Vigo was slain in town by his own thrall… Everyone was there to witness it. With Titania’s dagger, his enthralled troll stabbed him in the neck. Whatever possessed it to do so, we may never know.

After his death and everyone left the town, I went to investigate the body. A dark miasma began to rise from his corpse as I got closer to it, and eventually his clothes and flesh all completely disintegrated. Oddly enough, only his bones were left behind. I ordered my men to bring those bones to Grey Arrow. My advisors questioned me about it, and even I had no explanation as to why I made that decision.

The only explanation I could come up with was that Vigo’s influence over the Myth Wood was strong and dangerously powerful despite his evil intentions. And with the strange note we received talking about the rage of the titans of Tartarus, this power could potentially come in handy at some point and if we ever needed it again, these bones could be the answer to retrieving that power once more. My advisors give me great insight into the decisions I make, but without the insight and opinions of King Balin and Jarl Elric, my closest companions, I had to make these decisions on my own and hoped that they were the right ones.

I knew that bringing the bones of Vigo into the keep, and keeping them in the Myth Wood at all was a bad idea. I knew that making this decision without consulting the other great minds in the wood, was a terrible mistake. But one thing I knew for sure, was that the safety of the woods was my top priority and is my duty to protect. If I have to call upon a power we tried arduously to destroy in order to protect it, then so be it. I’ll take time to prepare ahead and take great precautions when dealing with such evil. That much I understand and can guarantee for the people.

Not only will I have to deal with having the bones of Vigo in my home, there are always those in the woods who are watching. Word will have spread of these remains being in Grey Arrow and I must take precautions against that as well. His followers were just as evil as he was, but they were loyal and held him in great esteem. No doubt they will try to bring their leader back from the dead.

It’s only a matter of time until the wood becomes a war torn region once more. Whether it be a civil war or war against the gods. No matter what, we will do all in our power to be ready.

As told by Fenik Blackwhistle, the Opinionated

Discovered by Ryn Hawkwind

So, I was peacefully asleep, enjoying a dream not related to those damned mines for a change, when a howl pierced that dream. I slammed awake and realized the Talls that roam this wood during the warmer months had returned. I walked out of my quaint tree home and saw troll Riddick fighting with the Talls, with much hatred and gusto. I was curious as to why the troll was so violent, he seemed so benevolent to us and where the new troll with him had come from. I then noticed that there was a man in dark purple robes, and an evil grin on his bearded face, and they both seemed to be under his sway. That made me rather uneasy, to say the least.

 I made my way to what these giants call King’s Rest, and there I saw a group discussing how to rid the woods of the werewolves, a young general, a soldier, and a thief, a rather odd grouping in my eyes. They were looking for others to join their party, as they didn’t feel competent to complete this task on their own, and went off in search of others. I soon saw them with two more in their party, another general with the legendary FairenGar, and a magic user. Those magic users all look the same to us, fancy robes, magic bag of crap, and they love to make their enemies stand in place, only this one seemed unfazed by the pure white Mythranium around his neck. They went off in search of the werewolf, and I nodded back off, hoping to return to my rudely interrupted dream. I do hope they get these werewolves taken care of……

I was again awoken, gladly this time, as the nightmares of the mine returned, by the same group of giants gathering around the tree in King’s Rest. There was talk of killing someone named “Vigo”, and how this thief wanted to see the person be removed from this land for good. The magic user with the Mythranium necklace removed Titania’s Dagger from the tree, and the thief attached it to his belt, which had many pouches, probably filled with other people’s money. Dirty thieves, stealing from those who work hard to earn their keep. Anyway, they set off in search of their quarry, and my what a band of misfits they were. Mercenaries, soldiers, magic users, generals, thieves, all working as one. It made me smile, to see those of different classes come together. I decided to follow them, as this seemed important to watch, and my nap was ruined anyway.

They went to the graveyard, and tried to lure this “Vigo” into a trap. One of the larger giants yelled something about a “Red Rover”, and asked Vigo to bring it over, or something like that, but this Vigo wasn’t falling for the trap. The thief with Titania’s Dagger and two others left, leaving those in the graveyard to presumably draw Vigo to them. I followed the small group, hoping to see the Dagger used wisely, and shortly after making their plan, the man in the purple robes, as well as some less savory fellows, appeared and killed them. They called this robed man “Vigo” and I started to understand their desire to kill him. He held sway over my Troll friend, and that angered me. The other troll killed the thief, absorbing his energy and making it some sort of magic armor, and picked up the Dagger. I had lost hope in these adventuring giants, and thought their plan had failed. I decided to go back to King’s Rest to try, yet again, to get some sleep. Working during the night to keep this place neat is no easy feat, and makes one weary, so this disturbance needed to be ended somehow.

I was awoken to Vigo yelling something about a deal to be made with the adventuring group as they walked into town. He started to say he would give Gadaren the fabled Dagger, when the unfamiliar Troll plunged it into his back. Vigo’s eyes grew wide in pain and fear, realizing that he had been betrayed, and that his being was slowly fading from these woods forever. The adventurers had no idea what to think of this, as that troll had always worked against them. Then, when they determined that this was indeed no ploy, there was much rejoicing amongst the giants, realizing that their mission had succeeded, though not how they had imagined it, no doubt. Maybe now I can go back to sleep, there will be much cleaning tonight. Blood stains don’t come out of grass very easily….

After the defeat of the skulls, a celebration was in order. It felt like an everlasting fog had been lifted and purpose had been made clear. There was so much left to do and so many things to learn.

Once things settled down, the minor lords and stewards organized a tournament and festival to celebrate victory over the skulls. Craftsmen, enchanters, and chefs came from distant lands to sell their strange and exotic wares. It was a time of merriment, which I gladly took part of.

After having to take up the mantle of leadership, I had been drowning in meetings and paperwork, always one minor issue after another and it never seemed to end. I decided to take a break from it all and try my luck in the tournaments.

Soldiers and mercenaries from all of the Myth Wood were there to participate.  When it was my turn in the ring, I fell on my arse a few too many times for my liking. I was disappointed at how terrible my swordsmanship was and decided I needed to improve it. I just… didn’t know who to ask or where to start. I didn’t feel like I could ask any of the soldiers or mercenaries. I’d be paying a pretty penny for a chance to increase my swordsmanship, but it would also offer a chance to slander my name. Bardic stories of the wrong kind could easily ruin my reputation, which I could not afford at the time. Instead I decided to go back to Grey Arrow to see if there was anything in the library on swordplay or something similar. I don’t remember how many hours I spent in that library, but what I found made every hour worth it.

Deep in the archives I came across some old scrolls tucked away in the back of the shelves. It spoke of special training for young gifted Gray Elf children to create what was called a “Vardr”. The majority of the time, many of the children failed the first trial. The Trial of Gar it was called. An incredibly technical trial of swordsmanship. It required the focusing of an inner “Selbho”or magic power that affected the physiology of the subject. Reportedly, only three in ten pass the trial. Those who didn’t pass had all magical power burned from them, but those who did gained lightning quick reflexes, their eyes changed, and other bodily enhancements were noted. It was a terrifying and disturbing read, but intriguing nonetheless.

If the young elves survived the first trial, they would then move onto another test which is known as the Trial of Weid, which involved the focusing your “Selbho” through the eyes, and allowed for better magical vision, and understanding. Unfortunately, it also resulted in partial blindness to normal sight. There was very little information on the details of the trial, but according to the name it must’ve had something to do with traversing your own dreams in attempts to find an answer to something? Or maybe to confront something to surpass one’s own abilities.

After finding these scrolls, these  “trials” have been on my mind ever since. I wanted to find where these “trials” were being conducted, I wanted to find how to use this “Selbho”, and lastly… I wanted to see if it was possible to either train, or even become one. It sounds ridiculous, and it sounds dangerous and idiotic, but I HAD to know.

It has been just about 12 years now since King Balin found me alone and lost In the Myth Wood. He was with his brother in arms Elric.  They brought me to their home and let me stay there, as long as I agreed to work for them. I was a mercenary at the time and was to take orders from them first, and from my other employers second.

At the time Balin was only the Lord of Hammers Hold. We were strong together, we could conquer the Myth Wood slaying both men and beasts alike. Yet it could not last, I had been a troublemaker and adventurous back then. I moved on to advance my skills as an assassin leaving behind the mercenary I once was, and the home of Balin and Elric. I became a shady person through those who had taken me in, and what I learned under their wing as a mercenary. Despite my change of careers I tried to keep peace with Balin for I had no quarrel with a man brave enough to become our King.

Shortly after I had been taken in by the assassins,  the dark book of magic had been discovered. Marta gained her soul back, and became a Sorceress beholden to the Book of Magic. I feared she still felt the rage of the succubus in her blood.

It was around this time, on a hot summer’s day that Elric and I, went on a stroll past Grey Arrow keep when we stumbled upon Marta. She was struggling to move a book out of the Battle Arena of Valor. I asked her, “what kind of book could this be?” she could not tell us. All she knew was she needed to take it to a sacred place to decipher its contents. Marta had asked us to help her transport this magical book of power to the Graveyard of the Fallen. For she was much too weak, and it was draining her energy.

Elric and I had agreed to help her, for she was no longer with the Daemons, she was one of us. So we made it to the graveyard, and Marta begun reading from the strange book, when a fury started to grow within me. My bones ached and twisted my head was throbbing, I felt angry, upset, hurt, my thoughts….  I could not control them, they were, controlling ME!!! A disgust I have never felt before, a hatred for all who entered the Myth Wood.  My body grew hot and fiery. My skin became like leather. I was… invincible?? this cannot be, nobody has this kind of power.

A year later I found myself lost once again in the Myth Wood. Or was I? NO?! Then where am I? I have never seen this place and who are these Ordin that have woken me?  Where have I been all this time? Am I dreaming? How did I get here and what are these stories about a troll and a werewolf?! Why am I covered in burns? Could it be true? As I lie on the ground I begin to see the Myth Wood as I once knew it.  Yet it had changed almost as if it had been ravaged by war. Like Zeus himself had slashed the Earth, and uprooted trees. Destroying the walls of Kings Rest. I had found myself in a place called Tickle Town.  Familiar faces had come to welcome me back, although I didn’t recall leaving.

They had doubts about me. They were even scared at times. My sword was covered in blood. I was covered in blood. What had I done? Was it not a dream? The thirst for blood had never felt so real. They say I had endured an ancient ritual. The soul of a troll who had once roamed this land had taken over my body. They say he had resentment for the slavery of gnomes working for our money. He kept trying to call the Myth Wood his land, and we were all trespassers in it.

What happened to our Kings Rest? Where was King Balin? When will he be back? How long must the slaughter of our people go on? Will the Mysterious hunter finally make peace with us? I must find King Balin, and help him restore order, perhaps I could get some help. He deserves to have a good crew to back him up, even if he isn’t here. Although I’ll need to make some dirks, good help is hard to find these days, and money does talk…

The War of the Skulls is over, and the Myth Wood is freed from control of the twisted gods, but not without it’s casualties. Alas, poor Lord Gadin! In the aftermath, Agamemnon and the demon lord Sam’El were exorcised as well, as calmness and peace began to settle across the land.

To celebrate our restored freedoms, we had a large feast in town, which then led to a friendly tournament. This tournament served as exercise to practice and workout our combat strengths, as well as build unity and goodwill among the citizens so that we might stand together against any challenge that might threaten our kingdom at a future point.

At the conclusion of the tourney, his majesty King Balin redistributed the lands to worthy warriors, with Riven now becoming Steward of King’s Rest, Erik being given the Battle Arena, and the empty Gray Arrow going to Rokai, as he was the warrior who ultimately saved us all.

With nothing but peaceful days on the horizon, my shield appears to have little use. I need to have something to keep waking up for, and so I have decided to take up farming, providing food for the land. Unfortunately the soil around Gray Arrow does not seem suitable for these provisions, and I must reluctantly leave my home, and head towards the supple earth of Hammer’s Hold…

It has always been a habit of mine to reflect on my life every so often to help myself realize where I have been and where I want to go. It has been many years since I have done this but I believe now is as good a time as any. I sit in my office in King’s Rest going over countless shipping orders, trade and personal disputes, requests for help or forgiveness from the people of King’s Rest, and any number of other odd documents to sign or approve. This work is frustrating. The King has been out “hunting” for many years now and while he did leave the kingdom in the capable hands of the Jarls and myself, I am coming to resent the life he has given me. I am compensated well by the people of King’s Rest and have grown used to a soft bed and a warm hearth to sit by each night. I no longer scavenge for food or need to steal for my next meal. But I feel that some part of my spirit has dwindled during this time. The spark of Riven has grown dimmer with time and the duties of my post. It seems that the days of running in the Woods, free of care or responsibility are over for this Brigand turned Ranger, now Steward.

Let it be known that I am not looking fondly on the days that the Daemon Lord wreaked havoc in the Myth Wood, or that tragic time when my body was stolen from me and the Game of Keeps divided the Wood. But at least I was able to feel alive. Not knowing who was with me or against me. Having seemingly omnipotent Gods controlling my former friends and enemies in a conflict that looked to have no end.

No, I do not wish to return to those times. I am forever grateful to Rokai for doing his best to secure the freedom of the people of the Myth Wood. But I do long for adventure and the thrill of victory. There is no call to action for me to rally behind. My anger toward the Game of Keeps has faded and I am left with a hole in my soul where it once helped me move forward. I cannot forget the time when I was lost and not in control of my own body, it haunts me to this day. Without that anger to fuel me, I am not sure how long I am destined to remain in the Myth Wood.

I am reminded of my youth and my training in the Art of Misdirection by Silvertongue. She was a master of the craft at a level that I will never be able to attain. Those are the days to which I wish I could return. I had nothing, no allies, no enemies, no money, and no goals beyond surviving another day and learning how to use my Voice as a weapon. There are times when these skills have given me great trouble and now the people of the Myth Wood read into every word I say and assume a double meaning or a secret scheme is always behind what I tell them. I wish people realized that I do not have a thousand plots in motion and am not covering lies with more lies to mask the truth of my intent.

Sadly, I know even this letter will be considered “another of Riven’s schemes to confuse the people” but I have come to accept that. Not every situation can be handled correctly with steel and sorcery. Some situations require a more subtle touch. The adventure that comes to mind first involves the First King of the Myth Wood, Dirk McCormick, and how I was given the title of Lord.

Many have heard the tale that I kidnapped our first King and forced him into giving me a title in exchange for his life. This may be how it seemed to outsiders but the true interaction between the King and I was not as one-sided as this leads people to believe. But that is a story for another time… For now I must return to my endless paperwork and squabbles between the citizens of King’s Rest.

Like all denizens of the Wood I felt the stirring of these new Gods, but they seem of no threat to us at this time and may even be the forces that allow us to continue our existence here. For now I am bound by duty to continue at my post until the King returns or I thrust a quill into my brain from frustration and hopelessness. However, I fear that Eir would frown upon this course of action so I will carry on in hopes of finding a new purpose beyond being the Steward of King’s Rest.

Forever Watching,
Lord Riven, Shadow Stalker
Steward of King’s Rest

Message in a Bottle – Part 1

I hope this message finds its way to you brother. This strange place I find myself in seems to have cut me off from all familiar sources of power. I even attempted to call forth the family Water elemental, the lazy thing is ignoring me. I’m putting this note in the sacred bottle, now that lazy thing will have no choice but to spirit my message to you. The second it touches any water it should feel that uncontrollable pull to it. Glad father was able to finally work that magic.

First I must warn you, the first mate is plotting against us. I’ve had my suspicions for some time, but it is now confirmed.  The treacherous fool must have slipped something into my food, for now I find myself in some strange forest. Some others on the crew must be in on this attempted mutiny for them to have landed and brought me so far in land. If you receive this in time trust no one.

As for where I am…..well I woke in front of an arch that led to a forest on what must be a large uncharted island. So large in fact there isn’t even the faintest sign of the sweet smell of the sea. As I walked through the archway I saw trees like nothing I’ve seen in all our travels. Not a single palm or coconut, instead a forest such dense leaves it’s hard to see through. It truly is a sight to behold. You would love it I think. Sadly, I can’t identify anything that could give me the least hint as to how you could find me.

A few moments after I entered the wood I was approached by a local thief. Apparently, he was attempting to start a Thieves Guild. Hoping these thieves were like those at home I figured why not, get some information, maybe a few coins, and possibly a clue as to where I’ve been marooned. Good crew if you ask me. When you get here I’ll offer a spot to replace the mutineers. They aren’t the most battle tested but they are honorable. Well, as honorable as any thief can be.

There is just so much to tell. Like one of those stories Father would tell. You know how he and his crew slaughtered all the trolls, well he missed one. I found him here, where ever here is. It was my greatest pleasure to rob the brute. I was evading the creature, as I personally had no means of dispatching him, that fellow that brought me into the guild had a fun little plan.  His name is Ryn Hawkwind by the way. He thought it would be a funny thing to have the troll ended by one he was trying so hard to exact revenge on. Like I said we need him on the crew, one with that kind of instinct to add insult to injury of our enemies may even be first mate material.

Oh, another warning if you get here and don’t find me first whatever you do don’t open the void box. It contains binding contracts that you will be compelled to accomplish. No way out of them and no way of knowing what type of contract you will draw. I made the mistake of pulling out one such contracts and was forced to hunt down the King of this strange land whom I had never seen, and insult him until he agreed to a duel where I would have to fight with one hand behind my back. So here I am looking for the King when a local mage informs me that she was off to see the very man I was hunting down. So I followed her thinking the whole time “Oh goody, I get to insult the Monarch of this land that I had never even met. Can’t wait to be on the bad side of a King in a place I’m unfamiliar with. No better way to make a good first impression really”.

So we finally find King Balin, who was wielding a hammer larger than any I’ve ever seen as if it was nothing. I waited patiently for her to finish her business, then suddenly words sprang from my lips. I said some dither about skulls being stupid, and how the bandana he was wearing was extremely tacky. I then proceeded to tell him he was such a bad king that I could take him using just one hand. Not the best insults I’ve ever thrown around but they did the trick. I surly wasn’t on my game and was quickly vanquished. Not sure what power lies in these woods but when I lost instead of the death I expected from such a blow I was just transported to the archway again. Very strange indeed. I will really have to remember the King has such a short fuse. Can you imagine if I had insulted his skirt? Yes, this strange land has a King who wears a skirt.

Well brother Hope this reaches you. I feel cut off from the old powers and am not sure if this will delay our elemental. I will send an update as soon as I can, with luck I’ll have some clues as to where in the 9 seas I am.

P.S. Dibs on the racist Elf Lady. Just in case you see her before you find me. May the sea be calm and the wind fill your sails.

Message in a Bottle – Part 2

So the bottle is still here. I’m adding this note, though I am a bit disheartened seeing that the bottle is unmoved. Perhaps I should find a larger pool of water, or it’s possible it will take longer for the elemental to find me so far from the sea. I will trust in our sacred bottle.

Well I guess I’ll inform you of what’s transpired since my last note was written. As I woke this morning I was noting how nice having a pouch full of coin was, when an entity in a spirit-like form entered my body. Though it was difficult to communicate, I was able to tell that it was a being of power. One that did not have a body of its own, but that could bestow power upon a willing host. It was able to get across to me that its last host had been able to expel it through a ritual. It also informed me that once its kind was just a conduit that linked a person to some deity called Validus, but not long ago the local inhabitants meddled and gave these beings souls. Now possessing a soul it did not want to return to the ether and was requesting that I allow it to reside in me. We struck a bargain I received power that I hoped would help me find a way home and it got to stay on the material plane. After I agreed to house the soul I was given the name of the one that had expelled it, Riven. Understandably it was upset at being sent to its version of a demise. I was able to retain control, well mostly. I am now unable to steal. Apparently this being is all about order, not a bad trade off as I still have friends that would be willing to do the dirty work for me, I will miss the rush in taking items right out from under the noses of the unsuspecting. I doubt the guild will still allow me to remain a member now that I am unable to take a single coin without express permission.

The powers I have received while very useful, are not enough currently to get me out of this place. I guess I will need to strengthen myself, get acclimated, and force my will on this world to escape these woods and get back home to the sea.

On a fun little side note it appears that the half elf I mentioned earlier is now under the influence of these entities as well. She doesn’t have her memories but her personality is still as strong as ever. The lack of memory works in my favor as I stole a kiss a bit after I wrote my first note to you. She threatened my life, but didn’t strike me so I figured I still had a shot. Now she doesn’t remember it at all. She is definitely still beautiful and full of fire. Part of me wants her to be herself again death threats and all, you know how I like a challenge.

Now that I have had more time here I have noticed that the locals are in the grip of a three-way war. Not one they are choosing but one that is being forced upon them by 3 powerful beings that are residing in different colored skulls. The blue skull is about order through ruling with an iron fist, the green skull claims to be for balance though it appears that they are more about tipping the balance to be on top, and lastly the red skull who is for complete chaos.

The creature that inhabits me must have more influence then I had originally thought. I was against taking a side and giving up my freedom but I was compelled to take a blue piece. Those that had blue pieces were given abilities that enhanced their own. I started as a simple pawn but moved up rapidly in the ranks. When the day was done I was the champion of the blue skull. I contemplated challenging for control of the skull. Not sure if that gives sway over the pieces or just gives more control to the being in the skull but if it gives me power to assert my will on all below me then no one would dare challenge my might. I would be able to bring order to the land, and any that thought differently would make great fertilizer for the wood.

Message in a Bottle – Part 3

The bottle is still here! When I see that filthy lazy elemental that dares to defy my will I will bind it to an outhouse.

News brother. The power of the skulls is no more. While those of us that were under the control of the skulls were murdering each other, a brave knight and noble elf entrapped the entities that had once inhabited the skulls. Sadly the elf forfeited his very soul to the cause.

Now free from the control of those wretched beings I have had time to learn more about the place I live. I now know that the Ordin seem to control the government. The shops and banks are all Ordin run as well. Oh I forgot to mention, I am no longer a silly human. I have risen above, I’ve become better, I am now an ever-powerful Ordin myself.

Now that I have fully embraced my power it has grown to amazing levels. I am able to grant one of the denizens of these woods immortality as long as I live, all they must do is follow my every command which they should be doing even without my gift. I have gained the power to steal a soul and use it to bolster my own defenses. Much better then snatching coin, right brother? My newest power is to change my very form to that of an amalgamation of wolf and man. The world should pray I never find my way out of these woods that have entrapped me so.

When I gain enough power to escape we will rule the seas, all of them. I may even take the land our father abandoned so long ago. Order will blanket the lands from respect and if not then fear.

Since last I messaged you I have time to get to know the monarch of this place. I misjudged his anger. He knew of the contract and did me a kindness. He is a just, yet not too soft ruler. I should be grateful for his generosity given our first interaction, I just feel that a ruler should do so with an iron fist. He tolerates Daemons in his realm for Validus’s sake. If I were ruling I would have hunted down and exterminated them long ago. Such vile thing deserve no mercy and no quarter. I would eradicate the very remembrance of the sound of the word Daemon!!!

….

Brother, stay away from here. I just read what I have been writing. This is not me, I would never …… you know me. Take this note as evidence that I may not be me next we see each other. You know I have no love for law and order. We have spent our entire lives fight against the very thing I now desire most. I fear I am losing the fight for my very existence. I may one day win back my freedom from this parasite but till then I beg of you to not even look for me. Being that the bottle has never moved even an inch you may never even get these messages. That is probably for the best, as I would prefer you to remember me as I was.

Well if by some miracle you do receive this then this is goodbye my brother. If I return to myself I will attempt to reach you again. I hope that day comes.