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Last month in March, a combination of a sizeable force of Mordok approaching and attacking the Shield of Mardrun combined with a mysterious illness that has spread and caused issues among the colonies and settlements has delayed Celestial Arragones expedition into the swamp.

While the Mordok force is nowhere near the size of the one during the Dirge Swamp war, it is large enough that constant hit and run tactics against the Shield could make a significant impact. Various Clanleaders and Chieftains of the Ulven are calling for aid to reinforce the Shield. Warriors have been seen in various settlements calling for volunteers and stoking the heart-fires of those looking to earn glory. The defenses of the Shield of Mardrun hold, but make no mistake… answering the call to arms and heading to the Shield to help will most definitely be dangerous.

Prince Aylin has been very busy lately being involved in the various economic expansions in and around Aylin’s Reach. With former Squallborn families getting setup or moved to new locations along with Clan Stormjarl solidifying their hold on the new territories, there is a lot of opportunity to get involved in various deals going on in the area. Representatives to the Prince have been open about several opportunities and are asking for people to signup in exchange for coin.

The Outcome of the Shield Defense

The last several months in the collection of outposts that make up the Shield of Mardrun had been largely quiet. Mordok forces occasionally made the journey south to apply pressure on the defenders, but concerted efforts to pass between the outposts were generally spotted by scouts and hunters with enough time to muster the necessary forces from the neighboring outposts to meet the enemy in the field and repel them before entering the civilized lands to the south. Occasionally some small count would slip through the gaps, but never in numbers high enough to wreak extended havoc. These small forces were always easy enough to hunt down and clear out before they made it too far south. Things changed in the end of March 269.

Hunters and scouts returned to their outposts north of Clan Whiteoak along the eastern areas of the shield, bringing with them reports of several Mordok forces marching south. Some are seen accompanied by their mysterious leaders clad in colors running from blue to teal while others seem to travel in more traditional packs. The southward moving forces were reported to not be to the scale that as seen in the Dirge War push of 267, but the numbers were significant enough to require additional forces on The Shield. Fortunately the hunters arrived with enough advance notice to allow the leadership to put forth a call for aid. Throughout Mardrun, the call was heeded by both Ulven and Colonist alike and with haste individuals and trained combat units marched north to defend their shared home.

The first few days along The Shield were largely quiet. Some Mordok had been seen in the area, but it seemed that the larger forces were still in the midst of their southward march. Some people spent the time sharpening their weapons and patching worn areas on their armor while others made themselves acquainted with their various comrades. Reports of the approaching Mordok traveled quickly throughout the ranks and with them stories  of the sightings of the teal-clad leaders. Many of the veteran Ulven of the shield had taken to calling these special Mordok the Beinbakadur. This word  proved difficult for many colonist tongues, but the Ulven were quick to offer a translation: Straight-Backed.  When the Mordok did come, the defenders were ready for them.

Throughout the eastern Shield, defenders marched from their outposts to meet the Mordok forces in battle. By and large the defenders made sure to keep themselves within accessible range to their home outpost and as the battles ebbed and flowed  this strategy proved to be incredibly beneficial for the combatants. Through the battles, many were wounded, but with the ease of access to support units, relatively few lives were lost.

By and large it seemed as though the Mordok had come with a strategy of their own. A handful of the Beinbakadur stood as something akin to field commanders shouting orders over the units in their command. The Mordok under these leaders seemed to fight with increased adherence to military tactics, but also with greater disregard for their own lives. Willingly these Mordok would throw themselves recklessly into the fray. Were it not for the close proximity of these battles to nearby outposts, an inordinate number of combatants would have lost their lives to this fanatical onslaught. Unfortunately however, a focus on immediate safety can lead to a slow response to new situations.

As the defenders remained in relatively close proximity to their outposts they were slowed to react to a series of Mordok forces that avoided scouts and patrols by taking a path that led through the open and inadequately watched areas between the outposts that make up The Shield. Without anyone to stop them they were able to spill southward into the northern reaches of Clan Whiteoak. In their efforts to repel the attacks from the north while remaining near to their outposts, the shield defenders were slow to notice this penetration, but when they did they rallied available units as quickly as they could to hunt these invaders down as the rest remained to continue to hold back additional forces. By the time the various units caught up to the Mordok they’d already managed to rampage through a handful of settlements, leaving bodies and destruction in their wake. 

Throughout the northern reaches of Clan Whiteoak the defenders of The Shield met the invading Mordok in battle. These battles were quick and decisive as the defenders managed to slay or rout their enemies back toward the north where they were cut off and slaughtered. Meanwhile to the North the allied defenders took the upper hand and were able to rout the pressing Mordok. In the end the defenders stood victorious over the Mordok invasion.

All across the shield, defenders began to slip into celebration after a long and hard battle, but this celebration was cut short as their comrades returned from the south with news of the civilian slaughter that had taken place before they were able to catch up to the Mordok forces. A somber mood fell over the defenders of The Shield as all were given a forced reminder that there is no such thing as safety in war; there’s always a cost.

Several groups of scouts and hunters were dispatched northward to verify the enemy rout and in the meantime the remaining defenders set to the task of building pyres to tend to the dead. When the work was done Ulven warriors and daughters of Gaia throughout the shield led people in rites of remembrance before encouraging them to tell stories and revel in the victory of a battle hard fought and well earned. Well into the night people shared stories of their exploits on the battlefield and boasted the deeds of their friends and comrades, but overall one story seemed to stand out from the rest. A tale of a Whiteoak warrior who managed to slay one of the Straight-Backed Mordok spread quickly throughout the shield over the following days. He tells a tale of a  brutal fight where he and several of his comrades fought this Beinbakadur and in the end only he was left. He claims that they rained blow after blow down upon their enemy who parried and blocked them with ease that they’d never seen and in the end it was nearer to dumb luck than skill when he managed to drive a dagger into the beast’s heart. Apparently this is where things grew even more interesting. The warrior tells of how the Straight-Back stumbled away from him and fell to it’s knees, raised it’s hands toward the sky and bellowed some words he did not understand, but with such visceral emotion that he will never forget them. “Nauhk-BEE-raav MOH-ah-vis.” As these words were spoken the Mordok fell to the ground and it’s body began to immediately rot and decay.

The following days along the shield were quiet as everyone waited to hear word from the various scouts and hunters that had been sent north to verify the rout. Eventually reports did begin to trickle in that the Mordok as a whole have indeed been pushed back and routed; The Shield has been defended with blood and sweat, but it has been defended.

The Outcome of Aylin’s Reach

Expansion brings many new needs to a territory. Infrastructure must be constructed to bring the new areas into cohesion with their new leadership. Roads must be built, trading posts must be erected, and through all of this supplies will need to be purchased and transported. 

As people begin to settle into the new normal in the regions that once belonged to Clan Squallborn eyes begin to shift focus onto the opportunities that arise from the increased needs and growth of the economic powerhouse of Aylin’s Reach. As warriors march north to defend The Shield of Mardrun, merchants and other economically minded individuals descend upon Aylin’s Reach to sell their wares and promises. The streets bustle with activity as people buzz from place to place, their efforts galvanized by word that Aylin will have representatives meeting with merchants and builders to secure contracts. This is not only a money making opportunity for many of these people. Many have come to build strong business ties in the area to make further contracts down the road easier to obtain.

It seems as well that the people of Squallborn that integrated with Clan Stormjarl have been coming along quite nicely. The alliance between Aldoria and Stormjarl has surely helped to move things along smoothly as they continue to pour resources into the area.

Through the month many groups and individuals of note travel to the area, schmooze with the locals, and return home with signed contracts for continued service. It seems that Aylin is indeed putting forth a strong effort to bring the entirety of the area up to his royal standards. Aylin’s Reach seems to be continuing its efforts to act as an alternative home for the colonists on Mardrun seeking to move out of City-State lands.

Many heeded the call from Celestial Arragones for assistance, arriving to give their expertise and opinion on how to continue on. The options presented to those who were present were as follows: Did the want to enhance the divination ritual further, delve deeper into the mystery behind corruption magic, study the previous year’s pylon further, a more in depth understanding of the siphoning, or perhaps growing an even more powerful ritual.

Many debated and stated their opinions while others worked steadily on deciphering notes from the Celestial Arragones’s laboratory in hopes of finding more information that could be hidden between lines and forgotten lore. Others smoozed and socialized, making connections with those in power, forging friendships over drink and song, scheming for their own ambitions, and observing all that occurred. The entire time, the research team made progress with what each page deciphered.

As night began to close, the research team decided the time had come to perform the grand ritual that they had been planning for the day. They called together a group of interested participants and decided to focus on what the majority showed interest in, the mysteries behind the corruption. The guards got up, and warned everyone not to approach, or they shall forfeit their life. While some edged closer than they should have, no blood was spilt and the ritual concluded without error. The scholars immediately sent their data to their researchers to begin parsing with the promise that what ever they learned would be shared with the people of Mardrun. It was then they declared where their next venture shall take them, to the center of the swamp, to the center of the Mordok infested land to find out what caused the magically abnormality that hovers around the Dirge.

Snow fell lightly upon the land in the village of Garjnatka, creating a scenic landscape for all those who traveled there to either help the Celestial Arragones’s research team or for their own gains. However, while the land looked peaceful there was danger lurking in the woods surrounding the village. Mordok were spotted skulking through the woodlands, while few in number, there were enough to put people on edge. Thankfully there were plenty of armed volunteers to drive the threat away whenever it did rear its ugly head.

Many gathered and assisted the research team, heading out into the snowy foothills of the Great Wolf Hackles to help further hone the divination ritual that was being used to locate items of interest across Mardrun. With help from the volunteers, the research team was able to work outside the village without much worry from the wandering Mordok. Back at the camp, many peddled their wares and feasted around the campfire throughout. Some even celebrated a Syndarian holiday which was taught to and shared all around the village.

However, at the end of the day all of the efforts of the research team and those who aided them paid off. The data collected from the multiple tests out in the field paid off as it gave the research team and those aiding from Clan Spiritclaw a direction to further enhance and improve the ritual. Those present began to celebrate before the icy cold winds from the Great Wolf Hackles bellowed down and reminded the village that winter still held the land in its frigid fingers.

With the tensions between Clans Grimward, Stormjarl, and former Clan Squallborn dying down, there was little else to do but breathe and recover from a year’s worth of stress and work. With no battle to fight, no war nearby, no mordok or bandits to kill, or puzzles in need of solving those gathered at the settlement, many decided to relax and share a drink around the fire.

While drinking went on, some decided to heal the wounded, repairing their heavily damaged bodies to the best of their ability. Some others labored around the camp, improving it in some way shape or form to keep away the cold of the winter that was approaching or because being still not in their nature. Some plotted towards the future, and some told stories of the past. 

However that time was spent, it was spent in good company around a warm fire reflecting on the past, and looking towards the future.

The Clans met upon the approved grounds of the Attenjav, along with many that came to support Clan Stormjarl and Pack Squallborn while some others came to support the challenging packs that sought their independence. With the forces gathered, armed for whatever challenge that may lay ahead, the challenges of the Packs were laid out before them. Tests of martial might, endurance, divine power, and accuracy were laid at the feet of Pack Squallborn and those backing them, each a mighty task in their own right.

Trial after trial the rebelling packs attempted to win, each with almost a fanatic drive to succeed. However, throughout the day the might of Pack Squallborn’s supporters held true, winning the pack multiple victories with their valor and physical prowess. They even succeeded in winning against the ancient and lethal Wolf’s Maw challenge, a death match between two champions. But at the end of the day, two packs won their independence from Pack Squallborn and left to join Clans Whiteoak and Steinjottun 

Those backing Clan Squallborn claimed the day a victory, even though they did not win all the challenges. With the day finally at an end, the packs that had lost at their respective challenges bared their throats to Pack Squallborn and to Clan Stormjarl, and with the setting sun Clan Squallborn became a part of history.