This quest allows you to gain a reward by offering a ‘Pledge’ to one of the warlords of the Plains. Either Menthizar Kraeth of the Cult of the Unseen or Huntmaster Sylai of Packhome. 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.
Amongst the Clans of Packhome
Inside the Great Tent of Packhome, the Huntmasters of the Ghurneth assemble. Some, such as the Horsemaster, represent the interests of hundreds of clanmates. While others, such as Kor of the Maw-Krushas, represent a clan of one. The Huntmasters argue about whether to accept the settlers that stand before the assembly. Their cacophonic bickering falls to an eerie silence as Sylai of the Denkeepers enters the Great Tent.
“My kin, we gather on this day to welcome these potential Packmates. Some of you see these outsiders as a threat to our way of life, to the ways of the hunt. On any other day, I would agree with you. But today is different. Today the true threat lies beneath our feet. We have all felt the rumblings. None have our connection to the beasts of this realm. So when I say to you that the Great Awakening will destroy the Hungering Steppe, you know that I speak the truth. These allies will give us the power we need to protect the ways of the Steppe. When danger arrives, we do not balk. We hunt. When a beast threatens the natural order, we do not despair. We hunt. So, I ask you both, Huntmaster and ally, will you aid me in this quest? Will you join the hunt?”
in this quest? Will you join the hunt?”
The Chamber of the Unseen
The settlers of the Steppe stand in a chamber clouded by fog, their neighbors hidden by the dense air. At the center stands Menthizar Kraeth. The Dreadlord speaks out into the fog. His voice that of a wizened king, a young maiden, a wild zealot, and a somber mage all at once
“Do you see the path in the shadows? The tasks that must be done? Of course not, for your eyes are still open to the lies of the world. You have put your trust in me, so I shall show you the way.”
His form melts into the fog and is replaced by an image of the Steppe. Cracks ripple through the shell of the earth as a great amber beak pecks its way through to the surface. The beast hatches from the earth, great purple wings unfurling as it takes off into the sky.
“There will be a Great Awakening that will shatter the Hungering Steppe. The beasts of Ghur will rampage over these paltry warlords and demolish their schemes. A dark bringer of death seeks to control the Alpha Beasts. In the mayhem and chaos, we will put our own plans into motion.”
The creature flies around the chamber, diving close to each of the visitors. A shadowy tendril wraps around its neck and pulls it back to the center of the room. It struggles to break free as more tendrils pin it to the ground. Gray veins of corruption course through the beast as it screams in anguish. The cries falter as it becomes consumed by the Ulguan magics. It stands with an alien purpose and surveys the room around it. From its form, Menthizar Kraeth appears, a wave of his arm blows the image and the fog away to reveal the speaker and the settlers standing in an empty room.
“We will bring the Unseen One into the Hungering Steppe. With the might of our god, this realm will be ours. Now that the path is laid open, will you follow it?”