>>> Serra and, later, Ilromie take history lessons from Lord Phostan.
<SCHOLAR> (Polymath) Phostan : 'How is there not tomes of lore regarding my adventures as Executor in existence? The world has been robbed of my story!' <SCHOLAR> (Doyenne) Serra : 'I should dearly like to write of it.' <SCHOLAR> (Doyenne) Serra : 'And also your perspective of how the Knights have evolved through the years.' <SCHOLAR> (Polymath) Phostan : 'Do you want the bits about myself teasing Myria too? Not relevant, but adds that comic flavor to a story.' <SCHOLAR> (Doyenne) Serra : 'I will take all tidbits you wish to offer, sir.'
A narrow trail through the deep, dark forest | You are on a dusty trail winding its way westwards just | below huge sticky wires suspended like ropes between the | trees. To the west the path seems to be completely covered | in a giant web made from huge threads covered with glue. f<@-f | This place gives you the creeps. | | f-f| | | f | ---------+
[Exits: east west up]
Players near you in Mystic Forest: <PK> Serra A narrow trail through the deep, dark forest
An Immortal says 'So it's like this you see.' An Immortal sits down and thinks deeply. An Immortal says 'I always wanted to crush scoundrels heads in. It's the sort of work proper Dwarves of my time performed.'
You nod.
An Immortal agrees absolutely. An Immortal says 'So then, Lord Aberdour, and good Executor Yilhet, they say to me. "You show a lot of promise young Phostan, but we have a few doubts, so you'll be a squire and prove yourself until we're satisfied."'
You nod.
An Immortal says 'So, I had to sit at my 35th title for what felt like ages. In fact, I think it was only 4 or 5 years.'
You say 'Good gracious.'
An Immortal says 'Many encounters with the law. Back then, we just ignored Justices, killed who needed killing, and dealt with the fallout later.'
You nod. You say 'At that time, were there Paladins who served as officers of the law?'
An Immortal sits down and thinks deeply. An Immortal says 'Not at that particular moment, no.'
You nod.
An Immortal says 'A few shadows, a shaman or two, a few warriors.' An Immortal says 'Of course, their guild went by something different than shadow back then, but that's asides the point.'
You say 'Perhaps the truce now is due to the paladin Justice presence.'
An Immortal says 'Well, it's not like I killed the Justices. I just killed people in town and ignored their marking me a criminal.' An Immortal shrugs helplessly.
You let out a hearty laugh. You nod. You say 'Did you stay an outlaw for long, sir?'
An Immortal says 'Oh, yes, a few years running at least.'
You say 'Well done, sir.'
An Immortal says 'There was an exciting encounter with their mortal leader at the time. Some human shaman, him and I played the ol' cat and mouse all through Galaxy.'
You nod.
An Immortal says 'Must have been ensnared three times before I shook him loose.' An Immortal says 'Right. So anyways.' Someone is no longer cloaked. Someone sits down and rests.
You bat your eyelashes.
Players near you in Mystic Forest: <PK> Serra A narrow trail through the deep, dark forest
Someone says 'Finally one day, Lord Aberdour says "Fine work, you've proven yourself, carry onwards and upwards.' Someone says 'One of the first people I traveled with, was Myria, before she became a goddess.' Someone says 'No sense of humor that one.'
You say 'Oh?' You say 'What was she like?'
Someone says 'Well....kind of like someone had taken a length of branch and stuck it up her arse, and then froze it for good measure.'
You wince in agony. You say 'That does not seem very comfortable, sir.'
Someone says 'Well, it's the best thing I can reckon to explain her frigid personality, my goodness, it was some awful encounters with her, both before and after her ascent.' Someone says 'She had this odd backwards pagan belief where she'd sacrifice bits of the monsters we slew.'
Phostan slowly fades into thin air. Phostan cloaks his presence.
You wince in agony. You say 'Whom did she sacrifice them to?'
Phostan says 'Gods of the forest, didn't really sound like she knew to whom she was doing her odd rituals.'
[54 Dwarf DEM] <SCHOLAR> (Polymath) His Eternal Holiness Phostan Mistupsio, Headmaster of the Consortium (M)
Phostan, Headmaster of the Consortium is 172 years old. He is the God of Earth and Storm. He is an immortal of <SCHOLAR>. He has travelled quite a lot.
You say 'Ah, how curious.'
Phostan says 'I made an off-hand comment about it once, something about us missing a hand and how we'd go back for it so she could gussy it up and do her business.' Phostan shakes his head.
Heh.
Phostan says 'Well, that's how that relationship went from mildly frigid to outward hostile.'
You say 'Sometimes people are rather defensive about their beliefs.'
Phostan says 'She even started some terrible New World Order religion pushing pacifism in retaliation.' Phostan shakes his head.
You say 'Is that the same order that giant in Seringale keeps talking about?'
Phostan sighs. Phostan says 'That idiot.'
You say 'Polik, I think his name is.'
Phostan says 'Now, I have no problem with a pacifist. I may not have a use for them, but encouraging them to confront and scold those who kept them from a shallow grave, was just pathetic to listen to.'
You chuckle politely.
Phostan says 'Anyhow, Lord Yilhet did not remain around long after I reached my final titles, and for awhile it was just myself leading the charge.'
You nod.
Phostan says 'I managed, because I was good at crushing skulls.'
You say 'Were the Justices the biggest threats at the time?'
Phostan says 'Not really.' Phostan says 'Not enough of them to be a real concern.'
You nod.
Phostan says 'Legion had a few dangerous idiots.'
You say 'Ah, indeed.'
Phostan says 'Most of my time was spent dispatching them and the lackeys they recruited.'
You nod.
Phostan says 'And I did that for a long long long time. Eventually, I recruited a few more Knights.' Phostan says 'The one idiot actually started conversing with Polik and Myria about their New World Order.' Phostan shakes his head.
You say 'Who was that?'
Phostan sits down and thinks deeply. Phostan says 'He was a Dwarf, of the warrior guild. Not from my clan of Dwarves thankfully, not the embarassment it was to watch him go on.'
You nod.
Phostan sits down and thinks deeply. Phostan says 'The name eludes me, but I feel it'll come to me.'
You say 'If I might ask, sir, what guild did you train in?'
Phostan says 'Why, the best guild of all.' Phostan gives you a BIG high five! Way to go!!
You dazzle Phostan with your smile. You say 'Indeed sir, it is comforting to hear that. I see so few of our guild in the lands.'
Phostan says 'Which seems odd. A right proper healer is an instrument for which the wrath of the Light can be delivered properly to the wicked.'
You say 'I have observed a very dear one doing such a thing. She staved them off splendidly.' You say 'But alas, she is no longer with us.'
Phostan says 'Well, they often say the bravest go first.' Phostan shrugs helplessly.
You chuckle politely. You say 'Indeed, so it seems.'
Phostan says 'I don't know if I believe it, but some of us tend to not hesitate before leaping forth into danger.'
You say 'A spectrum of courage exists in these lands. I can believe it.'
Phostan nods. Phostan says 'Sometimes we die on the battlefield, sometimes the wounds from the battlefield do us in when we don't anticipate it.'
You nod. You say 'How long did you guide the Knights as Executor, and what led you to your ascension?'
Phostan sits down and thinks deeply. Phostan says 'Forty years about?'
You say 'Quite a long reign sir!'
Phostan says 'Maybe less. It was quite a long time ago.'
You nod.
Phostan stands up. Phostan says 'That scroll they published about me, is fairly spot on I'd say.'
As a mortal, Phostan stepped out from amongst the masses to serve as a battle cleric for the Knights, at a time when their ranks had been decimated and the forces of Legion kept a firm grasp over the lands. As a squire of Yilhet, he was marked as being of strong moral character and unwavering resolve. He would eventually shake Serin loose from the grasp of Legion, systematically destroying them when possible and denying them of their goals when not. As Executor, he wielded the mighty Shadowbane, which for him took the form of a blazing mace and purged the realms for many years. As with anything of living flesh and blood, time took its toll and Phostan burned out bright, purging as he went.
Thousands upon thousands of years passed, and his soul was at peace amongst the halls of his people, in a never-ending celebration amongst the halls of the honored dead, when a faint luminous light appeared before him. Curious, he paused his feasting and followed it far away from the realm of his people's souls, and to the home of the gods. There, at the Anvil of Souls, the fading shell of a god with a kindred spirit lay fading, done with the pain and suffering it had witnessed through its existence. Ready to pass on its inherent powers to one worthy. And while a true Dwarf will never pass up a good feast, his rest had been long and comforting, and his soul was flooded with the warmth and love of his people. So he decided he was ready to take the burden of godhood upon himself so he could watch over his distant descendants and the good folk of Serin until he too, was spent.
Newly elevated as a deity, Phostan has placed his shrine discreetly in the warm embrace of the earth, under the ruins of a once great city.
You smile happily. You say 'A beautiful scroll.' You say 'Which god lay fading there?'
Phostan says 'They called him Luminetar from what I learned of him, later on.'
You say 'Ahh, indeed.'
Phostan says 'A Knight in his own time as a mortal they tell me.' Phostan says 'Maybe a far distant ancestor of Leitha even.'
You ponder the question.
Phostan chuckles politely.
You nod. You say 'I see Luminetar mentioned in the Mystique.' You say 'Volumes four and eight.' You say 'Surely the Heralds omitted a large part of history to have missed your story, sir!'
Phostan says 'Clearly, I suppose some stories are lost to time though.'
You nod.
You say 'What is your perspective on the current Castle and its ways, compared to the Castle of your time?'
Phostan says 'Expectations are laid out pretty straight forward these days.' Phostan says 'Of course, there's a lot more to be mindful of I suppose.' Phostan says 'In my day, if they were evil, we put them down, only one exempted from that were Mystics.'
You nod.
Phostan says 'Now, you have to pay attention to those who swear the Oath and all that goes with it.'
You say 'Ah, there was no Oath at the time?'
Phostan shakes his head.
You say 'That is very interesting indeed.'
Phostan says 'No Oath, no Heralds.'
You say 'Good gracious.' You say 'Then... then you slept for a long time before your ascension, for Luminetar is reported by the Heralds as a mortal Knight.'
Phostan agrees absolutely. Phostan says 'Oh I was dead ages before he ever was about.'
You say 'Ah, indeed.'
Phostan says 'A lot of things stay the same.'
You say 'The everlasting quest to dispel the darkness.'
Phostan nods. Phostan says 'Of course, now there's a lot of exceptions made.' Phostan says 'I'm not sure how I feel about that.'
You say 'Do you believe evil can ever be turned to good?'
Phostan says 'Oh, likely enough. Some people are the way they are because of the circumstances they were born into.' Phostan says 'Given time and shown what else they could do with their lives, some will want to change their ways.' Phostan says 'Others I suspect, just use the Oath to avoid being cleansed by the Knights while they continue on with nefarious and black-hearted deeds.'
You nod. You say 'The question of the Oath is a tricky one. I do not envy our Knights and Nobles having to trust in such a judgment.'
Phostan says 'I'd just let a Knight of proper rank and experience be permitted to terminate someone's Oath.' Phostan says 'Easily solved.'
You nod. You say 'Would you wish to guide the Knights again someday, sir?'
Phostan sits down and thinks deeply. Phostan says 'I mean, it is a large part of who I am.'
You say 'They would surely benefit from your expertise and knowledge.' You say 'Young Leitha has struggled on her own without a mortal Executor, though Ceridwel has asked Ilromie and I to attempt to mentor her.'
Phostan sits down and thinks deeply. Phostan says 'I used to mentor the last few batches of Knights.'
You nod.
Phostan says 'I made Trovo the Executor before I accepted the role of Headmaster.' Phostan says 'Him and the others at the time were a fine bunch I thought.'
You say 'Oh!' You agree absolutely. You say 'I respected him greatly. Though I was still young when he passed.'
Phostan says 'I'd likely do it again, given the chance. The Consortium has enough benevolent deities with interest in it, to guide it forth, if I wasn't about.'
You nod. You say 'And wayward Scholars are the best kind.' Heh.
Phostan chuckles politely.
Ilromie nods.
You dazzle Ilromie with your smile.
Phostan says 'Ceridwel seems active enough in general oversight mind you, even if he's not there for hands-on guidance all the time.'
You nod.
Ilromie says 'You are discussing the Knights?'
You say 'He is indeed.' You agree absolutely.
Phostan nods.
You say 'I have been learning ever so much from our Headmaster about Knights of the past.'
Ilromie says 'In fact, I am highly opinionated on such topic.' <-- Somehow not surprised Ilromie says 'How do you think this bunch compares?' Ilromie says 'Do I hold them to an impossible standard?'
Phostan says 'More hands-on guidance may be needed.'
Ilromie says 'In fact, more listening may be needed.'
You let out a hearty laugh.
Phostan says 'They can hardly expect you to murder a few Legion to set the example though.'
Ilromie snorts derisively.
Phostan says 'While you seem a fair hand at it, it's their duty, not yours.'
Ilromie says 'It would not be the first time I ha-' Ilromie nods. Ilromie says 'Quite so.'
Phostan says 'I suspect it more likely Warlords get pushy and instigate conflict before anything from Legion becomes an issue for Knights.' Phostan says 'It'll start innocently enough most likely.'
Ilromie says 'I know for fact Leitha has dueled several of them, though I suspect she hobbles herself by fighting in the arena.'
Phostan says 'Something about a duel, or declining a duel that one of them will decide to take offense to.'
You say 'They have called war upon her once already for tipping the Balance.'
Ilromie says 'She came in conflict with Strife this renewal as well.'
You say 'Ah yes, Jomorl.'
Phostan says 'Tsk. Bunch of axe swingers bullying everyone else.'
Ilromie says 'In fact, I would expect nothing less of a member of Strife to defend his group against a surprise assault.'
You say 'Leitha has recounted to me several battles with Jomorl, for he often travels with the evil when she attempts to cleanse them.'
Ilromie says 'Though were he warned that conflict approached and refused to step aside to keep the odds even...'
You say 'He then takes offense for his friends.'
Ilromie says 'He ought tell them to oath, in such case.' Ilromie says 'That they might adventure undisturbed.'
You chuckle politely. You say 'I suspect that is her job, not his.'
Phostan says 'Well, someone might have to put a hole in the side of his head if he keeps stepping between them and their duties.'
Ilromie nods. Ilromie says 'I suspect Leitha fears the sound of her own voice.' Ilromie says 'She will find nothing but conflict if she does not attempt conversation.'
You say 'Do you think so?' You say 'I find she converses very often.'
Phostan says 'Conflict or conversation, best to be excellent at one, if not both.'
Ilromie says 'In my dealings with her, I have had to give exceptional encouragement for her to reach out to others.' Ilromie says 'Perhaps such malady occurs not in our presence.'
Phostan shrugs helplessly.
Ilromie says 'Forgive me, have I deviated from the topic?'
Phostan shakes his head. Phostan says 'It's fine.'
Ilromie says 'I confess, I arrived bearing some frustration.'
Phostan says 'If Leitha won't take guidance from you, it'll have to be from Ceridwel, or she'll have to dig up inspiration on her own terms.'
You nod. Ilromie nods.
Phostan says 'I'm not going to overstep and offer advice that might go against what Ceridwel wants from her.' Phostan says 'I mean, at least not yet.'
Ilromie says 'In fact, Lord Ceridwel asked both Serra and myself to guide them. I would be glad to take your advice in this matter.' Ilromie says 'Then you need not conflict directly with him.'
Phostan says 'Well, is Leitha at least well-spoken, and charismatic of sort?'
Ilromie sits down and thinks deeply. Ilromie says 'In fact, I would not use such terms to describe her.'
Phostan says 'Then she'd be best suited to conflict.' Phostan says 'Lay out the terms, Oath or die, and then aggressively carry it out.'
Ilromie sits down and thinks deeply. Ilromie says 'I will try such advice with her.' Ilromie says 'Perhaps it is my commitment to reasonable discourse that is limiting her success.'
Phostan says 'Jomorl should be given a small window of time to excuse himself from his companions, or be considered fair game as well.'
Ilromie agrees absolutely.
Phostan says 'You can't interfere on behalf of scum and not expect repercussions.'
Ilromie says 'I fear only that she would fall against combined might.' Ilromie says 'Yet that is the risk of a Knight, that nobles such as myself need not be exposed to such dangers.'
Phostan says 'Well, I suppose nothing in strife prevents them from acting so.'
'STRIFE' "To lead is to reach towards heaven."
Once a famous Knight, the retired old paladin Luminetar strode forward alone feeling the onset of darkness. He looked around, realising that the ravages of time have left his ensemble empty - friends, dead. Great heroes of Light and Darkness alike, memories, countless in number, but doomed to fade. He stopped for a while to rest on his mortal wounds, and closed his heavy eyes, remembering the honor of his age, before Serin thoughts had all turned to extermination. He remembers them all, how they lived, and what cause they all died for. With a grimace, he realised his life has reached his ending but before the void swallowed him whole, something pulled him away...
The coterie Strife is an organized group of mortals that seek to challenge the limits of Serins in mano a mano combat duels, taking only the trophies of war and returning the rest. Members of strife are old practitioners of war and magic that are united by their cause - the prevailment of honor and protecting the dignity of each opponent.
Rules of Strife: * do not raid cabals * do not break the terms of your duels * strife is for life
Eligible candidates may purchase a fighting license at the Seringale Arena Juggernaut.
Note: The members of Strife answer only to the Warlord cabal. Do not bother the Immortals. The Warlord cabal will deal with Strife misconduct.
Ilromie says 'In fact...' Ilromie flips through her Tome until she finds a page labeled "Strife".
Phostan says 'Guess you'll have to kill Jomorl for Leitha next time, while Leitha pursues the dark knight.'
Phostan says 'All I see is something about not raiding cabals.'
You nod.
Ilromie says 'Their cause is "the prevailment of honor and protecting the dignity of each opponent".'
You say 'Like us, they are similarly restricted only from the cabal grounds.'
Phostan says 'Just argue honor demands they protect the scum they travel with.' Phostan says 'Won't go anywhere.'
Ilromie says 'I confess, it has been some time since I have seen true combat.' Ilromie rubs her hands together in greedy anticipation.
You chuckle politely.
Phostan says 'I mean, I suppose if you're a Noble, you shouldn't be intervening for the Knights.' Phostan shrugs helplessly. Phostan says 'If you weren't, I wouldn't see the issue with it.'
You say 'Be careful, my friend. We are old and our bones are a bit more brittle than they used to be...'
Ilromie says 'In fact, I am yet young for an elf, but your point remains valid.' Ilromie says 'This is quite far from my first set of bones.'
You let out a hearty laugh. You say 'The temple healers have set them many times.'
Ilromie says to Phostan 'Nobles are permitted to aid the Knights in combat 'when necessary' and 'accompanied'.'
Phostan says 'Well then.' Phostan says 'Have at it.'
Ilromie grins evilly.
Phostan says 'Teran was the name of the Dwarf Knight from when I lead Knights. The one fraternizing with the New World Order.'
You say 'Ah!'
Ilromie says 'The New World Order?'
Phostan says 'Few millennia ago, just had to ponder it awhile.'
You say 'I have seen him roaming around Seringale too, I think?'
Phostan says 'Oh is he?'
Ilromie sits down and thinks deeply.
You say 'The name sounds familiar.'
Phostan says 'I think not.'
Ilromie says to you 'In fact, it does.'
Phostan says 'Just Polik I'm sure.'
Polik the citizen of Seringale arrives from a puff of smoke. Phostan scowls disapprovingly at Polik the citizen of Seringale.
Ilromie looks at Polik the citizen of Seringale. Ilromie says 'You knew him, Headmaster?'
Phostan agrees absolutely. Phostan says 'A pacifist who was vocal on judging others of his path that weren't the same.'
Ilromie says 'In fact, I suspect he was not able to avoid conflict?'
Phostan says 'Oh, the Legion often took a piece of his hide, if he didn't move fast enough.'
Ilromie chuckles politely.
Phostan says 'I still intervened a lot on his behalf. General disapproval in his way of life wasn't near enough to let him die if I could help it.' Phostan says 'Bit of a pariah that one.'
Ilromie says 'Whom is it that he seeks? Narah?'
You say 'Nara Serptius...?'
Phostan says 'Nara?' Phostan says 'One of Serra's ancestors.'
Ilromie says 'He threatens to kill himself in Winter if he cannot find her.'
You say 'Is that the one whose book is now in the Chapel?' You blink innocently at Phostan. You say 'You know my ancestors, sir?'
Phostan says 'Go back three millennia, you're liable to be related somehow.'
You say 'Good gracious.' Brrrrrrrrr. You say 'Her book is most disturbing.'
Phostan says 'Never read it. Disturbing how?'
You say 'It tells of her fall to the dark.' You say 'Would you like to come see it, sir?'
Phostan says 'You let me know when you're there.' Phostan chuckles politely.
>>> Serra and Ilromie travel to the Chapel where Nara's book is displayed.
The Pulpit * | As you stand behind this tall wooden pulpit you feel as if | | you have incredible authority. You can see the whole sanctuary * | from here, every pew and every window all the way to the front | | doors. A large book with a brown leather cover rests in the @ | middle of the pulpit. You can tell where the book has been | recently opened and moved because of lines in the thick dust | that seems to be everywhere in this temple. You notice a door | beside the pulpit which must lead to another section of this | church. A few spatters of dark, dried blood trail from the ---------+ pulpit.
[Exits: north (east)] (Translucent) A tall vampire glares at you and cackles hungrily. (Translucent) A tall vampire glares at you and cackles hungrily. (Translucent) A tall vampire glares at you and cackles hungrily.
<SCHOLAR> (Doyenne) Serra : 'Here we are, sir.'
After opening the book you see ancient text which says: Diary of Nara Serptius. In my seclusion I have found power. In my most bitter and hateful moment, I killed my soul so that it would no longer feel the pain. I had control of myself for the first time since Equient killed himself. The power I discovered was in this new control, the power of complete domination through total spiritual and emotional death. I am now alone, but I have the power to conquer the world in my new knowledge. Since the light would not unite through my love and acceptance they will now be forced to unite under my wrath. My soul is undead, my body is immortal and I seek to gain infinite power and no longer be the fool I have been for so long. It is impossible for me to elucidate the infinite amount of emotions and thoughts I have at every moment, so I will give you a journal of my thoughts, a diary of sorts. You may do what you wish with my thoughts, but I do wish them to be known, as it is a way for me to spread my wrath in all who would not accept me.
Nara Serptius the Holy Matriarch of Healing, Infinite Wrath of Rejection
You can see many additional chapters, waiting to be read:
I. Love II. Luck III. Loyalty IV. Possessions V. Death VI. Soul VII. Emotions VIII. Law IX. Evil X. Neutral XI. Good XII. Chaos XIII. Immortals XIV. Honor XV. Kindness XVI. Friendship XVII. Rejection
Thick hands break out from the surface below you, and a dirt-covered Phostan emerges.
Serra points at the book on the pedestal. You say 'I read this when I was still quite a young healer and it shook me to my core.'
Players near you in Graveyard: Phostan The Pulpit <PK> Ilromie The Pulpit <PK> Serra The Pulpit
Phostan says 'Well, she was quite bitter.' Phostan says 'So that lines up.'
Brrrrrrrrr.
Ilromie says 'What was the name of the man we sought?' Ilromie says 'Equitus?'
You say 'Equient.'
Ilromie nods at you in agreement.
You say 'Nara wrote that she once loved a man named Equient, who seemed to have rejected her and drove her to this madness.'
Phostan sits down and thinks deeply.
I. Love - Love is impossible in Serin. Love is total dedication, obsession, and loyalty to someone other than yourself. Love is fulfillment of the need we all have for a companion, and brings happiness and lust. These things are direct signs of weakness. Any who is willing to sacrifice themselves for another is a fool. If you willingly allow someone else to gain power, you give them the opportunity to destroy you, and they will destroy you when given the chance. They will destroy you through your love for them, through your dedication to them, and through your total obsession in them. They are able to have power and control over you, which allows for you to be easily manipulated and not truly understand yourself. Love creates a fog of disillusionment, which will make you less aware of everything which you may experience or think. This weakness will cause the downfall of any man or woman in Serin. It caused my downfall. The one that I loved is now gone forever. I relied on him, was dedicated to him, was obsessed with him, I was part of him and he was part of me. Now I am nothing, my body is eternally undying and my soul lives in the realm of the dead; dead love. I am destroyed because of this Love I felt.
Phostan says 'The name is either wrong, or he didn't possess any special gifts of any sort.' Phostan says 'Or he was after my time...'
You say 'Hmm.'
Ilromie says 'His grave is nearby.'
Phostan says 'But I don't think she outlived me by much...'
Ilromie says 'I confess, I recall not their connection.'
You say 'Oh it says at the preface that he killed himself.'
Ilromie says 'Oh!'
You wince in agony. You say 'Why that would drive one to evil, I do not quite understand.'
Ilromie says 'In fact, she sounds obsessed.'
You nod.
Phostan says 'Maybe it was Polik harassing her all the time in conjunction with this one dying.'
You let out a hearty laugh.
Phostan says 'Gods he was pitiful to observe.'
Ilromie says 'In fact, he is yet pitiful to observe.'
Phostan says 'Oddly enough, sometimes she encouraged it, before deciding she'd had her fill.'
Ilromie says 'Whom did you see as your mentor?'
Phostan says 'Myself?'
Ilromie agrees absolutely.
Phostan sits down and thinks deeply.
Ilromie says 'I suspect I know Serra's answer.'
Heh. You say to Ilromie 'I have a whole book about them.'
Ilromie nods in enthusiastic agreement with you.
Phostan says 'Yilhet squired me, and taught me a fair bit regarding combat. I suppose Lord Aberdour was my spiritual mentor, as the two of us often spoke at lengths.'
You say 'What was Lord Aberdour like?'
Phostan sits down and thinks deeply.
Ilromie listens intently.
Phostan says 'He was generous and rewarded those who served his ideals.' Phostan says 'He was a bit vindictive towards others at times...' Phostan says 'He had as many mortal flaws as he had Immortal insights.' Phostan shrugs helplessly.
Ilromie says 'In fact, I have heard no other speak of knowing him intimately.'
Phostan says 'Grumpy when he didn't have things his way.' Phostan says 'He rewarded based off results, as opposed to best efforts, which might seem harsh.' Phostan shrugs helplessly. Phostan says 'But it's how he was.'
Ilromie says 'Did it inspire?'
Phostan says 'If you had the drive and skill to perform, the rewards would inspire further drive.'
You nod.
Phostan says 'I did well with it, I can't say it's the best method of encouragement though.'
Ilromie says 'Did he have a lover?'
You bat your eyelashes.
Phostan raises an eyebrow. Phostan says 'Lord Aberdour?'
Ilromie nods.
Phostan shakes his head.
Ilromie grins evilly.
Phostan says 'I can think of only one or two Immortals who took lovers.'
Ilromie leans in with interest. Ilromie says 'Please go on.'
Phostan says 'Oh, you want names?' Phostan says 'Carain is the most obvious of them.'
You say 'I have read a story about her in the historical timelines.'
'TAEKIR WAR'
The ancient gnome magi, Zandar, delved deeper into his studies of magicks than any mystic before him had gone. His studies led him to the ancient scrolls of the Keep of D'al Kadar, which had been sealed with a curse more powerful than Zandar had ever seen. With perseverance, his insight into the curses workings finally paid off and the scrolls opened before him. Looking down the words he saw nothing but strange symbols, and as he tried to pronounce them, nothing appeared to happen. The scrolls withered into dust and a sense of dread filled the Mystic immortal. He left the lands to try to find some way to undo the spell he had inadvertently invoked.
A few months later, word of a mysterious shadow descending upon the eastern lands reached Seringale. The recitings had awoken one of the ancient evil immortals that had been banished by Stryth, an experiment gone awry that he had found remarkably resistant to being destroyed. That being was none other than Darkhan, awoken into a world now without the presence of its former creator. With none to oppose him, he took control of the cabal of Legion and took pleasure in manipulating it and its members to his end. As time passed and his power grew stronger, he trapped the young halfling immortal Carain within a gem of power, and destroyed it.
As heavenly war raged across the skies, between the outnumbered lightwalker immortals, and Darkhan accompanied by his lackey Khade, the impartial Odoacer finally felt compelled to act. Choosing to remain neutral even to such grave matters, he resolved that the Knight's presence was needed more than ever, and used his vast powers to grant immortality to Aberdour, a champion of paladins. Aberdour soon led Knights to victory over Darkhan, killing Khade and banishing the Dark Lord, who barely escaped in his wounded state, fleeing to deep within the Underdark to get away.
The final assault of Darkhan came upon Serin soon after. His powers at full strength, he awakened his army, the Taekir dragons, to serve him in his conquest of the lands. While his army advanced upon Serin, he used the distraction to search for more power, and came across the Gem of Souls, an artifact not of Serin, that he believed had been hidden deep beneath its surface. Though he came perilously close to finding it, he was at the final step thwarted. The return of Zandar to the lands and his aid in the war against Darkhan's ancient army helped cause its swift defeat. Darkhan himself was then searched out. The two deities clashed in an epic battle that eventually resulted in Darkhan being vanquished for good, and the victorious Zandar was unfortunately lost with him in the resultant energy overflow his destruction caused. While rebuilding the defiled realm, Odoacer grants immortality to two of his most loyal subjects, the undead assassin Resatimm, often a helping hand for Justice outside of town, and the Ancient Wolf, Redalion.
15.7. SUMMARY > HISTORY > TAEKIR WAR
Phostan says 'Zandar and Carain were lovers.'
You say 'Trapped within a gem and destroyed.'
Ilromie nods.
Phostan nods. Phostan says 'Honestly, I heard talk of Lord Odoacer taking a mortal lover.'
Ilromie says 'A mortal lover?' Ilromie lifts her brows at the gossip.
Phostan says 'Which might be the truth. Him and Thalia were closer than what I'd expect to be platonic.'
Ilromie says 'Who was Thalia?'
Phostan says 'The mortal leader of Justice.' Phostan says 'She was a shadow, though they went by ninja back then.'
Ilromie says 'Law abiding?'
Phostan agrees absolutely.
Ilromie says 'An officer?'
Phostan says 'The commander.'
Ilromie says 'Do you think she was promoted due to her relationship?'
Phostan shakes his head. Phostan says 'I doubt it.'
Ilromie looks a little disappointed.
Phostan snickers softly.
Ilromie says 'Justices were less corrupt in those day, I presume?'
Phostan shrugs helplessly. Phostan says 'Were they though?'
Ilromie says 'Were they?'
Phostan says 'Sometimes they'd go lurk outside Seringale waiting for others to leave the city.' Phostan says 'Not Thalia in particular.'
Ilromie says 'Did Odoacer and Thalia meet when he was a mortal, or after his ascension?'
Phostan says 'Oh, after his ascension.' Phostan says 'He ascended at the end of the first age I believe it went.' Phostan says 'She was of the second age.'
Ilromie flips through her Tome.
You say 'Good gracious.'
Ilromie nods. Ilromie says 'Darkhan and Carain, Odoacer and Thalia...'
Ilromie says 'In fact, gossip such as this must come in triplicate.'
You let out a hearty laugh.
Phostan shrugs helplessly.
You whisper to Phostan 'Thank you sir, for all of your knowledge. I do not wish to derail Ilromie's conversation, but this old lady needs to rest her bones!'
Phostan agrees absolutely.
Ilromie peers around herself intently.
You tell your group 'I must take my leave for now. Please continue the interview as you need. I did not wish to interrupt the conversation.'
Phostan says 'Well, hopefully that's enough to satisfy for now.'
You bow deeply.
Ilromie frowns. Ilromie tells the group 'I will see you soon, my friend.'
An Immortal slowly fades into thin air.
Ilromie says 'But-'
An Immortal peers around himself intently.
Ilromie sits down and thinks deeply.
Distant crackling is heard as faith and energy is channeled. A nimbus of white light appears upon the ground.
Ilromie says 'Three lovers would be better.' <-- for more gossip, read the next Mystique...
The nimbus of light encases you. As the nimbus of light vanishes you feel power swirl around your body.
You tell your group 'Be well my friend!' <SCHOLAR> Xerties the Sage: 'Farewell Serra, may the winds guide you to a swift return.'
