In Conversation with the Bishop

Cy 4822, Feb 22^nd – the banquet of Sarrik RamadiusII

            During the banquet in the great palace of Gran Breton the Malkarian Bishop, Ollis, speaks to the young priest Valadain concerning matters arising from the ascendancy of the young emperor to his rightful position. This conversation is private as the bishop takes the necessary steps to ensure they are not heard. The older man’s tone is grave and his demeanour graver still.

“You do yourself and the religion proud, young Valadain. Your prompt action and dedication to the truth has rooted out a couple of snakes in the emperor’s court. We may all thank you before this saga is over.

“Gran Breton is a magnificent place, full of the most creative, artistic people. Some of Grayhawk’s greatest minds, best warriors and sneakiest thieves live in this cauldron. It is at the forefront of the technological and magical advances and is why so many people cherish it and want to live here. Malador has expended a great deal of effort to secure a secret power base here – Vance Dexton and your companions have now destroyed that foothold. Whatever his dark plans he will come here to see for himself the damage you have done.

“I do not give in easily to fear but I must warn you and impart the full extent of my knowledge to you regarding this man. Since his involvement with the Darklanders and lady Amara I was charged by Malkar to study him. This I did, though the results of this study have gaps there is enough for us all to build a picture of him. Knowledge is power after all.

“His titles are numerous: Lord of the Planes, Emperor of Edo, Wielder of the Dark Fire of Azael, and Keeper of the Tome of Chael are the most used. I started from the beginning. It is not difficult to understand the first title. His use of demonology is well catalogued, amongst many of the demonic scholars of Gran Breton he is considered a master…even some of the minor demons in these academies know the name of Malador.

“The second title he took by overthrowing the old emperor and imprisoning his daughter, lady Amara. It has been six months since her capture and nothing has been seen or heard of her since. Malador no doubt will use her influence to keep the Darklanders true to his quest. Many of their number were swordmasters and I believe he is using them to train whatever armies he is amassing. I don’t know where or how but I swear this man is building one.

“The third title is the most interesting. Wielder of the Dark Fire of Azael. I turned once again to the unsavoury and despicable studies of demons that take place right here under our noses. The things one must do for truth! I found a demon scholar I could bear and over many weeks we had discussions and delved deep into the dire world of their power. Azael is an arch demon from the plane of Darkness. He somehow came into contact with Malador (or the dark one summoned him – it is not clear how they met). But Azael is a gifted demon. He created a way of combat, a fighting art that until now has never seen the light of day on the prime material plane. My sources (the demonologists) argue over the exact nature of this fighting art but I believe it encompasses both physical, mental and sorcerous attributes all rolled into one to make a way of combat. Malador learnt the way – he became a master of the Dark Fire.

“The fourth title is the most contentious. Many scholars and mages refute the claim by Malador himself that he is keeper of Chael’s Tome. There are hundreds of wise men that believe that no such manuscript exists – and that even if it did exist it would be in one of the god’s libraries. Obviously if this is not an empty title then Malador has unlimited power at his fingertips. One should be careful when considering this…if he possessed this tome then he could become emperor of Grayhawk within months. The fact that he has not done so suggests that it is an empty title…perhaps he has found some remnant of the tome, or maybe a lost scroll or some peculiar spell.

“Malkar has eyes and ears everywhere, in every corner of the planet. He can smell the dark stench of Malkar’s influence – the odour permeates everything. Your actions have made a stand against him and it is my belief that Malador is on his way here to cause trouble. Malkar is mobilising many of his White Templars and as we speak an army of his warriors are being gathered and will be here shortly. As emissary to emperor Sarrik Ramadius II you must persuade him that these Malkarian Warriors must be placed in strategic positions within and around the palace. If Malador could make a traitor of the Chancellor he can get to any man – he will not find the White Templars so easy to corrupt. Their power comes from god – like ours Valadain – once they stray from the path they are powerless. These are the only warriors the emperor can trust.

“There is a conundrum here. There is a power within reach that may be a match for Malador. You came here to study the tomb of a supposedly dead dwarf called Lamli. That quest is part of a higher goal to solve the riddle of the ring of Sharyr and unlock the secrets of the dragons themselves.

“I speak, of course, about the Glaenynn. Though I confess ignorance about their history I have had dreams of late – strange meanderings through a long lost time where the true power in the universe had large wings and immense intellects. These creatures once existed, perhaps still do, and were a match for the old gods of Grayhawk. Indeed it took the gods to stifle their development and push Grayhawk toward the future we have now. What would our lives be like now if it were the Glaenynn that won that first battle?

“Our god gives me these dreams so that I can advise you. Go and pray, Valadain, for the power of these dragons may be our only hope against a master of the Dark Fire of Azael…the fact that you were given a map to the hidden citadel under Rosengrad was no accident. A thief in this city was also visited by Malkar’s dreams…”