https://www.deviantart.com/tyleredlinart/art/lonely-fortress-451083697

It was around middle of the next day when you first glimpsed the islands rising up to the west, the four suns resting high above the isle to bath the rich green lands in a golden glow, the sparkling warm blue water surrounded by sandy shores rippling back and forth as flocks of mellow-hearts fly through the sky, their colorful wings and overripe bellies dipping beneath shapeless white clouds. It's beauty only broken by a single dark tower that straddled the water, it's huge walls made of a deep grey granite that reflected no sunlight as though seething with dark energy, and banners flying the bloody sigil of the dreaded Shadow Fang, a black flag with a crimson fang.

(Click here if you would like to learn more about the Shadow Fang.)

Spoiler: Spoiler

Initially formed on the Island of Blood Tides, the Shadow Fang has become the unofficial arm of the Dark Mages and are often used to protect their interests outside of their domain, acting as the bloody hand of retribution to those who would dare to defy them. A powerful organisation with strong ties across the length and breadth of Coroleya, they would often harness the power of the Shadow Hunters to complete their dark deeds and influence the balance of power in the region.

Heartless bastards for the most part, you'd done your best avoid them when you could, although there were occasions when you'd found yourself committing questionable actions in order to survive and avoid their wrath. But to find them all the way out here...it seemed far too much of a coincidence, either they were searching for you or they were here for another reason which seemed unlikely considering your run of bad luck."

"We are perhaps very fortunate to have come across them all the way out here, master,"said Daedalus.

You quirk your left eyebrow up. "How so?"

"Surely you know about The Owezf Baddo?"

Owezf Baddo? Were you supposed to recognise the name?

Daedalus gave an inward sigh. "I suppose it was too much to hope for that the people would remember the Divinity Wars that lasted for hundreds of years. It was a little before my time, but my father would often tell me stories of those wars. Much of the world as you know it, didn't exist back then, minotaurs, vampires and redlings, gnomes and other races that originated from other worlds had not arrived yet.

"You should probably take a seat, master, this tales going to be a long one, and I do so like the sound of my own voice."

You let out a heavy sigh of resignation and move to perch yourself upon a large stone formation, giving you a wonderful view of the islands, and thinking this was probably for the best. You had pushed yourself pretty hard these past few days and now was a good a time as any to get some much needed rest. Besides the islands looked to be several meters away and so far you hadn't seen a single riverboat in sight, which meant you would need to swim across the short distance. Something you wouldn't mind avoid doing for as long as possible.

"...Long, long ago, before there was Light or Darkness, there were demons, creatures birthed from magic and gifted with incredible power. They ruled the entirety of Coroleya, each with his/her dominion, and for a time there was peace and tranquility within the world. It was said that during this period of Order, the demons had reached a point where they had no need of anything, that is until they discovered Earth, Stargon and Lyter. Their primal hunger somehow awakened by the presence of souls on these worlds, the demons sent forth their legions to begin harvesting these worlds thus igniting the first war between demons, each of them vying to infuse themselves with greater power and taste the sweet nectar of life.

The smartest of the demons found ways to bring back these races to Coroleya, allowing them to flourish, then fed slowly upon them overtime, whilst others battled for the souls of the world. By the end of the war only three factions remained The Hallow, who wished Coroleya to become the way it was before, The Reapers, who desired to conquer each world, and The Void-Bound, who wished to become gods.

However in their haste to feast upon souls untainted by darkness they brought the Fae'lon, Minotaurs, and Werewolves, and unwittingly brought the Lightbearer as well. In his fury at the shackles that bound all the creatures souls to the demons, the Lightbearer waged a bloody war to free all the races of Coroleya.

For hundreds of years the differing factions fought each other, and the Lightbearer. The Fae'lon using the magics bestowed upon them by the Lightbearer assembled grand armies to fight for their cause, but as the battles raged on the Armies of Light became increasingly desperate and were forced to ally themselves with The Hallowed in an effort to survive. Together they drove The Reapers beneath surface of Coroleya, and destroyed the Void-Bound.

The war over, The Hallowed made a pact with Lightbearer that they would not feast upon the souls of those who did not offer it to them, and in exchange they would be allowed to freely roam wherever they chose.

The reason I tell you this story is because it is linked to The Owezf Baddo also known as The Towers of Abaddon. Created by ancient primordial magic, The Towers of Abaddon are capable of transporting entire armies anywhere upon the field of battle. This was how the demons were able to bring the races they harvested for souls to Coroleya, which in turn was granted to the Dark Mages as part of a new pact with the Demonic Realm.

But as I've learned from previous masters who held me, the Dark Mages it seems have lost much of the knowledge needed to work these towers, although they still retain a few who can use them to a fair extent. They're really quite remarkable tools with capabilities even I do not fully comprehend. Well, that is the end of my tale."(+10 Health points +5 Mana.)

Thoughtfully you stare off in distance, half picturing the tower filled to the brim with warriors and mages, and can't help but feel a slight chill run along your spine. Few stories ever held any real truth, but the way Daedalus had spoken of the towers did suggest he was being honest with you. If so, and Towers of Abaddon truly had the ability to transport the Mages anywhere they wished then you had to find a way to inside. Travelling in the Tower would shorten your journey immeasurably and get you that much closer to your goal.

1. Do you swim across to the Island?

2. Do you burn a few trees to get their attention? (Mana cost 4)

3. Do you wait and hope for a boat to show up?

4. If you are an Ogrekan click this option? (Ogrekan Race Only)

5. If you are a Dark Mage click this option? (Dark Mage Race Only)