Flames flowed across the land, forests burned fiercely amidst the raging war, and a terrifying breach opened in the ancient great walls. From it poured forth the enemies of civilization. The defenders of the civilized world, taken by surprise, crumbled into disarray. They retreated repeatedly under the relentless onslaught of the aberrations, retreating from the foot of the great walls to the great barrier of the forest, then from the forest barrier to the borders of the kingdoms. Beyond that, lay towns and villages almost undefended.
