Cecil Ul’muré

Cecil Ul’muré.

Early Life

Introduction

Born under the reign of the Priest-King Thangdion the Mad, under Lord Prior Belareau the Magician. Son of Knight Commander Cevrandeaux Ul’muré of the Beleaguered Shield, who was killed by the lich Langaria, and his wife, the Lady Meridian of the Barons of House Merándan. Born at ancestral Castle Ul’muré, raised by grandfather Sir Alamendon along with his paternal uncle’s family, until his castle was destroyed by Langaria when he was young. Escaped to the Priory of the Venerable Altrefoille under Lord Prior Belareau. Trained by the Man-at-Arms of the Beleaguered Shield, Brother Sergeant Major Gorrifero. Selected for the paladinship by Bishop Arther Manthen of Corrid. Mother currently a lay sister at the castle Priory of Altrefoille.

Family

In Short: Cecil was born into a knightly clan of yeoman origins, rising to equestrian ranks in the 8th century. The family was heavily associated with the Order of the Beleaguered Shield.

At Length: The House of Ul’muré has its origins in a village of the same name in a central southern portion of Dwarden known as the Kald. Ul’muré was so named after a Thousiersian knight banneret, who had defeated the local Dwarden king, and ruled the surrounding land in his own right. Upon the third generation of the Thousiersian rulership, the now Baron Ul’muré rode forth in support of the newly crowned Thousiersian King of Dwarden. With him came Karnen, the earliest known progenitor of Cecil's actual family. A simple man-at-arms, Karnen actually survived the disastrous campaign that had been meant to destroy Thagdion the Mad, the lich priest-king of Dwarden. A relative of the old baron of Ul’muré took over the land, and Karnen served him as a trusted lieutenant. Karnen's sons served yet another baron of Ul’muré, and rode with him against the undead. One such son, named Samor, was rewarded with a serjeantry from the baron, a hereditary position. Samor's son Nolen was honored by following the young inheritor of the Ul’muré estate, Baron Thalance Ul’muré, into the Order of the Beleaguered Shield. Entering as a serjeant of the Order under Thalance, Nolen won great fame for himself. At the end of his long life, Nolen had become Grand Serjeant of the Seal, effectively the highest position of serjeantry within the Order, with two of his sons having achieved paladinship, and thus entry into the Order as knights. Nolen's life also saw the destruction of his home village by the undead, and the extinction of the baronial title of Ul’muré. Nolen's second son Cerveaux achieved the rank of Knight Grand Commander and unlike his elder brother Anthiers, also had a family. Nolen died in a large defensive against an army of Thagdion, a senior member of the command staff of the Grand Master of the Order himself.

Cerveaux had campaigned with the Order for many years to retake much of the central littoral from Thagdion, where he destroyed many monsters, including a red dragon and three brother death knights. With their treasures, he settled pirates from the sea near Nardohn, and built Castle Carmandaan , the seat of his own Commandery, which he named after a young fallen knight from his early adventures. Cerveaux even ingratiated himself with the nearby and austere baronial house of Merándan, who were powerful Thousiersian lords who held the western marches and the border to Thagdion's kingdom. During a particularly dangerous undead incursion against the barony of Merándan, Knight Grand Commander Sir Cerveaux Ul’muré, as Marshal of the Grand Priory of the Kald, defeated the undead army. It was Cerveaux's crowning military accomplishment. Because of this, Cerveaux's eldest son Tharot, unable to join the Order as a paladin, was instead made Grand Serjeant of the Fisc and Senschal of the House for the barons of Merándan at a very early age. Cerveaux was also made a knight banneret by a congress of local knights and the baron of Merándan.

Cerveaux had six children who survived into adulthood. The eldest was Tharot, then Danomer, then Naol, then two daughters, Naola and Evian. Then was Alamendon, and then Fastius and Malance.

Although achieving paladinship, Cecil's grandfather Alamandon, being a junior son, was encouraged to study law. After his initial defeat of the necromancer Langaria, Alamandon was awarded knight commandery. Langaria however proved vengeful, eventually destroying the priory under which Alamandon served. In this war with Langaria, Alamandon's own son, Cecil's father Cerveaux, died. Alamandon moved to the coast, lodging with his son, Knight Commander Bathamer. Bathamer had been placed in charge of the fortress by the Order on the posthumous recommendation of his deceased uncle Knight Grand Commander Danomer.

A Listing of Some of Cecil's Various Ancestors and Relatives

Father: Knight Commander Cevrandeaux Ul’muré of the Beleaguered Shield (KIA by the Langaria in when Cecil was still in the womb)

Mother: Lady Meridian of the Barons of House Merándan

Paternal Grandfather: Knight Commander Sir Alamendon of the Beleaguered Shield (KIA by Langaria in 881), 6th child to Knight Grand Commander Cerveaux, second son of Nolen

Paternal Great Uncle: Tharot, Serjeant of the Order of the Beleaguered Shield, Grand Sergeant of the Fisc and Seneschal of the House of the Barons of Merándan, knight banneret (a very old man)

Paternal Great Uncle: Knight Grand Commander Sir Danomer Ul’muré (KIA)

Paternal Great Uncle: Knight Commander Sir Naol Ul’muré (KIA)

Paternal Great Aunt: Grand Dame Naola Ithilone née Ul’muré (deceased)

Paternal Great Aunt: Evian, married to a knightly family of the Order

Paternal Great Uncle: Fastius, a white necromancer (KIA)

Paternal Great Uncle: the Knight Malance, (KIA - early in first adventures)

Paternal Uncle: Sir Bathamer of the Beleaguered Shield, elder brother to Cevrandeaux (KIA by Langaria in 881)

Paternal Cousin: Gelerex, Bathamer's son

Paternal Uncle: Arvandeaux, eldest uncle to Cecil, a powerful cleric of Mandador (current whereabouts unknown)

Maternal Grandfather: Lord Baron Saroz of House Merándan

Maternal Grandmother: Lady Baroness Eshelsay

Castle Carmandaan, seat of the Bailiwick of Nardohn, and center of power of House Ul’muré before its destruction by Langaria in 878.

Cecil's Line of Descent

Karnen, man-at-arms to the Baron Ul’muré

Samor, serjeant to the Baron Ul’muré

Nolen of Ul’muré, serjeant of the Order to Baron Knight Commander Thalance Ul’muré, eventually, Grand Serjeant of the Fisc of the Order of the Beleaguered Shield

Cerveaux Ul’muré, Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Beleaguered Shield

Alamandon Ul’muré, Knight Commander of the Order of the Beleaguered Shield

Cevrandeaux Ul’muré, Knight Commander of the Order of the Beleaguered Shield

Cecil Ul’muré

Childhood and Adolescence

Born: In Dwarden, the Priory of the Venerable Altrefoille, Castle Ul’muré Religion: raised under Dwarden Yathamianism; as an older adolescent, Cecil was thoroughly instructed in orthodox Danian Rite Mandadorianism by Bishop Arther Manthen Aliases: Posthumus, by his brother Dine

Cecil was posthumously born the second child of Knight Commander Cevrandeaux Ul’muré of the Beleaguered Shield, and to his mother the Lady Meridian of the Barons of House Merándan.

After the death of his father and then his grandfather at the hands of the lich Langaria, Cecil, still but a boy, escaped with the cleric Nehmen and his elder brother Dine to Castle Merándan for a time, and then after this he was sent by his great uncle Tharot, patriarch of the family, to the Priory of the Venerable Altrefoille under Lord Prior Belareau. His mother accompanied him, having already become a nun. There Cecil continued to train so as to become a Knight of the Beleaguered Shield. He trained in particular with Father Nehmen, the Grand Serjeant Gorrifero of Tannetia, and his brother Dine. After Cecil's brother Dine traveled out of Dwarden and to Pompiers on mission (a plan conceived of by their mother), Cecil coveted adventure as well. Not wishing her dearest and youngest child to find a mean death at the hands of the undead like so many other men of House Ul’muré, lady Meridian sent Cecil to complete his education in the safety of the Princedom of Corrid, where he was further educated by the priests under Bishop Arther Manthen. Although Lady Meridian had hoped her son would pursue another path, Cecil was anointed a paladin by Bishop Manthen just before he went in pursuit of his by then long lost brother.

Description

At the age of 20, Cecil stands at a height of six feet, and keeps a short, well-kept mop of dark brown hair. Having always been regarded as the 'younger Ul'Muré', Cecil recently began growing out his facial hair, so as to appear older and command respect from his more experienced peers within the clergy. After having ventured to Dantareth, the young man came to realize that his deeds, not his appearance, would color others' perceptions of him far more. Nonetheless, he grew accustomed to keeping his facial hair neat and groomed, and has continued to wear the look.

Although Cecil is quite attractive for a human, it has been observed that much of his physical appeal comes from a naturally open and understanding countenance, and disarming, kind brown eyes. This generally causes others to react to him according to their own dispositions (cruel, capricious individuals regard his appearance unfavorably, viewing him as weak; while those so inclined towards mercy and beneficence instantly recognize him as a kindered spirit).

The several months he has spent in Dantareth have taken their toll on him. Some creases of stress and worry have appeared on his youthful face, making him appear slightly older than he is. Also, many of his idealistic views regarding the world have been tempered with experience and hard-learned lessons, adding a serious edge to his once unequivocally bright demeanor. As an aspiring paladin of Mandador, Cecil takes great pains to polish and maintain his appearance whenever possible. His upbringing and training have drilled into him the notion that, as one of Mandador's chosen champions, he is an ambassador of the Faith at all times, and must thus always obey the tenets of etiquette, good grooming and manners. Should Cecil be encountered in a disheveled state, it is a good bet he has recently been in the most dire of circumstances.

Personality

Cecil is a genuinely kind and compassionate soul. Although many of the faithful from his homeland of Dwarden are often regarded as hard and pragmatic, Cecil has striven to not let the harsh nature of the world in which he lives grate too much upon his sensibilities. Being a man who enjoys reading religious, historical and philosophical works, he tends to carefully consider each situation he encounters. Being predisposed towards honesty, Cecil has developed the habit of keeping his emotions from becoming apparent in his facial features and body language, as many would attempt to take advantage of an inherently truthful individual.

Although he has a formal education and has modest academic knowledge, he nonetheless seldom openly admits this to others, often allowing strangers and associates to assume whatever they wish about his intellect. Privacy in matters of the mind and heart are important to him, but he seldom keeps his own counsel in matters of strategy or justice. Indeed, Cecil was often characterized in his youth by elder clergy as insubordinate and 'too willful' in matters of dogma and ethics.

The death of his brother Dine weighed heavily upon him, and although he has not admitted it to anyone, save to his mother who he writes to as frequently as circumstance allows, he blames himself for his brother's death. Why this may be so is unclear. Having spent the better part of a year in the Dantareth region has also changed the way Cecil views the order of things. During his time there he has encountered an apparently evil sect of Mandadorianism and the rampant spread of caprice and oppression of the strong against the weak. In Dwarden, the enemy was very much apparent and the joint struggle for survival against the undead had the effect of uniting demihumans against a common threat in order to stave off annihilation. Instances of members of the same racial 'side', or even faith, acting in direct contravention to established practices has deeply troubled him--so much so that even he has been unable to prevent his distress from showing.

His recent adventures in Mirsaki and the discovery of Dine's fate have instilled in Cecil an abiding desire to complete what he believes his brother started and to restore peace and tranquility to the Dantareth region. First and foremost, he wishes to root out and destroy the corruption from within and to reform, exile or punish all demihumans who are using the current Encyclonian crisis to establish their own petty empires or to generally profit upon the hardship of others. He views demihumans who would act in such a manner as worse than a monster or demon who, by their very nature, are predisposed towards evil. He also desires the total destruction of all apostates who operate under the religious guise of true Mandadorianism, and has vowed to personally oversee the destruction of any such fain.

If Cecil has a weakness, it is that, in his heart of hearts, he wishes to share his life with others; so much so that it might lead to him breaking his vows to Mandador. Although he would not admit it, he believes he loves both Galina and Elonica, each in a different way. Though what the church or his patron deity may think of an aspiring paragon such as he having two 'loves', much less one, he does not wish to discover. Unfortunately, his passion tends to threaten to consume him in the moment, and his battle with himself in this regard is one he fights often--usually with success. His recent laconic speech to Elony convincing her to leave her people so that she would accompany him is a good example of his passion, not his reason or his faith, driving his decision making.

Personal

Main article: Cecil's Letters Home

When he could spare the time (and when he had the means to do so), Cecil would often write letters home to his mother in Dwarden. As she was his only living relative

Adventures

The Adventures of Morbad Swamp

-10th of Still Heat (August) 888: On the fateful night of the 10th, after having held command of his archer company-in-training since the 16th of June, Cecil engages in a series of events that see him relieved of his command under duress, and his flight from Ft. Amerstice. A strange red gem is discovered by a local boy, causing concern from the monks of the fort. From the nearby hills, great magic is cast, and undead attempt to take the gem. At length, an undead sorcerer appears to seize the gem. Also, the royal magistrate appears, and amidst heated disagreement, Cecil draws his blood. The short fight between Cecil and the magisterial wizard ends with Cecil forced to flee the situation before more soldiers arrive. Finding the senior commander in nearby fields, Cecil is informally relieved of his warrant of office, and escapes the wrath of the magistrate by fleeing east.

11th of Still Heat 888: Roger Kiesmar and Galina reach Fort Amerstice, sent as couriers from the Archbishop Lumnis to summon Cecil to St. Bartholomew's. Realizing the situation there, they turn about to look for their friend.

13th of Still Heat 888: With the help of the halfling Gandeed and Galina, Cecil boards a barge, escaping supernatural wolves.

-14th of Still Heat 888: The Attack of the Barge. Cecil and Galina escape the river trolls and flee east, away from Dantareth Town, on the north side of the river.

-15th of Still Heat 888: Cecil and Galina, after resting at Gormal’s home and receiving his crossbow, send Denorius to Dantareth Town. They move to pick up survivors and for vengeance.

-17th of Still Heat 888: Frustration in the swamps; Cecil and Galina follow the river back to Dantareth Town at the doubletime. Cecil rebuffs an advance by Galina.

-18th of Still Heat 888: Cecil and Galina return to Dantareth Town.

-19th of Still Heat 888: Cecil encounters Lord Lithit of Dantareth Town. Cecil is warned by Arling Grelomo not to come back to Dantareth Town for refusing a loose partnership with the thieving guild. Learning of royal troops sent by the royal magistrate, Cecil and his companions sneak out of the town, a favor from Lord Lithit.

-20th of Still Heat 888: Cecil and Galina maneuver on the swamp. The bishop, Roger Kiesmar, journeys to Ft. Amerstice to attempt to summon Cecil's former soldiers. Cecil encounters a werewolf late at night while on watch. Gandeed, spying Cecil from a barge while trying to leave the swamp, rushes to his aid. With his magical weapons, they slay the werewolf.

-21st of Still Heat 888: Cecil and his party encounter Horalio the Gray. Horalio attempts to make an alliance. An alliance of sorts is made. After violence from Galina, the party is obliged to wait for Cecil's recovery from poison.

-22nd of Still Heat 888: The party, with Horalio, engage the evil party of monsters led by the half-ogre Pitchfork, further down the river, that afternoon. The monsters are slain or scattered, and Pitchfork is slain by Galina, who seizes his magical two-handed blade. Gandeed receives near mortal wounds.

-22/23 Still Heat 888: Cecil is separated from his party. He encounters a spirit of nature, and then discovers Gaulden Tree and the seelie faeries that live there. Cecil meets Elony Wishborne. Cecil recovers from his wounds due to the magical powers of the hidden realm of the faeries. Cecil meets the king and queen of the faeries, and encounters a dream dragon.

23rd of Still Heat 888: Galina returns with the still wounded Gandeed, the druid they had rescued from the camp of Pitchfork, but without Horalio, whom had escaped her custody. Cecil is attacked by evil faeries near the riverside. The party recovers from their wounds once again, and prepare for an assault upon the witches' coven which apparently will gather on the 25th of Still Heat.

24th of Still Heat 888: Horses are gathered, a barge is made, and the party moves towards the heart of the swamp. Cecil utilizes as limited wish in order to approach the White Island safely. A tunnel of mist opens that makes this possible. Cecil, Galina and Norion walk through the mist and over the water. The White Island proves magical, and guarded by dark spirits. Cecil and Galina fight the wraiths, but Cecil is drained twice. Norion calls down lightning to destroy the forest, but the white trees instantly mend. The White Island's center is at last found, and Cecil uses a potion to make himself fall asleep at the door to Lorlac's true domain. Cecil's mind is flooded with ultimate sadness from the moon dragon, and with such dreams as the key, Cecil's soul enters Lorlac's personal domain.

25th of Still Heat 888: Cecil "defeats" Lorlac, the demi-god of the swamp. Galina, having fallen into the Styx, has lost her memory. Cryerian, the demi-goddess of the restored fountains, gives Cecil her blessing. The witches and all their minions and associates are flushed from the area, nearly dying. Prisoners of the swamp at last gain their freedom.

-Cecil receives Actaeon, the spirit of the forest, who offers a boon of Cecil's choosing for his efforts for the forest. Embracing the offer, Cecil sends the Actaeon to hunt Horalio the Gray.

-The druid Norion thanks Cecil immensely, and offers him the friendship of the forest in the future. Possessed of new power, Norion transforms into a gyrfalcon and flies away.

-Cecil speaks to the survivors of the swamp, and thus guides their path and uplifts their spirits.

25th of Still Heat 888: The night of the full moon. According to Horalio and the Spirit of the Forest, the witches gather for a ritual at the center of the swamp.

26th of Still Heat 888: Cecil encounters the enchanter, Derius Shimal, the "father" of Elonica Wishborne. Cecil is protected from the father's wrath by the Power of the Isle of Dawn. Among other things, the great enchanter says that Cecil would have never succeeded in his quest without the power of his magic. Elony defies her father and chooses to stay with Cecil.

-Elony uses her last wish and cures Galina of her forgetfulness.

-the swamp survivors, fearful of starving, leave on two barges for Dantareth Town. Galina goes with them, and carries the adamantite heart of the slain faerie dragon, Ebeaster Etherclaw. Cecil returns the dragon's ring to the faeries. Cecil forces Elony to go as well. (Cecil was in the middle of a dispute as to whose barge he would ride in, Galina or Elony). Frustrated by the debate, Cecil said that he was staying, and the two women went off with him.

-Gandeed the Halfling begins his journey home to the hamlet of Narol, his home in the green hills west of Fort Amerstice, at the borders between Dantareth and Zlin.

-the survivors of the swamp leave on two barges for Dantareth Town.

-Cecil awaits the return of the Actaeon, and rests at the Isle of Dawn.

27th of Still Heat 888: The Actaeon returns to Cecil, and said that although he got close, the magical being was unable to capture Horalio. The Actaeon said that the evil gnome was heading through the heart of the great forest. The Actaeon promised he would resume pursuit of the gnome, and use the creatures of the forest to help find him.

-Cecil leaves the sanctuary of Cryerian on his new steed, intending to ride for Fort Amerstice.

Cecil Returns to Dantareth Town, Late Still Heat (August) 888

-28th of Still Heat, 888: Cecil uses his charisma to push his way into Dantareth Town. Cecil engages with the 2nd Zlinian Division inspector general Major Alest Corrin at the lord's keep, where Cecil learns that an individual masquerading as himself attempted to kill the major on the 27th while the major and an escort of soldiers were looking for the paladin. Major Corrin's private bodyguard, the elf Taetherius, fought this false Cecil off, slashing him across the face with a magic spell. Due to the attack, the dragoon platoon out of Ft. Amerstice that was escorting Maj. Corrin fanned out to the borders of the swamp looking for Cecil. Cecil's words allayed Major Corrin's chief concerns, and the inspector's mind begins to turn against Thalithon Legrand after hearing Cecil's story. Maj. Corrin makes it known he is strongly considering a formal hearing regarding the accusations made against magistrate Legrand, and he assures Cecil the dragoons will no longer hunt the young paladin.

-29th of Still Heat, 888: Cecil awakens to a long discussion with Kevin Lithit, who appeared in his lodging. Amidst an extended and nuanced discussion, Lithit implies his innocence as a lord and his intention to do good in a world that is not necessarily good. They come to an informal agreement, in which Lithit will support the refugees as reasonably as he might, not interfere with Cecil's adventures, and be open to a judicial encounter with Thalithon Legrand. The mythril-alloy heart of Ebeaster Etherclaw, the slain dragon of the faerie realm, remains as collateral for Lithit's support of the refugees. Given as payment for his support by Galina Hanthen, Lithit seems to have a high estimate of its value, and although he will not part with the massy object, the rogue boss suggests that a vast sum equal to the heart's worth might convince him to return the heart to Cecil's safekeeping.

-Major Corrin's peculiar elf bodyguard, Taether, reveals himself to Cecil as a century-long or more servant of the Church of Mandador, and serves as a knight of St. Quadrain, the great religious and knightly order that protects that faithful barony. Taether brings news that the Archbishop Lumnis is eagerly requesting that Cecil and Bishop Kiesmar go east to meet him and the episcopal army that is gathering at St. Bartholomew's, as they mean to retake Mirsaki from the pagans.

-Cecil's grand address and sermon at the steps of the old Church of St. Astivus the Elf-Slayer, addressing many of the townspeople. Cecil carefully inveighs against Kevin Lithit and the rogues, and calls for aide to the Encyclonian and Quadrainian refugees living outside the town walls.

Travel from Dantareth Town, Return to Ft. Amerstice, and the Death of Cecil by the Spell of the Witch

(29 Still Heat, 888): Upon completion of his words to the people before the Church of St. Astivus and his remarks to Kevin Lithit and Arling Grelomo, Cecil returned to his business of procuring equipment for campaign and adventure, and amongst his purchases acquired two mares for both Galina and Elony. His heart and mind burdened with the loss of the heart of Ebeaster Etherclaw, the faerie dragon that had sacrificed himself in the affairs at the swamp, Cecil turned his will to the recovery of the dragon's priceless heart of otherworldly faerie-steel, and counseled Galina to return the small fortune in gold and silver she had procured from Lord Lithit in return for the heart. Galina proved hesitant, reminding Cecil that the heart-stone was the refugees' guarantor for their protection and survival in the outskirts of Dantareth Town, and that the treasure was intended to purchase food and shelter for the survivors in the swamp. She also held the treasure as a token of a victory of sorts over the guile of Lord Lithit, and furthermore declared her belief that Lithit possessed an accurate appraisal for the true value of the faerie-steel heart, and might not part with it for most any price. Nonetheless, despite her hesitancy, the remonstrations of Cecil eventually persuaded her to return a substantial portion of the treasure Lithit had awarded her as initial collateral for the return of the dragon's heart-stone.

The return of a substantial amount of gold to Lord Lithit (all 500 g.p. of it) necessitated a return to the docks, and the help and support of Georgian, the leader of the survivors of the swamp and the barge sunk by the river trolls. Making such arrangements, and encountering the flirtations of Elony, upon his leaving the barge, Cecil hazarded upon the familiar face of Sebastian, a royal soldier of Encyclonian decent who had once translated for him during Cecil's early days at Ft. Amerstice. Sebastian was however out of uniform, and appeared alarmed. After an investigation, Cecil was soon to discover another un-uniformed soldier, who recognized him and called for Cecil's arrest. After a short parley, Cecil was shot at by a third soldier wielding a crossbow. A small melee soon erupted, which saw Cecil pierced by a bolt, and one soldier stabbed by his sword. The crossbowman was shot in the head by Durisdon, the regular sergeant of the town guard. The soldier Cecil stabbed was taken away to be questioned, although he wounds were so severe it was clear he might not live. Having not participated in the fight, Cecil deigned to let the frightened Sebastian escape.

Other Past Events and Notes on Points of Interest

22nd of the Festivals of Dance 888: Autumnal Equinox. According to Horalio, the witches will sacrifice their captives at this time in a dark ritual.

Cecil is Warned by the King and Queen of Seelie of Nytheril, the Twilight Empress. They Tell Cecil a Royal Tale: The Tale of the Twilight Empress

The Twilight Empress

Once upon a time, the great elven enchanter Derius, the greatest enchanter of his age, fell in love with a wizardess of near equal skill to his own. Her name was Nytheril. Although pursued by Derius, and sometimes his lover, Nytheril never fully submitted to his advances, and they were never married. Many years past. One day, Nytheril, wistfully tending the forests of El Enon, happened upon the young Mandadorian paladin Arvion, and fell in love with him. Derius fell from her heart, and so covetous was she of the paladin, that she even converted to Mandadorianism for him. She soon invited Arvion to Dantareth, and he beheld the great forests of Ranriel, and lamented that such beautiful lands were outside of the Faith. He announced to his immortal lover that he wished to convert the forest one day. She rejected this proposal of his, and forbade he pursue such an ambition. The lovers quarreled, and at last Arvion left Nytheril, rejecting her for the pure path he felt he must follow. Nytheril became enraged with fury, and cursed Arvion to die at the hands of his own religion that he loved more than her.

Years later, St. Astivus the Elf Slayer came with a great army to conquer the lands of Ranriel. He had been told of these lands by Arvion, he served in his army. They had already conquered El Emon and the kingdoms of the forest elves of Zlin, where Astivus had shown his great cruelty. When Dantareth was invaded, the bitter Arvion was ordered to burn captured elves alive. Refusing, Arvion was executed, but not before Arvion's great mare Marenovia struck Astivus in the head, wounding him permanently.

Upon learning of the death of her former lover, Nytheril flew into a great rage. Tricking the living saint away from his men with her spells, she wrapped Astivus in mighty enchantments, intending to seal Astivus in the faerie-realm for all time. Astivus nearly fell to her spells, but in the end he overcame them, and instead it was he who sealed her in her own prison. It is said that only a Mandadorian as mighty as St. Astivus himself can free her from her prison now, and so she has remained there all these centuries.

Bonded Mount

'Laana', bonded mount of Cecil of Dwarden:

Lethua'laana (elvish for 'Dark Night') in mid-stride, near the outskirts of a human farmstead

After spending much time with the elves of Dantareth, Cecil took the time to learn a few words from the native language of his hosts. He decided on using an elven phrase for the name of his new equine companion: Cecil chose 'Lethua'laana', which loosely translated means 'Dark Night'. The name is both an homage to the long period of 'darkness' endured by the elves during the absence of the Court of Ranriel, and a reference to the night he confronted the werewolf in the swamp, in his attempt to interdict their pursuit of the noble beast. Although the name choice might seem an odd one for a paladin's mount (as names referencing the triumph of good over or evil, or symbolically light-oriented themes are common), Cecil decided, in naming the mare, to embrace the adversity and struggle associated with Lorlac's domain, as it would serve as a reminder of the trials faced not only by him and his companions, but the inhabitants of the region and captives of the hags alike.

HD 5+5 (counting 1s as 2s), AC 5, THAC0 15 (1d8/1d8/1d3), INT 4, ML 12 (20 w/paladin), MV 18

Weight Carrying

300 lbs.: max. speed

450 lbs.: 1/2 speed

600 lbs.: 1/3 speed

Speed (two hour canter or one hour gallop, but then must walk for one hour)

walk: 6

trot: 15

canter: 21

gallop: 27

Notes: can fight on second round of melee; startled at 10% of loud noises

Description: A dark and sleek horse with a slope of white hair and a white tail.

Pedigree: Descendant of Marenovia, the mare steed of the paladin Arvion who refused to follow St. Astivus’ orders to burn elves alive during the Mandadorian invasion of Forest Dantareth and Ranriel. Arvion was executed, but not before Marenovia struck Astivus in the head, leaving him permanently disfigured and less intelligent. Ever since there has been a descendant of Marenovia among the horse of the Dane halflings, who live in the Dane Hills just west of Fort Amerstice. One such descendant is the mare Scaravona, who with the ranger Faro crushed the skull of the Annis of Krasten Fells.

Background: A daughter of Scaravona, Laana was born to the herd of wild horses that live in the Dane Hills. Scaravona still rides with the ranger Faro, who rides in the lands above Dantareth, but Laana stayed in the Dane Hills. In the month of Still Heat (August) 888, Laana was captured by the minions of the vengeful Witch of Krasten Fells, who hated Laana's mother Scaravona for crushing her skull with her hooves in times past. Laana was taken by werewolves and the monsters under Pitchfork, the witch's lieutenant, and taken to Morbad Swamp, where she was to be used as as sacrifice by the Witch of Krasten Fells so as to propitiate the dark powers. After the defeat of Lorlac and the return of the divine Cryerius, Laana was freed, and healed by the hand of Thera the Dryad.

Items/Possessions

Gormal's Crossbow. Given to Cecil by the eccentric inventor Gormal, who gave Galina and Cecil comfort after they were nearly slain by the witch and her river trolls.

Adornments

Mandadorian holy symbol made of gold (triune symbol)

Lorlac’s Cloak of Protection +5

Appearance: The cloak, or more appropriately a cape, for it lacks a hood, is made of an unknown substance that flows ever so much softer than the finest silk. Although seemingly pure red in color, the slightest light seems to enrich the royal hue, causing it to reveal incandescent patterns of shining yet very subtle colors, each one and with each new ray of light unique. When carried or worn, the cloak is essentially weightless, but flutters in the wind as if it were a somewhat strong and thick thing. The cape possesses a high collar, which prefers to be folded at the top corners. The cape appears to have no markers or symbols of any kind. The cape suffers no wrinkles, and although rich and light to the touch, resists even the hardest blows and hottest fires. All elements retreat from the empowered cloth, and even a great maul could be brought down upon its bearer and, should it hit the cloth, it would cause no harm whatsoever. The cape can be bound with red corded tassels near the neck. The cloak adjusts in size and fit for its wearer.

Magical Qualities: The magic of the cloak works in operation with other forms of magical protection, but not magical armor of any kind, nor any mundane armor save for regular leather mail. The saving throw adjustments of the cloak are the same as those offered by its physical protections. The cloak may have other magical qualities as yet unknown to Cecil.

Background: Apparently once worn by Lorlac himself, its ultimate derivation is unknown. It was told to Cecil however that Lorlac played his music before the divine court at Ranriel shortly before the banishment of that place and the fall of his lover, the goddess Cryerian.

Lorlac’s Mythril Ring of Protection +4

The ring is fine-wrought pure mythril, wreathed with tiny markings of gold depicting mythological scenes of the elven deity Miorka, the god of metalworking and craftsmanship. Wearing the ring installs a strong sense of personal power upon donning it. The magical physical protection offers a +4 bonus, but the bonus to saving throws is only +2.

Weapons

Well-crafted longsword, Claymore, Gormal's repeating crossbow (speed 10 for the heavy version or speed 7 for the light version, modified ROF of 2 when both mechanisms are winched and loaded, light version 1d12/1d10, heavy version 2d8/1d12; for the proficient, the heavy crossbow mechanism requires the usual full round to reload, which requires a special torquing wrench which slides into the wooden body of the weapon), daggers x4

Armor

Medium shield

Spells/Abilities

Abilities

Disease immunity, +2 to all saves, Protection aura, Detect evil, Lay on hands (Once per day), Cure Disease (Twice per week)

Weapon Proficiencies

Longsword(1), Claymore(1), Lance(1), Morning-star(1), Crossbow(1)

Non-Weapon Proficiencies

Danian Religion(0), Reading/Writing(0), Heraldry(1), Spellcraft(1), Land-based Riding(1), Encyclonian(1)

• Musical Instrument: violin (4)

NOTE: In Morbad Swamp, in the summer of 888, Cecil wished to become a "virtuoso" with the violin.

Languages

Dwarden, High Pompiersian, Tenetian, Common Pompiersian, Danian, Encyclonian

Party Members & Relationships

Elonica, Daughter of Derius Shimal, the Arch-Enchanter, a.k.a. Elony Wishborn

Elony Wishborne, near Gaulden Tree.

Cecil chanced upon Elony Wishborn in the summer of 888. A mysterious high elf maiden, the seelie faeries say that she is wishborn; that is, she was born, wished into being, by the wish of her father. A self-proclaimed protectoress of the forests of Dantareth, she is gilt in elfin plate crafted by the hands of her father, or so she claims. The faeries say the armor is enchanted with powerful magic, spells to protect her from any enemy the dares try and harm her. She also wields a long sword and bow, but her most fabulous possessions is a ring of wishes. Once again, the golden circlet is supposed to be the creation of her magician father. She uses its magic freely, having, on a whim, already wished for the return of Gandeed's magical golden armor.

From the first, Elony seemed smitten by Cecil, claiming to wish to adventure with him. She however seems a stranger to actual combat. The mysterious elven maid also seems jealous of Galina over Cecil.

Recently, Galina has proven the power of the ring she claims was given to her by her father, Derius, who is rumored to be a most powerful wizard amongst the elves of Ranriel. At a whim, she wished for the return of Gandeed's lost armor. It is unknown how many wishes Elony might still have.

Norion

? level N male human druid - S:15 D:11 C:13 I:13 W:15 Ch:15

Norion of Dantareth.

Background: A mysterious druid rescued by Cecil and his friends from the custody of Pitchfork and his minions. Norion intends nothing less than the destruction of the evil of Morbad Swamp.

Galina Hanthen

In a desperate moment, Galina finds a new weapon.

4th level CG female, human fighter - S:15, D:16, C:12, I:10, W:9, Ch:16 - HP 33 Age 18

Armor: scale mail and buckler (AC 3, with shield, 2)

Weapons: two-handed sword, dagger, Pitchfork's two-handed sword "The Maetrava"

Weapon Proficiencies: (weaponsmithing), rivermanship, swimming, gaming, rope use, leather-working, (one slot)

Non-Weapon Proficiencies: two-handed sword (sp), Pitchfork's two-handed sword, dagger, belaying pin

The Maetrava

special two-handed sword variant +3 (home plane: prime material plane)

Damage: 1d10/3d6

Special: if proficient in this special weapon, as is Galina, one receives a +1 bonus to her AC against slashing and piercing weapons (not physical attacks, and not missiles).

Description: a flamberge bastard two-handed sword forged of star metal, with an elongated u-shaped wrist-guard facing towards the tip, and above that two spikes or barbs jutting out about half-way up the four foot blade. The sword has been darkened by sorcery and is unyieldingly sharp; on the very edge of the sword shines a steel color. The hilt is two feet long, the bottom part of which is wrapped in a smiling jade serpent. Wrapped around at the pommel is a black stone of glasslike quality, which has a few red markings of an unknown nature upon it. The glass stone is somewhat "linga" or phallic in shape. On either side of the sword are depicted four pictorial legends, with one side being mystical legends, and the other legends of the physical world (see below). The cross section of the sword depicts a thin mendicant with crowns and holding a great spindle staff to his left and the Maetrava on his right. On the obverse of the cross section is depicted a battle, with the mendicant now a king slaying an elf king. The wrist-guard has runes of wizardry and clan runes gaudily etched upon it.

The Mystic Side of the Blade

Lower Blade: the wrapping serpent becomes a stream. Upstream, the Mystic walks down the river.

Medium Blade: the Mystic turned King in meditation.

Upper Middle Blade: The Mystic-King returns from the Outer Planes.

Upper Blade: The Mystic-King walks the Outer Planes, not to return.

Tip: A black hand holding a rose.

The Warrior Side of the Blade

Lower Blade: the wrapping serpent becomes a stream of blood. Upstream, the Warrior and his army march up a river of blood.

Medium Blade: The Warrior is crowned King.

Upper Middle Blade: The Warrior-King slays the Elf King.

Upper Blade: The Warrior-King slays an Angel and Devil.

Tip: The Bowman sieges the Castle with a Mysterious Window.

Galina's Background

-Daughter of the weaponsmith Nareth Hanthen, the second youngest daughter. Born in a satellite village of Abertia in Zlin called Forma.

-Most of her family's livelihood was derived from the Northwaters River, where Galina became a "river brat", haunting the docks of Forma and eventually other villages and towns.

The Encyclonian Archer Company

Basic Information

Archer Company, 102nd Battalion, 4th Medium Infantry Regiment, at camp at Fort Amerstice

CO: Warrant Officer Cecil Ul’muré (formerly), current: unknown

1SG: SSG Garomer (simple knowledge of short bow)

Training NCO: SSG Kangrasen

Report: 300 archers + 40 + 100 females

Excess: Encyclonian camp followers, unknown number

Female: 100

1st Platoon: Yolos

2nd Platoon: Harothos

3rd Platoon: Dannon

Modified Table of Organization and Equipment

• Note that each officer is entitled a personal orderly. Usually, the company commander's orderly will be the standard bearer/company orderly.

Headquarters

Company Commander

Executive Officer

Platoon Leaders x 3

First Sergeant

Company Color Sergeant

Company Quartermaster Sergeant

Company Orderly and Standard Bearer

Quartermaster Orderly

Platoon

Platoon Leader (lieutenant)

Platoon Sergeant (noncommissioned officer) (sergeant)

Squad Leader, x 4 (corporal)

Team Leader, x 8 (private first class)

Company Pay and Unit Expenses

Encyclonian nationals are designated by the 4th Medium Infantry Regiment at half normal pay. Light bow archer recruits are generally offered 16 silver pieces a month for their service. The Encyclonian archers in the Encyclonian Archer Company are thus offered only 8 silver pieces per month.

Normal light archers would warrant a pay of 2 gold pieces per month, with their senior

For a dismounted light archer company, anywhere from 4-8 gold pieces per man per month, sans officers, would be needed to keep the company well-fed with proper uniforms, equipment, weapon upkeep and other expenses. If less money is spent, the unit's effectiveness will begin to degrade.

Rough Estimate of Total Company Pay (with no officers): 740 gold pieces/month

Rough Estimate of Total Company Expenses: 2,040 gold pieces/month (at 6 gold pieces per man, with no expenses provided for camp followers)

Total Estimate for Company Cost: 2,780 gold pieces/month

Cecil's Command of the Archer Company

Cecil arrived at Fort Amerstice, at the behest of Archbishop Lumnis, on the 26th of the Days of Green (May) in 888. Receiving a royal warrant of rank, a rank of officer often reserved for adventurers, he is placed as the executive officer of the 102nd battalion, 4th medium infantry regiment of Zlin under Major Allamar Viomane. Proving to be violent and scheming commander, Violame was challenged and undone by Cecil while only two weeks into his assignment. Backed up by the budding loyalty of Encyclonian soldiers-in-training, Cecil chased Viomane away after a short but fierce combat. Despite or perhaps because of this dramatic affair, on the 16th of Coming Warmth (June), Cecil is made commander of the troublesome Encyclonian archer company on the orders of the acting brigade commander, the fallen paladin Lt. Colonel Thaleo Lelendar.

Cecil's command was marked by a severe lack of funds and the general support of his superiors and the nearby units. Cecil donated the entirety of his pay to assist with the equipping and maintenance of his Encyclonian recruits. Without subordinate officers, Cecil had only two trained Pompiersian soldiers and instructors, namely Staff Sergeant Garomer and and Staff Sergean Kangrasen. After much trial, the archer company improved, and became increasingly loyal to Cecil. Establishing three training platoons, Cecil allowed further Encyclonian indigents to join his unit, including 100 women.

On the 10th of Still Heat (August), Cecil became involved with the affair of the red gem discovered by Arin Bolo, and the subsequent appearance of powerful undead. Amidst this affair, during a dispute with the callous Royal Magistrate of Fort Amerstice, Thalithon Legrand, Cecil drew his weapon against the cruel magistrate. In their combat, Cecil seriously wounded the magistrate. As the drawing of a magistrate's blood has the same consequences as drawing the blood of the Queen, Cecil was compelled to flee Fort Amerstice. Resigning his command and warrant before Thaleo Lelendar, who allowed the paladin's escape, Cecil left his soldiers, yet resolved to address the situation as soon as he could.

Cecil was aided much in his later days as commander of the Encyclonian archer company by a recruit named Atherathon, a devotee of St. Forion, who had the power of healing and fire.

Church Relations

Pious Donations, Donatives and Alms

-while at Mirsaki in the spring of 888, for several weeks helps farm and build at distant communities

-donates 2,000 sp to the Church at Mirsaki via Roger Kiesmar (BR 888)

-donates 250 cp to Mandadorian poor of Mirsaki after council meeting in spring of 888

-donates 25 gp to Encyclonian recruits at for Amerstice in the summer of 888

-10 gp to Monastery of the Lake at Fort Amerstice

-summer of 888, donates all of regular pay to see to decent equipping and feeding of his Encyclonian company

-1 pp to Atherethon for feeding the people

-1 sp to Encyclonian girl (at Dantareth Town, Still Heat 888)

-a sum of money (400 gp) given to family head Georgian, a survivor of the swamps, to look after survivors and to hold a barge for Cecil (at Dantareth Town, Still Heat 888).

-100 sp given as alms before the church at Dantareth Town (29 Still Heat 888)

-250 sp donated to improving the church at Dantareth Town (29 Still Heat 888)

-300 gp given to the refugees

-gives 2 gp, 3 sp, 27 cp to Parson Torial at Dantareth Town in order to reach St. Bartholomew's and become a true priest

Quests, Allies, Enemies, Encounters, Promises, Threats & Complots

Quests

Return the heart of Ebiaster Eberclaw to the faerie people of Ranriel forest

The dragon gave his life to turn the tide of the battle outside Lorlac's realm, as Cecil's allies fought bravely to keep the demigod distracted and buy Cecil time within his dream realm. Upon his death the massive chunk of metal that was his heart remained and was taken by Galina, who sailed to Dantareth Town. Upon arriving, she used the stone to barter for goods and services as well as a large amount of gold and silver pieces from Lord Lithit. The King and Queen of the faeries asked Cecil to bring the heart back, as it is sacred to them and a token of their lost friend. Cecil agreed and is now tasked with raising enough money to buy the heart back from Lithit, as it was traded for fairly by a business agreement, and could not be taken without payment.

Rescue Bishop Keismar

Bishop Keismar, on request from Cecil, traveled to Fort Amerstice to secure the assistance of his former Encyclonian archer company in rooting out the great evil that was mustering in the swamps of Ranriel. He was, however, captured and imprisoned by the magistrate, who had previously been nearly killed by the paladin. Seeing that Keismar was a friend and ally to the hated paladin, the magistrate ordered his execution, perhaps in an attempt to draw Cecil back to his sphere of influence. Upon Cecil's return to Amerstice, he discovered that the Bishop had been remanded to the 'care' of the Church in Abertia. Needless to say, a crime of this magnitude cannot go unpunished before the eyes of Mandador.

Destroy the fertility cult in Mirsaki

Apostates and heretics have taken root in the provincial capital of Mirsaki, the former seat of Cecil's fallen brother Dine. These fanatics openly call for the people to abandon the banner of Mandador and used the powers of their heathen religion to blight the crops and lands throughout Dantareth. It is rumored that their leader is a vampire of sorts and they likely consort with all manner of vile creatures. Cecil has vowed to throw down this blasphemous collection of filth and restore the True Faith throughout the region.

Find and apprehend Horalio the gnome

Although the ancient dark gnome had assisted Cecil in the swamps of Ranriel after a fashion, he is also one of the most evil and cunning individuals the paladin has ever met. Brooding and calculating, Cecil believes that the sacrifical ritual that was to take place in the swamps was at least partly engineered by Horalio, though the extent of his involvement is not known. Cecil has tasked the servant of the forest to try and locate the gnome before he escapes Ranriel and makes his way out into the world at large, where he will be free to continue his plotting and wreak even more mayhem.

Destroy the heretical branch of the Church of Mandador and throw down any and all false fains

It became clear to Cecil, upon arriving at the interior of Pompiers, that all was not right within the Church of Mandador. Many a follower, priest, holy soldier and scholar have apparently sided with a dark force that masquerades as Mandadorianism, but is in fact something quite sinister. This was crystallized when Cecil sought refuge within a church along the river on his way to Mirsaki. This holy place felt terribly wrong to Cecil and he was attacked by those who wore the regalia and symbols of Manadador, but were in fact servants of evil. Even the holy water was not holy in this place, and Cecil's own blessed liquids caused their skin to smoke and burn. This was a highly disturbing event in the mind of the young paladin and he has vowed to discover the root of this most Unholy Blasphemy, destroying any who would hide behind the aegis of the Trefoil to work their evil plot.

Atonement for succumbing to cult magic

During his most recent return to Fort Amerstice, in which he sought to bring Magistrate LaGrande to justice and free his friend Roger Keismar, Cecil encountered a beautiful woman speaking to a shady man in the local tavern. After using his power to detect evil intent and discovering the woman to be actively engaged in evil plotting, the paladin confronted the pair. He was ultimately charmed by some sort of witch magic and was lured to her bedroom with Galina in order to have sex with the both of them, as she too was brought under the strange woman's sway. Although his chaste nature was able to prevent him from participating in the actual act of intercourse, he nonetheless participated in other debaucheries in the dank, sweaty room. Thanks to the intervention of his friends, her spell was broken as she was rebuffed and she rode off to Mirsaki. Coming to and seeing that his honor had been greatly compromised, Cecil rode after the woman and her strange companion, only to be struck down instantly by some great heathen spell. Upon his revival by Lumnis, Cecil, in his great shame, has taken a vow of silence in atonement for his failure and refuses to speak until certain conditions known only to him have been fulfilled.

Discover what happened to Dine

The circumstances of his brother's death seem to have been quite mysterious and it is likely that some sort of betrayal or political intrigue was involved. Cecil plans to investigate what happened to his brother and meet out justice where appropriate.

Allies

Actaeon: The powerful creature of nature that offered a boon of Cecil's choosing once Morbad Swamp was restored to the goddess Cryerian's private domain. Cecil asked the mystical being to find the gnome Horalio the Gray and bring him to him. Actaeon returned after several days, admitting that the deft gnome had eluded his tracking and his magic, but that he would resume his quest for Horalio, informing Cecil that the murderous gnome was daring a trek through the depths of the Forests of Ranriel, a trek which seemed to be leading east to the border of the Thrain Mountains.

Denorius: A middle-aged man and immigrant from Prinotha, a city in Quadrain. Denorius was on board the barge ostensibly owned by Lady Nathelda Nemark of Prinotha, but secretly controlled by a green hag. Denorius was one of the survivors of the betrayal of the barge, and was discovered by Galina and Cecil during their escape from the river trolls. Denorius was with Cecil and Galina when they hazarded upon Gormal's home on the north side of the river, but soon after he was given some money by Cecil and told to return to Dantareth Town. Denorius became inspired by Cecil's religious devotion. When Cecil met Denorius again, he was helping Parson Dathan Torial at the Church of St. Astivus in late Still Heat, 888. When Cecil funded Dathan's travel to go to St. Barst's to become a true priest, Denorius proposed to help take his place as the lay-parson, assisting the new sub-deacon Jacobian, who was to take charge of the church until Dathan's return. Cecil agreed, and spent time with the earnest Denorius, admonishing him to protect the church and those who worshiped there. As lay parson to the sub-deacon, Denorius is assisted by the 16-year-old Naulin in keeping the church, where he functions as the ostiary.

Gandeed Bareedol of the Dane Halflings, Captain of the Hamlet of Narol: A handsome, strong, brave and robust halfling with dusty blonde hair and hard blue eyes, Cecil came across Gandeed while aboard Analact's doomed barge. Wearing a spectacular enchanted golden-colored suit of copper and bronze mail, a magical spear and other treasures, the halfling warrior acquitted himself well against the river trolls, although in the fighting he was forced to abandon his prized armor when he fell into the river. Upon their return to Dantareth Town, Gandeed joined Cecil and Galina in their brash fight into the swamp, for Gandeed hated a witch that he believed had moved to the heart of the swamp to assist her sisters in some dark magic. Gandeed called the hag the Witch of Krasten Fells, with whom his people had long fought against. The hag had stolen a famous mare, the daughter of the Scaravona, a great horse ridden by the ranger Faro that had once lived in the Dane Hills and which had crushed the head of the witch in a battle that Gandeed had fought in as a youth. Gandeed desired nothing less than the recovery of his magical armor (which he said had belonged to a halfling king), and to kill at last the Witch of Krasten Fells. Gandeed fought well in Morbad Swamp, and while Cecil battled the god of the swamp, Gandeed, Galina and the druid Norion fought off the...

Jacobian: A veteran chaplain's assistant, Jacobian is a young man in his early twenties who fought with the 3rd Army in the war against the Encyclonians in 887. Jacobian was aboard Analact's barge, the doomed ship attacked by river trolls, accompanying his fellow villagers immigrating to Dantareth from Prinotha in Quadrain. Jacobian's priest, Father Perol, died in the attack, but Jacobian narrowly survived, and assisted several others in fleeing back to Dantareth Town. Impoverished and starving, Jacobian assisted his fellow immigrants as best he could, and frequented the largely abandoned and decrepit Church of St. Astivus kept by lay-Parson Dathan Torial. At the time, Jacobian had only received minor orders (he was an acolyte), but his spell-prayers were a welcomed boon to the lay-parson. Jacobian found a friend in the fellow barge-survivor, Bishop Roger Kiersmar, who after receiving divine visions at St. Astivus, granted Jacobian Holy Orders as a sub-deacon, and commanded him to grow the faith there in preparation for the return of Dathan Torial from St. Bartholomew's as a full-fledged priest of Holy Orders. Jacobian is brave and strong-willed, but he is also shy and not fond of speaking.

Naulin: A 16-year-old native of Dantareth Town. In the course of several days late in Still Heat 888, Naulin became enamored with the powerful religious message brought by Cecil, and approached the paladin, wishing to know how more about the Church and about how to become a champion of the faith like Cecil. After a major sermon at the steps of St. Astivus on 29 Still Heat 888, Cecil spent several hours with the young man , which was enough to cement his devotion. Naulin proposed to assist Denorius in keeping the church until a proper priest can be appointed.

Torin: A young boy whose disease is healed by Cecil during his sermon before the Church of St. Astivus the Elf Slayer (29 Still Heat, 888).

Volest: The archiepiscopal vicar apostolic of Dantareth, Volest, is a priest and choir-monk of the Order of St. Barst's currently in the captivity of Lord Kandar Trogus at Castle Nathalion at the northern end of Lake Antheris near Fields of Thalion (this lord and these locations are otherwise unknown to Cecil). Late in the evening of the 18th-19th of the Festivals of Dance (September) 888, the Archbishop of Dantareth Lumnis quested Cecil to free Volest from Lord Kandar's castle, as he requires him in the fight against the "Black Baron" Anthony Bors and his pagan followers in Mirsaki. In this quest Cecil is formally commanded to recover Volest "at any cost" from his captors, for although the completion of this quest and the vicar's successful return to Archbishop Lumnis will permit Cecil to pursue his next quest: that justice be done upon the pagan priestess who corrupted and murdered him. Cecil met the vicar briefly only once in Mirsaki. Quiet, tall and intimidating, Volest is possessed of a fierce will, and although not a bishop, his strength of will clearly intimidated/inspired Bishop Roger Kiesmar, Bishop of the North. From what Cecil understands, Volest was sent by Lumnis to mysterious and unknown communities north of St. Bartholomew's, where Volest was appealing for aid to the cause to remove the pagans from Mirsaki. How and why the priest was apprehended is unknown to Cecil.

Enemies

Derius Shimal: The mysterious and ancient elf enchanter who apparently wished his daughter Elonica into existence. Derius appeared before Cecil at the boundary of the Rocks of Time, the powerful boundary to the goddess Cryerian's sacred and inviolate island, and with his passage life was born in his wake. There, the great wizard admonished his wrought-daughter, scolding her for risking herself for the sake of a man, and demanding that she not accompany Cecil out of the Forests of Ranriel. Elonica defended her actions as well as Cecil, and made it clear she intended to venture into the world of men. Upon hearing this, Derius, and had heretofore ignore Cecil, turned his temper towards the young paladin. The arch-enchanter dismissed Cecil's exploits, claiming that the young man would have never achieved his victory in the swamp were it not for the magic he had stolen from his daughter, and that his brash actions had caused the death of Ebeaster Etherclaw. Threatening to cast a terrible spell upon Cecil when he left the protection of Cryerian's sacred isle, both Elony and the goddess herself appeared to defend Cecil, warning the wizard that he would lose his daughter's love and a deity's pleasure should he ever attempt to harm Cecil. Furious, Derius bitterly accused Cecil of stealing his daughter's affections from him, and of exposing her and endangering her to the world beyond the forest. Although he did not quite say it, it was obvious that the ancient elf would hold Cecil responsible should she be harmed or killed outside of the forests of Ranriel, where she enjoyed the protection of her father's powerful magic.

Encounters

The Will'o'whisp and the Black Cat that Speaks: Journeying west of Morbad Swamp, Cecil encountered dark woods, and during the night, was approached by a mysterious light. Nature itself seemed to grow evil from the light's approach. Eventually, the growing evil seemed to manifest in a black cat cat that spoke to him from the trees, as recorded below:

"In a tree in the forest sits a little man who has seen all. He has seen the holy emperor in the west, the king of the elves, the infant in its cradle and the old monk in his cell."

"You sense my master's aura, so know this. I trill for the elf Power of the Dark and my master's power is beyond that of mortal men. Strike at me, and your friend will die. Harm me, and your love will die. Slay me, and you will have never been."

"My master has prophesied that you were once heir apparent to these lands, from the Dwarven Mountains to the soldiers' fort, to the Great River and to the boundaries of the Black Keep and the city of Urstwater. But your brother's noble crown was stole from him by a lord of thieves, and even now these thieves seek to make their slain lord's wife and son mistress and master in your place. Your brother was judge and judicator before he was a peer with a crown. You must be too, else this land and those you love will be subject to the law of thieves and not of justice. Your archbishop Lumnis protects the young lord and lady high in the monastery of St. Barst's, protecting them until they are strong enough to rule openly. But do not deceive yourself with self-circumscribing modesty: only you are pure, wise and strong enough to rule. It is yours to claim, the crown of Dantareth, earned by the sword of your brother. Do what must be done, and bring justice and goodness to the land."

"My master tells you, for he was once a friend fo the Crying God, and my master must reward in kind he who brought salvation to his friend."