Tribulations of Wrath, part V: Imperial Tenacity

Wrath’s Fervent Talon wasted no time; taking off with their cult in tow, the great Yemali Asura took position upon a cliff overlooking the Festering Wastes and Bloodloch’s holdings within Kornar.

It was there that Kshetraghan summoned their captive Sorcerer-King of Azvosh from a ritual of black fire and sacrificed Sholayu, then subjugated it through raw will and domineering strength. Though it resisted and mustered terrifying magical feats, the great Asura asserted their supremacy upon it and physically commandeered its skeletal digits, breaking one in an overwhelming show of their own power. Wielding the dread, eldritch strength weeping from their subjugated horror, the zealous war-priest brought untold destruction to the surrounding area before empowering themself so they could personally cull Kornar down to the last man. In a bellicose, frenzied assault, the Asura waded through the bloodied streets of Kornar without a single troop at their back, and they cut down the township to the last life. Even those undead who sought to resist them found themselves shorn of their bindings to the earth, forced to live out their last day and their inevitable death through exotic soul magic. Seeing a moment of hopeful egress from the violent takeover, Zhuvren Ripjaw’s ship hurriedly made its way to safer waters – that of Tcanna. After weeks of war preparation, the forces of the Empire’s enemy slip free of Kornar to infest the Festering Wastes, seeking to further their Vorostran hold.

Following the destructive power of Kshetraghan’s triune sacrifice-wrought attack bequeathed by the captive Sorcerer-King, and their subsequent, unchallenged conquering of the Bloodlochian village of Kornar, the Empire was left bereft of its port contact as all encompassing citizens were single-handedly destroyed at the behest of the foe appointed by Wrath Most Holy. With the ritualism of blood, bone, and soul at its hands, the Sanguine Fist was able to summon the attention of Lord Ivoln from His sacred duty, bidding Him to heed a historic covenant by sending the Earthen warbands of Azvosh to assist His charges and empowering Warmonger Yettave Arcan with a sceptre of rapturous power. So, too, did the harried citizens of Bloodloch pray to Lady Chakrasul, seeking Her aid in their battles against the Sholayu of the enemy, which She granted generously – the first time.

After riotously making their way through the battlefield of the Festering Wastes, the Fist sought purchase amongst the embattled streets of Kornar, working their way through the ruinous village in an effort to bring the conflict to a head against Kshetraghan and their captive Sorcerer-King. The battle that ensued was saturated with viscera and tactical engagement on both sides, with the use of Sholayu weaponry; the Vorostran showed no mercy to their foes. Inevitably, the Asura split betwixt the two souls of their very construction, raining chaos and decimation upon the forces of Bloodloch. Coordinating under the command of the Bloody Tyrant, Akarn Enati Yaslana, the imperial citizenry turned the enemy’s own weapons against them, as Irra de Verdigris, and Yettave Arcan, alongside Sumie Ke’Lolawid, took to dictating the direction of the city in a renewed onslaught against the separated souls.

Whilst Kshetraghan drew upon the captive might of their shackled Sorcerer-King, so, too, did Lady Corruption bestow the ability to drain the power source of their foe to Her favoured Empire, though at Her own price. With new might at hand, the Empire of Bloodloch found itself possessed of the ability to assault the twin-souled Asura directly, bringing the tribulation to its conclusion under the discerning eye of the Vorostran in charge of the Empire’s brutal task. As a final token to their worthy foes, Kshetraghan left in their possession the drained shell of the Sorcerer-King, its might still palpable, if weakened.

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Summary: Kshetraghan single-handedly razed Kornar, wielding a captive Sorcerer-King to devastate Bloodloch’s holdings before waging weeks of war throughout the Festering Wastes. Drawing upon the favour of both Ivoln and Chakrasul, the Sanguine Empire rallied Earthen warbands and fought their way back into Kornar’s streets, ultimately defeating the Asura in a final confrontation. As Kshetraghan withdrew, they left behind the drained shell of the Sorcerer-King as a parting token to their worthy foes.

Penned by my hand on Tisday, the 21st of Omeian, in the year 17 AC.