The Runeguard of Moonshade Highlands report that Abyssal activity has grown more frantic of late, as if the Cult of Akylios has finally found something they’ve sought since the rifts appeared. Attacks at sea are on the rise, and the cabal’s violence extends to open conflict with the Endless Court. Now the Abyssal prepare to unleash a massive offensive that will threaten every living being throughout Telara.
Faceless cultists and slimy beasts will march forth, assaulting Telaran forces in a tidal wave of unbridled violence. But this is only a prelude to the invasion that will rock Moonshade as the main body of the Abyssal force tries to break down the doors to Hammerknell. Lead by Jornaru, a powerful Tidelord, they will fight with reckless abandon, desperate to unearth the secrets that lie sealed within the Delve.
The wise Ascended realize that even if the Abyssal are thrown back from Hammerknell, whatever the cult seeks within the accursed city must be destroyed. Reluctantly, the Runeguard will have to open the gates they once shut, letting all the world learn of the Dwarves' great folly. Titanic pent-up Death energies will rush through those gates on the heels of the Abyssal offensive and out into Telara, setting off a worldwide Shadetouched invasion whose ancient terrors are eager to spew their hatred on their Dwarven jailors and the Ascended alike.
Assuming the Ascended survive the back-to-back onslaughts of Water and Death, they’ll face a thousand horrible dooms within the haunted dark of Hammerknell Fortress. Here in their capital, the Dwarves worked wonders at the expense of captured souls, and their folly infected the very walls and filled the streets with monsters.
Hammerknell Fortress is an enormous complex, divided into several wings. The exploration of each chamber is an adventure in and of itself, with dread beasts to fight and glittering prizes to be won. Even the most experienced force of twenty Ascended is in for a dungeon delve more epic than any Telara has ever seen.
As they confront the awful secrets of Hammerknell, Ascended will encounter the shades of hapless Dwarves sealed in the deeps, hear their miserable attempts to escape, and meet their tormentors. The revelation of why Hammerknell was sealed may drive all who enter to lunacy, and if not, the ancient, awful being imprisoned deep within most certainly will.
The worldwide invasion that leads to the opening of Hammerknell Fortress will only happen for a limited time, but everyone who participates (and every Ascended can participate, regardless of experience) will have a chance to receive a Tricorne of the Drowned Thief (an awesome pirate hat), distinctive Water-and Death-themed banners for the Abyssal and the Endless Court that you can plant anywhere in Telara, and the fearsome Murdantix Mount, a powerful new steed.
All of these once-in-a-lifetime Waves of Madness rewards will drop from the rifts as you defeat your adversaries. Fight off enough invaders, and you will earn valuable Rune King’s Seals, tokens that you can spend with merchants to buy special 1.3 in-game treasures such as unique Calling-specific necklaces and special customized vanity armor!
