The First Land Herald/450-09-05

Article Number: 119

Dateline: 450-09-05

THE RETURN OF THE STARS At the end of the freeing of Knife Clan (see FLH article from 450-06-10), we left you, dear readers, with the stars vanished and three Heralds looming in the skies above. Since then, Miraena returned to her village to be with her family, and Asildu appeared in the Crossing in a transformed state. No longer resembling a human, he had a misshapen crag of a face, twisted with thick vines that covered barely-visible moss-green eyes. His nose was twisted and covered by spindly fibrous roots. A wreath of shoulder-length tangled overgrowth covered his head. His skin was encased in a tangle of twigs, vines, and moss that clung to rough-hewn stone features. I spent the majority of the conflict in a combat group led by Unaka, but received the following details about the encounter from Ezerak: Asildu spoke briefly with a few adventurers before Saragos arrived, demanding the return of his wife, Navesi. When Asildu refused, Saragos began attacking him. Defiant, Asildu summoned a company of drakes and vanished in dramatic fashion. He raised his arms, the motion generating a powerful thrum of energy that caused the earth around him to quake. As the tremors intensified, the ground eventually broke with the emergence of several whip-like vines that reached toward the sky, their sinuous tendrils writhing and twisting to encase Asildu within. They held him for a pulse, pausing in their movement for only a moment before slowly starting to recede, leaving no trace of Asildu - or the vines - behind. The confrontation continued like this with Asildu reappearing briefly, getting attacked by adventurers, and then running away again while drakes continued to rampage around the Crossing. Ezerak eventually managed to deal a fatal blow, Asildu came back to life immediately, and then Saragos struck him down once more. After the second death, writhing tendrils of whip-like vines and malleable stone encased Asildu's corpse in a natural cocoon. After a moment, the tangled mass flashed with a golden light before sinking back into the ground, leaving onlookers certain there was something there a moment ago, though they could not recall what previously occupied the space. Ezerak spoke candidly about the encounter and the resulting deaths. "Asildu is now the monster that we made him, and I could not abide the threats he made against Lady Ayrell and the others," he said. After Asildu departed, we spent some time finishing off the drakes and securing the Crossing. Unaka commended our efforts and retired to rest and refuel. With the disturbing transformation of Asildu still on our minds, we went our separate ways. ~ The Shifting Skies ~ In the following days, intrepid observers noticed a subtle movement in the sky. Flitting across the horizon, the elusive body appeared as little more than an inky black blur of motion keeping out of view of the looming Heralds. A slight trail of smoke billowed in its wake, and I was left with the impression that it was growing. I could not be certain, but there was something familiar and comforting about this entity. Several days later, the subtle movement appeared to be a weaving scorpion. Darting out of view, hiding below the horizon or behind the looming heralds, the scorpion appeared to hover just at the edge of my sight, visible by an oily streak of inky black smoke in my peripheral glance. I was left with the impression that it was preparing something. Weeks after that, the weaving scorpion stood half as tall as the looming Heralds. It continued to dart from side to side, skirting behind their massive forms. Working its claws and tail against the backdrop of the sky as if preparing something, the scorpion weaved around the horizon disappearing and reappearing in new locations. Inky black smoke trailed its every movement, and a field of faint stars dripped from its wicked stinger. At the same time, the sight of approaching champions appeared in the sky as well. Miniscule on the horizon and visible from every direction, a host of thirty eight Men and Women clad for battle slowly approached from the distance. They bore silver weapons, trailed faint stars, and strode with purpose, grim determination evident in Their every step. ~ Liraxes' Calculations ~ Several days after that, Liraxes appeared at its machine outside the west gate and spoke with adventurers about its observations of the activities happening in the skies. Liraxes said that it was not clear exactly what actions the Immortals would take to stop the Heralds but suggested that when it happened we should meet near Arhat's Tower. "Based on observation of the area, Liraxes concludes that the captives are still technically in the vicinity of Arhat's Tower, depending on perspective," Liraxes said. "Liraxes suggests that those interested in rescuing them be ready to act in that vicinity when the Immortals next make a move." ~ The Rescue ~ A few days after Liraxes' visit, we noticed something happening in the sky. Far above, the scorpion seemed to be doing something. It dashed forward, its tail rearing upward as if poised to strike. The skies twisted madly, and the Heralds glanced from side to side in confusion. The scorpion vanished into a cloud of smoke which evaporated into nothingness. It seemed to vanish entirely, and suddenly appeared on the opposite side of the horizon, rushing forward. The scorpion darted back and forth, and suddenly its tail lashed forward, the curved stinger disappearing as it sank into something unseen. Rivulets of energy coursed outward from the stinger in gossamer thin strands, radiating across the skies, illuminating a complex network that blanketed the heavens. A thick bundle flared erratically, winding its way down to Arhat's Tower in the Crossing. The scorpion batted at something unseen with its pinchers, holding its stinger firmly in place. The gossamer bundle coursed with starry venom, shot through with vibrating black specks. As the venom neared Arhat's Tower, it took on a golden haze. I was inside Arhat's Tower, along with a large group of adventurers, including Unaka. As we waited to see what would happen next, a golden haze began to suffuse from above, and the air was filled with a stinging scent and jittering black specks. The stone began to shake, expanding and contracting wildly. The golden haze coalesced into snapping tendrils, which lashed against the stone. The stone exploded into a ring of debris, through which I could see nothing. Small pebbles and shards of stone floated lazily in a circular portal, the surface of which was a thick golden haze. The ring pulsated oddly, and the golden haze whipped into tendrils that raced into the opening. I was certain that we should head in. ~ The Null Hallway ~ Through the portal, we found ourselves in a null hallway of sorts in an unknown place. This endless expanse of nothingness radiated with overpowering magical energy, oddly manifesting as a disorienting corridor. There was no sense of direction, beyond a loose notion of ahead and behind, though every step in either direction afforded a complete lack of sense of having moved. An oppressive emptiness swirled around me, the ground an immaterial force, the air thin and hollow. Stretching in a staggeringly long line, countless individuals sat cross-legged, staring ahead blankly. A thin gossamer filament visibly connected to the base of each of their necks, disappearing into the ground nearby. The filaments twitched occasionally as they pulsated with light. We soon found ourselves once again in battle with a heraldic unit of pristine and immaculate drakes. Suddenly, Saragos' eyes went wide, and without a moment's hesitation he sprinted forward. After covering a short distance, he vanished without a trace. Anuril, Ezerak, and Vaerek soon followed, disappearing one by one. There was a golden hole formed in the space surrounding the area. Rent in the magical fabric sustaining the Null Prison during the raging battle in the skies, the hole slowly spread as a multitude of tiny black flecks expanded outward from its center. The flecks moved without clear direction, as if they were a swarm of small beings independently consuming the material holding this space together. Studying it, we realized that Urrem'tier was using it to force sorcerous corruption into this space and that we could pray to invite the Immortals to focus energy to help expand it. Using all of my will, I prayed that Urrem'tier would widen the hole. My prayer appeared effective: for a moment, the black specks surrounding the hole seemed more directed, expanding directly outward to consume more of the barrier that protected the space, and the hole widened slightly. As we continued to pray, the prison itself retaliated, lashing out with gossamer tendrils formed from the very existence of the prison, causing neck injuries and death. But through our efforts the hole became a rip, then a tear, and then a void. With each transformation, we felt a staggering impact shake the Null Prison and the area around the object lost integrity and fell into jagged tatters, allowing the black specks to expand. In the middle of the fight, Ezerak reappeared in a brilliant flash, carrying an unconscious, but unharmed Ayrell in his arms. A flash of radiant light emitted from Ayrell's unconscious form, rushing along through the exit, leaving Ezerak standing alone, momentarily bewildered. One by one, Anuril appeared carrying Mazrian, Saragos appeared carrying Navesi, and Vaerek appeared carrying Miskton. After confirming that the hostages were out of the prison, we quickly dispatched the last of the drakes, and the golden haze began to diffuse out of the stone ring. I sensed that the portal would be closing soon and we should leave. Almost immediately after we exited, the stone ring collapsed into a pile of rubble. Four streaks of golden light blazed arced across the sky, heading in each of the cardinal directions and bending below the distant horizon. It seemed the search for the four missing people was not yet over. They had been deposited in different places throughout Elanthia. With the help of Warrior Mage familiars and Moon Mage locates, we managed to uncover some leads. Middler located Miskton near Boar Clan and transported his unresponsive body back to Arhat's Tower with us. He had the same mysterious brand of concentric circles on the back of his neck that Dantia bore, the imprinted flesh unnaturally opalescent, with thin, threadlike lines flowing around the outermost ring, composing the fluid symbols of an esoteric script. Miskton blinked and seemed overwhelmed by the noise and conversation of the large group of people gathered there. Like Dantia, he lacked all concept of time and was surprised to find he had been gone for a year, but said that he needed to go someplace a little quiet and something to eat while he got his head on straight. I gave him a pastry that I had baked for him and, along with Tirost and Aerilia, escorted him to the Half Pint Inn with promises to help if he needed anything further. ~ Back at Arhat's Tower ~ Ayrell was there when we returned to Arhat's. She had been located by familiars in a quiet grove in the Muspar'i palace grounds but wobbled as if in a daze out onto the Street of Potters, where she was discovered by Imroth, then moments later, a search party including Ezerak, Ruea, and others. She soon departed with Ezerak to go back to her home to rest in Shard. We received note that Navesi had been found in the Frostweaver's Den and that she was now safe with Saragos. As for Mazrian, though he was never recovered, knowledge of his strength and resilience led us to believe he is faring well. ~ Anuril's Story ~ After ensuring the safety of our friends, I turned to Anuril to hear his account within the Null Prison. He recounted that, following our journey through the stones, he sensed Mazrian's presence nearby and pursued this feeling. Lost in the labyrinthine corridors alongside Ezerak, Saragos, and Vaerek, he described the prison as a disorienting place where intention, rather than physical space, guided one's path. Eventually, they discovered a filament in the ground. Upon touching it, they gained a sense of direction. Anuril found Mazrian alone in a cell, conscious but unresponsive, with a filament connected to the back of his neck. Despite persistent efforts, including both conversation and increasingly forceful jostling, Anuril was unable to rouse Mazrian, so he eventually severed the filament with a blade. Even after severing the filament, Mazrian remained immobile. Anuril, aided by a mysterious golden light, carried Mazrian out of the prison. The light seemed to bear Mazrian out of the exit, allowing Anuril to regroup with the other fighters. "I fulfilled my duty to Mazrian," Anuril said. "But I do not agree with or support the Immortals' aggression against the Heralds, who lived here in splendor before their arrival. Peace is sacrificed on the altar of selfishness, by sorcerers and zealots." Ezerak, however, had a different perspective. "I would like to thank everyone who helped make the safe return of Lady Ayrell possible. She is home and recovering from her ordeal," he said, his voice filled with relief and determination. "Our job is not yet finished. The Heralds must be defeated, the balance restored, and any other prisoners they still have in that null space freed." "She's back. They're back. That's what matters right now," Saragos said, speaking of his wife Navesi. "When the Immortals are ready, we must move with them to destroy the beings that took her so that none have to experience this again." The rescue of our missing companions marks a significant victory. And for the staff of the First Land Herald, we share Saragos' joy in welcoming back our esteemed editor, Navesi. She has endured a harrowing ordeal, and I am sure she will share her story in due time, when she is ready to do so. The stars, once stolen from us, were restored at last to illuminate the night sky. As for the enigmatic Urrem'tier, the scorpion in the sky now moves sluggishly, and seems to be crouching lower, as if hiding. He played a pivotal role in this cosmic struggle and now appeared to be recuperating. While many questions remain unanswered, the future holds promise. With our friends reunited and the immediate threat of the Heralds temporarily subdued, we turn our gaze towards the horizon, ready to face whatever challenges may lie ahead. The experience was proof that even the smallest of us can stand against the greatest of foes. And with our friends back and our numbers replenished, I'd take our chances against anyone. The future is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the adventure is far from over. Together, Illiya Assistant Reporter of the First Land Herald

Real Date: Unknown Date

Subject(s): Wild Magic

Author(s): Illiya