An ancient dagger
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Jeni nods as she thinks*
An excellent idea Oreth and one we had not thought of…
Do you know if any of the great trees were present within the Rawlins back then? Is there any mention of them in your histories?
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Oreth approaches Jeni and Cera in the tree
If our correspondence from the Circle at Dun Tharos, the Circle of Leth, is true, approaching Dun Tharos may not be a problem. Apparently, the yuan-ti turned the wards around the Tree-Fortress inside out, made it easy to approach, but nearly impossible to leave or see out of.
Essentially, the place is a pit trap.
I would not recommend an expedition there unless you've devised some way to get out.
As for this Grandfather Oak….have you considered the possibility that this stand of trees were not all normal trees? There may have been .....treants, I think they are called here....among them. One could easily have fled or moved. Especially a large one. A servant of Silvanus, of that age and wisdom, might be able to go a long way towards helping Mielikki in this area.
In other words, we should not limit our search to wooden objects and immobile plants alone.
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::After speaking with Jeni and the others, Celebring heads back towards his tent in the inner camp. Taking some ink and a quill pen from the top shelf of a bookcase near to his desk, he seats himself quietly, not wanting to wake Val, and gathers up some blank papers. Dipping the pen in ink, he begins writing down what was said for his own reference, as well as the others involved. A pixie flutters down to land on his shoulder, tilting her head a little to read the writing.::
An Incubus has taken interest in Lilly and the dagger in pursuit of his own agenda.
Tales were mentioned in ancient text, a White Stag, champion of Mielikki. The Defiler could find no way to destroy this champion, and so it was imprisoned someplace deep within the rawlins so that it would cause no more trouble.
Elridith and Aghila made a trip to the South Rawlins many weeks ago. The badger Aris lead them to the old circle. As Elridith entered, they saw a vision, a vague outline of a White Stag.
A set of tracks lead them deeper, to the old ruins, and atop the ruins was a portal none could enter. Instead a woman appeared and spoke, saying that Mielikki did not live here any longer, but that there was hope.
The old ruins are those of the old temple from the days of Acwel and his circle when it was whole, the Rawlinswood was a place where people lived, worked, and played without fear. Perhaps the Stag was trying to lead them here, but they were unable to enter the portal, thus unable to find out the meaning.
Jeni had a dream of the Stag, we must find the one who carries the Grandfather Oak. He is an elf with dark hair, he was young, but is no longer. Now he is seer and protector. He will lead the way.
There is mention of the Circle opposed to the Defiler. Their Circle once held a stand of Grandfather Oaks. The trees were destroyed long ago, during one of many battles. Speculation of what could survive these oaks… A staff made from the wood? an Acorn?
Jeni is convinced we must find Dun Tharos. An old, worn book found amongst Katya's belongings speaks of a cage of thorns and a spell to entomb someone, as well as to free them. The pages are worn and faded, what can be found out is that only a Druid of great power is capable of this.
Find the Grandfather Oak, find the old Elf, find Dun Tharos, kill or otherwise evade the Incubus that seeks to prevent this from happening...
::Satisfied he has recalled all that was said in brief form, he leans back and looks it over, after a good long moment, he sits back forward to dip his pen in ink, the pixie instinctively flying down to push the bottle closer to him. He smiles to her warmly, thanking her as he begins making copies…::
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// Sorry guys, I need to push the meeting in the tree back an hour to 3pm Eastern. I've got a couple of things to do today, and I'm fairly certain I won't be back by 2.
I'll give a shout in game when I get there!
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//I'm at work until 18:30 EST, so I cant be there :x … but Aghila will (just imagine he's there :P)
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//Not a problem!
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//Any problem with saying, IC, that fad shows up with oreth or Penny or someone? Being that she's also been consulted on this and would realistically attend a meeting about it, but i'm gonna be stuck in work until about 5 pm EST.
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Jeni is heard speaking to Elridith, Celebring and Alexi
Find those involved, for we have much to speak of.
Aghila, Oreth, Elridith, Penny, Lilly, Celebring, Elridith, Zoma…..
All of you, and any one else who has helped in the research, meet at the Tree as soon as possible.
(( Sunday September 10, 2006, 2pm eastern American time))
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Elridith is seen walking into the circle, and spending a quite a bit of time in it. She hasnt been seen in the camp for a few weeks. As she enters she pulls out a small green journal to write in. Her body looks frail, her skin scratched and cut. She also has a splint about her left arm which she seems to adjust constantly. She regards all with a faint smile, somewhat afraid to approach anyone…
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After having an emotional conversation with Lilly, Zoma goes forth to seek of the others involved to speak regarding of this 'dagger'.
"This concerns the safety of my Sister as well as a problem that may be the reason of her being plagued with low self-esteem. I won't allow that any longer by being ignorant of this problem from now on."
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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.
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:: 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 ::
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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.
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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.
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_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
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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.)
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_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.
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_
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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
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Deep to the south. In Yuan-ti controlled territory. We haven't been able to get anyone in or out for years.
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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?
