Shadow War campaign In-Game: Chapter 67- Return to Union Point

[Strifeter]

"I am sorry Moira, again my foreign nature apparently has shown through."

Tren looks carefully at Moira.

"When you say 'favors the elves', do you mean that you yourself are a kaazradi?."

[Navarre]

Erika interrupts to reply to you, Tren. You notice she seems visibly disturbed by something Moira said but is making effort to hide it.

"I don't see that whole Elf/Shrine Island thing myself. Except for the half-orcs, Moira's the tallest person in the whole party, men included."

"Lord knows she's got a figure and she's tan too. Yeah, red hair or not, I don't see it."

Moira shrugs, "It is only scholarly speculation, Tren. I'm as human as they come, to my knowledge."

"Shrine Island is the holy seat of Illumian's Order. The Order is, forgive me, not favorably inclined toward the Elves because of their supposed abandonment of Illumian during the Ascension. So I seriously doubt any Elves remained on the island to mix with humans."

Donovan looks at you, Bedlor.

"Alright, 'Leader'. Who are we calling to this meeting and where do you want to have it?"

"I'm going to suggest holding it out here next to the butcher shop isn't the best idea you'll have."

[Gaumer]

"Aye, we'll be meetin' in the tower. Landru, an' Landru alone first.

Sure'n we still be on the wait fer more to come who be needin' to sit in."

[Navarre]

Knox nods.

"Master Landru told us to expect some old friends of his within the next day or so. I've also heard a raven from Lord Aeslindorn's son. Apparently there's a small army of Legionnaires headed here from the north, with Kaazradi as I read it."

[Gaumer]

Bed smiles a bit.

"Aye, they be on the march 'ere."

[Strifeter]

"Thank you Erika, Moira. The more I learn the more I come to understand exactly how vast this wolrd truly is. I hope my lack of knowledge does not become an annoyance."

Tren bows to both of them and then turns to Donovan. He looks slightly bemused by the comment he made.

"I trust, Donovan, that the decision made will be honored by all."

[Navarre]

Donovan runs his hand over his mouth and chin, staring directly at you.

"If it gets the job done, fine. Let's go."

He turns and starts walking toward the Alabaster Tower. Knox watches him.

"Glad to see Donovan is as cheerful as ever. At least some things never change, eh?"

"Master Landru's already at the Tower, I believe. If you need me, I'll be at the northwest gate, working on some trouble there. Landru'll explain."

[Gaumer]

"Thank ye, Knox, an' good work."

Bed follows Donovan.

[Strifeter]

Tren follows in silence. Questions filling his head. He yet again, runs through his equipement.

[Navarre]

As you make your way across Union Point toward the Alabaster Tower, you see the many races and social classes of people that now comprise the population.

Commoners from West Wellington work alongside Knights of the Noble Houses. The warriors of House Bragendol, grim and fierce, put their prosthetic limbs to use to assist the peasant folk they once dominated.

The red and gold armor of the ruling House Aeslingorn mixes with the wool of men who barely have surnames as they both ignore dirt and sweat to train together in sword and spear use. The Knights of House Stowell sit in shining black and gold armor atop their destriers as they give lessons to others in the proper care and training of warhorses.

The Earthkin can be seen here and there. The strange descendants of the Fire and Earth Mephits from other planes, they work to finish their creations.

Along with their trained thoqqua herd, the Earthkin reshape a single block of stone they have pulled through the earth to provide a barricade to one of the gates. The heat from the thoqqua rushes over you as you pass but the sound of voices catch your ears.

Knights, citizens, and Earthkin together greet you. Many call out directly to Liv, waving their hand high in admiration for the young woman who first impressed so many during the Festival of Light in West Wellington with her bravery in protecting the city and her martial prowess in combat.

Now, as Liv strides with her majestic white-feathered wings tucked along the slope of her back, the many who still believe in the true Illumian herald her as the Angel she is. Bedlor and the others receive more than passing accolades themselves though many shy away from Aracil, Tren, and especially the haunting visage of the undead wraith, Lyric.

You also notice something unusual. You can all understand the Earthkin's speech now where before the Terran was unintelligible to all but Bedlor.

You see the Earthkin as they speak with the humans and nod at the replies. Somehow, the language barrier has been overcome.

It seems your goal of unity among the people of Ashearea is indeed coming to fruition here in the new home you have made. You can only hope, as even more gather and word spreads, that this is a portent of the great things to come for your world.

Soon enough, you reach the Alabaster Tower. The single door is accessed through the back of the old community temple.

The door cannot be perceived by looking for it. As before, to see through Landru's masterful illusion you must allow your eyes to unfocus on the tower so that the door appears to you.

Donovan opens the door and you all walk through the teleportation portal to find yourself in the central foyer of the Alabaster Tower. Sconces now shed light in the tower, allowing you to see the crystalline ceiling and the hallways.

The door to the meeting room on the east is open and, as you materialize inside the magical tower, you see a familiar purple coned hat appear atop a bushy white head of hair and beard.

"Land a'goshin'. You've made it."

Master Landru looks over the party, blinking over the top of his spectacles as he draws his famous long stem pipe from the depths of his purple robes.

"I was kidding about the dire bear, son," he laughs.

"C'mon in. Tea's brewing."

[Gaumer]

"Tea? I was 'opin' fer a bit o' 'arder kick in me cup.

Let me be doin' the tellin's.

This be Master Landru. Big 'elpin' 'e's been in all o' it. 'Elpin' from the start...if not before from me own seein'.

Landru, this be Aracil. Kin to the beast that walked wit' Pandia.

Master Ng-Lau, monk o' the temple. We be comin' to aid in times o' need an' 'e be sharin' in kind.

Baron Undreguart an' Mogul Ironlasher, 'ere on be'alf o' the Hold.

An' this 'ere be Tren an' Anbar, mates we be pickin' up on the way. They be full o' questions fer ye but first'n we be needin' new knowin's on what be goin's on 'ere."

[sab39]

I nod to Landru.

"We spoke."

[Navarre]

Landru leads you into the meeting room. You hear the scrape of wood on stone as multiple Unseen Servants move chairs from other rooms in to provide seating for you all.

The wizened Gnome nods at you, Anbar, smiling.

"Yes, yes of course. Haven't met a Druid in decades."

"Fair Day to you, lad. Glad to have you with us. All of you."

Tea is passed out by the invisible assistants to all of you as Landru greets the dwarves.

"Baron Undreguart, Fair Day. Your father knew my father's half-brother. Some trouble with Giant folk up in the Grey Mountains, as I recall."

Undreguart takes the tea and nods at Landru.

"We settled that," the Baron says flatly as he takes a drink of the tea.

Landru regards him shrewdly.

"Yes. I suppose it was settled."

Bedlor, you take the first sip as well to realize the tea has an "extra ingredient" in it that burns with the heat only good whiskey can bring. Moira coughs as her slender throat seizes up.

Master Ng-Lau takes a small sip, smiles politely, and sets the cup back in its saucer. Vinnrog takes one taste and chugs the whole cup in one shot to then wait for a refill.

[sab39]

I down mine in one shot, also.

[Gaumer]

Vinnrog takes one taste and chugs the whole cup in one shot to then wait for a refill.

Bed follows suit

"'Nough o' things from the past that be best left there fer need o' things in the now needin' some lookin' to.

Ah, that be some good tea, eh?

What be the goin's on 'ere, Landru?"