Lepraea Rising

Of all the creatures of the Blasted Lands east of the Asorlin Empire, none are as feared as the beast known as Reintalor. Tales speak of a warlord wandering the wastelands, a horde of mutated beasts at its beck and call, of a demon of immense power, able to rip the heart out of entire armies – quite literally, at times – and of the myriad corpses left at its feet. None know from whence it came, with tales ranging from it being yet another mutant to a demonic beast from some unknown hell. The truth is far less fanciful.

During the civil war which consumed the Asorlin Empire between the years 2460 and 2660, the fortress of Lepraea turned its back on the Empire during 2524, the commander of her legions taking up the crown of the newly-formed Kingdom of Lepraea. The Lepraean kings fought for many years, but were ultimately destroyed during the cataclysmic explosion in what would become known as the Blasted Lands during the year 2658. The final king, Reingard III, and his wife, Queen Talori, were believed to have died in the explosion, due to their proximity to the centre point.

However, in a miraculous turn of events, the two not only survived, but thrived. Bound into one entity, the two crawled out of the ruins of Lepraea to see their people destroyed. Those who survived were turned into mutants of all shapes and sizes, screams of agony piercing the heavens. Swearing vengeance on the Empire and all those who fought against them, the two brought together as many of their kind as they could, offering mercy to those beyond redemption and leading the rest deeper into the Wastes.

Though the two should have died long ago, ancient magic courtesy of their forgotten god of chaos has sustained them for centuries, keeping them alive whilst twisting their physical form into something so utterly inhuman, not even they can remember what they once were. Some say that they were once centaurs, dragons or minotaurs – a theory their current form seems to reinforce. Others claim that they, like most of the traitor keeps during that time, were humans or elves before their transformation.

Whatever the case, the two continue to live, motivated by their desire for revenge against the Asorlin Empire. Leading a horde of mutants and ancient gorgons still loyal to their forgotten god, the pair search for the hidden location of the armour their master is encased in. Their intent - to free him and use his power to crush the Empire and bring the agony they constantly feel to all who oppose them.

“You tried to kill us… You destroyed our home… murdered our people… you left us for dead. Now there is no turning back. We have been set on this path by you, and we shall walk it until the end. Come, slaves of the Asorli. Impale yourselves on the tips of our spears. Lepraea shall rise once more. Your foolish lords and champions shall be slain. Karon shall be reborn. Za Lepra in Karonom.”