| Continued
. . . (previous) -
by Allan
Maki, Turbine Entertainment Software
The First Strike
-
from the
Zone
Frostfell PY 12: /
Earth: December 2001
Candeth Martine, once a hero to the people of Dereth, has
made his first move. Beneath the cover of the winter sky, Martine and his
troops laid waste to all but six of the arrival points on Dereth. None
know what has happened to the souls that were being transported to Dereth
through the former arrival points, but these attacks can only be seen as a
declaration of war.
High Queen Elysa Strathelar, having been informed of these
assaults, has dispatched her guard to reinforce the remaining six outposts
in the towns of Shoushi, Yaraq and Holtburg. Her efforts have produced new
training settlements equipped to better educate and train the new arrivals
from Ispar. Yet within the walls of the Training Academies all is not well.
Martine's forces continue their efforts at the outer edges of these schools
and newcomers are called upon to assist the Guards in the defense.
To assist in the war effort, experts in the use of thrown
weapons have developed a new device for launching uniquely crafted darts at
enemies. These atlatls have been distributed to vendors across Dereth in
hopes that they will be improved upon by savvy crafters and brought into
wide use by other practitioners. During the creation of these weapons,
experts learned also how to balance their throws while arming themselves
with shields. However, the atlatl's length and the balance needed to
maintain proper aim and strength prevent the use of shields with these new
weapons.
In the halls of the Arcanum, Nuhmidira and her apprentices
continue to provide “keepers” for carpenters to place before the new houses
they build. Rumors spread that the Arcanum is also behind the “living” candy
sticks left at the town centers bestowing beneficial spells to all who pass
through. Their silence on the matter has not proven a deterrent in this
belief.
A perfected art of cobbling has yielded the creation of
slippers made from the carcasses of rabbits throughout Dereth. At home or on
the streets, these slippers can be found on the feet of travelers, a welcome
distraction from the threat that has so recently appeared.
Trees, lights, and logs for the fire can be purchased from
lumberjacks outside of several towns. Even in this dark time the festival
period will not be denied.
A new shadow grows over the land of Dereth. This enemy is
the most frightening that the people have yet faced. He was once one of
them, an Isparian, but the twisted machinations and magic of the Virindi
have driven him to a breaking point. Now, filled with hatred and rage, he
turns his sights on those he once considered kin. It is an uncertain future
and fate that the people of Dereth now face.
Continued
|