AC2:Announcements - 2003/04 - Conflagration

Teaser

Original Link (now dead) - microsoftgamesinsider.com/AC2/Episodes/Episode5/ep5_teaser.htm?nc=1

April Episode: "Conflagration"

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The Human sighed a low, lingering moan as she fell to the ground. Reebur lifted his head and loosed a victory howl to the heavens, a deafening croak that emanated from deep within his chest and filled the jungle around the ruined outpost. He inspected his victim, a slight Human female. Her skin was dry and revolting, and the top of her head was a tangled mass of yellow whiskers. He gave the remains a final kick.

Reebur remembered clearly the night, months ago, when a desiccated creature from Burun legend appeared at the tribal fire. For many years he and the others had heard whispered tales about the old ones who commanded the Gurog, ancient creatures so long dead that no moisture remained in their bodies. Now such a being stood in front of the assemblage. The great Immortals of his tribe listened, stroking their immense chins as the ancient creature spoke.

His name was Hahnain, and he said times were changing. The Tumeroks, Humans and Lugians—vermin that Reebur's kin had helped to drive from these lands—were returning. Those Tumeroks were crawling from their hiding places, where they had cowered for centuries. Already they and their allies had made fumbling attempts to steal Drudge lands. Now, though, was an opportunity, the creature said, a chance to finally destroy these parasites. They had only to draw the vermin out, let them expose themselves to the danger. When the moment was right, the Burun would overrun them, infiltrate their shelters, and destroy them once and for all. Then the Burun would finally have freedom, along with power unlike any they had known before. All the tribes had to do was wait.

While the promise of freedom from worry was intoxicating, the past few months had been a test of patience for Reebur. They hadn't been completely inactive in those months, many raids had been made against the invaders as they tried to rebuild their disgusting hovels. His brothers had blighted the land under the command of those rattling dry bones that rode atop decaying ataurs. But Reebur believed it wasn't enough. The vermin still believed they could wrest the land from his kin, and that could not be allowed. No, nothing short of a full assault on these misshapen creatures would satisfy him. They must be eradicated.

Last night, Hahnain appeared again at the tribal fire. The Immortals of his tribe felt as Reebur did, and they said as much to the ancient creature, who spoke in soothing tones, assuring them that with patience, once again they would have their day. The moment was not quite right; they were still amassing their power. Once gathered, that power would be brought to bear on all their enemies.

In fact, Hahnain said, his desiccated lips pulled back to reveal a gaping rictus of a smile, he had come to bring them a taste of that power. He presented the Immortals with a gift, a primitive variation of a crystalline device once fashioned by the mage Asheron. This device, and more like it, would allow them to slip through portalspace to whatever location they desired. It would be their anchor, allowing the Immortals to create long-lasting portals. These portals could be used to transport more brave warriors to a battle, thus allowing the Burun to continuously assault an outpost or town. Better yet, given enough time the device could establish itself permanently where it was placed. Afterward, almost nothing would be able to disrupt a portal created by the tribe's Immortals. The land around the portal device could not be taken back; the Burun would hold it forever.

The Immortals laughed with joy over this gift. The tribe broke out in a great dance around the tribal fire, one that lasted until the first rays of morning crept over the horizon. Though exhausted from the night's revelry, the Immortals used their new gift that very morning, and Reebur had been among the first to leap through the portal. The vermin who had been on the other side were caught unaware and fell easily. Now he and his brothers had only one task, to destroy any vermin who were foolish enough to attack them. Soon this device would make this land the Burun's own.

No, it wasn't a full assault on the invaders, Reebur thought. But for now, it would do.