Within the limits of the Cloud Temple, an elderly man sets up a small fire pit. As the sun sets and sky darkens, he sets the logs ablaze. Many gather about the fire, interested in it's purpose. Suddenly, the elderly man, of human origin, opens his mouth and begins to speak.
A symbol long forgotten has made itself known once more. For those of you too young to remember, or those who've forgotten history, allow me to share the tale of Ikuras, Lord of Fear.
The Lord of Fear is a spirit, one who was freed from his prison and released into this world by the selfish actions of his cult. Through the sacrifice of a young lass; impure of body, but pure of heart, he rose from his dark prison and escaped into our world. His cult wreaked havoc upon the Descendants, slaying them in countless number, torturing them to harvest their fear, and even going as far as to infiltrate and corrupt an Academy from the inside. But that was not enough for Ikuras. The followers of Ikuras simply faded away, the cult reduced to memories. Though it has appeared Ikuras has simply vanished, he has not, and has returned.
Within the cities of Laureh'lin and Caliphate, men have been murdered, halflings crippled, and worst of all... Children have been abducted and brutally tortured.
To those who regularly visit the city of Laureh'lin, rumors circulate about a single guard, being attacked, mutilated, and murdered. His skin was bone white, black spots littering it. In some places, the flesh simply peeled away to reveal the muscle and bone below. Carved into his forehead, a symbol, that of a red star.
The guard put up a valiant fight, but he was incapable of fighting off the servants of Ikuras. And as such, he was murdered and made an example of. Though others came to his defense, it was too late and the culprits fled into the wilderness. Upon his forehead, the Star of Ikuras, red with his blood, was left as a symbol of his return.
To those who find themselves within the city of Caliphate often enough, they too would hear rumors and find the signs of death within the city.
Within the Caliphate, more than just a single guard was killed. Instead, it was three individuals. One man was sucked dry of his life, his skin a pale mess, the flesh peeled back and spotted black. Another man, a man of plant-like origin, was badly beaten. Sappy blood littered the book store, staining the shelves and flooring. One can only assume he was forced into the fire place and burned alive. The third man too, was burned alive. His bones were found, blackened and charred, the following morning.
Upon the pillar where the plant-man was beaten, the star of Ikuras is carved into it. Upon the skull of the man who was burned alive, the star of Ikuras is carved into the forehead. Upon the withered and paled body of the man, lying alone outside, the star of Ikuras has been carved into his chest....
Ikuras returns Descendants. We must be prepared for what may come to pass.