The First Land Herald/437-09-01

Article Number: 54

Dateline: 437-09-01

EMERALD TEMPLAR ATTENDS VISION MEETING ILITHI I received a report from Lasaia that at the recent Visions meeting in Shard, hosted by Visionist Miskton, two visitors of note were in attendance. The first was an Emerald Templar named Geshia Falasturi, an Elven Paladin who serves at the Dark Hand. The second was Ankoere Valdish, the brother of the late Dehvra, a Trader gruesomely executed for violating the terms of the pact with the Arbiter (see the First Land Herald story from 428-08-02). Miskton shared a disturbing description with the group: “A man dressed in fine silk robes and expensive jewelry stood in the center of an immaculately manicured courtyard. Spectacular flowers blossomed under the starlight, a fountain burbled peacefully, and brilliant red and white koi lazily swam back and forth. The man produced a clear tessera, which began to unfurl. The man paused a moment, listening to the tessera, and nodded in acceptance. The tessera briefly chimed and the man gasped in surprise. Eyes wide, he gazed at the night sky, his pupils shrinking to pinpoints, and his body began to glow with starlight. After some time, the night sky began to soften, the dull grey of dawn peeking over the horizon. The man squinted, and recoiled in pain, his skin beginning to burn. He quickly ran inside, and the vision faded.” The vivid description of this vision led to talks between Ankoere, Lasaia, and others of the crystalline implants which Traders have the option to receive, somehow enhancing their connection to the starlight while enriching certain spells and abilities. Further discussion turned to the boundaries of the contract and whether the guild members would be able to research to discover more about this vision, and if they even had enough control over their powers to do anything about it. Visionist Miskton moved onto the other visions such as recent happenings in the islands and the Zengmodaleth, most of which have already transpired. The final ominous visions appeared to involve activity in the Dark Hand south of Shard. Geshia spoke up after Miskton relayed the following: He found himself walking in a humid swamp, the scent of rot and decay a choking miasma. The sounds of wild animals could be heard all around him, a chorus of hooting and growling, but he could not see signs of any life larger than stinging insects and the occasional ripples across the water. Far behind him, a large wall could be seen, torches dotting the ramparts at regular intervals. He continued into the wilds. After some time, he came to a somewhat elevated clearing with a single tent staked into the muddy ground. Though the canvas was torn, the remains still stood. Loud snorting and muttering could be heard from within, and as he peered into the rent fabric, he saw a half-naked figure covered in mud carving ordered lines into its arm and shoulder with a rusty knife. Chanting in guttural gibberish, the figure giggled and cried and shouted at the unseen. Suddenly wheeling around, the figure saw him watching, and with a yowl of anger rushed forward. The vision faded. And another: He found himself walking along the ramparts of a large wall, the dark night covering a trackless, swampy forest of rot and twisted trees spanning to the south. Periodic torches betrayed the presence of siege engines, thick timbered ballistae and trebuchets built into the stone, well provisioned with iron-tipped bolts half a dozen spans in length and oiled clay boulders. The sounds of wild animals could be heard in the distance until a chorus of hooting and growling was suddenly choked off. Beyond the marsh to the south, a series of fires flashed to light and arced wildly upward, soaring into the sky in brilliant streaks, and screaming as they began to drop toward him. As they flew, they fragmented and pummeled the wall around me to little effect. Looking down, he realized the flaming projectiles were the severed heads of woodland beasts, flesh burnt and peeled back around blackened teeth. More fires lit in the distance, and the vision faded. Geshia informed Miskton their Commander had received his message about the visions and agreed the area described does sound similar to the Dark Hand. Geshia added that while the battle is always endless, “there had been recent surges of activity. Sounds. Movement. And attacks at times of course." Geshia assured Miskton his forewarning was appreciated, and should the visions be true that if an unusual assault at the wall is imminent, she would appreciate the call to arms to aid the Emerald Knights. Sincerely, Shaylynne Kendialahle Reporter of the First Land Herald

Real Date: 04/06/21

Subject(s): Ankoere Arbiter in Darkness Corik's Wall Dark Hand Dehvra Geshia Ilithi Shard Zengmodaleth

Author(s): Shaylynne