As dark clouds roiled in the skies above Stavenn, it was clear something
was stirring behind the city's walls. The air grew chill, lightning
struck, and Aetherius looked on as a pillar of violet light speared into
the sky, piercing the storm and capturing the moon of Sukhder in its
path. Four Malignists, Shaftiel presiding, had taken part in an ancient
ritual to draw the celestial body closer to the planet; succeeding in
their efforts the crimson orb loomed directly above Stavenn, fueling the
ritualists with dark magicks. Lorathiel, the youngest of the attending
Malignists, offered himself as a sacrifice, his corpse acting as a focal
point for a mighty summoning while the congregation chanted in sync. As
Azura and Mara fed their mystic energies into Shaftiel, he called forth
the powers of Hell, causing the prone corpse to open into a fiery portal
which unleashed a torrent of ear-piercing shrieks into the city; indeed,
these horrific cries echoed throughout all of Aetherius!

The Malignists' goal was realized as the grotesque daemonic visage of
Sk'tal appeared within the portal, and his form rose to the mortal plane
of existence. In thanks for his release from the bondage of the
underworld, the Daemon Lord offered his eternal service and fealty to
Shaftiel Bhairava, and severed the hold on Sukhder.

Ever at the ready to stand against demonic forces, Antioch took these
events as a sign of things to come, organizing its citizens to defend
the city with their lives. As men and women were posted at the gates, a
brigade of warriors rushed to Stavenn to find themselves face to face
with those who would dare summon forth the spirits of Hell. Bearing
their blades, the Antiochans laid into their opposition in a rage,
Anatole landing the killing blows on both Shaftiel and Mara.

Though Aetherius appears to have returned to normal, and Sukhder has
reassumed its orbit high above the planet, the ultimate goals and
machinations of Stavenn remain shrouded.

Penned by my hand on the 5th of Solis, in the year 405 AD.