Night of Black Feathers

The Night of Black Feathers and the loss of The First Armada represent two of the biggest defeats that the world of Erathia suffered during the War Against the Far Realm. The Night marked the annihilation of the Red Feather Battlemancers, the most effective force of war wizards fighting against the aberrant forces of the Far Realm.

The Hope of Red Feathers

The Red Feather Battlemancers were famous for appearing in the sky flying on wings of red feathers and raining down fire and lightning on their enemies. They combined flight, evocation magic, and their access to the WPU Portal NEtwork to quickly deploy anywhere on the planet against Far Realm forces.

Apotropaics and Agimats

Like the other forces of Talino heritage, the Battlemancers used magic charms, Agimat, and employed an apotropaic diet to ward themselves. The right diet protected them from Far Realm influences from the inside out. They especially loved adobo, a meat dish rich in salt, vinegar, and garlic that were anathema to aberrant parasites used in mind control attempts. The Red Feathers diligently adhered to this diet, recognizing its critical role in safeguarding their minds.

Anaphylactic Shocker

Red alert Commander Callisto Redwing reporting in. We are under heavy attack from Far Realm forces! One of our recruits did not tell us about his garlic allergy! He hasn't been eating his adobo and he's been taken over by a brain worm! He lowered our def...

— Last Message from Callisto Redwing

Tragically, the downfall of the Battlemancers began with the failure of one of their own apprentices. Unbeknownst to his comrades, he had a garlic allergy and had been foregoing his protective diet. A parasitic worm took over his mind, enabling the Far Realm forces to discover the Crimson Quill Base’s location and plan their assault.

The Despair of Black Feathers

The infected apprentice disabled the scrying chambers and sabotaged the wards. The Far Realm infiltrated the Base from within and attacked from outside with overwhelming force. They initiated a merciless slaughter, catching the Red Feather mages in their sleep.

By the time they were aware of the assault, it was too late. The aberrant army slaughtered everyone they could find and left no survivors. As they departed, they called down a meteor strike that obliterated the Base and all its occupants, erasing any trace of the once-mighty Red Feather Battlemancers.

When the other defenders of Kirinal arrived to help, only a crater of ashes and floating black feathers were left.

Impact on Erathia’s Defenders

The Night of Black Feathers dealt a severe blow to Erathia's Defenders, plunging morale to new depths. The loss of Red Feathers in the sky shook the confidence of the world's defenders and underscored the brutal existential threat posed by the Far Realm forces.

Once the cause of the massacre was discovered, it became a court martial offense to not eat your apotropaic meals or wear your agimat. It also led to enhanced security protocols at Defender bases.

Red Feather Monument

Despite their tragic end, the Battlemancers left behind a legacy of bravery and sacrifice. When the Far War was finally won, the grateful members of the Concordance built the Red Feather Monument in honor of their lost heroes.

Eventually, the Red Feather Battlemancers would rise again, inspired by the bravery and sacrifice of the war wizards who came before them.