A Return to Faerun from Elben Aator

[Adian Novar]

"Tyr embraces the righteous," Tanek growled. "And punishes the guilty. And you are guilty of terrible things. I can see it dripping off of you like sewage. I would suggest you atone to Tyr's mercy, but my breath would be wasted. The souls of all your kind are tainted with your atrocities.

"I have said all there is to say," he added. "Your kin do not deserve the time it takes to speak to you."

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

"And what of your atrocities, human, your race has just as many assassins, killers, and other 'religeous scum' as my own, I could name you many, foolish human, each of them just as worthy as the drow, by your measure, of you hatred. And they do recieve it, yet you offer them a chance of redemption. But the drow do not get this chance, why? Does not Tyr, if he is truly a goodly god, not offer it to drow, for you surely do not?"

[silke_rahn]

Nedylene looked at the Tyrian priest Tanek with a saddened look on her face. She walked up to him as she did so a halo of light again engulfed her just as the day she shared Evening Song with Adian. Her beauty gained a radiance like that night as well.

"Sister Calia you need not injure this man, he has been forsaken by Tyr for his overzealousness and his unreasoning hatred. Why Tanek, do you dispoil my sanctuaries and harm my priestesses? What have the Moon Dancers done to you and yours? Surely I would understand if you vented your hatred at the Spider Kissers for they are unrepentant and revel in their sin against my father. This physical form may be my sister, but she is one of my Chosen Champions. She will for now be the recepticle for your power from Tyr. Until you have repented and attoned for your actions against the few of this world's Ssi'Tel'Quessir that follow the pathways of Light you will not be a conduit of Tyr's power and might. Tyr has told me this as it is fitting the goddess of the Drow that walk in the Light should be the messenger of your fate. Now hear me those of you gathered here Tanek is until he attones for the harm he has done to the Moon Dancers no longer has the powers of a priest. All of the Rivvin gods and goddess have accepted this and not even Shar will accept him as her priest. The gods and goddesses have forsaken you Tanek only Tyr will take you back, but not until you fullfill his ordeals for your attonement."

Then Nedylene still standing over Tanek returned to her normal self as the halo of light left her and rejoined the moon Selune.

"Tanek, my sister spoke to you through me and she chose to let your patron select how to punish you for what you have done. Eilistraee is a forgiving being, but she will not tolerate those that commit evil acts, especially evil in the name of a god of Good and Law. Evil done even in the name of good is still evil and must be attoned for. You are not to be my bondsman, but you will work out your ordeal in the service of the Church of Eilistraee. You will work to help those in times of need and want. You will tend to the ill of body and the ill of soul. If you do not accept this attonement you will forever be cut off from Tyr and his justice and forgiveness. As one of Eilistraee's Divine Champion it is within my power to have punished you myself for harming her santuaries and her priestesses, yet she took it up with your lord the Blind God and the One Handed. Tyr thought it over and listened to her. Like Eilistraee he is willing to give you a fresh start. Like an acolite you will serve at a sanctuary and shrine to Eilistraee helping those seeking refuge from injustice, darkness, and evil. You will do this until Tyr is satisfied you have attoned for the injustice you have caused the people of Eilistraee."

Nedylene then abruptly truned about and walked over to where her party had gathered. She stood next to the young woman that resembled another of the same name though that one was back home on the Isle of Elben Aator guarding Lunar Temple as a Guardian of Luna.

"So sister Calia why is it that you are here and yet also at Lunar Temple as a Guardian of Luna? One cannot be physically in two places unless there are more than one of you?"

Calia looked at Nedylene and saw the most beautiful Drow save Eilistraee she has ever seen. There before her stood one of the High Priestesses of Eilistraee. She just looked down in respect and reverence.

"Raise your head Dalninil, I am not some Yathrin that forces people to give me respect I do not deserve. I have earned my place not because I am a half-sister to the Lady of the Dance, but because I went out and served her will and did as she bids all of us to do in her name. It is only that you have the same name and look as my former consort that is now a member of Lunar Temple's Templar Guard as well as the Household Guard of Quel'lar Rahn. Where do you come from for I know that creation is bigger than just the planes associated with the cosmology of Abeir-Toril?"

Calia looked at Nedylene. Then she spoke evenly, "I am Calia Tyne, a child of the Dancing Woman's people from one of many planes of a planet called Earth. Not the realm of the Earth elementals, but one of a number of parallel worlds in the multiverse. I came through a portal leading a team of scholars looking into our past. Our ancestors came from Abeir-Toril when the Seldarine punished the Ssi'Tel'Quessir for their betrayal and for following Lloth in her evil. My ancestors were of the Miyeritari Tribe. Like I said earlier we never turned from Eilistraee and she petitioned her father to not send us into the darkness. Instead Corellon sent my ancestors across the veil of shadow that divides one plane from another."

She looked at the other Drow and the gathered Rivvin, her soldiers had gathered around her too.

"We, my soldiers and the scholars that came with us are members of Project Looking Glass part of a much greater military and civilian organization that seeks out worlds to explore and contact. We recently ended a war with a race of parasites that would take a host, steal and use advanced devices that let them pretend to be Gods so that they could enslave those they saw as beneath them. These false gods were what kept us from seeking our ancestors' homeworld for so long. Only recently have we been able to answer the Dancing Woman's call for us to help our brothers and sisters. Though those with me are few we wish to help our sisters and brothers in the Dancing Woman. I offer to be a liaison between the Ssi'Tel'Quessir of Abeir-Toril and those of Earth. We are in the millions on that side of the veil. Like our Rivvin allies we have been fruitful. If the Spider Woman's minions become too much of a danger to the people of the Dancing Woman she has sanctuaries on our world that can take those that wish to come over. We live openly in our world, though it was not always so. Like here we once were persicuted, but now the Rivvin of that world accept us as brothers and sisters in Creation. We have fought besided them and bled with them in the defense of our world. Now we seek out our brothers and sisters to help them where they live or let them migrate to our world or other worlds where they can fullfill Eilistraee's promise to live in the sun as we once did."

[Adian Novar]

(Is someone here a Stargate fan? )

Tanek's reply to Zazzt was a look of deepest contempt. He looked as though he were about to retort, but Nedylene's approach halted his words. When the drow woman began to glow, he found himself cowering before her.

Tanek's hatred and contempt was a poor shield against a visitation of a true goddess. Indeed, few beings were capable of resisting the will of a deity manifestation. Even as his mind tried to deny the Dark Maiden's words, his heart knew the truth. He had indeed wandered far off the path of Tyr, and had not been in Tyr's sight for some time. The horror of being cast out from the eyes of the gods was more than the man could bear. He collapsed to the ground completely, his entire body wracked with tremors and terror.

The entire village, in fact, was unable to deny the presence of a goddess. Men who had gone far into drink were suddenly sober, and those who had been injured in the panic were healed. There was another gift granted to the simple folk: Insight. The realization of what they had done and the wrong they had comitted was suddenly thrust into the front of their minds. Some tried to hide behind denial, while others were overwhelmed with guilt and grief. One man, the very man who had held the blade that had taken the life of one of the Moon Dancers, collapsed entirely, weeping.

Garath stood among them, awed by the visitation. His voice trembled as he spoke.

"If Tanek does not hear, then we do," he said. "We accept his penance as our own, for this was as much our own fault as his. We shall do whatever we can to repair the wrong we have done. I swear it."

Adian, meanwhile, remained rooted where he stood. As Eilistraee's words came from Nedylene's mouth, he dropped to one knee and bowed his head in deepest respect for the goddess he had devoted his young life to.

When it was over he stood and quietly made his way over to stand with Nedylene and her allies. As he listened to the leader of the strangers tell her story, he felt compelled to offer them a place with the group on the trip to the Promenade and show them one of the holiest places to the Dark Maiden's worshippers. It was not his place do do so, however. Instead he remained respectfully silent, listening to those wiser than he speak.

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

(Wow, that is practically the first Stargate episode... Lol)
Zazzt was also very surprised and humbled by the arrival of the goddess, he was awed by her power and presence, and he was sad that she had departed, but there was not much that he could do. The assassin, also awed, didn't let it show on his face.
Zazzt walked over to Adian, and the assassin stood on his other side, "Perhaps it would be best if we were on our way to the Promenade again?" Zazzt asked.

[Adian Novar]

Adian actually jumped a bit when Zazzt spoke. He nodded. He swallowed, cleared his throat, and dared to address the newcomers.

"Forgive my presumption," Adian said. "But we are on the way to the Promenade of Eilistraee, a place sacred to the Dark Maiden. Qilue Veladorn, one of the Chosen of Mystra and one of the most beloved priestesses of her followers. If you wish it, perhaps you might come with us. Few have the authority that Lady Veladorn has, so perhaps she could assist with your ends.

"In any case," he added. "It appears that we have done what was needed to be done here. The surface entrance to the Promenade is still three days away, and the land between is hazardous--particularly for those unfamiliar with it. "

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

Zazzt smiled when Adian jumped, "Peace friend, but perhaps a bit more attentiveness would be in order." He poked him in the back with two fingers, "A dagger does not give you time to ready yourself." The elf actually chuckled at that, "True, Mad Drow, I taught you that, didn't I." He turned to Adian, "Perhaps I may accompany you to the Promenade? I am a skilled tracker, and a fairly good shot."

[Adian Novar]

Adian eyed the newcomer briefly, but...

"Certainly," he said. "The Promenade accepts all who come there.

"It appears we are more resembling a caravan than a pilgrimage," he added with a grin.

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

The elf smiled, "You will not even see me, I assure you..." And with that he turned around, and walked into the surrounding forest. Zazzt also smiled, but whispered, "So meledromatic... Ah well, he is very useful in a fight, I promise you. So, shall we move out today, or wait for the next day?"

[Adian Novar]

"I do not sense malice in him," Adian said. "But somehow...he chills me.

"We have been travelling during the day so far, and after all the excitement this evening perhaps we should rest for the night."

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

Zazzt chuckled, and nodded, "I agree, some rest would be best, and I could replenish my spells. And yes, the elf, Laraun, has that effect on most people. He was once an assassin of great renown, and even greater skill, he had killed many powerful men, and so, many powerful men tried to kill him." He smiled, "Needless to say they have failed. I came upon him during such an assassination attempt. We were just outside of Shilamista forrest, when I heard the sounds of sword fighting, and since it seemed as though all the blows were one long note, I rushed over to see who was so skilled with the blade. I saw this elf, fighting off a pair of dark robed humans. His bladework was very impressive, but I noticed that there was another one in a tree, with a crossbow aimed at the fighters, he too was wearing dark clothing, so I naturally assumed that he was allied with the other humans." He sighed, "On a whim, I decided to side with the elf, since three on one is hardly a fair fight, so I quickly rattled off a fireball spell, and the entire tree vanished in the blast." He coughed, "Now the fight was mostly fair, I assumed that the other man had perished, but then another crossbow quarrel thudded into my back, but my wards proved secure, and I hardly felt it.
"So I quickly ran over to the elf, and between the two of us, the humans stood no chance. But by then, the other assassins were firing upon us, so I decided it time to make a quick escape, and grabbing the elf, teleported out of there. And since then, we have worked together," Zazzt chuckled, "Soon after that, we returned to my hometown, in the Underdark, and we were picked up by Ilyth De'Daerth a mercenary/merchant orginization. Every...mission we recieved was a success, and we rose to notoriety quickly. Then my House fell, and I was forced to flee the city and have hidden in the south, along with the elf. I assure you, he is trustworthy."
With that, Zazzt pulled out his tent, and it expanded. Zazzt climbed in. The entrance flashed blue, and the tent seemed all still. Inside, Zazzt opened his spellbook, and clearing his mind, prepared himself to study his spells.

[silke_rahn]

Nedylene looked at Adian as he spoke about making camp and resting before going on to the Promenade. She nodded in agreement. Then she looked at young Calia.

"I agree with young Adian we shall rest the night then proceed to the Promenade. Qilue' is like the person most likely to be considered the absolute high priestess of Eilistraee on all of Faerun. You can let her know of your offer there Calia. For now though do not mention your home world to those outside our group. There are those both Ssi'Tel'Quessir and not that would either take offense that there are other worlds on the prime material plane than this or at best think your people mad."

The Nedylene took a seat on a near by oak bucket she turned over for that purpose.

"Now tell me what you can of your world and its people."

Calia started to tell of being born in 1882 and living through the entire twentieth century. She said that she had seen her world go from horse and wagon, steam trains, and steamships to various selfpowered vehicles from flying machines like aeroplanes and airships to ships that cross the distances between the stars above. Then she told of the wonders of ridding the scourges of polio and small pox two diseases that hit both the Rivvin and the Ssi'Tel'Quessir to the current plauge of HIV and its related AIDS. She also talked of her service in the military of the Rivvin nation called the United States of America. She had been to worlds where the local people had never seen a Drow and to ones where the local Drow and humans were chatle to the very perisites she spoke of earlier. She even had been to world where the Drow were dominated by the cult of Lolth or Lloth depending on the local spelling. The Spider Woman had enslaved many Ssi'Tel'Quessir on many worlds and for their willingness to follow her against the Seldarine the race everywhere in the multiverse was cursed even those that had not turned away from Eilistraee and the Seldarine. "This curse shows the dangers of not choosing the words you use when dealing with the higher powers wisely. Many that were not guilty of the crimes of the Spider Woman and her followers were punished for their sins. Those of us that live beyond Abeir-Toril have had to make due with that which was dealt to us. Some of like the Ssi'Tel'Quessir of Earth that originally came from here facing extreme prejudices from the native Rivvin populations eventually earned their trust. Our advantage was that so few of Lloth's followers were accidentally sent their. The Drow that were sent to Earth were mostly of Eilistraee's followers and since Earth does not have an extensive Underdark we made due with life on the surface. My clan especially befriended local primitives that were still using bone and stone tools, but they were highly skilled in their manufacture and use. We learned from them as we only had the metal tools we had with us when we were plucked from here. My mother knew how to dress a dear, an antelope, or bison as well as any Rivvin of the Kansa people into whom we were adopted. She taught me those skills even though I was sent as an adolesent to one of the United States' government schools for the childern of Native Americas as we call the indigenous people of the Americas today. I would up at the school in the city of Lawrence called Haskell. The white Rivvin treated us as bad as they did my brown Rivvin brothers and sisters for they saw us as black skinned savages no different than those that we saw as our kindred though they were human and we were elves. The advantage we elvenkind have is our long lives and I lived to see thinks change for the better as the Rivvin of European descent matured as a people. When I was 72 years of age I was a young woman working as a seamstress in a small shop in Topeka, Kansas. A city whose name in Kansa my other native tongue means a great place to grow potatoes. This shop was owned by a dark browned skinned Rivvin whose ancestors had once been held as slaves by some white Rivvin in one of the United States' souther regions befor their great civil war which ended with the end of slavery in that nation, but not the end of racial hatred. That war was fought twenty years before I was born, my father served as a soldier in the militia of Kansas in a unit made of mostly freed brown skinned Rivvin who the white and beige skinned Rivvin mistakenly called black. They fought with muzzle loading firesticks like the Abeir-Torilian nation of Amn now are beginning to use, but better made. In our world today most of the warriors of most of the nations use much more advanced firepowder weapons. We only use swords and such when we visit worlds like Abeir-Toril that have not witnessed open displays of more advanced weaponry. The United States send troops like us equibed with either advanced composite longbows like mine or with similarly constructed repeating crossbow like some carried by some of my soldiers. We also care military style cut and thrust sword similar to mine made of more advanced steel that can be made even by the local Dwarves. None of our weapons though could be called enchanted by the weave, just master crafted. Mostly we that are chosen to go on missions to worlds like Abeir-Toril are trained to be very proficient with what are by our standards primitive weapons. We are explorers, scholars, and in some cases diplomats. We soldiers that come along are only for the protection of the non-soldiers. Usually we send humans or mixed teams of humans and Drow. This mission is special we decided to make contact with the Drow here that follow Eilistraee and to look deeper into the world of our ancestors. The Rivvin of our home and Earth is now our home for we have been there too many generations, feel that for this mission it was best to send a team of all Drow. We have been traveling mostly at night to avoid the local human populations and staying at Eilistraeean shrines that we find along our way. We were looking for some senior priestesses and others that the local Moon Dancers would call leaders to contact and make our proposal too. A Mielikkian Drow ranger named Drizzt we came across though that we could find a sanctuary near this village where we could find a guide to take us to the place you call the Promenade. As he was on a mission of his own he could not assist us. He is the only one besides you and your companions we told of our mission."

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

Laraun listened intently to Calia's story, he didn't belive a word of it, "Flying through the skies is not hard enough, but there is, cannot be, anything past the what we can see, so forgive me if I do not believe your stories of, erm what was it? Parasites?" He chuckled, "And how can anyone dare to fly amongst the stars, surely the gods must strike them down for such presumption." He walked over to Nedylene, "Lady, I think this Calia may be... erm, a little touched in the wits, meaning no offense." However, the name Drizzt caught the elf's attention, for he was very well known for his skill with blades. Laraun would have liked to have crossed swords with that one, "Where is the last time you have seen Drizzt, I would like to speak with him, as would Zazzt."

[Adian Novar]

Adian looked totally lost. He understood maybe a quarter of what Calia told them, but at least some of it made a kind of sense.

Still...flying machines? Space? AIDS?

"Primitve" weapons? Adian felt a bit slighted by that one. His weapon, though not one of the Singing Swords, was of high quality.

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

Zazzt was surprised, "Primitive weapons?" He drew his swords, and willed their magic to life, his right hand sword blazing with fire, the left crackled with lightnings, "Lady, how are these, indeed, [i:2h86nh69]any[/i:2h86nh69] of our weapons primitive?"