Karnea Story Two: Consolidation of Power

[Dungeon Master]

This Story will Explore:

-Establish Master Karnea's Power Base at the Tower of Blood Sea.

-Establish relationships with Karnea’s contemporaries among the Black Robes. Allies and former Foes alike

-Establish the paradigm of the new Trio that governs Magic on Krynn -The Three Masters of the Orders of Magic

-Explore and Establish Karnea’s Relationship with the new Master of the Order of the White Robes. The so-called Prodigy Coryn Brinefellow. Master of the Tower of Nightlund (Formerly Palanthas)

-Explore and Establish Karnea’s Relationship with Highmage Jenna -Master of the Three Orders of Magic, Master of Wayreth

-Address the two burning issues before the Conclave- The Minotaur Magic-Users Issue. The Primal Sorcerers and Wild Mage Issue.

[Dungeon Master]

Karnea, Master of the Order of Dark Magic
Story Two: Consolidation of Power
Chapter One: The Visitors

Krynn
Eastern Ansalon
Blood Sea Tower of High Sorcery,



Karnea had been toying with different ideas to serve the Tower. She has thought long and hard about what the Tower needs. She would like a scribe or two, but she saw issues with the idea. All the problems of a scribe go away when she comes across the Dark Tome of Unrah on the shelf. she takes the tome and sits on the desk and opens it. She pages through, seeing some useful spells, and others that are less so. She was about to close the tome, before coming to the page about the Skeletal Scribe

Karnea reads down through the Spell


Skeletal Scribe

Level 2
School Nec/Enchant
Sphere ?
Range Touch
VSM VSM (skeleton, hawk feather, robe)
Dur one day per level
CT 4 segments
AE one skeleton
ST none

Spell description
This spell creates an undead scribe for the mage, it is not permanent but is much safer to use for reading new tomes and writing down words of great power. It can take dictation for letters and note-taking writing as well.



Story
A Ship bearing several Black Robes arrives a couple of days after your Minotaur excursion. You and the caretakers have been working on a few different things, sometimes coming together to catch one another up.

One) is monitoring the Rebel Minotaur Army

Two) is torturing the Forerunner Minotaur Priestess for useful information

Three) Investigating the spore infection that has slowed up the Rebel Army. After two days and Nights, you begin to fear you may not be able to find a cure in time, but it is Nuitari that provides the answer. The only answer may lie with a Priestess of Mishakal, guarded by a Follower of Kiri-Jolith. He explains that Kiri-Jolith is regarded with respect, even by those who serve Sargonnas as even he respects Kiri-Jolith. Mishakal may be the only one that can heal this blight.

Amid this chaos, Karnea is alerted to visitors at the dock. It appears they are staying by the Dock as the Forest will overpower anyone without the special charm to enter the forest safely.

Curious, Karnea Teleports to the Dock and meets the Black Robes and guests.
You recognize two immediately as soon as they lower their hoods.

Kalana Hiewind, a former student from your tower on Schellsea. She established herself in the Imperial Capital of Gwynned on Northern Ergoth. She is 14th Level. She was a Dark Elf, and a principal-agent that served you was loyal to you in the past. Kalana seeks to serve Karnea again. She has cultivated a strong presence in the Capital City with spies and agents around the city. She and a circle of others have maintained a dark chapter house for Dark Wizards in Northern Ergoth.

The other you recognize is Talron Darkblade. A skilled rogue agent who sometimes ventured into the realms of assassination. His loyalty and bravery to Aravis on their adventure ultimately led to her being taken by the Queen of Darkness and hidden away in the Abyss. He was completely over his head in the fight with the Death Knight. That he got away at all was a miracle enough to give you a warning.

The other Black Robe is revealed to be Verena of Flotsam. A former student of yours (Human) from your Tower at Schallsea. She has business to discuss with you. Vorena is Sixty-two. Dressed in Black, she is a weathered Wizard 14th Level.

The Guest is dressed in something like a long trench. Talon steps forward and introduces himself and introduces the guest.
"This is Sirak. I met him in Tyer, (The First Draconian City), we did some jobs together and he is good at what he does."
Sirak assumes his real form of a Sivak Draconian. He kneels and pledges himself to the service of the Master of the Tower.

Karnea is under no illusions. She could destroy any one of them or all together at any second beyond this moment, so let us give this a try and see how things go. Getting no pushback from Nuitari. She shifts the Forest away while she allows them into the tower and The Forest shifts back around the Tower.
Keeping the assassins in one room that is magically locked. She tells Caele to bring them refreshments while she meets with the Black Robes.

She discusses business with Verena. 15th Level Black Robe. She has a small shipping company that owns Six Ships, for now. She has contacts with Merchants on Saifhum that could provide provisions to the island.

Karnea has already concluded that Flotsam is the “safest” Port with the “safest” overland travel path. Nearly the entire East Coast of Ansalon is unsuitable for transport by Black Robes. The Coast is mostly inhabited by Ogres, or potentially run into a cannibal cult in Nordmaar. Even in Flotsam, one has to travel through the Desolation and skirt old Kendermore and Minotaur recon patrols. Other Ports will serve as means of travel to the island for those who cannot Teleport. They come to a deal for services for purposes of shipping goods and transport of potential Students or Black Robes to and from the Island. She has refreshments and dinner brought to Vorena and set her to a Resident Room for the Night.

Karena moves on to Kalana and tells her she has uses for her. Kalana’s contacts and spies in the Imperial City will be very useful indeed. She bids Kalana to stay for a few days. Nuitari’s High Sanction comes at the end of this week. We have plans to discuss. She then settles Kalana into a Resident Room with Dinner and Refreshments. Before moving on to the Assassins-

She tells Talron she remembers his actions in the Duty of Protecting Aravis. "It is right I accept you back into my service."

As for Sirak. Karnea can’t say she has had much in the way of good interactions with Draconians over her days on Krynn. But they have not been all bad. You are a formidable agent to be sure. What’s your story?
The Draconian relates that Tyer is overcrowding with Draconians coming to the homeland every day. “It is my time to offer my talents to a worthy lord. The tales of Karnea Dragonbane’s rebellion from Takhisis are legendary. She who defied Takhisis thrice and lived is worthy. ”


Karnea finds this interesting. Legendary? Is this coming from Talon? Who else knows that much about me and is talking? She puts that aside for the moment. Karnea deduces this Draconian is perhaps a Third Generation Draconian. Made in the closing days of the War and missed out in the War of the Lance, but perhaps participated in the Blue Lady’s War. Karnea is well aware of the abilities of the Sivak Draconians. Several have tried to kill her. They are the only Draconians that can fly. Shape-changing, doppelganger-like abilities. Ruthless, Deadly. May come in handy. Not blind to the possibility of this being a potential Assassin. Sometimes one has to roll the dice.

[Dungeon Master]

Karnea, Master of the Order of Dark Magic
Story Two Consolidation of Power
Chapter Two: Side Quest Part One

North Central Ansalon

Solamnia

Nightlund Province




The Master of the Black Robe teleports outside the Forest of Aspen trees. She looks down and pulls forth the charm that was given to her by Dalamar, those many, many moons ago. She approaches the Tower of Nightlund.


Hours earlier, at the Blood Sea Tower

The news is not good. The Rebel Minotaurs is suffering from a wasting disease that is going to lead to their deaths. Nuitari and Karnea consider their options. Nuitari feels the only option to make this work is to enlist Coryn Brinefellow at the Tower in Nightlund in Solamnia.

Karnea just looks at him and says. “You realize, this just puts us in her Debt?”

Nuitari makes a dismissive movement with his fingers, “Nevermind that, we will have to bring her in to our side anyways on a number of issues coming to a head at the next conclave. I’m preparing something special for her in payment that will more than make up for her services today. Something that you can eventually barter with her to get what we want.”

Karnea absorbs this. “Minotaurs Magic Users, Primal Sorcery, what else?”

“Those certainly, but also currently, the largest collection of Nightblue bound tomes of Fistandantilis still sits in the Master Study of that Tower. Spell books of Raistilin Majere, and Dalamar the Dark. I am going to need you to become her new best friend. Not fake mind you, we must take care to manipulate this one in the most delicate sense. It will pay dividends in the future. Say what you will about her, but she is the only White Robe that can see my black moon. Consider that. First, we will need her to go to New Ports for us and retain the aid from the Priests we require. I know High Sanction is within two days and our guests will be arriving, but I don’t think poor Foros has that long. This will require your personal touch.

“You are sure about this?”

“Very. We are playing the game now. Pieces are moving around the board. We have to keep up. It’s just that important.

Back in Nightlund Forest

The Black Robe approaches the Tower and comes to the door and it opens-

A young woman with olive skin, ice blue eyes and black hair, adorned in the whitest of white Robes. She smiles and bids you to enter. “Master Karnea, welcome “

[Dungeon Master]

Karnea, Master of the Order of Dark Magic
Story Two Consolidation of Power
Chapter Two: Side Quest Part Two

Solaminia


Nightlund Province



Tower of Nightlund (Formerly of Palanthas)



Karnea follows Coryn inside, The Master of Nightlund offers her guest refreshments. Coryn asks if Karnea wants to go upstairs. Karnea’s eyes follow the spiral staircase as it winds upwards on and on. “I think not on this visit, Do you have someplace we can talk that is closer?" Coryn takes Karnea to the sitting room.
Karnea sits as Coryn walks around and takes her seat. “I was rolling bones earlier today and discerned I would be receiving a visitor."

“I do apologize for just dropping in on you, we really should work out a way we can contact if the need arises."

“I can see the benefits to such a connection if the need arises.”

Karnea lays out why she has come.

Karnea spends the next several minutes explaining the complexities of the Minotaur situation. How the Dark God Morgion is involved, how Sargonnas is involved and what Nuitari is trying to do to forestall the coming invasion of Ansalon of the Minotaurs while also empowering moon magic on the Minotaur Isles.
Much to Karnea’s satisfaction, Coryn follows everything Karnea has said and understands why she must go. Karnea tells her she will meet them outside of Silvanesti.
Karnea and Coryn step from the tower with their staves and one disappears after the other.

Southern Kern

Karnea teleports just outside the Rebel Camp. She pulls the hood over her head and assumes the form of a bat and flies around and observes the state of security and the location of Foros. Karnea appears before Rebel Leader. Karnea pulls her hood down and a mask up. Foros is in bad shape. Karena tells him she has brought help, but they must be able to be brought to you to help you. Karnea can see it tear him up inside having to rely the “weak” to live. He calls his guard and tells them they will be having visitors soon, to allow them to pass.

Soon the three approach the camp. Coryn, and the two priests. The large minotaur guards loom over the humans as they walk past. They stop when they see Karnea, but Coryn keeps walking to her, so the Two priests follow, a bit slower than they were before. Both priests are female. Karnea brings the three to Foros. Coryn and the Cleric of Kiri Jolith hang back but the priest of Mishakal steps forward-She whispers prayer to her goddess to heal this Warrior. It takes the rest of the night. Coryn and Karnea hang back from the scene. Karnea spies several Minotaurs talking to the priest of Kiri-Jolith.


Karnea thanks Coryn for bringing the priests and suggests they meet in Nightlund before the coming Conclave. Coryn agrees, but cautions Karnea that Jenna was planning to stop by at some point before the conclave as well. “We can meet before she arrives.”

“That is suitable, I will call on you then.

The Morning light breaks. The infected are on the way of healing and the Priest of Kiri-Jolith caries the Priestess of Mishakal from the camp in peace. Coryn and Karnea part ways as Karnea enters the camp and Coryn and the priests teleport away.


Karnea walks past the guards to Foros. He is standing with his back to you.
“How do you feel?”

The Minotaur turns around. “Much better. Thanks to you, my army is saved. But you have given me much to ponder…”
“I am sending an agent to oversee your attack on Silvanesti. I may be able to facilitate a means to take the city with less bloodshed. This agent will act as my voice and my hand in this and future matters.”
Foros tells her he understands. “Thank you for your assistance, yet again.
Karnea nods to the Minotaur Rebel leader, and then she teleports away back to the Blood Sea Tower.

[Dungeon Master]

Karnea, Master of the Order of Dark Magic
Story Two Consolidation of Power
Chapter Three: Arrivals

Blood sea of Istar


Blood Sea Tower



It is the Day before Nuitari’s High Sanction and open house for the Blood Sea Tower
Karnea made it back to the tower early in the morning and bathed before sleeping for a short time. Basalt Dead-Eye brings up lunch and updates Karnea that several Black Robes have arrived in your absence, A ship has been spied on the horizon with many more Black Robes aboard. Karnea asks for a run down on who has arrived as she opens her spell book and readies a piece of parchment to take down the list of who has arrived so far-

Basalt answers
Rimasalas Qoutathas, Dark Silvanesti Elf
Nalas Dark Elf, rumored to an Apprentice to Dalamar, unconfirmed.
Raina (Human, one of your former students at the Tower at Schallsea) of Taris
Willim the Black has also arrived.

“That’s all so far?”

“Yes mum, so far. And the Ship.” Basalt answers

“Very good, you are making our guests comfortable and fed?” Karnea asks?

“Yes, but they are anxious to speak with you, when you have the time.”

“Make sure they are comfortable and I will join you in a few hours. And Basalt, do watch Willim, don’t let him wander too far.”

“Understood Master. He creeps me the hell out.” The Dark Dwarf backs away and closes the door behind him.

Karnea studies her spell book in earnest, memorizing a select spell list, just in case she is challenged for leadership. She contemplates the list of Black Robes, those present and those still out there. Who has the stones and the ability to call her out? She does not put it past any of them, but there are those that are more likely than not. Other Masters of the Order has been assassinated.

Its hard to place the precise percentage of those that “love” her, “respect” her, “fear” her, don’t “trust” her, openly disagree with her to outright “hate” her. As Karnea has outlived most of her enemies, which is always useful, I would say most of the Order “envies” her and her “secret life extension” that has allowed her to remain youthful in appearance. There is also the feeling of “jealousy”.
Karnea the Witch, Karnea the Renegade. Karnea the Heretic.

Karnea was a sword of the Gods. Allied for thirty years with Sargonnas to thwart the schemes of his wife Takhisis. Thrice Karnea defied the Dark Queen. She soon came to the notice of Nuitari.

Black Robe Renegade Hunters were sent to kill Karnea in Solamnia, but Nuitari stayed their hand and she was remanded to the Tower in Wayreth for the Test.

Karnea survived the Test of High Sorcery. It had a deep impact on her. She finally understood the power of High Sorcery. She quickly understood its power and respected it. She became Nuitari’s most devout follower.

Over the course of her future adventures, Karnea has become valued member of the Order of High Sorcery, she also become known as the Slayer of Dragons.
It was also whispered that Nuitari and Karnea had a much deeper relationship.

She is thankful her students have returned to her. Some will be more useful than others. She never appreciated her Dark Elves until before she left for most of the Early 5th Age. Now they will be useful indeed. It will good to have some allies down there when she goes down to host her guests.

Willim The Black. Karnea remembers him , only seeing him last year at the Battle of Wayreth. Willim. is also a chosen one of Nuitari. Karnea is positive Nuitari will tap him in as her chief advisor. He could be very useful, even as he is so very dangerous. The rumor is Willim was going to kill Ladonna until he heard about the hold, she had over Par-Salain, that was the only reason that stayed his hand. She will just see how things go.


Karnea finishes her Memorization and dresses in her Robes of the Magi and puts on her magical jewelry, deciding between a few different wands she places in hidden pockets at key points on her person and walks out of her room and wizard locks it and joins the festivities below. Strictly speaking, Karnea has never been the extrovert type, this should be interesting, She reaches the landing of the common area. She can hear various voices, dwarves, elves, humans… Karnea steps into the Common Area-

[Dungeon Master]

Karnea, Master of the Order of Dark Magic
Story Two Consolidation of Power
Chapter Four: A Dinner Party

Karnea steps from the last step and plunges into the small gathering of black robes. She marks them all, seeing where they are standing.

“Kar-ne--a! the Slayer of Dragons! How in the seven hells, are you?” The boisterous voice of Willim the Black catches everyone by surprise as he limps to stand in front of the Master. His eye-less sockets are shocking, the humongous on his shoulder has two black beaded Eyes of True Seeing. He bows and then rises. The humongous shifts so it can see you better.

“I never thought I would see you again you old’ Witch. Then you showed up for the Battle of Wayreth, and what a battle it was.”

Karnea says “Greetings, Willim, I’m glad you are here. I’m glad that all of you, are here.” Addressing the rest of the room.

She looks over the Black Robes-

Rimasalas Qoutathas,the Dark Silvanesti Elf – Don’t remember much about him, will have to ask Kalana.

Nalas Dark Elf, (rumored to be an Apprentice to Dalamar, unconfirmed report though.) Very handsome, and dressed in an Elven Black Robe.

Raina (Human, one of your former students at the Tower at Schallsea) of Taris -This one you hardly remember. They were so young. But living in Taris is interesting- Wydara’s Games is located in Taris. A certain library was located down there. You will have to remember to ask her.

She shares pleasantries with everyone she directs everyone to find a seat. Karnea thinks about hiring a taster, to taste her food. Just a sudden thought. Probably will have to hire them from Soreel and bind them with an unbreakable curse. Her plate is brought to her by Basalt. He hands her a goblet of the Nordmaar sweet wine. Karnea asks Basalt to update her about the ship’s arrival time. He nods and moves off.

Kaenea picks through the fish and oysters.

Karnea conducts a conversation with her Black Robes, to get to know them. She brings them in on a few plans that she has been thinking of, she engages each of her guests in conversation with them- They are gauging her as much as she is gauging them. She asks their advice and brings them tighter into her web. Nalas and Raina have caught her eye, more than a few times. And Nalas was evasive ever so slightly when she asked where he was staying. That is its self is not a surprise. Black Robes like their secrecy. The momentary play of the light in his eye made sure that Karnea would not soon forget Nalas. There is something about him that interests you.

As for her former student Raina, Karnea learns from her that it was the Library of Khrystan, and attempts to reopen have been delayed. The Red Robe that was running the restoration went missing. Just walked off and was not seen or heard from again. The Library was overrun by undead and killed the restoration group.


Willim asks "when did this happened?“

Raina answers “I think that was...385-no, it was 386AC”

Karnea notices that Nalis is interested in the conversation, Karnea looks at the other Wizards, and a fair number of them are as interested. Doesn’t prove anything


The conversation turns to the subject of Sorcery and what the Conclave is going to do about it.

Karnea answers
“I can’t speak for the Highmage, but there is talk of a blanket absorption of the Primal Sorcerers. The thinking is that anything else will spark off a wizard war.”

“You don’t agree to that do you?” coming from Rimasalas Qoutathas, the other Dark elf in the conversation.

“As far as I know, the standing order is that if a Black Robe Hunter arrives, it's already too late. No, I don’t want a wizard war. I tell you this. I’ve been to a world that was destroyed by primal sorcery. Destroyed the whole ecosystem. The Wizards there became known as Defilers. I fear this planet will suffer the same fate if Sorcery is allowed to go unchecked. I will slay them all before I allow that to happen, and I won’t ask for permission and won’t seek forgiveness.”
That seemed to set them all straight. The Black Robes are quiet for a moment.
Basalt returns. “The Ship is arriving now.”

"Send Cael down to greet them, I am going upstairs. Basalt, see to our guests, Willim, follow me.”

The Dark Dwarf gets up and follows Karnea. She steps back beside him. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to make you walk up all those stairs right now.

“Thank Nuitari” Willim says
Karnea takes his arm and teleports them to her study.

“Have a seat”, Karnea directs him to her chair in front of her desk, Karnea walks around her desk and sits in her chair. “I have a propitiation for you.” Karnea begins, “I want you to come and live here,and act as my Right hand. When it is necessary for me to travel abroad, I would expect you to protect the Tower against all threats. I very much could use your noted intellect at my side, there is no one else for this job I looking for, I’m offering it to you.”

Well now…I don’t know what to say, you are serious? Are you sure?

“You know you are the man for the job.”

Willim the Black blushes and says “Well, then I am your man… Master.”


It's the old adage, keep your friends close but enemies closer

[Dungeon Master]

Karnea, Master of the Order of Dark Magic
Story Two Consolidation of Power
Chapter Five The Explorer Part One

Eastern Ansalon

The Blood Sea of Istar


The Galley is the Explorer, a magically enspelled ship under the ownership and captained by Darius Desaad. A very wealthy Black Robe hailing from Northern Ergoth.

Parts of the ship are larger on the inside, including the cabins. The only way to get this many black robes together without some fight breaking out.

Most of the Black Robes from Northern Ergoth are on the ship. The Ship made for the ports of Palanthus and Kalaman to pick up Black Robes, there are no real ports of call on the east coast of Ansalon except for Saifhum, the Blood Sea Isles, and Flotsam. They stop at Saifhum and then make for the Tower of Blood Sea. The general location is known.

Though the Black Robes stayed mostly to their cabins, some did congregate. Here and there, Some Wizards talked in twos or threes.

Conversations very. From primal sorcery to the betrayal of Dalamar and they wonder what the reign of Karnea will be like?

Many of them thought Karnea would challenge Dalamar back before the Summer of Flame. They all knew she could have. But Karnea respected Dalamar. She worked with him at times. But Karnea looked to expand her knowledge. So Karnea left, and gathered power, and walked the streets of the City of Doors.

What impressed many of the Black Robes was that she would return to Krynn and serve on some of the most dangerous missions in the history of the Conclave. It was known that she was a chosen of Nuitari, despite her renegade witch beginnings. She was one of the few to escape Krynn before the world was stolen. Karnea searched for the Gods and rebuilt her power after being terribly injured during the Battle inside the portal of chaos.

So, while the Moons of Magic were gone and the Gods were unable to find Krynn. We were alone. Sorcery was a poor imitation of the real thing, but taken to its fullest potential is dangerous and unwieldy. Just as Wild Magic.

We would later find out it was Takhisis that sole the world, that she took away the Gods and the Moons and was responsible for taking away their magic, then acting as the Shadow Sorcerer, helped Palin Majere unlock primal sorcery.

Then after a number of years, sorcery disappeared, and all of the magic of Krynn was being absorbed by an unknown source.

After the War of Souls, Karnea returned to Krynn.
The Black Robes would learn that Dalamar worked with the Queen of Darkness in this betrayal, further, the Gods of Magic have banned him from the Tower he has been hiding away in. Not able to return to the tower to retrieve his Spellbooks, his magical traveling Spellbook gave some access to his magic, but he had offended the Gods of Magic so much, even Nuitari. when the Conclave reconvened, all of this came to be known by the Black Robes, and a vote of no confidence was soon declared Even Dalamar’s fan club deserted him.

There were only a few choices that people who had the stature and power.

Selene

Malakai the Viper

Romero Vane

Willim the Black

Mistress Karnea

Normally, magic duels or assassinations choose a change in leadership in the order of the Black Robe. But there have been times in the past, only a few times, when no wizard would challenge the next logical choice.For one, Karnea has been getting more powerful than everyone, nobody in their right mind would challenge her. So, their faith has been put in her hands.

The choice was obvious-

She has a grace period, then we can judge her by her actions, and not just by words. They are ready for leadership. And if they aren’t impressed. There are alternatives.

[Dungeon Master]

Karnea, Master of the Order of Dark Magic
Story Two Consolidation of Power
Chapter Five The Explorer
Part Two

Eastern Ansalon
The Blood Sea


The Ergothian Galley, called Explorer, sits in the Natural harbor. The ship’s launches magically speed their way to the docks.

The Blood Sea Tower caretaker Caele, (a black robe half-elf from Abanasinia), has been sent to receive the black robes from the ship. He watches smaller boats arrive at the dock, and he helps whoever accepts his help.

Some Black Robes fly from the ship and land at the dock, and some levitate to the island

The Black Robes turn to the sea and pay their respects to the Sea Goddess for their safe journey.

It's better to be safe than sorry.

The rebuilt Tower of Istar, now Blood Sea looms above the Caretaker. He welcomes the Black Robe Wizards to the isle and the Tower of High Sorcery. He hands them all a very small vial to drink to pass through the Magical Forest.

It’s a bitter pill to have to drink an unknown substance, but a couple do and start walking through the forest.

Seeing that they go through, the other black robes imbibe their small vials, and follow Caele through the forest.

The Caretaker leads the Black Robes to the Tower entrance.


Black Robes from the Explorer

Darius Desaad- A very rich man of Northern Ergoth. More than a Sea Mage, He is an explorer and a bit of a Renaissance man with a very extensive library. Owner and Captain of the Explorer. A magically enspelled Galley.

Esme Conclave Black Robe Wizard Female 64 8th Level Black Robe Human Dark Wizard from Imperial Northern Ergoth.

Romero Vane Conclave Black Robe Wizard
Human of Imperial Ergoth. old-time dark wizard. Once a rival of Karnea, but has since proven his loyalty to Karnea and High Sorcery

Selene Black Robe Wizard Dark elf, a former apprentice of Karnea, Instructor at the Schallsea Tower. She is the headmaster of the School of the Dark Arts in Taris. She broke away from the school in New Ports many, many moons ago and has built a solid Dark Arts Academy. It is small and discerning on membership, but everything from the basics through to getting a student ready for the Test of High Sorcery

Azura** 4th Level Black Robe, from Selene’s school, has recently passed the Test of High Sorcery.

Inari Former Student at Karnea’s Tower of Schallsea
Dark Elf Black Robe

Hestia Former Student at Karnea’s Tower of Schallsea Human Black Robe

Attia Black Robe Human 11th Level Black Robe Northern Imperial Ergoth -Extremely wealthy

Malakai the Viper Black Robe Wizard Human of the Taman Busk Region. Once a rival against Karnea has since thrown his support behind her over the years.

Julian Ashford Black Robe Wizard Male Younger 8th Level Black Robe A youngish up-and-comer from a very old family and a long line of Black Robe Wizards with a mix of loyalties. Human from Imperial Ergoth

Sirene (ca. 322 AC -? AC) is a female half-elf wizard of the Black Robes. She is over a century old and had studied wizardry until the Chaos War.

Lucien Black Robe of Taris

Marius Black Robe of Palanthus

Possibly a few more

May not be a complete list, list may be unfinished.


The Caretaker opens the door and takes them inside the Blood Sea Tower of High Sorcery.

[Dungeon Master]

Consolidation of Power
Story Two
Chapter Six: Gathering of the Black Robes

For forty years, the Black Robes have not gathered as an Order for High Sanction. The Battle of Wayreth brought Wizards back to Wayreth to save it. In the time since, Nuiari has been visiting those Black Robes, choosing who he would patronize. But those that were already Black Robes were so few in number, that Nuitari had to recruit. He found those among the Sorcerers who would accept him as their God and follow his laws. Many await their Test of High Sorcery to join the ranks of the black robes, but not enough.

And so, The Tower of Blood Sea was raised. Well, it had been a secret, but it was out in the open now. In the time since the Tower has been made ready to be habitable and functional. With the small number of Black Robes in existence, The Tower has rooms set aside for their stay. Only a few of these will be asked to stay if Nuitari and Karnea find they have some use.
But the Tower will allow Black Robes to visit the Tower, for research, and the library, which is still expanding, and allowed to place their Magic Items on an altar of Nuitari on the roof courtyard. Rooms have been created that are lined with arcane runes of warding capable of demonic summoning, holding, and containing that do not endanger the rest of the tower. Nuitari is looking to bring students in to be trained in the dark arts.

This Gathering has been planned for months. It is the grand opening, the open house, the first of a new beginning. Food is prepared elsewhere and teleported to the Tower, where the guests either eat in their rooms or at a large round table on the first floor in the Common Room that appears magically. It is a high-caliber dinner and the guests debate where it was made. The consensus of the common room settles that Palanthus be the meal’s origin.

Two Wizards fly from Flotsam on the day of High Sanction.
Ardn Amurchin Black Robe Old Elf 13th Level dark elf, lives in Neraka
Black Robe Renegade Hunter Sarus of Khur

They join the festivities


As people have finished their meals and gathered back in the common space. The large round table to cleared and it vanishes. They find that A young woman (in appearance) of 5’3” appearing as she is twenty-six. Blonde hair, blue green eyes. She is objectively pretty, not (beautiful). What arrests them is that she is so small for having such a large resume. Some are caught off guard that she appears no older than when she was on the mission to Storm’s Keep, 40 years before. It is wondered by many if she might have some dark pact with some fiend, utilizing a bloodstone-like device, or touched by some God. (It is true Sargonnas extended her life as payment for her assistance through the years in his secret war against Takhisis).

This woman now leads us.

Master Karnea addresses the Black Robes

“Welcome to all. Welcome to the Blood Sea Tower of High Sorcery and our inaugural High Sanction Gathering. I am Karnea, Master of this Tower of Blood Sea, and Master of the Black Robe. I want to begin by saying almost everything you’ve heard about me is true. I was a renegade at one time. True, I did not like being told by the White Robes, By the Red Robes, or even the Black Robes that I had to submit. But Nuitari showed me how little I knew then. I took the Test of High Sorcery, I embraced Nuitari’s way, the way of High Sorcery and I have never turned back. I have become his chosen.”

“First, this Tower is a Tower of High Sorcery. It is Hallowed ground, and therefore the rules Magic tells us
Solinari's Law: All wizards are brothers in their order. All orders are brothers in the power.
Lunitari's Law: The places of High Wizardry are held in common among all the orders and no sorcery is to be used there in anger against fellow wizards.
Nuitari's Law: The world beyond the walls of the towers may bring brother against brother and order against order, but such is the way of the universe.”

“I will be meeting soon with the other two Masters of High Sorcery, and find out from Highmage Jenna as to what is to be done with Primal Sorcery. We wizards are few, and their magic has had thirty years to grow. I know some of you used this sorcery in the absence of the Gods. I neither condone this nor do I castigate anyone for this. It was a bleak time. But you are here now, and you hold Nuitari as your source of power now, and that is good, He welcomes you to the real power.”

“The following groups will all fall, as I and Nuitari see it, as all falling under what I term as Renegade Wizards"

“Renegade Wizards that will not follow one of the Gods of Magic will be dealt with summarily.”

“Primal Sorcerers that will not follow one of the Three Gods of Magic is a Renegade Wizards and should be dealt with accordingly”

“Warlocks and Witches, speaking from experience, wields great power from the beyond. They are dangerous and by their very nature Renegades and will submit to one of the Gods of Magic, and take the Test of High Sorcery or be eliminated.”

“Wild Mages that will not follow one of the Three Gods of Magic is a Renegade Wizard. Some Wild Mages follow Lunitari, some don’t, and they are dangerous”

“In weeks past, I have personally met with Minotaur Magic Users that want to follow Nuitari and join our order. I will bring it to the other two Masters of Magic about the minotaur situation. I ask you all to be welcoming, despite how you may really feel about minotaurs, you will accord them the same right as another mage if they pass the Test of High Sorcery. Nuitari is for this, I act in his stead, with this action we can increase the Black Robe and any of the robes should the others agree. But any Minotaur that does not take to one of the three Gods of Magic, will all be deemed Renegades.”

“I’m going to circle back around, back to the Lunitari's Law: The places of High Wizardry are held in common among all the orders and no sorcery is to be used there in anger against fellow wizards.
No acts of violence can be committed in a Tower of High sorcery, no acts of violence will happen in this tower. Now I know we are all Black Robes and I‘m not here to lecture you, but the laws of the Conclave and Wizardry apply here.”

“I bring this up because, in Lunitari’s law, it also says the places of High Wizardry are held in common among all the orders. It would be insular in thinking and in practice if we three orders stay to our own Towers. No, we should be welcome at Nightland as we are welcome in Wayreth. As Wayreth is open all, we shall also. Yes, we have our secrets as Black robes, but we are strongest together. We are all brothers in Magic, and Magic is the most important thing to the Order of High Sorcery. And so, as you are free to visit this tower to research and learn and grow, so too will the others have that opportunity to come, go, or live in one of the apartments above, to learn, and grow. I will talk to the Lady Coryn of the White Robe with the idea to open the Tower of Nighlund to us as any of the robes are coming here.”

“I hope if I have not gotten to meet you before now, I will get to meet all of you before the night is over. You are welcome here, every High Sanction of Nuitari to join the circle in the pinnacle Towers Courtyard on the roof.”

Karnea tries to spend a moment with everyone in the Order by the end of the night.

The Caretakers are handling the guided tours. Willim the Black is at work, watching the proceedings with his homunculus’s eyes of True Seeing.


Blood Sea Tower Description
Blood Sea Tower of High Sorcery
Formerly the Istar Tower of High Sorcery-Remade by Nuitari
Sections of the Tower (Still defining the floorplans of the tower-ongoing project

Pentacle Tower Five
Pentacle Tower Four
Pentacle Tower Three
Pentacle Tower Two
Pentacle Tower One apartments, the librarian, archivist

Five Pentacle Towers are evenly spaced around the roof of the Tower. They stretch upwards from the Blood Sea Tower roof several more floors rising to minarets at their roofs standing 100' high, each containing a walkway. Most are used as apartments with excellent views.

400’ in height before the Pentacle Towers add another 100' making the Tower 500' high.

Roof: Roof-top courtyard, iron stands are symmetrically spaced apart and light up with flames during ceremonies, the floor contains glyphs corresponding to the heavens, the moons, their phases, and a depiction of the night of the eye conjunction of the three moons There are three altars to each of three Gods of Magic.

the eastern side of the Tower houses the personal living space and apartments, while small laboratories, work areas, and scroll archives are located on the west side of the Tower.

Twenty-Sixth Floor: Chamber of Eyes, The Chamber of Eyes containing the artifact the God’s Eye, a powerful, perhaps the most powerful divination divine artifact on Krynn.

Twenty-Fifth Floor: The Map Room, The sage’s residence

Twenty-Fourth Floor: Master's Laboratory

Twenty-Third Floor: Master's Chambers, Personal study of the Master of the Tower- See Reply Seven for a description of Master Karnea's study

Twenty-Second Floor: Apartment, laboratories, VIP guest chambers

Twenty-First Floor:

Twentieth Floor: Library Floor 3 Scripitoriam

Nineteenth Floor: Library Floor 2

Eighteenth Floor: Library Floor 1

Seventieth Floor: Gardens, Meeting/Dining Room

Sixtieth Floor

Fifteenth Floor: Willim’s personal studio apartment and laboratory

Fourteenth Floor: Basalt Darkeye and Cael and personal studios, and laboratories

Thirteenth Floor: Warding Chamber

Twelfth Floor: Apothecary Storage

Eleventh Floor: Teacher studio apartments, personal laboratories common space for the teachers

Tenth Floor: School, laboratories, student dormitories work rooms

Ninth Floor: Testing Viewing Rooms

Eighth Floor: Testing Chamber

Seventh Floor: Casting Rooms

Sixth Floor

Fifth Floor

Fourth Floor

Third Floor: Staff apartments, cook, servants

Second Floor Guest Chambers,

First Floor: Entrance into the Tower via the Round Door. leads into the cloakroom, onto the Grand Hall containing a statue (stone Golem) modeled after Asanta, circa 2550 PC, the creator of the Tower. Audience Chamber(Throne Room), Hall of Records- archivist, Meeting Rooms, Common Room cafeteria-Anyone in the Tower is permitted to partake, though most often it is the students, teachers, visiting Black Robes (though a resident can get food from the kitchen and return to their rooms), Kitchen-cook, Storage Rooms

The spiral staircase that runs from the basement levels to the roof at the center shaft of the the Blood Sea Tower. It is set up much as the Tower of Palanthas (Nighlund).




Outside

The Black Wall encircling the Tower
The Golden Gate Three moons on the gate
Belken Grove encircles the inner black wall.
The Quad around the Tower

Unknown locations
Sublevel: Dungeon, Torture chamber


Over the week, Karnea has been able to reconnect with her former students and formulate how they will best serve the Tower’s interests. Established a trade agreement with Flotsam and the ability to ferry black robes to the tower, (for those that can’t fly or teleport).

The Master of the Black Robe has been taking meetings over the day behind the scenes. She is also deciding who will serve as your agent overseeing the attack on Sargonesti (Silvanesti). She decides Rimasalas Qoutathas Silvanesti Dark Elf Black Robe Wizard will be her agent. Karnea speaks with him in private and bids him to stay one more night as her guest.

-The Black Robe Renegade Hunters and assigning a chief Renegade Hunter. Karnea assigns Sarus of Khur as the chief black robe renegade hunter for the Order. Karnea’s directives for the Renegade Hunters Primal Sorcerers, Warlocks, Wild Mages, and Renegade Wizards. Hire Rogues, Mercenaries out of the Wayreth coffer, and hunting renegades are the top priority

Selene Black Robe Wizard Dark elf, a former apprentice of Karnea, Instructor at the Schallsea Tower. She is the headmaster of the School of the Dark Arts in Taris. She broke away from the school in New Ports many, many moons ago and has built a solid Dark Arts Academy. It is small and discerning on membership, but everything from the basics through to getting a student ready for the Test of High Sorcery.
Karnea tells Selene to come and live at the tower, “Raina is capable of teaching and running the school there. I want more schools out there. I want you to come to the Tower and teach here, I want you to run the school here.”
It is hard for her to leave the School she built, but she understands the Order needs her, and her master needs her, she has to say “yes.”

Karnea meets Azura** 4th Level Black Robe, from Selene’s school, who has recently passed the Test of High Sorcery. She is intrigued and asks her to stay at the tower for a few days. She must get to know her and see if she is worthy.

Karnea meets with Nallis. He is beautiful. A Dark Elf. Not that she has been keeping points for style, but his outfit is very handsome. He admitts to having been recently apprenticed to Dalamar. Karnea tells him she will not hold that against him. Dalamar has not been named a renegade, he is still in the Order of Nuitari. Karnea tells him to stay, so that she might find a use for him.

Darius Desaad- A very rich man of Northern Ergoth.
More than a Sea Mage, He is an explorer and a bit of a Renaissance man with a very extensive library. Owner and Captain of the Explorer. A magically enspelled Galley.

They discuss life in the Imperial City. They discuss the Dark Chapter House. They discuss his travels to the distant lands of Royodo, the Lands of the Dragon Throne. He talks of distant Taladas and the Imperial Minotaur League.

Karnea finds him engaging, extremely intelligent, and vastly important to understand these distant Continents. Karnea has been vaguely aware of Taladas, as a party member from the days of old was a Chi’asi’ Elf from Taladas.

Karnea had early on embraced Spelljamming after getting exposed to the technology in her first travels of planewalking. She bought a Galleon and hired a crew and utilized the Arcene Spelljammer to bit of exploring of her own. Between her and her long-time kender companion, they uncovered a secret kept to a small number of people in Krynnspace.

Karnea thinks back to reaching the secret place, this fountain, out here in the middle of nowhere of Krynnspace. She looked down into the pool of water and cupped her hands to bring the life-giving water to her lips – Splash – Karnea had looked with horror that her friend Kender, her companion of old had fallen into the water, his head below the water, sputtering coming up for air, takes a drink, and another, and another and gets up and climbs out, dripping the water onto the ground. This moment of personal victory was stained with the knowledge the Kender will live as long as he doesn’t get killed or fall and break his neck, as the water is rumored in lore to bring lasting life. Karnea has long suspected she has been cursed for inflicting this near-immortal kender upon the world.

Back to the subject of exploring, she did not travel as far on the Planet, though she is aware of at least two continents, (Taldadas, and vaguely aware of the existence of Adlatum.) She tells him he is very important to the Order for his knowledge of these places, she agrees to visit his manor house in the future.

At the appointed hour, the Black Robes make their way to the ascension of Nuitari

On the rooftop courtyard of the Tower, where the five pinnacle towers reach out from the tower, each is seven stories. The five pinnacle towers each have a different purpose, whether it be administrative, classrooms, research, or undisclosed at this time, (though one seems to act as a lighthouse beacon when a ship enters an enlarged radius around the Isle).

The winds on the rooftop courtyard are calmed to a light breeze. Cloudless night, the stars burn bright overhead. The two gaping holes in the center, on either side of Gilean where the Dark Queen Takhisis and the Platinum Dragon, Paladine once positioned, are now gone. This might typically mean they have come to Krynn to work their schemes, but the queen is truly gone. And Paladine is just a man.

Each lost to their own thoughts, and as they gaze out, a feeling of triumph fills them all. This was the beginning of a new era of Black Magic. All of their lives have changed in some way on this journey.
Black Robes place their magical items in one of three altars of Magic. The alter of Nuitari

At Nuitari’s High Sanction

Nuitari begins the show. Nuitari magically builds a fortress port city erected from stones from under the sea. Stone by stone, it is magically built.
It is a small port city, but room to have a community, and space to house those who are not going to live in the Tower. (Such as Karnea’s agents, assassins, and mercenaries.) but also others, fishermen, merchants, scribes, and Innkeepers. The Forest surrounds the Tower, and a fortress wall is built on the perimeter of the island, encompassing the Forest, the Tower, and the small city, the small port is made defensible.

[Dungeon Master]

Karnea, Master of the Order of Dark Magic
Story Two Consolidation of Power
Chapter Seven: The Highmage's Agent

Eastern Ansalon
Blood Sea
Blood Sea Isle
Blood Sea Tower of High Sorcery

A New Day

Most of the Black Robes have departed the Blood Sea Isle after walking around the grand fortress that encompasses the Island.

Karnea is walking through the Port area with Talron and his Sivak companion, deep in conversation. They walk to a building that was formed overnight with magic. She tells him she wants this to be the Den of Assassins. A project Talron and Sirak can work on between the mission she has coming up for them. She pays them a stipend and provides them with a couple of magical items that will serve their purposes.

Karnea walks away from her assassins towards the group of girls, along with Nalas. Kalana Hiewind, Selene, and Azura are walking under the Blood Sea sun.

They point to different features they have discovered in their exploration. Guessing which shop will open in what location.

Karnea imagines for a moment the port coming to life with activity, and visitors from afar. But she returns to reality and tells them they have work to do.

Karnea sees that Nuitari has built a shrine for his sister in the port. The Shrine to his sister Zebolim, The Goddess of Storms and the Seas. She looks at the shrine, and out at the Blood Sea.

Karnea says her own little prayer to the Sea Goddess. They are in a partnership to a degree now.

Karnea looks back at the Tower. Things are starting to come together. On the agenda, next is to pay Lady Coryn a visit.

She tells her entourage to head back to the tower and they will continue their discussion after dinner.

Karnea walks with them.

It is just after midday when the messenger arrives from Wayreth. The Red Robe courier is met by the Black Robe caretaker Caele. He walks through the magical forest to the courier. He hands a small vial to the man to drink to be able to penetrate the forest and enter the Tower. The Red Robe looks at the Black Robe, moments pass, and The Red Robe drinks and hands the empty vial back to Caele It is Karnea’s orders to bring the messenger to her, show she may show off the Tower as it will be the first time a Non-Black has entered the Tower since it was magically rebuilt in secret from everyone else. Secret from the other two Gods of Magic, in secret to all of the Black Robes, but a few special ones were brought in to bring it to life with activity.
The Red Robe takes it all in. He records everything he can for his mistress in his mind.

It is remarkable what was unmade has come back to the world. He knew the Tower had appeared on the Blood Sea, but the Fortress was a complete shock. They have not been sitting still.

He is brought inside and made to walk up the winding staircase, the center shaft is open. But an undefined beam of light lights the center shaft for people to see. It was a guessing game for a while until the light was added more recently.

On the Seventieth floor of the Tower are the Tower Gardens and the Master's Meeting Room.

Caele announces the Red Robe-
The courier is brought into the meeting room and finds Master Karnea and Willim the Black already seated at the far end of the table.
Willim the Black walks over and receives the Scroll meant for Karnea and walks it back to her. Karnea hands Willim a scroll of her own to the Highmage and The Thiewar walks back over and hands it to the messenger. Karnea reads Jenna’s letter. She reads down and looks back inside the scroll case and the enspelled earring falls onto the table before her. Karnea tells the Messager to wait while she drafts a reply. She gets up and leaves the room while Willim’s homunculus watches the courier closely.




Highmagus Jenna’s Letter to Master Karnea


To the Master of the Order of the Black Robes and Master of the Blood Sea Tower of High Sorcery,

Dear Karnea,

I wish to start by congratulating you on your rise to the Head of your Order. You have brought order and stability back to the lives of our Black Robe brothers and sisters.

I very much wish to build a relationship with you going forward concerning the future of the Wizards of High Sorcery.

With that in mind, I understand that you are influencing the situation in the Minotaur civil war. All of this is perfectly understandable as the Minotaurs dominate the immediate region in your sphere of influence. I am very interested in any insight you may be able to provide on how it may affect the interests of High Sorcery. A resident Red Robe of Wayreth by the name of Rikar is from Mithas and may be of assistance to your future endeavors in the region.

The true reason for my correspondence involves a recent event that has come to my attention. A Powerful Wild Mage has taken up the side of protecting Primal Sorcerers from attempts by our Renegade Hunters to bring Primal Sorcerers in for Testing at the Tower. I am told by my Hunters that the Wild Mage was female and extremely forthright to the point of threatening. The Hunters say the powers of the Wild Mage were warping reality. I was first going to attribute the figure to being Ulin Majere, but the description is female and I’m left with two possibilities. Either it is your former apprentice Analis Faithor, or her apprentice, the one known as Morgan. It was Analis herself that told Palin Majere that the apprentice was told by her mother that Chaos touched her pregnant belly and affected the child in utero.

There was some debate on whether it was Chaos himself or one of his minions. Either way, this information is from the early days of the 5th Age. Nothing has been heard of either since the War of Souls a few years ago now.

I think we would agree this poses a challenge to our authority. I was wondering if you have any thoughts on how to approach the situation to limit any possible trouble that might arise. I would like to end this as peacefully as possible as Analis was your former apprentice, might you consider taking the lead in de-escalating this situation at your earliest convenience?

Enclosed you will find a specially charmed earring that enables communication over long distances. I have only a few, but it will allow conversations between one or more earring holders. It has to be activated to be on or off

Note: There is a description of the activation words necessary for it to be operable.
(The earring’s description is three moons of magic represented by small gemstones approximating the colors of the moons of magic)

I do hope we can work out a schedule to meet informally with some regularity to better cultivate a working relationship.


Your Sister in Magic,

Jenna


Karnea pens a reply to the Headmaster so that the Red Robe can take it back with him to Jenna.

[Dungeon Master]

Karnea Master of Back Robe Story Two: Consolidation of Power Master Karnea's Reply to the Highmage

Esteemed Highmage Jenna, Mistress of the Order of the Reb Robes, Master of Wayreth Tower,

My Friend,

As you mention, I am in fact influencing events with the burgeoning minotaur presence on Ansalon. As the minotaur wizards primarily cleave to the ways of the dark Gods, I feel that it is within my purview to monitor the situation and bring any of the minotaurs willing to hold to the laws of High Sorcery into our fold. Obviously, if any were to choose the ways of either of the other Orders, I would not be opposed...because we are, after all, all Brothers (and Sisters) in the Magic.

As you are no doubt aware, the Order of the Black Robes recently met in High Sanction at the Tower of the Blood Sea. While I shall certainly not discuss with you all of what was discussed at this moot, I can tell you that we discussed the matter of the Primal Sorcerers at length. Going forward, it is the policy of the Order of the Black Robes that any Primal Sorcerer encountered will be offered a single opportunity to join the ranks of High Sorcery, and if they refuse they will be marked as a Renegade and they will be destroyed. I have appointed Sarus of Khur as the chief Renegade Hunter in our Order. He has been charged with the conversion or destruction of not only Primal Sorcerers, but also Warlocks, Wild Mages, and other Renegades. It is now the official policy of the Black Robes that all Renegades must be cleansed from Ansalon; it is my hope that you and Coryn will institute this policy in your respective orders as well.

Regarding the question of the identity of this mysterious Wild Mage protecting the Primal Sorcerers...if it is in fact my former apprentice, I can only say that while Analis has always been a willful and headstrong pupil, her grasp of the Art is considerable. I will endeavor to reach out to her and determine the truth of the matter. It would grieve me to destroy her, but if that is the will of the Brothers, then that is what must happen.

I look forward to meeting with you and Coryn soon, as I feel we have much to discuss in terms of policy for the Order as a whole. I shall not presume to dictate to either of you as to how to manage your affairs, but I feel that we would gain much from understanding the policies of the other Orders. In the interest of maintaining our lines of communication, I thank you for the gift of this earring; I wonder if you have bestowed one on our mutual Sister at the Tower of Nightlund?

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require my aid prior to our next meeting. Until that time I remain

Your Friend,
Karnea Dragonsbane, Mistress of the Black Robes and Master of the Tower of the Blood Sea

[Dungeon Master]

Master Karnea: Consolidation of Power
Story Two
Chapter Eight: Deep Cover

Eastern Ansalon
Blood Sea
Blood Sea Isle
Blood Sea Tower of High Sorcery



In the dying days of Sirrion (August)

The Minotaur Civil War continues
The raid on Silvanesti was successful, and The Army of Faros Es-Kalin is sailing across the Blood Sea and plans to make landfall in the cover of darkness. They will ignite a Civil War the Nation has not seen in generations.



On the isle of Tower of the Blood Sea


Midday

Master Karnea has been in her study thinking of the many things that have recently transpired and what she wants to do going forward. She is of two minds right now about Talron. She does not completely trust Nalis, the Dark Elf that was until recently, an apprentice of Dalamar the Dark. Karnea cannot completely rule out whether Dalamar carries hard feelings against her and cannot discount the possibility Nalis is to be used as his instrument of revenge. Nalis seems content to wait until Karnea has a use for him. Something seems off about it. When Talron comes in she wants him to keep a close watch on Nalis. But she also wants him to spy for her in occupied Silvanesti for her.

She calls Talron to her study and discusses the Nalis situation with him. Then discusses the parameters of what she wants him to accomplish in occupied Silvanesti.
Talron asks “Why don’t you send him to Silvanesti with me and we can get him out of your hair?”
Karnea is quiet for a moment, thinking, then grins, It’s a great idea, nice and elegant. Well done. Karnea passes over a money belt, “For bribes and the such. I will talk to Nalis after the Draconian.”

Karnea brings Silak into her employ after she explains more fully why he has come to her island. They discuss the overcrowding in Teyr. “There are new towns being erected, but I do not want to be a city father. I have gifts, I want a challenge.”

They discuss the female Draconians and the challenge of taking a mate.

Karnea asks how his “Silvanesti Elf language skills are?”

He admits to being a bit rusty in the high elven but knows Kagonesti.

Karnea considers this. Still may be able to use you. Brush up on your Silvanesti and I want you to join Talron and Nalis in occupied Silvanesti. Ever mimicked a Minotaur before.?”

“No mam, but I look forward to the challenge,” Sirak admits.

Karnea considers this. You will need to assume the forms of a minotaur and an elf. “I will need you to look in on the Minotaur mages and Primal Sorcerers. I need to know any plans for future expansion of the minotaurs. Where will they go first? Anything you learn, take back to Talron every couple of days.”

Later she had Nalis brought to her study and asks if Nalis will go on a sensitive mission for her. “I need you to go with a couple of my agents into Silvanesti and gather information about the Minotaur occupation. Of particular interest is the Minotaur magic-users. I need to know about the Sorcerers and if any are sympathetic to the Gods of Magic. I sent Rimasalas Qoutathas, a Dark Silvanesti Elf to the Forest to aid the Rebel Minotaurs in making a raid for supplies. It's all a means to an end. The Three of you will meet up with Rimasalas and listen for any information he has learned during his reconnaissance over the last couple of days.”

Nalis agrees and thanks her for the opportunity to serve.
Karnea teleports her three agents a distance from Silvanesti proper. And then she teleports back to the Tower.

[Dungeon Master]

Master Karnea: Consolidation of Power
Story Two
Chapter Nine: Plans Within Plans

Eastern Ansalon
Blood Sea
Blood Sea Isle
Blood Sea Tower of High Sorcery


In the dying days of Sirrion (August)

It is late afternoon.

Karnea is in her bed-chamber, preparing for her visit with Lady Coryn. Master of the White Robe. She believes she has everything in order and walks to her study, where Nuitari, The God of Black Magic is waiting for her.

” I didn’t expect to see you, let alone being here to see me off, people are going to talk more than they already do.” Karnea smiles.

“I wanted to catch you before you left. I have a gift I want you to present to Master Coryn when you see her.” Nuitari answers.

Not exactly feeling jealous, more curious about the game he is playing here. “And what is this gift? Karnea asks.

He puts out his arms. Nothing there.

He crosses his hands in front of him nothing.

He brings his arms apart and there is a dish, not unlike the God’s Eye in the Chamber of Eyes at the top of the tower.

He hands it to Karnea. It has a bit of weight for something so small. She looks to him for explanation.

“This is a step down from what we have. She will not be able to scry the movements of the Gods, but it will allow her to view much. This is an Artifact caliber device. She will see far, but not as far as us.”

“The purpose of this gift of such power to her?”

"It repays the debt outstanding for doing our bidding with few questions from a week back. I mentioned something about what I was planning then. Your recent deceleration of the opening of the Towers will also play into this. I must admit I have more than angered my Magical Cousins with the building of this tower. I must go about making some amends to get in a better light with my cousins. These can’t be hollow gestures. She will not accept it gladly, and Solinari will wonder at what I am playing at, but it is clean. No hidden curses are in it. It is a sincere gift to a promising Young Master. One day, this gift with pay us back dividends of goodwill.”

“Plans pregnant with more plans,” Karnea says. “Still staying a step ahead of everyone I see. Okay, you’ve convinced me, I’ll take it to her.”

‘Lunitari is committed to keeping the Master study closed tight. One day I want the magic tomes inside. We will bid our time. I have a few ideas about that. But for now, I wish you a productive meeting, and remember, we need her on our side, As crazy as that sounds, it will behoove us to treat this one well. Farewell…” He looks into her eyes while he fades from view.

Karnea calls for Willim to join her. Karnea tells Willim she off to Nightlund. “Defend the Tower for me in my absence.”
Willim nods to her and says “Safe travels.”

Karnea picks up the silver dish and Teleports from the Tower of Blood Sea


Central Ansalon

Solamnia

Nightlund

The Nightlund Tower of High Sorcery

Karnea to the Forest in Nightlund. She walks through the cypress trees that make up the Forest.
Tower of High Sorcery at Nightlund, is one of the five original Towers of High Sorcery built on Ansalon. When it was originally built, it was built with white marble walls and crimson minarets. This changed though following the end of the Lost Battles. The Tower was cursed, and the white and red turned black.

This tower was considered the greatest of all the Towers and housed the world's greatest store of arcane lore and artifacts in its day.

The Tower is a cylinder-shaped tower carved from an enormous block of white marble streaked with red. Flanking the main tower were two four-hundred-foot minarets, each capped with a red crystal dome in its day, but now these all become blackened over time since the Lost Battles
Karnea recognizes the changes to the landscape. Though the hours grow late, the cursed perpetual night has been lifted from this land since the War of Souls. She was here but a week ago, but it was a fast meeting, with a need of urgency.

It would seem life has returned to this forest. She can hear an owl in a tree close by.

Karnea arrives at the Tower.

The Tower stands before her reaching over six hundred feet in height.

She did not gauge it before, but the damage to the tower looks terrible. The tower has huge cracks that can be seen running up and down the central Tower. One minaret is missing its roof, the other is blocked by a cave-in. It would be nice to repair this as the Blood Sea was repaired. She will talk to Nuitari about it.

The door leading into the Tower is made of polished bloodwood, covered with arcane glyphs. The Door opens and Coryn appears in the welcomes Master Karnea across the threshold.

Cpryn Brinefellow is just slightly taller then Karnea, Eighteen years of age as of this meeting. olive skin, pale blue eyes, long black hair, a legacy of her aboriginal roots from Icewall. She is considered exotically attractive in the north. She is dressed demurely, wearing a plain White Robe and white fur boots.

Coryn takes Karnea up the spiral step case and explains that while she has opened the Tower, it has been slow going in reclaiming the tower for habitation. a few steps on the spiral staircase are missing. Coryn is apologetic she has not gotten to everything yet.

Large sections of the Tower remain closed here, including the Master’s Study that once served Raistlin Majere once he entered as the Master of the Past and Present. The study was sealed shut by Arcane runes, and curses, and a Litch once served as guardian to the study, but no longer.

They walk to the Chamber that Coryn has adopted as her Study. It was once served as Dalamar’s study once he became Master of the Tower.

It strikes Karnea again how young Coryn is. And it makes Karnea feel a bit old. Despite her youthful appearance, Karnea is quite a bit older than Coryn. But she shares a kinship with Coryn. Karnea talked very young. Made her father question if she was possessed. Karnea achieved much in her youth. Broke free from the Devils that held her. She was the prodigy of her day.

Karnea eyes the Desk and sees that Coryn is walking to the chairs by the fireplace. Very smart Coryn, Karnea concedes, not using the desk as a power prop, this is a social visit, not a pissing contest.

Before Karnea sits, she presents the Artifact seeing Eye to Master Coryn. “I bear gift from my Patron Nuitari as we give our thanks for your assistance to us in our time of need.”

Unfortunately, Coryn is in a bit of a quandary. She pardons, she does not mean to offend. She hesitates from taking the dish for mere moments. Karnea sees her hesitation. And says “It is not cursed in any way.”
Receiving an answer from Solinari, Coryn gladly accepts and looks at it. She wants to cast identity, but instead, she asks Karnea what it does.

Karnea explains “It is a Seeing Eye, When filled with liquid, it will increase your divination abilities, and allow you to gaze just about everywhere within reason on Krynn. Will allow you to scry far away, or spy on an incoming army.”

Coryn is overwhelmed. She feels her God’s (Solinari) uncertainty. He is looking for a catch, something that gives Nuitari an edge somehow. But he finds nothing nefarious. It fills him with more questions.

Karnea knows it’s a lesser device than the God’s Eye Nuitari fashioned in his need and desire to Kind Krynn again after it was stolen by his mother. It is the most powerful Divination artifact in existence today on Ansalon. It has spied with impunity to even Gods when they are caught unaware. Some have wizened to by now, such as Chemosh. Karnea does not mention its inferiority to the God’s Eye to Coryn. She does not need to know everything.

It is still a minor Magical artifact and will allow for some serious scrying going forward.
(DM Note-There, the device that the Red Robe uses in the Taladas Trilogy to view Taladas from Ansalon in the tower of Nightlund. in the near future.)

Coryn places the dish on her Desk and returns to her chair by the fireplace. She offers Karnea tea, or bitters, a brew she brought with her from Icewall.
Karea considers the offer and decides Tea would be nice.

Soon, the tea is soaked in a mug of boiled water.

And the discussions begin in earnest.

Coryn brings up Primal sorcerers first. Karnea hears her out on the subject. Genuinely interested in her thoughts on the matter.

“My heart bleeds for these sorcerers. They had no other choice in the Fifth Age. Now there is a choice, but these Sorcerers have grown proud of their accomplishments without the aid of the Gods, and now we come in and are enforcing them to make a choice. I’m given to know that Soiinari agrees with your patron god that some order must be kept. That these sorcerers must join the order. I’m not truly worried about 70% of the sorcerers. A lot of them just use their gifts over the day to help them with work, but there is a large percentage that are frightening and they are the ones that make me truly afraid that they will get out of control. I agree that High Sorcery is the practice of magic, safely. What some of these Sorcerers want is chaos. We cannot have that. I propose we take several matters into consideration, let us leave the low-level sorcerers alone for now. We send out Wizards into the populace to see who is abusing their power and who is a threat.

They might allow us to better target our hunters on the trail of offenders and allow us to prioritize the threats. There are a lot of people who could be turned against us if we start going after friends or family of everyday civilians with a hint of sorcerous ability. Anyone who has crossed the threshold of power and they need to be brought into the Order. I just fear turning the people against us if we start killing lots of people.

Karnea can hear some common sense in what Coryn is saying. “I have told all of my Black Robes that I consider any practicing Sorcerer, Warlock, or Witch That I consider them all Renegade Wizards. It is possible I can amend certain allowances of low-level skill and ability. Perhaps a fuller policy can be made at the upcoming Conclave. We might do well to have white robe ambassadors begin an outreach to the sorcerers and maybe even join the Renegade Hunters on some of their hunts.

Coryn agrees to gather white robes that would be best to serve as ambassadors for magic.

Karnea brings up her recent announcement at their recent Gathering at High Sanction for Nuitari. Karnea intends to open the Tower of Blood Sea to other Rebes and she intends to bring this to all the towers as Wayreth does. Coryn wonders if she is about to be inundated by Black Robes and Karnea allays her concerns.
“Just a small number exchange would benefit all the towers, with an influx of ideas and different positions with benefit all of us and all of Magic. We are not always going to agree, but in brotherhood, we might come to a solution that takes everyone's opinion into account and maybe helps us make better decisions for all. With the influx of a few Black Robes, they may be able to help you with your curse and ward problems in parts of your tower.”

They talk on. About the threat of the Minotaurs. Coryn asks if what she did helped earlier in the week.

Karnea nods and says “It did. The army was restored to good health.”

Coryn asks if they did the right thing in helping these Minotaurs.
Karnea has to think about that. She has been asking herself the same question, but Nuitari says that doubt of their superiority is creeping in. “We have given this Minotaur Leader a lot to think about. I don’t know if it will be enough to stay their hand, but I hope it has some effect on him in the future. And if it doesn’t work, I am going to be putting agents into the Empire and slow an invasion any way I can.”

"I have an eye towards getting the Knights of Solamnia ready. From where I live in Palanthas, the rot is apparent and disheartening. Corrupt lords and dukes and poisoning the honor system of the Knighthood. The three branches are more separate than ever in the past. Coryn discloses.

Karnea has not had the same amount of time to diagnose the Knighthood’s issues of late but tells her the people of Ansalon are resilient. They had to deal with much in the four hundred years and they have endured. Karnea’s own relationship with Solamnia and the Knighthood is complicated. But that was another time, another age entirely.


Karnea tells Coryn that she has received an earring from Master Jenna. The Three of them can now be in contact with each other should the need arise.


They talk a little more and end their meeting by shaking each other’s hands and agreeing to meet on a regular basis. They part ways, both with a better sense of the other.

[Dungeon Master]

Master Karnea: Consolidation of Power
Story Two
Chapter Ten: Thoughts on Coryn the White

Eastern Ansalon
Blood Sea
Blood Sea Isle
Blood Sea Tower of High Sorcery



The air in front of the grand fireplace in Karnea’s personal study shimmered. If anyone were present to witness it, they would feel a wave of bone-chilling cold and be briefly struck with a sense of nauseating dread. Between eye blinks, a hooded, black robed figure appears.

The Mistress of the Tower of Blood Sea and current Head of the Order of Black Robes.

Her robes give her the appearance of being slightly larger than she really is, but she still appears to be much smaller than her reputation might cause one to believe. She shrugs out of her cloak and robes, hanging them on the rack as the candelabra spontaneously lights, casting a warm glow over the desk. Beneath the robes is a short, slightly-built woman appearing to be in her mid-20s. A silver ferroniere with a simple obsidian circle centered on her forehead holds back a cascade of wispy blonde hair that trails down her back. She wears a simple, knee-length black dress with a plunging neckline, giving room for a necklace of obviously magical purpose. Soft suede boots rise to her midcalf.

Karnea steps to her desk and sits in her deeply cushioned chair. A pale hand reaches for a small book in the drawer, her personal journal. Picking up a quill, she sighs as she collects her thoughts about her meeting with Coryn.

Coryn the White is as beautiful as she is intelligent. Something about her calls to me, but I cannot quite place what it is. Her thoughts about the Primal Sorcerers may be somewhat idealistic, but I feel like that is simply part of her personality…her idealism and devotion to her God mirrors my own, it seems. Her faith and trust in the Solamnic Knights is wholly disappointing, but again her idealism shows through. I hope for her sake that it is not too painful for her when the Knights let her down by not being as noble and forthright as she wishes.

But if it cracks her faith somewhat, perhaps she will need an older mentor to vent her frustrations to, one who will give her a sympathetic ear and a shoulder to cry on…or a pillow.

Karnea sprinkles sand on the ink to dry it, and sets the book aside. Pouring herself a small glass of a vintage Qualinesti golden wine, she sips at it as she commits every feature of her White Robed counterpart to her considerable memory.

“I look forward to seeing you again soon, my young friend,” she mutters to herself as she puts the journal away.

[Dungeon Master]

Master Karnea: Consolidation of Power
Story Two
Chapter Eleven: Azura

Eastern Ansalon
Blood Sea
Blood Sea Tower of High Sorcery


Karnea sets down her wine glass and puts away her journal, sighing wistfully as she recalls her meeting with Coryn. She brushes a stray lock of pale blond hair from her face and places the tip of her index finger on her thin lips. Her fingernails are well manicured and painted after the fashion of the wealthy women of the Soreelian capital, though Karnea’s fingers alternate black, red, and white nails in homage to the Krynnish gods of magic. She resists the urge to bite the nail, an unfortunate habit from her early youth in Limbo. The Demon Sym frequently chastised her for the damage she caused her fingers, one tiny reason why she hated him then as she does to this day.

Leaning back in her chair, she reaches beneath the desk and pulls a silken cord near her knee, causing a silver bell to ring two levels down at the door of her newest pupil, a Khurish girl named Azura. Selene of Tarsis discovered her and began her tutelage, but Karnea saw something in her that convinced her to take her on as a full apprentice, something she hadn’t done since Kalana. Rising from her chair, she picks up her robe from the hanger and dons it, arranging the folds just so. “Can’t let the new girl see the Mistress of the Order and the Tower out of uniform,” she mutters to herself with a sardonic chuckle.

Much more quickly than Karnea expected, a soft knocking comes at the door to the study. Good, Karnea thinks, this one shows a sense of urgency.

“Enter,” Karnea calls, just loudly enough to be heard through the door.

Azura enters. She is a young, olive-skinned, dark-haired girl of obvious Khurish ancestry, a beauty that Karnea had always been jealous of. Her robes are plain, as befits a learner of her station, and she averts her gaze from her superior as is the custom of her people. She clears her throat briefly and barely above a whisper says “I am come, Mistress. What do you require of me?”

Karnea sits back down in her chair, motioning to the single chair across the desk from her. “Sit.” When her student has taken her seat, she continues. “We have not yet had the opportunity to truly become acquainted. Tell me about yourself. I wish to know more of your past, so that I may properly direct your future.”

“Of course, Mistress,” Azura says, shifting uncomfortably in her chair. No matter how she changes her position, the chair remains just…wrong. It would be unseemly to criticize her patron’s furniture so soon, but perhaps later she might mention it. “I come from a modest family of apothecarists from the Mikku tribe in the city of Ak-Khurman on Khur coast. I grew up and learned Sorcery from a school that opened up. I found I had affinity to casting it. Malystryx The Red razed our city. We went and lived in the Desert among the tribes.

“When the gods returned, one of the three sisters of the sky, Nuira (Nuitari) visited me and showed me what power really was. The dark wizard Selene found me and took me to the Tower of High Sorcery. She was my patron and prepared me for the Test of High Sorcery. I took the Test; I then took of the Black Robe and Selene took me to her school in Tarsis, for about six months, until she brought here."

Karnea notes with interest Azura’s family background as apothocarists. Herbalism and potion brewing was always a keen interest of the Mistress, and having a student with a similar background would make it easier to relate to one another. The fact that she was chosen by Nuitari played greatly in her favor as well. Karnea’s right eyebrow arched slightly as she pursed her lips. This one will do, for now at least.

“Very well, parmo-wen*. For the time being, you will remain in the quarters you have been given. When you are not studying, you will be responsible for ensuring that the common spell components in the storerooms are fresh and regularly replenished. Additionally, you will begin to organize the scroll shelves in the main library. I’m afraid that they are quite chaotically stored, and this makes finding the proper scroll difficult. While you are doing this, you will bring to my attention any scrolls you find pertaining to the removal of curses. I have a…friend…in need of assistance in such matters."

“You will find that I am perhaps a different kind of teacher than those you are accustomed to. I do not consider you my personal servant; you won’t be responsible for fetching my tea, or laundering my smallclothes. Tasks such as these have no bearing on your magical aptitude. I do, however, expect you to learn. The Art may be power, but knowledge itself brings another kind of power, and if you are to be successful, you must learn to wield both. I do not take students lightly, and those I have instructed have become quite powerful. I have very high expectations for you, parmo-wen, and I do hope that you will live up to them.”

Azura’s heart pounds in her chest. The Head of the Black Robes has taken her on as an apprentice and has already entrusted an important task to her. She shifts in her seat uncomfortably once again and says “It will be always as you desire, Mistress. I shall not fail you.”

“You may go to your tasks now, parmo-wen. I will summon you at my need.” Karnea waves her hand in dismissal, and Azura stands to leave. As she approaches the door, Karnea calls after her. “From now on, you needn’t knock at my door before entering. I will always know that it is you when you come to me. We will meet every other evening for dinner, for now, to discuss your studies and your adjustment to your new surroundings, starting two evenings from now.”




parmo-wen* elven word for little-one

[Dungeon Master]

Master Karnea: Consolidation of Power
Story Two
Chapter Twelve: The Artificer
by Adam and James

Eastern Ansalon
Blood Sea
Blood Sea Tower of High Sorcery


Twelve days later, Karnea is meeting with Sarus, the Chief Renegade Hunter. He comments on the Khurish girl downstairs in the Black Robe. He is from Khur as well. He is just surprised to see her here.

Karnea confirms the girl’s origin and simply tells the Chief Hunter, “Azura has performed the assigned tasks I assigned her to my satisfaction thus far, but it is too early to be sure of anything. She has promise, therefore I have decided to take to take her on as my new apprentice. In the interim we shall see if she can survive the experience.”

The conversation turns to Sarus explaining his progress in expanding the makeup of the hunting teams to include bounty hunters, scouts, and spies. “However, there is a shortfall of new applicants to become hunters. I have a recruiter in place intending to find those who might be well-suited, but he is coming up empty-handed. This apathy may become a danger. “I bring this matter to you in the hope of seeking your counsel on the matter. I know the Conclave is coming up, I would be willing to advocate for more resources and manpower if you think that is what it will take.”

The Renegade Hunter has brought gifts in the form of magical items he acquired from civilians who were misusing them and newly procured recruits. Three former sorcerers have recently taken the Test of High Sorcery at Wayreth and have all taken the black. He left them downstairs with Willim. Two males and a woman. Sarus tells Karnea he found the males near the Northern Wastes of Solamnia, the woman was found in Volger. That interests the Chief Hunter, as Volger is also in the Northern Wastes Region.

Karnea considers this possibility. Karnea stands up and goes to her Bookshelf of map scrolls and searches for the right one. She realizes she does not have a current map of Northern Solamnia, but one dated from after the Blue Lady’s War, after 357AC. She opens the case and spreads the Map out, moving paperweights, a silver candlestick holding a tall black candle, a wineglass, a book discussing the history of the Tower of Palanthus, and the case the map was in to keep the corners in place.

Their eyes scan the map. Desolate and forbidding, Karnea recalls moving through the region when she was but a teenage renegade witch. Dangerous scorpions, poisonous snakes, and stalking leopards all pose a threat to travel here. It was the domain of the Blue Dragon Overlord Khellendros, the Storm over Krynn during the first part of the Fifth Age, until his demise after the War of Souls.

Sarus reaches out and points to the two locations where the Sorcerers were found. Volger is here, near the Hinterland region on the Vingaard (River), bordering the Northern Wastes. The males were found near the Deepdrought, North of Volger.

Karnea does see the potential for a connection. She tells her Chief Hunter “I will scry on the region and see if I can gain any insight on the potential of evidence of gathering renegades in the Northern Wastes.” Karnea thanks Sarus for his report and his gifts. Karnea agrees to help advocate for the Hunters and then he is off on another hunt. He leaves the Blood Sea Tower and teleports away.


--


Once Sarus has left, Karnea moves her journal containing her observations on the Planar realm known as the Gray, then picks up a book from a corner of her desk and opens it to a bookmarked page. It is a tome recovered from Sigil, the City of Doors, discussing various means of traveling from the Prime Material Plane to the Outer Planes.

Another book is open nearby, this one is a journal of one of the Archmages who created the Portal to the Abyss located in the laboratory of what is now the Tower of Nightlund. She is trying to discover whether a permanent doorway can be created to Sigil, a doorway that she alone holds the key to.
Such a door would drastically reduce the number of times she would need to use the Worldwalk spell, which is expensive and requires some sample material of the place being traveled to. She writes her notes in a fresh journal, writing right-to-left as is her habit to deter those who would try to snoop on her research.

Karnea rises and puts on a tea kettle with water to make herself some spiced tea before getting back to work.

Partway into her cup of tea, Nuitari comes through the wall and asks “Have I caught you at a bad time?”


--

“No, my Lord, it is never a bad time for you to come to me,” Karnea replies. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company this evening?”

Nuitari hands her a golden ring and bids her to join him on a short quest to retrieve the services of an old artificer and his grandson. He drifts out of the Tower and waits for her to follow.

Karnea eyes the ring somewhat skeptically and decides that a quick identity spell is in order. The spell reveals that the ring carries an enchantment that allows the wearer to assume a ghost-like form with intangibility properties. Much like an ethereal spell.

He assures her they won’t be gone long.


Drifting out into the sky, under the stars. The moons make their trek across the sky. They fly with all three moons. Nuitari relates that he had agents terrorizing the family for a few months and they have finally agreed to come to the island for security.

“You will actually be seeing two men. A very old man in his Eighties and an expert in the fabrication of magical items, and his grandson has taken the Black Robe, much to the dismay of the family. Not since the old man’s grandfather has there been a black robe in the family. Our lucky break. This will give us the access we need to build the future.”

“You will bring them back to the Island and set him up with anything he (they) will need. We are not doing this to propagate and flood the market with magical items. We are doing this to make the trinkets the order gives out to the new order members upon completion of their test of High Sorcery. The Supply of magical items was nearly fully depleted during the Fifth Age in the cannibalization of the magical power contained within the shell of the magical item.”


Karnea remembers well the stack of magical items she had to pilfer the magic she needed to fuel her escape from Krynn and its one Moon sky. It was dangerous as a personal Armageddon, but she survived. She can well imagine the losses of magical items over the years, all drained and destroyed for their power inside. What a nightmare of an era. She doesn’t know what she would have done if she could not escape. She risked everything to find Nuitari.


Nuitari continues “Not only trinkets, but to build back the arsenal, and tools of our craft and combine efforts to create items of lasting power for our kind to survive the coming wars.

Karnea nods. “I have several ideas for items of power, but my research time has been limited by my other duties. Perhaps this artificer will be able to produce the items I have in mind.” She notes they have crossed the Blood Sea, and now crossing Ansalon, heading west, by northwest.

On the way Nuitari discusses with Karnea about recent developments she should be aware of. He asks her what she knows about the other illegitimate children of the Dragon Queen and the other so-called demi-gods of Krynn

-What Karnea knows about the demigods- Karnea knows of Artha as she was involved in a plot on Aravis before the Summer of Flame. It was Karnea’s understanding that Artha was dead. Karnea thinks back, yes, there was another, she recalls this one also had designs on Aravis. His name was Malfesus. Nothing came of the plot, and this one slinked back into the shadows.
Nuitari tells her “There were more of course, Sargonnas killed most of them, but some managed to slip his blade. Long did Takhisis try to mate with Chemosh the God of Death. Thwarted in her many attempts, for nobody wanted to see what those two would produce, least of all Chemosh, and who could blame him.”

Her thoughts are troubled, whenever the subject came up, it always meant something bad. Karnea asks “why are we talking about demigods all of a sudden?”


“You know why already; you just need me to give you the details on the plots involved.” Nuitari answers.


“There is a plot afoot by my dark brethren, I may be jumping to conclusions quickly myself. I have sent agents to monitor Aravis. But the surviving demigods are being hunted. It may no longer be prudent to keep her abroad in these times. The Dark Gods are desperate to find their place and position in the new order. It’s been suggested, they seek to acquire the divinity back from the vessel. I think the idea is preposterous, but it matters little what I think where they are concerned. They will plod along heedless of my warnings.”

“I believe there are still a few places that I could send Aravis which would be quite difficult, if not impossible, for even a god of Krynn to find,” Karnea states. “Perhaps even you, my Lord, would not be able to find her. Though I am certain that she would chafe at the idea of being hidden away like some piece of treasure.”


“Let us not jump to that option as of yet and let us bring her back under our watchful eye, at least for the time being. It is impossible for any God or outsider to enter the Tower of Blood Sea, save for those outsiders that can bound within the conjuring chamber. The Goddess that possesses the greatest threat to the Tower is my dear sister Zebolim. A Tidal wave or Sea creature attack could pose risks; However, the enchantment is solidified, You and the Tower of Blood Sea are linked. You empower each other while you remain Master of the Tower. There are doorways I have secured within the tower for you to make your exit if need be. I can create doorways wherever you need to go. There is still much information I have yet to impart to you. I could not help but notice the book titles on your desk before we left.”

Nuitari tells Karnea of the Doorway in Flotsam that leads to Sigil, the City of Doors. He imparts to her a Black Key and tells her where to go to find the Door.


--


He takes her hand and the Dark Wizards descend in the southern Dargaard Mountains, near the Dark Woods. To the north, and beyond lie the Solamnian Plains. They are in the mountain abode of Mageholm. A very old collective of Wizard families has lived here off and on going back to the time before the Cataclysm. Many Black Robes are said to live here, along with Red Robes and that of the White. They arrive at the homestead of Oisin Crane; with his grandson, whose name is Asher. Nuitari kisses the back of her hand and disappears.

Karnea knocks on the door of the old house. A youngish-looking man with round-rimmed spectacles, short black hair, and green eyes opens the door.


"Uh, hello?" the man asks.


"Mr Crane? I've come to take you and your grandfather into my protection"

[Dungeon Master]

Master Karnea: Consolidation of Power
Story Two
Chapter Thirteen: Conclave Part One Preperations

Eastern Ansalon
Isle of the Blood Sea Tower of High Sorcery

It is early morning and Karnea has accomplished her task from the God of Dark Magic, having retrieved the Artificer and his grandson from Mageholm in the Qwermish region of the lower Daragaard Mountains and have put them up at the Three Moons Inn. They have agreed to settle in until Karnea returns from the coming Conclave. She knows already where she wants to place them, though, she will take their desires into account. As Nuitari told her, she must make sure they are happy wherever they end up. She bids them both good evening after she sees that the Innkeeper knows how important they are to her.


Returning to the Blood Sea Tower, Karnea calls for Cael to attend her. Once the dark elf arrives, he walks down from his Room. Uninterested in providing much in the way of detail, she assigns Cael to watch over her guests to make sure they are satisfied and secure. Karnea is sure to impress Cael with the guest’s importance to Nuitari and herself and he to watch over them until she returns. He takes in his charge, nods to Karnea, and departs the Tower.


During Karnea’s tenure as the head of the Black Robes, this will be Karnea’s third Conclave session while being the head of the Black Robes. The first session was the night of the Battle of Wayreth. The trio cast the spell from atop the crest of the Worldsmont, the crown of the High Kharolis, to call the Wizard of High Sorcery forward to protect Wayreth earlier this spring.

The most recent session was one of emergency during the summer months, called by the Highmage pertaining to the subject of the growing epidemic known as the Beloved of Chemosh after Jenna encountered the creatures in the port city of New Ports.

Karnea climbs the steps of the Tower and stops off at her bed chamber to change robes and clean up before continuing with the day. Her hand reaches into her Robe pockets and her fingers brush the black keys, she retrieves them from her pocket and places them on the table before her.


Later that afternoon,

Karnea puts on a kettle of water and moves the kettle over the fire in the fireplace. She stokes the fire a few times and proceeds to her Vallenwood desk. She begins moving books into stacks and moving the placeholders away and rolls up the map of Northern Solamnia but puts it to the side instead of returning it with the other maps. No, she will keep this map on her desk for a little while longer, she needs to reacquaint herself with the area again.


The kettle begins to whistle and Karnea moves to take the pot away from the fire before readying the herbal mixture she had prepared in a sealed can at the ready. She sits down with her tea and lets it steep before drinking. Karnea writes down a to-do list before electing to remain up for a while before finding some rest. She decides to go a day early to Wayreth and take advantage of some library time at the Tower's Library. There are a few areas of interest she wants to take advantage of on this trip since she is heading that way anyway.


In her conversations with Selene, Karnea has become more convinced she needs to enlist the Potions Master at the School of the Dark Arts in Tarsis before one of the other Masters grabs him up for their own purposes. A race for the limited resources of what is left in the Age of Mortals. Karnea walks down to the Tower’s Library and tells Azura to come and see her on the morrow, in the late afternoon, to which her student assures her she will be ready at the appointed time.

Karnea returns to her study and delves back into her current research before climbing into bed and pulling her covers over her and falling asleep.


The Next Day,

Karnea finishes the section she was reading in the journal of a long-dead necromancer from Faerun, concerning his experiments in cloning.

“I suppose he was not terribly successful if he is now known to be dead…” she mused to herself as she put a marker on the page and placed the book on her desk. She takes a sweet from the dish at her left hand and pops it into her mouth, savoring the sweetness.


The door to her study opened silently, and the small figure of Azura was silhouetted in the light from the corridor.


“Mistress?” Azura called. “I understand that there was something you wished to speak to me about.”


Beckoning to her apprentice, Karnea says “Yes, parmo-wen, come have a seat.”

Azura takes her accustomed place across from her Mistress and is offered the customary glass of wine from the carafe that Karnea pours from, but never seems to be empty. Karnea sits back in her chair and sips at her glass before beginning.


“As you may be aware, the Conclave is meeting soon at Wayreth. There is sure to be a lively discussion as to how the Orders are to reorganize and become relevant again after so many years of disarray. It is an ancient custom that an apprentice may attend the members of the Conclave. If you do not think that it will negatively impact your studies, you may accompany me.”


Azura shifts in the uncomfortable chair, stunned. She has been studying under Karnea for only a few weeks and has already been assigned the task of organizing the library of the tower, a Tower of High Sorcery. And now she is being asked to attend the Mistress of said Tower, and the Head of her Order besides, to a Conclave. A meeting of the highest wizards in all the land. Realizing that she was expected to answer, she stammers,


“Y- yes, Mistress, of course I will accompany you.” Composing herself, she continues. “The library project continues apace so far, there are many, many scrolls that are organized by subject. I am sure that I will be able to complete this in another week, after we return.”

Karnea leans forward slightly, “Excellent. Your progress has been noted, and your studies are on pace with my expectations thus far. You will attend me at Wayreth. There is likely to be any number of other wizards of all the Orders at the Tower that you may wish to treat with and become known to. Use this as an opportunity to learn about potential allies and enemies, and we will discuss what you have learned upon our return, as for the Conclave session itself, you must find room in the viewing area, you are to pay strict attention to the proceedings,” Karnea drains her wineglass and sets it on the desk.


“Now, I believe that you will have some packing to do before we leave, the day after tomorrow. I expect to stay at Wayreth for a few days. Make sure that you are ready.”


Azura stands at Karnea’s dismissal. “Thank you, Mistress. I will be ready at your call.”


“Remember, parmo-wen, you are a reflection on me, as my apprentice. It would behoove you to consider this as you interact with our associates at Wayreth, Karnea reminds her student.


“I understand Master.” Azura nods and departs the study while Karnea pulls a sheet of parchment closer to her and writes instructions for her staff. She talks to Willim personally. She confirms with him that she will be leaving tomorrow for Wayreth. Willim is a member of the Conclave, so he will see her in the Hall of Mages.


The Next Day,

Basalt Dead-Eye, one of her Caretakers of the Tower that Nuitati assigned arrives to see Master Karnea.

Karnea explains to the Caretaker, “As Selene will be traveling to Wayreth as well, on a recruiting mission for potential students, and on an informal information gathering mission for the Order. Karnea tells Basalt he is to watch over the Tower of Blood Sea while she is away.”

Of the two caretakers, Basalt is the most competent and loyal. So Karnea rewards him with her trust to protect the tower, to which he readily agrees.

Karnea has already readied a traveling bag, she picks up the black keys from the desk and places them in the inside pocket of her Robe securely. Karnea tells her apprentice she is ready, to come upstairs to the roof.

Karnea climbs to the roof of the Tower. Her traveling robe sways with the shifting wind currents. A distant bolt of lightning streaks off in the distance. Looks like a storm in the east.

Her apprentice climbs the top steps to the roof. She has a traveling pack on, a satchel bag over her shoulder, containing some of her spell components, the rest are in pouches on her pack straps and a belt around her slim waist. She is dressed in a traveling cloak. With her straight black hair and exotic features, she looks up to her Master and nods her head as if to say she is here and ready.

Karnea takes her apprentice’s hand and turns them southwest. Karnea tells Azura to hold on tight and Karnea looks out distantly over the rolling sea and pictures in her mind her destination and they teleport away.


End of Part One of Four 1 of 4

[Dungeon Master]

Master Karnea: Consolidation of Power
Story Two
Chapter Thirteen: Conclave Part Two Wayreth

Southern Ansalon
Plains of Dust

Karnea and Azura appear elsewhere on the continent, specifically in southwest Ansalon, to the Lord City of Tarsis.

It is here her head student Selene opened a school of the dark arts. While Selene has given up her headmistress position at the school, another one of Karnea’s students from Schallsea, Raina has taken over the position in Selene’s absence. Karnea’s “girls” are the young girls who came to the Schallsea Tower under the guidance of Selene and Karnea in the years before the Summer of Flame. Karnea visits Raina the Headmistress for a time. Though she is interested in the school’s operations, her chief item of discussion is, as Karnea explains it, she wants the Potion Master to move to Blood Sea before another master comes and grabs him up.

It is a heavy blow, as he is a renowned teacher, author, and purveyor of the nearly lost art of potion making. She laments that he will be hard to replace, but she accepts the directive all the same.

Raina, Karnea, and Azura tour the school. It is like a homecoming for Azura, as this is where she first came to learn, under the direction of Selene, when she was still headmaster here. After a walk through the living spaces and upstairs Classrooms, they come to the greenhouse on the roof. Karnea is instantly jealous of some of the rare herbs that she sees. Some of these she has only been able to get in the Outlands, at the great marketplace. Around her are plants she would like clippings of growing in her 17th-floor garden at Blood Sea.

The trio departs the roof and goes to the Potions Laboratory. Azura stays back as the Headmistress and the Head of the Black Order explain to the Potions Master, that he is needed at Blood Sea Tower at the glowing recommendation of Lady Selene.


Orin Shaw is a thin man, standing at 5’11” greying thin black hair. Clean shaved face with afternoon stubble. He is a step above eccentric.

“Selene is the headmaster of the school at the Tower of High Sorcery of Blood Sea. I would like you to take charge of the Tower’s apothecary storeroom and become the tower’s Potion Master. Selene would very much like to bring your teaching expertise to her school, and I would like to bring your valued talents to the Tower.”

Orin Shaw has waited for a moment such as this, though he is sad to leave what has become his home here in Tarsis, He can feel that this is right. He had toyed with the invitation from Highmage Jenna. But this, this is what he wants. One of his few caveats, he is permitted to bring his assistant, he just trained this one up, and he is loath to again from scratch.

Karnea agrees to such an understandable request. His stipend is agreed to, and Karnea and Orin Shaw shake hands, he then sets about tendering his resignation to the school and writing down a list of names the Headmistress will want to investigate that may be a suitable replacement in his stead.

Karnea tells Orin that someone will be along to pick him up in the coming days.

Before departing Tarsis, Azura follows Karnea through the winding streets and takes in the atmosphere.

Their stroll takes them past the Library of Khrystan. Karnea remembers the tale Raina told at the dinner party the evening before the gathering. The basement is full of undead and has been for years.

Karnea does not have time now but decides she is going to clean this place up and give it back to the Aesthetics of Gilean after she has scrutinized the place for herself. She files away a vague note to herself about the idea of hiring some professional undead slayers to assist her in the endeavor.

Karnea came here as opposed to somewhere closer to Wayreth as she had seen firsthand the banditry and goblins clogging trade routes of lower Abanasinia. During the weeks she spent looking for the tower the previous year, Karnea could see that this banditry and goblin annoyance has gotten nearly out of control, there was even talk of slavery going on in the Qualinesti forest now.

Master and apprentice walk towards the western side of the city and see a vast forest that was not there before according to the maps. Then she realizes this is the extent to which Beryl’s expansion and terraforming reached. She walks north along the tree line until this unnatural forest ends, but it goes on and on. She wonders where the best direction is to find the Forest of Wayreth.

As she is about to walk forward, a Forest appears before her. It appears as if all the trees are dead. A noxious mist hazes in the dark wood, and no light enters the forest. Shadows flit among the trunks, skulking among the thorny underbrush. Azura is amazed at the phenomenon. The pair enters the forest of Wayreth.

With their steps inside, the sun comes out and filters down sol’s rays down into the woods as the forest comes alive with the trees coming into bloom, maples, oaks, and vallenwoods appear instantaneously around them around a path as the trees break ranks, and part for them. They walk down the path into the forest a ways.

Suddenly the pair stops. It had been a long time since Karnea had seen a fox that she could remember. For Azura, she had never seen a western fox before. In her native Khur, a creature similar to this, but is brown colored, has taller ears, and is thinner, and thrives in her homeland. It is a magical moment before it scurries off.

Continuing through the forest, on the lookout for any more signs of life. They see birds of different sorts; they can hear an owl in the distance.

Karnea and Azura come through the forest and then they see the two main towers loom above them. The Wayreth complex is made of Seven spires, enclosed by an indestructible wall, with the Central two Towers being the most prominent in size and importance. The Two main towers are each seventeen stories tall.

The South Tower has the Hall of Mages and above it the Library of Wayreth. The North Tower holds laboratories and living space for the Wizards of High Sorcery.

Karnea and Azura approach the gate in the center of the east wall that provides the only ground-level entrance to the complex. The dual gate swings outward, each standing almost twenty feet tall - just a little shorter than the wall itself.

The gate itself appears as delicate as a great spider web spun from silver and gold. Nevertheless, they share the Tower’s invulnerability and can withstand endless pounding from the greatest battering ram. The gates swing open as they approach as if to invite them inside.

Beyond the gate, Karnea and Azura come to the front courtyard, a vast, empty space paved with pale gray stone. In years past, before anyone entering the courtyard saw fleeting glimpses of other visitors hurrying about their business, the Tower's distorted space rendered them all but invisible, whereas today, the courtyard stands silent, and the lone visitors crossing the flagstones have only the echoes of their own footfalls for company.

The entrance to the Towers proper lies in the foretower directly opposite the gate, Karnea and Azura walk to and enter the foretower.

The windowless room is lit by pine wood smokeless torches held in bronze brackets along the walls, the flickering light reveals several straight-backed wooden chairs against the far wall, and to the right a wooden stand holding a well-thumbed book that is open with a placeholder ribbon along the inner spine of the body. Karnea, and then Azura sign their names in the guestbook before entering the door on the right.

The door leads into the north tower. Karnea knows once she has signed the book, the Master of Wayreth will be appraised and alerted that she has arrived.

Karnea and Azura enter the North Tower ahead of them is the Hall of Records, to their left is the first flight of stairs and they begin the track along the winding staircase along the wall.

observing the Bronze Golem Masters of Wayreth Tower through the ages located on each level. Able to come to life at a moment’s activation to defend the Tower.

The pair reach the fourth floor and Karnea and Azura reach the entryway of Karnea’s old room at Wayreth, given to Karnea, so long ago now, the memory comes fresh to Karnea’s mind as she opens the door.

It appears as it was. A bit more dust in places that were not covered. The Two wizards begin using cantrips to clean up the room and light a fire in the long-dormant fireplace, after opening the flue. Life comes back into the small chamber.

Moments later, a presence at the door, a young male wizard of the Red Robes has been sent to serve the Master of the Black Robe while she is at Wayreth. An adjunct or sorts, a personal aide, should you accept. It is unexpected, thoughtful, if a bit patronizing, not that Jenna would see that way.

Karnea tells the young mage, “Very well, I would like to be appraised when Master Coryn arrives at the Tower.

Azura is given Karnea's old room at the Tower, while Karnea is shown her new accommodations, as befitting her increase in station, though Karnea did not ask for or expect, but will go along with the orchestration.

Karnea is taken to her new quarters at Wayreth on the Ninth Floor It is a much larger space than her old room, and this time she has a window, facing southwest. Azura helps Karnea move her things to her new accommodations, it is not much, but a few stacks of books, and several sets of robes to be hung up in the small closet space.

The Master of the Black Robe decides she cannot put it off any longer and gives Highmage Jenna a visit at her second-story study that has long been the traditional room set aside for the Highmage of High Sorcery.

Karnea and Jenna exchange warm greetings and tidings. Jenna provides Karnea with refreshments in the form of a Vingaard red wine vintage 382 AC served in a fine wine glass from Palanthas. Karnea goes through the process of letting it breathe, she takes in its surprising boutique, and sips, swishes, savors, and spits. It is earthy and has an intriguing hint of a spiced taste.

Jenna gives updates to her counterpart on the progress of Lady Coryn in Solamnia. “They freed Palanthas in a day and the rest of Solamnia has followed suit in quiet and quick revolutions across the countryside. The Dark Knights have been pushed out of Solamnia for the first time since 382 AC, hence my choice of vintage for the occasion. Enlistment numbers at Mage schools have soared across Solamnia. Not to say they will all make it to the Testing phase, but they are welcome numbers all the same. We need more schools in the north, we need to capitalize on this phenomenon while we can and try to get some in a place and build a tradition.”

Karnea agrees that this development has been surprising and welcomed. She will agree to support more funds to open new schools.

Jenna says that she has been preparing several projects that are all geared toward assisting the Master of Blood Sea.

Item 1. Crates and boxes that the Master of the Tower and I uncovered in the archives of the Tower, those that was not damaged and were unaffected by the recent Battle of Wayreth. The Crates are from the Tower of High Sorcery of Losarcum, now known as the Ruins in Balifor. It is known to be even in the days of the Kingpriests as a Tower of the Black Robe, until Lost Battles and the end. These were crates shipped to Wayreth before they destroyed the Tower, and the crates should be turned over to the Master of the Black Robe.

Item 2 A Trio of Dreamshapers have been chosen to accompany you back to Blood Sea if you are ready to open your Tower to Testing for High Sorcery.

Karnea is happy to open the eastern theatre to Testing for High Sorcery. It was a goal of her since she opened the Tower. Karnea agrees to take the Dreamshapers to Blood Sea and open the Tower for Testing.

Item 3 Jenna says she has had scores of scribes preparing copies of grade school basic magic guides for your distribution at Blood Sea. These are general and specialist spell volumes. “Any book in the library can be copied to be put in Blood Sea’s Library. It is not much, but it’s a foundation to get you on your way. For the future. She plans to do the same for Coryn when she gets The Tower of Nightlund up and running.”

Item 4 “In the spirit of your recent correspondence with me about opening the Towers to all as it should be, as it was in times of old. Understanding that it is still the home base of the Black Order, the way Jenna explains “I have put together a list of some candidates to become representatives of their Orders to the Tower of Blood Sea. One from each order of Wizards of High Sorcery will be voted from a small list of consideration, chosen to join Master Karnea at the Tower of Blood Sea to act as in the times of old as your advisors, confidants, allies in the defense of the Tower, they will put forth their views to give you advice in matters that are being discussed at large, but as you the Master of the Tower of Blood Sea, your mastery stands law, such is our way.”

“The Names have been vetted as upstanding order members, they are wise, to match skill and temperance. Jenna shares with Karnea their names and tells her a little bit about the candidates.”

Karnea does not know any of these Wizards. She is at first resistant to what seems on its face, like an invasive overreach into your affairs, but with some reflection, she sees past Jenna’s maneuvering and recognizes the structure from her readings of Towers of the Past.

This was the structure of the Ergoth Tower and for a time in Istar. This trio structure worked for years in synergy and balance. Karnea wonders if this is still possible in this day in age. She is tempted to go forward and see if this experiment has a hope of working. Who knows, it might work.

Karnea's eyes run down the list and two potential candidates stand out and are of great interest to Karnea. Vayla the White, and Madon of the Red Moon.

It says here that Vayla is of the Thay Vagros people, Karnea is unclear on the term, it evokes a stray memory, nothing more, and this Madon seems a gifted Wizard in the arts of Transmutation and Illusion. Karnea’s eyes pass over the words that he is the most likely to succeed Jenna as Master of Red Robe. Karnea inquires to hear more about these two wizards.

Jenna answers “The Thay Vagros are a human migratory people that commonly travel in clan caravans, a practice that has continued since the first cataclysm. She also explains these candidates are among the best and brightest of the orders. Vayla is noted for her mastery of divination. Madron is a trusted friend who I think would be a worthy successor to lead the Red Robe when the day comes one of these days.

Karnea is interested in these two wizards. Karnea agrees if you give these two candidates your endorsement to take the posts at Blood Sea.

Jenna considers the arrangement and figures this will be the only way to move this idea forward and agrees with the Black Robe Master.

Karnea leaves the meeting with the Highmage goes back to her room and unwinds a bit before changing out of her traveling Robe to her Black Robes.

Later, in the Hall of Mages

Karnea sees the Red Robe Minotaur Rikar towering above the other Wizards that have gathered into circles and have entered discussions, some about recent happenings, the goblins, and bandits in Abanasinia, some are talking about new spells about which they have learned. Karnea and Azura make their way around the circles with controlled measures, selective, and discerning. Eventually, Karnea is in the group with Rikar, they discuss the geopolitical situation in the Minotaur Isles. As Mistress Jenna said, He is well versed on the recent goings on in the Minotaur Isles, he must have some network in place, as Karnea finds what he is saying to be fascinating and incredibly insightful.

Karnea asks Rikar if she may call on him and his insights in the future and the Minotaur wizard agrees.

Karnea comes face to face with Dagamier. Their paths crossed only a couple of times in the past, but they did hold a mutual respect within the Order of Black Robes through the years until 383 AC. Dagamier is an old woman now, and Karnea looks to be the same as when they met. Dagamier presents herself as one of the Conclave Members for the Black Order.

Dagamier goes way back, she was an apprentice of Ladonna before the War of the Lance and even rumored to be Ladonna’s daughter, but she always denied it. She is wily just as her mentor was, sardonic, and sly. She was not able to take the ship ride to Blood Sea for the Gathering, for which she begs your forgiveness. She did not want to be on the ship with all the people she could not stand. Except for Darius, or a couple of others, but of the rest of others, they are mostly a detestable lot to spend weeks with. I shall Teleport to Blood Sea with someone who has been there for the next Gathering if she may.

Darius Desaad, who is nearby tells Dagamier that he will be happy to take her to Blood Sea Isle whenever she wants.

Karnea invites Dagamier for the Solstice gathering she has been thinking of putting together at the Tower, nothing big, but a small intimate gathering.

Dagamier agrees, but tells Karnea she detests the cold, Karnea assures her it is a tropical Island.

Karnea talks with Darius Desaad for a time. Karnea asks him if he can ship important order cargo to the Island for her. Karnea gives him the particulars of what he is carrying and its importance to the order.

Darius agrees to carry out the charter, telling Master Karnea “It will be done.”

Karnea formerly invites Desaad to her Solstice Gathering and reminds him he is to pick up Dagamier before he comes to the Tower.

With all of that out of the way, Karnea heads to the Library of Wayreth.

The South Tower Library of Wayreth

The fourth-floor Library of Wayreth consists of the next five levels of the Magical Tomes and spell books of Ansalon and Krynn.

Karnea enters the library, she has doubts about any references to spellwork pertaining to her recent research, it is possible Dalamar came across the spell in his travels in the Realms, but unlikely. Even so, the Library of Wayreth stands as one of Karnea’s favorite places in the Multiverse. She gets lost for the next few hours, searching for tomes she would like to see copied and brought to the library of Blood Sea.

She looks up and sees Dalamar across the way, before Karnea can lower her eyes away, he looks up and sees her. It was inevitable their paths would cross once again. Karnea just forgot Dalamar would be of course haunting the Library of Wayreth since his exile from Nightlund.

Karnea knows it is Nuitari’s ultimate desire to bring Dalamar back into the fold one day, but perhaps it would be better to bring him in from the cold sooner than later. Something to think about anyway. Who knows what he is getting up to here? Karnea sees the Dark elf nod in a sign of respect to her, to which she respectfully returns the sign of respect and inclines her head to show she acknowledges him. It’s not very much, but it is progress.

After a couple of hours, Karnea returns to her room to host her former students, now Conclave Members in her room, Inari Westbrook and Hestia Nightlock. Willim the Black joins the small gathering for a nightcap before he turns in. They discuss Karnea's wishes for the next day.

Before the Master of the Black Robe retires for the evening, Karnea meets again with Highmage Jenna, and they get down to business on the decisions that are coming to a head tomorrow.

Master Coryn comes in late and joins them in Jenna’s study.

The Three Wizards discuss Coryn’s intentions with Nightlund.


End of Conclave Part Two of Four 2 of 4

[Dungeon Master]

Karnea Master of Black Robe
Story Two Consolidation of Power
Chapter Thirteen: Conclave (Interlude One) The Hit

Soreel
Marika,
Soreel Imperial Capital at Tarish

Tarish, The Imperial Capital and seat of Empress Zeva Lisset d'Janikar; The Greysword, General of the Wolverines; Blood-Sister to the Clans; Star-Child, bringer of change; Nachish, Holder of the Oasis; Var'I'Ali'aie, Protector of the Currents Deep; Yu'en'ak'yun, First among the Firstborn; Mate of Rotas; Mother to Lucius; and Defender of all Peoples.

52 ST by the current calendar of Soreel. (ST for Seija no Tochi, Seija no Tochi translates to "Reign of the Saint")


The scene opens at dusk at a theatre production in the imperial city, seeing a play, based on a myth of the early prehistorical tale of Sun Fire Goddess Akuma.

Aravis, daughter of Karnea is taking in a play, at the ancient Ishma hillside theatre, just outside the Imperial District. Aravis came with a few acquaintances she has made since coming to live here on Soreel.

Her on-again-off-again relationship with Lucius occurred without acrimony or remorse, and over time she looked back and wondered about her place here. She is treated like a Princess consort in waiting behind the scenes, and outwardly as just a friend and longtime acquaintance. But the cold hard truth is she has begun to feel aimless and unsure if she wants to continue with the current state of her tidal engagement.

She has been coming to this decision for an age, His dedication to the shadow world of espionage has left gulfs of time that have left her unfulfilled. Her breakfasts with the Empress are painful reminders every morning. The extended period of neglect has left her wondering what she is still doing here. It has not been something she has felt she could speak with Zeva about, even with the friends she made, Aravis still feels alone. True she has tried to make the most of things and that has worked for a time, but it has become years. A decade later, nothing has changed.

Until a couple of days ago, life had been predictably the same. But now something was different. A darkness she could not define. It is not ever-present, and it is not hounding her per se. But there is also the case that on a couple of occasions, she has felt like she is being followed in public, though she has no visual confirmation of anything.

Aravis is always followed by a security detail by pretorian guards, so she is used to that, so, this was something else shadowing her footsteps. She is in a quandary if she tells her guards about these feelings, which she might normally do, but she has become apathetic with boredom, and with all its sameness she has become willing to take more risks of late. It has been years since she has left the planet, but even that has just lost its charm.

She needs something different. The play progresses into its climactic climax, she stands and joins the others in clapping for a fantastic performance. The fire dancing was a highlight.

The friends make their way on the cobblestone streets under the lamplights to a local café for espresso and enjoy musing takes on what they just saw. After thirty minutes, the friends separate, and Aravis heads back to her apartments, shadowed discreetly by the Praetorian detail. She walks with her head high, full of assurance learned from her lineage as the daughter of one of the most powerful wizards in the known Planes, as well as the betrothed of the heir to the Soreelian Empire.

Appearing to be in her early 20s, she is stylishly dressed in the fashion of the local youth of the aristocratic class, wearing a flowing, translucent silken brilliant emerald, green dress with gilded seams and jeweled details, over a sheer slip that clings to her body underneath the dress. At 5’6”, she is taller than her mother but still slightly shorter than the average human female. Her figure is fuller than her mother’s as well, with a graceful curve at the hips that has attracted the eye of more than one would-be paramour.

She wears her strawberry-blonde hair parted in the middle, with two long braids down her back ending at the shoulder blades. Her striking blue eyes and her pale complexion are both features inherited from her mother, with a scattering of freckles on her cheeks that are more prominent in the summertime.

Long delicate fingers are adorned by several rings: a magical ring of protection in the form of a simple golden band given to her by her mother, a large black diamond in a platinum setting given to her by Lucius, and a small silver ring with a flat circle of obsidian, representing her connection to Nuitari. Her nails are painted in the fashion of the ladies of the court, Aravis’ being a deep, glossy black. Her lips are similarly painted black, with the waxy pigments favored by the aristocratic class of Marika. A simple silver chain necklace hangs from her neck, with a large obsidian circle set in a platinum pendant suspended at the top of the plunging neckline of her dress.

Tied at her belt are a few pouches of spell components and an ornate dagger, but she otherwise carries no weapons or obvious magical items.

Aravis crosses the wide avenue and walks past government buildings and the giant Ferris wheel, a leftover remnant of last year's World’s Fair. She walks to the Gate of the compound to enter the Imperial Campus. She is cleared with no muss to go through, and she walks to her entrance and up the back steps. She nearly trips and almost dies avoiding stepping on the mouser cat. She catches her breath and curses the cat long after it has scattered off.

She walks into her expansive apartment. She knows it so well that she makes it to the kitchenette, before lighting her candles.

She turns and takes in how huge the sitting room is. Aravis walks through her private apartment, taking off some of her different magical items to place in special boxes. To specific keepsake boxes, gifts from her mother and father, and some she made herself. She walks past her collection of lifelike dolls into her bedroom.

A shrine to Nuitari, the God of Dark Magic., Lunitari and Solinari are represented as well, informing us the occupant is a child of Krynn, or at least one who has some ties there.

After she divests herself of all but her small clothes and slips into a silk robe that she pulls around her as she begins her bath water and prepares to soak some of her troubles away. She lights a wooden lighting stick and sets about lighting more candles, a soft warm glow fills the domicile in a pleasant astrosphere.

She ignites a few more aromatic candles then moves the skull over and places candles on the fireplace mantle and lights them. Shadows flicker on the walls and set the ceiling dancing with light.

Aravis walks past the full-body mirror to find her hairbrush. What will she do tomorrow? She could go for a short cruise out to the Islands and get some swimming in before the season changes. Monsoon season will be upon us before we know it.

She continues brushing her hair on the way past the dolls to check on the bath water. She decides that is enough and walks to the hallway mirror to finish brushing her hair.

Something is not right, Aravis stops brushing, for a moment when she realizes something strange about her reflection, her reflection stopped brushing her hair before Aravis did. The reflected Aravis takes on a haggard and deathly paled visage of Aravis, they lock eyes and the reflection smiles a scary smile of intent.

Aravis takes two steps backward into the wall and screams.

But the reflected evil-looking Aravis reaches through the mirror and grabs Aravis about the neck, Aravis looks, but she does not see the arm, but the hand is choking her out. She can see the creature in the reflection of the mirror, but not in our plane.

The door to her apartment bursts open and pretorian guards enter to see Aravis looking like she is being lifted and choked against the wall, but they see nothing being the cause of the attack.

The Pretorians attack, giving Aravis the ability to get away from the outsider creature. She grabs her belt from the rack and pulls forth her magic dagger. She cannot see her attacker, except through reflective surfaces, for which there are a few in the apartment. The dolls bear silent witness to the assassination attempt. Aravis runs through the options available to her. She is attacked, and a strike gets through and drains away levels, rending to her soul. Fetch are known as harbingers of death. Existing on the fringes of the Abyss, these creatures can only reach into the Prime Material plane through reflective surfaces, their goal is to take Aravis to the edge of life and drag her through the Mirror he entered the material plane and turn her into a minion like him.

Aravis must end this quickly or she is done for, her list of options begins to dwindle. Trueseeing requires too much preparation time, and she begins to see only one option, The Pretorians are ineffective in this situation, she considers the risks to herself and the room, and with one last look around, she casts Firestorm on the creature in front of her.

The resulting Firestorm in the royal apartments is tremendous and devastating. The spell was centered on the creature in front of Aravis. Her Demigod status brings her through mostly unscathed, but the beast is still moving. It is picking itself up off the floor, the flames are dying out on the surface of its black body. It looks up at Aravis and she sees her visage hideously twisted face break into a terrifying grin as it comes again at Aravis.

Aravis casts Magic Missile and the missiles finally end the creature as it dissipates into nothingness. The apartment is engulfed in destructive flames as Aravis is grabbed by burnt and smoking Pretorian Guards and pulled from the burning building while the Tower Wizards arrive and begin putting out the fires.

A blanket is wrapped around Aravis as she is lowered to the ground in shock. Watching the fires blaze over the apartments she has known as home for decades burns. The wizards produce great spouts of water that fall on the flames. Soon just grey smoke rises from what was once her home.

End of Interlude One

[Dungeon Master]

Master Karnea: Consolidation of Power
Story Two
Chapter Thirteen: Conclave Part Three
CONCLAVE

Krynn
Ansalon
Wayreth Tower of High Sorcery


South Tower
Hall of Mages


“They were in a vast chamber carved of obsidian. It was so wide that its perimeter was lost in shadow, so high that its ceiling was obscured in shadow. No pillars supported it, no lights lit it. Yet light there was, though none could name its source. It was a pale light, white — not yellow. Cold and cheerless, it gave no warmth.” —Time of the Twins by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman


The central meeting place for the Conclave, the Hall of Mages, has been witness to some of the most important deliberations to affect the history of Ansalon, though it is also used for regular meetings, audiences, and other functions. Visitors to the Tower of Wayreth always remember the Hall of Mages as a vast, intimidating chamber that exudes the authority of the powerful wizards who meet within its walls. The hall is a black obsidian chamber in the south tower with a 45-foot diameter and a 60-foot domed ceiling.

A permanent image (caster level 20) casts a light that is white and cold in the chamber. The light has no identifiable source and leaves the black ceiling and thick walls lost in shadow. The chamber is empty except for twenty-one chairs reserved for members of the Conclave. All of the chairs, save one, form a semicircle facing the northern end of the room. The large, gray marble chair, located in the exact center of the Hall of Mages, is reserved for the Head of the Conclave, known as the Highmage.

Each wizard of the conclave enters and takes their place, The Masters coming in last and taking their places in the semicircle.

The Six Conclave members of the White Order of Solinari
Suwannis
Adramis
Selowen
Bram DiThon
Borlos
Reann

The Six Conclave members of the Red Order Lunitari
Rasilyss (Jena’s mentor)
Fabian Hess
Seraphema
Saul of Kharolis
Corinne Highgrove
Javier Pell

The Six Conclave Order Members of Nuitari
Inari Westbrook
Willim the Black
Dagamier
Darius Desaad
Hestia Nighlock
Dalamar Argent

The Three Masters
Master Coryn Master of the White Robe
Highmage Jenna Master of the Red Robe
Master Karnea Master of the Black Robe

The opening invocations signal the beginning of the session of the Conclave of High Sorcery

Itinerary

Petitions
Inari Westbrook of the Black Robe puts forth a petition to insist the Highmage put forth a plan to reduce the threat to travel to and from the Tower of Wayreth from the banditry and goblin infestation that has only gotten worse in the last year.

There is a murmur of agreement from the Conclave.

Highmage Jenna knows where this is coming from, it’s a diplomatic notice and a reminder for the Highmage to take care of her yard before casting stones.

Karnea inwardly smiles, she arranged this to be brought forth. it is then that Karnea feels a maternal pang for some reason she cannot readily explain. Her mind races. There is only one thing it could be. She would know for sure if the Tower was being threatened. Karnea maintains her in her place and stays in the present and ignores the signs for now as by the laws of magic, Karnea must get through the session.

Jenna replies “I am aware things have only gotten worse, The void left behind by the exiled Qualinesti Elves and political strife in Thorbardin has allowed free rein in lower Abanasinia. I am considering hiring bounties on the goblins and bandits, but I am also considering that that may make things worse. We will address the issue, but for now.” Jenna tables the petition.

Another petition is raised by Master Karnea herself. "It has been expressed to her by her chief Renegade Hunter that the numbers are extremely low among the Hunters. he wished for me to bring this to the floor of the Conclave. Perhaps this will have to become a civic matter in the future if we don't see a turnaround. I realize we are still in the early days of operation, but this matter should be addressed now instead of being kicked down the road."

There is a lively debate, the orders are so ordered to put forth the best candidates and put forth a set number of enforcers for a set amount of time, and then another group will be committed to enforcement. The detractors say that experience is losing out in the long run, but it is argued service and retention are better in the short term. In the end, Jenna says a plan will be hatched out in the time before the next conclave, but it will be a priority.

That satisfies Karnea well enough and signals to Jenna, she can move on.


Recent Events


-Minotaurs and High Sorcery

Debate is talked down by Master Karnea. Nuitari has directed her to bring Minotaurs into the orders of High Sorcery, to control better the invading legions that will come one day. Her spirited defense of the proposition sways Master Coryn and with her, the White Robe follows. There are reservations, but Headmaster Jenna says that she sees the wisdom in this venture but is afraid it will not stem the tide once it comes. She asks to discuss countermeasures with the Black Robe Master should things happen, things need to be in place to make them pull back.

Dark, even for Jenna, Karnea muses to herself. Karnea says she would be happy to discuss the issue with the Highmage in confidence.

With that assurance, Jenna allows the vote to proceed with her endorsement.

The vote is held, and the ayes have it, the proposition is passed by a wide margin.

Karnea knows Nuitari is pleased with the outcome. Pleased may be a strong word. More like a necessary recognition of the cold hard reality that we are facing down the horns.


-New Wizard Schools

The subject of allocating the funds necessary to open more Schools of Wizardry across Ansalon to accommodate the increased interest by the populace.

The Conclave hears from the proponents of the measure and the detractors. All agree this must be done, but how to pay for it is the sticking point.

The Conclave argues how best to use the limited funds from the budget. Darius Desaad of the Black Robe suggests an elegant way to amass funds in a drive to collect from the most affluent among the orders to collect enough for the opening of the schools, whereby the Conclave would take on the operating costs out of the Annual budget.

The measure is agreed upon and the Conclave votes to support the opening of Schools and to go with Darius’s plan to finance their openings.


-Representatives to the Blood Sea Tower

Two Wizards of High Sorcery are chosen after careful consideration to represent their orders and join Master Karnea at the Tower of Blood Sea to act as in the times of old as your advisors, confidants, ally in the defense of the Tower, they will put forth their views to give you advice in matters that are being discussed at large, but as you the Master of the Tower of Blood Sea, your mastery stands law, as such it is our way. The Two representatives are Vayla of the White and Madon of the Red Order.

Hold a Vote for the representatives from the Orders to the Tower of Blood Sea.

Everyone gasps as soon as the Conclave when the names are read. These were indeed among the best and brightest of the orders. Vayla is a noted once-in-a-seventh-generation master of divination, while Madon is talked about as Jenna’s successor.


-Primal sorcery and their Messiah

Jenna gives an intelligence report that reveals a large congregation is gathering in Northern Solamnia, in the North Hinterland region, out in the Northern Wastes. Karnea remembers that her Renegade Hunter was headed that way the last time she saw Sarus.

The Conclave discusses the subject of Primal Sorcery.

Coryn’s position is that the Conclave’s attention should be focused on the troublemakers and abusers of the Power of Sorcery and not target the lower leveled dabblers of Sorcery below the level of ability of those we would consider ready to take the Test of High Sorcery. Anyone above should be open to recruitment if possible. But if they still reject Moons, then they should receive a more targeted response to insist that they be tested. If the Sorcerers still hunger for magic they should not have, something will have to be done by the order of the Black Robes. Coryn asks for sensible rules of engagement according to the power of the Wizard or Sorcerer.

Karnea agrees with this sensible approach and expresses the position of the Black Robe on the matter of Sorcerers or any Renegade Wizard.

The subject turns to the apparent leadership of a growing faction that is running counter to the conclave. In the past, that has been viewed as a red line. There cannot be a counter-organization to the Conclave. This counter-organization must be eliminated.

A magical conflict between High Sorcery and these Primal Sorcerers could be detrimental to the populace of Ansalon and the trust that has been building across the continent. It will also turn the rest of the Primal Sorcerers against us, multiplying our troubles.

It is the main reason the Highmage Jenna was seeking Karnea’s intervention in reaching out to her former student, the powerful Wild Mage Analis.

In retrospect, Karnea's decision to put Analis at the bottom of her list of concerns may have been a misstep. In actuality, it is the last thing Karnea wanted to face. Karnea has been hesitant to confront her first pupil, as she has had some concerns it might end up with a confrontation to the death. That is not what she wants for Analis. Now it would seem she is being forced to face such a scenario.

She has held out hope that her former student will see reason, but she has a bad feeling where things might end up. That will be of no help to the Conclave. Instead of a messiah, we would just give them a martyr to rally around.

Jenna sees some of this play out on Karnea's face, being she is the one that sent the letter to Karnea with the ask. Seeing this is a charged and loaded decision, Highmage Jenna tables the discussion until the Three Masters can talk further on the subject. The Conclave goes to a recess, to give the Masters time to talk.


End of Conclave Part Three of Four 3 of 4

[Dungeon Master]

Chapter Thirteen: Conclave Interlude Two- The Hunters Become the Hunted

Northern Ansalon
Northern Provinces of Solamnia
Northern Wastes
Temperature 119°


The Northern lands of Solamnia are quite different from those in the south. These are the Hinterlands, a harsh and rough land to eke out a living. Beyond this are the Northern wastes, a desert that has always existed here, helped along in the early 5th Age by Khellendros the Blue, The Storm over Krynn himself with his Overlord terraforming abilities. The Topography of the Northern Wastes reveals an intricate canyon system where one is always in danger of being caught in a flash flood for the unaware. There are more poisonous snakes and lizards per area than anywhere else on Ansalon, save perhaps for the dying Great Swamp.

Black Robe Renegade Hunters and their allies move deeper into the Wates, having collected information from the surrounding towns and villages in the Hinterlands, they have determined their queries are headed into the interior of the Wastes, towards some central point.

The Barbarian soundlessly points the way as the Hunters move up. The landscape is daunting, there is hardly any cover.

Soon, Their Barbarian tracker investigates footprints and the remnants of a cookfire. From the previous night. He signals they are close.

The maps show there is nothing out here. There is no discernable destination they are moving towards.

The Chief Renegade Hunter’s party is made up of four others, skilled in various disciplines that makes for an eclectic group of Hunters.
Sarus The Chief Renegade Hunter
Mari A Bounty Hunter from the Plains of Dust
Ennio A Dark Warrior from Sanction
Ommi Barbarian Tracker from Khur
Zazu Rogue Thief/Scout


The Hunt continues over the dunes, and across canyons, avoiding the poisonous insects, vipers, and lizards as they deeper into the forbidding terrain. It seems like they are on the subjects’ tails, but they are staying ahead.

Baking under the unforgiving sun, the party moves forward on the footpath. The scout realizes too late, they are in a trap.

The Ambush is unleashed

The group is hit with an earthquake that throws everyone off balance by the geomancer

Hydromancer freezes the blood of Mari

Ennio's head comes off when a Sorcerer with Aeromancer kills one with an Air blade

The scout slips away, but not unnoticed.

The Barbarian Ommi is nearly alone; he is raging, and his heart explodes from the manipulation of another Sorcerer.

The illusions come down and there are more Sorcerers that were hidden.

Chief Sarus is taken for questioning. Watching his team get killed one after another almost leads him to run and fight another day, but he sees a young woman and he is enthralled by her presence. her striking beauty is otherworldly. Her aura is almost pure chaos. He must know more about this unknown entity.

Morgan sees this Black Robe Hunter look at her with awe.

One of the Primal Sorcerers just kills Sarus by stabbing him in the back.


Morgan is in shock and runs to the falling wizard as he drops to his knees when Morgan catches him and lays him back. She gently soothes the dying man. He looks up to see her serenely peaceful face as he expires. Morgan sets the man’s head to the ground. She stands up and says, “You have killed us all.”


Jora's hackles go up, ” What are you talking about, we were going to kill him anyways, we couldn’t let him live, are you crazy?”


Morgan Blasts the geomancer Apart with a haunting scream of unbridled vehemence.


The others back up away from her.


Morgan looks around at the evidence and tells them to head back to the city, "You know she will want to know what happened. They will be coming now."


The group disappears into the Northern Wastes.



End of Interlude Two

[Dungeon Master]

Master Karnea: Consolidation of Power
Story Two
Chapter Thirteen: Conclave Part Four Judgement Deferred

Conclave
Tower of Wayreth


The Conclave is in recess while the Masters are in the chamber discussing the Primal Sorcery matter.

Word comes in of the ambush in the Northern Wastes and the assassination of Black Robe Hunter and his team.

Karnea is incensed and feels personally affronted. She had just spoken to Sarus days prior about this very venture into the Northern Wates. She wants to demand a retributive strike, but this will take surgical precision. She knows what needs to be done, but she will have to set it aside for now. She agrees to sit on the information until She can meet with Analis.

The terrible feeling that struck her during the Conclave has only gotten worse. She has stayed to attend to matters, but her intention now is to use the keys and reach Aravis. But first, they must close the Conclave and then she must transport several persons to Blood Sea.

And so, the Conclave is brought to a close without a final decree being made on the matter of the Primal Sorcerers for now. There is some outrage, but the Highmage says “Matters will be dealt with before or during the next Conclave.

Karnea gathers those allies that she has brought in and trusts for the most part. The list is small, to help her teleport the group to Blood Sea. Karnea talks to Selene and tells her how she wants to handle living space room assignments very quickly, then tells her to pick up her Potion Master in Tarsis in a couple of days to give Master Shaw the time he needs to pack up everything including his plants. Karnea quickly explains she must depart Krynn for a couple of days and will return.

Karnea is about to leave when she is approached by a disheveled academician Red Robe Wizard of medium height, medium build, his prematurely greying hair is unkempt, so much so that Karnea is momentarily distracted by it. His face has seen good times and heartbreak, his face has thinned from a recent bought of destitute. His green eyes are behind his bent bifocals

“Excuse me Master Karnea, may I have a moment of your time to give voice to a proposition?”

Karnea is just about to turn him away but tells him to walk while they talk.

“What is this proposition Mr.?” Karnea asks and then makes clear, ”… and don’t waste my time.”

“It’s Arther Winsome and my employer passed away last year, and I was given a fair bit in the will, but now that has dried up and I am wondering if you have a position at your new Tower of High Sorcery for an Academician Wizard. I am university accredited, with honors, I could teach some classes at your school in Ancient History and know what you need to know before you know you need it. I would advise my employer and tend to his library.”

Karnea stops walking and says “Very well, you have said the right keywords, but I fear you are talking to the wrong person, surely you want to work for the Highmage, the Head of your Order.”

“Well, the truth of it is, I tried to get a job with her, but she has hired so many of my kind already she sent me to you, so here I am, her cast away so to speak.”

“Then her loss is my gain. I will tell you upfront, I am as evil as they say, this won't be a problem I trust.” Karnea asks”

“Of course, I have my principles, but you are not hiring me for those, are you?

“I see that we understand each other then. No, it is not likely I will bend you to my alignment, but rest assured, you will be bent to my will.

With a gulp, the Academician nervous-laughs and they agree to talk terms in a few days with a handshake. Karnea tells him to prepare his things and She calls Darius Desaad over.

“Please see that this gentleman and his belongings also reach the Tower securely.”

Darius agrees with taking on the new charter sizes the academician up and determines he will be no help with the crew during the voyage., but the two talk for a few moments, and Darius comes to see the value of this Wizard. He is knowledgeable of several subjects. A great find to be sure.

Karnea says her goodbyes to the Highmage, telling her “I will return in a couple of weeks and am willing to come back here to discuss matter more completely, but for now, I must depart.”

Karnea then says her goodbyes to Coryn, telling her to “Reach out when she is ready.”

With that out of the way, the group teleports to Blood Sea, and the population of the Blood Sea Tower grows by several people over the coming days and weeks, all handled by her trusted agents, while Karnea makes ready to depart Krynn through the door in Flotsam.



End of Chapter Thirteen: Conclave Part Four of Four 4 of 4

[Dungeon Master]

Master Karnea: Consolidation of Power
Story Two
Chapter Fourteen: Aravis
By Adam E. and James

Eastern Ansalon
Blood Sea Tower

Master Karnea has returned to the Tower of High Sorcery, with her is her apprentice. Karnea tells Azura to journal her experiences from the Conclave session and to be ready to give her Master a report of her experience, no matter their insignificance for when Karnea returns, she then informs Azura she will converse with her first thing in the morning and excuses her for the night while Karnea makes ready for her departure.

Having done some thinking throughout the night while packing, Karnea sits down and drafts a letter to Malakai the Viper. The retired Renegade Hunter of her order has always been an ardent political opponent within the Conclave for years. Karnea never knew the exact nature of their rivalry, but her suspicions lie in the basis of the fact of her own status as a Renegade for a time in her rebellious youth, a long time ago, ancient history really. Karnea was still suffering from her demonic servitude and tutelage for most of her early life. Following the commands of a faceless Monolithic Order was not what she was ready to bow down to, trading one Master for another. It was by chance that Nuitari witnessed her defiance and singular specialness; he knew from then on, he must have her dedication. He gave her just a taste of his Black Magic and she was his. She became his disciple, his weapon against his mother, the Queen of Darkness herself, and soon Karnea had become one of Nuitari’s favored acolytes in his court of Black Magic. All of this on some level also might have turned some Order members against her in those days.

It is equally true that by the end of the attack on Storm’s Keep, Malakai’s opinion altered after he witnessed her dedication in the savage bloody battle against the Grey Robes. Another glaring fact is Malakai is the last experienced person they have in the field of Hunting Renegade Wizards, despite his advanced age, he must be the last best chance to get things back on track. It is time to draft him into service to train and recruit hunters enough to fill a quota and to build a lasting tradition that can renew itself over time, perhaps building into a mandatory service to give over a certain amount of time in service to the order. Just a couple of ideas Karnea has been turning over in her mind as possible solutions to a shortfall of hunters in the face of a growing Primal Sorcerer threat.

Satisfied with the missive, she prepares it with salt, then rolls up the message and places it within an empty scrollcase she produces from the bottom right desk drawer. She places it in the outgoing tray and gets back to making sure she is completely ready for her journey.

She shares a nightcap with Willim the Black wherein she tells him of Selene’s hosting duties over the next week and asks him not to scare off the new guests and tells him she expects him to be civil. She tells him she will be away for a few days and to defend the tower while she is away.


The Next Morning

Master Karnea goes over her instructions to Azura while she is away, informing her that she will be taking more of an active role in the administration of the Tower when she returns. Karnea reminds Azura she will be wanting her report from the Conclave when she returns and tells her to remember her words from the previous evening and include everything in her journal. Every detail that she can recall.

Master Karnea meets one last time with Lady Selene and they go over any last points before Karnea feels secure in setting out. Willim may be her Right Hand at the Tower, but Lady Selene has more of a velvet touch that is required in the most delicate of duties and in many ways is Karnea's true right hand, getting things done from behind the scenes, just as she did at Schallsea Tower. Selene may be a Dark Elf, but she is effective in the field, with administration, and her gift as a Headmaster and instructor, has made her an invaluable asset to the order, to the tower, and to Karnea personally.

With that settled, Karnea takes an early lunch and finishes her final preparations to depart. For travel, she will generally wear her Robe of the Archmagi and Cloak of the Bat. Beneath the robe, she wears one of her usual short, utilitarian dresses and suede mid-calf boots. A belt with pouches for spell components and her dagger sheath is outside the robe, with other pouches of more valuable items and money in the secret pockets of her robe.

For lengthy travels, she packs extra clothing and components in her Heward’s Handy Haverpack, with any other needed items in a Bag of Holding. She always has her (2) Boccob's Blessed Books and a traveling spell book or two in her pack. She carries the Staff of Life and Death everywhere she goes. If traveling to Soreel for an extended stay, she will pack clothing in the Soreelian style. When traveling to Sigil, she will always keep the spell Worldwalk memorized for a rapid escape back to Krynn.

A Note on Karnea's Staff of Life and Death: Description -It is a blackened, crooked wooden staff with an iron end cap and an iron band just above where Karnea's hand rests on it. It's got a large, dark crystal mounted in a crook at the top, bound in place with platinum wire.

Another Note about this staff is whenever Karnea lets go of it to use both hands to do something, it stays standing upright next to her.

Satisfied she covered everything she could think of before Karnea begins to ascend the stairs for the short trip to the roof of the Tower. One of her last thoughts before reaching the roof is when she returns, a whole host of people will have been ushered into and living at the Tower by the time she returns. Certainly, it will have doubled by the time she comes back, with Aravis to add to the mix, all of which is an interesting situation that is going to take some time to get used to. With another thought about Aravis, Karnea steps up her pace to the last flight of stairs.

Upon reaching the roof and the open air, the first thing Karnea notices is she can see her breath. It is nearly midday, mid-fall. The air is crisp and biting and she draws her Black Robes closer to her as she eyes the eastern horizon. She hopes the blasted Minotaurs do not choose to attack while she is away. She exhales and faces south and sets her thoughts on where she wants to go, across Blood Sea.


Eastern Krynn
Port City of Flotsam

Karnea appears in the dim basement of the Rookery, an Inn and drinking establishment under the ownership of the former student at Schallsea, Lady Vorena. It is dark here, Karnea holds out her blackened crooked staff and whispers "shirak" and the Dark Crystal affixed in the nook of the staff illuminates the underground room with a pale ghostly light enough that she can see she is surrounded by barrels stacked in row after row, down at Karnea’s feet is a teleportation Runic circle for perfect teleportation transport. Karnea whispers the magic words and douses the pale light as she enters the tavern proper via the stairwell leading to the ground level, only briefly surprising the proprietor and engaging for a moment with Lady Vorena, before setting out in the direction of the residence containing the enspelled Doorway she is after in the City of Flotsam.

Karnea absent-mindedly feels in the area of the secret pockets of her robe to make sure the keys are there safe and secure as she approaches the address, she stops to observe the area, satisfied she is not being watched or followed, Karnea ventures into the building. It is nondescript, built in the same architecture as the rest of the city, but it is a very old building. She pulls forth a large key ring and unlocks the powerful wizard locks that were placed on the locks, and she enters the building.

A semi-furnished living space, it reminds Karnea of a halfway house. Several rooms. This house is very magical. She comes to the Magical Door. It is in the center of a large room. Karnea brings forth the Keys and one begins to pulse with faint blue light. Karnea steps to the door and slides the key into the keyhole and she feels the magical tumblers fall into place, unlocking the gateway. Karnea opens the door, and on the other side, she sees vaguely familiar architecture, very unlike the town she is in. She steps through the threshold and is swept across planes and realms to her wanted destination.


Outlands
The Pinnacle Spire
Sigil
Also known as The Cage, The City of Doors, and less commonly as The City of Secrets

Lower Ward

The Portal was established in the wake of the War of Souls from Krynn once Nuitari determined his plan with the Blood Sea Tower, He sent his agents to secure permission to secretly connect the City of Doors in his stead. Where it comes out is less known to Nuitari as he has no power in Sigil and cannot venture there. His agents can, however, and they have secured permission to connect with Sigil from the Lady of Pain, the Ultimate power of this Domain. Nobody truly knows who or what she really is and she has been a complete mystery since she arrived and assumed control eons ago. One thing is Paramount when dealing at all with her, do not worship her for even a second.

Sigil is a floating city in the center of the Outlands and the self-proclaimed center of the multiverse in the Great Wheel cosmology. A major hub for interplanar travel, the city contained multiple portals to every single plane, as well as to numerous locations in the Prime Material Plane. It was considered a demiplane in the World Axis cosmology.

Karnea can directly observe the manufacturing infrastructure that stretches on as far as the eye can see on this level within the Ward. Most of these workers live in the Hive. Karnea knows she has a long walk ahead of her. She leaves the building and gets her bearings. She memorizes this location and makes a wizard’s mark to let her know this is the way back. She sets out to her old stomping grounds and eventually reaches a junction that allows her to reach the Market Ward.

She sets out towards a familiar landmark that eventually leads her to an area where she can find her old neighborhood amidst the endless moving traffic of different races looking in the multitudes of different shops and stands, selling anything you can imagine and most you can’t even dream of. Master Karnea makes her way through the winding way; a small amount of hope builds as she comes across the boarded-up shop that was once one of her haunts in Sigil. She did not expect the condition to be different from the last time she was here, but she held out some hope she would see her friend again. Alas, she lingers momentarily and moves on, only stopping to check in with their mutual friend. Talia has returned and has left again in the intervening years, but they expect her back sometime soon.

Well, it’s something anyways. Karnea leaves word that she has returned to her homeworld of Krynn, but the world has moved. She tells her she will return soon; she would like to see her old acquaintance.

The old Dwarf merchant says she will pass it along to Talia the next time she sees her.

Karnea ventures to the local tavern, another old haunt, and orders some food and some local spirits before moving on, to what will be a long walk to the next door in Greengage, in the Clerk’s Ward that will take her to Soreel.



Soreel
Marika
Imperial Palace

52 ST by the current calendar of Soreel. (ST for Seija no Tochi, Seija no Tochi translates to "Reign of the Saint")

It is nearing Midwatch, Three days after the attack. Aravis was unable to rise from bed, feeling drained from her experience. Her muscles are tense from the fight for her life.

Aravis sits across the table from the Empress, nursing a glass of white wine from Arimal and pretending to nibble on the chilled fruits on the platinum platter between them. Lucius has already returned to his offices after some quiet but tense words with his mother. The Inspector is due to arrive momentarily, and Aravis is still trying to think of a way to describe the other night’s attack in a manner that makes her sound…less insane. A magical creature that only she can see, coming out of a mirror, one guard killed and two more wounded, and an entire wing of the Imperial Apartments burned down over it.

As if right on cue, the Inspector arrives with the chiming of the bell tower and is announced into Her Majesty’s presence. Zeva insisted on being present for the questioning, and Aravis was not going to argue with the Greysword. The servants silently clear the platter and wine glasses and replace them with Kava and a tray of light pastries. The inspector pays his homage to his Empress, while steadily looking at Aravis.

He’s already decided, Aravis thinks. He’s just here to place blame.

“Lady Aravis,” the inspector sneers. “I am Inspector Dantivo with the Imperial Investigation Directorate. Thank you for your participation in this inquiry. I’m sure that with your help, we can clear this matter up and find out what really happened.” He reaches into his satchel and withdraws a sheaf of papers, thumbing through them. “I have the statements from your guard detail, those who survived, that is to say, and I’m a little unclear as to what exactly it is that you think was attacking you.”

“With all due respect, Inspector…” Aravis begins.

A commotion from outside the room cuts her off. Raised voices of the guards in the corridor, and suddenly the door is thrust open. The visibly agitated form of the Empress’ Chamberlain enters the room, bowing deeply. “Begging your pardon, my Majesty, but a visitor is without, insisting that she be admitted.” Glancing back at the doorway, he straightens to his full height and clears his throat as the diminutive figure crosses the threshold. “Your Majesty, the Lady Karnea Dragonbane of Daisen Parrish, and of Krynn.”

The inspector gapes as Karnea enters the room, and belatedly remembers to rise to his feet, as is proper when a noblewoman enters the room. Zeva, of course, remains seated, a wry grin on her face. “My old friend, welcome,” Zeva says, gesturing towards the table. “We would be pleased to have you join us.”

Karnea stops and pulls back her hood. Effecting a small bow of deference, she raises an eyebrow at the Inspector. “Forgive my unscheduled appearance before you, Your Majesty. I hope that I am not interrupting anything…significant?”

“Nothing that cannot be dealt with.” Turning to look at Dantivo, Zeva says “Inspector, I’m sure that given the circumstances, a written statement from Lady Aravis will be sufficient, will it not? Unless, of course, you are planning on charging the heir of a noble house of Unari with a crime…”

“I, uh, Your Majesty, that is to say, the fire, the damages, very expensive and err, suspicious…” Dantivo stammers, flushing under his high collar.

“So you intend to charge the intended partner of the Heir Apparent with arson, Inspector?” Zeva asks, her voice dripping with curiosity.

Looking at each of the people in the room, Dantivo takes a deep breath. “No, Your Majesty. You are, of course, correct. A written statement will be more than sufficient to conclude this investigation.”

“Very well, Inspector. Lady Aravis will submit a statement to you as soon as she is able.” Glancing at the door, she inclines her head ever so slightly. “You have leave to go now.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” the Inspector bows deeply before being ushered from the room by the Chamberlain. Watching the door close behind the Inspector, Zeva sighs. “You always did know how to make an entrance,” she says to Karnea.

Karnea simply shrugs as she walks over to the table and looks Aravis up and down. “You look pale,” she tells her daughter, taking her chin in hand and turning her head back and forth. “What manner of creature attacked you?”

Pulling her head back from her mother’s grip, Aravis smooths her gown.

Zeva stands, clearing her throat slightly. “I’ll give the two of you the room, to catch up,” she says, walking towards the door. “You are both welcome to stay in the palace. Emil will see to your accommodations.” Zeva leaves the room and closes the door behind her.

Aravis stands, taking a few steps to gain some distance from her mother. She looks her mother over. “I’m fine, Mother. Just tired, and drained. It came through the mirror…it looked like me, but different, changed.”

Karnea frowns. “It is less important what the creature was, than where it came from and who sent it. Rest assured that will be determined.” She absently picks up one of the mugs of kava and sips at it. “The important thing is that you are ok.”

“Yes, well, now that you’ve come all this way to find that out, I’m sure that you’ll be going,” Aravis scoffs, turning away from Karnea. “I’m sure that you have more important things to concern yourself with.”

“Yes, Aravis, I have come a very long way indeed to see to your well-being. I would have been here even faster but for the meeting of the Conclave. I’m sure the other two Heads of the Orders would have understood my leaving, but it certainly would have been used against me by my colleagues in the Black Robes.”

“The other two heads?” Aravis turns to face her mother. “So you lead the Black Robes now?” She is genuinely interested now.

“Yes. Our faith and diligence over these many years has finally come to fruition. I am now your Father’s chosen representative to the Conclave. And we are in agreement, your Father and I. It is time for you to come home. Too long have you lingered in this place, hoping for something that will never be.”

“Lucius and I are to be married, Mother!” Aravis seethes through her teeth. “I cannot abandon my commitment here.”

“My dearest, if that addled man-child were going to marry you, he would have done so a decade ago. I know that you love him, and maybe he also loves you. Or at least, the idea of you. But it is hard when two people love each other, but cannot agree on how that should work.” Karnea looks out the window, perhaps staring at a place far from where she currently stands. Turning back to her daughter, her face hardens again. “And where is your dashing Prince now, child? Did he even come to you?” Karnea sets the cup down forcefully, cracking the delicate handle.

“Come home, Aravis. Stand beneath the moons that are your birthright. Feel the true magic burn inside you once again.”

Aravis throws her hands in the air. “And what then, Mother?! Be your pawn, your…, your…Khas piece?”

“Yes, damn you!” Karnea yells. “Krynn needs you. Your Father needs you.” Her voice drops to almost a whisper. “I need you.”

Aravis pales, eyes wide. She can only think of a handful of times that her mother has raised her voice, and never to her. “I need some time, Mother.”

“One week. Things are happening that I cannot delay further. You will decide and tell me within the week. Send word to the estate at Diasen. I never could stomach staying in this palace.” Karnea turns away from Aravis and in the next eyeblink, disappears.

[Dungeon Master]

Master Karnea: Consolidation of Power
Story Two
Chapter Fifteen Welcome Home Part One
Pt 1 by Adam

Karnea was never known to be one to sit idly by while others made decisions. Karnea had further plans for this unexpected trip to Soreel.

The diminutive archmage materializes outside the building housing the school she founded so many years ago. Jelben is an elderly man by now, powerful in magic and devoted to god who has never shown himself in this world. She is admitted to his study and accepts his offer of a glass of wine.

“To what do I owe the unexpected pleasure of your visit, Master?” Jelben leans back in his chair as he appraises the ageless wizard across from him.

“You have been most faithful to the Moon Gods, and to Nuitari in particular. Even when agents of the crown and those of the College of Wizardry here have persecuted you and your students, you have maintained the faith and the Art. It is time you were rewarded for your patience.”

“How is it that you mean, Lady? Are the Moon Gods to come here and upset the Soreelian ways?”

“No, my friend.” Karnea sips the wine. “The logistics are not yet settled, but I would offer you and as many of your fellow followers of the Moon Gods passage to Krynn, now that the gods have returned. There you may take the Test of High Sorcery and finally feel the true power of the Art course in your blood as you have longed for.”

Jelben looks upon his mentor and master in awe. “Can this truly be? Glory to Nuitari, I would leave with you this very day if you asked it of me!”

“As I have said, you have been most faithful, and it is well past time that you were rewarded.” Karnea says. “I will return to you here in one Imperial month. In the meantime, gather as many of the Soreelian Robes, of all colors, and give them this news. Any who wish to walk under the moons they have worshiped from afar are invited to do so, if only they choose to accept the Test.”

“It will be as you say, Lady. I am sure that many, if not most, will be anxious to join us on this journey. I will consult with the Heads of the other two Soreelian Orders tonight to begin our preparations.”

Karnea leaves the school later, after looking in on a few of the more promising members in residence.

If even half of the Soreelians return with her, then her position within the Black Robes will be all the more solidified, to say nothing of her political power among the Conclave as a whole. Jenna will not be alive forever, and Karnea has a much longer game to play.


Six days later…

Aravis hands the sealed scrollcase to the young page outside her chamber door and shoulders the pack containing the few things that were able to be salvaged from the fire. A few clothes, an amulet, and three dolls; one representing her Father, one her mother, and the third in her hands, is her... She looks at it a long time, then sets it on the table next to the door. Hopefully, he will find it here, and remember her.

“Are you ready?” comes her mother’s voice from behind her.

“Yes, mother. Let’s go home."



Eastern Soreel
Unari
Daisen Province

In 21 ST, following an episode involving the children of several Soreelian nobles who politically opposed Empress Zeva’s reign, the Empress made several moves to help shore up her own political support. One of these moves was granting lands and titles to her supporters, increasing the number of noble houses directly beholden to the Throne. Among those so appointed was an old adventuring companion of the Empress, the Archmage Karnea. Karnea was known by reputation to many of the Soreelian nobles as a dark figure with unprecedented access to the Empress. It was rumored that Karnea helped at several key junctures in Zeva’s conquest of the Soreelian system. Many of the Empress’ political opponents complained about a foreigner (gaijin, in the ancient Unari language favored by many Soreelian scholars) having so much influence on the Throne. Thus, the Empress granted Karnea Daisen Province, a small holding on the second largest island in the Unari chain.

Daisen Province had once been held by a daimyo, equivalent to a lord or mid-ranked noble elsewhere. The last daimyo of Daisen died without an heir, which caused his holdings to come under the control of the Throne. In appointing Karnea Onna Daimyo Daisen, Zeva was able to dispose of lands under the Throne’s direct control, reward an old friend for long assistance, and legally position Karnea’s daughter Aravis as a proper Soreelian noblewoman.

The Daisen Province is situated on approximately 25 square miles of land along the Tama River. It is fertile land with several farms worked by tenant farmers, and a number of cherry groves also tended by tenants. The primary use of these cherries is in the making of wine, although a fair proportion of them are exported as whole fruit as well. The town of Daisen is on the river, below the imposing seven-story structure that is the Daimyo’s residence. Daisen town has approximately 2500 inhabitants, many of whom are involved in the harvesting of cherries and the making of wine. There is a river dock in town for shipping goods downriver to Heiji, the regional capital, and seaport at the mouth of the Tama.

Upon her appointment, Karnea traveled to Daisen to review her new holdings. There she met Himari-san, the former daimyo’s adjutant. Himari had been the de facto controller of the province in the 5 years since the daimyo’s death. Karnea found him to be a very competent administrator and left him in charge of the day-to-day operations of the household and province. For his part, Himari was enthralled by the foreign wizardess and her daughter. Karnea instructed that her incomes from the province be set aside for Aravis’ use.

The residence, Daisen Teitaku, is a seven-story fortified house in the 7th century IA (old Unari Imperial) style. While certainly not a palace, the residence is a large space suitable for entertaining nobles and hosting tournaments and events. The first floor is given to household operations, with a reception area and hall, servants' quarters, and a large kitchen. The second and third floors are guest quarters and recreation areas. The fourth floor is Aravis’ quarters, with her bedchamber, parlor, a small library area with storage for her spellbooks, and a private bathing area. The fifth floor is laboratory space, a library, a tearoom, a small closet with the teleportation chamber, and Himari-san’s personal quarters. The sixth floor is Karnea’s quarters, with a bedchamber, study, parlor, private bathing area, and a small treasury. The seventh floor is further entertainment space, with a formal dining hall, a small ballroom, and an additional kitchen with a large dumbwaiter to the main kitchen on the ground level. Below the house is a basement with brig space for several prisoners, as well as a storage area behind a wizard-locked secret door containing a full copy of Karnea’s spellbook collection. Several outbuildings dot the premises with space for additional servants, stables, barracks for a small number of soldiers, and additional storage.

Karnea tends to stay at the estate in Daisen when she is visiting Soreel, finding it to be a suitably remote and private place to stay. She has established a teleportation chamber in the residence that connects with one in Aravis’ apartment on the Imperial campus in Tarish. This allows Aravis to travel to the estate without hindrance. Karnea maintains a full set of her spellbooks in the basement of the residence, as well as a small laboratory and library. Aravis has access to the lab and library, but not to the spellbooks. Aravis has her own collection of spellbooks stored in her quarters in the residence

Karnea and Aravis appear outside the Residence and begin their approach inside.

“If I am to be a wizard of Krynn, I should at least look the part, don’t you think?” Aravis asks her mother.

“Yes, I’m afraid there won’t be many opportunities for you to wear your court clothes at the Tower,” Karnea returns.

Aravis goes to her room and retrieves black robes that have been packed away. She tells her mother she would like to acquire a new set of rich robes when they return to Krynn and Karnea assures her daughter that can be accomplished readily when they return.

Karnea gives the staff orders to serve a light lunch in the garden. While that is being prepared, Aravis gathers some clothes and personal things she had stored at Diasen. Soon, over lunch in the Garden
Karnea begins to describe some of the more prominent personalities that she will encounter at the Tower, as well as some of the members of the other Orders.
They discuss Karnea’s new apprentice Azura, and Aravis recalls her time living at Schallsea Tower when Lady Selene also lived and served her mother.
This leads them to discuss the events on Krynn since the return of the gods.

“You’ve been very busy, it seems, helping to put the Orders back together,” Aravis says. “It seems fortunate that so many of the surviving Black Robes are former students of yours.”

“There are still many who would rather see Dalamar in my place,” Karnea says. “My position is secure for now, but we must always remain vigilant against our brothers and sisters of the Black.”

“And I thought that I would be getting away from court intrigues,” Aravis states flatly.

When lunch is done and both Karnea and Aravis have collected everything want from the Residence, Karnea prepares to begin casting the spell Worldwalk that will take them back to Krynn (since they cannot travel through Sigil on the way back because of Aravis’s Demigod status).

The Spell is enacted and Karnea begins to walk through and then stops to see if Aravis is coming. Something is holding her up, Aravis notices her mother is waiting, and turns and walks with her mother through the portal

Lucius* The Heir of the Greysword has not given up on his relationship with Aravis and makes the rash decision to follow her through the portal to another World, the place where he was conceived. (*See Lucius: Heir of the Empire)

[Dungeon Master]

Master Karnea: Consolidation of Power
Story Two
Chapter Fifteen Welcome Home Part Two

Krynn
Eastern Ansalon
Flotsam

Karnea and Aravis appear in the House in Flotsam where the Sigil Portal is located. They move over to the Rookery, Aravis instantly feels flooded with the Magic of Krynn. She had forgotten the strong feeling. They enter the Inn and drinking establishment of her former student Vorena and pass by her into the basement where a Teleportation runic circle is located providing for near-perfect teleportation.

Karnea takes Aravis’s hand, and they teleport to the Port of the Island. Aravis takes in the 400’ tower of Blood Sea, its pentacle towers reach upward another 100 hundred feet. It is the focal feature of the island. She sees the black walls and the aggressive-looking port defenses and sees her father’s hand everywhere on the island.

While in the sky, the dominating feature at the present time is the White Moon of Solinari making its climb to its full apex of full sanction. The Red Moon of Lunitari hangs low in the sky, while Aravis sees the lunar representation of her Father races above, silently treading the accelerated path across the sky, it is at this moment that she truly feels at home.


They begin to walk, Aravis sees the Three Moons Inn, and the line of different businesses that are here, wagons, pulled by oxen, blacksmiths, an apothecary, a butcher, a tannery, a ropemaker, a carter, and other little shops, there is a bookmaker, baker, beekeeper and candlemaker. Karnea comes across the Artificers. It is close to the Tower; it is a large area of their own. It would seem Lady Selene has carried out your wishes. The two-story house with the workshop space next door is already in operation in the prime location you wanted them to in, but you have not had the time this last week and a half away from the Tower.

They walk on to the black and gold gate with the three moons represented on the gate itself. They pass through the gate into the olive grove. Belken Grove encompasses around the Tower. They follow the path through the magical grove and to the round door that opens for them.

They pass through the cloakroom and into a grand central grand chamber. Aravis takes in the activity, it’s not bustling, but some people are coming and going from what looks like a cafeteria hall.

Moments later Lady Selene emerges from the spiral stair and welcomes Karnea back and welcomes Aravis to the Tower of Blood Sea. She asks Aravis’s pardon for a moment while she can bring the Master of the Tower up to date on the recent happenings of the Tower

Aravis stands back and walks around the rooms off the Grand Hall. She finds the audience chamber; she feels the lingering presence of her Father has been in this room. This is his room. The Hall of Records stands nearly empty, with meeting rooms, a common room, cafeteria that is open around the clock. An actual working kitchen, with cooks, and a storage room. Both Karnea and Aravis clock the Red Robed and hooded Wizards getting food, they nod when they pass by and go up the stairs. Aravis hears Lady Selene explain the anonymity granted to the Dreamshapers in their Role as Test administrators.

Selene lets Karnea know that everyone has arrived among the Representatives from the Conclave and is settled in. Only Madon asked to be allowed to stay in the Tower instead of the Pentacle. There are letters from Talron, and Malikai the Viper. Also, a woman arrived a couple of days ago seeking an audience. She is very exotic looking but seems very reserved and built. Selene has put her up at the Three Moons until you have time to decide what to do with her.

"I had a thought a while back and have brought in several orphans I tested for their aptitude a while back and enrolled them in classes until I could decide what we could do with them. I have brought a few to the island and have employed them as pages for a test run and have found them to be quick learners. I will have one assigned to serve you if you agree to this plan. We will ease them into schooling and maybe keep this going as kids go on to apprentice or phase out, we can get more."

Karnea approves of this idea and tells Selene to implement her plan for this venture.

Azura emerges from the spiral staircase and Karnea calls her over to take Aravis up to your floor and we are going to move her in next to you.
Karnea and Selene walk past and Azura and Aravis walk behind and Azura points out where places of interest on their trip up the Tower steps
Azura points out the Testing Floor, the school, where the students live, where the teachers live

On the twelfth floor, Lady Selene mentions to Karnea that the Potion Master has moved into the apartment below with the other teaching staff rooms, but he and his assistant have already gotten the apothecary here on Twelve in operation, The Potion Master Orin Shaw requests an audience when you have time to see him.

They reach the seventeenth floor, and it opens to a great garden area and a meeting hall. Aravis feels this is a good area in this great open space with the plants under the regulated artificial weather system.

Aravis and Azura reach the nineteenth floor, and the next three floors are the Tower Library. It is a work in progress, a respectable collection is being built.

Aravis and Azura reach the twenty-sixth floor, they pass Azura’s room and to one of the VIP rooms and get Aravis situated and Azura lets Aravis settle in.

Karnea goes to her personal study and chambers. She comes out after a few minutes with a list of things for Selene to carry out, and then she closes the door.
The List of things for Selene entails sending word to the kitchens that a large meal should be prepared for her Daughter’s return to Krynn and served in the seventeenth-floor garden meeting hall. Invited are Azura, Selene, Willim the Black, and Orin Shaw-the new potion master, will join Karnea and Avaris in the Garden meeting hall seventeenth floor at Eight.

Karnea puts down her things and sits down at her vallenwood desk and reads through her letters.

The letter from Talron. The Draconian is dead we have gained what information we can, Nalas and I request to be pulled from the area as it has become too dangerous to further operate.

Karnea pens a reply for them to return to the Tower without haste and bring their information back to me.

The other letter is from Malakai the Viper, responding to Karnea’s letter: He writes I would be honored to come on as the Chief Renegade Hunter for an interim period until a new capable Chief Hunter can be found. As I am at an advanced age, it will be better for me to command the troops to train up and then send them out, I will be very little good in the field anymore. What would you have of me?

Karnea thinks about the Viper momentarily. He was Renegade Hunter who brought her in all those years ago. They were political rivals for a number of years, but Karnea won him over time.

Karnea pens a reply to Malakai and in it she invites him to the Tower so they can discuss if he needs any Tower resources to carry out his charge. If he needs a way to the Tower, write back that you need help to the Tower.

Karnea meets the representatives from the Red Robe and White Robe in her personal study

Madon the Red Robe Representative 5’6” round, hard man with shaved head and face. Mid-forties

Vaylin thin female 5’7” has a different ethnicity than most have seen on Ansalon, blue eyes, and black hair, she just seems more exotic. Mid-twenties

The two wizard representatives hand over their credentials and bona fides from their order master’s for Karnea to review. Karnea is by now very aware of who these people are on paper, and after only a brief introduction at the conclave, Karnea was genuinely interested to see how this might work, taking cues from when the orders were whole, and five towers graced our lands and seeing how this arrangement might work in this modern era in the spirit of cooperation between the orders.

Discuss what they can bring to the table. Karnea’s expectations for them and the rules they must follow while they live here. They set up a day of the week to gather to talk about business. Karnea asks if she has been to the Chamber of Eyes yet and Vaylin admits to looking around. She asks about the divination device and Karnea takes them to the Chamber of Eyes containing the artifact the God’s Eye, a powerful, perhaps the most powerful divination divine artifact on Krynn. Karnea shows Vaylin how to operate the artifact by adding reflective liquid to the dish.
Rules of note that Karnea imparts to them-

"First High Sanction of Nuitari of every new month the Black Robes are going to gather at the Tower. The Robes of the other orders should make themselves scarce or stay to themselves in their rooms as we must still be able to keep our secrets of our orders business, I will take a personal affront if I am not heeded, and if we have to have to this conversation again it will be our last."

Karnea informs Vaylin this will be her primary job to scry for the Tower’s business. “You may try this out, but tomorrow your job will be to scan the Northern Wastes and locate where the Sorcerers are gathering.”
“We will explore your other uses in the future, but for now, I need you here.”

Madon asks what his primary job will be.

Karnea answers simply “Provide me with your wisdom when called for it, We might need something from you to cast at any time for the Tower. I have two primary threats that currently interest me right now. The Sorcerers in the Northern Wastes, and the ever-present threat of the Minotaur Empire.

“And finally, it will be your primary duty will be to protect this Tower of High Sorcery and serve me in my duties as Master of the Tower while also representing your orders interests. You would do well to stay above any internal black robe politics in any matter.”

They agree to a scheduled weekly brunch at the beginning of the week in the garden on the seventeenth floor where they can gather and get on the same page and find ways we may work together or stay out of each other’s way.

Later,

The dinner is held in honor of Aravis's return on the seventeenth floor, in the Garden/Meeting room In attendance is Karnea, Aravis, Selene, Azura, Willim The Black, and the potion master Orin Shaw.

Conversations drift from Willim asking how long it had been since Aravis was last on Krynn. The answer is since 381 A.C. about thirty-eight years.

The talk turns to current affairs around Krynn. Broadly speaking-

The talk turns to what kind of Potions he can make that are usable. Increasing your intelligence, your strength, focus, alertness, celerity, cleverness, awareness, enhanced spells, enhanced memory, dexterity, silence, invisibility, truthfulness, flying, and being able to breathe underwater. There are more, but then we will be here all night.

Both Karnea and just about every person around the table realize the possibilities of having such a team member. Karnea herself has been an avid potion making from back as her days as a Witch, everything has to be near perfect or you are in trouble. Several mages from old had the skill. But from the back cover of his series of volumes on the subject, the art is a of a dying breed. But having him here has afforded them all the opportunity to learn something with this man. The more Karnea had thought about this addition to the tower it had made her very pleased that he agreed to come to the Tower. She has by now lightly read through his nine-volume set and has come away very impressed with the detail of knowledge that has been assembled and to have its author sitting at her table and becoming a teacher at the Tower school makes her very proud of his acquisition of service.

Among the items of conversation, the Potion Master asks when Karnea might take a trip back to the City of Doors, Orin Shaw would love to shop in the Outland market and the grand Bazaar in Sigil to collect Spell components for the apothecary we cannot readily find around here, he requests a foray the next time it is possible to do so.

Aravis is asked how she is acclimating to her new surroundings, and she answers she is still taking it all in. She does not remember such a diverse group ever gathering at Schallsea like this. She thanks them all for coming and helping her celebrate her return.

The Three Moons Inn
Karnea comes down to the Inn to meet the young woman. Her name is Eris, she is a Monk/Assassin descendant of an expatriate family of the Ran-Eli from Clair Elin Island nation. She is a Master in several styles of the arts of Ki. She has traveled through Desolation and seeks a worthy Master to serve. Her mother died some years back after she taught me nearly everything I know; “my father is old and sickly and has sent me out to make my way in the world and bid me to seek you out to serve.”
She cannot train a non-blood relative in the ways of her people by law, by the pain of death. But she cannot go back to her people, she would receive no forgiveness for the actions of her family. She has nowhere to go and seeks a worthy lord, her father feels it could be the Master of this Tower.

5’7” thin, but strong. black hair, silver eyes

She bears a staff but also has an exotic sword Karnea has never seen it’s like the same as the exotic knives, she also has a blowgun and strange climbing gear.

Karnea decides to take in this potentially deadly, potentially useful instrument. She has long thought about building up a small group of hirelings to act as assassins and bodyguards to use as needed, She had not intended Talron to be gone so long, but this girl is a start.

Karnea decides she will write to Palianess Darkhammer when they get back to the tower and see if he can hire up some loyal troops, he can send her way for Mercenary employment. She will also ask that he join her on the Island at his soonest convenience, She wants to pick his brain a little and ask him to take a job for her.
If it takes Orin Shaw making one of his truthfulness potions or some other ritual Karnea can do to make sure this woman is on the up and up. She is truthful.

Karnea takes Eris into her employment as a bodyguard. She will try this out if she can trust her, she has thoughts about maybe pairing her up with Aravis if leaves the Tower for any reason. Karnea has Eris become familiar with the Town and those that live there, she can settle into the Rogues Gallery.

When Karnea returns to the Tower she calls Aravis and Azura to join her in her study. They pass by the young child who has been assigned to serve Karnea as her page. Karnea moves to her candy dish and calls the boy over and tells him to take a candy and he can be excused for the night. The kid complies and walks out of the room with a smile.

Karnea tells Azura to take a letter while she is there. Avaris sits down and watches as Karnea recites the message to her old companion Palianess Darkhammer, and after Karnea finishes and watch over Azura last pen strokes, Karnea signs the letter and Azura is there to salt the scroll and begins to heat the wax. When ready, Karnea rolls up the Scroll and then affixes her seal on the melted wax. Karnea tells Azura to place this message with the others to go out tomorrow. Karnea then instructs her to keep to her studies in the morning until Karnea calls on her, she then dismisses her apprentice for the evening.

After Azura leaves Karnea turns to Avaris and watches her for a moment as Aravis fidgets in the chair she is in. Karnea can’t help but crack a smile as she moves to slide behind her vallenwood desk. They share a last glass of wine and stay in each other’s presence for a little bit longer. Aravis tells her mother that she thinks Azura is incredibly respectful. Karnea agrees and tells Aravis that Azura has been impressive thus far. Aravis adds that she feels safe here at the Tower, but she removed her mirror from her room, to which Karnea agrees that is probably for best until we can learn if they can enter the Tower. Aravis finishes off her drink and walks to start to walk down the stairs when Karnea informs Aravis she can go down to the kitchens at any time of the day or night.

Aravis manages an attempt to return a smile but just ends up leaving the room and lightly shuts the door behind her.

Karnea settles into writing a list of things to accomplish in the next few days. She is going to wait until Nuitari is in High Sanction again before she attempts to go into the northern wastes, which will be four Days, Time enough to make sure the Statis Clone is fully prepared. She hopes her calculations and spell work have served her well enough for this task should anything go array when she meets Analis her former student. Karnea resolves to get Aravis’s measurements and have a nice pair of dress robes made for her, will probably have to go to Palanthas to get the dress robes.

[Dungeon Master]

Master Karnea: Consolidation of Power
Story Two
Chapter Sixteen: The New Paradigm

Karnea and Aravis have breakfast together on the seventeenth-floor Garden level in the meeting room they held her dinner in the previous night. Karnea explains that she has to put the hunt for whatever attacked Aravis to the side for a few days, maybe a week or more. Karnea tells Aravis about the massacre of the renegade hunter team and the cold-blooded murder of her renegade hunter chief. The sorcerers are gathering in the north, posing a potential threat to a war nobody wants to see go down. The Highmage herself asks me as a favor to talk to Analis, who might be at the center of all of this. This will be a high-stakes negotiation deciding the potential fate of millions with someone who is a master wild mage and may have a messianic fatalism that might just complicate matters.”

Suddenly Aravis feels small but significant enough to say she understands, but she does not personally agree that it is the bigger threat.

Karnea sees Aravis’s skeptical reaction that she tries to mask.

Karnea tells her “This is just that important. Once Analis is taken to task, your attackers will have my complete and undivided attention.”

Aravis pushes her food around her plate briefly. “I don’t understand, Mother. What is it that Analis wants? Why is she opposed to you so? Was there some sort of bad blood after I left?”

Karnea sighs. “Analis and I were always on cordial terms, even after she left Schallsea. Sure, she felt like she had learned all she could from me at the time, considering the differences in our approach to the Art, but she never was hostile.”

“So why now?” Aravis asks.

“After Takhisis stole the world, wizardry dried up and died. As I understand it, there were several years at the very beginning of the Age of Mortals when sorcery wasn’t even an option. It would seem that the Dark Queen first taught the Majere boy and Dalamar about sorcery under the guise of The Shadow Sorcerer. Of course, all of the Queen’s gifts are tainted, and from what I gather the use of sorcery benefitted her more than it did any of the actual sorcerers.” Karena takes a bite of her sausage. “I suppose you could say that Takhisis is having the last laugh now that we are dealing with the primal sorcerers.”

Aravis frowns. “This still doesn’t explain what the problem with Analis is. Why wouldn’t she just come back to the Moon Magic now that the gods have returned?”

“Lunitari always seemed to have a soft spot for Analis, but I am not convinced that the feeling was mutual. Analis was always more interested in Chaos…the rules of the Conclave and High Sorcery were inconvenient necessities more than hard and fast truths. I imagine that when Chaos was released from the Greygem she felt it in her soul. Analis thrived on the wild magic and sorcery during the absence of the gods, and she isn’t going to give it up.” Karnea sips at her tea. “The Highmage wants me to approach Analis because Jenna thinks she’ll listen to me.”

Aravis laughs out loud. “I know Jenna is getting old, but I didn’t think she was senile, too. Sending you, of all people, to negotiate?”

Karnea glowers. “Jenna won’t do it because she’s afraid. She knows I won’t hesitate to do what must be done.”

“And what exactly is it that you think must be done, Mother?” Aravis straightens in her chair. “Just go in and kill everyone in sight, make a martyr out of someone, to what end? Causing an open war between the primal sorcerers and the Conclave, when you barely have the numbers to endure as it is?”

“Then they will have brought it upon themselves by killing Saurus and his team!” Karnea growls.

“The team that was sent to kill them?” Aravis mocks her mother’s tone perfectly. “Has anyone even tried to actually communicate with them, find out what they want? Offer them a path back into the Art?”

Karnea arches an eyebrow at her daughter. “I can certainly see that Zeva’s idealism has rubbed off on you over the years. And I suppose that you think that you can just talk Analis and Morgan into playing nice?”

“Perhaps I should be the one to go to them,” Aravis says defiantly.
Karnea snorts. “Absolutely not. For all we know right now, they are the ones responsible for attacking you, trying to strike back at the gods of magic. You will remain in this Tower until I have dealt with Analis.”

Aravis stares at her mother. “You have to give Analis something. You can’t simply show up and make demands and expect her to meekly accept. Surely there is something that you, in all your power, can offer to these sorcerers that is better than the threat of annihilation?” Folding her napkin onto her plate and pushing it away from her, she stands. “I will be in the library, since I’m not permitted to be anywhere else,” she intones acidly.

Karnea watches her daughter depart the garden. She looks upon a statue of Nuitari. “Damn your daughter,” she says softly. “Perhaps I will have to make Analis some kind of peace offering.” She gestures to the page standing near the door, who tentatively approaches. Handing the small boy a piece of candy from the secret pocket in the sleeve of her robe, she says “Go to Azura and tell her that I wish her to bring every book she can find about the plane of Limbo to my study by lunchtime, and then bring the white robe Vayin to come to my study at her earliest convenience.

Karnea talks to the white robe representative about the need to find the Sorcerer headquarters in the Northern Wastes of Solamnia.

Karnea shows Valyin the area she is interested in on the map she had put to the side several weeks ago, back before she left for the Conclave. She puts the Diviner to work. Karnea tells her she will have lunch brought up to her. Karnea takes her to the Chamber of Eyes and gets her started.

Soon,

Her page comes to the steps to find her and tells her that a message has arrived. Karnea goes to her private study and sees the messenger who is always stationed with the messenger hawks standing outside her study. Karnea takes the message, the messenger mentions the dark clouds out on the horizon, he nods and goes back to his station.

The page settles into place outside your door as Karnea closes it. She takes the message and opens the seal. It is from Verena, from the Rookery in Flotsam. It has turned out she is in the perfect place to conduct your business for the Tower. She opens the message and reads down the perfect lines of impeccable penmanship you could always count on your former students for.

The wind starts to pick up and Karnea crosses to the viewing pane. The messenger is right about a storm brewing up. She looks back at the message.

In this case, it seems, young lovestruck Lucuis made the crossing over, he would have had time to do it. She really should have dissipated the portal as soon as she was through. No matter, what’s done is done. So, what to do, what to do? Bringing him to the Tower is out of the question. Keeping him in Flotsam is cruel and unusual punishment, bringing him to the island is the only proper form, and putting him up in the Three Moons for the duration of his stay. It may be cold, but with Analis and Aravis to worry about, that’s the best I have right now.

She walks to the door and opens it, and the page looks up. Karnea tells him to stay where he is, She might need him later. She looks down to see what he is writing in the lantern light. He holds the cover so that it is showing. Basic Studies Manual. Karnea asks what he is working on right now, he answers spelling test is coming up. Karnea tells him to go get something for lunch,

“you will be able to think better on a full stomach.” She stops for a moment and remembers the white robe and she calls out for her page to tell the kitchens to take food up to the Chamber of Eyes for Lady Valyin.

She slides on her traveling cloak, foregoing the cloak of the Bat tonight, I don’t want it all wet in the rain.

Karnea walks down the steps to the next floor and enters the hallway. She walks to Azura’s room and finds her reading one of the books Karnea gave her to read up on. Karnea tells Azura they will get together later this afternoon. She must attend to some affairs first. Azura nods and Karnea leaves her to her book and exits the room. She heads for Aravis’s room. Aravis is also reading.

Karnea recognizes this as a book from the library downstairs. Penned by Master Bertrem, it is his account of the 5th Age. Karnea picked up the copy the first night she came back to Krynn. Aravis has been catching up on everything they had missed. Karnea peeks over her shoulder. The Dragon Overlords-

Aravis says, “I’m glad we were not here when they were.”

Karnea agrees “I know they were real. I’ve seen the skulls; The world is lucky to have survived.

Aravis turns to face her mother; she can feel something coming.

Karnea looks down at her questioning face and tells her “Lucius is in Flotsam, he has apparently followed us through the portal.”

Avaris’s face is mixed, but internally she thought this could happen but Aravis is still surprised that it actually did.

Karnea arches an eyebrow at her daughter. “He will just get under foot and in the way.”

Aravis’ nostrils flare. “He is an extremely skilled swordsman and a deadly adversary. He roots out threats to the crown daily!”

Karnea looks at her daughter. “And does he know anything about any of the threats of Kyrnn? Is he educated in why he can’t walk into Kern? Trust me, I have little doubt he is useful in his homeland, but to be blunt, he will literally be no help in any step of our investigation, and he will only get in the way and be a hindrance. Solinari’s high sanction right now is a sign that maybe you can convince him to visit his father since he is back here on Krynn. They have been apart for over fifty years already. It will only do him some good.” Karnea says acidly.

Aravis says, “He will want to talk with me.”

“Oh yes, I’m sure he will,” Karnea rolls her eyes. “He followed you here because he’s afraid that one of the daughters of the other Houses will try to snatch him up now that you are out of the way.”

They look at each other. Karnea gets up. “He will be put up in the Three Moons Inn for his stay on the Island.”

“Really mother. The Inn?”

“Enough, I’ve made my decision.” Karnea begins to climb the stairs. “He is no wizard, and I will not have him occupying this Tower and using my people like his serving staff.”

“It is a dumb and petty decision,” Aravis says in an undertone loud enough for Karnea to hear, which Karnea dines not to answer to.

Karnea reaches the roof and feels the sudden burst of wind coming from the west. Karnea looks out towards Flotsam, and Karnea sees where to teleport and disappears.

[Dungeon Master]

Master Karnea: Consolidation of Power
Story Two
Chapter Seventeen: The Mayor of Flotsam

Krynn
Eastern Ansalon
Lord-city of Flotsam

Afternoon
Karnea arrives at the basement of the Rookery, the Inn that is operated by her former student at Schallsea Verena, who had messaged her about Lucius. She prepares herself and climbs the steps upstairs to the bar.

Verena is behind the bar, Lucius is sitting at the bar, and Verena informs Karnea she may not be in the mood for this but the gentleman over there is charged with delivering you a message.

An agent of Lord Toade, the mayor of Flotsam brings Karnea a scroll from Lord Toade. She opens the elaborate scroll. She notes the par excellence on the penmanship, he has a damn good scribe in his employment.

reads:

Dear Master Karnea,

It has been my unfortunate misfortune to keep missing your very valued acquaintance on your many visits to my fair city. I would very much like to invite you to my club at the end of the street the next time you are in town. We have so many potential business ventures to discuss that would hopefully benefit each of us. I do hope you will consider this friendly invitation; I so want to be your ally in this city going forward.

-Lord Toade

The aide stands there until you are done reading, he waits for a couple of moments to see if you have anything you want to say.

Karnea laughs and tells him she will “give him all due consideration in the future.”

The messenger leaves and Karnea laughs again leaving Karnea to wonder what the hell that is about. “How has nobody done that worm riiden filth in yet?”

Verena tells Karnea "Its funny you should say it like that. Word is that he has died and resurrected more times than anybody else living on Krynn. Whats more is he has become some plaything between demons or devils and that maybe Toade has changed over time, he is a thousand times more tolerable than in the old days. For what that’s worth. I mean the town runs half way decent without a lot of control holden us down. people mostly keep their head."

Karnea considers this new information. More tolerable? She just can’t picture it from what she knows him.
So, Lord Toade is a plaything for Demons or Devils, how interesting. This can only be about one thing, what is in my portal building, and that gentlemen is an interesting proposition indeed. The City very well could be sitting on a potential goldmine, or iron mine with trade. That is what he is salivating for. How interesting….I wonder what kind of arrangement and concessions I can get. The tax revenue for crossing…. Controls will have to be put in place to keep the house a city secret. We can’t let things get out of control.

Lucius thanked Verena for keeping her word. Karnea also thanked Verena for contacting her. She adds she did the right thing.

Karnea and Lucius teleport to the island from the teleportation circle in the Rookery’s basement in Flotsam.

The rain is pouring down, with dramatic lighting while Karnea and Lucius stand near the docks, Karnea tells him to follow her. The Tower looms above them as another lighting stroke lights up the horizon behind the tower. Lucius notices they are headed to what looks like an inn. Lucius sees the Three Moons of Krynn on the sign above the door. They enter the establishment and Karnea stresses to the proprietor her guest’s importance to Karnea personally. The owner says she understands.

Karnea lays down the rules Lucius must follow as long as he is here on the island, “One, He will have a Room and meals here at the Inn. You must buy anything else with your own funds. You must not enter the gate or scale the fence into the grove to get to the Tower. First you will not make it far into the grove before you forget who you are and why you entered the grove, you will forget when the last time you ate, and you will forget how to get out and you will die. Do not enter the Grove. You will not send messages on end between you two. Aravis will come down once a day, alternating times to not set up a pattern and have breakfast, lunch or dinner with you, but that is all, and only if she has an escort, one of my bodyguards.”

The owner tells him “This way sir” as she directs him up the stairs. He stops and starts to say, but Karnea forestalls him by telling him to get his room and eat and Aravis will be down sometime soon.

Lucius calls out to Karnea and tells her “thank you for this.”

Karnea slightly shakes her head while holding his gaze before she replaces her hood over her head and walks into the rain and she teleports to the tower.

Karnea returns to the Tower and sheds her traveling cloak to be hung out to dry, she hangs it over her claw bathtub. Aravis is on the steps. Karnea tells her to give him a couple of hours, “Let him eat and wait a little bit. The storm will pass, no sense in you catching a cold.”

Aravis begins to protest, then decides she can wait. Karnea leaves her on the steps and stops. “when you have waited at least two hours I want you to walk down to the Inn called the Hunter’s Moon. Go inside and ask for Eris. Explain who you are to me, and she will escort you to the Inn and bring you back to the grove gate when you are done.”

“You know what this is right?” Aravis asks

“Sensible and prudent,” Karnea answers and begins to continue walking up the steps. Karnea takes a late lunch and sees the stack of books and tomes on her Vallenwood desk for Karnea’s inspection Karnea calls to her page, and he pokes his head around the corner and answers back. Tell Azura to attend to me in an hour’s time.

Karnea looks through the titles of the books while she eats. She has been considering what she is going to do about Analis and her powerful apprentice. The complexities of this coming meeting have led Karnea to consider the option of exiling Analis and her followers to Limbo, where Karnea grew up when she was small. She gets caught in a memory of the harrowing past and wonders if she will be pushed into sending them there, she wonders if she can live with it. They very well could come back and then what? There has to be a diplomatic solution we can all live with. These sorcerers should not have to live in fear, but I fear what they could twist into without guidance.

Karnea finds Azura and they begin their session. A much-delayed report on her observations at the recent Conclave.


During Aravis’s wait, she looks up from her book while lying on her bed and sees a figure at her desk. It is her Father, the God of Black Magic.

Aravis sits down from her book and says, “It’s good to see you, father.”

Nuitari looks at her, takes in her radiant beauty, and tells her “I am so very glad to see you. I’m afraid I owe you a bit of an explanation, I’ve had agents of mine following you over the year, seeing to your protection, I’m sorry they could not help you when you needed it.”

Aravis nods, “I felt them, that’s what they were, that explains so much, The tiger-men, I knew it, they did not frighten me, it was other feelings I’ve had. No, I felt protected by your agents, thank you.”

“This is not only a social visit, but I bring words of warning as well. Your mother knows very well the score, some among my brethren have designs to claim you, you must not allow yourself to be tricked in any way that put your life at risk or danger. While I am glad you are here, I am warning you outside these walls and grove, they could be anyone, just waiting to claim and take you their side, or worse, there is rumor about a process to reclaim your divinity, your life. Bringing you here put you in as much danger, but in these walls, you can not be touched. I could sear it into your mind, but I trust you remember what I am saying. Your mother will protect you the best she can, you need to let her. I will take my leave..-“

“No wait! Who? who wants me dead or drained or whatever?” Aravis asks

Nuitari stops and turns and looks at her, “All of them, any of them, do not trust any of them.”

He turns and fades away into nothingness.

Leaving Aravis alone with her thoughts

Aravis waits for two hours and then walks down to the Inn called the Hunter’s Moon. Aravis enters and finds it empty. She calls out for Eris. A woman comes out of the room upstairs and she comes down the steps, she is 5’6” thin, but strong. black hair, silver eyes.

“Hello? I am Aravis, Karnea’s daughter, my mother sent me down her to ask you if you can escort me to the Three Moons.”

Eris agrees and asks for a moment to get her staff. She disappears and comes back with a dark cloak and carrying boots. She puts her boots on and follows Aravis outside and walks with her to the Three Moons Inn.

*See Heir of the Empire: Prince Lucius d'Janikar for Lucius and Aravis’s meeting.

[Dungeon Master]

Master Karnea: Consolidation of Power
Story Two
Chapter Eighteen: The Dark Elf

The next day, Aravis skipped breakfast in the garden with her mother because she could not tolerate sitting across from her this morning. She washed up and asked Azura to pick some things up from the kitchen for her on her trip down. Azura brought back an assortment of things for Aravis to which Aravis was thankful.

She finishes and sets her tray aside then washes her hands, dries them, and gets back to reading about the Age of Mortals when there is a knock at the door. Puzzled, Aravis goes to answer her door and finds her mother, accompanied by the monk she has apparently hired as a bodyguard.

“We’re going to Palanthas,” Karnea states.

“What’s in Palanthas?”

“Finer clothing than you’re likely to find in Flotsam, that is for certain. I’ll not have you wearing rags and cast-offs.” Karnea turns and leads them up the stairs to the roof of the Tower. The trio joins hands as Karnea visualizes the alley directly across from the Great Library, and an instant later they appear in that same alley. Karnea looks around briefly. “No kender or gully dwarves this time. Good.”

They set off for the market district, Eris leading the way and maintaining watch over any who might pose a threat. The crowd seems to part at the coming of the two Black Robes, with their armed escort.

“We wouldn’t need your bodyguard if you had allowed Lucius to come,” Aravis remarks.

“Yes, and I’m sure that you would like to explain to Her Imperial Majesty how her son was killed on a shopping trip,” Karnea replies dryly.

They arrive at a clothier and step into the shop. The tailor seems startled at first to see the two wizards, but after assessing the quality of Karnea’s clothes he apparently decides that they have enough money. With a nonchalant shrug, he approaches.

“You’ll be wanting some new robes, I expect,” he says to Aravis. “Your sister appears to be well dressed enough, though I’m not sure I have anything quite as nice as she’s wearing on hand right now…”

Aravis sighs as Karnea chuckles quietly. Aravis explains, “Actually, sir, she’s my mother, and yes, I’m wanting to purchase some new robes. I’m accustomed to finer things than this, but it seems I had to abandon most of my wardrobe. At any rate, I’m thinking of several sets, some for warmer weather and some for cooler. I prefer a silk lining, and velvet makes me itch, but wool is ok.”

The tailor picks up a measuring tape and gestures to a young girl who is his assistant and apprentice. “Put out the sign in the window so we may give these ladies some privacy, and then come back to be ready for measurements.” Turning to Aravis, he points to a screened area to his left. “You’ll be wanting to get out of those old robes and stand tall for me to measure.”

Snapping his fingers loudly several times, he sniffs. “Today, if you please, miss.” Turning to Karnea, he arches an eyebrow and tilts his head. “And I suppose you’ll be handling the bill, mother?” he asks with keen interest.

Withdrawing her hand from the sleeve of her robe, Karnea displays an emerald that takes up her entire palm. “I’m certain that this will cover it, no? And whatever is left over, see to my associate by the door as well. She doesn’t need the same kind of robes, but something to keep her more…. discreet in public.” She walks over and picks up one of Aravis’ shoes.

“I’m sure you can handle this without me. I’ll be at the cobbler having you some shoes made.” She sets the emerald down on the counter and walks to the door, instructing Eris to stay with Aravis.

By the end of the day, Aravis was thoroughly exhausted from the tailor’s imperious, demanding attitude. She had been poked, prodded, and examined from all angles. The tailor’s apprentice dutifully recorded every measurement he gave her, and after a marathon session of picking the exact right type of black, the tailor announced that they should come back in three weeks to pick up the first new set of robes, with three more sets coming at three-week intervals thereafter. Karnea copies Aravis's measurements for future trips abroad.

Karnea returned with several pairs of shoes and boots, and Eris was outfitted with a long, utilitarian coat that concealed her weaponry and provided space to hide away other small items she might need. Eris moves her shoulders around and checks her ability to move. She finds it to her liking and thanks Karnea.

The Trio returns from Palanthas to the Island.

Karnea comes across Talron and Nalas just returning to the Island, minus the Draconian, but we secreted out a Minotaur follower of Nuitari, his name is Hurok.

Aravis hugs Talon out of nowhere. The bravery he showed when she was abducted into the Gray is something she will always remember.

Hurok’s Tale: Their Clan was brought from a smaller island where they practiced Moon Magic until the gods went away. We found Sorcery Magic, and a majority have become sorcerers, but now that the Moon Gods have returned, only a few have returned to them. It is a disaster for my sect.

Talron and Nalas give their report to Karnea. They assure her that the Draconian is dead. This depresses Karnea again, she had been looking forward to working with him but oh well. They tell her troop dispositions, patterns, and gaps in their sentry outposts.
Talron meets Eris, the Monk Assassin, and sees that she has taken a room in this Inn. He found his room the way he left it, along with the riches he had stashed. That tells him Eris has not poked around in here. She might be on the level.

Karnea and Aravis, along with Nalas return to the Tower, and she finds Malikai The Viper awaiting her on the first floor in the reception hall.

Though the Viper looks like a hard man but warms up upon their approach and is pleased to see Master Karnea. Karnea takes him with her to her study and he slumps back into one of her infamous chairs across from her Large Vallenwood table.

Master and the veteran and newly appointed Chief Hunter discuss the small number of trainees that might be up to be good hunters, but he has yet to see any in the recent batches.

These two are bonded in a way she is with no other wizard. The one that brought her in. This is unique for her but she does not let any of that come off as she keeps it for herself.

The Viper tells Karnea he plans to “Move back and forth from Wayreth to here looking for any candidates to become hunters.

Karnea assures him that “The Conclave is taking this matter seriously and Wizards may be made to give over their time for a season or two in service to the orders.”

“Wayreth has also promised to fund the hunters more vigorously, if there is any short falls, come to me and I will help you.” Karnea tells the old Hunter.

Karnea has a room set up with him and Malakai thanks her and tells her he is proud of her and what she has done for the Black Robe.”

Later

Within the Chamber of Eyes with Vaylin the white robe. She has spent hours looking, and they both have looked, but to no avail. The only thing that can be happening right now is we are being blocked by something, be it some god or gods, they have blurred this area out from remote viewing for whatever reason. Karnea decides she will start there. A sudden feeling comes to her as Master of the Tower, and she looks into the bowl and directs the view to look at the gate below. The reflection shows it, clearly, that the Dark Elf Dalamar is at your gate.

Karnea considers and looks above her and says your call… Karnea recalls Nuitari’s words to her recently, “An agent of his will arrive to assist her in her time of need on this matter.” Dalamar. Of course, it would be him. Karnea calls over to her page and sends him down to inform Willim the Black he will have to walk Master Dalamar through the grove and bring him to my study.

Twenty Minutes pass by. Karnea considers how their meeting may fare.

Dalamar knocks and Karnea tells him to enter.

The dark elf Dalamar walks in, his eyes gaze around, and considers the décor and takes in his surroundings before coming to a stop. He gracefully bows to Karnea then stands upright and says “I have come bearing news. I know where the sorcerers are and that you will need to me when you finally go after Analis.”

“How is it that you know where the sorcerers are? And let me be clear, I am not going “after” Analis. I’m going to talk to her.” Karnea informs him.

“My mistake, when you “talk” with her. As for how I know where they are, it's simple really, I passed through the area an age ago before the War of the Lance first unleashed upon Solamnia. I passed through the Northern Wastes Region and came across a magnificent city that was now a ruin. That city was called the City of Lost Names. I know they are there because that is where I would go if I was them. I know precious little of the actual tale. It is broken up and passed down, but the origins change with the telling. The City of Lost Names is the ruins of a once-great city swallowed up by the smoldering sands of the Northern Wastes. Few have been to this place since it was destroyed in the Second Age of Krynn. The desert that envelops the ruins takes care of even the hardiest wanderers. And many have tried to reach the lost city.

Legends tell of an ancient city surrounded by dense forest and of the twelve minarets that protected the great city, their spiraling staircases rising up a thousand steps; of incredible plazas and ziggurats that proclaimed the city’s splendor; of wide avenues and beautiful gardens. A floating island hundreds of feet in the air looked over the city, much like a doting parent, boasting to the entire world and even the gods themselves of the incredible magic of the city’s warlocks. It is said the city was run by the beautiful and arrogant ogres of old. Other legends say it was built by a lost tribe of elves. Still others speak of powerful dwarven sorcerers.

The true nature of the City of Lost Names, as it has come to be called, may never be known. What is believed is that at some point during the Age of Dreams, the city came under a terrible curse, one that would eventually eradicate all its inhabitants and leave much of Northern Solamnia a wasteland. The water in the springs and fountains of the city became contaminated with the salt water of the Sirrion Sea. Then the herds of sheep, fowl, and cattle, began to die of a rotting disease.

Soon after these disasters, a huge red dragon appeared, demanding an ultimatum of the citizens: abandon their city, leave behind their possessions, or witness the destruction of their homes. Trusting in the magical might of their warlocks, they refused. What happened next was unparalleled in Krynn’s long history. The dragon returned, accompanied by ten other great reds, and breathed their fiery breath into the forest.
The dragons then climbed upwards, flying over the floating island that was the center of the religious, secular, and arcane power of the city. Casting spells of their own, the great reds grabbed the island from the skies and threw it down on the city below. As the citizens tried to fight the fires, the great symbol of their city-state landed on top of them, crushing those who had managed to survive the flames.

What few mortals know and what Nuitari has imparted to me is that the fate that befell the City of Lost Names was cast down on them by the moon gods. The city had been created by the Greygem’s influence. By teaching sorcery to a few select individuals of different races, the Greygem fashioned a way to oppose the gods in the future. As their powers grew and the Greygem’s persuasion waned, the citizens of the city focused their knowledge and learning on researching new magics. Drawing on the powers of the ancient ogres, the Greygem, and draconic magic, they were able to open a gateway to the River of Time and construct a fantastic machine, which they dubbed the Anvil of Time. Although the moon gods originally appreciated this invention and used it for their affairs, it soon became clear that the world was not ready for such powerful magic.

The moon gods then decided to sever the tie between the Prime Material Plane and the River of Time, but, by then, the highmages of the city had become arrogant regarding their arcane power and refused to acknowledge the will of the gods. The warlocks’ arrogance sealed their fate. The moon gods sought the help of other gods—notably Takhisis, Chemosh, and Zivilyn—and powerful wyrms proficient in high-level spellcasting helped bring about the end of the sorcerers. All their magical knowledge died with them. It has not been fully destroyed. Part of the city still stands. Zones of Wild Magic permeate the area as this location was visited by Chaos himself during the Chaos War.”

Karnea laughs to herself, he’s right, it's exactly where I would go if I was her. it’s where she went if she had found any knowledge about it, or she was drawn there. Now they have had forty years to excavate, unlock its secrets, and prepare for any inevitable showdown. The Gods hid the location from remote scrying long, long ago, It all makes sense now, clever, clever, girl.

Dalamar breaks Karnea’s thoughts by saying “You are going to need my assistance; I offer my services.”

Immediately distrustful Karnea asks, “Why would you want to come with me, now?”

Dalamar answers simply “Because for one I know Analis, perhaps a united front will allow her to see reason. For another it is what I know you would do in my place. I am here. I know about the area, I have an idea of where the wild zones are located. You might need my help, I’m not saying you will, but we are walking into the belly of the beast.”

The more he talks, the more she knows he makes sense in a sense of honor. She just did not know he possessed this trait anymore. “Alright. We will do it together.”

Dalamar tells Karnea he will be in the Inn until she is ready to leave.

Karnea replies “Dalamar, this is a Tower of High Sorcery. You are welcome here. I will have a room set aside for you after your nickel tour.”

Dalamar answers "thank you for that." He walks to the door and leaves.

Karnea calls to the page boy, to tell Azura she is up to give Dalamar the nickel tour.

Karnea studies the spell list she is going to take with her and studies into the night. She awakes the next day and meets with Dalamar for a late lunch.
Karnea and Dalamar agree to meet at the Westford Inn in Kalaman in two days and he leaves. Karnea says goodbye to her daughter. Karnea lays down the rules for Aravis “No to leaving the Tower and do not go anywhere without Eris or Talron.”

Before Karnea leaves to face Analis, a Stone Golem arrives outside the Grove. This is new. Karnea goes to see what this is about.

The Stone Golem says “I am from the God of the Book. He implores you to not start a disastrous war with the sorcerers that will spiral out of control and cause loss of life and livelihood. A middle way can be found. Wild Magic must be regulated, but not stamped out. They still have some part to play in the future of Krynn. Tensions must be deescalated, or mayhem might ensue. This is coming from a neutral arbiter, a dialogue and a path to healing the breach should be the way forward. I say this because I know what you have thoughts of doing, I stress it could lead to disaster.”

Karnea watches the Stone Giant be lifted by clouds and taken back to the God Gilean. She is struck by many of the keywords messenger used, including the fact she has the attention of the Gods right now.

Karnea walks back into the Tower after the encounter with the stone golem. “Of course, Gilean is sticking his nose into this now,” she mutters. “The red gods have the advantage now and will want to press it. Perhaps Lunitari is still looking out for Analis…”

Stepping into the teleportation circle on the floor on the main level, she visualizes the rune sequence for the twenty-third floor and is instantly transported to the circle on the landing there. Finding the page there, she sends the young boy to inform Willim, Selene, and Azura that she must see them in an hours time. They arrive and sit while she explains that she travels with Dalamar the Dark on a special mission for the Conclave. Karnea tells them about her plans to be away from the Tower for a while, “Perhaps no more than two weeks.” She shows them out and shares some words with them before they leave, then Karnea looks down at the page, and tells him “Keep at your writing and spelling work, I want to see how much you improve while I am away.” She pats him on the head and sends him off.

Walking into her bedchamber, she picks up her traveling pack (Heward’s Handy Haverpack) and cursorily inspects the contents to see that enough clothing is packed. Opening a small trunk, she withdraws a pair of wands (Magic Missile and Negation) and slides them into a side pocket of the pack. In another side pocket, she places a pair of scroll cases containing scrolls of useful spells (teleport, stoneskin, antimagic shell, silence 15’, globe of invulnerability).

Crossing the hallway, she walks into her study and picks up her traveling spellbook, and slips it into the outer pocket of the pack.
Slipping a hand into a hidden pocket of her robes, she withdraws a ring. Removing her Ring of Wizardry, she slides the new ring onto her finger and intones the command word that will allow her to become Ethereal.

As the world fades to a muted gray around her, Karnea turns and moves deeper into the mists, leaving the Border Ethereal for the recesses of the Deep Ethereal Plane.

[Dungeon Master]

Master Karnea: Consolidation of Power
Story Two
The Penultimate Last Chapter Before the Finale
Chapter Nineteen: The Mystery of Nightlund, and the Dangers of the North

Deep within the swirling Ethereal Plane. After a time, she arrives at a familiar colorpool and steps through it. She comes out the other side into a pleasant glade in front of a large, tidy house surrounded by a garden of herbs. Two flesh golems look up briefly at the disturbance of their vigil, and seeing their master they resume their watch. Karnea walks to the door and mutters the words to unlock the wizard-locked door. Stepping into the front room, she scans a moment, seeing that everything is where it is supposed to be.

Karnea drops her pack on a chair and goes to the kitchen to put on a kettle. While it boils, she writes in her journal about her preparations to meet Analis, her concerns about Dalamar, and her plans in the event this mission goes poorly. The kettle whistles, and she makes a cup of tea, sipping at it as she walks upstairs to her study. She spends the next several hours preparing the spells she thinks she might need. When she is finished studying, she stands and slowly stretches before retrieving from storage the materials she needs for her spells. Walking to the door of one of the guest bedrooms, she unlocks the door and enters. On the bed, covered with a sheet, is a figure who appears to be sleeping soundly. A black silk cloth covers the face of the figure. Karnea sits in the chair next to the bed and appears to be lost in thought, as she recalls everything she wants to remember. She pulls the cover back and removes the silk from the figure’s face and looks down upon an exact copy of herself.

This is the culmination of years of study and research, and the ultimate hedge against the possibility of dying at the hands of her former student. She lifts the stasis clone’s thin hand and places the journal on her body, laying the hand over it. This simple act of touching the clone should be sufficient to transfer her memories to it, but the journal will act as a further hedge against any problems with the spell. Pulling the blanket back over her body, and replacing the cloth over her face, she leaves the room.

Walking back downstairs, Karnea retrieves her pack and gazes around the room once more, memorizing the placement of key items. She leaves the house and relocks the door, then utters the command for her ring of etherealness to reenter the Ethereal Plane and return to Krynn.

On her way through the Ethereal to Kalaman, Karnea is contacted by the Master of the White Robe, Mistress Coryn. Karnea is asked to come to Nightland to discuss an s very important matter. Karnea is loath to detour, but something in Coryn’s voice intrigues her enough to change her destination, it does not put her too far out of the way. Soon, the mystery at the Tower of Nightlund is brought to Karnea’s attention.

Coryn invites Karnea into the Tower of Nightlund and informs her of the mystery theft of the books and that someone broke the seals on the door and got through the grove and into the Tower without Coryn’s knowledge. Dalamar’s books are still here in his old room, she cannot touch them, and she wants to return them to him. She has left a couple of places in the tower roped off and the foot marks are still there. Coryn further explains Palin Majere’s theory.

Karnea peers down at the roped-off footprints in the Master’s Laboratory of Nightlund Tower. Karnea thinks back through different female shoesizes. Karnea’s mind flashes through the shoesize of anyone she knows but cannot place some people within her loose confederation, Such as Kalana, she has already considered Nalas and his possible shoesize being misconstrued for being an elf. equally, she has ascertained it is not Selene …. or Aravis, Azura…so…who is it? Karnea waited all this time and missed her chance to find… what? The keys to the mysteries of the universe? Books that led both men to their ends, But that is not the point now.

“I hold you personally accountable for this, Master Brinefellow,” Karnea seethes through her teeth. “This Tower, and all its stored knowledge, was put into your trust. How am I to know whether you simply destroyed these collections? It would not be the first time a follower of the gods of Good took it upon themselves to rid the world of Evil.”

Coryn protests... “I would never do a such a thing. I never would never do that; I wanted to get the books back to you, We made a pact. I thought I was doing the right thing, I was waiting until Palin Majere was able to get away and attempt to open the sealed room.”

Karnea rounds on the White Robe. “It’s the principle of the matter. It’s an affront to the memories of the most powerful Wizards in history, regardless of Order. By rights, I could have come in here and just taken them and damn your supposed stewardship of this Tower. But I gave you a chance to prove yourself, because I believed that you deserved my patience as a fellow prodigy, and as a fellow order master, but more like the prodigal school minder. Here now we see where following the high road has left me.”

Coryn tries to defend her actions, “I was gathering agents and seeing to order business. Much of my order is older and many of them are dead. I am rebuilding from literally nothing.”


Karnea paces back and forth in front of Coryn, her staff thumping angrily on the floor with each step. “This is a very important lesson for both of us. I suppressed my impulse of just reaching out and taking what I desired and deferred to your wishes. Be assured I will not make that mistake again, respect or not. And hopefully you have learned to pay better attention to the property left in your stewardship, as well as the price of crossing me. Your inattention has cost the Black Robe in this matter, and you will assist me in rectifying this misstep in our relationship when I call on you next or it will indeed leave a very dark stain in the ledger between us.”

With a cold glare, Karnea says “Farewell for now, Master Brinefellow. I will expect to hear of your progress in this investigation upon my return. I would spare no expense in finding out who is responsible for making such a fool of you.” Karnea then fades from sight, returning to the Ethereal Realm to continue her journey to meet the dark elf.



Northern Ansalon
Northeast Solamnia
Port City of Kalaman


Arriving in the city. Master Karnea finds a small corpse of trees outside the walls and removes the ring of etherealness, returning to the material plane. She puts the ring back in its secret pocket and puts the ring of wizardry back on her finger. She walks to the gate in the wall and inquires as to the location of the Westford Inn and is directed further down this main avenue.

The city of Kalaman is the northeastern jewel of Solamnia and features one of the most beautiful castles in all of Ansalon. Kalaman is a walled city with a central castle that is surrounded by a series of farms. The city walls are fifteen feet tall, with watchtowers spaced every five hundred feet along the walls, which stand twenty-five feet tall. Kalaman's walls are broken only by four large gates, which allow access in and out of the city.

The city is in the northeastern fringes of the realm of Solamnia and is bordered on the north by the Vingaard River. One of the largest features of the city is its port, which allows vessels access to the sea and into the inner lands of Solamnia. Because of the highly developed port, Kalaman is a frequent stop for many merchants and is a bustling center for trade.

Karnea can’t help but see the flaws in the defenses. When the Minotaurs start their war of conquest, she is sure they will exploit the riverways of Solamnia, just like they did in the invasion of the Silvanesti capital city of Silvanost.

Entering the city proper, Karnea emerges into a huge bustling open-air bazaar, which is run by the government, and house merchants with wares of every possible kind on the prime material. By the smell, the city is also home to a large fish market that is widely famed for the availability of firefish, a special fish that inhabits the nearby Bay of Thoradin and is considered a delicacy throughout Solamnia. Kalaman is controlled by a series of trade guilds, who in turn nominate a governor to rule the city in their stead. The city is patrolled by a militia, formed of some locals, as well as mercenaries. The militia of Kalaman is famed for being some of the most orderly and skilled local militias in all Ansalon.

The open-air market within the walls is refreshing and rife with possibilities for commerce by virtue of its geographic location. On her way through the city to the Westford Inn, Karnea passes by the Great Temple of Kiri-Jolith which is especially impressive for its architectural design. Karnea sees a shop she might be interested in and stops in at Cilvar's Magewares to peruse the local stock and see if there is anything of value worth picking up. She peruses the magical wares, and a lot of trinkets, she looks throw some scroll descriptions before she decides to head on to the agreed-upon meeting place called the Westford Inn.

A short time later, Master Karnea finds the Inn and enters the establishment, and looks around briefly before she sees the Dark Elf sitting alone at a table, his back is against the wall, leaving Karnea to consider briefly as she sits across from him. (Her glasses of Wizardry are all-around vision, still).

He is enjoying a goblet of Vingaard Red and partaking in a small garden salad of greens. Dalamar offers to call the serving girl back over if she is hungry, but Karnea refuses his offer, saying she has already eaten, (the truth of the matter is knowing she cannot blindly trust the staff of just about any establishment she does not know or own.)

Dalamar tells Karnea that he noticed a reputable-looking Mercenary guild down the road that looks to have many fine warriors should she wish to procure protection for the journey into the wastes ahead.

Karnea concurs it would be prudent considering the wild magic zones the dark elf revealed during their meeting at Blood Sea just days ago.

Dalamar answers “Just so.”

They walk down to the guild to hire mercenaries and come away with a dozen grizzled hirelings. The Wizards pay to have the party outfitted with food, water, and provisions for the horses for the journey. Looking at the map, Karnea decides if it is possible, they should use the river system to our advantage and take us into the interior of the Hinterlands.

Consulting the map, Dalamar readily agrees, and soon they find a willing captain to take them the distance they have requested.

At night Karnea utilizes a spell from another world: Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion creates an extradimensional dwelling that lasts the night, and she casts Alarm at the entrance. The hirelings set up tents and Dalamar has his magical sanctuary that he disappears into. Karnea has had so much to think about. Like just who attacked her daughter Aravis on Soreel, and how is she going to find out who did it?

And here now, setting out in search of Analis, to find her first apprentice. Karnea has tried to consider what she owes Analis for her devout loyalty through the years, and if that might temper her decisions in how to deal with her when she comes come face to face with her. Karnea has wondered if she can show mercy after what has happened with the slaying of her Chief Hunter. Karnea still does not know if she has the answer to that yet.

Add to all of that already and here now is this Mystery at Nightlund that keeps her awake for part of the night while weighing just how much she can tell Dalamar and asking the question of just how much she can trust him going forward. Once a solid trust existed between them. She questions whether that can ever exist between them again or not. Still, at the very least, it is better to have him feeling like he is on the inside than him feeling exiled and isolated and pushing him into becoming a renegade.

They set out on the rivers that take them further toward their destination. On the Vingaard River, traveling west, eventually passing the village of Vogler while passing through the Hinterlands. She has not passed by this village before, it appears charming enough from the raft, then she sees them, what looks to be a throng of little children, but she knows they are not children, they are Kender. She watches them take note of her and they begin to wave and call out to the raft. The village has lost its charm, and Karnea is glad they are traveling beyond this cursed village.


After a couple more days, once they get their river travel behind them and are on the move into the interior of the Hinterlands, Karnea starts a fire apart from the hirelings and she calls over Dalamar. She tells him is time for them to talk. First Karnea wants to clear the air on Analis and her dealings with Wayreth. Analis made contact with Palin early on with the coming of the 5th Age and was his confidant through the hard years. It was Analis, Palin Majere, and the secretive Shadow Sorcerer that unlocked the mysterious Primal Sorcery from the earlier Ages. Analis naturally excelled at it and mastered it in no time. It worked in tandem with her wild magic, it helped her focus and use both with more control. After the last Conclave, she left her school in New Ports and traveled north with her students.

Karnea and Dalamar discuss the dangerous implications that Morgan, the apprentice of Analis, represents. Dalamar relates that he read the records that Analis left behind about her apprentice, Morgan, and the revelation of her pre-birth contact with Chaos himself or a chaotic follower.

Traveling North, they cross the Dybbuk sands and Destiny's Hand physical and natural landmarks which serve as barriers against the verdant greenery of Hinterlund and Palanthas as they enter the forbidding Northern Wastes. The heat is unrelenting despite the late fall season, and they endeavor to keep everyone hydrated as they push forward.

After a day’s travel, it is very dry conditions here, the party finds a place to rest for the night and before turning in, Karnea starts a fire apart from the hirelings again. It still rankles her, this mystery at Nightlund. She has never been one to fixate, but it frustrates her that she cannot recall some of the foot sizes of her girls. Sure, that was decades ago, but for the life of her, she just cannot recall. Feet are not exactly something she paid the utmost attention to, alas in this case.

You suppose while you have been making all these moves from the lofty tower at Blood Sea to the planes, to Soreel and back, getting the tower and the order stabilized, Karnea admits she should not be all that surprised to find out someone else was out there making plans all their own… but to what end? Palin Majere thinks it is the Dark One himself acting from beyond the grave. Those are insane thoughts to have to contemplate, for what does he want? Well, for one thing, he already has the books he would want, so he has that going for him. Those implications alone are enough to feel disquiet about what it might portend. What did Fistandantilus want originally? Going by, what you know of this infamous figure from history comes from what amounts to hearsay and conjecture, but also from the words of Astinus and his penned works in Palanthas. Fistandantilus wanted to live forever and become a god. First, he was going to kill the Dark Queen but became undone by the arrival of a random gnome. Well, well-placed sources say she is not coming back so he can mark that off his list. He will need the Bloodstone to carry on his quest, in case his current body fails him and goes for another body, but does he already have the Bloodstone is the question? She fears the answer greatly.

Karnea calls over Dalamar and goes ahead and decides to break it to Dalamar of the missing book sets from his Shalafi’s laboratory. “Someone has taken the opportunity of an empty Tower of High Sorcery and gotten through the grove barrier, into the tower and unlocked the seal to the laboratory, walked over to the Portal and then bent down and absconded with Master Raistlin Majere and the Dark One, Fistandantilus’s spellbooks while all the while the White Robe Master has been gallivanting across Solamnia. I’m not sure if she is the right choice for the job or even up for the task of being entrusted with the Tower. Palin Majere was apparently on hand to witness the opening of the Laboratory and has offered an opinion on the matter.”

Dalmar looks stricken, he has gone as white as a ghost. The implications of Karnea’s words have left him staggered and nearly speechless. Once upon a time, Dalamar was the Master of the Tower of High Sorcery of Palanthas. Early in the age of mortals, in the deep of the night, the Tower of High Sorcery seemed to have just imploded and was just gone from Palanthas. Its current place is a wooded Cypress grove near Dargaard Keep called Nightlund. Once Raistlin Majere was the Master of the Tower when it was in Palanthas, at the climax of Legends, it was thought that he died in the Abyss and the Tower came into Dalamar’s control and he proved equal to the task in the defense of the Tower and the world beyond its walls, many times over during his tenure. His political downfall came when he became compliant with the Dark Queen’s plans.

Karnea looks at Dalamar and studies his reaction closely if only to confirm his involvement one way or another. Despite the circumstances, she is pleased to note his reaction, it tells her he had nothing to do with it, that or he is the best troupe actor in the world.

When words finally fall freely, Dalamar asks "If she has any suspects among the Black Robes."

Karnea answers “She has not had enough to go on to produce a proper list per se, just jumbled thoughts that may turn into a theory eventually."

Dalamar asks "If she thinks it is someone of other orders that did this?

Karnea shakes her head, saying “It's possible, but surely, they are secret renegades then.”

Dalamar asks "If Master Jenna knows about any of this?

“That’s a really good question.” Karnea answers, “Coryn told her just after Solinari’s high sanction, I believe she found out before she had the White Robe Moot. If Jenna knows, I do not have any indication about it. If she does find out about it, she will want to store them somewhere hidden from everyone if they are ever recovered by her or her agents."

Dalamar says that he concurs with that assessment. “Whoever it is, that has pulled this off, has succeeded in one of the greatest heists in the History of High Sorcery. I once ventured a look at one of my Shalafi’s spellbooks after his death and found backward spiral code and could only glean bits of knowledge and took much attention, I put it away until I was ready to try again.” Dalamar says quietly.

“And now that’s all we will know about the contents inside those tomes forever unless we can track this individual down and get the books back for Nuitari.” Karnea laments.

Dalamar looks at Karnea and starts to say something, but no words come out, until he finally says, “You said before that Palin Majere had a theory?”


Karnea had been holding this back because she was not even sure if she thought there was anything to this. It’s too big to even contemplate comfortably. “Palin says there are only two wizards that could break through the grove barrier and enter the Tower and open the sealed Laboratory. “Palin says he is sure his uncle moved on with his friends and his brother in the afterlife after the War of Souls” Karnea is so loathed to bring up the other name. “The only other Wizard it could be in Palin’s opinion, is that the one known as the Dark One is acting from beyond the grave.”

Again, Dalamar just looks at her and appears stricken by this news, again words just fail him. Dalamar races through the magical ways that could be true “Are they shades that live on in items that are tied to him in some way? Is that how this is happening?”

Karnea picks up on what he is speculating, “How could this be overlooked until now?

Dalamar is at a loss. He has not heard of a reported phenomenon or confirmed precedent coming to light before now fitting the description. ‘Though there have always been rumors that were out there, but one could never put stock in these kender tales. Not really.”

Dalamar thanks Karnea for informing him.

Karnea nods her head his way and she retires to her magical domicile while Dalamar puts out the fire and heads to his magical shelter, soon they are left to their troubled thoughts before they fall to slumber.

Over time, the desert climate has made Karnea take steps to climatize her wardrobe by wearing thin material robes during the journey to reduce her body heat.

On the Ninth day

A horse and rider barely escape the jaws of a greater Hatori, rising from beneath the Desert sands, its massive body writhes to chomp at the riders. The Hatroi, a prehistoric land dragon and crocodile combination 150’ long. Its massive body lunges at another rider. Two riders are felled by its deadly tail like nothing.

Random Encounter Hatori
150 feet long 3-36/2-24 Hit Die 18 85 Hit points
Greater Hatori swallows man-sized victims whole
on a natural attack roll of 20. Such victims suffer Idl2 points of
damage per round from the crushing and acid effects of the digestive tract.
3d12 tail smash

Karnea looks at Dalamar, and he answers, “No, we are not in the zone yet, we are not anywhere close yet.”

Karnea strains to yell out at her Riders and tells them to get to this side of the creature, near herself, she then speaks the magical worded incantations while pulling forth the phosphorus material component and makes the proscribed somatic gesture to bring forth a blazing curtain of shimmering reddish blue magical fire, 20’ feet high and separating the two parties as Karnea’s party rides on, away from the burning wall of fire and roars that are getting more distant.

Two Days later,
Dalamar indicates the party should change directions and begin heading west. The landscape has been treacherous in places, they had to levitate the party across ravines and move forward. Dalamar tells Karnea that this marking here, "I scrawled this. The wild magic zone is ahead. We must be weary and restrict our magic going forward in the approaches, it will leave us vulnerable."

Karnea nods, She is aware of the possibilities that stem from exposure to wild magic zones, being that she experienced these dreaded zones in the Forgotten Realms of Faerûn. Nothing good can come from those zones. She finds herself more ill at ease than she has in a long time.

All of the time looking over her map of this region back at the tower, she never quite imagined herself trekking across its deep interior. When she traveled this way when she was young, she was quite a bit south of where they are now. On this journey, she has had to avoid deadly snakes and scorpions, and now Karnea is in the Gods hands if she casts any magic, the unforeseen results could be catastrophic and detrimental to her life.

The Twelfth Day,
The party wakes up to a strange sky overhead and soon comes across a towering figure, armed with a spear. He is shaggy and has only one prominent eye, making this a Cyclops

Random Encounter Cyclops
THAC0 7 Twenty feet tall
3d12 Damage

Karnea lets the Cyclops depart from the area without pressing the issue. We should go our separate ways, it is just going to be bad for both of us, Karnea believed it knew that.


Fourteenth Day
They are approaching their destination when they come across the predominant lifeform of the Northern Wastes. A reflective green carapace, its yellow legs carry it aloft, with snapping pinchers, and a segmented tail that is black and deadly.

Random Encounter Giant Scorpions
AC 3 Damage from Pinchers 1d10 each/1d4 sting type F poison 5’-6’ long
ThAC0 15 58 HP

It is a vicious fight that Karnea and Dalamar do not take part in and watch the Scorpions and Mercenaries fight it out, several of the Mercenaries and their mounts are killed, five in all. Cutting their numbers down to Four. A couple of people have died from poisonous snakebites and spider bites across the time the party has been out here.

The small party travels a distance before finding a defendable place to camp for the night.

The terrible rainstorm on day fifteen makes Karnea glad for the cooled air and relief from the terrible heat. She also witnesses the canyons filling up in a violent rush that would doom any party in its way. She is glad they have stayed on the high ground on this excursion

Later that day, after the storm has long passed, when suddenly the earth rumbles violently and everyone is thrown from their rearing horses.

Earth Elementals rise from the ground in a conglomeration of earth, rock, and ruin stones (found from under the earth.) Karnea’s heart sinks. Her mouth goes dry, her guts feel all squirmy, and starts to not be able to breathe, her heart starts skipping beats causing her to grab her chest over her heart and try to maintain her composure despite the overwhelming desire and need to be somewhere else, but she resists the urges.

Karnea was endlessly tortured when she was but a small child, taken from her family, and apprenticed by Devils, then by Demons, bound in a pact to a higher power in the Outer Planes. She was endlessly tortured with earth elementals. They traumatized her so much, that when the order of High Sorcery dreamshapers accessed her fears and used the Elementals in her test of high sorcery, (it is something she has always held against them for that,) but now, Karnea is equipped to handle such creatures. Still, it unnerves her like nearly nothing else, even though she has long considered it a conquered fear, the effects are still the same, still triggering after all this time.

Random Encounter Earth Elementals
THAC0 8 16’ feet tall
Hit Points 2d8
4d8 damage

As the Elementals appear menacing and looms above them deciding who to attack. Karnea tells Dalamar to distract them momentarily.

Dalamar wishes he could risk a spell, but he just can’t so he moves away from Karnea and yells elvish insults at the Elementals. He gets their attention. Karnea feels the ground shake.

For Karnea, it is hardly a choice, she shakily, with a purpose, she rummages through her pouches on her bandolier of spell components and locates the Iron nail, the vial of blessed holy water (old), and the sunstone, now she searches for the finishing touch of a sprig of Rosemary…. she locates it, she speaks the ancient magical words of incantation and casts the spell Banishment.

She feels a momentary feeling of relief when the Elementals fail and are pulled to their home Elemental Plane of Earth and are Banished for several turns. The spell, once it was cast instigates an immediate surge when it interacts with the wild magic zone that covers this entire area. Roll D100, Results The effects leave Karnea in a rare, intoxicated state and unable to be of any assistance to anyone for the next hour. Dalamar watches over her lest she wanders off or an attack happens.

Once the effects wear off, Karnea sets up her physical shelter and lays back on an elevated bed and she sleeps it off.

The Next Day, the Fifteenth Day,

They begin passing through aligned desiccated long dead ribcages protruding from the desert ground. The ribcages belong to silver dragons. It makes Karnea wonder at their age, where they are arrayed by humans or other dragons, and was this once an ancient Silver Dragon Graveyard?

At midday, the party finally reaches the path that leads to the City of the Lost Names.

It is an ancient pathway that has been carved into the earth itself. The first thing Karnea feels when coming into this partly ruined city is power. The air is practically crackling with it. You are not sure about the presence of the wild magic zone covering this area or not. That will be a problem until you can find out for sure.

The other thing that strikes Karnea about this area is bustling with commerce and activity at different makeshift shops and food stands. The line of shops goes down the road as far as they can see. The two black robes walk into the area of the shops, and they marvel at the life here. Dalamar and Karnea talk amongst themselves about how this was not exactly what they expected. They realize after a few moments that all is quiet, and they are being watched, but are not threatening, but aware of your presence and what it probably means. Some seemed scared and they hid, others had varying degrees of fear to restrained hatred. As Karnea and Dalamar move on down the road, towards the ruined Ziggurat in the far distance. Karnea sees that they are in a great bowl sitting in a very large canyon in the northern wastes.

Karnea counts the Twelve Minarets, Seven are toppled, and five remain


As they approach the ruined ziggurat, they reach what was called in ancient times, the Plaza of the Sky-

Karnea begins to see how the city was once laid out and sees the beauty of the ancient architecture and the attempts to emulate the earlier designs. It is a mammoth-scale achievement to have excavated and created what they have. Karnea’s eyes pass over families, (much more than you would have originally guessed,) that have gathered here, with their persecuted loved ones.


Karnea hears the words from above her the words of her old apprentice…. “Greetings Master, I am glad you are here at last. we bid you welcome to the City of the Lost Names”

[Dungeon Master]

Master Karnea: Consolidation of Power
Story Two Finale
Chapter Twenty: City of Lost Names

North Central Ansalon
Northern Wastes, Solamnia


At the Ziggurat in the Plaza of the Sky under the Threshold to the Heavens

Early Evening,

Karnea and Dalamar look up and see Analis Faithor at the ripe old age of Eighty-Four, she seems brittle and at any moment she may trip and fall the steps stairs if not for her staff that she is favoring. She is still wearing a Red Robe, interesting. Her golden hair has greyed, and Karnea is flooded with memories of meeting Analis, once, long ago at Schallsea, but no, Karnea suppresses such thoughts as weakness and checks herself for sentimentality.

Analis may be old, she may look like a breeze could knock her over, but Karnea refuses to underestimate her first apprentice. She was wily even back then.

“Analis my good friend, it is good to see you. I think you know why we are here.”

“I’m afraid I do.” Analis answers

To ease Analis’s fears, Karnea says “We are not here to press our intentions, we are here only to speak, to have a dialogue.”

Karnea sees that a few steps above Analis is a tall golden-haired girl. Almost resembling a guardian angel. She must be Analis’s apprentice Morgan.

“Before we go any further Master Analis, we should agree here to an armistice. We do not look
to bring violence to this dialogue, Master Karnea assured me we are here to talk. As such, our lives are in your hands. We should all work towards finding a way to forestall any outbreaks of hostility, like the one earlier this month.”

Analis answers, “Of course. My people know you are my guests.”

Analis tells them they should speak in the City in the Sky; she leads them to the top of Ziggurat, and they step on a teleportation pad and are taken 200 feet in the air.


Once inside,

Analis appears shamed as she closes her eyes. She opens them again and says, “You have my deepest regrets about the incident in question. That is not in any way what I wanted. I never approved of ambushes being set with death squads. This was a misunderstanding, compounded by the fear of the Black Robe Hunters. A large group, what we call a herd was transiting the desert, you have seen how hard it is to survive out there.”

“It is treacherous to be sure.” Karnea allows

“Your hunters caught the scent of a particular few stragglers that was racing to catch up with the herd. The standing order is to hide with Illusions. Morgan was with the herd when she found out a group had stayed behind to cover the herd’s escape. Morgan sent the herd ahead when she came upon the ambush. Master, she told me about it in tears. This is the group you are wanting. This is the group I have locked in cells; I will hand over to you. They are quite guilty for this demonstrably heinous act. I disavow it, I have disavowed it to the city at large. I do not want further bloodshed.”

Karnea accepts this explanation but says “This goes beyond just the ambush. The gods have returned Analis. The Conclave has sent me to end this, one way or another. I do not want a war with your people. But they will submit.

Analis explains she does not want war with the conclave. Neither does she want her people to be hunted down. “When the world was stolen away, we had only ourselves to rely on, we held this place together, those that were left behind. When sorcery became a workable option, Palin Majere and I decided to close the Conclave. With Dalamar nowhere to be found to get his opinion, we did what we thought was right. I was drawn here to this City and over time, a mass of others has been drawn here, We have restored many things, and have tried to leave humanity is peace.”

“We have stayed here and formed out own world; I thought I was doing right. Some of these sorcerers are anarchists, I tried to direct them into a concession and enfranchise them to follow a code and instill some measure of structure, I found it challenging, I held this place together with my will and my hands at times. I have tried to keep everyone out of peoples way, I thought when the gods returned, we might be able to coexist, When the hunters came after us, I was disabused of that notion. I do not look to challenge the Conclave. I do not want a war that would be destructive and ruinous for us, and the people of Krynn.”

Karnea tries to imagine the world without magic, “I get it my former student, The conclave was dead, magic was gone, I could not live here like that, I escaped, but all of you were stuck here to fend for yourselves. I don’t blame you; you did what you thought was right, you persevered here without the gods. I know you had to be proud of what you built here.”

Analis remembers back to that dark time. “Some wizards could not accept their arts was stolen away from them and they killed themselves. The rest gave up and went on with their lives. It was a heartbreaking time.”

Karnea closes her eyes tight. And tries to imagine the plight of these people, left here while she escaped and lived in the Realms. Karnea will always believe she made the right decision, but thinking about all these people that were left. “I can have sympathy for the people that had to endure with the gods and the moons. But I cannot feel for those that can plainly see the gods and the moons have returned and still they reject them.”

Analis tells Morgan to leave her side and go to the battlements. After she leaves, Analis explains she does not think the Towers of High Sorcery will let Morgan in to be Tested. That Morgan is an extraordinary being.

Karnea can sympathize, Aravis isn’t exactly a normal kid either. Karnea has not decided her stance on Morgan yet. Analis loves her dearly. Maybe I can send them to the Realms as an alternative, I don’t know if I have that right. I don’t know much about them, but there is a scroll or two that discusses the Scions, being touched by pure chaos, and how they guided the early races and were killed out of fear.

Analis asks Karnea “to not kill Morgan, If she can not stay here in this Lost City, then send her somewhere she can have a chance for a future.”

Karnea assures her former apprentice, “Analis, I’m not going to kill Morgan.”

Tears fall from her green eyes, even as she tries to dry them. Analis thanks Karnea.


Meanwhile,

Across the City, a group of Sorcerers have learned of the Black Robe’s arrival, and Analis speaks to them now. Strong opinions are expressed, for one issue, and some for another. These sorcerers are against breaking up what they have right now. One says they will never be stronger than they are right now. A community of sorcerers that dwarf the Conclave.

They come up with a plan to ensure the demise of the peace plan and talk to others who might agree with them. The radicals begin spreading rumors. Among them is an undercover Knight of the Thorn who had said he renounced his old ways but was on a mission to foment these closet radicals into a group that could really be a problem for the conclave going forward.

They plan to try to involve the black robes and get them involved in putting down the revolt. When the time is right, they want to eliminate Analis and blame it on the black robes. They believe they will have a war that can not be stopped. They go to the Ziggurats at the City Square under the Threshold to the Heavens and while their agents begin their protest while the whisper campaign is begun against the simpletons, the ones that will buy anything because it could be true.

The crowds gather, and the instigators smile. They wonder if they can get people to storm the Ziggurat and ascend to the City in the Sky and engage them there. They need not to worried, they are doing it on their own.


Back at the Flying Citadel,

Morgan returns to the room and reports a riot has broken out at the Ziggurat.


The people hear the people in the streets yelling below.


All of a sudden, people begin appearing inside the City in the Sky, and several radical sorcerers burst into the room, and attack. Morgan makes short work of them and clears the hallway and busts apart the beachhead they had tried to set up.

Dalamar begins to move to follow, then notices Karnea not moving from her seat. He looks at her for a moment, then comes back to his chair, sits down, and says to Karnea “Am I to take it we are not interfering?”

Deep in thought, Karnea answers “I think not. We are going to have to leave this Analis and her protégé to bring the rioters to heel, I think it would make things worse if we are seen to support Analis in any way will only exasperate the situation, it will undermine Analis and what we are trying to do here.”

Dalamar’s eyebrow rises very high, and he nods, that is the play. But he is concerned with the outcome. “What if Analis does not come back and we don’t have anyone else to negotiate with.”

Karnea agrees, “That would be a problem, there are far more people here than I anticipated. Still, I think it is Analis’s place to police her people at this stage. If something happens to her, we make our escape back to Wayreth and make our report.”


Below in the Square,

Hundreds of people are anguished by the rumors that have been spread, and how they have morphed from person to person, and get worse and worse.

Hearing just some of what is being said alerts Analis that someone has been spreading lies, if she does not regain control soon, it will boil over. She calls for Silence, but her words are down out.


Morgan hovers over their heads and gives out a loud scream, they all know to fear Morgan. The clamor is silenced, and Analis takes advantage. She amplifies her voice and calls for the rioting to end. She calls out the instigators and shames them for their actions. Analis yells “This must end. Go home. We are not going to be raided. I am trying to negotiate in good faith and what is happening down here? Anarchy?

Somebody yells that she is selling them out!

Analis answers “I am trying to save you. Please let me.”

She answers a few concerns, and with Morgan watching overhead, the people start to disperse.


At the Threshold to the Heavens,

Analis has Morgan maintain her vigilance while Analis returns to the Flying Citadel. Karnea and Analis continue their negotiations. Analis warns of different sects of sorcerers. “There are those that Tower wizards called Brown Robes, those that would never take the test and never move on to the higher levels of magic, these down want anything special, they just want to live their lives and plied their trade and be left alone.”

Karnea decides to correct her former student, “They might be left alone for the most part, but they will be monitored by the Conclave. “

Analis allows “That is acceptable and understandable. But she warns, there is a sizeable Anarchist group that fomented the riot today. I am ashamed to admit there is a Knight of the Thorn, a Grey Robes among them. Against my better judgement I accepted him over a year ago, said he renounced all of that, but I see now I was a fool. They are going to be a problem.”

“One we will deal with in due time, You will have point them out on the map.” Karnea looks down at the map while Analis points to the area associated with the radicals.


And what of you my friend, you have taken the test of high sorcery, you are one of us. You would honor us by rejoining the order.

Analis smiles and looks away, before finding the words she wants to use. “My life is over my friend. I have poured my heart out here in this place. I cannot walk away now.”

It is not the response Karnea wanted “You know this place was cursed by the gods?”

Analis knew this would come up, “I do, but at the time, that did not seem to matter anymore. They will pass judgment, I cannot know which way they believe now, these many ages later.”


Karnea searches for the thoughts of Nuitari, hoping to get this word on this, but he is silent, leaving Karnea to wonder what their judgment is going to be.


Karnea is thinking, when finally, she asks, “Dalamar, can you leave us for a moment?” Dalamar had been listening to the exchange looks up at Karnea, and nods to her gets up and walks from the room.

Once he has left, Karnea looks intently at Analis. “I am the Master of the Black Robe. My word carries weight, but it is one voice of Three in the inner council. If it were up to me, I would say yes, I would let you live out your days in this place where you have recovered from the desert. You would never be able to leave, this would be your exile. Are you sure this is what you want? I will inform the Headmage, this is not the final word, but I think I can make a convincing argument, but if Jenna is against this, her word is binding.

Even so, Analis thanks her old Master.

Karnea has Dalamar rejoin them while they are settling on the final points, Aravis brings up the Anvil of Time. “There will have to be guards always posted. Always Karnea. That artifact could undo all of time. I have watched over it and protected it.

Karnea understands such an artifact is one of the greatest finds in Krynnish history. “I will advocate for the Conclave to take over this City and take over the protection of the Artifact.


Karnea gazes up and judges the Red Moon of Lunitari nearing High Sanction. Karnea gives Analis two red moons to prepare the people for the arrival of the conclave. They shake on the principles of their agreement. And Dalamar and Karnea teleport away from the City of Lost Names.


Eastern Ansalon
Blood Sea of Istar


Karnea and Dalamar return to Blood Sea Tower and arrive on the roof. They make their way down the spiral staircase, they hear activity in the Map Room and are surprised to see him sitting atop several books atop a chair at a desk, carefully practicing writing spells before he adds the spell to his Spellbook a small Black Robed person, Karnea sees a snout, bare feet and a tail.

The hooded figure notices you and turns and jumps down to the floor and walks over. It is the most unlikely sight Karnea ever thought she would see in the Tower of Blood Sea. It is a Kobold. He introduces himself as Yap and asks who they are. Dalamar and Karnea are astonished at the sight, but Dalamar tells the Kobold “This is Master Karnea, Master of the Black Robe, Master of this Tower. What exactly are you doing here? He hands over a Scroll that has already been opened. Karnea opens it and reads.


Dear Master Karnea,
This one was found by a colleague of mine recently, the records show that a Yap Sizzlegizzard was called to the tower and is logged as having taken the test, but there is no record of his results. He says his patron is Nuitari and that he used to be a sorcerer, but that Nuitari showed him the way. I have a report witnessing firsthand his abilities as a necromancer. There have been reports of his chaotic presence in the wild, I wonder if you mind finding a better use for him or if Nuitari has some plan for him to justify his continued presence.

Do let me know how your meeting went in Northern Wastes.

As always, your friend.
Jenna

Dated Seven Days ago

Karnea considers and reads parts of it again. Sizzlegizzard, Has taken the Test, but no record exists of his taking it… my dark lord what is this and what do you want me to do to him? She walks over to his writing and finds it passable, nothing great, but given the circumstances, she is impressed. She looks at him. He does not know what to do with himself being under such scrutiny. Chaotic presence huh? She sends a page down to Willim. When the Theiwar arrives, Karnea explains this one is going to need an education before I allow him free reign of the Tower.


Karnea asks Dalamar since he is going down, if he sees Selene, send her up. Dalamar nods and takes a last look at the kobold and disappears.

Karnea goes to her study, her mind blown at what she has seen tonight. She finds a piece of parchment and gets ready to compose a letter to Jenna detailing what happened in the City of Lost Names while she waits for Selene.

Moments later Selene comes into her study and says “Welcome home Master, I apologize about leaving the Kobold in its own, but he has shown no deviant behavior to call for a minder to date. I read the letter from Jenna. That is what got him in the grove and into the Tower. He seems to be trying to fit in and trying to be a wizard. It is uncanny. There is news from the mainland, bad news.”

“You had best appraise me of the goings on. I have been far out of the loop on about everything.”

Selene provides Karnea with a shortened summary of the important things over the past time she has been gone.

Six days after you left, there was a play for Aravis, Aravis is okay and downstairs in her room. Lucius got caught up in the ploy committed by a Sirene. Selene speaks of Lucius’s abduction by a Sirene and rescue by a group of Sea Elves (Dargonesti) that Cale was able to enlist to help us in your absence. The prior relationships he made when the Tower was underwater really saved the day. Lucius is back and fine, there was a matter about his missing intelligence, but that has since been regained as well. The Prince has recovered.

Selene relates that Aravis told her the abduction felt like it was planned for her, and only grabbed Lucius to try to lure her into the water with them. “The Sirene that perpetrated the abduction was not captured as Lucius was not with the Sirene when they found the Prince, he was found had escaped.”


Word has come to us from Tarsis Academy, a small fire, and the body of Raina, the Headmaster of the Academy after Selene came to Blood Sea. A new Headmaster will be needed down there as well as minor repairs to the school. The students are devastated I have visited while you were gone. I have thoughts on moving the students and maybe even the Academy to the island, but that will be discussed later.

“Vaylin has been at the Nightlund Tower with Coryn, they have attempted some spell, They report having something.”

Selene hands another scroll over. “This came in yesterday, it is from Highmage Jenna.” Karnea reads the scroll. Jenna and Coryn want a meeting in Tarsis at the Academy of the Dark Arts at Karnea’s earliest convenience. Their trail has led them to Tarsis, to the black robe Raina. Karnea is astounded, though she wondered at the possibility of the culprit being one of hers, she did not suspect Raina. This coupled with the news that Raina died in a fire is very disturbing indeed.

Karnea thanks Selene for watching over the Tower and Aravis while she was gone. Karnea excuses Selene for the night and reaches for the box Jenna gave her holding earrings that allow communication. She activates the earring to sends a message to the Highmage confirming she will join the Masters on the Marrow at the Academy at Tarsis.

Karnea begins drafting her letter to Jenna about how things went with the sorcerers.

Esteemed Highmage Jenna, Master of the Conclave and of the Red Robes, Master of Wayreth
Tower,

My Friend,

I write to you today to report on my meeting with Analis and Morgan, the leaders of the primal sorcerers on Ansalon.
As you may know, I was accompanied by Dalamar for this journey, as he knew of the location of the sorcerers. I am certain that he will also report his observations to you. We had an arduous journey through the Northern Wastes. Please note that there are several areas of latent chaos magic, perhaps left over from the Chaos War or perhaps caused by the concentration of so many primal sorcerers in the area. Regardless of cause, these zones are quite perilous for spellcasting. I regret that I was unable to make an exact mapping of these zones, but my mission took precedence over a thorough exploration of the area. Perhaps an expedition could be mounted at a later time to produce an accurate accounting of these “wild zones”. We met the sorcerers in a long-abandoned city in the middle of the Wastes. There were far more of them than I expected, though I was unable to obtain an exact count. Analis was leading them, despite her advanced age.

We had a productive meeting, and Analis proves to be very much a realist. She confided in me that many of her followers are willing to endure the Test of High Sorcery, while most of the rest are content to remain dabblers too unskilled to be bothered about. A very few of the more powerful of the sorcerers are unwilling to submit to the laws of the Conclave. I very simply explained that those who were unwilling to follow our laws must depart Ansalon, never to return. Analis was agreeable to these terms and stated that she would explain these terms to her followers. There appears to be at least one former Gray Robe included in the numbers of the primal sorcerers. This one is among those who will choose not to be tested. It is my recommendation that this one specifically be targeted for elimination; such a one as this cannot be trusted to go quietly into exile.

I must also report that the city that the sorcerers occupy contains a powerful magical artifact. This “anvil of time” could prove to be disastrous in the hands of an inexperienced magic user. It would appear that its presence is not widely known among the sorcerers, and I trust that Analis will keep it that way. Analis encourages us to take stewardship over the city after the sorcerers disperse; I intend to advocate for this action at the next meeting of the full Conclave, as I feel that this is not a decision that we three Heads of Orders may make on our own.

I have given those who will choose to be tested two cycles of Lunitari to appear before you at Wayreth, to request the Test of High Sorcery. I feel that requiring them to appear at the seat of High Sorcery is more appropriate than having them appear at the Tower of Blood Sea, so as to eliminate any appearance of favor from me. As the head of the Red Robes, I am sure that you can appreciate the need for neutrality in this matter. Do please expect a number of sorcerers seeking the refuge of Wayreth in the coming month.

To conclude, I feel that the situation with the primal sorcerers is concluded satisfactorily. Analis was most accommodating and understanding of the position of the Conclave. I look forward to seeing the majority of the sorcerers joining our ranks in the coming months. Those who choose to remain unaffiliated will know that they will be monitored by the Conclave, and those who choose exile know that to return means death. You may consider this matter closed. If you have further need of me, I remain at your call.

Regards,


Karnea, Mistress of the Black Robes and of Blood Sea Tower

With the letter completed, Karnea visits with Aravis for a few moments before Karnea retires for the evening, her bed has never looked so appealing to her, she pulls the comforter and sheets down and prepares for bed.

End of Story Two
Look for Story One and Story Three