Competition: Eldar: Lost Souls

Finished
Eldar: Lost Souls

While Arcona regains its momentum in the wake of the fiasco on Dandoran, the denizens of Eldar have not been idle. The Sardinians of Aifreann have been consolidating power, never quite open about their allegiances between the recently returned Galeres, their church, and the growing anti-Keadean insurgency. Meanwhile, on Tairiku, the reptilian Keadeans make political maneuvers as they struggle between a full return to their feudalistic past, and the centralized government endorsed by the watchful House.

But with things temporarily quiet, the silence has given rise to whispers. Tales of disappearing travelers, echoed cries, and formless shadows moving amongst the ruins of one of the many cities left derelict by the plague. Even among the Sardinians, yawning caverns and disused subterranean infrastructure has made way for ghost stories that, Galeres hopes, is only rumor to cover up the insurgency.

It is up to you to explore these places — one or both — and discover the source of these phenomena and, hopefully, survive. Is it supernatural horror or more mundane dangers that are the foundations of these occurrences?

Phantoms of Tairiku

Nearly lost amidst the east-central jungles of the continent lies the derelict city of Aroi’hon. Like many, in the wake of the plague, its population gradually died off, scattered into subsistence, or were captured by the pirate raiders led by Scalebeard. What remained were empty buildings that were gradually overrun by flora and fauna alike. Now, as the Keadeans try to reclaim their lost lives, exploratory parties have been sent out to places such as Aroi’hon. Only Aroi doesn’t seem as dead and abandoned as one would think, and several travellers have gone missing in passing the metropolis. Rumors of muted howls and shrieks mix with prevalent stories of shapes moving in windows. The march of progress must move forward though. Someone will have to see for sure what it is that resides in Aroi’hon. That someone is you.

Tunnel Rats

Aifreann, so long isolated from the Eldarian capital, Galeres, and Selen at large, is finally returning to the fold, albeit with muted violence against the Keadeans across the sea. Much of this insurgency rests within disused catacombs, remote caves, and other underground places that are difficult to track by ship-borne sensor suites. Among the suspected hideouts are locations rife with local legends that otherwise deter curious eyes from wandering too close. You are tasked with scouting out one such location. Determine if the ghost stories are just a cover for these militants — and deal with them accordingly — or if these legends have more credit to them than we’d like to believe.

Rules and Grading

  • 500 words minimum is required for valid entries, with no maximum word count limit.
  • Entries may use one or both prompts. Entries that do not address either will be disqualified. Entries from outside the target unit are not eligible for placement.
  • Accepted submission formats are PDF file or text box submission. Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) files and Google Doc links will NOT be accepted.
  • Grading will be done in accordance with the Fiction Grading Rubric.
  • Use of other people’s characters is permitted, but make sure you have their permission to do so. And make sure to hit the Loadout selection for your own character(s)!
  • Adult content is permitted, but do NOT publish the submission if it includes such content. A friendly warning to the organizer is recommended.
  • Third Level Crescents will be available to the top three placements, and Clusters of Ice will be applied in accordance with individual word counts.

Helpful Links

Keadean Lexicon
Eldar Wiki
Galeres Fiction Updates

Competition Information
Organized by
Qyreia Arronen
Running time
2021-10-04 until 2021-11-14 (about 1 month)
Target Unit
Clan Arcona
Competition Type
Fiction
Awards
Third Level Crescents and Clusters of Ice as per VOICE guidelines
Participants
6 subscribers, of which 0 have participated.
Results

Nobody has participated in this competition.