Mythodea / Sapphire House - Nova Bretonia

03.11.2020

After the fall campaign to Moringaard, East Blackwood returned to Mythodea through ports in the Western Seal; their first stop was the East Blackwood and Realms Embassy in Grain Qui'henya itself. From there the decision was made to head north to the Western fiefdom of Nova Bretonia where they would see, for first time for most, Sapphire House which had been gifted to the Embassy by Princess Gérianne and Rii Isenden of Nova Bretonia. There they received an unexpected guest and because of this guest the decision was made to hold Blackwood Court for the first time in Mythodea.

Arrival at Sapphire House

Ambassador Sir Dagger of Blackwood, Djako Kaevh, Captain Varn, Annabel and Bødwar arrived at Sapphire House the night before Makø Tock and Logan of Nova Bretonia were expected to arrive. The large house had already been partially furnished and decorated when Lady Sayeh of Saphire Isle visited it the first. Sir Dagger and Bødwar set up a Terra shrine in the available space and the party went to sleep early.

Ceallach of the O'Annid Arrives

As the house broke it's fast that morning, Ceallach of the O'Annid arrived vociferously making his entrance. After the events of Moringaard, Cai was a welcome sight. Ceallach was shown to a guest room and given free reign of the house.

Blackwood Court - Promotions to Corporal

Due to the unexpected arrival of the Princess of Nova Bretonia, Sir Dagger thought it best to hold Blackwood Court, which, up until that point, had never been done in Mythodea before. After all, there were a few items if business which Ambassador Sir Dagger, Representative Djako and Captain Varn wished to present.

First, Captain Varn was called forward to Promote Annabel of the Embassy Guard first then Bødwar of the same to the rank of Corporal. Corporal is a position of leadership and responsibility within the Embassy Guard below the rank of Captain or Captain Rate.

Blackwood Court - New Master Merchant

Since the establishment of the East Blackwood Company three years prior, Ambassador Dagger has been the only member of the trade group holding the right to seal official documents with Company seal effectively making him the only person capable of finalizing important E.B.Co contracts. During the Blackwood Court at Sapphire House that changed.

Djako Kaevh of Alonis and the Trade Family Kaevh was named Master Merchant, of which only one position currently exists within the East Blackwood Company. Now, Djako can replace Sir Dagger in all trade matters should he see fit effectively doubling the company's growth potential.

Blackwood Court - Schwarzheim

While at the embassy in Grian Quihenya, Sir Dagger and Lady Sayeh received a document from the Margravat of Zweiwasser in the Realm of Roses. Dagger reviewed the document before bringing with him to Sapphire House in Nova Bretonia. There, at the height of Blackwood Court, he decided to present it before those gathered. It was the first time anyone else had read or seen it save for Sir Dagger and the document's writers and signatory.

The document granted the land on the south end of the City of Drachenbrück to the East Blackwood Company. The land will become part of the Drachenbrück as a new district which shall be known as Schwarzheim. This is of course a much needed gift from his Lordship the Margrave Balor the Red and is something the Embassy and Company are considerably proud of.

Ceallach of the O'Annid, Acting Champion of the Guard

Ceallach of the O'Annid, the First Spear of Dal Riada and Aire éachta céatcathach from the bloodline of the Macha Mong Ruad, Sperrach Carden and Slayer of the Wheat-People had come from the same campaign in Moringaard where the East Blackwood Company had just returned from. There, he had saved the Embassy Guard and the Embassy's diplomats, including Sir Dagger the Ambassador, from certain death at the hands of orc clans. Cai and Dagger had known each other for a few years up to this point originally meeting while marooned on the northern island of Botempel. There, Cai had introduced the then new Ambassador of Blackwood and Leader of the fledgling East Blackwood Company to Sir William Kütscher who has since become an important business partner to the E.B.Co. Ceallach had also delivered an important letter on behalf of the E.B.Co in the Northern Seal of Mythodea.

Through Cai's many contacts and style of diplomacy, the Aire éachta céatcathach was someone the E.B.Co had wanted to earn as member for some time. Cai, well aware of this fact and never having fully said no, decided to visit with the Embassy and Company during a break in campaigning elsewhere.

At Sapphire House, Ceallach met with Sir Dagger, Djako Kaevh and, the present members of the Embassy Guard to negotiate a contract with East Blackwood. After providing Cai with most of what he asked for, the Aire éachta céatcathach proposed that he take over the position of Champion of the Guard as a temporary replacement for Eridan Crabsbane, known now to some as Eridan Oathbreaker. Cai had been the person who had initially sent Eridan to Ambassador Dagger and therefore he felt it was a personal mark on his honor when Eridan left the Embassy Guard while still being its champion.

Ceallach asked that all of East Blackwood present be in agreement if he were to join under the position of champion until such a time as a new champion's tournament could he held. East Blackwood was in unanimous agreement accepting Ceallach of the O'Annid as their new champion.

Princess Gérianne and the Nova Bretonians

Makø Tock had expressed interest in working for East Blackwood prior to her arrival with Logaan. What was not expected was the pressence of Princess Gérianne of Nova Bretonia who added a complicated layer to any contractual negotiations between Makø, Logaan and East Blackwood. To add further nuance to the situation, it had become apparent that perhaps the Embassy Guard Bødwar and Makø Tock would wish to be married in the future. These points were discussed in negotiations throughout the day and evening.

Marriage:

On the subject if marriage Princess Gérianne had a lot to say in conjunction with Makø becoming a diplomat of The Kingdom of Blackwood and a member of the East Blackwood Company. Gérianne proclaimed that should Bødwar marry Makø and he not already be a citizen of Blackwood, the he would have to become a citizen of Nova Bretonia and swear to their Rii, Isenden. If, however, Bødwar already possessed citizenship of Blackwood at the time of the wedding then he would gain citizenship of Nova Bretonia but the question of loyalty would still hang in the air. The third and final option presented was that Blackwood could pay a dowry and the question of loyalty would not exist.

After a private conversation with Bødwar, the decision was made that the wedding would be postponed and that when the wedding took place, Sir Dagger would pay the dowry. With that business taken care off, the princess agreed to allow notations to precede.

Deputy Makø Tock:

Makø Tock agreed to a position as Deputy Representative of the Kingdom of Blackwood in the role as liason to Nova Bretonia and Master of House of Sapphire House. Further discussions of how she could contract to the East Blackwood Company are ongoing.

Embassy Guard Logaan:

In conjunction with the concluded deal concerning Makø Tock, Logaan of Nova Bretonia was given a contract as an Embassy Guard where his primary place of duty would be Sapphire House.

Portal to the Ancient World Opens Again

During the meeting at Sapphire House in Triskel, East Blackwood and Nova Bretonia became aware of the opening of the portal to the ancient world through the pendant Sir Dagger wore. The pendant had been gifted to the ambassador at the conclusion of the Nova Bretonian campaign into the Ancient World where Dagger had saved the life of Rii Isenden and helped to open the portal to bring East Blackwood, Ragnorock, The Banner of Silence and, Nova Bretonia home to the Western Seal of Mythodea. It was part of the gift of Sapphire House which had also been given to East Blackwood as a thank you for all of the work and sacrifice Sir Dagger, Captain Varn, Eridan, Bødwar, Medina and Annabel had performed. With the portal open, new friends of Blackwood and The Realms were once again in trouble.

At the conclusion of the gathering Sir Dagger, Captain Varn and Representative Djako Kaevh agreed to provide support in the upcoming trouble that would no doubt come to Nova Bretonia.

Moringaard / War and Order

"Sometimes when you try to do the right or a good thing you get hated for it."

Last year, the East Blackwood Company entered Moringaard for the first time and offered to aid Graf Paulus von Wasserstein and his allies in their war effort. As the E.B.Co entered Moringaard this year however, the War Marshal Kronenburg requested the assistance of the Company's Embasssy Guard. The East Blackwood Company under Sir Dagger of Blackwood and Djako Kaevh contracted the Guard and Company as requested to replace the Bastion's Watch of Hill Bastion 7 which had been destroyed a few days prior to their arrival. Little did the East Blackwood Company know that in less than two days time, they would be fighting for their survival from the people they were there to protect!

Hill Bastion 7: Day 1

The East Blackwood Company with as many of the Embassy Guard as East Blackwood could spare, entered the Bahianische Reich with the intention of offering their assistance in war logistics. As the E.B.Co made its way further inland, they were invited to treat with War Marshal Kronenburg. In light of news from one of the Hill Bastions along the reseeded defensive line against the legions of the Dead, War Marshal Kronenburg requested that the Embassy Guard serve as the replacements for the Bastion's Watch as the prior watch had been killed during an Orc raid. Sir Dagger and Djako Kaevh accepted on behalf of East Blackwood.

Almost as soon as the Embassy Guard took arrived at the ruins of Hill Bastion 7, they came under attack by a horde of Orcs. The local villagers and craftsmen and women took up arms to assist but most were slaughtered to a man. The individual guard members were only saved when Ceallach of the O'Annid and Ruad'han of the Spears of Dal Riada arrived and, through diplomacy and an understanding of Orcish culture, stopped the horde from killing the foreign soldiers of the Kingdom of Blackwood. During the attack, however, Fehla, a Guards-woman, was taken by the Orcs back to their war camp but later returned unharmed. It is likely that Cai played a role in her safe return as well.

Hill Bastion 7: Day 2

The gate watch was established at the start of the second day bringing the total number of active defenders up to a minimum of 6 at all times. The Camp Council was also formed from among the more veteran members of the War in Moringaard: Siegmund from the Komarnern, a representative of the Ostarischen Marine, Rufus Seefried of Wasserstein, Heinrich a witch hunter and the Jarlstochter.

During the early morning, humans who were associated with the Orcs, reportedly, arrived at Hill Bastion 7 and were taken hostage by soldiers under the control of the Camp Council. As they had been permitted to enter the camp as guests under the guidance of the Bastion's Watch, this act angered one of the Embassy Guard members Bødvar who reportedly confronted the Council stating, "it is not the role of some Council goons to threaten guests."

When the Camp Council convened for the first time, Representative Djako Kaevh was sent to represent East Blackwood during their meetings.

Orcs were invited by Cai as guests. These guests of the Spears of Dal Riada were escorted from the gate, main entry point, to the camp of the Spears of Dal Riada . The presence of the Orcs angered the warriors of Sigmar as rumors were heard shortly after about their discontent and contempt for East Blackwood as Bastion's Watch for having allowed such a thing.

The Orcish guests came with information which they shared. They claimed that they had the Spark of the World Flame but that they were searching for an underground city that should be located in the area. They said they were willing to treat with the soldiers of the bastion should the chose to send merchants and diplomats to do so.

As rumors persisted that some were not convinced that East Blackwood had been given the role of Bastion's Watch, Sir Dagger led many of the Embassy Guard to meet with the War Marshal at another location further behind the front lines. During this time only two guards were active within the bastion as watch members.

While Sir Dagger and the others were away, a Nekrologe of the Dead performed a ritual from the Plane of the Dead of which Beria and Bødvar of the Embassy Guard and Bastion's Watch informed the rest of the Bastion about. Shortly after the a Spark of the World Flame appeared before the Hill Bastion.

Also while only two members of the Bastion's Watch were on guard, a large party of Orcs arrived at the main entrance to the Bastion. Their main weapons were left by the gate and they were escorted by the available soldiers of East Blackwood to the Spears of Dal Riada. Having heard about how their humans had been treated by the Camp Council earlier, when their business was finished with Cai they requested that the Bastion's Watch escort them out of the camps and to their own. They explained to Bødvar that they did not trust that no harm would come to them should they not be escorted. As Bødvar and Beria brought them out of the Bastion, they were called traitors by at least one member of the Camp Council for having not stopped the Orcs from entering the bastion even though up to that point there were no official rulings from the Camp Council against such a thing.

When Sir Dagger returned with the rest of the Bastion's Watch to the camps, rumors were heard that some of the people within the camp wanted to see East Blackwood executed as traitors. Shortly after a messenger arrived from the War Marshal with a letter declaring the legitimacy of East Blackwood as Bastion's Watch.

Messenger sent to the Wassersteiner from Kronenburg with a letter showing the legitimacy of East Blackwood as Bastion's Watch. Bødvar reports that the letter was publicly burned by either the Wassersteiner or the Witch Hunters. Sir Dagger, Djako, Bodwar and members of East Blackwood spoke with one of the voting members of the Camp Council, Siegmund of the Komarnern, about the rumors they had heard about people being unhappy with the situation that evening to clear the air and attempt to right the ship before it capsized.

Hill Bastion 7: Day 3

At the start of the third day at Hill Bastion 7 of the Burning Front against the legions of the dead, Sir Dagger was stabbed in the throat during a duel while attempting to stop Legio Mortis soldiers from controlling the Spark of the World Fire which was still burning before the bastion. His life was saved by the Embassy Guard healer Annabel but, for a time, Sir Dagger was no longer able to speak.

As Dagger returned to East Blackwood Company Camp after the fighting was over, he overheard Heinrich of the Camp Council speaking publicly against one of Sir Dagger's fellow company members and against the efforts of the company as a whole. Sir Dagger took personal insult to this and wrote at letter to the Camp Council which was delivered by Representative Djako Kaevh, East Blackwood's representative there.

At the same time, Sir Dagger sent Bødvar and other members of the Embassy Guard to the camps within the bastion that were not yet decided against East Blackwood to attempt to acquire their support should the Camp Council decide to carry out what the rumors suggested they wanted to: execution. When the watch returned to the East Blackwood Camp, Sir Dagger and a few members of the Guard set out once more to talk to War Marshal Kronenburg about what was happening and to perform other tasks in aid to the war effort.

Sometime after receiving and reviewing Sir Dagger of Blackwood's letter, the Camp Council called a meeting to discuss it among other matters. During this time, Sir Dagger and the East Blackwood Company returned with a large chest from the War Marshal himself which was delivered directly to the Camp Council meeting. While the contents were being reviewed, Dagger was invited to stay to hear the council's verdict on what was to be done with East Blackwood.

The decision was made that the council would confiscate the toll money which had previously been collected by the E.B.Co. They would also be "relieving", by figurative force, East Blackwood from the role of Bastion's Watch claiming that the East Blackwood Company was not prepared for such a task, did not have the necessary manpower and had too many injured members to perform their duties effectively. The Council allowed that East Blackwood remain within the Bastion to trade as desired and aid in the war effort. Sir Dagger requested that these decisions be made in writing to which the Council said they would sign such a document should East Blackwood write one. Later that evening such a document was produced and signed by two of the five members of the Camp Council.

The Embassy Guard returned to their camp and removed the red and gold surcoats they had warn to denote them as Bastion's Watch and placed them over their shield stands as a public message stating simply, "we are done." After, East Blackwood left their own camp for the camp of the Spears of Dal Riada where they took a much needed break from the fighting and conflict.

Around that time, the Spark of the Wold Fire came under attack once again. The Council sent soldiers forward to fight for it but slowly they began to lose ground. This led them to allying themselves with, to East Blackwood's dumbfounded amazement, the Orcs. To make matters worse, after the battle was concluded there was no longer a gate guard or a replacement Bastion's Watch. The defenses were left effectively open.

Hill Bastion 7: Day 4

East Blackwood left the following morning delivering the signed account of the Camp Council to the War Marshal before leaving Moringaard altogether. The East Blackwood Company, at least for now, has no plan to return to Moringaard.

Peckelohnyen / Meeting of the Donner Flotte

At the turn of the fall, Realms Year 1020, the Tyra Lorena's Donner Flotte (Thunder Fleet) and a ship form the Mitrasperanische Hanse bringin the East Blackwood Company turned away from their original course to stop at the island of Peckelohnyen. When asked why they had changed course, Captain Ava Oddmir simply replied with a slanted grin, "diplomacy."

Schwankende Rumfass signs Codex of the Thunder Fleet joining the Donner Flotte

With the arrival of the Donner Flotte and the East Blackwood Company, an impromptu festival was hosted by the captain and crew of the Schwankende Rumfass. During that festival, the crew of the Tyra Lorena presented a large challenge to the host. The challenge made it so that the Schwankende crew had to come together to solve a riddle. The crew completed the challenge together and were praised for their efforts and unity by the Tyra Lorena's navigator, Thalla Jorah. Once the challenge was concluded various crew members of the ships and their captains presents were invited to the Captains Table where Captain Nathaniel "Übermorgan" Hawke signed the Kodex der Donnerflotte (Codex of the Thunder Fleet) and was officially welcomed into the Donner Flotte.

Navigator Thalla Officially Joins the East Blackwood Company

As a close of business with the East Blackwood Company at the gathering of ships on Peckelohnye, Captain Ava of the Tyra Lorena, this ship's navigator Thalla Jorah and, Sir Dagger of Blackwood the Leader of the East Blackwood Company reaffirmed their business relationship. To finialize this, Ava drank to the union while officially offering Thalla Jorah as the East Blackwood Company's liaison to the Tyra Lorena.

Thalla drank to the union and was given gifts of appropriate clothing for the new role.

Mythodea / Bødwar's Bash

As the summer slowly came to a close in Mythodea, Bødwar of the East Blackwood Embassy Guard hosted a birthday celebration with the help of his friend Tawarisch. The gathering took place at a way station lodge south wear of Grain Qui'henya within the Western Seal of Mythodea. The party was a private affair with only those personally known to Bødwar in attendance.

Bødwar was given four challenges to complete by Sir Dagger of Blackwood and Ceallach of the O'Annid. Two of the challenges were offered by Dagger and Cae while the other two were offered by two people of Bødwar's choosing. When Bødwar completed his challenges, which represented a hunt, he was presented with his gifts; Adventurer Extraordinaire Dark Ale and a three pony necklace. The party continued on into the night with the usual drunken debauchery that would would hope to expect at any self respecting tavern while Bødwar found time to meditate before the nearby Terra Shrine and learn magic from a friend who was also a guest there.

Mythodea / Knighting of Sir Nogard at the Weekend of Delicacies

As the summer of Realms Year 1020 began to fade, the Banner of Silence hosted a Weekend of Delicacies within the Western Seal. The hostess of this gathering was Lady Eléanore, Duchess of Arthenois. After her family lands were returned to her by the duchess of Arthenois, Lady Eflama, Baroness de Boisvert aided in the receiving of guests. Baroness Eflama's sisters Lady Azela and Lady Philomène did much the same. The first guests to grounds of the festival were the Ambassador of Blackwood, Sir Dagger of Blackwood and his guard, Bødwar, known as the Beer Hunter. Other distinguished guests followed with Mérane Ragna Mala of the Fortress of Diversity being most prominent among them.

Knighting of Sir Nogard

Early in the day during the main festival of the Weekend of Delicacies, Nogard of the Banner of Silence was offered the title of Baroness Eflama's personal knight. This offer was made with the caveat that Nogard must take time to think about what that would mean and to decide if he would be willing to accept. After a ball, of which the Banner of Silence are famous for, the day light had left the sky replaced by a blanket of stars. This set the backdrop for the knighting of Sir Nogard.

Several torches were lit and all attendees gathered into a ring. The Baroness de Boisvert, Lady Eflama, stepped forward into the ring and recited the deeds and qualities of Nogard. Asking him to step forward and make his decision, he accepted. The lady, sword in hand, dubbed Nogard, Sir Nogard.

As it is known throughout the inner circles of knights within Mythodea, Knights can only be made by knights. This is so both in the Eastern Seal and the Realm of Roses at the very least. Sir Dagger, having been knighted the previous year by his king and fellow Knight of Blackwood, stepped forward to offer his services. He explained that in truth Sir Nogard was already a knight but some cultures within Mythodea may not see it as such. So, to support his friendship and the Kingdom of Blackwood's alliance to the Barony de Boisvert, Dagger also knighted Sir Nogard and delivered him his last un-answered blow.

Mythodea / Fest der Funf

Diplomacy

Hackenrose Maneuver Review

During the Fest der Funf, a meeting was held to discuss the outcome of the Hackenrose Maneuver. There, points were addressed such as the need to quickly establish a full rank structure, communication issues, missing key information; such as whether or not the enemies were normal people or real, the strength of unity gained, the leadership of Sergeant Oswulf Marbrück and more.

One particular issue that was brought up which caused tension between the Gorasians and the Bogatyri was that of the use of steel during the Maneuver. The Bogatyri, under Nevjan, among others, used their normal weapons during the training maneuver while the Gorasians used wooden-training weapons. This, at one point coupled with a bit of confusion as to whether the enemy was real or not, led to some heavy injuries. The Gorasian representative went so far as to tell Nevjan of the Bogatyri that he should train his people better. Naturally tensions rose but were quickly cooled and nothing too dramatic came of the interaction.

Effectively it was agreed that a lot had been learned during the Maneuver and the exercise was labeled a success. At the conclusion of the review, Oswulf Marbrück of Waldesleben was promoted Captain.

Atteron

Six guests from Atteron were present as guests of the Margrave, three witches and two squires. Having the Attoroni present allowed many of the attendees to get to know the newcomers better and likewise the other way around. During a corruption of an Ignis Statue and several of the guests including Nevjan and the Margrave Balor himself, the Atteroni witches assisted in cleansing the infected.

Report of the People on Castellan Brecius

Sir Markus Tullius, First Knight of the Realm and Heinrich von Buntfeste, Edler des Reichs spent a long time traveling the Altmark of Zweiwasser speaking to the common folk, after the short lived rebellion, to gain an understanding of their grievances. These feelings and complaints toward the ruling class and, more specifically, Brecius the Castellan of Zweiwasser, were read to those gathered by the two nobles. The two reported that, according to the common folk, the militia was called to march through a harsh winter to Khal'Hatra to fight in the civil war there. During the March there were injuries, many permanent and at least one death. The people felt a distance from their rulers and some have even begun to call Castellan Brecius, Brecius the Black.

To this the Castellan answered that he would offer some of his time to meet with the people and address their complaints. In general, Brecius promised to be more present before the people of Zweiwasser.

At the end of the report, Ambassador Dagger added that East Blackwood and the East Blackwood Company had been recently recruiting in the region, giving them gainful employment, keeping them busy and hopefully pacifying some. "For this to be effective", Dagger said, "we need more housing." The ambassador suggested that that topic be discussed after in private.

Meeting with Castelan Brecius

Once Brecius had the time the Castellan met with Dagger at the Ambassador's tent. There, the subject of housing in the form of a small settlement was broached. Brecius wished that East Blackwood focus more on Zweiwasser and less on the Northern Seal. The ambassador agreed but for that to happen, more space would be needed. The Castellan agreed to find a suitable place where homes could be built in the near future.

Trade

Contract Suggestion and Trade Discussions

During the Fest der Funf, the East Blackwood Company's Sir Dagger of Blackwood and Castellan Briceus von Thalgrund met to discuss trade and land deals. This discussion was sparked by comments made by Sir Dagger at the end of Sir Markus Tullius and Heinrich von Buntfest's report on the grievances of the people of Zweiwasser. After suggesting that the gainful employment of the populace would likely aid in the overall disposition of the people, Castellan Briceus agreed to speak with Sir Dagger privately.

When the Castellan was able, he sat down with Sir Dagger in front of the Ambassador's tent. They discussed trade and the potential construction of an East Blackwood settlement. Various building and security projects are likely also to come in the near future. What was not known fully by the E.B.Co prior to that discussion was that the river trade deal the East Blackwood Company had been working toward had gone to the Land Hanse.

Events

Statue to Ignis
For Those Who Fought

After the egg from the Dragonfly Queen, which had been corrupting the temple shrine and those Ignis sensitive, had been destroyed and the taint of it removed, a blessing and dedication of a new statue was performed. Throughout the festival many people had volunteered to choose and take onto themselves to represent aspects. These people then presented the aspects and their interpretation of how they embodied them to those of Zweiwasser and their guests from Kalhatra. With the blessing of Nushafarin a noble Razash'Dai and Balthasar, Balors squire, they lit a torch and meditated on the statue, giving themselves, in part, over to it.

The statue holds four names for those who fought and for those who died doing so. On the front of the statue is an inscription and it reads as follows:

Stranger, to Asshan go and tell

We fought for Ignis

and two fell

Mythodea and The Realms / Open Letter to the King of Blackwood

23.08.2020

After a short campaign in Nova Bretonia, in the Western Seal of Mythodea, his Excellency wrote this open letter of praise to the King of Blackwood concerning the service Blackwood provided, specifically highlighting one of the Embassy's guards, Captain Varn of CrestGrath.

Open letter to his Majesty the King of Blackwood:

Your Majesty, King Kerrell,

During a recent and short campaign, I have had the pleasure of being accompanied by your Majesty's delegation to the Western Seal. The campaign might have been short, lasting approximately a week, it was very eventful. Questions of identity, corruption, justice, and redemption played key roles in it. Fortunately it ended as an overall victorious one, in part thanks to your Majesty's men and woman.

One of them specifically, does a lot of honor to the delegation and your Kingdom as a whole. This is Captain Varn of CrestGrath. The Captain has been instrumental as an excellent prosecutor in a major trial, and has fought well and bravely on the field of battle. While he may not yet have extensive experience as an officer, he clearly has the makings of an exceptional one. Not only is he well spoken and well respected, but he shows an amount of general cunning and grasp of strategy (both on and off the battlefield) that is uncommon even with experienced officers. Thanks to his honorable acts, the standing of your Majesty's delegation has certainly gone up. May you cherish such an officer.

For the acts of your Majesty's delegation in this campaign you have my sincere gratitude.

May the elements keep you,

Sir Jean-Louis van Heutse Weinveld,

Lord Voice of the West,

Knight of the Word of the Knights of the West,

etc, etc, etc....

Virtus Fidesque Corona

Mythodea and the Ancient World / Morgan's Genocide

After a week long campaign against Morgan(a) of the Ancient World, the half fey mage was finally captured and brought to answer for her crimes. Captain Varn of East Blackwood's Embassy Guard served as prosecutor with Bødwar as council from the same. Captain Sküld of Ragnorock acted as Morgan(a)'s defense. The jury was made up of various nobles and or leaders from the Banner of Silence; including Lady Azela, Ragnorock, Nova Bretonia and, from East Blackwood was Sir Dagger of Blackwood. His Excellency the Voice of the West took his place as judge.

Morgan(a) was found guilty of all charges but spared execution. Instead she was exhiled from her dying world to a Western Seal forest in Mythodea where she would be required to serve and protect her people as well as the people of Mythodea until she saved at least as many lives as she had taken. Captain Varn was dissatisfied with the decision and effectively light punishment for the crimes committed. "This sets a poor precedent for the future as this case will be reviewed and referenced in future trials."

Appearance of a Portal

An archaic gateway appeared recently in the Western Seal fiefdom of Nova Bretonia. The portal was a concerning addition to the recent events throughout Mythodea. Diseases have been rumored to be coming out of the North while all over extreme weather, heat, earthquakes, floods and other such disasters have taken place. The Ri of Nova Bretonia requested aid from his allies to help investigate and deal with this new occurrence and potential threat. His Excellency, the Voice of the West, Jean Jean-Louis sent a letter to Blackwood House in Zweiwasser requesting the aid of Lady Sayeh of Sapphire Isle. In her stead Sir Dagger, Captain Varn, Eridan Crabsbane and other members of the Embassy Guard were able to answer the call.

Proceeding the first arrivals, court was held to discuss what was to be done about the gateway and who would support in the endeavor. Sir Dagger of Blackwood offered the support of himself and the Embassy Guard on behalf of Lady Sayeh who's mission it had been. A plan to investigate the portal was prepared with East Blackwood offering to be the first through should they managed to open it safely.

Abductions of Key Persons

Before the mission to test and investigate the portal and what was on the other side could be fully implemented, people started disappearing. Lady Gerianne the daughter of the Ri, Gazgul of the Banner of Silence and Dame Nymea of the same and Knight of Nova Bretonia were among the first to vanish causing a panic among those gathered in Nova Bretonia. An order was made after these disappearances that no one was to venture outside of the hall alone. Still, others began to vanish as well.

Lois, Tersius and Tanys (the Isenden copy also known as Beta) went missing even after the order. This began to shake the already near panicked people. The fragile state of the Western allies and East Blackwood was brought to the breaking point when his Excellency Jean-Louis went missing as well. This forced Captain Sküld of Ragnorock to act who appeared to be personally responsible for the well being of the Voice.

She gathered Ragnorock before the gateway and prepare to attempt to enter it in search of the missing Voice of the West. Sküld did not appear willing to wait long. Sir Dagger turned back to, at the minimum, get his shield before entering the portal. As he did, however, he vanished as well. This spurred Blackwood as well to get into full armor and prepare for the worst.

All of the captured parties had been brought to a laboratory of Morgan(a) where they were tortured both physically and magically for information about what they were doing, where they were from, who they served and other such items of importance. During the torture it had become clear that Morgan(a) had a clear and deep hatred for humanity and wished only total vengeance on them. With the assistance of the White Lady Pesta, Sir Dagger and Lois was corrupted to fight for Morgan(a) alongside Pesta and Bolg while she pulled everyone in the area through the gateway and into the ancient world.

Sir Dagger and Lois were subdued and the rest were saved but not before Morgan(a) closed the portal back to Mythodea behind them.

Corruptions and Conflicts

During the course of the next couple of days repeated corruptions of varying degrees continued to occur as well as attempted assassinations of both the Ri Isenden and the Voice of the West Jean-Louis. Sacrifices were made to save others and then those sacrificed were gambled for. During a skrimish between Morgan(a), her people and the Westerners with East Blackwood, his excellency Jean-Louis managed to stab Morgan(a) with a knife that would later become the only weapon that could harm her. In one such clash, Eridan Crabsbane, the Champion of the Embassy Guard and Slayer of the Crab of the Pestilence, stood firm against the beast, Bolg only being dropped to the ground when Bolg out powered him.

Tensions and distrust ran high throughout these starting days within the ancient world. In spite of this, the search for answers and solutions persisted. The laboratory of Morgan(a) was even found and investigated by Pinacle of the Banner of Silence. Runes were found and collected which would later be needed to open the portal.

Genocide

It did not take long to learn that Morgan(a) had been doing for centuries, genocide. With magic and powerful minions Morgan(a) had waged war on human kind. As her war blazed she killed children and her own kind as well. Later this was confirmed when an East Blackwood scouting party discovered that an elven people who had been in contact with the Western Seal had been slaughtered. In a skimish against Morgan(a) it appeared that reason this was happening was because she considered them to be traitors.

Morgan(a) Attempts to Kill Ri Isenden

In the evening a few days into bring trapped behind the portal, Morgan(a), in a fit of rage, made her presence know when she entered the hall and attacked Ri Isenden, "now you watch as your Ri dies before you!" With sorcery, Morgan(a) appeared to crush the soul of the Ri.

Ri Isenden was rushed to a more comfortable area within the building where the four groups combating Morgan(a) operated from. There healers from Ragnorock poured energy into the Ri. When that appeared to not be enough, Ambassador Dagger offered to attempt the same only he also gave his own energy into the healing which caused him to collapse. This effort seemed to work as the Ri once again gained consciousness. Sir Dagger was first saved by Bødwar of the Embassy Guards and then again by Pinacle of the Banner of Silence.

East Blackwood Receives Reinforcements

On the third day of the campaign, Captain Varn and Medina of the Embassy Guard arrived in the Ancient World with many of the supplies that had been left behind when Sir Dagger and the others were pulled into the Old World against their will. Their weapons were removed and they were checked for corruption using a technique learned over the past few days. Once they were cleared, their weapons were returned to them and they were permitted to return to their roles.

Wedding of Tanys (Beta)

Ri Isenden and Tanys are two halves of the same person. Rumor had it that Tanys was more corrupted by Morgan(a) than Isenden so the idea was suggested that Tanys get married to Ciel and Azraelle of Nova Bretonia to help break the connection Morgan(a) had with Isenden. The bond between Ciel, Azraelle and Isenden was said to be strong so the suggestion was put into motion and Tanys agreed. A wedding took place between the three which was sealed by gifts and dancing. The exact effects of the wedding were not immediately apparent.

A Meeting with the Fey?

During the forced campaign into the Ancient World, some of the non-humans had been in contact with the Fey. They had been attempting to sway the Fey away from Morgan(a) at the very least if not against them. This was not happening fast enough for the increasingly troublesome events so, a plan was set into motion to go to them and call them to speak with those who were not human. Should they decide to speak, the non-humans would request that West's highest diplomat, a human, instead; his excellency Jean-Louis the Voice of the West.

Several members of Ragnarok, Sir Dagger of Blackwood and Raziel the Prium Geard of Nova Bretonia were met, not by the Fey exactly, but by Morgan(a), Bolg, Pesta and the Messenger of Death. Morgan(a) was arguing with Death when they appeared. One of the people of Ragnarok spoke requesting that his excellency Jean-Louis be permitted to speak on behalf of those gathered. Morgan(a) was displeased by the messenger agreed. The messenger wished to watch the debate or argument that followed between the Voice of the West and Morgan(a) in order to judge who was the bigger threat to the balance. He made his decision at the argument's conclusion and took Raziel with him, vanishing before those present.

Dealing with Death

During the time that followed, the Voice of the West, Lady Azela and others met with the messenger of Death to discuss a deal to save the lives of Raziel, Lady Gerianne, Jean-Louis and Azela. The discussions were private but the overall outcome became apparent by the end of the campaign.

Death of Ernesta

To save another, Ernesta, who had been one of the four herolds of the end, famine, offered herself as a sacrifice to save another and to help keep the balance with Death. Sküld of Ragnarok accepted to do the dark deed herself and did so with great sorrow. First a somber version of "The Western Ribbon" was sung to lull Ernesta into a calm state after she had drunken a portion to remove her pain. Then, a humming chant continued immeted by the ring of witnesses surrounding the brave soul who was about to give her life for another. Sküld drove a knife into Ernesta and held her until the light in her eyes finally faded away. At the end, Ragnarok collectively howled to honored the recently passed.

Battle to Destroy Pesta and Bolg: Part 1 - Meeting with Death

In the morning several days after entering the old world, Eridan Crabsbane and Annabel of the Embassy Guard left on a scouting mission with Alsrik the Brenn and the Nova Bretonians. They did not return at the expected time. Sir Dagger and Captain Varn led the remaining Guard to where Dagger had began to feel or sense a disturbance or trouble. He could not explain the feeling but once he arrived at the East Blackwood camp, it became apparent. There had been a struggle and no sign of the guards or the Nova Bretonians.

The Messenger of Death made himself know to East Blackwood at that moment proclaiming that Morgan(a) had broken the rules of balance. As such he granted Sir Dagger the story of what had happened. Morgan(a) had captured and corrupted Eridan, Annabel and "others" and was training them to fight for her. For this information he demanded a price. The messenger demanded that the two beings like himself, Pesta and Bolg that yet remained be destroyed. Dagger simply agreed with the demand and asked where his people were to be found.

Sir Dagger with Captain Varn and the others returned to Ragnorock where the story of what had just happened was hastily explained. A plan was formed, Ragnorock would focus on Pesta as they had a means of defeating her while East Blackwood with the aid of Walden of Ragnorock would slow Bolg while they worked to subdue their corrupted allies without killing them. At this point it was uncertain how Bolg would be destroyed.

Battle to Destroy Pesta and Bolg: Part 1 - Destruction of Bolg and Pesta

Sir Dagger, Captain Varn and Bødwar of the Embassy Guard armored themselves as heavily as possible while Medina took up the right flank and Walden of Ragnorock near the left. East Blackwood formed the front rank while the rest of Ragnorock made up the rear. There was a bleak sense of urgency as the combined groups moved up to find themselves possibly outnumbered if not out-powered.

Eridan moved forward with Annabel not far behind. Nova Bretonia rushed forward Clashing with the shields of the small front line and Bolg followed behind them. Almost instantly the fight devolved into chaos but through that chaos Ragnorock managed to work their way through to Pesta the White Lady where they began their work to destroy her.

Captain Varn, in full mail and great helm fought to hold off his attackers while attempting to somehow knock Eridan unconscious. Bødwar and Medina did much the same but focused on other areas of the fighting. Sir Dagger's primary objective was to slow Bolg. As it had been learned earlier on, striking Bolg on the eye which rested on the left side of his chest would bring the beast to a knee. This worked a few times and was attempted but through the chaos of battle Sir Dagger was struck in the chest by one of Bolg's massive-spiked maces he too was dropped to his knees.

Eridan, Annabel and the Nova Bretonia's pushed past Dagger forcing Captain Varn back. Bødwar fell back as well injured but not before striking Bolg's eye once again. Sir Dagger, back on his feet, fought through the fray and stabbed his sword through Bolg. Pulling up in a sawing motion, the knewly knighted Dagger of Blackwood destroyed the eye and the beast desintigrated. Bolg's head and weapons were all that remained.

The ritual magic being performed by Ragnorock to trap and petrify Pesta continued and the battle raged on. Too many of the corrupted still stood while East Blackwood collected injuries. Medina went down in the fighting as well as Bødwar and Walden leaving Sir Dagger and Captain Varn to deal with the rest. Varn pushed forward absorbing hits mostly with his armor as he subdued two more. That left one remaining, Annabel who was then rendered unconscious with a sleep spell from Ragnorock.

When the dust of the battle settled there was a mess of injured and unconscious persons but Pesta and Bolg had both been destroyed. Victory had been hard fought but earned.

Capture of Morgan(a)

The night after the Battle against Pesta, Bolg and the corrupted, Morgan(a) appeared in a fit of violent rage. She was brought down by the combined power of those present and trapped within a binding. She was solely talked down from her rage with compassion and the realization of the evils she had committed over centuries. She later accepted her situation willingly leaving her fate in the hands of the West and East Blackwood.

Trial of Morgan(a)

The trial hosted several tables and seating for all. At the front of the hall against the far wall was the main table which hosted the Judge, in this case his Excellency Jean-Louis, special witnesses, the jury scribes and the translators. Flanking the main table were the jury tables which hosted the nobles and leaders chosen for the jury. Placed at an angle facing the judge were the tables for the prosecution and defense. The prosecution was led by Captain Varn of the Embassy Guard with the assistance of Bodwar from the same as council. The defense was Captain Sküld. The accused Morgan(a) sat to her right side when facing the judge. Behind those tables were the seats for the court's guests and witnesses. Raziel the Prium Geard of Nova Bretonia served as bailiff with Eridan Crabsbane controlling the doors entering the hall.

Morgan(a) was found guilty of all charges but spared execution. Instead she was exiled from her dying world to a Western Seal forest in Mythodea where she would be required to serve and protect her people as well as the people of Mythodea until she saved at least as many lives as she had taken. Captain Varn was dissatisfied with the decision and effectively light punishment for the crimes committed. "This sets a poor precedent for the future as this case will be reviewed and referenced in future trials."

Death not Satisfied

The messenger of Death interrupted the Trail of Morgan(a) to demand the price for the life given to be paid. Death was apparently not satisfied with due process. The Voice of the West, and Judge of the Trial, requested twenty more minutes for the convening of the Jury and issuing of the verdict. The messenger agreed and disappeared for a short time.

When the messenger returned, he was told of the trail's decision. He agreed with the judgement but demanded a price be paid none-the-less. His excellency, Jean-Louis, started to discuss possibilities. As these possibilities were not desirable to others such as Lady Azela and Captain Sküld, people began to present offers but the prices the messenger would agree to were always increasing. The Voice of the West declared that there would be no other offers from anyone else and that he would not play a game of ever increasing payment.

The messenger abruptly changed his mind deciding to take Morgan(a)'s immortality, which she too had offered, and declared that he would be back in three years to claim her life, regardless of the court's decision. With that, he left.

Opening the Portal Home

Ri Isenden called on Sir Dagger to make good on his promise to assist him by asking him to help open the gateway back to Mythodea. Morgana, Ri Isenden and Sir Dagger charged the portal after several of the gathered Western groups and East Blackwood placed rune stones within an artifact before the portal. The portal was then partially opened where then the three joined hands to use their energy, magic and life force to hold the portal open long enough to first get the rest of the company through and then themselves. Pinacle of the Banner of Silence was needed to save the life to Ambassador Dagger. Isenden and Morgan(a) were also weakened greatly by the act of opening the gateway but not so much as they would have died.

After the Nova Bretonians, the Banner of Silence, Ragnarok and East Blackwood returned to Mythodea, Ri Isenden thanked all for their assistance and sacrifice and declared an evening of drink and merriment. During the night, one by one Ri Isenden and Lady Gerianne called six people to speak with them. To each of these six, the Ri and Lady Gerianne gifted an artifact made from the portal as a thank you for their service. Sir Dagger of Blackwood Gazgul of the Banner of Silence and Sküld, of Ragnarok.

Mythodea / Cliff Fall on West-Rosen Pass

Mythodea / The Northern Lights Maneuver

The Northern Lights Maneuver: During the high summer period of the year in Mythodea, the Margrave Balor the Red and Stordan von Zackenberg hosted a large training maneuver in the no-man's-land between the northern reaches of the Realm of Roses and the Domain of the Black Ice. The goal was to establish a bridgehead or staging point where the forces of the Realm of Roses and her allies could launch an attack on Viria its self or the outlying strongholds of the Schwarzes Eis (Black Ice). Answering the call to maneuver were Zackenberg, the Bogatyri, Zweiwasser, Schönweiler, Waldesleben, Gorasian, East Blackwood, the Narech'Tuloch and, a Naldar. Richter Bo Angusson, Pandio, and later Skara Schildwahrer, were also present during the maneuver as honored observers.

Day 1

After a long march North East from Zackenberg along the old road connecting Shan Meng-Feyn and Viria, the collected fiefdoms, companies and groups established a camp on a hill and, upon the suggestion of Oswulf Marbrück of Waldesleben, went quickly to work building palisade fortifications. Scouts were sent out to get a better look at the surrounding region reporting a long chain of blue and black flags.

The discussion pushed on however when Antonius zu Zackenberg restarted the importance of at least having a person, or people, with overall command of the army. With that in mind, Baron Nevjan was proposed by Ser Dagger of Blackwood and near agreed upon as overall maneuver commander. When Ser Briceus of Thalgrund arrived at the command tent he did away with the voting of an all-around commander. He instead declared Ser Varek Aestus, Captain of the Emerald Tower and Knight of the Order of Thorns and Roses general of the small army. This was accepted by those present and Baron Nevjan and Antonius zu Zackenberg were named Varek's lieutenants.

Day 3

The the early hours, still the middle of the night at the start of the third day, some 40 soldiers, in the guise of Black Ice Rakhs, performed a night raid on the allied camp. Fighting was hard and chaotic, but the defenders prevailed. This attack served to put on display the gaps in the camps defenses and highlighted organizational weaknesses. During the day the camp's defenses were improved and a guard-rotation plan was established by Antonius.

Day 4

Fortifications were completed on the forth day as rain became heavier and heavier and scouts reported the discovery of a pillar of the Black Ice during which was heavy guarded. The black ice advanced on the scout position forcing them to withdraw. Eventually, due to the heavy rain, the scouts returned to camp. During the day, a delegation from the capital, Shan Meng-Feyn with Skara Schildwahrer at its head arrived to observe the maneuver as a guest.

Later that night Ser Varek called all the commanders to the command tent to announce the birth of his child and as such that he would be stepping down from overall command and returning home to his wife and newborn son.

Day 6

Since the onset of the rain it had not let up. The hill was soaked by it so completely that part of it collapsed under its own weight destroying part of the fortifications, damaging camps and injuring soldiers. Not long after the landslide the weather improved slowly becoming warm and sunny. Scouts were once again sent out.

Nueva Tortuga / Birthday Celebration at Port Odd

Port Odd was a team with activity and good cheer. Many merchants peddled their wares to the party guests and traders who used the port as a stop along their journeys to near and far. Games of dice were many as well as the songs sung. Many of those attending the party celebrated until late into the night.

Happy Birthday Captain Ava Oddmir - The Ambassador Staff

Mittellande / Gut Drei Eichen 4

Ceallach of the O'Annid, Honored Guest

Ambassador Dagger granted Ceallach of the O'Annid the right to reside within the East Blackwood Company Guild District as an honored guest under the protection of the E.B.Co for the foreseeable future. Cai had long been a friend of Sir Dagger and the Embassy Guard so, when the request came during the Festival at Drei Eichen, it was granted.

Candle Ceremony

During last year's Summer Campaign in Mythodea, the Embassy Guard's champion, Eridan, participated as one of five champions that challenged the Dragonfly Queen's champion, the Crab of The Pestilence. Five warriors answered the call, three lived to tell the tale but one did not fight. To remember the events that took place and to memorialize those two who had fallen, a five candle ceremony was hosted in the Embassy camp. People from nearby camps were invited as guests to witness it including priests of Ignis and an Ignis paladin Alistair Kirschenhain.

Fee Market at Drei Eichen

Each year, Keitel Wilkinson invites those who have attended his fair to sell the junk and excess wares that have collected over the past year. This year was likely much the same as it had been in previous years with several tables filling a large hall were filled with anything from thread, to clothing, to dishware to armor.

Grand Prix of Drei Eichen

The good Laird of Drei Eiche, Keitel Wilkinson, also hosts the Grand Prix of Drei Eichen to entertain his guests. This, quasi-,tournament presents a myriad of challenges and games for competitors to try their luck at. Some such challenges included crafting a helm from scrap materials in less than thirty blinks of the eye, a mask presentation contest and others. Both Bødwar and Yuber of the Embassy Guard participated. This years winners were:

1. Arn an Velting
2. and 3. Alistair Kirschenhain and Gorodor Weißmähne

The Splinter Lands / Battle in the Annawald

Having received word of the mustering of armies from Kan Kuzgun and from the Grand Duke of Drachengard, Ambassador Dagger deployed a unit of the Embassy Guard, from East Blackwood in Mythodea, to offer their services to one of the two nations. In the winter of the Splinter Lands Year of 334, East Blackwood took up the banner of the Grand Duchy of Drachengard to fight against Kan Kuzgun

Before the War

There was peace between both nations until about five years past and trade had flourished in that time. Four years before the breakdown in relations, Kan Kuzgun had been titled a baron of a small coastal territory in Germersmark. However, the preexisting agreements were not honored and the two nations broke down into conflict through proxy states while Kan Kuzgun built a fleet just off the coast fo Drachengard. Kan Kuzgun and the Grand Duke supported opposing sides during the War of Succession (329 - 331). During the Steinersturmer rebellion, relations reached an all time low. The Grand Duke of Drachengard felt is necessary to declare war on Kan Kuzgun.

The War

The war has been raging on for around two years as of the writing of this article. War was declared with the following words of the Grand Duke, translated for your reading pleasure.

"... On the basis of the highest resolution of His Princely Grace Karl von Lauffen, a declaration of war was addressed to the empire Kan Kuzgun a few days ago, which reads as follows.

Since the empire Kan Kuzgun shows no willingness to respect the borders and territories of the Grand Duchy of Drachengard, His princely graces as well as the court council sees itself in the necessity to take care and protect itself for the protection and interests this end to appeal to the violence of arms. From this moment on, the Grand Duchy of Drachengard considers itself to be at war with the Empire of Kan Kuzgun ... "

At the start of the war, in the Splinter Lands Year of 333, both sides spent much of their time making preparations and solidifying alliances. With southern empire of Kan Kuzgun having a northern stronghold at Germersmark, the Grand Duke asked Baron Rhuarc von Schwarzenfels to blockade the enclave. In 334 the Naval and Commercial Expeditionary Force fleet attempted to execute this order. A naval battle commenced in the Märkisches Meer where the Schwarzenfels force was defeated and Admiral Von Gercken died due to complications of injuries sustained in the fighting.

Battle in the Annawald

Having gained a strategical advantage, Kan Kuzgun pushed into the mainland as the Grand Duke had feared threatening the heart of the Grand Duchy. East Blackwood's Embassy Guard are among the mercenaries who joined the Drachengard forces to repel the invasion. The Embassy Guard, under the order of Sir Dagger of Blackwood, assisted the mercenaries present in destroying flanking attempts made by the forces of Kan Kuzgun.

The battle in the Annawald raged on for much of the day. Drachengard steadily lost ground in spite of the assistance of the Embassy Guard, Wayfarers and other allies. Kan Kuzgun's heavy infantry had proven to out power the main lines of Drachengard. An hour of reprieve came when the lines had withdrawn to an area of the forest that allowed East Blackwood and their allies to use skirmisher tactics more effectively to help counter balance the advantages of Kan Kuzgun. However, this only proved to stall the attacking force who's fighting strength constantly assaulted the defending lines of Drachengard.

A plan was needed to force Kan Kuzgun into retreat. A young wayfarer by the name of Ramor Al Nocte presented Sir Dagger with a plan to flank wide through the thicker parts of the forest where the skirmishers would be more difficult to spot. The plan was executed with the wayfarer's, the Embassy Guard and skirmishers ventured deep into the forest and fell upon the Kan Kuzgun forces from behind just as they were about to breakthrough the remaining line of Drachengard soldiers. The flanking maneuver ultimately helped force Kan Kuzgun to retreat winning the day for Drachengard.

Guards Annabel and Beria fought with distinction during the Battle in the Annawald.

The Realms / Feast of Laviathan XXII

A New Year and a New Knight of the Realms. Often the concept of knighthood in the Realms seems lost, and some have formulated opinions on how or what it is, or what it might mean to them.

In Mythodea, the is a high regard for the knights of the orders, there is a show of respect, a sense of duty, and while in the Realms the knighthoods are different... there is still a celebration of honor and recognition.

The Feast of Leviathan is held at the start of each year, it brings with it the winter snow and this year, no surprise snow did fall on the farms of Rhiassa. There was sport and a few tournaments for those wishing to show off their skills, and food. In attendance, both Kings of Chimeron and Blackwood came amongst the other Lords and their lands.

The snow storm brought with it a blanket that covered the brown dead fields of grass, and with it a sense that as the days would soon be getting longer; a rebirth of the land soon to come in spring.

This time is also when the past deeds and marks of honor are honored, and many were elevated; The Order of the Magi recognized five new members of it's order, torches were passed and duties given to new Knight commanders, and even Blackwood itself knighted Sir Kara from squire to Knight of Blackwood.

The Knights of the Realms then also called for Sir Gwen of Rhiassa, whom has shown her love and devotion to the realms by filling its empty bellies in the coldest winters and for her leadership in the lands of Rhiassa in this new age.

They have given their time, blood, sweat, and hearts to give the Realms a future, and they were honored that night as the wind and snow encircled us. Winters come and they go, but with it comes rebirth. Such is knighthood; we are reborn and bound in our honor.

Bicolline / Winter RCY 1020

A summery of the later days of the War with Haldorf.

1. Phala, once a village, now a region without buildings, is under occupation by the company of the Houspilleurs (Dalabheim)
2. Ghaior, a region, under occupation by the Eternal Ghoria banner of Lord Robert (Gorghor Baey)
3. Leh is under occupation by the of Battalion (High Guard)
4. Ladakh, an estate, property of Vigneault du Nephilim, a citizen of the Berkwald who has recognized Emperor Karl I as the legitimate Monarch.
5. Yoroo, a camp, is under occupation by Jyvalgan Coeur-de-Mithril (Brotherhood of the Mjolnir)
6. Urt, an estate, property of Rashface Klatgueul, orca of the territories of oblivion, has bent the knee before Emperor Karl I, accepting him as the legitimate Monarch of the the region.
   
7. Uldz, under occupation by the Lord Robert's Rapines Company (Gorghor Baey)
8. Ondoraan, the only area still having fortifications, property of Ramiel de Portelance, to whom an ultimatum will be issued at the Purple Bal, otherwise a siege will be started without further notice or delay.
9. Zangbo, under occupation by the Orphans of ghoon (Hellequin)
10. Brahma, former capital of Haldorf, passed from City to Bourgade, now in ruin, under occupation by the Bold of Duke play Cairagh (Vand' Hal)
11. Zang, once a village, now empty land, under occupation by the royal Usher Philibert the Entertainer.
12. Tsanupe, once a village, now empty land, under occupation by the royal Usher Philibert the Entertainer.
13. Patura, occupied by the Imperial Guard IX of Liliana von Shlaffenmark (Imperial Cash).
14. Nuur, under occupation by the royal Usher Philibert the Entertainer.
15. Selenge, under occupation by Duke Igor Disgratiov, having been promised ownership of the estate as a retirement bonus (Reiksreitters).
16. Eud, Bourgade, in ruin and without garrison, property of Sire Lambert of Bordeleau, of the Ost of Saint-Reliquary, voluntarily left without occupation, by the sole grace of his Sérérénissime Highness Karl I.
17. Dzanim, Hamlet, owning a paddock, under occupation by the banner of the hot kopains (Hellequin)
18. Crop, Hamlet, property of Mancel called "Le Gros", an royal citizen currently being held captive by the Emperor for the purpose of investigation.
19. Kormantin, camp, without construction, property of Claus Greif de Gaia, a Andorian citizen, having recognized Emperor Karl I, as the legitimate Monarch of the the region.
    
20. Assinie, property of Ludwig von Shlaffenmark, first cousin of the emperor (von Shlaffenmark)
21. Axime, camp with a palisade and militia, property of Pierre le Entertainer (Imperial Cash)
22. Do, under occupation by the XIII of Corporal Trouffignon (Reiskwart)
    

Haut-Roy Hubert d ' Haldorf is in exile, having lost the confidence of the federation Arganaise after demonstrating his inability to admit to being defeated, causing his people to suffer.
Lord traitor, Sir Auguste D ' Haldorf has just abdicated, causing elections to take place at the Purple Bal, in the hustle and bustle.

Let it be said with great respect that no matter who will be elected next March, as lord of the province, if he is not an emperor, he simply will not have the right needed to rule.
He will be instead forever known as the last "not" lord of the province.

Long live the emperor! Long live the free Haldorf!

Reported by Gilbert, Lord of Reikwald, Grand Treasurer of the Empire

Province of Ekengrad

Winter Realms Common Year 1020

A few months ago, the emperor was informed by border scouts that fugitives had settled in the area of Trévoux the Haut, where they were trying to stir up a revolt in the very heart of the Empire. According to Imperial information, they had settled for some time. They had to act quickly, force and touch because otherwise the fugatives would try to kill imperials, which the Empire wanted to avoid by choosing a widespread military repression. The Empire does not miss any widow or orphans in this time of war.

Close to these felons and therefore at a distance from action were these banners:
· The Kolons of Ekengrad (Igor Disgratiov);
· The keepers of secrets (Hubert the Entertainer)

Later this past winter, these banners were ordered to head to the rebel camp to serve the emperor's justice. It was out of the question that the mother country would tolerate the presence of seditious rebels. A choice would be given to them, to bend the knee and allegiance to the emperor or they would be executed without delay in order to deliver a clear message to everyone.

Victory was not smoothly gained however. The remains of those who refused the will of the Emperor were on display for 13 days, then their dismembered bodies were sent to the four corners of the Empire to remind the royal citizens that the Empire tolerates no sedition.
The Emperor wants it, the emperor can, long live the emperor.

Reported by Gilbert, Lord of Reikwald, Grand Treasurer of the Empire

Domaine de Kanem

Winter Realms Common Year 1020

In the fall of the previous year, the estate of Kanem, province of Ekengrad, left for too long to abandon by its owners, was the stage of an never-before seen tragedy. A band of miscreants decided to take charge of law and order in their lands. On the order of the Lord of Ekengrad, Reiksmaréchal of the Imperial army, Vasily Krinkov, of the Regiment of the Imperial Guard was urgently sent to the location of the disturbance.

Commissioned by the Emperor's little niece, Liliana von Shlaffenmark, the Imperial Guard X, First Regiment of the Imperial Guard entirely composed of women, largely inspired by the speech of his serene Highness Karl 1, and the small vitamins distributed by the first High Priestess of the Reikskult, Arha Masky, fell upon the outlaws. Without offering any resistance, they were destroyed with violence and determination, in silence and total indifference. The Imperial Guard suffered no losses in the fatal assault.

Let it be known to all that on the 13 day of the second month of 1020 that the Imperial Guard does not take prisoners, that mercenaries without faith or law have no place in the Empire and that only the Imperial Guard has the legitimate authority to rule of law and order.
As for the baroness of Kanem, she is asked to clear her area before the arrival of spring or to give back her title to the Lord of Ekengrad so that he can do whatever is necessary to prevent this type of situation from happening again.

Long live Emperor Karl I

Reported by Gilbert, Lord of Reikwald, Grand Treasurer of the Empire

Bicolline / Fall in Kintzhime

The approximate area where The Guilded Lion was sunk was reached where blue men from beneath the sea came aboard Le Brûle Eau and discussed the work would need to be done. Their contract with the blue men had well established beforehand. They plunged while the members of the Realms Embassy's exploration team allowed the rope and nets to unroll the finds made on the ground beneath the waves.

Because the Golden Lion frigate sank not long ago, the materials were still in good condition. After several days of hard work done by the blue men, the booty is recovered: Chests of gold, marine resources, equipment, and armaments. The blue men have made a thorough search of the area and nothing else remained to be recovered in the bay.

The Realms / Stacked Deck Final Table

The beginning of the year in The Realms should always be the start of new things. But at the Castle on January 4th was actually the end of the poker playing season. Throughout the year, Duke Tao of Clontarf kept track of the top 4 places in each poker tournament. Players earned points that would go towards the final table. I also collected gold from each tournament for the final pot.

Tao tallied up all the points and invited the following players to the badly named final table (because there were actually two tables): Here is the list of top 16 players in the order of most points earned to least.

Last year's champion Sir Avendar of Voranis; Sir Sagart of Voranis; Sir Jayce of Neden; Sir Phoenix of Folkestone, Sir Zatarra of Invictus champion of season 1017; Baledor of Chimmeron; Sir Rillan of Voranis; Belle of Blackwood; Luc-Dubois who is independent; Runaris of Invictus; Sir Mathies of Blackwood champion of 1015 season; Nova of Blackwood; Jean Baptise of Neden; Evie of Voranis; Karmha who is independent, and Jack of Grimloch.

Because Duke Tao was organizing and running the tournament for the last few years, he did not play in the final. After winning the 1016 season, Tao semi-retired. (more on this later)

Tao does not remember exactly when most of the players were eliminated but here are some details of a few that stand out in my mind.

Sir Avendar, last year's champion, appeared to be a clear favorite to win in the side betting. So, when he was the first to fall it definitely changed the expected outcome of the tournament.

Sir Zatarra was eliminated a little over halfway through the tournament, leaving only Sir Mathias as the remaining former champion on the tables. He lasted all the way to 5th. Once the tables had been combined Sir Mathias had one of the largest chip stacks. But alas, luck was not with him. He could not find any hands to play for many hours and ended up having to go all-in and loosing when there were, but 5 players left.

Hoping to bribe, er, entice everyone to bring Duke Tao food, he had announced that he would be asking people to bring things in pots, for luck, and he would judge who was the best in many categories. Low and behold the people of Realms answered his request for food with fantastic entries. He was so overwhelmed by all the quality cuisine, everyone who brought something got first place prizes for the food.

The tournament was starting to wind down when Belle of Blackwood, someone who only started playing a scant few years ago, came out 4th. She was the first to earn any of the prize pool and walked away with 145 gold.

Third place went to Rillian, but really this was the hand that pretty much decided the tournament. The three remaining players and decent stacks, no one had a lot more then another. This was the kind of hand that no one wants, because there is no getting away from it. No raise preflop, just the blinds played. The board came: six, six, six. Rilan checked, Runaris checked, the turn came: eight. Bet-raise-all in-call, Rilan showed he had the eight for a full house, but Runaris had the 4th six. Quads won the hand and Rillan came out third (and collated 430 gold).

When Runaris took out Rillan he acquired quite a chip stack and, in these situations, it is usually just a matter of time. Jayce held out, made some moves, and survived for quite a while, but eventually they both found hands they thought had a chance of winning. But Runaris's Ace high was the winner when Jayces draw hand did not get there. Jayce earned 860 gold. And Runaris earned the title of champion and a very special (magic) item.

This will be my last year running and hosting the tournament for a few years. "This coming season I will be playing and earning points, hopefully. I have enjoyed doing this, but I also enjoy playing in this kind of tournament. Good luck to Sir Zatarra who will be hosting next year's game, and Sir Aeston for keeping track of points." - Sir Tao Ya Kang, Duke of Clontarf Providence, Blackwood.

Bishapur / Island of Limmerik, Burg Amabis

At the end of last year some time after the Summer Campaign in Mythodea, Count Beria de Eline traveled with some companions to Burg Amabis in Bishapur where he aided in the exorcism and defeat of an arch demon. This is the story of what happned as told by Cecilya of Porto Leonis.

Report of the events that transpired the end of last year at Burg Amabis in Bishapur procured by Count Beria de Eline from its writer, Cecilya.

Story by Cecilya:

Sodgar sensed new business in Bishapur when I told him about the archipelago. So I went ashore for the third time on the island of Limmerik, which was south of Bishapur. I went alone and carried very little with me. The rest of the crew was not very magic [attuned] and since I knew [magic] best, Sodgar trusted that I would not get myself into trouble. [In] five days he would pick me up again and, I knew I wouldn't need much here on the Isle of Magic. Just the usual: Backpack with some extra clothes, my smoking utensils, element rocks, some bandages, of course, some food and my two books. In addition, a staff and dagger, as well as a handful of lumis, which I discovered in the Foglands. Lumis were moss-like organisms, which sometimes glowed dimly in the dark and never grew bigger than a marble. From a village elder I learned that they had the ability to extract pollutants from superficial wounds and helped to heal them...

The last rays of the sun sank between the trunks of old and young trees. Nature awoke from its daytime slumber. I heard the chirping of crickets, the rustling of small creatures romping on the ground. I kept meticulously following the barely recognizable path that ran through the landscape like a long-forgotten road, digressing to the right and left every now and then just at the moment when I was training myself to be a fool, as I was looking in vain for my lamp or at least for a small ball of light, both of which I had forgotten, I noticed a small flicker from the corner of my eye, but when I turned my head, it had already disappeared. A little shiver ran down my back to my fingertips. I listened for every sound my ears could hear: A soft, intermittent rustle in the thicket to my right. Above me the wind that softly made the leaves sing. A cloudless sky, whose full moon reminded me to be alert despite the good light it gave. [crickets chirping] But nothing else. I walked on, but even slower than before, looking around me carefully and pausing now and then to listen. I stopped at a rock formation. The feeling of being watched did not let go of me. So I took my backpack from my shoulders, sat down cross-legged on the rock and rummaged in my bag.

A pleasant scent rose from the incense I held in my hand in front of me, what was that back there that was approaching on the eastern path? I greet you, creature of nature, and wish you a good journey, wherever your path leads you," I said clearly into the darkness, and the flickering, though it was only as big as a thumb, came closer. It crunched and out of the darkness another figure stumbled, and as I dropped the incense into the cool grass, I pulled out my dagger and stood up halfway up. Images of undead and werewolves appeared before my inner eye. After all, it was known that all sorts of creatures walked on this island, and there were not only light-born creatures... "By Norin, I've had enough of this miserable forest! Nothing can be seen and this little beast...oh...I beg your pardon..." The voice belonged to a simply dressed middle-aged man, wrapped in a dark cape and, as far as I could make out, definitely human and, judging by his aura, harmless.

Moreover, his only companion seemed to be a shoulder bag, in which he now rummaged, "Have you seen this little bastard? Curious, dancing in my face as if it wanted me to follow it...but where are my manners? Radek, scribe of Hallad the Baron of Uhringen, at your service." With a flowing movement he had freed a small torch from its pocket and was now searching for another component to light it. "Which beast are you talking about?", I said, while I watched him as he lifted a small thing to the top of the torch, which first struck a few sparks that formed into flames and lit the torch. He had the average face of the world, except that his mouth was perhaps a little wider than normal, and Radek looked around searching. "Well, that little flickering will-o'-the-wisp that has been lighting me up here for some time now...there it is!", he exclaimed and pointed to a point diagonally behind me. I turned halfway around and actually there was a small, shining dot jumping around on a branch and obviously seemed to be happy about so much attention. "Yes hello you. What are you doing here all alone?", I asked straight out, but the will-o'-the-wisp just kept dancing around on the branch. "You talk to that thing? Can you understand it? What does it want, by my feather dear?!" The scribe's voice sounded surprised and disbelieving. I shrugged my shoulders.

"So if you were smart enough to follow it, maybe it wants to show us something? Wisps may be deceitful, but they can also lead to surprises...", I dared to make a guess. I hadn't met any before. At least not as active as in this case. I put my dagger away and shouldered my rucksack. I re-ignited the burnt incense and put it into a small crevice in the rock. There it could burn down without danger.

"What are you going to do now? Do you want to follow the beast? And anyway, you haven't told me your name. Are you a magician? From the looks of you, I'd say yes. And why are you travelling alone at all and..."

"You are indeed a scribe", I interrupted him, whereupon Radek paused in bewilderment.

"Always asking questions." I smiled. "But good. I am Cecilya and yes, I am magically gifted. Magic is a part of me, but it is far from mature like I am. And I am alone because I wanted it to be. Does that answer your questions first, writer?"

Radek nodded embarrassed and cleared his throat. "Aaalsoo...", he dragged the word unnecessarily. "I suppose you want to follow the will-o'-the-wisp there as well?"

I pulled up a shoulder and nodded. "I have already had two adventures on this island. So why not add a third?" And with these words we marched off...

As before during my visits on Limmerick this castle was also marked by the years. The single watchtower stood there like a relic from past epochs. Strangely enough, it was almost completely intact, and the will-o'-the-wisp that the scribe and I followed brought us another companion, an archer named Falk. In contrast to us, he had first seen the notices which pointed to these very events around the will-o'-the-wisp and the castle. We called, but nobody noticed. We were discussing what to do when the metal clattering sounded from the path we had come, and another large group, chattering cheerfully, appeared. "Greetings," I shouted in their direction. The answer came promptly. "Greetings! Are you the lords of this castle?", a soldier asked, striking back the heavy cloak.

"No, we are travelers ourselves and arrived here a few moments ago. The castle looks deserted...", Radek spoke up. One of the companions curiously looked at the small gate, then at the windows locked with bars. Before I could notice anything else, he had already pulled himself up by them and peered through the window into the dark. All full of cobwebs, tables and chairs that have fallen over," he said loudly into the round before he let himself fall back onto solid ground.

"I don't think it's a good idea to touch the door with no hands. What if...!", I started a warning, but - of course - that didn't help. There was a lot of hammering against the door, only to make the doorknob jiggle. "In the next 20 or so moments more groups arrived, so that our group grew to about 50 people. Even a few families with children were among them. And when I saw them, I was very surprised:

I recognized the small group of desert emissaries whom I had already met briefly on my first visit, and the two merchants who were also bards and had their families in tow, were also remembered thanks to the musical evenings: Cae, one of the old-established people from the Blutpackt, and Bartock, the gorilla chief. Wait, or was he even a shaman? I wasn't sure anymore. But I was sure that I wanted to be careful not to eat bananas near him. It made him very angry. I was smiling inside. I was curious if someone would make the careless mistake.

And last but not least: The Elf, whom the majority only called "The Count", otherwise they would get lost in the endless titles he had accumulated over the centuries. As our number grew to 50, it seemed to be enough for the castle and the wisps. A loud bang, followed by a crackling sound signaled that the castle had apparently awoken from its slumber.the door, which had previously been locked, sprang open.we entered the hall one after the other, thoughtfully. The now dimly shimmering lamps were covered with cobwebs, tables and chairs were covered with thick dust. Here and there were window ledges, on which all kinds of altar-like coverings were found. From cloths to small skulls, lights and ornamental blankets... A murmur rose up among us as we slowly mastered the impressions... And as was usual in such a mixed group, there were those handful of figures who could not resist their curiosity for the unknown: About at the end of the hall, on a small hill, there was a simple wooden frame. On it was a book with a red cover. Locked, of course.

A cleric--I thought I had seen her before--was asked by her companion to take a closer look, and as she approached the book, I thought I saw a kind of white mist. Only fleetingly, it was. "Waaahhh!!" The Cleric's hand was frightened away. "The book bit me!"

"A biting book? Oh please...", one said, about to open the book. "AAAhhhh!!"

"You should learn to believe what you're told...ts, men..." was the Cleric's snide comment. I too had little sympathy for the young man rubbing his fingers. "If no one objects, I will try a clerical analysis...No objections? Well..." She began to call her dragons with her eyes closed, asked them to reveal the book to her and then remained silent for a short while.

When she opened them again, she frowned, "Well, what I can say is that there seems to be a kind of blue mist around this book. And I saw a symbol, a diamond with a dot in it."

The Cleric looked around. "Any assumptions, gentlemen? Go on, get on with it, any thought can help..."

"If I may permit myself an analysis as well - magically," it spoke beside me. A young man had joined our investigation team and I recognized him as the Count's advisor. The cleric made an inviting gesture and stepped aside. The advisor also swore up his powers to find out the circumstances of the book. His forehead curled up and he rubbed his chin when he had finished. "Very strange... I saw something else, a green mist from which threads seem to emanate in all directions..."

I raised my eyebrows. Even the bystanders were confused. "So...", the lady made a movement with her left hand. "...clerical analysis, blue mist; symbol. Magic analysis:", she moved her right hand to the side. "...green mist and threads... Perhaps the book was sealed. With both of these...", a man in a battered doublet and cap waved his hand to the cleric and the magician. I tilted my head. Should the book be the riddle to be solved? If so, what exactly was it? Was it only about opening the book? Or should the book not be touched at all?

A queasy feeling came over me. I thought back to my last two visits. Had I perhaps emulated my urge to get into an adventure too much?

"Hey!", someone shouted from the hall entrance. "We found another door out here. We can't get it open. Not even a sword could get through..."

"Open Bartock! Bartock strong!" Bartock, the gorilla, stomped courageously out and I saw that I was coming after him. To the right of the hall entrance there was indeed another door, which I had not noticed before because of its simplicity. Two warriors were already standing in front of it, trying to break down the door. "Let Bartock do it," said Bartock, whereupon the two of them willingly moved aside. The Gorilla took a running start, threw himself with full force against the door... and bounced back as if his own force had thrown him back. Bartock picked himself up and tried again. But he bounced back again.

Cea, who had also come out, put his hand on Bartock's shoulder. "Bartock, let me run here..." He drew his sword, lifted it with the tip in front and drew out. I stood beside him and got ready to heal him. In case no one else did. The sword would ricochet off just like Bartock and the rest he had touched. And the sword would return when he threw it. But that, I knew Cae knew. That's who he was. Just going at it like that. True to the motto: Kill first, ask questions later, I sighed deeply. The sword bounced off the barrier so that its blade hit the blood packer right in the shoulder. So, heal once. But instead of taking it easy afterwards, the good Lord had the next idea.

"Give me your strength... come on, come here, give me your strength. It doesn't have to be much, just a part, I'll knock that thing away..." One by one, there were four people, including the cleric, who gave him a part of their power. With Mero's permission, I transferred some of us to him as well. Gae told Bartock to lean against the barrier. You could almost see the man trembling under the powers he had taken. He briefly loosened his shoulders and neck, took a run-up-the two creatures literally crashed through the door rattling and scattered wood shavings flew through the air.

"Well, the door is open...", I murmured and checked if they were all right. "Hey Bartock, everything okay? Are you okay?", I asked the gorilla.

"Bartock okay. Bartock feels even stronger with Cae!" I laughed for a moment. 'Typical.' I stayed outside for a while while while some of them looked at the small room. Also alchemists were among them and seemed to smell work: lots of small cans, caskets and parchment rolls. It might take a while to find out what had happened in this place. The cold drove me back into the hall. In the meantime the tables and chairs were set up again and the room was cleared of the worst dirt. The children, six in number, dared to leave the safe circle of their families and explore the hall in their own way. Now that the light of the lamps shone brighter, I could see that there were not only human beings among them. Fascinated I looked after a demon girl with small horns. I estimated her to be about 9 summers old because of her size. Always near her, a slightly younger figure with a hood and long ears. When the creature turned in my direction, I recognized a goblin child, maybe three summers younger. I wondered how these two could get along and if they were even siblings, but later it turned out that they really belonged together. The father, judging by his appearance, was at least half-demon, his wife was human, even if that didn't mean anything. There were enough beings who could hide their true appearance. I didn't have much to do with demons. Yeah, I was even afraid of them. But these two-the father and the daughter told me that there would be no danger from them if you were near them, yet I kept my distance and chose a place near the entrance, The Count, his companion, and the cleric with her companion.

As during my last two visits to the castles of Limmerick, small bowls of nuts and biscuits appeared on the tables, and the Count's advisor was worried. "I've been here on this island twice before. And so far the ghosts have not poisoned me with the little sweets," I cheered him up and reached out strongly. The hunger had crept in unnoticed and now that I had come to rest for the time being, it burst out like thunder.

"S-spirits...?" The magician opposite me went a little pale. I nodded. "Of course. After all, we are on the Island of Magic. It would be strange if on an island like this there were no ghosts of past inhabitants in the castles and palaces... Now don't tell me..."

"Yes, yes," the count grinned at his neighbor in amusement. "Our good friend here is afraid of ghosts." He patted his shoulder.

"That's not funny!" exclaimed the tormented man, because neither the Elf nor I could stop ourselves from laughing.

"Excuse me, but that just sounds funny! You are magicians too, aren't you? How can you be afraid of ghosts?", I shook my head and had to take a deep breath to avoid being blown up again. The magician turned up his nose, then looked at his hands lying on the table in shame.

"Is there nothing to be afraid of?", he asked and I sighed deeply, "Of course...but anyway, I will have to tell you that you will have to live with their presence as long as you are here. They also make the food..." And so it was. On an invisible command, delicious food was served in the small room next to the hall: roast and dumplings, vegetables and cakes for dessert. The rest, which had remained outside and in the alchemy room, were also driven into the hall by the prospect of a warm meal, and the air was soon filled with happy chatter...

I had just eaten half of my cake when a small commotion broke out in the square with the sealed book. When I turned my head, I could not really see anything. There was a little outcry, followed by a "Rums!" "The book is open!", one shouted. A little later one of the eyewitnesses came up to the back table and explained the incident: Apparently someone had the idea to give the book cookies to eat. As it swallowed them, another stabbed it with a dagger and the book jumped up, shaking me and I buried my face in my hands. Now I was sure it was far from wise to embark on this adventure...

My fears were heightened that evening when two figures entered the hall. One of them I already knew: he was a man they called "The Sentinel". He was present in every castle, every palace on Limmerick. And, yes, it was always the same man. May the goddesses know how he could smell that visitors had entered one of his protégés... His companion was a woman, her face hidden thanks to her long pony and the bonnet of a nun. She was a nun from an old convent. She had come to support us and bring light into the dark. However, she had little of a nun, I thought. Quiet she was, yes. But her whole aura radiated something strange. Also her clothes, which were partly decorated with dead things, did not bring me much security and she was the one who told us what had happened so many years ago at this place:

Apparently there was an arch demon conjured. Or even there was--I didn't quite get that part, because my mind went blank at the word "ERZ-Demon" for a short time. But it could not be controlled and so an order of clerics, mages and simple creatures tries to destroy it by a blood ritual. But they didn't succeed in this, of course not, that would be like trying to catch the wind, instead they sealed the Archdemon in the book that was now lying open on the small desk and destroyed themselves at the same time. After this revelation panic mixed with despair and uncertainty. And what now?

Apparently, there was an archdemon summoned Or even there was--I didn't quite get that part, because my mind went blank at the word "ERZ-Demon" for a short time. But it could not be controlled and so an order of clerics, mages and simple creatures tries to destroy it by a blood ritual. But they didn't succeed in this, of course not, that would be like trying to catch the wind, instead they sealed the Archdemon in the book that was now lying open on the small desk and destroyed themselves at the same time. After this revelation panic mixed with despair and uncertainty.

And now what? "You must be very careful. Since the book was opened, the Demon could succeed in breaking out of the book. You must find a way to destroy the archdemon, otherwise all is lost," were the nun's last words before she retired.

Our small troop had to sit down after this revelation. Silence spread. The magician buried the face in his hands. "What have I gotten myself into? What have I done to deserve this?...", I could hear him murmuring. Where had the children gone? I found a girl under the table of the two merchants next door. The others seemed to be outside.

Suddenly screams came from outside. The door was laboriously ripped open and the little goblin girl jumped in. "A bad thing is coming!" she shouted. The hall was already filled with scraping chairs and the sound of drawn weapons. Three other guests rushed into the hall with frightened faces.

"Undead!" one stammered, "monster!" the other. The rest of the children followed, with the oldest of the small group - he might have reached the age of 14 or 15 - waving his sword behind him in vain. If I did not have my staff at hand, I at least drew my dagger. My ears twitched, when at the same moment a dark masked figure stepped through the threshold. The thing carried no weapons, its claws were dangerous enough-it knew how to use them, and it fended off attack after attack with ease, hits, bumps and kicks seemed to be unstoppable. Single-mindedly it made its way through the hall. I couldn't see what happened after that because of all the heads and bodies, but the painful screaming of a young voice went through my marrow and legs. it might have been a moment or less until the fighters succeeded in killing the being, whatever it was. for one breath there was an unreal silence. Then panic broke out. "Healers!!", the cry came from the far corner. "We need Healers!! A child was lying lifeless on the floor! "My body was frozen. Tears filled my eyes. A child! A child was hurt! Cecilya, wake up! Mero's haunting voice tore me from the frozen posture I had assumed. Of course. Heal. Immediately. With children I still went through it every time. I felt anger rise up inside me. Why a child?

With one quick movement, I exchanged dagger for healing clay that was in my belt pouch and walked towards the crowd. Two other healers were already caring for the injured. A deep cut gaped over his upper body.

"How did this happen?" I asked brusquely and knelt down to the boy. "The beast simply could not be stopped, as if it was only fixated on the children. The boy defended himself, but then..." I was just about to start taking out my soul stone as well-because there was no doubt something unnatural involved, too-because a commanding voice sounded behind me that would not tolerate any contradiction. "Let me see, I know about children." Turning to the voice, I was about to start a harsh response that would have washed. But the words barely stuck in my throat. I looked into the face of the Lord of Envoys. My ears twitched again. Good, if he thought he could do better. I f he thought he KNEW better, then... I bit my cheek, got up and left.

Please, don't try to break out now. Mero was as loaded as I was. We both hated not being able to act, just because we had both learned and internalized to our blood that a gentleman or a higher lady should be treated with respect, whatever was there. From the masters and learned masters to the first of Porto Leonis and the Nyamen and Archons in Mythodea. But especially when it came to children, I... I didn't look at anyone, just cursed softly and stuffed cake into myself. The end of the song was such that the boy almost reached the realm of the dead, but could be fetched again. He was almost completely drained of his life energy. The "Lord" could apparently not help with this, but suddenly I felt tired. I ate the last piece of cake that I had left on my plate and got up. "Well, well...", I said before a yawn escaped, "I don't know about you, but I have to digest it first. I'm gonna go into hiding. Good night." I left without waiting for an answer. The way to the sleeping quarters was easier than I thought. Not least thanks to the little will-o'-the-wisp that seemed to receive me at the stairs and led me upstairs to the back room. Or at least up to the front of it, because it could not come within one meter of the door. One look was enough to find the reason for this: The door was protected by a barrier. Ornaments as well as a voodoo doll made of garlic were attached to the doorknob.

"Cecilya I am, in flesh and blood, blessed by my goddesses Sinora and Gaia. Is there a bed available in this room?", I asked just loud enough so that the people behind the door could hear me if anyone was in the room. It remained silent at first until I heard a faint creaking and a little later the door was slowly opened. The Gestalt of the Mistress of the desert messengers came towards me. A smile spread across her face. "Come in. We have another bed. How did you know? " she wanted to know quietly and I told her about the will-o'-the-wisp.

"Good, then our protection that we have established will work. We always do that when we sleep in other people's beds when we travel," she explained, pointing to a small elevation in a bed at the end of the room. "My son. He is barely six summers old. It's all very exciting for him.

"He is afraid quickly." I nodded. "Children were much more aware of what was going on than we adults realized. To save them from scary or even evil was an act of impossibility. I inspected the upper bed, which the mistress showed me. It was still very stable despite its age, just creaking a little, "Then I wish you a peaceful night and good sleep. With all we have experienced so far, we are facing a difficult stay...", I whispered before I undressed and got into bed. I was reluctant to sleep in the same room with those people, but what had to be done was done. I hoped we could solve the mystery quickly. On the other hand... what kept me from simply disappearing the next morning? The Mistress replied and turned off the light. In my last thoughts I sent a quick prayer to Sinora, whose mantle of stars I could see shimmering through the window.

"Let this have a happy ending..." The next morning I was greeted with the snoring of two of the emissaries' men. Astonishing, I had not noticed their entry and that of the other roommates--the bedchamber had eight beds, after all. But I had a rather light sleep by nature. I asked Mero and he just said that he had closed my ears "to make sure that I would be completely recovered", and I thanked him for that. After I asked only briefly whether anything else had happened last night and was only told that the book was apparently able to turn the pages on its own, the cool morning air drove me out again. For the first time I saw what was hiding in the courtyard and the adjacent green space, and it wasn't really much. Rock walls, the archway through which we all came last night, another archway that seemed to lead to a viewing level and another thing that was very familiar to me.

"Say, do you know what this could be?" a soldier asked me, who was fixing a coloured dot in the grass with a woman. I approached. The woman was about to bend down and stretch out her hand.

"Don't touch it," I warned her, and she stopped in mid-motion. I accelerated my steps and stared at the spot. As I had thought: flowers. Paired with plants, of which I was no longer sure which ones were poisonous. But in any case I had seen them before, only not in this constellation, which I explained to the two people present.

"Perhaps the alchemists can use it," the man speculated. I agreed with a nod. However, we should first wait and let everyone know to touch the plants with gloves or cloths.

During breakfast, more and more people emerged from their sleeping chambers and a lot of research was done. But until the morning we did not have any really important results. Until suddenly... "Enemy contact!", the warning call rang out. I was just outside, and I was stretching my legs when they appeared. There were two of them. The undead weren't very well-equipped, which doesn't mean anything. They were hard to bring down either way. Unless you managed to knock their heads off their shoulders. But strangely enough, as soon as they were finally destroyed, the two dead disappeared in a white fog, and at about the same time a small research group came to the conclusion that something always happened when the book turned over a page. And with each page that was turned, the threat would come closer, and the nun would appear again and stay this time. She wanted to support and advise us. She also explained that last night's creature was a harvester, a servant of the Archdemon. By stealing the boy's life energy, he automatically transferred it to his trapped master. The undead were proof that the Demon had already gained strength.

At noon, a single man appeared who claimed to be the coachman of the people who were staying here at the castle. He was supposed to take the horses to a safe place and then come here on foot, which he did, but something seemed to have happened to him along the way. It didn't take long before he and anyone who was near him or touched him began to suffer from specific symptoms not unlike a cold: Chills, fever, nausea. It wasn't long before the alchemists declared a minor emergency. In the meantime the children had collected all the flowers they could find. Of course, they had given them gloves and cloths beforehand and taught them not to touch the flowers directly under any circumstances. Apparently they found an antidote in the scrolls. The coachman was getting worse and worse over the next two hours. It turned out that the other participants only suffered from the symptoms when they looked at the coachman. It was confusing.

I wanted to sit in peace in the hall and brood. A man in scholarly robes sat bent over a pile of parchment rolls and seemed to study them. I went to him, thinking differently. "Can we help?", I asked him, whereupon he raised his head in amazement. "With pleasure. These writings are all from the alchemy laboratory. In the meantime we have found out that there is a kind of blood ritual with which the Archdemon could possibly be destroyed, but so far we have not found the exact recipe and procedure. It would be...

helpful if several eyes were to search for it." I had already sat down and nodded. I didn't really like the prospect of a blood ritual, but if it was the only possibility, then so be it...as long as I didn't have to give my blood for it... I had just started to study the second parchment when the advisor of the count also wanted to help us. "Well, it will most likely be the only way-the blood ritual...," he began and sighed.

"Why?", I wanted to know with a frown.

His face lost some of its color. "A small group tried to escape from the castle. "They said they were in too much danger and wanted to leave. They went to the gate and..." He faltered. "My pulse suddenly quickened..." My voice was almost a whisper.

"...they disappeared. Just like that. A short time later we heard an astonished cry from one of the sleeping chambers. Then everyone came down the stairs to the dormitories. Completely pale, bathed in sweat as if they had been running all day... "he castle won't let us go...", he ended. "The scholar and I looked at each other. Stupid idea, very stupid idea...if we couldn't find the sequence of the blood ritual...then we really had a problem if pure evil would truly step out of the book...And so we spent the next hour looking through the scriptures. Until the magician became aware of a small paper, which was written in some kind of secret writing. At the end of this paper was painted a single symbol that looked familiar to me. However, I was so fixated on finding the implementing parchment or general information about the events of that time that I couldn't think of the context in which I had seen the symbol before, but only when the first words were decoded did it come to my mind like scales from my eyes. This is the same text I translated on my first visit.

"Do you remember what it was about?" the scholar asked me.

I nodded. "Yes, a little. It says here: We're going to get the wrong bishop... ...and then somehow it goes on to say that his true nature should be revealed. That the spies were already on their way with information and...something about werewolves..."

"Hmm...but nothing that has anything to do with our situation?", the magician next to me wanted to know, whereupon I shook my head decisively. "Forget the text. It didn't help much at that time and ..."

"ONE SIDE HAS BEEN PAPERED OVER AGAIN!", the cry came behind me. My ears twitched. The scholar awoke from his rigidity. "We should continue..."

This time the undead had claimed a victim and they knew exactly which one it should be: The sick coachman. But something was different: "Don't kill him completely yet," I heard an alchemist call out, who came with a larger ampoule. "We need the brain of the undead! "And some of his blood, if possible.

I raised my eyebrows and shortly afterwards stood outside to watch the spectacle. The undead still twitched. It stank [like a beast], when the alchemist with a cloth around mouth and nose parts of the brain with its equipment took and afterwards blood from the same region caught. Suppressing the trembling, I had trouble speaking reasonably normally. "What do you need the brain and its blood for?" I wanted to know,

"We found the list of materials to perform the blood ritual. Sorry, this has to be done quickly here", were her short words, leaving the bystanders baffled and disgusted and disappearing in the alchemy laboratory.

"And what are we going to do with the dead ku-...wwahhhrrgggg", one of them started to through-up as soon as he looked at the corpse. Including the Count who had fought with him, those who were not yet affected retreated. "We should throw away his body."

"Best throw him over the wall!"

"No, burn him! Only then will we have peace!"

"What are the alchemists doing in there anyway? When will they finally find an antidote for the epidemic here? "Speculation, suggestions and curses, coupled with gagging and vomiting noises filled the place. But the count, the magician and I seemed to be the only ones who seemed to have the brains to get to the point, not to mention Bartock, who suddenly threw the dead coachman over his shoulder.

"Bartock throw him over the wall, then stop being sick."

"Bartock, wait! Just put him there by the gate to the platform! We don't know if that will do any good," I called after him and the Count went with Bartock.

"I'll throw the body over the wall," he began, but out of the blue he too began to cough and choke. Apparently he too had dared to take on the dead, or had come into contact with him in some way. Bartock began to stagger, barely managing to put the lifeless body down and take two steps away as he threw up in a high arch.

"Oh shit...", I was told. That was all that was needed. My head was spinning. I was not affected yet. If it was true that one could approach the person without looking at him, without having symptoms, there was only one possibility: I had to analyze him. No matter what. The disease was transmitted by contact. So if I moved backwards and didn't touch him, I should be able to find out what had made him and the others so sick.

I first waited for the okay of the bystanders before I approached the corpse backwards. When the coachman arrived, I knelt down at the height of his belly, meticulous to keep enough distance so as not to touch him, but to sit just close enough to him so that I could begin my analysis.

With my soul stone in both hands, I raised them to my forehead and closed my eyes, "I ask Sinora, my Goddess of the stars, to open my eyes to what lies unseen before me. I also ask your sister Gaia, the Goddess of Nature, show me what is in this body, what is not allowed to be. I beg you, open my eyes to see the truth..." And as I took my hands off my forehead, lifted my aventurine over the body and opened my eyes, I saw what was: a green mist was billowing like a veil in the wind over the body of the coachman. From it I could see several threads running outside my field of vision. But I could follow one of these threads: It led straight to Bartock, who was still nearby, now halfway down and choking whenever he dared to take a glimpse in our direction. I finished my analysis, thanked the goddesses for their gifts and looked towards the waiting companions.

"Well, well..." I started and slowly stood up. "What I can say is that I saw the same green mist that emanated from the book but, without the symbol of the diamond with the dot. And there are threads coming from the mist."

"Threads? "How many?", the Count wanted to know. I raised my shoulders. "I can't say. I couldn't see where they were going. But it leads exactly... one to... Bartock... wwaaarrrggggg..." I suddenly got worse and worse the longer I turned towards the dead man. I couldn't help it. I threw up. "What the...I didn't touch him at all!?", I asked in astonishment and turned my back on the cause of the evil.

Suddenly the nausea got better and I only tasted the unpleasant rest of the vomit in my mouth. I spat out. "Bah, disgusting!" Okay, does anyone have any idea what we should do now? Because I'm really stumped right now," I moaned. I've had enough, finally. The cleric kept us company and I took the opportunity to tell the alchemists in the small room about what had happened in the last few moments.

"We might have found a remedy that could help with the nausea," one of them said. "We are in the process of finishing it. Give us five more moments and the first ampoules should be ready."

I thanked him. I was also glad to hear that they had found another recipe to neutralize the poison they suspected in the green mist. However, this would take a little longer." This takes too long for me. Let's end this now and be done with it." In the doorway stood a tall, stocky man with a beard and a sailor's robe. His face was already sallow from nausea, and in a sailor that meant something. If you intend to burn the body, I strongly advise you to wait a little longer. There is talk of building a wall around the dead man.

We hope to contain the poison, or whatever it is. This gives us and the alchemists time to act: "The sailor growled something incomprehensible into his beard, turned around and disappeared but, I knew that someone like him would not be deterred for long. I wished the alchemists good luck and set off again for the group of three that I had left. In the meantime it was agreed to put a protective wall around the body. What did I get myself into? Do I really have to do that?", the magician just asked and the count nodded surely. "Yes, and we are all very grateful to you if it works..."

"And if it doesn't work?"

"Then we have the same problem as before." The magician groaned, but surrendered to his fate.

Shortly afterwards the barrier was erected. With the help of the magic of the count the barrier could slow down the spreading of the fog, but it could not be stopped. The alchemists came and handed us a remedy that should take away the sickness. I smelled first and then took a sip. I clearly tasted the alcohol, but if it was of any use... besides, it was only a small bottle full, I could tolerate that. However... "Chokes...", it sounded there beside me. The magician had vomited. The alchemists looked perplexed.

"Then this was not the right thing to do... we will complete the antidote, then our word." And then they had disappeared again.

"Great, while they keep experimenting in there, we have a plague going on out here...", I heard one grumble, but for now I just wanted to get rid of the bitter aftertaste that the ineffective ampoule had left me. One of the bards was teaching his daughter the best way to sell unimpressive handicrafts. I got myself an orange juice, drank it empty standing up and filled it up before I went to my regular place. My hands had become freezing cold, my feet were burning with cold. Either I had to get new boots or thicker socks when I got out of here in one piece. But my hope was fading like ice melting in the sun. I mean, destroying an arch demon with a blood ritual? Blood rituals for me were filled with black magic, impure thoughts and evil intentions. To use it on an arch demon was like pouring oil on fire. The cleric didn't seem too comfortable with it either. I had already noticed that when the subject of blood first came up, she wanted to prepare her own ritual-an exorcism of her own. Fight the negative with the positive. It seemed much more plausible. But she was pretty much alone with her proposal.

"One side turns over!", the loud cry of the one who had been assigned to guard the book rang out. "AND ONE!!" Two pages! That was bad. One page was bad enough, two could bring a little disaster. But this time I was prepared. Screams and fighting sounds were already coming. The trader instructed the children to hide under the tables while he drew his bow and pointed at the entrance. More arrows were lying ready to hand over his goods, the staff in my hand and the dagger on the side of the bodice, I opened the door. And with them... the Harvester! I saw five warriors beating on him at once, while the rest took care of the undead. One of them came dangerously close to the door, but we knew how to stop him. One stroke with the staff and more sword strokes later, his chain mail was shattered and he crumbled to dust. Cries of pain, healer cries and other orders resounded in the dawning twilight.

With the help of the lumis bandage, I cut the upper arm of one of them. I was about to look for a man who had obviously been shot by an arrow when I noticed another pool of blood. "Hey! You take care of this one," I instructed a profane healer and knelt down to the man next to him. He did not move. Lost blood much too quickly. But how did he...? There! Because of all the dark stains on his already darker clothes, the cuts were only possible thanks to the torn fabric.

"Just don't die on me, understand? With my teeth clenched, I reached into my little fanny pack. I dropped the stick carelessly next to me, also throwing away the lid of my box, I took a handful of the healing earth, which I had already mixed with water to an ointment, thanks to Sinora. I had to hurry! And so I spoke the formula. It is a little different every time. It was important to direct the inner forces, to connect them with the outer ones and to adjust them individually to the person to be healed and his injuries. This time Mero and I used an additive, because the man had lost so much blood that we had to ask a part of the already drained blood to return to him. It took a long time and I needed another handful of healing clay before I could be sure that he would come through. However, protection was now his first priority.

About thirty moments later we were all called together. It could not go on like this. Each group had a part of the information and now it was time to finally bring them together. Also the nun-she now had a kind of guard with her and joined them again. I hadn't noticed her at all in the last hours, but that was not important now. We should gather our information NOW and decide if we should perform this blood ritual or not. After all, the Order wanted to do this already ages ago and did not succeed. Instead, they destroyed themselves when they locked the archdemon in the book... so, what have we got?" asked the cleric who led the conversation.

"We know the exact procedure of the blood ritual and the materials that we have used for it needed...", came a voice from the direction of the alchemists. "And it seems that we have all three attitudes here that are needed for the ritual: magicians, clerics, and regular people and figures. And how do you intend to ensure that WE succeed in the ritual? How much time do we have left? Do we know how many pages the book has?" the dragon lady wanted to know.

"Well, judging by the thickness of the book, I would say it's about 200 pages. Maybe less...", the young man who had been guarding the book for the time said. "And which page are we on now?"

"Page 19."

"All right, but we don't know if the Arch Demon has to finish turning the pages to escape. So that leaves the time factor again... besides... WHO is supposed to perform the ritual? Because I'll tell you honestly, I don't really want to do it, because I think it's a huge mistake to want to exorcise a being that lives on the blood of its victims, among other things. The Cleric's voice had become sharp. A consenting murmur went through our ranks. I beg you to listen to me: I am here to help you and to advise you. And I tell you: There will be no other way. If you do not perform the ritual exactly as instructed, you will fail in any case. So please, you must perform the blood ritual as it is written..." Another murmur went through the crowd. Apparently some of the people present had changed their minds again.

"And what is this now? the longer we stand here and discuss, the higher the probability that the demon will break out and we will be left without anything at all," the Lord of Messengers drew attention to himself. "I say we perform the ritual as it is written." Short silence.

"Very well, as you wish. Will you perform it? Or one of you?', the cleric turned once in a circle and looked at everyone. Everyone was silent. She snorted scornfully. "I thought so... well, I'll help prepare the ritual. Prepare! And I will consecrate the ground. I would be happy if someone would at least join in... "Agreeing murmur. So it was decided. The next time I sat inside and tried to meditate. I heard the cleric from far away scolding the cleric again and again. Apparently the completion of the preparations was still farther away than I had hoped.

"Forgive me...", a voice came from the hall entrance. "Someone should draw the ritual circle... everyone seems too busy for that..." I opened my eyes and saw a young soldier in chain mail and yellow tabard. Too busy, my ass! When no one in the room was stirring, I got up annoyed.

"All right, I'll do it", I said brusquely. "But you'll help me!" The soldier had brought a rope and flour for the marker. The only material available to us. I surrendered to fate.

"How big did you say this circle had to be?" I pecked at it.

"Sixteen steps long by eight steps wide," came the answer. "The shape must form a perfect ellipse."

"Perfect ellipse... all right, let's take this point here as our centre." I put down the flour bowl, took measurements and ran eight steps in one direction. "So, this is our first out point. Get some flour and mark the spot." My commanding tone tolerated no contradiction. The soldier was smart enough not to say anything. He did obediently, as he was told to. "Good. Now the other points." We spent the next thirty moments drawing the basic structure of the ritual circle piece by piece. In the end we were disturbed by the younger children and I had trouble keeping my voice quiet when the little boy took my staff without asking and began to run around with it, waving it back and forth. I had marked the middle again with his tip and needed this clue, but finally it was ready. I thanked the soldier, it was dark and dinner was served, so we decided that it would be better to [perform the ritual] on a full stomach. Especially the cleric and I had filled our plates well. I had already offered to help her consecrate the floor, which she thanked me for. The magician wanted to build a protective wall around the circle and the consecrated earth and the companion of the cleric wanted to strengthen it with shamanic magic. Whether this would be enough, the moment when everything would happen would show...

I was amazed at the powerful voice the cleric had. Her invocation sounded through the entire atrium and was filled with a conviction as if it would be impossible for a negative energy to penetrate it after this consecration, even though I had never consecrated such a large area in my life before, I was in good spirits. It seemed to me a sign of Sinora when I found the small staff in my pocket, which shone in a faint bluish glow. It was not a magic wand in the sense used by wizards and witches. It was rather a relic that could absorb the light of the stars and transform it into energy. Not even the learned masters of my order knew the exact process.

However, it was known that this energy could be used like magic, which I used, together with two special ritual incense sticks, for my own consecration. I tried to remember how the prayer went, but I could not get it all together. My voice was soft but clear, and the longer we walked around the ellipse, the longer we both called upon the clergy and me, the more I could feel the ground warming under our feet. My little staff, now fully exposed to the light of the stars, gained in luminosity and soon it shimmered in a bright blue that wet my hands, and the Cleric had started earlier than me, so I spoke my conclusion after her. The incense was burned down and I had to sit down for a moment.

"Let's hope this will help..." I said to her, whereupon she replied with a gloomy expression that it must. Otherwise we would all die tonight. The magician had small beads of sweat on his forehead. He had withdrawn to the castle wall, but his gaze was fixed on the ritual circle. He could maintain the circle for a while, but if the Archdemon should break it, he would lose consciousness... if not worse. I wanted to stay with him, to catch him if necessary.

"If necessary...", he giggled sarcastically. "...I'll just try a teleportation into the sphere and only return when the Demon has destroyed everything."

"You mean, if you don't pass out first," I thought about his statement with a sideways glance, because my full attention was focused on the events in front of us. A moment passed, "Now the book!" The book could be taken from the platform and placed in the middle of the ellipse. We all looked spellbound at the skulls, which began to glow, at the flames of the candles, which rose higher and higher. The further the ritual progressed, the warmer the air around us became.

"This is not going well...", I heard a voice saying. A short, wandering look revealed to me that all those who were able to wield a weapon were ready to give everything on command to keep their lives. Even the oldest boy and the demon girl had dared to take her father's side with sword and small dagger. Deep sorrow passed through me at the sight of them before I turned back to the main event: the cleric-knowing the impending danger- again called on her dragons to help her, to give her strength to face the monster. Mero became increasingly restless. His power flooded me like a raging river and made my blood boil. Yes, I would fight! I'd just gotten through the campaign. I had only just found my soul mate in Sodgar. I would return to him, and if it meant... A scream would resound, driving us all through marrow and bone. The earth began to glow, the entire area of the elliptical ritual circle quivered. The book in the middle rose in a rotating motion from the ground about two and a half meters high and poured into glowing lava that burned the earth. All those standing in and around the ellipse were grabbed by invisible hands and hurled a good eight meters away. We had to protect our eyes, so glaring was the pillar of fire rising from the lava puddle. I heard a woman scream. For a moment, time seemed to stand still.

"Fools... to free me from the book... do you really think you can destroy me... lower creatures..." I sank to one knee and held my aching head. The rest did not fare well...

The voice, terrible, dark, distorted by malice, thundered through us like a raging hurricane. Those who dared to do so despite the brightness stared in horror at the figure that formed from the pillar of flame; only when the brightness was no longer blinding us did I rise again and dare to look at what was standing there in the center of the ellipse. What I saw made my ears twitch. I could hear my blood rushing and all the color of life was fading from my face, my hands clasped the two bars and my ankles cracked. I could even feel Mero's horror. 'This is going to be bad, little one...', he warned me urgently and thus released me from my rigidity. Involuntarily I took two steps backwards and bumped into one of the bystanders, while the head of the Arch-Demon turned calmly back and forth, first looking at those present, then looking down at the double circle of spell. The lips curled up into a mischievous grin.

"So...you even gave me a present..." A single flame flared up and devoured the skulls, the blood bowl and the other ingredients that should have contributed to the destruction.

"It doesn't matter!.. We'll destroy you anyway...", one of the captain's companions spat out and raised his saber. But the fear came out of every pore.

"Oh really?...", the voice of the archdemon calmly waved through the courtyard like a gentle wave that lay on the shore. He took a step forward... and broke the circle I had drawn, as if it didn't exist. His flaming cloak began to roar around him. The air was now crushingly warm, but I didn't think to take my hands off my bars to strip the cape. Where he stood, he left imprints of molten earth on which small tongues of flame romped.

"You must destroy him!" screamed the nun, whose companion had erected himself protectively before her with his sword raised. "Kill him!!"

The Archdemon looked at the nun's position and his grin grew wider. "Well, well, well, look who we have here..." A breath of rapture fell over the voice. "I have a special gift for you..." As if by an invisible command, the ground opened up in three places outside the magician's spell circle and just as many dark figures emerged. "Undead!"

Finally, the rest of the audience began to move. Blades were struck on shields - familiar sounds of the campaign. Calls of battle were exchanged and carnage began. I saw Bartock pounce on one of the undead. Another servant of Evil wounded three swordsmen before staggering back at a shield that struck him with full force. I saw the cleric, her companion and three warriors approaching the archdemon, who had meanwhile raised his hand and seemed to hold it against an invisible barrier. My eyes searched for the magician, but in the confusion I could not make him out, but the cry of pain that resounded shortly afterwards, was clearly attributable to him.

Now there was no protection. "The power of my dragons will bring you down! I will wipe you from this world as an exorcist drives evil out of its victim, you creature of the underworld!", the voice of the cleric tore me out of the panic that overcame me after this realization. It might have been in vain to consecrate the earth, he might have destroyed most of it, maybe even everything, but nature was still nature. I did not wait for the confirmation of my soulmate, for he had long since become a raging animal in me. I felt his power to unite with my will, but unlike during our healings together, the small staff of light shone even brighter in the face of the stars and in connection with our power, and now also flooded a part of the larger staff. I ran to the help of the cleric, who after a blow retreated from the archdemon, while one brave fighter after another rammed the sword into the body of the monster from all possible sides, or cut it with it as best as possible.

But the Demon laughed and mocked, his hand raised to strike the woman again, and just when he should have hit her, I came in with my staff and said "No!" My roar was only half human. The hand was lowered. The next blow brought the demon to a halt, but it had no further effect. There, where my staff.

The old castle, the seat of the Order of Taurus, in which the Star-children together with the masters mourned the death of those who, as almost the only Star-child at that time, had survived the hunt against their kind before the reconstruction. "...I want to live, Mero... our path simply must not end yet..." My voice was a chopped off whisper. Tears ran down my cheeks as I raised my head towards the night sky. I had a clear view of Sinora's starry mantle, but my body no longer obeyed me. Again I dropped to one knee. The pain was the only sign that there was still life in me. "Please Sinora, my goddess of the stars...", I whispered and lifted the small, shining staff together with my walking stick with my last strength into the air. Then the darkness that I already knew embraced me and Mero's spirit lay protectively around mine. "...you know... what price you have to pay..."

-------

The fight seemed to be coming to an end. "Go away, you spawn of hell!" cried the nun's protector. His red leather armor was now burnt and soot-smeared in some places. The cleric next to him just gasped, but she didn't dare to take a single step back. Her hand, which held the dagger, drove into the body of the creature, which was now visibly weaker than moments before. An alchemist with a singed beard threw the last bit of holy water he had with him. It hissed and the archdemon gasped. But it was not the end. A voice came out. There was nothing human in it anymore. The words, unintelligible to the ears of anyone who heard them, the young woman with the red skirt and the leather hoop stomped towards the Archdemon.

There was something predatory about her walk that made her snort, and the staff had nothing in common with the ordinary wooden walking staff one remembered. Instead, it glowed blue. Weak, but clearly recognizable through the dark. The woman made it circle once before she rammed it into the belly of the Arch-Demon with a scream. Sparks flashed. The cleric felt a strange aura emanating from the young mage. A last wave of power seized her. The dragons really meant well to her. She would thank them extensively if they survived the night. It took another five moments until they brought down the Archdemon together. With the help of her companion, the cleric began the exorcism.

"What do you think?"

"She growled when I touched her. I think she's possessed." The Cleric sighed. Only one who didn't know magic spoke like that.

She sat down close in front of the young magician and put a hand in her lap. "Can you understand me? Her voice was soft and tired, and the girl's gaze lifted and the dragon worshipper gazed into two almost black eyes.

Her brows furrowed. "Who are you?" she asked softly.

"My name...is Mero..." The voice of the young woman was dark and croaky and had nothing in common with her anymore.

"What are you doing in her body, Mero?"

"...I am protecting her... because I am... a part of her from birth...", came the fragile answer.

"Can I talk to her?" Shake a head.

"She is... too weak... I am too... weakened too... but I heal..."

"I see...", the cleric said. Thereupon she and her companion helped the body of the young mage to straighten up and brought her into the hall. One [moment} later, the body, which was led by the Soul Fragment of Taurus and whose name was Mero, retreated into the sleeping room. When the Mistress of the Desert Messengers woke up first the following day, the bed of the young mage was empty.