Aspirants of the Diamond Throne

Born the second son of a Jerad spice merchant the young Targan begun his education at age 10 apprenticed to a magister who resided in the southern hills. Before his first half year was complete, however, Targan received word of the death of his father. Bandits attacked the merchant while on caravan to Xavel. When Targan returned for the funeral he learned that the death was at the hands of the sibeccai brigand Eritic the Invincible. He marked the name and vowed to avenge his father’s death. He suggested to his brother that a mission into the southern hills was the best answer but his brother was against it. He was more committed to carrying on the business. Targan and his brother had strong words and even came to blows. The atmosphere in Jerad was very tense until Targan left to resume his studies. Targan left his brother on poor terms as his caravan left for the south. Targan reasoned that he would seek advice on mounting a mission of justice against the brigands, when he eventually reached his master. Surely he, of all people, would help him redeem his father’s dignity.

On the second day out of Jerad, bandits attacked Targan’s caravan. Although the guards fought bravely the bandits overran the caravan in very short order. Targan was captured and dragged before the band’s leader. It was Eritic the Invincible. Targan’s temper exploded and he lunged at the sibeccai. With his hands about to close on the bandit’s neck Targan was pummelled senseless by the sibeccai’s henchmen. Targan awoke in chains among a group of similarly bound individuals. Taking stock he found himself caged. He listened to the ambient noises and soon came to a sickening conclusion. He was captive at the slave markets of Khorl. Cursing his misfortune he realised fate was best served waiting for a good opportunity to escape. The slave cages were too strong and too well guarded.

In due course, Targan’s group were presented for auction. The buyers were unimpressed and trade was slow. A factor eventually purchased Targan for the paltry sum of 106 gold. The factor took him in charge and shipped him west deep into the southern Elder Mountains. There he placed Targan into the household of the mojh magister Dorogar.

In Dorogar household the slave keeper Strappe took the new slave under his wing. Strappe was a particularly nasty individual and he took a particular interest in humiliating Targan at any opportunity. Targan's saving grace, however, was that he was literate and this meant he was often assigned duties as a scribe or as librarian. It was at these times that Dorogar’s first noticed the youth. Normally Dorogar would not have paid the slightest attention to his slaves, but he became intrigued by his newest slave. He could clearly see the way he keenly performed his duties when related to the quill or the library. His writing style was particular cursive and notable. Targan’s other duties were sluggish and almost always ill performed. When Dorogar questioned the youth he discovered Targan's history as a magister apprentice. Dorogar was appalled. As a practitioner of the Arts, Dorogar considered all magisters, even apprentices, as being a cut above. He tested Targan’s knowledge and his abilities. It quickly became obvious that the boy was destined for magehood. He immediately declared the youth released from servitude. Instead he placed Targan under his own tutelage and granted him apprenticeship. That was seven years ago.

Targan view of the enigmatic Mojh changed with the passage of time. Initially, when he was first presented to the household Targan believed he had been delivered into the hands of a demon. Dorogar’s behaviour soon allayed that fear. Bit by bit Targan’s prejudicial belief that all mojh were evil incarnate were shown to be clearly wrong. Apart from the purchase of slaves, he never saw the Mojh perform anything even remotely evil. All he ever saw of the master was magical study and the reverence of his dragon gods. Targan‘s respect grew with the passing years. As his ability with magic grew he began to see the mojh view of the world in a bit more of a sympathetic light. He saw Dorogar’s intense study and passion for magic and this he admired greatly. It reflected his own feelings. Such admiration was a frequent emotion as Targan grew through adolescence.

Two years ago Targan asked the master to assist him in becoming a mojh. Dorogar was pleased but warned the youth of the consequences and forbid the transformation for at least a year. When the year passed, Targan was even more adamant and Dorogar assented this time. Eleven months ago, Targan became Mezezar the Mojh.

Mezezar gained his staff within a few months and thanks to Dorogar a small grant of funds to begin his own search for the secrets of magic. Mezezar’s first stop was the town of Khorl. There he sought to equip himself with a small laboratory and also to seek the whereabouts of an old friend: the bandit that killed his father and sold him into slavery seven years before. He sought the sibeccai, Eritic the Invincible.

Mezezar had joined the caravan heading towards Khorl first. Well at least that痴 what Ke-Tant Faerblay suspected. The young giant had noticed the mojh when he was on his first watch night, guarding the third wagon as he had agreed with the caravan master. His new armour had chafed uncomfortably as he watched the scaly humanoid stare motionlessly into the night. The merchant had said that the armour was made from wyvern scales and although Ke-Tant was not too sure, it was certainly lighter and stronger than the other options that were open to him. It had also cost him the rest of his coin. After his bonding ceremony with his greatsword, he felt that simple leather jack would not be a suitable accompaniment for such a weapon. But his first choices had left the giant with little option. If he was to pursue his wanderlust, he would have to pay his way, and a simple caravan guard would accomplish both at the same time. Jerad had become too familiar and staid. If he was to make his name, he did not want people痴 pre-conceptions to cloud their judgement of him. So what if his family did not amount to much, in a new city that was teeming with trade and intrigue, he was sure he could find adventure and advancement.

Obur Tilsen stepped out of the darkness a few nights later. The brash human was nearly impaled by a number of the impetuous guards, but when they realised that he had no horns on his head they relented and let him converse with the caravan master in private. He too, was soon standing watch over the goods of one of the wagons after a nod and a quiet clap on the back from the master.

A few nights later these three found themselves watching the same cargo as some rhodin attacked from the darkness. The two raiders that approached the caravan were swiftly dealt with, so they moved on to help out others further to the rear of their camp. They found a woman keeping one of the horned creatures at bay with her morningstar. She had been wounded by the creature, but had also damaged it. With the help of the new arrivals the creature was soon incapacitated. Seeing that a number of their fellows had already fallen, the rest of the rhodin dispersed into the darkness in some disarray. Mezezar and Obur went among the injured and used their magic to heal or stem their wounds. One caravan driver who was unconscious due to blood loss was brought back to wakefulness through Obur痴 channelling of the green.

The caravan master congratulated them on their efforts as they were finishing their ministrations. Mezezar took the opportunity to speak to the caravan master about a sibeccai that he was seeking. Although the caravan master was not familiar with the name, he promised that he壇 ask around or find some other way to help. Since they found that their skills complemented each other well, the three decided to find out more about each other with a view to forming a partnership. Ke-Tant and Obur did not have much to say for themselves, except to express and interest for advancement and wealth. They probed Mezezar about his reasons for wanting to find this sibeccai. He told them much about his background. The three decided to call themselves the Mokers from their initials and agreed to share all that they found equally amongst the group. They approached the woman that they had fought with earlier. They discovered that her name was Mera Reerance, a human witch. She accepted their offer of an equal place in the Mokers at least for the time being. Mezezar was especially anxious to ensure that she joined up.

A few days later as the city of Khorl was visible below them on the coast, the caravan master approached the Mokers and explained that he had considered Mezezar痴 request for assistance and thought that the best thing to do was to put the Mojh in touch with a contact that he had in the city. Brother Egil was a disciple of Vekik, The Runegod and could be found or contacted at the temple to Vekik in the city. Since this temple gathered information from all areas of Khorl, Egil might be able to help them on their quest for knowledge of Eritic the Invincible.

The Mokers travelled through Khorl with the caravan and down to the docks. There they stood guard while the wagons were unloaded into warehouses and on to ships. It was only after all the trade goods were accounted for that they were given their final coin and sent on their way. The temple was in a prosperous district abutting the old city and once they entered the vaulted main hall they could see many priests studying and copying from parchments and scrolls, seeking meaning in all the symbols of communication. When they enquired after Brother Egil, the novice immediately set off to find him and left the Mokers to admire the architecture. It wasn稚 long until a modest human arrived to speak to them and to draw them off to his own alcove, which he cordoned off with a plush curtain. Once they had revealed their intent and that the caravan master had sent them, Brother Egil seemed eager to help, although he had no immediate knowledge to share. He did, however, seem to be troubled by another matter, namely the disappearance of a friend of his; a scribe named Lucius. Two days ago he had disappeared, echoing a time six years ago when he had disappeared in bizarre circumstances, only to reappear five years later with no apparent memory of the intervening time, begging to be restored to the temple.

Lucius returned to the temple, and it was just like old times for eight or nine months. Then he started to look haggard, and he told me he wasn稚 sleeping well. Something was disturbing him, but he wouldn稚 say what. He started asking a lot of questions about what he had been like right before his expulsion. The high priest talked to him about it, but Lucius wouldn稚 let it go.

"I grew increasingly worried for my friend. He seemed on the brink of insanity, as if one small thing could push him over the edge. Two days ago, he failed to come to the temple. I went to his home and found it empty. I searched all over but could not find him. The priests of my temple deny it, but I know that something has happened to Lucius. I want you to find out what.�

The Mokers asked about accommodation in the city and Egil recommended the Scholar痴 Quill, an inn between the temple and Lucius痴 house. He accompanied them there and got them a preferential rate. So that he would not miss evening prayers, Brother Egil hurried them out and on to Lucius痴 house to see if they could turn up anything of interest. The house itself was very modest and inside they found a To Do list written by Lucius and hidden in a desk under a false bottom they found a diary. In the basement they found recently constructed shelves on every wall and some that were free standing, but there was no book on any of them. The Mokers retired to the Quill and Lucius to the temple to ponder these things.

To Do List

Things to do:
Get some sleep!
Talk to Cpt. Scarbelly
Turnips
Update diary
Examine travel logs
Get more sleep!

Diary

From six years ago:
I awoke this morning frightfully fatigued. I feel as if I had spent the night in combat, not sleeping. My head hurts, and I feel weak. I can稚 miss work at the temple, but I think I値l confine myself to light tasks today.

The next entry is dated five years later:
The god help me! What happened? I awoke from some strange dream to find that
five years have passed! Egil told me I was kicked out of the temple four years ago for violating the sanctum. Surely this is madness!

From six months ago:
Life has resumed a kind of normality. I have won admittance back into the temple.
My reception was strange, but everyone seems relieved that I am 澱ack to my old self.� I have so many questions about these missing years but it seems best to simply move on with my life now. If the god wills it, knowledge will come to me.

From four months ago:
Egil says that Milos was asking after me again, that he was worried about another 兎pisode.� Maybe he痴 simply concerned for the temple, but surely I have sufficiently proven myself by now. My life is mine again, and I知 not giving it up!

From two months ago:
The dreams came again last night. I don稚 know that I値l ever get a good night痴 sleep! I dreamt of cities as tall as the clouds and creatures so alien in form that I can稚 describe them. Does this have something to do with my lost years or is this some fresh torment?

From one month ago:
It痴 clear to me now that I must find some answer if I知 ever to make the dreams stop. Thuron and Milos tried to discourage me悠 think they fear what might happen to their temple. A pity their compassion does not extend to a living being.

From one week ago:
I have begun to feel like I知 being watched. I pray this is not a further milestone
on the road to madness. I think I値l take my dagger with me in the morning. In a city like Khorl, I suppose one can稚 be too careful, especially with pirates in port.

Mezezar and Mera decided that they wanted to prepare for contingencies by creating some spell completion items. Mezezar began crafting magic into a stone while Mera’s item was a bundled assortment of oddments that she considered to be fitting for the task. They realised that this would take them a day to complete, so Ke-Tant and Obur decided to see if they could find this Captain Scarbelly. The owner of the Scholar’s Quill, Desi was able to inform them that Scarbelly was the notorious pirate captain of the “Bloody Vengeance”, but she did not know anything else about him or why Lucius might have been meeting him. She remembered that Lucius had come in to the Scholar’s Quill on occasion, but nothing in particular about him. The two Mokers decided to go down to the docks to see if they could find out anything more.

When they asked around, they were able to discover that the Bloody Vengeance had docked about a week ago and that its crew were edgy and on alert. They found the berth where she was docked and approached the two sibeccai seamen who were guarding the gangplank. Ke-Tant politely asked for an audience with Captain Scarbelly, but the pair rebuffed him. Despite persisting in his request, the two guards were in no mood to accede to the giant’s wishes. Indeed, they drew the attention of another lookout in the crows-nest who was armed with a crossbow. This dissuaded the giant and the human from pursuing things further. So they withdrew.

Thinking of another stratagem, they entered the insalubrious Rusty Hook tavern on the dockside near the ship. After a number of failed attempts they managed to discover from one of the patrons that Captain Scarbelly had taken his evening meal in the Hook on a couple of occasions in the last week. Our intrepid pair decided to return later. In the meantime they felt that another search of Lucius’s house would not go amiss. When they got there however, they could not gain entrance as it was locked. They got an urchin to send a note over to Brother Egil at the temple asking for his assistance, but after a few hours waiting near the door they had no response and returned to Quill. The preparations of Mera and Mezezar were complete and they were now having a quick drink in the taproom. The four of them decided that their next move should be to see if they could find Captain Scarbelly in the Hook, so they made their preparations and set off.

Night had fallen, so the Mokers picked their way through gloomy streets, lit only by the occasional street lamp and what light filtered from surrounding buildings. As they got close to the docks the lights were fewer and further and farther between. In a particularly dark cut, a group of unsavouries gathered around them. Their leader, a toothless human who had tattooed knuckles congratulated them on their forthcoming life at sea. When it was obvious that the Mokers did not intend to submit to this press-gang easily, the group started employing their saps. Outnumbered two to one the Mokers had to act fast to save themselves from unconsciousness and worse. Their response was brutal and efficient. The press-gang managed to land a few blows with their saps, but before any of the Mokers had suffered serious injury, five of their attackers lay bleeding on the ground and the rest were trying to flee. But the Mokers were irked and did not want any to escape. Two more sailors fell, but one managed to escape, running off down an alley and losing himself in the flow of people. Obur healed one to try and question him, but he fell back to another blow from Mera. Mezezar also healed one and managed to ascertain that the press-gang was not connected to the Bloody Vengeance before knocking the unfortunate out again with his staff.

The Mokers left the wreckage of the press-gang where they fell and moved on towards the Rusty Hook. A small crowd had gathered near the dock and gave them dark looks as they passed. Obur just caught sight of onlookers moving in to help the fallen as they turned north onto the dock shore. In the Hook, it was much busier than it had been earlier. The group strode up to the bar and Mezezar enquired about the whereabouts of Scarbelly. The proprietor denied all knowledge of the captain, leaving the mojh somewhat stumped. Obur tried another tack and moved from table to table looking for a sibeccai with a protruding belly. He was successful in his hunt and directed his colleagues to a table near the bar where the scarred pirate captain sat alone at his table eating. He seemed to be amused by the high manners displayed, but motioned the group to sit while he listened to their query. After taking their coin he said that he had indeed been approached by Lucius, but that he had thought it very strange, because Lucius was asking him to relate events that the human had himself been part of when he paid Scarbelly to take him from port to port those years ago. He had stayed on the Vengeance for about four months and took copious notes while they travelled. Now, a few days ago, he comes back and asks about where he went and what he did – very odd. After their chat he hadn’t seen Lucius again. Intrigued by this the Mokers returned to the Quill to plan their next move.

Urden and Yind of the Yellow Shields had pointed them in the direction of the Black Gull where they headed immediately. It too was near the unsavoury docks and filled with the kind of patrons that the Mokers either liked to avoid or get information from. They were fearless in their approach and split up before entering. Ke-Tant stood guard outside, where Mezezar and Obur were trying to persuade him to be less conspicuous. The mojh went inside and found a table. Obur did likewise, near the door, but Mera approached the bar and scanned the patrons blatantly. As they did not have a description of their quarry, or even a name, the Mokers felt at a disadvantage, but the yellow shield that Mera bore, and that she placed obviously on the bar, might prove to draw them out. After her queries to the barman about the Yellow Shields came to naught, Mera strode through the crowds in the bar searching every alcove for someone suspicious.

Eventually, a rather non-descript thin human got up nervously from a table on his own and headed for the exit. Mera was convinced that this was the contact that they were looking for and Obur and Mezezar were not far behind. Ke-Tant detained the poor human as he left the Gull and soon the Mokers were questioning him about Nezalan and why he had set him and his Yellow Shields on them. The human, whose name was Enzo succumbed immediately and managed no resistance to their questions. He said that they had angered his cult痴 master. He had been ordered to hire these mercenaries by his superior. The Mokers descriptions had been given and handed on to the Yellow Shields. When questioned further about his cult, Enzo seemed to know little. He called it the Brotherhood, but was unable to say who the Master was or even what its aims were, he said that he was not yet worthy to know these things.

Enzo was able to tell them that he was to report the success of his mission to his superior by leaving a note in a particular building in the northern district of Khorl, just west of the docks. This bricked up house served as some sort of base for the cult, but Enzo did not know what went on there, although, unusually, he had been asked to bring food there twice in the last week. The Mokers immediately made Enzo lead them through the maze-like alleys of the docks, north and west to this place. The area in which they found themselves was quiet and non-descript. The one storey building itself was narrow and dilapidated. The windows were bricked up and the tiles on the roof were loose. The Mokers stood in the shadows observing for a while before attempting the door. They could not overcome the lock, so they hoisted themselves onto the roof and made an entrance by removing tiles. Leaving Enzo behind, the Mokers clambered up and through the gap and soon the four were standing in the rubble and rubbish of the ground floor of the house. Searching around here for exits or something interesting, they realised that the rear of the building had foundations that were quite old. Concentrating in this area, they uncovered a trapdoor, which led down some stairs to a wine cellar. Nine large casks lined the walls of the room. When struck, four of them seemed to be empty, so the Mokers concentrated on these, opening the one in the northwest corner. They walked through the fake cask and into the corridor beyond. It ended after fifteen feet in a narrow stone stairway, which led further down.

The foot of the stair opened into a worked stone corridor, leading north. They could see from their lamp that a doorway led straight ahead, but that two alcoves opened to the west and east just before it. Ke-Tant strode confidently forward, planning to heave open the doors. He did not notice the outlines of the pit trap beneath his feet until it was too late. It took a few moments for the Mokers to heave the weighty giant out of the pit and in that time some creatures slid out of a secret opening in the western alcove to come upon them from behind. These scaly humanoids were similar to mojh in appearance, but had more pronounced tails and were more bestial. They attacked immediately without deigning to converse with their opponents.

Although the cramped confines around the pit proved difficult for the Mokers to negotiate, their martial prowess again shone through. The creatures� short spears damaged Mera before she managed to withdraw to a safe distance where Mezezar healed her. Ke-Tant and Obur held the line against their five enemies and wore them down, while the others used ranged attacks from beyond the pit or behind their comrades. Once they had defeated them, the Mokers followed the dank passage through which they had come. It meandered west and north until it reached a large irregular cave. The floor was scattered with refuse and filth and they could hear water lapping from the far corner. A rough corridor led off to the east ending in a flat wall. Realising that this must be another concealed opening, the Mokers soon discovered a catch and opened the door into a bright torch-lit room. Pillars stood at equal distances down its length, with carvings of serpents or wyrms coiled around them. To the left of them at the end of this hallway stood a black altar with a strange yellow symbol inscribed on the wall behind it. Beside this stood a statue of a large reptilian creature with tentacles, which may have been the manifestation of the god worshipped here. Behind the altar stands a small man wearing black robes with a full hood. As you enter the room, he throws back his hood, exposing familiar horn-rimmed glasses. Milos smiles at your reaction and says, 添ou are the first outsiders to ever reach the Temple of the Unspeakable One. Your achievement deserves congratulations. It is also your doom!� Just then they noticed a flash of movement from the south as another creature leapt to attack them.

The Mokers were shocked to realise that the Speaker of Khorl, Milton Drac, was implicated in framing them for murder and carnage. They knew that they could not openly confront such a powerful individual; one who had the forces of Khorl effectively at his command. The giant steward, An-Redachan seemed to have no involvement in the day to day running of the city, leaving that to the speaker and his council. Perhaps some influences of the council could be brought to bear to stop Drac and his plans. The construction of the lighthouse had to come into this somewhere. Mezezar asked Jaralin (who posed as Thuron) if he knew any members of the council. Jaralin was able to remind them, that as High Priest of Vekik the Runegod, he had a seat on that council and he recommended that they seek the assistance of Lady Kavara Lonron, a human who led the council faction opposed to Drac痴 will.

But first rest was called for. The Mokers asked Jaralin for permission to stay in the temple and urged him to continue to take the place of Thuron. These things he agreed to. The Mokers rested that night and were able to avail of the rune priests� assistance in healing their wounds. They awoke refreshed, if apprehensive the next day. As they were planning what to do next, a messenger arrived at the temple with a silver filigree scroll tube for each of the Mokers. Inside each was a fine vellum scroll held closed with a red satin ribbon. Each read:

Milton Drac葉he most honourable Speaker of Khorl幼ordially invites you to be his honored guest at the Grand Lighthouse Ball. You have been awarded the Order of Drac for your bravery in defeating the evil councillor Verlaine. Present this invitation at the gates of the Speaker痴 palace to gain admittance to the festivities. Prepare yourselves for an evening of entertainment you will not soon forget.

This set the Moker痴 thoughts whirling. They now presumed that the Speaker did not know that they knew of his involvement with the Cult and was trying to make the best of a bad situation. They asked Jaralin where they could find Lady Kavara Lonron and set off to meet her.

The meeting was short and courteous. Lady Lonron shared some of her misgivings about the lighthouse project with the party. She also mentioned that there was an opening on the council, as Councillor Verlaine had died. She was lobbying for an artisan to take the position, a sibeccai called Minanay the Sculptor. If she could get Minanay elected, her group on the council would be able to vote down many of the poor policies of Drac. As they were going to the ball, they could help her cause by trying to persuade as many of the councillors to vote for this candidate as possible. Lady Lonron then filled them in on all the council members who were likely to be present and bade them farewell until the ball.

The Mokers had a chance to rest and get ready. They borrowed enough money from Jaralin to buy a great-sword for Ke-Tant, unfortunately it was neither dire nor masterwork. The giant then took the time to bond with this weapon. The others bought what sundry items they required.

When the time for the ball was upon them, the Mokers set forth from the temple clutching their invitations, but without their large weapons or armour. Such things were frowned upon at such important events. The Chamberlain met them and ushered them into the ballroom at the right time, explaining some of the etiquette required for the occasion. Each was presented with the Order of Drac, which turned out to be a golden medallion on a chain with the symbol of a trading ship on the front. Drac praised their deeds in saving the temple folk and helping to root out the cultists and the ballroom erupted in applause. Drac went on to talk about the lighthouse which was due to finish soon, saying how it would be the wonder of the land and would bring glory back to Khorl.

Then the ball started. The Mokers spent their time moving through the crowd looking for the dignitaries that Lady Lonron had told them about. They talked to each of these in turn and built up a picture of strange goings-on at the lighthouse.

Katorn the Chamberlain told them of an incident when a visiting merchant came running out of a third-floor study and jumped out the window. A book left open in the study showed the mark of the yellow sign. Lady Kavara Lonron told them that the two top levels of the lighthouse had been sealed off. The workers from that section can稚 now be found. Captain Ji-Herram, mentioned that two days ago, he had noticed a mysterious ship anchored in the harbour. It left again in the middle of the night, but not before depositing
a couple of passengers in a boat bound for the lighthouse. One of them was
almost certainly a mojh. Gaena Lighttide, a loresong faen said that one night, a priest at sea shrine saw some strange lights from the top of the lighthouse. The next morning, the mutilated bodies of two grotesque monsters were found at the foot of the tower. The monsters had the bodies of large bears, but the hideously distended heads of owls. Captain Regrick Mored stated that another Councillor, Alar Wensen was sent on a very hush-hush mission to Noll a while back. He returned with a crate of specially crafted yellow wax candles engraved with runes and symbols. Minanay the Sculptor couldn稚 believe that after the honest craftsmen of Khorl laid such a beautiful and solid foundation for the lighthouse, Drac then decided they couldn稚 be used to finish the project. Xexedir, a verrik said that Drac had commissioned a giant crystal from the Crystal Fields, southwest of Navael which may have had magical properties.

Captain Vi-Tarob, a giant, also approached the party. He got them into a quiet corner and said that although he had supported Drac in the past, it was now becoming obvious that something had to be done about him. He felt that diplomatic manoeuvrings in the council would not help. He urged the party to hide with him in an ante-room where he was due to meet Drac shortly. There they could slay him and either reveal him as a sinister cultist or escape through the window that gave out into the grounds of the palace directly. The Mokers demurred, but sent Gath to discover if Vi-Tarob did indeed meet with Drac. The faen reported that he had and that Drac was none too pleased with the giant from his manner, although he could not get close enough to overhear the conversation.

The Mokers gathered back in the main ballroom to discuss what they had heard when the music and dancing suddenly stopped as an unshaven man in a brown robe shuffled into the ballroom. The crowd parted for him as he made his way to the middle of the chamber. He spoke with a rasping voice:
滴eed me well! The words of an old man should not be ignored. In the ancient scriptures of Yig, it is written:

When yellow evil stretches out
And trumpets madness in,
From reaching light shall darkness come
And mayhem will begin.
A thousand mirrors of the soul
Shall be salvation痴 call.
And from the murdered children痴 hole
The greatest gift of all
Will cleanse the night with purest green
From snake of jade so bright.

迭emember these verses well, citizens of Khorl. The prophecies of Yig do not lie.�
The old man then transformed into a green serpentine creature with vestigial wings which vanished in a puff of smoke when the nearest guard attempted to skewer it with his spear.