Ali 1.02- History Lessons.

“Ali?  Alisandrina?” says a woman gently as she pats my forehead with a damp cloth.  I try to sit up, to look around, but the throbbing of my head holds me down just as securely as the woman with the cloth. 

“Don’t try to speak.” She says in a whisper.  “Just listen.  There will be time for your questions in a few moments, but you need to understand what has happened first.” 

I try to sit up again, suddenly alarmed, but she looks at me with concern and holds me down to the bed.  “Be calm child.”

1.13G - Estrode

Although dusk was falling again, and she would dearly love to rest after the day’s excitement, she took the hammer and made her way back up the steps to the very base of Hammerknell.

It’s funny, she thought, each time they send me back here I get a little bit closer to the door.  Maybe one day I’ll go inside.  Then she stopped and shook her head, knowing if the doors of Hammerknell ever did open Telara would be in a worse state than it is now.

Holding Scotty’s gift, she crossed the paths heading towards the east.  As she rounded a corner of the fortress she knew she was in the right place.  Before her, an Abyssal Cultist was channeling magic through the rune vessel and into water-being four times as large as she was.  The water-being crashed into the wall of Hammerknell.  Again and again it crested over the stones.

7.6A - The Eye of Regulos

So I will get to hurt the Endless, and destroy the Eth machines making this possible all in one go. Anneleigh though.  I am a lucky girl indeed.

She walked into the eye of the rift, left alone by the Cultists she passed.  Maybe they saw my attunment and believe I have changed sides. Anneleigh wondered.  Whatever the reason, it is another stroke of luck.

Letter to Reader: Welcome Alisandria

Hi there,

I wanted to post up Ali's story before I got this letter out.  Her introduction is mysterious, and so I wanted to spring the story out there without announcement.  You may have seen her in the new banner, and so would have known I had a Eth story in the works.

I  think Ali's story will be worked into the rotation nicely, especially as Anneleigh's story reaches its "old world" conclusion and prepares for new and uncharted story lines (I left her at level 50 and have to experience the quests before I tell them).  It will give me an extra week to quest and absorb the story, get pictures etc.  An extra week for Gwenllian as well.

I hope you enjoy reading Ali's story as much as I'm sure I'll enjoy writing it.  It is the first I am attempting to tackle as a first person, so hopefully that goes according to plan.  She's also the first on the Defiant side.

Thank you for your continued support of this project.  As always, if you'd like to contact me, I'd love to hear from you.

Anneleigh.

Ali 1.1 - The Flames of Maelforge

I am unkindly shaken from my dreams and it takes me a moment to realize the dampness, and the smell of ash and smoke in the air are not remnants of the dream.  Even as I wake there is a haziness that reaches the corners of my vision.

Helen Brass shakes me again. “I can’t believe your here, Alisandrian.  Hurry!  There could still be people alive in the next jail cell.”

I sit up slowly, but even still my head throbs.  “Jail cell?” I ask as my eyes light on the bared door.  Beyond it I see the well of Lantern Hook, which at least suggests the dampness of the stone floor I’m nestled on.

 

Ali 1.0 - Alisandrian - Story Summary

This is the story summary page for the journey of Alisandrina.  Follow her story as she learns about her past, present, and future.  As her destiny unfolds readers of this blog will learn about new Telaran cultures, new stories, and new threats.

1.12g - The Abyssal Hammer

In spite of being ignored, Gwenllian was pleased; the Runeguard may finally see the Abyssal as a true threat.

Captian Hagen turned to her.  “You say the Abyssal leader believes the key to releasing their god Akylios lies within Hammerknell Fortress?”

Gwenllian nodded.  “The messenger of Bahralt told me this personally.”

“The cultists have an interest in Gorvaht’s rituals. “Borrin echoed Gwenllian’s thoughts.  “What is the connection?  If we can understand why, we may be able to get ahead of them.”

7.5a - Attunement to the Endless Court

Anneleigh returned to the outpost and found Donal.  He was surrounded by Dame Volya and the others who had made it back from the field.

“Dame Volya has told me what happened out there.  I want to believe it can’t be, and yet I can deny it no longer.  He was a hard man to love, and yet we all did.  He served Sanctum and the Vigil as a hero, but now they must declare him a sworn enemy.  I don’t know where that leaves me or the rest of his men....”

Donal trailed off; the shock finally getting the better of him.  Anneleigh let his thoughts wander for a moment before speaking.

 

1.11G - Grey Gardens

Confused, but unable to steal a private word with Borrin with so many of the Runeguard around them, Gwenllian entered Grey Gardens.  It was in ruins, and infested with planer beings, but she was still pleased.  In her youth, before the shade war that took her live, there had been a painting on her kitchen wall.  Her mother told her it was of the great garden of Hammerknell.  The beautiful cherry trees lined the elegant pathways and green spaces.  Gwenllian would listen to her mother for hours as she described the peaceful place. 

“Not once did mother tell me that runebinding experts tested their constructs in the Grey Gardens, using vessels holding dark spirits to power their golems. “ Gwenllian thought as she sat on one of the garden walls and swung her legs over to the path.  “And why would she.  That type of ending to the story would have crushed my daydreams into nightmares.”

7.4a - Kain's Decent

Anneleigh did not return to Thalin Tor as instructed, but instead continued to search for the others.    She was beginning to lose hope when she heard scuffling from behind one of the large gravestones in a cemetery she was investigating.

“Oh thank the Vigil you are here, Anneleigh!” cried Dame Levitia Voyla when Anneleigh rounded the stone.  “I only pray you are not too late.”

“What has happened,” Anneleigh said as she knelt to address the gash on Volya’s leg, “Where are the others?”

“Don’t worry about my wounds, madam!  Captian Ledisko is here in this cemetery, buried in a shallow grave!”

1.10G - The Runeguard

Gwenllian returned once more to Hammerlord Post.  Thomas was waiting for her at the bottom of the steps.

“We watched the Abyssal flee from the woods.”

Gwenllian smiled, pleased with her work, but dropped it quickly as Holden joined them.  The sight of him reminded her of her vision of a spiteful return, however, her near death and failure in her rescue of the messenger had reminded her of the need for companions.

“I don’t even need to ask.  I can tell by the look on your face that Dorim won’t be performing any more rituals anytime soon.”  Thomas continued

7.3A - The 12th Guard

Clark was waiting for her when she arrived at camp.  He received the trinkets, a look of mourning on his face.

“It pains me that Lev Nevok and Dravko Skeda are no longer with us.  Yet, it is better that they died a true death, than to have joined the same undead they spent their life fighting.”  He said.

Anneleigh lead the captain into his tent, wanting to share the best, and the worst, of her story for when they were alone. 

“I was unable to reach Dravko before he turned.”  Anneleigh said.  “He fell on the spike as he tried to attack me.  Though I would not begrudge him this; His mind was not his own.”

Letter to Readers

The story of Anneleigh, a High Elf ascended, has been the backbone of this website.  However, when I began, I always knew Anneleigh's story would not be the only one told.  Blogging on Rift-Ascended  gives me the freedom to add stories over time.

1.9g - Scotty's Blessing

Pleased at the possibility that not all of General Stanig’s family had died in Molinar Crossing, Gwenllian returned to Hammerlord Post to check in with her progress.

“Three of the relics were gone from their altars?  This is very disturbing news.  First the Messenger himself and now Bahralt’s sacred relics.  The Abyssal must be planning something big, Gwenllian.”  said Thomas, as he paced around the outpost.

Holden came to join them, standing beside Gwenllian with his face downcast.

“It was a noble deed, Gwenllian, ringing the bell.  The bell is a symbol of Dwarven determination.”

7.02a - Lady Burlingham

“That was amazing, Anneleigh.  I must admit, I was completely overwhelmed by the grace of the Messenger of the Vigil. “said one of the guards as Anneleigh rose to her feet.  “I’m honored to have taken part in the summoning.”

One of the guards took a family seal from his body, looked it over, and, with his eyes downcast, handed it to another man.

1.8g - Molinar Crossing

When at last Gwenllian left the outpost, she was surprised to see it was again early evening.

“Have I really only been away from home for three nights?” she wondered to herself, looking at the early stars that attempted to pierce their way through the low lying clouds.

On her way to Molinar Crossing Gwenllian tried to picture in her mind the way the city had looked on her past visits; the large homes, the towering statues, the grand squares.  As she entered the village she found it much changed.  The homes appeared smaller; the statues no longer cast impossibly long shadows; the air of activity that the city once exuded, even at night, was replaced by the silent, ghostly images of the spirits of the dead.

7.01a - Learning the Past

Anneleigh followed the dwarf back towards the Exile’s Den, but was surprised when they turned right and followed the path leading to Icewatch Outpost.

“This area is swarming with Abyssal.” Anneleigh said with alarm.  “We can’t go through this way.”

Daro Copperthumb smiled at her.  “It was an Abyssal Stronghold, yes.  I seem to remember you kicking that ball rolling before you left.”

7.00 - Stillmoor Story Summary

This post will chronicle the story of Anneleigh as she travels through Stillmoor.

Stillmoor is a tricky zone to chronicle for many reasons, not least of which is the unfinished storyline.  As I write, I will do my best to tie things up.

Below, you will find a listing of each story, a short outline of that weeks post, as well as significant story moments and characters.

1.7g - General Stanig's Plan

Gwenllian searched the forest floor for the runecrafted stones General Stanig asked her to find.  They were scattered throughout the forest, but their placement suggested they had been disrupted or moved.  Many of the stones she found were lying on their sides or half buried in the underbrush of the forest. 

After gathering as many as she could handle she made her way to Sergeant Ognin at the Runeguard outpost in Faering Woods.  As she approached she overheard his discussion with one of the other Runeguard.

6.09a - The Tablet

With the guards out of the way Anneleigh was free to study the tablet for a few more minutes; enough time to decipher the last few clues she needed.

“The last phrase refers to Hammerknell Fortress,” she thought to herself, completing the fragmented clue she used to lure the guards, “No one has been in Hammerknell Fortress since the dwarves were forced out.  This is troubling news if the Abyssal think they can get in there.”

1.06G - Faering Woods

Gwenllian traveled west to Hammerlord Post.  As she approached the watch tower, she was disappointed to see its beautiful sky reaching tower had been crushed to half its height.  “Who would have the power to do this?” she wondered as she climbed the steps to the observation platform.

“Thomas Penthas?”  She inquired of a man who stood watch.  “Brother Jebiah has sent me from Three Springs to help you in any way that I can.”

6.08a - Dayblind Hollow

With the retaking of the outpost underway, Anneleigh made her way to the caves of Dayblind Hollows and asked to speak with Lana Farnish.

“So you are the one Tabitha Leighton has sent me?”  Lana said with surprise and delight.  “My scouts bring word of your victory at the Outpost, the Vigil be praised.  Your knowledge of the Abyssal will be an invaluable asset to me as these caves are teeming with them.”

1.05g - The Abyssal

Still confused, unsure why the focus of attention had suddenly switched from the Death-touched Satyrs to the Water-touched boglings, Gwenllian listened as Brother Jebiah spoke.

“I used to visit Moonshade Pools to hear the will of the Vigil, but I won’t go near the place now.  Bloodcurdling screams echo through the night, and Tidal Aberrations have risen from the water.    They are infused with death magic, Gwenllian!  Akylios, the false dragon god, bestows mastery of water magic to his worshippers in the Abyssal cult.  Yet, they’ve somehow corrupted the pools with death magic, creating the Tidal Aberrations.”

Letter to Readers: Gwenllian's Story: Delay

Dear Readers,

I wanted to leave a note and let you know why there has been a delay in Gwenllian's story for the past few weeks.

When I original travelled the storyline on Anneleigh, I took photos of the quest text, but not of the events and landscapes, tableaus etc.  I have, recently, started Gwenllian on that journey, but it has been difficult to find the time to send her through the quests.

Now that the holidays are over and my work seems to have stablized, I hope to get back to her story next week.

When I announced her story arc, I had every intention of writing two stories every other week.  This was a much bigger endevor than I knew.  Starting next week, I will be alternating stories.  Next week will be Gwenllian's return, the following week, Anneleigh's continuation.  This slower pace should allow me the time to keep up.

Thanks for understanding, and as always, Thank You For Visiting and Reading my Stories.

Anneleigh of Faeblight.

6.07a - Rhotip

Panting slightly from the exertion, but glad she had spent many years climbing on high branches, Anneleigh reached back of the platform in a matter of seconds.  She looked around for a mechanism that would allow her to bypass the main floor and travel directly to the walkway between the towers.  She could see the large chains that pulled the platform, but the lift seemed to run of its own accord.   Anneleigh thought of her parent’s clock at home and wondered if the lift ran on a similar pulley and weight system.  If it did, she could not see the counter weight.

6.06a - The Labratory

Anneleigh crept quietly to the edge of the Exiles Den and looked out over the entrance way of Icewatch outpost.  Where scores of Guardian and Defiant soldiers had once learned to tolerate each other for the defence of Ironpine Peak there now stood countless cultists who turned a blind eye as the werewolves of Stillmoor moved into the snowy north.

6.05a - Exile's Den

Anneleigh waited at the Oathbound Pass for three days, each day passing more slowly as the desire to warn Icewatch Outpost grew.

“Shouldn’t we set off to warn them?” Anneleigh asked when frustration got the better of her on the third day.  “Bavik will catch up with us.  She’ll know where we went.”

“We’re sending regular updates with messenger hawks.  They know we are on the way, and they know to keep a closer watch on the cultists.”

1.04g - Kirna's Arbor

Gwenllian returned to Hartigan and Talvar.

“So Gorvaht yet lives.” Hartigan said in a whisper.

“Who is Gorvaht?” Gwenllian asked.

“The tales say he’s a satyr who was possessed by a deamon just as the power of Regulos consumed this region two decades ago.”  Hartigan said.

 

 

6.04a - Breaker's Mining Camp

Anneleigh returned to Whitefall, as instructed, but staying clear of Sanctuary also made it difficult to find an assignment.   Night after night for a week she haunted the tavern, hoping to discover citizens in need of her assistance, as she had her first day in the village, but the residents seemed to avoid her gaze and left the room if they found her listening.  At week end, she decided to post a notice on the tavern public board and leave, hoping that someone would seek her out in a less public atmosphere.  Her assumptions paid off when a small dwarf found her in her quarters the next day.