Strolling through Zaradene Alex noticed a foul odor coming from the south trail. Upon speaking with the local militia captain she decided to venture further to the guard camp. As she drew closer so did the aroma grow stronger. A smell she could not place. There was a man there, with a rather large wolf by his side, both wrapped in auras of divine magics. They struck out together to discover a suspicious sound and tremble within the earth. The further the traveled south, the more creatures came at them. Abhorrent, smelly, and amazingly strong creatures. When attempting to search for any clues the bodies turned to ash, but in the pockets of one of these creatures, she found a piece of parchment. It appeared to be a map. It lead through the town of Solace and to a castle of sorts. Under the castle were two symbols; a skull and a black rose. Alex found the flower familiar somewhat but could not decipher its meaning yet. Just before they reached the mountain pass, they discovered the body of a cleric. He was nearly drained of life, but managed to gasp out a few words as her healing powers were not strong enough to keep him from the brink of death.

"Eld Manor.... He is here!"

Her companion, the man with the wolf, Weylin was his name, told her of Eld Manor a little and that it was said to be a vile evil place. But they must continue on. As they traveled through Solace as the map indicated, Weylin seemed a bit flustered and did not stop or even slow until he was beyond the town overrun with Dragon Army soldiers and officers. As they came upon the road to the manor they were joined by a wearer of the black robes. She introduced herself as Faylin and claimed to know Alex from a long while past, though Alex did not seem to recall this. Together they three entered the path that lead them to their supposed destination. Fraught with perilous evil they battled with divine and arcane powers, and when those failed out came their blades along with the teeth and claws of their animal companions. Just short of the manor they were all injured in one way or another and exhausted beyond belief. They were unable to continue on and fled back the way they came.

Dark things lurk about and a strong essence of power and vengeance permiates the air around this manor. What will they discover if they can gather the strength and courage to return and continue on?

Weylin stayed behind to rest on the manor grounds. When the morning came the undead's were gone. He ventured inside and down to the basement that was still stenched with death. He and his animal companion, a dire wolf named Rakka, ravaged thru the rooms downstairs that were still crawling with some undead. From the last room they found a chest with a ruby - red as fire - a crystal rose and a pile of ash piled next to a large amount of steele.

Weylin took them and left the manor, back to Zaradene, where he met whit his friend Evey. Weylin gave the rose to Evey which in a few moments started to blast out the horid screams of death. The ruby itself started to warm up, almosti blazing. At the same time an amulet that Evey had discovered earlier from a basement crypt started to turn cold, puffing out a freezing fog and icing the ground. To counter the effects Weylin put the ruby inside a pouch with the amulet that quickly caught a blue freezing flame.

Unable to turn out the flame Weylin remembered the ashes, and having a earlier experiance with such tought it was a good idea to throw the ashes to the flame. It prooved out to be an bad idea. The flame went out and a floating skull was summoned. Who was thankful for his release, so thankful that it burned Eveys arm and disappeared into thin air.

The darkening skies over Abanasina were no natural event, Faylin knew some power was involved, but was this a threat to the Tower or the School of Magic. She needed to investigate the source and this lead her to the tree village of Solace. Two adventurers were there ahead of her. The Archmagus came across the remains of a battle; a man, a large wolf and a woman. She followed them back into Solace. Faylin caught up the the woman and spoke to her as she dispelled her invisibility.
"Hello 'Lexy, we meet again"
"Oh," Alexy said with a start, "I did not see you there. Er... do we know each other?"
Faylin smiled. 'Poor dear,' she thought, with some appreciation of the irony, 'Shimmaryn must have messed this one very badly. It is better that she does not remember.' "A long time ago, perhaps you do not recall. I assume you are looking into the reason behind this darkness?"
Alexy nodded. "Yes, we have already fought skeletons," then she looked down the road. "Sorry I have to catch up to Weylin." She then ran off. Faylin followed slightly behind. Eventually they found the man with the wolf.
"Your friend I assume?" Faylin smirked.
"Who is this?" he asked.
"She seems to know me," said Alexy, "I don't remember, but I think she is a mage."
Faylin nodded. "Aye, and I am also looking into the reason behind this darkness. What have you found so far?"
Alexy took out a few things and showed them to Fay. She nodded.
"A black rose," she smiled.
As if to confirm her conclusion a troop of death knights appeared from the forest and rushed them. The monsters were dispatched and when the last one fell Alexy turned to the Archmagus.
"What does the black rose mean?"
Faylin picked up one of the skulls of the undead.
"It means that your enemy is not a god, but Lord Soth, the Knight of the Black Rose, is not a pushover."
"Do not praise him, he will die," announced Weylin before running north toward Eld Manor.
"Fool," said Faylin, she watch him leave.
The two women followed him and found him in battle against the bandits.

... to be continued ...

Grandmaster,

A disturbing piece of news has come to my attention that I thought you would be interested in. I was recently approached by Alexy Reynn, a Druid I feel is trustworthy, with news that Eld Manor had recently been taken over by a new force.

According to Reynn and her companions, a Black Robe named Faylin and a Cleric of Habbakuk named Weylin, Lord Soth has moved into the area. Reynn assured me that Faylin was not one to lie about such things. However, I am unsure of the woman's trustworthyness and have not been able to leave Portsmith to personally investigate these claims as yet.

Reynn has asked me to gather a group to look into this matter. With your permission, I request that I be allowed to take at least one other Knight, Reynn, and anyone else who could aid us to Eld Manor and determine if Lord Soth is, indeed, in the area and what his intentions may be.

Paladine's Blessings,

Knight-Commander Azura Atosh

[The seal of Portsmith Keep is affixed]

Azura Atosh strode through the streets of Palanthas, unerringly finding her way through the crowds of city residents and merchants. Those who were acquainted with the young Knight called out friendly greetings only to be ignored.

She made her way to Palanthas Keep, pushing the heavy doors inward with ease. As her eyes adjusted to the indoor light she turned to the nearest squire, "Where is the Grandmaster?"

The young woman froze in surprise at being addressed so brusquely - Lady Atosh was normally more formal. Her eyes shifted nervously, "I am not sure Commander." The squire forced herself not to cringe as Lady Atosh quirked an eyebrow in lieu of frowning.

"Go, summon them." The squire stood still and Azura snapped, "Now!"

---

Azura stood before the gathered Knights, calmly explaining her recent visit to Eld Manor. "I undertook a trip to the Manor in order to determine the truth behind the Cleric's, Alexy Reynn, suspicion that Lord Soth and his minions might have taken up residence there."

She paused and noticed that many had skeptical expressions on their faces. "As I approached, I noted that a large number of Gypsy thieves camped nearby. They had also taken up residence in the upper floors of the Manor. However, I discovered that the Manor has been infested with undead."

She reached to the scabbard attached to her belt under her cloak, unsheathed the sword it contained, and deposited it before the group of Knights. Many eyed it, puzzled. The simple black rose etched into the hilt was unfamiliar to the younger Knights, but the older Knights quickly recognized what it was.

"I also found a Death Knight." She nodded toward the sword, "I took that from the corpse once I gave it a true death. Alxey Reynn and the Black Robe, Faylin, were correct - Lord Soth has escaped his confinment."

The imagery of the red sea, the bodies and the black stars forming a black rose in the sky was still rolling around in her head as Faylin walked up and down the shoreline, looking for clues as to what she had just seen. She was deep in concentration in her task, not bothered in the slightest by the inane posturing of the archer, Valandil, and an arrogant minotaur who wandered into town. Even though all have witnessed the event, no one but the Archmage were investigating the source, distracted by the quarreling pair.

Faylin closely examined the water and the sand, there was no physical evidence of bleeding bodies, rising from the surf.
'This was all in our minds,' she reasoned. 'And since I had a True Sight spell active during the event I know this was no ordinary illusion. Lord Soth is powerful indeed, but his powers do not extend this far. He has allied himself with a powerful entity.'
Faylin thought over the facts and dismissed the involvement of all the known gods but one.

'Takhisis,' she nodded. She looked behind her and noted that the minotaur was walking away from Valandil and heading to the Solace Road. 'She has the power to cause such an event as this, though it would cost her.' Faylin smiled. It would not be difficult to determine her involvement. As a member of the Conclave the Archmage was privy to many secrets and had access to powerful scrying devices.

'If the Dark Queen is using Soth for some purpose then I must know for certain. I would enjoy picking apart the bones of Lord Soth, but Tahkisis is another matter.'

Faylin moved down the road to sit with the Knight Azura and the Cleric Alexy. 'They might know something more,' she thought, 'I will question them, pleasantly, before I return to Wayreth.'

Barrage of thoughts and questions...

A smell.
Different yet similar.
Fire? No.
Only blood red water.
Bodies, hundreds of dead dying bodies.
Arrows.
Palanthas.
Why?
Moaning.
Sinking.
Black stars stain the sky.
A Rose.
Deep dark depths of unknown power.
Above and below.
Clear again.
Why?
Real?
With help?

Only a short moment had I seen the mystery of the water, the murky blood red view before my eyes with countless amounts of arms shoving through the water, moaning and pleading. It left as soon as it came for me, and soon I knew no more than Soth is likely the cause. I guess Alexy had stumbled on something more than just a random encounter. This is worth watching.

- Valandil

Weylin stands outside Zaradene inn and waits for Evey to appear. But with no succes. Slightly worried by her late behaviour he leave the town and summons Rakka beside him.

He looks at the wolf: "Will you help me find her, I know it's hard but you can do it." Rakka looks at Weylin with mocking eyes. "I know she doesn't leave any traces, but use your sixth sence are what ever you do.. wolves have"

They end up heading towards Solace and they pass the crossing to Eld's Manor. Weylin stops for a moment and glares at the Manor way.

"Come, let's visit the manor.. maybe.. maybe there's something useful or.. I don't know"

They fight their way to the manor and Weylin tells Rakka to find a sfae spot to wait for him. Weylin ventures in and checks the basement. Nothing of intrest caught his eye. He comes out and hear a scream of pain. Weylin discovers a man laying on the ground. Weylin goes to him and kneel to help the man, but the man dies spewing out a green fog that Weylin inhales.

Imidiately he starts to feel sick. He tries to heal himself, but it only seems to ease the symptoms for a short time.
Weylin leaves the manor ground coughing and gasping fro breath.

As many time before, he heads to the Dark Wood Grove behind Solace. On his arrival he consults the Grand Druid about his condition.
Lady Lynneth seems to be shocked and they bring Weylin to the statue of Chislev and 4 druids gather around it.

The grand druid with the other druid manage to get the green could out of Weylin and contain it.

But what Lynneth is about to tell next is no good news.

Weylin is not infected anymore but the disease remains in him. He's now a carrier of this strange sicknes that has been layd on him by Morgion. He can infect anyone he comes to touch with. Imidiately Evey rises up in Weylins mind and it darkens his thought.

There are some ancient ways to heal himself but untill that. Weylins is forced to live like a hermit. Just like the way he's fought so hard not to live.

Weylin left, walking in his thought, he walked thru Solace and in the other end he ran into a man. The man wanted to talk, but Weylin tried to drive him off. My the man refused to leave. Weylin cast stone hold on the surroundings and picked up his cloak of greater sanctuary and left running.

He ran and ran and ran, but somehow the man stayed on his tracks. Weylin had no choise but to head to the Zaradene docks and head to portsmith.

Upon arrival he headed to the Habbakuk temple. In hope of information about the book of habbakuk, or the divine life. But the Grand druid there had little to offer besides a place to sleep.

Troubleb in his mind Weylin had to come up with some ideas for where to find the cure for the disease. If the Grand Druid of Chislev didn't know where to find Divine Life or the Grand Druid of Habbakuk didi know about the book. Maybe the gods didn't want them to be found.

But someone has to see that this disease need to be cured.

Maybe Chislev had told Zivilyn where to find the Divine Life, being lovers and all. And with Tree of Life being the wisest of the gods, she has to see that it's for the greater good to it to be found. And Zivilyn being the advisor for Gilean, maybe Weylin would find some answers from Palanthas.. maybe. Maybe they'll listen to reason.

Weylin stands in the greater sanctuary and stares down at the hordes of undead knights gathered on the slopes of the Dargaard hills.

"The scholar in the Gilean temple said that there's a possibility that the Book Of Habbakuk is in Soths hands, but I'm starting to think that running straight to Dargaard Keep without any plans wasn't such a good idea after all."

A dragonlich appears in the sky above the keep with a rider on it.

Weylin prays for Chislev for a guidance, but with no prevail.

"For a god despising Morgion so much, you sure aren't helping with this diseade a lot"

Weylin comes to the conclusion that it's in the best intrest to leave the ground and he casts a series of spells, which light up the hillsides with bright sunlight for few second. Leaving many of the knights in ashes, then vanishing along Weylin.

The rogue wandered into the hills between Goodbay and Solace. Word had reached the east of things getting strange. He needed to know what was going on.

The crumbling building lay before him. The amount of Brigands that swarmed the area was astounding.

"Have the knights or the Dragon Armies taken a vacation?" he wondered to himself.

He strode by, using his ability to hide from the eyes of those not really looking.

Inside he went. More brigands..... and the sound of....... Battle?

There she was. Such beauty, and fluid movements. She was deffinately holding her own. A worthy addition she was.

A spot of trouble, and a little help he offered. So far, so good.

Below is where things went off track.

A pile of living bones and words? Great! Just what the world needs. A warning and a threat? A smirk, and a comply.

What is this? She has become something different? The bones follow her command? A strange event indeed.

Time to release the soul of its prison.

A flash of steel, and loud clang, and a skull missing.

"Now, how to use what I know?"

The old bear wonders from place to place, looking for familiar smells, and never finding them.
He does, however smell something else, darker , sicker...

He tracks the scent to Zaradene, and walks on two legs through the town.

The bear grunts at the aggression of the attacking goblins, much greater numbers then he smelled, his concentration somewhere else.
He tries to don two legs again, and there is a man, who asks if his name is Puddle. The bear responds without thinking, with a growl , that he is,(but in truth, he is not sure if that was a name he remembers from a dream)and the man calls himself Weylin. He is the source of the smell.
The Bear hears The Mother's call, he must help this man...he must gather the others so that they may hear The Mother's words out loud.
It is very dangerous to get to The Grove , he knows that he must help the young ones gather near to The Mother.


Somewhere deep inside the bear a man, full of the loss of the ancient, waits, and guides the bear in what ways he can...

Following her nose once again, Alex had a gut feeling that something was going on. Back she went down the roads that would take her to the manor. Alone this time. Goblins and Bandits were easy enough. Her mind was focused on the truth that lay beyond. Strange bodies litter the ground along the trail. Burned bodies. Upon arriving at the manor grounds however, Alex was no longer alone. Valan was ahead of her having come from Solace and there were two others. A quiet woman and a squire. With no time for pleasantries they prepared their selves to enter. As the doors creaked open the men strode forward while the two women stayed behind a little. Undead roamed rampant within the halls but there seemed to be a leader. A dark lord of sorts. He called himself Sir Colm Farold, one of the eight. Alex did not understand. One of the eight what? They were told to leave or they would join the ranks of the manor in undeath. The skeletal warriors would protect the owner's home. Her home. Of course the four would not go without a fight. And so the battle began. It was long and grueling. The squire calling down the mighty sword of Paladine. The quite one hiding in the shadows and sneaking the occaissonal stunning fist for one of her size. Alex calling upon the Fisher King... the Blue Phoenix himself. Spell after spell to release them from their undead bonds and send them to rest. And at the head of the group was her love. Valan. Blade to blade, a mighty warrior he fought against this evil. They didn't even seem to come close to striking him, being the dexterous half elf that he was. The Phoenix also lie with him. A ranger true to his calling, the divine powers within him were strong. Too strong for these opponents. After what seemed like hours they finally were able to travel freely through the manor and went down to the basement. They went through all of the rooms encountering zombie like creatures. Bloody rotten flesh dripping from their bones. They were not a difficult foe. In the last room.. they once again came upon the dark lord. Proud and resolute he stood before what looked like a portal. To what they did not know. He only restated him being one of the eight and warned them that plans were in motion to be carried out. Then before anything could be done he disappeared through the portal. Before leaving the area Alex pulled from her satchel a wand gifted upon her and recited a chant she was told to use with it. At once the portal was gone. The four went back out the way they came. They encountered no more of the death knights. On the road back to Good Bay they bid farewell, after finally exchanging names.

"I will speak with Lady Atosh on your bravery Auron Lightbringer. You would be a valuable asset to the knighthood."

The quite one.. Navyali.. she said was her name, quickly departed after the valiant squire.

Alex and Valan stayed behind for a moment finally able to be alone and relax that each of them were safe. They eventually returned to Good Bay and got a room at the inn, where they promptly fell asleep from exhaustion.