The day began with an almost festive air. The sun was bright. The temperature was high. The woods were filled with sunbeams and mosquitoes. Yet the pleasant day hid an underlying rot. 

 The Great Rune chest had been opened. In it was the crown of the Fen’Alfar. Only one elected by the people of the wood could claim it, and with it the prize of Fen’Arwen. To this end an election was scheduled for the day. Everyone was to make their way to the Black Tower and vote. Any being of the wood, whether Crystal Bearer or Gnome, could vote. Who they voted for was up to them.

The monsters of Ramen under the leadership of the gargoyle Visuvious, had put forth their choice for the crown, Kamek from Dark Shire. This choice baffled many of the people of the wood, as Kamek was a kind and well respected member of Dark Shire. He had no history or connection with the Monsters of Ramen. 

Meanwhile the name of the famed warrior Azrael was put forth by many. His skill with a weapon and recent decision to sever direct allegiance to any one outpost had made him a promising, non-politically, complicated choice. 

While the voting took place, attempts were made to raid Dark Shire by the monsters, but the outpost was guarded well by its people and strong walls. This gave the people of Dark Shire a time of peace to practice and prepare for the future. 

The people of Home managed to regain their outpost shield. With it they moved locations to the ruins of Fizbandurr. They founded the Outpost of Black Home. They then set about building walls similar to Dark Shires. As they were doing that they devised a plan to take the Outpost shield of Ramen. They were successful in this, but the monsters retaliated before the walls of Black Home were finished. The monsters made off with Black Home’s shield.

It fell to Azrael to negotiate a shield swap between the two sides. Though neither side was happy about it they did agree to trade shields. Now Black Home had its shield and strong walls to defend it. However, while this was going on, the monsters had been working on a much more diabolical plan.

The votes were in, and counted. Azrael won the vote with Kamek coming in a close second. Azmar came in as an honorable mention. In celebration of this, the monsters of Ramen invited everyone to Einherhar’s Rest for a show of talents. They had secured the performance of a traveling minstrel, Julia the Just…because.

Everyone showed up, with even the Gnomes leaving their shops, for the entertainment. Papi, for the occasion, opened a refreshment stand in the chapel in Einherjar’s Rest. Maggie opened a flower and vegetable stand, so the people could show their appreciation, or lack thereof for each performer.

The goblin Syph was the announcer. The first act was Julia the Just…because. She performed the song “Dragonslayer” on her Viola of Virtues. Many flowers were bought and tossed at her feet as the song filled the air of Myth’gar.  She finished to a rousing ovation from the assembled masses.

The next act was to be Syph reading the story, “Dragons love Tacos”. However, it was quickly observed that Syph was illiterate. So an innocent young boy stepped from the audience to read. For accompaniment, Visuvious the gargoyle spit fireballs into the air at appropriate moments. Though it had a rocky start, this act too was met with ovations from the audience. 

The third act was the goblin Virtuous. He performed a standup comedian act. His jokes were found wanting by the crowd and many tomatoes were violently given to him. Midway through the act Azrael, who had voiced his mistrust for the monsters, took note of the other monsters leaving the area. Azrael tried to convince others to leave with him, but they branded him paranoid.  He chose to leave.

Shortly after this, Virtuous took an antitoxin potion, and then pulled a string on the wand he held. With a loud BANG! The wand exploded. Green mist filled Einherjar’s Rest. Everyone but Virtuous and the Guides were poisoned and had 15 seconds to live. Virtuous then proceeded to rob the bodies. The Monsters returned and finished off anyone who had not succumbed to the toxin fast enough for them. 

Azrael had gone to Fen’Arwen. Nobu met him there and gave him the Fen’Alfar crown. With it Azrael was able to open the door to the ancient fortress. Inside he found old manuscripts and weapons of various designs. One weapon was a large sword. It was in a black sheath and leaning against a chest. As Azrael put his hands on it knowledge flowed from the weapon to him. The sword was Fairen’Gar. One of six relic weapons of the original inhabitants of Myth’gar. The sword could only be claimed if it was won in a tournament. 

Also, in Fen’Arwen, was a warrior’s helmet and gauntlets. When Azrael picked up the helm a voice whispered a phrase. When Azrael spoke the phrase a warrior was standing before him with the helm and gauntlets on. 

The warrior, referring to himself as the Hunter, informed Azrael that he could be summoned twice per day, with two lives per summoning. The catch was he needed to be given a purpose or he would vanish. Also, he could be used as a fighter with a spear or he could use his gauntlets to move things within Myth’gar.

Azrael chose the gauntlets this time, and had the Hunter move the shrine of the Sentinel to within the confines of Fen’Arwen. Then he had him retrieve a Rune Forge for Fen’Arwen. Finally, he had the Hunter move both a farm and a wood splitting stump to close range of the walls of Fen’Arwen. Then he released the Hunter for the day. With all the changes Azrael had made he also decided to change the old fort’s name. Templum Bellatorum Abbey, was founded on the 9th of Ordo, 1452 L.K.

When those slain by the monsters returned to the wood they regrouped at Templum Bellatorum Abbey. There Azrael gave a speech to all of them. In summary he stated that he would not fight for them if they were not willing to fight for themselves. The monsters had wronged them and they should stand up and defend themselves.

The people took the message to heart. Battle groups of four were formed and the hunt for the monsters began.  The first conflict was in Einherjar’s Rest. Though many Crystal Bears fell to the monster, they still were able to defeat them. At one point Visuvious the Vicious feigned injury so the people would lose interest in him. Then when they had turned away from him, he struck many in the back before fleeing into the woods. 

Word was passed that Herowin Metherin had created a bounty ball for Visuvious the Vicious. A group of Crystal bears from Black Home got it first and tried to capture Visuvious. The plan failed but a group from Dark Shire took up the plan.

By the end of the day the monsters had been pushed back to Ramen, where they took up defensive positions and waited out the day.

So ended the 9th of Ordo, 1452 L.K.