Duskruin/saved posts August 2024

Duskruin - August 2024 - Announcements, Teasers, and Saved Posts

Announcements

Announcement 1 - Intermediate Transmutes

Discord Message Link: Intermediate Transmutes!
Author: GN Tivvy
Date: 8/11/2024

Due to some confusion regarding the retirement of the slate of Intermediate Transmutes offered during the August 2023/February 2024 events, these services will be available in HESS during the August 2024 Duskruin. Please note that these transmutes should not be considered a permanent HESS offering and will be retired at the conclusion of the event.

This includes:

Intermediate Transmute to Obskruul

Intermediate Transmute Armor to Lesser Somnis

Intermediate Transmute to Ghezyte

Intermediate Transmute to Surita

Intermediate Transmute to Shadarl

Intermediate Transmute to Aganjira

Intermediate Transmute to Somnis

Intermediate Transmute to Vethinye

Intermediate Transmute to White Alloy

Intermediate Transmute to Adamantine

Intermediate Transmute to Zelnorn

Intermediate Transmute to Kroderine

Announcement 2 - Shop list

Discord Message Link: August 2024 - Shop List
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 8/15/2024

Please remember that the categories have the following meanings:

Reopen - This means that the shop is being reopened with no changes in designs or inventory

Refresh - This means that the shop is being opened with either new offering, changes in designs, or additions

Closed This Run - This means the shop was announced last run (in August) as having its last run and the offerings are no longer available in Bloodriven Village

Last Run - This means the shop is in its final run and that the offerings will not be available in August.

Forum Discussion on Shop List

Reopening w.o Inventory Changes	Refreshed	New	Closed This Run	Final Run Shops
Alchemical Attractions	None	Coalescence	Art of Lore, The	Best Foot Forward
Amalgamations		Demon Drop, The	Best Tressed, The	Bloodriven Bowery
At The Ready		Journalist, The	Blades of Glory	Broken Coin, the
Balance and Frenzy		Totemic Spirits	Eonak Arms	Curved Cuts
Be Still My Hops		With a Flourish	Librarium, The (Study, Sanctuary, Laboratory)	Dunh's Lab
Be Warez			Shadowed Light	Fireside Supplies
Best Foot Forward			Tiles of Chance	Knit One, Punch Two
Beyond Barriers				Shield Thyself
Blood Red Rose, The
Bloodbenders
Bloodriven Bowery
Bloody Lotus, The
Bolt From The Blue
Broken Coin, the
Bundle Up
Burning Twilight
Certifiable
Clockwerke Solutions
Currents and Safeguards
Curved Cuts
Daily Grind, The
Daily Grind, The, Accents
Deep Within Darkness
Diskovery
Dunh's Lab
Essencetials
Fairy Ring, The
Fatal Afflares
Fireside Supplies
First Rule, The
Gamac's Goods
Good In-Tent-ions
Heady Spirits
Herbal Huntsman, The
Hide and Fur Depot, The
I See You
Icy Disposition
In the Shadows of the Sparrow
Just for Kicks
Knifery, The
Knit One, Punch Two
Make Your Mark
Mar and Scar, the
Mind Your Manas
Modern Morph, The
Mystic Phrases
Ode To Resistance
On The Other Hand
Paranormal Pages
Pirate Looks at Four Teas, A
Preening Plover, The
Right to Flare Arms
Rock Solid
Scoria and Dross
Secretive Sips
Shield Thyself
Sigil Shop
Skayl Mix
Sparrow's Dance
Spellbound
Sprite Club
Stay Awhile and Glisten
Temple of Tentacles
Tome Raiders
Trapper's Shack
Twinkling Twilight
Twist of Briars, A
Untamed Spirit
Vaalin Rose, The
Volatile Storage
Wild Instinct
Yarrrpee Shoppe, The

[Duskruin] Delayed Openings

• The Journalist
• The Demon Drop
• Totemic Spirits

Please keep this in mind.

Announcement 3 - Last Run Shops

Last Run Shop Reminders: This is just your friendly end-of-event reminder that the following shops will not be open at the next run of Duskruin

Best Foot Forward - (Known for Best Foot Forward)

Bloodriven Bowery - (Known for Striking Point quiver and Fletching Supplies)

Broken Coin, the - (Known for Silver Saver)

Curved Cuts - (Known for Curved Cuts Chakram)

Dunh's Lab - (Known for Armament bane)

Fireside Supplies (Known for Collapsible Tripod)

Knit One, Punch Two - (Knitting needles, Yarn, dyes, Weapon Wrap Patterns and Trukt Patterns)

Shield Thyself - (Known for Shield Cape)

Announcement 4 - Gilded Locus

>analyze locus

You analyze the gilded locus and sense that the creator has provided the following information:

The gilded locus is a unique relic that is capable of granting vast enhancive power.  It is an arcane invention of a multidisciplinary scholarly collective that incorporates techniques of lapidary work and glasswork with complex magical infusion.  As an intricate, artistic construct that serves as a expansive repository for enhancive properties, any two loci are unlikely to be identical in either enhancive inscription or in form.

The crystalline structures of the gemstones used amplify and stabilize the enhancive magics woven into the locus, while the amorphous structure of the glass integrated into the design serves as a strategic buffer and arcane counterweight to the flows of magic throughout the construct.  The enhancive properties that any given locus supports are typically etched or applied in alchemical ink beneath the surface and sealed in glass.

The locus can receive up to 20 enhancive properties.

The locus is permanently attuned to Nyxus.  It can be TUCKed while worn in order to hide it from sight.  It has received 1 new properties and 1 property boosts since the last event reset.

The locus's enhancive properties can only be adjusted by its creator and cannot be recharged with enhancive potions.  The locus can be altered, but its noun must remain 'locus'.

The gilded locus may not be lightened.

>ask traveler about locus

The half-elf traveler flicks her hand outwards in an arcane gesture.  Your vision flickers as you experience a sudden understanding of your locus's current power.

This locus has the following enhancive power:

    It provides a boost of 1 to Max Mana.

    It provides a boost of 1 to Max Health.

    It provides a boost of 1 to Max Stamina.

    It provides a boost of 1 to Spiritual Lore - Blessings Bonus.

    It provides a boost of 2 to Spiritual Lore - Religion Bonus.

    It provides a boost of 2 to Spiritual Lore - Summoning Bonus.

    It is restricted to use by Nyxus.

The half-elf traveler says, "I can help you enhance your locus.  Just ASK me about ADDing or BOOSTing properties."

The locus is free off-the-shelf and comes with the following enhancive properties prior to any additions/boosts:

    It provides a boost of 1 to Max Mana.

    It provides a boost of 1 to Max Health.

    It provides a boost of 1 to Max Stamina.

It can be recharged with bounty points. It is worn in its own a unique slot. A character may only ever have one locus, and loci are attuned.

It is Character Attuned.

At each of Duskruin, Ebon Gate, and Rumor Woods, a locus can receive 2 new properties (up to 20 properties total) and properties can be boosted 5 times (up to +20 per property). The cost is scaling per event run, and resets before each new event run. The locus is character attuned to the character who received it, and cannot be transferred or re-attuned.

Announcement 4 - Create-a-Golem

Discord Message Link: Create-a-Golem
Author: GM Wyrom
Date: — 08/15/2024

Okay.  final run of 2024 run, for the pin!

This time around, there will be more parts to find, should you want any last minute switcharoos!  The artwork had some ideas of what you might see!  The golems will also have some more updates in the build state that does the same thing the MechSpinners have where a gnome can help you out on fixing up arms/legs.  There is also a bugged arm or leg out there that they can fix this way too, though if you have a bugged one, you shouldn't need a gnome.

You will be able to update your golem, but it does come at the expense of losing your old part.  Golems cannot be altered, but special parts may happen after this run.  So be sure to save some parts if you think you might want to do some tinkering at a later date.

September 1st you will be able to do the final step to your golem and bring it to life.  There will be a small quest once you have completed your golem to do this.  You won't need to buy anything more or purchase a second vault if you don't want to.  It will take place on the Duskruin grounds.

Once it's all set, your golem will be attuned to you and you can use it like other pets.  It will have some minor abilities, which I'll tease more, but it's mostly a pet.  If you have a fully bonded Quee potato, you can place him inside the engine compartment of your golem for a unique look to Quee and some extra special messaging.  Quee will also be easier to stay happy this way, as he really wanted Galahad to release.

I'll showcase more of the golem after the initial launch of Duskruin into next week.

And if you don't have Quee, there may just be a way to get one this Duskruin.

Teasers

Teaser 1 - Rage Armor (Combat Flourish)

Discord Message Link: Rage Armor
Author: GM Nyxus
Date: — 08/06/2024

Trails of fiery scarlet race across your etched platemail as rage ignites within you!

Trails of fiery scarlet race across your etched platemail as the rage within surges anew!

Details

• The rage armor script add-on is back and will be available at this Duskruin!
• Goes on your existing set of armor!
• Grants an AS (and UAF) bonus equal to damage taken from any creature’s strike/cast/maneuver! (Uncapped)
• Damage bonus is now stacking! (Stacking effect is capped at 50)
• Rewritten to support more forms of damage!
• Duration extended from 15 seconds to 30 seconds!
• Now includes new-and-improved Gyres (TM) Messaging!
• Now compatible with any armor, without taking the script slot or the subscript slot!

Disclaimer: Rage Armor adds 200 project difficulty to an item for the purposes of enchanting, grit, etc. (edited)

Are your enemies mistaking your rage for a warm hug? Do they see your fury as a friendly wave? Well, friends, it's time to turn your serenity into raw, unstoppable fury with the latest sensation in the world of Elanthia: RAGE ARMOR: NEW AND IMPROVED!

Yes, you heard correctly! Feeling too serene? Get hit and let the anger take over! Rage Armor turns every blow you suffer into a surge of red-hot rage, making you stronger, fiercer, and more terrifying than a kobold with a toothache!

Just imagine it, folks! You're in the midst of a brawl, your opponent lands a hit, and instead of whimpering away, you roar back with the might of a thousand berserkers! Rage Armor doesn't just protect you—it transforms your pain into power, your calm into chaos! It's the secret weapon for anyone who needs a bit more oomph in their oomph!

[Sped-Up Legal Disclaimer Voice]
Warning: Rage Armor may cause excessive fist shaking, over-the-top battle cries, and a sudden desire to smash things. Side effects include but are not limited to: increased heart rate, sudden war paint application, and an uncontrollable urge to clash, bash, and smash. Not recommended for pacifists, peacekeepers, or anyone who prefers tranquil tea times over big biceps. Ask your doctor before equipping Rage Armor. If rage lasts longer than four hours, consult a healer immediately.

So, what are you waiting for? Turn your calm into calamity with RAGE ARMOR: NEW AND IMPROVED! Available soon at Duskruin! Unleash your inner beast and let the fury fuel your fight!

Teaser 2 - Flare Gloves Teaser 1

Discord Message Link: Flare Gloves Teaser 1
Author: GM Naiken
Date: — 08/09/2024

⁠[Duskruin] Right to Flare Arms

PROD Toggle Greater Flares (off).

CLENCH Toggle XXXXXX (on).

TOUCH Toggle XXXXXX (on).

Teaser 3 - Flare Gloves Teaser 2

Discord Message Link: Flare Gloves Teaser 2
Author: GM Naiken
Date: — 08/09/2024

The shop will offer one pair of UCS gloves and one pair of non-UCS gloves.

The UCS version works exactly the same (bestow flares to held weapons) but has an ability to set its inherent flare (excludes Acuity and Mana).

New certificates:

These boost Mana flares on FlareGloves by +1 (maximum +5). The flare must already exist.

These boost Acuity flares on FlareGloves by +5 (maximum +50). The flare must already exist.

These boost Dispel flares on FlareGloves by +1 (maximum +3). The flare must already exist.

Teaser 4 - Flare Gloves Teaser 3

Discord Message Link: Flare Gloves Teaser 3
Author: GM Naiken
Date: — 08/10/2024

You swing a rolaren twohanded sword at a triton combatant!
 AS: +399 vs DS: +250 with AvD: +29 + d100 roll: +81 = +259
  ... and hit for 54 points of damage!
  Smooth slash to the triton combatant's hip!
  Nice crunching sound.
You feel drained.

** Your twohanded sword releases a spray of acid! **
  ... 20 points of damage!
  Bad burn chars the skin.  Weakened abdomen bulges ominously!
You feel drained.

** Your left centaur hide gauntlet releases a shimmering beam of disintegration! **
  ... 12 points of damage!
  Flesh removed, forming a long gash across abdomen!
Roundtime: 4 sec.

Teaser 5 - Flare Gloves Teaser 4

Discord Message Link: Flare Gloves Teaser 4
Author: GM Naiken
Date: — 08/11/2024

You swing an obskruul falchion at a triton combatant!
 AS: +394 vs DS: +258 with AvD: +26 + d100 roll: +2 = +164
  ... and hit for 16 points of damage!
  Stomach shot lands with a hollow *thump*.
You feel drained.

** Your obskruul falchion emits a searing bolt of lightning! **
  ... 5 points of damage!
  Light shock to left arm.  That stings!
Roundtime: 4 sec.

Teaser 6 - Flare Gloves Teaser 5

Discord Message Link: Flare Gloves Teaser 5
Author: GM Naiken
Date: — 08/11/2024

Both UCS and non-UCS gloves will be offered. The main difference with the UCS version is it has an ability to switch its inherent flare to any unlocked flare (except Acuity and Mana).

New Unlocks

+5 Acuity booster (+50 max)

+1 Dispel booster (+3 max)

+1 Mana booster (+5 max)

New Addons

Two-Handed - Empty offhand has a 50% chance of flaring after a two-handed melee flare.)

Flare Override - Allows use with weapons that possess an inherent flare (+5 mana in addition to normal stamina cost).

New Verbs

Toggle GEF

Toggle Two-Handed

Toggle Flare Override

(UCS) Set/clear inherent flare

HESS will offer a service for converting your non-UCS Flare Gloves to UCS.

(Costs of new shop items and HESS service to be announced/provided later.)

Teaser 7 - Animalistic Totems

Discord Message Link: Animalistic Totems
Author: GM Avaluka
Date: — 08/13/2024

Debuting this Duskruin at the shop "Totemic Spirits" is a new item - Animalistic Totems. While they are capable of interfacing with the Animalistic Spirit items and hold some of the same flavor, you do not need to own Animalistic Spirit items to use a totem. They have both fluff capabilities and a passive combat benefit that can be unlocked.

Teaser 8 - Twisted Armor

Discord Message Link: Twisted Armor
Author: GM Marstreforn
Date: — 08/05/2024

You analyze the snakeskin bodysuit and sense that the creator has provided the following information:

  * Twisted Armor - Acid Edition *

    Available Actions
  * BOW
  * CLENCH
  * RUB
  * TILT
  * WEAR | REMOVE

Merchants that are skilled with this type of armor may customize the following:

  * Glow (color):   "green"
  * Core (article): "a glyph-etched"
  * Core (noun):    "crystal"
  * Effect:         "virescent" (fumes)
 ** Flares:         "a twisted, prismatic spray of acid" (not unlocked)

Combat Unlocks:

    - Unlocks increase the potential of abilities gained from previously unlocked tiers.
 ** Twisted Retaliation (PROD): NOT UNLOCKED
    - Chance for a reactive maneuver flare (acid) when struck by, or evading, an attack or bolt.
    - Toggle ON/OFF with PROD.  Removing the armor will toggle flares OFF.
    - Will only flare this way while in an aggressive stance.
*** Twisted Augmentations     : NOT UNLOCKED
    - Chance for a bonus to defense against hostile warding spells.
    - Chance for a penalty to maneuver abilities used against you.
    - Will only activate while in an aggressive stance.

• • • • Twisted Synergy (TOUCH): NOT UNLOCKED

    - Bonus to flare chance of your Twisted Armor, Twisted Shield, and Twisted Weapon abilities.
    - Removing the armor will immediately end the bonus granted by Twisted Synergy.
    - Twisted Synergy lasts for 30 seconds and has a 5 minute cooldown.

Twisted Retaliation must be unlocked to enable the Flares customization.

OTS stats: +20 with standard acid flares (category B), and the included fluff actions/customizations.

T2: Twisted Retaliation uses an SMR check for its flare (Category D) to hit, dealing acid damage when it does. This can occur when you evade an attack/bolt, or when hit by such an attack. When hit, this ability can resolve in addition to the standard acid (Category B).

T3: Twisted Augmentations provides a chance to gain +5 TD against hostile warding spells (does not work against unique creature abilities), and also has a chance to penalize maneuvers used against the wearer by 5.

Additionally, Twisted Retaliation gains a bonus to its SMR check to hit.

T4: Twisted Synergy is activated by using TOUCH on the armor while wearing it, and will immediately end if the armor is removed. This increases the flare rate of Category D abilities on the armor itself, and any unlocked

Twisted Weapons or a Twisted Shield you are wielding. Twisted Augmentations instead adds +10 to TD and penalizes maneuvers by 10. Additionally, Twisted Retaliation gains a more significant bonus to its SMR check to hit. (edited)

T2 special feature:

Also, adds a line below the wearer's inventory when you LOOK at them. This can be toggled ON or OFF with TURN.

A wavering haze of virescent fumes surrounds XXXXX's feet, clinging to the ground beside her.

Teaser 9 - Combat Flourishes

Discord Message Link: Combat Flourishes (aka Mechanical Flourishes)
Author: GM Ethereal, GM Nyxus, GM Vanah
Date: — 08/10/2024

Combat Flourishes (aka Mechanical Flourishes) Flourishes, added in February 2024, are a new way of adding multiple scripts to your favorite items! Historically, items have been limited to two scripts: a main script and a subscript. Flourishes, on the other hand, support many scripts on a single item! Combat flourishes are flourishes that provide a mechanical edge. Rage armor, lore flares, and flare affinity are all set to be released as combat flourishes at August 2024's Duskruin. Players may add multiple combat flourishes to an item, swapping the active combat flourish as needed. There may even be rare opportunities to enable multiple active slots. This is just the beginning! A lot of work has gone into building the foundation of the flourish system, and we anticipate offering many more scripts as flourishes in the future!

Teaser 10 - Xojium Robe Update and FauXojium Robe Flourish

Discord Message Link: Xojium Robe Update and FauXojium Robe Flourish
Author: GM Vanah
Date: — 08/13/2024

Xojium robes have gotten a small update.

Previously, the noun had to remain robe or robes. We are opening this up and also allowing burnoose, cape, cloak, greatcloak, kimono, longcloak, or shroud as applicable nouns.

The GAZE verb messaging has been replaced. It was previously you being mezmorized by the weave of your robe. It now lets you adjust the folds of your robes as you gaze (in an optional style) (around the room/area or at an optional target).

All of the verb traps have been filled in on the wiki table: https://gswiki.play.net/Xojium#Robes

Further, we are debuting the FauXojium Robe Flourish at Duskruin. The PULL and PUSH function of the original Xojium robes will not be available, nor will their feature altering ability. Flourishes cannot alter features. The FauXojium robes will have all of the 18 other verb options as if it were fully unlocked (less PULL and PUSH). You will not be able to convert existing Xojium Robes to a Flourish.

The item has Flourishes that do the following:

 These are FauXojium Robes.  You could do the following to your robes:
   CLENCH  FOLD  GAZE   PINCH  PUNISH
   RAISE   RUB   SHAKE  SPIN   TOUCH
   TWITCH  LIE   KNEEL  TURN   SIT
   REMOVE  WEAR  STAND

Alteration Restrictions: The item must remain fabric, and the noun must remain one of the following:

robe, robes, burnoose, cape, cloak, greatcloak, kimono, longcloak, or shroud.

FauXojium

Teaser 11 - With a Flourish

Discord Message Link: With a Flourish
Author: GM Vanah
Date: — 08/14/2024

Opening in Bloodriven Village in August 2024 is a shop named With a Flourish, which will sell certificates allowing you to add fluff-only verb traps to a variety of your own items. Flourishes are add-on scripts that can be applied to items in addition to scripts and subscripts. Cost of each certificate is based on the number of verb traps unlocked, If the script or multiple flourishes trap the same verb, the script will operate first, then flourish priority as shown and changed with the FLOURISH verb.

Ingrained Quality Shield

Available for: Wooden shield

Verb traps: COVER, PEER, PUSH, RAISE, TOUCH

Ingrained Quality Bow

Available for: Wooden bow or crossbow

Verb traps: GLANCE, LACE, POKE, POINT, PULL, PUSH, RUB, TOSS

Cost: 1,000 bloodscrip

Archer's Flair

Available for: bow or crossbow

Verb traps: LEAN, POINT, PULL, RUB

Cost: 500 bloodscrip

Ingrained Quality Runestaff

Available for: Wooden runestaves

Verb traps: GRIP, HUG, LEAN, POINT, SPIN

Cost: 750 bloodscrip

FauXojium Stave

Available for: runestaves

Verb traps: ATTEND, BOW, CLENCH, FLIP, LEAN, NUDGE, PINCH, POINT, POKE, PULL, PUSH, RAISE, RUB, SPIN, STAND, TAP, TILT, TOUCH, TRIP, TURN, WAVE

Cost: 2,500 bloodscrip

FauXojium Robe

Available for: robe, robes, burnoose, cape, cloak, greatcloak, kimono, longcloak, or shroud.

Verb traps: CLENCH, FOLD, GAZE, PINCH, PUNISH, RAISE, RUB, SHAKE, SPIN, TOUCH, TURN, TWITCH, LIE, KNEEL, SIT, STAND, WEAR, REMOVE

Cost: 2,500 bloodscrip

Battle Armor

Available for: leather or metal armor

Verb traps: WEAR, REMOVE, PULL, TAP, SLAP, PUNCH

Cost: 750 bloodscrip

Heavy Handed Sword

Available for: Claidhmore or Twohanded Sword

Verb traps: CLENCH, LEAN, PULL, PUSH, WAVE

Cost: 750 bloodscrip

Into Battle Axe

Available for: Handaxe or Battle Axe

Verb traps: CLENCH, PUSH, RAISE, RUB, WAVE

Cost: 750 bloodscrip

Stance Dancing Weapon

Available for: Weapons

Verb traps: TAP, RUB,, WAVE

Cost: 500 bloodscrip

Thousand Cuts

Available for: Weapons

Verb traps: BOW, COVER, DIP, PUSH, RAISE, THUMP, TURN, TWIST, WAVE

Cost: 1,000 bloodscrip

Sparks Fly

Available for: runestaff, wand, rod, baton, or scepter

Verb traps: BOUNCE, POSE, SHAKE, THUMP

Cost: 500 bloodscrip

Shaman's Rattle

Available for: runestaff, wand, rod, scepter, baton, rattle, idol, or totem

Verb traps: CHANT, GLANCE, SHAKE, RAISE

Cost: 500 bloodscrip

Unlike full Xojium Robes, FauXojium robes do not have the PUSH/PULL trap or feature altering abilities. Unlike the Thousand Cuts in the script slot, the Flourish does not have the skill requirement for TWC ranks, so you will receive all of the verb traps, and not just fumbling around with your weapons.

Teaser 12 - The Ranger and the Demonspawn

Discord Message Link: The Ranger and the Demonspawn
Author: GM Ethereal
Date: — 08/15/2024

Lumnea 15, 5093.

The lone ranger patrolled a wall that vanished into the horizon, its stone spine stretching endlessly in both directions. The days of stalking the forest for rare fauna and flora had long since faded into memory. Home was now a distant, dim echo, a comforting warmth replaced by the cold reality of her duty. Ba'Lathon. The Wizardwaste. Known by many names, to her, it signified one thing: monotony. Five miles northeast, ten miles southwest, five miles northeast again. Tomorrow would be just as today - an endless march through sameness, a dull echo of yesterday.

As the sun reached its zenith, she turned toward her outpost five miles away. Her thoughts wandered to simpler matters: food, water, and sleep. But those thoughts were abruptly banished when she felt it - a low, guttural growl at the edge of her hearing, quickly escalating into a shriek as stone crumbled underhoof. Perhaps, like her, it too was hungry.

Without hesitation, she drew her weapon—a radiant short sword, forged for this very moment. Her training, honed through years of discipline, coupled with a surge of adrenaline, steadied her hand and quickened her pulse. The seconds stretched into eternity as they engaged in a deadly dance, a brutal choreography of steel and fury.

It was over in a heartbeat. Her sword clattered to the ground behind the demonspawn, and she knew what would come next. She steeled herself, fixing her gaze on the creature, daring it to finish what it had started. It lunged, a blur of claws and fangs. As teeth and talons pierced armor and flesh, she shut her eyes and let her thoughts drift to home one last time.

When she opened them again, all that remained was a sizzling circle on the ground and her sword. She screamed.

Jastatos 8th, 5113.

The lone ranger patrolled a wall that vanished into the horizon, its stone spine stretching endlessly in both directions. The days of stalking the forest for rare fauna and flora had long since faded into memory. Home was now a distant, dim echo, a comforting warmth replaced by the cold reality of his duty. Ba'Lathon. The Wizardwaste. Known by many names, to him, it signified one thing: monotony. Five miles northeast, ten miles southwest, five miles northeast again. Tomorrow would be just as today - an endless march through sameness, a dull echo of yesterday.

As the sun reached its zenith, he turned toward his outpost five miles away. His thoughts wandered to simpler matters: food, water, and sleep. But those thoughts were abruptly banished when he felt it - a low, deep thrum at the edge of his hearing, quickly escalating into a shriek as stone trembled and the ground shook.

Without hesitation, he drew his weapon—a radiant short sword, forged for this very moment. His training, honed through years of discipline, coupled with a surge of adrenaline, steadied his hand and quickened his pulse. The charred meat splattered into the center of a sizzling circle that had suddenly appeared on the ground. Huh. He sheathed his sword and continued back to his outpost. What an odd day.