Those Travelling from Maelstrom

krieger

Scholar
San Francisco Staff
The so called morning in the neverlight Vaeltarii city of Askeleth, (apparently the first city large enough, or the first one with a name someone can remember, or pronounce) is a false dawn. The magically enchanted ceiling begins to glow softly, gently mimicking the day star from the world above.
Slowly the coughs, and grunts of the waking begin to creep upon the edges of consciousness stirring more, and more to wakefulness. A few weary sentries trudge off to sleep having been relieved by fresh eyes. Gradually the light snap of mushroom stalk fires can be heard, and the unmistakable scent of morning meal prep begins to waft through the vast chambers.
Automata stalk whisper quiet in lockstep past on their occult patrol patterns.
A tension fills the air, one that has been building for weeks if not months. But this morning it is even more palpable. So much work done in near secrecy. The many resurrected are quick to wake they too caught up in the tension, anticipation, and excitement.
Crates of foodstuffs, supplies, and equipment are already stacked near the tapestry portal gate. Automata, and fresh sentries stand nearby awaiting orders.
Fast is broken, and many eat quietly as silent as marble. Others laugh and joke almost overmuch, trying to hide their apprehension. Bennie fails to disappoint again, the food is warm, filling, and comforting all in one.
It is not long before Dame Maerize, Darve, Calderon and others begin to filter through the numbers, words of encouragement, things to remember, and hurry up.
Armor donned, weapons strapped securely, or clenched in hand, packs shouldered. The many Lantern Bearers, and some resurrected gather near the Tapestry portal. Automata take up positions in front, and others heft crates too densely packed to be carried by living creatures.
After what seems like an eternity the portal pulses, and flares with aetheric energies. Multicolored lightning dances around the edges, and is gone in an instant living a shimmering circle, a portal where the tapestry was. Click and Divraina both step through. Their stares are intense, neither of them taking today lightly, but Click gives a curt nod, and a wry grin. Then motions curtly back towards the portal.
The Automata follow without hesitation, and the rest plunge through. Another dark Vaeltarri city, the air smells, and feels different. The recent remains of shattered stone elementals still litter the floor. Other Automata are there some looking damaged. Another portal glimmers not far away, and the train moves towards it. Click, Divraina, and the Automata do not hesitate plunging ahead.
One more city, except this time there is an elf? Mystic wood elf? Standing in an overlarge circle. He nods to the two Vaeltarri scouts, and to the Lantern Bearers, and Resurrected alike. They enter a circle traced on the ground in chalk? ash? It is difficult to say. It seems like a relevant question but then he snaps his fingers, and vision dissolves into white, and instantly resolves back into forest, woodland, grass, trees, fresh air.
Click, and Divraina visibly relax, Click turns to face the assembled, walking backward arms wide, and a toothy grin. “Welcome, make yourselves at home… don’t wander too far out of the woods, or the enemy will be able to see us”. Clearly pleased with herself.
Divraina lopes ahead towards a compact building where the Empress, and several others, most of which the Lantern Bearers, and the resurrected do not recognize. Divraina disappears into the structure, and the empress walks towards the assembled. She stops close and begins to speak...

“Welcome to here…, it is a Vale of a kind. Courtesy of Kharakhorum and some of his associates. It will be cozy, but there should be room for all. There are circles of earth, and celestial for needs. Rituals can be done in spell crafted circles. The rest of your numbers will be arriving shortly, I hope many of you will be available to greet, and escort them when they arrive. Please do not wander too far lest you wander outside of the Kharakhorums…protections. Refreshment, and drinks are ready make yourselves at home. There is still much work to be done I will speak with you all soon”.

With that she turns, and heads into a small structure with some of the others that are not recognized. A few move forward to answer questions, and point out the various structures available for use. Fresh hands help those laden with gear, and the process of unpacking, and setting up begins….
 
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