CHAPTER 04
Realm of the Wildkin, Astraena
Four hours prior to midnight about five days until September's first full moon

The P.A.R.T.Y., battered but victorious, stands in a strange wooden temple of sorts that they come to learn is known to the wild elves as, simply, The Retreat.

White light from the statue continues to suffuse the room, slowly healing all of your assorted wounds -- though it does nothing to alleviate any of the weakening effects that yet linger from the battle with Veilspire.

The spirit of Wildheart, bathed in the light that yet emanates from the crystal maple leaf embedded within the statue's heart, is standing upon the dais and staring at Cassie, lost in thought.

Petri the Elder has busied himself with the task of helping bring Travian to his feet -- Geminus, sadly, did not survive the battering storm of ice and hail, and his body has remained undisturbed in the aisle while care is administered to those who yet live.

Zuriel stands upon the dais as well, looking sickly pale but physically unharmed.  Lyriel, too, appears no worse for the wear -- though her normally radiant countenance seems muted at the moment.  Keef still wields the Everstaff, though the protective shield of red light that bubbled around his form during the battle has faded.

[Private to Keef: "That energy will sustain me for quite some time, Master.  Perhaps even a day! Let me know if you'd like to do something with it."]

Across the room stand Boreas and Maeve, both cautiously shouldering their bows in the aftermath of the fight.

Cassie and Cheila remain imprisoned in amber on the far side of the dais.

[Crossroads]
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:02, Sun 03 Nov 2013.

In reply to DM (msg # 1):

Maeve shamefacedly pulls out the damn coldfire torch.

Really should have thought of this ages ago.

In reply to Maeve (msg # 2):

Keef holds up the Everstaff and looks at it with wonder.  He turns to the figure of Wildheart,

Back for another great battle... that was amazing!

Boreas glances over at Maeve, noticing her abashed look.

That would've come in handy.

We all make mistakes.  What's important is that he's gone, at least for now.

He sweeps his gaze over the imprisoned Cassie, thin green beam passing over the choker.

We still need to do something about that choker.  It's still got magic in it...

It takes a moment for the reality of what just happened to sink in, and Boreas turns, bent over to pick up an arrow, and stares up at the Wildheart.  His emerald eye glows with a bright light that appears somehow distant, originating deep within the stone.

Zuriel looks down shakily at his armor, surveying the extent of the laundry that will be necessary in the near future.

"Something tells me that's not the last we've seen of that particular spirit." He exhales loudly and addresses Agarwaen. "So, what do we do know?"

And what is to become of Cassie?

"By the way," he adds, "it's a pleasure to meet you, Uncle."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:38, Wed 30 Oct 2013.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 5):

Lyriel gives herself a quick once over, seeing that most of the damage left is superficial; then turning toward Maeve she addresses the easterner.

Thank you for saving my life Maeve. It was getting kind of a scary there for a moment, I was almost certain I was about to bleed out.

It was touch and go for sure.  For a moment there, I was scared to give you the potion as it was a gift from our esteemed friend Sir Giles.  I suppose we should be grateful to him that he proved worthwhile on this occasion.

In reply to Maeve (msg # 7):

"We will deal with the Cloven Collar shortly," Wildheart nods at Boreas.  "But Veilspire is contained within it for the time being -- unable to further manifest for several days, at the earliest.  We should use that window to think our options through.  You have a curious connection to a world beyond ours that I would know more about..."

The spirit turns toward Keef, regarding both the Everstaff and the Crown.

"But there is another deadline to keep in mind.  I myself cannot remain manifest forever -- every moment spent in this world carries a high price in the next.  Veilspire may not care about the repercussions, but I do."

He smiles reassuringly at Keef, reaching out to ruffle his hair with a surprisingly warm hand before looking toward Zuriel.

"The boy's curse cannot be lifted easily, but it can be lifted.  If you hold even a fraction of the tenacity and devotion to Justice that makes the Flame so frustratingly overbearing within you, I feel certain you will succeed."

He pauses, raising an eyebrow.

"And yet... You carry the blood of Silédril in your veins, and have called me Uncle.  I am curious to know what they say of me, who you truly are, and why you have come.  Surely the Temple of Tassada would the be your first choice for breaking curses, would it not?  I can only imagine what the Flame has to say about my actions, even after all these years."
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:45, Thu 31 Oct 2013.

In reply to DM (msg # 8):

So... some sort of an epic quest for a cure? Keef's eyes sparkle with excitement.

In reply to Keef (msg # 9):

Wildheart chuckles dryly.

"If you mean dangerous, difficult, and -- at times -- grueling, then yes."

The spirit turns to the others.

"Some history may help you understand what's at play here.  Veilspire's continued existence, as well as my own, is tied to what some would call an exploit of the path spirits are intended to take.  As you know, upon death, your soul is sent to its final resting place in the realms beyond, each according to its ultimate character."

"Some souls get lost along the way, or are affected by machinations designed to channel them elsewhere.  Veilspire feared what most corrupted beings do -- an eternity in the Nine Hells. Having already designed the Cloven Collars to contain the essence of druidic spirits, it was child's play to make the modifications necessary to turn them into receptacles for his own spirit, should it be required."

Wildheart sighs wearily.

"Those accursed Chokers, at their core, prevent a single departing soul from going to their intended destination -- trapping them in the eternal limbo that is the Ethereal Plane.  It was a fate worse than death for the noble druids his Circle slew and enslaved to power their cruel ambitions."

"My allies and I learned of this far too late to stop it from happening, and vowed to free the souls of our brothers and sisters.  We traveled to the Ethereal Plane and destroyed the anchors associated with each collar, freeing the captured souls and rendering the druid wearing that collar powerless. A win/win."

Wildheart pauses as the information sinks in, then continues with a frown of irritation.

"It would seem that we missed one, and that Veilspire's tainted soul was able to find it after his defeat.  A mistake I mean to rectify as soon as possible."

The spirits figure fades slightly before intensifying once more.

"As a being similarly bound on another Plane -- a sacrifice gladly made to safeguard the Wilds -- I can help you purge his blight once and for all.  But be warned: I am not bound to the Ethereal Plane, and it will take almost all of my strength to transport you there and keep you protected from the ambient dangers of the realm.  The fewer I send, the greater my strength will be."

His gaze settles upon each member of the P.A.R.T.Y. in turn.

"Once Veilspire is truly destroyed, the Crown's magic should fade -- releasing the boy from its curse.  What do you say?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:53, Thu 31 Oct 2013.

I relish the chance to rid the world of this corrupting blight.  However, the spirit of Veilspire proved difficult to hurt with ordinary weapons.  I have my own means of addressing this...

The gem in Boreas' eye sparks briefly.

... but the warriors in our band, particularly Maeve, will need something magical to deal with what we might face.  I have seen her skill with the polearm.  Perhaps you have a way to imbue it with some magical energy?

"I doubt the Flame has changed much since you left. The reason we chose to seek out your spirit was in part because I was worried that the Flame's methods of lifting the curse would be too harsh. With Keef, they might see fit to attempt a actual lifting of the curse, but there is no doubt in my mind that the Flame would have determined the simplest solution to part the necklace from Cassie would have been along with her head and neck. I feel there is good in her yet, and I didn't want to subject her to such a fate."

He looks back at Cassie before turning to address Wildheart fully. "As for myself, I am Edrahil's son. Truly, I did not know what fate had befallen you, or that the Wildheart was in fact my uncle, until just earlier today. My father never speaks of you other than to mention that you were a traitor who brought shame on our family. Obviously, I am of a different opinion. Aunt Analíenna rarely speaks of you at all. The topic makes her too sad."

In a softer voice, he adds, "Your sister misses you terribly."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:05, Thu 31 Oct 2013.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 12):

Wildheart sighs, a haunted look in his eyes.

"Ah, Edrahil.  A loyal knight 'til the end, head so high above the clouds that he forgets the people who exist below it.  But Analíenna!  I'm glad to hear she misses me -- though it does not surprise me.  But better, I think, for them to assume the flesh-and-blood version of me dead and gone than know I persist in my current form."

He frowns slightly and motions to himself.

"I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if the Flame were to attempt an exorcism should they learn of this.  And despite Ana's best intentions, she would eventually let it slip to your father, and after that... it's too risky."

Wildheart sighs again, sadly, then turns to Boreas and Maeve.

"But on to the matter at hand.  The two of you would help, if given the tools to do so effectively?  Excellent.  I'm sure we can work something out, and your aid would be appreciated."

He glances at Zuriel, Lyriel, and Keef.

"Are we a trio, then, or do others wish to accompany us?  I can understand entirely if you'd rather rest a while here in our sanctuary, but I do need to make the appropriate preparations -- and time is of the essence."
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:48, Fri 01 Nov 2013.

Zuriel chuckles to hear his father so described. "What is to become of Cassie while we are gone? Surely you don't mean to imprison her for such a length of time in that manner?" Zuriel asks, gesturing towards the amber encasing the Druid.

Perhaps you could remain to ensure that she is safe and that the power in her choker doesn't manifest again on this side of the divide.  You and Lyriel took the brunt of the spirit's assault, though I dare say we all suffered a bit in that battle.  It may do you well to recover while we perform this errand.

Don't worry, hopefully we won't have too much adventure without you.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 15):

Wildheart considers Cassie's plight for a moment, then nods toward Zuriel.

"It would be wise, if you are willing, to have you and the cleric, at least, remain here in case Veilspire attempts to escape the Ethereal Plane before we can extinguish his spirit for good.  This will also afford Highborn like yourselves a chance to mingle with wild elves -- an experience I think will do both of you good."

"Be warned; time passes differently in each Plane.  We could be gone for a heartbeat, or for a very long time."

Maeve nods in agreement at Boreas' observation that the two devotees of Tassada had incurred the brunt of Veilspire's magic.  Quite.  I doubt that Veilspire thought that a lowly soldier from the East presented any threat to his being.

She runs a finger along the edge of the torch and smiles grimly.

He thought wrong.

But what of you, Keef?  Will you and Chubbs be accompanying us on this venture?  If I had my way you would be staying here to rest, but I know if you want to go there will be no stopping you.

Zuriel weighs his uncle's words, looking back at Cassie's inanimate form. He nods, mind made up. "I hate to see you all venture forth into danger without me, but the situation here is not exactly secure. I'd rather not leave Cassie unattended. Very well, I shall stay. Lyriel, do you care to join me? Your powers will be invaluable if Veilspire manages to re-manifest."

He pauses. "Although I would like to speak with you at some point, Uncle. I have many questions to ask, and I imagine you have some of your own as well."