Shivering uncontrollably, the withered man fell to the ground picking at the blackened dirt with a wild look in his eyes. Carefully, he slowly pulled a wriggling insect from the sodden earth, placing it to his lips before sucking it into his throat with a moan of pleasure. He looked about the shaded grove, unable to measure how to find his way out. Still, he picked his frail body up and continued to wander, mumbling all the while to himself.

A silent feline figure move parallel to the withered man, watching him closely through one eye, dialated larger than the other. Jet black fur stands on end and a golden mane danced across his white-furred face. His movements were like the wind. His eyes like fiery orbs. He was bleeding, specs of crimson and spittle stained his lower lips. Yet, he was determined.

Knievo leapt ahead, moving several hundred yards before the delirious being. With a quick leap, he took to a nearby tree, staring down at the wandering figure.

Stumbling forward, the figure made his way through the grove, avoiding the dense shrubbery and foliage. Constant stops were not uncommon. After but a few yards, the figure stopped to rest his wiry hand on a nearby tree. He felt a sudden droplet atop his head and glared up. Was this another passing storm?

Pulling his poncho closer, the figure grumbled as several more droplets struck his head. He smelled an odd mixture of iron in the air and touched at them gently. Flecks of crimson stained his fingers.

With a feral snarl Knievo leapt from the trees landing square upon the adventurer!

Feline claws held the figure tightly, several being placed just beneath the chin of the surprised figure. Knievo stated simply, “Mmmrrr. The village is leaderless. The Gods toil. There are rumors among the sorcerrrrers. You have hearrrd of things. You will tell me.”

The emancipated man stuttered beneath him, “Aaah. Ye…yes...you are elder to tha’ Ebon Wardress? Ah bitch of’ ah muther. Yes, thu ‘un for’told tah wear th’ skin of th’ Jackal. Thu ‘un to cut th’ ‘ead of the Serpent. The’un tah stab the abdomen of th’ spider!”

He wriggled about beneath Knievo’s clawed foot, groaning in pain.

“Such actions ‘re ta’ be temp’red by the White Warder. Th’ shield of tha babe. Ah fath’re to tha’ child. A mentor ‘mong the Chaos!”

He coughed a wicked, blood-stained laugh and uttered, “Th…they don’t know of the prophecies?! Nev…never..one to l..learn their s’roundings. To learn…of what….what is their destiny!

The grove erupted in flames! Pillars of great fire roared into the sky, blasting the furred assassin backwards!

The air shimmered, by the heat of the flames or by some unnatural force is uncertain, but an ebony figure in arcane robes stood before the two. To his side landed a black-feathered avian with steel eyes of bluish-green. The eldritch held an ebony staff forth, uttering dark words as the ground began to reek of a sickening rot.

The flames parted briefly as another ebony figure entered the fiery circle. He stood a full six feet in height, easily towering over a chittering devil which slithered on his belly. With a simple gesture, a massive tower of flame began to take form, into that of a fiery elemental.

The tall dark-elf and the avian took a step back as the smaller dark-elf took the forefront. With a slender finger he pointed at the groveling adventurer and stated, “You have knowledge the Chasm would acquire worm.”

Knievo threw down a small orb, emitting tendrils of smoke and leapt from the trio. As he darted through the grove he glanced back for any sign of pursuit. In his wake all that could be heard was a guttural scream!

It is foretold that the next Chieftain of the Barbarian Tribe will arrive on the tail of a fiery constellation. This leader will not be tested by War. This one will not bear scars from skirmishes or have left stains of crimson upon the village ground. According to this prophecy, the next village leader will be but a babe, untested, confused and unmolested by War. This child will bear the Mark of the Beast, the Serpent or the Spider, unaware of such a destiny. Twin warders will walk this one through the journey. One will serve as a protector, the other as the babe’s possible doom. It is said the village will prosper greatly beneath such a leadership. For when this leader comes of age, the greatest Conquest will take place. A most treacherous War will occur and the Village of Battle will spearhead this Victory!

Are you destined to lead the Village? Are you made of the mettle of a BattleRager?