>>6139665

Select your Leader and your Starting Troops from the list below, or create a new one following the template (1 role, 3 starting troops, 3 weaknesses one being a geographic limitation).

> Dakar Bloodleaf, the Cursed Druid
Race: Elf
Biome: Blighted Woodlands
Role: Twisted Protector - Dakar uses corrupted nature magic to fight the undead, harnessing poisonous plants and toxic spores to hold his ground against undead and invaders alike.
Starting Troops:

Poisoned Treants - twisted tree-beings capable of releasing clouds of toxic spores;

Spore Swarms - clusters of venomous fungi that explode on contact;

Vine Stranglers - animated vines that ensnare the unwary and undead alike.

Weaknesses:

Limited to Forested Areas - Dakar’s magic wanes outside of woodland areas, making him much weaker on open ground or rocky terrain.

Corrupting Influence - His corrupted magic gradually weakens the health of his allies, requiring them to keep distance from his most powerful spells.

Fragile Defense - His forces rely on ambushes and poisonous defenses rather than brute strength, making them vulnerable to direct assault.

> Lady Elyra Valen, Fallen Paladin
Race: Human
Biome: Ruined Cathedral Grounds
Role: Redeemer of the Fallen - Once a devoted knight, Lady Elyra now leads a small band of survivors with a mix of undead and living soldiers, wielding light magic to shield her people from dark forces.
Starting Troops:

Penitent Knights - elite armored warriors with auras that weaken nearby undead;

Lightbearer Squires - young warriors trained to channel Elyra’s blessing for protection;

Blessed Undead Archers - skilled archers raised from the dead wielding enchanted arrows that repel other undead.

Weaknesses:

Internal Conflict - Elyra struggles with her connection to undead allies, causing morale issues with her living troops who feel unease around them.

Low Numbers - Her forces are few, making her vulnerable to larger armies or protracted battles.

Limited Influence Range - Her light magic can only reach so far, leaving distant troops unsupported.

> Khaalaj the Whisperer, Serpentfolk Necromancer
Race: Serpentfolk
Biome: Sunken Ruins
Role: Undead Master - Khaalaj is a necromancer, one of the few who survived the lich’s fall with his own forces intact. He commands a secretive cult of undead warriors loyal only to him.
Starting Troops:

Venomous Thralls - Serpentfolk that emit poisonous vapors;

Skeletal Pythons - massive, constricting serpent skeletons;

Ghostly Lurkers - shadowy wraiths that spy and unsettle enemies.

Weaknesses:

Fragile Trust - His cult is constantly at risk of treachery, as rival necromancers and even some of his own apprentices vie for power.

Reliant on Secrecy - He relies on ambush tactics, making open battles difficult for his forces.

Aquatic Weakness - His powers are strongest near water; dry environments and arid climates severely weaken his control over undead.

>>6139666
>> Khaalaj the Whisperer, Serpentfolk Necromancer

>>6139678

Khaalaj slithered through the dark, waterlogged passages of his sunken ruins, his scaled body undulating in silence as his eyes glinted with a cold, calculating light. Around him, his Venomous Thralls shifted restlessly, their whispers growing bolder with each passing day. Their hissing voices filled the air like a chorus of dread.

"Master… there’s nothing left to eat in this place…"

"We've stripped every corner bare, gnawed on the last bones."

"If there is no food, we will die—your loyal servants will wither away!"

Their thinly veiled accusation hung in the air, the hunger in their eyes unmistakable. Khaalaj knew his dominion was slipping—food supplies were dwindling, and unrest simmered just beneath the surface of his loyal thralls’ cracked skin. He had to act before this desperation turned into rebellion.

How to manage this…

> Send the Ghostly Lurkers to scout for new territory
> Send a group of Venomous Thralls on a long-range hunt
> Cull the weak among his Thralls
> Banish a select few to fend for themselves
> Call on his ancient Serpentfolk rites to summon a supernatural source of food
> Open to hear his followers’ ideas
> Write in

>>6139699
>> Call on his ancient Serpentfolk rites to summon a supernatural source of food

This looks dope, is it a skirmish where multiple players each choose a character or is it a regular Qst with just one protag? Also, post map.

>>6139729

Khaalaj’s eyes narrowed, his serpentine gaze scanning the shadows where his thralls lingered, emaciated and hollow-eyed. Their quiet mutters and sidelong glances filled the stagnant air of the ruins. Hunger—it had eroded their loyalty like rot spreading in old wood. He could sense the unrest swelling within them, feel the brittle shell of control he held cracking. They whispered, their voices laced with venom, that soon the master would have more mouths than he could feed.

Desperate times indeed, Khaalaj thought. He slithered deeper into the cold, damp halls of his sanctuary, his mind slipping down familiar pathways to the forbidden pages of ancient lore. There was a spell he could use, a ritual of unfathomable power—the **Rite of the Etherfeast**. He had read about it once, buried within a moldy, forbidden tome that nearly seared his hands when he opened it. Summoning ethereal feeders, creatures twisted by the spirit realm’s unnatural hunger, was no small feat. Even for one such as him, a master necromancer, there was a price to pay.

The thralls would feast on these creatures, enough to stave off their starvation and quiet their murmurings—for a while. And the sheer terror and reverence they’d feel watching him bend the spirit realm to his will…yes, that might be just enough to bring them back into line. The power that would radiate from him as he channeled those dark forces would remind them that he was no mere necromancer; he was a Serpentfolk who wielded the forces of life and death. They’d remember that he alone held the power to keep them alive or, if he chose, to banish them to an eternity far worse than starvation.

But he knew the risks of the Etherfeast. The ritual would demand a sacrifice, one of his own thralls—no, one of his own faithful Venomous Thralls, flesh of his flesh, corrupted soul of his soul. He’d have to choose carefully, perhaps selecting one of the weaker ones, or a particularly troublesome follower whose absence might quell the rest. And even then, the whispering might grow. Would they see him as a ruthless leader, or as a master who would toss them to the spirit winds whenever it suited him?

And then there was his own vulnerability. During the Rite, he would be fully exposed, unable to defend himself, entirely reliant on those same thralls to protect him. The irony clawed at his mind. He would be placing his fate in the hands of the very ones whose loyalty he doubted. If there were any among them waiting for the right moment to strike, the ritual would be it. He would be naked, vulnerable, a mere shadow of his formidable self as he channeled the rite’s raw, consuming power.

>>6139743

What if the feeders were too strong? Even for him, controlling them would be a delicate dance. These beings would come from the deepest, most ravenous pockets of the spirit realm, a place even Khaalaj hesitated to touch. If his control faltered, even for a moment, they would lash out—not just at the enemy, but at him, at his own followers. They’d rip through his forces, leave his thralls in tatters, and his precious Venomous Thralls would become little more than carrion, bones picked clean by his own hand.

And what of the deeper cost? His own soul would brush the spirit realm as he called them forth, a realm that gnawed at the sanity of those who dared to enter. He’d tasted madness before, felt it stir in the depths of his mind, and knew that delving into that forbidden place would leave a mark, a dark stain on his psyche. This ritual had ruined those who’d performed it in the past, turning them into shadows of themselves, tormented by voices that called to them long after the rite was done.

But Khaalaj’s gaze hardened as he looked out over his thralls, weak and wavering. The Etherfeast might be a temporary solution, but it would grant him the time he needed. The time to fortify these ruins, time to scout safer lands, time to search for other hidden caches or even expand his territory. And yes, his power would shimmer in the air, drawing a strange awe from his followers, showing them that no one rivaled him in the mastery of forbidden arts. He would remind them that he alone controlled their fate.

Yet he couldn’t ignore the possibility that the energy of such a spell would be felt by others. The ritual would send out ripples that any necromancer worth his bones could sense. His rivals might see it as a sign of weakness, a signal that Khaalaj was desperate, pushed to using such extreme measures. They could attack, or worse, mark him for future skirmishes and pick away at his forces, leaving him weakened, broken.

And his thralls themselves…if he made food appear too easily, would they lose their edge, their loyalty? They might grow complacent, accustomed to quick solutions and demands that he summon food whenever resources ran low. His power might awe them, yes, but it could also breed a new form of discontent, a hunger that no amount of ethereal feeders could ever sate.

Khaalaj closed his eyes, feeling the weight of each decision pressing down on him. Every thread led to another knot, and each choice would create new risks. This ritual could buy him time, reinforce his command, satisfy his followers’ hunger…but it could also unravel everything he’d worked to build. And yet, as he looked at the gaunt faces around him, he knew he had little choice. The Etherfeast was dark, it was dangerous, and it could very well cost him everything, but he was prepared to make that sacrifice... or was he?

> Do it
> Don't do it

>>6139746

> Don't do it

>>6139666
>Lady Elyra Valen, Fallen Paladin

>>6139746
>Do It

>>6139746
>> Do it

>>6139746
>Don’t do it
God damn that’s a lot of downsides
Just raid for food

File: seems legit.png (628 KB, 500x622)

628 KB PNG

>>6140216
Right?

>>6139746
>>6140197
changing to
> Don't do it

Khaalaj withdrew into the shadows of the ruined hall, cold scales brushing against the damp, broken stones beneath him. The whispers of hunger from his thralls had grown louder, taking on a desperate, fevered edge. He had considered it—summoning ethereal feeders through the forbidden Rite of the Etherfeast. In moments of desperation, it seemed like the only choice. Yet, as he pondered the costs, the risks unfurled around him like a serpent tightening its coils.

The sacrifice required would only intensify the fraying loyalty among his followers. The thralls already eyed each other suspiciously, their malnourished faces gaunt and hollowed. If he went through with the ritual, they’d see each other not as allies but as prey. And while he’d hoped that summoning the feeders would terrify them into submission, he feared it would stoke a deeper unrest—an understanding that they, too, were expendable. His doubts grew darker with each passing thought, like shadows pooling in the hollowed eyes of his followers.

In the ruin’s lower levels, a scuffle had broken out, voices raised in accusation and fury. Khaalaj sensed it before he even reached the scene. As he descended into the deeper chambers, the sour stench of rot and desperation intensified, mingling with an unmistakable tang of fear. They were fighting over the last scraps of food. Only days ago, he’d rationed the final reserves, but it had been a pitiful amount, barely enough to keep them from collapsing.

Now, chaos rippled through his starving forces. One thrall—a burly Serpentfolk with milky eyes—had pinned another, his jaws locked around his victim’s throat as his fangs sank in for sustenance. The others clawed at each other, their emaciated forms barely strong enough to fight but driven to madness by starvation. They tore at limbs, scaly fists swinging wildly as they fought over scraps, ignoring the splintered bones and rotting flesh. There was no order left here, only animalistic need.

One by one, the others turned to cannibalism, their desperate hunger swallowing their reason. Khaalaj watched from the shadows, disgusted yet fascinated by their descent. Even for him, a necromancer who trafficked with death and commanded spirits, there was something unsettling in their transformation. These thralls, his once-loyal followers, were now a writhing, primal mass, reduced to instincts alone. The whispers he’d heard of mutiny had now become actions.

>>6140771


But there was something more than just cannibalism and chaos in the air. As the riot subsided, he noticed symbols etched into the stones near a secluded section of the ruins, the faint scent of charred bone still lingering. Someone had performed a ritual—ancient, dark, and wholly unfamiliar. Strange runes marked the walls, symbols that pulsed with faint traces of necromantic energy. This had not been done by one of his apprentices or followers. The lines were too intricate, too deliberate. It felt…foreign. The realization hit him: someone had been preparing for his downfall.

Suspicion flared in his mind. Had one of his thralls been gathering followers, practicing in secrecy, perhaps even preparing a spell of their own? The hidden ritual site seemed to confirm it—a secret meeting place, steeped in defiance. Who among them dared to challenge his authority? And how much longer would they wait before they struck?

Khaalaj seethed, knowing the Etherfeast could provide temporary peace, but the cons loomed like specters. Vulnerable during the rite, he’d be defenseless against those who might seize the moment to strike him down. He couldn’t risk weakening himself, not while his thralls turned feral. The situation demanded action, but the Etherfeast, as alluring as it was, now seemed like a gamble that could destroy him.

No, he wouldn’t go through with the Rite. He needed another solution. If he was to retain control, he’d have to act decisively and, above all, protect himself.

With this decision made, he weighed his remaining options:

> Track Down the Source of the Secret Ritual
> Enforce Brutal Discipline Among the Thralls
> Form a Foraging Party and Seek New Resources Beyond the Ruins
> Create Famine-Suppressing Charms to Stave Off Hunger
> Attempt to Recruit New Followers from Nearby Settlements
> Abandon the Starving Thralls and Seek New Territory
> Write in

>>6140772
>Track Down the Source of the Secret Ritual
Khaalaj cannot let this go unpunished a moment longer

>>6140772
>> Track Down the Source of the Secret Ritual

>>6140790
>>6140805


Khaalaj slithered back through the darkened halls of his ruined sanctuary, his mind churning over the recent discovery. The symbols etched on the walls of that hidden alcove were unmistakable: someone among his thralls had dared to conduct a ritual in secret. This wasn’t a mere act of desperation; it was a calculated move, a challenge to his rule, and perhaps the beginning of something much darker—a potential uprising. The growing hunger and unrest among his followers had ignited the kindling of betrayal, and the flames would spread quickly if he didn’t act.

But rooting out the traitor presented its own dangers. To ferret out the instigator, Khaalaj would have to rely on his most trusted minions, those loyal enough to carry out his will and intelligent enough to decipher the clues without error. And even with these measures, he faced the risk of thinning his own ranks. Each minion sent out on this mission would be one less to defend his lair and keep watch over the rest of his followers. Spreading his forces too thin would be dangerous, but the alternative—letting this rebellion fester unchecked—could be his ruin.

He surveyed his potential agents carefully. There was Yzala, a shadowy serpentfolk assassin known for her stealth and loyalty, with an uncanny ability to read people’s intentions. Then there was Sarkath, a spectral revenant bound to Khaalaj by powerful necromancy, cold and calculating but unquestionably loyal due to his dependence on Khaalaj’s magic. Lastly, he considered Tosk, a gaunt, albino thrall with an unyielding sense of devotion to Khaalaj, yet prone to bouts of fanaticism that sometimes bordered on zealotry. Each of these minions had the capability, but they’d need a strategy—a subtle, precise plan that would let them unravel the threads of the conspiracy without drawing too much attention.

Khaalaj knew that sending them out without clear objectives would risk failure, or worse, accidentally alerting the conspirators. His orders would need to be specific, a balance of investigation and deception to lure the traitors into the open. As he began to craft his instructions, he considered the essential steps his agents would need to take.

Each of the trusted minions could be assigned to observe smaller groups of thralls during their downtime, studying them as they slept, ate, and whispered among themselves.

>>6140815

With Yzala’s skills, she could blend into the shadows, practically invisible as she watched their interactions. However, he slender build and impracticality of carrying heavy weapons means that if the enemy locates her and decides to kill her, she alone wouldn't be able to face a larger force. Her task would be to pick up on subtle signs of unease or unusual conversations—thralls speaking in hushed voices, sudden silences when a superior walked by, or gatherings in secluded areas.

Sarkath, with his spectral nature, would be able to move unnoticed through walls and closed doors, observing conversations without being detected. He could listen to the deeper murmurings within the thralls’ ranks, especially among those who seemed distant or disgruntled. His cold detachment would allow him to identify potential dissenters without personal bias. In case he located the enemy, he could even attack them on his own, with a decent chance of succeeding. However, any living thing feels a supernatural unnease near beings like Sarkath. Perhaps his silent presence could serve as a reminder of Khaalaj’s omnipresent power.

Tosk’s role would be different. Unlike the others, he would interact directly with the thralls, ingratiating himself into their circles and presenting himself as a confidant. His fanatical devotion would allow him to gain their trust, convincing them he was simply another dissatisfied follower who might share in their complaints. With his insider approach, he could encourage the thralls to reveal their frustrations, piecing together hints of the traitor’s identity from casual grievances and sly insinuations. However, in the slim chance the enemy was not an insider, his approach could prove useless.

Who will Khaalaj send on the mission?

> Yzala
> Sarkath
> Tosk
> Write in

>>6140816
>Write in
>Sarkath and Tosk
Once Tosk has zeroed in on potential traitors, he can clue Sarkath in on a meeting, then throw Sarkath off their trail in front of the inferiors, further ingratiating Tosk with the peons, hopefully getting them to lead Tosk straight to the leader of the uprising

>>6140828
+1

>>6140828
I agree. I am not too hapy on using Tosk as well because his acting might be terrible. Another thing is that his peers might dislike such devotion... of course if he can act well, the impact of the most devoted of all manifesting his displeasure is a big hit

>>6140816
> Yzala
Seems to have the most fitting skillset

>>6141302
I think so too but having Sarkath as a backup hanging back a little would be prudent.

>>6140816
>Yzala plus Sarkath as support.
The spectral presence unnerving enough to stir conspiratorial thoughs but not so close to cow them into terrified silence.