Thorn and bone - Revision history

Kirkbride: /* Environment: Words in the Pines */

2026-07-21T22:27:23Z

Environment: Words in the Pines

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:27, 21 July 2026
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	* '''Any combatant that falls in battle, either Druj or Imperial, will rise again as a shambling husk'''		* '''Any combatant that falls in battle, either Druj or Imperial, will rise again as a shambling husk'''
	* '''Skilful blows or dedicated effort can stop these hideous creatures in their tracks'''		* '''Skilful blows or dedicated effort can stop these hideous creatures in their tracks'''
	With the [[Alignment#Enmity\|enmity]] of the [[Conclave]] safely in place, [[Agramant\|''Blood upon the Snow'']], is limited in what he can do in Sarangrave, unless invited into the world by a magician. In their desperation the Druj have done exactly that, invoking the power of Agramant to curse the whole area. As a result, each spirit, whispering gnawing words of unending hunger for the living, is quick to find a body of a recently felled combatant in the area and animate them in a cruel mockery of life. Biding the sibilant uttering of their master, the corpses will stalk forth in a stumbling advance keen to slay any living creature they find.		* '''This <u>does not</u> apply if you reach the end of your death count whilst in Anvil'''
			With the [[Alignment#Enmity\|enmity]] of the [[Conclave]] safely in place, [[Agramant\|''Blood upon the Snow'']], is limited in what he can do in Sarangrave, unless invited into the world by a magician. In their desperation, the Druj have done exactly that, invoking the power of Agramant to curse the whole area. As a result, each spirit, whispering gnawing words of unending hunger for the living, is quick to find a body of a recently felled combatant in the area and animate them in a cruel mockery of life. Biding the sibilant uttering of their master, the corpses will stalk forth in a stumbling advance keen to slay any living creature they find.

	Anyone who falls in the battle on the ''Fens of Varreth'' will rise again after three minutes unless the individual is executed before they arise. The shambling corpses are not especially hardy, and can be taken down through a sustained assault or more expertly ended through the delivery of cleaving strikes or mortal blows to the limbs or torso.		Anyone who falls in the battle on the ''Fens of Varreth'' will rise again after three minutes unless the individual is executed before they arise. The shambling corpses are not especially hardy, and can be taken down through a sustained assault or more expertly ended through the delivery of cleaving strikes or mortal blows to the limbs or torso.

	<box>'''Call of the Abominable One'''		<box>'''Call of the Abominable One'''
	As either a player character or player monster during this battle, if you reach the end of your Death Count (normally after three minutes) then you can choose to immediately rise again as a winter husk, instead of becoming Terminal. At this point your character is ~~Dead~~. In addition you:		As either a player character or player monster during this battle, if you reach the end of your Death Count (normally after three minutes) then you can choose to immediately rise again as a winter husk, instead of becoming Terminal. At this point your character is dead. In addition you:
	* Regain all of your lost hits and ruined limbs are restored		* Regain all of your lost hits and ruined limbs are restored
	* Move as a slow, shambling corpse, staggering towards and attacking the nearest living creature		* Move as a slow, shambling corpse, staggering towards and attacking the nearest living creature

Matt: /* Option: Thief takes the Meat */

2026-07-21T21:41:31Z

Option: Thief takes the Meat

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:41, 21 July 2026
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	Each of the two Druj generals would need to be captured, alive, and then detained for the duration of the ritual. A night coven would then need to perform a magnitude 60 casting of Thief's Arcane Gambit on the captured general. The ritual can only steal an enchantment if it is placed on to a comparable target, in this case a [[general]] of an Imperial [[army]]. If successful each Imperial general will be under the power of the Winter ritual that will last for three seasons before ending.		Each of the two Druj generals would need to be captured, alive, and then detained for the duration of the ritual. A night coven would then need to perform a magnitude 60 casting of Thief's Arcane Gambit on the captured general. The ritual can only steal an enchantment if it is placed on to a comparable target, in this case a [[general]] of an Imperial [[army]]. If successful each Imperial general will be under the power of the Winter ritual that will last for three seasons before ending.

	There are two ~~small~~ caveats to ~~appreciate~~. The first is that the Winter spirits are currently here in the Sarangrave. If the enchantment that controls and binds and focuses them is moved to an army elsewhere in the world, the husks will move there. They will move relatively quickly, but they will cause significant problems for the lands they move through to arrive at the destination.		There are two caveats to consider. The first is that the Winter spirits are currently here in the Sarangrave. If the enchantment that controls and binds and focuses them is moved to an army elsewhere in the world, the husks will move there. They will move relatively quickly, but they will cause significant problems for the lands they move through to arrive at the destination.

	The second problem is that unlike [[Quickening Cold Meat]], the enchantment the Druj are employing appears to draw on the power of [[Agramant]]. Technically the magicians won't be casting an Agramant ritual, they'll be casting Thief's Arcane Gambit, but that sounds like a novel legal defence for a general under a powerful Agramant enchantment to employ. The civil service have not had time to check what the legal position would be. They have had time to check how Agramant would respond - they are fairly certain the eternal would be ''absolutely delighted''.		The second problem is that unlike [[Quickening Cold Meat]], the enchantment the Druj are employing appears to draw on the power of [[Agramant]]. Technically the magicians won't be casting an Agramant ritual, they'll be casting Thief's Arcane Gambit, but that sounds like a novel legal defence for a general under a powerful Agramant enchantment to employ. The civil service have not had time to check what the legal position would be. They have had time to check how Agramant would respond - they are fairly certain the eternal would be ''absolutely delighted''.

Twiggy: /* Option: Thief takes the Meat */

2026-07-21T21:41:11Z

Option: Thief takes the Meat

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:41, 21 July 2026
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	===Option: Thief takes the Meat===		===Option: Thief takes the Meat===
	* '''Night ritualists could transfer the ritual enchantments from the Druj generals using ''Thief's Arcane Gambit'''''		* '''Night ritualists could transfer the ritual enchantments from the Druj generals using ''Thief's Arcane Gambit'''''
	* '''Each recipient Imperial general would then have a three-season ~~winter~~ ritual enchantment on their army'''		* '''Each recipient Imperial general would then have a three-season Winter ritual enchantment on their army'''

	In response to enquiries, the civil service have confirmed that a bold and previously untried plan would be possible - at least theoretically. With a large enough ~~night~~ coven, it is possible to utilise ''[[Thief's Arcane Gambit]]'' to 'steal' the ~~winter~~ enchantment and place it on a new target. This requires the ritual to be cast at half the magnitude of the original enchantment.		In response to enquiries, the civil service have confirmed that a bold and previously untried plan would be possible - at least theoretically. With a large enough Night coven, it is possible to utilise ''[[Thief's Arcane Gambit]]'' to 'steal' the Winter enchantment and place it on a new target. This requires the ritual to be cast at half the magnitude of the original enchantment.

	Each of the two Druj generals would need to be captured, alive, and then detained for the duration of the ritual. A night coven would then need to perform a magnitude 60 casting of Thief's Arcane Gambit on the captured general. The ritual can only steal an enchantment if it is placed on to a comparable target, in this case a [[general]] of an Imperial [[army]]. If successful each Imperial general will be under the power of the ~~winter~~ ritual that will last for three seasons before ending.		Each of the two Druj generals would need to be captured, alive, and then detained for the duration of the ritual. A night coven would then need to perform a magnitude 60 casting of Thief's Arcane Gambit on the captured general. The ritual can only steal an enchantment if it is placed on to a comparable target, in this case a [[general]] of an Imperial [[army]]. If successful each Imperial general will be under the power of the Winter ritual that will last for three seasons before ending.

	There are two small caveats to appreciate. The first is that the ~~winter~~ spirits are currently here in the Sarangrave. If the enchantment that controls and binds and focuses them is moved to an army elsewhere in the world, the husks will move there. They will move relatively quickly, but they will cause significant problems for the lands they move through to arrive at the destination.		There are two small caveats to appreciate. The first is that the Winter spirits are currently here in the Sarangrave. If the enchantment that controls and binds and focuses them is moved to an army elsewhere in the world, the husks will move there. They will move relatively quickly, but they will cause significant problems for the lands they move through to arrive at the destination.

	The second problem is that unlike [[Quickening Cold Meat]], the enchantment the Druj are employing appears to draw on the power of [[Agramant]]. Technically the magicians won't be casting an Agramant ritual, they'll be casting Thief's Arcane Gambit, but that sounds like a novel legal defence for a general under a powerful Agramant enchantment to employ. The civil service have not had time to check what the legal position would be. They have had time to check how Agramant would respond - they are fairly certain the eternal would be ''absolutely delighted''.		The second problem is that unlike [[Quickening Cold Meat]], the enchantment the Druj are employing appears to draw on the power of [[Agramant]]. Technically the magicians won't be casting an Agramant ritual, they'll be casting Thief's Arcane Gambit, but that sounds like a novel legal defence for a general under a powerful Agramant enchantment to employ. The civil service have not had time to check what the legal position would be. They have had time to check how Agramant would respond - they are fairly certain the eternal would be ''absolutely delighted''.

Matt: /* Option: Thief takes the Meat */

2026-07-21T21:38:52Z

Option: Thief takes the Meat

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:38, 21 July 2026
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	Each of the two Druj generals would need to be captured, alive, and then detained for the duration of the ritual. A night coven would then need to perform a magnitude 60 casting of Thief's Arcane Gambit on the captured general. The ritual can only steal an enchantment if it is placed on to a comparable target, in this case a [[general]] of an Imperial [[army]]. If successful each Imperial general will be under the power of the winter ritual that will last for three seasons before ending.		Each of the two Druj generals would need to be captured, alive, and then detained for the duration of the ritual. A night coven would then need to perform a magnitude 60 casting of Thief's Arcane Gambit on the captured general. The ritual can only steal an enchantment if it is placed on to a comparable target, in this case a [[general]] of an Imperial [[army]]. If successful each Imperial general will be under the power of the winter ritual that will last for three seasons before ending.

	There are two small caveats to appreciate. The first is that the winter spirits are currently here in the Sarangrave. If the enchantment that controls and binds and focuses them is moved to an army elsewhere in the world, the ~~spirits~~ will move there. They will move relatively quickly, but they will cause significant problems for the lands they move through to arrive at the destination.		There are two small caveats to appreciate. The first is that the winter spirits are currently here in the Sarangrave. If the enchantment that controls and binds and focuses them is moved to an army elsewhere in the world, the husks will move there. They will move relatively quickly, but they will cause significant problems for the lands they move through to arrive at the destination.

	The second problem is that unlike ~~the Imperial version of this ritual~~, the enchantment the Druj are employing appears to draw on the power of [[Agramant]]. Technically the magicians won't be casting an Agramant ritual, they'll be casting Thief's Arcane Gambit, but that sounds like a novel legal defence for a general under a powerful Agramant enchantment to employ. The civil service have not had time to check what the legal position would be. They have had time to check how Agramant would respond - they are fairly certain the eternal would be ''absolutely delighted''.		The second problem is that unlike [[Quickening Cold Meat]], the enchantment the Druj are employing appears to draw on the power of [[Agramant]]. Technically the magicians won't be casting an Agramant ritual, they'll be casting Thief's Arcane Gambit, but that sounds like a novel legal defence for a general under a powerful Agramant enchantment to employ. The civil service have not had time to check what the legal position would be. They have had time to check how Agramant would respond - they are fairly certain the eternal would be ''absolutely delighted''.

	===Objective: End Trakaa's Tortured Souls===		===Objective: End Trakaa's Tortured Souls===

Matt: /* Objective: Trap the Spirits */

2026-07-21T21:37:17Z

Objective: Trap the Spirits

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:37, 21 July 2026
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	Agramant's monsters are far too smart to attack the fortification in Thornfen. They will prey on settlements and pick off stragglers, dragging them into the darkness to devour them. The populace of a tormented region are slowly depleted and such regions will quickly become underpopulated and eventually abandoned, while the people who live there will be filled with terror. Garrisons and armies cannot benefit from natural resupply in a territory that contains one or more tormented regions.		Agramant's monsters are far too smart to attack the fortification in Thornfen. They will prey on settlements and pick off stragglers, dragging them into the darkness to devour them. The populace of a tormented region are slowly depleted and such regions will quickly become underpopulated and eventually abandoned, while the people who live there will be filled with terror. Garrisons and armies cannot benefit from natural resupply in a territory that contains one or more tormented regions.

			===Option: Thief takes the Meat===
			* '''Night ritualists could transfer the ritual enchantments from the Druj generals using ''Thief's Arcane Gambit'''''
			* '''Each recipient Imperial general would then have a three-season winter ritual enchantment on their army'''

			In response to enquiries, the civil service have confirmed that a bold and previously untried plan would be possible - at least theoretically. With a large enough night coven, it is possible to utilise ''[[Thief's Arcane Gambit]]'' to 'steal' the winter enchantment and place it on a new target. This requires the ritual to be cast at half the magnitude of the original enchantment.

			Each of the two Druj generals would need to be captured, alive, and then detained for the duration of the ritual. A night coven would then need to perform a magnitude 60 casting of Thief's Arcane Gambit on the captured general. The ritual can only steal an enchantment if it is placed on to a comparable target, in this case a [[general]] of an Imperial [[army]]. If successful each Imperial general will be under the power of the winter ritual that will last for three seasons before ending.

			There are two small caveats to appreciate. The first is that the winter spirits are currently here in the Sarangrave. If the enchantment that controls and binds and focuses them is moved to an army elsewhere in the world, the spirits will move there. They will move relatively quickly, but they will cause significant problems for the lands they move through to arrive at the destination.

			The second problem is that unlike the Imperial version of this ritual, the enchantment the Druj are employing appears to draw on the power of [[Agramant]]. Technically the magicians won't be casting an Agramant ritual, they'll be casting Thief's Arcane Gambit, but that sounds like a novel legal defence for a general under a powerful Agramant enchantment to employ. The civil service have not had time to check what the legal position would be. They have had time to check how Agramant would respond - they are fairly certain the eternal would be ''absolutely delighted''.

	===Objective: End Trakaa's Tortured Souls===		===Objective: End Trakaa's Tortured Souls===

Kirkbride: /* Battle: Harvester of Graves */

2026-07-21T17:07:50Z

Battle: Harvester of Graves

Kirkbride: /* A Testing (Conjunction) */

2026-07-21T16:34:54Z

A Testing (Conjunction)

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:34, 21 July 2026
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	If the Surut heralds are killed, any remaining Druj guerillas can be dealt with by sentinels and other locals. The [[Fingers of the Devourer\|Custodian of the Fingers of the Devourer]], '''Borris Harrovich Prochnost''', is responsible for ensuring that the heralds of Surut are killed. Failure to kill the heralds will see them burn one of the weirwood trees, permanently reducing production of the grove by two wains a season. If the heralds are destroyed, then the Great Forest Orcs will repay the effort by supporting the work of the weirwood grove, permanently increasing its production by two wains each season.		If the Surut heralds are killed, any remaining Druj guerillas can be dealt with by sentinels and other locals. The [[Fingers of the Devourer\|Custodian of the Fingers of the Devourer]], '''Borris Harrovich Prochnost''', is responsible for ensuring that the heralds of Surut are killed. Failure to kill the heralds will see them burn one of the weirwood trees, permanently reducing production of the grove by two wains a season. If the heralds are destroyed, then the Great Forest Orcs will repay the effort by supporting the work of the weirwood grove, permanently increasing its production by two wains each season.

			==Kaela's Gift==
			Secured through a bargain with the Winter Archmage, the gift allows any Imperial citizen in the hands of the [[Druj]] to choose to die painlessly. No corpse remains for the Druj to defile, to impale, or to use to taunt the living - the body turns to dust and ashes. This gift extends across the entire eastern Empire, into the Mallum, [[Brocéliande]], and [[Therunin]].

			The gift allows any Imperial citizens fighting in the [[Vallorn#Vallorn_Miasma\|vallorn miasma]] to choose death and ''dissolution'' before their bodies could be infested with the vallorn's sick version of immortality.

			'''OOC Note:''' Using the gift requires thirty seconds of appropriate roleplaying. This ability may be used by player characters captured by the Druj during an event or who is [[Combat#Dying\|dying]] in an area of vallorn miasma; if you do so you should ensure that you mark your character as dead as soon as you can so that your egregore is aware of your death. There is, however, one drawback to this, as Imperial magicians may soon discover: anyone who takes advantage of this ability cannot be contacted with [[Whispers through the Black Gate]].

			This ability is an exception to the normal rules on using abilities while [[Combat#Terminal\|terminal]]; a terminal character ''can'' use this ability if they are captured by the Druj or fallen in vallorn miasma.

Kirkbride: /* Environment: Words in the Pines */

2026-07-21T15:44:54Z

Environment: Words in the Pines

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:44, 21 July 2026
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	The only way to prevent this occurring is if the individual is executed before they expire.</box>		The only way to prevent this occurring is if the individual is executed before they expire.</box>

			==A Testing (Conjunction)==
			* '''Druj accompanied by heralds of Surut threaten to burn a weirwood tree'''
			* '''The Great Forest Orcs have offered their support if the attack is repelled'''
			* '''This skirmish is a [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely\|combat highly likely]] encounter'''
			* '''The ''Custodian of the Fingers of the Devourer'' is [[Sentinel_Gate#Prognostication\|responsible]] for destroying the heralds'''
			{{NoInnocentsPresent}}
			Druj guerillas, secreted throughout the Sarangrave, constantly search for the opportunity to inflict damage on the Imperials and the septs who have dared turn away from the Buruk Tepel. They work to maintain the pall of fear and ruin that has shrouded the Sarangrave for decades. Weirwood smoke is a smell only Surut could enjoy, and the Druj have promised plenty in some foul deal. Urizen scouts have spotted a band of Druj, accompanied by heralds of [[The_Thrice-cursed_Court#Surut\|the Charred Prince]] in Whisperwood, south of Uklead, making their way to the [[Fingers of the Devourer]].

			If the Surut heralds are killed, any remaining Druj guerillas can be dealt with by sentinels and other locals. The [[Fingers of the Devourer\|Custodian of the Fingers of the Devourer]], '''Borris Harrovich Prochnost''', is responsible for ensuring that the heralds of Surut are killed. Failure to kill the heralds will see them burn one of the weirwood trees, permanently reducing production of the grove by two wains a season. If the heralds are destroyed, then the Great Forest Orcs will repay the effort by supporting the work of the weirwood grove, permanently increasing its production by two wains each season.

Twiggy: /* Battle: Harvester of Graves */

2026-07-21T15:15:48Z

Battle: Harvester of Graves

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:15, 21 July 2026
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	* '''If that happens the regions of Thornfen, and Kroll will be terrorized'''		* '''If that happens the regions of Thornfen, and Kroll will be terrorized'''

	When the two Druj ~~amies~~ disband, the winter spirits that animate the corpses alongside their armies will seek out the dead in the wider area, will fall under the macabre control of ''Agramant, The Howler'', eternal of Winter. These husks are not the somnambulant shamblers ushered into wakefulness by the magic of Wise Rangara, they are bloodthirsty cadavers keen to feast on flesh and blood. They are vicious, cunning and cruel, slaking their cold hunger with living and screaming meat. These terrible monsters will spread into Thornfen and Kroll bring terror in their wake.		When the two Druj armies disband, the winter spirits that animate the corpses alongside their armies will seek out the dead in the wider area, will fall under the macabre control of ''Agramant, The Howler'', eternal of Winter. These husks are not the somnambulant shamblers ushered into wakefulness by the magic of Wise Rangara, they are bloodthirsty cadavers keen to feast on flesh and blood. They are vicious, cunning and cruel, slaking their cold hunger with living and screaming meat. These terrible monsters will spread into Thornfen and Kroll bring terror in their wake.

	Six months ago, the Empire, led by '''Earl Zoran De Orzel''' as [[Field Marshal]], passed through the Sentinel Gate and drew the attention of [[Fire_and_the_flood#Objective:_Confront_Fangsnapper's_forces\|Het Rethan "''Fangsnapper''"]]. This daring intervention allowed the Shield of Ipotavo to receive vital resupply from Axos. This intercession was a clear demonstration of the Empire's willingness to help its allies, and the Axou are keen to return the favour. Upon hearing of the rampant husks, the citadel has offered three strange posies of herbs that would entrap the Winter spirits inside and prevent them from entering the recently deceased. These posies are an ancient boon from [[Wise Rangara]], won in centuries past, that allows the bearers to sap away the lingering Winter magic in an area. The use of the boon requires agreement from ''Grandmother Winter'', which the Axou have already secured for this purpose.		Six months ago, the Empire, led by '''Earl Zoran De Orzel''' as [[Field Marshal]], passed through the Sentinel Gate and drew the attention of [[Fire_and_the_flood#Objective:_Confront_Fangsnapper's_forces\|Het Rethan "''Fangsnapper''"]]. This daring intervention allowed the Shield of Ipotavo to receive vital resupply from Axos. This intercession was a clear demonstration of the Empire's willingness to help its allies, and the Axou are keen to return the favour. Upon hearing of the rampant husks, the citadel has offered three strange posies of herbs that would entrap the Winter spirits inside and prevent them from entering the recently deceased. These posies are an ancient boon from [[Wise Rangara]], won in centuries past, that allows the bearers to sap away the lingering Winter magic in an area. The use of the boon requires agreement from ''Grandmother Winter'', which the Axou have already secured for this purpose.
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	* '''Any combatant that falls in battle, either Druj or Imperial, will rise again as a shambling husk'''		* '''Any combatant that falls in battle, either Druj or Imperial, will rise again as a shambling husk'''
	* '''Skilful blows or dedicated effort can stop these hideous creatures in their tracks'''		* '''Skilful blows or dedicated effort can stop these hideous creatures in their tracks'''
	With the [[Alignment#Enmity\|enmity]] of the [[Conclave]] safely in place, [[Agramant\|''Blood upon the Snow'']], is limited in what he can do in Sarangrave, unless invited into the world by a magician. In their ~~desparation~~ the Druj have done exactly that, invoking the power of Agramant to curse the whole area. As a result, each spirit, whispering gnawing words of unending hunger for the living, is quick to find a body of a recently felled combatant in the area and animate them in a cruel mockery of life. Biding the sibilant uttering of their master, the corpses will stalk forth in a stumbling advance keen to slay any living creature they find.		With the [[Alignment#Enmity\|enmity]] of the [[Conclave]] safely in place, [[Agramant\|''Blood upon the Snow'']], is limited in what he can do in Sarangrave, unless invited into the world by a magician. In their desperation the Druj have done exactly that, invoking the power of Agramant to curse the whole area. As a result, each spirit, whispering gnawing words of unending hunger for the living, is quick to find a body of a recently felled combatant in the area and animate them in a cruel mockery of life. Biding the sibilant uttering of their master, the corpses will stalk forth in a stumbling advance keen to slay any living creature they find.

	Anyone who falls in the battle on the ''Fens of Varreth'' will rise again after three minutes unless the individual is executed before they arise. The shambling corpses are not especially hardy, and can be taken down through a sustained assault or more expertly ended through the delivery of cleaving strikes or mortal blows to the limbs or torso.		Anyone who falls in the battle on the ''Fens of Varreth'' will rise again after three minutes unless the individual is executed before they arise. The shambling corpses are not especially hardy, and can be taken down through a sustained assault or more expertly ended through the delivery of cleaving strikes or mortal blows to the limbs or torso.

Matt at 15:04, 21 July 2026

2026-07-21T15:04:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:04, 21 July 2026
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	The in-character explanation is that the arcane projection represents the result of a conjunction at the time it was created. The ongoing magical chaos caused by the stars supported the ritual, but the effect of the ritual could not be duplicated going forward.		The in-character explanation is that the arcane projection represents the result of a conjunction at the time it was created. The ongoing magical chaos caused by the stars supported the ritual, but the effect of the ritual could not be duplicated going forward.

			==Battle: Harvester of Graves==
			Whilst most eyes have been on the [[vallorn]] erupting from [[Sarangrave#Béantal_Dol\|Béantal Dol]] this season, the activity in the east of [[Sarangrave]] has also seen portentous happenings. The courageous efforts of the [[Citadel Guard]] and the [[Golden Axe]] have turned back the assault of the Hidden Snake and Poison Crane, along with their undead allies. Yet in turn the [[Druj]] in the [[Salt Flats of Sanath]] have turned weapons on their fleeing compatriots, signalling that there is no return to the heart of the Mallum for the two armies.

			The barbarians now find themselves in an unenviable position. Close to breaking from the casualties inflicted upon them by the [[Varushka\|Varushkans]] and the [[Urizen\|Urizeni]], denied entry to Sanath, and cut off from any chance of resupply or support. If they flee they will die, if they make camp they will starve, the only way open to them is to strike with fear, unleash terror, and hope they make it across the Howling Abyss.

			It is apparent that the wider plan is to drive the remnants of the armies into Imperial lines, bleeding their own forces, and ultimately breaking them in bone and sinew. The only way is west, onto the axes and rods of the Empire's armies that have already driven them back once. When the armies do break, the twisted abominations that march with them will fall in savagery upon Imperial soldiers.

			There is a conjunction to the ''Fens of Varreth'' in the [[Sarangrave#Turan_Flats\|Turan Flats]] within Sarangrave. The Sentinel Gate will enable travel to the location on Saturday or Sunday of the Summer Solstice.

			===Objective: Trap the Spirits===
			* '''The winter rituals cast upon the Hidden Snake and Poison Crane are uncoiling'''
			* '''The Halls of Maykop have offered use of the ''Scorched Drenkthal'''''
			* '''Successfully using the boon will contain the spirits'''
			* '''The Halls of Maykop will expect the boon to be returned to them'''
			* '''If nothing is done thousands of ravenous winter husks will fall under the control of Agramant'''
			* '''If that happens the regions of Thornfen, and Kroll will be terrorized'''

			When the two Druj amies disband, the winter spirits that animate the corpses alongside their armies will seek out the dead in the wider area, will fall under the macabre control of ''Agramant, The Howler'', eternal of Winter. These husks are not the somnambulant shamblers ushered into wakefulness by the magic of Wise Rangara, they are bloodthirsty cadavers keen to feast on flesh and blood. They are vicious, cunning and cruel, slaking their cold hunger with living and screaming meat. These terrible monsters will spread into Thornfen and Kroll bring terror in their wake.

			Six months ago, the Empire, led by '''Earl Zoran De Orzel''' as [[Field Marshal]], passed through the Sentinel Gate and drew the attention of [[Fire_and_the_flood#Objective:_Confront_Fangsnapper's_forces\|Het Rethan "''Fangsnapper''"]]. This daring intervention allowed the Shield of Ipotavo to receive vital resupply from Axos. This intercession was a clear demonstration of the Empire's willingness to help its allies, and the Axou are keen to return the favour. Upon hearing of the rampant husks, the citadel has offered three strange posies of herbs that would entrap the Winter spirits inside and prevent them from entering the recently deceased. These posies are an ancient boon from [[Wise Rangara]], won in centuries past, that allows the bearers to sap away the lingering Winter magic in an area. The use of the boon requires agreement from ''Grandmother Winter'', which the Axou have already secured for this purpose.

			The Halls request three volunteers to bond to the three aspects of the Scorched Drenkthal that take the form of small bundles of herbs wrapped in cloth, as they journey to the ''Fens of Varreth''. Each corsage would [[Unyielding Constitution\|offer some benefit whilst in combat]], but potentially leave those bonded with a lack of caution - less than ideal given the presence of rampaging Winter spirits. The three will need to reach a set of pillars that mark the edge of the reeking mires of the area, placing their herb bundle at the base of one of the pillars. This would slowly sap away at the Winter magic in the area, wrangling the spirits and effectively trapping them. After 10 minutes, the three bundles of herbs will have been suffused with the winter spirits and can be reclaimed, ready to return with to Anvil and to be passed back to the Axou by the civil service. What the Halls of Maykop might do with the spirits once they have been bound to the ''Scorched Drenkthal'' is unclear.

			Agramant's monsters are far too smart to attack the fortification in Thornfen. They will prey on settlements and pick off stragglers, dragging them into the darkness to devour them. The populace of a terrorised region are slowly depleted and such regions will quickly become underpopulated and eventually abandoned, while the people who live there will be filled with terror. Garrisons and armies cannot benefit from natural resupply in a territory that contains one or more terrorized regions.

			===Objective: End Trakaa's Tortured Souls===
			* '''Het Trakaa has mustered his remaining tortured souls to deliver a crippling blow against the Empire'''
			* '''If these monsters are not destroyed, then the Turan Flats will become terrorized'''
			* '''Priests will need support to exorcise these powerful creatures'''

			Tortured Souls are born from a combination of the Druj's [[apothecary]] skills and mystic rituals that break an individual's will and turn them into a monster full of wrath and malice towards any they face. They are fearsome foes, often still clad in the garb of their former Imperial lives, and capable of inflicting a grievous curse with blows from their weapons. Whilst it is possible to put down and execute their physical forms, their spiritual presence can quickly return. Het Trakaa, the general of the Hidden Snake, has unleashed the last of these pitiful abominations here in the Turan Flats, intent on setting them free against Imperial forces to deal as much pain and suffering as possible, before they are destroyed.

			Exorcists will need to ascertain the strength of the aura that lies on each creature using insight ceremonies, before mustering sufficient power of will, and liao, to dismiss the souls of these tortured beings. Whilst many of the tortured souls are comparable to those encountered before, around a dozen of them are more powerful creatures, possessed of greater awareness of their surroundings and with stronger connections to their former lives. These individuals will be recognisable by the distinctive Imperial clothing they still wear, but will pose a far greater challenge for priests to exorcise successfully.

			If the majority of the tortured souls are not destroyed, they will stalk the region making it ''terrorized''. The monsters will roam the area, killing and torturing any innocents they find, and striking terror into the hearts of those they encounter.

			===Objective: Kill Trakaa and Sul===
			* '''The armies of Het Trakaa and Sul Maggotgnaw are about to collapse'''
			* '''What is left of the two forces will scatter across the territory looking to prey on the weak'''
			* '''Killing Het Trakaa and Sul Maggotgnaw will ensure that these attacks are scatted and uncoordinated'''

			Both the Hidden Snake and Poison Crane armies have now been broken in battle and will disband within days. When that happens, the soldiers who are left will break and seek out cover as the army dissolves. Whatever happens, these partians will be a problem for the Urizeni, raiding farms and caravans, stealing goods and attacking patrols. But those attacks will be ill-disciplined, they will lack any direction or purpose. They will be a problem, but not one that grows with time, or joins forces with other problems the Urizeni face, at least until they get new leadership from somewhere.

			However, if the generals of the two armies are still alive when their army collapses, they will go with their soldiers and be able to maintain a degree of cohesion and control over what remains. On the face of it, the the effects will be the same, the army will dissolve and the soldiers will go into hiding, emerging to attack isolated farmsteads and passing merchants. But with the leadership still there, such attacks will be guided by a malicious intelligence, able to plan attacks and act in concert with other enemies of the Empire.

			The two generals have been identified as Trakaa of the Hidden Snake and Sul Maggotgnaw of the Poison Crane. Marching under a tattered banner depicting broken bones, Trakaa will be accompanied by his personal Pakad bodyguard. Sul Maggotgnaw is protected by a unit of poison-wielding Chikkad who fight under a banner depicting a ichorous maggot. Killing these two important Druj leaders will ensure that the surviving Druj are left leaderless, limiting the threat they post once the army disbands.

			===Threat: The Mirk Lizards===
			* '''The Druj are joined by a group of human warriors clothed in scraps of tattered blue fabric'''
			* '''They appear to be excommunicating rather than executing some victims in battle'''
			A band of human warriors march with the Druj into battle. Wearing tattered scraps of blue tunics, they have the demeanour of grim-faced and seasoned mercenaries, well-armoured and carrying an assortment of weapons. Next to nothing is known of them, but there are rumours that these warriors are driven to oppose the Way in some fashion. There are claims that priests among them have excommunicated foes on the battlefield, rather than executing them as the orcs might do. There is no known reason for their actions, or why the Druj allow it; so the war scouts urge caution. Killing them will put an end to their plans and stop their support for the orcs of the Mallum, but if more can be found out, it could prove useful in time to come.

			===Environment: Words in the Pines===
			* '''Druj ghulai have invoked the power of Agramant to curse the area'''
			* '''Any combatant that falls in battle, either Druj or Imperial, will rise again as a shambling husk'''
			* '''Skilful blows or dedicated effort can stop these hideous creatures in their tracks'''
			With the [[Alignment#Enmity\|enmity]] of the [[Conclave]] safely in place, [[Agramant\|''Blood upon the Snow'']], is limited in what he can do in Sarangrave, unless invited into the world by a magician. In their desparation the Druj have done exactly that, invoking the power of Agramant to curse the whole area. As a result, each spirit, whispering gnawing words of unending hunger for the living, is quick to find a body of a recently felled combatant in the area and animate them in a cruel mockery of life. Biding the sibilant uttering of their master, the corpses will stalk forth in a stumbling advance keen to slay any living creature they find.

			Anyone who falls in the battle on the ''Fens of Varreth'' will rise again after three minutes unless the individual is executed before they arise. The shambling corpses are not especially hardy, and can be taken down through a sustained assault or more expertly ended through the delivery of cleaving strikes or mortal blows to the limbs or torso.

			<box>'''Call of the Abominable One'''
			As either a player character or player monster during this battle, if you reach the end of your Death Count (normally after three minutes) then you can choose to immediately rise again as a winter husk, instead of becoming Terminal. At this point your character is Dead. In addition you:
			* Regain all of your lost hits and ruined limbs are restored
			* Move as a slow, shambling corpse, staggering towards and attacking the nearest living creature
			* Are unable to use heroic or magical calls
			* Cannot activate magical items or ritual enchantments
			* Can only vocalise a low unearthly moan
			* Are destroyed by a successful CLEAVE or IMPALE blow, or when you next reach zero hit points

			Winter husks cannot ''grapple'' with other participants under any circumstances - you must only attack other characters with a weapon-safe latex weapon.

			The only way to prevent this occurring is if the individual is executed before they expire.</box>

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:07, 21 July 2026
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	* '''The Halls of Maykop will expect the boon to be returned to them'''		* '''The Halls of Maykop will expect the boon to be returned to them'''
	* '''If nothing is done thousands of ravenous winter husks will fall under the control of Agramant'''		* '''If nothing is done thousands of ravenous winter husks will fall under the control of Agramant'''
	* '''If that happens the regions of Thornfen, and Kroll will be ~~terrorized~~'''		* '''If that happens the regions of Thornfen, and Kroll will be tormented'''

	When the two Druj armies disband, the winter spirits that animate the corpses alongside their armies will seek out the dead in the wider area, will fall under the macabre control of ''Agramant, The Howler'', eternal of Winter. These husks are not the somnambulant shamblers ushered into wakefulness by the magic of Wise Rangara, they are bloodthirsty cadavers keen to feast on flesh and blood. They are vicious, cunning and cruel, slaking their cold hunger with living and screaming meat. These terrible monsters will spread into Thornfen and Kroll bring terror in their wake.		When the two Druj armies disband, the winter spirits that animate the corpses alongside their armies will seek out the dead in the wider area, will fall under the macabre control of ''Agramant, The Howler'', eternal of Winter. These husks are not the somnambulant shamblers ushered into wakefulness by the magic of Wise Rangara, they are bloodthirsty cadavers keen to feast on flesh and blood. They are vicious, cunning and cruel, slaking their cold hunger with living and screaming meat. These terrible monsters will spread into Thornfen and Kroll bring terror in their wake.
Line 166:		Line 166:
	The Halls request three volunteers to bond to the three aspects of the Scorched Drenkthal that take the form of small bundles of herbs wrapped in cloth, as they journey to the ''Fens of Varreth''. Each corsage would [[Unyielding Constitution\|offer some benefit whilst in combat]], but potentially leave those bonded with a lack of caution - less than ideal given the presence of rampaging Winter spirits. The three will need to reach a set of pillars that mark the edge of the reeking mires of the area, placing their herb bundle at the base of one of the pillars. This would slowly sap away at the Winter magic in the area, wrangling the spirits and effectively trapping them. After 10 minutes, the three bundles of herbs will have been suffused with the winter spirits and can be reclaimed, ready to return with to Anvil and to be passed back to the Axou by the civil service. What the Halls of Maykop might do with the spirits once they have been bound to the ''Scorched Drenkthal'' is unclear.		The Halls request three volunteers to bond to the three aspects of the Scorched Drenkthal that take the form of small bundles of herbs wrapped in cloth, as they journey to the ''Fens of Varreth''. Each corsage would [[Unyielding Constitution\|offer some benefit whilst in combat]], but potentially leave those bonded with a lack of caution - less than ideal given the presence of rampaging Winter spirits. The three will need to reach a set of pillars that mark the edge of the reeking mires of the area, placing their herb bundle at the base of one of the pillars. This would slowly sap away at the Winter magic in the area, wrangling the spirits and effectively trapping them. After 10 minutes, the three bundles of herbs will have been suffused with the winter spirits and can be reclaimed, ready to return with to Anvil and to be passed back to the Axou by the civil service. What the Halls of Maykop might do with the spirits once they have been bound to the ''Scorched Drenkthal'' is unclear.

	Agramant's monsters are far too smart to attack the fortification in Thornfen. They will prey on settlements and pick off stragglers, dragging them into the darkness to devour them. The populace of a ~~terrorised~~ region are slowly depleted and such regions will quickly become underpopulated and eventually abandoned, while the people who live there will be filled with terror. Garrisons and armies cannot benefit from natural resupply in a territory that contains one or more ~~terrorized~~ regions.		Agramant's monsters are far too smart to attack the fortification in Thornfen. They will prey on settlements and pick off stragglers, dragging them into the darkness to devour them. The populace of a tormented region are slowly depleted and such regions will quickly become underpopulated and eventually abandoned, while the people who live there will be filled with terror. Garrisons and armies cannot benefit from natural resupply in a territory that contains one or more tormented regions.

	===Objective: End Trakaa's Tortured Souls===		===Objective: End Trakaa's Tortured Souls===
	* '''Het Trakaa has mustered his remaining tortured souls to deliver a crippling blow against the Empire'''		* '''Het Trakaa has mustered his remaining tortured souls to deliver a crippling blow against the Empire'''
	* '''If these monsters are not destroyed, then the Turan Flats will become ~~terrorized~~'''		* '''If these monsters are not destroyed, then the Turan Flats will become tormented'''
	* '''Priests will need support to exorcise these powerful creatures'''		* '''Priests will need support to exorcise these powerful creatures'''

Line 177:		Line 177:
	Exorcists will need to ascertain the strength of the aura that lies on each creature using insight ceremonies, before mustering sufficient power of will, and liao, to dismiss the souls of these tortured beings. Whilst many of the tortured souls are comparable to those encountered before, around a dozen of them are more powerful creatures, possessed of greater awareness of their surroundings and with stronger connections to their former lives. These individuals will be recognisable by the distinctive Imperial clothing they still wear, but will pose a far greater challenge for priests to exorcise successfully.		Exorcists will need to ascertain the strength of the aura that lies on each creature using insight ceremonies, before mustering sufficient power of will, and liao, to dismiss the souls of these tortured beings. Whilst many of the tortured souls are comparable to those encountered before, around a dozen of them are more powerful creatures, possessed of greater awareness of their surroundings and with stronger connections to their former lives. These individuals will be recognisable by the distinctive Imperial clothing they still wear, but will pose a far greater challenge for priests to exorcise successfully.

	If the majority of the tortured souls are not destroyed, they will stalk the region making it ''~~terrorized~~''. The monsters will roam the area, killing and torturing any innocents they find, and striking terror into the hearts of those they encounter.		If the majority of the tortured souls are not destroyed, they will stalk the region making it ''tormented''. The monsters will roam the area, killing and torturing any innocents they find, and striking terror into the hearts of those they encounter.

	===Objective: Kill Trakaa and Sul===		===Objective: Kill Trakaa and Sul===