Devastation of Barakek
In the 212th year of the Fifth Era, Barakek became the site of Vlox’s first real attempt to bolster his forces in the modern day. Once a city of worship and military training, it had long been controlled by the ogre clans of the Vargen Swamplands after the Merkaynian Enclave lost their hold centuries prior. The ogres, however, had destroyed themselves in a brutal territorial conflict, leaving the city vacant just as a new crisis unfolded—the reawakening of the dragons.
The return of these ancient beasts threw the world into chaos, and with it came the reappearance of the Kingfishers, an order of dragon-hunting monks from the Firefang Jags long thought extinct. With their legendary skill, they gained the favour of commoners, promising safety to those displaced by the dragons. Under the leadership of Incinerin the Phoenix, the Kingfishers gathered thousands of refugees and led them to Barakek, offering the city as a new home. What seemed an act of salvation was, in truth, a ploy orchestrated by Incinerin, who had sworn himself to Vlox, the God of Corruption.
Upon their arrival, the people of Barakek were presented with gifts—Phoenix eggs, symbols of rebirth. Yet these were no ordinary eggs; they were vessels of Vlox’s green flame, a profane fire that would consume and twist the souls of all who were caught in its path. Incinerin’s true plan was revealed: thousands would be sacrificed, their bodies reshaped into the undead horde of his dark god.
Opposition arose from two unlikely allies: the Shatterbrand, a band of mercenaries who had recently gained fame helping orevent the Second Pacuran Civil War, and the Merkaynian Enclave, who sought to reclaim their lost stronghold and stop the corruption from taking hold. Their God Merkayne worked in direct opposition to Vlox. Together, they uncovered the treachery and launched a desperate battle to stop the ritual before the city was consumed.
As chaos engulfed Barakek, Incinerin’s most trusted lieutenants fought to ensure his victory:
Eastking Addikus Windslayer, a fearsome warrior, fell in combat against the Shatterbrand.
Christopher Knackle, a gnome hunter and former Shatterbrand member who had abandoned them, was also slain by his former allies.
Autumn Moon Princess Iris of the Cutleaf Elves, a hostage of the Kingfishers, was rescued by her friend Yuri, a new recruit of the Shatterbrand.
Eelisma, Avatar of Sootha, the Sea Goddess, sought to usurp her sister’s throne as the Sky Goddess, but her ambitions crumbled alongside the city.
In the final moments, Incinerin was confronted and defeated, his corrupted flame snuffed out. However, the Phoenix eggs had already been unleashed. A devastating explosion of green fire engulfed the city, reducing it to ruin. The Shatterbrand and the Merkaynians had saved many, smuggling them out through hidden passages before the fire consumed everything, but Barakek itself was lost.
Now known as the Sealed City, its ruins remain warded, cursed by the lingering corruption of Vlox. Few dare to tread its scorched streets, where whispers of the fallen Kingfishers still echo through the hollowed stones. After the battle was over and many fled far from Barakek, a massive green firevloud erupted from the rubble, a sign of Vlox choosing his next avatar and the undead Phoenix rising again.