The host made their long journey back home from the Plains of Gehenna and before they could enjoy some good rest, rumors started circling. They whispered about vampires, orcs, and elves of many races. The most concerning were those that whispered about Nashik, the former King of Mistwood.
Even though the Handmaiden had been subdued for the time being the elven race was still facing challenges and the threat of a civil war. Word had gotten out that Her Majesty had granted special access and citizenship to a common man. Both pure and half elves were very upset by this. Most pure blooded elves believed that only pure elves may live within the wood while half elves have been fighting for their right to be able to live in the wood for centuries. Needless to say this has caused some unrest with the elves bringing the threat of a civil war. With the Mistwood borders still shut down, elves were flowing into Avalon. Some are more cordial than others about the borders. Some also speaking about rumors heard that Nashik was said to be in league with the half orc Doorbreaker, the leader of an orc army. It was also said that he called out to his cousin Margos, The Hierarch of all Vampires, and asked for his vampiric gifts back.
You see, Nashik is an ancient elf who once used to be a vampire. His mother, the Queen (not the current one) had done literally everything in her power including giving her life to purge the evil from him. He remained this way for many years until about 3 years ago when the Mistwood was under threat by the Darkwood. The Darkwood was inching its way into the elven home corrupting everything in its wake. Queen Yana Ne’Fey sought out aid from Avalon to help fight the Darkwood and its machinations.
During this time the corruption was so bad that it started affecting the Queen physically as she was connected to the wood. Nashik (named King at the time through his marriage with Yana) called out his birthright to the throne and called upon the ancient power of the Mistwood to take the corruption of the Mistwood into himself, thus saving their home and his wife.
Ever since, Nashik has lived with the corruption and between then and now has realigned himself with the forces of evil once more to become a vampire yet again
Throughout the gathering there were sightings of Margos’ demon knight Roland and his companion Maeve. As to be expected if Nashik was trying to wreak havoc among the elves. Reports of orcs were also coming in along with some propaganda being placed all over Avalon Proper. Mostly against the Mistwood and the heroes.
Her Majesty Yana Ne’Fey did grace Avalon with her presence Saturday afternoon. She had informed the Nobility that Nashik was after some items that were important to the Mistwood and its history. She said that one of his goals may be to cut the ties between the wood and the elves.
To achieve this goal he was making sure to distract the host. He was giving false hope to half elves, saying that he would give him full citizenship if they could help him get back into his home. They had no idea that he was no longer King nor that he was a vampire. This did cause issues along the border with the Slayers sworn to protect The Mistwood at any cost. He also managed to have the vampires make a kidnapping attempt on the Queen. They nearly succeeded if not for her guard and the Raptors.
Then, on Sunday of the gathering things came to a clash with a force of half elves and orcs being led by Maeve and one of Doorbreaker’s generals. As much as Avalon didn’t want to fight the misguided half elves they had no choice but to defend themselves and deal with the aftermath. The goal here was to get to Maeve and the half orc.
The fight ebbed and flowed as more and more enemies rushed in. As Avalon was gaining ground Maeve “disappeared” off of the field. Being that she is a vampire with incredible speed it was easy to determine she fled somewhere. A search party went off to find her as the rest of the host finished off the remaining enemies.
Avalon claimed victory and detained the half orc general.
Soon after Maeve was found, captured, and slain by Sir Lord Chancellor Ventrick, a Paladin of The Light. At last one of Avalon’s long standing enemies was eliminated.
As the long gathering of elven unrest and battles finally started to settle down her Majesty extended an invitation to the heroes. In honor of winning the Nymidian war the queen has offered to host a very special ball in the Mistwood in a very ancient palace of sorts.
Some took her up on the offer and got ready to enjoy some much needed levity and relaxation. They got to enjoy music, food, wine and even a fashion contest. Yana even announced the reopening of her borders.
Among the joyous occasion there was a mystery to be solved that some younger Heroes set to solve. It was a box upon an altar with a riddle and some tools. There was a key that needed to be found to open the box and only human hands that had been granted access to the Mistwood could open it. Needless to say the young ones were clever enough to solve all of the puzzles and find the key. Logan, the common man that was granted citizenship, was given this key and proceeded to open the box. Inside was a letter from Nashik’s father to Nashik that laid out a prophecy that was going to come to pass by the four-day gathering.
The letter spoke of the elven history of why the eleven people were cursed and doomed to be eradicated from Midlantia and all the world. Nashik’s father said that Nashik would be the only one that could save himself to save his kin. If Nashik were to die before that could happen then all elves no matter race or blood would die.
The dilemma would be trying to guide a man whose mind is corrupted by so much evil in the correct direction without telling him about the prophecy.
As discussions were being held, the High Inquisitor of the elves, Syl’Mar ran in through the ballroom to the Queen. She was shaking with fear and distress as she reported that Nashik and his army of orcs, vampires and half elves have the entirety of the Mistwood surrounded.
The Nobility gathered quickly to try and formulate a plan of action.
With part of Avalon now trapped inside the Mistwood, they had nothing to do but train, prepare and ready themselves for the coming fight.
