Nov 14 1012
Type of Missve: Varied Missives
All,
Date: November 1012 Responses: Varied I have sent this letter to you because I believe you are coming to the gathering on November 25th. If I am mistaken, then I apologize, and you may disregard this, though please let me know. I would not want to have mis-sent this, and in doing so, missed someone who is coming. The chance we have to secure the Counselor position of Space and Fire for Queen Nimbus approaches. It is vital that we are all as informed and prepared as possible. Tria and I have researched as we can, and have much to impart. This is a very long missive, and I strongly urge all of you to read it. The information here should prepare you for the structure of what we will be encountering. If you do find it too long, however, here is a summary: Arrive no later than noon, eleven thirty if possible. We depart within minutes of midday. You will be part of a team of five people, led by a Mage. The teams will be separated from each other for much of the event, but each team will depend on the other teams to allow them to advance. We are allied, not in competition. Black Star Mages who surrender to us should be checked, but forgiven if cleared. Forgiveness is one of our most important tools, which we are likely to overlook. We will encounter forces from the eldritch horrors beyond the stars. When we reach Rosetta's prison, the Mages will finish releasing him, and he will Cycle soon after. Do not fear that we are trying to give the position of Space and Fire to him. That is not his place. I will be attempting to claim the position myself, with the support of the other Mages, for reasons I will describe if requested. For the more in-depth description, understand that our end goal, as a group, must be to secure the position of Space and Fire. It is vital that the Black Star Guild, or any other power which would use it for evil, or allow the Queen to fall, be prevented from taking the Counselor spot for themselves. I will be striving, as I have for the past four years, to become the Counselor myself, to serve Her Majesty and help Faerie fight Bedlam. In order for the position to be settled, it will be necessary for us to finally unseal Rosetta from his prison in the Mysts. The Mages who are present will be the primary driving forces in this, but it is likely that effort from all will be important. After Rosetta is released, he will have to Cycle, and the power he possesses will be passed on to his successor among Nimbus' Counselors. In order to reach Rosetta's prison, we will be teleported deep into the Mysts. A former Black Star Mage, named Darian, who has left the Guild (and is vetted by Luna) will be opening a portal to the rebuilt ruins of one of their strongholds. This is the fortress where Kell was brought when he was captured by the Guild, and was subsequently damaged when Rosetta, Masks, and I took vengeance for his death. It appeared that the fortress was "close" to Rosetta's prison, as he had a surprising amount of influence there. As we will be in the Mysts, it will be important not to leave the group and get lost, and in addition, the gods will most likely not answer our calls. Plan accordingly. Once we are in the Mysts, we will be in five teams, each one lead by a Mage. Four of the Mages are myself, Tria, Atticus, and Laurante. The fifth slot is still being determined. The teams will need to follow their Mage effectively. It is not a competition between the Mages, and we are not leading our teams against each other. The teams will be separated, but will each encounter puzzles and challenges which have to be solved to allow other teams to advance. Thus, we will succeed or fail together. It is likely that the means to open Rosetta's prison will be encountered, piece by piece, as the teams proceed, and also that each team will eventually face off against a higher member of the Black Star Guild, or one of their powerful minions. As for the Black Star Guild itself, we know that their numbers are greatly reduced due to the Ritual of Light Awakening that Tria, Valerie, and myself performed. The remaining leaders, including Roger Byecross, have bonded to eldritch horrors from beyond the stars, granting them terrible powers. They seek to break Rosetta out of his prison, bind him, and use his power. This must not be allowed to happen. All who belong to the Guild are now aware of the truth of the Guild's connections to Rosetta, who Rosetta is, and the plans of the Guild's leading members. It is very likely that there are still some lower acolytes trapped in the fortress who have been awakened to the truth, but have not been able to leave. If any surrender to us, we should absolutely accept their surrender. We will need to determine whether they are trustworthy, to be certain, but visions I have received suggest that Forgiveness will be one of our most valuable tools, so we should extend it to them as best we can. The Black Stars and minions who are still fighting us will be quite dangerous. In addition to unusual magical effects, they will be attempting to capture Tria, as well as Tara Harkon. They each are descended from the faerie who led the ritual which imprisoned Rosetta, and their blood could be used by the Guild to release and bind him. The most powerful among them also can transform into horrible abominations, which are immune to normal weapons (silver, fire, magic, and most other types of weapons have been seen to be capable of harming them before, though they are still very tough). It is likely that some of the masters of the Guild will attempt to engage us in conversation, whether cajoling, taunting, or attempting to make deals. Tria and I both plan to play along if given the opportunity, and while we are talking to them, please kill them. Even if they are calling us out to one-on-one combat, claiming we are cowards, or otherwise saying things which could suggest that it is not your place to kill them, it is. Anyone can, and should, try to destroy the antagonistic members of the Black Star Guild. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me. Tria, Atticus, and Laurante all may also have information. By Space and Fire, Ged ----- Greetings all, First, I want to thank Ged for the briefing. My only concern with the proposed plan was the uncertainty about the final Mage, and leader of the last team. I approached Ged and the other Mages about the issue, and after some discussion, decided to volunteer. As such, with the support and approval of the current four Mages, I will be stepping up to join them on the path, and lead the fifth team into the Black Star Guild fortress. It is my intention to assist Ged, and stop the Black Star Guild in their respective goals, to the best of my ability. I would see that Ged take the position of Councilor of Space and Fire, but primarily I would see that Rosetta cycles, and that no abomination takes the mantle and brings harm to Faerie or its Queen. Any concerns may be brought to the five of us on the path of the Mage. Thank you, Baledor ----- Dear Gryfinn, It is wonderful to see that you are planning to attend the gathering in which the Counselor of Space and Fire will be decided. I must admit I am surprised, I was under the impression you were much too busy. As you are coming, there are things I am certain you want to know. My Servant, Aven, has been filling the Library of Ivory with a great many stories, and I have finally written my records of what happened when I Séanced the Mysts of Forgetfulness, marking the beginning of my direct involvement in all of this. If you have the chance, I highly recommend reading over as much as you can. Beyond that, there is so much information that it is difficult to really give a full summary, and individual questions are easier to address. Please ask me what you are wondering, and I will answer you as possible. As a general overview for the event itself, here is some of what we know: We will be sent into the Mysts by an ex-Black Star Mage named Darian, who has seen Luna's light and is no longer working against us. If you are asked why you feel you should attend, he is the one questioning you, and determining whether he is willing to bring you. He is not terribly reasonable, and so you may have to negotiate some. Don't be afraid to bend the truth a little bit as necessary. He honestly believes that going out of hatred is a worthy reason, while going after loyal friendship is not. I hope to someday help him see what is wrong with this viewpoint, but for now, we have to work with it. We will be sent to the somewhat-repaired ruins of a Black Star stronghold deep in the Mysts, where my late good friend Kell was slain, and subsequently, Rosetta, Masks, and I brought a storm of vengeance. I believe that the stronghold is "close" to Rosetta's prison, as far as distances can be considered to exist in the Mysts, as Rosetta had a surprising amount of influence there. The adventurers who are present will all be on teams lead by a Mage, and during certain parts of our quest the teams will be separated, though their paths will interact with each other. My team may be blocked until Tria's team solves a puzzle, for example. It is appearing increasingly likely that Airavarri will not be attending this final challenge, and so instead of a Mage, another leader will have to be chosen. The details of that will be determined as soon as possible, though it may not truly be possible until the day of the challenge. As the teams encounter the puzzles, and fight the Black Stars and their minions, we should be given some of what we need to undo Rosetta's Prison. The blood of the Harkons who will be present, Tara Harkon and, surprisingly, my wife Tria (we discovered that she is a descendant of a different branch of the Harkon line), may be valuable, but also will be sought by the Black Star Guild, who will also be seeking to open Rosetta's prison and bind him. The Mages all seek to prevent the Black Star Guild from gaining control of the position, and Laurante and Tria are not attempting to take it themselves, though Tria would be willing if I fail. Atticus will support me, but also would be willing to take the position if the opportunity is there. I will be attempting to balance all of the forces in play, including the link between my soul and Rosetta's, and to allow myself to become the new Counselor of Space and Fire. Make no mistake about it, Rosetta will be Cycling. He has lived too long, in too much suffering, with too much wrong to his name, and has been too weakened by the Black Star Guild, to survive. I hope to allow him to Cycle cleanly and completely, so that he can begin to make up for the faerie karma of his life. Be warned, the most powerful members of the Black Star Guild are completely corrupted by eldritch horrors from beyond the stars. They will be highly dangerous opponents during our challenges. Finally, as you may have heard, the Black Star Guild's numbers are greatly reduced, both because of the Hammer sect leaving and becoming the Light Rangers, and due to a ritual spell which Tria, Valerie Hart, and myself performed, which taught the entire Black Star Guild the truth of their leader's ambitions. Many members abandoned the Guild, and some of those who we will find in the Mysts heard the Truth I spread, but could not leave. We must not compromise our safety, but, if we are able, we should spare them. This may help turn the tide of the final conflicts in our favor. Please ask for clarification and more information as you wish, and I will answer as I can. In Light, Ged ----- |
Created by Janna Oakfellow-Pushee
at 09-29-21 00:26 AM
Last Modified by Janna Oakfellow-Pushee at 09-29-21 00:31 AM
Last Modified by Janna Oakfellow-Pushee at 09-29-21 00:31 AM