Gilt-framed painting

Gilt-framed painting is an Official GemStone IV Document, and it is protected from editing.

In the dining room of Ilynov Manor hangs a gilt-framed painting.

An ornate, gilded frame surrounds this masterpiece. Painted in the late empirical style, dark oils in crimson, black, and dark grey depict a battery of elven soldiers fighting valiantly. A tattered crimson banner, bearing crossed longswords above a stylized letter I, seems to leap from the darkness of the surrounding battle as yellows, whites, and hints of gold have been meticulously blended into a single ray of sunshine falling directly upon the banner. Affixed to the frame is a simple vaalin plate.

In the Common language, it reads:
~The Eversworded in the Battle of the Mistydeep~
We fight as one, or not at all!

The painting has a loresong telling the story of the Battle of the Mistydeep. It was won by Esana's player at the 2022 Premium auction.

Loresong

This loresong displays to the entire room and is the same for both the bard, and the listener.

Verse 1:

Your spirits soar as the ancient battle hymn tickles your ears and sparks a memory. The scene shifts and you find yourself amid the organized chaos that is preparation for battle. Soldiers march in orderly lines toward each of Ta'Vaalor's mighty gates. Above the din of metal boots on stone and shouted orders, a song floats...

So sing your praises to Ilynov
The rare boys of Vaalor
Eversworded and never thwarted
Make way for the boys of Ilynov

Verse 2:

Delving deeper, the song and scene shift, and you see a battery of soldiers beneath a crimson banner bearing crossed longswords above a stylized letter I. Boisterous boasts of "We are the Eversworded" ring out from some of the less seasoned elves in the group, while the veterans wear a more serious demeanor.

The commander strides purposefully across the courtyard and stops to speak with another just inside the gate. "Eriala," he says clearly, in an even tone, "Father has asked that you stand in reserve for now."

The female elf frowns and replies, "I'm faster than you, Marcand, and my strikes are true. I should be on the front lines with the rest of our house."

Chuckling, Marcand replies, "In due time, Eriala, in due time. Father is not ignorant of your skills, nor does he wish to waste them. Have faith and remember, we fight as one, or not at all!"

Turning sharply on his heel, he barks orders for his battery to depart.

Delving deeper, the song and scene shift, and you see a battery of soldiers beneath a crimson banner bearing crossed longswords above a stylized letter I. Boisterous boasts of "We are the Eversworded" ring out from some of the less seasoned elves in the group, while the veterans wear a more serious demeanor.

The commander strides purposefully across the courtyard and stops to speak with another just inside the gate. "Eriala," he says clearly, in an even tone, "Father has asked that you stand in reserve for now."

The female elf frowns and replies, "I'm faster than you, Marcand, and my strikes are true. I should be on the front lines with the rest of our house."

Chuckling, Marcand replies, "In due time, Eriala, in due time. Father is not ignorant of your skills, nor does he wish to waste them. Have faith and remember, we fight as one, or not at all!"

Turning sharply on his heel, he barks orders for his battery to depart.

Verse 3:

The song quickens as a discordant minor tone seeps in, echoing frustration. Eriala paces around the training hall. She is not young by elven standards, yet not as seasoned as her brother. Clenching her fists in their mailed gauntlets, she closes her eyes and breathes deeply.

"Assemble the bandon," she barks, as a nearby soldier departs at a dead sprint. Several moments pass as she continues breathing deeply, her eyes closed in determined focus. She did not understand her father's orders but she trusted him above all else. She would do her duty as asked.

As she ascends the steps and makes her way toward the courtyard, she repeats under her breath what had been drilled into her since she could remember, "We fight as one, or not at all."

Verse 4:

A soft beat joins the larger tapestry of music, pushing the song forward as Eriala strides into the courtyard and surveys a handful of elves in crisp, precise rows beneath the central willow tree.

Stopping before the bandon, she steadies her voice and announces, "We have been ordered to hold here in reserve." Turning to face a slender soldier with flaming hair, Eriala continues, "Kiay, you will take the scout position tonight with M'kera, who is your cover. I want frequent reports from the front and an honest appraisal of how the battle fares. Herriana, you will fill support tonight as our battlefield medic with Cilyndra, our alchemist. Make your preparations."

Eriala finishes, "We will be ready if we are called upon."

Verse 5:

The music fades to a soft whisper as night falls over the courtyard. Kiay's reports had been like clockwork, small skirmishes on the bridges, nothing major. "All in all, a rather boring engagement," mutters Eriala to herself. Sighing, she resigns herself to a sleepless night awaiting glory that she no longer expected to come. A low note rumbles as M'kera enters the courtyard.

"You are out of position," Eriala snaps with a slight arch of her eyebrow. "This better be good."

Snapping to attention and crisply striking her chest with a closed fist, M'kera responds, "Kiay sends word too important to entrust to other means; she has been in contact with Marcand."

Controlling her impatience, Eriala nods once, "Continue."

Verse 6:

A high crystalline note rings almost imperceptibly amid the growing symphony. Clearing her throat and dropping her voice, M'kera continues, "The enemy has landed behind our front lines using boats from the isle north of here. Kiay was able to slip ahead of the enemy and warn Marcand, but now they are surrounded on the bridge outside of Vermilion."

Frowning, Eriala asks, "How is it she got word to you?"

Smiling ruefully, M'kera responds, "A tattered cloak and a swish of her hips, and the enemy ignored her passing as if she were a serving woman or some such nonsense. Marcand requests our aid, and Kiay awaits near the enemy vessels, requesting another of Cilyndra's alchemical wonders."

With a final quick salute, she asks, "Your orders, Ma'am?"

Verse 7:

Your spirits rise once more as the robust composition builds to a crescendo.

"Eversworded! What are our house standing orders?" Eriala shouts.

With a resounding cry, the bandon replies, "We fight as one, or not at all!"

"Cover your armor with anything dark. Support, make us some of those wonders Kiay requested. M'kera, lead us to the river," Eriala commands.

The women burst into action, and within minutes, a shadowy figure emerges near the river bank. Kiay points silently to the vessels grounded near the base of the wall, and Cilyndra quickly sets to work. Flames leap from the wooden boats, burning despite the water and reducing them to ashes. Raising her longsword high, Eriala cries out as her bandon charges the bridge and slams into the enemy's unguarded rear.

Verse 8:

The music fades and evolves again into a familiar battle hymn. Before her, a single ray of light from the breaking dawn falls upon Marcand's tattered battle standard. In that moment, Eriala understood her father's reasons: use what your enemy underestimates, be patient, and wait for the battle to tell you what to do. A heroic charge most often leads to death, sound tactics to victory. The battle was long but they pushed through, and House Ilynov finally "fought as one."

When victory finally came and her weary bandon was allowed some respite, a slightly different song rose up from the people.

So sing your praises to Ilynov
The rare elves of Vaalor
Eversworded and never thwarted
Make way for the elves of Ilynov