An old shaman reclines on a heap of cushions in the middle of a lushly
furnished cave. Thick silk carpets cover the floor, changing the otherwise
hard and unyielding ground into something comfortable underfoot. A complex
looking funnel system hanging above a fire pit draws smoke out of the cave,
making the atmosphere warm and pleasant.

A shadowy figure appears in the cave mouth, his silhouette clearly outlined
by the light coming from outside the cave. He is dressed top to toe in a gray
cloak, and as he advances into the cave he does not bother to remove his hood.
The shaman continues to lounge, his body language suggesting that the cloaked
figure is welcome, and probably a regular visitor. The cloaked figure comes to
stand by the fire, sits on a carefully selected cushion, and crosses his legs.

The pair stare into the crackling fire, the cloaked visitor shows his hands
to the flames, occasionally rubbing them together. The old shaman begins to
talk about recent events which have unfolded in the rift world, but of how
he came by this information he fails to voice. He starts his story at the
beginning, to better explain how an alien world has effected our own.

A war has raged for countless years between beings calling themselves
kings,
ruling their areas of influence with varying degrees of cruelty and fear,
kindness and honour. Four brothers, Nadab, Baasah, Elah, and Zimri, banded
together to conquer their world, wrestling it from the grip of chaos. Together
they managed to impose a sense of order on a multitude of warring clans! Each
brother accepted a portion of the conquered realm, and governed it for many
years without dispute.

Familiarity breeds contempt, and as such the long period of peace did not
suit King Nadab of Inferno. His hunger for conflict prompted suggestive
whisperings in his closest brother Baasah's ear. King Baasah of Typhoon, who
is known for changing his mind as the wind changes direction, listened readily
to Nadab's evil seeded desires. Nadab and Baasah instigated hostilities with
their elder brothers Elah, and Zimri, with the initial aim of taking their
possessions, and bringing to heel the aloof attitudes of King Elah of
Maelstrom, and King Zimri of Denali. The aims grew to more wicked ends,
fuelled by the circumstance of war!

Great battles raged for many years, with Nadab and Baasah taking an upper
hand in the earlier parts of the war, making the most of the element of
surprise. Being the older, and wiser of all the kings, Elah was able to
protect himself and his brother Zimri from certain destruction. King Zimri,
the best versed in battle tactics, and general warfare, although slow to react
to the initial threat, soon came to bear with all his cunning on his
unfortunate brothers. Inevitably doomed to failure were Nadab and Baasah, with
their short sighted ambition. In victory Elah and Zimri showed great mercy and
did not completely crush their younger brothers. Ironically Nadab and Baasah
achieved for themselves what they wanted for their elder brothers, and were
bought to heel.

No longer kings but now titled Ward Nadab of Inferno, and Ward Baasah of
Typhoon, their territories have been drastically reduced. With it their
influence and power.

The outcome of this battle has weakened Nadab and Baasah's sway over the
rift entities which are now inhabiting our world. As a result entities which
manifest themselves as fire and air become accustomed to this realm a lot
faster, and now grow at an extraordinary rate.

The conversation drifts on to other topics of little import. Thus, the
shamans story comes to a smoky end as the shaman lights a roll of dried-out
plant leaves stuffed with tobacco, and proceeds to puff away contentedly. The
cloaked figure mutters something about a cave system emanating evil energy,
but that conversation is for a future time.

Book 1175 in the bat library.

So in other words, the riftwalker guild was updated.