The Prelude
The Realms were in turmoil- the Dragonslayer God Caimen had been but recently defeated and the existence of the Elder Gods was just revealed. It was a cold and dark winter, colder and darker than usual. People kept indoors, huddling together for warmth before the hearth. Many in the realms reported suspicious signs; signs that something was amiss- disturbed dreams and shadows and rustling in the forests off Aden. Yet, these were ignored- people’s minds dulled into inaction; and besides events of greater importance were underway. Two new clans had re-entered the realms. The New Moon had arisen from the ancient past and in no time gathered a large number of adherents. The Knights of the Sky remained, as earlier, elusive and distant.
A series of murders were reported in the Hidden Village and the hand of a kinsman of young Caxius of the New Moon was apparent behind it. Contrary to established diplomatic practice, Caxius was deputed as ambassador of The New Moon to the village to negotiate on behalf of the guilty. It was soon revealed that Caxius himself was involved in the massacre. The realm was full of condemnation of such a violation of diplomatic etiquette. Caxius was outcast when his involvement becomes apparent.
While this was in progress, a group of unknown figures wrapped in Cloaks of the New
Moon and bearing marks distinctive of that Clan attack Aden. Despite repeated denials
on the part of that clan’s Mortal leader, Angelas, most considered her clan guilty
for the attack. An incriminating note was found by Sasnakra, the Circle’s Pendragon
on one of the dead bodies that reinforced that feeling. The attack was repulsed, but
dead bodies littered the city. A few survivors of the attacking force, however,
escaped. Recriminations flew fast and attempts were made to place the blame of
the attack on the shoulders of every clan in the Realms, the clans were disunited
and the time was ripe for events as yet to come.
It was a morning like any other spring morning off Asdune Village. The previous day went uneventfully- the citizens tended their fields, cows were milked and Taisihi kept the Silver Moon Bar open late into the night. Little did they know that many pairs of eyes were watching them in the darkness, watching and waiting to strike. The attack came just before dawn. A fully equipped and orderly Legion of the Orcs marched from out of the forest and overran the defenses of the village. Combining iron discipline, superb military tactics and superior numbers, the rag tag resistance of members of Harmony, the Circle and Misanthropy was soon overcome. The Banner of the Orcs was unfurled in the Centre of Asdune and its lands claimed for the Orcish Imperium. While the battle was drawing to an end, Aaric of Misanthropy negotiated a truce with the Orc to bury the dead. Despite their losses, and perhaps because of them, the defenders were impressed by the obvious intelligence of the Orcish general.
It becomes known that the earlier attack of men in the Cloaks of The New Moon was actually the first column of the Orc Invasion, its First Legion. Seeing the Clans disunited and the city ripped apart with dissentions, its general had acted prematurely sending in his troops before the Legion was fully ready. Taking the blame for the defeat, he fell on his sword, perishing alone in the Forest of Memories.
Korgan, the victorious General of the Second Legion, appealed to the realms to bow before the Orcs, the children of Prophecy, those who would inherit the realms, unite it and make it strong, remaking them in their image. The Age of the Orc was dawning and nothing would stop it, he said. The Orc had arrived and the realms would never be the same again.