1385 (The Year of Blue Fire) to 1388 (The Year of the Tanarukka)

General Summary

1385: The Year of Blue Fire

The Spellplague, called the Blue Breath of Change by the inhabitants of Abeir, was a disaster that struck Realmspace and even the planes themselves on Tarsakh 29 of the Year of Blue Fire, 1385 DR, and was caused by Mystra's assassination at the hands of Cyric and Shar. It continued for a decade, leading to the Wailing Years, during which arcane magic ceased to function and the planet of Toril was transformed.
The Bloodstone Lands had never been a magical power, and weathered the Spellplague better than many regions of Faerun. The Damaran Mages' Guild was laid low, and rumors spread that the archmage Knellict, one of Zhengyi's greatest apprentices, was slain by the Citadel of Assassins when he lost control.

1388: The Year of the Tanarukka

It was Alturiak – The Claw of Winter, in what was to be called the Year of the Tanrukka. Winter was not to end quietly in the lands of Vaasa. One bright morning, the Rageborn of Palischuk woke to the sounds of the apocalypse. Streaming across the plains of Vaasa, an army of demons descended on the settlement. While mostly composed of lesser demons such as manes, dretches and tanarukka, greater demons were driving their lessers into battle. The demons outnumbered the Rageborn at least ten to one.
Today was a good day to die.
The Knights of Tempus, Paladins and Warriors both, took command of the Rageborn from Cromm's Holdfist. They reinforced the Gates and positioned every citizen to their greatest advantage. Non-combatants were ushered into the Ivory Hall and the Longhouse in the Upper Quarter for their own protection. All knowing that if the demons triumphed, no walls would keep them safe.
As they closed, the demonic army paused, for Tempus Himself, Lord of Battles, Foehammer, had appeared to the east.
After their initial pause, the demons erupted. Once they closed with the sharpened spikes of the palisade many of the greater demons blinked out, intent on teleporting through the defenses.
Far from an impartial observer, Tempus waved his hand. The demons who had blinked out reappeared in their old positions, dazed and confused. Other attempted to teleport in, but were no longer able to.
Demons took to the air, and Tempus waved his hand again. Those demons who flew by means of magic (which included many of the greater demons) plummeted from their heights. A few landed on the sharpened stakes of the palisade, their ichor seeping out. Those demons with wings that could support them were able to maintain their flight.
The Rageborn of Palischuk saluted their God. Tempus had not given them victory, but had given them a fair fight.
The battle lasted for two days. Demon ichor and Rageborn blood soaked the ground. Eventually the demons overwhelmed the Lower Quarter. The slope of the Inner Quarter ran with blood and ichor. Hundreds of demons and dozens of Rageborn fell. While the demons took horrible losses, they had the advantage of numbers.
Eventually, the demons pierced the Upper Quarter, but so few remained that the defenders were able to defeat them.
The battle was over, more than half of the Rageborn of Palischuk lay dead, but the demonic army had been slaughtered. Those greater demons who had survived, fled the battleground until about half a mile from Bloodmarch Hill, they were able to teleport to safety.
One of the leaders of the defenders, Pagu of Tempus, collapsed at the end of the battle. He implored his wife and children to travel to Bloodstone City and let his old companion, Ser Nicholas, know what happened. During his funeral pyre, Tempus was again viewed in the smoke and flames. An honor guard was arranged for his family.
Reports from scouts and rangers finally made it back to Palischuk. Where Castle Perilous once stood, only a gaping chasm existed, and from this chasm came the hosts of the Abyss. Even the skies above changed to a sickly purple. The world of Faerun was wounded, and the blood of the Abyss poured in through this wound.
Months later, another army appeared on the outskirts of Palischuk. The First Crusade had begun, and followers of Tempus and the Triad flocked to Bloodmarch Hill. While half of the Rageborn had been slain during the battle, the First Crusade almost doubled the original number of inhabitants of Palischuk. Palischuk became the rallying point of the First Crusade. The city on the hill that stood against the demonic invasion from this world-wound.
Arcanists learned that the wards erected by Tempus were resolute. Teleportation and magical flight were impossible within half a mile from the settlement. Here, mortals would stand against the demons. Palischuk became a shining beacon to all of Faerun that the demons could be stopped.

Report Date

10 Nov 2019