2002/06 - Queen Elysa's Ceremonies

Queen Elysa's Ceremonies at the Festival Stones
"In response to Martine's attacks and the explosion of the Essences, High Queen Elysa Strathelar began calling her people together at the Festival Stones found throughout the land. At these stones she held ceremonies to symbolize that Dereth was now truly their home. At the first stone, the Thistledown Stone near the town of Cragstone, Elysa appeared with Asheron at her side and “lit” the stone. A cascade of magical energy shot from the stone into the sky, delighting all in attendance. Unfortunately, the proceedings were interrupted by the appearance of Martine, who shouted protestations of his love for Elysa while spewing hate for Asheron. After Martine killed several of her subjects in attendance there, Elysa was forced to leave, but she bade that the ceremonies continue.

Subsequent occasions were marred by interruptions and discoveries, until Elysa came to the fifth and final ceremony at the Midsong Festival Stone in the deserts of Dereth. The moment the ceremony began, Martine once again appeared. At a previous ceremony, Asheron had offered to heal the damage done to Martine by his Virindi captors; now Martine came to accept this offer. Sadly, however, Martine's unhinged mind reacted violently to a statement made by Asheron, and the insane man lashed out, firing a powerful spell into Asheron's chest. Mortally wounded, Asheron slumped to the ground, his lifeblood cascading onto the desert floor.

At this moment, Gaerlan appeared. Months before, adventurers had found a text in a wrecked Gelidite Library. The author had been named Gaerlan, and examination of this text had revealed that he had been studying the ancient Gelidite Library, as well as structures called “cisterns” which were located near where the Magical Essences had stood. Now, this Empyrean materialized before the gathered people, congratulating Martine on his attack. Gaerlan's very appearance revealed that he was a master of the elemental forces: his breath was frost, his hands dripped acid, lightning emanated from his head, and fire followed him wherever he walked. Later, after they had time to ponder recent events, it became obvious to the Isparians that Gaerlan had been their unseen enemy, not Martine. Somehow Gaerlan had been released from portalspace and was responsible for Nuhmudira's imprisonment, Martine's slide into insanity, and the explosions that had wracked the Magical Essences.

At the ceremony, Gaerlan barely acknowledged the Isparians that immediately set about attacking him. He simply summoned a titanic Crystal Golem to draw their attention as he moved toward Asheron. Fortunately, Queen Elysa and her people were able to divide their attention between the two, eventually destroying the Golem and providing the Queen with enough time to cast a recall spell that would return Elysa and Asheron to the protection of his castle. As the wounded Asheron slipped through his fingers, Gaerlan howled that he would yet have his revenge upon him. And as the Isparians continued their attacks on him, Gaerlan realized the fondness Asheron had for these people, and proclaimed he would destroy them as part of his revenge upon the man."

Creatures
All event dialogue taken from Chronicles of the June Event

June 28th - Thistledown Festival Stone
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 * High Queen Elysa Strathelar calls her people to the Thistledown Festival Stone.


 * Elysa looks out over the gathered crowd and clears her throat.
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "People of Dereth, I am High Queen Elysa Strathelar, and many of you wonder how I came by my title."
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "It was by the will of those that lived here on Dereth when we first broke free from the bonds of slavery beneath the jagged claws of the Olthoi."
 * Elysa clears her throat again to speak up over the gathered crowd.
 * Elysa pauses.
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "Since that time many have gathered in Monarchies that have come to symbolize the unity of our people here on Dereth."
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "I expect that many of you feel you owe me no allegiance, and truly you do not. I am the leader of those that would have me lead, and no more."
 * Elysa looks to Asheron, then back to the gathered crowd.
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "We were once subjects to the Olthoi. I, for one, will not see my people subjected to a rule that they deem unjust. We are not meant to be slaves, we are meant to be free people. "
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "People with free will and choices. "
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "To that end I have asked Asheron, a man whom many have slighted and misunderstood, to come and speak with me over the next month at these gathering stones."
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "These stones were once the heralds of the festival times for his people. He will now rededicate them to a new cause. The Isparian cause."
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "It is time that we claim this land as our new home. It is time for us to claim its name as well!"
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "So from this day forward, until the time when we and Asheron work together to bridge the distance between Dereth and Ispar, we shall be known as Derethians."


 * Asheron takes a few seconds and surveys the crowd.
 * Asheron bows his head.
 * Asheron says, "What Elysa says is true. You are a free people to whom I am indebted. "
 * Asheron says, "Without your aid even this small island of my world would not have been freed from the Olthoi. "
 * Asheron says, "But this has never been without its difficulties and tribulations--several of your first leaders fell in the early years as you struggled without my protection."
 * Asheron says, "Your strides against this foe have been remarkable, and you have adapted well to a world alien to your own."
 * Asheron says, "Your civilization has succeeded in thriving in this adversity, growing in number and laying claim to the land as your own."
 * Asheron says, "But when you needed me in turn, I have not always been here."
 * Asheron straightens his robe.
 * Asheron says, "This cost has weighed heavily upon my soul for many years. What is worse is that in the past when I needed you to further defend my home, you have been there for me."
 * Asheron says, "Specifically, when Ilservian returned you rose to fight him by my side. "
 * Asheron says, "That time is at an end."
 * Asheron says, "I have watched what the Virindi did to Martine and seen the horrors that can come about when you decipher our texts without proper guidance."
 * Asheron says, "Though our magics are more potent than you can harness, time can change everything and grant you the capacity to learn."
 * Asheron says, "This is that time. I will not stand idly by and see your civilization destroyed. Torn asunder from within or otherwise."
 * Asheron says, "You have made Dereth your home. So shall it be. And a time shall come that will be akin to a golden age for your people."
 * Asheron motions to the stone and sweeps his hands in a wide motion.
 * Asheron says, "This festival stone will now stand as a memory of the days when these lands became the lands of the Isparians!"


 * Martine's gaze falls upon Elysa.
 * Martine says, "Pretty lights and honey coated words. Smoke and mirrors make this magician all the more impressive."
 * Martine says, "Ah, my love. Why are you here? What has brought you to this place amongst the rabble, with the epitome of all I find wrong and unjust by your side?"


 * Elysa stares at the thing that was once Candeth Martine and glances at Asheron.
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "Martine. You are not welcome here. What you have done to these people cannot be forgiven...will not be forgiven."


 * Martine says, "Why do you say this to me, dearest? I have only joy in my heart for you."
 * Martine says, "My unfettered rage and desire to liquefy flesh is focused solely on the old man called Asheron."
 * Martine says, "Your flesh is too fine to mar...how could I live with myself if I ground your bones to paste? Of course I could rebuild them, but I'd be forced to live with that memory."


 * Asheron says, "Martine."
 * Asheron says, "I only wish to help you, I have never wished anything else from you. You are in pain. That much is obvious. Let me help you."


 * Asheron says, "Elysa away! I will hold him here!"
 * Asheron says, "Martine, please listen to reason! I know you are still in there somewhere!"


 * Elysa shudders as Asheron's magic flows over her, sending her away.
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "I will not leave, Asheron! This monster tried to kill my son. I will see him slain where he stands!"


 * Martine issues a guttural laugh and a hum begins to grow from within him.
 * Martine says, "You stole her from me! You! And now you wish to make peace for what you have done?"
 * Martine says, "I will flay your flesh and study what makes you work, Old Man! But not here, not now."


 * Asheron looks about at the grim scene.
 * Asheron says, "Derethians, I am sorry that this has happened, but I will see it done. I will see Martine is made whole and that his madness brings you no more pain."

July 3rd - Frostfell Festival Stone
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 * High Queen Elysa Strathelar calls the people of Dereth to the Frostfell Festival Stone.


 * Asheron says, "This festival stone, the second dedicated to your people of Dereth, signifies the bond that you have made and your unity."
 * Asheron says, "It lights now for the Houses of Dereth!"
 * Elysa smiles broadly to the people.
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "We live in a time of adversity, a time that is filled with strife and sorrow at every corner."
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "Through it all we stand united in the common cause of making our home a place that is secure for future generations."
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "Here we make our peace. Here we recognize the unity of the houses of Dereth, those joined by blood and those bound by oath alone."
 * Asheron says, "This stone shall signify that unity and those bonds. It shall be a beacon for the wayward and the lost. It shall be the light in the darkness."
 * Elysa raises her hands.
 * Elysa pauses and scans the crowd for reactions.
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "Derethians. We must speak now of the matter at hand. We are faced with a most frightening foe. One who once was like us." Elysa Strathelar says, "This same group has grown to become an offshoot of both my own Royal Guard and the Arcanum."
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "Candeth Martine was once one of us. He came from Ispar like all of you and adventured across these lands as a member of the Explorer Society."
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "But he was lost to us, taken by the Virindi."
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "Asheron has returned to help us stop the atrocities that Martine has begun. We have seen the destruction that has been wrought upon the world. "
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "At the Menhir, magic itself has revolted against the natural order and destroyed the Essences. "
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "But now it is threatened."
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "And though, with aid from Asheron, the Arcanum has concentrated components necessary for the casting of magic, mages have become concerned over oddities in workings of magic, a lessening in its strength and power."
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "The world that we know here hangs in a tenuous balance, an order that must be maintained. That order has until now remained untouched, in balance, complete."
 * Asheron says, "The balance Elysa speaks of was threatened only once before,in a time not documented well by my people."
 * Asheron says, "It was a time when war spread across this world, and the victors consumed and destroyed the history of the conquered."
 * Asheron says, "My ancestors were the victors and the civilization of the Gelid dissolved."
 * Asheron says, "The Gelid hid well for a time but a group amongst them...broke free. They were eventually slain, as you may have learned, but they left a mark upon the world."
 * Asheron says, "These marks remain in the form of Elementals, beings created from the very essence of magic itself, given form and sentience by those that once commanded them."
 * Asheron says, "The goals and machinations of this offshoot coalition were thwarted by the Gelid of Frore."
 * Asheron says, "Their tomes and halls were lost to time, hidden from even my sight beneath the weight of a history written victors who did not wish these secrets known."
 * Asheron says, "When my people held this land, no one studied the arts of elemental control."
 * Asheron says, "The elementals were assailants even then, but they were...less aggressive. In time they became tools of the undead, the Dericost, who have roots that stretch back to a history that we are all better off forgetting, lest we let their power grow anew."
 * Asheron sighs heavily.
 * Asheron says, "But I fear that over time even the greatest magic fails if not fueled. It is by this avenue that I fear Martine came by his knowledge."
 * Asheron says, "He duped Nuhmudira into aiding him in his acquisition of raw power, in the collection of the invisible river's power, tapping into what you call ley lines."
 * Asheron says, "The essences' destruction was the first of much to come. What Martine has set in motion...is beyond even my capacity to fully understand."
 * Asheron says, "Magic in its rawest form is unpredictable. It is only through temperance and understanding that we can give it the forms of defense, enhancement and destruction."
 * Asheron looks to Elysa.
 * Asheron says, "We must all band together and stave off his hand. Stop him, before the actions that he has begun have irreversible consequences."
 * Asheron says, "To that end, I will be assisting Elysa and the Arcanum in researching the way to curb Martine's plans."
 * Elysa nods to Asheron and then turns her attention back to the crowd.
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "We will not fail, my people. We shall succeed as we have so many times before when facing a foe bent upon our demise. This world is ours now."
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "We shall not stand by and see it ruined."
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "I thank you for attending."
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "I shall be lighting three more stones over the course of this cycle of the moons, and in that time, much more will be explained."
 * High Queen Elysa Strathelar and Asheron have returned to his castle.

July 8th - Leafcull Festival Stone
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 * High Queen Elysa Strathelar has arrived at the Leafcull Festival Stone.
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "Today we light the torch upon the stone of memory, to signify those that we have lost--those that are missing and those that have sacrificed of themselves to see us grow."
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "The list is longer than most will ever know."
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "But the light from this stone will serve as a reminder of all those who have fallen."
 * Martine says, "Melanay? Please listen to me."
 * Elysa looks around her.
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "Martine?"
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "I have no words for you, I have nothing more that I can offer you. There is no temperance within my arm to stave off an attack upon your being."
 * Martine's voice sounds soft, filled with love.
 * Martine says, "You. You speak as if you bear me great ill.while I hold nothing more than love for you, my sweet, sweet Elysa. Come, let us end this petty squabble and join together for the good of the people."
 * Martine says, "I've missed you."
 * Asheron says, "Martine."
 * Martine reaches toward Elysa and pulls back suddenly!
 * Martine stumbles away from Elysa and Asheron.
 * Martine says, "You! You!"
 * Martine says, "Elysa, no. Don't let him take you away from me again. No."
 * Martine says, "Come away with me, quickly before he takes you."
 * Martine says, "Why do you recoil, my love?"
 * Asheron takes a step toward Martine and lowers his voice to speak very calmly and quietly to the man.
 * Asheron says, "Martine. You are sick. You need help. We want to help you."
 * Asheron says, "I only want to help you, to give you back what you had."
 * Asheron says, "The Virindi changed you, Martine. They took part of you away and replaced you with a piece of them."
 * Martine says, "Stay away from me!"
 * Asheron says, "Martine please...let me help you. With your help, I can make everything right. I can make everything whole again."
 * Asheron says, "I can take that thing out of you."
 * Martine says, "Take us out? Query. You feel you can rectify magics you cannot comprehend?"
 * Martine says, "You are the same one who still tries to sunder our defenses to free your people, yet fail?"
 * Martine says, "You are the same Asheron that abandoned these people. No?"
 * Martine says, "You are the same Asheron that brought these people here, to a world of pain."
 * Martine says, "The same Asheron that damned his race! Killed his most prized pupil! Wrought destruction everywhere!"
 * Martine says, "Query. Can you save them all?"
 * Martine says, "Do I sound less virindi than human or more human than virindi?"
 * Asheron says, "Martine, no. Stop this, you don't want to do this."
 * Martine begins to glow with an unearthly purple light, electricity cascades off of him and a deep thrum sounds from within him, :spreading into the ground around him.
 * Martine says, "But we do! We want to see the inside of the flesh. We want to see the inside, the inside!"
 * Martine says, "Tell them Asheron, tell them what your protection does. What the lifestones do!"
 * Martine says, "Tell them how their deaths is used to save your people! Tell them! Tell them of the double edged sword you wield! Your split allegiance!"
 * Martine says, "Tell them...or I'll show them how easily I bypassed your magic and end the lives of these people forever, even your precious little Elysa!"
 * Martine calls torrents of electricity into his hands. You feel a pull from the pit of your stomach.


 * Asheron says, "Martine...I..."
 * Martine grabs his head, the sound dissipates with the halo about him.
 * Martine says, "No...get back down you thing!"
 * Martine says, "No!"
 * Elysa stares into the distance.
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "Asheron. "
 * Asheron breathes a heavy sigh of relief.
 * Asheron and High Queen Elysa have left Osteth. Martine has disappeared as well.
 * Asheron shakes his head and makes a slight gesture, looking to the spot where Elysa stood.
 * Asheron says, "I must take my leave of you. I must..."

July 10th - Coldeve Festival Stone
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 * High Queen Elysa Strathelar has arrived at the Coldeve Festival Stone. Located outside of Kara.
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "People of Dereth, I thank you for coming."
 * Elysa looks out over the crowd as if searching for someone.
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "I have called you here to speak of what has happened."
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "My son was once the target of Martine's rage. He meant to strike at Asheron for crimes that were not his, but the Virindi's."
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "We made the choice to pass through those first portals regardless of what we may want to believe. They may have called to us, but it was our choice."
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "A choice that I would not have undone. "
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "Over the past year he has worked to allow passage to Marae Lassel a place he knew was inhabited by an Olthoi Queen."
 * Elysa's tone takes on a timbre of anger and rage.
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "Ever since Martine was changed, he has been lost in a struggle with that which the Virindi placed within him. He is losing, or so it appears."
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "He has also tried to penetrate my ranks and attempt to assassinate both me and my son Borelean."
 * Elysa shoots a glance to Asheron.
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "I'm not a woman who is driven by her anger. But I cannot stand by and watch this madman tear this world apart."
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "I care not for his salvation, even though Asheron believes he can be saved."
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "If you see him, I say kill him. See him brought low."
 * Asheron closes his eyes and appears to be mumbling quietly to himself. His eyes suddenly pop open and he reaches for Elysa.
 * Elysa looks to Asheron, and speaks more quietly.
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "If you see him... "
 * Elysa Strathelar says, "What is it, Ash?"
 * Asheron waves his hand, a portal appears.
 * Asheron says, "Elysa, the ocean...something has risen. I must see this."
 * Asheron says, "Something has changed. The northeast. The closest homestead is Norstead. From there it is east. Quickly!"


 * Asheron and High Queen Elysa Strathelar have returned to his castle to study the strange events surrounding the citadel to the southeast of Aerlinthe.
 * Asheron says, "Elysa, we must go back to my island. I must see if this has happened anywhere else. This is not right. "
 * Asheron says, "The invisible river is changing. Something is gravely wrong."
 * Asheron and Elysa have returned to his Castle to study the strange events surrounding the citadel to the southeast of Aerlinthe.
 * Asheron says, "The invisible river is changing. Something is gravely wrong."
 * Asheron says, "Elysa, we must go back to my island. I must see if this has happened anywhere else. This is not right."

July 12th - Midsong Festival Stone
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 * High Queen Elysa Strathelar has arrived at the Midsong Festival Stone.


 * Elysa Strathelar says, "Our celebration has been rife with distraction and disruption. But nothing can dissuade us from our ceremonies." "We shall see this final stone lit to show our resolve!"


 * Martine arrives


 * Martine says, "And so the fly comes again to the spider's web. You were speaking, Elysa?"


 * Asheron says, "Martine, have you come to talk about my offer?"


 * Martine pauses and thinks a moment.


 * Martine's breath sounds labored through his mask.


 * Martine says, "Yes. "You said you can take it out. Remove it, give me back what I had." "I don't want it." "It itches, it burns, and it is so hard to fight." "I'm tired of fighting, tired of wondering who I am who you are...who is Melanay or Elysa?" "What have I done?"


 * Asheron says, "Then come with me, Martine. We shall go to my island and I shall do my best to help you."


 * Elysa Strathelar says, "Asheron, be careful." "You should not trust him."


 * Asheron looks back to Elysa.


 * Asheron says, "I shall be fine, Elly. ""Martine. I shall help you and then we shall begin bringing order back to the ley lines."


 * Martine says, "Ley lines? I have done nothing to the ley lines, you doddering old fool." "It was the witch that did that!"


 * "Did I tell you, about the itch, the pain, the horror...?", "Did I tell you how sometimes, when it begins within my skull, squirming below the surface, a tickle in my brain that I cannot reach?" "Did I tell you, Old Fool? That I like it?"


 * Asheron groans as the bolt of energy tears into his chest. A gout of blood shoots forward and spills onto the ground. The old mage crumples.


 * Asheron crumples toward the ground.


 * The air turns cool, and a scent of brimstone rises. Swamps bubble violently sending noxious fumes streaming into the air. Lightning flashes across the horizon, filling the sky with a bright light for one brief moment, and then all is silent.


 * Elysa pulls her bow from her back an nocks an arrow, letting it fly into Martine.


 * The arrows finds its mark and Martine looks taken aback. Elysa takes position near Asheron's side.


 * Elysa Strathelar says, "Asheron!"


 * Gaerlan Arrives


 * The air splits, and the four elements swirl about coalescing into the form of a man.


 * Martine turns to look at the man.


 * Gaerlan says, "You have done well, Martine. But I need you no longer. You will not rob me of my revenge against Asheron."


 * Martine says, "Why have you come here? You were to be watching the hall while I was out. Your insolence has earned you a punishment, my overzealous apprentice."


 * Gaerlan says, "A bit of entertainment then, to clear the crowd to make my last moment with Asheron all the better. "You, Martine, have outlived your usefulness. You have overstepped your bounds and as such you must be punished."


 * Elysa pulls her hand away from Asheron, her hand soaked in blood.


 * Asheron crumples further to the ground.


 * Elysa Strathelar says, "Asheron, get up."Asheron! Asheron!"


 * Gaerlan makes his way toward Asheron.


 * Gaerlan says, "And so it is. Asheron, that I come to claim a life, for a life. To collect on the death of my brother. And claim the role of judge, jury and executioner." "For your crimes against the Cerulean throne, and the murder of my brother, I condemn you to death."


 * Elysa nocks an arrow and lets it fly. Gaerlan catches the arrow and examines the craftsmanship.


 * Elysa slips an orb from her pouch and utters some words over Asheron.


 * Elysa Strathelar says, "This is our home now. " "You'll not take it, whoever, whatever you are."


 * Gaerlan says, "A poor tool, but then you are certainly a much younger race then we. The crudeness of your implements was expected." "But you are more feeble then even Martine or the other...Nuhmudira. Yes, that was her name, Nuhmudira. Screaming as each of her bones snapped one by one. " "Remarkable how much she learned. A pity she'll never remember anything." "I applaud your efforts, you truly know how to punish those that affront you."


 * Elysa struggles to lift Asheron to his feet. A pool of blood has gathered beneath the old mage.


 * Elysa Strathelar says, "Asheron, I need to get you out of here. Please stand up.", "Run, my people run! There will be other days to fight!"


 * Asheron stands, slowly holding the wound that has been opened in his chest. Blood flows from the wound freely.


 * Purple halos surround Asheron and Elysa as they begin to fold into portal space.


 * Asheron forces himself to stand. Blood pours from his wound.


 * Asheron says, "Gaerlan! Gaerlan!"


 * Thunder cracks in the sky and the sound is replaced by a voice, "Asheron Realaidain, you cannot hide. Wherever you will go, I will find you! I shall visit revenge upon you for the Olthoi's arrival and the death of my brother Delacim!"


 * Southeast of Aerlinthe, at the citadel, the ground trembles as if the very land itself has been moved. Flames erupt from the water billowing clouds of soot and ash into the sky. Lighting shoots down from the clouds and an acidic rain falls into the sea, turning it into a bubbling mass. A gale force wind sweeps the clouds away but a fire now burns in the sea.


 * Gaerlan raises his head toward the sky and bellows.


 * Gaerlan says, "Running away! Running away as always." "You, are a pathetic race of creatures. Insignificant and worthless. But his heart is devoted to you, I have seen that much. " "Well, then, I shall destroy his heart and then consume his soul." "You have proven what I had already known. There is nothing here but weakness. I shall reclaim and cleanse this world for its true masters."


 * Gaerlan says, "Home. At last..."


 * With that said Gaerlan proceeded to kill everyone in range before portaling to his Citadel.