Empire Deathcloaks

Meg the Minstrel

You speak of needing a wider picture, of wanting a document untouched by the hands of the Deathcloak Scullion; to that end, please find enclosed a copy of our histories, taken from the Sylvan library. If you wish to distribute this, or indeed anything in my letters to you, please do feel free; after centuries of recieving information which has doubtlessly been tampered with by the hands of Scullion, I believe it is imperative that Erdreja as a whole is allowed to see the true roots of their civilisation.

You mention the possibility of the Deathcloaks using some sort of mental abilities against their subjects in the Empire of Tebron; on this, I am afraid I cannot help you. There are certainly records of the Deathcloaks singing as they marched to the slaughter, and as they carried out their grisly work - but whether this was to dishearten my forebears, or whether it was to steel their blackened souls for what they were about to commit, I am unsure. Abilities such as mind reading would, I am afraid, have been redundant in Tebron's march upon Obsidia. The Sylvans were - are - visibly different from the younger races, and so they would have no use for such abilities.

However, from their actions during the war against the Sylvans, I would assume that mind control took second place to torture. There are stories which would chill your blood concerning the behaviour of the Deathcloaks, and they do not seem a subtle enough people to bother looking for truth in someone's thoughts when an admission of guilt could be ripped from their bodies through more violent means.

Though the concept behind your "harpers" is a just one, I would warn against letting Scullion have any contact with such people. I have already heard that he wishes the Empire to be reborn afresh, and there is no doubt in my mind that the spirit of the Deathcloaks lurks within him still. I shudder to think what that creature could do in a land so fractured as modern Erdreja, and if he possesses some sort of mind control then he should be given no opportunity to foster the hatred which gave rise to the Deathcloaks.

I am encouraged to hear you talk of your stance against enforcing beliefs upon others. If the rest of the guilds of Bards supports this view, then surely Scullion will find short shrift with his machinations against us. However, I cannot help but be concerned when you mention that Scullion is tightening control of "his" library yet further. That this coincides with our return to Erdreja perhaps suggests that he has not been as successful at obliterating the truth of our departure as he would like to believe? I will certainly ask the Lady Cathanaleith if there are any topics which she wishes to see researched, though I hold doubts as to whether Scullion would approve of any research which would be pertinent to our needs. Though he has a great evil inside him, he does possess a certain low cunning.

Given Scullion's abuse of his position, our own libraries stand open for your use - though on a limited basis, since our own scholars are currently very busy reading ancient texts to find more information on both the tomes, and the cataclysm. Also, due to the outrage and anger felt in Sylvan lands after the recent murder of a Yarinrill Pure One at the hands of the mages guild, I must ask that there are some considerations to be taken when choosing which people should be sent to our lands. Firstly, and most
importantly, I must ask that only those of Elven descent are chosen. There are those in Sylvan society who wish to have nothing to do with an Erdreja which, on the whole, appears to be as bloodthirsty and immature as it was when we were forced to retreat behind our barrier. Their case was strengthened when the mages guild killed a Sylvan who had devoted their life to the pure arts of healing, and who possessed no method of defending herself.

To send a sage who was not Elven would, I fear, only exacerbate the situation further. I must also ask that if you do send someone to glean information from our libraries, they should not be a prominent member of the guild of mages. The actions of this organisation, along with the presence of General Scullion in a prominent position within Erdrejan society, have led some individuals to opine that the spirit of the Deathcloaks is alive and well within Erdreja - a wolf in sheeps clothing, if you will. Finally, I must remind you that all of our texts are recorded in our own language -
therefore, anyone that wishes to visit our libraries should be well versed in the reading of Elven.

At the present time, with the outrage over the death of the Yarinrill Pure One still fresh in our minds, I would suggest that you are patient with sending people to our libraries. It is important that the truth of history is seen, and that Scullion's tainted handiwork is revealed to all as the dirty work that it is - but to have large numbers of Erdrejans within our lands in the present climate would not be beneficial towards the cause of Lady Cathanaleith and myself. If you wish, I can contact you when we feel that the situation has calmed enough to merit the first visitor.

Both Forester Wintergreen and his bodyguard Tyr are currently within our lands as guests of Lady Cathanaleith, and it has become clear to us that any Erdrejan visiting us must be escorted at all times. The sight of outsiders within our lands after so long has panicked several of our people, especially those who have studied the texts concerning the behaviour of the younger races which hurried our departure from your lands. Master Wintergreen and Master Tyr are both of Elven descent, yet their presence has caused a stir within our society. The need for education is clear on both sides - to inform Erdreja that the Sylvans are not the monsters which Scullion would have them believe, and to have the more alarmist amongst the Sylvans recognise that the younger races have matured since we departed.

We have begun the process of this education. Our visit to the guild of bards did show us that there are those amongst the younger races (such as yourself, and others who were present) who prove that another Deathcloak empire would face considerable opposition from open minded scholars. This is encouraging, and though there are still many amongst your people who show no signs of having matured since we left - those who are still eager for bloodshed, and those who shun that which is different - it gives hope. As for some of our people spending more time amidst the folk of Erdreja, I am hesitant to comment on such a scheme whilst the guild of mages retains its aggressive attitude against us. I will certainly pass the suggestion onto Lady Cathanaleith, however.

Please accept my apologies if my words in my last missive concerning Scullion were unclear; though I am fairly unique in Sylvan lands by my studying of the language of Erdreja, and my ability to read and write your language, my lack of interaction with genuine writers of this tongue means that I still err occasionally. I referred to Scullion as "your" master librarian - I did not mean to suggest that either he or his ideas were connected to the guild of bards; instead, I was inferring that he presides over YOUR library. Norhault nor the information contained within (or rather, the information which remains intact) should be controlled by one man, especially not one such as the General of the Deathcloaks. The library belongs to the people of Erdreja, and should be treated as such; if Scullion is abusing his position and treating the library as if it were his own to close and open when he feels it meritous, then it is up to the people of Erdreja to suggest otherwise. Information should not be closed away from the people who need it most, especially in a land such as the current Erdreja where lessons from the past are so urgently needed in facing an uncertain future.

Scullion's symbol of office are indeed his cloak and robes. It is the uniform of the Deathcloaks, and any Sylvan who sees him wearing such attire will face the horror of its meaning. That he still wears the uniform despite our presence is both offensive and a sign that his mentality has not changed one bit. As you say, the greatest gift one can possess is that of an open and inquiring mind - Scullion's, however, is as firmly closed as the doors of Norhault to one whose request is deemed to be "wrong".

I understand your need to listen to General Scullion's words - indeed, we ourselves only boast one Elf who lives from those times. Our Speaker is venerable indeed, and wise beyond any words which I can attempt to use to describe him. Unfortunately, due to the importance of the Speaker to our people, I cannot at this time offer you a meeting with him. To lose the Speaker to the actions of the intolerant guild of mages would be catastrophic.

You inquired as to how the hatred of Tebron arose. The histories I include in this package should answer many of your questions, though if any remain then please do send them to me and I will do my best to provide answers. I believe that the root of the hatred was indeed that the Elves were seen to withhold knowledge from the humans; however, the Loresti taught the humans a great deal - ultimately enough to ensure their downfall at the hands of their students. The humans were immature, and in the manner of a small child they wanted everything immediately. When the Loresti continued to teach at a sensible schedule, the humans grew angry. When news reached them that the Fey's request for a human kingdom had been rejected by the cautious Elves, who believed (and were sadly proven right) that the humans had not yet learned enough to stand on their own, they arose and tore down the citadels of their teachers.

When the various warlords and armies of the younger races returned to squabbling amongst themselves after the destruction of the Loresti, the Vermillion and the Aquillas, I believe that Tebron saw that the Elves had been correct in their judgement of the humans. They were not ready to run their own kingdom, for they would fight amongst themselves. There would be no human civilisation - just endless bloodshed and violence. When Tebron - a man who had dedicated himself to wiping out the Elves for their "slight" against the character of the humans - saw that they had been correct, perhaps something happened inside his mind. He became the driving force behind the extermination of our kind, a man with no conscience and no emotions other than bitterness, hatred, and bigotry.

Regarding the planned meeting with guild and faction leaders, I do not see how it could remain a private affair. We Sylvans have no reason to hide our reasons for a return to Erdreja, nor do we wish to do so. If your guild of militia and our own retainers are allowed to provide security, then I believe some of my brethren will wish to be present to speak to those who are gathered to hear. We risk our lives every time we step foot upon Erdreja - not just to the guild of mages and your less enlightened kin, but to diseases and illnesses which may have developed since we last trod the soil of Erdreja. The Yarinrill blood seek to discover any such illnesses, in order that we may find cures for them before they become serious problems for our kind - however, they have been met with extreme suspicion. Perhaps you could publish in your testament that the tests they perform upon people are non-offensive, will not harm them, and are only occurring to better protect our people?

The time of the meeting is, I believe, best left up to you to decide. I am sure that other guild leaders would be more inclined to attend if invited by the guild of bards than by the Sylvans, and it is undoubtedly easier for you to liaise with them concerning a time for the meeting. If you feel that the faction leaders would be interested in such a meeting in conjunction with the leaders of your guilds, then please do invite them - I leave the specifics of the meeting up to you, since I am sure you know better how to organise such an event and deal with the individuals in question better than I.

If you could let myself or Lady Cathanaleith know as soon as the meeting is scheduled, however, it would be easier for us and those others who will wish to attend, to arrange our visit.

Vale
House Galantir

 

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To Vale of House Galantir
Dear Sir,
I have just returned from two weeks of travelling round Albion - I was booked for many evenings of entertainments and it was good to be doing my old wandering minstrel role again after so long. Quite refreshing. Anyway, apologies for not getting back to you any sooner - I have just returned to see a message from you and wanted to give it the full consideration it deserves.
Many thanks indeed for the copy of the abridged histories written by the Sylvan. Most illuminating and I will no doubt have various things I wish to discuss on the matters raised within it.
Firstly, to address matters you raised in your ley message.
Regarding mental abilities and the Enforcers/Deathcloaks. I certainly did get the impression from an individual known as Tegid who came to our Guild during the Heartland Games and again at the first Moot, that they were capable of much more than we now teach in the Bards Guild. That Harmony was an ability taught to lower ranks and that those of higher rank were able to discern the thoughts and intentions of folk and carry out an "appropriate sentence", whatever that means. Although this of course may be something the Enforcers claimed they could do to cow people or to "justify" the actions they took. I am not sure. And to use their abilities in battle to befuddle and weaken the enemy, apparently. Sure, I can see the benefits of Harmony to bolster the spirits of your fellows in battle, and immunities to mind affecting spells and suchlike are extremely useful in maintaining one's sense of self and courage. But I definitely got the impression he was talking of offensive action.
I am not sure who this Tegid is, but understood that he was some entity that was "possessing" the individual who came to see us, with that individual's permission. I have seen similar with Childeris, our old guild leader, who was from time to time possessed by bards of old. Olothea (not sure of the spelling) and Obidiah? I think were two of them. Probably more.
The records of the Deathcloaks singing as they marched would tally with the Harmony ability - one has to sing to protect oneself from the effects of mental-affecting spells or abilities - or alternatively we have enchanted Sashes that protect against many forms of damage and spells and one has to sing for them to be used. There again, it could reflect something of more advanced abilities that we do not have access to. Certainly one thing is clear - we use these abilities and items to protect ourselves if danger happens to be near, rather than using them for offensive means, except of course when there are evil creatures attacking.
Tegid claimed the Enforcers used these abilities and others to "enforce" the word of the Emperor during the time of the Empire.

 

On the matter of our Harpers, I know that this is a matter that Scullion and Tegid have both applauded. This pleased many and they were encouraged. However, upon listening more about what Enforcers have done in the past, people have been dismayed mightily and have exclaimed that we only wish to protect and preserve and not to enforce. It is not our way.
Still, that does not stop people enquiring about these "lost abilities". They are curious and wish to learn. They see how much good our existing skills and abilities can do, the removal of beguilings and befriendings so that a person's mind is clear and they can think as themselves again, for example, the ability to inspire a stout heart in others, and so much more. What we have protects us and others against those who would wish to cloud peoples' minds and manipulate them, those who would wish to stifle free thought.
It is how you use skills that matters, of course. They are merely tools. Dangerous in the wrong hands. This is why we have a great responsibility over whom we teach, to whom we give access.
If Scullion possesses any form of mind control, he is going to find it hardest to control bards. Perhaps best that we try and keep him close and watch him. We also have friends who are capable of mental control and abilities and who are skilled at watching and discovering, and will ask them to watch him.
Yes indeed, Scullion's tightening of access to the Great Library is worrying and I do suspect it links with your folks' arrival in Erdreja. And of course access to the magical library is as ever controlled through one entry point alone and guarded most strictly.
However, the Great Library is only one source of information. There is a library on the Forever Tale isle, within the lands of the Protectorate of Caleb, on their western side, and this is kept by Elves of great magical power certainly (they are capable of High Magics) and they guard their library well from outsiders. This certainly contains old materials - it was where we obtained the document "Beginnings" which dates to the 6th century Before the Founding of the Empire, I recall. I would dearly like to know more about this library, and who exactly these Elves are. The library holds much in the way of stories, songs and folklore, poetry and tales, but also it seems the Elves have knowledge of other matters - recently they were able to give advice to the Calebii on how to improve their ships, in return for the Calebii granting them some protection against the outside world. They are reclusive and protective of what they have. They also have some tribes of human folk with relatively primitive technology. The isle is called The Isle of the Innocents by some.
The histories you gave me told of Tebron taking over the lands of the defeated Lorest - the folk who had created the Tome of Fire and who had sought to teach humans - and there being a city named Ithilanos and a Tower of Magic there.
Were these lands where the core of the later Empire was? In what is now the broken islands of the Protectorate of Caleb?
I am just wondering exactly how long the Elves have been on the Forever Tale and how long the Library has been there. It holds old, old material. Perhaps some vestige of the Loresti heritage? I do not know. It seems odd to me that they should have survived being there during the Empire... however, it is clear how they survived the Cataclysm, recently the library survived inundation by the waters when Holy Isle landed east of the Protectorate by erecting huge mechanical shields over the entire buildings. Quite marvellous.

I understand that people in your lands may feel quite nervous about any outsiders visiting - even other elves, from the Heartlands - and so await the time when you feel it safer for scholars to visit your lands. I am trying to think of bards who might be of elven descent, and to be utterly honest, there are not many of them - we have a good few of human descent, but also many fey, and some who are, well, a mixture of several races. It tends to happen that many half-this, half-that folk are inclined to wander, gathering tales or songs, rather than staying in their communities. But that said, there are elven scholars and scribes, and my colleague Raith Malek is busy tracking them down. Just give the word and we will be ready.
I keep thinking how our Cerridwen and Arwyn would have all been very interested in all this. Ancestors rest their souls.
Presumably, though, your folk are not well-favoured to those who practice incantation magic or have any connections that way.
We shall ensure that none are recommended to come who are high up in the Mages Guild.

Ah, you spoke of Tyr. I hope he is well. He told me that there were links in his heritage to House Galantir. When he came to me worried that your folk might spurn him, considering his background and upbringing, I told him to speak to the Lady Cathanaleith, for I trusted he would be treated fairly.

I hope that our correspondences will show to your folk that there are those who are open-minded amongst the folk of Erdreja.
We have no wish for the spirits of the past to haunt the present and return some form of Empire of old or regime of old, whatever that may be. Things have changed, the world has moved on, and it is time for all of us to assess our roles in it.
Regarding organising a meeting of folk at the Gathering, it is interesting to note that Celadore wrote to me the other day proposing exactly that! It is good to know that some amongst the mages would like to see peaceable talks. If you could let me know what times suit, then we could propose and organise something. As long as it is not in the hours of the evening (after 6) on both Saturday and Sunday, I really do not mind.
My best wishes. I will pass on the histories to others for their comments and let you know.
Meg the Minstrel