PrologueRumors and News
[AN AETHEREAL DOMAIN IN THE AETHER; SEPTEMBER 05, 2017 (W.R)]
She opened her eyes and was woefully reminded that it was not a nightmare.
Through the blur and the ache, she could see that her ice coffin was one of hundreds standing upright over the muddy slush of Witch-King’s domain and beneath a grey vault of roiling storm clouds. Each coffin was a prison for those who were captured by Anubisath, Witch-King of the North. From time to time, the Glacier, the Birdkin or another of the Witch-King’s minions would take an ice coffin and drag it to the ziggurat that beshadowed them all. And just like that, another fellow inmate was gone – no screams, no struggle, beyond the helpless despair in their eyes.
The cold of the coffin seeped through skin and muscle into the core of her being. Voices spoke to her, quieting her will and her thoughts. From her expertise, she knew them to be the whispers of Muses: wind spirits known to inspire emotions and artists. They instead summoned images and words within her mind, reinforcing memories within the deepest recesses of her spirit. They made her recall the battle at the Aethyric Tear, the desperate pursuit and the ambush that led to her capture. She remembered the Glacier that Walks encaging her into its gluttonous frame and the darkness thereafter. They sharpened most of all her memories of those who had failed her, those who left her behind to endure this torment… and to break beneath its weight.
She would shake her head if she could, but there was no moving nor breathing within the coffin that both imprisoned her and sustained her mortal flesh. There was only her encaged thoughts, nightmare-filled sleep and the poisonous words of the Anubisath’s Muses.
Of course, she resisted. She did everything, negotiating with the spirits, praying to the gods and even filling her head with thoughts of kittens. There was no breathing in her prison, but her freezing blue lips formed the incantations and the prayers nonetheless, hoping for something… anything.
But the Muses’ words were turning true – there was none that came to reclaim her and the only news she ever heard was the Muses singing of Anubisath’s triumph over the Storm Lords in the Aether. Only a handful of the Elemental Lords and Monarchs did not bend the knee to Anubisath or know the chains of his conquest. Whatever plan the Witch-King had was coming to fruition and it appeared contingent upon the Winter season. As the weeks had passed, fewer and fewer ice coffins remained, despite the recent additions that were brought to the frozen field by the Glacier that Walks, Horusath the Birdkin or the strange Jotunbrud man with furs and runes.
When her time finally came, her mind and her will was as foggy as the thick clouds gathering above the ziggurat. Somehow, she knew that similar clouds were gathering across Midworld toward some deadly purpose.
Yet, she still had hope.
Even after weeks of frozen, silent torment…
Even after magics of the Muses were woven around her spirit…
And even when Gjallanir, Eater of Runes and Jotun Giant, picked up her prison and brought her to the Witch-King of the North for her final moments of willful, tattered consciousness…
This hope was a candle-flame and a whisper amidst the howling winds of her despair – but it was there.
Out of Game Clarify: This vision, in jarring bits and pieces, is granted via one or several horrible nightmares to those who have ever been Favored of Violet Rayne (via the Favored of the Spirits skill) within the last five years. It is apparent that it is her but there appears to be no communication or response possible, even by another Witch.
Rumors (anyone may read this)
With the fading of the Summer months, the Autumn season has arrived – or it would be so if not for the overwhelming power of Anubisath, Witch-King of the North. Even the flowers bloom in wintry apparel as his influence waxes beyond his domains over the rest of Midworld. Although he has suffered more than a few reversals at the hands of the Freefolk, the march of his armies thunders in both Midworld and the Aether. Bitter war continues to engulf Kali-Ishtar, only barely spilling into the other Kingdoms. Many are the powerful Elemental Lords that have pledged their allegiance to him. Similarly, those his minions have captured are given terrible torment and enslaved by powerful winter spirits to fight in Anubisath’s name.
Yet, few have angered the Witch-King more than the heroes and mercenaries of Freehold. They have exchanged blow after savage blow against Anubisath and wounded him, stymieing his power and striking down his machinations. Some believe that Anubisath has his eyes on Freehold and gathers power for a vengeance worthy of their insolence. And like the coming of Winter, it shall be an unceasing, bitter tide.
Callas Selvarion or Rumormonger skill only:
Dark clouds have soared over salt and sea to gather above the city of Callas Selvarion. The city and the Kingdom are still recovering from the terroristic attacks of the renegade witch Valtherion, but there is talk that the strange clouds that persist through wind and even the weather magics of the Callasine is more than dire portents. The various magic users and even the Queen of Stars herself are said to be preparing powerful wards to combat this potential new threat… or perhaps, the renewal of a previously seen one.
As a final measure, a powerful spell of guardianship and veiling may be cast by the Queen of Stars – but doing so might isolate the Kingdom for too long a period, beyond years or even decades.
In addition to the menacing weather, the docks of Callas Selvarion report the appearance of strange humanoids, clad in marine life and flotsam. The origin of such creatures is unknown but it is suspected that they are related to the disappearances of entire vessels during oceanic voyages.
Firbolg or Rumormonger skill only:
Dark clouds gather over the stone city of Muirthemne, despite the magics of the Fir’bolg and even the Arch-Druid. Elemental powers are said to be strong within the depths of these clouds – doubtless, they are the work of Anubisath, Witch-King of the North. Many of the Dyed Men and Drustan warbands have been called back to the capitol in preparation of an aerial siege by Anubisath forces. The Grey Crows and several dozen Priests of Morganna and Marda have also been summoned to cast spells of warding and protection over the stone city of the Fir’bolg.
Gotterdammerung or Rumormonger skill only:
Dark clouds cover the skies above Lichtenstein and are believed to be the work of Anubisath. Church of the Lord Reaper and its allied faiths have since begun shoring up the defenses in preparation for another attack from the Witch-King of the North – perhaps even the return of the Killing Wind.
Meanwhile, with a heavy heart and much sorrow, the King-Priest has declared the purge of Krieger Dammerlicht complete. Executors and Slayer-Priests have hunted refugees as far as Ixia and the Labyrinthium, but were allowed no farther. The King-Priest has publicly decreed that he along with a party of his closest advisors and allies will continue looking for the cure for this Umbral Hysteria.
Ixia or Rumormonger skill only:
Dark clouds are encircling Ekthalon, giving rise to fear and terror among the populace. The Shadow beneath the Crown and the Vigil over Patience are working tirelessly with various villages and towns to protect them from an expected onslaught from Anubisath. The wards around Ixia are comprised of powerful magics, but these Orders prefer to err on the side of caution.
Choir Caellinrah welcomes many of their brethren escaping from a genocidal purge in Gottedammerung. The refugees are largely comprised of non-combatants, but there is a significant number of powerful spellcasters and skilled warriors among the incoming groups. Teacher Truthful has convinced the Circle of Teachers to allow these folk in, citing familial ties and space among the Elven Towers in Choir Caellinrah and their vassals. This has also the effect of bolstering the numbers and the relative strength of Choir Caellinrah.
Jotunbrud or Rumormonger skill only:
Dark Clouds surround the frozen stronghold of Ymirheim, capitol of the Chained Kingdom. For his part, the Frozen King Ymir is far from concerned. It is believed that he expects another Killing Wind to strike the Kingdom at its heart but he has great faith in the enspelled walls and structures of his city.
Meanwhile, a great army has struck from the Northern and Eastern borders of the Kingdom. The Burned Men warband have been broken and routed, their Thane perishing in his last stand against the forces of Anubisath and the Witch-King himself. Thrymdul, the Furnace that Walks, was severely wounded by the encounter and has withdrawn to his stronghold. This leaves the rest of the Jotunbrud lands, especially the Lukdrassil, under threat of assault from a new front.
Kali-Ishtar or Rumormonger skill only:
Dark clouds swirl above the mountain of Dal-Reshik which cradles the capitol of Kali-Ishtar in its depths. This is believed to portend a new doom to befall the Kingdom. It is suspected that that this new phenomenon is simply the harbinger of the Killing Wind’s return, though it might also simply be a new assault intended to outflank the armies of the Kingdom and their allies.
On the side of hope, the forces of Anubisath have withdrawn from the battlefield after their defeat at the City of the Molten River. They have scattered to the four winds, through the air or through aethyric portals. Their return is expected and those allied Kingdoms that have lent aid to Kali-Ishtar are allowed garrison in a part of the city, although their presence is highly policed.
Labyrinthium or Rumormonger skill only:
Dark clouds have sailed across sky and sea from the south to however over the Vicious City. The Qabbalim and the League of Guilders are hard at work preparing spells of shelter and protection against the expected retribution from Anubisath, Witch-King of the North. This is said to be a result of the Kingdom sending aid against the Witch-King in his war against Kali-Ishtar.
Their preparations have been slowed however by reports of a large fleet sailing from the accursed Rainbow Isles and manned by gaunt, monstrous humanoids. Dubbed the Writhing Fleet, these ships appear to be headed toward the Vicious City and expect to arrive there soon to do battle with the Labyrinthium.
Malak Travak or Rumormonger skill only:
The city of the Iron Dwarves has reported dark clouds crowning the mountain that houses it. The Rune-speaker Guild and the Spiral Cabal has dispatched their more powerful members to ascertain the threat while the Throneguard secures the entrances to Malak Travak in preparation for an attack by Anubisath. The menace of such an attack is enough to slow and even halt the industries and trade around Malak Travak, inflicting some injury to the mercantile Dwarves’ economy.
Pendrakken or Rumormonger skill only:
Arius and Pendrakken forces have routed the armies of House Rayne and their allies. This has forced them to prepare for a final stand at the city of Stormhold. What was the breaking of a would-be lengthy siege is a thing of mystery. Rumors speak of various entrances being surprisingly unsecured flanked by slain guardians and pointing to treachery. In the ensuing chaos of Knight-Commander Medea Arius’ attack, the individuals responsible escaped or were slain – this leaves their identity and their origin largely unknown.
Meanwhile, dark clouds have gathered above Lutharion above the Lake, the Kingdom’s capitol. Members of House Vard and House Macha have been sent to reinforce the city, although this leaves their strongholds vulnerable to attack. The forces of Medea Arius have also been commanded to return by the Ministry but they have yet to send a response.
With the help of the Golden Fleet and House Constantine, significant reinforcements have arrived from Graellengard to Stormhold. The Crimson Fleet has fled the scene – rumors speak of the disappearance of their leader, but more likely, they simply felt less and less committed to a “losing cause”.
Riverfolk or Rumormonger skill only:
The King in Gold has either sequestered themselves away from all distractions or they have disappeared. Either way, they are proving incredibly difficult to contact. Newly promoted Admiral Gabi Laguna and the mysterious Golden Scribe have taken over logistical duties in the meantime.
A new strain of the Writhing Curse is tearing through the different Fleets. The root of this affliction appears to stem from the resurrection of an ancient Riverfolk hero, Riza the Reader. It is also believed that Riza herself has sent a monstrous Fleet from the Rainbow Isles to the Vicious City of the Labyrinthium, manned by those who have fallen to the Writhing Curse’s grasp.
Spurred by this terrible rumor, the Crimson Fleet have made themselves sparse, including their masked leader. There are a few that work with the other Fleets and have remained, but like rats before the light — they have largely vanished.