A time of peace and the second invasion

Military action

For over two years, the world seems to find peace. Then, the armies of Va'Laeth return.

After everything the inhabitants of Ashandri had to endure, it seemed like they could finally focus on creating a new home for themselves. Of course, there were still disputes, conflicts and even some wars, but nothing that endangered the entire world.   Many lives had been lost - again -, and entire cities wiped out, but the Ashandrians just kept rebuilding. Marisha Veilbreaker began travelling the world she had created, seeking new alliances and planting seeds of hope wherever she could.   Still, there were rumours… secret agents of Va’Laeth, the Perishing appearing in some dark, faraway lands at the edge of Ashandri, and even whispers about the dragon gods reappearing. Most of these stories were probably little more than the fabrications of hyper-vigilant minds. Some, though, were founded in reality.   When the armies of Va’Laeth retreated, they left some of their own in Ashandri. Most were agents, with missions to spy, sabotage or even act as assassins. A few deliberately deserted the Laethian army. Seeking to escape their cruel home, they figured life in Ashandri would be better for them, even if they had to hide their identities.   For over two years, it seemed like the new world-island could finally find some peace. Then, all hell broke loose again as the legions of Va’Laeth returned.   Marisha Veilbreaker and her allies were far better prepared this time, but so were Cirandir and his generals. The second invasion was not just brute force. The Laethian armies knew exactly where to strike, and they even had double agents in the forces of Ashandri.   The invaders quickly moved past the Void Fortress, heading for Varua, to the area now known as the Crevice - where Marisha had imprisoned the Laeth-Beasts. Only a few legions were sent into Delvaroth to keep the local military occupied.   Before the Laethian armies could be stopped, Cirandir managed to free four of the captured monsters, and teleported them to different places all over Ashandri: Shamrua, Carivar, the Forgotten Lands and the Bleeding Jungles. Two of the creatures were slain later, but the ones in the Forgotten Lands and in the Bleeding Jungles have not been found yet - at least not by anyone who lived to tell the tale.   But it seems like freeing the beasts was only part of the plan. Cirandir personally led a small group of soldiers to the city of Whiteguard, and rumours say he stole an important artifact from there. After that, most of the Laethian forces retreated again. Only the ones that had been sent into Delvaroth fought to the last soldier.   Three weeks after the invasion began, it was already over again. But it was clear now that peace would never be an option with Va’Laeth, and the next invasion was only a matter of time. Most people are also worried about the artifact that Cirandir stole. Even Marisha claims she doesn't know what it was, and the tiefling paragon left no survivors in the ancient ice fortress from which he stole the item.   Now, at the dawn of the fifth year of Ashandri’s creation, its inhabitants still struggle to find peace - especially in war-ridden Delvaroth. Marisha rarely travels the lands anymore, focussing on patrolling the world-chain and the lands surrounding her Void Fortress.   Whether the future of Ashandri is bright, or darkness lies ahead, is still undecided. The fate of the world-isle will be shaped by those individuals willing to fight for what they believe in...