This scroll describes my last experiences in Ravenholt.
A strange and fey faire known as the Goblin Market appeared a few times in 594. This was a trade market run by the Fae, otherwise known as the Fair Folke. There were many who were eager to trade away valuable things for objects of power. Unwittingly, many traded away their names. A guard at the entrance would ask “May I have your name?” This was more literal than visitors at first realized. They could no longer remember their names & occasionally other details about themselves. Some intentionally traded memories in exchange for magical items or favors from the Folke. I was careful to learn the ways of the Fae before going to market, and so did not lose anything unintentionally. I believe I impressed Jack-O-Roe, the leader of the Market. It was customary for each visitor to have to give up a gift to be allowed to leave. To exit, I offered up “the present,” explaining that it was the most powerful thing you could have. The past is a memory, the future a mystery. Only in the present can you act and gain anything. Jack-O-Roe said “Very good!” and let her out with a smile. My errand had been to find out if she could obtain a long lifespan for her old friend and lovemate Rellik, who was human. The quest was successful, and he lives still in Ravenholt.
Additional service to Tyrra came that year in the form of induction into the Order of the Belladonna. A human named Brandémanté appeared in town. Her presence was a result of an attack by a being called the Sending which had happened in the south. She approached various women in town, including myself, about joining this Order which had been founded to imprison the the Sending and others like him. The Sending had once been known as Paradyne, a self-appointed Sorcerer King from the lands far to the south of Quentari. Seeking a way to magically Transform himself to gain more power, he instead turned himself into a creature of destruction that hunted men. He created a magic similar to that which creates Pantherghasts. Being a chance to end a dire threat to many Ravenholt citizens, and being that it was a matter related to Pantherghast magics, I accepted Brandémanté's offer to join the Order gladly. As part of my induction to the order, I was gifted with the sword Aeroligh that I carry.
After studying the Belladonna history, we knights hopeful took a test. Unfortunately the Sending was accidentally released during the testing, and foul play was suspected. The Sending Torukoji killed many men, but was defeated by the Belladonna Knights. I cast the Imprison spell which reigned him in once again. It escaped a second time, and a second time was defeated by Emerald of the Baljar Gypsies who cast a Confine spell to trap it. After research in the Library of History of the Belladonna, we discovered how to re-trap the Sending. A spectral lich also attacked Ravenholt at this time. Belladonna Knight Dame Lilith drove her sword into the monster's heart. The undead creature dissipated, never to return. The official Knighting Ceremony was held on November 6th, 594. Not only do I serve the Belladonna for the protection of all against the Sendings, I see it as a way to restore the honor my family lost due to Lankirin. I also see this as a way of repaying elvenkind for sheltering that one who slayed so many of them and trapped their souls.
Aran Elenaro visited Ravenholt again in May of 595. My former lifemate Constantine, my good friend Nomad the Mystic Wood Elf and myself performed guard duty for the King. Despite our vigilance, he was kidnapped by Guxx Unfadoo. This just a few short years after his release from the Amulet. Of course, I aggressively sought to be among those who would go to rescue the Aran. I was granted one of the keys that would allow me to enter the place he was kept prisoner. When the keys were collected and handed back out, mine was missing. Someone (later found to be one of the Gypsies) had taken it. Baron Alaric insisted that I take his key, and so I did after he refused to accept my protests. Our rescue group fought battles against monstrous foes and disarmed many traps. We found the Aran and were able to free him. It was heart rending to see him bloodied and tortured. After freeing him from his bonds, his eyes fixed on him and he said I was a welcome sight. This moved my heart and this series of adventures caused me to think long about my service to the Aran. After discussing the matter with His Majestry, I pledged service to Aran Elenaro and House Ar-Din. I freely offered my service to the Aran as advisor in “honor, blood, deed and spirit.” It was no title that I sought, or even recognition particularly, but a strong loyalty and call to service. He took a day to think over the decision, and accepted my offer of service the next day. A solemn service was held in April of 596 by Elenaro to honor the memory of the Knight Janus, who had been a hero of the first Dagorim Gurthrauko (Dark Wars).
The next year was mainly spent in support of my Mystic Wood Elf friends. They had found an ancient circle of power unlike others in town. The elves were unsure if the power, once unleashed, was inherently good, evil, or merely a neutral tool. My family mate Kestrel urged caution. Shatter, always a more volatile person, urged using it for the benefit of the Mystic Wood Elves. Divinations, both with cards and runestones, proved unclear except to foretell danger if power was used without wisdom. Seeking guidance, I turned to the ancestors in the stars, and asked them which viewpoint I should support. Their clear answer came quickly. I heard “Stand by your family,” and was immediately filled with warmth, peace, and assurance. Therefore I sided with Kestrel, and counseled my cousins to be cautious when they investigated the circle.
One of the many strange events I witnessed in Ravenholt was the transportation of all at the gathering of May 597 to an alternate Ravenholt of a different time and probability stream. It was accomplished by the Mistress of Time, and done to right the imbalance caused by the appearance of Guxx Unfado the summer previous. In this Ravenholt, the battle of Blood River in 596 had been lost and the barbarian tribes retained control of the region. It was difficult for all celestial mages, myself included, as celestial magic was outlawed. Ironically, necromancy was legal, which caused quite a few of the nobles of “my” Ravenholt much grief. The infamous Lich Sakalid was a good and noble leader of Mystic Wood Elves in this place. In order to return to our own time, the people of Ravenholt had to free a Life Elemental that had been trapped by a Greater Vampire, which we did.
The unexpected trip to the alternate Ravenholt proved fortuitous for their Elenaro Ar-Din, who had been missing for about 400 years. His spirit had also been trapped in an amulet which had come into the possession of former Mage's Guildmaster Trelayne fan Arcevol. In this alternate Raventholt, Arcevol died before Elenaro could be released. The Guildmaster's spirit helped Guildmistress Lunasiria, Healer Guildmistress Gwenneth Whitefeather and their companions find the imprisoned King. This was also an important personal event, for we two Guildmistresses needed to work together to complete the task. During this, a pantherghast, which had been imprisoned in Arcevol's lab, was accidentally released. I had unhappy memories of the last time this happened come back. My Vornae friend Leviathan nearly fell victim to the pantherghast, but the Biatta Gilcore Darkcloud was able to rescue him before the attack could be completed. The foul being was defeated in battle by the citizens of Ravenholt. Myriad, Siree and myself traveled with Random to meet Sakalid to perform the ritual magic to free Elenaro. We were separated, but Random was able to find Sakalid. The good Sakalid released the Aran, who was then safe in his care. The irony here was that in my native Ravenholt, it had been Sakalid the Lich who had imprisoned the Aran. This mission earned me one of my few mentions in the Raven's Herald. We who rescued the Aran became heroes in Ravenholt, Elfheim and Quentari.
One of my last adventures in Ravenholt, in May of 597, was exploring and removing the dangers from Lankirin's Lair (again). During this, my former lifemate Constantine met his final death. He died defending Ravenholt from another pantherghast, yet again accidentally released on the evening of Friday May 9th, 597. The claws of the Pantherghast were the cause. I hope that his spirit has found rest.