Chronicle of Ember and Shadow
In the kingdom of Caithe, dark omens and ancient prophecies converge. Lord Alden Hale, the Lord Protector of Highspire Keep, oversees uneasy alliances among tribal warriors, desert mystics, and nobles like Prince Tarles of the western lands. Lady Sabrine Hale, Alden’s daughter, emerges as a strategic mind, driving preparations for a looming war against monstrous creatures rumored to be awakening.
A mysterious scout named Corin—favoring stealth over open conflict—ventures into abandoned dwarven tunnels at Sabrine’s request. There, he discovers a creeping, living corruption and warped abominations. His only salvation comes from a runic rod that unexpectedly resonates with powers of ancient dwarven craftsmanship. The rod’s magic hints at a hidden lineage or “worthiness,” sparking Corin’s personal awakening as he battles the horrors beneath the mountains.
As abominations multiply, border villages are destroyed, and refugees flood into Highspire. Tensions rise among allied leaders, each with ambitions and conflicting strategies, while forced unity grows through necessity. Prince Tarles brings soldiers and arcane relics like the Ember Shard, spurring both hope and suspicion. Meanwhile, Warchief Ganhar’s tribal warriors struggle to uphold their honor against creatures they barely understand.
In this charged atmosphere, Lord Alden announces the formation of a Grand Coalition that will gather at the fortress of Graywatch to strike at the advancing darkness. Diplomats, warriors, and mages unite, yet mistrust lingers beneath the surface. Lady Sabrine studies dwarven lore, suspecting that dwarven forging magic holds the key to countering the corruption. Wielding his newly awakened rod, Corin returns from the caverns with warnings that a vile intelligence may orchestrate the hordes lurking in the depths.
Now, with winter’s snows falling hard, armies prepare to march east, alliances teetering between hope and collapse. Fate looms over every choice, and an ancient conflict threatens to spill across the world.