The Harvest Moon Consortium

[Winterhawk99]

Lauriella goes about her work in her cabin. She opens up one book where she drew a symbol of an axe and sword with a spider on top. Raryldor had asked her about it. She remembered that her group in Mulhorand had come upon an amulet that had the very symbol on it. One of the minor Hems said that he new what it was. He said it is the symbol of The Sons of Lolth, but seemed to be afraid of saying anything more.

She muses on the symbol and writes down. Does this have a connection to Vhaeraun? I must find out. As she continues to muse there is a knock on the door. With a wave of her hand an unseen servant in the room opens it, surprising the large captain of the ship whose frame is as big as the door itself. He looks around as if there were a ghost in the room then asks, "Miss Sithmore? I have heard you are a mage of the House?"

"Well met, captain. And yes, I am." She replies questioningly.

He stammers still looking for someone in the tight quarters, "Our pilot is sick with fever."

She immediately drops her quill and takes up her herbal bag. They walk down to another cabin in the upper deck meant for officers and guests. There she finds the half-orc that calls himself Jao, hot with fever and delirious. The captain stands beside her. His countenance grave, "Should we bleed him?"

Lauriella raises and eyebrow, "Bleeding is a superstition of the sword coast. captain. No, we will not bleed him. We have to keep him warm to burn the fever out. He must eat and drink as much as he can. and I will make a herbal tea for him like this." She gets her mortar and pestle out and grinds together yarrow, elderberry flowers, and peppermint. Adding a cup of water she pours the concoction into a metal bowl. With a simple cantrip she heats the solution to steaming. Then she makes the pilot drink it.
"I will tend to him. He will need to drink this twice a day until the fever breaks. It will take a few days but he will recover." She says as she examines the broad chested sailor that has most likely spent most of his entire life at sea.

The captain grunts, "Good, but we will need to have someone to guide us during the night hours."

"All mages know the stars and can calculate. I offer my services for the time it takes."

"I will pay you the going rate of a first mate."

"It's not necessary, captain. How about a return of my fare? That should be pay enough."

He nods, "You're not much like the rest of your family are you, lass?"

"At this point I'm not really sure, but it is my duty to help."

"If you can track the stars and know your numbers you'll make due. It's a deal then. Thank you."

Lauriella smiles, "Well met and welcome."

She stands on the deck beside the wheel, a sextet in hand, charts in front of her. The first mate a half-elf mans the wheel. The night air has a chill as a north wind cuts across the sea. It chills everyone on deck. Most keep their hands in their coats. All except for the new woman pilot that seams completely immune to the chill of night.

She takes her measurements and tells the young man, "I need you to turn the wheel 12 degrees, 40 minutes, and 22 sec...…………"
He interrupts, "We are not that precise, Ma'am"

She looks up to see him looking back an eyebrow raised, "Ok then 13 degrees."

"Which way?"

"She points."

Again his right eyebrow raises, "You've never done this before have you? That's Starboard!"

She blinks, "No, I know where we are. I know where the harbor is on the map. We seem to be always drifting off the course I set?"
"Waukeen have mercy! The tides, currents and winds drift the ship often to the side. You must adjust your numbers for the shifting."

"Ok! A moment then." She looks at the numbers again back three hours. She looks up to the stars with the sextet. The first mate sighs heavily.

"15 degrees. that should compensate." There's a long pause as the first mate slumps at the wheel. She gets it commanding, "Starboard."

"Thank You!"

"I'm doing my best."

"Do better!"

A few hours later she takes a reading and brings the sextet down, "that's strange"

The first mate tenses. What's strange?"

"We're slightly off course again."

There's silence. the first mate turns back to her anger in his eyes.

"Oh...…..yes...…….Two degrees."

He stares at her. She swallows, "The other starboard?"

He lowers his voice, "It's not called the other starboard...……..It's PORT! YOU STUPID WENCH!

"Ok! OK! I got it. She points Starboard. She moves her arm. Port. "

"And what is behind us?"

She looks back, "The Ass?"

"UMBERLEE'S STORM! YOUR ALMOST RIGHT. ITS AFT!"

"Oh I though sailors called it the ass they yell so loud."

The first mate turns to the wheel and holds it in a death grip.

After four nights the pilot comes up on deck. He walks over to the pair the first mate is muttering to himself, "I am most thankful to you hempt. I would have been weeks in bed without you."

"You are most welcome Jao. I think I should get back. I may have to check on Frank in the morning. He seems to be under some stress."

"Keep that witch away from me!" The first mate replies.

Jao narrows his eyes. He never liked the first mate unbeknownst to Lauriella. He gently takes the sextet off of her and check the stars and charts himself, replying, "We are on coarse. You did well, Hemt Sithmore."

The first mate cuts in, "It's not because of this slut that we're on coarse, Jao."

"Did you take any readings?"

"No!"

"Lauriella. I want to make you a deal. You saved my life. I wish to teach you the fine arts of piloting if you will. You see you have to know the waters you sail in to anticipate all the things that can make the ship take a drift. If you stay here with me I will teach you this sea, and how it moves. Then you never need to book passage. You can hire on as a pilot."

Lauriella considers it, "I think I would like that."

"Good then its a fair payment. The deal is done. Here have the sextet back and I will assist."

The first mate visibly shakes, muttering to himself as he stays at the wheel.

[Winterhawk99]

Lauriella walks into the large library room. There are quite a few Clerics in the room along with Hemt Netjer Chathe Fezim. They are seated in an open circle of chairs. Chathe stands and walks up to her. They greet grabbing one another's forearms.

Chathe speaks first, "I received your letters on your problem Hemt. Because you are the only one properly trained by Tarset, I have gathered a number of priests of the temple to discuss this with you."

"Thank you Hemt Netjer."

The archmage takes Lauriella's hand and guides her to the open chair. Lauriella waits for Chathe to sit then sits herself, "Priests of the temples this is Hemt Lauriella Sithmore. The one I told you about. Lauriella, to my right is Herhot. He is the high priest of Horus-Re. To my left is Sotar. He is High priest of Throth. To your right is Hor-Uta, high priestess of Hathor. And on your left is Makara, High priestess of Isis. Please explain to them what your letters said to me."

Lauriella takes a deep breath and then meets each one separately with her eyes, "It began with a trip to Vaasa to help the people of my new home...…………."

When she is done she bows her head and waits in respect and for the priests and priestesses to digest the information she imparted to them.

Sotar is the first to comment, "This may be a rare thing in the lands you come from, Hemt Sithmore. It is not so rare here. In fact it is becoming common among the northern provinces. You were lucky to escape."

Herhot chimes in, "Sotar, Makara, Why is it that the vampires of Thay particularly wish to have mortal children? Other undead of the Thay hierarchy pay little mind to their living subjects."

Makara answers the question, "Unlike most undead vampires have virility. My summation is that because they are thinking beings with awareness of their sexuality they seek out some normalcy by taking mortal concubines and seeding them. A vampire as we know always seeks to hide themselves among the living. They have the same greed and afflictions of the soul that mortals do. They would want their prodigy to flourish if by some means they die permanently."

Lauriella asks, "What should I expect?"

Sotar rubs his bearded chin, "About 10% are abominations Hemt Sithmore. Most of these are peasants and working class. These pregnancies are hard. You will become allergic to silver. Sunlight with begin to hurt your eyes for a time then you will become extremely uncomfortable with it. The sunlight will not hurt you nor the baby but it will make you feel like your skin is burning. This will all subside after the birth of the baby. If it is viable.Vampires particularly like mages for they know how the weave works. The magic they wield seems to protect the child. However, like you most mages are of frail constitution. The vampires also like this for it stands for a better chance that the baby will be born normally and the mother will die in childbirth. A warning to you Lauriella. When you have the child and if you live. He will come for you and the child. Perhaps not for years. I am not as perceptive on how long an elven lives being there are few both here and in Thay. He will eventually come."

"Our life expectancy is somewhere around 5 centuries, Hem Netjer Sotar."

Hor-uta looks up, "I would think based on the Vampires of Thay it would be anytime from the time of birth until the child becomes an adolescent. Most likely a 60 or 70 year span of time?"

Lauriella swallows, "He is a powerful sorcerer."

Makara comforts her, "That may give you time to prepare then."

Lauriella looks around, "Is this hall protected?"

Sotar frowns, "Yes, Hemt Sithmore. The temple of Throth is always protected. The libraries of the temple hold all the secrets of Mulhorand. It is at all times as most temples including the House of Life."

Lauriella bobs her head, "Thank you, Hem Netjer. What of the child if it is not an abomination?"

Hor-Uta answers her, "The child should by our experiences grow up normally until they hit puberty. Then depending of their raising and certain precautions they may stay that way. If they live in darkness and have bad parents they're soul with twine. They will appear normal but will be able to transform into a form of vampiric double like a twin. They will still be mortal but will have the abilities of a vampire in this form."

"What may I do to stave off the effects to give my child a chance at normalcy?"

Chathe answers her, "This is the house of life question. I will give you further reading materials but basically it is this. Give him or her large quantities of everything that vampires shy from. Give them silver jewelry to wear. Make sure they get lots of sunlight. Some of our women who have babies like this have their children swim in the local streams and rivers where the water travels. Give them lots of garlic in their meals, and have for them mirrors so that they learn to use them."

Herhot concludes, "Lauriella child, Horus-Re is a forgiving god. He knows innocence when his chariot looks out upon the lands. You follow these ways for the child and remain faithful to your goddess moon and he will have mercy. Perhaps your own goddess will. Do not doubt the power of the gods to show their mercy to innocence by healing blight within them."

Makara rests her hand upon Lauriella's, "Hemt Netjer Fezim tells me you are extremely faithful to this elven goddess of the moon. Take our advise and stay faithful. Child you have no idea how much this will help you with your baby."

Lauriella nods and grasps Makaras hand, "Thank you Hemt Netjer."

Chathe looks to her, "Hemt Sithmore; The house of life has not been able to contact Hemt Netjer Tarset for several months. Would you know what has happened that we have lost contact?"

"Tarset sent me a vision. She has taken a long journey that will take decades to complete. She is gone from this world. She will probably not be back within a human lifetime."

Chathe frowns, "Then you are invaluable to us, Hemt Sithmore. You are the only one who was taught the full of Tarset's magic. You must be protected in some way. I also worry about your frailty."

"I have a ring that helps me. I am also willing to do what is necessary to survive so my child will have a chance at a normal life."
Sotar smiles, "Good, You are ready then Hemt. As per the rules of the house of Life you will not engage with any undead until the child is born nor do any exorcism."

Chathe continues, "You can study and teach in the library or you could go to field and tend to the villages with no hemt to help with ailments. As for the child. He may live in one of the temples when you are not with us. That is when he or she can eat solid food. Until that time all agree the mother should be with her baby to bond with. What must be decided is which temple you would wish them to grow with. With this however; you must align yourself with greater Mulhorand. We know you feel Narfell is your home and you already align with them. We will be a secondary allegiance for you. Perhaps one day you will help establish relations between the two countries. This is our hope.

"I don't understand? you wish for me to be some form of ambassador?"

Herhot answers her, "Not as such, Hemt. We wish for you to promote Mulhorand to your people that we may one day have good relations and possible trade with them. After the slave revolt and immigrations to our lands. we are missing many things to help the freed slaves, but also grow rare things that the people of Narfell would appreciate. If you were to speak positive words about our nation then perhaps a friendship could be formed. Thay would think twice about damaging us as they have no regard for us now."

Lauriella closes her eyes in thought. She doesn't open them when she answers, "Narfell and Mulhorand are such different cultures. Narfell is barbaric and wild full of adventurers and those seeking to gain their human throne. They are suspicious of our necromancy and I hear it being a that I am a death mage in the house of life.
Mulhorand is a land of laws and edict. Where society has its structured tiers. Life for the commoner though not easy is not fraught with where they will get good food and water a home to live in. Both the priests of temples and the priest of the house work together to keep peace in the land. It would be hard to seek common ground. I will do what I can."

Hemt Netjer Fezim smiles, "That is all we ask of you, Hemt. What are your choices?"

Lauriella thinks a long time, "If this birth goes like you say I will need my exercise. I will go to the field and help with the villages. As to the child. I would like them to stay at the temple of Throth if it is a boy, The temple of Hathor if it is a girl.

Realize Hems and hemts Netjer the child will be on my breast at least 5 years. I do have time to change my mind."

Herhot nods, "Of course, Lauriella. If all comes to fruition you will have not only our respect but also Pharoh's. We will do what we can to hide the child from its father, and protect you when you are here."

Chathe asks, "How long before you think you will be ready after the baby is born, Lauri?"

"I'm fifth circle now and can use the proper spells. I strengthen my will daily. If all goes as you say I should be able to start when the baby is born some 21 months from now."

Sotar nods to them all, "Then we have a contract. I am glad we can come to a conclusion." He gets up. Everyone stands. The clerics leave.

Chathe hugs her, "I am sorry this happened to you. By your story you were brave and intelligent enough to get away."

"I couldn't save the angel."

"It's ok, There will come a day when you will be able to. Think as that and it will firm your resolution."

Lauriella begins to weep.

[Winterhawk99]

Lauriella hears a commotion outside the tent. She stops tending to the young man with pellagra. She stops what she is doing and goes outside. There she sees her assistant Itet, A member of the house in the 2nd circle and worshiper of Bast, in a hard discussion with a couple that appear to be between 30 and 40 in human years. She walks up them, "What is going on here, Itet?"

"They want to speak to their daughter, Hemt Sithmore. I told them that you will not at this time speak with the dead."

The Husband has an incredulous look about him. He shouts at her, "You are a death mage of the house of Life, Hemt. I demand satisfaction. We have waited near a year to speak with our daughter who was raped and killed. We wish to say our goodbye's."

She spreads her feet shoulder length apart, looks down and closes her eyes. When she is ready. She lifts her head and stares him directly in his own eyes, "My apologies, Sir. I am with child and can have no contact with spirits or the dead until I bare my son or daughter according to the laws of the House. I am sorry for your loss. Will the two of you dine with me this night. We will remember her in respect."

The husband still angry slumps his shoulder, "Then why hemt, did they send you a death mage to tend to the villages if you cannot do your chosen work? Tell me why this is so!"

Still holding his eyes, Lauriella replies, "The land is sundered. Many a village have lost their representatives of the house. I am needed to help with the backlogs of villages that need people tended too, and to give advise to the Nebs of the villages.
I know loss. I know the horrors of rape and control. I would gladly call your daughter back to speak with you however I cannot endanger my unborn around the spirit world. I do hope you understand. I will help by paying my respects with you at my table. It is the best I may afford."

The peasant places his hands together and does a short bow, "I apologize, Hemt Sithmore. I am at a loss of my patience. We have waited so long."

In her concern for the couple she nods to them then walks up to the woman who is weeping. She hugs her, "We will celebrate your daughters passing to the spirit world. I have no doubt you set her with things to make her light when she reaches the scales of truth. Be calm mother for your daughter must have a happy afterlife. When my baby is born I will return. If you still have not had satisfaction I will tend to your needs personally."

The woman breaks away from her and kneels upon the ground, "We accept, Hemt. You have done more without spell than you will know."

"Then make yourselves ready and return at the hours of evening feast. We will be ready."

The husband helps the woman up. They leave the woman crying. The husband less angry in his tenor. Itet comments, "You give the peasants too much leniency, Hemt."

Lauriella looks over to her, "Are you my assistant or are you my chaperon?"

Itet smiles, "A little of both it seems for I have my assignment to keep you safe as well as assisting your duties."

"Figures. Make our table ready, Hemt. We have guests."

After dinner Itet is eating an apple and watching Lauriella as she reads and writes at a makeshift table. One leg is held high from the knee while the other is down. She comments, "You are very pretty you know?"

Lauriella looks up, "I'm rather plain for a sun elf. My hair has grey strands from my test for apprentice, and I have more than a few scars from my life in Narfell."

How old are you? Still young?"

She looks up calculating, "I am 135 cycles. I was most likely born when your great, great grandfather was alive. In human years? Perhaps 22 or 23."

"I've never known an elf are you all as pretty?"

Lauriella looks to her, "Is there a point to all of this Itet?

"I would welcome you under my blankets if you so would wish, Lauriella. It is after all not an affront to our gods for two unmarried women to mingle in the night."

Lauriella raises both her eyebrows. Looking at Itet's holy symbol she replies, "I think that's more of a Bast tradition than any of the other gods and goddesses of Mulhorand."

Itet laughs and bites into her apple again. She chews and swallows. After which she asks, "I heard that elves have no hair. Is that true?"

Lauriella blushes hard, "That is none of your business, Hemt Imoson."

The human mage laughs, "And what of your moon goddess. Do you not have celebrations with your sisters at high moon where you dance and find one another?"

"Your lore is not completely correct. Yes we dance and celebrate to the moon. We do not mingle unless there is a man that we like that is available."

Itet points to her, "I see your eyes, Hemt Sithmore. You are either in love at best or infatuated at least. Tell me tis true?"

Again Lauriella blushes, "There is an older elven that I do like. However the life of an exorcist is extreme. I would not put him through the nights where I wake from trance fighting and hurting him before I can regain some form of sanity after I have expelled a creature from the mind of another. I will not put someone through the trials that my mentor Fawn puts her husband Randyl through."

"A death mage must have a sad life. The ones that are not corrupted."

"My goddess is strict on necromancy. She fortifies me. Keeps me from becoming what we all fight against Itet."

Itet uncovers her blanket and shows that she has nothing on except what the gods gave her. Lauriella blushes and turns her head away."

The younger mage laughs, "So you know both the pleasures and the hurt of the flesh, Lauriella. I only make fun."

When Itet covers up again Lauriella turns her head back to the girl on the cot, "Yes I know both. Now get some sleep. I have a lot of research to do and notes to take before we leave for the next village."

"You don't know what your missing. Everyone needs a bit of pleasure on the road."

"Spoke as a true Bastite, Itet. Let it go. We have much to do in the next week."

[Winterhawk99]

Lauriella walks along the docks carrying her travel bags and books. She has a box of Mulhorandi spices with her and her medical bags are full once more. She has a full bottle of Silphium even though it is too late for her to use it. She finds the only ship leaving for Damara today. The Captain and first mate stand to the side of the dock going over ledgers of cargo, crew and passengers, While the hold is being loaded up. She comes up and stands in front of the two, "Need a night pilot, captain?"

"Good morn to you too, Hemt. You can pilot? How many turns you make on the Damara/Mulhorand run?"

"One. I assisted Jao on the Lady's Fortune."

"I know Jao. Good pilot. Too good at bones. I'll pay...…."

"All I need is fare, captain."

He looks surprised lowers his eyebrows giving her a respectful take. Opening his crew ledger he takes up his quill, "Full name, Hemt?"

"Hemt Lauriella Sithmore."

The captain sighs putting his quill down, "I'll not have a Sithmore on the Queen Mermaid. You'll run us to rock and then your family will join you in plunder. I'll not be marked by your kind and be having my cargo looted. Be off with you."

Dejected Lauriella leads them to the local inn. They purchase a private room after she looks at the docking schedule. The next Ship to Damara leaves in three days.

After settling in Lauriella tells Itet that she's taking a bath. Grabbing a towel she heads to the baths section at the end of the hall. After the water is poured she takes her hand and with a cantrip warms the water. Slipping in to get rid of the grime of the desert. After she arches her back and lays in the bathtub enjoying the small respite. Itet comes in for her bath after about an hour. Before the Bastite can start to flirt Lauriella gets out of the tub.

"Where are you going, Lauri?"

"Water is getting cold, and I have to make some notes."

"I could share."

"She smiles. Nice try, Itet."

The young human shrugs. Lauriella goes back to the room and dresses, Narfellion fashion with her leather coat and high boots. She sits down taking up her quill and personal journal.

Samwell put me to the test back in Peltarch. I mentioned the Spellweavers and what I had done in frustration. He suggestions that we go down in try to resolve the issue. I thought that it might be a good idea. Verika decided to join us. I took care to watcher her from time to time.

I have never traveled with the woman and am now very suspicious of her intent towards others. She always stands outside the rails of the sun dial circle. She adds little to conversation but sharply listens to others. Still she walked beside us and caused no trouble. I'm actually a little impressed. The three of us journeyed to Norwich with little holding us back but a few gnolls, which we quickly dispatched, saving a merchant in the process. When we went inside Omar was his usual cheerful self if you get the joke. He asked me if I were going to trash the library again.I told him no. I told him with honesty that I felt sorry about what I did and offered one of my books on protection and summoning circles. He took it. Glanced at the pages and gave it back saying that he didn't need it. I know then a peace offering would not be accepted. Samwell had some questions. I waited while he engaged the librarian. When the two were finished I asked about my 5 petitions and what will be done about the incident. He said I am not welcomed back.

Understanding I said, "A fair judgement." Inclined my head slightly and walked out. And to say truth it was a fair judgement. I won't be going back there and because of their callousness in not helping me help Peltarch I will not return. I payed a high price to bring Peltarch help. I do not blame the spellweavers for that. I do blame them for their uncaring attitude towards their allies and the common people of the lands. And so it ends each party has agreed to judgement. I do not fear any more retribution from the spellweavers nor Norwick. Samwell stayed inside while Verika followed me out. She said it was probably to protect my honor. I figured it was probably true. Thank you Samwell, but it wasn't necessary.

During these weeks in Narfell it happened we had a strange encounter at the Sundial. Snakes and bears came to us hidden in illusion as ravens. For some reason I was suspicious and stayed away from the birds. When they transformed we took care of them, Samwell and myself as well as Lady Varya. We found a symbol of a fist within a triangle. The symbol of Leira, However the symbol was wrong. What was a fist doing within the triangle. The Baroness Anna deputized us to find out what was going on. We followed a trail of clues out of the west gate. There we found some farm hands bailing hay. They looked somehow wrong too.
While we were interrogating them they turned into orcs and attacked us. After taking care of them we found a farmer bound and hidden in the hay bales. He head had a nasty lump on it. He said he was hit on the head by one of the an elite special guard of Peltarch. Lady Varya asked a lot of questions and we headed for the orc caves.

In the back of the first area we met with a project illusion. It had a male voice. It offered a boon to us. Neither I nor Samwell would take it. Lady Varya amazingly did. It drew the same symbol the illusionist put on the animals and orcs to enchant and cover them with his mirages. The image vanished leaving us wondering on both it and Lady Varya's decision. Walking back she explained that she did it on purpose to get closer to the quarry.

I hope that she faired ok while I was away to Mulhorand. I had to leave before there could be further investigation. I did notice that while all these Illusions were going on at the sundial that Verika was there playing with a ring on her finger. I asked Lady Varya if she saw it whispering to her. She nodded and tried to interrogate her. Verika looked somewhat miffed that she would be accused.

The other thing that happened to me is that while I was praying one night by the west gate one of the women. I am so tired I cannot remember her name. It was not Sheesarai. I think it was Nadia. She thanked me in my efforts to help Peltarch and gave me two spells as gifts from the Celureans. She told me that more than a few of their membership have petition their leadership for my induction. Perhaps as a member of such an organization I might be able to help the common people of the land.
If I am asked formally to join I believe I will. Baring any interference from my new duties to the house of life.

I also met Maeve the triefling once more. We spoke alone at the railing by the sundial. I am still not sure about her. We did air some differences and the I think each of us left more respectful of one another. Do I trust her? No. But now I respect her enough to watch her actions and see if they speak as to her words. Then perhaps a trust may form. Evil in Peltarch is not obvious. Like underhanded calishamian merchants it lies in wait for opportunity. And sometimes good people are misread. It is chaos at times when thinking of all the adversaries proclaiming righteousness while keeping a blade in their boots.

I will endeavor to stay out of the politics of groups and nations of the humans and dwarves as much as I may, however promoting Mulhorand and their open hand of friendship towards Narfell may become a problem. I will look to weave the tapestry of this situation most carefully and ask Rarylador of his recommendations.

Lauriella closes her journal and puts it away as Itet comes in and leisurely throws her towel upon a chair. She sits down and smiles at her, "You ready to feel the comfort of a woman yet?"

Lauriella laughs, "Itet, you are too much. get some sleep. or I'll enchant you to it."

"You can't do that, my hemt. They told me of your affinity for enchantment. I made sure to protect myself."

"Whatever you have, Itet, You certainly don't have it on now."

"I think I'll read right here just as I am."

"Do what you will then, I have to study."

"And I found out that you really don't"

"Don't what?"

"Have hair. Fancy that."

Lauriella blushes and goes back to her studies, shaking her head. Itet smiles and starts to hum.

[Winterhawk99]

Lauriella brings her bags off Tymora's Luck and heads to the station where she can pick up a caravan going to Narfell and the capital city of Peltarch. As she looks back at the ship she see's that they are taking down the grey flag that tells other ships there is a Sithmore on board. A family member of a powerful thieves guild of the western provinces, who worship the god mask with such abandonment that it brought the god back from total disillusion.

She sighs thinking about the many dualities of her existence. In Evermeet she is but another common elf. She grew up that way, only to learn as she aged of her ancestry and connection to Lapis Port in Anchorome. She is a death mage steeped in the trainings of necromancy, enchantment and conjuration. Yet she does her best to remain of good disposition for the betterment of all the nations that she has lived and traveled in. She surrounds herself with good and noble people yet when it was time to decide by trial her first baby will be a hybrid undead and mortal creature. The spawn of a vampire lord.

She is learning to hold her own against the wills of others yet deep within she is still a woman of misgivings and questions. The only thing that anchors her is her unwavering faith in the moon goddess. With that she decides she can continue to support all of the populace of Narfell which she loves. Along with the dwarves of Norwick to which she admires.

She takes the first caravan to Peltarch negociating hard to pay no expense. With her expertise in herbal medicine she gains a free ride and they are off.

It is but one night when the caravan hears a wolf baying in the moonlight. It continues for hours. On the second day another joins the song while they have traveled many leagues.

On the third night the caravan driver comes into her wagon asking if she had an enemy. For by now most mages of the 5th circle have acquired many.

Lauriella replies, "There is but one that I know that would seek me out, good sir. If the wolves persist in tracking the caravan let your guard be known that I will take action to avoid harm to your charges."

The caravan driver gives her a short nod and or bow. She doesn't know which and in the morn they continue their journey.
On the last night before reaching Peltarch the wolve's howls get louder. There are rustles around the wagons. Lauriella waits until the moon passes two hours past it's Zenith then steps out of her perch. Walking into the woods she calls up her now considerable abjurations. stopping in a small clear area she waits for them.

The wolves come in pairs, surrounding her. When the whole of the pack comes into her infravision she uses an unseen hand and makes a circle of protection against lycanthropes. Again she waits.

A large wolf steps out of the brush and approaches her. It stops shy of her circle of protection. Hives now cover most of her arms and up into her shoulders as she needed silver powder to protect herself. Still she stands tall and looks the wolf straight in its eyes, "You may have found me, Vellin but I no longer fear your wrath. Remember what I can do. Remember who taught me. I respect both your magic and abilities but I will show no fear no matter how this ends. Begone now knowing that I will do whatever it takes to protect what we have made from your machinations. And one day I will find a way to free your captive. whether I can enter your abode or not."

The wolf grows and lets out a viscous wail. It circles her several times to find a flaw in her ritual magic. Finding none it backs away. The pack dissolving along with it into the depths of the forest."

Within her circle Lauriella sobs placing her head in her cupped hands. When finished she wipes the tears away and steps out of her circle making her way back to the caravan knowing the wolves will plague her no longer.

The next afternoon they arrive at the western gates. She disembarks and wanders into the commons of Peltarch renting the inn room. There she puts salve on her rashes. She looks into the mirror provided wondering what she will say when Rarylador finds out what she has done.

Her thoughts then turn to a piece of cloth with parchment on it. There is a blood spot within an older one with a message upon the paper. She reads it.

Understanding the significance of the information based on what she has heard in rumor and innuendo she sighs, "This will complicate my mission for the nation of Mulhorand. She finds a chair and goes into reverie to await what fortune and future has for her in the next weeks.

[Winterhawk99]

Lauriella sits down at a table on the patio of the inn. She opens her journal and begins to write down all that has happened to her these last few weeks.

I kept my condition secret for over four months. When the morning sickness came I could no longer hide it. Lady Varya was the first to notice it as we defended Norwick from a goblin raid. Later Raryldor wanted to take me to the dwarven crypts. He must have seen I was hesitant. I was hesitant that I should not be around undead at this time. I tried very weakly to deter him but he wanted to show me. I went. I stayed as far away as I could from them. I didn’t get but a few scratches and I was not that far along yet.

Four months is little compared to the two years of the experience. Near the bottom we encountered mummies. I tried to stop them with my will and ended up like in Mulhorand turning to a corner and shaking in fear. I know that I am still not ready.
Raryldor killed them. Afterward I cut the sacred herbs out of their chests and smelled them. They were not rotten or corrupted in any way. Come to think of it, I should have taken a wire and pulled the parcel of herbs out of their brain cavity. That may have told me more of what I needed.

Within days Raryldor found out. He was angry. The funny thing is he never raises his voice or seems angry but I know him enough now to tell when he has lost all ability to think normally. He rejected me.

Just after that another wizard challenged me on my lore. I know the lore of the west like the back of my hand. He bullied me hard until I left. I should have held my ground but what difference would that make. I ran to the dais on the west wall and prayed hard.

The next day I packed up all of my bags and was going to leave on the next caravan. As I got there I looked back. I even said my good-byes to Thau’lira. The caravan driver was motioning to me to come but my eyes stared at the walls of Peltarch. I said to myself, “No, not this time. I will not let those that would cast me out have their way. I will stay and find a way to help as best I can the people of the lands here in Narfell. Picking up my bags I walked back through the gates determined to make a difference.
The next night I prayed again. Raryldor came and sat watching me. He had some hard words to say to me and I to him. We exchanged a low keyed but heated conversation. If you were an elf you would have run to the hills by what we had said to one another.

That’s when I knew. I knew that all that Raryldor wanted was a battle mage so he could have someone beside him when he ventured. He made every effort to effect exactly what I studied. I extended my spell limits for him instead of investing whole heartily in my will as I am supposed to do.

I realized that things would never be the same between us. He had abandoned me. As I got out of range of his sight I brushed my hands together and said to myself. That is that. If that’s the way it must be than I will accept it.

As I walked back to the gates I saw Lady Varya at the campfire. I hope she did not hear what I told him. I felt extremely embarrassed because I said things to Raryldor she never should have heard.

I stayed close to the city for the next week finding solitude wherever I could to figure things out.

When I was ready I reappeared and helped adventurers going to different parts of Narfell by using my spells to help them. I also filled some spell crystals and gave them to Gnarl for the help he gave me in electrum and silver dust for my protective circles.
While I stayed by the sundial Raryldor would often come and sit beside me. We didn’t talk. I’ve had enough of his views on how I should spell cast and I am sure he has had enough of me in some other way, but my heart eventually softened and I did speak with him a little just before the crazy gnome sorcerer came to the commons.

The gnome ran around casting haste upon himself along with several other spells. Eurek had had enough along with the rest of the humans. They started to chide and berate him. The situation for me was getting dangerous. I threw up a few shields including ghostly visage, and lesser mind blank.

Eventually things got out of hand and the gnome threw a color spray at Eurek. The spray also caught another. The gnome cast invisibility on himself and escaped.

Several nights later he showed up again. Lady Varya hit him and I put a hold spell on him to keep him there until the authorities could sort things out. When Jasmine came she did sort things out. I was given a stern warning for using magic against another myself. Varya almost went to jail for the night.

When Jasmine was finished Varya became extremely upset, leaving the sundial area. Firguring that she would go home I went there finding her praying in the field back of the house.

I sat away from her at first just to let her know that someone cared for her. When she started to speak I got up and gently placed my hand upon her shoulder listening to her own inner struggles.

In the end She told me she had been with someone after a very long time. Afterward she received a vision of pain, pestilence and death. I nodded to her thinking about it. At first I could not figure out what she was saying. She went home to get some rest. I hopped that I had comforted her somewhat.

As I came back through the gates the skies darkened with dusk settling in. I went to my place to pray.
As I was praying Lady Moonbow must have taken my prayers in good council for I myself had a vision of the mark on her hand. The mark the orc painted on her hand under the instruction of the project image we saw in the caves when we investigated the illusions that haunt the city.

When next I see her I will ask about it. So this is it. I will stay here unless called back to Mulhorand to speak with them on the Narfell situation. A situation I find hard pressed to advocate at this time due to the nobility infighting.

[Winterhawk99]

It's late as I put quill to ink today. The stars shine and Selune is a quarter waxing soon to be in her glory. I was wrong I think about Lady Varya. There was something much deeper in her dreams than just manipulation of an outside force, The illusionist or as Verika calls him now, The Headache. Before I go into that there is something else that came before.

I met Garen at the sundial. We were doing what most adventurers do there. I to my books and bottles he to his armor mending and sword sharpening. I noticed his skeletal arm. He said he replaced it. At first I thought perhaps he is a palemaster, however his dress in armor and carrying the weapons and mending supplies of the warrior class made me think twice.

An old man showed up and showed Garen some antique he had purchased. They talked about it while I watched. When they were finished the old man invited the two of us to his apartment at the bottleneck to tell tales of our travels. He and I discussed it and figured what the hells. Sounds like a good time. When we got there we found a guard standing but her throat was slit. Erurk showed up while we were examining her. After we were done we went to the apartment. It was trapped.

Erurk worked set off the trap while Garen and I hid way off to the side of the hall. He opened the door as we came from both sides. Garen looked in then I looked peeking my head between the two rather large men. The old man was sitting in the front room in front of the table. There was some kind of device with buttons on it underneath his chair. It was a trap.

I said I was not going in there until I was sure it was safe to walk. Erurk turned himself into a fairy...…..Ok that doesn't sound right because Erurk is this hulking half-orc twice as tall as me and at least three times a wide, but that's what happened. He flew about the room making sure there were no more traps. After which I carefully stepped in and examined the device. I could make no heads or tails over the symbols on the buttons. As we were discussing how to disarm it Garen pulled out a scroll of find and remove traps and disarmed it. We lowered our eyebrows and looked at him.

Next we examined the old man. His throat was slit and he was dead. We opened another door to find a form that looked like they were sleeping in a bed. there was a device in the corner. it was both humming and had a whirling sound. Erurk approached it as he did the device hummed louder and the fan within whirled faster. I told him to back up. Stepping just within the threshold of the room I bent down and examined it. It was something I had seen before. a proximity trap. There was a bottle of green liquid attached to the top of it. Acid or poison. I did not know which. we backed away and tried the door on the other side of the front room.

It opened to an office. There was a tripwire plain to see around the counter. Erurk jumped over it behind the counter. That's when I saw just a flash of another man in the room. I backed up into the corner to prevent any harm to my unborn. That's when the man leaped from the shadows and attacked Erurk. Three things happened at once. I threw phantasmal killer, Garen threw a spell from scroll, and Erurk jumped on him. The assassin a belt of alchemist fire grenades at his waist died as the grenades exploded, Erurk stopping the blast by jumping on top of him.

I thought him dead but amazingly he got back up, burnt and bruised but not dead. He must have one hell of a suit of armor. Meanwhile I had sent Simsee to get the guard writing that I, and my compatriots had found a murder. The first to show up was Lady Varya just after the assassin had died. Quickly on her footsteps came the guard. One of them rushing into the bedroom and setting off the trap. I had put something about traps in my note but the guard must not have read that part. Guards big on bulk not much on brains. Luckily Lady Varya had a heal potion and gave it to her. As we were being questioned I started wrapping the woman for proper burial. The guard stopped me saying they were taking over. I backed up and gave them a nod.

Lady Varya walked back to the commons with us as Garen explained the old man showed him an antique sword hilt he had just purchased from Hemrod. Lady Varya's eyes lighted up and said that they had just sold one to him. Her and I think she mentioned Isolde but I forget the other name it could have been someone else.

We talked at the sundial for quite awhile and Lady Varya seemed to have some form of breakdown. She was questioning her service to the defenders because one of its leaders is evil. As we talked about it I told her, "There is always a way to do good in the world, no matter who you are. You must find your path to doing that while maintaining your dignity."

She looked at me very strangely. Saying, "Your right." She walked off and out of my vision for sometime.

When she came back she had resigned from her post and came back wearing the colors of Chauntea. I smiled to myself and thanked the goddess for giving my words meaning for her. Lady Varya after that seemed much more composed. I also promised her that I would stay in Narfell until this Illusionist was captured. Not the gnome the Illusionist that is using project images to harm the surrounding populace. In the days afterward I concentrated on maintaining my health, praying and helping adventurers going afield with my abjurations.

A few people said that my baby should be born in Narfell. I should not sail to Mulhorand to have him or her. Unfortunately Narfell being mostly dislocated city states does not have places where I can hid him from his father. They also do hot have the facilities to deal with the child itself. I plan to have my baby in Mulhorand where the house of life will be ready to deal with my particular situation. I really hope the Headache is caught before I come to term in 15 months.

[Winterhawk99]

Dear Hemt Netjer Fezim,

This is Hemt Sithmore. My situation has changed. I have been charged as a deputy to investigate the hostile magics of an illusionist spreading chaos in the city state of Peltarch. I cannot at this time come back to Mulhorand to continue my studies in the necromantic arts.

As soon as the investigation is over I will take the very next caravan to Damara and set sail for your fair country. Many have said I should have my baby in Narfell however they have not the understanding nor the facilities to hide said baby from the father of the child. Furthermore I have been abandoned by those who do not understand the necromantic traditions of both Evermeet and Mulhorand in the art of white necromancy and the rules of using the art for the betterment of Toril instead of the subjection or destruction of the land. They are a narrow minded people.

On this regard I also do not think that having a trade or treaty alliance with the nations of Narfell is possible in the long term. Narfell is broken up into singular city-states that bicker both within and with one another. Most but not all here I find selfish and barbaric.

Even the one light I saw turned dim. A high cleric of an elven god became so controlling that I had to take sound action to stop his attentions to my work. However there is still hope here and I will do my very best to help my newest home to acquire some culture and sophistication. There are many individuals that merit high regard.

Giving an example of the chaos I am dealing with here, The capital city has either lost or soon will loose their king who owed a large dept to a neighboring city-state called Norwick. Instead of paying the required gold he payed them in grains much needed in his own state for the winter because he wanted to keep his wealth. He let the people go hungry so he would not loose a copper to the neighboring state to which there is no war and little strife.

Now the others in the nobility bicker over who is to aquire his title. There is much infighting within the nobility itself. I cannot with good conscience recommend that we trade Mulhorand's grains, fruits and spices for the hardwood and ores which I know you need desperately. The situation here is total chaos. The cultures too different. They will not trust you and you will come to not trust them.

Moreover there is a city-state in Narfell called High-hold. They cozy up to the Thavian wizards as a whore to a customer. They do not know what they do. The Thavians will corrupt them to the point were I fathom a slave trade very soon within their borders.
There is also another situation brewing. It seems the peasantry is about to or already has started to revolt over the grain shipments to Norwick. A warehouse was attacked and burnt almost the the ground just before when I came back from my last trip.

Also there were pamphlets attached to blood soaked rags that read, "Peltarchian Souls,

For ten years, we have suffered the rule of a tyrant and his so-called royal family. A family thanks to whom our homes are invaded by fiends, while our military fights against itself instead of for us. Thanks to whom our crops have been sent to greedy foreigners by royal order, while our children and elders starve. Thanks to whom we have had to kneel to a throne, beg for the dole, and suffer their luxury.

On this, the eve of his demise, know the truth: his time is at an end, and ours is to come. Wait for the call.
S.O.S.

Now you know the full extent of the problems I am dealing with. I highly recommend not going forward with any trade or alliance talks with any city-state in Narfell.

Despite all these recommendations I do wish to continue my longer journey in Narfell. There is much I can do to help these barbaric people. There are many souls that are of good disposition and or long for a stable society. I will do what I can here as the centuries turn. I still call this my home.

May you bask in the day by Ra's light and feel cooled in the night by Lady Moonbow's beams.

Hemt Lauriella Sithmore.

Lauriella carefully roles up the scroll and stamps it with her official seal. Then she puts it in a scroll case again stamping the cap with her seal, addressed to the house of life in Mulhorand. going to where the caravans take on cargo she waits until the right one that she knows comes. Once he is there she greets him. giving him the scroll saying, "This is a letter to the house of life make sure it is carried to the maid of the inner sea's captain. He will take it from there.
The man gives her a slight bow and takes the tube.

[Winterhawk99]

When not at the sundial, Lauriella now spends much of her days in the library of the government building of Peltarch. Studying anything in history she may have missed while she stayed centuries on the astral plane at the Vail island.

On this particular day she reads a letter that came to her via caravan route from Mulhorand from Hemt Netjer Fezim.

Dearest Hemt Sithmore.

It has come to our attentions that at least three instants of demonic possession to which our clerics have no idea how to vanquish. These demons are far an above different than anything we have experience. When divined these demons have general names but we have yet to deduce the exact names of them. Two we have learned are called hunger demons. One through rigorous divination where a holy angel was called, we know now is something called a Desire demon.

We know nothing about these creatures and by what plane of the abyss they come from. Being that we can no longer contact Hemt Netjer Tarset; We send this letter to you hoping that you may clarify what is happening.

Being that we know you are with child and that you may not contact the spirit world or interact with the undead we will seek to contain this problem on your advise.

Do not under any circumstances try to seek to take care of this on your own! It is too dangerous for the special child you bare within you.

May Horus-re protect you and your goddess of the moon comfort you.

Hemt Netjer Fezim

Lauriella gets up and paces about the library thinking on what she has just read. Not only is she concerned about what she read. Her back is starting to hurt so she must spend an amount of time standing, sitting and laying down. She is now 1/2 way through her pregnancy. She is starting to show. It will be another year before she births the child. She looks up at the ceiling exclaiming, "Humans have it so easy, Lady Moonbow."

She takes up quill and ink to pen a letter.

Dear Hemt Netjer Fezim.

It is not the third incursion of the fade into Toril. It is the fourth that I know about. If there are incursions coming it is because somewhere on Toril an unusual planer spell was used on this world to rip Realmspace therefore letting a plane not known to Toril to mingle with our magics.

As you have implored I cannot commune with spirits until my child is born, and therefore am of little use. My best advise as a demonologist is to wait and listen for other mages from other countries to report instances where similar things occur.

The demons of the fade are attracted to untrained mages. They possess said mages and take them completely over. They may seem beneficial at first but eventually they take complete control and run amok until they can either find a more advanced mage to attack or a commoner to possess until said time they can find another mage. Beware for the House is in danger. Begin training your prospects and apprentices heavily on both mind abjurations and the dangers of making any deal with the demons of the fade.

Hopefully in the next year, with very good luck: I will be able to find a mage that also knows about the plane of Fade and when I have birthed my child will be able to go directly there to find out what goes on from the good spirits that inhabit this unknown place. For I know something of this place of mirages. I will quietly research and gather information about other regions until such time as I may participate. Sending updates where affordable.

May Lady Moonbow shine her light upon you.

Hemt Lauriella Sithmore.

Lauriella rolls up the parchment, stamps it with her seal, places it into a tube and again places her seal over the cap. A seal that has her wizard mark in the center within a double circle. inside the double circle are the words in Mulhorandi. Official document of the House of Life of Mulhorand."

Again she gets out a parchment and starts to write.

Dear Baroness Anna Tiller,

It has come to my attention that something or someone on Toril has broken the protective weave of Realmspace to let demons on Toril that by all Lore should not be able to breach the prime here.

Being a demonologist and steeped in the lore of several outside influences, I know of these things most mages would not.
If you come upon certain possessions, particularly of mages! please let me know. I have hope that I will be able to bare my child before things become critical for by law I may not engage with spirits until said prodigy is one unto themselves.

You will know these possessions in that you will be confounded by what types of demons they are. They go by the general names of Hunger, Desire and Pride demons. I am hoping that I may have my child and then be able to go to a plane little known by torilians seeking out wisdom from the good spirits that dwell there to stop the demonic incursion into Realmspace and sew up whatever breach brought them here.

Please advise.

Lauriella Sithmore. Hemt of the house of life.

When done, She rolls and stamps the scroll putting it into a tube. After which she writes the same letter to the Ceruleans, heading it, To who it may concern or Nadia whichever is best to read this."

Once done she leaves the scroll in its tube at the door of the Ceruleans in city hall. Then she makes the short trek to the south wall and beyond to Baroness Anna and Lady Varya's home putting another scroll tube against the door.

[Winterhawk99]

After walking along the west wall to get as much sun as she can, Lauriella goes back to the library opening her old books. Before she starts her research she digs a fist full of silver coins from her pack holding them in the palm of her hand as long as she possibly may. The baby kicks in seeming protest.

She looks down to her slight belly, "It's ok. I'm not trying to hurt you. I am only doing my best to make sure you are born without curse or disease. I hope you understand in the end. Not that you will remember anything from now."

When she can no longer hold on she drops the coins, takes a rag and scoops them back into their pouch. Putting salve on the irritations she goes back to her work.

She doesn't know if her letters will be answered and there may be a good chance these incidents are singular, but It does strike her oddly that there have been 3 demons reported that come from an alien plane not known to most here on Toril.
Her training and practice while she was an apprentice have prepared her somewhat but what did she really know about the mysterious Fade plane and it's inhabitants.

She knows that the plane does exists though only referenced and described by her mentor Archmage Fawn Vail. If she could go back to the Archmage's library on her island she could learn more about it. Lauriella again goes back to her notes to quantify and be able to give others a general understanding of this place.

The Fade is a plane or demi-plane inhabited by both the spirits of mortals that are molded into their greatest attributes and by demons that constantly monitor the prime to seek out mages dabbling in things they should not so they may corrupt and eventually possess said mage.

The plane itself is described as something like the ethereal but different. It is a plane of constant change and mirage. Many objects and creatures of the plane look like one thing but are quite another. Sight is hindered in the realm. There is a bubble like quality to it as if looking through a glass bowl. There is also the prevailing fog like quality to the air making vision both distorted and close.

Spirits of those finding themselves here after death become distorted or if you will purified. When the plane is done with them they exemplify the foremost quality they had in life. You will find spirits named Compassion, mayhap a cleric of a good healing god or goddess that healed the sick and homeless. There are many others as there are emotions and qualities. Spirits of Valor, Honor, Mercy, Justice and Joy.

These spirits like the demons of the plane may possess an individual. When this happens a more symbiotic relationship occurs. The person the spirit is inhabiting becomes closer to the spirits prime emotion. A spirit of Valor will try to influence its host to great accomplishments on the field of battle. A spirit of Honor will try to influence its host to be honorable in all that he or she does.

A spirit's aim is to live with the host not to completely control him. They do not try to burn the mortal body out only to seek another host later like a demon, and also a spirit will leave a host if there is a conflict between host and itself. It also has to be invited into the others body by the host itself.

A demon of the fade on the other hand will at first tempt its host with power, dreams and other measures to gain entrance. Using blood magic is sure to draw demons to oneself. If a demon does not get invited to the host it will wait for the host to do blood-magic. After which the mage will be in a weakened physical state and the Demon can try to force its way into the body.
When this happens the Demon will contain the other soul or outright destroy it when it finds the hosts weaknesses in their will. The demon will use the body to do various goals the demon has while the host will physically age, become diseased and eventually expire within a short time period. The demon will leave seeking out another host.

Fade demons particularly like mages and the stronger the better. With powerful mages the demon will force its way in and wait unnoticed reading the hosts memories until it finds all the hosts weakness. It will then try to influence the host to do things unbecoming but that the host finds enjoyable. Drink, women, men, all the sins of the spirit. When the host becomes weak enough in soul the Demon will make a hostile takeover similar to the demons we have seen on Toril since the age of the elves.
These fade demons also come in various forms of negative emotions and/or prime bad influences in ones life. They share names like, Hunger, sloth, desire, Pride, and other negative activities.

there is a ceremony where one can send a mage to the realm of fade. If there is some form of extra-planer breach that lets the fade influence the prime of Toril then this ceremony should work. The problem is without access to the information for this ritual I have no idea how to make it work, unless I can find the information on my former mistress's island in the astral. The second problem is it will be another year before I may interact with spirits.

Hopefully these incursions are singular instances and there is no need to fear an invasion of fade demons on Toril. but we all must be watchful of such. If there is let us hope that we will find a means to send a mage into the Fade and take counsel from the spirits of the realm to undo the damage created.

Lauriella rolls up the scroll and marks it in case someone asks her about the situation. She is now prepared to speak to others that she sent scrolls to previously.