Athearis's page

Greetings, I am called Athearis. Let me tell you a bit about myself.

I grew up on an elven navy fleet, of which my mother was a navigator. She is a an honest and firm woman, but there is a soft side to her, and this is only shown on the rare occasion when my father is around. He is a human that has long been travelling the lands, often staying over in port towns entertaining people. He is a bard, and a good one too. My few childhood memories of him revelove around stories of distant lands, strange cultures, and alien creatures. Spending nearly my entire childhood on the sea, I was enraptured by his tales (as was my mother). He actually joined us on the ship for a month, boosting the morale of the crew through song and oratory.

My schooling was almost entirely given by my mother. As a navigator she had been educated in astronomy, mathematics, science, geography, cultures, and many many other subjects. The rest of what I know is sailing - taught to me by the crew - and what I read in the few books I could lay hands on when we were at port.

I also had a secret friend - a sea elf by the name of Jahn'allath - a powerful druidess under the waves. She would visit me daily, but only in the form of an albatross. We would talk for hours, and she opened my eyes to an incredible world and philosophy. It is this philosphy that I've come to adopt - the ancient way of the druids. Although it's been months since our last meeting I've taken a new companion. Nal has been my travelling partner for the past few months, a beast of an albatross, wholly wild, yet she brings fond memories of my mentor.

So why am I in Sessarin you ask? One of my father's tales has struck a place in my heart. The Ulmann Ruins have enraptured everything that I see as a part of myself - the ties to the stars above that we use as a guid, nestled within a wild jungle of primal ferocity, and entwined in amazing tales of cultures lost and treasures to be found. Ulmann...I'm on my way.

Athearis - level 1 Neutral half-elf druid

A small light advances upon what is left of the gang of adventurers and slowly coalesces into a sprite of a girl, the eladrin known to the party as Tava - Solstin's familiar.

"There's something terribly important in that keep!" she said franticly, clearly being in a state of panic. "In the small tower - well the shell that is the small tower - is a book. Solstin sent me here to tell you guys. The tower was burned and there are no floors left, no stairs, just a 50' high ceiling and burned rubbish on the floor. In that rubbish is a book written in Abyssal. Solstin thinks it is of DIRE importance. A book like that has no business in the old artifacts of this place. It must be the key to what we're looking for. You guys need to get in there and get it."

Just as Tava finished that last sentence there was an audible "bwong", the telltale mark of someone arriving via teleport. Solstin suddenly appears next to Tava.

"What, you didn't think I'd let you guys have all this fun alone, did you?" Solstin said, more directed towards Tava than the rest of the group. "I need a break form the celestials - they're working me hard for bringing me back..."

"You have to spend some time with your newfound power Solstin. These friends of yours can't afford wasted time on spells that fizzle out." Tava, as always was there to offer her unsolicited advice to Solstin, who in turn, took everything she said in both stride and contemplation.

"You're right Tava, but how was I supposed to know that monster of a plant creature was immune to polymorph effects?"

"That's what I'm saying - you need to figure this stuff out. Those two swamp trolls didn't like the dish you served them. You could tell they both wanted you for dinner really bad. At least you got that part right."

"I've been thinking, and I'm not sure if this newfound power is a curse or a blessing. I thought at first that Pelor smiled on me and granted me something amazing, but it feels like too big of a burden for his doing. I'm beginning to regret ever taking Andrew to Greyhawk in the first place."

"Don't you dare say that! You have something that is truly amazing! What you have needs to be used to the glory of Pelor. I didn't come here to hang out with a moapy-coward-too-afraid-of-his-power-to-do-anything-with-it-lazy-no-ambitio n-idiot. If I wanted that, I would have bonded with BlackChicken over there."

"What?"

"Never mind - that almost made sense. The fact is Solstin, you need to do something great with what you have. I think this is part of your fate, my fate, our fate. We have something great in store for us if you would just take the time to find and know your limits and abilities."

"It's going to take time though. Look, there's a large hut up ahead. It's as good a time as any to do a little practice. Let's see if we can't do anything about these hags..."

(For all you readers out there, Solstin and Andrew took a side trek to the city of Greyhawk to meet up with a guy with a little trinket of a magic item - The Deck of Many Things. Where Andrew had a run of 3 bad draws [well, one did bring us Bill the Archer], Solstin drew 2 Kings of Diamonds and an Ace of Diamonds.)

"Now this is adventure! Riding a raft through a swamp, getting married to a tribeswoman, fighting trolls, and all without the loss of life. This is adventure indeed."

"What about that streange light though? The others didn't pay much attention to it, but it seems like it could have bee a Will-o-wisp. I've heard bad things about them..."

"Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. Who knows? All I know is that whatever it was, it can't be nearly as deadly as that Maure Castle."

"Solstin, Tiki's language is funny. I think you should learn it."

"Oh, you mean Nag-Tiki (her nick-name according to the party, as she seems to constantly nag Savaun)? I wouldn't want to do anything innapropriate with regards to Savaun's marriage, but I'll do what I can. It is a funny language."

"Wow Tava, we did it! we survived the depths of Maure Castle and acheived our goal - the Destiny Stone!"

"Yeah Solstin, but do you honestly think that our trials stop here? What are we supposed to do with this stone? What more obstacles do we need to overcome in order to truly say that this book is closed?"

"Why are you so negative?" Solstin teasingly asked Tava. "You're from 'The Olympian Glades of Arborea, a plane of passion and peace.' How did you get so negative?"

Tava, not one to back down from a verbal jest responded with a little crooked wicked grin "You try being assigned to an eccentric such as yourself!"

"Touche Tava, touche."

"What was with you the past couple of weeks Solstin? You seem to changing, letting loose a bit more - maybe too much for some people. Not that I mind, I find it entertaining. I especially like how you greased the floor and performed a fantastic tummy slide while everyone else was biting thier nails in worry when Eli's spells were still in effect."

"Yeah, that was fun. I don't know, I guess I am feeling more comfortable around these people. What about those newcomers though? That Brandon guy was something else! His cooking was almost as amazing as I felt in his peaceful presence. A true saint, that one."

Tava nodded emphatically and added "And Streutgar is the funniest dwarf I've ever met. He played perfectly into every stereotype that I've ever heard."

"On a more serious note though Solstin, I think you need to be more careful with your choice in spells - specifically how they can affect others around you. Those prisoners were sent to their final resting place by your Purified Scintillating Sphere spell. I feel that although they may have not been pure of heart, another chance at life in this world could have changed that."

Solstin hung his head in shame as he did when he first realized the consequences of his action that day. "Touche Tava, touche."

"Now that you've had some rest and thanked Coralis, what is on your mind? Your journey to the queen must have been tiring. Did she recognize you..."

"Solstin, stop already! I don't want to talk about it. All I'll tell you is that going back in death is completely different than going back alive. I prefer the later. The former wouldn't have happened if you would have just heeded my warnings!"

Solstin hung his head in shame, for he knew his familiar was completely in the right in this matter. Barely seconds after her words of frightened warning, Tava was dehydrated to a small husk, all life and liquid gone. This spell of horrid wilting had ended her life on the material plane... for a small time at least.

"You're right Tava. I think this past encounter has taught us a valuable lesson about Maure Castle. The longer we're here, the less chance we have of making it out alive. We weren't far from all ending up on our respective afterlifes."

"Solstin, we need to stick to the plan. We need to find focus. Let's find this Destiny Stone and get out of here. We can't afford any more loss of life in this place. Our situation is desperate."

"Again Tava, you are right. Let's have a talk with the group about this. One thing I can guaruntee you - Savaun won't do anything else until he finds BrightBlade. I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of this wizard. We must prepare for him."

"You know Solstin, you don't need that item of Protection from Evil. Eladric beings such as myself radiate such a protective aura."

"Alright Tava, then I'll cancel my order with the College of Wizardry. I'm still amazed at the 'Guards and Wards' spell we ran into. Even though I doubt that I'll ever find it within myself to bring that spell forth, I'm still amazed at how effective it was."

There was a long moment of silence between the coure and human which was at last broken by the former. "Solstin, I think we may be out of our league in Maure Castle. That place has a reputation of death and loss that doesn't come close to doing justice to the truth. Look at the paladin, honorable Macabee. The party we're travelling with has also lost members before we came into the picture. I hope we're not on a fool's errand."

"Foolish or not, I feel deep down that what we're doing down there is vital to the forces of good... as cheesy as it sounds. I think this quest is bigger than you, me, and the others that have fallen..."

The small orb of light that had been following Solstin for the past few weeks slowly began to dim, and it formed into a pixie! Or what would seem a pixie to the ignorant.

"Hi Solstin," said the small winged girl in a voice you would expect coming from a 1' tall being "I'm Tava. I've been watching you and your actions for a small time, and I feel they were right about you. I've been assigned by my superiors to act as your right hand in all your endeavours, until the very end."

Simple shock could only express Solstin's state at that moment. "So, what...are you like my familiar or something?" he asked, fully expecting to get blasted in the face with a 4 inch lightning bolt for blurting out such an offensive question.

"Well, I suppose the master-familiar bond can best describe what our relationship is to be."

"Forgive my obtuseness, but what exactly are you?"

"I am a Coure, an eladrin celestial hailing from the Olympium Glades of Arborea."

Solstin gave out a slow whistle and almost whispered "Wow. Wait 'til the others hear about this."

Thoughts of Solstin:

Wow, what a day. I didn't think I'd run into Savaun yesterday, let alone delve into Maure Castle of all places. The group he has been travelling with has been intersting, in the short time I've known them. We seem to make an excellent team, supporting each other in our weaknesses and bolstering each other in our strengths.

The encounters I've run into so far have only suprised me by being so close to the fables that surround the castle. Together we made quick work of a green stone golem, and had a chance encounter with an elven maiden that I'm still trying to figure out.

And this little ball of light is still following me. I know its sentient somehow, and all I can do is relate the word "Tava" with it, which must be its name. It's been with me for the past week, and I see no reason to fear it, but I am so curious...

Ip gets up after a few minutes of being stunned and lands on Tysis's shoulder. His intelligent eyes reflect a sorrow that a normal raven should not be capable of.

"Tysis, he's gone. I was with him the whole time, seeing everything he saw up until he went through the light. His depression from the horrible burns, his feelings of abandonment from his family disappearing, and many more sorrows flooded his mind in his last moments. But one thing I do know, he spoke to my mind from beyond in that very instant that he reached it and said he was at peace."

Ip jumps down on the hewn stone floor between where Thal'talis's cold body lies and Tysis stands.

"We must go on knowing that he has chosen to remain where he is now, and that has a happiness that he could never attain here,"

With that last comment, Ip flies towards the exit and leaves the party forever.

"Well Ip, my friend, this is the first time we've had to sit back and take in all of the events that have transpired over the last month." Thal'Talis was speaking to his friend of many years, a black raven he had summoned and bonded with since the dawn of of his arcane life. Not long after their original meeting, Thal'talis had begun the process of teaching Ip the common tongue, aided by thier magical empathic bond. "What happened in the temple in the desert just over six months ago seems like so much more. What we felt was counter-zenith end of a mission has become a new beginning. Sadly, only Tysis has survived from our original group. I am grateful for his companionship, but it has changed a bit. What was once a peer level of camraderie is now occasionally becoming a relationship of overbearing protector and protected."

"Well, what did you expect? You did save his life in the temple. With his background you couldn't have counted on anything less."

"You have such tact in dealing with these matters. I swear, I'd have summoned a toad if I knew you'd be so candid with me. I am immensley grateful for him though, and everyone else. Mira Luna has an amazing inborn talent, one that quite honestly I am envious of. Maccabe is a man of great integrity and nobility, Andrew a cunning man and entertaining to have around. Padril troubles me though. Whatever scars lie behind that mask must be 10 times as deep on the inside. His palpable hatred of me for my heritage - our heritage - is a scary thing indeed. Hopefully I can plant some seeds of healing in his soul while I'm teaching him the language of the fey."

"What about the new hawk, and his friend Savaun? They seem to have a bond that goes deeper than most bonds of non-magical nature."

"True, that they do. There is definitely something inside of him, something kinetic, just waiting to be released. I think it will be something great, but only time will tell. Ip, it's getting late and we head out to Marue Castle tomorrow. Let's get some rest."