"Well done everyone! Let's see if we can keep this going!"
She heads for the steel door with the inverted ruby crown. "Daronlyr the Overthrower. What do you think is on his mind? I advise more caution, this one might be more stubborn."
If everyone agrees she shrugs, knocks three times, then touches the door to open it -- prepared to be teleported to the next soul palace.
"Well done everyone! Let's see if we can keep this going!"
Kort stiffly shakes his head and then nods at Elen, as she is very correct, almost the best kind of correct there is (right next to perfectly correct, or absolutely correct).
"Yes, that's the right door to try next," Kort readies for another mind illusion.
Kamari stows the goggles, renews the shield spell, and takes a moment to see how Carrius is faring.
Kamari eyes Carrius, and he definitely seems more insubstantial. Perhaps what is being lost is just this version of himself. Or perhaps all. You’re on strange ground here, so she can’t be sure.
This polished steel door is inset with an inverted golden crown. A single, teardrop-shaped ruby sits embedded in the crown, like a drop of blood.
No one responds to the brief knocks, so Elen opens the door.
A throne room appears beyond the door, identical to the throne room in the Imperial Palace which the PCs passed through not long ago, but much humbler in stature. The throne room is ornamented, but the mirrored walls are gone and the throne is a smaller, gold-plated chair rather than the magnificent piece it is today. Fur cloaks decorate the throne.
- - -
This mental recreation of the imperial throne room paints itself in longer shadows and deeper reds than the genuine article. Fur cloaks drape over a gilded throne in which a figure slumps, blood still pouring from a wound in his chest, forming a stream that flows through the rest of the room. A tall Taldan man stands beside him, turning to face the room as he places the crown atop his head. Bowing before him are more than a dozen strong Ulfen warriors (image).
Over a thousand years ago, Daronlyr became emperor when he slew his cousin, Parmain V, the reigning grand prince. Guided by equal parts national interest and vanity, Daronlyr had spent years steering the senate to circumvent or blunt his cousin’s inept rule before turning to conspiracy. Finally, Daronlyr visited the court and drew his blade.
The Ulfen Guard sprang to defend the emperor, but Daronlyr fought them off while reciting a litany of his cousin’s failings. When Daronlyr finally ran his blade through his cousin’s chest and took the Primogen Crown, the Ulfen Guard broke off their attack and bowed before him. Daronlyr claimed the crown, and the Ulfen Guard defended him loyally for decades until his eventual death of old age.
The Invincible Emperor, as he was called, smiles and wipes the blood from his blade. “To a learned man, blades are no more threatening than a poorly wielded hickory switch. I command a thousand men, ready to die at my whim. Can your would-be emperor command that devotion? Can you?”
He gestures to the Ulfen warriors arrayed in front of him, and they snap to attention. Though on the map, they wield a variety of weapons, in fact they all have greatswords.
We're not in initiative yet, but do keep it to one round worth of actions.
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Know (History)
"Not sure if this is important, but the style is reminiscent of the throne rooms roughly a thousand years ago. This is the realm of Emperor Daronlyr XII, called the Overthrower, I believe," Kort says stiffly to the party.
"Ah yes, the Ulfen warriors that love 'you' so much, is that correct? Not your coin? Have you no true Taldans who love you? Who guard you? Love bought with coin is not love at all. They love your treasury more than you," Kort retorts to the Invincible Emperor. "I would say that we have true Taldans who we call friends, based on our character and deed. Not what we pay them. In this regard, I'd say we have a lot more devotion than you."
"Up, Underfoot." The hound sprouts her Wings, and rises above the melee threat of greatswords.
Once in position, Muri speaks to the shadow soul. "We spoke to Cyricas and Taldaris, and both understood they needed to release their grip on Carrius. You and your Ulfens, do you only respect violence? Do we have to slay your ghost guards to prove you need to listen to us, and let go?"
Kamari ignores the warriors are stares directly at the shade of Daronlyr.
"You yourself tried to avoid bloodshed through the senate and only resorted to violence in the end. Help us end this without more harm to Taldans."
“To a learned man, blades are no more threatening than a poorly wielded hickory switch. I command a thousand men, ready to die at my whim. Can your would-be emperor command that devotion? Can you?”
”Commanded – you mean 'you commanded',” Elen gently offers perspective. ”And our Queen does command that devotion – not just to her military – but to the people of Taldor – and us. That is why we are here. And she would continue to command such devotion were you not standing in Her Royal Highness’s way. ” Standing akimbo, she holds his gaze and tries to look as reproachful as possible.
Hits: 125/125
Current AC: 34
Current Saves: Fort: +15; Ref +17; Will: +10, +12 if Enchant (Elf) (+5 Wingz)
AC: 25; 26 (Bare naked save for Mask and Dodge, +1 Dodge (Sacred))
flat: 18 (ring +3, nat armor +2, mage armor +4) (+1 See above^)
touch: 28 (ring +3, Dex +6, Cha +7, Dodge +1) (Ditto)
Crits on 19-20
CMD = 35
WandofMageArmorCharges = 58/50
Wand of CLW: 31/50
Resolve = 8/8
Challenge = 6/6
Hero Pts: 3/3
"Ah yes, the Ulfen warriors that love 'you' so much, is that correct? Not your coin? Have you no true Taldans who love you? Who guard you? Love bought with coin is not love at all. They love your treasury more than you," Kort retorts to the Invincible Emperor. "I would say that we have true Taldans who we call friends, based on our character and deed. Not what we pay them. In this regard, I'd say we have a lot more devotion than you."
”Not my coin, no. Taldor pays their wages, not me. They are true believers and protect me because am the emperor!” he laughs roughly.
Once in position, Muri speaks to the shadow soul. "We spoke to Cyricas and Taldaris, and both understood they needed to release their grip on Carrius. You and your Ulfens, do you only respect violence? Do we have to slay your ghost guards to prove you need to listen to us, and let go?"
”They are fools to let go. Every emperor learns from the emperors before them, and so shall the child learn from me. I should thank you for your cleansing. But it ends here.”
"You yourself tried to avoid bloodshed through the senate and only resorted to violence in the end. Help us end this without more harm to Taldans."
”Your flowery words are meaningless to me. You think they shall sway the force of will of an emperor? Guess again! The world is filled with violence.”
”Commanded – you mean 'you commanded',” Elen gently offers perspective. ”And our Queen does command that devotion – not just to her military – but to the people of Taldor – and us. That is why we are here. And she would continue to command such devotion were you not standing in Her Royal Highness’s way. ” Standing akimbo, she holds his gaze and tries to look as reproachful as possible.
”Your queen is weak if she allowed the Prince to take the throne, for he is nothing special I assure you. But I shall mold him into a true leader!”
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"They are true believers and protect me because am the emperor!”
The halfling's eyes narrow. "That's the thing about those who have the gold. The nobles of our land. Prince Carrius. Princess Eutropia, too. If someone wants it badly enough, they don't stay dead. Someone wants Carrius to control the Throne, so they stitch you together with five other souls, and pull him back to... uh, life, so they can prevent Eutropia from becoming the new Empress."
"What would have happened, I wonder, if Parmain was brought back to challenge you, you and your assassination of the rightful Emperor. It's confusing, isn't it. They fought you, until you killed him, then they kneeled..." Muri looks down on the Ulfen with something like contempt. "They failed to protect Parmain. The king is dead, long live the king, eh?"
"Like dogs. Owner dies, they lick the hand of the next person to feed them..."
Muri clenches his fist, and one of his two Rings begins to glow. "Maybe they want a second chance?"
Kort looks at Muri and then crosses his arms with an eager grin upon his face.
Elen retorts while waiting for the wish miracle, "She didn't 'let' anyone take the throne. The same people who are manipulating this small piece of your soul took her life to put the dead Prince on the throne. You are nothing more than a puppeteer in this scenario "
She addresses the Ulfen Warriors. "Do these sound like the words of a ruler who has the interests of the people of Taldor in mind? He claims he is guiding the Prince, but his words are interspersed with claims of his past glories and powers. I submit to you -- his only real interest is reclaiming power and using you to that end -- not to Taldor. His reign is no more, and your loyalties are misplaced in him. The Prince is long dead. Your loyalties are to the rightful heir of the throne, Princess Eutropia!"
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Parmain V, whole and resurrected, clambers to his feet next to his slayer.
”Long live the king indeed.” says the largest of the Ulfen warriors as she nods to Elen as well.
The guard uniformly turn on Daronlyr and proceed to rip him to shreds. It doesn’t take long - and you can see they would have been formidable foes. Themselves bloody, they then they kneel before Parmain V.
The scene fades, and you’re back with the child, now half of what he once was. Three doors remain - The whispering door (fourth legend), sword door (fifth), or the fire door (sixth).
Muri flinches as Daronlyr is suddenly assassinated by the hands newly sworn to protect him with their very lives. He is only too glad to lose sight of the bloody scene.
"So, even Emperors have to live with the possibility that loyalty can change. Do you think Princess Eutropia will have to deal with that? Someone to check her meals, someone to check under her bed... Makes me tired thinking of that..."
Muri nudges Underfoot, and the pair descend to open the Whispering Door.
"Let's meet Beldam I."
Kamari tip-toes over to the whispering door.
"So far, so good."
Kort follows Kamari to the next door, still surprised at that unlikely conclusion.
"Yes, let's see what Bedlam I has to say."
This white marble door is covered with a shifting silver film of mist. Engraved into the marble is the image of a hooded figure, its hand covering its face as it whispers into the ear of a man. You open it.
A polished wooden table stands at the foot of the throne. Indistinct figures line the room’s edge, just beyond a ring of marble busts, shifting and whispering indistinctly.
Chairs ring the table, but only one is occupied. The man in the chair is heavy-set and pale, with thick, dark hair. He sits with his palms flat on the table, his brow furrowed with worry, as his eyes flick back and forth between six cups sitting on the table. This is the domain of Beldam I, successor to Cydonus III.
Cydonus III was assassinated by a conspiracy of nobles who felt the emperor badly mismanaged Taldor’s wealth. Beldam was seen as an honest and reliable successor, and his legacy is one of caution and prudence. In truth, Beldam lived under the constant gaze of those same noble conspirators, ever aware that he would meet the same fate as his predecessor should he not prove a pliable puppet.
While outwardly he was a scrupulous and jovial ruler (and did govern Taldor with severe austerity, at least initially), he was also deeply paranoid. He secured his position with blackmail to keep rebellious nobles in line, and poisoned those he could not control…
When you appear, you hear him pondering aloud, “Good wine rarely makes for good prudence, but I genuinely believed I’d found the exception. Oh bother. I’d really rather not poison his wife.” As you approach, Beldam looks up with a yelp, but quickly collects himself and addresses the “servants,” explaining that he decided to poison an advisor who has been plotting against him, but lost track of which cup he poisoned.
He is facing the row of cups (image). You continue to hear whispers from all around you - it’s quite unnerving.
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The Night Swan can guess that some selection of cups will be called for. She considers the possibility of them all being poisoned and some sort of acquired or magical immunity immediately, but decides there are other points against that theory. If this were, say, a contest of wits between a single charlatan and a rogue in which death is on the line, she would consider it a given. But Beldam would not want to poison too many people, as he would have too many webs in place; pluck a single string from a web at a time and it shall always recover, but pull a handful at once and it will collapse. No, there must be some logic, some puzzle here.
If Beldam I doesn't object, Muri produces his Noble's Vigilant Pillbox, activates the white pearl, and closes the distance to the cups, so he's within 10 feet. He studies the pearl to see if it dulls to grey.
If it does, Muri proceeds to ask Beldam I if he can move the cups.
Kort searches for his own recollections of the Taldan succession lines, to see if there are any insights beyond what has been revealed. As a Taldan history buff, something more might be revealed.
Know (History)
And he also, if given leave, will examine the cups to see if the particular poison has an odor…
Perception
”Excuse me Emperor, do you have a sample of the poison still? The flask or paper it came in, perhaps? I might be able to help with this,” Kort offers his own words to the whispers.
”Hmm… well – consider the possibility that you are having a nightmare – or are in some hell or other. Why don’t you just try walking away from it all?”
Hits: 125/125
Current AC: 34
Current Saves: Fort: +15; Ref +17; Will: +10, +12 if Enchant (Elf) (+5 Wingz)
AC: 25; 26 (Bare naked save for Mask and Dodge, +1 Dodge (Sacred))
flat: 18 (ring +3, nat armor +2, mage armor +4) (+1 See above^)
touch: 28 (ring +3, Dex +6, Cha +7, Dodge +1) (Ditto)
Crits on 19-20
CMD = 35
WandofMageArmorCharges = 58/50
Wand of CLW: 31/50
Resolve = 8/8
Challenge = 6/6
Hero Pts: 3/3
Kamari stands well back from the poisons as everyone else seems to have it under control.
The Night Swan tries reasonably to determine any symbology from the cups as does Major Kort. Though they are very beautiful each in their own way, they do not seem to sport any heraldic or other iconography they can tied to specific nobles of the era, or present.
Muri withdraws an early purchase in the hopes that it could easily overcome the issue. However, his magical bag of tricks falls short this time, as his pearl marks none of the cups as poisonous.
”No, no. Don’t move the cups. I’ve almost got it! If I can just remember. I learned one hard, bitter lesson in my time as emperor. Sometimes sacrifice is necessary for a kingdom to thrive. Sometimes, an act of violence can keep a nation at peace.”
”Excuse me Emperor, do you have a sample of the poison still? The flask or paper it came in, perhaps? I might be able to help with this,” Kort offers his own words to the whispers.
”No, no. Really, I wouldn’t be very good at this if I left evidence lying around.”
Major Kort does recall that despite all his paranoia and precautions, Beldam ultimately died when he startled his equally nervous wife, who subsequently beat him to death with a marble bust.
”Hmm… well – consider the possibility that you are having a nightmare – or are in some hell or other. Why don’t you just try walking away from it all?”
”Hahaha! That’s a good one." he laughs uneasily. "Life is a nightmare my dear. There are enemies around every corner.” He glances around and tries to make out text among the whispers - and fails. ”The only way to stay ahead of it, is to do to them what they would do to you - and do it first!”
His gaze falls upon the six cups.
• A golden cup with a scallop carving, decorated with brilliant rubies
• A silver cup with a dragon carving, decorated with many emeralds
• A golden cup with a hippogriff carving, decorated with pink pearls
• A copper cup with an eagle carving and no gems
• A silver cup with a unicorn carving, decorated with pink diamonds
• A platinum cup with a naga carving, decorated with expensive jade
”I think…” he begins before falling into silence a moment. He returns, ”I think the poison cup is next to either a silver cup or a platinum cup. Yes, I think that’s right.” His brow furrows as he examines the cups.
”No, no. Really, I wouldn’t be very good at this if I left evidence lying around.”
Kort nods, wondering what else the Emperor might remember.
"Yes, is there anything else you can gleam about it? What marking was on the cup? Something with wings? Or a historical nickname of something?" Kort presses.
"That's all of them..." Muri looks at the cups, then at Beldam I.
"Say more. You're the only one who has the memory, even if it slipped away." The halfling barely contains his contempt for the cowardly poisoner.
"If you remember correctly, that eliminates only the 2nd cup, the silver cup with a dragon carving, decorated with many emeralds."
Kamari ponders the situation as Beldam seems unaware of his connection to the prince. She considers asking him directly but holds off for now and continues to work on the puzzle that might be the key.
"Who do the cups represent?"
Elen speaks, addressing her companions more than the Emperor.
"There's no poison here, this Legend is a waste of time. What did they see in him to bring him to counsel for the late Prince? Is it some form of sadistic entertainment for them?"
She changes tack. "Well, Emperor Beldam, maybe you can tell us who it is you are trying to poison? It's entirely possible that we've already killed them."
"Yes, is there anything else you can gleam about it? What marking was on the cup? Something with wings? Or a historical nickname of something?" Kort presses.
"Say more. You're the only one who has the memory, even if it slipped away." The halfling barely contains his contempt for the cowardly poisoner.
”It’ll come to me in a moment. I think visually you see. I can almost see it! Historical nicknames wouldn’t do. No they won’t do at all.”
"Who do the cups represent?"
”Oh, no one in particular. Just pretty cups I have collected as gifts. They are very pretty are they not?”
"There's no poison here, this Legend is a waste of time. What did they see in him to bring him to counsel for the late Prince? Is it some form of sadistic entertainment for them?"
”Oh,” the emperor seems taken aback, if briefly, ”There’s poison, that’s for sure! I know, I put it there myself!”
”Yes, yes. Scales. If the cup does not have scales, then it has hooves.” he adds muttering.
She changes tack. "Well, Emperor Beldam, maybe you can tell us who it is you are trying to poison? It's entirely possible that we've already killed them."
”Oh? This is for a halfling knee-biter by the name of Lisanne Jelansil. Quite a murderous villain I can assure you!” That much is clear to him. And no, the name does not ring any bells with the party - and though you’ve killed many, you don’t think Lisanne made the list.
“‘If the cup does not have scales, then it has hooves.’ Eagles have neither. Scallops are not scaly or behooved either.”
The Night Swan is beginning to get perturbed at the emperor for not being helpful. She tries to get a read on him to figure out whether he is holding anything back.
"Oh, of course! You can't trust halflings! That makes perfect sense," Kort drolls stiffly. "And let alone one of those Jelansil clan. Do go on..."
Kort waits to see if yet more clues are to be offered.
”Yes, do go on. How has this advisor Lisanne Jelansil plotting against you and possibly more importantly – why? How could anyone even think of doing such a thing to Your Jovial Royalness?”
I wonder if this is the halfling line Wyssilka The Fantabulous is from.
”By any chance, are there any entertainers in that family?”
Hits: 125/125
Current AC: 34
Current Saves: Fort: +15; Ref +17; Will: +10, +12 if Enchant (Elf) (+5 Wingz)
AC: 25; 26 (Bare naked save for Mask and Dodge, +1 Dodge (Sacred))
flat: 18 (ring +3, nat armor +2, mage armor +4) (+1 See above^)
touch: 28 (ring +3, Dex +6, Cha +7, Dodge +1) (Ditto)
Crits on 19-20
CMD = 35
WandofMageArmorCharges = 58/50
Wand of CLW: 31/50
Resolve = 8/8
Challenge = 6/6
Hero Pts: 3/3
Kamari isn't convinced there is any poison but continues to play along. She looks to see if there is anything in the cups yet such as wine.
"What are these cups for? Are people coming here to drink from them or are you sending them somewhere? Which of these cups would you normally drink from? Which one would likely be safe?"
The Night Swan feels he’s legitimately confused as to where the poison is.
"Oh, of course! You can't trust halflings! That makes perfect sense," Kort drolls stiffly. "And let alone one of those Jelansil clan. Do go on..."
”The poison cup does not have scales - it has hooves!”
"What are these cups for? Are people coming here to drink from them or are you sending them somewhere? Which of these cups would you normally drink from? Which one would likely be safe?"
”Oh, I never poison the naga cup. Too obvious.”
”Yes, do go on. How has this advisor Lisanne Jelansil plotting against you and possibly more importantly – why? How could anyone even think of doing such a thing to Your Jovial Royalness?”
”By any chance, are there any entertainers in that family?”
”Oh! I cannot discuss such details with servants, but there were no entertainers I know of.”
”Come and drink!” Beldam waits to be handed a goblet, before raising it to the sky, ”To Taldor, long may she know peace!”
… and he drinks.
Which goblet do you give him, and from what do each of you drink yourselves?
I wonder if this is the halfling line Wyssilka The Fantabulous is from.
Kort collects his thoughts and the clues.
"I think the poison cup is next to either a silver cup or a platinum cup. Yes, I think that’s right."
"Yes, yes. Scales. If the cup does not have scales, then it has hooves."
"Oh, I never poison the naga cup. Too obvious."
"Oh! I cannot discuss such details with servants, but there were no entertainers I know of."
Kort wonders why the party would be drinking at all. I thought he wanted us to find the poison. Not drink.
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Aha! GM error. I gave you one clue twice in my exuberance to complete this chamber. Sigh...
The latest clue is actually, "If the poison cup has feathers, then it is exactly two cups to the right of a golden cup."
Which goblet do you give him, and from what do each of you drink yourselves?
1:gold. No animals:not poisoned:If the cup does not have scales, then it has hooves
2:silver. Dragon:not poisoned:I think the poison cup is next to either a silver cup or a platinum cup.
3:gold. Hippogriff:Poisoned:If the poison cup has feathers, then it is exactly two cups to the right of a golden cup."
4:copper. Eagle:not poisoned:If the cup does not have scales, then it has hooves
5:silver. Unicorn:unsure if poisoned:
6:platinum. Naga:not poisoned:The poison cup does not have scales - it has hooves.
I never poison the naga cup
"'If the cup has feathers?'" Do you recall if it had wings or a horn?"
Muri decides that they're only going to see this through if they all join the Poisoner at the table, and drink.
The halfling reaches for the Scalloped Cup, and lifts it from the table, waiting for the others to pick for themselves.
Kort will take the unicorn cup, unless we’re giving that to the poisoner.
The Night Swan will take the naga cup, satisfied with the conclusion that the hippogryph cup contains the poison.
"'If the cup has feathers?'" Do you recall if it had wings or a horn?"
"You interrupt a Taldan toast with such frippery?! Take a goblet woman, or face the stocks!" the emperor threatens.
In the dreamy unreal world, the crowd increases their hissing whispers nearing crescendo.
Your Highness.” Shelyn give me fortitude that I may survive this poison better than some stranger halfling,
Elen takes the hippogryph cup.
Kamari takes the dragon cup.
"Long live Taldor!"
The whispering shadows in the enormous chamber grow less sinister and more defined, eventually transforming into nervous-looking men and women. They begin to move toward you, still somewhat insubstantial - yet partially real. From among the press of shadowy bodies, a woman in all red appears… a halfling, dressed as a queen.
In a panic, she grabs one of the marble busts ringing the chamber, and proceeds to beat Beldam I in the back of the head with it - even as the poison begins to wrack Elen’s body!
The press of bodies continues, and seems to overwhelm you. You find yourselves back in the Prince’s throne room, the brained Beldam I nowhere to be seen, though the poison continues…
Elen, please make six saves - however, make two in a row and you needn’t make another. You take damage only when you fail a save.
Fort DC 20 or
Fort DC 20 or
Fort DC 20 or
Fort DC 20 or
Fort DC 20 or
Fort DC 20 or
Thank you, Shelyn!
She looks at her companions. "Well, shall we?"
"So, I know that we're not safe when we enter these doors, but it's still weird thinking that you just drank real poison. Or did you? Is it making us think we're in danger, and our bodies react? Anyways, I'm glad you're not suffering, Elen."
Underfoot senses the trend, and marches Muri to the next door, bloody scimitar of iron, and the awaiting Gennaris soulshard.
”Thank you, Muri. I started feeling my strength start to fade, but the fleeting feeling seemed to make me more resolved to resist it. Surely a gift from Shelyn..”
She marches with the others towards the next door.
Kamari is impressed with Elen's fortitude and thankful she did not drink the poison. She heads to the next door with the others.
Kort looks at Elen and shrugs. "Yes, let's move on. That was a curious outcome."
This iron door is dull and marked with countless slices and nicks. A curved scimitar embedded in the door drips a constant stream of red blood. Stepping over the growing stream of blood, you open the door.
Screams and cries of pain echo across a miserable battlefield, though you’re still in the great hall. Buzzing flies and the stench of rotting flesh choke the air. Bodies lie piled in heaps on the blood-soaked tile, some of them still reaching out to beg for care or a swift death. Hands twitch and eyes blink in the charnel piles. Against the tall arched ceiling, an armored figure stands tall among the dead, surrounded by six gore-covered scimitars floating above the floor.
This is the territory of Emperor Gennaris III, the Conqueror, remembered as one of Taldor’s greatest military leaders.
Gennaris made a name for himself as a general who fought on Qadiran soil for many years. The third in line for the throne, he never expected to become emperor, but the deaths of his older brothers saw him crowned late in life. Gennaris served as emperor for only a few years before returning to Qadira, determined to lead by example and inspire Taldans to fight. He was killed in a Qadiran ambush several months later and is remembered as a war hero and martyr.
“Taldor is a nation that stands or falls by the strength of her blade. Such was true for Taldaris, and your hands are far from clean. But death’s greatest failing is that it can stop but a single soldier. Never an army.”
As he speaks, the bodies of the dead and dying writhe toward him, gathering together into a misshapen, serpentine form that merges with Gennaris (image).
Warsworns are massive undead amalgams, their evershifting, chaotic bodies composed of countless slain soldiers and their armor and weapons. The shambling, serpentine form of a warsworn creates a grotesque, metallic cacophony as the weapons and armor of countless souls clash as though still in the throes of a never-ending battle. A warsworn forms by the will of a god or goddess of undeath or war, or spontaneously from the bloodlust and wrath of a battlefield of dead soldiers. Once created, a warsworn exists to spread the rage of war, ravage the land, and spread the carnage of battle.
- - -
Gennaris was famous for killing six Qadiran generals in single combat. He kept each one’s sword as a trophy of his prowess. Those six swords, far larger in the people’s memory than in life, now roam the battlefield on their own - surrounding Gennaris.
- - -