Monday 24 September 2018

The Labyrinth closed...

The Labyrinth
Braern looked on in anguish. The heat emitting from the ground here in Aqshy was almost unbearable, combined that with the bestial noises coming from the filthy hordes of Beastmen made it difficult to concentrate.
Ahead of him a dozen beastmen were charging towards him and his brave waywatchers; green fletched arrows shot out in a steady stream, but there were too few and the beatsmen too close. Over on the western flank his brother Aias made a defiant last stand against the leader of the beastmen, he swung his bladed spear faster than seemed possible and slammed it into the chest of the beastlord, the monster grunted, grabbed the weapon and threw it aside as he swung his own axe. The foul rusted blade landed with a wet crunch as it hit the side of Aias’s head. The Aelf went limp and collapsed, shield clattering to the ground, Braern’s world went sideways. His closest brother lay there in the scorching clay, his life-blood flowing from the grievous wound in his head. The beastlord placed a hoof upon Aias’s chest and let out a roar of victory.
Braern pulled his hood back, and let loose a single golden arrow into the sky. It exploded in a cloud of green, blue and red. The Wanderers knew what this meant, they would stop at nothing to stop the beasts of Chaos from reaching the portal while it was open. They all prepared to sell their lives to protect Ghyran, bows and blades were readied, prayers and promises were made. The final stand of the Wolves of Ghyran was at hand…

The doors to Arthyr’s hall crashed open, a breeze gushed in bringing with it the smell of burnt wood and flesh. There in the doorway was Braern, his cloak burnt and torn, his bow nowhere to be seen. He carried the prone form of Mandia Nightlock, he took a step forward and stumbled and would have fallen if it had not been for one of the Eternal Guard who dashed forward and helped him forward. Arthyr leapt from his throne and dashed to Braern; “Brother what happened!?”
“We held them back from the portal, but, but Aias…” Braern tripped over his words as he tried to make sense of what he needed to say. “Aias has fallen…”
Arthyr’s head dropped, the weight of loss suddenly crushing him. How many more needed to perish before their King and Queen would accept them back? He focussed, and tried to get his thoughts together. “Kias, take Mandia to old Dayga. He will be able to heal her wounds.” He called to the Eternal Guard who had assisted Braern.
He turned and put Braern’s arms over him and helped him into his chambers. “My brother, I am sorry I was not there… I will avenge Aias, the beasts will pay and we will earn our place back with our King and Queen.” Arthyr said through gritted teeth and wet eyes. “I swear by our ancestors and Kurnous.”

Tuesday 11 September 2018

The Labyrinth of Eternity

The Wolves of Spiteshade

The forest sped past, spites grinning and leering at her from the foliage as she urged her steed onwards. Her vision had been clear, the Labyrinth was open and it’s vaults ready for the picking. Mandia had rushed to Arthyr and informed him of her vision, where Arthyr told her to seek out his brothers Aias and Braern.

Mandia knew they were out on the fringes of their domain hunting down scattered bands of Nurgle, and this is where she would head. Ahead the forest started to get darker, the spites and other creatures of the forest were more withdrawn. She could feel the taint of Nurgle as it gently infiltrated and infected the weak and broken. Deeper and deeper into this part of this forest she cautiously went, she could now sense the two Stornos brothers and their warband. Here and there she could see a fallen Chaos warrior, pierced with green fletched arrows of Spiteshade Vale. Ahead she heard the distinct sounds of battle, she dismounted swiftly from her steed and silently crept towards the sounds of battle. There, amongst some ancient Waystones she made out the swift shadows of Wildwood Rangers and Wardancers slicing and dancing around a group of beleaguered Nurgle daemons. She leant down and slid her fingers into the soil at her feet, feeling the energy and power within Ghyran. She focussed and let her song echoe out across the grove, the Wanderers attack doubled in pace while the daemons struggled and tried to locate the source of the song. Too late though, as her song increased, vines and roots burst  from the ground beneath the Nurgle daemons, surrounding them in a wall of greenery before being crushed and torn apart.

Aias stepped over the corpse of the Nurgle champion who had led this band, pulling his spear from its head and looking across the grove to where Mandia still crouched as she finished her song. He stalked forwards towards her, wary of any foes that might still draw breath. As Aias reached her, he bowed his head slightly. “What brings you all the way out here my friend?” He asked.
“I have seen the Labyrinth opened, and foul forces opening its secrets. Arthyr has requested we leave at once to hunt down as many foes as possible and halt the enemies of Life.” Mandia replied quietly.

Aias nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. He pulled his whistle from its pouch and let go a crisp note. Within moments his warband gathered behind him, the youngest of the Stornos brothers Braern stalking quietly around the edges of the group.
“My brothers and sisters, we are set to a new hunt in lands outside our realm. The Labyrinth of Eternity has opened and Prince Arthyr has requested we, the Wolves of Spiteshade, hunt down and slay the enemies of Ghyran. Check your bows, sharpen your blades and make your offerings to Kurnous.” Aias announced to his warriors.

That evening they slipped through the secret paths and into the realm of Shyish. The hunt and the tale of Aias and Braern Stornos begins…


The Modryn Return

Arlos Darkleaf’s Tree-like features cracked with what might have resembled a smile, “So you cling to your old life and old name?Good, good...