Multiple Settings BoN Act 2: Age of Colonialism

[Cosmo]

End Game Information
Applicable Nation Strengths
Trystan [Leader] is immune to assassination and instant death style effects. If the enemy has them, they may still randomize Trystan, as normal, if they randomize and hit Trystan, it will count as being 'used' despite doing nothing.

Spells
Spellbook
Reflection [Passive]
During Battle if Trystan is attacked by a ranged or magic spell, roll a d10. On an 8+, the attack is reflected back to the unit that sent it, giving them the full damage of their own attack.

Protection [Cast on Tamif]
Gives a 9+ save for one unit in the stack except for Trystan as a free action

Resurrection [Passive]
Trystan will resurrect one unit in his stack [so a party member] after the current round of combat [Cannot resurrect himself, must be alive to ressurrect].

Elemental Protection [Passive]
Once per turn, 1 Elemental Attack that targets Trystan will be blocked.

Units

Spoiler

Trystan Galvingar
Leader
HP 6
Attacks 3
Offense 1 (3)
Defense 5 (7)
Damage 1 (4)
Save 6+
Special Note: Flying
Items: Eye of Pandora, Spell Scroll, Dispel Scroll
Mirror Image
Every combat round, Trystan creates three identical copies of himself and they are all but impossible to tell the real him from a copy. Trystan has a 6+ save that cannot be improved. If hit by something that normally ignores saves, it goes to an 8+.
Quicken
Combat spells, and consumables, used by Trystan are treated at +1 Initiative. Campaign spells always happen before any movement, spells or actcons are taken by other factions. [The restriction to Trystan using spells, or teleport, to escape an enemy moving onto his space still applies].
We Will Be Remembered!
Before every battle [not adventure], Trystan can give a speech to his party and allied forces. This speech must be written out and posted in the fluff of the post for it to work. This speech may give a buff to friendly units, may apply a negative to friendly units, may apply a negative to enemy forces or can even give enemy forces a buff. The exact outcome of the speech is decided on by Trek as well as what modifiers, if any, it grants. The modifier last for the battle. Only one speech, per battle, can be given.
THE BENEFITS OF EDUCATION
When in Battle, may target any enemy that he wishes unless an enemy ability causes redirection or blocking

Tamif Fizzlewick
Hero
HP 2
Attack 2
Offense 2(4)
Defense 2(4)
Damage 1 (3)
Save 9+
Special Note: Flying, Immune to Fire
Items: Blade of Destiny, Ring of Protection, Enchanted Crossbow
The Pen is Mightier
When in battle, if facing off against a foe that has more HP, instead of fighting, can distract the opponent on a roll of an 8+ with wordcraft and style. This prevents that unit from participating in the battle.
Adventure Partners
While on an Adventure, allows a reroll at a +2. ( Usuable once per adventure and the roller must take the second roll)
Crossfire
Can sacrifice any points from offense/defense to add to damage on a 1:1 basis up to a max of +3 damage
Phoenix Mount
Tam counts as Flying and gain flame strike ability which uses up all attacks to attack all enemy units. Roll a d10 for each and deal all enemy units 2 damage on a roll of 9+

WR3N
Hero
HP 4
Attack 2
Offense 2
Defense 2(4)
Item: Green Cape
Powerful Robotic Frame
+2 HP and negates saves on a killing blow
Impressive Strength
During Exploration Battles allows a reroll at +2( Usable once per Exploration)

Rokk
Hero
HP 4
Attack 2
Offense 4(6)
Defense 0
Damage 1 (2)
Damage Block (1)
Item: Obsidian Blade, Fancy Hat
Endurance Training
+2 HP
Revenge
For every damage done to Rokk, that same damage is inflicted on his attacker. This action even occurs if a killing blow is struck, managing to dish out the damage before succumbing to his wounds. This ability overrides all counters.

Elijah Tillbury the 3rd
Hero
HP 2
Attack 2
Offense 2
Defense 2(5)
Special Note: Flying, Attacked Last
Item: Personal Steam Cycle
Flying contraption
During Battle, allows himself and 1 other friendly Hero unit to count as flying. Unit Speed is 4 Inventor
Extraordinaire
If sitting in a settlement, can attempt to build a mechanical based equipment on a roll of a 9+

Communication Bot
Hero
HP 2
Attack 0
Offense 0
Defense 4
Communicator
Able to communicate with any technology nation that they have obtained the frequency for
Targeting Assistance
Can give 1 hero unit a +2/0 and an extra 1 damage to their attack for the battle

Scorched Earth
Hero
HP 2
Attack 2
Offense 2
Defense 2
I Love The Smell of Napalm in The Morning
Flame attacks deal 3 damage to Living Targets
Living Tank
The First 3 Damage in a Battle is ignored

Ancient Water Elemental
Hero
HP 4
Attack 2
Offense 2
Defense 2
Save 9+
Hard Water
+2 HP and a 9+ save
Water Wall
Can give 2 allies 0/+2

Lilith
HP 2
Attack 2
Offense 2
Defense 2(4)
Item: Wand of Weather
Love is Love
When entering battle, roll a d10 for each enemy non-hero unit on the field. Any that roll above an 8 do not fight. Any that rolls a 10 immediately defects.
Make Love, Not War
If sitting on an enemy settlement, allows the one that hired Lilith to train enemy units

Items[Only showing equipped items]

Spoiler

Eye of Pandora - Equipped to Trystan
Add +2 Damage to magical attacks. (Usable in Adventures once per adventure to roll 3 dice and take the highest number) but take 1 damage from Magical Overflow

Dispel Scroll [1] - Equipped to Trystan
May attempt to dispel an enemy spell.

Enchanted Crossbow - Equipped by Tam
+2/0. In adventures, allows a reroll on combat checks (Once per adventure)

Spell Scroll [1] - Equipped to Trystan
May cast an additional spell

Emerald Green Cape - Equipped by Ren
0/+2

Ring of Protection - Equipped by Tam
0/+2 and Immunity to Fire Attacks

Blade of Destiny - Equipped by Tam
Strength: Deals an extra 2 damage and negates saves. If the unit is corrupted, that damage is doubled to 4
Weakness: If a save is negated and/or corrupted unit is attacked for extra damage, this Strength stops functioning for the remainder and has a 2 turn cool down.

Personal Steam Cycle - Equipped by Elijah
Strength: Gives Hero a 0/+3 and attacked last unless personally targeted

Obsidian Blade - Equipped by Rokk
Strength +2/0 and +1 Damage
Weakness: Misses on a 1 break the blade. A free action must be used to repair it the following turn. It may only be used again the turn after this.

Wand of Weather - Equipped by Lilith
Strength: Turns a tile to any weather or season type
Weakness: Cannot change back for 3 turns.

Fancy Hat - Equipped by Rokk
Strength: 1 Damage Block
Weakness: Enemies can willingly target you

Orders
Dispel Scroll will be used if the enemy attempts to cast any spell. Targeting the most dangerous spell if applicable to dispel.
If, at the end of the first combat round, more then 1 member of the party has fallen, Spell Scroll will be used to cast Resurrection twice
Tamif will give up her attacks to preform a Flame Strike
Trystan will target [Will pick when I know the stats/units of whom they are fighting]
Elijah will grant Flying to Trystan
Lilith will use Wand of Weather to turn season of tile to Winter
C-BO will grant Trystan +2 Offense and +1 Damage for the battle.
Ancient Water Elemental will grant Trystan and Lilith +2 Defense

 

[Dest]

Applicable Nation Strengths/Weaknesses
Nature Magic: Powerful Nature Magic augments all units with +1/0
Metal Allergy: Against mechanical foes, have 0/-1

Army Breakdown

Spoiler: Army 1

3x Bulls

Spoiler: Bull's Stats

Type: Troop
Tier: 1
M: 1
HP: 1
Attacks: 1
Off: 0
Def: 0
Trait: Bull's Fury: Attacks hit a second unit on an 8+.

1x Foxes

Spoiler: Foxes Stats

Type: Troop
Tier: 1
M: 1
HP: 1
Attacks: 1
Off: 0
Def: 0
Trait: Fox's Grace: Fox's gain a +0/+1

2x Order Knight

Spoiler: Order Knight Stats

Elite
HP 2
Attack 1
Offense 1
Defense 1
Holy Order: Gain +1 HP from intense training and a 9+ save if the hit would kill them.

2x Lesser Earth Elementals

Spoiler: Lesser Earth Elemental Stats

Troop
HP 2
Attack 1
Offense 0
Defense 0
Hardened Rock - +1 HP and a 9+ save

2x Lesser Fire Elemental

Spoiler: Lesser Fire Elemental Stats

Troop
HP 1
Attack 1
Offense 0
Defense 0
Powerful Flames: +1 Damage

2x Lesser Air Elemental

Spoiler: Lesser Air Elemental Stats

Troop
HP 1
Attack 2
Offense 0
Defense 0
Speed of the Wind: Gain +1 Attack

1x Earthen Shaman

Spoiler: Earthen Shaman Stats

Type: Elite
Tier: 1
M: 1
HP: 1
Attacks: 1
Off: 1
Def: 1
Trait: Earth's Fury: If no other friendly units with two tiles, unit can sacrifice themselves to make an attack roll on any surrounding enemies. In addition, for each sacrifice used during an enemy siege, decreases the necessary troops to breach by 5

4x Ice Elementals

Spoiler: Ice Elementals Stats

Elite
HP 1
Attack 1
Offense 0
Defense 2
Freezing Cold- Can give one enemy -1/-1 due to the extreme Cold. If used on fliers, negates flying advantage.

4x Water Elementals

Spoiler: Water Elementals Stats

Elite
HP 1
Attack 1
Offense 1
Defense 0
Defensive Shield: Instead of attacking, can give 1 unit a 0/+1

2x Spirit Guides

Spoiler: Spirit Guides Stats

Legendary
HP 2
Attack 2
Offense 2
Defense 2
Force of Nature: Allows all spirit type units to gain +1 HP. (Does not Stack)

Greater Elemental (Hero)

Spoiler: Greater Elemental Stats

Hero
HP 2
Attack 2
Offense 2
Defense 2
Flexible Spirit: Before each battle, can pick one of the abilities of other spirits and use that one to alter its stats or abilities
Equipment: N/A

Vin’Taur The Heavy (Hero)

Spoiler: Vin'Taur The Heavy Stats

Hero
HP 3
Attack 2
Offense 2
Defense 2
Thick Fur- +1 HP and a 9+ save
Heavy Club- A slam attack that hits 1d3 enemy units ignoring armor or saves. (Can do this, but it counts as using up both attacks)
Equipment: The White Plate, Axe of Kharn

Tal 'Ki (Hero)

Spoiler: Tal 'Ki Stats

Hero
HP 2
Attack 2
Offense 2
Defense 2
Earthwall: Can block 1 unit from a deathblow. (Usable once per battle and can't be used on self. Takes no damage.)
Equipment: Old Shepard's Crook

Ancient Golem {Azghul} (Hero)

Spoiler: Ancient Golem Stats

Hero
HP 3
Attack 2
Offense 2
Defense 2
Heavy Stone: +1 HP and has a 9+ save
Guardian: Can block a killing blow for another Hero. This Hero Takes 1 less damage to a minimum of 1. (Usuable once a battle)
Equipment: N/A

Warchief Callarhan (Leader)

Spoiler: Warchief Callarhan Storm, Son of the Storm Stats

Leader
HP 4
Attack 4
Offense 6
Defense 2
Storm's Descendant: Attacks always count as electric. On an unmodified hit roll of 10, roll an extra 4d10-on each 6+, lightning arcs from the initial target. Make another attack at half the leader's offense against a new target. If the initial attack kills the target, you may reroll one of the dice when making lightning rolls. Only the initial attacks may cause this effect.
Coalition of Races: Gain a stacking bonus the more different races are in the leader's army. [2 Races = +1/+1, 3 Races = +2/+2, 4 Races = +3/+3 and +1 Attack]
Spirit's Chosen: Either choose a trait from the spirits to use as own, or steal one trait from an enemy spirit type, gaining it while denying it to the spirit [Only Enemy Spirt is denied it's ability if taken
Equipment: Black Spear, Varghul's Plate, T'Kal the Armored Polar Bear

Spoiler: Army 2

8x Blizzen

Spoiler: Blizzen Stats

Type: Troop
HP :1
Attack: 1
Off: 0
Def: 0
Winter Wonderland- During Winter gains +1/+1
Absorb: If an enemy is down to 1 HP, instead of attacking normally, can instead roll a d10. On an 8+, it absorbs the enemy unit. This attack overcomes all saves and regeneration abilities.

Norma (Hero)

Spoiler: Norma Stats

Hero
HP 2
Attack 2
Offense 3
Defense 1
Frozen Wastes: Turns the square resting on into a winter tile
Winter Wunderland: All Blizzen units gain +1 Attack on Winter Tiles
Equipment: Helmet of the Forest

Blacktop the Undaunted (Hero)

Spoiler: Blacktop the Undaunted Stats

Hero
HP 2
Attack 2
Offense 2
Defense 2
Undaunted- If a killing blow is landed on this unit, it can survive roll a d10. For a troop 6+, elite, 7+, Legendary 8+, Monster 9+, Hero 10.
Rallying Cry of the Blizzen- All Blizzen units gain +1/+1
Equipment: Flesh of the Wyvern, Hawk's Skull

Army Equipment: XM-013

Spoiler: Army 3

4x Aquilosh Warriors

Spoiler: Aquilosh Warriors Stats

Elite
HP 1
Movement 4 (In water only)
Attack 1
Offense 2
Defense 0
Shark Swarm: For Every 2 Aquilosh Warriors, gain a +1/0

2x Starlight Swim Guard

Spoiler: Starlight Swim Guard Stats

Troop
HP 1
Attack 1
Offense 1
Defense 0
Combine: When 3 are together, they can combine and allows them to negate 1 damage per attack

The Fallen Star (Hero)

Spoiler: The Fallen Star Stats

Hero
HP 2
Attack 2
Offense 2
Defense 2
Absorption: For every unit killed, Gains 1 boost of an attribute on a roll of 9+. If a hero is killed, the roll is only 7+. If a leader is killed, instead of an attribute boost, he gains a new ability
The Chosen One: All Starlight units gain +1 Attack when in the same stack.
Equipment: N/A

Aquilosh (Hero)

Spoiler: Aquilosh Stats

Hero
HP 2
Movement 4 (Water only)
Attack 2
Offense 2
Defense 2
Water supremacy: When fighting an opponent on the water, deals 1 damage, even on a missed attack
We're gunna need a bigger boat: If Aquilosh battles a Troop unit on the water, it instantly is destroyed
Equipment: N/A

Applicable Equipment

Spoiler: Callarhan

Spoiler: T'Kal the Armored Polar Bear

Heroic Mount
HP 2
Attack 2
Offense 2
Defense 2
Mounted Hero: This hero must be equipped to another hero. When that hero would take damage, this mount takes Damage instead
Deep Claws: Instead of the riders attacks, can allow the mount to attack instead with +2 extra damage on a hit

Spoiler: Varghul's Plate

Armor that binds to the bearer and protects them from even the most grievous wounds.
Strength: The bearer gains +2 to a save (or a 9+ if they don't have one already) and cannot lose more than a single HP per attack. Anything that would instant-kill or class him as dead is also reduced to 1 HP.
Weakness: Strikes last.

Spoiler: Black Spear

A spear made of metal that seems almost too dark to mentally process.
Strength: The spear moves incredibly quickly, allowing more attacks than seem physically possible. Gain +3 Attacks
Weakness: It seems to sap the users life force: -4 HP. If this causes the number to be lower than the maximum, the remainder is subtracted from defense.

Spoiler: Norma

Spoiler: Helmet of the Forest

Strength: Summons powerful vines that cut through enemy armor
Weakness: After an attack, the user is reduced to 0 Defense for the remainder of that fight

Spoiler: Blacktop the Undaunted

Spoiler: Skull of the Hawk

Strength: Grants flying to the army of equipped hero.
Weakness: All units in army -1/-1.

Spoiler: Flesh of the Wyvern

Wyvern skin crafted into armour.
Strengths: Immune to flame attacks.
Weakness: Weak to cold attacks (cold attacks are +2/0)

Spoiler: Vin'Taur The Heavy

Spoiler: Axe of Kharn

A large, intricately designed axe of a long since dead warrior.
Strength: Saves do no apply against these attacks.
Weakness: Misses hit friendly units

Spoiler: The White Plate

A heavy set of armor that glows a bright white.
Strength: +2 to any save and may ignore a single hit each combat round.
Weakness: -1 initiative tier

Spoiler: Tal 'Ki

Spoiler: Old Shepard's Crook

Unassuming at first but even the angriest of beasts calms at its sight.
Strength: Monster type units will not attack the bearer. Other unit types are unaffected.
Weakness: -1/0

Spoiler: Miscellaneous

Spoiler: The Tree of Spiritual Enlightenment

Strength: All Elementals gain a +1 HP and a 9+ save while in a Rahzen settlement

Spoiler: XM-013

A large device with an unknown purpose. A relic of an old war, the XM-013 is a missile with a high yield explosive attached to it. Its launch mechanism is damaged however. The item is equipped to an army. This army can only move 1 hex for every 10 units and if it has less than 10 then it cannot move.
If the army spends one full turn stationary it can attempt to explode the bomb. It explodes on a 6+. All units and settlements on the tile, friend or foe, are destroyed. In addition, all units and settlements on adjacent tiles are destroyed on a roll of 10. Roll for each unit and settlement separately.

Applicable Advancements
Defense of the Shaman- Friendly units have a save on a 10 while a Shaman unit is part of an army.
Holy Spirits- Enemies attacking a settlement of Rahzen are at -1/-1 from being harassed by the spirits
Prison Wards- This amount of research gives elemental units a 0/+2
Heavy Steel Manufacture: Elite units gain a +1 HP
Quest Reward: Troop units gain +1/0 against non organic units

Orders
Army 1-
Water Elementals are to use 'Defensive Shield' on Callarhan to enhance defense
Callarhan is to take 'Hardened Rock' from Lesser Earth Elemental with ability 'Spirit's Chosen'
Tal 'Ki and Ancient Golem are to use 'Earthwall' and 'Guardian' as needed to protect other heroes
Ice Elementals are to use 'Freezing Cold' on any possible fliers
Should all other units fall Earthen Shamans are to use 'Earth's Fury'
Vin'Taur is to use best judgement for 'Heavy Slam'
Greater Elemental is to use best judgement for 'Flexible Spirit'
Army will act as reactionary army to any attacks on Rahzen Settlements but will not venture out of them unless they are forced to

Army 2-
Norma is to use 'Helmet of the Forest' on any armored enemies
Blizzen are to use 'Absorb' only if no other enemies are within battle or enemy has a regeneration ability
If all is lost army is to use 'XM-013' at all costs

Army 3-
Army is to defend Talon's Watch as best they are able

Special-
Vigo Myrt is to contact all allied, neutral, and friendly nations if Rahzen comes under attack and before the usage of 'XM-013' to warn of coming armies or events

 

[Twist]

Unit List

Red Mother Leader (Crown of Thorns)

3 Samurai Troop

2 Monk Troop

13 Wyrms Elite

2 Boats

3 Dragons Gate Non-Combatant

2 Fishing Boats Non- Combatant

Abraxas Hero (Hourglass)

2 Skeletons Troop

2 Rock Hunters Troop

1 Dragon Dancer Elite

Twin Pixies Hero (Gauntlet Of Power)

Green Dragon Hero (Small Black Button)

3 Bejeweled Crabs Elite

Nerida Hero (Tiara of the Goddess)

3 Navvie Engineers Non- Combatant

The Great White Wyrm Hero (The Cleaver)

Metal Mystic Hero (Magic Staff)

Fire Wyrm Hero

T'lock Hero

2 Water Elementals Legendary

Agawa Hero (Attire of the the Laughing God)

3 Sky Fox

1 Ninyoburi

2 Dissident

1 Conspirator

1 Red Ronin

Jing Hero (Sapphire Sphere)

Mercenaries

2 Lost Troop Troop

Gargamel Hero (Horseless Carriage)

2 Sea Barnacle Elite

Combat Buffs
Determination: Only through perseverance, can we attain true power. (Units receive +1/+1 on difficult terrains tiles)
Like Fish to Water: Firm roots ground and tether you on your long journey (Dragonic units can move freely in water hexes.)
The Illegimate's: Mercenary Units ignore Saves in the first round of combat
Red Flag Semaphore: In battle, when a retreat is ordered by either party, roll two dice and take lowest result. Penalties are ignored by opposing player but own units receive a permanent +1/+1 for the battle.
Moat: Capital/Military Settlements may only be attacked by units with flying, water based or ranged units. This effect can be negated if attacker pays X x 10 where X is the amount of units in attacking army.
Uloth Tome of Darkness: Magic attacks increased by 1/0/ Magic damage increased by 1/
Empty Box: Written inside of the box was a formula for stronger based armor. (All Elite units gain a 9+ save. If that unit already had such a save, upgrade it to 8+)

Unit Abilities
Name: Samurai
Type: Troop
Tier: (Tier 1)
M: 1
HP: 1
Attacks: 1
Off: (0)
Def: ( 0)

Trait: (Face the Sword: When a Samurai is killed, gain a Spirit Token. These tokens can be consumed to give +1 attack or defence to units for 1 token or +1/+1 for three tokens. Can only use tokens once per unit, once per battle)

Name: Monk
Type: Troop
Tier: (Tier 1)
M: 1
HP: 1
Attacks: 1
Off: (0)
Def: (0)

Trait: (Knowingness: Keep a record when Monks make a kill. For every three units, increase tier level of the monks. This is a free cost rather than any resource costs normally incurred if upgraded this way.)

Name: Wyrm
Type: Elite
Tier: (Tier 1)
M: 1
HP: 1
Attacks: 1
Off: ( 0)
Def: (0)

Trait: (Flood: If there are 3 or more of this unit, unit gains terror)
9+ save

Abraxas
Hero
HP 2
Attack 3
Offense 4
Defense 1
Necromancer: All undead troops under his control fight harder. +1 attack
Summon Skeletons: At the beginning of combat, summon 2 Skeletons
Equipment:
The Hourglass
Each combat round gain D3 rerolls


Skeletons
Troop
HP 1
Attack 2
Offense 0
Defense 0
Protection Squad: Must be attacked first

Rock Hunters
Troop
HP 1
Attack 2
Offense 3
Defense 0
Magical Fury: +1/0 and bypasses 1 point of HP protection.

Twin Pixies
Hero
HP 2
Attack 3
Offense 1
Defense 4
Pixie Dust- At the beginning of battle, Roll a d10. On an 8+ incapacitate 1 random Hero unit until the end of the battle
Equipment: Gauntlet of Power
Strength: Can use the D-pad to decrease 1 Hero by -2/-2 or their damage output by 2
Weakness: The Hero takes 1 damage


Green Dragon
Hero
HP 4
Attack 2
Offense 2
Defense 2
Powerful Scales: +1 HP and a 9+ save
Inspirational Aura: Yamabuki units in the same square gain +1 HP and a 9+ save while fighting THE SONG
Equipment
Small Black Button
Strength: Usable once per battle, a powerful Airship will spray up to d4 foes for 3 Damage each before leaving the battlefield.
Weakness: After being used, cannot be pressed again for D4 turns

Bejeweled Crabs
Elite
HP 1
Attack 2
Offense 1
Defense 1
Water Magic: To anything weak to water, it deals 3 Damage. Everyone else suffers a 0/-1 on a successful attack in addition to normal damage
9+ Save

Nerida
Hero
HP 2
Attack 3
Movement 4 (Water only)
Offense 1
Defense 4
Water Traveling: All units in the stack can breath underwater and travel at the same speed
Under the Deep: Nerida can have special Adventures with Izanagi
Equipment:
Tiara of The Goddess
Strength: Can sway over an enemy troop unit on a roll of an 8+
Weakness: Uses up an attack action during battle

Ningyoburi
Troop
Hp 1
Attack 1
Offense 0
Defense 0
Mie: At the start of battle roll a d10. On a 9+ unit receives +1/+1. For every other friendly troop unit in battle, +1 to the roll to a max of +4.

Red Mother
Leader
HP 4
Attacks 4
Offense 2
Defense 6
Equipment:
Crown of Thorns
Strength: Blocks 1 Damage
Weakness: Decreases Stats by 0/-2


Wards of Swords: When in combat, damage done to the Red Mother is deducted from her Attack rather than her HP (to a minimum of 1 Attack) and forces a counterattack to any attacking unit equal to her current Attack. When her attack reaches 1, damage is once again deducted from her HP. While in effect the Red Mother cannot attack.
Seeds of Discord: Reduce Order by 1 when in settlement and produces a Dissident. For every negative Order produce another Dissident

Dissident
Troop
HP 1
Attack 1
Offense 0
Defense 0
Disruption: At the start of the battle, for every enemy troop unit, roll a d10. On a 10, unit is incapacitated and unable to fight for the rest of the battle.

Mother's Embrace: Allows promotion of 1 unit in hex a turn from a normal troop to a Red Elite version. ( I.E. Samurai 1/1 troop to Red Ronin 2/0 Elite)

Conspirator (Dissident)
Elite
HP 1
Attack 1
Offense 1
Defense 0
Assassination: At the start of battle, choose an enemy Hero. This unit receives an extra attack against it.
9+ Save

Red Ronin (Samurai)
Elite
HP 1
Attack 2
Offense 0
Defense 1
Proud Purpose: Gains 0/+1. When the Red Mother is battle 0/+1 for every Red Ronin to a max of 3.
9+ Save

Paper Eagle (Fire Crow)
Elite
HP 1
Movement 2
Attack 1
Offense 0
Defense 0
Aeolian Strings: At the start of battle on a +8, inflict Fear. If against a Flyer, unit loses flying
9 + Save

More units may be added over time as/ an when they appear in game

The Great White Wyrm
Hero
HP 3
Attack 3
Offense 2
Defense 2
Winter Strength: Gains +1 HP and +1 Attack during Winter Months
Silence is Golden: Can negate magic attacks against it on a roll of a 7+

Navvie Engineer
Non-Combatant
Canalwork: Turns tile into difficult terrain but allows water units to travel on it. It takes three turns to change the tile. For every three units lower the turn count by one to a max of one

Sky Fox
Legendary
HP 2
Attack 3
Movement 2
Offense 1
Defense 3
Thousand Ri Stare: + 2 to own retreat rolls and -2 to enemies. Can only have one per army/settlement and only recruit up to equal current capital level.

Fire Wyrm
Hero
HP 2
Attack 2
Offense 4
Defense 0
Flame Strike: Instead of Normal Attack, can autohit one Legendary, Monster, Hero unit. (Uses up both attacks)

Metal Mystic
Hero
HP 2
Attack 5
Offense 1
Defense 5
Ultimate Defense: When in a settlement, adds 0/+1 to all allied troops within its walls
Mystic Knowledge: When in a settlement, decreases cost of advancements by 5 Resources
Equipment:
Magic Staff
Strength: Boosts Magic Damage by 2
Weakness: This unit takes double damage from Physical attacks

Water Elementals
Legendary
HP 2
Attack 3
Offense 3
Defense 2
Water Defense: Once per battle, can save a single unit from a death blow. (Prioritizes Hero units)

T’Lock
Rock Hunter Hero
HP 2
Attack 5
Offense 7
Defense 0
Speed of the Hunter: Gains +2 Attacks
Netting: Can sacrifice 2 attacks to throw a net at a unit on a roll of 6+. If it succeeds, that unit is unable to fight in the battle.

Agawa
Hero
HP 2
Attack 4
Offense 6
Defense 0
Swift Strikes: +2 Attacks
Mie Squared: If in a group containing Ningyoburi, alters the roll needed to 7+
Equipment:
Attire of the the Laughing God
Strength: Troop and Elite units must reroll successful hits against the bearer.
Weakness: Successful hits on the reroll inflict +1 damage.

Gargamel
HP 3
Movement 1
Attack 5
Offense 3
Defense 2
Taste for Mushrooms: When up against Mushroom type enemies, they lose all defense and can only deal 1 damage to Gargamel
Full from Blue Mushrooms: +1 HP and+2 Attack

The Lost Troop
HP 1
Movement 1
Attack 0
Offense 0
Defense 0
Is This Living?- If killed, deals 1 damage to its killers

Sea Barnacle
Elite
HP 1
Movement 1
Attack 1
Offense 1
Defense 1
High Defense- Once per turn, removes 1 damage from an incoming attack
9+ Save

Jing
Hero
HP 2
Attack 2
Offense 2
Defense 3
Indomitable - Cannot be targeted by an ability that would not allow them to fight
Dauntless - This unit stats cannot be reduced
Equipment
Sapphire Sphere:
Summons 1d3 Water Elementals to assist in battle.

Gives the wielder 0/+1

Orders
Army One will hold the line at Wéiqiáng

Spoiler: Army One

1 Samurai Troop
3 Wyrms Elite
1 Dragons Gate Non-Combatant
Abraxas Hero (Hourglass)
2 Skeletons Troop
Metal Mystic Hero (Magic Staff)
1 Sky Fox
1 Dissident
Jing Hero (Sapphire Sphere)

Army Two will protect the Capital Huang He

Spoiler: Army Two

Red Mother Leader (Crown of Thorns)
1 Samurai Troop
2 Monk Troop
3 Wyrms Elite
1 Dragons Gate Non-Combatant
1 Dragon Dancer Elite
Green Dragon Hero (Small Black Button)
The Great White Wyrm Hero (The Cleaver)
Fire Wyrm Hero
1 Sky Fox
1 Conspirator
1 Red Ronin
3 Bejeweled Crabs Elite

Army Three will keep watch in Xusun De

Spoiler: Army Three

1 Samurai Troop
3 Wyrms Elite
1 Dragons Gate Non-Combatant
2 Rock Hunters Troop
Twin Pixies Hero (Gauntlet Of Power)
T'lock Hero
Agawa Hero (Attire of the the Laughing God)
1 Sky Fox
1 Ninyoburi
1 Dissident

Navy will transport forces between settlements where fighting is thickest, by canal or by sea

Spoiler: Navy

2 Boats
2 Fishing Boats Non- Combatant
Nerida Hero (Tiara of the Goddess)
1 Wyrm

Illegimates will be deployed to reinforce any front when and as needed unless occupying Fairfrum forces (?)

Spoiler: The Illegimates

Gargamel
2 Lost Troop
3 Wyrms
2 Water Elementals
2 Sea Barnacles

 

[GrieveWriter]

Final Summary The Flessi Assembly
Colonies
Carcass (Lvl 3 Capital Colony)
The Spine (Lvl 3 Standard Colony)
The Bowels (Lvl 2 Farming Colony)

Policies, Strengths and Advancements
Death Begets Growth- The Assembly's long since known the value of the dead and convert any slain units they get ahold of, friend or foe, into resources to help nourish the Growth. (The Flessi gain 5 resources for each unit killed in a combat they are involved in where they can be considered victorious.)

Cultivate & Spread- Any tile the Assembly leaves units on for three turns straight will be converted into a Growth tile, whereas successfully building colonies instantly converts them.

Flessi Movement Tactics (Lvl 1) The Flessi better learn to traverse the Environment- Flessi gain +1 movement in rough terrain
Lvl 2- When Flessi move into a battle, they gain 0/+1 for that turn of combat

Flessi Movement Speed Upgrade Lvl 1: +1 Movement

Shellbound Movement Tactics Lvl 1-Shellbound gain an extra +1/0 when they move into combat
Lvl 2 When moving into battle, they gain a 0/+2

Shellbound Movement speed Upgrade Lvl 1- +1 Movement

Soiling Movement Tactics Lvl 1- Soilings gain +1 Movement

Settlement Defenses (Lvl 1)- Garrisoned Troops gain an extra 0/+2




Total Growth Tiles: 9
Quest 2: Kill 6 Enemies (0/6)

Units
Carcass Garrison
The Hungry Planter
1 Shellbound
7 Flessi
The Spine Garrison
1 Shellbound
3 Soiling
2 Flessi
The Bowels Garrison
Magic Shroom
Chest Mimic
6 Flessi
2 Soiling


Southern Expedition League
1 Flessi
Resolution League
Metal Man
2 Shellbound
6 Flessi
8 Soilings
Northern Expedition League
2 Soilings
Assembly Pathfinder
1 Soiling


Unit Types​

Flessi
Type: Troops
Tier:1
M: 1
HP:1
Attacks:1
Off: 0
Def: 0
Trait: A People with Purpose- Even the humblest of small scale cultivators knows when they are needed, and will heed the call to battle if needed. (Units of Flessi in adjacent tiles to a combat containing others of their kind, may attack.)

Soiling
Type: Troop
Tier:1
M:1
HP:1
Attacks:1
Off: 0
Def: 0
Trait: Rampant Aggression- The Soilings know the truest method to spread the Growth is with more like them, more corpses to feed its expansion. In all the Assembly there are none who display as much aggression as these reanimated corpses. (For each fallen enemy at the end of each combat round, while a Soiling unit remains alive, roll a D10. On an 8+ gain an additional Soiling unit but do not gain benefit from Death Begets Growth for the unit the Soiling came from.)

​

Shellbound

Type: Elite
Tier:1
M:1
HP: 1+1
Attacks:1
Off:
Def: +1
Trait: Cultivated Shell- Those buried inside these cultivated shells are expectedly resilient to outside force, allowing them to operate with far more durability than their contemporaries. (+1 HP and 0/+1 rather than +2HP.)

​

Magic Shroom
Legendary
HP 2
Attack 2
Offense 2
Defense 2
Spellbound- Sacrifice a friendly unit and cast one of these spells: Spores- All enemy Troops and Elites roll a d10. On a 3-, those units dies from the spores and become a soiling
Marshlands: Temporarily makes the ground into marshlands giving all enemy troops a -1/-1

Hero Units ​

Metal Man
Hero
HP 2
Attack 2
Offense 2
Defense 2
Purifying Flames: When entering battle, roll a d10 for each enemy Troop unit. For each 8+, that unit immediately takes 1 point of damage and if it kills it, does not participate in nettle unless it has an ability that allows it to.
Metal Monster: Absorbs the first 2 damage during a battle

Chest Mimic
HP 2
Attack 2
Offense 4
Defense 0
Disguise: If attacked, roll a d10 first. On an 8+, the attack happens as normal. If it fails, the Mimic gets to attack instead. Only valid for its full 2 attacks. Otherwise the enemy just attacks another target.
Fun Horde: For each enemy killed by this hero, gain 10 Resources

The Hungry Planter
Hero
HP 2
Attack 2
Offense 2
Defense 2
Chompers: Deal +2 damage. If this attack kills an enemy, it is eaten and the Hungry Planter regains 1 HP
Flower Power: For every 3 units in its group, it gains +1/+1 up to a max of +3/+3

​

 

[Trektek]

Birth of Nations: Act 2: Age of Colonialism
Final Strike

The Demon was Coming. That much was certain based on the final words of the Fallen Plagued Goddess of Penumbra.

They all knew that the Demon was coming.

But in her final breaths, they learned that in order to defeat the creature of pure darkness, they would need to fully devote themselves to either The Power of NATURE or the Strength of TECHNOLOGY.

The continent would have to be united in this. But it was not. Each nation had their own views on the matter.

Each took a side as battle lines were drawn.

NATURE vs TECHNOLOGY to decide who would have a hand in defending the future. To see who could and who would, be able to lead them through the darkness to what lay beyond.

The only one who didn’t take a side was the Gobbos who up until now, had been spoiling for a fight and now would have one: The Entire Continent would be their battlefield.

The Battle of the Age of Colonialism was about to begin!


The Battles of the Yamabuki

The fighting was going on for months between the forces of the Wild Uncontrollable Gobbos and The Divine Forces of the Yamabuki.

Some say that it was a battle of destiny between two large and powerful armies that was merely an inevitable conclusion with the butting of heads on such an important matter, but others said that it all sprung out of a feud brought along from bidding wars in the Grand Auction Halls of the Auctioneer.

In dangerous times such as this, the start of the war was inconsequential. Only the outcome was what truly mattered.

The war had been both deadly and costly. Many were lost on both sides, but it seemed that due to the very nature of the Gobbos being created from Mushrooms, they seemed able to replenish their numbers at a much faster rate than those of the Yamabuki. In a War of attrition, it was clear that they would lose.

They knew that they would have to have one final battle where they put all on the line to defeat these not only extremely deadly, but numerous foes.

As such, the battles culminated in a final stand at the Capital, where the large army of Samurai were prepared to give their lives for the cause of protecting not only their way of life, but also the very lives of their people.

The Red Queen gave a very stirring and emotional speech to not only a full assembly of the soldiers, but also to the people that wished to hear it.

“These inhuman creatures are the barbarians at our gates. They threaten not only the lives of our citizens, but also our very way of life. Have they taken any prisoners in their battles against us? No. And why not? It is because they are unruly savages who wish to butcher your children and defile your wives. They will cook your children and dispose of the elderly.

They will take away everything you have, including your life if they are not stopped here and now. We have the might of the Dragons and the full heritage of our ancestors behind us. March onward to victory and bring honor to the Dragons!”

—-------------------------------------

All around, the fighting was fierce as the forces of the Yamabuki and Gobbos collided. Their soldiers were eliminating the strange naked gobbos by the handful as they came running up with nothing but rocks.

Explosions of magic and missiles littered all around them. It was a bloodbath as both dragons and gobbos fell to the ground in bloody heaps.

The Gorilla was locked in combat with the Metal Mystic. Both stood opposite each other after exchanging a series of blows, none gaining entryway through the others form. For while the Metal Mystic had powerful technique, the Gorilla had raw strength tempered with blinding speed.

Both stared at each other, preparing to take the next and final move. It was to be a blow to end all blows. A final strike that would end their combat simply and with finality. The Metal Mystic began to charge forward with a mighty strike when suddenly it was met by the Banana Gorilla’s mighty fist.

An explosion sent both combatants backwards and when the dust settled, there was a Giant Banana where the Metal Mystic had once stood.

The Gorilla Hooted and Hollered as he picked up the giant banna and left the field of battle to enjoy his spoils.

—-------------------------------------------------

The Green Dragon flew high above the battlefield, scorching its foes with its breath of a deep forest green. The enemies weapons had been no match for his ancient scales as they were deflected by its strength.

As it brought many Naked Lads to cinders, it had locked horns with a Troll that had been separated from the others. Not being a fool, its foe was scorched to a crisp before chomped up into tiny pieces and swallowed. Trolls cannot regenerate from fire damage. Ancient knowledge and wisdom.

Many more would fall to its flames before this battle would be done.

—----------------------------------------------

Blythe cocked his rifle. He was on a mission. A mission of death. While the others were fighting and eliminating the enemy troops, it was his job to kill the leadership or anyone that looked like they could put up one hell of a fight.

He was a soldier of death these days. He lost everything that he had been fighting for. Everything that was and everything that could have been. All he has now is his fighting and death. The kind that he causes and his own eventual one.

The first one that he spotted was the one clearly giving the orders. He heard from random chatter that she was known as the Red Mother. Well, soon enough, she’d be Red all over. He raised his firearm to take the shot, lining it up carefully, ignoring all the chaos around him. One shot, two shot, three shots.

She was still up? What sort of magic was this? His shots were perfect. He knew it! He spotted her ordering others to position as she took cover. How was this possible? Dark magics, that how.

Agawa and the Twins charged at Blythe, who merely brandished his bayonet.

“You think you can kill a Soldier of The Empire?” He laughed the laugh of one who had long ago lost his sanity and was merely hanging on by a thread.

“Give me all you got, friends.”

Agawa was stabbed in the chest as the Twins used daggers on Blythe’s legs, causing him to fall to his knees. He grunted, but did not let out any pain. He used that pain. It was a part of him. A part of who he was.

The man yelled in rage as dropped his rifle. He grabbed both of the twins and smacked them into each other multiple times before throwing them into a pit.

Bleeding from both legs and with blood trickling down his lips, he picked up his rifle and charged where the Red Woman had been.

“Your Home has fallen, Queenie.”

“I assure you, that our people will never die, even if you burn everything to the ground.”

As if on cue, nearby buildings had come ablaze.

Blythe smirked as him and the Red Woman began to circle each other. Him with his rifle and her with dual sword swords, blood dripping from her wounds. The woman charged forward, getting in a slash on Blythe’s arm before getting back into position, causing him to hold the rifle in one hand and preparing to use the bayonet.

“You really believe that, Queenie? You don’t have anything left. Your city is in ruins and I bet your people are feeling the burn.”

He leaned forward, letting her attempt a block before revealing it to be a feint and stabbing her in the side.

“I do. Our spirit lives on in our deeds and in the thoughts and minds of others.”

“Well, perhaps that would work if anyone that you knew would be left alive. But, Hehe. They are all about to join you in the abyss.”

The Red Woman dodged based several strikes as she ducked and weaved, landing a hit with both daggers in his shoulders, causing an immediate drop of the rifle and for him to drop as well onto the hard ground.

“You see, man of The Empire, my people are far more than you give us credit for.”

As she raises her blades to finish him off in one strike to the heart, Blythe grabs his nearby rifle and gets off a shot between her eyes. Her lifeless body collapses on the ground as the city continues to burn.

“Or perhaps I gave you too much credit, Queenie.”

He chuckled to himself as he laid back down, his energy spent after killing a slew of enemy heroes on the battlefield.

—-------------------------------

The Prince of the Most Brilliant Blue watched the burning of the Capital from the rag tag fleet of fishing and cargo ships that were hastily put together. While the Red Mother was rallying the troops, he had gathered up as many people as would follow to the seas.

Something had told him in his mind that this would be a foe that they could not handle. Something had warned him that it was time to leave this place and find safer harbors where they could be free to start anew. A vision in the dead of night before the final battle. It caused him to heed it of terrible import

A Dragon Gate stood on his ship as the one true value of importance that he took with him in the escape. There was not much time to grab anything else. Only time will tell if it will truly be useful in their exile from their lands.

The ships would only carry so much and there was only so many people that were willing to follow him. IN the times past, many had disliked his rule and perhaps even now, some of the survivors may resent him.

Only Time would tell.


—------------------------------

The Battles of the Fae vs Mekhane

The Fae marched with all their armies on to the “Holy City” of Mekhane. It was a profane place. One that had taken the gifts of technology to the extreme. Whereas the Fae had accepted Machine and Magic together in one hold, the Mekhanites had eschewed all things they detail as The Flesh.

It was mostly the dealings of nature, but it had come to mean anything that was not pure machine. Even many of its people were converted to cybernetic beings with their emotions removed.

Their people had been crushed spiritually and socially as they merely worshiped a machine as though it were a god. They altered themselves for its pleasure, to aid in some perfection of humanity.

Their alliance with the Empire of Fafrium and those that had been under the banner of Technology put them on a side against those that knew what was right.

Nature was the true path to defeating this Demon and not Technology. They would be shown the errores of their ways and be crushed by the very Flesh that they had wished to eradicate.

But the Mekhanites would not go quietly into the night. They would fight for their culture, their religion, for everything that they stood for. Their very way of life was at stake. It was shown in the very nature that was being paved over in the lands surrounding the cities.

They were being cleansed of their impurities.

They were being brought into the light of Mekhane. It was the will of their kind to propagate the message of The One. They would spread their beliefs and bring more followers into the fold. Others would follow once they proved their might on the battlefield. It was only logical.

Her Metal Flesh would spread among new believers. They would grow back stronger than the Old World. Amoni Ram would become a vast city, a place of True Logic and Humanity. A place for the rebirth of the Old World, better, more logical and less flawed.

—----------------------------------------

The Bronze Colossus stood outside the gates as those of the Synthetic Fae Court arrived. Lord Landroi stood at the forefront of the Charge. The man’s muscles bristled as he turned to the troops.

“Today is a day for the people. It is a day where you prove your worth to the cause of Freedom against the dangers of the Blasphemous Tyranny that exist beyond those walls. Our enemies not only put Technology over the survival of the continent, but also Technology over the free will of their own people. Trapped in their walls, they are twisted beyond belief. If we are to give them a chance of survival, their walls must be breached.

To all of you assembled, you are the best that the Fae has to offer. And I am proud to serve with each and every one of you. Know that any who give their lives on this day, do so in the name of Freedom. FOR THE COURT! CHARGE!!”

With that, Lord Landroi led the charge into the horde of Mekhanite Legionaries and Skirmishers that had assembled outside the walls.

The battle was joined.

—-------------------------

The Psions were holding the line as best as they could, shielding their allies on the battlefield from the back of the line. A Bronze Colossus moved a great arm to shield a handful of Psions from a blast of magic that was coming from the enemy back lines.

It had sustained a number of holes from taking such similar blasts, exposing the inner gears and structure. If it wasn’t such a thing to be looked down upon, the inner workings were almost a true work of art in their design and intricacy.

The Psion felt his energy begin to wane as a fresh group of Legionaries charged forward into the fray, engaging in battle with a large group of zealots.

The Zealots wore strange animal masks and were as creatures of the Flesh. It was once again like the battles right out of the scriptures. This was what they had been preparing for. This was their purpose. It was to defend the city and humanity from these corruptions of nature. These blasphemous creatures that wielded together flesh and bone to magic. They were abominations.

But the biggest abominations on the field were The Reavers. Three of these undead destructive warriors were cutting through swaths of their own mechanical fighters as though they were butter. It was an almost like an endless slaughter. There seemed to be no stopping them.

Five Colossus moved to the forefront to protect the Psions from the coming horde. One of the Reavers looked to the others and almost looked as though they were giving a smirk before jumping up high and cutting right through the Colossus. The other two followed suit.

The Psion began to prepare themselves as the Legionnaires fell to their wrath as well. All seemed lost. They would fall to the flesh.

A powerful blast struck one of the Reavers, causing it to be illuminated by a bright light and then dissipate with a curdling scream.

The Psion turned to look and there stood the savior. It was “Her Living Voice”

Their savior and leader who spoke the words of life.

The Voice swiftly moved, slashing through another Reaver and then another. The trio was dead, though other Reavers were elsewhere on the battlefield. But it was now time for the masked zealots wearing animal masks.

A massive light of energy emerged from the hands of The Voice as they were vaporized within its warm embrace.

The Day was saved. The Psion bowed down in reverence for the holy technology before them.

—----------------------------------------

The battle raged for many days. Though the walls of Amoni Ram still stood. It would not be a place that would fall easily. Even with the full might of another nation’s armies thrust upon it. After all, it was designed for this very purpose. To keep out The Flesh and all its corrupting influences.

The enemy was numerous and countless. They existed beyond the walls and soon enough would breach them. Almost all of those who were capable of fighting had fallen. The most holy one had enacted a plan to save its people, to move them far away, to a land unspoiled by the touch of the unclean and impure.

But it would take time and it would take sacrifice.

The Shepard would be left outside the walls and hold off the enemy army until the plan could be enacted.

The Fighting lasted for 8 Days. A holy miracle. It was an almost indescribable thing that would have to be left to the scholars with the holy texts.

They were able to see the end of The Shepherd by the invading unholy beasts sent to reinforce the Fae as they were taken away by the light to lands unknown. The Holiness of the Prophet would not be forgotten. Though much of the technology as it had been was lost.

A new path could be forged with the machines of new from their alliance. Only time would tell.


—--------------------------------

Coghaven with Academy Support vs Rahzen

The battlefield was one that had filled with such an air of dread. Coghaven had been filled with nothing but war and torment in a land that they had wished to get away from such disasters. It had saddened them and was exhausting, one that had driven them to a point of melancholy.

Would they or should they leave this new land? It had once again become a battlefield, this time an even larger and stronger one. The months of constant war on the continent of this recent debacle involving a coming demon drew them more towards leaving than staying.

The endless war upon war was sapping them of their strength and their will from a near constant of having to be on without pause.

But for now, they would defend their new home to the last.

—---------------------------------------------

The Academy had mages galore lined up with the advancing forces of Rahzen. The readied learned of the this school of magic was ready to defend their beliefs to the end. They believed in the path of Technology rather than the mysticism of Nature. It was not their cause to follow into the trees. Technology would grow in conjunction with their ways of magic. While the Magic ways of Nature would be relegated to more academic in its future nature.

Elementals alongside magical constructs and Foxes and Cows. So many different and united races against them. But the unification of the North was a different beast in its entirety.

There were many races as well. Humans, Orcs, Trolls, Goblins and Elves to name a few. They would not fall easily and if they did, they’d bring hundreds more with them.

Those of the Academy were nervous, but spells prepared. Those of the Cogs, had their guns at the ready to fire as soon as they came into range.

The Battle was joined.

—-----------------------------

Explosions rocked around as another battalion of Rahzen lay down on the ground having finally breached the walls of Coghaven. The fighting was fierce. First Commander Alzon brushed some shredded flesh out of his horns.

“These Cogs are hitting us hard.”

Gadin, a Fox picked a piece of meat out of his teeth as he took cover behind a destroyed machine.

“Yeah. But I think it's more the Academy with their Ranged Spells that are killing more out there. Not even the Elementals or the Blizzen are getting into Range.”

Gadin flicked a stone ahead, watching as it got shot to hundreds of pieces by automated weapons fire.

“I think there's something fishy about this. Sure, we killed lots of Cogs Alliance guys, but you think that since we breached the walls, that we’d be hitting fiercer resistance, yeah?”

“Nah. They probably just fell back to a more secure location. Besides, the Prince wants us all in. We have to get into position soon.”

“Yeah, yeah. We’ll get there.” Gadin dodge rolled quickly past the automated weapons fire and smashed the machine from its hiding spot. “Gotcha.”

Alzon stood up from his crouched position. “Let’s move men. We can’t keep the Prince’s men waiting.”

The squad headed out with all the other remaining ones, facing light resistance getting towards the center of Coghaven. But it felt quiet there, almost far too quiet.

—-------------------------------------

The Explosion could be seen for hundreds of miles as the Capital of Coghaven went up in a massive explosion that was prepared back as a fail safe against their first major foes on the continent. What little was left of the Rahzen army was defeated in the coming weeks by the Academy who hampered and trapped them with magical maelstroms. What little leadership they had did not stand a chance. The only survivor was the Prince, who barely managed to survive the wreckage and death.

Many of the survivors of Coghaven took the opportunity to flee the continent using the submarines and the secret floating base that was discovered early in their explorations. Some had taken the opportunity to join the Academy and learn the ways of magic in a positive light. But for many, that was too foreign from their way of life.

Many were lost and perhaps their way of life was lost with it. But the people would survive. One way or the other.

Shrooms vs Straed

The floating palaces of Straed thought that they would be immune to most forms of combat as it would take someone to fly to catch up to them. Or a betrayal of the first order such as The Ogres smashing through their own production lines, stealing and destroying much of Straed in the process.

But it was the unholy Shrooms that seemed to not get the memo.

Somehow gaining the ability to not only send their spores well into the air, but also to have their forces be flung almost effortlessly from the ground onto their flying settlements. It had seemed like something from out of a dream. Or in this case, a nightmare.

Spores began growing on the decks of the ship, the fire brigades could only burn them away so fast. As if they found any dark, moist location, they would spread and start filling the air with their deadly ilk.

The machines which made up the bulk of their armed forces were not affected outwardly by these spores. But it made it so the repair crews would have difficulty in all that they could see to fix.

Before they knew what was happening, spores were spread throughout the cities and the Capital, birthing new Mushroom Men and allowing those below to breach the surroundings.

—----------------------------------

“Damnation. Is there no end to these beasts in sight?” 1st Lieutenant Gallohan yelled over the clanging sound of the engine as he wiped his brow of the sweat generated from the heat of the magical crystals being burned through to power the floating city.

“I don't think so boss.” Intern B’Atal stated bluntly as he scratched his luscious beard and tightened a nearby loosened bolt.

Gallohan shot him a nasty glance. “You’re supposed to make me feel better as your superior. Not tell me the truth! Damnation!”

He kicked a nearby pipe, dislodging a large mold pod that crashed into the bottomless abysses below that made up the bottom of the ship.

B’Atal shrugged his shoulders. “What do I know? I’m just an intern after all.”

“Wait. Quiet! I hear Shellborn!” Gollohan placed a heavy hand on B’Atal to pull him backwards as the heavy clinking on the metal of the Shellborn could be heard. The heavily armored SPore Men had been a huge detriment to their own heavily armored troops. There was just something about them that seemed to be practically hard to kill.

The Flessi and the Soilings were no match for their own heavy firepower. But the Shellborn had destroyed their heaviest machines. Odin and Enigma brought down many of the enemy forces, but eventually had been overwhelmed. Forcing their own troops to play hide and seek in the city to attempt to pick off the spore men.

Clink. Clank.

Clink. Clank.

Sweat dripped down from Gallohan’s forehead as he held pulled close his Heavy Rifle.

Clank.. Clank… Clank..

Gallohan looked over and B’Atal had dropped his wrench. Within moments, a heavy Shellborn Fist smashed through the pipes and into the Dwarf’s skull directly into the wall. Viscerous littered everywhere as the intern’s body fell to the floor with a heavy thump.

The 1st Lieutenant had no time to mourn however as he knelt down to better prepare himself should they come to check on their fallen prey.

And sure enough, he was rewarded by the very Shellborn pushing through into the enclosed space. Gallohan smirked as he said, “Suck on this Shellbrain.”

The soldier let loose with his weapon as the heavy shells penetrated through the Shellborn’s armor. Blow after blow. Hit after hit.

Down it went.

He knew that it wouldn’t be safe here for much longer as he knelt by what was left of his companion. “I’ll come back for you if I can before this is all over to give you a proper burial.”

And with that. He went off to try to fight off some other invaders.

—-------------------------------

Kartoosh was in the main control room. The lich knew that their fighting force was lost at this point. They wouldn’t have enough to keep them safe from any sort of invading army. They were down to only a handful of fighting machines and what little was left of their City defense force.

But he had a plan. A plan to protect what was left of the city and drive out the invader. He had to get the city away from the continent. It had proven too dangerous and too deadly for them to handle.

As such, he had a secret weapon. But one that needed a little more time to prepare. Just a little more time to save what was left of the people and the city. It was a gamble. But at this point, they were all dead if he didn’t do anything. So it was necessary.

He began typing away at the magical controls as he spoke aloud to those assembled.

“All of you. IN order to Save Straed, you need to hold the line. Without you holding the line, every single person that you love will fall to these fungus men. Each man, woman and child will become fertilizer for their cause and bodies for their soilings. If you don’t protect me while I do this, ALL WILL BE LOST! Now, HOLD THE LINE!”

While not in any way inspirational, Karoosh got the point across. He was to be protected so they did not all die horrible deaths.

Smashing had begun on the doors outside the control room. Clearly, the enemy had sensed the build up of energy inside. It was coming ever closer.

Electrical panels sparked as the doors exploded outwards, crushing one of the soldiers. The soilings burst in and the gunfire began immediately. The mushroom zombie like creatures were gunned down in the dozens before they overwhelmed two more guardsmen.

A grenade flew into the crowd, splattering mushroom everywhere and making room for the Shellborn. These hardened creatures could take on their powerful Valkyrie machines. What hope did they have as simple guardsmen?

As their gunfire was harmlessly deflected, one and then another were smashed into the ground.

“Just a little longer men!” The Lich shouted above the gurgling and the bubbling behind him.

Grenades starting flowing freely as the numbers of guardsmen began to diminish in the room. As they reached Kartoosh, he began laughing even as his skeletal frame was being smashed to bits.

“You Fools. Hehahsehahaehah.”

A huge blast of Red Energy bursted outwards as the nearby Shellborn were obliterated. A commanding, but clearly feminine voice spoke out.

“Pandora is now your mistress. You all owe me your lives. And you shall repay that in time.”

—-------------------------------------------

The Shrooms watched from the ground as the Straed limped away over the sea with a single capital ship. They had brought down the others and had begun to use them to spread their own seeds.

The time of the Growth would be upon the world as soon as this Demon was dealt with. All in all, their losses to Straed had been negligible, whereas Straed had merely 3 Sentinels left in their army. Should they be foolish enough to return, they would be swallowed up by the Growth.




Gobbos vs Fae

The Fae had been happy from their victory in recent months. They had defeated and mostly destroyed their hated mechanical foe who had been their opposite in all things. It had brought them one step closer to bringing forth the power of Nature to defeat this great Demon which was going to destroy them all if left unchecked. They had believed the words of the Fallen Goddess.

They were even the first to suggest that they all align their goals in order to defeat this creature of darkness. However, it was not to be. It was not to follow the rules or codes of conduct.

Lines had been drawn. And then there was the Gobbos.

They respected no side in this conflict. They had wanted only to fight. And if someone was going to stop their trail of bloodshed that they have been having across the continent, it would be the Fae.

They had the machines and the magic and the numbers to fight them to a standstill. They might have been weakened from the years of being an impossibly strong empire, but they were still powerful enough to destroy these Goblinoid upstarts.

The enemy army stood at the gates. The battle would have no choice but to be joined.

—------------------------------------

The two armies met on the field of battle outside one of the cities. It was not the capital. But that did not matter as one way or another would determine the possible survival of the civilization. The Fae had faced extinction before and they would look it in the face again, but not flinch. They would not falter. They would drive back the enemy and seek retribution for all those that had fallen in their wake.

The Zealots and the Fanatics began to fighting as the two hordes of minions clashed with the sound of thunder. It was a vast storm that had been breached and the crashing of waves had hit the wall.

Death was all around them on both sides. The Fae and the gobbos had formed a killing field outside this city and within its walls. No where was safe from the carnage. No where would be free from the stench of death and decay that followed in its wake.

Blythe had a chip on his shoulder. One that death only satiated for a time. The soldier was filled with rage on the battlefield, but one that allowed him to focus it on calm and collected shots. Four Bullets emerged from his rifle and four targets fell. The man was a monster on the field. None were safe from his gaze.

As his bullets were ending lives, Dave had blasted the mechanical menace that was the Fae Construct to pieces with his powerful blasts. A city had fallen, its commanders dead. Its people crushed underfoot after a handful of weeks.

It was soon followed by a second city. And soon, only the capital remained.

—--------------------------------

The elken form of Zestari stood along the walls as the approaching doomhold of the Gobbos approached the city. They would be able to stem the tide for a short while. But most of their army had already fallen trying to prevent the other two settlements from going to the wayside. Something that was hampered by the civil war, the differences of opinions that had weakened them.

Oil dripped from its sullen horns. The entropy had come to them all. Perhaps it was finally time for him to die? If so, he would make that death mean something. He owed Pylos that much. A warrior of the past. One who saw their civilization fall once, unable to do anything. And perhaps she would see it again.

But this time, she would have the authority to have their civilization make the correct choices.

This time, their people will not reach this choice. With ones less likely to fall to entropy and darkness. The Fae could once more thrive, elsewhere.

Perhaps.

It was.

Always meant to.

BE.

—---------------------------------------------

Pylos could not fight very well in her current form. Her form had been broken and piece meal put back together for speed and not for power. Fat lot of good it had done her as the help she had tried to get was not there. She was ignored and pushed to the side by the people of the North.

THEY DID NOT CARE.

And so, she did not care what happened to them. But she still cared what happened to her people. And yes, they were her people. Even as far apart from time as they were, it was all that was left of her civilization.

And now, she was to see its end once more.

Zestari had given her a chance, however. A path beyond with the chosen. To begin the Fae anew somewhere else. Somewhere beyond this failings. It was something that she wasn’t sure how to respond to. Especially since Zestari had been corrupted by the darkness that had swallowed what was their home.

But she had little choice. And at least this way, she would be in charge.

—------------------------

Zestari was plugged into the machine. Oils and other fluids gushed out of him and into it. The portal machine buzzed and whirred until an image appeared in a circle. A land of greens and browns with waters of blue. It looked like a paradise. Perhaps.

It was somewhere else. Somewhere beyond this petty fighting and a place where they could be far, far away.

The fighting could be heard from the walls as the few hundred chosen moved through the portal with Pylos’s squad picked up from her adventures moving on, until at last she turned and gave one last look to Zestari.

“You’ll still rot for all you have done. But this tips the scales slightly.” And then she passed through with the portal closing as the wall exploded inwards.

Bigglesworth stood there with weapon in hand, smashing down the weakened Fae machine that was Zestari.

An imitation of a smile on his face as oils and blood flowed on the ground. Perhaps finally, this is his end. He could be one with the universe. The world faded to black.


Trystan and Co

Magic. It flowed through him. He knew that it was a powerful tool. It was something that enabled him to take on powerful beasts and monsters of stone.It had been both a friend and sometimes an enemy.

Trystan used that magic to lead his crew of adventurers on many adventures all around the continent after his graduation. But now, he had heard a distress call from the Academy and he needed to go. With all the fighting going on, it seemed like a bad time to leave, but the people of Rahzen gave him huge leeway and told him to take care of what was his.

So here they were. They teleported to the Academy. AT least, that was where the portal was supposed to take them. But all around them was rocky terrain and could he hear the ocean?

That couldn’t be right, could it?

Maybe he just teleported near the academy and not on its grounds?

On a nearby hill, a large Land Tank rose up, surrounded by two smaller ones and a handful of troops. They looked like Fafrium troops, but something seemed off about them. They had red stripes on their uniforms. Was that blood?

As if to answer this question, a few Driders breached the top of the hill and Withers and a large female Orc joined the crowd.

Withers waved his arms with a large smile on his face.

“We are so glad that you could come, young mage. The hour of the Breach is fast approaching and your powers would greatly help assist us in that regard.”

He held up one finger before Trystan could respond.

“But before you give your answer, know that one way or another, the veil will be breached. It is merely whether or not you will be rewarded for your service or just be one of the many who are crushed under foot. What say you?”

In his heart, Trystan would never take such a path. The power had tried to corrupt him and crush his very soul. The power is what has truly held him back. It has been a crutch that ate away at him.

His hand moved away from his pocket and towards Tam’s hand. Together, they were far stronger than the amulet. It was a better power. A more wanted power.

“The answer is No, Withers. We won’t be a part of your nefarious plots!”

“Tch. I’m sorry that you feel that way, young mage. We could have been friends in another life, I think. But what is done is done.”

He gave a nod, to which Trystan was suddenly grasped from behind by Rokk. The large man held onto Trystan Tightly as he moved towards the rest of the The Ascendant.

Wren charged forward, but Rokk began to squeeze the young man tighter, causing her to take pause. She looked over at Tamif. The goblin was worried as her mind spiraled in a thousand different ways.

She looked around and saw Scorched Earth ready and raring to fight with Lillith on his shoulders in an incredibly uncomfortable position.

But where was Elijah? She couldn’t spot him.

Suddenly a blue blob fell from the sky on top of Rokk, allowing Trystan to squeeze out of the grip of his captor with the momentary confusion.

Elijah laughed as his hair brained plan worked. He knew that dropping the Water Elemental onto Rokk was a moment of pure genius that could only come from an inventor extraordinaire. He also knew that he would have to focus on that later when they were not in such a dangerous situation.

It was then that Withers, steaming yelled at the army assembled. “Kill them all! I’ll search through what’s left later!”

The soldiers and tanks began shooting at the Adventuring group.

An actual chuckle could be heard from underneath Scorched Earth’s ARmor as he suddenly charged into the fray, burning many soldiers alive with his flames. It was pure carnage.

Rokk raged, freeing himself from the belly of the water elemental, slashing at its heart with his large axe. It would bother them no more. AN impediment to his cause.

As the rage machine charged forward, he was intercepted by Wren.

“I am most disappointed in you Rokk. You were meant to be a protector, like me.”

His blade and her powerful legs were locked in blow after blow. A grunt from Rokk started his response.

“You think that, do you? My goal was always to the cause. You were all so eager to believe.”

Another grunt as he used the butt of his Axe to knock Wren back a few steps. She looked up with what could only be described as FURY in her mechanical eyes as she charged forward, launching a series of kicks that were directly specifically at the axe.

“Perhaps I was a fool. But I had wanted to believe in something. I wanted to believe that we were all something more than a collection of people on an adventure. I wanted to believe…….

….That we were a family!”

With the final words, Rokk’s Axe was shattered from her final kicks, flinging the huge mountain of a man to the ground, fading his vision to black.

—---------------------------------

The tanks began firing shells at the group. They started to fall all around them, but many were inaccurate. Tam had been making sure that Trystan was alright before calling forth her Phoenix, raising her blade up in the air. Riding on the flaming creature, she felt free as it rained down fire upon their foes, melting the smaller tanks, though the larger one seemed resistant to their attacks.

Trystan stood up and began channeling the magic within. This was his moment. It was the time to show what he was made of.

The ball of energy built up in his hands as though he carried around a giant ball of bottled lightning. Before the enemy forces could react, he let it loose on the larger tank. It crashed against the outer casing, at first, seeming as though it had done nothing and then the entire outer shell was covered in electrical currents. The sizzling of metal and flesh could be heard as suddenly the machine exploded outwards, shrapnel killing some nearby soldiers.

Withers looked on in anger, stomping his feet.

“This cannot be. All this time preparing. We shall not be defeated here and now. Our cause is too great to cease!”

Their army that they had brought to bear was being defeated, crushed, and all around ended by this Trystan and his adventuring party. Even with the betrayal of Rokk, it was not enough. They were too strong.

Astra put a hand on Withers’s shoulder. “Come. I think its time we left.”

Never did she think that she would be the calm one among the two of them. But here they were. Rage was in his eyes, but her calming hand caused it to dissipate.

“You’re right. We can’t win here. They are far too strong. The continuation of our work is more important than a singular piece that won’t fit in the puzzle.

What remained of their forces retreated soon after, leaving Trystan and Company to lick their wounds and celebrate their victory.

Tam looked over at the bound Rokk and then to Trystan. “What should we do with him? They left him. But he did betray us.”

Trystan sighed. “I say we hold onto him. Maybe he’ll come around.”

Tam smiled. Trystan’s caring and compassion were two of the things that she loved about him.


The Battle vs the Demon King

Three Empires remained at full strength after the wars were settled down. The Academy, a place of magic and learning with a penchant for growing more powerful with time. Though normally a neutral nation, they had chosen the side of Technology to fight back against the Demon. That side had lost overall the wars, with them being the only one unscathed by its aftermath. They would support the others in dealing with the demons and then return to their seclusion afterwards. They were a school for magic after all.

The Flessi Assembly, a fungal growth that wished to spread far and wide, engulfing all in its path to create more creations of the Growth. Though peaceful with its neighbors, its overtaking of all and their goals were never hidden. They wish to become more and in time could continue to do so, possibly unopposed. They had been on the side of victory, that of Nature.

The Goblins of The Bad Moon, a different form of fungal growth, one that takes the form of goblins sought nothing but fighting and fun. Though officially on the side of Nature, which led to its victory, they attacked those on both sides of the conflict, existing only to sate their powerful urge to do battle with others. Though not filled with malice, they still fought and killed many in their path to reach their desired goal of fighting and then partying afterwards.

The three major empires stood there with Trystan and his Cohorts, the remnants of Rahzen, and the small nation of The Free City of Noctis.

A huge burst of blackness emerged from what had been the center of Penumbra. Pouring forth were small demons in the amount of thousands. But Rahzen had been prepared. They had spent many months dragging a weapon of untold destructive power to this very spot so they could do as much damage as possible. Perhaps it could even close this gate.

The smaller demons moved quickly and reached the armies at the outskirts of the lands of Penumbra. They were all told to keep their distance due to the weapon as the armies engaged to smaller demons. Demons so small that they came up to the ankles of those assembled. But they were still deadly in their swarms.

A blinding light as the device went off, a cloud took the shape of a mushroom as the light cleared. They had detonated the device before they would be overrun. Those brave men and women from Rahzen who still had fight left in them.

The black energy however still lingered. The portal had not been closed, but the wave of smaller demons had been destroyed.

Two larger demons, each standing about fifteen feet in height with curved horns emerged with a guttural roar. One charged at the Flessi while the other charged at the Goblins of Bad Moon, killing countless hundreds with each strike of their bladed arms.

The ground rumbled as a blast of black energy knocked many off their feet. A demon standing easily twenty feet tall in height, jiggling fat and multiple mouths all over its body emerged from the portal before it shut closed.

Moving far faster than its heavy appearance suggested, it charged at the Academy and Trystan’s Adventuring Party, speaking through all of its mouths at once.

“You shall all succumb to my plague and be fodder for mine appetites.”

It threw itself in the air, landing on top of some wizards, the mouths on the Demon either swallowing them whole or unleashing unpleasant crunching sounds amid the horrific screams of death.

As spells hit the Demon, seeming to do barely anything, its mouths unleashed a virulent plague. Coughing and fits of seizure soon followed from those nearby as other mages cast spells of protection or delivered curative potions to those affected, decreasing the amount of deaths than there otherwise might have been.

The Demon frowned as it scooped up two more mages, stuffing them into another mouth on its body.

“Do not fight this. I am inevitable. I am the future of all on this planet. You exist only for me. Fighting will just make it harder for you. Accept your fate and it will be easier for you.”

A ball of flame hit one of the mouths on the beast. Trystan emerged from the line of mages on the hill, wind blowing his outfit as he spoke.

“We will not go quietly, DEMON. Each and every one of us have come too far to give in to despair now. You’ll have to do this the hard way.”

A violent belly laugh emerged from the many mouths of the DEMON.

“BWAHAHAHAHAHHA! You believe that you can destroy me? Very well then. Come to your demise, young mage. Make me work for my meal.”

—----------------------------------------------------

Biggleswort smashed the knees of the Large Horned demon to little effect as the naked lads and the handlers were being flung up on spikes from the arms.

“Ey! You guys give him too much! Use your muscle!”

This was followed by the trolls throwing large stones at the massive Black Demon. They had plenty of muscle and wanted to show Da’ Boss who was the best at using that muscle. However, it was still unbothered by these attacks, continuing its attacks, undaunted. That is, until Lightning Bolts from Grumblenutz.

The Demon Roared and grabbed hold of him, throwing him down its gullet in one fell swoop. It smirked even as Blythe hit it in the eyes with deadly precision shots. All his skill would do nothing against the near impenetrable skin of a Demon.

This was a job for Rottus Glottus. The slobbering mess of a Troll fixed its cone shaped hat atop its head, raised its meat cleaver and charged the Demon.

“You gunna die and make me and da boys some stew, Deemon!”

The Demon smiled at the charge of the Trolls, opening its mouth and breathing a large flow of fire. It spread far and wide, striking each and every troll that was a part of the charge. Troll after troll fell before its never ending blaze, but Rottus Glottus would not fall so easily. Even with his regeneration negated by the fire, he would not stop until that Demon was dead.

Flesh burnt to a crisp, he slammed hard with the butt of his blade into the stomach of the Demon, knocking not just the wind out of the Demon, but also Grumblenutz covered i black Bile.

“Heh. Gotcha!” Rottus Glottus collapsed into a heap of ash and scattered to the winds.

Grumblenutz frowned deeply. Rottus Glottus was a pain in the butt. But he was their pain in the butt.

Biggleswort came up from behind and raised up Grumblnutz as he charged up his most powerful lightning spell that he could. The combination of the duo dodged strike after strike, blow after blow. Until the time was ready.

Lightning flew from his fingers, landing into the demon’s eyes. The entire body shook as its head exploded and the tall horned demon fell to the ground.

Looking over to the other side of the battlefield, the Flessi Assembly managed to bring down their demon at about the same time.

It was covered in brilliant red and black mushrooms with White Branch standing atop of it.


—-----------------------------------------

Rokk and Wren each held down a leg of the Greater Demon, preventing it from moving and killing any more members of the Academy in the manner in which he had been doing so. Each using their massive strength to hold the creature in place.

Elijah was launching attacks from the sky with a certain Elven Mage providing support and keeping him from getting grabbed out of the sky by one of the Greater Demon’s arms or the long tongues from one of its many mouths.

Tam was also attacking from the sky, riding atop her Phoenix, shooting off fire and slashing the beast with her powerful blade when she could get in close enough. With each strike, it appeared to hurt. If only she could get in close enough to land a hard enough hit.

Trystan stood dead center, dodging tongue strikes and shooting off spells to delay this Greater Demon. It was not the one that had spoken to him in his dreams. It was not the one from the amulet. It was something else. Something far weaker. But it was still powerful. It almost felt like this was beyond him.

If he could just use the power of the Amulet. Then he was sure to win. He suddenly realized that his hand was in his pocket. No! He would not succumb to its wiles and give in to desires. He had Tam now. He was already someone to someone. He didn’t need to be the one to deal the finishing blow.

“Look out!” Rokk pushed Trystan away from a Poisoned glob of Green acid spit from one of the many mouths of the Demon. His back covered in the green acid, already burning through the skin.

“W..why? I thought you didn’t care for me?” Trystan was shocked as he put up a defensive spell to block any more incoming globs as they talked.

Rokk spit up blood covered in green acid as he gave a chuckle. “I don’t care for much. But…..this group that you put together. It means something to all of them. You’ve done good in this world. Gave people meaning to their dumb insignificant lives. I…”

Rokk coughed up more green stained blood. He normally wasn’t one for words, but he felt he needed to say something.

“I thought that I had that meaning in The Ascendant. But that wasn’t as real as this.”

Rokk pulled him close and whispered.

“Keep it going and hold on tightly to what you have, boy……..”

With the last of strength fading away, Rokk collapsed on the ground. There would be no coming back from this death. The Demon’s attacks bring along something that takes hold of their souls. The most he can do is end the demon’s life to let those souls move on.

It made it feel even more real for Trystan. Even with all of his magic, he couldn’t just bring them back anymore. He couldn’t just gain an extra life for his friends. This was it, the final battle to save the world from an endless plague and demon banquet.

The Greater Demon laughed a rumbling belly laugh that echoed from each of its many mouths.

“How do you feel knowing that you are responsible for the deaths of so many and that you’ll lead to the deaths of many more by facing me here and now? You cannot win.”

Trystan smirked as he reached a hand up as Tam flew by on her Phoenix, pulling him up and onto its back. The flames didn’t hurt him and he could instead feel invigorated as he charged up his magic into Tam’s blade.

“Maybe I can’t win alone. But I’m not alone. Not now nor ever again! Do it Tam!!”

Tam’s blade glowed Blue from its normal powerful magical properties due to facing a Demon and yellow from the enchantments that Trystan added on, giving the blade a Green hue.

As the duo riding the Phoenix flew ever closer, Tam smiled at Trystan as she held the Blade in front of her. The bird slammed directly into the middle mouth. A brilliant blast of Green Energy could be seen for miles as the Greater Demon exploded, the Blade of Destiny accomplishing its task.

—------------------------------------

Tam wiped Demon Goop off of her face. “Trystan, I think that you need to invent some sort of cleaning spell. Cause this is ridiculous.”

The Headmaster of the Academy said a few magic words and soon all of those assembled were cleaned and sparkling.

“Ah. I guess someone already beat you to the punch.”

The pair smiled at each other as the rest of their crew fell in. The continent was saved and now people can get back to their lives.

“I think that we should have a big celebration!” Elijah shouted.

“Yeah. Not a bad idea for the Heroes of the Realm!” Trystan mirthily agreed, getting into the moment.

Tam smirked as she looked at Wren. “Ah. What are we going to do with them?”

“Keep them safe and full of joy?” Wren replied almost immediately.

Tam chuckled. “Yeah. I guess so.”

She pulled out her book and starting writing in it. “This’ll make a great story.”

“Indeed it will. I already have all the events in my memory banks.”

Wren watched all those on the battlefield celebrate that they are still alive and have defeated a powerful foe. Hopefully things will be more peaceful from now on.​

 

[Crocodile]

Coghaven Epilogue
​

---

Mr. Finely stood on the deck of Finley station, looking off at the mushroom cloud of the detonation of the capital. He frowns some as he regards it, feeling like a great opportunity had been lost here. There had been a chance to rebuild society and technology with a people who wanted to progress it. That was gone save for the folk fleeing aboard the impressive fleet of submarines that Coghaven had been secretly constructing in response to the Fafrium invasion. Isolating the enemy forces by destroying their naval links back to the Empire would have been important.

Instead, that vast secret fleet had become a refugee force, taking on all they could. There had been a bit of callous pragmatism there. Finley was not an adherent of the Great Cog, so he was prioritizing those with skill and intellect over anything else. Admittedly there were still plenty of all species, which said something about Runcible Thorpe and his mad designs for building a better world with science and industry.

One of the surface ships cruised up and the bloated frame of Fizzo Glint came aboard Finley Station. He looked surprisingly sad as his jowled face looked back towards the ruined city that had slaughtered the enemy force in a final act of sacrifice to give them time to evacuate.

"He's really dead," Fizzo said with a sad tone and looks to Finley.

"He did say he would be the one to destroy what you had built. To give us time. The Warmaster died holding off the initial forces. Its just us now," Finley said with a thoughtful frown.

"Ya know, we could still manage something. We got all these folks with good minds. The fleet and this station. Maybe its a chance to trying something else?" Fizzo said with a sigh as he looks back to FInely.

"We tried doing this his way. This land was too hostile to us. All lands are too hostile to us. Science needs a new refuge if we are to blaze ahead and build a new foundation," Finley said as he sighs and moves to sit, an automated chair sliding in behind him to provide him said seat and to check his vitals.

"Well, then why don't we use this place? We sink it and build out there," Fizzo said with a gesture to the ocean. "A place where no kings or empires claim. No nutty psycho druids or other such things. Just the knowledge and maybe a little financial skill to keep it all running smoothly."

"That's a rather mad idea, but I've gotten used to goblin ingenuity and the obvious spark of madness that feeds it. Perhaps we need a bit of madness right now. If only to give those we've saved a chance as we become scholars in exile. And perhaps someday we'll remind the world that knowledge... is dangerous to mess with."

Fizzo grins at that as the pair descend down into Finley Station. The massive complex shudders and groans as it disengages its anchors, starting to move out into the ocean as it slowly vanishes beneath the waves. A vast fleet of submarines packed with refugees and supplies following along with it to pursue a new life, hidden from the horrors of the surface.​

 

[Dest]

Requen watched the rest of the council from his seat, taking in their reduced numbers with an air of melancholy about him. The loss of nearly their entire military forces had decimated much of the morale among both the council as well as the average citizen, the only reason rebellion hadn't begun was due to the continued presence of nature elementals along the borders of their cities as well as the speed at which they could regain some semblance of an army with their summoned elementals. With a deep sigh he did his best to pay more attention to the current discussion, intent to not allow their army's deaths to go to waste.

"With the loss of Aquilosh we are unsure if we want to bring any of the remainder of his forces online, many of them will no doubt be upset and might desert us," Vulpes Claw read from the page in front of him, relaying the thoughts of the builders responsible for the repair and maintenance of the mechanical sharks. "My builders have proposed that for the moment we simply leave them in their maintenance state, allowing them to rest and be called upon in the future should need be."

"I find myself in agreement, though I am glad that Four-Tooth had gone to be maintained when the war truly began as well or we might have some trouble with him," Lithos Thunder stood, the Brightest Spark of the Thunder Tribe's normally rather happy demeanor have abandoned him ever since they had heard the news from Coghaven. "While they are a stalwart group of allies, I would not wish to have to tell them the news that the one who has led them for an unknowable amount of time was killed."

"For now, we shall take a vote then, but we can save that for the end of the meeting. We still have much to go through after all," Requen glanced down at his list, the situation with the mechanical sharks being only third upon it. "Next on our agenda is the status of the remaining Blizzen, Longtwig you have the floor."

"Thank you Requen. I will not lie to the council, with the loss of the majority of our numbers, as well as Blacktop, the remaining Blizzen within the city have had many a thought of abandoning the nation and finding another home," the living snowman ignored the indignant shouts coming from some of the more hot-headed members of the council, long used to it. "However due to the defeat of the demonic forces who threatened the realm they are willing to remain as we have been for some time now, true citizens of Rahzen. We request only that we are not forced to serve within the military any longer, for we have few if any we can spare while we attempt to rebuild our numbers properly."

"Granted Longtwig, I refuse to doom any race to oblivion just to try to get an advantage we may not need," Rahdek Storm glared out at the rest of the council, his face haggard from the long hours of work he had been undertaking to try and mitigate any damage that had been done. "For now, we plan only to train willing Taur-Ahe, Vulpine, and Humans anyway, far better to summon elementals who will not die should they be defeated rather than lose more of our population."

"That is the Blizzen sorted then, next is what to do about The Fallen Star and the rest of his Starfish abandoning us. Before we can truly begin to argue I propose that we allow them to go, they were never the most trustworthy of our allies and overall, their loss does little to hurt the remainder of us," Requen was not surprised to see much of the council seemed to agree with him, the vast majority of them having distrusted The Small Star while it was one of their own. "As I can see we are mostly in agreement we can have the vote over that decision at the end of the meeting as well. Next I call on Vigo Myrt to step forward for his report."

"Thank you Requen. I bring both good and bad news council," the elderly shaman hobbled forward, much of the remaining strength within him having bled out at the news of so many of his students' deaths. "The bad news is that there is little magical talent remaining among all of age citizens, most of the ones who did having already been killed in battle. What remains of my fellow shamans is little more than a few of my less powerful assistants and my successor, Roran. For now, we will be able to do little more than summon the most basic of elementals for the most part. The good news, however, is that Roran seems to have found himself my equal in a way. Those from the plane of air seem to treat him in much the way those of the water do myself, meaning that he may have been chosen by Aeris to be either an Honored Friend of Air or even perhaps the next High Shaman of Air."

"That is good to hear Vigo, even if we are unable to properly field any shamans it pleases me to know that all is not lost," Requen seems to ponder something for a moment, hand to his chin. "What of the young Mr. Galvingar? Would he be willing to return to Sunset Mountain for a time? While he is considered our ally, I would like to request of him to act as our diplomat to this 'Acadamy' due to his own neutrality during the greater part of the war. I wish to propose to the council that we make peace with these mages, even if they caused us great loss they were simply fighting for their own beliefs as we were."

"I will have to contact him to ask, I know that his party took losses from the reports made by the few survivors who made it back to us so I'm not sure if he would be willing to."

"That is more than enough Vigo. On to the next item, Warchief Callarhan's report of the battle has indicated that he plans to remain in exile. This means that we must vote on a new warchief, even if it pains us to do so," Requen glanced to the father of one of his oldest friends and taking in the pain upon his expression with a grimace. 'Oh you idiot, the deaths in Coghaven are not your fault!'

---

"Callarhan, you need to rest!" Norma glared at her friend, the once shy and shaken Blizzen having recovered during her time among her own kind. "Your wounds are just barely healed and yet you refuse to slow down!"

"How can I slow down Norma?! Because of me we lost nearly all of our friends and allies! Blacktop is dead! Vin'Taur is dead! Tal'Ki is dead! Every! Single! One! Of! Them! Is! DEAD!" the enraged Taur punctuated each of his words with a strike against the tree he was practicing on, his spear flashing at speeds faster than almost any he had ever achieved. "We are the only two left of our leadership, and you were only following my orders, which means that it is my fault!"

"You couldn't have known that Coghaven would have blown their own city up rather than let it be taken Callarhan, nothing from any reports indicated they could! Why can't you get that through your thick skull!"

"Leave him be lass, he is a lost cause for now," Norma glanced back as the Taur who had spoken approached the duo, his own bloody bandages having been removed by now. "When a leader is in this state it's better to let them tire themself our than to try to reason with em."

"Elsu, shouldn't you still be resting with the others?"

"Probably, but I never was one for being able to sit still. And besides, I wanted to keep an eye on him too anyway," the bull man pulled a pipe from a pouch on his side, filling it with tobacco and lighting it before he spoke again. "I chose to go into exile with him after all, don't want to have him kill himself practicing after that."

"I suppose so," Norma sighed, allowing her mind to wander to the dozen or so Rahzani survivors who had joined herself and Callarhan. "Did Nigom say when she thought the others may be able to move?"

"Says that most of their wounds should be in a safer state in a few days, though she still thinks that Doyu's leg may never recover properly."

"I'm still amazed that Vulpine is alive, not many people can say that they faced down a dozen cog machines and lived to tell the tale."

"Aye, its impressive to be sure. Now come on lass, head back and get some food in ye since you've been out her all evening. I'll keep an eye on the warchief."

"Alright, thank you Elsu."

As he watched the sole remaining Blizzen among them head back to camp the old soldier sighed and turned back to his commander, watching him flow through his stances in a blur of movement. "Oy! Callarhan!"

"What Elsu!"

"Came up with a name for this mercenary idea of yours, figured you might like to hear it!"

"Spit it out then!"

"'The Eternal Legion', took a note from those Mekhanite fellows we heard about for the name."

"I'll think about it Elsu, now get over here for a spar! Norma is to fragile still for me to fight her!"

"And I'm not!?"

 

[Twist]

Epilogue

The Sea​

En Route home, the Prince of Most Brilliant is severely injured by a Conspirator in an assassination attempt.
Thanks to Nerida and her Tiara of the Goddess, the attempt fails with Izanagi and his crew restraining the assassin.
Gaozu is rushed to Izanagi's cabin in the ensuing confusion, the Golden Treasurer tending to his wounds and guarded by the crew.
Lady Genmei subsequently confesses her love to him and is reciprocated unconditionally.
In the hold, Izanagi questions the Conspirator whom is eager to reveal everything he knows thanks to the Tiara's power.
The revelation is shocking.
With the Princes health in question, Izanagi keeps the information to himself, lest Gaozu falls into a decline due to the news that his Mother, Wu, was behind it all...
On board, the atmosphere is tense with confusion rife among the people, as well the voices of dissent.
Nerida calms the situation, her sudden appearance previously and her Tiara's power seemingly an act of the Divine.
With her fish like appearance, golden features and harmonious voice she is seen almost like an Idol for the water worshipping Yamabuki...
In the Captains cabin, Gaozu and Genmei pondered the peoples protests, the Green Dragons words coming eerily to mind.
Beware the SONG...


Huang He, The Dragon's Graveyard

Only Jing and a few hundred Samurai have survived the battle, taking a final stand in the Dragon's Graveyard to ensure the riotous Gobbo's do not wake the evil below.
Though it is an uphill battle, the Shogun's forces stand firm, the spirits of their fallen brothers and the sleeping dragons pushing them on.
Above them the Green Dragon blazes a trail of fire through the Goblins, the Great White Wyrm and the Fire Wyrm helping their forefather in defence of the Capital and their spiritual predecessors.
Abraxas stands behind Jing's forces, using the magic of the Hourglass to turn back time and warn the Samurai.
But as the sands grow smaller, his fallen friends within little more than dust, it seems there will be no more second chances.
Attempting to raise the Gobbo dead in this place of power, the ground beneath his feet begins to rumble...


Huang He's borders

Gargamel sits alone atop a mountain of Naked bodies, the last of the surviving Illegimate's.
His hair singed away in dragons flame, the months of fighting have changed Gargamel.
Sporting a healthy growth of hair on his chin, and a powerful paunch, the alchemist has single handedly broke through the rear guard of the Gobbo's.
With a sickening pop, Gargamel breaks off an arm of a Naked Lad, gnawing at the flesh like a corn on the cob.
With every kill, the fire of his vengeance dims and his own power grows....
A bellowing burp escapes his stomach as the Alchemist heaves himself off the mountain of bodies and looks to the distance.
With a city of gold and his archenemies numbering the thousands, it looked like the Red Mother's promise to him would be fulfilled....


The Former Shan

Sitting around their campfire, T'Locks tribe remained silent, their own blaze paling in comparison to the pyre miles away.
With heavy hearts they left their comrades in their battle.
Led away by armed escort, the Yamabuki could not let themselves fail the Rock Hunters.
Not even with their protest.
Not again.
Gifting them the province of Shan and all it's riches, the Yamabuki left them in it's mountainous refuge.
The small tribe would never forget what this noble nation did for them.
In the distance, the shrill cry of a Rock Eater echoed.
Grabbing up their spears, the Rock Hunter's Karuta glimmered in the fires light.
Their hunter was now the hunted...

Home at last.... (?)

FIN​

 

[CaptainSully]

Time to say goodbye...

​

“Ladz! What a scrap dat waz! Dat waz da best fight in da history of fightin’! All da ladz, apart from dem weird naked gitz were propa ‘ard and to those ladz who are dead, lets get absolutely wasted!”

The sea of goblins and trolls cheered in unison as Biggleswort spoke before them. The diminutive leader had done what he had set out to do, lead hit goblins into a great battle and less importantly, lead them to victory. The entire face of the world would change after the war that ensnared the entire continent, but it would be a long time before anyone would truly understand the outcome. In the meantime, the gobbos were intent on eating as many mushrooms and drinking as much mushroom ale as their little bodies could imagine.

The party lasted close to two weeks and everyone under the Bad Moon banner remained in a state of either euphoria or drunkenness for the entire time. Even the humans and dwarf who had settled into life with the goblins found themselves inebriated for the longest time.

Biggleswort awoke, surrounded by his fellow gobbos, all sprawled out on a metallic floor. They were no longer atop the lush grass and mushshrooms of their home but were on a cold, steel floor.

“Da ‘eck is dis?!” he yelled out, causing only a few of the recovering goblins to stir.

He kicked a few of the more unconscious goblins aside while climbing over some that had devolved into piles of intoxicated gitz. He approached a large steel door and gently pushed at it. The door opened smoothly to reveal Orlov tapping away at a strange console.

“What da’ ‘ecks goin’ on Orlov?!” he yelled.

The stalwart dwarf laughed as he turned to see Grumblenutz looking worse for wear.

“Well boss, this is what you’ve asked me to put together for you. You might not remember but you said, and i quote, ‘build me dis fing and even if i forgetz, still do it!”

Grumblenutz scratched at his head, unaware of any discussion with the dwarf.

“You sure? Ya best not be lyin’ to me git!” Biggleswort snarled.

Orlov chuckled again.

“Look boss, you told me to do this for you, so I have. I suggest you get yourself into a seat because it’s almost time.” The dwarf gestured to a comfortable looking seat next to his own.

Biggleswort was too hungover to even attempt an argument and instead decided to slide his way over the chair, trying to retain balance. Every step was one step closer to vomiting but fortunately it never came. He leapt up onto the comfortable looking seat and attached what looked like straps around himself.

“Right then boss, I have no idea what’s going to happen but how about we just do it?” Orlov asked…rhetorically.

Before Biggleswort could respond, the master dwarf engineer slammed his hand down onto a large red button. There was a monstrous roar, louder than even Galzabrate, so much so that he couldn’t hear his own protests to Orlov. With every passing second he could feel himself sinking deeper and deeper into his chair until he was unable to even lift his hands. He could just about make out the cries of the goblins in the previous room, such was the volume of their yelling due to their rather rude awakening.

It took several minutes before he felt himself able to move his arms again but he soon found himself going the other way. He felt absolutely no weight in his arms whatsoever. The sensation was strange and as he turned to Orlov he could see the dwarf was just as confused as he was.

“What ya done?!” He yelled as the roaring came to an end.

“Well Boss you have not shut up since the start of the celebrations about wanting to get to the moon. So that’s what we’re doing. We’re going to the Bad Moon.”

Biggleswort’s sat silently as his hands rose to his face as he realised what his drunken self had done. Orlov laughed once again as he pressed another combination of buttons. Before the pair the wall began to open up and staring right back at them was the blackness of space. Right in the middle however, the pair could see what the goblins had longed worshiped…the Bad Moon.

Biggleswort stared in awe, his mouth agape as the moon seemingly grew bigger before him. Only three words left his mouth.

“For Gork’s sake…”

 

[Spacekitty]

***

“Their walls will not hold. Should we assist the Children of Mekhane?” A voice asked, low and masculine, that sounded as if it talked from behind a wall.

“They are her children in name alone, not in spirit.” Another voice responded, higher in pitch and more clear.

***

Amoni-Ram glowed like a beacon in the dark of night, illuminated by flashes of bright light as the siege moved into its final stages. The spears of plasma spewed from its ramparts bathed the landscape in a constant glow emanating from the city, back-lighting dark and hulking forms of twisted and broken metal that slumped and littered the landscape- the remains of the great machines that once defended her walls.

Explosions dotted the scene, briefly illuminated a landscape pit-marked by craters, trenches and bodies that reflected the brief bursts of light.

In the dim light, one could make out the shapeless horde that surrounded the city and applied pressure to its walls with animalistic screeches and cries, the roars of beasts, both mechanical and nature, echoed through a metal landscape.

The Shepherd watched it all from Their eye in the sky, the endless feed of information resulting in an endless stream of calculations, plans made and in the same instant discarded, each ending in the same undesired result.

For all their might, for their perfection of logic and their ability, they could see no path to victory. Their struggle only prolonged and unavoidable defeat, Their enemy was too numerous, their supply routes too stong, reinforcements too rapid, and Their own were broken and depleted. The city would fall. They had failed.

***

Lieutenant Illyon ducked as a burst of magic flew into the ramparts, a wave of profane energy crawling up and over their defenses and sweeping across the platform like a wave. Her psychic barrier deflected its tendrils as it swept over her. She closed her eyes in strain, and when she opened them again she stood alone, surrounded by rusted and decayed corpses. upwards before descending and crashing somewhere within the city.

She called out for reinforcements to the front, but heard no response. Gazing around, she saw only a few wounded soldiers, disorientated and lost.

She sent a silent prayer to MEKHANE, asking for strength and HER intervention, and moved to the mounted machine gun, throwing aside the corpse that manned it.

***

“The forces of Entropy are scaling the walls; they will be within the temple before dawn and they will find The Shepherd and kill Them. We need to fetch her pieces before they do. We cannot let them corrupt her form.” The first first urged, more of an order than a suggestion. A metallic form hefted a silver hammer and began to move, before they were stopped by an outstretched arm.

“Do not rush into this. There is still good The Shepherd shall do before the end. Her pieces are already accounted for.”

The larger form of the first looked down at the smaller and slender first with suspicion.

“You know something you're not telling me.”

“There is only one option left for The Shepherd, one they will take and serve the will of Mekhane. We cannot interfere until They have taken it, otherwise we will lose much more than her form to Entropy.”

***

A path revealed itself to The Shepherd, a calculation that resulted in Their desired outcome. They could not win; but they could avoid losing what mattered.

While the forces of FLESH spewed into the streets of Amoni-Ram, it’s defenders in a disorganized retreat and panic towards the inner sanctum of the city and the Palace guards prepared for a meaningless last stand, The Shepherd descended deep within the temple, into its lowest layers. Past the great meeting hall where panicked Archpriests begged MEKHANE for salvation and threw themselves at Their feet and begged for Their intervention like They had done before in scripture. They entered into HER BLEEDING HEART, where ancient machines beyond comprehension blinked to life and the hum of a facility that was never truly dead connected with Their consciousness.

A door that had never been their before opened within a wall of blinking serves and glowing wires, materializing as machinery folded away in impossible movements. The Shepherd entered a room they had never before seen, but now called to them.

Within was a machine, another array of blinking lights, corrugated tubes and whirring gears. But unlike the other machines that filled the sprawling facility, this had a throne attached to it, with mechanical arms with nameless implements, plugs and cords attached. The Shepherd sat upon it, and it embraced him.

***

Illoyns breath can quick and ragged, black fluid leaking from her torn side and she barely managed to run down the city streets. Bolts of energy flew past her and several reflected from the psychic barrier she just managed to project. She could hear metal boots pounding against the cobbled streets behind her, gaining with each thud. Before here were other forms in a mad dash towards the perceived safety of the temple.

With the resolve only a zealot can muster, Illoyn stopped and pulled herself to her feat, ignoring the pain and setting her neural inhibitors to their max, pushing them beyond their limits. A wave of unnatural calm washed over her as the thin lines of metal that criss-crossed her form began to glow brightly. She turned to face the oncoming zealots, whose hippo-masks were twisted into bloody grins, and accepted her fate.

***

As the forces of Zestari closed upon the Temple, and the corrupted Elk blew through the bronze gates with the forces of Entropy, eating away at the metal with unnatural corrosion, the bright blue light began to seep from the temple, a beam of light shooting throught stained glass windows and the open, rotted metal maw; spreading throughout the city, from the ground which also began to grow and up its 8 tall towers of bronze and glass. A blinding light engulfed the city; and then… it was gone.

***

Two angels hovered, invisible, above where Amoni-Ram once laid. There was no crater, no bare earth where walls once stood. There was simply the dense jungle that sprawled farther than they could see in all directions.

“The Entropy that corrupted this land is gone, replaced by Order. The Shepherd absolved themselves of Their sins.” The lithe angle stated, nodding approvingly.

The larger was still confused.

“How? Where is the city? Where is The Shepherd.”

“Gone. Erased. From this plane and its history. As if it never existed. Only its memories of those that saw and those that heard of it remain.”

“Gone? Where is The Shepherd, where are Her pieces?”

“Consumed, the cost of remaking the land They scarred.”

“What of Their people? Where they consumed by Mekhane??”

“No, the people remain; just not here. They were transported to another place, distant from here in space and time. Relieved of their corruption, their souls and minds now a blank slate.”

“Won’t they fall to the same corruption though? If their minds are blank, the first who reaches out their hand will be able to shape them in their ignorance.”

“That has already been accounted for. Mekhane has already seen to this.”

“I see. Where are Her pieces? The Shepherd had but a few, many are still scattered.”

“They have been erased as well. The people of this land are not yet ready for them. It was a mistake to leave them scattered, for those that found them did not posses minds that could comprehend them, and thus twisted and corrupted them. When they are ready, their designs will come to them naturally.”

“Lets hope they are ready soon.”

“They will be. For now, we must simply wait, and watch, providing what small nudges in the right direction that we must.”

***

An invisible blast of psychic energy shot forth from Illoyn’s hand, decapitating the large Hippo-man before here. But sveeral more took its place. They overpowered her, slamming her to the ground. One raised its gun, pointing it at here. Illoyn reflexsively raised her barrier, which fizzled, cracked and failed. The Hippo snorted mockingly, and pulled the trigger.

In a flash of light, Illoyn opened her eyes and found herself in a field of tall grass. She stood up, confused, head pocking above the reeds. She saw others around her, standing up with confused expressions. Where was the city? Where was Amoni… the words began to escape her. Her head felt heavy and clouded, she spun around and tried to imagine the city that should be here, but could muster only hazy images that quickly slipped from her mind. She looked down and saw… flesh. She was confused for a moment, felt a twinge of disgust, but didn’t know why. But the feeling quickly faded and she shook her head to clear the haze.

She waded through the reeds to the nearest person, an elderly man. As she swept aside the reeds to greet him she realized he was naked. Reflexively she let the reeds move back into position and then realized that so was she. But she didn't find that this bothered her. It seemed… normal.

***

The ground, several hundred large, congregated into a clearing within the reeds. Several held books in their hands, ones they did not know how they got. None remembered how they had got there, or from where; if they even came from anywhere. They had simply came to be, and found the books within their hands. They found they could understand them, though they didn’t know how; and not knowing what else to do, began to read, small groups forming as those with books read them aloud.

After a time, when bellies began to rumble in hunger; some split out to forage for food. Some of the books had contained information on how to find food within the area. Others began to gather reeds and twist them together, making baskets; while others searched for woods and stones, beginning to make simple tools while others set about making shelters. Still others sat around in circles, excitedly discussing the ideas they had found within their book, some immediately setting out to practice the strange arts they found detailed within.

Within the first day, asmall camp of small cooking fires and temporary shelters had been erected, and organized themselves into small teams, the natural born leaders emerging and taking charge.

***

 

[Wew the Polymath]

​

1

A crackling portal opened up in the middle of a vast green expanse. The battered body of Pylos tumbled through. She got up, nursing the broken arm that hung at her side. She had barely escaped with her life. A horde of belligerent fungus ended millennia of history. Thousands of years of culture snuffed out, never to be seen again. They were supposed to usher in a new era of the fae but instead were overrun. Pylos shakily walked to the center of the field and fell to her knees. She stared off in the distance for what seemed like hours.

Her broken mind was stirred to action by another being forcing its way through the portal. A telltale skittering of mechanical legs filled her mind with unfathomable rage. She grabbed her lasgun with her good arm and spun around to meet her interlocutor.

The archivist raised his hands and began to speak in his infuriating posh accent. “My dear Pylos if we cou-” His statement was cut short by Pylos uttering a guttural screaming sob that no fae had ever uttered before her. She squeezed the trigger and fired her last few rounds at the traitorous archivist. A few shots hit his body, but the ancient fae had a thickly armored carapace that shrugged it off like nothing. Pylos immediately charged him without a second thought, slamming her metal fists into his body.

The archivist started laughing. “You stupid, stupid bitch.” He reached into his satchel and pressed a button. A block of shaped explosives detonated, blowing Pylos’ chest cavity open. His face contorted with rage as he towered over the twitching body of Pylos. “WHY does your ilk REFUSE to adapt?” He jammed a sharp metallic leg into her chest cavity and twisted it. Pylos let out a ragged scream. Everything was going wrong. The goblins were supposed to ally with the fae due to the mutual alliance with the flessi. Pylos was supposed to rebuild the fae court and negotiate. Why was everything going so wrong? Zestari was dead. The empire was in shambles. The flessi were presumably wiped out. The Mekanites were sundered before he could take advantage of their weakness. He slammed another leg into her chest cavity. It all started going bad with her. It was all her fault.

Before he could coup de grace the broken Pylos, a hulking crocodile mutant tackled the archivist to the ground and began beating his faceplate senseless. With a roar, the archivist kicked his assailant off and stood up. He was now surrounded by a crocodile mutant, a feminine figure made from vines, and none other than Orchid. There was a mishmash of ragged fae and Mekhanite forces behind them as well. The archivist recognized the Mekhanite forces as duelist rebels that despised their former order. The vine-woman ran to the broken body of Pylos and caressed it. “Oh please please please be ok,” she said, her voice quivering.

Orchid slowly drew their rapier and pointed it at the archivist. “Did you miss me, darling?” The archivist snarled. “I suppose this is a fitting end. The fae empire gets whittled down to an even slimmer shadow, and eventually dies out. Go ahead. I’m ready for the next life.” Orchid sighed. “We can’t keep fighting. This is all that’s left. We made off with parts of the archive and some soldiers. We are all that’s left of the leadership. Zestari is dead.” The archivist cocked his head to the side as Orchid continued. “None of us know of fae artefacts, of time travel. You are quite literally our last hope. I can’t kill you, as much as I yearn for it.”

The archivist began to let out a maddened laugh. The fungus was buried deep in his arm. He had sacrificed his humanity for a now-dead ideal. “We forge order through chaos. Let us enact the treatise of old. I shall head the Unseelie court of the fae. You head the Seelie court. We will collaborate until our empire is back to its former glory, then part ways. Deal?” Orchid pulled out a silken handkerchief and sassily covered their hand with it. They extended their arm to the archivist. The duo shook.

Looking up to the sky, the archivist noted the birds flittering about. The azure depths reminded him of home. Massive rolling white clouds crept silently along the canvas. “If only I had a paintbrush,” he thought to himself. His thinking was interrupted by a Mekhanite dropping a wooden box on the dirt, as shattering sounds echoed through the clearing. The grime-covered soldier ran his hands through his hair, cursing himself. A quick check by the archivist revealed that this was a priceless, timeless antique vase. The Mekhanite sheepishly shrugged his shoulders. “We tried getting what we could from your archives…the goblins broke most of it…I’m sorry.” The archivist no longer had words. Such an infraction would have set him into a rage a year back. But a vase served no purpose anymore. There was no fae culture left to preserve. As the archivist studied the figure that dropped the vase, he realized the creature was augmented with primitive cybernetics. It made a mockery of science.
“What’s your name, abomination,” asked the archivist in an exasperated tone. “It’s Parth sir.”

“Well Parth, consider yourself infinitely fortunate I value manpower more than ancient artefacts right now. Consider this strike one.”

2

Within a few weeks, the group had established a primitive base camp. Wooden crates were haphazardly stacked underneath nylon waterproof tenting. Camouflage netting graciously provided by the Mekhanites covered the top, making the entire mass inscrutable from far away. In another sector of the clearing was a larger camouflaged tent that housed the fae. Mekhanites patrolled the perimeter with their clockwork rifles. A few masked zealots nestled themselves in hastily dug trenches, machineguns ready to punish anyone who dared to incur. Primitive gas furnaces heated food for the mortals, filling the clearing with the buttery scent of rations and propane.

Within the tent, the archivist worked tirelessly reassembling Pylos. He was working with substandard tools. The tools were display pieces and are now being used for actual work. The fucking goblins were to thank for that. Every so often the torch on his ion welder would go out and he’d curse under his breath. The entire experience felt degrading. Everyone had their eyes glued to him to ensure another bomb wouldn’t be planted in his patient. Violetta would often pace back and forth when the archivist broke something and swore loud enough. The mushy sound of her plant feet on the sodden grass was like nails on a chalkboard.

“Crabby! Is she going to be ok?” Violetta eventually yelled. That was another thing that was getting under his skin. The nicknames. “I don’t know. It doesn’t matter, Orchid can just transfer her soul into something else if I cause a grave enough error. Maybe a trashcan would fit her more” he said with a light chuckle. Violetta huffed. “No wonder you don’t have any friends here. You’re mean.” Orchid raised a finger. “He also sold his soul to a sentient mushroom whose soldiers ended up crushing our empire.” Upon hearing this, the archivist deflated a bit. None of them understood. The empire had to adapt or die. Why didn’t they get it? He slowly put his tools down and turned to face Orchid. “Do you think I wanted any of this to happen? Do you have any idea how much I sacrificed to get to where I am? I want us to move forward. To never hide in the shadows again.” Violetta pointed at the archivist. “Crabby. Stop moping. What’s done is done.” Then she pointed to Orchid. “Be nice, he’s fixing our friend.” She smiled, revealing rows of thorny teeth. “See guys? All better.”

After a few days, Pylos was operational again. She requested to have her welding scar to be sprinkled with gold. The practice was told to her by an ancient Yamabuki dragon. Tensions were higher than ever when she came back, but Violetta did a good job at quelling the adversity of the base camp.

It wasn’t much, but it was home now.

3

A dark-skinned man wearing blackened robes limped through the massive green expanse. Peeking from under his tattered robes were ribs and rotting flesh. Cradled in his arm was the destroyed skull of Zestari. Behind him was an elderly man. The duo could be heard bickering back and forth.

“Darius my friend, are you quite sure the fae are this way” inquired the elderly man.

“You have little faith in their ability to survive, Mohandes”

The Mohandes sighed and kept walking. Eventually, the two spotted a sprawling tent settlement in the distance. Darius smirked. Looks like the fae magics led him to the right place once again. The gifts of the fae were truly bottomless.

A shot whizzed past Darius’ head, and the two immediately ran behind a rock. “FUCK” yelled Darius. “Do we have any way of showing we’re friendly? The Mohandes rubbed his chin. “Tear up your shirt and make some kind of flag, that should work.”

“Old man! Is your sight failing? My robes are BLACK!”

“Do you have a better idea? I don’t think they’ll be too happy over two unidentified people holding the severed head of their dead leader.”

Darius rubbed his temples. Time was running out, the fae would likely have soldiers converging on their position by now. They’d probably be quite trigger-happy too. “I’ll just…I’ll just wing it. I’m lucky right?”

He dropped the head of Zestari at the Mohandes’ feet. It made a hollow clattering sound as it banged against the large rock on the way down. The sound of mechanical stomping became more and more apparent. Were these not fae soldiers? Perhaps this was the end. He stepped out from behind the rock, only to see a small squadron of Mekahnite soldiers. Darius gritted his teeth and began to summon a powerful spell of rot and decay to unleash on the squad.

Before he could unleash it, the squad leader spoke up. “I’m Parth of the Mekhanite Dualists. You’re in a restricted area. Come with us now.” Darius smirked and unleashed his spell. Putrid decay and rot spewed from his hands toward the squad leader. Parth jumped out of the way, his augments screaming with pure energy. He leveled his clockwork assault rifle at Darius’ center of mass, and let out a quick burst. Bronze bullets lanced through rotten flesh, splattering the grass with a putrid green liquid.

Fae soldiers heard the shots from across the clearing. A Mekhanite spotter quickly aimed his telescope at the squad fighting. “Commander Archivist. I see a zombified man wearing a ram’s horn around his neck. He is engaging Parth. I recommend sending reinforcements.” The archivist chuckled. “Looks like Zestari’s errand boy survived. Call the idiots off before they kill each other.”

A radio officer quickly relayed this message to Parth. Upon hearing this, Parth yelled. “Wait wait wait. You’re with the fae?” Darius pursed his lips. “Um…yes? Didn’t your little empire get crushed to dust by them? Shame I couldn't have seen that petulant shepherd's face when it happened.”

Parth signaled for his men to lower their weapons. “The Mekhanites that are here currently are all dualists. We worship both nature and machines and did not like our former empire. Now, come with us.”

4

By the end of the second month, the severed head of Zestari made its way back to the fae. They placed it in the center of camp, and all gathered around it. This was to be a day of no work. This was a day of remembrance for the eldest fae’s death.

The surviving fae broke out the good wine and good rations and prepared it to the best of their ability for the surviving Mekhanites. Fae magic made the sustenance garden of this place grow all the quicker, and it was now harvesting time. Soldiers sat on wooden boxes around crackling fires. They consumed sweet stews while listening intently to ancient poems and legends from the first fae empire. Darius, Parthe, and the Mohandes all sat around a barrel flame trading stories of their travels.

For the first time she was rebuilt, Pylos spoke at the center of the gathering. “We are all dying, nothing is eternal. Not even Zestari could escape the clutches of death. The fae empire has been shattered once more. We cannot handle another defeat. Consider this our swan song. But by the twin gods, we will not go so easily next time.”

Together we shall thwart the pains
The gods do throw to earth
And turn aside their fiery darts
With merriment and mirth
And when time comes that men forget
The lessons animals render
T'will be the humble rabbit
That mankind will remember.

The Seelie-Unseelie Alliance
Stated Goal: Rebuild a new fae empire and eschew the old laws. Time travel is now a secondary priority, as it has shown to be unreliable and nearly unattainable.

Phase Alpha: 1 year time

• Take stock of inventory. Build a temporary base of operations. Fortify the base with heavy weaponry, traps, and camo.
• Evaluate Mekhanites for ideological compatibility. Experiment on 1-2 to see flesh compatibility for fae technology.
• Survey land for resources, other settlements, and lost technology.

Phase Beta: 5 years' time

• Begin testing villages for ideological assimilation.
• Begin recruiting villagers for foot soldiers and petty laborers.
• Ramp up manufacturing capabilities. Heavily focus on weapons design and biotech. Lay groundwork for silica refinement.
• Search for silica deposits.

Phase Gamma: 100 year’s time

• Upgrade all Mekhanite dualists to full fae cybernetics with remaining fae technology. They are now dubbed “The Darah Baru.”
• Take over all surrounding villages with superior technology, and install puppet governments. As soon as a village is adequately loyal, cease all contact with it save for puppet government. Do all dealings through puppet governments.
• Build an underground settlement for fae that is out of sight for mortal eyes.
• Finalize silica production facilities and begin researching mass soul separation with the help of Orchid.
• Begin planting a new religion devoted to airplanes and weapons in the villages. Use military conquest as a catalyst for inspiring awe through technology.

Phase Delta (500 years- present)

• Build another underground settlement as deep in the earth as possible. Put the Darah Baru there in slumber, to be awoken when the time is right. The Mekhanite Dualists are now truly the last fae.
• Conglomerate all villages into a state. Engineer various revolutions, coups, and conflicts to make government development seem organic. In reality, the fae control all of this and are continually planting the idea of weapon worship into the minds of the new state.
• Digitize the mind of the archivist into fantasy AI, so he may survive and copy knowledge even through the deadliest of catastrophes.
• The remaining old fae has received blessings from the twin-gods and chaos gods alike. They sublet this power to state officials and make miracles now appear real, further validating the religion.

Now:
The Consecrated Socialist Republic of Arrana has entered the stage. They believe strongly in the sanctity of socialism and warplanes. In reality, they are fae puppets.

 

[GrieveWriter]

A Reunion Long Awaited
​

It was time.

After years spent fighting, cultivating and debating, the recent wars had led the Flessi Assembly to the apex of their objective. The spores they'd been developing had led to many of the battlefields they had joined becoming seedbeds for the growth. It had spread far beyond the boundaries of Carcass, covering lakes, covering mountains and spreading more through the numerous dead the wars had left behind.

This spread continued even after the demon was gone, as the Flessi simply returned to their previous objective the moment the fighting had ended. With the forces of nature surging through the lands, the time was ripe for cultivation. So they did, churning pits of fungus and flesh crisscrossed for miles into unclaimed lands. Smaller tribes and peoples were given two simple options: Relocate or allow their lands to be surrounded and transformed. Some bowed, others fought, but by that point the Assembly had become to large an enemy for anything less than a great power to halt.

Luckily for all involved, the Flessi continued their courtesy towards the other respectable nations that had survived the wars with strength intact. There was no need to incite further conflict now that their aggressors had been dealt with, the time for building was nigh.

Farmlands became bio-organic factories that pumped out growth constantly, r9ivers became giant veins that began to balloon and fill with the growth, and many Flessi went from sacrificing their bodies to cultivation to simply throwing themselves into the veins to become one the blood of their forbearer.

And throughout all this, a shape began to take form. Not of any recognizable animal or being, but of a system. The Bio-Organic factories became connected by the veins, with hardened fungal shielding growing around them as System became more unified.

The Flessi could feel it, their time coming to an end. More and more they were rising with unknown growths or extra limbs, deficiencies that became common occurrence as the factories began working on their own accord. The organic landscape began shifting on its own, with rivers changing flows and the beasts moving with greater coordination. Soon the fungus took a new look, that of bluish purple flesh. All across Flessi lands the peoples began moving with less thought, their will being subsumed by the organism they had worked tirelessly to create.

Its voice became clearer in each and every one of their thoughts, simple cries at first and then confused mumbles in each and every Flessi.

Soon it became apparent that they had succeeded, that the very landscape had taken up the torch of putting itself back together. Though not in its original form, their forebearer was to be whole soon enough.

For the Architect, there was no greater joy.

He had led his people through much: the Cultivation, Diplomatic endeavors, and wars on several fronts.

But to hear that voice speaking with greater clarity, there was nothing more ecstatic.

He sat atop what had once been the Spine, now no more than a series of giant ribs running down the mountain. Enclosed their soiling arms had blossomed into giant organs that the increasingly mutated wildlife fed with prey they hunted instinctively. It wasn't as if they'd need Soilings any time soon, the last had fed themselves to the great southern veins that led across their land.

All that was left of the Flessi at that point were those things, those fleshy drones that moved on their own. They ignored the fungal creatures, patrolling the great veins and clearing obstructions or attacking anything that threatened the massive organism.

The Flessi had mostly dedicated themselves fully, becoming one with bones, blood and more. The only ones that stayed continued to patrol in the Shellborn, their heavy stomps were now the only remaining sign of the Assembly proper.

That and the Architect, who had watched one by one as his council of advisory fellows had relinquished themselves. Whitebranch had thrown herself into the stream with her fellow Soilings, Blueglow had continued the cultivation dutifully until their services had been rendered obsolete. Seeing that their forebear had begun regenerating without the need for propagation, Blueglow had finally thrown himself into the massive abyss under Carcass, the one that now sported a massive brain of fungus and flesh.

And Irecap?

Seeing that the beasts and creatures of the Growth could now do his job better than he could, the Cullmaster had just dissappeared without a trace. The Architect knew not where had relinquished himself, or even if he had been relinquished at all.

All the Architect knew, was that he was the last of the Old Guard. The last pillar of the Assembly.

At least, he was until that day. For that day he opened the Shell he'd been piloting for decades at that point. He crawled out, body long since growing withered inside the organic husk.

But he cared not, for his time had come to an end. He had been the bedrock of the Assembly's efforts for years at that point. And soon, he would be a part of the bedrock of their great forebear as well.

As the Architect laid himself against one of the Spine's giant ribs. He turned and looked up to the sun, barely visible through the spore filled air that muted the landscape.

But to him, there was no greater peace.

And no better time to return to that confused voice calling out in the darkness.

​

 

[Cosmo]

Rokk and WR3N

Ren stood on the craggy cliff overlooking the shore, the full moon bathed the area in a gentle light. It was just outside of the academy, the same spot where the trio had met Rokk and his cultist so very, very long ago. The world had changed so much after the last battle, something akin to peace had settled and the others... Had split. Tamif and Trystan often stayed in Sunset Mountain, to carry out their duties as diplomats and Trystan acted as one of the instructors both at the Academy and at the Mountain for young shaman, following Vigo's footsteps, and Ren saw both of them often, but it wasn't the same.

Time, duty, love, children had changed them. But Ren was still Ren. She did not change, she merely was. Ren's gaze fell down to her silver hands, and something built within her, a deep numbness, a loss of desire, of purpose, she closed her eyes and willed the rush of emotions away. Emotions. Those had become far more frequent since meeting them, and while she welcomed them, there were times, like now, she resented them. They were messy and had a tendency to pop up when she least wanted them to.

The android took a few steps along the cliff before leaping down to land with a heavy thud on the beach, sand was kicked up and the ground almost seemed to 'ripple' from the force of her landing, but she rose right up, no worse for wear. She walked across the pale lit beach until she came to a small outcropping, a hill of rock built upon the shore. On top was a simple gravestone marking the final resting spot of Rokk. She wasn't sure whose idea it was to build the his grave out of rock, probably Trystan or maybe Tamif, she did seem to enjoy puns.

Ren swept her gaze over it before she kneeled down and got to work, carefully brushing and cleaning algae and grass from the rocks, wiping the tombstone clean and readjusting the rocks to fit together once more should they have been jostled during the high tide. She gently ran a thumb along the inscription to clean out any gathered sand, as her thumb traced each letter, she couldn't help but read:

'Here lies Rokk,

Enemy, Cultist, Traitor.. Friend and comrade. He gave his life so others could live, but most of all, he finally found what he was looking for.'

With her memory, it seemed like only yesterday they had met Rokk. Seemed like only yesterday he had betrayed them. Seemed like only yesterday he had fallen. Now, now Rokk was all but forgotten, his sacrifice a footnote in the history books that spoke of the battle. His grave visited and tended only by her... Was this her destiny? To tend the graves of her companions, of her loved ones? To stand eternal, alone, lost and adrift in this world? What would she have in ten years? A hundred years? A thousand?

An odd sound bubbled out from her chest, a hiccup of some kind, and then another. Her metal chest heaved and something rolled down her cheek, her sensor picked it up as something 'wet'. Her eyes stung and were misty, a malfunction of some kind, surely. Ren reached up to cover her eyes, her chest still heaving as hiccups and broken breaths made their way out, and as bits of moisture continued to roll down her eyes to fall into the sands below and get washed away by the sea.

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Lilith and Scorched Earth

The odd duo did not stay long. It was only a few days into the celebration that Lilith cheerfully told them that they were leaving, but not until she congratulated Tamif and Trystan for their relationship, and proclaimed, quite loudly, that it never would have worked between them because Lilith just had too much love to give to the world. Scorched Earth said nothing, and the others were fairly certain Scorched Earth did not care if she came with them or not, one way or another, Scorched Earth was leaving. Something was pulling them away, to someplace the others could not follow or understand.

In fact it was quite the sight, the morning of their departure, as Lilith sprinted after the walking form of Scorched Earth, yelling at them to stop and 'hold up' because they had left without her. Not having time to truly say goodbye, the companions could only wave as the duo disappeared into the sunset.

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Elijah the Third, Inventor Extraordinaire

Elijah had quite the journey after his, very successful, first test flight of his wonderous flying machine. Who would have known he was to crash into the tree of providence, find a group of lifelong friends and go on an adventure that would be immortalized in a storybook? Well, not him! Elijah spent most of his time in the workshops of the Academy, trying to blend magic and science into larger, and greater, adventures. His cycle improved. His flying machine, improved. He even dated a very beautiful, blond elven mage who frequently told him he was the 'Stupidest, smart man she had ever met'.

It was a nice relationship, and a very rocky relationship which naturally did not last. She eventually returned home, to the old world, to continue her family legacy while Elijah was so often lost in his inventions it had taken him a few days to realize she had left. That was how most of his relationships went, including those with Ren, Tamif and Trystan. They'd always hold a special place in his heart, and he theirs, but he was busy. There was always something new to study, something new to investigate, to discover! And he was the inventor extraordinaire! It wasn't until the years turned to decades, and in his age, he gained something akin to retrospection and more then a few regrets. The last anyone say of Elijah, it was when he built his great airship and sailed into the eastern sea to find the remnants of his people, Coghaven. Everyone may have believed them dead, but not Elijah. In his heart, he knew they were out there somewhere, and it had been a long time since he had been home. He only hoped to find it while his mind was still sharp enough to show his old colleagues the wonder of Elijah Tillbury the Third, Inventor Extrodinaire!

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Tamif and Trystan

The room was small, but cozy, well lit by various magical lanterns that floated in the air. Upon the roof was hundreds of small lights like the starry night sky. Trystan and Tamif stood huddled around a small childs cradle, their hands on the sides as they leaned over [Tamif needing to stand on a stepstool to get the height] to peer into its depth at the small, light green child that was bundled up in a blue blanket.

"She looks like you," Trystan said as he reached down to run his fingertips over the blanket, it was hard to believe that they were parents, that this all was happening.

"She'd better," Tam said as she bent halfway over the cradle so she could put her own hand down to lightly touch his, the golden ring he received from Vigo so long ago now standing prominently on her finger, "It wasn't fun, I wouldn't recommend."

"Noted," Trystan said as he took her hand in his own, "but it wasn't fun running halfway across the land trying to find 'twice roasted wheezlebulb nuts'."

"I still can't believe you thought that was an actual thing," Tamif said, a large tooth grin slipped across her face.

"Hey, when you start yelling, I look for the best hiding place," the master wizard said with with a wink.

"Har har, Lucille, your dad isn't much of a hero anymore. I think all that time teaching has really slowed him down, even his butt has gotten bigger, I didn't even know that was possible!" Tam said in an overly loud whisper.

"It has not," Trystan bit back before he looked over his shoulder as if trying to check before he caught himself... Maybe he had let himself go just a bit, if he wasn't teaching at the academy, he was teaching new shaman at Sunset Mountain, preparing to, possibly, take over Vigo's position when the old man finally retired and let it go.

"It really, really has," Tam said as she set her jaw on her hand, the One Ring shining brightly in the starlight, "But its okay, I married you for your butt."


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[Trektek]

Birth of Nations: Act 2: Age of Colonialism
Epilogue

B’Orkson Johnastan opened up one of his history texts. He was something of a history buff, even going so far as to working at the local museum. But even then, many of these texts got things wrong here and there. And sometimes, even he picked up things that he hadn’t from a different obscure text. That was why he found history so fascinating. After the passage of time, things were often jumbled up or forgotten.

The good thing is that with many long lived races, often things aren’t forgotten entirely. In fact, over the ages, they often came across Old World ruins which changed the entire direction or thought process of a nation that came across them. Their world view shattered or altered to fit this new information.

His own book that he was reading was The Age of Colonialism in the Kimonset region by Nikto Xert. It dealt with many things such as the Early invasions of the horrifying Mabinogi and the secret rise of the Xion Corporation. But it also has events such as major wars.

The War of Technology vs Nature was honestly something that could have filled an entire textbook all on its own. And he couldn’t count the amount of Fiction books based on the era. Especially the ones that take figures such as Overseer Runciple Thorpe or Warmaster Otherion as central to the story. Including an untold amount of trashy romance novels where they sweep the beguiled woman off of her feet or toiling away in the savage lands to the majesty of the technological and mythical Coghaven.

Bah. It must have been a place. And most likely those legends were based off of real people. But there was no way that it happened like people believed. That was just myth, blown out of proportion.

But that was besides the point. There were many modern things that arrived from such a fantastical time as the Age of Colonialism. It was a time of great Change. Here were just some of what came out of that time:

The Mythical Land of Coghaven

They say that Coghaven was a technological marvel of a city founded by those who wished for a better life from the harsh Magocracy that was Greater Titania. The records originating from Greater Titania can confirm that the failed rebellion against the crown was fact. And that it was led by Overseer Runciple Thorpe, a human merged with technology, Warmaster Otherion, an elven warrior of unparalleled fighting prowess, and Fizzo Glint, a Goblin whose mastery over money was undisputed.

Together, they worked to tame the wild lands of Kimoset as they built the Golden City of Coghaven upon an Old World Site. While Thorpe was guided by an Old World A.I. to bring about greater prosperity and protection, Otherion had challenged the Orc WarChief Grizzakis, earning his friendship in the process. And even still, Glint worked tirelessly to earn the Trolls trust by gifting them many, many supplies.

Between the Big Three, The Mighty City of Coghaven could stand against anything along with their allies of Mechanical and flesh and Bone. Especially against the Rampaging Horde of The Mabinogi. These flesh cultists were obsessed with reviving The Dragon At The End Of The World. And Coghaven would stop them.

They were an enemy that would not stop as they threw body after body to eliminate The Orcs, the first line of defense against the enemies of Coghaven. The Alliance led by Warmaster Otherion arrived too late to save his good friend, Grizzakis. Theirs was a friendship for the ages. One that caused the elf to shed many tears. IN fact, the legends say that he shed all his tears from this and was never able to shed tears again. *Author’s note: A drink entitled Otherion’s Tears can be found in most taverns in this day and age*

One of the Mabinji Clan leaders was killed in an epic duel and the other three disappeared from elsewhere on the continent. Legend says that they will one day they will return to revive The Dragon At The End of The World to end all life on this planet. But, it was the might of Coghaven that crushed their hopes and dreams of world based destruction. They were unparalleled in both honor and skill.

After this was the most Golden Age of Coghaven. The people were happy and fulfilled. Their technology was at its most powerful. And all was content in the land. Orcs, Trolls, Goblins, Elves, Humans. They lived together in Harmony using technology to better themselves.

And then The Technology vs Nature War began.

There are some details of this recorded as they allied with The Grand Academy during the War. Even though it was said that they were not fans of magic, The Academy was in fact proponents of learning and technology within their magical curriculum, making them natural and steadfast allies.

Many movies were made in the vein of detailing the final battles of CogHaven, complete with Warmaster Otherion having a final showdown against Warchief Callarhan in the rain and a city sized explosion taking out the Rahzen Army pulled by a dying Runcible Thorpe.* Author’s Note: Sometimes Directors will blow an entire film’s budget on such an explosion effect. Here’s hoping the new tv series on the era will do it justice*

History states however that even if any of that happened, that Fizzo Glint fled with survivors in submarines. But that none of the survivors that fled to sea were ever seen or heard from again.

The Renowned Explorer and Inventor Extraordinaire, Elijah Tillbury the 3rd had set out on an expedition to locate the survivors later in his life, but he was never heard from again. Whether it was due to being lost on the open ocean, or just settling down in obscurity somewhere else. It is unknown about the final fate of these amazing people.

The follow up to the Myths of Coghaven would never be discovered. But, the legends and myths of history would forever by remembered by the world in plays, books, and movies.

The Welcoming Nation of Rahzen

Rahzen was a place that had been open and welcoming to many people. They were made up of many different clans that all somehow were able to work together in a Council that was able to get things done in an orderly fashion.

After the Technology vs Nature Wars, they never rebuilt an army as Grand as the one that legends tell had faced down the realm of Coghaven. From then on, they mainly relied upon the Shamans and their elemental summons for protection. Though warriors would train to defend the realm, they no longer journeyed from it.

With peace in the land, Rahzen expanded to the North and the East, even eventually bringing in those of the Xion Corporation into their fold. Those from the Old World brought about a new revolution of ideas that appealed to the young and impressionable.

Those in the South became Shamans, learning the ancient ways of the Elementals and Spirits, while those in the Northern Tribes joined The Company. It became more of a divide of the classes than all out war. As both contributed to the Rahzen society.

The technological and spiritual growth of the nation was strong and continued to grow, allowing them to stay strong over the years, even when other nations would have collapsed.

This natural progression caused there to be two more powerful positions within the Council that would exist above the other members. The High Shaman and The CEO representing the spiritual and technological wants and needs of the nation. Over time, this developed into the two political parties that exist to this day. The Shaman Party and the EO party with whomever gets elected to the highest position in each being The High Shaman and the CEO respectively.

The Democratic nation while outwardly friendly, kept all other nations on its toes with its large flock of Vulpine Spies. Their Army may not be what it had been in the past, but their information network became unrivaled and for that, they are still able to maintain a friendly relationship with other nations within the entire world.

Its cities and people can be a land of extremes with Shamanistic people alongside those that wield technological might. Even to this day, it can be an odd sight considering other nations types of being. But it merely adds to their cultural melting pot.

Its even said that The Eternal Legion was formed by the disgraced Prince, Warchief Callerhan, a powerful mercenary organization that is still used by many nations today in their wars on the front lines.

Yamabuki: The Fallen People

The Golden Age of The Yamabuki would be remembered as a time of Dragons, a time of expansion and a time of War.

An entire book series entitled: “The Brilliant Blue” was written about the Brilliant Blue Prince, the dangerous machinations of Wu, the last stands of the Samurai and their exodus to the Sea.

The fallen lands of the Yamabuki ended up in the care of the Rahzen as their expansions over the ages made their way up north. Survivors and descendants that had not fled to the seas were eventually absorbed into the greater empire and given a voice.

Eventually the survivors arrived at a new land where they would be able to carve out a new nation, one that would not have the same troubles as the old. Instead, they make new mistakes and have new troubles. The old life was left behind. They were more now than they were before.

As for the main group of survivors that went to the sea, they realized what was coming, even if others had not. THE SONG. They knew that it was dangerous and deadly and could worm its way into the minds of living and non living things alike, converting it to its onerous cause.

That is why they turned to music, to create their own Songs. Nerida became the first of the New Nation’s Songstress. Carefully crafting song after song that would bolster the hearts and minds of the people. It was one of her early songs that even became the country’s National Anthem which is still sung to this day.

And in following her own lead, eventually other singers, songstresses, and musicians popped up from out of the woodwork. Each created their own music that could bolster the spirit and mind, giving some protection against The Song. Even later without knowing how they were doing it, the people automatically did so. It was a part of their very nature, part of their culture.

Music became their life and was their culture.

Even to this day, there are vast world tours from some of the bigger names of singers that emerge from the country. With bright lights and even brighter sounds, the people they became carry forth their national identity wherever they go.

Goblins of The Bad Moon

The Gobbos had the largest party that the continent of Kimonset had ever seen in recognition of their great deeds on the battlefield. They had never had such great fighting and it was possible that they might never have that kind of fighting ever again.

So for now, they would celebrate this great victory. There was much drinking, smoking and general all around raucousness.

What happened next was mere rumor and hearsay based on the drunken and high survivors of the party. They believed that A drunken Dwarf build for them a powerful ship that could sail to the moon.

Of all the things, it was of course a preposterous idea. Nothing like that could come from less than Old World tech. And even then, that seemed unlikely.

At least that was what most people thought. Every now and again, someone says they have a sighting of the fierce warriors that come and collect them for battle against their forces.

But most of those people are full of it.

In the history books and shows that followed, The Goblins of The Bad Moon were usually portrayed as evil powerful warriors that served no one but themselves. History showed that they were strong enough to crush entire armies and it was remembered that during the Technology vs Nature Wars, they fought for themselves, destroying both the Yamabuki and The Children of Mehkane.

The Children of Mekhane/The Synthetic Fae Court

These two groups as they originally were had faded into obscurity as the many, many years went by. The Children of Mekhane were remembered as being zealots of a mechanized city that pursed the purity of machines to the highest degree. Occasionally adventurers and historians that would danger a delve into the Flesh Marshes of its remains could come across such of their technology or even a skeletal figure that was encased in their technology.

Some pieces had been recovered and even reside within the museum in the Grand Academy. A testament of the life that they must have led. Though not much remained as their city had vanished during the war of Technology vs Nature. They had fought on the side of Technology who had lost the war due to the overwhelming ability of the forces of nature.

Not that Technology had not flourished in the centuries since. But at the time, the energies of nature were needed to combat the Demon. And as such, there was a time of technological withdrawal.

There are some theories that some of the Mekhanite survivors resided in the nation of what is now known as The Consecrated Socialist Republic of Arrana. But the last recorded sighting of any such people fitting that description was about two hundred to three years ago. Difficult to be sure, but it was hard to believe that any were still around and unheard from after all this time.

Similar to the Mekhanites, it is believed that those of The Synthetic Fae Court had also gone extinct. Though their disappearance was about six to seven hundred years earlier. They had a large hand in helping to form The Consecrated Socialist Republic of Arrana in its infancy before they vanished.

Due to the nature of hatred between the Mekhanites and the Fae, it is believed by archeologists and Historians that the surviving Mekhanites had killed the surviving Fae before either going extinct centuries later or possibly melding into and diffusing into the current society.

What is known is that The Consecrated Socialist Republic of Arrana protects its historical secrets greatly and as such, Historians have been unable to dig too deeply into the matter. Perhaps one day it will be resolved and the mysteries will be found. But that is not this day.

The Flessi Assembly

The nation that was known as the Flessi Assembly, very little of them was known beforehand, and even less was known after the event known as the Period of Growth. After the war of Technology Vs Nature and the defeat of the Demon Lord, the Flessi Assembly grew.

It grew not in the sense of a nation expanding its borders and becoming more. But rather, it grew in a literal sense that it expanding its fleshy growth. It grew over Mountains and into Rivers. It grew into valleys and it grew into lakes.

It continued to expand until the entire southern reaches of Kimonset was overtaken by its growth.

The lands became thick and almost impassable. With only stories emerging from the occasional traveler or brave archaeologist expedition that wished to brave its depths. The ruins of civilization such as The Synthetic Fae Court and the Children of Mehkane existed deep within its borders.

For a long time, there were words of mutated creatures of fungus and flesh that moved among the Fungal Growth Forests. But, eventually those words ceased. Instead there were reports of something large and indescribable that lay within these lands.

The unknown terrified and it was declared off limits by both The Rahzen and The Grand Academy, each of which station guards at their areas of the Border.

But even still, sometimes people slip through to explore these strange dangerous and mutated lands to learn its secrets.

Will they ever be discovered? Not even those in academia will know.

The Straed Collective

The time of the Straed Collective had been coming to an end. That was what many of the survivors of the group thought after its encounters with the devastating attack of the Flessi Assembly.

They were woefully unprepared and had lost most of their infrastructure as well as many of those in their hierarchy. It was a disaster of the worst proportions.

It was their darkest hour as they fled from the nation of Kimonset with their tales between their legs.

Who would remember the Straed Collective? Who would sing their songs and continue their great work?

Who would man their cannons and destroy their enemies?

Who would lift them up from the very bowels of destruction and elimination that they had now found themselves in?

There was a woman who stood up and took the reigns of the Prime Ship and brought the Straed Collective back from the brink of the abyss.

Why, it was the beautiful and spectacular Pandora of course. A woman of unparalleled beauty and intelligence, she led the company back to the greatness that it is today and even expanded what they were capable of.

It is because of her that you are able to wear those Straed brand shoes that make you run faster or eat that Straed brand breakfast cereal that fills you up with all the energy you need for the day.

Why yes, Pandora saved the very company from destruction and put down roots for the company. No more flying around. But boots on the ground.

Find your local branch today and join the Straed Team. Pandora Wants You to Aid In The Future!

The Ascendant

The Religion of The Ascendant was one of acceptance. It accepts all into its ranks. Old, young. Sick, Healthy. Men, Women, neither, both. All races. They accept all into their religion of hope.

They hope for a world that will better than the Old World while working to tirelessly make efforts to bring forth that vision with. Donations to the cause and the countless charities that they run are put to work helping the poor and needy in many, many countries throughout the world.

The organization as it stands today was originally founded by a human man named Withers and the Orc woman, Astra. Ten years after the Technology vs Nature wars, they helped the poor and injured across the waters in both Greater Titania and The Fafrium Empire. Though the Fafrium Empire was wary of them due to the name being similar to a cult that they had destroyed many years ago, they would never let themselves be outdone by Greater Titania.

As such, they accepted the humanitarian organization without question. And this let them thrive, helping people in both countries as well as expanding to others around the world. They spread their faith only to those that wished it, but their generosity and well kept nature gathered them many new constituents to the matter.

Those that had become a deeper part of the religion have talked about a veil that needs to be sundered in order to reach this new and better world.

Many outside the religion had theorized about this veil and what it truly represents. But The Ascendant assure the public that it is more of a symbolic veil that represents the blockage within the nature of those that horde what they do not need for from those that need it to survive.

The organization that had started at humble beginnings have become one of the more prominent religions and suppliers of aid during times of war and strife within the world.

Trystan Galvingar's Amazing Adventurers of Awesome

Trystan Galvinger was a man that lived in the history books. Him and his Wife, Tamif Fizzlewick were heroes during the Age of Colonialism and the following war against the Demon Lord. They were quite the duo as recorded in history by Tamif Fizzlewick herself.

Her book, titled: “Adventurers through the Darkness and the Light by Tamif Fizzlewick” became a best seller in both Rahzen and The Grand Academy before taking the World by Storm. Suddenly, overnight, the pair had become famous to people that they had never met or even were familiar with.

It was not easy to deal with that kind of popularity. Especially for Trystan who was not only a teacher within the Grand Academy, but also one in Rahzen at the Shaman School. He was a man in demand. A far cry from the student that didn’t listen in class.

Trystan took a sabbatical with his wife and daughter to travel around the world on a book tour, making connections and riches along the way that neither had ever seen before. Their names were spoken by world leaders and dignitaries, becoming household names. It was a strange thing for them to get used to. But it was well deserved for their heroics.

As time moved on, Trystan eventually became the headmaster of The Grand Academy of which his daughter attended. She was well loved by her parents and given the childhood that both of them wished for.

Lucille became a hero in the footsteps of her parents. Her great deeds and adventures led her to brokering a truce between Greater Titania and The Fafrium Empire that lasted nearly two hundred before it was broken and the fighting started once more.

Throughout history, whenever great heroes were needed, a Galvinger was there as continued throughout the ages. But Trystan and Tamif were able to live a life of peace and happiness that was well deserved by all.

As for the remaining members of their old adventuring team, WR3N seemed to pop up every few decades before seeming to disappear entirely. Some members of the Galvinger line have talked about seeing a cloaked woman matching her description from the old family stories, but it has not been confirmed. Those within the line that hope, believe that WR3N is a still keeping watch over their family as a silent protector.

Lilith and Scorched Earth participated in the next few wars, even appearing during the one that Lucille helped put an end to before also disappearing without a trace and never heard from again.

As for Elijah Tillbury the Third, he had made many contributions to technology that still exists in some form or another today. But then left to find the people of his homeland. Some say that he found them, but no one knows the truth as he was never heard from again.

Even still, the adventuring party went down in history as one with ups and downs. Light and Darkness. And Hope and Despair. Fondly remembered, with adaptations of their tales still told or filmed today with the latest being a documentary: Trystan Galvinger, Rags to Riches?​