The Library of Eth

Ledgor, the Bretonian sage, speaks to Valadain Raikos

“I have done extensive study on both the plane of Abomination and the Library itself, with knowledge taken from my peers at the academy and also from the wise Glaennyn, Hamroth, who has proved most learned in this matter. It seems that Loramas based herself on this plane; her palace lay at the bottom of a huge basin surrounded by peaks higher than anything seen on Grayhawk.

“At the height of her rule the arch demoness had dominion over several of the Great Planes, her power held in check by her brutal and powerful servants – some of whom have survived to this day. But it was her grip on things that made her one of history’s most savage rulers; certainly it made her the elite power in the Abyss.

“She built an empire unrivalled on any plane. The fundamental reason for her ascension was her ability to gather and assimilate knowledge, higher learning, and the lore of sorcery and combat she came across. It was to this end that the Library of Eth was created. A place secure within her walls and able to pass on her teachings to those worthy of it…it was the place where her idea for the Bloodlines was born and – legend has it – it was the place where she seduced Quizet Daesil (The Lord of Chaos and Doctor X’s father). That was one aspect of the Bloodlines.

“The Dark Fire was a teaching that she shared with a select handful of her most trusted. It wasn’t just demons that gained from her teachings; whilst we suspected that Azael led the attack on Grayhawk it was actually Muziel who was the master and he the pupil. The Dark Fire is a blend of sorcery and combat – a fusion of abilities that Muziel used to circumvent her power…he took her teachings gladly but all the while he hatched a plan to betray her. The Echeron lord began a campaign against the other exponents of the technique…one by one they vanished, murdered by Muziel’s cunning. It is impossible to understand his reasons but he was thorough.

“Before Loramas could deal with the problem her life was cut short (thankfully!) and those demon lords who had served her turned in on the empire and ripped it apart. Their squabbles and betrayals lasted for hundreds of years with the inevitable outcome that her palace was left in ruins and the Library of Eth was destroyed, burnt by the same demonic fire that had built it.

“Lord Hamroth has been there. His journey to the plane was swift, a reconnaissance mission to lay the foundations of your coming. The Glaennyn lords are truly spectacular creatures in flight and I wonder what the inhabitants of the plane made of him…his report as follows:”

The first thing that strikes you is the wailing wind, a banshee-like howl that is ever-present, like the grief of a million souls lost in the wilderness. At its best the wind is an annoyance, at worst it can strip the flesh from your bones in minutes! I suggest hardy clothing, armour where possible, a helmet or sturdy hat is essential. When the wind drops sufficiently you have to compete with the driving rain. My time there was thankfully short but this rain causes flash floods and makes walking almost impossible.

The basin has many paths down into the citadel of Loramas. Many of these paths are treacherous when it rains, some are impassable and some are traps; false floors or stone bridges over impossible chasms, bridges that appear sturdy but will give way under anything but the lightest of footfall. The citadel is recognisable but is largely in ruins. A number of street crawlers have taken refuge, lowly demons that should not pose too much problem. More dangerous is the disease and pestilence that is rife within the walls…this seems to get more prevalent the closer to her palace you come. I sensed even greater perils (demonic) within so I kept my distance – scavengers most likely but demonic scavengers nonetheless.

The Library of Eth is guarded. It is a dilapidated stone structure with the symbol of a six-armed demon emblazoned on one wall (the lord Eth – the keeper of the library). It skulked in the shadows as I flew over but I could taste the power…I could feel the malevolence. Have a care for whatever guards the ruined library has talent.

Even from a great height I could feel something in the library…a great power in the rubble and dust.

I have left a resonance beacon in the Astral Plane that Jarik can locate…it will get you into the plane of Abomination close to the palace itself.

“And now to Lord Eth. One of Loramas’s cohorts he was blessed with the auditory mind of the sage; in many regards he was much like me, though there were obvious differences. He possessed six arms and it was said that at the height of his power he could wield six weapons at once, a mesmerising display by all accounts!

“One of the demonologists in the academy has an account that could be of interest to you…apparently Lord Eth was seduced into friendship by one of the students at the academy. He writes: Eth became intrigued by the outlander…no matter what trials he went through he (the outlander) always had the sharp and dapper appearance you get straight from the tailor’s fitting room.

“So we can assume that Muziel and Eth were close. Indeed the account goes further: So Eth and his new friend shared knowledge – both gained much from the relationship – until the death of Loramas when both were forced to flee the Library. In truth we don’t know the full extent of Muziel’s interference with Eth, but it is likely that their meeting was not accidental; I suspect our Echeron friend stole more knowledge and lore than he was entitled to. One of the reasons Lord Eth was chosen by Loramas was that he was trustworthy…indeed there is speculation that the six-armed one was infatuated with his arch demoness.

“When Jarik cemented the tower at the Menengor Mountain he bid farewell to the spirits of the great and good – including Loramas herself, Promethius, and the good lady Nature. Loramas left the biggest clue to her legacy and whilst I do not trust the arch demoness even in death I trust Muziel even less – if there is an advantage to be found in the rubble and ashes then I think we need to find it.”