Clan History:
2E 589
Alekt regains consciousness a few days later, although he's not back to full strength or fully healed from the wound that was corrupted by Void energies. Asking what day it is, Reno and others tell Alekt that its the day he agreed to meet with Clan Stonebreaker.
Determined not to show up the agreed-upon meeting despite his still-healing wounds, Alekt forces himself to attend the meeting with Dannach. The two Clans discuss their arrangements and what benefit an alliance would bring, and Dannach asks Alekt to prove his and his Clan's worth by gathering information for Stonebreaker's march on Cyrodiil come spring in a few months' time.
Alekt agrees to the terms, before returning to the Sanctuary for rest. Reno decides not long after to portal the Clan to his childhood friends' home in Southern Elsweyr for the Clan's first official "vacation", and where the abundance of Aoenstones should help boost Alekt's own self-healing magics.
Determined not to show up the agreed-upon meeting despite his still-healing wounds, Alekt forces himself to attend the meeting with Dannach. The two Clans discuss their arrangements and what benefit an alliance would bring, and Dannach asks Alekt to prove his and his Clan's worth by gathering information for Stonebreaker's march on Cyrodiil come spring in a few months' time.
Alekt agrees to the terms, before returning to the Sanctuary for rest. Reno decides not long after to portal the Clan to his childhood friends' home in Southern Elsweyr for the Clan's first official "vacation", and where the abundance of Aoenstones should help boost Alekt's own self-healing magics.
The Clan spends about two weeks in Southern Elsweyr recovering from their battle with the Gray Host, with Alekt's wounds healing unusually slowly, retaining a limp. Reno mentions to the Clan that word is the Ard and the city of Markarth are celebrating and singing their praises, and that many of the dead in Markarth are said to have come back to life, though the Clan remains a while more in Elsweyr to recover.
Growing impatient to return and see that things are better for himself after Rada Al Saran's defeat, Alekt bids the Clan to return to the Reach despite his wounds still healing, and make sure the Gray Host are gone for good.
Alekt meets with the Ard, who voices his appreciation for all that Alekt and company have done for the Reach, though hearing that some of the people in Alekt's company are allies and not Reach Clansmen, the Ard mentions they should speak later in private.
Growing impatient to return and see that things are better for himself after Rada Al Saran's defeat, Alekt bids the Clan to return to the Reach despite his wounds still healing, and make sure the Gray Host are gone for good.
Alekt meets with the Ard, who voices his appreciation for all that Alekt and company have done for the Reach, though hearing that some of the people in Alekt's company are allies and not Reach Clansmen, the Ard mentions they should speak later in private.
As business about the Gray Host and the Harrowstorms begins to wind down and fade, the Clan hunting down any remaining Gray Host and Icereach coven, word comes to the Reach Clans about a mysterious threat, that has seen a few Reach Clans vanish from existence, two among them being Clan Ghostbear and Druenthal.
Its believed Orc raiders are behind the attacks on the wild clans outside the Ard's influence and protection, and a moot is called to all Reach Clans who will answer, to discuss the looming threat.
Its believed Orc raiders are behind the attacks on the wild clans outside the Ard's influence and protection, and a moot is called to all Reach Clans who will answer, to discuss the looming threat.
Many Clans attend the moot in regards to Orc raiders, discussing the threat to the Reach and rallying to meet it. Among those who gather and agree to fight are Clans Stonebreaker, Crow-Tongues, and Briarhide, as well as other outsiders, Clanless--and a single survivor of Clan Druenthal, who reports the orc raiders have taken the rest of her Clan under their banner against the rest of the Reach.
Three war parties for the Coalition of Clans were devised to take on the Orc raiders--a scouting party to take out the watchtower sentries, an infiltration and distraction team, and a frontal-assault team. Alekt joined two others, Druenthal's Shadow and "The Fox", to take out the sentries and report back to the rest of the Reach Clans and allied outsiders.
After marching for days through the mountains of the north, the scout party reached the watchtowers on the way to the overtaken Druenthal camp. Druenthal's Shadow sustained a fatal wound in the assault on the sentry watchtower, before Alekt and Fox reported back to the main war party about their success taking down the sentries.
Three war parties for the Coalition of Clans were devised to take on the Orc raiders--a scouting party to take out the watchtower sentries, an infiltration and distraction team, and a frontal-assault team. Alekt joined two others, Druenthal's Shadow and "The Fox", to take out the sentries and report back to the rest of the Reach Clans and allied outsiders.
After marching for days through the mountains of the north, the scout party reached the watchtowers on the way to the overtaken Druenthal camp. Druenthal's Shadow sustained a fatal wound in the assault on the sentry watchtower, before Alekt and Fox reported back to the main war party about their success taking down the sentries.
Returning to the main war party, various Reach Clans gather together with Nords and other outsiders in a mutual effort to take out the Orc raiders who've overrun the Druenthal camp. Alekt and Arata join in the infiltration team, who plan to disrupt the Orc raider's magical wards and cause a distraction, led by Uela, while Dannach and others lead the assault team.
After fighting their way through several orc enemies on the watchtowers and underground tunnels, the Infiltration team destroys the wards within an underground tower chamber, lighting the tower on fire, before rejoining the main force with Dannach, who have managed to kill off many of the Orc raiders outside of the Druenthal camp.
Regrouping and treating the injured, the Coalition are able to hear the chanting of a ritual to Malacath inside the camp. Some members of the Coalition, mainly Nords and a couple of Reachmen, decide to stand guard at the entrance to keep reinforcements from reaching the assault team from behind, while the rest move in to attack the camp.
The Coalition's assault force are met with enemy orcs and Druenthal Reachmen alike, with an orc priest of Malacath leading them from afar. During the battle, beasts as well as men and mer are unleashed on the Coalition, and their magic drained by an Orcish totem and Briarheart tree under the control of the Malacath priest.
After defeating the orcs and the Druenthal, some of whom are absorbed into the Briarheart tree to fuel the Malacath priest's magic, two hulking abominations are summoned to take down the Coalition, which splits into two teams to fight the abominations.
Alekt--with the abilities of a Nocturnal Champion as well as still in possession of the Bow of Shadows--cloaks invisible to move in behind the priest and assassinate him, dealing a fatal blow, though the final strikes that kill the priest are made by Artus Briarhide.
Going out of control, it takes many of the Coalition to destroy the abominations, including Clan Stonebreaker, Ranrike, and allied Nords. While many of the Coaltion are injured, there are few deaths.
As the former Druenthal camp is raided and burned, maps and plans for attacks on all the Reach are discovered in tents and on the body of the priest, that suggest a larger force of Malacath cultists that have yet to be dealt with.
After fighting their way through several orc enemies on the watchtowers and underground tunnels, the Infiltration team destroys the wards within an underground tower chamber, lighting the tower on fire, before rejoining the main force with Dannach, who have managed to kill off many of the Orc raiders outside of the Druenthal camp.
Regrouping and treating the injured, the Coalition are able to hear the chanting of a ritual to Malacath inside the camp. Some members of the Coalition, mainly Nords and a couple of Reachmen, decide to stand guard at the entrance to keep reinforcements from reaching the assault team from behind, while the rest move in to attack the camp.
The Coalition's assault force are met with enemy orcs and Druenthal Reachmen alike, with an orc priest of Malacath leading them from afar. During the battle, beasts as well as men and mer are unleashed on the Coalition, and their magic drained by an Orcish totem and Briarheart tree under the control of the Malacath priest.
After defeating the orcs and the Druenthal, some of whom are absorbed into the Briarheart tree to fuel the Malacath priest's magic, two hulking abominations are summoned to take down the Coalition, which splits into two teams to fight the abominations.
Alekt--with the abilities of a Nocturnal Champion as well as still in possession of the Bow of Shadows--cloaks invisible to move in behind the priest and assassinate him, dealing a fatal blow, though the final strikes that kill the priest are made by Artus Briarhide.
Going out of control, it takes many of the Coalition to destroy the abominations, including Clan Stonebreaker, Ranrike, and allied Nords. While many of the Coaltion are injured, there are few deaths.
As the former Druenthal camp is raided and burned, maps and plans for attacks on all the Reach are discovered in tents and on the body of the priest, that suggest a larger force of Malacath cultists that have yet to be dealt with.
As Alekt returns to some of his Clan that didn't join in the war party, he confronts privately with Reno the fact that the wound he received in his last fight with Rada Al Saran is not fully healing, and likely isn't going to, leaving him with a permanent limp.
He also returns to news of infighting between some of the Clan's lowest / newest ranks and an individual ally while he was away. Undecided on how to handle it, he asks all those involved to submit reports on what happened to determine what to do.
He also returns to news of infighting between some of the Clan's lowest / newest ranks and an individual ally while he was away. Undecided on how to handle it, he asks all those involved to submit reports on what happened to determine what to do.
Alekt is called upon by Dannach and the Stonebreaker Clan to attend another moot regarding the Malacath cultists, which is likewise attended by Nords and Orcs who've been targeted by the cult, and who have captured two of the cultist's for questioning.
The Coalition finally learns the name of the cult raiders--the Nozarga--though questioning them gives little answers, as the captured cultists simply repeat the same lines about vengeance in the name of Malacath. One of the Stonebreaker Reachmen--Wil--uses magic to peer into the mind and memories of one of the captured Nozarga, having more success.
Finally in a meeting between the Coalition of Reach clans, Nords, and Orcs unaffiliated with the Nozarga, its revealed that the cult is using torture and magic to turn others--Orc and Reachmen alike--to their cause. Worse yet, they use the women they capture to force-breed, before taking the infants born from it and transforming them into abominations as weapons, just as the Nozarga priest used against those who attacked the Druenthal camp, and the Nords and Orcs in two other locations.
Outraged and disgusted, those who gathered for the Coalition swear they will work together to take down and destroy the Nozarga cult in an alliance between Reachmen, Nords, and Orcs.
The Coalition finally learns the name of the cult raiders--the Nozarga--though questioning them gives little answers, as the captured cultists simply repeat the same lines about vengeance in the name of Malacath. One of the Stonebreaker Reachmen--Wil--uses magic to peer into the mind and memories of one of the captured Nozarga, having more success.
Finally in a meeting between the Coalition of Reach clans, Nords, and Orcs unaffiliated with the Nozarga, its revealed that the cult is using torture and magic to turn others--Orc and Reachmen alike--to their cause. Worse yet, they use the women they capture to force-breed, before taking the infants born from it and transforming them into abominations as weapons, just as the Nozarga priest used against those who attacked the Druenthal camp, and the Nords and Orcs in two other locations.
Outraged and disgusted, those who gathered for the Coalition swear they will work together to take down and destroy the Nozarga cult in an alliance between Reachmen, Nords, and Orcs.
Having gathered information on the location of various Nozarga strongholds and camps, the Coalition prepared to strike out at them. The Reachfolk form a scouting party with the intention of gathering information on one of the Nozarga forward camps and, if possible, stealthily capture one of the enemy orcs for interrogation and mind-probing into any information they have about the cult, especially the abominations. Its with that in mind they stress capturing one of the Nozarga mages if possible.
Sneaking up on the forward camp, the scouting party is able to assassinate a few of the outer patrols and move forward to the camp, Alekt leading a cloaked stealth team up to a ridge overlooking the camp.
While using his crows to scout the camp, a suspicious mage takes notice of the bird and tries to take control of it, failing to do so but becoming alerted to the scouting party. The mage moves outside of the camp to gather some reinforcements, and Alekt moves ahead with a few scouts to track him for capture, while sending a few others behind to alert the larger scouting force about the mage.
They are able to paralyze the mage with a poison arrow and capture him, but alert the rest of the camp to their presence in doing so. While the mage is successfully captured, many in the scouting party are injured as they retreat, and one of their Reachmen--Durrin--is captured by the Nozarga. Its unclear if he is still alive.
Returning to the Reach camp, Dannoch is furious to see them return with injuries and news that the forward camp was alerted, and will likely be better prepared for the attack in the coming days. Alekt explains it couldn't have been helped, as the mage caught on to his birds spying. Dannoch orders Wil to get every bit of information out of the Nozarga mage that he has, managing to glean some information about a stronghold where they create the abominations, but the first order of business is to destroy the forward camp.
Sneaking up on the forward camp, the scouting party is able to assassinate a few of the outer patrols and move forward to the camp, Alekt leading a cloaked stealth team up to a ridge overlooking the camp.
While using his crows to scout the camp, a suspicious mage takes notice of the bird and tries to take control of it, failing to do so but becoming alerted to the scouting party. The mage moves outside of the camp to gather some reinforcements, and Alekt moves ahead with a few scouts to track him for capture, while sending a few others behind to alert the larger scouting force about the mage.
They are able to paralyze the mage with a poison arrow and capture him, but alert the rest of the camp to their presence in doing so. While the mage is successfully captured, many in the scouting party are injured as they retreat, and one of their Reachmen--Durrin--is captured by the Nozarga. Its unclear if he is still alive.
Returning to the Reach camp, Dannoch is furious to see them return with injuries and news that the forward camp was alerted, and will likely be better prepared for the attack in the coming days. Alekt explains it couldn't have been helped, as the mage caught on to his birds spying. Dannoch orders Wil to get every bit of information out of the Nozarga mage that he has, managing to glean some information about a stronghold where they create the abominations, but the first order of business is to destroy the forward camp.
The Coalition mobilizes to attack the Nozarga forward camp, which has called in reinforcements due to the scouting party alerting it to their incoming attack days before. The party splits into two main groups, one being another scouting party to move in from the rear and take out the archers on the ruin walls, and the other being a frontal assault team.
Alekt's scouting team is able to successfully take down many small patrols that walk around the fields and brush behind the forward camp ruins, before an Abomination stands in their way of the rear entrance. Though the scouting team throws all that they have at the abomination, it doesn't seem affected by either injury or pain. Standing at 15 feet high in full armor and with a massive maul, it easily splinters through shields, and heavily injures several members of their party, including those who transform into werewolves to fight it.
Complicating the fight are cavalry riders that attack the scouting party mid-fight with the abomination. They're able to kill the abomination by the skin of their teeth, as well as the first wave of cavalry, but not without suffering heavy injuries and one of their party rendered unconscious.
As a second cavalry approaches, Alekt cloaks the party under his shadows to hide, but one of their own party alerts the Nozarga riders to their presence with a fireball hurled from the shadows. Its only by a wall of fire that startles the horses away that they escape further harm, and they rush to the front of the forward camp to help the assault team.
Two more abominations are felled by the assault team, but similarly not without serious injuries and several unconscious fighters. In the end, the Nozarga are all killed or driven off, and the Coalition are able to save Durrin from captivity. The forward camp is then looted and burned.
Alekt's scouting team is able to successfully take down many small patrols that walk around the fields and brush behind the forward camp ruins, before an Abomination stands in their way of the rear entrance. Though the scouting team throws all that they have at the abomination, it doesn't seem affected by either injury or pain. Standing at 15 feet high in full armor and with a massive maul, it easily splinters through shields, and heavily injures several members of their party, including those who transform into werewolves to fight it.
Complicating the fight are cavalry riders that attack the scouting party mid-fight with the abomination. They're able to kill the abomination by the skin of their teeth, as well as the first wave of cavalry, but not without suffering heavy injuries and one of their party rendered unconscious.
As a second cavalry approaches, Alekt cloaks the party under his shadows to hide, but one of their own party alerts the Nozarga riders to their presence with a fireball hurled from the shadows. Its only by a wall of fire that startles the horses away that they escape further harm, and they rush to the front of the forward camp to help the assault team.
Two more abominations are felled by the assault team, but similarly not without serious injuries and several unconscious fighters. In the end, the Nozarga are all killed or driven off, and the Coalition are able to save Durrin from captivity. The forward camp is then looted and burned.
Enraged by the Reachfolk attacking and burning down their forward camp, viewing their guerilla tactics as dishonorable, the Nozarga issue a challenge to the Reachfolk: come to the Nozarga's arena stronghold, the "Abyss of Agony", and face down their champions in fair and honorable combat, one-to-one.
Five fighters are chosen from among the coalition to fight the Nozarga's champions;
Faoladh the Huntmaster against berserker Manic Makor.
Reifnir Blackpaw against the swift Snaglak gro-Snagarz.
Wilding against Uzul the Wicked, Ungodly One Beyond Belief.
Lorcan Blackpaw against the honorable Ghorbash gro-Ghorak.
Durrin the Dirty against the undefeated Champion of the Nozarga, Yashnarz the Unbowed.
With the fighters chosen, Dannoch tasks Alekt, Uela, and The Fox to scout the arena ahead of the battle and ensure they're not walking into a trap.
Five fighters are chosen from among the coalition to fight the Nozarga's champions;
Faoladh the Huntmaster against berserker Manic Makor.
Reifnir Blackpaw against the swift Snaglak gro-Snagarz.
Wilding against Uzul the Wicked, Ungodly One Beyond Belief.
Lorcan Blackpaw against the honorable Ghorbash gro-Ghorak.
Durrin the Dirty against the undefeated Champion of the Nozarga, Yashnarz the Unbowed.
With the fighters chosen, Dannoch tasks Alekt, Uela, and The Fox to scout the arena ahead of the battle and ensure they're not walking into a trap.
The night of the duel between Reachfolk and allies, and the Nozarga champions, Alekt slips in among the crowd to watch and assess their enemies from the sidelines. Among the fighting pits were also two Nords with ties to the Coalition that had been captured and made to fight the Nozarga, but remained alive.
While most of the fights play out typical of what he'd expect, one fight stood out. As Wil faced down Uzul the Wicked, it seemed like he may have been outmatched by the orc storm mage, until a crow controlled by Wil's magic dive-bombed his opponents' head from the sky with a container of kindlepitch explosive, which should have killed Uzul.
Instead, Uzul the Wicked rose, his mask destroyed, and it was revealed that the orc was no orc, but some form of storm Daedra, which quickly overwhelmed Wil and others with Shock magic.
With Wil's life on the line, Dannoch called for the others to jump in and save him, against the agreement made with the Nozarga to hold one-on-one duels to the death. While some tried to stand in Dannoch's way, inevitably the Coalition fell upon the arena, and the duels broke in favor of all-out battle between everyone present.
While most of the Coalition fell upon the arena, and an argonian vampire named Takeel took on the storm daedra directly, Alekt and a few others dealt with the archers up on the ramparts. Though Alekt remained cloaked invisible, he sustained some injuries from lucky strikes made by Nozarga fighters, the worst being a sword slash to his shoulder.
As the arena erupted into chaos, Nords from a separate branch of the Coalition arrived separate from the Reachfolk who were there to fight in the duels, in order to rescue their two kinsmen from the Nozarga.
Eventually, the Coalition was forced to retreat with their people and the wounded, but not before killing many of the Nozarga as they fled, escaping with their lives, and laying waste to the Abyss of Agony arena.
While most of the fights play out typical of what he'd expect, one fight stood out. As Wil faced down Uzul the Wicked, it seemed like he may have been outmatched by the orc storm mage, until a crow controlled by Wil's magic dive-bombed his opponents' head from the sky with a container of kindlepitch explosive, which should have killed Uzul.
Instead, Uzul the Wicked rose, his mask destroyed, and it was revealed that the orc was no orc, but some form of storm Daedra, which quickly overwhelmed Wil and others with Shock magic.
With Wil's life on the line, Dannoch called for the others to jump in and save him, against the agreement made with the Nozarga to hold one-on-one duels to the death. While some tried to stand in Dannoch's way, inevitably the Coalition fell upon the arena, and the duels broke in favor of all-out battle between everyone present.
While most of the Coalition fell upon the arena, and an argonian vampire named Takeel took on the storm daedra directly, Alekt and a few others dealt with the archers up on the ramparts. Though Alekt remained cloaked invisible, he sustained some injuries from lucky strikes made by Nozarga fighters, the worst being a sword slash to his shoulder.
As the arena erupted into chaos, Nords from a separate branch of the Coalition arrived separate from the Reachfolk who were there to fight in the duels, in order to rescue their two kinsmen from the Nozarga.
Eventually, the Coalition was forced to retreat with their people and the wounded, but not before killing many of the Nozarga as they fled, escaping with their lives, and laying waste to the Abyss of Agony arena.
After the attack on the Abyss of Agony, the Reachmen, Orcs, and Nords of the Coalition were able to congregate together at Glushun Harbor, one of the Nozarga strongholds on the sea border previously captured by the Nord and Orc forces to the north, while the Reachmen had been attacking the south.
The leaders of the different Coalition branches came together to discuss their next target: Deathbreeder Keep, the place where the Nozarga were creating the Deathblade abominations. A plan was created with different teams, ones who would surround and siege Deathbreeder Keep, and a strike team that would move inside to free any captives and blow the Keep apart from the inside.
In order to deal with the Deathblade army that would surely await them, Alekt proposed a plan to use portals to relocate the Deathblades off the field of battle, and deposit them somewhere else to deal with later, such as some pre-determined ruin or prison of some kind.
Building onto this idea, one of the Coalition leaders, Kelromirr One-Eye, proposed that--rather than remove the Deathblades from the field--they should use the portals to throw them back at the enemy as counter-fire from the sky. Seeing the sense in this plan, Alekt agreed, and was tasked with forming a portal team to deal with the Deathblades on the day of the siege.
As they discussed what to do, and to send scouts ahead of the Strike team to find the path to the Deathblade lab, Alekt suggested to Wil that if they found any rodents living inside the Keep, he could skinwalk them to locate the lab discreetly.
The leaders of the different Coalition branches came together to discuss their next target: Deathbreeder Keep, the place where the Nozarga were creating the Deathblade abominations. A plan was created with different teams, ones who would surround and siege Deathbreeder Keep, and a strike team that would move inside to free any captives and blow the Keep apart from the inside.
In order to deal with the Deathblade army that would surely await them, Alekt proposed a plan to use portals to relocate the Deathblades off the field of battle, and deposit them somewhere else to deal with later, such as some pre-determined ruin or prison of some kind.
Building onto this idea, one of the Coalition leaders, Kelromirr One-Eye, proposed that--rather than remove the Deathblades from the field--they should use the portals to throw them back at the enemy as counter-fire from the sky. Seeing the sense in this plan, Alekt agreed, and was tasked with forming a portal team to deal with the Deathblades on the day of the siege.
As they discussed what to do, and to send scouts ahead of the Strike team to find the path to the Deathblade lab, Alekt suggested to Wil that if they found any rodents living inside the Keep, he could skinwalk them to locate the lab discreetly.
The Coalition began to encircle and siege Deathbreeder Keep from the outside, forming a large circle around it and drawing attention.
In the meantime, a scouting team was formed, off of knowledge previously acquired by Wil about tunnels beneath the Keep, using his magic to probe through the minds of captured Nozarga. The scouting party was comprised of the Fox, Uela, Wil, Alekt, Yazga gra-Sharnakh, and Eldrid, who worked together to find the back entrance of Deathbreeder Keep.
The six of them found it, and most watched in horror as they saw women prisoners being dragged into the Keep. Not wanting to jeopardize their mission ahead of the Strike team that would be coming in a few days' time, they agreed--reluctantly--that they could do nothing, but would try to save the prisoners later during the true attack on the Keep.
With Alekt's magic cloaking everyone and keeping them unseen, the party were able to slip inside the Keep's back door and evade detection as they searched for the lab where the Nozarga were creating the Deathblades.
Through the team's good sense, Wil's ability to skinwalk animals, and Alekt's shadow magic, they were able to get inside, locate the lab, and get out without once alerting or killing a single Nozarga, returning to the siege camp to report their findings.
In the meantime, a scouting team was formed, off of knowledge previously acquired by Wil about tunnels beneath the Keep, using his magic to probe through the minds of captured Nozarga. The scouting party was comprised of the Fox, Uela, Wil, Alekt, Yazga gra-Sharnakh, and Eldrid, who worked together to find the back entrance of Deathbreeder Keep.
The six of them found it, and most watched in horror as they saw women prisoners being dragged into the Keep. Not wanting to jeopardize their mission ahead of the Strike team that would be coming in a few days' time, they agreed--reluctantly--that they could do nothing, but would try to save the prisoners later during the true attack on the Keep.
With Alekt's magic cloaking everyone and keeping them unseen, the party were able to slip inside the Keep's back door and evade detection as they searched for the lab where the Nozarga were creating the Deathblades.
Through the team's good sense, Wil's ability to skinwalk animals, and Alekt's shadow magic, they were able to get inside, locate the lab, and get out without once alerting or killing a single Nozarga, returning to the siege camp to report their findings.
As the plan moves forward, Alekt works with one of the siege teams meant to lure the Nozarga out onto the field, under the leadership of an orc named Werakk. Immediately upon the start of their attack, the Nozarga sent out a dozen Deathblades to crush them.
Though Alekt's portal plan had originally accounted on the aid of an orc mageling named Garron of Clan Grumaar and vampire caster Vinn, he made do with himself, Reno, and a Reach-witch named Synesa. The three of them, with the aid of an aeonstone to boost their magic, managed to create a portal large enough to swallow every Deathblade sent their way, thrusting them back out from a portal in the sky to drop them back on Deathbreeder Keep like catapult stones.
Though the Deathblades were, mostly, dealt with, the Nozarga still had many more forces to send their way, foot-soldiers as well as mounted cavalry. Alekt's birds were able to scatter caltrops across the field to impede and funnel the Nozarga's movements, while Reno, Synesa, and other mages were able to blast the Nozarga's armored shield wall with Shock and ice magic, and archers were able to take down the Nozarga mage that was with them.
One Deathblade was raised from the rubble, though it was dispatched by Werakk's unit with many arrows and blade-swings. Ultimately, as Deathbreeder Keep blew up from the inside through the efforts of the Strike team, Werakk's assault team took its heaviest hits from the Nozarga mounted cavalry that charged through their ranks and then vanished, trampling many of the Coalition including Werakk himself.
As Deathbreeder Keep was reduced to rubble, the injured were moved to safety among the medical tents. Dannoch, who had been on the Strike team that blew up the Keep, was carried back to camp bleeding from his throat and near-death. After helping move the injured from Werakk's team, he moved to find where Dannoch had been taken and if he still lived, discovering along the way that one of his own--Wil--had stabbed him, after trying to skinwalk a Nozarga mage and being overwhelmed by their fury.
He also learned, through the grief of Uela and others, that they were unable to save the majority of the Nozarga's prisoners, who were slaughtered by the Nozarga as the Strike team tried to rescue them.
Through Uela's healing, Dannoch survived the wound, though he would lose his voice a few days. Seeing him still alive and on his feet, Alekt moved to sit with the Fox, one of Dannoch's close allies, who was disoriented by all of the horror brought on by their fight with the Nozarga. Through some discussion, Alekt was able to glean that it was the first war Fox had fought in, offering some comfort and guidance to try and help her through it.
Though Alekt's portal plan had originally accounted on the aid of an orc mageling named Garron of Clan Grumaar and vampire caster Vinn, he made do with himself, Reno, and a Reach-witch named Synesa. The three of them, with the aid of an aeonstone to boost their magic, managed to create a portal large enough to swallow every Deathblade sent their way, thrusting them back out from a portal in the sky to drop them back on Deathbreeder Keep like catapult stones.
Though the Deathblades were, mostly, dealt with, the Nozarga still had many more forces to send their way, foot-soldiers as well as mounted cavalry. Alekt's birds were able to scatter caltrops across the field to impede and funnel the Nozarga's movements, while Reno, Synesa, and other mages were able to blast the Nozarga's armored shield wall with Shock and ice magic, and archers were able to take down the Nozarga mage that was with them.
One Deathblade was raised from the rubble, though it was dispatched by Werakk's unit with many arrows and blade-swings. Ultimately, as Deathbreeder Keep blew up from the inside through the efforts of the Strike team, Werakk's assault team took its heaviest hits from the Nozarga mounted cavalry that charged through their ranks and then vanished, trampling many of the Coalition including Werakk himself.
As Deathbreeder Keep was reduced to rubble, the injured were moved to safety among the medical tents. Dannoch, who had been on the Strike team that blew up the Keep, was carried back to camp bleeding from his throat and near-death. After helping move the injured from Werakk's team, he moved to find where Dannoch had been taken and if he still lived, discovering along the way that one of his own--Wil--had stabbed him, after trying to skinwalk a Nozarga mage and being overwhelmed by their fury.
He also learned, through the grief of Uela and others, that they were unable to save the majority of the Nozarga's prisoners, who were slaughtered by the Nozarga as the Strike team tried to rescue them.
Through Uela's healing, Dannoch survived the wound, though he would lose his voice a few days. Seeing him still alive and on his feet, Alekt moved to sit with the Fox, one of Dannoch's close allies, who was disoriented by all of the horror brought on by their fight with the Nozarga. Through some discussion, Alekt was able to glean that it was the first war Fox had fought in, offering some comfort and guidance to try and help her through it.
Following the fall of Deathbreeder Keep, the Coalition set up camp around the ruins and planned their assault on their next target, the southern riverside strongholds of the Nozarga cult: Tusk's Bend and Falmush Stronghold.
While discussing the need to scout both, its brought up by some of the orcs of the Coalition that they would like to try seeking out allies; the Exalted of Malacath, a rumored Reach-Orc clan who train in solitude to make themselves into living weapons.
Curious about these so-called "Reach-Orcs" and what separates them from other orcs or what makes them Reach-like, Alekt volunteers to go along with Gorthal gro-Gunthak, Chief of Clan Grumaar, to find them.
While discussing the need to scout both, its brought up by some of the orcs of the Coalition that they would like to try seeking out allies; the Exalted of Malacath, a rumored Reach-Orc clan who train in solitude to make themselves into living weapons.
Curious about these so-called "Reach-Orcs" and what separates them from other orcs or what makes them Reach-like, Alekt volunteers to go along with Gorthal gro-Gunthak, Chief of Clan Grumaar, to find them.
After trekking through the mountains, Gorthal's party were able to locate the elusive Exalted of Malacath orc clan, asking for their alliance against the Nozarga, and claiming that the Nozarga had broken all codes of honor.
The Exalted contemplated an alliance with the Coalition, but gave the group before them three tasks to complete first to prove themselves.
One team were to locate a missing member of the Exalted's clan believed to be dead, as well as potentially fight the creature that killed them. Another team was to locate a missing codex that had been stolen by Rieklings. The last group were to carry offerings up to a mountain temple and place them on the alters located within.
Despite offering to track the Exalted's missing member, Reno was placed on the team that was to search for the stolen codex, and Alekt onto the team meant to carry the altar offerings.
Upon taking the offerings they were meant to carry up the mountain, though small, it was discovered the items easily weighed 100 lbs. or so, providing a challenge Alekt was ill-suited for but was determined to see through to the end. The journey was mainly uneventful, besides natural barriers that made it difficult to reach the temple, such as fast rivers and steep, sloping hills. The items themselves as well seemed to get heavier as they traveled, putting the most strain on Alekt himself to carry given his small stature.
They eventually made it up to the top of the mountain with their items, though they discovered two bandits camping inside the temple, enraging the Exalted orc who had led them there, who demanded they kill the bandits. After dispatching the bandits and leaving the offerings at the temple, they returned to the home of the Exalted of Malacath to await the other teams.
Gorthal's team had already returned, though in the meantime, Reno's team was still out retrieving the Codex. Fighting the Reikling's who had stolen it, Reno suffered a great deal of Shock magic, made worse by the water and snow around them, though they did eventually beat the goblins without any casualties. Reno however was still fairly injured from the encounter upon his return and for days afterwards.
The Exalted contemplated an alliance with the Coalition, but gave the group before them three tasks to complete first to prove themselves.
One team were to locate a missing member of the Exalted's clan believed to be dead, as well as potentially fight the creature that killed them. Another team was to locate a missing codex that had been stolen by Rieklings. The last group were to carry offerings up to a mountain temple and place them on the alters located within.
Despite offering to track the Exalted's missing member, Reno was placed on the team that was to search for the stolen codex, and Alekt onto the team meant to carry the altar offerings.
Upon taking the offerings they were meant to carry up the mountain, though small, it was discovered the items easily weighed 100 lbs. or so, providing a challenge Alekt was ill-suited for but was determined to see through to the end. The journey was mainly uneventful, besides natural barriers that made it difficult to reach the temple, such as fast rivers and steep, sloping hills. The items themselves as well seemed to get heavier as they traveled, putting the most strain on Alekt himself to carry given his small stature.
They eventually made it up to the top of the mountain with their items, though they discovered two bandits camping inside the temple, enraging the Exalted orc who had led them there, who demanded they kill the bandits. After dispatching the bandits and leaving the offerings at the temple, they returned to the home of the Exalted of Malacath to await the other teams.
Gorthal's team had already returned, though in the meantime, Reno's team was still out retrieving the Codex. Fighting the Reikling's who had stolen it, Reno suffered a great deal of Shock magic, made worse by the water and snow around them, though they did eventually beat the goblins without any casualties. Reno however was still fairly injured from the encounter upon his return and for days afterwards.
After returning with news of their new allies, Alekt plans with others of the Coalition to scout out their next targets; one of the Nozarga's strongest allies, the Falmush Clan.
While one party, comprised of Wil, Uela, and others would scout out Tusk's Bend, Alekt would help scout out Falmush Stronghold, along with Reno, Vinn, Renan, and George. At Falmush Stronghold, they were able to find that the back wall of the stronghold was climbable, though largely visible and exposed, to the north.
To the south was a forward camp and heavy palisades protecting a magical orc totem, while on the cliffs to the west was a secret path going underneath Falmush Stronghold.
Having found several potential weak points to infiltrate, as well as drawing up a map of the lay of the land and what dangers the Coalition would have to face, the stealth team returned to the Coalition with the intel they'd gathered and planned their next moves.
While one party, comprised of Wil, Uela, and others would scout out Tusk's Bend, Alekt would help scout out Falmush Stronghold, along with Reno, Vinn, Renan, and George. At Falmush Stronghold, they were able to find that the back wall of the stronghold was climbable, though largely visible and exposed, to the north.
To the south was a forward camp and heavy palisades protecting a magical orc totem, while on the cliffs to the west was a secret path going underneath Falmush Stronghold.
Having found several potential weak points to infiltrate, as well as drawing up a map of the lay of the land and what dangers the Coalition would have to face, the stealth team returned to the Coalition with the intel they'd gathered and planned their next moves.
With intel gathered on both Tusk's Bend and Falmush Stronghold, the Coalition prepares to attack. Wil and others are sent out first ahead of the siege, skinwalking beavers that live in the river to chew through the hulls of the Falmush's river ships and sink them, along with their ship-mounted ballistas, into the river and make it safer to attack the camp.
While one team of the Coalition attacks from the river, Alekt and Arata joined Kelromirr and others to attack from the rear, breaking down a wooden wall with the help of all members of the party, and taking down the Falmush camp in a pincer attack. The battle is easily won, with no Coalition casualties, and they prepare to assault Falmush Stronghold further south in the days to come.
Afterwards, Alekt speaks to Renan and extends an offer to allow him to join the Clan, but Renan declines, expressing distaste for Reachmen on the basis that he himself is a Nord.
While one team of the Coalition attacks from the river, Alekt and Arata joined Kelromirr and others to attack from the rear, breaking down a wooden wall with the help of all members of the party, and taking down the Falmush camp in a pincer attack. The battle is easily won, with no Coalition casualties, and they prepare to assault Falmush Stronghold further south in the days to come.
Afterwards, Alekt speaks to Renan and extends an offer to allow him to join the Clan, but Renan declines, expressing distaste for Reachmen on the basis that he himself is a Nord.
Readying to siege Falmush Stronghold, the Coalition sends a pre-strike team to assault the camp and draw the enemy orcs out of their stronghold prior to the main attack. Alekt, Reno, Werakk, Aron, and Renan are chosen for this task.
Using Alekt's crows, they drop bags of kindlepitch right into the center of the Falmush forward camp's campfires, which envelope the camp in explosions that take down the orc totem and its magic.
At first, it works to alert the Falmush, who pour out of the stronghold to find them, but through Alekt's cloaking magic, they are able to avoid detection or capture as they climb up into the trees in the woods further out where the horses and tracking dogs can't reach them. Frustrated that they can't find the attackers, the Falmush pull all their forces back into the stronghold, and await the main attack.
Using Alekt's crows, they drop bags of kindlepitch right into the center of the Falmush forward camp's campfires, which envelope the camp in explosions that take down the orc totem and its magic.
At first, it works to alert the Falmush, who pour out of the stronghold to find them, but through Alekt's cloaking magic, they are able to avoid detection or capture as they climb up into the trees in the woods further out where the horses and tracking dogs can't reach them. Frustrated that they can't find the attackers, the Falmush pull all their forces back into the stronghold, and await the main attack.
Three main teams are chosen to attack Falmush. One is the forward team, who go to attack the front of the stronghold. Another is the rear team, who plan to go over the back wall and attack the Falmush, to help break down their walls from the inside, led unironically but Dannoch and the Stonebreaker Clan.
Alekt, Reno, Werakk, Renan, and Aron move to infiltrate the Stronghold's inner rooms through the secret door on the cliffs, skirting the battlefield unseen thanks to Alekt's magic. Once they reach the door, an orcish puzzle mechanism stands in their way, which Werakk and Aron work on together to solve, while Alekt, Reno, and Renan guard their backs.
Once inside, they come to face a large durzog and several orc fighters, as Werakk openly challenges the Falmush Chief--whom had previously slaughtered Werakk's former orc Clan--to a duel between chiefs. The party was forced to fight through several orcs and two tamed trolls, while Werakk went to fight the Falmush Chief, almost losing his fight and his life in the process. It was during this fight that Reno shapeshifted to protect Alekt and fight off one of the trolls.
As the Coalition breached Falmush and Werakk kills their chief, archers up on the walls fire upon the Coalition. Alekt cloaks himself and Reno to rush up the walls and take out the archers, to keep them off the rest of the Coalition, though both Reno and Alekt are severely injured--Reno by arrow-fire, and Alekt by a lucky sword-strike that pierces through his side.
Though both are badly injured, they survive, and Clan Falmush are defeated by the Coalition. As most of the others set up camp in Falmush Stronghold and begin to treat the wounded, Alekt and Reno return to the Sanctuary to mend their injuries, and are not seen or heard from on the war-front for many days, their fate and their continued participation unknown.
Alekt, Reno, Werakk, Renan, and Aron move to infiltrate the Stronghold's inner rooms through the secret door on the cliffs, skirting the battlefield unseen thanks to Alekt's magic. Once they reach the door, an orcish puzzle mechanism stands in their way, which Werakk and Aron work on together to solve, while Alekt, Reno, and Renan guard their backs.
Once inside, they come to face a large durzog and several orc fighters, as Werakk openly challenges the Falmush Chief--whom had previously slaughtered Werakk's former orc Clan--to a duel between chiefs. The party was forced to fight through several orcs and two tamed trolls, while Werakk went to fight the Falmush Chief, almost losing his fight and his life in the process. It was during this fight that Reno shapeshifted to protect Alekt and fight off one of the trolls.
As the Coalition breached Falmush and Werakk kills their chief, archers up on the walls fire upon the Coalition. Alekt cloaks himself and Reno to rush up the walls and take out the archers, to keep them off the rest of the Coalition, though both Reno and Alekt are severely injured--Reno by arrow-fire, and Alekt by a lucky sword-strike that pierces through his side.
Though both are badly injured, they survive, and Clan Falmush are defeated by the Coalition. As most of the others set up camp in Falmush Stronghold and begin to treat the wounded, Alekt and Reno return to the Sanctuary to mend their injuries, and are not seen or heard from on the war-front for many days, their fate and their continued participation unknown.
As Reno and Alekt recover at the Sanctuary, members of Alekt's birth-Clan--his brother Protem and childhood friend Gyr--come to the Sanctuary to take Alekt back home for a time, in order to better heal his wounds.
The Falmush orc that had stabbed Alekt had cut into his right side, through the Void-scar injury previously left by Rada Al Saran and the Dark Storm, where Alekt's self-healing magic could no longer heal as it once did.
Protem took Alekt back to their birth Clan and performed an animal sacrifice to Namira, using his magic and the ritual to heal Alekt's wound so that it wouldn't kill him.
It wouldn't be long after that Protem would come to the Sanctuary again, using his magic to aid Reno's wounds as well, primarily an arrow-wound that had pierced deep into his chest.
The Falmush orc that had stabbed Alekt had cut into his right side, through the Void-scar injury previously left by Rada Al Saran and the Dark Storm, where Alekt's self-healing magic could no longer heal as it once did.
Protem took Alekt back to their birth Clan and performed an animal sacrifice to Namira, using his magic and the ritual to heal Alekt's wound so that it wouldn't kill him.
It wouldn't be long after that Protem would come to the Sanctuary again, using his magic to aid Reno's wounds as well, primarily an arrow-wound that had pierced deep into his chest.
Still injured and recovering, Alekt returns to the front-line as the Coalition prepares to march on the last stronghold far to the north: Strunmah Nozarga.
As he and Reno first return, they are greeted by a traveling circus troupe that came across the Coalition as they prepared for their last battle against the Nozarga. Though Alekt and Reno are suspicious of the festival and keep watch for any sign of a trap or ambush, nothing ill befalls the Coalition that night.
Alekt speaks with Dannoch, having noticed the Fox, Uela, Wil, and Reifnir Blackpaw leave the festival just as they had arrived, and asks where they've gone. As he finds out, they'd left earlier to scout another of the Nozarga's encampments, and they return with grim news.
As he and Reno first return, they are greeted by a traveling circus troupe that came across the Coalition as they prepared for their last battle against the Nozarga. Though Alekt and Reno are suspicious of the festival and keep watch for any sign of a trap or ambush, nothing ill befalls the Coalition that night.
Alekt speaks with Dannoch, having noticed the Fox, Uela, Wil, and Reifnir Blackpaw leave the festival just as they had arrived, and asks where they've gone. As he finds out, they'd left earlier to scout another of the Nozarga's encampments, and they return with grim news.
As Alekt prepares to further assist the Coalition, he and Arata speak, and Arata expresses a desire to help Alekt in the war against the Nozarga in Reno's place while Reno recovers. Alekt agrees to let him come.
The Coalition gathers to discuss what the most recent scouting party uncovered the night before. The Nozarga camp they'd been sent to scout was filled with nothing but the dead, and the orcs within the camp had been killed by poisoned drinks. It is unknown whether the poisoned drinks were murder, or mass-suicide. At the camp, they'd discovered some tellings of who the Vengemother was and why they were creating the Deathblades.
The Vengemother had lost her son, and the Deathblades were but an experiment in seeing him not only resurrected, but turned into a deadly weapon far worse than the Deathblades they had fought up to that point.
As they discuss marching on the last Nozarga stronghold to finally put an end to the Vengemother, Alekt offers to aid once again in scouting and helping strategize for their final siege, though he's not in fighting shape himself.
The Coalition marches to find the mountain the Nozarga call their main stronghold, and make camp overlooking the stronghold from an adjacent cliff.
The Vengemother had lost her son, and the Deathblades were but an experiment in seeing him not only resurrected, but turned into a deadly weapon far worse than the Deathblades they had fought up to that point.
As they discuss marching on the last Nozarga stronghold to finally put an end to the Vengemother, Alekt offers to aid once again in scouting and helping strategize for their final siege, though he's not in fighting shape himself.
The Coalition marches to find the mountain the Nozarga call their main stronghold, and make camp overlooking the stronghold from an adjacent cliff.
After a scouting party returns from the Nozarga mountain, the Coalition divides itself up once again into teams of three. Two teams to push in from the front, and a third to come in from behind, following the cliffs to get inside and attack the archers and mages posted up on the walls.
The team meant to attack the Nozarga inside by sneaking over the cliffs is comprised of Dannoch, Uela, Wil, Fox, Alekt, Arata, Kala, Camyra, Reifnir, Yazga, and Morga. Using Alekt's cloaking magic, their team are able to get up close to the walls without being seen and dispatch the archers and one of the Nozarga commanders, a mage, allowing the other two teams to storm inside the stronghold.
As the Coalition pushes further inside, the Nozarga organize a three-pronged attack, attempting to flank Dannoch's group and another. Two of the Coalition's groups are able to outflank the Nozarga. Dannoch's team are able to defeat their enemies as Wil skinwalks a tree and control its roots and branches, using it to divide up the Nozarga forces, while Dannoch, Uela, and others hold them back, Arata and Camyra blast the Nozarga with spells, and the archers fire upon them.
Dannoch is badly injured by a sword-thrust, and fire from Camyra's spell-wielding quickly overtakes the wooden walkways, forcing Dannoch's team to abandon the walkway into the snow, several of them getting burned. As the walkway collapses and falls, and the team regroups, they push further in to help the other two teams of the Coalition, who fight against a Deathblade and the mage controlling it. Arata, having spent all of his magic, abandons the field before the fighting is done.
The Deathblade and mage are both defeated, but not without casualties, and not before the Vengemother is able to erect a magic warding wall preventing them from moving any further into the stronghold.
The courtyard taken, the Coalition begins to set up a new camp and treat their wounded, preparing for the next step in their attack.
The team meant to attack the Nozarga inside by sneaking over the cliffs is comprised of Dannoch, Uela, Wil, Fox, Alekt, Arata, Kala, Camyra, Reifnir, Yazga, and Morga. Using Alekt's cloaking magic, their team are able to get up close to the walls without being seen and dispatch the archers and one of the Nozarga commanders, a mage, allowing the other two teams to storm inside the stronghold.
As the Coalition pushes further inside, the Nozarga organize a three-pronged attack, attempting to flank Dannoch's group and another. Two of the Coalition's groups are able to outflank the Nozarga. Dannoch's team are able to defeat their enemies as Wil skinwalks a tree and control its roots and branches, using it to divide up the Nozarga forces, while Dannoch, Uela, and others hold them back, Arata and Camyra blast the Nozarga with spells, and the archers fire upon them.
Dannoch is badly injured by a sword-thrust, and fire from Camyra's spell-wielding quickly overtakes the wooden walkways, forcing Dannoch's team to abandon the walkway into the snow, several of them getting burned. As the walkway collapses and falls, and the team regroups, they push further in to help the other two teams of the Coalition, who fight against a Deathblade and the mage controlling it. Arata, having spent all of his magic, abandons the field before the fighting is done.
The Deathblade and mage are both defeated, but not without casualties, and not before the Vengemother is able to erect a magic warding wall preventing them from moving any further into the stronghold.
The courtyard taken, the Coalition begins to set up a new camp and treat their wounded, preparing for the next step in their attack.
After the first battle against the Nozarga stronghold, Alekt seeks out Arata at the edge of camp, dragging him off into the woods to confront him about abandoning the battlefield prematurely without any regard for anyone else. The two get into a heated argument, where Alekt confronts Arata that he had claimed to be ready and capable of fighting against the Nozarga alongside the rest of the Coalition, and then went back on his word.
As their argument escalates and almost turns into physical violence, Alekt gives Arata an ultimatum: keep to his promises, especially those about having others' backs in battle, or leave his Clan, permanently. Disloyalty and abandoning his comrades to die will not be tolerated.
As Arata expresses more defiance, but also that he'll stay with the Clan and help the Coalition, Alekt tells him that if he promises to fight alongside them and then abandons everyone else to die once again the moment things seem unfavorable, he'll personally see to it that his body will be the next one they put to the pyre.
As their argument escalates and almost turns into physical violence, Alekt gives Arata an ultimatum: keep to his promises, especially those about having others' backs in battle, or leave his Clan, permanently. Disloyalty and abandoning his comrades to die will not be tolerated.
As Arata expresses more defiance, but also that he'll stay with the Clan and help the Coalition, Alekt tells him that if he promises to fight alongside them and then abandons everyone else to die once again the moment things seem unfavorable, he'll personally see to it that his body will be the next one they put to the pyre.
The following day, the Coalition work to try and find a way through the magic ward preventing them from marching on the Nozarga stronghold.
Alekt sends his birds above, while Wil uses his magic to skinwalk a tree and use its roots to see whether or not the ward also goes underground, and whether there might be an underground passage. Others, in the meantime, investigate a sealed water well that might provide a way through.
When its determined they won't be able to pass over the barrier, one of Alekt's crows is sent down into the well to scout it for them, small enough to fit through the metal bars over the top.
Alekt's crow and Wil are both able to find a crystal underground powering the ward, and they discuss how to reach and destroy the crystal.
They ultimately settle on Wil wrapping the roots of the tree around the crystal to create a connection to it, while Uela channels her magic to weaken the crystal and Arata siphons the magic from it.
When it seems as though the three of them alone won't be able to dispel the magic, Alekt approaches Garron for his assistance in siphoning the magic from the crystal, though ultimately the others are able to do it on their own, with some bitterness towards Garron for his lack of help.
With the magic ward gone, the Coalition makes ready to march up the mountain.
Alekt sends his birds above, while Wil uses his magic to skinwalk a tree and use its roots to see whether or not the ward also goes underground, and whether there might be an underground passage. Others, in the meantime, investigate a sealed water well that might provide a way through.
When its determined they won't be able to pass over the barrier, one of Alekt's crows is sent down into the well to scout it for them, small enough to fit through the metal bars over the top.
Alekt's crow and Wil are both able to find a crystal underground powering the ward, and they discuss how to reach and destroy the crystal.
They ultimately settle on Wil wrapping the roots of the tree around the crystal to create a connection to it, while Uela channels her magic to weaken the crystal and Arata siphons the magic from it.
When it seems as though the three of them alone won't be able to dispel the magic, Alekt approaches Garron for his assistance in siphoning the magic from the crystal, though ultimately the others are able to do it on their own, with some bitterness towards Garron for his lack of help.
With the magic ward gone, the Coalition makes ready to march up the mountain.
Heading up the mountain, the Coalition divides itself into several parties with several different tasks. However, once they reach the entrance to the heart of the mountain, a mage creates an avalanche. One party moves inside to fight the Vengemother, while the others are forced to flee down the mountain.
In the ruins of a town at the foot of the mountain, Nozarga spring out to attack the two parties who ran to the foot of the mountain, who successfully fight them off. Cut off from those fighting the Vengemother and her Deathblades at the top of the mountain, the scouting party is sent to try and find an alternate route inside, to either reach them or provide them with an escape.
As Alekt's scouting party moves down the mountain to find a way through, more Nozarga and Deathblades appear to fight the second team of fighters at the foot of the mountain.
The scouting party are able to locate a cave system beneath the mountain, quietly dispatching the few Nozarga guarding the way, and inside the cave they locate a broken bridge. Working together, the scouting team are able to partially "fix" the bridge with loose pieces of lumber lying about, though one of their party falls into the ravine separating both sides and perishes at the bottom. Prioritizing the living, they call to those inside where to flee to after the Vengemother is defeated.
The Coalition escape the mountain and regroup at the bottom, where the injured and near-dead are treated for their injuries.
Victory taken and the Nozarga defeated for good, the spirits of those who fell fighting the Nozarga appear before the Coalition to give their final parting words and ascend to their chosen afterlives.
Tired, grim, but victorious, the Coalition return to camp to rest and heal, with some heading home immediately, and others departing for the Reach.
In the ruins of a town at the foot of the mountain, Nozarga spring out to attack the two parties who ran to the foot of the mountain, who successfully fight them off. Cut off from those fighting the Vengemother and her Deathblades at the top of the mountain, the scouting party is sent to try and find an alternate route inside, to either reach them or provide them with an escape.
As Alekt's scouting party moves down the mountain to find a way through, more Nozarga and Deathblades appear to fight the second team of fighters at the foot of the mountain.
The scouting party are able to locate a cave system beneath the mountain, quietly dispatching the few Nozarga guarding the way, and inside the cave they locate a broken bridge. Working together, the scouting team are able to partially "fix" the bridge with loose pieces of lumber lying about, though one of their party falls into the ravine separating both sides and perishes at the bottom. Prioritizing the living, they call to those inside where to flee to after the Vengemother is defeated.
The Coalition escape the mountain and regroup at the bottom, where the injured and near-dead are treated for their injuries.
Victory taken and the Nozarga defeated for good, the spirits of those who fell fighting the Nozarga appear before the Coalition to give their final parting words and ascend to their chosen afterlives.
Tired, grim, but victorious, the Coalition return to camp to rest and heal, with some heading home immediately, and others departing for the Reach.
Returning to the Reach, those of the Coalition not yet departed gather at Hrolden Ring, to say goodbyes, to sing their victories, and to make alliances where desired.
Alekt discusses with Dannoch Thousand-Scars about officiating their previously sought alliance, as well as discusses the potential for an alliance with Chief Gorthal Gro-Gunthak of Clan Grumaar.
Upon his return to Markarth to report their victories to the Ard, Caddach invites Alekt and Reno to walk with him to look upon a large, empty stone Dwemer house. As Ard Caddach presents it, he offers the house to Alekt's clan as a reward for services to the Reach both against the Gray Host and the Nozarga, but also as a tactic to keep Alekt's clan close at hand under his banner for any future needs dealing with threats to the Reach.
Alekt is lukewarm to the idea, as he and his mercenary Clan will be leaving the Reach soon to head to Bangkorai, where they plan to meet with their allied faction Shadow's Favored to return the Bow of Shadows, but Caddach insists, vaguely hinting at a Vateshran tale he once heard in his younger years of a mysterious Reach Clan that was said to live in Blackreach, putting both Alekt and Reno on-edge, to put further pressure on them into accepting.
In the end, Alekt agrees to take the "gift" Caddach offers, though he's not sure what use the large complex will have for their small mercenary band, especially since they'll be leaving soon.
In the end, they decide to turn the house into a Temple to Nocturnal, to compliment Markarth's other daedric temple to Hircine, a common meeting place for other Nocturnal devoted such as their sister faction in Shadow's Favored.
Alekt discusses with Dannoch Thousand-Scars about officiating their previously sought alliance, as well as discusses the potential for an alliance with Chief Gorthal Gro-Gunthak of Clan Grumaar.
Upon his return to Markarth to report their victories to the Ard, Caddach invites Alekt and Reno to walk with him to look upon a large, empty stone Dwemer house. As Ard Caddach presents it, he offers the house to Alekt's clan as a reward for services to the Reach both against the Gray Host and the Nozarga, but also as a tactic to keep Alekt's clan close at hand under his banner for any future needs dealing with threats to the Reach.
Alekt is lukewarm to the idea, as he and his mercenary Clan will be leaving the Reach soon to head to Bangkorai, where they plan to meet with their allied faction Shadow's Favored to return the Bow of Shadows, but Caddach insists, vaguely hinting at a Vateshran tale he once heard in his younger years of a mysterious Reach Clan that was said to live in Blackreach, putting both Alekt and Reno on-edge, to put further pressure on them into accepting.
In the end, Alekt agrees to take the "gift" Caddach offers, though he's not sure what use the large complex will have for their small mercenary band, especially since they'll be leaving soon.
In the end, they decide to turn the house into a Temple to Nocturnal, to compliment Markarth's other daedric temple to Hircine, a common meeting place for other Nocturnal devoted such as their sister faction in Shadow's Favored.
Having finished their business in the Reach, the Clan pack up their things and begin to head to Bangkorai, first hopping a ship to the Wrothgar coast, then traveling through the mountains, stopping at Marz's tavern on the way there.
Reaching the Old Stronghold in Bangkorai, the Clan's very first headquarters in years past, they get to work cleaning the place up for habitation, and send word ahead to Vaylen, the leader of Shadow's Favored.
As the Clan works on training its ranks in fighting, Vaylen arrives to speak to them, announcing that in the time the Clan was focused on the Nozarga war, Shadow's Favored was busying itself with tracking the Skeleton Key. Wanting to be rid of the Key and the dangers it poses, Vaylen agrees to trade the Key to Alekt while Alekt returns to her the Bow of Shadows.
Alekt takes the Key and locks it safely away into a pocket realm of the Evergloam, where no one else can find it.
Reaching the Old Stronghold in Bangkorai, the Clan's very first headquarters in years past, they get to work cleaning the place up for habitation, and send word ahead to Vaylen, the leader of Shadow's Favored.
As the Clan works on training its ranks in fighting, Vaylen arrives to speak to them, announcing that in the time the Clan was focused on the Nozarga war, Shadow's Favored was busying itself with tracking the Skeleton Key. Wanting to be rid of the Key and the dangers it poses, Vaylen agrees to trade the Key to Alekt while Alekt returns to her the Bow of Shadows.
Alekt takes the Key and locks it safely away into a pocket realm of the Evergloam, where no one else can find it.
Reno comes to Alekt with some information to investigate, leading the two of them towards the Waking Flame cult and rumors about an old Longhouse secret and a presumed weapon known as the Four Ambitions.
Since Ard Caddach is related to the last of the Longhouse Emperors, Alekt brings the information to him, and is tasked with digging deeper into the matter on the Ard's behalf.
In the meantime, Spy and Solvi move ahead of the rest of the Clan to make sure their path to Blackwood is clear and traversable.
Since Ard Caddach is related to the last of the Longhouse Emperors, Alekt brings the information to him, and is tasked with digging deeper into the matter on the Ard's behalf.
In the meantime, Spy and Solvi move ahead of the rest of the Clan to make sure their path to Blackwood is clear and traversable.
With business in Bangkorai finished and a few fresh faces to the Clan, Alekt informs the others of business to see to in Blackwood, far across Tamriel. Some of the business is on behalf of the Ard, though Alekt implies there is something of greater importance there that he's interested in.
They first head to the Reach to rest for the long haul through Blackreach from the Reach into Windhelm, where they briefly stay at one of Reno's houses.
After resting in the city a couple days, the Clan departs from Windhelm to the edge of Shadowfen, staying at the Coin Brother's Cornerclub in Stormhold.
Finally, they make the last stretch across Shadowfen and into Blackwood, stopping in Gideon at the Egg & Hammer Inn to rest. While there, the Clan overhears talk of a gathering force planning on fighting a branch of the Waking Flame up towards Farmer's Nook and Hutan-Tzel.
They decide they'll stick around Gideon for a couple of days to eavesdrop and see if the matter is worth getting involved in or not.
They first head to the Reach to rest for the long haul through Blackreach from the Reach into Windhelm, where they briefly stay at one of Reno's houses.
After resting in the city a couple days, the Clan departs from Windhelm to the edge of Shadowfen, staying at the Coin Brother's Cornerclub in Stormhold.
Finally, they make the last stretch across Shadowfen and into Blackwood, stopping in Gideon at the Egg & Hammer Inn to rest. While there, the Clan overhears talk of a gathering force planning on fighting a branch of the Waking Flame up towards Farmer's Nook and Hutan-Tzel.
They decide they'll stick around Gideon for a couple of days to eavesdrop and see if the matter is worth getting involved in or not.
While the Clan awaits the gathering in Gideon, not due for a few more days, Alekt talks about the first and most important order of business that brought them to Blackwood.
In the north is a Shrine to Nocturnal, and one of Nocturnal's artifacts--the Shade Sickle--was recently stolen. The Clan head north to the shrine to gather information about the Sickle, where they meet another Nocturnal cultist who is also after returning it--Kai.
Working together, the Clan head to Leyawiin to find the two thieves and what they've done with it. Splitting into three groups of two, the Clan tries to dig up information around the city on where their targets can be found. On Kai's suggestion, he and Alekt manage to find out where one of their targets is near the bank, and follow them to the local Temple to the Divines.
They find out the Shade Sickle was stolen for and traded to an Argonian necromancer, who took the Shade Sickle to Bloodrun cave.
Not familiar with the area, Alekt tasks the others of the Clan to find out what they can about Bloodrun Cave.
In the north is a Shrine to Nocturnal, and one of Nocturnal's artifacts--the Shade Sickle--was recently stolen. The Clan head north to the shrine to gather information about the Sickle, where they meet another Nocturnal cultist who is also after returning it--Kai.
Working together, the Clan head to Leyawiin to find the two thieves and what they've done with it. Splitting into three groups of two, the Clan tries to dig up information around the city on where their targets can be found. On Kai's suggestion, he and Alekt manage to find out where one of their targets is near the bank, and follow them to the local Temple to the Divines.
They find out the Shade Sickle was stolen for and traded to an Argonian necromancer, who took the Shade Sickle to Bloodrun cave.
Not familiar with the area, Alekt tasks the others of the Clan to find out what they can about Bloodrun Cave.
Eavesdropping on the large gathering in Gideon, the Clan learns of several factions banding together, the Waking Flame and Painted Eye being two of those groups ravaging northern Blackwood to burn village homes and take prisoners from Farmer's Nook and Hutan-Tzel.
Those gathered split off into two groups bound for each location, with the Clan loosely volunteering themselves for Hutan-Tzel, where some of their allies from Clan Stonebreaker are headed.
In the meantime, the Clan move to Leyawiin to get inn rooms there, as the Gideon forces take up most of the available rooms at the Egg & Hammer and nearby buildings.
Those gathered split off into two groups bound for each location, with the Clan loosely volunteering themselves for Hutan-Tzel, where some of their allies from Clan Stonebreaker are headed.
In the meantime, the Clan move to Leyawiin to get inn rooms there, as the Gideon forces take up most of the available rooms at the Egg & Hammer and nearby buildings.
Alekt and Arata head to the Mage's Guild to find out information on Bloodrun Cave, mainly its location, using books and maps to figure out where they need to go, with some help from Reno tipping them off that it used to be used by the Dark Brotherhood in times past.
They decide to try and get ahead of the Gideon forces that'll be moving north soon, so as not to get caught up in or slowed down by the battle to come in the north.
Managing to find Bloodrun Cave, an argonian shadowscale confirms the presence of the necromancer who stole the Shade Sickle, and they dive into the cave after him. Finding the necromancer to be a less-than-easy foe, Alekt, Reno, and Tseng work together to overpower and kill him, before Alekt takes the Shade Sickle from the cave.
As they return, Alekt presents the Shade Sickle to Nocturnal at her shrine and her acolyte, who promises to better hide the artifact so it can never be stolen again.
Business with Nocturnal completed, they turn their sights on checking in on Hutan-Tzel and the situation on the forces gathering there.
They decide to try and get ahead of the Gideon forces that'll be moving north soon, so as not to get caught up in or slowed down by the battle to come in the north.
Managing to find Bloodrun Cave, an argonian shadowscale confirms the presence of the necromancer who stole the Shade Sickle, and they dive into the cave after him. Finding the necromancer to be a less-than-easy foe, Alekt, Reno, and Tseng work together to overpower and kill him, before Alekt takes the Shade Sickle from the cave.
As they return, Alekt presents the Shade Sickle to Nocturnal at her shrine and her acolyte, who promises to better hide the artifact so it can never be stolen again.
Business with Nocturnal completed, they turn their sights on checking in on Hutan-Tzel and the situation on the forces gathering there.
Alekt and the Clan mostly eavesdrop on information being shared, though Alekt and Arata lend themselves towards a scouting party investigating into wagon disappearances on a road to the south.
A group of argonians from the Painted Eye ambush them at the swamps near the road, where they tracked a lost wagon, including an Argonian behemoth that takes a large part of the group to defeat, and where one of the Painted Eye argonian's tries to rip Arata's throat out with its teeth. Luckily, Arata's wounds are treated and he survives.
A group of argonians from the Painted Eye ambush them at the swamps near the road, where they tracked a lost wagon, including an Argonian behemoth that takes a large part of the group to defeat, and where one of the Painted Eye argonian's tries to rip Arata's throat out with its teeth. Luckily, Arata's wounds are treated and he survives.
Alekt, Reno, and Arata head to Farmer's Nook to see the situation there and help if needed, though all of them are less than impressed with the organization, capabilities, or attitudes of the Gideon defenders.
As the Gideon defense turns to offense, planning to siege the Waking Flame and stop them from summoning an Ash Titan from the Deadlands to ravage Blackwood, Dannoch Thousand-Scars of Clan Stonebreaker requests Alekt to aid in the assault, as they'll need capable magic-users versed in portals to infiltrate the Deadlands.
Alekt agrees to help and volunteers himself and Reno, to ensure Dannoch and others return from the Deadlands alive.
Joining the portal team on the day of the attack, Alekt, Reno, and others work tirelessly for many hours to keep a portal open while one team moves into the Deadlands and another stays behind to defend them and the portal from closing.
Though the portal comes under attack several times, from within and without, they manage to keep it open until the assault team returns from destroying the Ash Titan, though everyone is drained and exhausted by the end.
As the Gideon defense turns to offense, planning to siege the Waking Flame and stop them from summoning an Ash Titan from the Deadlands to ravage Blackwood, Dannoch Thousand-Scars of Clan Stonebreaker requests Alekt to aid in the assault, as they'll need capable magic-users versed in portals to infiltrate the Deadlands.
Alekt agrees to help and volunteers himself and Reno, to ensure Dannoch and others return from the Deadlands alive.
Joining the portal team on the day of the attack, Alekt, Reno, and others work tirelessly for many hours to keep a portal open while one team moves into the Deadlands and another stays behind to defend them and the portal from closing.
Though the portal comes under attack several times, from within and without, they manage to keep it open until the assault team returns from destroying the Ash Titan, though everyone is drained and exhausted by the end.
In the days following the battle, the groups fighting for northern Blackwood regathered in Gideon at the Egg & Hammer, to discuss the recent battle and claim their reward.
Alekt and Arata attended in order to meet again with Dannoch and the Stonebreakers, discussing that their two Clans should properly meet and gather soon once both had had time to recover and rest.
A little later into the evening, Alekt received a letter from Vaylen, one of the leaders of their ally faction Shadow's Favored, inviting him to spectate their training fights that day. Though late to arrive, Alekt managed to catch the last fight of the evening, and discuss a possible partnership for sparring nights where both factions could test their members against each other in the near future.
Alekt and Arata attended in order to meet again with Dannoch and the Stonebreakers, discussing that their two Clans should properly meet and gather soon once both had had time to recover and rest.
A little later into the evening, Alekt received a letter from Vaylen, one of the leaders of their ally faction Shadow's Favored, inviting him to spectate their training fights that day. Though late to arrive, Alekt managed to catch the last fight of the evening, and discuss a possible partnership for sparring nights where both factions could test their members against each other in the near future.
With the business involving the Shade Sickle and the battle over northern Blackwood behind them, the Clan turned its focus on Leyawiin and seeing to the Ard's business involving the Four Ambitions, the Waking Flame, and the Dark Brotherhood who were allegedly targeting Blackwood's Councilors who once served the Longhouse Emperors.
Although at least three Councilor's lives had now been claimed, the mark of the Black Hand left on their bodies, Alekt, Tseng, and Reno expressed some reservations about whether or not the Brotherhood was involved. Reno especially, having formerly worked for the organization.
Since they had no solid proof in either direction, for or against the Brotherhood's involvement, they decided to keep an open mind that the Brotherhood could be involved or they may not be, until they could find further proof.
Arata later expresses some concern about the reappearance of a woman he used to know in the area. Taking Arata's panic and concern over it into consideration, he and Reno place protective wards around their temporary HQ in Leyawiin to keep the woman out and Arata safe from her.
Although at least three Councilor's lives had now been claimed, the mark of the Black Hand left on their bodies, Alekt, Tseng, and Reno expressed some reservations about whether or not the Brotherhood was involved. Reno especially, having formerly worked for the organization.
Since they had no solid proof in either direction, for or against the Brotherhood's involvement, they decided to keep an open mind that the Brotherhood could be involved or they may not be, until they could find further proof.
Arata later expresses some concern about the reappearance of a woman he used to know in the area. Taking Arata's panic and concern over it into consideration, he and Reno place protective wards around their temporary HQ in Leyawiin to keep the woman out and Arata safe from her.
Investigating further into the Waking Flame, the Clan traveled to various locations to warn other Councilors, while officials working out of Leyawiin castle send for a Longhouse code-breaker to decipher letters written in code left behind by the late Councilor Jirich and Sophus.
One of the first stops on their route is Fort Blueblood, where they'd arrived too late to save Councilor Abhor from being assassinated, and the servant who brought her her food missing.
Investigating around the fort, they find the servant girl assassinated in the cellar, the assassin having killed and impersonated her to get to the Councilor.
However, Alekt, Tseng, and Arata find a Black Hand calling card on the body of the servant, confirming that the Dark Brotherhood aren't the assassins, as they only leave their calling card on high-profile targets, not lowly servants. At that point, they knew for certain that someone was impersonating the Brotherhood to shift blame onto them, likely the Waking Flame.
The group move on to Gideon next, to warn Councilor Vandacia. They find Vandacia outraged about an attempt on his life by a Brotherhood assassin, whom his guards overpowered and jailed in the courthouse. Vandacia claims ignorance to why he's being targeted or having any knowledge of Longhouse secrets or the Ambitions, but the Clan find his ignorance - despite serving the Longhouse Emperors since Durkurok the Black Drake - to be vaguely suspect.
For the time being, they put it aside to go talk to the jailed assassin, only to find them escaped using some acid concoction to melt the lock and the guards beat up. They quickly tail after the assassin, finding themselves in an old Ayleid ruin, Arata running ahead of Alekt and Tseng and getting scolded in-turn for not sticking with the group.
They find a letter talking about re-opening an old abandoned Dark Brotherhood sanctuary in Bloodrun cave, and manage to confront the escaped assassin, but it only confirms what they already knew: that the Brotherhood wasn't behind the murders. The assassin however was unable to provide answers on who the real assassins were.
For the time being, they return to Gideon to report their findings, though Vandacia expresses doubt that the assassin wasn't simply lying about not being involved. The Clan still find his conduct suspect, but move on to find Councilor Faleria at Tidewater Cave, finding her safe and retrieving secret documents she hid away there.
All the living Councilor's warned and gathered, the Clan return to Leyawiin Castle to speak with Councilor Lovidicus about their findings regarding the Dark Brotherhood, who also shows reservations towards Vandacia's declarations.
Lovidicus and other councilors theorize that they each unknowingly worked on a different piece of the greater whole regarding the Four Ambitions, and the assassins were hired to kill them to preserve the secret.
Regardless of whether the Dark Brotherhood is involved in the Ambitions or not, Lovidicus expresses that they can't allow them to re-open a killer's sanctuary in Blackwood, and asks the Clan to head to Bloodrun cave to investigate whether or not they really are establishing a sanctuary there.
They briefly discuss with Eveli Sharp-Arrow, a wood elf helping investigate, about strange dreams and visions she's had since carrying around a daedric book related to Dagon. Tired after all their running about the region, the Clan decide to retire for the evening and start again fresh after they've made preparations to go into the Dark Brotherhood's den.
One of the first stops on their route is Fort Blueblood, where they'd arrived too late to save Councilor Abhor from being assassinated, and the servant who brought her her food missing.
Investigating around the fort, they find the servant girl assassinated in the cellar, the assassin having killed and impersonated her to get to the Councilor.
However, Alekt, Tseng, and Arata find a Black Hand calling card on the body of the servant, confirming that the Dark Brotherhood aren't the assassins, as they only leave their calling card on high-profile targets, not lowly servants. At that point, they knew for certain that someone was impersonating the Brotherhood to shift blame onto them, likely the Waking Flame.
The group move on to Gideon next, to warn Councilor Vandacia. They find Vandacia outraged about an attempt on his life by a Brotherhood assassin, whom his guards overpowered and jailed in the courthouse. Vandacia claims ignorance to why he's being targeted or having any knowledge of Longhouse secrets or the Ambitions, but the Clan find his ignorance - despite serving the Longhouse Emperors since Durkurok the Black Drake - to be vaguely suspect.
For the time being, they put it aside to go talk to the jailed assassin, only to find them escaped using some acid concoction to melt the lock and the guards beat up. They quickly tail after the assassin, finding themselves in an old Ayleid ruin, Arata running ahead of Alekt and Tseng and getting scolded in-turn for not sticking with the group.
They find a letter talking about re-opening an old abandoned Dark Brotherhood sanctuary in Bloodrun cave, and manage to confront the escaped assassin, but it only confirms what they already knew: that the Brotherhood wasn't behind the murders. The assassin however was unable to provide answers on who the real assassins were.
For the time being, they return to Gideon to report their findings, though Vandacia expresses doubt that the assassin wasn't simply lying about not being involved. The Clan still find his conduct suspect, but move on to find Councilor Faleria at Tidewater Cave, finding her safe and retrieving secret documents she hid away there.
All the living Councilor's warned and gathered, the Clan return to Leyawiin Castle to speak with Councilor Lovidicus about their findings regarding the Dark Brotherhood, who also shows reservations towards Vandacia's declarations.
Lovidicus and other councilors theorize that they each unknowingly worked on a different piece of the greater whole regarding the Four Ambitions, and the assassins were hired to kill them to preserve the secret.
Regardless of whether the Dark Brotherhood is involved in the Ambitions or not, Lovidicus expresses that they can't allow them to re-open a killer's sanctuary in Blackwood, and asks the Clan to head to Bloodrun cave to investigate whether or not they really are establishing a sanctuary there.
They briefly discuss with Eveli Sharp-Arrow, a wood elf helping investigate, about strange dreams and visions she's had since carrying around a daedric book related to Dagon. Tired after all their running about the region, the Clan decide to retire for the evening and start again fresh after they've made preparations to go into the Dark Brotherhood's den.
The Clan heads to Bloodrun cave to find the Dark Brotherhood sanctuary, delving deep into the cave. Arata once again gets lectured about pushing ahead, but it doesn't take them long to find the door to the sanctuary, being immediately met with tense Brotherhood members at the intrusion.
Before they can get far on discussing anything, Waking Flame members appear inside via the use of daedric portals and attack the Brotherhood. The Clan runs to help the Brotherhood defend the sanctuary, Arata going on ahead despite previous warnings.
The Waking Flame cult's portals end up opening on an old Ayleid ruin, which they infiltrate alongside the Brotherhood. Inside they find documents from the Waking Flame talking about framing the Brotherhood for their assassinations, and that there was a hidden cache of information within the Brotherhood's old sanctuary, pointing the way to the first of the Ambitions, though the Waking Flame had already claimed it.
Investigating further, they find that High Priest of the Blackwood cell of the cult ordered the Brotherhood wiped out to cover their tracks, that the High Priest is Councilor Vandacia, and that they were going to lead an assault on Leyawiin castle to kill the rest of the Councilors while the Brotherhood and Clan were taken out in Bloodrun Cave.
The Clan quickly rushes back to Leyawiin to confront the cultists, but not before Vandacia manages to kill Councilor Faleria and almost kill Lovidicus, escaping into a Dagonic portal.
Though Vandacia did escape with most of the documents regarding the Ambitions, the code-breaker Lovidicus sent for was able to decipher some of the code before that point. The code mentioned a vault to safeguard the Ambitions, hidden somewhere in "ojel-bak", though he didn't know what it meant. Lovidicus believed it was a place in Blackwood, a landmark in Sul-Xan territory, and directed the Clan to speak with Governor Keshu the Black Fin in Gideon for help.
Before they can get far on discussing anything, Waking Flame members appear inside via the use of daedric portals and attack the Brotherhood. The Clan runs to help the Brotherhood defend the sanctuary, Arata going on ahead despite previous warnings.
The Waking Flame cult's portals end up opening on an old Ayleid ruin, which they infiltrate alongside the Brotherhood. Inside they find documents from the Waking Flame talking about framing the Brotherhood for their assassinations, and that there was a hidden cache of information within the Brotherhood's old sanctuary, pointing the way to the first of the Ambitions, though the Waking Flame had already claimed it.
Investigating further, they find that High Priest of the Blackwood cell of the cult ordered the Brotherhood wiped out to cover their tracks, that the High Priest is Councilor Vandacia, and that they were going to lead an assault on Leyawiin castle to kill the rest of the Councilors while the Brotherhood and Clan were taken out in Bloodrun Cave.
The Clan quickly rushes back to Leyawiin to confront the cultists, but not before Vandacia manages to kill Councilor Faleria and almost kill Lovidicus, escaping into a Dagonic portal.
Though Vandacia did escape with most of the documents regarding the Ambitions, the code-breaker Lovidicus sent for was able to decipher some of the code before that point. The code mentioned a vault to safeguard the Ambitions, hidden somewhere in "ojel-bak", though he didn't know what it meant. Lovidicus believed it was a place in Blackwood, a landmark in Sul-Xan territory, and directed the Clan to speak with Governor Keshu the Black Fin in Gideon for help.
Speaking to Governor Keshu, the Clan are able to locate Ojel-bak, riding south on the road toward the Stonewastes. Once again, Arata faces criticism for breaking ahead of the rest, before they head in towards the swamps, locating a daedric vault protected by wards, and a Dremora by the name of Lyranth outside of it.
Lyranth tells them the wards are not only impossible for Daedra to pass through, but lethal. She also believes the daedric book Eveli carries is the Mysterium Xarxes, a daedric artifact penned by Mehrunes Dagon himself, and that they will need to use the book to break the wards.
Tseng and Eveli take on the task of breaking the wards both outside and inside the vault, since they're the only ones guaranteed to be safe from the protective magic. After delving deep into the vault and fighting off the Waking Flame, the Clan finds two of the Ambitions.
Contrary to prior belief, the Ambitions are not weapons (strictly speaking), but people - a pair of twins with great magical power, Destron and Calia. Lyranth theorizes that the Ambitions are part of Dagon's plot to merge the Deadlands and Nirn to rule over both.
The Clan and Eveli decide to take the twins to Gideon for protection, leaving the vault. Arata once again moves ahead, and Alekt writes it off as they start to head back. Tseng however expresses concern, saying that Arata would not leave his cat - a gift Tseng gave him - behind if that were the case.
Alekt considers Tseng's words and sends some of his birds out to look for Arata, but they turn up nothing.
Lyranth tells them the wards are not only impossible for Daedra to pass through, but lethal. She also believes the daedric book Eveli carries is the Mysterium Xarxes, a daedric artifact penned by Mehrunes Dagon himself, and that they will need to use the book to break the wards.
Tseng and Eveli take on the task of breaking the wards both outside and inside the vault, since they're the only ones guaranteed to be safe from the protective magic. After delving deep into the vault and fighting off the Waking Flame, the Clan finds two of the Ambitions.
Contrary to prior belief, the Ambitions are not weapons (strictly speaking), but people - a pair of twins with great magical power, Destron and Calia. Lyranth theorizes that the Ambitions are part of Dagon's plot to merge the Deadlands and Nirn to rule over both.
The Clan and Eveli decide to take the twins to Gideon for protection, leaving the vault. Arata once again moves ahead, and Alekt writes it off as they start to head back. Tseng however expresses concern, saying that Arata would not leave his cat - a gift Tseng gave him - behind if that were the case.
Alekt considers Tseng's words and sends some of his birds out to look for Arata, but they turn up nothing.
While the Clan is still keeping a lookout for Arata's whereabouts, an injured and recently turned vampire named Daylda arrives to the Clan's temporary headquarters in Leyawiin, asking for sanctuary and safety. Alekt and Reno allow it, though they make it clear any feeding or attacking Clan members while she's there will not be tolerated.
Daylda agrees to these terms, and decides to stay with the Clan for a time.
The Clan also holds a sparring night at their training grounds, as they do each week, welcoming Shadow's Favored and Clan Stonebreaker both.
Its near the end of the night when most fighters have dispersed that Alekt and Reno find out that Emmanuel Praven of Clan Diremaw was dead, killed by Wilding as part of a pact Emmanuel struck with Hircine to heal Wil's legs from an injury he recieved during the Northern Blackwood defense. A deal which required Emmanuel to be the prey and Wil to be the hunter.
Daylda agrees to these terms, and decides to stay with the Clan for a time.
The Clan also holds a sparring night at their training grounds, as they do each week, welcoming Shadow's Favored and Clan Stonebreaker both.
Its near the end of the night when most fighters have dispersed that Alekt and Reno find out that Emmanuel Praven of Clan Diremaw was dead, killed by Wilding as part of a pact Emmanuel struck with Hircine to heal Wil's legs from an injury he recieved during the Northern Blackwood defense. A deal which required Emmanuel to be the prey and Wil to be the hunter.
During the time Alekt and the Clan are still looking for Arata, the front door of their HQ is blasted with ice. Alekt and Reno allow the offender inside, the woman Arata had previously shown concern about, Hvitt.
Hvitt speaks with them, angry, and brings information that Arata had been kidnapped by the Waking Flame and she was there to seek their help rescueing him. Though the exchange is tense, and no direct agreement is made at the time to help each other out, Alekt simply thanking her for the information about Arata's whereabouts that they'll investigate on their own without her.
They head to Gideon where a courier arrives with an anonymous message asking them to meet at Amnis Manor in Gideon to exchange information about the Waking Flame. Meeting with a Dark Brotherhood agent, they find out that a man named Matus Amnis had been helping fund Vandacia and the Waking Flame's operations. There's also rumor of an important, secret event about to take place that Amnis and Vandacia will be a part of.
Inside the manor, they find information confirming the lead the Dark Brotherhood agent uncovered, and talk of needed invitations to the event, as well as another lead pointing towards Salvitto Estate near Blackwood Lake. Their information mentions needing an invitation and special coin to enter the event, both of which are missing already from Amnis's manor, so they plan to head to Salvitto Estate next to see if they can find more there.
Riding out to the Estate, they find Hvitt there and begrudgingly work together with her to take down any Waking Flame in their way and locate Gracian Salvitto, who tries to escape them and fails. They find out Vandacia was there not too long before with a "prisoner", which they speculate could be Arata or could be an Ambition.
They manage to intimidate Salvitto into giving up his invitation and coin, and information on how to get to Vandacia's event--aboard a ship named The Calamity parked in Leyawiin docks.
Hvitt speaks with them, angry, and brings information that Arata had been kidnapped by the Waking Flame and she was there to seek their help rescueing him. Though the exchange is tense, and no direct agreement is made at the time to help each other out, Alekt simply thanking her for the information about Arata's whereabouts that they'll investigate on their own without her.
They head to Gideon where a courier arrives with an anonymous message asking them to meet at Amnis Manor in Gideon to exchange information about the Waking Flame. Meeting with a Dark Brotherhood agent, they find out that a man named Matus Amnis had been helping fund Vandacia and the Waking Flame's operations. There's also rumor of an important, secret event about to take place that Amnis and Vandacia will be a part of.
Inside the manor, they find information confirming the lead the Dark Brotherhood agent uncovered, and talk of needed invitations to the event, as well as another lead pointing towards Salvitto Estate near Blackwood Lake. Their information mentions needing an invitation and special coin to enter the event, both of which are missing already from Amnis's manor, so they plan to head to Salvitto Estate next to see if they can find more there.
Riding out to the Estate, they find Hvitt there and begrudgingly work together with her to take down any Waking Flame in their way and locate Gracian Salvitto, who tries to escape them and fails. They find out Vandacia was there not too long before with a "prisoner", which they speculate could be Arata or could be an Ambition.
They manage to intimidate Salvitto into giving up his invitation and coin, and information on how to get to Vandacia's event--aboard a ship named The Calamity parked in Leyawiin docks.
Alekt sends the rest of the Clan ahead to meet with Eveli in Leyawiin to find a tailor, so that they can dress the part of guests and infiltrate Vandacia's party, hopefully unnoticed.
Ahead of their infiltration into the Waking Flame's party, Alekt sends to meet with Wil for a favor, asking if he can borrow a Daedrat originated from the Deadlands from him, to help with their disguise, "as Dagon followers are not known for having Nocturnal's crows as their familiars". Wil is hesitant at first, but eventually allows it on the promise that Alekt brings the Daedrat back unharmed.
Returning to his Clan in disguise, Alekt decides to test how well he's managed to make himself appear as someone he's not, choosing Reno as his ultimate test to make sure its more or less flawless, using his changed appearance and a different voice. He manages to fool Reno into thinking he's a Waking Flame cultist, and that Alekt's scent on him is because they ambushed and kidnapped him, causing Reno to almost attack him before he springs it that its himself.
Everyone dressed up and ready to head to the event, they travel to the docks to board The Calamity, taking rest in the guest hold until they arrive. When they return above deck, they find themselves atop a sea of fire in the Deadlands.
They manage to slip inside to the party unnoticed, where they also find Lyranth observing from the shadows, and sneak into the back rooms to search for any sign of Arata behind Hvitt who pushes on ahead of them.
While they don't find Arata, they do find documents that hint at his whereabouts and past experiments done on him and Hvitt. They also find one of the Ambitions - Sombren - in another room, rescuing them before Vandacia and the Waking Flame can sacrifice him to Mehrunes Dagon.
They deliver the third Ambition to Gideon to meet the others and be kept safe by Governor Keshu.
Ahead of their infiltration into the Waking Flame's party, Alekt sends to meet with Wil for a favor, asking if he can borrow a Daedrat originated from the Deadlands from him, to help with their disguise, "as Dagon followers are not known for having Nocturnal's crows as their familiars". Wil is hesitant at first, but eventually allows it on the promise that Alekt brings the Daedrat back unharmed.
Returning to his Clan in disguise, Alekt decides to test how well he's managed to make himself appear as someone he's not, choosing Reno as his ultimate test to make sure its more or less flawless, using his changed appearance and a different voice. He manages to fool Reno into thinking he's a Waking Flame cultist, and that Alekt's scent on him is because they ambushed and kidnapped him, causing Reno to almost attack him before he springs it that its himself.
Everyone dressed up and ready to head to the event, they travel to the docks to board The Calamity, taking rest in the guest hold until they arrive. When they return above deck, they find themselves atop a sea of fire in the Deadlands.
They manage to slip inside to the party unnoticed, where they also find Lyranth observing from the shadows, and sneak into the back rooms to search for any sign of Arata behind Hvitt who pushes on ahead of them.
While they don't find Arata, they do find documents that hint at his whereabouts and past experiments done on him and Hvitt. They also find one of the Ambitions - Sombren - in another room, rescuing them before Vandacia and the Waking Flame can sacrifice him to Mehrunes Dagon.
They deliver the third Ambition to Gideon to meet the others and be kept safe by Governor Keshu.
Following a lead of information from some papers they picked up from Vandacia's party, Alekt and Hvitt seek after Arata at a Daedric vault in northern Blackwood: Doomvault Vulpinaz.
While they manage to find Arata inside, he doesn't recognize them, declaring the Waking Flame to be his 'family' and that he refuses to return with them. When Hvitt tries to take him by force, Arata flees further into the vault, forcing Alekt and Hvitt to give chase and fight their way through other Waking Flame until they can corner him.
Putting up a fight, Alekt and Hvitt battle against Arata, with Hvitt using her ice magic to freeze the lava flows for a time and working with Alekt to knock Arata unconscious and take him back with them to their temporary headquarters in Leyawiin.
After Hvitt is satisfied that Arata is returned and leaves, Alekt transports him to the Sanctuary to recover, where he can't run off again.
While they manage to find Arata inside, he doesn't recognize them, declaring the Waking Flame to be his 'family' and that he refuses to return with them. When Hvitt tries to take him by force, Arata flees further into the vault, forcing Alekt and Hvitt to give chase and fight their way through other Waking Flame until they can corner him.
Putting up a fight, Alekt and Hvitt battle against Arata, with Hvitt using her ice magic to freeze the lava flows for a time and working with Alekt to knock Arata unconscious and take him back with them to their temporary headquarters in Leyawiin.
After Hvitt is satisfied that Arata is returned and leaves, Alekt transports him to the Sanctuary to recover, where he can't run off again.
While Arata is recovering at the Sanctuary, the Clan recieves a visit at the Temple from a talking Iron Atronach named Gregario Ironwall, once a young man, captured by daedric cultists and experimented on to make him into what he is now and have him fight in gladiator pits in Oblivion.
Gregario quickly joins rank with the Clan in the search of somewhere that might be accepting of him regardless of his form.
Gregario quickly joins rank with the Clan in the search of somewhere that might be accepting of him regardless of his form.
Checking in with Arata at the Sanctuary, Alekt is sure to make certain Arata's memories are returned before undoing his restraints, welcoming him back to the Clan. Alekt leaves him there to continue recovering for the time being, and heads to Gideon to check in with the Ambitions along with Reno and Tseng.
When they arrive, Calia almost loses control of her powers, kept from burning the town to the ground by Sombren, who tells the twins he knows of someone who can teach them to keep their powers in check now that the Vaults are no longer limiting them.
Sombren's "teacher" is a Dremora from the Deadlands, who at first promises to help them, before springing a trap, robbing Sombren of his powers while she kidnaps the twins and pitching everyone else into her spiders' nest.
Enraged, Reno tries to go after Sombren for double-crossing them but Alekt gets in his way, ordering him to stand down while they find a way out to confront the Dremora, reasoning that Sombren was betrayed as well and didn't know. It doesn't satisfy Reno, but he does as he's told.
It doesn't take them long to escape and find the Dremora and the twins, killing the former and escaping with the latter, though Reno continues to hold hostility towards Sombren.
When they arrive, Calia almost loses control of her powers, kept from burning the town to the ground by Sombren, who tells the twins he knows of someone who can teach them to keep their powers in check now that the Vaults are no longer limiting them.
Sombren's "teacher" is a Dremora from the Deadlands, who at first promises to help them, before springing a trap, robbing Sombren of his powers while she kidnaps the twins and pitching everyone else into her spiders' nest.
Enraged, Reno tries to go after Sombren for double-crossing them but Alekt gets in his way, ordering him to stand down while they find a way out to confront the Dremora, reasoning that Sombren was betrayed as well and didn't know. It doesn't satisfy Reno, but he does as he's told.
It doesn't take them long to escape and find the Dremora and the twins, killing the former and escaping with the latter, though Reno continues to hold hostility towards Sombren.
Returning to Gideon again, the Clan speak to Keshu and the Ambitions regarding Waking Flame activity in the area and that the cult is preparing an assault. They decide it would be better to relocate the Ambitions to Fort Redmane, which is more defensible than the city and would leave fewer civilian casualties.
Keshu and Eveli urge the Clan to see if they can gather any additional allies to meet at and fortify Fort Redmane ahead of the Waking Flame's attack.
The Clan travel to Borderwatch and Hutan-Tzel one day to recruit help, dealing with local problems their allies there are facing to free them up for the battle at Fort Redmane, then travel to the Stonewastes the day after to gather more allies there.
Keshu and Eveli urge the Clan to see if they can gather any additional allies to meet at and fortify Fort Redmane ahead of the Waking Flame's attack.
The Clan travel to Borderwatch and Hutan-Tzel one day to recruit help, dealing with local problems their allies there are facing to free them up for the battle at Fort Redmane, then travel to the Stonewastes the day after to gather more allies there.
Allies gathered and Clan members prepared, Alekt, Arata, Tseng, Gregario, and Kehiri head to Fort Redmane as the final preparations are being made and ready themselves to meet the Waking Flame and defend the Ambitions.
They fight their way through the inside of the Fort as the cult transports some of their number and accompanying daedra inside using portals and go after the Ambitions, eventually finding Sombren and the twins. Vandacia also finds them shortly after and claims Destron's life, as well as the power of the Ambition within him, and the planes of Nirn start to merge with the Deadlands, allowing Mehrunes Dagon himself to appear.
The Clan and the remaining Ambitions fight against Vandacia and manage to strike him down, stopping the merging of the planes, leaving the survivors and the rest of the Gideon forces to celebrate victory back in the city. Not long after, Sombren decides to take himself, Calia, and the Mysterium Xarxes into hiding in the Deadlands while he figures out how to control their powers, promising that they'll return later when they have more answers.
They fight their way through the inside of the Fort as the cult transports some of their number and accompanying daedra inside using portals and go after the Ambitions, eventually finding Sombren and the twins. Vandacia also finds them shortly after and claims Destron's life, as well as the power of the Ambition within him, and the planes of Nirn start to merge with the Deadlands, allowing Mehrunes Dagon himself to appear.
The Clan and the remaining Ambitions fight against Vandacia and manage to strike him down, stopping the merging of the planes, leaving the survivors and the rest of the Gideon forces to celebrate victory back in the city. Not long after, Sombren decides to take himself, Calia, and the Mysterium Xarxes into hiding in the Deadlands while he figures out how to control their powers, promising that they'll return later when they have more answers.
With the Ambitions' identities learned and their whereabouts unknown, the Clan discusses its next steps, which Alekt must discuss with Ard Caddach.
With not much more to be learned regarding the legacy of the Longhouse Emperors, Alekt decides that the Clan will move out of Blackwood and back to Markarth if no news surfaces in the upcoming weeks. Taking issue and wanting to continue the hunt for the Waking Flame, Arata argues for staying but to no avail at first.
As the Clan holds another one of its Fight Night's with its sister guild, Shadow's Favored, Gregario recieves an injury to the "core" of his Iron Atronach body that causes him to mysteriously lose consciousness during one of the Temple nights following, causing concern in Ster, the Clan's healer.
Knowing of Arata's insistence to remain and deal with the Waking Flame, Spy volunteers to stay in Blackwood with Arata, as well as Gregario in search of something to help repair his damaged core via the Deadlands. Alekt allows it, while the rest of the Clan pack and head north back to Markarth just before the Witches Festival, during which Reno holds a holiday party at his inn near Riften.
Meanwhile, Spy, Ster, Arata, Hvitt, and Gregario follow a lead on the Waking Flame that takes them to a forgotten plane known as Fargrave, where the Waking Flame have set their sights, and learn of a new machine called the Catalyst the Waking Flame are working on to change daedra into living calamities.
With not much more to be learned regarding the legacy of the Longhouse Emperors, Alekt decides that the Clan will move out of Blackwood and back to Markarth if no news surfaces in the upcoming weeks. Taking issue and wanting to continue the hunt for the Waking Flame, Arata argues for staying but to no avail at first.
As the Clan holds another one of its Fight Night's with its sister guild, Shadow's Favored, Gregario recieves an injury to the "core" of his Iron Atronach body that causes him to mysteriously lose consciousness during one of the Temple nights following, causing concern in Ster, the Clan's healer.
Knowing of Arata's insistence to remain and deal with the Waking Flame, Spy volunteers to stay in Blackwood with Arata, as well as Gregario in search of something to help repair his damaged core via the Deadlands. Alekt allows it, while the rest of the Clan pack and head north back to Markarth just before the Witches Festival, during which Reno holds a holiday party at his inn near Riften.
Meanwhile, Spy, Ster, Arata, Hvitt, and Gregario follow a lead on the Waking Flame that takes them to a forgotten plane known as Fargrave, where the Waking Flame have set their sights, and learn of a new machine called the Catalyst the Waking Flame are working on to change daedra into living calamities.
Arriving in Fargrave, the Deadlands Crew of Spy, Ster, Arata, Hvitt, and Gregario start looking for information in the city, making contact with a follower of Lyranth the Dremora who points them towards the front gates of the city. They don't immediately find Lyranth, but instead a Waking Flame cultist and a masked woman simply known as the Anchorite, who suggests they talk to Madam Whim first, who knows everything that goes on in the city.
While the rest of the Clan search for leads on the Waking Flame, Ster excuses herself to look for leads on how she can heal Greg's "injury", taking to the libraries and markets of the city.
After talking to Madam Whim and an escaped Initiate who left the Waking Flame, they use the information gathered to find the Waking Flame's hideout within the city, a bathhouse in the far back corners of a shady part of town known as the Shambles.
The Bathhouse's doors are initially protected by wards, but they manage to break through them, and eventually find Lyranth chasing the same lead. They continue on further looking for the Waking Flame's cell leader, Sister Celdina, and manage to stop her from casting a ritual just before it would have wreaked havoc on Fargrave. Sister Celdino however manages to escape.
Looking around for some clue that will help them locate her whereabouts, they find letters written in code, and discern they will need a codebreaker to read them before they can make progress.
In the meantime, the Deadlands Crew decide to take up shelter in one of the inns in Fargave.
While the rest of the Clan search for leads on the Waking Flame, Ster excuses herself to look for leads on how she can heal Greg's "injury", taking to the libraries and markets of the city.
After talking to Madam Whim and an escaped Initiate who left the Waking Flame, they use the information gathered to find the Waking Flame's hideout within the city, a bathhouse in the far back corners of a shady part of town known as the Shambles.
The Bathhouse's doors are initially protected by wards, but they manage to break through them, and eventually find Lyranth chasing the same lead. They continue on further looking for the Waking Flame's cell leader, Sister Celdina, and manage to stop her from casting a ritual just before it would have wreaked havoc on Fargrave. Sister Celdino however manages to escape.
Looking around for some clue that will help them locate her whereabouts, they find letters written in code, and discern they will need a codebreaker to read them before they can make progress.
In the meantime, the Deadlands Crew decide to take up shelter in one of the inns in Fargave.
Returning to Madam Whim, the Deadlands Crew ask about where they can find a Daedric codebreaker, and are pointed towards Gazmod the Collector who owns a relic known as the Arox.
Upon arriving, they find that Gazmod is a Watcher with no interest for most of the Clan, but the Anchorite and their mask. The Anchorite works to distract Gazmod while the rest of them sneak through the gallery in search of the Arox, eventually finding it: a talking Daedrat in a cage.
They take Arox with them, who agrees to be their codebreaker and help the Clan in their quest to go after the Waking Flame as payment for being granted his freedom once again, then go to save the Anchorite from becoming part of Gazmod's collection.
After escaping, Arox is able to decipher the note which points them towards Burning Gyre Keep, where the Waking Flame are gathering in force to invade Fargrave. At the Keep, they find a discarded and broken sword belonging to a daedric Bladebearer.
Inside they find Sister Celdina and an Incarnate - a daedric calamity, which Sister Celdina tries to use to kill them. The Deadlands Crew inevitably come out victorious, destroying the Incarnate. Sister Celdina and a daedric lord working with her, Valkynaz Nokroz, escape before they can reach them, and the Deadlands Crew return to Fargrave to convene on all that happened.
Lyranth informs them the sword they found belongs to someone from the Bladebearer Clan, and that they should seek out their leader Rynkyus at a location in the Deadlands known as the Wretched Spire. The Deadlands Crew head for Wretched Spire and decide to stay at the inn there once they arrive to rest and gather information.
Upon arriving, they find that Gazmod is a Watcher with no interest for most of the Clan, but the Anchorite and their mask. The Anchorite works to distract Gazmod while the rest of them sneak through the gallery in search of the Arox, eventually finding it: a talking Daedrat in a cage.
They take Arox with them, who agrees to be their codebreaker and help the Clan in their quest to go after the Waking Flame as payment for being granted his freedom once again, then go to save the Anchorite from becoming part of Gazmod's collection.
After escaping, Arox is able to decipher the note which points them towards Burning Gyre Keep, where the Waking Flame are gathering in force to invade Fargrave. At the Keep, they find a discarded and broken sword belonging to a daedric Bladebearer.
Inside they find Sister Celdina and an Incarnate - a daedric calamity, which Sister Celdina tries to use to kill them. The Deadlands Crew inevitably come out victorious, destroying the Incarnate. Sister Celdina and a daedric lord working with her, Valkynaz Nokroz, escape before they can reach them, and the Deadlands Crew return to Fargrave to convene on all that happened.
Lyranth informs them the sword they found belongs to someone from the Bladebearer Clan, and that they should seek out their leader Rynkyus at a location in the Deadlands known as the Wretched Spire. The Deadlands Crew head for Wretched Spire and decide to stay at the inn there once they arrive to rest and gather information.
In the meantime, the Northern Crew continues its journey from the Rift to Western Skyrim, crossing up into the Eastmarch / Winterhold mountains and down into the Blackreach tunnels, eventually coming up near Morthal.
The Clan first stop at the Frozen Grove for a few days, then Solitude, and finally back in Markarth, before being extended an invitation by Clan Stonebreaker to visit their recently re-occupied fort in the mountains.
Both Krake Clan and Stonebreaker visit with each other and discuss the coming winter and their plans for it, with Alekt dropping hint of an excavation he plans to take the rest of his Clan along for into the mountains, before winter sets in too deep and the snows completely choke the passes.
Although many around the fire are curious, Alekt refuses to give full details, keeping what they're after digging up vague for the time being, but hinting that it has something to do with a little magical experiment he plans to conduct in the coming future.
The Clan first stop at the Frozen Grove for a few days, then Solitude, and finally back in Markarth, before being extended an invitation by Clan Stonebreaker to visit their recently re-occupied fort in the mountains.
Both Krake Clan and Stonebreaker visit with each other and discuss the coming winter and their plans for it, with Alekt dropping hint of an excavation he plans to take the rest of his Clan along for into the mountains, before winter sets in too deep and the snows completely choke the passes.
Although many around the fire are curious, Alekt refuses to give full details, keeping what they're after digging up vague for the time being, but hinting that it has something to do with a little magical experiment he plans to conduct in the coming future.
Packing up several carts of supplies, the Northern Crew head off into the mountains of The Pale with Alekt, Reno, Daylda, and a new recruit named Rutika. The Clan have to fight their way through driving snow and wind, avalanches, ogres, harpies, and ice wraiths before eventually coming close to the top of the mountain, frequently stopping to rest and warm up on the way there.
Just when the Clan think they've almost reached the mountain's peak and their dig site, their path is blocked by three massive trolls, Alekt protecting the goat carts while Reno, Daylda, and Rutika fight the trolls, managing to take down two of them with some effort.
The last, oldest and meanest troll however proves much more difficult, with Rutika sustaining broken ribs and Reno a broken leg and concussion. With Alekt and Daylda working together, they manage to push the troll off the mountain, Reno and Rutika riding the carts the rest of the way to the peak because of their injuries.
Reaching the top, they find an empty cabin waiting for them to set up shelter and rest, deciding that they'll postpone their dig for at least a week while the others recover from the fight.
Sitting around the fire and conserving their strength, Daylda questions what they're there to dig up, and Alekt finally springs it on them that their dig site is a dragon mound, and that they'll be digging up the skeletal remains of a long-dead dragon.
Even more to Daylda's shock, Alekt wants to see if he can tap into the latent magic left in the dragon bones to create a Gloam dragon puppeted under his control.
Just when the Clan think they've almost reached the mountain's peak and their dig site, their path is blocked by three massive trolls, Alekt protecting the goat carts while Reno, Daylda, and Rutika fight the trolls, managing to take down two of them with some effort.
The last, oldest and meanest troll however proves much more difficult, with Rutika sustaining broken ribs and Reno a broken leg and concussion. With Alekt and Daylda working together, they manage to push the troll off the mountain, Reno and Rutika riding the carts the rest of the way to the peak because of their injuries.
Reaching the top, they find an empty cabin waiting for them to set up shelter and rest, deciding that they'll postpone their dig for at least a week while the others recover from the fight.
Sitting around the fire and conserving their strength, Daylda questions what they're there to dig up, and Alekt finally springs it on them that their dig site is a dragon mound, and that they'll be digging up the skeletal remains of a long-dead dragon.
Even more to Daylda's shock, Alekt wants to see if he can tap into the latent magic left in the dragon bones to create a Gloam dragon puppeted under his control.
After meeting with Rynkyus, the Deadlands Crew uncover that several Bladebearer's had gone missing recently, and had yet to be found, including scouts sent to two locations: Jynd's Foundry and Zynoahz's Gaol.
The Deadlands Crew investigate into both of these locations, finding letters and diagrams scattered throughout regarding the creation of more Catalysts which mention a Blind Seer named Elegian who was the original architect of the machines, being held within the Blood Pits.
Arox mentions that Elegian is mad and not worth speaking to, but the Clan plan to head there and find him anyway in the hopes of obtaining useful information.
The Deadlands Crew investigate into both of these locations, finding letters and diagrams scattered throughout regarding the creation of more Catalysts which mention a Blind Seer named Elegian who was the original architect of the machines, being held within the Blood Pits.
Arox mentions that Elegian is mad and not worth speaking to, but the Clan plan to head there and find him anyway in the hopes of obtaining useful information.
The Northern Crew begin their excavation of the dragon skeleton, managing to dig up a little more than half of the dragon mound.
The Deadlands Crew head to the Blood Pits with Arox, eavesdropping on a discussion with the Overseer and learning, much to Arox's rage, that Valkynaz Nokvroz was the one to trap Arox into the form of a Daedrat while the former Ash Titan and former master of the Blood Pits was asleep.
Heading further into the Blood Pits, they find Elegian and use a chemical concoction thrown into the fire to speak with him while his madness is temporarily cleared. They manage to learn that the Riven Catalyst is at a place called Annihilarch's Summit, and that the mask the Anchorite wears is enchanted to make everyone who previously knew them forget who they were, as well as themselves.
Returning to Wretched Spire, they inform Lyranth and Rynkyus of what they found out, and plan their next move.
Heading further into the Blood Pits, they find Elegian and use a chemical concoction thrown into the fire to speak with him while his madness is temporarily cleared. They manage to learn that the Riven Catalyst is at a place called Annihilarch's Summit, and that the mask the Anchorite wears is enchanted to make everyone who previously knew them forget who they were, as well as themselves.
Returning to Wretched Spire, they inform Lyranth and Rynkyus of what they found out, and plan their next move.
Finishing their dig, the Northern Crew begin their trip with the dragon bones back down the mountains, taking rest along the way, and eventually stopping at the Frozen Grove to rest, before heading the rest of the way to Markarth.
With the dragon bones retrieved and stored away safe, Alekt makes plans to collect a list of leads for different jobs and contracts for the Clan to do now that they're more solidly headquartered back in The Reach.
With the dragon bones retrieved and stored away safe, Alekt makes plans to collect a list of leads for different jobs and contracts for the Clan to do now that they're more solidly headquartered back in The Reach.
The Deadlands Crew head to Annihilarch's Summit with the help of Rynkyus. Partway up in a cave, they manage to find an odd, twisted rod with used-up magic that Arox takes an interst in as important, but Rynkyus doesn't think it holds any relevance. Eventually they reach a portal at the top that takes them to an undetermined location on Nirn, Fort Grief.
There they manage to find the Waking Flame and several captive Bladebearer's being used to fuel the Riven Catalyst and create Incarnates. Arata falls back into his habit of running ahead of the rest of them, getting scolded by Spy about sticking together, but it falls on deaf ears.
Reaching the heart of the Fort, they Deadlands Crew are forced to fight against another Incarnate with the help of the Anchorite, managing to destroy it and the Catalyst before escaping through a portal created by Lyranth. It angers Lyranth that they destroyed the Catalyst before she could examine it, but they did manage to obtain the name of another important location. A stronghold named Deadlight.
With this new information, they initially plan to return to Fargrave to rest and talk to Madam Whim, before Gregario offers to take them to an abandoned daedric tower he found where they can lay low and rest where the Waking Flame won't think to find them, unlike Fargrave which is much more obvious.
Arata however, impatient and talking about running out of time, runs ahead to Fargrave despite earlier warnings to stay together.
There they manage to find the Waking Flame and several captive Bladebearer's being used to fuel the Riven Catalyst and create Incarnates. Arata falls back into his habit of running ahead of the rest of them, getting scolded by Spy about sticking together, but it falls on deaf ears.
Reaching the heart of the Fort, they Deadlands Crew are forced to fight against another Incarnate with the help of the Anchorite, managing to destroy it and the Catalyst before escaping through a portal created by Lyranth. It angers Lyranth that they destroyed the Catalyst before she could examine it, but they did manage to obtain the name of another important location. A stronghold named Deadlight.
With this new information, they initially plan to return to Fargrave to rest and talk to Madam Whim, before Gregario offers to take them to an abandoned daedric tower he found where they can lay low and rest where the Waking Flame won't think to find them, unlike Fargrave which is much more obvious.
Arata however, impatient and talking about running out of time, runs ahead to Fargrave despite earlier warnings to stay together.