35-04-03 - THE RED FIRE THAT SPURNS
âWe broke their chapter, but they are like weeds. Lest rooted out completely, they will regrow, and their hideouts are plenty in the weald.â
-Sir Agantyr Brenth
A crimson name was spoken from the mouths of manic proselytes in the black land of Lordaeron, when the dint-light of its long-fading creed began to plant new seeds of doubt and misery in the far corners of the depleted kingdom. Summoned forth from their hiddenness, there resurfaced men of ill repute, whose cohorts and semblant hosts had chanted the fervour of Saidan Dathrohan in the days gone by, and in tribute to the thick smoke that rises eternally from the burning city, they had brought the Red Fire that Spurns to the other lands of men. It were the days of the Year 34, the year that the Undercity fell, that this Hilt-cult was brought to its knees by its countless enemies; dismantled and disunited, thence scattered into hiding, to the far corners of the world. The year 35 was then upon the Lordaeron lands, when the remnants saw fit to return, beating their drums with new, incipient cacophony, and wreaking havoc with their crusaders, and fanatics in force.
It was across the river Thondroril, that the Lordamere Rangers beheld the sight of that red, risen flame, when its wicked men stalked between the mountains, and the Darrowmere shore. Many were there, replenished and full of vigour, with this Seal of Dathrohan, and between their warring havoc, and the darkness that hung over Alterac â were made the lands to the west, and the lands of Eastweald, a perilous trek beyond measure. There, their danger brooded, and word of it soon travelled past Thandol Span.
âMore worrying, however, is the word from the north, Captain, that is the reason I had wished to speak with you. The pilgrims bring word of a Scarlet insurrection above the Span. I had hoped you would know more.â
-Brother Alfyn of Northshire
Against such overwhelming odds as were impending with the nascent red-hoodsâ hegemony, the heirs of green and grey would not seek battle alone, but would wander far into the prosperous realms below, wherein the gardens and the taverns of a King, they bargained a warbandsâ worth with the likes of Stuart, Davech, and Amberden - stalwart knights of the Broken Tower, with whom they had shared long journey-trek, over fen and dell. Unto this bandied pact, were knit, for the promise of red wrath, gold, or glory, the mercenaries from the company of Eisteynn Barnekowâs Bloodied Goats, as well as other, olden adversaries of the Red Fire, in men like Agantyr Brenth, the hedge knight, who had partaken in the manhunt of 34. Herewith these pilgrims and riders, with their ire bidden out of idle peace, there resembled a mission, to pilfer renown, and disenthrall the broken kingdom from its usurpers - seeking the heart of the Grand Crusaderâs burning legacy. Lost to all was the City of Men, the one wreathed in ashen flame.
Driven to seek reinforced measures, the Lordamere Rangers, have began the long and dangerous journey back to their home, joined with allies in the Bloodied Goats, and the Broken Tower, as well as others, as their great tatter-host goes to tangle with a merciless adversary on the loose.
Many thanks to all the people involved. The journey begins again! 