The Vvrael Quest

Assembled by Itiara Bloodlands

I still get chills as I read through these scrolls and remember those cold dark nights of not so long ago. What I have tried to gather here is the tale of those that lived it the closest. I could never hope to speak as eloquently as they have so I will not try. I leave you with their memories.. and a forward by Truekillr. Enjoy please.. and leave the candle lit, for it is a chilling tale.

By my hand,
~Tia

Table of Contents

Opening

Rayvynne's Visions

Items and Artifacts

Malaphor's Telling of the Box

A War of All Ages

The End of it All

   Part I...The opening of a Shrine

   Part II...The Coming of Rayyne

   Part III...The Loss of Risper and Terate

    Part IV...A Visit From The Lass

 


Remember well the names of the Chosen: Krackenstar, Writher, Jala, Berr, Risper, Mithadris, Tedra, Wanton, Nyte, Merry, and Beldin. (Webmistress Note:Also the writer of this epilogue, Lady Heathyr and not to be forgotton...the fourth Chosen, Lord Terate) Should never again our faces be seen after the final conflict, we ask only that you remember us fondly, and keep our spirits alive within your hearts. Know that Lorminstra's hand touches all, no matter what race, religion, or allegiance. We are, when all is said and done, One People. We are the benefactors of this magnificent world, just as the Arkati once inherited it from their predecessors, the Drakes. Make our home beautiful and just. Strive for peace among our people, and let the flames of honor and friendship burn strong within you. Never has a mightier weapon been held than the hand of another. Let this, the final battle in a War of All Ages, serve as a harsh reminder to those who would wage war; there will always be a greater army, a more merciless foe, a more certain fate...and only united will ever our people, all our people, survive...to one day inherit the woundrous land we call Elanthia.

By TRUE@PLAY.NET (Tk)
On Oct 13, 1998 at 20:32

I pen this scroll as I sit and remember the Vvrael saga. Much will be left out. I will not discuss the differing feelings of Terate. I will discuss my feelings a bit and the events as they transpired.

I must first say that I was heartened by the way this common threat brought many people together! Not only did the Arkati band together (in the loosest sense), but the people in the Lands as well.

When the Quest started years ago I thought nothing of it. I was excited, but subdued. Then I once thought I was a Chosen as I received vision after vision! I called Merlock and the 4 Chosen that had been picked at the time! To my chagrin, embarassment and ultimate relief, I was merely seeing the visions that haunt the wall of the Wolves Den. Crying out over the Voln net and having everyone chuckle at me was quite humbling. :) However, from there my interest grew...the scope grew...the odds raised.

I remember hearing of Risper, ah sweet Risper, receiving the Mace. From that point on things quieted down a bit. There was no Terate. No one had heard of him. Then the massacre under the Crypt. I remember hearing his name spoken. I had no idea of the role he would play. He seemed a weak Elf. Then the powers he wrought! Pure evil! The Lords of Lornon pale in comparison to his Anti-mana waves! I was petrified because there was no way to fight it! None could stand against the power. Then things tapered off... A Chosen was picked here or there. Terate would come and taunt and slay...

Things picked up immensely when the final Chosen were picked. Then started the saga...the death...the salvation. Once Merry and Beldin were Chosen on Teras Isle by my Lady I distinctly remember saying that we would be saved. Knowing that the 13 Chosen would stand...13? Eh? Terate!?!? He became the conundrum. The link we needed, but could not control. That is for another time...

Let us pan to Ardo and his fateful journey in the attempt to find the Chosen and tell them of his meeting with the old crone. We all know he apparently froze to death in the cave on the mountain, but none know how. ::sighs::

I was downtrodden. Hope seemed lost. He had such an important message, yet it was never delivered. I remember thinking we were doomed. Then I remember a night when Terate came and rocked the LAnding with his powers. Lorminstra came and took the Chosen aside. Told them of the Stones of Virtue. Hope was renewed! I remember calling a meeting in each major town to tell of the search for the Stones! We HAD to have them before Terate got one! I remember people organizing in droves and searching every known inch of the lands for those Stones. A day..a week...a month...no Stones. Credibility was lost, hope dashed. Then they came...

I remember being in hearthstone chatting with some folk in the Legends bar when they attacked. The weakest of the Vvrael's Minions, the warlocks and witches. The weakest. ::shudder:: I can still see the blood flying as they destroyed Legend after Legend, Lord after Lady after Lord. It was a massacre. I remember Karhl and Greentide coming and being able to kill them finally! Vigor in the search was renewed! We had to find those Stones! If not all could be lost. I remember feeling despair that none were found. I remember awaking every day and inquiring. Every day I heard the saem response. "No Nothing yet True." Then one day a Stone was found! Hope was renewed! The proverbial ferris-wheel of emotions began to spin faster. We were attacked, we held ground and found a Stone.

Then the unthinkiable happened. A stone was given to Terate. Rayyne flaunted her love for him by giving him a Stone. Lorminstra forbade it, yet it happened. The Ferris-wheel began its long downward trend. Try as we might, we could not get it back. Other methods had to be used and were. The Vvrael were clever in that Terate, and our feelings toward him caused more dissention in our ranks than their entire army could have. Terate knew not, or could not defend himself against, the pawn he was. (It is important to note that I am leaving out a LOT of individual quests, visits, etc.)

Finally we found all 6 stones. 5 held by the rightful Chosen and one by Terate. The snows thawed enough that we could wander the mountain in relative safety. However a new threat posed itself...

Lorminstra, my beloved Goddess, was dying. She was giving her all for this quest and keeping the Vvrael at bay as we, mere mortals, held the fate of the Lands in our hands. I remember not having her hand cradle my soul. I remember feeling lost and as weak as a child. I would lose everything if I lost Her. I remember praying and her being shoved aside as she came to speak with my by Terate. He came and taunted me. Flaunting Her weakness in my face. I could not have it. I began to gather friends to pray. Then as the support grew so did my hopes, as did her strength. I called masses weekly, then almost daily. I felt her strengthen! Her warmth flow through me from the outpouring of support. Those of all faiths, Lornon, Liabo, or otherwise all came. They prayed, not for Lorminstra, but for their salvation. All of this heartened me. It also strengthened the Arkati to stave off the attacks of the Vvrael until the thaw was complete.

The last weekend. I slept not at all as we all made the trek to Pinefar to wait for the western steps of the mountain to become accessable. The first night we were there we were bombarded by Vvrael, Lost souls, Vaespilion and countless other types of undead that the Vvrael had comandeered. The death was almost insurmountable. Constantly we were on a watch. Trying to stop their advance and survive long enough. Finally I started holding small prayer sessions over my symbol in order to try and lend Her strength. The second day the prayers stopped working and the Vvrael made their march to the Veil.

The sky was dark, but the sun shone through...I remember looking up at it thinking it odd that it could be so dark. I saw a spot on the sun...others did too. It grew and grew, finally dropping toward the Lands. When it hit it began to rain...a slow trickle...then quicker. Soon we realized it was not raining water, but blood! They came then. We were all slain time and time again. Terate was seen, rescuing folks and helping save our souls.

Hope was at an all time low as we knew that we couldn't hold out when they finally came. We would hear whispers in our mind about the destruction they would wrought against us when they made it through the Rift. During a short hiatus in the battling Belle came to us. She was sad that Ardo had not come back and try as we might, we could not convince her that he was dead. Regardless, she presented to me a parchment from Ardo's journal. I hold it to this day. (Though I still think it belongs in the museum for all to view) It was the Key to the Crown and the Shrine. To save time I will make a copy of it on another scroll. I was excited that we had the Key, but my excitement soon turned to fright as Terate came and demanded it of me. I refused and was killed by him. He searched my pockets but could not find it thanks to the grace of Lorminstra. Unfortunately, he raged at that point and called minions against us. Most people died again. I was raised and went about tending the dead until that night...

That night Terate visited again. Asked of me for the parchment. I refused again and so he showed me what had happened during the fight. Belle was sucked into a void and lost to us! Terate held her soul and offered me a trade. The parchment for Belle. He would come back the next morning to have my answer. He never made it back.

We finally made it to the Crown of the Drake. Then came the dilemma. Do we trust Terate? He knew not how to open the door, but still had the power to do so, perhaps. The dilemma was solved when he placed his stone on the Crown first. Each of the Chosen placed their stones in as well. As the 6th and final Stone plopped in...!POOF!...all the Chosen were transported into the Shrine to the Eye of the Drake. We were left out there trying to figure our way in. That is when the parchment came in handy. A few people read it and we pooled ideas. However, I was still wary to let people touch it as I was unsure who was tainted with Terate's promises of power. If Karhl could be corrupted than any could. This folly on my part may have cost Rispers soul ::sighs deeply::

We finally managed to get into the Shrine, but as this was happening we heard the Vvrael egg Terate into slaying the Chosen. Time and again we heard them cry out in death. I found the bowl. From there I watched in horror as Terate sucked them of spirit and slayed them as they tried to stop him. He was in a rage. No coherence at all. Then I watched in utter horror as Risper removed Eonak's mace and moved delierately toward the Eye of the Drake. We had to destroy it or all would be lost! As she moved, Terate noticed her. he began stealing her spirit. Slowly, ever so slowly I watched her whither and lose strength. Finally he sapped her last strength...her soul parted her body and rose the Gate. However, the Gate could not be opened...Lorminstra was too weak...her soul was lost.

Terate then paused as Rayyne's soothing talk eventually got through to the Elf in Terate. He slowly realized his mistakes and as the Vvrael got more and more angry that they were losing control over him, the more and more he listened to Rayyne. Finally, just as they were to break through the Eye Terate shot his anti-mana and blocked it! As he did so the scream of rage from the Vvrael struck at him. He fell back, battered and bleeding, into Rayyne's arms. There he gave his void blade to Rayyne and told her of his love he felt for her. Then his soul was released. A mere breath on the wind floating away.

There it ended. We all finally made our way through the pool to see my Lady, weak as she was, standing before us. She thanked us all and gave each of the Chosen an Orb. The Orb was a way to transport to the Shrine from any place. SHe blessed us and then left. So it ended. Terate gave himself in one final blast of honor to make the Eye a one-way link to the Rift. That is where I now hunt. Getting every stronger until I can finally slay the warlocks and witches that reside there.

As for Terate, as I am hunting I sometimes feel as if there is something in the shadows. Someone watching me. Many times I have been surrounded, outnumbered and near death, but a strange power flows into me, giving me resolve and I survive. Perhaps it is simple luck, but then again, perhaps not...

~Tk

Rayvynne's Visions

 

Below are at least most of the visions Rayvynne received during the Vvrael quest. Thank you again Rayvynne for sharing these with us...

Author: RAYVYNNE
Posted: Nov 24, 1997 02:37:22

This is the vision that came to me, after speaking with Tedra today i'm not certain if the commune had anything to do with me receiving my vision or not . the timing may have been pure coincidence ::shrug:: NOTE: all actions and discussions are taken out as the vision came quite slowly to me, only the vision itself am I posting here.

You find your thoughts turning to the memory of fine elven features, a seductive voice.. a youthful face, before the corruption of time had made its mark

You find you cannot forget the deep sorrowful eyes of the tormented soul who briefly touched you.

Your thoughts keep straying to his eyes.. the dark, intellectual pools of dark brown soulfulness. You feel you could immerse yourself in their kindness. Until the deep pits of sorrow overcome them. You want to reach out to him.. you want to save him..

As much as you try to avoid the thought, you keep seeing his beautiful, youthful body twisted by lightning and weapons, dead on the street, laying in his own blood. You yearn to draw him close, to protect him from harm, and from the horrible influence of the Vvrael.

You seem to feel you want to protect him from what you know the town wants to do to him.

Deep sorrow overcomes you at the thought you might never again see the sprak of life in his eyes as he gazes at you.. and asks you to come with him, to stand next to him...

these were the visions of Terate that i was given, what it means i know not , i have but theories. I am weary and must sleep

Rayvynne

Items and Artifacts
The objects listed below and on the pages following are objects that I know of collected or given during the Vvrael quest. All hold special value and meaning, some indeed hold much much more. I connect The Blade and The Ring closely as both were given to Lady Rayyne by her love.

The Void Blade

as told by Lady Rayyne

The void blade is frightening, not only because of its length and deadly edge. But as you gaze at it, the thing seems to shift, blinking slightly as if it is winking out of existence then reappearing so quickly your eyes cannot follow its progress. The blade is flat, dull black with archaic sigils etched into its surface in a haphazard pattern. The weapon's hilt is veil iron, cast in a simple, elegant curve designed to perfectly fit the hand. A single black stone is inset into the hilt's end, but its type, like the metal of the blade, is unidentifiable.

Krackenstar sang to the Blade and this is the story hidden within.

Images begin to seep out of the void blade, filling your mind with brief flashes at first, that gradually grow into complexity and form. You see an elven youth, fair of feature and gifted with unusual intelligence. He follows in the footsteps of his Queen and mother, learning the sorcerous arts, pushing further and further into arcane theory researched within ancient tomes found in the castle's extensive library. His fame is further augmented upon the day he finds a wondrous stone which speaks through the heavens. Then one day, an elderly journeyman happens by, begging to winter within the castle's protection. The unknown traveler is found dead the following morning, having succumbed to age and the elements, and leaving behind nothing but his ragged clothing and meager belongings. Included in these is a satchel containing a collection of scrolls.

The scrolls are found to be covered with archaic writing, which piques the young prince's interest when brought to his attention. He begins to study them, an occupation that gradually consumes all of his waking hours. He labors over them for months, painstakingly translating them, and finally they begin to reveal secrets old and terrible. To the youth, the knowledge to be gained seems well worth the risk of putting the lore into practice. He could never have foreseen what cataclysmic malevolence his decision would release upon the world.

The Ring

As told by Lady Rayyne

Much like the Stone of Virtue that I gave to Terate, this ring was offered twice.

The thin, dark band is forged of a metal so rare, its properties are barely known. Around its circumference, a few words are etched, scripted in flowing elven characters. They read, 'A love held close and true in the heart can never die.'


I stretch.

I say, "That was fun."

Terate smiles at you.

I lean against a large oak door.

Terate says, "It is always a blessing to see you Rayyne."

I smile and say, "And you."

Terate furrows his brow.

Terate looks suddenly worried.

I ask, "Yes? What's wrong?"

Terate says, "Rayyne.. we know you are foolhardy. You sometimes follow a whim into danger."

Terate says, "We want you to please.. think about what you do in the near future."

I say, "This can be true, sometimes."

Terate says, "Events come soon to pass."

Terate stares down at you.

Terate's pouch begins to exude a soft aura of light.

Terate smiles at you.

I say, "I will try..."

Terate says, "give us your ring."

Terate's pouch pulses with an ethereal light.

Terate smiles at you.

Terate's pouch begins to exude a soft aura of light.

I take off a thin rift-silver band and give the band to Terate.

Terate's pouch flashes brilliantly.

Terate examines the ring.

I smile and say, "It is very pretty."

Terate's pouch begins to radiate an inner glow.

Terate says, "We have watched many strange rituals during the years."

You nod.

Terate says, "Rayyne."

"Terate?"

Terate's pouch begins to exude a soft aura of light.

Terate says, "We give you this band.. this time, able to give it to you standing beside you."

"We give it to you with.."

Terate furrows his brow.

Terate says, "Well.."

I wipe tears from my eyes and say, "yes?"

Terate's pouch pulses with an ethereal light.

I rub Terate very gently.

Terate says, "Rayyne. This band.. carries our.. hopes. That you will always know how much we cherish you."

You smile.

Terate furrows his brow.

Terate's pouch begins to exude a soft aura of light.

Terate sighs.

Terate frowns.

Terate says, "It is so little, what we can give you. And you give so much."

Terate sighs.

I say, "I cherish you, too, my Terate."

I ask, "What do I ever give you that you don't give me in return?"

Terate smiles at me.

Terate says, "Why, that is obvious Rayyne."

Terate says, "You give us everything."

Terate says, "it staggered us, when first we sensed you."

You say, "You give me more than enough, too"

Terate says, "It was confusing. Non-quantifiable."

I say, "I don't understand how that is not different from so many other people."

Terate smiles at me.

Terate says, "It is pure."

Terate says, "At any rate.. "

I smile and look into his eyes, "I don't know what caught my eye with you, but it was immediate, too."

Terate says, "Rayyne. Please accept this ring. We offer it to you, although we cannot promise to give you much else."

Terate sighs.

I nod and say, "Terate, I have had a lifetime of memories."

Terate takes your hand and places the ring in your palm.

I say, "It's all I need."

Terate's pouch begins to radiate an inner glow.

I kiss Terate tenderly.

Terate smiles at me and I return the smile.

Terate bends over and brushes my lips with his.

Terate's pouch pulses with an ethereal light.

Terate says, "You are a vision, lady."

I say, "And you are quite the man."

I smile and sigh happily.

Terate says, "We must go back to the mountain."

Terate asks, "Rayyne.. please, be careful?"

Terate says, "We will come to you when it is time."

Terate pulls me toward him.

I say, "I will be fine."

Terate sighs.

Terate's pouch begins to exude a soft aura of light.

I say, "This could be our last night."

Terate says, "lady.. be careful. Coming events will be dangerous for all."

Terate's pouch begins to radiate an inner glow.

Terate says, "We hope to join you this time tomorrow eve.. with much settled."

Terate smiles at me.

I say, "Let me look at you, and remember this night. It has been most enjoyable."

Terate's pouch begins to exude a soft aura of light.

Berfore me stands Terate Niebelun, an Elf of purest Elven blood. He is in his 20s, and has long, curly silver hair, multihued eyes and healthy tanned skin.

Terate says, "Rayyne.. we hope to stand at your side as your.. whatever you will have us be.,"

Terate kisses me.

Terate's pouch pulses with an ethereal light.

I say, "I hope to stand at your side, M'Lord."

Terate smiles at me.

Terate says, "You would make a fine princess, Lady."

Terate grins. You beam!

You say, "And you a fine prince."

Terate bows to you.

I curtsy to Terate.

Terate says, "wear our band with our.. love."

Terate kisses me.

I say, "Good nite, love."

Terate fades into the shadows.

 

The Parchment

as told by Lord Truekillr

Webmistress' note: Ardo was the halfling guide who was to bring the chosen to the top of Aenutumgana and is also the husband of the lovely Belle whom you may have seen in Pinefar. Belle gave the parchment to Lord Truekillr and Terate killed him many times in trying to obtain it from him. You see, the parchment held the key...the secret to opening the Shrine.

You remove a piece of torn parchment from inside your black warmantle. The top and left edge of this parchment is torn, as if it had been ripped from a book or journal. Scrawled across its surface are several paragraphs of sloppy handwriting.

read my parchment

... very peculir encounter today. After climbin' up a steep ridge from yestrdays camp, I came upon a cave, and figered it to be a good spot for brekfast. Upon entry, I discoverd an old hag sittin' inside. She looked a fright, and quite hungry, so I shared my tart with her. Conversed at length. After some time, she smiled and said she had 'guessed I was a noble gentleman'. She then commensd to change her appearance right afore my eyes! In a flash of light, she done looked to lose 50 years and a mound o'dirt off her!

She told me that a time of peril were about to fall upon us all, and that I was called to help fight it. She said that there were these 13 chosen folks, and that they were to be the ones to decide the fate o' every livin' thing in Elanthia. She then told me I was to go to Icemule and find these chosen folks so that I could guide them to the top o' this mountain.

She said at the top was a door and a crown. That the door was magic, and the crown were the key. She mentioned the chosen would have to return some stones(?) theyself, but that others would have to rekindle the magic afore they could invoke it to open the door. I begun to ask her about this when she disappeared, as if she never be there. I left the cave shortly thereafter.

I proceeded down Aenatumgana, ponderin my encounter with the lady. I figer that I done been here most o' my days, and I better do sumptin to make sure others get that chance to. I'll stop in Pinefar tomorow fer supplies and to see me Belle, then make my way back to the 'Mule for these chosen. I already done been gone from her too long, I hope she understands.

The Stones of Virtue

Information gathered by Lord Arianiss Winterfox

Webmistress' Note: This information was gathered by Lord Arianiss but is incomplete in places. If you have any corrections and/or additions, please send me an escroll at yuriqen@aol.com
The Stones of Virtue were the subject of weeks of intense searching by everyone in the lands. They were foretold by Lorminstra to be vital in the opening of the Shrine and all were warned not to let a Stone fall into the hands of Terate....

 Tedra's Stone - A Reflective Glass Stone

 Merry's Stone - A Clear Crystal Stone

 Nyte's stone - A Dull Grey Stone

 Heathyr's Stone - A Flawless Silver Stone

 Terate's Stone - A Veil Iron Stone

 Beldin's Stone - A Milky White Stone

 

Lady Heathyr's Orb

as told by Lady Grobinal

These orbs were gifts to the chosen. I'm not sure if all the orbs hold the same tale or not. Perhaps they should all be sung to..

Enjoy, Grobinal


Heathyr's Orb.

Heathyr peers intently into her vaalin orb. As she does, her expression goes slack and you begin to hear a strange whirring noise resonating on such a low frequency, it makes your teeth hurt. The hum disappears after a few moments.

Heathyr suddenly shudders slightly and goes deathly pale.

Heathyr shows you her vaalin orb. You see a long, veil iron chain, each heavy link obviously hand-forged and intricately etched with a scale pattern. Carried on the chain is an orb made of crystal-clear vaalin. The sphere appears to be hollow, for inside you see a minute cosmos, with twinkling stars and tiny planets surrounded by their orbiting moons. In the center of the amazing conglomeration floats an eye with a serpentine pupil, golden in color as a yellow sun. It hangs like the anchor in the midst of the surrounding firmament.



You sing:

"Beautiful orb made from materials of old
Seems to me a tale should be told
Tell of your makers and the mold
Sing in harmony with a voice so bold
Carry your tune so your secrets unfold"


The first thing that strikes you about the orb is the weight, which is about 1 pounds. You also feel that it is invaluable.

You sense the aura of magic about the orb. It obviously has more than one use, and it is an object of great power.

Your eyes cloud over as a vision begins to flood in, cascading out of the small orb like a tidal wave. You see an immense mountain encased in vicious cold and savaged by roaming storms that carry death in their howling song. At the top of the peak, huge slabs of granite rise slowly up out of the snow, lifted by the mind power of a group of four individuals. The tall, lithe beings stand back to back, facing each of the four compass directions with a globe of power encircling them like a glowing sphere. Their faces are set in concentration. They stand motionless as a huge shrine rises into the clouds, granite settling on top of granite slab. Finally, the magic pulses a last time throwing reflections into the clouds, and as light settles back into the grey overcast, a monumental shrine stands majestically, topping the mountain like a gem.

Your eyes cloud over as a vision begins to flood in, shooting out a snaking finger of images, which spread themselves across your sight like a panorama. A vast shrine sits atop a blizzard-wracked mountain, piercing the shifting clouds disdainfully. A group of four individuals stands before the temple, as silent and rigid as the building's ramparts. They send out an unwavering stream of power, which flickers over the structure like static electricity. Suddenly, immense wings descend from out of the clouds supporting a drake so large, it dwarfs the mountaintop. The energy immediately stops and the four entities nod, in perfect unison, to the leviathan crouched over them. Snow and wind then seem to pause motionless in the air, and in the next heartbeat, the dragon melts down into the shrine in a blurred funnel as the elements resume their onslaught. Four shapes silently fold into flat images and fade into nothing.

Round time: 25 sec.

Malaphor's Telling of the Box

Below is the story as collected by Tedra of Malaphor's visit to the Citadel one eve. Malaphor's tale told of how "The box" from the tale of "The Babe, The Box and The Key" came to being.
WEBMISTRESS' NOTE: While this story has now probably been officially forgotten by Simutronics (After the leaving of Aephir, it was determined by Simu that the town of Ruin Creek which figured so heavily in this part of the lands history would not be built.) it is a part of history and did in fact happen in the lands. Until something else is written and explained on this topic, I and my character Itiara will continue to use this story as fact. How you choose to view it is, of course, up to you. I would also like to thank Tedra once again, without whom much of this Vvrael information would have been lost.
Second NOTE: This story was immediately after this "old man" had done the service of reintroducing the wizards of the lands to the magick known as familiar gate... for you trivia buffs.

Here is an edited version of another visit that occurred last night. I include only what the old man had to say, and any questions that prompted responses from him. He appeared after the 4th stone was found, and after the Vvrael killed many folks (myself included) from afar.

[Citadel, Hallway] The dust of many years covers the floor of the hallway and a stale smell assaults the senses. The walls here glow with a pulsating light which speeds through the spectrum making you dizzy. You also see a brown spinner. Also in the room: Lord Truekillr, Lord Mnar, Lady Heathyr, Lady Nanna, Lady Rayvynne, Lady Kaikeyi, Lady Nyte, Marilyna, Lady Xeldria, Lord Merlock Obvious exits: east, west.

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "You know...that's how I got Tindal over to the Landing from Ruin Creek." (he was referring to Familiar Gate, which had just been used and discussed)

Merlock asks, "Malaphor?"

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "Indeed."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "The Goddess has allowed me to come back in this spectral form to impart information to the Chosen...."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "I am indeed Malaphor."

Merlock asks, "What was Tindal doing in Ruin Creek, though?"

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "Why, Tindal was my apprentice, where else would he be, but in Ruin Creek with me?"

Merlock asks, "What were you doing in Ruin Creek? Was the box, and Illian's tomes there?"

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "My workshop, my life was in Ruin Creek. Tis there that the black knight struck me down, and tis there that I gated Tindal to here from."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "Still don't understand how you mages on the mainland had lost knowledge of the Familiar Gate for so long..."

Merlock says, "We weren't nearly as wise.."

You hear a ghostly chuckle.

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "Let me tell you what I have come to tell you, for while the Goddess has granted me time, it is short."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "My tomes and the notes of Illian himself were destroyed when the black knight came to seek out the babe Daephron, so I leave this knowledge to you to pass on."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "You seem to know somewhat about Daephron's early times, his engineering the assault on Maelshyve Keep, his experiments in the caverns beneath Rhoska-Tor...."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "Don't be mistaken, he stumbled upon the Vvrael, he did not know what he had wrought."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "Let me start after he had sealed himself into the small modwir box."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "Many many years later when the House Faendryl was seeking a reconciliation with the House Ashrim, a marriage was arranged between Rythwier Faendryl's eldest daughter Chesylcha, and a prince of the Ashrim. Before Chesylcha set sail to Ta'Ashrim, the Faendryl had sent many gifts to the Ashrim in preparation for the wedding and the celebration that would have ensued."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "Amongst those gifts was a small enruned modwir box. How it came to be there, I don't know, but it was there. At the time, it was of unknown origin, but unsurpassed beauty in its craftsmanship. It was a popular gift at the time, these Faendryl "puzzle" boxes..."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "The box was placed in the hands of an advisor to the prince for safekeeping. After Chesylcha's ship disappeared and the Faendryl launched their attack on Ta'Ashrim, a small band of Ashrim fled with one of the patriarch's line. The advisor and the box were on that ship."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "I know this to be true, for I was that advisor."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "I knew the box was something extraordinary from the moment it was placed in my hands."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "Our ship sailed for many days and just when our supplies had dwindled and our spirits were at their lowest, we landed on the southern tip of a small continent, somewhat to the north of what you know as Teras Isle."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "There we found a small town by the name of Ruin Creek. It was inhabited by humans mainly, but they took us in and as time went by our two races mingled together, banding together for survival and for the bond of love."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "And survival was at issue...for we were walled in by many threats...the Krolvin empire to the far north, the Talkyn empire to the far northwest, the trolls of Grr'Tok to the west and beyond that, the flaming spire of Cinghin'fer"

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "Because Ruin Creek was so far from the seat of power of the Krolvin and Talkryn empires, we were left alone, but the trolls raided Ruin Creek mercilessly."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "Through this time though, I spent all my waking moments on the puzzle of the box. And as I grew ever more adept in the ways of the magic of the elements, I learned ever more."

You hear a ghostly sigh.

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "How I gained my knowledge is unimportant..."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "However..."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "Other forces knew of what I was working towards..."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "And when I was able to pluck Daephron as a babe from the swirling mists of time, they acted swiftly and furiously."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "Don't make the mistake of assuming that Terate is the only one of his "kind"."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "The Vvrael have spent centuries corrupting and twisting the souls of mortals...and immortals alike."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "Remember, not all immortals are counted among the Arkati."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "Terate is now, for all intents and purpose, immortal."

Merlock asks, "Is there any way to reverse, or restore him?"

Merlock asks, "To take the darkness out of him?"

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "I don't know."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "I do know there are others like him."

Nanna asks, "Other turned chosen?"

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "No, not Chosen, others imbued with anti-mana."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "My time is short, let me finish please..."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "The Vvrael are from another realm of reality, however, they have "wedged" themselves into a Rift in the Veil."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "It is through this Rift that they come into our realm, and this Rift that they seek to rip wide open."

Nyte says, "likes ta "wedge" em back..."

Heathyr asks, "Did Tendal accidentally create that rift, as we'd surmised?"

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "The Chosen must seal the Rift..."

You hear a ghostly chuckle.

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "Tindal was my apprentice, not capable of what you ascribe to him."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "You have to understand something. Other mortals and immortals have been in and beyond the Veil. Some were trapped in the Rift itself...some were driven mad, raving lunatics you might say, others were corrupted."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "The witches and warlocks imbued with the black antimana power of the Vvrael walk the Rift even now."

Merlock says, "Yes.. I heard Blades just killed a Vvrael witch, outside..."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "This black knight, was one of the Vvrael's corrupted human agents...like Terate, but not nearly so. It was a terrible battle, but he slew me and destroyed my workshop and all my tomes. The knight seized the box from my hands, while Tindal fled with the babe through the familiar gate that I opened as I died."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "If the Vvrael witches and warlocks are coming, then the time has truly drawn near."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "You know the rest of the story from my first visitation to you til now."

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "My time is nearly ended now."

Heathyr asks, "Maplaphor...so when Daephron sealed the Box, did he intentionally hurl himself through time and space, or was that an accidental result of the magic?"

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "I think it was intentional, he hoped one day a mage would be powerful enough to pluck him from the mists of time."

Merlock asks, "Does the box, the babe, and key, still mean anything, Malaphor?"

You hear the ghostly voice of an old man say, "I cannot see the future Merlock, I am but a soul unbound by normal convention for a short time, however, I would think that something so intricately entwined with the Rift itself, would always be important."

The shimmering image before you starts to fade.

The shimmering image fades completely out of sight and the air grows calm and still again.



My apologies to those who were present for not including all the questions you asked Malaphor, and yer reactions to his visit. Just wanted to share his words with those who weren't present.

Tedra

A War of All Ages


A War of All Ages
By Lady Heathyr Hazelwood

Preface

Barely a breathing soul walks Elanthia who hasn't heard of the Vvrael. Few, however, fully realize the immense peril facing our lands. The story of the Vvrael, and those Chosen by Lorminstra to challenge them, is long. It begins ages before our time, with an arrogant Faendryl elf named Daephron Illian.


I. Daephron Illian

Daephron Illian played a major part in concocting the sorcerous spells which ultimately defeated Despana over 20,000 years ago. He researched a sinister new brand of spells, a dark craft combining both spiritual and elemental magic. Though among the brightest and most powerful of his kind, his ambition and arrogance often led him to take precarious risks in his experiments. Regardless, his achievements remain unrivaled to this day, and he is rightfully credited as the inventor of what we now know as sorcery. If not for Illian's incredible work, Despana might have won the Undead Wars.

Though Despana's origins remain a mystery, she created the first of the Undead using ancient and twisted magic left behind by the Ur-Daemons. (Webmistress note: Despana unlocked this magic in a tome known as the Book of Tormtor. It was believed lost in the implosion of Maelshyve Keep, but this as most things about Despana are not known for certain.) Seeking ultimate conquest, she unleashed her Undead minions upon the elven nations. The resulting war dragged on for generations and inflicted terrible casualties upon all the races of the lands. The lines of battle swept back and forth daily. With every victory came an equal and costly defeat. Finally, after the historic battle of ShadowGuard, the war fell into a deathly stalemate which lasted for years.

Meahwhile, Daephron continued his grueling research. He had discovered a way to pierce the veil, the mystical and elusive barrier between our world and the next. Illian, and others of his kind, struggled to master this strange new power, until at last he announced they'd discovered a means to win the war. Eager to end years of bloodshed, the six other elven houses agreed to stage an assault, trusting the House of Faendryl to live up to their promise. They did this...and more.

The resulting carnage struck fear into the hearts of all who beheld it. The Faendryl unleashed their incredible spells, summoning hordes of vile demons to wreak havoc upon the enemy. The hideous creatures from beyond the veil nearly decimated Despana's troops. The elves then sealed their victory by releasing yet another spell of awesom destructive power. They imploded Maelshyve, utterly obliterating the mighty fortress and all that dwelt within. Despana is said to have perished within the keep, but her illegitimate son, fathered by a Faendryl prisoner during the long war, somehow survived in a suspended state far beneath the surface of Rhoska-Tor. That, however, is another story.

The elven races, and all their allies, won the war. The cost was great, however, and marked the beginning of the end to an elven empire that had flourished for thousands of years. Even in light of their victory, the Faendryl elves were severely scorned for the terrible magic they had brought upon the lands. The other elven houses banished them to live beneath the wastelands of Rhoska-Tor, where Despana's keep once stood. It was there that the Faendryls began to transform, affected by the harsh underground conditions and bizarre flows of mana, into what we now recognize as dark elves.

Daephron, undaunted by his harsh exile, focused upon the unearthly magic which had indirectly caused the banishment of his people. The immense power summoned forth upon Despana's armies intrigued and inspired him. He devoted his life to researching and perfecting the manipulation of the veil, continually searching for greater and deadlier power. Illian became obsessed, and in his arrogance blundered upon an amazing, and terrifying, new force. Daephron had mistakenly unleashed the Vvrael.

From the start, it was obvious these "things" were like nothing encountered before. The Vvrael were a collective of sentient anti-mana, defying all known magic and physical laws. They seemed to thrive upon the very mana Daephron used to control them, feeding like leeches and rapidly growing in power. At first he tried to master the strange beings, recklessly weilding his spells as if to command them as he had commanded his demons. This quickly proved futile, however, and Daephron began to panic as control slipped through his fingers.

The foolhardy elf had nearly run out of time, when at last he realized he must contain the Vvrael with whatever means he could. Summoning enormous amounts of mana, Daephron cast his most powerful spell ever. In a blinding explosion of light and smoke, he trapped the Vvrael in a small modwir box, using his very life-force to seal the makeshift prison. The spell permanently bound Daephron to the box, but his sacrifice wasn't enough. The Vvrael reached out from beyond the veil with ghostly, black tendrils of pure anti-mana, closing around Illian menacingly. Knowing no other recourse, Daephron strained to summon his last ounce of mana. Raising his arms and uttering a long-forgotten chant, he ripped a hole in the fabric of space and time and flung himself through it. The hole sealed behind him, leaving Daephron trapped in time and beyond the reach of the Vvrael.

Although securely imprisoned, the Vvrael were aware of what happened. They knew one day Daephron would reemerge from his self-inflicted exhile. For thousands upon thousands of years, the Vvrael patiently awaited his return.


II.Malaphor and the Sea-Elves

The remaining Faendryl elves continued to survive below the wastes of Rhoska-Tor for generations. The unusual mana flows found extensively within the caverns slowly transformed the elves, sharpening their features and darkening their skin. The mana foci also enabled the elves to refine their impressive talent for magic, which allowed them to survive the harsh conditions. Time had made them bitter, however, and many Faendryl turned their eyes longingly to their homelands. Whispers of war began to drift among their people. Others sought a more peaceful solution.

With hope of reconciliation, Rythwier Faendryl XXXVII, Patriarch of House Faendryl, arranged a marriage between his eldest daughter, Chesylcha, and a crowned prince of House Ashrim. The initiative sparked a brief period of amiability between the Faendryl and the sea-elves. Wedding gifts began to pour into Ta’Ashrim, the sea-elf capitol, in preparation for the arrival of Chesylcha. Among those gifts was a small, enruned modwir box…the very box which contained the Vvrael.

The box was of remarkable beauty and craftsmanship, so it was easily mistaken for a Faendryl “puzzle box”, a popular gift of the era. The Ashrim prince entrusted the magnificent box to one of his advisors, a wizard named Malephor, who kept it safe. Malephor immediately realized there was something extraordinary about the strange box, but would have little opportunity to investigate it till much later.

The ship carrying Chesylcha to Ta’Ashrim had mysteriously disappeared at sea, enraging the Faendryl nation. Rumors of foul play hastened the dark elves to launch a devastating but costly attack, utterly destroying the sea-elves but for one ship. Malephor and his apprentice, along with a small band of noble sea-elves, escaped on that ship. After a long and perilous voyage, they found themselves at the southern tip of a small continent, somewhere north of Teras Isle.

Though the House of Ashrim was never again heard from, the small band of survivors found a new home where they landed. They discovered an outpost town called Ruin Creek which was inhabited primarily by humans. In time, the humans accepted the elves into their society, benefiting from the magical nature and noble heritage of the Ashrim. Even so, life in Ruin Creek proved harrowing, at best. Several imposing threats bordered the small town, such as the Krolvin empire to the north, the Talkyn empire to the northwest, the trolls of Grr’Tok to the west, and even farther, the flaming spire of Cinghin’fer. Together, however, the humans and elves managed to survive and prosper, blending their races in the years that followed. Malaphor used the intervening time to toil over the mysterious box in his possession.

Using magic and means known only to Malaphor, he slowly unraveled the mystery of Daephron’s box. He learned of the Vvrael, and of Daephron’s existence beyond time and space. Finally, he found the means to pluck Illian from time. Combing magic of the elements and the knowledge he’d gleaned from the box, he again opened the fabric of space and pulled Daephron back into the mortal world. Amazingly, he found Illian had changed drastically. The once-mighty Faendryl was now but a small child, helpless and wholly dependent upon Malaphor for survival. Worse, the Vvrael sensed Daephron’s presence at once.

Throughout the ages, the Vvrael have aspired to corrupt and twist the souls of mortals and immortals, alike. These hapless beings became pawns, controlled from beyond the veil to do the bidding of the Vvrael. The Black Knight was such a pawn, and a fearsome one at that. It didn’t take long for the knight to find Malaphor and the babe Daephron.

Malaphor had taken a loyal apprentice named Tindal. When the Black Knight arrived at his workshop in Ruin Creek, Malaphor placed Illian in Tindal’s arms and gated them far from immediate danger, to the small coastal town of Wehnimer’s Landing. The knight attacked at once, and though the battle was long and harrowing, Malaphor eventually fell. Having slain the old wizard, the Black Knight retrieved the modwir box and set out in search of Daephron.

There is a time discrepancy which is difficult to account for in these events, since Tindal arrived in the Landing in our generation. It may be that Malaphor used some ancient, lost magic of the sea-elves to prolong his life, or perhaps when he gated Tindal and Illian through space he also thrust them through time, as well. Whatever the case, Daephron and the Box were thus brought into our own era, and our modern saga with the Vvrael began.


III.The Babe, the Box, and the Key

It is unclear what became of Tindal. Malaphor later suggested that his old apprentice had returned to Ruin Creek after delivering the babe discreetly to our people of Wehnimer’s Landing. Others believe that Tindal was murdered by the Black Knight as Malaphor had been, and only his ghost now remains. Regardless, when the child Illian arrived in our lands, a healer became aware of his presence through alarming visions of the babe’s grave danger. The child was promptly found, alone. Daephron’s rescuers cared for him well, but none of the kind people involved could have forseen the incredible legacy about to unfold. It was then that the ghost of Malaphor appeared.

Malaphor revealed three words of utmost importance, urging all to remember them well: The babe, the box, and the key. Naturally, nobody then understood the full meaning of Malaphor’s words, but there was scant little time for contemplation. The Black Knight arrived, guided by the Vvrael, to claim Daephron and reopen the box which had contained them for thousands of years.

The knight battled fiercely, taking many lives, but was eventually defeated. The box, found on the knight’s body, was given to its rightful owner…the babe of Daephron Illian. As Daephron lightly traced the runes and wardings with his fingertips, the mighty spell that bonded the elf to the box slowly unravled, and to everyone’s astonishment the child rapidly began to age. He told much of his fantastic story to those gathered before him, until, so old had he become, he collapsed to the ground and died.

Though nobody then realized the elven body lying before them had been Daephron Illian, nor understood the significance of all that had transpired, one thing was certain. The strange box, Illian’s only remaining legacy, must be protected. Our people hid the box carefully and to this day only a handful of souls knows its whereabouts. Unfortunately, the box would prove to be of dubious consequence, since nobody yet knew of the insidious rift in the veil which the Vvrael struggled to wedge ever wider.


IV.The Keeper of the Key

I knew nothing of Daephron Illian, nor the Vvrael, the day I tried to end my life. All I knew was heartache and pain. I had been away from Wehnimer’s Landing for a time, visiting my dying uncle Dreyvarr.

My past had been very troubled. There was a power in me I never understood, yet one conspicuously absent from my sister, Julietra, and all of my other known family members. It took years to harness the mana in my veins, even aided by my uncle, and tutor, Dreyvarr. My childhood was shrouded by secrets, yet my uncle refused to tell me my true history. Finally, with his dying words, he revealed the last, terrible secret of my ancestry. Though I will not share this family secret, I will tell you it greatly disturbed me. Upon returning to the Landing, the news that confronted me there was simply more than I could take.

My beloved fiancee, I was told, had died. I was led to believe he killed himself in a passionate fit of guilt, for while I’d been away he had taken another lover. My heart shattered. The loss of my uncle, the dark secret of my past, and the death and betrayal of my one true love, pushed me over the edge.

Long ago, when I was young and eager for power, I made a terrible promise: I relinquished the ownership of my soul to a dark and seductive force. Now, so great was my sorrow, I sought to settle that old debt and surrender myself to the darkness forever. Casting a deadly spell, I turned my magic upon myself to take my own life. To my astonishment, death would not find me that day.

A whispered voice, of such gentleness and compassion I’d never before heard, fell upon my very soul. It said simply, “Your time has not yet come, my child.” Shocked, I remained still for a long moment. Eventually my surprise turned to indignation, and I pleaded the mysterious voice to allow my fate to pass. Some uncanny force, however, held my spirit firmly within the confines of the living. It soon dawned on me that my unwelcome savior was Lorminstra, herself… the Keeper of the Key to the Gate of Death.

Utterly thwarted from my efforts to take my life, I remained despondent; I truly had sought an end to my existence. Something the Goddess told me sparked a light of hope, however. She said my soul was not lost. Though still heavy with despair, my mind raced upon hearing this. Perhaps there may yet be reason to carry on, I thought. I acquired a sense of mission, which drove me, guided by Lorminstra’s infinite wisdom. She watched, almost curiously it seemed, as I began a battle like none I’d ever fought. This battle raged inside of me, fueled by her words, “Search deep within yourself, only there may you find the answerl.”

I traveled long that day, visiting many places and people. I even sought counsel from a dear old friend who lived beneath the Black Sands. Blind, and often crochety, the lone hermit was also kind and wise. He told me, as Lorminstra had, to seek the answers within.

My soul-searching eventually led me deep beneath the surface of the earth, into the Valley of Shadows. I sat long upon a narrow, darkened ledge, contemplating my plight. My inner-turmoil sparked an ember which began to glow in my heart, and my spirit gradually drifted back to within my grasp. I had nearly reached a monumental decision; to renounce my old, darkened ways, and embrace a more noble purpose. I couldn’t have known Lorminstra’s hopes and plans for me… but another, far more sinister power, did.

Unbeknownst to me in my moment of weakness, the battle which waged within me had become the focal point for a struggle between good and evil. Lorminstra once told me, “Sometimes the soul of one may become the battlefield for many.” I could not have known, nor understood, the truth to her words. The Vvrael, hungrily drawn to my turbulent soul, summoned a wight-witch to devour it. They actually seemed to sense my destiny, and hoped to destroy me before I could fulfill it.

The wight-witch proved to be a powerful foe. I struggled to defend myself, but the witch bested me with sorcerous magic similair to my own. Many died trying to rescue me from her clutches as she dragged me about. Though my rescuers didn’t understand the battle, they fought valiantly. Finally, two sorcerers managed to defeat the witch, and my lifeless corpse was taken before the gates of Voln to be raised by the priests and priestesses there.

By Lorminstra’s grace I lived again, raised from the dead. It was then that a young lass of incredible beauty appeared before all assembled there. It took mere moments for me to determine the lass was Lorminstra, in physical form. Smiling gently, she asked if I had completed my search. I replied that I had. The events that transpired then both frightened and amazed me. I renounced my old ways and pledged my fealty to the goddess Lorminstra, finding a renewed sense of purpose while upholding her work through the ways of Voln.

With that, the goddess raised her arms to the heavens, an intense, warm aura flaring between her grasp. When she again turned to me, she held a magnificent shield, offering it to my trembling hands. She explained the shield bore her symbol, a shimmering gold skeleton key upon a field of black. I was to carry the shield in her name, to help protect me from forces that would undoubtedly seek my destruction. I didn’t understand what she meant…until the vision came.

Suddenly, as if transported through time and space, I found myself standing at the brink of a great abyss, twelve others by my side, facing the most unspeakable terror I had ever beheld…the Vvrael. I cannot explain what it, or they…looked like…for I’m not certain if I saw them with my eyes, or my very soul. Whatever the case, the image frightened me as nothing before, and I seriously began to doubt the wisdom of my choice. Still…the burning in my heart, and the freedom I felt so deep within…made the fear seem petty by comparison. When my vision cleared, I turned again to face my goddess. Seeing the questions within me, she began to explain more.

Lorminstra told us of the Vvrael, and their imminent threat. She spoke of the veil, telling how she, along with many of the other Arkati, currently held a tear in the veil closed against the Vvrael. It became clear this battle involved more than just the Lords of Liabo, also encompassing the Lords of Lornon and their followers. The Vvrael are friends to no one, mortal or otherwise. They seek only to consume, to devour all life as we know it so they may grow and thrive. Even Luukos cannot abide such wanton gluttony upon souls he would lay claim to.

In order to eventually defeat the Vvrael, banishing them forever from our world, Lorminstra formulated a plan. She would send thirteen worthy people to face the Vvrael and force them from our lands. Nobody knew how this could be accomplished, nor what the Chosen must do to prepare. We only knew the grim consequences for failure…eternal death for all.

Lorminstra then granted her vision to two others who stood among the masses: Lord Krackenstar, a legendary bard, and Lord Writher, a sorcerer. She urged us to band together and seek the other Chosen as they were selected. The coming battle would know no boundaries; In this fight, all truly would be united, regardless of race, profession, or allegiance.


V.The Chosen Ones

A matter of days passed before the three Chosen received another vision. A fourth had been selected. We didn’t know how to locate the new Chosen One, except that he was of the purest elven blood. Lorminstra beckoned us to find him quickly and keep him safe. Even as we searched, the Vvrael also scoured the lands for the Chosen Ones, often wreaking chaos and death with terrible undead forces they managed to control from beyond. Our progress was hampered considerably in the face of these brutal attacks. This continued for several days, until at last we learned the tragic news.

The Fourth Chosen had fallen to the Vvrael. We had never even identified him. News of his loss first reached us through Lorminstra, and later by the tauntings of the cursed Vvrael. This was more than just a setback. The loss of our unknown comrade would haunt our mission for months to come. I still feel responsible for the failure, and for the horrible fate of the Fourth Chosen.

The constant attacks by the Vvrael compounded our frustration, and many times it seemed one of us would break. Their torturous assaults worsened with every strike. The battles always took heavy casualties, often claiming the lives of even the most legendary of our heroes. If any good came from this time period, it was in what little we managed to learn of our opponent.

We had never seen the Vvrael, only their minions. Daephron Illian may well be the only mortal to have ever laid eyes upon the true face of the Vvrael, and he paid the ultimate price for that folly. The Vvrael, as Illian learned, are comprised of some form of sentient anti-mana. They number in the thousands, but act as one. They feed upon the mana of our world, not to mention our very souls; They thrive on our life-energy. It is unclear whether their power has actually increased over time, or simply found greater impetus with the widening of the rift in the veil. Either way, the resulting danger has grown proportionately since they first appeared in our time period. The Vvrael are said to “ride on the wind”, and live in the shadows. Though somewhat inaccurate, these phrases do apply as we perceive the Vvrael in our world. Their reach seems limitless, and no place is safe from their grasp.

Since the time Lorminstra first spoke of the Vvrael and selected her first three Chosen, the lands have fallen under a great shadow. Countless lives have been lost to the Vvrael’s attacks. Throughout these dark times, a brief shimmer of hope has occasionally risen as new Chosen Ones have been revealed. Unfortunately, every beacon of light on the horizon has been accompanied by a raging storm of darkness.


VI.Terror in Tamzyrr

There have been fleeting moments of relative peace in our lands since the modern struggle with the Vvrael commenced. Some theorize that the Vvrael’s power cycles with the seasons; others suggest they simply bide their time, allowing their formidable power to nurture. In any case, it was during one such quiet period I received a desperate plea for help.

The message came from the imperial city of Tamzyrr, the capitol of the human empire ruled by the dreaded empress, Mynal’lyanna. It is well known that the empire’s policies and laws cast cold prejudice upon most non-human races, particularly elves. What may not be as widely recognized is the extensive underground network of those beleaguered races. The purpose of most such illegal and shadowy organizations is not upheaval or revolt, but simply the survival and well-being of their families.

Since first arriving in Wehnimer’s Landing many years ago, I’ve been aware of the elven underground movement in Tamzyrr. From time to time I have lent a hand with various things I was capable of, such as donating silvers, helping supply much needed food and clothing, etc. On rare occasion, I have even aided my underground contacts with magical devices and spells. This time, however, my calling was far more serious.

The Empress had cracked down on the underground societies, aware of their existence. The price paid by the elven movement was the worst. They had been forced deeper into hiding, and desperately needed food and supplies. The movement included several noble warriors and mages, but required a more subtle and sinister craft for certain missions. They needed sorcery. With little time to spare, I packed a few meager belongings and set off for the imperial city.

Arriving in Tamzyrr, I found their problems far worse than I’d expected. The elven underground, barely able to feed their families and keep them clothed, had fragmented. My first task, therefore, was to bring leadership to the movement. Although initially regarded suspicious because of my Sylvan appearance (often those under the weight of prejudice become slow to place trust in others), I gradually won them over, and soon had organized several missions to aid their people. Most of these missions were peaceful, if less than legal. On occasion, however, a raid for much needed provisions was crucial, and sometimes it was necessary to shed imperial blood. Such raids often carried great danger. Unknown to any of us, however, that danger multiplied ten-fold when a spy entered our numbers.

The Vvrael, noticing my absence from the Landing, sent an insidious spy to track me down, much as they had sent the Black Knight in search of Daephron Illian. This minion traced me to the elven underground and infiltrated our members. I can only guess who the spy may have been, but I have often wondered if the Vvrael used the Fourth Chosen for this task. I doubt I will ever know for sure. I can, however, pinpoint the approximate time the spy began to tamper in our affairs, for suddenly most of our missions began to fail miserably.

Suspicions started to arise, and my followers began to turn on one another…and one me. Raid after raid, we were thwarted by imperial troops. I knew there must have been a clever agent in our midst, but failed to pinpoint him. The issue became moot, however, as my next raid would be my last.

The mission was risky, but crucial. We had learned of an imperial caravan arriving in the city carrying arms and armor, much needed by the movement. I realized the lead may have been a trap designed by our resident spy. With this in mind, I filtered the information carefully, and planned our raid in a way which would reveal the identity of the traitor. My only mistake was underestimating the severity of the trap. This time, my misjudgment would cost lives.

When I launched the ambush, we discovered not the typical imperial garrison we’d expected…but a deadly contingent of Mynal’lyanna’s best spell-casters. We never had a chance. My party was decimated, but for one warrior left for dead. I was rendered unconscious and easily captured. The troops locked me deep in the dungeons of beneath the palace, where I would remain for the duration of my stay in Tamzyrr.

It always befuddled me why I was never questioned. Perhaps the empress already had the information she needed, or maybe she felt the underground had been crushed with my capture, alone. I knew better. Though fragmented and under great duress, the elven underground would not crumble so easily; I felt confident of that. Soon, though, the empress would be the last of my worries. The Vvrael arrived.

I first became aware of their presence by the cold, bitter wind that seemed to swirl endlessly through my cramped cell. The voices drifted upon the wind…thousands of them, maddeningly discordant. They taunted and tormented me endlessly, and gradually my power seeped away with the chilling wind. Days became weeks, weeks became months. The terrible, wicked voices saturated my being, cackling with glee as they slowly sucked the very life from me. Chained painfully in my prison, I was utterly helpless against them. Even the imperial guards, frightened by the bizarre haunting of my cell, stayed clear of the dungeon. With no food and only a trickling of filthy water to sustain myself, madness crept into my heart. Death stalked ever nearer.

Meanwhile, back in the Landing, the Vvrael had picked up their assaults. They had fed upon my life-force and turned that energy back upon our people. So confident of my defeat were they, they sent a chilling vision to many of those noble hearts who fought against them. The vision depicted me, my eyes soulless and empty, leading a fearsome undead army against my people. That terrible image haunts many to this day, for its potential to become reality has not been fully dismissed. It seemed only a miracle could again bring hope to the masses.

A miracle did, indeed, occur. One night in my cell, I gradually became aware of something I’d not experienced in a long while…silence. Though battered and near death, I painfully opened my clouded eyes. As my sight slowly focused, a tiny beam of light hovered miraculously before me. It emanated from a small hole-the burrow of a mole, perhaps-and shined impossibly through my cell with a brilliant, sparkling aura. Untrusting of my own eyes, I reached out with a trembling hand to touch it. As my fingertips pierced the beam, a tremendous surge of power coursed through my body. I immediately collapsed, overcome by the sudden flow of mana and nearly falling unconscious. The energy from the shimmering beam began to strengthen me, however, healing my body and filling me with power. It took quite some time to fully recover, but after awhile, with my cell unguarded and my magic returned, I easily escaped my would-be grave. Not all was well, however.

Once free from the palace and hidden in the alleyways of Tamzyrr, it dawned on me I knew not how I had come to be there, nor why. I couldn’t even remember my own identity; my memory had been completely blocked out. Whether this was a side-effect from the strange light which enabled my escape, or the lingering trauma from the Vvrael’s brutal torment, I may never be certain. In any case, I found myself utterly lost and confused.

The underground had recovered somewhat during my long imprisonment, and it didn’t take long for news of my escape to reach them. Most of my previous followers had turned their backs on me; the movement no longer trusted me due to my long imprisonment and their lingering doubts about the identity of the spy. One courageous elf still held faith in me, however, and sought me out. She guided me to safety, returning many of my previous belongings which had been recovered from the palace. My friend, although knowing nothing of the Vvrael or my life before coming to Tamzyrr, suggested I go home to Wehnimer’s Landing where I’d be safer. Hoping to find answers there, I left at once.

The remaining story, as one might imagine, is filled with troubled moments, deep confusion, and much struggle. It also contains brighter points such as happy reunions, and glimmers of hope as my memory slowly returned. I eventually recovered completely, but it took a very long time and involved some precarious moments. I won’t go into that story now, but when I finally remembered my mission, and my obligation to face the Vvrael…I was less than overjoyed.


VII.Theft of a Soul

Many months had passed since Lorminstra first revealed her plan to our people, and even more since the word “Vvrael” had first been uttered in our time. The blanket of fear and despair covering Elanthia grew heavy, even as more chosen were revealed. The Arkati struggled to hold the thin barrier keeping the Vvrael from flooding our lands, thus showing themselves rarely to their subjects. Those foolish enough to commune to the gods for guidance were often met with terrible disasters, as darker powers intervened. The Vvrael seemed to become smug with their stranglehold on our lands. Long periods of eerie calm were often pierced by sudden, exasperating assaults from the shadows. The spirits of our people sank ever lower.

The Vvrael had not entirely finished with me, either. When my memory had been blank, for some reason the Vvrael could not find me. I’ve wondered, at times, if this wasn’t some kind of protection granted by the strange force which allowed me to escape from Tamzyrr. Whatever the case, when my memory returned, so did the attention of the Vvrael. One night, while sitting quietly in my home of House Sylvanfair, a hideously familiar wind brushed across my face. The countless terrors I’d experienced while imprisoned raced back to me as the all-too familiar voices whispered on the wind, “We’ve come for you.”

A swirling vortex descended upon me, striking me violently with a force I can only define as anti-mana. Perhaps a small blessing graced me that day, for I was not alone when they struck. A faithful friend and brave warrior, Lady Kiora, also fell victim to the Vvrael’s vortex, but not before I managed to send a desperate plea for help by the grace of Tonis, Messenger of the Gods.

Many noble hearts answered my call, but moments too late. The swirling vortex, consumed me, sweeping me into its unearthly core. Inside, the voices…the terrible, maddening voices…wracked through my soul. Powerless against them in their own realm, they violated me in a most hideous and terrible way. They ripped my soul from me, spewing my lifeless corpse back out into the world like the pit of a plum. The vortex was destroyed, though I suspect only because the Vvrael allowed it. Regardless, the victory belonged to them; they now possessed the soul of the First Chosen.

If the Vvrael had been smug before, their intolerable arrogance doubled after that. To this day I have not retrieved what they took from me. I am not certain I ever will. Over time, I have learned to behave somewhat normally for the comfort of those around me, but the gaping emptiness within me is worse than any pain, any torture, I could ever imagine. Still, I am sometimes surprised by sudden, brief flashes of feeling and emotion. It truly makes me wonder if the Vvrael’s victory was as complete as they seem to believe. Only time will tell.


VIII.Lorminstra’s Return

Nobody is quite sure if the goddess was away, had her full attention upon holding the barrier, or simply had nothing to say…but for a long time Lorminstra remained silent. Many a day I spent quietly praying in her temple, hoping upon hope for the slightest indication she could still hear my voice. Months passed without a single word or sign…until the day Lady Lylia nearly suffered the same fate as I.

A vortex, similar to the one the Vvrael had used to steal my soul, descended upon Lylia, a powerful and legendary sorceress. Though strong with mana, she proved helpless to defend herself. Once inside the vortex, however, a strange miracle occurred. Lorminstra used the Vvrael’s own portal to speak to Lylia, protecting the sorceress from the wretched grasp of the Vvrael. The goddess told her the first encouraging words we’d heard in a very long time.

Lorminstra spoke of an undiscovered place, far to the North. She said the key to defeating the Vvrael might lie in this place, and the Chosen would soon be called upon to journey there. Unable to hold back the Vvrael for long, she could tell us no more except to wait for a sign. Then the Vvrael’s power flared, ejecting Lady Lylia from the vortex in a lifeless lump of flesh…but with her soul intact. Much speculation came from the encounter, but one thing became apparent…there was hope.


IX.The Fourth Chosen

When our people learned of the terrible fate which befell the Fourth Chosen, many a heart sank in despair. The questions lingered on; Who was he? How did the Vvrael take him? Would he ever return? At least some of those questions were answered when one known as Terate appeared in our lands. At first he seemed rather harmless. It didn’t take long, however, before the name Terate came to be spoken with fearful dread.

I’m uncertain who first encountered Terate, but initially he appeared to be quite young, perhaps in his twenties, and of pure elven blood. He was later seen as an ancient elven sorcerer, no younger than three-hundred and fifty years old. A few people even experienced visions centering around the bizarre elf, showing him to be brilliant, young…and possessed by the Vvrael. Lorminstra later confirmed what many had come to suspect. The Fourth Chosen had returned.

Terate was overcome by the Vvrael and twisted into a minion of incredible power. The Vvrael have tried to use him to turn the remaining Chosen, as well as others, without success. Though only a shadow of his former self, I believe some part of Terate longs to return to the living. The Vvrael’s control over him is strong, but there may still be hope. If he had the means, he might eagerly turn from the Vvrael and take his place as the Fourth Chosen. Until then, however, Terate remains a fearsome adversary.

The full extent of his awesome power first revealed itself upon Teras Isle. Driven mad by the Vvrael, and frustrated by his inability to possess the other Chosen, he murdered every last soul on the island, save one. If not for the merciful intervention of Lorminstra, all of his victims would surely have perished.


X.The Six Stones of Virtue

Lady Lorminstra, recognizing the dire need of so many of her children, again set foot upon our lands in the form of a beautiful young lass. Sadly viewing the carnage left in Terate’s wake, she brought life where there was death, gracing many a noble heart with her gentle, life-giving touch. After some degree of order had been returned to the Isle, she used that moment to summon several of her Chosen to her. When the goddess had gathered the few able to be found, she spun a wondrous and ancient tale.

Ages upon ages ago, the most powerful beings ever to roam the lands, the great Drakes, flourished under the rule of one, beloved leader. This, the mightiest Drake ever, liped upon the Top of the World, a mountain far, far to the North known as Aenatumgana. There he ruled all life with a steady and fair hand, able to watch his faithful subjects from his glorious perch atop the world. Though tolerant and just, even this mightiest of Drakes cared little for the weak, primitive races that were our own ancestors. Because he cared for his loyal servants, the Arkati, he and the other Drakes permitted the lesser races to exist. This tolerance earned even greater loyalty and admiration from their humble servants who had grown fond of the lesser races. One Arkati, in particular, revered the great leader more than any other.

This leader knew well of the lands beyond the veil. He had even journeyd there, learning much from his travels. When the terrible Ur-Daemon wars came, it was he who led the final charge against their hordes, sending them back from whence they came. The war had taken a grave toll on the Drakes, however, and their leader suffered terrible wounds from the final battle. With their once-great empire in ruins, the Drakes gradually disappeared from the lands. The ultimate fate of the mightiest Drake remains a mystery. Some claim he still lives, while others say he has long since passed from this world. In any case, only their servants remained to heal the scarred lands. The Arkati literally inherited the world.

The Great Drake was not quickly forgotton. The Arkati, led by the one who most loved their lost leader, erected a magnificent shrine in his honor. They built it atop Aenatumgana, the very place he once ruled from; the Top of the World. There it stood for ages, protected by immense storms and strange, powerful mana flows. To this day, it remains untouched by time. No mortal has ever laid eyes upon its walls, nor set foot upon its floors. The Arkati, themselves, have become unable to approach the shrine, perhaps due to the overwhelming power surrounding it. The impressive shrine stands upon the beating heart of the lands, where all magic flows. It is believed incredible and ancient secrets lurk deep within its walls.

Upon completing her story, Lorminstra turned to her Chosen. She explained that our only hope of defeating the Vvrael and sealing the rift in the veil may rest withing the great shrine. Our window of oppurtunity would come in a cycle of days and one, she said, for at that time the tremendous storms which had blanketed the shrine for ages would subside. She warned that only the pure of heart and strong of will would have any hope of entering, and even then would require some very special artifacts; The Six Stones of Virtue. The goddess grew distant, since maintaining her vigilant hold upon the barrier drained her energy, but her parting words still ring deep in our hearts. We must find the Stones.

Originally, Lorminstra had selected a guide for the journey to the shrine; a sturdy halfling named Ardo. She feared, however, he had been murdered by Terate before he could complete his task. Of the stones themselves, little else was known at the time. They were said to be scattered about the lands, and the only mortals able to touch them would be those Chosen by the goddess. Meahwhile, our nemesis, Terate, searched for the same six stones, in hopes of claiming whatever prize awaited in the Shrine of the Great Drake. If he managed to breach the shrine's walls before the Chosen, very little hope would remian of ever defeating the Vvrael.


XI. Anwyn Castle and the Olbin Pass

A day which will live forever in the minds of our people brought new hope. Terate appeared in our lands once more, seeking the Stones. He brought terror to the peaceful town of River's Rest, killing many with his unearthly power. Then, a startling thing occured. Terate softened upon finding a sorceress, Lady Rayyne, who he took a fancy to. Some of the old Terate showed through, and he eventually informed the sorceress that one of the Stones may be hidden in a great castle, deep amongh the Lyserian Hills. A monumental search ensued. Large bands of adventurers, including no fewer than five of the Chosen Ones, scoured the lands for this unknown keep in the forests.

They found Anwyn Castle, and discovered a mysterious, pentagram-lined chamber, hidden deep below its walls. There, before a strangely mystical mirror, they uncovered and ancient carved chest. It took several skilled locksmiths - and a few deaths - to eventually open the chest. Finally, however, a talented locksmith named Lord Xanith worked the lock free and lifted the chest open. All gathered around with hushed voices to peer at the contents of the ancient container. One of the Six Stones of Virtue had been found. Lady Tedra, a Chosen One, immediately recovered and stored the beautiful, magical stone.

Meahwhile, North of Icemule Trace, another incredible epic had begun. The furious storms protecting the mountains to the North began go subside, just as Lorminstra had promised. When the weather cleared, bands of brave explorers set out for the perilous trek up into the dangerous mountains. Hordes of ice giants and hounds plagued the parties on their quest, but undaunted they continued to climb higher and higher. Along the trail, they uncovered a gruesome scene. An ice cave was discovered, inside of which remained the bodies of seven halfling mountaineers. One of the bodies was identified as Ardo, the hearty explorer Lorminstra had picked to lead the Chosen northward. His fate was unclear, but his last thoughts were of his wife, Belle...for he held in his frozen, lifeless hand an emerald falcon pin which was to be a gift for his love. The rest of his party seemed to have suffered some horrible fate, for they had been brutally dismembered and their expressions reflected sheer terror.

The mystery of Ardo's death, and that of his companions, has not yet been solved. The explorers who found his body, however, also discovered something even more remarkable. Searching through a pile of ashes in a makeshift fireplace, they uncovered another Stone of Virtue. Lady Merry, one of the most recent Chosen, plucked the Stone from the ashes and secured it. Two Stones found, the explorers continued their journey up the great slopes. Eventually, our people reached an impasse. Perched atop the peaks of Olbin Pass and overlooking the remarkable frozen landscape below, they found themselves unable to venture farther North. Our quest seemed to grind to a halt.


XII. Fryzz and Marilyna

The Chosen, and many noble adventurers young and old alike, scoured the lands tirelessly for the remaining Stones of Virtue. From the deepest valley to the highest peak, our people searched every nook and cranny for the ancient artifacts promised to bring hope to the coming conflict. For several days the search remained fruitless, and our spirits gradually sank. Then, miraculously, the voice of Lorminstra whispered across all the lands. Fryzz, a youthful and hearty dwarf, had unwittingly found a Stone of Virtue.

It seems young Fryzz had been hunting in the hills of Upper Trollfang, when he chanced upon a titan. Not an uncommon foe in those parts, Fryzz entered into battle and slew the gigantic beast, finding an innocent-looking locked coffer in the loot. He took the container to a locksmith in town who worked the lock free. When at last Fryzz opened it, he found a most unusual, dull gray stone. Curiously, he reached out to touch it, when he was startled by an incredible, heavenly flash of insight. This was one of the six ancient Stones of Virtue.

The awestruck dwarf immediately found himself flooded with attention, as hordes of people gathered about him to behold his miraculous find. Lord Merlock, a legendary wizard and long-time supporter and guardian of the Chosen, rushed to Fryzz and guided him to safety. Merlock then explained the significance of the stone, and warned him of the dangers of the Vvrael. Fryzz decided to go into hiding until the stone could be safely given to one of Lorminstra's Chosen.

I had been asleep in my quarters in House Sylvanfair during this time. When I awoke, I found a hastily scrawled message under my door describing Fryzz's experience. In a panic, I rushed out to find him, but the dwarf was nowhere to be found. I waited. Hours passed, and I again drifted off to sleep, nestled in Hearthstone Manor. I awoke, startled, to an image of thought which flitted briefly through my head. Fryzz had emerged, and the Vvrael had found him.

Using my magic, I summoned an image of Fryzz's location and raced to meet him. Just as I arrived, I gasped in horror as black, ominous tendrils of anti-mana flicked around the young dwarf hungrily. Thanks to Merlock's guidance, Fryzz recognized me, and hastily thrust the container with the stone into my hands. With not a moment to spare, I plucked the ancient artifact from the coffer, even as the Vvrael struck down those around me. The instant my flesh touched the stone, its power coursed through my body, and Lorminstra's voice again whispered through the lands. The third Stone of Virtue was at last safe. The Vvrael taunted and threatened, but realizing they'd lost the battle soon vanished back into their ethereal shadows.

Later the same evening, Lorminstra's voice once again touched the lands. This time, a youthful dark elven sorceress named Marilyna had uncovered a Stone of Virtue in the quiet town of River's Rest. The Vvrael had learned well from their earlier mistake, however, and eagerly began lashing out at the townspeople. Many died in the aftermath. Three of the Chosen were near enough to rush to the portal for River's Rest, but the death toll quickened, and Marilyna was in grave danger. Showing tremendous courage and will, the young sorceress stood her ground, anxiously awaiting the arrival of any of the thirteen Chosen.

I happened to arrive first on the scene. Though I had little time to notice, the carnage around me sent chills up my spine. The Vvrael had made their presence known with terrifying certainty. Just as Marilyna reached out to hand me the coffer containing the Stone, the Vvrael ripped my body apart with a wave of anti-mana, and my lifeless corpse dropped to the earth. Cries of panic emerged, and yet more casualties fell beside me.

My ghostly spirit rose above my body, and though disoriented and detached, I sensed myself being drawn back. One of several holy priests at the location channeled the power of the gods towards me, bringing breath to my lips. The Vvrael would not be thwarted so easily this time, however. They struck me down once more, vaporizing my form and leaving only my ghostly voice upon the wind.

This time, another honorable guardian of the Chosen, Lord Truekillr, summoned the power of his deity and whisked Marilyna, my lifeless body, and others into a magical and holy sanctuary. Truekillr, a priest of Lorminstra, again resurrected my form. With only a brief window of oppurtunity, the brave young elf handed me the coffer containing the fourth Stone of Virtue. Without hesitation, I plucked the stone from the box and secured it with the other. Unlike before, there would be no time for rejoicing. Observing their second failure, the Vvrael angrily obliterated everyone within the sanctuary, proving once more the limitlessness of their wretched grasp.

Gradually, the attacks tapered off. The day was one, but at a horrible cost in lives. Soon after I was brought back from the gates of death for a third time, two of the other Chosen, Lady Tedra and Lady Nyte, arrived at the grisly scene. I handed one of the Stones to Nyte, in order to seperate them and keep them safe. Four stones found, the remaining survivors began to discuss what to do next. It seems Lord Jala, another of the Chosen, had experienced some visions involving a bridge in a small hamlet. Entertaining the possibility there may yet be another stone around River's Rest, we set out to search the nearby citadel.

We found no trace of another stone, but we did encounter something far more surprising. Inside the citadel, the ghost of Malaphor appeared appeared. He explained Lorminstra had allowed him to return once more, so he might divulge more information to us. Much of his story has been told in this writing, but he also offered some important warnings. Malaphor told us there are others like Terate beyond the veil. Witches and warlocks, imbued with the black anti-mana of the Vvrael, patiently await their oppurtunity to slip into our lands. The rift is ever-widening, and the Vvrael will soon break free. The Chosen must seal that rift. The two remaining Stones must be found.

Later, as I walked through the woods towards my home in the Landing, a tiny, colorful bird flitted down to me and perched upon my shoulder. A slight smile almost crossed my lips, until I was startled by a tiny voice which squeaked softly in my ear. The voice said only this:"Be very, very afraid." Before I could react, the creature fluttered away into the darkened forests and was gone.


XIII. The Time of the Opening (Epilogue)

Lorminstra warned that the barrier holding the Vvrael would soon collapse, and the ultimate demise of our lands would ensue. The fate awaiting each and every one of us, should that happen, defies imagination. Life would cease, replaced with horrible, eternal living-death. This unthinkable future cannot be allowed to unfold upon our lands. It is for this reason that the Chosen toil. The goddess has spoken ominously of a sacrifice, the ultimate sacrifice, which may be asked of the Chosen. We embrace this possibility willingly, for the consequences to all life, should we fail, far outweigh the humble lives of a mere thirteen chosen few.

Remember well the names of the Chosen: Krackenstar, Writher, Jala, Berr, Risper, Mithadris, Tedra, Wanton, Nyte, Merry, and Beldin. Should never again our faces be seen after the final conflict, we ask only that you remember us fondly, and keep our spirits alive within your hearts. Know that Lorminstra's hand touches all, no matter what race, religion, or allegiance. We are, when all is said and done, One People. We are the benefactors of this magnificent world, just as the Arkati once inherited it from their predecessors, the Drakes. Make our home beautiful and just. Strive for peace among our people, and let the flames of honor and friendship burn strong within you. Never has a mightier weapon been held than the hand of another. Let this, the final battle in a War of All Ages, serve as a harsh reminder to those who would wage war; there will always be a greater army, a more merciless foe, a more certain fate...and only united will ever our people, all our people, survive...to one day inherit the woundrous land we call Elanthia.


About the Author...

Heathyr Hazelwood has been a fixture of Wehnimer's Landing for many years. She grew up in a small Sylvan village, where she learned the forbidden art of sorcery from her uncle, and tutor, Dreyvarr Ta'Despana. Upon arriving in the Landing, she continued her studies under the guidance of Lord Thalior until achieving ladyhood. Now she lives in the towering treetops of House Sylvanfair where she conducts research, fashions jewelry, and helps her housemates with spells. Heathyr's only family around Wehnimer's Landing is her sister, Lady Julietra, whom she's very close with. She's been known to aid young adventurers, sometimes taking an active interest in those showing honor and talent. Much of her life is shrouded in mystery, and although she uses her powers for good, her dark and turbulent past occasionally evidences itself. Mistress of Voln and follower of Lorminstra, Lady Heathyr hopes that her humble efforts will one day help bring peace and unity to all the people of Elanthia.

 

The End of it All

A young lass says, "Risper and Terate's sacrifice should never be forgotten"

Webmistress' Note:
What I have compiled here is the story of the final battle with the Vvrael. The opening of a shrine, the fall of two heroes and the conclusion to a fabulous saga as witnessed and documented through the eyes of Lady Tedra.
Part I, the Shrine sets the tale off with the coming together of the chosen. Part IV ends with the return of a young Lass that we all know. In between lie some of the most exciting, frightening and sorrowful moments of the Vvrael Saga. For those of us who remember the events of that fateful night this will be hard to read without a shudder passing through you. For those of you for whom this is a first read know that your breath today is owed to the lives of those who braved the Rift and the Vvrael so that we all may live. Thank you Lady Tedra for compiling your memories for us all.

By my hand,
~Tia

Part I...The opening of a Shrine



Terate says, "Chosen, join me in a booth."

Lord Terate seats himself at the Mosquito Booth.

Terate waves at you and invites you to come sit at his booth.

[Mosquito Booth] The dark booth is upholstered in beautiful, oxblood red leather. The wood tabletop has a sheen that speaks of years of polishing. Soft lighting is provided by an aromatic group of shaded candles sitting on the table, and above them hangs a small portrait in a leather-covered frame. Also in the room: Lady Risper, Lord Berr, Lord Terate Obvious exits: out.

Terate says, "We will take the Chosen up."

You say, "tis my fault, whoever dragged me off, was taking me naked, I went back for my belongings"

Terate asks, "Where are the others?"

[Mosquito Booth] The dark booth is upholstered in beautiful, oxblood red leather. The wood tabletop has a sheen that speaks of years of polishing. Soft lighting is provided by an aromatic group of shaded candles sitting on the table, and above them hangs a small portrait in a leather-covered frame. Also in the room: Lord Beldin, Lady Merry, Lord Jala, Lady Risper, Lord Berr, Lord Terate Obvious exits: out.

Jala says, "Nyte and Heathyr are on the top of the world."

Terate says, "Good."

Terate points at Berr.

Berr just disappeared.

Terate points at merry.

Merry just disappeared.

Terate points at Jala.

Jala just disappeared.

Terate asks, "Where is your consort, Tedra?"

You say, "he's heading up alone"

Terate points at Risper.

Risper just disappeared.

Terate nods to you.

Terate says, "Very well."

Terate points at Beldin.

[Mosquito Booth] The dark booth is upholstered in beautiful, oxblood red leather. The wood tabletop has a sheen that speaks of years of polishing. Soft lighting is provided by an aromatic group of shaded candles sitting on the table, and above them hangs a small portrait in a leather-covered frame. Also in the room: Lord Beldin, Lord Terate Obvious exits: out.

Beldin just disappeared.

Terate smiles at you.

You smile.

You say, "finally"

Terate just kissed you on the hand.

You say, "long wait"

Terate points at Tedra.

You feel yourself being pulled away...

[Top of the World, Aenatumgana] Whirling snow is tinted an incongruous rose color by the low arctic light. Then, a lull in the wind offers a breathtaking vision! Mantled by the storm's flurry, a monument perches on the mountain's top, immense in size and of extraordinary beauty. Columns march across the facade, their tops almost lost in the clouds, framing a colossal door. Beside the door, a shining gold crown is mounted in bas-relief, erratically throwing out brilliant reflections as light fights through the fog to caress it. You also see a sweetfern potion. Also in the room: Lady Jylli, Lord Beldin, Lady Risper, Lord Jala, Lady Merry, Lord Galaed, Lord Berr, Lady Heathyr, Lady Jecquelynn who is seated, Lady Silkie, Lord Nighthawk, Lord Chemial, Lord Truekillr who is seated, Lady Arwen, Lady Nyte, Lord Thalior, Lord Kinshack who is kneeling Obvious exits: northeast.

You hear the voice of Rayyne say, "So, TRUTH is the first one."

Merry says, "I'm sure Beldin's in the last one."

Risper smiles sadly.

Truekillr says, "Perhaps..."

A swirling black void opens up above and a dark figure descends to the ground nearby. Black waves of anti-mana wash over you...

(Kinshack shakes his head disbelievingly.)

Heathyr says, "We must be positive."

Terate paces restlessly.

Truekillr gazes in awe at the parchment in his hand.

[Top of the World, Aenatumgana] Whirling snow is tinted an incongruous rose color by the low arctic light. Then, a lull in the wind offers a breathtaking vision! Mantled by the storm's flurry, a monument perches on the mountain's top, immense in size and of extraordinary beauty. Columns march across the facade, their tops almost lost in the clouds, framing a colossal door. Beside the door, a shining gold crown is mounted in bas-relief, erratically throwing out brilliant reflections as light fights through the fog to caress it. You also see a sweetfern potion. Also in the room: Lord Terate, Lady Jylli, Lord Beldin who is lying down, Lady Risper, Lord Jala who is lying down, Lady Merry who is lying down, Lord Galaed who is lying down, Lord Berr who is lying down, Lady Heathyr who is lying down, Lady Jecquelynn, Lady Silkie, Lord Nighthawk who is lying down, Lord Chemial who is lying down, Lord Truekillr who is seated, Lady Arwen who is lying down, Lady Nyte who is lying down, Lady Rayyne who is lying down, Lord Thalior who is lying down, Lord Karhl who is lying down, Lord Kinshack Obvious exits: northeast.

Terate leans on Rayyne.

Rayyne asks, "Which stone would be truth?"

Rayyne just gave Terate a smooch.

Berr says, "Take out yur rocks"

Truekillr says, "It is not just the stones"

Truekillr says, "It is much more...."

Berr says, "Take out yur stones"

You ask, "was the crown found yet?"

Jala nods to you.

Galaed taps a bas-relief crown.

A gentle warmth spreads throughout your body as your hand closes around the stone.

You remove a reflective glass stone from inside your crafted scroll case.

Terate smiles at you.

Kinshack says, "It's right in front of you Tedra."

Truekillr sighs.

Thalior says, "er Merry, put ya rock in da crown"

Terate says, "Indeed Tedra."

Truekillr asks, "Will no one listen?"

Merry asks, "Mine goes in Truth?"

Setzier nods to Truekillr.

Setzier says, "Speak"

Terate says, "Marvel at it.. it is as old as this mountain."

Merry says, "I'll listen True"

Beldin says, "True it is time you told us the rest of what you know"

Rayyne touches the crown.

Nyte says, "It be wonderfuls"

Truekillr says, "Indeed Beldin..."

Merry says, "tell us which is which"

Rayyne says, "It feels good, too."

l at crown

Nyte says, "Truth first..in orders"

Fashioned of solid gold, the bas-relief crown is a magnificent piece of craftsmanship. Its ring is decorated with the images of winged drakes that have been rendered in exquisite detail. Precise etching breathe life into them, adding the texture of scales and subtle lines of tensed muscles. Between each of the the dragons, words have been engraved into the diadem's glittering surface. Starting at the top and continuing clockwise, they read: Truth, Piety, Humility, Faith, Courage and Honor. Aligned with each of these is a heavy golden tine extending from the edge of the crown.

Truekillr says, "The stones being placed into the crown are the easiest part of this..."

Truekillr says, "The Crown is the key to teh shrine not the stones"

You exclaim, "beautiful!"

Terate smiles wryly at the crown.

Nyte nods to you.

Truekillr says, "The chosen must give their stones, but the non-chosen must invoke the powers tehrein"

Heathyr removes a flawless silver stone from inside her silver locket.

Beldin removes a milky white stone from inside his hide satchel.

Truekillr says, "How to do that...."

Rayyne asks, "We all gotta be truthful?"

Rayyne gulps.

Silkie asks, "invoke the powers?"

Truekillr says, "We must see..."

Truekillr nods to Silkie.

Truekillr says, "Without the non-chosen this endeavor is worthles..."

Truekillr smirks.

Terate put a void blade inside his scaled scabbard.

Terate removes a veil iron stone from inside his scaled belt pouch.

You tickle Truekillr.

Truekillr says, "We non-chosen need to rekindle the magic therein"

Merry says, "well, we have non-chosen here too"

Rayyne says, "The time is here."

Truekillr says, "It is time Chosen..."

Suddenly, the veil iron stone Terate is holding emits a blinding burst of energy. The air crackles in its wake, tinged with the scent of sulphur.

Truekillr says, "Place the stones..."

Heathyr says, "Place the truth stone in the crown."

Merry says, "Truth is first"

Setzier asks, "Who has the truth?"

Terate puts a veil iron stone in the setting atop the tine aligned with the word 'Courage'. It fits perfectly, locking in place with an audible click.

Truekillr says, "The Crown of the Drake... so long have I searched this out..."

Terate grins.

Setzier says, "Ah... courage."

Ohr says, "Terate does"

Truekillr says, "Excellent"

A veil iron stone pulses with an ethereal light. Dazzling sparks of magical energy leap from its surface, spiraling in the air before fading away.

Truekillr smiles at Terate.

Rayyne beams happily at Terate!

l at my stone

You look at the stone closely...

The stone is perfectly round, crafted with a precision that is unmatched by any mortal glass-smith. Silver at its core acts as a mirror, reflecting the light falling upon its smooth, polished surface. Warped by its contours, you can see your own reflected face within its depths, staring back at you as if in judgment.

Jecquelynn says, "terate certainly has courage"

Setzier exclaims, "Don''t need to go in order, just put them in!"

Terate exclaims, "Put the stones there!"

Jala says, "Apparently so."

Truekillr says, "The order matters not"

Galaed says, "They will go where they need to it seems."

Truekillr says, "Place them friends."

Terate says, "That is not true Truekillr."

Terate frowns.

Truekillr frowns.

Terate exclaims, "You know not!"

Truekillr asks, "Aye?"

Truekillr says, "Then let me ponder..."

Terate exclaims, "The stones must go on the proper tines!"

Silkie asks, "so they must go in order?"

Berr says, "Place yur Stones friends n let's be about our business"

Truekillr says, "aye of course"

Truekillr nods.

Truekillr asks, "But in a certain order?"

Silkie says, "Truth first"

Thalior says, "no order, just on the right tines"

Heathyr tries to place a flawless silver stone in the setting atop the tine aligned with the word 'Honor'. It slips into place perfectly, but falls to the ground when she releases it.

A veil iron stone falls off of one of the tines and hits the ground.

Berr says, "Courage is placed in da right Tine, try each tine"

Truekillr says, "Tis what i said"

Heathyr tries to place a flawless silver stone in the setting atop the tine aligned with the word 'Piety'. It slips into place perfectly, but falls to the ground when she releases it.

Kinshack says, "Pick it up Heathyr."

Heathyr puts a flawless silver stone in the setting atop the tine aligned with the word 'Faith'. It fits perfectly, locking in place with an audible click.

Truekillr says, "Odd."

Setzier asks, "What was your story, Heathyr... can you remember?"

Setzier says, "Aha"

Heathyr says, "Faith."

Truekillr says, "Faith."

Jecquelynn says, "Terate..your stone.."

Truekillr says, "My virtue."

Truekillr smiles.

Setzier says, "Terate's stone is already in"

Karhl stares at a flawless silver stone.

Rayyne says, "Terate placed his."

Beldin says, "his stone is in place"

Galaed says, "It fell out."

Galaed points at a flawless silver stone.

Rayyne leans on Terate.

Setzier says, "Ack his did fall out"

Silkie says, "fell out Terate"

Setzier says, "Terate, your stone fell out"

Jecquelynn says, "truth has to go first."

Setzier says, "You have to put them in the right tine"

Beldin asks, "Krackenstar is at the trading post. Terate can you get him?"

Rayyne says, "Try the different tines."

Terate asks, "Why is he there?"

Merry puts a clear crystal stone in the setting atop the tine aligned with the word 'Truth'. It fits perfectly, locking in place with an audible click.

Setzier beams happily at Merry!

Truekillr says, "We need the Bards stone"

Silkie exclaims, "Another chosen pick up the stone!"

Merry exclaims, "there!"

Beldin says, "he was dead"

Nyte puts a dull grey stone in the setting atop the tine aligned with the word 'Humility'. It fits perfectly, locking in place with an audible click.

Rayyne beams!

Silkie beams happily at Nyte!

Truekillr says, "Definitely your stone lass"

Galaed says, "Three down."

Terate runs his hand idly across the veil iron stone.

Setzier asks, "Terate, how abouy honor?"

Terate puts a veil iron stone in the setting atop the tine aligned with the word 'Courage'. It fits perfectly, locking in place with an audible click.

Terate smiles.

Setzier says, "Or not"

Terate leans on Rayyne.

Silkie says, "oh Terate....."

Truekillr says, "Beldin..."

Rayyne rubs a huge stone door.

Truekillr says, "We need Krackenstar"

Jecquelynn says, "aim for piety Beldin."

put stone in second tine.

You try to place the glass stone in the tine's setting. It slips into place perfectly, but falls out when you let go of it.

A veil iron stone falls off of one of the tines and hits the ground.

A dull grey stone falls off of one of the tines and hits the ground.

A clear crystal stone falls off of one of the tines and hits the ground.

A flawless silver stone falls off of one of the tines and hits the ground.

As Karhl reaches for the stone, it exudes an aura of magic, burning his hand!

A gentle warmth spreads throughout your body as your hand closes around the stone.

You pick up a reflective glass stone.

Nyte picks up a dull grey stone.

Jecquelynn says, "ugh"

Setzier exclaims, "Durnit!"

Truekillr sighs.

Ohr says, "gah"

Tzarrakyn groans.

Jecquelynn says, "try again."

Rayyne exclaims, "They all fell!"

Merry picks up a clear crystal stone.

Terate picks up a veil iron stone.

You mumble something under your breath.

Setzier says, "Tedra's is honor"

Challen stares at you.

Heathyr picks up a flawless silver stone.

Jecquelynn says, "beldin has the piety stone"

Silkie says, "pick up the stones"

Truekillr says, "Tedra is honor"

Setzier says, "Terate's is courage"

Merry says, "we have to do it together then"

Truekillr says, "Place them Chosen"

Krackenstar appears in a flash of light, looking slightly disoriented.

Terate says, "No Merry, just correctly."

Terate smiles thinly.

Thalior says, "ok, put 'em in where you know they go"

Heathyr puts a flawless silver stone in the setting atop the tine aligned with the word 'Faith'. It fits perfectly, locking in place with an audible click.

Merry puts a clear crystal stone in the setting atop the tine aligned with the word 'Truth'. It fits perfectly, locking in place with an audible click.

Silkie exclaims, "You must try again!"

Rayyne rubs Terate gently.

Nyte puts a dull grey stone in the setting atop the tine aligned with the word 'Humility'. It fits perfectly, locking in place with an audible click.

You say, "piety ain't mine"

Truekillr put a piece of torn parchment inside his black warmantle.

Setzier says, "Honor, Tedra"

You say, "it fell with piety"

Setzier says, "Piety is Beldin's."

You nod.

Truekillr says, "Honor tedra"

You say, "so I'm last"

Truekillr says, "It matters not"

Truekillr smiles at you.

Setzier says, "Don't matter the order, just put it in"

put stone in sixth tine

You put the glass stone in the tine's setting. It fits perfectly, locking in place with an audible click.

Jecquelynn exclaims, "Beldin,put your stone in!"

Truekillr asks, "Terate? Your stone?"

Galaed says, "Terate needs to put his in as well."

Terate glows with black power!

Terate nods.

Merry says, "Terate did his"

Terate says, "Not yet Merry"

Merry says, "oh I thought I saw it"

Silkie asks, "Why do you wait Terate?"

Terate puts a veil iron stone in the setting atop the tine aligned with the word 'Courage'. It fits perfectly, locking in place with an audible click.

Thalior says, "click"

Jecquelynn says, "beldin.."

Truekillr says, "The last stone...."

Thalior says, "Beldin is having a "senior moment""

Thalior smirks.

Truekillr groans.

Beldin puts a milky white stone in the setting atop the tine aligned with the word 'Piety'. It fits perfectly, locking in place with an audible click.

In an instant, the aura surrounding the crown explodes, sending a dazzling wave of light streaming outward. Before you can blink, the light envelops you, leaving you momentarily blinded!

As your vision clears, you find yourself elsewhere...

[Antechamber, Hill of Ice] An anteroom is flanked with arches to the left and right. The walls are dark stone, rising overhead to a peak that follows the curve of the vaulting. Footing is hazardous, owing to the sheet of ice coating everything with its brittle, glistening veneer. Through the arches, courses of stairs can be glimpsed, composed of the same dark stone and filled with shadows. You also see a huge stone door and a brass ring attached to a chain hanging from the ceiling. Also in the room: Lord Berr, Lord Terate Obvious exits: northeast, northwest.

You hear a bump from a huge stone door.

Nyte blinks.

Heathyr gasps.

Beldin sighs.

Terate grins.

Krackenstar gazes in wonder at his surroundings.

Berr says, "Damn"

Heathyr kneels down and begins to recite prayers.

Terate exclaims, "We did it!"

Heathyr says, "We're inside."

Terate laughs!

You grin.

Beldin says, "we are inside"

[Antechamber, Hill of Ice] An anteroom is flanked with arches to the left and right. The walls are dark stone, rising overhead to a peak that follows the curve of the vaulting. Footing is hazardous, owing to the sheet of ice coating everything with its brittle, glistening veneer. Through the arches, courses of stairs can be glimpsed, composed of the same dark stone and filled with shadows. You also see a huge stone door and a brass ring attached to a chain hanging from the ceiling. Also in the room: Lady Nyte, Lady Risper, Lady Heathyr who is kneeling, Lord Beldin who is lying down, Lord Jala, Lord Krackenstar, Lady Merry, Lord Berr, Lord Terate Obvious exits: northeast, northwest.

Terate exclaims, "We are in!"

Terate grins evilly.

Terate lifts up his arms and unleashes waves of dark anti-mana!

Berr mumbles something that you don't quite catch.

Terate bows.

You hear a faint grinding sound from beyond the a huge stone door.

Terate exclaims, "We shall see you soon!"

Terate laughs!

Heathyr exclaims, "We must get to the EYE!!!"

Berr says, "Dammit"

Lord Terate just went northeast.

You stand back up.

Merry exclaims, "oh Terate!"

Lord Beldin just went northeast.

Heathyr says, "Berr, hurry..."

[Antechamber, Hill of Ice] An anteroom is flanked with arches to the left and right. The walls are dark stone, rising overhead to a peak that follows the curve of the vaulting. Footing is hazardous, owing to the sheet of ice coating everything with its brittle, glistening veneer. Through the arches, courses of stairs can be glimpsed, composed of the same dark stone and filled with shadows. You also see a huge stone door and a brass ring attached to a chain hanging from the ceiling. Also in the room: Lady Nyte who is lying down, Lady Risper who is lying down, Lady Heathyr, Lord Jala who is lying down, Lord Krackenstar, Lady Merry who is lying down, Lord Berr who is lying down Obvious exits: northeast, northwest.

You do your best impression of a grizzly, scaring people for miles!

You say, "gotta find the eye"

Lady Risper went up a flight of icy stairs.

Lotta blind searching followed. It was Berr who found the rift first and ultimately directed us all to it. Well done, warrior.

Tedra

Part II...The Coming of Rayyne


Apr 27, 1998 at 21:27

I was the last to arrive at the rift. Here is what occurred there, edited.

You hear the quiet whisper of a young woman, "The time is upon us my Chosen, the Rift tears at the very fabric of our reality..."

[Breach, Cavern of Ages] The chamber's walls are modulated with the same large recesses that pocket the walls of the chamber to the north. Inside each, the red stone is polished to an indulgent surface that highlights the striations in the rock. On the cavern's eastern wall however, something went horribly wrong. The undulating niches are blasted into shambles around a central oval just behind a golden pedestal. There, the rock looks like it has melted, running down the side of the cavern in eddies of molten stone. You also see a golden pedestal with a flawless dragonsbreath sapphire hovering above it. Also in the room: Lord Berr, Lord Beldin, Lord Jala, Lord Krackenstar, Lady Merry, Lady Nyte, Lord Terate who is lying down, Lady Heathyr, Lady Risper Obvious exits: north.

Merry shakes her head.

Jala groans.

Terate says, "This must have an answer."

You sigh.

Merry says, "they are all diying"

Merry exclaims, "all of them!"

Merry flails her arms about.

Beldin says, "Tedra we cannot get it"

Merry reaches towards the floating sapphire. It bobbles in the air as it evades her, rotating slightly.

Beldin seems to be trying to figure out how to turn a golden pedestal with a flawless dragonsbreath sapphire hovering above it.

You say, "show me the eye"

Beldin just tried to pull a golden pedestal with a flawless dragonsbreath sapphire hovering above it.

Suddenly, the sapphire drops. Just as it is about to strike the pedestal beneath it, it stops, then slowly levitates back to its previous position.

Heathyr says, "Something...something...."

Jala blinks.

Nyte reaches towards the floating sapphire. It bobbles in the air as it evades her, rotating slightly.

Beldin says, "we think it is the sapphire"

l at sapp

Amazingly, the dragonsbreath sapphire hovers in mid-air over a golden pedestal near the center of the room. It has been cut with precision, forming it into a perfectly symmetrical octagonal sphere. Colored a pale, watery blue, the stone bears no blemishes to mar its beauty. Tiny sparks play within its core, kindling a soft light that illuminates the room.

Terate growls and paces around the cavern.

You ask, "you have the eye, Berr?"

Berr says, "Its here Teddie"

Beldin says, "there was something about a non chosen being here"

Berr says, "Da sapphire"

Berr asks, "See it?"

Beldin says, "we cannot touch it"

Heathyr says, "All who need to be here are, I suspect..."

Before it can evade her, Risper grasps the dragonsbreath sapphire and gives it a good spin. It rotates freely in the air, quickly gathering momentum until it is nothing but a blur. A soft luminescence begins to emmanate from the spinning gem, bathing the room in light.

Without warning, the sapphire explodes with a brilliant flash, leaving you momentarily blinded! As your vision returns, you can no longer see the sapphire. Where it once was, a small nebulous sphere now hovers in mid-air.

Jala blinks.

Risper blinks.

Nyte gasps.

You smile.

Terate exclaims, "ha!"

Beldin tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere flares, sending brilliant blue sparks arcing across the room! As the sparks flicker out, you notice that the sphere has shrunk a little. The nebulous sphere pulses with a red light.

Heathyr says, "Well done, Risper."

Heathyr tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere flares, sending brilliant blue sparks arcing across the room! As the sparks flicker out, you notice that the sphere has grown in size considerably.

Risper smiles.

l at sphere

Glowing softly with a subtle radiance, the sphere hovers above a golden pedestal near the center of the chamber. Formed of a wispy cloud-like mass, it does not appear to have any solid structure. Looking into its depths, you can only see a swirling grey ether.

Beldin says, "cannot enter it"

Terate watches from the shadows, his face stoic.

Heathyr says, "Oh, no..."

Jala asks, "Hmm.. anti mana?"

The sphere flares, sending brilliant blue sparks arcing across the room! As the sparks flicker out, you notice that the sphere has grown in size considerably.

Beldin says, "it might be the veil"

Risper tries to manipulate the sphere.

The nebulous sphere pulses with a orange light.

Nyte tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere swells with power, leaving the air crackling with static! As the sphere's flare subsides, you notice that it has grown quite a bit in size.

Merry asks, "can you seal it?"

Merry asks, "like a void?"

Nyte tries to manipulate the sphere.

Black tendrils of anti-mana stream from the sphere! They wrap themselves about your body, chilling you with their touch. As the black wisps begin to fade away, you notice that the sphere has shrunk substantially. Suddenly, a bolt of radiant energy streams from the sphere! It strikes Heathyr square in the chest, sending her sprawling to the floor...

* Heathyr drops dead at your feet!

The sickening smell of burning flesh fills the air.

Berr says, "Dammit"

Risper says, "The turn is thine."

You hear the ghostly voice of Heathyr say, "Had to be tried...."

The nebulous sphere pulses with a green light.

Risper tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere swells with power, leaving the air crackling with static! As the sphere's flare subsides, you notice that it has shrunk almost imperceptibly.

Terate laughs!

Terate asks, "You thought you could change it that way Heathyr?"

Terate laughs!

[Breach, Cavern of Ages] The chamber's walls are modulated with the same large recesses that pocket the walls of the chamber to the north. Inside each, the red stone is polished to an indulgent surface that highlights the striations in the rock. On the cavern's eastern wall however, something went horribly wrong. The undulating niches are blasted into shambles around a central oval just behind a golden pedestal. There, the rock looks like it has melted, running down the side of the cavern in eddies of molten stone. You also see a golden pedestal with a nebulous sphere hovering above it. Also in the room: Lord Berr, Lord Beldin, a stunned Lord Jala, Lady Merry, Lady Nyte, Lord Terate who is lying down, a stunned Lady Heathyr who is lying down, Lady Risper Obvious exits: north.

Terate snorts.

Heathyr stands up.

Merry asks, "what did she do?"

Terate exclaims, "you all are ridiculous!"

* Nyte just bit the dust!

Suddenly, a bolt of radiant energy streams from the sphere! It strikes Nyte square in the chest, sending her sprawling to the floor...

* Nyte drops dead at your feet!

The sickening smell of burning flesh fills the air.

Nyte just kissed the sphere!

Krackenstar just arrived.

Terate laughs!

(Heathyr remains vigilant....)

Merry shakes her head.

You mumble something under your breath.

Krackenstar babbles something unintelligible.

Terate snorts.

The nebulous sphere pulses with a orange light.

Jala tries to manipulate the sphere.

Krackenstar asks, "It opens ?"

Terate paces.

Beldin asks, "Terate is the sphere the rift?"

You hear the ghostly voice of Nyte ask, "Musta been wha ye done huh?"

Terate says, "you deserve that."

You ask, "it killin' randomly, or you doing something to it?"

You hear the ghostly voice of Nyte say, "tried ta kiss it"

Terate says, "We have done nothing... yet."

Merry says, "Nyte kissed it"

Terate laughs!

You roll your eyes.

Risper chuckles.

Beldin asks, "Terate is that sphere the rift?"

l in sphere

Glowing softly with a subtle radiance, the sphere hovers above a golden pedestal near the center of the chamber. Formed of a wispy cloud-like mass, it does not appear to have any solid structure. Looking into its depths, you can only see a swirling grey ether.

Nyte stands up.

The nebulous sphere pulses with a green light.

Beldin asks, "is that the entrance for them?"

Heathyr says, "Green light...."

Terate shrugs.

Heathyr says, "...red light..."

Risper asks, "Could we all cease to court the sphere and open it instead?"

Beldin asks, "can we destro0y the sphere?"

Terate says, "Aye... let us open it."

Terate laughs!

Terate paces, studying the sphere intently.

Terate says, "Ahh... very nice."

Beldin says, "that is the sphere"

Beldin says, "destroy it"

Terate says, "yes yes.. it is all we could have hoped for."

Terate nods.

The nebulous sphere pulses with a violet light.

Terate laughs!

Terate exclaims, "Destroy it??!!"

Nyte says, "aye"

Beldin says, "yes"

Terate says, "It is what we have sought."

You say, "changing colors"

Terate laughs!

Terate exclaims, "It is the gateway!"

Nyte asks, "is this the eye Terate?"

Heathyr says, "It is shrinking..."

Beldin says, "we need to try to destroy it"

Beldin says, "yes"

Terate cackles!

Beldin says, "no it is gaining power"

You sigh.

Nyte asks, "we have to learn to control it..tha be wha she saids?"

Terate says, "It is the way.. it is the Eye."

The sphere swells with power, leaving the air crackling with static! As the sphere's flare subsides, you notice that it has shrunk a little.

Terate exclaims, "We come.. WE COME!"

Risper asks, "Has anyone attacked it as yet?"

Terate laughs!

Jala blinks.

The nebulous sphere pulses with a red light.

Heathyr says, "Red light..."

Nyte exclaims, "Stop it, Terate! ye are one of US!"

Beldin gestures and utters a phrase of magic.

* Beldin just bit the dust!

Suddenly, a bolt of radiant energy streams from the sphere! It strikes Beldin square in the chest, sending him sprawling to the floor...

* Beldin drops dead at your feet!

The sickening smell of burning flesh fills the air.

Terate whirls. "We are.."

Terate laughs!

Terate exclaims, "Foolish mortals!"

Heathyr says, "Don't touch the sphere when it pulses red...."

Terate laughs!

Heathyr says, "Wait for it to pulse green."

Risper says, "Red is, apparantly, bad."

Risper nods.

You hear the ghostly voice of Beldin say, "I tried to call lightening on it"

Heathyr says, "Oof."

You hear the ghostly voice of Beldin say, "it must be stopped"

Heathyr says, "Well..."

Jala says, "Rise, Chosen one."

Merry says, "so like the Lass said, spells don't work"

Beldin stands up.

You say, "well, ready for the next try"

Beldin tries to manipulate the sphere.

stance off

at sphere

* Tedra just bit the dust!

Suddenly, a bolt of radiant energy streams from the sphere! It strikes you square in the chest, sending seering hot pain throughout your body!

Jala groans.

Risper gestures at you.

Merry asks, "what did you do, Tedra?"

You say, "attacked it"

Risper says, "Perhaps attacking it is a poor idea."

Merry says, "we need non-chosen"

Heathyr says, "Red, green, yellow, blue...."

Terate paces.

Heathyr asks, "Mean anything to anyone?"

Beldin says, "we need to stop it "

Jala asks, "perhaps, for each of us to touch it at a color?"

Risper says, "Arise, to attack no further spheres."

Risper gestures at you.

Terate laughs!

Merry says, "Terate, maybe you can enter it"

You feel awake enough to move again.

Jala says, "we want to shrink the sphere"

You say, "thanks, Risper"

Terate paces.

Jala says, "Heathyr's yellow"

Terate growls ferociously!

Terate stands up.

Terate laughs!

You ask, "ain't it yer turn to try something, Terate?"

Jala says, "I think I'm blue."

Heathyr tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere swells with power, leaving the air crackling with static! As the sphere's flare subsides, you notice that it has grown quite a bit in size.

You try to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere flares, sending brilliant blue sparks arcing across the room! As the sparks flicker out, you notice that the sphere has shrunk quite a bit.

Jala says, "or not"

Krackenstar tries to manipulate the sphere.

Black tendrils of anti-mana stream from the sphere! They wrap themselves about your body, chilling you with their touch. As the black wisps begin to fade away, you notice that the sphere has grown in size.

Merry asks, "Risper, you have a mace, right?"

Risper nods.

Terate tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere flares, sending brilliant blue sparks arcing across the room! As the sparks flicker out, you notice that the sphere has shrunk slightly.

Terate furrows his brow.

Terate tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere flares, sending brilliant blue sparks arcing across the room! As the sparks flicker out, you notice that the sphere has grown in size somewhat.

Risper says, "I do."

Terate growls ferociously!

Nyte asks, "any hobbits heres?"

Terate tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere flares, sending brilliant blue sparks arcing across the room! As the sparks flicker out, you notice that the sphere has shrunk substantially.

Heathyr tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere swells with power, leaving the air crackling with static! As the sphere's flare subsides, you notice that it has grown in size almost imperceptibly.

The nebulous sphere pulses with a orange light.

Merry asks, "isn't it supposed to be magical?"

Berr says, "Smack it with da Mace"

Terate exclaims, "No!"

Jala glances at Risper.

Beldin says, "Yes"

Berr says, "Smack it with da Mace"

Terate growls ferociously!

Risper says, "I think, perhaps, that would be a poor idea."

Jala nods.

Beldin says, "quickly"

Terate growls ferociously!

Terate exclaims, "No!"

Merry kneels down and begins to recite prayers.

Beldin says, "If Terate says no then it is right"

Jala says, "the mace"

Heathyr tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere swells with power, leaving the air crackling with static! As the sphere's flare subsides, you notice that it has grown in size a little.

Risper says, "It seems to dislike being attacked."

"...AH SWEET TERATE...YOU HAVE COME TO FEED US...BRING THE SOULS TO US NOW...OPEN THE RIFT WIDER OUR PRECIOUS ONE..."

Beldin says, "hand it and let us try"

The nebulous sphere pulses with a blue light.

Jala blinks.

Berr says, "Dammit"

Risper blinks.

Merry shivers.

Krackenstar exclaims, "never !"

Terate laughs!

Beldin says, "quickly Risper"

You ask, "who has the mace?"

Nyte says, "ye are one of Us Terate"

Terate exclaims, "Yes! YES!"

Merry exclaims, "Now Risper!"

Beldin says, "Ripser does"

Heathyr says, "Terate....Terate, defy them...."

* Beldin was just obliterated!

* Beldin just bit the dust!

Terate points at Beldin!

A swirling black void opens just overhead and dark tendrils of anti-mana reach out, enveloping Beldin. Within seconds Beldin is sucked into the void...

* Beldin drops dead at your feet!

You exclaim, "Rayyne, Terate, remember Rayyne!"

Terate laughs!

Terate tries to manipulate the sphere.

Merry exclaims, "no!"

You ask, "who has the mace?"

Merry exclaims, "he's been voided!"

Terate laughs maniacally and paces.

[Breach, Cavern of Ages] The chamber's walls are modulated with the same large recesses that pocket the walls of the chamber to the north. Inside each, the red stone is polished to an indulgent surface that highlights the striations in the rock. On the cavern's eastern wall however, something went horribly wrong. The undulating niches are blasted into shambles around a central oval just behind a golden pedestal. There, the rock looks like it has melted, running down the side of the cavern in eddies of molten stone. You also see a golden pedestal with a nebulous sphere hovering above it. Also in the room: Lord Krackenstar, Lord Berr, Lord Jala who is kneeling, Lady Merry who is kneeling, Lord Terate, Lady Heathyr, Lady Risper Obvious exits: north.

Merry exclaims, "Risper has it!"

* Krackenstar was just obliterated!

* Krackenstar just bit the dust!

Terate points at Krackenstar!

A swirling black void opens just overhead and dark tendrils of anti-mana reach out, enveloping Krackenstar. Within seconds Krackenstar is sucked into the void...

* Krackenstar drops dead at your feet!

Jala tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere swells with power, leaving the air crackling with static! As the sphere's flare subsides, you notice that it has shrunk a little.

Risper sighs.

Terate laughs!

* Risper just bit the dust!

Suddenly, a bolt of radiant energy streams from the sphere! It strikes Risper square in the chest, sending her sprawling to the floor...

* Risper drops dead at your feet!

The sickening smell of burning flesh fills the air.

Berr rubs a glass amulet.

Berr suddenly disappears.

You exclaim, "Terate stop!"

Heathyr exclaims, "No!"

Terate laughs!

Terate laughs!

"...FEED US...FEED US...TERATE...OPEN THE RIFT WIDER..."

Berr suddenly fades into view.

Berr waves the steel rod at Terate.

Terate tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere flares, sending brilliant blue sparks arcing across the room! As the sparks flicker out, you notice that the sphere has grown in size.

Berr waves the steel rod at Terate.

Berr waves the steel rod at Terate.

Berr waves the steel rod at Terate.

You do your best impression of a grizzly, scaring people for miles!

Berr rubs a glass amulet.

Berr suddenly disappears.

* Heathyr was just obliterated!

* Heathyr just bit the dust!

Terate points at Heathyr!

A swirling black void opens just overhead and dark tendrils of anti-mana reach out, enveloping Heathyr. Within seconds Heathyr is sucked into the void...

* Heathyr drops dead at your feet!

You ask, "Terate, Rayyne will know of this, can you bear that?"

Terate growls ferociously!

The nebulous sphere pulses with a violet light.

Terate paces, like someone possessed.

Berr whispers, "Dispel him rapidfire"

You exclaim, "Terate, what is in there is not for you!"

Risper stands up.

Terate growls ferociously!

Berr is discovered by Merry!

Berr rubs a glass amulet.

Berr suddenly disappears.

Merry says, "sorry"

You exclaim, "all that you really want is in our world, with our people!"

"...FEED US...FEED US..."

Merry says, "was trying to find Beldin"

Jala snarls menacingly!

Risper says, "This must stop."

You exclaim, "Terate, ignore them!"

Merry exclaims, "now Risper!"

Jala nods to Risper.

Merry exclaims, "quickly!"

[Breach, Cavern of Ages] The chamber's walls are modulated with the same large recesses that pocket the walls of the chamber to the north. Inside each, the red stone is polished to an indulgent surface that highlights the striations in the rock. On the cavern's eastern wall however, something went horribly wrong. The undulating niches are blasted into shambles around a central oval just behind a golden pedestal. There, the rock looks like it has melted, running down the side of the cavern in eddies of molten stone. You also see a golden pedestal with a nebulous sphere hovering above it. Also in the room: Lord Jala, Lady Merry, Lord Terate, Lady Risper Obvious exits: north.

"...WE HUNGER FOR THE SOULS..."

Risper says, "I have tried attacking it...it does not work."

The nebulous sphere pulses with a green light.

Terate growls ferociously!

Merry asks, "with the mace?"

Risper says, "Terate...this ends here."

Risper nods to Merry.

You exclaim, "Terate, they are nothing compared to what you have found here!"

Terate lifts his arms, anti-matter flashing from him!

You hear the voice of Berr exclaim, "Put da mace In da sphere!"

Terate growls ferociously!

You exclaim, "fight them!"

You exclaim, "Rayyne needs you!"

Jala says, "fight em, for Rayyne"

Terate whirls, snarling at Risper!

Terate glows with black power!

You exclaim, "they will kill her, Terate!"

You hear the voice of Berr say, "Terate....comeon"

Terate exclaims, "You annoy us!"

Risper says, "By Lorminstra's name, I stand here."

Risper glares.

Jala nods to Risper.

Risper says, "And you shall not have them."

* Risper was just obliterated!

* Risper just bit the dust!

Terate points at Risper!

A swirling black void opens just overhead and dark tendrils of anti-mana reach out, enveloping Risper. Within seconds Risper is sucked into the void...

* Risper drops dead at your feet!

The nebulous sphere pulses with a blue light.

You hear the voice of Berr say, "Dammit"

Jala says, "ack"

You do your best impression of a grizzly, scaring people for miles!

Berr whispers, "Dispel him rapidfire"

Nyte comes out of hiding.

Terate glows with black power!

Terate paces like a caged tiger.

Berr whispers, "I'll kill him"

whisper berr I've never been able to cast at him

Terate growls ferociously!

Merry sighs.

Terate tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere swells with power, leaving the air crackling with static! As the sphere's flare subsides, you notice that it has grown in size immensely.

You concentrate on the Rapid Fire spell...

Your spell is ready.

You feel the magic surge through you.

Merry says, "oh Terate, Terate."

* Jala was just obliterated!

* Jala just bit the dust!

Terate points at Jala!

A swirling black void opens just overhead and dark tendrils of anti-mana reach out, enveloping Jala. Within seconds Jala is sucked into the void...

* Jala drops dead at your feet!

You hear the voice of Berr exclaim, "Dammit!"

Merry asks, "what about your parents?"

You concentrate on the Elemental Dispel spell...

You gesture at Terate.

Terate glows with black power!

Terate laughs!

The nebulous sphere pulses with a yellow light.

Terate paces!

You roll your eyes.

You hear the voice of Nyte ask, "Terate, wha abouts Rayyne?"

Merry asks, "how would they feel now?"

[Breach, Cavern of Ages] The chamber's walls are modulated with the same large recesses that pocket the walls of the chamber to the north. Inside each, the red stone is polished to an indulgent surface that highlights the striations in the rock. On the cavern's eastern wall however, something went horribly wrong. The undulating niches are blasted into shambles around a central oval just behind a golden pedestal. There, the rock looks like it has melted, running down the side of the cavern in eddies of molten stone. You also see a golden pedestal with a nebulous sphere hovering above it. Also in the room: Lady Merry, Lord Terate Obvious exits: north.

Terate growls ferociously!

You hear the voice of Nyte say, "she is one her way to ye....right now"

Merry says, "they had such hopes for you Terate"

Merry says, "you were their golden son"

Terate laughs!

The nebulous sphere pulses with a red light.

Terate tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere flares, sending brilliant blue sparks arcing across the room! As the sparks flicker out, you notice that the sphere has shrunk.

"...THE RIFT...OPEN IT NOW..."

Merry says, "reach deep inside, Terate"

Terate laughs!

You exclaim, "shut up, you!"

Terate points at Risper.

Terate laughs!

Merry says, "I can't see her."

Terate says, "We have something special for you Risper.."

Merry says, "or Beldin"

Terate laughs!

Merry sobs.

You exclaim, "Terate, where is the elf who loves Rayyne? Yer not thinkin!"

Terate snorts.

Terate exclaims, "Stand up!"

Terate exclaims, "STAND UP!"

Merry says, "Risper is dead"

The nebulous sphere pulses with a blue light.

You hear the voice of Nyte say, "Rayyne be one her way ta ye, Terate, she calls."

Merry says, "and gone"

Terate growls ferociously!

Lady Rayyne just arrived.

Part 2 will continue...

Tedra

Part III...The Loss of Risper and Terate


continued....

Lady Rayyne just arrived.

Merry gasps.

You say, "Rayyne, tis up to you"

Terate growls ferociously!

Rayyne exclaims, "Terate!"

You say, "they have him"

Merry exclaims, "Rayyne!"

You hear the voice of Nyte say, "Ye ses, Terate? she loves ye still"

Rayyne asks, "Who?"

You say, "get him back to us"

Rayyne just kissed Terate.

Rayyne asks, "Where is everyone, Terate?"

Terate points at Berr. He is surrounded by a halo of fire and falls dead!

* Berr just bit the dust!

* Berr drops dead at your feet!

Berr suddenly fades into view.

Rayyne just touched a golden pedestal with a nebulous sphere hovering above it.

Merry says, "Beldin and Risper are dead"

Rayyne sobs.

Terate laughs!

The nebulous sphere pulses with a orange light.

[Breach, Cavern of Ages] The chamber's walls are modulated with the same large recesses that pocket the walls of the chamber to the north. Inside each, the red stone is polished to an indulgent surface that highlights the striations in the rock. On the cavern's eastern wall however, something went horribly wrong. The undulating niches are blasted into shambles around a central oval just behind a golden pedestal. There, the rock looks like it has melted, running down the side of the cavern in eddies of molten stone. You also see a golden pedestal with a nebulous sphere hovering above it. Also in the room: Lady Rayyne, the body of Lord Berr who is lying down, Lady Merry, Lord Terate Obvious exits: north.

Merry says, "Jala was voided"

Rayyne rubs Terate gently.

Terate points at Tedra! She falls down dead!

Risper appears in a flash of light, looking slightly disoriented.

* Tedra just bit the dust!

Rayyne asks, "Terate! What has happened?"

You hear the ghostly voice of Berr say, "I nere raised a weapon against yu Sorc"

Terate laughs!

Risper says, "Terate."

Merry says, "Tedra's now dead"

Rayyne just tried to pull Terate towards her!

Risper says, "This ends here."

You hear the ghostly voice of Berr ask, "And this is what I get?"

Terate paces.

Rayyne sobs.

Risper says, "Let my life be forfeit, but it ends now."

Terate points at Risper!

* Risper just bit the dust!

* Risper drops dead at your feet!

[Breach, Cavern of Ages] The chamber's walls are modulated with the same large recesses that pocket the walls of the chamber to the north. Inside each, the red stone is polished to an indulgent surface that highlights the striations in the rock. On the cavern's eastern wall however, something went horribly wrong. The undulating niches are blasted into shambles around a central oval just behind a golden pedestal. There, the rock looks like it has melted, running down the side of the cavern in eddies of molten stone. You also see a golden pedestal with a nebulous sphere hovering above it. Also in the room: the body of Lady Risper who is lying down, Lady Rayyne, the body of Lord Berr who is lying down, Lady Merry, Lord Terate Obvious exits: north.

Rayyne exclaims, "Stop!"

Rayyne just tried to pull Terate towards her!

Terate laughs!

Rayyne asks, "Terate, must I?"

Suddenly, Terate thrusts his hands into the sphere. The mountain around you shudders as black tendrils of anti-mana crawl up his arms, spreading across his body until he is enveloped in a shroud of darkness. He screams in agony as violent convulsions wrack his body. Just as you think he could endure no more, Terate is thrust from the orb, as if something within it had released him.

The sphere now throbs with a burgeoning power, each pulse seeming to increase its size. Within its depths you can see inhuman forms writhing against each other, as if struggling to escape.

A loud howl pierces the air, reverberating through the cavern. Turning in the direction of the sound, you see a hideously deformed face within the sphere. Its lipless mouth is spread in a hideous grin, revealing a set of sharpened teeth. It regards you for a moment, then disappears.

Terate laughs!

You exclaim, "Terate, listen to her!"

Terate exclaims, "YES!"

Rayyne gestures and utters a phrase of magic.

Nyte comes out of hiding.

Rayyne gestures at Terate.

Terate glows with black power!

Rayyne just tried to pull Terate towards her!

The nebulous sphere swells, steadily expanding under the force of whatever lies beyond it.

Terate falls to the ground!

Rayyne falls to the ground!

The ground beneath you violently shakes and rumbles!

Merry falls to the ground!

Rayyne exclaims, "Stop!"

Nyte comes out of hiding.

Terate points at Merry. She falls to the sand dead!

Rayyne tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere flares, sending brilliant blue sparks arcing across the room! As the sparks flicker out, you notice that the sphere has not changed in size.

Movement from within the sphere catches your eye. Inside of it, you see strange forms moving restlessly.

* Merry just bit the dust!

* Merry drops dead at your feet!

Terate laughs!

Terate growls ferociously!

The nebulous sphere pulses convulsively. Glowing veins emerge, popping from its roiling surface and creasing it as it grows in size.

You hear the ghostly voice of Risper say, "You cannot keep me down, Terate."

Rayyne tries to manipulate the sphere.

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry say, "well, I saved them anyway"

Terate searches for Nyte.

Terate laughs!

[Breach, Cavern of Ages] The chamber's walls are modulated with the same large recesses that pocket the walls of the chamber to the north. Inside each, the red stone is polished to an indulgent surface that highlights the striations in the rock. On the cavern's eastern wall however, something went horribly wrong. The undulating niches are blasted into shambles around a central oval just behind a golden pedestal. There, the rock looks like it has melted, running down the side of the cavern in eddies of molten stone. You also see a golden pedestal with a nebulous sphere hovering above it. Also in the room: the body of Lady Risper who is lying down, Lady Rayyne, the body of Lord Berr who is lying down, the body of Lady Merry who is lying down, Lord Terate who is lying down Obvious exits: north.

A white light streaks down out of the sky and brings the light back to Risper's eyes. You hear a voice say, "Stand my Chosen!"

The surface of the sphere distends, as if something on the other side were straining to push through.

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry say, "they won't decay now"

Risper stands up.

You hear the voice of Nyte exclaim, "We stand!"

Terate points into the shadows. Nyte slumps to the ground!

Rayyne tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere swells with power, leaving the air crackling with static! As the sphere's flare subsides, you notice that it has grown in size immensely.

Risper smiles.

* Nyte just bit the dust!

* Nyte drops dead at your feet!

(Risper advances on Terate.)

You hear a sharp *CRACK!* from the sphere. Its surface bulges and shifts, as if straining under some incredible force that was pushing from the other side.

You exclaim, "Risper, act now!"

Rayyne pulls Terate to his feet.

Terate reaches out and touches Risper.

Black tendrils of anti-mana crawl all over Risper's body!

Risper looks drained!

Terate reaches out and touches Risper.

Black tendrils of anti-mana crawl all over Risper's body!

Risper looks drained!

Terate reaches out and touches Risper.

Black tendrils of anti-mana crawl all over Risper's body!

Risper looks drained!

Terate reaches out and touches Risper.

Black tendrils of anti-mana crawl all over Risper's body!

Risper looks drained!

Terate reaches out and touches Risper.

Black tendrils of anti-mana crawl all over Risper's body!

Risper looks drained!

Rayyne just tried to pull Terate towards her!

You hear the ghostly voice of Berr exclaim, "NO!"

You hear the ghostly voice of Nyte exclaim, "Nae!"

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry exclaim, "now Risper!"

Terate reaches out and touches Risper.

Black tendrils of anti-mana crawl all over Risper's body!

Risper looks drained!

You exclaim, "hurry!"

Terate reaches out and touches Risper.

Black tendrils of anti-mana crawl all over Risper's body!

Risper looks drained!

Terate reaches out and touches Risper.

Black tendrils of anti-mana crawl all over Risper's body!

Risper looks drained!

* Risper just bit the dust!

Terate reaches out and touches Risper.

Black tendrils of anti-mana crawl all over Risper's body!

Risper looks drained!

Risper has the last of her life force drained from her!

* Risper drops dead at your feet!

Risper seems slightly different.

Rayyne exclaims, "Stop!"

You hear a sharp *CRACK!* from the sphere. Its surface bulges and shifts, as if straining under some incredible force that was pushing from the other side.


Risper's body decays into compost.

* Risper's soul has been lost to the demonic.


You growl, the sound resonating through the area.

Rayyne just hugged Terate.

The spirit of Merry begins to wail eerily.

Rayyne exclaims, "Love!"

Terate laughs!

The spirit of Merry begins to wail eerily.

You growl, the sound resonating through the area.

You growl, the sound resonating through the area.

Rayyne exclaims, "Stop!"

The spirit of Merry begins to wail eerily.

You hear the spirit of someone weeping nearby.

Rayyne just kissed Terate.

Movement from within the sphere catches your eye. Inside of it, you see strange forms moving restlessly.

You hear the spirit of someone weeping nearby.

Terate shrieks!

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry exclaim, "lost to the demonic!"

The spirit of Merry begins to wail eerily.

Rayyne tries to manipulate the sphere.

Black tendrils of anti-mana stream from the sphere! They wrap themselves about your body, chilling you with their touch. As the black wisps begin to fade away, you notice that the sphere has grown in size considerably.

Terate reaches out and touches Rayyne.

Black tendrils of anti-mana crawl all over Rayyne's body!

Rayyne looks drained!

Rayyne tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere swells with power, leaving the air crackling with static! As the sphere's flare subsides, you notice that it has grown in size somewhat.

The nebulous sphere pulses convulsively. Glowing veins emerge, popping from its roiling surface and creasing it as it grows in size.

Rayyne tries to manipulate the sphere.

Black tendrils of anti-mana stream from the sphere! They wrap themselves about your body, chilling you with their touch. As the black wisps begin to fade away, you notice that the sphere has not changed in size.

You hear the ghostly voice of Nyte exclaim, "NAE!!!"

Rayyne tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere flares, sending brilliant blue sparks arcing across the room! As the sparks flicker out, you notice that the sphere has grown in size almost imperceptibly.

Krackenstar appears in a flash of light, looking slightly disoriented.

Rayyne tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere flares, sending brilliant blue sparks arcing across the room! As the sparks flicker out, you notice that the sphere has grown in size a little.

[Breach, Cavern of Ages] The chamber's walls are modulated with the same large recesses that pocket the walls of the chamber to the north. Inside each, the red stone is polished to an indulgent surface that highlights the striations in the rock. On the cavern's eastern wall however, something went horribly wrong. The undulating niches are blasted into shambles around a central oval just behind a golden pedestal. There, the rock looks like it has melted, running down the side of the cavern in eddies of molten stone. You also see a golden pedestal with a nebulous sphere hovering above it. Also in the room: Lord Krackenstar, Lady Rayyne, the body of Lord Berr who is lying down, the body of Lady Merry who is lying down, Lord Terate Obvious exits: north.

Jala appears in a flash of light, looking slightly disoriented.

Rayyne tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere swells with power, leaving the air crackling with static! As the sphere's flare subsides, you notice that it has grown in size slightly.

Rayyne tries to manipulate the sphere.

Black tendrils of anti-mana stream from the sphere! They wrap themselves about your body, chilling you with their touch. As the black wisps begin to fade away, you notice that the sphere has grown in size considerably.

Haunting moans reverberate throughout the chamber, beckoning you from the nebulous sphere.

Jala blinks.

Rayyne tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere swells with power, leaving the air crackling with static! As the sphere's flare subsides, you notice that it has grown in size almost imperceptibly.

Suddenly, a voice is more sensed than heard. The sound resonates through the cavern, its deep tones demanding, "KILL HER! KILL HER NOW!"

Jala snarls menacingly!

Rayyne tries to manipulate the sphere.

The nebulous sphere crackles with energy, tendrils of black anti-mana shooting out around it like a malevolent aurora.

Rayyne tries to manipulate the sphere.

Terate points at Jala.

Rayyne tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere swells with power, leaving the air crackling with static! As the sphere's flare subsides, you notice that it has grown in size.

You say, "you can't kill her, Terate"

* Jala just bit the dust!

* Jala drops dead at your feet!

You hear the voice of a woman urging you, "My Chosen, stop him!"

You hear the ghostly voice of Nyte exclaim, "Enough!!"

A loud howl pierces the air, reverberating through the cavern. Turning in the direction of the sound, you see a hideously deformed face within the sphere. Its lipless mouth is spread in a hideous grin, revealing a set of sharpened teeth. It regards you for a moment, then disappears.

Krackenstar falls to the ground!

Terate falls to the ground!

Rayyne falls to the ground!

The ground beneath you violently shakes and rumbles!

You say, "you'd be killing yer own heart"

You hear the ghostly voice of Jala exclaim, "You will never take my soul!"

Terate laughs!

Rayyne just kissed Terate.

You hear the ghostly voice of Nyte say, "Krack is has ta be ye"

Haunting moans reverberate throughout the chamber, beckoning you from the nebulous sphere.

Rayyne tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere swells with power, leaving the air crackling with static! As the sphere's flare subsides, you notice that it has grown in size somewhat.

Terate shudders, then slowly turns to face Rayyne. His eyes glow in his face like twin orbs of red fire. His mouth is contorted in a grimace of pain.

[Breach, Cavern of Ages] The chamber's walls are modulated with the same large recesses that pocket the walls of the chamber to the north. Inside each, the red stone is polished to an indulgent surface that highlights the striations in the rock. On the cavern's eastern wall however, something went horribly wrong. The undulating niches are blasted into shambles around a central oval just behind a golden pedestal. There, the rock looks like it has melted, running down the side of the cavern in eddies of molten stone. You also see a golden pedestal with a nebulous sphere hovering above it. Also in the room: the body of Lord Jala who is lying down, Lord Krackenstar who is lying down, Lady Rayyne who is lying down, the body of Lord Berr who is lying down, the body of Lady Merry who is lying down, Lord Terate who is lying down Obvious exits: north.

Krackenstar exclaims, "stop Terate !"

Terate laughs!

Rayyne exclaims, "Terate!"

Rayyne stands up.

You hear the ghostly voice of Nyte exclaim, "Nae rayyne, NAE!!!!"

A loud howl pierces the air, reverberating through the cavern. Turning in the direction of the sound, you see a hideously deformed face within the sphere. Its lipless mouth is spread in a hideous grin, revealing a set of sharpened teeth. It regards you for a moment, then disappears.

Krackenstar exclaims, "Be strong !"

Rayyne just hugged Terate.

Krackenstar stands up.

Rayyne asks, "What?"

You hear the ghostly voice of Nyte exclaim, "Stands!"

The elf known as Terate lifts his arm, its progress a slow-motion nightmare of evil intent. His eyes never leave Rayyne's face as he points his hand at her.

Rayyne asks, "What should I do?"

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry exclaim, "gods and goddesses help us now!"

Rayyne just kissed Terate.

Flashing bolts of energy mottle the sphere as it expands, sending a throbbing cacophony of sound through the cavern like horrible heartbeats.

Rayyne exclaims, "Terate!"

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry exclaim, "hug him Rayyne!"

You see a wave of energy emanate from Krackenstar toward Jala. It coalesces around his body and then seeps in, leaving a glow around the body.

Terate reaches out and touches Rayyne.

Black tendrils of anti-mana crawl all over Rayyne's body!

Rayyne looks drained!

You exclaim, "Terate, no!"

Terate reaches out and touches Rayyne.

Black tendrils of anti-mana crawl all over Rayyne's body!

Rayyne looks drained!

Rayyne just hugged Terate.

Terate reaches out and touches Rayyne.

Black tendrils of anti-mana crawl all over Rayyne's body!

Rayyne looks drained!

You hear the ghostly voice of Berr exclaim, "Elf!"

You hear the ghostly voice of Berr exclaim, "Dont!"

The nebulous sphere swells, steadily expanding under the force of whatever lies beyond it.

You hear the ghostly voice of Jala exclaim, "oh Ronan!"

Rayyne just kissed Terate.

You hear the ghostly voice of Nyte say, "Tell em of love rayyne"

Rayyne says, "Please."

Terate laughs!

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry exclaim, "elf!"

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry exclaim, "love!"

Rayyne shows Terate her rift-silver band.

You hear the ghostly voice of Berr exclaim, "Da gold box elf!"

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry exclaim, "friends!"

Rayyne exclaims, "For our love!"

Movement from within the sphere catches your eye. Inside of it, you see strange forms moving restlessly.

You hear the ghostly voice of Jala ask, "Terate, would you kill yer love?"

Terate exclaims, "You silly sorceress.. did you think we were so WEAK??!!"

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry exclaim, "Friends!"

Terate laughs!

Rayyne tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere flares, sending brilliant blue sparks arcing across the room! As the sparks flicker out, you notice that the sphere has not changed in size.

Haunting moans reverberate throughout the chamber, beckoning you from the nebulous sphere.

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry exclaim, "ELF!"

Terate growls ferociously!

Rayyne seems slightly different.

Rayyne tries to manipulate the sphere.

Black tendrils of anti-mana stream from the sphere! They wrap themselves about your body, chilling you with their touch. As the black wisps begin to fade away, you notice that the sphere has not changed in size.

Terate points at Krackenstar!

* Krackenstar just bit the dust!

* Krackenstar drops dead at your feet!

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry say, "but Terate, I love you too"

"...THE RIFT...OPEN IT NOW...BE DONE WITH THE HUMAN...JOIN US..."

Rayyne tries to manipulate the sphere.

Black tendrils of anti-mana stream from the sphere! They wrap themselves about your body, chilling you with their touch. As the black wisps begin to fade away, you notice that the sphere has grown in size considerably.

You hear a sharp *CRACK!* from the sphere. Its surface bulges and shifts, as if straining under some incredible force that was pushing from the other side.

Rayyne s body convulses as black anti-matter leaps from Terate's hand and crawls over her. She begins to scream in pain.

"...KILL THEM ALL..."

You exclaim, "Terate!"

The surface of the sphere distends, as if something on the other side were straining to push through.

You exclaim, "think!"

Rayyne tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere flares, sending brilliant blue sparks arcing across the room! As the sparks flicker out, you notice that the sphere has grown in size almost imperceptibly.

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry exclaim, "LOVE Terate! Love!"

You exclaim, "you have a mind, find it!"

Terate reaches out and touches Rayyne.

Black tendrils of anti-mana crawl all over Rayyne's body!

Rayyne looks drained!

You hear the ghostly voice of Nyte say, "Terate..."

Terate reaches out and touches Rayyne.

Black tendrils of anti-mana crawl all over Rayyne's body!

Rayyne looks drained!

Lord Rasulis just arrived.

Rayyne clasps Terate's hand tenderly.

Terate reaches out and touches Rayyne.

Black tendrils of anti-mana crawl all over Rayyne's body!

Rayyne looks drained!

The nebulous sphere swells, steadily expanding under the force of whatever lies beyond it.

Terate reaches out and touches Rayyne.

Black tendrils of anti-mana crawl all over Rayyne's body!

Rayyne looks drained!

You hear the ghostly voice of Krackenstar say, "Remember the stones Terate "

Terate reaches out and touches Rayyne.

Black tendrils of anti-mana crawl all over Rayyne's body!

Rayyne looks drained!

Rayyne pulls Terate to his feet.

You hear the ghostly voice of Jala exclaim, "Terate, no!"

You hear the ghostly voice of Berr exclaim, "Nooooo!"

Suddenly, Rayyne bursts into tears!

Rayyne just kissed Terate.

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry exclaim, "Rayyne loves you to the depths of her soul!"

Terate laughs!

You hear the ghostly voice of Nyte ask, "yer gonna kill yer love?"

You hear the ghostly voice of Krackenstar exclaim, "Remember the stones stories !"

The nebulous sphere pulses convulsively. Glowing veins emerge, popping from its roiling surface and creasing it as it grows in size.

Rayyne exclaims, "Terate, for our love, please!"

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry exclaim, "fight it Terate!"

Rayyne tries to manipulate the sphere.

Black tendrils of anti-mana stream from the sphere! They wrap themselves about your body, chilling you with their touch. As the black wisps begin to fade away, you notice that the sphere has not changed in size.

Lord Artuero just arrived.

The surface of the sphere distends, as if something on the other side were straining to push through.

Terate moans in anguish and drops his arm. The anti-matter blinks out of sight as Terate's cry echoes from the walls, a low harmony to Rayyne's screams of agony.

Rayyne tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere swells with power, leaving the air crackling with static! As the sphere's flare subsides, you notice that it has grown in size almost imperceptibly.

An unsettling groan comes from the spirit of Nyte.

You hear the ghostly voice of Jala say, " "

You hear the spirit of someone weeping nearby.

Rayyne tries to manipulate the sphere.

Black tendrils of anti-mana stream from the sphere! They wrap themselves about your body, chilling you with their touch. As the black wisps begin to fade away, you notice that the sphere has not changed in size.

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry exclaim, "fight it Terate!"

Flashing bolts of energy mottle the sphere as it expands, sending a throbbing cacophony of sound through the cavern like horrible heartbeats.

Rayyne just hugged Terate.

Rasulis says, "Do you remember how love feels like Terate? Do this and you will never feel it again."

Terate doubles over in pain, growling out garbled words that are incomprehensible. A hum of whispers emerges from the sphere and careens off the cave walls, circling like a whirlwind of chaos.

Rayyne asks, "Terate, do you hear me?"

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry say, "spin the sphere Artuero"

The nebulous sphere continues to pulsate, growing larger with every moment.

Terate shrieks!

Rayyne tries to manipulate the sphere.

Artuero tries to manipulate the sphere.

You exclaim, "fight it, Terate!"

You hear the ghostly voice of Nyte say, "We all wants ta love ya Terate"

Rasulis tries to manipulate the sphere.

Rayyne tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere swells with power, leaving the air crackling with static! As the sphere's flare subsides, you notice that it has grown quite a bit in size.

You exclaim, "you can do it for Rayyne!"

You hear the ghostly voice of Nyte say, "ye one of US"

You hear a sharp *CRACK!* from the sphere. Its surface bulges and shifts, as if straining under some incredible force that was pushing from the other side.

Rayyne just hugged Terate.

Terate grimaces and screams, "NOOOOOOO!"

Rasulis tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere swells with power, leaving the air crackling with static! As the sphere's flare subsides, you notice that it has grown in size immensely.

You exclaim, "yess!!!"

Artuero exclaims, "Yess!"

Terate's cry echoes against the stone of the cavern. His body goes rigidly still. Slowly he raises his arm again and points at Rayyne.

Black anti-matter jumps from his fingers and overwhelms Rayyne's body, sending the sorceress into violent convulsions.

The nebulous sphere continues to pulsate, growing larger with every moment.

Rasulis tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere swells with power, leaving the air crackling with static! As the sphere's flare subsides, you notice that it has grown in size.

You hear the ghostly voice of Krackenstar exclaim, "You tell him how you feel Rayyne !"

You hear the ghostly voice of Jala say, "You can do it, Terate! "

"...KILL THEM ALL...NOW...WE MUST CONSUME..."

You hear the ghostly voice of Nyte say, "Terate, aye, one of us...we who know love"

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry exclaim, "Terate, we all love you and Rayyne loves you deeply!"

Rayyne exclaims, "Terate!"

You hear the ghostly voice of Nyte exclaim, "Nae Terate!"

Rayyne says, "Don't listen to them."

Movement from within the sphere catches your eye. Inside of it, you see strange forms moving restlessly.

"...OPEN THE RIFT..."

Rayyne exclaims, "I love you, Terate!"

Terate groans.

Lord Thomasl just arrived.

Artuero says, "Okay."

Rayyne says, "Love me back."

Artuero asks, "I think it may be spin and then something else?"
You hear the ghostly voice of Merry exclaim, "we love you Terate!"

A loud howl pierces the air, reverberating through the cavern. Turning in the direction of the sound, you see a hideously deformed face within the sphere. Its lipless mouth is spread in a hideous grin, revealing a set of sharpened teeth. It regards you for a moment, then disappears.

Terate points at Artuero.

* Artuero just bit the dust!

* Artuero drops dead at your feet!

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry say, "LOVE"

You hear the ghostly voice of Nyte say, "the Lady love ye Terate"

Rayyne just tried to pull Terate towards her!

Terate glows with black power!

Rayyne tries to manipulate the sphere.

The sphere swells with power, leaving the air crackling with static! As the sphere's flare subsides, you notice that it has not changed in size.

Terate growls ferociously!

Terate lifts up his arms and unleashes waves of dark anti-mana!

The nebulous sphere continues to pulsate, growing larger with every moment.

You hear the ghostly voice of Nyte say, "the Lady will help ye"

Suddenly, Terate whirls, the anti-matter ricocheting around the cavern in a furious blast. He faces the pulsating orb, his body a thin silhouette against the malignant sphere.

Terate yells, "I DEFY thee! I WILL SEE YE IN HELL BEFORE I DO THIS!"

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry ask, "where is the elf Terate? the golden son?"

Movement from within the sphere catches your eye. Inside of it, you see strange forms moving restlessly.

You hear the ghostly voice of Berr exclaim, "Yes!"

Rayyne says, "Terate! "

You exclaim, "yes!"

You hear the ghostly voice of Nyte say, "Nae Terate, stay with us"

Thomasl stands up.

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry exclaim, "we love you Terate!"

Rayyne exclaims, "Yes!"

Rasulis exclaims, "Good Terate. You are nobody's puppet!"

You hear the ghostly voice of Jala exclaim, "Yes, Terate, fight it!"

Terate swiftly raises his arms, throwing black anti-mana streaming into the nebulous sphere!

The anti-mana strikes the sphere with a flash, sending a deafening blast of sound through the cavern! With a rending shriek of alien fury, the sphere suddenly billows, contorting as it seems to turn in upon itself. The hideous forms visible within it writhe in response to the distortions.

The surface of the sphere distends, as if something on the other side were straining to push through.

Rayyne exclaims, "Stay with me, Terate!"

You hear the ghostly voice of Artuero say, "Don't let it through."

Rayyne just hugged Terate.

You hear a chorus of a thousand voices screaming "NOOOOOOO!"

Rayyne exclaims, "I can't bear to lose you!"

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry exclaim, "LOVE!"

Rayyne just hugged Terate.

A loud howl pierces the air, reverberating through the cavern. Turning in the direction of the sound, you see a hideously deformed face within the sphere. Its lipless mouth is spread in a hideous grin, revealing a set of sharpened teeth. It regards you for a moment, then disappears.

You hear the ghostly voice of Artuero say, "Humility."

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry exclaim, "there is love all around you!"

You hear the ghostly voice of Krackenstar say, "kiss him , tel him you love him "

Rayyne says, "Look at us. We are you."

Terate raises his arms again, sending another arc of anti-mana towards the nebulous sphere!

Suddenly, the sphere pulses violently, reflecting the bolt of anti-mana from it like a flash of lightening! The energy strikes Terate full in his chest, throwing him against the wall of the cavern like a rag doll! He falls to the sand without a sound.

The anti-mana crackles and then disappears. Although the orb still pulses with an unearthly light, it has shrunk considerably in size. The dreadful forms are no longer visible within its iridescent circumference.

Rayyne just kissed Terate.

Thomasl exclaims, "you sealed it!"

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry exclaim, "yes Terate!"

Rayyne just kissed Terate.

Rasulis grins.

[Breach, Cavern of Ages] The chamber's walls are modulated with the same large recesses that pocket the walls of the chamber to the north. Inside each, the red stone is polished to an indulgent surface that highlights the striations in the rock. On the cavern's eastern wall however, something went horribly wrong. The undulating niches are blasted into shambles around a central oval just behind a golden pedestal. There, the rock looks like it has melted, running down the side of the cavern in eddies of molten stone. You also see a golden pedestal with a nebulous sphere hovering above it. Also in the room: Lord Thomasl, the body of Lord Artuero who is lying down, Lord Rasulis, the body of Lord Jala who is lying down, the body of Lord Krackenstar who is lying down, Lady Rayyne, the body of Lord Berr who is lying down, the body of Lady Merry who is lying down, Lord Terate who is lying down Obvious exits: north.

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry exclaim, "You did it you wonderful person!"

Rayyne leans on Terate.

You hear the ghostly voice of Berr say, "Damn"

You hear the ghostly voice of Nyte say, "Thank ye Terate"

You say, "damn, I knew he'd come through in the end"

Rayyne just hugged Terate.

Thomasl says, "well done Terate"

Rasulis says, "I would kiss you also Terate, but Rayyne would kill me"

You hear the ghostly voice of Berr say, "He aint gonna make it"

Rayyne laughs!

You hear the ghostly voice of Berr say, "Lookit him"

Rayyne nods to Rasulis.

You say, "yer alright in my book, elf"

You hear the ghostly voice of Artuero say, "Someone heal him."

Rayyne tries to pull Terate to his feet, but he is too heavy.

You hear the ghostly voice of Artuero say, "He is very bad."

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry exclaim, "oh no!"

You hear the ghostly voice of Artuero say, "He is near death. All blood and guts."

l at terate

Terate coughs.

You see Lord Terate Niebelun the Fallen One. Terate lies in a pool of dark blood, his body broken and a grievous wound cleaving through his side. His features are pale from his injuries, and the elf's luminous eyes glow with a fierce light, as if defying death to approach any closer. His long silver hair is stained crimson red where it falls across his back and chest.

The spirit of Merry sighs softly, raising the hairs on the back of your neck.

Terate groans.

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry exclaim, "oh Terate!"

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry exclaim, "no!"

Rasulis says, "I can not help him"

Terate coughs, "Rayyne.."

You hear the ghostly voice of Nyte say, "We stand by ya Terate"

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry say, "the goddess said one and Risper was lost"

Rasulis begins a careful examination of Terate -- he takes his pulse, checks his temperature, and checks for broken bones or any other ailments.

Terate coughs.

Rayyne says, "Terate"

Rayyne kneels down.

You hear the ghostly voice of Jala say, "Terate, your sacrifice will never be forgotten, I'll be sure of that."

Terate crawls toward Rayyne.

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry say, "oh Terate"

Rayyne just kissed Terate.

You say, "Terate, you can pull through this"

Terate removes a void blade from inside his scaled scabbard.

Terate says, "Rayyne..."

Terate sighs.

Rayyne exclaims, "Oh, Terate!"

Rayyne says, "You are bleeding awfully."

You say, "sheese, don't die, Terate."

Terate says, "Rayyne.. we.."

Terate coughs.

Rayyne exclaims, "Terate!"

Rasulis turns his head away)

Rayyne says, "Hold on."

Terate falls back exhausted in Rayyne's arms.

Terate coughs.

Suddenly, Rayyne bursts into tears!

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry exclaim, "hold on Terate!"

Terate says, "Rayyne.."

Thomasl points at some acantha leaf.

Terate sighs.

The spirit of Jala sighs softly, raising the hairs on the back of your neck.

(Rayyne holds Terate close to her heart.)

You hear the ghostly voice of Artuero say, "Kiss him Rayyne."

Terate says, "Take.. this.."

Rayyne just kissed Terate.

With great effort the spirit of Merry gives a keening cry, spectral tears falling to the ground.

Terate offers Rayyne a void blade.

Rayyne says, "don't leave me."

Terate says, "Take it.."

Rayyne accepts Terate's void blade.

Suddenly, Rayyne bursts into tears!

Thomasl gazes heavenward.

Rayyne says, "Don't leave me."

With great effort the spirit of Merry gives a keening cry, spectral tears falling to the ground.

Rayyne exclaims, "Please!"

Rayyne just kissed Terate.

Terate says, "Rayyne.. we wanted.. you as our princess."

You hear the ghostly voice of Berr say, "Safe travels Sorc"

You hear the ghostly voice of Krackenstar say, "strike the void Rayyne ? "

You say, "Terate, we can help you, hold on."

Rayyne says, "Hold on just a while."

Rasulis says, "Merry, I can not rezz you like that"

You hear the ghostly voice of Berr say, "Until we meet again"

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry say, "Rayyne will always be a princess"

Terate says, "Rayyne.. you were the rock that held us."

Terate says, "us.. me."

Rayyne rubs Terate gently.

Terate laughs softly, then coughs.

Rayyne says, "Terate, you are my love."

With great effort the spirit of Merry gives a keening cry, spectral tears falling to the ground.

Rayyne rubs Terate gently.

Terate coughs.

Terate shudders.

Rayyne says, "I can't stand to lose you."

Terate glows with black power!

You say, "damn"

Rayyne says, "Please."

Rayyne rubs Terate gently.

The nebulous sphere pulses with a violet light.

Jala's spirit lets out a hollow moan.

The spirit of Nyte sighs softly, raising the hairs on the back of your neck.

Rasulis bows.

(Rayyne holds Terate close to her heart.)

Merry's spirit lets out a hollow moan.

You hear the ghostly voice of Krackenstar say, "use the blade on the void ? "

Terate says, "Rayyne.. dear one. You were loyalty and love. I.. claim you as my princess."

Rayyne sobs.

Terate says, "Kiss me love."

Rayyne asks, "What void?"

Terate glows with black power!

Thomasl rubs Rayyne gently.

Rayyne just kissed Terate.

You hear the ghostly voice of Krackenstar say, "meant the sphere "

Terate coughs.

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry say, "this is so heartbreaking"

Rayyne sighs.

Rayyne stands up.

Terate sighs.

You say, "I can't stand it"

* Rayyne just bit the dust!

Suddenly, a bolt of radiant energy streams from the sphere! It strikes Rayyne square in the chest, sending her sprawling to the floor...

* Rayyne drops dead at your feet!

With great effort you give a keening cry, your spectral tears falling to the ground.

Thomasl's jaw drops.

You hear the ghostly voice of Jala say, "oh my"

Terate's last breath escapes his lips as a peaceful smile crosses over his face.


* The distant cry of Terate's death echoes in your mind, slowly receding to a quiet whisper carried off on a cool breeze.

Thomasl gazes heavenward.

You howl in frustration at your nonliving state!

You howl in frustration at your nonliving state!

You hear the ghostly voice of Artuero say, "He has peace."

With great effort the spirit of Rayyne gives a keening cry, spectral tears falling to the ground.

The spirit of Krackenstar begins to wail eerily.

Terate glows with black power!

You hear the ghostly voice of Rayyne say, "Aye."

You hear the ghostly voice of Nyte say, "Aye"

You hear the ghostly voice of Artuero say, "Perhaps he did not know that in life."

Terate glows with black power!

The spirit of Jala sighs softly, raising the hairs on the back of your neck.

Terate glows with black power!

Rasulis just hugged Rayyne.

Terate glows with black power!

[Breach, Cavern of Ages] The chamber's walls are modulated with the same large recesses that pocket the walls of the chamber to the north. Inside each, the red stone is polished to an indulgent surface that highlights the striations in the rock. On the cavern's eastern wall however, something went horribly wrong. The undulating niches are blasted into shambles around a central oval just behind a golden pedestal. There, the rock looks like it has melted, running down the side of the cavern in eddies of molten stone. You also see a golden pedestal with a nebulous sphere hovering above it. Also in the room: Lord Thomasl who is kneeling, the body of Lord Artuero who is lying down, Lord Rasulis who is kneeling, the body of Lord Jala who is lying down, the body of Lord Krackenstar who is lying down, the body of Lady Rayyne who is lying down, the body of Lord Berr who is lying down, the body of Lady Merry who is lying down, the body of Lord Terate who is lying down Obvious exits: north.

Terate glows with black power!

Terate glows with black power!

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry exclaim, "oh Terate!"

Terate's body suddenly seems to shimmer. Then, with a faint whisper of a sigh, it falls away to ashes, leaving nothing but an outline in the sand.

You hear the ghostly voice of Rayyne ask, "Terate?"

You hear the ghostly voice of Artuero say, "He is an elf like me again."

With great effort the spirit of Jala gives a keening cry, spectral tears falling to the ground.

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry say, "it wasn't you, it was the vrreal"

You hear the ghostly voice of Rayyne say, "My gods."

You say, "damn, damn, damn"

With great effort the spirit of Merry gives a keening cry, spectral tears falling to the ground.

With great effort the spirit of Rayyne gives a keening cry, spectral tears falling to the ground.

You hear the ghostly voice of Jala say, "He is gone."


continued with a visit from the lass.

Tedra

Part IV...A Visit From The Lass



Apr 27, 1998 at 21:34

Afterwards, the Lady came....

Thomasl says, "Rasulis we got a mess here"

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry say, "forever"

You hear the ghostly voice of Rayyne say, "He is gone."

You say, "he saved us all"

Thomasl rubs Rayyne gently.

You hear the ghostly voice of Artuero say, "Rayyne, I am sorry for you loss. But for him, I think it was good."

Rasulis says, "I think I can WoR all of us back"

Thomasl asks, "I wonder if foggin out is an option?"

You hear the ghostly voice of Artuero say, "He was no longer fallen."

You hear the ghostly voice of Krackenstar say, "no Rasulis "

Thomasl asks, "no Krackenstar?"

You hear the ghostly voice of Krackenstar say, "we need to make sure its over"

Rasulis says, "I see"

You say, "the sphere is still here"

You hear the ghostly voice of Artuero say, "You are right Krackenstar."

Thomasl says, "les get some clerics here"

You hear the ghostly voice of Nyte say, "Aye it is"

You say, " "

You hear the ghostly voice of Artuero say, "Pray, then clerics."

You say, "I'm so sorry, sweetie"

You hear the ghostly voice of Berr say, "Dont seem much like a victory ta me none"

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry say, "there are a bunch trying to get in here"

Thomasl says, "aye Merry"

Lady Jecquelynn just arrived.

Lord Jamousii just arrived.

You hear the ghostly voice of Artuero say, "See if you can call upon Eissa to raise one of you."

Thomasl says, "me and Rasulis jus got lucky"

Thomasl beams!

You hear the ghostly voice of Nyte say, "Agreed, Berr"

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry ask, "see?"

You hear the ghostly voice of Rayyne say, "I don't feel like leaving."

Thomasl says, "Cleric"

You hear the ghostly voice of Merry say, "there they are"

You hear the ghostly voice of Jala say, "ahh, another cleric."

The nebulous sphere pulses with a red light.

You hear the ghostly voice of Artuero say, "Well, I was the last person Terate killed. Not sure why he did that."

Jala says, "I appear to be alive"

Jala says, "thank you, Terate."

You hear the ghostly voice of Artuero ask, "Did you pray for life, Jala?"

Rasulis says, "We were trying to destroy the sphere"

Jala says, "No, I was just ... .. risen"

You hear the ghostly voice of Artuero say, "But I think it is even. He raised me once and killed me once."

Thomasl says, "I think You can destroy it with Rayyne's blade"

You hear the ghostly voice of Artuero say, "She has to live for that to happen."

Rasulis says, "The sphere is dead now Krack"

You hear the ghostly voice of Rayyne say, "I tried to attack it."

You hear the ghostly voice of Rayyne say, "That is how I died."

Thomasl says, "well done chosen, ye have saved us from the vvrael and swayed Terate to do the right thing"

You say, "Risper......"

You hear the ghostly voice of Rayyne say, "I feel so...flat..right now."

You say, "Gods"

You hear the ghostly voice of Nyte say, "me toos"

Artuero asks, "Rayyne, did you see him before he departed?"

Artuero says, "He was an elf again, and peaceful."

You hear the ghostly voice of Rayyne say, "I did not."

You hear the ghostly voice of Rayyne say, "I was so worried about what I might be missing."

You hear the ghostly voice of Rayyne say, "That I did not."

[Breach, Cavern of Ages] The chamber's walls are modulated with the same large recesses that pocket the walls of the chamber to the north. Inside each, the red stone is polished to an indulgent surface that highlights the striations in the rock. On the cavern's eastern wall however, something went horribly wrong. The undulating niches are blasted into shambles around a central oval just behind a golden pedestal. There, the rock looks like it has melted, running down the side of the cavern in eddies of molten stone. You also see a golden pedestal with a nebulous sphere hovering above it. Also in the room: Lord Tzarrakyn, Lord Tens, Lord Nighthawk, Lord Decaine, Lord Jamousii, Lady Jecquelynn, Lord Thomasl, Lord Artuero, Lord Rasulis, Lord Jala, Lord Krackenstar, the body of Lady Rayyne who is lying down, the body of Lord Berr who is lying down, Lady Merry who is lying down Obvious exits: north.

A young lass just arrived.

You hear the ghostly voice of Nyte say, "Lass"

Artuero says, "Terate Niebelun, an elf of purest Elven blood."

Jala exclaims, "ahh, the lass!"

Heathyr appears in a flash of light, looking slightly disoriented.

Krackenstar exclaims, "Hello Lass !"

You hear the ghostly voice of Rayyne say, "Hello, Lass."

You say, "Lady"

Merry says, "Hail, Lass"

Heathyr kneels down.

Krackenstar bows to the young lass.

You bow to the young lass.

Heathyr bows to the young lass.

Rasulis bows to the young lass.

Nighthawk nods to the young lass.

Artuero smiles at the young lass.

Jala says, "I'd pray to you lass, but I'm busy tending a wound. My apologies."

A young lass touches Rayyne.

Merry asks, "but where is Beldin?"

Decaine turns towards the young lass and renders a sharp salute with his vultite falchion.

Artuero says, "Just what I need."

Heathyr says, "My Goddess....."

Jamousii pulls Rayyne to her feet.

Rayyne exclaims, "Thank you!"

Heathyr says, "...is it...is it truly....."

Rayyne smiles.

Lady Silkie just arrived.

Artuero smiles at Rayyne.

Jamousii asks, "the warrior as Well Lass?"

Merry asks, "Lass, could you get Beldin?"

A young lass touches Berr.

Jamousii pulls Berr to his feet.

Rayyne says, "I haven't cried this hard in a long time."

Krackenstar exclaims, "tell us its over lass !"

Berr says, "uhh"

Jamousii bows to the young lass.

Lord Rayzor just arrived.

Nyte rubs Rayyne gently.

Nyte just hugged Rayyne.

Artuero says, "Rayyne, maybe if you attack the pedastal with the sword."

You nod to Rayyne.

You say, "me either"

You sigh.

Artuero says, "Maybe not."

Jala asks, "is it over, my Lady?"

Rayyne says, "I think I'll leave it alone."

(Heathyr stares ahead blankly, beckoning with her eyes to the Goddess....)

Nyte asks, "how are ye feelin, Lass?"

(Rayyne hugs the lass.)

A young lass smiles.

Artuero says, "I still wonder why Terate killed me."

Nyte says, "please, sit..ease our minds"

A young lass says, "My children...this morning has brought the dawn of a new day, a day that we can live without the fear of the Vvrael"

Jala beams!

Nyte applauds.

Thomasl beams!

Beldin appears in a flash of light, looking slightly disoriented.

You say, "Gods, finally"

A young lass smiles.

A young lass glances at the sphere.

Beldin bows to the young lass.

A young lass says, "But..."

Nyte asks, "It be safe nows?"

Lord Ohr just arrived.

Artuero says, "Thank you for the news lass."

Jala glances at a young lass.

Jecquelynn frowns.

Jecquelynn asks, "but?"

Merry asks, "is the sphere safe?"

A young lass says, "The Vvrael still exist..."

Artuero says, "Why is there always a but."

Rayyne shudders.

Rayyne exclaims, "I'm not touching that sphere ever again!"

A young lass says, "This sphere..."

A young lass says, "Leads to worlds unknown."

Artuero says, "how about we listen to the lass."

Jecquelynn asks, "are they safe worlds?"

A young lass says, "Only the bravest and strongest should even dare attempt to enter the Eye of the Drake"

A young lass says, "Many have crossed the circles only to go mad"

Merry asks, "Like Terate?"

A young lass smiles at Merry.

(Heathyr trembles visibly, leaning forward apprehensively. )

Berr asks, "What of Risper?"

Heathyr asks, "...does...does my soul lie beyond the Eye?"

Merry says, "Risper was lost"

You say, "Risper was one of us"

Jala says, "she was ... a chosen that didn't make it."

You sigh.

Jala sighs.

Merry sniffs.

Jecquelynn asks, "Mlady..Risper..can ye retrieve her soul?"

A young lass says, "Risper was a brave soul who sacrificed herself so that the world would live on"

Jecquelynn says, "and Belle the halfling too..she has been lost."

Merry says, "it's been a terrible loss"

Merry says, "Terate bled to death in Rayyne's arms"

Jamousii says, "Tis the Ultimate sacrifice. Ones self for ones people and friends."

Rayyne says, "I don't think I can take all this."

You hug Rayyne.

Jala says, "Yes, you can. Your friends will be there with you."

Suddenly, Rayyne bursts into tears!

Truekillr says, "My Lady."

You say, "be strong, kiddo. He saved us for you"

You say, "that's no greater sacrifice, to prove his love"

Rayyne nods.

A young lass says, "Risper and Terate's sacrifice should never be forgotten"

Merry exclaims, "never!"

You nod to the young lass.

Truekillr nods to the young lass.

Truekillr says, "It never will."

Jala says, "by Ronan, it won't"

You say, "nay, they won't ever be forgotten"

Jecquelynn says, "we will never forget them."

Decaine exclaims, "Don't go through the sphere!!"

Decaine says, "i repeat do NOT go thru the sphere."

Ohr says, "maybe we can carve a tome for them in here or at the door of the shrine for all who to enter later to remember"

Heathyr says, "Aye. Their sacrifices shall live on forever in time, through our people, and our children."

Decaine says, "I got stuck in another dimension or something.."

You say, "aye, that would be fittin', Ohr."

Dartaghan says, "That was truely a noble sacerfice."

Truekillr asks, "Do you not hold their souls?"

A young lass smiles at Truekillr.

(Heathyr glances nervously at the lass at the mention of souls....wondering....)

(Rayyne cries softly at the loss of Terate.)

Merry says, "it had to be, Rayyne."

Rayyne says, "I still can't believe it."

Merry says, "he's at peace now."

(Rayyne wipes at her tears.)

[Breach, Cavern of Ages] The chamber's walls are modulated with the same large recesses that pocket the walls of the chamber to the north. Inside each, the red stone is polished to an indulgent surface that highlights the striations in the rock. On the cavern's eastern wall however, something went horribly wrong. The undulating niches are blasted into shambles around a central oval just behind a golden pedestal. There, the rock looks like it has melted, running down the side of the cavern in eddies of molten stone. You also see the Blades disk, a steel rod, a young lass and a golden pedestal with a nebulous sphere hovering above it. Also in the room: Lady Leanness, Lord Ragni, Lord Decaine, Lord Psionix, Lord Mnar who is kneeling, Lord Tsoran, Lord Cemb, Lord Galaed, Lady Kythyn, Lady Jylli, Lord Omnirus, Lord Enterobios, Lord Truekillr who is kneeling, Lord Harmonius, Lady Amerlise, Lord Kinshack, Lord Dartaghan, Lord Challen, Lady Titaniia who is kneeling, Lord Blades, Lord Ohr, Lord Kerl, Lord Beldin who is seated, Lord Rayzor, Lady Silkie, Lady Heathyr who is kneeling, Lord Tzarrakyn, Lord Tens, Lord Nighthawk, Lord Jamousii who is kneeling, Lady Jecquelynn, Lord Thomasl, Lord Artuero, Lord Rasulis, Lord Jala who is kneeling, Lord Krackenstar who is seated, Lady Rayyne, Lord Berr, Lady Merry, Lady Nyte Obvious exits: north.

Merry says, "it was so painful to watch him"

Suddenly, a bolt of radiant energy streams from the sphere! It strikes Cemb square in the chest, sending him sprawling to the floor...

* Cemb drops dead at your feet!

A young lass puts a clear vaalin orb pendant in its black satchel.

Artuero asks, "Cemb, did you attack the sphere?"

You hear the ghostly voice of Cemb say, "No"

You hear the ghostly voice of Cemb say, "Tried to lick it"

You say, "don't kiss it either"

Cemb gives a ghostly chuckle.

Rayyne says, "It is not stable."

Rayyne exclaims, "oh, Cemb!"

Merry says, "leave the sphere alone"

Decaine says, "Another dimension"

Decaine says, "My spirit got drained with every step."

A young lass says, "I will leave you now to explore this most magnificent Shrine. "

A young lass touches a large set of golden keys.

A young lass says, "Be careful through the sphere..."

A young lass curtsies.

A young lass just went north.


Thus it ends. Well done all. .

Tedra