Law and Order

Eolar looked out of the window of his office. His room was one of two rooms on the 2nd floor and allowed for a great view over the valley. The other room was occupied by Leofwen, the best of his students. She had shown most potential and he had left her in charge while he was away. And she had done a good job indeed!
In the weeks he was gone, she had continued with what he had started. His followers had managed to get the trust of many people on the former white side of the valley. They were providing aid and counseling and together with Wer, who visited often to teach the farmers, the progress towards an ordered society was good. Food was not as plentiful as it couldbe yet, but the valley slowly reached apoint where it could sustain itself. To fill the gaps, Leofwen had sent Olric and Sigbert to arrange for food deliveries from surrounding settlements in return of potions and aid.

The council Eolar had suggested in the beginning, containing members from both sides and both churches met regulary and smaller councils adminstered the law in case of disputes. Most of these councils were lead by Eolar's followers and the influence of the church grew steadily. Ceolwulf was in charge of training for the priests and managed to recruit young people from both sides of the valley, further strengthening the link between church and public. The church of Pelor, although present at the council meetings, kept in the background and focused on charity work. Although they also had many new recruits, Eolar gathered from the reports that the support for St.Cuthbert seems to be stronger due to the more aggressive missionary approach. He was pleased. His followers did well and he already had promoted some of them to reward their work. Cotis was head of the guards and the military training. He seem to take his duty very serious. In the short time he had gathered a well-trained small temple guard who protects the clerics when conducting visits to the towns.

Of course, not everything went as smooth. He went back to the table where the reports on the attacks were lying in a stack. From information Cotis and Leofwen had gathered it looked as if parts of the former black army had formed a guerilla army in the surrounding mountains. Their targets were mostly merchants coming into the valley with supplies or people from the former black part that were working together with Eolar's clerics. As expected the trust from people on the black side was harder to earn, but through regular visits to treat wounds and teach agriculture they had gained the trust from many in the higher ranks. The old general had flewn after the takeover together with his most trusted men and are suspected to lead this guerilla army.

Eolar went downstairs to meet Elogyn who was already waiting together with Cotis and Leofwen. It was time for Eolar to meet the new heads of both sides to discuss the next steps against these rebels. Something had to be done! Despite these problems Eolar smiled. His next report on the progress with this outpost would be a good one!

Rolling up the sleeves

Eolar stood at the bow of the ship and looked at the vast ocean in front of him. They had left Febril behind them the day before and he finally had some time to think again. He was exhausted. The work in the valley had taken its toll. But it was worth every drop of sweat. While the wind blowed gently into his face, memories came to his mind.....

After they had defeated Catidsis things had happened fast. The arrival of the high priest Togal-Ra, the resurrection of his friends, the regeneration of Lady Lesyeux face. Togal-Ra agreed to hallow the place and attach a detect evil spell to the spell. Eolar wanted the monastery to be a place where evil should not get a foothold ever again. It was the day after the emissary of the church had left when Lady Lesyeux came to see him in his quarters in the top floor. She had cried when she saw her face again the day before and came to thank Eolar for what he had done for her. They looked out over the valley. "Have you decided what your plans are now that the source of evil is gone?" She looked at him and Eolar thought for a while. "The offer to share the mountain fort and now the monastery still stands. But since you are rightful owner of the fort, the decision is yours. As I understand you would prefer to stay up on the hill?"
"I am truly thankful for what you did for me but although I'm again who I was before, others of our group were not that lucky."
"I'm sorry that I couldn't do more for the orcs and others that weren't raised into their old bodies"
"They are all grateful to be alive again and can live now in peace. What I want to say is that they would prefer not to be subjected to the stares of some of the villagers."
"I can understand that. Nonetheless, I hope we can work hand in hand to rebuild this village. We both know how important law and order are for a society. Your strategy to bring villagers together by forcing them to wear grey proved to be successful and I will adopt it for the monastery. I already sent messengers to the leaders of the black and white part to discuss terms for a ceasefire. And although I think I have the trust and support of Oolf it might turn out to be difficult to get the black leader to the table. The rift goes deep and it will take time to unite the valley once again. If you agree I would like to propose a monthly council consisting of representatives of both villages and both churches."
"I admire your optimism. The only reason I can see for the black general to attend would be to kill Oolf. But you are right, we have to try. The killing has to end. You have my consent."
"Thank you. I already set things in motion in case the black leader turns out to be unwilling to attend. Elogyn and some followers are on their way to open alternative paths."
The priest of Pelor raised an eyebrow.
"Well, I'm returning to the mountain. Let me know if you manage to get them together."
"You and your followers are always welcome here. Before you leave, I have one request: Please grant me access to the library I found in your basement. Learning the secrets in these books might be very useful."
"I agree. Feel free to explore the wisdom and secrets the chambers in the mountain hold. May our cooperation be fruitful. Good day, Eolar"

A seagull brought Eolar back from his memories. For a few seconds it floated next to the ship and then turned away and disappeared behind the flying jib next to Eolar. A small white dot on the horizon straight ahead caught his attention. "Ship ahoy!"

A History of Violence: Part Two

It’s a few days later before Ueshiba speaks again. After the simple meal he had retired to one of the many bedrooms and slept for a day and a half.
Chen was surprised to find him smiling and chatting to the recently arrived Mendez.
“Hello Chen.” Smiles Mendez, “I like your new friend.”
Ueshiba continues to tell Mendez more of the rise and fall of Lord Catidsis.
“As the teacher in this monastery, I was kept alive only due to Catidsis’ begging to the head War-priest. I can only speculate as to why, as his every conversation with me after that was filled with contempt and loathing. I have been a prisoner these last twenty years.
The people of this ‘basin’ were crushed under the god’s wicked heel. They became little more than slaves. The ridiculous black and white war was created just to please their wicked deity.
The foolish priests though, thought Catidsis just a servant in their thrall. They were wrong. Unable to pursue his monastic training, he instead began to study the way of Erythnul. Catidsis learned quickly and was soon given greater responsibilities. After many years, when he felt strong enough, he poisoned all of the War-priests more powerful than he. He then assumed command of those remaining and honoured himself with the title of ‘Lord’.
Years went by and his power grew. He would humiliate everyone he could. His underlings, his staff and the people of the valley.
It was only the recent arrival of the monsters at the fort caused ‘Lord Catidsis’ any concern. Even then he thought them no more than a petty annoyance. Your group however proved his undoing.
I wonder if he was glad when it was finally over?”

Monsters for Good

Eight Months Ago, at the lower gate of Owlbear valley, a small group of survivors debate their future.
Princess Lyseu places her delicate white hand on Ortos’ now shaggy forearm. “We can’t go back home. Not looking the way we do.”
Although avoiding looking at her ruined face, the massive Ortos stoops to answer her. “You’re wrong. Although your Father, the King, would be upset, he would make sure you were safe and well cared for.”
“Safe perhaps, but he would lock me away from prying eyes. I would never be free again. You and the Orcs would be killed as monsters and poor Selmars and Gellis would be reduced to begging in the streets”
“What then? Where can we go?”
Selmars and Gelless join them. They are getting quite used to the harness created by the Dwarves. Armless Selmars does the carrying; trucated Gelless does the holding.
“Well we can’t go home looking like this and there’s no point going on to our appointment with the prince. I suppose we could try to make a life here?”
The two Orcs shrug as best they can considering their missing arms. The Broken Lance tribe is no more and no other Orc war camp would take them now. They'd be killed on sight.
Ortos looks at his enormous clawed hands and then he looks at his companions: the piggy backed Selmars and Gelless, the two one armed Orcs and his faceless princess.
“I suppose just because we look like monsters, we don't have to behave like it”

Celebrated Heroes

It was the day of the big celebration! They had spent two relaxing days at the green tower and had been treated like heroes. It seemed as every valley dweller wanted to meet and thank them for their help. But they also sensed the sadness and grief behind the scenes. Most people they had met had lost one or more family members in the fights. Mendez and Durin mostly enjoyed the food and drink that had been available all the time while Chen studied the history of the valley. Ned and Wer could feel the energy of the tower flowing through them, strengthening their powers and had followed the local druids to learn as much as they can.
On Mendez' request, Lorna had sent a group of people to the dwarf's fortress to pick up the belongings they had to leave behind and most importantly recover Telfis' mortal remains. Chen had suggested that the remaining villagers who had accomodated them twice should get the remaining goods and tools to rebuild their village. Lorna also agreed to identify all magic items after Mendez had asked her for help.

They arrived together with all the druids at the centre of the valley where the four paths met two hours before sunset. They had once camped not far from here and were astonished how much the place had changed. While traces of the battle could still be seen in the forests, the simple crossing had disappeared. A large marble-like square had been built out of a hat, surrounded by pillars and covered by a flat stone roof, covered with ornate carvings. The whole structure was tripartite, each part in the colour of the corresponding tower and was obviously designed as a meeting place. Loranna told them that they had decided to rule the valley together from now on so that recent history would not repeat itself. The rulers of the three towers would act as a triumvirate to ensure peace and solve discrepancies. Chen looked surprised "But there is no black ruler I thought?" "True, but sooner or later a worthy successor will emerge and he or she will then be part of this council!"

After the celebrations which went on far into the night, the party left together with Lorna, Loranna and the white lady for the white tower. There was one thing left to do: They had to say good-bye to their friend. They were standing in a circle around the white statue of Telfis near the white tower overlooking the lake and the valley. It was made out of the same white chrystal and even in the night was glowing with a faint white light. They had placed Telfis' body on an altar underneath the statue and one by one had spoken a few words in commemoration. The white lady had sealed the chamber with Tefis' body and the group stayed at the white tower before heading for the valley mouth the next morning, where the two mistresses bid the party farewell. "We are going to hide the entrance for now to keep unwanted visitors outside. You know the way and are always welcome to return. The songs with your names will be heard for a long time within these mountains and don't hesitate to ask for help if in need!" Attired with pride and joined by Feren, the boy they had saved, the heroes left for the village. After a mile of silence, Mendez was the first to ask "How do you think they can hide the whole valley?" Chen just smiled an pointed backwards. All they could see was a mountain range stretching all the way from left to right. "It seems that the illusionary power of the white tower is immense!"

They reached the village a day later and brought Feren to his mother Sibilla who cried in joy. Just before they left, Sibilla handed Chen a longsword wrapped in cloth. "It was the sword of his father. Please take it! He will never be a fighter and I think you or one of your friends can use it to do good. It will be more use in the hands of heroes." After visiting the major and telling him that he needn't worry any more about the wolves they went to the inn "Three Witches" again to stay for the night. The major had asked them to keep the 10000gp they had recovered from the mercenaries. Sitting in the pub and trying to answer all the questions without giving away any information about the valley, they saw the confused hunter coming in "The...the..valley is gone! There is just mountain where the entrance once was" All the people looked surprised at the group. They just smiled at each other "As we said, you don't have to fear the valley anymore. It is gone!"