The Shadow plain Event

[Azeel3]

Form the Journials of Jester:
I had no sooner arrived in my fair city of Neversummer, before i was called to notice a series of strange powerful light shards that had appeared within our noble city. Vladimir had msg me of dire news. Our leaders had been contacted by evil forces form beyond time and space, warning that unless a brave party was sent to meet the challage evil would surely over run our fair world. Many forces of the light where preparing to meet the challage when i was contacted by the noble Sara; a feirce warrior princess form another faction. Together with the mighty Vladimir of the breathren, we answered our leaders call and join this brave expodition into the realm of shadows.

We knew not what dangers lay before us but, this humble bard would be there to record the tale and spread the new for the world. Our leader was the brave and true Menelandro Cruusader of Clad. Joining him where noble warriors of many classs and skills all answering the call to fight darkness. Once joining the party i was magically summned to a place where one could enter the shadow realm. At this place called the Nexus; a place of great perial that only the bravest children of the light dare enter after achieving many ranks or proven skill. A small but powerful band gathered to meet the challage that later would reveal even more mysteries than answers.

At this Nexus was Sara, Menelandro, Netya'nis Eldaquen of the Tss, the young but powerful Cindy Moon, and a young lad by the name of Glow, eagar too prove his worth. Seeing such powerful adventures gathered for a life and death struggle of what this humble bard could only assune to be epic proporstions. Having the might Vladmir with us only strenghten my resolve to record this for the journals.

We entered into a mysty area filled with dark tourtured beings, lurking to strike at any that ventured too far form the safety of our leader Meelandro. Several times I myself was struck down only to be magically rasied by unseen forces. What games do the Gods now play with this humble bard cannot say. After crossing many dangers maps to an undisclosed area that i have only been to once or twice before we walked into the lair of the dark savorine. Forgive this humble bard if thee name's scramble; but the events so moved this humble teller of the tale that mine hand dowth slip as the mind reals form the events of the this adventure.

All hell broke loose as voice screamed taunts at us formwithin the darkness. Bravely prepared our party transformed into mighty dragons, golmes, armor glowed , weapons glistined with light and strange powers beyond my humble abilities to discribe, i knew that i was in the presence of greatness. Taunts came to us form the underworld. From what I understood form my party memebers we where to be only one part of this epic battle for control and the hope of light and peace. An evil faction of underworlders known as the DD's where to be in this battle as well, but they cried that they were too weak and fearful of what lay instore for them. They taunted and scorned Vladimir, but he answered there jest with brave and true words...JUST BRING IT!

This silenced their weak hearted taunts form the darkness. I wonder form what dark cravess they spoke to us form, we could not see any of them form their dark hidding places. As we ventured forth we were meet by a horde of demons. Pit creatures covered in scales, foul breath demons of tortured souls that failed to be ture in life and now serve in death to their evil masters.

Many brave warroirs fell in this epic battle of the darkness, and where raised by the magic of the light, powerful cleric spells that could bring a soul back form the grip of the ice death. Sword met blood soaked claws, fiendish fangs drove into powerful sheilds blessed with the powers of the Gods. What would have destroyed lesser beings was meet and conqured by this brave troop of true believes ! One after another these shadowy demons fell in combat, me thinks that the power of the light once more would overcome darkness. This battle raged for more than an hour back and forth we battles against darkness not knowing if greater dangers lurked in the wings just beyond our aura's of protection and light.

Imagie children fighting all those things that scare us in their relem, DARKNESS. Giant claws, Fangs soaked with our own blood gnawing on you form every direction as sword, hammar, whip, and bare fist struck back for truth. Bone chilling screams echoed form the depths below us as we pushed the evil ones further into their dark domian. What poor fallen souls lay beyond our reach, tortured by some form of Evil that they where not perpared to handle. Doomed to be a meal in some foul things stomch if they where lucky,or left impaled on some jagged rocky spike deep below our rampards, hearing our valuant battle rage on, help beyond them, and yet so close. Pray for the fallen my children, for we have lost too many in recent years to the darkness.

i watched as the mighty of us slayed through these thigs of the night, dropping them after such a great battel only to find our true test. At the end of this dark rampart lay what i can only discribe as a fallen bard of such evil dimentions, its presence was unsettling to say the least. It towered over 40 feet tall oozing a black layer of smoke, fire, and a foul stinch that still fills my nostrals with an odor that best be left to ones mind. Let us just say mine hand dowth slip and mine whip did attack of its own accord for i was over come with inner doubts as to what part this humble bard could play in this battle, though later i felt in retrospect that Min' song did raise the spirits of all those around me to higher levels, i noted that upon singing each memeber of my party did pick up this chours and strike as one. their dark messanger did leave after viewing his puppet fall at our hands, the light of day is not silent , but as a crack of mighty lighting striking down evil and darkenss in all its forms with a thundrious form indeed.

Kisshal the scribe this servant of evil called himself. a fallen bard, or failed wiz i know not which. offered use treadure to leave him be and depart this realm. after seeing this was not enough for such a valuant party he asked a question that confused us all at the time, for the heady flavor of blood was upon us, and we lusted for more. he asked what treasures we had aquired recently for our factions, and being mortal we did not see the entrenal meanign for we areof the mortla realm, only thing of worth catch our simple eyes. the immortal see all and values thing beyond our simple reach, for we are like children looking through a window out into the a cruel world that is beyond us and yet so close.

Kisshal warned that our worlds are becoming more and more intwinded, and that soon or later evil will break through in our very homes threatning our very exsistance. Be watchful children be ever watchful for evil does not sleep, and the dead do not rest. BUT I SAY THIS WITH A TRUE HEART AND MUCH CONVICTION. "All that value the light, truth, freedom will always stand together no matter what our differnces to meet these unholy challanges. for the LIGHT SHALL PREVIEL!"

The crueliest joke of all was played on this humble party for in the end after promises of greater riches and power, the forces of evil stoped all time and space and in a heartbeat made all of our hard earned treasure disappear, but praise Anibus for allowing each memeber to find inner rewards in his personal prize room for the Gods where pleased with our efforts this night. I feel many a ballad will come form this epic battle, maybe a full Opra for i feel this struggle is not over, but rather just beginning. know this dark underworlders, Venture into the cities of the light and u shall pay the price in blood, and gold. what none can figure out is why did non of the dd's answer their dark lords call? ave they found solist in some even dark more evil presence? do they serve so idol as yet unanmed? what forces now seek to unreaval the fabic or our world children only time can will reveal this to us, be watchful my children be watchful.

i wonder in my minds eye if these strange lights bare gifts as yet unseen for my fair neversummer, if this could have been the new unseen thing we had aquired, tis' a mystery to be assured my children. but in tiume all will be revealed for in time all will be revealed n the light. reporting this nite your humble bard-Jester

"Long live the Alliance !"

[Chernobyl_Glow]

Bravery and Moral Fortitude do not always exist amicably with Intelligence. I was well educated in my home town. Wisdom however is not Intelligence. A “Smart” young man of my skill would have wished these adventurers “Good Luck” and I would have continued my training.

Alas, I am simple. Show me evil and I will try to defeat it. I am not ashamed to die with honor.

Jester tells the latter half of this story very well. An adventuring Bard such as he is not always nearby a city when it falls under attack. I was nearby and thus, witnessed all. I am no Singer of great songs. However, I will try to complete this tale’s beginning.

This evil occurrence started with the Great Sir Pepin alerting his Guard that an evil lurked near the Academy in Neversummer City. I was the first to respond. I should have waited for help as I knew they were coming. Wait? I could not.

I saw a monstrous evil thing, shrouded in Darkness. I saw this demon slaying my townsfolk and it enraged me. The Neversummer Guards were fighting valiantly but fell at the hands of this beast. I attacked.

I am not fully trained and recognized that I would not be able to send this beast back to his home but I knew I could distract him long enough for some of the civilians to take cover. I took the form of the Red Dragon and Charged. The enormous beast was able to evade most of my blows but he could not ignore me completely. He landed strikes with his huge claws. These serrated my skin repeatedly. I knew the end was inevitable.

Then, Vladimir of the High Brethren returned!! He joined me, flanking the demon. This proved too much for the monster and together we beat the Nightshade. We rejoiced and took satisfaction in an easy win. Some towns folk only peered from their door frames. They were leery (smartly).

Just as I was thanking Vladimir for the timely assistance we heard the first scream. It came from the Mercantile area. I then saw yet another of the Demon Walkers. And another. Another. Two more, then Five. Within seconds there were a dozen of them swarming like wasps. They summoned minions and spawned other beasts. The city was overwhelmed. So were we. We were still winded from the previous fight and thoroughly dispelled. Quickly, Vlad and I were surrounded and overtaken.

At this time, the additional Calvary appeared. Menelandro and Netya'nis. And Cindy and Sara. It was admirable that these members of other factions (Northern Coalition and The Circle) were willing to temporarily set aside their disagreements with the Last Alliance and join the cause against a Greater Evil. They fought fiercely to protect Neversummer City and thus to protect all of Aetheria against the imminent flood of wickedness. They Resurrected Vlad and I so that we could join them.

Through a combined effort, we were able to finally slay one being at a time. Standing close for the added protection and solidarity. I was proud to be there. We cleared the entire city of menace. (Except for the pick pockets in the Old City. They’ll have to wait.)

We heard there were more demons in the Shadow Legion. We ran to their aid and evils in that part of Aetheria were slain as well. Unfortunately, the Shadow Legion’s faithful were not appreciative of the help. To them, there was not a single degree of separation in their hatred for our group and the demons. Their shaded eyes viewed our troupe as a evil liken to the outsiders. Outright assaults were suffered, sneaky (and successful) assassinations were attempted, Continual harassments endured and yet we persevered through all. Our true focus was to find the source of the True evil.

Sir Pepin had to tend to NS City but he gave us guidance that the true Source lie in the Plane of Shadows. We made haste through the Nexus finding Jester along the way. The Song of the remaining conquest has been sung. Evil is defeated for now though it promises a strengthened return.

Take care all,

– Glow –

…

On another note, I have been training long and hard for an opportunity to protect my realm, my faction and my city. This was my first opportunity. I played only a minor role in our success but am proud of that. The others were the reason for true success.

I would like to give some credit to a fine man, Anubis. He has been an excellent trainer. The first Master that I have been able to work with. His contributions (and others like him) give much color, purpose, challenge and therefore excitement to our days in Aetheria. Thank you for my first event. – g –

[disabled_jerk]

We heard there were more demons in the Shadow Legion. We ran to their aid and evils in that part of Aetheria were slain as well. Unfortunately, the Shadow Legion’s faithful were not appreciative of the help. To them, there was not a single degree of separation in their hatred for our group and the demons. Their shaded eyes viewed our troupe as a evil liken to the outsiders. Outright assaults were suffered, sneaky (and successful) assassinations were attempted, Continual harassments endured and yet we persevered through all. Our true focus was to find the source of the True evil.

You have got to be kidding. You guys raided our temple and took off with relics during this time of so called "helping". We had every right to not appreciate your so called help that you brought. We had the demons beat and we had a clear temple until your kind came in all bows cocked and firing in every direction. Give me a break. Oh yes we do hate all outsiders as we can take care of our own. If you are not with us then you are against us.

[Chernobyl_Glow]

Well. Perhaps you are more correct than I. It is possible that we too could not see degrees of evil. Good is not always right and a quick sword sometimes regrets its work.

In any case, we did not all fight on the same side. I'm not sure that we could have. But we didn't try. Perhaps setting aside our differences in the face of such evil is the best option. None of us chose that option. The Gods may toy with us. It is our choice to be pawns and allow it. We all allowed it and thus we were divided.

Who knows. If we had banded together we'd have been a more formidable force of Aetheria no doubt. We might have been able to defeat Kisshal the Scribe and end this outsider invasion once and for all. Surely the rewards would have been much more lucrative. Again, We didn't. Either None or All are to blame for this. Perhaps it will be different next time. Perhaps not. I'm open to either. You and I have not always disagreed and the Sun will set on us all one day just the same.

Be good, Sir Pandemic.

- Glow -