The Drowned Tome

THE DROWNED TOMEA Salt and Sanctuary Analysis COMPILED BY ASUKO_XIII Table of Contents Contents Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ 1 Preface............................................................................................................................................. 3 Part I: Ominous Beginnings ............................................................................................................ 5 Chapter I: Lost At Sea................................................................................................................. 5 Section I: The Player Character and Your Mission ................................................................ 5 Section II: The Nameless Island, its God, Saltborn, and the Twins, Saira and Kaira ............ 8 Section III: The Scourge of the Sea: The Kraekan ............................................................... 11 Chapter II: The Tree of Life: Magic and Prayers, Forbidden and Sacred ................................ 14 Chapter III: In Times of Old: Ronin Cran, the Foley Knoll Horror, and the Bloodbrows ....... 15 Chapter IV: The Old Gods, the New, and the Will of Man ...................................................... 17 Section I: Stone Roots and That Stench Most Foul .............................................................. 18 Section II: Devara’s Light, the Dome of the Forgotten, the Untouched Inquisitor, and his Lambs .................................................................................................................................... 19 Section III: The Three and the Forgotten King ..................................................................... 20 Section IV: The Iron Ones .................................................................................................... 22 Section V: The House of Splendor ....................................................................................... 23 Section VI: The Keepers of Fire and Sky ............................................................................. 24 Section VII: The Order of the Betrayer ................................................................................ 25 Part II: The Eastern Continent ...................................................................................................... 27 Chapter V: Unity or Death: Askaria, the Pencen Pilgrimage, and the Red Hall of Cages ....... 27 Chapter VI: The Cruel Queen: Liven, the Queen of Smiles, and the Watching Woods .......... 29 Chapter VII: The Ethereal Weave: Citadel and the Deserters of Fire and Sky ........................ 31 Part III: The Southern Continent................................................................................................... 32 Chapter VIII: The Desert Nation: Kulka’as, Castle of Storms, Ziggurat of Dust, the Dried King, the Bloodless Prince, Ruined Temple, and the Coveted ................................................. 32 Chapter IX: The Hidden Nation and the Army of Mariners: Jinderin, Coastrock, and the Disemboweled Husk. ................................................................................................................ 34 Chapter X: Land of the Rising Sun: Kar’hi .............................................................................. 36 Part IV: The Western Continent ................................................................................................... 37 1|Page Chapter XI: Terrible Toxins and Salves that Save: Kadania, Gulchmire, and the Mad Alchemist .................................................................................................................................. 37 Chapter XII: Victims or Villains? Tristin, the Sodden Knight, Carsejaw the Cruel, and the Tristini Witch Hunt ................................................................................................................... 38 Part V: The Northern Continent .................................................................................................... 40 Chapter XIII: The Godless North: Markdor and the Council of Steel ...................................... 40 Chapter XIV: The Overshadowed and Impoverished: Dor Isle and Taenibir .......................... 41 Part VI: Unsolved Mysteries of the Salt ....................................................................................... 43 Part VII: Stories from the Tree of Skill ........................................................................................ 45 Chapter XV: Complete Stories from the Tree of Skill ............................................................. 45 Section I: The Pencen Pilgrimage ......................................................................................... 45 Section II: The Tale of Vel Karam ....................................................................................... 51 Section III: The Cat King ...................................................................................................... 60 Section IV: Chauncy’s Medicine .......................................................................................... 61 Section V: The Burning Clouds ............................................................................................ 63 Section VI: The Foley Knoll Horror ..................................................................................... 65 Section VII: The Poisoner’s Field Guide .............................................................................. 72 Section VIII: The Crimson Quell .......................................................................................... 73 Section IX: Panthonus........................................................................................................... 77 Chapter XVI: Incomplete Stories from the Tree of Skill .......................................................... 79 Section I: The Holy Text....................................................................................................... 79 Section II: The Smith’s Apprentice ...................................................................................... 80 Section III: Annals of Grimsen ............................................................................................. 82 Section IV: Titching Codex .................................................................................................. 83 Section V: The Codex Malifinent ......................................................................................... 84 Section VI: Mierdre’s Black Book ....................................................................................... 84 Section VII: The Oreisian ..................................................................................................... 85 2|Page Preface When I got really into Bloodborne, one of the coolest and most interesting resources I found was Redgrave’s Bloodborne analysis, The Paleblood Hunt. From it, I learned all about the world of Bloodborne, from the direct story that plays out in front of you, to the small nuanced details hidden in item descriptions and the environment itself. Prior to Bloodborne, I had only beaten the first Dark Souls and I didn’t really understand too much of what went on in Dark Souls, save for the story that was spelled out to me. Reading The Paleblood Hunt really made me respect not only the author for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to properly organize a novel’s worth of information, but it also made me see Bloodborne in a new light. I had already loved the game, but the lore and story that I had never known existed to such an extent behind the scenes really made me appreciate the game that much more. I’m neither the best writer nor the best gamer in the world, but I love Salt and Sanctuary. This is apparent if you browse through my post history on Reddit. I’ve written a guide/FAQ for new players that got stickied to the front page of the Salt and Sanctuary Subreddit, a guide detailing which creeds are the best and why, a guide on how to build and level up your characters, a guide for co-op, and I’ve created a checklist for completionists to check off their collectibles. This is my first time attempting something resembling a lore post, so go easy on your judgements (or don’t). Like Redgrave wrote in The Paleblood Hunt, Salt and Sanctuary, like Bloodborne, is your story. I can provide information up and down, but your character is your character, and your story is your story. There are a number of loose ends in Salt and Sanctuary, and I truly believe that this is no accident. Like the games that surely inspired it, Salt and Sanctuary is deliberately vague in the story and the main character’s quest, but rock solid in the world development so that the player is free to speculate about much of the game. This tome is approximately 80% fact, collected from item descriptions, NPC dialogue, and stories from the Tree of Skill nodes, (which I have transcribed for you in the last part of the tome), and 20% speculation from the information given and my attempts at piecing said information together. My assumptions may not be right, but they give you a starting point to start devising your own theories and ideas about what goes on in the story and backstory. Look for words like 3|Page after all. 4|Page . Likewise. I’ll give it my all. but never-the-less. Now. Lastly.‘probably’ and question marks to denote fact from conjecture. there will obviously be heavy spoilers. without further ado… This is my tribute to Ska Studios and players of Salt and Sanctuary everywhere. Redgrave and The Paleblood Hunt. I highly recommend that you beat the game at least once before reading so you have a basic grasp on the world and the story. I can’t imagine I’ll be able to live up to my inspiration. Bloodborne is a much bigger game than Salt and Sanctuary. I present to you: The Drowned Tome. remember that you are your own hero." – The Masterless Knight The opening moments of Salt and Sanctuary after character creation puts you right into the thick of things. Ransom? To draw the war out longer? Where are we even taking the princess? Where did we start. planning to take the princess. Once given control of your character. Failing this mission would surely plunge us into darker days. due to political reasons. You’re on a ship and. You’re given a short dialogue telling you a very abridged version of the state of the Kingdom. delivering a princess to another nation across the sea will result in a marriage alliance. bringing about peace. But peace is finally. and you’re welcome to conjecture for yourself the 5|Page . We’d deliver the princess to the kingdom across the sea. as revealed to you by one of people on the ship. where a marriage alliance would save us all. I awoke to the sounds of waves washing on rock. you discover. preciously near.Part I: Ominous Beginnings “This world has known war for centuries.” Chapter I: Lost At Sea “Failing this mission would surely plunge us into darker days.” Section I: The Player Character and Your Mission “Whenever you're scared and alone. and I knew I was alive. so to speak. anyway? Most of this is left up in the air. What you don’t know is who exactly is taking her or why. that the ship has been boarded in the night by Marauders. I must find the princess. after climbing the ladder. they’ve happened a number of times and they aren’t very effective. it can rule out a number or origin nations for us. Citadel. so it would make sense that the princess is Askarian and is heading to Tristin. as evidenced by the description for her Mildewed Chemise: “Lenaia was Tristini. The princess wouldn’t need to cross the sea to go to Liven or Citadel. but according to the description for the Royalist’s Armet: “Askaria has long been at war with Tristin. Judging from skin color alone. Firstly. marriage alliances aren’t uncommon in the Kingdom. the princess must be from either Askaria. before exiting the ship. Askaria and Tristin are directly opposite each other. She has light skin.” It seems to be a tried and true method. Kulka’as or Jinderen. In fact. which we can use to also conclude that she is not from Tristin (or she forgot eyeliner today). Markdor. it’s often short lived. Also the princess does not seem to have the messed up eye-liner thing going on. Gulchmire. but Askaria is the only nation with the appropriate skin tone that is known for nobility. hands down. While this seems arbitrary. In fact. Taenibir. let’s assume the princess is from Askaria. As it turns out. Not only that. but from time to time the two nations have found brief peace through marriages. and even the Northern and Southern Continents wouldn’t need an entire voyage across the sea. So which of these make the most sense? Askaria. so we can conclude. For now. and usually doesn’t stop all of the violence and fighting in the Kingdom. you can catch a glimpse of the princess in question being consoled by her handmaiden. Kadania. at least not for very long. While they can bring about piece. In fact.” In fact. Kar’hi. You’ll see more details below where the nations are fleshed out. or Coastrock. So where are we escorting her? It’s likely that she is heading to Tristin. or not interested in politics or nobility. making a voyage across the sea the best and quickest way to send cargo. but there are a few hints hidden here and there. Dor Isle. whose real name was Lenaia.answers to these questions. with certainty that the princess is not from Liven. was involved in an arranged marriage. it would probably be safer to protect her on foot. and her betrothal to King Adnan of Liven was a loveless diplomatic union. The only other nation she could possibly be from is Coastrock. the Queen of Smiles. 6|Page . as the other nations are either underdeveloped. but there are two kinds. what are you. He may very well be a sellsword or a guard for the princess. and only given to followers of Devara in the first place. The hunter’s outfit and weaponry. 7|Page . their very life essence.) The Chef is clearly a cook for the ship. (More on Bloodbrows later. so we’ll take a deeper look into the Candlelit soul later. insinuating that the Bloodbrows may still exist. the essence from which you were created. The most open of the character classes is the Pauper. that you can give your character any motive or backstory that you well please. When you die. There is immensely little information about the Candlelit soul. the player character (PC) doing on the ship? While it’s true that you could be doing anything. so we can only speculate on what that means. or just as someone looking for free travel across the sea.” Malthis 4:17 When you kill something.Saltborn is an umbrella term for people and most creatures of the world in Salt and Sanctuary. Both the Paladin and Cleric classes don shields that are blessed by Devara. you return to the salt. The Mage dons the acolyte robes from the Keepers of Fire and Sky. while obviously a callout to Bloodborne. “The worth of mankind is the salt on his brow for it is the essence of his life. both old and new are not Saltborn. if you read the descriptions on the armor. The special ability that the Saltborn have is the ability to return to life after death. but the need for the culling of beasts may still be necessary. not unlike Souls or Blood Echoes from Dark Souls and Bloodborne respectively. and dead salt. which oversees the natural order of the world. you are rewarded salt. Finally. living. So you can think of salt as a soul: the power that puts people and most creatures into motion. anyway. is actually the same weaponry that a Bloodbrow hunter would have used. some of the character classes actually seem to have a set backstory. and linger in the realm of spirits and salt until blowing back to your last sanctuary. The Gods. while a Thief could have stolen away aboard the ship as a stowaway to escape a possible persecution. They are something else. The salt is a reference to the salty waters of the ocean. A good hunter could make a good guard for a princess. The Thief could possibly even be an assassin. if not as an organization. Salt itself is actually some sort of amalgamation of the soul. possessing a Candlelit soul. The Knight character’s armor and escutcheon states that he is of a low ranking nobility. insinuating that he may be an initiate in training to become a Mage of Fire and Sky. as there is almost nothing that can elude to a backstory for him. The Masterless Knight gives us a bit of insight on that. the castle in Kulka’as (More on Jaret and Kulka’as later. or other 8|Page . and the Nameless Island is a sort of limbo between living and dead. mindless. you’re met with an old man who later reveals himself to be Jaret. or Cloudencasse. In fact. Saltborn. As you explore the Nameless Island and talk to the other non-player characters (NPCs) you learn that this island is unusual. King of Storms and master of Cloudencasse. or otherwise killed at sea. after its “God. but recreated. Although never explicitly stated. as Rotten Walkers. Waking up on the Shivering Shores. as the Red Hall of Cages should be in Askaria. As you’ll learn by digging into dialogues and item descriptions. and the Nameless God uses their memories to create areas from the mainland. I will refer to this island as the Nameless Island. as evidenced by the Black Sands Sorcerer. win or lose. Section II: The Nameless Island. while the Castle of Storms. After all. Jaret. should be somewhere in Kulka’as.After you’ve read a bit about the nations. anyone lost or dead at sea washes up on the Nameless Island. Near the end of the game. lost. it’s heavily hinted upon that there is someone or something “taking” places from the main land. the Bronze Kraekan Knights are probably the Nameless God’s eyes and ears. reveals to you your true nature and that of the island: you are the eternally undead: drowned. Many people have drowned at sea and have simply finally washed ashore.” the Nameless God. its God. you can pretty easily fashion your own back story based on your origin. there are areas on the island that are not supposed to be there. you always wake up at a sanctuary. it’s your story. roaming the island. no matter how many times you die. hmm?” – Jaret. He asks about your faith and sends you on your way. and the Twins. You are the “dead” salt now.). Not taken. and they seem to share one consciousness. Next. it’s up to you to decide what your character is doing aboard the ship. King of Storms After your struggle with the Unspeakable Deep. Firstly. This is unlike death on the mainland. Ultimately. your ship is unable to stay afloat and sinks. King of Storms. Saira and Kaira “You’re just a fleshy bit of flotsam washed ashore with the rest of us. To be Saltborn is to be a dying fragment of eternity. At first I thought that being Saltborn simply meant dying in the ocean.equally tragic creatures. or it may even exist in its own little bubble at the bottom of the sea.” Which indicates that you were Saltborn before you drowned on the ship in the first place. However. born of Salt. To be a God. or possibly. but I’ll elaborate on that in the next section. “I am not like you. possessing the Candlelit soul I touched briefly on in the last chapter. written by the drowning Saltborn…. Others have brought their memories and pieces of their homelands with them. Deliver me.” If I had to guess. I am summoned by the Song of Souls. or perhaps even Devara herself. The Nameless Island is probably not a real island that you can sail to. lost. like Shimmering Pearls and Amber Idols. but the island may be another realm of sorts. The Nameless God collects those drowned. Since the Nameless Island is a limbo of sorts. I am born of that life that flickers like flame. or that being revered by the people ascends you to being Candlelit. or otherwise killed at sea in the hope of becoming a real God. you must be worshipped and revered. even ascending beyond Godhood. spelled in candlelight. Another possible theory is that the Candlelit Lady is a Major Kraekan. revered by the people. I thought to die in that sea and wind up on the Nameless Island meant you were Saltborn. seeing as you will find many rare transmutation materials that would only be found at the bottom of the sea. and it is not visible on the map. the ending Salvation dialogue for The Three states: “Born of Salt. I think that having a Candlelit soul makes you a real God. yet so ephemeral. Devoured by sea. From icy crypt. There is no concrete evidence. To be born of light is to be truly living. I don’t think it is too much of a stretch to think that the Candlelit Lady is a familiar of Devara. The Candlelit Lady who absolves you of sin claims to be different from the Saltborn. Jaret claims that the Nameless God wishes to be “born of light”. it exists in many different ways at many 9|Page . That being said. just next to the Red Hall of Cages. the princess must exist. it is highly likely that burials at sea occur in the Kingdom. from a lore standpoint. This can explain why everyone thinks they’re on the same ship. creating a countless number of creatures and monstrosities. While there is no evidence of it anywhere in game. Is she a slave though? We have no real evidence except that the nobleman the Despondent Thief was escorting was actually a slave. or is there a greater force at work? Could the Nameless God or the Kraekan be behind the confused and lost sailors.different times. So at the same time. living or dead. it’s highly likely that. Could death merely cloud their minds. allowing you to create terrible creatures loyal to their creator and bind them to simple materials. infinitely. there is still one powerful method to create creatures and other terrible things to walk the island: Salt Alkymancy. In fact. or even washed up Feral Beasts. My theory is that since time and space is often bent on the Nameless Island by the Nameless God who has these powers. only to have different missions. as you can find her wardrobe hidden in the Salt Alkymancery late in the game. like Skullbats that flew over. sailors are washing ashore and drowning from both the same ship and different ships. taking characters and locations from all time periods into one amalgamation. and bending the will of the sea to your own. as many powerful or (in)famous people wind up at the Nameless Island. but I do have a theory. So we know that those dead at sea wind up on the Nameless Island. Salt Alkymancy is the process of taking Salt. but have different ideas about what their mission is. there is no solid evidence either way. Salt Alkymancy is a 10 | P a g e . what seems like the same ship crashing upon the shore could be an infinite number of ships. Souls lost at sea or without their bodies returned to the Nameless Island makes Salt Alkymancy thrive on the island. and to continue her story line. It’s also stated that the Saltborn that arrive on the island are sometimes on the same ship. This leads to an interesting question then: does the princess even exist at all. Other creatures that prowl the island could be from the mainland. or is it an inner working of the sea? Unfortunately. the Jurney Bottles you find are actually left by your character in an attempt to help him or herself in another dimension who may have already experienced the Nameless Island many times over. as well as her handmaiden’s gear in Bandit’s Pass. you must agree that your princess may have been a slave as well. or is it just a machination of the PC’s mind? Yes. the Architect. the Salt Alkymancery. Things of Arms. Bola Eyes. but on the Nameless Island. terrifying and deadly place. The Unskinned is her most prized creation. which she then uses to gather more materials for her to bind the Salt magic to. scarcely seen race of ancient demons of the sea. and still show themselves in and around the Nameless Island. Saira. Kaira. It is an unnatural perversion of the natural order. and loyal guardian. “Your world is cold and stifling. as the Kraekan Cyclops description says: ancient demons of the sea. with plenty of resources to create thralls and creatures. and Saltfin Creatures. the Witch of the Lake has experimented with Salt magic to the point where her body is so deformed that she hides it with robes and her large hat. and the cycle continues on and on. an entire compound is dedicated to Salt Alkymancy. You know them as the Architect and the Witch of the Lake respectively. culmination of her work.forbidden magic on the mainland as it bends the natural order of life and the sea. Saira. who creates all life. my light is fleeting here. and when sailors do not return.” – “Kraekan Cyclops Kraekan are. mages. rumors abound. Saltlesses. Her post at Siam Lake has an unusually large amount of Salt magic lingering in the area: so much that you can actually physically see it rising from the lake. providing Kaira. The sea is a vast. Saira and Kaira are powerful alchemists. Interestingly enough. the Architect has been known to have created the following creatures: The Unskinned. starting the cycle anew. Spindlebeasts. Major Kraekan possess the special quality of being able to prowl around the “surface” of the sea. there is another character who claims to be something other than Saltborn and makes mention of how she can be in other worlds as well. Alkymancery Knights. This means that they can travel between both worlds. and Alkymancers. But why are there so many deaths at sea? Section III: The Scourge of the Sea: The Kraekan “The Kraeken are an often spoke of.” 11 | P a g e . The Salt Alkymancery is run by the older twin sister Kaira and protected by her younger twin sister. This water flows into the Salt Alkymancy. who is the Lord of Storms and seems to reign over the rest of the Kraekan as their king. Kraekan Wyrm. Kraekan Dragon Skourzh. as evidenced by the Retchfeeder’s description. That being said. and Mimkus. or perhaps stepping stones to Godhood? Kraekan appear feed on three things: pure elemental energy. The most obvious display of this is by the Kraekan Dragon Skourzh. A fetal Kraekan emerges from the egg and feeds until it grows up. and human bodily fluids. Gravewalkers. Shimmering Pearls are also sometimes sold as an edible delicacy. There are also 5 known Minor Kraekan. There are 6 known Major Kraekan (possibly 7): The Unspeakable Deep. eventually creating a pocket of energy that forms into an egg. In fact. In fact. Kraekan Cyclops. A Kraekan’s life begins as an adult Kraekan feeds on pure elemental energy. Could this instead mean that Major Kraekan are actually Gods as well. explaining the large population of the Nameless Island. the False Jester. Major Kraekan’s eggs are also known as Shimmering Pearls.” Kraekan also possess a full life cycle. it reverts back to elemental energy to either be eaten by another Kraekan. Vexing Brats (Fetal Brats are the fetal stage of the Vexing Brat). what if Murdiella Mal was the creature who created the weave of Fire and Sky? In fact. continuing the cycle anew. Spear Imps. the old god of the Sky is named Diadel (who we’ll learn about later) whose name is awfully 12 | P a g e . Skourzh has the ability to summon storms and appears to do so to sink ships and bring men and kings to the bottom of the sea to be found on the Nameless Island or otherwise devoured by the Kraekan. which are their main forms sustenance. or bound to special stones in the Crypt of the Dead Gods. Her abilities support the theory that Kraekan could be Gods. When the Kraekan’s life is at its end. living on as Gravewalkers. which fetch quite a price on the mainland. Murdiella Mal has the ability to tread in and out of the ethereal weave of Fire and Sky. Kraekan have the ability to bring about real change on the mainland. She seems to have a real understanding of the weave of Fire and Sky. salt. “These vile beasts gravitate toward pockets of rot and human filth. even calling upon this arcane ability whenever she wants. two of which we’ve already discussed: Retchfeeders. mainly blood and excrement.While I think it’s more likely that she is a Goddess as opposed to a Major Kraekan. it certainly puts the idea out there. Murdiella Mal and possibly Impen. Kraekan are almost definitely the next iteration of Wyrms. known as Shimmering Pearls. who is well known around the Nameless Island for having the ability to get to places no one else can. dragons who used to live in the mountains of the northern continent before being driven from their homes. Mimku’s are also Kraekan who found that the best way to feed is to disguise themselves as treasure chests. Warriors from Dor Isle eventually drove them from the mountains. and happily bestows the Vertigo Brand to those who can find him. The Kraekan kill at sea. and guess who the only enemy who doesn’t drop salt is? Murdiella Mal. some Kraekan use this ability to lure in hapless adventures. While we can’t be sure if the Nameless God controls the Kraekan. The Jester also seems to be knowledgeable about the island for some reason. The shapeshifting ability could further attest to the theory that the Candlelit Lady could be a Kraekan. I believe he was an ancient Kraekan Wyrm. which is Amber and crafted into Amber Idols. They still bring about valuables that are highly sought after though. like the Gravedigger.similar to Murdiella Mal. In the sea they may have evolved into what they are today. In fact. Gods are not Saltborn. It’s an interesting theory. 13 | P a g e . and for that reason. we can be sure that they are both the scourge of men. but Kraekan are able to change their shape into whatever they see fit. forcing the Wyrms to either head to the sea or perish. associated with a few fairy tales on the mainland. or if the Kraekan just go around doing their own thing. and whatever they don’t devour ends up on the Nameless Island for the Nameless God to collect. but likes to speak in riddles. or even the bones of the dead Kraekan. the Nameless God is ultimately benefiting from the Kraekan’s existence. their vomit. so brave or foolish fortune seekers would climb the mountains of Markdor to slay a Wyrm and return with its horn. like their eggs. The Unspeakable Deep seems to be a Kraekan in its most common form. Kraekan also possess the ability to shapeshift. He was considered the Kraekan of fire. Their horns were incredibly valuable. As I stated above. sometimes created into weaponry. Impen is a Kraekan of myth and legend. The False Jester took on its shape to lure those searching for the true Jester. Whether the Kraekan know it or not. Incantations only require words to call upon the power of Fire and Sky. In the world of Salt and Sanctuary. 14 | P a g e . whose limbs support the power of Fire and Sky.Chapter II: The Tree of Life: Magic and Prayers. bouncing back and forth between Fire and Sky spells. harmful. Forbidden and Sacred “I felt as if something ethereal was softly brushing against the tips of my fingers.” . and even fatal. Fire and Sky are forever intertwined. It is important to stay balanced in the middle. That being said. and Sky being at the other. as too heavily attuning yourself to one side of the continuum can be dangerous. in the form of a wand or staff. There are two kinds of Magic: spells and incantations. you start to lean towards the Fire end of the continuum. with Fire being at one end. Mages are very familiar with the weave of Fire and Sky and are able to draw from this weave and channel it from its ethereal realm to create change in the real world. when things go wrong. and it brings about an interesting effect: elemental imbalance. where the Keepers of Fire and Sky were created. while spells actually require a physical conduit to channel the energy. this sort of energy in and around everything. The weave! The old gods had opened my eyes to the weave of Fire and Sky that surrounds us. the bones of a giant sea beast. you lean toward the Sky side. like a sea of feathers.The Foley Knoll Horror. A skilled mage is able to boost the strength of their spells by using this elemental imbalance to their advantage. the first ever recorded spell. When you cast a spell associated with Fire. A well attuned and balanced mage lies dead center of this continuum. such as saltwood or scrimshaw. which was then honed and studied in Citadel. s. You can think of the weave of Fire and Sky as one big continuum. Magic in the world of Salt and Sanctuary actually began as a parlor trick using Flashfire. and when you cast a Sky spell. created of a magically attuned material. there is still a bit of trepidation around magic. Fire and Sky exist in a sort of ethereal weave that surrounds all things. 44. Magic and divine miracles are fairly commonplace. magic tends to be pointed to as the scapegoat. The pattern of the weave of Fire and Sky is said to be made of 5 and 6 pointed stars. Magic is based on the Tree of Life. the Kingdom long ago. are pure faith and divine intervention. he may be one of the oldest non-Kraekan characters on the Nameless Island. is able to call upon the power of Fire and Sky at any time. If we can assume that Karmen Cran is actually what we now know as Ronin Cran. offering the blood of themselves and of the enemy to Azredak. also known as Salt magic. As a result. and from Azredak the betrayer. His recollection of the Foley Knoll Horror tells us a ton about himself. and the Bloodbrows “The words that follow detail the 192th ranging of the Coats ‘n’ talons. 1. s. division captain. One such ritual speaks of cutting out the heart of a living man. Blood magic comes directly from the user’s blood. and helps shape out who the Redbrows/Bloodbrows (the term is interchangeable) were.” . which I already spoke about at length. an adept mage can feel Fire and Sky’s weave in all things. Chapter III: In Times of Old: Ronin Cran. as carried out by me. on the other hand. no elemental imbalance occurs. from divine healing and shielding. calling forth the power asked for from the God or Goddess of choice.Incantations are said to be more difficult to master than spells. Prayers. yet vengeful sprites made of pure light. the caster becomes weak and frail with each blood spell casted. the Foley Knoll Horror. When the words of faith are spoken.The Foley Knoll Horror. Blood magic is full of dark rituals requiring questionable ingredients to perform the rites and rituals required to practice it. There are two forms of magic that is forbidden on the mainland: Salt Alkymancy. 15 | P a g e . Redbrow division of Liven. Karmen Cran. and as such. and blood magic. due to the lack of a conduit to channel the power of Fire and Sky. to rays of divine searing and playful. a God. a prayer is invoked. Prayers have the power to bring back allies from the dead and turn major wounds into minor scrapes and bruises. That said. as opposed to the weave of Fire and Sky. but instead. I do hereby swear that all of the things I have claimed and chronicled below are true to the best of my recollection. but Cran is able to find a house in a small village that gives him shelter and mead to drink. for the purposes of this chapter. in Kulka’as. to a forest northeast of Liven to hunt terrible creatures known as gnarlends. which make sense since they denounced the strict arbitrary precepts governing some of the Citadel’s practices. Cran used to be a Bloodbrow. and forced to retreat as the other 5 members of his party are killed. One such hunt took Cran’s group of 6 Bloodbrows. as gnarlends typically hunt solo. the Kingdom was ravaged with monsters. Unfortunately for Cran and his group. but sleep up in the trees during the day. they could retreat back toward camp. and so gnarlends were just waking up. (whose description is awfully similar to Cran’s Pass) wait for night. Cran is able to show his expert fighting skills. well before the events of Salt and Sanctuary. I’ll sum up the Foley Knoll Horror here. The team would split up into 3 teams of 2. they would have been grounded. and as a result they ended up falling into obscurity. some sort of deformed part plant. they began their hunt too early. which is interesting. but probably ended up leaving them after the events of Foley Knoll. part stillborn infant monstrosity. however. King of Storms. and if anything bad were to happen.Long ago. In the time of monsters. a ronin is a vagrant samurai without a master. the Bloodbrows took it upon themselves to slay the monsters to restore peace to the kingdom. because he eventually ends up working for Jaret. and fan out into the forest with bait. but not before the monster epidemic was mostly snuffed out. 16 | P a g e . Cran was a leader of a Bloodbrow division in Liven. and hunt gnarlends as they were out hunting. and therefore. At the end of the Bloodbrows’ known existence. Cran’s mead is spiked with a sleeping agent. The Bloodbrow were an offshoot of the Citadel of Fire and Sky dedicated to killing the beasts that used to roam the mainland centuries ago. so the plan was to make a camp at the clearing Cliffendell Crag. While you can read the full story of Foley Knoll at the end of this tome. an aspiring lord sent the Bloodbrows on witch hunts for political reasons. much easier to fight. dropping all around them from the trees. but is soon outnumbered. and he ends up passing out. The gnarlends give chase. Their findings ended up founding the basic principles of alchemy as we know it today. The Bloodbrows were known for sometimes dabbling in the arcane. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. If they had waited a little longer. Gnarlends hunt at night. including Cran. taking with him the memories of Cliffendell Crag. King of Storms. in desperation. Murlik. Ellenestria. the New. god of bloodletting. two of the old gods. god of the harvest. He may have yet remained in the Bloodbrows until the witch hunts mentioned briefly. but there is no solid evidence of such. where he served Jaret. What became of Cran afterwards is unknown. But that’s for you to speculate. prays to Devara and Diadel. claims that she was a Bloodbrow. goddess of sky. Cran’s Pass is guarded by Redshift barriers. a power that Cran will never be able to draw from again. Oporos. His skill in combat may have eventually led the wandering ronin to Kulka’as. god of forest creatures. Cran is able to escape and burn the entire village and forest of Foley Knoll to the ground. goddess of fertility. Cran. and Diadel grants him the power to draw from the weave of Fire and Sky. not leaving them until they officially disbanded. This gave him the nickname of Broken Cran. who were possibly already in the process of winding down. he is weaponless.When Cran wakes up the next morning. the Mirekeeper. The Foley Knoll Horror was an immensely stressful and difficult time for Cran. a skill Cran surely must have learned at some point. Oema. god of the sea. god of health. Azredak. and that the Bloodbrows created the Redshift barriers centuries ago to capture the monsters they used to hunt. Grull. Imrios. his prized sword snapped in two by one of Jaret’s loyal Armor Guardians during his flight into the night. goddess of luck. god of dark things. the NPC that gives you the Redshift Brand in the Mire of Stench. god of 17 | P a g e . Interestingly enough. killing all but 6 infants in the process. before defecting as well. Pyrabella. Chapter IV: The Old Gods. and it may have very well led to him defecting from the Bloodbrows. that the Nameless God turned into Cran’s Pass. Is Cran the Bloodbrow responsible for the Redshift barriers throughout the island? He’s certainly been on the island long enough. but he eventually met his end and wound up on the Nameless Island. typically: Diadel. and the Will of Man “The Old Pantheon contained 12 gods. or an ancestor of one. armorless. and bound in a great hall where he can see other humans eating his former Bloodbrow friends in a gross display of cannibalism. Numen. but our forest is forever. The Stone Roots creed uses the purest form of healing. A more complete explanation of the Old Gods and the New Gods can be found by reading Pantheonus at the end of this tome. and beliefs regarding That Stench. and Devara. primarily in the eastern continent. Stenchpods are merely sentient discarded useless features of That Stench Most Foul. Section I: Stone Roots and That Stench Most Foul “Men have invented. preferring the loose beliefs they carried. solely believing the spirit of the forest itself. bitter-tasting. Followers of the Stone Roots are also known as Woodswraiths.” . or Red Grass. The old gods also remained popular in smaller underdeveloped nations. Tartilia. are known to still hold the ancient tribal gods. the Kadanian Rojiella. fernlike grass plant known to grow in 18 | P a g e . One particularly ambitious Woodswraith actually ended up creating That Stench Most Foul.Pantheonus Every creed except the Iron Ones revere one or more Gods. praised. The Lepris actually had their own rites. goddess of the dead world. in the most organized way as I can. These forest tribes had no structure or written belief system. Forest tribes. like Taenbir and Kadania.the dream world. poor humans who were afflicted with Grayrot. They believe that Gods of the forest are more of an elemental or spiritual nature. ceremonies. like hair or fingernails. who was revered as a God by the Lepris. a plague that eats away at the flesh. Each tree could be a God. a furry. goddess of light. but I will sum up the Old and New Gods as best as I can. which now fall under the moniker “Stone Roots”. and that tree could be three different Gods to three different tribes.” – Stone Roots Alchemist Long ago. Every creed except the Iron Ones and The Three worship one or more of the Old Gods. Eventually That Stench Most Foul began to hunger for human flesh and ate its creator. especially working with poisons. forest tribes held many Gods. and died for countless fleeting gods and demons. and Woodswraiths tend to be skilled in alchemy. Red Grass is very costly to produce and harvest. lest they become poor with the constant process of obtaining Red Grass. comes from the True Priest of Light and Voice of Her Voice. like the Flint & Steel. Most notable in the dark history of Devara’s Light however. like Harmen the Condemned who performed acts of unforgivable cruelty in the name of justice and Devara’s Light. and his Lambs When men became more civilized. which is actually the frond-like extensions that grow on cave fungi known as White Aziema. He began to see sin in the Dome of Light. Here they would congregate and create great things. and decided the only way to purge the Dome of sin was by 19 | P a g e . derivatives of the White Aziema are used in most revitalizing potions. but the fronds are extremely vitalizing. All healing items are actually derived from Kadanian Red Grass. Devara. Kinoa. The Stone Roots creed also uses Kadanian Blue Grass. Similar to Red Grass. the Old Pantheon was created. protecting pilgrims from raiders and bandits on their pilgrimages to the Dome.the most poisonous corners of Kadanian swampland. sometimes known as Moon Grass. while Lainia’s pet hippogriff. as written above in the quote preceding this chapter. Goddess of light. there are some darker sides to the story of Devara’s Light. usually crossbred with another plant. Section II: Devara’s Light. and Lady of Light. The True Priest of Light and Voice of Her Voice. who became known as the Untouched Inquisitor. a blessed place for any and all followers of Devara’s Light. based on Kar’hi legends. The base of the Aziema is actually highly toxic. Alasdair. the Untouched Inquisitor. patrolled the skies around the Dome. Unfortunately. the other Gods fell in stature until they all just sort of fell under the umbrella term: Devara’s Light. was typically revered as the mother of all Gods. Alasdair. which means that the Dome of the Forgotten may have been in Kar’hi. typically containing 12 Gods. These high ranking ladies and craftswomen of the Dome were known as the Choir. Lainia. the Dome of the Forgotten. and the Stone Roots creed is lucky to have so few followers. watched over this place. and eventually as Devara’s clerics (who were the most devoted) and Her sanctuaries grew in popularity. The Dome of the Forgotten was once the Dome of Light. Devara's made equal with that of two new deities drawn from Askarian royalty: The King and The Knight. Lightvessels are said to be Devara’s saliva. deliberately left nameless. divine incarnations of Askarian men. The Third Lamb was her pet hippogriff. I only have small pieces of information about the Phials of Orange. as per the decree of the Untouched Inquisitor. and elegantly embroidered. This is mixed with the lightwater to create the Water of Blessing. The Second Lamb was Lainia. as they put all of their resources into making sure that the Water of Blessing is plentiful. capable of burning any evil it touches. The First Lamb was the entire congregation of the Dome. as the Inquisitor saw the pride and praise of the hippogriff as sinful. Not only that. then soaked for 7 days in baths of perfume and blue moss paste from Blue Grass. emerged through monarchy and dynasty. once a majestic creature of protection. They now roam the halls of the Dome of the Forgotten as Whispermen and Whisperladies. I can conjecture that they are created in a process called the Rites of Orange.” Pantheonus 20 | P a g e . Water of Blessing is made from a smaller breed of Crimflower. Cloths of canvas are trimmed. Section III: The Three and the Forgotten King “The New Gods. This smaller breed of Crimflower is known as the Eye of Hearts. ensuring that they adhere to the Untouched Inquisitor’s sinless standard. now a bound and broken thrall of the Inquisitor. broken. hemmed. Clerics of Devara’s Light tend to be poor. The Third Lamb now roams the Dome sadly. Lady of Light. Clerics of Devara also prepare special cloths of canvas as tools for reenergizing paladins and healers. Once the Untouched Inquisitor saw the dome as sinless. he assigned Hornet Steels to watch over the spirits of the congregation. also known as lightwater. but during the Pencen Pilgrimage.sacrificing three “Lambs” to Devara. a pilgrimage to get followers of Devara out of Askarian territory safely (which I will detail later) one of the nobles escaping was the former Baroness Emiella of Orange. creating the Cloths of Blessing. not able to ever leave. as their main form of proselytizing is providing healing to the poor. also known as The Three. which is a breed of flower crossbred with Red Grass. but. “Once symbols of justice and courage.As stated in the quote from Pantheonus. this now-decrepit sword and its former owner lay abandoned and powerless in the Crypt of the Dead Gods even as the faithful continued to pray for their guidance. and the Knight carries out the King’s sentence on the guilty men. ‘til I found out they were a fiction. So why must we fight the Forgotten King? Why does the Forgotten King reside in the Crypt of the Dead Gods? We can take a look at some of the Forgotten King’s weaponry to find some insight on it. The cruel King Ericho IV also known as Ericho the Envy-Ridden.” 21 | P a g e . and the Judge guides those who maintain order. emerged from monarchy and dynasty. as evidenced by an Order of the Betrayer blacksmith: “I grew up keeping the new gods. the Knight and the Judge make up the deities of The Three. For how long this farce went on can only be guessed. The Three. but it would seem that those prayers were being answered instead by the dark forces at work on this forsaken island all along. who are credited with uniting all of Askaria.” – Trinity Greatsword Perhaps the forced reverence of The Three made the populace hold disdain for Askarian nobles and The Three in general. The King lends wisdom to men who lead. King Relon the Bear. the Judge decides when the King’s law is broken. and as a result. hated the followers of the Old Gods and would order their deaths if they refused to take up the New Gods. under the Great Unification Decree. not by choice. although. The King creates laws that all men must abide by. Not only that. Most follow the New Gods. The lack of faith and prayers to The Three resulted in these deities eventually dying over time. but the lack of faith seems to have spread through the people. The King. The Knight protects warriors in combat. but it is pretty vague. who are divine incarnations of King Ericho the Austere and Sir Amar the Proper. also known as the New Gods. The Great Unification Decree was an attempt to unite the kingdom under the Askarian Crown. you would have to follow the New Gods. we’ll have to make a few assumptions. a decades long conquest that began under King Ericho's father. with its own schools. clerics of The Three will mix Blue Grass with Spiced Mead resulting in a powerful elixir that does not dull the senses. Red is placed under close regulatory control. the healing items all originate from Markdor. but in the Will of Man. worthy of worship. the Dorian Council of Steel declared the will of man to be greater than gods. creating 22 | P a g e . its own codified system of faith and worship. Could it be the Nameless God instead? “Perhaps. known as Shards. the Council of Steel declared the Will of Man to be greater than Gods. can exist without sustenance from mortal hearts and prayers. In the northern mountains of Markdor. tomes and songs. Red Grass was crossbred with a moss. clerics. in their hearts. This has created a black market for unofficial Red. which are typically sold by corrupt members of The Three’s clergy. and uniquely worthy of worship. all dedicated to extolling the Will of Man. As the creed is mainly held in the northern continent. however mighty. Perhaps they just didn’t believe in anything at all. For invigorating medicines. the people did at one point hold Gods. the interdependence of men and gods is the very reason both share the same destiny. they still held their oaths to other Gods or perhaps the Will of Man. This led to the creation of the Iron Ones. in the end. and thus. bearing an official crest stamp or being subject to anti-contraband law. but after seeing the petty squabbling as a result of Askaria’s Great Unification Decree.” – Pantheonus The Iron Ones believe not in Gods. even when people do call out and pray to The Three.” – Trinity Bardiche Followers of The Three utilize Crimflower. Section IV: The Iron Ones “Perhaps in response to Askaria's conquest for The Three. derived from Red Grass to create a special healing agent known as Red. and as a result. Now.So while people claimed they were followers of The Three. a dark forces answers their prayers instead.” – Trinity Scepter “No deity. They may be an off-shoot of the religion created by the Lepris bandits who initially contracted Grayrot. Section V: The House of Splendor “How can I mourn my affliction when my heart shines so brightly?” – House of Splendor Merchant The House of Splendor revere two nontraditional gods. invigorating them. Gilbael. God of visions. claiming that flesh is failing. Could this poison be Grayrot in a minor form. When you drink too much wine from the House of Splendor. Iron Ones mine Leuryte crystal in the mountains of Markdor. disintegrating and absorbing into the skin of whomever crushes it. Shockstones are often given to followers of the Iron Ones. In Markdor. you contract a kind of poison. mountainous climates. Wine dulls one’s inhibitions. the crystal is easily crushed. It’s likely that the Warp is merely the weave of Fire and Sky. Grayrot is a fairly fast spreading plague and often affected entire communities. For invigorating medicine. but the true recipe is kept a secret. Likewise. known simply as The Fool and The Prophet. enhancing magical abilities. God of wine. as Shockstone is fairly common in Dorian mines. and they will bake Winemoss directly into their breads to make Hearty Rolls. They choose to hide their decomposing faces behind their Masks of Splendor. The wines that they give followers of the creed are mixed with Rojiella and Aziema in their purest forms. while gold is forever. Delicately mined with great difficulty. a form of zombification that decomposes the flesh. or poison (as it has the same 23 | P a g e . a baker and a healer are one in the same. causing them to band together. drawing out a primal connection to the Warp. Followers of the House of Splendor suffer from a plague called Grayrot.Winemoss. The Fool claimed that magic draws from a celestial field known as the Warp. fuzzy grass that can survive in the harsh. and Axigal. a thatching. and researching before taking on the Crucible. the weave could certainly be its own power. devoting most of their time to of study and discipline toward learning. Acolytes of Fire and Sky would train for 17 years in the Citadel. The earliest Bloodbrows. Anyone who has a substantial link with the outside world like guides of Fire and Sky are sworn to silence. so as not to bring worldly problems into the study. the fact that Murdiella Mal has access to it. Becoming a Mage of Fire and Sky is practically a lifelong process. An elementally attuned individual would make a pilgrimage to the Citadel in the hopes of becoming an Acolyte. 24 | P a g e . Those who pass the Crucible are able to become Mages of Fire and Sky. Goddess of Sky. But that’s just my speculation. Section VI: The Keepers of Fire and Sky “We worship the Sky. Realizing that magic comes from a balance of ethereal power inherent in Fire and Sky. makes me wonder if perhaps Murdiella Mal could be their “God”. mages and arcanists from Askaria and Liven began establishing a science around the art of channeling the elements of Fire and Sky. most powerful of all magics. Alternatively. would you set aside the gods you now hold and worship the sky?” – Keepers of Fire and Sky Mage The Keepers of Fire and Sky don’t necessarily believe in Gods. or is it a play on drunkenness? We may never know. for in it lies the ethereal weave of Fire. the Keepers of Fire and Sky believe more in an elemental higher power as opposed to a deity. or to cloud their own minds. who were an offshoot of the Keepers of Fire and Sky wanted to keep the Old Gods and were able to call upon Diadel. and eventually formed the Citadel. You’ve found our citadel. a series of grueling magical tasks. and finally. but they certainly descend from the Old Gods. Similar to the Stone Roots.effect of poison) from using the basest ingredients of the Rojiella and Aziema. which is probably where the ethereal weave comes from. During The Three's rise in popularity. a stone tower deep in the Pitchwoods of Liven. they have cast off their belief in Gods and instead worship the essence of Fire and Sky. mastering. Most followers of the Order of the Betrayer seem to come from Tristin. Azredak’s ultimate goal is to receive as much blood as possible. Healers of Fire and Sky have mastered the art of bottling and crystalizing the pure essence of Fire and Sky to be used as potions and mind enhancing crystals. their ultimate goals don’t seem to add up. Those who decided to follow the Order of the Betrayer are often lost souls who believe they’ve done too much wrong for Devara to forgive them. Azredak collects the user’s blood as well.Study for a Keeper of Fire and Sky revolves around experimentation and being able to replicate and document spells. Azredak hates his sister Devara. Azredak. which is ever important in a tower fraught with flame-slinging Acolytes. so he wishes mankind into endless war. Healers of Fire and Sky do exist. in my opinion. One theory is that Azredak is actually the Nameless God. While there are a number of similarities between the two. Healers of Fire and Sky do call on some divinity to mend and heal. and has promised to eradicate those with unforgivable hearts in divine light. and wishes to see her drown in blood. but they attribute this to a celestial element that must exist somewhere between Fire and Sky. Unfortunately. like the enjoyment behind other’s pain and suffering. there is very little information on Azredak and the Order of the Betrayer in general. Some followers stumbled upon the forbidden blood magic in their own studies. and sought out the Order of the Betrayer for that reason. turn to her brother. Azredak 25 | P a g e . and each time forbidden blood magic is used. But the Day of Judgement will belong to her brother. now known simply as the betrayer. and so. Azredak. once the God of bloodletting. our dark lord of chaos. Followers of Azredak offer blood of the innocent to him. possibly arcane. Section VII: The Order of the Betrayer “The Goddess Devara has already damned us all. leading me to believe that vengeance draws a good number of people to the Order of the Betrayer.” – Follower of the Order of the Betrayer Followers of the Order of the Betrayer are keepers of the Old God Azredak. Not only that. while Azredak was. explaining the origin of the Nameless God. but then the Nameless God certainly couldn’t have existed in pantheon of Old Gods. meaning he may not be an actual God in the first place. we could say that Azredak was banished to this island with the hopes of rising up again.simply wants Devara dead. On the other hand. he wouldn’t be bound to the Nameless Island. The Nameless God wants to ascend to real Godhood or further. If he was. This is just one of Salt and Sanctuary’s many mysteries. 26 | P a g e . ” – White Gauntlets Askaria lies fairly central in the eastern continent. there are a number of towns. Those that do not swear fealty to the Askarian Crown and The Three can be faced with torture in their infamous torture chamber. as far as I’m aware. King Ericho the Austere. Citadel. making Askaria a good place to live. and perhaps the most powerful. King Relon the Bear. Jonas’ Landing has its own island in the extreme south. Liven. but with all manner of other ranged and melee weapons should they need to improvise. Sir Amar the Proper. Jonas’ Landing. and villages. has nothing associated with it at all in the entire game. and often. Askaria is a large nation. The eastern continent contains 4 nations. The eastern continent has a river running through it. The dark nature of the Red Hall of Cages has managed to find its way onto the Nameless Island. which they wield night and day in service of the Crown. a brief peace treaty can be made between the two nations with a marriage alliance. The next few sections of the tome will look at each of the continents and the nations within in detail. cities. just a bit off to the west. The official creed of Askaria is The Three. as The Three is heavily based on Askarian nobles. and Jonas’ Landing. Askaria. the Red Hall of Cages. Within these nations. and the dark powers of the 27 | P a g e . Askaria does have a decent economy and a bustling marketplace. and King Ericho's father. The eastern continent is known for its large forests. the Pencen Pilgrimage. separating Askaria from Liven and Citadel to the north. or death. with a large emphasis on military power and the power of the Askarian Crown. so long as you swear fealty to the Askarian Crown and The Three. Askaria has been at war with Tristin many times. Chapter V: Unity or Death: Askaria. and the Red Hall of Cages “Members of the Guard must demonstrate peerless skill with not only the sword and the shield.Part II: The Eastern Continent The Kingdom is made up of 4 continents and 14 nations. they have been known to work as sellswords for coin. Though raiders can be commonly found on the paths to and from Askaria. a traveling sorcerer. but only through brute force. like the Jaws of Death. In year three of the Great Unification Decree. Askaria’s military power is one of the strongest in the Kingdom. The Askarian army have many different regiments such as the elite Night Raiders. As Askaria is constantly warring. Whether he finally figured out how to utilize teleportation properly or if he was lost to void. These experiments mostly ended in disaster. overseen by Duke Garldon. despite many of the population still following the old gods. These soldiers are known as Split Swordsmen. is an ongoing decades-long conquest. When the people caught wind of Planne’s horrible experiments. the Tree of Men. and 28 | P a g e . and avoided condemnation by escaping one night via teleportation and was never heard from again. the Shikeimaru. Attempting to unify the entire Kingdom is highly unlikely. a small town to the north of Askaria whose lord had already bowed to the Askarian Crown. The goal of the envoy was to rededicate places of worship in Remetia to The Three. an act designed to unify Askaria and its surrounding villages by making them swear fealty to the Askarian Crown and The Three. a large envoy of Askarian nobles and their deadly guards were approaching Remetia. The Great Unification Decree.island have managed to bring the Red Hall of Cages’ most devious torture machine. The Duke allowed Planne the Seeker. able to fashion entirely new weapon styles. Askaria has a powerful weapon and armor making industry that flourishes. the Blue Guard. Ultimately it succeeded in the Askarian area. Planne managed to steal Marquis Garldon’s prized and supposedly cursed weapon. and the most disturbing and loyal. and radiates a chilling malevolence from the countless souls it has claimed. especially blacksmithing are often booming. often causing limbs or other body parts of the swordsmen to be removed and sent to the void. including experimentation on their own elite soldiers of the Blue Guard. the Cocytus Cohort. life was rough for those who followed the Old Gods. During the first few years of the Great Unification Decree. commerce and industry. to life. Askaria will do whatever needs to be done to win wars. relocate images and shrines of Devara to pre-approved locations in the city’s periphery. The Shikeimaru was soaked in innocent blood after decades of brutal executions. a cold-weather regiment. to perform experiments on these soldiers giving them teleportation abilities. no one knows. the Queen of Smiles. The council of clerics and paladins of Devara agreed that kneeling to the Askarian Crown was out of the question and fighting the envoy could doom the city. primarily to the east of Liven. Liven is equally split between proper towns and villages. Mina the Paladin and her friend Doramin the cleric. 29 | P a g e . took place. former Baron Erodan of Sylven and former Baroness Emiella of Orange who were now stripped of their titles travelling with the pilgrimage. and the Watching Woods “In Liven. Mina and Doramin discovered that they were being pursued by Askarian scouts. which was eventually passed down to Queen Lenaia. King Ericho IV would not think twice of slaughtering the lot of them from spite and disdain. Three nights after the council had met. turning over their own to royal authorities. Unfortunately. the Vilehawk tribes tended to play politics just enough as not to incur the wrath of the regular army. who is also known as the Queen of Smiles. thanks to the power of Devara’s clerics’ and paladins’ powerful prayers. Before the pilgrims could set up camp for the first night. As Mina and Doramin dealt with the scouts.” Liven lies north of Askaria. the majority of those in the Pencen Pilgrimage were able to seek refuge in Liven.disarm any paladins of Devara who did not wish to take the oath of the New Gods. when necessary. and children on a secret pilgrimage in the middle of the night in what has become known as the Pencen Pilgrimage. who had resisted the Great Unification Decree. Despite the pilgrims not breaking any laws. Chapter VI: The Cruel Queen: Liven. and ultimately. if discovered. When the pilgrimage refused to give up the ex-nobles. An Askarian noble in the envoy was seeking the two nobles. The Black Widow is said to have driven all of its wielders to madness. in the coldest part of the eastern continent. the Pencen Pilgrimage was not without bloodshed. Liven was founded by Gandra the Warrior who wielded the Black Widow Greatsword. women. another Askarian envoy rounded up a number of the peasants on the pilgrimage. lead 800 men. primarily by bribing officials and. the Askarian envoy was smote. and tribes of the forest dwelling Vilehawks. a great pilgrimage to lead followers of Devara’s Light out of Remetia to Liven. Eventually. fighting ensued. Her years of rule were marked by civilian unrest. When King Adnan died shortly after. The Queen of Smiles. 30 | P a g e . sometimes called the Watching Woods. most of them seemingly random. as Queen Lenaia was psychologically unstable. author of the Burning Clouds prophecy. Queen Lenaia commanded a powerful and fearful rule however. The cutting off and keeping of the ear was originally started in Liven by the Vilehawks in an attempt to hear the minute details of the Liven forests. twins. Queen Lenaia from Tristin was brought overseas to marry King Adnan of Liven for purely diplomatic reasons. order gaolings. sea foam green. Liven is also home to Frostgel. some even being cannibalistic. The Boetian Greatshield was made in Liven to complement their spears. Just some of her many fears included gourds.Liven seems to have enough power to deny the Great Unification Decree put in place by Askaria. an era marked by rage-filled quells and purges. as noted in the Foley Knoll Horror. They tend to avoid any major persecution by giving up their own members to royal authority when necessary. They are self-governing and command their own army. There are many tribes in the forests around Liven. Ears are now often kept as trophies of battle. Queen Lenaia had many fears. Liven’s military favors spears. and is a strange rite of passage for the tree dwelling tribes. The Village of Smiles is also in Liven. in which she wielded her favorite sword. a strange and foreign land to her. and the number 14. which is home of the prophet Kira the Blind. Every time she became afraid of another thing. She was eventually killed by a mob of vengeful villagers and had her lower jaw cut off in what the angry villagers called “the greatest smile of all”. the Sword of Reign. Queen Lenaia found herself in charge of Liven. Her reign was known as the Reign of Blood. would adorn the walls of her Village of Smiles with the grotesquely smiling faces of impaled heads and bodies. she would throw tantrums. and even executions. a rare poison. Liven is full of small towns and villages like Kens and Greenfarm. The Brothers of Liven is a sellsword company that operates out of Liven. Vilehawk Tribes dwell in the eastern and northeastern forests of Liven. cats. perhaps their long reach is important when dealing with the tree-dwelling tribes. punishments. as she is now known. Instead of starting issues within the Citadel. As I’ve already stated in an earlier chapter. Most of the details of Citadel can be found in the section dedicated to the Keepers of Fire and Sky. mages and arcanists from Askaria and Liven began establishing a science around the art of channeling the elements of Fire and Sky. haven of the Keepers of Fire and Sky. Those at the Citadel have very rigid standards for those who follow the creed. those who do not agree with the strict regulations of Citadel just tend to leave and start up their own collectives. Some members of the Black Sands Collective were to sail from Kulka’as to Citadel to make peace with each other. the Bloodbrows. The Black Sands Collective became powerful enough to rival the Citadel. Firstly. I want to set aside this small section to talk about those who have left the Citadel.Chapter VII: The Ethereal Weave: Citadel and the Deserters of Fire and Sky “During The Three's rise in popularity. the Black Sands Collective was once a part of Citadel before Mina the Traveler (who I feel must be a different Mina from the Pencen Pilgrimage) left in the hopes of creating another Citadel on the southern continent around Kulka’as. 31 | P a g e . a stone tower deep in the woods of Liven. the Bloodbrows were old Keepers of Fire and Sky who helped shape alchemy as we know it today. and a bit of unrest existed between the two. For example. Her Citadel ended up taking its own shape and became known as the Black Sands Collective. eventually forming the Citadel. and deviating from their rules is simply not allowed.” – Pantheonus Deep in the Pitchwoods to the east of Liven lies the Citadel. killing most of them and leaving the Black Sands Sorcerer stranded on the Nameless Island. however. their ship was caught up in a storm. but alas. was greedy and envious.” – Jaret. And the Nameless God answered his prayers. The Desert Sentry. the Bloodless Prince. Eventually his Court Sorcerers attempted to seize the power of the kingdom. Coastrock. this purgatorial existence. donning the Scorpion set. reveals himself to us near the end of the game. as revealed to us by the Masterless Knight. Jaret. and the Coveted “I wanted so much from life. and infinite life… Except this eternal life was an eternal death. as he says. ultimately dooming Cloudencasse. goldensteel is often used as a wood substitute. 32 | P a g e . or the Castle of Storms. Kulka’as is a desert nation known for Cloudencasse. originally existed in Kulka’as. turning out to be the old man on the Shivering Shores when you arrived. And the things I prayed for… well… would you believe a god actually answered my prayers? These things. As it turns out. Ziggurat of Dust. He wanted more. So he prayed for it. this life. Jaret. in turn. Castle of Storms. servants. In life. The southern continent is known for its deserts. Satisfaction eluded me. King of Storms Fairly central in the southern continent lies Kulka’as. commanding a great amount of power in Kulka’as. Kulka’as seems to be on good terms with the major nations on the other continents. brought his Armor Guardians to life. Jinderin. defends Kulka’as. Jaret had many powerful Court Sorcerers under him. who. As trees are fairly uncommon in the southern continent. Both Kar’hi and Jinderin have their own islands: Kar’hi to the west. the Castle of Storms. the Dried King. King of Storms. and the Ziggurat of Dust. Ruined Temple.Part III: The Southern Continent The southern continent also contains 4 nations. Cloudencasse. King of Storms. and Kar’hi. Chapter VIII: The Desert Nation: Kulka’as. It gave him what he wanted: power. and Jinderin to the south. He desired more than what he had. Kulka’as. this island… such is my reward. Quan In knew that his brother had a major hand in it. Even though Retchfeeders are only Minor Kraekan. had a hand in the ruling of the kingdom. Sun King of Kulka’as. as evidenced by the Survival ending dialogue for the House of Splendor: “Bearing gold On failing flesh Freed from gaol To splendid rest. building himself up from the earth. or taking control of the island. ruled Quan In. By doing so. As his clay form grew. and fiercely defend the Bloodless Prince. the Nameless God’s puppet that he speaks through. now being known as the Bloodless Prince. Quan In. he built a giant mask made of stone with three faces in an effort to better commune with The Three. decided to use magic to seal himself in clay. Tam In did succumb to death. led a very difficult life.” Also in Kulka’as. at the end of the game you’re given a choice: escape the island by hopping down the well. Taking Jaret’s place binds you to the island. Though his clay form prolonged his life. except possibly the Nameless God: control Kraekan. while hopping down the well likely returns you to life. but was slowly driven mad over the years knowing that his older brother. he brought Kulka’as to a wonderful and prosperous era. eventually into paranoia. Tam In. bit by bit over the years. and he ruled a very prosperous time for Kulka’as. the Ziggurat has been remade on the Nameless Island where the Bloodless Prince has been able to perform a feat nothing else on the island seems to have been able to. in his image. he was able to prolong his life. the Bloodless Prince has been able to take control of them by sealing their head in clay masks.If you’ve talked to the Scarecrow. making it yours. suffering from the plague. Tam In was also an avid supporter of The Three. Deep under the Ziggurat of Dust in Kulka’as. despite being plague ridden. or perhaps to heaven. When Tam In created his clay form as the Bloodless Prince. but ultimately. These creatures are known as Clay Hybrids. Tam In actually suffered from a plague that swept through Kulka’as called the Sandin plague. driving him mad. As I stated above. Tam In. Loved him as 33 | P a g e . and the lower areas of the Ziggurat of Dust. Tam In’s brother and Sun King of Kulka’as. or his brother pulling the strings of Kulka’as? Even though the people revered him as the Sun King. was it him. Quan In both loved and hated it. in Jaret’s place. attempting to feed the never-satisfied axe. Quan In was a powerful Mage. In death. he hid himself away in the top of his creation: the Ziggurat of Dust. The Coveted is not actually the ghosts. In fact.his brother. and in his last years. Erlang became king. The Coveted was used on the entire royal family before eventually. a struggle erupted between Erlang and his son Kuchet. and his faithful advisors and court sorcerers came with him. It is said that the axe was given to Executioner Erlang as a mysterious gift. They are cursed to struggle for eternity on the Nameless Island by their desire to wield the cursed executioner’s axe. As power in the Kingdom shifted. Regardless of the origins of the Ruined Temple. There. The Coveted. The Coveted. always sure that someone was watching him. and hated that it meant Tam In would live longer to control the nation of Kulka’as. and he began to love the axe unnaturally. but hated the horrid creature he had become. despite them having the names in the bestiary as the Coveted and the Coveting. known as Lietchs. The Coveted is actually the axe and the bloodthirsty spirit within it. It could very well be that the Ruined Temple is from one of these dead civilizations existing far before any written record of the Kingdom. Deep under the Ziggurat of Dust lies the Ruined Temple. The Coveted is said to bring any who wield it to self-destruction. However. Coastrock. and they both died together in a struggle over the axe. 34 | P a g e . Chapter IX: The Hidden Nation and the Army of Mariners: Jinderin. he suffered from paranoia jumping at shadows. Eventually. The two ghosts the bestiary says are The Coveted and the Coveting are actually the ethereal spirits of Executioner Erlang and his son Kuchet. casting wild flame spells into the darkness of the Ziggurat. Whether or not this is true on the mainland. and the Disemboweled Husk. Quan In became known as the Dried King. I don’t know. Erlang stayed at his executioner’s block. because there is very little information on the Ruined Temple. it’s hinted at by the Black Sands Sorcerer that the Nameless God is collecting dead civilizations on the island. I do have information on its boss. Though there is no evidence that the Dread Pirate Hager came from Coastrock. In fact. but is rich in minerals. The only bit of information in the game about Jinderin comes from the Ashen Effigy. such as fish. disemboweling him and filling him with a doll that controls his every move. few outsiders venture to Jinderen and little is known of its inhabitants even today. its chiseled surface bears a low relief of interlocking bones surrounding a chilling effigy of Death.” Coastrock lies just north of Kulka’as. rocky. crafted specifically for the Coastrock Federation. an unknown witch put a curse on Hager. removed from civilization. I’ve got very little information on Jinderin as it is a forbidden nation. large under-teeth with an underbite. as travelers rarely go. scrap together a skiff out of salvage. and a red sclera. Natives of Jinderin have black skin. the fool who courted their ire to pillage this demonic artifact was surely more driven by greed than common sense. Coastrock's the perfect place for someone like me to shed her notoriety. Hager’s cavern was probably a hidden cove in Coastrock where the pirate Hager would store his loot from pirating other ships. but terrifying and widespread rumors give it a bad reputation. and sail to Coastrock. Little is known about Jinderen. In death. and other undersea goodies. crafting the Cephalopounder and Tetruncheon from a local species of squid and sea urchin respectively. but Coastrock has a powerful military: The Coastrock Federation. Coastrock’s economy thrives on minerals and ocean byproducts. such as the Type 46 Tower Shield. Owing to several terrifying and inexplicably widespread rumors. Apparently once part of a much larger mural. Their mineral rich rocks make for powerful and plentiful shields. I figured it would make the most sense to include him and his cavern here. poor for agriculture. shells. The witch created 35 | P a g e . adorned with a skull: “An immense shield of carved granite smuggled from the forbidden Jinderen Archipelago by an unscrupulous merchant. the Tetraodon tribe uses deep sea creatures a weaponry. right on the sea. and has few trees. causing him to suffer immense pain in death. Coastrock is mostly fishing villages. strange markings.“So what's this thief to do? Gather up whatever spoils I can find.” Far south on a remote island on the southern continent lies Jinderin. The land in Coastrock is cold. Chapter X: Land of the Rising Sun: Kar’hi “A festival mask from Kar'hi. and the Kumo Sasumata was devised to deal with the things. Blacksmiths had to quickly become skilled at their craft. Kar’hi seems to be nearly a parallel to Japan. sometimes winged spiders are native to Kar’hi. when you think of Kar’hi.the Vacant Blades to watch over his suffering. possibly ninja like. The rare poison Spidersting can be extracted from these creatures. as evidenced by the Sohei Tabi: “Some faiths associate vibrant colors with excess and vanity. and embraces color. Now known as the Disemboweled Husk. just think of Japan. The Taichi. he wields the Seawolf Cutlass in death as he once did in life. Kar’hi has some swamps.” – Yokai Mask Kar’hi lies on the western island of the southern continent. Flint & Steel and the many Japanese armor sets come from Kar’hi or from Kar’hi legends.” It’s likely that Kar’hi has a number of assassins. Kumo Sasumata. and the fact that it is an island nation is not the only similarity it pulls from Japanese culture. Kar’hi also has interesting law allowing any man to volunteer to be hanged to save a condemned man. and explains why there are many weapons and armor of Japanese origin. celebrates festivals wearing the masks of demons. Naginata. fashioned in the likeness of a malevolent spirit. Kar’hi’i blacksmiths deal in fine folded steel to create the razor sharp blades used in their weaponry. and may be where the Dome of the Forgotten originated. color is celebrated. Kar’hi has monks. Giant. making the best out of the inferior quality of steel ore found in Kar’hi. but in Kar'hi'i holy culture. Masks of this type are believed to confer various supernatural benefits depending upon the spirits they represent. but we can’t be sure. Generally. 36 | P a g e . Kadania has tried and failed miserably to invade Askaria. That said. As you probably could have assumed. and the Mad Alchemist “Most modern medicines trace their roots back to Kadanian Rojiella. 37 | P a g e . Kadania and Gulchmire lie on the far west portion of the western continent. to make it more accessible. and are known to have the most toxic swamps in the Kingdom. or Red Grass. a furry. the sap of which is extracted as the Kingdom’s most widespread poison. iron is very rare and leatherworking tends to prevail over blacksmithing as the prime armor craft in Kadania. In Kadanian swamps. having mostly head hunting swamp tribes. Because Red Grass is so rare. not too dissimilar from the Vilehawks in Liven. it has been crossbred with many other plants. fernlike grass plant known to grow in the most poisonous corners of Kadanian swampland. Kadania. the Kadanian tarvine also grows in these swamps. known as Pessmud. or Red Grass grows. and Tristin. The western continent is known for its deadly swamps and forests. the rare and important Kadania Rojiella. the White Azemia is native to Kadania. Kadania is an underdeveloped nation however. the Pessklaw and the Scorpion Tail were made from the tarvine plant to give them their poisonous qualities. and the Red Grass only grows in the most poisonous corners of the swamps. Gulchmire. the ingredient used in most invigorating potions. where most of the healing items in the Kingdom get their healing properties. and is the prime source of Blue Grass. On the other hand.Part IV: The Western Continent The western continent contains 3 nations. Gulchmire. s. Kadania has many valuable ores and Markdor and Coastrock negotiate for access to their mines. Likewise. Chapter XI: Terrible Toxins and Salves that Save: Kadania.” – Chauncy’s Medicine. In the past. 2. The Kadanian swamps are very poisonous and very dangerous. although he can’t remember why. other than the fact that they both have mire in their name and that they are both swampy areas. but again. They are Askaria’s prime rival. There is little information on Gulchmire.” – Bestiary – Pale Witch Tristin lies central in the western continent. Carsejaw the Cruel. but we do know that they are a bloodthirsty kind of lizard people and that the Virulent Scimitar was created here. The Sodden Knight was once a martyred hero of Tristin. Tristin has many powerful swordsmen and excel at swordsplay and stealth. a longer jaw. he protects the Festering Banquet. and they are almost constantly at war with each other. The Tristini have pale skin. The only real information we have about the Mad Alchemist is that he was once known as Ruzpin. After many years lost on the Nameless Island. Grand Ter of Alchemy and Salves. Tristini military is a force to be reckoned with as they can toe with Askaria at any time. and the Tristini Witch Hunt “Tristini witches were never the hexers and cursers their enemies claimed them to be.Due to the poisons and potion ingredients. and they seem to have a marking that looks like eyeshadow that has ran. He lost his mind by constant exposure to toxins both physical and spiritual. but they are a proud nation protected by the Tristini Royal Guard. The Festering Banquet many have been a Tristini castle on the mainland. Perhaps it’s because of their eerie look and rumors of dark magic. Known in life as Sir Francis the Resolute. Tristin has many forests. I have no solid evidence of such. Chapter XII: Victims or Villains? Tristin. alchemists from all over revere Kadania. the Sodden Knight. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Mire of Stench actually existed in Gulchmire. 38 | P a g e . but were certainly practitioners of elemental magics. He hates shields and is widely renowned for his two handed greatsword fighting style. and the Tristini are often hated by other nations for some reason. giving those who accused them of being evil something to really fear? 39 | P a g e . When the idea that the peaceful elementalists in the woods of Tristin were practicing hexes and other dark magic. most of the followers of the Order of the Betrayer seem to be Tristini. often dabbling with elemental magic. staked his rule as the Pretender Duke of Tristin.In the woods of Tristin many small communities reside. a man by the name of Carsejaw. making an example of them. He actually met his end by fever. sisters and daughters. Initially. he began to be hated. but as he condemned so many innocent wives. despite not actually deserving of the title Duke or having any real rite to the throne. These dark and cruel torture methods of Carsejaw brought many vengeful spirits to the Nameless Island in the form of Pale Witches. he had support from the people of Tristin. Although many rose up to stop him. denying vengeance for all of his victims. Interestingly. it seemed to bend the fabric of space. His men were known as the Ducal Guard. His methods of torture included drowning the Tristini “witches” and a method of execution called being “bound and scattered”. Carsejaw wielded the Scharfrichter which he had commissioned for ceremonial executions that was so sharp. Carsejaw the Cruel was the leader behind the witch hunts. Could it be that the hated elementalists turned to vengeance and bloodshed. Wrathful Deads. and Horsehead Knights. he put an end to all rebellions by impaling the rebels and their horses on the same stake. He also used to wield the Steel Centipede and the Umbral Partisan. One day. following Azredak. Bastard son of Marquis Laborn. it is much more costly to create. mining Shockstones.Part V: The Northern Continent The Northern continent contains 3 nations. At the top reside a king and queen. para. and valuable mines. future Chair of the Council of Steel. 2. so in a way. Those from Markdor tend to be Iron Ones. A Dorian blacksmith created the Northern Cross so as not to be outdone by the Askarian Jaws of Death. and other valuable jewels from the mountains. The Council of Steel is the main government of Markdor. The continent is split into two halves by a river. an internal usurping of power that succeeded in killing both the king and 40 | P a g e . They’ve come up with very powerful and interesting weapons with help from the ore mined in the mountains. and Taenibir on the other.” – The Crimson Quell. and Taenibir. originating in the volcanoes. The Aster Monolith and Stardust Spire are just two examples. Chapter XIII: The Godless North: Markdor and the Council of Steel “He was the captain of the Ironforged Guard. specifically King Everen and Queen Forcella until the Crimson Quell. and 12 hours a day he would spend keeping watch in the castle’s royal wing. tasked with defending the Dorian crown princess Umali. Dor Isle. Dorians pride themselves in their weaponry. Markdor lies in the northern mountains littered with volcanoes of the northern continent. Goldenstone (topaz). Markdor. which were probably initially developed to help mine the valuable jewels in the mines of Markdor quicker. with Markdor on one side. brutal cold. Four hours a day he would train with blunted weapons in the yard. While the Northern Cross is superior. the battle of the better arms is a draw. Bedspiders are also initially from Markdor. Leuryte crystal. Dorians seem to be capable blacksmiths. craftsmen and miners. The northern continent is known for its mountainous regions. Dor Isle is a small island in the southeast. Markdor is the origin of explosives using Flash Powder or the “Manifestation of the Thunder of Markdor” called Grenados. Instead of learning etiquette and how to bow and treat nobles properly.” – Bestiary – Dread Horseman When you think of the northern continent. Dread Horsemen. The Council of Steel commands the Iron Legion. elite soldiers to protect the Council. your mind usually goes straight to Markdor. women are raised to be skilled at martial arts. Markdor seems to be on good terms with the major nations on the other continents. Dor Isle. The High Council placed a bounty on their heads that Askarian mercenaries eventually took care of. Though Markdor has a powerful military. As you may recall from the Kraekan chapter. but the 11 year old Princess Umali was safe to ascend to the throne. mercenaries from Dor Isle. The Gray Raiders managed to thwart multiple attempts to be stopped by the Dorian military.queen. and the deadly mounted soldiers. who attacked caravans and merchants. armed with their Kureimoas. These combat-hardened veterans excel in all forms of warfare. Dor Isle and Taenibir get sort of overshadowed by the super-power that is Markdor. their disciplined tenacity and the imposing armaments they bear into battle have garnered a fearsome reputation extending far beyond the borders of their native Markdor. the Mountain Lords who wield the deadly Mountain Breaker hammer. they have had trouble dealing with the bandit group: the Gray Raiders. Dor Isle also has a 41 | P a g e . employing both mounted and dismounted tactics as circumstances demand. Women’s role in Markdor is more self-reliant than anywhere else in the Kingdom. Interestingly enough. dueling. Chapter XIV: The Overshadowed and Impoverished: Dor Isle and Taenibir “Steel shield of the Dread Horsemen. the Ironforged Guard. is actually pretty important to Markdor. who primarily wield the Iron Butterfly axe. and marksmanship. elite officers of the Dorian occupation forces stationed in neighboring Taenibir. on the south eastern island of the northern continent. were able to drive the Wyrms from the mountains of Markdor. enslaving as many as they need.number of bustling trade cities. stomping out any rebels who try to break free of their Dorian masters. including the deadly Dread Horsemen patrol the poor streets of Taenibir. Dorian forces. scattered around the northern continent. Anyone who did manage to escape before being enslaved or stomped out are no longer in good shape. 42 | P a g e . Due to the need for workers in mines of Markdor. The only thing Taenibir has going for them is their special fire potion. Taenibir. ideal for the craftsman and blacksmiths of Markdor to peddle their wares. the Birian Firepot. and their deadly Lowland Mercenaries who wield the Lowlander’s Greatknife. Dorian forces have occupied Taenibir. is not so fortunate. on the other hand. 43 | P a g e . Mother Merles have many characteristics of over protective mothers.  Jonas’ Landing – What’s up with that? There is nothing that I can find anywhere on Jonas or his landing. She considers any creature unfortunate enough to fit in her cage her child and desires to keep them close to her forever.” .” .  Trials of Alderan: A fairy tale about a knight who had to rescue a woman from an evil wizard.  Eaters of Thought: – Creatures of nightmares and fairytales.  Mother Merle: “Although never having children of their own. and his stocks and warehouses of salt became dead.Temparen 9:1 o “And his greed consumed him.” . of are only mentioned maybe once or twice. but doesn’t really fit in anywhere else. when salt held life.Part VI: Unsolved Mysteries of the Salt This portion of the tome is simply a few musings of mysteries that either don’t fit in anywhere else. Here are some of the entries that are kind of standalone.Jonastin 11:1  The Thousand Miracles? Only ever referenced once.  Bloodflowers and the Crushing of Eggs: Apparently both are a symbol of war. spreading wealth to the weak and infirm. Only referenced once.”  There is apparently a holy text of some sort.Temparen 13:12 o “She traveled from village to village.” . (Note: there are more in the next part of the tome) o “The House of Light took alms and gave to the poor and infirm.Lukas 5:21 o “So sprinkle salt on their heads. I think this is very interesting.  Drowned Porcelain: Children of kings who must wear porcelain masks around their elders. a burlap bag of salt on her back. whatever state of living or dead that may be.  The Jester – What’s his deal? He has the ability to move around the island as he sees fit and seems to have a pretty good grasp on the inner workings of the island. and did graey. its stocks swelled with the kindness of man. in remembrance of days long past. He was pursued by Spear Imps. Apparently it’s what Poison Cytoplasm is made out of. Also. Where do they come from? Who did they work for? What is their purpose?  The Silver Fang: Yet another unknown assassin order. which is what gives them their poison breath. Glimpsed only in the deep forests surrounding remote temples and shrines. these regal felines are thought to be attracted to holy sites and are widely regarded as omens of good fortune. Bloated Monstrosities eat Poison Cytoplasm. 44 | P a g e . as cats are sometimes omens of bad fortune as evidenced by the Cat King (below).” o Interesting. The Kaltic Order of Assassins: Only ever mentioned on the Kaltic Razor dagger.  Opal Tusk – “An opalescent crystal dagger carved from the tusk of a divine beast known as a Lightkin.  Brownvapor: A rare and powerful poison mixed only by master alchemists. The city’s holy warriors numbered 29 battle-ready paladins and 33 clerics. and one for the incomplete stories. Fighting the envoy could doom the city. and arbalesters. Chapter XV: Complete Stories from the Tree of Skill Section I: The Pencen Pilgrimage “In Remetia. Not all of the stories in the Tree of Skill are complete. pikemen.Part VII: Stories from the Tree of Skill This section is reserved for the word for word transcription of the stories in the tree of skill. I’ve taken them all from the Tree of Skill myself except Pantheonus. and they really helped shape the Drowned Tome.” “The small city of Remetia had been long loyal to the creed of Devara and the old gods. In Remetia.” 45 | P a g e . a council of clerics and paladins of Devara was held in secret to determine the best course of action to take against the increasing pressure from the Askarian crown. and disarm any paladins of Devara who did not wish to take the oath of the new gods. and the Cat King. relocate images and shrines of Devara to pre-approved locations in the city’s periphery. accompanied by at least three score of armored guardsmen.” “The goal of the envoy was known: they would rededicate places of worship in Remetia to The Three. would soon be approaching the small city. to the north of Askaria. and so I’ve broken this part up into two separate chapters: one for complete stories.” “And so the council of clerics and paladins of Devara discussed their options. in the third year since the ratification of the Great Unification Decree. There is a great deal of information in these stories. the Tale of Vel Karam. the Great Unification Decree was viewed as nothing more than an attempt to usurp the faith and loyalty of Askaria’s subjects. Kneeling to the Askarian crown was out of the question.” “Word had reached Remetia that an envoy of Askarian nobles. Those were transcribed by /u/The_Antlion (thank you!). One would use his foot to make an arc in the sand. 716 peasants.” “With supplies and stocks for 7 days’ journey accounted for. would have to scout out a perimeter to accommodate a camp of nearly 800 people.“But Liven to the north had resisted the Askarian Great Unification Decree. her close friend.” “The sun would set soon. If the other was loyal. Flanked by the cleric Doramin Tolls.” “She was hot under her heavy mail and thick surcoat. he would likewise make an arc. the group vanished into the moonlit night.” “The lord of Remetia had already kneeled to the Askarian crown.’ she replied. then they both set off into the woods. descendant of Ericho the Austere. Doramin Tolls was not hiding his discomfort quite as easily. and two nobles. and peasants – would embark on a pilgrimage to Liven. completing the circle.” 46 | P a g e . women and children that would be known as the Pencen Pilgrimage. as well. the better. ‘The peasantry are on their last legs. the sign of the sun. and Mina and Doramin. yeah?’ he asked. those loyal to Devara assembled in the night to make pilgrimage to Liven in secret. the greatest source of light. leading the pack. They had embarked on what would be known as the Pencen Pilgrimage. ‘We’ll make camp at sundown. and his guardsman were loyal to King Ericho IV. he smiled at Mina. Doramin whistled a signal to the paladins further down the line. but her training had given her the discipline [to] endure far worse. so it was decided: those loyal to Devara – paladins. clerics. and the shade didn’t seem to do enough to stifle the hot summer sun. Among them were 29 paladins.’ Doramin nodded.” “Mina was a Birian paladin in the lead of the pack of nearly 800 men. And so news of the pilgrimage spread.” “Remetians loyal to Devara spread news of the Pilgrimage in secret.” “Wiping sweat from his brow. The Pilgrimage of those loyal to Devara would have to occur in secret. 33 clerics. ‘We’ll have to.” “Three nights after the council. now stripped of title: former Baron Erodan of Sylven and former Baroness Emiella of Orange. she had marched for a night and half a day north through the forests that spanned the unclaimed land between Liven and Remetia. But the more distance we can make. ” “Whispering words of faith. On each of their backs was a silver shield bearing the crest of the new gods. They each wore a black cloak over heavy plate and wielded a sharpened spatha. lodging itself in the eye slits of the Night Raider’s helm.” “She put her full weight into driving her spiked mace into the Night Raider’s face. and both froze in their tracks.” “‘He died for a false god. Mina charged. his blade falling to the side. She charged shield-first into the first Night Raider. It connected with a sick crunch of metal and bone. and Doramin was no match for an armored knight. ‘Doramin.” “Passing around a rocky ledge.’ she said angrily.” “They had broken no laws by setting out in pilgrimage. They were outnumbered and outmatched. unflinchingly. Mina’s face burned with fury.’ The cleric spoke words of faith.” 47 | P a g e .” “Beyond the rocky ledge were four knights of the Askarian elite combat squadron: the Night Raiders. but Mina had the divine light of Devara at her back. And what she spied ahead chilled her to the bone. Armor. turning the Night Raider’s helm into a scene of carnage that far too closely resembled a kicked pot of burnt tomato soup. and Mina’s paladin’s plate began to glow. Her composure was more ironclad than the knight whose head she had just reduced to red paste.” “It was four to two.“The woods between Liven and Remetia were filled with dangerous beasts and marauding tribes. but Mina was more concerned with Askarian scouts. and Doramin’s eyes pleaded that she stay still. but the cruel King Ericho IV. But how many? And to what end? She signaled to Doramin. would not think twice of slaughtering the lot of them from spite. sending him stumbling off balance. It was as she feared: Askarian scouts were pursuing them. Mina felt a piece as Devara’s divine light filled her weapon until it reached a hotly glowing crescendo. whom they mockingly called Ericho the Envy-Ridden. then the crisp sound of plate. Mina first heard footsteps. But the righteous fire of a paladin is a difficult thing to quench.” “The two stood motionless behind the rocky ledge. elbow crushed to splinters within ruined plate couter. waiting for an opening.” “At last. grunting with the blow. He fell back in a shower of sparks. She slammed her mace. He fell limply forward. and though impaled through the chest.“The first Night Raider reached her before the other two. spatha in hand. charged Mina. and his blade pathetically bounced off of Mina’s left pauldron. crashed across his left temple. attempting to flank Mina. connecting with the back of his helm. giving her just enough room to maneuver.” “The last Night Raider. His couter was crushed. but he’d mistimed his approach.” 48 | P a g e . ‘Take the blade. a trickle of blood falling from his deeply dented helmet. dented on her mail and plate.” “To his astonishment. She retreated. using the momentum to thrust his own blade through her chest. but he shifted to bring up his abomination-crested shield.” “The blades of the Night Raiders pounded at her shield. a Night Raider overreached. But the protection of Devara held.” “Mina swung her mace backhanded toward the iron helm of the last Night Raider standing. cut through her leather. then wailing in surprise. glowing with divine vengeance. Her glowing spiked mace. But he had not practiced offhand combat. collapsing in the leaves. deflecting her blow in a furious shower of sparks. until the ironclad knight’s head was nothing more than a smoking bowl of pulp. deftly raising her shield to deflect blows from the two assailants. sending him sprawling into the leaves. hammering at his helm. then at what was left of his helm.” “The light left Mina’s mace.” “Mina swung her mace at the crippled knight as he pitched past her. making scrapes and bruises of what would have been deep cuts and broken bones. blessed with Devara’s eternal fury.’ she croaked to Doramin who had dumbly watched the skirmish unfold. she fought with the rage of a thousand spurred old gods. his vambrace-clad forearm bent the wrong way from his elbow at nearly a right angle. and Mina had already dispatched two of them. down on his outstretched sword arm. but it was now a matched fight. slashed at her surcoat.” “The next two were more careful. She fell to a knee and coughed a fine cloud of blood. she stood her ground. descendant of the true-‘ Bel cut him off. An envoy of Askarian foot soldiers had rounded up dozens of peasants. If Night Raiders were in this part of the woods. ‘Get on with it. heir of the Askarian crown.” “The noble cleared his throat. ‘It has been ordered by King Ericho IV. voice full of sneering contempt. faces masks of fear. ‘This has gone long enough. descendant of the true king. while other paladins and clerics hurriedly headed toward a crowd that was forming to the south. ‘Now. Mina sucked in air.” “Mina and Doramin returned to the path to find the group in disarray. separated from the peasantry by rows of footsoldiers. The wound sprayed blood for the barest moment.” “Quickly.’ he said in common. boy. From behind the Askarian ranks. with some worried looking paladins and clerics among them. ‘We’ve come to collect in the name of King Ericho IV. they moved back toward the main path. and then it was gone. but she stood of her own strength before he knew it.” “Doramin Tolls moved to help the paladin to her feet. and the blade wrest free of her chest. a smirking picture of smugness.” “He pulled with all of his might. as if a blade had not just pierced and been pulled from her lung mere moments ago. threated by arbalesters. A warm light descended upon the two.“Speaking words of faith.’ she wheezed.” “The Askarian noble sat straight in his saddle. Doramin braced his foot against Mina’s pauldron. The rest may have been in danger still. women and children were running north. and ranks of arbalesters kept close watch on any who might have had the same idea.’ An aged cleric emerged from the paladin phalanx. ‘Collect what?’ Bel demanded.’ she said quietly. Men. The periphery of the crowd was littered with the arrow-ridden bodies of those who had fled.” “The remaining paladins formed a protective shield around the clerics.” “Their worst fears had been realized. In the crowd were banners of the new gods. a mounted noble approached. they were probably on the hunt elsewhere as well.’” 49 | P a g e . ‘Armor will need repair. Mina and Doramin ran toward the banners. clad in shimmering goldtrimmed plate. Mina knew the woman simply as Bel. a brilliant column of light erupted from where she fell. the noble’s face registered shock. they’d call him. Mina’s mace crashed through helm after helm as the battlefield around her exploded with the clerics’ glowing flashes of divine light. old gods against new. Cowed by Crones. arbalests. and to a man they were mercilessly crushed under the paladins’ spiked maces. helm and debris were sent scattering from the blast. His expression was one of frozen fear. The crown had already stripped them of their titles when they refused to kneel to the new gods. shields. She continued toward the noble. gray and bowed with age.” “‘All followers of the true goddess are free to follow her.” 50 | P a g e . through the line of confused guards.’ she said. and charred.’ she said. footmen and peasants alike. still bodies.’ he declared. expanding in heat and light and thunderous sound. But the privileged pomp of an Askarian noble quickly crept back over it. ‘and your steel.” “‘The flame absolves you. Most of the arbalesters had already loosed their bolts in the confusion and were now struggling to reload their weapons.” “Other paladins and clerics had engaged the remaining Askarian footmen. A starburst of ash. Should he have beheaded her for insubordination? Grannyslayer. piercing her in her back. Bel responded.” “Mina lowered her shield. The fire had vanished. Bodies. She fell to the ground. extended out from where she lay.” “’All followers-‘ she started. except for the bolts in her back.” “Bel calmly strode toward the mounted noble. extending endlessly into the clouds. who in turn looked to the noble. and the Askarian troops looked to their captain. Erodan of Sylven and Emiella of Orange looked up in astonishment. Two more followed.” “Mina charged the remaining opposition. ‘We require the two nobles among you. flanked by her fellow warriors of Devara. Her eyes rolled back in her head. But before they could react. swords. pitting mace against sword.’ she croaked.’” “From the crowd. She was a woman of nearly 80. but in that moment an arbalest arrow streaked through the air. striking next to the first. The body of Bel lay motionless in the center of the scene. ‘Out of the question. In a flash.“For a moment. debris. unscathed. and the dust was clearing. Mina and Doramin.” Section II: The Tale of Vel Karam “High upon a silver tow'r Above the blighted trees The legacy of Vel Karam Dwel't in mystery.” “Wiping dust and ash from their brows. Perhaps she spent the last of her will saving the pilgrims. along with every last battle-ready paladin and cleric from the pilgrimage. 4 paladins. Aside from Bel.” “The Pencen Pilgrimage was over. Vel Karam was spoken of In tones of quiet fear.” “Shaken. she was taken by Devara before anyone could reach her. a heavily scarred. but the war was not. They reached the AskariaLiven border in two more days’ march. the pilgrimage resumed. but not broken. taking up the Queen’s crest: a tree growing from an earthen vessel. and 24 peasants had been wounded too gravely to heal. pledged fealty to the Queen of Liven. while the Askarian army was virtually limitless. where a Liveni scout regiment was able to provide them safe passage to Liven. The others began to survey the scene. 7 clerics.“The last Askarian fell to a crushing blow from Wen.” “They said rites and buried all the bodies: friend and foe alike. but the Pencen Pilgrimage’s numbers of fighters was quickly dwindling. one by one the peasants began to rise. blackbearded paladin. Mina gasped: some of the peasants that had been knocked prone by the blast had begun to stir. Devara had shielded her followers from the blinding column of divine vengeance. Her aged body riddled with arrows. Their foes’ bodies numbered far more. The tongues would change from town to town 51 | P a g e .” “But Bel would return to the sea. and the worst any of them suffered were some bruised bottoms and singed beards. demoness Or that which man can't fathom That Vel Karam became a tale Had muddied history. And when she'd been gone 13 days A gray mist would come down. And not a copper would she take She'd ask only for rest. 52 | P a g e . But children maim'd but left alive With limbs cleav'd at the wrist. An oracle of light. And when she travel'd to your town Your harvest would be bless'd. T'wasn't drought or failing crops Amidst the silver mist. Said to be a mighty witch Or sometimes called a Kraekan. She'd vanish in the night.. And tragedy and misery Would wash over the town. But once their trust and hearts she had. Necromancer. But men who told the tale agreed She was born of the sea. So your town would welcome her..The details never clear. The bitterness had curs'd him not. riposte While not at hoe and spade. He'd practice parry. 53 | P a g e . In one town a hero grew Not knowing his full fate. Guileless towns welcomed her still So doomed to misery. Stich'd and heal'd and clean of blood By witchcraft they were marr'd. thrust. The hero's name Eggari Of Nort Hamero clan. He bore the evil witch's work Eggari's missing hand. Smiths and merchants.The childrens' wounds were not of blade But of a magic dark. Generations bore the mark That Vel Karam had made. farmers too And the vestment-clad. Decades pass'd. So villages from near and far Grew in distant shade. Lived full lives dismember'd still: Shades of Vel Karam. the fable grew But somehow she walk'd freely. wild berries. 54 | P a g e . roots He gather'd to sustain him. In the distance rose the spire He knew what he was nearing. And mushrooms. A crossbow that Eggari built He used in hunting game. A fortnight though the woods of pitch He came upon a clearing. He'd not be victim to the crone Her legacy so ghastly. His journey took him through the woods Through valleys so abyssal. A day into his nineteenth year Eggari did embark. And young Eggari practiced well And grew into a man: A swordsman fierce. The nights were fraught with dreadful sounds The days were not less dismal. Despite his missing hand. But not a moment had gone by When arrow struck his back. pack supplies. He march'd into the dark. In mail.He dwel't not in the past. with sword. a dueler. And under light of moon. He tended scrapes and minor wounds 55 | P a g e . an arm. The one-arm'd hero scann'd the trees The brigands number'd 10. Opening a third and fourth The ground grew wet with red. Bloodied. a bloody gale. from the trees! An ambush! An attack! Drawing steel with fencing hand Eggari faced the threat. Eggari slashed the throat of one. a nose. a leg A hand still clutching knife! The routed brigands fled in turn Their number now just two. but yet resolute. An ear. Arrows flew from every side But wither'd at his mail. another.A shout. Another he impaled. Dodging dirk and wooden club. Eggari's bow was swifter still The bolts he loosed flew true. And he became a whirlwind Of blades. He hewed and hacked and sliced. The spire's gate was mir'd in thorns. Smear'd in ancient grime. 56 | P a g e . Twisted and entangled. Kadanian Present all the same. Cold damp stone. Eggari knew just what it was: That wicked witch's stead. Reaching for the door handle Eggari turned it easily. The staircase ended 'neath the sky: The ruins of Vel Karam.His journey could resume. but feebly. They showed no signs of age or rot But twitched with life arcane. Tristini. yet wreathed in twine Reach'd at his. overgrown. 3 days of marching again The spire loomed ahead. Those sever'd hands. Eggari came upon a door Wreath'd in sever'd hands. Eggari hacked at branch and thistle Hot with righteous anger. Eggari set foot on the stair And steadily he climbed. touched and grasped And were they trying to cry? The crone had not just stolen flesh She'd taken bits of life. a pile of bones And from behind: a laugh. shrouded. all veil'd in dark 57 | P a g e . Baskets lined the floor below And twine was strung in banners. Eggari witnessed such a sight He had seen naught so horrid. Was it she? Vel Karam? Simply sitting there? 'Witch.Creeping into room beyond A place so black and morbid.' He brought his blade down viciously Upon the ragged mass It fell from chair. but faltered when A creaky voice said 'No. strung in twine Were scores of sever'd hands. In the corner. Rocking in a chair. I've come to banish thee to Th'icy realm below. They twitched and squirmed.' He raised his sword. And there she stood. hunched. Piled in baskets. Leaking wicked life.' But Eggari would not be thralled By guile or charm or trick. Aged before his eyes. 'Look at you. 'You've doom'd them all. at first so young and fresh. you utter fool. Her lifeblood spilled from gaping wound And her strength gave way. my handsome knight But now is time to rest. Her magick was so powerful. 'You've journeyed far. Fast decrepid. wrinkled.' Eggari coiled back in fear. Surveilling what he'd wrought. gray. But here it gave no aid. with silver hair And garments weav'd of sky. A maiden young. 58 | P a g e . he plunged his blade Into the witch's neck. Her skin. the childes I took: Our threads of life were linked. my child.' She croaked to Eggari. and lay your weary Head upon my breast.With skin all ghostly white. Come. Bold and steeled. A lucky few took blade to flesh. Heralding the end. Their minds. The stench became unbearable. He left that charnel place. Devouring living men. Those who has lost bits of them.The hands were quickly growing foul. Returning from the Citadel. Knew naught but hunger pangs. To evil Vel Karam. Spreading rot that eats the soul. decayed and blind with rage. And so the blighted plagued the land. He spent his days atoning. The rest were taken by the rot. the one-armed Knight. He found his home in waste. And Eggari. A blight so fiercly spreading. Those lucky few were spared. From whence they lost their hands. Surrendering to rot. Had suddenly began to rot. purging 59 | P a g e . The rotted stumps were spreading quick And took most unaware. The usher of the damned. a very small and skinny silver cat sought shelter from the elements under a simple wooden box. But one particular land knows only fear of cats and the trouble they bring. Most of the time. he took the cat back to his house.” 60 | P a g e . The cottage was warm and kept out all of the rain and wind. While taking stock of the cottage. Down to the last man. He brought the cat back to his shack so they could keep each other warm. so the cottage was to be auctioned. The living folk did tell the tale: The Tale of Vel Karam” Section III: The Cat King “Many regard the sight of cats to be a sign of good fortune. but it was better than nothing.” “For a time.Childes of Vel Karam. a little old lady that was out picking mushrooms happened upon the shack. the man fell ill and could no longer leave his bed. the town adjudicator discovered a silver cat. The box only kept out some of the rain and wind.” “Not long after falling ill. Perhaps good fortune would befall the man. The old lady grew older and soon could no longer leave the cottage.” “Once upon a time. But soon. He could no longer leave the shack. the man died.” “Not long after. should one come home with them. the man and the silver cat kept each other warm. Needing a cat to hunt the mice that plagued his home. so she took the cat home to her cottage to keep her company. The shack kept out most of the rain and wind. the woman died. Some time after his death. the little old lady and the silver cat kept each other company. And when he'd slaughtered every ghoul. they are right.” “A haggard and worn-looking man saw the silver cat. The woman had no heir.” “For a time. and the cat looked quite cold. She found a small silver cat who looked lonely. But as the children grew. fernlike grass plant known to grow in the most poisonous corners of Kadanian swampland. Red Grass is extremely bitter when chewed. and the cat would turn into a beautiful princess.” Section IV: Chauncy’s Medicine “Medicine through poultices and salves. But when the cat did not turn into a human princess.” “I need not tell you what happened to the king but it is said that a great silver cat still resides in that castle: a ruler of that land. the prince grew angry and tried to kill the cat. she brought the cat back to her large estate. a widower king seeking a new bride came across the estate.“For a time. the adjudicator kicked the cat out. a furry. or Red Grass. lest he become the subject of ridicule. Looking for a companion for her children.” “Most modern medicines trace their roots back to Kadanian Rojiella.” “For a time. The cat whispered to him that he only need bring the cat back to his castle and marry it.” “Not long after. But he was nowhere to be found! She found only a large silver cat. has long been practiced by healers and sages since the time before writing. lest a cat come home with them. feared by all. the silver cat dutifully chased mice from the adjudicator's home. but sooner than not. a widowed heiress called upon the adjudicator in his home. Having no more need for a cat.” 61 | P a g e .” “Not long after the auction.” “The king brought the silver cat back home to his castle and married the cat in a secret ceremony. To this day. but in it he found only a huge silver cat. the mice were all gone. and they grew bored of the cat. the silver cat kept the heiress' children happy. but can be made palatable by grinding with mortar and pestle and mixed with sweet cider. the castle stands unoccupied and the villagers bring tribute to the landing of the castle. their interests shifted from toys and games to hunting and courtship. as differentiated from medicine through divine channels. Crimflower falls under the watchful jurisdiction of The Three. Were it not so costly to produce and harvest. and bake sweet Hearty Rolls. known as Shards. Clerics to Devara devote most of their resources to keeping their Water of Blessing stockpiles full. where baking is culturally intertwined with good health. bearing an official crest stamp or being subject to anti-contraband law. Cloths of canvas are trimmed. as providing healing to the poor is their main method of proselytizing. then soaked for 7 days in baths of perfume and blue moss paste. a thatching. fuzzy grass that can survive in mountainous climates. The base of the Aziema is actually highly toxic. and elegantly embroidered. or Winemoss to the north. though its physiology is completely different from Rojiella. a flowering grass with similar properties. clerics prepare special cloths of canvas as tools for reenergizing paladins and healers.” “In monasteries to Devara. mixing in sweet dried fruits and grapes. the disappearance of scars. but the fronds are extremely vitalizing. with the syrupy Crimflower product known as “Red” placed under close regulatory control. bakers create a dough with powdered Winemoss. A blue moss that grows in the southern and eastern continents is blended with spiced mead to create a powerful elixir that can invigorate without excessively dulling the senses.” “Red Grass was bred into various other flora.” “To the south.” “To the east. as well as swarms of grass-addicted peasantry. such as Crimflower to the east. hemmed. and general waves of undescribable wellness. a smaller breed of Crimflower known as Eye of Hearts is cultivated by clerics of Devara and mixed with blessed lightwater to create the magical potion known as Water of Blessing. and baker and healer are one in the same.“The effects of Red Grass are nearly miraculous: those who consume Red Grass have noted rapid mending of wounds. Blue Grass. derivative breeds of Aziema fungus are used throughout the continents in revitalizing medicine. this realm could expect the eradication of disease and death. is actually the frond-like extensions that grow on cave fungi known as White Aziema.” “Like with Rojiella. This has created a black market for unofficial Red. sometimes known as Moon Grass.” “In the north.” “Deceptively similar looking to Kadanian Red Grass is Kadanian Blue Grass.” 62 | P a g e . seer of Kens and Greenfarm.” Section V: The Burning Clouds “What follows in the Prophecy of Burning Clouds. Delicately mined with great difficulty. as they are extremely rare and of nebulous origins.” “And the servant’s body will be wrapped in linens and covered in balms. and have brought him to the sea. that the sorcerer’s rituals could be made complete. disintegrating and absorbing into the skin of whomever crushes it.” “When the world burns.” “And he would meet death early.” “And the scullery servant’s chest would be hewn.” “Rojiella and Aziema derivatives have even been found in strong wine. Dorian prefer Leuryte Crystal. which hid in a mire feared by careful men.” “But the next morning. and his heart would be taken. but by the hand of a shunned assassin.“For vigorating medicine. the crystal is easily crushed. perversions of the order of life itself.” “Spirits of sea will have rescued him. but not by ordinary means. though his heart will be gone still. though he would lack a heart in his chest. so that his life will be made new. the sorcerer would make rituals of blood magic and Salt Alkymancy. The particular techniques for preparing and fermenting these wines is unknown. it will not be by the hands of kings or gods or demons. mined in the mountains of Markdor.” “His station would be that of a servant in scullery. and his days and nights would be spent scrubbing pans and poisoning rats.” 63 | P a g e .” “He would be waylaid by bandits and sold as property to a sorcerer of blood magic. to preserve for burial.” “And in the sorcerer’s hut.” “And his body would be made strong by salt not of this world. a vision of Kira the Blind. a village in the region of Liven. and have exchanged dead salt for living salt. the body of the servant will be nowhere to be found. for his will would become fiercer than any man. ” “And in this time he will have a sister not of blood. and he would again be captured and slaughtered.” “And he would shed his name.“And in undeath.” “But hear would appear again in one thousand and twenty four years. knowing only vengeance and justice. in undeath he would become swifter and more deadly than the most decorated Tristini swordsman. the practitioners of blood magic and Salt Alkymancy will have enthralled most men. and she will become enthralled by blood magic and Salt Alkymancy. again. setting fire to his hut of and the grim things it held. and he will slay her in battle. his heart taken by wicked practitioners of blood magic and Salt Alkymancy.” “So in night he would visit death upon the sorcerer of the mire.” “And his fate would be the same as of old. though they would be known by different names in this time. he would wield the taichi of his ancestors’ ancestors.” 64 | P a g e . having built towers of metal and light that capture Fire and Sky.” “And he would seek neither fame nor power.” “And though he would be of Tristin.” “And he will ascend the towers of metal and light. lost of this time. by salt not of this world. and he will slay their thralls and constructs. but he would seek vengeance and justice.” “And in time he would be lost in the fire. visiting first the sorcerer of the mire. beyond a trail of blood and ashes. he would gain mastery of blade and body.” “And in this time. in the form of a scullery servant. putting to the blade and to flame all evil men and wicked purveyors of blood magic and Salt Alkymancy. a blade of masterful craftsmanship.” “So he would set into the mire.” “Though he would have neither practiced nor studied. whose wicked ritual robbed him of his life.” “But he would not go back to his village. and he will slay the practitioners of blood magic and Salk Alkymancy. being an abomination of blood magic and Salt Alkymancy. Kazik Termin and his cousin Azemar would use bow and scout. though he could crack a skull or two in a pinch.” “And so servant and cook will usher in the end of the world in burning clouds. an agent of salt not of this world.” “Our expedition began on the fourteenth day of the month of harvest.” Section VI: The Foley Knoll Horror “The words that follow detail the 192th ranging of the Coats ‘n’ talons. heading northeast from Liven. but every man among us had be sufficiently trained in all aspects of ranging. equipped with glaive and javelin. but of a time to come. as carried out by me. Redbrow division of Liven. We would travel three days’ time northeast. hunt. with Cliffendell Crag only beginning to rise.” “We embarked on the Greengrove Trail. then head directly east into the woods to track gnarlends along Cliffendell Crag. The purpose of the ranging was to track. in the year Olaresh 472. And Todgy Longsmith was our chef.” “These are things I. Karmen Cran. I was to take point with whip and crossbow. I do hereby swear that all of the things I have claimed and chronicled below are true to the best of my recollection.” “There were 6 in our party.” “We spotted our first sign of gnarlends not far after leaving the trail. division captain. and eliminate gnarlend constructs that had been terrorizing smaller villages to the northeast of Liven. We were tasked with a specific role. still a half day’s journey away.“And his companion will be flesh made of the spirits of the sea. seeing not things of this time. Kazik Termin spied a burnt-looking stump and closer inspection revealed the 65 | P a g e .” “But they will discover that the evil that came of blood magic and Salt Alkymancy had spread into the very soil.” “Ajnders the Birian and Ellia Rum were strikers. poisoning the world to its very core. Kira the Blind have seen. taking form of a scullery cook. neither human. as well as confirmation of our quarry. and paralyzing.” “Gnarlends are neither living nor dead. There they draw from the tree’s life force. armed to the teeth. Fire is also a hunter’s best friend. What we do know is this: some forest tribes will place the corpses stillborn infants inside the trunks of knotted trees. they’re ready to hunt.” “In the day.” “We traveled in groups of two.unmistakable signs: a tree trunk rent as if by flashfire.” “We cautiously made our way to Cliffendell Crag. though they usually take a bit more chopping up. and as the tree grows. eerily infantile faces and viny. a gnarlend is born. no man wants to face down a gnarlend. shrouded in bits of charred. Our search was fruitless. They are nightmarishly hideous. nor plant.’ were crude but useful. decayed flesh. twisting their writing. misshapen appendages among the branches. it’s this: if they get you. Something about their faces is haunting. basking in sun. but it gave us some clues to go on. unsurprisingly. bearing misshapen. gnarlends hide high in trees. entangled skin. never straying far from camp. When night fell. but destroying their heads is a sure way to kill them for good. rendering themselves almost invisible. the hunt began. devoured. or two-and-meat as we called it: two men would hoist a torch-bearing straw dummy in front of them and range into the woods.” 66 | P a g e . perhaps through some horrid magic. a gnarlend is killed like any other beast. but we reached the crag and made camp in good time. terrifying. The dummies or ‘the meats. attempting the whole while to spot any gnarlends who may have hidden themselves carefully. They have no hearts or lungs to pierce.” “The origin of gnarlends is a thing of horrible mystery. I’ve heard of steeled men. Overwhelmed. “Still. yet frozen in their tracks at the sight of a gnarlend.” “Fortunately.” “There were no tracks around the hewn trunk. They do it so that when night falls. they’ll eat your eyes first. If anything should get you moving in a showdown with a gnarlend. ” 67 | P a g e . gnarled limbs contorted and bent in rapid. unnatural motions. I slowly panned our decoy toward the source of the sound. The straw dummy bobbed and swayed.” “The creature shrieked a hideous wail. We’d also slather them in the fluids of a dead rabbit for good measure. me hoisting out torch-bearing ‘meat’ two yeards ahead of us. tore into the woods. more like a mass of spiders than a single creature. illuminated our view ahead. a razor sharp blade-tipped steel chain weapon. though he was certainly the most capable with a crossbow and cleaver. the rest of the miserable wretch collapsing shortly after. The flame bolt. finding purchase just below the gnarlend’s head. the others would soon follow.” “We both froze at the sound of frenzied scratching to our right. making a fixed sentry of our friend the meat. and kept us hidden in shadow. on this night. Gnarlends did not hunt in packs or coordinate attacks. A fist sized chunk of the creature’s head slapped hard onto the forest floor. and the blade connected with a violence that was as elegant as it was visceral. infant-like face remained steadily fixed in our direction. who had already begun to retrieve our bait. careful not to expose their backs as they did so. its torchlight casting an eerily dancing web of light and shadow into the black wood. The threshing. Todgy was perhaps the bravest chef I knew. but its fleshy. like a screaming infant choked by its own tears. and me with Todgy.” “Without hesitation.” “If a unit was attacked. I loosed an incendiary bolt from my crossbow. and saw it there. and lashed it at the monstrosity.” “So. but if the bait was sweet enough for one.” “I snapped the whip precisely. the other two would retreat toward the attacked unit. Then I unclasped my whip. But I’d missed its head and now it wanted mine.“The torches they bore made them better bait. Ellia with Azemar. carefully.” “‘Formation!’ I hissed to Todgy. But then he vanished into a writing shadow of gnarled limbs. They were dropping from the trees. ignited by the crossbow’s lever mechanism. and burst into flame. we began our ranging in formation: Kazik with Ajnders.” “I drove the bait hoist into the ground. rapidly descending from the tree.” “We moved slowly. separating and coalescing into the shape of two windows. but I had scarcely taken two steps when all four of them had one by one collapsed into shadows. and forced my back against it. if there was just one of them that I could forever erase from my memory. Perhaps I’d stored some herbs or an icon that would terrify the damn things. but 68 | P a g e . but even a death at the hands of raiders would be better than to fall to my pursuers. Perhaps I was racing toward a brigand camp. Its chin dripped blood and bits of bright red flesh. I sprinted toward the door.” “In the glow of lamplight before me I saw 5 stunned faces: a man.” “Before I cleaved the hideous creature’s head in two. I raced toward it. gurgling cacophony of gnarlends bearing toward me. The woods were theirs. nightmarish wails. infant-like wail.” “I arrived at our camp at the Crag.” “The torchlight was waning. threw it open. I ran desperately. the children had been curled up on straw mattresses. a woman.” “In that moment. I started toward the others. their terrible quickness not diminishing in the slightest. and three children. the odds shift dramatically towards despair. It was a small cottage at the top of the hill. I had hoped that the gnarlends would avoid the clearing or the campfire.” “As I ran. I did finally see its face. knowing that at any moment my escape could be cut brutally short. I bolted for Cliffendell Crag. I spied an orange glow in the hill to the east.” “All around me I could hear the wet. when it reared up to wail at me with its gurgling. they were everywhere. it was that. ducked inside. but it was too quick. But the vile monsters pursued me through the camp. The man and woman had been sitting at an oak table.” “I drew my field cleaver and did my best to hack at the thing. I caught a glimpse of what it had done to poor Todgy’s face. but the things dwell in trees! When they can drop in droves on unsuspecting hunters in the pitch of night.“When we had seen the first gnarlend descend. shivering thuds of gnarlends dropping from their perches. They were in the trees. a thought had struck my mind: we’re too early. too shapeless. Hunting gnarlends that are grounded is one thing. and I could hear the skittering. the distant glow drew into focus. too evasive in the dark of the night. Of all the horrible things I’ve seen. They were certainly surprised. amid human screams and unearthly. tearing through tents and stumbling over bedrolls. ’ I smiled and took a deep draught of the drink. Diadel. But the old gods favor my sort over the cannibals and abominations.” “The man. and dressed in a plain canvas tunic and trousers. I was in a different dwelling: a great hall.’ he grunted. I had been stripped of my weapons and fine Redbrow armor.” “Lined up at the table. would they listen? Still as a stone. drawing them to their faces. Deliver me. I felt at the ropes binding my hands: tied tight. and bound. Devara. and handed the cup to me.” “An unearthly wail erupted from outside the door. and were now committing the ultimate act of defilement upon them. And then they were gone. eh?’ he asked as I put the cup to my lips. dusted me off and helped me to my feet.” “‘Hunter. twice.” 69 | P a g e .” “I was unarmed. hunched over the butchered slabs of human flesh. they were eating them!” “On one of the slabs of human flesh I recognized a tattoo: a symbol of a long-disbanded sellsword company called the Brothers of Liven. The door gave way under their weight once. mouthing with the most miniscule effort the words of faith that may have meant my deliverance. thumping. then came scratching. It was Ajnder’s. Then it all went to fog. They were greedily pouring over the slabs. unarmored. It was strewn in butchered human corpses. He wordlessly lumbered to the table. The man raced to the door and threw his weight into it beside me. clawing. an Askarian. ‘Your health. poured a flagon into a dented metal cup. I believe it was the next day. but we held fast. Drive off th’ demons. But my attention was drawn to the great table at the center of the hall. The vile men dining on the remains of my countrymen continued their grim pursuit. by the looks of him. ‘Always welcome…’ he seemed to trail off. Figures wearing dark cloaks milled about.it seemed like they sized up the situation faster than I’d expect them to. ‘Hunters always welcome here.” “I remained still. We heard the gnarlends rustling shamble and nightmarish melancholy chorus fade into the forest. thrice.” “The walls of the hall were adorned in banners that bore unfamiliar symbols. butchered them. were a dozen cloaked figures.” “I came to. They had collected the corpses of my fellow Bloodbrows. cutting them. I breathed the barest breath. keep out th’ evil. I nodded. I had no hope but for divine intervention. Deliver me. engulfing dozens of the cloaked wretches in flame. like a sea of feathers. There was a flash. Some figures still stood. The room was acrid with smoke. then wave after wave of searing.” “I stripped away my now-flaming rope bonds.” 70 | P a g e . each one whispering to me. touched it. living brilliant arcs and tendrils of red and orange flame. It was something I’d never felt before. I wasted no time. grabbing a rusty cleaver from the table and hacking away at anything that still stood. a thousand bright and chiming bells became voices. raised his knife to my throat. Diadel! The weave!” “The room erupted in flame. and the air was thick with smoke. and boots: the Devil set. A hooded figure looked up from the table.” “I calmly felt the weave.” “In the smoke and chaos. but they looked to be in poor shape. sickly laugh. sure enough. I kicked it open. tearing away scraps of burnt canvas. dancing. desperately trying in vain to fight off the flames. and would never feel again.’ they said. his grinning. It was light. it contained our pilfered Bloodbrow equipment. ‘Don’t lose hope. In my stillness. glowing heat emanated from where I stood. I hastily patted the flames down. trousers. The firestorm hadn’t hurt my body. and my wrists had been badly burnt by the rope. I had their attention now! The man seated nearest me withdrew a rusty knife from a mostly emptied torso and marched toward me. Then another did. but patches of my tunic and trousers were now aflame. wrapped myself in it. shrieking. I felt a living heat rising up in my hands.“A warm peace fell upon me.” “A table by the chest held some of our crossbows. He let out a cruel.” “He was near enough now that I could smell his foul carrion breath. embraced it. pursed his grinning lips.” “The ground was strewn with burning bodies. The weave! The old gods had opened my eyes to the weave of Fire and Sky that surrounds us.” “I felt as if something ethereal was softly brushing against the tips of my fingers. jacket. yellow teeth bared. but I held my breath a quickly donned a Bloodbrow helm. I was lucky enough to spy a chest near the door. ” “What I had to do that day should have made me a monster. collapsing into smoking heaps of charred flesh.” “I could still feel the weave of Fire and Sky in my fingertips. gasping in the cold air. do it!’ Did she see my melting resolve? Could she detect the doubt in my face? She began to shriek her hideous laughter. Everywhere were trees ridden 71 | P a g e . yellow teeth.” “In a few steps. Focusing on my glaive. I slashed and slashed until just one man remained. The great hall roared in flame behind me. I gently drew from the weave. somehow collecting tendrils of ethereal forces in a familiar yet alien process. bearing crooked.’ I said as I kicked him over to his back. I grabbed the weapon and stumbled through the door. There were maybe a dozen dwellings. I must have been captured in one of them. building energy until my glaive glowed with celestial fire.” “I burned down the whole village. hunter? Careful. ‘Tell me why I should show mercy.” “‘You’ve killed mothers’ children before. probably Ajnders’. ‘Do it!’ she shrieked. Their hewn forms flared in blood and fire. She began to laugh.” “A dozen more cloaked miscreants stood before me. into the open outdoors. spraying sparks and gore. I was upon him.” “’You den of monsters. He turned and ran. she crept away on mangled. severing one leg at the calf. I slashed broadly at my assailants.” “‘You wanted to kill monsters. with many a gruesome detail.” “The glaive cut through my foes as a hot knife cuts through buttercream.’ He was no man. I slashed low with flaming glaive. and set fire to the surrounding forest. haven’t ye?’ she continued. Prone. and that woman was with child. I had butchered a woman. the cries I endured as I set about my task will haunt me to this day. his bloodied. In the daylight. lest ye become one. eh?’ she croaked. As she spoke. I swung my glaive. ‘Go on. I raised my glaive. the flames would spread for miles and last for days. He pitched forward in a shower of sparks. I realized that I was in a small village. And I shall spare you. dear reader. torn trousers alighting in flame. laughing. the shape of her swollen belly showed through her dark cloak. burnt legs.“A glaive leaned against the wall by the door. deeply wounding the other at the ankle. a tar-like sap harvested from Kadanian tarvine. the examples in this book will primarily revolve around the proper use and application of Pessmud. like Frostgel from Liven or Spidersting from Kar’hi carry more exotic properties. goddess of sky. but the makers of this guide take a stance opposed to poison used in secret (through food and drink). or arbalest. Thus the rhyme: deadly when consumed means deadly in a wound!” “There are many types of poison that are effective when delivered to a wound. yet premature infants.” “Poison in combat is typically delivered either through wounds. buckler.” “Poison delivered through wounds is a bit simple.” “Use of poison is controversial to some.” “Pessmud is simple. and obviously in favor of poison used in combat.” “Rarer poisons delivered through wounds. The most popular is Pessmud.with sleeping gnarlends. and the effective use of poison is as much a mastered skill as the sword. effective. By the grace of Diadel. and cheap. and the actual poisons used are usually the same tried and true poisons used in food and drink. or through breath. which is typically more complex. which is most typical.” “But the facts remain: I returned to Liven with a cart that carried six healthy. I left not a single soul alive at Foley Knoll. It is my sincere prayer that the lives I saved do not bear the curses of their ancestors.” Section VII: The Poisoner’s Field Guide “Poisoning is an art form as old as war. and for that reason.” 72 | P a g e . I was able to blot out the horrors of the Foley Knoll and live another day.” “Applying Pessmud to the blade can be as simple as coating it with the stuff: Pessmud is sticky and thick enough that it can be effective for quite a few swings following a single proper application. but also fetch a much higher price. and but those six. ” “Powdered Kadanian tarvine can be combined with the dried flesh of a Cytoplasm to rapidly expel foul vapors. known as Brownvapor. placed a metal helm upon his head. monstrous necrotic forest thralls that are known to consume both tarvine and Cytoplasms. horrible Poison Cytoplasm.” “The product. but doing so is extremely dangerous to the alchemist producing the compound. producing a living. Four hours a day he would train with blunted weapons in the yard. fastening his heavy leather belt over his blue quilted surcoat.” “Poison delivered through breath is quite complex. and 12 hours a day he would spend keeping watch in the castle’s royal wing. tasked with defending the Dorian crown princess Umali. and hoisted his great halberd on his shoulder. Tarvine weapons are permanently poisonous by nature. lest a nick or scrape in his hand causes his weapon to turn against him. can be produced only through careful mixing.” “Perhaps the most malicious aspect of Brownvapor bottling is the byproduct: shattering a Brownvapor flask not only produces a cloud of tarvine-tinged gas.” “He was the captain of the Ironforged Guard.“Weapons can even be carved from Kadanian tarvine. bottling and corking by a master alchemist.” Section VIII: The Crimson Quell “Aldrek donned his magnificent black metal plate.” “Arrows and bolts can remain poisoned for days. an archer may always keep his quiver full of highly poisonous arrows and bolts. but the rapid vortex of expanding and contracting gasses is able to revitalize the dried Cytoplasm flesh. requiring skilled alchemy or arcane elementalism.” “Brownvapor has also been seen clouding from Bloated Monstrosities. By wrapping the base of the weapons’ sharpened tips in Pessmud-soaked rags. but the user must mind he properly wraps the hilt. He slipped his large hands into articulated metal gauntlets. future Chair of the Council of Steel. the tropical liana from which Pessmud is harvested.” 73 | P a g e . and he would have to cleave countryman to save his princess. crown princess of Markdor. behind those expressionless eyes. a fellow Ironforged Guard. he listened.“He didn’t only keep watch.” “The princess’ room had a sophisticated lockdown mechanism. sorted. and the two set about securing the room. practicing the martial arts well ahead of the noble arts. From beneath his motionless plate. As quickly as one can move stealthily in plate. He breathed a sigh of relief. But he never saw the Crimson Quell coming. razor-sharp halberd in hand. was late to morning roll. She was safe in bed. Aldrek set about his martial duty. but he may have taken ill.” “But at the first sound – a shout amidst ringing steel echoing through the halls – Aldrek knew. not dancing and bowing. processed.” “Umali. excelling in dueling and marksmanship.” “There were clues. Aldrek gave another quick nod to Mans. initiate to the Guard and second cousin of Councilman Fardrik. And a set of keys to the larder had gone missing. But in whom should he trust? His first order of business was clear enough: protect the girl. was a girl of 11 years. his face fierce with the righteous rage. and analyzed every morsel of information that happened across his station. heard. but that was more likely a consequence of negligence than an act of foul play.” “Aldrek nodded to Mans. The future Chair of the Council of Steel would live another day. future Chair of the Council of Steel. where the Ironforged Guard could potentially be compromised. And he knew that Count Emerel had been spreading favors outside of the official court in the hopes of garnering support. but Aldrek was powerless to put them to use: he noted Councilman Fardrik’s curious absence from the morning minutes. he saw.” “He knew that Clark’s nephew Tibs owed coin to the Court Hollows ruffians for instance. and both entered the princess’s chamber. on built for an occasion such as this. Doolie Charmers.” 74 | P a g e . slightly stirring in her sleep. Ally would become enemy.” “The room secured. But Dorian girls of high station were very much the opposite of those from the southern continents. he moved faster. but that wasn’t incredibly unusual. slamming the hapless assassin into the marble floor beneath him.” “As the man fell backwards. Yarmal was a superior fighter. severed through from throat to sternum. his dagger flashing in the torchlight. and dripping red chunks. the squire. but only for the barest instant.” 75 | P a g e . collapsing his chin into a mangled mess of teeth. Spinning the halberd over his shoulders. the bloody blade dropping to the floor. shattering the assailant’s mask.” “The third attacker faltered at Aldrek’s shocking show of violence. and wielded a curved dagger in his bloodstained hand. unidentifiable mass of gore and ichor than a trio of similarly dressed men rushed in from the doorway. shifted his weight. and sent the doomed man hurling into the man to his right.“Rounding a corner. the first was unlucky to be so quick to investigate.” “Suddenly. bone. his face a motionless mask of ivory. his head almost completely severed at the neck. He deftly struck the assailant’s dagger hand with the butt of his halberd and felt the unmistakable crunch of the man’s forearm bone snapping. He thrust his halberd’s spear tip into the gut of the nearest and fastest assassin. He lunged at Aldrek with a shriek. Aldrek came across a scene of carnage: Popin.” “But Aldrek’s skill against multiple attackers was formidable indeed. Aldrek threw his weight into a falling slash.” “Aldrek lashed back with a lightning fast thrust with the butt end of his halberd to the man’s chin.” “But Aradak’s experience in the yard had prepared him well. He lunged at Aldrek with his dagger. The four must have hear Aldrek approaching. but the blade merely blunted on the Ironforged Guard’s plate. rending him neck to spleen.” “No sooner had the masked man collapsed into a twisted. an assailant lept from behind a doorway! The black-cloaked figure bore a wickedly grinning wooden mask stained as black as his cloak. Next to him was Yarmal of the Guard. lay contorted in a pool of blood. sending the pair sprawling in a tangled heap of viscera. the tip tearing the man’s bowels from his chest. Aldrek drove the axe blade into the man’s shoulder at the base of the neck. driving his halberd’s axe head into the man’s chest. but he looked to have taken a blade to the lung. bloodied and hunched against a marble column. paying keen attention to the sounds of the keep. stomping. Doolie said nothing. ‘So be it. ‘Where are the others?’ demanded Aldrek. bared the faintest hint of a smile. blade pointed out. remaining vigilant against ambush. drawing a sharpened longsword. Could it be?” “The man advanced on Aldrek. ended his rule. the assassins held their ground. and thrust his blade through the initiate’s throat. was that he broke the impasse. off his face. the other had risen. and Aldrek immediately sized him up for what he was: a poor fighter with a knight’s arsenal. and banging swords on shields. But it was King Everen who ended the impasse: in a subtle move. now toward the great hall.” “The scene in the great hall was chaos. he began to hear some commotion. Aldrek heard the tinny sounds of plate beneath the man’s cloak. he nodded to Aldrek.” “The present threat eliminated. before he even knew what was happening. severing spine and windpipe in an instant. though. The floor was strewn with the bodies of servants. guardsmen.“While one of the two other men was feebly trying to reel in his own bowels. “Though both sides were shouting. and drove the assassin’s blade into his own throat. black-cloaked assailants. now a traitor. sending the man’s mask up. and a noblewoman in evening dress. Aldrek expertly tipped his halberd’s spear tip at the man’s wooden mask. As he grew closer. Aldrek picked up and started running again. Chair of the Council of Steel. squires. and made crown princess Umali the new Chair of the Council of Steel.’ said Aldrek.” “Though outnumbered. were it not for the fact that one of the assassins held a dagger to the throat of King Everen. Half a dozen Ironforged Guards faced off against a score of cloaked assassins.” “Doolie’s face was a mixture of shock and agony. What was of most immediate import. but shifted his weight in the barest hint of retreat.” 76 | P a g e . It was Doolie Charmers. In a flash. He moved quickly. There was shouting and the unmistakable rally of swords striking shields.” “In one bloody motion. inviting slaughter upon every last assassin in the keep. Ironforged Guard initiate. face ashen. the Guards would have the upper hand. and the Ironforged would not advance to put their king in peril. King Everen had forfeit his life. ” “In most circles. The Old Pantheon contained 12 gods. 17 servants and squires. King Ericho the Austere and Sir Amar the proper are credited with uniting all of Askaria. Markdor returned to greatness. Pyrabella. Those of his henchmen that were captured were all executed by the Five Cuts and given dogs’ burials. typically: Diadel. a common pantheon was codified: what is known now as the Old Gods. Imrios. Devara's made equal with that of two new deities drawn from Askarian royalty: The King and The Knight. Murlik. god of dark things. Ellenestria. Queen Forcella.” Section IX: Panthonus “In ancient days. In time.” “Councilman Faldrik was seized and imprisoned. the king. commanding the greatest shines and the most devoted clerics. also known as The Three. all told. and without mercy. goddess of luck. goddess of sky. King Relon the Bear. Numen. Azredak. then executed by Iron Bur. and his wife. shedding huts and furs for stone villages and linens. But the Crimson Quell would not be forgotten. divine incarnations of Askarian men. god of forest creatures. Some embraced this. god of the sea. was three members of the Ironforged Guard. varying from tribe to tribe. Oema.” “The New Gods. god of health. god of the dream world. the lesser gods of the Old Pantheon fell in stature. three Council members. and with little to no written history among them all. The toll. Tartilia.” “When men civilized themselves. holding a sort of spiritual animism as their truth.“And that slaughter was quick. his head tarred and placed on a spike for all to see. The assailants that were captured alive revealed through questioning that the insurgency was indeed masterminded by Councilman Fardrik. a decades long conquest that began under King Ericho's father. Grull. and the vast majority of codified Old Pantheon worship simply fell under the umbrella known as Devara's Light. Oporos. A single tree in a single forest may be three different gods to three different tribes. forest tribes held gods too numerous to mention. there was no structure to their beliefs. goddess of the dead world. decisive. Devara was esteemed as the mother of all gods. goddess of light. In time.” 77 | P a g e . emerged through monarchy and dynasty. goddess of fertility. god of bloodletting. and Devara. 24 assassins. god of the harvest. do call on some divinity to mend and heal. for instance.” “Markdor. as they restrict their study in the supernatural to experiments in spellcraft that can be documented and duplicated. Gilbael.” “Elementally attuned individuals would make pilgrimages to the Citadel of Fire and Sky.“Askaria's successful campaigns of war and conquest led to The Three becoming the most universally held gods. Perhaps in response to Askaria's conquest for The Three. mages and arcanists from Askaria and Liven began establishing a science around the art of channeling the elements of Fire and Sky. this move led to its own codified system of faith and worship. as well as in smaller nations. A pilgrim to the Citadel would begin his study as an acolyte. a stone tower deep in the woods of Liven.” “Disciples of Fire and Sky can't be said to hold gods. The old gods remained popular in the southern continent. Healers of Fire and Sky. held its own pantheon. clerics.” “The realm has some smaller cults and sects of some import. mastering. tomes and songs. eventually known simply as The Fool and The Prophet. all dedicated to extolling the will of man. but its rulers became increasingly antagonistic toward the petty squabbling and state-sanctioned proseltyzing of the men of gods. though forest tribes in the eastern continent are known to still hold the ancient tribal gods. and Axigal. and uniquely worthy of worship. the Dorian Council of Steel declared the will of man to be greater than gods. new or old. like Taenbir to the north and Kadania to the west. often add or subtract from their accepted pantheons as tradition allows. ever important in a tower fraught with flame-slinging acolytes. god of wine. and researching. devoting decades of study and discipline toward learning. and hold more reverence for gods other than Devara.” “During The Three's rise in popularity. god of visions. with its own schools.” 78 | P a g e . One such sect shed the entire original Old Pantheon to favor two nontraditional gods. the mountainous nation in the western side of the northern continent. which now fell under the monicker of Stone Roots. but they attribute this to a celestial element that must exist between Fire and Sky. Sects of the old gods. eventually forming the Citadel. Ironically. Chapter XVI: Incomplete Stories from the Tree of Skill Section I: The Holy Text Defernamany “Vaskal’s shield was wrought of Dorian metal and decorated with a glittering crest.” Defernamany 1:17 “Blessed with the memories of a thousand noble warriors. Her arrows were silent.” Defernamany 13:4 “Vaskal alone was the only man capable of wielding such a shield.” Defernamany 13:5 “Flaming arrows arced like lightning through the forest. but he was quicker. a quick quaff of the flask given him by the old crone game him strength anew.” Defernamany 45:6 “Though arrows and blades had pierced his flesh.” -Yu’larandra 2:17-18 “The brigand camp was noisy. healing from without. and some were not shallow.” -Yu’larandra 2:12 “The beast had left her with wounds. But she crushed red grass in her mouth. Vaskal’s shield became his iron warden. she loosed an arrow. limp as a toppled target dummy. they mourned his passing.” Defernamany 62:3 “His task complete. but today. and the feral wolf fell. and consuming the rest. It easily weighed more than a man. and the air was smoky. swift. and his shield shone brighter.” Defernamany 1:16 “Vaskal was strong as well. They would sing of his heroics. and sharp as razors. he was laid to rest.” Defernamany 70:7 Yu’larandra “Quick as a flash. yet he wielded it with ease.” -Yu’larandra 4:101 79 | P a g e . Healing from within. filling her wounds with some. his body shrouded by his glorious shield. strong as any man of the Ironforged Guard. ” –Carvan 9:4 “The will of man is like a stream flowing with water.” Yu’larandra 13:222 “Like vermin they emerged from hole. eating her game as the animals do. And her bow felled them.” Carvan 3:17 “This world is one of beasts. and of man. and of spirits. now you must take a husband. in the pit of his arm. the Wall of Steel. the will of man is the greatest. and deer.” Carvan 11:13 “And the day may come again. their packs illuminating their way through the night. hill. And of all of these. and it surely found its home between sections of Gilfoy’s heavy plate. squirrel.” Malthis 4:17 “Caldacus Sea. but salt is the most precious of all things.” -Yu’larandra 20:12 Malthis “The worth of mankind is the salt on his brow for it is the essence of his life.“The elder clanmaster spoke to Yu’larandra: ‘you have proven yourself.’ But Yu’larandra would not. She made no fires.” –Carvan 9:7 “Her wisdom and justice brought wealth to the land and the queen’s treasury became full. she felled them.” -Yu’larandra 5:7 “She kept watch over the camp for 31 days.” Carvan 19:2 Section II: The Smith’s Apprentice 80 | P a g e . may have once cleaved through a hundred men. when gold is like stones. for she was wed to her bow. Her kin. but Malthis’ finesse with the dagger was unparalleled.” –Malthis 16:2 Carvan “And pilgrims traveled to the holy sites. once vibrant with the spark of Salt grew dim and became known as the Immrian Sea. and thicket. Her sustenance was game: rabbit. to a man.” Malthis 9:36 “Gilfoy. “Jakeb had been an energetic youth, and the trade of smithing gave him a proper outlet to work, craft, and learn.” “All his tools were laid out before him: his tongs, chisels, punches, hammers, and bits.” “’More nails again today?’ he asked. ‘Not today, son. A new order came in, swords. War is coming. Let’s get to work.’” “’I’ll need good metal to make a piece like that,’ he said. ‘Dorian steel, nothing less.’” “The flame’s heat had dwindled, but that’s what bellows were for. He deftly sent a few blasts of air into the fire, bracing for the satisfying roar of heat that would return.” “Jakeb set about measuring Leonworth. The armor was perfectly articulate to match its owner, from shoulder to ankle and every finger and toe between.” “In the rainy darkness, Jakeb could tell the huddled figure was a man, and that man was gravely wounded. He hurried forward, still mindful of his surroundings, only to discover that the victim was someone he recognized: the knight, Leonworth!” “’Deliver this to Cloudencasse,’ he said, handing Jakeb a piece of parchment. Jakeb nodded, though he could not make out what was written on the parchment.” “He ran as fast as he could back to the smithy. He was excited and terrified all at once. Could a boy of his station really be of use to a knight?” “He ran without stopping, down the hill, past the hanging tree, over the soggy gulch, through the great wooden gate. He arrived sopping wet, brimming with excitement and resolve.” “The armor was heavy, but Jakeb was not only stout and lean from days of smithing, but his trade had given him priceless experience at deftly donning and wearing plate.” “Ironclad and bearing sword and shield, Jakeb set out to the East, to adventure. The dying knight’s wishes would be honored.” 81 | P a g e Section III: Annals of Grimsen “Having reached accord, the 16 knights of no banner were ready to embark on their quest. But first, a symbolic gesture would occur.” “They carried with them provisions for 30 days’ travel, 18 poultices of mending, and other linens and salves as recommended by Zenia the Healer.” “Second was Kesh Graydaughter, the Bloody Blade. She wielded the taichi, an exotic weapon from the south.” “Third was Kert, son of Kerman. He cherished little more than his hefty Kureimoa, which he named Slaughtersong.” “Fourth was Garkil, the Relentless. He lacked skill at dueling, but true to his name, he excelled at skilllessly battering his foes into submission.” “Suddenly, Ardiana gasped. In the woods, in the flicker of campfire, there were faces. A dozen faces. More. A hundred. The woods were alive, and they were not pleased.” “Kert swung his hefty Slaughtersong at the ghastly creature, cleaving it from shoulder to gut.” “Kesh Graydaughter slashed at the revenant. Her taichi carved through the monster’s leathery flesh one, two, three times, filling the air with clouds of ancient, putrid dust.” “The sky above the Citadel had become a dark, unnatural purple. Clouds shrouded the structure, intermittently illuminated by glows from the top.” “It rose before them, like some grim obelisk. The 16 knights of no banner were now only 7, but each man’s resolve had grown only stronger. The citadel would fall, and with it, the dark arcana it harbored.” “Their party was now 4: Grimsen, Planne, Kesh, and Kert. But the end was in sight. The Citadel! They bolted up the stairs.” “Held by dark magic, Grimsen could only watch as Planne charged the faceless mage. The room exploded in fire and blood, and then Grimsen saw nothing.” 82 | P a g e Section IV: Titching Codex “The arcana, codified by the Elders of Fire and Sky, detail the methods and practice of the formidable wielder of the supernatural.” “The actual conjuration of magic is split into two categories, defined by their methods of conjuration: spells and incantations.” “A spell differs from and incantation in that it requires not only the spoken word, but a physical conduit to shape the powers drawn from fire and sky.” “Channeling the energy held in the ethereal fabric of Fire and Sky into a conduit is a technique requiring masterful attunement, not unlike reaching in a direction other than up, down, left, right, in, or out.” “A conduit has the following properties: it must adhere to the shape of a rod, it must be longer than an arm length, and it must be made of or weaved in magically attuned material.” “Magic attuned material is material that lies partially within the ethereal fabric, such as saltwood, or the remains of a magical creature.” “Channeling Fire and Sky through a physical conduit has one alarming side effect: elemental imbalance. Fire and Sky are like two sides of an intangible dimension, and attuning oneself too heavily in one direction or the other can be dangerous, even fatal.” “While trinkets and charms can reduce the effects of elemental imbalance, master mages actually embrace the dangerous effect, using it to amplify the power of their spells and incantations.” “A one-handed conduit can be more difficult to master, but frees a hand of the wielder. “Of course, wielding one conduit in each hand could never work: a verbal spell command cannot be conjured through more than one conduit.” “The skilled duel wielder uses blade and wand in combat, distracting foes with blade, to make vulnerable to elemental attack fro the duel wielder’s conduit.” “The challenge of duel wielding lies in the feat of the mind: the duel wielder must skillfully interact simultaneously with the physical and the ethereal.” 83 | P a g e “An incantation requires only the spoken word to be conjured, provided the conjurer possesses the proper elemental link to the ethereal fabric of fire and sky.” “Incantations require complex focus of both mind and body: the fabric of Fire and Sky is more difficult to grasp with no conduit, but the highly attuned mage can feel its threads in all things.” Section V: The Codex Malifinent “Green, green, so the Sky of Bog. So fervid the allure, such a turgid, whirly world.” “Sky of Bog, eye of dog, quaff a crimson pie.” Section VI: Mierdre’s Black Book “A brute wields shields. An elegant shadow relies only on his quickness, rolling and tumbling to evade the clumsy attacks of his assailant.” “Evasion and parrying both require expert timing, but the diligent shadow possesses this.” “When blade meets crossbow, a well-equipped shadow becomes a wellrounded tool in the trade of death.” “A graceful shadow takes to the air to loose crossbow bolts at an attacking assailant. The graceful shadow times his attack perfectly, staggering his foolish foe.” “The tenacious shadow must be able to remain hidden in water for great periods of time. A breathing apparatus may be made using hollow reeds.” “The diligent shadow shall become skilled at climbing. The practice of the diligent shadow is as follows: without aid of feet, grasp a sturdy branch, pull oneself up until one’s chin crests the branch, repeat twenty times.” “The diligent shadow must be swift. Practice at footing using stepping blocks: drive at least 10 logs no wider than 6 inches into the earth vertically, no 84 | P a g e But Ox’fal. full of fear. and the Flame.” Section VII: The Oreisian “The Dorian ambush party gave everyman among them the choice: death or slavery. slashes. maul in hand.” “A blade may likewise be plunged into the body. showing a great mercy. Blistered hands and aching muscles became light as feathers and smoke as Ox’fal centered his mind on the three hearts: the Tornado. the Arrox.” “The guards. but his burned unnaturally bright.” “’Lift with your legs.” “Kuara had been at work in the mines much longer than Ox’fal. a diligent shadow [may] parry with dagger. or strikes. but choosing slaving gave him a third option: revenge. not a broken one. Spirits were quickly crushed here.” “The tenacious shadow must attack without relenting. charged their post.’ chided Kuara.” “The diligent shadow plunges her dagger beneath the ear. between the third and fourth rib. channeling the heart of his namesake. The encampment that came into view below them was exactly what he feared: dozens of tents and campfires. and stealth atop these blocks. Ox’fal’s heart longed for death.nearer together than 3 feet. 85 | P a g e . If an attacker stabs. he whirled fiercely. The ideal location is beneath the armpit. The victim must not be corpulent. the Arrox. ‘You need a strong back.” “A dagger is the most effective of [weapons]. crushing the face of the closest guard such that his eyes were forced from his skull. reached for their spathas. An alerted foe will always wither beneath the tenacious shadow’s hail of arrows. Channeling the heart of the Tornado. forcefully pulling across the throat to the other ear. and she saw the fire in his hear immediately. dashing.’” “They were naught but pure focus. Practice swordplay.” “Ox’fal’s army finally crested Redstone Ridge. as this may diminish the reach of the blade. and the Dorian standard. But Ox’fal had something greater: the Heart of Fire.hundreds of troops.” 86 | P a g e .