"In crafting intelligent Thrulls to assist in sacrifices, Sahr inadvertantly set the stage for the Thrull Rebellion."

—*Sarpadian Empires, vol. II*

"The Brassclaws delighted in lightning raids on Icatian and Dwarven towns; an unprepared enemy is easier to defeat."

—*Sarpadian Empires, vol. IV*

"Brassclaws were typical Orcs—quick to laud their own prowess in battle, quick to jeer at their opponents, and quicker still to run away when things started to look slightly dangerous."

—*Sarpadian Empires, vol. IV*

"A whole skin is worth a thousand victories."

—Orcish Veteran of the Battle of Montford

"The large brass claws worn by some Sarpadian Orc tribes were among the least feared weapons ever known."

—*Sarpadian Empires, vol. IV*

"The few remaining pieces from this period suggest the Dwarves eventually made weapons and armor out of everything, even children's toys."

—*Sarpadian Empires, vol. IV*

"Often greatly outnumbered in battle, Dwarves relied on catapults as one means of damaging a large army."

—*Sarpadian Empires, vol. IV*

"Dwarven officers were tireless in battle, moving up and down the lines to rally their troops and boost morale."

—*Sarpadian Empires, vol. IV*

"Let no one say we did not fight until the last . . . ."

—Headstone fragment from a mass grave found in the Crimson Peaks

There is a legend among present-day Dwarves that the Dwarves of Sarpadia will one day return to defend Dwarvenkind against a deadly peril.

"Although the Dwarves staunchly defended their walled city-states against the Orcs, their civilization was the first to fall, and its name was sadly lost."

—*Sarpadian Empires, vol. I*

The Chirurgeons patched up their fallen comrades with a gruesome mix of twisted limbs and mangled flesh.

"I asked one of my aides how they do it, but all he'd say was, 'Trust me, Mayor, you don't want to know.'"

—Lydia Wynforth, Mayor of Trokair

"Perhaps Goblins are good for something after all."

—Attributed to General Khurzog

Exceptionally poor sailors, Goblins usually arrived at their destination retching and in no condition to fight.

"According to accepted theory, the Grenade held some kind of flammable mixture and was carried to its target by a hapless Goblin."

—*Sarpadian Empires, vol. IV*

"I don't suppose we could teach them to *throw* the cursed things?"

—Ivra Jursdotter

"Without their massive numbers, the Goblins could never have launched such a successful offensive."

—*Sarpadian Empires, vol. VI*

"The Goblins' dreaded War Drums struck terror into the hearts of even their bravest foes."

—*Sarpadian Empires, vol. IV*

"Defending the outer trenches, we strained our eyes in the darkness. All we could hear was the Drums' terrible pounding. Dobbs, on my right, broke first. Soon we were all heading for the walls."

—Corporal Peter Douglas, courtmartial testimony

The War Drums enabled Goblin and Orcish armies to crush the sparsely defended Dwarven cities.

When creating a new War Drum, Goblin designers sought out the highest quality skulls. Serra Angel skulls were most highly prized, although most acknowledged that the skull of the exotic Sea Serpent made for a richer tone.

"Goblins bred underground, their numbers hidden from the enemy until it was too late."

—*Sarpadian Empires, vol. IV*

There's a chance to win every battle.

"Yeah, they're ugly, they desert in droves, and their personal habits are enough to make you sick. But I'll say this for Orcs: they make great spies."

—Ivra Jursdotter

"Orcish armies often employed the smaller, swifter, and less intelligent Goblins as spies."

—*Sarpadian Empires, vol. I*

"You idiot! Never let the spies mingle with the Orcish regulars after completing a mission. Now we'll never get them to fight!"

—General Khurzog

Orcs are not exactly known for their valor—although most Orcs have seen countless battles, only a handful have actually fought in them.

"Orcs often greeted promotions to Icatian battle with anguished wails and pleas for mercy."

—*Sarpadian Empires, vol. VI*

Unsuccessful in their early battle for Montford, the Orcs quickly tempered their bloodlust with cowardice.

Although models of courage for Orcs, the Veterans quickly learned to fear the swift justice of their Icatian enemies.

It's bigger than it thinks.

Many Elven Fortresses weren't built by masons and carpenters, but created from the living forest itself.

"The size of the obvious Fortress walls often misled foes. Actually, the Elves enchanted the forest itself to provide the first line of defense with tangling vines and stinging thorns."

—*Sarpadian Empires, vol. III*

"Thallids are not ordinary enemies of flesh and bone and reason. They attack with no thought for our strength or of their own losses. I fear our Fortresses shall be overwhelmed."

—Kyliki of Havenwood

"Burn it down, you say? Now *there's* a stupid idea. What do you suppose will become of those overhanging branches, hmm? And then what do you suppose will become of us?"

—Ivra Jursdotter

"Elves often tipped their arrows with a drug that caused a deep but harmless sleep."

—*Sarpadian Empires, vol. III*

"As the climate cooled, many Elves turned to Thallid farming for food, while the Hunters honed their skills on what little game remained."

—*Sarpadian Empires, vol. III*

The Elves never had a standing army; when battle came, they pressed Hunters, Scouts, and Farmers into a surprisingly effective militia.

Even one whose ears were closely tuned to the sounds of Havenwood could miss hearing a Scout move past.

"Even for Elves, they were stealthy little twerps. They'd taken our measure before we'd even seen them."

—Marshall Volnikov

Although the Elves of Havenwood lived in isolated villages, their swift communications allowed them to act as a single community.

"Born and bred of fungus, Thallids were nearly impossible to kill."

—*Sarpadian Empires, vol. I*