Previous: The Days of Kruk-Ma-Kali Part 5

With his large army Kruk-Ma-Kali struck outwards. He marched through the Orc Lands in a display of force to forestall any raids while his army was abroad. The parade did more than intimidate the orcs. Many of the tusked people joined the army, hoping for spoils in the coming invasion. After the orcs, Kruk-Ma-Kali’s soldiers fell upon the Valor Forest Elves in an avalanche of steel and fire.

The sylvan people had retreated from public life in Cimmeria after the Dragon War. The hobgoblin attack took them off guard and penetrated deep into the heart of the forest. With their inner culture threatened, the elves rallied. They erected powerful magic wards against the goblinoids. Their safe zone erected, the elves began pushing back against Kruk-Ma-Kali’s forces. His goblin troops could not proceed further into Valor Forest, so Kruk-Ma-Kali released captive Giuran owlbears into the forest to cross the elven wards. Behind the owlbears he set fire to the forest and had his mages use wind magic to blow the blaze towards the elves. If Kruk-Ma-Kali could not have Valor Forest, he would not permit the elves to have it either.

Kruk-Ma-Kali led his army out of the woods carrying the treasure and slaves they’d taken. The elves were the strongest force in Eastern Cimmeria and they were now neutralized. No credible force stood between Kruk-Ma-Kali and the cities of the east. He turned the hobgoblin people south along Talon’s Bed towards Fangaroot, Dalleer, and Bradel Fields.

Next: The Days of Kruk-Ma-Kali Part 7