A tale of the Eight Lamentations, Josh Reynolds’ short story The Tainted Axe follows Sir Roggen as, post-the events of Spear of Shadows, he embarks on a quest in the Realm of Ghyran at the behest of a handmaiden of Alarielle. Though wounded in body, Roggen remains strong in faith, and ventures deep into an old and dangerous forest accompanied only by his loyal demigryph and a spiteful forest spirit. There he hopes to find and return with a foul weapon that has been tainting its surroundings with its Nurgle-infused filth.
