Coryn the White

[Dungeon Master]

Coryn the White
Coryn was created by Dougles Niles
Story One: The Rise of Solmania
Chapter One: Committed

422 AC

Central Ansalon
Eastern Solamnia
Nightlund

Tower of Nightlund

Coryn’s study in the Tower.

Coryn has been writing in a journal to keep her thoughts in order,

Impressions of Master Karnea
Quite unlike anyone she had met before, her appearance was a major surprise as well. Of course, she had noticed that before in their earlier exchange. She is so much younger than Coryn first expected and this time, she could get a better sense of her demeanor. Disarming, charming, lethal, giving, scary, but mostly normal. At no time was she condescending, or spiteful. I look forward to productive conversations towards important ends going forward. I did not see the opening of the Towers coming. Karnea is right, we need to open ourselves to new ideas and cross-pollinate, at least I think it’s a good idea. I am very much looking forward to our next meeting but I must remind myself, she is the Master of the Black Robe, and with that comes a danger I must not ignore.

My eye turns towards Palanthas now. I have seen the corruption, the greed, and the oppression, and for too long the Dark Knights have ruled the people harshly. That is why I have decided to get involved.
The Dark Knights must be expelled from Palanthas. I want this nation to rise again. To that end, I have been on the lookout for willing partners in my enterprise.

One I have found is a wealthy merchant. One Lord Bakkard du Chagne. He might be able to help me if everything goes right. It’s my first coup. I can’t believe I’m going through with this.


She finishes writing and prepares to venture to Palanthas.

[Dungeon Master]

Coryn the White
Coryn was created by Dougles Niles
The Rise of Solamnia
Chapter Two: The First Step

East Central Solamnia

Nightlund

Nightlund Forest

Night Tower of High Sorcery

Coryn Wizard locks the Tower of Nightlund and pulls forth her wand and steps from the Forest in Nightlund and teleports to-


Lord City of Palanthas

Northeast Solamnia


The front gate to her residence in the Nobles District of Palanthas several leagues away. Coryn walks through the gate carrying big bags full of little helpers she enchanted, along with her things and her traveling spellbooks.

Her assistants come out and come down the steps to take her bags, she is appreciative of their help, and she climbs the stairs behind them and onto the porch and into her mansion. Highmaster Jenna’s old estate. The Magic Item store, the Three Moons was also gifted to her, but it has been closed during the occupation, and a strict inventory taken by the Dark Knights, and inspected from week to week, or monthly, whenever they feel like it. She can’t handle the items of course. They are all cursed, for the time being.

She enters her house and tells her assistants to take the bags to her workshop. First, she bathes and thinks about the big step she is about to take. The first step is really to a new and better and free tomorrow.

She puts on her work robe and ventures to her workroom, which is quite separate from her Laboratory, located in the Basement. No this has a workbench and Bookshelves hidden behind a false panel. She goes to her bags and starts creating two piles of various things. One pile is magically charmed devices that are attention diverters, smoke detonators, and flash-bang exploding whizzes. She pulls forth several smaller bags from a drawer and places a variation of devices into each bag with written notes of what each does and how to activate them.

She has been in contact with several cells of Solamnic Knights are in the city, hiding in plain sight, part of the workforce. Some on the docks, butcher shop, even some hidden with the Thieve Guild.

She plans to get these bags to each group to use when the time comes.

She has a clandestine meeting with Bakkard du Chagne later this evening.

She plans on giving him a big of devices to give to his men that he’s assembled. Somebody will have to close the gates to keep out reinforcements stationed outside the gates while we deal with the Knights inside the city.


The hope is they will surrender once they see their hopeless situation. The New Coryn tells her she is just being hopeful and they will probably fight to the bloody end. She cannot show mercy when mercy has not been given to the people. She must end this, so she can get her adopted nation moving on the right path forward.

[Dungeon Master]

Coryn the White
Coryn was created by Dougles Niles
The Rise of Solamnia
Chapter Three: The Palanthas Coup

Northwest Ansalon
Solamnia
Lord City of Palanthas


Coryn readies her resolve. She thinks over her reasons again, this is her adopted home. This was the legendary capital of the Solamnic Knights, but that history was all but buried under the weight of the present. She sets out, cautious, Soon she would know. Coryn attracted little notice from the Dark Knights, as she carefully avoided any overt display of power.

Coryn meets with Lord Bakkard du Chagne. He tells her he has underground factions of Knights ready to take the city.

Coryn contacts the active pockets of Solamnic Knights in the city. She gives them their bags of distractions. More knights have infiltrated Palanthas, some dispatched by Lord Tasgall from his base in Sanction, others coming from Sancrist and Whitestone.

Lord Bakkard du Chagne and Coryn worked closely to prepare for a coup.

The Knights of Solamnia struck suddenly and with a complete surprise early in 422 AC. Aided by Coryn’s magic, du Chagne’s bodyguard seized the Dark Knight headquarters, while other groups quickly seized control of the docks, the walls and gates, and the many barracks and garrison buildings throughout Palanthas.

In places, the Dark Knights fought furiously, but in a little more than twenty-four hours all of the occupiers had been captured, slain, or driven from the city and Palanthas was free.

[Dungeon Master]

Coryn the White
Coryn was created by Dougles Niles
The Rise of Solamnia
Chapter Four: The White Lady

Northwest Ansalon
Solamnia
Lord City of Palanthas

Euphoric celebrations ring out over the night after the Dark Knight's reign is ended. Coryn has seen death in the Battle of Wayreth. But not on this scale. The multitude of knights that she was able to give aid in tight spots thanked her for her assistance. Knight had always viewed wizards as untrustworthy and dangerous. But here was this girl giving her life and time to protect them. It was revelatory to them. Not since Magius, or Palin Majere has a wizard come to the Solamnic’s aid when it was needed most.
They witnessed her putting herself in danger to save knights time again to save innocent lives. They all realize that although the brave knights entered combat with the Dark Knights, they would not have been able to accomplish the task without the help of Coryn the White.

Several knights stumble upon her crying those that she could not save. From that day forward, Coryn is known by the Knights as the White Lady.

Coryn joins with the army to push the Dark Knights out of Solamnia. Coryn became a friend and patron of Solamnia and the Knights of Good. She was helpful to all who sought to restore the rule of justice and equity to Solamnia. These, she soon learned, did not include all of the new lords of Solamnia. Soon she was disillusioned by the avarice and corruption she saw across the land; Coryn could see that the ancient realm would never return to its former glory under these petty and venal rulers.

Lord Bakkard du Chagne was one of the worst people she had ever met. A slime of the highest order.

Grand Master Liam Ehrling was an old man, unable to command the respect that he once did. Some of the less honorable and more ambitious Lord Knights of each of the Orders took command of their Orders on mainland Solamnia and largely ignored any orders from the Grand Circle on Sancrist. This began a fracturing of the Knighthood, with each Order almost becoming its separate entity on the mainland. Despite this fracturing, the Knights were able to retake all of the major cities lost to the Dark Knights or Dragon Overlords. Palanthas again became the shining jewel of Solamnia, and Solanthus, Caergoth, and Thelgaard each came under the rule of one of the Orders of the Knighthood.

The ruling Dukes will need to be brought low. Almost by rote, she learns their names.

She took note of these Lords and took some time to think about what she was going to do about it. She would need a partner to carry out such a plan. She does not know who they are or where they are, but they are out there. She needs only to find them.


Caergoth Duke Walker du Crawford of the Rose

Solanthus, Duke Nathias Rathskell of the Sword

Thelgaard Duke Jarrod Yorgan of the Crown

Palanthas Lord Bakkard du Chagne

[Dungeon Master]

Coryn the White
Coryn was created by Douglas Niles
The Rise of Solamnia
Chapter Five: Time of Growth

With the cold, hard dawning realization she has handed power to a miser with vast military connections that have created and cut small fiefdoms for the heads of the Three Armies of Rose, Swords, and Crown with Palanthas Lord Bakkard du Chagne at the head of the nation, a man of no honor. It was a brutal lesson of wish fulfillment and cold hard reality. Seeing no one among the Knights to save the Knighthood, an order that survived since Vinas Solanthus instituted after his turn from the cause of the Egothian Empire.

Only Lord Lorimar, who had the best ideas for the way forward for the nation and the orders was killed by some unknown assailant.

Though she has done some investigating, it remains a matter to vex her when she puts thought to it.
So, Coryn throws herself into the arts of Magic, specifically potion making. She even enticed renowned Alchemist Barnabus out of retirement from Wayreth to her home in Palanthas for the last couple of months where he has been teaching her the ins and outs of potion-making. The old Red Robe was just happy to be some help again.

Although she is filled with an enormous amount of self-confidence and tries to cover her true feelings, the truth of the matter, she has felt like a fraud in regard to her position as the Master of the White Robe.

She resolves to tackle the forbidden areas that are standing in the way of her claiming the Tower for the White Robe. She would like to see the matter resolved but must consult with her Lord to learn what the best way forward will be. She knows she has the standing offers from the Highmage and Master Karnea, but she is still hesitant. She does not want Evil to get out which should be locked away. I do not know who I can completely trust.

Then it hits her. The only question is can she convince him to come?



Abanasinian Region
Solace
The Inn of the Last Home


With some discreet inquiry, she is told that he will meet with her tonight, in the Inn at 7

She is sitting alone in a booth awaiting her predecessor. She does not know much about him but has been warned his family has forbidden him from returning to Art.

Sad. I am sure it is a sore subject, no matter if he denies it. I will not even approach the subject.
She is waiting a long time she notices, and then Palin Majere slides into the booth opposite her.

Little needs to be said in the way of introductions, mostly they take each other in for a brief moment. She cannot imagine the bitterness behind those kind eyes.

Coryn shakes his hand. “It is an honor to meet you finally.”

“I was going to say the same thing.” he answers. “What can I do for you Master Coryn?”

Coryn steadies herself and goes through with her planned remarks’.” Mr. Mayor, you are the only person living that I trust who has been inside the Tower of Palanthas, er Nightlund. What’s more, you are the only one who has been in areas no one else has had access to since the time of your Uncle. Dalamar has been barred from the Tower, I need to know what needs to be hidden away from everyone, what needs to go to the order, and what should be given to the Black Robe, even provided the sealed doors open, which I’m personally not sure that they will and almost certainly not without you. Let me add this is something we could plan for day trips when it is not going to interfere with anything, I do not wish to upset anything, I just want the Nightlund Tower to be freed from the cloud that hangs over it. Your Uncle is still affecting the present.”

“I see, I can feel your frustration. What you ask is very much all things considered. I trust you are here because Highmage Jenna and Master Karnea have both offered your assistance to open the rooms?”

“Correct.” Coryn answers.

“I believe you have come to me for earnest reasons which will get much farther than other ways to try to reach me. You understand, I have no magic, I..” he holds out his hands in remembrance of his torture at the hands of Beryl’s torturers.

Coryn sees Palin’s pained remembrance and sees the angles his fingers are bent.

Palin recovers and says, “I will think on the matter and perhaps we can come up with a plan. I appreciated the subtle ways you kept erasing downsides to win me, you are right, I cannot dedicate very much time to this at all. But I will try to be some help, it’s the least I can do for my successor.” He smiles, and they shake hands and Coryn leaves the Inn in a better mood than she has been in months.

[Dungeon Master]

Coryn the White
Characters of Jaymes and Coryn was created by Douglas Niles
The Rise of Solamnia
Chapter Six : Jaymes

Northern Ansalon
Northern Solamnia
Lord City of Palanthas


Though Coryn is new to the game and while Highmage Jenna has the best network of spies and informers, Coryn has picked up her own few sources to keep her in the loop. What she has found out concerns her. Someone in Southern Solamnia is searching out mineral compounds that unless she is very wrong, could turn out to be very explosive. This all leads back to an industrious gnome that survived a blast some time ago and has reportedly gone missing. If the secret of this compound was found by someone with ill intent, it could go on to destroy the world order. This must be stopped at all costs.

With the knowledge that the Conclave approaches at the end of the coming week, she decides this riddle is too important to throw to the side she must discover the realities of the case and fast.

Near the coast of New Sea, outside of the town of Hamilton.

It is on this occasion that stars collide and she first bumps into Jaymes and his Dwarven companion Dram Feldspar of Kayolin. The three discover they were all searching for the same thing and this is the man that was looking for the Gnome. Jaymes was the former Knight of Solamnia Jaymes Markham who has now gone rogue for some inexplicable reason.

After a couple of experiences in Palanthas, the subject and prospect of intimacy had become a turn-off to explore any further this notion this idea of sharing a life, or a dream, to find someone that could be authentic and good enough to love, real love, true love.

Under the night sky and the procession of the Moons, locked in conversation around the campfire, they find themselves talking about the way things should be again. Of the all people she has come across thus far, Jaymes was one of the only people ever to have reached into her heart the way he does. He talks with such ardency and heartfelt feeling; she listens as he talks about things that need to change. He has put a lot of thought into it.

She could listen to him talk for days, months, years…

Between Jaymes and Dram, they got her laughing so much, she just felt so free and easy with them. She is completely smitten with Jaymes; He restores her hope for the future of Solamnia. It also helps that he is not sporting a giant mustache and has an exquisite jawline. He is a dashing handsome rogue that she would like to get to know better. She spends a couple more days with him before returning to Palanthas and readying herself to travel to Wayreth in time for the Conclave, she finds herself humming as she packs for her trip to Wayreth, causing her staff that maintain the mansion to question where she has been these last few days to but her such a great mood to inspire to their mistress to start to hum. It is so unlike her. But in actuality, she used to do it all the time when she was happy back south of the Icewall.

[Dungeon Master]

Coryn the White
The Rise of Solamnia
Chapter Seven: The Next Steps

Northern Ansalon
Palanthas
Villa Estate

Coryn returned from the Conclave feeling more alive than she has been in a while. She was so smitten by that rogue knight before the Conclave and was rejuvenated. She did not go back to the knight, though she suspects, she will see him again. No, there is almost too much to do here. Master Karnea has been putting her house in order, and it is time for me to do the same. With new students, these new schools are going to have to be opened, but that will come with time. Both Highmage Jenna and Master Karnea have been recruiting people for positions to bolster the functionality of their power base. Soon they will be sending representatives to Nightlund. It has just been so much to accomplish on my own. High Sanction of Solinari is coming up in a few weeks, she will try to have things functional by then.

Her majordomo Rupert sees to her arrival and takes her traveling cloak, then asks if she would like anything.

Coryn directs him “Please have the kitchen staff put a pot of tea put on, I will be in my study for a few hours before I retire. I will bathe in the morning. You can turn in after you bring the tea. Thank you.”

Coryn closes herself in her study. Coryn sits behind her desk and plans out what she must accomplish over the next weeks.

She brings out her partial list of White Robe order members.
Loren Silverleaf
Liana DiThon Conclave
Suwannis Suncatcher Silvanesti
Aenell Moonwarden - Qualinesti
Haley Skytracker Solamnia Master Diviner
Hiram Traveler deals in acquisitions and information
Selowen Qualinesti Elf
Bernardus
Lashia Ambrodel
Henrad Winestaff

She begins listing her needs for the tower, who might be willing to serve, and what she needs to do over the next couple of days.

Rupert brings in the teapot and asks if there will be anything else.
Coryn looks up at him and smiles and shakes her head no, and he goes out and closes the door. Coryn makes herself a cup of tea and continues to write down her thoughts.

The Elves are out. They have so much going on already, though some might come. I wish I could do more for them. They constitute a strong block of the order; she wonders if any of them will come to the Tower for the coming High Sanction.

She looks down the list and her fingers come to Hiram. The traveling white mage, trades in acquisitions and information. Jenna mentioned him just recently at the conclave. That I should investigate into enlisting his assistance. She mentioned that he has an address in Starport on the east coast of Solamnia. Coryn puts it on her list.

She needs to connect again with Palin, if anything he might be able to point me in the direction of some of the former students of the Academy of Sorcery. Some had approached her at the close of the Battle of Wayreth and Conclave. She has not seen them since.

She will have to make a trip to Northern Ergoth to see this Darius Desaad about the funds he was going to raise for the schools. My local contact there will be Liana DiThon. She writes the date of the Conclave and decides he will need a while to raise the funds. She intends to give him some time, say a couple of months, and then see to see where they are at.

She also marks down that she should make a tour of the schools of Solamnia to see for herself this influx and decide how she might be able to alleviate the stress it is causing.

She catches herself thinking again of her rogue knight. He was incredibly handsome, and she enjoyed his laugh and sense of humor.
She stops her daydream and gets back to her task.

She spends a couple more hours detailing her plans before she takes the teapot and her cup to the kitchen and heads to her room and her waiting bed.



Two days later,


Eastern Ansalon
Solamnia
Starport


The sea air welcomes Coryn as walks into the City, sea birds fly over the port, waiting for the fishermen to return. Coryn walks to the address, it is a well-to-do villa. She met an attendant, and they exchanged information. Hiram should be heading for Caregoth after he stopped through some areas in Abanasina. She leaves a note with the Attendant and asks that he give it to Master Hiram at his first opportunity. She decides to walk around Starport for a little while before departing.

[Dungeon Master]

Coryn the White
The Rise of Solamnia
Chapter Eight: The Traveling Mage

Krynn
Mid-Central Ansalon
Southern Solamnia


Master Coryn meets up with the Traveling Mage in the great white curtain-walled, storied Port City of Caergoth. She did not even know he was at the Conclave. He was in a viewing chamber during the proceedings. They take lunch at a place he suggests. To describe him, he is a late middle-aged gentleman, with greying black hair that is cut short. He is slightly overweight, but not overly so, he does a great deal of walking in his travels. He is a master of small talk. He discloses he has collected information for the Highmage in this time since she has returned. He used to collect information for Palin Majere and he tells her they should start working together. Coryn smiles as she is thankful things are off to a great start. She asks if he knows where the mage schools are in Solamnia and if he will accompany her on a tour of the schools. She offers him the opportunity to take a day or two before they begin in case he needs to stop at his house. She also says they can talk more about their continued working relationship. She also informs him that she is recruiting wizards of varying skills to take positions at the tower. She tells him she wants to get a lot in place by the coming High Sanction order meeting at the Tower in Nightlund.

He is appreciative of the invitation and takes her up on the plan to meet in a couple of days in Starport, he tells her he might have some ideas on who might be helpful to her cause. He will share when they meet again.


Abanasinia Region


With Hiram dealt with, she moves on to her other her other plans to accomplish. She teleports to Solace in Abanasina and visits Palin Majere for a time. He is accommodating in her search for the former members of the Academy of Sorcery. Then also set a date to visit the Tower in Nightland for next week. Coryn thanks him for his time departs his Mayoral Office, passes by a Solace Guard, and walks through the ground city that has been growing in size over most of the fifth age. She tracks down several of the Academy goers. They can lead her to the others in town and soon she is surrounded by fifteen white robes. Most of them have not taken their test yet. She teleports the ones who have not taken the test yet to the New Ports School of Wizardry and enrolls them to prepare them for what is to come. She says goodbyes and teleports back to Solace and meets with the ones who have taken the test. Six have taken the test, four women, and three males, and she asks “if they know what their plans are for the future. Are they going to stay here in Abanasinia or perhaps travel, see the world? Maybe you have family here that you are tied to. We can go to some place where we can have a drink and speak more about it, you like?"

The Master the order has just come and dropped bombshells on them. All of them want to have that drink. She teleports these six to New Ports and they walk to the Roaring Griffen Inn, No line here. They are able to get a table and are seated by an elven girl, who looks to be a Western elf from Qualinesti. They notice the bartender is a dwarf, they can’t tell what clan and are too afraid to ask.

It is as Coryn suspected; they have not fully figured out their direction yet.

The master of the white robe offers to get them on their way if they would consider helping her till the coming High Sanction of Solinari that is coming in a little less than three weeks. “You can continue working for me after if that is your wish, but if you want to get on your way, then I can take you anywhere you want to get to. I offer you fellowship in the order of Solinari and his white order of good magic. You can also serve here in Abanasinia and serve as a member of a fellowship there in the Solace region. I have thoughts towards setting up a school when the Tower is opened.”

It is a lot to take in. They all agree to help her for the three weeks and will decide where to go after the High Sanction.

“Very sensible of you, well then, when we are done here, We are going to go to Palanthas for the night when you have collected your things from your homes in Solace.


Northern Ansalon
Lord City of Palanthas
Villa Estate

After an hour, Master Coryn has the males set up in the guest house and the females are settling in the main house in Palanthas. They meet Coryn’s majordomo Rufus, and they are advised to the rules of the house and expressly where not to go on the property for their safety and the safety of others.

For a couple of hours, they sit outside around a fire in the fireplace on her back stone deck. Coryn makes an effort to get to know them. They all are in need of attaining masters. Coryn decides she will see it happen.

[Dungeon Master]

Coryn the White
The Rise of Solamnia
Chapter Nine: The School Tour

Krynn
Solamnia


Coryn puts her young charges with the renowned Alchemist Barnabus for a couple of days while Coryn goes on a tour of the schools of Solamnia.

Master Coryn and Hiram leave from Starport.

Coryn and Hiram tour the different schools across Solamnia and the new ones that have opened within the borders. All are full of students. She meets with the different instructors, and they tell her they have never been so full. They thank her for what she has done for Solamnia. She was not prepared for the accolades.

Hiram informs Coryn of who the instructors are in the cases she was unaware of. She keeps information in a book up to date.

Coryn finds out she is considered a hero by these students; she is hailed as a big celebrity at all the schools. She is not completely comfortable with this but recognizes she is one of the main reasons for the influx of students, for all have heard about the white witch, the lady Coryn, across Solamnia. She is taken aback by the celebrity she is acclaimed with everywhere they go.

Hiram tells her to “Enjoy it while you can, the public can turn on us in a second, what you have done is give us a fighting chance in the short term, they will soon forget, it will be up to us to see it is not fleeting.”


Coryn is proud to see so many girls at the girl schools, all looking up at her with adoration, but has a moment of doubt like she is a fraud, and yet she stops herself, she knows what she did for the cause, Coryn tries to give these girls someone they can look up.

Through some talking over the last couple of days, Hiram and Coryn come to an understanding. He will collect information for the order again as he has done in the past, but he will spend some time at the Tower getting things prepped for the High Sanction and agrees to be a confidant to the Master of the Order.

They come across some fraudulent schools in which they are promptly disbanded, and the children stand there, their dreams dashed. Coryn did not believe she could devote any time to having a school in the Tower, until now. She tells these children to go home for now, but that she will find them another school for them to learn to be mages if that is what they want to do.

Most of them say they want to be a wizard. Coryn looks into their faces. She sees real determination in some of these little faces. She tells them she will get them into a new school. “Give me a couple of weeks and I will make it happen.”

Their tear-stained faces agree and make the trek home to the nearby villages.

Hiram agrees to meet at Palanthas in three days. They separate and Coryn calls on a few order members before returning to her inherited villa in Palanthas. Coryn checked on her charges, and they are fine. Not too much trouble. She tells them they will be traveling to the tower in Nightlund in the coming days. For a couple of you, Some masters have agreed to take on new apprentices. These skilled wizards are older, but you are going to learn a lot from them, and we will see how it goes. Coryn leaves them for the night and charts out the next couple of days how she can be productive.

[Dungeon Master]

Coryn the White
The Rise of Solamnia
Chapter Ten: Headhunting

Coryn spends the next couple of days preparing for her trip to the Tower of Nightlund. Hiram has been reaching out to several Wizards who are on a list of names Coryn and Hirm compiled. The list is made up of Wizards that they both think would be useful to the Tower.

People such as

Jemond Farseer, the former retired teacher of abjuration at New Ports and the person most likely to be chosen to lead the School of Nightlund

Haley Skytracker, a former instructor at New Ports, and a master of divination

She has sent feelers out to the legendary Bram DiThon, who is reportedly over a hundred years old, the same as his long-time bride the black robe Dagamier. There is something in the water there. The bards say there is a ferry glean on his estate that might explain the how. Bram is a powerful wizard, and I don’t think I could get him to the mainland for any length of time other than a visit. His daughter Leila DiThon is a powerful Wizard in her own right, her time is spent being a part of the Triumvirate of Magic of Northern Ergoth, along with black robe Darius Desaad and red robe Fabian Jaroc. She doesn’t suppose she can entice her for any service.

It’s depressing. The truth is, not very many white robes are left of any stature. She can’t take any of the teachers, so I am going to have to find more teachers. Her order is mostly comprised of Elves, who are only worried about elves right now, and for good reason, I don’t begrudge at all with all they are enduring these days. There just are not many of the old guard left. And it is we of this generation are going to have to write our own story.


She has her work cut out for her to rebuild her order.

[Dungeon Master]

Coryn the White
The Rise of Solamnia
Chapter Eleven: Uncertain Portents

Krynn
Mid-Central Ansalon
Northern Dargaard Mountains
Nightlund

Today is the big day. Palin Majere finds the time to break away on a promised mission to the Tower of Nightlund to aid the Master of the white robe Coryn, her guest white robe Hiram, and the group of white robes from Palin’s Academy of Sorcery. They all teleport to Nightlund forest near the Vingaard River

Former students of the Solace Academy of Sorcery
Ann of Solace- friendly woman
Erik of Gateway -tall, thin with a goatee
Kat Northern Ergoth -dark-skinned woman
Thomas from Long Ridge is tall, quiet, smart
Lyra from Haven, the oldest of the group, glasses
Tara from Solace, the youngest of the group

Dargaard Mountains dominate the background over the forest. Dalamar hid the tower of Palanthas in the Cypress Forest in the foothills of the Dargaard Mountains near the beginning of the fifth age to get the Tower away from the Blue Dragon Overlord Khellendros, the Storm over Krynn and the accursed gray robes of the Knights of Neraka that served him. It was an impossible situation, alas, it wouldn’t survive a return trip, much to Coryn’s displeasure.

The Cypress Grove was created with a seed was planted and it grew directly around the tower’s wall when Dalamar brought the Tower here. Coryn marks them with the magic mark that allows passage. They come to a gate and the Ancient Tower stands above them. The Gate is made of Silver and gold, it seems to be of a new construction. They pass through the gate and closer to the Tower.

The Party enters the Tower of High Sorcery

All is quiet within the great central hall on the ground floor. This area has been cleaned and put in order for the most part. There are some things to do elsewhere on the first floor. They are shown their living spaces for their trip.

Coryn shows them the cleaning she wants them to do, they can use cantrips, and she implores them not to make a mess for her. She gives them some busy work while Palin Majere, Hiram, and Coryn travel to the Grand Laboratory on the twenty-eighth floor, the one that has been closed and locked off.

As they walk the spiral stairs, they nearly get to the top before Palin thinks back to his own test, being led by Dalamar, and Palin’s father Caramon behind him. Getting pulled into the Lab, seeing the Portal covered up with sheets in the corner for the first time. The slippery words of his uncle come back and reaches towards him. Chills go down his spine as a surge of energy grows inside Palin. He stops walking.

Coryn and Hirm hear that Palin is no longer walking with them.

“Are you okay Palin?” Coryn asks with concern. Not knowing how she would ever explain to his wife if something happened to him at the tower. She would never know peace, even in death.

“Yes, just a moment”

Blood pounds inside him. Palin thinks he is either going to have a heart attack or he is going to burst open. Palin curses. Life has been quiet since that day. All has been peaceful. What is this? He thinks of Usha and the peace that has come into his life and family. This was my sacrifice, the sacrifice my uncle could not make. Reality settles in and he begins to calm down. Why did he ever agree to do this? What was I thinking? He looks down. Someone has been here judging from these tracks, but that is to be expected. They are women’s size feet. Surely, they must be Coryn’s footprints Palin surmises.

Palin wipes sweat from his brow and takes some drinks of water from his waterbag, “We can go on; I don’t know what that was. Lead on.”

They lead him the rest of the way towards the top stairs. Palin walks the final steps and says, “You say this room has been sealed since you entered the Tower the first time?”

Coryn answers “Yes, that’s correct.” She bears her magic staff higher so its light shines on the door thereby also illuminating Palin.

“The Door is open already.”

Coryn answers “That is impossible. How can that be?”

They enter the vast laboratory and study that was once Raistlin Majere's. It was sealed in Dalamar’s time. It opened during the War of Souls.

Palin is thinking back, and then theorizes, the Enchantments had all dropped. All magic was siphoned by the One God.

Only for Coryn to find it sealed again to her when she enters the Tower after the Gods returned, the moons returned, the magic returned; the enchantments never left.

Palin looks around. The room is as it was. Things have been in place since the last time… not everything. Fistandantilus’s night blue-bound spellbooks are missing, as are Raistlin’s black-bound spellbooks. They are just gone. He turns to look for the Portal and finds its outline still covered up with sheets. The energy wells inside him, again and again, he must lie to himself and close himself off. The spark he has discovered is there and has become more pronounced since the Return of the Conclave. He has tried to shut it down and make his life with Usha work. He is not his uncle.

Palin unhappily informs Coyrn what is missing.

Coryn feels violated. “What?” “How” “Who has done this?” “How is that possible?”

Palin’s mind is working through different possibilities. “Dalamar was banned ever entering the Tower again.”

“Master Karnea?” Coryn asks. “Nuitari for that matter?”

Palin shakes his head; they would have done it far before now. Palin runs through different possibilities, and none of them at all makes sense. He does not mean to jump to conclusions, but to Palin’s mind, outside of it being the High God, Takhisis, the Gods of Magic, or somehow it being Dalamar, but I don’t think it was him “I can only come to two possibilities. The problem is… both are dead already. The Masters of Past and Present are the only ones, the only ones who can enter the tower, and the only ones able to enter the sealed Laboratory.

Hiram looks at Palin, “You realize that is preposterous, not your reasoning you understand, but as you say, they are dead. This is a new grove. How could they enter?

“The Tower knows its own, it always has. We are talking about the two of most powerful wizards of their respective ages. Palin answers. “I believe my uncle is dead. I believe he has moved on with my father and their friends.”

Hiram sums up what he thinks he is hearing, “So, Fistandantilus is out there acting from beyond the grave?”

“I guess that is my conclusion.” Palin answers uneasily.

Coryn looks to both of her guests, “The Fistandantilus? How?”

“From beyond the grave.” Palin says looking longingly at his uncle’s empty high-backed chair at the large ornate desk.

[Dungeon Master]

Coryn the White
The Rise of Solamnia
Chapter Twelve: Master of Nightlund

Krynn
Mid-Central Ansalon
Northern Dargaard Mountains
Nightlund

Tower of Nightlund


Coryn thanks Palin for his assistance and Hiram takes back home to Solace. Hiram tells Coryn he will be back soon, and they leave.

Watches them leave and sits on the highbacked chair at the great marble table with the Dragon Skull suspended from the rafters behind her.

It is a mixed feeling on one hand she is elated that this room is open. This gives her the run of the Tower now. Now it is truly under her stewardship or is it?

That is the question she has been pondering since Palin Majere told her someone has entered the Grove and penetrated the Tower in my absence. Coryn has tried not to step around this room, she noticed the female footprints as well when he said something about it moments ago. The footprints are smaller than hers, but she thinks it's larger than Master Karnea. Coryn measures the footprints, and looks at their path in and over to the books, over to the portal, and back out again. It is late in the morning when some of the white robes come up and She tells them to stop. She tells them this is a crime scene, and we cannot further contaminate it more than we did already, she tells them she is coming out, just give her a moment. Coryn stands and takes it all in and allows herself to rejoice.

She walks around the footprints and joins the white robes and takes them on a tour of their new Tower. Coryn is shown the cleaning and organizing that has been done and no messes to clean. They are starved, the small meal they had had not been very much. They are surprised when food appears on the table before them. Succulent roast pig, pasta, fish, baked potatoes, pies, and chocolate cakes just come out of nowhere.

Everyone is skeptical, but Coryn tries it, and it is delicious. She deduces that it is a property of the Tower, perhaps all the towers do this. But it's Magic, it's not filling, one can live on it, but it's not the real thing. That’s why Wayreth has cooks… She tells her crew to dig in, it will get them through the night, and we will see about getting some cooks in here, and some cookware, pots, and pans tomorrow. Coryn has already had contact with towns on the Vingaard River, it’s time to go shopping, and get some cooks, people who are not going to poison us. She writes down on her list of things to find reliable cooks, and though she is not completely sure where to find them... Coryn thinks of the Mansion Palanthas and knows where she might get assistance

Hiram arrives and Coryn and he talk about their intruder. They go through the scenarios and entertain this idea of possible possession. If we are completely ruling out Master Karnea, they wonder who it could have been.

Hiram tells Coryn some stories, kender tales, about seemingly empowered artifacts that Dark One imbued pieces of himself. The guy was a fanatic about living beyond his allotted years. The Bloodstone is one such item that cannot be scoffed at, but at last count, it was reported missing. But there are others, tomes, rings, staves, but nothing substantial has ever turned up.

“That we know of.” Coryn corrects him. Something has worked and someone has carried out his will. Where did they go next? The Ruin called Skullcap?

“Tales were told a while back that Dalamar inhabited Skullcap for a time. There was a Mountain Fortress, I don’t know the name, Dalamar would. I would caution how much to share with the Dark Elf in this matter.”

“I’m aware of Dalamar’s ways. I don’t want to believe he would conspire with this Dark Wizard, but I fear I must not put it past him. But his books are still here, I would have thought he would have gotten his books from his room. I will have to see him anyways; I wish to return his things from his room to him. I have been warned against touching his books as they are dangerous to White Robes.”

“A Black Robe will have to be consulted. Hiram concludes. Coryn waves her hand and says enough about this for now, I need more white robes, getting them into schools are fine, but it will be years before there are any results.”

Hiram tells Coryn “As for the Schools, call it an investment, before you know those little faces will be rolling through here to serve their order. What we are doing here is beyond my belief. The numbers at those schools, the attitudes of the people across Solamnia, the Knights, you have really turned thing around and given us a chance. But we are going to have to do more outreach to these Sorcerers.”

Coryn agrees “I want the right people, they must have the right touch, but it can all go wrong over the wrong thing said.

Coryn tells Hiram that she would like to get the white robes Haley Skytracker, and Jemond Farseer to the Tower. It will lead to a solid foundation to be established here. “A Diviner and Abjurer, both instructors in the Age of Despair, and Jemond ran New Ports, he will be perfect to run the school here. Let’s get that done by High Sanction.”

Hiram smiles and agrees to fetch them and convince them to come over the coming week.

[Dungeon Master]

Coryn the White
The Rise of Solamnia
Chapter Thirteen: The Schoolmaster

Krynn
Mid-Central Ansalon
Northern Dargaard Mountains
Nightlund

Tower of Nightlund


Days later,

Jemond Farseer enters the Tower of Nightlund with Coryn’s Agent Hiram and Jemond is filled with wonder and glee. This mysterious Tower that has been shrouded in myth and kept from prying eyes of the wizarding world by the curse of Andras Rannoch, and Raistlin Majere’s time as master of the tower kept the world out. It was not until Dalamar became the Tower’s master that other robes were permitted to enter, and even then, it was a very small number allowed to come inside.

Jemond Farseer came from humble means in the Long Ridge region of Abanasinia. After his test of High Sorcery, he gained some experience in travel, education, and adventure. Jemond soon fell into teaching and found his way to teaching at Aravis’s new wizard school in New Ports, and there he remained until Aravis’s departure where Jemond was installed as the School’s Headmaster until the Chaos War and the loss of magic. Teaching sorcery did not appeal to him so he settled back in the Long Ridge region and that is where he was when the Gods of Magic returned.

Jemond had never been so happy as when the moons returned. He is overwhelmed with the sense of scale and its place in history. The Tower of Palanthas was the tallest of five towers. The old schoolmaster marvels at every little detail that stands out. Soon he is meeting with Coryn as she is explaining her desire for him to run the school at the tower. He is completely thrown off; It comes as a surprise to him, and he gladly accepts the position. It is at this meeting that a teacher is discussed to take over the schoolmaster position from the School Tour. The fraudulent instructors were run out and Coryn wanted to make sure an instructor could be installed at that school and Jemond has several allies in the in the field and can contact her to take over.

His good nature reassures Coryn that this will hopefully work. Haley Skytracker needed more convincing, but though she comes off a bit as a diva, her reputation as a diviner gives her a pass from Coryn.

Coryn has roped off a section around the missing books in the Grand Laboratory and has started cleaning almost everywhere else.

The group of former students of the Solace Academy of Sorcery is still at the tower and has provided great assistance to Coryn, in the run-up to Solinari’s High Sanction.

Coryn has a better understanding of who they are and where they might best fit. She has decided to ask Ann to come to Palanthas and work in the Mage Wares store and has decided to take her on as an assistant. Thomas from Long Ridge will study with the Alchemist Barnabus. Tara is going to return to Solace, Lyra and Kat are headed to Kalaman and Erik agrees to become an assistant at the Tower of Nightlund. They help put out invitations to the Order and all is readied in preparation for the coming High Sanction of Solinari and the influx of White Robes to Nightlund.

[Dungeon Master]

Coryn the White
The Rise of Solamnia
Chapter Fourteen: High Sanction of Solinari

Note: this takes place before Karnea and Coryn’s meeting in Karnea Story II Chapter 19 by a number of Days

Invitations have been sent out, the cleaning crew sits back and waits, and then gets ready for their guests as soon White Robes from across different parts of Ansalon make their way to Nightlund to partake in the festivities the Master of the Order has planned.

In attendance are Conclave members Suwannis, Adramis, Selowen, Bram DiThon, Borlos, and Reann

Followed by the teachers they met across Solamnia, those being the Schoolmasters, each took the test before Takhisis took the world: Billus, Arthur, Carolyn, Violet, Josephine, Irwin Titus, and now Jemond Farseer, the new schoolmaster of Nightlund Tower.

Joining the Schoolmasters are the former Academy of Sorcery students, They only recently taken the test of High Sorcery in this post-War of Souls era, Ann, Erik, Lyra, Thomas, Rayna, Kat, and Tara.

Haley Skytracker, the new Divination teacher at the Nightlund Tower, also tested before Takhisis stole the world.

Ules the old woodcutter from Kharolis

Coryn’s ally Hiram

Aenell and Lashia Ambrodel are the last elves to arrive.


After spending some time downstairs, they go up. The only two rooms Coryn keeps closed off are Raistlin Majere’s chambers and that of Dalamar’s chambers as well as she feels they deserve their respect of privacy. She also does not allow anyone into the Great Laboratory for fear of evidence contamination. But other rooms are shown, the student's rooms, the Instruction chambers, the living quarters for the teachers, the Testing Chambers, as well as apparent for white robes and students that are apprenticing at the tower. Coryn shows off the artifact that was given to her by the Black Robe Master, Device of Seeing, and allows for farseeing across the world.


She welcomes any white robe is welcome to come and study here but following the footsteps of Master Karnea in this rebirth of spirit in brotherhood of magic, the other robes are invited here as well. We can expect representatives of the other orders to be chosen and sent here soon.

The White Robes meet to discuss their immediate concerns and future endeavors of the order.

Immediate concerns-

Coryn tells her order “Of the Conclave’s vote on reconstituting our Renegade Hunters across the Orders, and her feelings on the matter is if we just leave to the Black Robes, we will have abdicated our responsibilities as members of High Sorcery and the rule of law. If no one chooses to sign up, then I will have to assign Wizards to the post lasting no longer than two years for duty the order. I don’t want to do this, but I will if I have no volunteers.”

A question is asked by a veteran order member, “If we volunteer, can we only serve two years as well?

Master Coryn answers “Yes, but I do want some measure of retention, should one of you feel you are good at this, perhaps you might consider giving more of your time, maybe even on a reserve basis, that option is open to you as well.”

Another question is asked about school resources by one of the teachers.

Coryn assures the teachers who were not present at the Conclave that this issue was also addressed. “More funds were allotted for the opening of new schools and funding for resources will be coming, I will make sure that it does.”

At one point during the proceedings, Master Coryn pulls Vaylin aside and asks if she will stay for a couple of days, "We must look backward in time in a room to ascertain who entered the room. The Time Frame is any time in the last couple of months."

Vaylin agrees to stay overnight and will leave tomorrow evening. "I can return after that, but I must return, Master Karnea is in need of my services before she leaves."

"Master Karnea is leaving?" Coryn asks

"Master Karnea departs to the Northern Wastes to look for the Sorcerers and her former pupil."

Coryn decides she must contact Master Karnea before she heads into the Northern Wastes, She must tell her what has happened in the Master Study. Coryn returns to the room and joins in conversations of the order.

These conversations last until the rising of the White Moon reaches High Sanction. They gather to bathe their magical items in the white light of Solinari and carry out the secret ritual ceremonies to Solinari.


Those in attendance
Vaylin The White Robe Representative of Blood Sea

School teachers from across Solamnia
Billus -Haus, large guy
Arthur-Very intelligent
Carolyn -Very smart
Violet – A very good teacher
Josephine-respected
Irwin Titus-respected

Solace Academy
Ann of Solace-, friendly, glasses, woman
Erik of Gateway -tall, thin male with goatee
Kat Northern Ergoth -dark skinned woman
Thomas from Long Ridge tall, quiet, smart
Lyra from Haven, oldest of the group, glasses
Tara from Solace, youngest of the group

[Dungeon Master]

Coryn the White
The Rise of Solamnia
Chapter Fifteen: The Investigation Begins

Parts of this story are reposted from Karnea Story II Chapter Nineteen

It takes Coryn several days to gather the courage to contact Master Karnea of the Black Robe. Coryn had no doubt this will not go very well. The Nightlund Tower was her responsibility. Coryn had not found a trusted aide to defend the Tower while she was away, but she does not doubt that whoever she left here would have died in the attempt. But to Master Karnea, a trained Necromancer could just reanimate the dead body and have more answers than we have right now. All we have right now is footprints and a theory that fits the facts, no matter how outlandish the possibility could be. The fact remains that someone entered the Grove and entered the Tower without being alerted to it. It is true Coryn felt more in control of the Tower after the break-in. Now why was that she wonders.

Coryn wanted Hiram for other tasks, but it is clear she needs him to head the investigation into the missing Books. She has gone through the Silver Book of the Tower and only a couple of methods of time travel that point her in a direction of thought to try to look back over the room with Divination, so she goes to Haley Skytracker to discuss this line of thought. Their meeting is interrupted by an alert from the Cyprus Grove. Someone is at its periphery, It is Karnea.


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 footprints 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 she “Would never do a such a thing as you imply. I never wanted that; Palin was able to make the time to 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.


The Master of the Black Robe becomes ethereal and drifts into the sky, and Coryn watches her go.


Well, that went about as well as Coryn expected. Karnea wanted those books, and if they were not in a Tower of High Sorcery, Karnea has probably killed for less than this. She thinks back guilty to her night with her Knight and admits to being cavalier in the belief of her Mastership of the Tower. Indeed, she did not feel connected to the Tower as she does now. Coryn sends a message to the White Robe Diviner Vaylin, currently the White Robe Representative at the Tower of Blood Sea, asking for her immediate assistance at Nightlund. Coryn meets with Hiram and explains that they have to get the books back. Hiram asks when she is going to tell Highmaster Jenna. She owed Karnea to give her a head start. Soon. I must tell her. She may know a method to unlocking the thief.

[Dungeon Master]

Coryn the White
The Rise of Solamnia
Chapter Sixteen: The Highmage

This time covers the fourteen days Master Karnea is in the Northern Wastes

Coryn spends several days with Vaylin, for her, she goes from teaching classes at school at Blood Sea, then back to Nightlund. She is detained for a couple of nights because of something happening at the Tower of Blood Sea, but after a couple of days she returns, and they try to figure out a spell that will help them look backward in the room. They are running out of time, Coryn travels to Wayreth to tell Jenna what has happened at Nightund Tower.

(Jenna’s reaction to this meeting can be seen in Highmage Jenna of the Red Robe Chapter Eight.) Needless to say, this concerns Jenna greatly and she sends messages to different people in the Tower. To the Library she sends a request for a spell to look backwards a week or months. (The rest will be detailed in Jenna Chapter Eight.)

She travels with Coryn back to the Tower of Nightlund to see where it happened. She looks at the footprints that have been roped off. Jenna’s mind flashes through who it could be. “Do you know when Master Karnea is expected back?”

Coryn provides what Vaylin mentioned at our recent High Sanction meeting. Vaylin said Master Karnea is expected to be gone for a couple of weeks, She said was about the Primal Sorcerer situation in the Northern Wastes. Coryn suspects Master Karnea will return soon. Master Karnea is every bit as interested in where this investigation leads as we are.

I wonder why Jenna says, slightly sarcastically.

Coryn continues “Vaylin and I have been making progress, but the answer still seems elusive.”

Jenna leaves to find out what information has been found for her at Wayreth, She is gone overnight.

Coryn begins reading through the Silver Book of the Tower again.

Jenna returns to Nightlund days later, and the Wizards work toward crafting a spell that will suit their needs.


Many days later, Vaylin casts the spell and begins to look backward in the chamber. It takes time, but when she begins to start to look into the past when it happens, she describes the woman. She draws out what is sees. She wears black robes and short brownish-grey hair. With a little bit more detail, provided by Vaylin, Jenna is able to put it together as to who it is and tells Vaylin to stop.

Coryn asks if Jenna knows “who it is?”

The Highmage nods, and she measures her words carefully. Let us send a message off to Blood Sea, Master Karnea will need to be informed.