Battles between Mhaldor and the defenders of Nature raged back and forth
as the Cult of the Crimson Fang struggled with their task in the depths
of Shala-Khulia's jungle. Their work was severely hampered by the
forestals' efforts to undermine their progress, as slaves were murdered
to prevent them from carrying out orders. Mhaldorian ships brought extra
slaves to the island, and slaves poached from the City of Shala-Khulia
herself provided further numbers. The enslavers met with little
resistance from the locals, whose chieftan, Da'an, had fearfully
accepted Mhaldor's sovereignty over his people in exchange for
"protection."

At last the work was complete, and an ominous shrine of black marble
towered beneath the jungle canopy. While the priest Sevet inspected his
work, a Mhaldorian vessel was sent to retrieve a bronze brazier from the
mainland. Once it was placed within the shrine, Sevet gathered the
forces of Evil and explained what must be done to light the brazier's
flame, revealing that the effort would corrupt the land around the
shrine. If only they had realised the serpent Forzt was listening in...

The details surrounding the brazier were quickly relayed to the
forestals, who successfully foiled the Mhaldorians' plans to light the
flame. After many futile attempts at gathering the necessary materials
they withdrew, intending to light the brazier at a later date.

Meanwhile, the defenders of Nature considered what to do about this new
threat. A small party had already convinced the shaman Ixtahuitl, and by
proxy the Khish tribe, of Mhaldor's true intentions. Joined by Tu'liak,
a rebel leader from the City of Shala-Khulia who resented Da'an's
decision and the enslavement of his people, the allies searched for a
way to destroy the brazier.

It was one of Tu'liak's men, Coametu, who proved instrumental in their
quest. Recalling a story from his past about a strange form of ice and
its effect on the island's sacred Eternal Flame, Coametu suggested this
ice might hold the answer. With this as their only lead, the pro-Nature
forces hunted for answers, first questioning Kh'liosha, Keeper of the
Sacred Flame; then, based on her words, to the industrious druid
Seasone, who granted them an unusual gift. It wasn't long before the
forestals had struck the brazier with an elemental icicle, freezing the
surface so that no flame could be lit within.

The victory was tenuous, however, and the ice began to crack as time
wore on. Mhaldor's army and the defenders of Nature battled back and
forth, each trying to light or freeze the brazier. Time after time, only
the forestals succeeded. Even military dominance by the forces of Evil
and widespread exterminations were eventually overcome by the power the
forestals held over the groves that remained upon the island. The
pro-Nature faction was ever vigilant, not easily defeated within the
environment they were so strongly connected to.

Penned by My hand on the 13th of Ero, in the year 492 AF.