Quietly, one of the formless Elysium, a small orb of softly glowing light, hovered into the Refugium. It went this way and that, seeking out Gheronaton amid the majestic halls. In time, it came to the war chambers. The glowing orb dimmed, the closest it could come to a bow. “Mighty Gheronaton, honored friend of Luna,” The Elysians said, though it lacked throat or mouth. The words just seemed to echo from it’s illuminated core. “My mistress sends her greetings, and her apologies that she cannot come in person. The Goddess of peace wished me to tell you that she cannot send warriors. She just now has begun to raise an army, though she does not have your expertise and it is slow work. Especially since the Aether elves are still recovering from the white curse.”
“However, she still wishes to aid you. She has found the source of the nightmares on Aether, creatures of darkness spawned from Astra’ath who hide in the deepest shadows. She will drive them from her lands as soon as she can. She has also sent us Elysians to counter and quell the nightmares the nightgaunts create. To you, we may be of additional use. We cannot become ill, perhaps we can seek out your foes for you.”
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Luna looked over those who had volunteered to fight for her. There was a multitude of elves, tall, fair, and armed with tall spears tipped with crystal heads or lithe bows. There were the graceful Rhea, proud birds of crystal appearing like large peacocks, some bearing the elves upon their backs. Glowing orbs of light, the Elysians, flittered around the crowd, hovering about like fireflies. And of course, the mighty aether dragons towered over both Rhea, elf, and Elysian.
Yet it was fewer than she hoped for. Many still focused on the remnants of the white curse, or struggled to rebuild settlements and homesteads that were ruined by the plague. She did not force them from their work, nor compel them to abandon families that needed them, but just left them be. There was still food to grow, and crops to tend to. Still, her people could use some help.
She looked out, and saw a world burning. It took her a moment to remember, but then she recognized it as the small world that the minor god Elan had made. Something was very wrong there, and she had an idea who was causing it. Concealing herself in the darkness of night, she went in person to the small burning world.
It didn’t take long for her to discover Astra’ath’s work. The once jovial people were being rounded up, and were given a choice: Serve Astra’ath or feed Astra’ath. Terror was spreading over the world, fueling Astra’ath’s power. Even if they were a foolish creation of a foolish god, Luna still felt pity for them. In the darkness of night, she made her move.
Moving over the world’s night side, Luna flew ahead of the cultists to the settlements of the once merry people. Finding one, she would empty the settlement of all who did not bear Astra’ath’s mark and moved them to the hills of Aether. Luna moved swiftly and silently, hoping to save as many of the people before Astra’ath discovered her.
Meanwhile, the rescued people found themselves on the strange twilight world. At first, they were in awe, and frightened of the strange new land. They hid from the elves that came near to them. The elves, meanwhile, wondered about the odd little people that they suddenly found on their world. A strange folk, short and plump in stature (overly fond of drink and food it seemed), given to bright colors of clothing, skilled in music, in theater, in humor. Given these piebald garbed people were only half as tall as the elves themselves, the elves called them ‘halflings’.
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Bulotha looked up, and saw the massive bird in the distance. He felt a twinge in his leg, where the sliver of Astra’ath was merged with him. Even without it, he recognized this bird as a danger. He growled to himself, and barked an order to the cultists around him. He could not let the strange bird threaten his cult, weakened by Gheronaton’s slaves as it was.
Once the cult was rounded up, he gave them new orders. They would find caves to hide in within the mountains. The bird could not reach them in those small tunnels. Rising to his feet, he led the cult on through the rocky, harsh land. He sent out scouts to find a suitable cave for them to lurk in while the bird dominated the skies.
Act 3: Rescue as many of Elan's creations, now dubbed 'halfling', from Elan's world by moving them to Aether.