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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Arkyst" data-source="post: 1315104" data-attributes="member: 14820">The Defenders of Tronus – Mendegon’s Letter: The party marched up the neglected and overgrown path towards the Keep of the old Defenders.  The once extravagant elegance of this massive structure was evident despite the blanket of vines and the years of neglect.Azerot spoke to the unsettled group, primarily to break the eerie silence.  “They say that the ghosts of the last group of Defender’s still haunt this place.  Evrynn and his lone servant are the only ones to enter the Keep since that gruesome night.”Storm puffed up his chest and heaved the large brass boars-head shaped knocker.  As it clanged against the 10-foot wide solid oak door he matter-of-factly stated, “I don’t care if Zorm himself is in there, we’re going in.”After several long minutes the oversized door opened slowly with a long droning creek.  Barely noticeable in the shadow from the door was a petite young woman with dark black hair pulled up into buns.  She wore a dress of fine red silk patterned in white flowers with sleeves longer than her arms.  Upon seeing who it was at the front doorstep, she bowed and invited them in.“Greet-ings Defenders.  I am Lai, humble servant of Lord Evrynn.  If you wait here I will summon the master.”Storm quickly noted that her accent and skin tone marked her as a native to the continent of Inroden, where he himself was born.  Meanwhile, the others looked around the lavish sitting room where Lai had left them.  They all stared about at the spotless room; the contrast to the outside of the Keep was unreal.  Rayna took to walking around and gazing at each of the paintings that surrounded the fireplace in the center of the wall.  There were a few that captured the entire group of the old Defenders, but most were of Evrynn and powerful wizards, wealthy nobles, and legendary rulers.As more time passed, the group’s interest soon changed to a boredom and then annoyance.  The only one who didn’t seem to notice was Cinder, who was happily warming himself by the fire.  Twizle was even running out of songs to hum, and they didn’t have the time to waste.Storm stood up quickly, he had enough, and he would wait no longer!  At that precise moment the tall impassive elf came strolling around the corner.  He appeared featureless but a sense of arrogance could be felt in his presence.  As if amidst a windstorm, his cape fluttered about him with great conviction.  After standing in the doorway for a moment or so longer than necessary, he mumbled a word, his cape dropped to his sides lifeless, and he strode forward.“Ah, Defenders.  So glad that you could venture out this way.”“We’re here to ask what you know about the situation that is going on in town.  We don’t have time for senseless prattle,” demand Storm in a harsh tone.Taken slightly aback, Evrynn straightened his collar and asked, “I’m afraid that I know of the situation in town.  Could you elaborate?”Azerot attempted to quickly fill in the details as Evrynn lead them through three or four rooms towards a courtyard at the center of the Keep.  Evrynn’s eyes lit up when Azerot mentioned that they were looking for the final resting of Mendegon “the Devout.”  The heroes were excited to hear what the elf knew so they could get on with the quest; however, Evrynn wasn’t so quick with his words.The group stopped as Evrynn strolled out into the courtyard where he proceeded to place his hand on a sphere similar to a crystal ball held atop a pedestal roughly 4 feet off the ground.  After closing his eyes and focusing for a moment, the courtyard began to take on the look, feel and smell of an arena.  A well-traveled adventurer would have recognized it as the arena of the far off desert city of Tilcher.  Evrynn turned in the direction of the party and made them an offer, “This courtyard was created for the original Defenders to train in, and therefore you may not be killed while you are in it.  Once you have proven you are capable of the task that lies before, I will tell you what I know.”“Deal,” agreed Storm before the others had time to talk it over.Without hesitation Evrynn drew his sword in one hand while placing a Hexblade curse on Storm as he charged forward.  However, despite all of the training, experience, and magical trinkets Evrynn had collected during his 15 years as a Defender, he wasn’t prepared for what happened next.  With incredible timing and patience, Storm snatched Evrynn out of his charge and held him in the air with one hand.Evrynn tried to cast and he tried to break free, but there was nothing he could do.  Cinder took this time to make the scenery more enjoyable, a fiery landscape, while the other Defenders were ready to fight, but the fight never came.  After a minute of watching the elf struggle, Storm hefted Evrynn to the threshold of the courtyard.  He coldly and sharply parlayed, “You can die here!  Now tell us what we need to know!”Moments later they were all heading into Evrynn’s personal study.  Besides a quill and some parchment, there wasn’t an item in the room that wasn’t encased in glass.  The elf marched directly to the center bookcase and removed a key from the top shelf.  After opening the casing he spoke, “Not only do I have the key of Annadielle Trueheart, I know how to open it.”With that he twisted the key in an obscure fashion and it opened to reveal a faded note.  Rayna delicately drew the letter from the key and read it’s contents aloud.Dearest Annadielle,It has been two long years since I have been at your side.  You are well aware why I was unable to return and I fear that things have only become worse.  The dead follow my every step and grow closer by the day.My company is near depleted; only Loasaur and myself remain.  We plan to leave at dawn for the whitest peak in the Dragonclaw Mountains.  There within the mountain shrine to Trelar I will seal myself in a tomb, and as the life escapes my body, only then will the Eye of Zorm rest.When your time has come, I ask that you come and join me in the glowing salvation of Trelar.  I have enclosed the key to the tomb and Loasaur will allow only you to join me in my final rest.May my love and protection always shield you from the foulness of this land,MendegonEvrynn spoke as soon as Rayna had finished the letter.  “The Dragonclaw Mountains are just over a days travel to the south east by horse.”“I don’t fit on horses,” interjected Storm.“Well then, I offer you the use of my magic carriage,” the elf continued.  “It moves even faster than a horse and can carry your entire group to the base of the mountains in less than one day.  Just be very careful with it, it is a rare and valuable item.”Evrynn lead the group to a set of stables within the Keep.  Now barren of any hay or feed, the stables were practically empty except for a large tarp covered object.  The elf pulled back the black and dusty tarp to reveal an extravagant looking carriage with a driver’s seat for two, a seats off the back for two, and enough room inside for a tight fit of six.  The most amazing part was that the reins attached to the driver’s seat protruded out into thin air where two horses should be.  In place of the horses were two sets of bit and bridles that hovered in mid-air.“The creatures that pull this cart are constructs of force,” explained Evrynn.  “Although they are not inherently much faster than real horses, they never tire or need feed.  This is where most of your travel time is lost.  They will save you nearly a quarter of a day in travel time.”With only one or two more warnings of caution from Evrynn, the group was off.  They had their first real mission, and they were going to show the world what it meant to be Defenders of Tronus.</blockquote>

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