A message is sent to the rules of all lands from Valindor. "The honorable warriors of Vailin do not start wars. Let those who attack us be warned. We will seek quick retribution against only those who attack us!" In the west, Vailin's allies reinforce their lands defensively, wary of the recent predations of the neighboring city states.
In the Sea of Ghosts, Admiral Swordhand enforces the blockade against intrusion from the north. His landing parties depleted in the earlier assault on the Crimson Ramparts, he awaits reinforcement from the rear of the fleet, as the brave marines of Zembar die fighting the undead hordes. As the blockade wears on, the Sea of Ghosts takes it toll, as some men grow despondent and throw themselves into the fog that swirls around them assuming shapes both lovely and terrifying. Still, the brave sailors of Zembar hold the line patiently as the bulk of their force arrives.
The storm elemental moves to the front of the fleet and heading ashore where it pins down the skeleton legion from Zannad, deflecting their arrows away from the advancing Vailin forces rallied from the Great Wildwood and beyond. Two metallic dragons swoop down onto the towers crushing all the undead there beneath their mighty talons and blackening their bones with fire till they crack and break. A squad of treants advances from the woods, battering down the now nearly useless ragged red gates. The treant and dragons laboriously destroy all of the undead without casualties, but there is little celebration as they learn that their dead are not among the bodies in the fortress. They turn their gaze to the north, where the Karkothi breath new life into the bodies, sending them forth again to reclaim their old homelands for their dark masters.
When war arrived the Summer tournament at Vailindor was at it's peak. With heroes from across the lands demonstrating feats of might and magic. The wise rulers of Valindor selected the two strongest from the games, one sorcerer and one swordsman to root out the silent lumbering evil that had settled into the lands of Cernal. The brave heroes set out with their retinue, squires and apprentices as well as several other braves volunteers who wished to see them in action again after the games. As they entered the beautiful lands of Cernal, they were immediately struck by the silence of the place. Birds and other beings had fled. Folk were missing from homes, some with a trace of struggle or bloodshed, but no remains to be found.
After a few days many of the merry makers left to head back to Valindor as the rest of the party moved further inward. Those who left early made it home safely, but those who accompanied them further inward told tales of their comrades snatched in the night by a silent, shadowless enemy that left no trace save the screams of their victims. At last all that remained in the party were the two champions, all others fled or missing, and since entering a golden vale shoulder to shoulder they were never seen or heard from again. None speak their names now, for fear they may return as Karkothi wraiths in the black of night.
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