Fork's Bane

The Tale of Dame Merridie Delmare, Fork's Bane

Chapter 1- The Dame's Journey

In the southern reaches of the Kingdom of Kerak, where rolling hills give way to dense, ancient forests, the name of Dame Merridie Delmare will now be spoken with reverance and awe. A Knight of the esteemed Order of the Rose, Dame Merridie serves with unwavering loyalty under Baron Elizee Versailles, Of the Kingdom of Valo. Her tale, however, was destined to rise above the annals of history, becoming a legend that would inspire generations to come. The Order of the Rose was known throughout Pallidon for their chivalric deeds and commitment to justice. These Knights, adorned with the symbol of a two blue roses, were the champions of the oppressed and the defenders of the realm. Among them, Dame Merridie will now stand out, not just for her skill with Dual Schools of Magic, but for her unyielding spirit and profound sense of duty. Dame Merridie Delmare's journey to greatness began in the small village of Foriston, nestled near the southern border of Atlans Wall. Foriston was a place of simple beauty, where the villagers lived in harmony with the land. To the east of Foriston, lies The Kings Fork, a crucial fork in the road that connected The Kings Road, The Voss River Valley and the Marshlands in southern Kerak. But this peace was shattered when an Undead Host, Hoisting a Black Banner with an offset silver cross descended upon the region.

Chapter 2- The Battle at the Fork

The fateful day arrived with the sky darkened by ominous clouds, and the air heavy with the stench of decay. The Royal Army of Kerak engaged the Undead Host just outside Foriston. Thousands gathered in and around the small town. What the Royal Army didnt know, a second Host, three thousand skeletal warriors, Marched fom the Central Colosierre Mountains and meant to flank the Army at Foriston. It was in this moment of peril, Dame Merridie would disregard her own life and give the Kerak forces hope. With a steely gaze, she stood at the Kings Fork as the villagers who were retreating the region watched on. She positioned herself strategically at the fork in the road, knowing that this choke point would be crucial in halting the advance of the Hordes of Undead. As the first wave of the Undead Host emerged from the Mountains, a chilling silence fell over the battlefield. The Dame of the Order of the Rose stood firm, her hands swirled with both Celestial and Earth Magic at the ready, her place at the forefront of the Fork. With a battle cry that echoed through the hills, she charged into the fray, her hands gleaming with the Brilliant light of Fortannis. The clash was fierce and brutal. The undead, driven by Necromancy, fought with a relentless ferocity. But Dame Merridie was a whirlwind of elemental magic, her off hand blasting healing magics through the enemy with precision and power. She moved with a grace that belied the weight of her task, her every strike fueled by a righteous fury. Hour after hour, the battle raged on. Dame Merridie's valor and Oaths, made her fight with all her might. The ground was soon littered with the remains of the undead, but still, the horde kept coming.

Chapter 3- The Turning Point

As dusk approached, it seemed that the mighty Knight might be overwhelmed. Dame Delmare was weary, her armor dented and her spirit waning, but though bloodied and exhausted, she refused to yield. She knew that the fate of Foristom—and perhaps all of Royal Army of Kerak—rested on her shoulders. In a moment of clarity, she devised a daring plan. She performed a strategic retreat to the narrowest point of the fork, where the terrain would funnel the undead into a confined space. She positioned herself at the very center of the choke point. The final assault of the Undead Host was the most savage yet. The creatures surged forward, driven by an unseen malevolence. Dame Merridie stood her ground, her Spellcasting a blur of motions and radiance. Her strikes were precise, her movements fluid. It was as if she had become one with Fortannis itself, a living embodiment of the Order of the Rose's ideals. With a mighty roar, she seemed to pull from the Earth itself and concentrated her final assault through the Undead Leader, a towering lich wearing a Black Tabard with an Offset Purple Cross, that commanded the horde. The creature's skeletal form crumbled and sent a shockwave through the ranks of the Undead, causing them to falter and then collapse into lifeless heaps of bone and flesh. The tide had turned. Dame Merridie had stood tall amongst the carnage. She stood Victorious.

Chapter 4- A Knights Legacy

The Battle of Foriston was won, and the small town was saved. The Royal Army of Kerak, led by Lord Brigadier Alfred Strong, was able to swiftly defeat the Undead Host. Strategically it seemed the Undead Host used outdated tactics that were easily countered by the Royal Army, as well as being able to keep the supply line fortified. The surviving villagers hailed Dame Merridie as a hero. Her bravery and leadership had not only protected the people at the Kings Fork but had also stemmed the tide of the Undead invasion in the Southern Dutchy of Kerak. News of her valiant deeds spread quickly, and she was soon bestowed with the title of "Fork's Bane," a name that will now be remembered throughout the ages.
Dame Merridie Delmare's story has became a beacon of hope and inspiration, a testament to the power of courage, honor, determination, perserverance and sacrifice.
written by Glaurin Springson