The Demontide

818AF Ominous signs and portents are sighted by people across the kingdom. Entire herds of livestock in Galat drop dead all at once and hamlets in the north east vanish without a trace. The dwarf cities to the north shut their doors to outsiders without explanation. Rumors swirl of a war being waged beneath the mountains. The sun is swallowed in a day long eclipse that terrorizes the commonfolk, the mages of the Veiled Spire are unable to explain the unusual phenomena.

08.18.818AF- The Demon Invasion begins. A massive volcanic eruption destroys much of northern Galat, leaving a gaping crater known as the Abyss that leads straight down into the Earth. The city of Vamaj is utterly destroyed by the superheated ash cloud and most of the population killed instantly. Before the ash has settled hordes of hideous demons climb out of the pit. Once they arrive in sufficient numbers they set out for their first targets, the towns of Stonyfield and Bridgeton.

08.25.818AF- A horde of lesser demons sweeps across the sleepy town of Stonyfield in the middle of the night, ripping the townsfolk from their beds and chasing them through their houses and streets for sport. The defenses, long since fallen into disrepair due to a century of peace and safety, were brushed aside in a matter of moments. The demons tortured, murdered, and devoured thousands of souls for days before returning with a handful of captives to the Abyss. A handful of survivors managed to elude notice by hiding in the public pit latrine. They managed to escape the ruins of the town and make their way to the Altona River, crossing over into Talava and raising the alarm at Point Lookout.

08.26.818AF- At dawn another, larger horde arrived at the walls of Bridgeton, a Galatian trading settlement directly across the river from the Talavan city of Vari. Being a major trading hub and the headquarters of the Varian Faith, the settlements were well-defended and garrisoned. The river was wide and fast-moving and crossed by an immense pontoon bridge which facilitated the rapid reinforcing of the city. The demons initial assault was a success as they swarmed the walls, climbing over each other until they topped the battlements, driving the defending militiamen back. At first it was believed to be a bandit attack but as news of the severity of the danger spread mass hysteria spread among the populace and fleeing residents jammed the streets as they attempted to hurry to Vari. The templar knights of the Varian temple were dispatched to reinforce Bridgeton's defenders with as many professional men-at-arms Vari could spare. The streets were barricaded around the bridgehead and the desperate defenders held on as long as they could to buy time for the civilians to make it to safety. The town caught fire and the resulting inferno and choking smoke led to a complete withdrawal from the bridgehead and the partial destruction of part of the pontoon bridge.

Riders were dispatched to spread the word of the demons and a mass evacuation commenced with settlements along the Altona river emptying overnight and clogging the roads leading south and west. The town of Wellspring received word too late however and the entire population was devoured or captured, with the majority being sent back to the Abyss.

Akaran **King Nestor** marshals his crack troops while his feudal lords gather their forces. He leads his professional standing troops over the bridge at Vari and finds himself surrounded by the demonic host as they march to the Abyss. The battle lasts for 5 days and nights as the army, numbering 10,000 men as well as wizards and hunters holds out against all odds. At last, A mighty demon lord unlike any that has yet been seen appears and slays the warrior king. The men route and only a handful escape back to Vari with the grave news.

A brief power struggle erupts in the capital and Aithos, the Young Lion, assumes the throne. Anticipating what was to come, he gathered a party of mighty heroes to aid him in the fight against the demons and leads the combined royal army east to strike the demons who are engaged in an orgy of destruction along the river. As the army nears Vari they receive word from scouts that a sizable horde has crossed the northern bridge north of Point Lookout and is marching south to Vari. He orders preparations made to receive the enemy.

Some weeks later the demons arrive and lay siege to the holy city. The battle raged on for weeks as the demons assaulted the walls day and night. Human slaves were driven before the army to soak up arrow fire and are thrown still living in great heaps to fill trenches. The losses are staggering but all the while the Young Lion stands defiant and gleaming, inspiring his men to great feats of heroism and sacrifice. Aithos and his Chosen defeat numerous demon champions and launch sorties through the gates to destroy siege engines as the opportunity present themselves.

At last, the demon leader reveals himself. During a massive assault, greater than any that had come before, **Azkaron Heartrender** attacks the city himself, accompanied by his most trusted champions. Aithos and his Chosen do battle throughout the city with their counterparts. The defenders are barely holding on but one by one the Lion's Chosen slay their counterparts and rejoin their king who is holding his own against the Lord of Hell. Little is known of what transpired but the demon king whispered dark promises directly into the minds of the heroes until they had all come over to his side. Aithos, the only one who would not be swayed was murdered by his own comrades who each landed mortal blows upon him. The sky darkened as the sun vanished in a complete solar eclipse and the Young Lion cursed his former comrades and Azkaron and swore vengeance on all of them.

The city fell and most of the army was slaughtered along with many of the inhabitants. The traitor heroes were all “blessed” in some form which gave them incredible powers and they were given command of various forces and sent to seize control of the rest of the kingdom.

Phrygia is besieged and holds out for a month. The residents of the city are savaged by the vengeful demons and much of the buildings are consumed by a terrible fire. The queen and many royals from the Citadel leap to their deaths rather than be captured by the enemy. Many believe the line of Galanis to be wiped out. Little did they know that **Commander Lydia Farlana**, operating under orders from Aithos just before his death, spirited away the infant heir to the throne, **princess Andromeda**.

Most of Akara is subjugated and the people either forced to work as slaves, farming enough food to  keep the citizenry just barely alive, or shipped off to the Abyss is caravans never to be seen again.

Tens of thousands of people flee aboard ships bound for Auriga and beyond. Later, once word spreads of the Revenant and the freedom fighters these refugees return in organized forces and seek to rendezvous with resistance forces.

3 years later the Black Star appears in the night sky for the first time in 30 years and returns each night. Some see it as a sign that the Last Day is approaching. Others see it as an omen that help is coming. The Revenant rises from its resting place at the site of the Battle of the Eclipse/Battle of the Black Plains.

823AF- Gregor's story begins.