Though the High Incantor would say faith in Lolth is the greatest weapon or all. The followers of Schandalun and Selvetarm would speak of the gory of a well crafted blade and the skill of its use and to that end I Forr, Quartermaster of our Empire detail below that which is freely available to our people while on the surface or on campaign. I would encourage you all to seek other treasures of the surface lands and apply your skills at the forges of the armours guild to strengthen our Empire further.
A cloak which allows the wearer to recover quickly from wounds
An enchanted blade which should the wielder have the ability to invoke will allow them to call upon the weapons nature and strike a water based blow after having carried the weapon for a short period of time
An Amulet which will allow one person a day to once attuned cast the Heal Fatal Wound spell for only 1 Thaum of power
A Helm when warn greatly increases the perception of the user granting them a natural skill in tracking
Twice a day the wearer of this amulet may make themselves immune to a fatal effect they have just been targeted by
The wearer of this belt is granted the perception of the crafting ancestors wisdom and may repair up to and including the heaviest worn armour quicker than a person even skilled in its use
A being after and while the wearing this bracer for a short period of time makes themselves immune to an incantors ability to halt them
This circlet grants of wearer the perception to discern the wounds of another being and the limited ability after some time to remove the pattern unravelling effect of a fatal wound
An Enchanted blade which after some time allows the wielder to strike an enchanted halting blow
A headband which allows the wearer to discern the wounds of another being
An Amulet which allow the bearer twice a day to apply to a location as per a heal salve. The targetted location is affected by a 'Full Cure Ancestral' effect
An Amulet once attuned the wearer becomes immune to abilities and magic's which would repel or strike the wearer down
These items of the “4th” age are almost unweldable by the lesser races on the surface of Erdreja to those of our nation they are still items of considerable power but those who have dedicated themselves with oath able able to most efficiently use the items below
After wearing this amulet for 10 minutes any magic armour worn while the wearer is out of combat is fully repaired
Wearing this belt increases the resilience of the wearer by a lesser or greater extent depending on their own natural constitution
An Enchanted blade which after sometime allows the wielder to strike for one of the four elements for a reasonable amount of time.
A bracer while worn and after a short amount of time makes the use immune to the corrosion effect
A hood which allows the wearer to recover quickly from wounds
A sash which after a short amount of time makes the user Immune to Disease and Decay while still wearing the Sash
This circlet grants of wearer the perception to discern the wounds of another being and the limited ability after some time to remove the pattern unravelling effect of a fatal wound
After carrying this shield for some time the wielder may infuse it to resist almost any effect to destroy it. Some time must pass before the blade can be used this way again
An Enchanted blade which after some time allows the wielder to strike an enchanted halting blow. Some time must pass before the blade can be used this way again
While carrying this wand for a short period of time the user begins to see alternate ways they may employ there magic's or faith. They must quickly seise on one of these strands of possibility and may then make use of it while they still wield the wand
Exact wording and descriptions can be found here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17YEo_H4MJ656_KcYz8kt8Zozmll3hPsZ_i5LSjqjpao/edit?usp=sharing
K'lyth Mlezzir is a powerful Olog Lich that was previously in the service of Dracos.
Following the death of Dracos, K'lyth was discovered outside the City of Nakkiga. She had set up a home/shrine where she had taken to collecting a huge number of items that she had decided were of value. Many were little more than trinkets, some were powerful items of war. The only connection was that she had decided they were her "presents", although many had been taken from their corpses...
During that first meeting between K'lyth and the Tarantula Faction, it became apparent that her chaotic nature had been enraptured by Kiransalee. This chaotic nature is often described as psychotic.
Due to her nature as a Lich, the faction was faced with a problem. Any attempt to kill her, would allow her to simply reform at her phylactery, and so finding that was a priority. In an attempt to distract her whilst our scouts worked, Malakai Mlezzir attempted to converse with her. However his efforts left the powerful Lich somewhat smitten with our Lord Arcane.
This would have worked to our benefit had our scouts been able to location her phylactery, unfortunately she grew wise to the efforts to distract her and allowed herself to be killed, and as such instantly ambushed our scouts. Unfortunately, she didnt attribute this act as being anything to do with Malakai, as such her desire became a continued problem. It is not currently known where her phylactery is stored, however we believe it is hidden somewhere other than her own home island of "K'yltheria" in the Glimmersea.
Her desire came to a head at the Gathering of Nation's 1116 when K'lyth decided she was to wed Malakai. With her phylactery hidden, and no way to absorb the sheer power she can deliver, there was no option but to play along.
The magical ceremony was officiated by Seneschal Morgullion (who was under K'lyth's control at the time), whilst the floral arrangements were organised by Briseis Maelthra. The wedding itself, and the entertainment, was organised by Malakai, in an attempt to placate his soon to be bride.
The day was complicated further with the arrival of several of K'lyths guests, who unfortunately brought with them rather sizable numbers of powerful unliving just itching for a fight. Luckily for us all, one of them accidentally hit the blushing groom, at which point the newly wed K'ylth Mlezzir took offence to other people trying to play with "HER Malakai".
Research Article
The information contained in this article is the result of research done by players from within the Game World. The contents are only as factual as the original author intended and should not be unduly modified.
Troops of the yellow sign sowed carnage across the market place at the first moot of 1109 in what appears to be a first attack against the wider nations of the heartlands. With the notable exception of a fleshcrafter, who fell in an attempted assault on the Paladins of Lolth in the guild tent area and caused wide spread destruction in the alchemists guild when his corpse exploded into shards of bone, the yellow sign's campaign has been solely targeted against the Tarantulas.
Perhaps, it was the death of his general and original host Lyander at the hands of a multi-national war party at the recent consecration of the new Incantor's guild headquarters near the Underdark city of Dyer'Turic, which has finally focused the attention of the yellow sign on the surface nations.
The Tarantulas were first drawn to the city of Dechenza in 1106, when Adin D'Brassik's remaining forces marched on the city. Facing an army, whose numerical superiority, they could not beat, the Tarantulas discovered a tomb, sealed by 4 locks, echoing with the promise of power enough to destroy D'Brassik. Nathaniel of the Wardens followed the instructions contained within scrolls found near the tomb and used one of the primary elements (earth, air, fire and water) to destroy each of the locks. The words from within proved true and for 25 minutes, Nathaniel's body blazed with power, as he decimated Adin D'Brassik's army with storms of magebolts and waves of dismissing power. By the time, the magic finally released Nathaniel, the yellow sign had arisen from the tomb and taken possession of the closest body, that of Zyme, a paladin of Lolth. Zyme thanked the Tarantulas and informed them that he would see them shortly.
True to his word, Zyme attended the big gatherings of the year, offering the Tarantulas what he called 'Utopia', if only they would follow him. His initial approaches were not hostile, but by the gathering, he resorted to the ultimatum, 'Join or Die!', but declared hostilities would not commence until the impending cataclysm had passed.
Although the message of utopia was not heeded by the nobles of the Tarantula nation, its words found fertile ground in the ears of the down trodden of the Underdark, badly shaken by the cataclysm and the ensuing hardships of the aftermath, and in April 07, the city of Matron Mother Naxos De Fey and the current capital of the Tarantula nation erupted in revolt, orchestrated by the newly formed cult of the yellow sign. The Tarantulas failed to curb the riots and Guallidurth fell to the yellow sign, although the Tarantulan forces were able to flee with a sceptre and throne, two of the original keys to Lyander's tomb. The Tarantulas also learned that Lyander was originally locked away by the sacrifice of 4 members of his bloodline. Meanwhile, news emerged that armies of yellow sign had attacked the Cave of Whispers and Stormspike.
During the main gatherings of 1107, the yellow sign continued to harass the Tarantulas, sending out drones to attack them and cultist assassins to recover the lost lock pieces. Drones make up the main stray of Lyander's armies and are purpose built from the flesh of fallen cultists to fulfil the role of soldiers. As their purpose is to fight, they have no intelligence or other abilities beyond combat skills.
In the campaign season of 1108, Tarantula forces assaulted and recaptured the city of Guallidurth from the yellow sign, as well as repelling the forces from the cave of whispers. However, in a disturbing turn of events, the cultists forces of the yellow sign proved be easy pickings for the undead forces of the Akari General Thorn, who had recently emerged as a third power in the Underdark and the city Trentarus, home of the newly freed Demonfey, came under heavy and sustained attack from Lyander's forces.
Summer 1108 saw the Tarantulas continually harassed by forces of Lyander's drones, backed up by the healing skills of his fleshcrafters. Fleshcrafters not only heal drones, but they are the means by which Lyander assimilates new knowledge and they can often be found studying the bodies of the fallen for new tools and abilities, which Lyander incorporates into this latest creations. Experiment of House Karrash-Morr, learnt that contained within her is the third of the four keys, during a trip through her creator, Elkintaar's tower in Do'Bluth. The Tarantulas finally secured a decisive victory over the yellow sign at Trentarus, only to learn that Lyander's forces were seeking to secure the power contained within the ruins of the second founding capital of the Dark Elf Empire, Telantiwar.
Forces of the Tarantula nation beat Lyander to Telantiwar in October 1108, only to find it was the Akari, who were actually assaulting the city; the yellow sign appearing content to watch from the background. With the help of the Baelnorn, an order of unliving paladins born from the spirits of those who died during the destruction of Telantiwar, the Tarantulas managed to secure the fourth key; the heart of a Golem trapped within Telantiwar and activated the defences of Zy'Liir to protect the city from the Akari and the yellow sign.
On the battlefield that day, the yellow sign betrayed his alliance with General Thorn of the Akari, taking the general as his third 'improved' host and in doing so gained control of all Akari troops in the Underdark as well as a full knowledge of unliving.
By April 1109, the yellow sign had changed tactics and instead of trying to capture cities, it targeted the nobles of the Tarantula nation at a gathering to consecrate the new incantor's guild headquarters, near Dyer'Turic. The ensuing battle did not go as planned; the yellow sign's forces were rebuffed from Dyer'Turic and his general Lyander fell during the fighting and was dedicated to Dracos. The Tarantulas, meanwhile, had turned their attention to the locks for the tomb and a mission was undertaken to the heavily guarded stronghold of Dechenza, from where the first of the lock was successfully retrieved. At the first moot, a second lock was reclaimed from a heavily guarded cave in Mauritania.
Read More: Lyander Al'tath
Read More: Ashiira Mistrivven
Lyander was a first age Elf, an immensely powerful ritualist and a member of the white council. Like many of the Elves of his time, he devoted a great deal of time to researching the issue of ageing. He sought answers by studying creatures from the void, which he gradually came to call Daemons and in doing so, pioneered the art of daemonology. He came to learn of a being of immense power beyond Erdreja that promised cures to aging and all the other ills that ravaged their lands. Lyander could not refuse such an offer and summoned this creature, the yellow sign, but it was too powerful for him to control and took possession of him, forcing him to kill his beloved wife Ashira.
For many months, Lyander roamed freely unleashing untold destruction upon the Elves, until they realised that they could not destroy him, but instead elected to lock him away in a permanent state of torpor. They locked him into a tomb sealed by four locks, four keys and the sacrifice of four of his living relatives. Of the origins of the yellow sign, little is actually known, save that it originated from beyond Erdreja, although it is believed that destroying it may be impossible and locking it away again may be the only resort.
War scouts of the Tarantulan Armies have reported that in the last 24 hours, the yellow sign has pulled back its armies from all other fronts and appears to be marching them in the direction of Duanrahel, the only surface city of the Tarantulan nation.
What is it the yellow sign seeks here and why is Duanrahel, so important to it? It is the second time that the yellow sign has attempted to capture an ancient seat of power. Until recent events, it was assumed that the yellow signs failed strike on Telantiwar was an attempt to secure the key concealed there, but there is nothing related to Lyander's tomb in Duanrahel. So perhaps it is for another unknown reason that the yellow sign marches there?
Valsharess Naxos D'Fey is adamant that the city will not fall to the yellow sign and has decided to host the forthcoming Moot at Duanrahel, so the other nations of the Heartlands can gain a full appreciation of the peril that the yellow sign represents. The Tarantulas are a law abiding nation and ask that whilst on their lands you do not break their only law; 'Don't get caught' Breaking the law is punishable by death and a swift enactment of justice can be expected.
Duanrahel began life as a small unremarkable Elven town with nothing to distinguish it from any other, until it was chosen by Shaol Mistrivven and Tallia Aryvandaar in 1557 First Founding to be the site of their colleges of incantation. Ever since Lord Larethian had struck down Rulien Silvanost in the chambers of the white council using the powers of the first ancestor Lolthiriel, Shaol Mistrivven had worked ceaselessly to codify this new magic into a system that could be readily practiced and taught. His development completed, he and his wife, Tallia choose Duanrahel to be the site of their three colleges, the suns, stars and moon; each dedicated to teaching different philosophies of incantation.
In 1690 First Founding, Duanrahel was first named as a city, as the massive interest in faith based magic, swelled the population and temples to Lolthiriel began to appear on every corner of the growing city. Clan Aryvandaar were the first clan of the Illythiiri to make the growing city their home and from there they began their explorations of the Underdark.
The later part of the First Founding saw growing friction between the mages of Morias and the incantors of Duanrahel, which eventually degenerated into the start of the Sundering war. By 2602 First Founding, the Incantors or Dark Elves as they became known, were pushed back towards Duanrahel, where Clan Eclavadraar lead by Ergosal began to fortify the city against the forthcoming assault. The Dark Elves began their preparations for a retreat into the Underdark, but in order to buy themselves time Clans Cancarneyar, Kerithrion and Aryvandaar launched a daring assault on the first city of Morias, which lead to its almost complete destruction and the theft of a portion of the white tree, which was borne back to Duanrahel and eventually planted in the city of Telantiwar.
Seeking revenge, the forces of the Elves lead by Lord Larethian attacked with renewed fury against the gradually emptying city and finally laid siege to the walls in 2789 First Founding. Every member of Clan Eclavadraar gave their lives defending the city, as great magics were unleashed shattering the great peak at the city's heart, forever sealing the entrances into the Underdark and ending the Sundering war.
The ruined city witnesses in 55 Second Founding the parting between the Dark Elves and the Ice elves, as the Ice Elves return to the surface to seek out their homelands in the frozen north. They sign two scrolls of alliance before parting.
Aside from the occasional traveller seeking passage to and from the Underdark, the city remained abandoned and untouched for many centuries until it sank beneath the waves that rose during the cataclysm of water in 500AF. The city rested in its watery grave until the upheavals of the recent cataclysm of fire forced it to rise above the ocean's surface as a small island midway between Caledonia and Norsca. The island was claimed by the Tarantulas as an important part of their heritage, but in truth Duanrahel as the home of Incantation is an important part of everybody's heritage.
The library appears to be missing information about this subject.
Tread softly, for here we speak of one of the greatest enemies the dark elven people have ever known. This is The Betrayer.
In the beginning of all things, Evron Satuun was a friend to the elven people. A fae, who like the elves was tasked with guiding and nurturing Erdreja, but brought with some concepts that were completely foreign to Erdreja.
Shortly after Mordred introduced Time to Erdreja, Evron Satuun was amongst those that devised the Ritual of Gazing, a powerful act that would allow those involved to communicate directly with Erdreja. The original purpose of this ritual was to discover how Time was affecting Erdreja, and if it may be stopped.
However, it was during this ritual that Evron Satuun performed his first great betrayal against the elves and Erdreja, as he killed Lothiriel Cancarneyar during the ritual that allowed Erdreja a direct view of the act.
During the last Cataclysm, the embodiment's of the elements were sealed into the foundations of the elements the represent, no longer able to walk or influence Erdreja directly.
However, some of them are still revered, and even called upon for power. It's this show of faith and dedication that has created an image upon the plane of the Ancestors, or rather what is known as a remembered Ancestor.
The Satuun that resides on the plane of the Ancestors is not the Evron Satuun that lived. It was a culmination of the faith and ideology that those that live upon Erdreja hold about him. Part of what makes him such a dangerous foe, is that all of Erdreja recognises his name alongside the idea of evil and betrayal, and such that gives him a measure of power. Even without worship or dedication, with so many thinking that name and idea together, he is given power.
Many millennia ago Satuun entrusted one of his lieutenants named Meadiir to infiltrate House Kenafin and to pose as their patriarch K'hafran, a being long since dead. Shortly after the forces of House Kenafin and their Demonfey were defeated and imprisoned. Until the latest cataclysm and the magics surrounding their imprisonment weakened, allowing their eventual escape.
Satuun wasted no time in activating this old alliance, and began manipulating the Demonfey into an act they thought would return their patriarch to them, but was in fact a means to empower Satuun further. He lent his own forces to their cause, under the guise of serving K'hafran, and they waged an all out war on the Underdark. For several years this war was very effective, ambushing tarantulan forces, moving with ease and even subverting our own ritual circle network.
Until 1116tf, when several Demonfey approached the Tarantulas with information, that some of their people doubted the information they were being told about K'hafran. The Tarantulas nurtured this relationship, and used it to their advantage until eventually the Demonfey acquired enough proof to convince their entire people. The turned on mass against his ancestral forces and allied themselves with the Tarantulas.
This eventually led to the final destruction of Maediir in 1118tf, and the unfortunate acts of violence between House Mlezzir and House Kenafin. Whether we have heard the last of this enemy is to be seen, but their manipulation by and serving of Satuun is surely over.
Research Article
The information contained in this article is the result of research done by players from within the Game World. The contents are only as factual as the original author intended and should not be unduly modified.
The Aztar are race of Lizard Beastkin that were trapped in a mine in the Underdark near the City of Souls for an unknown length of time. Their imprisonment was achieved using powerful psionic magics that created a seal over the cave entrances but the Cataclysm of Fire and the destruction of psionics [as a result of the eradication of the Illithids] caused the seals to collapse, releasing them. Blaming the Tarantulas for their incarceration, the Aztar began to attack the factions forces in 1110, but over the course of roughly a year they were beaten down savagely, forced into retreat and went quiet.
Since the Guardians release from his 'eternal imprisonment', his lust to conquer the whole of the Underdark has led him to try and appropriate the Aztar lands as well as those of the Tarantulas. At the faction meeting at the Grand Bizarre in the spring of 1112AF, representatives from the Aztar approached the Tarantulas under a banner of peace, realising that alone they stood no chance against the Guardians forces alone, they offered a near-unconditional surrender. The lone condition to this surrender was that the Aztar were allowed to align with the Tarantulas to fight the Guardians constructs, after that the promise was given that they would live alongside the their Tarantulan masters in peace.
At the Moot [1111] - we had another Aztar Trader come to camp. This should continue throughout the year - so those of you that are not used to their presence, be aware that they have been learning how to speak common with considerable input from the Wardens. - Ji'br'thk, Advisor to the Val'Sharess, on the Tarantulas Ley
The Aztar's lengthy imprisonment in a mine did not go to waste. As a result, they have gone on to develop exceptional mining and crafting techniques, which they have offered to the Tarantulas, initially as gifts, but now for what they regard as a reasonable price in the fight against the guardian.
In addition - we have come to an agreement with the Aztar. They have extended their trading from the trinkets and small items from the Grand Bizzaire and the Moot to include Magical Crafted items from their Volcano forges and crafting workshops. These items are available for ordering by the Faction and we have a modest credit rating with them. The list is shown below and can be ordered by getting your request in to me by the 24th day of this month and they will be available for the GeF. Be aware that the items listed may be very limited in supply and it will be first come, first served. - Ji'br'thk, Advisor to the Val'Sharess, on the Tarantulas Ley
At the summer Moot 1112, the Fire Elemental Overlord of the Aztar; Irix came to speak with the Tarantulas. After a brief time of diplomacy, following plans made with the Aztar the Tarantula Nation destroyed the form of Irix, with a Rite performed by Raziel of the Wardens, tearing out his glowing essence and trapping it within a prepared vial.
At the Gathering of nations, this vial will be used in an elemental ritual, to bind it to Raziel himself, taking control of the Aztar nation and bringing its creatures and resources under the banner of the Tarantulan nation.
The Ritual at the Gathering 1112 was a success and Raziel and ther elemental forces of flame within Irix were united into a single entity; Razirix, Usurper King of the Aztar, ruler the Lizard kin and embodiment of their sacred flame.
What can possibly go wrong?