The great kingdom of Waterdeep rose high above the land. Nestled in a valley next to the coast, it was a haven for travelers and warriors. Founded under just rulers, it had many years as the most powerful kingdom in all of landsverge. It's reign was benevolent and undisputed, for all respected and enjoyed the commodities Waterdeep offered. However, in a period of just two months, the entire kingdom fell. One that had lasted for over a century, and was thriving more then ever. How did this come to be? The tale lies herein... Texter was a mighty Paladin, trained by the great lord Piergeron himself. Often referred to as the Lord's right hand, he traveled the land preaching the good will, and power of his home, Waterdeep. He had lived many years without venturing from the exquisite pleasures of castle waterdeep, for all land known had been told of it's presence. But one day, a small frigate of the Waterdehavian navy found a small island off the coast, not far from the harbor, which had never been seen before. Texter loaded the Windseeker, a glorious ship of Waterdeep, with people and goods representative of the great things the trading city had to offer. By request of his lord, he set sail, to explore this Island, and befriend these newfound neighbors. The Windseeker anchored in a small cove near the coast of the Island. Small boats ventured forth, with Texter in the lead. Leading a party into the woods, he found that the island was all but uninhabited. All that was seen was a small burnt out campfire. When he reached the top of a large cliff, a puzzled look on his face, Texter set back to the Windseeker. Downcast, his party followed him, carrying the heavy loads of food and presents that were to be given to the inhabitants of the Island. Out of the utter silence of the march, a man in the back of the troop suddenly screamed. Every twirled around, to see a monstrous bear rampaging through the woods. They began to run, dropping their parcels, and fleeing into the safety of the rowboats. Texter, amazed by their cowardice, drew his sword and charged towards the beast. As his sword struck down upon his foe, the flesh seemed to shiver and move, ethereally. No hit seemed to do any damage, and with a fell swoop of it’s paw, Texter was felled. Knocked unconscious, he was dragged away, with none of his men even knowing... Waking up in a room of twisting shadows, the great Paladin felt his head throb. Around him were altering shapes, the only constant in them were two spots of red, forming hateful eyes. As Texter began to speak, his mouth was encased by a tendril of shadows, keeping it shut with great force.We are the Stelarei, stated a form, as it began to coalesce into a reptilian form. Why have you intruded on our land, and broken the seal of darkness? it said in a voice that made Texter shiver deep down. Like an old witch whispering in an empty cavern, he thought. The tendrils let up, leaving him free to speak. We came offering gifts. The good will of Waterdeep was to be brought to you through me. Standing up, he uttered a few words, making him feel better then new. Ungrateful fools... We were exiled here through your treachery... You mean us no harm? The arm of the creature flashed through the air at a lightning speed, claws slashing Texter's exposed arm. Reaching for his sword, and finding it had been removed, Texter prepared for a fight. Suddenly, he keeled over, reeling with the sting of the cut. Fainting from pain and exhaustion at once; he fell into the darkness once more.. The men reached Waterdeep in half the time it took them to get to the Island. Sending a page straight to the high court, they hoped for assistance. Oh, great and powerful council, a terrible thing has befallen. Stated the page, gasping for breath from the run he had taken. The wise Paladin Texter has been captured, or worse, by monsters on the Island. Our men saw his being dragged away by a huge bear like monster, with.... Living shadows following it. The entire room fell silent, in horror of what had just been said. Texter was one of their best, and if he was taken easily, how would the rest of waterdeep fare? The kingdom had not faced peril in quite a while, only suffering minor pirate attacks, and skirmishes with weak goblins from the east. They were not prepared for a war, mentally of physically, and starting it out on this note was not a good sign. The army of Waterdeep was brought out of retirement, whipping into shape by experienced drill sergeants. The armories came back into function, producing gleaming swords by the dozen. The spirit of the city rose, as they were all seeking vengeance against the fiends who had taken their beloved herald Texter. The Windseeker was equipped to be the top warship, armed with great cannons, and protected by a spell cast with pride by the masterful wizard (arenson??) Blackstaff. The best sailors were taken off of trading ships, and placed on duty to once again form the formidable navy of Waterdeep. All seemed well, and the day of departure was near. The Christening of the new Windseeker happened early in the day, and with Lord Piergeron himself at the helm. The fleet of waterdeep following in its wake, they made great haste to the island. Forming a quick base on a strategic cliff on the Islands northwestern side, they supplied it well, and prepared for a fight. At night, with men sleeping in the temporary barracks, Lord Piergeron was in the war room, plotting success.. We shall first approach them peacefully, asking what they have done with our friend. However, as you all know, we will be very, very prepared if there is less then a satisfactory answer. The Lord grinned, showing the wrinkles in his face that were making themselves more pronounced through time. No amount of magic could make a man live forever, although Elminster had come close. As the men nodded in realization of Lord Piergeron's brilliant plan, a sound of lightning ripped across the other side of the room. All heads turned, hands at their scabbards, but the generals just smiled as they saw who it was. Elminster, the sage of shadowdale had appeared, with his apprentice, Aleena, at his side. Aleena petted the family dog, General Beastly T. Fido, and smiled at her father. Greetings were passed between everyone, until some realized what this would mean. Elminster had not fought a battle in centuries, and he chose them wisely. He let men fight between themselves when the stakes consisted of land, or trading rights. But he was concerned here, and that worried them.. Something terrible was afoot. Elminster sensed the changed atmosphere in the room, and began to explain. Gentlemen, we have not faced a foe as great as these in quite a long time. I doubt any of your grandparents were even alive when greater danger faced our fair city. These fiends are the Stelarei, shadowy people that are embedded deep in our past. Finishing this, Elminster drew an ancient parchment from his robes, and blew the dust off of it. This consists of the history of the last battle with the Stelarei. Clearing his throat, and opening the book to a predetermined page, he began to read. Waterdeep was founded by two forces. One, the more commonly known, were the noble families of Waterdeep. Common knowledge consists of respect for these people, as they founded our powerful city, and upheld it’s values. However, they could not have done it alone. They could not have done it without the help of the Stelarei. The Stelarei were a secretive people who lived deep in the forests east of Waterdeep. They were very secretive, but seemed to take a liking to the folk of waterdeep. They trained many in their ancient arts of lore and art. The crafts they taught made Waterdeep a greatly used trading city. The two people coexisted, living is harmony for the first time. However, one day, when a darkness unseen in a long time descended upon the land, people got worried. They had heard tales of the Stelarei being minions of Bane a long time ago. Crops withered and died, animals got sick, and the fisherman could not catch anything. Finally, the Stelarei were banished from waterdeep, as they were thought to be the cause of these events. Leaving bitterly, the Stelarei began to think. The began to despise the common man of waterdeep, and think the high houses were totally against them. They used their incredible majicks to form an island out of the sea, the one you are standing on, my friends. From here they launched a campaign against Waterdeep to try and take back the technologies they had taught them. But the land was stronger then ever, because as they left, the darkness left. The Island eventually became a source of great angst for Waterdeep. They thought that any large attack might harm them greatly. So they called upon their greatest magic users, who had learned from the Stelarei themselves. I was the leader of that group, and had been the apprentice to the highest Stelarei mage, Yughsi. Together we formed a huge force above the city, glowing blue and surging with power, we sent it to the Island. It disappeared in a mist, leaving us relieved, and drained of power. The men were amazed at this tale. It conflicted with everything they had learned in their lives. They had all thought that the founders of Waterdeep were wonderful people who could not do anything so horrible to anyone as banish them. And learning that the main parts of Waterdeep had been made by the Stelarei was no comfort, either. The seal had worn off through centuries of waiting, with the hate of the Stelarei festering in their veins all the while. Elminster explained that they must have reverted to their shadowy form as a natural defense, and with no sunlight coming through the barrier they could not survive anyway. They had lived in total darkness for most of their lives. Lord Piergeron, realizing the power of his new enemies, realized it would take all the power of Waterdeep to come near defeating these people.. They decided to begin raids the next day, deciding to take no peaceful alternatives. Before the sun rose the next morning, Aleena, with a group of men ventured into the fringes of the forest. Casting spells of fire all around her, the men worked them into a blazing inferno. The group ran back to base to enjoy their work. The forest burned steadily for an entire day. When almost all of it was burned to the ground, only a small patch of forest was left. This was assumed to be the Stelarei’s base, and was marked down on a map. The men cheered, and Lord Piergeron was proud of his daughters resourcefulness, and even Elminster thought this a worthy victory. In the middle of a wonderful feast, people looked out of the tents. The ground near the camp was crumbling down, leaving them on a plateau separated from the rest of the Island. The small patch of forest seemed to be crackling on it’s own, although no fire was there. Thorny patches of barbed trees grew faster then the eyes could see, spreading across the Island in an instant. The once lush green tropical setting was turning into a dark forest that looked incredibly foreboding to even go near. The patch of forest that had not been burned down suddenly reared up, like a hand forcing itself out of the earth. a huge fortress rose out of the ground to create a single dark citadel above the forest, overlooking it, and the camp. As everyone was distracted by that, a dark voice, like crackling paper boomed from behind them. Turning around, they saw Texter himself! Opening up his flowing cloak, he laughed demonically. Large portions of his body were not there anymore, instead replaced by Shadows. His eyes gleamed red, and his sword looked to be made of obsidian. Hello, former companions. He said. Most of the men had already looked away seeing his body, and most of the others did the same hearing his voice again. Texter is no longer. I have seen the glory of the Stelarei, and now serve them. You insolent fools shall not persevere over us, with our combined knowledge. Uttering words of many languages, Texter suddenly was standing next to a towering pillar of darkness, blotting out the sun. A wicked voice stated, Ah, Elminssster. I had thought I would never sssee you again. You ssseem to have learned well, even being alive at your age. The pillar emanated a cackling, cold voice, suddenly forming into a dark figure of a woman wearing flowing robes covering all but her face. I sssee you Waterdehavian foolsss have prossspered in our absssence. This shall soon be remedied. We shall crusssh you all easssily, taking what was originally oursss. Texter has taught us many thingsss, alssso. She grinned a smile with no teeth, a gaping maw of blackness, and patted the former Texter on the shoulder. We now have our combined majicksss on our ssside, which will make it all the easssier to watch you crumble. The darkness suddenly left, like a smell being blown by the wind. The two apparitions were gone, leaving a trace of stale air in their place. The men were silent for a long time, until they looked up at Lord Piergeron. I’m sure we all just heard what has occurred. These enemies have captured Texter and converted him into some sort of hideous monster. They also have his knowledge on their side, which will not make our job easier... The following day, the army of waterdeep grouped up again. Lord Piergeron dressed in splendid battle gear led them to the fortress. A high general of waterdeep had taken over Texter’s job for the time being. The youngest of the council, Syrinx was wise beyond his years, and a good consultant to Piergeron. Elminster, with a wave of his hand parted the thorny underbrush, leaving the men and horses ample room to walk. After their long walk, they stopped in front of the fortress. Launching magical and physical attacks on the fortress, they broke a large hole in the wall. These masters of illusion cut off their spell, revealing the fortress to be four times as large as anyone thought it to truly be. The drawbridge creaked down upon the blackened poisonous waters, allowing Stelarei warriors and mages to get across. Yughsi oversaw the battle from a rampart high above the action, as Texter led the assault. The Stelarei were fast. Too fast, in fact, to even cause a fair fight. They formed into reptilian creatures once more, clawing men’s throats. Into eagles, swooping down in a buzzard like fashion, ripping the helmets off of the men, then dropping them back down to hit them on the head. They glided across the battlefield, causing pain to all who fought them. Elminster was fighting eight at once, all formed into a huge bear like form seen earlier in the woods. Every physical spell he cast at them was simply dodged by creating a hole in the monster to part and let it pass through, hitting the ground. Casting a vicious mist of death, all eight fell to the ground in a dying heap, one managing to claw Elminster. The poison in the claws was powerful, but Elminster cast a spell to see to it that no harm would come to him. His skin as hard as metal, he floated across the killing grounds once more. Aleena, with her squad of elite trained royal magicians, continued to kill the Stelarei soldiers. Dodging and weaving amongst them, they kicked their feet out from under them, leaving them too distracted to dodge fireballs of blazing meteor showers. Fairing well, she felt as if the battle was turning in her favor. The Stelarei magicians, leaving the army crushed behind them, had arrived. Floating above the ground, the martial arts skills of her group did nothing. The meteor showers hit only a few, while the misses were reflected back, causing a terrible retreat by Aleena and her terrorized helpers. Lord Piergeron's legendary sword cut down foe after foe after foe. Their shadowy flesh could not form away from it’s blazing light, as it reflected in the sun, it also seemed to have a light of it’s own, emanating deep from within. The heavy armor of Lord Piergeron could not be pierced by Stelarei claws, nor could his helm of Waterdeep be pried from his head. Realizing that he was their leader, the hordes of Stelarei converged upon him. Fighting valiantly, and still on the offense, although hundreds of creatures were against him, he entered the fray time after time. Syrinx defended his flank, his sword striking down any who came near. His reflexes were faster then any Stelarei, and amazingly so. Even the Magicians with massive haste could not come near his fighting prowess. Lord Piergeron and Syrinx circled around each other, always looking the opposite direction, always having a new foe to strike down. More Stelarei poured forth from the depths of the fortress, fighting with even more of a rage for their fallen brethren. Yughsi, sensing that the battle was not going as easily as planned, began casting spheres of protection on her minions. They took thrice as many blows to kill now, letting the others get hits on Piergeron and Syrinx. Syrinx was fighting a mighty bull, when a Stelarei in the form of a snake slithered up and bit him on the leg. Feeling woozy, he continued to swing his sword as best he could. Collapsing on the ground, the hordes about to devour him, a blasting light appeared around him. The form of Texter was glowing with a bright light, eating at the shadows that surrounded it. Syrinx was lifted up on a blinding bed of light, crippling all the Stelarei around him. Floating to the camp in peace, the medics tended to his wounds. Texter's powerful will had overcome the curse Yughsi had put on him. Screaming with rage, she sent a terrible force down to crush him. Already weakened massively from the effort of fighting his controllers, he fell to the ground, never to rise again. Without Syrinx covering his back, Lord Piergeron could not hold off the demons forever. Closing his eyes, and dropping his sword, he began to chant. The words themselves seemed to rip the demons from this plane, banishing them forever to a hideous existence. His holy words reached even the ears of Yughsi, who screamed in pain, and seemed to slightly dissolve. She ran inside the tower, covering her ears. The demons perishing by the dozens, several managed to leap across the field towards the great lord, who ended his chanting, and fell to the ground gasping for breath. They fell upon him in his moment of weakness, killing him when he had no chance to fight back. Dragging his and Texter’s armor back into the fortress, their days work was complete. That day, over one thousand Stelarei had been killed by the forces of good. The price for this victory, though, had been terrible. Aleena fell over weeping at the news of her father, with his echoing holy words reaching the camp. These words seemed to slightly moralize everyone once more, giving them resolve to fight back for their lord, as he had given his for their lives. Yughsi lay brooding in the coven of the Fortress. Her faithful followers had suffered a massive blow this day. She herself was weakened, too, from the effort of keeping herself alive from the terrible holy words she had heard overseeing the battle. She had lost Texter, her source of knowledge about these people, but had taken the life of Lord Piergeron.. She now wore his helm upon her head, which now glowed black with hate.. She realized that her forces could not keep fighting forever, but neither could the enemies. She called a meeting, and arrived upon a final decision. Syrinx taking over as the new military leader, and Elminster as the total leader, the army was far weaker. The oncoming troops were kept back by the skilled Waterdehavian Archers, who shot menacing arrows in their paths. Elminster left Syrinx giving a speech to the remaining 1/4 of the army. He had decided there was only one course of action he could do, and it would be a dreadful one. The fate of the two most powerful wizards in the realm seemed to converge upon a single spot. Elminster and Yughsi had met at the top deck of the citadel, with winds whistling around them. They did not speak, for they knew this would end one of their lives, at least. Yughsi continued to blur out of existence to get hits on Elminster, who fought back by restoring himself to perfect health, and summoning a mist of death around him to protect him. Coughing at the foul mist, Yughsi picked up pieces of rock, set them on fire, and flung them at Elminster. Deflecting all but a few, Elminster began to glow red. His eyes lost their pupils and glowed bright with majick. Yughsi remembered the spell she had taught him over a millennia ago, and began to screech against it. The entire island began to rumble on it’s foundation. The men of Waterdeep were already on board their boats, by order of Syrinx, and sailing away. The tower, being ripped to shreds by Elminster magic was the center of it all. The Island began to sink itself, erupting into blue flame as it went under. The demons rushed out, only to be scorched by the flame with not heat, and destroyed by the rising waters. The deafening sound of the water being forced up around the island began to be the last sound any of the people on the Island would hear. Yughsi breathed her last, as she sunk under the water, with Elminster erupting into a brilliant flash of white. The death of Yughsi sent a tremendous surge of black magic deep into the core of the land, corrupting the foundation of waterdeep. The grand city began to crumble around itself, with citizens scrambling for their belongings and leaving. Xanthar’s pirate ship carried him away from the decaying place, wher good and evil magic were creating a torrent of destruction. The foundation of the city was built on good, which was now being made decrepit by evil. The city began to sink and slide, until it’s entire and once glorious kingdom was engulfed hundreds of feet under water. When Syrinx arrived in the harbor, he came to a sad sight. His once great homeland had been erased from existence, with the more resourceful people creating small camps on the new shoreline. The three remaining ships of the Waterdehavian Navy landed, dropping off the scarred soldiers of a terrible battle for their wonderful city. Never again would the metropolis bustle with activity and trade. Most soldiers hung up their armor, and melted down their swords for trowels. Creating simple farming communities, the simple people of Waterdeep lived on. The great library, containing hundreds of years of knowledge, had also been destroyed. The spells forged from experience and wisdom would never again be cast, with only a few being able to remember their effect, let alone the procedure for casting them. The great Kingdom of Waterdeep had fallen, and would never rise again. It would be remembered in all it’s splendor and glory, as a haven to people who could not find anywhere else to live, and as a home for those in need. The winds would carry the unforgettable name across the lands. And far away, in some undiscovered land, this history shall be remembered, and recorded by the sage of shadowdale... The End