Avish Exiled to the Nahavd
The Imprisoned Master of Shadows
Amidst the Red Mountains of the Nahavad, Avish discovered a great abandoned Taldian temple, hewn into the base of one of the mountains. Hidden in a forlorn vale, Avish attempted entry into the temple, but was met by the challenge of two giant jade statues, who animated upon his approach. Moving with great speed and agility, they had tremendous skill in martial arts, and being made of enchanted gem stone, Avish stood no chance to destroy them.
Not much later, while still within the Red Mountains, Avish nearly died after falling from a great height as he climbed the sheer cliffs at the Valley of the Columns of the Gods. His body crushed and dying, while lying paralyzed upon the stones, a voice from the shade of the rocks spoke to him:
- Now you slumber in death. Even He cannot hear me so deep. You have only a moment before the Threshold. I am the prisoner of Rajaka Pen, Center of the World. You have seen me in my temple on the red mountains. Sealed in shadow as I am, only one such as you can release me. In return I shall offer you training which will make you the most powerful ninja you have ever known. All this and more do I offer, even the secret of the jade golems. You need only free me. Go to the tablelands south of your native country, and seek the Draughts of Darkness in the Tomb of the Ninjai. Thereafter you will have the power to pierce the darkness of my prison and release me, and then I shall make you a Master of Shadow. He comes! What do you say?
Avish agreed to the dark voice, and his body was restored. Three more times Avish nearly died within the Red Mountains, and each time the voice from the shadows spoke to him to remind him of his promise. Yet with each time his body was overall weakened in health and stamina.
After Avish left the Red Mountains, his body did not die again while in the Nahavd. Avish has not heard the voice since.
