Ask Grey Lord MissionsIn a Nutshell:
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Be sure you have about 2,000 encumbrance free to accept the rewards!
Ask Grey Lord Missions
The Grey Lord's unearthy voice echoes inside your head:
<Once again, your services will prove useful to the cause of Balance. This time the task is of grave urgancy, and there is no room for error. The problem is this: though few have heard of the goddess Aerdwyne, she is a force that is ever-present in the world. Her domain is that of Justice and Truth-- the patron of all who would seek out wrongdoings by both the Light and the Dark. However, it has been long since her presence has been felt, and I fear that something has happened to her Avatar, who is the embodiment of her power here on earth. You must seek out the Shrine of Aerdwyne, though its location has been lost for some time. My only advice is search past the barrier in the Darkwood forest, and attempt to find one of her wandering clerics-- they are few and far between, but one may be able to direct you to her shrine. Once there, pray at the shrine and receive her guidance. Only after you have discovered the source of the disturbance, and have resolved the situation, are you to return to me for a reward.>
Ask Cleric Aerdwyne
A look of adoration comes into the cleric's eyes when you mention her deity.
"Aerdwyne is a goddess unlike all others! Although not quite as powerful as some, she is a bright light to me in these dark times. Perhaps you have heard of her? She is the deity of mortal justice-- it is her task to carry out the pursuit of oathbreakers and the judgement of the guilty, be they aligned to the light or the dark. Ahh... if only her temple had not been swallowed by that infernal swamp. Strange, it was-- I left on a mission to settle a dispute in a far-off village, and when I returned, the valley had been transformed into this foul marsh! In less than two months! Sorcery must be at the root of that matter, though that is a matter for another time. I make my services available to you, if you are in need of them."
Pray at the Shrine
You kneel down reverently in front of the Altar of Aerdwyne, and begin to pray.
Just as you are beginning to stand up, expecting no answer, a cool wind blows through the shrine!
Hundreds of sparkling lights dance in front of you, and a voice like the sighing of the wind fills your ears:
"Rare are the pilgrims to my shrine, and rarer still since my power wanes. What brings you here to Aerdwyne's forgotten abode?"
You humbly speak about the Grey Lord and his wishes.
"The Grey Lord is a friend indeed, and is correct when he worries that something has gone amiss. The truth of the matter is that this unnatural swamp sprang up around my shrine, and it smacks of black sorcery. Travelers could no longer stop here to pray, and with their absence my power wanes. Of late, I cannot even send down my Avatar to perform her duties, which is a sore blow to the balance of things. This is one reason why the war between the light and darkness is escalating."
"You must provide me with the energy to send down my Avatar. This is no easy task, and will require you to seach throughout the realm for four elemental artifacts. The first is the Ice Tear, and will represent the sorrow for the injustices that pass unanswered in the world. The second is the Eternal Flame, a sphere of heatless flame that will symbolize the ceaseless search for Justice. The third artifact is the Heartstone, an indestructible gem of a thousand facets. It reflects the need for eternal vigilance and the myriad forms that righteousness can take. The fourth and final artifact is the Spirit of the Storm, and it represents both the lightning-swift judgement and the righteous fury of the agents of Justice."
"These four artifacts must be collected in the proper order-- the Ice Tear, then the Eternal Flame, Heartstone, and Storm Spirit. Water must balance Fire, and Earth must balance Air. Each may be found in a climate appropriate to its element. When all four have been retrieved, return here and summon avatar to call my earthly spirit down. Good luck."
After you gather the artifacts, you go back to the shrine.
Summon Avatar
You place the four elemental artifacts on the altar of Aerdwyne's shrine.
Immediately a shimmering glow fills the room. A blinding pillar of light spears down through the overhanging trees, centering on the altar. The artifacts begin to glimmer and fade, their energies fusing into a silvery form that slowly coalesces into the shape of a beautiful woman!
Before you stands the Avatar of Aerdwyne. Tall and slender, she is garbed in light white hunting clothes, and bears a silver bow in one hand. Her long glittering hair falls over her shoulders like a golden cascade, and her grey eyes pierce the gloom with an eagle's sight. Cloaked in an otherwordly aura of power, she is unmistakeably of divine origin.
With a slight smile and a gentle bow, she speaks only one phrase before vanishing into the shadows:
"Few have the courage and perseverance to follow the one true path-- never waver and justice will be on your side."
