The Storm Arrives

The death and rebirth of Evost Derry
12.3Oam - Shef returns to Derry after 4 hours. The Dragon transforms itself entirely into fire and roars above the city.
Shef then enters Makailla's Phase Falcon and shifts astral.
Masarmoori the Dark Elf shifts in and assassinates Tana's new guards. He is about to kill her when Shef flies in astrally and obliterates him.

2am Back in Evost Derry, Laylak is preparing a big ritual.
Tharizden – a young member of the New-Order of Chaos, finds Laylak and gives him an almighty twat. Laylak runs off to get DrathThelmox.

2.50am - Alyx shifts to Esiador.
Ross and Hethcanter sit in Evost Derry by The Bridge discussing how lousy everything has been the past few weeks.

Laylak stands high above Evost Derry and watches. He is not alone; an immense shadow lurks over him.
A wave of darkness over 500 feet in height sweeps across Evost Derry, covering everything.
In less than a minute, over 3000 souls are absorbed into the Living Dark!
Tana does not completely escape the power drain and falls unconscious. If it wasn't for a mother and child sharing POW, Tana and her unborn daughter Bethsheba would be dead. She does lose the Spear of Nations though and the Throne of the Sun develops a few cracks.

Ross and Hethcanter dive onto the Bridge just in time but somewhere in Derry, Ross' anti-magic coller is destroyed - a thing that considerably vexes the young Lord.
Shefanhow gets very annoyed.
Ceraph wakes up screaming, despite being more than a thousand miles away.
Laylak turns upon Kasirus (the traitor), removes the protective seal around his tomb and then leaves him a gibbering wreck.

Appearing in the ruined city, Laylak gloats over the decimation. Gray arrives and sees him, causing Laylak to run away into a dark portal. But before the portal can close, Gray plugs the astral gap with his body. Laylak is forced to turn around and fight Gray (He can't escape the tunnel as only one side can be open at a time without a darkfire eruption taking place).

Laylak succeeds in closing the portal after hand to hand fighting with Gray but nearly dies, taking a lot of POW damage – more than he has ever taken so far.

Ross teleports to Esiador and slaughters Kane troops.

Boom !
Evost Derry goes "Boom". The Palace is "nuked" by the Dark Drathelmox, leveling most of the city as well.
Ross has to restore POW to Tana in order to save her life. The Resistance then begins the arduous task of finding survivors in the rubble. All the Confederates of Derry are dead including Chesry and Isabelle, but the witch Shaulin survives (albeit scarred).

A Citadel appears!
At Dawn, Shefanhow uses the Sun Artifacts and raises the magical Citadel of the Sun.
At Midday, Ross visits Kasirus' tomb - teleports inside (Via Hollis) and confronts the Wraith Magic-user. At the last moment, Kasirus tries gating in one of his allies, the Black Elves, but fails dismally. Kasirus dies.
Ross recovers 600 stator, 2 crowns of Poru, The Book of Kings and the Book of Golems (which Hethcanter finds fascinating).

Kitrina Steed is appointed the new Merlendy embassador to Derry.

Steel gathers many of the volunteers at Merlendy as a mobile gorilla force. She sets off with several targets.

Merlendy attacks the Citadel of Solstice at Bleak Peak. Hethcanter lands the bridge 3000' infront of the gate. Sergeant Earl (a devout man of Esia) dies in battle. The Head Priest of Orin (a man called Roman) is slain by General Brook. 

Did you hear something?
Dusk - Gray power strikes an Earth node under the Pillar of Rasalon. He sends out shock waves of spiritual power across Esium, carrying the imprint of a word, "Wan". The effects are incredible; people hear Wan's name in the clatter of pans, the splashing of water, the wind, the banging of a door etc. Hundreds of people flock to the Temples, fearing the worst. They prey their Gods and to Wan.

That night, whilst the Temple of Emonra is locked up tight and a great prayer meeting is taking place (attended by nearly all the Emonra priesthood of Western Daas), Benel Joshu attacks. Benel goes in, obliterates dozens of priests and accolytes but fails to find Arjuna. He leaves empty handed.

Ross writes his Last will and Testament - just as a precaution. The attack on Evost Derry has shocked a lot of people at Merlendy. Are the stakes getting too high for the Resistance. The Eldar are moving in.
Ready for anything, at 7.00pm Ross teleports to Uncus' valley for a titanic confrontation. He meets Benel Joshu and goes two rounds. By 7.15pm Ross is back at Merlendy saying "More speed, more armor !"

Arkath and Erlendy are liberated.

Strange blessings
Kitara sits on the Throne of the Gods - protected from its effects by the child Aslan within her womb; She is transported to Elondil.

The Spirits battle by the Dark Lake
The Spirits of Akilla begin their attack on Baal and the Dark Lake. In preparation, the spirit Power transfers power to Makaila (something he would be loathe to do under other circumstances.) Alyx creates a Lightning shield around herself for protection and borrows several of Kitara's magic items before also grabbing Gray's from his Vault.

With a collection of Spirits of Akilla (19 of them) Alyx, Makaila and Gray shift down to the shore of the Dark Lake and confront the Soul Eater Baal. Between Alyx's sword Woethorn and Gray's tremendous POW strikes, Baal is destroyed.

Knowing the Deathwatch will launch an attack to secure the Dark Lake, the Spirit's of Akilla take up defensive positions around the lake's crator. Gray gives a rousing speech and then attempts to summon the spirit Eternity. When Eternity eventually turns up and chooses not to help them in their dire cause, Gray calls him "a doddering old fart" and the Spirits boo the ancient Anu spirit with cries of "wanker and tosser!"

The Deathwatch turn up and an immense battle ensues.
"The Time of Orin is upon us all," cries Gray, wading in to the thick of it, fist's flying.
During the fight Ashar (floating overhead) makes a grab for Gray's soul - Why? Because Ashar doesn't want the Deathwatch to be obliterated and knows Makaila and Gray are the only two beings able to do it. When Ashar fails he changes his plan, switches sides and actually helps Gray defeat Taramon - The gestalt deathwatch leader by bestowing POW upon the Doman - Ashar sees Makaila heading for the middle of the Black lake and guesses her intention.

Spirits of Akilla present are Foe, Frost, Carnage, Razor, Edge, Wedge, Horror, Watcher, Rage, Crystal, Faces, Power, Hallows, Order, Breed, Hourd, Vanity and Barrens.

The Deathwatch take heavy casualties but keep coming back, respawned by the Pale Ring of Sharendayne. As the only way of stopping them is by closing the Dark Lake and preventing the souls from leaking back out, Makaila takes a small boat and wades out into the centre of the Black lake. At the height of the conflict she transmutes herself into pure spirit and positions herself across the Dark Lake's central portal, sealing it as she does so.

All the slain Deathwatch (who were reforming moments later to continue fighting) suddenly find themselves sucked into the Dark Lake. Gray leaps up and down and shouts "Victory !" a lot.

Lawful Chaos? - whatever next
Ross travels under Evost Derry and meets Sabraxis - emissary to Saxon of Chaos. Sabraxis tries to make a truce with Ross, claiming his Lord Saxon to be a convert of Law. Ross doesn't believe the demon, but doesn't kill him either.

Ashley Dannen is interrogated in the Towers of High Sorcery. He ends up biting his own tongue off.
Ross studies Pendragon's planal charts - looking for a way to the Chaos Duchess Elsbeth's home plane, in the hope of striking her before she strikes him.

Merlendy strikes the Wraiths
The Wraith's take a hammering when Kitara uses her new divine power to dispel one of Laylak's seals. Among the Wraith and Orin casualties are Susuria (imploded), Black Bishop Aylas and the Priestess Sirillion Kah. Vantacos and Arphatos are heavily drained and forced to flee back into their tombs. Ross barely escapes the resulting POW implosions.

Ross visits Luaci's temple. Luaci communes with him saying, "You are my emissary. Trust in yourself and I shall appear." Ross then heads off to Mount Eldahar to stir things up a bit, not happy with its lack of help.

That night, Minnow and Ross test the Water of Night outside the Tower of Night. Stepping into the inky black water, Minnow arrives in Lanth whilst Ross arrives in the Black Mountains of the far north. He startles a few dwarves, saying "Peace be with you smaller brethren," before teleporting back to Esium with the Blue sword.

Hethcanter plans a short secret trip to Kaimyrrh. He still believes the Doman and Alyx must be stopped, at all costs and intends on hiring foreign assassin's / magic users to do the job for him. Of course he doesn't mention this to anyone, not even Ross. He leaves and comes back one day later.

Ross banishes the Abyssmal Goard with his sword of Law. He hacks Vincent Malady (a servant of Mordark) and a host of Bazrun demons. During his fighting he meets Valdakenrin of the Kruciform Karpus and gets a Bottle of Planes.

The interrogation of a Palasdine prisoner called Ka'pa yields some interesting info - 6 Countries comprize the current Palasdine Empire. Palasdinian's have been coming to the continent of Eldahar for the past 11 years. They have allies among the Soronar of Suraan. The Torainar are their magic-using class. They also have classes called "war bringers", "peace-makers", "gatherers" and believe it or not, "providers". Hearing about the Providers class sets everyone's mind's racing - The Guild of Providers appeared approx 11 years ago as well... providing magic items and all sorts of other things to anyone who desired them in return for favors at a later date. Indeed the Guild of Providers had already attempted to infiltrate Esium and take over.
Ross also learns that there are 21 War Bringer Lords and 850 War Lords in the Empire. That Narvarim is the current Head of the War Bringers and that the main God of Palasdine is a God called Ion - God of the Heavens who came down to fight Ire, God of the Underworld. More worrying is when Ka'pa enlightens Ross about Palasdinian Torques - (A technology that has survived from the Homelands and that Ross knows is associated only with the Qual). The Palasdinian military communicate via Black Torques that contain innate telepathic transmitters and receivers. They communicate in a language called Denabel with the ruling War Lords and Guild masters wearing Gold Torques.

Even more worrying than that is when Ka'pa mentions Eha'doe - a white haired, black eyed Qual-like being who resides in an impenetrable room somewhere in Palasdine controlling everything that happens!

Ross agrees to send Ven Gentry (shape shifted by Hollis) into Suraan as a spy. With Ven's abilities and photographic memory General Brook thinks he stands a good chance of infiltrating the Suraanese Palace.

Thorgustan travels across Hethcanter's bridge to Gost Yaroch so he can be closer to Ceraph. Thorgustan then flies to Kane and the Red Ribbon Tavern where he leaves a note for Kerri Dhwen. Kerri gets it later that afternoon.

That afternoon a group of Special Forces arrive at the T.O.H.S from Gost Arnan and King Matthew. Led by Virian Dane they consist of 30 men trained in all forms of combat and subterfuge. Ross then meets with Tramale and Stephen of the Mind Guard, briefing them on Palasdine.

Quiverin says in reply ;
"We cannot confirm or deny his existence or whereabouts because if we do we lend credence to the beliefs surrounding him. The moment we externalize our thoughts and allow them into the World, to be sensed by the World - the Gods and their followers will have access to them. What we know as Eldar must remain with us, inside of us; the World must remain blind to the truth - as must you."

"Crap!" Ross replies.
As a consolation Alexor (still hiding on Mount Eldahar) lets Ross into a little secret. He possesses two shards of Drathelmox's Heartstone but refuses to say where he got them. It doesn't take a genius to figure out Drathelmox will want the shards back and that the Spiritual Dragon can probably sense their whereabouts. That's the reason Alexor is hiding on Mount Eldahar - "I didn't run away - I had to protect these Shards. They're the key to our continued existence !" says Alexor by way of explanation.

"Crap!" thinks Ross.
Alexor then gives Ross one of the Shards, warning him to be careful with it. "Study it as quick as you can - He's after it!" Without heeding Alexor's warning Ross removes the Shard of Drathelmox's Heartstone from the protection of Mount Eldahar.
Luckily, when he gets back to the Towers he orders all non-essential people to be moved to Gost Arnan.

The Esian Coven of Mordark (consisting of 2 people and one of those a cripple) makes a comeback after Merlendy's devastating assault on their base. They set fire to the Shrine of Ortha in the small town of Ostelan and run off.

Drathelmox shows he's the New Titan in Town
Dusk. Drathelmox suddenly senses the whereabouts of one his shards and hurtles towards the Tower's of High Sorcery.

The Dark Drathelmox is just an oversized Wraith of the Living Dark. However his Dragon Spirit is simply huge - a whopping 82 POW (meaning as a creature of Negative energy he drains the surrounding area at -75/-75 POW.)
The T.O.H.S has 100 POW built into its sentient spirit and replenishes its POW like a living organism (see Jixiliah). However Drathelmox's sheer anger and ferocity causes the chance of Positive Negative energy combustion (Dark Fire) to increase to dangerous levels. If the T.O.H.S burst into Dark Fire everyone in it would instantly be killed.

Evacuation of the Tower's of High Sorcery
Ross orders everyone to leave the T.O.H.S as Drathelmox settles himself on top of the building exuding his Dark Aura. Beth gathers everyone she can find, 3 mirrors of Sevekar and the PentaKey. She puts everyone, including Ben, Kilotta and Celese inside one of the mirrors ready for Ross to shift them out (normal teleportation will not work through Drathelmox's negative aura but the Blue Sword is an item of Law and not subject to +ve and -ve effects)

Tess runs up to Ross in the nick of time dragging Hollis and baby Danae with her. All three of them enter the mirror and Ross teleports the whole lot to Quiverin's pool side on Mount Eldahar.

Minutes later Dark Fire rages through the Tower's of High Sorcery, consuming the entire structure in an almighty implosion of energy!

The Jixiliah like spirit Tithmoya who resided at the Heart of the Towers sustains tremendous damage. Whereas it could normally be reborn 7 days later from the Eternal Source, Tithmoya is damaged by the Dark Fire and separated from the Eternal Spring.

At the center of the resulting black crater a fountain of energy from the Astral Node spews into the air. Just next to it floats a small pin point of light - the only remaining part of Tithmoya.

Koen's list of Soronar Strongholds - City of Shiron and Court of Sornar, Mountain of Fire in Pashan Province and Temple of the Everburning Sanctum, Tower of Nameh in the northeast, House of Kushan in the southwest, House of Imagen Kars in central Suraan, School of Fire in southern Suraan and the Temple to Shaal Kappah the "Fire Prince". Koen says "Beware the Kah Pah - Elite spell warriors who fight in waves of fire." 

Refusing to stay bottled up on Mount Eldahar, Ross gathers Hollis and Hethcanter to him and prepares to attack Suraan's Soranar and their School of Fire Mages. First he scouts the area out with his mind. Then he Hethcanter and Tess land via the Merlendy bridge just outside of the school's wall. Armed to the teeth with almost every useful magic item in the Resistance, Ross, Hethcanter and Tess start wreaking havoc and spreading carnage!

Luckily for them Tajin Kahl (17th level), Che-Kasu (16th) and Rama Doshi (16th) are not in the school but a lot of other powerful mages are, ranging from 1st to 14th level in power.

Sneaking around outside, Hethcanter accidently blows his cover. Having had enough of Tess speaking directly into his mind and whinging, Hethcanter yells at the top of his lungs, "Shut up !" Ross hears it several hundred feet away and laughs.

Using the lethal Triskelle of Dagnoth, Ross obliterates dozens of mages.
Ross takes out Shoshan (14th level) and Coyan (14th level). He also kills two Samagin Warlords called Chu and Lou'hut'chu (two of only 18 in the whole of Suraan).

Hethcanter lets off some earth spells and the two of them write graffiti on the Temple's walls, pretending to be members of the Merktan (river priests) of the Esi River.

But all this slaughter doesn't go undetected;

Ross then scries the area to see what happens next.
Tajin Kahl of the Soranar arrives using a teleport spell. He asks the Najakin, "Who has done this?"
The Najakin replies, "A Star Lord with a Blue flaming blade and a weapon of 3 blades (referring to Ross' star armor and Blue sword), a Black Witch (referring to Tess' impenetrable darkness) and a Stone Warlock who hurled lightning and released a green stinking cloud(Hethcanter and some of his more aggressive spells)."

Tajin swears vengeance.

8am. Ross shifts to the Sulin where he is instantly mobbed and hailed as "The Savior". He gives a speech, gets praised a lot more for his efforts and meets the new head of the Sulin - Aruanne, "First daughter of the Herd."

On the way to meet Shefanhow, he gets called the Hoja Valla "Lord of Stars."

Shefanhow tells it like it was
Shefanhow - Ancient Blue dragon and loyalist to Baphomet, shares his perceptions of the past and what befell Orion that fateful day in year 201. Some of the more vital facts follow;-

In 201 Eskanu flew against Mount Eldahar with the intention of destroying Orion. The Evil She-dragon used the stolen powers of Baphomet and his incomplete Crown of Seven Stars (Or Seven Fold Crown) to dominate several of Orion's Eldar and turn them against him. In the confusion Eskanu ordered the Eldar to lower their protective shields and grant her access. As soon as they did, she flew in, accompanied by 5 of her most loyal and ancient dragons.

Disgusted by Orion's plans to genetically engineer beings with Heartstone's similar to those of Dragonkind (see Guardians), Eskanu forced two of the Eldar to sabotage their creation. With the experiment poisoned, what should have been twelve perfectly minded beings actually turned out as twelve slightly insane ones. After Orion's disappearance these Guardians quickly became paranoid - convinced the Pure Eldar  wanted to be rid of them. Within a week they fled Mount Eldahar and into hiding - becoming known as The Black Elves.

Faced by overwhelming odds, Orion knew he wouldn't stand a chance against Eskanu unless he possessed the power of Eldahar's Heartstone behind him. Knowing that if he failed, Eskanu would possess all Seven of the Dragon King's Stars and obtain mastery over the Heartstone and reality, Orion used Baphomet's gift (the last remaining star of from the Dragon King's crown) to make contact with the World Mind. With time running out Orion's options narrowed down to one - destroy the Star and its link to the World Mind.

No normal mind could ever have accomplished it, but Orion was Orion - a unique being born from cosmic essence. He managed to shatter the Dragon King's Star but failed to foresee the consequences - As the Star was linked to the World Mind / Heartstone, the World Mind shattered as well causing a rift in reality and Orion to vanish - his consciousness spread across Eldahar's astral realm and infinite IDS (fragments of reality).

Traveling to far off places
After talking to Shefanhow Ross decides to visit another source of information (with gaining another Starstone in mind) - Ischandi the Wise. Using his Blue sword to teleport across the Great Barrier and directly into Ischandi's vale, Ross meets the Father Eternal and shares a cup of ice tea.

Ischandi doesn't prove very helpful, but does tell the Lord of Merlendy who to try - The Ice Queen Louhri. After all, Louhri was Orion's closest confidante. So with Ischandi's aid, Ross locates Louhri's Mountain of Ice and teleports there.

Amazingly Louhri actually grants Ross a direct audience - sensing the Law and honor within him. In their conversation they discuss Eskanu, Eskanu's various breath weapons (sound, fire, ice, lightning and acid), and Hannibal - destroyer of the Qual Homeworld of Silvosa.

"We are all victims," says Louhri.
"Not for much longer," replies Ross, cryptically. By way of a favor, he tells the Ice Queen that North is heading her way. In return, liking Ross' honesty, she gives up one of her prized possessions - the Starstone of Animal Kinship.

Before Ross leaves she casts two long duration spells upon him - Protection vs Fire and Globe of Magic Resistance.

Grey allies himself with Shefanhow the Blue. Shef (though not completely trusting of Grey's motives) allows the High Doman to climb onto his back. Using the Phoenix statue, Shef phases onto the astral plane as a giant firey bird and carries Grey's astral spirit with him. Together, flying 170 miles above Eldahar's spiritual ground they cover approx 135 miles per second (as the higher you are astrally the greater distance you cover).

Shef and Grey descend on Ulakhan. Both Priest and Dragon are concerned what threat the Ulak Olahdan's (priests) will pose to the New Sun Queen. They capture Rodan(a worshipper of Mon) and use Shef's Aura of Alignment to alter the worshipper's outlook on life. Suddenly willing to share his secrets, Rodan tells his invisible guests about the 3 factions clawing for power in Ulakhan - The factions of Mon, Slan and Skithe (Eskanu).

Astral hunting
On a search for Drathelmox's hiding place, Shef and the Doman begin searching Esia - The Doman using his Immortal spirit to send out calls; the plan is to lure Drathelmox out into a fight as Shef believes as an astral entity he can give Drathelmox a run for his money.

Next, Dragon and Doman hurtle at staggering astral speeds to the ruined Catacombs. Descending down through the shattered Castle of Evil they see creatures picking through the rubble and squabbling amongst themselves - plunged into chaos without the Crucible to lead them. They pass a vampire, skeletons, goblins and doomalkin, all unawares, until at the very bottom of the Catacombs they enter a large cavern filled with a clear water lake and three giant stone portals of energy.

With spiritual aura's ablaze, the Dragon and Doman stand out like an astral sun to the creature living there. A creature of strange origins able to sense spirits and magic called Brokk.

Brokk has lived beneath the Catacombs for two hundred years accumulating a great deal of magic items and treasure. Drawing stuff down to him by the Power of the Portals he gets the life scared out of him when Shef and the Doman materialize nearby. Even a creature as odd as he hasn't seen so much spirit in one place;- he doesn't even recognize Shef as a dragon, merely an immensely powerful phoenix!

Brokk is scared witless.

Draconian conversion - bad news all round
7pm. The Dark Drathelmox approaches Ragnahad the Black with an offer. Join him or die. Ragnahad (a once proud dragon who has recently suffered several defeats and blows to his ego) is about to attack Drath when suddenly the Dragon Wraith expands its aura and lets Ragnahad feels its power.

Drathelmox gives Ragnahad one more chance - join or die. This time Ragnahad chooses the safer option - accepting a piece of Drathelmox's spirit to become a Dragon "priest" of the Living Dark. (Later when Ragnahad's conversion becomes common knowledge Grey and Resistence contemplate Drathelmox converting dozens of Dragons into an army of the Living Dark (as if Laylak and his Wraith's weren't enough). If possible, the future begins looking even more dire.)

Later that morning Gray seems to be losing his mind when in the middle of a tactical conversation he exclaims "I can eat a dog quite happily!" The strain of being the Doman has obviously begun to show. He prays and gets very, very depressed. "There's too many of them. How can we defeat dragons?" he shouts.
Leaving Gray alone for awhile, Alyx pays a visit to the spirits Battery and Watcher.

Ragnahad spreads his wings
Midday. Ragnahad the Black experiments with his new dark powers, drawing energy via Drathelmox and the Living Dark. He flies over Gost Eyedem causing widespread panic. Spies for the Palasdine Empire send word back to their ships - "Ire has returned."

1pm. Ragnahad continues its reign of terror by landing in Yarili's capital city - Gost Arnan. Squatting its immense bulk on top of Arnan's royal palace the black monster screeches and bellows fire.
"I AM RAGNAHAD, BRING ME VIRGINS!" it roars, casually swatting soldiers and torching buildings. One man, Brian of the Elite guard manages to nick its side before dying. This only makes Ragnahad more furious. *Note - Ragnahad is disobeying Drathelmox by doing this. Ragnahad is drunk on his new power and happy to be out and about wreaking havoc and carnage. Not forgetting that Ragnahad's ancient nemesis Erskallion is dead.
A Wizard of the Palasdine Empire, delighted to see the Dragon he has been waiting for, teleports near Ragnahad. But before the man can offer his praise to the Dragon, Ragnahad squashes the fellow with one giant claw.

Gray spends a lot of time reading his Memory scrolls - He now has so much to remember and keep remembering that it takes him 9 hours of speed reading to just cover the highlights.

He also contemplates whether he should take a risk and condemn himself to a possible Eternal Darkness by entering the strange Black Portal in Dark Sea. He tries summoning Judaya (the elven spirit) to translate some of what he has heard with the Shell of Dagon but she doesn't arrive. Instead he puzzles over the events that led to the creation of his religion involving the priests Sanyel, Alizar and Altur. The mystery of why the 7 priests went through the portal may never be solved.

Ashar attempts to penetrate one of the Black Portal room's protective runes but ends up locked in an astral prison. He finds a crack in its shell and escapes (with relative ease because the wards have lost some of their power over time).

In exploring various possibilities, Gray summons the spirit Sands to help him focus the Shell to specific timelines. Unfortunately Sands isn't much help. What does happen is Ashar meets the spirit and becomes intrigued by its abilities. He walks away with Sands in deep conversation, fleshing out the basics of some secret deal.

Still using the Shell of Dagon, Gray (with Sand's help) hears various conversations and voices echoing back through Time. He hears the Jixiliah called Wan being brought into existence. He also hears Ischandi enter the Portal chamber over the space of a few hundred years (way back in 1018) and the voice of Taisal Rift (the Black Elf) as he attempts to bypass the Jixiliah. Things eventually begin making sense.

At one point, 1583 years ago, he hears Ischandi say "You have been brought from the Sacred Flame that burns Eternal. Your purpose is the purpose of the World. Choose a name from the flame and carry it forever more."
And a booming voice replies, "WAN."

*Note - So Wan was a Jixiliah created from the Eternal Flame. However the Jixiliah's soul became split into two - one half trapped in the Black Portal and the other floating around outside. Gray is immortal because his soul has bonded with the roaming Jixliah half. It is the Jixiliah that keeps bringing Gray back to life from the Eternal Source.

The Mystery of Orthank
Gray has already been referred to by Rouse of Law as "The son of Orthank." Now using the Shell of Dagon, Gray keeps hearing Orthank mentioned. Orthank, Solomon and Ischandi seem to all be the same person / being but their timelines overlap causing confusion.

In an attempt to summon Orthank Gray receives a vision of a snow covered vale and tower. (He rolls a 01)

Daeron and Ashar leave for Alinor to carry out some research on the Moonstones. The Elves say "There are only 3" but Gray knows for a fact there are at least 5! - White, Blue, Red, Green and Yellow. Only 3 of the stones can do standard scrying.

The Army of Kane besieges the city of Esiador.
Alyx of Akilla keeps an eye on Kane's progress.

Gray soon learns that this man is Ischandi the Wise. The Doman puts some awkward questions to the Wizard Priest who smiles and answers them in a quite straight forward manner. "Yes I have been Orthank, before we all came to this World from the Homelands. I have been Solomon and now I am Ischandi. The truth is this young man, I am the World therefore I am everyone in it."

As Ischandi talks Gray peruses the Wizard's book collection - he sees The Librum of Incarnation, Mythical Creatures by Jinsan Theor, A treatise on World Mechanic's by Gideon of Mount Eldahar, the Carnabrium of the Dead, Solomon's notes and Suraanese recipes - curries and other hot dishes.

"The world is wounded young Gray and we are all wounded along with it. No single soul is broken but all souls, everywhere. It must all be healed and one day soon, it will be."

Gray preceives Ischandi almost as a religious father figure and agrees to give the Wizard Priest his Shell of Dagon. "Such a thing must not fall into the wrong hands," Ischandi says. "It could start many wars and reveal many secrets. It is not in exchange but take this item as a gift." With that Ischandi gives Gray the Helm of Tharakusala the Mist Wraith who died in the War of Blood.

Alyx puts on the Mist Wraith's helm. Her eyes glow red and an aura of unease emanates from the helm. Alyx loves it and runs off to show Shefanhow just how cool it is. Gray stays at his vault flicking through the Book of the Arda, trying to find a page showing his White Ring. Having given it to the Eldar he now wants it back. He eventually finds it at 6.30pm - almost 9 hours later after reading all his scrolls and getting his memory up to date. As usual after reading everything that has happened Gray gets depressed. "We proceed by taking little baby steps," he says. Then later "We're fighting shadows! Nothing dies!"

Abandoned by Ross in the Tower of Night, Hethcanter ends up having a long and deep conversation with Kitara of Daas. Hethcanter (like many in the Resistance) doesn't trust the Ex-Queen of Gost Yaroch and finds it difficult to believe she has journeyed to Elondil and back bearing the Demi God Aslan in her womb. But after sitting down and talking to her he finds her faith and strength of character infectious. Her recent spiritual purification shines forth and wins the die-hard wizard over. He actually comes away believing in Aslan and Kitara's virtue.

During their conversation Kitara learns that Hethcanter is in love with Tess (though he doesn't know it yet). Knowing the Wizard's of the White Chapter take vows against such things for the preservation of their power Kitara makes a secret vow to bring the two arguing magic-users together - no matter the cost.

Ashar goes looking for Orome Unsung to no avail. Someone says that a woman calling herself Shiene came to visit the White elf wearing Starry bracelets. After that he was not seen again. *Note - This is a hint that Orome joined the Gray Lodge of Orion.*

Beware all ye dragons. Spread the word
Shefanhow speaks with Gray about his concerns, about Drathelmox, Eskanu and the impending Dragon War Shefanhow sees on the Horizon. "If Drathelmox can convert other Dragons into priests of the Living Dark, we must warn more of my kind, especially those who guard the young." As the majority of Shef's kind are asleep and scattered across the continent Shefanhow suggests traveling to Weyr - the country where all the young dragons roam.

To speed things up Ashar shifts Gray there and Shefanhow shifts after them, arriving 45 seconds later.
With Shefanhow behind him as a brilliant glowing bird of staggering spiritual POW, Gray meets Prince Tanmar of Weyr, Josel - Ambassador to the Eldar and Sir Calafrain and Sir Sirricuse. Shefanhow speaks - "I am Shefanhow of Kimber and Shou'ansar. We are here to warn you of a threat most dire!"

At first Tanmar and his companions panic, raising their weapons and spells. But Gray and Shef eventually get their point across. By the time they leave, Weyr is ready to declare a state of emergency and messages are being dispatched to all native dragons.

11pm. Gray says "I know a dragon here called Corskairre (the one that North befriended). We should try and warn it."
Shefanhow agrees and the two spiritually head off, with Shefanhow using his innate dragon-calling to try and attract Corskairre's attention.

The Ancient mother dragon hears Shef's mind and agrees to talk. Meeting with Corskairre, Shefanhow and Gray learn of several young dragons - Skarro,  Dras-za,  Meanchen, Logar, Saranchus and Dreguga.

The Doman meets Ceraph
Later, when Gray has returned to Evost Derry and been brought up to speed on the siege of Esiador by Alyx, Ashar arrives on the scene. "Ceraph is willing to meet with you to discuss the future. She asks that I mediate and I have agreed."

Arriving on a hill top in Kane within a circle of Tone Stones, Ashar leads Gray to the waiting Ceraph. The girl Wraith stands wielding the sword Starbringer Starbright.
Suddenly the "Light" Drathelmox turns up asking to see Ashar. "I require a new body," the dragon states. "If you can help me, I will reward you with anything you desire."
"There is nothing you can give me that I have not already had and grown weary of," Ashar replies, sending Drathelmox on his ethereal way. "Think about my offer," the dragon says before vanishing.

Before they commence talking yet another being turns up on the scene, shifting nearby in a shaft of starlight. "Hail to you!" the being shouts. "I am Dienen Lore." *Note - The Black Elf has been contacted by Ashar and asked to attend though Ashar doesn't mention this.
Ceraph offers Dienen a trade. She offers her Titan Dragon Ring in exchange for the Auspix Torque. Dienen examines the huge Titan ring and confirms its authenticity. Amazed at its design he agrees, handing Ceraph his Torque (that increases SEN to 40!) and leaving with the Ring.

Gray comes up with an idea of using the Eye of All Hearts to track Drathelmox across the Astral plane. It just might work !

Saxon places unusual guards
In an attempt to protect Evost Derry from any further attacks, Saxon of the New Order of Chaos places two Pit Fiend guards on Evost Derry's rim. The creatures remain stationary like two giant pillers of fire.

Ashar talks with Medea about the Eye of All Hearts.
Gray loses his sanity again - "plop plop squirt squirt," he gibbers.
Alyx accuses of Eldar of meddling. "They keep fucking up our perfectly good plans!"

Theories and yet more theories
Gray, Ashar and Ceraph contemplate how to take down Drathelmox. With Ceraph now able to extend her aura in over a 100 feet radius using the Aurial of Ion.
Gray remembers the obscure reference to 3 Keymaster's. He believes that if Drath, Laylak and Ceraph are all brought together the 3 of them will summon something larger and more powerful into the World. If Ceraph is the one who does it, the things may be good. If Laylak or Drath succeed it will undoubtedly be bad.

Ashar takes a short trip through the IDS in search of K' dina and Adunathel. He tracks them both extremely quickly, finding them on a cat dominated ID. "You must come back. Things have escalated beyond what I predicted and I can't guarantee your safety out here." He also requires the Eye of All Hearts from Aduna to track Drathelmox.
 

After being away a little longer than expected, Ross returns to the Tower of Night in Yarili to find Hethcanter, Tess and Kitara have been trapped inside since the 17th.

Apologetically Ross shifts them out to get some food and decent sleep.

Mount Eldahar 0 Drathelmox 1
Lurienn and his Silver Dragon Saturn fly away from Mount Eldahar carrying the second piece of Drathelmox's Heartstone. The Dark Drathelmox, suddenly able to sense the fragment of its Heart, hurtles across the astral plane towards them.

As Drathelmox materializes over Lurienn and Saturn, dragon and rider shift between. Drath, eager to capture the Heart fragment follows them between and into a trap.

Floating there in the "space between" Eldahar's Realms of Reality floats Quiverin the Eldar Battlemaster. Armed to the teeth and gripping the Heart of Rouse to his breast, Quiverin launches himself like a comet towards Drath's voluminous darkness with plane shaking results.

The two beings, Dragon of the Living Dark and Immortal Qual exchange blows, testing each other's defences before manuevering for a better strike. Drath suddenly changes direction, feeling Saturn's firey breath on his rear and hurtles in pursuit of the Law dragon, enveloping it and Lurienn in a wave of negative energy over a 1000 feet wide!

Saturn plummets through "the between", his Draconian soul completely drained.

Quiverin takes this opportunity to strike a terrible blow (at +460 to hit) to the Dark dragon's flank. He causes a great deal of POW damage (wielding Rouse's heart!) but the friction between +ve and -ve energy causes his sword "Slayer" to combust in Dark fire (Planal fire). The sword is of such power and workmanship though that it manages to resist being destroyed. Instead its magic warps so that the Dark Fire permanently continues to burn over its aura - a powerful side effect! (But one that ultimately must see the sword destroyed as it is just too much of a liability.)

Drathelmox then turns back on Quiverin, forcing the Eldar Battle Master to retreat. Together Ross and Quiverin flee "the between" with the seemingly unstoppable Drathelmox hot in pursuit.

Drathelmox flies over Mount Eldahar draining energy from the mountain, disintegrating stone and trees. Elluva organizes a mental concert of over 90 minds and fires off a meta-created lightning bolt visible in the sky over 200 miles away. The sonic boom kills all animal and bird life in a 5 mile radius of the mountain!

Drathelmox is struck square on the chest and sent reeling. But when the flare dies away people see the Dark Dragon still flying overhead. Drathelmox screeches in anger and leaves (even more severely POW drained).

Quiverin suggests "Let's drop a piece of this bastard's Heartstone down on Eskanu's head. Let the two of them fight it out."
Without thinking this is exactly what Haletha does using her Window of Day. The Eldar now have one piece of Drath's Heartstone left.

Sensing that Evost Derry may again be a target, Hollis appears in the Sun Citadel and warns everyone. The Citadel is evacuated just in time as Drathelmox swoops over the city. This time the Sun Citadel does not withstand his assault and explodes, taking Saxon's summoned Fiends with it. The Sun Throne is damaged beyond its own self repair.

All eyes across the continent turn to Mount Eldahar, waiting for the Qual to respond to Drathelmox's attack. In the far north, Moorum the First Eternal of Mordark tracks Drathelmox's progress and sends 6 Winged Devils to obscure the Dragon's spiritual tracks. After all, Moorum doesn't want Drathelmox dying too soon - He wants to see Mount Eldahar serverely weakened first.

5.00am
The Tomorrow Thief contacts Mount Eldahar, offering to steal Drathelmox's Heartstone;- the price he asks is a steep one - rulership over the whole of Drail, an army of 10,000 troops to keep it and Quiverin's sword, Slayer. The Eldar actually consider the offer - not that anyone believes the Tomorrow Thief can do it.

Sojourn of Khur attempts to track Drathelmox. He discovers the Dark Dragon is circling over Esium's 7 states but the Winged Devils of Mordark prevent him from pinpointing Drath accurately.

7.00am
Ashar and Thorgustan arrive in Daya with a fresh perspective on the Drathelemox problem. Their revelations seem too good to be true but in truth they are the amalgamation of previous ideas, merely linked together into a workable but desparate plan.

"Do not misjudge prudence with cold feet."
Gray still thinks the plan is a good one but he wishes to be careful and there can only be one shot at this and
he does not wish to fail. Yes Aylx should destroy the Temple of Emonra with the Shon Kus, and even
send the army of Bannon Brae against it if need be. She also has Gray's Ring of Death at her disposal; it would be too difficult for the future if Arjuna lived. 
"Alyx flatten the temple but make sure the people of Esiador only see the attack as yet another attack by Laylak."

Gray to Kitara,
"My queen this task I ask of you is not without danger, the Keystone will be placed in the gateway after creation not during, there will be a chance of an explosion when we make contact with the Living Dark but all I have to do is think of Aslan and you will be able to channel the holy fire of Aslan into the Keystone."
"Let's just get this right, we hopefully create the plane and for a few hours build up its substance. Then Ashar and Cereph enter and we speed up Ceraph's pregnancy. If all goes well Ashar leaves via doorway with baby. During the period of creation we continually draw upon the faith of our worshippers and fortify the plane against the upcoming assault."
"Then at a set point when we feel strong enougth, we create a bridge to the Living Dark. If there isn't an instant explosion we start to drain or be drained as the two opposing planal forces suck upon one another. We then, if possible enter the plane of darkness, rescue the thousands of people imprisoned there and lead them through our plane to the Hill of Wan gateway."
"Meanwhile the Lords of the Living Dark are (hopefully) too busy and Laylak or Drathelmox don't turn up immediately to challenge us. If however they do turn up we lure the Keymasters onto our plane and then seal the gateway with the Keystone. Even if they die the connection to the Living Dark will be unable to escape and form a new gateway."
"It seems so perfect that nothing can go wrong, so as Gray says "who wants to live forever?"
P.S. Alyx as North once said "Sometimes you have to cut out the cancer that infects a land," just as he decapitated Valadan."

"Long live ESIUM."

After that, Gray spends the rest of the afternoon reading his scrolls and getting his memory as up to date as possible because the ritual will take 12 hours to perform and the new plane, 12 hours to create. *Note Gray's memory is leaking all the time but by regularly reading his "abridged" scrolls he can remain effective for several hours.

One hour from dusk.
Gray arrives at the Holy Hill of Wan to find a crowd already forming. Kitara has been busy all day speaking with the various heads of religions, not just in Daas, but in rest of Esium and Elandia too. Despite her best efforts, word has gotten out about something going down at the Holy Hill.

Gray, privately to Alyx ;- "There may still a way out of this using Rombhard's rings. I will wear mine and if you put yours onto someone we don't like - not necessarily a spirit like Eternity but maybe a priest of Emonra - I'll let you decide. Then I can swap places with them just before I die."
"I'll do it," Alyx pledges.

Time ticks away; the moment of truth draws near.

Shefanhow has already arrived at the Hill; his physical body has unearthed the sacred hollow where it all began - the cave that once contained the Keystone of Wan and imprisoned the Three Lord's of the Living Dark. Things are about to come full circle as what began at the Holy Hill will end (one way or another) in the same place.

Kitara arrives in a gilded carriage, accompanied by three dozen of the Palace's Elite guard. She walks regally over Gray and smiles warmly. "It is done High Doman. The prayers of the masses are rising even now. All across the seven states and in a large portion of Elandia too, people are flooding into the temples ready to advocate our cause. Elondil will soon resound with hope!"

Even closer to Dusk.
Ashar arrives nearby with Ceraph and Kerri. All three wander over to where Kitara, Gray and Alyx are gathered. Kerri curtseys in a fine black high-necked gown, but Ceraph just stares, feeling the divine energy around Kitara with her heightened senses.

Kitara is very polite to the two young women but anxious to exchange words with the mysterious man behind them. Instead Ashar remains quiet and merely bows.

Unexpected onlookers
Suddenly some of the crowd gasp in astonishment causing everyone to turn their heads. Even Shefanhow, hovering over the hill as a blazing spiritual phoenix turns his head to see.
Hollis, Lady of the Mist Realms steps forward flanked by a tall black armored being. As they near Kitara, the warrior removes his helm, revealing Quiverin, the Eldar Battlemaster.
Hollis and Quiverin both pay respect to Kitara before speaking - a sign of Kitara's new status in the scheme of things as the Eldar normally bow for no one. "I'm here to offer you something," Hollis begins. "As Mist Lady I can surround this area and make it seem to vanish from the World. If something goes awry, it will be contained within the Mist, protecting Gost Yaroch and everything else."

Using Shefanhow's tail as a scaled ladder, Ceraph, Kerri and Gray descend into the Heart of the Holy Hill. When they reach the bottom Gray takes a good look at his surroundings. *Note As Doman, Gray was the only one allowed to enter Dark Sea and check on the Keystone. But even Gray was not allowed to use light, finding his way by touch and sound alone. The sight he now sees, of broken archways filled to the brim with rubble and earth brings great sorrow upon him.

Thorgustan floats down through the hole in the roof, clutching the Statutes of the Damned to his chest. "In unison you will repeat what I say. Some of it is very repetitive so after a few minutes you will get caught up in flow of the ritual. I can guide you to brink but at the end of the twelfth hour, the three of you, as one, will have to step beyond." Thorgustan gets Kerri, Ceraph, Gray and Shefahow to hold hands (in Shef's case, a wing). "Let this unbroken circle be a symbol of your collective will. I will now begin."