HEROIC REALMS

In the past…

Early in the morning hours a loud trumpet is heard from the direction of the manor house. As you make your way up to the manor house to investigate the sound, you are greeted by Arthurac, chief of Lord Elecsirt’s guard. In the background stands a creature holding a staff. The creature appears to have an abnormally large head with several mystical tattoos upon him. Almost motionless, the creature is silent as if awaiting some sort of introduction.

Arthurac:

Hello, fellow guardsmen, adventurers, and commoners alike. I have been asked by our Lord to provide whatever assistance to this seer behind me known as Veil. I am told some of you have heard of him whereby others have not. Without belaboring the issues at hand, I would like to introduce you to him…Veil.

Veil:

Good eve to those of the stronghold. I am Veil, a grand-seer from the realm. I have returned to this place to ask for your lord’s assistance and hopefully yours as well. Recently, a dark lord was vanquished here in the stronghold. Unbeknownst to you more than one good thing has occurred. The first is the defeat of a dark lord…the second, a rip in time! Yes, you may recall it was time or the lack thereof that was pinnacle in the dark lords defeat. You may also recall this battle occurred in a very special place…yes, a place whereby magic interacts wildly within a small area. The use of an item that stopped time to conquer evil is chiefly responsible for tearing the fabric of time itself within this place. Although this is more than often a bad omen, I believe it is not…I believe sometimes things are meant to be and rightfully so without foresight, reason, and rational…there are some things not even the greatest of seers can discern! For this occurrence is the reason why I have come to ask your lord’s assistance. To that end, I have been granted permission to ask you all for your help.

Long ago, before most of you here entered the world, I was bestowed with the ability of foresight. In exchange for a powerful eye into the future, I was riddled with a mystery of my past…in other words, I could not remember certain events or periods of time from my past. Eventually, I learned of an ancient tomb that yielded a powerful gem that could recount the past to the wielder. Well, need I say sometimes things aren’t as easy as they may seem; I am sure you all know what I mean…after all, what has happened here in the past…well, I need not say more. The gem that I acquired did not possess the ability of retro cognition. No, in fact I ended up being consumed by a horrific curse. Without further details, as some of you may already know, I am currently being hunted by Seekers!

So, you are asking yourselves how this all ties together. I would like to exploit what has occurred from the recent events within the wild magic area. I have been given permission to ask for your assistance to travel back into time and acquire information for me and nothing more. For reasons I cannot disclose, I cannot do this my self! What I offer in return are a few items I have come across in my travels…and rather than squabble over the intricacies of these items, I have placed them within a black bag here before me. Feel free to take but one item from the bag, but before you do, know this…
What I ask of thee is somewhat dangerous as time travel poses many threats to ones past, present, and future! What I am asking you to do is travel back into time and acquire an answer to a riddle…sounds simple enough, but it isn’t by any means!

Traveling back in time will require you to stay together for the most part. You should be careful not do anything that may disrupt the future…I would suggest not killing anything outright as this could change the course of the future…oh, and under all circumstance, avoid seeing yourself! To do so, can cause detrimental affects on yourself and others in the present and/or future!!!

When you arrive in the wild magic area, the horn of Valhann will sound…it is a portal horn. Using it within this area will open up certain fragments of time. While these periods of time are open, you may move about freely. Whence you hear the horn once more, you should immediately travel back to the wild magic area as time is shifting and will unfold another period of time. This may occur several times before you travel to the era for which I call your assistance. If for some reason, you wish to leave the past, simply return to the wild magic area and remove this black stone from your person…please keep in mind this stone may only be used three times…once to exit the past, another to re-enter the past, and once more to leave the past a final time. Once you find the information I seek, use the stone to exit the past returning to the present. I seek to know the four names of “Power” to the ritual of “Creation.” This information was once carried on an individual that has entered the stronghold long ago. The individual is known as Elul…find him in the past and find the scroll he carries. On it are the names of power…be certain not to kill him or take the scroll…instead, scribe the names on a piece of parchment and return to the present. I assure you this…if you accomplish this task I will reward you with more than what is in this black bag!!!

Please remember, changing some things that occurred in the past may reverse what has already happened in the present and/or future. Be cautious…be careful!!!

I will give you all one hour to decide whether or not you will assist me. If you are willing, please return to the manor house within the hour.

(OOG: This actually occurs right before game-on! If you know someone who is coming to this event and does not have access to a pc or the internet, please inform them about this post.)

Like the others, Laurelin listened to what the great seer had to impart. The mention of time travel into the past met with a frown upon her expression... but if the Lord permitted it, then it must be necessary. When Veil was finished speaking, the druid stepped forward, bowed politely to both men, then said "If you will excuse me gentlemen, I have other matters to attend for now. My apologies, but I can not lend my aid to your cause at this time, but wish you and those who go in my stead the best of luck. May Laroon bless the journey of those who venture through time." Turning to her friends of the town, "It would be wise to memorize the perils of such a journey that Veil has spoken of. One mistake... and so much could unravel. Further... it is imperative this mission is kept secret... there are some who would sieze such an opportunity to claim things lost..."

With that the she elf bowed to those present, and took her leave, whispering a prayer to Laroon as she did.

Arthurac nods at you. Wise words lady elf...wise words in-deed! Taking three steps back, Arthurac grabs the attention of Veil who seems to be lost in the eyes of those standing before him. Come Veil, let us retire to the manor house for the hour. Both Arthurac and Veil depart.

Orogom listens and internally debates before finally speaking, very slowly. "I fear I should not risk the journey, having lived longer than anybody here, there is too much chance of my disturbing the events of history. I will have free ales waiting for those who make the journey, unless they do something that causes me to not learn brewing...Master Veil? Do you fore-see...err...hind-see...err...do you sense that my assistance will make the difference in this mission? I still owe you a great debt from your last visit..."

(To be said after Veil's reply to Oro.)

Hanz steps forward, armor freshly polished and helm gleaming in the morning sun. "I will answer your call for assistance. I Hanz Von Donner, Holy Avenger of Koralith, pledge my services to your quest." He steps forward and to the side, waiting for anyone else willing to join.

Before leaving with Arthurac, Veil turns to you. (Orogom) I will say this to you. To see the past with a different eye can bestow great insights to the future. Perhaps you will understand how you can bridge the Vermorcoar Mountains of a broken alliance with your brother...perhaps?!?!

Orogom raises his eyebrow in response to Veil, his conflicting emotions evident on his face as he unconsciously reaches behind him and strokes his hand across the hilt of the dagger Gyoji had given him that was now soaked in Dragon's Blood. "I will make a last minute decision depending on circumstances. We are still awaiting the Belladoons from the last 'great feat' I performed." Orogom's face changes to anger and disgust as that particular memory rises to the surface of his mind.

Artha stands beside Orogom, looking to Veil. "I would definitely like to help as well, however... I am also involved in the matter with the Belladoons to an extent. And I don't want to abandon my friend here..." He pats Orogom on the shoulder. "...until that matter is over and done with. However... with luck and Arlon's grace, the Belladunes might show up today. If this quest into the past isn't going to actually take place in one hour, and the Belladoons appear in a timely fashion... you definitely have my staff and my mind to aid you, or my name isn't Artha Locke."
Anyone can tell Artha REALLY wants to go on this quest into the past from how he reacted to Veil's words, as much as he's trying to hide it.