A Return to Faerun from Elben Aator

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

While the rest of the group was talking outside, Zazzt sat down, and opening his spellbook, started studying his spells again, the flap of the tent glowed blue, then all returned to normal.

[Adian Novar]

Adian eyed the magical tent a moment, then shrugged.

"I am sure my Lady will be happy to add an extra place at the table when we arrive," Adian said, mostly directing his comment to Nedylene. "Perhaps we should retire for the night."

With that he retreated to the coolness of the shrine cave and picked out a place that would shield him from the morning sun.

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

OOC: Hmm, I'm guessing that we are all waiting for something... If you had something planned, feel free to disregard this post....

IC: The next morning, Zazzt woke up early, his mind still full of the power of his spells, rumaging in his pack, he pulled out a decanter of wine, and a loaf of bread. Quickly eating, he put them both back in his pack, and waving a hand at the entrance of his tent flap, disspelling the wards, walked out into the light of dawn.

[silke_rahn]

OOC: Sorry for the tardiness of this, I have been involved in some heavy rp on The Forgotten Realm Server of NWN2. Being the head of the Eilistraeeans on Elben Aator and essentually all other surface born and surface living Drow has almost all the headaches of a real world leader of any community. Diplomatic relations with your neighbors, domestic realations with your own people, taking care of the safety of your own people, etc. Thanks for wondering if I am going to carry on with this. Yes it will continue. I would like to take it to getting to Skullport and a meeting at the Promenade of all the leaders of the Moon Shards (OOC: Colonies of Eilistraee's followers) to see what the need to do for their people and how to be more united in action against the Lolthites and other threats to their people.

IC: Nedylene awoke with a start, she had that dream again. Her adopted half-Drow sister was knealing beside her with the backside of her left hand resting on Nedylene's forehead.

"I was checking to see if your restlessness was from a fever, but I think it was that dream again. Am I guessing right?"

Nedylene looked into the blues and charcoal grey face of Ulrike "Heaven's Daughter" Himmelstochter.

"Yes it was. I have been dreaming for sometime now of a time and place when my sister, Corellon's elder daughter is killed. We all of us of Ilythiiri heritage that have not been tainted by the demons' blood of Araushnae's betrayal are restored to our true form and the curse lifted from us. Again Corellon gives me the choice to take over as the spiritual guide of our people. I don't know if I want that responsibility. Being the leader and spiritual guide and advisor of the surface Ilythiiri both full and half-blood is enough of a weight to bear for any mortal elf. I am not sure if I want to or am ready to be the Divine leader of the restored Dark Elves if that time ever comes."

"Nedylene is that the real reason behind this journey form Lunar Temple to the Promenade?"

"Yes, I need Qilue's advice and the advice of the other Argent Maids of the other Moon Shards. Of all of us I am the only one related to the Dark Maiden by blood. Were she to be slain by Lolth or Lolth's representative I may be next to be slain so as to ensure that not one of Corellon's Ilythiiri children survive to challenge her. Believe me, Lolth knows I exsist. The people of Szith especially Nandra Morcane, Pau'mai Mori'hyanda, and Vilmaithien Mori'hyanda have done their best to ensure their standing with Lolth by presenting me multiple times as a sacrifice to the Spider Queen. My sister everytime has snatched my spirit from her mother's domain of the Demonweb and taken me to hers. One time even Delia and I were there together. That was when Anyndel our Doomguide of Kelemvor brought us back from the dead. On one occasion before my restoration to life, the time when Anyndel came to reclaim Delia and I, I was witness to Eilstraee's game with Lolth over the control of us all. Across the game table from me stood another. One that both the mother and the daughter had a claim on. Next to me was my mother one of Eilistraee's servants. We watched as this one was torn and twisted in the eternal tug of war between Eilistraee and her mother Lolth. I felt for the young warrior priestess across from me. I wish I knew the outcome of their game, but Anyndel came into the game room and stood next to me and my mother. 'It is time Nedylene,' mother said to me. Eilistraee looked at me then and nodded, 'Yes you and Delia must return to Elben Aator and be there for my people. Those of your house are my chosen on that island. My mother will maintain the control of the hearts of those in Szith that do not hear my call. That was decided long ago. Lunar is mine as are you. No matter what the four houses of Szith do your soul and spirit are mine my sister.' Then Lolth looked at me with a hungry look and at my mother, 'Yess only the branch of House Vrinn that livesss in Menzoberranzan is mine. Even if I were to have them kill all you that now go by your human step-father's name Rahn I would not have your souls to torment for your betrayal of me...'"

"I knew then that Corellan and Eilistraee had won my soul free. Then Corellan appeared and before Anyndel took me back to be resurrected said, 'Daughter you and your line back to before the time of the Crown Wars were free and are free of Lolth's poisoness intercourse with demons. Your ancestors did not follow Lolth's path of darkness. The only reason your line shared the curse and bannishment was that the enchantment was misworded. In our zeal to punish the betrayers we punished the innocent along with the guilty. That is why your sister and her mother have been locked in the enternal struggle for the souls of the Ilythiiri. Now return with Anyndel here to the world of the living and be mine and your sister's priestess and protector of her people and mine at Lunar Temple. I will send you the new Primus of L'Landra to be your partner in life. Arolan of the Mistrunners is an honest elf and an elf of great honor. He will help you to guide your people to become one with the rest of Elvenkind again.'"

Nedylene noticed that besides Delia and Ulrike the others in the shrine and sanctuary were listening to her recounting of her last stay in Eilistraee's home.

"I may have said too much Ulrike," said Nedylene as she looked at the eyes of her companions looking at her. [i:kz15itmv]Some of you likely think me insane. Yet I am truly Eilistraee's sister, a burden I wish I was still ignorant of to this day.[/i:kz15itmv]

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

Zazzt listened to Nedylene's tale in silence, "Milady, truely, Eilistraee smile upon you. I would be honored to protect you on your journey to the Promenade." He bowed.

[Adian Novar]

Adian stared in stunned amazement. No wonder the Dark Maiden had appeared last night!

Adian found himself somewhat ahsamed. He had been proud and eager to lead the way to the Promenade. He had to admit that the task had made him feel important. Nedylene, however, was a being far beyond anything he had imagined. He was in the company of the child of the leader of the Seldarine, virtually a demi-goddess in her own right. And he had imagined that his sword and his arm would be of some sort of use. His sword was a [i:glq9f5at]toy[/i:glq9f5at] in the presence of Nedylene and her company.

Abruptly the light of the morning stabbed into his eyes and he was forced to turn away to shield himself from the rays. He moved hastily to don his armor before the sunlight would completely blind him. Finally he tied a cloth over his eyes and pulled his over his head and his scarf across his face.

He busied himself with repacking as the sun-induced headache faded.

[silke_rahn]

After dressing Nedylene looked at the rest of her companions. She wondered how to respond to Adian's reactions and those of Zazzt. So she spoke softly and quietly.

"I am just Nedylene or Nedy. In formal occasions I am the Argent Maid, Lady Rahn or Lady Nedylene. I am not any more than mortal just as the rest of you. The Dark Maiden is only my half-Sister. Corellon once over a century ago visited my mother in the form of a Jaluk seeking comfort and respite. As this avatar he lived among us long enough to fall in love with Nedylene my mother. I am the result of that union."

She fastened her cloak after draping it over her armor. Then she continued.

"I learned of my true relationship with the Dark Maiden shortly after the Lolthites of Szith in the Underdark of Elben Aator had taken me to be sacrificed to the Spider Queen. I knew I was close to the Lady of the Dance, but when my eyes faded to black in the Yath of Szith and light returned to me I was sitting on the floor of Eilistraee's home next to her hearth. She was craddling my head in her lap and telling me of my true origins."

As she spoke she fastened on her guantlets and then her weapons belt and baldric.

"The Lady of the Dance combed out my hair and told me that I was her half-sister. She said that Corellon had gone to my family to see if we truly were loyal to the cause of Light and Good. In a reward to my family he allowed himself to develop a loving relationship with my mother. During his existence with us he was a Drow warrior that helped us against attacks from the Underdark branch of the House. I was just a very young girl when my father left us. The father I knew was killed during one of the Underdark Vrinn raids on Vrinn Manor and Morn's Forge. After my father's passage mother raised me alone."

Nedylene took sometime to organize the rest of her thoughts.

"We lived there in our holding in the Silver Marches on the northwestern edge of the High Forest for many years after my father's passing back to the world of the Gods."

Nedylene shouldered her bag of holding then her pack and bedroll.

"Mostly they were peaceful years during which we traded with the wood elven camps near us and the cities of Everlund and Yartar. Then the war between Neverwinter and Luskan came. Mother a minor member of the Lords' Alliance was delivered a levy for troops. I my sisters Silke, Sabine, Ursula, and Earade all went to war and fought in the campaign the drove the Luskan forces from Neverwinter. During that final campaign we fought many Drow mercenaries serving on the side of Luskan."

Nedylene nodded to Ulrike and Delia as they singed that they were ready.

"After the war and our helping the Seerer against the Valsharess, the underdark branch of House Vrinn attacked Vrinn Manor and Morn's Forge. Great Aunt Akordia Vrinn's host at this time outnumbered our militia. Silke, my other sisters and I safeguarded the youngest members of the family and witnessed the death of our mother at the hands of Akordia's daughter Qulie'. We took our surviving people from there after the destruction. I was young, too young to become the Matron of our family."

While she talked she readied her horse for travel.

"We made our way to Waterdeep. While there a merchant told us of the Isle of Elben Aator. There we first found intolerence, but we made a life for ourselves. That life was not at all free of troubles. We earned our place in the society of Elben Aator's surface communities. We worked to turn around the reputation of Lunar Temple being subverted as a staging place by the Lolthites of Szith the Drow city of Elben Aator's Underdark."

She continued the story as they traveled to the next shrine or even Moon Shard on the way to an access area to Skullport and the Promenade.

"We built a village to support the temple and a small keep to house a garrison of the Guardians of Luna my household guard. The temple is in a small hanging village in the foothills of the mountains that run down the middle of the Isle. In valley floor we constructed a palisade across the mouth of the valley and watchtowers to cover the path up the cliff face to the valley. Inside the valley we built the village of Nec'perya or Sanctuary in common. On tillable land in the valley floor we plowed fields, planted orchards, and vinyards. Nec'perya and Lunar Temple provide the Ilythiiri of pure and mixed bloodlines a place to live in freedom from Lolth's taint on Elben Aator. The Lady of the Dance has blessed us."

She looked over the country the rode through. Nedylene was watching the trees and other hiding places for trouble and she also was admiring the lands of her birth.

"I have broken all ties with the Ilythiiri of the Underdark there save for letting those seeking a life above that is free of evil know of our existence and where to find us."

Nedylene's eyes scanned the senery of the land as a military commander as she rode. Her swords rested in their scabbards ready to be drawn into action at the slightest hint of trouble.

"During the time we built our holding there we allied ourselves with an order of knights called the Servants of the Light, a kingdom of Dwarved called Stonebar, a group of adventurers known as the Adventurers' Guild, and the Druid and Ranger Circle of Elben Aator."

Nedylene in her observation of the sky watched the weather close in on them.

"The Dark Maiden is the one that told me we needed this gathtering of the leaders of her people. I am not sure, but I do wonder if she wants us together so she can give us some sort of mission involving our people."

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

Zazzt listened to the story patiently, when it seemed tha Nedelyne had finished her tale, he said "Lady, you have had a difficult past, if only i had stumbled upon your group a few months earlier... Ah, that time is past, I pray to Mystra now" He smiled ruefully, "My own story isn't as long, or as interesting... nor filled with of Eilistraee's grace, if you would like to hear it." Zazzt turned to Adian, "If I may ask, what is your tale, if you wish to tell it, that is?"

[Adian Novar]

"Me?" Adian said, startled. "I also confess to not being nearly as interesting."

He looked around at the others, suddenly a bit embarassed at the attention.

"Er, well," he said. "I am told that I was part of a group of children who somehow found our way to the Promenade. All I can remember clearly is climbing through tunnels and following a song that echoed in the darkness ahead of us. We were seven, and I was the youngest male.

"The song led us down tunnels and around obstacles, and helped us discover food and water. One sleeptime I awoke to find the most...the most beautiful maiden I had ever seen. I could see right away that she was kind, but sad too. I remember I wanted to do something to make her smile. Anything to lift the sadness in her.

"She touched my forehead and told me to rest." He raised his hand to his face almost involuntarily. "When I awoke again, she was gone. But the song was back, calling us on.

"The next thing we knew we had stumbled across a guard post of the Promenade. I remember they were so excited to see us...before we knew it we were being bathed and fed. I don't remember anything that they said to us because we were so hungry and tired.

"All seven of us were sort of adopted by the entire Promenade," he added with a smile. "They all worked together to raise us...and they had to work hard to keep us out of trouble, sometimes. The things we got into sometimes...it is a wonder we survived our childhood. I'd had no idea that my favorite of them, my [i:2csccgdj]'chev ilhar[/i:2csccgdj], was such an important person until I became older. At the time she was a gentle giant in my eyes. Always there to help me if I got into one scrape or another, and to scold me if I misbehaved. Qilue Veladorn, youngest of the Seven Sisters of Mystra and Chosen of the Chosen.

"I was the smallest of the group, but I quickly became the strongest and fastest among us. I could even beat some of the older females in wrestling or running games. When I got big enough, I was being trained in the use of the Dark Maiden's favored weapon. I could not be a priest of the Lady of the Dance, but I could aspire to be one of the Protectors of the Song...the warriors who wield the Singing Swords."

He paused a moment, remembering. Then he continued.

"Somewhere along the line I found an odd talent. I could relieve pain and help heal small injuries at a touch. That was when things changed. My training became more intense and challenging, and I was taught more of the ways of the Dark Maiden than I expected to learn. Lady Veladorn took to training me herself, and finally introduced me to my goddess.

"It was in the Cavern of Song that I got what I realized was my second glimpse of the Dark Maiden. Qilue was performing an Evensong when I saw her, dancing next to her just as she did next to you last night," he said, nodding to Nedylene. His voice became quieter as he spoke, full of reverence and love. "The instant I saw her beautiful face, I knew who had touched me that day in the tunnels so long ago. I knew then that I was going to serve her for the rest of my life."

There was a brief silence. When Adian spoke again it was in a more casual tone.

"I am sorry for the trials you have endured, my Lady," he said to Nedylene. "I endured no such pains. My life in the Promenade was a happy one, surrounded by kind folk who were family to me. The seven of us all found places for ourselves in the Promenade. Akor'ace, the eldest female, turned out to have a great magical talent, scarcely needing any training at all. Alexyra and Maydiira became Shrinemaidens. Suspavin is well on his way to becoming a Protector of the Song, while Shridia has found uses for her talent at being unseen as a scout. And G'eldfryn, " Adian chuckled briefly. "When he is not chasing Maidens, he is becoming a scholar.

"I might have never left the Promenade except for the people who sometimes visited us. Elves and humans, dwarves and even a halfling or two. They had so many amazing tales about the World Above...I just had to see for myself. I am afraid I made something of a nuisance of myself, asking for tales and asking more questions. Some of the things I was told I simply could not imagine. Finally Lady Qilue decided to send me on my first Run: To serve as an escort for some special visitors. This is my first time aboveground.

"And here I am," he said. He looked around at the others. "I feel badly that you have endured such pains and loss. What you have gone through are things no one should have to experience. If there is anything this half-spoiled child of the Promenade can do to help you, you have but to name it."

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

Zazzt smiled, "You too are touched by the Lady, I suppose. As for myself, well," He smiled, embarassed, "I am not certain if the Lady abandoned me, or whatever... I suppose I best start at the beginning..." His eyes took on that same maniac glint, and he smiled wickedly, but only for a moment, then it passed.
He sighed, "I was born into House De'Virdeen, in Sshamath, The City of Mages, I've thrown my lot in with the College of Ancient Arcana... but I get ahead of my story..." He sighed, "House De'Virdeen was...unique, in that we worshipped Eilistraee. It was a prosperous House, we had a few high priestesses of our own, we didn't have any slaves, all that typical Eilistraeean behavior." Zazzt seemed to look at the horizon, a hand curling around one of his swords, "Then one day, Vhaeraun's assassins struck. They killed the Matron, and one of theirs assumed her role."
He shrugged, "They were quite efficient, none knew what had occured, save for the high priestesses, and myself, but I decided not to show that outwardly. As much as I loved Eilistraee, I wasn't quite ready to join her dance." He let go of the sword, "Not then, not now, perhaps not ever... But no matter. Back to the story, somehow, they found out. I was marked for assassination." Zazzt bowed his head "Knowing that if I remained where I was, I would eventually die. I fled the city."
"I made my way, perhaps by Eilistraee's grace, out of the city. Hoping to someday bring the House back, I snuck my sister out of the city with me, that is where Eilistraee had aided me, I believed. As we neared the surface, my sister had summoned another group of assassins." He smiled his insane smile again, "They attacked me. I was... desperate, the assassins I killed physically, my sister, I stole her soul, hid it in a gem, and the gem has remained with me since." He pulled out a fist sized ruby from his pack, it was well cut, but seemed to flicker with its own light. He looked at it intently. "I kept it since then to remind me of the power of magic, of my magic. Of how dangerous it is." He put the gem back, "Ever since then, I have worshipped Mystra. Beyond that my time on the surface is mostly a blur... And that is the tale of Zazzt De'Virdeen, the Mad Mage, as I was called over the years. Still certain you wish to travel with me?" He smiled ruefully, wiping his suddenly blood-shot eyes. "If not, that too, is something I have heard over the years..."

[Adian Novar]

"I do not believe she would abandon you," Adian said with quiet certainty, but in a low voice so as not to give offense. "But I do not know the ways of the gods.

"As for the gem..." he eyed the jewel warily. "Perhaps there might be a way to...to save her. Cleanse her of the touch of the Spider Queen. A soul free from its body is more malleable...from what little I have heard. Perhaps she could be salvaged from..."

He trailed off.

"Forgive me," he said. "I should not speak of things I do not know, nor offer promises I do not know are possible."

[silke_rahn]

"There are ways, but I am not the one to aid in this entirely. There will be those among the gathering Argent Maids and other Moon Shard leaders. One or more of these we be able to aid in saving your sister Zazzt. Young Adain is correct though, there are ways to save a receptive soul from oblivion and damnation. Even one separated from his or he body."

Nedylene then looked at the woods and stared for several minutes. Then under her breath, "Yes, even you my sister in race if not blood. Aly'Fyn though I do not yet understand the mission the Morcanes of Szith sent you on, I do know that your soul is not yet lost to the Spider Queen."

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

Zazzt turned to Adian, eyes flashing "My sister is not somehting to be [i:2zr2r71d]salvaged[/i:2zr2r71d], she has a soul, however damaged, so she must be [i:2zr2r71d]saved[/i:2zr2r71d]" He sighed, "Forgive me, that was uncalled for, thank you for your encouragement, but the spell I cast is not one that is known to me, nor is it one for which I have power, then or now. But I will turn over the stone to the Promenade, when we get there." He smiled, "The spells of this type that I [i:2zr2r71d]have[/i:2zr2r71d] heard of are only temporary, but this one has lasted for almost a century, assuming my time-keeping is correct, of course." He shrugged, "If not... well, I have learned to not hope overmuch on this matter. I had tried to dispell the effect myself, since I was the one to cast it." He held up the stone, "Obviously, I have failed."

[Adian Novar]

Adian fliched at Zazzt's anger, but recovered quickly at the apology.

"At the will of Eilistraee," Adian said quietly. "I have seen Lady Veladorn work miracles. Perhaps she has guided us to meet you to offer the hope you have lost. If you do not hope, then the least I can do is offer my own. Silverhair Knights have been known to purify the souls of the Drow. Besides...you have not failed until you have given up. I see you still carry her soul close to you, so perhaps..."

He shrugged.

"But we must get to the Promenade to see this hope," he added. "There is a hidden glade a day from here, and another small shrine after that before we reach the Mouth of Song. From there, I can bring us directly to the Cavern of Song."

[silke_rahn]

Nedylene turned her attention back to Zazzt and Adain.

"Good, Then Zazzt all is not lost for you and your house. I and mine have learned that by trusting in the Dark Maiden we have survived many a trial and tribulation. The humans or rivvin if you wish have a saying, 'That which does not kill you, makes you stronger.' Some of our cousins below thing that saying opens the way for them to commit great and terrible acts of evil. Yet that is just an excuse for them not to do what is right and thus endanger their souls and spirits. Though one once said to me our people have no souls, but Eilistraee confided in me once that was a lie told by her mother as a means of deceiving her followers."

Her gaze returned to watching the terrain around them for trouble, yet she spoke some more.

"As Zazzt well knows we have souls. The gem containing his sister is proof. We are going to need to take this directly to Qilue' and the rest of the high priestesses of our Lady of the Dance."