Eagle's Rook

Fern's Collected Eagle's Rook Documentation

Pertaining to the Current Plague of Wraiths and Wights within the Lands Controlled by Guthrevyn

Compiled and Shared with the Heroes of the Realms November 8th, 1022

If you wish to help, please see the second page of this document.

Fern's Letter to the Realms, October 23rd, 1022

Edited by Fern's hand for clarity and accuracy

- - -

To the Adventurers of The Realms,

I ask for your aid in assisting Eagle's Rook. Their lands have been plagued for some time with invading wraiths who are harming the inhabitants and warping their minds. They are led by Guthrevyn, the leader of Eagle's Rook before Sir Gunnar. I have been working since mid-May 1022 gathering information, and the situation seems to be rapidly devolving. The wraiths are contained within the borders, but we do not know how long this magic will last.

At this year's court of Black and White, two individuals first approached King Cecil with news from Eagle's Rook. One identified themself as the Witch of Gimlet, the other a fae identifying themself as November Glen. The Witch of Gimlet asked that Chimeron and other nations not interfere in Eagle's Rook. November stated that the fae have been working to protect Eagle's Rook, and asked that Chimeron aid the Fairies of Avendroth in ousting Guthrevyn's army. I have received a written copy of the information from November Glen, directly from the individual. [Provided later in this document.]

As of right now, the Crown of Chimeron's official stance is as such: "We are waiting on a discussion with Lord Sir Iawen before acting, but we anticipate their desire for us to help defend Eagles Rook from Guthhreven's forces. Assuming this will be the case, we look forward to forging tighter bonds with November Glen."

King Cecil has recognized me as lead on this project for Chimeron, and I have promised Sir Iawen that I will do what I can to see this matter resolved in the manner most beneficial to Eagle's Rook.

Any aid would be appreciated. Sir Iawen has informed me that one of the top priorities is a cure for petrification, preferably tested or otherwise proven true.

In summary: Eagle's Rook and forces within Eagle's Rook seek aid from the Realms. I have been working on gathering information and forces for months. I will be publishing further information soon. Contact me if you have information or would like to help.

Squire Fern Eberhardt, of the Chimeron Heroic Militia

Apprentice Chronicler of Chimeron

Second to the Baron of the Viridis

Order of the Lantern

Action to be Taken

As of right now, I, Fern Eberhardt, am the primary contact in Chimeron for matters relating to the ongoing struggles in Eagle's Rook, by word of King Cecil. I am collecting and dispensing information pertaining to these struggles to the nation of Chimeron, and to the Adventurers of the Realms as applicable. If the Nation of Chimeron does not fight on the side of Eagle's Rook in this struggle, I personally intend to act in accordance with Sir Iawen's best interest, as I have made clear to them and to my nation.

The Crown of Chimeron intends to discuss these matters with Lord Sir Iawen Penn before acting. However, the Crown and Kingdom of Chimeron anticipate their desire to defend Eagle's Rook from Guthrevyn's forces.

As of this moment, though they shall go unnamed unless they announce intent otherwise, some of the sworn Fae of Chimeron intend to assist the Faeries of Avendroth in their attempts to assist and reclaim Eagle's Rook from Guthrevyn's forces.

If you are a hero of the Realms, consider preparing to assist Eagle's Rook. A Priority: "A cure for petrification, preferably tested, or proven true." Please contact me if you wish to help, as (to the best of my knowledge) I am the individual non-Eagle's Rook adventurer with the most collected knowledge about the current situation. If you are able to help with the following actions, please do so. If you wish to find more information, read further. I have compiled much of my relevant research. If you would like more information or to discuss these items, please contact me. I have not put all information known here, as it is not all available for me to disclose at this time.

Further actions I plan to take, relevant to others: [More questions and research in rest of document]

• Speaking to Sir Pyr, Oracle of the Fae

• Gather resources and adventurers for tasks and research

• Researching the Fairies of Avendroth, likely meeting one or more

• Researching Armont and Wraiths, how to fight them, Shadow Magic

• Researching mundane medicines and healing practices

General Proceeding Contents:

• Fae Missives [3]

• Next Steps and Questions [5]

• Timeline [7]

• Gathered Information [5]

• Wraiths, Guthrevyn, Armont, and Shadow Magic [7]

• Eagle's Rook [10]

• Fae [10]

• Medicines [11]

• Allies and Consultants [13]

Fae Missives

Presented during or shortly after this year's Black and White Court. I acknowledge that I am a biased participant and observer in this conflict, but I do wish to present the information given to us by both individuals who spoke at court.

The Witch of Gimlet

The following letter was sent out and published in the View on the 25th of October, 1022, three days after this year's Black and White. I have changed the formatting only slightly, but those are the only changes I have made to this section. I have not altered the wording.

- - -

Dear, Beloved Realms

I wish to again thank King Alexander Cecil, of many titles, for their hospitality. We had a lovely time. We will return the favor, in our time.

We understand that… news travels slow, and travels strange, perhaps my voice was too soft, my meaning too murky… We do not wish to hide anything from our future friends. So what was told to king will now be spoken to company.

I am the Witch of Gimlet, I used to have a name but names have power, and I traded mine away on a brighter future. I go by many TITLES but no names, Some refer to me as Hag… but that is very unkind.

Hopefully in the future the title you will use is "Friend".

My master, Sir Guthrevyn has been wandering, searching for a home ever since our hometown was seized by his treasonous kin… but do not weep for we have learned, we have watched, and we were judged yes, and gathered so many other judged kin. But we have been patient.

Eagles Rook is ours, by Blood and past. We owned it before your masters masters. And we want our lives back.

And we were in those discussions, we must stress it was not Iawen who challenged our claim but the Fae, the Blue Forest.

The Fae who have dimensions to call their own, who have the kingdom of Chimeron as allies. They have plenty, the fae do not need be fatter off Eagles rook, and yet, November still says more.

He and his kin have interrupted our reunification to strike a harder deal with Eagle's Rook, one where Fae have even more ties and authority then they already do. To assist in this they messaged Yule, and brought a titan into mortal affairs.

We do not wish to undersell things, but when forces are marching from behind a magical veil of hope, if you are to protect your own… well how do you destroy hope?

It is not pleasant work, and we do not wish it on our worst enemies. November however, seems to wish for more.

We did not go to Black and White to demand that Alexander, champion of our god Dionin, to join us in holy war against the fae. To take up sword where pen failed… though that is what his god asks of us. But we understand that can be difficult for them. All we wish is to be left alone. You have strangers, you have Asmodeus, you have Risen Kingdom, evil Imperiums, Lost Kingdoms, are you all not busy? Do you not need rest?

Let this small thing go, save the world.

Well... that WAS the case, but, alas. We were struck, in court, my aching boils nearly cut, it was a near thing, a precious near thing, that I was able to quell my defensive hexes… I would hate to have caused a scene.

Now the failed assassin did not come forward, so we suspect this was no declaration of war… how could it be? If they lacked the conviction to say with words what their actions did? But… we worry you see.

We already asked for peace, we have no plans to be cruel in victory, we won't hurt the denizens, shatter their chapels, burn their flags. We have heard these are the customs of war, but we are of kinder ages. But… we fear much, we fear further meddling, further rituals and escalations and fae trickery and treason.

When we were struck by a failed thief, Invictus offered us safe escort. We ask for similar gestures, not to solve our problems for us, but assistance in avoiding unnecessary escalation.

If possible we hope to see you all again on fairer terms. We heard Sir Coupant used to host feasts, we are eager to continue that tradition.

Witch of Gimlet

Mother, Magician, Friend

November Glen

The following is a copy of the speech November Glen gave at B&W. I have transcribed it to the best of my ability, leaving out notes of courtly decorum. The information provided here aligns with my research, and answers some questions I had previously.

- - -

Your Majesty, Knights of the Red Branch, and any Fae who consider themselves a Friend to Eagle's Rook, hear me.

I am November Glen, one of the last of the original Fae to the House of Agornah, of the Faeries of Avendroth. Please, bend your ear to the side underestimated, and listen to how we have kept the lands safe.

Since Sir Vawn Coupant's departure to the Summerlands in your year of mortals 1019, we have been attempting to forge a new contract with Eagle's Rook. This contract failed, as Guthrevyn's ilk began to make trouble almost right away.

We have sent our own to quietly battle and keep the boundaries of the Blue Forest safe, let alone the Keep, and many other village points. Pate Yule himself sent a story and a song, a lullaby, to help keep the people alive and awake.

But it was only recently in the Quiet Years that Guthrevyn's allies and resurrected the use of magics from the ruined kingdom of Armont, and released the wights across the lands of Eagle's Rook, and brought in the Gorgon Sisters from the Neo-Hellenic Isles.

Magic, as the Realms have known it, has almost all but faded from Eagle's Rook. Injuries take much, much longer to heal than a mere few seconds, and death is certainly something more to fear. By far worse, however, is the work that this group of evil being does to wear down the mind's boundaries, to inflict their own brand of despair and hopelessness, to the point that some mortals have taken their own lives in order to have the pain cease.

While this may not seem 'world-ending' to many, the Faeries of Avendroth can no longer sit on our side, idly awaiting an outcome. We prefer to take destiny and mold it to Our Will.

Therefore, it is the Formal Request of this one November Glen, on behalf of the Fae, that you ally with us in order to oust Guthrevyn's army, and restore Eagle's Rook to a more proper state, with tighter Faeries connections.

As a courtesy, know that we will fight against Guthrevyn, with or without your help, to achieve the goal, but as the late Sir Vawn was a Fae, the late King Pyr became the Oracle of Fae, and Sir Gunnar went into Fae to follow his love in the Deep, one cannot deny how Faerie has such a bond to Eagle's Rook. A bond that needs to be restored.

Written by my hand, October 22nd, 1022, by a Mortal's Reckoning.

Next Steps and Questions

Do not need to occur in this order unless otherwise indicated

Priority: "A cure for petrification, preferably tested, or proven true." A mundane/non-magical cure would be most useful, as this seems to be more relevant to the wraith problem.

• Find Mundane Cures

• See: Gathered Information; Medicines

• Difficult to cure people who have been harmed by the wraiths, even if they have not died, burn bodies shortly after death

• Need to find what exactly is happening to people, people (perhaps not adventurers?) who know mundane healing, find a way to mass distribute cures

• And in the meantime we need to actually fix the problem of the wraiths

• Consult With Others

• Pyr, More Accessible People

• Some of these people listed in "Allies and Consultants" section, will be able to ask them more detailed questions in their field of expertise

• See: Gather Information, for more details

• The more connections made, the more likely to find information, but the longer to get information if we have the web of connections spread out

• Will possibly need a centralized information gathering source

• [This is going to be me or someone I delegate to report to me, isn't it?]

• This should not be a secret from any allied part of the Realms - all nations will likely have a stake in this, if it spreads

• Reconnaissance

• Possibly need to travel into Eagle's Rook

• Cannot do this easily without express permission from Iawen

• I personally have never been to Eagle's Rook, would need some sort of guidance, map, personal guide, person who's been

• Tara has potential route of safe passage that she has said she would be willing to let us use

• Is fae-stepping in possible? Some ties to fae (Coupants, Nimbus), but the border (magically enforced by Pater Yule) may prevent that sort of travel. Unsure of other magics in the land. - Updated note: Perhaps Faeries of Avendroth could help with travel, especially as they have a stake in the established border.

• Will want to assemble a trustworthy team, likely mainly/primarily adventurers - partially due to healing magic being more likely to work on them/us - partially due to ability to move in small groups with a higher likelihood of survival

• Should be multinational - many have a stake, many skilled throughout the Realms

• Observe:

• Wraiths in action, likely will have to fight, attempt to cure those who are harmed, but also try to avoid harm

• Any form of mind control from Guthrevyn or wraiths

• [Consult Voranian potion makers/alchemists]

• Border protections, what can pass through, what cannot

• Citizen reactions/response to wraiths

• Not trying to take away Eagle's Rook sovereignty, but if this is a refugee situation, the sooner we act, the better

• Anything we can, in addition to the above

• Gather Information - can be multiple sources (check "Allies and Consultants")

Pyr

[Fern's notes on talking to Pyr, questions to ask]

Timeline

Knight Commanders of Eagle's Rook: Gunnar, Myriel, Pyr, Vawn, Iawen

Rulers of Chimeron: Meg, Pyr, Cecil

Plain text: Politics | Bold: Wraiths | Italics: Other

• 993 - KoER founded

• 994 - Zermarx's wraith issued challenge to Sir Arthur Coville | Nemesis first began trying to take over the Realms

• 995 - ER becomes subnation of Chimeron | Sir Gunnar in charge, founded

• 996 -

• 997 -

• 998 - Sir Myreil in charge?

• 999 -

• 1000 -

• 1001 -

• 1002 - Pyr Coronated as King of Chimeron | Vawn becomes Lord-Knight

• 1003 -

• 1004 -

• 1005 - Bedlam Begins | Nero Ascended

• 1006 - Zermarx apparently killed by Freesia

• 1007 - Haze around Ravensloft disappears

• 1008 - Independent of Chimeron B&W

• 1009 -

• 1010 -

• 1011 -

• 1012 -

• 1013 - Bedlam Defeated

• 1014 -

• 1015 -

• 1016 -

• 1017 -

• 1018 -

• 1019 -

• 1020 -

• 1021 - Wraiths begin appearing in Eagle's Rook

• 1022 - ER member (NPC) died May 18, 1022

*Dates and timeline assembled to the best of my knowledge/understanding. Included as I was not present for many of these events, and some seem relevant.

Gathered Information

Much of this information is connected, and will be denoted to the best of my ability. These sections will be broken down into five main categories: W - Wraiths and Guthrevyn section, E - Eagle's Rook, F - Fae, M - Medicines. When referencing another section, I will use the system (Letter of Section to find the New Information In, Number Within that Section).

These notes are taken from other areas, writings, journals, etc., and will likely not be as complete or thorough as other sections.

Many of these notes were written prior to Black & White, and as such may be slightly outdated or reference irrelevant wraiths from the past.

Wraiths, Guthrevyn, Armont, and Shadow Magic

Guthrevyn's Curse, Ravensloft

• Wraiths harming people, draining magic, stopped at the border

• Archers have been taken out, perhaps to better run into, fight, incapacitate others

Guthrevyn: Before the current Eagle's Rook people were there, Guthrevyn was in charge: Gunnar's uncle

Gunnar "died at the hands of a demon" (Admodeus?) though didn't die forever, and apparently eventually followed his love into fae

Occupied Ravensloft which is still an uninhabited (by people?) ruin, but used to have purple mist around the mountain it's on.

*Is Guthrevyn actually connected to this, or is it just the name?* (F1)

Iawen: "Controlled? No. Manipulative gaslighting lich that tries to use my country, my kin against the people's lives? Oh yes. Manipulation doesn't even cover it. But he knows his power is limited, too, thus he's trying to get word out to Dionin, to ask for either aid, or to be left in peace."

Time

Eagle's Rook has been independent of Chimeron as of B&W 1008, Subnation as of 995

Wraiths started appearing in 1021 (See as well: Timeline)

Information (?) from Others

- Kara - Wraiths often angry - bound, undead, MADE, created for a purpose. Generally weaker to silver, maybe shining steel

- Cecil - Gunnar predates Cecil - Guthrevyn became a lich(ish) - soul prism of some kind. Wants to meet w/ Cecil to talk to Dionin

- Sagart - Gunnar walked into fae, was dragged into hell, Summerlands connected → Could be him in charge of the wraiths. Typical wraiths are affected by magic

- Twen - To deal with wraiths, you often have to find the original body, put the soul to rest, find where the soul is, etc → Twen would be happy to help

Types of Possible Wraiths

As people have advised me, saying 'wraiths' is about as descriptive of the species or type as saying 'fae'. Wraiths tend to share traits to a point, but otherwise there are many different categories, abilities, origins, and motivations. Some seem more intelligent and driven than others.

Armont Wraiths

• Janus knows of a creature referred to as an ARMONT WRAITH

• It was capable of withering limbs and draining the life force out of said limb. (M2)

• The only way to heal this damage was by shadow magic healing

• Janus may have more information, along with Rel and Rosetta

• Iawen thinks that they come from the ruins of Armont, or under the ground. They don't come from the dead, because they burn the dead after last Xemarx invasion. They're ghostly, and if they pass through a limb, it gets wrenched so badly it takes weeks to heal. → Not healed via magic (M2)

• "Frozen in fear" (M1) Archers were taken out early on - have to fight close by default, leading to more 'wrenched' limbs

• Border is hard to get through → Pater Yule gift (probably? - appears reasonably confirmed - I'd like to know who asked for it)

Armont, Ground

Iawen thinks they're coming out of the ground or Armont → area where Ivory is now, disappeared/was destroyed in some fashion, or otherwise abandoned. Unclear to me right now, possibly known to other adventurers

[Dame Faelinn is the leader of Ivory. Talk to her?]

Excerpt from a Journal

"Stories tell of a kingdom which came into immense, sudden wealth and disappeared very quickly in a year's time. Stories whispered of traitors within the castle, great monsters besieging the gates, of two great earthquakes, and of a seat of power swallowed by the earth itself. The line between myth and fact has been blurred by time and by tongue, and even the most experienced scryer can only portend the blackness of their grave.

Now only a river bears the name of the kingdom whose influence stretched over much of the Western realms."

Expedition of d'Farrow Caves

Jonas Deschain had a journal, was a leader of the expedition

Jonas explored caves, found 'shadow magic', not sure what happened to him, but he was running out of food. Ate some moss creatures

KILLED "UNDER-HUMANS"

Excerpt (about Expedition? After action report?)

1. Quake the first over mining Weirforth

2. Vzier ran the place. (← Fern note, is this a name, or misspelled Vizier? "Vizier of the Free Kingdoms, Sir Callin" was addressed by Morthak, General for the Wraith Legions - but otherwise not seeing a connection)

3. Underhumans under InBlood Control

4. Jonas kept probing caves. Ilwain ordered Hawthorne(same InBloods) to take out Armont

5. Became trapped, shadow poisoned. Lost book after second quake. - Greater Earth Elementals

Tara: Some people dreamed of being people from Armont for a time.

Modern Notes

Shadow magic is not inherently evil or bad or even aligned with any particular group or entity, it is simply magic which draws power from the absence of light, and as such must be cast in a place without light

• This is not like conceptual light, rather this refers to literal light.

• Shadow magic has fallen out of practice, though Janus can kind of do some

Eagle's Rook

All is relevant to Eagle's Rook, these are more misc Eagle's Rook items

"Vault of Terrible Things"

(According to Tarnisha) There was a vault that held things such as Pyr's pre-Bedlam war Wayland Blades, maybe something that held a demon. Pyr and possibly Vawn knew the secret steps to get in without being rendered soulless. Maybe the haze kept things from escaping? It disappeared after '07. Vault guardians? Haze was acidic.

Nero is archer (W1), brought Five Ladies pantheon to the Realms, Iawen's father, ascended

Published Law 8: "The use of necromancy or other magic to subvert the will of another sentient creature is strictly forbidden. Sentient undead are not allowed within our borders without prior approval by either the Knight Commander or the Steward. Any undead found within the borders of Eagle's Rook will be hunted down and destroyed. Any exceptions are still subject to all other laws." (1)

Fae

Eagle's Rook used to be a subnation of Chimeron, and Chimeron

• Nimbus Borealis Bouquet - used to be Bouquet D'Amandes → then Nimbus or Maeve (Mab)

• Vawn was (at some point) turned into an insectafae, as were many of his followers (including Lance) → they picked up some of his traits (hive mind?)

• Coupant= type/individual insectafae Vawn was hosting - Orange and Brown (monarch butterfly)

• Diamondes = Cimone's - blue (blue morpho)

• Rosetta Nimbus's councilor and close

Mysts

Went into Mysts voluntarily, got Lance Coupant out

Found them prepping for Zermarx invasion (W2), watched it happen

"Hands of Despair"?

Crispin - squire task to help in the Mysts - trying to tell me something?

→ Mattias Smithson - corpse from ER we found in the Mysts. He died May 18, 1022. Guthrevyn got into his head, and he gave up, killing himself (Burn the body) Learned: (1) The curse is directly tied to Guthrevyn himself.

[Must do more research on and meet with Faeries of Avendroth - in progress]

Medicines

Necromancy is not allowed in Eagle's Rook (E1), and even if it was, would likely not be useful in the cures for Wraith/Guthrevyn related injuries. It appears that these forces may be able to twist any necromancy to their will, though I have not found a direct source for this.

This is the section I know the least about, and have found the least about in libraries and records. Most healers I know are magical healers. Some medicines that work in other countries/nations/kingdoms (see: Stonewood, Voraniss) may possibly work in Eagle's Rook, but may not, due to different magic properties throughout the lands, and the border protection.

[Aside while writing these notes: the lands of Voraniss have a blessing by Gaia, undead there will often eventually turn alive again, or so I've heard. Any way to transfer this power to Eagle's Rook? Would possibly solve their problem, and help enforce some laws.]

It's difficult to revive people in Eagle's Rook, as it seems that people are often burned shortly after death, which makes raising them again difficult - both for necromancers (the reason for doing that) and for casters with healing/revival magic.

Major Effects of Wraiths

Medicines/ Counters

Paralysis? Petrification (1)

Talk to Mikail? Suggestion from Pawldo

Prioritize work on solving this, where possible/applicable

(2) "Wrenching" limbs when they go through that body part

Slings and regular healing?

Stealing and/or draining magic

Allies and Consultants

Actively involved, or need to directly speak with them at some point.

[Fern's personal notes about allies, those likely to help. …]

I have identified the need for experts on the subjects of:

• Necromancy and Wraiths

• Eagle's Rook Information and Lore Gathering

• Seer Magic - to consult with relevant people/groups who cannot be reached through mundane means

• Medicines - particularly mundane, or Shadow Magic

• Fae - proper cultural practices and diplomacy

Other Groups Likely to Help

Groups where this is their wheelhouse or are already allies with me, Chimeron and/or Eagle's Rook

• The Order of the Lantern

• Member, information gathering, members likely to be reached to help

• Pater Yule

• Has already gifted a magically protected border, could be reinforced potentially, or more magic to bolster defenses

• Nations

• Good to find other nations that are allied with Eagle's Rook [discuss with Iawen], know about necromancy - remember, this could be a problem for the whole of the Realms if not solved quickly enough

• Look to nations physically close to Eagle's Rook - will likely be the most affected first if this spreads over land - I have seen adventurers from Chimeron, Rhiassa, Invictus (seems to be the closest neighbors)

• After that expand outward - some of these nations going down or being otherwise occupied could be bad for the Realms at large

• Any nation would be a help, especially with resources, time, energy to back them