The sun had not yet fully pierced the heavy veil of mist rolling across the Dreadmoss borderlands. The gnoll howls echoed intermittently—calls not of war, but of territory defense. Ashen stood at the edge of the temporary forward command post, his cloak damp with swamp dew and charged with arcane runes that pulsed in rhythm with his heart. Around him, the air shimmered with quiet tension.
Reports had come swiftly.
[Alert: Westvale Scouting Units Spotted - 2 Leagues from Dreadmoss Ridge]
Units Identified: 3 Crimson Recon Divisions, 1 Blood Mage Vanguard
Estimated Forces: 1,200 Elite Recon, 5 Bloodbind Captains
Mission Type: Pre-Assault Surveillance / Ritual Placement
Ashen tapped the edge of his Elemental Staff, drawing up a swirling force projection over the swamp floor. The ghostly outline of their route, their numbers, and their probable summoning sites appeared.
