The Frozen Gate

Tuesday evening, Lord Magnus Grey, Royal Spymaster, assembled the Royal Spies at their secret headquarters to discuss the latest mission the spies were being sent on. “The King shares our concern on the slowly expanding dome,” Grey announced, refering to Mors Gotha’s blackrock dome encasing a guard tower in southeastern Britain. “You will be working with Michael on this problem,” Grey added, “I believe Damion’s injuries and state of mind make him problematic to work with on this matter.” The Royal Spies headed to Castle Blackthorn to meet with Michael of Moonglow to learn what help he could be.

“As you have probably guessed, the prisms are connected to the dome,” Michael told the assembled Spies. “Think of the prisms as a sort of river of magic. They connect a bunch of lakes and ponds together. Using this river, Mors Gotha sort of poured a lot of magic into her spell to make the dome.” Michael then noted that the blackrock dome would likely grow into a large space, suggesting that perhaps it would eventually be large enough to house an invasion army. Michael also noted that Neptune’s suggestion that the blackrock dome acted as a sort of anchor was correct, and the plan then would be to direct the magical energies away from the dome. In order to do so, the set of blackrock prisms being used on the other end of the magical energies, those likely used by Mors Gotha, would have to be recovered. “I think we can reopen the gates Mors Gotha used. And send you somewhere else…”

Elemental Battle

Following Michael to the blackrock dome, the goal was to use one of the blackrock prisms to open a gate to the location of one of Gotha’s prisms and retrieve it. “When Mors Gotha opened her gate,” Michael explained, “the prisms started to behave strangely.” Pointing at a prism that had been placed near the blackrock gate, Michael noted, “This one got really, really cold.” Michael then requested the assistance of all mages and magical beings, asking everyone else to back away for safety’s sake. As Michael placed runes around the blackrock prism, the mages were asked to chant a spell: “In Ort Vas Rel Por.” Over and over they chanted, until suddenly there was a great explosion of energy, and a handful of Greater Frost Elementals poured through the gate, attacking the Royal Spies.

Once the monstrous elementals were defeated, Michael and the Spies returned to the blackrock prism. “I believe the path is stable now,” Michael announced, warning, “I suggest you do not stray far from the gate.” The group traveled through the now stable gate, arriving in a cold, frosty environ filled with equally chilling horrors. Facing Ice Golems, the battle was frenzied and chaotic, but eventually the Royal Spies prevailed, only to face Dire Ghosts. The second battle on the other side of the gate was far less hectic, and in time, the entrance was secured.

Anodunos

With time to inspect, two tomes and a warm, wrapped body were discovered. Michael hefted the wrapped body, noting that it was still breathing. A huge ice barrier barred further progression, and so Michael and the Royal Spies retreated back to Britannia to care for the wrapped figure, and to take time to figure out how to further progress. It was clear that Gotha’s first prism would not be recovered this eve. Placing the figure in the care of the inn near the Spies’ headquarters, the Spies themselves reported back to Lord Grey the events of the eve.

The following passages are the texts from the two tome found beyond the frozen gate:
 

The Frozen City by Alorik
Ours was a great city. Lead by our queen, Beatrice, it was a center of art and culture for the entire continent. Our people were prosperous because the warm climate meant we never went hungry, and deposits of filanium brought trade and wealth to our home.
      It was not to last. The northern empires waged war against us, and we lost [all of our] land but our walled city. In our moment of desperation, our mages cast desperate rituals to summon allies to our cause, but not demon or elemental could stop the hordes. Our calls through the Ethereal Void brought us to the attention of another power who sent its emissary to teach us in the ways of war for a price. With Mors Gotha’s help, we turned our filanium’s purpose from healing toward death. We brought destruction to our enemies.
      Our weapons were terrible, and even won, the war demoralized our people. The price we paid was even higher. We paid higher and higher tributes to this great being, [strip] mining away our wealth of filanium. Eventually, the burden became too great, and we refused to pay any [more]. We never expected what happened next.
      This faceless titan cursed our world, bringing a magical cold that turned our paradise into eternal winter. We did our best to survive for as long as we could, moving underground around thermal vents and building great golems to travel out into the cold. It was not enough. The world grew even colder, and eventually, so many of us [simply] went to sleep. Anodunos is now a frozen grave.

The Warm Body

Filanium by Alorik
Filanium, the greatest resource of Anodunos, is a mineral prized for its use in healing magic and alchemy. In its unrefined state, filanium mud can be used in baths that promote good health. [The] mineral can also be dissolved in healing potions that can cure many different ailments.
      The mineral has other uses. That which it can heal, it can also destroy, so dangerous sorcerers have been known to use the mineral for harming spells and rituals. The mineral can also be used to bind together creatures of flesh and creatures of spirit. Some in the northern lands have been known to use this mineral to allow dead ancestors to speak through them.

The Royal Spies meet on most Tuesdays at 8:00 PM (Central) beneath the Britain Counselors Hall in West Britain (near the bridge leading to King Blackthorn’s Castle). Everyone is invited to attend these events. The next meeting of the Royal Spies will be on Tuesday, 12 February 2013 at 8:00 PM (Central).

Also, mark your calendars for the RED VELVET FAIRE on Saturday, 16 February at 4:00 PM (Central), an afternoon faire featuring Naked Archery, Teddy Bear Summoning, and a Kissing Booth!

Commander Gwendolen Kincade

Michael of Moonglow

General Mors Gotha

Blackrock Dome

Gwendolen Kincade, Commander of the Royal Britannian Guard, assembled the forces of the Royal Guard this evening in the Warrior’s Guild across the bridge from the West Britain Bank.  After asking for a report of anything new in the land, Commander Kincade announced some grim news.  “The eastmost guard tower [in Britain] has become enclosed by a blackrock dome!”  The dome was completely enclosed by the dome which, as Kincade noted, had suddenly appeared, though, “Luckily, nobody was inside.”  Charged to investigate it, the assembled guard traveled via gate to the nearby guard tower.

Sure enough, the guard tower in south-eastern Britain had been completely encased in a blackrock dome.  Michael of Moonglow, a frequent aid to the Crown, was present, casting divining spells to determine the source of the dome.  As he stood near the dome, Michael cast a spell, “Vas An Lor Ylem Wis.”  Whatever he may have learned, he looked worried.  Of course, one of the assembled guard, one Mr.Bubbles, could not resist attempting to cast Armageddon.  “Vas Kal An Mani In Corp Hur Tym!” Bubbles cried out, but thankfully, he failed to ignite the assembled dome.  Michael of Moonglow, meanwhile, attempted to dig beneath the dome, determining that it was unlikely wise to dig under it.  Attempting to divine more, Michael switched to another spell.  “Vas An Lor Ylem Wis.”  Finally exhausted by results, Michael noted, “It reminds me of the other artifacts Blackthorn asked me to look at… That I shouldn’t talk about.  This was summoned.”  With that bit of news, Ra’Dian Fl’Gith, one of the Royal Guardsmen, stated, “I wonder if the strange woman who came through the gate last week might know anything.”  Michael followed that by adding that the dome was growing, but moving around things, like a plague beast, “So it won’t crush our buildings.  Just enclose them all.”  It was then that he suggested contacting the other blackrock expert.  “Please don’t tell me you mean that damn necromancer?” Galen of the Guard asked.

Unfortunately for the assembly, it turned out that Michael had indeed been suggesting Damion, who was in Umbra.  Damion was at first very busy, unwilling to pay much attention to the assembled guards, but when mention was made of the blackrock dome, he was immediately intersted.  As soon as Damion agreed to help though, members of the Bastion of Light assaulted the assembled team.  Though they were fairly quickly felled, Damion was stabbed during the altercation.  Damion survived, but was visibly shaken and angry that his aiding the Royal Britannian Guard nearly got him killed, but he seemed ready to help anyway, perhaps out of spite to those who had attacked him.  Returning with what few blackrock shards remained, and revealing that the mysterious woman from the previous week had been seen during the scuffle, he incanted a spell upon them.  “Kal Por Vas Wis Ylem.”

The splinters of blackrock on the ground began to tremble to an inhuman voice.  “Soon… soon… this world as with all others…” the voice spoke.  Suddenly a woman’s voice joined in with the chant.  “Vas In Jux An Lor Ylem!”  Suddenly the splinters on the ground formed themselves into a small dome.  “In Ort Tym Vas Rel Por!  In Ort Tym Vas Rel Por!” the chanting continued.  The splinters then began to swirl as if controlled by the magics of a moongate.  They then began to slither around on the ground like a snake, finally standing up and clumping into something resembling a mountain range.  The splinters then drifted to the side, forming a camp in a valley before scattering as though a wind had blown them apart.

Camp of Mors Gotha

“That wasn’t helpful,” Damion noted, “but I recognized the mountains.”  With a quick gate, the Royal Britannian Guard was off to the Serpentspine Mountains, where they quickly found the mysterious woman’s camp, and a few members of the Bastion of Light.  “An attack?” the woman called out upon sight of the Guard, “I will not allow anyone to disrupt my plans!”  Though the Bastion was again defeated, the mysterious woman was not yet done with her tricks.  “I will slay you with a creature born of my will!” she called out, and then cast, “Vas Corp Por Ort Xen!”  Suddenly an energy vortex of great proportion appeared, and though it proved a worthy challenge, so too was it felled.  “I am outnumbered,” the mysterious woman cried out, “but soon my legions will storm this world!  You will face the wrath of Mors Gotha!”

As Mors Gotha departed, a tome was found which read:  A month ago, one of the lost prisms called to us through the Void, screaming out as it was shattered.  They had been lost in time and space for so long, taken and hidden by our enemy, Hawkwind.  They were on an [sic] world that had not fallen to our shadows and demons.  I would go to be an emissary, to bring a [sic] unremarkable world into the fold.  I prepared an army to come with me when I opened the door wider.  Whoever they are, they managed to slam the gateway shut at the last moment, but not before I could slip inside.  Most of them weak, with pathetic magics, but I hav seen signs of powers.  I must bind a spell to this place to ensure our invasion plans.  The spell will grown in time, fed by the Ethereal Void, into a great blackrock dome.  Vas In Jux An Lor Ylem!  If I stay here, even with these allies, I risk my spell being undone.  I must escape back through the gateway.  For that I need a gem and another spell to unlock the door and keep it open.  I will open the door near my blackrock dome.  In Ort Tym Vas Rel Por!

Nightmare of the Eight Worlds

Realizing that most of her text had come to pass, the Royal Guard rushed back to the blackrock dome, only to find Mors Gotha there casting her spell.  “In Ort Tym Vas Rel Por!”  With a sudden rush, what can only be described as a worldgate opened.  Through the shimmering gateway, many worlds could be seen, and it was clear that Mors Gotha was about to make her grand escape.  Suddenly a massive creature, a Nightmare of the Eight Worlds, apparently born of the void itself, came crashing through and began to attack the assembled guard.  The massive, shadowy beast flashed all over the place, flames licking the grounds and guards, fiery wrath exploding everywhere, and many of the Guard struggled to fell the foul beast.  A long, hard fought battle with the beast eventually resulted in victory, and the assembled Guard immediately turned its attention back to Mors Gotha.

The Worldgate

“You have defeated two-bit demons and whispers on the wind,” Gotha taunted.  “You have not faced me.  I am General Mors Gotha.”  As she touched the dome, Gotha added, “I created this.  But it is evidence of my power.  Do not assume you are in the same league as me.  Soon…”  As she spoke her final words, she again touched the dome, and then entered the worldgate.  Shortly after her departure, the gate exploded in a rain of fire, closing.

With little else to do, the Royal Britannian Guard returned to report to Commander Kincade, where it was agreed the realm should be on high alert.  Kincade noted, “Michael and I will consult with the king and determine our next steps regarding the dome.”  Whatever threats Mors Gotha had made in passing back to her own realm, surely the last had not been seen of her.

The Royal Spies meet on most Tuesdays at 8:00 PM (Central) beneath the Britain Counselors Hall in West Britain (near the bridge leading to King Blackthorn’s Castle). Everyone is invited to attend these events. The next meeting of the Royal Spies will be on 5 February 2013 at 8:00 PM (Central).