Shadow War campaign Game World Info

[Navarre]

Notable character portraits of the Shadow War Campaign

Liv Eia



Bedlor Enghart (as designed by Gaumer):



T'Ning D'Cairn of the Lone Pine (deceased)
1457(?)-1497, P.A.



Aphra (pre-design placeholder)



Bronwyn Moonshadow of Absynthia
(Prior to vampiric turning)



Bronwyn Moonshadow



Marcus Moonshadow



Pontiff Jean Pierre Baptiste



Evanard Blackthere



Marilyne Carrigan



Sir Peter Carrigan



Ellora D'Cairn



Erika Dean



Heather Donnell



Ezekiel "Zeke" Ford



Jackson Forge (deceased)
1482-1497, P.A.



Cloud Frostgrym (very similar in appearance to her brother, Dalen)
Cloud: (deceased)
1477-1497, P.A.



Master Hayden Hyde



Donovan Jett



Serena Kane



Rachel Kimbler



Master Landru Lothnaru (hat courtesy of sab39   )



Odren Mondrugon



Acolyte Moira Rashai (with both eyes again, Praise be to The Light)



Vinnrog Redclub



Abigail Starling



Sir Victor Storme



Valor, Legacy Weapon of Elves, God-Forged Blade of Sea and Sky



Baroness Ludmilla von Strucker



Lady Violetta von Strucker



Warsong, Legacy Weapon of Man, God-Forged Weapon of Earth and Sun



Coby Wayne, performer (deceased)
1468-1497, P.A.

[Navarre]

Politics of House Aeslindorn and the Church of Acension

King Warren Scotsden III is the head of House Aeslindorn, ruling House of Albemarle Green. He is served by his Royal Advisors, Banyon Grey and Desdadaedalus Wonderkynd.

Banyon Grey is a human who is known to be steeped in the politics of the Church of Ascension. Though not a priest, he serves as the Church's voice to the King to maintain political union.

He operates with a great deal of impunity, plying his connections with the Church to maneuver the course of House Aeslindorn to the Church's advantage. Though this is well known, King Scotsden has never opposed him on any substantial matters.

Desdadaedalus Wonderkynd is perhaps the greatest pure Arcane alive today. A Gnome of venerable age but a razor-sharp mind, he has offered to serve House Aeslindorn as Advisor in all Arcane matters.  He has also personally developed such inventions as clocks, spectacles, pyrotechnics, and prosthetics. His reason for serving House Aeslindorn is unknown.

House Aeslindorn and the Church of Ascension are separate entities on Gallia. But they have worked very closely over the centuries, at least in the prusuit of what goals they have in common. Their primary common goal seems to be establishing an irrefutable order of Law on Gallia.

In the eyes of the Church, that means under Illumian. House Aeslindorn and the other Houses are generally quite religious. But, of course, ambition has a way of leading people in their own direction.

[Navarre]

Prophesy of The Beast

Before silence sat twins in dominion
Great masters of Nothing and all to come
Sire and dame to the betrayers
Prisoners of the Ascension
Victims to the Light

The world grew small and bright
Whilst brethren perished in the vast below
Light reigned for one millennium and one half again
But soon the world would up heave

Portent of the future, servants of the past
Drawn and knit with the fibers of Destiny
New tapestry woven by book and blade
Light falters and grows dim

They were known by their mark
They were known by their quest
To the western city would they come
That which lies adjoined to eastern ruin

Guided forth by a fallen hero
Redemption seeking, hidden in musing
Seven came to the house of flickering woe
One of their number would betray

Driven out into the small world by these words
The message carried, the deeds done
Drawn on all sides by allies and foes
Where lies the Truth for old souls?

Hero of Man, Child of the Fae
Servant of Light, Gateway of Worlds
Deadwaker and Angelborne
Silenced Shadow and Walker of the World Spirit

Through their hands came to pass power and glory
Talismans of Fallen Children
Trust of Sleeping Twins
Birthright of the Defenders
Vanity bred quiet ignorance

Alliances drew anew on the Fallen Lands
To the Light, to the Twins, to the Fae
To the Fallen Children; Blood was spilled in their name
Faith dimmed the Light as brother slew brother

…

…But all of them were to be quietly undone…

…

For into this world of fire and water would come The Beast
Horrid and Evil, it would seek absolute dominion
Known by its mark ‘cross endless worlds
Black and flat, jeweled altar of Pain

Razer of Worlds it shall draw minions of power
Through grief and glory it will draw fealty
Through weal and woe it will draw its conquest
The world will fall in the drawing

Helpless children shall weep at the feet of their slain mothers
Fathers will scream as flesh is flayed from broken bones
Kingdoms once mighty shall crumble into rubble
The silver spires will topple into the raging sea

Where The Beast walks darkness will consume
Even the gods will tremble at its coming
For the name of The Beast is known across a million worlds
Each world fallen to its incessant need

Shall the Defenders undo The Beast before the crowning?
To blackened skies and buried shores must they look
In the green eye of darkness salvation may be found
Knights slumber in forgotten forests, awaiting the call

Shall the Defenders undo The Beast before the crowning?
The Prophesy’s end has yet to be written.

[Navarre]

Design of Compass found in possession of Dark Tomorrow:

[Navarre]

Character Physical Descriptions

Aphra
Height: 5'9"
Weight: Unknown
Hair: Red fur
Eyes: Bronze
Age: 21

Liv Eia
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 130 lbs.
Hair: Dark Brown, long, straight
Eyes: Brown
Age: 21

Bedlor Enghart
Height: 4'2"
Weight: 140 lbs.
Hair: Dark Brown, full beard
Eyes: Brown
Age: 59

Faerun Herllun
Height: 3'2"
Weight: 45 lbs.
Hair: Brown, ponytail, no facial hair
Eyes:Blue
Age: 50

T'Ning
Height: 3'6"
Weight: 46 lbs.
Hair: Light brown/blonde
Eyes: Blue
Age: 40 ?

Bronwyn
Height: 5'3"
Weight: 94 lbs.
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Blue (right) / Green (left)
Age (apparent): 11

Erica Dean
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 125 lbs.
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Hazel
Age: 26

Jackson Forge
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 145 lbs.
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Grey-Green
Age: 15

Cloud Frostgrym
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 125 lbs.
Hair: White
Eyes: Pink
Age: 20 (apparent age)

Dalen Frostgrym
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 145 lbs.
Hair: White
Eyes: Pink
Age: 20 (apparent age)

Donovan Jett
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 160 lbs.
Hair: Dark Brown, shoulder-length, straight
Eyes: Brown
Age: 27

Rachel Kimbler
Height: 5'0"
Weight: 92 lbs.
Hair: Red, unruly
Eyes: Green
Age: 14

Odren Mondrugon
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 155 lbs.
Hair: Black, shoulder-length
Eyes: Dark Brown
Age: 23

Moira Rashai
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 145 lbs.
Hair: Red, long
Eyes: Blue
Age: 23

Inoke Redclub
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 170 lbs.
Hair: Auburn
Eyes: Pale Green
Age: 19

Vinnrog Redclub
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 260 lbs.
Hair: Rusty-red, bristly, facial stubble
Eyes: Black
Age: 20

Coby Wayne, performer (deceased)
Height: 3'2"
Weight: 36 lbs.
Hair: Light brown, curly
Eyes: Blue
Age: 29

[Web.Metz]

Book Reference

• Book of Languages
  
  • The book of languages holds a translator for the following tongues:
    

    Abyssal Aquan Auran Celestial

    Druidic Dwarven Elvish/Kaazradi

    Giant Gnoll Gnomish

    Goblin Ignan Imperial

    Infernal Orcish Sylvan

    Terran Vaadajori Verdanian

    {Using this book and studying it occasionally, you may add 1 bonus rank in Speak Language (ie, learning that tongue) every two levels (gaining the first one at 6th level). Multiple people may study this book in similar fashion.
• Metamagic Book.
  • The book on Metamagic discusses the various metamagic enhancements that can escalate the functioning of spells. You believe such a book could be used to great advantage by an arcane such as yourself, given you take the time to read it thoroughly.
    {Each time you gain a regular Feat you also may take a metamagic Feat as a bonus. They operate as described on PHB p88. To gain these bonus Feats you must spend one entire day per level, including this one, reading this book. If you miss a day, it may be caught up before the next time you'd gain the Feat.}
• Book of Law
  
  • {This book must be read in its entirety, with diligent note-taking, over the course of three days. When complete, add 5 ranks to Profession, Barrister. It may also be used as an on-the spot resource, requiring a full-round action to find the topic in question but adding a +2 circumstance bonus to your Profession, Barrister roll. The circumstance bonus no longer applies after the permanent ranks are gained.}

[Navarre]

Magic Items Reference:

Bracelet of the Storm Maiden
Silver bracelet. It is set with a purple amethyst and etched with runes so small you cannot make them out, appearing instead as tiny flowers patterned over the bracelet's surface. It looks lovely though quite delicate.
+4 armor bonus to AC; no Dex, armor check or speed penalties; metallic weapons functions as a shock weapon, dealing an additional 1d6 points of electrical damage on a successful hit.

+3 Seeking Daggers of Distance
A bandoleer with two shoulder straps and a cross piece on the chest and back that is connected to a wide leather belt. It is made of a dusty green leather that reflects no light from its flat-colored surface. Along the straps and belt are a dozen sheathes, each containing a slim black throwing dagger.
Made out of nebulite.
+3 attack/damage; double range increment (20'); ignores concealment.

Amulet of Armor/Resistance +5
It is oval-shaped platinum on a matching chain. The stone is a single amber stone.
+5 to AC and Saves.

Strand of Prayer Beads
The beads are large, made of an exquisite pearl. You notice that the three beads in front are a little larger than the rest and differently colored. The left bead is pure white, the right bead jet black and the bead between them is a metallic golden color.
White Bead (Bead of Healing): Can cast choice of Cure Serious Wounds, Remove Blindness/Deafness, or Remove Disease (usable once per day)
Golden Bead (Bead of Karma): Casts spells at +4 caster level for 10 minutes (usable once per day)
Black Bead (Bead of Smiting): Can cast choice of Chaos Hammer, Holy Smite, Order's Wrath, or Unholy Blight (Will save DC 17, partial) (usable once per day)

+3 Returning Shuriken of Brilliant Energy
Each bear a dozen points, each long and sharp like a sunburst.
They are green in color but each bears a golden sun in its center. You remember that the sun was the symbol of Celestryn. You also suspect these shuriken, and perhaps Donovans daggers now, are made of nebulite.
+3 attack/damage, returns to the location from where it was thrown before thrower's next turn; sheds light as torch (20' radius) when held (cannot be suppressed); ignores non-living matter (eg, armor); cannot harm undead, constructs, or objects.}

Crown of Light
A crown of shimmering white light. Beneath the radiance, you see it is a narrow silver band set with the holy symbol of Illumian on its center.
Wearer can exist without need for food, water, air, or even sleep.
Wearer can regain used spell levels automatically every 24 hours, without sleep or study.
Wearer can place one metamagic feat (caster's choice) on any spell per day without having to prepare it in advance.
Spells cast now add 1/2 caster level to the Difficulty Class versus spell effects.
Wearer gains Spell Resistance equal to 12 + caster level.
Light and magical aura can be turned on an off with free actions.
Shed's light as a torch ('20' bright. '40' dim)

Brands of Pandia/Brands of the Wild
Only Bedlor can use the runes and each rune can only be used once per day
Using the rune shifts the magic to maintain the presence of the animal itself until you dismiss it but the runes may be used again. The effect last for ten minutes per summoning and you may summon the creature as far away from you as twenty feet.
The runes on your left forearm translate as 'Leopard' and 'Porpoise' while the one on your upper arm is 'Hawk'. Those on your right forearm are 'Camel' and 'Boa' with 'Black Bear' on your bicep.
You may dismiss a summoned animal at any time and they will follow your commands by your skill in handling animals.


Compass of [Aurora?]
Artifact?
Points towards the closest [living Nexus?]
When held by Faerun, it reorients itself to a different target.
Tingles when held by Liv.
Made out of nebullite?


Amulet of Maldomkin [DESTROYED]
Artifact
Allows one to see Conundrum
Cursed T'Ning to see Conundrum
Summons undead
Summons a fire shield


Valor
Artifact
Longsword
Telepathy 60'
Improved Critical
Made out of pure nebullite.

Warsong
Artifact
Axe/Hammer/Spear
Made out of pure nebullite

Carrigan's Armor: Yollana-Thar, Armor of the Elves

Made of a forest green metal, it is shaped across the contours of Carrigan's torso as if it were another layer of muscle. It is made of links so fine you can barely see them at all, each carefully moving with every twitch to mimic the former Knight's movement.
Articulated forest green shoulder pieces and groin/hip guards overlay the base piece with separate thigh guards. The forest green gauntlets are of the same material, molded perfectly to Carrigan's hands and layered over with silver overlays that are shaped like elm leaves.
The entire armor is silver-etched with similar leaves and vines that trace over the surface of the armor. At key points, certain leaves also bear runic symbols you do not recognize.
Atop Carrigan's head is a helm. Lightweight and made of the same forest green material, it has an open face and a similar silver runic leaf pattern. The helm has sharply pointed ears made onto the side, even though Carrigan is human.
About the helm is a mane of silver-golden hair, looking to be from some sort of magical stallion of the wild. Projecting from the forehead is a single spiraled horn that gleams in the light.

The runes on Sir Carrigan's armor are not basic Kaazradi, though you can read them. They are of the so-called "pure tongue" of the Elves, the basis for the current Kaazradi language.
One line, over the heart, reads "To protect the Protector, the one who serves. Yollana-Thar, Armor of the Elves."
The other runes are subtle but incredibly powerful symbols that imbue the armor with its attributes. You believe this armor resizes to its wearer, assists in quiet movement (you notice it makes no noise whatsoever), allows for athletic ability while wearing it with little penalty, possesses resistance to both damage and magic, and even resistance to those few blows that usually threaten critical wounds against its wearer.
You also notice the armor is made of pure nebullite.

[Navarre]

Wesley Carrigan Memorial Library (former configuration)



West Wellington School (including secret entrances)

(red dot=secret Rogue entrance)
(blue dot=underground tunnel entrance)

[Navarre]

Plot Questions of the Shadow War Campaign

Permanent Link

Feel free to add questions and/or answers (including answer links from the other Shadow War threads) but do not edit previously listed questions. If you feel a question needs edited, please PM me.

Also, listed questions should be arching plot questions or of significant value, not temporary questions where a solution will likely be presented in a short time.

Thanks to sab39 for the initial list and document.   

[Navarre]

Tapestries in the Temple of Dalophor

   

As identified by Uma (top to bottom):

Green: Pandia, Uma, Jondelyn

Blue: Damrogann, Illumian, Ximon, Sashca, Fjod

Red: Maldomkin, Ferraki, Damali, Quand

[Navarre]

Letter in Temple of Dalophor

War has finally come upon us. The First Children have turned against their parents and now they seek to wipe us from this world and all memory.

Man, those who would be our brothers, have betrayed us. We knew their pride was great but never did we believe the day would come when Man and Elf would set blade to flesh. Woe is the world we see dawning for the Light is only darkness, we fear.

Reports are coming in from across Ashearea. The Elves are being eradicated without mercy and we only have ourselves to blame. We held to the teachings of our Great Father and Great Mother and would not believe those who spoke of betrayal and death.

The Vaadjori plains folk, those who live along the Einshar River, tried to warn us. They warned of the Clan D'Cairn and an alliance against us. But never did we suspect our most revered of the Elven nation, Family Blackthere, would betray us.

Now we find ourselves pinned between two forces against whom we are no match. With The Primordial defeated, the Einshar cannot be stopped.

I would never have believed that the Angels of Sacrosanct, the protectors of that holy realm and this world alike, would turn against the Primordial. I had heard that the Guardians, those two greatest and first of the Angels, had not only failed to protect the Primordial when they were called but I have proof even as I write this that the Angels have turned against us.

Tandranara the Silver Lady, greatest of the Angels save for her Guardian parents, assaults Dalophor with a force I have never imagined possible. Her power is beyond us and would dash hope to oblivion.

Worse, these Angels have whispered in the ears of Man how great Man may become should they no longer share Ashearea with the Elves. Soldiers from House Aeslindorn march from Thulansun and stand at Tandranara's side in the attack against Dalophor. They now wear enchanted armor as a paltry gift for their murderous betrayal. Despite the glamer that hides its aura, I know they have been bought with such trinkets and whispers in their ears of Man's glory.

They have even gathered the support of some giants from the hills. Though I suspect all too soon the giants too will be felled to dust, they have done their best to tear through these walls of stone. Were it not for the great Dwarven craftsmanship and Minotaur aid, this temple would already be reduced to ruin.

The Minotaur do what they can to assist us. I know too the Dwarven people stand beside us.

We have received word of The Protector of Man, Kallum Enghart, the first and greatest of all Dwarves. He has traveled to a summit meeting to the south.

Though he represents Man, he seeks to meet with my Elven leaders as a liason of peace on both sides. I pray a treaty can be reached in this war, and soon.

If any can temper the pride of Man while still exemplifying the tenacity they show, it is Kallum. There is no better mortal warrior in this world and Warsong will speak if words will not avail him.

Kallum Enghart meets there with the Protector of Elves. As our two greatest mortal representatives, I believe they will succeed in speaking for peace where lesser beings only dream of victory.

But before this comes to pass I fear there shall be nothing left of Dalophor. Illumian has usurped the very power of his parents in a way I thought impossible.

Using Celestryn's power over the earth itself, he has sent the Temple of Dalophor plummeting beneath the earth never to be seen again. So many lives have already been lost and the last of us have sheltered ourselves in the temple, praying for salvation.

But perhaps salvation has come? We are not alone. Even as I write this, one of the Einshar themselves shows us they are still the just gods to whom we have given our faith these many centuries.

Ximon has come to us. The scion of stealth and trickery has arrived to fight the powerful Tandranara. He tells us He and Uma seek to redeem themselves and set right what they have wronged. He wept at my feet, begging the forgiveness of the Elven people, as if this lowly cleric could forgive a God.

He left some keepsake of His with me, here on my desk, along with a scroll. I have read it and I wept as Ximon did before me. I can see it as nothing more than a confession but perhaps no amount of remorse can wash away the sins He and His family have wrought on this world.

As we shelter ourselves in the Temple of Dalophor He has promised to save and preserve us so that no matter what happens we cannot be forgotten. That promise has a forboding sound to it but I have kept such fears to myself as I have tried to bolster my people's hopes with His arrival.

Along with a couple of guards, Ximon is all we have. He has left a protector within the great chapel to watch over what is left. Our own magics are useless against the Angel of our fallen Lords.

Ximon carries His Totem, one of the amulets of power I had heard to be in the hands of Illumian for some reason. Why the other Einshar would trust a betrayer not to betray them in return is beyong my ken.

But Ximon has used the Totem's power to create a barrier around the temple that he promises not even the Primordial's Angels or his own brethren can overcome. He goes now beyond the safety of that barrier, Totem in hand.

He swears he will defeat Tandranara even though the cost will be his divine power. He hopes to be able to free us when that battle is done. I hope this as well. My children wait to see Aurora's sky again.

...........................

It has been many days since I began this letter. I am the last of Dalophor.

I have done all I can to preserve my people. But my magics are exhausted and faith cannot sustain us forever.

I have sat with those who believed in me for a long time in the great chapel. One by one, I have seen my followers and friends slip away into a quiet withered sleep.

Ximon's enchantment preserves them somehow. I believe their souls are still contained within. But they are dead nonetheless, unaware and beyond reviving.

The protection Ximon has left in the chapel will be all that remains to guard what possessions we owned. Even the mighty minotaur guards, so noble to remain with us, have finally succumbed to restless death.

It won't be long now. I am weak and tired. Let it end.

But hope and faith is all we have. I have scribed the names of every last member of my congregation who now rests within these walls. So many pages of unburied children.

To whomever reads this, do not let this tragedy go unanswered. We are the Elves and we will be remembered.

Elarian Star-of-the-Dawn,
High Priest of Dalophor,
humble servant of Celestryn and Aurora,
friend to all

[Navarre]

Picture in Temple of Dalophor

[Navarre]

Ximon's Journal Entry (found in the Temple of Dalophor)

I never believed it would go this far. When my uncle approached me and my kin with his plan I thought him mad.  

Our Great Father and Great Mother had given us all we desired.  Into our lungs was breathed the very breath of life.  Could Illumian truly believe himself worthy of usurping their power?  Worse still, were we foolish enough to aid him in such an endeavor?

Clearly the answer to both was a sad and resounding “Aye” for there we stood.  Gathered in secret in the dim shadows of Laukordia, the Einshar lent avaricious ear to the words of Illumian.  Though I noticed father seemed intrigued with something in the nearby pocket dimension of Mandrinvale the others were affixed and wholly drawn in to Illumian’s promises.

My uncle spoke in lofty seductive prose, claiming that Great Father and Mother had denied them all the love they deserved.  His claim that the First Children were no more to The Primordial than their other creations struck deep in the hearts of my kin.  Was it not true that the Einshar, first though we may have been, were far from the last?  

Elves and Man littered our world like detritus in an overgrown forest. The weeds were overrunning the garden.

Now, thanks to my distant relative, the Kaazradi were taking root in the very ground. They spoke of the Weaving as if they were as much a part of it as us. It was truly the final afront.

What of the two legendary Guardians of The Primordial?  Looking at these mated Angels made me wonder why my grandparents would require other protectors?  Why were the Einshar not offered the lands created for us to oversee?

I could sense the lurking Hare timidly bustling about in Laukordia.  Foolish and simple were they.  How could Great Father and Mother even have created such a people after they had us? How could they serve any purpose?

Certainly the humans and the elves had been given dominion over Ashearea. The so-called “Gem of the Planes” was overrun with these mortals. They looked to the sun of Celestryn and Lunra, the moon of Aurora, and stood steeped in the light of favoritism. But Illumian sought to take that light for himself.

What in all of this was to become of the Einshar? If not even the souls of the departed were ever to worship at the feet of the First Children then we had instead become the First “Orphans”.

So it was that Illumian proposed his coup.  So it was that his kin, myself among them, came to embark upon our ambitious task.  We told ourselves our betrayal was borne of simply reclaiming of our birthright. In truth it was borne of fear and pain.  

We had been cut to the quick by our Gods’ designs and lied to ourselves that we could be the first and only once more.  However I believe that some, such as my father and uncle, were more desirous of sovereignty than salvation.

Illumian knew that The Primordial could never be overcome so long as the Guardians stood by their side. Even more he knew that each of his parents had fashioned a single ring that was imbued with their divine essence. They could not be undone so long as those rings were in their possession.

Father entrusted me with the daunting task of taking the rings from my grandparents and giving them to him. It was up to my kin, Jondelyn, to seduce the Guardians into betrayal.  Truth, I did not consider this a difficult task for they both desired her so.

Illumian had chosen wisely and well. He knew that not only was Jondelyn the object of the Guardians' consuming lust but that I was the one most trusted of all the Einshar by The Primordial. This only compounds my sin and deepens my betrayal.

Some time it took for me to devise a means to gain the rings. At last I appealed to the gods’ vanity and affections to achieve my end.

I approached my grandparents and told them I wish to honor them by crafting a box in which their rings could rest when not being worn. Though I knew they would never fail to wear their rings they were too pleased at my offering to deny me.

I created a simple box that would hold two rings.  Shaped as a shield inlayed with a trident cross I told them it was designed so to symbolize protection for the rings.  The box was made from the oldest tree on Asherea, the whispering willow deep in Gallia, Samithra.  But it was the lining that was the real trick.

I had discovered a small tear in the fabric between realities.  It lay some distance in the sky above a small meadow. I had noticed it because its preternatural gravity has caused the forest to fall beneath it, the trees pushed into the ground.  Although this invisible aperture nestled in the lofty sky it was no effort for me to fly up to it.  

Here I conjured and summoned for material to create a lining for the box. I was rewarded with a silky purple material that shimmered in the moonlight with a sheen that bordered upon deepest black.  

Where this fabric came from I know not but I almost felt as if I had gained the notice of some force beyond the veil of this universe.  Such material I knew would be beyond the power of The Primordial to affect or sense and so I used it to create a lining for my “gift”.  The extraction process seemed to weaken the force of the aperture yet it seemed to still exist. I cared not; my work was done.

I presented my grandparents with this gift and I could see their faces beam with pride and gratitude.  They allowed me to take their rings for one final fitting for the interior and I knew we had them undone.

Soon thereafter came the assault.  The heavens roared with thunder and the sky was split as The Primordial faced off against Illumian and the rest of their children and grandchildren.

They called to their holy Guardians but no answer was returned.  The two angels had turned, lying in carnal union with Jondelyn deep in the recesses between worlds.  The Primordial, infuriated and alone, cast their banishment curse on the three.  Trapped they were in deepest Laukordia as the Primordial made their final stand.

Alas, with no aid and without their empowered rings, Celestryn and Aurora soon fell to the massive assault of The Einshar.  As I watched them suffer and plead to us, calling to Illumian their son to stop this madness, I knew the unforgivable sin which I had committed.

Father encased his parents in a field of absolute stasis, not dead but only aware. He meant for them to know that he had defeated them. He wanted them to linger in the knowledge of what he would do to their world.  

He buried them deep beneath surface of the Gem of the Planes.  Their powers became his and he used them in wanton abandon.  Great quakes shook Ashearea and the seas rose over the lands.  When all was done only the small forest of Gallia remained in a world once rich in vast beauty and grandeur.

The elves, that beautiful race of peaceful mortals so firmly entrenched in the faith of The Primordial, ceased to exist to the known world. Countless millions perished in a single day as the new Great Seas flooded their once proud kingdom.  

Yet the truly proud, those vain humans who looked to Illumian to elevate their lot above the elves took total dominion over what was left of the world.  Standing with him during Illumian’s ascension, humans now serve as his source of power.

Truly Gallia, “The Fallen Lands”, is fitting for the name of their new island continent. Yet even this has been lost as the newfound Church of Light will erase all memory of the elves the world before.

I fled from the Temple on the Mirrored Sea, that palace of the Primordial now Illumian's to command. Under my arm was carried the last hope for salvation, the box containing the rings of The Primordial. I came to call this box “The Trust”, alluding both to the burden I carried and the betrayed trust and love of my grandparents.

Through the Ascension of Illumian to power I knew I was lost. I had betrayed those who trusted me most, both grandparents and parents. I had no one to whom I could turn except my beloved sister. She understood my plight as she too had been aghast at this terrible thing. She alone had been unaware of what was to come, probably because Illumian knew she would have warned Celestryn and Aurora.  

We agreed that The Trust must be hidden until such time that The Primordial could be revived. Knowing Illumian would seek vengeance on me for my betrayal, I decided to hide the box somewhere where even I would not know its location.  

So it was that I came to give the box to a friend, a young woman of exceptional faith. She hid The Trust for safe-keeping throughout the centuries that will come under Illumian’s iron reign.  

Wiser still, being unknown in her purpose, she has firmly entrenched herself within the very Church which now swore fealty to Illumian, self-proclaimed God of Light. As High Seer she became uniquely poised to both observe the machinations of the Church of Light as well as dispense information both truthful and misleading.

Is there salvation for me? I do not believe so but that is not my purpose.  Somehow what has been wrought can be undone. I only have to be wise enough to see the path and brave enough to do what I know to be right.  

[Navarre]

Celestryn and Aurora, the Primordial

[Navarre]

Map (found in Temple of Dalophor)