Epilogue of the Thousand Thrones
We survived, barely, though we were forever changed by the ordeal. The exact magnitude of the
threat to the Old World we defeated couldn’t easily be measured. The Black Witch, an ancient and
nearly eternal force of Chaos was finally destroyed once and for all. The Thousand Thrones prophecies
were thwarted, at least for a time, though the question about Karl remained. Ultimately that problem
would be taken from us in the form of Caethasnelle’s father, Loremaster Finreir. We departed the
Womb of the Black Witch to be intercepted by the Loremaster, his apprentice Aelrandrel and the
Kithband of Elves that had dogged Karl’s heels for months. There was little in conversation between
Caethasnelle and her Father. Though the exchange between the two of them could have been
considered cold by our human standards when he left us Caethasnelle actually seemed happy; her
Father’s quiet recognition of her deeds is what passes as praise among the elven people.
With the removal of Karl by the Loremaster we were left to our own devices. Considering all we had
been through the past few weeks I was slightly put out that we were left to walk home by the
Loremaster but Aelrandrel, who remained behind so that Karl could be whisked away by the magic of
Loremaster, explained that even someone as powerful as Loremaster Finreir had his limitations. I found
that answer dubious but accepted it none the less and like my companions decided to begin the long
trek back to the Empire, our immediate reason for traveling together finally over. I longed to return to
home, wherever that might finally be. –excerpt from the Journal of Leopold Nuhr.
We were going home, finally. What began as a fight to survive and a quest to locate my brother Vaja
has reshaped my life in ways I could have never imagined. I am married; a concept that I never truly
believed was real. It was a distinct possibility that I might have died on my quest to stop the prophecy of
the Thousand Thrones so I didn’t get too attached to the idea. But now that we succeeded I am actually
looking forward to return to Wolfenburg and more importantly to Waldemar.
Though my homeland was devastated in the Storm of Chaos I find myself optimistic about the future. I
and my family are in a unique position to save our war torn lands and bring Ostland back from the brink.
My brother Pleskai has all but assured his naming as the next Elector-Count and with me as the new
Baroness of Wolfenburg we can endure; something we Ostlanders have done since the days of Sigmar.
My only true fear is the possibility that what happened to me during the Siege of Talabheim could ruin
everything. Only my companions know what happened and I must seek out something to rectify this
malady, before it topples everything. –excerpt from the Journal of Baroness Ulrike von Hartok of
Wolfenburg.
I have failed. There is no other explanation for my actions. I swore oaths before the gods to uphold my
duties and by self-examination, I have failed. I have been failing since I allowed my sister to sacrifice
herself to save me. Looking back on it now I am disgusted with myself. I am a coward. She died because
of my failings and I cannot abide that. She has haunted me since that day I swore my oaths falsely and I
must right that wrong. She must be allowed the peace in death she was denied in life. I might not have
the answers now but in time I will; this oath I swear to see upheld. Though now I must return to
Talabheim and place myself at the mercy of my order. I never asked permission to go with my friends to
stop the Thousand Thrones prophecy but I was afraid I would be refused. What is the old proverb
“Better to ask forgiveness than to ask permission”, hopefully my superiors will be feeling
magnanimous… -excerpt from the Journal of Sir Felix Myer, Peasant Knight.
I didn’t realize how much I missed my family until I saw my Father standing before me. I felt like a child
again when I was scared at night and my Father would hold me and sing me to sleep. I always felt safe in
his arms, like there was no force in the world that hurt me. I grew up to know that was just a child’s
fairytale. There are many dangers in the world that could hurt me and my Father couldn’t always help
me, but seeing him standing there dispelled reality and let me be a child once more. He was there and I
was safe in arms once more. My companions don’t understand our ways, what they saw was a stern
Father figure appear and whisk away a dangerous being to parts unknown and abandon his blood to the
dangers of Kislev. That was only partly true. They did not see the love in his eyes as he placed his hands
upon my shoulders, or the love in his voice as he asked if I was well. The common public displays of
affect that most human parents lavish upon their offspring and the most trivial of happenstances are
reserved for elves within the confines of private settings. They might think less of him, but I do not. He
loves me and I him, and it was that understanding of love and respect that felt wanting. I am resolved to
return home and spend some well-deserved time with my family… for a short time at least. There is
after all much to see in the world and even though elves are eternal, the things in the Old World I wish
to see are not. –excerpt from the Journal of Sword Warden Caethasnelle Goodwood.
My Uncle Johann came to visit us during spring planting. I had never met him or Great Uncle Gustav
but mother talked about them all the time. They were coachmen, spiriting good folk of the Empire
through the dark and dangerous wilds that separate the towns and villages that dot the land. I was so
happy to see him, I peppered him with all manner of questions, where he had gone, who was the most
famous person he had in his coach, what was the strangest thing he had saw… the last question took the
joy from his eyes and I felt instant regret for asking it. He shook his head and said he hoped I never saw
the things he had and bade me to stay in Kleindorf and raise a family. I told him I would. I wanted to
make him happy again and didn’t want to tell him the truth about my deepest desire to leave our tiny
village behind and follow in his footsteps.
He stayed a few weeks and then something happened in the village. There was an altercation between
Uncle Johann and Konrad Baer. He returned to our home and packed frantically and left saying only he
was sorry for the trouble he had caused. It wasn’t till the following day that we learned that he had
killed some men and injured Konrad Baer. There were witnesses that swore that Uncle Johann was
possessed and he attacked the men with wanton abandon; all the while blaspheming the gods. I didn’t
believe them and neither did mother, but the truth of the matter was there were three dead men and
my Uncle was the only suspect. Hopefully where ever he is he is safe and my Sigmar protect him. –
excerpt from the Journal of Ludwig Allenstag.