The Betrayer Returns

[Cepheid 4304]

The Betrayer Returns

 Published; 7th of the Grand Harvest, 1901

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For up to a decade now, Almaris has been haunted by the whisperings of an oaken figure. A tree in the north-easterly swamps of our continent, posing as Widukind. Such is alleged to be the first tree, and Lord of Oaks: something close to an aengul, albeit bound to our mortal realm. 

 

Upon hearing of such, the Crown dispatched two specialist Diraar of the Order of the Fallen Mongoose to confirm said rumors in the east. Two visits were made by these Celia’norian spies. 

 

In the wake of the first, two specialists were left conflicted as to this ‘Widukind’s’ validity. The wooden being that conversed with the pair certainly attested to being ‘the First’, though its words did not align with historic accounts of the Lord of Oaks’ personality and ideals. 

 

Said character is recorded in mythology as an advocate against violence. Indeed, the Widukind of legends past is described as a peaceful being, which urged separation between mortals and aengudaemonica, believing the descendants ought to passifistically refuse the magic of aengudaemons in a forgotten philosophy called ‘the Way of Oaks’ in order to maintain the free will meant for them by the Creator. 

 

Our scouts report this possible wooden impostor held no such views. They spoke of a prophecy granted by the Tree: that a great worm would come, binding the wings of Azdromoth to bring the Titan to the ground. There, it theorized that the Titan would be slain, and the one to slay it would wage war on the remainder of the divines - possibly even the Creator himself - with the goal of ‘merging the skies’. 

 

The Crown’s initial response was suspicion, advocating that this strange Tree be avoided for the time, until more evidence of its motives and alignments could be found… And then it was. 

 

In the years to follow, the Order of the Fallen Mongoose found and detained a witch named Wyetta on confirmation that she was a demonologist, nor ‘naztherak’. Wyetta was interrogated, and attempted to save herself by revealing her true master was in fact this same Tree. 

 

The witch confirmed that the Tree was not in fact the mythical creature named Widukind, but none other than the Betrayer himself. Made obscure by warlocks and inferi under the elusive title ‘the Red Prince’, the Crown has additionally confirmed that knowingly or not it appears all ‘naztherak’ are in some way bound to its will either directly or by proxy of his Pentacle of generals in the High Hells.

 

This prompted the Crown to order a second expedition, sending the same specialists once more. They confronted the Tree, which made no attempt to dissuade them from the truth they had found. Instead, the Betrayer elaborated on his prophecy, attempting to seduce them with promises of power. 

 

He spoke of his true scheme, to consume the Titan’s soul. Whilst the Arch-Drakaar is certainly which the Crown perceives with skeptical caution, it is clear that Azdromoth presently acts in his own self interest, and those of the nephilim beneath him. The Archdaemon then informed our scouts of its plans to reforge his soul anew into a being far more terrible. A true demon, which would bring cataclysm to our world the likes of which Arcas’ fall may pale in comparison to. 

 

It went on to boast that its victory was inevitable, revealing that a band of necromancers serving one ‘Gravelord Gashadokuro’ had constructed the gargantuan worm-like monster at his behest, pledging their allegiance to him in turn. 

 

The Crown therefore must gravely confirm:

Iblees has returned.

 

He now roams Almaris under a mask of bark, gathering what allies he can.

 

Further spywork has revealed to us that the creature was made by the Archdaemon’s necromancers in the image of Feldámfir: a mimicry of the same worm that ravaged across the continent of Asulon, centuries ago. The Crown speculates this ‘Heir of Feldámfir’ to be the Betrayer’s greatest asset in its current scheme, not only for its role in the reclamation of Azdromoth’s soul but also as a bargaining chip for the lowliest of the realm.

 

The Crown has every reason to believe once Iblees has seized what he came for, he shall order Gravelord Gashadokuro and the anathema beneath him to set the Heir of Feldámfir loose, allowed to wreak indiscriminate havoc on Almaris as a distraction from whatever he then forges of the slain Titan’s soul.

 

The Crown’s latest revelation is perhaps more alarming still. The world has witnessed Rex Willy’s proclamation of war against the meager faction known as the Synod - an guild of isolationist ghosts, which haunt the uninhabited planes of Almaris known as the ‘Tomblands’ - and considered him honorable for the act. 

 

Though little publicity has been given to the present state of his war: no effective move has been made against the undead by the Horde since this declaration. In fact, rumors have since circulated that the Horde might be losing as each day sightings are reported of vengeful specters ravaging the lands of orcs unchecked. This, the Crown believes, has led the Rex to measures of the otherworldly. 

 

As of two elven days ago, the Crown has received confirmation from numerous sources both inside and beyond the Iron Horde that the Rex has made a pact with the Betrayer, requesting him to lend the Heir of Feldámfir to the war effort in exchange for the allegiance of orc-kind to their schemes.

 

The Crown therefore must gravely confirm:
 

The Rex has sworn fealty to Iblees. 

 

He now prepares for war alongside the Betrayer’s loyal necromancers, readying his troops and the worm to crush the Synod before then marching north-east to the site of the tree where Iblees resides, doubtless at the expense of any human realm that may block his warpath. It is unsure if the Rex Willy is aware of the nature of the tree, yet Almaris must be warned of what is to come. You have one day to condemn your actions and stand down from your alliance with the most foul of this realm, Rex Willy.

---

AY’PUERAN;

Valyris Ibarellan, Princess of Celia’nor, Queen of Gladewynn, Princess of the Alders, Princess of Alderyn, High Empyrean Princess,  Sole-Proprieter of Gladewynn,  Evarir of the Aurumwoods, Protector of the High Elves, High Magus of the Arcanic Court, etc.

 

Spoiler

 @Cloakedsphere

 

[GMRO 6186]

Karl III sits in the Aulic Chambers of Hanseti-Ruska after meeting with the Princess of Celia'nor, awaiting the publish missive from the Rex of Krugmar to come swiftly before consequences followed.

[Werew0lf 24180]

The Great Owl sits upon a tree, as his shadow slowly whizzes back up the eldar-bark after playing his role as Honk. The shadow offers the thing a parchment. "It's time to release the thing." Al'khayin declared. . . - but what was the thing?

[VoxyNoir 973]

The former monarch smiles at the missive as he gestured his guard to bring him his sabre and his armor. "This is wonderful, just right in time when I am fully healed" The Ibarellan gestured his daughter to bring him his dagger.

[Jihnyny 5233]

"Wub dah zkah, did they forget their anzeztorz do thiz? Agh krug had to klomp it? If thiz iz true, then the orcz will zlaughter ibleez either way." Said a dark orc.

[Nectorist 12869]

“Step back and let me handle this.” Numerian says to his good pal, Senna, as he cracks his knuckles. @Sailor

[creamynoteblock 3256]

"..These ahm the orcs calling me whitewash?" Says Kho, shaking his head.

[Allien 449]

Serigne Py’lrie sits in her office writing many separate letters. Each letter sent to individual members of her Talonii who wandered the realm, alerting them of the troubles approaching. "Be safe.." The elderly Py'lrie muttered to herself before continuing her work.

[Orlanth 4667]

Smol'Ruk curled up into a ball and cried, missing Biug'Ruk who surely would've known what to do in this situation. "Nub wae... "

[Neviah 1011]

Astaroth stared down upon the missive, a slow smirk rising to her features. Violet hues going side-to-side like the pendulum of a grandfather clock as she re-reads the missive, over and over "Now there are two demons I get to dance with, how exciting, how intriguing." She mused to herself, rushing to grab a second copy of the missive and allowing her Thrush to take hold of it and fly off to a mali'ker.

[Sailor 713]

Senna Cerusil placed her blade beside the missive with a stifled chuckle escaping her as she did "You will hm?" She would jest to Numerian before placing the missive elsewhere "This will be quite the spectacle." @Nectorist

[The King Of The Moon 7016]

"An unjust war declared by a slave race. Now for their comeuppance.

Death to the maleficar."

 

A devil declares, marching triumphantly for the Synod upon hearing of their spywork's publication.

[kindEmperor 1466]

A certain Nephilim would read the missive quickly digesting its words. 

SILENCE. ITS. LIES.

[AfroJoeTheOlogBro 1095]

The elder shaman opened his eyes wide, a shriek of horror on his lips as he is roused from the deep visions that plagued his soul in recent years. It wouldnt take much longer for word of such terrible tidings to reach his ears, though what an old goblin could do with such, he did not know....

[Sailor 713]

Illyria Ibarellan offered a blade to her Maln with a nod "Now that you are well, I do hope for this to be resolved in a timely manner." @VoxyNoir