>>Somewhere in the shadow of the Arncharn and Journelai, alongside the Biiskbowr River…

Screams echo as heavily armored troops charge from the woods towards a small village nestled in a bend of the river. As several villages stream out the far side of the village, a few slender shafts flick from between buildings, finding home in gaps amongst the invaders armor. With sudden ferocity, several figures charge from the buildings, magic flaring from fingers and weapons held high.

The two groups clash and battle ensues with the defenders falling after felling several of their foes. Continuing into the village, the troops proceed to silence the remaining defenders and torch everything in sight. Several soldiers gather in the center of the village where they raise a pole and fly a black banner with a prominent red vulture in the center of it. Writing around the edge reads, “Such is the fate of those who oppose the Truth of the Inquisition.”

A figure wearing more ornate robes than the rest steps forward and gestures, harshly declaring, “Burn the bodies” before turning to stand before the flag, a grim smile visible through his dark beard. As the other groups finish their tasks they gather behind the leader. He then strides to their own wounded, where he proceeds to break their fingers with a hammer before slowly crushing their throats under his heel. “Such is the fate of the weak. Burn their stinking corpses as well.”

Re-gathering the soldiers, they then march in the direction taken by the fleeing villagers, the ashes from the village rising in their path.