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.

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.”

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.

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.