Timeline

In the shadowed outskirts of Featherdell, Tasha and Draldren encountered Estemar, the formidable wizard of Ald Satha, whose eyes gleamed with arcane knowledge. He tasked them with safeguarding the town while he delved into the mysteries of the corrupted elven ruins unearthed in the foreboding Dead Kings Woods. The pair stood vigilant against unseen threats, their resolve unyielding as Estemar unraveled the twisted magics that tainted the ancient site.

Upon completing their duty, Estemar revealed the significance of their efforts. The ruins, he declared, held the key to JanCastle's rebirth, their corrupted power a double-edged sword that could either forge salvation or unleash further ruin. With this revelation, Tasha and Draldren glimpsed the fragile threads of hope woven into the tapestry of despair, their mission a pivotal step in the kingdom's uncertain future.

The Warbelly Hideout is attacked by the rampaging Krimkar. Tasha, Draldren, and Tairn fight there way to a small boat as Cadence holds back the Krimkar. They row across the lake even as the storm clouds gather overhead and the city is masked in a great swirling wind.

After many days they come to the village of featherdell, in the district of Ald Satha. There they work for the town, befriend a troll, and earn their stay.

After days of battle, Storm and Brom, Father and Son, drove the Krimkar forces northward. They seek their bitter enemy Kram among the scattered forces of the Krimkar. Avery, the loyal captain to Brom, and his mightiest warriors, Ignis, Tempest, Geira, and Melody, fight bitterly to repell the Krimkar ever away from JanCastle. Meanwhile, Kram and his forces make a surprise attack by small reed boats upon the port of the city.

Even as Lynel, Mavis, and Malice are sent by Cadence to protect the Warbelly Hideout from the new gangs of the port, and even as Eidelon counts his now immense wealth, Krimkar arrives with the morning fog, hidden from the watchful eyes of the ship captains. The Krimkar set fire to port before any in JanCastle can respond.

Malice, suffering from grievous injuries at the hands of the gangs, is carried to the gate of the city by Lynel, even as Krimkar himself arrives with his forces. Lynel, watching from the alley ways, is shocked to see the gates open at his arrival. Though he knew not the face beyond the gate, it was Eric JanCastle, the estranged nephew of the Storm the King, with a contingent of JanCastle Knights loyal to his father Varik.

"The Rightful Son of the King is indeed returned" announced Eric at the opening of the gates.

Kram entered the gates, and upon seeing their folly, some of the knights threw themselves at Kram but were slain by his sword and spear before their own sword even fell. Bells rang and horns sounded in alarm but the sound never reached the ears of Brom in the north. And so it was that Eric entered the city with the host of Kram, and the Krimkar themselves broke down the gates of the high district, and into the very palace itself, slaying all in their way.

Even as the bells of the city rolled quietly northward and were assumed by the growing thunder, worry entered the heart of Storm the king, and he drove his armies back south with all haste. And upon seeing the fields of stone, decorated with boulders by the massive war machines of JanCastle, they saw the banners of the Krimkar flying upon the lowest walls of the city. Upon the walls, above the Lion's Gate, Eric stood in the robes and crown of the king. To his left stood Kram, and to his right stood a shadowed and cloaked figure.

"I am the Son of Varik, who is himself the elder brother to Storm" Eric pronounced. With secret power the sorcerer who stood beside him, Mephiston, propelled his words to every ear in the inner kingdom. "The Storm over JanCastle is at it's end, the Lycanthropy of my Father has taken the kingship away from the rightful blood line, but no longer. The rightful king will reign."

Then Storm, deeply dismayed by the course of events, lifted himself from his despair, and replied. "You will be struck dead even as our empire has received it's own fatal blow, but I will live to see it reborn."

And in that moment, an old thought entered the heart of Kram. Long had he prepared in secret for war against JanCastle, and long had he used Eric's lust for the kingship for his own purpose. But never was the final intent after the accomplishment oh his designs clear even to himself. And so he took the crowned head of Eric into his powerful hand, and threw Eric over the rampart to hang by his neck from the wall. All eyes within and without the walls of the city strained to see the events that now unfolded before them.

"Indeed death's blow has been given to the empire of your father, and never again shall it raise hate filled towers upon the lands of the Krimkar." As even as he finished his words, his sword pierced the cloak of the king, and a red stream of blood navigated down the walls of the city and onto the Lion's Gate, staining the teeth.

The groans of the people of JanCastle matched the growing thunder as their hearts matched the darkening clouds. But then they were overcome by great booms from the clouds as lightning pierced the sky and struck the top of the gate. All people shrunk from the blinding light save the king, who drove his horse two steps forward. As the black smoke was cleared by the growing wind, Kram could be seen atop the walls with a grievous black wound, while Eric had fallen, his body pierced by the fangs of the Lion's Gate.

Night came early that day as the storm winds grew around the city and behind the host of the king. The Krimkar in the north retreated from the winds whereas the krimkar of the city were like prisoners within the walls. And so the host of the king were able to flee south, free from pursuit from behind, and safe from the captured war engines of the city.

Lynel spends a week recovering in the champions Suite, overlooking the JanCastle counter offensive from the balcony.

Mavis and Malice spend their time in the Pit as the new champions. They learn of the unprotected treasure that the Stonehammer mining company has left in the Redstone mines, along with news that a place called the Warbelly hideout is facing pressure from newly formed gangs in the abandoned port district.

After recovering, the three members of the newly formed "Ward Pact Gang" go to the Redstone mines in search of treasure. They find some treasure, along with goblins. After a few skirmishes and a couple close calls from well placed goblin arrows, Lynel see's a troll munching on a goblin leg. It seems to take no interest in them. However, they nonetheless decide to leave while they are ahead.

After returning to the Pit, they make a deal with Drod to fight in the Pit this evening along with promising to fight again in a week as long as Drod provides three healing potions.

After another night of nightmares with the Undead Lord, Tempest, Geira, and Melody awake in the Middle Bar Bumba. Tempest answers a knock on his door, greeting a soldier of JanCastle who informs him that him and his associates are being rallied to the lower district by order of the king himself.

Ignis, not wanting to talk to any JanCastle soldier, sneaks out his window, to the surprise of Tayrigan, otherwise known as Turk the Janitor. Tayrigan explains that he is being called to the war effort.

After some preparations and supplies gathering, the group arrives at the lower district and is directed to none other than Avery JanCastle, who has been called back north after weeks of war in the south. Avery assigned Geira the command of a unit of JanCastle soldiers and a unit of conscripted militia. He gives her the order to attack a particular encampment of the Krimkar with a leader who has shown to be a dangerously creative tactician.

Geira hears the horns blow as King Storm mounts his horse at the gate. Soon, he leads his legion through the opening gates. Before Avery's regiment is able to get through the gate, Geira can see the nearby trebuchet' men begin preparing, and then firing the massive war engines. Soon, Avery hurries the regiment into line and through the gate. The battlefield comes into her view, hundreds of boulders falling from the sky beyond sight, obscured by the hundreds of yellow banners waving in the breeze.

Without time to take in the sight of the tens of thousands of soldiers moving this way and that along the flat muddy field, Geira leads her two squads and her associates in the direction that Avery is leading them. After about half an hour, they can finally see their legion making contact with the Krimkar to the left and right. Descending into the well worn roads, edged in hedge rows and spotted here and there with farm houses and village homes, Geira is given final orders from Avery, pointed in the direction of a Krimkar camp.

She see's the Krimkar camp, some thirty strong. Coming up with a quick plan, without time to spare, she orders everyone forward. They come under arrow fire, but effectively move to neutralize that threat while also getting in close melee combat with the Krimkar camp. After an intense battle, they come away with a handful of casualties but effectively pushed out the Krimkar.

After some time, a JanCastle soldier on horseback arrives, relaying from Avery that they are to push forward if able.

The forces of JanCastle have gathered at Storm's command. Tens of thousands of able-bodied men have been called to Lion's Gate. Storm himself stands quiet atop the wall, overlooking a field of destruction. Great boulders are strewn about the once beautiful fields of JanCastle, looking like stones upon a sandy riverbank. The Krimkar thought that their fortifications were outside the range of the JanCastle weaponry, but they knew not the devices of the JanCastles, the conquerers of Vinor.

Having withdrawn into the woods, village lands, and countryside, the Krimkar were out of sight. Storm raises his hand. Dozens of lieutenants take notice. With a close of his fist, they blow on the great bronze horns, which blare loudly across the crowded streets. A hundred thousand men mobilize in an instant. Storm turns as his black cloak is blown by the humid July air. His feet descend the stone steps of the great wall. He moves slow, every footstep well placed, intentional and careful. The ache in his aged bones are evident to all, even as his determination and power are unmatched by the millions of people within the walls of the city.

Reaching the bottom of the wall, his foot steps into the thick mud, the grass having long given way to the thousands of soldiers' boots that have crossed the path in recent months. By the time he slowly mounted his horse, he stood at the head of a column of ten thousand of the King's Legion. With another raise of his wrinkled hand, the Lion Gate opens. Horses shift uncomfortable as the slow rumble of the metal hinges shake the ground. Ahead of Storm lay the battle scarred ground. His horse passes beneath the walls, leading the grand column to war.

As the King's Legion arrays themselves upon the center of the field, well over a hundred thousand more knights, soldiers, and auxiliary troops are ordered into positions upon the flanks. Soon, the Krimkar can be seen rushing into position upon their mostly destroyed fortifications. Just as the Krimkar open fire upon the advancing army, the creaking and bellowing of the JanCastle trebuchet's can be felt rumbling. The boulders meet the arrows of the Krimkar like eagles devouring a dove. A godsend of destruction falls from the sky upon the gathering Krimkar army.

Soon, the Trebuchet's roar comes to an end, and the roar of the King's Legion along with the full might of the JanCastle army meets the Krimkar upon the field of battle at last. The line of battle grows ever wider throughout the afternoon as the Krimkar muster their forces from the countryside, meeting the JanCastle forces in skirmishes along the hedge roads and small villages that are scattered around the land.

King Storm JanCastle personally directed the deployment of the Kings Guard and Avalryn's Legion into the lower district, signaling an imminent counteroffensive against the encroaching Krimkar forces.

As dawn broke, the massive array of trebuchets unleashed a relentless barrage of stone projectiles upon the Krimkar positions, shaking the earth with each impact.

Though the Krimkar catapults retaliated with their own volleys, their efforts were swiftly overwhelmed by the superior firepower and precision of JanCastle's siege engines.

Forced to abandon their exposed ranks, the Krimkar sought refuge behind hastily erected wooden fortifications or retreated entirely from the field.

Throughout the day, the bombardment continued unabated, with laborers tirelessly transporting boulders from the port district to the front lines, ensuring the trebuchets remained fed and the assault unyielding.

Lynel, Malice, and Mavis come to the Pit, a place where they have witnessed many battles to the death, this time to compete in Drod's competition. The winner gets an ongoing 20 coin bonus for fights in the Pit, above the standard 40 coin reward, in addition to being able to live in the Champions Suite, which includes a balcony overlooking the north east part of the city.

Lynel and Malice wait eagerly for their first fight, seeing some other competitors get maimed or killed, while also eagerly watching the door, hoping their long time friend Mavis shows up for the fight. The time comes, Drod tells them to get ready. Lynel, as daring as ever, convinces Malice to compete even while one person short.

In the first round of the battle, Lynel and Malice fight two lizardmen. They take some minor injuries but are able to dispatch the foes. Drod, as expected, asks if they are willing to bring more entertainment, and fight a second round. Lynel quickly accepts the challenge.

Out come two goblins, probably captured by the Stonehammer mining company from the inner district and sold at a nice sum to Drod. These are killed quickly and in spectacular fashion, errupting the crowd with drunken excitement.

After recovering their breath and cleaning themselves up, Lynel and Malice meet with an excited crowd in the main bar of the Pit. Mavis shows up after missing the competition, delayed by a band of refugees that were causing trouble down in the lower district. Drod stands upon a table, raising himself above the crowd. After talking up the contestants and the quality of the entertainment he announces the winner: Strombard Brembar and Hastings Warren.

Lynel stairs deeply at a pile of empty ale mugs, despairing of what seems like another night of drunkenness. This time, however, he summons his strength, and leaves the mugs behind. Approaching Drod, he demands one more fight in this competition, between him and his companions against Strombard and Hastings. Drod looks to the two glorying in the attention of the bar, and issues a challenge: "Are you willing to fight for the title?"

The challenge was accepted.

Drod puts to work his employees and calls the audience back to the stands. After a short time to prepare, the gates are opened. Stombard steps forward, seeing three, not two challengers across the Pit. Before he could even raise a complaint, Drod yells back down to contestants to fight.

Lynel charges across the room as Malice and Mavis send both spear and arrow hurtling towards their opponents, dealing deadly injuries to both Stombard and Hastings. Strombard raises his hammer and places it squarely upon the head of Lynel, nearly killing him. Stumbling back, Lynel see's both foes killed by more spear and arrow fire. The new champions have been crowned.

Tempest, Ignis, Melody, and Geira all awake while at the Middle Bar Bumba from terrible dreams that they thought were real. After meeting together in the morning they realize that they all had the exact same dream, as if they were there together. They saw their old friends, Blank, Amira, Nessie, and Jorell. At first everything was normal. But then their faces changes and the sky turned dark. They were in a small mountain town but did not recognize the place. The towns people were at first warm and inviting. Then they slowly disappeared. The sky was now a dark red. An earie mist covered the ground. From down the road, a dark figure approached. As he drew near his skeletal face could be discerned. Looking back at their old friends, they saw their faces also had changed to a a gauntly green hue.

"We were the sacrifice" the four gauntly faces say in unison.

"You shall be with us"

Then they awoke from the dream, drenched in a cold sweat.

Drod, the proprietor of the Pit, faced a crisis after losing his star attraction, prompting him to seek fresh talent to maintain the crowd's enthusiasm for the brutal spectacles.

He announced a grand contest, promising a one-time double payment of 80 coins to each member of the victorious group that delivers the most thrilling performance.

Additionally, the champions would be granted residence in the luxurious Champions Suite, complete with a balcony overlooking the northeastern expanse of the city, provided they continued to entertain weekly.

Adventurers and warriors from across the realm flocked to the Pit, eager to prove their mettle in the arena and claim the coveted rewards.