5.03 - The Lord's Hall

Anneleigh approached the base of the stair and began to climb.  She could feel the cold of the wind against her back as she climbed further up the cliff face.  After about twenty minutes, and what felt like 100 steps, she reached the top.  Many spiders and webbed figures dotted the small lawn.  They took little notice of her, but she moved through them with caution anyway.  Across the plateau rose another staircase.  Anneleigh realized, with an uncomfortable stitch in her side, that she must have only reached a small landing, not the top.

5.02 - Apparitions of Old

“Just southwest of here, our thrust into Lord’s Hall has been blunted by unexpectedly heavy resistance.”  Marshal Kain said, “ Sir Piotr Siennicki has been tasked with several critical objectives.  Why don’t you head down there and see if you can lend him your unique skillset.”

As he spoke a young woman approached their circle, trailed by another soldier who was taking notes.  “That report makes it sound like the fool ran into an abomination.”  She said to the soldier, who nodded and left the group.”  The young woman sighed and focused on Kain.  “We’re here after artifacts from the Mathsian War and to restore the protective shrines, not for some snot-nosed recruit to be scaring people with imagined stories from the last war.”

5.01 - Introductions

Anneleigh remained in Sanctum for several days, refreshing her body, mind, and spirit, and preparing for the journey ahead.  When at last she felt strong enough she departed via the porticulum for Crimson Wash – the most westerly place she had visited thus far, and began the trip into Scarwood Reach on foot.

5.00 - Scarwood Reach Story Summary

This posting serves as the summary and index of the journey through Scarwood Reach. It includes posting numbers, characters and extras important to the story.

It is updated as the story progresses.

4.03 - Rock Ridge

Anneleigh, the Priestess Hellen, and Sir Armex turned as one at the sound.   Its resonance caused the windows of the houses to shudder and the fire to flicker dangerously.  The pressure wave that followed a few seconds later smelled of ash and was warmer than any summer breeze she had ever felt.  In the distance above the low mounds and tall clay pillars they could see the fire rift erupting.

“That’s over Rock Ridge.  I know it is.”  Ser Armex said

4.02 - Demon Steps

“I’ve felt a dark presence in the Demon Steps... It can only be Angdralthus, the lich sent by the Endless Court to oversee their operations.”  The priestess Hellen said. 

Anneleigh looked around to the piles of bodies and swarms of endless cultists and Hellen noticed her gaze. 

“The sooner we rid Scarlet Gorge of the Endless, the sooner we can better assist those who have already perished, but we are likely to lose more lives if we do not act quickly.”  She said.  “You must acquire his phylactery if you hope to defeat him. “

4.01 - Crimson Wash

Anneleigh blinked and looked around before realizing where she had been transported.  Grateful she did not have to reveal her secret to Gwyddon, she looked up the road to the inn, the thought of a decent sleep in her mind.  Instead she saw Marshal Oakheart coming to her side.

“The shadows are falling away.  The unnatural darkness is lifting.  If I had to guess I’d say you had something to do with it.”  Oakheart said with a smile, something she had never seen him do.