Dimitri~
Sitting in quiet contemplation in the late afternoon, preparing silently for the evening prayer, Dimitri’s contemplation is disturbed as the doors to the abbey are opened. Visitors to the Abbey had been rare until he had been made the Abbot. It had been an honor, but now it seemed that if the local villagers had the simplest of problems they came to him for a resolution.
It wasn’t that he really minded, settling disputes between two farmers was far easier than slaying demons on the Western Frontier, but he worried that they had become to dependent on him. His exploits had earned him the reputation as being a wise and powerful man, not in little part to Sorin Silvertongue, a bard who had traveled with him for a time. When Sorin had decided to hang up his rapier he had written several songs telling the stories of their exploits. He tended to embellish more than slightly, but despite protest to the contrary Dimitri’s reputation had grown past even his mighty skills.
Dimitri had looked forward to a quiet retirement in his Abbey, but it seemed that the villagers now needed “Dimitri the Wise” to settle every dispute between them. As if on que there came a knock at his door.
Entering into the room was Brother Taliln, leading a boy, the son of the local Ostler, Taemin the Younger if Dimitri recalled correctly. Before Brother Taliln could explain what was happening young Taemin lurched forward grabbing Dimitri’s hand looking up at him with a tear stained face.
“Please you gotta help Reynni, sir. The Ghouls got him! You gotta come now, please.”
Ata, Glangim, Shifter~
The dwarves in the temple do their best to pretend they haven’t notice Glangim’s intrusion on the temple. Before Glangim can explode once more at them, a voice from the behind one of the massive pillars supporting the cavernous roof speaks.
“Lad, this is a holy place. If you are gunna be a shoutin’ in here, it better be in the praises of Moradin.” Morda, one of the high priestess of the Soul Forger steps out from behind a pillar. Her hair had long ago gone grey, her face lined with years of service to the temple, but her eyes were still sharp as was her tongue. “I have your answers for ye, as much as I hate to be the one deliverin’ them. Come, let’s talk outside of the earshot of Moradin.” She says indicating the titanic statue at the end of the hall. “He doesn’t need to hear our belly-achin’”
Ata and Shifter arrive at the Temple of Moradin as Modra is leading Glangim back to the temple offices. She catches their eyes and after a disapproving scowl she signals them to come with them. In the offices she sits behind the desk.
“Two days past Derrick Stonesplitter spent his last breath. He now serves Moradin in the Dwarfhome.” It was odd to hear Derrick’s clan name. Priests of Moradin traditionally surrendered their clan when they joined the priesthood. This was to more faithfully serve Moradin without prejudice. But once his service in the world had passed, his clan once again claimed him.
“I am sorry Lad, I know he was close to your heart.” Modra speaks sympathetically. “I knew you were close to his. The night before he died, he gave me this for ye.” She reaches in and produces a sealed letter.
The letter reads:
I am sorry I could not wait for you, Moradin was calling me home. I am sorry I shall not be there to see you sit on the throne, but apparently that was not for me to see. I always hated goodbyes, to I will just say that you have had found place for you in my heart. I would ask one more thing of you: That you join my clan in carrying my body down to rest with the bones of the earth and you carry you hammer with you.
(The bones of the earth is the deep tomb where important dwarves are laid to rest. It is not uncommon for someone to ask a close friend to help their clan to help carry their body, it is generally considered an honor, but only a king is permitted to go armed. If you follow his request you would be declaring yourself king.)
Tares Hehrog~
The morning brings a light drizzle which makes the brief journey to Aerya’s chambers damp and uncomfortable. Arriving there a few minutes before sunrise, Aerya conspiratorially rolls her eyes looking at her mother whom seems anxious.
“Hurry, there is little time.” She extends her hand for Tares to take.
She intones a spell of Greater Teleport and you find yourself translocated to the north. Tares places his hand on the delicate railing on the balcony on which he now stands to steady himself. Usually teleportation does not disorient him so much, it probably has something to do with the protection of the First Oak.
“Behold the glory of Evoreal!” Elusriel says, she seems girlish in her enthusiasm, a stark contrast to what he had seen the previous night. Tares turn to look at what she is talking about.
The balcony faces east and already the sky is filled with the orange, reds and pinks of the coming dawn. He can make out the dark canopy of trees beneath them, spreading to the horizons. The night noises quiet, anticipating the arrival of dawn. The entire forest seems to hold it’s breath as the sun makes it’s appearance.
“Mohdr ne Sualtha” Elusriel says in quietly. The moment is spectacularly beautiful, as the sun kisses the forest with light and warmth. The moment passes as the day has begun and Tares releases the breath he hadn’t even realize he had been holding.
“That is the way everyone should first see Evoreal.” She says smiling.
Taking stock of Tares’s surroundings, he is standing on a high balcony that seems to be on a incredible large tree, towering several times higher than it’s nearest competitor. Presumably the tree is one of the great Elven Oaks, which according to legend, had been brought from the “Far West” which was the elven version of heaven.
Elusriel reaches down and takes off her slippers. She reaches up and touches the tree, with a strange smile on her face, “Saehdrin welcomes you ArchSorcerer. He wishes you success in your venture here. Come, I am sure you are anxious to get started.”
The bark of the tree parts revealing a living passage into the tree. The dark wood is smooth and seems to be varnished. It descends quickly into the tree. There are numerous passage that intersect the passage and it would be quite easy to get lost here. Your darkvision comes in usefully, for while the place is dimly lit from some unknown source, it is hard to see beyond a few feet with normal sight.
Finally they arrive at a room with a large table, which is well lit through several windows. Books line the shelves innumerable shelves.
“I will send Cerren to you, he can help you find what you need. I have a few matters I must attend to, but I would be honored if you would join me for dinner.”