squakhawk

. . . 

The Archdrakaar ruminated as his stomach scarred, the sapphire crystals which had punched through his gut pained him with an insidious poison as order clashed with his earthblood. He remembered the face of the vessel, ruminating as he recalled the moments in fury when he had been brutally cut in two. The face haunted him; not of the grisly scene, nor the bloodshed that followed.

He remembered the face that stared back at him; it was not of Xan, but of the keeper Alberic.

It was not the posession that frightened him, nor the sight of his greatest nemesis.

It was not the wound that bled within his stomach, nor the pain it caused.

It was the face that stared back at his.

It showed no fear.

It was remarkable.

And terrifying.

Azdromoth ruminated over the slain son of Xan, a feeling foreign and unwelcome washing over him. What was it that the keeper had that he, or his sons, had lacked? He was a petty knight of Order; swindled by an Aengul with the promise of power, or purpose.

But why did he remember his face?

  Recap - Act 2, Truths and The Pride

Hello little people in my computer

I wanted to give a brief recap ICly and OOCly of our eventline so far as we wrap up it's third month and second act.

This eventline has been going on since February 18th, with Act 2 beginning in late march. There's been a total of nearly 50 events and interactions between the two groups, and all have gone over smoothly. The behavior of some members was a bit iffy in the earlier parts of April, but have rounded out and cooled down since. These last two events brought together 45 and 52 unique players respectively which made me pretty happy and shows that despite a long runtime, an eventline can retain its players and popularity.

I am also quite happy with how well the story is being followed. As we ebb near the end with Act 3 having only 5 total weekly events (Not including interactions/other objectives), I am antsy for the finish. This eventline is significantly different in it's charted course compared to when it started. It's developed significantly organically and changed near completely from it's original intent, strictly for the better. With active and reactive development and organic player interactions, the outcomes of this event have changed so much to be much more meaningful, exciting, and unique compared to when they started.

I'm excited going into act 3 to wrap up our final few events, tie loose ends, fit in more unique and interesting interactions, and even host our long anticipated showdown finale between some really important lore figures, and even more who are finding themselves involved too.

I think once the eventline wraps up I'll reveal a hand of the possibilities, story branches, outcomes, maybe. It might be fun to show the "What if"s, but it may be equally unexciting if some players view their decision as wrong, incorrect, bad, or their (or others') fault from an OOC perspective. 

Overall there have been times ive been exhausted, frustrated, excited, or thrilled with what some people have decided to do in events. Ultimately, it comes down to the fact I care a lot about what happens with this eventline, and with certainty, other ET and players do too. I'm looking forward to an exciting final act and conclusion to eventline ultimately in the running for the better part of a decade.

Looking forward to seeing you guys again when we opening up scheduling a week from now on the 4th/5th. I hope you guys continue to have fun and learn a lot more, and even interact outside of events with all thats exciting to come.

It was in the beginning weeks after the siege at The Order of The Vehement Eye when The Paladins of Xan restored an ancient artefact woe'd ruthfully by The Archdrakaar Azdromoth; The Dragon Compass. Reinvigorated and restored by The Sunforger, it revealed more than intended as the history and fate of Sordran was unveiled; splayed out to see as Azdromoth's deception corrupted the vision. But to what extent..?

The Azdrazi withdrew from Tor'Galend with The Speaker, and artefact granted to them which demanded "Dii'Fahdon" - uttering the command incessantly. A mysterious visitor came to them, proposing a truth to both them and Azdromoth of what the true outcome of their war would be; something the nephilim battled heavily on between one another before ultimately deciding upon their Godhunt. Few recalled among them from their journey in the underdark the calcified corpse of a dragon, one which lay beneath the earth within so. After venturing through Seraphire's Lair and battling the Mori'Quessir, to the cost of lives and blood heavy, they saw a vision of Dii'Fahdon's final moments before finding themselves mysteriously aboveground oncemore.

With The Dragon Compass revealing the location of draconic forces, Seraphire's Lair and Tor'Galend, the Crusaders of The New Triumvir ventured to visit Tor'Galend - an Azdrazi stronghold which bore a strong draconic presence. After sailing aboard their blessed vessel, they sieged the island, though to a bloody conclusion. After failing to breach the walls against the ill equipped and prepared nephilim, The Drake Satar wreaked havoc upon the xannic forces with bellowing flame that tore apart their rank. Although in his hubris, mortally wounding the wraithdrake as The Lance of Dawn broke upon his belly; forever wounding him. The Crusaders in confusion had nearly abandoned their kin, but eventually had all gathered oncemore; with many a casualty and no fatalities, they escaped the island bruised and bloodied- beaten. Although killing many nephilim, the damage done to their morale would be irrepairable. The Druii took it upon themselves to attempt communion with Taynei'hiylu, asking for aide, but found themselves speaking to something else. An esoteric and eldritch speaker, or speakers, who denied their communion; and gave them vision of the Dragaar who begged to help, but could not. But why? Only time could truly tell, whatever forces restricted her.

With so, the Chosen of Azdromoth were informed of the ancient fortress and seat of Azdromoth - Tor'Azdraeth. Informed of a stubborn, hiding druidic force within that remained after his reconquest, they were given the cost of slaughtering the defended druii recklessly, or expressing caution and saving the forge. Through careful and tight battle with countless wounded, the forge was repaired, the foundries of Tor'Azdraeth coming alive oncemore to fund the war effort of Azdromoth as his kin found themselves better armed, and equipped, for what was to come.

It was shortly thereafter in which a pact was formed between The Chosen of Azdromoth and his distant brother, Mordring. The Emperor Above and The King Beneath, the two struck alliance after insidious infiltration within the ranks of the nephilim; a foreboding presence upon the realm as their pact was sealed. Whilst in the midst of binding, the Crusaders breached Seraphire's Lair; learning some of what nefarious activity had taken place within. Seemingly taken over by Mori'Quessir, a scouting mission by The Sunlit Covenant lead information to the main order which had benefitted them some in the battle to come. It was brutal, bloody, as many lay wounded; in the throes of victory, The Seeker Nimue utilized The Wyrmstalker's Key upon the portal The Mori'Quessir within were trying to twist and tame; rendering it useless for any evildoers who may have sought it's purpose before. Curiously, some remaining afterward noticed heraldic tattoos upon the Mori'quessir.

With the victory at Seraphire's Lair, Five paladins ventured upward to the heavens as they met their ordained father, Xan - Protector of Order and Guardianship. Words were exchanged as the Keeper-Initiates souls were measured for their worth, before the five were enkindled with Keepership; bearing the title of Itharel of Xan. With the deaths of Bolvar, Alberic, Isabel, Aer'dir, and Amelia, came the descension of Ardaric, Redwulf, Peregrine, Caliburn, and Quelana upon the mortal plane as their comets struck across the skies of Aevos to defend it below.  But things would not be easier forward.

The Crusaders lead another assault upon Tor'Galend after destroying the portal which had lead to the azdrazi stronghold of Gra'kul. As they landed upon the island, the forces were in disarray as they fell into an ambush; cannonfire and dragonsflame striking down paladins, templars, and druids alike as they battle was brutal. Attackers at the church gleaned eldritch warplans but were unable to successfully take the structure, taking extreme casualties while the walls of Tor'Galend withstood too breach after reinforcement from what was now the third assailment upon them. The walkway faired much better for the paladins and templars as they showed in force, crushing resistance before disengaging to help the other struggling groups. Five brave defenders held the ship against cannonfire, repairing it as it nearly sunk beneath the waves from the damage taken; able to safely navigate it with a skillful admiral within their retinue. After they had regrouped and come once again to the church, the forces were heavily entrenched and reinforced now; the main keep of Tor'Galend beginning a foul ritual to chart their escape. Not wishing to face a fruitless defeat again, Caliburn of The Blazing Sun was withtaken by Xan as he near-singlehadedly crushed the nephilim of the church. Some thirty defenders were crushed with naught but mild burns upon scarce few attackers as Caliburn and the crusaders massacred the defenders in nearly under a minute. However, one Oyashiman had criticism for Xan - the god in wrothful fury of battle smiting down the naysayer before the battle was finished. In fury, the Oyashimans bickered and tarried with the crusaders; avowing vengeance and retribution for the wronging done to them. The remaining nephilim of Tor'Galend escaped, not planning to withstand another assault upon their walls as they fled elsewhere.. but the island was now taken, the nephilim in shambles and their warplans seized. A true victory.

Upon the other end, the nephilim at Mordring's behest parlayed with Sol Invicta - managing through careful speech and communion an uneasy peace between them, at the cost of the joining darkspawn which had accompanied their rank to the dismay of many. Whilst the demigod was in distraction, many nephilim sought their own plans with little organization; besieging her tower nearby, and attempting to corrupt the flames of her temple. Neither bore fruit as dozens were mortally wounded, if not slain- many lost an appendage as others lost their lives, barely afforded an escape as they fled her domain with little to show for it. 

As the forces wound down for what would be some time of rest and recuperation in this brutal war, they found themselves at an impass. Whilst the Chosen of Azdromoth swelled in strength with the alliance of Mordring, they began to stall as the next steps were left unclear. The Crusaders of The New Triumvir lost valuable allies both in loss of battle and in diplomacy; with The Archdrakaar gaining in strength unopposed as the mortal realms watched on lazily, one question would come to mind.

Who would be at fault for when The Age of Darkness comes?

Time could only tell.

What was it that made it all worth it?

What was it that brought us to fight?

From mortal eyes, entropy feels like the natural state of things.

Is it?

If I had an answer, do you think you would want to know it?

Our purpose is to keep fighting then? Forever?

Is that not entropy?

Entropy is persistent. Chaos exists so long as Ruin does.

Even in Chaos' death does it's corruption run rife.

The low drag down the mighty at their own hands. Against one another.

Then it is purposeless.

Is it?

How is it not?

Order is to fight. Order is to safeguard those who cannot. Those who would surrender to madness.

It is a pity many surrender. Further, that many do not know the powers which allow them to toy and tarry.

But it is the easiest thing to do.

The pathetic nature of the mortal coil.

Do you foresee that changing?

Righteous daughter,

In a world without our fight, it enters an age of Darkness.

There are no kingdoms, no families, no farms and no land.

There is struggle, there is strife, chaos, and ruination.

The sons and daughters of the brothers bicker and fight.

They fight as much as the four did, even during The First War.

But would you compare two brothers fighting to kingdoms of ghosts?

Demon-infested homes, undead which walk the earth as Descendants once did?

Is this surrender?

It is.

Then we have no choice but to fight. It is our nature; is it not?

You begin to see.

Daughter, know this;

In the lone light within the darkness, it shines brighter than unnumbered suns. 

No greater than what the wick of a candle may allow.

But to eyes within the dark, it is the most terrifying thing to behold.

For what reason?

It means the fight has still not ended.

Five comets soared over Aevos, sapphire tails long behind as mortal vessels sailed back unto the earth. A sign of fear, worry, to ruinous powers which lingered at the edges of the realm. Itharel of The Second Age returned unto the earth with one order;

Do not let the sun set.

 ...And The Earth Trembled

Figures in shadow.

Shadow of the dark; shadow of the beyond. Shadow beyond shadow.

Two brothers spoke, bleeding from eyes, ears, nose, and mouth as they talked in mute.

Their words shook the earth, mountains moved as all quivered beneath their thunder.

You were haunted by darkness; turmoil; chaos; ruin.

And yet, you felt weightless. Your shoulders unburdened.

Your heart light. Your mind empty.

You were so frightened; yet nevermore, so free.

Was this bliss? Or was this death?

Stormclouds darkened your mind, clouding your vision.

...And the world trembled.