The Damn Forum mkIII

Eastern Ansalon
Blood Sea of Istar
Tower of Blood Sea



After a couple of days, early one morning, Karnea wakes and feels more like herself than in a long while.  Her trip to the Northern Wastes ended up taking a lot more out of her than she thought.  A question has been dwelling on her mind: How exactly did the Dark One know about the portal in the first place? Karnea contemplates the matter further as she bathes, dresses, and walks to the gardens, where she joins Selene and Aravis for breakfast.  Karnea keeps coming back to the idea that he must have been invisible and observing, or he was scrying and came across her comings and goings.  He’s not stupid. Even the Mayor of Flotsam knows something about it.   

Karnea tables this thought and sits down with Selene. Karnea takes a sip of black kefre before anything else is said to her. Selene knows better. After a few moments, Karnea tells Selene, “Okay, let me have it.”

“The vigil for prince Lucius’s ship continues. They have had to control the weather to deter minotaur raiders from giving pursuit. They are nearly past and beyond most their magical influence. They can still watch out for him.”

Karnea looks over to Aravis to see how she is taking it, but Karnea is surprised to find her seeming to be unconcerned, which briefly confuses Karnea until she remembers that Aravis did not really want him to go in the first place. Yet if Karnea goes looking for her later, she will most likely be found in the Chamber of Seeing, watching out for him.   

Over breakfast, Selene slides over a couple of papers she wants Karnea to review, while she starts her updates that require Karnea’s attention. As to the papers, Selene says these cannot be put off any longer. The upcoming Gathering is the Solstice, Invitations are being sent out, and Selene is having Karnea choose who is invited to the dinner held the night before. It is something of a tradition Karnea has initiated to spotlight any potential rising stars that have real potential, as well as identify any potential enemies Karnea needs to look out for. Karnea looks over the list of black-robe order members. Selene has helpfully circled ones that Karnea should look closer at, and crossed out some attendees from the last dinner, to keep things fresh. Karnea looks over the list closely and makes her selections, and hands over her choices and her decisions on the meal choices for the dinner for that night. The invitations go out later that night. 

Moving on to other business, 
Three new appointments made by the Conclave, in consultation with Karnea, have been ratified. These are the best selections, absent Darius Desaad in Northern Ergoth, but his ascension to the Conclave has given him as much as he can handle at the moment. 
The Appointments- 
Romero Vane -new black-robe representative of the triumvirate in Gwynned, taking up the role after the aforementioned Darius Desaad stepped down from the role.

Marius of Palanthas -new black-robe representative of the triumvirate in Palanthas

Sirene, black robe of Abanasinia, half-elf female, has been chosen to take Willim the Black’s place in the Conclave.

Selene offers her own reservations about this as it might come as a slight to the Theiwar, something Karnea considers anew. Karnea tells her she will elevate Basalt in a few years and give them other concessions in the meantime, but tells Selene, "Good catch, good thinking. In fact, put down Basalt in the itinerary for tomorrow afternoon. I want him to go down there and come back with some answers as to who would be worth talking to down there." Selene writes it down in her itinerary book. Selene opens it back to today’s date and consults today’s folder.         

Today’s agenda,

Selene passes over a message from the Artificer, Asher the younger Crane. Karnea opens it and reads the message: The teleportation Chamber is in working order again. This pleases Karnea, as she has read about the chambers of transportation and destination being present in the towers before, and she has been wondering if the chambers are still present in the remaining towers of high sorcery in Wayreth and Nightlund. She writes down a note to check this lead out.

Once the Gathering business and morning mail are out of the way, Karnea explains to Selene and Aravis that she has decided she really is going to limit her exposure going forward. “I am going to require agents to serve the business of the order. We are going to have to decide who those are and if they are available to be used by me for my purposes.”

Selene offers to do anything Karnea requires. Karnea just pats her arm and says, “I know, but you are too valuable to be wasted for menial purposes. Be assured, you serve many vital roles for me already,  I am thinking of Kalana, and what we can use her for.” 

Selene nods. She knows Karnea has been keeping Kalana to the side for all this time, but now Kalana will finally know what is in store for her. “Though I do not want to speak ill of my sister, may I suggest a cautionary note about Kalana. Master? Keep her on a tight leash, you really don’t want her to let this new power go to her head. Handing her unrestrained power should be checked and watched to make sure it is not used to excess. I am not saying it will be, but I have known her for a long time, she has been known to overstep the mark more than a time or two.”     

A page comes running down the stairs and comes first to Selene, and then sees Karnea and brings the message to Karnea instead. Karnea opens the message, which is from the harbormaster; It would seem to be one of your old friends. One, Palainess Darkhammer has just docked. He wants to meet you when you have the time for him.

Karnea reads down and is pleased. She has been eagerly awaiting his arrival; she looks up at the girls and encourages them both to finish their breakfast with her. Selene confirms to Karnea that she intends to pick up Aravis’s robes in Palanthas later today. Karnea thanks her, as that matter had fallen from her mind. Karnea asks her if she can first “Go down to the docked ship and direct Palainess Darkhammer, and company to the Hunter’s Moon, I will meet you there presently." 

Selene nods, stands, picks up her tray, and departs down the central stairwell.   


Selene soon enters the Hunter’s Moon with Palainess, and the other follow behind. Karnea is already inside. Eris stands to her left.

Karnea and Palainess banter for a few moments, then he introduces everyone to Karnea, Master of the Tower. Karnea tells them to tend the bar and help themselves with some drinks while Karnea and Palainess talk. 

Karnea sits with Palainess, and they quietly have a discussion concerning the network he has been setting up since she first contacted him two years ago. He goes through the list of places, across Abanasinia, Solamnia, and parts of Taman Busuk. He goes through the list of places he has covered. Karnea tells Palainess she wants people in “Neraka and the Silvanesti border.” 

Palainess winces, just a little bit, and says Neraka is doable, just dangerous at the moment. Lots of mentalists from the Knights of the Skull, I have not figured out how to counter their newfound abilities.

Karnea considers the issue. It is something she has not come across yet. Mentalism huh? She asks if this is a known Mystic power?

Palainess nods, “I’m afraid so, they can be very dangerous.” He took a sip from the beer that was brought to the table for him.  “The Silvanesti Border… I’m told that is a no man’s land, the Minotaurs have been hyper vigilant to completely control the border. There are some towns in the eastern Plains of Dust that might serve as the closest we are going to get, for the time being, anyway. Maybe Kern…” Palainess looks over at the Half-Ogre that is enjoying a beer, “I don’t know if he has it in him to do what we would need him to do. I will try to insert someone in. Just so you know, it will be dangerous.”

“Yes,  I will do some thinking about it and come up with a way to help in that endeavor.” Karnea answers     

Palainess hands over a manifest of those present. Most of them are fighters, some sell swords, there are some bounty hunters, and a couple of fighter/thieves. Karnea can already see what she wants to put some of these with the hunters, especially the bounty hunters, would work well together.

The Manifest     
Borin Stonehammer, Engineer, Male Dwarf from Kayolin
Garrion Man-At-Arms, Former City Guard Captain from Caergoth

The Crossbowmen
Dak Crossbowman Scavenger Kapak Draconian
Eldrin Crossbowman from Thelgaard, Solamnia
Caelan Crossbowman from Tarsis

Jorek Fighter Male from Abanasinia
Telara Fighter Female from Abanasinia
Alder Fighter from Abanasinia
Kaimana Shadeclaw Mercenary from Nordmaar
Khor Barbarian 7’1” from Estwilde

The Sellswords
Kane Sell-Sword of Nordmaar-Black-skinned swordsman, very good at what he does
Liza Sell-Sword Female from Tarsis 
Vyric Sell-Sword A gifted male swordsman with fine tastes, from Tarsis

The Rogues
Grel Fighter/Thief/Bodyguard -Half-Ogre from Blöde

The Bounty Hunters
Quinn Bounty Hunter from Kalaman
Creel Bounty Hunter from Flotsam
Zalla Bounty Hunter Female Half-Elf from Maelgoth, Solamnia

The Killers
Cray Cutthroat Assassin from Thelgaard. Currently wanted on the mainland. 
Serina Thief-Assassin Female cutthroat from Lemish. Has a hidden toughness  Thief-Assassin

Karnea tells the old Dwarf that he did well with this assortment of enforcers. Selene and Eris work the room situation; several are going to have to double up. Selene decides the girls will double up until new accommodations are made. Karnea okays a residence to be opened up temporarily for the overflow until assignments are made. Karnea looks to Selene, who nods and says,

“Do not approach the Tower for any reason; do not approach the Olive Grove. It is enspelled, and you will never make it to the Tower. If you are called to escort duty, report to the East Gate, the gate closest to the Three Moons. Tomorrow, I will post the assignments Master Karnea has decided for you. Eris and Talron have been here the longest and can answer most of your questions, well, Eris can, Talron is on a mission right now.” Selene looks back at Karnea, who gives a slight nod toward Palainess. 

“All financial questions should be taken up with Palainess, going forward.”  And with that, Selene steps back to stand next to Karnea, who nods to Selene, who departs and makes sure everyone has living space and returns to her Master and Palainess.

Karnea tells her she can depart to Palanthas, and Selene bows and departs.

Karnea and Palainess have a drink together. She calls Eris over and tells her to have a seat. “I know this is going to be strange, but right now you have more experience with the operations here, which will be vital to Palainess, who is going to take over the Hunter’s Moon Operations from here on. Eris, you will assist Palainess but will still be primarily Aravis and my bodyguard.” She makes sure Palainess knows the bond that has formed. The old dwarf nods and shakes Eris’s hand, and Palainess opens his account book and writes her name into the book as well. Karnea tells Palainess he can reach Karnea through the messenger hawks; it’s the best we have right now. Karnea informs Palainess of the operation she has running in Flotsaem, in regard to the Rookery being operated by a former student, and it will be a good funneling point. Palainess writes this fact down in a book to keep these facts right.

Karnea waits until the Dwarf is ready, then begins, “Her Name is Vorena Blackwood, she has been keeping an eye on things in Flotsam, all messages come through her before they are sent over. She has also hired thugs to watch over a special site that I am going to want around-the-clock surveillance, and security. I am going to want you to run point on dealing with the illustrious mayor of Flotsam and keep him off my back until I am good and ready to deal with him.”

Palainess is writing all of this down, and puts his head up and asks the mayor’s name.

Karnea tells him, “Lord mayor Toade…yes, that Toade.”

Palainess stares at Karnea and says, “No ****?”

Karnea nods and says, “The same. The plaything of devils. I’m told when he is killed, he comes back to life a time later, almost instantaneously.”

Palainess says, “No ****?”

“I am going to assign a black robe to facilitate your transport, until I get a device that can be recharged and constructed, it is on the list. I will want to meet that one,” she nods her head, indicating to the Man-at-Arms.

Palainess looks over to the direction she was looking at and sees the Man-at-Arms sitting by himself. “That’s Garrion, former captain of the Guard in Caeregoth. I brought him because he was unjustly relieved of his duties. He can lead the defense of your walls and run your security on the island. Pay him well, and he will be yours, and he will defend your Island. 

Karnea looks at him in a new light. He is ruggedly handsome, appears capable, and has a serious countenance. Karnea agrees he looks like he could do the task, “I want to interview him, make sure.

Once business with Palainess is settled for now, Karnea travels back to the Tower, her mind racing with the many possibilities. She decides she will meet several key figures in the coming days.

She decides who those figures are going to be. For one, this former Captain Garrion, the man-at-arms and former city guard from Caergoth, might be of use keeping order of the civilian side of the island, but she wants to make sure he is her creature and no one else’s.

For another, this Borin Stonehammer, the Engineer Dwarf from Kayolin. She would like water collection on the island to be a priority now. Wind traps and drainage collection barrels. The water can be reused if filtered with rocks and filters and boiled. It can also be used in case a fire breaks out in the city.         
           
Among the fighters, only Khor, the 7’1” Barbarian from Estwilde, really caught her attention. He could effectively be used for protection and intimidation purposes. 

The sellswords present something else altogether, everyone may be blooded, but these are veterans, and probably worth every bit of coin they are going for. Karnea plans to deploy these with planned precision.   
There was Kane, the Sell-Sword of Nordmaar-Black skinned swordsman. The note in the manifest next to his name said: Very good at what he does. Along with the two from Tarsis, Liza, and Vyric

The Rogue, Grel Fighter/Thief/Bodyguard.  The Half-Ogre from Blöde stands out as well. Karnea is not sure how she will use him yet.  Depends on Palainess’s word if he is completely trustworthy or not. Like the Barbarian, he might well be deployed for muscle and intimidation purposes. Might turn out to be a good asset, but she does not think she has worked with a Half-Ogre before, but it might be worth the effort in the long run.   

The Bounty Hunters present interesting options. Some of these might be lent to the Renegade Hunters. And one or two of these Karnea might use for special purposes. Of the three, she wants to keep Zalla, the Half-Elf from Maelgoth, Solamnia. She might have some insights into the history of the city and its relation to its acceptance of Magic. Creel from Flotsam might be good for procurement around the city of Flotsam for her. The one from Kalaman, Quinn, might be useful to use when Aravis goes to Nightlund. 

Karnea sighs as she enters the tower and looks around. Nobody is around on the first floor.  This influx of muscle reminds Karnea that she has collections coming up, and Karnea makes a mental note to prepare for that upcoming journey. She also makes a note to alert Shaw (Orin) that his wish to visit the Market will happen soon. 

Karnea toys with the idea of bringing someone in, someone that won’t get lost in Sigil, and use them as her personal collection agent. It puts a lot of faith in someone, but the experience with the Dark One makes her see her vulnerabilities and weak points. This might be a way to minimize her exposure.   

It is not long before Karnea thinks of Talia, her friend from what seems to be forever ago; she hopes she will get to see her this time. She imagines just for a few moments of her coming here… even once. Karnea decides she will ask if it is possible, even for a short visit.

Karnea awaits Selene’s return and Kalana’s arrival. She thinks about what Selene offered earlier and has been considering the situation. She is sure Selene is not far off in her estimation and may bear observing from time to time to make sure all is as it should be. Karnea decides to give Kalana enough rope to hang herself, and hopefully Karnea can break Kalana from overstepping the mark and allow things to go into excess.

Another Year Gone. This Year was the least productive I have had on the Forum since its inception. There are many factors, too many to list, but I will explain a couple. I had just orchestrated my first full-fledged campaign involving many different parties, Dwarves, Elves, Dragons, and long-lost friends, all the while, death had come for the Elves, and had to defend them while waiting for the Dragons to arrive. I forgot to add the Knights of Solmania involvement as well, on top of the other Epic games I was running.

I ran Three Talidaar Campaign/stories, plus wrote the beginnings of Talidaar, broken into two parts, something I had been wanting to do for decades. To be fair, Talidaar's creator did not have the vision to conceive of what I was having a hard time my self of explaining very well. So I have written it and sent him the important things, and after several chapters came out, some things he knew about Talidaar's history were starting to unfold in ways he did not believe possible. After some of hard hitting chapters, he saw what was trying to do under the subtext, and the messages I was trying to lace into the story, and he told me what I was doing was special and he finally appreciated what was trying to do, and at the upmost I was being faithful and respectful, and that was import for me for him to recognize the respect I was committed to adhere to.

The other Big Story was bringing the Black Robe, and indeed the Conclave, to life again. It was the first time I had ever accounted for the members of the conclave before. Before it was a nebulous thing, but now I know it forwards and backwards for the three Orders.

Also Detailed the Towers in the way I have never done before.

The Karnea story II was a dream come true to bring forth, and now we are about to do new chapters for Story One and Three.

I had to take a long sabbatical or, where I did not even come to the forum for months or I would have burned out. I came back with enough time to game the first session of the new story with Adam, and then he has been unavailable for school (college) for the rest of the year. After the New Year, we are going to be back with a vengeance. I have already read Adam's first draft of the Pretorians of the Grand Empress, and it is fantastic. We will be gaming soon, and the stories will be coming.

The Three Pillars of the Forum are the Trio: Karnea, Talidaar, and Zeva. I feel all three have shown their worth and that they still have adventures to go on. I have tried to be fair, entertaining, immersive, and surprising. I am a Dragonlance purist, but I also embraced things in the past and still feel they have their place in the Dragonlance world. Like Portals and Planescape, and Spelljammer, but I also try to show some restraint.

I have tried to expand what is known about Soreel. I have many balls up in the air going on with the Reign of the Saint Story. We will start to see those come into play as we head into the endgame of the first Story for the Reign of the Saint, and several of those hanging threads will be counted for and come to pass in Story Two. I have not wanted to move too fast and overwhelm my player, so I have tried to be measured and have things come to be revealed at the right time.

I will be wrapping up Tales of the Druid, the Story of Talidaar Part One, The World of Elves here soon. Part II The World of Men is ongoing for a ways longer, but there is an endpoint. The Blackthorn Conspiracy continues Talidaar's New Story One, of a new trilogy.               

I am going back a few chapters for Wydara and changing the number of fights to something manageable, because it has been holding me up. I am going to cut the number in half, and we will try the fights again.


I do have to say, I have a deficit of Players. I have very few players, so I put out the call. The game is free. We game on Discord, and I record it here. I am looking for some knights, wizards, and clerics, even thieves or Warriors. I hope by now you can see I know the world of Krynn, and have enough experience to run this many games simultaneously, and have them be hopefully interesting to look back at.


I want to explore the faiths of the world. I want to explore the knighthood as it is on the ground in Solamnia after the War with the Half Giant in the Solamnic Empire.

I am restoring the Knights of Nearka. it slow going. that needs players.

Happy New Year 2026, hope we survive the experience.               

Warning: strong, sensitive subject matter ahead. Consider this Thread M/A Rated R























Late Summer 349 AC

The Silvanesti Exodus

Courrain Ocean
Aboard the Gorgon's Head


Just making it out of the Blood Sea was a miracle in itself, but the truth of it was that it was a taxing voyage that took a lot out of the crew and its passengers. Many a Blood sea pirate ship tried their hand at capturing a ship or two, but the other ships did not allow that to happen. Having left the Courrain Ocean behind, and entering the Turbidus Ocean, traveling along the northern lands of Ansalon. Eventually traveling through the straits of Algoni. The nightmares the girls have had since the fighting in the forest. watching people get incinerated and hacked apart. The War took its toll on the girls. They were mostly quiet and to themselves for the trip. 

After months of travel, the ships finally arrive on an Autumn Twilight morning in Harkun Bay and, in due course, The Passengers are brought ashore to dry land. From what the wizards can see, the elven settlements of Silvamori are a far cry from the beauty of the ancient elven cities. Exiled from their homeland, the Silvanesti elves made their voyage to the lands that Kith-Kanan once granted to the Kagonesti in the mountains of Ergoth. The civilized elves from the east arrived in their silk and finery with nothing but some personal effects and barely enough food to make the journey.

The Silvanesti had sought out the Kagonesti and spoke with their elven cousins. The Kagonesti agreed to allow them to stay for a short time only. Thousands of Silvanesti settled the forests on the west side of the Thon-Tsalarian or “River of the Dead.” The wild and untamed forest of Southern Ergoth was considered verdant and impractical for everyday life, so the elves began using their magic to shape this new land much like their old one. The underbrush was sculpted into paths, thorny nettles were forced back, and clearings were swept of debris.

The Kagonesti offered their help, but the Silvanesti declined, saying the Kagonesti had done enough for them already. The wizards and Woodshapers of the Silvanesti worked long and hard to pull dwellings of polished stone from the earth and construct dwellings among the trees. In a matter of months, most noble families were sleeping within the finely crafted dwellings of Silvamori. When they report to the elf in charge, they are led to Regent Belthanos, who is the present leader of the Silvanesti, in the absence of King Lorac and his daughter Alhana. He explains that House Mystic has been decimated, and so now that you are here, living quarters have been set aside for you. Just follow my aide to the housing attendant.

A few hours later, the girls are put together, and Dalamar is put on his own, a few houses away. The wizards settle in. Selene had been true to her word and taught the girls anything Dalamar showed her. Still, not all was happy with the arrangement, and Selene could tell something was vexing Kalana, and Selene wanted to nip it in the bud. Selene endeavors to win Kalana over.

Something clicks because eventually, Kalana opens herself up to Selene and shows enormous growth, and the two become close over time. She opens herself up to the group. 


Time Passes,

At the time, the settlement of Qualimori is only in the planning stages. Envoys from Qualinesti have made contact with Chief Cher-kal, the chief of the Kagonesti, to ask the wild elves for permission to move onto their land. Surprisingly, the Silvanesti are not against the idea, though they have made it clear more than once that they do not want the western elves anywhere near them. Some Kagonesti have begun building crude wooden structures in anticipation of the arrival of the Qualinesti.

Selene and Dalamar continued with their arrangement, and the two learned the mysteries and secrets together clandestinely in the first months. One Winter Come evening, Selene is making her way amidst a light snowfall to Dalamar’s house, but something Selene hears stops her. A noise of … pleasure? Selene stops and glances through a stained windowpane. There, Selene sees Dalamar and Kalana heavily involved in coitus. Selene steps back softly, turns, and walks back towards her house, but continues walking. She can feel Nuitari out tonight, even if she can’t see him yet. She can feel his power radiate down. The snowfall picks up as she decides which way to go. 

Months of sacrifice, and it all collapses. Part of her was glad for it; she did not like being used that way, but something inside her liked being in his arms. It was just different. But not like what she had with Seraphelle. Does that make me greedy? Apparently, Kalana thought so. Selene tried not to bring emotion into it, but she found this to be ever so painful.

Down, but still standing, Selene decides to call it a night and begins heading back. This self-flagellation won’t change anything. She contemplates how she might salvage the agreement with Dalamar, whom she is perhaps the maddest at. Kalana, she can almost halfway understand, but Dalamar? She thought he was enjoying himself and seemed to enjoy exploring the darker mysteries with her.

That is what she will miss the most, if indeed it is over. She is trying to imagine how it goes forward. For us to become his own personal harem, and he goes through us one by one? No, a line must be drawn. I will not let that happen. It’s the whole reason I set out to settle things without the other girls getting hurt.

Suddenly, her elven ears make out the sounds of distant, but unmistakable sobbing. Selene tracks through the couple of inches of newly fallen snow on the pathway and creeps behind a tree. It is Kalana. Selene pulls herself from shock and approaches Kalana. 
       
“No, go away! I mean it, go away Selene!”


“Kalana, what… what’s happened, why are you crying?” Selene asks with genuine concern as she slips a bit and nearly collides with Kalana. She finds purchase, regains her balance, and stands up. She looks at Kalana, who just looks miserable, and she hides her crying behind her hands. In a fit, she moves her hands and utters, just loud enough for Selene to hear… 

“He told me to go and get you!” She sobs more, trying to get the words she does not want to say out to the person she does not want to say them to. “He said that at least you knew what you were doing. And that I should ask you for freaking lessons.”

Selene is shocked, “He didn’t… tell me he did not say that to you.”

Kalana looks at her miserably. “I can’t say it again. What a bastard!!!”

Selene hugs Kalana deeply and whispers to her, “We will open the wine we liberated during the holding action that we have been saving, and we will share it between us.” Kalana nods, and Selene takes Kalana’s cold hand in hers and takes them to their home, and the two share a bottle of Silvanesti Red, something from home.

After a while, Kalana started to explain that she “Just wanted to try to take over for you and see what he was like.” Selene tells her she understands, “but it was not a part of the agreement, and now…” Selene stops and tells Kalana, “Let’s talk about this in the morning, and let's let you and me sleep this off tonight, okay?”

Kalana’s head is spinning, and she just agrees with whatever Selene suggests. Selene helps Kalana get under the covers and tucked in for bed. She put a pail next to her bed, just in case.

Selene walks down the stairs slowly and into the family room. There,  Seraphelle and Inari are sitting, waiting for word on what happened tonight. A slightly inebriated Selene sits and asks for some tea to be made. While the girls are doing that, Selene fills them in on what transpired and warns them not to go hard on her. “In the morning, we will figure out a path. Forward, I think we need to separate ourselves from Dalamar for the time being until he and I come to an understanding.” 



Time moves along,

Winter Deep 350 AC

One day, during the bitter cold of Winter Deep, Selene bundles up, swallows her pride, and returns to Dalamar's house. A woman answers, not Silvanesti, this is a wild one, a wild elf with silvery white long hair, she has dark brown skin, and some tattoos. This one is one of the Kagonesti. The Wild Elf starts speaking animatedly. Selene thinks the wild elf asked her what she wanted.

Selene answers, “I’m Selene. I have come to speak to Dalamar.”

The Kagonesti smiles as she looks Selene up and down and just laughs as she shuts the door. Selene pulls her coat tighter and knocks on the door again.

This time, Dalamar graces the doorway with his presence. “Why, Selene, come out of cold,” Dalamar turns and speaks Kagonesti to the woman Selene saw moments before.

There is another woman here, older, who is Kagonesti too. She, too, is looking at Selene. Selene takes in the scene. Dalamar walks to Selene and hands her a drink and bids her to warm herself by the fire. Selene accepts the warm beverage and follows Dalamar’s suggestion to warm herself up. Well, this changes things, doesn’t it? Selene tells Dalamar, “I have come to renegotiate our agreement, but I can come back.

Dalamar has a glass of wine and sits on the divan, and introduces, “This is K'gathala. K'gathala is my new Shalafi in the ways of Dark Magic. We have been exploring the mysteries together of late. She is well aware of the Dark Moon and its promises of power. And this is Hestia. From K'gathala’s tribe, she has a grasp at the basics, but I was going to ask you for your help with her.”

Selene looks to Hestia. Hestia, for her part, has given up on trying to follow along with the words, but by following the high elves’ eyes and the sounds of their voices, they have level and stable voices, and therefore slightly pleasant, but now she realizes she is now the center of the conversation. She looks up at both of them and is trying to decide who she can trust more.
                         
Before Selene can answer, Dalamar continues along, “It hasn’t taken our fellow Silvanesti exiles long to begin enslaving our Kagonesti brethren in Southern Ergoth Elderwood. It started when I found out that my services were no longer needed. Why could that be? They had found new slaves among the Kagonesti. You see, Selene, instead of letting her fall into the system, she is one of us; we should protect her, if we can."   

Selene agrees. “Now to our agreement, but first, don’t you think you should apologize to Kalana for your cruelty towards her.”

Dalamar looks to some distant spot and says, “Kalana had it coming, don’t you think? He looks to Selene and tells her she is off the hook for their agreement. We all should meet and learn from her.” Selene looks at K'gathala and bows her head to her in respect. Turning back to Dalamar, Selene asks, “She would be willing to teach us girls?” 

Dalamar speaks Kagonesti to K'gathala. K'gathala again looks Selene up and down and tells Dalamar something that makes him crack a slight smile that he immediately tries to hide. “She says she would be willing, but the girls would understand what she was saying.”

Selene nods, So we need to learn Kagonesti, okay. Taking Hestia with me will help. When is the first class? Dalamar thinks for a moment and replies, “A fortnight.”

Selene agrees and walks to Hestia and offers her hand.  Dalamar explains that she is going to stay with Selene and her girls. Hestia looks to K'gathala, who is having none of it; she irritably berates Hestia in Kagonesti. 

Hestia angrily gathers her things and her dearskin blanket that she wraps around herself and presents herself to Selene, as if to say,  Well, ready. Selene smiles at Hestia and looks at Dalamar, and then K'gathala bids them goodnight and walks to the door, waiting for Hestia to catch up to her, and they exit Dalamar's house and head into the snowy evening.

Greetings to the players and visitors to this site. Your DM lost an ally in November. He went by Anomalous Thracian on FB in the Sages of Krynn  FB group. I did not know him in real life, but in the FB group, he was a real one. If he was not the first to answer a question posed, he would soon join the conversation and help find the answer. To me, he was one of the greatest Sages of Krynn ever, and he helped me out with numerous questions I had over the years. I am so devastated to learn he has passed away. A Towering figure in the exploration of pre-cataclysm Krynn. https://dragonlancenexus.com/help-anomalous-thracians-wife-and-son-rebuild-after-tragic-fire/

We here at the Damn Forum salute this Giant of Dragonlance.


The DM

Mina was an orphan whom Goldmoon took in at the Citadel of Light. She could not remember what had happened to her before a shipwreck left her on Schallsea. She was drawn away from the island by Takhisis, posing as the One God, when she was 14. When she was 17, she emerged from the Storm that marked the beginning of the War of Souls. She went on to lead the armies of Neraka, once knights of Takhisis, to conquer much of Ansalon—especially Solanthus, Sanction, and Silvanesti. She reunited with her adopted mother, Goldmoon, in the Tower of High Sorcery in Nightlund, which led to the rediscovery of Krynn by the other true gods. At the end of the War of Souls, after having vanquished two Dragon Overlords (Malys and Skie), she was willing to give her life for Takhisis, now mortal, but was thwarted in that action by Silvanoshei, who killed the Dark Queen before she could take Mina's life.

Since then, Mina has left the hiding place where she left the corpse of her deceased Queen. For a time, she served Chemosh, god of (Un)Death, and was the source of the blight that would be known as the Beloved of Chemosh. Mina's powers again inadvertently manifest, causing the beloved to serve her rather than the God of Death. Eventually, it was revealed by Majere that Mina was a God of Light, tricked by Queen Takhisis into serving her. Mina refused to join the pantheons of Light or Darkness and became the Goddess of Tears. Her symbol is an amber teardrop