Meyil's Journal

I hope those who came from the future, can wield this knowledge, these learnings, and wholly defeat that which we could only imprison... - Meyil Anstigar

Locating Iskander in Banehold

Combine locate creature with Plane Shift spell to find him. After doing this once, Meyil was no longer able to locate Iskander. Summarising that further protections against scrying had been placed on him.

Preparing for Iskanders Return

In the weeks of waiting, I researched what I could of Bane, and the Banehold. Nare a single temple in the kingdom would grant me access to their knowledge without proof of some heinous deed. I pushed the court to tear down each temple of Bane, but they were slow to act and some outright refused action. Surprisingly the most outspoken voice was the Red Sisterhood, who vowed a war with the crown should any temples be torn down.
Seeing how arduous this course of action was, I decided to use my time to train, develop my skills further, and become stronger. But it was ultimately not enough.

Losing to Iskander

Months passed, and inevitably the day of Iskander's return had arrived. A battalion of 1,000 warriors strong marched upon the Palace. Most if not all joined Iskander's ranks immediately. My family's guards, 4 of our most elite warriors, bent the knee to him without hesitation. I feared that if I were to engage him, I too would succumb to his newfound power, and so Antaris and I fled to the South.
Of the many bannermen within Iskander's ranks, there were scarce few missing. The most notable of those which were missing was the Pevau clan. We journeyed to their small village of Yabott, alas we found nothing but death and destruction there. So we made our way into the mountains, to find the place you spoke of with celestial plants.

Meeting Adonael

We burrowed into the mountains and made a home for ourselves within the caves. Several seasons passed, during which we kept our eyes on the kingdom with the help of Talon and his Ravens. For as long as we waited and bided our time, we had nothing to show for it, no path to follow, no plan to defeat Iskander. That was until we met, Adonael. Once emissary of Bane turned ally of Eldath.
He found us in the mountain as if appearing from thin air. He told us of Bane, the part that he played, and why he was now working for Eldath. See Meyil's Journal - Appendix 5B .
With his information, we finally knew what my brother had become, what his, and Bane's goals were, and how we could defeat him. Adonael returned to his plane of existence, fearing what may become of him should Bane/Iskander sense him on the material plane.

Defeating Iskander

We first needed a weapon with which to fight Bane/Iskanders influence over others. For this, Adonael helped us forge our base into a channelling focus, to truly connect with Eldath and her power. The key to focusing this celestial power was Gold, something not too small like a pendant, nor too big like a weapon, not that a golden weapon would have been of any use to man or beast. I remembered the short axe wielder mentioning a Chalice, and so that is what we chose.
Once we had created this channelling Chalice, we then needed to take out Iskanders 4 generals. This was no simple feat. Each one was taken out of play and with that Iskander's power dwindled to the point we had a fighting chance of taking him down.
But before we could enact it, my brother brought the fight to us, attempting to reach the Temple of the Eternal Flow.
Through the course of defending the well, both Iskander and Talon fell in battle. Whilst I tended to my dying friend, Iskander’s body disappeared. I would later realise that should Iskander perish upon the material plane, he would regenerate in Banehold after which he can return to this Kingdom.
Fearing a constant assault upon the Temple of the Eternal Flow, I charged Antaris with its defence and swiftly ensured it could no longer be as accessible as it once was.

Imprisoning Iskander

After this battle I changed tactics, we would no longer seek to kill him, but to imprison him. Should he die, he would only return from Banehold stronger.
We took the battle straight to him upon the throne, the 4 generals and I took the fight to him upon the throne. In Anstigat palace we fought and using the Chalice we were able to render him unconscious. Whilst the time was of the essence, we brought him to this mountain where the power of Eldath could be channelled into a makeshift tomb, at least blocking his connection with Bane and Banehold. This however could not be achieved with gold alone, for we needed something more powerful to channel this kind of power. Life. So the four generals pledged themselves to Eldath as her champions and allowed themselves to be conduits to the tomb, becoming constructs in the process.

Epilogue

I returned to Anstigat and ensured that Iskander's power no longer held dominion upon the Kingdom. My sister, Elaquinara, assumed control of the throne once more. I however could not rest, I feared the possibility of someone releasing my brother, another agent of Bane. So, returning to the Tomb, I ensured that no one would be able to enter. Now I sit here, as my brother's guard.

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Purpose

To provide knowledge of the past to those who require it in the future.

Type

Report, Intelligence

Medium

Paper

Authors

• Meyil Anstigar