Author: Adelyn Belle'rose
Rozen Chalice Publishing, a division of East Arelith Trading
Original Publication: 167 AR "Gertrude Gawain and The Beast"
Revised & Updated Edition: 175 AR "Arelith: The Beast"
"The Arelith Antiquarian Society is instituted to examine, preserve, and publish all antiquities as connected with the art, language, literature, and history of the Arelith Archipelago. Articles bearing this notation have been selected for conservation regardless of race, faith, alignment, or affiliation. While all efforts have been made to ensure the information within is accurate regarding the subject matter covered, we assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any other inconsistencies herein, whether such errors or omissions are the result of negligence, accident, or any other cause. If any such errors, inaccuracies, or omissions are discovered please contact the author who will address the issue."
Contents
I. CONSPIRACY
In 153 AR, a shadow creature of incredible power, known simply as The Beast, was released from the Arcane Tower's spellhold prison by the shadow mage Xavier and traitor Warden Gordon. To guarantee the wellbeing of this creature, the two assaulted the wild mage Allestrius Thoramind within his magic shop in Cordor. As a founder of the Arcane Tower, Thoramind had knowledge of the "Orbs of Sealing," devices that could be used to bind The Beast again and end the twos scheme. While the city guard initially feared the worst based on evidence at the scene, Thoramind was later located having escaped from the attack. With his aid the settlements of Arelith worked together to recover the orbs for later use.
When information of these events reached the cult of Shar located upon the island they took steps to interfere. Attempting to intercept, mislead, or stop the representatives of each settlement in their respective quests. Perhaps this was done to aid a fellow shadow mage or, more probably, it was undertaken so they might take command of the situation which had been provided. This dance of shadows continued over the next several months until the attack on Brogenstein.
II. FALL OF BROGENDENSTEIN & BENDIR
The dwarven city of Brogendenstein was attacked and taken by a host of shadow creatures under the control of The Beast. Members of the Axehold Accords; Cordor, Bendir, Darrowdeep, Guldorand, and Heartwood Grove mobilized to recapture the settlement. This combined army marched upon Brogenstein, and with the use of powder kegs, blasted a path into the dwarven stronghold whose main entrance had been collapsed.
With the army's attention focused on Brogendenstein, Agents of Shar, with the aid of portals to the shadow realm, assaulted the hin village of Bendir. A small force was redirected to aid the Dales in this new threat, and with the assistance of a device known as the "Shadow Guard Beacon" the shadow portals were closed. However, it was discovered that the Orb located by the Bendir forces in the months prior had been spirited away by Sharran agents in the confusion.
III. FORTRESS ASSAULT
After the breach into Brogendenstein was made, the coalition army discovered the surviving dwarven defenders had managed to regroup and entrap The Beast within the settlement's Hall of Legends. Couriers were dispatched to retrieve an Orb of Sealing, of which two were previously located. With the attack on Bendir, the last Orb, under the care of Cordor's Commander Gertrude Gawain, was utilized as the only viable option.
With the retrieval of the Orb, the combined forces of the Accords stormed the Hall of Legends, plunging amongst the multitude of shadow creatures to assault The Beast directly. In a final moment of triumph, Commander Gertrude Gawain hurled herself upon the monster, Orb in hand, and struck the creature while shouting her last war cry. Upon contact, the Beast was sealed within the Orb along with Gertrude Gawain.
IV. RETURN TO SPELLHOLD
The Orb of Sealing was conducted overland to the Arcane Tower through throngs of trailing shadow creatures. In a final desperate bid to release The Beast, Shadow mage Xavier ambushed the escorting forces and lost his life in the ensuing skirmish.
Attempts were made to separate Commander Gawain from the Orb of Sealing to no effect. The decision was made to transfer both into Spellhold prison, trapping the two in each other's company for all time.
EPILOGUE
In the aftermath, Brogendenstein and Bendir were both heavily damaged but not beyond repair. The Shadow mage Xavier was dead, and the traitor Warden Gordon escaped to a Fate unknown. The Beast was returned to its prison with the sacrifice of Cordor's Commander Gertrude Gawain.
~FIN~
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
- Book(s):
[1] Katernin Bersk, "Cordor Political History; The Chancellor's Notes AR 153, Month 8"
[2] Written Documents:
[3] Gully Longbuck, “Earthkin Under Siege”
- Special Thanks:
Lilian Williams, "Proofreading and Data Collection"
- Dedication:
"This book is dedicated to Ezri Tinfoot. A Servant, a Hin, and an adopted Gnoll with the emotional disposition of a sweetberry bush. Never change and never stop the Awoo's."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
[The modest portrait of a young vermilion-haired lady with pallid flesh is positioned next to the paragraph below. Her emerald gaze looks intently at the reader, betraying the aspect's alluring facade with callous indifference. The suggestion of a predatory smile appears hidden within the corners of full upturned lips.]
"The Vampire Adelyn Belle'rose has been charming readers with her historical works upon the island of Arelith for years. As the former curator of the Cordor's Museum, she helped bring the past to life through exhibits and displays. Later, as a member of Andunor's Erudite Arcanum, she would lead the research team to investigate Shadow Wharftown's Third Iteration. Through the founding of the Arelith Antiquarian Society and the East Arelith Trading Company, she continues to advocate for the preservation of knowledge across the archipelago."