Song of the Damned

Let us introduce the ruins of Skjalich, and those dwelling within with strange customs. Seemingly called to by a strange entity and an even stranger time. Ruins filled with a darkness, yet filled with technology beyond understanding and magic lost. What lies beneath the Ash, why are there four thrones buried below the earth, and why does this place call to all like a siren?

A spirit, a creature, a force that lives in the Ancient Forest, one that calls Skjalich home. A spirit that seems to only want to live again, yet is feared by those who wander these woods. What is she? What does she want? Whom does she call to? Those who call Skjalich home seem to find this creature a comfort, would do anything to protect her presence from the world.

We introduce a living legend, a type of caster so mythically rare that only one is seen every few generations. The Necromancer of the modern age. Azorez and her adoptive Daughter Talia Alverez forge their lives starting from her journey into the darkness of the ruins of Skjalich. Azorez meets the entity that lives in the necropolis and is changed because of it.

Yet another true Champion of this world. From humble beginnings she began her journey down a long road forgotten in time. Meet the Sage who is defining an era for both Magic and her Nation. She saw something that few had ever seen, wielded a force even fewer could comprehend. During the War with the Caliphate she earned her might to iron and blood, though she would prefer to never have walked this path.

A strange object, full of force. There are none who walk the Branches of the Tree who understand them. Though there are those Elsewhere who know what this conduit is, a power beyond measure. Though a power needing to be gathered once more. Many find it abhorrent, many lust after its power, many who seek these stones to become wealthy beyond measure. It needs study, though the thought of family is always there.

Emily in her desperation, foregoes her hatred of these stones to save her King and Country. She finds herself witnessing something she doesn't understand, a Woman appears out of thin air to teach her a Strange Magic, that is the same as hers, yet far more powerful. This woman speaks to her as if she is her own child, and gives her cryptic clues into the inner workings of the magic of this world. Using this power gifted to her for but a moment, she turns the tide of the War in the Federation's favor.

Emily and her Master, The Old Sage: Atrimir Schafer share a moment, share a connection that they both realize is heartfelt and important to their quest. They both come to the conclusion that to use the Archon Stones, they need to think of family. They begin to wonder why the family is important, and begin to wonder why magic feels more like a prayer. A pause before an action, a process that now feels alien to their hard earned talents.

A shared memory deep within an Archon Stone, a sad one, one full of regret, only full of pain. Emily and Atrimir Schafer have studied the stones ever since the Battle of Huron in search of the truth. A truth they realized comes with a steep price for those who cannot control that conduit.

Deep in their research, the two Sages are interrupted by a guest they were not expecting. Gjorn Fourth king of Dwarves has come calling to point them in a better direction and with a warning. He tells them that while their work is important, revolutionary in the lexicon of the magic of the world, he already knows the answer to their hunt. Though, he will not tell them outright, he warns them that gods are not what they seems, and the answers they hunt after are far more deadly than either of them thought imaginable.

Before setting out in her journey to uncover the truth, Emily sets about fixing a corrupt organization that has become complacent in their duties to the sick and poor. She hunts down the Leaders of the College and "convinces" them to right the wrongs. She brings about a new level of positivity in the lives of those who wish to learn the healing magic of the doctors of the institution.

Emily finds herself venturing to meet with someone. Someone who has had a similar experience to her despite in a vastly different context. She finds herself greeted by the Council of Elder Farmers and their way of handling dissonance. Despite being immune to much of the Federations politics, she still needs to know how to deal with them. In the tombs below the Cemetery of Moreoleo she finds the woman she's been hunting. As she offers Azorez an opportunity that she knows the Necromancer won't refuse.

Azorez has been welcomed into the research team of the two Sages of Huron looking into the nature of the Archon Stones. The Necromancer was met with the same woman both Sages spoke of, an recognized her after being assailed with the full weight of the Elder Fae speech by the entity.