Branwilde

During the last week citizens of Lake Superior have bravely fought the insidious Ophidians in the cities of our lands and successfully rooted them out of every nook and cranny.


Volunteers met every night in Haven on the roof of Uzeraan's Mansion to gather forces, divide into groups and devise strategy for the evening. The numbers of battle ready citizens was great enough to divide into three groups on the first evening and two groups on following evenings. Each group had a leader and wore a robe of a bright color so group members could assist each other (most of the time). Even with the brightest of robes it was easy for groups to loose each other as they fought from one ophidian battle to the next.


This was especially true in Serpent's Hold, pictured above, where the Ophidians divided their forces between the hold and outdoor paths. Again and again we learned that the best strategy was to stick together. This was especially true when Brood Queen or Berserker Ophidians appeared. it was essential to kill the Brood Queens before they could spawn more of their breed. Berserkers required the effort of a full group working together to bring them down after a long difficult battle.


The picture above was taken early on in the battle in Vespers. Notice that two White Wyrms and a Rune Beetle are attacking a Berserker with the loss of a White Wyrm at one point.

We found with a mix of types of volunteers we could battle Berserkers with fewer losses. We had at least two Mages standing by to heal while Swords and Mace wielders faced the worst of the battle up close. Rune Beetles and Dragons or White Wyrms were preferred pets. Cu's and Reptilions were also found to be effective. Archers were essential to the battle with their hard hits at a distance. Their arrows zinging away at unimaginable speed and exploding after embedding in ophidian flesh were a site to see. Necromancers created an entirely new battle force as they rezed dead ophidians to the form of liches, skeletons, and some kind of dead flesh which took on a horrifying form.


Above is pictured a battle with a Berserker in Papua. Notice the beehive superimposed on the fire spell cast by one of our Elven ranks. For quite awhile I believed I was witnessing a new form of magic!


This picture was taken at the final moment of battle when the Ophidians were finally defeated in Vesper. Salamar cried out "The City is Saved!" after the last Ophidian was slain.


The last moment in the battle of Skara Brae returned to the Trapper's Huts where the Ophidians first were found. It was with great satisfaction that the townspeople and volunteers looked upon the dead bodies of their enemy.

Both in Papua and Skara Brae 'grey' ophidians remain close to their original location. Both groups have left ominous messages "Give Over Us the Artificed Scion". Great hordes of 'red' Ophidians remain in Terethan keep and have closed off an entrance to the Terrethans.

As for the Artificed Scion, we know that a monk in the mountains of Tokuno has knows of it, and has made a copy. The thief, Ricardo took the crown and has divided it into it's components. It seems possible that we can have another crown made by the monk, but what are the components?

The ophidians may not remain defeated long if the Artificed Scion is not returned to them, the rightful owners. Somebody catch the thief who's causing all this trouble and bring him to trial !

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