CR 571 December 1st - December 4th

[GM Mad]

December 1st -

(The Frontier) The Seekers prepare for the fight against the Wave Witch. Numerous spells are cast in preparation. Padraig places himself into a Magic Jar. A fog bank is spotted up ahead and a ship is seen in it. The Endeavor turns hard to avoid crashing into the enemy ship. As it passes, no one can been seen on board. Many of the sailors believe it to be a ghost ship. Stephanie flies over to check it out, thanks to the Fly spell cast on her before the attack. While the Seekers are watching the ghost ship, they are attacked from overhead. A trio of men are found up in the Endeavor's rigging. Spells are sent towards the men and they are neutralized. Those with infravision note a dark shape rising up from the water below. The dragon turtle emerges from the water-- underneath the ghost ship! The ghost ship breaks in two and starts to sink! The dragon turtle then turns and breathes on the enemy, slaying many of them, including the Wave Witch. The dragon turtle then speaks, revealing that it is actually Padraig in control. The surviving pirates are taken prisoner. The dragon turtle is wounded to make it easier to control when Padraig leaves it. The sea going monster was actually a man who was polymorphed into a dragon turtle. His mind is gone and he still believes that he is a dragon turtle. He is polymorphed into a normal ocean turtle and then released.

A tiny chest is found on the Wave Witch. Maps are found on the pirate ship, including one that has the location of the Island of Death. When question, the pirates reveal the tale of Mardon and the Island of Death. Hundreds of years ago Mardon was a Priest of Azrella who unwittingly donned a Helm of Opposite alignment. Once turned evil, he worshiped Orcus, the demonic god of Undead. Later he turned his attention to necromatic magic. The Island of Death is said to be his long time lair and filled with great treasure. After regaining spells, Padraig casts Leomund's Secret Chest on the chest found on the Wave Witch. A hole appears in reality and another chest is seen inside this hole. Pad pulls it out and a Xorn follows! The strange creatures is easily defeated. Captain Bartran decides to that the surviving pirates will be sent a drift in a rowboat, leaving their fate into the ocean itself. Schar casts another Divination for the upcoming week and the result is “No danger but your own”. (TF#171-177)

[GM Mad]

Sylvan Realm) Early in the morning, Laucian is up checking on the griffons. He finds one is missing. Scanning the skies he finds the that Talen is riding the griffon to the north for some mysterious purpose. Talen is already over a mile away by now. Laucian alerts the others. Lilia has Andlin, Laucian and Lia fly after Talen right away. Everyone else will follow as soon as they can. Given that the griffons are not friendly to Argent and Myev, it is decided to cast Fly spells on the two and they will fly along with Kylie. Lilia goes on ahead taking the remaining griffons with her.

After nearly an hour of flying, Talen arrives at the destination of what was calling him. Laucian and those with him are fifteen to twenty minutes behind. The trio of flying griffons is noted by the Scro on the Sunflower and they rush from the ship to battle their ancient enemies. The scro are running on foot and will take time to cover the nearly five mile distance between them and where Talen landed.

Laucian, Lia and Andlin land their griffons close to Talen's. Laucian tracks the half-elf deeper in the ruins. They hear Talen scream as they enter an enclosed area. There are several four-sided columns here and from one of them a stony appendage has emerged from it and is covering Talen's head! Talen continues to scream, but before he can be reached the stone appendage releases him and 'retracts' into the column. Talen collapses to the ground. Lia rushes to her brother's side, but she cannot wake him.

Lilia arrives not long after that. She can see that the scro from the ship are getting closer and sends Laucian and Andlin out to prepare for their arrival. Lilia attempts to read the Elder scrip on the columns. They talk about 'the young answering the call' and about 'teaching'. There is also a circle on each side of the column, each at a different height. Some of the writing by the circles refers to a 'blade back' and a 'finhead'.

Laucian climbs up on top of the ruins to locate a place to fire his bow. Andlin stays on the ground to intercept the scro. Kylie, Argent and Myev arrive right before the scro do. Myev keeps her distance as she does not wish to fight her own kind. Argent lands near Laucian, while Kylie circles around from the rear. Laucian, Lilia, and Kylie fire their bows downing many of the scro. Argent adds her Magic Missiles while Andlin easily dispatches the scro that reach him. Much like the battle the day before, the scro present very little threat.

With the scro dealt with and Talen still unconscious, Lilia has Laucian, Andlin and Kylie fly on ahead to secure the Sunflower. Argent work to translate the Elder Teaching Columns while Lia tends to her brother and Lilia stands guard. Argent examines the column and agrees with that Lilia translated earlier. The column seems to summon young members of the Elder Race when they are old enough. Seems there are four species the make up the Elders. Blade Backs, Finheads, Flyers and Hornheads. They are all different sizes and thus their learning circles are at different heights on the columns. Argent speculates that Talen's mind is close to being an Elder and that's why the pillar called out to him. He came here and the column attempted to 'teach ' him, but what remains unknown.

Riding their griffons once more, Kylie, Laucian, and Andlin fly towards the Sunflower. No more scro are spotted and it is believed that they were dumb enough to simply rush after the elves without a plan and leave the Sunflower unguarded! As they get closer to the shoreline, they realize that back in its day this ancient port was gigantic. It could have easily held dozens of ships. One long and wide pier remains. The Sunflower is docked along this pier and at the far end is the lighthouse spotted earlier. The Sunflower seems to be deserted. Kylie makes a pass by the lighthouse and is stunned to discover that its not really a lighthouse. It's a gigantic pillar artifact! It's much like the smaller ones, but ten times bigger!

The group lands their griffons on the pier near the gangway up to the Sunflower. Kylie and Laucian move a head while the more noisy Andlin stays up on top to guard the griffons. The ship is quickly searched and no one is found on it. There is a locked iron door found on the lowest deck that cannot be opened. Kylie finds not one, but three Spell Engines! She bonds to the first one and finds that it is a Mark 4, meaning that it can absorb the energy of spells up to fourth level. The Spell Engine can make the ship rise up, fly, and generate a protective energy field around it.

[GM Mad]

Kylie pours a few spells into the Spell Engine to power it up. Laucian works to bring the griffons on to the Sunflower's deck. Kylie then rises the Sunflower up into the air. Laucian and Andlin use the ships lines to manually move the ship so that it is pointed in the proper direction. Once that is done, Kylie lifts the Sunflower up higher and then moves forward back toward the others. The flight takes about forty minutes.

Kylie helps move Talen on board the Sunflower, and then Andlin carries him to the bed in the Captain's Cabin. Laucian brings the rest of the griffons on to the Sunflower while Argent and Myev retreat below decks. Kylie tells Lilia about the multiple Spell Engines. Lilia explains that a mage can only bond with one Spell Engine at a time. Thus three mages are needed to control the Sunflower's Spell Engines. Since Kylie is already keeping the Sunflower aloft, Lilia will bond with one of the other spell Engines. That way Lilia able to use all of her Spell Engine's potential to move the ship. At top speed the Sunflower will be able to fly about four times faster than the griffons!

Below decks, Argent asks Myev using their 'sign language' where her gear is at. Myev leads Argent into a feminine officer's quarter lower in the ship. Her gear is there on the bed and the Invoker claims her belongings and the stateroom itself. Afterwards, Argent goes to the kitchen to make a stew with fresh bread.

With Kylie and Lilia using their Spell Engines to their full potential, they reach the Crimson Crest in just a few hours. Night has started to fall and the red glowing stone stands out in the dark. Valena and the other elves are loaded onto the Sunflower and the rocs are sent home as well.

The Sunflower is underway once more, setting a course in a general southwestern direction in an attempt to reach the Mother Tree. An hour later, lights can be seen further ahead. The top of the Mother Tree has been illuminated with candles, making it light up in the dark. The sight is breathtaking.

Two hours later, the Sunflower is now over the Mother Tree. Griffon riders circle around the ship while several elfin mages landing on the deck having used Fly spells. Arlen Brightsword is among those riding griffons while Kylie's Mother Allurien, Gweyr Autumnfire, Rhymer and Councilmen Stobon and Silvarost arrive using magic. Allurien is carrying Sheeryl Soulsearcher. The seer had foreseen your return and the elves were ready. Sheeryl casts a Heal spell on Talen and he wakes up as if nothing had every happened.

The comatose elf was bright back from Crimson Crest and he recovers on his own. He says he has a horrible headache and that he was overwhelmed by a 'screeching' sound back at the Crest. The elf says his name is Ombryn Elarus.

There is some tenseness when some of the other elves discover the presence of Argent and Myev, but Lilia proclaims that they are under her protection and will be remaining on the Sunflower. After that, and since almost all of the elves are present, Lilia reports on their adventurers away from the Mother Tree. Finding the City of the Elders, the Scro, the Hive and the fate of Chandra.

Afterwards, Andlin proposes the Queen's Guard, elves at the ready to deal with whatever threatens the Sylvan Realm. Arlen and Gweyr are eager to join. Kylie spends some time with her mom, while those with animal companions are reunited with them. (SR#10-13)

[GM Mad]

December 2nd -

(The Frontier) Schar casts another Divination, learning that she is pregnant. The Seekers start to plan their attack in the golems inside Keln's Stone Cube. It will take many days of preparations. (TF#177-180)

(The Sylvan Realm) Many of the elves spend the evening on the Sunflower. Some in the officer quarters while others around the captains cabin. Argent is woken in the middle of the night from nightmares about her captivity. Myev comforts the invoker. Come the morning, the Sunflower is lowered to the river below the Mother Tree, the anchor is dropped and the Spell Engines powered down.

Up on Golden Peak, a council meeting is held, but no one offers to fill the seats now vacated by those who perished to the Hive. Clan Red Arrow and Clan Long Runner need new councilmen and in turn a new Head of the Clan Council has to be elected. At an impasse, the meeting breaks up and Lilia relaxes and chats with those around her.

Down on the Sunflower on its lowest level Argent, Kylie, Lia and Talen explore beyond the metal door. The next room seems like an office complete with a desk. Two chests are note along with two doors. They are all locked. Kylie uses Detect Magic to discover that all but the door between the chests are trapped with Glyphs of Warding. Argent offers to try and Dispel Magic while everyone else moves out of range of the spell. Once cast, Kylie comes back in with her Detect Magic still running. Unfortunately, only one type of magic on the door was removed, the other is still present.

Kylie picks the lock on the magic free door. This leads to a large chamber at the rear of the ship. Its filled with chains and manacles suggesting that it is a place for prisoners or perhaps even slaves.

Lia now casts her own Dispel Magic and gets better results than Argent. All sources of magic are removed! The chests hold many coins. The other door is opened and it appears to be a vault. There are four more chests here each padlocked. There is also a fourth Spell Engine, but it is powered down.

Laucian and Elora arrive. The historian uses her special glasses to read the papers on the desk and concludes that this is the quartermasters office. The papers also state that the 'special cargo' were stored here. Even worse, this special cargo were enslaved elves!

Traps are looked for on the padlocks and Kylie find the third chest to be trapped. Talen finds traps on the other three chests. Talen casts a Knock spell and all four locks pop open. The first three chests hold coins and jewels, while the last has vials of a greenish liquid in them. Elora declares them to be 'vidate' a vile liquid the slavers used to numb the mind of elves!

Laucian and Elora return to Golden Peak to report their findings to Lilia. The Queen is surrounded by many of the senior elves. Sheeryl offers to perform Divinations to determine when and if the slavers will arrive to retake their ship. The Seeress will also prepare a Destroy Water spell to deal with the vidate liquid tomorrow.

The High Keeper reveals that the Mother Tree has other special powers that most are not aware of. She can prevent undead from entering the Sylvan Realm and possibly block scrying. However, divinations could still lead the slavers here. Allurien notes that teleportation spells could allow enemy mages to simply appear on the Sunflower. However, furniture could be moved around and other barriers erected so that a mage attempting to arrive in that manner could appear in a solid object. Such an event can be fatal!

Other discussions continue and Valena points out that there are only a handful of Silver Maidens present and they are not enough to patrol the grounds around the Mother Tree. She suggests forming a unit of Forest Riders, basically elfin cavalry to assist in the process. Onas Brightsword speaks up that he has horseman skill that his older brother Arlen confirms. In turn, Lilia decides that Onas shall lead the Forest Riders in the Sylvan Realm.

Laucian, Onas Brightsword and Allurien return to the Sunflower with the idea of making it dangerous for enemy mages to teleport onto the ship. Elora also returns to the Sunflower to record what information that Myev has about the elves of her distant world. Lia goes off to explore the rest of the ship and soon runs into Onas. Laucian starts in the stateroom area, while Allurien and Kylie start on the lowest deck.

The elves work to explore and make the Sunflower protected against enemy teleportation spells. The lowest hold on the ship has extra ship gear stored in it. Extra masts, sails, ropes and such. A room is found to be filled with barrels of brandy complete with a hidden wine closet. A smaller cargo hold is located and it seems to hold more expensive items such as fine furs and high quality china.

The sickbay is explored. A scroll and a few ointments are found along with what is guessed to be a medical log filled out by the ships physician. The medical log is take so that Elora can translate it later on. Lia and Onas reach the main cargo hold and find many different, but not extraordinary goods to be had.

While Elora speaks to Myev about the elves of her world, the scro's skill with the elfin tongue gets better and better. Laucian keeps an eye on them as he works to secure the cabins in that part of the ship. Two of the cabin doors were broken down and in one of those cabins some maps were found.

The explorers start to converge on the cabin areas where Elora is talking to Myev. Kylie brings the medical log from the sickbay. Elora notes from the book that the vidate needed only a few treatments to make an elf forget about their past life. Laucian has ship charts that Allurien can understand. It shows land masses and ports, but for some unknown waters. Laucian determines that the scroll in the sickbay has Raise Dead and Neutralize Poison spells on it.

Everyone listens as Elora and Myev converse. It begins clearer and clearer to Allurien that it should have been impossible for Myev to pilot the Sunflower to Arret. She doesn't have enough skill in magic to keep the Spell Engines powered and the odds of someone without navigation skills hitting such a distant target are astronomical.

Myev explains that a leaf lead her to Arret and produces it from her bag. The elves gasp as they realize that the leaf, some ten inches wide, is a leaf from a different Mother Tree! Elora accepts the leaf and after handing it off Myev's skill with the elfin tongue fades back it her normal hit and miss style of speaking leading most to think that this leaf from another Mother Tree was somehow influencing her. Furthermore Myev seems to have forgotten just what was being talked about or why so many people are in her cabin. Laucian, Onas and Elora return to Golden Peak once more to report this new development to Lilia and the others.

[GM Mad]

Allurien realizes that since there are three active spell engines on the Sunflower that there must have been at least three mages as well. Their spell books still might be here! Since mages tend to Wizard Lock their private areas, it stands to reason that the cabins with the doors bashed in had been magically sealed. In one cabin the occupants spell book is laying open on the bed. Another is found in the cabin Argent has been using, hidden in secret drawer in the desk. Myev points out that she has a spell book, but those who look at it are surprised to find that the writing style is elfin. That means there should at least be one more spell book to be found.

The last major part of the ship to be explored is the Captain's Cabin. A secret door is found revealing a small closet. At the back of this area sits a large chest on the floor secured with four high quality padlocks. A smaller chest sits on the shelf that is also padlocked along with a coffer. All four locks detect as magical. Allurien casts Dispel Magic and is able to remove the magic on four of the six locks. One of the locks on the large chest and the one on the small chest are still enchanted. Kylie attempts to pick the three disenchanted locks on the large chest, but is only able to unlock one of them. Allurien steps in and tries to remove the magical traps on the locks in the way that thieves can remove such traps. She succeeds on the lock on the big chest, but not for the one on the small chest. Allurien then tries to pick the remain untrapped locks. She is able to unlock two more locks on the big chest and the lock on the coffer. That leaves just one lock remaining on the big chest and the magically trapped lock on the small chest.

Opening the coffer reveals that it holds four silk bags. In each bag is a fabulous piece of jewelry worth thousands of gold! There is a gold and diamond necklace. A pair of diamond earrings and a sapphire brooch. Lastly, there is a diamond ring with a large blue-white stone.

Up on Golden Peak, Laucian, Onas and Elora reveal their findings to Lilia and those around her showing the leaf that Myev had. The Higher Keeper is sought out and soon discovered to be in the Heart of the Tree, the chamber where the Chosen restored the Mother Tree. The Higher Keeper accepts the leaf in astonishment. He always thought that there were other Mother Tree's, but was never sure until know. He gets the sense that the leaf wants to join with the Mother Tree. The High Keeper moves the leaf next to the Mother Tree's metaphysical heart, a small leafy branch here in the Heart of the Tree. Once close enough the leaf's stem grafts itself on to the Mother Tree! There is a surge of energy released from the joining, similar to when the Mother Tree was restored, just not on such a grand scale.

To the astonishment of everyone present, a treant-like face appears on the chamber wall and the Mother Tree speaks! She states that the leaf was a gift and a message. The gift was that this other Mother Tree provided energy to sustain the Sylvan Realm Mother Tree. However, that gift was not needed as the Mother Tree had been restored by this point. The extra energy allowed the Mother Tree to speak directly.

The message was that there were still elves merged in trees on Dreatar, but that an elf could on last so long in that suspended state. The Mother Tree summoned Myev to the Chamber of the heart and proceed to explain that when Myev was a baby an elfin soul was joined with her. It was his elfin part that allowed Myev to reach Arret and properly work the Spell Engine. It was this same elf, when talking about elfin things to Elora, that allowed her grasp of the elfin language to improve.

The Mother Tree offers to transform Myev into an full elf, since she is already part elf. Myev happily agrees. The Mother Tree then wraps the scro up in leaves and branches forming a cocoon.

Back on the Sunflower, Argent cries out in alarm drawing Kylie, Lia, and Allurien to her. Argent says that she and Myev were eating when the scro simply vanished in mid-bite! Fearing that the Sunflower is under attack, Kylie uses the Spell Engine to create a golden shield around the ship.

The Mother Tree has one more surprise for those assembled. She summons Talen and states that he now has the knowledge to work the devices in the ruins to the north. Lilia takes this to mean that the Teach Column gave Talen the knowledge to work the Pillar Artifacts properly. The Mother Tree provides coordinates to Talen, stating that those will lead the elves to Dreatar to free their cousins. Talen himself doesn't feel as it he knows anything. After that, the Mother Tree tires, closing her eyes and goes back to her normal state.

Laucian, Onas, and Andlin plan to spend the night in the Heart of the Tree. Lilia and Talen depart, while after finishing up her patrol, Valena arrives to find out what was going on. Upon seeing the golden defensive shields around the Sunflower, Lilia flies down to investigate. She Surmises that Myev's sudden disappearance triggered this reaction.

After Kylie lowers the shields, Lilia explains what happens. Argent comes up on deck and only hears part of the explanation and fears that the elves are doing something to Myev. Being human, Argent isn't allowed on the Mother Tree. Instead she tries to scry Myev to see if what she was being told was true. However, the Mother Tree blocks all scrying in this region and there was no result. Kylie and Lia promise to check in Myev in the morning and report their findings to Argent.

Talen arrives to spend the night on the Sunflower in a comfortable, for him, bed. The rest of the night passes without incident and Myev does not emerge from her cocoon. (SR#14-19)

[GM Mad]

December 3rd –

(The Frontier) Schar casts Divination asking if Padraig is evil. The answer is “Not at this time”. Preparations for the battle against the golems continues. (TF#178-180)

(The Sylvan Realm) Morning comes and the arrival of the Rainbow Bridge is a few hours away. Sheeryl Soulsearcher reveals that her divinations say that the slavers will arrive in 8 days. Then she casts Destroy Water on the vidate liquid, eliminating it. Myev is still in her cocoon.

Allurien and Kylie teleport away to Karn's Keep so that they can return Argent to Cynalon. Time passes slowly as the elves wait for the Rainbow Bridge to arrive. Finally a rainbow streaks across the sky and hits the roof of the crystal platform. A bright light appears there and elves start to emerge.

The first to appear is an elf in plate mail riding an elfin horse. The Brightsword brothers recognize him as Argus Bloodmoon from their clan Red Arrow. A unit of elfin cavalry follows him. Seeing that there is no danger here, they move off to the side to allow others to come through. Argus spots the Brightsword's and asks them where he can find King Chandra.

Onas tells Argus that Chandra is dead. Laucian and Arlen Brightsword tell Argus what happened to Chandra leaving Argus in shock. It wasn't supposed to be this way, Argus says. It was Chandra's destiny to rule the Sylvan Realm.

The Elfholds Red Arrow Clan Master Redsword Truetalker emerges from the Rainbow Bridge. He spots Argus and the Brightswords and approaches commanding them to report. The Clan Master is filled in on what happened and Chandra's fate. He does not seem bothered by it as Argus was, instead he is angry as Chandra put himself above the mission with disastrous consequences.

Both me ask about Queen Lilia. They are both stunned that Chandra opposed her will when it is revealed that not only was she one of the Chosen who saved the Mother Tree, but a Priestess of Corellon as well. Redsword Truetalker tells Lilia that Chandra acted on his own and than when battle arises against the Sylvan Realm, Clan Red Arrow will always be there.

More elfin cavalry cross over the Rainbow Bridge. Onas' elfin horse is returned to him. With Chandra gone, Redsword suggests that Argus becomes the Sylvan Realm Clan Master. In turn, Argus turns over his command of the elfin cavalry to Onas so that they can be the first of the Forest Riders.

An unusually tale and handsome elf with platinum blonde hair emerges from the Rainbow Bridge. He looks around approvingly and then moves off into the crowd.

Lia watches the new arrivals from a distance. Suddenly, this handsome elf is beside her. He asks if she is too shy to join the others and introduces himself as Xavier. Lia explains that most elves have a negative reaction to drow, so she is keeping her distance. Xavier seems unable to understand this and doesn't recognize a drow when he sees one. The two talk for a time and then the strange elf wanders off.

Laucian spots Grunalf Clan Elder Treelife emerging from the Rainbow Bridge. The Elder is joined by Starfire, Laucian's horse that he left behind to take up the elf quest and come to the Sylvan Realm. The Elder has come to the see the Sylvan Realm and assist in the restoration of the Grunalf Clan Hold before he passes on.

The two chat and the Elder asks if Laucian has seen the Grunalf Clan Hold in his travels. Around 150 elves of Clan Grunalf have come to restore it. Laucian shows the Elder around and his griffon Aura. Elder Treelife asks Laucian to accompany Clan Grunalf as they travel to their ancient Clan Hold, Einsun.

A raven soars in over the arriving elves and circles overhead. It spots Valena and flies towards her. The raven's form shifts and changes into a male elf who introduces himself as Klovar Windrunner. He says that he was charged by Ehlonna to come to the Sylvan Realm and to tend to her shrine. Klovar is a Druid in the service of Ehlonna and can freely take animal forms. Klovar meets with the other followers of Ehlonna and makes plans to journey to her shrine in the morning.

By now, hundreds of elves have appeared over the Rainbow Bridge. King Doriath of the Elfholds is among them and he approaches Queen Lilia. He says that over 1300 elves will be making the trip to restore the Sylvan Realm. Many have come to restore their Clan Holds and to secure this holy place. Regular travel between the Sylvan Realm and the Elfholds has resumed!

However, Doriath is no longer the King of the Elfholds. He has stepped down as he is of an advanced age, over 600 years old. King Miritar has taken his place and Doriath introduces him to Lilia. It is Doriath's hope to serve as an adviser for the Queen during the final years of his life. Doriath moves off to assist the High Keeper and his staff in moving the newly arriving settlers down to the ground to clear up the area around the Rainbow Bridge. Supplies are also being delivered and are piling up.

King Miritar delivers a fine jewelry box sized chest to Lilia. Inside it are a variety of pendents made out of different types of wood. Lilia realizes that these pendents are needed to control the tree portals at the Elfin Palace. She takes what amounts to the royal pendent for herself and asks Andlin to guard the chest.

King Miritar tells Lilia that the Clan Council for the Elfholds has arrived to help set up such a thing in the Sylvan Realm. However, much is already in place since the Sylvan Realm already has a Queen. The rulers of the Elfholds will only be staying a few hours and plan to return home before the Rainbow Bridge closes.

Allurien points out to Kylie the Elfholds Clan Master for the Feador's: Dyradyl Feador. The two exchange warm greetings and Allurien introduces her daughter. The two chat for a time, but then are called away so that the combined councils can meet. Kylie than helps Doriath lead the settlers down to the ground so that they can set up camp around the Mother Tree this evening.

A combined council gathering is called for while the Rainbow Bridge remains open. The meeting is held in the Golden Griffons meeting area. The Clan Masters who perished during Chandra's mission are replaced. In turn, a vote is held for a new Head of the Clan Council. Allurien is elected to this position and shortens her title to Speaker.

Lilia introduces Lia as one of the Chosen. Most here do not know what to say to the drow, but Elder Treelife thanks her and gives her a hug breaking the ice.

Lilia tells the story of the mission of the Chosen and the trials they faced along the way. She reveals that slavers will be arriving in 8 days. Led by Clan Master Redsword Truetalker, the Elfhold Council agrees to the aid the Sylvan Realm against the slavers. Redsword suggests using the Sunflower to travel to the Elfholds in six days, giving the elves time to put together a defense force. In an effort to see just how many people the Sunflower can carry, Lilia offers to ferry Clan Long Runner to their Clan Hold as it is across the river from the Elfin Palace. It is also suggested that the Sunflower be moved back to the ruins to the north to protect the elves.

The meeting breaks up and the rulers of the Elfhold mingle for a few hours before. Soon the sun is starting to set and those going back to the Elfholds depart. The rest celebrate down on the ground around the Mother Tree. Lorelei Spellsong performs for the crowd as they dance and drink Feywine. Lilia alerts the new arrivals that the various organizations are recruiting new member. This includes the Golden Griffons, the Silver Maidens, the Queen's Guard and the Forest Riders.

Among the new arrivals are priests of the various elfin faiths. They all plan to journey to their prospective temples in the morning. The night passes peacefully. Come the morning, the various clans will start the journey to their ancient homes. (SR#19-22)

[GM Mad]

(Cynalon Knights) Allurien, Kylie and Argent appear in Karn's Keep having teleported there from the Sylvan Realm. Unfortunately the spell is slightly off and they appear twenty feet above the intended target. Kylie's natural ability to fly keeps her from falling, but the weight of Argent is pulling both of them down. Allurien helps and in the process reveals that she has magically enhanced strength.

The new arrivals are challenged by a trio of guards on duty. They remember Argent and Kylie from past visits. One of the guards goes off to summon the Ladies of the Keep while the other two stand watch.

While waiting, Argent relates the past history of Karn's Keep. How it was built by giants, ruled by a Lord Karn during Keln's time and then later conquered by the Company of the Sword, Argent's former adventuring band. It was here that Argent was doing research on the Pillar Artifact that led to her eventual arrival in the Elder Ruins north of the Sylvan Realm.

Ladies Sherry and Terry Sculley arrive. The twins exchanged greets and hugs with the new arrivals and then suggest that they retire to the lounge to talk. Argent is taken aback by the cavalier attitude of the twins, thinking that they should have been worried that she was gone for months. Angrily, Argent lets loose her frustrations.

The twins quickly realize that this is a new Argent, not one of the two they were aware off. While one twin stays with the guests, the other rushes off to retrieve Sherwood from the Mage Library. Since his return from the Sylvan Realm a few days ago, Sherwood had been learning new spells as he just recently gained access to sixth level spells.

Upon his arrival Sherwood confirms to this Argent that there are two other versions of her. One version joined the Guardians of Light where she met Kylie, Laucian and Lilia, while the other went her own way in Elcadan. This Argent seems overwhelmed by all this news and retires to her quarters here in Karn's Keep.

After Argent leaves, Kylie fills in Sherwood about what happened after he left the Sylvan Realm. How they discovered the Elder City of Shillesta, encountered the HIVE, rescued this Argent and discovered the HIVE controlling a forth Argent. Sherwood reveals that the Cynalonian Civil War is in progress. Much information is exchanged.

The conversation winds down and all retired to the Mage Library to research spells. The twins had teleported to Elcadan to retrieve Jallarzi and Elspeth and bring them back to Karn's Keep, but that will take time.

A short time later, the visitors arrive at the Mage Library. Lady Jallarzi Sallavarian leads the way along with Elspeth of Azrella. Greetings are exchanged and trailing behind them are two more Argents! But their style of dress is a bit different from what Kylie remembers in that Argent typically wore dresses. Instead these two Argents are wearing blouses and pants. One wears a black blouse, the other white. The one with the white blouse also wears a leather vest, leather pants and leather boots. Greetings are exchanged once more.

The Argent in leather tells Kylie that she hasn't seen her since she left on Lord Sharadin's mission with the Company of the sword. The other Argent was the one who is with the Guardians of Light. This Argent was given a noble title for her deeds in Corunglain and is now the Lady Argent, a fact she points out numerous times.

Jallarzi brings Kylie up to date about some of the things going on in Elcadan as part of the Cynalonian Civil War. The Southern Slums were burned to the ground by the Athenos Army, while the Sallavarian Estate itself was attacked. Jallarzi tells Kylie to not use the arrival point at her Teleportation Tower as was knocked down in the attack.

Kylie realizes that the road between Athenos and Elcadan passes right by Orlane, the small village her father lives in. The Lady Argent produces her Crystal Ball and lets Kylie use it. An image forms in the Crystal Ball and it reveals a Tomas alive and well speaking to another, older woman. Allurien gasps in shock upon seeing the image. From Allurien's point of view, only a few months had passed since she last say Tomas, but in reality eleven years had passed. Tomas looked much older to her.

With Kylie's mind at ease, Jallarzi and Elspeth go to talk to the new Argent. Kylie asks what the two Argents who just arrived had been up to. Since she met Lady Argent not that long ago, she inquires what the Argent wearing leather was doing. The Argent in leather tells her story on how she joined an expedition to travel to the ruins of Demara's castle in Elcadan. The expedition was run by Sorvani Caladon and featured many other powerful adventurers.

During this mission, Argent met Thorvid, a tall, muscular warrior. The two hit is off immediately and entered into a passionate relationship. As the group approached the ruins, a black dragon attacked the party. The beast was driven off and followed by to a tunnel near Demara's Castle.

The expedition trailed after the dragon to make sure it was no longer a threat. They found not only the dragon, but a demon! He called himself MacDaer and claimed that Demara the Sorceress was his mother. The black dragon, and his mate, were killed in fierce combat and the demon driven off.

The demon himself was dealt with while exploring the ruins overhead. Eventually, the group reached Demara's underground lab and liberated many magic items. Argent ended up with a trio of leather garments that she named Demara's Boots of Comfort, Pants of Storage and Vest of Missile Protection. Her dress was destroyed during the mission and that prompted Argent to change her adventuring attire.

Her relationship with Thorvid continued after the mission and the warrior was looking to acquire great wealth so that he could by a home for Argent, a place where they could settle down and have many children. That freaked Argent out, as while she was attracted to Thorvid, he as dumb as a box of rocks and was not someone should could have a serious relationship with. The Lady Argent was sympathetic as she had reached the same conclusion herself under different circumstances.

Thorvid set up a new mission that involved guarding a caravan from ogres. Accompanying Argent and Thorvid on this mission was a pair of unusual women. There is was the tall and muscular Shkai'ra and her dark skinned companion Sakornia. The mission turned out to be simple as the ogres attacked the caravan the first day out. The ogres were defeated and were traced back to a cave they used as a base of operations. Their leader was an ogre magi and he fell in battle. The mission complete, Argent and Thorvid returned to Elcadan.

A few days later, Sorvani contacted Argent and Thorvid about going on another mission. This time it was to investigate the ruins of a small keep just north of the Great Swamp. Those who passed by it at night claimed they could see a glowing beacon from the tallest tower in the ruins. Part of this new group was another mage named Burant. Argent had met Burant back at Lord Sharadin's mansion in Gateway when she was trying to be accepted as an apprentice. Argent was very attracted to Burant, as he was to her, but Thorvid was still in the picture and they could only be friendly.

Argent goes into the story on how they took a riverboat south to reach the ruins. After a day on the water, Sorvani conjured Phantom Steeds to reach the ruins. This draws the attention of Sherwood who had been listening closely as the story was familiar to him. It was similar to the tale of the Swords of Cynalon when the rescued the baby Crown Prince many years ago. Sherwood instructs the Argent in leather to tell him everything about this mission. It sounds to him that where they were going was the destination Nightmist had said where the Cult of the Black Flame was located!

Before the leather Argent could go any further, Allurien interrupts. There is not much time left before she and Kylie have to return to the Sylvan Realm, but she very much wants to visit Tomas in Orlane so that she can properly say goodbye. Sherwood agrees to teleport the pair to Orlane and tells the Argent wearing leather not to going anywhere. He wants to hear the rest of her story to these ruins north of the Great Swamp.

Sherwood teleports Kylie and her mother to Orlane, near the cottage where Tomas, Kylie's father lives. Then he teleports away once more, traveling back to Karn's Keep. Kylie goes first to alert Tomas that Allurien is here. Tomas and Allurien go off and have a long talk. Afterwards, goodbyes are said and Kylie teleports herself and her mother back to the Sylvan Realm. (CK#12-13)

[GM Mad]

GM Notes:

This was a side event from the Sylvan Realm game. With everything going on in that game and what was going to happen here, I separated it out into the Cynalon Knight posts to keep things self contained. Cynalon Knights is essentially a series to take up overflow temporarily from other games.

More events from the Cynalonian Civil War are uncovered, things that would have happened in the New Frontiers game had it continued on. Much of the Argent in leather's stories were from past games. The adventure at Demara's Castle and then dealing with the ogres were part of the Borderlands game on Q-Link. Neither adventure was actually finished, but I figured out what happened that had not be covered in game.

The adventure that she next went on to Beltron's Beacon was actually played out in the nebulous period I call Borderlands 2. While that adventure did get played at that time, much of Borderlands 2 is not part of the official online world. I had a lot to change to make this adventure turn out okay. For instance, several of the characters who went on that mission no longer exist and others who did go now would not. For instance, Jallarzi and Elspeth were originally on that mission! I created several new characters to replace other ones. Sorvani and Burant were specifically created for this adventure. Burant was to be, eventually, one of Argent's lovers, while Sorvani a powerful mage and mission organizer. Burant I worked into the early parts of Argent's Adventures, while I saw the opportunity to introduce Sorvani in the Operation: Graystone game.

And yes, this is the place that Sherwood was looking for in the Blackflame game. This is the base of operations for the Cult of the Blackflame and where the Swords of Cynalon story takes place. The group Argent was in did explore the ruins, but at that time, did not realize the significance of the place nor uncover all of its secrets.

I had been teasing the arrival of the Argent in leather in New Frontiers near the end of the current posts. Sherra heard information about a barbarian (Thorvid) seeking merchants to make items out of the black dragon skin from the Demara adventure along with his sorceress lover. In fact one of the leather workers, Rislena, was impressed by Argent's magical black leather boots.

The idea was that during the current New Frontiers day, while Lady Argent was away on the mission to Alexandria on the Blackhawk, the Argent in leather would return to the Sallavarian Estate and settle back into her quarters. But she didn't return with Thorvid, she returned with Burant instead. Once Lady Argent returned with Chareos, they would run into the Argent in leather and Burant. The two Argents would start to argue as they had in the past, much to the embarrassment of Burant and Chareos. Even worse they were fighting outside of the suite used by the new Duke and Duchess of Streel! And that was the second time that Jallarzi yelled at these two Argents.

After this incident, the two Argents 'buried the hatchet' and tried to co-exist with each other. Eventually, they started to become more and more comfortable with each other and that leads up to their appearance in theses posts. They are still catty with each other, but are better than they had been. Then they learn that there are more Argents in the world...

[GM Mad]

December 4th –

(The Sylvan Realm) Morning comes to the suddenly more populated Sylvan Realm. Those who spent the night in the Heart of the Tree awake to find Myev still sealed in her cocoon. The area around the Mother Tree is filled with activity.

Out in the river, the Sunflower is made ready for the trip to come. The ship is moved to the docks of Feadiel and the gangplank lowered so that those traveling to Pinit, Clan Long Runner's home, can come aboard. The newly arrived Priests of Corellon and of the One and the Three come on board as their perspective temples are in the same area.

Gweyr Autumnfire also boards and is eager to learn how to control the Sunflower. Andlin Alastra is also present, still guarding the wooden box Lilia charged him to carry the day before. Lilia's new adviser, the former King of the Elfholds, Doriath joins the trip. With Doriath are two other older elves who used to work for him. They are Myrin Dree, who was the Chief of Staff to Doriath and Keerla, who maintained the household.

Finally, Long Runner Clan Master Goldenleaf announces that everyone is on board. The time for the trip to begin is at hand! The gangplank is pulled up the the Sunflower moved out into the middle of the river. Then it starts to move forward faster and rise at the same time. Once high enough, the ship slows its forward movement and then turns towards the south and the Elfin Palace. Then it speeds up considerably and the trees below pass in a blur. In just two hours, the Sunflower reaches its destination. Once, there the Sunflower slows and lowers itself down onto the river. It then docks at Pinit. Those who never experienced this method of travel before are greatly impressed.

As Clan Long Runner starts to disembark, Lilia realizes that there are no Griffon Riders or Forest Riders among the clan. No security forces to speak of and so she suggests that those traveling with her move out and make sure Pinit is free of danger. The Priests of Corellon help escort the Priests of The One and the Three to their temple and make sure it is safe.

A large oak stands in the center of town and is quickly discovered to be a treant. The tree greets the elves and ask if they have returned. The treant says that its old enough to remember when elves were here before. They were friendly too it, a practice that Gweyr vows to continue.

Among the homes up in the trees, Kylie notes a group of what looks like typical house cats present. As she gets closer, one of the cats asks her elvish, “Why are you here?”. A surprised Kylie starts a conversation with the talking cat. The cat is named Mocha and is indeed an elfin cat and yes, some of them can talk. The cat wonders if the elves will be nice to them, give them treats and scratch them. Kylie believes that they will. The elfin cats go forth to meet Clan Long Runner.

Down on the ground, Dapple leads Lia and Talen deeper into the town and to a pack of cooshees. The elfin dogs mob the twins. Dapple leads the pack to the center of town where they greet the other elves. The elfin dogs are as tall as Gweyr, who believes she could ride one as a mount. One of the cooshee's follows Lia around, having taken a liking to her. She later names it Umbra.

With Pinit seemingly secure with cooshee's on hand, Lilia decides to start the exploration of the Elfin Palace. They cross over the rope bridge to the griffon landing area. As they approach the area where the tree portal appeared before, this time three such portals are present! Lilia reveals that she is wearing the Redwood Pendant. It was in the chest that Andlin has been guarding. The chest holds a variety of pendants that were used in the Elfin Palace. The Redwood Pendant is the queen level key to the palace.

Lilia looks through the box and gives Allurien and Kylie Maple Pendants. These pendants give access to the Speakers residence in the Elfin Palace. One of the three portals is taken at random and it leads the explores to the area where they encountered the illusionary dragon before. No threats are present. A total of five portals are located along the other ring, presumably leading to other areas of the palace.

At this point Lilia decides to carry out an experiment. Since there are six explorers, each takes a different level of pendant. Then they will see which portal appears for what pendant, allowing the group to determine which pendant gives access to what. This will give the explorers a crude map for the Elfin Palace. Since only the lowest pendants were found before, it is believed that Moorkroft only had access to those areas. By using this method, all the portals leaving this area are mapped.

From there the group returns the Griffon Landing area and repeats the experiment there. As before three portals appear from most of the pendants, but this time a fourth one appears that only opens for those who have the Speaker Pendant. Allurien wonders if this portal leads to the Speakers Quarters here in the Elfin Palace.

It is decided to take these new portal. Passing through the portal, the explorers arrive in what is now a common circular ring that surrounds this area. Many portals opened by a variety of pendants are noted including one that will only open for Lilia. While moving around the circular walkway, Talen starts to sense something off in the distance. He announces that he can feel that something belonging to the Elders is close by!

[GM Mad]

It is decided to locate what Talen is sensing. Talen leads the way trying to take tree portals in the direction that he needs to go. However, there none of the portal lead in that proper direction. Instead the group heads south east and eventually arrives on another griffon landing area on the southern side of the Elfin Palace.

Now what Talen is sensing lies to the north and there is a portal going in that direction. This portal triggers with the pendants used by the staff of the Mage School held by Lia. The portal is taken, but the group still needs to travel further north. Another portal is found and this takes the explorers to where the Elder device is at. However is lower then they are. Stairs are found that lead down to the ground, but there are surrounded by the omnipresent thorny growth that envelopes the Elfin Palace. Down below on the ground, intertwined among the growth sits an Elder Teleport Platform!

Talen concentrates and find that he is able to somehow communicate with the Elder Device. It seems that the teachers up in the Elder Ruins taught Talen how to use Elder technology! Lilia mentions Argent's theories on how the portal device works. Talen says that Argent got in wrong. The Elder device works based on willpower directed by the mind. Magic can force it to work, but it was not constructed for it. Using magic to power the portal is making them unstable. There is also no randomness to the procedure. Proper use of the teleport can take the user to any other portal artifact.

Talen says that the energy display on the device platform destroys any obstructions that might harm those using the artifact. The thorny growth intertwined on the portal below would be destroyed, but obviously it must grow back so it is a good defensive mechanism.

Digging deeper into the information Talen is mentally sensing from the artifact, he discovers that someone from a place he calls Shelvestra has tampered with the devices. The ones around Cynalon were altered so that when powered by magic, the user was sent off through all six portals, essentially making half a dozen exact copies. This is what happened to Argent and how she ended up in Shillesta, the Elder City to the north of the Sylvan Realm. This change was done seven weeks ago.

Focusing in on the records of what happened to Argent, Talen notes that she was the only recent arrival at the Portal Device up in Shillesta. One of her six copies appeared at Gateway, another further to the west. Two more were sent to Shelvestra while the last to a formation far to the east. That Pillar Artifact was underwater! The energy discharge vaporized the water around it, but after that Argent appeared the water came crashing back in. She must have died instantly.

The gruesome implication is that one of the two Argent's who were sent to Shelvestra ended up controlled by the HIVE. It is also highly probable that this sixth and final Argent also fell to the HIVE. It seems that Shelvestra is the base of operations of those parasites. Talen realizes that this other Elder City is in Cynalon, specifically south of Elcadan!

Talen states that he can properly use the Elder Artifact and remove the alteration that is causing the duplication. He can move everyone to any other portal in the world. Talen senses that there is an entire 'web' of these devices that cover the planet. At one time there were thousands of these portal devices, but half of them have gone missing and many others simply no longer work. Those that are missing disappeared around twenty thousand years ago.

Lilia realizes that the twenty thousand year ago time frame was around the same time that Evergreen, the original elf homeland, started to freeze. This was what forced the elves and the Mother Tree to travel south and eventually settle in the Sylvan Realm. It is wonder if this is a coincidence or if the two events are connected.

Talen notes that the Portal Device in the Sylvan Realm has seen recent use. Travelers came from the east, but it is suspected that the thorny growth kept them from going anywhere. The arrival energy would have vaporized the thorny growth, but then it would have just grown back blocking any new arrivals. Going back further Talen notes sporadic use over the passing years. The records go back 65 million years and there is nothing from before that.

Talen also explains that he can turn the Elder Artifact off and on as need be. Once off, no one could use it that portal anymore. Forcing them to work with magic would stop and the device would be inert. Lilia realizes that Talen has discovered some very important clues. They now know that the HIVE can also makes use of the Elder Devices and where they are located. Since Talen can turn them on or off, they can be trapped in Shelvestra until they can be destroyed.

The group talks about possible options in light of everything that Talen had learned in regards to the Elders and the location of the Hive. Talen suggests taking the Sunflower back to the Elder Ruins to the north so that he can shut down the teleportation network there and stop the HIVE from using them to gain victims. Andlin supports this idea, noting that stopping the HIVE must be a high priority not only for the elves, but for all living creatures.

Lilia finally relents and agrees that dealing with the HIVE is more important that exploring the Elfin Palace. To that end, the Sunflower will return to the Elder Ruins to the north in the morning while others will continue to exploration of the palace.

Lilia decides to withdraw from the Elfin Palace for the day and go back to Pinit to relax. Given the size of the Elfin Palace, it may be more efficient to have several groups explore at the same time. Retracing their steps, the explorers take a better look at the Speakers Quarters on their way out.

Once back in Pinit, Speaker Allurien agrees to carry on with the exploration of the Elfin Palace. The priesthoods of Corellon and the One and the Three will assist as well along with Doriath. Gweyr asks to come along on the Sunflower and Lilia agrees, even suggesting that she bring a few other mages along to learn how to use the Spell Engines. Andlin will recruit additional guards for the voyage.

[GM Mad]

On the road leading west from the Mother Tree, another procession is starting to form. Clans Chossum and Erendyl are gathering to make the trip to their ancient Clan Holds to the west of the Mother Tree. Members of the Forest Riders and Golden Griffons are on hand to help safe guard the clans. The followers of Ehlonna are on hand as well as their shrine also lies in the same general direction. Laucian arrives on his griffon, Aura, while Valena rides River Blossom. The druid Klovar is here as is Silver Maiden Annelwin. It is expected to reach Leromyr tonight, the Erendyl Clan Hold, while it will take Clan Chossum another day to reach Desnae.

The Clan Masters for Chossum and Erendyl announce that they are ready to begin their journey. Travel is slow as the majority are on foot. There is a moment of excitement when the Sunflower, sailing on the river right next to the road the clans are traveling on passes by, rising high into the sky and then turning to the south.

A few hours into the trip Laucian and Valena spot centaurs approaching. Laucian goes out to greet them and one of the centaurs does the same. As he approaches, Laucian can see that the centaur wears the holy symbol of Ehlonna! The centaur introduces himself as Lakandras a ranger in the service of Ehlonna and the leader of the Astades tribe. Lakandras was unaware that the elves had returned. He and those with him were investigating the rainbow that was in the sky yesterday afternoon. A deal is quickly reached. Lakandras will join his fellow followers of Ehlonna in traveling to her shrine, while the other centaurs will lead the elves to the closest Clan Hold. Elves and centaurs have always had good relations in the past as they have similar views on how to live with nature.

Lakandras leads the way to the Shrine of Ehlonna. The group passes through dense forest before it eventually widens into a concealed clearing. Numerous woodland creatures are here, along with the family of unicorns seen here before. The male asks if the followers of Ehlonna have come to restore their shrine. Introductions are made and Valena points out the magic items left behind.

Finally, the priests gather around the altar and combine to cast a Sanctify spell on it. After the ten minute cast, the altar starts to glow a forest green and all present feel the power of Ehlonna here. Klovar thanks everyone for their help and tells them that the next step to restore the shrine is his Ehlonna.

The task complete, Laucian departs on Aura and flies to join his clan at the griffon stable by the geyser fields. Valena and Annelwin travel to the same destination on their unicorns, as the Silver Maiden Order Hall lies off in that same area. Laucian spends the evening reunited with his animal companions.

Valena and the other Silver Maidens are present as well, as their Order Hall is in the forest to the east of this area. With them are a dozen applicants who wish to join the order. Valena explains that the only requirement is to be accepted by a unicorn and that they only accept those who are good and pure of heart.

During the meeting Sergeant Jorzana Silversword of the Forest Riders tentatively approaches. She mentions seeing Fayrianna on her unicorn and was in awe of her. Jorzana is interested in trying out for the Silver Maidens at some point, but cannot right now as she has a duty to protect Clan Grunalf on their journey to their Clan Hold. Valena offers to take Sergeant Silversword to the Silver Maidens Order Hall at a later date.

Clan Grunalf and their guests settle in for a quiet evening at the griffon stable.

[GM Mad]

A third procession is formed on the road leading south. Here three of the elf clans are gathered for the trip to come. Clans Grunalf, Mealidil, and Red Arrow all have Clan Holds to the south of the Mother Tree. Red Arrow Clan Master Argus Bloodmoon rides at the front of the process with Arlen and Onas Brightsword. Silver Maiden Fayrianna is here as well, as the Red Arrows are her clan. More Griffon Riders and Forest Riders are spread out among the procession. Lastly, Grunalf Clan Elder Treelife comes riding up on Starfire, Laucian's horse, with his cooshees and the cat Onyx. The elder announces that the procession is ready to move out.

Several hours into the trip Fayrianna alerts those in front that her unicorn, Aeolus, senses that something is watching them from the brush. It is decided that a small group investigate this. Onas and Fayrianna go forth along with Elder Treelife, the cooshee's and Onyx. Surprisingly, it is Onyx that makes the first move. The cat jumps down and mews towards the concealed entity in the brush. Something mews back in response and then a cat the size of a cooshee comes forth!

Only Elder Treelife realizes what the creature before them is. It is not an elfin cat, as those are the size of normal cats. No this is a cath shee, a faerie cat. The elder suggests trying to feed it a piece of jerky, that was part of the food he has for Onyx. The cath shee comes closer once it smells the jerky. It accepts the salted meat, gobbles it down, and then retreats back into the underbrush. The procession continues on its way after the diversion with the cath shee.

A few more hours along, a fork is reached. At this point the clans separate. Clan Grunalf will continue on to the south and towards the griffon stable that has been used many times before by the Chosen during their mission to save the Mother Tree. They will camp there for the night before continuing on. Einsun is perhaps the furthest of the Clan Holds and its estimated to take three days to reach on foot.

Clans Mealidil and Red Arrow will travel down the fork to the west, as it leads directly to the Clan Hold of Mealiel. Walltree, Clan Red Arrow's Clan Hold is another day past it to the south.

Night is beginning to fall as the procession closes in on Mealiel. Suddenly a bark is heard off in the distance. Red Arrow Clan Elder Lunawind remarks that it was the bark of a cooshee and they only do that when danger is near. Onas leads a group of elves to investigate.

The source of the danger is quickly discovered as Mealiel is reached. Four manticores are there threatening a pack of cooshee's! Between the Forest Riders, Golden Griffons and Silver Maiden three of the manticores are slain and the fourth driven off. The rest of the Clan Hold is searched and is free of dangers.

The settlers arrive and start to move in. The brave band of cooshee's who protected Mealiel are cared for and show their appreciation in return with large licks to the face. Commander Niles of the Golden Griffons attempts to skin the manticores as he says their hides can draw a large price from the right buyer. Gold that could be used to help the elves out with supplies they need. Provided the cooshee's will let him as some 'play' with the manticore bodies.

Most settle in for the evening, exhausted from their day of travel. Silver Maiden Fayrianna announces that she must depart for a time. New applicants for her order are gathering at the griffon stable where Clan Grunalf was heading. Fay needs to be there when these new applicants are tested tomorrow. She promises to return immediately afterwards. (SR #22-25)

[GM Mad]

GM Notes:

This was perhaps the most painful recap that I've written before. Painful in the fact that there were three completely separate story lines going on across a great number of posts. Groups get split up all the time, but I've never had a split that went on for so long.

Normally while compiling these I mainly read the GM Posts. Read a little bit and then write a short summary of what I read. Its back and forth between the web browser and the word processor. At this point its mainly recording information with the idea that I'll come back later and make it a smoother read and fill in any obvious gaps.

So I started out each of the three sections as laid out in the first post. Then I would jump back to the beginning when I got to the next post and cycle through all three threads once more. And on and on and on and you get the idea.

This went on through Sylvan Realm 22 and 23. Then in 24 some of the threads advanced to the next day which meant bringing up another file to include those entries. By the time the Elfin Palace thread had completed their day, one of the other threads was already 2 days ahead. That's a lot of jumping back and forth! Of course that means that a lot of work on the next recap day has already been done.

As for what was going in the posts, there was a huge information dump about the Elders. Things that I had worked out while writing their appearance in The Frontier. This was stuff I had figured out before the Sylvan Realm was started and was happy to have a place to use it. There was a lot of set up involved, but we eventually got to that point. The key points was that the Elders were everywhere, they died out 65 million years ago and that 20 thousand years ago something else happened. What these events were will be revealed down the line. As always answering these old questions will lead to new ones.

The Elders were my take on a dinosaur-like race in a D&D setting. In fact their appearance is based on Saurials, an optional monstrous player race. They lived and died long ago but left some interesting stuff behind. Of course these were psionic dinosaurs, but is a fantasy setting after all! When Talen was changed I had several options on how to play this out. I could have had him become psionic as well, but ultimately decided not to. Truth be told, I do not like the system for psionics in second edition D&D so that was out. I had allowed the usage of psionics during the Borderlands 2 era and quickly learned that I hated it. That's one of the reasons that era has seen so many changes. Of course no one else knows about any of that except me, so its easy to fix in the long run. I had considered changing his mage class to the Mentalist specialty, but that didn't seem to fit. I simply settled on him being able to properly use Elder technology instead making any class changes.

There was some filler in the other two threads as I knew the Elfin Palace one was going to be long. But I did want to show some of the critters that also called the Sylvan Realm home and give a better feel for the place. There were so many NPC's involved in this that I posted a list for who was going here in game. While it was useful for the players, it was more there for me to keep track of things!