They are of no concern of mine, if they survive the dragon or not. However you have a potential I did not sense in them
Then my Master, I swear allegiance to you and the Orders.
The Black Robe smiles.
Come to my and we shall travel the corridors of magic, though we must stop first at te town of Solace
The man approaches and the Black Robe chants as the winds of a magic spell take him to Solace.
Rather than appearing close to the Inn of the Last Home, the wizard and his new apprentice appear close to the Lord Mayor's house.
The Black Robe knocks on the door
Palin, I am here as you requested after my mission. the elf states.
Terevalis, thank you for coming. Palin says Please come in and your friend as well? he says.
He shakes his head I have pressing matters to attend to Majere. Events in the world pass as the Moons rise. Bring the child to me so that we can be about wizard business.
Palin nods. Actually after you left, another youth indicated a desire to study the Art. Rayan and Benjamin, com here
The two youth approach from behind the mayor's door.
Rayan, the half elf and Benjamin is human and they introduce themselves.
This is Master Terevalis Unction of House Mystic. He has come to take you to Wayreth.
Come youth, we must be on our way. Gather your belongings if you want to come. he says nodding in acknowledgment of the new arrivals.
They nod and as the Master of the Renegade Hunters begins to chant again all of the group is taken to the sigils of Wayreth. They are greeted by a Black Robe who is manning the area.
Master Terevalis, it is good to see you and you have brought more students? Your rooms are prepared. What shall I do with these?
Have them escorted to the apprentice quarters with my other apprentices. I will go and rest in my quarters but please inform the Master of the Tower and the Heads of the other 2 Orders that a meeting of the Conclave is necessary as soon as possible
At once my Lord he says as 2 other wizard apprentices emerge from the shadows, one to take the new arrivals and one to attend to the request of the Master of the Renegade Hunters.
The Black Robe will arrive at his rooms and have one of the elven apprentices draw a bath and a clean set of robes.
Soon, a knock on the door and an announcement that the meeting of the Conclave has begun and that all are waiting for him to attend comes.
Newly clean the Master of the Renegade Hunters makes his way to the Hall of Mages.
The Conclave is gathered and the heads of the Orders sit in their place of honor. Terevalis takes his seat in the Black Robe area.
Mistress Jenna speaks Terevalis, we have summoned the Conclave per your extraordinary request. Tell us, what is this about?
Thank you all for coming. I know that this might have been difficult but I assure you, it is of upmost importance. Two great things have occurred within the last few days. Zhaman has been reclaimed as has the spellbooks of the Dark One and this has been found he says pulling out the gauntlet.
The gathered mages gasp in awe.
Dalamar the Dark inquires Is this what I think it is?
It is. This artifact was meant to help destroy the Orders of High Sorcery and it has come to us for safe keeping.
Mistresses Jenna speaks It is good that this has come to us especially as the enemies of High Sorcery are great in number. Minotaurs, Dark Knights and goblins are among these foes. We will keep this item with us and in our archives for safe keeping.
Coryn the White speaks That is most appropriate, but what of Zhaman? Terevalis please tell us what you have discovered
The Master of the Renegade hunters will go into detail as to what he found in the ruins of Zhaman.
The Conclave listens with interest.
Dalamar speaks at the conclusion of the tale This is a wonderful opportunity. We should reclaim what was once ours. The dwarven kingdom is in much disarray and the fact that the spellbooks of Fistandilius should be something that we re-claim
I agree with the Master of the Black Robes Terevalis states. I do think that we can use this to our advantage, however, there is much to be done to make it hospitable. I would recommend, that we use this fortress for its original purpose, that of a war school. I would recommend that we use this as a place to train our wizards in battle magic and as a head quarters for the Renegade Hunters as well. We can either deal with the black dragon guardian or use her as a part of the defenses.
Perhaps we can even use our magic to protect it, similarly to how Wayreth and the others towers are protected. Groves or other sorts of magic? he recommends.
The Conclave erupts in discussion as various wizards either have different plans for Zhaman, either to use it or abandon it. Others are wary about using the fortress again. Others talk about the dwarven kingdoms and how close they are to Zhaman.
The 3 leaders of the Conclave listen, not saying anything, as the discussion goes well into the night.
The Heads of the Orders finally speak.
Jenna speaks The debate has been long and has been very involved. There are benefits and disadvantages to keeping or getting rid of Zhaman. However, as wizards right now, we need as many resources as possible in order to help the Art to grow. We need more places of study, especially for war mages, since this seems to be a time of uncertainty for the Orders.
Coryn the White speaks next
Therefore, we have decided that Zhaman should remain in the control of the Orders. We shall, as a Conclave, enact powerful spells of protection and warding around the area. This will be done to keep meddling eyes out of the affairs of wizards. The magical knowledge contained there, and rediscovered, will be of great help to the Orders of High Sorcery.
Dalamar the Dark speaks next The wards will allow ONLY those who have passed the Test of High Sorcery to enter. We cannot have Apprentice or even novice aspirants to the Orders using the spells and magical knowledge there. The wards will ensure that. The wards will also be used to seal off the tunnels. The dwarves of Pax Tharkas and Thorbardin and their surroundings shall not be allowed. A powerful illusion, the domain of the Red Robes, will be cast to make it appear that the tunnels have collapsed. The outside of the structure will also be warded with the illusion that the fortress has finally collapsed.
What of the dragon? one of the White Robes asks.
Coryn responds We will inquire if she would like to remain as a guardian, in case the magics of the illusion are discovered. A black dragon, could be a powerful ally.
But a black dragon? an elven White Robe states.
It would be no different than the copper dragon, Cymbal, being a guardian of the Tower of High Sorcery of Wayreth. Those of the Black and those of the Red Robes might have found that to be just as detestable as those of our White Robed brethren find a Black Dragon guarding this new place, a hallowed place to High Sorcery the Master of the Renegade Hunters responds.
Dalamar speaks next Therefore, Zhaman, shall be restored it its past glory. As you may or may not remember, prior to the Chaos War the Conclave had plans to erect a Tower of High Sorcery in Kalaman. That did not take place due to the invasion of the Dark Knights and the coming of Chaos. In a way, perhaps, this would be a way for us to grow in knowledge and power.
Jenna speaks Therefore, it has been decided. The 3 Cousins have been consulted and have given their blessings.
A Red Robe speaks And who shall be Master of Zhaman? she asks.
Coryn speaks That is something, we as the Heads of the Orders spoke long about. There were several names, from all 3 Orders that came up. All worthy wizards. All powerful in the Art and dedicated to the tenants of High Sorcery.
Jenna speaks We took into consideration the history of Skullcap and the purpose for which it was originally built. A school, begun by Black Robes, with the blessings of the Conclave, to be a place where war wizards and even Renegade Hunters could be trained. However, all those who wished to learn more about those categories of the Art, evocation and abjuration spells, could go and study and thus grow in wisdom and power
She continues Therefore we have decided, with the Blessings of the 3 Cousins, that the new Master of Zhaman, Skullcap, shall be Terevalis Unctio, Master of the Renegade Hunters. Though, as we have said, all those who have passed the Test of High Sorcery, of all 3 Orders, shall have access to the knowledge therein. Zhaman shall be ruled by the laws and tenants of High Sorcery.
Beneath his cowl, the Master of the Renegade Hunters smiles.
He takes off his cowl and addresses the Conclave I thank you and the 3 Cousins for the Trust that they have placed in me. I shall do my best to preserve the knowledge of Zhaman. What shall become of my apprentice mages?
Dalamar speaks They will stay here in the protection of Wayreth. Once and if they do pass the Test of High Sorcery they will be free to travel with you to Zhaman. A few are almost ready for that, especially the young Khur. Of course you will retain your rooms here at the Tower of High Sorcery of Wayreth
Jenna speaks We have much to do, We will need our most learned and powerful wizards to help to cast the spells of warding and protection. Terevalis, we will go with you, to show the unified nature of what we will do, to address the dragon, with appropriate spells of protection. The rest of our wizards, shall spend the time studying the spells that we will need. The 3 Cousins, shall be in alignment, though not a Night of the Eye in 3 days.
The 3 Masters of their Orders and the Master of the Renegade Hunters have a few less prestigious wizards cast spells of protection on them, as well as flying spells. They are teleported by another mage, to the bottom of Zhaman.
They fly up and are greeted by the snarl of a dragon as they enter into Skullcap.
So little elf mageling, you have returned but not through the way you said you would. You have in fact brought new friends, Mages. Powerful ones I can tell. Had you not sent me the gift of 4 dark dwarves I might be a bit more cross. But I think that now, well, now you die
Hold Wrym. We have come not to fight but to negotiate with you, the Black Robe states.
You come to negotiate? For what purpose? the female dragon asks.
I present to you, Lady Jenna, Master of the Conclave of Wizards, Lord Dalamar the Dark, Master of the Black Robes and Lady Coryn Brightcoral Master of the White Robes. We have come to try to set an agreement of mutual benefit Terevalis replies.