GLRP:EMs:Royal Spies:2009:CoS:Xenve An-amo-lem
Title: Xenve An-amo-lem
Author: Skrí-lem the Scribe
Chapters:
I (pages 3-18) Notes on
Location
II (pages 19-24) Notes on the Brothers
III (pages 25-27) A Useful Spell
IV (pages 28-) The Queen’s Story Transcribed
I. Notes on Location
The dungeon of Xenve An-amo-lem is located beyond the Great Stygian Abyss and the Underworld. It is on the island which also contains Hythloth. Some humans refer to it as Fire Island.
During the time of the great brothers’ travels, this island was in a state of volcanic flux as it was recently. This allowed entry to and from the Underworld. When the three brothers first saw the human world, they were amazed and mostly wandered around. Later when they had finished their fortress, they sent word back through the Abyss with directions based at the exit from the Underworld onto Fire Island. They placed a soul glaive at the entrance as a starting point, dipped in blood of a strange creature they had killed on the island.
“Standing on the soul glaive, walk fifty steps south. There turn to face the west and walk fifty-five more. Head north six paces and then west another thirty. The final steps are eleven and eleven, north and west.”
Simplified instructions:
-Stand on a soul glaive
-50 steps south
-55 steps west
-6 steps north
-30 steps west
-11 steps north
-11 steps west
The entrance to Xenve An-amo-lem was obvious in their time, marked by beautiful carvings. Likely these did not survive the cataclysms and ages. Even in that time, entry could only be gained by speaking a mantra of Singularity:
Control, Passion, and Diligence. The mantra was of course in gargish: “un or us”
This would allow entry to the main foyer. There was apparently other security there, but the notes on that were lost, except for the gargish word “Kal.” This is the word for welcome.
Beyond the three rooms, not much else is known about the layout of the dungeon. It is said to be a large maze, though much of it was destroyed during the fight. The three famous rooms are described well, though the particulars are lost. One room prohibits the casting of spells, through magical tiles on the floor. The tiles gave one brother an advantage until the other brothers started tearing up the floor, making areas they could cast from. The floor must be broken? One room prohibits fighting. The two brothers who could not fight here used healing and obstacles to frustrate their warrior brother until he opened a doorway or teleporter that they used to escape. The final room used a magical statue to trap people as statues. It is unclear how the brothers survived this room or how it worked.
II. Notes on the
Brothers
The three brothers were so named. Vasagralem was a great warrior. Vasortlem was a great mage. Vasbeninlem was a great crafter and artist. Each was famed and loved by the gargoyle people. Their actions had kept the cities of Ter Mur safe and made them beautiful. Each held a Vid de Pri-tas, translated the Eye of Singlarity. This is the great honor, usually reserved for retiring generals of historical importance. When they left, there was a celebration, since the Queen had not told her people why their brothers left. Each was given many gifts, three of which were very powerful. Vasagralem was given a magical bludgeoning weapon that could smash any evil artifact. Vasortlem was given the greatest tome on magical defense of the time, the Principia Daemonis. The book is rumored to be a great weapon against demons and other evils. Vasbeninlem was given a tool to summon the elementals of peace and benevolence who could help him build any beauty he could dream.
III. A Useful
Spell and Other Notes:
We have often made statues that respond to our language. It can be problematic for humans who are unskilled with other tongues to interact with them. A minor spell we developed recently will allow a human to interact with a statue with some minor limitations. The spell is:“In Wis Hiuman Lok-de”
IV: The Queen’s Story
Transcribed
My grandmother told me the story. It was a long time ago. Her mother or grandmother was Matriarch. This Matriarch had three sons, who she loved dearly, each with their own skills. A great mage, a great warrior, and a great artist. These were her favorite children. And while gargoyle society doesn't appreciate favoritism, it does happen. She wished to protect these sons from all pain and sorrow. So she consulted a wisp oracle. Who told her a sad destiny. Her sons would bring sorrow to all around them, but not each other. As long as they were faithful to each other, united in Singularity, they would be happy. It broke the Queen's heart, but she had to protect her other children, the hundreds she loved less. So she sent them into the Abyss to spare the others, believing they would be safe. She believed the bond of their blood would keep them protected. And they were safe. They managed to find a new world. One with oceans. And islands. They built a fortress their which they planned to use to bring these new lands under gargoyle Control. The brothers built the fortress together, except for three rooms. The great mage was afraid his brothers would learn his spells. So he made a room where only he could speak the truth. The warrior brother worried that as he grew old, his younger siblings would outclass him. So he built a room where only he could show Valor. The final brother, the artist, built a room where only he could walk, all others were statues there. His love of beauty twisted into something dark. These acts caused the brothers to fight.The fight lasted for three days in each of the three rooms. Until the fortress was turned into rubble and sank into the ground again. The Queen heard all of this from the wisp, breaking her heart. She named the place Xenve An-amo-lem, the family of enemies. And forbid any to go there again.That is the tale of that dungeon.The lessons of that place is Singularity and Unity.
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