Soter Wildblood

Soter Wildblood is one of the five current Diriges that serve under the Therianthrope king, the Doyen. The Onithrope is one of the only members of his kind in existence, and Soter treats this as a trait to be proud of. He is shown to at first be antagonistic, but later becomes the face of the Friorelian Civil War, leading the resistence against Sanguis's new faction, the Sanguine. Soter was also the former apprentice of Eisen Fang, before the Skilner became High Crusader.

In his first appearance, Soter is one of Unguis's chosen, displaying homicidal and murderous tendencies, as he later takes Cruelon, Lenia, and Wesen hostage. After Cruelon saves his life, Soter becomes indebted to the High Elf, who later makes him one of his Diriges. Soter also becomes known for taking care of Cruelon's lesser or harder work so that Cruelon himself can have more of the glory later on, Laminas Manu saying at one point, "So you're the one who takes care of Cruelon's mess, while he gets all the glory."

The Wildblood name is carried with grave honor and respect throughout all of Friorel, with Warlord Caedis and one of the first Crusaders, Morasia Venomblade, carrying or at one point carrying the name, though Soter has more than once insisted that the name is a curse.

Overview
Soter is known for his towering height and arrogant personality, being often found overly confident in his abilities and having what Eisen Fang called a fool's courage. Eisen also made a foreshadowing comment to Soter's future, to the young Skilner's father; "Your boy has drive, Caedis, ambition and alot of potiential. It's what he does with that ambition that I'm worried about."

Personality
Over confident, brash, sarcastic, and bold sum up the son of Wildblood in just a few words. Soter is seen to be egotistical, this best witnessed when he fought Sanguis Bloodpride in the Friorelian Institute's duel, firing up the crowd into a frenzy to cheer for him. The Onithrope is at first crushed and depressed when his confidence and courage place him in the event that changes his life, a fight with an Onithrope that leaves Soter bitten by the raging beast. This action causes his father, Caedis, to remove Soter from their family, disowning him. Soter also shows himself to be bloodthirsty and a murderer when Cruelon and his group first encounter the young Skilner, though he later abandons these characteristics in hopes of finding redemption for his actions in Kyraniath. It's noted that he only developed these traits in the beginning so that he could appease Unguis and gain the God's jaw to become the Doyen, Unguis convincing the young Soter that was the only way for him to win back Caedis's love and favor. Soter has also demonstrated the ability to greatly detach himself from those around him, such as when he impaled his former lover, Tranda, onto Unguis's altar to open up the gateway within the God of Monster's temple.

Through his time with Cruelon and Lenia, however, Soter learns compassion, mercy and kindness, toning down the rougher edges of his personality by the time Cruelon accepts him as a Dirige, however he still shows moments where he returns to his old ways, such as when he killed the traitor and Sanguine member, Roika Sharpclaw.

Soter is also seen to be almost unconditionally loyal to his friends, upon discovering that his brother Orion had lost Laminas Manu in The Battle for Tectum, Soter risked his life to venture out into the carnage and find his friend.

Description
Soter is known for his height, standing above most of his kin. This is one of the few traits that distinguish Soter from his twin brother, Orion. The Skilner favors the black panther more than any other feline, the Wildblood line being famous for its pure heritage. Soter possesses amber eyes and a wide jaw and nose. He's also been said to have a large forehead, though this is typical of those who favor the panther. Soter also holds a muscular physique, from the rough and often strenuous training those in Therianthrope Hordes are subjected to. Because of the same training, Soter also bares a scarred body, from the various fights and maulings he went through in Kyraniath, with his nose having a considerably large scar going across it vertically, and a large mark going into his mouth from a busted lip that was torn further in a form of torture. Three bite marks are spread out across his body, one on his side, the other his shoulder, and the final one on his calf, these being the bites of which his Onithrope infection was trasmitted.

Soter wears armor made from the various hides and pelts of the beasts that inhabit Kyraniath, though he is most often seen in a hooded helm made from the head of a dire panther, the rest of the set having varying supplies of tanned leather, pelts, and fangs to hold it together.

Onithrope Form
In his Onithrope form, Soter remains much the same, save for becoming far more feral, gaining an overall increase in size as average for most Therianthropes. Soter has various runic markings that appear in this form, the signs of a Dirige.

War of Morsus
Soter and his brother Orion were born in the early days of the Morsus War, but had no involvement in it. At sometime during the Morsus War, their father, Warlord Caedis, moved their family to Tectum, presumably to be closer to the Indlose conflict. After he and his brother reach their third year, their mother Noluit has their younger sister Zelenae.

Rise of the Dark Crusader
After the War of Morsus, Orion and Soter have reached their fifteenth year, and Caedis has the pair to be apprenticed by Eisen Fang, along with the younger brother of Iukuin Manu, Laminas Manu. Soter advances rapidly through Eisen's training, much to Caedis's approval. He far outshines his brother Orion, who is soon discouraged by his brother's advancements, making Orion loose drive in his training. Soter finds out soon there after that Eisen has dropped Orion from his apprenticeship, much to the disgust of Caedis. Because of the praise and attention he recieves from Caedis, this causes the first seeds of Soter's pride and confidence to take root and grow. Soter is often seen with Laminas, the pair sparring and training together under Eisen's watch. It's also later proven that Soter has grown closer to Laminas than his own brother, Orion, though Laminas attempts to keep a friendship with both of the brothers.

After Laminas's older brother Iukuin is shown to be leading a force to destroy his former people, most of the Skilner shun the young warrior. Soter grows closer to Laminas because of this, understanding somewhat because of those who disagree with his father's strategies and history.

Sometime before the Battle for Tectum,  Soter spits at Taer Bloodpride's feet, calling him a coward for his plea to Eisen to return home to North Soriak, though it can be assumed Soter didn't know Taer's reasoning for the demand. Soon afterwards, Chelnar requests that Soter be the one to lead his 'family', Serra Goldenpaw, the mother of Calor and Renite Goldenpaw, and Trita Brownfoot, who's pregnant with Rotilos, to safety before the Siege takes place in Tectum. Soter does as told, though Serra dies during the journey out of Tectum. The Indlose warrior that struck the female Skilner proves to be Soter's first kill. Later Soter show's a softside, looking upon Calor and Renite as his charges, somewhat pitying them for having to grow up as orphans. However he sees Trita as more of an annoyance, blaming Trita for Serra's death. After getting the group out of Tectum, he had planned to stay with them, though with the arrival of his brother, he finds that Orion has left Laminas somewhere in Tectum while the city is under siege, saying that Laminas, who had been wounded, was only slowing him down. Angered at his brother's selfish act, Soter gets into an argument with his brother.

Soter then leaves the safety of their hideaway and struggles through the city, eventually finding Laminas bleeding from a stub where his hand once was, struggling to maintain consciousness because of his blood loss. Soter helps his friend into a blacksmithing shoppe, where the pair take shelter until the siege is over, with Soter using whatever he can find to try and stop the bleeding.

Rise of the Dark Crusader: Aftermath
After Iukuin's fall and the Indlose flee, Soter and Laminas meet Falx Ironbreaker, a highly skilled blacksmith from Dragokvir. Falx cauterizes Laminas's wound, and makes him a new hand made of iron, though Falx later admitted to adding other minerals to the mix. Soter is the only one to see the enchantment of the hand, and finds himself among the first to know about Laminas's 'handicap'.

As the Indlose later join the Skilner in an alliance after Soter's cousin Nyra Venomblade and Uisa Moonfeather, Soter finds himself in a neutral opinion of the new race, while Orion is incredibly racist to the newcomers. Soter takes leave of Eisen, as his former mentor now leads the newly made Friorelian Union. Upon Caedis's request, Soter is sent to the Friorelian Institute to further his training. Soter unhappily says goodbye to Laminas, but is accompanyed to the Institute by his sister, Zelenae.

The pair remain in the Institute for several years, until Soter is almost twenty. While there, Soter meets and befriends a slightly younger female Skilner named Kiona Fiercesun. With his graduation nearing, as part of the ceremony Soter is put into a match against Sanguis Bloodpride, the son of Taer Bloodpride. Not remembering the Skilner General, Soter brutally attacks Sanguis, scarring the younger Skilner with his bare hands, while the watching crowd is gloated into a frenzy by the Wildblood warrior. After the fight is over, Zelenae voices her disappointment in Soter, causing Soter to pull away from his sister, though Soter later regrets this. Kiona convinces him to make amends with Zelenae, Soter's pride momentairly fading. Kiona reveals to Soter that she's leaving to join the Dalix Guard soon after. Soter, saddened to part with another friend, says his good byes to Kiona.

As Soter and his sister make amends, Caedis approaches Soter with the promise of the family warhammer, something that Soter has been striving for his entire life. As Soter is promised the warhammer, he quickly begins numerous attempts to increase his fame and glory, starting his many various quests into the Friorel world to serve the people of the Union.

City of Sto'Kor
Soter joined in with Servaa Bearpelt's regiment to rescue Eisen, Nyra, Aroth, and Vander. He inherits a terrible hatred for the Du Maul, one that later travels with him to Kyraniath.

Dark Moon (Donkere Maal)
In the days before Donkere Maal, the Dark Moon, Soter takes the bounty for an Onithrope. Against the warnings of Laminas, Soter goes to kill the beast.

Though Soter is successful in killing the beast, he is bitten numerous times, and upon his return to his father, Caedis disowns him. His father in that one instance takes away everything that Soter has built his somewhat fragile existence over. On the streets without any other option, Soter contemplates suicide before he transforms and looses control of his body. However this option is crushed by the various dreams of glory and honor he begins recieving, showing him back in his father's favor and holding the warhammer. Soter pushes back the depression gnawing at his body, determined to find the source of these dreams.

The dreams soon intensify into what Soter first percieves as uncontrolled daydreams from a wandering mind, but later worsen into hallucinations that begin to occur when he's awake.

On the night of the Dark Moon, Soter begins hearing whispers of a voice in his head while in Dalix. The voice is introduced as Unguis. The God promises Soter that he has a way to make Caedis favor Soter again, and that he's been chosen for a far greater purpose than any other member of the Friorelian Union.

As the Dark Moon takes full effect over Friorel, Soter starts to expierence headaches that leave him only clinging to consciousness. He soon comes to recognize this as the start of his first change. Ungius extends an offer then, to take Soter away from the city before he kills anyone, and again promises to make Soter into a figure that all will be proud of. Desperate and beginning to transform, Soter agrees. Unguis takes the Skilner into the Abyss for several moments to take him to Kyraniath, with Soter loosing consciousness within, as the Onithrope infection begins to dominate his being.

Soter awakens days later after Dark Moon ends in Kyraniath, while the lunar event has ended many hours earlier in Friorel. Soter is shown to be invigorated by the change he's under gone, following Unguis's further directions to find a Therianthrope Horde that he intergrates himself into. He quickly proves himself to be above average, with Unguis directing his every action to further himself in ranking within the Therianthrope Horde.

War of the Saeva (Feral Elves)
During his time in the Therianthrope Horde, Soter begins to loose his humanity. He feels somewhat singled out, being the only Skilner Therianthrope among the masses of orc and elf Therianthropes. Soter quickly joins into the brutal training that the current Dirige of the Horde is inflicting upon its members, attempting to get them ready for an attack upon the city of Sargorian, the capital city of the Savage Elves, or Saeva. It's shown that the reasoning behind this is for fresh bodies to transform and infect, which Soter disagrees with at first, though under direction from Unguis, the onithrope later bites several traveling Saeva.

Soter learns soon enough that the only way to advance further as Unguis is asking him to is to slaughter his fellow Therianthropes. Soter begins to develope a narcissistic personality, distancing himself and gaining a lack of empathy, tearing his way through several lesser Therianthropes to eventually become one of Tiran Blackfang's, the Dirige, advisors. Many of these killings are without any aggression from the victim, coming off to some more like assassinations, though even as they were quick and unsuspecting kills, Soter always made their deaths public, as to openly show his advance in status. By the second Advisors's death, Tiran has withdrawn into paranoia, having been subjected to various nightmares from Unguis, each depicting his death at Soter's hands. With the third advisors death, Soter is placed as Tiran's second in command.

With his new rank, Soter takes more control over the Therianthrope Horde, digging into the history of the Saeva, finding however that their history is of little interest to his goals. As Soter leads several raids however, he comes into contact with several Klein orcish cities that are in the area. Learning from his studies that the Klein Orcs were originally former allies to the Saeva, but draw apart into a near hatred due to the manipulation of a Dusk Elven queen, Soter seeks at first to ally with the Klein orcs. However, he later finds it of more interest to slaughter the various Klein orc tribes. Soter eventually encountering a half-orc who he holds captive until she reveals a way to enter the cities once their defenses have been raised.

He keeps the half-orc, Draniva Groam, until she reveals that the earth is loose enough under the holds for the Therianthropes to dig underneath. Instead of killing or changing her, Soter lets Draniva go, though he admits he doesn't know why.

Soter leads an attack soon after to the largest Klein Orc village, his group ripping apart the city. The few survivors of the ordeal are bitten and forced into the Therianthrope Horde.

Upon returning to the Therianthrope Horde's camp, Soter encounters Tranda Blackfang, the younger sister of Tiran. After Soter being seduced by Tranda, the pair begin a sexual relationship, with the true means however just being Tranda wishing to secure a place of value to the Onithrope, as she predicts Soter will kill her brother and take over the Horde. Soter seems to know this, though goes along with the escapade to keep Tranda's loyalty.

Siege of Sargorian
During the Siege of Sargorian, Soter joins in. The onithrope fights his way through the districts of Sargorian, making his way to the main tower in the city where the Saevan royalty rules from. Inside Soter finds Tiran and the Saevan king locked into a fierce combat. Soter hides himself until he sees Tiran hold the Saevan king up by his throat, going for a finishing move that takes both time and concentration. Internally scolding Tiran for his overly dramatizied killing of the king, Soter takes his chance and kills Tiran. Soter snaps Tiran's spine with a common iron warhammer. As the king and Tiran fall over dead, Soter finds Draniva struggling to hold back a Saevan youth, the king's son. Soter lets the pair escape while he rejoins the Horde who accept him as their leader, with somewhat fear from the Therianthrope Horde.

Aftermath of the Sargorian Siege
Soter rules over the Therianthrope Horde for several years, awaiting Unguis's call as the God promised. Soter maintains a tighter grip upon the Horde than Tiran did, outright killing any Therianthrope that rivals him in power. Tranda remains by his side, being joined by a close circle of Therianthropes that Soter is confident he can dispatch of if they prove to be a threat to him. The Savage Elves former home becomes the capital for the Therianthrope Horde.

Rise of the Doyen
Unguis's call is soon set out, and Soter is among the first to meet it as Unguis summons Sollus Diriges in a race to get his jaw, stating the winner will become the Doyen. Though Soter takes note this isn't what the God originally told him, he believes he'll still be able to recieve the Jaw, being the closest Dirige of his knowledge to the Temple of Unguis, where the jaw is being held. However, Soter learns that the Temple's gateway requires a Therianthrope sacrifice. He quickly plots to either use a member of his own group or to find someone along the way to impale upon the altar.

While on the way to Unguis's temple, Soter slaughters a Ursinthrope Dirige, with even Tranda being somewhat surprised at his brutality. They take a member of the Ursinthrope's group hostage for the sacrifice, before slaughtering the rest.

They eventually encounter Evernis Hunters, seeking to end Unguis's Call. Soter and Cruelon Wildhunt's groups collide as they dispatch of the monster hunters. Soter plays off that his group are bounty hunters, and their hostage is a thief they're returning, however Soter offers to show them the way to Unguis's Temple, secretly planning on sacrificing the group in a tribute to Unguis to further show his loyalty.

Cruelon, Lenia Redash, and Wesen Daggerhilt reach the Temple of Unguis with Soter, however discover the Skilner's true intentions as they arrive in the holy ground. A fight occurs, with Soter eventually binding Cruelon's group and continuing onto the Temple, though Soter's group has suffered casulties that leave him down to just Tranda, and two Lycanthropes.

Wesen, his bindings having been loose, breaks free and kills the Ursinthrope hostage before Soter can impale the elf on the altar, causing Soter to 'improvise'. The Onithrope picks up Tranda and impales her instead, showing Soter's murderous tendencies in full. Leaving Tranda to bleed out, Soter turns to deal with Wesen who has been untying his friends while Soter was distracted.

The gateway opens as Tranda expires, Wesen helping Cruelon and Lenia get free from their binds. The two groups go head to head, with Soter's two Lycanthropes eventually being killed by Cruelon and Lenia and he himself hanging off of a ledge inches from his death, though Soter leaves Wesen with a mangled shoulder.

Crying out to Unguis to save him, his discovers pleas mean nothing as Unguis openly and verbally encourages Cruelon to kill him. Soter breaks down, realizing that he's commited terrible acts in the attempt to regain his father's favor, even learning from Cruelon that Caedis has been dead for several years and everything has been in vain. As Unguis's influence fades while Cruelon now has the jaw, Soter begs Cruelon to let him die, beginning to slip off of the ledge. As Soter accepts his fate, he asks for Cruelon to tell Zelenae that he was sorry for all his years of bloodlust.

However, Cruelon saves the Onithrope, saying that he has a chance for redemption yet. Soter repents religiously to Cruelon, and offers up his services to Cruelon in payment for putting him back on the right track.

Friorelian Civil War
During the time after Cruelon retrieved the Jaw of Unguis, Soter, Cruelon, Lenia, and Wesen made the Temple into a city for refugees, as more and more former members of the Union trickled in to join the Ferus Regno, Cruelon's own faction. Soter recovers his true personality over time, quickly joining into life in the temple and being granted the position of Dirige, again, by Cruelon. Numerous other powerful Therianthropes join the Temple, Duratus Iceborn, Sol Breezerunner, Amiria Duskwalker, and Ulbum Ironbreath among them. Soter often finds himself in arguments with Duratus and Sol, but ends up using it to his advantage, learning how to tolerate the pair.

After it becomes clear that Sanguis wants Cruelon and their allies dead, the Doyen sends a request for aid to Bleedest the Bloodborn, and self titled King of Antropy. Over the course of several days, Soter soon learns that Amiria and Ulbum have been sent to the Friorel mainland, to go to Blackgrove and unlock the Obitus made prison, Edige.

With some of their leading counsel gone, Soter finds himself taking further responsibility, but wonders if he really belongs with the Ferus Regno after he sees that most of the Ferus Regno's permanent members are Elves and Agralor.

Several months pass and a large refugee group enters the Temple. Cruelon takes Soter into his private quarters and briefs him on the matters at hand - Amiria and Ulbum may be dead, and if Soter can find them alive, then he should send them back and continue on to Edige within Blackgrove to gain the power within. Soter, eager for a chance to leave the Temple and get away from the responsibilty of the Ferus Regno, Soter accepts quickly. Soter, is however, forced to take a guide with him through Friorel, Roika Sharpfang.

As Soter and Roika leave the Temple, he notices Roika acting suspiciously, and eventually the female Skilner makes an assassination attempt upon Soter. The Onithrope holds Roika long enough to figure out the majority of the refugees Roika led to the Temple have been afflicted with a poison, magical in nature, that will cause their death soon after arrival. Soter questions the reasoning for even taking a group there, until Roika explains that Sanguis wants to drain the hope from the Ferus Regno. Roika calls herself Sanguine, with Soter eventually slaughtering Roika without warning. Soter chooses to continue on his own.

After going several days without any further interruption, Soter finds himself coughing up silver blood, and having to force himself on, but collapses before he gets out of the region the Temple is within. Within the visions he expierences, Soter communes with Alitura, the Sollus Nature Goddess. Alitura advises him upon the quest he's under taking from Cruelon. She forcibly offers her blessing upon the young Onithrope, along with a friend to aid him on his quest, Edor the Enraged. Alitura makes it clear that Edor too, needs redemption for his past actions, just as Soter does.

When Soter awakens, he finds himself face to face with Edor Worghowl, a worg. He at first provides Soter with little more information than he needs to know, explaining that the reason why he's been coughing up the disgusting liquid is because Alitura is purifying his very blood. Soter worries at first that this will remove his Onithrope infection, but Edor quickly makes it clear that it will remain regardless, as there is no cure for the Therianthrope affliction. Edor takes charge of their journey, stating very quickly off that they'll be going to the Elven village of Elderwood, despite Soter's arguments that Amiria and Ulbum may not have much time.

Upon their arrival in Elderwood, Alitura's purging causes Soter to loose consciousness. When he awakens, Edor is gone, and a younger Skilner named Javel is attempted to rob Soter. Soter forces Javel to lead him to Edor, who is within the temple of Alitura, fighting the priestesses within. Soter enters the temple with Javel, he and the thief joining in the fight. Eventually Soter reluctantly kills the head priestess to save Edor's life and end the conflict. Edor and Soter escape from the temple while Javel feels.

Wandering into the Ironwoods in the middle of the night, with village officals chasing after them, Soter questions Edor's intentions. Edor, however, demands to know why Soter saved him. Soter returns that a man once thought he was worth redeeming once, and that Edor should be offered the same courtesy. The worg soon confides into Soter his story, of how he was the original worg and has been cursed into servitude to both Alitura and Unguis, and that this quest might be his only chance to regain his freedom and find his wife, a witch who Edor is convinced is still alive, despite the thousands of years since his transformation. Soter relents that he'll aid Edor find his wife and gain his freedom, as Edor reveals the reason he came to Elderwood was to see if he could find the amulet his wife left behind, and that the members of Alitura's temple prized the artifact because of his wife's high standing with Alitura.

Soter notes that Edor has it, and the worg insists that he hold onto the necklace. Soter and Edor slowly begin to grow closer as friends as they make their way to the Nothern Kyraniath shore. After he once again looses consciousness, Soter finds himself in a dream with direction communication to Skoll, the Friorelian God of elements. Skoll opens passage for Soter and Edor to reach Blackgrove, throwing the group into the thickset of the forest, a short distance away from the Afflicted city of Rommel. Soter and Edor, with Skoll's directions, rush towards the unholy prison of Edige.

Opening of Edige
Upon their arrival, Soter and Edor find themselves under attack from a pack of worgs, seemingly sent by Unguis to delay the pair. Soter and Edor fight against the beasts, with Edor's innate control over his kin forcing the monsters back. They're soon aided however, by Noirae Fang, Eisen's daughter. Noirae quickly adds the strength that the pair need, ending the fight and killing the worgs. Soter follows Noirae, with the promise that she knows where Amiria and Ulbum are.

Reaching Noirae's hut, Edor and Soter find that not only are Amiria and Ulbum alive and well, Noirae has been in Blackgrove all this time, hiding out, with Rainstorm Windmaker. The Arch-shaman lists the reasoning that he needed to go into hiding for the exact purpose to guide Soter now, and that Alitura was correct in the assumption that Soter has a great destiny ahead of him. Rainstorm notes that Soter's journey is just beginning, and reveals the reason for Noirae's presence. Edige can't be opened without the blood of an Afflicted, and Noirae's blood has a high concentration of Abyssal energy due to her natural birth and not infection.

Rainstorm explains that Amiria and Ulbum were kept in Blackgrove to give them a reason to come find them. The shaman lets Amiria and Ulbum hold a counsel with Soter, where the three argue about what should happen next, before Soter takes control and demands that they return back to The Temple to explain what's happened, though he requests that they don't speak of Rainstorm at the shaman's request, though he remains unsure why. Amiria and Ulbum submit, before departing soon thereafter.

Back inside the hut, Rainstorm plans for them to leave for the prison of Edige the next day. Soter spends the night being caught up on the various issues that have occurred in Friorel during the time he's spent in Kyraniath.

By the next morning, the group departs, with Rainstorm only staying long enough to direct the group into Edige before he leaves suddenly. Noirae seems unalarmed and continues on inside the prison. Soter and Edor are plagued with visions of their past and the actions they've caused. While Soter finds a way to block out his memories and reject them, Edor is reduced to a mentally unstable mess as he begins to remember bits of his past that have faded over the centuries. Realizing that the only things in Edige that are a threat to them are their own memories, Soter locks Edor into a side room, while Noirae remains unaffected by her memories, her Afflicted nature serving as a natural barrier from the spells Edige is using to defend the prisoners within. Soter and Noirae advance on until the reach the central room, where Noirae draws blood and opens up the inner workings of Edige.

After a brief period where the death guardians refuse to listen to Noirae, she enforces her control over the guardians who fall back from their assualt upon Soter. As Noirae gathers the guardians and gives them commands, she directs Soter to North Soriak, saying that he has family in its prison. In confusion, Soter is told by Noirae that Rainstorm has been sharing visions with a select few among the prisoners, Rotilos and Zelenae among them. Shocked, Soter quickly leaves, ushering Edor out of his room.

As he leads the worg out of the room, Soter promises Edor that they'll find his wife, but he needs the worg's aid. Edor agrees, and hesitantly lets Soter use him as a mount as the pair journey towards the North Soriak.

Along the way there, Soter recieves visions, nightmares, and whispers of a voice sceaming for him to break a beam, leaving the Onithrope thoroughly confused. The dreams intensify until Soter finds himself in a dream, forced to break a beam with a warhammer. Soter is soon after shoved into an imagined conflict between himself and Sanguis Bloodpride, leader of the Sanguine. Soter awakens after Sanguis rips out his throat, baring similar injuries to a lesser extent.

Terrified from his visions, he and Edor continue on their journey to North Soriak, with Edor adapting with a magical veil to hide his worg form, resembling something that Soter assumes to be his once humanoid form, that of a Griev, an elf from central Kyraniath. Soter learns more of Edor's past life, discovering that Edor's need for redemption spurrs from the fact that his transformation caused the near destruction of his home, and ultimately seperated his very soul from his earthly form. Edor hopes that in the discovery of his wife that she'll have a way to cure him, though Soter remains hesitant to agree, due to the nature of Edor's affliction.

Sanguine Rule
Upon reaching North Soriak, Edor and Soter sneak inside. Soter is appalled to find the city under complete control by Sanguine forces, with the citizens of the Soriak being forced into submission and complete obedience to Sanguis's rule. Several lower ranking members of Sanguis's  "True Union"  seem to also be part of this forced regime, but many more appear to do so willingly, having been brought into the counsel with the whisperings of power. It's also shown that many elves are only complying to the Sanguine's rule because they believe Serivana is still alive and is siding with Sanguis's reign.

Edor and Soter find an abandon warehouse in one of the Soriak's mostly rundown districts, where Soter decides to make their temporary home. He and Edor begin to plot their way into the Soriak's prison, and are soon shocked to find that Rainstorm has not only found his way into the Soriak, but into the warehouse. The arch-shaman takes his knowledge of the city and explains the best points of entry for the prison. He suggests that Soter may want to use a less loud approach until they find more aid. Agreeing, Soter voices that Edor should only remain close enough to aid if it is so needed.

Rainstorm also conveys that Sanguis has kept Serivana's severed head, this only beginning to reveal the extent of the High Crusader's madness to Soter. Rainstorm insists that if Soter can get solid proof that Serivana is dead, they can use it to sway the High Elves to the rebellion and gain more allies in the civil war. Soter reluctantly agrees.

The shaman finally tells Soter that Orion has been swayed to Sanguis's side through the taste of power the corrupted leader has shown him, and that though Orion lacks solid combat skills himself, he's excelled at strategy. Rainstorm explains that other wellknown traitors include Rakir Strongfang, Celei Amberlight, Velox Quickpaw, and the elf Sachao Dayhaunter, along with many other lesser known Generals. He does note however, that most of the high ranking members of the Friorelian Union have went into clear and open rebellion against Sanguis, with Servaa Bearpelt, Tigerstripe Ghostcaller, Vander Earthstrike, Silvaire Windmaker, Ossuan Stone and Laminas Manu leading their regions against the Sanguine.

Soter questions Servaa's involvement until he finds that Uisa was slaughtered in a Sanguine attack, causing Servaa to take over as the Indlose leader, though an Indlose named Varg Lightningtongue has formally taken over the Arch-shaman duties of the race.

Within the next two days, Soter and Edor enter the North Soriak prison, with Soter sneaking inside and entering a fight with Rakir Strongfang, barely being able to beat back the massive Skilner until he falls into unconsciousness. Soter subdues Rakir in bonds until he can journey further into the prison. Soter manages to sneak his way into the bowls of the prison, where he finds Orion visiting his siblings, Zelenae and Maestur. All three are shocked to find Soter alive, but Orion soon turns hostile while Zelenae and Maestur are forced into the back of their cell by Orion.

Soter discovers Orion has the family warhammer, and after learning in the following conversation that Orion is the cause for their family's imprisonment, Soter attacks Orion in a blind rage, entering his Onithrope form and shocking Zelenae and Maestur. Soter soon forces Orion to his knees, chaining his twin to the wall. Orion begs for his life, seeing that Soter is struggling to not give into revenge. Soter instead bites Orion, infecting him with the Onithrope infection, knowing Sanguis will have Orion executed for his condition. Soter turns and frees his family, taking the warhammer with him.

Zelenae and Maestur lead Soter through the prison bowels to find allies, this eventually causing their party to rise in size with Rotilos Whiteclaw, Natal Terrorhowl, Videre Farsight, Koina Fiercesun, and several members of Rotilos's Crimson Guard. Soter leads the group on a run through the streets, with Edor's timely distraction diverting attention away from the group long enough for them to reach the warehouse.

Within, Soter discusses with Videre and Rotilos their next course of action. Rotilos wants to make an impact upon the city, while Videre laments that everything is hopeless and the Sanguine will crush them. Soter refuses to believe this, and sides with Rotilos, wanting to make a difference in North Soriak as he reveals to them that Sanguis has kept Serivana's head. Rotilos and the Crimson Guard offer their aid to Soter, as Edor, Soter, and Rotilos make plans to leave a lasting impression upon the Soriak.

Face of the Rebellion
Soter and Rotilos launch a type of guerrilla warfare upon North Soriak, burning Sanguine symbols, slaying supporters, and freeing prisoners. Riots become frequent in the streets, with Soter being recognized as the face of the rebellion by many, to some more so than Cruelon himself. Because of this Sanguis begins to increase the amount of Sanguine guards and tighten his control in North Soriak, though this only causes Soter and Rotilos to do the same.

Kiona becomes closer to Soter over time, with Soter hesitantly forming a relationship with her, remembering Tranda briefly. Maestur begins to take lessons from Videre in how to become a magi, while Rainstorm is shown to be in contact with several Rebellion Leaders, Laminas among them. Soter and Rainstorm soon reach agreement that they need to move into the Soriak Citadel to take the head sometime soon, before Sanguis completely tightens control over the city. In the days before they make their final raid upon the city, Edor and Soter develope a mental-link with help from Rainstorm, cementing them in a near brotherly bond.

Rainstorm soon intends for Soter and Rotilos to create a diversion large enough to distract the Sanguine forces attention, before Soter and Kiona enter the citadel themselves to find the head as Rotilos, Rainstorm, and Edor hold off the Sanguine outside with the aid of their rebel group. Rainstorm sends them off in the middle of the night, with Soter and Rotilos planning to set the whole of the North Soriak Citadel District ablaze.

Soter and Rotilos manage to slay several of the Sanguine guards who've remained on watch, with Rotilos using a more basic shamanistic spell to light the first spark in the district, Soter spilling oil from the reserves in the District used to keep the braziers burning. Kiona, Rainstorm, Zelenae and Edor soon arrive with the rebell forces that have joined them, and the following fight ends with Sanguis himself leaving the citadel to confront the rebells, shocking Soter by his entirely afflicted appearance, something Rainstorm compares to Iukuin.

Rainstorm summons a raging firestorm, causing Sanguis to lead the majority of the Sanguine guards in the district into a direct assault with the Rebellion forces, with Rotilos joining in the battle.

Soter and Kiona enter the citadel, rushing through the majority of the building until they reach Sanguis's private quarters near the second floor of the stronghold. The pair are disgusted to find that Sanguis has kept various trophies from previous victims, with Liatall Stormwhisper, Annette Daggerhilt and Uisa Moonfeather's heads being among the heads near Serivana's. Soter closes Uisa and Annette's eyes before leaving the room with Serivana's head in a sack, Kiona leading the way down through the stairs. The pair are eventually cornered by Sanguis and some of his guard, outnumbered.

The Onithrope communes with Edor to come to the window below him, before Soter grabs Kiona and breaks the glass with his warhammer, being caught by the worg and rushing away after Rainstorm who is leading the rebels out of the city. Edor then leaves them to rush ahead to the front of the group. As they near the gates the group is with-held, with Sanguine forcing the gates down. Soter notices one of the rebels has left the group and is alone rushing towards the gates, the Skilner being slightly older than himself. As they fight their way through to the gate, the Skilner cuts a rope along the side of the barrier, causing the gate to go flying up. Soter and Kiona break from the group long enough to aid the Skilner in keeping the gate open, though Soter is forced to watch helplessly as Rakir grabs Maestur from the others, threatening to slaughter the young Skilner unless Soter hands himself over. When Soter is ready to give himself up, Videre enters combat with Rakir, forcing him to drop Maestur who runs to Zelenae before the two flee.

As Soter, Kiona, and the other Skilner begin to flee, they find that Videre has been unable to escape from Rakir's grasp. Though Soter and Kiona attempt to turn back and aid the mage, Rakir crushes Videre's head inside of the gate's gears.

Rainstorm leads the battle-weary group further north, towards the city of Dragokvir. Through the days of travel it takes to reach the city, Soter becomes friends with the Skilner, Aramis Onyxpelt. Over travel, Aramis hesitantly reveals that he and Soter share the same mother, Aramis having been born before Noluit Onyxpelt met his father Caedis. Soter is somewhat awkward with their relations soon after, but grows closer to Aramis in ways that he never could've before with Orion. Zelenae also reveals to Soter that she plans to take Maestur with the group to Dragokvir, but wants to remain there for their younger brother's sake during the conflict. Soter agrees that it would be best for Maestur. Soter's siblings fade into the background after this.

Battle of Dragokvir
Verkor Corspine allows the group into the city through a tunnel passage, with Soter, Kiona, Edor, and Aramis weary of the Skilner General, who seems to have inherited his father's personality. Before entering the city, Natal Terrorhowl leaves with a group consisting mainly of Indlose, promising Soter that she and her warriors will be at his command, with Natal planning to return to Tectum and retake the city from the Sanguine. Soter agrees, and the two part on even terms. Silvaire Windmaker has also taken control over his city, having recovered from his period of grief when he believed his brother to be dead. Silvaire is shocked to find Rainstorm alive. Once inside, Rainstorm and Silvaire have a tearful reunion, the later believing his arch-shaman brother to have been dead. Inside of the city, it's shown that the Sanguine have taken full control over the Wyrmflight capital, though Silvaire's city hasn't been forced into either side of the war due to his neutral standing. However, Silvaire doesn't hesitate to reveal that the Sanguine will have followed Rainstorm's group to the mountains, and that he anticipates that he'll have to side with one of the forces soon.

After communicated with Silvaire and Rainstorm, Rotilos tells Soter that he's leaving to make sure Noirae reached Whiteclaw Fort safely, with Soter noting that he had correctly assumed Noirae had other plans, and to bolster the Fort's power.

Meanwhile Rainstorm catches Silvaire up to speed, the Regional Lord quickly explains how that even though this isn't a Sanguine controlled city, several dozen Sanguine guards inhabit the city, keeping watch over the region's activities. This has proven to be one of the main reasons Silvaire has remained neutral: He fears siding with the Rebellion will cause the Guards to go on a massacre and slay his people. Because of this, Soter and Edor volunteer to take care of the guards so that Silvaire can freely rally his forces to fight against the Sanguine. Silvaire agrees to this, with Soter and Edor taking the rest of their night to plan for their attack.

Natal soon sends word there after that she and her Indlose have successfully retaken Tectum, and they can send aid whenever Soter requests it. Because of this pledge of loyalty and the amount of respect and authority being placed upon Soter, he begins to realize that he truly works better within the Union than the Ferus Regno.

The next day, Soter, Edor, and Aramis move into the Sanguine Barracks with several Wyrmflight soldiers, razing the Sanguine forces within, though a few are spared, shown to have been forced into service for the Sanguine. The most prominent member of the group, an elf named Jusalia Ebonmist, furthers this, saying that even members of Sanguis's false council only serve because they fear their deaths if they resist.

Jusalia serves as an informant from then on, giving Silvaire and Rainstorm critical information about the Sanguine forces. With her knowledge that the Sanguine force advancing upon the city will most likely be a mainly Elven group, she suggests revealing Serivana's death to this group. Soter questions the affect of this, thinking possible outcomes could result in more harm than good, though Jusalia eventually sways him with the reminder that Dragokvir is at stake. Silvaire, though tempted to argue further, also relents. Soter notices later, however, that Silvaire has left to hold a meeting between Verkor and the Indlose shaman, Mali Warskull, though Soter pushes this meeting away.

As Silvaire's scouts warn that the Sanguine grow closer, Soter and Aramis bolster the Dragokvir defenses, with a large amount of reinforcements coming through from Tectum to aid the Rebels. As the Tectum warriors enter the city, Sanguine forces follow only a few hours after. Soter, Kiona, Silvaire, and Rainstorm make a stand at the front gates, engaging the Sanguine's Skilner General, Imaen Longbone and several of his Elven subordinates. Soter reveals Serivana's decapitated head after being unable to reason with Imaen, this causing dozens of Elven Sanguine to riot within the group below.

Silvaire takes this moment to attack, the former General ordering the forces assembled to attack and dispose of the Sanguine army, with Silvaire himself joining into the conflict. Edor unleashes his primal side in the battle, he and Aramis eventually being seperated from Soter, Kiona, and Rainstorm. The trio fight through the hordes of Sanguine, with several of the former Sanguine's Elven forces turning in the conflict, this adding confusion to many as Soter had feared, but he notes that the losses aren't as bad as he had assumed they would be. Jusalia eventually manages to rally the newly rebelling Elves into some order, these Elves removing their helms to make themselves different from the Sanguine supporters.

Kiona and Soter find that as the conflict drags on, they're loosing more and more soldiers specifically to Imaen than any other factor, causing the pair to have a brief discussion with Silvaire on how to end the battle before the losses become more than they can handle. Against Rainstorm's advising, Silvaire moves in to attack the younger Sanguine General himself, though holds up in the fight as Soter and Rainstorm try to make their way to the battling Skilner.

By the time Soter and Rainstorm reach Silvaire, it proves too late, Rainstorm only getting to see as Imaen guts Silvaire. Soter is forced to pull Kiona into cover soon after as Rainstorm forces the ice around him to bend to his will, impaling Imaen with the natural forces. Shortly after Imaen dies, Soter collapses back into another vision, this one being pitch black, save for a voice that continues to scream warnings about Sanguis over and over again, in a voice that Soter can only describe as being familiar but otherwise alien to him. Upon awakening, he finds Kiona dragging him out of a pool of silver blood, with the previously almost constantly calm Rainstorm in a fit of rage and grief over Silvaire's body.

Natal Terrorhowl arrives, guiding Kiona and Soter away as Mali and Verkor attempt to comfort the grieving shaman. Natal briefly explains that Karao is in full rebellion and awaits Soter's orders to move further. As the members of Rebellion look to him for direction, Soter takes Natal and Verkor to plan, ending upon the decision that all of the leaders in the Friorelian Union that wish to rebel should get into contact with one another, with Soter wanting to lead a crushing blow upon the North Soriak capital itself to kill Sanguis and end the Civil War. Natal and Verkor agree to this, with Verkor stepping into place as Dragokvir's Regional Lord, and offering to be the one to get the leaders connected. Soter allows Verkor to do this, with Verkor setting into motion several couriers that will not only unite those members upon the Friorelian continent, but those upon Agralormar and Adust as well. After finding Verkor to be capable, Soter departs Dragokvir with Edor, Natal and Kiona, for Whiteclaw Fort sending Aramis to Rommel to gain Bleedest's aid. Soter also agrees for Jusalia to take the newly aquired Elven forces with her to Adust, sending with her his insignia to prove herself a Rebel to the Elves in Adust. Soter gives her Serivana's head as well. He makes it somewhat clear that he thinks Jusalia should lead the somewhat shattered High Elves until a more permanent leader is found, something that Jusalia accepts modestly, but with great honor.

Whiteclaw Fort
Soter, Edor, Kiona, and Natal arrive in Whiteclaw Fort several days later, being welcomed into the ravaged region by Laminas Manu, who greets Soter with somewhat uncertainty. Soter and Laminas find that they've both changed a great deal since their time during the Dark Crusader's rise, though during an attack that follows by the Sanguine after the group's arrival, Soter and Laminas fight in a united pair, proving that they can work together with ease. After beating back the Sanguine invaders, Soter is grieved to learn that Karao is loosing its hold in Avern against the Sanguine, but still plans to support the Rebels in anyway they can.

The Onithrope also finds Tigerstripe Ghostcaller to be among Whiteclaw Fort, with Calor and Renite Whiteclaw being introduced to him by their younger brother, Rotilos. The group holds together only for a little while before Noirae arrives with sudden word that her death guardians have found rising amounts of Abyssal energy in the ruins of Dalix. Laminas seems panicked by this information, before Soter finally gets Laminas and Rotilos to reveal the reason for their nerves : Sanguis has tapped into the dark Abyssal energy used by Unguis, and plans to raise the first four Crusaders into undeath for his unholy Union. The knowledge was granted because of Rotilos and Videre's imprisonment, this being the real reason for Videre's extensive torture, as he held the real knowledge of the occult. Both Laminas and Rotilos grieve over the knowledge of Videre's death, but seem somewhat relieved that Videre won't be able to reveal anymore.

Noirae goes into a rage, demanding to know what they could possibly do to stop the massive amounts of Abyssal energy building up in the ruins, due to the fact that only afflicted could possibly take the mass amounts of energy in the summoning chamber. Soter realizes then that the real battle to end the Civil War will take place in Dalix ruins, finally speaking up about the purified blood Alitura has gifted him with. Noirae explains it as a blessing, as his Onithrope infection and the purified blood combined would make him immune to the Abyssal energy within the summoning chamber. Seeing that Noirae has knowledge of the Gods, he explains in full to her what's happened with his visions. She reflects upon this, signifying that the beam Soter has been commanded to break is more than likely the source of energy for the spell, and could stop the ritual entirely if broken soon enough.

Rotilos, questioning what could be powerful enough to break the beam, makes Soter aware that the Wildblood hammer has enough enchantments upon it to be considered a pure weapon, much like the Fang of Mortus and Iukuin's axe. Noting this, Noirae and Soter take the warhammer to the Whiteclaw forge to increase the power within the weapon. In the days after, Soter awaits update from Verkor to know when the final attack should take place upon the North Soriak. Kiona and Soter take this time to grow closer, making Soter more certain that this is a real relationship, unlike his past ordeal with Tranda. The Onithrope comes close to admitting to Kiona what happened to Tranda, but relents at the last moment, realizing that Tranda was in his past, and that he's become someone else.

For the first time since he left Kyraniath, Soter also communicates with Cruelon, who while praising Soter for his efforts, seems irritated that Soter has pulled so many of the Union under his sway of authority. Soter is somewhat off put by this, but ignores it, while he and Cruelon plan to have the Temple's Therianthropes meet in North Soriak to battle against Sanguis's forces and end the war.

Sanguine Fall
As the forces of the Rebellion make their way to North Soriak, Soter leads the majority of Whiteclaw Fort to North Soriak. The Fort is left with little defense, every able body joining the massing warriors to make their last stand in North Soriak. Soter meets up with Rainstorm and Verkor momentairly, and is also surprised to see that the Agralor Monarch, Konirag Iroan, has came to aid the Rebellion himself. Soter and the Agralor are quick to organize their warriors in the first assault upon the city, with Soter letting the Monarch direct the outside forces according to his plan.

Soter enters the city himself, with Kiona going with Noirae. Edor remains by the Onithrope's side as the fight their way through the city, many of the civilians taking up the cause aswell. The siege begins in full scale within the day, with Soter's group taking the first district of the city for the Rebellion. Laminas joins Soter and Edor, bringing with him the Karao and Rommel forces, Servaa and Bleedest fighting alongside the soldiers.

Upon reaching Sanguis's citadel, Soter finds that Sanguis has left behind a gift for Soter, Laminas and Edor: Rakir and Velox guard the portal to Dalix. Laminas and Edor tackle the two Skilner, allowing Soter to rush inside of the portal before any more forces can come. Once within Dalix, Soter finds himself sealed off alone in a room.

As he starts to examine the structure, Soter realizes that he's within the Dalix citadel's longest corridor, and Sanguis is mostly likely on the otherside of the door. Despite this, Soter feels more paranoia at being in this singular room alone, his investigation of the room proving that the doors in and out are locked. Soter's fears are increased when he finds that something is watching him within the room. His fears are soon confirmed when Sanguis makes an example out of what he can do with his newly found Abyssal knowledge; Sanguis has reanimated Caedis as a challenge for Soter.