Forest who fled with them have their own reason to be cautious of Varushkan warriors. Yet for all that, they nonetheless welcome the Imperial soldiers as cousins, and a welcome sign the Empire has not forgotten them. Their intelligence, added to that provided by the Last Dance, paints a more detailed picture of life in the Lower Tarn Valley.		Realistically it is only a few of the emerging Navarr who are suspect. The rest have done what their people always do. Scattered, hidden, prepared, rationed their food, and water, and arrows. Made contingencies, used their mastery of woodcraft to scout and where possible ambush or assassinate. They may treat the Varushkans with a little suspicion - more than one voices surprise it is the Golden Axe and not the [[Black Thorns]] or the [[Quiet Step]] that have come to Therunin and the small number of orcs of the Great Forest who fled with them have their own reason to be cautious of Varushkan warriors. Yet for all that, they nonetheless welcome the Imperial soldiers as cousins, and a welcome sign the Empire has not forgotten them. Their intelligence, added to that provided by the Last Dance, paints a more detailed picture of life in the Lower Tarn Valley.
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	None of the military units supporting the Golden Axe received a share of the Imperial Guerdon.		None of the military units supporting the Golden Axe received a share of the Imperial Guerdon.

	There are a few Navarr steadings in Therunin that resist the Druj, the most prominent being that led by [[The_keys_of_blood#The_Beast_Below_(Agramant)\|Dochas ~~of the~~ Weeping Glade]]. The wicked eternal [[Agramant]] has been offering aid to the Navarr to take back their territory from the Druj, while denouncing the Empire for abandoning the territory and the people who remain here. There are signs of heralds of the Whisperer everywhere in Therunin, but the situation does not seem to have got any worse in the last season at least.		There are a few Navarr steadings in Therunin that resist the Druj, the most prominent being that led by [[The_keys_of_blood#The_Beast_Below_(Agramant)\|Dochas Weeping Glade]]. The wicked eternal [[Agramant]] has been offering aid to the Navarr to take back their territory from the Druj, while denouncing the Empire for abandoning the territory and the people who remain here. There are signs of heralds of the Whisperer everywhere in Therunin, but the situation does not seem to have got any worse in the last season at least.

	The stretch of land controlled by the vallorn that runs across the middle of Therunin creates a strategic challenge, similar to that which exists in [[Brocéliande]] and once caused problems in [[Liathaven]]. It is not possible to move between East Ashes to the south and the northern regions of the territory, and vice versa, without passing through the vallorn. Any fighting there would be considered a separate engagement to fighting in the north, and the [[A_bright_cerulean_flame\|recent engagement]] of the Pilgrim's Defiance there indicates that there is still a Druj presence in East Ashes centred around the Feverwater Docks.		The stretch of land controlled by the vallorn that runs across the middle of Therunin creates a strategic challenge, similar to that which exists in [[Brocéliande]] and once caused problems in [[Liathaven]]. It is not possible to move between East Ashes to the south and the northern regions of the territory, and vice versa, without passing through the vallorn. Any fighting there would be considered a separate engagement to fighting in the north, and the [[A_bright_cerulean_flame\|recent engagement]] of the Pilgrim's Defiance there indicates that there is still a Druj presence in East Ashes centred around the Feverwater Docks.

Dre at 12:03, 19 August 2026

2026-08-19T12:03:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:03, 19 August 2026
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	<div style="float: right; width: 250px;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Assembly Highborn.png\|width=250px}}</div>		<div style="float: right; width: 250px;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Assembly Highborn.png\|width=250px}}</div>
	* '''The Benefactor of High Chalcis could choose to support the Apothecaries' Guild by redirecting herbs from Highguard		* '''The Benefactor of High Chalcis could choose to support the Apothecaries' Guild by redirecting herbs from Highguard
	* '''The Gardens of High Chalcis would provide no benefits, the Benefactor would lose their sinecure, and the High Herbalist of Sybella would have fewer herbs available, but		* '''The Gardens of High Chalcis would provide no benefits, the Benefactor would lose their sinecure, and the High Herbalist of Sybella would have fewer herbs available to them, but
	* '''Doing so would remove the need for the Senate to pay to support the Apothecaries' Guild efforts		* '''Doing so would remove the need for the Senate to pay to support the Apothecaries' Guild efforts
	The poison in Therunin has advanced to the point where it is no longer feasible for the [[Benefactor of High Chalcis]] to simply [[Benefactor_of_High_Chalcis#Redirect_the_Bounty\|redirect the bounty]] of Reikos to [[Wasp_nest#Peak_Pharmacy\|resolve it]]. That is not to say that the herbalists of Reikos could not provide valuable assistance. They could however provide the large number of herbs needed and remove the cost to the Imperial Treasury. Instead the majority of the herbs would come from High Chalcis, and any shortfall would be made up by devout herbalists in other parts of [[Highguard]]. As always, however, using this power would mean the [[great work]] would provide no additional herbs to the herb gardens of Reikos during the time it took to clear the poisonous taint, and the Benefactor themselves would receive no personal herbs either. This decision would ''also'' have implications for the [[High Herbalist of Sybella]] – with fewer herbs available to buy in Highguard they would lose access to the top two ranks of their ministry while the purification takes place (this would not impact their ability to buy herbs from the Kruidenkenner however).		The poison in Therunin has advanced to the point where it is no longer feasible for the [[Benefactor of High Chalcis]] to simply [[Benefactor_of_High_Chalcis#Redirect_the_Bounty\|redirect the bounty]] of Reikos to [[Wasp_nest#Peak_Pharmacy\|resolve it]]. That is not to say that the herbalists of Reikos could not provide valuable assistance. They could however provide the large number of herbs needed and remove the cost to the Imperial Treasury. Instead the majority of the herbs would come from High Chalcis, and any shortfall would be made up by devout herbalists in other parts of [[Highguard]]. As always, however, using this power would mean the [[great work]] would provide no additional herbs to the herb gardens of Reikos during the time it took to clear the poisonous taint, and the Benefactor themselves would receive no personal herbs either. This decision would ''also'' have implications for the [[High Herbalist of Sybella]] – with fewer herbs available to buy in Highguard they would lose access to the top two ranks of their ministry while the purification takes place (this would not impact their ability to buy herbs from the Kruidenkenner however).

Dre at 12:02, 19 August 2026

2026-08-19T12:02:41Z

Show changes

GuiltyConscience: /* Further Reading */

2026-08-19T11:57:43Z

GuiltyConscience: /* Militant Physicks */

2026-08-19T11:54:04Z

Militant Physicks

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:54, 19 August 2026
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	<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=ValiantPegasus_Colour.png\|align=right\|width=200}}		<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=ValiantPegasus_Colour.png\|align=right\|width=200}}
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=BloodCloak_Colour.png\|align=right\|width=200}}</div>		{{CaptionedImage\|file=BloodCloak_Colour.png\|align=right\|width=200}}</div>
	* '''The Valiant Pegasus, ~~Blood Cloaks~~, or an army under Bound by Common Cause could help clear the poison, reducing the time needed to a single season'''		* '''The Valiant Pegasus, Bloodcloaks, or an army under Bound by Common Cause could help clear the poison, reducing the time needed to a single season'''
	* '''Any army working in the region would suffer the effects of poison unless protected by the enchantment Why Sulemaine Walked Away From The Baker'''		* '''Any army working in the region would suffer the effects of poison unless protected by the enchantment Why Sulemaine Walked Away From The Baker'''
	The poison has sunk in, but there is still a chance for the [[Bloodcloaks]] or [[Valiant Pegasus]] to offer their aid here, even [[Wasp_nest#Militant_Physicks\|after two years]]. Unfortunately, things have progressed to the point where it needs much more expert herbal lore than even the physicks of these two armies can easily provide. If either of these armies were to come to Therunin, however, and use their [[Army_qualities#Physick\|Tend the Fallen]] order they would reduce the time needed to cleanse the region from six months to three months. There is a risk to such a plan, of course, in that the army would be exposed to the very poison quality they were cleansing. But the magisters of Highguard point out that the Winter ritual [[Why Sulemaine Walked Away From The Baker]] provides protection to soldiers from poison. The Valiant Pegasus – or the physicks of the [[Bloodcloaks]] of [[Wintermark]] – could be defended from the corruption of the Tarn Valley if they bore the enchantment.		The poison has sunk in, but there is still a chance for the [[Bloodcloaks]] or [[Valiant Pegasus]] to offer their aid here, even [[Wasp_nest#Militant_Physicks\|after two years]]. Unfortunately, things have progressed to the point where it needs much more expert herbal lore than even the physicks of these two armies can easily provide. If either of these armies were to come to Therunin, however, and use their [[Army_qualities#Physick\|Tend the Fallen]] order they would reduce the time needed to cleanse the region from six months to three months. There is a risk to such a plan, of course, in that the army would be exposed to the very poison quality they were cleansing. But the magisters of Highguard point out that the Winter ritual [[Why Sulemaine Walked Away From The Baker]] provides protection to soldiers from poison. The Valiant Pegasus – or the physicks of the [[Bloodcloaks]] of [[Wintermark]] – could be defended from the corruption of the Tarn Valley if they bore the enchantment.

Rafferty: /* On Razorhill */

2026-08-19T11:47:57Z

On Razorhill

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:47, 19 August 2026
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	==On Razorhill==		==On Razorhill==
	<div style="float:right; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=~~Fire and thorns~~.~~jpg~~\|align=~~right~~\|width=400}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Thorns.png\|align=left\|width=400}}</div>
	The ''Blackrazor'' aspire to be a sept but they are really little more than a rabble of murderers and thieves. Egrech may fancy themselves a great het, but they are clearly nothing more than a scrabbling power-hungry fool desperate to enforce their will on those weaker than them, living in fear of those stronger. For all their talk, as the Golden Axe approach the low hill where the Holt of the Oak once stood the forces "loyal" to Egrech are quick to retreat behind their ramshackle walls. Once a beautiful structure of living wood and timber shaped by the Great Forest Orcs as a sign of their alliance with the Navarr, the Razorhill is little more than a lopsided palisade with a handful of watch towers surrounded by a shallow moat. The moat, rather than the walls or the wooden towers, is the real danger here. The foul, filthy water that fills it stinks like an open sewer but there are telltale rainbow patterns on the surface that speak of the concentrated poison that fills the wide trench.		The ''Blackrazor'' aspire to be a sept but they are really little more than a rabble of murderers and thieves. Egrech may fancy themselves a great het, but they are clearly nothing more than a scrabbling power-hungry fool desperate to enforce their will on those weaker than them, living in fear of those stronger. For all their talk, as the Golden Axe approach the low hill where the Holt of the Oak once stood the forces "loyal" to Egrech are quick to retreat behind their ramshackle walls. Once a beautiful structure of living wood and timber shaped by the Great Forest Orcs as a sign of their alliance with the Navarr, the Razorhill is little more than a lopsided palisade with a handful of watch towers surrounded by a shallow moat. The moat, rather than the walls or the wooden towers, is the real danger here. The foul, filthy water that fills it stinks like an open sewer but there are telltale rainbow patterns on the surface that speak of the concentrated poison that fills the wide trench.

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	The cunning Druj still have surprises for the Empire. With half the army on one side of the shallow, poison moat and the rest inside the walls of Razorhill, a hundred or so orc barbarians erupt from hides and shallow pits along their flanks. It's a tactic the barbarians have used before, but never in such poisoned earth. Many of the ambushers show signs of spreading poison, but they hardly seem to care - ''[[Double-sided_Blade#Weakening Sun\|Corpseskin]]'' the Druj call it, a drug that removes pain but makes those who use it all too pliable and suggestible. They fight with a grim determination, grinning as the Varushkans hack them apart. For a brief period it looks like this attack might cause some real problem for the Imperial forces - many of the hidden orcs bear bows that they use with deadly accuracy despite their drugged state.		The cunning Druj still have surprises for the Empire. With half the army on one side of the shallow, poison moat and the rest inside the walls of Razorhill, a hundred or so orc barbarians erupt from hides and shallow pits along their flanks. It's a tactic the barbarians have used before, but never in such poisoned earth. Many of the ambushers show signs of spreading poison, but they hardly seem to care - ''[[Double-sided_Blade#Weakening Sun\|Corpseskin]]'' the Druj call it, a drug that removes pain but makes those who use it all too pliable and suggestible. They fight with a grim determination, grinning as the Varushkans hack them apart. For a brief period it looks like this attack might cause some real problem for the Imperial forces - many of the hidden orcs bear bows that they use with deadly accuracy despite their drugged state.
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=~~AgramantArt~~.jpg\|align=right\|width=~~200~~}}		<div style="float:right; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Fire and thorns.jpg\|align=right\|width=400}}</div>
	Then, without warning, the ambushers are themselves ambushed. A cohort of silent Navarr appear seemingly out of nowhere, and rain their own arrows down on the attackers from behind. Caught between the Varushkan anvil and the Navarr hammer, the balance shifts catastrophically against the Druj attackers. They fall pierced by red-fletched shafts or hewn by iron axes. For a moment, the two forces stare at each other over the pile of bodies; then the unexpected archers disappear back into the gathering darkness of late evening. Some of the thorns fighting with the Varushkan army later identify them as warriors of the Weeping Glade; those who have gathered to the banner of ''Dochas'' and openly bear the fell boons offered by ''Whisperer''.		Then, without warning, the ambushers are themselves ambushed. A cohort of silent Navarr appear seemingly out of nowhere, and rain their own arrows down on the attackers from behind. Caught between the Varushkan anvil and the Navarr hammer, the balance shifts catastrophically against the Druj attackers. They fall pierced by red-fletched shafts or hewn by iron axes. For a moment, the two forces stare at each other over the pile of bodies; then the unexpected archers disappear back into the gathering darkness of late evening. Some of the thorns fighting with the Varushkan army later identify them as warriors of the Weeping Glade; those who have gathered to the banner of ''Dochas'' and openly bear the fell boons offered by ''Whisperer''.

GuiltyConscience: /* On Razorhill */

2026-08-19T11:47:31Z

On Razorhill

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:47, 19 August 2026
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	The Golden Axe do not waste time when they arrive. Forewarned by the Navarr, they carry as part of their baggage train three dozen tree trunks cut down on the edges of the Bleaks where the trees still stand hale and hearty. They also have two wagons filled with the rubble and ruin of the broken steadings and settlements they have dealt with on their route here. Even as Druj archers begin their hail of arrows on the attackers, the Golden Axe raise their heavy shields to protect those charged with putting these preparations to good use. Bridges are laid down, and sections of the trench are filled with rubble, allowing the Varushkans to chop their way through the leaning perimeter wall and force the Druj to face them directly.		The Golden Axe do not waste time when they arrive. Forewarned by the Navarr, they carry as part of their baggage train three dozen tree trunks cut down on the edges of the Bleaks where the trees still stand hale and hearty. They also have two wagons filled with the rubble and ruin of the broken steadings and settlements they have dealt with on their route here. Even as Druj archers begin their hail of arrows on the attackers, the Golden Axe raise their heavy shields to protect those charged with putting these preparations to good use. Bridges are laid down, and sections of the trench are filled with rubble, allowing the Varushkans to chop their way through the leaning perimeter wall and force the Druj to face them directly.

	Egrech Razorscale has tried to rule by fear, and it shows. Without the bare minimum protection granted by keeping the Golden Axe at bowlength, any suggestion of discipline or coordination melts like ice on an anvil. As veterans of the Mallum know, however, desperation makes these barbarians more dangerous, not less. Flame erupts as some of the tents and shanty buildings catch fire; cornered Druj hurl themselves with murderous fury at the attackers. Many are clearly using the preparation the Imperial Orcs euphemistically dubbed ''[Double-sided Blade#Warming Armour\|Warming Armour]]'' but the Druj know as ''Warspice''. It drives them into a frenzy, lets them fight long after the point where they should have collapsed, but when they finally succumb to their wounds death claims them quickly, the blood flowing hot and fast into the churned mud within the walls of Razorhill.		Egrech Razorscale has tried to rule by fear, and it shows. Without the bare minimum protection granted by keeping the Golden Axe at bowlength, any suggestion of discipline or coordination melts like ice on an anvil. As veterans of the Mallum know, however, desperation makes these barbarians more dangerous, not less. Flame erupts as some of the tents and shanty buildings catch fire; cornered Druj hurl themselves with murderous fury at the attackers. Many are clearly using the preparation the Imperial Orcs euphemistically dubbed ''[[Double-sided Blade#Warming Armour\|Warming Armour]]'' but the Druj know as ''Warspice''. It drives them into a frenzy, lets them fight long after the point where they should have collapsed, but when they finally succumb to their wounds death claims them quickly, the blood flowing hot and fast into the churned mud within the walls of Razorhill.

	The cunning Druj still have surprises for the Empire. With half the army on one side of the shallow, poison moat and the rest inside the walls of Razorhill, a hundred or so orc barbarians erupt from hides and shallow pits along their flanks. It's a tactic the barbarians have used before, but never in such poisoned earth. Many of the ambushers show signs of spreading poison, but they hardly seem to care - ''[[Double-sided_Blade#Weakening Sun\|Corpseskin]]'' the Druj call it, a drug that removes pain but makes those who use it all too pliable and suggestible. They fight with a grim determination, grinning as the Varushkans hack them apart. For a brief period it looks like this attack might cause some real problem for the Imperial forces - many of the hidden orcs bear bows that they use with deadly accuracy despite their drugged state.		The cunning Druj still have surprises for the Empire. With half the army on one side of the shallow, poison moat and the rest inside the walls of Razorhill, a hundred or so orc barbarians erupt from hides and shallow pits along their flanks. It's a tactic the barbarians have used before, but never in such poisoned earth. Many of the ambushers show signs of spreading poison, but they hardly seem to care - ''[[Double-sided_Blade#Weakening Sun\|Corpseskin]]'' the Druj call it, a drug that removes pain but makes those who use it all too pliable and suggestible. They fight with a grim determination, grinning as the Varushkans hack them apart. For a brief period it looks like this attack might cause some real problem for the Imperial forces - many of the hidden orcs bear bows that they use with deadly accuracy despite their drugged state.

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:57, 19 August 2026
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	* [[Therunin]]		* [[Therunin]]
	* [[The_keys_of_blood#The_Beast_Below_(Agramant)\|The keys of blood]] - 386YE Autumn wind of fortune relating to the interest of Agramant in Therunin		* [[The_keys_of_blood#The_Beast_Below_(Agramant)\|The keys of blood]] - 386YE Autumn wind of fortune relating to the interest of Agramant in Therunin
	* [[The_thing_with_feathers#Heartbreaking_(Agramant)\|The thing with the feathers]] - 387YE Winter wind of fortune about ~~Agramants~~ attitude to Therunin		* [[The_thing_with_feathers#Heartbreaking_(Agramant)\|The thing with the feathers]] - 387YE Winter wind of fortune about Agramant's attitude to Therunin
	* [[Ashes#Poison_and_Ashes_(Battle_Opportunity)\|Poison and ashes]] - 386YE battle opportunity around Sephals Cauldron		* [[Ashes#Poison_and_Ashes_(Battle_Opportunity)\|Poison and ashes]] - 386YE battle opportunity around Sephals Cauldron
	* [[Wasp nest]] - 386 Winter wind of fortune discussing the poisoning of Lower Tarn Valley; while the opportunities here have been superseded the history and context remain the same		* [[Wasp nest]] - 386 Winter wind of fortune discussing the poisoning of Lower Tarn Valley; while the opportunities here have been superseded the history and context remain the same