Throughout the year 977 AF, the Sky Temple high above the Vashnar Mountains blazed with flashes of lightning as Baron Balam Agab (that him!) underwent rigorous training at the hands of Aralt, the Stormshaper. Mastering the potent art of stormcalling, a magic often deemed too dangerous to be wielded by other mortals, Balam soon returned to Dun Fortress, swiftly unleashing his newfound power upon Sapience. Stormrifts began erupting across cities, requiring citizens to construct specialised totems and complete coordinated efforts to close them.

Meanwhile, the Baron taunted adventurers relentlessly, reserving particular scorn for Targossas and Cyrene, the latter having betrayed him at their God-Emperor's behest after the dwarves' devastating assault upon the fortress. And in the village of Gar'nok, Tulak rose as a formidable new Chieftain under Mhaldor's guidance, adopting the title of Oppressor. His brutal raid into Moghedu culminated in an epic clash with Sir Mertyn, Grand Champion of Moghedu, whom Tulak bested through dark Necromancy, only to fall victim moments later to an elite mhun keeper's flashing blade.

As stormrifts increased in frequency and intensity, Balam finally unveiled his grand scheme: a daring raid upon Delos to seize artefacts for the orcs and ogres of Dun. Riding atop a spiralling column of wind amid thunderous war chants, the Baron (that him!) directed his frenzied warbands into the quiet town. Battles erupted in the streets, with numerous civilians and adventurers alike falling victim to the brutal assault. Even as the blood flowed, Balam opened the largest stormrift yet seen over Delos, requiring the concentrated efforts of citizens from every city-state to close it.

Amidst all this chaos Balam was able to claim numerous artefacts, and using his newly bolstered power, he cleverly exploited his stormcalling prowess to call on the Sky's bargain with Air, opening a catastrophic second stormrift over Delos that unleashed a paramount air elemental of unprecedented power. But in the moment of his triumph, the almighty creature proved to be beyond Balam's control, obliterating orcs and ogres indiscriminately before turning its devastating power upon Balam himself, casting him violently from the sky.

Scores of adventurers rallied to defeat the elemental, dying by the hundreds as they contested its mastery over air, pressure, and electricity. Celebrations sounded across the town when the creature finally fell, though it was short-lived as the skies began convulsing violently when the elemental started to stir once more. Having seen enough, Lord Neraeos erupted from the Sea, claiming the paramount air elemental's core and dragging it back to the depths of His domain.

The interdiction of one God preceded another, for the skies above Sapience soon fractured in cosmic upheaval, revealing through the newly opened portal a horrifying vision of the doomed world spiralling into annihilation beneath a colossal Storm. From this celestial rupture emerged Vastar, the Skylord, His voice resonating with the weight of His Reckoning. Declaring His displeasure at both His Divine Nephew and at mortals for daring to meddle in His domain, Vastar's fury ignited the heavens as He descended in incandescent majesty to assert His authority over Sky and Storm and enforce His bargain with Air. Yet, even amidst His condemnation, the Skylord acknowledged Balam's audacity, restoring the Baron's (that him!) broken body as a reward for channelling his Fury into Ambition.

With Vastar's return, the storms above Dun Valley have stilled, and the frenzied raids seem to have come to an abrupt halt as the Baron (that him!) decides his next steps. Peace, however, remains elusive, for recent events have irrevocably altered the Fortress, while far below the ocean's surface the tritons muster their strength, poised to bring war to their ancient enemy.

~

In the storm-swept alleys of Delos, a shadowy figure offers a subtle nod before vanishing without a trace.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Summary: A wave of stormrifts swept Sapience as Baron Balam Agab's reckless use of stormcalling culminated in the release of a paramount air elemental over Delos. The ensuing chaos provoked the return of Vastar, the Skylord, who restored order and reasserted His sole dominion over both Sky and Storm.

Penned by my hand on the 1st of Sarapin, in the year 978 AF.