The Genocidal Vise

“Keep your eyes on both hands of those that rush too quickly to your aid, for one may lure with the promise of salvation while the other hides a deadly hook.”

The Vaux could have used such advice 170 years ago, when the Maleficium started their unprovoked first strike on their people; in an attempt to rid the largest obstacle to their victory. The Inquisition offered the ‘promise’ of survival via protection. In fact, their guile was so great that they even convinced the peacemaking Vaux to ally to their cause, ‘protect the innocent’, in their desperation of the oncoming war.

The Vaux that did join the ranks of the Inquisition became instrumental and legendary in their contributions. Their ability to confront the powerful Maleficium, rendering them inept of their advantages, evened the playing field and gave hope to the war effort. This gave the Inquisition the ability to gain traction in the previously brutal war of attrition.

Yet as the Inquisition began to gain the upper hand, those Vaux involved in the fight, began to notice that neither side had honorable intentions towards the other. The Inquisition started to reveal its true totalitarianism tendencies and genocidal aspirations for the Maleficium; or anyone else that didn’t fall in line with their beliefs. The Vaux declared that they would no longer be an accomplice to vengeance and revenge; trying on multiple fronts to broker a peace to no avail.

Unfortunately during the war, the Vaux showed the Inquisition how the bones of fallen Vaux could be used against the presence of magik. Even if a Vaux soldier died, their bones would continue to aid the war effort as they were combined with weapons and armors to aid their normal brothers in arms. The Inquisition grew greedy and secretly began slaughtering Vaux, that were not on the front lines, to increase their power against the Maleficium. Furthermore, before the Vaux were able to leave the alliance, the Inquisition staged a strategic massacre of every remaining Vaux soldier or supporter. The Vaux would not be aloud to leave the fight, the Inquisition would have their necessary contribution at all costs.

The Vaux were in a vise, with both sides now actively pursuing their extermination. Those that were lucky enough to escape, fled their home since the beginning of their existence in Helias. They fled the Forsaken Lands and since that time, not a single Vaux has ever returned.