u/Kettenfett1

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...

The Kraken Clan is assisting the Knights of Grüner Bär by transporting their Elven warriors to Arrad.
Afterward, our fleet will establish a blockade around the coast of Arrad and remain there until the battle has concluded.
Allied ships are free to pass. Any fleet attempting to break through the blockade to support Lionne will be ordered to turn back. Should they refuse, we will engage them if necessary.
Beneath the surface, unseen shapes lurk in the depths. Should battle break out, they will strike without hesitation and help maintain the blockade.
Likewise, any ships attempting to reach Arrad to reinforce Lionne will not be allowed to pass. If anyone attempts to flee the battle by sea, we will do our best to intercept and capture them.

This is part of the finale of a LEGO graphic novel I created for a roleplay community (you'll find it in my profile). It depicts the final stage of a battle in which one faction is trying to reclaim a powerful magical artifact that had been stolen from them.

Swipe through the gallery to see the battle.

Link to part 1: https://www.reddit.com/r/Lego_Minifigure_Realm/s/YI144NRzq5

Link to part 2: https://www.reddit.com/r/Lego_Minifigure_Realm/s/nmZ7Xxvaoa

Information:

This is my biggest project for Rutland yet.

For this battle, I wanted to try something a little different and present the story in a graphic novel style using my own photos.

Before the battle, both sides sent their troop compositions and tactics via private message to u/SilverTree99, who reviewed them and let us know who wins the battle.

Most of the images were created by me. Some of the dwarf photos were provided by u/Bread0407 . Before starting, we only briefly agreed on the overall outcome of the battle.

All images are based on original photographs and were further edited using Photoshop and Adobe Firefly. I've included the original, unedited photos at the end of the post so you can see how they were edited.

Swipe through the gallery to see the battle.

Link to part 1: https://www.reddit.com/r/Lego_Minifigure_Realm/s/YI144NRzq5

Information:

This is my biggest project for Rutland yet.

For this battle, I wanted to try something a little different and present the story in a graphic novel style using my own photos.

Before the battle, both sides sent their troop compositions and tactics via private message to u/SilverTree99, who reviewed them and let us know who wins the battle.

Most of the images were created by me. Some of the dwarf soldier photos and the dragon photos were provided by u/Bread0407 . Before starting, we only briefly agreed on the overall outcome of the battle.

All images are based on original photographs and were further edited using Photoshop and Adobe Firefly. I've included the original, unedited photos at the end of the post so you can see how they were edited.

Swipe through the gallery to see the battle.

Information:

This is my biggest project for Rutland yet.

For this battle, I wanted to try something a little different and present the story in a graphic novel style using my own photos (which, by the way, was an absolute nightmare to put together).

Before the battle, both sides sent their troop compositions and tactics via private message to u/SilverTree99 , who decided who would win in the end.

Most of the images were created by me. Some of the dwarf soldier photos and the dragon photos were provided by u/Bread0407 . Before starting, we only briefly agreed on the overall outcome of the battle.

All images are based on original photographs and were further edited using Photoshop and Adobe Firefly. I've included the original, unedited photos at the end of the post so you can see how they were edited.

As Lord Oswell turned the brittle pages of the ancient chronicle, he came upon a weathered chapter whose title had been written in bold, fading ink:

Corvin the Viking

Corvin was the second son of King Frederick. From an early age, he envied his older brother, who would one day inherit the throne. While others prepared him for life at court, Corvin dreamed of carving out a kingdom of his own.
He devoted himself to maps, geography, and the art of sailing. Convinced that unknown lands lay beyond the horizon, he gathered a crew and set out to find them.

But fate had other plans.

Only three days into the voyage, a monstrous storm descended upon the sea. Corvin’s ship was torn apart by the waves. He was struck by the wreckage, lost an eye, and sank into the dark waters below. When he awoke, he remembered nothing… not his name, his family, nor the kingdom he had left behind.

He lay upon a distant shore, where he was discovered by fierce warriors from the North. To this day, Viking legends claim that a great tentacle rose from the sea and carried the stranger safely onto the beach.
With no memory of his former life, Corvin remained among the Vikings. He learned their language, shared their feasts, sailed their seas, and fought beside them in battle. In time, he married a shieldmaiden named Tyra. Together they raised seven children, and Corvin became one of the most respected warriors of the North.

Years later, he joined a great Viking raid. Their ships crossed the sea and landed upon the shores of a prosperous kingdom. There, amid the chaos of battle, a woman recognized him.
“Brother,” she cried. “Is it truly you?”
The woman was Jorraine, his beloved sister. At the sound of her voice, Corvin’s memories returned. He remembered his family, his father, and the storm that had stolen his past. Through his efforts, peace was forged between the Vikings and the kingdom of his birth.

The next pages were badly damaged. Water stains blurred entire passages, and several corners had crumbled away. Lord Oswell could make out only fragments:

“…in the twenty-third year after the peace…”
“…sailed beyond the northern storms…”
“…land sighted through fog and rain…”
“…Tyra remained steadfast…”
“…the old customs were kept…”
“…the sea shall remember his name…”
The final page was the most damaged of all. Only a single line near the bottom remained legible:

”…and so Corvin’s followers became the first of the Kraken Clan.”

After uncovering the true nature of the Hungering Stone, Highking Bormund of the Iron Legion made his decision.
The artifact would remain within Ironcrest.
He had felt its power. More troubling still, he had sensed its aura growing stronger with each passing day.
And it did not take long for the Cult of the Deep to sense the artifact's presence. Realizing that the stone had been found and removed from its ancient resting place, they informed the Kraken Clan, which promptly dispatched an envoy to Ironcrest.

“I am Orm Deepgrasp and I speak on behalf of Halvar Ironfist, leader of the Kraken Clan.

An agreement was made.

Your miners were granted access to the mines under our protection. In return, should the Hungering Stone be found, it was to be delivered to us.

Instead, the stone was concealed, smuggled north, and its discovery denied when our representatives asked about it.

This was no misunderstanding.
This was a broken oath.

I will admit, we expected better. Dwarves often speak proudly of honor, contracts, and keeping one's word. Though, if we are being honest, your reputation in Rutland has always been somewhat... mixed.

Still, we chose to trust your word.
That trust has now been repaid with deception.
The priests of the Cult of the Deep have sensed that the stone has been removed from the place where it was hidden for ages.
Therefore, Halvar Ironfist formally demands the surrender of the Hungering Stone, as agreed.
Hear me clearly:
The Kraken Clan will not abandon its claim.
Return the stone, or we will come for it ourselves.
And when we do, we will take back what is rightfully ours by force.”

The choice now rests with the Iron Legion.

Lore Note: The events described in this story were developed collaboratively by me and u/bread0407 through private messages before being recorded here as part of Rutland’s history. The message from Orm was unknown to him.

A newly discovered continent in the far south stirred old memories in Halvar Ironfist. Many years ago, he had sent an expedition to explore the uncharted seas and search for new lands. The explorers vanished without a trace and never returned, leaving their fate unknown.

Now, with the confirmation that a vast continent truly exists beyond the southern horizon, Halvar is determined to learn what became of them. He assembles a small company of Kraken soldiers and prepares a new journey into the unknown. The expedition is placed under the command of Esther Bloodblade, a fierce and trusted leader. Her mission is clear: follow the path of the lost explorers, uncover their fate, and reveal the secrets hidden on the newly discovered continent.

Side Note: This story is intended to serve as an introduction for a new player while also acting as a soft claim on the region of Uxala.

Nachdem der Hungrige Stein erfolgreich vor dem Krakenclan verborgen worden war, begannen die Zwerge der Eisernen Legion, das Artefakt zu erforschen. Nur Hochkönig Bormund Bronzebart besaß die Weisheit und das uralte Wissen, um seine Geheimnisse zu entschlüsseln.

Tief unter Eisenkamm legte Bormund seine Hand auf den Stein.

Sofort überfluteten Visionen seinen Geist. Er sah ein dunkles Meer unter einem sturmverhangenen Himmel, große Kriege, die noch bevorstanden, Städte, die in Flammen aufgingen, und Zwergenheere, die in die Schlacht zogen. Er sah ein zerschmettertes Schlachtfeld, übersät mit zerbrochenen Schilden und Äxten. Am beunruhigendsten aber war der Anblick einer Bronzekrone, die im Morgengrauen in zwei Teile gespalten war.

Als die Visionen intensiver wurden, erkannte Bormund die Wahrheit. Der Hungrige Stein war älter als alles, was man bisher überliefert hatte, und von verbotener Magie durchdrungen. Er war nicht im Berg verborgen gewesen, er war eingesperrt worden. Der Stein nährte sich vom Schicksal selbst und zog seine Kraft aus den Entscheidungen, die die Geschichte formten.

Er erfuhr auch etwas weitaus Beunruhigenderes. Mit jeder Benutzung wuchs der Einfluss des Steins. Seine Aura breitete sich stetig aus und ließ sich nicht länger vollständig bändigen. Die meisten würden es nie bemerken, aber Bormund wusste, dass jene, die mit uralten und verbotenen Kräften verbunden waren, es bald tun würden. Früher oder später würden auch andere spüren, dass etwas lange Verborgenes erwacht war.

Dann traf ihn eine schreckliche Erkenntnis.

Er studierte nicht länger den Stein.

Der Stein studierte ihn.

Jenseits der Visionen wartete etwas Uraltes in der Dunkelheit. Zuerst fühlte es sich fern an, kaum mehr als eine Präsenz. Dann begann es näher zu kommen. Bormund spürte seinen Blick auf sich ruhen, kalt und geduldig, als hätte es Jahrhunderte darauf gewartet, dass jemand tief genug in den Stein blickte.

Die Verderbnis durchströmte ihn wie eiskaltes Wasser. Sie kroch von seiner Hand durch seinen Arm in seine Brust. Die Visionen wurden schärfer, klarer, verlockender. Er spürte, wie er zu einer letzten Offenbarung hingezogen wurde.

Dann erreichte die Dunkelheit sein Herz.

In diesem Moment erwachte Drachenhammer. Die Verbindung zerbrach mit explosiver Wucht. Bormund wurde rückwärts auf den Steinboden geschleudert, und die Visionen verschwanden augenblicklich.

Als er erwachte, herrschte Stille in der Kammer.

Der Stein blieb liegen, wo er gefallen war, doch was auch immer nach ihm gegriffen hatte, war verschwunden.

Bormund erhob sich langsam, erschüttert von dem, was er erfahren hatte. Er wusste, dass die Aura, die sie umgab, weiter wachsen würde.

Was hatte ihn jenseits der Dunkelheit erwartet?

Und was hätte er gesehen, wenn Dragonhammer nicht eingegriffen hätte?

Hintergrundinformation: Die in dieser Geschichte beschriebenen Ereignisse wurden von mir und u/bread0407 in privaten Nachrichten gemeinsam entwickelt und hier als Teil der Geschichte von Rutland festgehalten.

Here is the agreement between the Kraken Clan and the Dwarves regarding the use of the mines in Panakor: https://www.reddit.com/r/Lego\_Minifigure\_Realm/s/qEu8fmc2nf

The dwarves of the Iron Legion stood silently around the Hungering Stone. THey finally found it.
Even through thick gloves and layers of cloth, they could feel its presence. It seemed to pulse with an unnatural power, radiating an ancient force that made even seasoned veterans uneasy. The guild masters quickly came to the same conclusion: whatever this artifact was, it was too important,and too dangerous, to surrender before its secrets had been uncovered.
The decision was made.
The stone would not be delivered to the Krakens.
Instead, the dwarves concealed it within a heavy iron chest. Runesmiths carved ancient dwarven wards into every surface, hiding the artifact's presence and sealing away as much of its influence as possible. Once their work was complete, the chest was loaded among the expedition's cargo.
When the mining expedition arrived at the harbor of the Kraken Clan to depart Panakor, Kraken soldiers were already waiting on the docks. As agreed, they inspected the cargo and collected their five percent share of the expedition's findings.
One of the Kraken warriors stepped forward.
"And the stone?" he asked. "Was it found?"
The dwarves remained calm.
"No such stone was discovered," replied the expedition leader.
The soldiers searched the cargo but found nothing unusual. The runes concealed the artifact well, and no evidence could be found to contradict the dwarves' claim.
Satisfied, or at least unable to prove otherwise, the Kraken soldiers eventually allowed the vessel to leave.
As the ship pulled away from the harbor and headed northwest toward the Houndlands, the dwarves remained watchful.
Hidden deep within its runic prison, the Hungering Stone made its journey with them.
And with every mile that carried it farther from the mountain that had once contained it, its ancient influence quietly spread across Rutland.

Lore Note: The events described in this story were developed collaboratively by me and u/bread0407 through private messages before being recorded here as part of Rutland’s history.

A Kraken ship, accompanied by members of the Cult of the Deep, arrived at the harbor of Kasura under dark sails. As the crew came ashore, crates of food, tools, timber, and other supplies were unloaded onto the docks.

Their destination was the construction site of the new tower of the Mages Alliance, which was steadily rising above the city skyline.

Approaching the builders, the leader of the expedition offered a respectful greeting.

"We come as allies. We have brought provisions, materials, and willing hands. Allow us to aid in the construction of your tower."

The crew stood ready to work, while sailors continued unloading supplies from the ship.

Will the Mages Alliance accept the assistance of the Kraken fleet and the Cult of the Deep? u/BiteIntelligent9889