The Invasion of Iskandria – a new Berserk Tournament
After the success of our January Berserk tournament, “Decks of Destiny“, Vulcan Studios is bringing you the Invasion of Iskandria tournament, a new tournament split across Starter and Legendary tiers. The Amazons clash with the Myrmidons ourside of the ruined city of Iskandria – but who will win? That’s down to you. With some amazing prizes lined up, you won’t want to miss out..
A Background to an Invasion
Hark, seeker of forgotten lore! Draw closer, and let the dust of ages settle as I recount a tale, not as grand perhaps as the wars of gods or the foundational myths of our world, but one that still echoes in the memory of the land itself. I am Philopappos, a humble chronicler of the VulcanVerse, and it is my task to preserve these moments, lest they fade into the shifting sands of time.
My story unfolds some seven years after the “Seasons of Change”, that time of overgrown wilds and tentative renewal that followed the devastating Amazon Wars in Boreas. A century had passed since those brutal conflicts, a century where populations dwindled and old ways were forgotten, yet the land still bore the scars, and ancient hatreds simmered. It is to the sun-scorched lands of Notus, the native home of the Amazons, that our tale takes us.
In those days, the nomadic Amazons, a ruthless female warrior race known for sweeping across plains and deserts, found themselves tracking the great Mammoth herds far from their usual routes in the Mountains of Boreas. This particular hunt led them further south than they usual track, through the low green hills of the Gardens of Arcadia and into the arid expanses that were their truest domain, the harsh, deadly Desert of Notus.
Their leader at this time was Queen Iphito. Though the Amazon Queen Lampeto was known to have been rescued from Hades, and Tekmessa confronted a deposed queen, Iphito was the one who commanded the allegiance of the tribe on this journey. By her side, and truly the steel point of the Amazon spear, was her commander, Otrera. A formidable woman, it was said she stood as tall as four cubits and more – a height that marked her out amongst even the most fearsome warriors, reaching a full six feet and four inches by modern measure. The Amazons, famed for their prowess in battle, skill at arms, and reliance on the spoils of war, were a people tempered like steel, harsh and unforgiving to those they vanquished. Men were tolerated only if useful, often as slaves.
Their nomadic path, tracking the herds that perhaps sought new watering holes or grazing grounds in the changing landscape, led them unusually far south within Notus . They approached the delta where the Great River once flowed mighty to Oceanus. Here, amidst marshland, stood the ancient city of Iskandria. Ah, Iskandria! A name that once rivaled Olympus itself in glory, and was thought of as the second city to Vulcan City. Its fortunes had indeed wavered. The time came when the Cataract of Oceanus ceased, the Great River dried, buildings crumbled under the baking sun, stone pavers cracked, and the great population dwindled. Though efforts towards restoration were made, even by Kedalion’s automata, and the Myrmidons sought to restore its glory, in truth, much of it remained a place of ruined walls and rudimentary dwellings amidst the crumbling splendour, where the inhabitants scratched out a living from the dusty fields.
These inhabitants were the Myrmidons, renowned masters of strategic warfare, skilled architects as they were warriors. Though their history was tied to fighting alongside Achilles at Troy, their current state was that of diminished numbers, living like ghosts of their legendary past. Their King, Megistophron, was away, travelling overseas building strategic alliances, a task no doubt vital in those uncertain times. In his stead, their warrior leader was Peisander. Peisander, noted among the Myrmidons still clinging to their home in the ruins, bore the weight of leadership, upholding the celebrated resolution and skill at arms of his people.
A Clash that Echoes Across Ages
As the nomadic tide of the Amazons swept towards the south of Notus, their path intersected with the ancient territory claimed by the Myrmidons near Iskandria. Perhaps it was the draw of the river delta’s potential resources in the parched desert , or simply the collision of two groups occupying the same space. Given the Amazons’ reputation for raiding and taking slaves, conflict was almost inevitable when their paths crossed with the proud but diminished Myrmidons defending their historical heartland.
The Myrmidons, under Peisander, saw the approaching Amazon host as a grave threat to their precarious existence amidst the ruins. Drawing upon their strategic mastery , they prepared their defences near the crumbling walls of Iskandria. Otrera, commanding the Amazon warriors, led the charge. It was a clash of two celebrated warrior cultures: the relentless, nomadic Amazons and the determined, historically proud Myrmidons defending their ancestral ground.
The battle that ensued north of the ancient Tethys Gate of Iskandria was fierce and costly. Swords clashed, spears were thrown, and shields were tested. It was a significant engagement, a bloodletting in the dust and ruins. Yet, it did not spiral into the kind of all-out war that had decimated populations in the north during the Amazon Wars. It was contained, perhaps ending when one side withdrew or casualties mounted too high for either group, neither capable nor willing to commit to total annihilation.
Nevertheless, this confrontation between the Amazons of Queen Iphito, commanded by the towering Otrera, and the Myrmidons of Iskandria, led by Peisander in King Megistophron’s absence, was a battle of note, one recorded by the ancient sages and record keepers. Various sources give us different victors, some the Amazons, some the Myrmidons. Who do we trust? The enduring spirit of the Myrmidons in their ruined city is well known. As is the formidable presence of the nomadic Amazons; even years after the great northern wars. It was a battle significant enough in its location and participants that, yes, it made the history books, a stark entry chronicling the clash of ancient names upon the sands of Notus, a tale I, Philopappos, am honoured to share with you today. Maybe you can decide your own outcome – in the forthcoming Berserk tournament?
Details
The Invasion of Iskandria tournament Starter Edition, will begin soon. First, from Monday 12 May, registration opens. You’ll have a few days to join – this will take place in the Vulcan Forged Discord server. The tournament start date will be announced – this will consist of up to 64 players, depending on how many players register. The tournament will take place and will be followed by information relating to the next tournament, part two of the Invasion of Iskandria.
Rules & Details
Rules:
- Max 64 participants
- Best of 3 games, alternate first turns in Game 1 and 2, Game 3 is random for who will start
- 48-hour time limit per round. A chat in Discord will open for you and your opponent to arrange duels
- Banned Cards: Call of the Satyrs and Golden Lyre
- Banned NFT Rarities: Rare, Mythic, Epic, and Legendary
- Banned Vulcanites: All NFT Vulcanites are banned, only free companions can be used
Additional Info:
- Deck Selection: Players may use a different deck for each game in the match. However, the deck must comply with the game rules and restrictions
- Victory Conditions: A player wins the match by securing victory in 2 out of 3 games. In case of a dispute in any game, the admin shall decide after reviewing the proof section
- Disconnects: If a player disconnects mid-game, the match will follow Berserk’s standard timeout or reconnection rules. Repeated disconnects may lead to forfeiture of the game/match at the organizer’s discretion
- Fair Play: Cheating, exploiting bugs, or unsportsmanlike conduct will result in disqualification
- Scheduling/Time Limits: Players are expected to coordinate and matchmake within the given timeframe
Prizes
Head to the Vulcan Forged Discord server now, to learn more and take part!