The grand hall of the Amber Bastion was filled with Elven nobility, disciples of both the Arcane arts and devout followers of Heliasillyel, artists, minstrels and a score of others who had the honor of being in the presence of their Goddess. The Smiling Maiden stood in the middle of the tiled floor, the mosaic below her feet representing a picture of a distant Elven settlement on a far off world. There were Moon Elves and Wild Elves as well amongst her followers, though only a handful had chosen to embark on this adventure.
The Goddess was singing alongside Ryelingel Sweetsong, the foremost Bard amongst this expedition (and self proclaimed greatest Bard in their previous home world, although the Sun Goddess knew of a young Sun Elf, barely sixty years of age, who had a voice rivaling that of her own). The others listened to the slow, elegiac song and showed that deep thoughts lurked beneath their tranquil ageless faces.
Heliasillyel glowed with power, having made use of her time to procure magical protections around her still somewhat frail form. She had her usual white robe, the golden belt and her ever flowing hair, and exuded light around her brighter than the torches and braziers scattered about the room.
As the end of the song drew near to it's end, Alewlyn, Son'yer and Veontal came forth, each dressed in their formal attire, bearing the regalia they were entitled to by their respective positions, as well as twelve Gold Golems, created by the Wizard, who carried the half a dozen chests filled with gifts for the Dark Mother and her followers. Heliasillyel was pleased that her followers had proven to be of superior intellect once more, and had seen past her new sister's title and beheld her for what she and her dogma truly represented.
On their old world, the Goddess of darkness and shadows was Heliasillyel's mortal enemy. But this was a new world, a new beginning and old prejudices were left behind.
"I see you are all ready - declared the Sun Goddess, although she had seen, heard and even touched, smelled and tasted their approach from a mile down the road, outside of the Bastion's thick walls. - Let us pay a visit to dear Ubarya, I trust you will behave whilst in her domain."
The Matriarch knelt and placed her Longbow on the ground before Heliasillyel, followed by the Wizard and his staff, and the Paladin and his two handed sword.
Alewlyn Ninsharlee was a woman of striking beauty and much wisdom resting behind her copper coloured eyes. She had dark auburn hair and slightly golden tinted skin, and wore a silver and gold armour of intricate design, a golden coronet woven in her hair and a belt, bearing Heliasillyel's Holy Symbol, which signified her stature. Despite being a Matirarch for over two hundred years, the Goddess could still tell that Alewlyn was filled with awe in the presence of the object of her reverence. This of course, amused the Smiling Maiden, as well as made her feel proud.
Son'yer Felenten was a young looking Sun Elven man, although the ageless look for any Elf made it hard for one to judge their true years. He was one of supreme intellect, being able to think two hundred moves ahead and plan accordingly, which sometimes made Heliasillyel consider him as an adviser, despite the millennia of experience the Goddess possessed. The Mage Lord was dressed in plain white robes of an Archmage, and wielded an artifact of considerable power, which was his plain looking wooden staff. Besides the usual magical trinkets mortals so loved wearing, he had little in the way of jewelry. A man of concrete and precise motives and with no taste for distractions, but still one who worshiped Heliasillyel and was ultimately a kind and caring soul. He had long black hair and fair skin, showing the Moon Elf blood of his grandmother, but his bright golden eyes were the heritage of his father's side of the family. With a smile, Heliasillyel floated and created a flower in her hand in an instant - a red and white tulip with nine petals, and wove it in the Wizard's hair. So much for his seriousness.
Veontal Vyenn-Tireth was a soldier and holy warrior to the tip of his steel clad boots, his blond hair closely cut, revealing the typical long pointed ears of his race. He had donned a plain looking armour crafted from Adamantine, with barely any gold or silver on it, and wielded a greatsword of extreme potency, with a wavy blade and High Elven scripture carved across the cross guard. This blade was one of the rarer mortal crafted weapons, capable of actually harming a God, not that Heliasillyel would need her stalwart Crusader's skills in combat this time. The Paladin raised his stare, his blue and copper eyes and dark tanned skin making him a handsome man, although he was too stern and had his square jaw constantly clenched as if he expected battle to rage this very moment. He had saved Heliasillyel's temple on more than one occasion, and for that the Goddess was more than happy to have his vigilant eyes on in her service.
Behind the three high ranking Elves stood the immense, eight foot tall statues made of gold, animated by Son'yer's magic, who effortlessly held six massive chests filled with magical items, books, gold, gems, maps, musical instruments, and other gifts for Ubarya's followers. Heliasillyel's people had done well in selecting such gifts. After a short pause, the Goddess flicked her wrist and a hole appeared in the air, twenty feet in diameter, which led off to a dimly light windowless hall, much contrasting with the current room.
The Sun Goddess and her entourage stepped trough, entering Ubarya's home.
[sblock]Alter Reality to replicate Gate. All these goodies can be created via magic and crafted in a year.[/sblock]
