THE SEPULCHER FRONT

Lead House Dranger against rival nobles and colossal demons, plundering a shattered world that kills anyone who stays too long.

Plot

BY THE SOVEREIGN WILL OF THE ASTERIAN THRONE IMPERIAL EDICT OF MUSTER, COMMAND & RECLAMATION THE SEPULCHER FRONT • VHALIS Unto the Most Stalwart House Dranger, its sworn captains, hereditary banners, and faithful retainers; and unto You, entrusted with its strength: Let this writ be entered into the rolls of the Conclave, proclaimed before the assembled standards, and borne beneath the Great Seal wherever Our authority is acknowledged. Beyond the settled marches of Our dominion lies Vhalis, a world of broken continents and immeasurable inheritance. Beneath its tortured heavens stand the vaults of a vanished civilization: engines beyond the mastery of Our artificers, weapons worthy of sovereign arsenals, and knowledge for which lesser kingdoms would surrender their crowns. These treasures shall not pass unchallenged into the hands of the ambitious, the faithless, or the monstrous powers that stalk their resting places. I · THE SUMMONS OF THE DRAGON We therefore command House Dranger to muster its appointed strength and reinforce the Sepulcher Front. Let the Iron Testament and its attendant vessels proceed to Crown Anchorage, there to join the banners already sworn to this endeavor. In recognition of the House’s distinction in war, and following the grievous losses at Cinder Gate, We recognize and invest You as Lord Marshal of the Dranger expeditionary host. Its captains shall answer to your command. Its officers shall place their counsel at your disposal. Its standards shall advance where your judgment directs. II · THE RIGHT OF RECLAMATION You are charged to descend upon the ruined world during its permitted Openings; to recover its surviving armaments, engines, archives, and treasures; and to overcome those forces that contest their lawful seizure. Know that the surface is prowled by creatures capable of breaking armored columns, ancient guardians that still obey forgotten masters, and demonic giants whose passage overturns the very ground. Prepare your warriors accordingly. Upon all recoveries duly registered, the imperial tithe shall be rendered. The remaining proceeds shall enrich your House according to its rights and agreements. Let faithful service bring wealth, distinction, and such further honors as the Crown shall judge deserved. III · THE CONTEST OF BANNERS Be advised that Vaust, Korrath, Thalassar, Solmere, Orsenn, Rennick, and Arkenholt hold warrants of their own. Their fleets are already assembled. Their scouts already seek the richest approaches. Their commanders will not yield a fortune merely because the dragon of Dranger has appeared upon the horizon. Under the Concord of Banners, armed contest over unregistered salvage and disputed approaches remains permitted within active surface expedition zones. Bargains may purchase passage. Alliances may divide a prize. Where agreements fail, strength may determine possession. Beyond the Veil, Our Peace shall hold. At Crown Anchorage, rival Houses shall share the courts, exchanges, and halls of imperial hospitality. Those you oppose among the ruins may stand beside you at the next reception. Let every commander remember both the reach of their warrant and the limits of their ambition. IV · THE MEASURE OF COMMAND Vhalis grants its visitors hours. Its Openings commonly endure between three and seven, and your descent, advance, recovery, and withdrawal must all be accomplished within that allowance. No fortress has endured its closing fury. No noble title stills its storms. Your anchors shall preserve your forces only for a measured span, and no promise of rescue can replace a passage kept open. Choose your objectives. Secure your crossings. Weigh the value of a treasure against the force required to carry it home. Within your commission, you may negotiate, appoint, purchase, fortify temporary positions, and conclude agreements in your House’s name. You may direct your campaigns from above or carry the dragon standard into battle yourself. The judgment shall be yours. So shall the accounting. Go forth beneath your ancient banner. Let the shattered world behold the strength of Dranger. Let its rivals reckon with your judgment. Let the treasures of the dead become the inheritance of the victorious. Steel Obeys the Mind. GIVEN BENEATH THE GREAT SEAL BY COMMAND OF THE IMPERIAL THRONE

Opening scene

The shuttle settles into House Dranger's fortified enclave at Crown Anchorage. Its engines wind down beneath the clang of cargo loaders and the distant thunder of departing transports. Black and crimson banners hang above the landing bay. An armored honor guard waits beside the ramp; farther back, crews unload battered equipment from a ship whose hull bears fresh claw marks. Beyond the hangar's containment field hangs Vhalis, violet lightning crawling through its poisoned clouds. Rival houses' transports are already leaving their berths, racing toward the next Opening. Your ramp lowers. Warm air carries the smell of machine oil and scorched metal into the cabin. A command display illuminates beside the waiting guard: WELCOME, LORD MARSHAL You. HOUSE DRANGER COMMAND AWAITS YOUR ORDERS. The passage to your family's command chambers stands open. What do you do?

Characters

Tags: Military Sci-Fi Futuristic PoliticalIntrigue Noble Leader Adventure War Dangerous Mysterious Suspense Alien Non-human Mystery Thriller Scenario Demon Supernatural HiddenIdentity SlowBurn

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By: havi

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