The Sages Return to Aeriel

The following account comes from the journal of The Wandering Wizard. Joma, 13th Of The First Seed, 1322

I write this in a hurry, as darkness falls upon Aegis, I know that tonight will not be safe. Dark times are ahead. The Sages were not what the people thought they were, long did the people of Aegis show mistrust in their ways. They did not take part in most of the wars and battles in the north, regardless of my councils the Sages kept in their keeps hoarding power and wealth, in their academies studying the intricacies of magic and searching for the hidden relics of Aeriel.

Some Ascended were true to their blood and showed the ferocity and mastery that was expected from their great descent. They fought like lions against the Undead and to this day, are spread across the lands defending our homes and cities from the ever creeping doom.

I confronted the Sages in their magnificent city. I found them invested in their books, studying the ancient lore of the weapons of Aeriel. I put my hand on Sage Riizu's shoulder, reminding him of his place in Aegis as the leader of the last defense, his place as protector of Aegis. In a fit of rage the Sage stood up and shouted, spittle erupting from the darkness of his hood. "What do you know about Aegis? What do you know about the Undead? Let the Sages be you old fool, you're task is done, return to your creator!"

The Sage raised his golden staff, "Perhaps as a bounty, we may receive the Axe of Aeriel in return for your corpse." Madness glinted under the dark hood. I could not believe what I was seeing, I did not expect that power would corrupt this grand order. I rose, terrible as a mountain, in a booming voice I replied "Dare you confront me? When have the Sages of Aeriel fallen to such madness?" With one sweep of my arm his staff was broken. "Your staff is broken, you are no longer able to lead the sages, go and live the rest of your days in the wilds."

An ominous silence began to permeate through the room and I could feel the presence of others. A voice I recognised as that of Sage Sue began to speak "Wizard, we know you wish to become the King of Aegis, we see the greed in your motives. You will never lead…" Sage Riizu let out a laugh, "Without us the Undead will scourge the land and Aegis will become nothing more than a barren wasteland. It's time we left… Aegis does not deserve our power or knowledge."

In a flash the Sages left me where I stood. Since that day I have not seen or heard of them. They have left Haven in disarray, the Ascended leaderless. Darkness covers the land and it is no longer safe to travel in the dark, the Undead multiply and I can feel the taint on the wind as it becomes greater and greater.