Tyrelyn Ned'isstra the Legend of the Battlefield, Elite Imperial Blade

Role

Chapter 7

*** Within a strange bag of soft black cloth lies a stately, small, and
practical leather bound black book-and-pen-and-ink set, positioned snuggly in
a false hollow beneath the tile of Tyrelyn's Imperial apartments. Curiously,
flipping through its pages reveals unsoiled sheaves of crisp white parchment.
Only in the pitch dark of the sealed room, sheltered from the light of day
and torch alike, does this deception begin to unfold. Bag, book, pen, and
ink alike when cloaked in absolute darkness begin to exude a queer magical
aura, thrumming with a feel reminiscent of a magic found only in the black
depths of the Underdark. Perplexingly, however, the pages of the curious
notebook remain blank. A slight tingling, like another fainter pulse
overpowered by the others yet identical to them, slowly becomes apparent from
an ordinary looking tallow candle half burned on a desk. Igniting the wick,
the candle bursts into lightless flame, emblazoning the pages of Tyrelyn's
prized journal with words visible only in the infrared spectrum. With the
safeguards bypassed, the journal even bears a title written in a neat, blocky
hand that could only belong to the owner. Clearly this penning was meant for
no mortal eyes save the author's. ***

Role

Chapter 6

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= Memoirs and Musings of a Tactician =
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# Preface: The Night Above

The surface lands. Lands of wonder and legend. Lands of endless spaces.
Wealthy lands. Fat lands... ripe lands... far passed time for picking.
These lands are soft and supple and weak. It's inhabitants have never known
the dangers of the Underdark, never known the press of infinite tons of stone
overhead. Never have they been embraced by darkness unbroken for countless
millenia, or braved the lairs of the creatures that call these underground
warrens home. Scant few of these pitiful surface dwellers possess the quick
wit, iron will, and adamantite spine needed to set foot in the caves of my
home, much less survive. Yes, the Night Above is ripe for picking. I need
only find a clever way to pick...

Role

Chapter 5

# Chapter 1: The Life of a Blade

In my travels to the surface, among the lame, sickly, and weak, I have
found an organization which may yet prove nontrivial. Though I have my
doubts.They call themselves the Empire, founding themselves on Darkness (as
though they know the meaning of the word) and Order, a concept foreign to
most of my kin.But I have learned, adapted... It has been no trouble.The
rigors of my homelands have conditioned me to adapt to my surroundings quite
sufficiently. Here, though, it is more a matter of convenience than
survival.

This Empire, to which I have successfully gained admittance, is a unique
entity here upon the surface, though it still fails to compare to the
schemes, plots, and treachery available ad infinitum in Teth'Azeleth. These
surface dwellers make a credible effort at drowish cunning all the same. I
have little doubt I will easily weave their plots into my own web. I will
rise quickly here, and the Empire will dance a fine jig, my jig, like a
marionette on its strings.

On to details though. It seems the Empire, while a cohesive whole, is
rife with rivalry within its own ranks.The four sects, Blade, Black,
Shadow, and Divine, tolerate one another, but no more. I further suspect
this entire organization to be some grand charade, contrived by its players
like a game with stakes of life and death who play at it only for personal
glory. In practice, it is not unlike King of the Cavefisher's Nest, a
simple, albeit deadly, child's game. I will elaborate...

The goal of this game is the Imperial Throne, the title of Emperor, and
rulership (though unrecognized by many) of Thera. Below the Emperor lies the
heads of the four Sects, the War Master, the Shadowlord, the Dread Lord, and
the Imperial High Priest, one from each sect. These four are, paradoxically,
the Emperor's greatest allies and greatest enemies -- much as in our
Cavefisher game earlier, they have the capacity to uphold the Emperor from
the Cavefisher, or to feed him to it. Truly the Emperor's goal is to balance
these four pieces in such a way that they are more apt to uphold his position
than depose him. As in drow society, however, there are no assurances.The
Emperor's aim, however impossible it may be, is to wield his vast, but often
temporary, power to make his position unquestionable and, more importantly,
unassailable. As with our children's game, though, it is a task not suited
for the weak or the stupid. Those invariably end up eaten by our
"Cavefisher."

It is worth noting that while this task of keeping the Council as allies
requires cunning and dedication, the Emperor must also make certain his more
obvious enemies are kept in check. Yes, the Emperor remains quite busy. I
will continue to puzzle over how one might accomplish both of these feats
simultaneously, and detail the troubles that face the Empire in a later
chapter.

Above all, there is one thing to know about the Empire: Focus only on
securing the seat of Emperor or, failing that, one on the High Council.All
other positions are foot soldiers and fodder at best, and lower than the most
despicable refuse at worst.

Role

Chapter 4

*** Neatly folded behind chapter one is a small stack of papers, written in
the same ink and hand as the rest of the journal. ***

# Insert A: Stirrings of the Eternal Night

I was approached by an Orc today, calling himself Thaknuzum Uzzibith. He
is a curious, puffed up thing with a high opinion of himself, as though such
creature were fit for more menial servitude. These surface dwellers tolerate
far too much nonsense from races with the mental wherewithal of a cooshie's
leavings. Soully on the gall of his approach, I agreed to hear him out. I
am uncertain what to make of the result.

The orc seeks a flail, once belonging to a bishop who was lost beneath the
streets of Arkham. The orc and his followers, naturally, could not locate
the flail and he sought the employ of one who might easily traverse caves and
tombs and darkness -- me. What I found beneath the streets, however, is more
disturbing than the orc himself. I must wonder, for the time being, what
"big Thak" is plotting.In time it will become clear. An orc cannot hope to
hide his insights from the far keener mind of a drow.

Beneath the streets of Arkham are a myriad mysteries, the likes of which
rival even the unexplored crevices and passage ways of my underworld home.
The Cult of the Silver Claw calls these caverns home, though they build
structures beneath the rock rather than shape it. Foolishness.It is clear
after my ventures that these cultists are in league with the Chasm.

The magi of the Eternal Night (another misnomer in my opinion, Eternal
Night is known only in the Underdark) are quite... interesting indeed... as
they would put it. I have never before seen the magic these surface dwellers
study, though I suspect it may be something akin to the natural power within
the drow -- the power of Darkness. Without a doubt, though, they are
dabbling in the most powerful and diabolical of the black arts.They
certainly cannot be trusted, nor even allowed to live once their secrets are
mine. But I digress...

I have located the fool orc's flail, though I've been unable to reach it
within the sealed confines of it's coffin. Curiously I have not yet been
able to find any method with which the casket might be opened. Once
procured... well the orc offers a small fortune for this ancient relic, but
he shall not have it I think.

Also within these tunnels is a door that will not open -- or perhaps does
not open. And for good reason.Though it is still unclear to me, I believe
when these crypts were created beneath Arkham something terribly and
deliciously evil was released. Eventually the evil was sealed again behind
this door, by some method, and I believe the flail is the key to it... of
sorts. Clearly the bishop was involved, though now long lost to the ages.
The only possible clue left is his flail. We shall see in time. The drow
are notoriously long lived.

Role

Chapter 3

# Chapter 2: State of the Empire

Enemies of the Empire abound. Truly they are easier to find than allies,
as even the four sects are not entirely companionable with one another.
These internal threats, however, I have sketched roughly in my previous
writings. I will focus now on the rest of the world.

We of the Empire, through the power of the Imperial Codex, Civilization,
Darkness, and Order, are the rulers of Thera. As one might expect there are
a number of factions that... vehemently disagree... with such a claim.

Of primary concern at the time of this penning is the Fortress of Light.
Fools and weaklings all of them, though they come in such mass.How can a
society that strives to save their weak and coddle their stupid survive? The
stupid must be culled, and the weak bent at the knee and ruled.Without
exception. This is the drow method, breeding only the fit and strong. This,
too, should be the way of the Empire. These "Maran" and "Acolytes" must be
destroyed and the Orb they keep recovered by the Throne.

Running close second, puzzlingly, are the Battleragers, Haters of Magic.
Styling themselves the greatest warriors in Thera, they are not far wrong --
these fighters in their rage could give even the grandest of the drow
Blademasters pause. Briefly. These warriors cannot be allowed to stand
against the Throne, however blatant eradication may not be the best solution
for the village. The Battleragers are headstrong and brave, yes, but many
lack the necessary cunning to be true masters of combat. Like any good
weapon they may be guided with a deft movement of the wrist. With the proper
cajoling, they might be aimed, manipulated deftly as knives in the dance of
blades, into dealing with the Chasm, but cautiously. The Empire must be
careful not to thrust this blade through its palm.

The Chasm, as detailed somewhat previously, are renegades formerly of the
Imperial Arcane. They cannot be trusted. They cannot be allowed to live.
Once their black secrets are wrested from their minds these Scions will be
executed on charge of high treason against Thera. These magi tend to be hard
to find, however. They are few in number, but quite powerful even
single-handedly due to the malevolent energies they seek to harness.

This fourth enemy I can say little about. The Outlanders of Thar Eris are
seldom seen until the time of their strike. One can never be sure of their
numbers. These wildlings fight with the ferocity of the beasts and call the
forces of nature to their aid. It is a cute trick, but vastly inferior to
the magics of Thera. They are utterly unpredictable. The task of rounding
up these beasts will be somewhat trickier for the Empire than orcs herding
rothe (a fine contest, rothe intellect against an orc's) but manageable in
time. The Empire's reach across the seas into Arkham must first be
solidified.

The Blood Tribunal is of little consequence at present. They maintain
order in the cities -- a commendable task so long as it does not interfere
with Imperial Law or my own business. When the rest of the world has fallen
and the magistrates defend only citizens, they will be absorbed. Perhaps not
smoothly, but absorbed.Quite useful, these lawmen.

Role

Chapter 2

# Chapter 3: The Throne Beckons

I have assumed the title and post, now, of an Elite Imperial Blade. It is
a fine position of power within the Empire, but still... my drowish soul
knows only thirst for more. I have cast my eyes now to the throne where I
see this dispicable runt of an Anti-Paladin. A fire giant no less, by the
name of Kharghurln, with not a brain cell inside his thick skull. The Empire
would be better off with even that fool War Master, Merten, upon the throne.
What are we to gain now by warring on the Tribunal? It is a thought that
could only be born of the foolishly impulsive humans. Truly, though, what
the Empire needs... is me.

I have devised the first step in this likely bloody process.I will
petition the Lord of Thieves, Qaledus, who stands high among these surface
gods, for help.An appropriate gift may serve to set him in an attentive
mood. I believe I know just the thing.My intended offer is simple. I will
offer to "steal" the Empire for the Thief Lord.In exchange I shall request
long life, and to be named his Hand as Emperor, to hold the Imperial Coffers,
the largest single deposit of assets in all of Thera, in His name. Yes, I
have a strong suspicion that the Thief Lord and I can come to some agreement.

Role

Chapter 1

# Chapter 4: Execution of Conquest

One should not assume that my "theft" of this magnificent Empire will lead
to ruin. On the contrary, under my rule the Empire will know power that it
could never previously claim. No doubt Grurk, the Father of Anger, Lord of
Vengeance, will witness and savor the destruction of the Empire's foes, while
Khasotholas, the Great Overseer of Order and Creation will relish the
expansion of Imperial Law throughout Thera.

The mechanism for this conquest is simple -- in fact right beneath the
feet of any Centurion to ever live. I postulate this:

The Emperors of the past have sought to wrap the Empire around Thera's
crust engulfing it from the outside, the area of most surface. In this
approach lies grievous error. Thera is far too massive to control by
conventional overland means. We must harness the power presented to us by
the warren of caves beneath the earth. We must utilize the ancient tunnels
of my homeland, the Underdark, as the veritable super-highway for expanding
the Empire's reach that it could potentially be.

Once beneath the soils vast tracts of Thera will be instantly at the
Throne's fingertips, easily reached by vast armies of Imperial Centurion's
with the Imperial Officers to command them. The Empire can then move in to
tactical position to lay siege to vulnerable, unsuspecting territory. If
executed correctly, all opposition will be crushed swiftly and easily.
Control by Centurion marshal law will then suffice until such time when
proper Citizens can be made of these surface dwellers.

Immediately upon gaining access to the Underdark's tunnels, the Empire can
march to lay siege to Darsylon, Eryn Galen, Voralian City, Lower Cragstone,
the province of Udgaard Loke, and the Fortress of Light. Should they prove
immediately troublesome, Galadon and the Tribunal Spire is also readily and
quietly accessible through the tunnels of the Underdark. Blockades can be
set to embargo trade and reinforcement to these cities, effectively cutting
of lines of supplies and reinforcements between the elves of both cities and
even the Fortress of Light itself.

We should be cautious of the races at home in the Underdark, as they could
present significant opposition to the Empire's forces marching throught he
tunnels. Braving the caverns will present the greatest challenge in the
conquering to come. Hence is why I propose that I, as Emperor with my
carefully picked Councilors, act as ambassador to my drowish kin beneath the
surface. Through them we can secure knowledgable patrollers as guides for
the armies through the warrens, as well as a foothold in the citadel of
Velkyn Oloth.

In return I will offer Imperial amnesty to Teth'Azeleth and its rulers, as
well as rights to half the plunder of the Svirfneblin city of Lower
Cragstone, as well as Centurions to reinforce their warriors. The Matriarchs
will be well pleased with such a generous offer and rally to the Imperial
banners. This plan in its entirety must be executed carefully.The drow, as
I should well know, are a cunning and devious people. Under no circumstances
should they know more than they must, nor be given any more power than
absolutely necessary.

Once this alliance is secured, the Empire must act quickly to seize key
tactical locations and

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