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#Post#: 134--------------------------------------------------
429 AC Hierophant of Chislev vol. I Story Two: Escalation
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: July 20, 2023, 2:37 am
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[center]Hierophant of Chislev
Story II Escalation
vol. I
Chapter One: Talidaar and Lashia Husband and Wife [/center]
Central Abanasinia (The closest town is Digfel)
Dire Wood (Merwellyn Forest)
Talidaar returns to Merwellyn, to his home of Dae
Dyrnastaerynfalos, his family’s keep. He returns from Qualinesti
with joy. He sees his wife and younger children, and Lashia
brings him in to Marilee, who is resting in bed. Talidaar
kisses her peacefully on the forehead. She has a fever.
He stands up and begins his prayer to Chislev. Healing is
brought to his daughter’s broken body, and the infected
incisions they begin to heal. It will take all night, but
Talidaar stays with Marilee and brings her back to life.
The next day, Talidaar has breakfast with his wife in the
gardens. They discuss the situation in Qualinesti. There is an
amount of guilt Talidaar feels, maybe, perhaps, he should have
done something by now. Talidaar and Lashia talk through what a
peace settlement might look like. Lashia plays devil's advocate
and shoots down what she thinks Porthios will not accept.
“Maybe we go over his head?” Talidaar muses.
“Lashia smiles. “We get Kerianseray on board, you’ll be able to
sell it Gilthas.”
“And expect Porthios to just accept it? He will sabotage any
peace with Goblins. I can’t believe I’m even saying it myself.
There are just so many of them. But interesting things are
happening with the Goblins. For one thing, they are getting
smarter. I just thought this would be over by now. But after
the Zeva's army left the fight, I guess that hope was lost.”
Talidaar exhales and looks back at his wife.
“I don’t like the idea of peace with goblins any more than any
other Elf. But the facts on the ground is there are a great many
goblins that have to go somewhere or learn to live as
neighbors.” Lashia says
“Is the Conclave going to feel okay with this fictional Goblin
nation?” Talidaar retorts
“I can’t say Qualinesti’s ills have been a concern for the New
Conclave,” Lashia states.
“Maybe you could float the idea at the next conclave?”
“Well, I will.“ Lashia says, not thinking of any good reason not
to try.
"Once Marilee is feeling on the mend, I’m going back to
Qualinesti and observing things for a while. Figure out what
exactly is going on. The Bandits have been largely dealt with
in Digfel. But the Dark Knights and the Black Brood are two
agitating groups I would like to eject from Qualinesti, for
starters. They seem like they have too much to gain by
sabotaging any chance for a peace treaty.” Talidaar says, making
his mind up to do something.
“Does that mean Porthios too? Lashia asks
“Marilee’s right. I have held out any help to Porthios all these
years.” Talidaar observes.
“Don’t beat yourself up over Porthios. He’s not worth a ounce of
guilt. We helped them, right up to the moment you two almost
came to blows. You have helped him more times than I can count.
You just haven’t given him everything he wants, when he wants
it. It's one of the reasons I love you.”
“Surely not.” Talidaar lifts an eyebrow
“I said just one of the reasons.” Lashia smiles.
#Post#: 186--------------------------------------------------
Hierophant of Chislev Chapter Two: Sisters
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: July 28, 2023, 3:31 am
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[center]Hierophant of Chislev
Story Two
Chapter Two Sisters [/center]
After several days of recovery and healing. Talidaar determines
that Marilee is going to be okay.
She is suffering from a broken heart. It's too soon. He
comforts her. Brings her favorite meals. She has been depressed
for a while.
Las and Marilee reconnect. It had been nearly a year since Las
had been away. Marilee’s stories are of fighting and killing
goblins in the campaign. Las feels awful for not having her
Twin’s back. Hearing the dangers Marilee has been in, fills her
with shame. Marilee asks about Las’s year. Still feeling shame
for her absence, Las demurs. Marilee tells Las to "stop feeling
guilty and tell me what new experiences you’ve had without me."
Talidaar and Las’s partner are walking through the forest
towards the New Sea. Been a while since Talidaar has been out
this way. They are walking to where Mikal's ship The Stargazer
is docked at Talidaar’s docks on the New Sea.
Talidaar has only known Mikal for a short time, but the salty
Half-Elf somehow captured his daughter’s heart. He can’t be all
bad. They talk about Las and his journey here. He makes sure he
is giving praise to Zebolim and staying on her good side. The
Goddess of the sea and storm is testy.
Talidaar is going to help Mik dock the Stargazer in New Ports
and bring him back to Merwellyn via his treewalk. They reach
the dock and the ship. Talidaar looks around while Mik readies
the ship to depart.
“Talidaar?”
The Druid looks to Mikal to see what he wants.
“Mik walks back to the dock and says, “There is a body washed up
on shore over there. Looks fresh”
Talidaar walks back around to where Mik is pointing, and indeed,
there is a man who has washed up on shore. They look for any
shipwreck debris and any other survivors. Just this one.
Talidaar can see the man breathing. He approaches carefully and
gives the man some water.
The man greedily laps up the container of water.
He tries to get out some words.
He gets out “Th-an-k yo-u.”
#Post#: 194--------------------------------------------------
Hierophant of Chislev Chapter Three: Parlay
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: August 1, 2023, 3:14 am
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[center]Hierophant of Chislev
Story Two
Chapter Three: Parlay[/center]
The unknown man awakens with a start. He’s in a bed in a
furnished room. He then realizes he’s not alone in the Room.
There is a bearded man in a chair at the foot of his bed. “Good
morning. Breakfast is coming up here soon. There is water next
to you.”
The man in bed turns to where his host indicated and picks up
the glass of water, and drinks. He composes himself and then
speaks, “Thank you for your hospitality.”
“I have been trying to heal you, but you seem to be much better
than when we found you.” The Half-Elf Druid says.
“You are Talidaar, the Great Druid, are you not?” the shipwreck
victim asks
“I am Talidaar, I have not been a Great Druid in many, many
years.” Talidaar answers. His Staff is at his side. He seems
aware of something but does not share it.
“I was coming to talk to you. I must tell you something
important.”
Talidaar catches his meaning and stands and moves to the door,
and calls out to hold off on that breakfast. He then closes the
door, and locks it, before returning to the chair and taking a
seat. “You may continue without interruption, what is this
important thing you must tell me?”
“First I come here to parley, I could think of no other way we
may come across each other without unwanted eyes or ears.”
Talidaar did not exactly see that coming, but it explained a lot
of things. His hand grips the staff. He feels he has brought
danger to his family. He readies a prayer.
“I am Major Rellick of the Black Brood. I come to bring you a
warning that the Black Brood is going to target you, your
family, your forest.”
Talidaar keeps calm. He sees now. He could have been attacked
several times before now by this man, or Draconian.
“Why are telling me this?” Talidaar asks
“Because you are a man of restraint, you have only gotten
involved because your daughter was captured. My Lord cannot
accept that, He thinks you are going to tip the balance that
exists in the forest. I told him not to follow this plan, that
it will bring us to our doom. But he will not listen to reason.”
The shapeshifted Sivak says.
“And this lord of yours, you are comfortable with betraying him
like this?” Talidaar asks
“Lord Ortaz has been a brilliant leader of the Black Brood, but
in this he is wrong.”
“He’s not completely wrong, I have been exploring a way to peel
Draconians and Dark Knights away from the Goblins.
“What terms do you offer,” the Major asks
“Take your treasury, and remove yourselves from the region. I
will guarantee their safety away from here.” The Hierophant
answers
“You may have to convince Lord Ortaz yourself.”
#Post#: 206--------------------------------------------------
Hierophant of Chislev Chapter Four: Family Meeting
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: August 4, 2023, 8:34 pm
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[center]Hierophant of Chislev
Story Two
Chapter Four: Family Meeting[/center]
Merwellyn Forest
Dae Dyrnastaerynfalos (Family Keep)
Their guest has been removed via magic from the premises.
Talidaar was not happy at all. His home has been penetrated by a
draconian mimic. If he had been here to cause damage, Talidaar
doesn’t know if he could forgive himself. It was a complete
lapse of judgment. He thought for a moment to take the sailor to
New Ports and dump him off, and he should have been more
suspicious with the lack of other bodies or ship debris. He’s
usually more careful than that. Not that his life is ruled by
paranoia. The ruse was genius, and even more so because of his
tradecraft in hiding it from his own kind. Meeting Ortaz…. That
in itself may be a ploy. In any case, He is not sure how
intelligent these Draconians may be. It will be a mistake to
underestimate them. He will have to remember that.
The conversation with Lashia was not enjoyable either. She sees
how close they came to their house. It was important for her to
know just what kind of threat they were facing.
It would seem his small action of getting involved has
reverberated, and there will be consequences. The Major does not
want Ortaz killed, just convinced. He’s not entirely sure he can
do that. This Draconian has said he wants him dead, his family
dead, and his forest destroyed. How does one show mercy for
threatening that?
Am I that Merciful?
And what if I am wrong?
I feel like this is an easy answer, and I am just trying to
justify my retribution.
He calls his family together in Dae Dyrnastaerynfalos’s family
room of his Keep.
All are already aware that security has been breached. Those in
attendance, Lashia, his wife, his daughters, the twins Marilee,
Las, her partner Mikal, and Talidaar and Lashia’s children, the
girl, Daera, and the boy, Sator. 45 and 40.
Talidaar says, “We all are in grave danger. This Forest, our
home, is in danger. The Black Brood is a Draconian mercenary
company that has been entrenched with the Goblins since Beryl
took over Qualinesti. It would seem to be that I’ve unbalanced
their Aurak leader. They have put a hit out on all of us. I wish
I could spare you two this”-He looks at his younger kids, “But
you are old enough to know what is going on.”
Marilee (ever the military-minded one) asks, “What if we hit
them first?”
Talidaar answers, “The Major told me there are assets to be
moved in place by the end of the week. We have that long, but
what of other plants out there, waiting in New ports, waiting in
Digfel? Maybe this Major is setting me up, but I think if I can
get them out of here my way, we may be able to avoid any sleeper
assassins. Either way, we are going to have to up our game and
be smart.”
General Damara the Windrider and her Mount land outside the
Keep. (Damara is Lashia's older sister)
#Post#: 232--------------------------------------------------
Hierophant of Chislev Chapter Five: A Decision
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: August 8, 2023, 1:28 am
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[center]Hierophant of Chislev
Story Two
Chapter Five: A Decision[/center]
Merwellyn (Dire Wood) Forest
Dae Dyrnastaerynfalos (Family Keep)
Talidaar sends a message out with his Hawk companion to his son
Nebres, A Druid that serves as a protector in Duntol, on the
edge of the Plains of Dust. It is a call for assistance. A
Family Matter.
Talidaar, Lashia, her sister Damara is in from Inath Wakenti on
a separate matter of equal importance, and the Twins, Marilee,
Las, and Mikal have been discussing the issues before them. Time
is of the essence for both.
Inath Wakenti is in danger from potential 60 Dragons and 4,500
Dark Knights. They need the Dragons' assistance. The Twins and
Mikal know how to get to the Dragon Isles, should that become
the ultimate way to get help.
The other Pressing issue is the problem here and now about the
Black Brood’s threats toward the family and the Forest.
Talidaar plans to face Lord Ortaz, but only if he is assured
that his Family is safe.
Soon, it is decided.
New Ports,
Lashia, Damara, Las, Marilee, and Mikal are walking to an older
Galleon.
Captain Mikal looks over the ship, and then he looks back at the
Stargazer. “Why are we using your father’s ship again?”
Las, tell him to go below.
He comes back topside and asks, “Is that what I think that is?”
Las says, "It's a Spelljamming helm, like I told you about."
#Post#: 242--------------------------------------------------
Hierophant of Chislev Chapter Six: Saying Goodbye
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: August 9, 2023, 5:00 am
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[center]Hierophant of Chislev
Story Two
Chapter Six: Saying Goodbye[/center]
Everyone is clear on what they are supposed to do. Talidaar hugs
all of his children. Tells the younger ones to mind Las. He hugs
the Twins and tells Mikal to get them home safely. He tells Las
to watch the kids close.
The family breaks up and goes their separate way.
Soon the Stargazer and the crew are headed to port in Caregoth
While Talidaar’s ship, the Navigator moves out into the New Sea.
Marilee looks around and doesn’t see anyone, “alright Las, Make
us Invisible.”
Las activates the built-in charm, rendering the ship invisible.
Las settles down into the Chair. She mounts the Spelljamming
Helm over her head securely.
She casts the Spelljamming Spell, and the Navigator rises out of
the ocean and lifts into the sky.
Las disables the Invisibility Charm
Once at a reasonable height, Mikal and Marilee walk on the deck.
The kids have flown before, but not like this. The Sovost,
Lashia’s Griffon, and Las’s Griffon are on board in the Forward
hold.
They reach Northern Ergoth in a few hours, turn the charm back
on, and land out at sea, turning the Charm off. The Griffons get
out on the deck, and the girls tell the Griffons to behave
themselves, and they will call on them when they are leaving.
The Griffons take to the air and stretch their wings, and soar
over the sea and the landscape.
Mikal sails the Navigator into Port at Gwynned, the Imperial
City. Las and the Children disembark, and Marilee accompanies
them to Las and Mikal’s house in Ergoth. Marilee can see where a
lot of the treasure they found went. The House is multi-level,
which is not unusual for this neighborhood.
Once Marilee knows everyone is securely in the house, she sends
a message to the House of Wydara explaining the situation.
She then heads to the Port and meets up with Mikal to start
buying supplies for the return journey.
The Checklist
The Continuation of the Story of the Return to the Dragon Isles
will appear in 429 AC Return to the Dragon Isles
HTML https://thedamnforum.createaforum.com/return-to-the-dragon-isles-60/return-to-the-dragon-isles/msg279/#msg279
The Story of Las and the Kids will appear in Las in the Empire
of Ergoth Section. 429 AC Las in Ergoth
HTML https://thedamnforum.createaforum.com/empire-of-ergoth/las-in-ergoth/msg249/#msg249
Wydara is the older sister of Talidaar. She runs a Gladiator
school, and we will flesh out the world a bit more in Gwynned in
Empire of Eroth in 429 AC, Wydara Blood and the Arena Story One
HTML https://thedamnforum.createaforum.com/empire-of-ergoth/blood-and-circuses/msg240/#msg240<br
/>
Damara and Lashia’s story will continue in Windrider. 429 AC
Windrider Book I Call to Action
HTML https://thedamnforum.createaforum.com/inath-wakenti-elven-refuge-20/the-windrider/msg173/#msg173
Talidaar travels to the elven rebel base to meet with the elven
Leaders and faces Lord Ortaz in a confrontation that has been
building since Falling in Story One
#Post#: 245--------------------------------------------------
Hierophant of Chislev Chapter Seven: Demons
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: August 10, 2023, 12:54 am
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[center]Hierophant of Chislev
Story Two
Chapter Seven: Demons
[/center]
Central Abanasinia (Closest town is Digfel), Dire Wood
(Merwellyn Forest), Dae Dyrnastaerynfalos (Family Keep, hidden
deep in the Forest)
Once everyone is away but Karis, Talidaar slings his medicine
bag over his shoulder, takes the Staff of the Hierophant, and
walks with his protégé out of the house. He has already
explained the situation to her, and the Great Druid of
Abanasinia has been asked to stay and watch over the Wood while
Talidaar closes things down.
Talidaar and Karis travel into the forest to finally arrive at
the altar of Chislev, erected by the Druid Guardian Karros, long
before Talidaar. Talidaar awakens the Forest and calls the
Trees to stand so close together that the forest becomes
impenetrable. He calls up several trees to stand sentry, near
the Keep, near the lake. He tells Karis that his son will help
guard when he arrives.
The Fey come alert and patrol the forest for threats from
outsiders
Satyrs hop to and go out on patrol
The Few centaurs that call Merwellyn Home tell Talidaar they
will help defend the Forest in his absence
Amidst Trees moving into place, Talidaar calls out to his old
friend Eros, and soon a Giant Hawk lands, and Talidaar tells him
in the sylvan tongue of their destination, and watch out for
ballista bolts. The Giant Hawk kneels down for Talidaar to mount
it back and once he is secure, the Giant Hawk leaps into the
sky, ascends, levels out, and heads for Northern Qualinesti.
From this high up, Talidaar sees the depression of Qualinost,
now the Nalis Aren (Lake of Death). It saddens him beyond
words. I must endeavor to find a way for the elves and goblins
to find some peace. But first, he has to go through Porthios
Kanan.
Eros alerts Talidaar to a threat in the sky. Talidaar looks, and
out there distantly, point 11, A wyvern.
It is circling Mt. Thelalan, near the Ruins of Mann. That’s good
to know, but the location is strategically sound, they’re above
the Forest, and the tree line elevation. Smart.
Talidaar directs Eros to the North, where they fly above the
elven rebel fort. Talidaar exhales and says alright, let's land.
Some of the Griffon back away as the Giant Hawk lands in the
field outside the Fort. Its wingspan spreads outward and folds
under, and he bows to let Talidaar get down.
Talidaar thanks Eros and sends him away to keep watch.
The Hierophant of Chislev enters the Rebel Fort.
The Druid looks around for someone he recognizes. Nobody he
knows. He grabs a scout (looks to be Silvanesti), “Excuse me,
can you take me to Alhana Starbreeze, please? The scout looks
him up and down and asks him to stay where he is and tells him
his name. Talidaar does so. The scout leaves, and eventually
comes back and tells Talidaar to follow him. Now we are getting
somewhere.
Talidaar is brought to General Samar, and the scout leaves.
General Samar takes Talidaar to Alhana Starbreeze. “It’s good to
see you again, Master Druid.
Talidaar decides he won’t educate the Silvanesti General and
accepts his warm greeting.
The General asks, “Are you here to help us push the goblins
out?”
“Something like that. I am here to find alternatives.” The
Hierophant answers.
Samar looks puzzled for just a moment and then remembers who he
is dealing with.
Alhana’s sitting Room, where she meets with important people.
Talidaar comes in and bows respectively to their former status
as a Queen of Silvanesti, though it is required of him. Alhana
rises and welcomes Talidaar. Unlike her husband, Alhana always
admired the half-elf and his family.
Talidaar begins to describe his vision of what the future could
be. The Elven Nations were restored rightfully to their lands.
How we work to achieve those plans will prove beneficial in the
future. We need to explore ways in which the Goblins are given a
piece of land on which to grow a state. Alhana, to her credit,
tries to imagine Talidaar’s words. If Goblins and Elves can’t
find a way to live side by side, then I’m afraid there will be
no peace. Maybe we can move them to Kharolis. There has been
enough killing.
“You know what my husband is going to say,” Alhana says
dispassionately.
“This is the wish of my Goddess; I am fulfilling my role.
Talidaar becomes aware of an argument playing out below. He
hears his wife, and Damara, and Porthios. The Druid looks to
Alhana. And they both rise and go downstairs to try to contain
the situation.
Continued in Windrider
#Post#: 252--------------------------------------------------
Hierophant of Chislev Chapter Eight: An Old Friend
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: August 11, 2023, 5:36 am
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See the Windrider to find out from where Talidaar and Lashia
came from
HTML https://thedamnforum.createaforum.com/inath-wakenti-elven-refuge-20/the-windrider/msg251/#msg251
[center]Hierophant of Chislev
Story Two
Chapter Eight: The Master of the Black Robe
[/center]
Talidaar and Lashia arrive in the port area the Island of the
Tower of Blood Sea of High Sorcery.
The City has filled out a bit* as this takes place Seven Years
in the Future from where Master Karnea is set right now.
Talidaar kisses Lashia deeply and they melt into each other
arms. He tells her to “Come Home to me.”
A tear slides down her cheek, Lashia says “Good Luck, be here
for when I return.” They kiss a final time and put their heads
together for long moments. Then he backs away, and waves to her.
Lashia pushes away another tear, and waves and she disappears.
Talidaar turns around and walks with his Staff of Chislev to the
Square, encompassing the Forest and the Tower of High Sorcery.
He opens the wax stopper brings the glass vial to his lips and
drinks down the magical concoction and gives him pass to enter
the Forest of Forgetfulness and reaches the Tower of High
Sorcery and knocks on the Door.
A Caretaker brings him inside and soon, he is the Master’s study
explaining the mess he’s gotten himself into.
Karnea leans forward and says “No, I’m glad you've came. A Mad
Aurak Draconian, Hundreds of Draconian war criminals, and
Dragons are exactly the kind of thing I would be into. Sounds
like a good time. Let me get my things and we will be off.”
The City has filled out a bit* This story takes place seven
years in the future from where Master Karnea is set right now.
Things have changed a little on the island in those years
Lashia heads back to Windrider and they will joining the Return
to the Dragon Isles
#Post#: 316--------------------------------------------------
Hierophant of Chislev Story Two Chapter Nine: Enter Nebris
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: August 16, 2023, 3:58 am
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[center]Hierophant Druid of Chislev
Story Two
Chapter Nine: Enter Nebris[/center]
New Sea Coast
Soaring in as an eagle from the Plains of Dust, Nebris got his
father’s dire message and is heading to help in whatever way he
can. He’s been asked to defend the Forest in his absence. He
arrives to Merwellyn, and he can already tell the Forest is on a
defensive footing, what with the Tree’s arranged so. It appears
like he is defending from intruders from the sky. Draconians. He
comes in for a landing and shapeshifts back into his human form.
He checks the House. Only Liam is inside. Literally everyone
else is gone. Well good, he hopes his sisters and brother is
safe. About like the time the family picked up and lived with
the Elves in Khur and later in the valley of Inath Wakenti.
Talidaar asked his son to serve as Guardian during his time
away.
Nebris sits down and communes with the Forest to get a read on
whether they have seen anything suspicious.
#Post#: 331--------------------------------------------------
Hierophant of Chislev Story Two Chapter Ten: Travelers
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: August 21, 2023, 7:50 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]Hierophant of Chislev
Story One
Chapter Ten: Travelers
[/center]
Southwest Ansalon
Lady Sa'ida cleric of Elir-Sana (Mishakal) of Khur. (Last seen
in Elven Exiles Three heading towards Qualinesti in a
horse-drawn cart with a very interesting fellow).
This fellow is locked into his current mortal form, the last
form he had taken before his Five Hundred years of punishment of
banishment. The God sacrificed his Godhood by getting deeply
involved with saving the Elves of Inath Wakenti.
He had hopes of brokering peace or helping to engineer an elven
victory in Qualinesti. But he has found the problem has
complexities he had not taken into account. He directed them out
of the Forest and to town.
Morning,
New Ports
The fellow and the Cleric arrive at New Ports. They get the
Horses watered and tethered and make their way to the Tavern
Inn.
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