Aethelu Builds a Monastery
Aethelu awakens on the shore of the sacred river remembering the vision of the divine tressym. Upon learning that the souls of the dead are trapped by a demon, unable to reach the afterlife. The tressym has shown Aethelu the location of the demiplane trapped deep within the earth, between this world and underworld. Athelu is initially unsure how to reach the location, buried so deep within the earth. For even with Lind, the magical staff able to reshape the earth, it would still be near impossible to traverse so deep. Additionally, Aethelu has never encountered a demiplane and is not sure how to enter.
Aethelu knowing she needs to study the problem further seeks out the greatest shamans she can find. Eventually she meets Pleghelm, a scholarly old shaman who collects stories during his travels. Aethelu meets with Pleghelm on three separate occasions offering adulation and requests for his tales. On the third visit Pleghelm counsels Aethelu to build a resting house for shamans, a place to study and share their accumulated knowledge. Aethelu makes an offer to build such a place if Pleghelm will promise to return upon its completion and aid her. Pleghelm accepts Aethelu's offer and then sets out to spread his teachings among the tribes.
Aethelu convinced that building a home for the wandering shamans, one separate from all tribal rule, is a great idea. She begins gathering up builders, architects, and the necessary supplies but having little wealth becomes dismayed. Elfswitha's tribe fleeing from the destruction of Beornstan settle near Aethelu's camp. Aethalu's meets with the tribal elders and informs them of her plan. The tribe views this "House of Shamans" as a befitting honor to the deceased Elfswith. Using the power of Lind, Aethelu quickly prepares a location and the tribe builds the grand "House of Shamans", over a single season.
While the tribe of Elfswitha works on completing the building Aethelu spends her time studying the Tablet of Andefn. She learns how to cultivate several wild fruits, nuts, and grains. Using the power of Lind she plows fields planting the grains and gathers the fruit to grow orchards. By the time the "House of Shamans" is complete it is surrounded by great fields, large orchards, and majestic gardens. Aethelu honors the tribe with a feast of fresh berries and plants she has grown and gathered.
Pleghelm having traveled many leagues, visiting tribes, has shared Aethelu's plan for the "House of Shamans". He has gathered a great retinue of shamans and would be sages interested in joining in Aethelu's vision. Upon hearing word that Aethelu's new building is complete he guides the assembly back to Aethelu, along the way he encounters Regenhere and the shamans of Beornstan's tribe. Pleghelm is disheartened when he learns of their plight, he extends an offer to join him at the "House of Shamans".
Pleghelm arrives with his great collection of shamans and is greeted warmly by Aethelu. Much of Elfswitha's tribe have stayed to care for the gardens, orchards, and crops that surround the building. Aethelu, Pleghelm, and many other shamans begin to study, share, and document their knowledge. As predicted by Pleghelm this large gathering leads to many break throughs and over the winter Aethelu devises a plan using natural tunnels and caverns to reach the demiplane. Her new companions also create a plan to shatter the plane's boundaries releasing the trapped souls.
The following spring Aethelu, Pleghelm, and Regenhere travel the maze of winding subterranean tunnels and caves deep down under the earth. The trip takes several weeks and the trio overcome dangerous monsters and lethal hazards to arrive on the edge of the demiplane. They spend hours preparing the ritual to destroy the demiplane but are set upon by demons. Aethelu uses the power of Lind to control the earth around her pummeling the demons until the ritual can be completed. Finally the walls of the demiplane unravel and the souls are freed. Hildegyth, mother of Aethelu thanks her for releasing the tormented spirits, explaining that the demon hoped to use their semi-divine power to transfer his power to the prime material. Hildegyth further counsels Aethelu to swear an oath protecting all the dead of Bothelm so they may find eternal rest.
With the demiplane destroyed and the souls freed to return to the land of the dead Pleghelm and Regenhere depart for the surface. Aethelu however determines to stay behind using her power to protect the portal to the afterlife to ensure the souls of Bothelm will never be trapped again. She bequeaths Lind and Andefn to Pleghelm appointing him to lead the "House of Shamans" in her abscence.
Comments