== Event Story ==
Snow and ice across Mardrun are definitively thawed, creating its own set of challenges as Goldenfield, Nightriver, and Aldorian boots continue to stomp through mud, this time almost completely unimpeded by Stonetooth. Reports come in that their marauders are largely gone from the front-lines, and even raids in the rear-lines seem to have largely faded. As Ironmound is put on the defensive and seems to be making an organized retreat towards Hammerfall, spreading news of a Shattered Spear resistance make it seem likely that Stonetooth is returning west to quell the uprising.. Unfortunately for Goldenfield though, is the result of the damage Stonetooth’s incursion left behind. Bodies left behind to freeze over the winter are thawing and just as was suspected, those bodies are rising again.
Every inch of ground gained against Stonetooth runs the risk of undead rising behind the front line. To make matters worse, through the sounds of shambling feet and groans from the undead, the bone-chilling screech of the monsters come to be known as Salt Beasts are heard echoing through the woods. Rumors pass among units and scouts that these occurrences are not happenstance, but intentionally staged by Stonetooth to cause harm as they leave and hurt morale.
As Nightriver forces continue to redeploy to the Yurnai River, transferring the battle lines to Aldorian soldiers, the focus has been maintaining the front line and supply lines, not clearing retaken territory. This has left a concern of increased undead sightings and the presence of salt beasts left behind by Stonetooth forces being left unchecked. A call for aid has been made to sweep and clear returned territory while martial forces focus on the advance of the front line against retreating Stonetooth and Ironmound forces, otherwise further risking the people of Clan Goldenfield and collapse of supplies going to the frontlines.
To the surprise of Goldenfield and its allies, Clan Spiritclaw steps in; a fighting force of divine magic and Truthseekers to aid in putting the undead back down, find out more about the Salt Beasts, and whether or not these monsters are connected to Mordok. While Spiritclaw is decidedly still neutral, no one can deny the pressing need to clear undead away before this continent ends up on the same path to destruction as Faedrun. The clanleader’s announcement of aid to Goldenfield makes claim that slaying monsters is the duty of all ulven people, and they will not be drawing blades against anything else.
== Event Summary ==
Chaos reigns through the villages, roads, and mud covered lands behind the frontlines of Clan Goldenfield as rising undead spread across the lands while salt beasts stalk the wounded and alone for opportunist meals. Goldenfield’s forces and people find themselves in disarray as they combat or flee from dangers from any direction, but they do not face these monsters alone. The rearline forces of the Aldoria Marines, casters from Clan Spiritclaw, and friends and allies from all walks of life answer the call for aid.
The arrival of so many allies is impactful, but they find the day to be harried with challenges beyond the expected monsters. With no official leadership arriving from Clan Goldenfield, those in the area had to find ways to organize their mixed independent forces to scout, protect the camp, and send out patrols. Despite the undead seeming endless and coming from any direction, the defenders stood through the whole day and kept the wounded and resting protected. Not once did their makeshift camp find itself at risk of falling or was anyone abandoned to be feasted upon, although the salt beasts made the job even harder.
As the undead attacked the camp and kept patrols busy, lone salt beasts stalked from a distance like hunters, closing the distance to go for wounded or anyone not keeping an eye on them. Hurling dangerous spell bolts and swiping with crude weapons and protrusions of their own limbs, anyone not careful risked getting crippled or critically wounded, although thanks to weavers, clerics, and a skilled healer, only a few found themselves nearly meeting their gods.
The day saw unexpected encounters pop up as scouts ventured through the muddy forests and fields; Aldorian Marines worked with allies to get through traps and secure stolen goods stashed by bandits, while casters formed teams to venture out and handle obscure pools of magic seemingly caused by the rising of undead in the area. A great oak infected with harmful mana was even cured, but disturbing rumors pass that several casters had a shared vision while meditating near the oak tree for research. This vision reportedly showed a Stonetooth scout luring a horde undead to a camp of Goldenfield refugees at the very same oak during a prior night. Some believe that the undead killed throughout the day were these very same refugees.
Equally disturbing but less a rumor, scouts later found a lair belonging to the salt beasts, filled with flesh and bones from past their kills, shedded skins of the monsters, and oddest of all: a block of salt. Many theories fly as to where it came from and its purpose, but the most prominent stands that Stonetooth may have placed it to attract the salt beasts. On top of the salt beasts’ confusing and dangerous nature though, the Clan Spiritclaw researchers also learned them to be clever enough to avoid ambushes and able to recall away to safety when in danger. Despite receiving help from others and theories successfully being tested with the salt block, no Salt Beasts were killed in this area or able to be researched by Spiritclaw. With the salt beasts unable to claim further meals though and the potential need for their blocks of salt being disrupted, reports come that the creatures appear to have begun moving back north to the Great Forest.
The day was difficult and had dangers at every turn, but the crippled Clan Goldenfield found itself fortunate to have allies rising to meet every challenge they encountered. Goldenfield lands are not fully cured of biting undead and salt beasts, but the notable hordes have been smited and salt beasts mostly driven off. None know when Goldenfield will be fully safe again, but the clan seems to have finally been pulled away from the precipice of collapse even though significant rebuilding is still needed. Clan Spiritclaw did not get their answer as to whether salt beasts carry relation to mordok and some question if they will remain to finish the job, but with the north stabilizing attention shifts southward where Clan Nightriver marches. The battle across the Yurnai river rages on in Grimward and Stormjarl territories, the death count rapidly rising as neither side relents; but one must eventually break.