30 Blossom, 802 & 1 Meadow, 803

We came back to Bliss after our somewhat involuntary exile to find Lia waiting. She told us that Scholar Maech'en was half mad with worry about us. We hadn't told him where we were going, or indeed that we were going, poor man. We vowed to set up a meeting with him immediately after reporting to the guild.

With many whispered conversations attending us as we went through town, we made it to the guild and stowed our packs in our rooms. We then went in search of Sir Janos, who was meditating in his office. He reported that the shadow was gone, and the Michaelines were pretending to almost enjoy themselves. He said that Maech'en would come to speak to us and that Master Heartstone had some urgent business to speak to Stephen about. He also reported that the building that collapsed in the merchant's quarter had foundation problems, and that there had been no incidents underground in the tunnels since we left. From the look on his face, I think he might believe that we are the cause of such incidents, and with us gone, things are much quieter.

Stephen met privately with Master Heartstone and came back bearing a job offer. It is a long term position in a Dwarvish kingdom that needs mercenaries to deal with a goblin problem. The job sounds interesting, and we agreed that it was something we would do if and when we returned from Fara's last task.

Scholar Maech'en arrived at the guild at 8. We met in a private room and discussed Fara's task. He explained that the plan was to sever the astral cords that connect our souls to our bodies, freeing us to roam about the otherworld of death in order to retrieve the book of Uriel. He said our physical bodies would die very slowly. So slowly that we should be able to get back to them in time, barring unforeseen difficulties. He described a hostile land, with huge cities of orcs, marshes full of monsters, and a dead plain, grey lands where we would encounter the undead. At the edge of the grey lands is the necromancer who will be responsible for the ritual to detach us from our bodies. He is a Urielite Bishop. The scholar said that he would be accompanying us, on the pretense that we are to help him with an archaeological dig. One bright spot in his grim description was the news that we are to travel to the Water Shrine.

2nd Meadow, 803

In the morning, very early, Martin brought us our breakfast. Moira and Susanna came to see us off. Not sure what to make of that. Roderick took us to the docks and Janos saw us off. He was wearing his big red overcoat and looked more imposing than ever, if that be possible. At the dock was a full sized navigator's ship, with four masts and black sails. Master Tharni greeted us and explained that it was a guild war ship. It was staffed with 8 Navigator's guild masters and a sizable number of journeymen. As we pulled away from the dock, Janos said quietly, "Do well." It made me remember how very important this task was, to everyone, not just Fara.

The ship was nearly silent as it turned in place, barely disturbing the water. The deck was full of activity as spells were cast and the sails unfurled themselves. We were away.

5th Meadow, 803

On the 4th day, close to sunset, Tharni spotted something that might have been a dragon. He pulled out a gnomish make spy glass and handed to BlackHawk after looking through it. Neither of them could tell what color it might be.

Stephen then brought up the issue of stopping at one of the islands before the full moon. When Raven explained why, Tharni was not at all pleased, and why should he be? BlackHawk's "condition" could definitely pose a danger to us all.

10th Meadow, 803

On the 9th day out, we came to a large island, bigger than Old Turlough and dense and green. As we approached the dock, we saw a ship that was larger than any we'd ever seen. The dock it was moored to was large enough to hold a small town. As we debarked, Tharni broke our awed silence with, "Welcome to the Isle of the Giants."

The Scholar said that we would spend the evening in the hall and meet some people. It took us three hours to climb the hill, but we finally made it to some steps, each 4 or 5 feet tall, and at the top of them we found an enormous castle. Flanking the doors were two storm giants. I could barely see past their knees. One of them addressed Maech'en. "Hello little fellow. Can I help you?" Maech'en explained that we had an appointment to speak with their queen. The giant was incredulous. "You're the sage?" he said, and then to his friend, "I thought he'd be bigger." We went into the great hall and at the end of it on a huge dais, was a beautiful woman with a crown on her head. Her hair was done in elaborate braids.

"You are the travelers Fara spoke of? Please make yourselves comfortable, have a seat." She gestured to the steps and said, "Send word to the knight that some of Fara's people are here. She asked us for introductions and greeted us graciously.

A man entered the hall then. He reminded me of Ian St. Clair. He was dressed in plate armor with a fiery sword on his white tabard. On the shoulders of the tabard were the crossed crosiers of a bishop of the Celestial church. Queen Brayden asked if we had met and when we said no, she introduced him as Sir Fortius St. Clair. After introducing our selves, we fell to talking and found that Ian was his nephew. Shortly, we were given leave to go to our quarters, and Sir Fortius lead us there. There was a large door with a small door inset in it, and through it it a cozy room with a fire in the fireplace. His Excellency told us to make ourselves comfortable and then mentioned that he would be accompanying us to the water shrine where the Gabrielite bishop and Fara await. After some pleasantries, I asked if he knew Alfred. He said that he was smart, brave, cool in combat and possessive of the lives of his men. He also said that Alfred was my Father's boss! He told me he had known my Father too, and that he was a brave and good man. I told him Alfred was much more a father to me and he said he was sorry for my loss. This emboldened me to ask him why he chose to come on this mission, but he said I didn't know him well enough to ask such a question. Chagrined, I was quiet for a while. Stephen then spent some time telling Sir Fortius about the Michaeline's visit with the Ardanian clergy, and shared some of our recent experiences with the Ardanian church. He covered some of the history of the church, saying that the Ardanian church had some odd beliefs that hadn't been held by the Celestial church at large for some time. He said that the Inquisitors worked pretty independently. He looked stunned at the news that they were associating with devils and demons, but quickly regained his composure. He told us disconcerting news that the Foxes are suspects in the murders at the Navigator's guild, and said that until Michaelines witnessed the Ardanian church consorting with devils, they would be hard to convince. He said until he was a personal witness to the Blackcloaks evil, the Michaelines would believe us to be dangers.

BlackHawk brought up his condition and Sir Fortius told him that Queen Brayden was ancient of days and might have a solution to the problem. It had been a long and exhausting day, so we all went to bed then, deciding to finish our discussion in the morning.

11th Meadow, 803

Queen Brayden was a magnificent woman with a pretty long face and straight thick brown hair with semi precious stones braided into it. She looked strong and powerful in her Celtic garb. She wore more strings of stones around her neck and a crown of multicolored blue and gold metal.

The hall was a massive cathedral-like hemispheric arch. At the end were two thrones carved from an odd light blue stone. They were too large for Brayden, which is really saying something. Radiating out on a semi-circular dais were more throneseach carved from a different colored stone. Brayden sat on the one to the right of the tallest throne. Hers was carved of white and off white stone in a Celtic knot motif. After some observation, we became aware that each throne was for a specific type of giant.

We were treated to a remarkable feast and after, dancing.

Later, Queen Brayden determined to address the problem of the great bear spirit within BlackHawk. She pointed her scepter at the ground and said something in a strange, resonant language and BlackHawk was surrounded by a swirling haze. When the haze cleared a bit, we could see that standing next to BlackHawk was an enormous bear!

Brayden spoke and everything vibrated as she and the bear conversed in a language unknown to us. The bear began to rear up in anger and the Queen spoke a word and BlackHawk and the bear were one again. She offered to bind the bear spirit, but warned that he would be angry when he broke free.

She addressed Raven, saying that she had met Raven's mother years before. She recognized the comb that Raven was wearing.

12th Meadow, 803

We prepared to go to the Sacred Isle. Otter bounced off to splash in the water. Andarta placed half of the rune stick in the ground. We stepped over it and were on the high plateau where we could see a massive staircase and carved dragons. We were surrounded by Fianna all armed and ready to strike. BlackHawk asked Andarta if the bear spirit had a name and she replied in ursine. He was sweating and agitated, and told us the spirit was much stronger on the island, that he could feel it's anger and hunger. Raven said the anger and agitation were from Brayden's interference. She offered to bind it because she had angered it. She is wise and powerful, but her wisdom doesn't extend to this particular area. The Fianna had prepared quarters for us, but Elensul and I decided we should go back to the Isle of the Giants and wait since Andarta said it might take a long while to deal with. Master Tharni wasn't too happy that we were going to be delayed.

Wenna sent a scroll to Stephen, a magic song to analyze and detect portals.

Three days later, we returned to the island and there were BlackHawk, Lia and Raven, looking hale. I picked some mage weed to study (I planned to dry it).

15th Meadow, 804

We prepared to leave the Isle of Giants and Brayden wished us well. The full moon had no effect on BlackHawk. We traveled without incident for the most part. BlackHawk noticed the dragon shape in the sky pacing the ship. Lia seemed very thoughtful. I wondered what happened on the isle, but didn't want to pry.

At one point, Elensul said he heard a conch shell horn whose sound seemed to rise up around the ship. None of us heard it, but Elensul was strangely comforted.

19th Meadow, 803

A little storm blew up on the morning of the fifth day out. About 10 AM we saw a fog bank on the surface of the water curving off into the distance. It was at least 100 feet high. As the Navigators began to cast spells, Tharni told us to prepare for the transition. He said it wasn't hard, but could be odd. Fortius told us that there was a trial associated with the Water Shrine. He said the cloud bank that protects it was the inspiration for the veil. The Water Shrine doesn't quite exist in this dimension he told us, you have to have the proper point of view. No evil can find it.

As the ship's figurehead touched the fog bank, the ship shuddered. We sailed for 10 or 15 minutes in the opaque wall of fog, then we began to see light. We came out into a paradise of smooth azure water. Fish floated calmly and the marble buildings on shore were reflected in it's mirror-like surface. A couple of other ships were at the dock including Fara's. Great mountains touched the sky and a huge river flowed turning to rivulets that met the sea.

It had a circular dome and columns all around it. I saw an arched opening, steps, an elaborate marble bridge above the river, buttressed against the strong flowing current.

There were guards wearing light robes and carrying spears and a delegation came out of one of the Grecian style buildings. It was mostly women in togas of the white and blue of the Celestial Church's Gabrielite branch. One of the priestesses came forward and Fortius chatted with one of them for a moment. . She was thin and in her mid twenties, young to be in such a powerful position. There was something just a bit annoying about her skill and wit. Her name was Gabriella, and she informed him that Fara and her staff were at the shrine already. She said it was a long way to the shrine and took us into the temple complex as she related information to us. BlackHawk asked who was invited into the shrine and Gabriella replied that only servants of the light could enter. Most people come to bathe in the river to be absolved of their Karmic debts and make pilgrimages up to the falls. Few people make it past the falls she said. She showed us to very lavish quarters and encouraged us to think of our experiences and concentrate on our spirituality. The rest of the company opted to camp outside, but Lia and I stayed in.

The place felt holy, blessed. Elensul headed for the beach. As he contemplated Olmo and his majesty, a huge figure rose out of the water. "Elensul," he said, "what brings you here?" Elensul explained that we were going to the land of the dead and he was looking for guidance. "You should not fear this thing" Olmo said. "Life and death are like two sides of the same coin. When you see the other side you will not be afraid of it. Many of those who seek you are moving on the water tonight. Their attention is drawn to the island with the animals. They think their enemies are there. They seem to bind the water elementals, and have an ability to break connections. They dispel and damage the elementals they contact. They pass through the veil by dispelling the elementals."

Elensul asked if Olmo sensed that the BlackCloaks were controlling any part of the ocean and he said no. The Elensul asked if he would take sides in the coming struggle, and Olmo said, "My place was chosen long ago."

Elensul thanked him for helping when his ship sank. "Pleased I am that you made it through that trial," he said," Be well, Elensul Lotharian."

He then turned into mist and the rest of us heard loud thunder in the distance as Elensul found 12 conch shells at his feet. He picked one that was unoccupied to make later into a horn.

Upon hearing Elensul's tale, BlackHawk worried aloud that we had brought danger to the sacred isle. Raven was concerned that in their attempts to keep the Black Cloaks away, they have actually drawn their attention. She said we need to be careful of the sacred isle since the veil being weakened by the Black Cloaks cutting holes in the elemental barrier.

20th Meadow, 803

We departed for the shrine early in the morning. The Foxes were told that they must go to the trial with no armor or weapons, naked but for a white pilgrim's robe. We traveled upriver toward the waterfalls that are the traditional pilgrim's destination. Gabriella told us that the river heals most diseases, and you can take water away with you in a special container. The path was gentle, made from well worn cobblestones. Both Jeck and DeVal opted to stay behind and entertain the priestesses. After three hours of pleasant walking past flowers and plants, we were closer to the mountains. We followed the river for a while and suddenly came upon a vast waterfall. Gabriella told us that Elves used to come here, but now the humans were in control.

We saw signs of human habitation on the cliff face. People were standing here and there on the trail in the spray of the falls. The sound as the water hit the canyon floor was tremendous!

As we climbed, Gabriella told us about the purifying effects of the water. Pure elemental water represents certain values to the Gabrielites. The water is incredibly cold, whatever it represents! The first part of the climb was easy, and as long as we didn't step out onto any of the platforms that were jutting into the spray, we didn't get wet. The trail had three switchbacks going up the cliff face which lead to a torrential waterfall. It was too cold to stand in long, but it healed any scar or wound that you might have. We got to a place where the trail left the waterfall and emerged on top of a densely forested plateau. The forest, primeval and pristine, was home to the river which we followed to a circular lake in a big bowl. In the middle of the lake was a small rounded island with a white structure atop it. The water looked very deep. To the left of where the river descended from the lake was a white marble statue of Gabriel with a trumpet in one hand and a chalice in the other. The lake was as smooth as glass. Gabriella told us that we must walk to the temple, trusting that the powers of light would protect us from harm. One by one, we stepped forward into the water, holding to whatever belief we espoused; BlackHawk, Raven and Stephen looking to Gaia, Elensul to Olmo, and Lia, Gabriella and myself to the angels. The first few moments were the hardest, consciously willing oneself to breathe when under water. When Raven stepped in there was a sound like a choir of angels. The cold was pervasive, but it was easier to see than I expected. There was a trail lined with stones making it's way into the depths of the lake. We followed it. We saw a ghostly tableau to our right, skeletons in armor, in battle poses. We heard someone yelling to our left and in the distance we saw three figures running, yelling, being chased by a doglike shape the size of a grizzly bear. Raven looked ill as she recognized the voice of one of the figures. It was Riordan's voice. There was a sound of barking and then screaming as the trio neared the shore. We continued on in the darkness, having been told not to stray from the path. The plants at that point were huge, more like trees. We saw no fish, only bones. Oddly, we came to a place that seemed like a stream bed with a bridge spanning it. We had the sensation of pushing through cobwebs and the path began to climb upward. After 10 minutes of steady climbing, we came out of the water and onto a manicured beach. A song, more substantial, less ethereal than the one at the Wind Shrine greeted us. Three large buttressed supports rose above the water to support a simple white marble temple trimmed in blue. Then Fara stepped out of the building and gestured for us to come up. Inside of the temple, we met Bishop Dierdre de Loch, the high priestess of the Water Shrine. She was a beautiful woman, ageless, with grey blonde hair and a belt like Fara's, but with a clam shell. She welcomed us, commenting that it had been long since one of the firstborn had visited. She said it was a good and safe place to gather and prepare for our quest. She said there would be three bishops and several clerics for each bishop joining us on our journey. Then she told us that we were to meet at the ancestral home of the Urialite Bishop Jerome. The island where he resided was once the home to a wizard's college which was destroyed along with half of the island during the wars. It is also home to a large number of orcs and undead. She told us that we would land in the marsh area, and using stealth, we would make our way to the bishop's home, avoiding orcs and dangerous wildlife along the way.

(OTHER LOGS FOR THIS SPACE?)

26th Meadow, 803

We talked to Fara about the temple of summoning and she vowed that she and the other bishops would try to send the entity bound there back to it's place of origin. She seemed fairly certain that they could.

BlackHawk smelled smoke and when he went to investigate, he found that there were several somethings in the woods. After further reconnaissance, he found about half a dozen goblinoids, camping. They seemed to be a scouting party. After much argument, (Elensul and I wanting to dispatch them quickly and Stephen and BlackHawk arguing for mercy/stealth), we decided to just sink their primitive boat. It turned out not to be a great idea to leave them, but hind sight is always 20/20É

28th Meadow, 803

As we went to sleep very late, it wasn't until well after sun up that Black Hawk and I staggered bleary eyed from the cabin and became aware that something was amiss. Stephen, Raven and Elensul were having an animated discussion with Tharni and Fortius. Off in the distance we could see a large plume of smoke coming from the islet, obviously our stranded orcs, signaling for help. Raven feared that it might call attention to the skies, but with little choice, we prepared to leave for the big island of Lindol the following morning.