There is much concern in the Kingdom of the North, what with rumours of a Dark Force which has arisen in the Northern Wilderness, and strange portents in the vicinity of the Gort Mountains. Levies are raised in the Eastern Duchies and Earldoms, and patrols sent out. But the populace is little reassured.
Rumours spread in Bjarmigen that Glersh the Dread and Tomec the Terrible have been seen in town, and have let slip that the goings on in the Northern Wilderness are all a trap for Harrek.
The news in Bjarmigen is that a couple of outlying villages in the West have been attacked and razed by the Evils, and undead let loose in them. Harrek was out in the East, after an attack there a couple of weeks ago, and was caught napping. The Evils are not just goblins and wargs, but include dragons and monsters. This is all rumour, but official announcements are made that the King is recruiting Good adventurers, clerics and Planists "for the defence of the Realm".
The Island of Opil in the East of the Kingdom of the North was attacked last night by Evil adventurers with a dragon, yeti, goblins and wargs. Good adventurers Teleported in and defeated them, but one village was sacked and another turned into a battleground. The dragon, yeti and goblins were slain, but most of the Evil adventurers escaped. The rumour is that they included Glersh the Dread and Tomec the Terrible, plus Men of Hell and Evil Druids known as the Hawk and the Raven.
Arril of Tarm has defeated Kyarlin of Heaven in the Duel for the Lion Throne of Valdrea, in a protracted contest of fighting, with both saving against Spells. Arril is generally considered to have been lucky, but Kyarlin has not rechallenged immediately.
Last night an Evil surprise thievish attack upon a Good adventurer camp in Garf Lea was driven off. A number of Evil adventurers were killed, and the rumour is that some of the Good adventurers pursued them back through the Teleportal. There is a lot of excitement about a possible attack being mounted on the Evil base, but there is no official word on the position.
This morning an Evil force attacks the small town of Yrskin, in the Vale of Lystrin on the Desolate Coast. The Church of ESCUS raise the alarm, but the nearest Teleport point known to the adventurers defending the Kingdom of the North is Kenyal, on the coast 200 miles to the West. By the time reinforcements arrive, the Evils have gone. The local fighters managed to evacuate most of the population, but the town has been sacked and burnt.
The Evil camp near Yrskin is found, but the scouts are ambushed by major Evil adventurers (suspected as Glersh the Dread and Tomec the Terrible), and several Clerics are killed. Alador and Team Phoenix drive off Glersh and Tomec, but are unable to Follow their Teleport. The trail is cold again.
Adventurer protection is now extended to the Desolate Coast and Kyr, but it is proving difficult to maintain. By now many adventurers are growing restless. They have been cooling their heels whilst battles take place elsewhere, and there have not been the resources to Teleport them in. In some places and with some individuals discipline begins to break down. Some adventurers are leaving, or going off on their own expeditions to find the Evils. This latter development is not entirely unwelcome to the authorities, as maintaining the organised force is putting quite a strain on the Northern Treasury. The Desolate Coast and Kyr are made responsible for the cost of their own defence.
At sunset the Evils strike at Ômorin, NNE of Castle Aptal. The Church of ESCUS Church is blown up first with big Fire Bombs, killing several Clerics and adventurers. But the Teleport points for reinforcements are elsewhere, and the alarm is still raised. A running battle develops, as goblins overrun the town and the Evil adventurers attempt to deal with the Good reinforcements Teleporting in. When a Teleport point is identified, they attempt to destroy or guard it, but the points are dispersed, and as more Good reinforcements come in the Evil adventurers retreat, abandoning the goblins. Team Phoenix catch Glersh the Dread, and almost manage to kill him before he Recalls. The goblins cause a lot of damage, but are eventually slaughtered.
A caravan is attacked between Hadal and Karn, in the Kingdom of the North. The rumour is that the attackers were the Evil raiders, rather than the usual bandits.
There are stories circulating in Bjarmigen of a secret meeting at the Temple of RAYLIT on Earth between Lord Protector Harrek, Alador of Team Phoenix, and the Evil raider known as the Hawk. The word is that the Hawk has sold out his former comrades, in exchange for Harrek and Alador's protection. It is also said that the Evils are offering your choice of Magic Item to anyone betraying the Hawk to them. Most people in Bjarmigen would not trust such an offer (or so they say), but there is much speculation as to the Hawk's whereabouts.
Yesterday's stories receive some confirmation when King Bjørn and Lord Protector Harrek announce that the Defenders of the Kingdom of the North are now taking the offensive against the Evils. Planists now start learning Evil camps and Evil attack points, and goblins, monsters and Evil adventurers are being slain on sight. This is a much-needed boost to morale, and spirits are at last high again amongst the adventurers. For some the mood is soon dampened once they get out into the wilderness of the Far North, and experience true winter conditions, far from what now seem to have been comfy billets. Others are luckier, finding themselves sent to the more moderate climes of Taur Galen.
There are as yet no reports of Glersh, Tomec and the remaining major Evil adventurers, but the word is that the big showdown with Harrek is coming soon.
By the New Year the Evil threat against the North appears to be over. The Evil bases have been cleared, and there have been no more confirmed raids (other than the usual wanderers and hungry wolves or goblins). The defending adventurers are disbanding, though a few patrols remain in major centres and people agree to keep in touch in case their services are needed again.
There has been much Imperial activity in Korred, the formerly independent town now part of Torel Province in the South Western Valdrean Empire. It is said the Imperial Secret Service are hunting down Stirros III, the disgraced and outlawed former Champion of Satril and ex-Head of the I.D.S. It is not reported that they have found him.
Meanwhile Kyarlin of Heaven has returned to Fort Venture after a major battle in the Dungeons between the Dwarves with their human adventurer allies and the Hellish forces. The Dwarves tried to break through the defenses of Heaven, and the Evils counterattacked from above and below to try and break the siege. Much blood was shed, but the initial gains by both sides were wiped out, and the Siege of Heaven reasserted.
Stories coming out of Northern Kyr indicate the Wolf Cult is restless again. These are a fanatical sect of ESCUS worshippers and berserkers who allegedly dress in wolf skins and howl at the moon. Some say they include a few werewolves. From time to time they go on the warpath against Evil, and cause some local trouble. The organised Church of ESCUS considers them a lunatic fringe, and some Clerics brand them as heretics, but the local Church largely accepts them. They participated enthusiastically in the recent defence against the Evil raiders - over-enthusiastically in fact. It seems they have not accepted the threat is now over, and have been attacking Royal patrols sent to keep them in order.
Kyarlin of Heaven, Commander of Fort Venture, is actively recruiting adventurers in Valdran and elsewhere for a "big military expedition" against the Evils in the Dungeons. Ships are ferrying in supplies from Hapral and Kuntax, with adventurer guards in case of Pirates. Over in Dwarf Hold, the Dwarves are having a big build-up and recruiting campaign too.
The Wolf Cult defeat one of King Zorgar's peacekeeping forces in a major skirmish in Northern Kyr. They are said to be in control of parts of the countryside. Zorgar is treating it as an internal matter, and has declined an offer of assistance from King Bjørn of the North. The Church of ESCUS is trying to mediate.
The word around Garf Lea is that the Badlander Clans are gathering again. A Clanmeet has been called at Horning Crags for the first day of Spring (19 Destri), and it is rumoured that Krell McAndar will address the Clans. The wilder speculation also has it that Stirros III will be speaking.
The Valdrean Empire is mobilising in the North-West Gap Military Area, and the Kingdom of the North is calling up levies in Garf Lea and Grinen. The Emperor Arril has gone to take personal charge of his army. Opinion in Valdran says he is worried about all the combat experience Kyarlin has been gaining in the Dungeons, and is spoiling for some army combat.
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