In the deep dark, beneath the clan-hold caves,
Light was brought by those from beyond the Mist.
The eight-clan’s ranks and allies did not quave,
united behind the clan-lord’s glowing fist.
A carv’d salt shrine and prayers to unknown gods
brightened darkened grotto and brought a chance
to the clan’s best blood, gathered in grim squads
awaiting arcane call to deadly dance.
Jagged shadows crossed the blessed grotto,
as claws and fangs of those gathered unsheathed;
tense growls drowned out fear’s heartbeat staccato,
awaiting the attack call to be breathed.
In brightened darkness they bled, died, and fought,
to end the curse the Lich’s reign had wrought…
Of those who answered battle’s bloody roars,
one in ten lived to see the rising dawn –
a blood-price steep, but less than all the scores
the Stalker’s blades over the years had drawn.
With draughts and blessing, battle spell and claw
against grey flesh and profane mattock blows,
victory was snatched from the titan’s maw
but exultation only brought new woes.
For while the brave battled and bled below,
above, a bloodless coup was being fought –
as Boar fought to alter tradition’s flow,
and claim Alpha’s name not with fight, but plot.
In brightened darkness they bled, died, and fought,
to end the curse the Lich’s reign had wrought…
When victors returned, thinking trials done
bearing bloody trophies and battle song,
the Sharptusk’s craven battle had been won,
infirm and child alike were sworn lifelong –
to darkened ends of traitors’ cunning plot.
In Sharptusk guile were childrens’ lives entwined,
by hostage blood was the true Alpha caught,
and with black deed was leadership maligned.
A combat call was lifted once again
and challenge changed to counter Alpha’s arm,
and though the mattock’s grip brought only pain
the Sharptusk leader claimed it to deal harm.
In brightened darkness they bled, died, and fought,
to end the curse the Lich’s reign had wrought…
Within the caves, there were one time eight clans
Before the time of Sharptusk’s wicked plans
But mattock fell to Alpha’s silvered hand,
and Sharptusk’s cursed clan forever banned.