Author:	Zog the Fishmonger
Date/Time:	1/20/2003 12:47:48 PM
Subject:	Paxlair's Fifth Anniversary Celebration, Part One
The evening began, as it usually does, with hectic final preparations for welcoming events for all participants of Paxlair. A large gathering of revellers massed in the Tower courtyard as the 5th anniversary of Paxlair started. I noted that the streets were at peace, though both murderer and innocent alike shared them. I thank all souls involved who made that possibility a reality. The Mayor Minsk arrived, and invited many guests to the rooftop tavern for drinks and victuals, and much discussion between veterans of the wars took place as old friendships were rekindled. Even as the Knights Ceremony was being prepared, and last minute assistants were tending to the collection of the Joust fees, that strange spirit, the Gatekeeper, revealed itself to us at the Spring of Courage. As was to be expected, battle and chaos ensued in the streets of the town, with many sides weighing in on the side of Justice and Honor, and some sides creating dissention, chaos, and disorder. The Mayor Minsk fell by the dark arts at the Spring, but its healing waters, and the hurried aid of her many supporters, quickly returned her to her ceremonial tasks. The Gatekeeper then proceeded to speak of a penitent soul who prayed for Justice. As the courtyard battles continued, a quest began. After some discussion, the participants concluded that the penitent soul might be found at the Yew courts. Although this proved wrong, the many secret passageways of the Yew Prison were revealed. Seeking someone who needed aid, the group found nary a soul, and more discussion occurred regarding the Gatekeepers wailings. The Justice Shrine was suggested. Arriving there, the party encountered a man named Aaron, who prayed for Justice, using the Mantra 'Beh'. Aaron shared a tragic tale with the party. Evidently, his daughter, a lass named Sintul, had been abducted by an evil man. It was determined, after many sought the blessings of Justice, that this man, and Aaron's daughter, might be found on an isle west of Skara Brae. Mayor Minsk, at this time, returned to Paxlair to resurrect an honorable murderer, and fell again as a result of this act of compassion to opportunists. The party continued on, and an expedition was mounted, and the services of a vessel of transport, to bear the party across the sea to the isle. It was here that Sintul was found, in the camp of Valtos the Void, bound to him via arcane ties both body and soul. A prisoner in more ways than one. Valtos ranted about tormenting the town of Paxlair, once again revealing conspiracies determined to bring the town to ruin and waste. Many debated Valtos, attempting reason. John Duke, Ponteroy, Connor, Kraille, Cherokee Rose, ODIN, Snow-King, Adrienne, Thugasmash the Ork, Brandon, Grok - all attempted to reason with this diabolical man. To no avail! Valtos would not release his prisoner, and after confessing such dark designs, Ponteroy had tolerated him long enough. Ponteroy, the High Magistrate of Heartkin, did then slay Valtos, freeing Sintul, and recovered some books and parchments off of the madmans bloody corpse. Grok transported the adventurers back to the Shrine of Justice, that Aaron might be reunited with his daughter. It was here that Aaron decoded the secret language of the vile Valtos and his fellow conspirators, and another map was revealed. Even as Aaron decoded the book, titled 'Spring of Death' - which was written by Mazrim's strategist, he stated that the adventurers might need to seek the aid of the Gatekeeper in the quest to save the Spring of Courage from another attempt to defile it. A ritual was identified to summon the Gatekeeper, and a hidden location revealed where the ritual might be performed. (see books provided by the Old Man). Monk and the young Knight, Connor Trist, then joined the adventure. The expedition journeyed to the Mage Valley West of Trinsic, and prepared the ritual. Fires were ignited around the pentagram and kept burning by John. A skull was laid to rest in the center, and a potion of revealing, a staff of Justice, and waters from the still pure Spring of Courage. The word of power, 'Jastrug', was spoken. Connor and Monk kept the evil mages at bay. The Gatekeeper appeared. The spirit told tale of more details regarding Mazrims conspiracy with minions such as Valtos, and the Orc and Savage tribes he rallied to Mazrim's cause. Evidently, both potentially invading armies needed to be met with force on their own grounds, that evil not come to Paxlair or the Spring of Courage. The adventurers returned to Paxlair, seeking to rally arms to take the challenge to evil itself. It was at this point that other events took precedence, and now the details leading up to the Old Man's latest information are revealed. Next: Mayor Minsk's Address to the Town The Knights Ceremony The Attack The Old Man's Speech Black Feather's Appeal for Books The Appeal of the Army of Thieves The Particulars of the Joust The Final Battle The Prizes of the Joust, and the Evenings End. Zog