Journal of Arcadius

The Ancient World

Our latest venture against the Aboleth had made us much wealthier. However, gold by itself is of little use to our cause, and neither were many of the magic items we found. Stonekeep, though a major trade point, was not large enough for the transactions we had in mind. Nor were we inclined to return, yet again, to Sigil and its inflated prices. In the end, Kenrioh suggested his homeland, which is a place of high magic. We readily agreed, and went there through his magic.

Tyr-Narnia is indeed a land rich in both magic and material things. It is a colorful place, with bright clothes and brightly painted houses. I can see now that Kenrioh's flamboyant style of dress has much of its origins in the culture of his homeland. Indeed, and he, Kenrioh, was married - to a woman - and has children and grandchildren! Truly wondrous is the diversity of the world!

Furthermore, though his land seems to be rather loosely governed, even a bit disorganized, Keniroh himself seems to be a person of high rank there, and his family are prominent mages. Through his contacts and influence, we were quickly able to find buyers for our unneeded magic items, and sellers for others that were needful. We also dined with his family and had much interesting discussion. It seems that this land has treaties of peace with its neighbors, and serves them as mercenaries in wars against more distant nations. Azan's empire, with its particular curse against Arcane magic, is an exception, and they seem to be at best in a grudging and recent peace with Tyr-Narnia.

Then, a strange and grand thing happened.

The city guard came to us and told us that a teleportation circle was opening with something powerful on the other side, but that they had held it in place temporarily, pending our help. To this we readily assented! Upon arrival, we found guardsmen arrayed for battle. We took up positions and the gate opened. What stepped through was an extraplanar being, an Archon with the head of a hound and ancient-looking symbols of a sun god that was not Pelor.

I spoke to this being in Celestial, rightly judging that it would understand. It replied that it was looking for us. In conversation, it, he, explained that he was named Shullat, a follower of Al'tyr - who indeed I then recalled as a very old, forgotten god of the sun's harsher, though still life-giving, aspects. He said that he had been imprisoned in a crystal on the island now occupied by Nathaniel the pirate king... and it seems it was we, through our efforts, who had awakened him! More amazing still, he said that he had been there since trapped by the Aboleth at the time of their first great war... ten thousand years ago.

Ten thousand years!

First, an ancient sword of Lord Pelor liberated from a sunken temple fifteen or twenty thousand years old, now... one who walked the earth ten thousand years ago and fought the Aboleth in that time!

Truly, in both friend and foe, the ancient world lives on today.

May we be worthy to meet the challenges it offers.

*A*