Akamon

Well, at least this time we went visiting the Lions expecting trouble! And in the most welcome company of her majesty, Queen Morrigan, and Laird Obidask, no less. Nine of us ventured out to visit our friends and allies, to build on the bonds forged in the heat of Helenica. And the Bears armoury equipped us well for the task at hand - for find trouble we did indeed!

The Lions were gathered upon the Isle of Akamon, governed by (the amazing) Vincenzo Sangrado **, the man with the silver smile. There they would hold a brief Parliament before setting forth to combat the rising Breed menace that plagued the island.

Breed - filthy constructs, corrupt abhorations of beastkin, formed by their evil master - Sengool - and now rising anew following his destruction. We swiftly discovered that there was something of import that they sought for on the Isle, and that we must claim it instead. But what this item was, where it could be found, even what it looked like - all these remained a mystery.

I unfortunately missed much of the Parliament, as I found myself keeping a young lady friend company on guard duty, where the camaraderie kept us warm through the chill sea winds. [Not to mention the heavy rain and the all-enveloping mud!] However, politics were discussed, Laird Obidask issued our hosts with gifts who in return welcomed us most heartily, and some internal matters were settled. Then, I believe, Crown Prince Hengist collapsed in pain and torment - later revealing he had had a disturbing vision and knew now that Avalon was lost to them for good - now but a memory.

However, I personally believe that, as long as Avalon remains within the hearts of those that knew her and dwelt there, she will never be entirely lost to them and us.

It would appear that this is the first of many such blows that Existence has in store for us as the world is reshaped anew. The Lions ritual circles were in a state of flux and upheaval, and several now have disappeared for good - threatening to leave the Isles unbalanced and the Sirenni in dismay. Finally, the fey realm of Orst seems to be merging with Lantia in a strange cross over - as the two lands become one. What this new development will mean for our friends and allies remains to be seen, but there is a danger that they will be pulled unwillingly into yet another civil war [against these slavers!].

We discovered, through a rogue Breed keen to defect, that the local Breed - originally unable to do so - had been reproducing at an alarming rate; for sure, if we got drawn into a battle of attrition on the Isle, it was one we'd likely lose. And the Breed, when they got wind of our camp, did indeed plague us considerably - and harassed all our movements, especially in the dark. Mighty Bear-Breed ripped through our ranks, strong and powerful, fearsome and armed with terrible crushing claws - yet we met them head on, matching claw with steel and strength with faith; packs of opportunistic Wolf-Breed hunted long in the night, howling and calling; strange Shark-Breed, whose blows found the weak points in any armour, were a constant trial; swift and deadly Tiger-Breed stalked and hunted the unwary; and cunning Snake-Breed charmed and enthralled the careless and unwary, though fortunately I saw no evidence of the rumoured poisons they employed.

The Lions were organised and effective in their battle, with teams equipped to deal with the more dangerous foes while the weaker Breed were held at bay. I formed up oft with battle-Incantors, steeled by our collective faith and Lions magic against the fear of our foes - and likewise the mages were so empowered. Her Majesty, always in the forefront against any formidable foe, won Lion hearts with her insurmountable prowess and charm, cleaving all and sundry who threatened us - and driving forth to rescue those who fell behind the lines (myself included, for which you have my thanks, my Queen). Ma and the MASH book also furthered our cause, and her tireless work saved many a life and limb. The Lions were quick and ready, always, to echo their fervent appreciation for the Bears and their efforts. Finally, the Prince Bishop's Men - bolstered by new recruits and captained by the newly promoted Knight Captain Tirell 'Satoon Slayer' Dreamstruck - reformed a solid shield wall anvil upon which the enemy endlessly broke.

It was not all toil and blood, however, as the Friday eve also saw the happy marriage and union of two dear friends of mine - Lady Adara Darkendale and (also newly promoted) Knight Defender Meggido Stone of the Prince Bishop's Men. It was my honour and privilege to give the lovely lady away, and to speak on her behalf, and I wish them every enduring happiness. There was also plenty of banter and song about the campfire for those not on duty, time for remembering fallen friends and cementing new friendships - and for spending quality time with family both new and old.

We rescued a number of captured villagers from the Breed's clutches, rescuing a village (and it's tavern!) and its mayor; we also rescued a fine and friendly young Lady, of the DuPre family, who is keen for a young and sprightly husband to whisk her away from the terrors of the Isle. I suspect she will be visiting Hearth and Home if the opportunity arises if any would-be suitors would like to meet her! The rescued mayor soon found himself in hot water, and very isolated, as it became known that he had collaborated with the Breed - the truth of which I leave to Lions Justice to investigate.

A small group of Incantors, myself included, also ventured forth to Holy Isle (as if we didn't have enough foes!) to destroy some Wights that had been reported there - led ably by their impressively competent High Incantor. We had been told there were 4... having destroyed twice that we were forced to withdraw, leaving the original expected number behind us for another time. Still, that's a victory by anyone's standards - and I'm always happy to remove such abominations from the land.

Finally we learned enough to find and claim the item - an obelisk of power the Breed wished to claim for their own nefarious purposes. We were too late to claim it first, so we marched out to give battle against overwhelming odds to secure the obelisk and carry it out to safety. We forced our way to the item and formed up in a desperate circle as wave upon wave of frothing and cunning creatures assailed us, leaving fewer and fewer of us on our feet to stem the tide with each attack. Yet with heroics uncountable and feats of healing we weathered the storm, with only a few sad casualties - despite how bleak it looked at times. And then we fought an increasingly desperate battle to shift the item to the transport circle and home to safety. The island was swarming with Breed by this point as their leader called all his minions to him.

As we pushed on and on with the obelisk, our sole priority, our party became less and less - a group remaining behind to draw off our foes and tend the wounded. I found myself frequently at the front line, buoyed by the blessings of Laird Obidask and the Ancestors, fighting for my very life against many foes. After one such encounter, I awoke to find myself carried by none less than the Crown Prince himself as he tended to my wounds, wielding my own sword for me with skill and honour.

Eventually, the scattered remnants arrived at the circle to see it held against us by a terrible foe and his minions - holding one of the Lions, a lovely lass who I sadly will never now get to know, hostage. Suffice to say we stormed the circle, after much deliberation, but the brave Lady was torn apart before we could save her - yet the obelisk made it to safety. Yet not before another hostage situation, as Breed appeared in number behind us as well - threatening to slay the wounded behind their lines and their prisoners (including the Knight General!). However, these were dispatched more easily and without further loss of life.

Once the obelisk was safely away, we returned to link up again with those we had left behind, and again fought a retreat to the circle and safety - the beasts enfuried by our success. Eventually, Longmane himself - their leader - emerged and eventually agreed to let us and our fallen off the island if we agreed to withdraw immediately and leave him to 'his' island. Having achieved what we had come for, and having seen the numbers arrayed against us, we took the offer - sure from inside information that his interest in that place had also ended.

And so we departed to Fort Hatfield, to lay the fallen to rest and tend the many, many wounded under her Grace Lady Ivory's hospitality. And then, finally, we were able to return home. Lady be praised that no Bears were lost in the many frantic and scattered fights of the campaign, as we pulled together, fought together and bled together.

Raise a tankard to the fallen:
Rob Anything
Varia Talthor
Merilwen (known as Blue)
Jacob Schwartz
Sarah Darkendale
Captain Bragg

** Editoral note - Vincenzo Sangrado is in fact Governor of Archon

 

All Works are © Original Author

(OC Author - Paul Martin)