“It was inevitable, magic was always feared within the Empire. The magic of our world resonates with the life of our world. Its manifestations aren’t always apparent, sometimes it's in the form of monsters mutated from creatures, sometimes it's a mad Biomancer who decided to graft two halves of an animal together only to create some other much more awful monstrosity. The world isn’t without mages that seek a better world, it's only that it seems magic is much more complicated than we give it credit for. Magic is more than just a cycle of the cast between catalyst and materials, Magic can carry a little of what was used in the reaction to the caster or the target depending on the spell and how its cast. Healing magic can be dangerous in a pinch because if the spell isn’t used correctly a wound that is closed over can become infected and the patient will die anyway. Having a surgeon on hand for battlefield wounds can help limit this but knowing where you can end a spell can help the patient not end up with too many bits left inside them.” Dr. Cornellius Thornwald, 1704 Medical Necromancy 201 Advanced Studies.

1509.04.18 Du’vesstar, Varsh

Heavy marching boots beat the ground underneath them as a column of armoured soldiers ten a breast continued their march south. In the distance a tower of smoke clouds could be seen, a woman with elven heritage and dressed in Imperial garb. A thick dark red wool cape surrounded ceremonial brass and iron plates set up nearly interwoven. The armour itself was clearly made for manoeuvre as with all other Imperial garb there weren’t trousers but instead a long armoured skirt that stopped just past the knee. Across from her were two men, one of orcish descent dressed very similarly to the woman apart from a white wolf pelt instead of a cape. The last man was merely a human, dressed in a simple white toga with a platinum crown adorned with small gold emblems of the seven provinces with two embedded but missing pieces. Here around them was a very large tent, a heavy table with a map held down with four long stabbed pins. On the map were black and white game pieces scattered about in a peculiar pattern.

“The reports of the massacre of the thirteenth legate was a real wound for the twenty-second Legion your lordship. The Southern Wolverines surely gave them hell but with them cut off and the Ildrani betrayal I am unsure how long the city may be able to hold out without our assistance.” The orcish man spoke with reverence towards the human.

“Marshal Pakarii we need to push south further in order to cut off the Ildrani from the Elantrans! Once the supply of food and weapons to the Ildrani is cutoff they won’t be able to support a siege!” The elven woman then pushed four white pieces into the nearby woodlands then gestured back to the orcish man, Marshal Pakarii.

“With all due respect Captain Dest’Ara but that would endanger the entire legion, we need to focus on destroying the army that attacked the city. Do we know why the Ildrani betrayed us?”

“My spies haven’t found much but I did get a message from an old friend that says he knows more.” Captain Dest’Ara the unfolded a letter with a wax seal of dead tree with three crooked branches, she proceeded to unfold the letter as another smaller piece of parchment fell out.

“You can’t trust anything that comes out of that old man’s mouth!” Marshal Pakarii threw his hands up in rage. “I’d sooner trust an Imperial with my steak!”

“That's enough Marshal Pakarii!” The toga covered man then shifted his standing as he spoke.

“Read the missive, would you Captain?” The man then gestured to Captain Dest’Ara.

“Over course First King!” The captain then unfolded the message.

“Dear Marshal of Fort Julius,

I hope this finds you well! We have been moving north with the potents rescued from the Elantran death camp. It appears like they have been experimenting on people still, they’ve imbedded arcaneum inside these kids in hopes of creating greater magical potential. So far they’ve rediscovered the catalyne breaking point. This will more than likely be my last message for the moment as I do not see these children living for more than a few years before their bodies are poisoned beyond healing. They were more than likely going to make these ones kill each other until the strongest among them proved themselves enough to become court dolls and guards. I am resigning my duty to the Empire now, I believe I have served your wishes well enough and I wish to at least give these kids a better life than that of a court mage. The Atalarian potent is on his way to the Arcane University, Nico Balesh, he is a bit of a prodigy but please be careful. He mustn’t yet know his mother has passed, they were very close but I fear the guilt might drive him down the wrong path. Good luck with the coming war! Attached is the Atalarian mayor’s compliciness in working with the Elantrans and Ildrani, he is also dead but there is a faction amongst the locals of the valley that are working with the Elantrans as well. More then likely not the only mayor selling magical potents in order to potential save towns. I hope this find you well otherwise, Hera’s grace and blessing shine down on all of us in these dark times

Sincerely,

Oakarn the Blightburner”

Captain Dest’Ara stopped reading, then picked up the dropped piece of paper and folded them together before placing them before the First King.

“The Elantrans are getting more creative in their endeavours, I am surprised they have been focusing on magic potents. I wonder what else they might be up to.”

“Certainly my liege, should we move in the Spellswords? Gather more information and potentially capture Oakarn and bring him back into the fold?” Captain Dest’Ara then turned to face the First King.

“Not that is quite alright Captain, we are going to force the Ildrani back. I need to Spellswords to round up anyone in the southern river valley region. Specifically I am looking for those political figures that decided to sell their own people to remain ‘safe’. See to it they are captured alive, they must stand trial for their actions.” The Captain then knelt low, balancing her weight on one foot she then spun around on her heel, stood up and walked out of the tent.

“Marshal Pakarii, prepare the artillery mages, I wish to smell burnt Ildrani within the hour!” The other commander then knelt low and mimicked the Captains movements until the First King was alone.

___________________________________________________________________________

1509.04.18 Du’vesstar, Varsh

“Sanctio Diebus Daemoniorum!” Vick shouted at Nico whose pillow was firly on top of his head, Nico had moved back to the guest room of the ship only that Vick had joined him now.

“Wha?!” Nico’s groggy mind could barely understand his dark elf friend.

“You know! Sanctio Diebus Daemoniorum! Days of Devils!” Nico continued to look confused.

“You wear masks to scare away spirits?”

“I have no idea what you are talking about.” Nico scratched his head, realising nothing.

“What you guys don’t celebrate Diebus Daemoniorum?” Vick looked confused as well, they then pulled two masks off of the shelf above Nico’s bed both with a multitude of colours and feathers. They gave the impression of some kind of mystical bird-like face though it was obvious it was a mask.

“I don’t feel like there is much to celebrate, you are getting kicked off the ship soon no?”

“It’s time I spread my wings anyways.” Vick put a mask on their face and tossed a mask to Nico.

“Why are we wearing masks?” Nico held the feathered thing as though it was toxic in some way.

“It's to ward off evil spirits, Diebus Daemoniorum is the day of the year where the Hells are closest to us.” Vick cocked their head slightly “Besides what wrong with wearing a mask?”

“I’ve never worn one, I don’t think we celebrate that day where I am from.” Nico looked at the mask more closely, handmade and sturdy the decorations on the mask were sewn into the hard leather mask.

“Come on, I worked hard on these. The least you could do is try it on.” Vick’s tone suggested the inflection of a pained response. Nico felt pangs of guilt, without saying a word he then put the mask on and lighty strapped it to his face. Nico could smell sweat and leather as the mask pressed against his nose.

“How does it look?”

“Perfect!” Vick then open the door to leave.

“Sanctio Diebus Daemoniorum!” There were a few cheers onboard that followed, only about a third of the ship had masks on and fewer still cheered or celebrated. Nico out of habit started for the mast but quickly changed his mind.

I know we are nearly there but I won’t even see it without the spyglass.

“Ah mageling,” Captain Teratha intervened from wherever Nico was headed, cutting him off from Vick as they joined a small crowd of sailors. She pushed a spyglass into his hand. “I need ya to head up the mast and keep a look out again. Sanctio Diebus Nico!”

“I uh…” The captain was already gone, a loud sigh left Nico as he then headed up that mast with more purpose than before.

All I want to see is that bloody spire already. Blast that Captain and her insufferable moods.

Nico made it to the top, he was definitely getting in better shape since working on the ship. Something about getting familiar with the ropes and the terms felt right to Nico, it was like the many other tasks that he’d helped Oakarn with, just with less stable ground and someone who doesn’t fully understand magic. He sighed again and scanned the horizon, something warm and furry brushed his legs.

Hello master.

Hi Sal where have you been the past week?

Eating rats.

Finally found them?

Yes.

Did you collect the bone?

All Nico got was a purr as the tabby cat hopped up the rail and softy climbed up on top mage’s shoulders.

I see it!

Nico thought it was part of a distant wave at first, it took him maybe ten or minutes just to ensure it was what he thought it was.

The Spire!

A distant tower could be seen just above the horizon.

I wonder how tall this thing is. We are at least another week away! How can I possibly see it now? The horizon line is still fifteen miles away, how then can I see it unless…

Nico thought for a moment, the maths didn’t add up to him. The ship couldn’t have gone that fast.

The fog maybe? As much as I don’t want to ask.

“Spire ho! Land ho!” Nico’s voice carried far but he started down the mast ladder anyway.

“That’s impossible, we are still a week or more out!” Vick shouted back, excited murmurs could be heard.

“Not impossible at all.” Teratha stated, silence fell once more. Nico finally made his down and the dwarven captain simply held out her hand.expectantly at the mageling. Nico handed the captain the spyglass and the dwarf proceeded to walk up the ladder.

“Suppose she wants to know for herself.” Vick shrugged. Nico felt slighted, letting out a deep sigh before finding something to do.

“Oi! Mage up ‘er!” Nico then spun on his foot and made his way back up the ladder. The captain looked a little more pale and got a compass out, Nico had managed to make quick time up the ladder today as it was still fairly early.

“I see yer spire lad,” Teratha showed Nico the compass.

“But that means it’s southwest of us,” Nico looked bad at the captain expectantly as if she might know more as to why the ship was facing this way and how far it moved in general for this to even be a possibility.

“We ar’ a week ahead of schedule!” Nico still couldn’t tell whether the dwarf was mad, angry or just caught in disbelief.

“Maybe we found a leyline?” Nico thought for a moment out loud.

“A leyline?”

“Magic flows through the ground beneath us everywhere but sometimes they can flow through water or air if the conditions are right.” The dwarf then gave Nico a curious look.

“‘Nough to send a boat and nye a dozen souls across the ocean hundreds of miles?”

“Well it would’ve been an accident if it had been, especially if I unknowingly used some kind of relic while I was trying to clear the fog.”

“The fog and wand reacted yah think?” Teratha blinked, she didn’t seem to think much of what Nico said.

“It would explain why the magic reacted so heavily to the spell being cast.”

“Ha! Yee were also spouting fire from the wand itself lad, honest it would’ve been more impressive without it but my late husband Adam, aye he had a tool for everything that fan was for fire spells but it's good seein’ it used again.”

“I thought you were mad at what happened.”

“Still am lad, but I think Adam would’ve given yah the chance to fail anyways and I am still glad I did. When you and Vick leave this ‘ere ship, come see me I want to give somethin’ to yah.”

Nico wondered what exactly that might be.

___________________________________________________________________________

1509.04.18 Du’vesstar, Varsh

Kelly was staring at a massive dragon, it slept with many of its glittering scales making the creature look something like a galaxy with many twinkling stars. Kelly shook her head

Wasn’t I just with Oak, it was good to see-

Kelly then remembered what had happened.

That fucker killed me!

Kelly felt hot in the face, at first thinking it to be herself until she realized one of the creature's eyes opened.

“Ah… another corpse to add to my pyre,” The dragon rumbled at Kelly, her skin crawled.

“Are you at least going to tell your meal where they are?” Kelly went to draw her sword only to discover there wasn’t anything physical there. Around Kelly and the dragon was an exit-less cavern with cracks at the top bringing in some kind of light. Not a white light, a soft purple hue that seemed to give the cavern an otherworldly feel.

“I am surprised you can speak mortal, most souls end up as part of the amagum.”

“The amagum?” The dragon only responded with a wave of its arm, seemingly pointing to the cavern in general. That’s when Kelly finally saw the floor of their cavern; limbs, faces, bones, and skulls, each grasping for the surface for the cavern floor.

“Where am I?!” Kelly started to back up until her back touched the wall behind her, that's when she felt something her body knew was instinctively bad and immediately came forward again.

“The wall has voices stuck inside of it…” Kelly felt detached from herself somewhat. The dragon grinned.

“You are a powerful mortal, whether you know it or not.”

“There is magicks at work here, am I dead?”

“Ah you might wish you were but alas no, I am without my original body myself only fragments of myself are even here though I suspect that that mage has the rest of my soul.”

“Look, we can work together.”

“The only reason you can even be here mortal is if your original body is infected with blight, the very fact that your consciousness survived speaks volumes to your will.” Dragon seemingly shifted in its comfort, Kelly noted that it seemed to stay away from the walls as well.

“If you wish to stay mortal then you must come to a countenance, something to guarantee you aren’t going to kill or try to subsume me while I rest.”

“What would I need to do, you sparkly lizard?” Kelly still held her side as if she carried some kind of blade, Kelly herself noted that she was still dressed in her armour at least.

Not that nudity really bothers this creature I am sure.

“I need your soul mortal to recover myself, a dangerous proposition for both of us as I am incomplete. I would need your submission to my soul and I would promise you a new body to work from. Your soul will be returned to this body as well when I am done needing. We would both return to the mortal realm.”

“Aerith doesn’t need another dragon to try and rule it.” The dragon simply chuckled at this remark.

“I am already born of ancient magicks beyond your mortal understandings, as strong as you are I can tell you are marked by another.” The dragon’s eyes remained closed but Kelly still felt vulnerable without her weapons.

“Yeah the Mistress Sol’Dae,”

“Lucky mortal to have you bound to her through blood.”

“She’s fucking witch and I wish her dead.” The dragon chuckled again.

“So I promise you a body and as much pain as this mistress of yours you wish to punish.” Kelly eyed the creature again.

“What are you?”

“I am a reckoning, bound by a legion of other hapless souls but I am the strongest here yet still. With your soul I could dominate the rest within this limited orm and then I would grant you a new body to fit amongst my legions.”

“Its just slavery of a different sort then,” Kelly scoffed as she approached the creature now though she stopped the moment the creature finally opened its eyes. Black as the void they seemed to almost radiate darkness.

“It will be a thrallship given purpose and will, you mortal would be second only to I but only if you will this…” The dragon dragged the last word out as it adjusted again this time forcing its tail around itself, Kelly started forwards again.

“I’ve not much choice at this point lizard, I have a list of revenge to kill through so its not just the bitch witch that’s going to taste my blade.” The dragon purred as it held out a talon, Kelly extended her hand as if to shake the talon and the creature simply drug its razor sharp claw across the palm of the warrior’s right hand. It stung with a burning fury but soon was simply left with a mark as the world began to fade around Kelly.

“I will call upon you my thrall when the time to strike is nie, build my army in the meantime Kelly Krimson, you are a new knight around my table and the first amongst my new order. Welcome to the Cult of Abaloss!” The dragon’s voice rumbled through Kelly as she woke to a blood caked start, her face was sticky and matted and her hand burned and stung as through fire beetles spat a string of acid across her right hand. The warrior felt her blade as she patted the ground and the dead monument of whatever she was communicating with. In the evening moonlight the statuesque bone corpse looked especially grotesque, its eight limbs attempting to shield the creature from something. Then Kelly saw her hand in the moonlight, black scales had formed on the back of her hands and as she began to feel her face Kelly knew that truly did cut the pact with the dragon known as Abaloss.