ElmshadeVillage

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((This thread is dedicated to events, freinds, and family of the white mage Raven Stormcrow. He is often buisy in other peoples threads, so this will help keep the clutter from other peoples threads. Looking for Raven? Post here.))

Raven looked apon them all, and didnt really know where to begin. They all had chaged a lot since he last seen them. Diedra looked healthy, and the sadness he once saw there in her eyes was gone. She had taken Marsalas death very bad, which eventually led to her leaving Elmshade long ago. He wondered how the children were doing. Ian and Shawn looked like they had done quite a bit of growing up themselves. Both looked to be seasoned warriors, and even had a few extra scars here and there that wasnt there before they left Elmshade long ago too. Ian even had an evening shade of stubble on his face, when it was as smooth as a babies bottom when Raven last touched those cheeks. He was very glad to see Ian... almost like a son comming home again. His hand reached out to Ian, and pulled him close. Raven hugged him up tightly, and began to sob. Ian could feel the shaking tremors in Ravens arms as he held onto him tightly. "Im glad your home son."

After a moment, Raven regained his composure and released Ian. He looked to everyone with tear stained eyes... "I'm very happy you are all safe and have returned home. Although you jeapordize your safety by doing so."

Raven sat back in the char, a shot of pain straining his face as he did so. He looked to Diedra first and explained... "Many things have changed here since you all left. But I guess I will start with the obviouse." To help explain his story better, Raven cast an Advance Illusion spell to replay the events in a floating sphere next to them. "Several days ago I was scrying from the Ivory Tower like I normally do, scanning the boundries of Elmshade. I happen to detect a flash of light comming from the mountains to the north. So I closed in with the scry to that area where I discovered something horrific. An enormouse Gate stood at the base of the White Spire mountain allowing ranks apon ranks of demons and devils through. However I couldnt get very close with the scry because of protections around the area... probably set up by the devils themselves. So I went there personally, shapeshifted into variouse bugs and animals in order to get close. I discovered they were headed here... to the Ruins to be more specific. To date the Weremachts Gladiator Army is also on its way here, but is much closer, and we were in the makings of defenses against them. However now that I discovered the Devil Army as well aproaching... hope seemed to be lost for the village. Theres no way we could stand up to two armies... we would be grinded to dust like grain between mill stones. So I took a chance. I did some research on this Weremacht, and discovered some information which might give us some leverage against her. I left Elmshade last week to a different world where the Weremacht originated. Within a few days I discovered the wereabouts of a sort of essence connected to her. An essence that many gods scattered across her world. I only needed this one piece.... a sarcofagai. With it we would be able to make a deal with the Weremacht and join forces with her army, and fend off the Devil Army. However getting the sarcofagai was harder than I expected. An Astral bounty hunter was also looking for it. We battled a short time, and I thought it would be my last fight... " He looks down to his missing legs... "It was he who took my legs as I was trying to escape with the sarcofagai. I opened a gate back to Elmshade only to find the Trinity under attack by a huge red dragon and a barbarian rider. They came to the village to take Amagatto, and elder who has valuable knowledge concerning the Weremacht and her history. Angle... " His voice crackles... and it seems hard for him to continue... "Angel used the powers of the Ivory Tower to save me from the bounty hunter who was pursueing me through my gate spell. The combination of the gate, and the destructive power of the Ivory Tower, combined... and exploded. Angel was slain instantly and the Ivory Tower was sucked into another dimension, and the dragon and rider were driven away... for now." This happened only three days ago, and since then we have used this sarcofagai I retrieved to bargain with the Weremacht. We are at a sort of truce with the Gladiator Army, and I have agreed to help her retrieve what she wants from the Ruins... in exchange for her army defending Elmshade from the Devil Army. They are already forming defensive lines across the northern boarders of Elmshade, and the Devil Army will be here within a week." He looks back to his broken body... "The damage I sustained from the Astral Hunter was abnormal and can not be healed by magical means. Not even regeneration will work." He looks back up to Diedra and the others... "Yesterday we sent a group to retrieve a Mediator who will write up a binding contract between us and the Weremacht, so no foul play will be possible. And today Arienne, Amagato and I are meeting about this Rift that formed in the explosion. Amagato calls it a time space anomily that is very rare. One that we may be able to draw power from, yet we need to study it more. He also said it might be possible to track the remains of the Ivory Tower through it... something we havnt discussed in detail yet. But if this is true, and the Ivory Tower can be found, then there are a few items within its walls that I need to help us here in Elmshade." He raises a weary hand to his forhead and continues... "We are still in the middle of danger here, and there is still so much to be done... and very little time to do it in." After this the illusion faded away.

Wherever Raven is located.

" I ... I am glad to see you too." Ian said as he held Raven close while they greeted. After a few more moments, Ian rejoined Diedra and Shawn as they listened to the story.

" Demons, Devils and a destructive Warmacht," Shawn shook his head, " That explains the evil ki I felt passing by the ridges on the way here a couple of days ago.

" That also explains my visions of a looming darkness, I have been having." Ian said as he nodded. When Raven mentioned the part about Angel dying instantly to save the life of her father, Shawn and Aonian bowed their head. " She died honorably."

" Just as we would expect from the daughter of the great Raven Stormcrow." Shawn said, " The warriors honor her passing."

Aonian threw his cloak back, proudly displaying the forest green armor of his people, as Shawn straightened his fighting gloves before Ian spoke, " Godfather, tell us where to begin. We are here to defend our people, you, Mistress Arienne and the others will... will not fall like the rest of us." He said proudly as Shawn and he stood ready to aid.

((Ravens image spell ended. Hes outside now.))

"Well... there is something all of you can help out with. As I said, there is a strong chance the Ivory Tower is still intact. Where it is, Im not sure yet, but inside are several items I need to have retrieved if possible. I would go after them myself, but I fear my adventuring days are over. I need youth and strength to go on this quest and recover these items. Also all of you are welcomed guests inside the tower, and will not be effected by its defenses. You could easily get inside, find the items, and bring them back to me." He glances back to Ariennes tower before continueing... "With Amagatos help, I can pinpoint its location and open a Gate there." The entire time, Raven transmitts his thoughts through his earing to Chaelynn so she can understand. Looking to her next he continues... "Chaelynn... I extend this offer to you as well, and I will reward each of your for doing this for me. The reward will be anything you wish thats within my power... just ask."

Wherever Raven is located.

" Godfather, if the Ivory Tower is still intact, why can't we call for the portal?" Aonian asked as he was remembering something from a past adventure?

Shawn just stood there and listened.

" I remember when Drannon and I were under the attack of the drow in the caverns, I called for help from the tower, and a portal opened. I think it was a once a day thing that the tower used to protect it's guardians. IF it still exists, wouldn't it's magic still exist, because you are still here." He asked sincerely with a confused face.

Raven nods to Ians question... "Normally that would work. However, there are a couple factors which can prevent the towers portals. First of all, the portals the tower creates cannot cross dimensional boundries. Also it could be damaged, and can no longer open portals. Ive already tried, and it didnt work."

Diedra looks around, and then walks off for a moment. She turns back and talks, her hands covering her eyes as if she's trying to see something beyond, her words directed to Raven. "Raven... I understand that the use of portals within the tower are out of the question. But have you tried to track the tower? I mean, when it was sent to the other dimensions, there should have been a trail left behind it. And... since you are still here, you should be able to find it. I mean... I'm sorry. It all makes sense in my head... but that doesn't mean that it will work here. Here's the thing. Whenever a dimensional portal is opened, where ever the rift was, it's left with a scar. And the scar leaves a trail. Follow the trail..." She stops talking for a moment, and looks at Raven. "Follow the trail. We should be able to find the tower, and just teleport into it. Does any of this make sense?"

Raven looked over to Diedra and nodded... "Yes, that makes perfect sense. The only problem is this Rift. Amagato called it a Well of Worlds... a constantly changing gateway that leads to many worlds and dimensions. Its so chaotic I wouldnt want to risk teleporting through it. You could end up inside solid rock or miles up in the sky." He rubs his chin a moment then continues... "Not only that, but who knows what kind of world the tower ended up in. It could be submerged underwater... I dont know. However once I do find where it ended up, I can equip you all with potions to help. I just need a day to find it, then send a party through to its location. Once your all there and can determine the conditions, then I trust your better judgement to retrieve items out of it the best way you can."

Wherever Raven is located.

Ian paced, he was growing alittle nervous about something, but at the same time, he wasn't sure. " We are standing out in the water with no boat. The only clue we have is this 'rift' or whatever it is where the tower use to be."

" If only there was a way to look back on the day and see what happened, but.." Shawn dared to say it, " But with out the mind of the person involved, we can't see that."

" Don't... " Ian turned and grabbed him with tears in his eyes. " Don't talk about her like she is ..." Loosing Angel after the countless losses he has suffered, was just to much for him.

Shawn looked surprized, but didn't flinch. " I'm sorry Ian, I was just.."

" If the tower survived, she may have as well." Ian said as he let Shawn go with a slight throw back and paced some more.

Shawn walked over to Diedra and spoke only to her, " We can't let him believe that fantasy, the truth he refuses to see though." He then turns back to Raven. " Master Raven, in a crisis like what could have happened, where would 'you' send the tower?"

Ravens eyes teared a little at Ians words. It seemed even he was taking Angels loss bad. He could only shake his head and wonder. All was speculation so far, even he didnt have proof that the tower still stood in one piece. A part of him kept reminding him of how near impossible that would be. It could be scattered across the planes in a million pieces. He looks to Shawn and shrugs... "In order for the Tower to be transported. The Master of the Tower must be within it... and guiding its movements. I myself have only moved the Tower twice. Once to Glynnfaighn, then back to Elmshade. As to where I would send it? It would depend on the circumstance really."

Ravens attention was then drawn to Chaelynn, and he gazed apon her picture. His eyes lit up as if realizing something important. He looked back to Chaelynn and smiled... "Of course.. you can Dream Travel. Your a geniouse Chaelynn." He nods to her and the others, motioning them to follow. "Come. If the tower exists, Chaelynn has a way to find it. But first we must talk to Amagato. He knows more about the Rifts properties than I, and theres much to discuss." He turns the animated chair, and slowly lumbers back to the doors of Ariennes tower.

((To be continued at Starsinger Tower Thread.))

((OOC: Diedra? Are you going to join us in the Starsinger Tower Thread? Im kinda waiting on you before I continue with Amagato. Im planning on forming a small adventure to Quest for the Ivory Tower, and Ravens gonna kick it off here soon. Im assuming Jake will play, using Ian and/or Shawn. Janiece using Chaelynn. And Ivy using Diedra. Lemme know if my ussumptions are off, cause Im gonna do the campaign regardless, and I'll have to post a new Campaign opening on the Boards.))

Karra stayed quiet and kept listening to everything that has happened so far. She had heard of these people from her brother but she had never met them before. Clearing her throat she speaks to Raven when everyone is finished. "I Don't know where my brother is, as he would be the one to jump in on situations like this Master Stormcrow, however I am willing to lend my skills in his stead to try and help. Surely there is something I can do to either assit you."

Important Announcement The MSN Groups service will close in February 2009. You can move your group to Multiply, MSN’s partner for online groups. Learn More
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