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Message: <blockquote data-quote="neveryours" data-source="post: 1467561" data-attributes="member: 13424">The Rebirth of the OrdersDalamar the Dark was a dark elf whose slender frame hid great power. His black robes hung loosely about him.He was one of the most powerful mages in Ansalon. He had been slain during the War of Souls, and was resurrected through the intercession of his God Nuitari to the other gods of Magic. (Solinari and Lunitari.)Jenna the Red was the daughter of the head of the Red Robes (Justarius) in the Orders of High Sorcery. They had a love affair that was as much about pursuing their mutual ambitions as it was about romance. It had been many years since the affair began, and Jenna had aged gracefully and was still a beauty to many eyes. She had selected a red top that seemed melded to her womanly form, and a skirt that fell to her ankles. The many bejewelled adornments and rings that she wore were undoubtedly magically enchanted.Dalamar had been barred from the Tower of High Sorcery at Nightlund and now resided in a secluded grove of trees in the Southern part of Nightlund. His humble cottage is more than meets the eyes. Dalamar had issued a sending to Jenna requesting her presence. She had come to his study expecting anything but this.Dalamar had informed her of Raistlin’s return in a most casual manner, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Raistlin the Black, an archmage who had risen to challenge the Gods, the former Master of the Tower of High Sorcery in Palanthas. He was supposed to be dead.Dalamar set his empty cup down upon a low table to the side of his chair. The pot levitated and tipped itself, pouring steaming tea from its spout. The fragrance of freshly brewed Yasmin leaves wafted across the room.Dalamar smiled at the obvious discomfiture of Jenna. Ignoring the look of annoyance that Jenna threw at him, Dalamar took another sip of the tea. “My Shalafi is not dead. Neither is he truly what you might call alive. He exists, but is no longer merely mortal. He no longer has need of air, water or food.”Jenna pursed her lips. “Is he a God then? That is what he has always wanted, yes?”Dalamar shook his head. “No. He does not desire Godhood. He does not desire to be worshipped. I think he fears it would detract from his studies. He said that to be a God is to become. He wants to stay in the process of becoming, for to become would mean the end. I myself shudder at the thought of what it could imply. At the power my Shalafi will gather. His ambition is immeasurable.”“Is he a lich then?”Dalamar seemed to grow exasperated. “By the Gods, no! He is sustained by magic and force of will alone. The closest that you could think of him as being would be a magical aberration… If you insist on pigeon holing everything that you cannot understand. He is now a truly unique being. He has ascended to another level. He has taken to wearing robes of green to show his transcendence above the Orders.”“Hmmm. Well, where is he now?”Dalamar smiled caustically. “Why? Do you want to meet him?”Jenna shifted in her chair. “No. Not particularly. No.”Dalamar’s smile grew wider. “Why not? I’m sure that he would be pleased to enlighten you. I would’ve thought you would be dying of curiosity.”Jenna glared. “True. But I have no wish to die for my curiousity.”Dalamar took another sip. “Well, he’s moved back into the Tower of High Sorcery at Nightlund. He’s converted the Tower into his own demiplane.”Jenna gaped, and then shook herself when she became conscious of the fact. She tried to recover her calm by smoothening her skirt. Thoughts raced through her head as she contemplated on the magical strength needed to complete that exercise by oneself. Not all the thoughts were pleasant.Dalamar did not even bother to hide his smirk. “Well, the reason I’ve asked you here is not to discuss my Shalafi, interesting though he is.”Jenna arched an eyebrow.Dalamar continued, “It is to pass on to you what my Shalafi told me.”“What did Raistlin say to you?”“Disturbing things. He has informed that the Dome of Creation, that shields us from the vagaries of the Ethereal Sea, has been weakened and thinned. This is due to Takhisis stealing the world as well as the loss of both the powers of Paladine and my former Dark Queen. Though the Gods have returned, the other planes are now more accessible. Extraplanar entities will also find access to the Prime easier than ever. You might notice that if you were to try plane shifting now, it takes less effort.”Jenna nodded. “I have found that I needed to draw less on my reservoir to teleport ever since the Gods returned. I did not know that was the reason.”Dalamar nodded. “He has also instructed me to carry out certain tasks.”Jenna narrowed her eyes. “What tasks?” Visions of Apocalypse come down on Krynn flashed through her mind.Dalamar laughed as he read her thoughts. “He wants me to rebuild the Orders of High Sorcery. To hold a conclave, and reorganise the Order.”Jenna nodded. This, she could agree with. It was what she and Dalamar had both been trying to accomplish since the end of the War of Souls. “Does he not know that we have been trying but have failed thus far? Those Sorcerers have their Academy of Sorcery.”Dalamar smiled again. “They used to have their Academy. And we used to have our Towers. However, now they do not have anything, while we still retain our Tower.”“Does he intend to re-open the Tower of High Sorcery at Wayreth?”“Yes.”“How then does he intend that we accomplish this rebuilding?”Dalamar produced a scroll from the folds of his robes. “This was scribed by my Shalafi himself. A spell of immense power. It would enable us to rebuild the Tower of Wayreth. He has dictated that it be located in Nightlund. That the Academy be incorporated into the Orders. Neither primal magic, nor our godly magic can claim ascendancy. They are but different ways of manipulating the same force. The Academy shall accept and teach all who show the talent the best ways of handling the magic for each individual. Apprentices who pass the Test shall be named in the rolls of the Orders and join each Order as befitting their tendencies. The three Orders of White, Red and Black robes shall remain. Those who wield the Primal Magic shall be given equal standing in the Orders. The Orders are to remain apolitical and be a force unto itself. As always, our first loyalty is to be to the Magic and the Orders. The Conclave shall be reconvened with four representatives from each Order. The head of each Order will be decided within the Order itself.”Jenna sank back into the chair. “This is all a lot to take in and accomplish. But, first things first. What of the Tower? May I see the scroll?”Dalamar handed the scroll over Jenna, and she unrolled it on her lap. “This spell is beyond my, yours or even our power to cast. Perhaps we should keep it for a later time.”Dalamar shook his head. “Do you not think that I have thought of scribing it as well? There are many who would die for this spell in their books. My Shalafi has warned me that anyone attempting to do so would undoubtedly come to a most horrific instantaneous end. And the spell would be lost.”“I see. He does not trust much, does he?”Dalamar smiled, and said with a touch of emotion, “He can be generous when he wants to. In fact, he can be anything he wants to. He is, after all, my Shalafi.”“So what do we do with the scroll?”“We will assemble a cabal of like-minded mages. We will hold the First Conclave and announce our plans to them. Then, we will band our energies together to cast and control the spell. The drain of this spell will be shared equally among all of us. I am aware that I am not liked nor trusted among our peers at the moment. I am afraid that it will be up to you to convince the others to join in.” “I will do my best. Though, I think that we should leave Raistlin’s involvement out for the moment.” Dalamar nodded. “I will study the spell and prepare the components necessary.”Jenna stood up and straightened her skirt. “I will leave now. There is much to be done.”Dalamar sprang up and encircled his arms about her waist. Jenna turned and kissed him. “Take care now. Raistlin is dangerous.”Dalamar released her and she walked to the door. Opening it, she turned and asked, “Did he say anything about your treachery to Palin?”Dalamar smiled grimly. “He said. I forgive you. But I will not forget.”</blockquote>

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