Written by: HammerSong

Author's note: Keep in mind that this was briefly edited and may need future editing. Much of it was written by memory, though the echoes are completely accurate and were presented to the mortals of the Carrion Fields.



With the rise of the fortress and the coherence of dark energies came an evolution of magic that was balanced by a third, bonding magic. The field of war had broadened for the Battle Ragers the perversions of magic had outwardly presented itself as a threat to the Battle Ragers. Barbarians were dying to dark and foreboding creatures known only to the night. Unable to penetrate the hope of the Dawn and the grey-cloaked Brigade, these villagers found themselves stopped by the most formidable of foes. Bonding magic was now an ecstasy for warriors and was chosen with no regard to the spirit. The war had now become three-fold.

Internal bickering brought about further confusion. The Dwarven Thane and Drunken Bard, Lords of the Village, resorted to outbursts of rage between one another. One such outburst was displayed before mortal eyes and is said to have inspired the anger of the departed Dwarven Captain.

As rolling thunder booms across the sky the clouds open for a brief moment, revealing an angry dwarf hammering relentlessly at the forge.

Stumbling into the forge is a slender figure with a half-empty mug in his hand, slurring curses at the Dwarven Thane.

Lifting a wooden leg towards the thane the half-elf exclaims, "Ya bastard! Spreadin' ya filth an dividin' tha village! I'll break ev'ry bone in ya body!"

Wiping soot from his face the dwarven thane turns to the minstrel and bellows, "Damn yer bard! Holtzendorff is slain! BoltThrower has abandoned us, the old ways are a narrow path te defeat!"

Fuming with rage the dwarven thane drops his tongs and hammer, rushing toward the bard and bowling him over!'

Quickly the half-elf rolls to his feet and dodges a hearty punch, landing the wooden peg against the temple of the dwarf.

Attempting to rise to his feet the half-elf kicks , bites, punches and throws a hammer at the dwarf.

Thunder and lightning parallel the Asgardian battle, rolling across the land with fury and rage!

Braced above Thror, Kastellyn pummels away at the dwarf unaware that the forge has grown unbearably cold.

CRACK! Like the splintering of wood the sound overcomes the two Warlords suddenly.

As the thunder dies a vision of a tablet remains . Embedded into the cracked stone is a white, double-bladed axe.


As always the lack of leadership left these savage barbarians unhindered and disputing among one another. The departure of BoltThrower was seen and felt, not only by mortals but also, by the lesser Gods. In the hands of the dwarven thane lay the remains of Holtzendorff. A shattered horn given as a trophy from the Ebon-skinned Zulghinlour. Defeat was imminent. It was during this weakness that the drow of the underdark saw opportunity. Matron Zi’feney realized that this was the opportunity needed to gain the ultimate favor of the spider goddess, she also saw an opportunity to shed the blood of many of the surface elves, their most hated foe.

Sending her most competent assassins Zi’feney began to watch and observe the Battle Rager village. Dark shapes, these assassins were mysterious and rarely seen. When the time was right, the Matron sent for D’Gaerne Zi’feney, her Master of War. His intent was to teach the villagers to study aspects of war which would lend further battle prowess to their courage and savage fighting capabilities. The first to be approached was Sojai, who quickly fell into the web of the charismatic War Master. To follow were both Vultros and Torakkel, unbeknownst to them that they were agreeing to betray their village. After having the oath of these promising villagers the Master of War then approached Rio with the bargain. Surrounding the village leader, the War Master blocked every route of escape from the mausoleum and demanded that Torakkel destroy the defiant thief. Betrayed by Torakkel, D’Gaerne called for his warriors to destroy the two villagers but to no avail. They managed to escape his grasp from the cemetery.

For the proud barbarian there was only one means of redemption. Death. The drow would deal those who betrayed the oath a horrible death, one which would inspire fear into other, defiant villagers. Rio considered his options and believed war the only means of solving this problem. Agreeing to the Leader, the Noldarian Paladin and proud barbarian joined he, Daxru and Garatolo in penetrating the drow city. Little did they know, the drow expected this. There, within the Underdark, these villagers faced defeat, their efforts spoiled.

The Matron mother then offered a bargain. She would send her Master of War before the village and again work to resolve this conflict. A gathering at the village resulted in intense words between the Master of War and the barbarian horde. Using words of cunning, the Master of War convinced the village that change would occur. What would the village do? Leave the white, double-bladed axe embedded into the stone merely to preserve their sacred tablet? Or draw it free and see if the village would continue to thrive? With knowledge of this, Rio set his mortal hands upon the axe of the Dwarven Captain. Drawing the blade free, the village tablet began to slowly crumble, triggering the anticipated trap set by the drow. It would take years to crumble completely, but without this symbol - would the Battle Ragers be capable of remembering their heritage? Upon reaching an agreement, the pact was again broken by a stipulation for the village to serve as the infiltration upon the city of Darsylon. Rio could not rightfully accept the bargain with the knowledge that such a war would mean the abuse of the powers given to the villagers by the gods to destroy wizards. This only served to further enrage the drow, who declared war upon the village.

Knowing the drow to be the most tactical of warriors, the villagers were forced to enlist the aid of seasoned veterans. Ludan was approached by Tahren and Garatolo, in a request for dwarves to be sent to the village. Daxru was also held to speaking to the King Schnicktick of providing worthy svirfnebli to help defend the village. With such a formidable defense, the village was destined to be victorious.


Following these events the skies parted once more:

The clouded skies part briefly, revealing to the mortal eyes a glimpse of Asgaard.

Standing before a blazing forge is a dwarven figure. In his stubby hands he holds the shattered horn of Holtzendorff.

The slender image of a half-elf enters the forge, his eyes downcast and humble.

Sighing, Kastellyn belches and explains, "Thror, the village seeks our leadership in the most trying times. We must no longer mourn for the dead..."

Thror slowly walks up to the drunken elf and snorts in anger!

"Dammit bard! BoltThrower is gone! All that was our past is dead. Men ferget that which was once our heart en focus," snarls the dwarven thane.

Kastellyn replies, "Does that mean we should forget our heritage, traditions an roots!?

Thror signs and retorts, "War breaches every side O' the village. Our only hope O' survivin' is te narrow our focus en study our enemies tactics."

An arguement ensues between the two Warlords and the vague image of a black widow spider can be seen dangling near the enraged Battle Gods.'


Upon resolving their disagreement the two came to realize that the chaos being spread throughout the village was never as prominent as it was now. Something was amiss, something had caused these two drunkards to dispute one another. Perhaps the spider...

...Unbeknownst to the villagers, Ludan had been approached by Kastellyn and Thror, the two Gods having resolved their differences had enlisted Dwarven Sappers from Mortorn to build a War room within the village in honor of the Captain BoltThrower and Holtzendorff. The construction began just as the drow patrollers infiltrated the village. These drow were easily defeated and the barbarians grew confident. Another ploy was sent, clerics of the third house were driven to the ground by the confident villagers and cheers of victory sounded throughout the huts. This was muffled as a massive force of drow followed, completely obliterating the barbarian warriors. Once the barbarians were dealt with, the head was taken by the cunning force of drow.

The villagers, dwarves and svirfnebli fell back with casualties high. Ludan argued with Rio of his tactics, cursing him for not adhering to the initial stance they had agreed upon. Mustering their strength and courage the villagers mounted a counter-strike. Sending the thieves first, the commanding drow were knocked unconscious as the weaker drow were butchered by the barbarian warriors. With a final, valiant effort the mass of drow were driven from the village and the barbarians had reclaimed the bloody head of a magician.

Having learned a new philosophy of war, the war room was presented to the villagers as Ludan, his dwarven sappers and the few remaining svirfnebli departed the village. With the war room erected, the focus of the Battle Ragers became even more disciplined, though it remained savage.