Demon Wars
From Dragons Exodus
The Princess Kiran of The Elven Borderlands was found gravely wounded in her chambers. The sheer amount of blood, the total lack of mercy shown and the absence of resistance on her part were remarkable. Taliesin ap Myrdinn, the Circle of Fire's Bard was implicated and apprehended in the vicinity of the crime apparently confessing to it. He escaped only to be apprehended by Galahorn of Harmony and held until a trial could be held. A meeting was conducted between Harmony and The Circle of Fire and with the use of Mind Probe and the Harmony Eyes of Truth it was determined that Taliesin did not act on his own. As he journeyed to visit the Elven Borderlands he was accosted by a dark cloaked figure, possibly female, who attacked him and twisted his mind, manipulating him into doing her bidding.
While this was on, a Mysterious cloaked figure appeared in Aden, searching for one Drachenfell, Count of the Clan Maelstrom, a former Leader. A considerable bounty was declared for information about his whereabouts. He was, however, gone from the realms. The Lady Diamante, the then mortal leader of Maelstrom responded offering her clan's services instead. A secret meeting was held with the figure. Maelstrom was asked to launch an attack on Aden in exchange of gold. She agreed readily and Aden was attacked by Maelstrom and some bearded dark figures. The Lieutenant of the Armies of Aden was killed. The Goddess Natatia of Misanthropy declared her support for the defenders of Aden and her Minions were called out to the streets. Distrusting her, The Circle also posted its Fianna. Ultimately, both were recalled to the barracks.
News came that the Princess Kiran was recovering. As this news trickled through a dark portal opened spilling out undead invaders. The Ravens entered the fray to restore the balance. An attempted second assassination attempt at the Princess failed. An effort was made to investigate the only clue left by the mysterious figure. A piece of sulphur coloured cloth that it left behind during one of the visitations. The Lady Lilira, a high Cleric, as well as the Clan's Pendragon, found that the cloth had a fine, layer of brimstone dust imbedded into the fabric.
The Princess recovered and expressed her thanks to the Clans Circle of Fire, Harmony and The Ravens and declared her undying enemity for Maelstrom.
Dark portals opened across the realms affecting all the principal cities spawning demons of all kinds. Defeat stared the realm in the face. A Demonic Warlord appeared and announced that he had taken control over the realms. The Clan Hand of Darkness joined Maelstrom as ally of the Demons and the Goddess Natatia deserted joining the dark alliance. The Demon forces grew stronger and more arrogant and swore that the time of their victory had come.
A meeting was held between Harmony and The Circle and it was recalled that the portals were much like those that appeared during the Ogre Wars. Elradu of Harmony recalled that a Ring from the Elven Borderlands (the Ring of Dimensions) was used to open the portal then and promised to find its current location. A middle ranking demon was bribed to find out who or what lead the invaders. Lilira of the Circle along with various others (Ciryath, Grysygonth Grimhammer, Rangek Ath'loren, Elvaril Galanodel, Menomaru Kyanni, Taren, Cerethon Lomendir, Briggot and towards the end, Phrez Ghang'Tyr) met with a Nalfeshnee, a demon type. It was given gold in exchange for information as to what has been behind these demon attacks. Lady Irkalla, the Queen of Demons was behind the attacks. Her motive was revenge: Nante from The Circle of Fire and Drachenfell of Maelstrom for killing her son during the Ogre Wars. As Nante and Drachenfell could not be found, she had taken her revenge on The Circle of Fire and Maelstrom, pitting them against each other. She also sought revenge on Princess Kiren of the Elven Borderlands whose ring opened the portal to the Demon Temple, allowing an attack force to enter. The Queen of Demons wanted both clans and the Princess destroyed.
The Final battle was gallantly fought by Artanik, Cerethon and Galahorn from Harmony, Edge from Maelstrom, Kinsley and Menomaru from The Ravens, Zark who was unclanned, and Ciryath, Decimus and Lilira from The Circle of Fire. Together they defeated the Demon. The Demon Temple was destroyed, its place taken by the Temple of the Dark Arts. While this smaller battle was on the adventurers of Dragon's Exodus rallied together to fight the onslaught of the demons and demonic hordes attacking the cities. As Irkalla fell, one by one the Portals closed and peace was restored again.
This war had its implications. Maelstrom and The Circle remained enemies for centuries and not until the fall of Diamante was a truce declared. The Lady Diamante grew in power and was eventually rewarded with immortality. It was also said that something about the events and the turmoil of these days took something from our Lady Kleothera who was seen much less in the realms, not involving herself in the affairs of Mortals.
