Daily Notes

1st Meadow 799 WK
After the guild meeting, but prior to departing for
Cuzco in Terra Nova, we decided to talk to some experts about the War of Tears and the Powers of old.

First we spoke to the elvish princess Illyana, of the clan Dancing Turquoise Tiger, who was hibernated to save her from the upheaval around the War of Tears but all she could tell us was the date she was put to sleep.
17th of Falling Blossoms on the 23rd Cycle of the Blue Stone.

Also two delegations were despatched to see:

First Martyn and Mary M went to see Xanadu.
They were shown into a huge cavern by a suarime (lizard man) that had a row of six statues of large dragons down each side forming an honour guard for the statue of a huge dragon at the end which was possessed by Xanadu and spoke to them.
He told them that after the first war (not the War of Tears) no more gods were made, only mortals, and his children were the first of these. Early on his children could chose their form but many became fixed in the various forms of their choosing. Most of his children went away but some stayed as watchers to guide and protect the younger races from the DARKNESS.
The DARKNESS caused Envy, Hate and Maliciousness and young ones were drawn to it as a moth was toward a flame.
Xanadu then tired of talking and then departed.

Next Seren, Gerald and Silverfoam went to meet The Green Mage. In order to obtain an audience they met the Count Kree of Barovia who then introduced them to Kokhan, the Adviser to the Triumvirate of Kinlu, who contacted The Green Mage and provided his palace for the meeting. The meeting was set for next morning.

 

2nd Meadow 799 WK
Seren, Gerald and Silverfoam had breakfast with
The Green Mage. When questioned about the War of Tears he said, "I told them not to do it".
Apparently a "young chap" found something Banned. The Bans were magic related restrictions and imperial edicts laid down by the Council.
He did not recognise the date but said the Blue Stone cycle may have something to do with a ruling house associated with turquoise.

"Back in the beginning there was more of us but they left".
Gerald realised that The Green Mage's name was a translation from a name in a draconic tongue. An alternative, and perhaps more accurate, translation might be "The Green One".
This led them to suppose that he is a Watcher, one of Xanadu's children, and the original green dragon.
He gave us a Jade green magic goldfish so we could send him a message and then departed.

When they returned to us in Seagate we discussed what they had found out and then departed for the Elven Isles on a ketch of Silverfoam's. Also travelling with us was the Lady Katerina (half sister of the Western king and Silverfoam's wife), with her young daughter Anastasia, Count Kree of Barovia and Faith, a 2 foot 3 inch tall "Elf".

 

3rd Meadow 799 WK
Sailed towards the
Elven Isles.

 

4th Meadow 799 WK
Sailed towards the
Elven Isles.

 

5th Meadow 799 WK
Arrived at the
Elven Isles in the early evening. There we met Lord Gwidian (Silverfoam's brother and heir to the throne of the Elven Isles. We had a very nice meal and the Silverfoam's family told us that all they know of the Vanuarmi were from cradlesongs about flying elves that lived on clouds.

Quote: Silverfoam said to Seren "I've never thought of you as a Lady."

 

6th Meadow 799 WK
After a brief look in the library of the elves (and after lunch) we set sail for the magic seaway to
Terra Nova. We added a nurse (looked very guard like) for Anastasia to our group.

 

7th Meadow 799 WK
We walked down the magic seaway to
Terra Nova. We saw a side passage (which is still inactive) leading off into a deep trench in the ocean.

 

8th Meadow 799 WK
We walked down the magic seaway to
Terra Nova.

 

9th Meadow 799 WK
We walked down the magic seaway to
Terra Nova until we reached the end. Then we decided to camp and egress next morning.

 

10th Meadow 799 WK
We were met by some guards from the hidden fort of the
Elven Isles and then we exited on to the beach in Terra Nova.
Quote: Amelia said to the party members who had been here before "I got the distinct impression that some of you knew where we were going."

We clarified the plan, which turned out to be that we would go south to Ocos. Then we would convince them to let us use the short southern sea path to the port city of Quito, which was the northern-most city in the Empire of the Sun.
On our way south we there was a large dragon hovering over the jungle which used its fiery breath to scorch out a huge patch which it landed in. We decided it was best to leave it alone. Also we noticed one of the huge floating hives way out to sea to the north.

By the end of the day we reached Ocos, which is a small primitive town - often attacked by drow slavers. They let us into the sea path.

 

11th Meadow 799 WK
This sea path was much shorter, we reached the other end in only half a day. A group of armed guards (halflings) lead us into
Quito and took us to an audience with the Admiral (The governor of Quito). He issued us with passports (identifying us as friends) and had guides show us around the city of Quito.
It is quite strange here in Quito (besides everything being very short) as they don't have money or personal possessions at all. The rulers just give you anything you need. The locals seem happy enough.

 

12th Meadow 799 WK
After leaving
Quito we travelled quickly over the main road (even though it has steps and stairs periodically) stopping only at lunch time and setting up the portal route from Quito to Cuzco.

 

13th Meadow 799 WK
Travelling from
Quito to Cuzco.

 

14th Meadow 799 WK
Travelling from
Quito to Cuzco.

 

15th Meadow 799 WK
Mid-afternoon we arrived at
Cuzco which is an amazing city laid out in a bowl pattern around the palace, which is in the exact centre. Oh and the roof's of most buildings are covered in gold (despite the Destinians stealing much of it).

We decided to stay a few days to acclimatise to the air being thin (we are quite high up in the mountains).

 

16th Meadow 799 WK
Looking around
Cuzco, a strange and wonderful city.

 

17th Meadow 799 WK
Looking around
Cuzco, a lot of halfling nobility here.

 

18th Meadow 799 WK
Looking around
Cuzco, not a lot to do.

 

19th Meadow 799 WK
Looking around
Cuzco, bored senseless.

 

20th Meadow 799 WK
Looking around
Cuzco, we had better be leaving soon or I will start killing half-sized helpful bureaucrats.

 

21st Meadow 799 WK
We left
Cuzco and travelled to the mountain village of Pebble. We established a temporary portal from there to the waterfall near the top of the mountain. Steam was coming off the river and it flowed around a small island that had ruins on it (we found out later that these ruins were called the lower city).
Glass went through the waterfall and asked if all of us would be let in. A crystal ramp appeared that went through the waterfall and we followed this. None of us got wet and it was much warmer as we approached an opening in the cliff.
The crystal entity Eunice spoke to us - "Welcome" and said that she would let the Chancellor know we'd just arrived.

The University is called ATAR (Academy of Theologic Advancement), as there used to be others around this one is called Mount Everwhite.
We went down a corridor and through a portal to the garden. This was at the top of the waterfall (in mid-stream) and was protected by a large dome. In the garden there were many paths and six strange structures or buildings.
1. Two towers spiralled togetherIn these there are many doors that can temporarily transform you into different shapes which last about an hour.
2. An oblate building with leg like protrusions (Spider like)This building was the showcase of the Planer Traveller mages and contains many creatures (mostly insects) bought back from other planes.
3. A Sphere sitting on the groundThis is some sort of planetary display - Deep ether exploration.
4. Tetrahedral PyramidHas little illusions of cities in miniature - something to do with rapid travel within a plane.
5. A strange shimmery domeNot a public place and protected.
6. A tower with a cage containing a steel ball on top of itThis has lots of clocks in it (all telling slightly different times and seems to be dedicated to temporal studies.
An old but well-preserved elf (The Chancellor) came forth and we began discussions on using the time portal to go back to the War of Tears.

When asking about a date that the War of Tears started, the Chancellor said that they didn't have many details of it but could give us the date they "lost communication" with the other institutes
14th Gathering Dark 208,721 years after the founding of the city of Eldamar. It is now around 240,000 years after the founding.
A war involving many clans up north had already started. This was unusual as although inter clan conflict was not strange it normally only involved two clans not several. This northern dispute had been going several months prior to contact being lost with the other institutes.
Apparently just before that a young elf called Iruloki (The Ruby Scourge) had discovered the Extraction magic at Mount Everwhite ATAR. This type of magic was placed under an Imperial Ban and he left the institution. (See earlier notes on interview with The Green Mage)
The Empress back then was called Letheana (clan of Noble Sapphire Day) and she had been ruler for a decade or so.

In order to help heal (fix?) Eunice and her colleague Lois we would have to locate and return with someone skilled as a "Crystal Shaper". All of the crystal entities had communication with each other (including memories) and each specialised in areas of expertise.

Theoretically the portal is two way. People should be able to return through it.
The location of the other end of the portal moves with time. Over one month it would move around 100 yards.
As the other end moves we can either pick a time to appear in and have to just accept where we arrive or we can choose a location to go to and just accept when the portal was there.
We can go back in time to any period up to when the portal was built (about 30 years after the War of Tears). But the other end of the portal may have to have something done to it in order for it to allow us to return.
I suggested that each time the portal was opened a marker should be thrown through it in order to identify the location it open last.
The researchers who built the portal, they finished it about 30 years after the War of Tears, travelled back to about 40 years before the War of Tears and were not heard from again. The Chancellor can open the portal at most once a week for one hour. He cannot sustain this level of regularity for very long so we agreed that he would open the portal every ten days for six times and then every 30 days for a year.

We gave the Chancellor a secret word (In halfling - Mathion). After we left, and if he heard no more from us, he would travel to the Vaults and see if one of them is opened by this key word. If it is it would have to be set by us as the halfling language did not exist when the Vaults were made. He also he gave us a copy of his thesis (stored magically) called "Deep Ether Exploration" as a way of authenticating us to him back in time.
He suggested one far away place that we could say we came from. A place called "Cal Othella" which is the fifth planet and accessible via portal. The Chancellor started to activate the time portal and we had a good nights sleep.

 

22nd Meadow 799 WK
We went down to the portal to perform some tests and to establish whether we could use it two way.

We all went through. It looked like a black tunnel that we were inextricably drawn along. Near the other end of the tunnel there was a lot of turbulence that meant we exited the tunnel tumbling around. Glass conjectured that the turbulence was the time period of the War of Tears where the magic was disrupted.

Even though we had left just after breakfast we exited in darkness. The height of the moon suggested to us that it was two hours after midnight. In the distance we saw a building with lights on inside, and we could hear music and laughter coming from within.
We checked that we were still on Alusia and also found that we were in a high mana zone (we suspect everywhere is high mana here). Amelia suggested we find some cover so she and Martyn ventured away from the building until they found a 12' high hedge maze which we relocated into.
A large flying ship made all of transparent crystal, and flying many pennants instead of sails, flew over to the building and landed on the other side. We used a crystal of vision to get a view of the building from high up and found it was one corner of a star shaped walled town with a fortified manor / castle at each corner. After a little while symbols started appearing on the crystal ball and then it turned off (no peeking).

Seren lead Mary M, Silverfoam and Gerald up the hill to investigate the party. There were around a thousand guests and as soon as they entered they were offered drinks (fantastic self-cooled nectar, tasted like sunshine and honey) by the servants. Everyone there was extravagantly dressed and our four companions were more or less ignored. Servants, all human, lined the walls (they all had outfits of Russet and Gold one with a small brown flower design) and there were many unusual guests. A quick check revealed that about half the elves were colleged mages, although there were no greater summoners or rune mages. Also there were five extra colleges that we could not recognise.

Silverfoam met Lord Luthier of Crying Emerald Lightening who told him they were at the castle of family Pure Saffron Blossom at the heart of the empire. Lord Luthier also introduced Silverfoam and Seren to the cousin of the lord and they explained we had come through a portal and weren't exactly sure where we were.
She offered Silverfoam the run of the house and the servants (just being polite I think). The rest of us joined the party and had a look around. The "castle" is around 2000 feet across all up and is very tall with many stories and elegant architecture.
Seren asked a servant to take them to a map and they lead some of us into a study with a strange table with a dome on top of it (looked a little like a mushroom).
In the dome the map was a illusion which could have its size changed. At small scales she could see that the nearest other town from here was about 30 miles away. At bigger scales the whole continent looked cultivated. It was mostly flat with some gentle hills and groomed forests. The rivers look as if they have been redirected.
There are many towns (clan holdings) on the map, some of which are floating out to sea, some flying and one in trees in a forest. A selection of their names are:

By talking to the servants we established the date was the last day of waving grass (the 8th month of the year) and tomorrow is the 1st of Gorvannon's Forge in the year 208,720. Therefore we were only fifteen months prior to gathering dark in 208,721 when the University cataclysmically lost contact with its fellow institutions.

 

1st Gorvannon's Forge 208,720 AF
Lord Luthier invites us to breakfast aboard his flying 50' wingspan emerald bird (the medusa accompanies us). We headed northwest, apparently towards the lands of Jubilant Sky.
Lord Luthier advises us that he is in the 'mercantile' trade. When pressed he suggested that Lord Lorac (our breakfast host) might be able to provide introduction at court. We obtained some trivia with regard the current queen.
"Fickle, A mere child. I mean 'Amethyst Day' - Who as an outfit made of amethysts?"

We arrived at the flying city Jubilant Sky, which seemed to be about 1/2 a mile across and 10 - 15 stories high. It had many delicate spires and towers made from a dove grey stone (kind of cloud coloured). One in the city we saw a similar mix of people as there was at the party, with the addition of sylphs.

Keshah spoke to a human, Sebastian, who was from the house Penitent Summer Night and is a gem merchant. He indicated that the human part of the house was in a 'cadet' relationship with their elven patrons. He also told us that the Empress banned culling within the Empire but it was still legal in the Outlands.

We were introduced to Lord Lorac, who takes a fancy to Seren and offers to introduce us all to the Imperial court. He is very amused by our Seraph, and insists that all our 'colleagues' accompany him to court.
Whilst flying over a garden Mary M gets zapped like a lightning bug by some sort of ward - It warns you with some sort of St Elmo's fire before frying you.

We look around the flying home of the clan Jubilant Sky (population approx 1000 elves) guided by the female elf Kieran (poor cousin?). She tells us lot of useful stuff.
The population of the world is around 10 million, of which there are 9 million humans and 1 million elves. In addition to clans there are many political factions - Jubilant Sky is a member of three factions.
Lorac is a big wheel in:

We track down a library (which doubles as a magic academy and do some background research on the 5th planet. In the evening Seren and Martyn go on flying on the giant eagles.

Lord Lorac takes us to dinner with Mocking Ashen Dawn. Apparently it is "advisable" to wear weapons and armour. A flying black obsidian pyramid arrives to transport us to dinner. On board the servants are wearing grey and black. This pyramid lands on top of another much bigger pyramid (becomes the capstone) into which we enter (this is the clan residence).
This dinner seems to be a big event, there are several thousand guests, and lots of humans (dressed and undressed but all collared and chained therefore "hired") which appear to be "servants" and entertainers. All of them are very good looking.
It is very decadent with much drug consumption, fornication, food and other amusements for the elves. Mixed in are some exotics eg. fairy folk, sylphs, satyrs etc.
Lord Lorac says we are here for business and trading (educational, hidden warning to us).
Lord Lorac approaches a thin (gaunt? old?) elf on a throne made from scrimshaw (humans bones with some sort of magical protection) with a lot of beautiful people lounging around on cushions.

This is Lord Dray (who is a vampire elf) drinks some blood from a servants throat (Icky) and introduces us to Lady Drick who showed us around the entertainments. The haunting singing is coming from a young woman strapped to a frame. She is singing despite her throat being cut and having an elf playing her vocal chords.
Other more revolting stuff.

Thankfully we made to return to Jubilant Sky and refresh / clean our pallets. Silverfoam was very good and didn't voice any of his thoughts! Martyn kept his visor down as otherwise someone would make an offer to buy him.
Back at Jubilant Sky we were outfitted for court and got a good (but restless) nights rest.

 

2nd Gorvannon's Forge 208,720 AF
In the morning we were met by
Lord Lorac and departed for the capital, Eldamar, in his 200' long, three masted, flying ship. As we travelled (the ship sped along at about 50 knots) we passed many elven enclaves - All were different shapes. The officers on the ship had hand weapons that shot small balls at very high speed (and deadly effect) through magic. We were told that the ship also had some larger versions of these set up for 'broadsides'.

The ship flies because of a crystal keel made from Silama (described as a kind of crystallised mana - Also used extensively in the construction of Jubilant Sky).

After a couple of hours flying we crossed some hills and saw a large (80 mile across, a circular bowl of water) lake completely surrounded by gardens and groomed parkland. On the lake were many pleasure craft and vessels of all shapes.
Around 25 miles into the lake was an island some 30 miles across which was filled by the capital Eldamar. As we approached the ship came in to land (no magical flying inside the city) and entered he city through a large archway over a canal. The city is surrounded by walls 150 feet high which have towers twice as tall scattered around it's perimeter.

We sail into the outer city and head along one of the eight major canals towards Lord Lorac's "city house". The air is fragrant and the city has many parks and gardens all immaculately maintained. Once we had settled into our accommodations we learned that our audience was tomorrow and we could have a look around the city this afternoon.

We were told that we would be unable to see any of the people we wanted to until after we had visited court:

Before leaving we got a quick rundown on how the politics around here work. Basically the Empress designates unallocated provinces to individuals who therefore become ministers. She then can offer these ministers portfolios as she sees fit, there is no official set of portfolios, portfolios are created as need be (or at her whim).
There is also a Senate of Clan lords, actually only those of influence attend, which manoeuvre to assist themselves into portfolios.

The mana here is very strange. It is still high mana but it feels very tame, groomed, it feels definitely like you are given an exact portion of mana (we suspect this may be recorded somewhere) for use in your spell.

We left in a small cutter to circumnavigate the city. There are eight sectors in the city Air (where Lord Lorac's residence is), Light, Fire, Death, Earth, Dark, Water and Life and each area has the "feeling" and architecture of its theme.
There are many different races living in the capital (at least including - Titans, Narga, Yetti, Gargoyles, Harpies, Centaurs, Gnolls, Doppelgangers, Trolls and some extraplanar beings as well. Humans used as servants but 'Noldor' (halflings) are generally respected. Apparently the gods made them as some sort of repository, they are often referred to as "wise ones". There is one clan of pure Vanuarmi called Heroic Silver Sky which reside in the Air sector.

Eldamar

Eldamar


 

3rd Gorvannon's Forge 208,720 AF
In the morning we boarded a barge with
Lord Lorac and set sail for the centre of the city. The innermost 10 miles of the city is walled off. There is a mile wide ring of water on the outside of the walls and another just inside them. The walls to the inner city were 300 feet high with 450-foot towers (everything built on a grand scale). The walls themselves were covered in writing that seemed to be "clawed" into the stone. Gerald identified it as some sort of early draconic and it seemed to be a listing of Laws.

We disembarked half a mile inside the walls and had to cross these huge bridges for the last half-mile. At the outer ends of the bridges were huge statues of dragons (two per bridge) and these seemed to be individual dragons. After walking the bridges we entered a huge building that took up the innermost 8 miles of the capital Eldamar. The hall we walked through was over a hundred feet wide and high and a mile long.

Again several different races were in evidence (we saw Centaurs, Sylphs, a cloud of Pixies). A titan (he had six storm giants as guards) briefly stopped to talk to Lord Lorac. The building turned out to only be a large ring a mile thick.
Inside it was a large (4-mile diameter) garden open to the sky with a half-mile wide tower at its centre. The tower appeared to be several (say about five) miles tall, strange we couldn't see it from the outside (must be magic).

All the servants are wearing pure blue / cobol coloured outfits. Lord Lorac lead us off to a natural (very subtly made) ampetheature area that had a hundred odd people in light coloured robes engaged in little discussions and debates. There were around sixty elves, twenty humans, and 20 winged elves (Vanuarmi).
Lord Lorac asked Mary M to give a little acrobatics display. This seemed to upset a few of them and a couple got very angry. Lord Lorac seemed to be using Mary M to mock them and he seemed to be quite pleased with himself. Mary M flew off quite upset, as she wanted to meet the Vanuarmi and now she had been used to insult them.

One of the elves very angry placed his hand on his sword and had to be restrained by a woman who apologised for him. We learned afterwards that they were the faction known as Noldenor (translates: Those who know light / The Illuminated) and the male elf was Lord Mika and the female Lady Uri. We think they will become two of the Powers of Light ie. Micheil and Urieil.
Amelia followed Mary M and the rest of us stayed with a smug Lord Lorac.

We ambled through the gardens and met Lady Sellina of Crying Sable Raven, wife of Borrese (first name Iruloki) with whom Lord Lorac is very good friends with. Lord Lorac described Iruloki as a great mage recently thrown out of a small-minded institution and continuing his research from his home now.

Mary M landed upset in a tree and was asked by a passer-by what was wrong. She explained what had happened and he was most sympathetic. Amelia turned up and he introduced himself as Lord Yo and invited them both to a picnic. At the picnic he told them that Lord Yo was a shorter version of Lord Yo Long (translates: Jade Dragon). The Green Mage! He described the statues one the bridges outside as "Kin that have gone". A picnic was prepared and they had some lunch. Part way through the two halflings mentioned the rest of their companions and servant were sent to invite us.
Lord Lorac said our audience wasn't until late afternoon and he had a few things to do first so the party joyfully accepted the offer of lunch with the dragon.
After we arrived Lord Yo provided us all with translation amulets so we could converse easier. We asked about the writing on the inner city walls and Lord Yo said these are the Laws of Draco and that we have already broken one (the one prohibiting time travel). He also said that we were not the only ones to brake this law. The others (the original elvish researchers using the portal in an attempt to stop the War of Tears) had formed The Illuminated and were called the Founders.

Lord Yo told us a story (#C - Jade Dragon's Story) this explained many things and is a vital link in the history of the world. He also informed us that Apollyon and Abbadon were twins (two dragons from the same egg).
Apparently Iruloki Borrese has found an incorrect way to combine some of the parts of magic and achieve some of the dragon's power, but it is not "balanced" so will only lead to evil.
He also said that there were few other Watchers around as most of Baal's children and Xanadu's children had "walked beyond" but the few that remained tended to be named after gems (Ruby Dragon, Topaz Dragon etc). The other dragons that "Walked to the spaces beyond" may return in times of dire need.
Quote: Someone said "Act in haste, Repent at leisure."

When asked what Baal was trying to do with his ritual before he was defeated Lord Yo said:
"If you kill one person you are a murderer."
"If you kill a million people you are a conqueror."
"If you kill everyone, you are a god."

Not good.

We decided that we needed to talk to the Vanuarmi (Who were also supposed to "Walk to the places Beyond at some stage") in order to ask them for help (actually to give them a message to give to the Dragons if they find them where they are going). Lord Yo said the only real way to easily contact them was to go back to the Illuminated ones. So we went (accompanied by Lord Yo back to the ampetheature.

Mary M was going to speak for us and she was nervous, Lord Yo suggested she just imagine Lord Mika naked.
When we arrived Lord Mika had the area "sealed" against intrusion / interruption and then made a speech about the Noldonor - Those who seek Truth in Light.

Mary M explained that we were from the future and needed help (and she did a very good job of it too), all of the Noldenor started discussing this, aided by some of the founders (the elven researchers from 40 years in the future) who added to our credibility. Lady Uri realised that Mary M's wings had been created by one of the Powers of Light (Sammiel) and this caused quite a ruckus as they expected that none of the Noldenor were going to survive the upcoming upheaval. Finally the Vanuarmi came to some sort of decision and all flew off together in formation (very impressive).
Then servants came to tell us that it was time for our audience with the Empress.

So we (joined by Lord Lorac) walked to the tower (Half a mile diameter by five miles high - tapers slightly) in the centre of the garden. The base of it has eight 300 foot by 600 foot high archways and has a slightly silvery sheen to the floor.
In the centre of the tower is a large raised dais that has an 1,800 foot pool of a silver substance (quicksilver) which is bubbling. The bubbles (between 6 and 12 feet in diameter) slowly rise up the centre of the tower. There is also a massive spiral staircase around the inside of the tower. Lord Lorac steps into a bubble with Seren and it carries them upward.
Lord Yo turns into a massive (50 foot long, 150 foot wingspan) green dragon and flies up with Amelia on his back. As we go up (several miles) we see structures built on clouds and other strange things. We were told that the silver pool at the bottom is the Master Portal, from which most (certainly all exotic ones) of other portals in the Empire are powered from in a spider-web arrangement with here as it's centre.
When we reach the roof it to is some sort of silvery substance and we pass through it and are deposited on the floor on the other side. The room we are in is very big (half mile across?) and it has stairs upwards for another 1,600 feet, which we have to walk. Actually some magical effect seemed to make it easier and we came out on the top of the tower

The top is only a quarter of a mile across and hasn't any walls or railing at the edges. In the centre there is a circular stepped pyramid with a throne designed to look like a reclining dragon (full scale, 50 long). We were ushered closer and the dais rotated so we were facing the Empress.

The Empress Letheana appears to be only around 15 years old (a real infant by elvish standards) and had a pet tiny dragon (fire drake) called "Snuggles". She asked Amelia to say something wise (as halflings are wise ones) and she said:
"The reward of a job well done is another Job."
She didn't like that wise saying.
Lord Lorac said "I have come here to address the same question as I did before. The elven population declines and the younger races breed prolifically. The young ones are restless. I want culls and restrictions on the teaching of our magic to them.". The Empress Letheana said "I'm sure you'll find some solution." and dismissed us. Lord Lorac was livid.

The major domo teleported us back to the garden and Lord Lorac said he had to go and talk to some people.
Lord Yo met us and gave us some crystal mites to fix Lois.

We had some further discussions with Lord Yo about what Baal is trying to achieve. He gave us another quote:
"If the Anchor is gone the others will perish."
Apparently the mortal realm anchors the souls of mortals in a similar way a loadstone attracts metal, hence if it is destroyed (everything) he will be set free.
We asked about the pieces of things he needs for his ritual. What they looked like? Why he needed them? Could we stop him by getting to them first? Again Lord Yo told us a short story:

In the beginning there was nothing.
Then the nothing separated into two something's,
Which were opposite but could not be recognised without the other,
Let us call these Light and Darkness.
The gods were created from mixtures of these something's,
And they made everything else.
Some pieces of the pure something's survived,
Scattered in amongst the gods creations.
These were hidden as they were imbued with power from outside the realm.
They had the power of the Universe,
The power to be or not to be.
And Baal covets this.

These pieces would take on many shapes but in general they will be obviously magical and powerful. A divinate should recognise that they are very special. The black Orb Baal is trapped in is one such piece.
After this story we left Lord Yo, planning to meet him in a week's time at the Mount Everwhite ATAR, and returned to Lord Lorac's city house. We decided to stay here one more day then return to the flying city Jubilant Sky.

 

4th Gorvannon's Forge 208,720 AF
We found it remarkably easy to catch lifts around the city and see various strange sights. Gerald, Mary M and I went back to examine the dragon statues guarding the bridges (Gerald sketched them all) and we went and memorised the statue of
Anu in the garden.

Keshah went down and looked at the "market" and found that everything is made to order (nothing off the shelf) by skilled crafts-elves. Hard to go shopping.

Seren and Martyn found the practice grounds and saw two Harlequin practicing and Seren asked if her bodyguard, Martyn, a human could be involved in a demonstration. He choose unarmed combat and acquitted himself very well (much to some of the bystanders disgust) but lost Three / One. They were very surprised at his level of competence but the main difference was the level of acrobatics the Harlequins used and their ability to naturally "boost" or "speed" themselves.

 

5th Gorvannon's Forge 208,720 AF
We returned with
Lord Lorac to Jubilant Sky.

 

6th Gorvannon's Forge 208,720 AF
Looked around
Jubilant Sky waiting for the portal back to be opened.

 

7th Gorvannon's Forge 208,720 AF
Looked around
Jubilant Sky waiting for the portal back to be opened.

 

8th Gorvannon's Forge 208,720 AF
Looked around
Jubilant Sky waiting for the portal back to be opened.

 

9th Gorvannon's Forge 208,720 AF
Left (after saying goodbye and
Lord Lorac giving Seren a necklace of silver studded with sapphires, the biggest of which seems to have an empty space shaped like an eagle inside) Jubilant Sky on a sky clipper that Lord Lorac leant us and travelled back to the lands of Pure Saffron Blossom.
Just after midnight we sent our message back to the Chancellor thought the portal he opened and asked which stasis vault should we be stored in. He sent a message back "Lutheran".
We departed for the Mount Everwhite ATAR.

 

10th Gorvannon's Forge 208,720 AF
We docked at the tower in the
University and soon after we disembarked we met Lord Yo. We went up from the lower city (not yet in ruins) to the academy part of the Mount Everwhite ATAR where we were hustled down to a silver portal - the entrance to the vault Lutheran. We said our goodbyes to the Lord Yo who gave us a statuette of a Jade dragon and asked us to give this to him in the future and he would find us some souvenirs. We entered the portal.

 

6th Heat 799 WK
We exited the portal and met
Count Kree. Accompanied by the Chancellor we went down to the lower city and let the crystal mites loose in Lois P> 

7th - 20th Heat 799 WK
We spent time at the
University (reading, ranking etc) whilst Lady Katerina built a catapult to knock down the mana draining black pillar that was just outside. This went very smoothly (although the pillar exploded as it was finally knocked over).

Count Kree took us back to Kinlu via one of his portals, which also went to a place called Avalon).

P> 

21st Heat 799 WK
We had breakfast with
Kokhan and The Green Mage. We handed him the Jade dragon he had given us and it vanished, and then he seemed a lot better and also seemed to have that Dragon feel about him again.
He also got his memory back.
After a pleasant breakfast we returned to the guild and disbanded the party. The Green Mage came to us just before the guild meeting and delivered a number of souvenirs of our trip.

The End.