Year 545

It isn’t what you would’ve inherited had things been different, but you achieved what many said couldn’t be done. You tamed Quala badlands and have successfully incorporated it into the Empire. It certainly helped that you and Trog already had an understanding long before hand, but encouraging more kobolds citizens to settle the area worked out a lot better than you hoped. The eager little scalies seem to like the wilder and more untamed lands and it also got them out of the more “civilized” Nalin too, making more than a few rural human populations happier that their homes weren’t suddenly collapsing from over dug kobold tunnels.

The Eyes have been doing a good job of being the imposing internal security you wanted them to be and you’ve already attempted to re-establish a training center for the magic arts. Besides you, the Eyes are the only source of magic in the Empire, if they can strengthen their abilities and train others in such things, you’ll have magic might on your side which can only help in the long run.

Of course all this expansion has made your neighbors nervous mostly the six cities of Arat, but the Usksha Emirates as well (Though they’ve been wary about you even before the republic fell thanks to Quintus kicking them all out) There’s also the Island League of Delerg to contend with now. The pirates and other ne’er-do-wells had to give up their first profession and actually start putting down roots on their dreary little island hideouts, thanks to the fact that Nalin started cutting back on its naval and seafaring endeavors.

None of this really matters though, because you know none of them are strong enough to actually do anything to you. Your neighbors form petty alliances with each other in the hopes that if you did decide to strike that somehow they could stand against you. Though in some cases they’d rather join you, Regnik being one of the city states that sees the writing on the wall. Governor Daniel Tivas has requested several meetings with you and surprisingly you’ve also gotten a message from an emissary of Lenay. Seems that Domina Eldolith D’vessa wants to also speak with you, though you can’t imagine that it has anything to do with joining forces. One of your newer advisors David (former senator) has suggested that it wouldn’t hurt to speak with them. Of course most of your military is in favor of just crushing the cities and not talking at all. General Ingrid being the most vocal about it. (Ah the joys of having an enthusiastic military once again under your command.)

Sightmaster Crowley has suggested in shutting the doors to any talks and instead retaking Rask since it still contains lots of valuable resources that could be used in the future. While not completely out of the question you imagine that’s his former life influencing that advice. He probably hopes that there might be reconciliation between the ones that stayed as well as wiping out the rest of the wendigo.

Finally there’s Jennifer. She’s not an empress, she’s not even formal advisor, but you still have a close enough relationship with her that you still speak with her from time to time. The two of you realized that your “paths” were indeed different and parted ways amicably. While certainly a supporter of the Empire, she decided that her place was still archeology, exploration and looking after the museum (Even more so after her father Calvin died of natural causes four years ago). Still, as was mentioned, you do correspond with her and lately she’s been expressing an interest in the islands of Delerg and even the great ocean past them.

Of course with the Island League there, that makes her desire to mount any kind of expedition non-existent. Then again if you were more active there that wouldn’t be the case. You could rebuild the navy again to do more exploration properly and possibly claim those islands for yourself along with eliminating a potential danger in the future (and a pain in Nalin’s side even before you were dug up).

One direction you’re not looking is south though. The Usksha desert is still a formidable environment and sending an army that way you believe would be a waste as there is literally nothing to hold. Nothing of worth anyway since the usksha are still largely nomadic and have no real cities. As long as the Usksha keep to themselves, you have no problem leaving it alone.

Whatever you decide, you know you’re going to take a prominent role in it. It’s time to lead from the front again to keep everyone remembering that you’re no throne bound ruler.

In the meantime you decide to listen to David’s advice and set up a meeting with two of the rulers from Arat. At first you think neither ruler will agree to meet you in Nalin, but surprisingly both do rather than insisting on neutral or even their own territory.

In a few days both rulers arrive in Dalt with their respective entourage. Neither one is happy about the other one being here, and the presence of svelk probably puts everyone in Dalt on edge. The Eyes are on extra alert.

Daniel obviously isn’t a warrior by any means. He’s a skinny man with a goatee and a few lines on his face due to the stress of ruling. As for Eldolith, she looks about the same as you last remember, though perhaps slightly older looking. Well as “old looking” as svelk get anyway.

“When I first heard that an Eternal appeared in Nalin, I had hoped it wasn’t you.” Eldolith says when she sees you again.
“Mm, I’m sure you’ll have to explain yourself to all the other svelk now about how you attempted to seduce me by sucking on my finger.” You retort which causes her entire entourage to react with shock and a particular female svelk gives Eldolith a dirty look. Daniel and his people on the other hand are just as surprised, but find it more amusing.

“Watch yourself and your slander! I am no longer a lowly merc following the whims of my delusional bitch mother. I am the ruler of my people and we are not about to be conquered by your so called renewed empire!” Eldolith exclaims.
“We’ll see.” You remark with a smile and tell everyone to sit down at the meeting table.

“First, I’m glad you both felt the need to come see me in person. This makes what we will discuss here so much more personal, though I know there are six cities. Do you know why none of the other rulers have desired to see me?” you ask.
“I can answer that.” Daniel says. “The rulers of Atinil and Valizza are already under the influence of Eldolith so by her being here they already have their master to speak for them.”
“Daniel, you’re just frustrated that YOU could not sway them into becoming whores for the Empire like you seem to desire.” Eldolith remarks.
“Okay, so what of the other two?”
“Well since you decided to incorporate those stinking greenskins into your society, the people of Zo want nothing to do with you and I can’t say as I blame them. As for Telis, who the hell knows? There hasn’t been word from them for almost a decade. The entire city could be dead for all anyone knows.” Eldolith says in a bored tone.

After hearing this, you ask why both of them wanted to see you in the first place. Daniel tells you that he is basically seeking protection for his city-state. He says that he realizes that Regnik can no longer afford to be independent and that he is willing to become a vassal of the Empire. He doesn’t care if half the citizens are against it; he says it’s the best thing for the survival of Regnik. He does make it clear though that he is not asking to be annexed completely. He still wants Regnik to be independent on a day-to-day basis, just that it will be paying you money in exchange for protection.

Eldolith sneers at Daniel and begins to call him a weakling raising the hostilities of both sides of the table until you demand that everyone calm down.

“Alright Eldy, what the hell is it that you want to say, because I know damn well it isn’t an alliance let alone vassalhood.”
“You’re right. It isn’t being subserviant, but rather a setting of boundaries right now. The svelk people are independent AND strong. We will NOT bend to your will and if you doubt this then send your armies to invade and see them slaughtered by the thousands!”
“So, I’m supposed to just sit back and watch you get stronger until you attack us eh? And I’d watch your next words Eldolith, in case you’ve forgotten you’re not exactly in friendly company right now.”
“You think I care about your threats? Attempt to kill me if you wish, but I will not grovel like this weak human here.”

Eldolith is certainly going all out to be confrontational, though you wonder how much of it is an act for her people because you embarrassed her with the finger comment. Still, you know svelk and they aren’t all bluff. She’s probably being very serious with her grandstanding which makes you also wonder what power is it that she holds that could potentially stand against you. You’re aware that the svelk do have mages, which does put them above most people, but even you can match that now.

If Daniel is correct then she does have the support of two other city-states and will probably have Zo as well seeing as they hate orcs. Still even with the extra military help it still wouldn’t be enough. Might take awhile, but you’d conquer eventually.

Either Eldolith is got something else up her sleeve or she’s being overconfident. Could go either way.

The temptation to indulge her threats is great, but maybe some caution might be in order. You decide to take Daniel up on his offer and use his city as a launching zone for spies and other possible intelligence gathering plans before you make a final decision on Eldolith. That would also give you time to bring your attention to other potential areas of conquest like Rask or Delerg.
> You make Regnik a vassal and retake Delerg
While not a true threat in the scheme of things, the Island League of Delerg is still a hostile “power” on your borders. If you have to go to war with the Arat Confederacy in the near future, you don’t want to be worrying about getting possibly attacked from another side. Rask can wait for now.

As for Daniel and Eldolith you’ll indulge both of their requests for now. You tell Daniel that he can consider his city now under the protection of the Empire and that any foreign invasion attempts in any form with be met with force.

“Why are you looking at me when you say that?” Eldolith asks.
“Because I know your kind and Daniel’s already mentioned you have your influence in two other cities. Now you can have your little territory for now, but make no mistake, you’re going to be watched from here on in and if I sense ANYTHING that could be a potential danger to the Empire you’re going to wish that you never managed to unite the svelk to begin with.”
“We’ll do as we please and nobody is going to stop us!”
“Okay then, as you said just send an invasion force in my direction and see if I’m not being serious.”

At this point Eldolith just rolls her eyes, but shuts up. Obviously she knows anymore antagonism might result in war which its apparent now that she doesn’t truly want if she can help it.

Daniel profusely thanks you for heeding his request and will make sure to accommodate your people in anyway he can. You almost shake your head at the man’s naivety if he actually believes his city is going to remain autonomous in the way he believes it will. He’s going to allow your military there, it won’t be long before you’ve got complete control and any “independence” the city thinks it has is only because you’re allowing it. Of course maybe he knows what is probably going to happen and he’s just trying to convince himself otherwise.

In any event you’re glad when the svelk leave (everyone is no doubt), it was a reminder of less happy times in your life.

You tell everyone that your next move is taking the islands of Delerg which means you have to rebuild the navy. Crowley is a little disappointed that you aren’t retaking Rask, but he understands your desire to eliminate the Island League first.

Since building the fleet and having more sailors trained is going to take awhile, you spend the next few months trying to gather more intelligence on the League since your information on them has been spotty at best. Nalin sailors as a general rule have avoided the islands for obvious reasons, but there’s always illegal smuggling so you get some of the information from the prisons.

Most of the information you get is fairly basic though perhaps more than you had. You find out that the League in general has started to become more introverted over the years, which might also explain why you don’t have much conflict with them anymore.

Their capital Barnacle is on the largest island and still more or less a pirate haven, but the other islands have no major settlements and those that do tend to just be small groups of people not wanting to share anything with the ruler who lives in Barnacle.

When the time comes you have what you hope to be a sizable fleet assembled. You doubt if your ships are going to be more maneuverable, but you’re hoping that their size and firepower will be enough to out power any resistance you may have. You also decide to accompany the fleet. Part of you has always been a little uneasy about being on the water, but you figure this would be the perfect time to get over that possible phobia.

Within a few days you’re in Delerg waters, but you encounter no other ships. You pass by a few small islands, but you decide to make your way to where Barnacle is located. You figure if that’s the largest settlement, you need to take that one first and possible launch more attacks from that point.

When you sail further towards your destination, you at last encounter a flotilla of ships surrounding a large island. You have an order issued to all of your ships to prepare for battle, but as you get closer a single smaller sailboat with a raised white flag approaches your fleet.

The crew of the sailboat is taken aboard your own ship when it is confirmed that the boat isn’t containing a bomb or some other trick. The sailboat crew only consists of two people and neither one is armed. They are disheveled and unkempt looking, but apparently one of them is the ruler of Barnacle.

“Um…hello great Emperor of the…uh Empire. My name is Jon, mayor of Barnacle and this is my first mate Corino.” Jon remarks.
“I’m surprised you were brave enough to parley, or perhaps just foolish. You may speak your mind, but know that we aren’t not leaving until these islands are under my rule.” You say.
“Yes, I already assumed such a thing. That’s why I’m graciously opening up his town to you without conflict.”

You weren’t expecting much of a fight, but you weren’t expecting this.

“Truly? You’re surrendering?”
“Well, I’d prefer to think of it as negotiating a better deal, but if you prefer to think of it as a surrender, then we are in no position to argue. I know that in the long run he will not be able to defeat you. Even if we fought today and won, you would only come with more ships later. We only have limited resources, while you have much much more.”
“So…that’s it? The Island League is officially capitulating to the Empire?”

Jon laughs a bit at your question.

“Well, let’s just say that I’m capitulating. I’m not sure if the Island League as a whole is, and that’s assuming you even considering a semi-cohesive unit nowadays. Barnacle is yours, and whatever that entails. I just hope that I can continue on as mayor. I believe my experience can…”
“Yeah, yeah, you’re looking to save your own ass. Got it.” You interrupt. “We’ll see, but what’s all this about the rest of the Island League?”

Jon goes on to tell you that much like the Arat Confederacy, the Island League is not a single entity, but rather an alliance of several groups. Barnacle just happens to be the biggest and most powerful. Jon says that despite the size of the other groups, they may not wish to join and will have to be eliminated completely. He also states that some of the groups have disappeared completely, he says he doesn’t even know what happened to them.

“Perhaps the environment just swallowed them up. Strange things have been found on the less explored islands after all.” Jon says.
“Hmm, well I suppose if you want to keep your current job, you’ll be providing me of good maps of what you have.”
“Of course. Anything you need! So, shall you be coming to Barnacle now to claim it?”
“Well it is one of the goals of this journey.” You reply.

When you get to Barnacle, the place is fairly well kept despite being a haven for disreputable criminals. The funny thing is, you don’t really get a sense of resentment as you pass through with platoons of soldiers. It’s early yet though. Jon himself is very accommodating, providing you and your people whatever they want or need. You don’t know though if this is because he really wants to please you so he can keep his job, or he’s planning on tricking you some how. While deceit is always a possibility you sense it’s almost more like…relief? Maybe he was having problems with the rest of the Island League leaders and now with you here he sees it as a way for him to eliminate them while still keeping his position.

In any case you tell everyone to keep alert and be prepared as usual.

After a few days, you think you’ve seen everything you need to and gotten all the information you need from Jon and Barnacle in general. After a bit of thinking about it, you decide that you’ll just go to all the inhabited locations that Jon has provided for you and either wipe out the groups or incorporate them into the Empire if they prove to be cooperative. Rather simple plan really.

You decide that Jon can go ahead and stay mayor of Barnacle, but you’ll be keeping troops here of course as well as your own ships. Now you’re just wondering if you need to stick around for this rather mundane search and destroy mission, or go back to the Empire.
> You stay in Barnacle
Considering that you’re not really going to launch any other major operation until these islands have been tamed, you might as well oversee the process.

Jon warns you that you’ll probably be doing more fighting than diplomacy. He mentions that some of the other groups living on the islands have become very odd and more isolated, some of them to the point where they attack anyone on sight.

In the next few days you see what Jon was talking about when you come in contact with your first group of islanders. They don’t even speak other than war cries and in some cases complete gibberish. Other groups, while not as wild they’re still just as hostile and need to be eliminated. It’s a fairly time consuming process sometimes due to their intimate knowledge of their own islands, but it doesn’t matter in the end, because well where are they going to run?

There is the rare occasion you’re met by hostile ships, but these are much rarer. Jon apparently had the biggest fleet in the League so you easily outnumber and out power any such encounters.

While you’ve got more than enough ships and troops to split up and search the numerous islands, it still takes months. You do start getting friendlier islander encounters however. Jon figures what you’ve been doing to everyone else is beginning to get around and people are finally waking up to the idea that you mean business and aren’t going away. Seems like a likely conclusion.

Jon tells you that your search and destroy missions should probably be coming to an end soon as he’s dug around his office and found some of the older maps that haven’t been used in a long time.

“Not sure if it’s necessary, but I know the Empire likes to be thorough. There’s an island cluster far out to the northwest that you probably haven’t searched yet.” Jon says handing you a dusty old map.
“What, are these like so called lost islands or something?” you ask.
“Heh, not really lost so much as not visited too much anymore. They used to be used more when piracy was more lucrative, but as time went on, they got used a lot less. Also they’ve actually drifted further out to open sea as well so those maps are more of a guide than a precise location. Just another reason why they became less visited or used. Still, who know who might be living out there.”

With this in mind you set off on what will hopefully be the last mission on these islands. You’ve had enough of ships and water for a long time.

The journey to the island cluster takes about a week, but the maps weren’t too inaccurate. Jon was right though they have drifted from what the locations were on the charts. You wonder what caused such a thing to these, but not the other islands. Then again you’re not an expert on geology or the ways of the sea, you’re just here to claim the damn islands and be done with it.

There are no signs of ships, so these islands probably are empty, but you don’t need any possible surprises later. As usual you have some of your fleet split up to have their crews search the other islands.

When you land on the island that you’ve chosen to search you find that the island’s ground is fairly soft and water seems to seep through it every step you take. You wonder if this place is in the beginning stages of sinking completely.

The island shows no signs of any life, though upon a bit more exploration, you do come across something you thought was lost to time long ago.

A ruined structure lies half above the ground, half submerged under water. Its worn and crumbling from age, water and other elements, but it’s the old shadow temple. You’re actually surprised to find it, considering it was leveled when the shadows were eliminated back during the old Empire days.

Not exactly the most pleasant of memories for you considering they were your enemy and your experience with Cyrus, but you get the impression Jennifer would love to dig around this place for the history value.

Just as you’re about to call it quits, you hear a loud explosion coming from the direction of where your ship was. You and the rest of your soldiers waste no time in running back it.

When you arrive you see it on flames and slowly sinking into the sea. You also see some of the crew that stayed aboard dead on the ground nearby, but more disturbing, is that you see some of the same crew cheering at the fact the ship on fire and sinking. You don’t know what exactly the hell is going on here, but you know this is a very bad situation.

The first thing you do is order the soldiers with you to open fire on the traitors. After that’s done you try to keep morale up.

“Don’t worry, we’re not going to be stranded here. We’ve got a whole fleet out there and I’m sure several of our ships saw that explosion.” You say.

Naturally no sooner do you calm everyone’s immediate fears when new ones crop up… all around you.

Several humanoid creatures begin popping up from the water. They have fishlike qualities and weld weapons made out of coral or bone. It’s obvious what their intent is as they advance on your position.

You order your troops to form a defensive circle. You lob a couple of fireballs at the fish people group in an effort to thin out their ranks.

More of them emerge from the water and you realize out severely outnumbered you are. Your soldiers only have so many bullets and eventually they manage to start closing the ranks. You focus on casting an area effect spell in the hopes of eliminating more of them.

You rain fire and ice down on the island and kill multitudes of the fish people, but it’s at a terrible cost. Most of your troops are wiped out as well. Those that aren’t are severely wounded and yet, you STILL haven’t stopped the fishman horde.

“What the fuck, it’s like they knew I was…” you don’t even complete that sentence as you mumble it to yourself.

You suddenly come to the realization that this whole thing, from Barnacle to this island has been one big trap. There’s an island league all right, but the only thing the humans around here are in league with are these aquatic monsters. The worst thing is somehow they got to some of your people and turned them against you.

Probably managed to do it when groups split up and then came back to report that they didn’t encounter any hostiles, only “friendly islanders.” Who knows how many they managed to brainwash or mind control, or well you don’t know exactly how they got to your people, but it hardly matters right now.

You spend the better part of the day personally slaying fish monsters. Eventually the rest retreat, but that doesn’t stop the fact that you’re stranded on here. You wait another couple days for the hope of rescue from one of your other ships, but you get none. Instead you see and hear several explosions in the distance, probably from battle or sabotage no doubt.

You attempt to build a raft, but the wood on this island is scarce and in any case, you don’t have time to finish it as another horde of fishmen come back to attack you again. You manage to fend them off, but they actively destroy what bit of raft you did create.

They continue this cycle every few days and you’re successful in driving them back despite the odds. You manage to survive on fish person meat to survive, but the problem is a lack of fresh water (And as for fishman blood, well you might as well be drinking sea water). You just can’t keep up your strength to survive the ongoing assault and again, there is no rescue in sight.

Eventually after a week of holding out, you eventually succumb to a combination of dehydration and the fishman attacks. Soon after your bloody death, your body is mostly consumed and some of your bones used to make new weapons.


While not a true threat in the scheme of things, the Island League of Delerg is still a hostile “power” on your borders. If you have to go to war with the Arat Confederacy in the near future, you don’t want to be worrying about getting possibly attacked from another side. Rask can wait for now.

As for Daniel and Eldolith you’ll indulge both of their requests for now. You tell Daniel that he can consider his city now under the protection of the Empire and that any foreign invasion attempts in any form with be met with force.

“Why are you looking at me when you say that?” Eldolith asks.
“Because I know your kind and Daniel’s already mentioned you have your influence in two other cities. Now you can have your little territory for now, but make no mistake, you’re going to be watched from here on in and if I sense ANYTHING that could be a potential danger to the Empire you’re going to wish that you never managed to unite the svelk to begin with.”
“We’ll do as we please and nobody is going to stop us!”
“Okay then, as you said just send an invasion force in my direction and see if I’m not being serious.”

At this point Eldolith just rolls her eyes, but shuts up. Obviously she knows anymore antagonism might result in war which its apparent now that she doesn’t truly want if she can help it.

Daniel profusely thanks you for heeding his request and will make sure to accommodate your people in anyway he can. You almost shake your head at the man’s naivety if he actually believes his city is going to remain autonomous in the way he believes it will. He’s going to allow your military there, it won’t be long before you’ve got complete control and any “independence” the city thinks it has is only because you’re allowing it. Of course maybe he knows what is probably going to happen and he’s just trying to convince himself otherwise.

In any event you’re glad when the svelk leave (everyone is no doubt), it was a reminder of less happy times in your life.

You tell everyone that your next move is taking the islands of Delerg which means you have to rebuild the navy. Crowley is a little disappointed that you aren’t retaking Rask, but he understands your desire to eliminate the Island League first.

Since building the fleet and having more sailors trained is going to take awhile, you spend the next few months trying to gather more intelligence on the League since your information on them has been spotty at best. Nalin sailors as a general rule have avoided the islands for obvious reasons, but there’s always illegal smuggling so you get some of the information from the prisons.

Most of the information you get is fairly basic though perhaps more than you had. You find out that the League in general has started to become more introverted over the years, which might also explain why you don’t have much conflict with them anymore.

Their capital Barnacle is on the largest island and still more or less a pirate haven, but the other islands have no major settlements and those that do tend to just be small groups of people not wanting to share anything with the ruler who lives in Barnacle.

When the time comes you have what you hope to be a sizable fleet assembled. You doubt if your ships are going to be more maneuverable, but you’re hoping that their size and firepower will be enough to out power any resistance you may have. You also decide to accompany the fleet. Part of you has always been a little uneasy about being on the water, but you figure this would be the perfect time to get over that possible phobia.

Within a few days you’re in Delerg waters, but you encounter no other ships. You pass by a few small islands, but you decide to make your way to where Barnacle is located. You figure if that’s the largest settlement, you need to take that one first and possible launch more attacks from that point.

When you sail further towards your destination, you at last encounter a flotilla of ships surrounding a large island. You have an order issued to all of your ships to prepare for battle, but as you get closer a single smaller sailboat with a raised white flag approaches your fleet.

The crew of the sailboat is taken aboard your own ship when it is confirmed that the boat isn’t containing a bomb or some other trick. The sailboat crew only consists of two people and neither one is armed. They are disheveled and unkempt looking, but apparently one of them is the ruler of Barnacle.

“Um…hello great Emperor of the…uh Empire. My name is Jon, mayor of Barnacle and this is my first mate Corino.” Jon remarks.
“I’m surprised you were brave enough to parley, or perhaps just foolish. You may speak your mind, but know that we aren’t not leaving until these islands are under my rule.” You say.
“Yes, I already assumed such a thing. That’s why I’m graciously opening up his town to you without conflict.”

You weren’t expecting much of a fight, but you weren’t expecting this.

“Truly? You’re surrendering?”
“Well, I’d prefer to think of it as negotiating a better deal, but if you prefer to think of it as a surrender, then we are in no position to argue. I know that in the long run he will not be able to defeat you. Even if we fought today and won, you would only come with more ships later. We only have limited resources, while you have much much more.”
“So…that’s it? The Island League is officially capitulating to the Empire?”

Jon laughs a bit at your question.

“Well, let’s just say that I’m capitulating. I’m not sure if the Island League as a whole is, and that’s assuming you even considering a semi-cohesive unit nowadays. Barnacle is yours, and whatever that entails. I just hope that I can continue on as mayor. I believe my experience can…”
“Yeah, yeah, you’re looking to save your own ass. Got it.” You interrupt. “We’ll see, but what’s all this about the rest of the Island League?”

Jon goes on to tell you that much like the Arat Confederacy, the Island League is not a single entity, but rather an alliance of several groups. Barnacle just happens to be the biggest and most powerful. Jon says that despite the size of the other groups, they may not wish to join and will have to be eliminated completely. He also states that some of the groups have disappeared completely, he says he doesn’t even know what happened to them.

“Perhaps the environment just swallowed them up. Strange things have been found on the less explored islands after all.” Jon says.
“Hmm, well I suppose if you want to keep your current job, you’ll be providing me of good maps of what you have.”
“Of course. Anything you need! So, shall you be coming to Barnacle now to claim it?”
“Well it is one of the goals of this journey.” You reply.

When you get to Barnacle, the place is fairly well kept despite being a haven for disreputable criminals. The funny thing is, you don’t really get a sense of resentment as you pass through with platoons of soldiers. It’s early yet though. Jon himself is very accommodating, providing you and your people whatever they want or need. You don’t know though if this is because he really wants to please you so he can keep his job, or he’s planning on tricking you some how. While deceit is always a possibility you sense it’s almost more like…relief? Maybe he was having problems with the rest of the Island League leaders and now with you here he sees it as a way for him to eliminate them while still keeping his position.

In any case you tell everyone to keep alert and be prepared as usual.

After a few days, you think you’ve seen everything you need to and gotten all the information you need from Jon and Barnacle in general. After a bit of thinking about it, you decide that you’ll just go to all the inhabited locations that Jon has provided for you and either wipe out the groups or incorporate them into the Empire if they prove to be cooperative. Rather simple plan really.

You decide that Jon can go ahead and stay mayor of Barnacle, but you’ll be keeping troops here of course as well as your own ships. Now you’re just wondering if you need to stick around for this rather mundane search and destroy mission, or go back to the Empire.
> You return to the Empire
Seeing as you’ve taken care of the major problem here, you don’t see any need to stick around for the mundane search destroy missions that will undoubtedly take months. You could be focusing on more important things.

So you return to the Empire giving Jon a warning that while you’ve graciously allowed him to keep his position, any signs of possible betrayal or anything similar will be met with a complete cleansing of Barnacle and his painful drawn out demise.

When you get back to the Empire, you make the announcement that the Delerg Islands are now currently being incorporated into the Empire and what remains of the so called Island League is being hunted down as you speak. Sightmaster Crowley seems to be happier than anyone as he suggests once again that retaking Rask should be the next priority.

You tell Crowley that the retaking of Rask will definitely be next on the agenda, but you know it’s going to take a lot more manpower than Delerg. You’d rather wait until you’ve completely tamed those islands first before launching another major operation. Still you can make the preparations in the meantime.

As the months pass you get a few reports about how things are going in Delerg and so far there have been no major troubles. While there have been a few skirmishes, for the most part your soldiers have found most Delerg inhabitants to willingly surrender to Empire law.

It is also around this time that you get a letter from Jennifer. She asks you about your recent visit to the Delerg islands and if it might be safe to launch an expedition to the islands. You write back and tell her that its probably “safer” but considering there are still hostile League members and who knows what sort of dangerous wild life on those islands you tell her that she probably shouldn’t go. However, you follow up with if she does insist on going like you know she probably will, then to at least stop at Barnacle first and to take your seal that you’re sending with the letter you’re writing to the nearest officer or even the mayor and she’ll have an armed escort to protect the expedition.

And just as you suspected, Jennifer goes off on her expedition. She never was one to play it too safe, but you’re pretty sure she’ll be fine.

Year 547

“Trouble, my Emperor?” Crowley asks.
“(Sigh) It looks like. David just sent a message saying that there’s some weird religion that’s been cropping up in Nalin. He says there hasn’t been any real trouble yet, but he felt I should know due to my stance on organized religion. Ugh, I’m going to have to return to the Empire and straighten all this shit out. You know when we brought most of the Eyes with us here to Rask so we could effectively fight the wendigo, I was concerned about perhaps an increase in crime or possibly even a bit of rabble rousing in Nalin. Not this shit. We’re finally making good progress and I don’t need religious fanatics to possibly fuck up my plans.”

You explain to Crowley that you’ll be leaving him in charge of all operations in Rask. Seeing as he’s very familiar with the territory already you have confidence that he’ll be fine here. Of course he’s been slightly revenge driven on the wendigo when you found out Everwatch was overrun and destroyed by them.

When you arrive at your palace in Dalt, you’re anxious to get down to this new religion business. David greets you immediately and states that Jennifer is also here and wanting to see you.

“Jennifer? I thought she was still digging up shit in Delerg and trying find lost islands. She’s finally back?” you say.
“Yes, I just sent her into your private chambers. I thought due to your history, you wouldn’t mind seeing her.”
“Normally I wouldn’t mind, but I’d like to get down to this new religion you mentioned in your message. Can’t afford to waste any time with it.”
“Apologies, Emperor.”
“(Sigh) Very well, she’s already here, I might as well see her…what the hell is that on your arm?” you ask David, pointing at the skin on left forearm. It’s almost scaly looking.

He reacts rather sheepishly and tries to pull his sleeve back down.

“Oh that. Just a bad skin rash. I need to make a quick trip to the apothecary.”
“I’ll say, its pretty nasty looking.” You remark and head on to see Jennifer.

When you arrive to see Jennifer, she’s fiddling with a box of some sort. She closes it up when you walk in.

“Hey if it isn’t the conquering Emperor of Rask! How is everything going up there?” Jennifer asks.
“Better than expected I suppose, what’s that box?”
“Oh this? Just something I found while digging around Delerg. Y’know you really should’ve stuck around that place longer. It has a lot of fascinating historical things relating to the old Empire.”
“Hmm, well I’m more concerned with the new one myself, but I trust you haven’t had any problems during your time there.”
“No, none at all. My expedition there went very well.”
“Good, good. Look Jennifer, I’d like to play catch up and all that with you, but you’ve caught me at a bad time right now. David has told me there’s a new religion starting to take root in Nalin, and I want to stomp that out, before it becomes a problem.”
“You mean like the shadows caused for the old Empire?”
“Exactly like that.”
“You know one of our discoveries was an old shadow temple located on one of more remote islands. Most of it was underwater, but it was still very interesting.” Jennifer says.
“Hrm. They did have their original temple located in Delerg. Surprised its still around, we had it demolished even back when we finished off their seditious religion for good.”
“I think the problem with the shadows is that they waited too long to strike.”
“What?!” you exclaim.
“Oh don’t get me wrong, I’m glad the Empire defeated them. Its just that from what you’ve told me about the shadows and from what I’ve learned from my findings, its that the shadows waited too long to strike out against a powerful enemy.”

You’re about to ask Jennifer what the hell is she getting at, when all of a sudden the doors to your private chambers are kicked open and four soldiers fire at you. You’re taken completely by surprise and most of their shots hit you. You fall to the floor wheezing and in pain, but you muster up enough strength to cast a fireball at your assailants who are all set ablaze due to their proximity to each other.

While they scream and flail about in the hallway trying to put the flames out, you realize you need to heal yourself immediately before you succumb to your mortal wounds. You being to concentrate, but are suddenly kicked in the side of the head and shot again, this time in the neck. You still aren’t dead yet, but you most certainly will be soon.

You stare up from the floor at Jennifer who holds a smoking pistol in her hand. Probably what she had in the box she was messing with earlier.

“I wish things could’ve been different, but I knew you would’ve never accepted the glory that is to come when Hukleev rises from his underwater kingdom and submerges the Empire, transforming all into his subjects.”

You can’t even reply or react to Jennifer’s words let alone her treachery. You just bleed out and start to lose consciousness. The last thing you see is Jennifer moving in closer to you where upon she gives you one last kiss, which tastes faintly of brine.


As much as you hate to go against your instincts, you were only here once and it was over five hundred years ago. Your memory of things isn’t going to be correct due to the changes in the landscape alone. Even if the maps aren’t giving the exact location, they’re at least a more reliable guideline brought back by people who managed to survive this land.

“Okay, we’ll use the maps. We’re going to have to endure this weather either way I suppose and we’ll be less likely to get lost.” You remark.

You continue your journey using the maps. It turns out to be a good idea, but nothing is stopping the cold and freezing ice storm that hits hard within a couple hours.

What remaining horses and other pack animals you had left end up either panicking or outright collapse from the exhaustion. Your group ends up having to dig out a shelter and hunker down for the storm to pass. Food isn’t much of a problem since you just butcher the animals that are dying any way. Fire isn’t either since you can conjure it up. Still, it’s not an ideal situation and others in the group are starting to experience minor frostbite and argue with one another.

You tell everyone to shut up and listen when you hear a rumbling sound approaching close by. Some think it’s just the sounds of the storm, but you point out that it must be something else since the ground is vibrating a bit.

“Giant! Get the hell up and move!” you exclaim and the group scrambles to run out of the make shift shelter. Some of you even make it out before a large foot crushes it.

Now the term giant has never been used lightly, they’re called that for a reason. However, this one is certainly larger than average. In fact, you don’t even think it noticed you when it squashed some of your group. Well it didn’t at first at least, when it feel the gushiness of flattened humans on its foot along with seeing several scattering about the snow, it comes to the conclusion that a giant could only logically come to, namely flatten the rest of you as well.

“Spread out! Spread out! He’s going to swing that damn club!” you shout. Meanwhile, the giant successfully crushes a couple of the soldiers with his club and at this point you don’t know where the hell anyone else is because their fear has caused them to run out of your line of sight which is small enough with the ice storm hindering long range viewing.

You roll out of the way of a club slam and run up to the giant’s foot and begin hacking at the back tendon. It isn’t easy since the giant’s skin is calloused to the point where it acts like armor. You only manage to cause a superficial wound before He nearly crushes you again. Realizing you aren’t getting anywhere with that approach, you resort to magic and literally give the giant a hot foot, burning the skin enough to cause a roar of pain. The giant starts moving his foot to sooth the injury in the cold snow.

You look up and can barely make out the top half of this monster through the storm. You aren’t sure if it’s going to work with the storm being as bad as it is, but you’re going to try anyway. You cast more fire at the giant, not at his foot though, but at his loincloth which is undoubtedly made of some sort of fur. You don’t stop flinging fire until you’re confident that the flames aren’t going out any time soon.

Predictably the giant starts beating its own flaming crotch in an effort to stop the burning sensation, bellowing so loudly that you image all of Rask can hear. The giant runs away from the combat area grabbing snow and ice around it and throwing it on the still burning fur loincloth.

“Sheesh, that brings a whole new meaning to the term fireballs.” A voice shouts behind you. You turn around and see a figure completely bundled up in snow gear standing with others dressed in a similar manner. Naturally you’re ready for a fight, but the one who spoke holds up his hands.

“Hold on there! Are you part of the expedition group? We just bumped into a few of them running from the giant. Said one of you was actually insane enough to fight the damn thing.”
“Yes, what have you done with them?!”
“Nothing! We were on patrol, got caught in the storm and then we heard all the screaming and came to investigate. Your people are right over this small hill here with some more of us. Normally, we’d just send you all on your way and tell you that you were fools to come to Rask in the first place, but now that we’ve seen you in action, I can’t help but think the Vision Lord would want to meet you.”

Vision Lord?

“Are you the Eyes?” you ask.
“We are from the Order of the Eye and I’m Sightmaster Crowley but if we’re going to talk, I’d prefer it if we’d do it at Fort Everwatch. You and the others can rest up there.”
“And if we don’t want to go with you?”
“Then you don’t go and you all can return to wherever it is you came from. We’re not holding anyone prisoner, though the lady of your group, a Miss Mol I believe, says you’ve been looking for us. As I said normally we try to keep to ourselves and turn away most visitors, but given that we’re inviting you in with open arms I should think you wouldn’t turn down this opportunity. Besides, I’m fairly certain that none of us here wants to tangle with the guy that just chased away ol’ Snowtop single handedly.”
“What, that giant?”
“If you hadn’t noticed, he’s not just any giant, if he was, he’d be dead by now. He’s probably the oldest living frost giant that we know of and he’s tougher than a troll steak and almost taller than some of the smaller mountains in this area. Fortunately he seems to only wander about during these bad ice storms that usually no idiot would be caught in, but then here we are.”

And here you are. You insist that you want to see Jennifer before going anywhere. Crowley takes you to see her and the few survivors. She’s glad to see you’re alive and hugs you. Her enthusiasm for this trip hasn’t diminished and she definitely wants to go see the Eyes’ home, despite the fact that you all were nearly crushed to death by a giant, though that can’t be said for some of her employees. You’re just glad she’s all right and you’re within reach of your destination.

It doesn’t take too long to get to Fort Everwatch. It wasn’t anywhere near Fort Defiance once stood though so its just as well that you didn’t go that way. Everwatch isn’t particularly large or fancy, but it does look like it was built to stand the test of time. The interior is just as utilitarian Other than symbols of an eye adorning various parts of the fort, it actually reminds you of an old Empire fort. You can’t help but feel at home here despite only just entering the place.

You are brought to a great hall area and Crowley says he’s going to fetch the Vision Lord. In the meantime he’s tells you all to stay here, but feel free to look around.

“This is pretty exciting, I hope they’ll let us take something back from this place.” Jennifer says while looking at the various plaques.
“Anything’s possible I suppose, but they don’t look like they’re much into luxuries. The only decorations here seem to be dedicated to their fallen like these plaques or those eye symbols…oh wait, they seem to have battle trophies as well, check out that giant’s skull hanging high on the left wall.” You remark still feeling a little wary of things.

Eventually Crowley comes back with who you guess to be the Vision Lord. The Vision Lord doesn’t look particularly impressive despite his name though it is certain by the scars on his face he is no stranger to battle. You were expecting him to be a lot older though as it stands he looks about your age…well not counting your five-century nap of course.

He stares at you, Jennifer and the rest for a moment and then he points to Jennifer.

“I’m guessing you and this lot come from the Nalin Republic.”
“How did you know?” Jennifer asks.
“Where else would you come from? You’re certainly not from one of the six cities of Arat. They’re too busy with their petty squabbles. Besides, we’ve come across some of your type before wandering up here. A few of them even joined our group rather than head back down.”
“You recruited our explorers?!” Jennifer says.
“Yes, if they showed promise and desired to join. I’m sure you might even bump into a couple of them in this place assuming you haven’t already. Now you on the other hand…you are very interesting. Your armor looks as if it comes from another time, you can cast magic with ease and I heard you fended off Snowtop all by yourself. That’s a feat so impressive I can’t imagine you are native to the Republic.” the Vision Lord remarks and points to you.
“What I find interesting is this place and from what I can tell by your commemorations of the your fallen, you feel keeping history is important. So tell me, did Warrick have this fort built or was it sometime after his death?” you say causing some eyebrows to raise.
“You know of Vision Lord Warrick then? Not many outside our order know our founder. How did you come across this information?”
“Easy. We were practically siblings. He was an Eternal, just like I am. He wasn’t a Vision Lord back then, just a Sightmaster, though I guess he felt the need to assign himself a higher title. Doesn’t matter. I’m just glad to see another piece of the old Empire still alive, even if it has taken a very different form.”

With this response the Vision Lord steps back and the other Eyes now begin whispering amongst themselves.

“So, the rumors are true. An Eternal does walk the earth again and it is indeed the one Vision Lord Warrick mentions in his writings. As you might expect we don’t get much news this way and we don’t venture too far from here, let alone Rask. In fact the few recruits we manage to get are probably our biggest source of new information. Tell me, how is it that you live?”

You explain the exact situation as vaguely as you did to Jennifer and Quintus. The cataclysm struck suddenly, you were encased in a magic shell, etc. etc. and eventually Jennifer’s crew dug you up.

“I see. How unfortunate that you came in contact with the Republic first, but then I suppose it’s better than being stuck in a magic coffin. Still, you’re here now and I believe you will find a better home here.” The Vision Lord remarks.
“What?”
“I’m inviting you to stay with us. Come now. This Order was founded by an Eternal I’m somewhat familiar with their mindset based on the writings of Vision Lord Warrick. I can only imagine the dull tedium you’ve endured in the Republic. How have you managed to occupy your time?”
“Do not presume you know me based on the writings of Warrick. Truth be told, he didn’t exactly create the Eyes, at least not in their original form. The Eyes were originally created by this woman’s great ancestor Jacob Mol.” You say pointing to Jennifer.

The Vision Lord nods his head a bit.

“Apologies. I did not mean to offend. And if as you say this lady’s ancestor had a hand in creating the Eyes then we’ve been doubly blessed by the presence of her as well. However, I do believe that you were and still are a man of battle and war. And again I can’t imagine those things being in great supply in the Republic. Surely you would enjoy living here instead. You would be great asset in our own war of extermination of the wendigo. We could certainly use the help.”

This is a sudden offer and certainly one you weren’t expecting. The strange thing is it isn’t out of the question either. A few days ago you were just going on about to Jennifer about how you were restless in the Republic even with your efforts to help restructure it into a new empire. A glorious undertaking to be sure, but one you’ve had doubts about recently.

Now this opportunity is certainly less impressive, but there’s something alluring about its simplicity. All you would have to concern yourself with is the battle. The war. The victories over your enemies in melee combat. You’d even live in a place that’s much comfortable to you.

Of course there’s also Jennifer to think about, but while your relationship with her is blooming into something more romantic what future do you have with her really? She’s not even like Alison in that she’s a warrior and can truly connect with you on some level even if she does make the attempts.

There’s also the fact that you’ve been worried about her the whole trip. Will you continue to worry about her and allow that to be a weakness to be exploited? If she’s killed will you go through the same emotional ruin you did when Alison was murdered? Do you even want to deal with any of that again?

You tell the Vision Lord that you and he are going to have to discuss this all in more detailed before you make a decision. Jennifer looks concerned when you say this, but doesn’t say anything. The Vision Lord says that while you and he talk, the rest of your group can rest up or feel free to explore as there is nothing of major value and he trusts nobody would be foolish enough to steal anything.

You speak with the Vision Lord (who reveals his name is Kells) for quite awhile on the current situation of his order as well as the history of this place and Rask in general. He also remarks about how the Eyes are so hated and feared by the wendigo. As you might’ve guessed magic is in play, but only to a minor degree. Over the centuries the Eyes have managed to focus their minds to create shields against wendigo mental attacks along with being able to banish them to oblivion. (Still vulnerable to normal death through wendigo hosts obviously though)

After your discussion he tells you that he’ll leave you to your decision, but that he hopes you’ll stay. You then speak with Jennifer about your situation; naturally she wants you to return with her and explains all reasons why. You end up sleeping on the offer and pondering everything some more, but ultimately the decision is up to you.
> You voices of the past (Writings of Vision Lord Warrick)
While you’re trying to make up your decision on whether or not to stay here or not, you end up walking around fort and bumping into Kells again. He holds a small old worn book in his hand and holds it out to you.

“What’s this?” you ask.
“This is the journal of the first Vision Lord Warrick and your fellow Eternal.” Kells says.

You have a sudden feeling that you’ve done this before…

You take the book and it would seem that at least the Eyes took better care of Warrick’s private journal than the numerous collectors (including Quintus) did with Brenda’s since the pages aren’t falling out.

“Normally only the Vision Lord is allowed to read through it, but under the circumstances, I believe you have just as much right seeing as you knew the man. You’re probably thinking that I’m trying to influence you with nostalgia and you’d be right, but I think if you read through the book, you’d see how the Eyes have kept the spirit of the Empire alive and that ultimately you belong here with us. I’ll leave you to your decision.” Kells remarks and leaves you alone.

Seeing as you could take your mind off of your current dilemma you figure you might as well scan through the journal. You don’t quite have the feeling of “snooping” through Warrick’s privacy like you did with Brenda. Perhaps because you’ve gotten used to the fact that they’ve been dead for centuries and they aren’t going to care what you do.

While Warrick’s journal is in much better condition than Brenda’s, it still displays a lot of wear and tear probably from too much handling. Honestly if these people really honored their predecessors so much you’d think they’d take better care of these things!

Apparently Warrick was “lucky” enough to be near the Rask border when the cataclysm hit. He mentions that he barely survived the magic acid storms that engulfed the northern part of Quala. Rask wasn’t doing too much better, but at least severe ice storms were better than acid falling out of the sky.

He goes on to mention that during the cataclysm the magic barrier that contained the wendigo was destroyed and the evil spirits ran amok throughout Rask. Entire towns were cannibalizing each other before Warrick could scrap together what remained of the military and the Eyes. He mentions being fortunate that several Empire mages escaped to Rask and they were able to combat the wendigo menace.

Still, it was never enough, even driving the hungry spirits away was only a temporary solution, there were only a few mages to outright banish them and that always took a lot of energy. And wendigos weren’t the only threat. Ogres and giants also took advantage of the chaos.

Still Warrick wasn’t going to be deterred in his mission to hold together Rask since for all he knew it was all that remained of the Empire. Quala was still too dangerous to travel through and he had heard no news.

One passage gets your attention.

Entry 34

Another wendigo attack and lost another good soldier today. Still the fact that I only lost one makes it a good day. The fact that the mages actually managed to banish the bastard makes it even better.

I have still heard no news from any higher command. I was hoping that my Eternal brother who serves by the Emperor’s side would have contacted me by now, but sadly I fear that he along with the Emperor may not have survived this terrible disaster. I can hardly believe it. I always thought he’d outlive all of us. At this point I’d even tolerate Brenda’s hostile condemnations towards me, at least then I’d know she was still alive.

I may very well be the last Eternal, but I will not be the last Eye and if I can help it, Rask will not be the last bastion of the Empire. We’ve lost too much already. Even now several towns have fallen here and only a handful of huddled masses remain in the more secured ones.

The Eyes have always been the ones to keep the Empire together and if they’re going to continue doing that they are going to have to change to combat the wendigo threat more effectively. They are going to have to learn magic and fortunately we have mages to teach them. It isn’t going to be easy, and most are probably not going to be able to learn at all, but I do know if one has the potential, then it can be done.

This task, this great work, this VISION is going to take years, possibly even more than I have, but someone will take over for me and that person after that and so forth.

We will live on for as long as the Eyes survive, the Empire will survive.

You close the book and reflect upon the words within.


“Alright, you’ll have your two Trog, I need to go back and speak with my people about which two though.”

Trog nods and you return to the group to explain the situation, it goes about as well as you expected.

“You can’t expect us to stay with these savages! They’ll kill us!” one of the workers exclaims.
“We’re at war with these monsters!” a soldier remarks.
“I’d have to agree that leaving anyone here is tantamount to leaving them to die.” Jennifer adds.
“Look, this is the ONLY way we’re getting into Rask without a fight. And I guarantee we’re in no position to be fighting hundreds of orcs.” You remark and then point at the soldiers in the group. “Now you lot are soldiers which technically puts you under my command and if I order any of you to stay you better damn well do it or else you’re going to have me to deal with and I assure you if that happens you’d rather have orcs.”

“That being said, I’d rather NOT leave any soldiers behind, because we’re going to need every competent fighter we can get when we do get in Rask.” You say and then point to the civvies in the group. “You lot on the other hand, I can afford to leave any one of you behind.”

This remark is met with more protest and exclamations of how which one of them is a valuable member of the group. You’re unimpressed and simply say if there’s any digging or carrying to be done, anyone can do that and if its for some intellectual purpose, Jennifer is still going to be the most knowledgeable one on whatever it is you do find in Rask, so again the rest are superfluous.

This statement is met with more protests until Jennifer suddenly tells them all to shut up.

“I don’t like this, but he’s right. I’ll take volunteers first.” Jennifer remarks.

Predictably more begging, protests and threats follow, which Jennifer addresses that it’s either stay with the orcs or try to head back to Nalin without any escort protection. Eventually one brave soul volunteers, muttering that if he’s lucky maybe they won’t eat him and he can learn more about their culture. The second one loses a lot draw. She’s not happy about her bad luck and the situation, but resigns herself to her fate.

“I’m glad you backed me up.” You say.
“I didn’t really want to and I’m sure I’m going to get a lot of backlash from my workers, but the potential for this discovery is too important and I trust you. I just hope you trust this orc as much.” Jennifer remarks.
“I don’t, but he’s been reliable on matters much greater than this one. The worst that could happen is that he plans on killing us on the return trip when we’re exhausted from the dangers of Rask, but we’ll deal with that when the time comes.” You answer.
“Well I guess this is all worth it then.”

After the two “sacrificial lambs” are presented to Trog, he promises once again that no harm will come to them and the rest of you cautiously pass through Flogger territory, which actually overlaps partially into Rask. In fact you pass by an area where you believe Fort Destiny once stood. There’s no evidence of it anymore though, it’s just wilderness now. You wonder if was destroyed during the cataclysm or if it was time that ultimately took it over.

Eventually you clear Flogger territory and you’re in the true wilderness of Rask.

You, Jennifer and a couple of others go over the maps deciding which way would be the best. Using your memory, you point out that despite the long passage of time, there are still evidence of old Empire roads and that you should use those as a basic guide to head north. If you’re lucky, it may very well take you all the way to Fort Defiance, or at least where the fort used to stand.

The journey north is as miserable as you remember when you first came to this unforgiving land. If anything it seems worse now that it’s no longer tamed by the Empire. Still, you travel quite a distance before you catch sight of figures moving about in the surrounding forests.

“Stop. We’re being watched and we’re going to be attacked soon. In fact, we’re probably surrounded, I suggest everyone prepare themselves.” You say.

The group forms a protective circle as best they can while you try to keep an eye on all the possible directions of attack.

Eventually a few orcs and ogres emerge from the trees. However, something doesn’t look quite right about them. They’re savage looking like you’d expect, but even for their kind they’re moving a fashion that isn’t typical. It’s more like how an animal would move. They don’t make any usual taunts or threats either, but you do hear some loud guttural growling sounds.

It probably isn’t surprising that some of the soldiers decide they aren’t going to wait around to be attacked and go ahead and fire. Two or three of the attackers are wounded, but then the rest make a horrible wailing sound which causes everyone to clutch their ears in pain.

Then they move in for the attack, but it’s more like a loping gait rather than running. Ogres don’t typically run either…

“Oh shit, WENDIGOS!” you shout and start casting your mind shield spell, but before you can complete it a possessed orc is already upon you.

“Meat!” the orc hisses with its fang filled mouth right in front of your face. You feel a claw dig through your armor and puncture your skin just before you stab the monster through the neck with your dagger. Blood spurts all over you before manage to get the thing off of you and stomp it repeatedly in the throat, crushing it completely.

You then hear a voice in your mind.

“Sssssss! I sense power…great power…you’re an Eye! Hated Eye! Eyes! Away! Away my fellows! Before this they destroy us all!” the voice exclaims.

Before you know it, the possessed orcs and ogres cease their attack and begin backing away. Everyone is a bit confused and quite frankly you are too.

“Why’d they stop attacking?” Jennifer asks.
“Because we were kicking their asses! Hah! So much for the dreaded wendigos!” a soldier remarks, several of the other soldiers cheer in agreement and press forward to attack the retreating wendigos.

You aren’t exactly sure what’s going on, but apparently this wendigo knows you have the capability to destroy it. However, nobody else here can and if the wendigos figure that out, you’re going to be in trouble when the spirits are released from their dead hosts.

You’re not about to give away the fact that everyone else is defenseless by shouting verbal commands to stop attacking, so the best thing you can do is cast your spell. Which is going to be a brand new experience for you since you’ve never actually cast a mind shield spell over other people before.

Ignoring the sounds of gunshots and shouting around you, you concentrate on your spell and try to focus it on the group. It takes a lot more energy than you anticipated. Meanwhile you’re getting questions on what you’re doing.

“Shut up! All of you! I’m trying to protect our lives and it’s taking all my concentration! Now does anyone hear any voices? And I’m not taking about my own right now. I’m taking about raspy sounding voices going on about giving up or something similar.”

This question is followed by the group all-stating that they don’t hear anything like that. You breathe a sigh of relief and while you still can’t sense any wendigo spirits lurking about, you’re not going to take your guard down yet.

“Okay, good. Like I said before we got here, if anyone does hear voices let me know immediately. I heard one of them in my head and it thought we were eyes, or they thought I was. It got scared and told the rest to retreat before I destroyed them all.”
“An eye? What does that mean?” someone asks.
“If I had to guess? They thought I was part of an elite military branch force of the old Empire.” You say.
“We’ve only found a bit of information on the Eyes, but I didn’t know they actively hunted wendigos.” Jennifer says.
“They didn’t. In fact other than some stealth operations during the Felkan War their primary function was internal security after the shadows were disposed of. They didn’t have any magic abilities to destroy creatures like wendigos.”
“Something must’ve changed then.”
“I’ll say. The only time I’ve ever heard fear in a wendigo’s voice is just before I banished it. I’m guessing it sensed I had that ability and figured I was an eye, which leads me to believe that this mythical warrior’s guild we’re trying to find must be run by the eyes or decendents of them. Heh. Glad you held something together ol’ friend.” You say with a smile.
“What’s that?” Jennifer asks not knowing what you’re thinking about.
“Warrick. He was head of the Eyes. A Sightmaster. I can only imagine that if the Eyes did survive to this day, he must’ve had a hand in it somehow. Come on, I’m actually just as anxious as you to find this place now.”

After patching up some of the wounded you’re soon on your way again. You hate dispelling the protection, but if you keep it going constantly, you’ll be running out of stamina when you might need it for more physical foes. You just hope that the wendigos continue to believe that you’re all Eyes.

As it turns out, the rest of your journey is plagued by horrible weather conditions instead. There’s also debate on which way to go when the remnants of the Empire roads disappear to wilderness and can no longer provide a base guideline of where to travel.

Jennifer and most of her workers want to follow the maps, but you’re convinced that you should continue in the direction of where you last remember Fort Defiance to stand.
> You follow your instinct
Maybe things have somewhat since you were here last time, but the fact remains, you were actually in Rask once, nobody else here has and who knows if those maps are accurate. You’re going to trust your gut and head towards where you remember Fort Defiance was located. Nobody in Jennifer’s expedition crew is exactly pleased with that decision, but Jennifer calms them down and says she trusts you.

You continue your journey and it’s a miserable experience as a freezing ice storm hits hard within a couple of hours.

What remaining horses and other pack animals you had left end up either panicking or outright collapse from the exhaustion. Your group ends up having to dig out a shelter and hunker down for the storm to pass. Food isn’t much of a problem since you just butcher the animals that are dying any way. Fire isn’t either since you can conjure it up. Still, it’s not an ideal situation and others in the group are starting to experience minor frostbite and argue with one another.

A couple more days of this and you’re still not at your goal and the cold is even worse. Either you’ve gotten lost or Fort Defiance has long since fallen to the wilderness. More arguing occurs and blame is placed on you.

“I told you we should’ve followed the maps!” one of Jennifer’s crew remarks. “Why the hell are we listening this guy for? He’s also the one that insisted on leaving two of our people with blood thirsty orcs!”
“I’m also the guy that’s keeping you alive, but that situation can be changed…” you answer.

Surprisingly the man doesn’t back down.

“Oh sure, threaten me with violence, that’s your solution to everything isn’t it?”
“It’s worker pretty well so far and suggest you back off if you don’t want a demonstration to see just how well.”
“Go ahead Mr. badass eternal! We’re already fucking dead anyway now that you’ve gotten us lost! Of course you probably don’t give a shit because you’ll just survive by eating our bodies after we all…”

You can’t hold back any longer, you punch the man in the face breaking his nose. He falls to the ground in a daze. You step forward to give him more of a thrashing, but Jennifer gets in your way.

“Alright that’s enough! I think you’ve proven your point to Kevin. We’re already fighting the elements and the hostile creatures that live here, we don’t need to fight each other as well.”
“(Sigh) Fine, but this asshole better not step out of line again, otherwise I might not be as reasonable!” you remark and then gesture to your soldiers to help Kevin up.

As they do so, it would seem that Kevin isn’t quite through with you yet. He grabs a pistol from one of your soldiers and fires it right at you. He’s not accurate enough to get a kill shot, but he’s close enough that he doesn’t miss. You feel a hot burning sensation go right through your stomach and pass through your back.

“Shit! Fuck…” you utter and fall to the ground. While you’re bleeding internally and externally, your soldiers make quick work of Kevin causing remainder of Jennifer’s people to either look on in horror or scream and yell.

Jennifer rushes to your aid, but she isn’t quite sure what to do.

“Damn it, should’ve…get off me!” you exclaim. Your body is partially in shock, but you manage to catch a breath long enough to gather your thoughts. You need to heal yourself quickly.

With you attempting to concentrate, Jennifer’s crew screaming, your soldiers threatening to subdue them and Jennifer trying to reason with everyone, nobody is paying attention to their surroundings. at least not until an ogre comes loping out from the trees and rips off one of your soldier’s heads.

More ogres come out of the trees as well and they aren’t normal kind…

“Fucking wendigos!” you shout.

The wendigos must have been watching you and finally figured out you aren’t Eyes at all and given that you’re somewhat incapacitated now, they also figured now would be good time to strike and they were correct.

You can’t even get up, because the bullet ripped through your spine paralyzing you from the waist up, the bet you can do is wave your sword around in an attempt to slash at the wendigos nearby.

It doesn’t take long for them to easily kill Jennifer and her crew, followed by your soldiers and by the time they get to you, you’re still weak from blood loss and having limited mobility.

You manage to kill one of them before one puts its fist through your chest and rips off the top half of your torso for a feast.


You may have lost your mind thinking that you can even attempt living a normal life, but then you’re the same guy who actually listened to a twisted abusive svelk bitch that convinced you it was a good idea to attack the Emperor too.

And what’s this decision compare to something like that?

You tell your second to take command of the camp, when he asks for how long, you just tell him until further notice. He’s at a loss of how to respond as you leave.

When you arrive back at the museum, you find that Calvin, Jennifer and several others are packing up a lot of equipment.

“Hey, what’re you doing here?” Jennifer asks.
“I had to talk to you…what’s all this?”
“Another expedition! After all these years, Quintus is funding another one.”
“What? He’s sending you to dig around in Quala again?”
“No, we’re going to Rask!” Jennifer says excitedly.
“Rask!?”
“Yes! Remember when I mentioned there were rumors of a warrior’s guild up there? Well over the years I’ve been studying old maps and the newer charts created by the few adventurers that came back alive from there and I think I’ve managed to pin point the location. See?”

Jennifer suddenly unfolds a map and points to a circled spot on it. You know a lot of time has passed, but if your knowledge of Rask geography is still remotely relevant at all, that looks like where Fort Defiance would’ve been located.

“That looks like where Fort Defiance was located.” You remark.
“There was a fort there?” Jennifer says.
“Yeah, it was the furthest military outpost in the north of the Empire, well save for one other, but that was more like a small watchtower.” You answer.
“I didn’t know you served in Rask.”
“I didn’t actually, but I did carry out one personal favor there for a fellow Eternal, the one manning that watch tower I just mentioned actually.”
“Oh. Well still, this would be one of those times I wish you could come with us. Your knowledge of the area even if it is out of date would probably be useful.”
“Believe me, I’m tempted to. I can’t believe Quintus is just sending you out there like this. The dangerous journey TO Rask is bad enough, but the weather in Rask is just as treacherous as the inhabitants and I can only imagine after centuries without any order there its probably only gotten worse since.”
“Well he probably wouldn’t have if I hadn’t went to him about the information I found. Plus he was in a good mood about senator’s Batalimus’ recent suicide. Did you hear about that?”
“Uh, yeah another lucky break for our side, look I better go with you.” You say.
“But don’t you have orcs to slay or defending our borders or…”
“All of that can be done without me, I think the army is competent enough now that I don’t need to hold their hands and if they still do then you’re REALLY going to need me to come with you because that means the soldiers you are taking won’t be worth shit in a fight. In fact if you even want to get to Rask, you’re going to need me to negotiate with the Flogger tribe. Not to mention there’s much worse things in Rask than ogres and giants.”
“What about Quintus? Don’t you have to report this to him?”
“Fuck Quintus, he’s not my master. He could stand without me holding his hand every five minutes too. Nobody tells me what to do.”

Jennifer takes a pause from your remark, before continuing.

“Well, alright then, as long as you don’t think it’s going to cause any problems I’d be very happy for you to join us. So what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?”
“Huh? Oh…that. Uh, nevermind now.”
“Oh come on, you obviously had something pretty important if you left your post in Quala to tell me.

This expedition to Rask business sort of distracted you from your original intent of coming here in the first place, but nevertheless you haven’t really abandoned your previous thoughts of settling down with Jennifer so you take her to one side and tell her. Her reaction is mixed though not one of any negativity.

“Sounds like you’ve given this some thought and this decision couldn’t have just been on a whim for you.” Jennifer says.
“It wasn’t, that’s why I had to see you. I mean I know there’s something between us and why shouldn’t I focus on that?” you reply.
“What about reviving the Empire?”
“Yeah, originally after I woke up and got a bit more of my bearings, the concept of doing that did sound appealing and move me into the direction I’ve been currently going in, but that’s been my whole life! I mean my original purpose is gone. MY Empire is gone. Why shouldn’t I try something else? What could it hurt?”
“Nothing I suppose, but have you thought about what else you would do with your time? I mean no offense, but battle and war are pretty much your best skills.”
“Yes, I know. I wasn’t talking about abandoning such things completely though, I mean I could go with you on expeditions and guard your museum.”
“Guard the museum?!” Jennifer says followed by laughter.
“What’s so funny?”
“The idea that we’d need a warrior mage to guard my father’s museum is hilarious to me. I think the word overkill comes to mind. While the expedition protection would no doubt be of help, it isn’t like that’s what we do all the time as you well know. We’re in the museum most of the time and you’d get bored. Very bored. Besides, it isn’t like we get people trying to steal anything on a regular basis. The last time was ten years ago and the thief in question only managed to grab the tooth of an old Usksha sand worm before he was apprehended.”
“Well I could talk about the old Empire when people come through or something…”
“So you want to be part of the tour? Yeah, I don’t see that working in the long term either. Look I think you’re just feeling home sick or time sick or something again. Why don’t you think about this decision more after our trip to Rask, and if you still feel the same way when we come back, we can make arrangements for your future plans I suppose.”

You agree to Jennifer’s proposal since she does have some good points and now you’re a little less worried about your future so much as you’re more concerned with this expedition. When Calvin hears that you’re accompanying the expedition he looks relieved. He mentions that he actually tried to talk his daughter out of going on this thing, but she wouldn’t be swayed so he was going to go with her knowing that he’d probably die in the process. Since you’re going now, he’s going to stay at the museum stating that he’s completely confident that she’ll come back alive now.

Along the way to Rask you warn everyone about the wendigo. Other than Jennifer nobody else seems to know anything about them and she’s only heard stories. Apparently they’re just “myths” nowadays, but you assure everyone that they’re very real and if anyone begins to feel like an unnatural force trying to gain control over their mind, they need to see you immediately and fight the mental attack as if they’re life depended on it because it does. This information probably makes everyone a bit more paranoid and on edge, but quite frankly they should be.

Eventually you get to the Flogger tribe territory, which seems to have moved further south from when you last remember. Apparently Trog has indeed been taking advantage of uniting the other tribes under his banner. The decor hasn’t changed though; they’re still favoring the hundreds of dead bodies stretched across various wooden frames with their backs completely flayed of all skin to mark their turf.

Naturally everyone (especially the soldiers) are expecting a fight given that you’re technically at war with the orcs in general, but you tell them you can handle this and tell them to stay put.

“Oy! Youz that Ternal man!” an orc shouts from the crude watchtower. Not that you’re an expert, but this orc is familiar, if only because of his great fat belly.
“Fatbelly wasn’t it? Where’s your comrade?”

It takes awhile for Fatbelly to process this question at first, but he eventually he knows who you’re talking about.

“Oh, youz must mean Bilge. He dead. Idjit got ‘imself killed by gettin’ into scrap wit an ogre. ‘Ead got popped off an lived for awhile. Won bet on how long! Hah! Anywayz Trog spectin’ you again. ‘Ead on in.”
“He knew I was coming?”
“Geez, maybe youz powerful, but yooz stooped as Bilge. Trog Shaman! He haz vishuns member?”
“Hmm, how could I forget.” You say ignoring the rest of Fatbelly’s insult and heading past the dead bodies. Trog isn’t far ahead.”

“So once again the Eternal visits Trog. And once again Trog see that you come, but not know the reason. Is our arrangement going as planned?”
“Yes, in fact while I’m here I might as well address that too. We’ve gotten what we need from the war. You no longer have to play any role in it, that is stirring up the other orc tribes.”
“Trog see. Very well we did have an agreement and the Floggers have benefitted greatly from this arrangement, so it is done for now. However, Trog cannot promise that other minor tribes will not still attack. Can only promise that Floggers will no longer play any part in such attacks.”
“That’s fine, probably for the best that we still get a few attacks. The other reason that brings me here, is that I and my group need to get through to Rask.”
“Trog see. Can you not just go around us?”
“From what I can tell Trog, that isn’t even possible anymore. Your territory was probably blocking the easiest route to Rask to begin with, now it looks like you’re blocking it entirely. We have to go through your territory.”

Trog doesn’t look enthused by your suggestion, but ponders it a bit.

“Very well, but you cannot just pass for free. Need to extract some sort of payment or security of goodwill.”
“We aren’t really carrying any valuables Trog.”
“Do not want things. Want people. Give us two. One for your passage through and one for the return trip.”
“Okay…so what are you going to do with them?”
“Nothing. Just keep here so you do not pull any tricks.”
“What tricks would I play, I’ve always dealt straight with you. And you do realize that if I was going to play any sort of trick, I’d be more than willing sacrifice whoever I did leave behind and do it anyway?”
“Hmm, true. But still, cannot just let you pass for free. Tribe would perceive as weakness. Those are the terms. More than fair.”

Trog IS being more than fair. He’s downright civilized compared to most humans you’ve known. Under normal circumstances you’d do it without a blink, but you’re fairly certain the group is going to be VERY resistant to this idea and you can’t say you’d blame them.

It’s this or just pushing your way through.
> You push your way through
Trog is being fair, but there is always the chance that Trog is outright lying and he’ll have them for breakfast or something. It isn’t likely, but it’s still a possibility. Plus he needs to realize that he’s gained a lot with your alliance.

“Trog, I understand your position, but I can’t just leave two people with you. Now our deal was pretty good for you, so I’d say letting us through is the least you can do.” You remark.

Trog continues to remain stoic and unmoved by your remark.

“This offer is not negotiable, Eternal. Perhaps you are mistaking Trog’s civility for weakness, but Trog urge you not to make such a mistake. You either pay price or you can find another to Rask.” Trog says.
“Erm…maybe we should do that. Surely we could find another way around and…” Jennifer begins to say, but you’re only half paying attention. You’re too annoyed with Trog right now.

“Look, we’re not going to waste time going around your shitty barren territory. It’s not like you’ve got anything worth while here that we’re going to disturb anyway. YOU seem to forget who the fuck I am Trog. I could slaughter you right now and you know it! We’re going through and that’s it!”
“Eternal you kill Trog and you’ll bring down the entire wrath of the Floggers down on your head! And even if you get away, Floggers will turn their eyes towards your precious nation and never stop waging war until it has completely been burned to the ground.”
“Given some recent events I’ve experienced, you seem to think I actually care about Nalin…but perhaps killing you isn’t the solution.” You say and then suddenly grab Trog. He attempts to struggle, but after a couple of hard punches to his face you knock him the ground and tell one someone to hand you a rope.

“What…what the hell are you doing?! Isn’t this going to bring every orc here down on our head?!” Jennifer exclaims.
“Nope. Trog here is going to be our safe passage. Now gimme some damn rope!” you order.

One of the Jennifer’s crew nervously throws one to you, meanwhile everyone including your soldiers are looking around anticipating an attack.

“You…you fool. Eternal, you believe Floggers will not attack just because you have Trog hostage? You think Trog cares about life?”
“Nice try Trog, but it’s all bullshit. If you were a regular simple-minded orc, I’d agree, but you aren’t are you? You’re a fucking shaman, I’d wager that even most of the Floggers know how advantageous that is and they won’t risk your death. As for your life, well like I said, if you were the average orc I’d say no you don’t care, but you’re not average. You have a sense of self-preservation. If you didn’t you wouldn’t have made a deal with me in the first place. Now let’s go!” you say and pull Trog up from the ground after tying him up.

“You will rue this day Eternal.” Trog says, but complies with your commands.
“I’m really afraid, this seems really dangerous, maybe we should just go back.” Jennifer says.
“What the fuck did you think this was going to be Jennifer? A walk through the flower fields? If you think this is dangerous, what the hell do you think Rask is going to be like? It’s a pitiless land filled with fucking monsters that will eat your fucking heart! Now this is YOUR expedition, I suggest you get comfortable with the fact that unexpected things like this might happen!” you yell.

Jennifer is taken back by your response. Granted she’s been on the receiving end of your vitriol before, but not for quite some time and at the time you weren’t putting everyone in danger.

“Come on, we’re getting the hell out of here.” Jennifer remarks to her crew. “This is just insanely dangerous.” Jennifer remarks and begins to walk in the opposite direction. Her crew slowly follows her.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” you say. “After all I’ve done for you?!”
“Done for me? You ruined this expedition by taking an orc shaman hostage! Even if we DO make it through, did you think about how we were going to make it back? I dunno what the hell happened with you recently, but you are not thinking shit through. You just told Trog that you didn’t even care if orcs burned down Nalin! I highly suggest you get your…”

Jennifer’s speech is cut short with an arrow through her back and out her chest. She stares down briefly to see the head of the arrow still dripping blood and piece of her heart on it. She then falls to the ground dead.

The weird thing is you don’t even see any orcs in the direction where the arrow came from. In fact there aren’t any around, yet another arrow hits one of your soldiers.

You turn to Trog who just stands there silent and still tied up.

“Call off your fucking greenskins Trog! You turned them invisible or whatever you did, I don’t care, call them off or your life ends here!” you command.
“You were right Eternal, Trog do value life. That’s why Trog not even really here.” Trog says and before your eyes you see Trog’s image completely disappear. An illusion. All along you were talking to an illusion. Who knows where the real Trog is.

You have little time to find out as more arrows from invisible orcs rain down on your position killing whoever is still left. Had you been paying more attention, you could’ve just cast a barrier around yourself and avoided them, but while you were threatening illusionary Trog, several arrows puncture your internal organs.

You fall to the ground and begin coughing up blood. You desperately try to heal yourself before you succumb to your wounds, but there isn’t enough time. You start to lose consciousness before the orcs finally materialize and finish you off in a more up close and personal way.

Your last moments are being beaten and chopped to a bloody unrecognizable pulp by several clubs and blunt axes.