Chimeron Questing XXX: Into the Felwood Voice Log Transcriptions

For the first log transcriptions of this series, please refer to this article, a Word from the West from Professor Mia. [OOC informative note from editor Kieran: The first article has some questions from Mia, such as why are all the gems in the logs yellow. Fellow adventurers have since determined that these are Topazes, used by this society for Intent. These recordings IC are all spoken in Draconic, but we understand the intent of the words].

**OOC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah8NyVsPVo8 to hear all of the log audio! enjoy!**

Voice Log Transcriptions

Log 1

Phina: This is Phina. Log date... does it even really matter anymore? I couldn't save the Black city, the best I could do was activate the stasis shield to keep the Gemification from spreading. I know it won't be enough, the shield was not designed to defend against such intense magical forces, much less keep those… things inside the city. 

For now though, I have to keep going. Those gemstone fanatics are still after me. I can't let them reach the surface. They've... embedded pieces of Project Prism into themselves, intentionally accelerating the Gemification process and allowing it to spread far beyond our initial containment measures. I managed to trap one in a stasis food preserver in an outpost deeper in the caverns. Oh Palamos… this is not what Quig would have wanted. [RECORDING PAUSED]

[RECORDING RESUMED]

If you're listening to this, I can only hope it is as a friend. The Stasis Shield will not hold forever, but I have to lock down the Labyrinth so the cult doesn't escape. However, I've installed a bypass in the cloaking system  so it can still be unlocked from the outside. By default the entrance is hidden by a lattice of obscure gems, but I've rewired the old observation pylons to act as a keycode. They’re dormant, so hopefully all you'll have to do is prime them with a little bit of magic to get them online. Prime all three, and the bypass sequence should trigger, revealing and unlocking the door. If everything went according to plan, all other major entrances to the Labyrinth have been closed for safety, so this is likely your only chance. Good luck.

Log 2 

PALAMOS:

Begin log. I’ve been trying to fix these consoles for four hours, but I can’t find my way around this mess. It looks like someone haphazardly rewired half these systems. I need to keep a record of this nonsense. Let’s see… maybe if I tighten the…. And now when I power it on…. UHGHHHHH! Still nothing!

QUIG: 

Morning Palamos. I see you are taking your new assignment to the watchtower “well.”  What’s… all this about?

PALAMOS:

Good Morning Quig. How is our tireless captain today? Here to offer your sagacious counsel? 

QUIG: 

Tireless and Sagacious? Why Palamos, you know my lineage grants me resistance against fire, but I’m afraid it offers no protection from your charms. 

PALAMOS:

I- Uh? (clears throat) The, um… viewing prisms all along the watchtower exterior stopped working last night, just as I spotted a specimen of the local fauna that was actually interesting. I’ve been attempting to fix them for… a few hours, but without the proper equipment they seem resigned to staying dead.

QUIG: 

Mind if I take a look? I’m pretty handy when it comes to this fancy Gem Tech stuff.

PALAMOS: 

*scoffs* Be my guest! But it’s a delicate piece of technology, I highly doubt someone without the proper training would be able to…

*rummaging noises*

*THUNK*

*whirring noises*

QUIG: 

Heyyyy! There we go! I think I got it!

PALAMOS: 

I have been recalibrating delicate adamantium lattices… for 4 hours…and you just.. Hit it?

QUIG: 

You’d be surprised at the number of problems you can solve with a little… percussive maintenance.

PALAMOS: 

Is that why the Stasis Food Preserver has a dent in it? Anyway, what about the rest of this system? It looks like somebody welded a bunch of sapphires to it and tied it all together with adamantine?

QUIG: 

The topaz lensing systems on these machines burned out weeks ago. It takes too long to get replacements from the Black City, and I figured I just needed to preserve the image, so I took some half infused sapphire, bent a bit of spare adamantium wire around it, then placed them backward in the slots.

PALAMOS: 

But… I just ran a diagnostic! The lensing system was the only part that was functioning within the normal parameters!!? And the picture was perfect, before it cut out. I mean… this is incredible, I had no idea a sapphire could be used to preserve light information. When did you discover this?

QUIG: 

I didn’t really discover anything, I just… tried something. And when that didn’t work, I tried something else until eventually I either got it to work, or I completely killed it.

PALAMOS: 

(quietly) Heh, I guess Daedalus was right. (Normal) How many other scalebrained “repairs” have you made around the Watchtower? I’d better take a look. To make sure you’re not about to blow us all up, of course.

QUIG: 

*Overly Dramatic Sigh* I suppose if it would set your mind at ease, Inkbreather. Come on, I’ll show you all of my revolutionary tricks to revive machinery from the brink of death.

PALAMOS: 

Revolutionary, eh? Well then I might just have to list you as a co-author on my next paper:  “Percussive Maintenance, and its Effects on Gemstone Transmission Structures.”

QUIG: 

*Pfft.* Whatever you say. Maybe I’ll write my own paper. Run you outta the job. Don’t worry, sunshine, I’ll leave a place for you in my horde.

Log 3

QUIG: 

Amethyst experiment #4. First test using topaz with the new gemstone.

PALAMOS: 

Thank you, Quig. Amethyst has exhibited disruptive properties when paired with the other gemstones. Today we shall be applying various strength Topaz crystals to see if its ordering properties can reveal the emergent characteristics of the Amethyst.

PHINA: 

Actually, Palamos, I have a hunch I know how Amethyst works. I already got a golem from the mining group. If we embed an amethyst in the awakened golem, then try to connect with a topaz-

PALAMOS:

You requisitioned a mining golem without consulting me? Phina, I am the chief scientist of this lab. You can’t just do whatever you want. We have procedures for a reason! Besides, the lab is already set up for the singleton tests with the other basic gemstones. We can experiment with golems in two months when the rest of the amethysts finish infusing.

PHINA:

But that’s sooooooo loooooong! We already know what Amethyst does! It hides things! That’s why all our sensors just report purple static when we run it alongside other gemstones. That’s why we need to test it on more complex gem-tech! Too see how it affects them! To see what the limits are! 

PALAMOS:

That kind of recklessness will not be tolerated in this lab. It’s exactly that sort of behavior that got your father killed!

PHINA:

At least he did something before he died! This is the first new gemstone the lab has found in over thirty years of your “inspiring” leadership. At this rate it will be another thirty years before we even know what it does.

PALAMOS: You’re one to talk! I have revolutionized our society. My gemstone fabricator produces quality gemstones in months instead of years. How has your research into Quartz been going?

QUIG:

Hatchlings, hatchlings, please! You both have sharp claws and shiny scales. Let’s take a little breather and get back to the experiments? OK?

*Some shuffling*

QUIG:

(quietly) Don’t let her get under your scales, Darling.

PALAMOS:

(quietly) I know, she just-

QUIG:

(quietly) She reminds you of Daedalus. That’s not a bad thing. But you can’t control her anymore than Sigwyn could control him. 

PALAMOS: 

(quietly) You’re right. You’re right. Sigh. What would I do without you, Day Star?

QUIG: 

(quietly) affirmative noise (normal volume) Phina? Where is the mining golem?

PHINA:

The southern loading bay. I had the techs set it up in a sapphire stasis field.

QUIG: Good. Let’s pack up and head down there, then. But we’re not running any tests until Palamos is satisfied it’s safe. Is that acceptable?

PHINA:

YESSS!!! Thank you, Quig! Let’s go! 

Log 4

PALAMOS: 

Sorry, it’s on now. So what do you think?

DAEDALUS:

It is very impressive. The quality and precision are just what I have come to expect from my star pupil. You’ve just about perfected Sigwyn’s gemstone infusion technique. How quickly are you producing now?

PALAMOS:

A single artifice like this one can generate a Grade A gemstone in just under a year! I’m sure there’s still room for improvement though. If you would take another look at my work, I’d love to show you-

DAEDALUS:

That is not necessary, Palamos. I am certain at this point your knowledge of gem infusion far outstrips my own. 

PALAMOS:

Don’t be ridiculous, Elder. You invented this technology. Your knowledge of gem-tech is the greatest of all draconians! I still have so much to learn from you.

DAEDALUS:

Harumph. Perhaps. How go your other projects?

PALAMOS:

Uh… Yes… My other projects.

DAEDALUS:

Your last three presentations have been minor performance adjustments to the infusion rig. There’s no new insights, no breakthroughs. You’re not telling me you spent the last decade endlessly iterating on century old technology are you? 

PALAMOS:

I- Of course not! I was just thinking about how… infusing gemstones, or rather, when integrating infused gemstones with an adamantine framework… I mean, gemstones have their own resonance, right? And …uh… the adamantine lattice influences the expression. So maybe.. um... if we crafted components with… matching resonance we could ...um… communicate with a piece of gem tech… remotely? 

DAEDALUS:

AH-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha. I’m impressed! That almost made some kind of sense! 

*Pause*

DAEDALUS:

Palamos, your work on gemstone infusion has been revolutionary, but you seem almost frightened of other projects. You’re flying in circles. What troubles you?

PALAMOS:

I’m sorry, Daedalus, there’s just… so much to learn. You and Sigwyn discovered so much. And you’re still doing it! On these other projects I always feel like I’m a wingbeat behind. I guess I’m just more comfortable working on what I already know?

DAEDALUS:

Exploration and discovery are a key part of the scientific process, my young pupil. I think you have spent too much time in this lab. 

PALAMOS:

No, Elder, please! I’ll work on any project you want! I’ll work on all of them! My place is by your side!

DAEDALUS:

You have a brilliant mind, Palamos, that’s why I named you my protogée, but your pride and your position have made you too fearful of failure. Bring me a novel idea. Invent something outside of your wingspan. Do something wild! Then we can continue your training. 

PALAMOS:

I… *sniffle* I’ll make you proud.

DAEDALUS:

(gently) I look forward to your next presentation. Just, while you are “going wild,” maybe stay away from the rubies. I’ve lost more scales than I’d care to count to those gemstones. 

Log 5

UNKNOWN SPEAKER: I know you’re out there, Phina. I know you’re listening. I know you too, have felt the touch of our new mother. There’s no point in fighting it. I was afraid of it once too. Afraid of the unknown. I wasted years stymied by my own fears and inhibitions. But now I have stepped into a new world. Step into it with me.

Can you see it? Crystal: beautiful, eternal, perfect. What better bodies could we hope for? You rely on crude flesh? See how it rots. See how it dies. Though crystal we transcend. We transcend this dark and wretched pit. We transcend life and loss and all the woes we endure in this world. 

Can you hear it? Rhythms within rhythms. Patterns within patterns. The first dragon. Our mother. She calls us home. I thought that she had taken everything from me. But it is a gift. I hear his voice. I know he will never leave me now.

Can you feel it? The element, the breath. Embrace her gift, like I have. Embrace your heritage, your father’s dream. Embrace what no dragon has in 300 years! This is your true form! Your true purpose! You can’t run from your destiny, Phina. Sooner or later, we will find you.

[OOC brief synopsis on gems below: From the collective knowledge of adventurers, not meant to be taken as the comprehensive aspects of the gems]

Opal = Successful heartstones

Topaz [Yellow] = Intent

Sapphire [Blue] = Stasis

Amethyst [Purple] = Cloaking

Emerald [Green] = Change

Ruby [Red] = Explosive

Challenge of the Penn winning entrant - Kovaks

Challenge of the Penn was a non-com challenge at the Tournament of Chocolate '26, as entrants were encouraged to complete a chronicle leading up to the event on a chosen topic. It was named in honor of Iawen Penn, the last Knight Commander of Eagle's Rook, whose love of the written word and stories was well known.

This was the description of the non-com in the event: "With the battles with Guthrevyn, our libraries have not gone unscathed. We beseech adventurers of the Realms to rise to the challenge and provide legible chronicles on the founding of Eagle's Rook. These should be turned in upon the start of tournaments or upon arrival. They will be judged on completeness and accuracy to the best of our experts' knowledge, as well as presentation and legibility as we take pride in restoring our libraries."

Challenge of the Penn

The Eighteenth Day of the Fourth Month of the One Thousand Twenty-Sixth Year

On the Occasion of the First Tournaments of Chocolate

In honor of Sir Iawen Penn, a great historian and Knight, I have taken on the Challenge of the Penn, to document the founding of Eagle’s Rook. Both Sir Iawen and I claimed the title of Librarian and historian. As such, I have chosen to complete this challenge with a compilation of letters as found in the View from Valehaven periodical without any interpretation. These documents speak for themselves and tell the story more completely and succinctly than I could over thirty years later.

I have transcribed these documents, but I am a better historian than transcriptionist. Please assume that any and all spelling errors are on the part of the transcriber and not of the original author or publisher. The exception I will note is that Sir Gunnar uses both Guthrefen and Guthreven as spelling for the one who ruled over Raven’s Loft. 

A chronicler’s note: the acceptable terminology has changed in the past decades. These letters contain words that are no longer considered correct, but are maintained for historical accuracy.

Yours in Service,

Kovaks of Darkvale

Master Chronicler of the Royal Court of Chimeron`

October 992

To the People of the Realms:

        While many of you are among my oldest and closest friends, I have never told you anything of  my origins or my reasons for coming to these lands. However my past has caught up with me, and I would now take your leave to fully introduce myself.

        My full name is Gunnar Artaec Guthrevnes. “Guthrevnes” can be loosely translated as “son of the War-Raven”. I am from Raven’s Loft, a land to the northwest of Fenmere.

This story begins with my youth. I was brought up in Raven’s Loft by Brecca, a servant of Guthrefen, my father. She told me when I was young that I was an orphan and had been brought to Raven’s Loft and taken in by Guthrefen when I was but a babe. Brecca said she had heard that my parents had been killed by Guthrefen’s guards for not paying enough taxes, and they had beaten me until their arms were so tired they could no longer lift them,... but I refused to die. The brutes brought me back to the keep, to show me to the heirless War Raven, and he chose to keep me and raise me up to inherit his lands as his son, for he was unable to continue his line. When I was young, I believed Brecca’s tale in its entirety, but as I grew older, I learned that she often stretched the truth.

Whatever my origins, my foster father’s cruel disposition led me to believe that I was indeed an orphan. Guthrefen was a fierce and powerful warlord, but I grew to learn that he was a most dishonorable and malicious man. Much of Raven’s Loft’s military strength came from Guthreven’s skillful deployment of his favorite military strategy. He would lead his forces to the site of a battle between neighboring lands and wait until the battle was gnarly over. Then he would swoop down upon what was left of the two armies and annihilate them, whether they were friends or foes, always making sure to hunt down and kill anyone who escaped from the ranks of either army. He would then strip the bodies of arms, armor, and equipment, regardless of their title or birth, and steal back to Raven’s Loft under cover of night. As far as I know, he still practices this strategy.

With the help of Brecca, I left my despised foster father and came to these lands to prove my honor and wipe the shame of the Raven’s Loft from my past. However, recently I received a demand from Guthreven to return to Raven’s Loft and serve him as his son and future warlord of his lands. I answered a sharp denial, and he returned with a challenge…

I am to journey to Raven’s Loft to fight him in honorable combat. If I defeat him, his lands are to be mine. If he defeats me, the Realms will never see Sir Gunnar of Fairhaven again. The War-Raven claims knighthood and has a squire, so in turn, my squire Myriel will join me on this adventure. I must face every encounter on the road to Raven’s Loft before anyone else, and alone. However, I bid you all come to my aid, for we may well need help finding our way, and even if we do not, you may well enjoy venturing to the land of Raven’s Loft, discovering what manner of beasts live in the wilds of that land

Sir Gunnar of Fairhaven

Knight of the Eternal flame

Knight of Fairhaven

February 993

To the foolish upstarts who claim Raven’s Hold,

You are encroaching upon my rightful property and trespassing upon lands that have been in my family for ages. I strongly advise that you remove yourselves from Raven’s Hold, the ancestral keep belonging to the heir of the lands of Raven’s Loft. The rightful heir shall soon be returning to his duties of training to inherit the position of Warlord of Raven’s Loft. If you have not ceased to be a problem by the conclusion of the Quest to Raven’s Loft, you shall be sharply dealt with. You need not worry for your lives. I assure you that I would never be so harsh as to deprive you of the eternal, exquisite, unending agony that will soon be your constant companion. Yes, friends, I shall make you immortal, though I doubt you will thank me for it.

Guthrefen

Warlord of Raven’s LoftMarch 993

To the People of the Realms,

At the first Feast of Min, I was knighted as the first Knight of Fairhaven by Dame Gil, Knight of the Realms. In retrospect I have come to the conclusion that I was inadequately squired and improperly knighted. The title of “Knight” felt as awkward next to my name as “Lady” might next to the name of a known prostitute. When the Knights of the Realms knighted me as a Knight of the Eternal Flame, I had at that point come to know my own worth and that I was indeed of knightly quality.

While squiring Myriel of the Eclipse, I have come to fully understand how to properly squire someone. In m y estimation, no Knight of Fairhaven has yet been properly squired. My squire is currently more worthy than many who claim knighthood, although she is not yet worthy of the knighthood I would bestow upon her. However, one thing is clear to me, in order to remain true to myself, and in order to bring my present and future squires into an order of true knighthood, I am leaving the order of the Knights of Fairhaven.

If my quest to Raven’s Loft is successful, I shall be founding a new land there. It shall be known as Eagle’s Rook, and an Ivory Tower on a royal blue field shall be its standard.

My loyalty stands, as ever, with the Kingdom of Valehaven, and so the Royal Eagle shall be centered on the standard. Any of my followers may remain in Fairhaven under the protection of Wulfric of Fairhaven if they so desire. They need fear nothing from me. However, any citizens or followers of Fairhaven are welcome to join me in Eagle’s Rook if my quest goes well and I indeed claim my ancestral lands.

Sir Gunnar Artaec Guthrevnes

Knight of the Eternal Flame

Heir of Raven’s Loft

Wielder of Devil’s Bane

June 993

To the People of the Realms,

Over one year ago, I was honored to be able to take as a squire Myriel of the Eclipse. She and I adventured to every corner of the known Realms, and I never once found any cause to doubt her dedication, her loyalty or her spirit. Then, this spring, my past caught up with me. The wretched cur, Guthreven, who would have had me as his heir, had me magically entrapped not long before I was able to quest to meet him in honorable combat. Word was sent to Myriel to complete the quest for me, and for Emmalcome, the Captain of the Guard of Raven’s Hold, to accompany her. Guthreven and his followers opened a gate to Faerie in the lands where Myriel and Emmalcome were departing from, they sent assassins after them and a message that I would be scalped if they did not arrive on time was delayed, making it near impossible for Myriel and Emmalcome to succeed. However, her spirit never faltered, and with the help of a few brave souls along the way, they succeeded in the quest, bringing my body back to the Realms… Myriel had not earned her Knighthood yet.

At Doomghaurd, I marshalled, and had the opportunity to observe my squire in situations in which I was not involved. On that day, she quelled the few remaining doubts I harbored about her ability to be a true Knight. Knowing that we might never emerge from Faerie, I decided that I could not lead Myriel to what might be her death without bestowing upon her the recognition that she had indeed made the transition from being a Squire to being a Knight. So, on the first day of the fifth month of this year, I founded the order of the Knights of Eagle’s Rook. Marking my assuming the role of Knight Commander and Sir Myriel’s accepting the title of Knight of Eagle’s Rook, the following oath was sworn: 

I shall tread only upon the paths of honor, for a true knight knows no other way.

I shall harbor neither fear nor self-doubt, for there is nothing I cannot accomplish.

I shall be true to myself, in word and in deed, in spirit and in arms.

The Knighting of Sir Myriel is the greatest memory I have since I left Raven’s Loft as a youth and came to these Realms. On that day, I was also honored for Gael Bahn (formerly known as Shadow of the Eclipse) to accept my offer to squire him into the order of the Knights of Eagle’s Rook. I am confident that he will prove as worthy and loyal a squire as Myriel did.

With the defeat of Guthreven, I inherited the lands of Raven’s Loft. I could not bear to live with the memories of that accursed name, so I have chosen to call my newly won home Eagle’s Rook, in memory of the royal Eagle of Valehaven that once meant so much to me. Before looking for any followers I knew that my path was meant to pass into Faerie, and I could not take the responsibilities expanding my lands when my future was somewhat in doubt.

However, now that my quest to Faerie is complete, I would like to extend a word to any and all warriors whose hearts are true, whose spirits are brave, and to whom honor is a way of life, and not just a card to be kept in our hand and played when it will prove most advantageous. To you, I say that if your current paths suit not you, I invite you to join us, and I would be most honored to fight by your side, and call you my follower. 

Death before Dishonor

Sir Gunnar Artaec Guthrevnes, KoEF

November 994

Eagle’s Nook: Tales & Poetry from the Land of Eagle’s Rook

I have taken refuge in the armory, to have a minute’s rest from the newest members of our country. Eagle’s Rook has grown considerably with their coming and I am happy they are here; they are just a bit hard to handle at times. I should take this time to explain the political structure of our government, so that there are no questions as to why our happy chaos has occurred. I shall be brief for I do believe I have little time

Knights - The Knights of Eagle’s Rook are the rulers of our land who make all decisions under our laws. Though all Knights have equal say, the Knight Commander has the final word on any matter. All Knights are bound by the Code (which is to tread the paths of honor, to harbor neither fear nor self doubt, and to be true to yourself in word and in deed, in spirit and in arms) which is the stem of our government. At the moment, there is only the Commander, Sir Myriel, and myself to guide our realm.

Squires - They too are bound by the Code and given close and personal instruction by their Knight. On any issue that may arise between the Knights, the Squire may voice opinion and question, but does not yet have a vote. We have no Squires right now, but that may change very soon.

Followers - A follower may either be a person who follows a specific Knight or Squire or may wish to join because of their belief in the Code. They too follow the Code, but with them the Knights are more lenient for they are learning the ways of the Code. They are given instruction by the Knights and their progress is noted. They fall under the responsibility of the Knight or Knights. If a Squire has a follower, he or she is still under that Knight’s responsibility. We have three followers. Gonf, who I hear from the Weapons Master has improved considerably (verily, I have seen it myself). Ragnar who has the spellcraft (much like my own youth, welcome aboard). and Bishop whom I hail most whole heartedly (I have seen within you and am pleased). I am content with progress on all of them and am happy with their contributions. Gonf has almost finished the East Tower and well before the snow. For Bishop I have given him my servants to govern, for a warrior must know affairs of management and of sword. To Ragnar, I have given a difficult task, which is to verse me on the ways of our residents (whom I shall write about in a moment) and to make sure they are comfortable here, for they are most welcome. 

Residents - When I came to Eagle’s Rook I came as a resident, one who likes Eagle’s Rook, believes the Code is valid but wishes no part in the governmental structure. They come for our protection and, well, because they like us. They are bound by the law and are encouraged to follow the code, but are given the greatest leniency. I would like to extend my hand to the Visitant Gypsies who have come under our protection. I believe they will be a valued part of our country (I hear one of them is searching for me in the outer rooms; I had better conclude soon). Lilith and I have been close friends since their entrance to the Realms and I am glad to see them in the courtyards below. She is still the head of the Gypsies and all problems with her children should be directed to her, but I stand behind them and take ultimate responsibility. In their mischief I have seen honor and good hearts and it is for this that I am comforted by their presence here.

Any member may leave at any time for any reason, though I would hope they would talk to me or Sir Myriel as to why (we do not believe in leaving on bad tidings). Nor has any member been forced under our rule; each one of our people volunteered to rally by our standard. Our borders are open to all new members on all levels of our society (save one must be a Squire before becoming a Knight) and may choose to raise or lower their status. I admit that much more is demanded the higher you go but as I have found fom going from the lowest to the highest that it can be very rewarding.

We are some twenty five people strong now (not including the servants and peasants whom I have undying gratitude for their help and patience in our times of trouble, you bring the goodness upon yourselves and we will bring to you what you have given us tenfold). I am pleased and am looking to the years ahead with gladness in my eyes. A HUZZAH! to you all!

Death before Dishonor

Sir Pyr

Knight of Eagle’s Rook

Why I Want to Go - A Library in Fae

By Kelly "Fern" Perfetto

There were once ten Unchanging Places in Fae…

This is how I have begun telling this story for the past three years. Not long, but long enough for someone only beginning to adventure within the last five. I will try to give the abridged version, and not the fanatic professor version. I share this so that you may know some of the wonders and mysteries you walk toward, if you join myself and others in venturing through the fae wilds this weekend.

One of the Unchanging Places was the Great Library of Fae. Both the Library and the caretaker, the Duke of Knowledge, Duke Holophonese, fell to Bedlam.¹ From what I hear, adventurers of the modern era first traveled to this Library two decades ago. There they found that in order to wake the enchanted Duke, they must use the Library.

As many of you know by now, this Great Library was not one of paper or parchment books, but rather of what we have been calling memory flowers. Once one sniffs one of these flowers, they are transported into the memory that flower contains. When the adventurers played out the stories incorrectly, the vision would fail and they would find themselves in the positions they had ended the memory in. When played correctly, the adventurers would find themselves near the flower they had sniffed to access the memory.²

One of the challenges the adventurers faced in choosing and playing out these stories was that the names were present on the stems, but spelled in Ogham.³ These stories appeared to be a mix of significant events of Fae and Realms history, as well as the individual recollections of adventurers present. It is possible that Fae Belief Magic brought the stories the group would be most invested in close together.

From what I gather, the flowers of the Great Library of Fae were not seen for ten years after their destruction.⁴ Some tried to grow them from seeds, with limited success. And then some started appearing in the woods at Black and White of 1023. In 1024, some of us learned how to transplant these flowers.⁵ I know I carried one away with the notion that somehow we all would start up a new library, with the blessing of prominent fae. The large maroon flower you may have seen me bringing around to feasts is one of these flowers, carrying a tragic story, but innocent in of itself.⁶

With whispers on the winds and bees carrying invitations in the form of pollen, it seems that there is some new Library grown in the depths of the fae wilds, or perhaps the old one reemerged from hidden roots. What a wonderful thing, that there seems to be life where once there was only destruction. How delightful that there is a new chance to share information. These magical plants still live, they have not been entirely destroyed. I suppose I must wait, but I am excited to meet the new librarian, if one exists, and talk to them about cultivation and curation.⁷ There is an invitation handed out to all of us. While I will caution people traveling into the fae wilds, as I often do, what an incredible opportunity awaits all of us who go. The flowers want to share! Imagine what mysteries of the past we could uncover. There is more I have not shared, for fear of making this letter too long, but I will gladly share what knowledge I have of this. Come along with me on an adventure that promises some joy!

~ Fern Eberhardt

---

OOC:

It’s so refreshing to write a WIWTG for an event my character is just as excited to attend as I am! It’s not all doom and gloom and duty this time, folks. Fern might perhaps even be more excited than I am.

This event is drawing on Fae Plot (in capital letters) that started two decades ago now, as part homage, part callback. Expect to be playing your character, but kind of your character acting out other roles, as Fern tells us above. As much as I would have fun just wandering around and looking at flowers and sharing stories for six hours, I suspect we’re going to have a few challenges ahead of us. I really am quite excited though. Eric is an engaging storyteller who is (in my experience) happy to roll with improvisation. And I’ve heard through the grapevine that there might be other plots, stories, and marshals mixed in, to keep us on our toes.

If you’re on the fence about going, and you like roleplaying, I’d encourage you to go. And both Fern and I mean it when I say I would be happy to share what more I know, if there’s time!

~ Kelly

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1 There are multiple variations recorded of the spelling of the Duke’s name. One alternate spelling I have seen is Holofernes.^↩
2 For example, if the memory had failed while people were running away from something, they might find themselves a distance away from the flower. However, if the memory succeeded, they would ‘wake up’ in the same place they had ‘fallen asleep’.^↩
3 This is the vertical line writing. If you know it, it would be good to brush up on, or bring a cipher book!^↩
4 There are multiple variations recorded of the spelling of the Duke’s name. One alternate spelling I have seen is Holofernes.^↩
5 I will note that in 1023, I personally made a terrible mistake by picking one of these flowers. The seeds should still be recoverable, but this is part of why I am so invested in helping the Library bloom.^↩
6 These little flowers do not seem to have the same transportative or group capabilities as the mature ones. We were only frozen in place as we viewed the memories, not playing them out ourselves.^↩
7 At B&W 1024, some of us used magic to speak to one who would be knowledgeable about the memory flowers. Someone answered, and we suspect it may have been the new, or perhaps cycled, Duke of Knowledge, though we cannot yet be sure. ^↩

The Wharf Rat

Written by: Zack "Tony" Emmert

The following is a retelling of a story shared with me by Squire Willoughby of the Knights of the Aberrant Gate

Long before she was Dame Mirield Castillion, before the legends and the accolades, she was just Mirield—called “Wharf Rat” by the soldiers in the training yard.

She wasn't born to a name like most of those lads. The others had crests  or court tutors, or at the very least parents who had walked this path before. But Mirield? She had callused hands, a makeshift sword carved from driftwood, and a chip on her shoulder that could sink ships.

The Master-at-Arms tolerated her presence only because the law of the land was to, “Let the sea choose who wears the steel.”

In those days, the Annual Gauntlet of Rathkeale happened every spring. Early spring, mind you. When it was still cold and the season was confused. The Gauntlet was a chance for even people like Mirield to prove their worth and fight for a place at the table.

And fight she did. Losing meant going home for another year. Back to the docks with nothing and no one.

She fought well—too well, by noble standards. That’s when one of the local Knights stepped forward. Blonde. Strong. Cocky to a fault.

"I will challenge the wharf rat," he said. Certain of his victory. "She's quick on her feet, but let's see how she fares against real strength and skill."

Mirield accepted the challenge with nothing but a nod as she walked with this man to the center ring. Nothing but salt in her eyes and fury in her heart.

They dueled in the center ring—watched by nobles, knights, and wealthy merchants alike. He danced like he was in a ballroom, graceful, practiced. But Mirield moved like the tide—unpredictable, surging when least expected.

He nicked her cheek. She cut his shoulder. The crowd leaned in.

Then he cheated. When he tripped, he flung sand into her eyes. Blinded, she stumbled, and the crowd gasped.

But she’d learned to fight without sight—on stormy decks, in midnight squalls. She ducked, sidestepped, and when he lunged with smug certainty, she disarmed him with a sweep of her leg and drove her wooden blade into the sand by his throat.

Then, Mirield did the damnedest thing. She offered him a hand up despite the disrespect, and despite his poor conduct, she showed him the way a real Knight would behave.

But he didn't like that, slapped her hand away and grabbed her arm. Turned the tables on her and the crowd gasped again. 

A hush fell over them all, and Mirield was beaten, layin' in the dirt. Should have been humiliated and broken, but she forced herself up and offered to shake his hand.

He refused, turned his back on her with a scoff. But one person applauded for her in that crowd. One person who saw her worth. A certain Knight of the Aberrant Gate.

"The sea has chosen!" he said to Mirield that day. And that's how she became a Squire, and later a Knight, and then a legend.

Years on, that cheating  warrior would sail under her command. He never spoke of the duel again.

But once, in a tavern, drunk on old rum, he whispered, “She didn’t fight me. She fought the world. And won."

Nations of the Realms: Banecroft Barony

The Barony, as many of us know it as, was one of the first groups I truly met from what, at the time, was loosely referred to as “the south”. I have fond memories of questing beside Myrddin and Tiara, and when I reached my lowest point, when I was certain the Realms no longer held a home for me but just hurt and hatred for what I had done, Tiara was there to reassure me that it would pass. It has, and that kindness lives very strong within my heart. And really, that’s always been my impression: Banecroft is full of kindness.

- Felnar Dulintel

Banecroft Barony

Needless to say, Banecroft has a long, storied history. After all, Baron Diamond is known for maintaining and telling histories. So let us begin there…

Banecroft existed for quite a while, with the Banecroft family's role in the Wellermen being to preserve that era's history and culture, albeit in a gruff, norse way. This came to an end in 972 when Illinarean forces destroyed Banecroft.

Travelling merchants Francois and Charlotte Millhaven managed to rescue from the carnage a baby wrapped in blue cloth with the Baronial heraldry, but they knew not its significance. They named the baby "Diamond" for the lozenges in the heraldry. It was not until the end of 991 that Diamond's friend Jamal researched that heraldry and connected it to the history of a nearby ruin overrun with goblins. Forming a band of friends they chased the Goblins from the tower and re-founded Banecroft.

Banecroft Tower is on a hill commanding the region. Nadina lake supports a fishing village. The woods were once pervasive, there is much more land under the plow ever since the Banein Clouds erased much of the dark forest.

The leader is the Baron, a hereditary title. His closest advisor and second in command is the Seneschal. True followers of Banecroft are those who have sworn their fealty and take on the risks and tribulations of active adventuring. These true followers are responsible for looking after the health and welfare of sections of the common folk of the land. Particular jobs such as Trade Minister or War Leader are assigned to these True Followers by the Baron as their talents fit the needs of the day. Sometimes, there is a tournament among these followers to determine merit.

There have been three subnations in the Baronial Heyday (around 1004), none of them are currently active. They were Caer Melyn, The Red Dragon Clan, and the Blue Falcons. By some quirk of coincidence, their heraldry was all on black fields.

In 991, Banecroft was dark woods full of monsters. Over the decades since, it has become more and more civilized and populous with more and more land under the plow. At first families lived in isolated blockhouses scraping out a living from the land. Over time, this gave way to larger settlements of Banecroft, Nadina, and Caer Melyn.

Farming is more productive, and inroads were made into industry right up until the great North/South Road was cut by the Banein cloud. This changed Banecroft from being a significant stop on the central artery of trade, to a backwater bypassed by trade routes.

Faelie is the local goddess, a goddess of Light, Nature and the Earth. Faelie was rescued from persecution by monotheists in the northern village of Misty Glenn by Diamond, who brought her worship back to Banecroft. The Barony protected her sacred Acorn Tree during the ruinous Illinarean Occupation of the late 990s, and a verdant grove bloomed since which is the center of worship.

Baronial Thanksgiving in November is a feast. Baronial Birthday celebrates the re-founding of Banecroft in February.

Baronial Iron Rations are a surprisingly sweet whole wheat biscuit filled with fruit and nuts. It lasts for days, is full of energy and can keep one questing. Baronial Cider is a major export.

Baronials are known as adaptive and flexible questors. They also have had a high proportion of archers. They have attempted to be scrupulous in their conduct, but how successful is for others to judge. Always try talking to their foes first, and grant mercy after. Long time allies of Chimeron, the mother country from whom they negotiated independence back in 992.

 

(OOC:) Inspired in the early days to be like Robin Hood's merry men: independent minded yet team players with a strict but flexible code of conduct. Distinct from Chimeron's inspiration by Camelot, which we viewed as having the highest of ideals but too large to be firm in their application. Over the decades those feelings have changed, largely to become more similar.

The first requirement is that members be honorable. The Blue of the Baronial tabards represents their honor, it is the first thing seen and their best shield.

Nations of the Realms: Misery

Misery sounds so mean to describe a place, but I think this may be a case of a name not matching the truth of the people. I spent a number of recent years in my library in the Fae Wildes, so I may have missed when this kingdom first joined our social gatherings and quests, but I do hope to rectify that soon. They seem like fun people!

Felnar Dulintel

The Kingdom of Misery

The Kingdom of Misery was founded by a mysterious mushroom lady named Bloom. Located on an uncharted island to the east, Goddess Gaia bestowed the kingdom upon her because of Bloom's pure love and devotion to her. It was a quiet place once surrounded by clouds and thunder; these days it's surprisingly loud with laughter and cheer. All are welcome in the Kingdom of Misery; we take in the old, the poor, and the evil, so long as one is looking for a path to kindness. The inhabitants include man and monster, living and undead. In Misery we strive to be the best versions of ourselves; depending on what that means to you. The Kingdom is protected by a magical Bubble that hides the island from view, for the safety of all who may wish harm to the inhabitants.

The kingdom is a monarchy, with Queen Bloom having ultimate authority over the population. The Queen appoints her most trusted and faithful followers to the Queensguard, headed by the Knight Sir Karamir and Captain Rain Holmes.

Knowing little of this island kingdom, these are the locales that the locals look to.

The Golden Pond: This is where the messenger butterflies go to die. When their magic runs out, the butterflies bodies turn to gold and line the lakebed.

The Temple of Gaia: It is located in deep in the forest. The temple is off limits to all but the most devoted.

The Forge of Ataraxia: Sits in the city center. The arms created here are made of Ataraxia Steel.

Mount Valla Appalla: An ancient volcano on the northern archipelago.

The island is temperate and thickly forested, with walled city and castle at the center. A magical Bubble covers the whole of the island and obscures its presence to the outside world.

Following the creation story of the kingdom, Misery is aligned with Her Highness Queen Bloom's goddess, Gaia. The most devout worshippers practice ritual bloodletting in exchange for a higher connection to Her power. In the spring, they celebrate Light the Sky, where they send wishes to Gaia on flying lanterns. The winter is marked by The Darkness, the season where the messenger butterflies die. Beyond this, the Bubble is reestablished on a rotating count of Miserian days.

The Kingdom of Misery’s economy is operated around coins called Flutterbucks, or affectionately called “flucks” by their people. These may also have some connection with the Golden Pond and the messenger butterflies, as it’s been noted that the seasonal replenishing of the Pond has led to massive inflation, as Miserians have taken to raiding the waters for golden butterflies.

Their regional dish seems to be something simply called Miserian Pasgetti.

Miserians wish to let others know that they want to share kindness and teamwork with the other nations of the Realms, and that they will always raise dead bodies, regardless of their national affiliation.

All are welcome in the Kingdom, so long as they are committed to kindness and act with peace to the peaceful. Joining the Kingdom is as easy as asking!

Nations of the Realms: Rhiassa

 It took me a comically long time for me to learn of Rhiassa. In part, because I hadn’t made the connection that they were the ones running Queen of Hearts. Though, to be fair, my early years in the Realms did mean that I was still fumbling through learning a lot about the nations I wasn’t actively surrounded by at the time.

Rhiassa has a lot of history. And I do truly mean a lot. Just…see for yourself!

-Felnar Dulintel

The Nation of Rhiassa

Excerpt from the history of Rhiassa:

Sir Duncan, a Knight of the Eternal Flame, grew up in a place far from the Realms, far enough that its location relative to the Realms is still unknown. Duke of a land called Crestview in the kingdom of what we now call Old Rhiassa, Duncan's lands were destroyed in a surprise attack by an army of drow from the realm of Nifelheim. Soon afterwards the entirety of the kingdom was besieged by the evil race.

One of the knights of Old Rhiassa and an accomplished hero in his own right, Duncan undertook a great quest to find an ally against the drow, a fae elf known as Lorien. Though the elf was gravely wounded when they rescued him, Duncan was successful in bringing the fabled creature back to the castle of Old Rhiassa where he began to recover. Meanwhile, the drow army and the people of the kingdom prepared for what would be their final battle.

The forces of Rhiassa, led by their knights, clashed with the army of the drow across an expansive battlefield, and although they fought valiantly, the best the people of Rhiassa could do was slowly give ground as they were forced back towards the center of the kingdom. During this exchange, Duncan was gravely wounded and brought back to the inner keep where the fae elf Lorien saved him from the dire effects of the drow poison.

By the time Duncan was roused from his sickness, the drow army had broken through the interior of the castle. All of Old Rhiassa had fallen but for the king's tower, where Duncan and a handful of others now sought to make their last stand. Hope would have been lost then, but Lorien opened a portal into fae, and the few soldiers and nobles who remained fled the destruction of their kingdom into an uncertain fate.

Those warriors and gentry were scattered from one another in the wilds of fae. Many of them Duncan never saw again, but with the help of Lorien he was eventually able to find his cousin, Lady Fallon. Together they stepped out of fae and into the lands of the Realms. There was no way to return to the land that they came from and no kingdom left to go back to in any case, but the two Rhiassans did not fall to despair. Instead they chose to honor the lands that they came from and the memories of those who had died in the drow invasion.

They donned the heraldry of their old kingdom, the black lion, but on a blood red field instead of the traditional white, to symbolize all they had lost. They began their new lives then, and while they never forgot the link to their past, they remained steadfastly focused on building a new future for the country of Rhiassa.

Rhiassa is a city-state with a triumvirate of lords that all share equal rank between Lord Sir Aeston Stromgate, Lady Dame Areni Stromgate, and Lord Sir Gwen Stromgate. It is also a Knightocracy, where the knightly order is the noble class. Knights, and to a lesser extent squires, are responsible for all of the duties of coordination and administration that make a country function. A lord of Rhiassa also serves as the knightly order's commander.

The culture of Rhiassa is very heavily dependent on that knightly order. The mission of Knights of Rhiassa, as well as the philosophy of the entirety of Rhiassa itself, is one of service. Service to the community in a myriad of ways, such as projects and initiatives that are of benefit to the Realms, but chief among all of them is making the gatherings that Rhiassa hosts of the highest quality. The Knights set the standard for both their squires and the rest of the group for what it means to give of themselves in order to make the Realms succeed.

Rhiassa has a number of important geographical landmarks, some that relate specifically to the gatherings held yearly.

Cold Springs: The capital city, known for its large central cathedral dedicated to Garm. Cold Springs was the site of the quests referred to as “What Lurks Beneath”, where an army of goblins and trolls compelled by an eldritch horror attacked the city from caverns and sewers below the streets.

Fallon’s Crossing: One of Rhiassa’s most important mercantile hubs.

Oregoth: A mining town and the source of Rhiassan Steel, and the hub of the Gilded Lion Ironworks, which provides vital weapon making materials to the whole of the Realms.

Crestview: The retirement estate for the former lords and nobles of Rhiassa.

War Maneuver Fields: The site of the yearly Queen of Hearts Tournaments and War Maneuvers.

Southland: A southern city that is well known as the location for the yearly Feast of the Leviathan. It also boasts The Grand Parthenon of Justari, a central hub of the Justarian faith.

The Vanfrost: A portal connecting to the worlds of Norlund, where the Echoes of Ragnarok took place.

Rhiassa's ecology is to a very large extent typical grasslands and woodlands with some elevated rocky bluffs and hills. Within this nation’s borders dwell two subnations. Periden, a historic nation in its own right, was claimed by Rhiassa and presented to Aeston and Areni’s son, Aerik, as his birthright. The other, Lionsmark, was once part of the lands of Ashenmark, gifted to Rhiassa on the occasion of the birth of Aeston and Areni’s daughter as her birthright. Lionsmark stands as the symbolic home of the friendship and alliance between Rhiassa and Ashenmark.

Rhiassa is well-known as the Realms geographical center of the worship of Justari. However, the worship of the Just God in Rhiassa is recent, compared to the nation’s more historic religions. In its earliest incarnations, Rhiassa was the home of Kethrellen, the High Priest of Aurora, with Lord Sir Duncan serving as one of her faithful paladins. After Da’oud broke the sword Dalindanna, Duncan was forced to become one of Garm’s paladins instead, and built a cathedral to honor him in Cold Springs. During the Third Age of Rhiassa, with the onset of Bedlam across the Realms, the worship of Justari became a central part of Rhiassan culture.

Worship of Leviathan is also to an extent a part of Rhiassan culture. While Leviathan is a regional deity of Aeston's homeland, the yearly feast in Leviathan's honor does make him an important god in Rhiassa's history. It is said that the feast keeps him slumbering for another year.

Of course, this does make Feast of the Leviathan Rhiassa’s most important holiday. Held every January in the middle of the month, in many ways, it acts as the Realms’ New Year’s celebration. While the origin of it comes from Aeston’s far-away homeland, Feast of the Leviathan has been embraced by the people of the Realms, and is truly now one of the cornerstones of the year. During a time when chances to tournament or quest are lessened by the weather, it does all of us good to come together in kinship and camaraderie.

Though food seems to be Rhiassa’s (pardon the pun) bread and butter, the gigantic and resplendent charcuterie boards that are on display at many Rhiassan-led gatherings, are impossible to miss.

In Aeston’s own words: “Rhiassa is well known for keeping in trust two of the Realms' most important and historic gatherings in Queen of Hearts and Feast of the Leviathan. A great deal of our national pride and the lion's share of our efforts each year go into making sure these two events remain as high quality as they can possibly be.

Otherwise, I hope Rhiassans are known for their dedication to making the community a better place, for our work ethic, and for our mission of service. Everything we do, from our national knighthood to the training we give to even our newest members all starts with those foundational beliefs.”

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(OOC, further words from Jason: If you enjoyed learning about Rhiassa and would like to know more about our members, our traditions, our events, and dozens of other things please visit http://rhiassa.com/

If you believe strongly in making the Realms endure and making sure it constantly grows into a better place. If you are not afraid of hard work and embrace the idea of personal growth. If you want to live a life of service and dedication to others and find joy in helping other people and watching them have fun. If you want to be a part of a team that works well together toward their highest ideals. If all of those are true of you than Rhiassa might very well be the best home you can have.)