Description
Like pale moonlight her hair falls from her head in soft waves that
grace her shoulders. Her brow is high, marked by a circlet of braided
grasses that keep her hair from her face, and her eyes are a deep
colour, almost a twinkling black like a nearly starless sky. Her skin
is, like so many of her kind, bordering on the flawless to behold, but
her clothing tells a tale of sun and storm: her tunic is frayed and
bleached, and where her knees have knelt upon her skirts you notice
the threadbare fabric and the telling stains of the earth. You also
notice
Role
Childhood
Added Thu Sep 15 22:05:25 2011 at level 1:
---------------------------
Like the breath of life, the glowing wisp darted above the elf
maiden's head, leading her out of Darsylon into the Vale. The
wan light was like a second, dancing sister to the moon, and
Ilianthia chased after this fae cousin with no fear as to where
the trickster might lead her, and when it winked out of sight
in the middle of Blackwater Swamp she simply found a hillock
rising up out of the murk and sat.
As the night air cooled the stars peeped through the shawl of
fog draped over the mire, and Ilianthia watched the dancing
show as the creatures began their chorus. Like sirens they
sang, and she heard a song in her heart of the Time Before, where
life was impeded only by a lack of imagination or the strength
of one's will.
The magic of that message was strong, and although she returned
to Darsylon at first light, she knew it was no longer her home.
The only roof she longed for was a night sky peeking through a
canopy of leaves; her bed should be shaped from fresh red sumac
and lined with dried moss. She wanted a silver fox as her
best friend and a fresh breeze as her companion, and nothing
delighted her as much as the warm rains of a summer storm
with the crisp cool promise of its life-sustaining rains.
Each foray out of Darsylon lasted longer than the last, and
Ilianthia knows that one day, she may likely never return.
Personal Traits
Added Thu Sep 15 22:07:00 2011 at level 1:
Sphere, Religion, and Cabal
---------------------------
Her elvish upbringing has instilled in Ilianthia a deep respect
for the sanctity of life, but the stark reality of the forest
has shown her that fighting for life of herself, others, and
her way of life can be a necessity. This led her naturally to
have an affinity for Padwei and vivimancy, which in turn
takes her to the branch of the Sunwarden.
Personality
---------------------------
Ilianthia desires a life filled with whimsical contemplation
interspersed with moments of fanciful indulgence. During
moments of reflection, she might see herself as a floating
leaf on a quiet pond or as a hoary dandelion ready to explode
in a thousand directions at the slightest touch.
She views the Old Tongue, as it survives in the spells of
the arcane, to be the tattered remnants of the language spoken
during the creation of Thar-Eris. All other tongues are
clumsy imitations of meaning, and so she avoids their use
whenever possible. The words of magic appear to be the only
true way to communicate with the essence of the World and
Her children, and so that is her preferred mode of expression.
Discovering these ancient words is a hobby and passion, but
when she learned that Outlanders could interact with the
life with gestures only--a purer expression of meaning than
vocalizations--she knew instantly that this was her calling.
A tribe
Added Wed Sep 21 19:01:48 2011 at level 23:
After conversations with the Harbinger Zosi and Sunwarden Ghaunnhrak,
Ilianthia has found herself a member of "a tribe" of criminal philosphers,
fanatical hermits, and psychopathic murderers as fascinating to watch as
a better-organized army or acting troupe. The harbinger disturbs Ilianthia
with his pyromania, but what was worse was the sunwarden volunteering that
he would soon be rejoining his dead family. It would have been nice to have
seen him lead before seeing him buried.
Both of these leaders noted Ilianthia's reluctance to speak, and both
encouraged her to use the power of words to guide and educate, for force
alone is not enough to return Thar-Eris to her former state. Both also
told her that it would be necessary for her to strike those of the light
on behalf of Thar-Eris; Ilianthia acknowledged their point of view but
but has no intention of going against her religious beliefs.
As to religion, finding Padwei's shrine has proven to be an ongoing challenge.
It is fortunate that Ilianthia does not mind getting her feet wet.
Learning from the student
Added Fri Oct 7 06:08:20 2011 at level 41:
With the hollow brimming full with the artifacts of the enemy tribes,
a voice for ages past spoke to Ilianthia, asking her what she had done
to lead her tribe to the Return. She leaned against the trunk of the
Tree, listening to the chanting voice of Lin-Ha as she worked her craft
on the wounded.
The defense had been successful, and the over-proud dwarf of the Isle
had been returned to the earth at the feet of the Huntress, but Ilianthia
felt troubled by the words that had reached her ears. Those marked
enemies by the Ancients had been driven before her like autumn leaves
before a strong north wind, and words had been tumbling from her lips
into the ears of recruits like snowmelt from the Redhorns, yet still
this unknown Ancient seemed displeased with her performance.
Those with sunlight in their hearts were few in the tree. She put her
stylus to bark, and with quick strokes she scratched a clear, elegant
notice to all the Mother's children of the tribe's need. Ergow was
not receptive to her desire to see it presented to Thar-Eris, and so
an innkeeper was asked to spread word. He did so, embellishing her
work in such a way as to make her cringe. Words, all too often the
enemy, and now this drunkard was attributing clumsilyy baroque phrases
to her. Few people in the world could read, and now she feared her
message would reach no one.
As she sat in sullen thought, a child-like voice spoke to her. Cirkie,
a thief who had been set to learn Thar-Eris by Ghuannrak, had returned
from his quest frustrated, having found but eight of the nine landmarks
with which the old Sunwarden had tasked him so long ago. She listened
as he spoke, describing each of the totems in turn, and taking on the
of a teacher, she guided him to the lands of the north. Cirkie returned
a few days later, weary but triumphant, and he was given a place in
the Tree.
His face sun-burnt and parched by the dry winds of the north, Cirkie
confessed that he had not expected to find the markets within the
tree to carry things useful to a thief, nor did he expect to find
a relief of a dwarf within the center of the tree. A response came
unbidden to Ilianthia's lips:
"Many will try to define what is possible or impossible, but if you
follow your heart you can defy all expectations."
Maybe something good could come from talking to people after all, she
thought.
Thinking and feeling
Added Tue Oct 18 14:08:52 2011 at level 47:
Frustration and bitterness were just two of the many emotions running
through Ilianthia when she saw the aftermath of Iunna striking the
Fortress. Earlier she has watched helplessly as the imperial mummy led an
undead army through the huntress and spirit like it was strolling through
the park in Galadon; and now she looked on as people she knew and cared
for were left and right destroyed by nightwalkers and black fire.
She fought, but the most she could do was deprive the Dvalygg mummy of
the corpses he came to the Redhorn mountains to claim by returning them
to the mother. Now, in the aftermath, she needed to think.
She climbed the twisting path that led to the city of the arials, followed
the broad stone street north deep into the fortifications, and then concealed
herself in the shade of the ranger guild. It was hard to imagine what to
do about the undead invasion, however. What attracted these evil men to
this twisted existence was the immunities it gave them to those sworn to
kill them, and their patron gods certainly seemed to enjoy the pain they spread.
Damn them all!
Ilianthia resisted the urge to pace. Although she new nothing of necromancy,
she knew a thing or two about life magic, and she still had those notes
that spoke cryptically of the Tora'Sra. Of course there were others who
posed a more significant threat to these abominations, but Ilianthia did
not like the notion of being the maid in charge of cleaning up the corpses.
The corpses. The image of Vallinane's charred form lying among the boulders
outside the Fortress of the Light loomed yet in her mind. Hair shriveled to
the blackened and split skin, clothing shredded by the claws of nightwalkers.
Ilianthia did not cry, but the years of war and fighting had not yet made her
immune to the image.
Suddenly she noticed that a bobcat was in the ranger's glade with her, and by
the magic around it she knew it to be a shapeshifter. The mage seemed to pose
no threat to her, so she greeted it, and to her surprise it responded and
she understood. Ilianthia unburdened her frustrations, her fears, and finally
the pain she felt at seeing someone for whom she cared so much to be so
desperately hurt, and her powerless to prevent it.
It wasn't until well into the conversation that she realized she was having
a conversation with her goddess, Padwei, and when the flood of emotion ebbed
it was Ilianthia's turn to listen. To live means to embrace life, knowing
that there will be pain, sorrow, and loss, but more importantly, the
possibility of joy, excitement, and to have an impact on those around you.
Ilianthia had shied away from opening her feelings toward Vallinane, but after
her conversation with Padwei, she resolved to confront the flirtatious
scoundrel whereever he might be at the time.
Confrontation
Added Tue Oct 18 14:09:42 2011 at level 47:
Vallinane told Ilianthia that he and several of his companions were braving
the waters of the Underdark Sea, and so she set out to confront him despite
his warning her of the dangers.
When she swam up to the group of Maran and Squires, she brandished the
phoenix feather like a weapon before Vallinane's nose and demanded of him
its meaning; despite her better judgment, he must know that it had hurt
her deeply to see him suffer before the cruelty of Iunna, and she had
realized then that she grown to have feelings for the Marshal. Then,
as suddenly as she had shown up, Ilianthia disappeared to allow him to
determine what course his life would take and answer the questions of
the tittering bard and the squirming paladins who accompanied him.
A week later Vallinane spoke to her, and after voicing concerns that his
duties might complicate their lives, he formally began to court the young
Sunwarden. She, in turn did not fear what the future had in store for her,
even as Mergrim served the warrant that had been placed upon her head. She
laughed at her new criminal reputation even as the thief frowned, for she
had resolved to embrace the present and the emotions of the moment.
She was free.
An open field
Added Fri Nov 4 09:38:20 2011 at level 51:
A crystalline web of frost crunched under her boots as she walked
through the field, and Ilianthia wondered how all the world could
not hear her passing. The frost did leave good sign, though, and
she studied the ground for indication that the necromancer had passed
this way.
A darkly masculine voice, haughty and malevolent, whispered, "What
would you trade me for him?"
The voice carried the power of a god and the thick accent of a
duergar, and as it come from seemingly nowhere suggested it could be
only one person. "This one is no great prize, Lord Enlilth, but
if it were in my power to more effectively battle the undead and
their lords, I would entertain most any cost. This one is weak
in spirit and frame, though. I am not surprised you want him dead."
"I could do that easily myself."
"Easily, Lord Enlilth, but you would enjoy the sport watching him
suffer would offer."
A laugh, dark like bitter coffee. "I would not mind watching you
two kill each other."
The Sunwarden became warmer, as if the west wind had borne away a
passing cloud, and Ilianthia knew then that Enlilth had turned his
attention elsewhere.
There were so many signs to read, but reading them was another matter.
Enlilth offering up the necromancer moments ago. Zosi had asked her
if there was a way to more permanently restore growth, that the leaders
of the Outlanders could leave some lasting impression of their existence.
Rumors of artificers who could concoct potions and creatures of stone.
And then the request Ilianthia had received to hunt out and destroy the
rumored biomancer. As if she would destroy one who molded life to make
it a better weapon against the undead!
Her mind wandered over Naija's change in behavior, how for the first time she
had quit assaulting the tree when she knew Ilianthia was awake. Ilianthia dared
to think it was because she had saved the conjurer's life.
How would the Ancients feel if artificers were as common as conjurers? This
troubled her, for she was unsure how profane their art might be.
Ilianthia looked back to the grass, noticing the frost was beginning to melt
in the morning sun. It was time.
Exploring darkness
Added Sun Nov 13 08:46:32 2011 at level 51:
I have fought every mummy that presently wanders across Thar-Eris,
and have felt the increasing futility these encounters bring me. I
am resolved to look harder for a means to fight them.
Deep within the First House of Teth Azleth I met with Fjodir, who was
accompanied by Solec, and the three of us talked far from prying eyes
and listening ears. I have spoken candidly of what I thought of his
arts, but I am becoming increasingly convinced that he is sincere that
he wishes to destroy only evil. My interest was in his weapon, for
I knew only a little of the process he used to make it.
Our conversation ran long, but I have gained some insight into the
process of making his weapon. It is a convoluted process wherein an
antipaladin must slay his victim using the weapon, then uses magic
to contact the demonic realms to bind a portion of the victim's life
force into the blade. This life force strengthens the blade.
As I write this, I am struck suddenly how similiar this process is
compared to arts I am studied in. I carry with me a blackwood rod
which I prepared magically with enchantments, and then I called upon
the life force of Thar-Eris, with the blessing of the Ancients, to
strengthen the rod further. Rangers do something similar by taking
their own life force and putting it into their staves. These three
methods differ in who serves as the source of power fueling the
weapons's transformation and the catalytic powers that help affect
that change.
The transformative process of all three approaches can be summarized as
1. The ritualized preparation of the object to be transformed and the
source of its additional power.
2. Invoking the catalyctic forces necessary to transform the object.
3. Binding the life force to the object.
I have asked Aesia of the Lyceum to look further into the histories for
me for a short list of topics of interest.
A vivmantic epiphany
Added Sun Nov 13 08:47:42 2011 at level 51:
I had hoped that my close conversation with Fjodir would bring me
insight, and it has. The process of Becoming, as the necromancers
call it, is a variation of the transformative process used by rangers,
Outlanders, and antipaladins. Their new variation is that they have
profanely objectified their own corpses with their arts in a ritual
that began just prior to their deaths but continued on during and
after their passing. The result is essentially a corpse of themselves,
preserved by alchemical processes and dark arts, imbued with their
own life force.
A profound understanding grips me now as I understand what the great
master was doing!
I will approach the High Herald as well. Someone with full access to
the Lyceum is what will be needed to discover how to reach the Biomancer.
In the meantime, I will continue to look for other transformative
processes, and I will learn what I can. I have looked cursorily through
the laboratories of Kteng and the academy at Veran, but I need to explore
them more comprehensively. I will look for other sources of
transformation as well.
On the backs of giants
Added Mon Nov 14 11:41:38 2011 at level 51:
I have explored at length within Kteng's fable laboratories,
and there is much to ponder at within its halls. Caged creatures
from the elemental planes provide him access to their natural forces.
Rooms for breaking down objects into their fundamental parts, rooms
for capturing elusive essences, and a library to rival any private
library in Thar-Eris. But alongside the workbenches and glass tubing
there are dissection tables and prisons with the remains of elves.
Worse, there are wraiths of elves imprisoned there, likely created
during that foul drow's experiments to prolong her own life. There is
nothing noble in what she has done, although I can appreciate the powerful
acumen employed in her research.
Her research notes follow the pattern I have described earlier. The subject
is prepared through magic ritual. A catalyst is used to bind life energies
to the recipient of those energies. In her case she makes use of demonic aid.
Ssithra still quiet. No word from Aesia, and I have not seen the High Herald.
I continue my research in Ysigrath, although I will have to make another foray
into the Veran academy again.
Being right
Added Wed Dec 7 06:21:45 2011 at level 51:
After struggling for years to find the guide who might finally show her
the path to the biomancer, Ilianthia spoke to a long time associate with
whom she had developed an uneasy trust, Fjodir, the paladin squire - turned
antipaladin who only struck at those whose hearts were as vile as his own,
and whose actions, much to her surprise, appeared to carry the promise of
redemption, though he held little hope for his soul. The discussions Fjodir
had once shared with her had helped her reach her theories regarding
imbuing a living recipient with life energies, and with the potential of
meeting the biomancer renewed, she could hardly wait.
Fjodir took Ilianthia to the correct location, and with a pass of his
hand a rune revealed itself on the granite boulder nearby. Ilianthia
squealed in happiness and gave Fjodir a brief hug; her quest could continue!
It was then Fjodir struck her. He said he was surprised that she was so
warm to his presence, and when he had divined her ignorance, he cast ashes
into the air and summoned a nightwalker, revealing the depths his soul had
fallen. His quest had been a misquided fantasy, and in the Chasm of Eternal
Night he had discovered what he truly was. He had come here to slay Ilianthia,
but he was moved by her warmth and instead offered to accompany her through
the tower, if she would accompany him in ruling the world. Together, he
said, the world could be broken, and with the knowledge they would discover
within the Tower, they could remake it anew.
The relevations brought by his words ripped Ilianthia apart. She did not love
Fjodir; she had desired to help him transform into something better, something
once again approaching the paladin he had once sought to become. She did not
want to rule the world, but only to imbue a living person with enough animus,
the term she used for positive life energies, that the greater undead could
not stand before him or her. And like a weighty blow of his screaming mace,
Fjodir's words once again shattered her perception of mortal language, those
who used it, and the emotions it conveyed.
The hillside spun in her sight, and Ilianthia pushed her corporeal form into
dimension. The temptation did not outweigh the betrayal she felt in her heart.
Vallinane might not travel with her into the Tower, but Fjodir certainly would not.
Her journey would continue alone.
PK Wins
Sep 20, 2011|Lv 22|The Inn of the Eternal Star|Rheiv vs 1: Ilianthia (100%, mental jolt)
Sep 21, 2011|Lv 23|Darsylon|Yersynnak vs 1: Ilianthia (100%, mental jolt)
Sep 25, 2011|Lv 36|Darsylon|Gesgrim vs 1: Ilianthia (100%, mental jolt)
Sep 29, 2011|Lv 39|Graveyard|Qaz vs 1: Ilianthia (100%, wrath)
Sep 30, 2011|Lv 39|Darsylon|Yubotexz vs 1: Ilianthia (100%, neurological disruption)
Oct 2, 2011 |Lv 40|Kteng's Laboratory|Prondul vs 1: Ilianthia (100%, blast)
Oct 2, 2011 |Lv 40|Teth Azeleth|Dorjombah vs 1: Ilianthia (100%, dispel evil)
Oct 4, 2011 |Lv 40|Fortress of Light|Cabakso vs 1: Ilianthia (100%, disruption)
Oct 5, 2011 |Lv 40|Darsylon|Kymbal vs 1: Ilianthia (100%, disruption)
Oct 5, 2011 |Lv 40|The Eastern Road|Kymbal vs 1: Ilianthia (100%, electrical discharge)
Oct 7, 2011 |Lv 41|Darsylon|Kymbal vs 1: Ilianthia (100%, electrical discharge)
Oct 7, 2011 |Lv 41|Arial City|Ulfr vs 1: Ilianthia (100%, disruption)
Oct 8, 2011 |Lv 43|Hamsah Mu'tazz|Zhebulon vs 3: Sarriela (0%), Naesheeka (73%, claw), Ilianthia (25%)
Oct 11, 2011|Lv 43|Fortress of Light|Demina vs 3: Bohvik (35%), Anerus (52%), Ilianthia (12%, electrical discharge)
Oct 11, 2011|Lv 44|Galadon|Demina vs 1: Ilianthia (100%, smash)
Oct 12, 2011|Lv 44|The Lower Voralia's Tears|Demina vs 1: Ilianthia (100%, divine power)
Oct 15, 2011|Lv 47|Mount Kiadana-Rah|Gralog vs 1: Ilianthia (100%, disruption)
Oct 22, 2011|Lv 48|The Battlefield|Dorjombah vs 1: Ilianthia (100%, disruption)
Oct 24, 2011|Lv 51|The Redhorn Mountains|Lamar vs 3: Anerus (32%), Vallinane (43%, slash), Ilianthia (24%)
Oct 24, 2011|Lv 51|Forest of Prosimy|Jitleph vs 2: Ilianthia (24%), Zosi (75%, smash)
Oct 24, 2011|Lv 51|Forest of Prosimy|Jitleph vs 2: Zosi (82%, serpent strike), Ilianthia (17%)
Oct 26, 2011|Lv 51|Aran'gird|Ulfr vs 1: Ilianthia (100%, bite)
Oct 27, 2011|Lv 51|The Battlefield|Eleagra vs 2: Vallinane (51%, slash), Ilianthia (48%)
Oct 27, 2011|Lv 51|The Past Grove|Phrazgrah vs 2: Ilianthia (53%, neurological disruption), Vallinane (46%)
Oct 28, 2011|Lv 51|Underdark|Taerg vs 3: Ilianthia (10%, KB), Vallinane (45%), Bogolyubov (43%)
Oct 28, 2011|Lv 51|Underdark|Karzii vs 3: Ilianthia (0%), Bogolyubov (47%, bite), Vallinane (52%)
Nov 2, 2011 |Lv 51|Waters of the Deep|Sareisa vs 2: Ilianthia (74%, crush), Bogolyubov (25%)
Nov 2, 2011 |Lv 51|Pine Forest|Obregon vs 1: Ilianthia (100%, blast)
Nov 2, 2011 |Lv 51|Fortress of Light|Sria vs 3: Garwern (9%), Ckonnar (51%, cleave), Ilianthia (38%)
Nov 3, 2011 |Lv 51|Feanwyyn Weald|Sria vs 2: Ilianthia (16%, KB), Taerg (83%)
Nov 7, 2011 |Lv 51|The Rocky Paths|Ghrondel vs 2: Ilianthia (14%, disruption), Bogolyubov (85%)
Nov 8, 2011 |Lv 51|Forgotten Crypts|Phrazgrah vs 1: Ilianthia (100%, dispel evil)
Nov 9, 2011 |Lv 51|The Redhorn Mountains|Callad vs 3: Vallinane (0%), Ilianthia (21%), Rohaid (78%, smash)
Nov 9, 2011 |Lv 51|The Redhorn Mountains|Gralog vs 4: Eachainn (19%, divine power), Ilianthia (22%), Vallinane (25%), Anerus (32%)
Nov 9, 2011 |Lv 51|Organia, the Veil of Shadow|Phrazgrah vs 1: Ilianthia (100%, blast)
Nov 9, 2011 |Lv 51|Organia, the Veil of Shadow|Authenes vs 1: Ilianthia (100%, disruption)
Nov 9, 2011 |Lv 51|Shepherd's Row|Zimmaru vs 2: Ilianthia (14%), Ganicus (85%, chop)
Nov 9, 2011 |Lv 51|Arkham|Ganicus vs 1: Ilianthia (100%, blast)
Nov 9, 2011 |Lv 51|The Dragon Sea|Akedeh vs 2: Ilianthia (0%), Dvalygg (100%, punch)
Nov 11, 2011|Lv 51|Galadon|Eleagra vs 4: Yuzxra (64%, lightning strike), Ilianthia (0%), Eachainn (10%), Vallinane (24%)
Nov 12, 2011|Lv 51|Forgotten Crypts|Phrazgrah vs 1: Ilianthia (100%, blast)
Nov 17, 2011|Lv 51|BattleRager Village|Tontik vs 8: Odrallag (0%), Teriseta (19%), Zynzyn (0%), Eachainn (1%), Ilianthia (0%), Argivo (38%, drumming maces), Rohaid (38%), Vallinane (2%)
Nov 17, 2011|Lv 51|The Ruins of Ostalagiah|Odrallag vs 8: Tontik (0%), Teriseta (41%, slash), Vallinane (0%), Zynzyn (0%), Eachainn (14%), Rohaid (21%), Argivo (10%), Ilianthia (12%)
Nov 17, 2011|Lv 51|The Ruins of Ostalagiah|Karzii vs 4: Ilianthia (3%), Rohaid (30%), Vallinane (29%), Eachainn (36%, fireball)