Chrysalis

The Blademasters of the Folk are renowned for their extraordinary skill with their weapons of choice. Their reputation is such that it exceeds that of even the golgari Stoneswords, whose techniques were forged in the Dungeon during the Rending.

Their extraordinary methods are beheld with some trepidation, as the tension between the Old and New races is such that none can ever be comfortable with the achievements of the other. Not monsters, though originating in the Dungeon, the Folk are always held in some suspicion wherever they go.

The exact nature of their mastery, and how they have achieved it, remains a closely guarded secret among their enclaves. What combination of Classes and Skills is required to produce these fearsome warriors? Or is there some innate property to their people that makes it possible to achieve these feats? There are many who would sacrifice much to know, though to our knowledge, none have succeeded in replicating it.

Several outside the Folk have claimed to have achieved the status of Blademaster, but quickly found themselves challenged by the real thing. Since Blademasters only fight duels to the death, these false positives quickly dried up.

- Excerpt from ‘The Reclusive Masters: Warriors of the Folk’ by Xinci

Titus took a deep breath, hesitated, then let it out in a long sigh. Minerva caught onto his mood in an instant.

“You’ve gone soft, husband,” she grinned, “I can remember when the whiff of mana in the air was enough to get the fire burning in your eyes. What’s changed?”

The commander turned to the former Consul, almost exasperated at how little she’d changed over the years.

“I would’ve thought the responsibility of leading the entire Legion would have tempered your own hunger for battle, my love. I can see now that it hasn’t been the case.”

Minerva threw back her head and laughed.

“You can’t be serious. If you actually expected that to happen, even for a single second, then you don’t know me as well as you should. I’ve been suppressing my rage for over a decade, and now I can finally let it loose.”

A living legend, the walking disaster, she would never be kept from the fighting for long. That was exactly why Titus felt that slight melancholy.

“It’s been nice, though, hasn’t it?” he asked.

she lounged on the other side of their pod and approached

been wonderful. She’s grown so well, Titus. You did

snorted, “she practically raised herself after you left. Ran away as fast

“You brought her back.”

“Aye. I did.”

“That’s all that matters.”

thought he heard a rib crack before she

then, you big softie.

Titus nodded.

“Let’s.”

them, then stepping into the corridor of the residential area they stayed in. Resources were tight in any Legion base within the fifth, and it was

awe-struck gaze of the Legionaries deployed for training, and from more than a few of the instructors. It didn’t bother the pair overmuch, they were used to

to their daughter’s door and knocked heavily. Even through the reinforced and enchanted metal, they heard her scrambling

Then Titus frowned.

was Morrelia trying to stuff some fool into the closet or under the

Minerva whispered. “You look like you’re going to commit

“You’re sure?”

he nodded. She had the Skills to sense a rat, let alone another person. After another minute, the door was pulled open to reveal a harried looking Morrellia, her dark hair a jumbled mess shooting off

Dad?” she said. “What’s the

she stepped forward and wrapped her daughter up in a hug. “Your father and I can’t hold it off any longer, we need to get deployed. No more

wave? Already?” Morrelia was stunned. “Is that even

grim. “They’re getting larger and closer together. Unless something changes, we may see a repeat

placed a hand on her shoulder as he stared into

to be dangerous here. The fifth during a