Mirkk's Tale (short story)

This is a creative work set in the world of Elanthia, attributed to its original author(s). It does not necessarily represent the official lore of GemStone IV.

Title: Mirkk’s Tale

Author: Mirkk Timbertree

First published on the 10th day of Fashanos in the year 5119

In mid Ivastaen 5121, Mirkk admitted he was the mystery poet and had confessed his love for Rohese. Immediately afterward, he departed for Vornavis for a short time, uncertain where things with Rohese would lead. He wrote several more poems and left them for Rohese, to which she leave her replies. Mirkk returned to Ta'Illistim from Vornavis in late Ivastaen. As he perceived her fondness for him was growing, he was elated. Then, in Lumnea 2021, things took a turn into what some would begin to call “Mirkk’s Tale.”

Timeline of Events

Date	Event
4th day of Lumnea	In late evening, Mirkk returns to the secluded glade in Sylvarraend for the night after having spent the day with Rohese in Veythorne Gardens. His uncle’s men lie in wait, seize him, and take him by force after a scuffle, but not before Mirkk is able to leave a note on the limestone altar. [Big Trouble in Little Sylvarraend]
6th day of Lumnea	Rohese, having not heard from Mirkk in several days, goes to the glade in Sylvarraend to discover signs of a struggle and the note left on the altar. [Stars] Mirkk awakens in a cell beneath the keep in Gallardshold, stripped of most of his possessions. His guard, Jensur, is less than hospitable.
7th day of Lumnea	After the conclusion of devastation in Mist Harbor, Rohese lights four candles at various places in the town, for grief, for courage, for memories, and for love. [Five Candles: Part 1] She places the fifth candle on the altar on the glade in Sylvarraend, for hope. [Five Candles: Part 2] Mirkk is escorted to his uncle Donnavan who is breaking his fast. Donnavan discloses to Mirkk that his rightful place is in Bourth as Lord of Viridian Manor and as bannerman to the Caulfields. Mirkk disagrees, but is informed by Donnavan that he will begin training as a Greensman of the Deep. Mirkk acquiesces under the condition he get some of his possessions in return.
8th day of Lumnea	Rohese is sitting in the glade, wishing to leave a note for Mirkk. Once she pens it, she departs to the drop location. Cainoyen, a monk that works in Gallardshold, agrees to deliver a letter for Mirkk and drops it off on a shelf in the Mist Harbor Library. Rohese passes a monk on the way to the Library, dropping her note and surprised to find one awaiting her.
10th day of Lumnea	Mirkk begins his training beyond in a field between the keep and the Wyrdeep Forest. Rohese keeps vigil at the glade in Sylvarraend.
11th day of Lumnea	Mirkk continues his training in the field. He considers running into the forest, but before he can, he is shot by an arrow and killed by one of his uncle’s men, his body lying at the edges of the Wyrdeep. Rohese, still holding vigil in the glade, hears Mirkk’s voice faintly whisper her name and sees the candle of hope burn out.
11th day of Lumnea	The Greensmen stare in shock as the monk Cainoyen walks out of the gates of Gallardshold and drags Mirkk’s body into the Wyrdeep Forest. Just inside the trees, several Wyrdeep Elves are waiting to help with the body.
15th day of Lumnea	Mirkk finds himself in the Pale, with only the Ebon Gates to give him solace. Donnavan discovers his men allowed Mirkk’s body to be taken and demands the Greensmen dispatch troops to all possible passes in order to intercept if Mirkk somehow escapes. In the storerooms of Gallardshold Keep, Donnavan has a meeting with Jensur, informing him to abduct or otherwise eliminate Rohese, and to keep it a secret. Rohese, in a state of despair, refuses to leave her chambers in Sylvanfair Manse. Her maid Aavia tries to help, but only makes matters worse.
16th day of Lumnea	Mirkk, losing sense of time, pleads to be released from the Pale. He musters all the energy he can to cry out. Rohese has the inclination to attempt higher magic to reach out to Mirkk. She goes to the glade and performs a ritual and believes she hears him cry out.
18th day of Lumnea	In eternal darkness, Mirkk is losing his sense of self, questioning his own sanity. He believes his only hope of seeing Rohese again is by walking through the Ebon Gates. He walks into a warm light and awakens in a room surrounded by Wyrdeep Elves. Orómar the elder informs Mirkk that he is safe. Mirkk hastily writes and sends a letter to Rohese by way of the monk Cainoyen. Rohese, lying asleep in her bed, his preyed upon by Jensur. She awakens and sees that the windows are open. She realizes it is time to let go of Mirkk. In Gallardshold, Donnavan demands an update but receives no good news regarding the recovery of Mirkk’s body, and no word from Jensur.
20th day of Lumnea	Ceyrin, having been dispatched several days earlier at Rohese's request, arrives in Gallardshold with Corlyne to make inquiries as to the whereabouts of Mirkk. [Ceyrin]
21st day of Lumnea	Rohese participates in the Ceremony of Remembrance on Cysaelotar glacier. [Memories] Mirkk, feeling recovered enough, ventures outside of his room in the Wyrdeep to observe his surroundings. Cainoyen delivers another letter to the Mist Harbor Library on behalf of Mirkk. [Fireflies at Night]
22nd day of Lumnea	Ilizzaro, Mirkk's chaperone, gives Mirkk a tour of the city among the trees where he is being kept. He writes a letter to Rohese to describe it. [Midst the Mighty Oaks]
23d day of Lumnea	A courier from the Wyrdeep arrives in Ta'Illistim, delivering a letter from Mirkk to Sylvanfair Manse for Rohese. [A Letter Delivered]
24th day of Lumnea	Rohese discovers the latest letter from Mirkk dropped off by the monk Cainoyen at the Mist Harbor Library. She also receives the letter delivered by the Wyrdeep courier, and writes her reply to him. [Why the Dragonfly?]
25th day of Lumnea	With hope returned to her, Rohese heads to the Sylvarraend Glade where she is accosted by Jensur and his three men. As she calls forth magic to temporarily blind them, River leaps out of the woods and stands by her side, causing the men to flee. Mirkk meets with Orómar the Elder who confronts Mirkk about his past and challenges him on the decision he must make between Rohese and his family's legacy. Donnavan still seeks word of both Mirkk and Rohese. [A Time to Decide]
28th day of Lumnea	Donnavan doubles down on his attempts to capture Mirkk at one of the choke points and sends one of his best men to the Locksmehr River crossing. [Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men]
29th day of Lumnea	Marilla, the Wyrdeep Courier, is blocked at the Krinklehorn Pass by men who are now camping there and is unable to deliver correspondence. [Obstructed] Rohese and her maid are murdered by Jensur in broad daylight at the Sylvanfair Manse. Rohese is able to call upon Lorminstra and resurrects herself. On the move, Ademir, one of Jensur's men, chides him by reminding Jensur that killing Rohese was the last resort, not the first. Three Elven rangers depart Ta'Illistim in pursuit of Jensur and his men.
1st day of Koaratos	Mirkk plans with Orómar and Ilizzaro to return to Ta'Illistim. His most recent letter is returned. Meanwhile, Jensur crosses the Locksmehr River and finds Degmir on the other shore. [Undelivered] Across the river, the Elven rangers watch.
2nd day of Koaratos	Merelle and the other Elven rangers track Jensur and company to a tavern in Gallardshold where the discover Corlyne. After a brief exchange with Merelle, Corlyne discreetly stabs Jensur, killing him. Merelle sends word to Rohese that "The Deed is Done." [The Deed is Done]
3d day of Koaratos	Donnavan discovers Jensur's body, realizing his problems are closer to home.