[2004/04] A New Threat

[Ziv]

[turbine]

Event Page at Turbine

Morningthaw, 15 P.Y.

Quoted Fiction at Turbine

As Antius entered the room he removed his helm and shook his head in disbelief.

"Our fears are confirmed. Something new has arrived here on Dereth." He placed the helm on the table across from Elysa and Fadsahil. "Any news from Shoyanen and Celdiseth?"

"None," Elysa answered. "I expect that they'll be contacting us soon. They've found nothing that would indicate that there is a barrier around the islands, though." Elysa rapped her knuckles on the table and kicked her chair back onto two legs. "Are they violent?"

Antius dragged a chair away from the table and sat down hard. "I would say yes, but we don't speak their language. The mosswart that found his way into Sawato was certainly scared of them though. Yet, I cannot find any indication that it was these new creatures that massacred his people. In fact, I think that something else is responsible for the deaths of the mosswarts."

Elysa arched a brow and looked at Fadsahil. "Fadsahil, tell Antius your news." Antius looked to the man and waited expectantly.

"You'll recall that I've been complaining of a strange sound that has been coming from beneath the floor of my shop?" Antius nodded and leaned closer. "It hasn't ceased, in fact it has increased in persistence. Further, I have noticed that the sclavus in the desert have begun moving closer to my shop. I've chased most of them away but they seem drawn there." Antius didn't look surprised in the least. "Now, at night I hear scratching. Like something is trying to burrow through the stone." Fadsahil took up a small goblet and drank deeply.

"Move," Antius stated and lifted his hands from the table. Elysa smirked across from him. "Don't take the chance. Whatever overwhelmed the mosswarts in the Blackmire worked swiftly and let the blood from their bodies without leaving any physical marks. Best you don't rely on magic to save you. Don't take the chance."

Fadsahil nodded as Antius concluded. Elysa lowered her chair to the floor. "Antius," she began, "if we try to make contact with them what do you think will happen?"

"They'll be violent, I am sure of that." He shook his head. "So far the beings that we've encountered have been diminutive and ineffective but possessed of great speed and tenacity." He paused. "They are not of this world&"

"Portals?" asked Fadsahil.

"We believe so," Elysa said as Antius nodded his head in agreement. "Without Asheron here we cannot be sure if he's ever seen them before, but Shoyanen was in Linvak Tukal assisting Lord Kresovus with a lifestone crystal when the magic was released across Dereth. She was certain that it was tied to portal space in some respect. What were her exact words, Antius?"

"It felt like a ward to keep something out, a place to store bad memories, a spell to seal them away," Antius said and poured a glass of water for himself.

Elysa nodded then continued. "If it was a spell that had been a ward to seal something away, it is simple to deduce that the arrival of these new creatures was triggered by the very wave that washed over Dereth." She paused and knocked on the table. "We'll need to keep watch over the area. Something tells me that this is not done." She stood and looked at Fadsahil. "Move your shop, requisition a tent and I'll see about getting builders for you when time allows." Fadsahil bowed his head. "Antius, we need to go talk with Aun Hareltah. He offered the services of one of his Drumspeakers to act as an intermediary with the anima of Dereth. Perhaps this Drumspeaker can decipher the language of these new arrivals. Let's meet these new creatures and find out if they are friend or foe."

She turned and started for the door, Antius stood and followed.

[Ziv]

[turbine]

Rollout Article

"I'd never have believed it if I hadn't done it myself." Celdiseth folded his arms across his chest. "It's like the ley lines changed, shifted, flooded magic up through the world and into our beings. Who knows where the possibilities will end." He looked to Ciandra, "It might also explain why Shoyanen was able to start working with lifestones."

Ciandra chuckled and continued studying the rings on the strange object recovered from the Blackmire Swamp.

"Whatever the cause of this shift in the ley lines, and I've got my theories mind you, it isn't as new as we all think." He shook his head. "I seem to remember a certain person mentioning something to you not all that long ago about changes and using things that we didn't wholly understand."

Ciandra clearly understood the barb, but showed no signs of letting it affect her.

"I think that whatever was done to the ley lines may have facilitated that wave of magic. That's my take on things." Celdiseth walked up behind Ciandra. "All these spells casting so fast& it's just not right."

Ciandra turned, "Celdiseth, while I appreciate your position I cannot help but wonder why you're here. If you mean to help me, then please help. Do not yammer to me in thinly veiled nuances that this might all be my fault." She stared him down.

Celdiseth unfolded his hands and held them palms open. "All right, what can I do?"

Ciandra motioned to a stack of papers. "Review the findings I have written out so far." Celdiseth nodded and walked toward the stack. As Ciandra turned back to the device a wide smile spread across her face. She had stood up to him and it felt good.

[Ziv]

[turbine]

from Rollout Article at Turbine

The investigations of Antius Blackmoor and the archmagi of the Council have yet to conclusively determine exactly what happened deep within the Blackmire temple last month. One thing is certain the Burun have arrived, and they don't appear to be friendly.

The fluctuations in the ley lines have had even more far-reaching effects the Arcanum has discovered how to cast many enchantments more quickly, allowing the heroes of Dereth to prepare for combat faster. They have also made improvements to dispel spells and potions, allowing for greater ease in ridding oneself of negative spells.

But will these increased powers be enough to face this new threat?

[Ziv]

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