The Murder of Albron the Allspeaking

Disaster / Destruction

The patron god of Apex, Albron the Allspeaking was murdered alongside a loyal fulcrum. The deed was done by assassins from the Wend Wall.

Albron the Allspeaking had for decades advised caution and restraint in the use of offensive magics. He had acted as a voice of moderation in the increasingly radicalized political climate in Apex. His influence kept the Ordening at bay. As long as he lived they had confidence that Apex would not allow arcane magic to flourish. He also advised the Wend Wall to limit the extent of their magical usage, and demanded their mages stay at a distance from the border.   Albron's rhetoric angered many in the Wend Wall, and inspired others. Some in the imperial bureaucracy thought the Allspeaking was overstepping his bounds by advising the infallible emperor. On the other hand many of the common people took heart from the Allspeaking's words. They did not wish to see the emperor and the elite grow ever more powerful.   With tensions growing and a rebellion seeming likely Emperor Hanshu is rumored to have exclaimed: "Will not somebody rid me of this troublesome god!" at a formal dinner. Taking it as an order a cabal of officials hired assassins, including powerful spell-casters. The leader of the assassins was Lian Hai an infamous sorceress. These assassins traveled to Apex, and ambushed Albron in his palace. The battle was fierce, many of the assassins died, along with one of Albron's fulcrums. Albron tried to espace into the city to find help, but was killed by Lian Hai on the steps leading to his home. The murder was witnessed by a crowd of Apex citizens.   The surviving assassins fled west in the aftermath. Apex forces could not follow them as they fled towards the Shield Wall. A group of adventuers and mercenaties was hired to do what Apex soldiers could not. Their hunt for the assassins became known as The First Great Adventure. Finally Lian Hai and her cadre of killers was tracked to some mysterious ruins in the far West where they met their end.   Back in Apex many suspected Wend Wall involvement. But Hanshu the Manyfaced condemned the assassins' actions. There were loud demands for war with the Wend Wall in the republic. Especially from the more conservative factions. However, political infighting stopped any such war before it could begin. The radical factions demanded war with the Ordening instead. Deadlocked the senate could only agree to issue a statement condemning the assassins.   The death of Albron signaled the end of cordial relations between Apex and its neighbors. For the Ordening it meant Apex could no longer be trusted. A nation without a god was by definition heretical and dangerous. Apex' relations with the Wend Wall had already been cold due to a dispute over the city of Harperrim. Now they took a turn for the worse. War seemed to draw ever closer. Most thought it only a matter of time before the peace which had reigned in Renata for centuries would come to an end.