Everquest Essay Samples

Everquest

...htened enough to fashion their own implements. Fearsome as a Minotaur's face may be to look upon, their bovine heads can be deadly to the unwary. Minotaurs' thick skulls and powerful strength let them smash their foes with the force of a battering ram, and many a foe has died skewered on a Bull Man's wicked blade. Their Ways To understand the savage culture of the Minotaurs, one must first discern the secrets of their origins. The first Minotaurs were created by wizards ofthe cruelest of all the Elves who took some of their Human thralls, infused them with the blood and strength of Giants, and then twisted their bodies into bestial mockeries of Men. The unspeakable magics that wrought this dark transformation have, thankfully, been lost in the tide of history. Minotaurs were originally bred for use as laborers and shock troops, and they excelled in both counts. Powerful spells backed up by the threat of torturous punishments kept the Beast Men in line, but eventually the Minotaurs broke free from Elvish control, and have been a scourge to all civilized peoples ever since. In the beginning, hatred was the driving force behind the rise of Minotaur culture: hatred of the Elves who had created them, hatred of the Men that they could never be again, and hatred of any other race who sought to tell them what to do. While there are still savage bands of Minotaurs who still roam the North, spreading violence and terror in their wake, over time some of the Beast Men mellowed a bit, and began to build societies of their own in crude imitation of the other peoples of the world. These "civilized" Minotaurs are known as "lesser" Minotaurs, for they tend to be of smaller stature than their savage cousins. Be advised, however, that few who call them Lesser Minotaurs to their face survive the mistake! Minotaurs live in great tribes, composed of several clans. The warriors of the tribe, as well as the heads of every clan, swear oaths of loyalty to the Chief, who rules the tribe by virtue of his strength and prowess in battle. All who serve the chief do so voluntarily - Minotaurs hate nothing more than the idea of slavery or servitude, and every Minotaur would sooner die than claim to be any creature's servant. Every Minotaur is free to leave their tribe at any time they wish, and they make it very clear that they do not serve their leaders, but rather merely follow them. Minotaur Chiefs, lacking any institutionalized authority, must walk a fine line, vigorously defending their position through force. Bloody duels over tribal policy are a daily occurrence, and the moment a Chief shows weakness, one or more of his followers invariably engage him in a duel to the death. Where once death settled all arguments, in the days since the Turning the Minotaurs have become even more cruel. When a Warrior challenges the Chief, the loser of the duel is tortured and abjectly humiliated, so that when he is finally allowed to die (after a period of days), nobody would even think of following the humbled loser again. Losers of Tribal duels often leave the tribe to follow a different Chief, and a few even journey to the baffling lands of the "Ten Toes" (the Minotaur term for the other races of the World) to find their fortunes there. While more and more Minotaurs seems to be setting aside their hatred of the Ten Toes and living their lives among them, most folk still only know of the Beast Men through their savage raids. Like Orcs, most Minotaurs produce nothing, and survive by stealing from anyone weaker than themselves. As brutal as the Centaurs are honorable, Minotaurs stoop to any trick or ruse that will bring them victory, and legends whisper of the atrocities committed by the Bull Men on battle fields both old and new. The Beast Men have little time for tactics or stratagems, relying instead on brute force and their toughness to carry the day. One universally reviled Minotaur custom is their ancient practice of trophy taking - Minotaurs will butcher the bodies of their fallen foes, bearing away heads (usually with the jawbone torn away), ears, hands, feet, and even grislier trophies to adorn the walls of their strongholds. Every Chief's hall is decorated with his tribe's trophies, and Minotaurs are always eager to expand their collections. Of the Ancient Tier'Dal Ruins of Caerthiel What remains of the Teir'Dal empire of Caerthiel can be found throughout all Tunaria and upon Faydwer, from the time of the Age of Monuments. The white spires as told of us through the history of the Ebon Masks were built by the High Elves, while the dark green colored towers were built by the Teir'Dal, and the bone towers were of the necromancers holds. The last remaining structure of the Caerthielian Empire is the foreboding Castle Mistmoore off of the Lesser Faydarks. Some ruins of old can yet be found still in West Karanas, Rathe Mountains, and the Butcherblock Mountains. The Inheritance of Magery The Teir'Dal people were the first to inherit Magery from the Shissar. The outpost of Najena was once a Shissar hold, as the Lost Temple of Cazic Thule was an ancient Shissar temple before their cursing at the first war of the gods; after their pact with Rallos Zek. This is also why various mage focus items are found in both places as well. The witch Najena that currently resides in the ancient Shissar hold now occupied by the Teir'Dal seems to be loyal to the movements of King Naythox Thex of Neriak. Keeping her distance from the city also makes her an available tool to which the King may work in secret. Influence of the Scale It was the Ring of Scale whom made themselves involved with the Teir'Dal race. First they meddled into the affairs of the Iksar and now again with the Teir'Dal and their Empire of Caerthiel. The influence of dragonkind upon the world of Norrath always leaves its mark culturally speaking (all things of the origins of dragons or of an oriental style such as the martial arts (trained by monks), various weaponry, and even buildings). This is also why Frogloks (originally from Kunark) have Yakesha weapons and such. This is also why you will find strange weapons such as Naginata's, Katana's, and Wakizashi's. It is the Avenging Caitiff inside Castle Mistmoore that grants the quest for the "Electrum Bladed Wakizashi" for turning in both the fangs of the maid and the butler. An agent of the Ring of Scale sent to do battle with the agents of their nemesis. Also the dragons of Vellious seek to have the soul of a dragon lain to rest murdered by the giants of Kael Drakkal. It is said that the vengeful spirit of this dragon, Garzicor is asked to be honed into the form of a Naginata. The earliest influences of dragons upon Teir'Dal go all the way back to when the Teir'Dal left the Plane of Underfoot for the surface of Odus (where the entry lies). This is why all the various oriental weapons are found there. The presence of Bloodstone is also largely felt in Kunark. The Bloodstone Throne of Caerthiel was not too unlike the same Bloodstone Throne's found from the Combine Empire and the Iksar Empire. Both of the later of which had the influence of dragons as well. What did the Teir'Dal have to do with Vellious? The sirens of sirens grotto seem to look so much like the Teir'Dal and are even named asimiliar. A Neriab maiden, sounds much like Neriak. Why is that? Why is it also that Teir'Dal can approach the Shetari of the Dragon Necropolis? Both the Paebala and Shetari fight amidst one another, within this dragon graveyard. Neriak Today Today at current state, the city remains much as it was long ago. Save the influences of the rambunxious Lanys T’Vyl and her cohorts. As the line of Thex was no more and the Regent was gone, two nobles rose up from power by name of Cristianos and Naythox who declated themselves of the royal bloodline, although were clearly not. From this they gathered their followers and each vied for power in an internal struggle within the city. The Church of the Firstborn, the guild which consisted of casters of the arts, and warriors all allied themselves to the self imposed King of Thex (Faction Hits). The self imposed Queen of Thex, allied herself to the Shadowknights and Necromancers of the Lodge of the dead, and is reportedly seeking the ancient relics of the Thex bloodline going all the way back to Tunaria and the ruins of Takish Hiz. The guild of Enchanters chose another route, lead by the second house of Neriak; House X‘lottl. They serve Mayong Mistmoore. Loyal to the true bloodline and ruling house of Caerthiel and the Church of the Firstborn. The Ebon Masks and the line of Vargas take no side in affairs as they are known to the truth and will only side with the true king or queen. They are also the only rogues guild in all of Norrath to which Carson McCabe holds no influence over. In fact, the Ebon Masks despise McCabe and his agents. But for what reasons? Of Blackburrow "Nestled between Qeynos Hills and the peaks of Everfrost to the north, Blackburrow is the present day home of the Sabertooth Gnoll Pack. In the past, over 500 years ago, the original excavation of the deepest level was done by a group of dwarves long since forgotten to time. Evidence of their superior stonework can still be found in sections of the complex, although their purpose within this region of Norrath remains as mysterious as their fate. "The Sabertooth Pack originated in the Jaggedpine Forest [vic. Surefall Glade], but migrated to the hills that laid just beyond the evergreen woodland's borders. There they found the abandoned Blackburrow complex at a time when the then-nomadic people of Jaggedpine were inexorably driving them out of the forest. The Sabertooths retreated to the complex and made it their stronghold as the conflict with the human settlers began to reach dangerous levels. "One generation later [after the creation of Qeynos] Antonius Bayle II, the Great Defender, appointed Gynok [sic] Captain of the Tower Guard. Captain Gynok Moltar would order small units of his guards to slay gnolls in Qeynos Hills, unbeknownst to his superior and commander. It was well known that Gynok despised the gnolls, who had slain his parents years before. Gynok would later cut off High Shaman Opalla's hand during the elder gnoll's attempt to make a treaty of peace with the humans. This horrible act led to the eternal war between the citizens of Qeynos and the Sabertooths." Of the Eldarr Forest "Legends speak that what is now the northern Desert of Ro was once the northern reaches of the ancient Elddar forest--the former home of the elves who had once resided upon Antonica, then called Tunaria. This forest was said to have been the most beautiful woodland Norrath had ever seen. Spanning the whole of what is now the deserts of Ro and the Oasis of Marr, this forest is said to have been burned to the ground by the fiery wrath of Solusek Ro." Evidently, the elves have moved to Tethelin and Fayspires, which is why they are still building the Fayspire Gate. Several elvish quests involve Elddar seeds, indicating that they are moving the forest with them as they go. "Some, namely the Tier'Dal [dark elves], claim it to be the remnants of Takish Hiz, the great Koada'Dal [high elf] city that resided within the Elddar Forest. When the great fire mercilessly tore through the once grand expanse of life and evergreen flora, rendering it into a wasteland now known as the Desert of Ro, the city was destroyed--its ruins buried in the depths of coastal sand, or destroyed by the harsh climate of the unforgiving desert's scorn. "Others have explained the ruins to be a forgotten citadel of the Knight of Marr, established when the threat of the cutthroats and corruption of Freeport had begun to surface from the shadows. Despite its debated past, the fate that befell this once-beautiful compound of azure marble houses only the voiceless undead." Takish'Hiz is the remnants of the elven city and the location of Befallen. Temple of Light would makes sense outside of Freeport, near the Kithicor Woods has a name in keeping with the Knight of Marr philosophy. Befallen is in Temple of Light, and another dungeon or ruin is in Takish'Hiz, awaiting our discovery. Of the Swamps Within the dark desolate swamps around Cazic-Thule and Kerplunk Outpost reside creatures known as Lizardmen. The wet marshy jungle is festered with the Tae Ew tribe Freerott, land of the ogres. "This dark and dangerous jungle is home to many wild and deadly creatures, including the Alliz Tae Ew and Alliz Evol Ew tribes of lizardmen. It is said that a portal to the Plane of Fear is located somewhere in the Feerott and that fearsome minions loyal to Cazic-Thule himself prowl the murky terrain. "Within the depths of this harsh, swamp-like jungle, it is rumored there resides the ruins of an ancient temple erected in reverence and homage to The Faceless, Cazic-thule. this lost temple has become a subject of legend and fascination for both scholars and crusaders of the Lord of Fear.... "In addition to the mysteries that lurk within this dark, humid, and inhospitable region, there is a well-known and much feared presence--the ogres of Oggok. The gates to their oversized, simple stone city lie in the furthest reaches of the northeastern border, and its dim-witted and hot-tempered behemoth citizens frequent the nearby swamps. "...Many other adventurers are not uncommon to this region, however. The Teir'Dal elves have made an alliance with the ogres; many of their society can be seen carrying messages and performing other duties related to upholding the alliance. The trolls of neighboring Innothule to the southeast commonly wander this land as well." Of Guk "The city of the frogloks [Guk]...was once the home of the trolls, who now live in their village of Grobb upon the swamps of Innothule. When the frogloks first arrived upon the shorse of Innothule, they were exposed to the cannibalistic race of trolls and were horrified. The froglok nomads immediately began an assault on the trollish citadel beneath the swamps, hoping to rid the world of what they viewed as evil abominations. The trolls fought viciously but were ultimately unable to withstand the froglok armies who pushed them out of their city and took it over. "Ortraged and fueled by a spiteful, malignant hatred, a powerful troll shaman entered his former city and began a massacre of froglok citizens with his own bare hands. As the soldiers and guardsmen began to arrive upon the scene, the troll shaman, drenched in froglok flesh and blood, conjured the very power of Innoruuk. This destructive blast killed the shaman as well as many hundreds of froglok witnesses. A curse was left in the wake of the blast that condemned the souls of the froglok victims to Innoruuk's Cauldron--their physical forms condemned to forever walk as the undead. The surviving frogloks persevered in building the stronghold of Upper Guk, where they continue to struggle with the trolls of Grobb to this very day." The upper level of Guk is supposedly the froglok city, while the lower two levels are filled with undead created by the spirit of the troll shaman. Of the Plains of Karana "The western region of the Karana plains is the closest to Qeynos, residing just beyond the gently rolling hills outside the city gates. The road that connects the eastern city of Freeport to the western port-side city of Qeynos winds through this wide, flat expanse of land and reaches out to the northern plains where it is continued to the east toward Highpass Hold. "Numerous towers set up by the guards of Qeynos dot the plains. To the southwest, on the shores of the Serpent River, rests a small barbarian fishing village where adventurers may purchase supplies and sell their wares. "To the northwest, nestled in a small copse of trees and granite boulders, resides a strange temple. The small tribe of ogres who built this shrine remains to this day, forever guarding their sacred temple and paying homage to The Warlord in their own ceremonious way. For a variety of reasons, adventuring parties have come to engage this tribe of ogres, but time and time again, this fearless tribe has prevailed." This appears to be in the Hagley, Druid's Watch, Stoneclaw area. The ogres and aviaks are mortal enemies (more on that next time), so there could be some story as to why this temple is important. The second region includes Spider Mine, Aviak Village, Mayfly Glade, and Urglunt's Wall. "The southern most expanse of the Karana territory is located just north of the Rathe mountain range, beyond Lake Rathetear...Many natural creatures roam the southern plains, including lions, elephants, and wolves. Ancient, wise beings called Treants make their home in the far southern delta, near the chasm.... "The aviaks of Antonica, a race of birdmen, also call this place home. Their culture is primitive but noble, and they are natural enemies of ogres. Their large aviary-like village resides to the southeast, near the mountain pass to Lake Rathetear. They live high in the air on natural or constructed pilings...The birdmen seldom come down to the valley floor, except in small hunting parties, or to chase their attackers." "In the center of the southern plains, the Lair of the Splitpaw Gnolls can be spotted. The area near the entrance to the lair is under heavy and constant guard patrol. "The Serpent River splits the northern and southern plains. There have been reports of the walking dead and other unnatural creatures in the ruins near the river area. It is also reported that a powerful undead knight commands the unnatural creatures." There is also discussion of a centaur village in the northeast portion of the plains. Explorers will undoubtedly be searching for the pass in the Rathe Mts in order to see what is in the Great Unknown. The adventurers will want to find the entrance to the Splitpaw lair. This zone also includes the South Crossroads and Centaur Valley zones. The undead ruins might be at Metus Morbis, which has an evil coach at the entrance to a cavern/dungeon. The north and east portions appear to encompass the Black Swan Inn and perhaps even as far south as Forkwatch. "The eastern most section of the plains of Karana is an open land with few rolling hills and the majestic granite peaks of Highpass bordering to the east. This impressive area contains a few outposts.... "To enter the Eastern Plains of Karana, one ust cross the enormous wooden bridge that grants passage over the Serpent River, a wide waterway that cuts through the whole of Antonica from north to south. Legends claim that this massive bridge, which connects the Northern and Eastern Plains of Karana, was built by the giants during a great battle." "Creatures of all sorts inhabit this wide, flat wilderness, although the most prevalent by far are the Antonican giffons, which have been categorized into several differnt species by the Qeynos rangers...." The great bridge is the one that's by the Black Swan, and it is very impressive. The river and river bank are fairly safe for travel, and it makes a great navigational aid. Along with Highpass Hold, the Black Swan is one of the most important coaches due to its location in the middle of the continent. Of the Kithicor Woods “Kithicor Woods was named after the legendary human ranger Kithicor, who once single-handedly defended these woods from an army of dark elves from Nektulos, this dense woodland binds the Western Commonlands and Misty Thicket to the mountain pass of Highpass. During the daylight hours when Ro's rays dimly pierce the thick canopy, this forest is teeming with woodland life--bears, wolves, beetles, bats, and more. "The thin winding path that connects Freeport to Qeynos continues through the dense forest, oftentimes running through the small settlements of human rangers who continue to defend the forest in the tradition of Kithicor himself." The woods are the sight of an epic battle later in the timeline. The Kithicor Woods encompasses North Kithicor and Saerk's Towers and are the passage way into Rivervale from the east. Of the Lavastorm Mountains "The Lavastorm Mountains are a very active volcanic mountain range NE of the Nektulos Forest. Forged of sheer granite and cobalt stone, its ridged peaks are desolate and utterly devoid of flora--a dark gray wasteland of stone and magma." "It is rumored that some of the creatures who roam this barren region are not natural in their origins. Rather, many of the elementals and the fire crawlers...are thought to be the summoned creations of the conjuror Najena, who has inhabited the abandoned temple carved into the face of Lavastorm's most robust peak." In this region are Nagafen's Lair, Solusek's Eye, and the Temple of Solusek Ro. "The Temple of Solusek Ro is dedicated to advancing the individual progress of all Norrath's adventurers...[It] is a sanctuary built into the fiery mountains of Lavastorm, overlooking the great, inverted volcano of Solusek's Eye. Within the temple walls carved of black steel and fiery red stone, dedicated followers from all of Norrath's races come to pay homage to Solusek Ro and pursue further training in their chosen profession. The temple's residents are said to forge many magical pieces of armor and weapoins to be bestowed upon adventurers who willingly embark on quests to enhance their skills, as is the way of the followers of Solusek Ro. "This temple is well kept by the wards of Ro. Small imps move about the fiery temple to ensure everything is in order and that adventurers are not overstaying their welcome. Combat is not welcome within the temple, for this is a place of learning, not violence. If one defies this rule, the fierce wrath of the temple will descend without mercy." "Located within the great volcano of the Lavastorm Mountains, Solusek's Eye is a set of caverns with molten lava and precious ores running through it. The Solusek Mining Company, an intrepid group of gnomes, has come here from their home city of Ak'anon to mine ore and produce tinkered creations. To aid in the excavation of this dangerous region, the gnomes have brought with them a horde of clockwork miners who can better tolerate the intense heat emanating from the pools and rivers of magma. "Fire Goblins also make their home here, unaffected by the searing heat. Though the mining company and Fire Goblin clan are not in direct conflict, they have no love for each other. They do, however, share a hatred for the Solusek Kobolds and the Fire Giants. The latter serve the great red dragon, Lord Nagafen, as do the Fire Goblins themselves. "Those that dare to trek too deeply through Solusek's Eye are advised to be wary of stumbling into the lair, for the creatures that lurk there are far more deadly than the goblins and fire elementals of Solusek's Eye. The lair is accessed through the innermost tunnel system of the complex." The Fire Goblin King accepted a pact offered by Nagafen whereby the goblins built Nagafen's lair and in return, the King and his family retain control of the subjects unchallenged. This type of social stability is unheard of in goblin society. The gnomes are established at Ak'anon (long story) and have set about exploring. They founded Klick'Anon some time ago, as evidenced by the extensive building and the Rogue Clockworks that has sprung up. They will soon find a path into the Lavastorm Mountains that will open up the area for the rest of us to explore. "A large, open lava crater in the Lavastorm Mountains, known as Solusek's Eye, is the lair of many dangerous and rare creatures. The worst of these is the obsessively greedy anceint red dragon, Nagafen, who was cast out of the Ring of Scale for reasons known only unto himself and the elders of the great council. "Carved by fire goblins centuries past, the subterranean complex of Nagafen's Lair is a veritable maze of winding paths and thin, narrow bridges of stone that hover uncomfortably above the rivers of flowing magma. Many chambers in the topmost region of the lair are inhabited by the kobolds loyal to Lord Nagafen. Although subdued beneath the tyrranical dragon's will, the kobolds have managed to uphold their own traditions and culture--proudly sustaining their own king, nobles, and high priests who order everyday kobold life. "As the caves wind deeper into the volcano, the inhabitants become increasingly deadly and ferocious." Since the complex was built centuries ago, it stands to reason that we should be able to find it once the gnomes open the gateway into the Lavastorm Mountains. At that time, there will be some amount of confict with the fire goblins and kobolds before things reach a steady-state. "Cast out of the Ring of Scale for reasons that still remain unclear, the red dragon Lord Nagafen has resided for centuries in the fiery depths beneath the Lavastorm Mountains. "As chronicled within the annals of the devout followers of Erollisi Marr, known as The Maidens of the Rose, Nagafen, true to his dragon nature, exacted a toll in maidens from the people of Qeynos, forcing them to transport one maiden a year across the continent and leave her in his cavern dwelling. This went on for many years, until a pious and beautiful maiden named Erollette--a novice in the temple of Erollisi Marr, the Goddess of Love--was selected. When Erollette sank to the ground before Nagafen, she uttered a final prayer to her goddess, asking only that her sacrifice be the last the maidens of Qeynos must endure. "Her bravery and selflessness touched the goddess, who took pity on her. As Nagafen prepared to dine, Erollisi used a golden thread to sew Nagafen's heart to his stomach, twisting his pangs of hunger into pangs of love for Erollette. Under the enchantment, he could not bear to eat her, or anyyhing else--he was lovelorn after all. So he grew hungrier, but the more he starved the more his heart swelled in his chest and the bigger his body became, until he was so huge he could not leave the confines of his cave. He begged her to stay with him, but seeing that the dragon was helpless, Erollette rejoiced and returned home to report the good news and dedicate her life to worship. "It is said that when this happened, Nagafen cried one enormous tear that turned into a diamond as it rolled down his cheek. This diamond is called Solusek's Eye for the volcano it now lies within. As the dragon's heart burst, he bellowed a cry of fire into the earth that caused a string of volcanoes to rise along the coast and caused chunks of the continent to break away, creating many tiny islands. He is still bellowing to this day." Of the Oasis of Marr "Within the merciless, dry grip of the Northern and Southern Deserts of Ro, the beautiful Oasis of Marr stands as the desert jewel of Antonica...Among the residents of the oasis are the Desert Orcs, who dwell upon the shoreline. They jealously guard the life-giving waters that enable their survival. Competition from the physically superior giants and the adventuring races of Norrath has made these orcs very hardy in comparision to their brethren found in the nearby Commonlands. "Surrounded by the gleaming sapphire waters is a single island upon which stands a mysterious tower, forever guarded by ethereal, undead spectres. Coundless legends have been borne of this tower--legends that speak of an era long since past, when elves had once roamed the lush wilderness of the forest of Elddar. Some claim this tower to be the last standing relic of the lost elven city of Takish'Hiz, which was consumed by the desert sands after the Elddar Forest was destroyed by the fiery wrath of Solusek Ro. "There are scholars who dismiss this theory, claiming the tower to be of a much more recent origin. This particular school of historians speculate that the tower was perhaps built by a long-lost cult dedicated to the Prince of Hate or the Faceless. Somehow, they displeased their dark deity and were consumed by the planar guardians that continue to lurk within the tower to this day." The Lost City of Aros`Thalinor It had been long argued among the sentient races of Norrath that the Elves, the children of Tunare, were the first of the races to wield the art of wizardry. So stated Aros`Thalinor, an ancient bit of evidence supporting that theory. It was difficult to find any buildings of mortal make older than the Rosethorn Spire (or Aros`Thalinor in the Elven tongue). None knew its exact age; in fact, no one was even certain if it was constructed by the Elves. There were Elven influences to be found in the architecture; but whether this was inherently Elven, or a foreign influence that the elves eventually copied, was unknown. The spire was ancient indeed, but the elves had expanded upon it. They used their powerful magic to guide the black stone into useful shapes. A balcony was formed in recent years. Below the spire the Elves also shaped the surrounding stone, creating the many vaults that hold much of the artifacts and knowledge of the Koada`Dal wizards. During these recent excavations, the elves found a strange room carved from the same black stone, but of vastly different architecture. The style of the wall carvings was completely foreign to the exploring elves and had stumped all scholars. In addition to the room, a sarcophagus and an arch were found. Both were carved from a stone not found anywhere on Antonica. The mystery of the tomb held the attention of many elven scholars and historians for nearly a century. During this century, the destruction of the Elddar forest fell upon the Elven nation. Attention veered from the tomb’s mystery to more important endeavors, such as saving the life of the dying forest and fighting off the sudden incursions of a new race of blackened Elves from the Underfoot. Aros`Thalinor fell into peril. The advance of the embittered Teir`Dal proved to be too strong for the elves, especially after suffering under the jealous hands of Solusek Ro. The Spire was in grave danger. It held all of the accumulated knowledge of Elven wizardry that tutored all talented Elves choosing to walk the path of the wizard. But, wizardry was no paltry pursuit. The masters of the Spire brought the awesome power of the weave itself to bear against whatever horde that the dark elves hurled at them. Subconsciously, the master wizards knew that, if they so had desired, Aros`Thalinor could be moved. The whole of the island could be torn from the land and sent floating among the clouds, sailing to far off Faydwer where their cousins settled after fleeing the dying forest so many years ago. They decided to await the march of these spiteful elves and defend the Spire. Only the arrogance of the elves doomed Rosethorn and the wizards that held it. The foul art of necromancy was known to the elves but none dared delve into it; the costs were too high. And the Teir`Dal knew these costs as well. They also knew of necromancy’s destructive power. The dark elves decided that acquiring the power was worth the cost. Through the necromantic arts, a legion of dead warriors was raised to assault Aros`Thalinor. The legion of undead joined with living warriors from Neriak. They fell upon the Spire, and were slaughtered as the Elven wizards’ wards held them off. From atop the Spire, the wizards rained down the greatest firestorm that the world had ever seen. Thunderheads of roaring flame swept across field of battle, incinerating all life (and unlife). Lightning poured from the clouds and streaked across the skies, ensnaring the dark Elven army in a web of crackling blue energy. An entire legion of undead and living became heaps on the ground, or floating bodies in the Lifire river threatening to choke and flood the area. The Elven wizards, high atop their Spire, looked down upon the carnage and were satisfied with their work. They believed that the surviving Teir`Dal generals and their inferior necromancers would eventually flee after realizing what had happened. But the wizards were wrong. The necromancers did not fled. In a few moments after the battle, they began to laugh. “They are insane with rage from their defeat” thought the wizards of the Spire. When the laughing ceased, the master necromancer declared his victory over Aros`Thalinor. His deep booming voice carried magically to the ears atop the Spire. “Fools!” cried the wizards. But the necromancer had the last laugh. He told the wizards that they were doomed. The art of necromancy was power over life and death. A life could be snuffed out as easily as a body could be raised to unlife. Poisoning was used extensively in necromancy, souring the flesh and draining life from it. Anything could be poisoned: water, air, sand, and even mana, the substance of magic, itself. The Elven faces blanched as they fully realized the incredible power of the Teir`Dal, to taint mana itself, the aether, the weave that all magic drew life from. The necromancers announced they would leave and then return to claim the Spire after the fool wizards died off. The elven wizards fell to their knees in disbelief and lamented their folly. Despite the Spire’s tragic downfall, it was still an awe-inspiring sight that continued to exist as a center for learning and development; even though the wild rosebushes that once surrounded it were now dry and withered. Many wizards still traveled from afar to learn from the potent keepers of the Spire. Even Teir`Dal wizards were welcomed, though necromancers and the art of necromancy were reviled. All but four of the wizards of the Spire were dead in their tombs. The remaining wizards were dying and would soon join their fallen brothers even though they labored to undo the poisoning. Only the necromancers prevented the wizards from venturing into the vaults to research the poison still coursing through their veins. Instead the wizards relied on adventurous wizards from other lands to claim the books and artifacts from the vaults. The wizards of Aros`Thalinor had been known to give advanced lessons to those who had the talent and to those who helped in their struggles. If a wizard wished to gain a deeper understanding of the endless mana sea, it was Aros`Thalinor that he or she traveled to. Newcomers would be tested to the limits of their ability; but their greatest challenge was to overcome the overwhelming sadness and anger that permeates the Spire of Rosethorn. Of the Isle of Dread The entity known as Cazic Thule, or The Faceless, has many incarnations of its will. Most notable of these is its extra planar home, the Plane of Fear. However, the depth of Fear knows little in the way of bounds and it is apparent, to those learned in such matters, that there are other realms and manifestations of Cazic Thule's twisted power. The Isle of Dread is one such incarnation. Perhaps a land to reward the most faithful of The Faceless' followers in their afterlife or, perhaps a simple trap to lure foolish mortals into endless terror for the glory of Cazic Thule. Whatever the reasons for its existence, exist it does. What this enshrouded island holds remains to be seen, as so far the only word of it comes from the ramblings of madmen washed ashore after days lost at sea. Of the Trolls The trolls were the creation of Cazic-Thule, resulting from his participation in the second pact of Brell Serillis. While scattered across the land, the largest collection of trolls were found in the swamps and jungles of Kunark. Here, 25 tribes formed and feuded amongst themselves, fighting for scarce resources. While ever faithful to Cazic-Thule, the trolls revered power and those who could wield it effectively. On the continent of Kunark resided a dragon of great power. Trakanon, a plague dragon, was among the greatest of the dragons, but also the most evil. In time, the trolls began to venerate him, and in return, Trakanon provided them with food and water. After awhile, though, the flow of food and water stopped, and the trolls began to worry that they had upset their patron on Kunark. The 25 tribes journeyed to the Field of Bone to seek an audience with Trakanon, but he kept the gates to his keep closed. The trolls, growing hungry and restless, began to fight amongst themselves, eating the flesh of the fallen. This horrific battle raged until 2 tribes were left, the members of which were so mad with battlelust and cannibalism that they began to kill their own tribe mates for food. The leaders of the two tribes met and reached an ‘agreement’ in which the youngest leader died in order to unite the tribes. The remaining leader, Nalikor, then sought council with Trakanon. He did not receive the hero's welcome he expected, but Trakanon admired his bravery. He gave him a flaming sword that would one day fulfill a prophecy of armageddon. Nalikor faced his people with a great sword but little future. Knowing that their destiny did not lie on Kunark, they constructed boats from the bones of the dead and sailed for Tunaria. They landed at Broken Skull Rock in the Gulf of Gunthak. Here, they met the ogres for the first time. The two warrior races hated and admired each other at the same time. After fighting a series of skirmishes to a draw, the two sides agreed to a mutual truce which Nalikor sealed by marking the spot with the flaming sword. It's rumored to be somewhere on Broken Skull Rock to this day. This truce was beneficial to both sides, as it allowed the trolls to find a homeland and it allowed the ogres to continue with their domination of southern Tunaria. About this time, a young troll named Zraxth heard the calling of Innothule, who promised him the strength to finally gain the upper-hand on the ogres. Through a ceremony that took his body, Zraxth created the Grozmok Stone, a tablet that prophesied the coming of a great troll warrior. The ogres, realizing that this would shift the balance of power, stole the stone and hid it in their city of Oggok. Shortly afterwards, all of Rallos Zek's minions were struck with the curse of the Rathe and lost their superior intellect. The stone was lost for many ages. The curse of the ogres was beneficial to the trolls, who were finally free from conflict and could settle down in the swamps of southeastern Tunaria. In honor of their (now) two gods, they named the swamps Innothule. The Stone Watcher clan, blaming the other clans for the loss of the Grozmok Stone, settled near Broken Skull Rock. The rest of the trolls made Guk one of their first homes. The trolls enjoyed this time of relative peace, but it didn't last long. The ‘other’ denizens of the swamp, the frogloks, staged a successful raid on Guk, taking it from the trolls. Stunned by the loss, the trolls regrouped at Grobb, swearing revenge on the green raiders. Despite the adversity they have always faced, the trolls have found ways to prosper, not just in Grobb, but throughout Tunaria. Troll villages can be found across the width and breadth of the land. Clagga Village is just outside of Guk. Basher's Enclave is on the coast, west of Grobb. The Stone Watchers Clan is near Broken Skull Rock, still angry at their brethren. Baga Village is under constant threat of the dwarves from Moradhim, and Honjur is a troll outpost in the Plains of Karana. Troll bandits can be found in Druid’s Watch and near Mount Hatespike. Troll zombies have been spotted in the snowy reaches of Tunaria, perhaps the remnants of a troll society in the far north. The trolls have had a hard journey, often forsaken by their gods, but they have found a way to flourish nonetheless. Like the famous grobbling once said, "It ain't easy being green." Of the Caer Siloth The highly lucrative salt trade on Tunaria is controlled by the Caer Siloth, a confederation of humans that occupy the lands east of Forkwatch. Operating outside the purview of Antonius Bayle II, the Siloth are fully capable of defending their lands, although they generally keep to themselves. Because little is known about them, they are able to conduct their business using practices that others might find reprehensible. The Siloth are followers of Bertoxxolous and have great prowess in the arts of ritualism and necromancy. These skills are quite helpful in ‘recruiting’ new workers to their mines. As with any labor-intensive industry, they have a need for strong-bodied individuals. Fortunately for the Siloth, those that are physically strong are often mentally weak. Using their dark powers (and sometimes brute force), they are able to keep a fairly steady flow of workers in the mines. However, Slavemaster Hern is always looking for new ‘recruits’ and will reward those that bring him new laborers, often preferring drunks and ne’er-do-wells, as their weak minds make them easier to control. The depths of Norrath hold many surprises for the unwary, and the salt mines are no exception. Recently, the Siloth have lost some miners in one of the deeper sections. They have posted a guard to warn visitors about the dangers of continuing. A recent expedition into the area revealed that the area is infested by drachnids, a mutated race of giant spiders with humanoid torsos. These creatures seem to be gifted in the arcane arts and some even seem to have the ability to see those under the guise of invisibility spells. The expedition dispensed with many of the eight-legged freaks but was unable to find the queen and put an end to the race once and for all. Common wisdom dictates that the drachnids will be back in full force by the time the next expedition enters the lair. The Siloth maintain a mountaintop fortress to the east of Forkwatch Keep. They also have a village on the Serpent River to facilitate the movement of salt blocks to the rest of the continent. The mine itself is a short distance from the shipping village. The primary enemies of the Siloth are the Blackscourge Pirates that operate out of a nearby camp and attempt to disrupt the Siloth shipping operations. As followers of Bertoxxolous, the Siloth welcome only the dark races and humans, perhaps a subtle indictment of the continent’s youngest and most ambitious race. Edril and the Prophecy of Trakanon At the age of 450, Carandril of the elves became deathly ill. The emperor fought death for more then a year before his passing into the next realm. High elves and wood elves crowded the busy streets of Felwithe for a full day to witness the funeral procession, and Edril was saddened greatly by the loss of his mentor and friend. As per elven tradition, when Carandril passed away a new emperor was chosen by the council and the new emperor, after being crowned, chose a new head for the imperial army. Edril was awarded estates in the surrounding imperial lands, a hero's send off, and a large amount of gold coins for his retirement wealth. Nobody, however, expected Edril ever to lay his sword to rest. "He has the blood of a hero," emperor Carandril used to say, "try as you might, you could never keep Edril from the adventure." Thinking there was nothing left for him in the empire of the elves, Edril gathered what wealth was given to him and set sail for the far-off human lands of Antonica. Arriving in the city of Freeport, Edril was recognized as a wealthy elf only. His name was unknown to these western lands, but that quickly changed. Edril became almost instantly renowned in the Freeport area for his fighting prowess, as he helped many of the villages along Lake Neriuss against the raider Zellain and his band of dark elves. His real fame, however, came as a desert fighter. Edril held a chief role in defending an outpost in the Kithicor woods against a large goblin attack, and it was during this battle that Edril became infatuated by the deserts of Antonica. Whether it was because they were so foreign to him or whether he loved the danger, Edril spent most of his remaining time on Antonica wandering it's deserts, from the eastern desert of Ro all the way to the dead hills in the west and the plains of Karana. His most noteworthy exploits in these areas included capturing Ragoth the sand giant and his "dust marauders" in the desert of Ro as well as flushing out an entire nest of frogloks around lake Rathetear. He soon was recognized back in Felwithe as a remarkable cataloguer of strange creatures, as he would write notes about all his adversaries and send them to the imperial library. As he made his way to Qeynos, he even fell in love with an erudite female mage named Almaril and they were wed. For a time in Qeynos Edril forgot about adventure or Carandril or his home back with the elves. He loved Almaril deeply and she took him back and forth from Erudin to Antonica, teaching him everything he wished to know. He was as much interested in her crude but powerful magic as she was his graceful fighting styles. For the first time in a long time Edril was satisfied and happy, and to the astonishment of all it seemed that the elven warrior would actually settle down in Qeynos with his wife forever. But fate moves unpredictably and Edril was called into service once more. An old merchant noble from Freeport, a long time friend of Edril, sent him a letter detailing the problems he was having with a band of local trollish thieves. The thieves, however, were not everyday thugs. Goods from merchant caravans had increasingly been stolen to fund for a splinter trollish army somewhere in the desert of Ro. The army, whom the kingdom of Grobb wanted destroyed very much, was lead by an obnoxious would-be-preacher troll named Zisstrik the insane, who lead his band of trolls on what he called a "religious crusade." Edril agreed to help with the problem. The troll bandits were easily found and easily dispensed with, but more important was what Edril learned during the hunt. Zisstrik spoke at length, before he was killed, about the troll dragon-god Trakanon and how the dragon told Zisstrik in his dreams to steal and kill the local human merchants who "pollute the desert and the swamps with their presence." Edril dismissed most of what the troll said as crazy dribble, but he became increasingly interested in the tale of Trakanon. In return for the destruction of the splinter army, Edril only wished in payment that he be allowed to speak with the shamans of Grobb about the great dragon. The trolls, however bitter and tentative, agreed. The elven warrior was immediately in love with the story of the troll heritage. He was fascinated by the idea of dozens of glorious armies dessimating eachother because of hunger and confusion, fascinated by the imagery of the far off and blasted land of Kunark, but even more fascinated by the character of Trakanon, a powerful being once a god to the trolls and only seen by a single chief. He immediately thought Trakanon was evil both for what he did to the trolls and because of what Edril knew about all dragons. The elf silently vowed to make the hunt for Trakanon his final and most glorious quest. Utilizing ancient trollish texts and learning what he could, Edril soon had plotted a course to and over Kunark. Almaril protested greatly and called Edril crazy for trying to carry out such a silly fantasy, but the elf couldn't resist the pull of perhaps the greatest adventure he would ever have. Leaving his wife sobbing behind him on the docksides of Freeport, Edril set sail for several weeks before arriving at what he hoped was the lost continent of Kunark. Frightened by the horrible site of the field of bone before them, the crew of Edril's ship told the warrior they would remain on the coastline until his safe return. Packing what he needed for a long and arduous journey, Edril made his way alone across the dead fields of the ancient trollish homeland until he arrived.at the jagged cliffs of Trakanon's Teeth. What happened next no one knows for sure, as Edril was careful not even to divulge it to his wife before his death, but it is rumored Edril had to escape many clever traps and fight through several horrendous challenges before reaching the throne of the great beast. Even then, he did not kill Trakanon because what the dragon had to tell him was of far greater importance then any quest. Herein lies the complete text of Trakanon's prophecy, as Edril himself never forgot the words of the great beast and later told his wife in order that the whole of Norrath may read the message. From "The Book of Edril" by Edril's late wife Almaril: The great dragon looked on Edril as a father on his son and smiled widely. "So," Trakanon spoke in a voice that shook the very ground, "at last you have come." Edril, great among the elves, felt himself begin to tremble as he stared deep into the dragon's fiery eyes. "You have no reason to fear me, warrior, even though you have come here to kill me. But I doubt that even you could perform such a task. You see, child, I was born before the stars were made, before the foundation of this world was ripped by Veeshan's claw, and before the gods gave birth to the elder races. I have been and always will be the eternal mystery between life and death and gods and man." With that said, Edril bowed his head in awe and somehow knew the great beast spoke the truth. "And yet," the dragon continued, "I am but a watcher. For while I claim this world as my own I am forbidden by laws forged millenia ago to change it's course. It is the curse of all my kind: to love a world so much and to have to watch it die. Take heed, warrior, because Norrath's death is fast approaching." Edril lifted his head, his eyes wide in a look of shock and fear. The dragon simply nodded. "Yes, Edril, Norrath's fate was decided long ago, or so the gods think. But the visions of your gods are often warped by their own vanity and selfishness, the future is never set, and the elder races may yet prove them wrong. The gods made you all as a means to an end in their struggle and as the wars of the elder races escalate, so shall the gods descend from their planes of existence and make the whole of Norrath suffer. But there are those among the races untouched by the taint of immortals whom I have chosen as the saviors of man." Trakanon then stabbed deep into the ground with his left claw and ripped the bottom of his cave dwelling asunder with one powerful stroke of his arm. Edril looked over the sides of the newly formed chasms and noticed the walls glowing a bright red. A face began to form from the blackness deep within the cracks, and Edril could clearly make out the aging face of an old man. The face had sad eyes, gaunt cheeks, and long silvery hair. "His name is Miragul," said the dragon, "a human mage, gifted in all talents of magic and able to bend the laws of life and death to his will. He exists now as an empty shell, wandering his tombs filled with powerful magics." The next face that formed was that of a troll, but surprisingly it was a noble and proud visage. Scars ran from both eyes down to the troll's mouth, and the troll's eyes were strong and unwavering. "He was called Nalikor. He was the troll first to enter my kingdom and find me. He ended centuries of brutal war, was greatest among his soldiers, and was able to lead his people from death and starvation to a powerful kingdom." The dragon then turned his eyes to Edril. "You, elf, are my third chosen. You are Edril the warrior, a brilliant soldier and great hero. Death haunts you at every turn but you are always able to overcome your obstacles. You are a deadly fighter, a wanderer of Norrath, and a lord among elves. And now I award you with a much bigger destiny." Trakanon spoke deep in a language Edril couldn't understand, and suddenly a small pendant flashed into existence around Edril's neck. "To Miragul I revealed the existence of artifacts that would enhance his powers in the arcane arts. To Nalikor I awarded a flaming sword to enhance his warrior prowess. To you I give this: a small pendant that will allow you to talk with me always. But it does much more. My strength is finite, Edril, and already my powers begin to weaken. Soon either the gods or the elder races will find the means to my destruction, and when that happens then the final war for Norrath shall be waged. But when I die, before I leave for the afterlife, I will impart my power to the bearer of this pendant, and he shall have all the wisdom and the strength of the most ancient of creatures." Trakanon then laid his serpent-like head on the floor of his cave. "That time is fast approaching. Here is my prophecy, young one. Everything I say now shall soon come to pass. When the wars of the elder races begin to come to fruition, the gods shall take notice and plan for their coming into the world. Then, on the third day of the third season, in the dark of the night on all the continents of the elder races, shall be reborn my chosen in the bodies of other men, representing all of the three virtues: good, evil, and the gray neutral between them both. They will arise to the call of a fourth chosen, great among them, who will collect my gifts unto himself: the magic enhancements of Miragul, the flaming sword of Nalikor, and your dragon pendant. The peoples of Norrath will revere this one as Trakanon's chosen, and he will watch the whole world burn." When he returned home he was changed forever. With his greatest achievment completed, Edril the warrior, feared of the orcan clans, slayer of the plague dragon of Akanon, first soldier of the empire, and desert wanderer of Norrath, hung his sword to rest forever. He lived many happy years in the arms of Almaril, his wife, and they even gave birth to a son, something no one thought possible between a erudite and elf. But whether it was fate's choice to test Edril one last time or because erudites were enough "non-human" so procreation was near impossible, Edril's son was taken by disease at an early age. The event crushed the indomitable elf and at the age of 405 the warrior passed away. "No spear or sword or arrow, fang, claw, or spell could ever hope of killing the elf known as Edril," recounted Biddyn at the funeral of his friend, "but for a father, the death of an only child is the worst poison the world can give." The lord of Qeynos thought it best to send his body back to the elven empire and there gathered a very ecclectic funeral procession: Merchant friends from Freeport and Qeynos, human lords of Antonica, almost the entire gnomish population, and even troll shamans from Grobb to bear witness to the last warrior to ever lay eyes on Trakanon. Some said the dark elves were also present, spying on the funeral from the shadows just to make sure Edril had actually lost the battle with death. Dozens of elven trumpets sounded his passing and his casket was floated over the top of the Elizerain Lake to sink into it's depths forever, an honor normally reserved only for the emperors. It is written that even now, at the bottom of the lake in that same casket, the dragon pendant of Trakanon waits, grasped tightly in Edril's cold, dead fingers. Al'Kabor and the Kedge During the Age of Enlightenment, many Erudites skilled in the magic arts had come to dominate their schools in skill and power. One such person was Al'Kabor, who over the years had proven to be the most powerful of the Wizards. Much of his research had given birth to the most powerful spells harnessed by man. Seemingly one of the chosen of Druzzil Ro, Godess of Magic, his skill had few equals and his spells had become standard training among the mystic. Much like Miragul he strove for knowledge, not to overcome, but to understand that which was the universe. To this end he spent countless hours in the Great Library at Erudin until its tomes could serve him no longer. Much to his disdain at leaving his long time home, he would have to travel Norrath to find what he sought. The young races, those of man, had very little knowledge of magic that was not documented or discovered by the Erudites and so he must seek out those of the Ancient Kingdoms and peoples. Both the Kedge and the Combine Empire held the most mystery as little was known about these two peoples. It was with the Kedge that he would start his research as they were the older of the two. Though the race was known by minor reference in some historical texts, no one had ever seen one and so it was widely believed that they had succumbed to the wrath of the Gods much as other races had during the Age of Blood. Al'Kabor began his search by first writing to the other schools of magic across Norrath asking for any information they might have locked away. He received a response from the foremost school of magic outside of Erudine, the Academy of the Arcane in Freeport on the east coast of Antonica. The letter said that they had received word from one of their roaming scholars that he had discovered an ancient scroll that contained some information about the Kedge but would need to be brought back for deciphering as it was very old. The scholar was supposed to have arrived a week ago, but they had just learned his ship had gone down in the Ocean of Tears and only one sailor had made it back to the city. They instructed Al'Kabor to find the only surviving sailor, Tillerman Janck as he might know the ships fate and where the scroll might now lie. The great wizard immediately set sail for Antonica from the Erudine port on Odus. His first stop was the human port city of Qeynos. There he acquired maps and supplies and hired a group of mercenaries, as disdainful as it was, to guard and guide him on the journey across Antonica. He hoped to glean some information about the continent as he traveled and perhaps uncover clues about lost civilizations. He and his party traveled for a week across Antonica and eventually came to the commons not far from Freeport. Here they learned from a local merchant that he had seen the sailor they were looking for and he gave them a place to start looking. They set out and eventually discovered the jittery sailor. Tillerman had traveled to the commons to settle down, as he had given up the sea. The incident with the ship had so terrified him that he was a sailor afraid of the ocean. He told of a great disaster befalling the ship. He had been on watch and the boat had suddenly been struck as if on the rocks. However, they were in the middle of the ocean with no rocks to be seen. The ship began to rock violently and many men were thrown into the water, Tillerman included. He had swam for his life and never looked back. None of his fellow sailors had survived to his knowledge. He was overcome with guilt at being the only one among his friends to make it back alive. After Al'Kabor explained what they were looking for, Tillerman told them he was pretty sure where the ship had gone down and that he would show them the way so that his friends deaths would not be in vane. In the ocean of tears, the adventurers, accompanied by Tillerman Janck found the sunken ship. The great ship was in pieces and barely visible above the water. A druid among the mercenaries enabled them all to breath the sea water and they ventured into the ship. What was unbeknownst to them and Tillerman, was that a water elemental had been responsible for dragging the ship into the deep and was still amid it's remains, guarding the the treasures it had taken. The group didn't spot the elemental within the water until it was in their midst. Great magics were thrown by the mercenaries and Tillerman cowered behind Al'Kabor. Tired of the great beast's interruption, Al'Kabor summoned a magic more powerful than any had seen outside of the inner circle of Erudine. He called forth the power of E'Ci, God of the Ice, from the realm of water and summoned a great frozen comet which formed in the water before him and rocketed toward the elemental. The warriors jumped clear just in time to watch the elemental freeze and explode into a thousand shards, a threat no longer. The party set camp on a nearby island and took shifts searching through the wreckage. A few hours into the search, one of the men reported they had found the captain's strongbox, where any important papers might have been kept. They dragged the box from the ocean's grip and onto the shore where Al'Kabor carefully examined it. Tillerman explained that a captain's strongbox was lined with oiled canvas and the seal lined with wax, that the salt air and water would not harm any important documents within. Heartened by this news, Al'Kabor summoned a minor bolt of energy and burned the lock off the chest. He carefully opened the chest and, true to the sailor's description, the papers inside were in tact and dry. He carefully sorted through the stack of documents and finally uncovered what he sought, a parchment in the ancient tongue of the kedge. It would take time to decipher, but the knowledge was now safely in his grasp. He paid each of his party for services rendered and began the incantation that would take him to his study in Erudine to ponder what answers the parchment would give about a race long dead. The Relic of Brell Serilis Since The Battle of the Shattered Spear, the dwarven clerics of Brell have always had one called "The Seeker". Duskan Stonegrinder was the current chosen Seeker and he had traveled long and hard throughout the knooks and crannies of Dagnor's Cauldron trying to find a holy relic that the dwarven priests had long been searching for. Finally, believing he had found it's trail, he had been viciously attacked by a band of aqua goblins, which were common on the shores of the desolate landscape of the Cauldron. A group of adventurers in the area discovered him hiding amid some rocks, trying to recover from grave wounds. They immediately bandaged and healed him enough that he would not succumb to them. Duskan told them he must be taken to King Kazon in Kaladim on a matter of great import that could not wait. They prepared a litter and set off for Kaladim to return the dwarf to his people. One of the group went ahead to inform the city of the approaching party and the wounded dwarf. Upon hearing Duskan's name the guards rushed into the city and soon, several priests and a royal guardsmen came out to receive them. Duskan was rushed to the temple where his fellow priests expertly tended him and brought him to full health again. While he was there the king came to see him and ensure that he was well and hear what news he was told the dwarf had. Duskan whispered into the king's ear and Kazon's eyes went wide. Upon seeing this several of the priests' eyes widened in anticipation of something. The king summoned three of his best guardsmen and had supplies prepared. He offered reward to the group that had brought Duskan home if they would escort him back the cauldron and help him complete his task. The group journeyed back to the cauldron and traveled along the shoreline until they were approaching the Estate of Unrest. Many of them began to get nervous at the thought they might be going in and dealing with the unholy creatures that lie within. Duskan directed them to set camp outside and then turned his attention to the water. He spent many hours examining apparent clues with his magic that none of the others could see. Statisfied this was indeed where what he sought could be found he took off his heavy armor pieces and directed the group to do the same as what they sought was under the water. Though wary, they were getting paid and the guards were complying without question. Gauging the importance of this item, the group followed suit and beneath the waters they went. As they approaced the bottom of the cauldron they could see something moving below and swam cautiously foward. Expecting trouble, the shamans and druids in the group cast spells on the party allowing them to breath in the water. As they got closer, their fears were realized as a large group of Aqua Goblins swam up to meet them. Whatever was here, they did not want it found. The Goblin leader was imense and swam with great speed. Soon the battle was engaged and the party fought fiercely to defeat them. Just as the tide was beginning to turn, another creature appeared beneath the golbins at the gates of some ancient building carved into the rock at the base of the cauldron's side beneath the water. A virtual giant compared to the party members, a finned creature appread crying "I am Phinigel, last of the Kedge, you have come too soon" and entered into the battle on the side of the Goblins. Soon the goblins had been defeated but none seemed able to harm Phinigel. His magics were great and his skill at underwater combat unmatched. Seeing how ineffective they were, the group was sure they would meet a watery grave. Suddenly, without reason, Phinigel said "I am sorry to have had to waylay you brave ones. But secrets such as mine must be revealed only when there are ears ready to hear them". Then, just as suddenly as he had appread, he vanished in a swirl of water. Searching the bottom of the Cauldron beneath the battle site they found a large locked chest with a strange seal that Duskan and the guards seemed to recognize immediately. They motioned the group to the surface and soon made preparations to return to Kaladim with their discovery. Despite the questioning of the group, the dwarves were tight-lipped about their find and would say nothing about it's possible contents. The group headed along the shore of the Cauldron and soon, up the canyon that led to the Butcherblock mountains. As they emerged into the mountain valleys, a group of Dark Elves led by one of the D'Vinn, ambushed them and a battle ensued. The expert warriors of the of the Dark Elves seemed to have no match and quickly dispatched most of the party with the exception of a few and only losing one or two of their own. Fenric was one of the surviving dwarves and laid perfectly still as he was too wounded to fight and wished to know what the dark elves had planned. The dark elves' wizard had been slain in the battle and they no longer had a means of gating back to Neriak and avoiding the dwarvish lands with their prize. They decided they would rendezvous with a dark elf emissary that was in Crushbone with there allies the Orcs. The emmissary was a wizard and would be able to take them back on such an important mission. They set off immediately with Fenric gathering others along the way and those that had survived the battle close behind. Meanwhile in Crushbone, Seza, the dark elf wizard, recieved a dark elf messenger that told her the dark elf warriors were coming with a prize of great import and must be taken to Neriak immediately upon arrival. Seza, upon hearing the news, asked for an emergency audience with Grak, cousin to Emperor Crush, currently responsible for fending off attacks against their great stonghold. The orcs launched an offensive to clear a path to the orcish land so the dark elves could get their with their prize unmolested. The party of dark elf warriors finally arrived at Crushbone after traveling at a maddening pace only to discover that both Grak and Seza had been slain in order to ensure their safe arrival. Seeing no means of escape the dark elves made fortifications and awaited the arrival of the dwarves and their party. A furious battle ensued and soon the dark elves were defeated by an overwhelming force Fenric had gathered while crossing the dwarvish lands and their allies the elves. The party recovered the stolen chest and made haste back to King Kazon. The king and his clerics examined the chest and determined that to open it without a special key would cause the destruction of what lie within. They received word from the king's informants that one of the dark elves had indeed escaped. He was on his way back to the coast of Antonica using a small ship they had apparently used to get to Faydwer originally and was most assuredly making his way toward Neriak and would most likely contact a Captain N'Varre of the dark elven army at their closest outpost the dwarves knew of. They were sure the key would soon be in the captain's hands and they must find him before he could make it back to Neriak and its near impenetrable defenses. Having lost two of his trusted guard, King Kazon named Grundel, the remaining dwarf, Champion of Brell and set him to the task of seeking out this Captain N'Varre in the Nektulos forest and retrieving the key. The group yet again resupplied and made haste to the port of Faydwer and set sail for Antonica. They were sure they could catch up to the dark elf as their ship was much more sure of sail and could make up some of their lost time. Upon arrival at Freeport on the east coast of Antonica, they reinforced their group with hirelings and made way to the Nektulos forest and Captain N'Varre's outpost. Sure enough, as they arrived the Captain was making ready to leave and they intercepted him and his personal escort and slayed them outright, taking the key they sought. Again, they returned to Kaladim in hopes that the great mystery of the chest would be revealed to them. Kazon ceremoniously slid the key into the lock and lifted the lid. His hands trembling, he reached inside and drew forth a great hammer. It's power washed over the group and they knew it's magic divine. The hand of Brell himself had touched it, all could be sure. The King told that long ago, when King Grummly had risen an army to fight the ogres, the High Priest of Brell prayed to their god that he give them the strength to defeat this horrible foe and protect the home of the dwarves. In answer to his prayer, Brell appeared to the priest in the temple and gave unto him the Butcherblock Hammer to wield in defense of the dwarven homeland from that day foward. The high priest fought by the king's side and was slain in defense of Grimmly from Dagnor's minions in the final battle. In memory of the hammer's purpose, as ordained by Brell, Kazon gave the Butcherblock Hammer to his new champion Grundel to wield in defense of the dwarvish kingdom and their people. The Child of Hate Long had the Prince of Hate waited to visit his revenge upon the elves for destroying his plans for them. Long had he dreamt from his twisted city on the plan of hate how the would fall to his power for their betrayal. Hid devoted priestess, that had spirited his dark creations to safety during the rebellion, had been the foundation of his will to destroy them. It was her that gave birth to his unholy child that would one day embody his power on the physical plane. The time had come to introduce his daughter to the world. To complete the tasks what would bring her to power. Innoruuk called upon one of his faithful, Laarthik, one of his old guard, to find those who would rally to the banner of hate and bring his daughter to power. In a vision he spoke to him and bid him complete this taks or suffer his dark God's anger. Laarthik immediately jumped out of bed and donned his armor. He took to the streets shouting the day of the dark elves had come and that Innoruuk was sending his daughter to lead his people to victory over the light races. Many of his dark brothers and sisters gathered to hear what must be done. The bitter medicine of being cast out had never let it taste escape their lips. Lanys T'Vyl, Mistress of Envy, and daughter of hate appeared before them and Laarthik swore fealty to her and her father, that they may lead the dark elves to their rightful place in Norrath. Lanys explained to the gathering that for her to come into her full powers, they must retrieve for her the sacred armor of her father, the Armor of Darkness, log ago entrusted to the keeping of the Crimson Teir'dal, his near fanatical warriors. Long ago when the dark elves had been cast out, he had selected them to keep his dark secrets on Norrath and made them near immortal to guard them into the centuries. Lanys must vanquish each keeper of the pieces that she may prove her worth and accept the mantle her father had prepared. Lanys left the city with Laarthik what followers they had gathered to Befallen, lost capital of the ancient elves, where she knew the first of the Crimson Teir'dal guarded his prize. The followers spread out through the ruins to seek out the warrior and eventually he was found by Lanys herself. No words were spoken, only a nodded understanding, and the two engaged in furious combat. Lanys's rage showed no bounds and she struck him down and licked his blood from her blade. From his arms she took what she had come for, the bracers. She returned to the city with Laarthik and her followers and spent many days in prayer and sacrifice to her father for their success. After this small respite, Laarthik again came to the people and bid them to heed his call. The next of the pieces must be found. This day they would journey to Najena, another fallen city, and face the next of the Crimson Teir'dal. Once the crowd had gathered, Lanys again appeared to them and they made the journey. Upon arriving, once again the spread into the dungeon to find the elusive foe. Soon, he was discovered but this one seemed much more powerful than the first and had harnessed some power dark magics. On each side flew an imp companion that taunted those foolish enough to harm their master. The battled ensued and it seemed that this Crimson Teir'dal could not be defeated. In a fit of anger and frustration at the seeming stalemate, Lanys called down her father's power with a dark prayer and comsumed the area with his powerful hatred. The imps railed against the assault and now she knew she had one. While her minions kept the dark one busy, she unleashed her power on the imps. As the last of the two fell, the Crimson Teir'dal visibly drooped and the weapons of her followers made contact and drew blood. She renewed her assault upon him and soon he was slain. She kicked the dark boots from his feet and stole them away, soon disappearing again to pay homage to her father. Once again Laarthik appeared in the commons of Neriak and began to call those faithful of hate to his side. Laarthik and Lanys were well known in the dark city now and the dark elves had seen Lanys grow in power with the donning of each piece and gathered in hopes that she would fulfil their destiny as rulers of Norrath. Lanys appread to them for a third time and this time the group made journey to Solusek's Eye, where Lanys said the final of the Crimson Teir'dal awaited. As they entered the lands of lavastorm a high elf assassin leaped from the canyon rocks and attacked Lanys. The high elf had learned of her and feared that she might be a real threat. Lanys and her near fanatical followers made short work of the assassin who couldn't hope to capture the element of surprise with so many who were expert in it's use. Lanys and her brood traveled deep into the bowls of Solusek's eye and followed the pull toward her final foe. They came upon a gateway guarded by four clockwork sentries that had apparently been comandeered by the Crimson Teir'dal and the battle was engaged. Many of Lanys's followers were slain as the fight progressed, soon the Crimson Teir'dal appeared, only this time he wasn't alone. This time he had a fellow guard with him and they joined the battle with such fierceness that many of Lany's followers ran in fear, but those who were true stayed and fought on. Those the casualties were heavy, they defeated the clockworks, leaving only the two Crimson Teir'dal. The armor that Lanys had already recovered had made her much stronger and her dark magics and fierce attacks brought the two to there knees with the aid of Laarthik and her followers. As she put on the final pieces of the Armor of Darkness, a seething darkness poured from her and across those in her pressence. It was barely standable. Hatred, anger, rage, envy, jealousy, and revenge overcame them all and they were caught in a hateful haze. Now, none could deny. Innoruuk would be denied no longer. His flesh was among us! The Goblin Stone Long had the mines of High Keep produced usable ore, but nothing too valuable other than common minerals and iron. Nurgal, a Pickclaw goblin that worked in the mines beneath the keep found a strange stone while he was digging. Knowing that the dark elf ambassador to the keep paid the best for such things, he brought the stone to her hoping to a gain a high payment for his toil. The dark elf ambassador had never seen such a stone and immediately realized through her arcane training that it had magical properties. In an attempt to test the stone's power she nearly wrecked her room and barely escaped death. Realizing that the stone was something entirely unique she saw her opportunity. She had waited a long time to find a way out of her post and the keep and away from the ignorant stinking humans that infested it. This would be her ticket out of a backwater assignment and back into the circles of power in Neriak. She set out immediately for Neriak to deliver the stone personally in hopes that she would gain enough favor with her superiors to get posted back home. Realizing the value of the stone and the possibility that more such stones existed, the ambassador took Nargul with her and hired orc bodyguards to help her in the journey to Neriak. Along the way she enlisted the aid of other dark elves she could find and avoided contact with those of the "light" races who might try to take the stone from her and deprive her of this opportunity. Upon arrival in the Nektulos forest the ambassador made contact with Laarthink thinking that Lanys T'Vyl, Daughter of Hate, would be the best person to unleash it's power and wanting to curry her favor. Laarthik, upon seeing the stone, knew that is was a major artifact. To the Ambassador's dismay, he ordered her and her party back to the keep immediately to seek out more of the powerful stones. Little did they know that a high elf lurked in the bushes and rocks listening to their exchange. Upon hearing the knews that the Ambassador would be returning to High Keep he left for pass immediately to set a trap for her. Upon arrival, he quietly gathered those travelers he could find that were opposed to the dark ones and set his plan in motion to stop her from ever reaching High Keep again. The Ambassador headed back toward the keep. This time, in the company of dark elf warriors as her new task was of great import. As they entered the Kithicor woods on the slopes of the Serpent's Spine, they high elf and his men attacked. The high elf, knowing the woods far better than the under-dwelling dark elves caught them completely off-guard and the Ambassador and her escort were slain. The high elf check her body for any information she might be carrying and discovered a letter. He insisted that the letter be brought immediately to Lord Tethys in High Keep and so the men escorted him safely to it. Upon arrival at the keep, he turned the letter over to the high elf Ambassador, Lord Tethys. Upon reading the letter he seemed very distressed and informed all that it was the most dire news. He hurried away to make plans, leaving the group to wonder what could cause him such distress. Firiona and Equestrielle An elven child was seen playing in the woods of Kelethin. She sang an old song concerning a strange maiden and an wonderous beast. A local drunk well known in the area wandered past the child as she played. When he heard the song she was singing, he showed obvious discomfort and left very quickly for the nearest tavern mumbling that he needed a drink badly. A stranger appeared in Kelethin. She was a warrior maiden who seemed unfamiliar with the town or area even though she was a high elf whose home would normally be in nearby Felwithe. As she passed through the town she was seemingly amazed by all she saw; she in turn amazed others as she was accompanied by serveral of the normally shy and reclusive fairies of the Faydark. Eventually finding herself in the same tavern as the drunk who had earlier come across the elven child, the maiden heard the drunk mumbling the song the child had been singing. As she listened a strange feeling overcame the maiden. Though she could not say why, the song seemed to be about her and when the drunk mumbled about the beast of silver, she knew without knowing why that she must find this beast. Unfortunately before she could get much information out of the drunk he passed out and it was apparent that it would be some time before he recovered enough to answer further questions. The maiden was compelled by a force she did not understand to seek out the beast, so she asked all she could find if they knew of such a beast and its whereabouts. The maidens questions uncovered that the beast sounded like a unicorn and several adventureres reported having seen a unicorn in the forests of lesser Faydark. The maiden pleaded wth those adventurers so earnestly and so intensely that they agreed to take her to the forest and help her find the unicorn so that she could see if this was the beast she sought. After much searching in the forests of lesser Faydark the maiden and those with her found the unicorn, but it would not let the party approach. Finally the maiden alone stepped forward and approached the unicorn. To the surprise of all, the unicorn let the maiden approach it. As the maiden put out her hand to gently touch the unicorn there was an immense flash of light that passed between beast and man. Throughout the world the word "Yesss" was heard by all and a bond was formed between unicorn and maiden as the tears of Tunare rained upon the world. Firiona Meets the King Firiona Vie accompanied by Equestrielle, her unicorn companion, received word from Galeth Verdeth her teacher that he would like her to meet him in Felwithe. Galeth gave no reason but would not take "no" for an answer. Firiona and Equestrielle head to Felwithe but upon arrival the unicorn refused to enter the city. Firiona reluctantly agreed to leave her companion behind, but as if by magic, other creatures appeared and accompanied her in the unicorn's stead. Firiona entered the town accompanied by a wolf and several fairies and other animals. As she made her way through the city, several merchants came out of the stores complaining about the smell and pressence of the animals near their place of business. Galeth appeared and calmed the merchants, inviting them and Firiona to accompany him to the King who was throwing a city-wide celebration. Firiona and Galeth arrived at the party being thrown by the king. Firiona felt a bit awkward in a large crowded city and kept to herself and out of the center of things while Galeth went to join the King. A bard, hired by Galeth, asked permission to sing a song for the gathering. Upon being given permission, the bard sang a song of a child, who had been abandoned as a baby, who was raised by another upon the death of her mother. During the song the King became more and more agitated, as the bard sang of the child being the chosen of Tunare, the King could stand no more. He struck the bard and ordered her to be silent, that he would hear no more of these prophecies of "the child". A chill wind passed through the party. Silence fell and a spectral form appeared. Galeth immediately recognized the form as that of the dead queen. The spectral shape approached the King. It spoke to him of their daughter and his betrayal. The spectre of the dead queen told the King that their child lived and that he could no longer fail to recognize her, that Tunare herself demanded that he find and recognize his lost daugher, with that the ghost departed as mysteriously as it had arrived. The shaken King shouted that his lost daughter must be found. At this point Galeth called forth Firiona Vie and revealed to the King that she was his lost daughter who had been spirited away from his wrath at the death of his queen. Galeth had raised and trained Firiona and now the King's daughter stood before him. The repentant King welcomed Firiona and proclaimed to all that she was indeed his daughter and a princess of Felwithe. The gathering and the world itself were astounded when a voice seemed to fill the world stating "Know that Firiona Vie is the chosen one of Tunare". The King brought Firiona to the throne and father and daughter were reconciled once more. The Cursing of Kithicor The forces of good led by Carson MaCabe and Lord Tethys sent out recruiters to find whatever assistance they could to help defend Highkeep from the coming dark elf attack. Carson sent a party of adventurers to meet renowned champions in Freeport and escort them back to Highkeep to prepare for the fortresses defense. Both good and evil sent provisioners throughout the world buying the items they would need to equip an army. The dark elves sent emissarys to the trolls and to the orcs of Crushbone to ask assistance in their coming attack on Highkeep. The dark elf ambassador to the Splitpaw clan was called home to act as one of the dark elf generals in the coming battle. Many small skirmishes erupted as forces from both sides came into conflict with each other and tried to find as much information of the other side's plans as they could. Both sides sought as many allies as they could find and the armies of good and the armies of dark swelled as adventurers were found to aid in the coming conflict. The dark elves were finally prepared for their war. Lanys T`vyl, Laarthik and the dark elf army set out from Nektulos on the march for Highkeep. Hearing that the dark elf army was on the march, Carson MaCabe and his allies formed their army. Carson stayed in Highkeep to lead the forces that would defend the keep itself while Galeth Verdeth, Firiona Vie, and Lord Tethys along with the dwarf Tubr Broadaxe set forth with the army of good and entered the Kithicor Woods to hold off the dark army and keep them in the low lands. As they marched to Highkeep the dark elves left portions of their army behind them to guard the path back to Neriak should the battle go badly. The dark elf army entered the Kithicor woods and as they marched on Highkeep the army of the defenders came forth to meet them. As the two armies met in a clash of steel and fury the cries of the dying could be heard for miles. At the peak of the battle Lanys T`Vyl and Lord Tethys met in battle. After a long and fierce combat, the valiant Lord Tethys fell to Lanys's sword. Seeing Lord Tethys fall, the army of good renewed their attack with vicious fervor. Galeth Verdeth engaged Laarthik and his pupil Firiona Vie engaged Lanys. As these four fought, the armies themselves engaged around the combatants in a chaotic ballet of singing steel and magic. The battle raged on with neither side able to turn the tide. But as the battle raged, Lanys slowly began to fail, Firiona Vie pressed her attack, enraged at the death of the gentle Lord Tethys. Lanys faltered and fell wounded. Laarthik seeing Lanys fall made a furious attack on Galeth and the beat the paladin of Tunare back. Laarthik then took out the powerful goblin stone. He held it high, and channeling the power of the stone called upon Innoruuk, Prince of Hate and father of the dark elves. Laarthik was consumed in flame as the energies of the stone cascaded around him and his screams of agony and rage became loud enough for the God of Hate to hear in his far away plane. The ground began to tremble and the clouds gathered in angry darkness over the woodds. A portal of swirling darkness appeared and plunged the woods into an inky blackness. Innoruuk, stepped out of the portal and set foot on Norrath. He found the body of his only daughter sorely wounded and crippled. He was so enraged that mortals would dare to harm his only child that he called down a curse on the woods that had seen Lanys's defeat. Innoruuk took up the limp form of Lanys and called forth his servant Hate. Hate, abeast of pure, unadulterated anger and vile purpose stepped from the shadowy portal and bowed before it's master. Innoruuk ordered it to kill all he could find. Innoruuk, with Lanys in his arms, returned to his plane of hate with his daughter's crippled body, but the energies of the stone that had called him forth had opened the door to that plane forever. The shadows of hate would fill the Kithicor woods and curse it for eternity. The undead of Innoruuk's plane would wander the woods at darkness when the portal was strongest as the door to the plane of Hate would stand open allowing passage between the plane of hate and the world of Norrath forever. Innoruuk's Wrath In response to Mithaniel Marr cursing Malevolence after the battle of Nektulous Wood, the Prince of Hate sought his own retribution. Through the priests of the Church of the Firstborn he spoke and Truthbringer became sought that it could meet a fate equal to that of Innoruuk's weapon. Innoruuk's minions departed and made their way for Grobb with the foresight of the artifact to which they sought, given them by their unholy father. They made their way to Grobb and it is believed a mass battle of sorts occurred. Some say that the Teir'Dal fell allied themselves to the Lizard man descendants of the Shissar from the Lost Temple of Cazic Thule whom had also been at arms at the neighboring ogres. A massive battle ensued with the united front of the ogres, trolls, and frogloks falling to the dark armies of hate and fear. That battle happened within the swamps outside Grobb which became the Innothule swamp. Named after Innoruuk and Cazic Thule. The Aftermath Many of the ogres from that day on began to pay homage to the faith of the Faceless one, Cazic Thule. Many of those true to the following of Rallos Zek within Oggok still despise the Lizard Men of the Lost Temple of Cazic Thule. It is said those that spend enough time within its depths fighting the fearites may gain enough favor with the Guardsmen and Craknek's of Oggok to pass freely within the city, while the ogre shamans who patron the Faceless will have an ever deeper burning hatred. Nalikor had hoped to escalate the society of the trolls from a tribal level to a more medieval feudal system. He never managed to attain such as it is believed he fell in battle and his remains were buried within a temple located within Grobb. It is said that the last remaining link between Trakanon and the Troll people was buried with Nalikor in the heart of that temple. Was this a key to Old Sebilis or something much greater? The truth of such remains as it is also believed that some of the people of Nalikor retreated after the battle to Broken Skull Rock, while those that had been converted to darkness remained and turned to the evil that is now Grobb. The Frogloks of Guk likewise suffered. The dark and evil magic of Innoruuk and the Faceless was brought into the heart of the froglok city. It was torn in half and turned into a city of perpetual battles, the light against the dark. This is why the deeper sections of Guk (Lower Guk) are known as the Ruins of Old Guk. It was here that the course of battle ruined their city and the undead now dwell within. Since the times of Aradune Mithara there has been said to be a quest somewhere yet unfound that the dreaded Undead Froglok Tongues can be taken to that standing be attained. This was before their use for alchemy and research. The quest remains yet unknown. The Frogloks have also allied themselves with the Erudite followers of Prexus and likewise taken up arms against the Heretics. There are also many frogloks found wandering Lake Rathe Tear, lead by Prince Kermit. Also of note within Rathe Mountains is Quid Rilstone, a deepwater knight who carries in his possession the Sirens Hair Hood and the Man-O-War. Take note the Frogloks can be found within the sewers under Qeynos along with Bait Masterson, a priest of Prexus and loyal member of the Deepwater Knights of Erudin. Bait also can occasionally be found fishing from the docks of Freeport for an unknown reason. Al'Kabor's Research The Teir'Dal ultimately discovered the location of Truthbringer, sealed away within the crystal field deep within the heart of Broken Skull Rock. Al'Kabor's Research Search for Immortality Al'Kabor, the most powerful wizard living on Norrath, has reached heights of power the likes of which most have never even dreamed. For him, however, this will all be for naught if he is unable to achieve what he desires more than anything: Immortality. This would give him the ultimate power, the power over death itself. So, Al'Kabor returns to his roots, to Erudin, to begin his research on the watermen, The Kedge. He now needs the help of adventurers to continue this research. Al'Kabor requires a few components. He cannot be bothered with the menial task of retrieving his own spell components, thus he tasks a group of adventurers with the responsibility of bringing him the components he needs. First, he sends a group of adventurers to retrieve four gnoll teeth. With these in hand, he dispatches a group to retrieve an aviak charm from South Karana. Finally, Al'Kabor needs something with a little more staying power, so to speak. Mammoth tusks from the beasts that roam the frozen plains of Norrath are said to hold this special property. With these items collected, Al'Kabor continues his research. The Swashbuckler’s Homecoming To continue his search for immortality, the wizard Al'Kabor needs certain items to replicate a most heinous ceremony. In his studies in the library of Erudin, he has read about a scroll of great power, and the fateful journey leading to its loss at sea. The ship "Shark's Bane" was chartered to carry the scroll from Butcherblock to Freeport during some of the worst storms that ocean had yet seen. Despite being crewed by rough and seedy veteran seaman, none of whom were strangers to travel in treacherous conditions, the voyage turned disastrous. Upon reaching the Ocean of Tears, the ship's captain determined it would be prudent to seek refuge at the Sisters of Erollisi Isle. His order to the tillerman to steer hard to port was met with no response. Turning, he watched as the poor soul was swept over the rail on the crest of a wave. The captain scrambled toward the rigging. A second wave breached the starboard side. The captain shut his eyes tightly and prepared for the impact. When none came, he opened his eyes. A muffled screamed escaped him as he watched the wave, now standing impossibly on the deck, sprout great arms and reach for him. The cacophony of snapping timbers and the thundering of water were all that bespoke the final voyage of the "Shark's Bane". Al'Kabor's knowledge of the ship and its fate are the results of his studies in the great Library of Erudin. However, as is the case with tales of this sort, much of the text was based upon hearsay. But there was mention of one Tillerman Jairik as the only survivor of the tragedy. Excited at the prospect of adding this scroll to his "Shopping List of Armageddon," Al'Kabor once again recruits a party to seek out Tillerman Jairik, and convince him to return to the site of the wreck to assist in the retrieval of the lost cargo. The wizard's knowledge of Jairik is limited to his general location. "The wretch has reverted to the meaningless existence of an arms monger, peddling his wares in the cave of East Commonlands. Were it not for the fact that within his tiny skull is locked the key so conjunctive to my research, I would give no more thought to his death than I would afford a mosquito in Feerrott." Tillerman Jairik has no knowledge of the cargo of the ship, though he knew it was valuable. He avoided the hold of the ship when the item was loaded, and was issued strict orders by the captain not to snoop. He felt an eerie presence even as he boarded the ship that rainy evening. "Arr, what a man don't know about, won't show up later to bite him in the arse!" Jairik has a mild fear of the sea now, but he overcomes it in order to accompany the adventurers to the location of the wreck. "Me ol' bones will feel more at ease knowin' me crewmates be at peace in their watery graves, aye." Because he was swept overboard before the attack of what Al'Kabor identified as a water elemental, he has no knowledge of the beast. He fully expects the ship to be in ruins with its cargo plundered long ago. Little does he know, the elemental has taken up residence aboard the lost ship. By the time the ship reaches the docks in the Ocean of Tears, Jairik has regained his sea legs, and has no problem swimming to the rocky isle. "C'mon, ye scurvy dogs! The salty brine will keep ya afloat, like an egg on a glass table!" "Prexus! Don't be takin' me now!" Jairik exclaims when he sees the ghostly Shark's Bane docked at the isle, and the great Water Elemental floating upon its deck. "Ach, I dinnae want to be fish food!" The water elemental disembarks and attacks the adventurers. Jairik, overcome with terror, only assists in the battle when the party becomes overwhelmed, and even then only half-heartedly. With the defeat of the water elemental, Jairik continues on with the party to the Sisters of Erollisi island, where Al'Kabor awaits them. Anxious to return to his laboratory and continue his research, Al'Kabor quickly rewards the adventurers. The party's questions annoy him, they being far too simple to comprehend his plans, and he rudely departs. Tillerman Jairik, the Swashbuckler, returns to the Commonlands and resumes his peaceful mercantile life. The Relic of Brell Serilis At last, with the long sought after scroll in his possession, the mighty Al'Kabor unravels the secret behind the demise of the Kedge race. Phinigel Autropos, the last surviving Kedge, consigned his brethren to permanent undeath with a magical spell of great power. Al'Kabor, armed with this knowledge, confronts Phinigel. The unspoken threat that he could use the very same spell on Phinigel himself is made clear, unless Phinigel cooperates with the wizard. The last Kedge is not one to take such threats lightly, however, and though he could more than likely destroy arrogant Erudite, he reasons it wiser to teach him a valuable lesson rather than risk his own life. Phinigel uses his arcane magic to send out a vision of an ancient artifact, long guarded by his minions, the aqua goblins. The Hammer of Dagnor Butcherblock, the first dwarven king, appears before the dwarven rogue Duskan Hammerhand and a dark elven cleric named Teuil N'Mar. In the vision, the hammer is revealed, secreted beneath the murky waters of Dagnor's Cauldron within a barnacle-encrusted tower, and guarded by aqua goblins. Duskan recognizes the holy relic, and immediately makes a foolish attempt to retrieve the hammer alone, desiring the glory of the successful deed solely for himself. He fails, narrowly escaping the aqua goblins with his life. Crawling along the shore, barely coherent and near death, Duskan manages to convince a party of passing adventurers to escort him to his King. When Duskan is brought before King Kazon Stormhammer and reveals his story of the vision and his botched raid, the King organizes an expedition for the recovery of the Butcherblock Hammer, known among the dwarves as Dagnor's Fist. Three dwarven champions are chosen to head the effort: Boris Stormhammer, the King's nephew, Kalek Orefinder, and Fenric Ogrebane, son of the legendary Furtog Ogrebane. These three, aided by the adventurers, easily cut down the aqua goblins guarding the hammer. As the goblin Tidal Lord is dying, Phinigel Autropos himself appears. He stymies the dwarves and adventurers, driving them back. Then, as swiftly as he appeared, he disappears. The dwarves and adventurers finish off the last goblin and rescue the hammer. As they march victoriously back to Kaladim, a dark elven raiding party ambushes and slaughters them. In the fight, the dark elven wizard perishes, preventing the raiders' return to Neriak. The leader, Valkis D'Vinn, carefully seals the captured relic in an enchanted adamantium chest, and orders his group to march to Crushbone, where another dark elven wizard awaits. Fenric, thought dead but actually feigning, overhears these plans, and immediately seeks help once they leave. The dark elven raiding party discovers upon returning to Crushbone that the wizard they sought, Szasi R'Alis, is dead, along with Grak Crushbone, who died defending her. Valkis attempts to bargain with the adventurers who surround them, but is quickly cut down. The sealed Adamant Chest of Thex passes into the possession of the adventurers, who return to Kaladim to deliver the chest to King Kazon. The Dwarven King declares the dwarf in the party of adventurers his champion, and instructs him to return with the key to the chest. The adventurers travel to Nektulos and slay Captain Na'Var, holder of the key. The Captain struggles, but is outmatched. The adventurers take the key back to the King, who rewards them with baubles from his treasury. The King then declares the dwarf adventurer who was integral to the success of the mission to be Champion of the Dwarves, and Guardian of Butcherblock's Hammer. The Butcherblock Hammer The Irontoe Brigade split up after a failed attempt to siege Castle Crushbone and retrieve the Butcherblock Hammer. Most that survived wound their way to Qeynos to serve Sraag Bloodheart, the lord of the Bloodsabres whom are also allied to King Naythox Thex of Neriak of Neriak. The Teir'Dal at some point in time gained possession of the relic through an unknown means, before it ended up cast away in its watery prison within Dagnors Cauldron. It is said that a member of the Irontoe Brigade brandished the weapon for a time. This makes perfect sense considering the alliance between Carson McCabe, Naythox Thex, and the Bloodsabres. Found upon The Prophet within the midst of Castle Crushbone is a note sent by Artellin D'Nev that fortells of the battle of Broken Skull Rock and how their forces shall meet them at dawn to be ready. The letter was penned in the dark elven tongue. What is known next is that the Butcherblock Hammer was used by the Teir'Dal and their allies to shatter the crystal field that contained the sword of Mithaniel Marr. The artifact of one god used to free another. What happens to the sword from here is but a mystery. Some say the blade was whisked away to Neriak and taken deep within the vaults of the Church of the Firstborn where a way is sought to see to its ends. Others say that the hobbits who inhabit the Nektulous wood are there as it is a holy site from the final days of Aradune Mithara (Beta) where their god once walked. They seek to claim Truthbringer from the undark city as a trophy in remembrance to the King of Thieves. Whatever happened to Truthbringer after it was removed from its combines is yet unknown for certain till this very day. The trail goes cold, and a new mystery is born. The Search for Truthbringer Since the theft of the blade from Broken Skull Rock, the children that were true to the teachings of Nalikor and the faith of Mithaniel Marr departed their isle in search of the holy sword. They are allied to the Knights of Truth (faction hits) likewise in their search. Plnorrick Spinecracker is found in the Seafarers Roost at the docks in East Freeport. Within High Pass at the Lumber Yard is another Troll of the Broken Skull Clan also. They seek that which was lost and perhaps also have tracked it to somewhere upon Antonica and follow old clues from the thieves. With the members of The Dark Alliance it is no doubt that the greatest of holy swords lays scattered somewhere about Antonica, moved unseen with the aid of Carson McCabe and his smugglers. The Pendant and Miragul The Dragon Pendant Each held by one of Trakanons Heroes, each scattered across Norrath. There is the Dragon Pendant of Edril the Lancer, the unknown gift of magic from Miragul, and the burning blade of Nalikor. The whereabouts as of this writing of the Pendant of Edril the Lancer seem yet unknown. There is but one thing that seems of note. Edril the Lancer was said to have been buried within the depths of Lake Elizerain whose body lay in depths therein. The lake bordering upon the Steamfront Mountains of Faydwer. I came across a gnome by name of Grynnaf Einoom. Speaking with Grynnaf he fortold me of a dragonslayer whose known as Nortlav the Scalekeeper that could slay dragons with even the rustiest of weapons. He told to me that this scalekeeper of sorts was said to be lost somewhere surrounded by darkness. Following my good senses I continued my search. I found this Nortlav deep within the Hole. Why was Nortlav the Scalekeeper in the hole? What was he doing so far from home? There has only been one other that was known for the power to slay such was none other then Edril the Lancer. It makes me wonder. Does Nortlav the Scalekeeper hold the pendant of Edril the Lancer? If he is slaying dragons so easily as Edril then he must have of it or once had of it within his possession at the time he fought so many of Veeshan's children. Nortlav himself is an Erudite of an unknown profession. It is not proven but believed that he may be allied to the dragon Trakanon (Trakanon Faction). There may also be some connection as the wife of Edril's late wife Almaril was also an Erudite. It is also known that Nortlav the Scalekeeper carries a tome of unknown origins within his possession; the Book of Shadows. Miragul's Gift of Magic The gift given to Miragul remains yet to be known. As I have been able to discern of Miragul he was but a mage from the city of Erudin. He managed to garner an unknown artifact from Trakanon to which he used it to master all forms of magic. Of which his most noteworthy school had been the dark arts of Necromancy in an attempt to cheat death. The elder mage turned Necromancer attempted a dark rite and traveled the dark roads of lichdom. His experiments met with both failure and success. While his soul lays in torment within his Phylactery held by the Oracle of K'Arnon for unknown reasons; his ever slowly decaying body rages in mad torments within the caverns under Everfrost. Each day of damnation, walking the abysmal depths of his lab...over and over again. It is unknown what the gift in and of itself may have been or what became of it. When the wall of living stone was opened in old Paineel Dartain of the Dark Truth was set free once more. A prophet of a sort of the Plaguebringer and a once former disciple of the teachings of Miragul, the father of the heretics. It was said for some time that Dartain carried a strange tome of Miragul's within his possession whilst he lay within the murky depths of old Paineel. Does or did those tome have some sort of connection with the Trakanon's artifact given to Miragul? Al'Kabor has long since been a fervent enemy of Dartain. Al'Kabor likewise sought to escape death just as Miragul did. Al'Kabor has been also said to be the singular most powerful wielder of the arts that lives in Norrath to this day, second only to Mayong Mistmoore. Where Miragul failed in his experiments to cheat death, Al'Kabor continues his research without end. Is the source of Al'Kabor’s power the artifact Trakanon gave to Miragul? Nalikor The Burning Blade of Nalikor In the final days of Aradune Mithara (Beta) was a grand play. A coveted battle of sorts between a number of the gods. It was here the ranger born of Surefall Glade served well to the Qeynos standard, and fell in that final hour to be raised up upon the plains of his god as an avatar ascendant. In that time there were four holy swords, each sacred to the holy knights that travel Norrath we better know as the paladin. The first was a sword known as Ghoulbane, found within the Shin Lord of Guk. There is now a quest regarding a high elf that once carried the blade; whose pieces have been scattered throughout Norrath for unknown reasons. The second was a blade known as Soulfire, received from besting Pietro Zarn. The shadowknight lord of the Church of the Dismal Rage. When the times of Aradune Mithara (Beta) passed, the blade had been split up and cast throughout Norrath (Soulfire Quest; Zimel's Blades). The third blade was the legendary Fiery Avenger, to which Karana placed a modified version to his avatar Aradune Mithara. The sword in the times of Aradune Mithara (Beta) was said to have been found from amidst the hoard of treasures piled up deep within the lairs of the vile Lord Nagafen. After the times of Aradune Mithara, it was later taken by an Erudite Paladin who carried it with him into the Plane of Sky after failing to dispatch the heretic Miragul. The fourth and final and most powerful of the three was the sword of Mithaniel Marr himself, Truthbringer. This sword during the times of Aradune Mithara (Beta) was received for besting Sir Lucan, the fallen Knight of Truth and tyrant of Freeport. The last time Truthbringer was seen in its final hour was in the hands of Mithaniel Marr who appeared in North Freeport before his Temple. He summoned his followers and they marched into the darkness of the Nektulous Woods where awaited the Prince of Hate and his minions. En epic battle between the two gods ensued, as their followers battled all around and the woods were soaked with blood and souls being sent into the hereafter. Amidst the shadows the King of Thieves and Master of Trickery watched on; Fizzlethorpe Bristlebane. Innoruuk carried within his hands Malevolence the Governor of the Wicked. Mithaniel Marr in his hands wielded his blade Truthbringer, which some say was taken from the light of the heavens. Bristlebane sided with Innoruuk and helped to best the God of Valor and then turned upon a weakened Innoruuk to rule the day. Both weapons of both gods were cast out into the world in that day where the gods battled. Malevolence became cursed by Mithaniel Marr (Freeport Newspaper; The Freeport Observer) and scattered by the chief priests of the Church of the Firstborn. Truthbringer fell into the hands of Trakanon who kept it within his possession for sometime. With that battle of many gods passed, the time of Aradune Mithara (Beta) ended and Truthbringer vanished with it. Never to be seen nor heard of ever again. Where once the blade could be found, is now apart of the quest that regains the blade of Ariska Zimel, Soulfire. Trakanon held the blade for some time. When the Combine Empire settled in Kunark, they brought with them the faith of Mithaniel Marr. The empire had those off all races within its midst, as well only took to the following of the light gods. Nalikor was one such troll that came under the influence of the presence of the Combine Empire and the faith of Mithaniel Marr. Even though the empire was long gone, the seeds of the light remained. Nalikor, Troll of Marr Books at one point in time used to be available within Cabalis that spoke of Nalikor and his rising up amidst the Troll clans. There was also a book within the Ocean of Tears found upon the isle where the Ancient Cyclops dwells within the hands of an elven merchant that foretells of the Prophecy of Trakanon. Only a few weeks after Trakanon was met and bested in battle did the books in both places vanish (Removed in a Patch). Nalikor was said in the prophecy to have been a shaman. But to trolls that did not know what a paladin was, with his powers being asimiliar to that of a shaman...that would be a correct analogy from their mindset with what they knew in and of themselves. Holy swords of power burn with the brightest of flames and only may be wielded by paladins alone. Nalikor was indeed a paladin of the lord of valor (Influenced by the former Combine Empire's faith) and his gift given him by Trakanon was indeed Truthbringer; the sword of Mithaniel Marr. The Frogloks of Guk When Nalikor left Kunark for Tunaria (what we now call Antonica) he followed the Frogloks. The Shin Lord and the Froglok King of Guk are both Paladins. They follow none other then Prexus, the Oceanlord. When the Sebilisian Empire fell to Trakanon and his allies from the Ring of Scale the Frogloks revolted and many departed Kunark making their way for Tunaria. Nalikor followed the Frogloks knowingly and made his way to greet his fellows of the light. Mayong Mistmoore & Tserinna Syl'Tor Mayong Mistmoore and Tserinna Syl'Tor can be traced all the way back to the Teir'Dal Empire of Caerthiel and its earliest roots being that of Odus. Castle Mistmoore is the last hold of the Teir'Dal Empire that once was. Captain Rohand of the Maiden‘s Lure speaks of his travels, as well an ancient vampire that has been said to haunt the lands of Faydwer. (Mayong Mistmoore was removed from Castle Mistmoore at release due to bad pathing issues. His agro radius was the entire zone, thus training the castle. The model that had been used for Mayong Mistmoore is now used for the Maestro of Rancor, located in the Plane of Hate.) The creatures of Mayong Mistmoore and Tserinna are still found across the Karana Plains to which were left as a result of their involvements. A librarian of the Erudin Library sells a copy of a page from the journal of Miragul, foretelling of how Tserinna experimented with magics to which a soul was bound to objects, hence creating the first Scarecrow. This is also evident from the animated suits of armor upon the third floor of her tower. Miragul had spent much time with the Teir'Dal people to master the dark arts that he might cheat death. Mistmoore's curse of Lycanthropy likewise still accurses the Karana Plains to this day. Werewolf hunters can even be found wandering the Northern Karana's. Mayong Mistmoore is the father of Lycanthropy as is known from speaking with Lord Nethryn the Artributo of the Realm of Heroes, from Felwithe. Tserinna built her Tower of Frozen Shadow in Vellious by entombing the mountain spirits of the Stonebrunt Mountains. They were trapped within stone, and the stone used to forge her twisted spire which stands as a blight upon the lands of shadow and ineffable darkness. This taken from an account of the Kejekan, that dwell within the mountain passes. Mayong Mistmoore came to despise dragonkind for many ages along with Venril Sathir, and his line. His hatred towards dragons is believed spawned by the long time Knowledge of the Crystal Claw of Veeshan. Of the line of Sathir was spurned at the hands of the disappearance of Dencarja and the Imperatrix Zhelebati Thex of Caerthiel. It was said that neither Dencarja nor Imperatrix Zhelebati could be seen in either the lands of the dead or the living. Do they yet remain somewhere on Norrath or trapped in another world? The Betrothal of Mistmoore and Syl'Tor During the time of Mayong Mistmoore's hunting of Veeshan and her brood, Mayong Mistmoore was to wed Tserinna. Tserinna was once a mortal but then embraced by a kiss of darkness, entering into a state of vampiric undeath at the hands of her lover. The two would be wed and portraits of her beloved were placed throughout the dreary spire. It was from Tserinna that Miragul the father of Heretics and first hero of Trakanon mastered the arts of lichcraft. Upon her wedding night she approached Mayong Mistmoore a gift to her betrothed. It was here that she gave him the ultimate gift of magic in the form of the worlds one and only known dragon lich, the Dracolich that now wanders the realm of Cazic Thule. Mistmoore rebuked her for this gift and declared her an abomination fearing wrathe from on high. Tserinna in her anguish in turn slew the wedding party within the tower, and to this day they yet remain in the torments of undeath. The portraits of Mayong Mistmoore were likewise defaced as well. To this very day Tserinna carries the Phylactery of the Dracolich in the form of a Soulstone upon her person, a bitter memory of the past (it is also revealed through the quest dealing with Garzicor that precious gems can be used to contain the spirits of Dragons). Upon approach to the dismal tower can be heard the feint beating of a heart. Is that the soul of a dragon crying out for release or that of the souls crying out i unison trapped within the makeup of the tower? Shadow Guardians litter the snowy wastes outside the tower, and within the tower can be found "Shadows" dwelling within. These Shadows and Shadow Guardians are neither living nor dead, neither are they undead. There are also shadows upon Luclin, especially within the area of Shar Vahl. Are these shadows what remains of lost erudites that were moved with the city when the Erudites attempted to use their weapon against the Heretics? They seem exactly as if the Shadow Men that seemingly oppose the Temple of Solusek Ro. Within the Maidens Eye upon Luclin can be found the agents of The Burning Prince. What part did Tserinna play in the first war of the gods? The Founding of Ak'Anon Of the gnomes and the empire of Felwithe: Ever the since the first days of the elven rebellion, it had been decided by the emperor of Felwithe that the gnomes would be a free race allied with the elven empire and able to live on elven lands, much unlike the almost slave-like persecution the little tinkers suffered under the rule of the dark elves. The gnomes had been granted lands surrounding the fertile Elizerain Lake and there existed for a century or more in peace with their elven neighbors. However, being on elven lands also meant the gnomes would have to follow elvish customs, and increasingly the gnomes began to feel out of place. The gnomes were builders, not artists, and they could not sing or dance or play musical instruments. Elves prided themselves on their use of the bow and their long, graceful blades but gnomish arms couldn't support the lengthy elven weaponry. And while the elven language was meant to be spoken in long, descriptive, and fluid verse, the gnomes were always prone to speak in jittery and incredibly fast sentences. Slowly, a general concensus began to form among the gnomes that someday a separate gnomish kingdom would have to be formed. The gnome most responsible to bring about this change was named Biddyn. Biddyn was born the fourth son to a poor farmer on the east of the Elizerain Lake, the gnomish territories closest to the heart of the empire. Almost immediately he recognized how much he, and even his brothers and father, hated farm work. The most joyous times in his life, as he later wrote, were the monthly festivals the gnomes held where they would gather and build all manner of fascinating machines. This, he thought, is what gnomes should be doing and he bestowed upon himself the responsibility to make sure this came to pass. Studying elven mannerisms and rhetoric on his market voyages to Felwithe with his father, Biddyn soon became a speaker the likes of which no gnome has ever equaled. His very charisma charmed everyone around him into the idea of a separate gnomish kingdom, and he soon was ready to bring his demands before the emperor. The emperor at this time was none other then Carandril, past lord of Kelethin, who had appointed the warrior Edril as his first soldier long ago and also as the head of the imperial army. Edril had served loyally and skillfully as Carandril's guard for more then a hundred years, the warrior elf being only a little more then middle-aged for his race. Charmed by his determination and skillful speaking, Edril supported Biddyn for a separate gnomish kingdom. Even the emperor was attracted to the proposition, as a new allied kingdom would open new opportunities for trade while the gnomish loss would not be a big drain on the imperial economy. After only six days of deliberation, Carandril granted Biddyn's request and plans were immediately formed for the creation of a new gnomish homeland. The emperor severed the southern part of his empire, mostly unused and barren fields beyond the steamfont mountains, and gave it to the gnomes. The land was renamed "Akanon" which is elven for "Gift" and ten gnomish settlers as well as five elven guards were prepared to make a journey into Akanon and chart the lands. Of the plague dragon and the formation of Akanon: The fifteen settlers rode out surrounded by the cheers of elves and gnomes alike, but were not heard from for many months. Finally after the fifth month of their disappearance, only one elven soldier, his clothes torn to pieces and his weapons shattered, rode solemnly through the gates of the empire. He was the last of the settlers who remained alive, and recounted his tale before an astonished imperial council. A plague dragon, with scales of an oozing black, had attacked the party soon after they had crossed into the southern lands and had claimed that the lands of Akanon were his own. For months the plague dragon chased them and hunted the gnomes and elves down. The soldier had watched each man die a slow and horrible death, and believed the dragon only let him go to give this message to the elves. The gnomes were instantly furious that Carandril had given them cursed lands to settle, and the emperor immediately ordered the death of the dragon. Frightened by the terrible story of the soldier, most of his warriors were reluctant to volunteer, as Carandril would not force anyone to fight such a terrible beast. Edril, however, immediately offered his services as a personal favor to the gnomes. When Biddyn himself volunteered five more gnomes joined the hunt, and together with his gnomish friends, Edril rode to the steamfont mountains to meet the terrible beast. What happened next is best summed up by Biddyn's own "The History of the Gnomes": I admit as much, that even my legs were shaking when we approached the mouth of the demon's great cave. From our previous encounters, and from the memories of our lost friend Dolyn, we were all terrified of the beast. All of us, that is, except for Edril, but I don't think Innoruk himself could scare that elf. He thrives from fear as much as I do the tobacco in my pipe, it is to him as some sweet nectar that clears his thoughts and hones his blade. So while we trembled before the plague dragon's domain, Edril simply lifted his sword to his shoulder, looked back at me, and said "wait here." With a proud determination he marched toward the black cave entrance, a portal to the lower planes if ever there was one. He marched to his death, or so we thought. But when we saw him next in two days time he pulled behind him the head of the evil beast, which left thick trails of a green poison behind it. He breathed heavily, and painful scars covered his body. I laughed, thinking that while Edril was obviously hurt, the dragon must have felt much worse before his death. Anything that inflicts that much pain to the elf must be prepared to receive the same thrashing tenfold. The skull of the dragon sits still on the entrance to the gnome's own Fortress Mechanus. Edril and his band of gnomes would be written into gnomish lore forever as for the next weeks they rode tirelessly through the lands of Akanon, fighting back fierce creatures and charting the perfect hillside location for the first ever kingdom of gnomes. Edril spent much more time in Akanon then originially expected, personally overseeing the kingdom's construction. When the first houses were made and the first gnomish settlers came pouring in, Biddyn was selected as the first king of the gnomes and he in turn erected a statue in honor of Edril. The statue depicts Edril's battle with the great plague dragon, and gnomish craftsmanship made it enormous and actually useful: it sits in the heart of Akanon even today, acting as the central part to Akanon's extensive irrigation system. When Edril returned home to Felwithe he was greeted by hundreds of proud soldiers and again proclaimed a hero. The Combine Empire The Last Act of Divinity The Lord of Valor had looked on at his creations, which he had deposited in the frigid north. In what many call the last act of divinity from ages past, Mithaniel Marr cast his hand and the Barbarians evolved into the humans and what would later be called erudites of today. Amidst the chaos and the mayhem of the savage barbarians; the humans that had patroned the Lightbringer departed the frozen north of then Tunaria. With them they took the faith of Mithaniel and Erollisi Marr as they left for the world beyond what would be known as Halas. The Formation of the Empire The empire slowly expanded with the human migration from the savage northern frontier to include not only Humans (including the dark skinned High Men) and their Barbarian cousins, but other races as well which included the Teir'Dal, Ogres, Koada'Dal, Feir'Dal, Dwarves, Gnomes, Halflings, and the Kedge. It was the Humans, Barbarians, Koada'Dal, Fier'Dal, Dwarves, Gnomes, and Halflings that became the mainstay of the Empire. Although reluctant, The second to join with the new empire after the brutish cousins of humanity, the Barbarians; were the Teir'Dal. The Teir'Dal brought with them the arts of magic which they had inherited our of the ashes of the Shissar Empire. with the Teir'Dal also came the attention of the dragons of Kunark, who oft meddled in the affairs of the mortal realms. The Emergence of the Combine Empire With the coming of Teir'Dal into the empire it attracted the attention of dragons. The Empire took the name "Combine" which is a name oft used synonymously with dragons. The Combine Empire was at long last born. With that, the Combine Empire made its way to the oasis within the Desert of Ro, which they dubbed the oasis of Marr after Mithaniel and Erollisi. From here they traveled across the Timorous Deep, and nestled themselves within an ancient shissar city in a lost and forgotten valley within the dreadlands. From here the Empire expanded to include the Trolls, Iksar, Giants of Kunark, as well as the giants of Kael Drakkal (You can learn Combine by spending 30 minutes roughly near giants in either Kael Drakkal or Warsliks Woods). The Evolution of Magic As a result of the involvement of the Teir'Dal, the Combine Empire flourished magically and dispersed the knowledge of the arcane throughout the races thereof that carried a natural aptitude to wield of it. Being they were followers of the light they shunned necromancy and magics of insidious portents, but excelled in wizardry, mage craft, and enchantment. Similarly the Combine Empire had also encountered the great spires and pyramids throughout Norrath. They had no knowledge nor idea of their origins; yet only a small understanding did they gain of the intense raw arcane power that swelled within. Through the continual study and research of the arts geomancy was born, or earth magic. The Combine Empire had gained the ability to transport themselves and others to various spires and pyramids within Norrath, which evolved ultimately to the wizardly teleportation spells that we know of today. Religion in the Empire As the Combine Empire was an empire of light, and believed in redeeming even the most unruly of individuals. Race or creed did not matter, only the spirit that lay within the beating heart. The core of the religion was based upon the Marr Twins, with Mithaniel Marr taking precedence. Over time other gods slowly began to make themselves known to the newly budding Empire either directly or through the influences of other races. Rodcet Nife, Karana, Quellious, Solusek Ro, Prexus, Brell, and Bristlebane. The worship of the gods of light races is what made the darker races hesitant to enter into the Empire. The Fall of the Combine Empire Tsaph Katta, emperor of the troubled combine was holding a grand state banquet. Almost all nations and tribes were in attendance. The dwarven, gnomish, and elven allies all had ambassadors on hand as did the belligerent Teir'Dal. Even the ogres and trolls were represented. All who received an invitation felt compelled to attend, such was the might and the power of the Combine. As the guests entered the banquet hall, Katta was there to receive them. One guest came with a smile on his lips and poison in his hand. He had dusted his glove with empolomine, a slow-killing, hallucination-inducing drug. The guest extended his hand as Tsaph welcomed him to the banquet. With the handshake the fate of the Combine was changed. Katta's reaction was more rapid and violent then most and he collapsed during the dinner, appearing as one possessed. Possessed by evil, some muttered. The banquet hall was cleared, and only a trusted few were allowed to remain. As Katta lay on the floor, dying, he spoke his last breath into the ear of his closest advisor, a fellow bard named Lcea. The druids then druids then came and wove stasis spells to keep him alive, and put a deep sleep charm on him so that he would not have to endure pain and suffering. Then the elves of the forest came and took Tsaph away, to hide him within their realm so that no further attempts on his life would be possible. As soon as word spread around the world that Katta was "dead", the Combine Empire broke into a thousand tainted pieces. The petty arguments that had shattered the world before his coming resumed with even more passion. The elves continued to keep watch over the resting-place of Tsaph Katta while a few loyal officials , led precariously by Lcea, fortified the Loyalists last remnants. The Exodi The First Exodus In a scroll recovered from the depths of the dreadlands off of a wild beast within the city of the old Combine, foretold of the first exodus (Removed in a patch later). According to this sage work, a great and terrible tragedy came to pass within the Combine Empire. Fearing the worst they fled in haste across an unknown sea which became dubbed the Ocean of Tears for their great sorrow. The direct result of this flight is why there is an isle that has sworn fealty to Qeynos (called "brother isle" by some, they declare fealty to Antonius Bayle when attacked and are on various Qeynos factions. Antonius Bayle I was aboard that fleet of ships from Kunark) The second isle that had become populated were by elven followers of Erollisi Marr (more commonly called sisterhood isle by some), and of course the Oracle of K'Arnon who dwells upon the faith of Solusek Ro, the Burning Prince. The ships landed upon the ruins of the Caerthielian outpost of Wielle, from the Teir'Dal empire. There they erected the walls of the City of Valor, Freeport. It was then Antonius Bayle I rose up and lead an army across Tunaria to the western seaboard and built what would become the Free City of Qeynos, atop the ruins of another ancient Teir'Dal outpost. Along the way as he rode across the lands, some of the great Kings people drifted from their ranks, as they had when they crossed the sea and remained still to the day. Those that separated from Antonius Bayle in their sojourn are what we now know as the gypsy. To this day the practitioners of the arts of wizardry, mage craft, and of enchantments can still be found within their camps, just as had been in their ancestors of the Empire. The same arts are also practiced equivocally in Qeynos and Freeport with the same fervor as well. With the journey complete and Qeynos standing, Tunaria was no more but a fading memory. For within the new kingdom of Qeynos stood the faiths of Karana and the Nife from of the Combine Empire, and across the tongue of every man, woman, and child was the land now known as Antonica. The elves of Felwithe retreated back across the sea to Faydwer. The influences of the Combine Empire are still found till this very day. For they too continue to practice the three arts along and still some yet pay homage to the gods of the Combine Empire, Mithaniel Marr, Erollisi Marr, and Karana. The influence of the elves in the Empire upon the early Combine Settlers are also why there are so many half elves found in Qeynos and Freeport. The gnomes and dwarves returned to the Combine Empire, and the hobbits…it is said built a small village as what we now know as Rivervale, and inherited the faith of the sage Rainkeeper. The gnomes likewise returned to Faydwer where they ultimately built the city of Ak’Anon. The Second Exodus Those that claimed allegiance to the standard of the empire were now split in twain. There was the Inquisition Combine who was lead by a man known as Seru. Seru was responsible for building the Inquisition of the Combine Empire and rooting out all evil from within its midst. He is also the alleged assassin of Tsaph Katta. It has been said the reason for this is a due to the fact that Seru disagreed with allowing the darker races membership in the Combine Empire, viewing them as a blight or an aberration upon the Combine Empire. Those that remained loyal to the teachings of their former Emperor Tsaph Katta, became known as the Loyalist Combine which, were now lead by Lcea Katta. Luclin the Maiden of Shadows then chose to reveal her moon through The Veil to Lcea Katta. Lcea could see past the glint of the moons rings what looked like blurry cloud formations, and what appeared to be sparkling reflections that hinted at bodies of water. Knowing that the Inquisition would be coming for them, she gathered her council and they made plans to depart Norrath and rebuild upon the ringed moon of Luclin. In perhaps the greatest ritual of the arts ever known in history conducted by the mages, the Combine Empire departed their city in Kunark after months of preparation...never to be seen nor heard from, ever again. One great flash of light as the spires crackled and flared with mana, and they were gone. Instead of appearing upon the surface of the moon, they appeared surrounded by an inky darkness. Fearing the worst, the tension mounted. Slowly one by one light lanterns and torches were lit, alongside the utterances of phrases to invoke arcane light sources of the arcane nature. It had been apparent they were deposited somewhere in the heart of Luclin in a vast cavern system. Off to one side of the new found encampment was a large black sphere of swirling mist that emanated a strong magical field that seemed to pull everything to it and was the blame for their fate. This sphere had been left over from when the Shissar had escaped to the moon in a similar fashion, escaping retribution at the hands of the gods during their first war. Thoughts were now divided and many in dismay as it became known there was no way of returning to Norrath. Those wishing to develop a way back to Norrath would remain and those who feared being followed by the Inquisition as it was only a matter of time, departed in a caravan to the surface. Somewhere during this time the geomancer Grieg was outcast from the people, as they began to blame him for their being stranded upon the moon. Grieg built his castle in the bright side of the moon and was driven mad by the goddess Luclin, ending his research on finding the a back through the stars to Norrath. The Ghosts of Past Cities Founding of Shadowhaven Less then one thousand in number, those that remained within the caverns continued to build. The area around the strange sphere which had been studied by the mages, became known as the Nexus. They continued to build within the caverns, and then it happened sooner then expected. The swirling black sphere of mist crackled with eldritch energy as the armies of the Inquisition Combine slowly were pulled through to the moon of Luclin. Both parties were surprised to see each other, but the people of the Nexus were not without guard for they had built fortifications and had been prepared for their coming. The officers of the invading army met with the locals, who made it clear they wished no part in the Combine dispute. Only in returning home. The new arrivals wished only to chase down the followers of Tsaph Katta, and were shocked of discovering they too shared the fate of their enemies. Not comfortable in possible enemy territory the Inquisition set off to build a town of their own, going the opposite way of the Loyalists. Many were ordered to remain behind with the people of the Nexus doubling their numbers. These people built another settlement to the one right next to the one already there, which they called Fungus Grove. The construction of the settlement continued. Over time the differences of the researchers dissipated, working more closely to try and reopen the portal to Norrath. At this time the families that had played either important roles in the construction of the city or the research upon the sphere in the Nexus, became prominent individuals within the confines of the city. From this point on a general council was elected to run the city. A name was also chosen from the list of those proposed. House Fordel was taken from a family that had survived only a widow. The entire family was lost in a scouting party within the caverns in the first couple months of the great city. They had also been great craftsmen, playing a vital role in much of the cities original construction. The word Midst was taken from a long line of mages who had helped research the way to Luclin, and had spent many hours by candlelight trying to search for a way home to Norrath. Hence "Fordel Midst" came to be; a haven of shadows. The Fate of Two Cities Upon the edges of the Twilight Sea within the Tenebrous Mountains, was built in darkness, the city of the Loyalist Combine lead by Lcea Katta; Katta Castellum. The city of the Loyalist Combine lays plagued by Vampires, but from where are their origins steeped? Was Tsaph Katta the spawn of a vengeful Mayong Mistmoore, that despised the light of the Combine Empire and their association with his most hated of enemies? If so was that truly a poison placed upon the hands of an assassin, or was it garlic powder? Even to this day, in Katta Castellum can be found all the tools of the vampire hunter. Woe be to the those that dwell into the embrace of darkness. Who is Nathyn Illuminous and what is his connection to the Coterie of the Eternal Night which prey upon passers by within the Tenebrous Mountains, and Katta Castellum. Nathyn Illuminous is a vampire of long standing within the city and a mage of some rapore as well. Who is Nathyn Illuminous and what are his plans, and why is he allied to the Coterie of the Eternal Night? Is Nathyn Illuminous Tsaph Katta? It is also said that Tsaph Katta yet lives, in a "resting-place" of designation by the elves. Does Tsaph Katta live in stasis or in eternal torment as a creature of the night? Or, has he simply passed on? The Caretaker of the city graveyard of how when Norrath reaches its epicenter that the ghosts of the dead from the early settlers of Katta Castellum retell the early days when the city was first built upon the edges of the mountainous passes. Is that why Lcea Katta stands within the shrine of Marr from time to time? Is she dead...or alive? Within the bright side of twilight did Seru and his followers build Sanctus Seru. From here the Inquisition Combine calls their home, in their battle against those of the Combine Empire. Did Seru meet a fate worse then death at the hands of Mayong Mistmoore upon a mission of the inquisition? was Seru himself embraced by the Lord of the Damned and the Inquisition of the Combine Empire turned in a vicious tool of vengeance and hate against the Empire and the dragons of Kunark? One thing that is certain, with them came the vampires. And vampires must feed off the blood of the living, and within the dreary mountain passes of the Tenebrous Mountains...the living dead did dwell in a place of eternal darkness and endless torments. What is the truth? Where does it all begin? Where does it all end? Only in dark shadows is the light of the truth... Tsaph Katta and the Fate of the World Did the Combine Empire see the end of the world? Was the purpose of the Empire to prepare for the coming of Trakanon's Prophecy of the end of days, at a second war of the gods? It was Trakanon that held the legendary Truthbringer for some time, until passing it to a troll that inherited the faith of the Combine Empire, and then the blade of his god. Was it Trakanon that orchestrated the rise of the Combine Empire in secret? Awaiting his fourth hero... ...and so I walked through the darkened city streets of my forefathers. All was eerily silent. I had heard the stories of strange unholy fiends that did come in the night to torment the children and the beloveds of others. Making the sign of the coveted evil eye I fastened the wooden stake at my belt along with a few vials of holy war, continuing upon my way. When I was given them by the old man I had no idea what he meant at first when he said, "ere son, ye'll b'needin this...". It was with a dark chill that made the hair stand up upon the back of my neck, as I made my way through the twisted streets of governed darkness. Was I being watched? Was I being...followed? Not wanting to fully know the answer, I made haste through the gates...and was no more within the walls of the city of the Combine. Luclin During this time when the gods began to fight and bicker amidst themselves, Luclin departed to the ringed moon out past The Veil, erected by the three. It was here she slowly began to build what would become a small planet over time through plot and machination. After the coming of Bloody Kithicor the Shadowmen appeared, opposing the Temple of Solusek Ro. It is said upon the face of Luclin's moon looks like what might be an entry to a plane of fire. Also within the Maidens Eye lays beings that pay homage to the Burning Prince. What caused such enmity between two gods of neutrality? Luclin seems to be bent somewhat towards the dark making pacts with evil ones and those that dwell in the arts of the dead, while Solusek Ro although neutral seems bent towards those of the light while having a friendly rivalry with Mithaniel Marr. Was this started when Marnek Jaull lead a cult of necromancers who paid homage to Solusek Ro, within the ruins of Befallen? It was said Marnek slew hundreds by the fold to appease his god, until slain by Deepwater Knights. Did he go unanswered, only to gain the attention of Luclin? The Story of the Shadowrealm The Shadowrealm is a tempestuous association of all the evilly aligned nations of Norrath. Although they are easily the most dangerous of the three great alliances, they are severely hindered by internal discord. Advancement comes not through merit, but murder. Leadership is a measure of how feared a leader is rather than how well he leads. Rebellions, betrayals and factional infighting are daily threats, and in any given battle, Shadowrealm forces have as much to fear from renegade Shadowrealm warlords as they do from the opposing alliances. If they ever learned to unite fully against their enemies, they might one day rule all of Norrath unchallenged. Commanded by the Overlord of Neriak, the Shadowrealm is comprised of a patchwork of different race-nations. Most predominant are the Teir'Dal, a race of Dark Elves created by the God of Hate who believe themselves the rightful masters of Norrath. Uneasily sharing power with the Teir'Dal are the Iksar, a shipwrecked race of former slaves now fighting for a new life on the strange continent of Tunare. Together these two races have guided the destiny of the Shadowrealm, and have reaped the lion's share of its rewards. Subordinate to them are dozens of semi-independent nations of Ogres, Gnomes, Trolls, Goblins and Mogri (a foul race of bestial warriors said to have been summoned from the very core of Norrath.) Formed initially by the Teir'Dal and the Ogres, the Shadowrealm's early purpose was to sack Takish'Hiz, the capitol of the rapidly crumbling Elddar empire. Finding their forces unequal to the task, the Teir'Dal made a quick series of critical blood pacts. Pulling the resources of a half-dozen monstrous nations into one entity, the Teir'al cobbled together the Shadowrealm with only one genocidal goal: Exterminate all opposition and rule the lands of Tunaria. Heroes and Heralds yet to be... The Realm of Heroes The Realm of Heroes can be found in most cities of Norrath. It is a place where the gods send the greatest of champions. Those who perform great deeds to the faiths of their respective gods and earn their favor are wrested from the prime material plane of Norrath to be deposited in this haven of bliss in the world above. Heroes from these realms are currently found within the following vassals. Freeport - Malloy the Songbird Neriak - Vorshar the Despised High Pass - Alhareen the Just Rivervale (Misty Thicket) - Bidils the Quickhand Oggok - Kizrak the Tyrant Grobb - Rasrok the Blotched Qeynos - Jaylia the Faithful Halas - Lakgara the Righteous Erudin - Syreth the Fathomkeeper Paineel - Talatros the Cruel Kaladim - Barrith the Brave Kelethin - Nylianne the True Felwithe - Lord Nethryn the Arbitrato Ak'Anon - Zapho the Ancient Firiona Vie Outpost - Ailerina the Gentle Overthere Outpost - Vaean the Night Cabalis - Sartar the Unrivaled Each hero oft has a tale to tell about how they ascended into the realm by their perspective gods, which in and of itself involves itself with the depth and histories of Norrath. The heroes each await a coin to be placed within their grasp from someone who has the eyes of the gods upon them. When such a coin is given them that person is declared a hero throughout all the realms and gifted with an item of great power worthy of that of a hero. The Heralds of Norrath At about the same time the heralds throughout the world over began to widely chronicle events. These newspapers have ended up all across the face of Norrath in the hands of those from all walks of life. Freeport - The Freeport Observer Neriak - The Neriak Sigil Rivervale - The Rivervale Voice Grobb - Da Swamp News Qeynos - The Antonican Times Erudin - The Odus Chronicle Paineel - The Dark Truth Kaladim - The Mining Journal Felwithe - The Royal Herald Ak'Anon - Tinkerer's News and World Report Dark Events yet to be... The Execution of Mordavin Telase By order of the King of Qeynos, Antonius Bayle himself ordered the death of the traitor and Arch Bishop of Decay; Mordavin Telase. For being found guilty of crimes of treason and conspiracy against the throne, he was hung from the gallows outside the city gates of Qeynos, and his body left to rot as a feast for carrion. One onlooker was quoted as saying Mordavin Telase bore a haunting smirk and his eyes never left the King's, up and until the hangman carried out his final duties. Velarte Selire of the Temple of Life was on hand to perform last rites upon completion of the execution. Return of the Witch The bodyguard and lover of Mordavin Telase emerged once more, casting a dark foreboding shadow across the city of Qeynos. Azibelle Spavin had returned, and in the wake of her shadow billowed the dark storm whose fury was about to be unleashed. She gathered her faithful to her and spread word through the city that she sought one to come to her aid. The works of Mordavin Telase and the Loathsome Individuals would be yet completed. When at long last she found an assistant from amidst the throng of people she gave a missive to take to Meldrath the Malignant of the Dark Reflection who awaited within the spires of Northern Karana with a delivery for her. Sometime later Meldrath the Malignant returned with a glass flask in hand, that churned with a thick viscous black liquid. Meldrath awaited an adventurer to aid him in returning the flask to Azibelle Spavin. She awaited within Qeynos for the delivery that would spurn a nation, and incite a world in the shadow of a prophecy that continues to churn. When the flask made its way back to Qeynos, those involved were gifted with coins and instructed to seek out Jaylia the Faithful of the Realm of Heroes. The Three Fold Curse of Bertoxxulous To this day I remember standing upon the Western Karana Plains at an assembly of gathered guild leaders, explaining to them of my discoveries and of the plot of the fell Bloodsabres to the summon the Plaguebringer. As I began to recount the tale of Bloody Kithicor and the involvement of the armies of light, a cold chill crept upon the air as the witch of Qeynos bellowed her call of the damned. Azibelle Spavin stood within the field of the Miller's farmstead. She held in her hands the vial that had been sent to her only days prior from the hands of Meldrath; an emissary sent from their allies Dark Refelction of Ak‘Anon. She raised it into the sky and began to weave the final circle of darkness that had been started by her belated love so long ago. We drew our blades and readied our spells fearing the worst. She called to the bringer of pestilence and decay, the god of the dead, and offered up the contents of the flask. It was then we all heard a raspy voice booming across the plains; accompanied by the overwhelming stench of decay that fell upon us on a pallid wind. Bertoxxulous had answered. He spoke of his blessings and how the lands would come to know of them. I watched agape as the skies above me faded from their beautiful blue to a sickly pallid green, as a withering poison filled the air. The animals throughout the area all began to froth at the mouth, fallen to rabid digressions. Then the earth began to tremble beneath our feet and it was then I saw the swarm of beetles that began to devour all within its path. Before anymore evil could happen, we raised our blades in unison and summoned our magics. We turned upon the witch Azibelle Spavin, who stood cackling hollowly glee. We fought hard as the newly found three fold plague began to lay its cloak upon us, engulfing all that dwelt within the Karana Plains. The battle was long and rough, but in the end we stood triumphant. Within her possession had been a Befouled Longsword. A known weapon oft used by the Loathsome Individuals that had been ever daunting upon the fair city of Qeynos. The Turning of Envy Lanys T'Vyl had recently emerged once more. Many within the Teir'Dal nation refused to believe it was the same Lanys that had fought at the battle of Bloody Kithicor. This was due to the spirit of General Laarthik K'Shin, who aided her in a necromantic rite of passage that superimpose her soul into a recently fallen Teir'Dal maiden. Upon her return to Neriak, those that would not follow the Child of Hate scorned her. Some that she was some unnatural fiend, and others for her failure at Bloody Kithicor. Now cast out from the Teir'Dal nation and the Church of the Firstborn, Lanys T'Vyl begins to unfold a dire and sinister plot. The search for Malevolence begins, not seen since its cursing by the hands of Mithaniel Marr after that battle of the Nektulous Woods in the final days of Aradune Mithara. After the battle at the Nektulous Forest the chief priests of Innoruuk scattered the weapon across the globe. It's curse was that for each life it took, the Prince of Hate would be weakened. Why be only a child to hate when she could be a queen? Lanys wanted the seat of her unholy father; to take his place by force as the new God of Hate; and Malevolence the Governor of the Wicked would be her recourse. At long last all those whom had ever crossed her would feel her retribution. The Eye of Judgment was cast into the Rathe Mountains to be held by Zazamoukh, the Sphinx. Zazamoukh would only relinquish the Eye of Judgment to he would answer his riddle. The Child of Hate who had turned, pulled from a mass throng of the onlookers to an innocent to patron her. She corrupted the soul of the youth and stripped from them their innocence and they became known as "The Discerning" for their craft at answering the sphinx's riddle, and attaining the first piece of Malevolence. It was here at this time she proclaimed allegiance to the Bloodsabres and that she would aid in the coming of the Plaguebringer. She told her new found champion to go to the city of Qeynos and take with them an army that would lay in wait for the tides of darkness. Untongue of Dark Truth It was reported by scouts and spies who took note of a conflict between Al'Kabor and the heretic Dartain, whom had not too long ago been released from the Plane of Underfoot. Dartain had called upon the aid of passersby's to help him in his plight against his long time arch rival Al'Kabor. Through the conflict it was revealed that the rites used by the Bloodsabres in the plot to summon Bertoxxulous were used from ancient works of Dartain, who in and of himself was a follower of the Plaguebringer as all original Heretics had been. Those whom aided in Dartain in the conflict were all awarded with a coin and instructed to see Talatros the Cruel within the gates of Paineel. Primordial Malice The followers of Lanys who now call themselves Primordial Malice banded themselves together and retook the ruins of the ancient elven city of Takish Hiz; which we more commonly call Befallen. The discovery of Valizrae D'Tora came by the interrogation of Ashteth T`Dral at the hands of Lanys. The seer of Innoruuk whom had been known to see visions sent to him by the Prince of Hate, spoke of the coming of the next Child of Hate and the tome kept by Dorvias N’Keth that spoke of the coming successor. Primordial Malice then stole the book of N’Keth and hit it within the confines of Najena. By the time it was recovered with the assistance of heroes by word of the arch priest and the Avatar of Hate, Valizrae D'Tora had vanished from within the bustling metropolis of Neriak like a thief in the night. She was bound in chains and cast to the farthest reaches of the ruined halls of Takish Hiz. Reported amidst the followers of Lanys were noted to be many half elves. Said to be half dark elf conceived during the moon of blood as their dark mistress. By this time the Queen and the King of Neriak were politically battling as the Queen did not approve of the lax way in which the King pursued the former Child of Hate, Lanys T'Vyl. The mandate for such have been passed down by Dorvias N'Keth, Arch Priest of Innoruuk. At the occupation of Befallen, the Queen Cristianos Thex placed her agents upon the first floor in pursuit of the Child of Hate. King Naythox Thex placed camps outside within the Western Commonlands likewise. Those camps now lay empty as it is said they make their way to Qeynos to greet their allies of decay. The Passing of the Bloodmoon And so with the stage set, a small gathering of a select few of the allies gathered within Castle Mistmoore to speak with its dismal lord of the affairs of Norrath and the quest by Lanys T'Vyl to gather Malevolence, the Governor of the wicked and unfurl her wicked plot of vengeance. The Arm of Malevolence In a battle within the Skyfire Mountains Lanys T'Vyl recovers the Arm of Malevolence from one of the fallen members of the Ring of Scale. She removed it from the spine of the corpse of a recently deceased dragon. The Ring of Scale held the staff at behest of the Teir'Dal as a result of their allegiance to one another. A confrontation occurs between Lanys and Dorvias N'Keth but even that does not stop the Child of Hate and her continuing plans. She awards those that aided her in the slaying of the great wurm, with gold coins and informs them to seek out Vaean the Night to receive their due reward. Firiona Vae Returns The Return of Firiona Vie It had been announced through the newspapers all across Norrath and by the League of Antonican Bards that Firiona Vie was returning to Felwithe at long last; after having been freed from capture at the hands of Danak and the allies of the Cult of the Ancient Arisen. A Journal in Firiona Vie, found on the docks of the outpost: Captain Silverwind, After many months away, the beautiful Fironia Vie is finally returning to Felwithe. In the months after her rescue, she has spent a great deal of time resting and attending celebrations in her honor here at the outpost. News of her rescue has brought great joy to the outpost and even greater joy to the city. Because there are many threats to the princess' life, I have sent several messengers to you. Each will deliver a journal. Only one will bring you the correct journal of escort plans. You will reward each of these messengers in a manner so that they shall not know which amongst them contain the true plans. Once you decipher the correct plans, you must prepare the city for arrival. The Koada'Vie should be on high alert. I trust you will have everything in place before we arrive. General Veredeth Bards all throughout Norrath heralded the great celebration that was to come upon the return of the Koada'Dal princess. Upon her landing at the docs King Tearis Thex requested the aid of adventurers to escort the Princess of elven people to the great hall in Felwithe. All those who participated were awarded coins by the King and instructed to seek out Lord Nethryn the Artributo. Torn Diary Page A torn diary page found upon the floor of the Faydark: Firiona Vie and Galeth Veredeth, not too long past, returned safely from the bitter lands of Kunark. All the elven civilizations and any who would give praise to the Earth Mother rejoiced with the Champion's comforting return and her first steps onto her home soil in several months. Within the knights' first hours upon Faydwer, they made petition to his majesty, King Tearis Thex, to hold court in their honor and allow them to give a report of their journey. They were greeted by his majesty who maintained his harsh yet regal demeanor as he was presented with his daughter by Galeth Veredeth, once his majesty's trusted advisor. Although Galeth's knighthood, torn from him when the news of Firiona's capture by the Iksar was first delivered to his majesty, remains stripped from him, the humble yet serious paladin did not seem to give it a thought. It would seem that Firiona's safe return was enough reward for this valiant knight's noble efforts. Shortly after court was held, Firiona ventured with several travelers into the depths of the Lesser Faydark, where she encountered the sacred unicorn, Equestrielle. The sacred beast of Tunare advised Firiona that the Mother of All herself must be summoned in regard to the recent loss of The Lifeguide, a staff given to the champion by Tunare herself. Equestrielle spoke to Firiona of four sacred stones that must be forged by the hands of a high priest of Tunare. The unicorn went on to explain that these stones were a necessity in the ceremony that was to be performed in summoning the goddess. After delivering this information, the unicorn quickly retreated into the depths of the forest, leaving Firiona to complete the task placed before her. Firiona returned to Felwithe to inform her king and mentor. Understanding well the nature of the stones, King Tearis Thex took it upon himself to direct the high priests of Felwithe to construct the needed stones, although it will take several days for their completion. Exhausted from her travels, Firiona bade adieu to those who had accompanied her to speak with the unicorn and disappeared into the palace, promising that she would return shortly to her brethren. Every corner of Norrath feels much safer with the champion freed from her chains, but still the elements of sorrow and anguish seem to have become an eternal, impenetrable shroud looming over all existence. Balance must be restored, as every moment of time, creation, and destruction that pass will further tilt the scale to discord and chaos. ~~S. H. S.H. - Sionachie Heartsinger Just prior to her return she had spent some time with Lady Zavo Zatanov venturing about Kunark. In particular she was interested in the Crypt of Dalnir and the mind control powers of The Kly. The Wheel of Prophecy Continues Upon its Spin By this time the newspapers had announced a food shortage and it seemed as if the warnings of the Clothspinner sisters was finally about to come to pass. Also through the newspapers there had been various rumors of traitors to the Koada'Dal court with ties to Neriak, and reports of heretics being seen within the confines of Felwithe. The dark allies indeed did begin to spread their wings. An army of darkest evils of unknown origins, had been sent as undead were reported to have raised up from the grounds from the Southern Karanas and the Commonlands outside of Freeport*. The Teir'Dal had also launched an attack against Freeport that was repelled within the Commonlands*. There was also reports of undead within the deserts of Northern Ro that prophesied of the Plaguebringers coming There were shipments of food now being sent throughout the lands to Qeynos from those that would garner aid to the good people. King Naythox Thex of Neriak decreed that any Teir'Dal found aiding the pitiful serfs and waifs of Antonius Bayle would be put to the sword. The followers of Lanys who now announced themselves as Primordial Malice, were now building a temple devoted to her flock nestled within the Rathe Mountains. In that same fateful moment they kidnapped Khasra Vei'Ras, the beloved ward of Mayong Mistmoore. Within the same mountainous passes of the Rathe, a number of dragons had begun to awaken. Unseen and unheard of since when the attempt was made to rend The Veil in a ritual using the Crystal Claw of Veeshan.* During this time there were also appearances by Al'Kabor and Lady Zavo Zatanov upon Faydwer. Shortly thereafter, Al'Kabor begins his research that ultimately leads to his discovery of Luclin*. There were also various appearances by Danak, one of which he attacked Thubr Axebringer who drove the iksar shaman off The Court of Naythox Thex Being that there was no palace within the city of Neriak, King Naythox Thex held his court within the midst of the Church of the Firstborn. It was here he decreed that Lanys T'Vyl would be brought in and not allowed to complete the accursed weapon known as Malevolence. He also made mention of an planned assault against the enemies of his allies, the Knights of Truth. A Teir'Dal who calls himself "Scar", seen traveling as a runner from Freeport to High Hold Pass has stated that only when Sir Lucan rules shall he depart from the city to travel abroad. The Tainting of the Lifeguide In the midst of all the affairs transpiring, with the coming of the Heroes and their ride to Castle Mistmoore was also the return of their enemies. Danak Dhorentath of the Cult of the Ancient Arisen, Ghargin Bumblok, Rogkasth Vr'l, and Vahlai Ka`Izal all are spotted throughout the lands, more noteably taking an interest in the lesser faydark and the affairs of state. The Lifeguide was the staff given from Firiona Vie that had been taken and corrupted at the hands of Dhanak and Vahlai. Vahlai was reported to have had some involvements with Primordial Malice to whose ends are yet unknown. It is also known that the Cult of the Ancient Arisen in and of themselves have been spending a great deal of time in the Lesser Faydarks. The Summoning of Tunare Firiona Vie had traveled once again to Antonica. This time she revisited High Keep and retrieved the elemental stones that would be used in the summoning of Tunare. One of these same stones was also the same one used by General Laarthik which brought about an untimely end to the Battle of Bloody Kithicor. At the time of Tunaria, the area from which sets High Pass Hold and the chasm into the Eastern Karanas was known as "Tunaria's Corridor". This being revealed by Ariska Zimel in the quest for Soulfire. It is also said within the ranks of those of High Keep that Carson McCabe is also not the original owner of the age old fortress. Sometime later the great event came to pass within the Lesser Faydarks. Firiona Vie had gathered along with a thronging mass of people, of which Lord Nethryn the Artributo accompanied. From amidst the crowd four were chosen. Each to hold a stone and take part in the ceremony that would summon the Mother of All. Each for their part were given a coin and instructed to see Lord Nethryn after the ceremony, and were also gifted with a title akin to whichever of the four elements that they represented. The ceremony completed, the Mother of All appeared. The air then befell a strange crimson tint and Cazic Thule appeared under his own power. This was no simple Avatar, the Faceless himself had arived. Using his powers he vanquished Tunare's Avatar and called his blessings down upon the faydark. The skies were now as red as the Plane of Fear, the sprites were turned to demonic hordelings, and the steeds from the lower planes themselves began to walk freely through the Lesser Faydarks. Cazic Thule then turned his attentions to Equestrielle and filled her with fear. The last unicorn of Tunare, was no more. Firiona Vie then drew her blade and removed Equestrielle's horn in hopes that she could someday bring salvation to the fallen creature of light. Since that time the Faydarks Champions, have managed to successfully repel the hold of the Faceless upon the Lesser Faydarks returning it to normal. To this day, Equestrielle the Corrupted walks in her torment blaming the Koada'Dal princess for her curse at the hands of the God of Fear. Darker Events The Tinkerer Within the depths of Northern Ro had been seen a strange tinkerer. For unknown reasons he would continue to build strange mechanisms. His last mechanism was that of a giant spider of great proportions to which he had the likes of many adventurers take their place within. There are hushed rumors that portal of murmured things that should go unspoken of which came to pass. When the eerie silence fell once more, for but a fortnight snow began to fall upon the desert of Northern Ro...and the gnome and his devices seemingly vanished into the cold embrace of night. Sometime later a gnome was seen experimenting again in the Lake of Ill Omen, and strange creatures began to flood out from under the lake. The same gnome? Further Uprisings For reasons yet unknown, the Sarnak rose up from out of their lair in Chardok and launched an attack against the Outpost of Overthere. Many adventurers were slaughtered along with many Teir’Dal that seemed to be their target. Their aims seemed to be to remove the allies of Venril Sathir from Kunarkian soil. Sometime later in an unrelated event, undead Frogloks wielding the arts of the dead launched an attack against the Firiona Vie Outpost. They were met by the defenders and brave adventurers who dispatched the undead minions of the lich. Sometime hereafter this again for more reasons unknown, Antonius Bayle declared Lady Vox a tyrant of the north with evidence in involvement of affairs…and was to be dispatched by adventurers. The adventurers never returned. The Battle of Rathe Mountains It was here that Lanys held Khasra in an attempt to call out Mayong Mistmoore and gain the last piece of Malevolence. Mayong Mistmoore in response foretold King Naythox Thex who marshaled the core of his armies upon Lanys and her followers. They had been winning the battle but it was then that Lanys knowing what had transpired at the hands of Mayong Mistmoore and she slit the throat of Khasra. Khasra who was not just Mayong Mistmoore's ward, but a vampiric ghoul to which he sired. This set the Lord of the Damned into terrible rage. It is said there as a flash within the air and an enraged Mayong Mistmoore appeared, making his charge upon the Child of Hate. Bodies fell to the wayside in haste as Mayong Mistmoore cleared a path to Lanys and swiftly brought her to her knees. From the unconscious form of Lanys, Mayong retrieved the other two pieces of Malevolence and made them whole against the wishes of the King. He turned to Dorvias, "you know what to do with this", and passed the artifact to the Dorvias N'Keth. The skies churned black and thunder boomed as the Avatar of Hate then made his appearance, routing what remained of Primordial Malice. The arch priest of Innoruuk turned over Malevolence to the Avatar of Hate. In turn the Avatar turned upon the imprisoned Valizrae D'Tora that had been held by Primordial Malice and recently freed and struck her dead where she stood. "Perhaps as an undead servant she would be easier to control...", were his last words which followed by the stench of brimstone and the stormy skies subsided giving way to the starry heavens above. The Sacrifice of Lanys Lanys T'Vyl was taken to Neriak where she was slain in ritual sacrifice to appease Innoruuk. The Prince of Hate answered the call and sent his Avatar to Norrath once more. He siphoned off the last of the powers from the Child of Hate as the life force of Lanys T'Vyl slowly faded from the world once more. The Return of Malevolence Dorvias N'Keth appeared within the Spires of Neriak amidst the fellowship of the Church of the Firstborn. It seemed as if the followers of Lanys had stolen the body of the former Child of Hate and whisked it away to the depths of Befallen. A band of adventurers passing within the city took note of the arch priest and were geased to seek a ring upon the body of Lanys T'Vyl that would return her body to the depths of Neriak. Boldly the band of anti-heroes gathered their things. They girded their steel and gathered their grimoires and departed for the ruins of Takish Hiz. After having battled their way through to the heart of the ancient cities remains was encountered a Baron in service to Primordial Malice that served as a guardian to what remained of the once Child of Hate. One of their number was said to have deceived the Baron with cunning wit and managed to win the ring from the body of Lanys T'Vyl. Upon their return to Neriak not only did the arch priest bring salutations but the Avatar of Hate emerged from enshrouded darkness. Within his grasp was a weapon of terrible and ancient power, Malevolence the Governor of the Wicked. It was then turned over to the ring bearer who was proclaimed "The Malevolent". The others that took part in this venture were each given coins by Dorvias N'Keth and told to seek out Vorshar the Despised. The powers of the ring were later used in secrecy and the body of Lanys returned to the blackened spires of the underdark city. The newspapers had unprofound reports that suggested it had not been Primordial Malice that had originally stolen the body of Lanys T'Vyl, but that the theft had been conducted by the King's men in secret. Does Naythox Thex harbor a hidden sympathy or compassion to Lanys T'Vyl? It was King Naythox that did not wish for Malevolence to be restored by Mayong Mistmoore at the battle of Rathe Mountains. Azibelle Spavin, from Beyond the Grave During the harvest time strange rumors and whispers began to emerge once more. It was said that the witch of Qeynos, Azibelle Spavin had returned once more to fulfill the wills of the Plaguebringer. The investigators of Vegalys Keldrane of Qeynos shuddered to think of what unholy forces might be at work for such an atrocity to the Nife to transpire. Perhaps it was demons indeed that brought about this fell event. Vegalys Keldrane stands to this day upon the walls of Qeynos commissioning his inquisitors, and awaiting one from their midst to bring the Bloodsabre witch to justice. During this period, the water supply within the Surefall Glade had been poisoned, and Mammoths mate was seen roaming the Hills. This Corrupted Grizzly had eaten Cros Treewind. There was a funeral service held after presenting Holly Windstalker with Cros Treewinds Staff, after dispatching the poor beast. It is said sometimes within the darkness of night that the witch Azibelle Spavin can be heard. A hallow laughter of shallow beauty, ringing hauntingly through the empty streets of Qeynos. The Cleansing of the Karanas Through the eerie return of Azibelle Spavin and her cohorts, it had been discovered a farmer within the Karanas had made a pact with the Bloodsabres to be saved from the curse of the three fold plague. Within his fields had been found an Idol of the Plaguebringer marked with a rune (the completed research of the Loathsome Individuals and Mordavin Telase) that protected this crops from Bertoxxulous. This idol was confiscated by the chief priests of Rodcet Nife and further researched by Velarte Selire. Selire after some time then commenced to a ceremony within the Karana Plains that invoked the appearance and powers of both Rodcet Nife and the Rainkeeper. Those that participated in the ceremony were rewarded with coins and instructed to see Jaylia the Faithful. Velarte Selire had chosen a personal assistant from amidst the gathered crowd and was awarded an artifact of the church for his aid; the Bulwark of Rodcet Nife. Adveturers Firiona Vie Investigates Lanys Firiona Vie came to the Western Commonlands seeking the aid of those that might accompany her into the depths of Befallen to discover the whereabouts of her mortal enemy. I garnered together many of those from our army that were present, and we joined the Koada'Dal princess once more into the depths of Befallen where the whereabouts of the followers of Lanys known only as Primordial Malice were sought after. Adventurer's Journal An account of events from our journey with Firiona Vie. Sometime later the armies of light marshaled and scouts were sent during the night when Luclin shone her bright side to Norrath to investigate the rumors of the Temple dedicated to Lanys within the Rathe Mountains. Within was found the Church of Malice, devoted to the proclaimed Goddess of Envy...Lanys T'Vyl. It was during this dark time that the Arch Deacon proclaimed they had succeeded in their plight to return Lanys to the world about us. Did the Nameless grant her godhood or some dark unforeseen rite come to pass? The Demise of Ghargin Dumblok Caught within the Skyfire Mountains, Ghargin Bumblok faced off against Lyirae Oakwynd and Firiona Vie. The vile fiend was an aid of Danak’s and had slain Lyirae’s brother Lorisyn some time ago. Ghargin met his end by the bow of the brother he slew, in the hands of vengeful sister. The Heroes Venture Within the city of Freeport, there upon came Thubr Axebringer. He awaited Firiona Vie, Dagda, and Dabner and were gathering to prepare for a trip to Vellious. Dagda and Dabner were just in from Halas (another GM event upon the opening of the Firiona Vie RP Server where marauding ice giants were put down). The band of heroes slowly came together and had plans to travel to Vellious where Danak had taken the Lifeguide to. Heroes Journal An account of events from a passerby. The Travels of Danak It was discovered sometime later as reported from one of the papers that Danak did take the Lifeguide to the Tower of Frozen Shadow in the frozen lands of Vellious. There he did greet Tserinna Syl'Tor, the mistress of the dark abode whose necromantic powers specialized in the art of the soul. It was Tserinna who ensnared the souls of the erudites during their great conflict against the Heretics at the creation of the hole; which also cast the city of Shar Vahl to Luclin. It is unknown what vile and sinister precepts came to pass within the abysmal gloom of that tower that day, but may whatever gods we all worship have mercy upon us all. Sometime later Danak was seen within the Nektulous Woods finalizing an alliance with the Teir'Dal. After this alliance on another event, he traveled from the Commonlands outside of Freeport to Halas. Upon reaching Halas it was said the skies turned to noxious fumes and his body become struck with an eerie rot that began to churn his very flesh. Then with but a passing moment, all was back to normal. What dark things aspired within the lands of Vellious and what evil yet remains to come to pass? …and so the prophecy continues to unfold. Three of the four horsemen have now shown their hands and what will be the beginning of Norrath’s final hour. Innoruuk mark upon the world at the battle of Bloody Kithicor, Cazic Thule upon the Faydarks and of Equestrielle, and the fourth awaits…entombed within his own plane…awaiting to loose is vengeful wrath…. The First War of the Gods Invasion of the Plane of Earth: First War of the Gods And so with the pact erected by Brell, Prexus, and Tunare that erected The Veil to keep the Wurmqueen in check; the inevitable took place. The Warlord, Rallos Zek who had been invited in part of the pact but did not trust the three, responded in such a way that would never be forgotten. For soon enough he would make his own pact. One that would bring about doom of all, and seal the box that would hold the keys of Armageddon. The empire of the Ogre's was the first. From their home in the mountain passes of Faydwer in Ranthok's Ridge off of the Lesser Faydarks (see Map of Norrath) did their empire grow, and expand upon Tunaria as well. Wherever the Ogre Empire resided there were markers…poles which depicted Trakanon, and what looked to be the eclipse of Luclin to where the Combine sit, flanked by the two scarabs symbolizing the champions of light and dark that will bring either the end or salvation of Norrath. The Ogres learned the magics of other planes (perhaps from the hand of the Ankexfen) and growing weary of only Norrath, invaded the Plane of Earth ruled by the Rathe Council. Rallos Zek watched with pride as his creations challenged the rulers of the outworld. When they eventually knew defeat, and their pride was struck...the Warlords thirst for vengeance demanded to be quelled. The plot of Rallos Zek began to unfold. He had made a pact with the Shissar, who in turn built for him the spires and the great pyramids that would carry his armies, in what would become the invasion of the Plane of Earth. Their hieroglyphics were often used throughout the shissar culture (their culture being very reflective of ancient Egypt), in various buildings and structures, particularly the hieroglyphic of a snake with its maw open the line over its head representing the hood of the cobra like people Wherever can be found the spires, can be found the children of Rallos Zek. On Odus were the Kobolds, upon Tunaria are the Giants, Gnolls, and occasional Cylcops's in the Rathe Mountains, the Karana Plains and the Commonlands, Upon Vellious sit the Giants of Kael Drakkal, and the Ankexfen which are now split to four tribes of goblins, and Upon Faydwer rest the Ogres and their orcish slaves who had spread their empire across the face of Norrath and to Tunaria as well. It was then that the combined armies of the Warlord had gathered, and this time he would lead them to battle personally. Using the spires made by the Shissar, his armies amassed and began their movement to the south. Within what became known as the Rathe Mountains a portal or gateway was torn asunder to the Plane of Earth once more. The war that ensued shook the heavens, angering the greater gods. The first war was finally at hand. With their combined might, the gods thwarted the Warlord and his minions. It was then a great barrier was erected, entombing the God of War within his Plane of Power, a prisoner within. The gods then turned to the armies of Rallos Zek and smote them all with terrible hexes. Thousands of ogres were slain instantly and their empire fell to ruin about them. Rallos Zek, the Warlord and his armies...were no more. The Rathe Council cursed many of the creatures of Zek. All those that were cursed and those that would be born of their kin would inherit the curse. The ogres, the kobolds, and the gnolls. All those were taken of their great intellect. Only the Giants of Kael Drakkal survived the curse having never taken part in the great conflict within those mountain passes upon that day of legend. It is however never spoken of as to why the denizens of Kael Drakkal never marched upon that day and were spared a terrible fate. The spires that reside within the Great Divide of Vellious have no known way to be accessed by the wielders of the arts of wizardry. The Shissar had been the creations and followers of Cazic Thule. The Shissar's power and empire had become great, spreading from Kunark to across Tunaria and into the Feeroot where they erected a temple devoted to their god, the Lost Temple of Cazic Thule (a shissar pyramid is located within the temple). After the shissar made their pact, two of their brood were raised up and became greatly powerful. Allize Taeew the herald of fear, and Allize Volew the herald of war (note the faction hits inside The Lost Temple of Cazic Thule zone). At the end of the war the Shissar befell a great and powerful curse. It is unknown if this was due in part from the Rathe Council or from the influence of some other god. The shissar were struck and robbed of their great intellect and digressed into mere shadows of their former selves, the lizard men. It is the Iksar who speak the tongue of Lizard Men to this day, having inherited it from their masters the shissar with no racial language of their own. Those that followed the herald of fear, Allize Tae ew remained within their temple in the jungle and suffered the same curse and disfigurations as their cousins that they now blamed for their embittered fate (Killing in the Lost Temple of Cazic Thule raises faction with Allize Vol ew who are on Rallos Zek faction, in turn raising faction with the guards of Oggok). Their herald who survived the great conflict was cursed equally and banished. To this day he walks upon his prison within the Ocean of Tears, the dreaded Alliz ewsaur. After all other cities of the Shissar had been destroyed at the hands of Tunare, Brell, and Karana, Bertoxxulous rose up in a green cloud that formed over the capital city of the Shissar that resides in what the Iksar call Overthere; the city of Chelsith. The hideous visage of the Plaguebringer opened his grisly visage and his maw poured a green mist from which flowed death itself. The streets of Chelsith were turned to ashe and decay, and the rivers ran freely like wine from the blood of the fallen. In the midst of their destruction the Maiden of Shadows appeared to them and made with them their second pact. What remained of the uncursed of the Shissar departed to the ringed moon of Luclin. Salvation was theirs, but at the cost of their imprisonment upon the ringed moon. They built a new temple within what became known as "The Grey", and became the unheard. Origins It seems all things in Norrath ultimately seem to point back to this ancient Prophecy of Trakanon had spoken to Edril the Lancer. The gods have been known to make allies and pacts amidst themselves. I believe Trakanon saw the end of the world long ago. His prophecy I believe was carried by the Teir'Dal of the ancient empire of Caerthiel. The meaning of the ancient Teir'Dal symbol of Caerthiel is as follows. The symbol directly in the center is Veeshan. The head of a serpent with the wings of a dragon. The symbol directly left is of Tunare, nine dots that emulate the standing stones seen throughout Norrath. The symbol in the center above that of Veeshan is the symbol of Brell, denoted by the candelabra which is often depicted worn by Brell. The symbol directly to the right of Veeshan is that of Prexus, three lines to denote the waves of the Oceanlord. Surrounding the four symbols is a great circle which depicts the veil erected by the three in their pact to keep the Wurmqueen in check. The four on the outside from left to right are as follows: Lower left hand corner is Rallos Zek, upper left is Innoruuk, upper right is Cazic Thule, and the lower right is Bertoxxulous...the four horsemen to bring about the end. The Four Horsemen There will be four Horsemen to bring about the final days of armageddon, the second war of the gods. First shall ride hate to bring the night. Then shall fear ride to cast its cloak of horror upon the lands. Plague and decay will ride thrice to spread its seed across the lands. The three shall give way to the fourth, and War will embrace the world in an icy wave of doom. The four horsemen shall ride and take their place in what will bring about the final battle for Norrath. Innoruuk who showed his hand at the Battle of Bloody Kithicor. Cazic Thule when he corrupted the Lesser Faydark and the last unicorn, Equestrielle at the attempted summoning of Tunare's avatar*. The three fold plague of Bertoxxulous upon the Karana Plains*. Rallos Zek who sits locked within his Plane of Power, awaiting freedom that he might wreak vengeance for his imprisonment at the last war of the gods. It is said even now in the lower planes where dwells the four can be seen evidence of emissaries and fiends from the realms of all four dark gods gathering their minions for the final hour. Such is at least spoken of within the Plane of Hate where reportedly is now also found a statue of Lanys T’Vyl. Lanys T'Vyl and the Sleeper When this happens, Lanys T'Vyl the former child of hate claimed turned to goddess of Envy will likewise seek her vengeance upon her enemies. She will awaken the Kerafyrm that lays docile beneath the eastern wastes of Vellious within the Sleepers Tomb. The Lifeguide which currently lays within the hands of Danak will be used to return the once child of hate to Norrath, in a new body. This not too unlike the event that transpired prior after the battle of Bloody Kithicor within the Steamfront Mountains. Luclin, the Ringed Moon This momentous event will transpire during the coming of the second moon of blood. "The Veil" which has slowly been waning will finally be brought down and there shall be an eclipse of the sun as Luclin passes between the two, and great darkness shall be cast upon the world of Norrath. Luclin is the second of Norrath’s moons. It lies concealed behind The Veil, only to be seen by those who dare tread upon the Plane of Sky. The End The End of an Age Now we sit in the final hour awaiting the second war of the gods to come to pass. With the coming of the Warlord will lead to the fate of Trakanon and the ascencion of the fourth hero of prophecy. It is here the world will burn as the sleeper walks. The Sleeper was said to be the one thing that could challenge the might of Veeshan herself. Fearing the destructive power of the Kerafyrm it was imprisoned and four warders remain yet to this day to guard the tomb of the destroyer. It will be this fourth hero that challenges the might of the Sleeper and faces him within the final hour of Norrath. The fourth warder that rests within the tomb speaks of the three artifacts and the one that will rise to bring about the light in the heart of darkness. This one is an unfortold paladin of Mithaniel Marr. As with Malevolence, only a follower of Innoruuk could wield of it when it ended up freed of its curse and returned into the world once more. Truthbringer will undoubtedly be the same, a weapon of which only a paladin devoted to Mithaniel Marr shall stand. The Fate of a Prophet And what fate had befallen the once fabled sky dragon Trakanon who saw the end of the world? It is said that during the course of the war with the Iksar that the Sky Dragon suffered deep wounds. Upon the winds of legend are spoken that Trakanon suffered mercilessly at the hands of the Ring of Scale for his actions against the Iksar and the war that ensued. Some say in hushed tones that he used the black arts to sustain his being and keep him from death. It has even earned him the nickname of the poison dragon by some. Others have declared Trakanon the second Plague Dragon with Ak'Anon being named after him when Edril Slew the Plague dragon that had once dwelt within the caverns where now rests the city of gnomes. It was the Plaguebringer appeared over Chelsith in the Overthere and destroyed the city in the last war of the gods. It is said a green cloud formed and took upon it the face of death, turning the city to ash and bone and the rivers to blood. It was during the three fold plague of Bertoxxulous upon the Karana Plains that a green mist descended upon it to corrupt the plains with pestilence and decay. The breath weapon now used by Trakanon is a green mist, just like the green mist that seeped from the head of the Plague Dragon that once dwelt under Ak'Anon that Edril carried into the Steamfront Mountains. Let us look at what remains of Sebilis and some of the things therein the lair of Trakanon. The Frenzied Pox Scarab, Gangrenous Scarab, and Myconid Spore King. All things not uncommon to the realm of Bertoxxulous and that which lies within the Plane of Decay. Bertoxxulous was brought into Norrath by the Nameless to bring death into the world as apart of the natural cycle of Norrath's ways. Did Trakanon make a pact with Bertoxxulous to cheat death that he might see the end days of his prophecy and the ascension of the fourth hero yet to come? And yet even still, Trakanon surrounds himself with the followers of the light. Frogloks, the followers of Prexus yet remain at his side. Free from the once tyranny of their former Iksar masters. Trakanon has and continues to surround himself with those that spark the chords of light. First the Frogloks, then the Combine Empire, and finally the trolls that brought about Nalikor and his people. But even for Trakanon there shall be an end. For with his end, will herald the scourges of war...and the final battle for Norrath shall at long last be waged with the second war of the gods. Lost Scrolls ATwo Brothers A time now past Our steps bloomed glory Lead by the chosen Protected by their guard The hidden lord spoke His words did he hear With his knowledge we struck forth Purpose in our hearts A pact was drawn War and fear intertwined Angels descended Harbingers of a blessing A brood was brought forth Two eggs Two brothers Raised by the angels The guard of the high scale Generations passed And angels did raise Two eggs Two brothers Ever vigilant in their duty When chosen strikes forth Under boon of our lord The brothers hold the flanks A pact is held true Time conquers all None can withstand Not stone Not flesh Not mind Not pact The thread that binds Withers and frays As centuries pass The flanks exposed Battle did come And Chosen moved with purpose Their lances looked forward The brothers at the flanks Yet pact now broken The guard sought glory When spear came to bear Shouts were heard The guard? The pact! Our chosen is slain?! Vanity? A spear head? Our lord cared not for The damage was done The brothers the fled From death From shame From blade of sword A duty now lost Blood of a chosen Staining their hands Brothers now abandoned by the Angels of fear The land they did walk Their only possession The pact now broken A Queen then appeared With promise of redemption Her words laced with lies Fell upon deaf ears Their desperation the wound A queens promise the poison A new pact was drawn The brothers now fallen Guards yet again Not of chosen Not of angels Only of sorrow and contempt The wardens of shame Two eggs Two brothers A curse how to bear Author Unknown Before Green This is known as the Age of the Snake. The snake race known as Shissar slithered upon Kunark. The Iksar had yet to unite. Our people had yet to learn the black arts and the ways of the fist and tail. Divided, the Iksar were enslaved by the snakes. In the centuries before the Green, the Iksar were slaves of the Shissar. They ruled from the ancient city of Chelsith which rested deep within the land known as the Overthere. From there would sprout much evil. The Iksar were tortured like frogs and suffered at the hands of the Shissar. The Iksar who showed genius were to help the snakes in their dark rites. These few were the seeds of rebellion. The Iksar began to plot a revolt, but a greater force would strike first. The Shissar were and arrogant race. The power bestowed by the gods was not enough. They made pacts with other gods and demi-gods. They found the rifts of time and space and used them to gather magic items once held by the guardians of the planes. The Shissar’s disloyalty and blasphemous pride would bring the wrath of the gods upon them. No power could stop the force to come. A green cloud formed in the skies above Kunark. The cloud began to descend upon the land. From its green core the face of death began to form. It was of no god they knew. It opened its giant maw and spoke in tongues unknown. From the mouth of death rushed forth a green mist. The Shissar shamans began to cast spells in hopes of shielding their city and the necromancers began to assault the mist with great spells. All were futile. The mist rushed forth. The first snakes to be swallowed by the mist had their scales and flesh rot and fall from their bones. Horrid screams of suffering could be heard from within the mist. A river of flesh and blood flowed. The Iksar stood and gazed upon the gristle that was once the Shissar. With the Green Death came the liberation of the Iksar. The season is now 0 A.G., After Green. Author Unknown The Crusades of 1312 This was the time of the scattered and defeated Iksar Empire. The great dragon, Trakanon and his allies of scale had left the empire in rubble and our people were divided yet again. The once grand city of Sebilis was claimed by the one who decimated it. The remaining Iksar were scattered among the outlands of Kunark. Their places of refuge were now dwellings of dark denizens. In the wilds a few casters came to unite. One of these was the remnants of the Crusaders of Greenmist. They were led by a powerful shadowknight named Rok Nilok. The army of shadowknights numbered by the hundreds. Within their ranks were a few mystics and legionnaires. The tribe named itself after their leader. The Crusaders of Rok Nilok, and they would purge the lands of Kunark. The crusaders burned across the dreadlands and death came quickly to those who dared stand in their way. They slew many giants and many goblins. There would be no prisoners or slaves. The empire shall be rebuilt by the hands of the Iksar. All others shall perish. Karnor’s Castle was the first major objective of the Crusaders. It had been taken over by a goblin clan. The goblins would soon find themselves under siege. For twenty days they held ground until the Crusaders chose to assault as a band of goblin deserters fled. A swift battle ensued and the castle was reclaimed. The Crusaders then set their sights on the city of Cabilis. While the march was designed Rok Nilok discovered something very evil. Nothing is known of his discovery. No record exists of its evil. All that is known is that Rok Nilok made a pact and soon shall suffer for it. During the battle for Cabilis a strange rain fell which shrunk them to the size of dolls and their heads were set aflame. Nilok’s head burned red and the goblins squashed the would be emperor and his minions. Author Unknown The Blasphemer Dag of the Forbidden Circle Long ago in the time of emperor Ganak, Scholar Dag did walk with the great Master Strebe. After the unfortunate dusting of Atrebe did Dag begin his study of the forbidden circles: Wizardry, Enchantment, and Magic. Very soon after he took a liking to the ways of wizardry. His studies he kept to himself as he ignored the Laws of Kotiz. He became the Blasphemer of the Brood. Most of his studies were held in private, only his Sarnak slave named Kly was allowed to assist in his blasphemous studies. His secret was soon to be revealed to all. Dag was commissioned by Kurn Machata to create a magical dagger for his personal use. It was to only be wielded by one of his ilk. Dag traveled to Kurn’s outpost to begin his work. His slave went along, pulling behind him a special forge which belonged to Haggle Baron Dalnir. While Dag was away the brood stumbled upon his journal and his secret obsession. The brood sent word to Kurn to have Dag deconstructed. Dag was in the final stage of his enchantments and Kurn let him proceed. When the dagger was complete, Kurn shackled Dag and used the dagger upon the belly of the blasphemer. The dagger was found to be very effective, but lacked a few more spells and so it was to be returned to the brood. It never made it back. The Crusaders sent, as well as the Sarnak slave who was pulling the Dalnir Forge, all vanished without a trace. Only the Dalnir Forge remained. Surely the gods cursed the blade made by the hands of the Blasphemer. To avoid the wrath of the gods, all Dag’s property and creations were burned as was the memory of his blasphemous studies Author Unknown The Iksar Navy Captain Vizk Irontail Master of the Sea 370 A. G. Vlzk, student of the 5th Rung, becomes the youngest Iksar monk to attain the title of Tynn Master. He takes his place among the Court of Pain. 371 A.G. Master Vizk becomes the only Iksar monk to be promoted to the rank of Captain within the Iksar Navy. He is promoted by the great emperor Rile. This act solidifies the alliance between the monks and the legion and ushers in a new age of discipline. 372 A.G. During a coastal patrol being conducted by Captain Vizk, a fierce and sudden waterspout hits and splinters the ship. The Navy searches for survivors and none are found. 406 A.G. During a deep range patrol a group of Legionnaires is greeted by Captain Vizk. He has survived in the outlands with no aid. His once proud tail has been ripped from his body by a Trakanasaurus. He becomes a hero. The blacksmiths are ordered to create a tail made of iron. He is known Captain Irontail. Captain Irontail is promoted to Captain of the Iron Guard, a roving coastal armada. He is also rewarded with great items of magic. In his honor the Barron and the Arch Duke create an awesome weapon called the Storm Sabre. They also create a lesser blade for all who serve in the Ironguard. The Tynn Foil. 406 A.G. During the Infamous battle at Timorous Deep, Captain Vizk Irontail is defeated as well as most of the Sebilissian Navy. A horde of dragons descended upon them. The navy was vastly outnumbered. So was the end of the great Captain Irontail. Long live his spirit. Author Unknown Swiftail The Swiftail Caste Fists and Tails of Cabilis It was at the dawning of the Sebillisian Empire that the art of fist and tail was forged. In the beginning the pugilists were nothing more than warriors without weapons. Soon would be forged into weapons. Grandmaster Tynn was the father of our disciplines. He came to the empire from an unknown tribe. Some say he was a ronin who wandered the worlds of Norrath where he formed the basis of our discipline. He entered the city of Sebilis with no rebirth. He entered to from a caste which did not exist. He was quickly challenged by the warlords. He spoke his words and they did not listen. He knew the only way to make them understand was to challenge their finest in the Gauntlet. He called for four of the finest warlords and allowed them arms. The warlords agreed thinking his challenge an easy task. Grandmaster Tynn quickly dispatched the warlords with nothing more that fist and tail. He fought in a way never displayed. His victory earned him much respect and Emperor Sathir soon commanded him to form the Court of pain and raise an army of monks. Tynn formed the Swiftail Caste. Soon the way of the fist and tail had hundreds in its ranks, climbing the rungs. Tynn showed them they were not warriors, but monks. They would don shackles as testament of the Age of Snake when the Iksar were a race enslaved. Inner strength and harmony were sought. The Swiftail were born. The Swiftail were disbanded during the End of days. It was not till the rise of the new empire under Emperor Vekin that the caste reformed. Grandmaster Glox, a former disciple of Tynn, came to New Sebillis to rebuild the Court of Pain. In honor of Tynn, all masters now drape themselves in a robe like he wore. Author Unknown Talon Southpaw Talon Southpaw was the fastest pugilist ever to walk within the Court of Pain. His speed rivaled that of the great Grandmaster Tynn. He could often be found within the local taverns demonstrating the awesome speed of his left fist. Talon Southpaw came to rebirth within this castle. Although quick with fist and tail, the speed of his left arm was not to come to blossom for a couple of decades past his rebirth. It was to follow his captivity by the accursed Sarnak. Soon after fulfilling the Rung of Tynn, Talon went on a wandering retreat into the dangerous outlands of Kunark. He was not heard from for a total of 5 seasons. Upon his return to Cabilis he told of his captivity within an ancient city of the Iksar now claimed by the Sarnak. He told of intense torture. He survived the ordeal. He escaped from the claws of the Sarnak with numerous soars which proved his painful ordeal. Most of the worst soars were never seen. Talon wore a robe which he never removed. The scars underneath were for no lizard’s eyes. His great perseverance gave him an inner strength no other monk could lay claim to. He now possessed incredible almost blinding speed with his left arm. He could trap a foe’s arm with his left and strike with it as if he had a third arm! He was indeed a paragon of the Swiftails. All in the empire either respected or feared him. No one could spar him outside of the taverns. With grog comes stupidity. Upon his death in Kurn, grandmaster Tynn removed his hands in a private ceremony. Only Tynn was allowed to gaze upon Talon’s body. The fists were then sealed in a canopic which would stay within the tower of Kurn. His body was dusted. This is the tale as told by Rinmark. Venril Sathir of the Kunzar The greatest lizard to walk upon the land was Venril Sathir of the Kunzar tribe. All that is known of his youth was that he was a member of the ancient Kunzar tribe. This was during the time of division among the tribes of the Iksar. He was said never to have been a mere broodling. He was forever a master of combat. Venril would soon slay his father and take his rightful place as chief of the Kunzar Tribe. He led the Kunzar on many expeditions into the ruins and wilds of Kunark. He sought knowledge and weapons. In his late youth he found the hidden library of the necromancer Kotiz. He would come to open a large book which opened into a small room. Climbing into the book he found a floating book. The unholy Writ of Wart was its title. Made of Iksar skins it contained great knowledge of combat. Venril became the book’s master. Venril soon showed signs of dark knowledge. He began to wield the forces of the dark circle and his knowledge of combat tactics became supreme. He trained his army new tactics and even raised the bones of the fallen to fight yet again for their masters. His army grew and marched to all corners of Kunark. Venril Sathir’s army is now unstoppable. He shall soon plot the union of the entire Iksar nation. He no longer wishes to be just chief, but rather Emperor. Under his direction the four remaining tribe states of the Iksar shall unite and a new age shall dawn. 313 A.G. Author Unknown Journals of Al'Kabor (From the official Shadows of Luclin Site) Al`Kabor is the most powerful living wizard on Norrath. He has reached heights of power most never dream of. Only he and those who assist him know of the research he does. Even his assistants do not know the full vastness of the activities that take place in his laboratory. All his work will be for naught, however, if he is unable to find what he desires more than anything - immortality. Journal Entry 1 It has been a while since I have written these journals; however, recent findings have urged me to make note of research of the utmost importance. Where to begin… Months ago, I traveled to the continent of Kunark with Firiona Vie and her companions. When she spoke of traveling to this land to confront the Ring of Scale about memories that were taken from her, I must admit (only to myself of course) that I hesitated in offering to join with her and the others. The Ring of Scale obviously has a great deal of power and influence. In spite of my misgivings, though, I decided to travel along with them. If somehow the Ring of Scale somehow cleared memories of great powers I once had, it would be of great importance for me to retrieve said power. Upon setting foot onto Kunark, an Iksar shaman named Danak Dhorentath, assuring Firiona that he would assist her, offered the use of his special portal. Within a few moments, and with serpentine speed, Danak Dhorentath grabbed Firiona Vie by the arm. Taking her by surprise, he pulled her into the gate which disappeared with a hiss, leaving nothing more than the smell of ozone hanging in the air. In the months following Firiona Vie's kidnapping, I remained on Kunark researching the Iksar and seeking clues to her whereabouts. The continent is covered with decrepit remnants of what were obviously once grand, architecturally sound monuments of the Sebilisan Empire. Venturing through what is known as the Burning Woods, I happened across a city that rests high up on the mountainside. I later found out that this was Chardok, the city of the Sarnak. It was dangerous to enter, but I managed to remain hidden and make my way through the tunnels and burrows to find an archival library that most likely belonged to the inhabitants. Judging by the bits and pieces of tomes I found here, the Sarnak have been studying the Iksarian magical powers. As I explored further, I found quite a few unique looking tomes that were sealed with some form of magic. The covers of these ancient tomes were inscribed with a symbol that belonged to the Combine Empire. It appeared obvious that these tomes hadn't been opened for at least two to three hundreds of years. In order to study these tomes further, I decided to quietly bring them back to my laboratory in Erudin. When I returned to my laboratory, I managed to decipher some of the symbols on the bindings. By repeating a series of phrases and casting cancel magic on a few of these tomes, I managed to open them. There are still some that I cannot open. These ancient tomes are written in a multitude of different languages. To my dismay, some of these ancient tomes were inscribed in a language even I could not decipher. There are several different sketches throughout the tomes. These sketches include symbols, creatures, maps and charts of the Combine Empire. From what I could understand of these tomes so far, there appear to be unknown magical powers that are waiting to be unleashed. Magical scrolls, which contain the key to these powers, have been hidden all across Norrath. There are many cities from the past that lie in ruins now and are hidden in the depths of the planet. One of the tomes directed me toward both the City of Mist and the Crypt of Dalnir. With the assistance of others, I journeyed to these locations and obtained a few scrolls which I immediately brought back to my laboratory. In order to determine what magical powers they possessed, I knew that I must gain more knowledge about the language in which they were written. It was imperative that I delve into the depths of the unknown in order to find more documents that would enable me to further this research. A couple of months ago, Sorko Talvazon, one of my research assistants, happened across the ruins of the ancient city Kaesora. He found an ancient library there that contained many old books and scrolls. Before he could get a closer look at the documents, the ghostly inhabitants almost killed him. He had to quickly gate away in order to survive. He brought this information back to me, his mentor, hoping it would aid me with my research. Sorko, despite his usual incompetence, created a map of his journey to this city. We met up in the Overthere as he gathered additional support. To save time, we gave each of those strong enough to assist us a potion of the Field of Bone which, when drunk, teleported us to a location directly in front of the ruined city of Kaesora's entrance. Once in the city, Sorko Talvazon led us through the many drops and turns of this undead infested dwelling. The sight of the library amazed me. Its tall pillars stood gloriously along the marbled walls. Inside, there were many books; most were not legible, but I'm sure I will find quite a few of them useful as I continue my research. As I went upstairs to the balcony, I came across a couple of tomes that had the symbol of the Combine Empire on the front. All but one of these tomes were sealed with magical powers similar to those which sealed the ones I found in Chardok a few months past. As I flipped through the pages of the opened tome, I noticed yet another symbol that I recognized from the tomes that were back in my laboratory. As I studied this symbol in connection with the other symbols surrounding it, I discovered that it was a reference to the magical powers of teleportation. It would appear to be possible for a skilled wizard to teleport its target to another location without going through the bother of traveling there himself. I immediately brought this tome, and the others, back to my laboratory. My research continues… Journal Entry 2 The Combine Empire uncovered a vast amount of ancient magical powers. As I read through the tomes and manuscripts that I found amongst what were left of great structures upon Kunark, I managed to translate many of the encrypted symbols. The ancient tome that I found hidden in the lost city of Kaesora provided me with the key to deciphering many of the other tomes. With a great expenditure of magic power, a wizard can send his target to a location without needing to travel there himself. Sorko Talvazon and I have experimented with various semantics and incantations with mixtures of different components. We've managed to reproduce this translocation effect for some of the spells but there are still quite a few we cannot repeat. Some begin to cast but suddenly stop as if something is missing from the formula. These experiments must continue, however, I cannot afford to waste any more time with them. I must press on with my research. I have asked Sorko Talvazon to deliver a few experimental scrolls to one of my former assistants, Terblyn Zelbus. The foolish gnome wasn't much of a help to my research, but I believe he should be capable enough to distribute the scrolls to the younger wizards. I have sent Terblyn the scrolls for the spells that seem to be the most stable at the moment - North Karana, Greater Faydark, Toxxulia Forest, and one for the Combine structures in the Dreadlands. While the younger wizards experiment with the first group of translocation spells, my assistant and I shall steadily work on deciphering the some of the other readings. I am one with great knowledge - One who can read and speak any language existing across Norrath and yet… I cannot translate the mysterious language that is used in some of these tomes. While trying to decipher one of the tomes, I happened across some notes on the side of one of the pages. Scribbled in the Combine language, this finding appears to have nothing to do with translocation. Though incomplete, it does make reference to a very potent spell being powered by components from icy lands. I must not disclose this new information to my assistant. My research continues... Journal Entry 3 Remarkable, truly remarkable... Written amongst pages of the ancient tomes of the Combine Empire, I discovered something that contradicts what has been theorized about the Combine ruins. For years, it was believed that the Combine Empire created the structures that facilitate teleportation for wizards, however, I found evidence in the ancient tomes that proves these theories to be incorrect. Within their manuscripts, scientists of the Combine Empire made notes of the discovery of sets of four tall spires found in several areas across Norrath. The spires emanated a magical energy that was unexplainable. After years of extensive research and experimental studies of the structures, they came across a method of using this power for teleporting to several locations. In order to use this power to its fullest, they built the pyramidal structures in the middle of each set of these monuments. As I study the Combine spires... no... as a man of knowledge I can not continue giving credit to the Combine Empire for creating something they did not. The quadroliths, as I see more fit to dub them, contain a tremendous amount of power. Some time ago, I sent my assistant Sorko Talvazon to scrape some fragments off the portal in the Dreadlands. I hope this will be possible. Before I continue with my research, I must study this magical energy closer. Recently, I intercepted a letter from one of my former assistants, Terblyn Zelbus, that was addressed to Sorko Talvazon. This letter was sent by a messenger and delivered to my laboratory so I was well within my rights to determine the nature of it. In between the usual gibberish that gnomes tend to use, Terblyn seemed to be making arrangements for meeting Sorko to get more information and to pay him for what he had already received, including new spells that I had been working on. I asked myself what information had Sorko sent to this little beast? I had not authorized any additional scrolls to be sent to him. Blast! Why do I always end up surrounded by incompetent chuckleheads? While searching my laboratory to make sure everything was in place, I noticed a scroll hidden behind a few bottles on a dusty old shelf. I opened this scroll and it was a detailed list of the experiments my assistants and I have been working on. In order to confront Sorko, I decided to continue my planned journey to Kunark and wait for him at the outpost of Firiona Vie, near the area where he was supposed to meet with me. After he did not appear, I selected, from those pleading for a chance to assist me, a wizard of no particular standing, to assist me with my task in the Dreadlands. Once in that location, I spotted Sorko Talvazon kneeling down picking away at the portal collecting the fragments as if he was innocent of any wrongdoing. "Fool!" I addressed him. "Did you honestly think that I would not find out?" He stood before me and pleaded that he didn't know of what I spoke. After silencing him, I told him that I knew of his selling that gnome both the spell scrolls and documentation of my enchantment process for the portal fragments. Sorko Talvazon has been one of my assistants for several years. I put forth a great deal of trust in having him assist me with my research in confidence. I have warned him many times what the consequences of betraying me would be. All the skill in wizardry that he possessed was gained under my tutelage. Betrayal of my trusting and congenial nature proved to me that he was not worthy of having such magical forces at his fingertips. To preserve the secrecy of my work, I knew that I had to strip him of all knowledge of my research and of all the wizardry I have taught him over the years. Sadly, this dreaded act is one that I have performed before and, despite the betrayal, it was not something that I was looking forward to doing again. As I have written in past journals, this may be accomplished by the simultaneous impact of a shocking blow knocking one's target unconscious, nullification of any magic surrounding them and finally, blurring their memory. While it is not a perfected process, I have had success with in the past. In order to safeguard the process, I misled the young menial aiding me on what was about to be done. Once the deed was done, I informed Sorko that he was no longer one of my assistants and that he was banned from my laboratory. Why I was merciful with him, I do not know. It is merely another of my many endearing traits, no doubt. After examining the portal fragments, I brought them back to my laboratory. Just as I projected, the power from the portals remained in the fragments but in order for that energy to be amplified for usage, they needed to go through enchantment. By submerging the small fragments in a solvent made of mushlett acid and haze panther bile, then subjecting them to immense amounts of heat, they became enchanted sources of energy. Once enchanted, the fragments did not produce enough power to reach the dragon portals, but did manage to provide enough magical energy to translocate to the weaker portals of Antonica - the dark forest of Nektulos, the western half of the Commonlands, the western plains of Karana, the most northern portion of the Desert of Ro, and even the temple of Cazic-Thule. With the stolen spell scrolls and documentation of my enchantment process, no doubt Terblyn Zelbus will be selling the spells and fragments in his puny shop. Perhaps somehow I can discourage him, but meanwhile, I have more urgent things to tend to. My research continues... Journal Entry 4 At last! I have made a breakthrough in my research. For years, I have studied minerals and sedimentation ores with hopes of finding what causes them to exist throughout the ages while life around them ceases. Within the past few years, I have been studying the fusibility of minerals. Part 1: What is Fusibility? By nature, most minerals have some point at which they can be melted. In order to determine what that point is, fusibility tests must be conducted. Being a master of the scientific art of wizardry, I, of course, have mastered this process. When exposing a mineral ore to a controlled amount of heat and other factors, it slowly shrinks, forming a liquid base of particles. Over the last few years, I managed to collect several samples of ore that produce a unique output when subjected to these fusibility tests. Part 2: The Fusible Ores Fusible Coral Ore: Back while unraveling the secrets behind the demise of the Kedge, I confronted Phinigel Autropos, the last survivor of his kind. While speaking with him and enduring his ill-tempered threats and warnings toward me, I noticed coral-like ore on the reef of his domain. I managed to collect a few samples of this fascinating mineral. This ore is composed of coral reef shells, another substance, which I have not defined yet, and is tightly compressed by the water of the Kedge Keep. Fusible Earthen Ore: When those bumbling gnomes destroyed the Hatch releasing Yael and Dartain, minerals from the Plane of the Underfoot dispersed outward onto the surrounding area. This form of earthen ore is one of the hardest substances currently existing on Norrath and is the source of the earthen golems and elementals who lurk in the Hole. Fusible Igneous Ore: I spent many months researching upon the continent of Kunark. I came across a unique form of lava in the Skyfire Mountains. These mountains have several dormant volcanoes filled with lava waiting to erupt. It was around one of these volcanoes where I found fusible igneous ore. When volcanic lava cools it forms into a hard-form mineral. This mineral is by far one of the hottest minerals on Norrath and requires extreme heat to melt. Fusible Velium Ore: Although he is usually a bothersome individual, the dwarven warrior Thubr Axebringer has assisted me with obtaining samples of velium ore. He managed to find a few rare pieces of it in the Western Wastes of Velious. Velium ore is the most unique ore I have found so far. Its composition relies heavily on the coldness of the area it is found in. The cooler the area, the more tightly compressed the ore is likely to be. In addition, the more compressed the ore is, the greater the likelihood of it being useful in spell research. Part 3: The Experiments Continuing my research on the fusibility of the fusible coral, earthen, igneous, and velium ores, I have conducted several experiments. By mixing the velium ore with the other three, I discovered quite an extraordinary magical compound. When cooled, the velium caused the compound to expand and quickly harden - the outcome, a product that is uniquely resistant to the elements. In order to make use of this newly created substance, I performed the experiment again. This time, while reciting a few incantations that I have been working on. I then quickly poured the compound into a mold of a scepter while chilling it. With the power of the chilled fusible ore compound and the spell incantation, I managed to create quite an unusual scepter artifact. When held by a wizard of great power, not unlike myself of course, the magical energy of the scepter flows throughout the mind expanding the intelligence while providing a greater protection from the elements. Needless to say, I would only entrust a most loyal assistant with the safeguarding of such a powerful artifact. At this time, Makil Rargon is the only assistant whom I am sure I can trust to continue on with my fusibility research. I have authorized him to release my findings regarding this study to others since I'm positive that only Makil Rargon and I, myself, can duplicate the process. Part 4: The Follow-up Studies While exploring the icy lands of Velious to collect additional velium samples, I found myself in the Great Divide. There I found a quadrolith, strangely, lacking the central pyramid. It does not seem to be emitting the same power as the others that are spread across Norrath do. Had the Combine Empire never found this one? Had it not been able to sense the power within it? I must research this finding further. Another remarkable discovery I made was while proceeding with my research of the Combine Empire upon the continent of Kunark. Hidden within a secret compartment amid the ruins I discovered yet another unique form of mineral ore. I have conducted many tests on this ore, including the fusibility tests, but so far I have not been able to determine its metallurgic properties. The fusibility tests that I have conducted so far failed to produce a melting point. In order to continue with the experiments on this ore, I must further my research on the Combine Empire in order to determine its origin. My research continues . . . Journal Entry 5 As I was scraping samples off one of the pyramidal structures in the southern section of the Karanas, I was disrupted by a messenger sent by Vegalys Keldrane, the Lord Magistrate of Qeynos. One of his guards gave him a sealed letter addressed to me. The guard told Vegalys that the gypsy from whom he had received it had insisted that it was very important. No doubt, the Lord Magistrate was busy continuing investigations into those responsible for the deadly plague at the time and could not deliver the message to me personally. Before I had a chance to examine the letter, the messenger informed me that he had a verbal message sent to me directly by Vegalys Keldrane. It appears that the scholars of Qeynos wish to offer assistance to my research of the Combine Empire. These scholars informed the Lord Magistrate that they wish to extend an offer to assist me in the matter of my study of the unknown ore that I found amidst the ruins of Kunark. "In what fashion could they actually aid my research?" I asked myself. They may do as they wish, but I do not need their assistance. The letter was sealed with a primitive enchantment - easily broken with a minor bursting spell. After opening the message, I struggled to read the scribbling inside. My first thought was to rid myself of the illegible claptrap, however, since the lawful paladin took the time to have a messenger deliver the letter to me, I decided to continue despite my annoyance at reading it. Some gypsy woman named Tarevla Nimellin wrote the monstrosity. From what I could make out of the manuscript, she claims to be a descendent of the Combine Empire. She further claimed that her ancestors were among those left behind when the Empire disappeared. Determined that the Combine Empire would return, her ancestors did not join local communities as others had done. Instead they chose to set up camps and lead nomadic lifestyles. In addition, she had further information that she wanted to barter. Needless to say, I took this for what I considered it to be worth. I refused to take time away from my research to listen to the driveling of a gypsy. Instead, I sent a messenger to find out what this gypsy woman wanted while I continued with my experiments. I sent this eager messenger to the gypsy with one of my runes marked with my initials as proof of his employment. When the messenger spoke to Tarevla, she informed him that she had a chest with magical relics and journals belonging to the Combine Empire. She would not release the chest until she obtained something in return. She told the messenger a story about a beholder named Lorrk the Insane. This evil eye was captured and caged in a globe for the safety of Norrath. One of the gypsy magicians accidentally summoned this evil eye when traveling through East Karana a while back. With an immediate threat to the gypsies at hand, she wanted the messenger to retrieve the essence of this insane being. Once Lorrk the Insane was located, the messenger and accompanying entourage questioned them of their purpose. The agent informed me that Lorrk was indeed insane. He spoke in tongues while laughing maniacally. He did not appear to be making any sort of sense. While they contemplated whether or not to attack him, he began to strike out at them. They soon found themselves unable to avoid killing him. They brought his essence to Tarevla, who in turn sealed the magical chest with the same weak enchantment that protected the letter, and gave it to the messenger. The messenger then brought the chest to me. At first glance, I noticed the symbol of the Combine Empire on the top of the chest. I immediately accepted delivery and began to examine it. Once I broke the seal, I opened the chest and was astonished by what I found inside. There were many ancient tomes of the Combine Empire, each with its symbol on the cover. After I began reading through the documents to determine their authenticity, I discovered that they were truly what they purported to be. It appeared obvious that the gypsies had no knowledge of what these journals contained. They would not have given them over so easily had they known. Or perhaps they have an ulterior motive for giving them to me. After bringing the recent findings back to my laboratory to study them further, I was able to decipher a great deal. The encryption within the journals further enabled me to decipher the language that I had not been able to decipher in the ancient tomes I found so long ago. What an extraordinary find! These manuscripts seem to express the workings of the Combine Empire up until the time of their disappearance. My research of the Combine Empire has brought me closer to answering the question to which I have been seeking the answer for so long now - what happened to the Combine Empire? Apparently there are more citizens of Norrath who may know of the disappearance of the Combine Empire than I first assumed. My research continues... Journal Entry 6 After several tests on the quadroliths, my experiments have finally proven to be successful once again. When conducting translocation experiments with pieces of portal fragments, I discovered the correct incantation to perform a translocation to the dragon circles on the continent of Velious. Unfortunately, I was not alone when I made this discovery, so no doubt news of my discovery will travel fast. While I do not wish to discourage practitioners of wizardry from continuing with such useful research, I feel that I must advise them to use extreme caution with this study. There are inherent dangers associated with the usage of the portal fragments. The quadroliths will not be able to withstand years of chipping away. I am attempting to develop a method of extracting the power by other means. Using the journals that were in the magical chest that the foolish gypsy woman sent me, I was able to decipher the unique language that was in portions of ancient tomes that I had already obtained long ago. While this language was not that of the Combine Empire, it appeared somewhat similar. After deciphering the symbols, maps, and scientific drawings of experiments that the Combine Empire detailed in their journals, I unearthed something very interesting about the Combine Empire. Not only did the Combine know that they were about to disappear, they had actually planned on it. The experiments or rituals, as less scientific minds might refer to them, that are detailed in the journals draft out unusual usage of power. Remembering the body of glowing ore that I came across in the Burning Woods of Kunark, I decided to attempt to use the power from within it to re-create one of these experiments. I immediately sent a message to my most trusted assistant, Makil Rargon, who was continuing with my fusibility research out in the vast Western Wastes of Velious. I sent him to fetch one of the scrolls that I obtained from the ruins of Kunark, and a magical wand from my laboratory. Makil sent a somewhat trustworthy and quite useful individual to deliver the vital items to me so that he could continue with the fusibility research. Once I received the items, I was prepared to conduct the experiment. Of course, I could not test the experiment on myself. Instead, I used the very messenger that was sent by my assistant as the test subject of the experiment. In order to contain the power of the ore I gave the subject one of my runes, along with portal fragments, which were used as additional power sources. With a series of draining and forceful spells, the power from within the glowing ore was transferred into my rune. A small portal began to open. However, it did not remain open long enough to study it. Unfortunately, the power within the ore is stronger than a mortal can withstand. The subject was resurrected by the powers of a priest, and dismissed. Even with the portal closing, I do not claim that this experiment was a failure. I plan to use the results to assist me with the re-creation of another experiment that was detailed in the ancient tomes of the Combine Empire. My research continues... Journal Entry 7 After conducting the test experiments in the Burning Woods of Kunark using the power of the glowing ore, I traveled back to my laboratory in Erudin to further study the diagrams in the ancient tomes. I was able to use the results of the tests to make modifications to the other experiments that I had been working on. I recently discovered that during brief moments of excitement in my travels, I unknowingly left behind research notes in some of the areas I ventured into. It is of no concern to me, though. For years, I have been surrounded by foolish ones that could not fully understand the effectiveness of the spells I have created. Why should I now expect one of those inept troglodytes to discover the vastness of my research of the Combine Empire? The journals of the Combine Empire require purely scientific minds--not unlike my own--to decipher. The Combine appeared to have been extremely fascinated with the power radiating from the quadroliths, among other power sources, across Norrath. They conducted many experiments in attempts to siphon power from these ancient objects. Once they realized they were not able to siphon that power, they began to develop ways of using it while it still remained locked within those objects' internal structures. The drawings in the ancient tomes depict scientific, almost ritualistic, experiments being conducted. One such experiment took place within the center of a quadrolith. A series of spells was cast upon a test subject, while chants from others surrounding the structure appeared to increase the quadrolith's power. In order to determine the proper order of spells and incantations, I needed to conduct further experiments. Greater than any that I have conducted in the past, these experiments could prove fatal. Any mistakes could endanger not only myself and those aiding me in the ritual, but also Norrath as a whole. As I was preparing to conduct one of these experiments in the ghostly city of the Combine, located in the Dreadlands on the continent of Kunark, I heard the most troublesome of gnomes approaching. Much to my annoyance, the blithering gnome wanted to assist with the experiment. While I usually have no control over my temper when Ognit Eznertob is about, I felt that he might be of some "use" in this particular experiment. To prepare the gnome for the test, I placed a bracer on his wrist. I then explained to him that he should try to return immediately. If for some reason he was not able to gate back to the Dreadlands on his own he would be returned with the activation of a magical key that bound the bracer. With the towering quadrolith emitting power, I began testing several spells matched up with incantations that I read from the ancient tomes. As the gnome was bound to the pyramidal structure, flashes of blue sparkling lights surrounded the area, opening a portal. The gnome then disappeared as the portal quickly closed around him. The experiment was successful. I merely waited for the wizard to return. When the gnome did not return on his own, and once a protective barrier was in place, I instructed my assistant to activate the key for the bracer in order to return the gnome.. The small gnomish wizard appeared dazed and uncertain of his surroundings. When I questioned him of the journey, he described to me a dark area where a quadrolith stood. He noted that he was surrounded by shadowed figures that he could not make out. I could not help but believe that the foolish gnome kept his eyes squinted with fear of what he had been through and did not actually see his surroundings. This was not important to my experiment though. What was important was the fact that he survived the travel through the portal. Once I was assured of my safety, I prepared to conduct the experiment on myself. With the repeated series of spells and incantations that I used on the gnome, I was able to reproduce the experiment. The portal opened once again and I stepped through it. My passage through the portal has just been completed and it has closed behind me. I find myself in the center of a quadrolith with surroundings not like any that I have seen before. I will continue to write in this journal, but for now I must explore this strange region. My research continues... Journal Entry 8 When I first arrived on Luclin, one of Norrath's moons, I teleported into a place called the Nexus. The Nexus appears to be located in the center of the populated regions. While I'm unable to determine how much energy is being emitted from within the quadrolith in the Nexus, it appears to be greater than that of any on Norrath. Not knowing what I was about to discover, I created a few propylons bound to the Nexus so that I might gate back there at my leisure. As I explored, I encountered many species the likes of which I have not seen before. And yes, there have been some that seem to have a great deal of familiarity to them. I ventured further until I came across a city. Shadow Haven, as the inhabitants refer to it, is a trade city. Most assuredly not inhabited by the same scientific minds whose journals I have been researching all this time. Regardless, I continued to explore. The residents that I have come across so far have been traders, merchants, thieves and even a few beggards. As I continued to explore, a few merchants followed me around in a clinging manner with continuing pleas to purchase their goods - Most annoying! During my exploration, I was briefly startled when confronted by Kerran-like beasts. Apparently, a few Kerrans were on the region of land that was ripped away from Norrath by the destructive weapon created by the heretics long ago when the Hole in Odus was formed. The Vah Shir, as this strand of Kerrans call themselves, appear to be a bit more civilized than those on Norrath, and s...

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