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The Elanthian Journal |
The Elanthian Journal |
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The following articles of interest are contained herein: |
The following articles of interest are contained herein: |
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1 ........................ The First Griffin Sword War |
1 ........................ [[#page1|The First Griffin Sword War]] |
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2 ........................ Whispers of Darkness - Part One |
2 ........................ [[#page2|Whispers of Darkness - Part One]] |
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3 ........................ Whispers of Darkness - Part Two |
3 ........................ [[#page3|Whispers of Darkness - Part Two]] |
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4 ........................ Solhaven Falls! |
4 ........................ [[#page4|Solhaven Falls!]] |
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5 ........................ A Dark Time |
5 ........................ [[#page5|A Dark Time]] |
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6 ........................ Solhaven is Freed! |
6 ........................ [[#page6|Solhaven is Freed!]] |
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7 ........................ Ronan joins with Lorminstra! |
7 ........................ [[#page7|Ronan joins with Lorminstra!]] |
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8 ........................ Messenger from Ta'Vaalor! Illistim army destroyed! |
8 ........................ [[#page8|Messenger from Ta'Vaalor! Illistim army destroyed!]] |
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9 ........................ Journal Classifieds |
9 ........................ [[#page9|Journal Classifieds]] |
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10 ....................... Submission Guidelines |
10 ....................... [[#page10|Submission Guidelines]] |
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The First Griffin Sword War |
The First Griffin Sword War |
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A month later, the four parts, pommel, hilt, quillions and blade were reunited. The blade which had been broken was made anew and placed in front of Lorminstra's temple in Wehnimer's Landing. Until recently, it was sometimes possible to rub the sword and secure Lorminstra's blessing for a weapon of your own. According to one legend, there may come someone Lorminstra deems worthy of using her Griffin Sword in combat and they will be allowed to pull the sword from the solid block that encases it. But that will never come to pass unless the sword can be reforged yet again. |
A month later, the four parts, pommel, hilt, quillions and blade were reunited. The blade which had been broken was made anew and placed in front of Lorminstra's temple in Wehnimer's Landing. Until recently, it was sometimes possible to rub the sword and secure Lorminstra's blessing for a weapon of your own. According to one legend, there may come someone Lorminstra deems worthy of using her Griffin Sword in combat and they will be allowed to pull the sword from the solid block that encases it. But that will never come to pass unless the sword can be reforged yet again. |
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Whispers of Darkness - Part One |
Whispers of Darkness - Part One |
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Sendarel Akruthos, Scholar of Nydds |
Sendarel Akruthos, Scholar of Nydds |
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Whispers of Darkness - Part Two |
Whispers of Darkness - Part Two |
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Sendarel Akruthos, Scholar of Nydds |
Sendarel Akruthos, Scholar of Nydds |
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Solhaven Falls! |
Solhaven Falls! |
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Sendarel Akruthos, Scholar of Nydds |
Sendarel Akruthos, Scholar of Nydds |
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A Dark Time |
A Dark Time |
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Now both sides march east. The alliance of light with hope all but lost, and the dark alliance with morale at its peak. Lorminstra and her followers can only pray that the rest of the war will have a more positive outcome. How will the rest of the war turn out? Is it fate that the sword pieces fall into the wrong hands again? Only time will tell. |
Now both sides march east. The alliance of light with hope all but lost, and the dark alliance with morale at its peak. Lorminstra and her followers can only pray that the rest of the war will have a more positive outcome. How will the rest of the war turn out? Is it fate that the sword pieces fall into the wrong hands again? Only time will tell. |
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Lord Aetheri Machtes, Ashrim Wizard, and scholar of Illistim |
Lord Aetheri Machtes, Ashrim Wizard, and scholar of Illistim |
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Solhaven is Freed! |
Solhaven is Freed! |
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Sendarel Akruthos, Scholar of Nydds |
Sendarel Akruthos, Scholar of Nydds |
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Ronan joins with Lorminstra! |
Ronan joins with Lorminstra! |
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Before she left, the Dreamwalker had one final thing to say to those gathered around Ronan's altar in Solhaven. She said that all who serve Ronan or hate Sheru should gather and seek her again at the altar during the night until it is time to move to the east. They should be prepared to fight and to spread the call until that time comes. |
Before she left, the Dreamwalker had one final thing to say to those gathered around Ronan's altar in Solhaven. She said that all who serve Ronan or hate Sheru should gather and seek her again at the altar during the night until it is time to move to the east. They should be prepared to fight and to spread the call until that time comes. |
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Messenger from Ta'Vaalor! Illistim army destroyed! |
Messenger from Ta'Vaalor! Illistim army destroyed! |
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If any readers have further information, please use our submission guidelines on the back page of the Journal so that we can publish the full details of this terrible event. |
If any readers have further information, please use our submission guidelines on the back page of the Journal so that we can publish the full details of this terrible event. |
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Journal Classifieds |
Journal Classifieds |
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NOTICE: The battle on Ta'Vaalor's southern front goes well and the soldiers send their regards to their families. However, the Dark Alliance has begun cowardly attacks and raids upon our northern borders with hordes of lesser undead and other manner of foul creatures. As such, the Guard of Ta'Vaalor will be training any able-minded elf of sound mind and strong body so that we may fight this scourge. Report to the recruitment tent outside of Guardian Keep should you have any questions. |
NOTICE: The battle on Ta'Vaalor's southern front goes well and the soldiers send their regards to their families. However, the Dark Alliance has begun cowardly attacks and raids upon our northern borders with hordes of lesser undead and other manner of foul creatures. As such, the Guard of Ta'Vaalor will be training any able-minded elf of sound mind and strong body so that we may fight this scourge. Report to the recruitment tent outside of Guardian Keep should you have any questions. |
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Submission Guidelines |
Submission Guidelines |
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Haxley Dormagic |
Haxley Dormagic |
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Brakian Warbringer |
Brakian Warbringer |
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== Resources == |
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See Also: |
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[[Category: Elanthian Journal]] |
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[[Category: Newsletters]] |
Latest revision as of 00:54, 5 July 2022
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ The Elanthian Journal Edition #8 ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ The following articles of interest are contained herein: 1 ........................ The First Griffin Sword War 2 ........................ Whispers of Darkness - Part One 3 ........................ Whispers of Darkness - Part Two 4 ........................ Solhaven Falls! 5 ........................ A Dark Time 6 ........................ Solhaven is Freed! 7 ........................ Ronan joins with Lorminstra! 8 ........................ Messenger from Ta'Vaalor! Illistim army destroyed! 9 ........................ Journal Classifieds 10 ....................... Submission Guidelines
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ The First Griffin Sword War ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Dateline: Day 5 of Eoantos, 5102 In the spring of 5096, a prophet of Lorminstra came to Wehnimer's Landing with the tale of a sword made and broken. The pommel was of a single great sapphire, grasped within platinum griffin talons. The hilt was of alabaster, wrapped with platinum and gold braid and enchanted to never grow cold or hot and always fit the hand of the wielder. The blade was forged by master smiths on Teras Isle and folded to an unbelievably keen edge. The quillions were made of gold and like the hilt and pommel, were encrusted with fine gems. Both sides of the quillions spread wide, like a pair of griffin wings. Once complete, the sword was enchanted by powerful mages. It glowed like flame in the sun, a moonbeam at night and as a beacon in the darkest storm. The blade was presented to Morfell, a warrior-priest who served Lorminstra. He performed great ceremonies upon the Griffin Sword and it is said that Lorminstra personally blessed it. But he fell from her and performed a dark ritual in secret. He gave the blade over to what would be known as the Dark Alliance, V'tull, Sheru, Mularos and Luukos. All through the night and the next day, a great storm arose that blotted out the sun. At the height of the tempest, the Sword was broken and four pieces scattered through the lands. The prophet told those assembled at Hearthstone Manor that the Sword's pieces were in the possession of the Alliance and that now, many years later, they planned to desecrate her temple in Wehnimer's Landing. They would use her own power contained within each piece of the Sword and defile the temple for all time by their actions. When the prophet fell silent, the people of the town began to ready themselves, hoarding magical items and ensuring Lorminstra knew of their deeds. V'tull came first, nine days later. His legions were led by feral animals bearing disease of many kinds. This first attack was fodder for the defender's swords, as was the second wave. Outposts were set up along the approaches to Wehnimer's Landing and those who got past the first line fell to a second or third. Skirmishers ranged ahead and those who could not fight aided the empaths and clerics. At the end, Ragni and Gillaume fought the leader, the Mouth of V'tull. After Ragni brought it low, he gave the pommel into Gillaume's safekeeping. Sheru's invasion a week later was much like the first, but where V'tull's minions were no more difficult than a krolvin, Sheru sent his harbingers into the melee where they tore through many defenders. The chaos was great and even the knowledge of who possessed the hilt was lost. Mularos sent his hordes in a week after Sheru had failed. Unlike the previous two, there were no lulls that the defenders could use to rest and recover their strength. But just as the minions of the Alliance had grown more powerful, so had the defenders. Organized groups were sent out and overpowered small forces loyal to Mularos before moving on to the next. Where Mularosians found their way behind the lines or caught a few unawares, the tables were turned. As the Master of Pain prepared to enter Lorminstra's temple with the quillions, having slain all in his path, Thalior arrived and brought it down with a single cast on the very steps. Luukos came last in the first war and as with the first four times, the awful pounding of the drums was heard. The skies slowly turned blood red and then the invaders came. Vortices that would strip the spells off the defenders and lizard-warriors whose hides were thick enough to make a weapon vibrate out of a defender's hand followed the more expected animals. Meteor swarms and lightning rained from the skies and once more chaos and confusion were the only victors on the battlefield. Finally, however, Luukos's high warlock was destroyed and the blade recovered. A month later, the four parts, pommel, hilt, quillions and blade were reunited. The blade which had been broken was made anew and placed in front of Lorminstra's temple in Wehnimer's Landing. Until recently, it was sometimes possible to rub the sword and secure Lorminstra's blessing for a weapon of your own. According to one legend, there may come someone Lorminstra deems worthy of using her Griffin Sword in combat and they will be allowed to pull the sword from the solid block that encases it. But that will never come to pass unless the sword can be reforged yet again.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Whispers of Darkness - Part One ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Dateline: Day 16 of Jastatos, 5102 At first, the incursions of the Dark Alliance were but mild... whispers of a darkness behind the storms that brewed nightly for weeks. They whispered of shadows rising, gathering and lying in wait for a sign that would come. It was then that a voice spoke from the blackened skies. In its hissing tones, it would deliver its message from above as the lightning raged across the countryside and the rain drowned the land. It spoke of that which was lost and would soon be reclaimed... and that which was pure that would soon be tainted. Those who heard this message puzzled over its meaning. Clearly, it was one of dire portent, but vague, and possibly misleading. Those who would stand in the light gathered, and pondered on what to make of these warnings. Then evil struck, and the darkness behind these warnings was given a name, Morvule. A Luukosian of unsurpassed power rose from the shadow and culled a great army of the undead from the cursed lands that surrounded Wehnimer's Landing. His goal had been made clear - the Griffin Sword, a holy sword that had fallen into shadow once before, but was recovered by the servants of the light in a great battle and reforged into its former glory. It stood safely in the square of Erebor, underneath the watchful gaze of Lorminstra's temple, its blade sheathed within a massive stone. Ultram, Prophet of Lorminstra, who had also recently arrived in Wehnimer's Landing, warned those who would stand against Morvule. The prophet had reasons for journeying to the Landing. He revealed that the sword had within the very core of its existence... a flaw. A taint. He proposed a plan, then, to cleanse the sword of this minute flaw... the flaw that would allow the shadow to consume it once again. So plans were made, on sides of both light and dark. Days waned into nights and nights into days... but finally, those of the light were ready. Ulstram withdrew the sword from its stony sheath on that night, and began preparations for the cleansing. The power of his magic was enough as to illuminate the entire settlement as if it were the brightest of noons... all proceeded well, until those of of the dark lept from their hiding places. Morvule appeared at the crucial moment of the ceremony, disrupting the plans of the light. Darkness and light clashed, and titanic energies raged across the sky as both Prophet and Luukosian fought, and the Griffin Sword shone through with its power against evil. As the battle turned in Ulstram's favor, and as he swung to deal the finishing blow... Morvule reached into the flaw, the scar that had been left into the existence of the blade so long ago, and exploited it... fueled it with his own ruthless ambition and cruelty. The sword was split asunder once again. Its pieces flew off into the horizons in a brilliant explosion of cataclysmic energy. Neither light nor darkness won the night, but the previous struggle was but a taste of what would come. Sendarel Akruthos, Scholar of Nydds
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Whispers of Darkness - Part Two ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ For Morvule, bitter and angered that he had not recovered the sword, revealed the true extent of the shadow's grasp. That night, the Dark Alliance showed itself as reforged once again. Draezir, Eryael and Zerroth each represented the leaders of their dark gods' faction. They gathered their forces and nearly razed Wehnimer's Landing to the ground. But for the brave citizens who fought the fires and repaired the damage, the outpost may not have survived. Both sides of the conflict searched desperately for the shattered pieces. The task proved even more difficult since the relic was drained of its immense power. The first fragment was found near the dwarven settlement of Kharam-Dzu, upon the remote island of Teras. Here, V'tull's forces were mustered by the Berserker Zerroth. A fleet of black ships surrounded the small island, launching attacks by its troops nearly every night. Their armies hit hard and fiercely, and their bloodlust knew no bounds - each defender was hard-pressed to keep their own. But for a time, they did hold them back. The tide of the battle turned when those of the light smuggled themselves aboard one of the ships of the Dark Fleet. Learning secrets from the information aboard, they used it to their advantage, and soon learned the location of the hilt of the Griffin Sword, and sought it out. But here, again, darkness would show its excellence at deception - for a servant of Mularos recovered the blade first. Even though Zerroth's forces lost one small battle, their work had been accomplished on the island. Rumours began to filter up from the south, of a great thing falling from the sky... and so the conflict moved to Solhaven, where the Sheruvian Draezir gathered his forces. Summoning creatures of utter unworldliness, he set them to plague the citizens of Solhaven while his forces built up unseen around them. The beasts of shadow killed many innocent citizens in their unnatural lust for life, but Ulstram again arrived to aid in the struggle. Through the resourcefulness of the citizens, the creatures were banished, but it was too late. Draezir's forces had been bolstered, and were ready to attack. They came in droves, pushing past the defenses of Solhaven and onto the streets within days. Their advance did not stop, and Draezir reveled in each position overwhelmed. What he planned, no one knew. Whispers of things being plotted filtered through the streets, and one follower of Sheru was selected by Draezir to bring forth the ruse he had so carefully laid. Masked as a frightened, repenting follower of the dark, this servant deceived Ulstram into taking an orb into his hands. Within moments, the trap was sprung, and Ulstram was simply frozen and immediately drawn into the depths of the device, which then vanished itself. With only Kendryth's shaken aid, Solhaven now stood against the threat of the darkness. Draezir's army grew daily, and incursions into the town went farther. The murder of innocents continued, and hope dwindled away. Sendarel Akruthos, Scholar of Nydds
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Solhaven Falls! ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Dateline: Day 23 of Jastatos, 5102: Solhaven Draezir made a bold move on the part of the Dark Alliance - near the hour of midnight, all felt what he had planned. A massive explosion to the north of Solhaven sent half a mountain tumbling down into a pass, cutting off the Freeport from both aid and any possible escape. Many held their breath for what was to come. And then they heard the chantings of the Sheruvian forces, gaining ground as they marched into the city. Their foul voices carried on the wind, overtaking the sound of their wardrums, drowning all in their cacophony as the battle raged on. Their forces took the Hangman's Bridge, overwhelming it with their numbers and their now fiercely zealous ranks. From there it was only a short way to Tumbledown Lane, the beginnings of Solhaven. They overwhelmed those they found there easily, and made their way into the heart of town. If there is one thing to be thankful for in such a grim situation, it is that innocent lives were not wasted - as the Sheruvians broke past the defenses, Vornavis' Gates opened briefly, allowing peasants and other innocents to flee into the inner city while they still could. If it were not for this, the streets would be clogged with the bodies of the dead and the dying. Locals were beleaguered by the forces of darkness, the Sheruvians. They occupied the Freeport, and they did not intend on leaving it. Sendarel Akruthos, Scholar of Nydds
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ A Dark Time ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Dateline: Day 1 of Eoantos, 5102: Solhaven It is a dark time for Lorminstra and the followers of light. Half of the Griffin Sword has been recovered, and has fallen into the hands of the dark alliance. After a defeat on Teras Isle, the followers of light counted their losses, brushed themselves off, and moved on to Solhaven to search for the quillions of the legendary weapon. Once again they were left with the sour taste of defeat. Now it seems that nearly all hope is lost. "It started with a panicked townsperson screaming, "Invasion! All archers to the towers! Man the ballistas!"" says Lord Izalude Tangel. "They took Hangman's bridge after about an hour, and slowly advanced through Tumbledown Lane, but we held them at Bayside Road. It was a standoff that lasted several hours before we were finally overwhelmed. It was all going great, until the statues started exploding." "The town was overrun with Sheruvians. Bodies lay strewn about the streets, the few survivors ran about in terror for the last few moments of their lives as I arrived on the scene," recounts High Lord Arshwikk Aralock. "It was all I could do to try and dent their numbers, perhaps slow them down. My jaguarundi companion Nik and I engaged droves of enemies, I was badly wounded, and Nik fell protecting me. I sought refuge in a building where I recovered. For a long time thereafter I would go out, fight, hide and heal, then fight again. Ultimately, even the few refuges fell to the forces of Sheru as well. Myself and a few others withdrew the final evening. I was not about to see how Solhaven was saved." Despite the near hopeless odds, the defenders of Solhaven fought an overwhelming Sheruvian force of thousands. Briefly, the gates of Vornavis opened allowing refugees to run for their lives. Baron Malwind was merciful for allowing his gates to be open briefly. But could this whole situation have been averted if Malwind used the army of Vornavis to combat the Sheruvians? That's another story. Inevitably, Solhaven fell under Sheruvian control because of sheer numbers and was put under martial law by Draezir, the high priest of Sheru. First he set up orbs to incinerate people, and when those failed he created statues to patrol town, killing those in their path. These were set up so that Sheruvian prayer times could be enforced. After several days, a wounded Kendryth returned with information about a Sheruvian inquisitor coming into the area with a magical chest. Kendryth and company killed the inquisitor and recovered the chest, and within were the shards that were used in dealing with the statues, and an orb which held Ulstram captive in an alternate plane of existence. The next day, Ulstram pinpointed the location of the quillions and set up a raid on the Sheruvian camp. Two unnamed individuals claim it was a secret selective raid, so that the Lornon followers wouldn't beat them to it. However, a group of nine Lornonites also found the location, and eventually beat the overwhelming force of Liaboists to the quillions. Now both sides march east. The alliance of light with hope all but lost, and the dark alliance with morale at its peak. Lorminstra and her followers can only pray that the rest of the war will have a more positive outcome. How will the rest of the war turn out? Is it fate that the sword pieces fall into the wrong hands again? Only time will tell. Lord Aetheri Machtes, Ashrim Wizard, and scholar of Illistim
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Solhaven is Freed! ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Dateline: Day 30 of Jastatos, 5102: Solhaven Once in a state of occupation by the forces of Draezir the High Priest of Sheru, the forces of darkness were driven from the Freeport of Solhaven by the cunning and cleverness of the local resistance movement. Lord Kendryth returned from his encampment, apparently severely wounded by an attack that was sprung on them at the same time Solhaven was being overrun. Barely escaping with his life, he brought both dire and good news - his encampment had been nearly destroyed and his men scattered, but he also had vital information to share. He spoke of one of his scouts returning while being chased by frenzied Sheruvians. The scout spoke of a high-ranking Sheruvian on his way there, and that this individual would arrive on the 29th of Jastatos. The attack was then sprung, and Kendryth escaped with little but his life and that piece of information. It proved to be key when a group of adventurers brought him in and revealed the true extent of what had occured his absence. They quickly mustered a force and headed out to Cairnfang forest to lie in wait. All was not to go as planned, however, as just before the carriage approached, local Sheruvians attempted to thwart their attempts. Some defenders fell, just before the carriage approached, but the Sheruvians were quickly dispatched, and the band of adventurers slaughtered their guards and broke into the carriage. There they found a Sheruvian Inquisitor, apparently given orders by Draezir to oversee Solhaven in his stead while he focused his search for the shard of the Griffin Sword. He was killed after becoming hostile when being interrogated, and hidden within the carriage they found a chest - trapped with vile magic. Fleeing at the behest of Kendryth, they quickly hid the chest away in a safe place. When Draezir discovered that this ambush had occurred, his rage was so great that he descended with thousands of his troops, setting flame to building after building in an attempt to rout out the adventurers who held the chest. After Draezir had thoroughly wrought destruction, he sought the chest northward, thinking they had fled into the Cairnfang forest itself and beyond. He was wrong - they had taken shelter in one of the caves along the beach, safe from his invaders and his raging fires. Finally gaining control over the dark magics of the chest, it was opened - revealing both an orb and several onyx shards. A note inside read that the orb was dormant, and apparently had a connection to Ulstram. The shards were to be used in dealing with the guardian statues that patrolled the streets of Solhaven. Clearly, this was why Draezir had wanted the chest back so desperately. The adventurers passed out the shards to defenders of the town, and while Draezir and his forces scoured north, the adventurers destroyed the foundations of his occupation in one swift, decisive blow. The orb was presented to Kendryth, and a group of those loyal to the light gathered at Lorminstra's altar to pray for guidance. Kendryth became aware of the orb's purpose, and deciphered how to unlock it. In doing so, he sent the adventurers gathered off into another realm, one of twisted dreams and shadows. Ulstram was there, frozen in an icy crystal and tortured and wounded. Fighting bravely against the horrors that relentlessly harried them, the stalwart adventurers managed to destroy the power source that maintained the realm's existence and thus freed Ulstram from his plight. Summoning their magics, they returned safely from the darkness just as it began to shatter into nonexistence itself, and all celebrated. For when they returned, the rule of Sheru's minions had been utterly crumbled. The banners of the jackal were being burned, and their own banners of the Freeport being raised in their stead. The gates of Vornavis burst open, leading to heartfelt reunions between the refugees and those who were caught outside the gates when the catastrophe happened. Solhaven is free once again, thanks to the resistance. Sendarel Akruthos, Scholar of Nydds
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Ronan joins with Lorminstra! ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Dateline: Day 4 of Eoantos, 5102 Reports from Wehnimer's Landing and Solhaven indicate that a sixth Arkati has joined in the Second Griffin Sword War. Identifying herself only as the Dreamwalker, an apparent Emissary of Ronan revealed herself to several in the region. One claims to have seen her entirely, a pale, silver-eyed woman entirely in black, with a silver-hilted sword. This "Dreamwalker" claimed that battles will soon be fought in the Elven Nations and dark armies will invade the ancient city-states. The Emissary also congratulated those who had participated in the defense and liberation of Solhaven, but advised that the opponents of the Alliance move to an offensive posture. In Solhaven, the Dreamwalker used only her voice and a brief glimpse of her face to approach many who clustered around Ronan's altar there. She asked for those who would fight Sheru, Ronan's traditional enemy, to speak then and a score did so. The Dreamwalker also said she would not give her name nor reveal herself fully in Alisaire's presence, as "Morvule's chosen child" was there. She cautioned others from harming the dark elf, saying that to do so would further taint the sword. The Dreamwalker also warned those assembled against lies, bloodlust, or acting from fear or to achieve martyrdom. Each of these would taint them and bring them under the control of an Alliance Arkati. Should any of the listeners find themselves falling into one of these traps, they should repent and pray before the Lords and Ladies of Liabo. Before she left, the Dreamwalker had one final thing to say to those gathered around Ronan's altar in Solhaven. She said that all who serve Ronan or hate Sheru should gather and seek her again at the altar during the night until it is time to move to the east. They should be prepared to fight and to spread the call until that time comes.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Messenger from Ta'Vaalor! Illistim army destroyed! ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Dateline: Day 6 of Eoantos, 5102 Editor's note: Please keep in mind that this is a preliminary report. While it is certain that the elves have faced a tactical defeat, messengers have been known to exaggerate certain parts of their story, especially in a retreat. We should have more on this development by the next issue of the Journal and will be able to confirm or deny any part of this startling story. At this time, we know that the Ilistim sent out a contingent of several companies of their armored footsoldiers on 4 Eoantos, supported by an equal number of archers. They marched south to the ruins of ShadowGuard with the intent of engaging a rumored undead host that had arisen in the area. The elves were very confident in their success as they left Ta'Illistim, although irritated at being forced to fight the battles of the west. On 6 Eoantos, they reached their destination, one of Ta'Vaalor's outlying Keeps around the ruins. An account of the battle was relayed through several seeing orbs, but thus far we have had no eyewitness reports from anyone at the scene of the battle. From what we do know, the elves began the engagement well, decimating the undead horde with blessed arrows and disciplined bladework by their footmen. A cavalry unit, whether Vaalor or Ilistim at this time is unknown, was also used to break up the undead for further destruction. The reports through the seeing orbs speak of cyclones or vortices of some sort that revitalized the freshly destroyed undead. The elves had been advancing through the cut-down horde, so the new enemy arose from practically under their feet. What happened next is unclear, but we do know that the elves suffered extremely high losses and yielded the field of battle. Casualty lists have not yet been released, nor is it yet known what happened to the Vaalorian Keep above the battlefield. If any readers have further information, please use our submission guidelines on the back page of the Journal so that we can publish the full details of this terrible event.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Journal Classifieds ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Entertaining offers on some fine gold quillions. Recently acquired, this gaudy piece is actually one of four parts of the Griffin Sword. A sure collector's item! Trades or silvers in excess of fifty million have been offered; information leading to the destruction of the Hik'lasu will be favored over any monetary or material offer. All offers and information can be conveyed by runner or in person in the freeport city Solhaven. - Ali'shara na'yttre uin'Frey The Obsidian Tower has announced that it will be holding an auction in Ta'Illistim on Restday the 17th of Eoantos. Dozens of items of interest to Dhe'nar and others will be sold, starting in value from a few hundred thousand silvers and reaching well into the millions. Armor, weaponry, clothing and more will be available to those with silvers to spend. Bulk discounts may be arranged for military organizations. NOTICE: The battle on Ta'Vaalor's southern front goes well and the soldiers send their regards to their families. However, the Dark Alliance has begun cowardly attacks and raids upon our northern borders with hordes of lesser undead and other manner of foul creatures. As such, the Guard of Ta'Vaalor will be training any able-minded elf of sound mind and strong body so that we may fight this scourge. Report to the recruitment tent outside of Guardian Keep should you have any questions.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Submission Guidelines ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Submissions should be limited to 8 body paragraphs of no more than 100 words each. Each submission should start with a title, be followed with a dateline, and should end with the author's signature. Paragraphs should be in block format with double spacing between each sentence. Please check your submission for proper spelling and grammar before sending it. All submissions should involve factual events. We will accept no silly nursery stories, histories or educational articles about the weather. If you would like to submit an article along those lines, please do so to our sister publication, the Elanthian Times. All submissions should be received by Leyan in order to be published on the Day of the Huntress. CLASSIFIEDS: Classifieds are free and a good way to advertise your auctions or other events. But we have limited space and may have to reject some submissions. DISCLAIMER: While the staff of the Elanthian Journal make every effort to ensure that the events presented within are FACTUAL, there will always be some amount of speculation until all details of events are revealed with the passage of time. We will continue to make every effort to report ACTUAL happenings, however any theories or speculation on the details of these events may very well prove INACCURATE. CONTACT INFORMATION: If you have any questions or comments, please send a note to the new editorial staff care of hunterada@play.net. If you wish to submit an article, you may do so using the form at https://www.play.net/gs3/journal_submission.asp Gahread Tempestas Krissella Tr'Baren Haxley Dormagic Brakian Warbringer