Scars (Cortex Collection)

Scars lists all relevant cortex entries of the events and people belonging to the Scars faction of Bastion, found in the Cortex. This list does not include personal entries involving The Freelancer.

Collection Details

A total of 75 cortex entries make reference to the Scars.

The following Cortex Entries tell about the Scars and how they operate and what they do as a Faction.

Academy Ruins

See Cortex Entry: Academy Ruins for More Details

Directly north of Fort Tarsis are the ruins of the Arcanist academy of Velathra, featuring the astronomy tower and the famous "Shaper Rings." In the early 400's, Fort Tarsis' population began to grow, and construction began on an expansion, but building had to be abandoned due to the Scar incursion.

Agent Ryssa Brin (1)

See Cortex Entry: Agent Ryssa Brin (1) for More Details

Ryssa Brin is a driven Sentinel who was promoted at a young age after taking emergency leadership of the fort's defenses during a Scar attack that killed her commanding officer. Brin has been singularly focused on her job since she was a teenager—for which the other parts of her life have suffered, even if she doesn't see it that way.

Agent Ryssa Brin (4)

See Cortex Entry: Agent Ryssa Brin (4) for More Details

We were fine. We were through. The Scars were in retreat. We didn't even know the relic was there. It went volatile. Elementals spilling all over the place. I'd rather face a dozen Scars than an unstable Shaper relic. Give me something I can outthink or outshoot instead of a reality-warping death-machine.

— Sentinel Brin, Sentinel report

Blackshore (District)

See Cortex Entry: Blackshore (District) for More Details

The Freelancer failure at the Heart of Rage has had one other unfortunate result. With Freelancer numbers much reduced, the Scar population flourishes again, spreading to nearby Lakeshore, occupying the mine and destroying the water system in the area. Scar scouts are once again an everyday occurrence, making travel more dangerous than ever. Between this and the occupation at the gate to Heliost, I can't help but feel that the Scars are winning.

— From The Heart Of Rage: A Discussion, a pamphlet by Edgar Cye

Bulwark Point

See Cortex Entry: Bulwark Point for More Details

This spherical shield will block projectiles directly over the lancer's position. This gear has become even more useful since Scars began to build their own turrets.

Close Encounter (Weapon)

See Cortex Entry: Close Encounter (Weapon) for More Details

This pistol is a brawler's delight. At the end of a dash, the Close Encounter links with your javelin and increases the suit's melee capability. It was a heavy pistol they found in the hands of Sentinel Baylen Charl, who gave his life defending Governor Teak. They say he slew more than 100 Scars before finally falling. Close Encounter is a recent version of the weapon he was found still gripping... even in death.

Convector Henge

See Cortex Entry: Convector Henge for More Details

This now dormant Shaper relic juts out of the earth like walls arranged in a large circular pattern. It became active around 250 L.V. and is thought to be connected to water boiling in the nearby water source, The Bowl. The Scar Luminary known as Junkhead undertook efforts to unearth this relic, but was defeated. Freelancers silenced the relic and it has not been active since.

Corium

See Cortex Entry: Corium for More Details

When a titan dies, the liquid pumping through its stone heart cools and hardens to become corium, one of the strongest metals in the world. During the height of their power, the urgoth led titan hunts to harvest corium for weapons and machinery, and nearly drove the creatures to extinction. When the Legion of Dawn was formed, their javelins were forged from the mountain of titan hearts their oppressors had stockpiled.
After the war, the desire for corium persisted. While titan numbers have been replenished by the Anthem, they are still rare and powerful creatures. Corium harvesters sometimes prefer to try their luck against Scar Luminaries, who are known to pick clean the bodies of fallen titans. Either way, the odds are not in their favor.

Cycle of Pain (Weapon)

See Cortex Entry: Cycle of Pain (Weapon) for More Details

Cycle of Pain has become a favorite of Freelancers who believe the best offence is a good defense. Warrel Pender had an early model of this LMG in his hands when he rallied lancers during the Scar attack on the terraces of Fort Tarsis. His repeated counterattacks decimated swarming groups of Scars and inspired the other lancers. Now it's considered good luck to bear this weapon when launching a counterattack.

Discovering Escari

See Cortex Entry: Discovering Escari for More Details

I expected those Scars. Who doesn't, nowadays? I wasn't expecting them to be organized. It was an ambush... they were climbing all over our strider. On the ridge, just ahead of us, was this different kind of bug. Watching, shouting orders... Escari, I think. I don't know how many.

— Transcript. Sentinel Records.

East Gate

See Cortex Entry: East Gate for More Details

The East Gate, or Skystone Pass, is the strider lock to Heliost. It has always been a contested area, first held by outlaws seeking to hijack supplies, and more recently taken by Scars looking to do the same. Until the Scars are contained or eradicated, the gate will remain closed.

Eastern Reach

See Cortex Entry: Eastern Reach for More Details

Against the backdrop of Hammertop Mountain, the Eastern Reach is home to the largest Scar population in Bastion and is thought to be the area they first appeared in. The Eastern Reach used to be the heart of the mining industry on the west side of the mountains, with Skystone Mine providing much of the material for building the streets and homes in Fort Tarsis, but as the Scar population grew, industry halted.

Eastern Reach Overlook

See Cortex Entry: Eastern Reach Overlook for More Details

Have located the Hesperus strider. No bodies to be found.

Supplies scavenged. Scars. Will investigate closer to the Hate Engine.

— Freelancer Krulion

Endless Siege (Weapon)

See Cortex Entry: Endless Siege (Weapon) for More Details

This autocannon increases your suit's cooling capabilities when the action heats up. It was indispensable during the first Scar attack on Heliost. It was described as a scorching hot afternoon when the insects first scuttled up the slopes. But this gun's ability to keep its mortars firing allowed the defending Sentinels to steadily punish the attackers. If not for Endless Siege, the Scars would have almost certainly overrun Heliost.

Escari

See Cortex Entry: Escari for More Details

A sentient manifestation of a Scar swarm. Once a swarm has reached a critical mass through consumption, it can spawn an Escari, an advanced Scar capable of speech and intelligent thought. Compared to regular Scars, Escari are individuals with unique thoughts and ambitions that are thought to lead to Scar power struggles. These disputes make Escari eager to augment and improve themselves as they see fit.
The first Escari was discovered at the Battle for the Terraces leading a coordinated attack on farmers, burning the fields below Fort Tarsis.

— From History of Scars

Festive: The Escari Tide (Challenges)

See Cortex Entry: Festive: The Escari Tide (Challenges) for More Details

Arcanists say that Scars live by the phases of the moons. Only during certain alignments do new Escari rise to power; during those times the Scars must be pushed back hard to prevent catastrophe.

Participate in this Festive Event by completing The Temple of Scar, Rust Bowl Run, and by defeating Scar and enemy forces in Echoes of Reality.

First Refuge (District) (2)

See Cortex Entry: First Refuge (District) (2) for More Details

I’m sorry to say that I think we should halt the extension of Fort Tarsis to First Refuge until these strange creatures can be dealt with, which Freelancer Gurney assures me will be a week at most. But rest assured, we will finish the project on time and on budget.

— From Transcript, Arcanist records

Flashfire (Weapon)

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Used with great success against Scars during the Ibar Incursion along the Reaches' southern coast. The weapon has become a favorite of ground troops because it is particularly effective against hordes of enemies using camouflaging technology.

Fort Tarsis (1)

See Cortex Entry: Fort Tarsis (1) for More Details

Originally a military outpost, this halfway point between Antium and Freemark serves as a place for striders to stop and rest. This is the second incarnation of Fort Tarsis. While the agricultural experiment around Honor Valley caused a population surge, it has dwindled due to the ongoing issues with Scars.

Fort Tarsis (5)

See Cortex Entry: Fort Tarsis (5) for More Details

"The monstrous Scar war machines smashed the white walls of Fort Tarsis for ten days and ten nights. With every attack, the walls shook, but never fell. Atop those same walls, the Sentinels' deafening gunfire barrage never ceased. Beyond the wall, Freelancers harassed and diverted the vast swarm, often disappearing into their uncountable numbers like stones dropping into water, only to reemerge from the canopy battered—but victorious."

—From "Warhive: The Siege of Fort Tarsis" by Madam Chronicler

Fort Tarsis (8)

See Cortex Entry: Fort Tarsis (8) for More Details

"When the Scar Warhive attacked, the walls stood. When the Hesperian Serpent emerged from a Shaper storm, the walls stood. When the titans marched, the walls stood. Fort Tarsis stands eternal."

—Sentinel Commander Vule

Found Archive—One Last Chance (2)

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Plan's working out so far. Got hired on the strider. Met the captain and crew. Three adults, two children, one infant. Nice little family.

Shame about that. Even if they get past Zhim's Regulators, and me, for that matter, they're all too green for this. Their destination is some place east of Bastion. Outlaws or Scars would normally get 'em.

Anyway... just gotta keep my head down. Get them to Antium Lock. Do my job. Keep playing the emotionally distant, crabby gunslinger.

— Burn Hardigan, 2/12, 466 LV

Freelancer Enclave: Junkhead’s Trophy

See Cortex Entry: Freelancer Enclave: Junkhead’s Trophy for More Details

This trophy, taken from the famous battle of Junkhead Basin, is an actual piece of Junkhead's “throne” and is thought to be the inspiration for all Scar banners.
The only other known fragment of Junkhead's throne was in the Freemark Enclave, and is believed destroyed.
The Sentinels of Fort Tarsis presented their piece of the throne to the Freelancers, as a sign of good faith and hope for renewed lancer cooperation in the future.

Freelancer Enclave: Scar Seeker Mine

See Cortex Entry: Freelancer Enclave: Scar Seeker Mine for More Details

Obtained by Freelancer Yarrow during the War of Seven Luminaries, this was the first completely intact example of Scar technology the Arcanists were able to study. Because of this unexploded mine, Arcanists were able to research better means of detecting and tracking Scar weaponry and disseminate these to cyphers across Bastion and beyond, vastly improving Freelancer and Sentinel effectiveness against Scars.

Gates

See Cortex Entry: Gates for More Details

A small, Shaper-related disruption in reality that can be momentarily ripped open to allow living things to "skip through" and emerge elsewhere. This method of travel is dangerous and wildly unpredictable. Those that risk the gates could be flung to unknown locations or never emerge at all and repeated use of gates has been known to cause madness in humans. Gates are thus used by the desperate, heartless, and already-inhuman. In particular, Scars do not appear to suffer any side effects from using gates, and commonly use them to surprise their prey.

Grave Digger (Weapon)

See Cortex Entry: Grave Digger (Weapon) for More Details

A relentless weapon that requires calm precision. The initial burst of energy grows more damaging and destructive the longer the weapon is active. Notably used by Sentinel Commander Barris Djall at the Battle of Red Tomb Valley. During a stalemate against Scars, the Commander ordered his Sentinels to use the untested technology. Though a risky plan, the weapons allowed disciplined lancers to put constant pressure on the Scar hordes and secure a victory.

High Road

See Cortex Entry: High Road for More Details

This strider path to Freemark begins at Fort Tarsis, makes its way past Arath, through Blackshore, and up to the lock just outside Shadowmark. In the early days of human freedom, the High Road had considerable Sentinel support, but between the migration of dangerous wildlife and unstable Shaper ruins, the endeavor was halted, and the Sentinels returned to Antium. The recent issue of Scars locating along the High Road has made travel to the north extremely dangerous.

Honor Valley (District)

See Cortex Entry: Honor Valley (District) for More Details

It's awe-inspiring to think of brave citizens coming to Honor Valley to work the land without having to wear armor. And though it is now abandoned, Honor Valley remains as a symbol of hope, a reminder that for one shining moment, mankind mastered the threat of the wilderness and expanded into new prosperity. What heights this experiment might have reached if not for the new danger of Scars, we will never know.

— From History of Scars by Hanni Blythe

Howel's Tower

See Cortex Entry: Howel's Tower for More Details

Central lookout tower for the dam area, named after Commander Yarrick Howel. Commander Howel arrived from Antium upon the commencement of building the Honor Valley Dam, and was particularly diligent in his care of the workers in the area. “He was tough,” recounts Sentinel Fatima Lan, “but that's because he cared. He wasn’t going to lose anyone on his watch. And until the Scars… he didn’t.” Howel died defending workers during the Scar attack.

— From History of Scars by Hanni Blythe

Icetide Wishes from the East Gate

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So hey, my Icetide wish is for fewer Scars

— Sentinel Vin Wattana

Junkhead Basin (District)

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After the terraces were destroyed, Fort Tarsis decided to be more proactive managing Scar swarms. a combined force of Sentinels and Freelancers assembled to destroy the construct in the Basin. Upon arrival, they were met with a new discovery: an intelligent Scar with technology built into its skull, earning in the name “Junkhead.” Junkhead is considered the first official Scar Luminary.

— From History of Scars by Hanni Blythe

Lost Road (District)

See Cortex Entry: Lost Road (District) for More Details

Formerly called the East Strider path, this ancient road used to be a bustle of activity, but when Scars began ambushing striders, traffic became less frequent. The term “Lost Road” was coined by strider drivers.

Lost Scrapbook (3)

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Dearest Bex,

I think about you every day. I miss you. I've seen so many exciting things. I understand why you didn't come with me, but I still wish that you did.

Highlights… we passed a Scar village. I ate manticor on a dare. I visited the Fort Tarsis library. There's a kind of fountain nearby. I sat there and read about a million words. But wherever I go, I make sure to visit the Freelancer enclave. I want so badly to pilot a javelin like my aunt. I'm determined to impress Freelancer Yarrow.

Here's a joke... how many Scars does it take to kill a Titan? Fifty. Because, it's a glitching Titan!.

That's terrible, but I hope you're laughing anyway.

I miss your laugh.

Teenen

Mail: Javelin Looking Rusty

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Your javelin looks like it's been dragged through a Scar trash heap and thrown under a moving strider. And it stinks like korox dung. So what can you do about it? Beyza's Detailing is offering half-price javelin waxing right now! Bring your armor in for a clean-up. You've got nothing to lose but the stench.

Memorial Gate (District)

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The “Phredies Par Memorial Lock and Parkland” is the strider entrance to Fort Tarsis, and a walking path developed just outside the walls for the purpose of recreational use. In the time of the Great Expansion, Arcanist inventor and Engineer Phredies Par came to Fort Tarsis to build the Honor Valley Dam, and its success brought an era of peace and prosperity to the area. The parkland is especially notable, intended as a well-guarded recreational hike for residents of the fort, but which had to be closed due to Scars.

Princess Zhim (1)

See Cortex Entry: Princess Zhim (1) for More Details

Even for a Regulator boss, Zhim has been particularly hard to catch. Tenacious, clever, and bold, she has eluded authorities all over Bastion. Zhim's recent hijacking of transports from Antium has worsened our grain shortage. As if the Scar problem wasn't enough, now Fort Tarsis must deal with the selfishness of this "Princess" and her fellow thieves.

— Sentinel report

Ralner's Blaze (Weapon)

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This assault rifle is noted for the role it played in The Skirmish at Dunar. Surrounded on all sides, Ralner was holed up and desperate, but still battling the many Scars surrounding her. When her Freelancer allies fought through to her, they discovered a massive fire storm between Ralner and the Scars. The enterprising lancer had used dry conditions and fire to help defend her position. In honor of her resourcefulness, the Engineers created this rifle.

Riza's Ripper (Weapon)

See Cortex Entry: Riza's Ripper (Weapon) for More Details

Sentinel Tristan Riza's name rose to legend after she emerged as the sole survivor of a Scar ambush. She spent three days on the run while suffering from a wound inflicted by a new Scar weapon. The barbed blade was difficult to remove and the blood loss left her barely able to stand once she finally arrived at Fort Tarsis. Riza soon insisted the weapon's design be studied and implemented.

Rules for Civilized Use of Shared Space

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1. All books shall be properly closed when not actively being read.
2. Cups, dishes, utensils, and serving vessels shall be washed and put away immediately.
3. Loud music shall not be played during working hours.
4. No pickles.
5. Only one tea pot in the room at a time. There is no need for anyone to have five tea pots, each filled to a different degree with old, lukewarm tea.
6. The pickles—previously forbidden from the room—are doubly forbidden for use as bookmarks. What are you, a Scar?
7. Stop stealing my pens.

Scar Bunker (1)

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Scars have many ways to replenish their numbers. Probably more ways then are known. The current theory is that they kidnap people to integrate them into their collective. If they do this simply to break down bodies for resources, or if they have some way of integrating the mind, is still a matter of debate. It is also worth considering that Scars gather humans for information and are most interested in those with specific knowledge about Shaper-related areas.

—From "A History of Scars" by Hanni Blythe

Scar Bunker (2)

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"One of those hives came bursting out of the ground right in front of me. You know the ones that look like giant drills? Well, I was about to fire away when the thing opened up, and the Scars just pulled me right inside. The drill was only the top of a whole Scar... fort or something. Except they could move it through the ground. Took a lot of grenades to get back out of there."

—Freelancer Jak

Scar Burrow

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A classic example of scavenged materials used for Scar purposes, the Burrow is the heavily fortified entrance to their nest, which was (at the time of printing this book) found directly within.

— From A History of Scars by Hanni Blythe

Scar Intel Archive (1)

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At a distance, the creature appeared human, but its mouth and nose did not open, and the eyes were soulless. Yet, while I was observing it, the creature's eyes changed from dark red to my exact shade of green, as though I looked in a mirror.

— Transcript. Arcanist archives.

Scar Intel Archive (2)

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Scars are making art. Of all our discoveries, this one frightens me the most. Mimicking human shape and movement is one thing, but actual creativity leads to deeper thought, innovation, and self-expression. While it's true they only seem to produce one symbol over and over again, the fact they created an entirely original symbol at all is chilling.

— Transcript. Arcanist archives.

Scar Intel Archive (3)

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Scars have a pecking order, you see. Regular bugs, smart ones who speak, and smart ones who get big ideas. Junkhead had ideas. We followed him into the basin, and he was firing the machine gun on his forehead while shooting the cannon on his back at Bean and Derks. Bean rocketed up to get a better shot at the smaller Scars, but Junkhead slapped him down. The regular Scars swarmed Bean and Junkhead just wiped out the whole pile. Killed Bean. Killed those Scars, too. Eventually, we put Junkhead down. The rest of those Scars scattered… didn't know what to do when the most dominant is gone. Fight it out to determine who's boss, I suppose...

— Freelancer interview. Arcanist archives.

Scar Intel Archive (4)

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We need reinforcements at Lakeshore. Scars. I don't know what the heck we just saw, but it was like… a Scar with machinery fused to it. Ripped apart Reon and Bryce. Almost killed me. Will meet at the rendezvous.

— Transcript. Sentinel files.

Scar Intel Archive (5)

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The Scars have taken Lakeshore. Their buildup has become too great, and any chance of squashing this swarm was lost long ago. I suspect Escari. We have requested a squadron from Antium, and I have personally contacted the Freelancers to join in our fight. I know things look desperate, but I urge you not to fall into despair. We survived the Battle at the Terraces. We'll get through this.

— Commander Vule. Transcript, Sentinel files.

Scar Luminary

See Cortex Entry: Scar Luminary for More Details

A Scar Luminary is a particularly long-lived Escari that uses its intelligence and experience to lead a Scar swarm. In the past Luminaries have been ambitious, strategic, and brutal.

Most Luminaries encountered by Freelancers have attempted to mimic javelins by fusing weaponry to their bodies through exposure to Shaper relics. Junkhead mounted numerous guns and cannons on his head. Gearfoot fused strider legs to his lower half and stomped the Freelancers trying to stop him from passing through the Antium Lock. For this reason alone the Scar population must be kept in check. If more scars become Luminaries, the result would be unspeakable.

—From History of Scars

Scar Mine (1)

See Cortex Entry: Scar Mine (1) for More Details

"Scars are much simpler to deal with than people assume. You can't kill a Scar. It just bursts into a million little bugs that make up a new Scar. Instead, you must find their leader, an Escari or a Luminary, and kill it. The Scar swarm won't instantly disband, but they will become unfocused and disorganized. Then you just have to mop them up."

—Sentinel Brin

Scar Mine (2)

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"These Scars took prisoners. Lots of prisoners. Dragged us into their hives and down into some sort of holding chamber. A prison, or perhaps a vault, because they kept Shaper relics there, too. To a Scar, maybe there's no difference between a human and a relic."

—Vera Tan, Arcanist

Scar Tower

See Cortex Entry: Scar Tower for More Details

And now the Scars have built their most significant structure, the Scar Tower, equipped with defensive weapons they have never had before. This would never have happened if the Freelancers had not gone north, if they had stayed at Fort Tarsis and done their job. Now its destruction is impossible, and the Scars will thrive.

— From The Heart of Rage: A Discussion by Edgar Cye

Scar's Duskheap (District)

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The heart of the Scar incursion is found at the base of Hammertop Mountain, call the Scar's Duskheap. Though efforts have been made to disrupt and destroy this massive swarm, the depth and complexity of the caverns have been to the Scars’ advantage No matter the lancer's efforts, there always seems to be somewhere to hide.

— From History of Scars by Hanni Blythe

Scars (1)

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A colonial swarm of insects that mimics the dominant life-form in an area. Scars first appeared from a Cataclysm in 413 L.V. At the time, Freelancers defeated a large, vicious creature none of them recognized. Later, unknown to Freelancers, the Scars regrouped and changed their mimicry to appear human.
As one of the first eyewitnesses stated: “This wasn’t just four or five insects. This was thousands! An entire colony working together to make arms and legs… to make heads and… eyes. They became people!”
Scars then hijacked striders, cobbled together technology from scrap, and searched for Shaper relics. Inventive scavengers, they left nothing behind. As Arcanist researcher Hanni Blythe stated, “Empathy towards Scars is foolhardy, for their primary concern isn’t domination or survival, but mindless, thoughtless consumption. They’re a scourge, a plague upon the world.”

Scars (2)

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Aimless? No, their raid had a purpose. Some Scars are just as fascinated by Shaper relics as we are. I can only imagine what it’d be like to compare notes… from a distance. A colleague of mine—from a safe and concealed location—once observed a group of Scars stand in a perfect oval around a silent relic. Without warning, they gave out a great hum and then dispersed with a single will. Were they attempting communion? Practicing in superstition? Or some purpose yet more alien? We may never know.

— Transcript. Arcanist Archives

Scars and the Wedged Key

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The wedged key is no different than other keys in the area, so why is it so revered? The Scars have tried to dislodge it several times. Why? Scars constantly attempt to get their feelers on Shaper relics, but it remains a mystery why this one is of such interest when there are five others nearby. I am submitting my request for a cross-reference with Hanni Blythe, writer of History of Scars.

— Delana Vale
Ancient Anzu Arcanist.

Sentinel's Vengeance (Weapon)

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This sticky, timed grenade was instrumental in the Battle of the Terraces when Fort Tarsis was nearly overrun by the Scars. Sentinels deployed these grenades to great effect while retreating from the terraces. The explosive and acid effects slowed the Scars advance and allowed the defenders of Fort Tarsis to regroup and hold the walls.

Sentinel-Freelancer Relations (3)

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There were Scars everywhere. I thought we were dead, but then I heard a thump on our strider's roof, guns going off, and the voice of a Sentinel telling us we had an escort. And those Sentinels were organized. Within moments, they had taken names, accounts of the event, and got us moving. They were a bit chilly, maybe, but they got the job done. And unlike Freelancers, they weren't going to take off on another job, you know? Sentinels are dependable.

— Interview with Trader Lorell, Ft. Tarsis Times

Shaper Relics (2)

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While Cataclysms have been a constant in our world, we have chosen not to experiment with the Anthem of Creation. Scars have no such reservations. They seek out Shaper relics for their own purposes. The Scar Luminary who led the attack on the terraces used a relic to charge its weapons with extra firepower. In a separate attack, Junkhead sought to use a relic to make itself physically stronger. While a tempting experiment, Antium has declared that relics are simply too unstable to be safely manipulated by humans. As always, every effort should be made to keep Scars from accessing relics.

— From Cataclysms and their Effects, 41st Edition

Skirmish at Scavenger Point

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“Don’t like the Scars none, but I have to say: Arcanists went looking for trouble, without a doubt. My guess is Scars were scratching around the area because of all the unnatural Shaper energy. The Arcanists must have heard about those Scars gathering and wanted a piece. They hired me and my strider to bring them to the spot. I would have never agreed to any of it had I been told. Problem is, more Scars started popping up everywhere when we arrived. I tried to get out of there, but something was blocking my strider from moving. I was thinking we were all as good as dead, but a group of Freelancers came along and got rid of whatever was tying up my strider so we could get out of there. I didn’t see much of the scrap, but I know it was bad bloody. We owe those Freelancers our lives.”

— Renny Quint, strider operator

Skystone Overlook

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Scars have taken Skystone. Took down some nasties with flamethrowers, but then they retreated into the lock itself. Sentinels down. Not enough of us left. Must get back to the fort so the Chronicler can tell Heliost to be on guard. We cannot let the Scars get past the lock.

— Freelancer Perrin

Skystone Pass (District) (2)

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Breaking news: Scars have taken Skystone Pass. Any travel to Heliost will have to use alternate routes. The Emperor asks that any Freelancers willing to help should report to the wall for contracts.

— Transcript, radio broadcast, Antium

Southern Reach (District)

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It is absolutely vital that the Southern Reach remain in our control. With Freemark gone, and the gate to Heliost overrun by Scars, the road to Antium is our only source of food and supplies.

— Governor Teak, radio transcript

The Bane Engine (2)

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Becoming an Arcanist means gaining a wealth of skills. An Arcanist must be a researcher, a historian, a survival guide, and an explosives expert. I'm not kidding. Knowing how to create explosives out of common camp supplies has saved many Arcanists from cave-ins, relic abnormalities, wildlife, outlaws, and Scars.

—From "Dialogues: Interview with an Arcanist"

The Crop Terraces (District)

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The Battle for the Crop Terraces is the most significant Scar skirmish to date, in which Scars mounted their first organized attack against a human settlement. It was a long and bloody battle, resulting in the total decimation of the fort's crops. Antium sent supplies and troops north, but had difficulty crossing enemy lines, causing extra hardship to those in Fort Tarsis. After the hard-won victory, it was decreed that the Scar population must never be allowed to grow that large again, and so “bug-hunts” became a necessary and dangerous practice for lancers in the area. The Terraces haven’t been cultivated since.

— From History of Scars by Hanni Blythe

The Dungeon (3)

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"Ladies fair, ladies fair
They say you'll find some there, find some there
Instead, was just Rustreaver's crew, reaver's crew
Careful, lest the reaver catches you!"

—Fort Tarsis lullaby

The Foundry (1)

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Scars were poking around here. Time to talk to the boss and see about doing a little "reclamation" of our own. The bugs don't need whatever they've set up in there. Fraysse says a Freelancer is headed this way, so I'll pick this up again afterward.

—From the final entry of outlaw Moneymaker Merch's journal

The Mandible (1)

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Scars do not actually need the "towns" they build; rather, these are another example of their replication of the dominant species. In fact, much can be gained by looking at Scar architecture and noting what is distinctly "non-human" as insight into what came before us.

—From "A History of Scars" by Hanni Blythe

The Mandible (2)

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As I pick my way through the rusted remains of this Scar hive, I try to imagine a society so driven by one simple idea. Forever focused to the absolute exclusion of all else. What could be accomplished should this unsettling shroud of relentless drive ever descend upon humanity? Calamity? Paradise? Would we know the difference?

—From the field notes of Arcanist Kei Hasa

The Mandible (3)

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They dumped us in a pit and threw down crude weapons. There was no cheering. No glory. They were seeing what we would do. No one did anything. Eventually, they hung a half-cooked grabbit over the pit. We understood. Not everyone gets to be a hero out here. Some of us just have to survive.

—From "Confessions from Bastion" by Jarek Arnel

The Mandible (4)

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Spend any time down there and you'll feel it, I swear—that picking at your brain while they're moving about in their greasy torchlight. A whole hive of them. The buzzes and clicks. The scrambling over rocks. That chewing away at your mind. I'll be hearing that when the lights go out until the last sunset.

—From the field reconnaissance reports of an unknown Corvus agent

The Tower Road (District)

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“Scars have set up just off of Tower Road. Downed the missing transport. Stripped it for parts. If we’re not careful, they’ll start building and then we’ll have a bug problem on our hands. But the Freelancers should be returning from the Heart of Rage soon enough. I expect the issue will be contained. Sorry for the letter; our cypher has been ill all week.”

— Letter to Antium, from Governor Teak

The Tracks of Midderon (District)

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When he was a boy, General Tarsis’ page boy Midderon was well known for being a fast runner, even without a javelin. It was said that he could run from the base of the ravine to the Colossi and then to Anshar in record time. Before the Scar incursion, running the Tracks of Midderon was a popular event in neighboring Shadowmark as part of their yearly festival, and in individual fitness regimes.

The Workshop

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The workshop building was the primary hub of repair and maintenance for the farm. All equipment was left behind during the evacuation and subsequently scavenged by Scars.

Valley of Tarsis

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This valley is the location of the pre-Legion era "Haven," as well as the strider path and lock to Antium. The valley was home to the great agricultural project of the late 300s, the Honor Valley Dam, but with the coming of the Scars, farming became more dangerous and the project was abandoned. Scar skirmishes culminated in the Battle for the Terraces, destroying Fort Tarsis' local food source and leaving the fort completely reliant on imports from Antium for survival.

Weapons Delivery

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Commander Vule:

Please accept my apologies in the late delivery of these capacitors and thruster augments for your Sentinels. The Scar incursion has caused difficulties in getting necessary supplies, and we have been facing a backlog. I'm sure you understand. Please don't hesitate to contact me via Chronicler if you need to speak further.

Regards,
Nithix Cage,
Forgewright
Heliost