Swords of the South II

Bertranus Steelsong

The Wark of Ballast Green

Fae'theris of Oxcross

Perin Tealeaf

Solomon Ophren

Amiri of Red Reef

***Swords of the South II*** is a continuation of the *Swords of the South I* story, taking place 10 years after the events of the first campaign.

## Prelude

The Swords of the South went their own ways for a while after the Final Havish Invasion. Lord Edward Haddon sought to rebuild Elandar and bring order to his noble lands. Nyana of Red Reef received a royal commendation, allowing her to claim a surname for herself and her family, becoming Nyana Redarian. She returned to Red Reef and eventually teamed up with the smuggler known as Myron Blacksheep to take down the corrupt Merchant's Guild. Bertranus Steelsong settled down in the city of Bastion, marrying Trina Hackenstone and having a few children.

The Wark continued to serve on the Imperial Council, but spent much of his time studying the phylactery of Phileas Arterian. He surmised that the red gem worn by Evon Crex was also a phylactery, one containing the soul of the Asp of Sankor. Through brief discussions with spymaster Gideon Marko, the Wark soon received a second gem: a sapphire on a silver chain filled with swirling smoke. His research took him to the far north, to the land where the sun does not set.

In the year 5E 61, the members of the Swords of the South vanished from the face of Mor, save the Wark who was beyond the reach of the foul magic that abducted them. In their absence, a sleeping power rose to the forefront of Vehn'ahn: the Order of the Serpent. This once clandestine order had been spending the last ten years recruiting disenfranchised groups across Vehn'ahn to rise up against their oppressors, and to sow chaos throughout the land. This group successfully poisoned Jonos Arterian and his wife, Elemia Reign, and abducted their young daughter, Loreen.

Following the war with the Havish, Sir Ryon Reign journeyed East to study with the Sun Elves of the Fylar Valley, to learn inner peace and not let his loss of limb rule his life. Upon returning to Soril, he sought new purpose with the Knights of the Western Court, dedicating himself to serving the people of the Arterian Empire. After the death of his sister and the abduction of his niece, Ryon was offered the position of Imperial Regent in the absence of a ruler. His oath to the Western Court prevented him from accepting such positions of power. However, after a year of rule under Imperial Regent Elauthen Miaden, the Western Court sought to release Ryon from his oath so that he may alleviate the harsh taxes and restrictions imposed on the common folk. Having previously abdicated, the Imperial Council refused him the throne. This caused a divide between the Lords and Ladies of the Empire, which led to alliances between the Imperial Council and Reign sympathizers to be drawn.

## Chapter 2: The Reign of the Asp

#### Loyalties

After learning that the Swords of the South were alive and had returned to Vehn'ahn, the Imperial Council of the Arterian Empire sent them a summons: they were to report to the capital of Ilex to swear loyalty to the Empire or be branded rebels. The Swords were wary of the Council, especially after learning that one of them was likely an agent of the Asp. They decided to travel to Ilex and sneak into the White Palace to gather information.

Through a combination of skill and magic, Faetheris, Nyana, and the Wark snuck through the palace. First, they encountered Lord Solomon Ophren, the son of their late comrade, Kamron Ophren. Solomon had been summoned to the capital just as they had, but was on the fence as to where his loyalties lay. Nyana and the Wark convinced him that the Imperial Council was corrupt, and that joining with Sir Ryon is what they intended to do. This inspired Solomon to begin to make preparations to leave Ilex, denying the council. They investigated the chambers of Elauthen Miaden, Amadeus Mordaine, and Deston Baldean, but discovered nothing that outed them as a traitor. They did, however, learn that the traitor was in fact Gideon Marko, who possessed a sending stone emblazoned with the Asp's sigil. They decided to leave Gideon a message under the ruse that they wished to meet in private to discuss the situation with the budding civil war.

Gideon met the Swords in the ruined Temple of Cressia in Ilex's middle ring. Through the use of magical traps, they were able to ensnare Gideon and ensure that he spoke the truth. Upon questioning, they learned that Gideon had been involved in a terrible accident in his youth that left him scarred. He was forced to beg on the streets, which taught him to be quite the eavesdropper. He was discovered by Evon Crex who offered to remove his scars in exchange for his services. He began infiltrating the Anderan government in order to aid the Havish in conquering Andera, thus furthering the agenda of the Order of the Serpent. Upon learning of Black Scepter, Gideon ensured that he had a place in the clandestine organization. From his position as spymaster of the Arterian Empire, he was able to successfully poison the Emperor and the Empress, and ensure the Asp's agents absconded with the Imperial Heir.

Gideon then told the Swords where the Order of the Serpent was keeping Loreen Arterian, and where the Order was conducting operations. Most importantly, Gideon told them of the Alchemist, a dark sorcerer who was abducting Sea Elves and using them to create land to sea monstrosities to fill out the Asp's army.

Once this information had been divulged, Nyana placed an enchantment on Gideon that would prevent him from further working against the Swords, instead compelling him to work towards their goals. They then met with Solomon Ophren at the gates of Ilex, bound for the South.

#### The Hunting of Culemstein

Not long into their journey, the Swords received word from Gideon Marko that the Empire was heavily patrolling their borders in an effort to capture the Swords and put them to trial for treason. To avoid this, Gideon had made preparations with the smuggler Myron Blacksheep to take the Swords to Red Reef aboard his ship, the *Windcrest*. Solomon decided to aid the Swords in their quest against the Asp, sending his retinue to join the rebels at the Western Court.

Journeying toward the sea, the Swords decided to rest in Culemstein, home of their friend and ally, Edmund. Edmund had been appointed as the alderman of Culemstein, married, and had three children since last the Swords saw him. They had dinner, drank, and played dice games, reminiscing about times of old all the while.

## Chapter 3: Sacrifices

#### The Swords, Sheathed at Last

The Wark journeyed back to Ave'ahn, retiring to a lovely estate in the mountains. Soon after, he passed away, continuing his great journey in the Astral Sea.

Solomon borrowed the Staff of the Planes from Faetheris, and sought out his lost love, Cahtheron. Unfortunately, his search was in vain. He returned to Bastion to sullenly live out the rest of his days until a young child appeared at the doorsteps of his castle. He introduced himself as Edward of Culemstein, whose father was Edmund of Culemstein. His family had been taken in the Culling, and he sought to learn strength and nobility, like his father. Solomon adopted the boy and raised him as his own, giving him the name Ophren.

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