Penumbra

...and the game was over. The Icewarden did not grin at the Stormcatcher, exactly, but he did give off a general air of smugness as the last of the Stormcatchers’ pieces were rounded up and destroyed by the Icewardens’.

“Well, it appears that for once your usual tactic of screaming at your pieces did not pay off. I did tell you I’d been practicing my strategy,” said the Icewarden.
“I’ll have you know that hard work is always the way to victory. There is nothing that can’t be done if you work enough.” The Stormcatcher shifted, sending thousands of lightning bolts rolling across the Shifting Expanse, and opened his palms to show a pool of metal quickly developing within. “My pieces were faulty, that’s all. I’ve been lazy with my creations recently. You’re normally so easy to beat that no thought was needed to create pieces good enough to beat yours.”
In favour of starting the apocalypse, the Icewarden instead whistled a tune of howling snowstorms, watching the metal within the Stormcatchers’ hands begin to take a recognisable shape.

“An Imperial? Really?”
“My workers need water, and my storms are simply not enough, apparently. I gave them permission to take water from the great canal that separates my domain from the Lightweavers’. Sustenance is required for workers to make good work, after all, and I cannot keep replacing my fallen ones indefinitely. Unfortunately it appears the Lightweaver has decided her borders also somehow count as her domain, and decided to give permission for her… ‘children’ to attack my workers, and gave me some choice words about taking what isn’t rightfully mine. Do you remember when we stopped the storm over the Sea of a Thousand Currents?”
“Quite well. The Windsinger was extraordinarily careful for one who normally cares not for what is his and what is someone else's domain.” The Stormcatcher remained silent. After several beats, the Icewarden spoke again. “Though not careful enough I suppose. What exactly was it that the Lightweaver said? Ah, yes. ‘We all make mistakes, though none usually so big as damaging thousands of acres of land when you’re trying to control the ocean.’ Is that what this is about?”
“She said something of the same effect to me about the water my workers took. I figured she needed reminding of some of her own mistakes.”
“You are playing with the Shade, Stormcatcher. It won’t take much more provoking for the Lightweaver to turn to spite, and she is not one who stops at merely bending the rules,” the Icewarden said, his voice changing from snow to hail.

No answer. The Stormcatcher continued to move his hands almost delicately across his work, imprinting fine details with the barest of touches. They sat in silence for some time until he deemed his work complete, moving it this way and that to check for any imperfections. Seemingly satisfied, he stretched his palms fully open once more, extending his trophy out to the Icewarden. He accepted it without a word, and regarded it just as the Stormcatcher had. After several moments, he nodded, and brought a fine shower of snow over himself. The moment the first flakes touched the statue’s skin, it began to move, pulling its wings in and curling into itself while it slept.
“Ulrikke.” The Icewarden said.
“A fine name,” replied the Stormcatcher, standing up fully and extending his wings. “For a fine gift.” With that, he was gone in an almighty strike of lightning, back at the Conductor, and almost certainly already screaming orders at his workers below.

The Icewarden sat in perfect silence for some time, before making his own journey home. Upon arrival, Ulrikke was unceremoniously laid upon the floor of the Fortresss of Ends.
“Take her to a set of free living quarters,” the Icewarden said as two gaolers rushed to his side, “you have a new ‘worker’ to help.” They helped Ulrikke up and scurried off without question into some part of the Fortress he did not care about. All that could be heard aside from the rapidly fading footsteps was the sound of a furious storm outside, and the occasional rumble or scream from the creatures kept below.

---

Constantan Steampunk Gloves (treasure)
Constantan Steampunk Tail Bauble (treasure)
Florid Tail Spat (treasure)
Councelor Collar (treasure)
Indigo Harvest Robe (treasure)
Nightfall Starsilk Scarf (treasure)
Navy Head Wrap (treasure)
Helpful Healer's Mantle (treasure)