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Brundash

By Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … and the DM. Last updated 2014-09-17

Before the Battle of the Magicsplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigThe Battle of the Magics (577)

Belazan: The conflict dates back to the beginning of time, and has little to do with magic. I imagine the first men to craft arrow heads out of stone were feared and hated by their enemies, and the weapons themselves viewed with suspicion. Nothing changed when mages began to hire themselves out to princes and kings. The kingdom with more power was hated, but that hatred couldn't target an entire kingdom. To do so would be to admit inferiority. Instead, the weapons…, Brundash was the mysterious home of a world-wide organization of magi. Even then, few could claim to have seen it, and no one would say where or even what it was. Brundash was a term used both for the place, and the organization.

No one knows what, if anything, happened to Brundash after the Battle of the Magicsplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigThe Battle of the Magics (577)

Belazan: The conflict dates back to the beginning of time, and has little to do with magic. I imagine the first men to craft arrow heads out of stone were feared and hated by their enemies, and the weapons themselves viewed with suspicion. Nothing changed when mages began to hire themselves out to princes and kings. The kingdom with more power was hated, but that hatred couldn't target an entire kingdom. To do so would be to admit inferiority. Instead, the weapons…. It may still exist.

Description

He smelled cool, sea air, and hearty northern grasses, and the earliest signs of autumn. From the top of the small hill he stood on, Vossplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigJahred Voss

Voss has an intensely pale complexion, even for a very light-skinned caucasian, which has earned him the nickname 'The Ghoul.' Lately though, this creamy skin has given away to being pocked with red blotches, the end result of a stubborn epidermis that refuses to tan. The Vhoosch are rarely exposed to the beating sun and it's heat and warmth. Like his ancestors before him, he has a hard time adjusting to more mild and warm climates. He is extremely sensitive to humidity… it is not o… saw a complex chaos of narrow streams, winding under innumerable short, cobbled bridges and between small but sturdy stone houses. The night was illuminated by will o' the wisps floating above the water in a light haze, whisking this way and that like fireflies. The sky was dark – too dark. The stars were absent, as if the night sky had been overlaid with a velvet canopy.

It was not such a large town. Some few dozen stone houses with sharply angled roofs had been built between the rivulets, and beyond them was a large structure three stories high in staggered floors like the steps of a pyramid. To the left was a narrow tower, likely a hundred feet high or more and built to resemble the spiral horn of a narwal. In the distance, fading into the haze, Vossplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigJahred Voss

Voss has an intensely pale complexion, even for a very light-skinned caucasian, which has earned him the nickname 'The Ghoul.' Lately though, this creamy skin has given away to being pocked with red blotches, the end result of a stubborn epidermis that refuses to tan. The Vhoosch are rarely exposed to the beating sun and it's heat and warmth. Like his ancestors before him, he has a hard time adjusting to more mild and warm climates. He is extremely sensitive to humidity… it is not o… saw another town built on bridges and streams, with another stepped structure and another tower. In the opposite direction, he saw yet another town. In the few short seconds before Corbynplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigCorbyn Wren

Corbyn is a 19 year old man with straw colored hair (indeed his thick locks greatly resemble a thatched roof upon his brow). He is quite thin and has rather spindly limbs that are nevertheless quite agile. Despite his youth, he wears the short robes of a scholar over his breeches and introduces himself as a tutor for hire. He prefers scarlet cloth for his robes and more pedestrian materials for his trousers. and Halarenplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … appeared, he counted eight towns, and dim, distant lights suggested many more beyond those.^{214plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: Brundash

The last time Voss stepped through a magic portal, he was impaled on the other side. Despite the uninjured magicians and balewans -- his own people, or some relation -- he was apprehensive, but if anyone could handle the brunt of whatever was in there, it was him. It was his duty to go first. Without any outward show of concern,}

They passed a small stone house with light coming out of the windows, but a strange nothingness inside. It was as if the windows themselves were made from thick, impenetrable light.^{214plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: Brundash

The last time Voss stepped through a magic portal, he was impaled on the other side. Despite the uninjured magicians and balewans -- his own people, or some relation -- he was apprehensive, but if anyone could handle the brunt of whatever was in there, it was him. It was his duty to go first. Without any outward show of concern,}

Places

The Portal

A magical portal on a hill outside of town is the only commonly known way to get in and out of Brundash. The hill is closely monitored by magic, in case someone unwanted figures out how to teleport there.

The Pyramid

Fovery was quiet for a minute, until the large, stepped building emerged from the mist. Like the other structures, it was made from stone, green-red granite cut in uneven rectangles and polished smooth. Fovery waved a hand and a door appeared in the wall. When he opened it, an inviting warmth wafted out.^{214plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: Brundash

The last time Voss stepped through a magic portal, he was impaled on the other side. Despite the uninjured magicians and balewans -- his own people, or some relation -- he was apprehensive, but if anyone could handle the brunt of whatever was in there, it was him. It was his duty to go first. Without any outward show of concern,}

Inside: a room of soft couches, a wide stone table, and warmth and light that seemed to come from everywhere at once.^{214plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: Brundash

The last time Voss stepped through a magic portal, he was impaled on the other side. Despite the uninjured magicians and balewans -- his own people, or some relation -- he was apprehensive, but if anyone could handle the brunt of whatever was in there, it was him. It was his duty to go first. Without any outward show of concern,}

People

High Mage Fovery

In the year 577, Fovery is High Mage of Brundash. He is a roguish fellow, and friendly but not always the most socially adept.

“Hard-soled traveling boots, baggy, maroon trousers, loose, dark purple shirt, tall staff topped with a large crystalline carving of wood, and wide-brimmed black hat above the face of an older, clean-shaven man. Subtle, gilded carvings around the head of his staff.”^{212plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: Waiting in a Clearing

Risen Kanal hadn't specified where the Meeting would happen. He'd just said to look for a secluded place, so the group went deeper into the woods, away from the Enclave of the Mad and any pursuing enforcers or Morenthian guards. There was no sign of the elves they'd been warned about, at least no sign anyone would recognize. Four hundred years in the future, elves were a fairytale, commonly believed but with no proof. It was said they lived in the forbidding central forest of Huerten, a huge reg…}

“Fovery was an outsider, raised to the position of High Mage far too quickly for Cailena's taste. He had once been a common thief, and many of the magi still thought of him as such.”^{214plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: Brundash

The last time Voss stepped through a magic portal, he was impaled on the other side. Despite the uninjured magicians and balewans -- his own people, or some relation -- he was apprehensive, but if anyone could handle the brunt of whatever was in there, it was him. It was his duty to go first. Without any outward show of concern,}

Belazan

Widely considered to be the most powerful mage in the world, many of the magi believe he should have been High Mage instead of Fovery.^{214plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: Brundash

The last time Voss stepped through a magic portal, he was impaled on the other side. Despite the uninjured magicians and balewans -- his own people, or some relation -- he was apprehensive, but if anyone could handle the brunt of whatever was in there, it was him. It was his duty to go first. Without any outward show of concern,}

An image of Belazan appears to Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon

Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style. Ziedon's garb is of a well-to-do townsman. He normally wears a thin, off-white shirt with eleven pairs of wooden knobs and strings in the front with a brown and green band of cloth was laid across his sh…: “Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon

Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style. Ziedon's garb is of a well-to-do townsman. He normally wears a thin, off-white shirt with eleven pairs of wooden knobs and strings in the front with a brown and green band of cloth was laid across his sh… thought he saw a man, immensely tall, with a wizened beard and bright eyes, holding a cedar staff. It was hard to say whether the man was really there. Any attempt to focus on his form made him harder to see. “You have failed to break the Song,' the figure said. 'Be warned – you have created a formidable foe, for now.' The area brightened rapidly while the figure faded away. 'Do not be caught alone.'”^{146plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: Confronting the Sign

While Kreemon stirred up the crowds of Maelbourg, Ziedon lay in bed, tied down, repeating over and over to himself that it was all a bluff. The music in his head, the rapid slipping away of his magical knowledge, it was just a trick. The mages from Forgolon's song were driven mad by the song and its effects, and either committed suicide or attacked the priests, which was just another form of suicide.} Later, Belazan has a conversation with Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon

Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style. Ziedon's garb is of a well-to-do townsman. He normally wears a thin, off-white shirt with eleven pairs of wooden knobs and strings in the front with a brown and green band of cloth was laid across his sh…, where he explains that he'd put a spell in place to subtly counter the Song of Destruction.^{148plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: The Dream World

At the safe house, Ziedon unloaded his gear and then went through some stretching exercises to relieve his sore muscles. “Where is Kreemon?” he asked Korisca.

“He's out finding a place on the other side of town, in case we have to split. Ziedon, what was all that out there? I've never seen anything like it. That priest}

While Belazan is described as an old man in Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon

Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style. Ziedon's garb is of a well-to-do townsman. He normally wears a thin, off-white shirt with eleven pairs of wooden knobs and strings in the front with a brown and green band of cloth was laid across his sh…'s encounter, in person, he is much younger. “He had a neatly-trimmed red-brown beard, gray at the temples and in two stripes leading down from his mustache and into his beard, and his green eyes were so bright that they seemed to glow. No, they actually did glow – some enchantment, no doubt. When Fovery entered behind the others, the contrast was striking. The high mage held himself like a thief, eyes shifting and always slightly crouched. Belazan, on the other hand, held himself high, his eyes focused ahead of him with an overpowering confidence. His entourage was largely younger than Fovery's, and all shared Belazan's posture, which, Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … noticed, was also shared by Cailena, though she was older than any of them.”^{214plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: Brundash

The last time Voss stepped through a magic portal, he was impaled on the other side. Despite the uninjured magicians and balewans -- his own people, or some relation -- he was apprehensive, but if anyone could handle the brunt of whatever was in there, it was him. It was his duty to go first. Without any outward show of concern,}

Cailenajurenthile

Cailena, as she is most commonly known, is a very tall, spindly woman in her sixties. Born in Brundash, she strongly adheres to tradition, and does not approve of Fovery's openness. She would have preferred Belazan as High Mage. Cailena is described by Fovery as “one of our most talented and overprotective mages.”^{214plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: Brundash

The last time Voss stepped through a magic portal, he was impaled on the other side. Despite the uninjured magicians and balewans -- his own people, or some relation -- he was apprehensive, but if anyone could handle the brunt of whatever was in there, it was him. It was his duty to go first. Without any outward show of concern,}

“Cailena's long, rigid face stared silently at Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate …. She was in her sixties at least, and age had sharpened her features to the point where, when she opened her mouth, the lines from cheekbone to jaw stuck out like a dowels on a puppet. The ridge of her eyebrows shadowed dark brown eyes.”^{214plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: Brundash

The last time Voss stepped through a magic portal, he was impaled on the other side. Despite the uninjured magicians and balewans -- his own people, or some relation -- he was apprehensive, but if anyone could handle the brunt of whatever was in there, it was him. It was his duty to go first. Without any outward show of concern,}

Other wizards

Other wizards: Two women, then another man. While all wore nearly identical clothing, their ages ranged from fifty to seventy, and no two were of the same skin tone, hair style or build.^{213plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: The Meeting

With the High Mage of Brundash just a few yards away, Arnell’s guard dropped. Not only was his long time hero standing in front of him, but also a great mage who could probably blink an eye and send Arnell to the netherworld. He tried not to look awestruck. Partly to indicate to the others that this mage was not to be trifled with, but mainly from his own respect for the man,}

Balewans

“Three more people emerged from the portal, very tall, broad of build and heavily muscled if lightly armored, each with a bow, multiple swords and daggers. All three were covered in artistic scars and had a complexion much like Vossplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigJahred Voss

Voss has an intensely pale complexion, even for a very light-skinned caucasian, which has earned him the nickname 'The Ghoul.' Lately though, this creamy skin has given away to being pocked with red blotches, the end result of a stubborn epidermis that refuses to tan. The Vhoosch are rarely exposed to the beating sun and it's heat and warmth. Like his ancestors before him, he has a hard time adjusting to more mild and warm climates. He is extremely sensitive to humidity… it is not o…'s.”^{213plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: The Meeting

With the High Mage of Brundash just a few yards away, Arnell’s guard dropped. Not only was his long time hero standing in front of him, but also a great mage who could probably blink an eye and send Arnell to the netherworld. He tried not to look awestruck. Partly to indicate to the others that this mage was not to be trifled with, but mainly from his own respect for the man,}

Balewans are warriors from the east, who serve the wizards of Brundash as loyal bodyguards.

Place in the World

Fovery says: “The wizards of Brundash have long served as advisors to kings and others of power who request our services. The desire to have people like us around waxes and wanes, both over time and geographically. We're kind of a traveling fad.”

“Our place has always been to help from the sidelines, not to rule. Watch your step. The marsh light can be deceiving. Of course, we have our own hierarchy among ourselves, with the greater, or sometimes just less adventurous, among us living here and advancing the art of magic, while people like your new friend” – this was the first time in a while he'd made direct reference to Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … – “do our work in the world. Step up here, and be careful on the stones of the bridge. It can get slippery at night.” The haze was all around them now, making it hard to tell the difference between the will of the wisps and the lights of the cluster of buildings ahead. It would be easy to get lost here, but the cool, misty air was refreshing after the summer heat on the other side of the portal.

“Wizards learned long ago that dramatic shows of power don't ingratiate us with the people, so we keep the bulk of our power here, in this isolated and inaccessible land. The use of our magic in war has long since been banned. Just a few more bridges, and I can get you indoors.”

“So as you can see, there are no grand castles here, no hordes of stolen gold, just the basic comforts, and far too many bridges. You'd think that magic could fill in the marsh somehow, but those who've lived here their whole lives actually like the damp.”^{214plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: Brundash

The last time Voss stepped through a magic portal, he was impaled on the other side. Despite the uninjured magicians and balewans -- his own people, or some relation -- he was apprehensive, but if anyone could handle the brunt of whatever was in there, it was him. It was his duty to go first. Without any outward show of concern,}

References

Arnell Trentplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigArnell Trent

Arnell has just come of age, and at 21 cuts a somewhat deceptive frame. His oval face is trimmed with short brown hair. He tries to keep close shaved. He is slim and looks slight, but he has good endurance behind it, and as such he is rather wiry in build. He doesn't carry much excess, but is somewhat pot-bellied as he likes to eat well whenever possible. As much as is an initiate of Brundash^g06.

Ziedon'splugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon

Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style. Ziedon's garb is of a well-to-do townsman. He normally wears a thin, off-white shirt with eleven pairs of wooden knobs and strings in the front with a brown and green band of cloth was laid across his sh… master has several books which end with this note: “And so ends my research to date. I will rewrite this work in the Old Tongue at such time when I find the Archives at Brundash or disprove their existence.”^{18plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: Ziedon's Adventure: A New Master

The man tossed the stone into the air a few times, and then spoke in a deep voice. “I am the master to whom my two servants guided you. I have been searching the world for those worthy of my guidance, and you alone have passed my tests. You are foolishly brave at times, but you know how to recognize and solve a puzzle you are given. I commend you.}

Master Johannes Eltermannplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaster Johannes Eltermann

Johannes Eltermann is very tall, and slightly more slender than average, and has a well-defined, delicate bone structure. His hair and eyes are dark brown. He keeps himself well-groomed and clean-shaven, and tends to dress in plain but well-tailored clothing in dark, formal colors. The lack of ostentation flaunts his taste. He currently wears good-quality traveling clothes with matching boots, a belt, from which a dagger hangs, and a cloak. leads a group trying to escape to Brundash in a vision in Turn 78plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_big: Johannes's Adventure: Escaping to Brundash

“There's a tunnel! A tunnel underneath the town. And they were teaching sorcerers under there... and... the experiments... how long ago?” He clutched at his head, paralyzed by blinding pain. “It hurts! Oh, by my god, it hurts!” He struggled to pull himself upright, tears forming at the corners of his eyes.. His name in the vision is Albederan. He travels with other mages – a woman with knee-length white an blond hair, a man named Viillio, and an unknown number of others. Another man, Helbedar refused to come on the journey. They are being hunted by huge winged creatures. “Each one was ten feet wide, with wings adding another ten on any side. Their bodies were rounded and flexible, with necks capable of rising above or dropping below with ease. The necks ended in long-beaked heads, which Albederan knew could crack bone, and could gouge out a man's eyes or heart in seconds.”^{78plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: Johannes's Adventure: Escaping to Brundash

“There's a tunnel! A tunnel underneath the town. And they were teaching sorcerers under there... and... the experiments... how long ago?” He clutched at his head, paralyzed by blinding pain. “It hurts! Oh, by my god, it hurts!” He struggled to pull himself upright, tears forming at the corners of his eyes.} A fight ensues, which the party of magi wins. The creatures vanish, revealing them to have been illusory or summoned. The woman remarks, “This close to Brundash, everything has some magic.” Then a whole hidden force appears. Somehow, the fight is still won, and the party continues on to Brundash. It is unclear whether Albederan survives the trip.

Hal tells Sahlman El Musafirplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigSahlman El Musafir

Sahlman's hair is blue-black and graying. His skin is dark and weathered. A huge handle-bar mustache sweeps down to cover much of his lower face, and Sahl is always careful to keep it properly groomed. He is generally very particular about his clothing, equipment and appearance. Sahlman wears the desert robes of his homeland, with headgear that blocks out the sun and hangs over his neck. He wears light trousers and high hard boots, and when his robes are wet, the hard links o… about a place called Brundash: “This one here,” he pointed to a relatively new-looking book, “is a copy of an original work from the mid five hundreds. Like everything else from that time, it's riddled with mythological and magical references, but if you wade through all that, you'll find one section where it talks about a place called Brundash, which was supposed to be a safe haven against the next Zioth. I've never seen another reference to it, though, so I assume it was destroyed like so much from that time, or the founders gave up.” … “Brundash was supposed to be founded by a large group of natural philosophers, or wizards perhaps. It's hard to tell.” ^{85plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: The Zioth Expert

Every morning, Redbelve passed the time with Sahl while he was training his horse. After a few hours of training on the twenty-fifth, he mentioned that Sahl could meet the Zioth-expert that evening. Evening came, and Redbelve took Sahlman and Johannes to see his friend. The scholar lived alone in one of the poorer neighborhoods, the entranceway to his small home serving as a workplace for himself and two other scriveners. Various religious texts, not all of them}

Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon

Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style. Ziedon's garb is of a well-to-do townsman. He normally wears a thin, off-white shirt with eleven pairs of wooden knobs and strings in the front with a brown and green band of cloth was laid across his sh… encounters a vision of Belazan, the former High Mage of Brundash, when he is caught up in a powerful spell triggered by the Golden Priest of Morenthplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMorenth

Morenth's theology revolves around the simple idea that the entire universe belongs to him, and humanity is barely worthy to bask in his radiant presence. Those who refuse to acknowledge this simple, self-evident fact heretics, and deserve punishment or death. There is no repentance for heretics.^{148plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: The Dream World

At the safe house, Ziedon unloaded his gear and then went through some stretching exercises to relieve his sore muscles. “Where is Kreemon?” he asked Korisca.

“He's out finding a place on the other side of town, in case we have to split. Ziedon, what was all that out there? I've never seen anything like it. That priest}

Forgolonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigForgolon

Description

The minstrel was tall and well-built. He had a developed moustache, although not so developed as Sahlman's, and the beginnings of a beard. The man wore baggy pants, and a loose vest. There were numerous places where he could have been hiding a small dagger or knife, and has this to say: “Brundash was supposed to be the mythical city of magic, a center of power during the War of the Magics. It's said to be surrounded by mystery, and details are hard to come by, probably because it never actually existed. As for the Fourth Hall, that could be anything. Lots of guilds number their halls.”^{150plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: Ziedon's Plan

It was finally the day of the earthquake. Kreemon, Korisca and Ziedon woke to a chill draft and flurries of snow outside, but they knew it would get hot later in the day. Their new boarding house wasn't nearly so well situated as the last one, being far from the walls and}

A journal is found, written by a Priest of Morenthplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMorenth

Morenth's theology revolves around the simple idea that the entire universe belongs to him, and humanity is barely worthy to bask in his radiant presence. Those who refuse to acknowledge this simple, self-evident fact heretics, and deserve punishment or death. There is no repentance for heretics, which chronicles the Battle of the Magicsplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigThe Battle of the Magics (577)

Belazan: The conflict dates back to the beginning of time, and has little to do with magic. I imagine the first men to craft arrow heads out of stone were feared and hated by their enemies, and the weapons themselves viewed with suspicion. Nothing changed when mages began to hire themselves out to princes and kings. The kingdom with more power was hated, but that hatred couldn't target an entire kingdom. To do so would be to admit inferiority. Instead, the weapons…, and includes some details about Brundash. It names Fovery as the Archmage of Brundash.^{168plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: The Old Library

Kreemon walked around the edge of the disgusting pond, looking for any signs that the priest entered it. There were none. Unless Halaren was an excellent leaper, he wouldn't have been able to avoid leaving footprints in the muck. Just to be sure, Kreemon stood still for a while, watching for any ripples in the water that would suggest something larger than a frog or snake hiding in there. Again, nothing. There were a few shallow caves and quickly tapering tunnels in the chamber, but nothing larg…}

When Corbynplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigCorbyn Wren

Corbyn is a 19 year old man with straw colored hair (indeed his thick locks greatly resemble a thatched roof upon his brow). He is quite thin and has rather spindly limbs that are nevertheless quite agile. Despite his youth, he wears the short robes of a scholar over his breeches and introduces himself as a tutor for hire. He prefers scarlet cloth for his robes and more pedestrian materials for his trousers., Vossplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigJahred Voss

Voss has an intensely pale complexion, even for a very light-skinned caucasian, which has earned him the nickname 'The Ghoul.' Lately though, this creamy skin has given away to being pocked with red blotches, the end result of a stubborn epidermis that refuses to tan. The Vhoosch are rarely exposed to the beating sun and it's heat and warmth. Like his ancestors before him, he has a hard time adjusting to more mild and warm climates. He is extremely sensitive to humidity… it is not o…, Talaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTala

Tala stands at around 5 foot 8 inches, with round, dark brown eyes, shoulder-length, and wavy, dark brown hair, parted at the middle and usually held back in a ponytail with some piece of cloth. His face is a bit rounded, his nose not too tall, and his ears are usually showing, unless he does not tie up his hair. He weighs around 140 pounds, has a toned physique, and his skin is of tan color., Gilplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigGuillaume

Tall and handsome, Gillaume son of Heliand is the image of the heroic warrior. His chin is broad and his smile broader. His face is carefully shaven, and his brown hair would fall in curls if it weren’t for the closely cropped, monastic haircut. His hands are calloused and strong, but his long fingers give them a kind of elegance. Gil’s voice is deep and his bearing is soldier straight. In his clear, blue eyes, one sees an odd humility and an unexpected kindness. and Halarenplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … travel back in time and encounter a Morenthianplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMorenth

Morenth's theology revolves around the simple idea that the entire universe belongs to him, and humanity is barely worthy to bask in his radiant presence. Those who refuse to acknowledge this simple, self-evident fact heretics, and deserve punishment or death. There is no repentance for heretics priest, the priest is convinced that Corbyn Wrenplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigCorbyn Wren

Corbyn is a 19 year old man with straw colored hair (indeed his thick locks greatly resemble a thatched roof upon his brow). He is quite thin and has rather spindly limbs that are nevertheless quite agile. Despite his youth, he wears the short robes of a scholar over his breeches and introduces himself as a tutor for hire. He prefers scarlet cloth for his robes and more pedestrian materials for his trousers. is a wizard of Brundash, and that Jahred Vossplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigJahred Voss

Voss has an intensely pale complexion, even for a very light-skinned caucasian, which has earned him the nickname 'The Ghoul.' Lately though, this creamy skin has given away to being pocked with red blotches, the end result of a stubborn epidermis that refuses to tan. The Vhoosch are rarely exposed to the beating sun and it's heat and warmth. Like his ancestors before him, he has a hard time adjusting to more mild and warm climates. He is extremely sensitive to humidity… it is not o… is his Balowan, a mage's servant imported from the far east.^g02,g03,g04. “That sounded a bit like Balewan, a tribe of fierce warriors who were often confused with the Vhoosch, if only because their scarcity and obscurity meant that few knew their name.”^g02

Brundash is also mentioned in turns g08,g09,g11,g12,92plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: Meeting the Baron

It was well into the afternoon when the dragged themselves over the lip of the rim and into the light. Most of the villagers had gone, but the dozen or so who remained watched the explorers with awe. That was hardly surprising. Besides the weapons, which by themselves would keep most people at bay, everyone but,167plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: The Door Behind the Ribbon

“Excellent,” Ziedon said, looking down into the dark hole between the bookshelves. “Would one of you see where the stairs leads while the other keeps watch on the door? I will have a quick chat with those captive priests and then we will continue onward through this secret passage.,183plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: Averting the Signs

From the looks of it, something had long since grown and died in that room. Crumbled branches lay strewn about, and powdery dust that may once have been leaves or moss coated every surface. In the middle of the room was a solid stone desk whose edge was carved in the likeness of a snake, and beyond was an empty bookshelf.,184plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: A Secret is a Secret is a Secret

“Well,” the priest muttered, looking into the crowded room, “I suppose they have enough people in there.” He turned and walked the dark tiles towards the entrance portal to keep watch for the sorcerer and his unholy pets. He passed by Voss, who was intently examining his wounds.,185plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAppeared or occurred in:

: Hidden Treasure

“My word!” The Preceptor cried at the sound of the glass door grinding to a halt, and grabbed his chest. He took a few breaths and looked back up, dismayed. “And I suppose we won't be able to close this door again, either. We are drawing Thand a map right to us.

Initiation

Mark of Brundash (Transmutation)

Level: Sorcerer/Wizard 4
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 hour
Range: Touch
Target: One creature
Duration: Permanent
Saving Throw: Fortitude negates (harmless)
Spell Resistence: Yes

When a wizard is initiated into Brundash, as almost all wizards are, a ritual is performed. Forever thereafter, the target is marked with an invisible symbol. The Mark can be seen and clearly identified using Detect Magic, but only by another wizard bearing the Mark. An unmarked wizard cannot detect it with anything short of Greater Arcane Sight.

Material Component: 100gp of powdered emerald, mixed with three drops of the target's blood.

Hide the Mark (Illusion)

Level: Sorcerer/Wizard 1
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: Personal
Duration: 24 hours (D)
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistence: No

When this spell is cast, the DM secretly rolls d20-10, and adds the caster's caster level. For the duration, the caster's Mark of Brundash becomes undetectable by any wizard of that caster level or lower. If this spell is cast multiple times, the highest rolled value is used. The caster has no sense of the result.

See the Mark (Divination)

Level: Sorcerer/Wizard 2
Components: None
Casting Time: Standard action
Range: 200ft cone
Duration: Concentration
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistence: No

This spell is a more specialized version of Detect Magic, designed solely to locate Marks of Brundash. It only functions for a wizard bearing the Mark. During the first round of concentration, the caster learns the number of wizards bearing the Mark within range. During the second round, the caster learns their approximate locations (within a 5' square). During the third round, the caster learns their approximate caster level (1-4, 5-8, 9-12, 13-16, 17+).

The cone can be turned to focus on a new location once per round (resetting the round count).

The Wizards of Brundash have a long series of entrance requirements, and test young and inexperienced wizards throughout their informative years by requesting, indeed demanding, errands of them in return for their association with Brundash. After a significant period of assessment, Wizards are granted allegiance to Brundash and undertake a secretive ritual of initiation. Quite what this is, no one has yet shared, but the result is the 'Mark of Brundash' being bestowed on those fortunate enough. This is an invisible mark unique to the person it is placed upon. Some say the initiate even has to provide their own emerald, others say this is not true. The Mark can been seen by other initiates with a spell known as See the Mark. The benefits to Wizards must be significant, as Wizards invariably seek to join Brundash, but what these benefits are, if any beyond having a mysterious shared secret, is unclear.

Short story: Arnell's Initiation

It was morning, early, when Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … awoke. His years of training and crafting had led him to become a deep sleeper for a number of reasons. His home was reasonably quiet and very safe, and Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … had no cares to speak of, no siblings to tend to or duties that demanded attention. As such, sleeping well became a natural occurrence, but the truth was simpler: his mind required a good night's sleep for him to focus on spell casting, so he became quite grumpy when he didn't get eight hours, for now obvious reasons.

But that morning, he woke earlier than usual and quite unexpectedly. Next to him, on the pillow like some loving valentine, was a note.

It was common enough in noble circles to receive letters, but not like that. The letter was in an envelope sealed by wax on the reverse; although it was unusual that the wax was green. The seal made by the stamp used in the wax was nondescript - as if the end of a cork had been used rather than a mark of a coat of arms that would have identified the sender.

It gave directions without much information. “Meet us at the Southern reaches of the town, beyond the housing, near the old warped tree, where two trunks sprout from one, on the riverside.”

Despite no dates or times being stated, he was sure if he headed to the trees as soon as he was ready, the messengers would find him before long. It was not yet summer but it was reasonably warm and recently there had been little rain.

Making his excuses of running an errand, Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … left town following the ranger and cattle-herd paths out beyond the usual boundary, skirted the edge of the ferry and walked somewhat nonchalantly into the wood. He was assuming that there would be a message for him to study a particular question or take a message to the outreaches, Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … only began to slow as he reached the riverbank. He began to scan the trees for one with a suitably doubled trunk, but none appeared to be there. Perhaps he had misjudged the instruction, he figured. As he began to reach the far side of the coppice, he sighted a tree that may just have been what he was looking for.

Around him, the coppice was quiet, aside the gentle sound of lapping water from the river. Unseen animals continued their foraging, Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … picking his way through the bracken and shrubbery, the grasses folding behind him. Where he could, he stepped over or round twigs and tried to avoid the look of several bears crashing directly through the undergrowth, but in truth Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … was not that dexterous or track-aware, so a skilled ranger would have probably followed him without terrible difficulty.

The tree itself was not exactly double trunked, but gnarly enough for Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … to be sure he was in the correct place. He scanned the closed canopy and looked south towards the growing specter of the mountains, but saw no-one and nothing looked out of place.

Smiling inwardly, he began to sit and wait, finding the driest, most welcoming nearby spot that he could. A while later, which was not an inordinate amount of time, Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … was repositioning himself for comfort, when, as if stepping and snapping a proverbial twig had triggered the sound, he heard whispered “head South along the river, young man.”

At this, although somewhat expected, Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … whirled and scanned the coppice, but there was no one there. He checked, double checked, and then stood, brow furrowed and mind working deeply, pausing just a moment before heading further South, towards the mountain passes and along the narrowing river.

It was at this point that Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … became rather unsure of the purpose of this request, as he had been given little inkling of what was about to follow.

He headed South towards the mountains, walking for almost an hour. The river licked the banks as it ran towards civilization, Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … walking in the opposite direction. Ahead, a lone figure lent against a outcropping of rock, and as Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … slowed to approach the figure, his hand raised slightly, as if to stop. Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate …'s stoat familiar, Mustel, seemed agitated, the magical creature sensing uncertainty.

As Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … rounded another long corner, in the distance not too far ahead, a figure was standing beside several rocks that jutted out from the hillside, as the paths began to wind their way deeper into the mountains. He beckoned Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … to follow, but then immediately turned and began to walk away. The figure was slightly smaller than Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate …, but cowled such that his or her face could not been seen. A long cloak of brown color swayed in the wind, but hid the figure's attire and gait from this distance. Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … followed, but as quickly as he walked, the distance between the two of them altered little. Another half an hour of walking continued before the figure stopped and allowed Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … to start closing the gap.

The man motioned, the cowl and cloak hiding the precise movements, and from the distance Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … could not tell what the figure was doing, but it appeared magical to him. Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … approached, and noted to one side, like a slit in the rock, a shimmering, shifting doorway. The figure motioned to the doorway, his upturned palm pointing, four fingered, towards the door. His face was not visible, no words were said. Taking a deep breath, but at the same time excited, senses heightened, Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … stepped forward.

As the shimmering portal parted, Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … stepped into what appeared to be a library. It was a single, large cavernous room with an assortment of study tables with suitably positioned chair. Along the left hand wall, tomes and tomes of books were arrayed in neatly arranged shelving, reaching up toward the ceiling, that was ornately latticed with beams and wooden panelling. As Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … scanned the room, he noticed a mezzanine level, and across the balcony stood two figures. Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … bowed his head forward, a small amount, in acknowledgment. A voice cut across the room from the right; “Good morning,” was the simple greeting.

As the two men descended the spiral staircase from the balcony level, Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … waited, expectantly.

“Welcome, young wizard,” stated the first of them. Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … was taken aback, no one used the word wizard often, but this was clearly not a usual place. He began to speak, but could not think of a suitable answer in time. He rationalized that this was an invitation of sorts.

“We brought you here, for the purpose that we believe you know of already. Do you have a question for us?”

“Brundash?” Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … half stated, half asked.

“Brundash. You have shown us several times in the past that you are reliable, and intelligent. So what is before us today will happen once and once only. Do you wish to proceed?” The three men eyed Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … intently. He felt scrutinized, but also inwardly knew this invitation would come one day, as it did for so many wizards. In truth, it was no surprise, and once he saw it, his earlier uncertainty left him.

“I look forward to it,” Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … replied trying not to be too eager. The three men sat and motioned for Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … to do likewise, across the table from them. He was about to introduce himself, to ask a polite 'how are you' but the opportunity did not seem to arise.

“Then we begin.”

There was a silence for what seemed an eternity to Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate …. It was probably only seconds. His concentration grew, and he quickly noted that two of the men were weaving a spell. They were not saying anything, but their hands and fingers moved in waving, rippling motions that indicated the weaving and knitting of the forces of the world. Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate …'s understanding of magic made it clear the spell was creating a zone, a collective, but he could not quite work out the exact nature of it.

In front of him, unseen previously, were three pieces of parchment. “I am the Master of Ceremonies. A simple enough first task. Are you worthy?”

Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate …'s brow furrowed. No clues. He concentrated harder, and surveyed the papers in front of him. The first was runes, and looked magical. The next was an ancient script that Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … recognized as Draconic, thank Andrithaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAndrithanism

Based on original ideas from Karl Schinke (Ardith). Symbols for aspects other than the Mother, along with the artwork, were contributed by Myron Wyles (Halaren).

Andrithanism and its variants are the dominant religion in Rang and the surrounding kingdoms. Within the boundaries of, and finally there was a script that looked like a mixture of images, signs, symbols and text. Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … unpicked each piece, describing the symbols, reading the words, and showing his knowledge of ancient texts. Minutes flew by, and as he began to decipher the scripts, describing his thoughts, the Master of Ceremonies held up his hand.

“Good.” It was plain, the young wizard had shown enough knowledge. Relaxing slightly, Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … let out breath.

The Master continued. “My learned friend is about to cast. Describe your thoughts and talk us through your findings.”

Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … began. He described the prestidigitation accurately, mirroring the steps, explaining the choices of words, the fragility of that created. The men probed and questioned Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate …'s understanding, why the fingers twisted clockwise rather than forward, or selecting individual words for explanation. On each occasion, Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … described his understanding, which was all he could do. It was a simple enough spell to unpick, but he knew the discussion and depth of answers were the point of the exercise. As the discussion continued, they probed, asking of harder spells, of different incantations.

The master of ceremonies spoke. “Good. You are worthy. I ask, Do you come here of your own volition, and take part in this ceremony willingly.”

“Yes,” came the reply.

“Know now before you go further, that since your mind is sharing our lore, we have formed ties between each other. As you seek to enter and join our membership you should strive to make real the ideals which give meaning to both this ceremony and the institution. With full awareness, know that within this circle you are not only declaring your intent to be joined with us, before us as witness, but you speak that intent also to the higher powers. Do you understand?”

“I do,” stated Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate …. The serious air was heavy.

“Repeat after me, Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate ….” He continued, and Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … repeated: “Because to the depths of me, I long to understand, with all my heart, my soul, my mind, my body. Because the lore of the world needs its protectors, who won't hold this knowledge against me, and who look for the divine potential of me. Because this opportunity means to grow in trust, in knowledge, in friendship. Because, knowing this, I promise myself to take full responsibility for my spiritual, mental and physical wholeness, I create me, I take half of the responsibility. Brundash accepts that because of this understanding the possibilities are limitless.”

“The promises made today and the ties that are bound here greatly strengthen your union; they will cross the years and time of all our minds. Do you still seek to enter, for there is no way back?” Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … stated, “Yes, I Seek to Enter.” The words came easily, with almost sombre mood.

“We have rules Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate …, and what is implicit is made explicit. What is internal is made external. What is yours is ours. In return, you are offered what is ours, as it is needed. Take out your spellbook and place your left hand upon it.”

The master of ceremonies brought forward a Tome of Lore. It was thick, ornate and bound with silver seals. “Place your right hand on the Tome of Lore.”

The second man stepped to Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate …’s side and began to wrap a blue braid around the books, and around each of his hands, ceremonially tying the books, and Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate …’s hands, together.

“The first braid is in place,” he announced.

“In times past it was believed that the human soul shared characteristics with all things divine. It is this belief which assigned virtues to the higher powers. It is in this tradition that a blessing is offered in support of this ceremony. You will agree to all of these rules. The first is that you must be loyal to members of the organization. Do not interfere with each other’s interest.” He continued, all of the men falling into a trance like state. “Blessed be this union with the gifts of the loyalty. Communication of the heart, mind, and body. Fresh beginnings with the rising of each Sun. The knowledge of the growth found in the sharing of silences.”

A second, red and silver braid was wrapped around Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate …’s wrists.

“The second is in place.”

The master of ceremonies continued. “Be a rational member of the team. Be logical, intelligent, wise. Blessed be this union to the gifts of the mind. The experimenting of lores, the growth of the shared knowledge and the teamwork this requires.”

A third braid was wrapped. The yellow shone, primary colors with a bead of gold.

“The third is in place,” the assistant continued.

“Be a man of honor. Respect womanhood and your elders.” He caught Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate …’s eyes, looking through them in his magical trance. “Blessed be this union with the gifts of warmth. Light is shared to offer ways through the darkest of times. This rule means that you will step the extra step and offer help to those that need help within our membership.”

The third man stepped forward. “Be blessed,” he said, as he wrapped a fourth braid of green, laced with leaves and reeds, further around and through Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate …’s hands and the other braids.

“The fourth is in place.”

Once again, the master of ceremonies took over.

“Be a protector of the knowledge and lore. Blessed be this union with gifts of silence. Public displays encourage mistrust. We keep our knowledge within our union, our members share this when necessary, but protect knowledge from the greatest threats. Our place in the world is to broker the knowledge, spread the word amongst the true, and build trust.”

The third man produced a purple braid, which was wet and dripped with water.

“Be blessed,” he said. “The fifth is in place.”

“Be independent and committed. The deep commitments of the lake. The swift excitement of the river. The refreshing cleansing of the rain. The all encompassing passion of the sea. We work with nature and higher powers to shape our world, evocating, divining, summoning, transmuting, bending, abjuring, enchanting, necromancing, for a common purpose. Each of these blessings from the principles emphasizes those things which will help you focus your energies. Yet they are only tools. Tools which you must use together to create what you seek in this union.”

The officiant stood forward further.

“And so the binding is made,” he announced. The second man repeated the statement, and then the Master of Ceremonies said the same.

“Will you honor Brundash?” they asked Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate ….

“I will, yes,” stated Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate ….

“Then show your commitment,” the Master of Ceremonies stepped forward. He produced a stiletto dagger from his robes. Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … had not seen one so fine before, it came to a needle-like point.

“The knot is made, the binding complete,” he stated, drawing the braids into a single knot. He held the dagger above Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate …’s palms, tied to the books. As the braid formed a knot in the center, he tugged at it, releasing the knot from Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate …’s book expertly, yet leaving the braids wrapped around his wrist. Without word, he took Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate …’s fingers and firmly but softly pierced his fingertip. Squeezing blood out of the fingers, the other officiants opened each book to the back page. A single drop of blood fell from Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate …’s finger and struck the paper of his spellbook, forming a solitary dot. The book was closed.

The same was repeated on the final pages of the Tome of Lore, and a third drop soaked into the knot itself.

The master of ceremonies began again. “The knots of this binding are not formed by these braids, but instead by your vows. Either of you may drop the braids, for as always, you hold in your own hands the making or breaking of this union. Or you may hold them. You must choose. Do you so vow?”

As he did so, the men’s eyes changed. A spinning disc, like a spiked cube or morning star, broke out from the knot and whirled in the air. Transfixed, Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate …’s eyes settled on it. Without warning, a kaleidoscope of colors rushed towards him. It seared into his eyes, and pain began. Pain on pain emanated from the colors, burning his eyes. Tied, the knot suddenly loosened from the books as he naturally fell to his knees, crying out and clutching his eyes. A million colors warped through his mind, and he felt as if the back of his sockets were burning out. He screamed. He convulsed.

As he did so, symbols fell into his mind, every color imaginable. Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … was lying now, the braids around his hands swaying across his body as his hands covered his face. The pain changed to intensity, the symbols to logical streams, and Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … saw a tattoo, a heraldic sign, a mark forming in front of his imagination. It was a single symbol, a green emerald of sorts, but warped and covered in runes. They tumbled into his mind and reminded Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … of deciphered scrolls and spellbook pages as if he was learning his spells for the day.

The pain subsided, the convulsions over, the time gone, Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … blinked, squinted. He crawled slightly, and then the hands of the officiants helped him up.

“Welcome,” they said. It was the first nicety that had been shared.

The master of ceremonies addressed him. “What was implicit, must be explicit. Your image, what was it?”

“Good. Some say they see different symbols, you know. Allow us to show you your new understanding.”

And with that, the three men explained that Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … was now marked, with the sign of the Brundash. Following the descriptions of the first test, they explained how Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … could now See the Mark of others, if he so chose and explained to him the mechanics of the spell. They urged caution at times, and said that in times of uncertainly, he could Hide the Mark, and hoped that one day he would help another to join the membership, although that was not possible yet.

The truth became immediately clear to him, and the internal knowledge he may have held was made external, as the ceremony had suggested.

“To remind you that our shared abilities were created by others by higher powers. Do you have any words to say?”

He began for a final time. “I am the Master of Ceremonies, on this occasion, and I have the privilege of performing this ceremony today. On behalf of us all, thank you for being here today and for your undertaking of the ceremony. By your presence, we celebrate our shared commitment to protect the knowledge discovered in each other and you support the decision to commit yourself for the rest of your life. God does not allow membership that is wrong. We honor you. May you strive always to meet this commitment with the same spirit you now exhibit. We all bear witness to this ceremony you have just performed. We wish you well into the world.”

The master of ceremonies' seriousness broke for the first time. He beamed with a smile and stepped forward, embracing Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … in an unusual show of camaraderie.

The officiates packed Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate …’s belongings and nodded congratulations to him. They did not speak but a warmth filled the room, and Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … felt amongst friends. As they handed him his backpack and gave him a waterskin to drink from, they also ushered him towards the main door.

Stepping out into the sunlight, Arnellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPreceptor Halaren

Halaren stands wide and heavy, large feet and hands offsetting a comparably small head. He looks in his late twenties. His skin is pale and a little blubberous, tugging his facial features downwards to give him a slightly sad and dim-witted appearance. His face is well shaved, and hair medium in length, though so thin and wispy his head is clearly visible underneath. Further adding to his girth are the heavy robes he wears, well worn and covered in smudges. A long, deliberate … squinted a little, but with no pain. The shimmering doorway behind him was suddenly invisible. He started the long walk home, a Brundash associate.

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