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Post by IndySligo on Sept 14, 2021 14:59:18 GMT -5
Neuith A Brief Introduction By Syreni, Linne Coven Historian, L188 Based on translated ancient texts found in the Fellandria Wizards' Guild library
Neuith is a world that was discovered over 10,000 years ago in a far corner of the material plane multiverse. It’s a small terrestrial planet with over 90% of its surface covered in ocean. Though smaller than most planets capable of supporting life as we know it, its dense core generates a gravitational pull on its surface roughly equal to similar planets.
At the time, its discovery was unremarkable because the land masses, consisting of three relatively small continents, were mostly covered in vegetation with very little native wildlife. And certainly nothing rising to the level of sentience.
It was a time of upheaval in the multiverse. Wars, catastrophes, and disasters ravaged the known worlds of Eberron, New Atlantis, Greyhawk, Trollworld, Rokugan, Dragonlance, and countless others. Powerful, immortal beings, known by many as gods and deities, waged their disputes using mortals as their pawns. While some wanted peace and order, others wanted destruction and chaos. And this went on for many millennia, with no end or resolution in sight. Either the multiverse would be laid to ruin, every once-habitable planet a blackened, inhospitable cinder, or peace and prosperity would reign once and for all.
It was during a battle when the followers of two powerful beings, a man and his sister, faced each another. One group believed in order, the other in chaos. Powerful mortals summoned the sister from another plane of existence, in the hopes that she would rule their world, enslave the populace, and reward those that summoned and worshipped her with wealth, fame, and luxury beyond measure. Brave adventurers worked tirelessly to stop the evil priests and prevent their dire ritual, but they were too late. In the form of a five-headed dragon, the sister climbed out of a volcano, which was the portal between the planes. Her reward for those that summoned her was quick and ruthless. The adventurers stood before her hoping to send her back to the nether plane, which was her prison, but they knew they were not strong enough. They knew their plight was hopeless, and like so many before, this world would fall. Its survivors enslaved; its resources exploited so that the goddess could expand her ever-growing hold on the material plane.
This time, her brother was summoned as well. He watched as his sister destroyed her followers. He watched as the adventurers bravely stood their ground, willing to give their lives for the greater good. He knew this was crucial. Should she win this day, the balance would tip in her favor going, spelling doom for the rest of eternity. His hand was forced; before this moment, he relied on the strength and will of mortal men and women to stop the encroachment of evil and chaos. His policy was non-intervention. While there were mortals who were willing to step up and stop evil, he knew that his sister, and those like her, would never win.
When he saw what she did to her own followers, he knew he had no choice. What she was doing, whether she was aware of it or not, was just and righteous. She had no concern for those that worshipped and her, followed her teachings, carried her torch. They weren’t even sacrifices to some greater goal or power. They were just pawns to be swept aside, like ants. The brother could not bear to watch.
In the form of an aged human man, he stepped clearly into her line of sight. “Enough!” he called. He held up his arms. The five dragon heads turned to face him; her tail smashed aside more of her own followers; their screams faded as they died. The five adventurers backed off, keeping their guard up. They formed a circle around the old man, but he whispered to them, “I do not need your protection.” The one who bore his symbol fell to his knees, prostrate. To his sister, he called “Attend me! We shall speak!”
Her form changed. No longer did a gargantuan five-headed dragon stand before them, but a woman. Ageless in her youth, naked as a newborn save for the tattoos that covered most of her body. She strode toward the old man and faced him just beyond arms reach. The adventurers backed away, giving her space. “Dear Brother,” she said. “Many generations you allowed me to advance my goals, but today you choose to stand. Should I dare enquire the purpose of your interference?”
“It is time we put an end to our eternal struggle. It is time we leave the men and women of the mortal worlds to fend for themselves as we settle our differences once and for all.”
“Oh, dear Brother, you know that there is only one way to end our dispute. Surely you do not propose such a thing.”
“In fact, Sister, I do. But not in the way you think. I have a proposal I’d like for you to consider.”
She agreed to the terms after making a few amendments. The exact terms were known only to them, the five adventurers and nine others who joined them later. These fourteen mortals would become gods on a newly settled planet. The brother and sister would guide them, but otherwise not directly interfere. This new world would be the proving ground for their dispute: should law or chaos reign?
The name of this planet is Neuith. From many worlds refugees were culled and brought to this new place, which was then quarantined. While a pathway to the old existence could be reconstructed, all bridges were severed. Here was a fresh start for the selected populations. A new way to settle the ancient rivalry between an immortal brother and sister. An opportunity to grow, thrive, and flourish, or to squander, exploit, and decay.
Nearly ten millennia have passed since the refugees were brought to Neuith. After a long period of growth and prosperity, civilization fell, and the world tumbled into war. Since then, the turbulence has been constant. Of the fourteen mortals elevated to deity, all are believed to be dead. Of the bother and sister, both are imprisoned with no knowledge of how they can be freed, as those that imprisoned them are trapped in the same manner. The world is subject to a Great Curse brought upon by the power of a child’s innocent wish.
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Post by IndySligo on Sept 15, 2021 15:44:34 GMT -5
The Races of Neuith By Syreni, Linne Coven Historian, L188
It is known that the races that populate Neuith were once refugees on other material (and some non-material) worlds. By far, the greatest population consists of humans, though Neuith is home to a wide variety of common and exotic races.
Among the sixteen founding gods, several were fascinated by exotic races and hybrid versions of those races. Unfortunately, some of those races that were brought to Neuith didn’t survive. This article covers some of the races of Neuith, where they came from, where they live now, how they are perceived, and some other interesting bits of knowledge.
Dugreth and Winged Folk
We start with the tragedy of these two races, both originating from New Atlantis. The dense core of Neuith is home to very unusual elements, many of which emanate a strange energy. Direct exposure to this energy causes sickness and death, though a few races seem to be more resistant to its effects. Not so with the Dugreth and Winged Folk. The Winged Folk, a race who had wings instead of arms, was highly susceptible to this strange energy, but instead of getting the sickness, their children were often born with random mutations. The gods attempted to cross breed them with other races to preserve them, but their pride and honor refused to participate. Some believe that the modern-day harpies are their descendants, though despite their outward likeness, this has proven not to be the case.
On their home world of New Atlantis, the Dugreth were known to be the most adaptable of all the hybrid races, manifesting in hundreds of identifiable variants. Unfortunately, this natural adaptability failed them when exposed to the strange energies of Neuith. Like the Winged Folk, their children suffered from random mutations, but unlike their brethren, they were willing to cross breed. This, however, led to very strange configurations, most of which never survived more than a few hours after birth. The modern day Kitsune, however, is likely the only surviving descendant of the Dugreth, and this is because their small community isolated themselves on a remote island. Very rarely do the Kitsune leave their island, and when they do, they are often mistaken for Tabaxi. Most people of Neuith don’t believe the Kitsune exist, or if they do, have likely never seen one during their lifetime.
Tabaxi
This is another race that partially originated on New Atlantis. Commonly known as cat-folk, these are human-feline hybrids. On New Atlantis, they were known as the Felini, but when brought to Neuith, they merged with another group of cat-folk that originated from the Forgotten Realms. This mixture of bloodlines allowed this race to survive Neuith. In modern day, most Tabaxi live in a region known as Czethai, on the eastern shore of the eastern continent. Their habitat is mostly rain forest, and rarely do they travel abroad. Traders and merchants often visit their communities seeking their unique crafts, and likewise, they covet many of the crafts brought to them from afar.
Some Tabaxi will leave their homeland in search of adventure, overcome with wanderlust. Those that leave rarely return home. Because of this, small communities of Tabaxi can be found throughout Neuith, usually living on the outskirts of major cities like Featherscar or Fellandria. It is known that some also live in the Greenwoods, the land of the Elves.
Tiefling and Aasimar
These two races are discussed together as their origins are somewhat similar. Unlike many of the races of Neuith, no Tieflings or Aasimar were brought to this world, meaning their origins, as distinct races, can be traced to non-hybrid ancestors.
We know that that Tieflings are descendants of regular mortals and fiends, while Aasimar are descendants of mortals and celestials. In both cases, their origins on Neuith can only be traced back to the War of Apotheosis, which began roughly 5,000 years after Neuith was first settled. In this war, which we’ll expore in another article, certain beings, who were then servants to the gods, learned the secret of divine power, which set them on the path to becoming gods themselves. The first of these beings was a celestial named Shalem Bezaleel, who wanted to ensure the survival of his then unborn son. The mother of this child was one of the original gods.
When the war began, this child, and his descendants, aligned themselves against the gods, except the Betrayer. One of the other gods, who, at the time, ruled the underworld known as Hehl, summoned demons and devils as minions to help defend against the rebels. Consequently, despite their fiendish nature, they were seen as defenders, not as corruptors. Likewise, the descendants of Shalem Bezaleel are seen as corrupt.
An interesting observation is that fiendish traits seem to be dominant while celestial traits are recessive. If there are any fiends in a person’s bloodline, the likelihood they’ll exhibit these traits is roughly 75-90%. Conversely, celestial traits only manifest in less than 5% of those that carry the blood. This means that Tieflings are relatively common in human society while their Aasimar counterparts are quite rare.
While this author does not condone racism of any sort, it is known that these races, as well as several others, which we’ll get to, suffer from some amount of bigotry and prejudice. For example, Tieflings are rarely given noble status, and are often passed over for promotion within military and para-military organizations, despite their qualifications. Tieflings are usually relegated to menial tasks, such as day labor, servants, and the like.
As bad as it sounds for Tieflings, the Aasimar have it much worse. As mentioned, celestial traits rarely manifest, but when they do, the child, and often its mother, are sent to a remote island to live out their lives. When Aasimar leave their isolation, they hide their true nature, as they are rarely trusted. This author believes this treatment is abhorrent, but she cannot change the minds of common folk.
Elves
As two of the original sixteen gods were elves, it makes sense that elves are well-represented on Neuith. Not only were they granted the largest area of land, but they were also tasked with the responsibility of the famous Eildenwood Tree, whose magic is the only means to open a gate back to the old worlds. Also, they were the only race permitted to use any sort of magic – specifically, divine and nature magics.
Like on the old worlds, their natural longevity made up for their slow birth rate. As an example, the current ruler of the elves, Regina, is only six generations removed from the original elves that came to Neuith. She, however, is almost two thousand years old. Her sole heir, Aurore, is not qualified to succeed her because she is unable to wield magic of any type.
We’ve referenced the Great Curse before, and there will be more explanation of it later. Briefly, the Great Curse’s effect is that an individual’s greatest desire is denied. It is unclear how or why, then, that the entire race of elves is Cursed: none can bear pure-blood elf children. Consequently, no pure elf, of any kindred, has been born in over sixteen hundred years. Ameron Kuranes was the last elf born before the Curse.
With their population dwindling, and while the elves still guard the sacred tree in Melandell, Melanthia, they face extinction if the Great Curse is not somehow ended soon. Among non-elf races, they are respected, but pitied. Some believe the only way to keep elven blood alive is to mix the races, though some, especially the Drow, consider this dilution of blood a sacrilege. Ameron Kuranes, specifically, believes in this method of preservation, and has fathered hundreds of half-elf children. In a bizarre twist of fate, Aurore, Regina’s daughter, is Cursed and forced to mate with human men and has birthed several hundred, if not over a thousand, hybrid children.
Half-Elves and Half-Orcs
Rarely can half-races breed with themselves to produce more like them. This is not the case with half-elves and half-orcs. Similar to tieflings, elfin and orcish traits tend to be dominant; second-, third-, and fourth-generation mixed-breeds commonly exhibit such features.
Like Tieflings, many mixed-breed members of society are denied positions of power and authority, though people are rarely openly racist. In many cases, it’s not their bloodline that engenders distrust, but the manner of their birth. For example, Aurore’s Curse forces her to seek men on the night before their wedding. It’s been said that a man who refuses her advances is killed, though this has never been proven. As these children symbolize broken trust, they are ostracized.
Dwarves
One of the original sixteen gods was a dwarf, and many still recognize him as their patron, despite his death about three thousand four hundred years ago. Dwarves are somewhat ethnocentric in that they will do commerce with others, but rarely do they live or travel far beyond their homes. The dichotomy is that some dwarves welcome strangers and invite them in for dinner while others would prefer to go through their entire day without seeing someone not of their own kind.
There are several dwarven countries in Neuith. Most are in mountainous areas where they’ve dug mining tunnels deep underneath seeking valuable gems and metals, they are just as happy living in the foothills tending their farms and ranches. By and large, dwarves are deeply religious and everything they do is tied to their faith, be it to Storginhard Murnasath or to several the old gods, but there is one exception: A small group of dwarves departed Shrinehall, Gathia, denied their faith in the gods and formed their own community on the island of Statow. There, they found a vein of Adamantite ore and despite its inherent dangers, they’ve become fabulously wealthy. It’s a bit of a thorn in the side of the Gathian dwarves, and the rivalry continues in the present day.
Dragonborn
Contrary to common belief, dragonborn are not descended from dragons, though it is believed there is some common ancestry. If there is, it wasn’t on Neuith. Originally, the dragonborn were brought to Neuith specifically to serve the gods. This didn’t last long, as the people of this race are notably stubborn and obstinate. In general, they don’t make good servants.
They settled a western region of the northwest continent that is mostly mountainous and arid. Numerous wars, treaties, agreements, and disputes have redrawn the lines and renamed the countries. In present day, there are four distinct countries, but that is likely to change within our lifetime.
For the past generation, the dragonborn have been at war. At first, they fought each other over petty disputes. However, more recently, two powerful men, who are not dragonborn, have united the ten lineages into a single fighting force through magical enslavement. Many have escaped this by making the long eastward trek through the desert along the old trade routes or southward through the mountains and forests. These refugees are welcome in some cultures, shunned in others.
The goals of these powerful men are unclear, but spies have indicated they are heading northward toward the elven lands, perhaps to claim control of the Eildenwood Tree.
Before these wars, dragonborn were not commonly seen outside of their homeland regions. Now, however, they’ve integrated into society in most major cities. Their cultural proclivities are as diverse as humans, and only a fool would make assumptions about them based on the shade of their scales.
Halflings and Gnomes
The stout folk, as they are commonly referred to, are everywhere. There are two countries, Blie and Wrige, ruled by halflings and one, Pziakland, is ruled by gnomes.
A monotheistic religious movement is led by Alamosa Tumblewatch, based in Direnat, Wrige. She preaches a perspective that is considered blasphemy by many, especially the dwarves. She says there is only one true god, referred to as The Creator, and this god is greater than all the historical gods and deities. This god does not desire worship in the same manner, but commands love and respect, not just to him, but to all living creatures, great and small. While still a minor cult, this movement is gaining popularity as new followers are converted throughout the lands.
In the city of Thiapne, Pziakland, gnomes are on the leading edge of technological, non-magical invention. Their artisans, tinkerers, and craftsmen are always creating new devices, tools, and gadgets. Some are more useful than others, but one thing in common is that if they require magic at all, it is the simplest of spells or enchantments. Many years ago, an eccentric gnome named Delagardenia Nfewny, built a funhouse which is now known as the “Clockwork Dungeon.” Unfortunately, a tragic accident took her life the day before it was set to open. Since then, for the past fifty years, the gears and mechanism still operate, clanging and clattering, thundering and rattling, every ten minutes. The door into the facility opens every day at the same time, inviting brave adventurers and treasure seekers, but none who have gone in have ever returned.
Firbolg
There is only one known community of this enigmatic race, and this author is unsure that referring to them as a “community” is the right word. Living deep in Rushmina Forest, these folk are very rarely seen. Sometimes woodsmen or hunters would report sightings. Cryptic writing on trees, caches of food, crude crafts, and animal skins are discovered near outlying towns, and the townsfolk know to replace these gifts with goods of their own: tools, livestock, baked or other prepared foods, and so on.
There is a tale about a firbolg who left the forest and joined an adventuring group many years ago, but this author couldn’t find verification or proof. The only evidence is a song lyric that seems to be told from their perspective. Based on this song, some believe the firbolg were an indigenous race on Neuith, living here before the gods came.
Some sing of their glory Few tell the true story Most men they don't need it Little man, he kills for it.
They took to the seas Searching for a land that they could call Paradise Stealing the breeze that carried them towards the sun With lust in their eyes and a sword in their hand They said, “we've found Paradise Think of the glory, look at the prize we've won.”
We know who they were They were the ones who killed their brothers To steal from others We know who they were They were the ones whose sons and daughters Are doing it still.
And in their hearts what did they feel? Did they think they had the right to steal Another man's land who had no name? Or they didn't think he'd feel the pain.
So, they sailed away from their own country To another man's land far across the sea And they stole that land from the people there They stole it from people like me.
Why did he do it? Why did he do it?
They sailed away one winter's day To a sunlit land that was far away And they stole that land from the people there And they built cities of wood and stone there.
Why did he do it? Why did he do it?
Goliath
Most giants of Neuith live in the region known as “The Mesa” located west of Gathia in the northern section of the Vipersand Desert. The smallest of them is the Goliath race. Little is known of these people as very few of them wander into the civilized regions. Those that do are almost instantly recognized due to their great height, as they tower over most men.
Kenku
These people are not descendants of the Winged Folk. They are strange and eccentric. Even though they have their own country, they live everywhere, dealing and trading with everyone. It is a myth that they can only repeat words they’ve heard before, and if one gives you that impression, don’t trust him or her. They’re hiding the truth. They’re very talented at mimicking others, and often find jobs doing just that, even though many times these occupations are illegal.
Lizardfolk
Many don’t consider the lizardfolk part of modern civilization, as they prefer to not associate with other kindreds and races, but we discuss them here because they do play a vital role in Neuith. Most often, those not living in swamps, reside in the sewers of major cities, such as Linne, Teocre, and Blue Shrine.
In Linne there is said to be a woman with the gift of sight. Those willing to brave the dangers of the sewers might venture into the damp and dark tunnels to learn their fortune.
If nothing else, the lizardfolk seem to regulate the population of rats and other vermin.
Orcs, Goblins, Kobolds, and other Goblinoids
Mostly raiders and scavengers, goblinoids are always testing the borders of their neighbors. There are many areas where they live, including two regions identified as countries, though they have no alliance nor relation with each other or their other neighbors. Internal struggles are constant and one never truly knows who is in charge. This author’s research into the matter suggests that there are distinct family units or tribes, but their nomadic nature makes it nearly impossible to verify, much less understand their culture.
Triton and Merfolk
These aren’t the only water-based humanoids that live in the Neuith seas, but they are noted because they often trade with the land folk, follow and converse with sailors, and, in some cases, help defend merchant ships against pirates or sea monsters.
Even though this author is often confused for one of them, she really isn’t. She gained these traits and characteristics as a manifestation of her own Curse. In her travels to the sea, though, she found most seafolk to be very welcoming and hospitable to visitors. However, their customs are quite different than the surface dwellers and it is easy to offend them.
Very few know the necessary magic to allow them to walk on dry land, and even among those that do, few are willing to use it. Usually, when they do, the purpose is to warn their friends of a coming disaster.
Note to players: 1. As a player, you are allowed all races from PHB except Elves. From Volo’s, Aasimar, Firbolg, Kenku, and Tabaxi are available for player characters. 2. If you want to run a race not in the list above, it must be approved by the DM. While I’ve allowed some custom races in the past, I must be convinced. I’m willing to work with you to ensure the race is appropriately balanced with the rest of the party. 3. The race customization rules in Tasha’s and the Tiefling variants from Mordenkainen’s are permitted, but only with approval. 4. The Firbolg song is based on White Man, written by Peter Knight, and performed by Steeleye Span on their 1986 album, Back in Line.
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Post by IndySligo on Sept 21, 2021 8:53:58 GMT -5
The Old Gods By Syreni, Linne Coven Historian, L188
The author first wants to state that these essays are based on both historical record and conversations with various individuals, including other historians, ancient creatures, and the like. Considering the amount of time that has passed since the Old Gods lived on Neuith, it is quite likely that this essay is inaccurate and contradicts things the reader may have heard or learned elsewhere. The author apologizes for any confusion, but please understand that it is her intention to provide the most accurate and relevant information possible.
Before the beginning…
Prior to coming to Neuith, the multiverse was a vibrant place filled with many worlds, some near duplicates of others. This author cannot name these worlds for they are too numerous. While not infinite, it may as well be. Two gods of those worlds were well known for their rivalry. Unbeknownst to many, these two were brother and sister. The brother believed in the good that comes from order and the sister preferred chaos and the evil it generates.
We must digress. “Good” and “Evil” are relative terms, as are “Order” and “Chaos.” Many believe in a graphical spectrum where one can plot their own position definitively. This author, and those she associates with, are less inclined to see things black and white. The spectrum isn’t a 2-dimensional flat grid. Rather, it is best described as a multi-dimensional spheroid. For example, as one of our number argues, when law becomes extreme, it leads to enslavement, and the only escape is to rebel. On the other hand, when chaos reigns in the form of anarchy, the natural development is order through phases of despotism, monarchy, oligarchy, representation, then democracy, which then falls into back to chaos and anarchy. Sometimes a civilization will stagnate in one of these forms, but “human nature” will always, eventually, prevail and progress throughy the cycle.
That argument aside, I only bring this up because this is the type of world the original sixteen gods came from. As mentioned, two gods, opposite in nature, made an agreement. Both saw the futility of their eternal differences and agreed to a compromise. They would each hand-pick seven mortals to join them in settling a new, recently discovered world. They would bring refugees from the multiverse to populate it. This would be a utopia where the people, the mortals, would decide, after a predetermined time, what the ultimate fate of the universe should be.
The names of the two gods are likely to be familiar to most readers: Bahamut and Tiamat. However, these weren’t the names they used. Instead, when coming to Neuith, they used their ancient names, given them by the gods that created them: Vronrox and Iakkhosi Aresdren, respectively.
Vronrox Aresdren selected the six adventurers who were battling his sister and the cult that summoned her. He allowed the leader of them to choose the remaining one. Iakkhosi chose individuals that brought a unique perspective. In retrospect, her choices were surprisingly insightful, as one might have thought she’d include mortals who were clearly evil and would follow her will. Instead, each of her choices were individuals with strong personalities who would never accept a consensus just because they were in a minority or majority.
We’ll start with Vronrox’s choices.
The leader of the adventuring party was Radanus Valadon. Since he was the leader of the adventuring party, the other members of the party typically looked up to him and generally followed his decisions. He was a powerful wizard and an experienced adventurer, wise, thoughtful, and decisive. Other than this, though, little is known about him, as he rarely dealt with the mortals of Neuith.
His wife, Urdame Valadon, was a druid before coming to Neuith. Many believe it was her idea to select refugees of war and from dying worlds to settle Neuith. There are many tales of her meeting people in the forests, some that persist into present day. It is said that she was beautiful beyond measure, but her virtue was beyond reproach. She was known as the patron of refugees.
Riccitrus Valadon, Radanus’ younger brother, was a devout follower of Bahamut. A firm believer in the order of things, it is said that he was responsible for stabilizing the erratic orbit of Neuith around its sun so that its years are exactly 360 days, and the lunar cycle is exactly 30 days, thus establishing the calendar as we know it. His influence also regulated weather so that every farmland had adequate rainfall, severe weather was predictable and avoidable, and the turbulent grounds were no more. Whether this is true is unknown, as this author is unaware of any magic strong enough to affect an entire world in this manner. Think of the implications, should he ever be angered.
Jacenelle Offronus, a half-orc, was holy warrior of Bahamut. On Neuith, her name became synonymous with justice. It was her role to root out evil, expose criminals and their corruption, and exact punishment where it was due. It is said that she watched over the night like an owl. Those that sought to evade her lived in constant fear as they believed animals would report to her and tell her of their misdeeds.
Her twin brother, Karet Offronus was often a thorn in her side. A trickster and a tinkerer, he was responsible for many of the hybrid or chimeric races now living on Neuith. He used his magic to facilitate unions that were never meant to be, often leading to disaster. He evaded his own sister’s vigilance through trickery and cleverness. When he was caught, his hands were always clean. He was a master of deception and delusion, though he refused the role of patronizing those like him. Despite his seemingly selfish intentions, it is hard to say, in retrospect, what his true motivations were, and why Vronrox would allow him as one of his choices.
Many thought Storginhard Murnasath was an odd choice. A capable dwarven fighter, certainly, but also an intellectual. He fell easily into the role of the dwarven patron, but it was more than that. Neuith’s dense core emits a strange energy that leads to sickness and death in all that are unprepared. Storginhard’s experience in the mines of his home world and dealing with strange, magical, and dangerous minerals, led him to discover the source of the energy. While dwarves are not naturally immune, they seem to be the most resistant, even more than dragons. In his experiments, he learned that other heavy metals, like lead, gold, platinum, and even quicksilver, absorbed the energy to a degree. One wearing armor consisting of these metals would be more resistant to the invisible energy. Furthermore, certain crystals reacted to the energy in strange ways, leading him to create the giant geode that is now the city of Shrinehall, Gathia.
The one individual not part of Radanus’ adventuring party was Helike Adeney. This elf was the man who started Radanus and his friends on their quest to stop the followers of Tiamat. Their task was to prevent the cultists from completing the dark ritual that would ultimately summon her into their world. Even though they failed their quest, and Tiamat rose from the depths, Radanus believed it would have been disingenuous to leave their ally out of this opportunity. In his mortal life, he was believed to be a cleric of sorts, though not a follower of Bahamut, but a follower of the elven pantheon. In his travels, he was well known as a relatable soul, one who could connect with the greatest and the least equally. His role on Neuith was more than just the patron of the Fey; he first proposed the laws and moral codes for the people of Neuith and he identified the best regions among the three continents for each group to settle so that it synergized with their natural abilities and needs.
Now we move on to the seven individuals chosen by Iakkhosi. It was believed by this author that each was chosen as a balance to the ones chosen by her brother, though, with a deeper analysis, this may not have been the case. It is certain, however, that each of these individuals was dynamic in their own way, and Neuith wouldn’t be what it is today without them.
Perhaps the most intriguing picks from Iakkhosi are the two halflings, Medelas and Nuiralia Francen. To say Medelas was a farmer is disingenuous. He lived a quiet, comfortable life with his wife, Nuiralia, on the outskirts of a city. His farm, one of the largest in the region, wasn’t maintained like many in the region with sharecroppers and peasants, he did everything himself. His wife preferred to spend her days on the banks of the lake on their property fishing, then her evenings in their studio painting. Iakkhosi selected this couple, without explanation, then asked Radanus and Urdame to recruit them. It’s no surprise that Melelas took the role of as the patron of farmers and their farms. Of the many varieties of crop and livestock he brought to Neuith, many still thrive today, along with countless hybrids. It is this author’s opinion that Nuirala was Iakkhosi’s real choice. A practical person, but a dreamer as well. During her life as a mortal, she painted hundreds of images, most depicting the surf and tide of an ocean she’d never seen, but not a single painting had ever sold. To this author’s knowledge, none of her paintings were brought to Neuith, nor did she ever pick up a brush and stroke a canvas after her arrival. Yet, she was chosen as the patron of sailors and the seas.
Cymrillian Carcani, an elf, didn’t hail from the same world as most of the others that were chosen. Instead, he came from a set of worlds collectively known as New Atlantis. These worlds were connected by a series of magical gateways and were themselves populated by refugees from wars even more ancient than the time Neuith was settled. In his youth, he was transported from New Atlantis to the one the others. He was raised as the heir to the throne in some northern elven country. For several hundred years he ruled this land peacefully. When war came upon them, it was rumored that Cymrillian was killed, but, as it seems, he instead went into hiding, allowing his son to succeed him. For a time, he travelled with Helike, and the two became fast friends. When he was approached about coming to Neuith, his first thought was to return to New Atlantis and bring along some of the mortals that lived there. Thus, came many of the races we know today, including the two that became extinct – the Dugreth and the Winged Folk. He was instilled as the patron of travelers, traders, and settlers. This author was always curious as to why Iakkhosi would choose this man, but in her research, she found various accounts about him to be contradictory. Perhaps it was this tableau of conflict and contradiction that made him attractive to her.
Of all of her picks, Tave Anloro seems most in line with what one would expect for her choices. He was an outcast. A capable warrior, though never one who cared for honor or decorum, one would have thought he could have risen to lead not just his tribe of orcs, but an entire nation. But this wasn’t his way. He was always in it for himself, with no care nor consequence. Many referred to him as the god of anger; some as the god of foolishness. He was tasked to look after the orcs, goblins, and the others of their kind. Instead, he masqueraded as Gruumsh, Hruggek, or many of the other monstrous gods of the worlds before Neuith.
Perhaps he would not have been chosen if it weren’t for his lover and rival, Amelot Blackroth. Many times, the two opposed each other on the field of battle, only to be followed that night by passion. A half-fiend herself, she had no qualms about making a deal in the back room of a tavern or den, then breaking that contract the following day if it suited her. Many believed that there was no rhyme or reason as to why she would go back on her word, but in this author’s studies, there was always a consistent theme. Rather than sway a battle to be a rout, she would find ways to make the battle fair and even for both sides. This may have resulted in a greater loss of life, but it also meant that the leaders of both sides were more likely to come to the negotiation table, ending the conflict once and for all. As such, she was the patron of balance and fairness, which extended beyond the lives of the mortal men and women of Neuith, but to all creatures, great and small.
It is said that those of the legal profession are the epitome of evil. Couple this with clerks, recorders, and auditors, this image is compounded. This was Varden Dundrus. Some say it is his likeness that appears on the face of the full moon, looking down upon us all, counting our digressions and keeping the ledger. Research suggests he was a tax collector for a kingdom. If those stories are true, he was the best among his peers in that he returned to the king each season with the most, while at the same time, increasing the loyalty of the people to their king. What he did to accomplish this is unclear. Upon joining the gods of Neuith, he claimed the role as Steward. He typically abstained from all decisions, but instead forced the others to adhere to their agreements and contracts. It’s not that he had any power beyond what the others had, but he did have their respect, which is more than what can be said about some of the others.
Finally, we get to Zealdra Whisperthi. Some believe she assassinated the person Iakkhosi wanted to bring, but because of this, she brought this tiefling woman instead. On her origin world, she was the leader of an underground guild that had as much, if not more, influence on the country’s leadership than any other. It was not beneath her to send agents to assassinate, bribe, or extort people in power to her will. Was she the person behind the throne? Perhaps. There’s no question that the other gods of Neuith didn’t like her. Some despised her. Consequently, she became the first ruler of the underworld, the place we know as Hehl. Until the War of Apotheosis, if anyone was the voice of Iakkhosi, it was her.
As mentioned, this information is based on personal accounts, ancient journals, texts, and verbal lore passed down from generation to generation. Some are contradictory while others seem more reliable. This author is fully aware that her research may not be complete and asks that if anyone discovers or learns anything about these interesting people, please share it so that the official records can be updated.
Before we close, this author would like to mention that since the fall of the Old Gods after the War of Apotheosis ended, many people of Neuith started worshiping their own gods or found lore about the gods of the worlds from before Neuith was settled. With an understanding of how Neuith was founded, it makes one wonder the veracity of these faiths and beliefs. Perhaps these older gods lived and breathed in their time. Perhaps they still do, to this day. As it is, of the Sixteen, only two are still alive, or so I’m told, but they are not able to influence the people of Neuith in any way.
This story will be told in more detail in another essay.
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Post by IndySligo on Sept 22, 2021 9:39:22 GMT -5
The Curse By Syreni, Linne Coven Historian, L188
Rather than writing an impersonal essay, I gave the quill to my friend and colleague, Procella. When I did this, I asked her to tell me about The Curse.
I just first want to say that I’m not a fan of writing or journalizing. Nor am I a fan of talking about myself, but since this historical project you are working on is done by my request, I will accede to your request and take up the quill.
While the events I describe are from my youth, a very, very long time ago, some of these things I remember like it was yesterday. Many have retold my story, and over the generations, my words have been twisted, misrepresented, or even falsified. It’s not that I blame them. What happened was not only tragic for me, but for everyone on Neuith. In one way, it was good, but another, it was evil. However you describe it, it was Balance. And that is the nature of the Curse.
It started when I was a very young child. I think I was seven, but I’m not entirely sure anymore. I don’t even remember my given name. I was born and raised in a city called Stonepass, which was somewhere along the west coast of Fellbia. Where it was is not important. The city is gone. Buried. Forgotten.
War had raged for many hundreds of years. The War of Apotheosis, as it is called by historians today. During a war, the war doesn’t have a name. It isn’t until afterwards when it gets a name.
I remember the city was on fire. The skies filled with thick, black smoke, and hot ash rained down on everything. Filthy stuff, ash. Stinks, too. Especially when it gets wet. The smell never comes out. More than anything, I remember the smell. I was in my house. A house. I don’t know if it was my house or not. I don’t know if that’s where I was born, raised, or anything. We were just living there. Hiding. Keeping away from the battle. Spells. Pitch flung by catapults. Explosions. Screams of pain and terror. Our house was hit and caught on fire. We ran into the street, all of us in different directions. I cried because my doll was still inside and I wanted to go after her, but it was too hot. I was wearing a cute princess dress and carrying a toy scepter.
I came around the house to find my mother lying on the ground. At first, I thought she was sleeping, but that didn’t make any sense. I knelt beside her, “Mommy, wake up!” When I pushed her shoulder, she didn’t respond. She just rolled back. I pushed again and rolled her over on her back. Her eyes were open but vacant. Blood trickled from her nose, mouth, and ears. I shook her again, “Mommy! Mommy!” I waved the toy over her, “Mommy, wake up!” Nothing happened. I stood up and looked for my brother. I found him moments later. He was dead, too.
I turned to look at the burning house. I still wanted my doll because she could make me feel better. I walked around the house again, looking for a safe way in, but it still burned. The ceiling fell in with a crash and a spray of sparks, cinders, and ash. Some of the hot embers landed on me and burned holes in my dress and scorched my skin. I came back around to where my mother and brother lay. I didn’t know what to do. I wasn’t thinking about meals or sleeping or anything else related to survival. I was just a child.
I thought about the war and everything that was happening. I remembered when my father left, only a few days prior, saying that he was going to go and fight. He hated the rebellion and wanted them to stop. But he was also angry at the gods for not putting an end to the war with their powers. Hundreds of years. Hundreds of thousands of people were dead, all because one man wanted to become a god and all the others refused. Others took up the mantle on both sides of the conflict. People should have the right to choose their own destiny. People should honor those that brought us to Neuith. Blah, blah, blah. Had they forgotten what Neuith was supposed to be? I’m sorry, I’m mixing in what I’ve learned in my long life. It’s hard to say what was going through my mind. I was just a child.
I then heard a noise. Horses. A woman with strange eyes and white hair was riding. Others were with her, but I don’t remember anything about them. Just her. She saw me kneeling by my mother’s body. She came off the horse and knelt next to me. At the time, I didn’t know her. I learned later that she was Erthala Linvam, a celestial-born who was a direct descendant of Shalem Bezaleel and Iakkhosi Aresdren. One of the most powerful sorceresses on Neuith.
“Can you help her?” I asked.
“I cannot, but perhaps you can.”
“Aren’t you one of the gods? Don’t you have the power over life and death?”
She touched my mother’s face, dipping a finger in my mother’s blood. “No, dear child. I am not one of the gods, but perhaps one day I will be. Perhaps if you worship me, I will gain the power to restore your mother’s life.”
“My family taught me to love and fear Radanus Valadon, and to hate those that wanted to take his power.”
“I see,” said the woman. “Perhaps you have the power to restore her yourself. Wave your magic wand and see what happens.”
Tears rolled down my cheeks. “I don’t have any powers. I’m not...” At the time I didn’t know the words.
“Perhaps, if you won’t place your faith in me, I should place my faith in you.” She waved her hands in the air in a manner I could never repeat. “Tell me, child, your greatest wish. Speak forth your greatest desire. I have channeled my power so that your wish will be granted, be it by me, the gods, or the energy that comes from the ground below us.”
I looked at her, my mother’s body, then my brother’s body. I looked at the burning buildings. I looked at the woman’s companions riding their horses, each armored in shining maille. I looked at the toy I still carried, then said, “I wish there were no gods.”
“Such a strange…” the woman started to say. Then suddenly, everything seemed to change. Colors swirled through the air, followed by a great blast of wind that knocked me and the others to the ground. The fires from the burning buildings were pulled into this vortex. My mother’s body lifted from the ground, turned to ash, and joined the colors swirling through the air around us. It felt as if I was riding a horse in a windstorm. Lightning flashed and thunder boomed. The ground shook.
It was over in a matter of moments. Seconds, perhaps. I was the first to regain my feet. I still held the toy. But all was quiet. The kind of silence that’s deafening. The woman stood up nearby, “How dare you!” She cried. I saw her wave her hands, building another spell. She thrust her arms in my direction as a ball of fire formed between her hands. I thought I was dead. I thought that in her anger she would turn me to ash. But that’s not what happened. The mote didn’t fly toward me, but instead, flew toward her just before it exploded in a violent blast. I was thrown back. In her place was nothing but burnt leathers, burnt flesh and bone, and nothing else. Her spell backfired and she killed herself. Instantly.
The horsemen were confused. One was killed in the same blast that killed the woman. Others muttered, confused. They had no idea what just happened. I didn’t either. I didn’t learn until years later, when one of the gods took me in and taught me. One of the men fell to his knees and denounced the woman as his god and swore his allegiance to Bahamut. When he did this, I felt a surge of energy. I felt his confusion, almost as if it were my own. I heard other voices, too. Many voices. Not with my ears, but in my mind.
I wandered the streets for days, still in the filthy dress, still carrying the toy. I don’t know if I ate anything. I don’t remember if I slept. There was death everywhere. Bodies. Body parts. Dead people. Dead animals. Homes and buildings burnt to the ground with just blackened stone remaining. Hearths, chimneys, foundations. There were people alive, too. They were confused. Lost. Just like me. I remember the silence. The silence. When people talked, they spoke in whispers. Some offered to help others. Some refused. I remember seeing people digging through the rubble trying to find their loved ones.
One man came and offered to help me. He promised food and shelter. I didn’t know if it was safe, but I went with him anyway. I followed him to a cave just outside the city. He took me inside and told me to sit on a bed. He brought me a clean dress and told me to put it on. When I refused he got angry. He came at me. I held up my toy to block him, and when he touched me, his hand turned black. He screamed in horror and pain as his hand and arm shriveled, as if being burned in a kiln. I took the opportunity and ran away from him. I ran for hours, it seemed. There were others, too. Everywhere I went there was tragedy. Pain. Sadness. Loss.
It was many days later when a woman came to me. I know who she is now, but then, I didn’t. A beautiful woman, but strange. Her body was covered in ink, exposed where her clothing did not hide. Unlike others, she didn’t seem terrified of me. Unlike others, she seemed calm. She used magic to conjure food, clean and repair my dress, bathe me. She asked me my name and she told me hers. It wasn’t a name I knew then, but one I know now: Takhisis. The human form of Tiamat. The goddess Iakkhosi Aresdren.
But she was no goddess. She told me that her powers of deity were gone, and I was the reason. She told me that her greatest desire was now impossible to achieve, and that as long as I lived and the toy I carried existed, this world was cast in darkness under a Curse. We stayed together, off and on for several years. She taught me how to harness the magical power of Neuith, making me the sorceress I am today. She taught me the meaning of what I’d done, and how it would impact others. She also learned of my other powers. Powers that she knew from her time before the fateful day, but now I had. She’s the one who gave me my name, Procella. She said that it meant “First Witch” in one of the old languages.
I feel I’ve written enough about me, but I’ve only scratched the surface in answering your question. You want to know about the Curse. What exactly is it? From my perspective, it is something totally different than what it is for everyone else. For me, it was the end of an era and the start of another. For me, it is the greatest burden that could ever be placed upon a person. I am Cursed, as I know you, Syreni, are as well. All of us on the Linne Coven are Cursed.
We’ve all heard that when you come close enough to the Cursing Wand, you are denied your greatest desire. Yes, that worthless toy I carried as a child is the Cursing Wand. As you know, I no longer possess it. Our colleague, Allison, has it presently, and it is my hope that she keeps it until it is somehow destroyed. What that means for me, I don’t know. Freedom? Death? Loss of my powers?
When I spoke my wish aloud, my innocence, along with the guilt of that woman, Erthala Linvam, all our grief, our desires, our fears, our hopes, and everything, combined in a cosmic cataclysm. The vortex swept all that and split it evenly between me and the toy wand. The connection between the gods and their worshippers was severed. Instantly, they were all cursed, as were those who sought to become gods themselves, as the power they so desired could no longer be harnessed. It may have spelled the end of the War of Apotheosis, but it didn’t put an end to war. Far from it. Instead of the gods getting power from worship, it came into me. But my ability to wield and use this power is limited. Like you, Syreni, I can focus the energy derived from this world, manipulate it to do many wondrous things. But in my head, like the constant buzzing of gnats, I hear the voices of everyone as they pray. I’ve learned to tune them out and perhaps focus on one at a time. Like through a captain’s lens, I can see what they see for a time, feel what they feel, hear what they hear, but it’s scattered, disjointed, sometimes random. This is my Curse. I wanted there to be no gods at all, and I’m Cursed with the power of gods, but in a manner that I can’t use.
This is the nature of the Wand’s magic. It is insightful, intelligent, all-knowing. It knows what is truly in your heart. It knows your greatest desire, and through that, it knows the best way to deny it. We’ve both heard Propheta’s riddle, “a paradox of desire,” is what will destroy the Wand and end the Curse. In one sense, I understand it, but in another, the riddle is just as evasive to me as it is for you and everyone else who’s heard it.
For three and a half millennia, I have lived with this. I’ve watched our civilization rise and fall several times. I’ve tried to influence it and I’ve tried to stay aloof, yet, like the ocean, the tide ebbs and flows endlessly. Each morning the sun rises and every evening the sun sets. The moon circles this world every thirty days and nothing I, nor anyone else, can do to change it. Perhaps, if the Wand is destroyed, new heroes can learn to harness the power of worship, become gods, and influence the cosmos as the Old Gods once did.
I believe the end of this era will be soon, because of something Iakkhosi Aresdren once said. She said it in passing, and I don’t know even know if she knew I heard. “Ten thousand years.” It was something she said to her brother, Vronrox Aresdren. His response was, “There is still time.” If I’m not mistaken, the two made some sort of arrangement, and the culmination of that contract, that agreement, is only a few years hence. This year is L188, or, 188 years since the establishment of the Linne Calendar, when the twelve of us ended the War of the Realm and imposed peace in this region. In the calendar of Neuith, this is year 9992. Draw your own conclusion.
I want to thank Procella for taking the time to write this. As the editor of this history, I took the liberty to edit her writings for conciseness. There are many comments I’d like to make, because the details she shared contradict many things I’ve heard and read previously, including things supposedly written by her. Is this definitive and accurate? I cannot say for sure.
As I’ve been tasked to write more essays, I will continue to do so. In a world that’s been settled by our kind for nearly ten thousand years, there are many stories that can and should be told. My hope is that these words, whether they be my own or those of another, inspire you to do great things in your life.
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Post by IndySligo on Sept 23, 2021 9:15:52 GMT -5
The Linne Coven By Syreni, Linne Coven Historian, L188
Is it okay that I write an essay about an organization that I’m a member of? I believe this to be an important topic because of the events in recent history. At some point, I think I want to sit down with each of the other members of the Coven and let them tell their stories. In a way, I’ve already presented one: Procella’s.
Maybe I should keep this brief. What is the Linne Coven? Why does it exist? What does it do? And who are its members?
About two hundred years ago war raged in the Wraithscape Realm. This is the north-eastern region of the Waralica Continent consisting of three countries (Antarrow, Avensaria, and Handocher) and one city-state (Linne). I suppose I can get distracted by discussing the origins of each of these places, talk about their leadership, the populations, and all that. I won’t. I want to try to be more focused. You can thank me later.
The specifics of the war are confusing at best. Some believe it has to do with what happened to Handocher’s royal family after the Scone War. Others suggest it involves intrigue and interference from other countries, like Aimach or Sylrix. Maybe it had to do with the ancient feud between the followers of Iakkhosi Aresdren and those of Vronrox Aresdren. Perhaps I will research this more to find out what I can and share it with you in another essay. Suffice it to say, they were at war. It started when Handocher decided to annex Linne. Antarrow and Avensaria came to their defense, but squabbled over who should lead their combined armies, rendering them less than effective. Linne was caught in the middle. As armies marched in all directions, navies fought bloody battles in the Raubian Sea, Linne was sacked, burned, and pillaged.
For several years they fought until Procella decided to put a stop to it. She called out to a dozen powerful casters, me included, and brought them together to discuss the means to end the war. At the time, I was the Archmage of the Wizards’ Guild, based in Linne. The guild and the castle were the only two buildings still standing in Linne. Only one of the women called to join in the peace effort refused to join, Angel de Tanie. Perhaps one day I will interview her because she was intimately involved in ending the Dragon Wars. Not to be confused with the Dragonborn Wars.
The rest of us agreed to work together to end the war, though for us, it was relatively easy. In pairs, we each went to the leaders of each country and brought them to Linne, some of them against their will. We sat them together at a table and forced them to negotiate a peace agreement.
It was during these negotiations that the Linne Coven became an officially recognized organization, along with the Linne Council. The Coven consists of twelve women, all capable casters. The Council is made up of five members, one representative from each of the countries, one from Linne, and one from the Coven. Each country would choose their Council member however they like and would serve a term of ten years. The exception was for Linne. Their leader, who carried the title “Lord” would represent their interests. The Coven member would serve a period of 27 years, coinciding with the cycle of the full solar eclipse over the region.
The Council is responsible for mediating all disputes between the countries, and imposed various rules for each of the members, like limiting taxes, regulating trade, supervising extraditions, and so forth. Regina, the queen of the elves, was chosen as the first to serve. To honor this, we started a new calendar.
I was the fourth of us to serve, from L81 to L108, when Navita took her turn. This is currently the last year of Propheta’s turn, and Cithara will take her turn next.
For the sake of completeness, I will list the names of all twelve members of the Coven: Propheta, Ventusa, Cithara, Navita, Colubra, Regina, Allison, Procella, Vigila, Pedora, Isabel, and myself, Syreni.
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Post by IndySligo on Sept 24, 2021 8:12:22 GMT -5
What Happened to the Dragons? By Syreni, Linne Coven Historian, L188
This author struggled to find the right way to present this information. She was not yet born when the dragons roamed Neuith, populated its skies, and either terrorized or protected the people. Everything in this is based on conversations with people who had personal experience dealing with dragons and other written documents.
When Neuith was first settled, dragons were included. After all, two of the founding gods were dragon patrons in their prior existence: Vronrox and Iakkhosi Aresdren, better known as Bahamut and Tiamat, respectively. Immediately, I want to dispel the classic stereotype that metallic dragons were inherently “good” and chromatic dragons were inherently “evil.” Like all other mortals, they are intelligent creatures able to forge their own destiny, choose their own fate, and decide for themselves how to live their lives.
Upon arrival to Neuith, there were many types of dragons. Three are still present, though extremely rare. The other ten are presently gone, which is the story I’m about to share. But before I do, I’ll touch on the three dragons still in the wild, so to speak.
The Dragon Turtle: To my knowledge, there is only one and there has only ever been one. It lives somewhere in the Innerrim Sea, and woe to the sailor that sails too close to its lair.
Pseudo Dragons: While I’ve heard stories of these fascinating creatures, I’ve never actually seen one. They are the size of a common house cat, are very crafty and clever, and make great, loyal companions.
Faerie Dragons: These I’ve seen, but only because they allowed it. My friend, Colubra, associates with the fey that live near her home, and there’s another colony that lives west of the Wizards’ Guild in Linne. Each colony consists of pixies, faeries, sprites, dryads, and usually at least two faerie dragons. Playful tricksters, they are, considering they are more fey than they are dragon.
I am intentionally leaving out the lesser dragon species, like wyverns and drakes. They do exist, but they are more like animals than their sentient cousins.
To say that dragons weren’t somehow affected by Neuith’s environment would be false. The strange energy that emanates from the depths seemed to have two specific major effects. First, their lifespans were extended, somewhere between double and triple what they were before. This included a much slower rate of growth and maturation. Second, their eggs were especially vulnerable, in that they never hatched. It was discovered that if the eggs were placed in a protective vault, lined with heavy metals like gold or lead, they had a greater chance of hatching healthy wyrmlings.
Consequently, the dragon population remained relatively consistent most of the time – roughly one thousand dragons in all. Of course, there were fluctuations – dragons taking sides in conflicts, getting themselves in trouble, and so on. The fact that I could find only a few refences to them in the time before the War of Apotheosis suggests they kept to themselves and didn’t interfere with the lives of men and women.
After the War of Apotheosis, however, things changed. For several hundred years, when most civilization had crumbled, some dragons took advantage of the situation. A despot with a dragon ally was more terrorizing, and more powerful, than one without. It was at this point when the population of dragons began to dwindle. It didn’t help that they were just as susceptible to the Cursing Wand’s effects as other mortals. They too became Cursed. It was during this time when the majestic gem dragons became extinct.
Throughout the history of the Cursing Wand, there were times it was lost then later recovered. Many times. I tried once to put together a timeline of the artifact’s whereabouts, but there are just too many gaps. I’m just going to skip forward to a point where there is some record. For this, much of my information comes from my colleague in the Guild, Halvor Calitz, who wrote an account about ten years ago. Some of my other research contradicts specific details in Calitz’s account, but the overall story is accurate enough. If you’re interested, I strongly suggest you find a copy of his research. I’ll summarize the important bits, which are less disputable.
The war began in A133 and lasted until A333. I know, the “A” designation isn’t something we’ve discussed so far. Basically, the war started about 1600 years ago and ended about 1400 years ago. Two hundred years is a long time for a war, but understand that like everything, it ebbed and flowed. There were long periods where nothing was happening interrupted by short periods of intense fighting.
The war began when one dragon believed he could harness the power of the Wand and use it to exert his will. For a time, this seemed to work, in that others did his bidding because they didn’t want to be Cursed. Then, his wife betrayed him and, with the help of others, killed him. But the carnage had already begun.
The war expanded to the point where battles were being fought over civilized areas, like cities and towns, which caused collateral damage. Men and women were forced into taking sides, which exacerbated underlying conflicts and grievances. Soon, much the world was at war in the same way that it had been in the heat of the War of Apotheosis.
Kings and queens turned to the Wizards’ Guild to try to put an end to the war. The Archmage, Hermanus Zircon, agreed to find a way. Not only had the total population of dragons dropped to less than a hundred, and their potential extinction loomed, the impact to the rest of civilization was catastrophic. The idea for how to end the war came from his young apprentice, Angel de Tanie. When the idea was presented to Bahamut, he immediately agreed to it. From what I heard, Tiamat agreed as well, but with a few conditions. Her conditions were met, and the plan was implemented.
The first phase was to create something referred to “Minimus Containment” devices. Not devices in the sense of gnomish clockworks, but crystalline objects. Materials were collected and the devices were constructed. The entire Wizards’ Guild participated in the process to enchant the devices with several spells, including multiple copies of the specific spell, Imprisonment. Zircon was the only member of the entire guild capable of casting Imprisonment, which meant he, personally, completed the final piece of this phase.
The next phase was to put these devices into each dragon’s lair. Many dragons, like Cineven, the leader of one of the major factions, agreed to the plan and this was not difficult. However, many dragons were not keen on this idea and getting the device into their lair wasn’t easy. To do this, Zircon enlisted the aid of the best-known burglar in history, a halfling named Arundur Heartwood. Other adventurers were involved, including the famous dragonslayer, Sylenox Lyseth, as well aws de Tanie’s cousin, Princess Rylora of Willowglen.
The final phase was to trigger the spells. A few days after the last of the devices were placed, the adventurers set sail into the Innerrim Sea. They had made and placed 70 devices, including ones to trap Bahamut, Tiamat, and Skullbane, the dracolich. However, between the time the devices were placed, and the spells were triggered, seven dragons had died. When they were triggered, sixty-three dragons were trapped. The devices teleported to their ship, and the seven devices that were empty triggered on the seven adventurers, trapping them. Also, when the trap went off, one of the dragons had possession of the Cursing Wand, and it, too, teleported to the ship.
The ship was then caught in a current and remained at sea for a hundred years until my husband, the captain of a fishing vessel, came upon it. By then, the Dragon Wars were nearly forgotten, and the fate of the adventurers that ended the war was an unsolved mystery. There were a few people who were alive at the time, including Zircon’s apprentice, Angel de Tanie, who was the Archmage of the Wizards’ Guild. When my husband discovered the lost ship, he found the seventy devices along with the Cursing Wand. He did not know what they were, so he, and his crew, brought them home. At the time, we lived on the shores of Rodanche, not far from Goadisa. I was nothing more than a fisherman’s wife, and I looked nothing like I do now. In my spare time I enjoyed reading histories and novels.
When he came to me that day, I felt a dark wave go through me as I became Cursed. I didn’t know what had happened until later, though. He showed me the Wand and the devices, which are shaped like large playing cards. I wrote down each card with a rough description. When I studied the Wand, I realized what it was. I must admit that I panicked. I told my husband to take this and the devices back to sea. If he can find the lost ship, put them back. If not, throw them overboard in the middle of the sea where none can ever find them.
The following morning, he sailed away, and my sense of foreboding was beyond measure. During the night, I heard storms in the distance. A few days later, my body began to change. Webs between my fingers and toes, fins, gills, eyes that could see underwater, ears impervious to the pressures of the deep. My curse manifested for the first time, but I was still unclear until about two ten-days later when the surviving crewmen from my husband’s ship arrived in the battered longboat.
They told me what happened. On the third night out, a terrible storm came upon them. It was too turbulent for the tiny ship to handle and as it broke apart, my husband cried out to the crew to save themselves. He went down with his ship. Through his sacrifice, most of the crew survived. I looked at my changed form and realized that if I’d had these abilities one day sooner, I might have been able to save him. Such is the nature of my Curse: I gain the ability to save those I love, but I gain them too late. I was not a caster, then. I didn’t acquire the ability to use magic until the day after my daughter was assassinated.
But I’ve gotten off track. The intent wasn’t to tell my involvement in the story, but there is relevance. When the dragons were trapped into the devices, the Dragon Wars ended. That was year A333, exactly 1412 years ago. It’s year L188 as I’m writing this, so you can do the math whenever you come to read this.
How I’m relevant to the story is when I documented the seventy devices. This document, along with the rough drawings I made of them, became the familiar Three-Dragon Ante deck. I never intended to create a card game. I’ve heard that there are fortune tellers who use this deck for divination. I don’t know if they are charlatans or if they’re genuine. Of the actual, original devices, they were scattered across the seas. Many have washed up on shore and been found. I’ve seen a few of them since then, though I, personally, want nothing to do with them. The Cursing Wand also found its way to shore about two hundred years later.
My understanding is that the dragons can be freed from these devices. How this is accomplished, I don’t know. I do remember reading once that Bahamut does not want to be freed until after the Cursing Wand has been destroyed.
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Post by IndySligo on Oct 4, 2021 15:18:18 GMT -5
On Government By Syreni, Linne Coven Historian, L188
I received an unusual question, one that isn’t exactly history, but is difficult to answer without historical context. What are the various forms of government on Neuith?
If I were to answer honestly, I’d probably end up with bounties placed on me in several countries, but I’ll do my best to avoid that outcome. Maybe if I wrote this anonymously, I could get away with it. No. Scratch that idea. I’ll just have to take comfort in that there are some countries I’ll likely never travel to during the lifetimes of their current leadership, and I do have a certain amount of protection from those I associate with.
First, we’ll look at the historical context. As you can imagine, during the first six and a half thousand years, Neuith was ruled by the gods. Their will was, for the most part, imposed upon the people. This may sound like tyranny, but, for many, it wasn’t. The gods allowed mortals a certain level of autonomy to live their lives as they saw fit. If you were good at farming, and that’s what you enjoyed doing, you were a farmer. The systems in place to deal with ne’er-do-wells was generally straightforward and the rules were consistently applied. Sure, punishments for certain acts were harsh, but that’s what was necessary to maintain the utopian existence they thought they created.
As you know by now, this system ultimately failed. But, for it to last as long as it did is worth noting. Since then, I don’t think any single government has lasted more than a couple hundred years. What we have here in the Realm has survived, not because it’s a good system, but because we in the Coven enforce it. In some ways, we follow the example provided by the Founding Gods. I suppose it helps that collectively, we are more powerful than any individual we’ve had to deal with.
During my own lifetime, and in discussing this topic with some of my colleagues, I’ve learned there is an evolutionary progression of government systems. Few last more than a few decades, but despite individual differences, the patterns tend to remain. In a way, it’s Chaos leads to Order, which falls back into Chaos. Then it repeats. There are a few examples where a civilization tries to break out of this cycle, but ultimately, the Laws of Nature assert and the cycle resumes.
Basically, the pattern is: Anarchy, or no government, leads to Despotism, which is basically whoever is the strongest rules, leads to Oligarchy, then Monarchy, then Constitutional Monarchy, then some form of Republic or Democracy, which then collapses under its own weight and returns to Anarchy.
I’d like to amend this to say that while Oligarchy and Monarchy are very similar, there’s enough distinction to break them apart. Also, there are numerous variations of Oligarchy. The primary difference between Oligarchy and Monarchy is how power is handed to the next generation. Often, individuals want to cede power to their heirs, rather than give it to relative strangers, is how the evolution goes. Sometimes, the Oligarchy step is skipped entirely.
Enough about theory. Let’s look at some of what’s going on in present day Neuith. We’ll start right here at home: The City of Linne. Until recently, Linne was ruled by the Baird family, specifically, Lord Mordecai Baird. His untimely and suspicious death a few years ago has caused a bit of a storm. His son, Saxton, made a deal with the steward, John of Scales, to pay off his gambling debts. Consequently, John of Scales is in control of Linne while the true heir, Saxton, is in hiding. To put it nicely, John of Scales is one step… no. I’m not going to say more, because I have to deal with him. That there more heads on stakes outside the city walls during his short reign than ever before has nothing to do with why I’m reserving comment.
Antarrow, to the south of Linne, is quite interesting, as it blends three government types into one. Technically, this is a form of Triarchy, but each of the three factions is a slightly different model. In a way, it’s three royal families that cooperate and share the power. The first is King Cethegus Dawnsilver, a dwarf, who oversees the guilds and the military. I can’t say much about him as I’ve only met with him personally on few occasions. What I have noticed, though, is that he is quick to compromise. King Ellaradur Finewood, an elf, handles trade and commerce. In a lot of ways, he is the liaison between Antarrow and its neighbors, except matters pertaining to the Linne Council. The country has an appointed ambassador for that. Finally, King Meril Westbrook, makes decisions about laws, settles internal disputes, and dispenses justice. I recently learned that King Westbrook had a child out of wedlock prior to his coronation, and the child was hidden from him for most of her life. I think he’s done the right thing by bringing her and her mother, a circus performer of all things, into the royal family and giving his daughter the title of Princess. But, oh the scandal! There was quite a bit of discussion around the town well when the news broke.
Avensaria, which lies to the southeast, follows the Corporatism model but is also a Constitutional Monarchy. It is ruled by the leaders of the guilds. King Olmar Fengram is the titular monarch, but the real power lies with Senior Elder Athanaric Fleetaro, the current Prime Elder. There are thirty-seven members in the House of Elders, representing the thirty-seven most powerful guild houses, most of which are based in Hiltmar. Each guild chooses its leadership and their representative in the House of Elders through their own means. I know that Elder Fleetaro, an elf, hails from the Wizards’ Guild, which has only recently regained prominence and its seat in the House. I know him personally, and to be honest, I’ve never liked him. Like many elves, he seems to think he is better than everyone else. I’m just glad Regina doesn’t act like this.
North of Linne is Handocher, a more traditional Monarchy, but not without its issues. The Blackmane family wasn’t originally from Handocher. About ten generations ago, the country was at war with Grifflandia, across the Raubian Sea. The man who was their king personally led an armada, but instead of going to the shores of Lewdaria along Slystrell Bay, he sailed to the Isle of Scone. He heard rumors that there was some sort of treasure hidden on this small, volcanic island, and thought that by claiming it, he could better finance the war effort. However, his entire fleet was destroyed, and he was captured and held prisoner for several years. Upon his release, he was forced to sign a peace treaty, which included abdicating the throne. A “qualified” individual from a neutral country was offered the throne, and, upon acceptance, became the start of the current royal family. This didn’t bode well, however. The new king was fair enough, but when he died and his son took power, things changed. His son wanted to assert his authority and gain not just popularity among the people but respect from the other nations in the realm and in the world, he decided to mobilize the military and annex the city of Linne. As you may already know, his plan failed and it led to the formation of the Linne Coven and the Linne Council. Since then, the Blackmane family has ruled under the tight supervision of the Coven. King Salus and Queen Zamora Blackmane handle the country’s internal affairs but do their best to stay out of trouble. This doesn’t mean problems don’t arise, but when they do, they rely on outside help more than the other countries in the Realm.
Moving beyond the Wraithscape Realm we examine some of the other countries of Neuith. While I could write about every country (there are about sixty of them!), I’d likely bore you with meaningless details. Suffice it to say that most countries are governed by some form of traditional monarchy. I’ve heard many rumors about them, like how the king of one country is a very young child and another is ruled by a princess, rather than a queen. Gathia is a Theocracy, where they submit their fealty to their faith. Mirascai has a king, but their real power comes from those with wealth. I believe this form of government is referred to as a Timocracy or Plutocracy. Aimach is considered a Thaumatocracy, where they are ruled by their Wizards’ Guild. At one time, the Guild in Queensnotch was affiliated with the others, but some time ago they separated themselves. Now, unless you’re a member of the guild, any practice of magic, of any type, is strictly outlawed, punishable by death. What’s weird is that I keep hearing stories about how the guardsmen, who are tasked with enforcing these laws, keep getting caught using enchanted items.
I could go on, of course, but at some point, you’re just going to have to visit these countries and learn things for yourself. I’m sure, if you dig deep enough, you can find scandal and corruption everywhere. It’s human nature. And I use that word colloquially. While most nations are ruled by humans, some are ruled by elves, some by dwarves, some by dragonborn. The orcs that live in Uleg, in the Moulgarde Mountains, rule themselves, though their form of Despotism is not one I’d like to see used in more civilized regions. The country of my birth, Rodanche, is a traditional Monarch, but the queen, Darmedra Casdewyn, wasn’t born there. I think she came from either Acheada or Niogland. I’ve not met her, but I’ve heard that if you don’t bring the right kind of wine to the table, she considers you to be uncultured swine and will refuse audience. Someday I’ll go home and reconnect with my roots, but not until I find the right spirit, if you know what I mean.
I hope this answers your question about the governments of Neuith. I know I left out more than I included, but reality is this: I’ve not travelled outside of the Realm in a long time. While I can share unsubstantiated rumors and gossip, I’d rather give you the facts. Like the banks of a mountain stream, the only truth is that there is constant change. We may not see it in one lifetime, but over the course of generations, it is the underlying truth.
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Post by IndySligo on Oct 4, 2021 15:20:00 GMT -5
On Social Stratification By Anonymous
I suppose I should follow up the last essay with another one. The concept of Social Stratification, or as some might refer to it as either Classes or Castes, is one that grates my soul to the core.
One might say that, as a member of the Linne Coven, a former member of the Linne Council, former Archmage of the Wizards’ Guild, among other titles and positions I’ve held over my long life, I should be at the top of the pyramid. There’s no question I have enough gold in store to live another hundred years without worry, and through my magic, my connections, and in a weird way, my Curse, I have no concern about my own wellbeing.
That being said, I am not part of a royal family, in any country, nor do I wish to associate with those considered “upper class” or the Aristocracy. The air of supremacy and condescension appalls me. You won’t find me at parties clinking goblets with the movers and the shakers. I can’t dance to save my life – unless I’m under water.
Are there “classes” in Neuith? Absolutely. There are people who, through a variety of means, seek to get close to those in power, usually lobbying for favorable decisions. If you ask me, it’s a form of prostitution. Maybe they’re not selling sex, though sometimes they are. They are selling their souls.
There’s also the common folk. People like me, or at least, like I was before I was Cursed. I was a fisherman’s wife, living in a quiet coastal town east of Goadisa. I toiled everyday keeping the house clean, the clothes washed, and dinner on the table for my husband and daughter. We paid our taxes, kept our land, and did what was necessary to survive.
And there are folks in the middle. Merchants, traders, and craftsmen and -women. You might lump soldiers and sailors in with this class. Of course, there’s the underground. Street urchins, beggars, shadow folk, or whatever you want to call them. The unseen.
I never expected, nor wanted, any form of authority, power, or recognition, and now, my name is known throughout the world; I am respected and reviled as is due for someone like me. What has it gotten me? My husband went down with his ship in a storm and my daughter was assassinated by the followers of Tiamat. I now live hundreds of miles away from where I was born, and people expect me to give them all the answers to their questions like I’m some sort of oracle.
If you want to know your future, go talk to Propheta. Good luck figuring out what she means, though. Damned Curse.
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Post by IndySligo on Oct 20, 2021 12:32:46 GMT -5
Regina Interview with Syreni, L188
I did as I was asked – interview the witches so that I can share with you a bit of insight about them. The first I’ll share is my conversation with Regina. I went to Melandell and met her in her home, appropriately built in the branches of a great oak tree.
Good morning, Regina. Procella suggested I speak with each of the Coven Witches so that the readers of these documents will know them better. Perhaps we can dispel some false rumors and shed the light of truth upon us.
That’s a tall order, Syreni! I’d love to share with you details about my life and let you know that I am just your average elf that cares about her people and all the people of Neuith alike. Welcome to my humble abode, and feel free to find refreshments. There’s a fresh batch of biscuits and a I put on a kettle for tea, which should be ready any time.
I hope the other witches are willing to share, as there are a lot of misconceptions about us. Sure, we’re powerful in the arts of magic – well, at least most of us are – and yeah, we’ve all lived a long time – especially compared to the average person, but, deep down, we’re all the same, really. All the same. We live and breathe and eat and go potty just like everyone. You’re not really going to put that in your book, are you? That’s okay. Just kidding. But sure, I’ll tell you a bit about me. What do you want to know?
Tell me about your Curse.
There’s definitely a lot of misunderstanding about my Curse. Some people think my Curse is what keeps elves from having children. I don’t think so. I think there’s something else causing that. I don’t know for sure. My Curse has to do with my daughter, Aurore. Perhaps you should go and spend some time with her. She lives pretty close to you, near Hiltmar, right? I haven’t seen her in a long time. I really do love her, you know. I just wish… Well, that’s not the answer to your question. I care about my people. Not just the elves of Melanthia, but all elves, including the drow in Sylrix. Yes, I love them, too, even though they’d see me dead in a heartbeat. My Curse, as I understand it, is that I cannot pass my legacy on. I’m stuck. I wanted my daughter to carry the torch and lead the elven people as I’ve done for so long, but there’s no way she’d ever do it. And, as far as I know, there’s no one else qualified. Our traditions and rules are strict, and while I could theoretically change the rules, my people would never accept those changes. Heck, I’d let a non-casting tabaxi be our ruler. In fact, I know one that would be great at it.
If you’re thinking of who I’m thinking, I agree, but she’d never do it.
Which is why she’d be the best! I never wanted to be Queen of the Elves, either. This mantle was passed on to me by my mother. It was a job I was born into, bred to do, and trained for, for several hundred years. But when I became queen, Tari as my people call me, I screwed up. I brought the Cursing Wand here to Melandell, along with the greatest dragons of the day, in hopes of destroying the foul thing. We failed. We all ended up cursed. It was because of me the dragons went to war in the first place.
I don’t think the blame falls on you.
Of course, it does! If I didn’t do what I did, the dragons, like Cineven, Takenas, Longbone, and many of the others, would not have gotten Cursed. They stayed away from the Wand, knowing what would happen if they got too close. But me and my hare-brained notion thought that the combined power of all the dragons’ breath could destroy it. Nope. Nadda. Didn’t work. Nothing works. And now we hear-tell that Propheta knows the secret, but due to her Curse, she can’t tell anyone. Paradox of Desire. What in Hehl does that mean? Do you know? Does anyone know?
Tell me about your time on the Linne Council.
Yeah. I was the first of the witches to serve. I did my twenty-seven-year term, just like you did. Cithara’s term starts next year. Not sure what’s going to come of that. She’s an odd one, if you ask me. I never could figure her out. Anyways, we’d just ended the war in the Wraithscape Realm, and… You were there. You remember, don’t you?
I do, but I want to hear it in your words.
Oh, sorry. I get it. Linne was all but destroyed, so our first task was to rebuild the city. The castle, the wizards’ tower, and some of the walls were still intact. The farmlands were devastated. Most of the buildings were burned to the ground. I felt it was a good opportunity to start fresh, though. I worked with the lord, Pammen Baird. I think he’s like four or five generations ahead of Lord Mordecai. Not sure exactly. He was a broken man, though. He loved his city and everything about it, and all was lost. Well, most of it. His people were starving and there was no commerce or trade. He was completely dependent on the other countries and us. I think your work in Avensaria made a huge difference, Syreni. They were the first to step up and offer help. Tradesmen, laborers, everyone. Sure, a lot of gold changed hands, and some probably in ways that shouldn’t have happened. But we rebuilt. We started with a comprehensive sewer system, rivalling that of Fellandria and Featherscar. I’ve heard it needs a bit of renovation and repair, now, but that’s not surprising. From there, we rebuilt the docks, the bridges, and repaired the walls. People began to move back, and we loaned them the coin to rebuild with very generous terms. Not everyone repaid, but that’s okay.
And when you left, I understand there’s a real story there.
Oh, getting personal, are we? Yes, there’s a story. During my time in Linne, I met Thomas. Yes, he was human, but the most wonderful, loving, giving, honest man you could ever know. He was a storyteller, a rhymer, a bard. One of the best, if not the best. I’ll be honest – he stole my heart. We spent many hours and days and moons together. When my term was done, Colubra was next, he and I returned here, where we got married and he lived the rest of his life with me. We never had children, which is fine, because they wouldn’t have been pure-blood, and my people wouldn’t have accepted them. I think it’s horrible how half elves are treated – especially Aurore’s children. Even the children of the wood-elf, Ameron Kuranes. I don’t get his ideas, really, but in his own way, he’s doing what he thinks is best. After Thomas died, I’ve been by myself. I don’t think there’s anyone out there that could make me as happy as he did.
You still have his…
Yes, I still have it. I keep it safe. You know, if anyone could play the Faerie Reel, I think he could have done it.
We continued our conversation for another hour, but I don’t want to dwell on details that don’t particularly matter. I hope that with this, you understand Regina a little better. To me, Regina has been a great friend, and always the voice of experience and caution in the Coven. She’s quite talkative when alone with friends, but in groups, she seems a completely different person. You can tell what her passions are, and why she does what she does.
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Post by IndySligo on Oct 20, 2021 12:35:32 GMT -5
Colubra Interview with Syreni, L188
Upon arrival near Colubra’s home nestled in the Ten Creature Forest, not far from my own home in Hiltmar, Avensaria, I was stopped by a pixie, who introduced herself as Imperiosa of the 88th Regiment. She recognized me, but still cautioned me to leave my pack at the perimeter and checked me for any blood or open wounds.
At the door to the small hovel was the dryad, Sycamore, who tended to walk through the door without opening it first. Once inside, I was seated across from Colubra, who sat in a rocking chair knitting a scarf or something. With the hearth gently crackling and popping nearby, we made conversation about the issues of the day before getting into the actual interview.
Tell me about the time you were part of the Linne Council.
As the second witch to participate in the Council, I had a hard act to follow. Unlike Regina, I had no experience in politics. Yes, I was married to a king for many years, but I was never queen. How could someone like me be queen? I don’t mean to say anything about you, Syreni, but I was a fish out of water. Fortunately, the Lord of Linne seemed competent enough. My personal issues made things difficult, though. I spent most of the time in wizards tower on the top floor, with guards down below keeping away those who might trigger my Curse.
What about your Curse?
You don’t know… Oh, yes, this is for your history book. Everyone knows the Cursing Wand robs you of your greatest desire. Well, my greatest desire then, and to a point, still is, keeping my heritage hidden. I’m ashamed of who I am and what I represent. My father was a terrible creature. A demon from Hehl. He was summoned by a foolish warlock who paid for his folly with his life. My father roamed the lands for many years, wreaking havoc, sewing chaos. You’d have thought he was a disciple of Tiamat, but no, he had no loyalty to her or anyone. Just himself. He even killed one of Angel de Tanie’s apprentices.
Vigila, with Cithara’s help, ended his reign of terror. When they opened the gate to Hehl, and Vigila became its master, my father was forced to return. Good riddance. I hope he rots for eternity.
But your Curse.
Right. My Curse has enslaved me. I am forever bound to my father’s legacy. You see me as I am now, but like a werewolf when the moon is full, I transform into a terrible beast. Only, not with the full moon, but when I’m exposed to raw flesh. And to restore myself to this, innocent lives must be sacrificed. My life is not worth the cost, as I’ve said many times. Yet, I still live. It’s been a long time since I last assumed my father’s likeness. My friends guard me and keep me safe. The last time it happened was when a bird flew in through the window, crashed, and died right in front of me.
You’re smart. You’re strong. You are a stabilizing force on the Coven. Without you, we wouldn’t be what we are.
I appreciate you saying that. I really do.
Tell me about your life here in the forest.
I make do as best I can. I don’t get many visitors. Between Imperiosa and Sycamore, they keep away any of those that would cause harm. There are those who would want my Curse triggered, so that I could be their minion. I’d never willingly do anything like that, though I’d go into battle for the cause of righteousness. But when I’m not myself, I have very little control. My lust for death and destruction is overwhelming.
So, I just stay here. They bring me yarn so that I can knit and crochet. I have other simple crafts. No sharp needles or knives. Just a pair of scissors, and Sycamore keeps them for me. I’ve never tried, but I’m sure the sight of my own blood would cause me to transform. I was the one who insisted that we hold our Coven meetings using magic like we do. It’s not safe for me or anyone else for me to travel to Linne every Moon for our meetings.
Should anyone come to visit, they should know not to have any meat in their pack or bloodstains on their clothes, skin, hair, or weapons. It’s a tight balance. My friends know what to do if it happens. They know where to find help, and I know they’ve done this for me a few times. This house is my prison, Sycamore is my jailor, and Imperiosa is the sentry on the perimeter.
If the Wand were to be destroyed and the Curse lifted, what would you do?
I would travel the world. I want to see where all of you live. In person. I want to meet people and interact with them. I want to uplift them and show them how they can make their lives meaningful.
Thank you, Colubra. I’ll see you at the next Coven meeting.
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Post by IndySligo on Oct 20, 2021 12:44:28 GMT -5
Navita Interview with Syreni, L188
One does not travel to where Navita lives. She doesn’t live anywhere. She lives everywhere. During one of our regularly scheduled Coven meetings, I asked her where we could meet. She said, “Tell me when and I’ll show up at your home.”
When she teleported into my house, I was nearly blinded as she emanated a brilliant glow that lasted about a minute. When the glow faded away, I offered her tea and cookies, made by my friend, Tamanna, owner and operator of the Senior Service tavern in Hiltmar. Like with the other witches I’d interviewed so far, we chit-chatted about current events for a bit before the actual interview.
Tell me about your time on the Linne Council.
Let’s see… It was Regina, Colubra, You, me, then Pedora, then Propheta. Cithara’s term starts next year. Right?
Yes. But tell me about your twenty-seven years.
I hated it. I was forced to stay in Linne most of the time. Not that it’s a bad place or anything, but I don’t like staying in one place very long.
Why is that?
Too much to do. Too much to see. Always things going on. Even while in Linne, I still zipped off to do my own thing. You know, I don’t know that it was much different than your term. The Lord of Linne died and his son took over. This was when the guy in the Bowlin family became the castle steward. John Bowlin. Now there’s an ass if I ever saw one. Good with numbers, but when it came to the working people, he was terrible. I hated what he did. I heard that he even killed a man. Got away with it, too. I think the dragonborn wars started while I was there, too. Such a shame. Petty differences leading to stupid conflicts. What’s going on there now is something worthy of concern, though. If I were you, I’d stay clear of that realm.
Tell me about your Curse.
The most annoying thing, ever! All I ever wanted was to be able to use my magic safely. Now look! Every time I cast any spell. Boom!
She snapped her fingers creating a light she held in her hand. The light floated in the air as she covered her ears and cried out. She stuck her fingers into her ears and twisted them. Finally, whatever it was that was bothering her faded away.
How can anyone be a decent practitioner with shit like that happening all the time?
What happened?
A simple light spell. Ringing in my ears giving me a headache. They call it ‘wild magic surges.’ Happens every time I cast. How come you don’t have to deal with it?
I don’t have an answer for you. I think it has to do with how sorcerers and wizards train and practice.
Yeah, and if you lose your little book, you’re completely lost, aren’t you? I know you have more versatility, but for me, my magic comes from within. I’m not forced into those silly rituals and hand-wavy things and ancient-language incantations that can’t be pronounced. I just point and concentrate.
No, please don’t demonstrate. I get the idea. So, what is it you actually do these days?
Besides answering your questions? Just kidding. You know I love you, and I get why this is important. Like you, I spend a lot of time trying to interpret Propheta’s riddles. Sometimes I get it right, sometimes I don’t. Like, just a couple Moons ago, I teleported to Barva Pier and met Kabize, that Tabaxi girl you all seem so enamored of, and took her to Melandell. Sometimes I get called upon to take people to various places around the world. If the city is by an ocean and has a dock, I’ve been there. If it weren’t for my damned Curse, I’d be travelling a lot more, doing things for people that need things done.
Where do you live, exactly?
She just looked at me without answering.
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Post by IndySligo on Oct 20, 2021 13:41:55 GMT -5
Pedora Interview with Syreni, L188
What is it with witches and their humble abodes? No elaborate castles, vast towers, or architectural wonders? Well, maybe when I get further down the list, we’ll see some of that. I know Allison and Ventusa both have towers. Right now, Propheta lives in the old Wizards’ Guild tower just outside of Linne, but her real home is the library in Norrod. I’m off track. This is about Pedora.
On a small, raised plot of land near the shores of the Raubian Sea, along the Handocher coast, in Cartyen Fen, a vast swamp, sits a small log cabin. Outside are fruit trees that don’t belong in a swamp, and a small vegetable garden. As I arrived, I was greeted by a red-shouldered hawk. “Ah, Garnet! It’s great to see you again!” “Squawk!” The door was unlocked, and I entered the druid’s house.
Pedora was waiting for me dressed in a simple, comfortable, loose-fitting outfit that reminded me of the castle servants in Linne.
Let’s do this quickly. Garan is asleep and I’d rather not wake him.
No chit-chat. Pedora has always been straight to the point, never one for excessive small talk. Some people like that about her. Others find her rude, abrupt, or inconsiderate. I’ve known her long enough to see through her rough exterior.
Tell me about your time on the Linne Council.
Like you, I was there for twenty-seven years. I had to bring Garan with me, which made things difficult. I had to use my magic to mitigate a couple drought years, otherwise the farms wouldn’t have been productive. The wars out west escalated. We negotiated some trade agreements with countries outside the Realm, including opening a better diplomatic relationship with Gathia and Mirascai. Our relationship with Aimach, on the other hand, got worse. Their branch of the Wizards’ Guild officially separated from Swarmgarde and they absolved any control the royal family still had. A country run by wizards? Doesn’t seem natural to me.
I’m a wizard.
And you were also once archmage of the guild.
It’s a period of history that I’d prefer to not repeat. Considering the guild’s current archmage can’t cast a spell to save her life, I have no idea what the fate of that once respectable institution will be in the coming years.
Perhaps someone will rise to the occasion and turn things around. The way things are going, though, I don’t know. Since leaving the Council, I prefer to stay out of international affairs. I have enough problems on my own, with Garan and all.
Tell me about your Curse.
Garan is my Curse.
Explain.
I wish he were dead. He won’t die. He lives on. Feeble. Wasted. A thorn in my side.
Why do you want him dead? Tell me the story for this history book, as I think I already know most of it.
A long time ago I was a common serving girl in a king’s castle. I fell in love with the prince, the heir to the throne. He fell in love with me and swore that we would be together. He swore that I’d be his queen. But when his father arranged a marriage to some bitch in another country, he fell in love with her. She was pretty. She wasn’t a servant. Not a brown girl like me. A princess. They got married. Six Moons later, he sends me a letter telling me that he’d lost his love for her and that he wanted me back as his mistress. Are you kidding? A fucking mistress? A whore to suck his cock whenever he felt horny? I told him to stick it up his ass, and that I’d dance upon his grave for a year and a day. The whole scandal cost him his legacy. His little brother became king. The princess left him, then died in childbirth with some other man’s kid. As he got older, it fell on me to take care of him until his death, but since I’d been Cursed, he won’t fucking die. I’ve tried to kill him more than once.
What will you do if the Curse is lifted?
I’ll do as I promised. I’ll dance on his grave for twelve Moons and a day. From there, I have no idea. Right now, I don’t even care.
A frail voice called out from elsewhere in the house and I knew this was the end of the interview. I thanked Pedora for her time and saw myself out.
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Post by IndySligo on Oct 20, 2021 15:57:34 GMT -5
Propheta Interview with Syreni, L188
I travelled to Linne and sat down with Propheta. Respect, the tiefling servant, brought us refreshments. It’s late afternoon in the latter half of the 7th Moon. I knew that meeting with Propheta wouldn’t be easy. Not because of a tight schedule, but because of her Curse.
Propheta has the gift of sight – a rare gift for sure, but her Curse forces her to only speak in riddles. I’ll record our conversation, but I’ll offer no attempt at an explanation of her utterings. I know I’ll walk away just as confused as I always am after listening to her words or reading her writings. Perhaps you, the reader of this history, will glean some insight. Let’s get right into it…
Greetings Propheta. Thank you for meeting with me.
A sweet pastry pours from the jug.
What can you tell me about your time serving on the Linne Council?
Drinking wine while a horn blows. The dancing tiger hunts the black hare and loses a spotted cow. There’s blood in the grass while the coin is a butterfly. A small sprig until we hear the ink. The butcher shines in the moonbeams.
Tell me about your Curse.
A candle snuffed, honest as the grey goose in a flower barrel. Close your eyes to the color as the falling sand plays at the ball.
What will you do when the Curse is gone?
For the wooden hat, the moon would shake, and the stars would quake, tie me to a plank of wood. The wind that shakes the barley is whiter than the light as the harp sings. Swords are uncrossed, making a winding sheet walking upwind.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
The miser has a bonny cow low for the unbound bound to a foreign land. Catch the wind in the prickly bush. The vacant hour while the trees grow high. Wickham’s Fancy’s graceless face is the mark of air and will wear midnight. Kate McClaren isn’t broader than the way as dogs lick the sores away.
Well, there you have it: my interview with Propheta. If it makes any more sense to you than it does to me, you have my admiration.
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Post by IndySligo on Oct 21, 2021 13:49:38 GMT -5
Cithara Interview with Syreni, L188
There are many tales, stories, and rumors about Cithara. It’s true that she is one of the oldest of the witches, though I don’t know how old she truly is. Early next year she’ll be taking her turn on the Linne Council. When we, as a group, determined the order, she specifically wanted to be on the Council at this time. Perhaps she’ll tell us why.
I met with her at a tavern in Linne. It was the middle of the day, and we were the only patrons. We sat near the fireplace, even though it wasn’t lit. She sat comfortably with her lyre in her lap – the instrument I’ve never seen her without.
Thank you for meeting with me, Cithara. Early next year you’ll be starting your term on the Linne Council. Is there anything in particular you want to accomplish during your term?
Things have been in motion for many years, and I believe that some of them will come to fruition during my term.
What things?
While I’d rather not tell the whole story, I think I can share a little. Many years ago I made a bet with someone. A wager about how things will turn out in Neuith over a period of time. That period of time ends during my term.
What sort of wager?
Let’s just say it’s one of epic proportions. And unless things change drastically very soon, I think I’m going to win this bet.
Does it have to do with the Cursing Wand?
That’s part of it. There are a lot of factors. Signs, portents, trends.
Sounds ominous.
It is and it isn’t. To me, it’s about freedom. What is Neuith, anyway, but an experiment? For six and half millennia the gods ruled the world and there was peace, tranquility, and order. Many thought it to be a utopia. But all that changed with the Wand, right? The gods lost their powers and most of them were killed. Neuith has seen nothing but war and chaos. Oh sure, there’ve been times when peace reigned, but while one region enjoyed this sense of security, another realm was suffering from bloody conflict. It’s all a great cycle, you know. When law and order is imposed, it is enjoyed for a time until people feel restless. That restlessness grows into rebellion, which leads to revolution, which turns into war. Chaos. Then out of chaos, order reasserts itself. It’s never-ending and will continue into eternity. I ask you: when is a person truly free?
When they’re free to make their own choices? When they can choose their own destiny?
Precisely. But under a system of law, any system, can they do that? I say the answer is no. Only in times of anarchy can an individual truly choose their own path, with no restrictions, no constraints, no limits.
But if some chooses a life of murder or crime, does that not infringe upon the freedoms of another?
Not if that other has the freedom to defend themself. Crime only has meaning in the context of law. If nothing is illegal, then there is no such thing as crime.
I’m not sure I agree with your ideas, my friend.
I don’t expect you to agree. You’re a creature raised around structure and law. You were the Archmage of the Wizards’ Guild, an institution built around organization and the laws of magic and man. Furthermore, don’t call me ‘friend.’ I am not, have never been, nor never will be your ‘friend.’
We’re sitting here having a friendly conversation, are we not?
No. We’re having a ‘civil’ conversation. You were tasked with interviewing the witches of the Linne Coven. I’m willingly fulfilling that obligation with my own freewill. I could have refused your request, and there would have been no consequence. However, I choose to sit with you and answer your questions because I see this as an opportunity to share my perspective of the truth. The laws of man blind people to what is right before their eyes. They are indoctrinated to believe the only way to achieve their destiny is by following the path that was cut for them by some aristocracy. They’re like sheep being led to the slaughter. Their lives are wasted.
Tell me about your Curse.
Those I care about turn against one another. My two sons became bitter enemies and led armies in the hopes of destroying the other.
We’ve heard the tales. One of your sons, Shalmai Agathon, was the herald of an age when he defeated his brother.
Many saw this as triumph of law over chaos, good over evil, but few know the truth. It was a triumph of slavery over freedom. Slavery takes on many disguises, like nationalism, righteousness, purity, security.
You were on the side of your other son? The one that was defeated? Keziz Bezaleel?
He stood for freedom. Had he won, he would have taken down the tyrannical governments of Neuith, exposing them for what they were – corrupt institutions based on greed, pride, lust, gluttony, envy, sloth, and anger.
To hear you tell it, all governments are based on one or more of these.
Prove me wrong, Syreni. Prove me wrong.
At this point, a group of sailors came into the tavern. Two came to our table, interrupting our conversation and suggesting we join them in certain activities. Cithara plucked a string on the lyre and immediately, the boisterous sailors calmed down. We silently agreed the interview was over, touched our coven rings, and teleported away. I returned to my home in Hiltmar. I have no idea where Cithara went.
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Post by IndySligo on Oct 21, 2021 13:53:21 GMT -5
Vigila Interview with Syreni, L188
The Queen of Hehl.
I went to a house overlooking the Torevil River in Hiltmar. I watched as a family held vigil over their patriarch, a man of high stature and influence in Hiltmar – one of the guild leaders. He had taken ill, and with his advanced age and frailty, everyone knew his hold on the mortal coil was slipping away. The women wailed as he whispered his last words, took his last breath, and closed his eyes for the last time. I brought a tasty stew and several loaves of spiced bread. They were grateful for my presence, as this was a man I knew and respected, along with everyone in his family.
Moments after he slipped away, a portal opened near me. A woman stood beyond and called to me. Not Vigila, but I knew her. Vigila’s most trusted assistant, a succubus named Lucania. Despite her ability to transform into any shape she desired, I still knew her for who she was. I stepped through the portal and entered Vigila’s ante chamber. Black walls made of an unknown substance formed a large circular room. To my left were three chairs arranged around a small table. In the wall nearby was a lit fireplace, though it burned in complete silence. Vigila sat comfortably in one of the chairs. In one of the other chairs sat the man who had just passed away. He stood up as I approached.
“Syreni. I’m very glad you could be with my family at this troublesome time. It gave me comfort to know that a representative from the Linne Coven was there. Please tell my family, when you return to them, that I love them all, hope they all live long, fruitful lives, and know that one day they’ll join me here.”
I will do that, my friend. He nodded to Vigila. She smiled and nodded back, then he vanished from sight. I sat in the third chair as Lucania sat down in the seat he had vacated. The air was warm and smelled slightly of brimstone, though it wasn’t overwhelming. Vigila wore her usual dark robes, which contrasted her pale skin and piercing blue eyes. The glowing, heart-shaped pendant she wore on a necklace, just above her breasts, drew my attention. Like Cithara’s golden lyre, I’ve never seen Vigila without it.
You’ve been tasked with interviewing all the witches.
Yes. I’m writing a history of Neuith that, when distributed to all the libraries, will help people to better understand who we are. I’ve spoken to several already, and I’ve been looking forward to sitting down with you. You, being who you are and what you do, comes with a lot of misunderstanding among the common folk. I’d like to hear it from your perspective.
I earned this position through hard work and dedication to my cause. It is but a mere steppingstone to what my ultimate goals are.
What are your goals?
What I want for the people of Neuith is the very thing I was denied.
She put her fingers around the ruby pendant, held it gently and reverently.
My father killed the man I loved. Why? He wasn’t some lord or king or even a wealthy merchant. Just a kitchen boy. A lowly servant. My vision for Neuith is that people are free to love whomever they choose. This is what I’ve built here in Hehl. For those deserving, they are free to enjoy their afterlives sharing in the love of their friends who came before. Such was not the case before I arrived. It was ruled by devils and demons, and the souls that came here were forced into their servitude as conscripted soldiers in their eternal war. While I can’t change the past, nor can I resolve the issues of history, my power here has allowed me to keep their war from spilling over into the material world, Neuith.
There are people on Neuith who worship you as a god.
I do not hear them, nor could I if I wanted to. They are foolish to think that worshipping me will earn them a better afterlife. It’s all about the lives they live. It’s not about me or my power or my station. One day, after the Curse has been broken, I will return to Neuith. Perhaps, on that day, my dream will be true and things like arranged marriages, forced relationships, and the meddling in the affairs of others will be over.
This seems like a common theme.
You’ve been talking to Cithara. I’ll admit that she and I do share some beliefs, but I think her ideas are a bit narrow-minded. She talks about the endless cycle of law and chaos, good and evil, but I truly believe in the greater good. And only can the greater good be known when just and righteous laws are in place. Laws that are followed not just by the common folk, but by those that rule. Perhaps you should ask Cithara what she thinks should be done with someone who has wasted their life and their potential.
I’ve already interviewed her. This is about you, not her.
I know. There are secrets about Cithara I’m sworn to keep. If I’m to succeed in my goals, I need her as my ally, not my enemy.
You probably want all us witches on your side.
We’ll go with that for now.
That doesn’t sound promising.
Understand, Syreni, that when the Curse is broken, which is something I believe will happen very soon, everything changes. There’s more to it than people being freed from the shackles of their Curse. Once again, the gods will hear the voices of their followers and will be able to harness that power. Bahamut and Tiamat will return to glory, re-engaging in their eternal struggle. With no other gods standing watch over Neuith, the path of apotheosis is ripe for anyone with the desire, the ability, and the courage, to take those steps. I don’t think even Propheta can predict what will happen.
It’s scary just thinking about it.
And what about you, Syreni? Your ability to control magic, your ability to detect enchantments, your ability to swim in the sea like a fish, all came about because of your Curse. What happens when it’s gone? Do you revert to a simple fisherman’s wife? Do you suddenly age, as you no longer have the infusion of magic to keep your youth? What does a human woman over a thousand years old look like? Are you sure you want the Curse to end? I know that your Curse is fraught with tragedy. You gain abilities when it’s too late. Is the trade worth it?
I…
No. You don’t have to answer. This is about me, remember? I’m the one being interviewed. I’m the one supposed to answer questions, not ask them. The ashes of William’s heart are ensconced in this ruby. His soul was destroyed before I came to Hehl, and there was, and still is, no way that I can recover him. This is all I have left of the only man that ever truly loved me, and the only man I ever loved. Who am I to take away this love from others? Who was my father, who saw me as property, something to be traded for diplomatic favors, to kill an innocent man? No. This is my Curse. And when the Curse is gone, I will see to it that never again will someone suffer the same fate as my William, for as long as I am able. If that means I must accept those that worship me and use the power of their faith, then that’s what I’ll do.
I glanced over to where Lucania sat and was startled to see my husband, the fisherman, the Captain of the Angel Swan, sitting in her place. After a moment, the succubus restored her natural form. “I am forbidden to take the form of William, for to do so would mean my obliteration.” She changed forms again, this time to someone I loved even more than my husband: my daughter, Celestyn. My daughter who was Angel de Tanie’s apprentice and was being groomed to succeed her as the Archmage of the Wizards’ Guild. It was upon her death that I gained the ability to wield magic. Had I had these powers, I would have been able to intervene. I could have stopped the assassin.
Lucania, stop. I think it’s time for you to return to Hiltmar. You have a message to deliver to a grieving family.
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