The Crimson Moon, also known as The Rise of Lornon, is a Platinum storyline that began in November of 2010 and is still active as of October 21, 2011. It is concerned with a group of five Lornon Arkati's attempts to take control of the world, and the efforts to resist them.

The Crimson Moon

Introduction

A prophecy has become known to the world, called the Dark Requiem. It dictates that five of the Lornon Arkati have chosen to come together to usurp Liabo's rule over the world. Led by Sheru, they are Luukos, V'tull, Mularos and Ivas. As the Lornon Arkati become more active, their adherents have likewise become bolder in practicing their faith. These cultists seek to bring the prophecy of the Dark Requiem into reality by recruiting converts, invading towns and cities, kidnapping people and enacting sacrifices at shrines erected around the world. Overseeing it all is the moon, stained crimson each night since the troubles began.

The Lornonites' activities are opposed by many different factions. Among them are Liaboites of many affiliations, joined by neutral parties seeking to restore the balance of the world as well as people seeking to protect the towns and people they care for. The opposition is aided by a gnomish seer and a human rumored to be a member of the Warders, a militant and often-reviled sect of the Order of Voln believed long dead.

Important People and Terms

Information partly supplied by Naionna

NPCs

Yuratlya - first appeared 11/2010 in WL, formerly blind gnomish seer, claims not to work for any side in the conflict Hanos - first appeared 03/2011 in SH, rumored to be a Warder Sedrygin - first appeared 03/2011 in SH, cleric of Koar, name unknown in game Aldrik - priest of Lorminstra, name unknown in game Pyali - priest of Lorminstra, name unknown in game Erim - NPC from previous storyline in 2008, father of Piperel Piperel - also called Pip, NPC from previous storyline in 2008, daughter of Erim, known as the "Herald," deceased Ydos - first appeared 05/2011 in TI, liaison for Scribners, name unknown in game Ningrint - first appeared 05/2011 in TI, Scribner, keeper of ancient artifacts and knowledge, lich, claims Ronanite sympathies, name unknown in game Carhn - Champion of V'Tull Naja - Champion of Luukos Azorlok - Avatar of Sheru Isium - Author of the Dark Requiem thousands of years ago Arcathis - Luukosian cultist Shezzaka - Sheruvian cultist, name unknown in game Abran - Luukosian cultist, name unknown in game Aibri - Luukosian cultist, name unknown in game Deirhge - Luukosian cultist, name unknown in game

Player Characters

Delcian - human priest of Ronan, named a Chosen of Ronan, torture victim Taeghan - Squire Legionnaire of Ta'Vaalor and paladin of Ronan, named a Chosen of Ronan, husband of Myriamie Myriamie - Nalfein with no known religious affiliation, wife of Taeghan, sacrificial victim Hubris - giantman knight of Ronan, named a Chosen of Ronan Nilandia - sylvan mentalist and telepath, named a Chosen of Lumnis and the Keeper of Knowledge Myke - giantman paladin of Voln, claims affiliation with the Warders, strongly urged by Hanos to become a leader of those opposing the Lornonites Jaired - Tehir, Lord Marshal of the Militia, close friend of Pip, currently missing Isanae - sylvan empath, sacrificial victim Caden - Dhe'nar sorcerer, ally of the Lornonites, released Azorlok from his imprisonment Terms Dark Requiem - prophecy written by Isium, zealot of Sheru, which contains a chain of events that results in the rule of Lornon, currently being translated Warders - militant sect of the Order of Voln, said by some to be heretical, believes in killing the people who use or create undead as well as releasing undead Elanthian Inquisitor - in-game newspaper, periodically publishes issues with information on the current events

Chapter 1 Summary

Provided by Naionna, covering November 2010 to August 2011

Locations: Wehnimers Landing, River's Rest, Solhaven, Icemule Trace, Teras, exteriors of Ta'Vaalor and Ta'Illistim

General Synopsis: Yuratlya, a blind seer, appeared to players in November of 2010 to convey the coming of a Sheruvian prophecy. In December, the Crimson Moon appeared as a normal phenomenon known to happen yearly during the end of the year, but did not end as usual. Beginning in January, several sacrifices started to occur, with the increasing agitation and fear growing amongst the populace of Elanthia due to the constant presence of the Crimson Moon and its effects. Invasions, kidnappings, appearances of altars and Lornon cultists become the normal occurrence.

February, a young girl named Piperel is kidnapped in Solhaven and several adventurers go to her rescue as they are familiar with the family. She is found the next day, but has been through something supernatural in nature and now has visions in the forms of nightmares every time she sleeps. She is deemed the 'Herald' of the prophecy by the seer and deteriorates rapidly due to the effects of her affliction. The seer spends a great deal of time with the child and her father, Erim, documenting her visions and speaking to her about her experiences. She concludes that the prophecy she spoke of in November has now started and is in progress fully.

In March, an attempt is made to release the child from her torment by a cleric of Koar, Sedrygin, in Solhaven at the arch of the Liabo. It fails, and the seer confides in those in attendance of the details she knows of the prophecy and an important tome named the Dark Requiem. She provides them with the information that the tome contains the steps to the prophecy, and is in fact considered by many to be the word of Sheru, written thousands of years ago by a half-elven zealot who claimed he was fed the text by the Lord of Nightmares Himself. Only one copy exists and must be found if those who oppose the prophecy would like to know more of what they face and get a foothold on stopping it. In the same meeting, a man called Hanos appears in the crowd to observe and is named by the seer as a Warder, though he has yet to confirm such a thing. His role is yet unknown other than his opposition to Luukos as a part of his vows being a Master of Voln. Several others, however, are revealed as "Chosen" of the Liabo - a priest by the name of Delcian, a Knight of Ronan and Vaalorian soldier by the name of Taeghan, and a Knight of Ronan by the name of Hubris. These three are named 'Chosen of Ronan' and are tasked with finding the "written word of Ronan" to aid in the process of locating the needed tome. In addition, a sylvan healer by the name of Nilandia is deemed a Keeper of Knowledge due to her devotions to Lumnis and is given an unsual map of the stars that is rumored to detail the numbers on each side of the conflict, ever changing as the roles do.

During an unusual disturbance in Darkstone Castle near Wehnimer's Landing, a phylactery is discovered in a shrine to Sheru within the castle itself. Several adventurers gathered and reported strange whisperings requesting a release of something or someone. One such adventurer, a sorcerer by the name of Caden, spoke the name given to him in said whisperings and released a being named Azorlok. Ancient and of enormous power, Azorlok is said to be the Avatar of Sheru and has come to begin the prophecy in earnest. Shortly afterwards, everyone was expelled from the shrine and the castle was overrun both inside and outside on the grounds by demons and other horrifying creatures. This lasted for several weeks until a way to weaken the magic creating them was found by heroic adventurers.

The months that followed found several attacks upon the cities of Elanthia, with continued sacrifices, kidnappings, and appearances by the Avatar of Sheru. Producing allies, the Avatar has been seen with Naja, Champion of Luukos, and Carhn, Champion of V'Tull. There are rumors of Ivasian influence as well as Mularosian influence with their champions to be seen at some point in the future should the prophecy not be stopped. Though the tome, the Dark Requiem, has now been located and is in the hands of the adventurer's who oppose the prophecy, they have yet to translate its ancient dialect and it is so far, of no use to them.

OOC Note: I'm sure I've left out things, and I don't mean to slight anyone or anything, so if you'd like to add in something please feel free! This was just a general overview of the storyline thusfar and the major parts of its plot movement.

A Year Beneath the Crimson Moon - REPORT

9/13/2011 11:09 PM CDT

As time has passed beneath the watchful and ever-present eye of the Crimson Moon, Elanthia has fallen into a dark routine. Reports are flooding in from all over of the activity of Lornon followers in and around all major cities with things such as prayer vigils, study groups, meetings, and open recruiting to join their cause. Fliers can be found in many cities, tacked to the gate posts openly, speaking of social events and prayer meetings. Shop owners report an increase in patrons who openly bear their religious symbols and robings, and citizens have reported that even young teenagers and children have been spotted walking openly with their parents, all clad in their Lornon trappings. This begs the question - Has Lornon become the new majority?

While no temples have been defiled, no Liabo prayer meetings have been disrupted, and no attacks are openly made against Liabo followers, the account of disappearances and sacrifices rise. Several locations of makeshift altars and shrines have been reported as well, some within the city walls, and some in the wilds. Darker, more sinister reports have come in from various cities of Lornon followers being found slaughtered at their sites of worship in what is rumored to be some type of vigilante effort to quell the rising of Lornon followers. Bodies have been found in groups, such as at meetings in the wilds, and in singular or in pairs, such as those found in a Wehnimer's Landing alley recently by an actor leaving the local Bard guild. "I couldn't believe all the blood that was on the ground. It had soaked in some, but there was too much for it to all soak in and it was puddled. Odd, though, there wasn't much of the body itself left. Just a few scraps of emerald cloth, a medallion and some ripped and torn body parts." stated the actor, who wished to be left unnamed for safety.

"While we don't stand behind vigilante acts, we understand the anger and fear of our citizens. We here in Wehnimer's have been through a great deal and many of our people have lost loved ones - in some cases, entire families - to these horrible acts of evil and violence. I would encourage any and all citizens who feel they want to help to join in the rebuilding of the city instead. We have many ways to help and I'm sure that the families affected by these tragedies would be greatly appreciative of whatever can be offered." stated WL official, Izaar on behalf of the Mayor and local government authorities.

As we near the end of the year, when the Crimson Moon would normally rise for just a few weeks as part of the season, we can't help but recall that it was this same time last year when we first laid eyes on this unusual phenomenon, not knowing what it would mean to us just months later. Who knows what is to come as Elanthia continues to be bathed in the bloody light, as the saga of the Crimson Moon continues.

~Elanthian Inquisitor, Dateline Leyan, day 14 of the month Imaerasta in the year 5111

Credits

Special thanks to the following staff - GM Wyrom, GM Bravura, SGM Kaikala, GM Ovellia, GM Aulis, GM Marstreforn, GM Valyrka, GM Thandiwe, GM Nebhrail, GM Cirath, GM Itzel, SGM Izzea, GM Kenstrom, GM Quyorque, GM Gsyxer, and GM Zoet

Update The copy of the Dark Requiem has been delivered to Yuratlya, who has begun working on translating it with the assistance of various adventurers. Pip, the Herald of the prophecy, has succumbed to her torments and died.