Thunder at the Gate

July 12, 2022

During times of war, skilled siege smiths, engineers, and alchemists across Verra had proven themselves invaluable time and time again. The Storm Battalion was a mercenary company renowned for their prowess in siegecraft, and a tradition of solid technique, rigid discipline, and thorough equipment maintenance. This global force of best-in-class specialists found almost unlimited employment opportunities with the regular legions of multiple kingdoms. Though originally a Dünir battalion, ledgers and records reveal an uncharacteristically enthusiastic acceptance of fighters from many other races, producing powerful hybrid capabilities that could devastate even the most formidable of fortresses.

The Thunder at the Gate cosmetic add-ons will be available in the Ashes of Creation shop from July 13, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific until August 10, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific. Don’t forget that Opulent Negotiations addons will be removed on July 13, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific when the new cosmetics swap over.

Flash-hound Whistle

Accessory Cosmetic Skin *

Storm Battalion squad leaders enjoyed the added safety and convenience of a personal Flash-hound, trained in accordance with Kaelar tradition. Upon promotion to squad leader, they received a whistle carved to resemble the Storm Battalion insignia. Flash-hounds would respond instantly to a short, imperious whistle from one of these devices without the need for verbal commands. The tones themselves were of such a high pitch that most races wouldn’t perceive the sound they emit, which made them ideal for infiltration and stealth missions.

Flash-hound

Pet Cosmetic Skin *

Flash-hounds are a hybrid breed of dog that combines the strength of an arctic wolf with the cunning and reliability of a foxhound. They’re quick, exceptionally well-trained, and able to haul all of the things a small squad of sappers might need with them. The equipment they tote is housed in a protective case, that removes the danger of carrying dangerous reactive reagents into battle directly on their bodies. To that end, Flash-hounds are usually trained to lay low and avoid danger, rather than directly engage enemies on the battlefield.

Stormsnapper Rangefinder

Mount Cosmetic Skin *

Paramount to the effective use of long-range artillery is the ability to accurately sight targets and gauge their distance. No wall, bunker, or battlement has ever been constructed without some kind of flaw. The Storm Battalion was designed to efficiently seek out these weak points with the help of specialized mounts. Stormsnapper tortoises have both the mass and the steady gait to be the ideal beast of burden for carrying enormous, yet delicate, rangefinding equipment. In the hands of a skilled operator, this equipment provided artillery crews with precise trajectories, by which they might assault such structural weaknesses.

Storm Battalion Sapper’s Gear

Costume Cosmetic Skin *

Unlike regular formations, the Storm Battalion employed small squads of specialized fighters to tackle specific tasks besides frontline combat. This ranged from infiltrating enemy territory and planting explosives, to scaling walls, seizing gates, and manning artillery. If you could afford their services, the Storm Battalion would get you reliably through the enemy’s gates. Though each member traditionally chose their own gear, the majority wore heavily-padded leather armor. The company even provided its explosives teams with thick leather collars, and steel helms designed to guard members with protection from the shrapnel and dust commonly associated with the demolition of walls, doors, and other obstacles.

Surplus Troop Carrier

Caravan Cosmetic Skin *

Armored carriages for important people like generals and kings aren’t unheard of, but given the sensitivity of Storm Battalion sapper supplies, some extra protection was worth the investment. These slow, ponderous inventions were steel-reinforced and too heavy for horses to pull them economically. However, thanks to Dünir tradition, this function was often fulfilled by war bears.

Tempest Watchpost

Freehold Artisan Building Cosmetic Skin *

Some siege techniques have faded into the realms of myth and legend during the Sanctus Interregnum – primarily those requiring the use of magic. Practical evidence of their use still dots the landscape in the vicinity of ancient battlefields and ruined fortifications. Some believe that the Storm Battalion got its name from their thundering explosives and siege equipment, but these ruins contain evidence that the name is far more literal. Prior to the Harbinger Apocalypse, powerful mages wielded magical artifacts with the ability to control the weather, and bring terrible storms to bear upon seemingly indestructible holdfasts. Whether these artifacts were used to defend against the holdfasts or to employ them, remains a mystery.

Wayfarer Pre-order Package

Access to future Beta Two test phase
2 months of game time ($30 Value)
$25 in Embers (in-game marketplace credits, NO P2W!)
Flash-hound Whistle

Expeditionary Pre-order Package

Access to future Beta One test phase
Access to future Beta Two test phase
4 months of game time ($60 Value)
$50 in Embers (in-game marketplace credits, NO P2W!)
Flash-hound Whistle
Flash-hound

Voyager Pre-order Package

Access to future Alpha Two test phase
Access to future Beta One test phase
Access to future Beta Two test phase
6 months of game time ($90 Value)
$100 in Embers (in-game marketplace credits, NO P2W!)
Flash-hound Whistle
Flash-hound
Stormsnapper Rangefinder

Voyager Plus Pre-order Package

Access to future Alpha Two test phase
Access to future Beta One test phase
Access to future Beta Two test phase
9 months of game time ($135 value)
$125 in Embers (in-game marketplace credits, NO P2W!)
Flash-hound Whistle
Flash-hound
Stormsnapper Rangefinder
Storm Battalion Sapper’s Gear
Surplus Troop Carrier
Tempest Watchpost
Name Reservation

* All skin cosmetic items are cosmetic items only and do not grant the user any other benefit. The lore text is flavor text, and background of the creatures and items in the world of Verra. Costume cosmetic items do not include the weapons pictured.