Earth 15, cy 2141

The fifteenth day of the elemental month of Earth is known throughout Greyhawk as the Festival of Jewels. It is the time when the element of stone is at it’s strongest and the focus for Nature’s power is at it’s height. It is a truly international holiday, celebrated in various forms throughout the world. When noon comes the festival reaches it’s climax, culminating in the wholesale summoning of earth elementals throughout the world. Several very strong sorcerers will be able to call upon the services (or even the direct help) of the Elemental Lord of Earth himself.

he whole world seems to shake down to the very core of its’ existence. Your mind explodes when the chimes strike noon and all senses disappear within the explosion. The tangible surroundings seem to lose their significance in that instant and you are acutely aware of twenty thousand voices screaming for your attention. Your eight compartments seem utterly inadequate as each voice urges, demands, cajoles and begs for your attention.

A mind-numbing moment passes. You have no idea of the span of that moment as the voices - some distant, some close - seem to lose their impact and volume and become distant whispers, although none abates. A kind of Primal awareness seeps into your consciousness. Sight, sound, taste have no meaning yet there are several ‘presences’ here with you.

"He seems a fragile creature," a voice says. It is difficult to determine the nature of the voice as you are experiencing a great disorientation.

"There is inner strength to him," another voice replies. Your consciousness yearns to touch or communicate with these ‘presences’ but there is a sudden shudder in the darkness. At once several hundred portals appear. Each one is a tunnel to a specific reality...A large stone wall in the west...a circle of standing stones in some hills...the largest mountain in the Chrystalmyst Range. Each reality has an elemental beckoning you.

As quickly as the tunnels appear they disappear and you get the impression that your consciousness is on a fast ride to it’s destination. The darkness dissipates to reveal the innards of a monumental castle, walls as high as mountains and formed of some incredible impenetrable rock. Before you sits the commanding presence of Marrasain, battle axe laid down across his lap and a grim smile forming on his lips.

"Greetings, Master of the Stone. It has been some time coming but this meeting is long overdue. You should count yourself lucky, Allius Quaylar, for few are able to appreciate the full power of this mighty festival, and yet here you are, taking the mantle of stone.

"My retirement has been foretold in the stars, but your ascension has yet to be confirmed. The truth of the matter is that you are far better suited to my position than I, Allius. Your arrival has lifted the awesome burden of responsibility that Nature placed upon me, and although I have striven to do my utmost to protect the elements I fear a dark time has descended upon us.

"My time as an immortal is almost at an end, but I have been allowed to give you several insights into what is and what will happen. Nature has a tedious sense of fairness and allows equal advantage to all participants so listen carefully. You are now the Master of Stone but this is only the beginning. There are three other disciplines which you must master and these elements may not be as enthusiastic as I to climb down from their lofty positions, but climb down they must - by whatever means.

"So long, Allius Quaylar. I will take my axe now and reap a terrible harvest in the coming war. I hope we meet before my death, for I would toast your exquisite talent..."

ight assaults your face and the power of the deity is magnified in your present heightened consciousness. The god stands before you with a neutral expression but his eyes penetrate your soul easily.

"I am aware of your hatred for me," he says calmly. "But hatred can play no part in our relationship from this point. You have joined a small band of individuals that we call simply Immortals. To the uninitiated this seems merely a word but it’s significance goes beyond that, as you will discover. You now possess a higher responsibility, born out of the need to serve a common goal. You sit on the brink of a great discovery, Allius Quaylar, a discovery that will change the world and will certainly change your perspective to all within it.

"You will be known throughout my religion as Askarta, which translates as ‘the Rock’. It will be a symbol of my progressive stance towards the elements. Go in peace, my friend."

here is an air of superiority about Isulan that you had never detected before but his/her demanding presence is more a statement than a being. He wears split clothing - that is one half of his robe black and the other white. His left side contains a military aspect (swords, daggers etc...) while his right contains books and tomes.

"I salute you, Immortal," he/she says politely. "I have no fancy titles or gifts to bestow to you, my friend, just simple advice. There are few victors in war - only the undertaker and the necromancer truly profit. True this war is fuelled by my two highest priests but there can be no ultimate victor but the religion itself. Whatever happens know that I bear you no animosity or ill will. Your quest for the elements truly interests me. Whe you recover we must rediscover our lost friendship..."

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