“He’s late”, said Dragus Dogun. “Are you surprised, with the troubles he says he has been having, plus it’s an entrance,” Angelica Kareem states calmly. “That may be the case, but should we be worried”, asked Dragus? “Why? It’s new for all of us to come together and form this Sentry Council,” said Andromeda LaSheen, “and we should be nervous because we have never been at this point before.” “That may be, but his quietness is unnerving”, stated Dragus while leaning his head towards another being. “When I am needed to talk, I will talk, until then I will remain silent”, Asprion Colchat stated with poise. “Silence brings wisdom and allows for thoughts to be sharp and precise”, whimsically states Angelica. “Well just so you know, this is a council, and at a council, words are needed in order to make any progress”, says Andromeda. “If you’re worried whether or not I will contribute to the council, don’t”, retorted Asprion. “Surprised she got a rise out of you Asprion, but I apologize, we are all nervous at this point of our venture even me”, Said Dragus. “Agreed”, states Andromeda, and the rest follow. Just then a familiar voice and heavy footsteps could be heard ringing through the stairway.
“Have you all been waiting on me, you’re too kind”, Dukard Barshear’s voice echoed in the chamber. “Better late, than never Dukard my friend”, says Asprion. “Well stated Asprion”, said Dragus. Asprion noded his head in thanks towards Dragus. This is the first of hopefully many meeting that the Sentries will convene on. It might take some time for traditions and formal interactions to take shape, but I see great things upon the horizon, but nothing has yet been accomplished. The evil that once was is still present and must be ever watched.
“Shall we begin this council”, said Dukard, “I didn’t travel all this way just to sit and idle chat.” “As always your presence shows through and livens up the council”, stated Asprion. The idle chat was broken up by the clang of a powerful staff heard banging the floor. All who attend stand and bow their heads in respect. I climb to my seat and sit as the others follow my lead. I look about the room searching the eyes of the Sentries that are before me sitting in a circle. The table is large and round. There are cut outs for the Sentries to sit in. My seat is raised up into the air as it is an old heavy throne. It use to seat an evil being, but now it is a seat of honor and virtue. The chamber’s ceiling is supported be thick wooden beams. The chamber is lite by a chandelier made of wood and iron, and instead of candles there is a small thin canal that holds a unique oil that when lite never burns out. Rune stones and jeweled rocks make up the walls creating a glowing brilliance as the stones themselves give off a soft glow. The Rune Stones themselves are full of magic and help keep the Darkness at bay. However, the magical force that truly keeps the darkness at bay was a sacrifice hard to bare and discuss. An entry way to a stairway sits behind the Sentries. There are windows with clear glass with an arch on top circling the room with a single torch in-between each.
This room once held the great terror that ravaged this world, but because these beings, these protectors, these Sentries came together and decided the world would not be forever in darkness. They decided to free the world and now through this council, will always stand guard over its people to beat back any darkness that arises. I the Keeper reside over this council and transcribe what was, is, and told, so let us begin.
“This meeting is now underway as all the Sentries have arrived”, I state clearly to everyone, “so, let us get on with it and discuss the matters that need our attention.” How about we start off with why the timely entrance of one Dukard Barshear”, Dragus proclaims. “Ah yes, I was late in arriving to the meeting, and for that I apologize”, Dukard says somberly, “but, I have news from the Northern Fire Nest.” “DRAGONS?” Andromeda stats with concern in her voice. “Correct”, retorts Dukard. “Reports are coming in that they are on the move and we do not know why”, Dukard continues. There is a silence in the room for a moment and everyone is looking around. “It seems a rogue dragon struck one of our northern villages. I and a small force marched north and disposed of the problem”, Dukard stated firmly. “It was but a small Seeker Dragon and we dealt with it quickly”, Dukard expressed confidently. “Good, the last thing we need is for a Grand Dragon making a Claim of Coercion”, Asprion says with relief. “This movement by the dragons is concerning and a sharp eye will be needed to make sure something else is not driving their movements”, I state with concern. “What of the village Dukard”, Angelica expressed with concern, “were you able to save it?” “The village was only partially scared be fire”, said Dukard with a slight smile, “our dwarf brethren showed their strength and kept the beast at bay.” “Once dispatched, we helped in the clean up and left a small guard unit to help if anything else showed up”, Dukard stated, “and that was why I was late to arrive. I had just come all the way from the Northern Fire Nest gathering information.” “I will send soldiers to the Northern Fire Nest to help reinforce the position in case things turn south”, Dragus said with assurance in his voice. “I thank you for that Dragus, and I will send word that they are coming”, Dukard stated back. “We will keep this as a high priority for now”, I said. “Dragons are not to be tampered with or turned a blind eye to”, Asprion said, “and I will have some of my vessels take extra supplies to Andromeda’s Pearl Port to stock supplies in case the dragons venture further south.” “Our scout outposts will be informed of the situation and put on high alert for dragon activity”, Andromeda said.
“Is there anything else that needs our attention at this time”, I said moving the council along. “Dragus, Asprion, is there any word on the Phantom Forest?” I continued. “Scouts state no movement on the south side and all seems calm for now”, said Asprion. “The forest seems to be still as of now on the north”, said Dragus. “Angelica, what word from Bardune?” I asked. “The Whispers are silent as of now, which is a good thing for us. There has been no word that the Gorge of Sorrows is growing, and if it does the Whispers of the Rune Wood will let us know”, Angelica stated with slight concern in her voice. “Asprion, how are things at Sea Dragon Port?” I asked. “We are moving supplies quickly and sending forces to reinforce the north more, and we will be ready in case the dragons do in fact move”, said Aspiron.
This Council was a make of uncertainty. I wondered if it would hold together. Though times were good now, what would happen when it turned? For it would eventually turn, and then that would be the moment that we were going to need their help. Time was going to be needed. Time and patience if this council was going to succeed in its endeavors. It has promise though, as I sit here listening to them talk. Each has their own experiences and hardships to fall on, but all have a common troubled life that they had to deal with. The Darkness that once dwelled in these walls is no more, but its mark will never leave. It is what’s going to drive them to become one and push themselves past all the hardships ahead. All it will take is time.
“This is our first meeting and we have been waiting a long time to once more join in arms here. The last time of course it was different”, I said with Dukard saying, “and much more violent.” “Yes, a joy for you I would imagine”, I said back. He only smiled and drink from his cup. “I work is going to long and hard. We have a lot to do make a better world. Each of you and your peoples, you are leading them well, but it is going to take more if we are to survive and prosper even more. This council is here so that we may grow together making something that was never possible before. We united our people once and look at what we were able to accomplish. Think of what we are capable of if we do more here. This council must succeed, for we all know what lurk in the dark. We must be more than we are now. We have no choice, for we are the only ones who stand here together, who forged everything before us. I sacrifice was much, but in the end we can have so much more. Are you ready, ready to be more than leaders? To be and become the Sentry Council”, I said standing? All stood raising their cups in the air. I slammed my staff onto the stone floor and from it came a deep ringing that echoed throughout the room and passed beyond the doors. It seemed as though it passed throughout the whole castle.
Our tale is one of great sadness and burdens. We know not of freedom till this point in our lives. Our darkness held on to these land since we could remember. A dark power that enveloped the world in which we knew. Our land is large and vast. Encircled by water on all sides. There is land beyond the great waters, but seldom traveled and explored. The greate darkness, had a name, one we refuse to use as we rid the world of that name. We want it to never be remembered or brought back. Its power brought forth from this castle and devoted followers. Once that was all of us, once we were the reason it was so powerful. The name that which should be forgotten, but never forgot. Surgone, will never be spoken again. Its mark left is well known, and felt throughout all the lands. None know where or how it came to be, but it is gone, thanks to them. We sit in a room that was once scene of horrifying actions, but now it will be the point in which we make a new world. I befitting monument to have over that once dark power.
There are evils still in the world. To the west we have the Phantom forest. A place that is always dark once you enter the thicket, and specters lurk ever searching for souls to feed on. However rumors spread of a being who calls this place home. One that was well known during the war. I’ll have to make it a priority to find out more on these rumors. If an ally does exist in that forsaken place, much knowledge could be gained. To the south east, and not too far from the castle, is a place that has me much more concerned. The Gorge of Sorrow, a dark scorched piece of earth that will never leave us. A scar that was formed stretching a distance that would take a day to walk. Though walking in the area could mean your death. This gorge did not have a bottom, and it was not natural. It’s a doorway. To a place that exist in the nightmares of all. It is said that this is the place that the fallen dark lord was born. A gate way that must never be allowed to open ever again. For what my sentries do not know is that if it was indeed born from that place, then there must be other beings there. Beings that might be even worse than him. This location must be watched carefully, for we can’t afford to falter there. Sadly we have eyes there. Mystics that were thrown in the gorge at the time of its creation, still wonder the area. Their souls not free, yet not taken. A prison for most it would be. The Mystics visit and talk with their fallen comrades. They call themselves the Whispers. Their wound is deep and saddening, but they have vowed to forever watch the gorge and see to it that it never opens again. They can never leave and as far as we all know never move on. I have been searching and searching for an answer to help them move on if possible so that their soul might be at piece, but is has been to no avail. Our Meeting continued with monetary task and discussions about trade. The Sentries discussed their opinions with other issues of relevance. For a few more hours The Sentries and I worked out plans and sought out agreements. We were forging a bond that was going to see this world come into the light and stay there. The Darkness is forever present, but this Council will see it never come back again. The Time had finally come for the Sentries to leave, and all said their goodbye. Our first meeting is at a close. I wonder what task will burden this Council our next visit. We will soon see.