Tales of Isil and Vell'cam, Clerics of Corellon



  • ….........................................................Vell’cam A’Seldor and Isil’ Amandil….............................................................
    ....................................................................................{Abbil a‘vell durrn}…........................................................................................
    ........................................................................................Comrades of the Faith….............................................................................................
    ...............................................................................................................I….......................................................................................................................

    His sun elf parents having traveled to the secluded peace of its shores during the great elven retreat Isil’ Amandil was born upon the island kingdom of Evermeet. From an early age he was often to be seen standing amongst the bows of the great trees staring out across the sparkling water toward the mainland. Always pestering those elves that sailed with Evermeet’s great fleet for news from anywhere else about the world he quickly gained a reputation for being a pest. His parents being the atypical mold of Sun Elven society saw Isil’s interests in the rest of the “non-elven” world as an embarrassment to there family and decided to enroll him in Evermeet’s academy as soon as he turned of age.

    Moving from his home in Nimlith, Isil’ was sent to the training facilities at Sumbrar fortress in order that he might be molded more properly into an example of Sun elven culture. The first four years of life at Sumbrar were extremely tough on the young Isil’, being away from the familiar trees of his native port and being thrust onto the shores of such a small island bereft of vegetation was a shock to him. He also had a hard time finding friends as none of the other elves cared for speculation on the outside world; they were there for a reason, to become Elven soldiers. In Isil’s fifth year at the academy he entered into his clerical training within the academy. Here he met his future mentor Nym Malrin, a cleric of the great elven deity Corellon Larethian. It was at this time that Isil’s life turned around. His mentor infused him with a strong sense of purpose, his studies improved and he quickly rose to the top of his class. It was here that he met Vell’cam, the two Sun elves quickly became the closest of friends, and under Nym’s mentorship they graduated from Sumbrar’s academy at the top of their class, being given their choice of duties.

    Together they decided to take residence within the most sacred of places in Evermeet, Corellon’s Grove. There stationing brought great honor and respect to both of their families and in truth Isil’ was for the first time at peace within his soul. Comforted by the soothing trees and the palpable presence of his patron god he soon forgot his yearnings to travel and settled into the life of a Sun elf. But it was not to be his fate for long…

    Inside the barracks of Corellon’s sacred guards deep within the safety of his grove Isil’ dreamed. Not the dreams of a Sun Elf at peace and harmony with his life this night, desperate dreams of blood and terror… Something was not right; he could feel it even asleep. He woke in a cold sweat, sitting up and looking around, next to him Vell’cam was also sitting up from bed. Isil’ motioned for silence and leaned forward listening. At first the pair could detect nothing but then a faint sound reached their ears, one that both were intimately familiar with, a sound that was completely foreign to the peace of Corellon’s Grove. Somewhere within the grove battle was being done. The two friends leaped down from there bunks landing with the practiced quiet of elves they quickly bent to wake their companions, many of witch were already awake from there troubled dreams as well. The guard assembled and dressed in a manner that spoke of quiet efficiency and determination, when all was ready Isil’ and Vell'cam crept to the front of the barracks motioning the rest to follow. Readying spells and loosening long swords they burst out of the guard hall as silently as ghosts filtering through the forest bows of the grove toward the battle noises in the distance. As they came closer they caught the smell of something foreign, something foul and evil, an abomination within the grove. Gritting his teeth Isil’ crept forward once more, they must be upon the fighting soon, an as if his thoughts had been a summons he saw movement to his left. A shadow, black amongst darkness, a being of night, liquid and graceful stepped from the shadows, followed by more of its kind. Grinning it advanced toward the guards slowly, almost sauntering, mocking, in the light of the crescent moon Isil’ could see sluggish blood run down the shadows sword blade, dripping down to stain the holy tranquility of Corellon’s Grove.

    Drow, screamed Isil’s mind as shock slammed through him, how had they gotten here? On his left Vell'cam growled deep within his throat breaking Isil’ from his momentary shock, at the noise the closest drow warriors charged the group. Shouting erupted from the grove about Isil’ as the rest of Corellon’s guards encountered drow as well, snarling Isil’ launched himself toward his closest foe, meeting him in combat scimitars against long sword. Ducking under the first pass of the drows blade Isil scurried forward and kicked out the filths knee. Unfortunately other drow had arrived by then and he was forced to retreat back to Vell‘cam. Standing with their backs to each other the duo fought with the rage and determination that can only come from seeing your sacred home desecrated by the most foulness of perverted belief and decadence. They quickly overcame the small drow force with the rest of the guards, sweeping the grove clean and heading toward the entrance. Securing the outlying area had proven to be easy and almost no challenge, what few drow they encountered either fled back through portals or were slaughtered with a total lack of mercy. “A diversion perhaps,” commented Vell'cam, “certainly not their main force, this would accomplish nothing.”

    “Yes, they must have had another target in mind then,” Isil’ agreed nodding. Gesturing toward the tallest of the trees about the grove both friends quickly began to climb into it higher branches in order to scan the island. Almost all of Evermeet was visible from the bows of Corellon’s great trees. As they reached the top they turned their eyes toward a brighter spot on the horizon, it was not the coming sun for it was many hours yet till daybreak. “Corellon save us,” whispered Isil’.
    “Leuthispar, it burns Isil’ gods above, we must help them!” Shouted Vell'cam Quickly the pair descended, scrambling down the great tree, rushing toward the ground. As they reached the ground they shouted to the members of the guard, gesturing for them to follow they raced toward the stables deep within the grove. “Do not worry,” Vell'cam shouted to Isil' as they ran, “Nym is within the palace, he shall send them back to the hells from which they came.” Nodding Isil’ skidded around the corner of the stable and headed for the tack and saddles hanging from the walls. Gathering up gear for one mount he raced into the field Vell'cam on his heels. Racing up to the closest available mount they each threw on the tack and soothed the beasts as they picked up there riders nervousness. When all was ready the still strong force of Corellon’s guards rose into the air atop their war Pegasus and flew straight toward the capital of Evermeet.

    As they drew near Isil' could see the fires spreading amidst the trees of the court, they had been right, the true attack had fallen upon Leuthispar. How could this be, how could the filth do so and not be stopped? Grief for the forest and the loss of life tore at Isil’, this was not right and it must be stopped. Signaling his fellow guards forward they descended upon the drow warriors surrounding the elven high guard and from the air called down Corellon’s wraith upon them. Holy beams of light shot down from the stars, blinding their subterranean cousins and allowing the Sun elves to gain the upper hand in a matter of moments.

    Landing and dismounting Isil’ and Vell'cam rushed forward deeper into the heart of the elven court. Among the trunks of the great trees both Sun and dark elf lay dead, there blood pooled about the roots of Isil’s home. From the right Isil’ heard a gasp from Vell'cam and they a cry, racing toward where his friend knelt he looked over his shoulder and feel to his knees as well. Amidst the crimson pools and blooded weapons of fallen drow and sun elf lay Nym, cut in a dozen places, bled out into the earth, still gripping his sword which was logged deep within the stomach of a drow. Fallen in battle, stained with his own blood. No, this was too much, it was not right; Isil knelt and wept, crying softly.

    A hand upon his shoulder shook him from his grief; Vell'cam stood looking down upon him. “We must bring him to Corellon’s embrace brother, it is not right for him to lay among this filth in death, he was to great an elf to deserve this. Come, help me carry him to our mounts.” Nodding Isil’ followed, supporting the weight of their dead mentor as they retraced their steps back toward the entrance to the elven courts. Together they helped each other load body of their mentor onto a pegasus and then they rose into the air toward Corellon’s grove.

    In the months that followed Isil’ felt himself adrift among his fellows, he helped as they trimmed all of the damage from the trees, as they rebuilt their disrupted lives. But he felt no joy within the trees as he had before. Vell'cam attempted to comfort Isil’ but he felt the hollowness of his friends words, he could see the grief within his eyes as well and as time went by the grief did not lesson. Isil’ felt his mind wander again toward the ocean and lands far away. Together the friends would walk to Taltempa and sit upon the docks of the port watching the sun and birds move in the sky.
    Isil’ felt as if there was no reason to stay longer in Evermeet and soon Vell'cam grew to agree with him. They both placed in resignation to the grove and packed all of their possessions, taking ship upon the first vessel headed toward the mainland was an easy task and soon they were far out to sea. The trip was one of rebirth for Isil’, he felt within him a new purpose grow, a new direction in life take shape. Corellon was still to be his guiding light, but he would turn that light outward as well to hunt those responsible for his grief and loss. He would wipe away the traces of foulness and filth wherever he found them. Together the two friends disembarked from ship in Waterdeep intent on moving as far from Evermeet as possible.

    ….................................................................................{Abbil a‘vell durrn}…........................................................................................
    ........................................................................................Comrades of the Faith….............................................................................................
    ..............................................................................................................II…......................................................................................................................

    Vell’cam’s fiery green eyes gazed out across the watery expanse before him. The dark waters raged against the sides of the elven ship, rocking and throwing the vessel in their wraith. The ship creaked and groaned under the onslaught of the sea, crying out in a pain that was echoed in the sun elf‘s eyes. The crew scrambled around the deck hunching against the powerful wind and rain as they tried to hold the vessel to its course. The storm battered against the ship, yet he stood unmoving at the very bow; his cloak left whipping in the wind. Rain and sea water splattered against his elven armor and face unnoticed. Rivets of water ran from his soaked hair down onto the deck at his feet. He stood strong against the dark storm, ignoring the wet and cold as his mind returned once more to the night that had changed his life…

    Lightning flashed, thunder rolled, the ship shook….and Vell’cam watched as his soul battled with the memories of his past out in the storm. Darker…colder shapes seemed to dance out in the sea before his eyes and the battle erupted with the peels of thunder and the flashes of light. A cold entered Vell’cam’s bones that was not from the rain, and he remembered…remembered and felt his soul cry…his eyes displayed the pain of his loss, the heat his of anger…

    Flash
    Vell’cam strode out into the night at Isil’s side, searching warily for what had disrupted his time in reverie…
    Flash
    Shadows danced toward and around Vell’cam. Like liquid death they struck against him, matching his own gracefully movements blow for blow…
    Flash
    Brethren fell on all sides to the dark, elven blood soaked into Corellon’s grove…
    Flash
    The grove cried with the loss of elven life, Vell’cam’s soul cried…
    Flash
    He stood back to back with Isil’. Abbil a’vell durrn against the tainted dark they stood. Darkness fell beneath their blades, yet all around and within the pain of loss was felt…
    Flash
    “Corellon save us,” whispered Isil’.
    “Leuthispar, it burns Isil’ gods above, we must help them!” Vell’cam shouted. Quickly the pair descended, scrambling down the great tree, rushing toward the ground…
    Flash
    Wind rushed by on all sides as Vell’cam bent to the back of his war pegusas, flying with blind speed…
    Flash
    Elven prayer whisper in the wind and holy beams of light shot down from the stars, blinding the flood of blackness below and allowing the sun elves to gain the upper hand in the tide…
    Flash
    Amongst the trunks of the ancient trees both sun and dark elf lay dead, their blood pooled about the roots of Vell’cam and Isil’s home….
    Flash
    Empty eyes stared up from the earth, eyes only the night before that had been full of so much light. Vell’cam’s soul cried…
    Flash
    He knelt down beside a great mentor, Nym, cut in a dozen places, bled out into the earth, still gripping his sword lodged deep within the stomach of a drow. Fallen in battle, stained with his own blood…
    Flash
    Isil knelt and wept, crying softly beside Nym‘s lifeless form. Vell’cam rested his hand lightly upon his comrade’s shoulder looking down upon him. “We must bring him to Corellon’s embrace brother, it is not right for him to lay among this filth in death, he was too great an elf to deserve this. Come, help me carry him to our mounts…”
    Flash

    Vell’cam blinked slowly, banishing the painful memory from his eyes once more. Soon now they would reach Waterdeep. Soon now they would set forth to see to the care of their brethren in these distant lands. So far from the shelter of the Great Isle and the protection of the Lifegiver’s Clerics. No longer would their people be alone in the dark of night. Two Abbil a‘vell durrn to bring the Cresent moons light.

    He glanced back slightly to his right at Isil.

    Together to stand against the tides of storm and darkness…Abbil a‘vell durrn…

    Note: Part I was written by BigStauffer and Part II by Stauffer16



  • The moon shone down over the lake in the Northern Rawlins highlighting the gently rolling surface of the cool body of water. The light almost seemed to move from one wave to another, dancing smoothly across the surface of the lake in a strangely calming and soothing way.

    Slowly, near the edge of the lake's waters an elven man kneels. A soft sigh escaping his lips as his eyes watch the dancing moonlight before him. He bows his head slightly, a peaceful smile coming to his lips as he watches a calming waters.

    Vell'cam always felt at home in this spot by the Rawlins northern lake. The moon caught the large waters here just right, reminding him of his old home, reminding him of his bond to The Great Protector, and yet still keeping him in touch with his new home within the strange lands he now found himself.

    An old elven hymn comes to him and he smiles. He bows his head taking a light breathe and beginning, a hymn of guidance for those far from home. His voice deepens, rumbling gently out over the moonlit lake as he continues, putting voice to feelings as he was taught long ago. Soothing and calming his feelings and thoughts under the guidance of his faith and portraying those feelings to whoever of his brethren or friends that may be watching….a prayer as calming to others as his faith and the waters were to hi...

    The elven cleric pauses in his thoughts, but continues his hymn squinting his eyes out over the moonlit lake. An image seems to dance in, closer and closer with each rolling wave. He turns his head slightly and then blinks, his eyes widen in surprise. The image flashes from the waves up into his mind as recognition sets in.

    Karion lurched….his leather armor pierced by one goblin arrow, then another....another...another....still more and more and more until he could hold himself up no more...the pain flashed in his eyes and the elven archer's knees buckled. And he fell on further...the earth rising to meet him as a battle pitched on around him, a great beast of a half orc screamed and flung goblins in fury. But Karion lay still, still as death. and....there, there next to him...a fang hung from the broken protector, covered in the fallen faithful's blood. The battle ended and all went quiet...a silence seemed to stretch on forever in grief for the fallen elf....Suddenly the elf's eyes shoot wide open and look straight and true like his arrows flew towards their targets. Help me brother…

    Vellcam's tilted to the side, his eyes burned with the after effects of the painful image. He sat, stung for a long time. He reached out to the calmness of his faith, the comfort of the father of them all, and he knew, knew that he could help his fallen brother elf.

    Straightening, he bowed his head once more and prayed. He would be ready for whatever task he must face. He would do what he must to save one of their blood, a friend, a faithful protector or their people, an elven archer. i will be at your side soon brother, Corellon will see it so.