Research (Week 2)

**Research (Week 2)**

**Legendary Creatures – 4 Students**

The students have pulled together a large collection of scrolls relating to the “legendary creatures” and are busy trying to translate and cross reference to make some meaningful sense of the information.

One student, who appears to be taking a bit of a lead on this summarises what they think they have worked out so far:

* The creatures, and so far they have pulled together a large list of beasties, whilst not the most organised appear to have been ruled and given a collective goal – that was inimical to the Elven Empire;
* The “rulership” would seem not to have been an individual but a collection of beings – but it is difficult to judge at present who these were or how they were selected etc.
* They had their own belief structure, although at present little can be worked out – most of the races had shamans or priests;
* At some point the Elves were in danger of losing. There is talk of a radical shift in policy in order to meet the threat **(note: These scrolls will be off to Adamas)**

Research going forward can either focus on organising and making more sense of the material gathered, or digging deeper into the library.

Research continues, more material next week (certain)

**Far Haven – Wyldwood Shrine & Elven Times – 1 Student**

No mention of the Wyldwood Shrine at Far Haven can be found in the Library.

One section of an old Elven Governors report does mention the location.

“The recently arrived beings known as humans have so far been content to remain in the vicinity of the settlement, which they have named Far Haven. Initial reports indicate that the wild has made no ingress into their society and so for the moment we will adopt a policy of neutrality towards them. It would be beneficial to have them act as a buffer state, allowing us to focus our efforts elsewhere.”

**The Brooch/Symbol – 2 Students**

Unfortunately, the students working in this area continue to produce no meaningful results.

Research continues – more material known to be there (40% likely next week estimate, 60% with 2 students)

**Dragons – 1 Student**

As you have already surmised, Dragons were an important part of the Elven Empires culture, they featured in heraldry, folklore, the calendar system and by implication were physically present on the North Island at some point prior to the Age of Chaos – from the below notes taken by a Elven Blacksmith.

“Whilst Drake scales are useful in the forging of high quality mail, true Dragon scales – if properly handled can be used to produce true masterworks. The larger scales primarily from the back of the beast I have found to be suitable for Breast and Back plates, whilst the smaller scales from around the neck and tail readily lend themselves to incorporation into a scale mail. My view is however, that the best scales are found around the eyes and mouth of the beast, these have the right size and flexibility to be used for any kind of protective wear.”

The student believes that they have found a collection of scrolls that will provide a lot more information if investigated further.

Research continues (50% likely of more info next week)

**Elven Legends – 1 Student**

A fairly rich trove this week:

**The First Rune**

In ancient days when life was but a new thought disturbing the waters, there was formed a simple design, and it was given form by the will of the world and it was the First Rune. Once formed it stayed in magical stasis which separated it from all other forms of marking yet to be made...

For Runes are markings that are out of time and thus the passage of that decaying dimension has no affect on it for they exist outside of it......The First Rune floated and left all in its wake different...and the other Runes were formed to echo the power of the arcane and the timeless record of the ways...and that which is not spoken of reached down and plucked the Rune from where only he could venture and placed it upon his gauntlets and from timelessness to time he came and tears were made... and by the mark of its Rune enhanced by ritual untold he transformed to any life and moved about the strands of .... and in the beginning the paradox of life was recorded by the First Rune which stands unalterable in sharpest contrast with its calling for it is recorded that that symbol was the Rune of "Change"

**Ilrania the First**

In the First Age, according to the Elves, there was a Lesser Demigod who often played with the Elves. She seemed to have no malice or snobish ways as was the manner of her status. The Elves at first were suspicious as was their lot for they had been warned by the Mother of these powers and their arrogance. Yet, this one being won their confidence and admiration.

She had a love, not of a parent for a child, but of an equal and partner. The Lesser Demi-god, who took the name Ilrania, sang long and deep about her Elves and how she wish she too could be of them and not bound to the divine paths of power. This the Mother heard and sent to her a vision of a great pale tree on a simple forest field, and Ilrania knew her fate. There she would go, and give herself up, and she would become an Elf, her soul of divinity separated out forever, but for this she would achieve her transformation. The Elves upon hearing the sacrifice held a council and declared that the nobility of the act was beyond any that they had ever heard of, and pronounced her Empress Ilrania: First Empress of the Elves.

Many an Elf wandered in search of the quest for Illania's Soul, but none ever returned with other than a lapse of memory and a loss of time. Finally, at the end of the First Age, with the times of chaos blistering before them, two strangers came forward, where once there had only been Elves and Druids, and said "Seek no more that which can not be sought, but let it find you when the finding time finds itself and the rainbows last for a month and a day."

The departures from the North Island ended the quests...

Research continues (40% likely of more info next week)