The Gift of Vankeshtad

The Gift of Vankeshtad is a book written by Rover Custard Augustine, the knowledge within ostensibly gathered from communications sent to him by his friend and former electoral rival Vankeshtad following his disappearance. It chronicles the many adventures of Vankeshtad in his quest to gain the favor of the Principal Sixteen, to return peace and prosperity to Rydoon following the ecological disasters and the Horror on the Hippodros. It credits him for many of the changes to the Hollow Condord that occured as a result of Rover's pact with the Archfey Morgaelei. Rover, while not present for most of the stories within, serves as a narrator and historian.

## Chapters

### Chapter 1: In Service of Aita

This chapter describes the many efforts of Vankeshtad and his charity efforts in terms of relieving the suffering of the people of Rydoon and Clayrose. It mentions his great passion for helping others, and that he dedicated almost every day of his life to ensuring that people, especially the downtrodden, were kept safe and alright.

This chapter includes a conversation between Rover and Ilana of the Matron House, where he asks her about the sort of good that Vankeshtad did for the city, and whether his actions were those befitting someone who was dedicated to upholding the virtues perscribed by the High-Mother. It also includes several testimonials from people of Rydoon that have been personally helped by Vankeshtad, whether in small ways or large, and Rover noting how quick people were to provide notes.

### Chapter 2: In Service of Buwello

This chapter describes the efforts of Vankeshtad to bring happiness to people, even in the face of lack and strife. It mentions that he never asked for payment, and in fact, seemed to only act in pursuit of other people's happiness. It takes effort to mention the communities which Vankeshtad fostered, and the things he did to bring together the people of Estaemarl to create a sense of family and unity that persisted after the man himself sadly perished.

The general story of this chapter represents Vankeshtad's efforts to gather the necessary conditions and materials for an arcane Courrakey coming-of-age ceremony for a poor Courrakey family, long displaced. Despite a short notice, a lack of knowledge, and a general difficulty in acquiring the right things for this celebration, Vankeshtad works extremely hard to ensure that the celebration goes without a hitch. In the end, the ceremony is complete, and the child gives a smile, a smile that Rover notes is one of the brightest he has ever seen. His neighbors, who seemed to have all scoffed at the idea in the end, attend the ceremony and cheer him on.

### Chapter 3: In Service of Caihrnn

This chapter represents the efforts of Vankeshtad to protect the wilds of the Hollow Concord and to defend the sacred places. It notes Vankeshtad's efforts to foster gardens and growth for the sake of protecting both people and the wilderness. More references are made to his intense care for animals and for nature, as well as his desire to see the way of nature protected.

The general story of this chapter involves Vankeshtad venturing to the home of a family who's crops have been unable to grow. When he has arrived, Vankeshtad discovers that it is the result of a long-going feud between the plants and soil, creatures seemingly imbued magically with some sort of sentience. Through patience, empathy, and understanding, Vankeshtad is able to mend this dispute, and the plants are once again able to grow and thrive. It is implied at the end of the chapter that this is only one of several such disputes that Vankeshtad travelled the Concord resolving, thus crediting him somewhat for the resurgence of Rydoon's failing crops.

### Chapter 4: In Service of Divinus

This chapter takes a break from the narrative, featuring no appearance from Vankeshtad. Instead, it takes a look at the current situation of many of those who Vankeshtad helped, especially those who had gone on to achieve great or recognizable things. It notes the importance of those who help others in ensuring that they are able to reach and fulfill their destiny, and it laments that those who receive no help, no aid in such a manner, are often resigned to lesser destiny. It focuses not on any specific action of Vankeshtad, but instead how those actions inspired others, and the impact that his destiny seemed to have on the destinies of others. Those who would have starved without his aid, those who he gave the resources to thrive, and those who he merely inspired. Rover mentions himself in this chapter, and credits many of his achievements and ideals to the inspiration that Vankeshtad gave to him.

### Chapter 5: In Service of Emes

This chapter focuses on Vankeshtad's willingness to protect others, and his belief in the inherent goodness of others. Estaemarl was viewed by many in Rydoon as a haven for criminals or ne'erdowells, but through Vankeshtad's efforts, the place as a whole was redeemed. With crime dropping at a stark rate, and with the district of the city becoming a much safer place, with it no longer being viewed quite so much as the disorganized slum that it once was.

The redemption of Estaemarl is paralleled with the redemption of a young man who attempted to rob Vankeshtad early in his life. As the chapter goes and Estaemarl becomes a more hospitable place, he slowly turns his life around, by the end of the chapter volunteering at the local Matron House, and with his future looking significantly brighter than it ever had before.

### Chapter 6: In Service of Gaityas

This chapter describes in great detail the actual rebuilding that Vankeshtad engaged in in Estaemarl, with his construction of better living spaces, maintenance of the roads, and general work to help the city of Rydoon to be a better, more well-defined place. It notes the strict differences between the older more storied buildings of Rydoon and those buildings which Vankeshtad crafted, showing innovation, and his desire to push Rydoon forward in terms of caring for its people.

The later half of this chapter consists of a series of painting of Estaemarl through the year, showing a improvement and brightening, the growth of a city within an area that had long been neglected. The paintings grow more beautiful and elaborate with the state of the district, ending with the present day, wrought in a very beautiful style.

### Chapter 7: In Service of Ilemer

This chapter discusses Vankeshtad's efforts to ensure that wealth is not hoarded, and to ensure that prosperity works itself down to the lower castes and peoples. It doesn't specifically call anyone out as hoarding wealth, but does mention the importance of philanthropy, and provides general support for those who helped with Vankeshtad's Vegetables.

### Chapter 8: In Service of Vyra

This chapter focuses on Vankeshtad's curiosity, his willingness and eagerness to understand people from all walks of life, and his denial of the assumption that there's anyone who isn't worth listening to, talking to, and getting to know.

### Chapter 9: In Service of Srar

This chapter focuses on Vankeshtad's nature as someone who brought change, who set out to leave the world better than when he found it, in the end. Rover opines that he believes that his friend, did, in the end, accomplish this.

### Chapter 10: In Service of Veth

This starts a three-chapter arc in which Vankeshtad journeys across the Hollow Concord, hoping to learn and see more of the people outside of Rydoon. This chapter focuses on the journey of Vankeshtad across the lands of the Hollow Concord, seeking out smaller settlements, listening to their problems, and trying to get a measure of more than just the city. It mentions by name almost every major settlement in the Hollow Concord, and the days that Vankeshtad spent there, talking to people to learn their problems.

### Chapter 11: In Service of Theamera

This chapter continues Vankeshtads travels across the Hollow Concord, noting how he shared his knowledge with those he passed, and took knowledge from those who he met. At least a few of these individuals were animals, who learned from Vankeshtad the means of human speech and thought, and he learned from them the ways of animal speech and customs, which he used to learn more about the Hollow Concord in his travels. From here on out, there is little distinction made between fellow man or animal within the concord.

### Chapter 12: In Service of Tohmos

This chapter consists of Vankeshtad consulting with local officials and looking out for those who may yet have the capacity to rule and help raise those who have the capacity to rule and help to means who have the ability to do so, as Tohmos did in the creation of the world. It is implied that those who receive boons of the Feywild have been set apart and given the power to make a difference in the community, and that they should consider themselves bound to help others in the way Vankeshtad did.

### Chapter 13: In Service of Taranis

Following the tour of the Concord, Vankeshtad determines that the threats to Rydoon are greater than seen before, as people are hungry, weak, and defenseless, and in many places, the Earth itself seems to reject them, with the natural disasters. He decides that one man is not necessarily able to help with everything, and decides that the best way to earn peace for the people of Rydoon is to appeal to the Principal Sixteen.

### Chapter 14: In Service of Kroai

This chapter represents a journey of Vankeshtad to the top of Mount Celestia, where he seeks the aid of the Principal Sixteen in returning health to the Concord. It is the more stereotypically "storylike" of the chapters, detailing many challenges Vankeshtad overcomes, which he generally does through wit and compassion, as opposed to strength. At the end of the chapter, he reaches the top of the mountain, but only after being mortally wounded by the last of the trials.

### Chapter 15: In Sight of Yaldin

Arriving before the Principal Sixteen, or at least their angels (Mount Celestia is not described in a great extent), a wounded Vankeshtad gives his plea for the gods to grant mercy and help to the Concord. The gods confer, with Yaldin, the master of justice, recognizing his virtuous life and what he has done in service of the gods, and the Principal Sixteen agree to provide this aid.

### Chapter 16: In Company of Iotl

His task complete, Vankeshtad reflects upon his life, expresses hope that what he has done is enough to save the Hollow Concord, reiterates the importance of care for others, and dies of his injuries.

### Chapter 17: In Service of The Hollow Concord

This final chapter consists of Rover travelling the Concord, transformed by the magic boons and reflecting on the sort of changes that the Concord has undergone. He notes how different everything is from only a few years prior, and how much hope seems to have been restored by the whole affair. He thanks the Gods for the gift that was Vankeshtad, and suggests that we carry on those gifts that were granted to us in the same style that he would have, looking out for those around us.