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--------------- Chapter 33: Surprises within surprises ---------------
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All but Keilan followed Mendahl out of the war room, having been told
that in their absence, Lady Shilara, Daermon and Lord Clasp had been
assassinated ....


(DM:)
You follow the mage, subdued by all the things witnessed, and are
almost oblivious to the throngs of troops massing in 'The Wide'.
Townsfolk stand to, some walking around with sacks of water from
Clearwater Brook, to aid the poor soldiers that are unused to the
humidity and heat. At one point you even spot a huddle of cleric
apprentices aiding some troops that fainted under the hard beating sun
in their armour and other clothing ill-suited for the environment
here.

The mage nods greetings to people here and there, many seem to avoid
his gaze, their eyes filled with pity and sympathy for the loss of
Shilara.  When one of you makes to speak or attract the Mage's
attention, he will shush you, and tell you to wait until you have
safely arrived at the Pentagon.

(Arlon:)
As they make their way towards Mendahl's tower, Arlon will be focused
in thought.

(Mendahl:)
It takes some time through the heavy traffic of people, but you
finally manage to reach the wizard's tower. Mendahl looks about
furtively, as though afraid of someone spying on you or following you.
He snarls and mutters under his breath upon seeing a Drow clad in
leather armor sneaking in a shadowy alley nearby. When the mage seems
satisfied with whatever he is doing/watching out for, he puts forth
his palm on the base of the tower, and a gaping hole into the tower's
innards appears. He motions you all to go ahead in front of him, and
as he takes the rear, he moves in carefully, as though to ensure
nothing can sneak into the tower as you enter it.

Inside is a wide set of stairs, and he motions you to take the one
spiraling up leftwards. Those of you who have not been here before
are somewhat startled that the inside of the tower is many times
greater than the outside. 'Wizards' you think with a glance at Arlon
 ;-). Even those who have been here before notice that the inside is
different than before.

(Arlon:)
Arlon beams with pride as they get to Mendahl's tower.  He hurries
inside to get protection from the outside.

(Silver:)
As Silver enters the Pentagon for the first time, she looks at the
size of the inside compared to the outside, and says enigmatically
"Just like a tree ...." 

(DM:)
The stairs lead to a large oaken door. Mendahl tells whoever is up top
first to knock three times. The door swings open, and an anxious
looking Shilara stands in the room ! The room is a comfortable study,
the walls ringed with shelves containing arcane looking gimmicks and
books. Skulls, urns, a crystal ball, clear jars with dead(?) creatures
and plants in them etc etc.

(Silver:)
Opening the door, Silver is just about to turn to Mendahl to offer him
sympathy for his loss, then sees Shilara standing there. Silver's jaw
almost hits the floor in surprise. "Wha .. Uh .. Oh, My Lady !" she
exclaims, and realizes suddenly that her own robe is in tatters, a lot
of her silvered hair gone. She blushes deeply, obviously embarrassed.

(Arlon:)
As the door is opened to the chamber and he sees Lady Shilara, Arlon
will give a smile and look toward Mendahl.  Once fully inside he says:
"I knew a mere assassin could not lay low a Dragon!"

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana's heart skipped a bit when she saw Shilara and the others.
Not that she had fawned over her like Silver did but she was well
pleased that she was alive.  She smiled broadly and started to feel
good again.  Despite the draft she felt through her scorch marked
clothing.

(DM:)
Also in the room are Daermon and some guy you have never seen before.
The third man is bookish, and looks at you with a fascinated look
through his bespectacled greying face. As you enter, Daermon and the
other man stand up to greet you. Daermon looks weary and haggard, his
cheeks sunken in, and his eyes deeply retreated into his sockets. He
looks more dead than alive. The other man looks fine, if old and
eccentric. He shakes his hands from the entanglement of his brown and
red robes, and speaks.

(Archion:)
"Hello members of the Eidolon! I have soo wanted to meet you! The
first people to prove that humans traveled here during the Core Wars!
Ahh. What tales you must have to tell me. Oh sorry. I forgot to
introduce myself. I am Archion Thissel. A sage of sorts."

(Arlon:)
Arlon almost falls over, he never dreamed he would be in Archion
Thissel's company.  Arlon bows to him and says: "I am honoured to be
in the presence of the foremost authority on the Ancients."

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana was surprised to find the sage on this wild continent.
"Archion Thissel?  _THE_ Archion Thissel?  Why I've modeled some of
my best ballads around your work!"

She stepped forward to shake his hand.  "It's an honour to meet you
sir."

(Archion:)
When Tatiana and Arlon praise the sage, Archion Thissel blushes, and
shuffles his feet, not knowing how to take such remarks.

(DM:)
Those schooled in the ancient history recognize the name immediately.
The man is the foremost authority on that period. His works are famous
in the sageistic community, and his findings regarded as fact.

When Mendahl enters, he flicks his hand, and enough comfortable chairs
appear to accommodate all. He asks if anyone wants anything to eat or
drink, and will insist on providing nourishment to all before
explaining anything.

(Daermon:)
The enigmatic Daermon only takes a single glass of blue wine from the
Drow homelands, while Archion Thissel sets upon a full plate of
mutton, shrooms and spiced potatoes.

(Tatiana:)
"And maybe a change of clothing?" she asked hopefully.  Now that they
were back in civilization (?) she felt uncomfortable in her attire.

"I'd like to get out of this chain mail as well.  Unless you think
I'll be needing it again soon." she asked Mendahl.

(Mendahl:)
When you mention about being uncomfortable about the scarce/destroyed
clothes and wanting to get rid of armour, Mendahl flicks his hand
again, and a door appears.

"Go through there. You will find a small corridor with rooms to
redress and you will also find an assortment of fitting clothes
there."

Meta: Beyond the door are a door for men and a door for women. Upon
opening a chest there, you will find exactly the kind of clothes you
were looking for.

(Silver:)
Finding it increasingly difficult to cover her ragged appearance in
front of the Lady, Silver gladly goes through the appropriate door.
She chooses one of the silk robes in shimmering colours she finds, and
wears just that as she comes out. Her armour, cloak and bracers she
places in a pile on a chair.

She tried to arrange her hair piled up on top of her head, and looks
very elegant and very attractive when she reappears. 

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana took much longer cleaning up than anyone expected but finally
she came out dressed very nicely.  Though her hair was a bit singed,
she had been able arrange it to make her look beautiful again.

(Mendahl:)
When all are seated and comfy, Mendahl sits in a wide armed chair, and
Shilara sits on one of the armrests beside him. Then Mendahl explains.

"It happened last night. Natives managed to sneak into our city and
attacked key persons. It was a well informed and precise strike. Lords
Talon Clasp, Kael, Daermon, me and Shilara were all targets. Lord Kael
got lucky - just when the assassin arrived at his bedside, ready to
strike at his sleeping form, a guard entered to wake him for the
night's rounds of the guards which he usually made. Lord Talon Clasp
was not so lucky. Daermon and Shilara were hit as well, I managed to
escape thanks to a special guardian spell I had active at the time,
which purged the poison from my system. For that was how they
attacked. Poisoned daggers and blowpipe darts."

(Silver:)
While Mendahl speaks, Silver will be listening to him, but looking at
Shilara. At one point, she will look over at Daermon, and wave
covertly at him, as she has seen him doing to Shade.

(Mendahl:)
"Shilara survived thanks to her dragon heritage. Daermon's survival
is more interesting. As the poison entered his system, being the
alchemist he is, he recognized the symptoms, and managed to concoct an
antidote. He was near death ere he could make it though, thus his
looks."

(Tatiana:)
After Mendahl speaks, Tatiana asked "You said it was a very well
informed attack, where, or how do you think they got such information?

(Mendahl:)
"Of interest is the type of poison. Daermon is positive *at this the
lich-like alchemist nods very surely* that the poison is of Drow
manufacture. At first we were puzzled, but when these new Son's of the
Empire arrived, we added two and two together. The poison must have
been supplied by the Sons of the Empire's Drow allies."

"Not wanting to give them the impression their plans failed
completely, I have kept Daermon and Shilara locked in the tower,
shielded from prying eyes and magics, and declared them all dead."

(Silver:)
"Well you certainly had me fooled ..." muttered Silver.

(Mendahl:)
"You understand now that it is vital to know how the DarkHaven Dozen
died.  Did they die in ambush?  Were they also victims of the vile
machinations of these vile creatures?  We are faced with a tough
position. It is clear that the Sons of the Empire wanted us weakened,
but it is also painfully clear that we cannot survive alone against
the savages."

"Lord Kael, unaware of the fact that the Sons were probably
responsible for the slayings, realizes that they are an evil lot, but
believes that it is the lesser evil. In his mind, the Sons of the
Empire are at least civilized and can be talked and reasoned with. Any
and all attempts at communication with the savages has failed. The
arrival of a huge native army are true - our own magics and scouts
have confirmed it. So tell me. What news do you bring?"

(Silver:)
Silver knows that any tales will be told better by Tatiana or Shade,
and details of the enemy strengths and tactics by Falrun or Keilan.
The book and other details can be handled well by Arlon. She feels at
a loss, and her attention is split between Shilara and looking around
the room.

(Arlon:)
Arlon will first explain the huge army and protections the Gur Rhukar
had in place around the temple.

(Mendahl:)
When you explain about the Gur Rakhar army at the site, Mendahl will
speak up. "Hmmm. They were probably positioned there in order to
destroy you all. It seems the Sons of the Empire are allied with the
creatures, and want us to be weak."

(Arlon:)
He then skips to the meeting with Saicha, her story and the book
written by the ancient mage; which he will hand to Archion along with
the signet ring.

(Archion:)
When he receives the old journal and the sigil ring, he will be
ecstatic, and is unable to do anything but flip through the pages.

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana removed the champions ring that she had found in the large
rock by the ocean.  "This is another artifact.  I believe it is
magical but I haven't had time to figure out what it does yet.  We
found it on a mummified champion from before the core wars age."

"Although whether we should continue to call them champions, I don't
know anymore.  From what I've seen in this new book, I think they were
pretty arrogant now."

She handed the other ring to the Sage for him to look at.

(Archion:)
When you bring out the ring from the 'champion' Archion Thissel
whistles softly. He puts the ring close to his face, and studies it
well. "Hmm. This design is oft used in rings of special protective
powers, usually of an elemental kind."

He then seems completely submerged in the book, and does not react to
anything else for some time, engrossed in the text.

(Arlon:)
Arlon says that it was Saicha that the surviving members of the
DarkHaven Dozen saw and that she was temporarily blinded by memories
of the war with our ancient wizards and the betrayal of the Gur when
she attacked.  He then explains the second audience with Saicha and
the rest of the Ardanarzherdar and the task they wanted us to perform.

(Mendahl:)
When you explain about the Ardanarzherdar and their explanations,
Mendahl will look up glad, even Daermon lets out a slight yelp of
triumph. 

"Hah! If the native army is on our side, then we will not have to deal
with the Sons of the Empire. Hah! So they are the true enemy eh?"

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana looked confused.  "What a minute.  Are you saying that the
natives we met at the temple aren't the same natives that attacked us
here?"

"What makes you say the natives are on our side?  Are there two 
native groups here?  One a traitor group called the Gur Rakhar and 
another group? I'm confused ..." 

(Archion:)
When the issue about the different factions comes up, Archion Thissel
straightens his glasses, 'Ahem's', and strikes a pose as though
lecturing in one of the mage colleges.

"There seem to be the following different groups involved. The
alliance of Dark Haven, a diverse group of nations from the old
continent who have decided to deliver mutual military support for
mutual shares of any wealth gained from this continent."

"Then there is the Native Kingdom to the north that Dark Haven has
been at war with from the very beginning."

"Then there is a Native Empire farther to the North, who are at war
with the native Kingdom, and suddenly began to march on us, straight
through the Kingdom. Unable and presumably unwilling to oppose the
Empire in it's drive to eradicate Dark Haven, the Natives of the
Kingdom fled. Whereto as yet unknown, but from your accounts
southward. Now in come these 'Ardanarzherdar' who are apparently the
Deities and leaders of the Empire, and now have decided to halt the
advance of the Imperial Army, and instead fight the last faction, the
Sons of the Empire, an alien race who are supposedly the genetically
genengineered descendants of the humans who fled the destruction of
the Azithian Race Wars and Core Wars some 4000 years ago."

"So if all your information turns out to be correct then there are two
polarizing factions. The Ardanarzherdar and their Imperial followers
and us, against the Sons of the Empire and their Royal native
followers.  Tossed in are the Drow who seem to support the latter
alliance, and from the book you brought, it seems as though there
might also be two other nations involved, an empire of Ant-Men, or
Formians, and a Yuan-Ti, or Snake-Men kingdom, which supposedly are
allied to the Sons of the Empire as well. The opposition seems
formidable. Quite formidable. On the other hand, if your news is
correct, then at least the Gods are on our side, as they were on Azith
Dengg's during the Azithian Race Wars. He managed to bring low the Old
Empire with the defeated rabble of unhumans. We should stand a
chance."

(Arlon:)
Arlon continues, relating that once the magic 'wall' was brought down
the natives put up a limited battle and headed south - after Tatiana
blasted them with the magic bolts from the ring of course.  Then the
third meeting with the Ardanarzherdar and how they retrieved the DD's
items, gave advice/warnings about what is going on and then
transporting us back to Dark Haven.

He then mentions that when they were making their way toward the
temple, the native shamen could cast Fireball and Lightning Bolt.

(DM:)
All will look very unhappy about the mention of the kinds of magic
employed by the natives. They understand that this will mean trouble.

(Silver:)
The only part she can contribute would be the strength of contact with
her Goddess during the Augury she attempted, and perhaps something of
the author of the book that Arlon carries.

(DM:)
Silver's mention of the interest of the Gods in the case will spark a
lot of interest and muttering from all.

(Arlon:)
He will describe the murals on the temple to Archion, and (if
possible) cast Tongues and speak the Ardanarzherdar language.

He adds: "They don't seem necessarily good; but it seems our enemy is
the same as theirs."

(Archion:)
When the artistry of the Ardanarzherdar is being discussed, Archion
Thissel will perk up, and listen attentively, now and then prompting
for further detail. When the Sons of the Empire are mentioned as being
the descendants of the old humans, he will nod, and grab two books and
some loose sheets of papyrus with notes on them, and speak.

"Ah Yes. Here is some more things you should read. They will make you
better understand the kind of people we are dealing with."




Before the party read the books and notes handed over by Archion
Thissel, they ask a few more questions ....

(Arlon:)
After all the explanations are done with he addresses Mendahl again.
"Master, I fear our minds are not disciplined enough to shield our
thoughts from forms of telepathy.  These aliens could find out about
many things.

(Silver:)
Silver mentions "I think that these new Aliens cannot communicate
telepathically. Nor do they _seem_ to 'see' us the same way as Saicha
did."

(Arlon:)
"How can you tell they have no telepathic powers?"  looking surprised
that Silver could have this info.

(Silver:)
"Why, it was when that strangely subservient drow outside the gates
said 'Master! The Grand Magus has sent our telepath the news'. So I
assume that the aliens don't hold the telepathic powers, but their
drow 'servants' do ..." Silver frowns slightly as if trying to see
whether there is a fault with her reasoning.

(Arlon:)
OOC: I don't see a fault, but there can be more explanations.  Limits
     on how much they can use it or it could be a spell.  More
     importantly though, Arlon doesn't speak Drow so he wouldn't have
     understood what the drow said.  I am assuming Shade would not
     have told us right away.  Anyway, their Grand Magus has
     telepathic powers, so why not the rest of them - I would assume
     the Grand Magus is an alien.  But we could go on and on - Arlon
     just doesn't want to take chances as you may have noticed and
     will be noticing. 

(Silver:)
OOC: I understand your reasoning, and I agree ... but Silver has a
     quite low intelligence, but high wisdom, so I'm trying to get her
     to work out some things which are flawed, then play along as if
     she believes them totally. I also agree about not understanding
     Drow, but Whisper mentioned that Shade told us what was said -
     perhaps while we were walking toward the castle - if not, Silver
     would almost definitely asked him along the way.
     So I think Arlon is right to question what Silver said and look 
     surprised about it as well.

(Mendahl:)
When you mention telepathy, Mendahl shakes his head.

"Yes, it is an art lost to us. Once known as 'Psionics', the art was
also among the things lost in the chaos of the Core and Azithian Race
wars.  We know little about it, and are unable to prepare adequately
for it. None of us know the limitations and strengths of that art."




And now they read the books provided by Archion. Arlon reads aloud to
save everyone crowding around too much. Tatiana sits by his side,
scanning the pages at the same time ....

(Archion:)
When all dies down a bit, as all think over the implications of what
has happened and the current situation, Archion Thissel will give
people his books and notes, so they can be read by all.

"One is a work on the Azithian Race wars, there are some notes and a
work on the beginnings of the Core Wars. I am also cataloguing the
various personalities that affected both sides, and the items of power
they bore. I have a vast list of the artifacts used in the wars, and
have great hopes of one day finding out where they may be hidden and
found again. From what Mendahl here says, we may have to do that
sooner rather than later, as their use may be critical in fighting
people of divine-like power."


                 
                 A Brief and True History of Events

                   During the Azithian Race Wars

                               Or
           
           The History of The World: The Ancient Times II

                     Published and Edited By:

		  Archion Thissel, Archeologist



And it happened in those days of sunshine and delight, that there were
those discontent with the way of things. A certain mage, Azith Dengg
by name known, a powerful apprentice of the great and maleficent
Whisper, took up the cause of the races dark and dread. Azith Dengg
took his black cause to the Ladies of the Drow, and found much
sympathy there. Pledges of mutual aid were made, and the Drow opened a
gate to Hell to let the mage entreatise its vile Lords and Ladies.
When the mage finally stepped back into our fair world, he bore with
him three altars of most evil nature, the Altars of Hell. Azith Dengg
and his drow allies raised the standard of dissent in the year 2537
after the sundering in the mountains bordering on the province
Szartax.  Soon tribes of dark natured beings flocked to this banner
dire, chief amongst whose were those united tribes under the rulership
of the powerful Theocrats.

Many humans of low estate joined the cause of Azith Dengg, the
promises of plunder and slaughter offering many what they were seeking
in their shallow lives. When a great host had already gathered, did
the Nations first espy this threat.  Eteocles the Magnificent sent
forth a small army in order to deal with this perceived small matter.
The Nations were shocked when but three soldiers came back from this
expedition. Their broken bodies were brought to the gates of
Har-Ynion, the capital of the Szartax province on a cart pushed by two
goblins, who both disappeared in thin air upon the attempt by the
Har-Ynion guards to apprehend them.

Enraged, Eteocles the Magnificent called out to his generals. They
were to deal with this blight quickly and finally.  At this point
Eteocles and his Generals found that their summonings of demonic
hordes was blocked. Further enraged they had to rely on humans only to
man their armed forces, greatly reducing their forces.  Three great
armies were raised, and left to the World's End mountain ranges.
Before they even reached there, they were met by couriers bringing
dire news. General Piraz had taken his troops to the east, where a
large incursion of goblinkin supported by giants, drow and other evil
races was underway. Three days later, stragglers, survivors of the
battle were encountered. Piraz and his household guards had retreated
orderly towards Piraz's keep, the rest of the army was shattered. With
dread in their hearts, the three armies continued onwards, towards the
city of Makhleff, in whose defense Piraz' army had been defeated.
There, the armies were greeted by a nightmare. On the fields around
the city, thousands of stakes dotted the landscape. Each stake impaled
a citizen of Makhleff, be they man, woman or child. From inside the
city columns of smoke and chanting emerged. The goblinoids were
celebrating their return to this part of the world. The crimson flags
of Azith Dengg fluttered from the spires of the city.

When the three armies emerged onto the fertile plains around the
massacred city, the celebrating continued. Goblins that were still
outside the city walls, busily looting the dead citizens and soldiers
of the Empire, sauntered back to the city, as if uncaring of the
military might just arrived, and stayed just out of range of the
imperial archers. The three great armies deployed and prepared to
besiege the city. The goblins did not seem to care. They closed the
gates, posted enough sentries not to be surprised and just kept to
their celebrations.

The reasons for the nonchalance of the goblins was finally explained
when columns of dust were spied upon the horizons from the east, north
and south. General Zhianh, the overall commander of the expeditionary
force, realized the futility of remaining and fighting this horde. The
humanoids were out in force. Over five hundred thousand of them must
have entered Szartax province already, and were converging on this
very place. His sixty thousand troops would be slaughtered, the
Imperial Armies a shade of their old selves since most of the Imperial
Mages had lost their control over the Arcane energies, as well as the
ability to summon and control demon hordes, devil legions and the
numerous other summonable creatures such as elementals. Zhianh quickly
withdrew, warning villages and cities along his route of retreat.

At the capital city of the Nations, Zhianh presented his case to the
Emperor, notifying Him of the threat to His realm.  Eteocles saw the
magnitude of the invasion, and his call to arms reverberated
throughout the free nations. One of the first city states to join the
emperor, was that of Cron Shander. Its ruler and general, Sarpedon,
marched a small but powerful and well disciplined army to the empire's
aid, and many others followed.  The Council of Twelve was established
to deal with this crisis, constituting of the rulers of the three
major provinces of the empire who had remained still fully loyal to
the God-Emperor, representatives of the three major religious orders
recognized in the empire, and the leaders of those rebelling city
states who recognized the threat and its magnitude, or who were in the
way of the unhuman advance. A great army was raised to relieve the
embattled north, but by the time they were assembled, almost all of
Szartax Province was under the sway of Azith Dengg's vile host. Cron
Shander had been razed.  Only Har-Ynion, Karth Castle and the
Free-City of Su-Boyar still stood, and all those three were under
siege. When the United Army entered Szartax Province, Su-Boyar had
fallen.

The tide of war shifted for four months then, as the huge armies of
the free states chased the enemy. They were mostly able to flee, but
whenever the humanoid forces were forced to fight, their armies were
beaten, and their troops scattered. The generals of the empire did not
see the methodology of the enemy's defeats however, nor were they
concerned with the fact that during all their campaigning they only
fought and defeated about fifty thousand humanoids. It was during
these days that many of the great raids were perpetrated, and the
province terrorized, as the roving armies fled from the United Army,
but destroyed all that stood in it's path.

Meanwhile, the imperial armies were slowly converging on the World's
End mountains, chasing the Unhumans. In the second month of the year
2538, after the grueling winter campaigns, the once again united
humanoid forces faced the Imperial Armies around the destroyed village
of Thon-Fharr. The vicious battle that ensued lasted for more than six
days. In this great fight both sides employed tremendous amounts of
summoned creatures and other magical effects, the Emperor had sent
many of those mages still capable of performing their magicks for some
reason with the army. After the battle, the Imperial Armies were
scattered and destroyed, at the price of many humanoid lives.

This unthinkable defeat of the Imperial Armies stirred the renegade
Provincial God-Kings and their Generals to raise their own banners and
converge upon the battered Un-Human armies. Though their loyalty to
the emperor was little, even they could not stomach the thought of the
Unhuman rabble led by the Renegade Wizard Azith Dengg defeating
Imperial troops with utter impunity. Realizing that his armies were
tired and no new troops could be called to battle any time soon, Azith
Dengg and two of his most brilliant Generals, the ladies Phaedra and
Megaera, devised an attack on the Capital itself, seeing as all
resistance between Thon-Farr and the Capital had been smashed.
Ambassadors were sent to seek the more active aid of the Elves and
Dwarves, who had stayed away from the Evil Races thus far, but
secretly admired their courage and applauded their successes against
the oppressors.

The armies of the un-humans, aided by dwarven and elven forces, eager
to punish the empire for their near extinction, rushed for the
capital, and reached the Golden Plains before the converging Imperial
Forces could cut them off. Surrounded by enemy troops, the combined
un-human armies threw themselves upon the gates of the city, and after
a battle of unparalleled fierceness, in which almost all artifacts
and magics available to Azith Dengg and his allies were put to use,
they broke through. Entire Legions of Hell, led by the Arch-Devil
Lords in person as well as Demon Hordes under the dark and dread
banners of some of the greatest of Demon Lords, fought on the side of
the unhumans, in a desperate effort to break the magically enhanced
defenses of the Imperial Capital and the nearly all-powerful Imperial
Guards units.  Once inside the capital they laid siege to the
Emperor's Fortress, known as the Green Marble Palace. While Imperial
troops began to enter the Golden Plains surrounding the Capital, the
un-humans broke the defenses of the Green Marble Palace. Inside a
furious fight broke out, but eventually, Azith Dengg and his allies
succeeded in entering the Imperial Throne Room, and engage the
God-Emperor Eteocles the Magnificent in combat. Though powerful,
Eteocles was not well versed in the arts of war, and he fell under the
onslaught put forth by Azith Dengg and his henchmen. Many of Azith
Dengg's allies died, but Eteocles finally fell, ending the Reign of
Man.

The Imperial Armies led by the various provincial leaders, the mighty
God-Kings, and their powerful entourages, arrived only to be greeted
with the very visions of nightmare. The Unconquerable City, Shar'Tek,
conquered and destroyed, and the Invincible Citadel, the Green Marble
Palace, or Malach'Tek, broken and burning. The spirit of Eteocles
fled, and the mighty Empire of Man humiliated by a band of ragged
unhumans. The God-Kings were stunned, and at a loss.

However, it did not take the God-Kings long to realize that the Green
Marble Throne was up for grabs. With the defeat of the Imperial Guard
and the Emperor, the Azithian Race Wars ended, and the even more
vicious and destructive Core Wars began, its beginning rung loud with
the Second Battle for Shar'Tek, as the God-Kings tried to grab for the
magic stores and artifacts remaining in the ravaged city.



And so the first book ends, and Arlon turns to the second ....

(Silver:) As Arlon reads the text of the books, she moves away from
the edge of the group, and moves over to Daermon. Without interrupting
the story for him, Silver will try to see if Daermon might require
some healing from her.

(Daermon:)
As Silver asks Daermon if he is in need of healing, he looks at her
with a sad smile and speaks. "No my dear, I am afraid that the damage
done to me by the potion is not so much physical damage as much a
drain of my strength and lifeforce in general. I am afraid that your
healing powers will not be adequate to heal my suffering. However, the
weakness and illness will not last too long. I will live. (at that his
expression becomes dark) Unlike our friend lord Talon Clasp."
                 
(Silver:)
Silver grips his arm, trying to offer some small measure of comfort.
She says nothing, but her eyes show a lot.




Meanwhile, Arlon has started reading the second of Archion's books ....

                 
                 A Brief and True History of Events

                 In the First Days of the Core Wars

                               Or
           
          The History of The World: The Ancient Times III

                     Published and Edited By:

                   Archion Thissel, Archeologist




The unhuman forces under the banners of the Mage Azith Dengg, aided by
the Dwarven Kingdom's Forces and the Elven Imperial Regiments, as well
as many of the great demons and devils of the nether planes, finally
managed to break the defenses of the Capital of the Nations, and
streamed in to rape and pillage the once proud city. Shock Troops made
their way to the Green Marble Palace, the hideout of the remnants of
the Imperial Guards and the refuge of Eteocles the Magnificent
himself, together with the few surviving members of the once mighty
Council of Twelve.

Even the Magical Seals and the heroic defense by the elite units of
the Imperial Guards and the Emperor's Own could not withstand the fury
that had been dragged from the Pits of Hell and the Endless Abyssal
Grounds. All the great magicks summoned by the Emperor's forces
through spell and artifact were countered by those brought forth by
the Lords of Hell and the Demonic Rulers. Spell clashed with spell,
artifact against artifact, creature against creature. Ultimately the
large number of the Summoned Hosts weighed too heavily upon the
valiant defenders, and one after the other they fell, irreplaceable,
while more and more Demons and Devils streamed through the Great Gates
opened by the Altars of Hell and great spells.

In the end, the very throne room of the God-Emperor was breached, and
Eteocles himself was forced to engage in combat. It is uncertain who
actually was responsible for the kill. Some say that Asmodeus and
Demogorgon appeared in person to bring the wrath of the real Gods upon
the self proclaimed God-Emperor, others maintain that in the end it
was Azith Dengg and the Spellfire Staff against Eteocles and the
Scepter of Might. No matter in which way, the result was the same.
Eteocles fell, and with him would fall the great Empire of Man.

And so it happened that the Provincial Legions, the rest of the Armed
Forces of the Empire of Man under the leadership of the God-Kings
congregated at the Golden Plains, only to gaze powerless at the
smoking ruins of the Great Capital of the Nations. The proud spires of
the Green Marble Palace had become fiery candles, and the streets of
the once thought to be unconquerable city of Shar'Tek were seen to be
ravaged and still being scourged by the demon hordes and devil legions
summoned to fight for the Renegade Wizard Azith Dengg. To their even
greater anger, the banners of some of the greater Demonic and Devil
Lords and Ladies were recognized, standards and Champions of Evil
resplendent in their dark armours surrounded some of the most renowned.

The armies of Soulless Geryon and his Duke, the Wolfheaded Amon, the
vile slithering armies of the Slimelord Shublox and his dread consort
Zuggtmoy, the Demon Queen of Fungi. Fat Mammon and his beautiful
consort, Asmodeus' daughter herself, Glasya and Mammon's vassal, the
Bovine Duke Bael, even the banners of the Six Fingered Lord Graz'zt
and his vassals, the Deformed Frost-Giant Demon Lord Kostchtchie and
the Demon Lord of all Minotaurs, the dreaded Baphomet fluttered next
to those of the Prince of Lies Var Az Hloo.

Even as the Great Imperial Provincial Armies descended onto the Golden
Plains, and deployed for battle however, great gates began to form in
the city, and the roiling masses of demons and devils began their
departure to their own planes, their absence from their own planes
inviting attacks by other Outer-Planar forces. The vile standards
waved, and began winding their way through the blood soaked streets of
the broken city towards the staging points of the Gates, carrying many
of the hapless surviving defeated screaming to the NetherPlanes. Their
payment for their foul assistance.

Unable to come to a decision to attack, as no single God-King wished
to lose more troops in the fighting than another, the ragged and
diminished unhuman armies that remained behind, those who belonged to
this world, retreated in an orderly fashion for the forests and hills
from whence they sprang, leaving behind them the violated remains of
Shar'Tek and all those who died in its defense. The air was filled
with flying creatures shielding the retreating host, and any of the
flying troops from the God-Kings straying too close were quickly
chased away. The dead city had it's own aerial coverage, a great swarm
of vultures.

That night, emissaries from the different God-Kings entered the city
to investigate, and rescue any wounded survivors. They found none.
While the various camps settled down for the night, the Wizards of the
God-Kings found they again had their control back over the arcane
energies. Realizing what had to lay beneath the rubble of the city,
mages scanned the ruins for magic remains. The auras of many great
artifacts were discovered, not the least including the Scepter of
Might of Eteocles, as well as large magic stores once belonging to the
now destroyed Imperial Guards, and the repositories of the destroyed
Headquarters of the Mage-Guilds, and the Great Temples of the Three
True Gods. All buried beneath the rubble and the dead.

All through the night, the various God-Kings plotted to take the ruins
by force and to gain the privilege to mine them for the great magics
contained therein for themselves only, to support a bid for the now up
for grabs Imperial Title and the empty Green Marble Throne. Secret
emissaries traveled between the camps, hammering out alliances and
battle plans. Khaled of the southern province of Mag'Louf and Morand
of the Desert Province of Tal'Linn allied with the lesser God-Kings
Dathru, Ablach and Mahadu, who all ruled various of the City States.
The Great Three Eastern God-Kings Agenor, Neabaz and Semnai, rulers of
the vast and densest inhabited eastern provinces decided to split the
spoils among them after defeating all the others, and a third faction
emerged of the Western Alliance God-Kings, Chalkas, Haemon and
Ty'Deus, the rulers of the western provinces, the last provinces
formed, ending against the Great Sea.

The darkness of the night was alight with the bonfires in which the
armies made their last preparations for the morning to come. A day no
preparation would ever be enough for. Mages reviewed their memorized
spells, and ensured they were prepared for maximum destruction,
warriors tested their often magical gear to ensure all worked
properly, that they were stocked up on potions to aid them in the
fight and such matters. The priests also made themselves ready to heal
the wounded, and fight as best they could for the just cause of their
sponsoring God-King, filling the air with their thousands of prayers.

The next morning, the three great factions' armies streamed from their
camps, large snaking arms of men and summoned monsters reaching
greedily for the Jewel City Shar'Tek, the destroyed capital. Banners
flying high, shock troops in the front, mages and champions flying
overhead on summoned Dragons, Nightmares and worse creatures, the
armies met and clashed amidst the ruins of the Capital. At the very
forefront were many of the mages, able to look for Artifacts to be put
to immediate use. Many mages died in the vicious fighting, and the
God-Kings themselves took the field. The world shook at the powers
unleashed, and by the end of the day, the fighting continued in the
burning ruins, a new layer of dead covering the old one.

Spells blasted already destroyed buildings, people shed blood knee
deep in red rivers cascading through the clogged streets, and men and
women died, to fall on the carpet of dead. Troops fell almost as fast
as they could be brought to bear on the wild melee as the three sides
fought each other. Champions fell by the scores, the very air crackled
with the arcane energies of so much magic unleashed, and the air was
thick with the souls fleeing destroyed bodies. The night was alight
with magic glowing from the magical spells and weapons employed.
Lightning raked the area and meteor storms wracked the cauldron of
death, killing troops indiscriminately.

Artifacts were found only to be lost again as the sea of battle swept
over tenuous positions of troops rallied about such items. Clouds of
the vilest poisons and the strangest of summoned creatures dotted the
bloody scenery, and people fell as often as not to random effects.
Finally, the God-Kings were forced to retreat, lest they lose their
entire armies. By that time some had perished already. Neabaz had
slain Chalkas in single combat, and the evil Khaled had killed Mahadu
when Mahadu tried to switch allegiance to the Western Alliance. These
battles nearly destroyed the very fabric of the plane.

Seeing none could gain the upper hand, all surviving God-Kings
realized that they would only completely destroy one another here, and
slowly the various factions began to disengage. The following morning
found the Imperial Provincial Armies back in their camps, and settled
to lick their grievous wounds. The exhausted armies counted their vast
losses, and broken brigades and regiments looked with disgust at their
once proud, now blood-soaked banners and other battle relics.  Some
even lost in the maelstrom of death which had been the bustling center
of the Known Universes only two days ago.

The God-Kings returned to their lands to fully mobilize their lands,
and unleash the greatest destruction ever seen on any mortal world.
Cities were destroyed, armies shattered and God-Kings slain. Time and
again, one of the God-Kings would try to take Shar'Tek, only to be met
by several of the others, and forced to leave without ever being able
to regain the lost magics of the dead city. Throughout the early wars
only the solid Eastern Alliance was able to remain relatively
untouched, until even they fell prey to internecine war when the
forces of Agenor marched into the lands of Neabaz, a move that proved
destructive to both when Semnai stepped in and killed both Neabaz and
Agenor.

Once the orgy of destruction was unleashed, it could not be stopped.
The centuries of peace and calm had stored a great capacity of
unfocused rage. Now the population itself had found a way to unleash
their pent up destructive feelings and urges, turning neighbour
against neighbour, brother against brother. Thus centuries of utter
chaos began.




Finally, Arlon pulls out some loose sheets and reads those ....


                  The Notes of the Mage Archion-Thissel

                      Archeologist and Historian

                   Specializing in Events and Items

              From the Azithian Race Wars and the Core Wars

              




Entry 3128: A report on findings about the mages reportedly leaving
the empire behind to seek a new life on a new continent.


Having perused incomplete copies of the Tome of Cesshahl, I have come
to some of the following conclusions. Seeing the great destructions
wrought by the great mage Azith Dengg in the Azithian Race Wars (see
notes 237-2698), and suffering under the deprivation of magic,
supposedly a sanction imposed by the Gods of Magic, possibly the being
now known to us as Mystra (the old one killed in the Avatar Crisis,
not the newly ascended one), a group of powerful mages traveled to
the mountain peak where the blind seeress lived. There they posed her
questions as to the future of their magic. What exactly was spoken to
them was unfortunately unreadable, but their reactions were those of
horror and dismay.

These mages were characterized by Cesshahl as being selfish men and
women, intent to have their magic survive at all cost. She even went
so far as to describe some of them as 'evil'. She warned them that
fleeing this land physically was not going to be an adequate solution,
they nonetheless questioned her about possibilities to escape the
onrushing fatal destruction of their beloved empire. Cesshahl
disclosed that their fates would lie in the Shining Lands, the hot
jungles of the unexplored continent to the west. She warned them with
the following words: Death shall follow thee on thy heels.

Whatever their meaning, the mages were intent on establishing a new
empire in the new continent. They called themselves the Sons of the
Empire of Man, openly defying the wrath of the Real Gods, and were
sure that once their magic was restored, they would be able to change
Fate itself, and cheat the gods out of their complete punishment of
the God-Emperor and his followers for their hubris. They went so far
as to question Cesshahl how to ensure that they would never be
deprived of their magic again, and bound by her Oath, she answered
them. Unfortunately, the answer is impossible to read in any of the
copies I have gathered to date.

These passages seemed of little interest, until word filtered down
about expeditions having re-discovered the Shining Lands. When I heard
that remains of an ancient wizard had been found, I knew that I would
have to visit this land at any cost. The secrets lost in the sands of
time may well be regained here, and it would be of great interest to
the free world to know the fate of the selfish mages who fled there.




Finally, Arlon finishes reading the books and parchments given to them
by Archion ....

(Tatiana:)
After she finished reading the material provided by the Sage, Tatiana
gave a great sigh. "Whew, where to start?"

(Arlon:) 
Arlon will now ask Mendahl "What is our course now Master.  What can
we do?"

Almost as an afterthought, he adds "Have you found out anything about
the wand of fire?"

(Silver:)
As Arlon asks about identifying the purposes of magical items, Silver
shows Mendahl the plain ring (from the Darkhaven Dozen) and bracers
she wears.

(Mendahl:)
When you ask about the Wand of Fire, and the other items, Mendahl
speaks up. "Yes, the wand. Thanks to our friend Archion Thissel's
knowledge I was finally able to puzzle not only its exact nature as
well as the key to unlock it's magics. It is a wand that can be made
to shoot forth fiery balls of flame which will explode at a certain
set distance. The word needed to unleash it's power is 'Shuroch'. In
the old mage-tongue, this word means 'fiery globe'."

(Arlon:)
"An extraordinary item.  Is there any clue to how much magic is left in
it?  Can it help unlock the secret of the lost spell?"

(Mendahl:)
Mendahl shakes his head. "No, my friend. Such is not possible. The
other way around, yes. That might have been possible."

"As to the other items, they would require some time of study by both
me and Archion to figure out. If we can figure them out at all."

(Silver:)
Silver nods in understanding and shrugs. "I am sure they would help us
achieve what we are about to attempt. Whatever that is ..."

(Mendahl:)
When you ask Mendahl what to do next, he speaks thus "Hmm. The whole
situation seems to be in flux. Archion Thissel firmly believes that
the news you bring is true, he already hinted that we were here for a
reason earlier, referring to excerpts from the Tome of Cesshahl, and
this only confirms it."

"We have been sent by the gods to fight those who would challenge
them."

(Silver:)
Silver lets out an involuntary gasp of utter surprise. "I _knew_ it !
Oh, Ebu !" she looks over to Shade "I have known all my life that I
have been shaped by my goddess for something ... my dreams were filled
with this land, which was part of why I came ... it all slots into
place. This _must_ be why I am here. Oh Mielikki, I thank you !" she
spreads her arms wide, smiling.

(Mendahl:)
"We will need divine aid to see this through. Mayhaps one of you can
help with an augury, or we could ask over one of the priests outside."

(Silver:)
"Of course, of course." Preparing herself, she waits until he finishes
speaking then says, in a joyous tone despite the serious surroundings 

	"My sweet Saviour, All knowing, kindness deified,
	 Your humble servants wish to serve You,
	 Enlighten us with knowledge,
	 which of Your paths we must follow"

OOC: Augury

(Mendahl:)
"Whatever is decided upon, it will be important. The powers that have
lain dormant for four millennia have come back to get vengeance, and
the ones to blame have been preparing ever since. This now is the
distillation of those four millennium. The last battle to close the
chapter on the events begun in the Azithian Race Wars."

(Tatiana:)
"I think it is clear what we are to do.  We are to help the wronged as
Silver's earlier augury said.  That was one of the clearest auguries 
I've ever witnessed."

"So what do you think we should do next?  Have you any leads at all as
to where to start searching for the artifacts?  And who would be
watching or trying to stop us if we started our search for them?  They
might be useful in our fight if we could recover them."

(Mendahl:)
When the artifacts are brought up as a possibility, he says "Yes, it
may well be our only hope."

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana looked downcast.  "If that is our only hope then times are 
dire indeed.  For if near gods couldn't recover them, I don't see 
how we can"

(Mendahl:)
While Silver prepares for the answer to her augury, he replies "Let us
wait for what our lady druid has to say."

(Silver:)
OOC: For the augury results, I see Silver going into a sort of trance,
     speaking the result in a strangely deep echoing voice, but able
     to remember what she says for when she comes out of the trance.

The augury's answer is the following: "You must find the strength and
power to resist and defeat your enemies."

(Tatiana:)
She sighed heavily.  "It seems the god's feel the situation is dire
too."

(Silver:)
When her eyes focus once more on the others present, she seems
slightly breathless, and shivers (with pleasure, not fear). She
listens to Tatiana, then adds "You are so right, 'Ana. Mielikki does
indeed have an intense desire to resolve certain ... issues. My
belief is that I have been shaped for this task. I hope that is not
too presumptuous of me ..."

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana stifled a yawn that tried to escape.  "Be it planning or bad
luck, it looks like gods are playing with our mortal lives.  We have
little choice but to follow."

"But can we do it after some rest?"

(Silver:)
Silver grins a little, eyes shining. She seems full of energy, but
willing to get rest for the others.

(Arlon:)
"I guess that means we need to go looking for something.  That could
mean travel the planes or go back to the old empire and locate some of
the lost artifacts."

(Shade:)
Shade mumbles silently "Yes," he then says "I do agree with Arlon."

(Tatiana:)
"Travel the planes?  I see no means that we can do that by, and where
is this old empire to even begin this search.  Beside, do we have the
time to roam the corners of the world to find these artifacts? or will
the effort be over by the time we find anything."

(Arlon:)
"There are several ways to get to the planes and I'm sure Archion
would have a good idea where to begin the search for the artifacts.
We may not have any choice but to go looking for these things."

(Tatiana:)
See looked apologetically at Arlon, "I'm sorry, but I'm exhausted and
the thought of the Zhentarium on these shores as well as the native
hordes and traitorous false gods giving us guidance is just too much
for me all at once."

"I'm just thankful that Saicha didn't kill us back in that temple."

"I will follow what ever words of wisdom you all come up with.  I'm
only a story teller, but I will play the part fate casts for me.  But
I need sleep right now.  Traveling all night on winged horses, and
freeing gods and running from natives is too much for me in one day."

(Silver:)
Silver's eyes are shining. "I too felt weary on our return, with the
newfound 'friends' of Dark Haven. But now ! I feel I have been ...
directed ... to search and find the artifacts that Archion mentioned.
So many things have been made plain to me !"

(Arlon:)
Seeing the fatigue in Tatiana's eyes, "It may be best if we decide
after we have had some rest, it has been a very eventful trip."  He
turns to Mendahl. "Do you think we need worry about these 'Sons'
tonight ?  I didn't like the way they said 'Eidolon'."

(Shade:)
Shade will also ask the mage "Master Mendahl, do you think we have to
worry about an immediate attack from our enemies?  I do think we are
too tired to deal with them tonight, in this case will you be so kind
as to host us for some restful sleep?"

(DM:)
Mendahl does not believe you are in immediate danger since everyone is
much more wary since the first assassination attempts.




The party decide to sleep in their own beds that night, and so emerge
from Mendahl's tower, and move back towards their new HQ ....

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana followed the others as the headed back to their new
headquarters.  "I can't wait till I own my own home.  But that is
looking a long way off now." she commented quietly as they walked
along.



And now they see Keilan and friend moving through the crowds towards
them .... 

(Keilan:)
Keilan finally meets back with the rest of you. "Ah, there you are ...
What have you learned?"  Raoh is once again trotting alongside Keilan
happily.

(Arlon:)
"There is much bad news which we should not discuss in the open, lets
just say what Saicha told us is true and the Sons of the Empire are
here to help." At the last part Arlon will be shaking his head.

(Silver:)
While Arlon talks briefly to Keilan, Silver crouches down to Raoh's
level, and growls/mewls deeply. The cub answers, and after a while she
straightens and says to Keilan "He's been learning while we've been
away ..." nodding approvingly at the growing cub.

(Keilan:)
"Yes.  Both days..." with an odd look at Silver.

(Silver:)
OOC: O Boy, it's been a long day here. Must remember my brain tomorrow ;-)

Silver notices the look and says, as if in explanation "Oh, not
physically, but in spirit. He's not becoming too ... 'human' ... if
you know what I mean."

(Keilan:)
"But then, you haven't been here, have you?"

(Silver:)
"No ... but he told me about his first success in hunting alone,
yesterday ..." she frowns slightly.



And so the party are re-united once more, and return to their HQ to
discuss what they must do next. Anyone who starts to mention anything
to Keilan before they get inside their HQ is quickly interrupted by
some of the others ....