The Plot, Our storyline as so far...

[Stephamarie]

At the beginning

The Storyline here starts about thirty-five years or so after the end of the Owl Trilogy. Things have been relatively peaceful. People travel across Valdemar and it's neighbors alike and even into the mysterious Iftel, though only a few have had the courage to go into the strange land; bringing back tales of creatures not seen since Urtho's reign roaming the land and of course the Gryphon competitions. The once mystifying Hawkbrothers and their Vales are now a little more in the light. Some even allow visitors and travelers, like K’Valdemar vale, the first to set up it's own embassy. Some are still hesitant and all Tayledras territory should not be crossed unless with permission and an escort.

In Valdemar herself things have been quiet, true magic has taken a firm root again and they are steadily catching up as far as such magic is concerned after being without Mages for so long. While the Mage’s Collegium is growing however, the Herald’s Collegium is the smallest it’s been in generations, which most are attributing to the peace. Recently though there have been a few oddities; including a rapidly growing number of Companion foals being born. The general story to those that take notice has also simply been the peace. Many companions have more leisure to take part in - such activities.

Though of course the Heralds are nervous. Where there are more Companions there are more Heralds being chosen, which of course means...trouble. That paired with the present state of Karse, the general opinion is not an optimistic one. Even the Foreseers show no sign of anything amiss so of course time keeps moving and the select few who have been informed of the issue must proceed normally. Causing a panic over something that, if it even happens, isn't for another few years and that they currently know next to nothing about would of course be imprudent.

After two large waves of young Companions left to find their Chosen but did not return there was worry. Shortly after the first disappearances Heralds began being sent as shadows with the choosing Companions. Some time passed and as the kidnappers were discovered the kidnappings changed to straight attacks. All of the missing Chosen have since been rescued though not without a cost. Four Heralds have died and two still remain missing.

[Stephamarie]

Currently in Other Countries

Ruvan- Closed Plot
Ruvan is a sparse land with no true winter only a ‘rainy season’ that turns the earth to mud. Currently the country is in a state of chaos and the oddly cold and intense weather is not a bit of help.

Two years ago the entire royal family were found dead, every body in the palace with no one left to see to a just investigation before the pillagers and thieves stripped the place, it goes unknown as to what happened but it is not thought to have been done with magic only well planned and skilled murder.

Now the nobles bicker over who should become ruler and obviously will not be coming to a decision soon if ever. The only safe place is the mercenary town of Hawk’s Nest, which is generally staying out of the mess. The closest thing to a governing force is a once underground force of criminals and small bands of mercenaries and assassins. The only money to be made now is through death and trade. Merchants are still allowed through selling and protected as even thieves need things and once a merchant is stolen from (or killed) they obviously won’t be bringing things through again.

Some of the groups are actually trying to bring some sort of sense to the chaos acting almost as a police force protecting merchants, citizens (what’s left), and even some of the nobles. The few richer towns have became a sort of haven for those citizens not able to flee, shops are still open and a weekly market is set up in the square policed many times by one of these more ‘honorable’ groups. One such group is the Blackmoon Caravan, a group of performers that also front an elite group of assassins know as the Professionals. Formerly their tents are set up in the forests of northwestern Ruvan but have since moved.

Prostitution, slave markets, and a wide use of narcotics are all common place with the formerly lenient laws now completely gone it is not a pleasant or safe place to say the least.

In the town of Brether's Crossing it is being said that just recently a small group of assassins were caught after murdering three Lords who were at the head of the line for the throne. It is also rumored these murderers may have been to blame for the royal family's slaughter. Of course this is not entirely true.
*For the real story see the following threads:
Plans and a Mission, The Mission at Hand, Getting Some Answers, A Mission of Their Own, A Meeting Called, Almost there?, A Mission for Family, and Moving Briskly.

Because of these rumors the Blackmoon Caravan has moved on heading to the kingdom of Valdemar. The large bounty on the heads of their Professionals, leaders, and even the more moderate bounty on their general members has made their name a bit more widely known again as people in and possibly outside of Ruvan search for their location.

Karse- Currently active plot.
Most recently there has been happenings in Karse, the great Solaris has died after reaching a grand old age. To everyone’s surprise though, there has not been another Son of the Sun chosen and the countryside is in a delicate calm all are fearing the possibility of the false ways returning. No one knows what could happen if such a thing would be attempted again. A young man that worked at her side has been holding the shaky balance until it is hoped that a new Son of the Sun is appointed. Valdemar too is holding its breath as things are sorted out.

November 21st, during a morning ceremony at the capital what is thought to be a Firecat was seen attacking a sunpriest then disappeared.
*See thread Technical Difficulties.

March 9th, in a small temple a new Son of the Son was chosen, Kusaro.
*See threads Vkandis' Flaming Son and A New Son of the Sun?.


k'Valdemar- Active but no specific plot.
The vale has been recently warned against the situation currently in Valdemar with the kidnappings and currently they are experiencing unusually intense weather outside the veil. The mages too are a bit on edge as there have been major fluxes of energy in leylines and nodes to the north. Mages are working to find any other information on these oddities. This information has been passed to the nearby vales and currently patrol circuits have been split, having more scouts active during shifts but with smaller sections to patrol, to allow more thorough watch of the boarders.

[Stephamarie]

Missing Persons

- 5 Newly Chosen with Companions (From the first wave)
{Lanirehn-Rellisa, Ana-Bara, Kylie-Ramon, Sharriden-Caelyn, Jessica-Solane}

- 2 Full Heralds & their Companions (Companion Shadows)
{Herald-Mage Odamic-Companion, *Herald Jenner-Companion}

- 2 Possible Newly Chosen and 2 Companions (From second wave)
{Whisper-Jewelsong, Farran-Reysel}

- Herald, Herald Intern, and their Companions on Northern Circuit
{Herald Derrick Fletcher-Evilene, *Firahn-Companion}

*-Still have not been located.


Current Status

-One Herald and Companion (Ivilya-Tashran) has returned with the Companion and newly Chosen that they shadowed (Bryar-Kallan).
*See thread Haven?

-Herald Quinn and his Companion Terrin were killed by mage Helrein while shadowing their appointed Companion and her newly Chosen (Whisper-Jewelsong).
*See thread Shadows and Lightning.

-Heralds Temari and Aeris later joined by Herald Enfys successfully protected their appointed Companion and her newly chosen (Nikolas-Nerina) and have restrained the mage would be kidnapper. They are continuing to bring the newly Chosen to Haven as well as attempt to gain information from their prisoner.
*See threads Retrieval and Half Way There.

-Herald Garrick and his Companion Felaris were killed by mage Scern while allowing their appointed Companion and his newly chosen (Amelia and Shane) to escape the attack and reach Haven.
*See thread Newly Chosen, with Complications.

-Herald-Mage Odamic, formerly Lavien's appointed tutor had been sent to shadow companion Reysel, and while the companion and her chosen have arrived at Haven the Herald-mage's location is still unknown. Similarly Herald Jenner and his companion who were shadowing companion Caelyn. Contact with them has since been lost.

-A Companion left on Oct. 11th to find his Chosen being shadowed by Heralds Ivilya and Daren.

-Heralds Ivilya and Daren followed their appointed Companion all the way into Ruvan and now are protecting him and his newly chosen (Yena-Xander) as well as a number of the missing chosen as well as their companions (Sharriden-Caelyn, Kylie-Ramon, Farran-Reysel) with some additional help from Yena and other Blackmoon members .
*See threads Almost There?, A Mission for Family, Moving Briskly.

-Intense weather has been reported to the north west around the forest of Sorrows and the High Hills area. A Tayledras (Stormsong) is heading to Haven to report on an attack and strange findings from the north. Herald Effie and Mage Jentaria were escorted there by the Tayledras to investigate. Also neither the Herald on northern patrol nor his/her Internee has reported back.

-Mage Jentaria while on their hunt in the north made contact with three missing chosen with her gift which helped to find and rescue the newly Chosen and their companions (Lanirehn-Rellisa, Ana-Bara, Whisper-Jewelsong, Jessica-Solane). Taking them then to Haven after being met by Dancingfeather and Silverfire from k'Valdemar.
See thread Are We There Yet?.

[Stephamarie]

So in Short
The mystery of the missing chosen have been found to be mage-kidnappers taking the newly chosen and their companions to various areas and holding them captive. One group in Northern Valdemar was found as well as a small group in Ruvan.

The missing found in Ruvan were helped to escape by members of a traveling caravan called Blackmoon. In return it has been agreed to allow aid to some of their gravely wounded and temporary sanctuary for the entire caravan that is currently fleeing their home of Ruvan.

Herald Derrick, who with his intern went missing during northern circuit, and Herald-Mage Odamic, who disappeared while shadowing one of the companions, were both deposited via gate in front of the main palace gates in a near death state. Their companions, who were absent from them, were then killed and so both Heralds died shortly after. This matter is still being investigated, though to those in the know there is a general consensus that this act was done purely as a message. Herald Derrick's intern, Herald Firahn and Herald Jenner who disappeared while shadowing a Companion Caelyn, are now known to be still in captivity.


Situations of note:
With the recently rescued newly chosen, Farran chosen of Reysel, has become life-bonded to Queen Lirah. Yena chosen of Xander, is a member of the Blackmoon caravan. Also, the amount of strong and rare gifts had by this year of chosen could bode an ill omen.

The Caravan's leader, Overseer Selene, is meeting with Queen Lirah to form some sort of peaceful relations. Lirah has been informed of the groups Professionals, being thieves and assassins for hire - also rumored to have been involved to some degree with the assassination of the Ruvian royal family some years ago. A large festival is being celebrated by the Caravan in the beginning of march bringing in anyone around Haven to come enjoy their performances and their wares - for a price of course.

[Stephamarie]

As seen we progress through the year by splitting it into time-frames called Chapters. The year is split into six Chapters with two months to each Chapter. That means whatever Chapter we're in you may only post events that take place during those two months.

The only exception to this is Classes. Classes run on a four month time-frame. For better understanding see our Chapter Calendar.

For a Calender for the current months in this chapter see here.

Also we will have a constant running list of threads for the current Chapter as well as the class roster both can be found here.

For a dated list of important events in our plot so far please see our Timeline.