Registered Member #24916
Joined: 2:58:00 pm GMT 01/23/19
Posts: 610
Steinkreis had proven to be a better idea than expected. This time the evoker had brought a rogue with him from the woods, and the two had a real field trip in the city. They snuck in trough the sewers, and entered the uptown district. They had barely been spotted, but it was by a beggar, and who would believe what he had to say? He was of no importance to them, and they moved on.
They found a surprising number of houses had their doors barred, but there were a couple they were able to enter. Sure, they were locked, but that is what the rogue was there for. The first manor they searched certainly seemed suspicious, but not in the way he had hoped. The island was mapped by geographical borders, and he had found protective scrolls. There was a mask there as well, leading to them thinking this was not someone they should anger. After all, there is no need to make unnecessary enemies.
They moved on to the next. After slinking around, they came upon another manor. One far more interesting. It had golems! What human would have golems in their home? It was certainly suspicious and out of place, and the two searched this home, and took down plenty of guardians. They found several suspicious books as well, and the pair brought a few with them. Perhaps said books would have encrypted information they could use.
The trip went on, and things looked bad for a moment. When they left the manor, they almost stumbled into an ashen knight. The evoker had heard talk of them, and he would certainly not want to anger them, especially not when he had work to do. Luckily, he did not seem to have noticed them, and their magic stealth has kept them hidden. On to the next location.
He really hit the jackpot when he entered the temple and found the back room where research was being done. He spied on the researcher for a little while before he decided to use magic on him. He could see he was researching the Lord's tomb, a place the Evoker has already been, and has scriptures from. Perhaps this researcher could be of use in translating them. Luck did not favor them, though, for as when the evoker had cast a domination spell on the unfortunate researcher, a peasant had entered the room. He could certainly not have any witnesses to this, and so the evoker killed the poor man. This snapped the researcher out of his control, and he tried to get away. This was of course not an option, and so Elarion conjured his magic in a field around where the researcher vanished. He could hear the sounds of flesh being struck, and it was not long before the researcher laid dead on the floor. He knew he was on limited time now, and he grabbed what he could before making his escape.
He did not see much success after, with the houses of the uptown district either holding nothing of interest, or they were well guarded. One even had a shadow mastiff. Still, he had seen great success in the temple, and went back to the forest. Hopefully, what he had gotten there could help him translate the scroll known as "the dark pact."
With a solid stack of research material, he left a note for Vryx at the chapel in their barracks.
Registered Member #24916
Joined: 2:58:00 pm GMT 01/23/19
Posts: 610
It is strange how one little moment can make one feel so much. A simple run-in with Teron at the Crossroads portal. There were others around, so he could not stop and chat, but what really got the mage was when something buzzed alive in the Elisaran mage's pocket. It was after the mage had greeted the evoker, and when Teron said "Not now, little one.." it was clear who it was. Sae had already made her full recovery! His heart leapt in joy, but there is the certain problem of one, letting that be seen. Two, letting emotions be seen. He quickly voiced his agreement with the mage, and went on his way.
As he walked, he made sure his helm was on so no traveller would see his face. There was just so much emotion. He wanted nothing but to run in and hug his old friend. For the longest time, she was the only one he had, and here she was. A full recovery. He couldn't be happier, yet he could not show it. Not his emotions, not everything he had wanted to do, nothing. Instead he just walked along, looking for clues for the magic he was researching.
Unfortunately, nothing overly useful was found. Some magic was discovered, but not the kind he was searching for. He was growing desperate. It would become difficult to find it, and so he had to think. Who knows how to do what he needs? Powerful undead, demons and devils.. but they would require something. Something he would be less than likely to be willing to offer. At least at the moment. Demons, now they are far easier to deal with. Amuse them, and one can get a long way, and if there is one thing the evoker can do, it is entertain them.
As he wandered the island, he clenched the ring Rhandum once gave him, and gave little tugs at its magic. He wanted its former master to know he was searching for him. Luck had it he ran into him but a short walk later. He told him he had something that could potentially amuse him, and that he could give the short version, or the long version. The demon wanted the long, and kicked shadows over them as he grabbed Elarion. Before he could react, they were in the shadow plane.
He explained to the demon what kind of magic he is searching, but he was unable to help him directly. Indirectly on the other hand, he did plenty. To planars, stealing souls is like moving a finger, or as Rhandom put it, you can't ask a fish to teach you to swim. Still, there are options. On both sides of the planar spectrum. The problem is what it will cost. With the devils, there is sure to be a costly sacrifice, and that may affect his ability to serve his forest. With the demons, the cost will be his mortality, but should leave him greater freedom. As Rhandum put it, the fun approach. Still, it is not something he can just do. His loyalty is with his home. If anything is to happen, he will want their consent.
But that again is a problem. To get it, he needs his queen, and to have his queen, he will need this magic. When he finally made it home, he sat down with the only known connection they still had to their queen. The poison. He laid his hands in one of their fountains and spoke.
"My Queen.. I do not know if you can hear this or not, but... we need you.. Your people need you.. Despair is taking over the forest. The people are giving in to it. We need out leader. We need the one we rallied behind. We need -you.-
I am searching for magic I hope will empower you.. speed up your return, but I may have to make great sacrifices.. Sacrifices beyond my comprehension.. but I will do it for you. If it can bring you back, I will do anything, even if it means sacrificing myself.."
He sucked in a deep breath and stood. His hand dripping with the poisoned waters, and he just watched the fountain, hoping his queen had heard him.
Registered Member #24916
Joined: 2:58:00 pm GMT 01/23/19
Posts: 610
The search goes on.. He still needs the magic, and Poisonwood needs it's queen.
At least he had a good conversation with Estarvalin. They spoke briefly of his plans, and the Hand told him if he is able to perform his plans unseen, he is free to do so. The catch is he can not be caught. The last thing the forest needs is more attention. If he is to do anything, he must be like a wraith. They discussed a few more plans, but it all boiled down to being careful, and to not leave any trails.
There was one line Elarion had wanted to hear for an age. "You are free to act as an agent" Small words for a Hand perhaps, but to a mage, detested in the previous era, it meant so much. To be an agent to the woods, their outside weed. To have his name used by the Hand, instead of just being called mage or evoker, meant the world to him. He felt like he had what he has yearned for all these years. Recognition.
They went on to speak of the Sons of Fhelkorn. Not much is known about them, but Elarion did have a brief conversation with one of them. They have a cause they can relate to, and Elarion told the Hand just that. He agreed to have Elarion approach them as a representative for the forest, and see what he can learn from them. Perhaps they can work something out.
There was a little something that also came up, a something that had Elarion's mind wandering enough for him to take the wrong portal out of the forest. The hand confirmed what his sisters told him. The ward of Syann's tomb had indeed been tampered with. The hand shared what little they knew of it, including why they let the traitors get away with it. Good to know, but all it really did was leave Elarion with more questions than answers.
At least he had the amusement of watching a half-orc get stuck in a tent as he passed the old Ridgeshield war camp.
Registered Member #24916
Joined: 2:58:00 pm GMT 01/23/19
Posts: 610
Syann..
Who was he? Was he their leader, or was he one who sacrificed them all to Uultak?
So many questions, so few answers. After meeting the lich, and speaking to the Hand, Elarion was left with more and more questions. All with answers hidden deep in time, with the few who truly knows being out of reach. One is Yu'syu. Would she give a real answer? Would she even speak to him?
And Uultak? Will he give a honest answer? When he appeared before Elarion, he laughed when Elarion stated his allegiance. He did not think much of it then, but after speaking to the Hand, it became clear. Uultak knows something. But what? How can he uncover this? How would one even approach an old and powerful lich? What could he offer in tribute? How would he even get his attention? How would he get Yu'syu's? Would he even want to?
When he brought Arakhor from their little corner by the docks, they spoke long about everything, though he did not give her a proper answer about Syann's coffin. He would not say what was in it, just that they must never open it. It was during this conversation he got an idea on how to finally get a true answer to who Syann really is. For who's will they were fighting. Why everything happened.. but for that he will need the mages of Elisara.. Possibly even others he met at the battlefield.
He thought back to when he traded in a tablet and got the bracers of the Blood guard woman, Cassia. These boxes are supposed to have been sealed for an age, but is this Cassia not of recent times? How did her personal belongings end up in the past? There must be a way to go back. Perhaps... there is a way to travel back to the days of Syann. To get an answer from the eternal king himself..
But there are things to do... Always things to do.
Registered Member #24916
Joined: 2:58:00 pm GMT 01/23/19
Posts: 610
So the Bloodguard has gained more ground. Not really an issue for the woods.... yet. It was more Lucan's struggle, but he had given invalueable aid during the war. Without him, Syfana could never have risen to her new power, and for this, Elarion had promised him aid. Only issue now is he have not seen Lucan in a long time. Still, he had promised aid.
It may not be delivered to Lucan, but the evoker had met someone who had apparently aided the lady before. The Bloodwinged. A powerful figure both in political might, and in physical. The Watch had failed them in the war, but perhaps they should have asked this man instead. He seems a man of his word, and here he was, facing a power struggle of his own. A little detail before a proper struggle with the Bloodguard. Offering this man aid was a simple task. One who had aided the lady was certainly worth it, and when he asked how much Elarion would charge for his aid, he simply told him he has no need for gold. What he needs is allies.
The aid came in shape of a box of gems. One that can sway any battle in one's favor. He made sure there were enough to call forth powerful planars, and magic to ward them from side effects. Gems to protect from the elements, and from physical harm, as well as gems to make one move like the wind. It was a little gift basket, in the greatest sense that the woods can make one. A small arms box, slotted for gems, lined up by their use, and should be enough to sway matters to any groups advantage. If they won' see use in the upcoming internal struggle, they definitely will against the Bloodguard. If that happens to be the case, it will be even better. Elarion will have time to prepare more gems, and there is also the fact that someone pointed out caves beneath the new fort. If there indeed is one, the blood magic he learned during the war will certainly come to use.
Perhaps he can get the kin in on a ritual like they did up in the Feywood docks, only with these, there should be enough like minded souls, they won't have to worry about it growing sentient like theirs did. His sisters had hesitated.. Some of them too good for such a task, it made the end result unstable. With the kin, they might be able to create a true monster. That is, of course, assuming the kin will be in on it. It may take some convincing, but it will be extremely dangerous for the Bloodguard. If they can perform such a ritual, and unleash some form of beast, it will be a most successful distraction. They may not even have to attack from the top.
Again, it is something he will need to talk to them about. It may not even have to be a creation, it can just be a powerful ritualistic death spell.
Registered Member #24916
Joined: 2:58:00 pm GMT 01/23/19
Posts: 610
Things have gone quiet on the kin versus the Blood guard front. A shame, but there is still plenty for the evoker to do.
Morals are still running low in the woods. As if the queen being absent isn't bad enough, the elves now worry for "the song," the Poisonwood afterlife. It used to be their souls joined the trees and became one with the poison, connecting everything and everyone involved, but with their trees burned and barely even able to hold the poison?
A chance rose when Elarion was running errands and ran past someone he thought he might have heard of. One dressed in rags more reminiscent of death than himself. He must have been one of the rumored necromancers residing in the area. He approached him, and presented the man known as Morton with his worries. He was intrigued, and agreed to look into the matter. Elarion presented him with a less guarded back entrance to the woods. He also let him know he would see what he could do about the guard offering a blind eye while they work, but could promise nothing.
Another task, one far more ambitious, has also been set in motion. Syann has constantly been on his mind since meeting Uultak, and he learned of the tomb theft. When it comes down to it, who was he really? Who knows what his true will was? No one alive will ever give a truthful, unbiased answer, that is for sure. It makes him wonder what it has all been for. Knowing will not change the present of the future, but it sure will help him leave the past behind. Many of the elves of the island would surely do the same.
Not too long after he spoke to Morton, and on his way from the bounty shack, he ran into one of the only ones of the island's do-gooders he has true respect for. Teron Dian. He told him he was hoping he could enlist the schools aid in this, and told him he wishes to uncover the truth about Syann. He told him he will use Cassia's bloody braces as a baseline for this project. After all, if a known paladin somehow managed to make it to the past, a gathering of mages surely will too. Teron voiced his concerns about the dangers of time travel, and the risks of changing the past, or even present. It is a valid concern, and a high risk mission for sure, but the truth about the eternal king might be worth more to elf kind than anything else. Teron told him he would let his colleagues know, and the two went on with their day.
The third task on Elarion's mind is one equally pressing as their song. His people are being drained by the necrotic energies in the forest. It is not healthy for them, and while they all stand behind their queen, undeath is not something they should embrace until they are dead and join the eternal army. He thought of the rift tainted bugbears, and how they are able to not only live with the rift taint, but also seem empowered by it. Perhaps if he spent enough time observing them, he could learn how this happened, and apply it to his own kin. Their lives can't get much worse, and they are all dedicated to the same purpose. From a first inspection, they don't seem to have anything to loose.
Registered Member #24916
Joined: 2:58:00 pm GMT 01/23/19
Posts: 610
It did not take much study to learn the effects of negative energy are unavoidable. The bugbears seemed to be in a even sorrier state than his own kin are. Is his people truly destined to become walking husks walking the thin line between life and death? No. He will not accept that. Sure, they may not be saints, but his people deserve better. They will overcome this, just like they overcame the poison. This too, they will make theirs, and come out stronger than ever. They just... need to learn how.
Perhaps the secret is with the drow? They seem to work negative energies well, and they should know Ashwood's plight better than anyone, knowing the history of the dark cousins. The problem with them will be getting a straight answer. While they certainly understand each other better than most, their cultures are vastly different, and working something out with them will certainly be hard.
Perhaps the only solution might be something the demon known as Rhandum once spoke of? It is.... well, what does it matter at this point? He will need to be extremely careful approaching this, and he will certainly need to find the demon. He will also need to capture another elf for experimentation. That should not be too hard. The hands now have enough faith in him to act freely as well, so no need to seek permission. Just provide results, and make sure it does not come back to bite the forest.
What if there is another answer in the plane of shadow? Hm. The south has been poorly explored from what he understands. Most who have entered this realm of shadows seem to mostly visit the crossroads, and the human city of Steinkreis. He heard some talk of a place called Umbershire, but how would that relate to him? He needs lands he can relate to, and know the layout of. The question for him will be, who can he bring? Who will even know how to enter the southern woods portion of the plane of shadows?
Registered Member #24916
Joined: 2:58:00 pm GMT 01/23/19
Posts: 610
So much to do, but leadership should always know. He delivers a report to the Hand in charge.
Estarvalin, Hand of Syann I thought it time I update you on current projects.
I am currently researching a way for our people to better live with the vast amount of negative energy lingering in the forest. While we are proud of the eternal army, I see no reason why all of us should join it before it is time. I want us all to overcome this, like we did with the Poison. To come out stronger, but for that, we will need to know how. This is still a work in progress, but I have access to the drow city of Mora'chel, and a few others I could consult with. I am confident I will find a solution.
I also wish to investigate the current state of "the song." If our people are without a true afterlife, it will be a heavy blow to our morals. Our bodies will always be used for the eternal army, and we are all happy to serve even in death. What most of us are still unsure of is what happens to our souls. Do they enter our burned trees which are barely even there anymore? Do they carry on to the Seldarine? I don't know about you, but that thought sickens me. The Seldarine let everything we have suffered trough, happen. No proud elf should have to enter the afterlife, only to face those disgraces who call themselves gods. If the song is no more (do not get me wrong, I truly hope it remains, but if it is not..) I have plans for another use for the souls of our kin who pass. A way even our souls can serve a use after our bodies join the eternal army. I am still researching, but what I have found is promising. I would like to speak of this with you and the High Priestess once I have a complete report to offer.
There is an individual I firmly believe we should consider letting inside the forest. A relatively new arrival with an actual understanding of our history and long suffering. While we were known to take in those who performed well for the order before, we all saw how many were actually there when it mattered, during the Poisonwar. I can only count one. This one seems different. This is not one I have found because of shared political interest, or because she can kill for gold. No. This one understands us. She understands our plight. Perhaps instead of our complete removal of recruitment process, we should instead hold interviews? I believe this one to be a great asset, and I believe meeting her will satisfy you as well.
My remaining project is a personal one, and of little interest to the forest. If it proves fruitful, it can be quite the asset, but I shall call it a matter of personal curiosity for now. I will let you know if it turns out to be of value.
For the glory of our woods and our Queen. Elarion Hanolen
Registered Member #24916
Joined: 2:58:00 pm GMT 01/23/19
Posts: 610
So, by calling for the demon Rhandum, he just happened to bring him back from banishment. Curious how things sometimes just fit together.
Like before, the demon's inputs proved invalueable. The shadow plane is definitely accessible, and he gave ideas for how to enter the forest. Leaves and ashes were both gathered, both which there should be plenty of in the forest, and easy to use as a focal point. It was not hard to get the demon interested. The mere idea of seeing the forest in the shadow plane seemed interesting enough, as did the concept of exploring the shadow reflection of Elisara.
He did raise some valid points too. That time is strange in the shadow plane, and while it is a mirror of the prime, it is not a complete one. That it might not reflect the current place he knows, and even Elisara might reflect the Elisara that was under Uultak. There is also a possibility of lingering manifestions of demonic energies from the days of demonic attacks. While his interest in the shadow plane was the woods themselves, and the chances for colonization, he cannot deny how interesting it will be to see a twisted Greenvale.
A journey like this is bound to carry risks, though, and he should not do this without those he trusts. While he truly does wish he could bring his sisters, he simply cannot afford letting the traitor faction know. Such would mean he will have to fight his sisters, and he desperately does not want that. No, this will have to be done with the outside contacts he has made, and so, letters were sent out.
Lucan Steelmane
You have always been an invalueable ally, and one I could always count on. I now call on you as I wish to explore the woods section of the shadow plane. If such is of interest to you, please let me know. The sights themselves might be worth the trip.
Elarion Hanolen
Lady Zenaide Senha
I reach out to you for aid in a manner which you may not have any personal interest, but will hopefully still interest you. I intend to explore the southern woods of the shadow plane, and likely the counterpart of the city of Elisara. A sight which in itself may be worth the potential risk. Please let me know if this is of interest to you.
Elarion Hanolen
Ilyrana Vanimórie
There is something I would like your help with. I plan a journey into the plane of shadow, and explore the counterpart to my own home, as well as the mirrored Greenvale. A trip which will be interesting in it's own right, but should this journey prove fruitful, it might be used to sway my leadership to let you into our woods. Please let me know if this is of interest to you.
[ The Island of Thain ]
Onta-Crona
