This quest allows you to gain a reward by offering a ‘Pledge’ to one of the warlords of the Plains. Either Arch-Hekatos Kalazar of the Bloodroot Legion or King Elrog of the Towering Court. You do not need to have settled in the Plains in order to ‘Pledge’ to either of these warlords. Please indicate which Warlord you are supporting in the comment below.
These ‘Pledges’ will be tracked and come with the expectation that you will support the warlord when called upon. There are no mechanical consequences for not fulfilling your pledge to a warlord. However, you will be labeled as an Oathbreaker narratively.
The Court of the Towering King
The court of the Towering King sits high in the cliffs of the Fangwood. King Elrog sits on a throne carved into the cliff face so that he can see the nobles gathered before him. At the base of the cliff, swarms of feral ghouls wait with bated breath for the words of their king.
“M’lads and m’gals. You is here to ask for help from King Elrog. And Elrog am a good king. If you help Elrog tame these Big Beasts, then Elrog give you land. Only the bestest and noblests of blood can live in the Steppe. Ghur is about being big and strong and none are bigger or stronger than Elrog. Now let us feast!”
Cheers erupt from the gathered ghouls below. From above, they look like a swarm of ants, carrying bestial carcasses to the foot of their king. The Megagargant picks up the limp body of a sludgeraker, tearing into it with his great maw before tossing it before his guests.
“When the Big Wake Up comes, Elrog will tackle the beast and make it m’steed. Elrog need your help with the other kings. You help Elrog stomp them, then you will be Elrog’s friend. Now friend, have food. You need the strength.”
The Bloodroot Investment
The Arch-Hekatos Kalazar and his potential business partners overlook a bustling lumberyard. Ossiarch workers hack away at the bone-like trees of the Fangwood while Sylvaneth mages sing songs of rejuvenation to regrow what was cut down.
“Like many of you, I came to the Hungering Steppe in search of power and riches. Luckily, I was fortunate enough to arrive before the land was claimed by others. I have spent centuries creating my army with the bounties of the Fangwood and my enterprise is always growing. In normal times, I would not bother you all with my ideas. Instead, I would likely cut you down and bring you back as loyal servants. However, these are not normal times.”
He gestures to a nearby table where a Boneshaper stands before a chunk of Amber Bone that has been shaped to resemble an Ossiarch hand. Kalazar unscrews his own hand and replaces it with the realmstone appendage. He allows the crowd to drink in the sight before raising it out over the lumberyard. With a snap of his new fingers, the Arch-Hekatos wills the ossified trees of the Fangwood to grow at a rapid rate. Thick roots punch through the earth and branches tear through the clouds in the sky.
“This is a new era, where the masters of the Amber Bones are in control. With your investments, I will have the power to reshape the Steppe. The other warlords fear the beasts of the Great Awakening. They are fools who cannot see the bigger picture. The power of these great beasts will allow us to expand past this land and we can conquer the lands of Ghur. All I ask is for your aid now in return for power when the work is done.”