Evangeline Dessa

Imperial Sanctum

2012-02-21T07:32:00.000-08:00

We arrive in the garden. The sky is hiding behind clouds of orange and yellow and gray. Shiro stands with Togo atop the steps, and we are come from kuunavang with our gifts of skill. He sees us and smiles.

Slashing Togo's throat faster than we can make it through the gates, Shiro slowly changes from transparent to solid. He is mortal now, he is human. This means we can kill him, but at the loss of Togo. A selfless sacrifice to be sure. We battle him, he recouperates quickly and banishes some team members to the mist only to be replaced by a Shiro'ken. Quickly we realize that destruction of the shiro'ken will restore them to us. The battle continues for what seems like hours, back and forth the advantages are gained and lost until Shiro is weakened. He had forgotten his mortal bound body will not accept the physical strains he attempts to it, and we outnumber him. With a final blow, he is defeated, and his corpse falls to the floor. The mist he will return, to stay hopefully this time.

We meet Suun in the temple. Everyone is having trouble deciding how to feel. Excited about our great victory, but grieved at the death of our Master Togo, we collect our weaponry gifts and go. Cantha was a beautiful world, but it is not a place I would like to stay. I need some sunshine, and perhaps another adventure. I heard news of stirrings in Elona, perhaps I will charter a boat there. To Elona!

Raisu Palace

2012-02-21T07:24:00.000-08:00

A group of four. We are the end of Shiro. We arrive at the palace to find it seemingly abandoned. The gates are all locked upon the way but we see Shiro'ken. These Shiro'ken appear to be at ease, they must have been here for awhile.

This only means that Shiro is already within the palace. He wants the emperors head so that he may be mortal again. Though this seems a good thing for him, it is good for as aswell, because mortal we can kill. Kuunavang gives us great gifts of skill we will need to be victorious, and we go on our way.

We move through the chambers one by one killing his generals. We lose Cynn and Danika on the way, they stay behind to keep us able to move forward, and godspeed we make it before they fall. In the final chamber before the throne room we find acid traps dripping from the ceiling. Careful to avoid at best we run through and defeat the final shiro'ken gate guard and enter the palace room. Unbeknownst to us, shiro has laid several guards within the room with him, and we fight to slay the all while Togo runs off to the emperor, his brother.

Seeing Togo, Shiro seems pleased. He has no learned through fault that Togo and the emperor are brothers, and all he needs is blood of the chosen. He cripples togo, and takes him to the yard. We cannot follow immediately, fighting waves of shiro'ken off. We must save Togo now. I cannot leave him to die like Rurik.

Unwaking Waters

2012-02-21T07:18:00.000-08:00

In to the jade whirlpool. Mhenlo led us to the harvest temple, theres been an awful occurance. The emperor has taken Shiro on as a body guard. Can you believe that?? Shiro! A bodyguard.

He was allowed entrance to the harvest temple, but the guards say he was acting most strange. Stranger than allowing a murdering ghost to be on your team? I would think not.

We begin our descent through the jade maze of the harvest temple. An old friend joins me, his skills have become quite honed over the years and the help is always a welcome sight.

We are attacked by afflicted creatures the entire way down as we run in circles trying to attack or appease the great dragon, Kuunavang. Finally he takes us in to the central chamber of the temple where he speaks.

We cannot hope to defeat Shiro if we cannot deem ourselves worthy to Kuunavang and recieve gifts. He attacks us with poison flames and weakens us with his scales but we hold strong and are victorious. He tells us there is massive unreset within the palace, the emperor himself is under attack and we must hurry. Shiro attacks for the final time.

Eternal Grove

2012-02-21T07:08:00.000-08:00

We arrived in the eternal grove but our negotiations were not met well. The Kurzicks were amidst a war with the luxon over the Eternal Trees, and they all believed the afflicted to be gone when we battled Shiro in the sewers.

They lock us up in the keep when the Luxons approach in attack, turtles the size of houses with large cannons attached to their back slowly waddle forward. A sight of terror, if not so awkwardly humorous!

The Kurzicks beg for us to protect their beloved tree singers, who keep the trees in bloom for eternities. We fend off wave after wave of luxon, until a curious sight. A soldier is approaching the base waving a white flag of surrender. This sudden change of events have me very confused.

As per war rules, the Kurzick count themselves victorious. They belive the Luxons are surrendering because of their might, and they herd them in to the gates as prisoners. They beg as they enter to fight alongside us. There are afflicted coming, and alone we will all surely perish.

Infinite mobs of them begin to come down the mossy hills, a smell most foul fills the air. We fight together, finally, as we need to if we wish to survive Shiro.

Leaving no afflicted moving, we gain our promises from both the kurzick and the luxon tribes to be at peace, even if only for a short time. Afflicted blood soaks the grounds by their forever trees, but the singers remain unharmed. Count this a victory for humanity now.

Sunjiang District

2012-02-16T05:42:00.000-08:00

We are in Sunjiang. Shiro has chosen this to be his entrance to the mortal world. Portals of icy blue set orbs along the causeways and lines of mystical blue connect them all. Within the center orb lies Shiro, and he is meditating.

Concentrating all his power on these orbs he sets afflicted puppets all over blocking us . Master Togo notices at every portal lies a spirit guardian, and if we send it back to the mists the portal will most likely close. It is worth a shot.

The afflicted stand before us, but I have the Spear of Archemorus. My golden sunray of a weapon giving me the damage boosts I need to fly through the portals and destroy the guardians. As soon as the last is destroyed though, Shiro snaps out of his trance and teleports us to the center where has amassed great constructs of foes.

Floating, daunting, they stand his protection while we look upon eachother silently for a battle plan. I uncover my longbow and attract the first construct. The great ranger construct floats with his bow towards us and starts robotically attacking. We lay him down and I attract the next until all four are at our feet.

Shiro vanishes upon the spear. Our team is sure he has returned to the mists, but the Envoys tell us he will be back, and he will be out for vengeance.

Togo and Mhenlo decide we must prepare for his coming, and they fan out in an attempt to reunite the Kurzick tribes with the Luxon clans so that they may fight as one as they did 200 years ago when Shiro lived as a mortal. It is a longshot, but for the moment we may rest.

Boreas Seabed

2012-02-15T10:53:00.000-08:00

We arrive at the Boreas Seabed. The welcome is much warmer than at the Kurzicks, but I feel that is only because there are so many people here. The Elder is well acquainted with Master Togo, and allows us audience with her instantly.

Togo speaks alone to the Elder Rhea. He downright asks for the spear but she is firm in her denial. Tradition is stronger than ending Shiro it seems. The Luxon are hustling in to the seabed for today is the Convocation. Elder Rhea cannot give us the spear because it is the prize for the Tribe who wins the days events. If we want it, we have no choice but to win!

We enter the ring as the "Dragons from the North". Facing off against a team of rangers, we win our first round easily.

Round Two was against another ranger, but this ranger had an apt healer in tow, as well as mesmers. We are set back a little but prevail victorious and head to the third tribe. Argo, the leader of this tribe, is a very skilled Elementalist, and he allows us to know that instantly. My healers work frantically to heal and resserect the damage and luckily for us, after this heated match, we manage to win. The spear is ours, and it is our honour to kill the great Zhu Hanaku, as per annual Luxon tradition.

Zhu Hanaku is a great squid of a being. Floating gracefully on the solid surface of the Jade Sea, he awaits us, fuscia and teal and orange. He is a beauty to behold and I am sorry for a moment I must destroy him. Reminded by the spear that he will return next year I begin co-ordinating our attack. Zhu Hanaku is a ressurrect machine. Kraken come back to life to distract us while Zhu himself flings cinderblocks of jade upon us. He trips me up and I fall in front of him dropping the Spear of Archemorus, and before my eyes out comes a glowing phantom. He lifts a glowing spear of his own and the ground shakes and Zhu Hanaku falls.

Proud of my mistakes, I have learned to work the Spear of Archemorus. We have done a great respect to the Luxons, we will need them as allies. We take our spear and go to find Master Togo, who is approached by Mhenlo upon the solid jade waters in a panic. There are riots breaking out in the sewers of Kaining, the emperor needs our help.

Arborstone

2012-02-15T10:43:00.000-08:00

Deep in the Kurzick forest we delved. It is dark and the people are pale and powdered. Mushrooms grow to the size of trees and deliver a pollen that slows us. We burst through wardens, who appear like walking trees, and go to the Cathedral as we were bid. The first thing we need is the Urn of Saint Viktor, and it lies amidst years of degraded ruins. Countess Danika uses her magic to open the gate for me, and she seems very comfortable with us and Mhenlo. Cynn must be going crazy.

We enter the Cathedral and exterminate it. I grab the Urn, but as soon as I do the stones and pillars crumble to the floor, and the the archways cave in. Mhenlo gets trapped outside and swears to meet us at the other end of the grounds, we must lead Danika through.

We take the urn and the girl through the crumbling stones. They fall upon us from the ceilings so I decide its safest for us to travel the perimeter.

We exit the side of the cathedral and are met by bushes that run with mouths, teeth, and sharp claws. They mob us in large groups but trees burn and they are dealth with slowly.

We reach the other end and the doors were magically sealed. The pillars falls revealing great stone warriors, and the largest a monstrouly large statue bearing down upon us with a great stone hammer. We are forced to spread out and concentrate our attacks to his cronies first, believing the best in our healers abilities to allow us to last long enough to face the Judge alone.

Danika uses her magic to open the far gates, and we leave with the Urn. Waiting patiently for Mhenlo, we slowly begin to fear the worst. Cynn starts to mope and be quick angered, snapping and sending ash through the air, but after what felt like a millenia, Mhenlo approaches. He is a little worse for wear, but alive. For a brief moment I saw true elation pass through Cynns eyes, but quickly it becomes rage as she begins to snap at him for making her wait so long. I will never understand her. Atleast she fights like a champion.

We give Danika and her Kurzicks a very thankful and respectful goodbye. With the Urn, it is time to get the fabled Spear of Archemorus. Then we can take down Shiro.

Tahnnakai Temple

2012-02-14T08:47:00.000-08:00

Now that we are Weh No Su, we dash off to meet Master Togo at the sacred Temple of Tahnnakai. The guard at the gate doesn't allow us entrance though, but Mhenlo comes out when he sees us. Master Togo has spotted masses of afficted marching to a place down the tunnels and we are needed to help. We escort Mhenlo safely to Togo and annihilate the siege, and Togo comes back with us to the Temple as Mhenlo takes his leave to speak with Nika, and will join us inside the temple.

Master Togo in tow, we burst through the temple gates. Shiro had bound all the gods of the temple, and they attack us unwillingly backed by hoards of tiger-like fire beasts and afflicted alike. Seeing the first diety, Kitah, bound in a shiroken, we cut him down and he thanks us restored. He opens the gate sealing off the next chamber and we continue.

In the next chamber we find Naku, necromancer diety, bound in shiroken much the same. He spits curses at us between apologies and begging for release. We burn through his afflicted minions and release him and he opens the gates to the next chamber.

Here lies Teinai, elementalist who is namesake to many, many destructive fire skills. We are continue what we need to, releasing the afflicted from their sad tumorous bodies, and the spirit is released aswell. Same thanks, and to the next chamber.

Karei stands atop a shrine devoted to his healing abilities. Revered and of my profession, it pains me to hurt him. His shiroken envelope falls and he allows us to continue to the warrior.

Jaizhanju comes at us blades flailing and spinning. He runs with haste attacking any weak points he can find. But much like the last few chambers we help him, along with the bound souls of Zojun and Kaolai until we reach the central chamber where Vizu, the last to deal the crippling blow to defeat shiro, lies bound in Shiroken raiment.

Slowly we release Vizu, and she thanks us. Unbeknownst to us, she is well aware of who Master Togo is, and surprisingly unmentioned to us, he is half brother to the Emperor. That makes him heir to the emperial throne should Shiro kill him. Vizu tells us what she did to defeat him, and we must find the clansmen of the Luxon and the Kurzick. They have the spear, and the urn, of the heroes that dealt the killing blows 200 years prior. To the forests I suppose. The adventures never stop.

Nahpui Quarter

2012-02-14T08:24:00.000-08:00

Nahpui Quarter, home of the adept. This is where we belong for the Canthan ascension. If we wish to see Shiro, we must pass the test of the celestials. Before us, the seer tells of the four great bosses we must defeat. The four bosses are celestial in nature, made of stars, and I can't imagine anything made of stars to be harmful.

The old man opens bright orbs of portals for us to begin our venture, and upon entrance we see a manner of beast that is familiar. They are like the Caromi Tengu of my home, except they are referred to as "stars". They fill the platforms and confusing ramps and paths and we are very careful not to attract the attention of too many. We reach the first celestial being, a monk named Kaijun Don. The shape of a kirin, the equestrian creature sparkles and glimmers. Truly beautiful to behold, but soon enough we find out how deadly it can be. Dodging and casting, we destroy him sadly, but in his place a great beacon of celestial power erupts and from within emerge dozens of smaller copies of Kaijun, and we are forced to lay him down repeatedly. We follow the outskirts of the maps until we reach the next being, a turtle referred to as Kuonghsang. Don't ask me to pronounce that. We defeat him next, and again a beacon emerges spraying copies of not only himself, but Kaijung Don aswell. Fighting their copies and the star tengus we reach Tahmu, a celestial dragon. Awe inspiring is his shape, the glimmering of the moon off the stars that have come to earth, but we must kill Shiro so we destroy the phoenix sadly, and copies of each of them litter our final path to Hai Jii, the mesmer. Hai Jii is a quick defeat, we aim only for him as when he is dead, we are finished.

Adept Nai transports us to Senji's Corner, a small outpost nearing the vales to the clanstowns. We have successfully become weh no su, and that is one step closer to saving Cantha from Shiro the great. Seems my life has become all about saving the world.

Vizunah Square (Foreign)

2012-02-14T04:46:00.000-08:00

Sun and fun in Lion's Arch since the Lich was destroyed. I took housing, not with the ascalonian community, but in the barracks with the heroes and sellswords. I spent my days swimming and getting sun, going to the alehouses with my good friends toasting Rurik, and checking out the wares and trinkets inside the merchants circle. I never knew what an amazing town Lion's Arch was. I never went back for Adelbern. Maybe later. I hear he is grieving most horribly, and gone a touch mental, but he will just have to wait as the majority of the community has come to Kryta, and continues to come to this day. I grow restless though. Sure it was fun to do absolutely nothing of value in the beginning but now, now I need more again. Which is just what I got when I met Mhenlo at the gates. He had just returned from his homeland, Cantha, and they have an epidemic. Afflicted flesh masses are infecting the people and setting them to attack, and the gangs of the city are taking full advantage of the turmoil. I think I could use a vacation from my vacation. To cantha!

We come out of the docks and meet Mhenlo. He is with Cynn, who is in a foul mood as usual, and some female fighters which are probably the cause of Cynns distaste. We are going to meet the legendary Master Togo. He is a beast of a ritualist, which is something i've still only heard of in tales. He leads us through the city and it is a virtual maze of shanties and high stacked buildings. There are secret passages at every turn and we have to cut down hostile gangs on our way to meet with Togo. He awaits us in Vizunah Square, which is swarming with these "Afflicted".

We run down the scaffolding with Mhenlo, and gangs of Am Fah try to slow us down . Togo is already amidst the attack. We reach the Square and that is when I first see the monstrosity.

These Afflicted are horrible masses of tumor. Some have faces in their bellies, and some have stumps for legs and crawl like spiders over the ground before trying to hex us. I lose my courage for a moment and look over a the Master togo, a thin man, battlescarred but strong. He smiles at me while casting his spells and summoning spirits that attack for him, but I can see in his mind he must be sizing me up. The legends say I am a great warrior but here I stand dumbstruck at these things. I check myself, and I begin to attack aswell

They jump out of holes in the ground. Springing in the hundreds attack us. We make our way through the square while Togo commands the gates be open. The gate guards are terrified to do it. There are surivors littered around the square and Togo is set to recuse them all, and get to the bottom of this plague.

We find our way in to a small underground commons under a market stall. Here lies a Shiroken beast, all blade and muscle, and he says our time is up. Whether we defeat him or not, there is much more going on than we know, and we will not stop it. Clearly, he doesn't realize i'm 1 for 1 in stopping the unstoppable. We cut them all down and celebrate our victory. I thought I felt a chill in the air, but my eyes see nothing. Togo seems to be a little on edge as well, while the others whoop and cheer. But then my breath catches in my throat, and everything sent black.

When I awoke, confused and disoriented, an being stood in front of me. Three beings. Envoys to the mists. They say a man named Shiro killed us, but we were not his to kill yet. I don't have a clue who Shiro is, but I'm sure i'm about to find out, and Togos hand shot straight to his weapon when the name was said. The envoys offer us a price for our lives, we must help them stop Shiro. But we cannot even see him, how can we kill something we can't see? Anticipating that, the Envoys send us to become Weh No Su, or "Closer to the stars". Then we can see him, and if we can see him we can defeat him.

Hell's Precipice

2012-02-12T07:50:00.000-08:00

The gates of Komalie are open. Speaking to a gentle lost soul in our safehold, I learn that the gates are closed by "Soul batteries". The chosen are sent as sacrifice to keep the gates closed. This is what we were sent for, to reclose them with our lives, but I have a suspicion that should we time it right, the Vizier, i'm sorry... the Lich, would be enough to close the doors for good and end this prophecy. If I am to die, I will not die withou taking a few of grenths bastards with me.

We clear the paths, fighting Titans and sparks. Beastly creatures who hurl fire that burns everything in its wake. Small as they are, no bigger than your basic imp, but they hurt. We hear a shout from the moutainside and find the Seer being attacked. What he is doing here I cannot say, but I would assume it is some kind of divine support for our cause. We kill the hostile by him and he tells us of the Armageddon Lords further down. Add that to our list to kill.

We come across a level field with orbs of our free nations. The Titans are attempting to pass through these portals to take over the entire world, and thought I knew this was not only going to affect us here in Tyria this is the first time it really sunk in that I was saving the world. We slay the portal wraiths and the bubbles explode. The Lich appears, he is not enthused with our progress and asks us why we are even bothering, we are only delaying the inevitible. Inevitible my boot.

He appears before us near Komalie. He is not alone. Utmost treachery, he sicks an undead zombie Rurik upon us. My sweet prince, skeletal and rotting, screams against the Lich while he approaches us, Sohothin blazing. He is conscious, he knows who we are and what we are doing, but due to the Scepter of Orr, he has no control over his body. We have no choice but to cut him down, and he agrees with us.

Wounded and unable to attack further, my prince begs me for death. What was left of his eyes appeared sad, his grey skull peeping out between chunks of rotting flesh. This is no way to exist, and though it pains me to no end, I must kill him. It is what he orders. His final order. My oath has been fulfilled.

We reach the gate, and the Lich stands with guards of fire and stone. One by one they attack us, but he is overconfident and does not bring enough to phase us. We dare not approach him too close, he can send us to the lava pits with his dark magic, but we hold him on the gate and soon he falls, weakened.

The soul batteries recharge instantly, stronger than i had seen them before I broke them open under false pretenses. Glint appears in the glow, the dragon is pleased. She says she was confident the Lich had not read the prophecies correctly. In his haste, he mistook it as he will win and we will die, when all along it was he would die. Though he is not without issue, some titans had managed to travel through the portals and as soon as we are done reporting back to the dwarves we must dispense of them aswell. It is over, and I cannot believe it. Jalis awaits us in his hold at droknars, and offers me a sturdy dwarf forged weapon and gives us the title of Lord Protector of Tyria. Everyone celebrates. Even Adelbarn has come to the dwarves, though I see he stays far from the Krytans. I go to give him my condolences about the fallen prince but he only looks at me blankly, and demands I return to the wall and continue Charr hunting. I cannot believe it is over. What in the world will I do with myself now? I have gotten a thirst for being unstoppable.

Abaddons Mouth

2012-02-11T08:16:00.000-08:00

We come out of our stronghold, we must destroy the Gate of Komalie now. The Vizier appears to us before the large shining fortress and gives us a new wind as we charge at the doors. Taking out their archers in the towers first, we burst through the first magical seal and annihilate the awaiting Mursaat. They stare at us blankly, I would assume surprise but i'm sure the mursaat are devoid of all human emotion. In our haste, and for Brechnar, we keep our speed and tear through the marble keep slashing all in our way.

On a lonely dock at the back of the fortress lay a seal on an empty area, and my curiosity is piqued. Destroying that seal a shimmering spirit appears. It is Leah Stone, and she was being held captive. She would like us to lay her on a rock not far from where we stand, and I invite her to join us.

Three-headed hydra spit meteors at us, and large golems with rotting flesh dropping off the bone attempt to stand in our way. They are not with the mursaat, this I know, just dumb beasts whose only instincts are to kill and feed on all in their eyesight. Unfortunately for them, they are the ones being sent to the mists and we reach Leahs final resting place. For a place as barren and lava scorched, it is truly a beautiful spot. Soft grasses, and even some flowers litter the rock, and the view in to the ocean is magnificent. Saying our goodbyes, we run off to the Gate of Komalie before she disapperates.

The gate is really a stone. There are several seals keeping it under control, and the Vizier appears yet again before it urging us forward. For every seal we destroy, we are attacked by a trio of guardians, and numerous mursaat. Brechnar must have blessed us in death, because we are seemingly unstoppable.

With all the seals open, the Vizier approaches us, giddy as a school girl with a crush. He laughs, and Little Thom joins him, but there is something strange about him. He takes a spot upon the rock and continues to laugh, then stops dead. I have a chill down my spine. He eyes me, his white-blue eyes blazing in triumph. Suddenly the Vizier disappears in a ball of lighting, and inasfast appears a horrid creature. Several feet tall with tattered wings and horns of a ram, he looks at us, and continues to laugh. The viziers laugh. "IT WORKED" he screams, and he summons a beast most foul.

Out of the lava rises a hulking beast of fire and rock. The Lich looks upon him and simply says "Yield. Yield to the scepter of Orr", and he vanishes. My heart sinks. We have delivered the scepter of orr to the Lich, the Lich who is prophecised to end the world. How stupid could I have been not to see this! Sole survivor of the Orrian Cataclysm. He must have perpetrated the entire thing in order to survive a sinking island. We have erred most greatly. Rurik. Poor Rurik, and Brechnar.. Saidra.. We have failed everyone. The titan comes at us, but he is not immuned to our attacks and he falls. I stand with my team over the titans embers and think. It is time for prayers. Dwayna had told me I must come here. Glint has told me I was to come here. I can't believe they had meant for me to end the world as I know it. I must pray.

Ring of Fire

2012-02-11T07:58:00.000-08:00

We have reached the islands. The air is thick with ash from the volcanic rocks. Brechnar, Jalis' brother, stands with us on the port and we are instantly despaired, as the path is thick with mursaat guards and it seems hopeless. He turns to me with a wink, and yells "FOR THE DWARVES!" and alone he runs, taking all the Mursaat with him. A heroes death, much like Saidra. We do not waste our moment and run up the opposite path scarcely seen by enemy eyes. We reach a magical ward that blocks our progress. Carefully, I distract the Jade guards with my longbow, and then we go in for the kill.

We sneak down the back paths and over stone bridges, the lava a pit of death beneath us. Trolls that are immune to fire run at us with their clubs raised, and we lay them down. A familiar mask stands before us on a small rock between the lava pools. The Seer is here, and he has a thirst for another Eidolon heart. I was unaware Eidolons existed on this scorched rock, but if it as he desires, it is what he will get. I never forget a friend.

We forge on, burning ourselves in pools of magma, and laying down more protective wards. We come to the stronghold of the palace, and Vizier Khilbran appears.

He warns us, the fortress is too protected for us to go in through the front. He urges us to stick to the outskirts and find a way around, through the magmus spiders. I was never one for a subtle entrance myself, and as soon as he disappears I make to break down the front door.

The Vizier was not lying. Heavily guarded the gates are, their shining marble almost beautiful. I will not be stalled in breaking the gates though, and slowly we lay down the lives of every mursaat we see and enter the gates.

More wards await us inside, and as soon as the first three come down the Eidolon appears. Knowing his weaknesses already we slay him and I deliver his heart, his essence, to the Seer. He applauds my work, and vanishes. We return to the falling citadel only to be greated by a large Jade general.

Towering over us, we band together and fight him til his last breath. We continue on opening the magical seals, and killing those inside until we end in a closed circular room. The Vizier appears before us again. This time, he brings with him the body of the slain Brechnar.

Comrade in arms, we pay our tribute. Kneeling before his body, the Vizier lights a funeral pyre, and sets him within. Jalis will be in a rage at this, he loved his brother so, but his brother has recieved a heroes death, a death most dwarves dream of. His flames burn bright for us, his courage is now ours.

Thunderhead Keep

2012-02-11T05:05:00.000-08:00

The Deldrimor Dwarves are in trouble. Everyone is in trouble these days, but they are the only ones who can transport us to the fire island so we must get their fortress back. The White mantle, along with their mursaat, have broken the gates and overrun the sacred place. King Jalis is in a temper, red with rage at the befouling of his beloved keep.

We run him up the mountain, shreading hostile dwarf flesh along the way. We reach a small citadel created for those who man the keep and it is overrun with the Summit and with the Mantle. We clear them out slowly turning the soil red and we come upon the gate the keep. Jalis moves us aside and he prepares, aiming his massive warhammer surely, and then he swing. The force from the little man is so that the wooden gate splinters and flies open leaving the mantle behind it stunned and unmoving. I am not one to waste an advantage, and we destroy them all.

We get Jalis to the head of the keep, and we overlook fields of Mursaat, Mantle and Trolls. I light the enchanted beacons to signify we've taken hold of the keep, and hearten the men when the Vizier appears to us in the magical flame. He congratulates us on our progress so far, and reminds us we are to go to the ring of fire islands. First, we must withstand the battle coming for the keep, and Confessor Dorian is among them. Jalis jumps for the honour of killing him. Vizier Khilbran wants to help us, and he sends us an army of undead to be our soldiers while we defend the dwarf King.

The waves come, and the waves fall. Foe after foe, general after general. It is a hard battle, but we remain standing. Confessor Dorian arrives, protected by a swarm of mantle men, but even he is mortal, though he may not have thought so anymore, and there he lay before Jalis.

"Make Haste for the Fire Islands" repeats the Vizier. "That is where the prophecy will unfold, that is where you will save the world"

Cynn, Devona, Mhenlo, Eve, and Aiden join my party, along with the familiar faces of Lena and Little Thom. Prepare for the end of the world. Atleast it'll be warm there.

Iron Mines of Moladune

2012-02-10T13:56:00.000-08:00

Up the mountain we climb. The chilled air thinning with every step. I am going to kill Markis. The traitourous swine needs his heart cut out, and served to Saidras monument on a platter of gold. I am also off to see if the Seer can aid our fight. Evennia's intelligent officers tell us the Seer is holed up in a cave atop the mountain. Fiends of all types dog our feet while we take the mountain backpathes. To face the mursaat now would be a suicide mission. A price we cannot afford to pay.

What the Seer has is store for us in a mystery. The secrets to the mursaat much the same. When we reach him it is with nervousness, and awe to finally have a way to defeat these terrible beasts. The seer stands by a fire. Or floats, I should say. It hovers over the ground, a creature unlike any i've ever seen. Its body wide and rectangular as a stone coffin, its voice faintly feminine and robotic. I can scarcely believe a creature such as this would need our help, but it tells me that it wants to help us because I will do what its kind never could; defeat the Mursaat for good. It cannot help me as it stands though. There is a beast, a Eidolon, in a cave nearby and its skin is naturally immune to the agonizing touch of the Mursaat. Naturally, I must kill it and bring its guts steaming freshly to the Seer and he will infuse my armor with it. Also naturally, I do as it asks.

Time to test this spectral beings work. I leave the cave to go further up the mountain and encounter my first Mursaat. I am stronger, and he does not overcome me like before. It works! Praise be to Dwayna. The playing field is now even. Before killing Markis, I decide to take my new gift for a spin. I am going to release all their prisoners, and dismantle their trebuchets, annihilation of the white mantle and mursaat is also on my menu. I climb back down the mountain through the enemy camps until I find Blade Scout Ryder. Only one prisoner? I had wished to hit them much harder, but Ryder tells me there is a Judge. And Inquisitor if you will, and he is leaving to meet with Markis at this moment. I will take his head for Ascalon.

Taking a moment, I breathe. I put myself back on track. We come up to Markis' keep, and dispatch of his watch from outside the wall. Inside, he scoffs at us seeking revenge, but he is grossly outnumbered now, and we are immune to the Mursaats agony. He is dead, and Evennia curses him in death to spend his time in the mists in torture for those he's gotten killed and betrayed. Saidra has been avenged.

Ice Caves of Sorrow

2012-02-09T07:20:00.000-08:00

I have returned the Shiverpeaks. It is time to save Evennia. I meet with the Dwarves of Droknars and they fashion me armour of the highest quality, though a bit drab, and they send me to my rendezvous point. The Dwarves and the Shining Blade have come together against this common foe, the White Mantle, joined by the Stone Summit who are all now led by the fearsome Mursaat. I've yet to see one, but I hear they are quite ungodly. Crosses between magi, birds, and undead, the very images to freeze your soul. We leave the safe point in to the dunes of snow, my breath freezes in my lungs. We must find the Seer, but first, Evennia needs my help.

We sneak our ways to the frozen boats the Summit are using as siege ports and we slit the throats of their engineers. Clumsily I lean on the lever and set off a seige of my own. Surveying the damage I may have just caused I see I hit none other than a cage of yaks, who are extremely angry. They stomp up storms of snow and stampede out of their enclosing destroying all the hostile trebuchets in their wake. A lucky thing, those yaks deserve some praise.

Further into the mountain we search the ice cave and come face to face with our first mursaat. Awed I am, they are indeed quite birdlike with talons and wings, they hover about the round, and are quick to attack. They cast an agony upon me, my armor is of no use against it. The mists swam in front of me, and I swear to it, I swear I saw Dwayna before me. She spoke. Her blue aura swirled around her, warm and comforting, and she said unto me, "Find the seer. He holds my gift for you". My vision cleared and looking down upon me was my old friend Alesia, and she offers me a smile. After a quick breather we continue, and within a cage on the side of the mountain stands a familiar little ruddy face. Rornak Stonesledge, and captured again! What a surprise. I blast his cage open and he tells me where they hold Evennia, and Saidra. They have captured Saidra! Also kin of him, Hamdor Grandaxe, has been lost on the mountainside. We must move, but before running off he begs us for a flagon of ale. Dwarves never change.

In the heart of the mountain there is a cluster of forges. The snow melted and the ground charred from the heat of the armoury. Large patrols of Mursaat and White Mantle circle the bridges, and by a closed gate lies the large cage. Mustering all the stealth we can, we make our way to a stack of powderkegs and blast open the cage. Ofcourse they hear us, only a drunken dwarf wouldn't have been alert by the blast. The mursaat approach us, I know we are certainly lost until I feel a bow in my hand. I look at Saidra, a forlorn look in her eye.

"Take my bow" she tells me. "I will not need it where I am going. Take Evennia to the boat". She looks at the sky, and dashes off towards the Mursaat, with basic weaponry. There is no time to stop her, or watch how she does, she is sure to die. We take Evennia. We make to the mountainside.

I stop short at the opening of the cave. Mursaat. Atleast 10 of them if not more. They've yet to see us, as they float casually towards our boat. We allow them to pass, when I hear a cough. A small "Help" from the other side of the ice wall. There we find Hamdor Grandaxe. He is thrilled to see us, and even more thrilled to hear that Rornak is in safe hands again. "NEVER LEAVE A DWARF BEHIND" he yells and he runs off through the mountain to find his kin. We follow the mursaat at a good distance. Strange things occur around them. They casually end the lives of all dwarves and white mantle in their way as if they were dust on their boots, and the white mantle and dwarves are attack eachother frantically aswell. It is as if all sense of loyalty and commeradery has gone from their heads, and chaos is the only thing the mursaat allow them to feel. The chaos is the mursaats folly though, as soon as they reach the great bridge by our boat they are destroyed by the Summit engineers with their trebuchets. Friendly fire, friendly to us atleast. We dash up the mountain through some hostile dwarf groups and reach our boat.

On board, Evennia raises herself up, the very image of nobility. Every inch a queen, though not in birth right. She curses the gods. We take a bow for Saidra. A moment of silence for our fallen. "For every person the Mursaat takes," Evennia rasps angrily, a tear silently making its way down her cheek, "We shall take two of them." To the Seer, she tells us. "And if you ever meet Markis," she adds quietly to me as we watch the icy sea, "rip out his heart. For Saidra."

The Dragons Lair

2012-02-08T14:04:00.000-08:00

It is my last test. The dragon Glint awaits us, and will battle us with cyphers of every sect. We have five levels to defeat, and a dragon to tame.

Our first facet is that of light. There are healing sages, and fearsome blades throughout the small level, but it remained quite straightforward. What was frightening was just being here seemed to drain the life from me. The facet of light is a draconic being, viceral and transparent. We go through the magical portal to the next level.

This area causes us to be slow. Our senses numbed and our legs sink in the ground like in the sands of the desert. Theres a green glow coursing off the walls of the chamber, and it becomes more mazelike as I go. There are a large number of archer foes here, we are against the facet of nature. We lay down the being and move on.

Level three. There seems to be no inherent effect to this chamber, but the air glows purple and there are mesmers everywhere. Large crystal spiders attempt to hex us, and there are invisible walls. This is definitely the facet of chaos. He is of no match to us.

On the next level, I feel drained of energy. The air smells of decay, and there are cursers and scarabs all over. On the ground, I pass corpse after corpse of Ascalonian soldiers, their armour telling me that they are my kin. The facet of Darkness lay before me, and then lay dead before me.

Teleported to the next chamber, we are met with great crystal guardians. Elementalists. There seems to be no inherent effect, but I spy wards in which fire falls from the sky. We crumble the crystal guardians and soon are at the Facet of the Elements. His spells backfire, and we are on to the last level before meeting Glint herself.

Facet of strength. Ruriks facet. The last facet. The ground rumbles and knocks us off our feet in seemingly timed intervals. There are foes of all kinds on this level. They will not stand between me and my destiny.

We finally meet Glint. This dragon is the largest creature I have ever laid eyes on. She tells us that she has been waiting 800 years for us, the chosen ones, to fulfil the flameseeker prophecies. We unlocked our inner abilities for true sight, and we must know what happens in the world now. The White Mantle have unleashed the Mursaat. Creatures of such strength and power you would think they were borne by Grenth himself. They hunt the Shining Blade, led by the traitor Markis. Most of the Blade have been captured, and the Mursaats only mission is to destroy the chosen. That means us. We must save whom we can, and head to the fire islands to take on the Lich. Head on. We will brave to him, but first, we must save Evennia.

The Battle of the Doppleganger

2012-02-08T07:50:00.000-08:00

The mountain crumbles in front of me. A lightning storm. The electricity courses the air. I am to do this alone. One on one combat. One should have a sense of forboding as the rock tumbles in to the river uncovering a staircase leading in to the mountain.

I entered. The halls littered with gold, statues of the six along the wall. The central chamber seems very much a battle ring. My patron goddess, Dwayna, stands wrought from gold on sides as I slowly step in. I am alone, but I feel powerful. I feel as if i'm being watched as well. I prepare myself for the unexpected as best I can. Then he appears. A doppleganger of fire.

I size him up. I would assume he would be doing the same yet he has no apparent being. No being means no mind. A robotic fighter, a mimic. I prepare my skills, and in a moment of nervousness, I scream a battle cry, and taunt this fiery being.

He does not wait. First to attack he throws my own fiery beam of judgement at me, and I run from it. I cast my own upon him and I notice a descrepency. He is not evading the flames. I cast again, and he finally exits, damaged near fatally. I dodge in and out of his spear tosses, and cast again. He stands in it again, and he is dead. It is done. I have bested myself. I am the chosen. I have ascended. It is time to visit the oracle for my final test of strength and mind. Then I can save Evennia, if she is still alive. Save Saidra. I will save the world.

Dunes of Despair

2012-02-08T07:40:00.000-08:00

Task Three. We dredge through the sand with our Ghostly Hero. He wants to retake the stone throne of Pellentia in the valley of the gods. He says attuning this throne back to him will put the Six's eyes on us. They will watch us from the Hall of Heroes and bless our journeys. throne of Pellentia. As we go, slaying the Losaru Blades, Lina, our new protection advocate, mutters "one wonders why a place so desolate exists". I agree. One does wonder.

We reach the temple and it is guarded by a mesmer General, Goss Aleessh. We slay him and his cronies, and the Hero reclaims the resources of the lands an lowers the drawbridge. We clear the throne, and then the Hero moves in to destroy the false idol that holds his throne. He begins his ritual, and we are attacked from all sides by elementalists, and worm seiges.

His ritual takes what seems like hours, and we keep the foes at bay so he can concentrate. Eventually a boss appears, a ranger General, and we send him back to the mists and the Hero completes his ritual. The lands are now his again, and he tells us the gods eyes are on us. On us indeed I hope, for we will need all the blessings we can gain from them.

It is time to ascend and take our rights as the chosen. We must defeat a doppleganger. A spirit that houses all the same skills as we do. We are to fight ourselves to prove ourselves. It is time to see the Great Ritual Priest Zahmut. It is time to rise. Rurik be blessed.

Thirsty River

2012-02-08T04:42:00.000-08:00

Task two. We run up the paths which are littered with devourers, and giants. We must find the second Hero to complete our next task. This task will lead to our cleansing, we must take the hero safetly to the Rune Circle at the bottom of the hill. Sounds easy enough, but we will be passing legion after legion of serpants, each with ressurection abilities.

The Ghostly Hero throws open the gates to the first area. There are small squads of serpents and skeletons and within the keep is a great purple mesmer boss and his priest. We dispose of the priest first, so that he could not ressurect the team, and then we annihilate the rest. Jumping out of chaos storms and blocking sword attacks we take the Hero to the next gate, and he throws it open to area two.

Double the trouble. Skeletons and snake elementalists come at us right in the gate. Huge sand dunes hold up high bridges we are also attacked from. We dispose of the first wave and move on to the keep holding a dark green Necromancer general. Priest first again, we vapourize their team. Then we move on to the Elementalist general, and he spits stones at us and shakes the ground. We slit his priests throat so he cannot bring the fallen back to aid them and we are ready to move to the next area.

Triple threat. There are three keeps within, all patrolling the Rune Circle we need to cleans our souls for the Six. There is also a non-hostile king. King Khimaar stands by the Rune Circle, a lost soul in the sands. The serpents make a run for him but we cut them off at the first keep and spray their blood in the sands, followed by the priest, followed by the Warrior General. The Kings ghost remains safe, no doubt this will benefit us in the future. We move to the Ranger, throwing dirt in our eyes and sharp arrows at our skin. Unfortunately it is to no avail for them, as we level the field and behead the priest. Next is a great healing serpent with unnatural healing capabilities. His troop is easy enough, though I must watch my own arrogance. Next the priest goes down without so much as a word, but the Monk, he takes his time. Having only himself to heal, he leaves himself open to attack but clears himself of much of it. The Ghostly Hero, glowing at the prospect of us completing a second task towards ascension, comes in to the keep with us and arms his plasmatic bow and gives us the extra damage we needed to beat the wretch.

The task is done. We are one step closer.

Elona Reach

2012-02-07T14:34:00.000-08:00

Task one. The Ghostly hero needs vision crystals. The priest hands me a shard, 3 in all, and I am to take it to the Hero on the other side of the minotaur fields. I also must use the crystals to awaken the Ritual Priests at their arid graves. Ritual Priest Kahdat is right near the priest, and we ressurect his ghost and set off to the Hero. He tells us how his Elonians failed in ascension, they were not the chosen and now they must live in the sands as spirits between worlds. I must bring him the shards so that the vision crystal may give us clarity.

I head east to the first shard of the Vision Crystal. It is heavily guarded by Grenths own forgotten serpents and skeleton assassins. After slitting the bosses from belly to eyebrow I retrieve the crystal and make for the grave site of Ritual Priest Hehmnut. He thanks me most graciously as his ghost reforms among the sunbleached bones and he makes his way to the Ghostly Hero. I return, my team plowing through patrols of snakes and bones, with the Vision Shard as my prize. We head now, to the west.

We are outnumbered right out the gate. Fire raining from the sky and metal sparking we hack our way out of the dunes. The wind is blowing the sand at our eyes, we shield ourselves and continue to run, feet sinking slightly every step. We find the gravesite of Ritual Priest Nahtem, but we still do not have the Vision shard. We continue along the wall trying to avoid patrols that have yet to notice us, and come upon the crystal. It is heavily guarded by a flaming red elementalist general. Serpentine, he shakes the ground at our feet and throws stone projectiles at our hearts. The dust is thrown up around us as we duck and dodge, cast and attack, and when it finally settles all that remains is us and the crystal. I pick it up and we return to the gravesite of Priest Nahtem, and he formulates in front of me and is as thankful as the last. Slowly he makes his way back to the priest as well, while we clear the path for him. The dead can die again, I have learned. They also walk very slow, but they don't exactly have anywhere to go do they?

We give the last Vision shard to the Ghostly Hero, and he and his ritual priests raise an assembled Vision Crystal. It will put the eyes of the Six upon us, and they will bless us on our mission, which is not to just save the Ascalonians anymore. Our mission is no longer to save Ascalon at all, or Kryta. We must now save the world we know.

Task one is complete. On to the next.

Sanctum Cay

2012-02-07T11:06:00.000-08:00

We arrived in the small beach port with no real difficulties. The White Mantle never managed to catch up, but now with the scepter we must find the Vizier on the island. Our boat sets sail on the calm blue sea, and within no time we reach our destination. Evennia lets us off and hands me the Scepter. She says she would trust no one elses skill with it over mine. The compliment is humbling. If only she knew how I failed my prince.

Imps and drakes spit fire and lighting at us at every turn. The Scepter beings to pulsate in my arms, pulling me towards a black mossy boulder where I find a restless spirit. He will follow the Scepter. So this is the secret. It is not only the undead minions and ghouls that bow to the scepter, but normal non-hostile spirits caught between our worlds also cleave to it. We wade through the shallows between masses of executioners, no doubt with the sole task to execute us. I attempt to use the scepter as my own but I feel weak with it. It is obvious to me that this scepter was not meant for a mortal.

We enter the swamp with our ghostly companion. Hellhounds dogging our every step until we see something truly blood-chilling. Monstrous dragons befouling the waters. Our strength being sapped just standing within them, the skeleton rotting dragons come at us. After a quick prayer to the Six we attack. The fates are on our side as we chisel their bones to dust, but at the only exit of this poisoned mire is mother dragon. She is not impressed that we killed her young. Personally, I was quite impressed. Out of the swamp we cross giants whose very steps shake the earth and knock us to the ground. We find him. Vizier stands at the alter of a small town infested with these giants.

The Vizier gives us news most horrid. There has been a spy, a mantle accomplice, within our ranks since the beginning. It is Saidras heartstring, Markis. Not only is he guilty of giving our secrets to the mantle, but he has sold us out and sunk our ship. They have Evennia hostage. Saving her life will be nearly impossible. We must try. The Vizier claims his powers can raise a ship from the deepest depths, a ship from Orr. The ritual takes time though, and much of it. We must keep him safe while he raises the dead ship. The Mantle come from all sides burning our very skins, in a fever of war. We cut them down in fierce defence and the Vizier finally raises the ghost ship.

Sailing through the ocean, the Vizier comes to speak with us. The Shining Blade is no more. The White Mantle have all but destroyed them. There is nothing we can do. Markis has sold us out. He has had us defeated, and all under the guise of trust and nobility. Saidra. Dear Saidra. He bars us from returning. We are unprepared, he says, we do not stand a chance. We are going to the Crystal Desert. We have a birth right to claim. Birth right? Seek out the truth, seek out ascension. We are the chosen.

Riverside Province

2012-02-07T08:15:00.000-08:00

It is done. We spoke to Old man Joness, and he has given us safe passage to our next mission. We must eliminate the remainder of the White Mantle, and we must steal the sceptor back. Through the boat ride, I saw much of scenery change until it was obvious we had returned to the lush tropic of Kryta. We are within the jungle no more, and air blows sweet and cool off the sparkling waters.

I've upgraded my armour, and the weavers and merchants were glad of my business. Seems they don't get many out in these parts. So isolated, yet peaceful. Our mission is to occur at dusk. we are to meet Saidra amongst the last of the White Mantle camps and smuggle their weaponry out to her. We also must retrieve the sceptor of Orr. It is dangerous in the hands of these murderous brutes, we must take it from Dinas. Luckily, Dinas has had a change of heart. His cowardice was the only thing keeping him in the White Mantle, now with them all but defeated he is ready to help us instead, so long as we keep him safe.

We took out the first watch tower and I thought surely by the gate we were seen, but it was Saidra in disguise. She opens the gate for us, we must clear out the Mantle so they can bring in their weapons for our seige, otherwise she would be searched and surely our plan would be lost.

One... Two.. Three towers down. We get mobbed every one we reach, and it is strange to me how they do not alert eachother. We trudge through the waterlogged farmlands. They are swarming with the mantle, and they speak of the rumours that Confessor Dorian is to arrive at the temple soon. He wants to see the Sceptor, he thinks it will be his only chance.

We finally reach Dinas, and he hands us the sceptor of Orr. We make a run for the bridge over the Ullen river to the safety of Sanctum Cay. The backroads now swarm with the undead. They sense the Sceptors powers. We pass more towers and kill all those inside for Saidra.

We arrive at the bridge to find it guarded by a necromancer brute general. He is alone though, perhaps overconfident, perhaps just an idiot. We don't wait to figure that out and he quickly goes over the side of the bridge and we across. Upon the other side we cut the ropes and the bridge falls into the gully and the white mantle cannot pass. Evennia and Saidra greet us. We are to give the sceptor to Vizier Khilbran. He is the only man to survive the cataclysm that befell Orr, and he will help the Shining Blade be victorious.

Saidra asks me of Markis. Markis was unhappy that the Blade invited us in, jealous perhaps of our successes. I have no word to tell her. He did not meet us inside, she is convinced he was supposed to. He was much absent from a lot of things she claims he should have been. I can see in her eyes her heart is confused. This is a man she loved, and it makes me uneasy. For what I think would be a very large betrayl, and for our sake at that.

*** Obsidian armour in the first few pictures was courtesy of GwDressup. I couldn't help myself.

Aurora Glade

2012-02-06T08:32:00.000-08:00

The jungle is at war with itself. I cannot think of how else to explain it. It is beast against beast, human against human, druid against demagogue. Yes, the Druids join our cause. This is a blessing within a curse, for something dark must be at work for the druids to feel the need to join any cause.

I am joined by a seasoned Ascalonian warmaster Kaden Astride. Years of experience under his belt, though I have not had the pleasure of training under him before the world went sour. He has done much exploring himself, and with his band of Elonian heroes I am sure of success.

The Druids meet us within the jungle and leave us jewels to attune thorny pedestals. They remove vined doorways, and create more they say. We follow the jungle paths as well as we can but soon enough we are lost. We follow our foes in hopes that they will lead us to the altars, and the demigogue.

Well in to our search we hear a scream of terror. We run towards it to find an ally being attacked, and overwhelmingly outnumbered, fighting for his life. Less Longbow clings to his life, and we arrive in time to dispose of the dishonourable White Mantle. He tells us of the Demagogue. He is near, very near, and we must assassinate him should we wish to survive this jungle foray. The difficulties will be that in order to assassinate him we must keep the gates attuned, yet fight at the same time.

Kaden takes the first jewel to the nearest shrine. He sends myself and his team to the next, and we are quickly overcome by hoardes of White Mantle, and they are also attempting to attune the shrines to their favour. Kaden though is an expert of speed, as every warrior should be, and we march upon the Demagogue with a fire splattering White Mantle blood and guts on the arid ground.

We burn through the White Mantle as flame to dry parchment, but as soon as we reach the fated Demagogue, Kaden asks us to step down. They have a score to settle personally, and one on one combat is their game. Using the tricks he's learned through his worldly travels, the Demagogue succumbs to death and we have cleansed the Shining Blades lands. The tides have indeed turned for them, but we are teleported not home, but to a dark mire. The overwhelming smell of rotting wood inflicts our lungs as we press on.

In to the river we see the end of the road. Large boulders in the celestial layout of Orion lay in the dead end. Upon approach, large stonelike worms spring from the ground. Behemoths the size of giants flinging stone upon us. One of Kadens team calls upon us great mobile hulks of dead flesh to serve as our shields and distraction while we hack at the stone exoskeletons of these terrible monsters. At last he is slain at our feet, and we are joined by Evennia, General of the Shining Blade. This is to be their new head of command, and the White Mantle is now on the run with the news of their dead Demagogue. Their scattered, and unorganized leftovers will be picked off like fish in a powderkeg. This is a day for Ascalon, and a day for Kryta. Who would have thought the destruction of Ascalon and emminent destruction of Kryta would pull our kingdoms together. If only Rurik was here to see this. He would not be surprised. We must send word to Adelbern. Maybe now he will give up the folly of the wall. Maybe now he will come, and save his people from the beastly charr. Maybe now....

White Mantle Revenge

2012-02-06T06:51:00.000-08:00

I am welcomed warmly enough by the Shining Blade, even though I was unsuccessful at saving the Chosen. The women paint my arms and legs in traditional star patterns that will protect me as well as the woven armor I currently wear. They dress my wounds and sore muscles with herbs and balms made by the plants in the forest and we are feasted in celebration of new allies.

It does not last long though, within days we get news of our death warrants. The white mantle are infuriated with the murder of their Justiciar Hablion, and have set their only task now to destroy us. They have trained the tool to do it aswell. A Demagogue, a warrior who finds himself much like a god, is planning to march on us.

I cannot allow these people to die for our work. I have prepared my team. We march upon the White Mantle aswell and face this blasphemous Demagogue ourselves. We leave to seek council from Vaylor, and he sends us to Ventari. Ventari is a centaur, he is old as time itself, and as wise as he is old. He asks us to beg for Ventari's aid, but he will not involve himself among the quarrels of the humans. The white mantle march upon is in Ventari's Refuge and we are forced to defend. Vaylor sends us to give urgent warning to Gretchen, The mantle are coming, and we may be no match. He loses faith and cowers by the refuge. We send the rogue centaurs to Grenth and find out way to Gretchen. He sends us on way to the Aurora Glade.

The druids out of hiding, a Demagogue, and Ventari is of no help. These are dark days indeed. Something bigger than us is on the rise

Bloodstone Fen

2012-02-01T07:13:00.000-08:00

The White Mantle will know by now that I am with the Shining Blade. They will know that I helped give them the Chosen, and they will assume now that I am hostile. I don't expect a reception of Battle Isle Iced Tea and jars of honey where I see them next. To be honest though, I know not what to make of these Shining Blade. They are unorganized, but powerful. They dress like exhiles and rebels but fight with the fervor of trained soldiers. They speak of a princess, thrown aside by the takeover of the Mantle. Salma is her name, she takes refuge in the Temple of Ages. What makes me trust the Blade more, is that they have left me the decision. They told me to find the bloodstone, then all my answers about the White Mantle will reveal themselves, and I fully intend to do so.

Blade Scout Ryder awaits us in the deep thicket. The Mantle have regained the Chosen and lead them to the bloodstone and we must beat them to it. We find Saidra by some vine seed plants, and she explains to us the magic of the vine bridges. I am to keep an eye out for these particular plants, because if we are to catch up to the Chosen we will need to use vine bridge short cuts. We find two vine points, but no plants are in sight, so we delve deeper into the brush in search. Atlast I find some plants, and I am forced to backtrack.

I get lost on the way, and I find a large stump with ritual symbols carved in to it. The plants surrounding shine bright with bioluminescence. A Druid appears, spectral and in the face of Melandru himself. He tells us we must awaken the Elder Druids, and we must not kill the jungle guardians. This will be difficult with my renegade team of merry misfits. Slowly we awake the Elder Druids. I take command of my team, and it is quite difficult for they are in battle rage and wish to slay all hostiles, but I have done it. The Elder Druid is awoken, and he gives me reward. The jungle guardians are no longer hostile, and with the blessings we continue after the White Mantle.

So many bridges, so few hands to hold vine seeds. Finally we find Blade Scout Ryder, but he is of no help. He was to take us to the bloodstone but his team was destroyed by the White Mantle, and he refuses to go back. He tells us where to go, and returns to the vines in shame.

Further in I spy an island we can traverse, and in the center is a beautiful fountain. The healing waters dripping down the leaves. We take a drink and heal our weariness and forge on. The White Mantle await us at the other side. They are hostile, and we are forced to cut through them on our way to the bloodstone.

I feel a dark power eminating in the air, we must be near. Sure enough we arrive just in time. Just in time to see Justiciar Hablion slit the throats of all the Chosen. He sees us. If I thought he had known we were with the Shining Blade I would have been proven wrong. He thought we had been killed by them, and he also seemed quite uncaring about it. I swear death upon him. We charge him, the sounds of metal on metal course through the jungle, and sparks fly from where our weaponry meets. It is I who emerges victorious, when I stab my blade through his heart, the heart he left unprotected in his moment of conceit. I curse his corpse, and we go to Quarrel Falls. Time for rest.

The Wilds

2012-01-31T18:34:00.000-08:00

It has gone bad. Deep in the jungle, where the air is heavy and humid, the jungle rebels of the Shining Blade have killed the brother of Justiciar Thommis, and they have kidnapped all the of the chosen and lead them to their deaths. Justiciar Thommis is in the throws of grief at his lost brother and swears the death of all Shining Blade. He commands me though, and my team, to chase them in to the jungle. Chase them in to the Wilds they know much better than myself. Though my skill is forever rising and I have yet to fail a mission, I can't help but think this isn't something to give to the new allies. A piece of me tells me this is a trap. A piece feels honour bound to do what they ask. I wish Rurik could command me, level my thoughts and fears and rationalize me. He is not. I must forget him. He will never be seen again. In to the wilds I go.

Deep in to the forest we forge, and it is not far before we are seen by the Shining Blade. They have the advantage of knowing the terrain. We are trapped by entangling branches, and swarmed by scarabs, beasts that suck the life from you at every touch.

While we blindly stumble through the thick brush we stumble upon a centaur meeting. They speak of some big name commanders meeting in the area, a party I think I will crash before we save the chosen. The Blade have already seen us, the element of surprise is long lost. After I get as much information from them as I deem necessary we slit their throats and I take my spoil. A seed that seems to grow, and return to seed form. Magical, it could be very useful to me in the correct places. We run across massive fallen trees that serve as bridges, and trip through the moving roots in the jungle floor and from around a mountain side I spy the Shining Blade at a cliff. He is surely lost himself, maybe we aren't as hopeless as I had though, but then I see him take a seed not unlike mine and drop it within a shining orb in the brush and from it emerges a mass of vines creating a bridge and off he goes.

We dismember centaur after centaur until we turn off towards the meeting. This could work in our advantage, for if the Shining Blade does not think we are following after all, they may slow. We come to the meeting area. Empowered statues of what looks like shining blue energies litter the area, and so do more centaurs. In the back, we find two powerful elementalist centaurs, they must be those spoken of. They definitely have the advantage of power, but we have the numbers, and the brain.

Our jobs done, we continue on our path to the Shining Blade. They have left us a trail with their vine bridge. We come across fields of Trolls, their skins green from the jungle diets, and great spindly wind riders trying to invade our minds. We finally catch sight of the Blade again, they run in to the river. The moment my feet wade into the cool jungle waters I feel renewed. The waters must be enchanted with mending powers. We run anewed, darkness around us from the thick canopy above until we are surrounded with spiders. One by one they come from the canopy tops and attack, and I get a bad feeling. This is how they intend to dispose of the Chosen. They will feed them to the spiders.

Sure enough, we are in a nest. The chosen are all spun up and ready to be fed, and the Blade are keeping watch. The spider slowly lowers itself and runs to its first victim, but the Shining Blade soldier attacks the spider instead. Their leader, a woman in white, yells across at us to stop following them for now, if we had a heart we would help them save the Chosen... Save the chosen? We cut through the spiders, the Chosen are freed, but we are now surrounded the Blade. The leader, the woman in white, is named Evennia, and she questions us. Not harshly, but directly. She says they were saving the chosen from the Mantle. The spiders, ofcourse, were a mistake. The mantle kill the chosen every year, an offering to the Bloodstone. What the Bloodstone is, I have no idea, but Evennia says we are free. We are free to find our own answers, to head to the bloodstone, and then we will know what fools the Mantle have played us for. Fools indeed my heart tells me.

Divinity Coast

2012-01-31T06:28:00.000-08:00

The air is getting thicker the further west I go. It smells sweeter, more humid. I am to be given a great honour today, to escort the "chosen warriors" to the Justiciars. The Eye of Janthir will follow me and my team and we must seek out our soldiers. We follow the path to Shaemoor. Justiciar Hablion is waiting for us, and the Eye is indeed magnificent. It is a pyramid of flourescence with a human shaped eye directly in the middle. It eminates flows of electricity, either giving courage to its reciever or knocking them down in rejection. Before we may take the Eye, Hablion says we must be cleansed and purified in the ritual fountain of Truth. It is crawling with Mergoyles, so we must engage in their defeat before we are worthy.

We return, cleansed, to Hablion, and the eye attaches itself to us through yarns of electricity. It picks up a citizen immediately within the gates, and they are overjoyed. We gain another in the small town down the path. We are to take the Eye and its chosen few to Loamhurst so they may set off on their journey. Some villagers are not as easy to find. Some villagers were under attack already when we arrived. We manage to find and save them all though, and when we arrive in Loamhurst we are given a heroes welcome. The chosen stand with those already in the villa, and the eye takes its place atop the Altar.

I do not know where they are going. When loading up into the caravan, my party and myself are invited to join. We are going to the jungle, which is not far from here. We arrive in a place called Druid's Overlook, and my heart is made easy by the large shrine of my patron Goddess, Dwayna, in the square. It must be a sign that I am meant to have come here.

D'alessio Seaboard

2012-01-30T13:38:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure I trust the White Mantle. It is nothing in their actions, but the way they spew their hatred around about the Shining Blade, a band of rebels i'm told, reminds me muchly of the way King Adelbern spewed his hatred of the Krytans. I help them though, more, but I will remain on guard and make my own decisions. This has helped us all greatly on our perilous journey. Emotions lead to rash decision, which may lead to death.

I meet my co-ordinator, Mantle Knight Karriya, and he tells me that they have found the sceptor of Orr. My eyes nearly pop out of my head in surprise. This sceptor is the sign of the Flameseeker stories, the fabled weapon of the mercilous Lich. Many men died retrieving this scepter overnight aswell, overtaken by the undead. My mission is simple. Cleanse Hakewood of all the undead scum, find Confessor Dorian, and retrieve the sceptor of Orr. Time to go.

We being our run to the Temple of Intolerance. The Ghouls nip at our heels slowing us down temporarily, yet effectively. Justiciar Isaiah leads us to the bridge, but soon find himself overrun and retreats. Skeleton wizards send miniature earthquakes to our feet that knock us on our rears. Hakewood is not far from where Isaiah abandoned us, and it is indeed infested with these undead monstrosities. The villagers have risen up and are battling to the death against their foes, but it is to the death and they are no match. We manage to save one, a very thankful gentleman named Benji Makala. He is badly injured so we lead him to the Shrine of Mending at the center of the villa. The ward has powerful healing and he tells me they are all devout to the God Melandru. The White Mantle do not understand their ways, he says, and they have an offering for their great Melandru that must be put on the altar or vengeance will be paid to their town in kind. His brother is the gate guard to the offering, and having saved Benji, we are promised passage through to retrieve it.

We dip through the marsh, the waters poisoned by the rotting corpses that run unchecked through, until we are finally out and at the offering table. I take the large urn in to my hands careful not to spill its contents and we exit through a gate and find ourselves a stones throw from the Temple. Confessor Dorian stands within the ward of another Melandru shrine, fighting off skeletons. We have arrived just in time.

Attacked by wave after wave of enemies I clutch the oversized urn as tight as I can. We keep them at bay, all time basking in the glorious healing of the God Melandru. It is our only advantage, my own fighting skills impeded by this urn. We stand back to back, a circle of protection. After what seems like hours they stop coming. When we ask him of the undead, he yells at us. When we ask of the shrine of Melandru, he yells at us again. Dinas, he atleast tells us, Dinas has the scepter. But why the leaders of the mantle have sent unaffiliated help seems beyond him. To see this scepter... I need to see this scepter. The flameseeker prophecies cannot be real.

Completely unaware of the location of the Melandru shrine, I follow my instincts. We follow the trolls and the angered tree spirits, we pass beautiful waterfalls the likes of which I would sit at for hours at a time just watching. And we find the shrine. I quickly place the offering and say a little prayer, it is time to find Dinas.

We run towards the beach an find him cowering in fear, clutching the scepter for dear life. We explain to him that it is time to take the scepter back to the Confessor, he is too scared to go. We tell him the undead have been cleared and the Temple of the Tolerable has been restored, and reluctantly he follows us. That evening, Confessor Dorian holds a great ceremony for our triumphs. He gives me a honorary title, I am now a member of the White Mantle. I am not sure I want to be. I will stay Ascalonian in my mind, but I cannot deny him now.

Lion's Arch

2012-01-30T08:13:00.000-08:00

Lion's Arch is unlike any city I had ever been to. A mecca of historians, researchers, and travellers. Merchants and armorers litter the cobblestones, forges prepared and adding to the humidity of the small ocean port. The people are different. Soldiers and townspeople alike relatively uncaring as to why we are here or where we came from. Some people scoff at me when I ask directions or history of the town. "An Ascalonian asking a Krytan for help? Thats a first" among the most common reply. Some are friendly enough, but for the most part, no one seems to care.

I long to explore the beaches and enjoy the sun, but outside the gates the land is hostile. Creatures I only heard of in tales over the spit exist here, and many dangers are around every corner. Leaving the citadel is to the risk of the person, and no one will help you when outside but those you leave with.

The Ascalonians have set up camp under Captain Greywind, who awaited for us in the courtyard. The camp is to the north, right by the ocean, and has been cleared and protected by those who went ahead of the Prince. No one has news of Ascalon, or of Adelbern, but I am sure word of Ruriks death must have reached him by now. He will blame himself for banishing his own son, but he will blame the Krytans unfoundedly for not stopping the events that lead to his death, even though the Krytans were nowhere near the Shiverpeaks. While exploring, I found something that made me smile. A statue of dwayna, as perfect and complete as the ones I prayed to in Ascalon. I felt a little at home at last.
Everything is different here. The food is primarily fresh fish from the ocean, and no one has heard of Moa nuggets. Though they believe it would be a counter of a Caromi Tengu shank, but I know the Caromi to be fierce fighters in their own rights, and believe their meat to be to tough and gamey compared to that of a Moa. They have wildcats that prowl naturally, and from what I hear, they are the mirror image fo the Melandru's Stalkers from where I was born. Before.

Krytan ale is of no measure towards the stout dwarven I beame accustomed to. It is lighter, with citrus. Golden as the sun compared to the dwarven ale which much matched the sun-charred shade of the Krytan people themselves.

I am to take on duties of the White Mantle. When I am ready, I am to report to them nearby at D'alessio Seaboard. Before I do that though, I must find better armour to take on these more savage enemies. No one in Lions Arch has the skill surprisingly, but i'm told at a small outpost nearby there is a talented armourer who can create what I am looking for. I choose to take the afternoon in idleness. Lounging in the sun, preparing. I found the armoursmith, and he was every bit as skilled as I was told. I sit with my refugees, we toast to the Prince. They toast to me. I suppose without both the prince and I they would not have made it. The price was grave. I miss the prince more than ever, and if I were ever forced to admit it, I would have to say I continue to busy myself to forget him.

Gates of Kryta

2012-01-30T07:11:00.000-08:00

As soon as I left the barracks through one of the Lions Gates I saw it. Hoards of undead, skeletons and ghouls by the bucket full. The lush green near jungle like visual that I had so waited to see after all the barren sand of my home spoiled by these specters. Farmers run from all directions to the gates for safety, and a small pig oinking gently between some thatched stalls. I soothe the pig, as the humans are long gone by now, and he decides to follow. If anything, atleast I will have bacon in the morning.

I follow the undead in to a soggy marsh. Bakkir the forsaken, a great skeleton of a Necromaster appears in front of us and I am sure leading in to the marsh was a trap, but then I see it. The pig is fighting with us, and doing quite the job as well as any soldier I had seen. Perhaps I won't eat him when this is over.

We leave the marsh and come across a small town where the White Mantle are already in heated battle to protect the gate. With our added help we pick up the bones of the fallen as our reward and they let us in. I go to speak with some of the new townsfolk. There is a small boy Cheswick and he is crying. He lost his mother I am thinking, or his father, but upon asking it turns out he had lost his pet pig. "Oink" is the pigs name, and "Oink" was my soldier. I return "Oink" to the boy and he is so overjoyed that his father, a local historian, tells me there is a sacred script upon a sunken ship not far from the town. I must retrieve it, I know I must, and I will return it to him, for he will translate. My Orrian is not up to date.

I tell Justiciar Toriimo to throw open the gates, and he says I am to find Justiciar Hablion on the beach. A beach vacation, just what I always wanted. First, to the sunken ship.

I find a pass between the mossy mountains leading to what I guess used to be a deep river. I wade throught it, spying sharks in deep drops of the river bottom. I find the shipwreck easily and the text just as easily. I wonder why the historian could not just do this task himself. As soon as I laid my fingers on the text we were immediately attacked by smoke phantoms, powerful smoke phantoms. The likes of which I had never been matched with before. Though not bosses in their own right they certainly stung like it, sending streaks of electricity that shocked us to our cores. We manage, barely, to send them back to the Underworld and the text is returned to the historian. Turns out, it is an autobiography of an unknown orrian sailor. Lesson? Never trust a historian.

Finally we head to the beach and to Hablion. We aid small pockets of White Mantle soldiers on our way. He runs towards us, he has heard we were coming.

He tells me that now is a terrible time for us to be coming to Kryta, there is civil unrest, and hoards of undead springing out of the ground. He will allow us our entry, and hold to the deal, if I were to help him in his trouble.

So the Ascalonians will be free to set up a new life, but I will still be under service. Small price to pay, in my opinion. What else would I do? After these adventures I could not be happy sewing seeds and darning socks. We help him clear the swamp, which had been overrun. He is greatful. My skill is undenialable, and my bravery unquestionable. We are to go to Lion's Arch. My promise to my poor prince is fulfilled.

To Kryta!

2012-01-29T06:55:00.000-08:00

Rurik is dead. I don't know what to do. I know that I am to take charge. I am in charge now. A promotion I take with a very heavy and conflicted heart. There are centaurs everywhere, but atleast the dwarves are gone. It seems I am not the only lost and conficted ascalonian in the mountains though. The refugees run in to battle half hearted, and needlessly at times. Its almost as if their survival is no longer relevent. They just want to inflict pain in hopes to lessen some of their own. I am too tired to stop them. Mentally and physically exhausted from our journeys, I must collect myself. I still have people to lead. We weave our way through the Deldrimor Bowl, in to Griffon's Mouth where we meet Master Seeker Nathanial. He says that the archer Aiden has gone ahead, and left us his ranger markers to show the way.

In the caves we meet a friendly army from Kryta. They label themselves the White Mantle, they are the peacekeepers of Kryta and they are happy to see us. Seems the unrest has come to Kryta aswell. We continue to follow Aiden's marks through the cave until sure enough we find the man himself. Greeted with a smile the size of of a great whale it is hard not to feel lighter of heart when we see him. He cheers and whoops with glee that we had not all perished, and though his show is very genuine there is a dimness to his eye. I say nothing but take the man in my arms and give him an embrace of happiness. He gives me a letter for Ambassador Braun, assigned assistant to the Ambassador Zain, and embittered I take it. My prince perishes amidst the snow and the ambassador seems to have no issue getting through, I wonder why. The Krytans are having a civil war aswell at the moment, and Aiden tells me Braun will fill me in. There is more to do before we can reach our settlement, so off to the beaches we head to deliver our papers.

You think I would be happy to finally be out of the snow. The ambassador awaits us directly outside the cave, the sand is soft and warm on my sandals. I am to head next to the Gates of Kryta, the witness Casori will allow us passage through. Shortly in to our beach vacation, I see what problems it was they meant. There are ghouls and ghosts. Hostile Zombies creating minions, merpeople disabling walking speeds. These are much more hostile lands than the King had spoken of. When the king spoke of Kryta, which he did often, he painted the lands to be full of traitors and cowards. These dangerous spectors are run off from when Orr sunk in ancient times. Civil unread caused that aswell, and as I recall the story I am much reminded of what happened to us in Ascalon. Pride destroying all that is good for everyone. But we find these ghouls are just as succeptible to death as the living, and we make it to the gates. Casori is excited to meet us. It has been years since a person from Ascalon has set foot in Kryta, and they think it is a momentous occasion the likes of Saul D'Alessio would even have liked to see. Who in the world is Saul D'Alessio? He fills me in on history of old, how Orr, Ascalon and Kryta were too busy warring with eachother to notice the Charr population amassing and arming. Hard run and empty from the fight between eachother, the Charr had an easy time taking over. While on the run, a young hero named Saul D'Alessio emerged and put spirit in his citizens, and eventually they were able to push back the Charr and retake their lands. Enough though, I am to take our refugees to Justiciar Hablion by Lions Arch and he will give us our accomodations, and lead us to the tracts of land that are to be our own. We have atlast made it, one more mission to Lion's Arch and our people shall finally be free and safe.

The Frost Gate

2012-01-29T06:15:00.000-08:00

The magical becaon burns bright here at the gate. I had a troubled sleep. We are almost at Kryta, atleast we are closer to Kryta than to the breach. Come so far, but all we learn of is more and more turmoil in the continent. If indeed it is the flameseeker, than that means now is the time for our heroes aswell. Some of these heroes among us may save the world, or we may all perish in titan fire. The Frost gate is closed. Its not as simple as lighting some beacons this time, the Summit dwarves have broken the levers and outnumber us in mass.

We are followed up the mountain by minotaurs. Rurik and I split up, he is to take the lower path while I take the upper path. He cannot continue until we slay the ballistae engineers. It is a slow process, and we can only inch further, our progress depending on that of the princes and he on ours. Garris Nightwatch, a foe ranger dwarf of the summit mocks us while he hides pretty behind a gate, but the look on his face was not so pretty when we killed his engineer, throwing the gate open unwillingly.

Running through a cave we find Rornak Stonesledge, captured again. He stinks of ale He is no good at this spy job. He got the information he was looking for though. The stone summit are attempting to further their Ballistae of mass destruction, but they are not done and the blueprints are easily stolen. We lead Rornak to a decripit shooter that he will fix, and he will blast the gates to where the plans are hidden. We sit thier bosses throats and forge on until the last ballistae gate is open.

We finally meet with Rurik. He tells me that I must fix the lever to the gate mechanisms. He and his small troop will hold off the wave of dwarves that will spill out when seeing the Frost gate move, and I will lead all the refugees towards the gates of Kryta. First we must attend to the ballistae. We melt and crush ice beast after ice beast and redden the snow with the blood of dwarves and retrieve Rornak what he was looking for. The Deldrimor Dwarves are finally getting ahead in this rebellion.

I find the gear level directly next to the mechanism. No doubt the planning of a drunken Summit. Now is the time to open the gate. Soon we will be overcome, and Rurik will be in danger. It is time to open the gate. I see three mechanisms I must start in order to open the gate to Kryta. I begin the first while Rurik readies himself for battle. I start the second mechanism and Rurik shouts over to me. I am promoted again. Probably not the best time, but I see that he's been spotted and the Summit are flying at him en mass. I run the lever to the third mechanism. Rurik is fighting for his life.

The gate is open, we start leading our refugees through when I hear a great screech. I run towards where Rurik fights and see Dagnar, Summit boss, atop a great drake. He yells to Rurik that the mountains belong to him, and his punishment for trespassing is death. A great avalanche erupts and I run for my prince. When the snow clears I see he is stuck under debree. He cannot get out, and I cannot help him. I am dumbstruck. He screams at me to take our people to Kryta. I must obey. He will not have died in vain. I get back throug the Frost gate to see him beheaded by the dwarf. A great man is lost. We are lost without him.

Borlis Pass

2012-01-28T09:39:00.000-08:00

It is indeed dark times. Rurik has not been seen for days, and some fear the worst. It snows nonstop. Jalis has taken a shine to me, and I am sent to negotiate the safe passage to Groobles Gulch for our people. The way is covered with centaurs, and the dwarves are in a panic. They want me to light their magical storm beacons in order to show pacifism towards us. Ascalon Guard Hayden has the torch. He fled in the initial charr takeover, and I should be cross with him for abandoning hope but I cannot help but feel sorry for him, leaving one storm only to come upon another.

There are six beacons in all, and I must light them all. Maladar is on the other side of the gate, and the Ascalon gate guard Tolis, whom I remember guarding the wall before the searing, waits to open the gate for us. I give him the magical torch, and we forge on. Rurik appeared to the guards not three days ago. We are close. The Stone Summit have an advantage, beasts so large they shake the ground, and knock us off our feet. There are more gates, and we must end the siege of Krok's Hollow. Luckily it seems these rival dwarves are not very smart, and they leave pyramids of explosive powder kegs near every gate. We slay their ballistae engineers, and leave bloody footprints in the snow. Behind one of these gates I find Rornak Stonesledge, ally and friend of the dwarven king. He tells me the Stone Summit have a trick up their sleeves. An ice drake, so large it rivals the dragons of old. I have trouble believing this, and his breath stinks of ale, but I have no choice but to investigate.

Within a cave I see my first dryder. I've heard of the from adventurers who made it this far, explorers spinning tales in pubs over free mugs of ale. Spindly creatures with 6 legs and fangs the size of my head. They string along our path the ice drake, and Rornak was not lying. The accursed beast splays over the ice like a troop of yaks at rest. What the Summit did not account for was a beast of such large breeding would be fat and lazy. Power as he may be, he is idle, and thusly put out of his misery.

More gates, more kills, we make our way to the final gate to the hold. We pull the levers to open it and with a start we see something we did not expect. Rurik stands behind the gate. He has been trapped, much like Rornak, yet not captive. Now freed and with a cleared path from us, he gives me his praise. Praise from a prince! I am humbled. He sends me to King Jalis, who gives me the magical flame yet again and asks me to light the beacons at the Frost Gate. This will ensure that his brother Brechnur allows us our safe passage. An enemy of the Stone Summit is forever a friend of the deldrimor dwarves.

Beacons lit, we and the prince march upon the small dwarven community. They offer us kind housing and ale. The prince can now congratulate me in true dwarven fashion, should our livers survive it.

The Road to Borlis

2012-01-27T10:03:00.000-08:00

The more I travel, the more I realize that many people actually made it out of Ascalon. Yak's Bend was full of travelers and craftsmen. Even Captains of the kings army. Captain Osiric holds a place by the fire where he teaches travellers new skills to protect themselves. I was able to make a small fortune of some salvaged runes from my battle in Rin. Rurik, former prince of Ascalon, has gone ahead to meet with our dwarven ally Jalis Ironhammer, King of the northern shiverpeaks.

If we thought our trip to Kryta would be uneventful after we escaped the infested Charrlands we were wrong. Very wrong. It seems unrest has spread through the Shiverpeaks, and possibly even to Kryta. The dwarves are amidst a civil revolution. A group of dwarves, under the misguided malice of Maguuman Justiciars have decided to rebel against good King Jalis, and they plague his lands slaying innocents and former allies alike. There are centaurs and rogues, heading in to the mountains where it was easier to pillage and thieve. We must continue though. As far as I know, Kryta is free still. To the captial, Lions Arch, is where we aim to head. Osiric warns us the way to Borlis is blocked by these rebel dwarves, the Stone Summit they call themselves, are murdering anyone who attempts to pass in to safety. They are looking to succede Jalis and change the shiverpeak order. They will fail, I know it. Unless they and their "power" Jusiticars can provide some foreign powers and enemies, they will never defeat Jalis.

I met Cynn along the way. I remember her from my training before the searing. Always sour-faced and jealous, her attitude much paralelled her specialty for fire magic, and burning passion. She and Mhenlo, the monk from Cantha, are together I hear. Oh to find love in such turmoil, they are truly blessed. If only she didn't want to incinerate anyone he speaks to.

We arrive at Borlis Pass. The dwarves here proved no match for my crew, and our new additions of Dunham, an enchanter, a very flamboyant and dramatic man, and Little Thom, a bearded barrel of a man. He and Devona would make a perfect match I think. I should introduce them should they survive long enough to be in the same place at the same time.

Nolani Academy

2012-01-27T08:56:00.000-08:00

It does not start well. A charr has penetrated the castle. He must have stumbled upon a crack in the foundation, and we are forced to give chase and cut his throat before he can relay his secret to his warband. We are also forced to continue down the path lest more charr stumble upon the same opportunity. We are fortunate to have Warmaster Casana join us on our mission, but well in to savage lands we find Watchman Pramas. He has taken the Tome of the Fallen from the ceremonial burial ground. This is not good. The spirits need this tome to remain at rest, soon we may have more to fear than the charr as the undead will unleash their frustration upon we who took it. He is too afraid to return it himself, the great coward. I am forced to take it from him. We do not need the added enemies.

I arrive at the cemetary to find the spirits of the fallen in great distress. They are hostile, we will need to fight. We are quickly outnumbered and must retreat. Luckily, a passing unfortunate devourer take their attention and we manage to escape. We regroup and lure them in smaller gangs, their ghostly remains our trophies. Once the book is restored, a spirit thanks us. He tells us that these ghosts are the men who died defending our great wall. He says we should listen to the prophet. The prophet? He must not be speaking of the Flameseeker prophecies. Now is not the time to ponder this though, we must sneak up on the charr camp.

We pick off the ranger groups silently, but as soon as we defeat the leader the Prince prematurely throws up the gates of their fortress. Charr swarm us from all directions, but the Prince is in a fury. He slays the charr, Sohothin causing the smell of burnt fur to waft through the air. We run with Rurik to the wall. He is enchanted by the spirit of Balthazaar, he fights like a God. He demands the watchman throw open the gate to Rin. The gate has been ordered shut upon pain of death, but the Prince promises death if it is not thrown open and in to Rin we go. Stormcaller awaits. We have the mouthpiece now, that he and Erol found back in Surmia. He blows the horn.

An earth shaking scream erupts. The charr fly in a panic, as a sudden downpour of rain extinguishes their flaming pyres. A hope enters all of us. I see our bretheren and captives turn on their jailers and destroy them, and some be destroyed in the process. We find Burntfur. Rin is ours again.

Trumpets in the distance alert us of the king's arrival. Adelbern will be pleased for sure, and proud of his valiant son. It does not end a happy day though. Rurik pushes that we emigrate to Kryta. The king will hear none of it. They quickly become heated, and the Prince is banished forthwith. He has lost his heirdom and favour. He takes his fall from grace in stride though, and still plans to go to Kryta with anyone who will join him. It is our salvation, he believes. I believe it aswell. We will go to Kryta and rebuild. The King will stay in fallen Rin, with no heir or populace. A fool, the king. We must head over the Shiverpeaks. There will be no charr there, we will be safe.

Helping Hands

2012-01-27T06:42:00.000-08:00

The lady Althea, mentor to my mesmer, is dead. Duke Barradin, her father, who hides in Piken Square beyond the breach has commanded my company to gather her ashes. The charr burned her alive, like an effigy. The Prince, and the Duke are in shambles upon the news. I've been to the ruins of Lakeside County. I found Farmer Hammet and Grazden the Protector among the rubble and offered them armed escort to the city gates. I found little Gwen's broken flute. I put it in my sack as a reminder to not allow myself to become soft of heart.

I've been to Ashford Abby, though it is more of a sanitorium now. The pathways to the catacombs sealed off by the wreakage. The statue of Dwayna stands still, crooked. Perhaps that is where all our faithes lay at the moment. There, but crooked.

I've tried to be of aide to anyone who needed it. Paulus is all but destroyed, his corpse I stumbled upon myself while sorting the bandit problem. He was clad as a soldier. A final sacrifice for the home he loved so dearly. I had the misfortune of having to tell the woman he loved so dearly.

I've done much these last few weeks. I've been rewarded for it greatly, but I wish there were more that I could do. It must wait though, the Prince calls on me. The charr have set up a siege camp outside the gates of Nolani. I have a mission.

Ruins of Surmia

2012-01-26T09:15:00.000-08:00

I arrived in Surmia with little trouble. Just some hostile grawl which weren't a problem. Captain Miken greets me at the gate and briefs me on the mission. I am to meet the Prince inside, there we will fight together to the prisoner camps and free our people. Once freed they will return to the gate, as we have cleared the way. Sounds easy, assuredly it will not be. We meet the Prince immediately and he puts me in lead. It is an honour for me. Perhaps another promotion will come. I get a chance atleast to take out my new smiting rod for a spin.

We are swarmed by mobs of devourers. Where did they all come from? I see a mother devourer and my question is answered. They have set up camp and spawned on the steps of Surmia. Sohothin, the princes great fire sword, an Orrion relic whos sister sword is owned by his father, cuts through them like it would a moa breast fillet.

Then come the charr. The vision of the charr throws Rurik in a rage. He screams at them, how he will dance on their corpses. We reach the first gate, it is protected by Fling Bloodpelt. A ranger boss. He is no match for the great Prince, and his great Sohothin. The second prison protected by Scaar Sternclaw, a monk. We are quickly outnumbered by healers. I have an ace up my sleeve. I pop the stone I recieved long ago, before the searing. It still works. We free the next set of prisoners, but there are more. We head to the third jail, and guarding it was a devourer. If the charr and devourers are working together we are indeed in trouble.

Erol and Rurik

Within the third jail we find Erol. A flaming scepter mage. He tells the Prince that there are more captives. The remainder of his unit are in Drascir. To Drascir we go. It will be nightfall soon, but we agree with Rurik that they must not be left there. They have been imprisoned for over two years. We arrive at the gate, but the drawbridge is raised. We must lower it, but in order to do so Rurik and Erol must wait at the other side of the chasm, while we trip the lever from the other side.

the Flame Altar

On the way we find Breena Stavinson. She warns us of the flame legion. They march to the Flame corridor to light the effigy in praise. A small detour will not hurt. We decide to follow the torch bearers, we will dampen their resolve. As soon as they foolishly open the gate to their place of worship we kill them, then we kill all their priests. It is oddly unsatisfying.

Victory.

With that we must return to our task at hand. We make our way to the lever across the chasm and open the path for our Prince. He leads us to Drascir and we find the mages are not captive as we thought, but sealed in safely withstanding the attacks. Given courage by the site of Rurik they abandon their safe haven and take thier positions on the flaming mage podiums. We are greeted with waves of charr, and we lay down waves of corpses. We have won this day, but victory is short as a mob that outnumbers us greatly approaches. we run to the mages safehold, and Rurik summons a magical doorway. I knew not he had this power, it leaves me in awe. Before we jump in to the portal, he is called by Erol. We have the mouthpiece for Stormcaller. This could be our salvation. Atlast. I hope we are not too late.

Road to Ruin

2012-01-26T07:52:00.000-08:00

I would be nowhere, would it not be for friends.

I arrived at the Frontier Gate with my crew. We rendezvous with Warmaster Riga. Warmaster. One day I will be one. I will be a vigilant and just warmaster. Not a puppet sent to ruin by a King with an agenda. Not like my father. Chasing prophecies to appease the people, unprepared and badly trained. No one knows how far he got, all we know is he never returned. He was sent by good King Adelbern to end the flameseeker prophecy. To my knowledge, that prophecy was only a story told to scare children in to eating their vegetables and doing their chores. "Eat your broccoli or the Lich will get you" my mother would say, "Clean the floors or we'll send the lich to take you at night". We knew he was running in to a fools mission, even I knew as a small child that chasing imaginary monsters would only result in catching air. And air cannot be caught. He left us anyways. A fools mission. Only Meerak the Shouter, formerly the scribe, who became touched and unhinged during the searing, continues to believe in this prophecy.

even now he screams of the prophecy.

We take our instruction, head to Surmia. There is a camp at the ruins, we will be joined by the great Prince there and free our bretheren. Then we will head to the north, through the breach in to the shiverpeaks. It will be peaceful there, our people will remain safe until we reach Kryta, and set up for a new life. Dreams. We will finally be at peace again.

Fort Ranik

2012-01-26T07:29:00.000-08:00

Ruin, ruin.

I've been sent on another mission. Fort Ranik needs to be cleansed. I am to help push back the charr. It amazes me sometimes, how much like us the charr are. Atleast in what they carry. Dyes, gold, materials. Things I can use. Though i'm not sure how good a charr would look in purple. We massacre them as we go, mindsparks and martyrs, stalkers and bosses. Grazz the Unforgiving, a corpse in our path. Klaww Featherstorm, may worms feast on him. Master Armin Saberlin stops us when we get to the gate. His son has been taken captive. I didn't think the charr took prisoners, but I guess we all change and adapt our ways. I feel some hope knowing now the charr do take live prisoners. Perhaps all our fallen are not infact fallen, just taken. Maybe little Gwen the flutist is alive somewhere. Perhaps it would be better if she were dead.

In the distance we see cages. Could the charr possibly have left our people alive? Trapped like animals? We spray the charrs blood on the ground until we reach the first cage. Trooper Deeter Saberlin is inside, son of Armin. He is alive, and he is clear to return to his father. That is one victory won, atleast. As we continue, a large healer charr, Rrrack Whitefire stands in our way. Stood in our way. He is with grenth now.

We find our way to the catapult field. The charr have already set up camp. They've destroyed all our trebuchets, and slain all our engineers. Standing amidst the wreakage, valiant and brave, is Siegemaster Lormar. Brave he must be, as he is being charged by Roarst One Eye, master necromancer of the blood legion. He must have been confused though, as he kept hexing me with a mark of pain, yet he had no team dealing the appropriate damage. Stolen ascalonian ale perhaps? Whatever his issue was, we made quick work of it.

Siegemaster Lormar is convinced he can fix the trebuchet. We must make haste and find replacement pieces off the destroyed catapults. Seeing the extent of the damage, I am skeptical. This is an advantage we cannot give up though, and I run to being searching. I find an arming crank, and a release lever. Last is the restraining bolt, and we find that a little to the north east. It looks as if it will function. Nothing left but to test it.

It worked! The near charr camp is all but destroyed, all the charr dead. A small success. I see another trebuchet by the wall, where the larger charr camp stands. It seems to be in working order. The charr are not within blasting range though. Live bait perhaps? Risky, but we must prevail. I run in to the camp, they see me and come out. I am too fast for them, I get back to the trebuchet while they stand confused by their crudely build burning effigy. I hope they never unlock the magic to create moving effigies.

we pick off the smaller groups left and finally we arrive at the hole. Spar the Ravager, master warrior, stands there with only a troop of two. He seems not to have heard the explosions from the trebuchet or even noticed we are standing behind him.

It is done. The charr are pushed back. A great victory for Ascalon. The Prince joins us, but with a heavy heart. It seems in the charrs hurry to flee they had taken several prisoners. The Prince is beside himself with grief. He is done attempting to be diplomatic, we are to go to Surmia and retrieve our taken. Then we are to go to Kryta. With or without the Kings permission. Pray he sees reason.

Regent Valley Defence

2012-01-26T06:23:00.000-08:00

Regent Valley

The charr have penetrated the Great Wall again. I feel at fault, perhaps espying myself and my team spurred them on to charge so quick. Word from Lord Darrin is that the Prince is marching on them from Rin. Alas, Rin is far to the west, he will never make it in time. I fear Ascalon will be destroyed for good, because of me.

To clear my head, I went for a walk out in the ruins of Regent Valley. Sergeant Brannen, daft soldier, confirms to me that the great Prince plans to push the charr back, except he does not know that the charr have made it as far as King's Watch. He asks that myself, and my team clear them out, and then report to Lord Darrin. No doubt this is his job, but he is too scared to of the furry beasts. Perhaps everyone senses the end of Ascalon.

The charr will not enter Fort Ranik

We are attacked by bands of renegades. They make fire fall from the sky. Though this causes a panic amongst the townsfolk, considering the last fire from the sky, the soldiers know it for the parlour trick it is. A weak attack, though mildly painful. I hear talk from one renegade as I smote him, that the bandit Torin is nearby. I would like a word with him.

fire from the sky

We find him just across the bridge, close indeed. He was unaware, and no match for us. And though I will take rewards for his death, the ambassador Zain of Kryta will be very pleased to hear of this, I pray for his soul. To capitalize through tragedy will be as if signing you're on death warrant, be sure of that.

and there shall be a firefight

I continue on my way to Kings Watch. I feel lost. I grew up here in Regent, but the landscape is unrecognizable. Even Aiden the archer would be lost in this terrain. The rivers and black with ash and tar. I make it to the bridge, but it is crawling with grawl. We clear them out until all that is left are random ornate necklaces strewn over the rocks. I take blessing at the shrine of Melandru, patron saint of rangers and wilderness. He will offer me no blessing this day. I have arrived atleast, to Kings Watch. I spy the charr I am to dispose of. I take the courage from the monument of hope,

"To endure is greater than to dare;

to keep heart when all have lost it;

to forego even one's own life when the end is gained;

who can say this is not greatness?"

Inspiration. We attack. The charr cannot see us from where they stand, a stupid location if you ask me. Perhaps they are just too confident that we are hopeless. Their confidence however is our victory. We maintain the upperhand with our surprise attack and cut through the charr as if we were on a divine mission. A fire in our bellies, brute savagery.

the beast must die

I return to the fort. We pass our information to Lord Darrin and he hands me yet another promotion. I am getting somewhere. Me and my merry band of misfits and rogues.

Defend the Wall

2012-01-25T18:07:00.000-08:00

I've been sent on a mission. I'm to find the Squire Zachary by the Great Northern Wall. I am to rally a party, and I am to go on a scouting mission. Captain Calhaan is in charge, and he is a man that is to the point. I am sure as soon as I see him he will send me directly in to danger. Reyna, Alesia and Orion choose to join me. We are fast becoming a regular group. I make the decision to leave Alesia in charge of healing, so I can aide with the damage.

Captain Calhaan

Captain Calhaan sends us after Bonfazz Burntfur, General of the Flame legion. We are to scout only. I suppose that is why we were chosen. Some veterans help us leave the gates unseen, by charr that is. The path to the lookout point is swarming with devourers, gargoyles and grawl.

I am lucky to have my team, my friends, even if they are hired help. Strangely on our way, I noticed small rock and wood formations. They appear far too perfect to be laid there by destruction. Upon closer inspection, they were hiding treasures. Kilnns Testibrie's treasures. His entire armour set it appears. Kilnn Testibrie was a champion of Surmia of old. He wanders what was the palace, looking for a worthy champion to retrieve and return his armour to him in death. I put the treasures in my sack.

Luckily I picked up the pieces

We return his armour to him, he is greatful. We must be on our way though, and I know I am leading in the right direction because soon enough we come across small groups of charr. In small groups, they are much more pleasant.

Bonfazz is where we thought he would be. It is bad. He is rallying hoardes of charr. They see us. We must warn Calhaan and our people. We must run.

The Searing

2012-01-25T17:24:00.000-08:00

We have been ruined by the charr. So many dead, so many missing. The King, Prince, and his men have survived. I myself survived aswell, obviously, but a piece of me died. Lush green fields lay in charred dusty ruin, houses demolished, the kingdom at war not only with the charr, but with all kinds of Grenths own. At war with ourselves. Rurik believes we should make haste to Kryta, and uphold the ancient alliance but the King, his father, is far too stubborn. He will not allow us to transport our dying population. Instead he insists we stay in a dead land. Over the last while, I have been sent on many messenger missions. I think the king holds a grudge to us who were killing charr before the event we call the "searing". Adelbarn believes us to blame. The killing of Vatlaaw triggered the hellfire. Now our lands lay scorched, our spirit maimed, and our king absolutely insane.

I recieved a promotion. Bittersweet news admist the tragedy. Virtually everyone recieved a promotion though, considering the state of our shambled city. We need all the help we can get, and we all became greatly experienced in what seems overnight. We had no choice. No time for leisurely training. Its more like a run for your life through fields of devourers.

Our enemies became more experienced aswell. It was almost as if the crystal storm gave them power or security of being. They multiplied in the hundreds. Guess there was nothing better for them to do with our soldiers having no time to control the populations.

Devourers

Warmaster Tydus, yes warmaster now, sent me with a message to the ambassador Zain of Kryta. I took Alessia with me, a fellow monk in training. She is more skilled than I, and I hope to learn from her. Tydus is suspicious of the Krytans. His mind has become suspicious of all, he holds a piece of the same madness afflicting the king. Before I leave though, I take my advantages where I can. The searing has driven most crafters and trainers to the far reaches of our continent, luckily, it drove some in to "Old Ascalon", as the king has dubbed it. Corwen will upgrade my armour to something more suitable to the new norm. Perhaps I can muster a more powerful weapon.

When I arrive at Zain, the prince was there. Ever the diplomat, he sees reason. He is our forerunner for the push to Kryta and salvation. They discuss matters, and the prince runs back to the fallen palace to attempt to yet again persuade the King to move. The message has been delivered. It is time to gather some new skills and move on.

A Path to Glory

2012-01-25T14:30:00.000-08:00

It has happened. Though I am only the second tier of skill, I have been asked to go on assignment with the prince himself! There has been a charr spotting within the gate. I am to go with the Prince and some of the other chosen soldiers to locate and kill this charr before he can do any damage. Wish me luck! I'm off to speak to Sir Tydus.

Prince Rurik says that I show great promise. I am to aide him in defeating Vatlaaw Doomtooth, and whilst doing so the prince will evaluate my current skills. Luckily, he has also chosen Orion (an elementalist), Reyna (an archer), and Stefan (a warrior), to help me on this mission. I am the leader, he decided. I am honoured.

the Prince and I

We arrive near the bunker to find it infested with Grawl. Seems the grawl and charr have begun to work together. They are no match for the Prince and I though. We make quick work of them.

Vatlaaw is no match for our glorious prince.

Before we can celebrate though, the sky turns red. Crystal flames fall from the clouds. It is our undoing, it is the dream. Meerak had warned us, the apocalypse is upon us. Instead of the four horsemen, it appears to be the four charr. What is to become of us?

A New Monk Trainer

2012-01-25T14:12:00.000-08:00

With all the success I've been having lately, I decide it is time to learn some new skills. I hear the talk, they all say Brother Mhenlo is the best. Back to Ashford Abbey, perhaps he will take me under his wing.

He is from Cantha. I wish one day to be there.

When I arrive, Brother Mhenlo has heard of me. Evenmoreso, he has been told to give me my first promotion! No longer the lowestmost rank, I am so pleased. He says he can teach me some new skills, but I must help his associate, Paulus, in the catacombs. He has a relic to obtain admist the undead, and I am to keep him alive. Sounds like just the job for me!

I healed him through while we killed some undead. He obtained the relic, it was much larger than I had thought and it burdened him as we ran. Brother Mhenlo is proud. He decides to send me on a second task. He teaches me some more hostile skills, and sends me to set the raging cadavers who escaped the catacombs straight. When I get to the fields the farmers are already attacking. Nothing can be said about our spirit. I enchant them with smites, and we made easy work of the cadavers. Time to check back in with Brother Mhenlo about my progress. He is proud. Before continuing my duties, I stop and kneel by my patrol goddess. Dwayna give me your blessings, if Meerak the Scribe is right, dark days are ahead.

A Second Profession

2012-01-25T13:49:00.000-08:00

I'm to learn a second profession.

I delivered Meeraks message. If Master Saberlin was worried he didn't let it show. He listened intently, and sent me to learn a secondary profession. Knowing one is not enough, he believes. We must be well versed in all battle if we are to defeat the char once and for all. This is a big decision. I believe I should take on mesmer, for its inherent energy management. Or perhaps elementalist with its energy storage? I am confunded. I decided to go visit the lady Althea, a master mesmer, on the lakeside stage. She is not only a top tier mesmer, she is the bethrothed of the Prince himself!

I asked her about learning to be a mesmer. She didn't look very impressed with me. She agreed though, to teach me a few mesmer skills and sent me on a task to kill a bull. The bull is rogue and threatening her precious theatre. Upon finding the bull in the pond I realize this will be no easy task. The bull is much stronger myself, so I pop my stone and my training parter seems up to the job. We take down the bull, thanks to the help of Althea's skills. I think mesmer will be a good fit for me. I return with the news, Althea is overjoyed and allows me to commit myself to a mesmer secondary. They are all pleased with me, I sense a promotion in the works.

Victory

Unsettling Rumours

2012-01-25T13:33:00.000-08:00

I hear that Meerak the Scribe is completely absorbed in his reading. I'm supposed to meet with him about some unsettling rumours he's been spreading around the towns. He is in Ashford Abbey, so thats where I am sent. On my way though, I find a beautiful moa feather amongst the tall grasses. I shove it in my sack, I may have use for this later.

I am met at the Abbey gate by an Ascalonian Guard. He seems at peace, perhaps the rumours aren't so bad. I found Meerak inside surrounded by townsfolk and pick up hunting bands.

He looks like Ciglo. Perhaps brothers?

Meerak says I must see Armin Saberlin at once. He has an important message for me to deliver, and I must keep it with my life. He tells me that he has seen Dwayna in a dream. She told him that the Charr are afoot with dastardly plans. This sounds awfully serious. I must make haste.

Further Adventures

2012-01-25T13:23:00.000-08:00

Haversdan. A Great barrel of a warrior. He saunters out of the city gates with a job for me. I know he wasn't looking for me personally, I'm only the lowliest tier of the soldier rank. He calls me over, says a woman by the name of Devona needs to see me out in the town by Ashford. Sir Tydus has spoken of me, he says, I have potential. I have a spark of potential to get far. I'm blushing. I ran off as fast as my sandals would let me.


Haversdan

Devona stands in front of a thatched barn. A great warrior woman, with a huge hammer that I would definitely not like seen used against myself. She seems worried and agitated. She wants me to visit Meerak the Scribe in Ashford Abbey. I've yet to visit the Abbey, which is strange as my calling is that of a healer and holy person. Perhaps I will learn more.


Myself and Devona

A Monks Test

2012-01-25T13:09:00.000-08:00

Reporting to my first quest. Sir Tydus asked me to see the monk, Ciglo, in Lakeshore County. He is to teach me some new skills, I must say I was quite excited. I found him just outside the gates admiring the field of red irises, a favourite of my patron God, the Goddess Dwayna. She was a healer, like me.


Myself and Ciglo

He tells me I am to have a test. I thought all you had to do to join the Kings army was sign up, but it seems in order to be accepted all must pass a test. I recieved a monks test, and my reward is being taught some new skills. Ciglo says the local flutist girl, Gwen, is trapped behind a brood of foul skale. I am to annihilate them all, and bring her home. I'm a little scared, this is my first combat. I won't be alone though, Ciglo tells me i'm eligible for a new style of training. Training with a friend. He gave me a stone that will summon an ally for myself whenever I am in need, and a Wolf's favour, a divine offhand which I am not yet powerful enough to wield. So I hold up my starter holy rod, and head off on my way.

I found the skale nearby, and sure enough, theres Gwen standing with her head in the clouds. If its not skipping, flute playing, or stalking, she just doesn't seem to notice.


Head in the clouds, as always

I make quick work of the skale with my training partner. I didn't even get hit once, seems almost surreal how well it went. Maybe it is in my blood, like my father. I shook Gwen back to earth, and she chides me for interrupting her thoughts. Ungreatful child, but I see something in her. Perhaps she needs motivation and drive, perhaps she needs a reason.

With the task done, I return to Ciglo. He teaches me what was promised, a skill to regenerate my own health, and that of an allies. He also teaches me a smiting skill, so that I may protect myself in these wild times. With this, I have passed my test. I am to see Haversdan next.

Pesky Skale

Small Monk in a Big Pond

2012-01-25T11:20:00.000-08:00

The day has come! I've been accepted in to the academy, and I start today! To think, in no time I might be studying under Prince Rurik himself. I feel so accomplished, so special to be walking through ascalon in my rough spun armour. My newly painted head pattern showing my specialty. I spy the town crier and ask him for my referral letter. I wish to fight, to heal, to aid in the cause. He sends me with a letter of deployment to my commander, Sir Tydus. Its only my first day, ofcourse, there are many more new recruits to fight those dirty charr, but somehow I feel accomplished. I know i'm going to make it to the top, I have to.

Reporting for Duty to Sir Tydus

First order of duty? Go see Ciglo the monk. Sir Tydus says he will teach me some new skills, and tell me where to go next. I find him standing in Lakeside County, in a small field of red iris flowers, a favourite of the goddess Dwayna who is my patron God.

I feel awkward and nervous. I know my powers, and I know my ambition, but in this city I definitely feel like a fish out of water. A small fish in a big pond, but I will not drown. Just keep swimming, It is time to begin my legacy.