Origin of Bloodtides
Bloodtides wasn't always a safe haven for dark mages, instead long ago it had been part of the Isles of Neeven, and watched over by the Fae'lon. Having only recently survived years of war with the demons, Volemar a mage of incredible power sought to bring a lasting peace between all the realms of Coroleya.
Founding the Guardians of Neeven, Volemar hoped to combat the growing forces of darkness that began to show its subtle influences upon the world, recruiting powerful mages from all across Coroleya to become his followers. But it wasn't enough. The demonic influence upon the land grew much stronger with many unwitting races worshiping demons as gods.
Having lost many of his friends in the continued fighting, Volemar's frustration and hatred began to show, and soon he believed the only true way to defeat the demons was to use the demonic energies that existed all around them and turn them against the demons. A tactic deemed far too dangerous by the priests of the Lightbearer who terrified of the darkness they saw in Volemar exiled him to the island of Tides in the hopes that he would one day begin to see reason and return to the light.
But instead, away from the burning fires of the Lightbearer, Volemar's anger began to fester, and soon those that followed him to the island began to change as well, mimicking the darkness inside of him. Enthralled by the demonic energies and the immense possibilities it offered, Volemar summoned a great storm to push Tides away from the Isles of Neeven and blanketed the island in a thick fog in order to have no interference from the Guardians, who upon realising the danger he posed, attempted to thwart his plans. However with their ranks badly depleted with so many breaking off to join Volemar found themselves no match for the former Guardians and were soon driven off.
Safe inside the Islands enchantments, Volemar found a secluded spot to study the demonic energies, and came to the conclusion that the demonic energies was simply raw power in it's undiluted form, without any trace of evil within it. But as the years passed, he slowly began to change. For you see the magic he wielded while not inherently evil, did come with a price, his soul.
Without a soul to attach him to the land of the living Volemar became gravely ill, and would have died, if not for the pact he made with the demons offering them more souls in exchange for eternal life. Reborn as a Lich lord with no soul, Volemar started a fresh war of conquest to harvest the souls of millions that was only ended by the second appearance of the Lightbearer. Badly wounded Volemar from his battle with the Lightbearer, he fled back to the Island, where he has remained ever since, biding his time, and collecting like minded individuals. Thereafter the Island became known as the Island of Bloodtides for the many souls who lost their lives, and for those who were enslaved.
Fireglass Keeper's Faction
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Lord Galmora, stood waiting in the silence, the wind gently blowing against his fine silk robes, red slitted eyes staring into the sky, a soft sigh escaping from between lips not of this world.
The other novices clearly unnerved by the mage's odd appearance and strange attitude began furtively whispering among each other, when Galmora's eyes locked onto theirs, a single blink and the two mages speaking to each other went up in black flames, their screams of agony echoing for miles around.
Trembling slightly at their sudden deaths, you try to calm your breathing, when the mage's hot gaze flickers over the rest of the assembled group, his face devoid of all emotion as though searching for something. Several more mages go up instantly in flames, their ashes the only reminder of their existence.
Heart pounding inside of your chest, you feel his gaze upon you next, a sudden cold digging deep into you, biting into your very soul, forcing you to meet those red eyes of his, taking you into those swirling pools of emptiness until at last it was gone, his gaze moving on to the next.
Waving a languid finger in the air for them to follow, Galmora glided away, his feet barely touching the ground. The dark mage taking them back the way you'd come and towards the Heart of Diablos.
Hands held up before him, Galmora began to speak words in an ancient tongue, energy crackling all around him, when with a thunderous crash a swirling gateway opens up in the center of the glowing red orb.
Motioning for them to follow, he passed through into the orb disappearing completely from sight, your feet quickly taking you towards the beating heart hesitantly briefly before stepping inside.
The moment you step within, your mouth, nostrils, and eyes are clogged with blood, drowning you in it's warmth dragging you downward like a stone, your lungs aching as you frantically try to suck in air only to fill your lungs with blood instead. It's touch all over, when at last you tumble free onto a blood soaked platform hacking up blood as you try to clear your throat.
Peering upwards, you see Lord Galmora standing before you, his robes completely untouched by blood. (-120 Health points.)The walls surrounding him covered in ancient runes that glow with magic, exposing pulsating veins that throb with a life and a heartbeat of it's own. The room shrinking, and growing with each throb.
Waiting for everyone to make their ways towards him, Galmore spoke in a dry decaying voice. "To be one of us, you must be chosen by the gods to be act as their conduit to the world above."
Nodding his head for you follow him into a tunnel, you wait for a few of the mages to go ahead of you before going in yourself, the eerily fluctuating walls leaving you on edge.
Nearing the end, you step outside into a welter of humid heat and find yourself on top of a small volcano, your heart skipping several beats at what awaits you below.
Sprawled out for thousands of miles in ever growing concentric circles is a city unlike anything you've ever seen before, the place crawling with all manner of demons with even a few drifting through the sky on large leathery wings. The darkness shattered by a piercing bright red light that gives everything a crimson hue. The air tasting of copper and decomposing flesh.
Not certain what your purpose here is, Galmora commands you to form a line and wait, when the demons in the sky turn their attention towards you, diving downwards fast to land in front of them with a flap of wings.
Adrenaline racing, you watch one of the demons, an imp with a slender waist and shoulders stand before one of the mage's and stare into his eyes before snarling and tearing out his throat. The creature leaping on the novice to rip into him with a ravenous hunger.
Horrified by the death, a few of the novices begin running back the way they've come, when black flames burn them alive. Galmora's eyes flashing with anger.
Cursing your decision to come here, you continue to wait in line with several more demons appearing to take a better look at the remaining novices. But it seems whatever they're looking for doesn't seem to exist within any of them and each of them suffer a quick and brutal death right before your very eyes.
Sweat trickling down your back, you begin to wonder at the wisdom of staying here to die, but dismiss any notion of running away. Not with Lord Galmora watching your every move.
As time passes by only three novices remain, you, a minotaur, and a scarred redling with no ears. The mutilated corpses of the rest spilling their lifeblood down the volcano's gentle slope.
Time slowing down, you wait with bated breath, heart beat loud in your ears, when a huge hulking fiend advances towards you, thick tailing whipping from side to side, and leathery wings buffeting against you.
Brow thrust forward, jagged teeth barely concealed, the creature stares down at you from within sunken red eyes that must have seen the beginning of time itself, taking you into them...
...Then as sudden as that, you're falling through a blood red sky, the winds beating against you, when you land on a flat plane empty of all life, the four suns blazing high in the sky above you. The demon waiting for you with two handed black blade held up in front of it before sweeping forward with unexpected speed, your quick reflexes the only reason you narrowly avoid being decapitated.
Rolling away, you try to summon your enchanted blade, but something is wrong, the energy you'd felt within you gone.
Leering at you with a knowing smile, the demon advances once more, blade held upright.
Eyes darting around you for something, anything, when you catch sight of glistening steel and see a blade embedded in the ground a few feet behind the demon.
(Click here to go for the weapon.)
Spoiler: Spoiler
Preferring the comfort of steel in your hands, you sprint towards the blade, the demon moving to intercept you, black flames roaring out along the edges of the weapon to burn your back, and cut home into your flesh.(-150 Magical damage, -100 Health points.)
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Growling, you dive forward to rip the blade free from the ground and block the next attack which thunders downward, black flame spurting once more, causing a burst of heat that washes across your arms. The sword snapping clean in two as the two weapons meet, leaving you with a jagged stump.(-80 Magical damage.)
Left eye twitching angrily, you scramble to your feet, toss the hilt at the demon who batters it aside easily, and leap forward to land a punch on the demon's snout.
(Click here to try and draw the demon away from the weapon.)
Spoiler: Spoiler
Back stepping quickly, you wait for the demon to make it's move before lurching to the side to avoid the demon's blade and race for the sword, your hands grasping the hilt as you spin around to face the laughing beast.The steel sword snapping clean in two as the black blade thunders downward, it's foot slamming hard into your chest with a powerful kick that knocks the wind out of you. (-120 Health points.)
Gasping for air, left eye twitching angrily, you scramble to your feet, toss the hilt at the demon who batters it aside easily, and leap forward to land a punch on the demon's snout.
(Click here to ignore the blade and attack the demon with your fists.)
Spoiler: Spoiler
Feigning interest in the blade, you wait for the demon to rush forward, pretend to go for the blade before spinning around to headbutt the beast, and deliver a punch square on it's pug ugly face.
Grinning as blood drips down from its mouth, the demon hurls aside it's blade, and hammers you back with consecutive blows to your chest, and face. The punches full of power that send you reeling backwards.(-150 Health points.)
Showing your own teeth in a wolfish grin of your own, you rush forward to meet the creature again and again, each of you exchanging blows, though the demon seems to be getting the better out of the exchange with more strikes landing on you. (-250 Health points.)
Bruised, and aching all over, you wonder if you should make a play for the two handed sword.
(Click here to continue fighting in hand to hand combat.)
Spoiler: Spoiler
Despite being outmatched in skill, strength, and speed, you were determined to show this hob licker, what it meant to be a true warrior.
Blow after blow, punch after punch, you take everything that comes at you, and give double in return. (-280 Health points.)
Ribs crack, blood flowing, arms burning with pain, you grapple with the muscular beast, it's claws and wings striking you repeatedly as you do all you can to put the demon in the ground, your legs numbly moving you forward. (-300 Health points.)
Blood dripping down the sides of your face, a deep gash on your nose and forehead, you pull back to claim a quick breather. The demon's eyes glowing with what you think was appreciation before rushing forward to battle you once more, fists and feet flying at each other, until wordlessly, your body unable to endure anymore collapses to the ground of it's free will.(-100 Health points.)
(Click here if you make a play for the demon's blade.)
Spoiler: Spoiler
Realising quickly that you were no match for the creature's physical prowess, you run at the demon, spin to the left to dodge a punch and throw yourself forward towards the discarded blade, your fingers clasping onto the hilt as you try to lift the weapon.
Only to realise with sudden dread, that you couldn't even move the stupid thing, the two handed blade sticking to the ground as though a giant were stepping on it.
Claws punching into your back, and tearing at your spine, the demon comes at you from behind, a quick twist around the only reason you were still alive. (-400 Health points.)
Blood streaming from gaping wounds on your back, you decide the only option would be to somehow defeat this ungodly creature using only your fists, a feat that should have been possible while at your full strength, but not so much now.
Weakened gradually by blood loss, you take blow after blow, punch after punch, and try to give as much back in return. (-300 Health points.)
Ribs crack, blood flowing, arms burning with pain, you grapple with the muscular beast, it's claws and wings striking you repeatedly as you do all you can to put the demon in the ground, your legs numbly moving you forward. (-350 Health points.)
Blood dripping down the sides of your face as you pull back to claim a quick breather. The demon's eyes glowing with rage as it rushes forward to battle you once more, fists and feet flying at each other, until wordlessly, your body unable to endure it anymore collapses to the ground of it's free will. The darkness taking you as you pass out.(-100 Health points.)
Blinking open your eyes tiredly, you find yourself back at the volcano lying down in front of the demon.
(Click here to try and stand back up.)
Spoiler: Spoiler
Ignoring the burning furnace of agony that wells up inside of you, you grind your teeth, and stand up. Each of your wounds awakening with a vengeance that nearly causes you to fall once more.(-100 Health points.)
Standing upright at last, you face the demon, who smiles and bows his head as a sign of respect. "I am Tan'raielle."
At the sound of his name, you feel the winds shift against you, sparks of red energy drawn towards you, the name burning in the breeze with an unquenchable black flame that sinks into you.
New Spell Gained:
Tan'raielle - Your souls bound together in a mutual bond, you can now call upon Tan'raielle for additional strength, doubling your Health points. (Can only be used twice per Chapter).
(Click here to stay down.)
Spoiler: Spoiler
No strength to stand, you wait for the demon to finish you off, when something you cannot explain takes hold of your body, and pulls you upright. The pain in your body abating for the moment.(-5 Companion Reputation with Daedalus.)
Standing upright at last, you face the demon, who smiles and bows his head as a sign of respect. "I am Tan'raielle."
At the sound of his name, you feel the winds shift against you, sparks of red energy drawn towards you, the name burning in the breeze with an unquenchable black flame that sinks into you.
New Spell Gained:
Tan'raielle - Your souls bound together in a mutual bond, you can now call upon Tan'raielle for additional strength, doubling your Health points anytime you so choose. (Can only be used once per Chapter.)
Exhausted from the fight, you're are transported to a chamber in the citadel to rest, and given free access to the Towers, except for those of opposing Factions. (+40 Health points. As a member of the Fireglass Faction you're paid a fee of +2,500 gold pieces per week. You've also acquired the Robes of an Apprentice +2 Resilience.))
For those still wishing to learn more, the Fireglass Faction offers daily lessons in the courtyard to help improve the bond with your demon and gain access to demon spells. They also have a quartermaster who is able to sell a few items that are only available here on Bloodtides.
(Due to the urgency of your quest you can only improve or acquire one additional spell. Once you're done exploring, scroll to the last option at the bottom of the page.)
(Click here to learn.)
Spoiler: Spoiler
As a newly Apprenticed Fireglass Keeper, you can either improve the bond with your demon or gain access to a new spell which can only be used once per chapter.
Tan'raielle (Improved) - Your souls bound together in a mutual bond, you can now call upon Tan'raielle for additional strength, doubling your Health points anytime you so choose. (Can now be used twice per Chapter.)
New Spell:
Demon Blood
Life Cost: 20 Health points
Draw upon the soul bond to gain incredible strength. (+100 Resilience. 100% Fire resistance for the duration of a single scenario.)
(Click here to view the Inventory of the Quartermaster.)
Spoiler: Spoiler
New Items
Staff of Staffs: -25 Damage, +5 Mana per Chapter. ( Cost: 900 Gold Pieces.)
Weapon of choice for higher level mages.
Black Robes: +6 Resilience, +30 Health every third scenario. ( Cost: 1,000 Gold Pieces.)
While the robes are quite plain, they're covered in magical symbols to enhance strength and speed.
Fire Heart Amulet: +1 Resilience. (Cost: 20 Gold Pieces.)
A symbol of your bond with the demon, it's mostly ornamental.
Vial of Dragon Blood: Can be used once to permanently increase Health by +20 (Cost: 1,000 Gold Pieces.)
Potions & Elixirs for Sale (You may only purchase 1 of each item)
(Better practiced at potion making, the dark mages have improved some of the potions benefits.)
Shield of the Ancestor's Potion: Reduce the amount of damage you receive by half.(Can only be used once)Cost 1,500 Gold Pieces
Blood Reckoning Potion: Imbues the user with greater resilience for a short period of time +10 Resilience. (Can only be used twice) Cost: 1,500 Gold
Life's Glory Potion: Brings you back up to full health. (Can only be used twice) Cost: 2,500 Gold Pieces
Tear's of the Gods Potion: Allows you to deflect all damage. (Can only be used once) Cost: 2,000 Gold Pieces
Health Poultices: Heals 50 Health Points. (Can only be used once) Cost: 200 Gold Pieces
Bandages: Heals 35 Health Points. (Can only be used once) Cost: 150 Gold Coins
Mana Potions: Adds +50 Mana. (Can only be used once) Cost: 200 Gold Pieces
(Click here to continue.)
Spoiler: Spoiler
Returning to your chambers, you see a letter on your desk requesting you to meet with the Counsel of High Magelords.
Considering no guards had been sent to get you, you take it as a good sign that you've not been discovered, and follow the instructions in the letter which take you back through the city streets and towards the Heart of Bloodtides.
Walking towards the great pulsing orb, you are lifted high into the air before flying towards a bastion floating amongst the clouds. The place obscured by a white fog that you hadn't noticed it earlier.
Greeted by mages in black robes at the entrance to the sky bastion, you're taken in to face the Counsel of Magelords, when Daedalus whispers to you, "It's here!"