IMPORTANT: This post is not related to the Kraken Clan. The Wizard Academy will be a completely neutral project, independent of any faction.

For years, the old traditions of magic in Rutland have been scattered and forgotten.

But now, we have discovered the location of the old Wizard Academy, hidden on a sunken island, lost beneath the waters for generations.

The ruins of the academy still remain there, waiting to be brought back to the surface. With the combined power of the greatest mages of Rutland, the ancient island could be raised once again and the academy restored to its former glory.

We are therefore calling upon mages from all across Rutland to join this effort. We are looking for powerful and experienced mages who are willing to help bring the academy back to life.

In particular, we are looking for masters of different magical disciplines who are willing to serve as teachers at the academy.

If you have a wizard character who could become a teacher, feel free to comment below or send me a private message. Ideally, include a picture of your wizard and the discipline they specialize in.

Rules & System

A new neutral faction will be established to run the Wizard Academy.

• The faction will not be controlled by a single player. Instead, it will be governed by several players.
• Every faction may send one or more wizards to the academy for training.
• Once a wizard joins the academy, they are no longer available to their original faction.
• The wizard does not necessarily have to come from an existing faction. New characters can also join the academy.
• The system will work somewhat similarly to the Night’s Watch in Game of Thrones: once a wizard joins, their previous allegiance no longer determines their role.

A new group chat will be created for the academy. There, the players involved will discuss which magical disciplines should be available, how many disciplines there should be, and how the training system should work.

The basic idea is that factions can pay the academy to train their wizards in specific disciplines. This would make wizards more relevant and strategically interesting in battles, as different magical specializations could lead to different strategies and battlefield roles.

The existing wizard rules remain completely unchanged and you can continue to use your mages’ powers in your lore however you like, as long as it doesn’t negatively affect other players.

If you do not want to use the academy system, nothing changes for your faction. The current wizard rules in the Battle Generator will remain exactly as they are.

The academy is simply an additional system designed to make wizards more meaningful, specialized and strategically useful.

There will be discussions and votes within the academy, but ultimately there will always be a Grandmaster who has the final say on academy matters.

The Grandmaster will be elected once every real-life month, allowing the leadership of the academy to rotate between different players.

Over the past few months, Thyra has slowly put her plan into motion, with each step bringing the Kraken closer to their goal:

Secure the harbor

The Kraken secure the harbor, protect civilians and prevent looting or unnecessary violence.

Gather information

They question the captured farmer and speak with guards, nobles and local officials to understand the situation and the loyalties of the different regions.

Present themselves as a third force

The Kraken make it clear that they support neither Alessandra nor Elekas. They have come because of the old friendship between Estria and the Kraken and intend to restore stability.

Play the two sides against each other

Thyra communicates with both factions, carefully giving each side the impression that the Kraken might support them. At the same time, she encourages both sides to see the other as the greater threat.

Weaken both factions

Soldiers who surrender are offered amnesty, while local guards and officials are allowed to keep their positions if they cooperate. More and more people therefore have a reason to abandon both factions.

Gain the population’s trust

The Kraken restore order and protect towns, trade and civilians. Their identity as women from the matriarchal culture of Estria further strengthens their authority.

Elekas disappears

When the Kraken finally move to confront prince Elekas, they find his camp abandoned. Elekas and his remaining soldiers are nowhere to be found.

Enter the palace

The Kraken spread the story that they have driven Prince Elekas and his remaining forces out of Ulandria. With no soldiers opposing them, they are allowed into the palace.

The throne room

They enter expecting to find Queen Alessandra. Instead, they find her waiting for them.
Alessandra’s skin is pale and almost wax-like, and the talisman she received from Orm hangs around her neck, radiating a strange energy.
She smiles, slowly rises from her throne and looks toward the door.

“I have been waiting for you.”
Alessandra then removes her crown and holds it out to Thyra.

Then Alessandra is placed in chains by Thyra’s warriors.

The battle: https://www.reddit.com/r/Lego_Minifigure_Realm/s/xMrZmtUifY

Jet, the mount if Sir Colville, lies motionless on the ground nearby.

Thorek remains standing, still staring at the giant’s lifeless body. He grips his broken arm, though the pain barely registers for him at the moment, drowned out by the aftermath of the battle.

Sir Colville lies unconscious next to the giant, his axe still lodged deep in the giant’s neck.

Brooz immediately rushes over to Grimni to check on him. What he sees gives him pause. The dwarf is still alive, but barely. His body is covered in countless crystal shards from Ilsa’s spell, many of them fused directly into his skin. A thin line of crystals runs across Grimni’s face and all the way around his head, sealing the fracture in his skull that nearly killed him.

And Ilsa stands silently nearby. Her face clearly shows that she is questioning whether what they have just done was truly the right thing.

The giant’s final word still echoes in her mind.

“Why…?”

Do the adventurers have anything else they would like to do?

u/LocationKnown1854 u/clarkarius u/NegotiationFront3981 u/betterincolor u/bread0407

OOC: This is an experimental attempt to tell an interactive story set in Rutland. If you’d like to follow along, make sure to sort the comments by “Oldest first” so you can read the story in chronological order.

If you want to follow the story, feel free to subscribe to the post.

Part 2: https://www.reddit.com/r/Lego_Minifigure_Realm/s/16UHoG6qX9

Brief summary:

- The high warden of Panakor puts out a bounty for a giant attacking shepherds’ livestock.
- The hunters (Brooz the troll, Grimni the dwarf, Ranger Aratai, Sir Colville of the Order of the Unicorn, Ilsa the Emerald Weaver, Sir Garreth Corvex, Thorek the dwarf marksman) arrive in a coastal fishing village, where Mara, the local priestess, sends them inland to hunt the giant.
-They follow the trail into the forest, find giant footprints and strange black sand, and continue deeper.
-After being ambushed by a group of highwaymen in the forest their leader promised to guide them to the giant.

Rusk leads the adventurers deeper into the forest, following a narrow trail between the trees. Eventually, they reach a small clearing with a dark cave entrance at its far end.

Suddenly, they hear heavy footsteps coming from inside.

A moment later, the giant emerges from the cave, towering over the clearing.

The adventurers quickly hide among the surrounding trees. From their concealed positions, they can watch the giant without being noticed.

What do you do?

u/LocationKnown1854 u/clarkarius u/NegotiationFront3981 u/betterincolor u/bread0407

OOC: This is an experimental attempt to tell an interactive story set in Rutland. If you’d like to follow along, make sure to sort the comments by “Oldest first” so you can read the story in chronological order.

If you want to follow the story, feel free to subscribe to the post.

First part: https://www.reddit.com/r/Lego_Minifigure_Realm/s/16UHoG6qX9

Brief summary:

- The high warden of Panakor puts out a bounty for a giant attacking shepherds’ livestock.
-The hunters (Brooz the troll, Grimni the dwarf, Ranger Aratai, Sir Colville of the Order of the Unicorn, Ilsa the Emerald Weaver, Sir Garreth Corvex, Thorek the dwarf marksman) arrive in a coastal fishing village, where Mara, the local priestess, sends them inland to hunt the giant.
-They follow the trail into the forest, find giant footprints and strange black sand, and continue deeper.

Ilsa notices Brooz and Grimni heading into the forest, quickly pockets some of the black sand, and follows. Brooz soon spots more giant footprints along the edge of the path, though the mossy ground makes them increasingly difficult to follow.

Then, suddenly—

Footsteps.

Something is coming toward them through the forest.

The adventurers take up their positions: Thorek on a rock with his gun, Aratai with an arrow ready, Garreth behind a tree, Colville drawing his axe with Jet in the open, and Ilsa behind Garreth with her glowing staff. Brooz holds Grimni ready to throw, while the hobgoblins hide in the branches.

The footsteps grow louder. A somewhat unkempt-looking man emerges from the trees, accompanied by a rather sickly-looking goblin.

Despite the adventurers trying to hide, the man spots them — Brooz’s size makes him rather difficult to miss among the trees.

“Who are you? What are you doing out here?”

u/LocationKnown1854 u/clarkarius u/NegotiationFront3981 u/betterincolor u/bread0407

OOC: This is an experimental attempt to tell an interactive story set in Rutland. If you’d like to follow along, make sure to sort the comments by “Oldest first” so you can read the story in chronological order.

If you want to follow the story, feel free to subscribe to the post.

The adventurers arrive at the small fishing village by boat, one after another, each following the bounty notice. Only the Knight of the Order of the Unicorn, Sir Colville, arrives by land.

Among the bounty hunters are ranger Aratai and the knight Sir Garreth Corvex, Brooz the Troll, accompanied by the dwarf Grimni, both members of the Nidhogg Mercenary unit and Sir Colville. A woman also appears, introducing herself as Ilsa, the Emerald Weaver, a Crystallomancer specializing in defensive and healing magic ( u/Betterincolor ).

The village itself seems ordinary at first glance: a handful of wooden and stone houses, fishing nets hanging from poles, small boats pulled up along the shore, and a narrow wooden pier reaching into the grey waters.

Yet something about the place feels strangely quiet.

The villagers watch the newcomers carefully, but few seem eager to approach them. The fishermen keep their conversations short, and several of them glance nervously toward the open sea.

u/LocationKnown1854 u/clarkarius u/NegotiationFront3981 u/bread0407

The Quest: https://www.reddit.com/r/Lego_Minifigure_Realm/s/59ahlrp8bK

A messenger arrives with news of who has answered the bounty.

“The Nidhogg Mercenary has taken up the contract.”

At the mention of the name, Malachor lets out a long, weary sigh.

“The Nidhogg Mercenary… They’re going to infect our entire country with dysentery. But a monster wielding a massive ballista could prove useful against a giant. Is there no one else?” u/NegotiationFront3981

The messenger nods.

“There is. A lone knight of the Order of the Unicorn has already crossed into Panakor.” u/clarkarius

He pauses before continuing.

“And we have also received word from the Kingdom of Yenvar. Ranger Aratai and Sir Garreth Corvex have offered their services.” u/LocationKnown1854

Malachor considers the news for a moment. Perhaps having adventurers from such different regions involved could be an advantage. They might bring skills and knowledge that Panakor’s own forces lack.

After weighing his options, Malachor finally makes his decision.

“Very well. Invite them all. And increase the bounty. Six Iron.”

High Warden Malachor, the Faceless, is travelling through Panakor, conducting inspections across the land. During his journey, a desperate farmer suddenly approaches him.

“My lord, I beg you. I have a request — it concerns my very livelihood.”

The farmer explains that his sheep have been slaughtered for days by a massive beast from the nearby forest. Every day, the creature ventures closer to his pastures, and if nothing is done soon, he fears he will lose everything.

Malachor listens to the farmer’s plea. Although he shows little concern, he assures him:
“Do not worry. I will see to it.”

That same day, the High Warden orders a proclamation to be issued throughout Rutland. Brave men and women are sought to deal with the giant in the woods and put an end to the threat.
The reward: five Iron and the gratitude of Panakor.

Who will answer the call?

OOC: If you want to take on this quest, simply comment below. You don’t have to be an active player. I’d love for you to bring a little roleplay into it and have some fun with the adventure. Just be aware that there may be real dangers for your characters.

Note: This is a joint post by u/legolegolegolegoIego and me. The map is not 100% lore-accurate and is only meant for visualization purposes.

The following was written by u/legolegolegolegoIego and describes the arrival of the Kingdom of Kolpeg:

Kjornbrook sets off on his journey, his booze in high supply and men excited for combat. He marches through the low valleys and into a vulnerable position. As he tosses a bottle straight into one of his men Kjornbrook tells some of his men to scout the land ahead for marauders.

His soldiers move forward, cautious of their surroundings. A loud gut wrenching yell breaks the silence and Estrian troops come from out of the wood, inflicting a few casualties on Kjornbrook’s men.

They are finally defeated, one soldier lays alive, begging to be spared.

“Please! Please! I have info! The bulk of the army is down south mobilizing! Please just spare my life!”

This part describes the arrival of the Kraken Clan:

The Kraken ship finally reached the coast of Ulandria.

From the deck, the female warriors could already see that something was wrong. The coastline was eerily quiet. There were no welcoming ships, little harbor activity, and few signs of ordinary life. In the distance, thin columns of smoke rose above the land.

At their head stood Thyra Blacktide, one of the clan's most formidable warriors. Beside her, the others watched the shore in silence, weapons at hand.

Whatever had happened in Ulandria, it was clear that the reports from Rutland had not been exaggerated. Yet how far the unrest had spread—and what awaited them further inland—remained unknown.

The ship slowed as it approached the harbor.

The group prepared to disembark, uncertain of what or who would be waiting for them, unaware that another faction was approaching from the north to pacify Ulandria.

OOC: The Kraken Clan arrives in Ulandria with 30 exclusively female warriors, armed with swords and shields as well as bows and arrows, landing at the southern harbor.

u/unlockthelock no pressure at all. I know there’s a lot going on right now. If you feel like it, of course you can reply here and write something for both of us.

Otherwise, I’d ask u/silvertree99 to briefly describe what we find when we arrive in Ulandria.

Word reaches the Kraken Clan that Estria is sinking deeper into unrest. Rumors spread that Queen Alessandra has neglected her people. Crowds take to the streets, and some already whisper of civil war.

Orm Deepcrest, envoy of the Kraken Clan, listens in silence. The talisman he gave Queen Alessandra was a gift from the Cult of the Deep, meant to protect her on her voyages. He had believed it was a blessing.
Now doubt creeps into his mind.
Had the talisman been corrupted from the beginning? Had he unknowingly brought this upon Estria?
“This is our moment!” Korran Stormbreaker, High Warden of Garrus, declares. “We must seize Estria while it is weak!”

Orm stops him.

“No. The people of Estria will never accept a man as their ruler. I have been there. I have seen how they treat their men. We must send our bravest female warriors. Only they can earn the trust of its people.”

Korran clenches his jaw. “So I’m supposed to stay here again while they get to have all the fun?”

Only a few hours later, a ship sets sail under the command of Thyra Blacktide.

Korran Stormbreaker stood next. Halvar’s gaze rested upon him for a moment before he spoke.
“Korran Stormbreaker. Garrus shall be yours to command. Defend its shores with strength, and let no enemy ever forget the might of the Kraken Clan.”
Finally, Halvar turned to his brother.
“Ranulf Grimfang. The Isle of Storms will be entrusted to you. Protect its people as you have done before, and use the island’s shadows and wilds to your advantage.”
With the four High Wardens appointed, Halvar fell silent for a moment. Before he could say more, the doors to the Great Hall opened.
The Drowned Priest entered the hall, his robes trailing behind him.
“Halvar. It is time. Your studies must continue…”

As the realm of the Kraken Clan continues to grow, Halvar Ironfist summons four of his closest confidants to Crab’s End on the Isle of Storms: Malachor the Faceless, Korran Stormbreaker, Roderic Northcrest, and Ranulf Grimfang.
With the realm expanding, Halvar knows he must turn his attention to matters beyond the day-to-day rule of his territories. Too many secrets of the Deep remain uncovered, and he senses that a great power still stirs beneath the surface — a power he must now seek to understand. The burden of ruling, he declares, must therefore be shared.
His gaze settles upon the first two.
“Malachor the Faceless. Panakor shall be placed in your hands. Rule it with discipline, protect its people, and let none challenge the order of the Kraken Clan.”

He looked at Roderic.

“Roderic Northcrest. You shall take command of Ourga. Govern it with wisdom and uphold the traditions that have carried our people through generations.”

Then he turns to Korran…

My first submission to a photo challenge.

Here are my Kraken Knights storming a castle.

The image was slightly edited using Photoshop and Firefly.

The picture is from a LEGO online roleplaying game here on Reddit. On the second slide, you can see the original image:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Lego_Minifigure_Realm/comments/1vmrw5w/the_end_of_an_era/

I hope you like it!

All four map fragments have now been discovered and are scattered across Rutland:

The Kraken Clan keeps its fragment safely locked away within the fortress of Crab’s End on the Isle of Storms.

The Knights of Grüner Bär preserve their fragment in the library of Castle Falkenberg.

Wyrmgaard has hidden its fragment somewhere beneath the earth. ( u/dagiz will provide more infos)

The Kingdom of Anvard stores its fragment within the halls of the Great Library.

In addition, the Holy Order has discovered an ancient copy of one of the four fragments in its own library. ( u/odinseyeraven can you make it public what copy you own? It should be only one )

The map has been divided, its pieces scattered across the realm. Whether they will one day be reunited—or remain forever separated—now lies in the hands of the Lords of Rutland.

Everyone is free to try and obtain the fragments!
How you obtain a fragment is entirely up to you—through trade, diplomacy, theft, raids, or any other creative approach that fits your story.

Remember: only those who unite all four fragments will uncover the treasure and the secret it has guarded for centuries.

A small note to the moderators (u/silvertree99 and u/no-armadillo4179 ): Once all four fragments have been united and the treasure is found, I’d like to leave it to the moderation team to determine the general contents of the treasure (for example, the amount of gold or other shared rewards). Beyond that, the player or faction discovering it is welcome to add a fitting lore element of their own—perhaps an ancient family heirloom, a unique artifact, a magical weapon, or anything else that suits their story.

It has been several years since our forces first landed on Garrus. While we have secured a few coastal outposts, the island’s interior remains under the control of countless wild Orc tribes.

Today, one of our patrols discovered a recently abandoned Orc camp. Most of what we found was worthless, except for a single ancient map covered in strange symbols.

After examining it and bringing it to the Isle of StormS, our shaman concluded that it is only one of four map fragments. Where the remaining pieces are hidden, and what the completed map reveals, remains a mystery.

OOC: I don’t yet know how this event will play out or how easy (or difficult) it will be to collect all four fragments. The idea is simple: whether you play a faction or not, whoever physically possesses one of the four map fragments may decide where it is hidden in Rutland. Almost anything is possible—it could be in your faction’s treasury, deep inside a dungeon, at the bottom of a lake, or anywhere else you can imagine. When chosing a fragment’s location, please include a photo of the fragment and a screenshot of the Rutland map showing where it is hidden.
Of course every fragment can only be chosen once, so it’s first come first served.
Only if one faction manages to get all four parts, he can use it and solve the mystery or find what’s hidden there.

Top left: Horus
Top right: Anubis
Bottom left: Ra
Bottom right: Khnum (current location: Isle of Storms)

Halvar’s crab claw remained locked around the Drowned Priest’s throat. Killing the old priest would answer none of the questions the Stone had awakened.
Slowly, the great claw loosened.

“Speak,” Halvar growled. “Tell me why you hid Lady Blood.”

**“**Because the Deep commanded it… Hide the Woman of Crimson. Through her, the depths will speak again.
When you touched the Hungering Stone, you saw only fragments. I have carried those visions for many years. They revealed a single truth: Rutland was never meant to know everlasting peace. Kingdoms rise and kingdoms fall. War and peace are the tides of this world, and neither can exist without the other.”

His voice fell to little more than a whisper.

“The tides decide who sinks and who reaches the shore. It was not yet her time. Had Lady Blood died, the balance would have been broken. One side would have claimed complete victory, and with it a peace that did not belong to this world. You saw it yourself, Halvar. Silent seas. Empty halls. A Rutland without conflict is a Rutland that slowly dies.”

Halvar remained silent.

“I don’t know if I believe you,” he said at last. “But neither can I ignore what the Stone showed me.”

He lowered the great claw.

“Your life is spared… for now. My men are waiting at Braccenfoot.“

Without another word, Halvar turned toward his waiting longship.

Link to Part 1: https://www.reddit.com/r/Lego_Minifigure_Realm/s/xyW4HVexKC

The Drowned Priest paused before continuing...

"The True North never found Lady Blood because I hid her. And I hid Ivar Goldhaar as well."
He watched Halvar's expression change from confusion to disbelief.
"Come," the priest said calmly. "There is one last thing I want to show you."
He walked toward an ancient stone door and slowly pushed it open.
Footsteps echoed through the chamber.
A lone figure emerged from the darkness.

Lady Blood.

Halvar's eyes widened.
He looked at her... then back at the priest... then at her once more.
"W... what...?"
Only then did the meaning of everything begin to settle in.
Rage exploded inside him.
With a furious roar, he lunged forward, seized the Drowned Priest by the throat with his massive crab claw, and lifted him effortlessly from the ground.
"You lied to me! You betrayed me! You used me for your own purpose!"
Despite hanging in the air, the priest remained perfectly calm.
"Halvar, you were not ready. You could not have understood. Only now have you seen your true destiny. Look within yourself. You know I speak the truth. If you still believe I deserve punishment, then do it. It will change nothing. The void has already begun claiming your heart. If I fall today... another will simply take my place."
For several long moments, Halvar's claw remained closed around the priest's throat.
The chamber fell completely silent.

Only the faint pulse of the Hungering Stone echoed through the darkness.

And for the first time in many years...
Halvar Ironfist hesitated.

Should Halvar put the Drowned Priest to death for his betrayal? Vote here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Lego\_Minifigure\_Realm/s/pK36SG9IC7

Halvar's claw finally closed around the Hungering Stone.
The moment his hand touched its surface, something ancient reached for his heart.
It was not unfamiliar.
He had felt its presence before, whispering from the depths, waiting patiently. This time, however, it did not whisper.
It welcomed him.
The chamber around him dissolved into darkness.
Then came fire.
Rutland burned before his eyes. Cities crumbled, kingdoms rose and fell, banners changed, new factions emerged while old ones disappeared beneath the tide of history. Endless wars. Endless struggle. Endless change.
Above the burning world stood two immense silhouettes, watching like silent rulers.
One resembled a great tree, that seemed like it was made of silver, radiant even through the smoke.
The other was impossible to fully comprehend, a colossal, beast-like figure encased in an immense armored shell.
Then the vision shifted.
A single figure appeared.
Lady Blood.
The pull between them was overwhelming, as though an invisible thread had always connected their destinies.
The next vision struck harder still.
Halvar saw himself standing beside Lady Blood, their hands clasped together as they gazed upon the burning lands of Rutland.
With every passing moment, the unseen grip around his heart tightened.
It felt as though something within the endless void had wrapped its hand around his very soul.
The pain became unbearable.
The Hungering Stone slipped from his grasp and shattered the silence as it struck the floor.

...

"You saw it, didn't you?" the Drowned Priest asked quietly. "You saw your destiny. You saw who it is bound to."
Halvar remained speechless.
The priest stepped closer.
"Halvar, there is something I must tell you. You remember the war against the South, the hunt for the Blood Dragons. You pursued Queen Blood to the very edge of Rutland, yet she was never found. Ivar Goldhaar disappeared as well, as though the earth itself had swallowed him. You believed it was magic. It was not.
You saw the tree made of silver... and the other being. Creatures greater than anything that walks this world. You devoted your life to ending war, believing peace would save Rutland. But Rutland cannot exist without conflict. There would be no kingdoms, no legends, no future. Every war gives birth to new alliances. Every betrayal forges new heroes. Every fallen kingdom leaves room for another to rise. If true peace had ever settled across Rutland... Rutland itself would have ceased to exist."

The Drowned Priest paused before continuing...