Wicked Pass
The Wicked Pass is a trecherous mountain pass in the Fauche Duchy. The pass is famous for being incredibly dangerous, and a frequent source of attacks from Giants and Ogre tribes. The pass leads into the deeper parts of the Grolantro Woods and Tolhera's Spine, and has been home to many enemies of the Empire since the days of the The Holy Crusade. In recent years, it has been the battleground for the Battle at Wicked pass, which is part of the story of Emperor Manfred III. For the full story, visit his article.
There, Manfred quickly took over leadership, and organized the army and militia that he would take with him to defeat the oncoming horde, and carve out its heart before it managed to push into imperial land. As mercenaries and glory-seekers flocked to his banner, Manfred led many raids through the Wicked Pass, and many other smaller groups that wanted to make a name for themselves charged soon after, hunting fame and fortune. More details can be found in the story, Shadows of the Wicked Past. In those short months, Manfred would be titled by the local rulers as Taurus Hunter, and Scourge of Beasts.
In one of the later raids, Manfred aimed to take off the head of the snake, and end the war decisively, as political matters were urging him to return to Exelnar. Accompanied by his Royal Guard, and retinue of mercenaries and adventurers, backed up by volunteer militia, Manfred charged into the Pass itself, ignoring the maze-like tunnels, and heading straight for the lair of the beast which led the horde. On the edge of the Wicked Pass they found the large cavern that housed the vile thing, and cutting through any opposition pushed their way there. Standing atop a mountain of skulls and scrap, Manfred stared hatefully towards the armored minotaur monstrosity, which all those years ago had claimed his brother.
Charging headlong, the creature was at first confident, but nothing could resist the Emperors fury, he had banished this creature once before, and he would do so again, forever this time. The Blade of Bratuul sliced through the air, and impacted on the creature with the force of lightning, every strike denting and carving through armor. Manfred charged in for a final blow, but as the creature's head was about to roll on the floor, he felt a sharp pain in his side, and looked only to find an all too familiar dagger, held by a shadow-formed hand, which emerged from the wall. Mirrorring his brother's fall, Manfred saw himself dying there, never to be found, and allowing the Empire to return to its status quo before him, being only a tiny wave in an enormous pond. He could not allow it.
Manfred's vision darkened, but his resolve remained as steel, and in that last moment he pushed through and took the head of the beast that was now confidently advancing towards him. And that was the end of Manfred III Lionel, Emperor and Chosen of All Gods. But he would not allow it. He refused, and whoever it was that killed his brother, and now him, they would pay. Suddenly, he felt his strength return to him, and his weakened arms regained their power. Immediately Manfred reached for the now retreating shadow-hand. He would find who was responsible and bring them to divine justice. He felt around his neck a fiery warmth, that filled him with vigor, and looked to see the legendary Heart of Light around his neck.
Pulling with all his strength, Manfred forced the creature out of the shadowy portal it came through, and as shoulder gave way to torso and then the rest, the being in front of Manfred, tossed on the dirt, was Dracon Lionel, the Tainted. Empowered by the Heart as he was, Manfred could not hold his rage, seeing a member of the holiest of bloodlines corrupted by an evil force, he plunged his blade into Dracon's heart. As Dracon lay there bleeding, his body consumed by shadow, he whispered a warning to the Empreror, or perhaps a message. "The King of Fell is coming to take back what is his". On that day Manfred gained the titles: Keeper of the heart of Light, Guardian of the Wicked Pass, and Destroyer of Corruption.
Battle at Wicked Pass
When word reached Exelnar of a growing horde of Ogres, Hill Giants and Minotaurs gathering outside Wicked Pass, it did not seem like a big deal. However when word reached Manfred's ear, that the leader of the horde was a winged horned demon covered in metal, that fit the description of the one that led the murder of his brother,Richard VI, Manfred quickly gathered his Royal Guard and was teleported nearby.There, Manfred quickly took over leadership, and organized the army and militia that he would take with him to defeat the oncoming horde, and carve out its heart before it managed to push into imperial land. As mercenaries and glory-seekers flocked to his banner, Manfred led many raids through the Wicked Pass, and many other smaller groups that wanted to make a name for themselves charged soon after, hunting fame and fortune. More details can be found in the story, Shadows of the Wicked Past. In those short months, Manfred would be titled by the local rulers as Taurus Hunter, and Scourge of Beasts.
In one of the later raids, Manfred aimed to take off the head of the snake, and end the war decisively, as political matters were urging him to return to Exelnar. Accompanied by his Royal Guard, and retinue of mercenaries and adventurers, backed up by volunteer militia, Manfred charged into the Pass itself, ignoring the maze-like tunnels, and heading straight for the lair of the beast which led the horde. On the edge of the Wicked Pass they found the large cavern that housed the vile thing, and cutting through any opposition pushed their way there. Standing atop a mountain of skulls and scrap, Manfred stared hatefully towards the armored minotaur monstrosity, which all those years ago had claimed his brother.
Charging headlong, the creature was at first confident, but nothing could resist the Emperors fury, he had banished this creature once before, and he would do so again, forever this time. The Blade of Bratuul sliced through the air, and impacted on the creature with the force of lightning, every strike denting and carving through armor. Manfred charged in for a final blow, but as the creature's head was about to roll on the floor, he felt a sharp pain in his side, and looked only to find an all too familiar dagger, held by a shadow-formed hand, which emerged from the wall. Mirrorring his brother's fall, Manfred saw himself dying there, never to be found, and allowing the Empire to return to its status quo before him, being only a tiny wave in an enormous pond. He could not allow it.
Manfred's vision darkened, but his resolve remained as steel, and in that last moment he pushed through and took the head of the beast that was now confidently advancing towards him. And that was the end of Manfred III Lionel, Emperor and Chosen of All Gods. But he would not allow it. He refused, and whoever it was that killed his brother, and now him, they would pay. Suddenly, he felt his strength return to him, and his weakened arms regained their power. Immediately Manfred reached for the now retreating shadow-hand. He would find who was responsible and bring them to divine justice. He felt around his neck a fiery warmth, that filled him with vigor, and looked to see the legendary Heart of Light around his neck.
Pulling with all his strength, Manfred forced the creature out of the shadowy portal it came through, and as shoulder gave way to torso and then the rest, the being in front of Manfred, tossed on the dirt, was Dracon Lionel, the Tainted. Empowered by the Heart as he was, Manfred could not hold his rage, seeing a member of the holiest of bloodlines corrupted by an evil force, he plunged his blade into Dracon's heart. As Dracon lay there bleeding, his body consumed by shadow, he whispered a warning to the Empreror, or perhaps a message. "The King of Fell is coming to take back what is his". On that day Manfred gained the titles: Keeper of the heart of Light, Guardian of the Wicked Pass, and Destroyer of Corruption.
Type
Mountain Pass
