| Continued
. . . (previous) -
by Allan
Maki, Turbine Entertainment Software
Chains of Command
-
from the
Zone
Seedsow PY 12: /
Earth: June 2001
As the sun warms the ground so that the earth may become bountiful a new
threat encroaches on the land of Dereth.
Across the mountains of northern and
southern Osteth, Drudges have come to heel beneath the rule of raiding
parties. These Drudges, altered by the Virindi, can only have been sent
here by their malicious masters to carry out another aspect of their
invasion.
Patrols of Stalkers and Lurkers make their
way through the mountains. Only by defeating them can parties gain access
to the underground citadels of their leader. The newly organized Drudges
call themselves The Black Claw Clan and are sworn to service of a Virindi
known on as the Inculcator.
For the purposes of purging this menace
from the world monarchies have made great strides in bolstering
communication within their ranks. Now allegiances can appoint speakers to
relay information to all members with new efficiency and speed. Messages
may be delivered on a daily basis to keep all within apprised of current
events and happenings.
Magi of the School of the Left Hand have
discovered the Essence of Enchantment. By feeding the scrolls of the
school to the Essence they are gifted with the knowledge of the seventh
sphere.
Assisting those schooled in magical arts,
archmages have developed a way to alleviate the tedium of purchasing
reagents one by one. Now they will fill orders as determined by what their
clients desire. As an added benefit they now consider reagent peas to be
components as well.
As the seasons change so do the creature of
the world. New trophies can be forged into armor and keepsakes by crafters
as the season forces creatures to shed their hides once again.
The changing tides of Solclaim have
continued into Seedsow, but the Virindi grow bolder and still their
motives remain hidden. They take small steps against the Children of Ispar
and now the question is, when will they make great strides?
Continued . . .
by
Brendt Schmidt, Turbine Entertainment Software
Lost in the New Horizon
-
from the
Zone
Dereth: Leafdawning PY 12 / Earth: July 2001
As the skies continue to be tainted by the
purple hue of portal space, the Virindi rebels under Levistras have
reinforced their forces to claim Dereth as their own. Opposing forces, loyal
to the Directive principles all Virindi have followed until now, have done
the same, hampering the efforts of the rebels. The loyalists have begun
diverting shipments of Quiddity Ingots, intended for the rebels' Tumerok
minions, to Isparian settlements. At the same time, those loyal to the
Directive have summoned more forces to Dereth, including powerful Virindi
Inquisitors, in the hopes of bringing all the rebels in line with the will
of the Quiddity.
This influx of forces opened a path for brave
(or foolhardy) Isparians to follow to a place known to the Virindi as the
Singularity Caul. In the past, this island had been used by the Hopeslayer's
forces, but was now claimed by the rogue Virindi. From here, the Virindi
hoped to establish their New Singularity and bring all of Dereth under its
control.
While no apparent Virindi facilities could be
found on the Caul, the Isparians discovered one near the town of Rithwic.
This facility was a Virindi prison, used to hold rogue elements before their
destruction or return to the
Quiddity. In an ironic twist, the Virindi
Master overseeing the facility had begun to exhibit the same corruption
observed in the rebels, individuality. This corruption went so far that he
even took on a name: Dirrich. His death at the hands of Isparian adventurers
resulted in quick reprisals from the Virindi, as more powerful Virindi and
their servants were found throughout the Direlands.
As the Virindi conflict seemed to escalate
around them, Isparians exploring the center of the Singularity Caul stumbled
into a meeting between elements of the Quiddity and a representative of the
Rebels. Responding to attacks from these two forces, the Isparians destroyed
the representatives, and in the process destroyed any hope of a peaceful end
to the conflict.
Perhaps with the hope of reaching an
agreement with the Isparians, Althoucault, Speaker of the New Directive,
appeared near Wai Jhou. Distrustful of the Virindi's intent, the Speaker was
attacked on sight and destroyed. His final thoughts were transmitted to
those who had struck him down--they were doomed. And now the people found
themselves embroiled in a war between two parties, both intent on their
destruction.
Continued |