Epilogue From the journal of Abudi Ibn-Nasir Aldenhorn Keep, 16Avinorl 1426

 

I write these words exactly three weeks after the tragic escape of the Necromantic sorcerer, Xenor of Ashyria. For twenty-one days, I nursed my broken arm and shattered ribs. Unable to write, I spent time in the Templars' considerable library, discovering a wealth of fascinating information. But more on that later.

A more pressing matter is the description of the events of 25 Machla. A pursuit began after the fleeing Warlock, led by Templar Walverde and Baron Ravenford. The patrol sent in their wake came across a battlefield near the road. A fight ensued, in which almost all the pursuers perished. The bodies of Walverde and Ravenford were not found. Unfortunately, the bodies of Xenor of Ashyria were also found. Remnants of demons, apparently summoned by the Warlock, were also found. After examining the bodies, it turned out that the Necromancer had summoned a beast known in these parts as a Lich (I found a description of this beast in the Templars' library; it resembles our genius, except that the Lich is a free being, and the only payment for gaining his favor are the souls of the victims). Her claw marks were discovered on the bodies of Ravenford's orcs and two young Paladins accompanying Templar Walverde. Near the battlefield, the horribly burned Rashid Gamal, my monk, was found. He has not regained consciousness to this day, and the Templars are still fighting for his life. If Gamal (May Tebin protect him!) does not survive, we will never know the outcome of the battle that took place on the hill.

These are not the only losses suffered by the Templar Order of the White Lily. During the storm caused by the fleeing Warlock, the Grand Master of the Order, Rosh Badulain, was killed, crushed by his own steed. Lenthian Cavalieur suffered a broken leg, my cousin Sahib a broken hip, and several Templars have bruised bones. Ives

de L'Okullus, the daughter of the court astrologer of the ruler of Alden, who assisted the Necromancer during his escape and was wounded by Gamal, is in a coma. Traces of snakebites were found on her body. Templar medics believe these bites are the cause of her current condition.

Lenthian Cavalieur has taken over the temporary duties of Grand Master in the Keep. In two days, the Order's Masters will arrive in Aldenhorn, as a meeting of the Grand Chapter has been convened to elect Rosh Badulain's successor.

Relations with the land of Alden are tense, but the Order does not want war to break out in these areas, so an embassy from King Gwillzeth will also arrive in Aldenhorn. I deeply hope that the parties will reach an agreement and that continued cooperation between the lands of Alden, Oxydia, and Khaz will be possible.

Returning to my discoveries in the Aldenhorn library, I came across some very interesting books and scrolls relating to the Order's history in these lands.

The Order's activities in these lands began five centuries ago, when the first Paladins appeared. Legends say they came from the mythical island of Indhirland, supposedly located to the northwest, far out in the Cantine Sea, but no one in Aldenhorn has confirmed this information. Everyone I asked said Indirland didn't exist, and that the Chantry's headquarters was located on the island of Sunhorn, west of Indirshire. I found a wealth of information about this place. Only a few individuals of great service to the Chantry are allowed within the walls of Sunhorn Keep. Even High Elves must wait a long time to obtain permission to visit the Basilica of Kharonaey there, whose towering towers, according to descriptions, can be seen from twenty leagues away on a clear day. The city situated within the walls has four districts, in which creatures of all races can be found.

The island is covered by the dense forests of Tonhiril, where the elven city of Mavinion is said to lie hidden. The Templar Order sent numerous expeditions to confirm the city's existence. None, however, found Mavinion. On one thing, all the expedition participants agreed: as they delved into the forest of Tonhiril, they sensed a strong magic within the place, one that no mage could overcome. In one of the scrolls, I found information that legends were also found on the other two islands of Western Sunnore, mentioning the dwellings of the Elder Folk hidden in the forests.

The cult of Kharonaey also originated with the elves, who, driven from the Realms centuries ago, migrated to the Sunnore Islands and, with a few exceptions, further across the Cantonese Sea. It should be noted that there is no reliable information on whether the elves returned from their expedition, and if so, what they found there.

Everything indicates that the cult of Kharonaey arose on the Sunnore Islands, and that the Paladins who arrived later accepted the faith from the elves. They founded the shared city of Siriusgate, where joint rule was established. Several centuries later, the Chantry established strongholds on each of the islands. Thus, Ulnhorn was built on the southern island, beyond the capital of Siriusgate; the aforementioned Sunhorn on the central island; and Northorn on the northern island.

From the Order's history book, I learned that after the Great War with Ashtar's forces, the Paladins built a series of strongholds in the lands, capable of defending themselves for years if necessary (believe me, after what I saw in Aldenhorn, it's possible). I counted the largest ones mentioned in the Templar books. There are eight of them in all of Lhydia. Besides the aforementioned Sunnor strongholds, there are two more on the western coast: Salenhorn and Earthlandhorn. West of Aldenhorn, in the land of Hed, a twin stronghold, Hedhorn, was built. The last stronghold, located to the southeast, Lokkerhorn, is the furthest inland and the largest in the lands. Its size is second only to Sunhorn Stronghold.

Finally, I would like to add that after the conclusion of the Order's Grand Chapter, I will be traveling with my cousin back to Khaz to establish a Merchant's Guild with Hebin's favor.

If the Almighty will help me, I will return to Aldenhorn next spring with representatives of Khaz.