Atheina

Atheina Wourthington
Status:	Dead
Guild:	Paladin
Race:	Elf
Gender:	Female
Associates:	Darius
Relatives:	Aodin (brother)

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Special Envoy Atheina Wourthington

Appeared during Sorrow times (late 2000) or before.

In or about 2003, Atheina was special envoy from the Baron's court sent to Zoluren to assist the Paladin Guild Leader, Darius, in the investigation of "the Gemstone Murders", so named for the gem left embedded in various dead bodies that turned up throughout Zoluren. It remains unclear if this mystery was ever resolved.

During this time, Atheina was romantically linked to Darius.

In the fall of 2006, she was murdered (walked) near Therenborough.

note 1

11/6/2003 Sir Darius and Lady Atheina from Theren were ordered to cease investigation of this case by the Prince. The subject was upsetting the gentry.

Additionally, the murderer was assumed to have fled the area as there had been no happenings of this in quite a while.

Player comments at the time

BYRONN Whoo! Paladins are finally getting a role in this roleplaying game. on 3/30/2003 9:21:08 PM 105

So it seems both Sir Darius and Special Envoy Atheina are investigating those mysterious bodies, which always seem to attract the undead. Finally, we're given some role other than a really big police officer like the Provincial Guard Amalach (though I do like his character.) We're still investigators, but we're supernatural investigators! This is a paladinly thing to do. Thanks to the event GM's for this. -Player of Landenwen.

Appearance

You see Special Envoy Atheina Wourthington, an Elf.
She has pointed ears and jade eyes. Her black hair is shoulder length and straight, and is worn tied back. She has tanned skin.
She is young for an Elf.
She is in good shape.

She is holding a golden bastard sword in her right hand.
She is wearing some reinforced gold gauntlets, a golden tower shield emblazoned with the crest of the Barony of Therengia, an exquisite golden rose, a jadeite gwethdesuan, a golden great helm with a horsehair crest, a long mesh weapon harness, a set of gold field plate armor emblazoned with the crest of the Barony of Therengia, some black leather riding boots, a large satchel and a translucent cambrinth sphere suspended from a heavy chiseled-gold chain.

log snippet

Atheina leans toward Darius to pick up one of the scrolls on his desk and accidentally brushes her hand against his. She pulls away quickly and makes busy work of cleaning her hilt.

log snippet

The gems in the head gave a rare type of nerve poison to those that touched them. Gems were a ruby, an aquamarine, and an emerald. Atheina said that they have asked an alchemist to study them further.

log snippet

For the note: Atheina says, "Well, the handwriting is the same, but it showed some well trained skill." Atheina says, "Someone who might be accustomed to preparing notes or documents." Atheina asks, "Well educated, perhaps?" Atheina says, "But I really venture guesses at this point."

post

  Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 22:48:14 EDT
  From: Theplotter@aol.com

Subject: The Gemstone Murders, a Summary

Greetings...

I present here the collected, but by necessity, slightly briefer texts of research I have been working on in regards to what we have collectively called the Gemstone Murders. The fuller texts of research will be available in the near future, my apologies.

The Gemstone Murders begin with the mound of decaying animal corpses near the Dark Abbey of the Dirge region.

Heralded by an invasion of Sun Vultures, Snaer Hafwas, and Scavenger Trolls, the mound was discovered near the bloodstained monolith near the aforementioned Dark Abbey. It is reported to have been an oddly shaped pile, and touching it gave one the most awful nerve poison. Those who were there saw it as if they were arranged in an almost ritualistic manner, making it hard to distinguish various animals in that grotesque array of decay. Some animals appeared to have been painstakingly sliced up, with others bore crude slashes along what remains of their limbs. A scroll, stained with blood, had been carefully laid atop the bodies.

Reading it gave this:

"Whither thou goest, I go. Behold the fire in my soul, for it weeps for thee."

Next was the corpse in Arthe Dale, its assistance discovered with the help of one Seamstress Claranna, whose role in these events is not yet understood.

This body appeared thusly to viewers... Despite being badly mutilated and significantly decayed, the body appears to have been laid out on the ground with careful attention. Its jawline and slightness belies a femininity to the figure, though the condition of the face makes it hard to be completely sure of its gender. Embedded into its forehead is a single, flawless ruby. Pinned to its tattered robe is a small scroll stained with dried blood.

This one read:

Aimless though I roam the ways, the final song you sing betrays;

But a little while later comes a Prydaen body, on the Northern Trade Route near Riverhaven:

A cursory glance at this corpse indicates that it is at an extremely advanced stage of decay. Shredded and drying fur barely covers the now exposed bones on the Prydaen's face. A deep gaping hole in the back of the head suggests the cause of death. Wrapped in a coarse cotton sheet and laid out with precise attention, the corpse holds in its bony left hand a crumpled scroll. Embedded in the empty right eye socket is a brilliant emerald.

Reading the scroll gave this:

Heart to mine you did confine, in endless smiles I drew a line;

And next, closer to the Crossing's Northeastern Gate, an Elf in utter ruin: The body's disfigured form has been laid on a simple cotton sheet, its hands positioned to rest over its chest in an apparent ceremonial fashion. While its specific features are too decayed to immediately identify it, the pointed ears and lithe form indicate it was an Elf. Its heart appears to have been ripped out of a grotesquely gaping hole in its chest. A small, tattered scroll is clenched in the body's right hand, while a small aquamarine gem has been embedded into what remains of its left eyebrow.

This scroll spoke so:

Your blood now weeps upon my brow, this pain you feel I do allow;

And finally, as far as corpses go...a Kaldar discovered in the Shrine of Ushnish:

The body appears carefully laid out on a sheet of bloodstained burlap. The body has decayed to the point that the stretched and drying skin is splitting to reveal the prominent bones underneath. Grotesque in its decomposition, the body is almost unrecognizable, although its general size and physique suggests a Kaldaran male. A huge chunk of onyx has been embedded into one outstretched palm and a tattered scroll has been inserted between the fingers of its other hand.

This scroll had the image of a unicorn imprinted upon it, although we are not sure of any markings upon other scrolls:

Sleep ever more upon this grave, a pure soul now does help me pray.

Furthermore, there have been two lines to this morbid poem that were discovered without murder. The first of these two came to me personally one evening shortly after I had awoken. It was pressed into my hand by a person whom I never saw, only heard from their swish of robes.

It read thusly, this small, bloodstained parchment scroll:

"First to tumble gives me leave, thoughtful now you stare at me;"

The other was discovered a few days later, written --more like scratched-- upon a marker that was placed in the Town Green of Crossing. It read:

"My hands caress to take your shame; The taint will fade as will your pain."

While the Guild Leader of the Paladins, Darius, and a Special Envoy Athiana from Therengia have been hard upon the case. Shortly after they began to step up their investigation, the Bard Ailyssa fell to murder by foul means when she was alone in Arthe Dale. While no scroll was left, and we cannot be completely sure it was related, I feel it certainly was. What it means, we cannot yet know.

After this event, all was quiet for a time.

There have been more murders, recently to the time I write this, five all told. Of them, two, curiously, bear duplicate verses, though the rest of the situations seem to differ.

The first, to my knowledge, is a young Human by the name of Sharkran. Sworn to the the service of the Clerics in the city of Zoluren, Sharkran responded to a voice from the shadows that asked for his help. When he stepped to the courtyard, it asked him about sin, about help. When Sharkran replied, the voice slew him, speaking of how the death was meant to help Sharkran.

The Cleric suffered terrible injuries, particularly to the throat and the eyes. Aid did come to him swiftly. In the wake was left the usual verse, and this time, a chunk of onyx.

" Bounty now before Thee see, Hasty dost Thou turn to me"

Just the next full eve or so later, while we explained the tale of Sharkran to Guild Leader Darius, we saw poor Yesp, a halfing Warrior Mage, fall at the NorthEastern Gate. Yesp suffered similar injuries, and it appears that it may have partially come about by the possible notion that the killer had been using the Temple tunnels to get around.

Tthe gentleman, Yesp, now having easily the worst night of his month, fell with a medium star ruby in his hand and this verse...

Quicken'd as the moth to flame, Fasten'd as they feel no shame

Unusually, over the following few eves, these two lines (Sharkran and Yesp's, respectively) were to be repeated. The first in the posession of a Prydaen Empath who also bore a black pearl, and a Gnome Trader, who was left with a piece of platinum-laced granite.

To our latest development, only perhaps two nights past as I write this, the Lady Margrethe, love struck, found herself death struck by our malicious little 'helper'. It was a night where the local, well esteemed Bard Dreamheart was practising in the shop of the Bard, while the Lady Margrethe, disconsolate, bemoaned the tragedy of the man that she loved, who loved another. Margrethe, another Bard, spoke often desperately of the love she bore for a Cialen, a fellow who was both beloved to another and had been meant to present himself to Vorclaf, but had not done so.

Of course, there was one willing to help her past her love, a love this one deemed harmful and obsessive, reminscent of the sin 'lust'. The killer spoke to her from the shadows, of the lust upon her breast, and it seems as if he would have struck right then, if not for the timely arrival of Dreamheart and others. I also arrived at the scene, and we spent some time discussing the worst of the situation.

When it was explained to the Lady why it seemed she had been targetted, she seemed quite upset that someone would mistake her perfect love for this Cialen as an obsession driven by lust. Angry, she left, and was of course promptly stricken by the killer.

Her stone was a small star ruby, and this line was hence given:

Blindly dost thou seek the source, Get thee hence without recourse

She is healed now, and has gone to discuss the matter more deeply with Special Envoy Atheina,.

Atheina, it should be noted, seems to believe in a corollary between the colors of the gemstones left behind, and the solution to our puzzle. Right now, one true clue remains. A reference the killer left behind, a remark that he (I use the term 'he' advisedly) worships at a dark shrine in the wilderness. While the Abbey near Kaerna has been searched, nothing yet has been found.

ADDENDUM:

Stones found so far:

single flawless ruby brilliant emerald small aquamarine gem huge chunk of onyx chunk of black onyx Medium star ruby black pearl chunk of platinum laced granite small star ruby

I will now present a terribly, terribly rough listing of all song lines, what murder was associated with them, gem, color, and any other relevent information. Please do correct where necessary.

"Whither thou goest, I go;

Behold the fire in my soul, for it weeps for thee

NONE-diseased animal pile left at the bloodstained altar near the Abbey.

Aimless though I roam the ways, the final song you sing betrays

(red) ruby -no gender or race determined.

Heart to mine you did confine, in endless smiles I drew a line

(green) emerald- Prydaen, wound to the back of the head, male.

Your blood now weeps upon my brow, this pain you feel I do allow

(blue) aquamarine- Elf- Possibly heart taken. Extensive chest damage.

Sleep ever more upon this grave, a pure soul now does help me pray."

(black) huge chunk of onyx- Kaldar male, unicorn mark on the scroll itself

"First to tumble gives me leave, thoughtful now you stare at me

NONE -scroll handed to me personally, only trace was the sound of swishing robes.

My hands caress to take your shame, The taint will fade as will your pain.

NONE- Marker in TG

Ailyssa-possible abortive murder attempt in Arthe Dale, after a meeting with Atheina and Darius. No scroll or gem left.

Bounty now before Thee see, Hasty dost Thou turn to me

(Black, Black)chunk of black onyx, Sharkran, Cleric-Human? -And Empath Prydaen-black pearl

Quicken'd as the moth to flame, Fasten'd as they feel no shame"

(Red, Platinum Granite) red ruby Yesp, Warrior Mage, similar wounds to Sharkran. Halfling Gnome trader-platinum laced granite

Blindly dost thou seek the source, Get thee hence without recourse (red) Human female bard (Margrethe). Ruby.

Regards,

 Khaman Vairson

post

 Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2003 23:11:18 -0000
  From: "diuranlaighis" <al2an@mindspring.com>

Subject: Scrolls and Bodies

I've noticed your listing of the undead invasions associated with the arranged bodies and scrolls isn't complete. I've died during most of the invasions and here's the list:

Scrolls found with bodies:

Whither thou goest, I go. Behold the fire in my soul, for it weeps for thee; Aimless though I roam the ways, the final song you sing betrays; Heart to mine you did confine, in endless smiles I drew a line; Your blood now weeps upon my brow, this pain you feel I do allow; Sleep ever more upon this grave, a pure soul now does help me pray.

Now Philosopher Khaman Iliovarish Vairson scroll: "First to tumble gives me leave, thoughtful now you stare at me;"

Animals: Arranged in an almost ritualistic manner, it is hard to distinguish the various animals in this grotesque array of decay. Some animals appear to have been painstakingly sliced up, while others bear crude slashes along what remains of their limbs. A scroll, stained with blood, has been carefully laid on top of the bodies.

Arthe dale body : Despite being badly mutilated and significantly decayed, the body appears to have been laid out on the ground with careful attention. Its jawline and slightness belies a femininity to the figure, though the condition of the face makes it hard to be completely sure of its gender. Embedded into its forehead is a single, flawless ruby. Pinned to its tattered robe is a small scroll stained with dried blood.

Prydaen body (NTR closer to Ferry): A cursory glance at this corpse indicates that it is at an extremely advanced stage of decay. Shredded and drying fur barely covers the now exposed bones on the Prydaen's face. A deep gaping hole in the back of the head suggests the cause of death. Wrapped in a coarse cotton sheet and laid out with precise attention, the corpse holds in its bony left hand a crumpled scroll. Embedded in the empty right eye socket is a brilliant emerald."

Elven body (NTR near Crossing NE gate): The body's disfigured form has been laid on a simple cotton sheet, its hands positioned to rest over its chest in an apparent ceremonial fashion. While its specific features are too decayed to immediately identify it, the pointed ears and lithe form indicate it was an Elf. Its heart appears to have been ripped out of a grotesquely gaping hole in its chest. A small, tattered scroll is clenched in the body's right hand, while a small aquamarine gem has been embedded into what remains of its left eyebrow

Kaldar body (Crossing Ushnish Shrine, near West gate): The body appears carefully laid out on a sheet of bloodstained burlap. The body has decayed to the point that the stretched and drying skin is splitting to reveal the prominent bones underneath. Grotesque in its decomposition, the body is almost unrecognizable, although its general size and physique suggests a Kaldaran male. A huge chunk of onyx has been embedded into one outstretched palm and a tattered scroll has been inserted between the fingers of its other hand.

Kaldar scroll had a unicorn symbol on it, not sure about other scrolls.

Piece of parchment that fell from Kaldar body when removed: "The gods support my humble offerings with an onslaught of their mightiest foes. Wander not into that which you do not comprehend."

Message received by Wordachy (presumably from Everild? Much pain when receiving message... days after Elven body found, week plus before Kaldar body found):

"thy shall walk the realms unconcious.... see nothing but pain... hear nothing but crys... speck nothing but Evil... thy shall see the dead fall....... and the weak moan... undead shall appear

Gems seem to all be poisoned as well. Special Envoy Atheina is staying as guest of Lord Darius.

post

Date: 3/21/2003 7:35:12 PM From: CANDIDUS Subj: Invasion and Decaying Animal Bodies Well I was heading to Leth to get more Origami paper about 10-11 pm cst last night, when I started hearing folks saying they were seeing vultures in rock trolls.

Well my first thought was that a bit too much ale had been passed around. So I went on my way to get paper and returned back to Crossing.

About the time I got on the ferry it was confirmed. There were indeed Vultures - Sun Vultures. Invading on the NTR from Kaerna up to about Reavers. Not only the vultures, but they had brought friends: Scavenger trolls and Snaer Hafwa.

Well the clerics needed someone at their guild to glyph so I headed there for a while, hoping the invasion was handled. Along towards the end of it, folks started gwething about some strange things they were seeing. So I headed on up there to witness it personally.

All kinds of folks were gathered at this location:

>[Northern Trade Road, Forest Clearing] The grass is flourishing here despite the apparent blight of the rest of the wood. Facing east beside the road is a squat stone monolith with an indentation in its top. Some carvings adorn its polished gray surface, and an odd rust-colored residue stains it. You also see a plain origami dragon, a short-haired cat who appears rather calm, a cup of lemon tea, a basin, a sturdy red backpack, a black panther who appears rather calm, an unevenly sharpened cutlass, a ghostly white banner, and an oddly arranged pile of decaying animal bodies.

Just as an interesting note - this is just one southerly of the Corpse that leads to the Dark Abbey area.

This pile of decaying animals when touched would give a person a severe nerve poison. The pile looked like this:

Arranged in an almost ritualistic manner, it is hard to distinguish the various animals in this grotesque array of decay. Some animals appear to have been painstakingly sliced up, while others bear crude slashes along what remains of their limbs. A scroll, stained with blood, has been carefully laid on top of the bodies.

A stained scroll reads: "Whither thou goest, I go. Behold the fire in my soul, for it weeps for thee."

I can not recall if the monolith in this room has always been there or not. So I looked at it as well:

Carved of a single piece of granite, the indent at the top of the monolith is dusted with a red powdery substance. The carvings appear to pay homage to a god, but you're not quite sure which one. Glancing at the powder, and its remarkable resemblance to dried blood, you don't think you'd like to know.

Well after about 10 more minutes after I had arrived, we all saw this:

Some workers from nearby Dirge trundle in and barely conceal horrified expressions as they move to clean up the animals that lay strewn on the ground. As one moves what looks like a mulilated sheep onto a cart, he winces in agony as a painful poison appears to overcome him. The workers hurry up to complete their task and push the cart off. You hear mutterings of "investigation" and "like the last ones we saw" as they wander off.

Searches of Dirge did not yield any additional knowledge.

So that is how it stands with this to date.

Enjoy,

Candidus

post

Date: 3/23/2003 8:14:30 PM From: MAELDUIN42 Subj: Body in Arthe Dale and skeleton invasion Despite being badly mutilated and significantly decayed, the body appears to have been laid out on the ground with careful attention. Its jawline and slightness belies a femininity to the figure, though the condition of the face makes it hard to be completely sure of its gender. Embedded into its forehead is a single, flawless ruby. Pinned to its tattered robe is a small scroll stained with dried blood.

read scroll

<<Aimless though I roam the ways, the final song you sing betrays;

Previously, stack of animal bodies were found with this note: <<Whither thou goest, I go. Behold the fire in my soul, for it weeps for thee.

have there been other messages?

post

Date: 3/28/2003 5:38:56 PM From: MAELDUIN42 Subj: Bodies and Scrolls... third scroll Whither thou goest, I go. Behold the fire in my soul, for it weeps for thee. Aimless though I roam the ways, the final song you sing betrays; Heart to mine you did confine, in endless smiles I drew a line;

from the first post:

<<Some workers from nearby Dirge trundle in and barely conceal horrified expressions as they move to clean up the animals that lay strewn on the ground. As one moves what looks like a mulilated sheep onto a cart, he winces in agony as a painful poison appears to overcome him. The workers hurry up to complete their task and push the cart off. You hear mutterings of "investigation" and "like the last ones we saw" as they wander off.>>

So...anyone know about the "last ones"? For that matter has someone seen a dead body and scroll not mentioned yet?

post

4th undead invasion on 3/30/2003
MAELDUIN42
Whither thou goest, I go. Behold the fire in my soul, for it weeps for thee. Aimless though I roam the ways, the final song you sing betrays; Heart to mine you did confine, in endless smiles I drew a line;Your blood now weeps upon my brow, this pain you feel I do allow;

Pile of animals: <<do not have description>>

Arthe dale body : Despite being badly mutilated and significantly decayed, the body appears to have been laid out on the ground with careful attention. Its jawline and slightness belies a femininity to the figure, though the condition of the face makes it hard to be completely sure of its gender. Embedded into its forehead is a single, flawless ruby. Pinned to its tattered robe is a small scroll stained with dried blood.

Prydaen body: A cursory glance at this corpse indicates that it is at an extremely advanced stage of decay. Shredded and drying fur barely covers the now exposed bones on the Prydaen's face. A deep gaping hole in the back of the head suggests the cause of death. Wrapped in a coarse cotton sheet and laid out with precise attention, the corpse holds in its bony left hand a crumpled scroll. Embedded in the empty right eye socket is a brilliant emerald."

Elven body: The body's disfigured form has been laid on a simple cotton sheet, its hands positioned to rest over its chest in an apparent ceremonial fashion. While its specific features are too decayed to immediately identify it, the pointed ears and lithe form indicate it was an Elf. Its heart appears to have been ripped out of a grotesquely gaping hole in its chest. A small, tattered scroll is clenched in the body's right hand, while a small aquamarine gem has been embedded into what remains of its left eyebrow.

Wondering if the gems have any connection, or can provide any clue. About the time the bodies are found, there is an invasion of lesser and greater skeletons and hafwas.

Some mentioned the second line could have forshadowed the death of a Prydaen <<Aimless though I roam the ways, the final song you sing betrays>> by relating to their travels and death song.

The third line may have foreshadowed the death of an Elf <<Heart to mine you did confine, in endless smiles I drew a line;>> by relating to the heart that was missing from the body and endless smiles as ageless elves.

Fourth line seems to forshadow an Empath will be the next victim.

In my opinion: I get the feeling it is a personal message meant for only 1 or two. First line meaning my revenge will follow you, second and third lines seem to refer to a betrayal and patronizing that insulted, followed by the fourth line that says your blood is spilt and I am causing your pain.

I personally hate trying to interpret any form of poetry as all interpretations depend upon the knowledge and experiences of the reader...only the author really knows the true message. <be>