3. An ancient dagger

An ancient dagger


  • Elridith mentions only to Jeni what she has found recently out in the deeper rawlins.

    I was with Aghila, and as were we were talking, I don't remember the exact course of the conversation, but… I had found out that Mielikki had appearred to him before while he was on the verge of death out in the rawlins. I asked if he would show me the place, and luckily on the way we met up with kulin and juster. Juster had to leave early but after we saw the place where Mielikki came down to Aghila, we continued a bit further into the rawlins. As we got deeper, near where the stronger sarus live. We saw one of the rocks in the middle of the cremonial looking circles in the forest was active. The large rock was glowing with magical energy. However, I was able to aggitate the stone into producing a discharge of energy. Bright white lights speckeled alout the stone, but on a rather significant scale. After spending time to note the various symblos near the stone and circle, we continued a bit further out of curiosity. Then on one of the ruins there was what looked to be a portal. I decided it would be safest for myself to go through as if in the case I did get stuck i would be able to get back sooner than aghila or kulin due to my magical practice. They both agreed, but when I stepped into the portal nothing happened. It was rather disheartening at the moment. Aghila tried to step within the portal as well but nothing happened to him either. Soon after we had decided to leave, a woman appeared out of the portal. She was holding a longsword which seemed to be flowing with magical energy. A bright light about it, perhaps imbued with electricity or some divine energy. She mentioned that Mielikki didn't live within the forest anymore... We tried to ask further questions, but that is about all she had said. I wish to make a trip back eventually to try and excite the stone into a different reaction or try to get through the portal if I can. I have been having the Lantern Archon I often summon check the celestial planes for the woman who appeared, or a way for me to get through the portal, as it can move back inbetween that plane and ours. I will try to organize another trip to there so I may gather some more information, if there is anything specific you would like me to make note of please let me know so I may do so. The sarus are fairly dangerous there and I will likely require help, I would request aghila come back as well.

    Also there was a badger... Aghila was speaking to it with some strange amulet. He said it was your badger so i assume you know all about it, but it proved quite helpful while we were out there in the rawlins, and would also like to have it come back with me when I go if you permit it.


  • :: A quiet elf calmly makes his way each and every day to Jeni's tree. Why, he will not discuss with anyone, and simple dismisses them with a smile and a bow.

    Anyone who asks him any questions only get a taste for Siri's backhanded comments ::


  • Jeni is seen within the Circle of Power speaking with two men, believed to be rangers. After the conversation, they both head out looking extremely serious.


  • After having been given a small book by Penny, El sets out on various small trips through the rawlins. She goes with her familiar Aasa and while he has fun chasing around the small goblins, she writes various notes as to places like some small trails or congregation spots of other white stage. After finding the normal stags out in the wild she spends time just watching them. Surveything their behavior and movements from a distance. She wonders how deep she might have to go.


  • _Elridith shares with the others around her in the circle…

    Penny and I have both done alot of research on this, she suggested asking Fadia of the druid circle about the blade. We found Fadia and spoke near Jiyyd. She mentioned she believed the blade was one of that of the -old- druid circle out in the rawlins. She believed it was -the- blade used by the defiler in order for his to sacrifice 11 out of the 12 members of his circle at that time in order for him to arise to power and begin what horrible things he has done to these lands, and twist the rawlins into the image he wished.

    Penny found the word 'Nentyarch' in her research but with Fadia's guidance she explained that a druid of that rank has never been achieved by one of the old circle, and it would have to be the rank of archdruid that was ment in corellation to the blade.

    I will mention after hundred and hundreds of tests upon the blade, I have felt no evil energy within it whatsoever. It does have the ability to emit a specific discharge of magic when provoked, but this hasn't left me feeling any different than before. Only that I could feel a presence of magic within the blade itself.

    As to the stag, Fadia believed it was Mielikki come down to our world in order to fight off the defiler. I specifically asked Fadia if the white stag appeared before or after the defiler had risen to power. It is believed that they came only after. The white stag is rumored to have been imprisoned somewhere within the rawlins, near Dun Theros as it is the old druidic city. Although it has never been found. Likely partially due to the fact that they city is kept hidden with magic similar to how the Yuan-ti have kept themselves hidden for so long as well. The stag was believed to be somewhat etheral looking, setting it apart from all other white stag one would see, and isn't mentioned anywhere that the stag was in fact killed, so it is likely still imprisoned in the rawlins as mentioned before.

    And as per what Lilly has mentioned, I have found no corellation between what I have learned and Lilly has brought before us, but I do trust Lilly wholeheartedly._

    //if i missed something let me know so i can edit


  • A meeting between Lilly, Elridith, Sara, Keira, Jeni and Jonni is held within a powerful Circle of protection. Anyone entering the tree during the meeting commented on the glow the Circle put off, but that they could not hear what was being spoken within.

    (Lilly, since you had to leave, you and your child were within the Circle when the spell was cast. Elridith, please write up what you found out from Fadia.)


  • _Having had a few strange conversations with various people Elridith is now extremely more reserved as to the topic of the blade even with the present company. She has been quieter recently. Spending time by herself, easily spooked by thinking like snapping twigs or even unexpected rain. This all seems to have started after having a conversation with Lilly in the cave in Jiyyd as to what actually was said might not be repeated by her in entirety.

    said only when jeni is around

    Jeni, I need to know -everything- that you know. I don't want you holding back any information, i'm not saying you are, but i would emplore you to be fully honest with me, I was to help you figure all this out but someone told me I was in danger, i need to know… gives Jeni a concerned look_

  • N

    After overhearing Penny's story on one of his frequent trips to the campfires Adlanail draws her aside

    Couldn't help overhearing your mention of the blade of darkness * he whispers* I penned some rumours on that blade and it's companions in the college library… now let's see where was the information.....

    after some thought he provides her with a book reference
    http://www.therealnarfell.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=17683&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=blade+darkness&start=80
    About Page 5 or so , I believe…if memory serves.
    Oh and about the white stag some say that Mielikki herself has been known to appear as a white stag while yet others say it is the favoured form of the Nentyarch. I have been blessed to see it on two occasions myself and although I can testify to its ethereal quality I could not say which is the true version of its origin. Certainly on both occasions I witnessed it, it defied and even reversed temporarily the defilers power in the woods.

    Hope that helps your quest... He whispers before making his way back out to the Pass


  • Deep to the south. In Yuan-ti controlled territory. We haven't been able to get anyone in or out for years.


  • Penny sits down at the fires with Elridith, Jeni, and anyone else who might be enjoying a meal or a bottle of fine Romani wine in the company of good friends:

    So, I talked with Oreth for a bit 'bout these stag stories while we were killin' hobbers on Sam's Hill with some other folks. He ain't aware of the particular legend 'bout the White Stag bein' hidden someplace, though he guessed it might be in the ruins of Dun-Tharos if the Nentyarch 'as somethin' to do with it. Although, he did mention that years ago, when the Circle was dealin' with the threat from the Malarite Arturo, there was a dwarven assassin out ta kill all the white stags in the forest, with his eventual goal bein' the mated pair called the "Lord and Lady of the Forest". I ain't sure if that's related in any way, as they never caught the dwarf or figured out his employer, an' the killin's seemed to stop naturally. It is, however, a story with white stags in it, so it might be relevant.

    What puzzled Oreth is why the Nentyarch would wear a ceremonial dagger adorned with a white stag rather than with a symbol of his god. Now, when I mentioned it was magical an' emitted pulses of darkness when ya handled it, his eyes got a lil wide an' he said that was similar to the blade of darkness, which was a companion blade to the demon-dagger that was possessin' Wolf recently. That may jus' be a coincidence since this ceremonial dagger was among Katya's belongings, an' Wolf's problem was quite recent, but it might be worth noting anyhow since we ain't got much to go on. Ya sure that dagger ain't got evil energy in it anyplace, El?

    Lookin' 'round blindly in the Rawlins, 'specially with the Yuan-ti roamin' an' the drow causin' the weave disturbance, might be a bad idea. Though a directed search could be useful. Any a y'all know where this Dun-Tharos is, or used ta be?


  • Jeni listens with great care, concern evident in her eyes as Elridith tells what she has found

    Perhaps the druids may be able to tell something from it? I suggest you seek out their Elders, see if they may shed light on it.
    And Elridith? Please be careful trying to use it. Magical items have a way of possessing, instead of being possessed.


  • In private time Elridith gently tests the blades magical abilities, examining and re-examining it trying to see the full potential and abilities of the blades magical power. She does so very cautiously with all the appropriate precautions in place as to keep it a safe enviornment. She feels she is beginning to understand more about magic within the blade

    Hey Penny… check this out.... activates the blade to do the similar discharge of magic as it has done many times before I think i got it down easy now, just wanted to make sure it was safe to do so first.

    Only shares the next bit with Jeni and Penny

    It's really strange, it almost makes the back of your mind tingle…. very bizarre. It has no trace of any evil energy otherwise I wouldn't be holding onto it, but it almost feels like it connects itself to it's user. I'll try to find out some more about that after i finish what research i started on the riddle.


  • I think you've done an ample bit of the research we need Penny. I have been looking through several libraries on my own but found it difficuly to find anything on the riddle iself at this point. Im not giving up yet however. I think we should make a trip out in the rawlins in the various caves the stag could be hidden in. What do you think Penny?

    Also a meeting with the druid circle would be very insightful I imagine. I'd like to go along with you when you go if you dont mind. gives penny a smile and a wink when she says this

    Spent a little time washing the blade trying to see if there would be anything else written on it. There were a few more occurances of it emitting magic, but nothing serious or dangerous. Seems the riddle is still all we have however.


  • //ahh, I may not have read as closely as I should have, and just assumed it was a standard conversation by the fires. My bad.


  • Jeni quietly welcomes Oreth to the Camp fires with a smile, fading back to let those who've been looking into the mystery tell what they've found

    OOC on
    Oreth, since you were not at the beginning, I ask that you talk to Elridith or Penny to ask for the back story, IG.
    Druids are most certainly welcome 😉

    OOC off


  • Oreth looks up at Penny's last words

    We know nothing of any trapped stags. If it is within the rawlinswood, it is somewhere we cannot see it, or else it is in the region of Dun Theros, where the Yuan-ti have perverted the concealment spells, and it's damn near impossible to find anything.

    Also, if the this dagger you lot found is a symbol of the Nentyarch, I imagine the Circle at Dun Theros will want it back, once they're out from under the Yuan.

    Now, what is all this business about a riddle?


  • Looking a bit more frazzled than usual, as if she hasn't rested well in days, Penny gathers together everyone who heard Jeni's tale by the fire that night, including Jeni herself:

    Now before any a y'all say anythin', I know I look like hell. If ya ever been inside the College libraries, ya'd know it's easier ta catch a fairie in a thimble than ta find anythin' quick in there, 'specially when ya don't really know what you're lookin' for in the first place.

    Anyway, after hearin' Jeni's tale, I went up to the College an' pulled out any books an' records I could find on the Defiler, Vinessa, the Drow Wars, an' the stag. I made notes on any interestin' stories from the histories written about those times.

    Penny begins to fumble through a large stack of papers, dropping a few and cursing as she does so.

    Sorry y'all. I ain't slept much lately. Ok, here we are. Now keep in mind, all these points came from different sources, so I can't promise ya that they're related in any way, but it all seemed ta follow a similar theme. First off, the Stag glyph on that dagger is the mark of the Old Druid Circle.

    Penny fumbles through some more papers before continuing.

    Where the fark did I put - oh, 'ere it is. The dagger - well, a couple books made mention of it bein' worn by the Nentyarch as a symbol of his bein' speaker for the Circle. Of course, I looked for any reference to the riddle, an' couldn't find any. As far as the histories seem ta indicate, the only thing on the dagger oughta be the Stag glyph, so I can't account for when that riddle is from or who put it on the dagger.

    In other news, I dug up some isolated tales of a White Stag appearin' in the Rawlins and rescuin' unwise or waylaid travelers. All accounts seem ta indicate it appeared outta nowhere, saved the day, an' disappeared right away in a glow a light.

    Oddly enough, I also found the White Stag mentioned again in a Defiler reference. Supposedly, the White Stag is still hidden deep within the Rawlins. Unable to be destroyed by the Defiler durin' his reign of terror, the Stag was trapped in some manner or another.

    I realize as I tell y'all this that it seems like a haphazard mess of tales an' stories with as much organization as one a Grag's search-an'-rescue missions… she chuckles as she says this So I figure we got a couple unanswered questions ta focus on. When an' why was the riddle added? Is there truth to the legend of the imprisoned White Stag? Where is the stag held in the Rawlins, and is it the thing mentioned in the riddle that needs ta be freed?

    I figure the best approach to at least the last question is to consult Fadia, who is now the Archdruid of the Circle. What do y'all think?


  • A few days following the discovery of the dagger, Penny heads off to the Bard College and cannot be found for several days. In that time, she pulls books related to Vinessa, the Defiler, the Drow Wars, and Mielikki and the white stag, looking for absolutely any commonalities across more than one book.


  • Elridith spends significant time in the spellweaver and red libraries doing research on the symbol of the stag, as well as trying to figure out the riddle, she seels she is just beginning to break the surface of the topic and is thinking to ask others for some temprorary acess to the colleges library