The Skrolug

"There are perhaps few creatures as revolting and deadly as the Skrolug. Vaguely human in shape and standing some 7 to 9 feet tall; these hideous brutes are draped in leathery, erythemic skin covered in all manner of oozing boils, welts, and sores. Their unparalleled regenerative capacity allows them to act as undying carriers for the disease known as the Red Death. A combination of basidiobolomycosis, necrotizing fasciitis, and tungiasis, the Red Death is spread by Skrolug infecting others with bites and spore cloud bursts. As if hosting such a foul disease were not testament enough to the Skrolug's healing factor, even decapitation does not kill these foul beasts. Folk remedies claim piercing a Skrolug's skull with a golden dagger or cremating it's heart will finally destroy it."

-An entry from Bestarium of The Lands Encompassing the Old Kingdom, abridged edition.

A brief campaign update

On the current status of the war:

With the Draţian forces having regained the valley, the war has effectively concluded, although neither side has announced a cessation of hostilities. Imperator Thasalix may desire revenge, but not enough to push Roi Devereaux into a full scale conflict. He's has demonstrated to Avorenna and the other kingdoms of the realm the strength of Draţia. It appears that he, and not Devereaux, may emerge from this as a regional power player.

- Ellahur, Scribe

On what Avorennains are thinking:

Tock de la Foudre? I spit on him and his family! He is zhe disgrace of Avorenna! Because of is cowardice zhe Draţian pigs pushed our brave, but battered forces from zhe valley. Devereaux the VII is far too kind; zhe blackguard Tock should be executed, not simply banished from Avorenna!

- Toussaint Archambault, Dandy & Flâneur

On popular music in the Shattered Realm:

It's been only twain fortnight, but already my patrons in the taverns request that I sing of the Third Charge on Rockhelm, or “Tock's Folly” as they call it. The Ballad of Garson is particularly popular. Battling on, despite being abandoned by the craven Tock and the ominous appearance of his own tombstone? Truly material for epic verse. I heard the Draţians were so impressed by his ferocity and bravery, they buried him with full military honors.

- Yerriliss, Bard

On what might have happened:

Ye have to wonder, Devereaux has neigh on 5,000 infantry men, a few hundred knights, paladins, mages, an' so on, but he only sends ah tenth of his men to take Rock'elm? Where be the rest o' them soldiers? I'll tell yea. See, Devereaux figger'd he's take Rock'elm easy an' then the Draţian army'ld rush up an' siege the city themself. While they be up there distracted with that, the rest o' them Avorennian troops'ld surge in else wheres an' take Draţia easy like. Ol' Devereaux didna juss want that valley, he wanted all ah Draţia. Almost got it, too...

- Dashiell Nanckivell, Sellsword

Map of the valley

A brief campaign introduction

On the Shattered Realm:

"The cause differs in each poem I recite and in every ballad I croon. But, the truth is, no one really knows why the Old Empire collapsed. Hard to believe that some 500 years ago, all these squabbling empires, kingdoms, countries, and city-states were once united. Even harder to believe that the Old Empire lasted as long as it did. Say, as the topic seems to interest you, fetch me a mug of ale and I'll recite to you some of the better poems from the Old Empire's golden age..."

- Yerriliss, Bard


On your homeland, Avorenna, and it's ruler, roi Devereaux VII:

"Ahh, Avorenna! She is zhe jewel of these lands. No where else in zhe Shattered Realms will you find such a place. Zhe gorgeous country side, zhe magnifique cuisine, and zhe womens...ah, such womens. And Devereaux the VII? Such a grand country as Avorenna demands a grand roi! He rules with wisdom and kindness, and is loved by his people. Zhis is why zhe peoples of surrounding nations cast off their despots and embrace our great kingdom."

- Toussaint Archambault, Dandy & Flâneur


On your enemy, the Draţian Empire, and it's ruler, Imperator Thasalix:

"There is no doubt that Imperator Thasalix is a strongly authoritarian ruler, but looking at the state of the Draţian Empire under his rule would seem to justify his draconian measures. When Thasalix usurped rule from his uncle 15 years ago, the Empire nearly lay in ruins. Famine plagued the land, the royal senate was corrupt, and the military in shambles. With in three years of assuming power, Thasalix had reversed the situation completely. The empire has blossomed under Thasalix, only those who have opposed him have suffered."

- Ellahur, Scribe


On the war between your two nations:

"Aye, a dirty little war, any-which-way ya look at it. So Thasalix may be a tyrannic bastard? But, that land tis rightfully belongin' to Draţia. An', don't let that fool ye to thinkin' Devereaux is annexing that valley ta liberate them people. No, he's more interested in the 120,000-er-so acres of prime farming land. That lil valley tis a breadbasket that'll soon cause a bloodbath."

- Dashiell Nanckivell, Sellsword


On your powers:

"Simply put, it is a phenomenon that seems to exist entirely independent from the confines of magic and the gods. Affecting intelligent creatures at random, it bestows preternatural abilities, which vary from moderate to nearly godlike. It frequently also causes devastating changes on the body and mind, though some bear none of these handicaps. There has been some research arguing there is a genetic aspect, but most sages agree it appears to be something generated at random from the forces of chaos and entropy."

- Zersous, Sage