Temple Archives
Temple of Corellen
The sixth through sixteenth of Eleasias, 1372

My faith intact, I relate the events of the last ride. After the chosen one's consol, I have agreed to trust the bedine rogue and his tale. In hind-site I can see that Primula's faith in this motley crew is well placed. The rogue surrendered the last remaining sapphire to me on the other side of the Easterling Gate. With it, I was then able to arrest the wards that protected the Moonblade for many an age. Although I had no intention of wielding it, the Moonblade spoke to all of us, in a commanding voice, that it was for Primula alone, and woe to any that dared to behold it. Wisely leaving it in its sheath, I carefully tied the Moonblade's hilt to its scabbard for good measure. I then told the Wandsmen that I would now return to the Gate to await the inevitable return of the Shadar-Haduk. My intentions were clear; I would extract from the shadowy servants their means of teleportation to the place of Primula's imprisonment. I swore that even in death, they would not refuse me!

Once again my patience was tested as instead of immediately laboring to return their missing spiritual guide, the Wandsmen chose to retreat to the safety of their Shadow Hold. I made my dissatisfaction clearly known to them, but they still refused to act. How could they allow Sister Primula to languish at the hands of the Shadar-Haduk while they rejoiced in the comforts of their keep? Each day I impressed upon them the meaning of honor and friendship and each day they refused me after secretly meeting with the Arch mage Cedar. I was prepared to leave and face the Shadar-Haduk myself when the chosen one again asked for my patience.

For a full ride I languished in Shadow Hold while the Wandsmen continued to scheme. Finally they emerged and agreed to fulfill their obligations to Sister Primula. Noticeably absent was the Arch mage. When I asked Kerith why Cedar was not joining us the other Wandsmen gave him a grave but stern look. Their meaning was clear enough to me, there was something amiss with the Mage. Kerith told me not to worry about the mage right now as Sister Primula's fate was more pressing. Using a teleport scroll, Kerith was able to transport us to the Elvin ruins without delay or error. I looked at him closely, but saw nothing to indicate that the man standing before me was Cedar in disguise. Kerith some how continues to surprise me again and again. Always making me question what my eyes and heart perceive to be true. His company is like a breath of fresh air in a land that has known little else but sorrow.

Outside the tunnel that leads to the Easterling Gate the Wandsmen paused to discuss how to proceed. I had had enough of talk, thank you very much, and held up my hand to stop them. Looking them each in the eyes I asked which of them could run the fastest. When the Halfling Shane answered I asked if he would allow me to bestow upon him a small token of protection. He agreed and asked why I needed to know how fast he could run. In answer, I sprinted down the tunnel, calling over my shoulder, "to find the one that will keep up with me!"

In the tunnel I stepped into the wall using god's graces and appeared behind one of the two Shadar-Haduk. I had savored this moment for over a ride and so paused to let my prey know who had come calling. Hissing each syllable I asked if they were prepared for more Easterling blood. As if to confirm my challenge the Easterling Gate crackled to life. The Shadar-Haduk before me turned to face me and as I saw the confusion in his eyes, I drained the life from him. The second Shadar-Haduk looked at his fallen comrade with horror in his eyes. Before him was a drow. Not a Moon elf. He glanced again to the Easterling Gate, hoping perhaps that his eyes deceived him. With Hoardmaster howling in my hand for blood I stepped towards him. But before I could quench the thirst of my blade, the Halfling Shane pounced on the shadowy servant. His two swords sang as he cut the Shadar-Haduk to ribbons. Sinuous strands of flesh covered the walls before the Shadar-Haduk's eviscerated body slapped noisily to the floor. Such deadly grace should not go without comment but I had information to glean and a body from which to extract it.

Using the divine power of Illistreae I was able to learn that the Shadar-Haduk had been using their staffs, called Daram-Shok, as a sort of identification that would allow them to teleport to inside of a Shade Enclave. I was also able to discover where Primula was imprisoned. Without further delay, Kerith handed each of us a Daram-Shok (he had collected them from the Shadar-Haduk that died trying to capture Primula) and teleported us to Dorush, the Shade holding area. There, to the Wandsmen's surprise, was a man known to them, imprisoned as well. He refused rescue and the Wandsmen unquestioningly complied. I think the dwarf Oskar called him by the name "Parus."

Primula was easily released from her cell and we swiftly teleported away to the Temple of Corellen before I had even a moment to speak with her. At the temple I dropped to my knees and bowed my head to Sister Primula. Without speaking I presented Elenya, The Easterling Moonblade, to her. She graciously took it and put a reassuring hand on my shoulder. A smile graced her face, a face that for far too long had not had occasion to show joy. As Kerith played his lyre, Primula slowly walked up to the alter. Such sweet music I have not heard in many an age. He truly has the Elvin gift of music!

Rounding the alter Primula addressed the Wandsmen and I for the first time and thanked us all for her safe return. She said that at the Elvin ruins, when the Shadar-Haduk first appeared, she had had to make a terrible decision. She could protect all but one of the Wandsmen from the magic of the Shadar-Haduk. Rather than allow one of them to fall as a result of her limited abilities, she decided not to protect herself. The decision proved fatal as she was killed. The Shadar-Haduk only later realized her importance and somehow raised her whereas I was unable. Primula said that she did not give up hope of rescue because of her faith in Corellen and her friends. She then carefully untied Elenya and slowly drew her out of her sheath calling each rune aloud. Dancing, Frost, and Jumping. Finally, with the Moonblade fully revealed, a fourth rune appeared. Throwing. How very auspicious. Sister Primula, Devine Disciple and Hierophant of Corellen, able to bestow healing comfort to her comrades from a distance. And able to somehow reach out from beyond death to inspire others to great heroism, a D'Larun blade of such beauty that even Kerith will be pressed to sing its praises.

Illistreae be praised, Sister Primula is safely returned to us and bares the Easterling Moonblade.

The penitent sword of Illistreae,

Pellanistra Easterling