370 days until the Arkon Shield falls
Esteemed guildmaster,
The team we dispatched to the unique dungeon has reported back, and their report has been most interesting...
It seems that during their mission, the Hortown team encountered a representative from one of the human independents. These independents are not just the usual run-of-the-mill ruffians but appear well-organized and willing to resist the orcs. The player in question possesse...
2021-12-28 03:01:00 +0000 UTC
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370 days until the Arkon Shield falls
The fighters spread out into the basement in silence. Flowing around us, they placed themselves along the walls and blocked the other entrances.
“There’s forty of them,” Giselle said tersely. Her hands were on her warhammer, but she hadn’t drawn the weapon yet.
I nodded while I picked random intruders to analyze. They were all human, unenslaved, and wearing no armor, but like Daryl and Thursten, they were armed. “The...
2021-12-28 02:01:00 +0000 UTC
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370 days until the Arkon Shield falls
It did not take long for the battle to draw to its inevitable conclusion.
After my own part was done, I slid down to the floor, leaving the mopping up to Tara and the others. The village hall was cleared, and the first step—and perhaps most challenging part—of the plan was complete. Now, only to make contact with the rebels and rid the rest of the village of the gang.
While I waited, I turned my attention to the Trials ale...
2021-12-27 03:00:02 +0000 UTC
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370 days until the Arkon Shield falls
The entire infiltration force was in the corridor. Tara must have summoned all the scouts waiting on the roof to help clear the second.
At the moment, most were gathered at the far end of the corridor, and I assumed they had been tasked with keeping watch on the stairs in case any drunken stragglers wandered up from the party below.
I spotted Kenny and my familiar amongst the scouts. Seeing me, Ash rose from his hand and back to my own...
2021-12-27 02:00:02 +0000 UTC
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370 days until the Arkon Shield falls
Ignoring everything else in the room, I laid a hand on the boy’s shoulder and began mending the damage. Healing energy surged into him, closing wounds and fixing swollen muscles.
I had not missed the dead form of the thug leader in my earlier scan of the room. He was the corpse on the bed. One of our own had killed him, and even though it complicated matters, I couldn’t find it in my heart to blame them. Seeing this room, I knew I wouldn...
2021-12-26 03:00:01 +0000 UTC
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370 days until the Arkon Shield falls
Ash was resting on Kenny’s open palm.
The scout had removed my familiar from his pocket, and I could only assume that it was because they were safe and alone. I willed my familiar slightly aloft to see beyond the scout.
Kenny and his companion were in a small chamber, a bedroom from the look of it. The door was shut, and the pair were leaning against it.
The bed was occupied.
A woman was there. Naked and bruised, she was ...
2021-12-26 02:00:02 +0000 UTC
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371 days until the Arkon Shield falls
It took us longer to pack and ferry all the zelium ingots across the moat than it had to clear the dungeon. But once we were done, we exited the dungeon swiftly. We left the ore with the scouts, along with instructions to escort it back to Sierra come morning.
The trip back northeast was made in silence. Even reanimated, the broodworm moved faster than I could and, both to conserve my own energy and speed us on our journey, I rode upon the u...
2021-12-25 03:00:02 +0000 UTC
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371 days until the Arkon Shield falls
Shortly thereafter, the first of the two hostile elementals died.
The second was not long for living either. Its flaming form, reduced to cinders, swayed unsteadily within the circle the party formed around it. Stepping forward, Lance and Tara raised their weapons to finish the creature.
Tired thoughts from Ash pulsed feebly through our spirit bond.
Hunger.
Desire.
Need.
The familiar was entreating me to stop th...
2021-12-25 02:00:02 +0000 UTC
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371 days until the Arkon Shield falls
For a moment, I held still, studying the water anew. There was no change, nothing that heralded the approach of an angry, hostile serpent. They aren’t here, I assured myself. Pushing into the moat, I swam strongly, my every sense extended and alert for the slightest sign that I was wrong.
I made it safely to the other end.
None the worse, except for a thorough dunking, I heaved myself out of the moat and wrung out excess wat...
2021-12-24 03:00:02 +0000 UTC
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371 days until the Arkon Shield falls
It took a while but eventually, I managed to convince the others of the wisdom of my idea. It was complicated and would further strain the timing and execution of our battle plan, but crucially, it would bolster our forces. For that reason alone, Petrov and Tara agreed to go along with my suggestion.
The first step involved returning to the Primal Keep. Despite having just arrived at the camp, I set out immediately, accompanied by Tara, Lanc...
2021-12-24 02:00:02 +0000 UTC
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371 days until the Arkon Shield falls
Chief Zel Foghorn,
Sir, Commander Zumen’s squad is late checking in. I am sure your son is fine, but I have sent a patrol to the red dungeon to check on him.
—Captain Grul Firespawn.
After Tara’s pronouncement, the others fell silent, contemplating what her words meant. Likely that we’re all going to die, I thought fatalistically.
“Tell them about the rebels,” Lance said.
<...
2021-12-23 03:00:01 +0000 UTC
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371 days until the Arkon Shield falls
We marched out of the village in dressed ranks and set out northeast. In contrast to the last expedition I’d been on, we made good time. Both the foothills and grasslands were easier to traverse than the forest, and this time we were unburdened by construction supplies.
Petrov pushed us hard, though, and by day’s end, I was exhausted. As sunset neared, I struggled to put one foot in front of the other, and when we broke camp that night, ...
2021-12-23 02:00:02 +0000 UTC
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372 days until the Arkon Shield falls
It felt that no sooner had I placed my head on the pillow than my sleep was disturbed.
An insect was buzzing over me. Not opening my eyes, I brushed at it. It refused to budge. “Go away,” I slurred, waving my hands ineffectually.
If anything, the buzzing increased in volume. “Goddamn,” I growled and forced reddened eyes open.
Ash hovered above me, pulsing merrily.
I scowled at her. “And a good morning to you too,...
2021-12-22 03:01:00 +0000 UTC
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373 days until the Arkon Shield falls
I swung open the door of my cabin and, to my surprise, found something waiting for me on the threshold. It was a crate filled with equipment. Leaning down, I riffled through the contents.
It was stuff I’d ordered from the crafters. That was fast, I thought. I’d not expected the items for a while yet. Frowning, I glanced upwards. Full night had fallen. Damn. I’d lost a few hours binding the familiar.
Ash flickere...
2021-12-22 02:00:02 +0000 UTC
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373 days until the Arkon Shield falls
I left the temple still dazed by the implications of Aurora’s last words. Had she been trying to warn me? I wondered. And if so, of what?
I had known the Trials was a part of me, yet the idea of it listening in on my every thought was disturbing. Now was not the time to ponder the matter, though. I still had a lot to get done before tomorrow.
Glancing inwards, I focused on the Trials message, heralding the changes to myself.
2021-12-21 03:00:02 +0000 UTC
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373 days until the Arkon Shield falls
“We cannot win this fight,” I said when the room had been cleared.
The old lady studied me for a moment. She didn’t dispute my words, but nor did she give any hint that she agreed with me. “Tell me why. I’m listening.”
I resumed my pacing, gathering my thoughts. “What do we know of the human gang?” I asked eventually.
“We don’t have any firm tally of their numbers,” Jolin said, “but the scouts’ estimate ...
2021-12-21 02:00:02 +0000 UTC
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373 days until the Arkon Shield falls
High Shaman,
I share your concern about the human Jameson Sinclair and have exhorted my men to greater effort in finding him.
I am writing to you, however, on another disturbing matter. Shaman Jhaven has detected svartalfar mages snooping about our northern base in the mountains. I’ve ordered him to erect a scrying ward around the valley, but I fear it will not hold the dark mages at bay for long. We can expect ...
2021-12-20 03:00:02 +0000 UTC
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374 days until the Arkon Shield falls
8 hours until Dungeon Purge
We traversed the dungeon in reverse, slipping past disarmed traps and dead creature champions. As we walked, I mused over the dungeon dive. The hidden dungeon hadn’t been what I expected, and it had differed vastly from the Primal Keep in design, yet I couldn’t complain about the rewards I’d received. I hadn’t gained the Trait I desired, but what I got was just as good and better in some ways.
An...
2021-12-20 02:00:02 +0000 UTC
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374 days until the Arkon Shield falls
8 hours until Dungeon Purge
This time, the winged horror did not immediately launch into an attacking dive. Taking up position above the party, it glared down at us.
You have forged life magic conduits to the players Jain, Liyanda, Pierre, and Cedric.
In preparation for the upcoming clash, I cast flared conduit between myself and the others. I didn’t bother with wilting ward, though. The spell...
2021-12-19 03:00:01 +0000 UTC
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374 days until the Arkon Shield falls
9 hours until Dungeon Purge
There is an old saying. A dragon’s fire is nearly as deadly as the dragon itself. Truer words have never been spoken.
—Anonymous player.
There were three traps, not one.
The first was a fan of flames that roared out of the tiny nozzles that extended down from the roof above. I waded through them unharmed.
The second was a brace of spinning blades. They launched out of ...
2021-12-19 02:00:02 +0000 UTC
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374 days until the Arkon Shield falls
11 hours until Dungeon Purge
I whistled appreciatively at the horror’s rank. The strength of our foes was advancing rapidly with each encounter. Another thing to worry about. If this kept up, soon we’d face a Veteran creature champion. I didn’t relish the thought, particularly if we had to do it with low energy reserves.
“What a surprise,” Liyanda growled. “Another horror.” But despite her words, she sounded eage...
2021-12-18 03:00:02 +0000 UTC
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374 days until the Arkon Shield falls
15 hours until Dungeon Purge
Cedric scowled as he saw me approach. “What do you want? Come to gloat?”
I shook my head. “No, I just want to talk.”
“About?”
“Magic.”
Cedric snorted. “So you did come to gloat.”
I sat down next to him. “Look, I’m sorry.”
The death mage stared at me, nonplussed.
I sighed. I hadn’t been fair to the man. Despite Cedric’s constant air o...
2021-12-18 02:00:02 +0000 UTC
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374 days until the Arkon Shield falls
21 hours until Dungeon Purge
Chief Zel Foghorn,
I appreciate the updates, but why haven’t I heard back from you about the human? He is in your quadrant, I am sure of it. Don’t disappoint me.
—High Shaman Orgtul Silverbane.
The room had only one exit, a door on the room’s right wall. Peeking within, we saw it led to another long corridor, which by all indications was identical to the previo...
2021-12-17 03:00:02 +0000 UTC
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374 days until the Arkon Shield falls
22 hours until Dungeon Purge
Even with my line of sight half-obscured, I couldn’t miss the creature standing stock-still in the center of the chamber.
The thing was roughly humanoid in shape. Each of its limbs was formed from thick ropy muscles, naked and uncovered by skin. The creature’s arms were abnormally long and hung loosely from its shoulders so that its bare knuckles dragged along the ground.
Its feet, like its hands,...
2021-12-17 02:00:02 +0000 UTC
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374 days until the Arkon Shield falls
24 hours until Dungeon Purge
It is done, Mother. The die is cast, and matters are out of our hands now. Elders help us all.
—Administrator Nexus.
Transfer completed.
The moment I entered the dungeon, I knew it was different. There was no purple storm-wracked sky or crashing waves. Instead, the portal spat me out into a void of blackness and silence.
The only light in my vision came...
2021-12-16 03:00:02 +0000 UTC
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374 days until the Arkon Shield falls
I watched the two scouts until they vanished from sight before moving to rejoin the others.
“Where are they going?” Jain asked.
“Leaving,” I answered laconically.
He eyed me for a moment but didn’t inquire further.
As I sat down at the campfire, I saw that the party was preparing breakfast, or more correctly, Pierre was. He had hung a pot over the fire, and while I watched in amazement, he threw an assortment of i...
2021-12-16 02:00:02 +0000 UTC
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375 days until the Arkon Shield falls
High Shaman,
You will be delighted to hear that my men have captured a group of humans with information on the whereabouts of a hidden dungeon. I’m sending them north for further questioning.
—Chief Zel Foghorn.
While Thornton and Cass stood back, I released the four prisoners. Jain, Liyanda, Pierre, and Cedric scrambled out of the cage as soon as I yanked open the door, almost as if they were afrai...
2021-12-15 03:00:02 +0000 UTC
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375 days until the Arkon Shield falls
No creature may more truly mimic another than a dragon.
—Anonymous player.
Much to my surprise, the four did not jump at the chance I offered. Instead, they drew together in a huddle in the center of the cage and whispered to each other. I stared at them in consternation, unable to understand their hesitancy.
“What do you think they know?” Thornton asked quietly, stepping up beside me.
“I’m not s...
2021-12-15 02:00:02 +0000 UTC
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375 days until the Arkon Shield falls
Log report: Deep scan completed. Subroutine aligned with prime directive. Reinitiating Ashara Awakening… initiation successful.
—Trials Log Entry #232,129, 490,298.
The camp was a mess, or most of it was. Despite the fuss we’d made, the two great lizards had not moved out of position. Patches of grass were blackened, and some of the bushes were still burning. My doing mostly.
Thornton stomped about, puttin...
2021-12-14 03:00:02 +0000 UTC
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375 days until the Arkon Shield falls
The plan was risky, but Thornton didn’t object to it, by which I took to mean it had merit. It took only a few minutes to put the plan in play.
Weaving erratically, I approached the campfire from the north. Thornton and Cass had told me that only one orc was awake, a medium infantryman. The other three slumbered on the southern end of the camp, about two yards from the guard on watch. Two yards was not much, but it was enough for what I in...
2021-12-14 02:00:02 +0000 UTC
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