A Ghost Story: Faldrass Edition

[Elisabeth Black]

Arc 721, 35 Vhalar

“Ghosts?” Elisabeth slowly said to make sure she understood the information Edwin was telling her while she gently petted Storm’s head. She had been sitting with Silk, Balder, and Ronan in the cove when Edwin returned with a small group of settlers and sought out the young settlement leader.

Ronan, of course, couldn’t help but get in things. “Ghosts? Like ‘Boo!’ and all that?” Edwin shrugged his shoulders, speaking to the entire group. “It matches a few things the scouting parties have been reporting. The first couple of times I heard someone mention something about the mysterious tower with ghosts, I dismissed it as an active imagination. The rumor is gaining traction, though, and I’ve heard it from multiple sources now.”

Kneeling in the sand, the hunter unrolled the small map of Faldrass he kept, marking forests and the like. “We are here, at the cove. Haven’s right here, next to it. Then we have this big mountain/cavern-like thing on the other side of the cove. The tower they are all talking about is somewhere on the other side of that. I was thinking about suggesting a few of us go and investigate it.”

They all looked at Elisabeth, who appeared to be lost in her thoughts for the moment. The tower needed investigation, and while she would have preferred to wait for Balthazar to get back home, she felt it was more productive to show the settlers that she could handle unique situations independently. Glancing at the other four faces with her, she knew that others would not receive her suggestion well.

“I agree that it needs investigation, but it will be me investigating.” As predicted, four voices began to speak all at once, protesting. Smiling, Elisabeth gently held up her hand to get them to stop talking. “I did not say, however, that I would be going alone.” A firm believer in explaining to others how she had arrived at certain decisions so that they would understand, the young woman began to clarify.

“I know you all don’t like this idea, but the truth is that I’m not sending anyone anywhere I wouldn’t be willing to go myself. I also have experience with ghosts and a bit of protection from them should I need it.” Balthazar was the only one that knew about the Chainstone, but it was something only to be used in emergencies. Still, it would provide her a measure of protection against ghosts with malicious intentions. “But, I’m taking Silk with me.”

Glancing at Balder, she explained. “You are on the emergency council, and I need you here in case things go sideways.” Turning her attention to the other two guards, Elisabeth gave them a grin. “It was between you two, and Silk’s name popped into my mind first.” Ronan and Balder both grumbled a bit but accepted what she told them gracefully. Sort of.



It wasn’t even a break later when Elisabeth and Silk headed out. Weapon and bag in hand, Elisabeth led them north, which wasn’t difficult to figure out considering they were on the eastern coast of Faldrass. Edwin had said that his reports stated that they wouldn’t be able to miss the tower if they hugged the coastline and continued north, so that was the plan. However, they needed to traverse inland a bit first to get around the hill on the other side of the cove first.

[Kisaik]

"You're going alone?" Came the voice of Kisaik's fellow knight, Alaiwa. "It could be dangerous, you really shouldn't venture that far and that close to the badlands without an escort? Who knows what nasty creatures might've crawled out of the badlands?!"

Kisaik sighed as he went on to equip his mount, Phee with the barding of cobalt plate. It was fashioned mostly to protect his breast and beak, but also protected his head and neck. Phee cut a dashing figure in the bronze-colored metal. There was also a wing valance that he had for the creature, butu thought better of using it in cold weather.

"I won't be going alone, Alaiwa! Phee is accompanying me."

Alaiwa eyed the eagle uncertainly, and it turned its beak over its shoulder to gaze at him as well. "I'm just saying... maybe take Aquarius, or at least Mercury Tim with you?"

Kisaik had to put his foot down. "I've already spent much of the better part of this season in Aquarius' company. Besides, he's due for some rest, and I am loathe to wake him. The last time, he nearly toasted me when he sneezed on waking. Thankfully, I was wearing my fire-proof cloak!"

Alaiwa sighed, and then shrugged. "Very well, but you'll remember my words when the ghosts try to gobble you up!"

So, Kisaik had finished equipping his harpy eagle mount with its armor. He placed his domain bag on the side of his saddle, and then coaxed the animal to take off into the air, away from Shellknight Lodge.



Sometime later, he noticed a pair of people on the ground, making their way north toward the tower. Curious, he began flying down toward them. One of the people had wings... strange! As he got closer, he noticed it was Elisabeth that was with the winged woman. What a funny coincidence meeting her there!

"Greetings Elisabeth Angelus! Fancy meeting you around here. I was just on my way to investigate the tower... Were you doing the same?" He looked up at her. While waiting for a response, he caught notice of the winged woman with her. "Where are my manners? Forgive me, my lady. I am Mädärä Kisaik Ciuruọrun sọ Kufuata Karo Kashe Däuä, Tìfmi Härumtä sọ anou Faewun Samuwar, ọbavi sọ tẹlẹ, igbaradi sọ anou tabi ọludïbọ, Saoire's chieja kẹmïkälï kukïrï, Akoko Nọọsi, qy’akot o'Creede."

Having introduced himself, he pointed toward the tower to the north. "You aren't heading that way, by chance, are you? I was thinking to investigate those troubling and intriguing rumors about speaking to the dead..."

[Elisabeth Black]

Arc 721, 35 Vhalar

She heard the voice calling to her and turned to see that it belonged to Kisaik! “Hello! It’s so lovely to see you again.” Elisabeth had met the tunawa on a few occasions and held him in the highest regard. Faldrass wasn’t a big island, but it was big enough that it was uncommon to see people from Hopetoun regularly, so running into Kisaik was a pleasant surprise.

Silk, for her part, watched the pair curiously. In her time knowing Elisabeth, the avriel had come to learn that the young woman knew many people, so it really wasn’t so surprising anymore when visitors arrived in Haven looking for Elisabeth, or she randomly met people who appeared to know her.

Smiling brightly at the tunawa, Elisabeth listened to him speak of the tower, nodding her head gently. “The settlers in Haven mentioned it to me, and I thought it warranted a look.”

Before she had a chance to introduce the tunawa and her companion, Kisaik introduced himself to the Haven guard, who smiled and returned the favor and asked a question. “That is quite the name. What would you prefer me to call you? My name is Silk, and I’m one of the guards for the Haven settlement.”

Elisabeth smiled, allowing the two to get acquainted, noting that her own propensity for making people feel welcome and comfortable seemed to have rubbed off on the avriel to some degree. She was relatively confident the guard wouldn’t have asked that question regarding the tunawa’s name before her relationship with Elisabeth.

He stated he was thinking of heading to the tower, prompting Elisabeth’s response. “We are, actually. We would be honored if you would allow us to accompany you, should you desire company?” The young mage didn’t want to assume anything, preferring to ask about going with him to the tower instead of assuming their company was desired. In her mind, it made sense. Safety in numbers and all that, but then again, the rumors simply could be people’s minds running amok. They wouldn’t know anything until they investigated.

[Kisaik]

Phee piped up, giving a sharp and piercing call as Kisaik urged it to hop alongside them. "Hush Phee... This is my steed, Phee. I raised him from his hatching, when I was living in Yaralon under the First Tree..." That was a long time ago, or seemed so to Kisaik. He still had very fond memories of that city although his parting had been more than a little troubled.

Kisaik looked up, cocking his head to the side as Silk introduced herself. When asked what she ought to call him, he smiled, "Chip or Kisaik will do. I've quite gotten used to being referred to by my friends as Chip." He winked at her and then turned his attention to Elisabeth. "Well, I'm guessing you're about more than a simple countryside stroll. Am I wrong? Are you also pursuing those rumors? For my part I..." Kisaik paused, and then after gulping down his reservations, continued, "I'm going to see if I can contact the ghost of my father."

What he didn't tell Elisabeth was that his father was the evil wizard, the Immortal Aelig, who, rumor had it, was slain last Saun during the tumult of Ruin's Dawn.

"That being the case, since I'm more or less dropping in on you two, I'm happy to let you two lead the charge. Although I will have you know, as a follower of Ashan, I'm well equipped to deal with and parlay with any spirits or ghosts we happen to find there." He puffed out his chest, very proud of his blessing by Ashan. Kisaik held that Immortal in a very high regard, not least of which for the gifts he'd bestowed upon Kisaik.

So saying, he looked up into the skies, and scratched his chin as Phee groomed his wing feathers. "I can scout ahead if we like? Or I can just circle about? How shall we approach this challenge?" As gungho as he was about pursuing these rumors, he was more interested in following Elisabeth's lead. She seemed a very capable person, to be a great warrior and also the leader of an entire settlement. He was willing to bet she wouldn't lead them wrong.

[Elisabeth Black]

Arc 721, 35 Vhalar

Elisabeth smiled as Kisaik introduced her and Silk to Phee. "May I?" she said, nodding her head towards the harpy eagle, indicating that she wished to pet her. The young woman knew enough about animals to understand that approaching one could be tricky business, so she always asked first in the case of mounts. "You lived in Yaralon? Balthazar lived there too. I've never been, but I feel like I know the place through the stories he's told me. It made quite an impression on him, I think."

Having asked Kisaik what he would her to call him, Silk grinned at his cheeky response and wink. "Chip, then. A pleasure to meet you."

Elisabeth chuckled at the pair a bit but caught Kisaik's question and replied. "A few settlers told me about the rumors, yes. I thought it best to check out, just in case. Idalos works in mysterious ways, I've discovered. Never can be too careful, I think." The information about his father was interesting, and she thought to tell him that. "Your father? I confess that I'm not as knowledgeable about ghosts as I should be, but I've had my experiences."

Something about the tunawa made Elisabeth feel better. The experience with Isis had left the young woman feeling very anxious about running into more ghosts. She had intended to learn more about them after her memory returned, but time always slipped away - so many things to do and never enough time to do them. Her anxiety, however, would never get in the way of protecting others or helping people. Best to get on with things and deal with whatever happened, she decided.

"I am grateful for your company and assistance, Kisaik. We shall walk this path together," Elisabeth replied. When he broached strategy, Elisabeth and Silk both took stock of their surroundings and the approach to the tower. The guard spoke first, pointing out the tower site's relatively dense vegetation. "It might be best to get some eyes in the sky. Might see something we wouldn't on ground level, and all the vegetation could be hiding something. We could scour the grounds, and Chip, you could take to the skies, and then we can reconvene and discuss anything we find or any hesitations we have before entering?"

The young mage listened, nodding towards the end. "I think that's sensible, yes. Gather information first. We aren't on a timetable or rushed, so we have time to be cautious and learn as much about what's going on as possible."

Turning her attention to the tunawa, she wanted to know his thoughts as well. "Does that sound like a viable first step to you, Kisaik?" Different people had different experiences, and everyone's perspective was valid. In her opinion, ignoring experience was a mistake, and not one she ever planned to make.

[Kisaik]

Elisabeth offered, or rather requested to pet Phee. Kisaik was confident that the harpy eagle would enjoy a little bit of affection, as it did from him, but one could never really tell with harpy eagles. "Yes, he likes to be stroked along the top of his beak. Careful now, he's a very proud animal."

Phee was indeed proud, but he allowed Elisabeth to caress his beak, and even his head a little bit. Kisaik was slightly surprised at that. The harpy eagle was very defensive about its crown of feathers.

Nevertheless, they got on with introductions between Chip and Elisabeth, and Silk. All was settled as far as Kisaik was concerned, and they could get on with the business at hand. Discovering what was going on at the heart of the ghost problem.

"I do wonder though... Sometimes when people think is a ghost problem, is actually a spiritual problem. While I'm well capable of dealing with spirits, ghosts are another matter entirely. I must confess I don't know what a ghost's weaknesses are. But hopefully, these ghosts can be reasoned with, otherwise, we might be in for some danger" He put emphasis on danger like he relished the idea of throwing himself into the breach.

As for the matter of communication and scouting, Kisaik had just the thing. The thin rings of light around his arm signaled that he was blessed by Qylios. He stretched out his arm to grasp for Elisabeth's hand, in order to share the bond. He could see she also had Qylios' mark, and so, "I see you are marked by the Light Bearer. Shall we bond, so we can communicate our intentions that way? So long as I don't get too far ahead, we should be able to clue each other into what we should do if one of us falls into danger."

So saying, if she accepted the bond he would form a bonded connection with Elisabeth. "The limitations of the ability, as I understand it, is that we must be in battle in order to communicate in this way. But just for safety's sake, we'll stay within range if one of us should attract the wrong kind of attention."

"Your plan is sound, and makes sense to me." So saying, Kisaik saluted Silk and Elisabeth, and with that he launched his eagle into the air, seeking out ahead of the two as they traveled toward the haunted tower.

[Elisabeth Black]

Arc 721, 35 Vhalar

She headed Kisaik's advice, stroking gently along the creature's beak, watching it nudge its head a bit so that her fingers brushed the top of his head, smiling. "He's lovely." Silk watched the pair interact for a moment, chuckling softly, before interjecting. "Don't get too attached. Storm will get jealous." Laughing, Elisabeth turned to the tunawa to explain. "Storm is my cat. He's very proud too, and bossy. Likes shiny things. I often think he is the one truly leading Haven." Obviously, it was a joke, but the feline did have the settlers wrapped around his little paw.

Elisabeth listened to her companion's words, nodding her head gently. "I'm not the most knowledgeable about spirits or ghosts, but I think what you say is true. Most people don't realize there is a difference. Their minds jump to ghosts because, and this is just my opinion, I think it's an easier concept for them to grasp." Her own experience included some interactions with ghosts, but the young woman wouldn't say that she had any skill in the matter. It was simpler for her to address how people explained the unknown.

When she had first heard of the tower with ghosts, the mage had known she would bring the Death Forge chainstone The chainstone is granted to the Death Forged. For her sacrifice during the forging she is granted this item which may be activated only twice a cycle. Upon activation, the chainstone glows brightly and glowing energy shimmers around Elisabeth forming a protective outer layer, rather like armour. It protects her against mental attacks, such as possession or empathy for one break. It would take an extremely powerful ghost or a revealed mage to penetrate this armour, and even then the effect is significantly reduced. with her, not wishing to take chances. The experience with Isis had taught Elisabeth just how much she still had left to learn about that particular subject.

Danger. Elisabeth accepted danger as part of her life, but as Kisaik said the words, her thoughts flickered to Silk, vowing to keep her as safe as she could if danger did come knocking. The guard was the type to run straight into conflict if it arose, so she would have to keep her eyes open for that.

"Copper, bells, and fire, to varying degrees, I believe," she said, replying to his comment about weaknesses of ghosts. Or at least that's what she had learned from Balthazar. There had never been a chance to find out for sure, but Elisabeth trusted the mage's information. "At least, that's what I've been told," she added with a smile.

His thought about bonding through their Celeron marks made sense, and as such, Elisabeth nodded and took his hand. "Good thinking. I think it's a good idea that we only separate for as long as necessary." Truthfully, she wasn't thrilled about separating at all, but they needed an ariel view of the area to make informed tactical decisions. Silk could have flown up as well, but the settlement leader liked that idea less.

Elisabeth called after the tunawa as Kisaik made his way to the harpy eagle. "Be safe, Kisaik. May light follow you."

Alone on the ground now, it was time to get to business. "Alright, so we've not seen anything yet that's disturbing." Elisabeth's comment caused a brief chuckle from the guard. "Well, nothing other than an extreme disregard for agricultural maintenance."

The mage had a thought. "I feel like perhaps this area was affected by the eruption, and once everything began growing again, it just kept growing and growing. And with no one to stop it, Faldrass is reclaiming this area." The purpose of the abandoned tower was unclear, so Elisabeth couldn't say if that was a good or bad idea, but hopefully, they would find out. What had been housed in the tower prior to the eruption?

Moving forward, she cast a look at Silk, lowering her voice. "Stay close. I know for sure that the unexpected is always right around the corner. I'd rather it not ensnare any of us."

When they reached the edge of the clearing, overgrowth now between them and the tower, they both began peering into the depths, curious to see what they could see. There was movement – Elisabeth could hear rustling – but it seemed deeper than they could observe. Some of it sounded like normal woodland sounds, but other noises concerned her a bit more. The animal's size was often relative to the loudness of the commotion created, and some of them were….loud.

Maybe Kisaik would have better luck seeing what they could not.

[Kisaik]

Phee closed his eyes briefly as Elisabeth pet his magnificent beak, cocking its head to the side to get a little more attention for a moment before recovering his senses. When Silk warned Elisabeth about getting her cat jealous, Kisaik perked up, “Oh a cat! I love cats. We must pay homage to this Storm sometime, and he can meet my own magnificent cat, Slate.”

Although Slate was a cantankerous beast, that didn’t tend to get along with other cats, Kisaik still held out hope that he might find a friend somewhere out there, among his own kind.

“Well to be honest, I know very little to nothing about ghosts, but Spirits I know… and I can look into the Beneath to see ghosts, as I’ve done so before.” Kisaik remembered his adventure in the Heart of the World, and recalled the ghosts that had inhabited that dangerous place.

“So what do you know about ghosts? I’ve only encountered a few… one on the shores of Lake Lovalus, and another in the Heart of the World…” Kisaik pondered, “Now that I say it, it seems an odd juxtaposition of places to be meeting ghosts!”

When she responded with the weaknesses of ghosts, Kisaik nodded, “I can ring a bell, and I can use my Song-Forged ability to emulate the ringing of a bell! It’s not too hard…” So saying, Kisaik extended his hand into the air, and began flicking his wrist this way and that. Sure enough, the sound of a raucous bell ringing began. It was not as skillful a playing as one might wish to hear, but it was a bell sound, to be sure.

So saying, they bonded through their common cause, as allies through Celarion. Rings formed on the arms of each of them, and that was that.

So having done that, Kisaik flew a little ways ahead, to see what he could. Not too far, so as to negate their bond, as he would have to relate back to Elisabeth what he saw.

As he flew overhead, he heard Elisabeth’s concerns echoed through the bond, and wondered at it. She seemed to think there was a animal sound near her, and one that was big. Sure enough, as he approached the treeline, and alighted to a branch, he stared down to see a large bear.

He related to Elisabeth through their bond, the need for caution, and to stop. So doing, he launched from the branch once again, and shone a beacon of light in the form of his Celarion blade. Which he waved around in the air to get her attention. He’d fly back, and make a circle around the bear, to lead her through a save way through the wilds.

Hopefully she’d get the hint and follow him!

[Elisabeth Black]

Arc 721, 35 Vhalar

Elisabeth enjoyed the moment with Phee, being as respectful and mindful as possible with the creature. Kisaik made mention of Storm, and the young woman nodded gently. "I would love for you to meet Storm. And to meet Slate. You are welcome to visit Haven anytime. Kisaik. We would be honored to have you as a guest."

Silk, amused with the exchange, assumed Elisabeth was simply being her kind self. Haven's leader was the welcoming sort, so inviting people to come to stay in Haven wasn't out of the ordinary.

Elisabeth, however, knew some of the tunawa's noble deeds and wasn't exaggerating when she said that it would be an honor. Besides, they did storytelling around Haven's bonfire, so perhaps he would grace them with a few of his own tales!

The conversation turned to ghosts. Kisaik asked her what she knew about ghosts, which prompted a gentle shake of her head. "Not much. Balthazar had a ghost companion when we first met, but I haven't seen her in a long time. A ghost tried to possess me during the Forging, or did possess me. I'm not clear on that part, but I had to battle her." That time on Ishallr had been confusing at best, so many things happening simultaneously. Prae's magic, Isis, freezing.

Of course, Silk already knew the story – Haven's leader had been open with the settlers after her memory returned – but continued to listen to the pair speak, quietly surveying the land around them.

"We had random ghosts in Haven not too long ago. It's not surprising, considering the eruption. I can't even imagine what those people experienced, torn from their lives like that." Elisabeth hadn't been on Faldrass when it erupted, but Balthazar had. Right in the middle of it, to be exact. She knew ghosts were simply beings that, for whatever reason, refused to pass on. Unfinished business, some said. What unfinished business was keeping the ghosts in the tower, she wondered.

She smiled at Kisaik when he emulated the sound of a bell, nodding. "You'll have to tell me about the ghost at Lake Lovalus sometime, but indeed, that's a bell!"

The tunawa took to the skies and sent Elisabeth information regarding negotiating the terrain between where she and Silk were and the tower. Once she heard the animal, it wasn't long before Kisaik indicated that what they heard was, in fact, a bear. The pair looked up, watching for his signals, and followed the tunawa's lead as they made their way through the heavy underbrush and wilds, slowly but surely.

Finally, Silk and Elisabeth broke through the brush, finding themselves in a small clearing that led to the dilapidated tower. Casting her gaze up, the young woman looked for their companion, hoping he saw where they were.

They had only been there for a few moments before Silk quietly spoke, voice lowered to a whisper. "Elisabeth? I'm seeing shadows passing across window openings. That can't be good…."

Twisting her body around to better look at what the Haven guard saw, Elisabeth focused on the structure, waiting for any movement to register. It took only trills before she, too, noted black forms. Their origin wasn't clear, but it was movement and that's all the young mage really needed to know.

Quickly, she gave the information to Kisaik, letting him know that whether natural or supernatural, the trio was not alone.

[Kisaik]

Kisaik was glad Elisabeth was so welcoming, and he would surely have to take her up ona trip to Haven one of these days. Perhaps meet the famous Balthazar while he was at it, but for now he was content to have this adventure with her. Plus it wasn’t often that Slate got to meet other cats.

When Elisabeth confessed her experience with ghosts, Kisaik was alarmed. A ghost attacked her? Kisaik did notknow that ghosts could be unfriendly, not having encountered a hostile one yet himself. Still, it stood to reason. Scary stories were often told of malevolent souls who stalked the living. But even so, Kisaik didn’t know what he didn’t know, and assumed that Elisabeth had conquered the ghost’s attempt to take her life with her own power. “Then you must be mighty indeed, to have defeated such a foe…” Kisaik bowed, low on his saddle, and then without much further jibber jabber, took off into the skies.

He led them along, not straying too far lest their bond be broken. But then, he felt the sensation of alarm and alert through their bond. He was needed down below! Kisaik descended to the ground, flying along next to Silk. “Shadows you say?” Kisaik asked, and then lit up his saber made of pure light. It was a little long, proportionally to the tunawa, but then not much more than a shortsword to Elisabeth. But to Kisaik it was as big as a warsword.

“I know how to deal with shadows, I believe! This must be the work of the evil sorcerer, Aelig! May he rest in peace.” SO saying, “We should be careful however, not to be openly hostile… just in case they can be reasoned with. I shall ring this bell…” He said, holding up his left hand. This done, he began shaking his hand in hte air, as if holding a bell. Sur enough, a cacophanous sound issued from the bell.

The shadows grew a little frantic at that, apparently not liking the sound very much. So Kisaik changed tact, “I shall try blowing my flute!” He declared. And so, bringing his left hand to his mouth, he began to blow a nice little tune, that sounded very much like it came from a fine ocarina.

The shadows seemed to settle as he played. This done, he nodded at Elisabeth, and pointed his shiny saber at the structure and nodding to it.

He was indicating that he wished her to join him in their approach. So directed, Kisaik urged his eagle onward, to hop and fly toward the structure at a easy pace.