Vallorn - Revision history

Hailmur: /* Vallorn Miasma */

2026-04-18T16:30:14Z

Vallorn Miasma

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:30, 18 April 2026
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	The miasma is somewhat inimical to unliving material - corpses exposed to the miasma quickly rot away to mulch. The miasma speeds the process of decay in most unliving material - which has made the recovery of fragile artefacts from Terunael ruins especially challenging.		The miasma is somewhat inimical to unliving material - corpses exposed to the miasma quickly rot away to mulch. The miasma speeds the process of decay in most unliving material - which has made the recovery of fragile artefacts from Terunael ruins especially challenging.

	The strength of the miasma can only be permanently reduced in an area by reducing the power of the vallorn that spawns it. Miasma powerful enough to harm a mortal may be found in small "pools" outside the immediate area of vallorn infestation, especially if there are vallornspawn plants in the area. It is much more common to find it across large expanses of vallorn claimed regions like a toxic sea (''OOC Note: regions with the Vallorn keyword are likely to be heavily invested with vallorn miasma.'') Exotic, alien and unique plants prosper in areas thick with miasma, and the monstrous insects associated with the vallorn thrive in these areas.		The strength of the miasma can only be permanently reduced in an area by reducing the power of the vallorn that spawns it. Miasma powerful enough to harm a mortal may be found in small "pools" outside the immediate area of vallorn infestation, especially if there are vallornspawn plants in the area. It is much more common to find it across large expanses of vallorn claimed regions like a toxic sea ('''OOC Note:''' regions with the Vallorn keyword are likely to be heavily invested with vallorn miasma.) Exotic, alien and unique plants prosper in areas thick with miasma, and the monstrous insects associated with the vallorn thrive in these areas.

	The miasma itself is not restricted to areas of vallorn infestation. Like a cloud of smoke, strong winds can blow the miasma into nearby areas. Without the support of an active vallorn, however, the miasma dissipates quite quickly. For the hours or (rarely) days it remains, however, it supports the presence of [[vallornspawn husk\|vallornspawn husks]] or [[ettercap\|ettercaps]] in unexpected areas.		The miasma itself is not restricted to areas of vallorn infestation. Like a cloud of smoke, strong winds can blow the miasma into nearby areas. Without the support of an active vallorn, however, the miasma dissipates quite quickly. For the hours or (rarely) days it remains, however, it supports the presence of [[vallornspawn husk\|vallornspawn husks]] or [[ettercap\|ettercaps]] in unexpected areas.

Matt: /* Defeating the Vallorn */

2026-04-17T12:50:36Z

Defeating the Vallorn

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:50, 17 April 2026
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	These vallorn "armies" would replenish slowly over time; if the Empire left a vallorn heart to spread unchecked, it would regain a tenth of its strength each season. There are also dire predictions of what might happen if two vallorn were able to meet one another; that they might "merge", combining their strength and becoming significantly more deadly.		These vallorn "armies" would replenish slowly over time; if the Empire left a vallorn heart to spread unchecked, it would regain a tenth of its strength each season. There are also dire predictions of what might happen if two vallorn were able to meet one another; that they might "merge", combining their strength and becoming significantly more deadly.

	It is important to note that the vallorn does not operate in exactly the same fashion as an [[Imperial army]]. Rather than being represented by multiple smaller forces, like the armies of a nation, each vallorn operates as a single force that is effectively spread throughout every region with the vallorn quality attached to the vallornheart. It can be engaged in multiple regions at the same time, all facing the same force that may be both attacking in one area and defending in another. Each of the vallorn is likely to have its own [[Army qualities\|qualities]], which may be very different to those possessed by mortal armies.		It is important to note that the vallorn does not operate in exactly the same fashion as an [[Imperial army]]. Rather than being represented by multiple smaller forces, like the armies of a nation, each vallorn operates as a single force that is effectively spread throughout every region with the vallorn quality attached to the vallornheart. It can be engaged in multiple regions at the same time, all facing the same force that may be both attacking in one area and defending in another. Each of the vallorn is likely to have its own [[Army qualities\|qualities]], which may be very different to those possessed by mortal armies (they will be comparable).

	Unlike barbarian armies the vallorn cannot become overextended and does not fear losing control of supply lines. Vates warn that Spring [[enchantment\|enchantments]] or [[curse\|curses]] such as [[Rivers Run Red]] or [[Thunderous Tread of the Trees]] will not harm the vallorn. They may even make it worse - the vallorn thrives on the energies of Spring and any use of large-scale Spring magic rituals runs the risk of making it stronger.		Unlike barbarian armies the vallorn cannot become overextended and does not fear losing control of supply lines. Vates warn that Spring [[enchantment\|enchantments]] or [[curse\|curses]] such as [[Rivers Run Red]] or [[Thunderous Tread of the Trees]] will not harm the vallorn. They may even make it worse - the vallorn thrives on the energies of Spring and any use of large-scale Spring magic rituals runs the risk of making it stronger.

Hailmur: /* Containing the Vallorn */

2026-02-06T18:52:05Z

Containing the Vallorn

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:52, 6 February 2026
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	In either case, the vallorn will become quiescent again after a few seasons of such efforts. It will take anywhere between two and four seasons for this to happen, depending on how strong the vallorn heart is, how it was roused, and whether further action is taken to keep it active. Following observations in Therunin, Imperial prognosticators are confident they can now identify how long a vallorn will be active when it is roused.		In either case, the vallorn will become quiescent again after a few seasons of such efforts. It will take anywhere between two and four seasons for this to happen, depending on how strong the vallorn heart is, how it was roused, and whether further action is taken to keep it active. Following observations in Therunin, Imperial prognosticators are confident they can now identify how long a vallorn will be active when it is roused.

	Vallorn forces that are attacking a territory will target a physical fortification, if the bastion is in a region adjacent to the vallorn heart, unless called out as part of an [[opportunity]]. ~~Magical fortifications~~, such as those created by [[Basalt Citadel]] or [[Forge the Wooden Fastness]] do ''not'' have this effect.		Vallorn forces that are attacking a territory will target a physical fortification, if the bastion is in a region adjacent to the vallorn heart, unless called out as part of an [[opportunity]]. Enchantments, such as those created by [[Basalt Citadel]] or [[Forge the Wooden Fastness]], do ''not'' have this effect.
	<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Fire and thorns.jpg\|caption=Before the vallorn can be destroyed it must be roused to full wakefulness - a risky move indeed.\|align=left\|width=500}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Fire and thorns.jpg\|caption=Before the vallorn can be destroyed it must be roused to full wakefulness - a risky move indeed.\|align=left\|width=500}}</div>

Matt: /* Containing the Vallorn */

2026-02-06T18:51:22Z

Containing the Vallorn

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:51, 6 February 2026
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	In either case, the vallorn will become quiescent again after a few seasons of such efforts. It will take anywhere between two and four seasons for this to happen, depending on how strong the vallorn heart is, how it was roused, and whether further action is taken to keep it active. Following observations in Therunin, Imperial prognosticators are confident they can now identify how long a vallorn will be active when it is roused.		In either case, the vallorn will become quiescent again after a few seasons of such efforts. It will take anywhere between two and four seasons for this to happen, depending on how strong the vallorn heart is, how it was roused, and whether further action is taken to keep it active. Following observations in Therunin, Imperial prognosticators are confident they can now identify how long a vallorn will be active when it is roused.

	Vallorn forces that are attacking a territory will target a fortification, if the bastion is in a region adjacent to the vallorn heart, unless called out as part of an [[opportunity]].		Vallorn forces that are attacking a territory will target a physical fortification, if the bastion is in a region adjacent to the vallorn heart, unless called out as part of an [[opportunity]]. Magical fortifications, such as those created by [[Basalt Citadel]] or [[Forge the Wooden Fastness]] do ''not'' have this effect.
	<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Fire and thorns.jpg\|caption=Before the vallorn can be destroyed it must be roused to full wakefulness - a risky move indeed.\|align=left\|width=500}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Fire and thorns.jpg\|caption=Before the vallorn can be destroyed it must be roused to full wakefulness - a risky move indeed.\|align=left\|width=500}}</div>

Twiggy: Duplicate text

2026-02-05T15:43:29Z

Duplicate text

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:43, 5 February 2026
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	contributions from allies, familiar and unexpected. After the work was complete, it revealed a quicker way to defeat the vallorn, albeit one that required immense [[Courage]]. If [[A_thousand_years_of_longing#The_Final_Trod\|all the remaining vallorn hearts could be connected with trods]] then it would rouse the vallorn to attack - but it would also make it vulnerable. It would be possible to defeat it everywhere - not in the distant future - but now.		contributions from allies, familiar and unexpected. After the work was complete, it revealed a quicker way to defeat the vallorn, albeit one that required immense [[Courage]]. If [[A_thousand_years_of_longing#The_Final_Trod\|all the remaining vallorn hearts could be connected with trods]] then it would rouse the vallorn to attack - but it would also make it vulnerable. It would be possible to defeat it everywhere - not in the distant future - but now.

	Rather than containment, the Imperial strategy will need to shift to destruction. The vallorn will still be drawn to attack fortifications, but its strength will operate differently, it will not be reduced when it claims regions, and it will not become quiescent over time~~. After careful assessment, the Civil Service has been able to identify the nature and the scale of the threat if the vallorn hearts are linked by trods~~. After careful assessment, the [[Civil Service]] has been able to identify the nature and the scale of the threat if the vallorn hearts are linked by trods. In that situation, the vallorn will boil forth from each of the hearts - in the Empire that means [[Hercynia]], [[Liathaven]], [[Brocéliande]] [[Sarangrave]] and [[Therunin]]. At present, only Hercynia and Sarangrave are controlled by the Empire, but all five would create huge problems that would require significant military force to defeat. In addition, there are two other vallorn hearts, one in [[Thule]] lands in [[Otkodov#Sküld\|Emrys in Sküld]], and one in [[Axos]] lands in [[Axos#Axou_Territories\|Visokuma]].		Rather than containment, the Imperial strategy will need to shift to destruction. The vallorn will still be drawn to attack fortifications, but its strength will operate differently, it will not be reduced when it claims regions, and it will not become quiescent over time. After careful assessment, the [[Civil Service]] has been able to identify the nature and the scale of the threat if the vallorn hearts are linked by trods. In that situation, the vallorn will boil forth from each of the hearts - in the Empire that means [[Hercynia]], [[Liathaven]], [[Brocéliande]] [[Sarangrave]] and [[Therunin]]. At present, only Hercynia and Sarangrave are controlled by the Empire, but all five would create huge problems that would require significant military force to defeat. In addition, there are two other vallorn hearts, one in [[Thule]] lands in [[Otkodov#Sküld\|Emrys in Sküld]], and one in [[Axos]] lands in [[Axos#Axou_Territories\|Visokuma]].

	The larger and denser the vallorn is, the greater the resulting military strength of the threat associated with it. Larger means the more regions in a territory that are claimed by the vallorn ('''OOC Note:''' that have the [[Region_qualities#Vallorn\|vallorn]] quality). The vallorn hearts in territories associated with the Navarr are all equally dense - these hearts have been cut back for centuries by the action of trods. The [[Druj]] used powerful wards to contain the vallorn heart in the [[Sarangrave]] rather than cutting it back, so vates theorise that the vallorn here will be much denser, much more fecund in these territories as a result. The territory of Visokuma was abandoned to the vallorn by the [[Axos]], so its heart is likely to be even more potent.		The larger and denser the vallorn is, the greater the resulting military strength of the threat associated with it. Larger means the more regions in a territory that are claimed by the vallorn ('''OOC Note:''' that have the [[Region_qualities#Vallorn\|vallorn]] quality). The vallorn hearts in territories associated with the Navarr are all equally dense - these hearts have been cut back for centuries by the action of trods. The [[Druj]] used powerful wards to contain the vallorn heart in the [[Sarangrave]] rather than cutting it back, so vates theorise that the vallorn here will be much denser, much more fecund in these territories as a result. The territory of Visokuma was abandoned to the vallorn by the [[Axos]], so its heart is likely to be even more potent.

Rafferty: /* Destroying the Vallorn */

2026-02-05T15:02:59Z

Destroying the Vallorn

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:02, 5 February 2026
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	* '''Imperial armies will need to inflict sufficient casualties to completely destroy a vallorn force to defeat it'''		* '''Imperial armies will need to inflict sufficient casualties to completely destroy a vallorn force to defeat it'''
	* '''It is not possible to reclaim a region with the vallorn quality until the entire force associated with that vallorn heart is destroyed'''		* '''It is not possible to reclaim a region with the vallorn quality until the entire force associated with that vallorn heart is destroyed'''
	Once the trods are connected the vallorn will become especially dangerous. It will still be drawn to attack a bastion or any similar structure in the territory it is attacking if it is adjacent to a vallornheart, but it will not lose strength for each region it claims. At that point the only way to stop it spreading will be to utterly destroy it.		If the vallornhearts are connected, however, the situation changes dramatically. Once the trods are connected the vallorn will become especially dangerous. It will still be drawn to attack a bastion or any similar structure in the territory it is attacking if it is adjacent to a vallornheart, but it will not lose strength for each region it claims. At that point the only way to stop it spreading will be to utterly destroy it.

	In 385YE, the Empire [[A thousand years of longing\|expanded the Great Library of Hacynian]], so that it could contain copies of all documents and records on the vallorn scattered through every [[striding]] and [[steading]] in the Empire, as well as those in personal libraries all across the Empire.		In 385YE, the Empire [[A thousand years of longing\|expanded the Great Library of Hacynian]], so that it could contain copies of all documents and records on the vallorn scattered through every [[striding]] and [[steading]] in the Empire, as well as those in personal libraries all across the Empire.
	contributions from allies, familiar and unexpected. After the work was complete, it revealed a quicker way to defeat the vallorn, albeit one that required immense [[Courage]]. If [[A_thousand_years_of_longing#The_Final_Trod\|all the remaining vallorn hearts could be connected with trods]] then it would rouse the vallorn to attack - but it would also make it vulnerable. It would be possible to defeat it everywhere - not in the distant future - but now.		contributions from allies, familiar and unexpected. After the work was complete, it revealed a quicker way to defeat the vallorn, albeit one that required immense [[Courage]]. If [[A_thousand_years_of_longing#The_Final_Trod\|all the remaining vallorn hearts could be connected with trods]] then it would rouse the vallorn to attack - but it would also make it vulnerable. It would be possible to defeat it everywhere - not in the distant future - but now.

	After careful assessment, the [[Civil Service]] has been able to identify the nature and the scale of the threat if the vallorn hearts are linked by trods. In that situation, the vallorn will boil forth from each of the hearts - in the Empire that means [[Hercynia]], [[Liathaven]], [[Brocéliande]] [[Sarangrave]] and [[Therunin]]. At present, only Hercynia and Sarangrave are controlled by the Empire, but all five would create huge problems that would require significant military force to defeat. In addition, there are two other vallorn hearts, one in [[Thule]] lands in [[Otkodov#Sküld\|Emrys in Sküld]], and one in [[Axos]] lands in [[Axos#Axou_Territories\|Visokuma]].		Rather than containment, the Imperial strategy will need to shift to destruction. The vallorn will still be drawn to attack fortifications, but its strength will operate differently, it will not be reduced when it claims regions, and it will not become quiescent over time. After careful assessment, the Civil Service has been able to identify the nature and the scale of the threat if the vallorn hearts are linked by trods. After careful assessment, the [[Civil Service]] has been able to identify the nature and the scale of the threat if the vallorn hearts are linked by trods. In that situation, the vallorn will boil forth from each of the hearts - in the Empire that means [[Hercynia]], [[Liathaven]], [[Brocéliande]] [[Sarangrave]] and [[Therunin]]. At present, only Hercynia and Sarangrave are controlled by the Empire, but all five would create huge problems that would require significant military force to defeat. In addition, there are two other vallorn hearts, one in [[Thule]] lands in [[Otkodov#Sküld\|Emrys in Sküld]], and one in [[Axos]] lands in [[Axos#Axou_Territories\|Visokuma]].

	The larger and denser the vallorn is, the greater the resulting military strength of the threat associated with it. Larger means the more regions in a territory that are claimed by the vallorn ('''OOC Note:''' that have the [[Region_qualities#Vallorn\|vallorn]] quality). The vallorn hearts in territories associated with the Navarr are all equally dense - these hearts have been cut back for centuries by the action of trods. The [[Druj]] used powerful wards to contain the vallorn heart in the [[Sarangrave]] rather than cutting it back, so vates theorise that the vallorn here will be much denser, much more fecund in these territories as a result. The territory of Visokuma was abandoned to the vallorn by the [[Axos]], so its heart is likely to be even more potent.		The larger and denser the vallorn is, the greater the resulting military strength of the threat associated with it. Larger means the more regions in a territory that are claimed by the vallorn ('''OOC Note:''' that have the [[Region_qualities#Vallorn\|vallorn]] quality). The vallorn hearts in territories associated with the Navarr are all equally dense - these hearts have been cut back for centuries by the action of trods. The [[Druj]] used powerful wards to contain the vallorn heart in the [[Sarangrave]] rather than cutting it back, so vates theorise that the vallorn here will be much denser, much more fecund in these territories as a result. The territory of Visokuma was abandoned to the vallorn by the [[Axos]], so its heart is likely to be even more potent.

Rafferty: /* Defeating the Vallorn */

2026-02-05T15:02:23Z

Defeating the Vallorn

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:02, 5 February 2026
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	==Defeating the Vallorn==		==Defeating the Vallorn==
	Imperial seers ''estimate'' that the strength of the biggest Imperial vallorn heart - the one in [[Brocéliande]] is likely to be at least 50,000. The others are much smaller. [[Liathaven]] and [[Hercynia]] will be around 15,000 (Liathaven is expected to be larger than Hercynia). The strength of the [[Therunin]] vallorn is harder to estimate given the [[To_hold_death%27s_hand_in_mine#Tainted_Vengeance\|Druj interference]] there, but it is cautiously predicted to have a strength perhaps half the size of Brocéliande.		Imperial seers ''estimate'' that the strength of the biggest Imperial vallorn heart - the one in [[Brocéliande]] is likely to be at least 50,000. The others are much smaller. [[Liathaven]] and [[Hercynia]] will be around 15,000 (Liathaven is expected to be larger than Hercynia). The strength of the [[Therunin]] vallorn is harder to estimate given the [[To_hold_death%27s_hand_in_mine#Tainted_Vengeance\|Druj interference]] there, but it is cautiously predicted to have a strength perhaps half the size of Brocéliande. If a vallorn were to capture significant additional territory this strength would likely increase.

	These vallorn "armies" would replenish slowly over time; if the Empire left a vallorn heart to spread unchecked, it would regain a tenth of its strength each season. There are also dire predictions of what might happen if two vallorn were able to meet one another; that they might "merge", combining their strength and becoming significantly more deadly.		These vallorn "armies" would replenish slowly over time; if the Empire left a vallorn heart to spread unchecked, it would regain a tenth of its strength each season. There are also dire predictions of what might happen if two vallorn were able to meet one another; that they might "merge", combining their strength and becoming significantly more deadly.

Matt: /* Destroying the Vallorn */

2026-02-05T14:54:57Z

Destroying the Vallorn

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:54, 5 February 2026
Line 59:		Line 59:
	* '''Imperial armies will need to inflict sufficient casualties to completely destroy a vallorn force to defeat it'''		* '''Imperial armies will need to inflict sufficient casualties to completely destroy a vallorn force to defeat it'''
	* '''It is not possible to reclaim a region with the vallorn quality until the entire force associated with that vallorn heart is destroyed'''		* '''It is not possible to reclaim a region with the vallorn quality until the entire force associated with that vallorn heart is destroyed'''
	Once the trods are connected the vallorn will become especially dangerous. It will still be drawn to attack a bastion or any similar structure in the territory it is attacking if it is adjacent to a vallornheart, but it will not lose strength for each region it claims. At that point the only way to stop it spreading will be to destroy it.		Once the trods are connected the vallorn will become especially dangerous. It will still be drawn to attack a bastion or any similar structure in the territory it is attacking if it is adjacent to a vallornheart, but it will not lose strength for each region it claims. At that point the only way to stop it spreading will be to utterly destroy it.

	In 385YE, the Empire [[A thousand years of longing\|expanded the Great Library of Hacynian]], so that it could contain copies of all documents and records on the vallorn scattered through every [[striding]] and [[steading]] in the Empire, as well as those in personal libraries all across the Empire.		In 385YE, the Empire [[A thousand years of longing\|expanded the Great Library of Hacynian]], so that it could contain copies of all documents and records on the vallorn scattered through every [[striding]] and [[steading]] in the Empire, as well as those in personal libraries all across the Empire.

Matt: /* Destroying the Vallorn */

2026-02-05T14:54:18Z

Destroying the Vallorn

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:54, 5 February 2026
Line 59:		Line 59:
	* '''Imperial armies will need to inflict sufficient casualties to completely destroy a vallorn force to defeat it'''		* '''Imperial armies will need to inflict sufficient casualties to completely destroy a vallorn force to defeat it'''
	* '''It is not possible to reclaim a region with the vallorn quality until the entire force associated with that vallorn heart is destroyed'''		* '''It is not possible to reclaim a region with the vallorn quality until the entire force associated with that vallorn heart is destroyed'''
			Once the trods are connected the vallorn will become especially dangerous. It will still be drawn to attack a bastion or any similar structure in the territory it is attacking if it is adjacent to a vallornheart, but it will not lose strength for each region it claims. At that point the only way to stop it spreading will be to destroy it.

	In 385YE, the Empire [[A thousand years of longing\|expanded the Great Library of Hacynian]], so that it could contain copies of all documents and records on the vallorn scattered through every [[striding]] and [[steading]] in the Empire, as well as those in personal libraries all across the Empire.		In 385YE, the Empire [[A thousand years of longing\|expanded the Great Library of Hacynian]], so that it could contain copies of all documents and records on the vallorn scattered through every [[striding]] and [[steading]] in the Empire, as well as those in personal libraries all across the Empire.
	contributions from allies, familiar and unexpected. After the work was complete, it revealed a quicker way to defeat the vallorn, albeit one that required immense [[Courage]]. If [[A_thousand_years_of_longing#The_Final_Trod\|all the remaining vallorn hearts could be connected with trods]] then it would rouse the vallorn to attack - but it would also make it vulnerable. It would be possible to defeat it everywhere - not in the distant future - but now.		contributions from allies, familiar and unexpected. After the work was complete, it revealed a quicker way to defeat the vallorn, albeit one that required immense [[Courage]]. If [[A_thousand_years_of_longing#The_Final_Trod\|all the remaining vallorn hearts could be connected with trods]] then it would rouse the vallorn to attack - but it would also make it vulnerable. It would be possible to defeat it everywhere - not in the distant future - but now.
Line 69:		Line 71:

	In this situation, where all the hearts have been joined by trods, the only way to retake the regions dominated by the adjoining vallorn heart will be to completely eradicate the creatures controlled by that vallorn heart. That means inflicting sufficient [[casualties]] to completely destroy the effective strength of the vallorn. Casualties can be inflicted by defending a region the vallorn is attempting to spread to or by attacking any of the regions dominated by the vallorn.		In this situation, where all the hearts have been joined by trods, the only way to retake the regions dominated by the adjoining vallorn heart will be to completely eradicate the creatures controlled by that vallorn heart. That means inflicting sufficient [[casualties]] to completely destroy the effective strength of the vallorn. Casualties can be inflicted by defending a region the vallorn is attempting to spread to or by attacking any of the regions dominated by the vallorn.

	Once the trods are connected the vallorn will become especially dangerous. It will still be drawn to attack a bastion or any similar structure in the territory it is attacking if it is adjacent to a vallornheart, but it will not lose strength for each region it claims.

	==Defeating the Vallorn==		==Defeating the Vallorn==

Matt: /* Destroying the Vallorn */

2026-02-05T14:52:50Z

Destroying the Vallorn

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:52, 5 February 2026
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	In this situation, where all the hearts have been joined by trods, the only way to retake the regions dominated by the adjoining vallorn heart will be to completely eradicate the creatures controlled by that vallorn heart. That means inflicting sufficient [[casualties]] to completely destroy the effective strength of the vallorn. Casualties can be inflicted by defending a region the vallorn is attempting to spread to or by attacking any of the regions dominated by the vallorn.		In this situation, where all the hearts have been joined by trods, the only way to retake the regions dominated by the adjoining vallorn heart will be to completely eradicate the creatures controlled by that vallorn heart. That means inflicting sufficient [[casualties]] to completely destroy the effective strength of the vallorn. Casualties can be inflicted by defending a region the vallorn is attempting to spread to or by attacking any of the regions dominated by the vallorn.

	Once the trods are connected the vallorn will become especially dangerous. It will still be drawn to attack a bastion or any similar structure in the territory it is attacking if it is adjacent to a vallornheart but it will not lose strength for each region it claims.		Once the trods are connected the vallorn will become especially dangerous. It will still be drawn to attack a bastion or any similar structure in the territory it is attacking if it is adjacent to a vallornheart, but it will not lose strength for each region it claims.

	==Defeating the Vallorn==		==Defeating the Vallorn==

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:43, 5 February 2026
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	contributions from allies, familiar and unexpected. After the work was complete, it revealed a quicker way to defeat the vallorn, albeit one that required immense [[Courage]]. If [[A_thousand_years_of_longing#The_Final_Trod\|all the remaining vallorn hearts could be connected with trods]] then it would rouse the vallorn to attack - but it would also make it vulnerable. It would be possible to defeat it everywhere - not in the distant future - but now.		contributions from allies, familiar and unexpected. After the work was complete, it revealed a quicker way to defeat the vallorn, albeit one that required immense [[Courage]]. If [[A_thousand_years_of_longing#The_Final_Trod\|all the remaining vallorn hearts could be connected with trods]] then it would rouse the vallorn to attack - but it would also make it vulnerable. It would be possible to defeat it everywhere - not in the distant future - but now.

	Rather than containment, the Imperial strategy will need to shift to destruction. The vallorn will still be drawn to attack fortifications, but its strength will operate differently, it will not be reduced when it claims regions, and it will not become quiescent over time~~. After careful assessment, the Civil Service has been able to identify the nature and the scale of the threat if the vallorn hearts are linked by trods~~. After careful assessment, the [[Civil Service]] has been able to identify the nature and the scale of the threat if the vallorn hearts are linked by trods. In that situation, the vallorn will boil forth from each of the hearts - in the Empire that means [[Hercynia]], [[Liathaven]], [[Brocéliande]] [[Sarangrave]] and [[Therunin]]. At present, only Hercynia and Sarangrave are controlled by the Empire, but all five would create huge problems that would require significant military force to defeat. In addition, there are two other vallorn hearts, one in [[Thule]] lands in [[Otkodov#Sküld\|Emrys in Sküld]], and one in [[Axos]] lands in [[Axos#Axou_Territories\|Visokuma]].		Rather than containment, the Imperial strategy will need to shift to destruction. The vallorn will still be drawn to attack fortifications, but its strength will operate differently, it will not be reduced when it claims regions, and it will not become quiescent over time. After careful assessment, the [[Civil Service]] has been able to identify the nature and the scale of the threat if the vallorn hearts are linked by trods. In that situation, the vallorn will boil forth from each of the hearts - in the Empire that means [[Hercynia]], [[Liathaven]], [[Brocéliande]] [[Sarangrave]] and [[Therunin]]. At present, only Hercynia and Sarangrave are controlled by the Empire, but all five would create huge problems that would require significant military force to defeat. In addition, there are two other vallorn hearts, one in [[Thule]] lands in [[Otkodov#Sküld\|Emrys in Sküld]], and one in [[Axos]] lands in [[Axos#Axou_Territories\|Visokuma]].

	The larger and denser the vallorn is, the greater the resulting military strength of the threat associated with it. Larger means the more regions in a territory that are claimed by the vallorn ('''OOC Note:''' that have the [[Region_qualities#Vallorn\|vallorn]] quality). The vallorn hearts in territories associated with the Navarr are all equally dense - these hearts have been cut back for centuries by the action of trods. The [[Druj]] used powerful wards to contain the vallorn heart in the [[Sarangrave]] rather than cutting it back, so vates theorise that the vallorn here will be much denser, much more fecund in these territories as a result. The territory of Visokuma was abandoned to the vallorn by the [[Axos]], so its heart is likely to be even more potent.		The larger and denser the vallorn is, the greater the resulting military strength of the threat associated with it. Larger means the more regions in a territory that are claimed by the vallorn ('''OOC Note:''' that have the [[Region_qualities#Vallorn\|vallorn]] quality). The vallorn hearts in territories associated with the Navarr are all equally dense - these hearts have been cut back for centuries by the action of trods. The [[Druj]] used powerful wards to contain the vallorn heart in the [[Sarangrave]] rather than cutting it back, so vates theorise that the vallorn here will be much denser, much more fecund in these territories as a result. The territory of Visokuma was abandoned to the vallorn by the [[Axos]], so its heart is likely to be even more potent.