The Great Wall was named Harmony. From atop its round drum tower, Argel the Gate Watcher and his rangers could see the land for many miles. To the vast North spread a great barren waste, full of cracked ground, dying trees, and decay. Beyond that was the Withering Gates, two large mountains from which the dark fires once again danced. And even further the great tower of Izlaroth stood! Known only by few as a great thing of dark stone, that went up and up, surrounded by a great fortress. The tower itself with many bastions and spires, wounding ever and ever upward. It was said the tower was a place of great malice, where demons took wing in the night, indeed it was spoken only in whispers in the lands South.
They said the tower was a place where bad dreams came upon the ill winds, and the haunted voices of dark and twisted beings could be heard. The truth was far worse, Argel knew. For he and others were of a few survivors who travelled there many years ago. And there Belorn sung his song, and slew Izlaroth in single combat, shattering his earthly form. But yet it seems his servants live on.
Far South past the barren lands of the wall, and the towns set forth below it. Was the realms of men such as the Stattle peoples who loved war and discord. And in the rivers and mountains were the Squatchmen, who loved the earth and all the things that crawled well below. To the East lay the great plains of the many people of Sanrok, nomadic tribes who ride great birds and harbor many magics. But of all them, Argel loved most the deep South where the trees are strongest, the fruit the most verdant, and the breeze like a great breath of air. It’s people were fair and good, and kind. It was for them Argel shed a tear, for there lived the Elich people who were his own.
Harmony was not found these days, and in this place the stones were cracked, many of the towers abandoned. As memory of great turmoil became but a whisper in the night, tales oft told to disobedient children. There were few who could remember. And a great horn brought Argel back.
For before them, stood the great army of the enemy. Great banners flapped in the smog wind, pikes and halberds and great axes gleamed in what little light there was. The Gabanoks were a great and mighty warrior people, twisted and savage. And the shadows of the enemy twisted and moved all about them. There were others too, beasts of great might, whether large or small.
The trumpets of the enemy blew, and some defenders fell. This was met with a rhythmic thrum of the drums and horns and flutes. And as the enemy charged, a great many fell. Yet more remained. Argel threw his arms out and sang, and a great dust storm fell upon the enemy. Though they would soon close with mortal weapons, the weapon of faith would sustain them for a time. But Argel saw something peer through the storm, two great eyes.
There was fire in the sky, and from a place unseen by many eyes, Argel saw a great beast of stone atop the tower with spread wings and fire and malice in its heart. It lifted a great stone horn to its lips and blew. And in the waking world there was a tremble, and many on the wall fell, as they did when the trumpets of the enemy blew. The wall of Harmony was cracked and split. The servants of the great beast Izlaroth swept forth, and great arrows fell upon them, and a sound like grating steel on steel.
The defenders stood fast, but the fog of war was upon them, and the great smog of the enemy. A shadow shifted and slithered, and though Argel struck a great many down with his voice and his blade, he did not see. And a cold blade slid through his armor, and his chain, and a numbness took hold of his heart.