5LFTB : Threats

The Ruin Within :

Relatively primitive communities of Hu-Mans have always lived, scattered and isolated, amongst the Elaïn, where they are at best ignored, generally shunned and, in some admittedly rare cases, actively hunted.

The Elaïn always believed that these Hu-Mans were the only representatives of their race; but as the Jungle Deep inexorably advances, it is becoming apparent to the Rangers that this is far from true.  It is obvious that entire Hu-Man civilisations exist (or existed ?), with high levels of cultural development.  Their relationship with the Jungle Deep is as yet uncertain.  Were they conquered by it, living elsewhere on the continent and now exploited to its ends ?  Were they nurtured within it ?  Do they perhaps even control it ?

These more sophisticated peoples have infiltrated the Hu-Mans known to the peoples of Alladore and their neighbours.  They have ensured that these Hu-Mans are receptive to the whispers of the Deep.  Hence they form the bulk of the forces of the Ruin Within, whilst their Leaders are often from the more advanced cultures, when they are not directly issued from the forces of the Jungle Deep itself.

Sometimes, the Hu-Man agents of the Jungle Deep will band together, forming dangerous groups of brigands, cultists, or zealots.

Obviously this is a simplistic - perhaps idealistic ! - depiction of events.  Amongst the Elaïn themselves, there are many that would like to see the current order of things overthrown, be it from self-serving ambitions or greed, or simply from despair with the hand that fate has dealt them.  When they band together, they can be dangerous, especially if they are being led by a secret envoy of the Jungle Deep.

 

The Whispers from Beyond :

Both Hu-Mans and Elaïn form the sorcerors of the Jungle Deep, and they are generally versed in communication with the world beyond, be it the realms of the dead, or other planes.  

They can also exploit the darkness that lays in the heart of any being, and it is generally Elaïn that provide these dark magicians with the bulk of their tortured living forces.

The Gnawling Horde :

The Jungle Deep employs numerous animals amongst its forces, both babelushga and twisted mairen, the most emblematic of which are giant spiders, vampire bats, carrionspawn and rabid wolves.  Their rapid, darting attacks or their use of webs have been likened by Rangers to facing slings or crossbows, and they are often carriers of disease or of poison.

The Ice-Heart Court :

Given their forest-based and magic-resistant theme, these are obviously the "Chosen" of the Jungle Deep, a merging - through choice or through curse - of vegetation and flesh.

While I don't have enough such figures to play the Ice-Heart Court as a Threat, it is definitely a painting project to look into.  In the meantime, I have quite a few large creatures that could serve as "Ice-Heart Court" Unique Foes or Creatures Most Vile.

 

Duskling Warbands :

Rangers bands that have entered the Jungle Deep have begun to note that there is some sort of Elaïn "Jungle Deep civilisation".  It uses so-far incomprehenisble glyphs as writing, many of which take obviously anthropomorphic shapes, and these often run all over their underground temples and relics, serving as decoration.  They seem to worship gods in Elaïn form, sometimes Mairen, a practice totally unknown to Alladore and its neighbours.  Some scholars have tentatively suggested that these Elaïn belong to a very ancient time, somehow coexisting with ours, or perhaps "frozen" until the Jungle Deep needed to tap into it.  Opponents of the idea think that these strange Elaïn are the Jungle Deep, and come from the past, the future, or even an alternate timeline, with the aim of imposing their Elder Gods.

Prominent among them are the bird warriors known as Tethru and Heru, the ram Amon, the canine Anubi the feline Bast and the strange Typhon.

 

The Oldest Kin :

For now, this Threat cannot be used as I don't have much that can really represent them.  It does however present another interesting painting project, as I can imagine dinosaur-headed anthropomorphics (definitely the Oldest Kin !), insect-folk (explaining why there are so few of them in the Known World) and, why not, some lizard-folk as direct descendants of the Eldest.

 

The Curse of War :

Much has already been said about the advanced Hu-Man civilisations that serve the Jungle Deep, willingly or unwillingly, or perhaps even command it.  Some of their names are becoming known. The Stygians appear to follow the same Elder Gods as the Jungle Deep Elain. The Turanians are dusky-skinned and wear clothing that suggest they come from a warm climate, and then there are the black-bearded Shemites.  The difference in technology between these, and other Hu-Man civilisations, has caused a lot of speculation and interest in the more "contemporary" Kothians or Nordmen.

Despite the many differences between these peoples, all know the ways of war.   They will be led by their champions.  Some names are already source of dread : Zoraya the Turanian, Zarese the Shemite, Rudraige of the Nordmen, Kerim of Koth.

 

The Faceless Kingdom :

When the faceless power behind the Jungle Deep decides that the time is ripe to conquer, it spills great armies from its entrails, such as the one that recently overwhelmed Lorenthia.

The troops that compose it, are those that will be encountered as Duskling Warbands or as the Curse of War, but they will be organised into relentless legions and coherent combat formations.