”Long ago there was powerful Sidhe. Her beauty was unsurpassed. She captured the love of one of the eight Eldest, but the Eldest are fickle and selfish. They accused her of coveting a position among them and punished her, ripping out her loving heart and locking her realm away in a demiplane within the First World. There she remained for a millennia, unable to reach the First or Mortal realms except through vague dreams. Then, not long ago, an event in your world cracked the boundaries of her prison. Through that crack a celestial ship arrived. And carried upon that ship, the Ark.”
Hedera pauses to see that you are following.
”The grimoires of the celestial elves have the power to connect with the Ark, but only at certain times and places, and for brief moments. Though limited, for the first time the Lady has been able to communicate directly with realms beyond her own. She is gathering allies, and with their help it is only a matter of time before she breaks free.”
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"What do you have to do with all this?" Troxell asks, suspicion dripping in his voice.
Myhm sneers at Hedera to spill the rest, "Why do you want it?"
”Though it is forbidden to say her name, The Lady still has those who remember her and find her imprisonment unjust. I am one, and have found myself allied with one of her offspring that wishes to see her freed. You have challenged and defeated him before... Rowan, the Fellnight Prince. He hoped to establish a foothold in the mortal world for his mother.” Hedera turns to Myhm. ”I would have given the grimoire to Rowan, or another ally of the Lady.”
”Can others enter and leave the Lady’s prison?” Xerexis asks.
”Yes.” Hedera replies.
”Can you show us how to enter?” He presses.
”I can show you the gate. Entering is a matter of timing.”
She is being truthful, but leaving information out. You suspect she wants you to enter to prison.
From what he has said before Xerexis’ interest in the grimoire revolves its ability to connect to the Ark. His people (the celestial elves) have been trying to find the ship the Ark resides within because it contains knowledge and power that could decide the winner/loser of a civil war among them.
Hedera has implied that the Lady May be using it as leverage to achieve mysterious goals in the mortal realm.
Sense Motive
”So we have to prison and stop the Lady? Seems like you are telling the truth, so tell s how to enter. If you aren’t honest, we will come back out and finish you the next time,” Teena warns.
"If we do not stop this Lady, it could have catastrophic effects on the Feralwood and the barrier between the two worlds. I'm afraid our work is not done yet, assuming any information she provides is true."
”There is a lake in the First World that mirrors a place in your mortal realm. It is called the the Lake of Long Knives. At twilight the spires of the Lady’s castle can be seen reflected upon the waters. Also within that reflection can be seen two cold iron statues that flank a gate upon a road to the castle. To enter, wade forth and between the statues. Beyond the gate they guard lies the Lady’s realm, Thousandbreaths. Normally it is impossible to enter the realm, but you carry a token, the Grimoire, that bears a connection to the place, which should allow you to pass the gates.”
”And when we are successful, how do we exit this gate? Does the reflection work in the opposite direction as well?”
”I imagine you will fail and die, so I think that question is irrelevant. However, should you live long enough to realize the folly of such a journey, I must admit that I don’t know the answer. Those that have been able to leave the Lady’s Realm have done so by means I am unaware of.” Hedera smiles. ”I bid you good luck.”
Myhm sneers are Hedera, still considering for a moment to rip her to pieces, while he considers what to do next.
Teena feels the same. Stopping the lady is something that I think we have to do. And that is a very nice summary, Myhm.
Shanee believes it is important to warn the Lords of the Feralwood about the danger of another invasion, so he plans to return to the Mortal Realm.
Xerexis doesn’t really want to fight to Lady, but he does wish to take to Grimoire to the Lady’s Realm and find his people’s ship. This puts him at odds with Myhm, who has other plans for the Grimoire.
Stroud has yet to voice an opinion.
Stroud looks around, perplexed by the seemingly unending intrigue this troop seems wrapped up in. He takes a breath and says, "You people live very different lives from the one I am used to. However, I have not been bored once since meeting you! Wherever this group decides to go, Stroud Zayiin will be there to assist you."
He turns back to Hedera and says, "Witch. I will proclaim your debt to me even if you will tell me what this magic sword can do." He raises the blade up to Hedera's face in a very non-threatening/threatening fashion.
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Hedera’s eyes cross slightly at the sword Stroud holds uncomfortably close to her long hag nose. She slowly utters a spell and touches the metal with a long dirty fingernail.
”It is a weapon attuned to the wilds of certain lands. Some have called them a sylvan scimitar.”
"Witch! We are now evens, Lord Stevens. You would be wise to change your vile ways lest you find yourself on the end of this Sylvan Scimitar once again."
Stroud steps away, keeping an eye on Hedera, and continues to listen to the groups discussion.
Teena’s opinion remained the same. ”Stopping the lady is paramount.”