The Far North

[Milon]

Recently, I have revisted the Mage Academy. It was nothing like it was years ago when last I visited. Back then, the place was terribly dangerous. It was filled with scary Banderlings, Golems that cast bad spells on me if I wandered down the wrong hallway, and evil, little flying men! This taught me much about magic and its uses. But for some reason, I prefered my axe and hammer above spellcasting.
The big, bad Obsidian Golems fell to my swift hammer as I bashed down the door to get at them! I reaped the benefits of the sarcophagus by using my valued Sturdy Iron Keys. Never before had there been a place so enchanting, yet scary as the Mage Academy.
I always wondered why it was called thus. I did not train or study in any arcane ways the purpose and uses of magic. I've only been for the fighting experience. Perhaps the Headmaster (who is now undead?) once held classes near his private study. But, how long ago was that? What uses does the Mage Academy now offer me?
I never did make it beyond the huge, iron doors at the bottom of the tower. The sewer rats were many and fierce, yet the door remained barred and there seemed not to be a quest associated with this place.
It would be lovely if someday I could unlock the mystery behind those doors and why the Mage Academy failed and was overrun by baddies.

In my travels to the north, I also visited the Mattekar Caves. How horrifying was it, many years ago, to enter a cave housing many fierce mattekar? It was bad enough fighting one on the surface. Those piercing horns they have really did me in! It was a nice place to get hides from them and make the infamous Mattekar Hide Coat. I have long since sold mine to a vendor, but I am willing to search for it again.

The best time spent in Dereth since my arrival from Ispar has been the exploration of the land. I've seen so many different types of terrain and it's amazing. The biggest part of my facination was the pure mystery of it all. What is beyond those mountains over there? What will I find there as well as along the way?
Random encounters of beasts yet unkown to me and fleeing for my life kept me excited and eager to find out what lays ahead. The Mountain Keep?

It was a random place I found while running along. It had long since been taken over by banderlings. Whose keep was it? What happened so long ago? The most terrifying creature I ever met was at the very bottom in a tomb, a Mu-miyah! I've never ran so fast and hit a portal than I did at that time. It was fast!

What ever happened to Colier? Was it a village that was a part of Mountain Keep? Where did the settlers go? These places have long since been forgotten and may never come into play in the future. For what bearing on our lives do these places hold? Is there some historical value or lesson to be learned here? Is there anybody in Dereth who remembers these places and wants to learn more about their history?

[Cerulia]

You obviously have a keen mind, and your curiosity is a virtue! Perhaps I can help clarify at least one of your mysteries...

The mage academy was once a seat of learning for the Yalaini, Asheron's people. Unknown to the students or their families though, the headmaster, Lord Rytheran, was actually one of the Dericost undead, the beloved of Lady Aerfalle herself! Using the school as a front, he selected many of the most able pupils and turned them into undead, converting them to his cause..

It's been a long time since I visited the mage academy, but I hope one of its mysteries remains untouched even though the dungeon itself may become more dangerous - Just WHY is there a bowl of rice floating up near the ceiling in Rytheran's office? ^_~

[Milon]

My curiosity got the best of me and I traveled to Al-Jalima to visit a knowledgable man who invited me to go investigate a nearby tomb. I entered this dark place and finally ran across a ghastly undead who gave me his name; something I can not easily pronounce. He then proceeded to attack me! I had no choice but to defend myself against him. Upon his death, I search the corpse and found a black gem and a key that felt evil...as if the soul of the undead were trapped within.
I took the gem back to the man in Al-Jalima. He rewarded me gracefully and used some magicks to summon a portal for me. He said it was The Mage Academy! Well, what a coincidence....

I spent many hours in the academy exploring and fighting of the Banderlings and Golems. I even fought the Zefir and Wisps that guard some rooms within. After many switches, running back and forth and picking locks, I finally unlocked the secret behind the huge iron doors at the bottom of the tower. In the sewers I avoided as many rats as I could and discovered a strange altar. I've heard previously that some Yalaini had be worshiping some evil god. I decided to touch the altar and look for any signs of current activity, when out of nowhere the image of Bael'Zharon himself appeared before me!
He asked me a question I could not understand. So afraid of this aparation, I nodded my head. With that, he granted me some powers.... I'm still not sure what it is yet, but I have a strange feeling growing deep inside me.

Following the tunnels, I ran into some Shadows! I had thought these beings had long since retreated back into their underground homes. I killed these without mercy! I felt so much hatred for them for some reason. Later, I found myself on a catwalk above the sewers and other hallways in the tower I previously explored. At the end, it seemed the catwalk had collapsed or was removed somehow. I made the short jump and located a portal to the surface. I dispatched another Lich when appeared Lord Rytheran. Before he could attack me, I asked him some questions.

He told me about his love, Lady Aerfalle, where he came from, how long he's been in the Academy and about some Dericost lore. After being satisfied, he then asked if I was ready to join his pupils. I braced for the attack. His magic bolt pounded into me! My arrows flew true and hit the target more often then not. It was a short, but fierce battle! I retrieved a key from his person and looted his chests. I then began to read and study his books and tombs. He had quite a collection here.

I found some scripts written about a sarcophagus located within the tower. This key I had apparently unlocked it. I was not interested in finding a rotting corpse, but soon discovered that it contained treasures. It was a scary room, the Golems there could not be detected by normal means and surprised me at first.

After it was all finished, I traveled back to the Marketplace via magical devices granted by Asheron. People there must have noticed that something about me has changed. Though, nobody was rude to me and all gave me pause. I must continue to explore...but this time, within myself.

[Milon]

I've run all over the northern lands. I came up the great chasm we call Crater. While running the rim of this giant crater, I came across an unusual vault. Nobody likes to go here anymore. I'm not sure why, the rewards must be wonderful. I stepped into the vault portal and was in a very scary place. I realized I've been here only once before. I got totally lost in this maze and I was running for my life at times. I did manage to work my way ever slowly down to the bottom wherein lies the treasure. I pretty prism of a certain type of element. Before, I had never found it myself, but have traded others for it. It can be made to fashion a nice Helm and that's what I used it for. But, having this helm already, I took it to the Agent of the Arcanum.

The Agent tells me some nice things he is looking to collect when I visit him. I was surprised, because I had found a prism he was looking for! I haggled with him a bit and managed to get a Writ of Refuge from him! I'll be sure to visit the other vaults in my journies!

After a quick portal back up to the north, I decided to go to a place I had not been to for a very long time. I wanted to revisit The Pit. Long ago, my unarmed training group came here to fight in the Pit against Monogua. They were a fierce beast then. Now, with my greatly improved skills and fighting techniques, they proved to be little more than annoyances, unless a fairly large group decided to jump me. I do remember that at the very bottom, there was something strange and scary. It was so long ago I can barely remember. I do know that a kinsman had died down there. Most people didn't dare to enter these depths at the time. I wanted to find out if anything had changed, if my fighting ability could keep me alive within the deep hallways. Needless to say, it wasn't too challenging for me. But, the opportunity to explore this ancient ruin is one I'd gladly make over and over as I introduce these places to my vassals and my students.

What makes this exploration of the north so exciting? Well, nobody really knows what to expect up here anymore. Nobody explores the north as much as times past. All the stories and the rumors have faded from memory. The islands to the north of the shoreline have seen many visitors as of late. But, the land north of the Direlands and Holtburg remain unexplored. Many have settled in the north with their villas, cottages, and yes, even mansions! They must all have winter homes in the south. I never saw a single soul as I ran through these small communities. Perhaps my vassals will follow me in my footsteps and find the same adventures and lasting memories as I have. I am born of the south with my home in the north. I am Sho and I am at peace with the land.

[Hirahd]

Ah, the North. I too spent many of my early days upon this land in that region. In those days I lived for adventure, running through the Tiofor Woods, and exploring the mountains to the north. Alas, I am not as adventurous as I was in my youth, but it heartens me to see that adventurers like yourself still explore the outer reaches of the land.

One detail in your tale strikes me as peculiar however. When last I visited Mt. Esper, and the vault which you mentioned, it did indeed hold a burning prism. If my memory does not deceive me, that prism was used to increase the power of weapons forged of pyreal, as well as the armor that the shadow hunters make. Has this changed? If such things have escaped my notice, then perhaps I have been too far removed from adventure for too long.

[Milon]

It has been so long and I have battled so many foes. I've seen too many prisms and shards, fragments and slivers. Yes, this was used to enchance my claw's effectiveness on certain creatures. It just reminded me of the prism I had kept at the bottom of my backpack. I must have pulled that out when speaking with the Agent of the Arcanum and thinking of the new prism I had found in the vault. I'm sorry for this mistake, it will not happen again. Although, I will speak to the Arcanum again about these shards as well. I'm sure there's got to be some use for them now. Or, at least, I hope so.

[Milon]

The Arcanum does not know what to do with these major stones of the four elements. I have, however, recently moved to a very nice villa in the north. It is very different from my old, desert cottage. Traveling along the northeastern most shore of the continent, around the Black Death Catacombs, I came across a cliff facing the sea to the east. Once, I came here searching for Shore Armoredillos to take their spines to make a Silifi of Crimson Stars. It took many days to get there, but I prepared well. I also used my survival skills to live through the long trek from BDC, as it is called, along the northern shorelines, down to the beach fort on the northwestern corner of the continent. I couldn't be sure, but is there a mansion on a tiny island on the northern most point of the mainland? I was too busy running to take notice of who resides there. My next stop will be in Stonehold to find out more information about Knorr. I'm not so adept at the arcane arts, but information is useful no matter if you understand it or not.

For those who would like to follow in my footsteps, take heed. Be prepared for a variety of creatures to be blocking your path. Bring enough supplies and avoid the Bandit Castle, lest ye be short of pyreals.