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Greetings Avatars – this is the audio play version of the Quest that the NBTT devised as part of the Shooter Jennings party! Due to overwhelming numbers in attendance, and multiple instances happening, we were unable to run it as planned. So, as a tribute to Shooter, and for the benefit of the community, Gabriel Nightshadow rewrote the quest as an audio play.

Fourteen of the best voice actors in the community came together to create this masterpiece – enjoy!!

(MUSIC FADES OUT. INSERT SONG “MONDAY- CHANGE”)

The New Britannia Theater Troupe
Presents

 

Shadow Quest

Directed and produced by Asclepius

Written by Gabriel Nightshadow, Elgarion de’Kahli, and Amber Raine

Music and Special Effects supervised by Asclepius and Gabriel Nightshadow

VOICE CAST

Solstar as Connor Congreve (Aimend’s new apprentice crafter)
Asclepius as Malacus Dar, Obsidian Cabalist,
and Himself
Lord Baldrith as the Storyweaver, Hamidou, and Himself
Amber Raine as Herself
Lady Addy as Angelique Noir
Elgarion de’Kahli as Himself and Atreyu – the Blue Dragon
Selene Noctua as Aimend
Woftam as Balec Fares deCani
Majoria as Herself
Cordelayne Valkaris as Shooter Jennings and Himself
Womby as Himself
Stryker Sparhawk as Himself
Apollox Evanheart as Himself
Margaritte McLean as Herself

(INSERT “WINDS OF STORIES“ MUSIC TRACK. LOOP IF NECESSARY UNTIL NEXT TRACK.)

STORYWEAVER
The hooded bearded figure hid behind the large puzzle tree in Gabriel Nightshadow’s backyard as he watched the people filing into the Bear Tavern this evening. Glancing down at the massive leather bound tome clutched in his right hand, his eyes grew wide as he saw the intertwined white and black dragons embossed on the cover begin to glow and an inky blackness started to spread out across the cover in all directions…
“The Great Book has become corrupted by the foul magic of the Obsidians. The dormant Darkness is once again spreading across Novia…”, he muttered to himself. “The future is hard to see…”
The STORYWEAVER opened the massive tome and began reading from the gold gilded pages…

STORYWEAVER
It was a very busy Monday night at the Bear Tavern. Balec Fares deCani was filling drink orders at the bar, and the famous bard, Shooter Jennings, was onstage….

SHOOTER JENNINGS
Thank you all for coming out to this listening party for my new album, Countach! I just realized that I forgot to bring souvenirs for you, my devoted fans! I’m going to rush home now to grab some wax to hand out! I won’t be long! In the meantime, continue to enjoy the fine food and beer here at the Bear Tavern…

STRYKER SPARHAWK
And now a toast to the great bard, Shooter Jennings!

STORYWEAVER
The crowd cheered and raised their mugs to toast Shooter, as he walked off the stage. As Shooter approached the front door, he turned and waved to everyone before heading out.

(MUSIC FADES OUT. INSERT “TAVERN” MUSIC TRACK.)

A few moments later, Aimend, the guild’s quartermaster, walked in and took a seat at a table next to Margaritte McLean.

MARGARITTE (cheerful)
Good to see you, Aimend! It’s been awhile…

AIMEND (cheerful)
Indeed it has, Margaritte! How did you fare this week in Sand’s tournament in the Obsidian Caverns?

MARGARITTE
Oh, the competition was really tough, but I emerged victorious once again!

AIMEND
I am glad to hear that!

STORYWEAVER
BALEC walked over to the table.

BALEC (cheerful)
My dear Aimend, you look simply frazzled! Can I get you something refreshing?

AIMEND (exasperated)
You know you’re crazy, Balec!
Do we really need fifty beds and pillows for our guest quarters in the basement?

BALEC
Of course we do, my dear! Look at the crowd here tonight! I can already see some of them will be sleeping it off here.. and…
Keldon told me the new barmaid has designs for a private room with *several* of our more exclusive patrons!

(INSERT “Slap” SOUND EFFECT)

AIMEND (angry tone)
Balec, I am shocked! I would expect that sort of talk out of Budner, but you…

BALEC (in pain)
Ow, that really hurt!

AIMEND
Why are there so many people here on a Monday night anyway?

BALEC
You just missed Shooter Jennings…

AIMEND (angry tone)
What?! You didn’t tell me he was performing here tonight! Why wasn’t this on the notice board by the bar?

BALEC (sheepish)
Um…surely, I mentioned it… *wonders* Or perhaps it slipped my mind. Don’t worry! He’s just taking a short break. You can catch the second half of the show…

AIMEND (demanding)
Hmm…I see that most of the other Bears are here. How did they know?

BALEC
Oh, I told all the guys the other night at the “Red Room” poker game.

AIMEND (very angry tone)
Red Room poker game?!? My fingers are worn sewing pillows day and night; poor Selene is covered in flour and beginning to turn golden-brown herself from making pies… and you boys are playing poker? In the Red Room? Why, I’m starting to feel like some of us do all the work around here while the elite live the life of luxury!

BALEC (apologetic)
You know both you and Selene are welcome to join us next Wednesday night for the poker game after Stryker Sparhawk’s Happy Hour. …so, Will you come?

AIMEND (angry)
Absolutely not!

(MUSIC FADES OUT. INSERT “CRYSTAL CAVERN” MUSIC TRACK.)

STORYWEAVER
Suddenly, a very familiar old man staggered and stumbled into the tavern. He was clutching a scroll in his hand.

ELGARION DE’KAHLI (gasping for air)
Help me!

BALEC
Elgarion, my friend, have you been poisoned? Aimend, can you help the poor fellow?

STORYWEAVER
AIMEND cast PURIFY and then HEALING RAY, but neither seemed to have any affect!

(INSERT “Purify “ and “Healing Ray” SOUND EFFECTS)

AIMEND (panicked)
It’s not working!

ELGARION (weak voice)
No, it’s no use. My time is nearly at an end.
I was on my way here to deliver a message to Shooter Jennings. I spotted him outside headed towards his house.
Obsidian assassins suddenly appeared and tried to abduct him. I managed to keep them distracted while Asclepius and Lord Baldrith from the New Britannia Troupe were able to get Shooter away.
During the melee, the assassins stabbed me multiple times in the chest with their poisoned daggers. I recognize the poison from its sweet aroma.
It’s made from Zanif berries, long thought to be extinct. There is no known cure for this deadly toxin.
It is vital that one of you complete my quest.

STORYWEAVER
Elgarion handed Balec a scroll.

ELGARION
This message is from our long missing liege, Lord British.
The eight Obsidian Cabalists believe that Shooter knows where Lord British is, where he has been hiding all this time and seek to interrogate Shooter to learn his location.
They intend to have their assassins eliminate Lord British before he can make his way back to Brittany to reclaim the throne.

BALEC
Then the rumors of Lord British’s return are true?

ELGARION
Aye. He handed the message to me personally while disguised as a wanderer.

AIMEND
But how will we get the message to him? We have no idea where Shooter has been hidden.

ELGARION
You must obtain the proper passwords from each of the New Britannia Troupe members in order to locate him. Beware the Obsidian assassins who attacked me…

(INSERT “Fall” SOUND EFFECT.)

AIMEND (sad)
I couldn’t …save him.
.
(AIMEND CRIED.)

BALEC (comforting)
He was beyond help, my dear. I am certain your efforts soothed him in his final moments…

BALEC (sad)
Goodbye, old friend.

(MUSIC FADES OUT. INSERT “THE ORCHS ARE COMING” MUSIC TRACK.)

STORYWEAVER
The bookseller WOMBY stepped forward from the crowd.

WOMBY
Do not cry, Aimend. I believe there is still a way to bring Elgarion back from beyond the veil.

AIMEND
How is that possible?

WOMBY
I recently came into possession of an ancient text which was found by the noted historian Theodric at Desolis. The book speaks of the nine dragons of legend.
One of them, the white dragon, Kizaru, is said to possess great healing powers and has the ability to heal any ailment and raise the dead, no matter how long they have passed beyond the veil.
He is said to dwell in a hidden crystal cave on a mountain near Beran’s Reach.

However, even if you find him, convincing him to help you could prove to be difficult…

BALEC
Why?

WOMBY
Well, according to the text, he will only obey the one he is meant to bond with for life, a female Dragon Lord – a beautiful maiden who is pure of heart – descended from a particular bloodline. All other intruders he will devour immediately…
Aimend, you will need this. The entrance to the cave can be found by utilizing the Amulet of Vazur, which will begin glowing more brightly as you get closer to it.
Master Ranger Gabriel Nightshadow gave it to me for safekeeping while he is away on an important mission for the New Britannia Theater Troupe.
Something about tracking down a lead on the whereabouts of the albino man known as Count Aberon…

STORYWEAVER
Womby handed the amulet to Aimend, who put it on.

(INSERT “Amulet of Absorption” SOUND EFFECT)

BALEC (playful)
Beautiful maiden who is pure of heart?

STORYWEAVER
Balec winked at Aimend, who glared at him.

AIMEND (adamant)
Darn it, Balec, Elgarion was our good friend. We have to try!

BALEC (exasperated)
Fine, fine…Mul Girtab, Silvanus, Keldon Lighthand, Archaon, Athanil, and I will accompany you on this quest.
We will depart shortly and leave Budner in charge of watching over Elgarion’s body until we return.
The seven of us should be able to handle an ancient dragon with no problem.

STORYWEAVER
Aimend rolled her eyes.

BALEC
Now let’s see what this scroll Elgarion was carrying says.
SHOOTER – I MANAGED TO CROSS THE BORDER INTO NOVIA LATE LAST NIGHT AND ELUDE THE OBSIDIAN ASSASSINS. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN THREE DAYS.
YOUR GOOD FRIEND, LORD BRITISH
Good heavens, this message is dated three days ago! Lord British must be close by!

BALEC
Who among you is brave enough to complete Elgarion’s dangerous quest?
Please be aware that people, places, and scenes which you encounter during your quest will reference the following movies:
This act referenced Metropolis. ACT II references Midnight Express and ACT III references Cat People and The NeverEnding Story.

(MUSIC FADES OUT. INSERT “IRELAND’S COAST (VIDEO GAME VERSION – LIVE)” MUSIC TRACK.)

STORYWEAVER
Several people in the crowd said that they would undertake the quest. But one voice was louder than all than all of the others…

CONNOR
I will undertake this quest and deliver this message to Shooter Jennings!

STORYWEAVER
Everyone in the bar turned to look at Aimend’s new apprentice crafter, a lanky, ginger 18 year old named Connor Congreve. Connor was the eldest son of Guard Captain Duncan Congreve of Braemar. He had recently moved to Beran’s Reach, apparently to overcome some trauma related to the recent disappearances of teenagers in Braemar which had been linked to the famous composer, Dinsoo.

AIMEND (worried)
This is a dangerous quest, Connor! You do not have the proper skills or training to undertake it! Besides, I need you to start crafting some dressers and trunks for the basement guest quarters tomorrow…

CONNOR (confident)
I anticipated that already and made 10 of each today, Mistress Aimend! I am fully qualified to undertake this quest! I have been trained in the art of combat since birth by my father, and your good friends Archaon and Athanil have been very helpful in supplementing that training. Please, Mistress, let me do this….

BALEC
Aimend, let the boy undertake the quest! It is time for him to prove himself as a man!

AIMEND
Fine…fine…you can undertake this quest, but please be careful! I worry for your safety.

STORYTELLER
Connor blushed slightly, for he secretly harbored a crush on the beautiful, but much older Aimend, who bore a striking resemblance to the childlike Empress he had seen illustrated by the great artist Stephen in his favorite fairy tale which his late mother used to read to him when he was but a child.
He remembered the many tears he shed at the age of 12 after his loving mother fell victim to the accidentally unearthed artifact which carried a plague which was originally developed by the evil Obsidian mage Korben Dar 200 years ago.

CONNOR
Thank you, mistress! I will not fail you!

STORYTELLER
Balec was amused at Connor’s attempt to impress Aimend, who was oblivious to the young man’s feelings.

BALEC
For those of you who have memorized the message and seek to continue on, your adventure begins outside…
*********************************************************************
(MUSIC FADES OUT. INSERT “ENGULFING SHADOWS” MUSIC TRACK.)

STORYWEAVER
Once everyone exited the Tavern, Connor saw a suspicious looking man and woman engaged in conversation off to the side. The man was wearing a black hood, cloak, and wedding tuxedo. The woman was wearing black leather armor and lace. Connor hid behind some nearby shrubbery as he eavesdropped on the two.

MALACUS
Were you able to apprehend the bard, Shooter Jennings?

ANGELIQUE
We would have if two members of the New Britannia Theater Troupe hadn’t shown up to rescue him. We lost their trail in the nearby forest…

MALACUS
I see. What of the messenger?

ANGELIQUE
He has been dealt with…but not before passing his message on to another…

MALACUS
You know what to do, Angelique…

STORYWEAVER
Angelique nodded as she smiled wickedly.

ANGELIQUE
Yes, Master…

MALACUS
Soon we will only have the Oracle and Lord DarkStarr left to deal with. The Obsidian Empire will rise again!

(Malacus laughed.)

STORYWEAVER
Connor felt his ears burn at the mention of the Obsidians and he had to use every bit of his self-control to remain silent and concealed.

MALACUS (seductive)
I am so looking forward to this evening, my precious Dark Angel of Death. I think you will like the recent improvements I made to the dungeon…

STORYWEAVER
Malacus and Angelique embraced and shared a passionate kiss.

ANGELIQUE (seductive)
Mmm…that sounds very intriguing….Master.

MALACUS
You are dismissed…

ANGELIQUE
By your command…

STORYWEAVER
Aneglique bowed, blew Malacus a kiss, and then turned, and ran into the nearby forest. MALACUS turned and walked a short distance away in the opposite direction before zoning.

(INSERT “Teleport” SOUND EFFECT.)

Connor decided it was best to keep this extra bit of information to himself and soon joined everyone else in the town square.

(MUSIC FADES OUT. INSERT “ENCHANTED FESTIVAL” MUSIC TRACK. LOOP IF NECESSARY UNTIL NEXT TRACK.)

In the center of the town square was a giant yew tree. In the large enclosed area in front of the tree was Lady Majoria, a prominent member of the New Britannia Theater Troupe, who beckoned everyone to come to her.

MAJORIA
Greetings, brave adventurers!
I will now ask you a riddle. Anyone can call out the answer; once I hear the correct answer you may proceed to Cordelayne over there…
…who will provide you with the next riddle. Is everyone ready?
Here is your first riddle:
In a future most dystopian, of horror,
Lives divided between wealthy and worker.

Dark spires of steel reached sky and heaven,
A Metropolis built upon the oppression of legend.

A mad tinkerer, overcome by grief,
Created a facsimile of Love, a woman now deceased.

His purpose bent upon hatred and revenge,
Drove this robotic form to most evil ends.
The citizens rallied behind this seemly form,
Not knowing what they did, falling victim to charm.

Now, the city full in revolt,
Freder took Courage, and the Truth was told.

With plot revealed, and skin peeled away,
The world’s notions of freedom and Love would sway.

The once grand Metropolis, spires tall and arching,
Would stand no longer upon the backs of the working.

The tinkerer fell to his doom, his hold lost of power,
Falling… falling… his body splayed at the base of the __________.

STORYWEAVER
There was much murmuring in the crowd as people tried to decipher the riddle. But Connor had always been a clever lad, and quickly shouted out…

CONNOR
TOWER!

LADY MAJORIA
“TOWER” is correct!
Please proceed to Cordelayne, who is standing in the enclosed area on the other side of this yew tree!

STORYWEAVER
The crowd followed Connor over to Cordelayne.

CORDELAYNE
Congratulations on passing the first test! When I hear the correct answer to this riddle, you can go see one of those six armed escorts off to the right. When each party reaches maximum capacity, the armed escort will guide you to your next destination.

Here is your second riddle:

Werecats, magical creatures most fantastic and mythic,
Change their forms through action both hateful and romantic.

Once, they roamed the lands with unrelenting freedom,
Their lust deadly to the peaceful and unsuspecting humans.

Now their numbers dwindle and diminish,
Only a few remain to carry on their heritage.

One female by the name of Irena,
Fought her true nature to embrace Love for another.
Some say he betrayed her in the end,
Taking her panther form into a prison.

But in this act he saved her from oblivion,
For Irena lived thereafter, as panther, fur silken and ____________.

STORYWEAVER
Once again, the crowd seemed to be having difficulty figuring out the riddle.

CONNOR
OBSIDIAN!

CORDELAYNE
“OBSIDIAN” is correct! My, you are a clever lad! Now everyone can proceed to the next destination where our esteemed leader, the “Master of Voices”, Lord Baldrith himself, awaits!

*********************************************************************

(MUSIC FADES OUT. INSERT “ESCAPE FROM THE TEMPLE” MUSIC TRACK.)

STORYWEAVER
ACT II
After all of the groups arrived at the waterfront castle in Aerie, they were greeted by a bearded mage standing guard at the front door. A magical barrier had been erected behind him, preventing anyone from opening the front doors.

LORD BALDRITH
Greetings, brave adventurers! Congratulations on getting this far.
For over one hundred years, the infamous castle behind me served as a prison for the most notorious criminals in the land until the new facility was recently completed in Brittany.
Somewhere on these grounds is hidden a great treasure – a wax cylinder of the bard Shooter Jennings’ latest album, Countach – along with the final riddle to his location.
But beware, for twenty- four of the twenty-five treasure chests will contain a trap which will hinder your progress…
Once someone finds the cylinder and the final riddle and reports back to me, all the other players may return here to the entrance, where I will reveal that riddle to all.
Are you ready?

Here is your third riddle:
In another world of fantasy Neverending,
A boy hero stands with Courage against The Nothing.

The darkness of apathy spreads, consuming the Ivory Tower,
Fantasia all but vanishes if not for Imagination, the savior power.

The boy hero stands tall and exclaims, “Moon Child!”
Was it too late? What of this world of wonder remains?

A small particle of magical dust, not a fleck…
A tiny piece of Fantasia rest in his palm, so tiny… merely a ________.

CONNOR
SPECK!

LORD BALDRITH
The correct answer has been given!
The doors of the keep will now be unlocked!
Good luck everybody!

STORYWEAVER
Lord Baldrith stood to one side and uttered an incantation. The magical barrier dissipated. Connor was caught in the wave as the crowd surged forward across the walkway! He barely had time to fling open the front doors, as he was pushed up against them.
The crowd spilled into the foyer and everyone began running about in different directions, opening any ornate public cache chest they came across. The chests were not immediately visible, as they were hidden behind ornate room dividers and potted plants.
Connor heard someone shriek after opening up a nearby chest to his left. The poor fellow’s head was engulfed in a cloud of noxious green gas and he immediately fell to the ground dead with a vacant look on his face! His shadowy spirit rose from his body and floated over to an area marked off by giant stone ankhs and ornate skull candles. Incoherent sounds emanated from the spirit, most likely the man’s frustration at waiting to be resurrected…
Connor hoped that he would have much better luck and quickly flipped open the chest in front of him. He suddenly felt lightheaded and was compelled to begin dancing a jig! He turned to his right and saw someone else lurching about like a zombie, moaning “Brains!”
Racing up to the second floor of the castle, Connor saw many more people had fallen victim to the poisonous gas. Several people were being compelled to dance allemandes or zombie dances.

CONNOR
Wait…what is this on the other side of the staircase? It looks like a faint outline of a door….

STORYWEAVER
Connor pressed his hand slightly against the bricks, and a hidden door swung open!

CONNOR
Oh my god! It is a hidden treasure chest…
What does this note on the floor say?
“Open the trunk and take the items inside.”
Could it be the prize?

HAMIDOU
Out of my way, boy!

STORYWEAVER
Connor was suddenly pushed aside by a burly fellow and fell on his butt. Connor immediately got up.

CONNOR
Hey, I was here first…!
STORYWEAVER
The burly fellow glared at Connor.

HAMIDOU (threatening)
Are you challenging me, boy?

STORYWEAVER
Once Connor got a closer look at the man’s scarred face, he recognized him. This was the notorious fighter known as Hamidou! A former guard at this prison, he now earned a living using his deadly melee combat skills in the underground steel cage death matches held on a monthly basis for the amusement of the wealthy.

CONNOR
Um…no sir…

HAMIDOU
A wise decision, boy…

STORYWEAVER
Hamidou flung open the chest…and died!
Connor had been rather lucky that he had not fallen victim to the deadly gas which lay within and hastily raced around the staircase and headed up to the roof.
Unlike the previous floors of the castle, which had been lit with blue fire torches, it was very dark up on the roof, where only the glow from the shattered moon high above provided some dim illumination.
Connor saw that the four chests at the corners of the towers had already been searched. All that remained were the three chests surrounded by wall dividers up on the central tower.
Connor climbed the ladder and soon realized how dark and narrow the passage was between the wall dividers. He soon came across a beautiful, young female body sprawled in front of the first chest.
As he made his way towards the second chest, he heard a male voice cry out, followed soon thereafter by a loud, sickening thud!

(INSERT “Fall” SOUND EFFECT.)

Connor peered over the side and saw that the poor fellow had not seen the edge of the tower in the dark and had fallen off, his shattered body landing directly in front of Lord Baldrith on the entry walkway below. A very calm Lord Baldrith looked down at the body and shook his head.

CONNOR
Please let this chest be the correct one…

STORYWEAVER
Connor peered inside the chest and saw a note.
He picked it up and began reading.

CONNOR
You have chosen wisely! Congratulations, you have a won a set of pink wax cylinders of songs from the bard Shooter Jennings’ new album, Countach! Take this note as proof and present it to Shooter Jennings at your final destination.
Your fourth and final riddle is….

STORYWEAVER
Connor smiled as he read the final riddle, for he now knew where the New Britannia Theater Troupe had hidden the bard Shooter Jennings for his own safety. Connor continued reading…

CONNOR
Announce to all present that you have claimed the prize and then report back to Lord Baldrith and show him this note. He will provide you with additional instructions.

STORYWEAVER
Connor held the note up and loudly declared…

CONNOR (loud, dramatic voice)
In the end there can be only one! I claim the prize!

STORYWEAVER
Connor carefully made his way back to the ladder and climbed down from the tower. He raced downstairs and across the entry walkway to Lord Baldrith. Connor showed him the prize note.

BALDRITH
You now have all four clues which will reveal Shooter’s location. Arrange the clues in the correct sequence and whisper the answer to me.

STORYWEAVER
After Connor had done so, a smiling Lord Baldrith declared…

LORD BALDRITH
We have a winner! Connor Congreve will now report to Stryker Sparhawk for further instruction!

STORYWEAVER
Connor walked over to Stryker Sparhawk, who bowed to him.

STRYKER
Come here kid, you look lost! No – no, right here!
I am the emissary. Congratulations on winning the prize! Now I will personally guide you to your final destination; so stay close to me because we will be venturing off road in order to avoid the foes at Nightshade Pass and it is very easy to get lost.
You have a message to deliver to Shooter Jennings and time is of the essence, so we’d better get going!

STORYWEAVER
Stryker and Connor departed.

BALDRITH
Avatars, please gather round for the fourth riddle: If someone can tell me the answer to this, you will know the location of Shooter Jennings!

THE FOURTH AND FINAL RIDDLE IS:
In the distant World of the Avatars,
In a prison so brutal and deadly,

A man named Billy was locked away, crimes both small and petty.
For five years he endured a life of hardship,

Within walls devoid of Truth, Love and kinship.
A man so evil, a guardian of this jail,

Prolonged, darkened, and worsened Billy’s hell.
Another man embracing Truth yet abandoning Courage,

Revealed Billy’s daring plans and purpose.
The angered guardian, depraved and hateful,

Inflicted pain and torture, most distasteful.
But in years to come, Billy’s Love delivered hope,
And now Billy again could dare to cope.

A chance returned to breach the entrance,
But Billy did not depart before exacting his ____________.

STORYWEAVER
After some time, an elderly woman in the crowd finally came up with the correct answer.

BALDRITH
“VENGEANCE” is correct.
Please return to your guides who will conduct you to Shooter’s location!

(MUSIC FADES OUT. INSERT “ENGULFING SHADOWS” MUSIC TRACK.)

STORYWEAVER
As the groups formed, a man dressed in black approached them.

MALACUS (very charismatic)
Greetings, brave adventurers! Congratulations on obtaining the four clues which will reveal Shooter Jennings’ location. My name is Malacus Dar, and I represent the Eight Obsidian Cabalists.
Now I know many of you have heard many terrible things about our predecessors, but I assure you that we are nothing at all like them.
We only wish to make the world a better place for the common man and usher in a new era of peace and prosperity, free from the ever watching human and mechanical eyes of the Oracle.
I have come to make all of you an offer on behalf of my masters.
Those who are willing to share the four clues with me will be escorted to the final destination, where they will be richly rewarded with gold for aiding our cause.
Furthermore, once we have overthrown the Oracle and reclaimed power, as favored citizens of the new Obsidian Empire,
you will receive tax free village lots in prime locations and given access to rare raw materials for crafting at substantially reduced prices.
Anyone who wishes to accept this offer, please step forward. Then, please join ANGELIQUE or one of my other good friends standing over there……and they will guide you to your final destination…

STORYWEAVER
Surprisingly, no one accepted Malacus’ offer.

MALACUS
I am very disappointed that none of you accepted my most generous offer. These members of the New Britannia Theater Troupe are really agents of the Oracle. You have no idea what you are in for! But I will leave you ignorant fools to your fate…

(MALACUS LAUGHED.)

(INSERT “Teleport” SOUND EFFECT.)

STORYWEAVER
Malacus, Angelique, and her dozen assassins zoned away. A short time later, they materialized outside the entrance to Aerie.

MALACUS
You know what to do, my dear…

ANGELIQUE
Yes, Master. I will contact you when we have the location…

STORYWEAVER
Malacus nodded as he zoned away again. Angelique and her assassins hid behind some nearby rocks and cast Silent Movement, shimmering out of existence…
*********************************************************************
(MUSIC FADES OUT. INSERT “LAND OF THE WIZARD” MUSIC TRACK.)

STORYWEAVER
ACT III
Angelique and her Obsidian assassins arrived inside the entrance to Vengeance. Malacus Dar was waiting for them to their left.

MALACUS
It was wise of you to follow Doctor Shroud’s group, Angelique. They have caught up to the other groups and are a short distance ahead. Intercept them at that nearby rock formation and eliminate them all. Proceed to the tower and kill everyone inside.
Time is of the essence, as I just received a report from our spy who infiltrated the Oracle’s network of human watchers.
The Oracle has dispatched some of her soldiers from the garrison stationed near Vertas Pass to investigate our activities in this area.
They will be arriving here in about an hour. I will meet you at the rendezvous point…

ANGELIQUE
Yes, Master…

STORYWEAVER
Angelique and her squad cast SPRINT and then SILENT MOVEMENT and headed off towards the rock formation.
Malacus turned to leave, when he felt his communication orb begin to pulsate in his pouch. Removing the glowing black orb, he heard his master calling to him…

(INSERT “DARK AMULET” MUSIC TRACK.)

OBSIDIAN CABALIST (raspy, sinister voice)
The Cabal would like a status report, Malacus….

MALACUS
Master, we have discovered where the NBTT has hidden Shooter Jennings and we expect Lord British to arrive soon. Angelique and her team are en route to the location now to eliminate them.

OBSIDIAN CABALIST (raspy)
Good…good. But it seems that you have even less time than previously expected. Not only are the Oracle’s soldiers en route, but so is Dragon Lord Gabriel Nightshadow as well. Our spies have discovered that the lead he was following was merely a trap set by your traitorous father, Count Aberon. The Dragon Lord survived the deadly ambush by the Dakari Sisterhood of Assassins and is making his way back there with all due haste…

MALACUS
I am confident that Angelique and her team will be able to complete their mission before either the Oracle’s soldiers or Gabriel Nightshadow arrives.

OBSIDIAN CABALIST (raspy)
I hope so…for both of your sakes, Malacus. You know the price of failure…

MALACUS
Yes, Master.

OBSIDIAN CABALIST (raspy)
We will check back with you…soon.

STORYWEAVER
Malacus Dar put the black orb back in his pouch. As he turned toward the archway, he saw two figures approaching. Malacus quickly moved off to the side and began casting a spell…
A short time later, Stryker Sparhawk and Connor Congreve arrived at the entrance to Vengeance.

(MUSIC FADES OUT. INSERT “CARAVAN” TRACK.)

STRYKER (annoyed)
Connor, I told you to stick close to me! We lost so much time because I had to backtrack and find you! I can see that the other groups have passed us and are approaching that rock formation near our final destination, that giant Obsidian Tower off to the right up there! I swear that your sense of direction is as bad as my friend, Gabriel Nightshadow, and that Bear cub can get lost just by turning around!

CONNOR (apologetic)
I’m sorry, Mr. Sparhawk…

(STRYKER sighed.)

STRYKER
Sorry to lose my temper like that, Connor. It’s just due to the fact that we’re on a tight deadline. Call me Stryker. “Mr. Sparhawk” sounds so ancient!

CONNOR
Ok, Stryker!

STRYKER
All right now, be on your guard, Connor! This is a very dangerous area. You never know what…

(MUSIC FADES OUT. INSERT “END GAME” MUSIC TRACK.)

(INSERT “Hitting Wall” SOUND EFFECT.)

STORYWEAVER
Poor Stryker never got to finish that sentence as he was suddenly hit in the face by an earth elemental and sent flying backward! He struck a nearby rock wall and slumped to the ground unconscious!
Connor instinctively rolled away in the opposite direction and immediately drew his magic sword as he stood up. It crackled to life with electricity.

CONNOR
I remember you from Beran’s Reach! You are an Obsidian mage!

MALACUS
Clever boy! Malacus Dar, at your service…

CONNOR
Are you any relation to the mage known as Korben Dar?

MALACUS
Why yes, he was my grand uncle! He was slain by the Black Dragon Lord known as Gabriel Nightshadow.

CONNOR (enraged)
Nearly half of my village died, including my mother, because of an unearthed artifact which carried a plague originally developed by Korben Dar!

MALACUS (chuckling)
Ah…good to hear that his legacy lives on!

CONNOR (furious)
Although Korben Dar is gone, I will avenge my people by slaying you!

MALACUS (laughing)
I don’t think so, boy! Attack!

(INSERT “Earthquake” SOUND EFFECT.)

STORYWEAVER
The earth elemental pounded the ground, but Connor managed to leap away and avoid the brunt of the Earthquake.

(INSERT “Earth Element Magic Spell” SOUND EFFECT.)

It then cast Root, but Connor quickly jumped free mere moments before the elemental would have struck him with its mighty fists…

Meanwhile, at the rock formation near the Obsidian Tower…
The other NBTT armed escorts arrived with the rest of the players. The lead escort, Amber Raine, disbanded the parties and sent the other escorts on ahead to the tower. As she tried to get everyone to form a single line, Angelique and her Obsidian Assassin Squad emerged from their hiding place around the rock formation and approached the players.

ANGELIQUE
Hello there, my name is Angelique Noir! Thank you for unwittingly leading us to Shooter Jennings and Lord British!
Once we take care of all of you, we will be able to enter the ivory tower undetected and kill everyone inside.

STORYWEAVER
Apollox Evanheart and his NBTT Hero Squad stepped out from their nearby hiding place and confronted Angelique and her squad.

APOLLOX
I wouldn’t count on that, Obsidian scum!

ANGELIQUE
Who the heck are you?

STORYWEAVER
Apollox flexed his muscles.

APOLLOX
I’m “Heartthrob” Evanheart and these are my good friends, Margaritte McLean, Balec Fares deCani, and Keldon Lighthand. We’re not going to let you harm these good people or anyone else inside!

STORYWEAVER
Amber Raine rolled her eyes and Angelique laughed.

ANGELIQUE
You don’t look like much of a “heartthrob” or a “hero” to me, boy! Your pathetic fighting skills are no match for ours! We are the finest assassins in all of the land!

APOLLOX
We’ll see about that! Amber protect the civilians! NBTT hero squad attack!

(MUSIC FADES OUT. INSERT “BATTLE THEME A” MUSIC TRACK.)

(INSERT “Swords Clashing”, “Large Fireball”, “Thrown Shuriken”, and “ghostbreath” SOUND EFFECTS.)

STORYWEAVER
Apollox and his squad rushed forward and engaged Angelique and her assassins. Despite their superior skill, the NBTT Hero Squad was clearly outnumbered and things looked pretty grim.

APOLLOX (breathing heavily)
You know, Balec, we really could have used Archaon, Athanil, and Silvanus here with us…

BALEC
In hindsight, it may not have been such a great idea to have them return to Beran’s Reach to work on the Arena instead…

(INSERT “Grenade Explosion” SOUND EFFECT.)

STORYWEAVER
Suddenly, Asclepius and Lord Baldrith appeared and joined the fray…

ASCLEPIUS
Lord Baldrith and I thought you could use the extra help! Sorry we are late! Some pickpocket stole our teleport scrolls and we had to buy some from the traveling merchant, Sandy Chapman…

STORYWEAVER
Thanks to the timely arrival of Asclepius and Lord Baldrith, the tide seemed to shift in the NBTT’s favor…

(MUSIC FADES OUT. INSERT “BLACKMOOR COLOSSUS (COLOSSAL BOSS BATTLE THEME)” MUSIC TRACK.)

Meanwhile, back near the entrance to Vengeance, Connor was not having much luck battling the earth elemental.

CONNOR (breathing heavily)
Darn it, my lightning sword isn’t causing enough damage to this rock elemental!

STORYWEAVER
Connor struck the rock elemental in the right arm with his sword and was startled to see the blade break off!
The rock elemental pounded the ground and Connor found himself flat on his back. The broken hilt flew out of his hand and landed a short distance away.

(INSERT “Drop Sword” SOUND EFFECT.)

CONNOR
Uh oh…

STORYWEAVER
Before the earth elemental could launch another attack, it vanished!

MALACUS
I prefer to finish you off myself…

(INSERT “ghostbreath” SOUND EFFECT)

STORYWEAVER
Connor felt himself grow weak as Malacus cast Death Field. Connor got up and punched Malacus in the stomach with his Flame Fist, followed by Stone Fist.

(INSERT “Torch” SOUND EFFECT.)

(MALACUS LAUGHED.)
MALACUS
Your pathetic fist attacks can’t harm me, boy!

(INSERT “ghostbreath” SOUND EFFECT.)

STORYWEAVER
Malacus cast Death Touch and then Death Ray. Connor fell to his knees.

(INSERT “Healing Ray” SOUND EFFECT.)

Connor cast Healing Ray, but he found himself losing health far quicker than he could replenish it.

CONNOR (muttering to himself)
I must not fail! It can’t end like this…

(INSERT “DREAM” MUSIC TRACK.)

STORYWEAVER
Suddenly, there was a flash of light and he felt a woman’s hand on his left shoulder and healing energy flowing into him!

(MUSIC FADES OUT. INSERT “RISE OF SPIRIT” MUSIC TRACK.)

He glanced up to see Aimend standing there next to him, smiling. She was literally glowing as she stood there in ornate white plate armor. She looked like some sort of Warrior Empress…

AIMEND (whispering)
I believe in you, Connor! You can defeat this evil foe! Tap into your inner power…

MALACUS
Eh, what is this? Who dares interfere in our battle?

AIMEND
I am Aimend, the White Dragon Lord!

STORYWEAVER
Malacus’ eyes grew wide as Aimend released her hold on Connor and stepped to the side.

MALACUS (shocked)
No…it can’t be…

(MUSIC FADES OUT. INSERT “OLYMPUS” MUSIC TRACK.)

STORYWEAVER
Suddenly, Connor had a vision. He saw himself standing in an ice cave before an enormous blue dragon. Fog covered the ground.

ATREYU (deep, ancient voice)
Greetings, Connor Cosgreve! I am Atreyu, youngest of the nine dragons. I command the power of the Air! I bonded with your great grandfather, Colin Congreve, who died during the fall of Castle Gennar 200 years ago. Now that you have awakened me from my long slumber through our telepathic link, it is time for you to fulfill your destiny. Claim your birthright as the new Blue Dragon Lord!

(INSERT “Dragon Roaring” SOUND EFFECT.)

STORYWEAVER
The vision faded and Connor’s eyes began to glow as his entire body began to crackle with electricity. He suddenly stood up and cast Discharge, causing Malacus to stagger back. He then began casting bolts of Lightning at Malacus, who tried to erect a magic force field against them.

(INSERT “Magic Shield” SOUND EFFECT.)

(INSERT “Thunder Sound FX” SOUND EFFECT FOUR TIMES.)

(INSERT “Mirror Shattering” SOUND EFFECT.)

The force field shattered and Malacus felt the brunt of the supercharged lightning bolts as his enchanted cloth armor was torn to shreds.

MALACUS (in severe pain)
Argh… I cannot be defeated by a mere boy!

CONNOR
I am no longer a boy, Malacus! I am Connor Congreve, the Blue Dragon Lord!

STORYWEAVER
Malacus coughed and spit out blood.

MALACUS
We will battle each other again someday and I shall have my revenge!

STORYWEAVER
Malacus shook his fist at Connor and then suddenly shimmered out of existence.

(MUSIC FADES OUT. INSERT NEXT MUSIC TRACK.)

CONNOR
He’s disappeared! I don’t know the Reveal Hidden spell…

AIMEND
Let him go, Connor! You have a more important task to attend to.

STORYWEAVER
Stryker Sparhawk walked over.

STRYKER
Thank you for healing me, Aimend! It seems I missed out on all of the excitement.

AIMEND
Please escort Connor to the tower, Stryker. I will go assist the others.

STRYKER
Certainly. Let’s go, Connor! We’re going up that way…

STORYWEAVER
Stryker and Connor headed toward the Obsidian tower.
Meanwhile, back at the rock formation…

(MUSIC FADES OUT. INSERT “SWORDFIGHT” MUSIC TRACK.)

(INSERT “Swords Clashing” SOUND EFFECT.)

APOLLOX
Take that, Obsidian witch!

STORYWEAVER
Apollox’s blade sliced through Angelique’s right side. She winced in pain.

ANGELIQUE
Uh…that really hurt! You may have won this time, “Heartthrob” Evanheart, but when next we meet, I will show you the true meaning of pain!

APOLLOX
Ooh…I am so looking forward to that!

MARGARITTE
For heaven’s sake, Apollox, you’re supposed to be fighting her, not flirting with her!

STORYWEAVER
Margaritte did a facepalm.

APOLLOX
You know I can’t help myself when I am around attractive women…especially when they are wearing black leather and lace…

ANGELIQUE (defiant)
You won’t be grinning so much next time after I use my electroshock whip on you!

APOLLOX
I can handle anything you throw at me! I do not fear pain!

ANGELIQUE
You will, boy. You will…

(ANGELIQUE LAUGHED.)

STORYWEAVER
Angelique suddenly purred like a cat and licked her lips in anticipation.

ANGELIQUE
Now…get over here!

APOLLOX (surprised)
What?

STORYWEAVER
Angelique suddenly pulled Apollox into an embrace and gave him a passionate kiss! Apollox enjoyed the moment, but then was struck down by a Discharge spell which Angelique cast!

(INSERT “Electric Shock Zap” SOUND EFFECT.)
(INSERT “Fall” SOUND EFFECT.)

ANGELIQUE
See you around, “Heartthrob”! All squad members – retreat!

STORYWEAVER
Angelique and her squad made a hasty retreat towards the exit arch.

(MUSIC FADES OUT. INSERT NEXT MUSIC TRACK.)

AIMEND
APOLLOX!

STORYWEAVER
Aimend ran over and cast Healing Ray on Apollox.

(INSERT “Spell 1_0” SOUND EFFECT.)

APOLLOX (excited)
Thank you, Aimend! Wow…that sexy assassin, Angelique, was a pretty good kisser!

STORYWEAVER
Margaritte shook her head.

MARGARITTE
Some people never learn…

(MUSIC FADES OUT. INSERT “THE END OF MANKIND” MUSIC TRACK.)

STORYWEAVER
Amber Raine approached Apollox. She looked very angry. Apollox began to get very nervous and started sweating profusely.

APOLLOX (sheepish)
Um…Amber…

(INSERT “Slap” SOUND EFFECT)

AMBER RAINE (furious)
You no good womanizer! You told me that you loved me and here I catch you flirting with the enemy!

APOLLOX (smooth)
You know she doesn’t mean a thing to me, baby…

AMBER RAINE (furious)
Are you kidding me?? ARGH! Oh My Goddess!!

STORYWEAVER
Amber felt her face flush as her sister, EMBER FLAME, pushed her out of the way…
As she looked at APOLLOX, her eyes changed from green to blue and then the look on her face showed how much she wanted to eat him.
Apollox gasped in horror!
Amber started attacking Apollox with bow and magic attacks and he was forced to defend himself.

AIMEND
Shouldn’t we be doing something to help Apollox?

MARGARITTE
I think it would be best if we stay out of it. Hmm…you know this reminds me of the movie Cat People. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!

STORYWEAVER
After a few minutes of fighting, Amber Raine gained the upper hand and forced Apollox to his knees.
APOLLOX cowered in fear as he begged for mercy.

APOLLOX
Please no more… I’ve learned my lesson. I’m so sorry, Amber…

STORYWEAVER
Amber stopped attacking Apollox.

AMBER RAINE
Deeds speak louder than words, Apollox! I’m going to give you one last chance…
and if I catch you flirting with anyone else, I will show no mercy and turn you into a meat pie that Dinsoo and I will feast on!

STORYWEAVER
Apollox turned white as a ghost and started whimpering.

APOLLOX
No, I promise to be good from now on!

STORYWEAVER
Amber glared at Apollox.

AMBER RAINE
Now get the hell out of my way!

STORYWEAVER
Amber stormed past Apollox and walked towards the Obsidian Tower.

(MUSIC FADES OUT. INSERT “OPEN THE GATE” MUSIC TRACK.)

Meanwhile, Stryker and Connor arrived at the entrance to the tower…

STRYKER
Wiat – good heavens to Murgatroyd! Elgarion, you’re alive! How is that even possible? I saw you die at the Bear Tavern with my own eyes…

ELGARION
Greetings, my good friend, Stryker! Well, the seven Bears managed to locate that ancient White Dragon after all.
It seems that Aimend is the last blood descendant of the Dragon Lord, Kaylie Sindara.
As such, she was able to bond with the ancient White Dragon, Kizaru, and claim her birthright as one of the nine Dragon Lords.
Anyway, Kizaru was able to temporarily boost her natural healing powers to a godlike level, allowing her to remove the toxins from my body and resurrect me.
In fact, I think I might have gotten a few years younger in the process, because I seem to have a bit more spring to my step now.

ELGARION
Stryker, I see that you brought me a visitor. I presume this is the winner?

STRYKER
Yes, yes, why yes. May I present Connor Congreve, the new Blue Dragon Lord!

STORYWEAVER
Elgarion’s eyes grew wide.

ELGARION
Oh my! Two Dragon Lords found in one day – a most historic event! I would imagine that the Obsidians will not be pleased by this turn of events…

STRYKER
Mmm, no, I certainly don’t think the Obsidians will be pleased at all!

ELGARION
Connor, please whisper the four clues to me in the correct order and show me the winning note.

CONNOR (whispering)
SPECK OBSIDIAN TOWER VENGEANCE

ELGARION
Yes, it seems that you are…the ONE. Welcome to the Ivory Tower. Yes, I know it appears to be an Obsidian Tower, but that is due to an illusion cast upon it to avoid unwanted attention.
Please follow Stryker inside and deliver your message to Shooter Jennings.

(MUSIC FADES OUT. INSERT “A HERO IS BORN” MUSIC TRACK.)

STORYWEAVER
Stryker escorted Connor inside and up the staircases to the third level, where he was greeted by Shooter Jennings!

SHOOTER
Hello there! I believe that you have a message for me?

CONNOR
Yes, I do, sir.
“SHOOTER – I MANAGED TO CROSS THE BORDER INTO NOVIA LATE LAST NIGHT AND ELUDE THE OBSIDIAN ASSASSINS. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN THREE DAYS.
YOUR GOOD FRIEND, LORD BRITISH”

SHOOTER
That is very good news! I was worried that the Obsidian assassins might have gotten to Lord British after they managed to kill all of his bodyguards near the border.
This message means he should be joining us shortly. In the meantime, let’s pose for a picture. Is someone recording this on video?

STORYWEAVER
Shooter flashed a grin as he shook Connor’s hand.

SHOOTER
I hope you have a great time here at the party!

STORYWEAVER
A short time later, the NBTT Hero Squad led the rest of the participants to the tower.

ELGARION
Welcome to the Ivory Tower! Thank heavens all of you came to save us from that Obsidian attack! How did you know to come?

ASCLEPIUS
I thought the Obsidians might try something and directed Apollox and his team to come here as quickly as possible.

LORD BALDRITH
I don’t think this will be the last we will see of Angelique Noir and her band of Obsidian assassins…or her mysterious master, the Man in Black.
You know, I thought that he bore an uncanny resemblance to you, Asclepius…

ASCLEPIUS
I fear that you may be right about Angelique, old friend! As for the Man in Black, it is said that everyone has a doppelganger out there somewhere. It seems that I have found mine…

ELGARION
I am now able to check in all remaining players. Please whisper your clues to me in the correct order as you enter.
The first twenty five to do so will receive a copy of the bard Shooter Jennings’ new album, Countach, on pink vinyl!

(MUSIC FADES OUT. INSERT “THE KING’S CROWNING” MUSIC TRACK.)

STORYWEAVER
After everyone had entered the Ivory Tower, the Storyweaver stepped out from behind the Oracle confirmatory. He glanced at the cover of the Great Book, which had been restored to its original appearance, and then continued reading…
“…and so it came to pass that young Connor Congreve and his friends were able to defeat the Darkness and ensure the safe return of their long missing king, Lord British. There was much merriment at the party that night.
This was a great victory, but the Shadow War continued on. The Darkness had not been destroyed, and would return to plague our heroes again one day. But that’s another story…”

The Storyweaver closed the Great Book and smiled as he slowly faded away…

(INSERT “Dove” SOUND EFFECT.)

(MUSIC FADES OUT. INSERT THE SONG “MONDAY-CHANGE”)

MUSIC CREDITS
The following music tracks used in this production are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
and can be found at:
https://machinimasound.com

“The End of Mankind” by Per Kiilstofte
“End Game” by Per Kiilstofte
“Engulfing Shadows” by Jens Kiilstofte
“Escape from the Temple” by Per Kiilstofte
“The Land of the Wizard” by Per Kiilstofte
“Olympos” by Jens Kiilstofte

The remaining music tracks are
licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/)

The following tracks can be found at:
http://opengameart.org

“Battle Theme A” by CynicMusic
“Caravan” by yd
“Crystal Cavern” by Joseph Gilbert/Kistol
“Dream” by Eliot Corley
“A Hero is Born” by tgfcoder
“The King’s Crowning” by Teleron
“The Orchs are Coming” by Shalpin
“Swordfight” by Kistol
“Tavern” by yd
“Winds of Stories” by HorrorPen

The following tracks can be found at:
https://soundlcoud.com/alexandr-zhelanov

“Open the Gate” by Alexandr Zhelanov
“Rise of Spirit” by Alexandr Zhelanov

The following music tracks can be found at:
www.matthewpablo.com

“Blackmoor Colossus (Colossal Boss Battle Theme)” by Matthew Pablo
“Dark Amulet” by Matthew Pablo
“Enchanted Festival” by Matthew Pablo

“Ireland’s Coast (Video Game Version – Live) by Matthew Pablo

SOUND EFFECT CREDITS
All sound effects used in this production are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/)

The following sound effects can be found at:
http://soundbible.com

“Swords Clashing” – Recorded by Mike Koenig
“Drop Sword” – Recorded by Caroline Ford
“Torch” – Recorded by Mike Koenig
“Large Fireball” – Recorded by Mike Koenig
“Grenade Explosion” – Recorded by Mike Koenig
“Dragon Roaring” – Recorded by Mike Koenig
“Dove” – Recorded by Mike Koenig
“Earthquake” – Recorded by Mike Koenig
“Slap” – Recorded by SoundMaster 13
“Thrown Shuriken” – Recorded by Cody Mahan

The following sound effects can be found at:
http://opengameart.org

“Amulet of Absorption” – Recorded by CosmicD
“Fall” – Recorded by remaxim
“Ghost Breath” – Recorded by qubodup
“Magic Shield” – Recorded by spookymodem
“Teleport” – Recorded by OgreBane
“Hitting Wall” – Recorded by spookymodem
“Earth Element Magic Spell” – Recorded by qubodup

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Hello everyone, this is Asclepius, with the first instalment of a great story from Blaquerogue. It is entitled
The Inquisitor.

Background music by Smartsound.

As a young boy, I remember listening to the Priest in the Monastery, how great the Gods were and what we did to be humble and serving. Give to the poor help the needy, take care of each other daily, never give in to riches or favoritism. Those were the days long past.

Now in this new world there is definitely a Shroud to the Avatar. Clerics are outcasts, Priests are non-existent, and Paladins have no place anymore in this new world we have abruptly been sucked into. Instead we have Mages, lots, and lots of Mages, and different types as well. Mages with swords, Mages with pole arms, Mages with bows. How strange this new world is. Although it is strange and different, the Clerics and Paladins, and Priests will once again arise. We hear the cries of the weak and slighted, our ears are not deaf to your calls, we hear them every time we are in this sacrilegious world!

I simply go by the name Inquisitor, for names are not needed to spread light upon this darkened world. Who we are does not matter. What we do does, and that is what really matters! Never should we ever put ourselves before those that are in need of blessings, and heals! Simple things we cannot yet do in this world. It will come Brothers and Sisters of the Gods, once again we will bring light unto a darkened place. My story is just one of many to come. The future is not so bleak as we may think, and will not be, once we spread the knowledge of the Gods once again in this world!

When I was brought here by the Gods, I knew there was a purpose and a rite of passage set for us. I started talking to this gypsy woman who asked many questions, that really needn’t be answered, for I knew what I was and what I needed, not what she thought I should be. The conversation was irrelevant. I humored her and left!

When I arrived in the village, that was a smoldering picture of what it used to be, I realized how much this world needed the knowledge of the gods! I met a dying guard who gave me some papers for someone I know not, and a key.

As I continued to the center of the town I saw bodies strewn about, and certain individuals were taking the belongings of the dead. I guess they really don’t need that stuff anymore, so I did not cast judgement upon him, instead I joined in! Let’s face it, I needed to get something for protection and fighting since I could hear the Dark Elves outside trying to break in. I found a sword, and apparently the Gods had granted me a decent enough chain armor chest piece to get me through this first trial.

In my search I found an elegant elven mirror, and some elven keepsake necklace, the looter outside traded it for a bone dagger! Now at this point I thought I had truly got me a special weapon! But alas – it was as useless at talking to the gypsy. Some power within it kept me from arming it! Well…Back to the sword. After I had collected all that I needed I went to the gate and unlocked it.

There waiting for me was an elf apparently with some anger issues who immediately started attacking me! I needed to defend myself (I never thought I was this good with a sword!) After I had killed him I said his last rites, to pass on to his Gods peacefully. Then I felt a sharp pain in my back as an arrow struck me! Another elf was about to meet his maker, and it was done. Again I read him his last rites to pass him on. Finally, I found a gate and my true Trials had begun. My next stop would be Soltown, but I had to make it through an unholy pass of mountains to get there.

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Hello everyone, this is Asclepius, with the final chapter in the thrilling saga from Elgarion De’Kahli. It is entitled

Kahli Rises from the Ashes

Background music by Smartsound

469 Years Following The Cataclysm…
On Tiwesdai, the 3rd of Marse, the Month of the Seafarer, the Life-Giving Season of Sprengh, at the Arrival of Dusk
A Location was Rediscovered

Elgarion hobbled over the crest of a weathered hill, pummeled by chill air which swept down from the looming mountains behind him and buffeted upon his bent and hunched back. The old man’s tattered gray robes and wispy hair and beard fluttered about just as leaves whipped past oft brushing against his aged cheek. The icy wind bothered him little, however, going mostly unnoticed. What captivated him was not the cold nor his weariness; before him lay a ruin which at long last, was something finally most familiar to him. At the feet of the Bone Spires, now different and reshaped from the Catacylsm, barely recognizable, Elgarion De’Kahli gazed with tearing eyes upon a solitary windmill.

The old sorcerer’s mind compared what he saw now to what was then. An image of surreal beauty, windmills intermixed with keeps and towers and grand spires superimposed upon the ruins of today. Ghostly stone walls stood stalwart in the distance, the sun setting upon their ramparts casting the final yet brilliant radiance of Artenius’s light throughout the city. With each blade of the windmill passing before him, a rhythmic darkness was cast, each pulse shifting the light and bending shadow. Only a single windmill remained. It was in good repair, oddly. But elsewhere, the walls had crumbled. The tall spires collapsed and lay in heaps of once painstakingly gilded stonework. No more homes remained. The loving peoples of Kahli… gone. The vibrant markets… gone. The spectral laughter of children caused the hairs on his neck to rise in a shiver. It was the wind playing tricks, surely, passing through the hollows of trees, which had now overgrown the old yet majestic city of Kahli.

Elgarion had returned. Some 469 years following the Cataclysm, the Marquis De’Kahli had returned.

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Hello everyone, this is Asclepius, with the next chapter in the fascinating saga brought to us by Elgarion De’Kahli. It is entitled
The Fourth Era
Background music by Smartsound

On Moonandai, the 9th of Novembre, the Month of Thanks, the Laborious Season of Harvest, in the Midnight Hour
A New Era Began — “The Fourth Era: The Oracular Enlightenment, 250 P.C. to Present

The age following the Obsidian War of the Third Era, as many ages do, commenced with an end of one great power and the coming of another. As the final lance broke upon the shield of a weary soldier and the last sword spilt blood upon the death mired terrain of now forgotten battlefields, the Obsidian Empire diminished to mere fragments of its former glory, broken and defeated. And from the gloom of this former darkened age arose a seer–an entity of such reach and power that her eyes gazed upon all. Her coming was herald to a new age of hope and prosperity to many though others did not enjoy her prying eyes. In the beginning, her Watchers were scattered and few, but towards its culmination, the eyes of The Oracle were everywhere and there was never a soul who did not feel their ever-watching stare upon their backs.

As the realms of the world recovered from the great war of the previous age, villages, towns and cities once again flourished as they once did in the ages of old. For the first time since the great Cataclysm, a renewed hope entered the minds and hearts of the masses, and the lords and ladies of the land sought treaty and peace over territory and strife. As the villages mended their fences and tended their sheep, the grand cities built high walls and spires in honor of their former glories. But within each settlement, another structure became common as the years passed, for the Conservatories of the Oracle were built and her reach and sight and influence soon became known to the world of New Britannia.

In time, it was rare to converse with anyone that had not sought her guidance, whether by need or mere curiosity. The Conservatories of grand cities would oft be wrapped in long lines of people seeking her audience. One by one they would enter, and as they departed, they would forever feel her whisper and guidance upon their supple minds, gentle yet persuasive. So many cherished the words of The Oracle as a grand wisdom–unchallengeable.

But where there is love, there is also suspicion and hatred. For the kings and lords of the realms, if not bending to her guiding hand, oft worried for her influence upon their peoples. To what end could she desire? Did The Oracle guide their people against the rule of law? Did their people now see her as the higher power? Even some religious leaders of the lands took to similar jealousy or worry as tithing or faith waned. Overall, however, her presence was accepted. The Oracle’s influence grew nearly unabated, and the The Fourth Era of The Oracular Enlightenment, unlike many of its predecessors, did not end in bloodshed. It ended with the return of the Avatar, and the peoples of New Britannia once again were graced by outlanders from other worlds.

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Hello everyone, this is Asclepius, with a wonderful story from Dirk Hammerstrike, entitled

The Ghost Horses of Crag

Background music by Smartsound.

The harsh winds carried the sound of frantic horses, and thundering hooves. Every soul in the camp instantly felt chilled to the bone, as if struck by magic.

“Boy, get over here!” the man roared at his young apprentice. “I’ve sunk too much time into training you up, can’t afford to lose you now.” Old Cobb turned back to the roaring fire and pulled a well worn cloak tighter over his shoulders.

Their guide and the hired men laughed at the boy, and all returned to staring into the fire, each largely left to their own thoughts as the night air grew heavier. All had some idea of what might lay beyond the dim light.

Adale was a young lad nearing his 13th winter. He’d been in the house of Cobb the Wood craftsman since before he could remember. An orphan of the Satyr wars near 10 years past, Cobb had given Adale all he had in this life. Adale had begun to earn his keep before he could speak: moving smaller supplies to the work area, cleaning up the scraps, bringing meals, polishing the finished goods, and acting as a lookout for pickpockets and thieves on market day. Now he did much of the prep work, ran to the merchants to refill their ever diminishing supply of wax & creosote, and anything else Cobb needed a young back to handle. But with all his experience, Adale had never been further away from home than the Elysium fields, until now.

This had so far not been the adventure Adale had imagined it would be. He’d fallen overboard on the trip from Port Phoenix to Etceter. The tale had earned Cobb a few drinks already, and much to Adale’s chagrin very little embelishment was required. But the boy knew his place in the world, and did not act beyond it. He just worried if Cobb had the same realization, and soon. They were supposed to have delivered goods and been on their way back already. Cobb overheard some men in the square speak of the quality of wood in the nearby foothills. It was amazingly beautiful stuff, a dense smooth wood with dark maroon tones. Given Etceter’s proximity to the woods, it’s price was seemingly outlandish. Cobb’s mind was made up. They would go fetch some themselves.

Here they found themselves, in the foothills of Crag, with a handful of men, gathered with promise of coin on their safe return. Only the guide was a local. The swords had come on the same ship from Port Phoenix and were eager for work: felling trees, guarding against bandits and wild beast alike, whatever was required. Most of them were friendly enough but the guide seemed to have taken a dislike to Adale.

“Boy, do ye not know what that sound is?” the guide asked Adale. Adale had not asked the man’s name nor was it given when Adale had told the man his own name. It left Adale in a bit of an awkward place. He did not wish to insult the man, but did not know what to call him.

“No guidesman… though it sounded like horses to me” Adale replied.

“It’s the ghost horses of Crag, have you not heard of them?” the guide questioned him again.

The group leaned in toward the tale, some in fear, others with a small smirk, but all paying rapt attention.

“In the days of yore they were slaughtered by the thousands. Errant men greedily searching for experience killing beasts would attack the great herds on the plains of Quel and drive them into the foothills. There the beasts were cornered and killed. Most of the time they weren’t even harvested for meat nor hide, just left to rot. The evil deeds of men permeated the blood soaked landscape. It is said to give the wood of these trees their luster”

Here the guide paused, and stared Adale in the eyes.

He continued “That is also why the wild beasts here are so hostile now. Killing intent soaked into the very earth, polluting streams, plants and animals alike. Could you not feel it from that black wolf earlier? It took all of us to bring it down.”

The swords began to look nervously at the pile of fuel for the fire. Would it last the night? Would they? Adale felt fear claw deep into his heart. His hand went to the simple knife at his hip seeking comfort.

“You would do well to mind your surroundings here Boy. And whatever other choices you make, be sure to find shelter before the last light fades.”

With those words spoken, the guide rose up and walked off into the night. The others were too stunned to respond in time, and he disappeared before they reached the edge of the fire light in pursuit.

Old Cobb laughed heartily as they returned to the fire, and suggested that the guide was simply off pissing in the bushes.

The wind blew again, and the neigh and whinny of angry horses could be heard louder than before. As the wind died down the sound of hooves grew louder still, and Adale stood, gripping the knife before him like a talisman to ward off evil. Some of the men made prayers and promises to the Oracle, others cursed her name. The pounding of hooves was all around them now, like a wall of sound. The shadows beyond the light seemed to ebb and flow, and the ground began to shake. Something flew out of the darkness, knocking Adale over, and he knew no more.

Adale woke with a terrible headache at mid-day, to the sound of birds chirping in the nearby trees. The fire was long smoldering, and the others were gone. Even Cobb. The area around the camp was heavily trampled, and there were signs that the men did not simply run off. Blood, torn cloth and blades littered the ground around him. He said a small prayer for the dead and hoped the Oracle would judge Cobb true if the time had come. He’d been a good man. Adale had some idea of which way they’d come from, and gathered what he could salvage. There was little else to do and so he set off. He did not have long, looking up at the sky. The guide’s last words echoed in his mind… “be sure to find shelter before the last light fades.”

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Hello everyone, this is Asclepius, with the next chapter of this wonderful saga by Elgarion De’Kahli. It is entitled

The Second Era

The Age of the Warring Cities Begins…
On Moonandai, the 9th of Apru, the Month of the Farmer, the Life-Giving Season of Sprengh, in the Lingering Night A New Era Began
Background music is by Smartsound.

In the turbulent Second Era of New Britannia, the Warlords of all the kingdoms ravaged the lands, causing mayhem throughout the recently resettled world above their former cavernous homes. This age was a darkened time starved for a uniting strength; the Titans had yet to spread their blessings of love, courage and truth, and the peoples were lost without the mysterious guidance of The Oracle which, in time, would steer many to their elusive destinies. As the scales weighed heavily towards Chaos, it became a lost world–a world without Virtue, and it was the era in which The Obsidian Eye was born.

To what purpose the book stole into the meager farm boy’s hands, the young one did not know, or perhaps simply did not remember. One’s fate oft is written without the practicalities of reason. What was, is. What is, will be, and what will be, is foretold. Some say the boy stole the libram, but many theologians argue fate handed him this bounty, for no other choice was offered to him. One cannot deny their destiny. So by that right, the book was always his. This volume of small metallic pages contained the words of Sariah the Blind. The message bestowed clarity where there was confusion. The boy’s path was aligned to his true course. As he grew, so did his focus and resolve. With each passing year, the boy became the man, and the man became a scholar, a grand sorcerer, and then, Master to the Obsidian Cabal. He was to become, The Obsidian Eye.

In this time of utter turmoil, the world was ripe for conquest. The Warlords would never guess what would befall them. As they were distracted by their greed and territorial squabbles, the power of the Obsidian Eye thrived unabated. His reach stretched across the lands as dark sorcerers bowed into his service. His army was forming, and the world would soon know its conquerer and Master.

The Prophecy of the Obsidian Eye
The world is fallen; fallen into chaos.
Men reached up in anger and shattered the sky.
Its blackness falls to earth like a rain of dark glass;
The ordered customs and rows of society are shattered.
All men stumble
in the blinding light of a blood red dawn.
Sightless who will not see.
Deaf to the truth they will not hear.
Mewing and wailing of and for themselves.
They kill with discordant and untamed shouts
The melodic order of their better selves.
Yet from the Obsidians’ fall shall arise
Seen only by the ordered Eye
The blade which shall render order in their midst;
Silence the voices who screech outside the ordered tune;
Darken the eyes of unwelcome vision;
And bring one vision, one voice, one song
To a world reborn in perfect twilight.
Supreme and ordered once more in its flawlessness.
Of one thought and purpose born and died.
Until only the night remains.

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Hello everyone, this is Asclepius, with another wonderful story from Elgarion De’Kahli. It is entitled

The First Era: The Age of Survival

Background music is by Smartsound

On Moonandai, the 2nd of Janus, the Month of Daedalus, the Chilling Season of Wentru, in the Waking Dawn
A New Era Began

As the tearing winds of the great storm lessened, a decade had passed before the choking ash had finally settled into a smothering blanket upon the once bountiful lands of New Britannia. The world was torn asunder. The fall of the moon shards forced the desperate survivors of the great Cataclysm to seek shelter, oft into the treacherous underworld beneath their former homes. In rushed refuge, most took nothing save their families and what meager belongings were gathered in frantic haste and which could be carried easily into these darkened mazes below. The fortunate brought sources of light, but even as those eventually expired, the torchbearers were left as helpless as the many who took no light into the blackness; ultimately, all were unprepared for what would become of them. Befuddled wizards, once powerful and adept in the ancient incantations of their forefathers, now spoke in stutters as they attempted to recite even a most novice of spells… light. When the spell singers took to the depths, they burdened themselves with tomes and spell books, most of which, in the coming years were simply cast away into the campfires for mere warmth as their runic inscribed pages became valueless with the waning magic in the world.

As the years slipped by, the survivors hid from the death above, yet countless refugees met the dealer’s scythe in other ways. Whether it be illness from the damp, despair of the darkness, or the horrors of the deep, many looked upon death’s embrace as a release from that detestable existence. So many societies formed from these times. Former enemies became companions as they worked together to survive, and hatred often ensued from former friends which now had reason to compete for resources. In some caverns, inspiring leaders emerged who rallied their underworlds to greatness and prosperity. Other communities languished, only surviving in the most meager sense, barely reaching what some have called The First Dawn or The Day of Life–when the ash clouds first parted and the nourishing light of the sun once again cast its warmth upon the dying lands.

In the following decades, some more hesitant than others, these underworld communities emerged to take in the light. They found their former world in ruin. The greatest of cities had crumbled under the Shard Fall, and most of the lands were unrecognizable. Handfuls of these under-dwellers remained beneath in the sheltering dark, finding the life in the caverns preferable to the ones of their surface dwelling forefathers. Most began to rebuild in the realms above. Settlements became villages which became towns… and towns, cities. Although nothing shone in comparison to the heavenly spires of stone from before The Fall, grand cities did come to evolve, and with them, would-be kings or warlords arose to power. For as the lands above healed, resources were still scarce. As the peoples spread their ambitious wings, their borders grew then eventually overlapped. It wasn’t long before these warlords took to arms to defend their claims.

Also of note during this age, it was commonly believed the Titans fled to New Britannia, taking shelter from a calamity which beset their home in another world. Albeit there are many rumors and beliefs as to the true origin of the Titans, this one dominant theory heralds an overwhelming realization: The Fall was not just of this world, but of many. As the moon shards fell upon the lands of New Britannia, other worlds also endured the horrors of their own apocalypse. Could this be true of the Titans? That they were mere survivors of another world’s end? Countless texts and authors have penned many stories of the worlds from beyond the Rift. What transpired upon each… only the Outlanders know of this. With the return of the Avatars, knowledge of the Falls of many worlds is now only just becoming known.

Within this age, as the last dab of ink was inscribed upon the text, Lamentation of the Fall, by Sariah the Blind, a history of these trying times was forever recorded for the generations to come. Many a scholar has attempted the interpretation, but almost all came to the same realization. She wrote of a bright truth. This truth could be seen as the survivors looked upon their past in reflection, and as they recounted their years beneath in the maddening darkness below. Whatever might have caused The Fall was behind them. What they had endured had changed them. And now, what lay ahead was their time of redemption.

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Hello everyone, this is Asclepius, with another great story from Elgarion De’Kahli. It is entitled

The Destruction of Kahli
Background music is by Smartsound

In the Year Following The Cataclysm…
On Sunandai, the 1st of Janus, the Month of Daedalus, the Chilling Season of Wentru, in the Waking Dawn a location was Destroyed

Pale robed sorcerers both venerable and youthful joined anxious hands, alternating old then young, adept then novice, in a circle of thirty that surrounded a deep-blue pulsating lunar rift. The entirety of the Order of the White Cabal stood stalwart, in solemn meditation, focused desperately upon the final hope for the City of Kahli. A spell of immense proportions was called upon. With each word of magic uttered, the weave of the enchantment grew. With every misspoken syllable, the magical energies trembled as if to burst. But few mistakes were made, for the Order of the White Cabal were learned in the arts of magic. Every breath of their lives was exhausted in devotion to such studies, and their destiny was now full at hand. When one singer of spells misspoke, the neighboring mage would repeat the words in proper enunciation, repairing the ethereal threads nearly lost or wrongly woven. But sometimes even the most perfectly spoken syllable caused falter. As the moons broke apart, words of magic broke with them. Once powerful incantations seemingly became fruitless whispers of nothingness. As each focused minute passed, the rift grew brighter yet more turbulent. But as each mage spoke their turn, and as the turns passed from old to young, young to old, there was one who’s time was quickly approaching who dared to stare into the sky upon their impending doom.

This day had been foreseen. Magic of immense power would be summoned by the Order. They would draw upon the fickle energies of a lunar rift at the outskirts of Kahli. They would harness this power to extend a protective shield over the city, safeguarding all within. Saving the citizens, the Grand Repository, and the Caverns of the Cabal far beneath their feet. The vision from the Overseer gave them only days to prepare. The entirety of the Cabal were put to task, learning the enchantments which would be recited upon this fateful day. Even the youngest of neophytes were given many lines to rehearse and commit to memory.

As his neighbor’s enchantments were recited, the turn passed to Kala-Sharee De’Kahli, a young but promising member of the White Cabal. But Kala-Sharee did not speak; the young mage still stared upon the despair in the darkening sky above. The dooming silence caused the magical energies to buckle and sway. Crackles of lightning flickered throughout the circle of mages, the circle of stones. An odd calm took hold in the eyes of Kala-sharee De’Kahli, grandson to Marquis Elgarion De’Kahli. The decrepit Elgarion squeezed his grandson’s hand in hurried alarm with the quivering voice of an old man, “Kala! Your words… your WORDS… recite them now!” Kala tore his eyes away from the rain of shards and cast a baleful and resentful glare upon the unsuspecting, then yanked his hands from the circle. To the dread and surprise of all, a sinister sneer formed upon the young one’s lips. “I shall do no such thing.” Kala-Sharee strode defiantly into the darkness of the surrounding woods. “May Larmenius take you all,” he cursed from the shadow in a disdainful voice.

Drenching rain and bruising hail pelted down upon their soaked velvet robes and frigid skin. Scholarly men accustomed to dusty libraries and solitary study were assaulted by the cataclysmic winds. Flustered and desperate, Elgarion grasped outward to the other empty hand, to the most elder of his order, Galdareen the White, but before they could complete the circle, the spell collapsed and the rift began to swirl in an immense burst of blue energy. Many of the mages turned to Elgarion with panic or blame in their eyes. Tendrils of furious lightning blasted outward in all directions from the torrent of the portal. Each mage struck was sucked into the vortex. More streaks flashed outward, each finding something to tear away from this plane. Stones from the circle vanished in a bending of space, pulled into the Void. Mages once numbering thirty, now only half as many remained. Some ran from the circle of stones but the flashes of light plucked them away, pulling them into the ever darkening portal. Once vibrant blue, now the rift took on a blackness which was nauseating to behold.

Elgarion was captivated by the horror. Betrayed by his offspring’s son. The end of the world was apparent as the shattered moons rained down a terrible fury. Could the Avatars save them from this calamity? Were they the cause? Kahli’s plan for survival was lost. Even before the first shard struck the lands of Kahli, the torn rift, now opened into an unknown darkness, was pulling in more and more, starving for all which the surrounding lands could provide. Stones… trees… buildings… spires… men, women and children… the tendrils showed no mercy as they stripped away all which surrounded the tear in space, save Elgarion, who still stood awestruck. As the rift’s turbulence lessened, the crackling energies waned. A moment passed in which only the sound of the storm could be heard. Eerie wind danced about Elgarion’s rain drenched robes as he looked upon the devastation and the diminished opening, now nearly shut. A moment of acceptance and clarity came to the old sorcerer; what had transpired finally took toll upon him, and Elgarion become overwhelmed with emotion. The White Mage cried in desperation, tears of agony mixing with the rain upon his wrinkled cheek. Just as Elgarion raised his eyes to meet the shard fall, a final accusing finger of lightning struck him, pulling him into the Void and tearing him from this reality. The portal slammed shut just as the shards made landfall, laying waste to all that remained of the once vibrant city of Kahli.

In unfathomable time, hours perhaps years, minutes or millennia, the peoples of Kahli roamed the Void in sickening despair, perception of time or space no longer possible to them. Darkness consumed all. By touch alone could they move about, all sounds muffled, distorted or deafening. The ground beneath their feet shifting with mocking and confusing intent. But all was not lost, for deep within the dark, a solitary glow emitted from a beautiful form. Hope had survived. A beacon that would not be discovered for centuries to come. For the sapling which grew from the blessed essence of the White Acolyte of Artenius, was now a mighty tree many millennia old. For so long, The Devout One had protected the citizens of Kahli under its umbrella of radiance and warmth. Now, it stood waiting within the Void. Waiting for an old man, in his aimless wanderings through the maddening blackness, to step into its light.

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Hello everyone, this is Asclepius, with another great story from Elgarion De’Kahli. It is entitled

The Cataclysm, The Birth of Daedalus
Background music by Smartsound

The Cataclysm…
On Sunandai, the 1st of Janus, the Month of Daedalus, the Chilling Season of Wentru, in the Midnight Hour, the Two Moons collided

At the turn of the millennia, two moons collided in the skies high above New Britannia. The horrors that followed were cataclysmic. Cities crumbled under a shower of moon fragments, the seas rose and washed away shoreline villages, the earth trembled and reshaped itself, rivers diverted washing away all within their destructive paths. Those that survived took shelter in desperation to weather the coming years of hardship. Some took to caves, others to the ruins. Some took to ship and sailed to faraway lands hoping to find solace in places untouched by devastation.

The Lamentation of the Fall by Sariah the Blind hinted at what transpired, but still so much is left to question. Other libraries, journals or ancient letters reveal theories regarding this calamity. Blame has been thrust in many directions. Most commonly the Avatars or “Outlanders” were accused; could they have reached too far? Sorcerers and Wizards… Witches and Warlocks… also it is not uncommon to read of or hear the scorn bent upon the evils of magic users; suggestions that fallen ancestors lie at the feet of the depraved spell singers. There are many who blamed the old gods; their names no longer uttered strongly by the multitudes. Only a few speak the names of the divine with passion, but usually as whispers in backrooms, for even the faithful oft ask the painful question, “Why did we suffer so? Were we not worthy of your love?” The Titans… The Oracle… The Virtues… Chaos… Order… The Kings or Queens of the Old World… This list is as long as there are mouths to speak opinion. But Sariah the Blind writes of one elusive truth. The bright truth. The reasons may elude us as to why our fate was twisted under falling moon shards, but the one bright truth shines with certainty. A time of redemption is upon us.