Basil Regal Cragaxe

* Portrait
* Skin

**Basil Regal Cragaxe** is a Northern Elf, which are typically seen across the Helmsland in the far North of Kylorne. Often living for hundreds of years, the average Northern Elf matures at the rate of three and a half human years. With a variety of looks, the most common are pale skin, ginger hair, and reddish/hazel eyes. A once powerful race, the Northern elves were met with great oppression when the humans arrived, soon conquering the land from them. Basil would go on to play a prominent role in this society.

Basil was an average looking Elf with ginger hair, reddish/hazel eyes, and pale white skin. Having lived for many years in poverty, Basil was quick to wearing prefer informal fashion, no matter the occasion. Often wearing scholar's robes or a stylish blue Collar and white skirt. Basil, aging slower as a Northern Elf, appeared young for their age, whilst perfectly normal for her race. Her personality could change drastically, but usually in accordance to context. One moment joking around, the next, physically restraining herself from murder. Many would consider her kind, curious, courageous, and stubborn. No matter the situation, if Basil believed it, she would do what it took, even if it meant hurting a loved one.

## Biography

### Early Life

In the time before Basil, in the Helmsland Isles, the Northern Elves ruled the land until the Humans took power. With much resistance, the Helmsland Empire had crumbled with the human Kingdom of the Helmsland Isles taking its place. The Northern Elves would face mass oppression in their old lands. From being mistreated by the common folk, to death, if the King willed. From king Gril I to Foil III, the kingdom reigned over the land for 156 years (JRT, elf years).

In the first year of Foil III's Reign, 235 JRT, Basil was born. Being born a Northern Elf in the Helmsland Isles meant one thing for Basil, and that was oppression. Basil didn't have a good childhood. Her parents, Aegadar and Nalia Regal were poor farmers who earned a quarter of what human farmers did. Basil grew up accepting the hatred, assuming it was normal. As she grew older, she decided that she would fight it.

In the year 241 JRT, when Basil was 6(21 human years), king Foil III would enact the Free Farms Act, demanding all elf farmers give 30% or more of all produce, if requested, to the towns. This was not problematic in richer communities, but in poorer towns, all farmers would be required to give up to 90% of their produce. This affected all towns heavily populated by Northern Elves, the slums of the kingdom. The Act would cause much strife for Basil's parents and their income, which was already terrible. After the Free Farms Act was passed, Basil grew to realize at a young age that the kingdom was not a place for her kind. At just the age of 6, Basil was introduced to the harsh reality of the world.

In the year of 252 JRT, at the Age of 17(60 human years), Basil notably stirred up elves her age to pull out unarmed raids on food storehouses to provide food for their families. Regarded as "to insignificant" by king Foil III, only local human militias would suppress the raids. Over time, these raids would become more organized with news of them leading to raids in slums all across the kingdom. Regardless, the King would continue to consider them too insignificant to be handled by the royal military.

### Nordia Revolution

The year 254 JRT, at age 19(67 Human years), small raids turned to mass rebellion. Chaos plagued the land. Northern Elves began to make a stand. Basil would lead the effort to organize a full scale revolution. A secret meeting was held where the decision was made between rebel leaders to create the Nordia Revolution movement. For planting the seeds of rebellion, Basil was elected the leader of the Nordia Revolution movement. The large rebellion effort would go on to host greater, more swift, organized raids and attacks. The king finally grew to acknowledge the threat. Royal Troops were decentralized and placed throughout the kingdom in poorer towns all over the land. As time went on, attacks of terror turned to armed conflict. A civil war was born. Six months after the creation of the revolution movement, a plan was set to storm the king's castle. Having gained the support of masses, including many lower class humans, the revolution truly kicked off.

The day came where the rebels finally stormed the castle. Not a single drop of blood was shed that day. Mysteriously, no opposition was in sight. The Nordia Revolt was able to advance with no friction keeping it at bay. The castle walls were breached leading rebels through the castle and up to the king's chambers. The King was already waiting for them, crown out reached, waiting for someone to take it. Basil would be the first to grab it. Afterwards, before anyone had the chance to stop it, the king turned heel and ran to the open window behind him, jumping out. His remains were not found below, leading to more questions that day.

Having the power of the crown, Basil didn't want to make the same decision as the king's before her. She divided the power among five voted members of the people, creating the Councilate of Helmsland.

### Councilate of Helmsland

Within the Council, five members were elected including Basil. The Council was dedicated to handling all the power the King did, with all matters being agreed upon by the majority of the five members. The Council would go on to rule for the foreseeable future. In the time Basil was on the Council, only three of the original councilors had been replaced, with the new government being preferred and loved by many citizens of the nation. Within the council was a negative story. Great bias and turmoil would take place within the Council, causing it to be on the verge of failure, daily.

In time, Basil would learn she was left out of most meetings. To the belief of Basil, not many decisions were being made, but she eventually realized she was never invited to many meetings. She was the only elf on the council, leading to hatred amongst her fellow councilors. With the fear of not being notified for some meetings, Basil spent more time at the meeting hall so she would always know if a meeting was being held. They were not only keeping most meetings from her, most discussions were ways they could bring down Basil from her status without the public outcry. Basil often overheard some of the negative topics from the doors outside the meeting hall. These meetings were held nearly everyday, for many weeks. Basil was, however, invited to meetings on decisions the public would strongly react to. Basil grew outraged by kept secrets of her council members, and thus, in fear that something would happen to her, decided the only option she had was to resign.

In 289 JRT, at age 54(189 Human Years), fearing what the government would do to her having lost her status, she fled the nation, leaving everything behind. For eleven human years, she went between towns further and further south. She grew a knack for documenting everything she learned about the places she visited in her travels. She grew a large interest in races she had never seen before she fled, wishing to learn everything from their culture to their history. This was the beginning of her future career in anthropological studies.

### Arrival in Kylorne

Eleven human years since leaving Helmsland, at age 38, she would arrive on a boat in the northern reaches of the Kingdom of Osterion. Basil would notice a greater personal identification from the people to this new land. Everyone she met, whether apart of the same nation, culture, or not, would identify this land with one word: *Kylorne*. Travelling further south, from one town to another, Basil eventually met with a caravan of merchants. Agreeing to follow these merchants for some time in exchange for passing on knowledge from the lands of her origins, Basil traveled from town to town, documenting everything.

Wandering with this caravan, Basil would see many wonders, landmarks, and places she would furiously document in her journals. Meeting many new people and learning as much as she could, Basil went on to learn the many customs of the land. Basil eventually began to learn common, previously only knowing her home language of Silvi. Basil began to learn the foundational language of the roads between. As the caravan travelled further south, Basil grew fascinated with a certain mountain top with a partially destroyed building a top it's peak. An old library of sorts, Basil thought of the possibilities with this land, growing ever more eager to learn where she was. Her final stretch southward led past a stronghold of noble fashion, leading to a castle town along a river.

### Life in River'Reach

A man stood in the middle of the road expecting the caravan, with trade posts all around him. A man leading the caravan expressed relief upon seeing the other man, instantly instructing the other merchants to bow to the man. Basil would go on to ask many question, eventually learning that the man was the volark of a small land settled along the river Kumani, called the Tivr'dom of River'reach, or simply, the Reach. The volark's name was Argon Archian, he was like that of a king. Basil decided it was time to leave the caravan in this new land, expressing goodbyes with the merchants. She began asking around about places to stay, but none would give a better answer than that of Argon, the volark himself. A house was being built on a bridge and was in need of a resident, for economical reasons. Argon practically begged Basil to stay in that house. Basil agreed, not expecting to stay more than a few months.

Whilst in this new land, Argon agreed to give Basil a tour of the land to see all the things the Reach had to offer. One thing Basil noticed was the war torn state of the land, as if battles had taken place all around. Basil would learn that River'reach had recently came out of a civil war and were slowly rebuilding. During the rest of the tour, Basil saw many sights, such as the Citadel of Stars in River'Nexus and the magnificent Casten Arch Bastion, home of Argon and the Archian royal family. Basil felt right at home, noting it felt very similar to that of the slums of the Helmsland isles with many familiar architectural designs and the obsession with bridges. Basil later decided to officially settle in the Reach. Basil also noted that she never truly thanked Argon for her place in the Reach.

After having decided to stay in River'reach, Basil went on to explore the area around Kylorne, starting with just around the Reach. Discovering two new places near the Reach, being Hewe Kahmang and West Watch to the west, beyond the swamps where Bogart lies. She would discover these lands for River'reach.

This development of Basil greatly pleased Argon, and thus he would offer Basil the position of Scholar, if she so pleased. Her job was to learn and contribute the knowledge back to the Reach in some way or another. Basil agreed and thus started her career as a Scholar of River'reach. Basil gain the nickname of the "Nomad Scholar" whilst documenting her findings and leaving little notes in places she believed were special in some way. As an official Scholar of River'reach, Basil continued her journey across, documenting the land in all its glory, meeting many friends along the way. On one of her journeys, she would meet Slumin Chu the River Toad Caravan Merchant, leader of the Bogart slums. In doing so, Basil met a very like minded friend of the Reach, often coming back to meet with Slumin Chu and trade knowledge for knowledge.

On one of her meetings with Slumin Chu, whilst trying to give a book on the Kumani River Settlements, a strange object was with him. It was a humanoid being that called itself the Archive. Basil notes the first encounter being blatant thievery of the book being gifted to Slumin Chu. Eventually, Slumin Chu would help retrieve the book. Deemed "not a living thing", Slumin Chu instructed that Basil not take it personally; that the Archive only wished to store the knowledge within itself. Basil took it personally.

One day, Basil, having returned home from gifting the Nihilla Eleanora, Stone Witch of Mora, a book on the history of the Helmsland isles, would find the Archive followed her. The Archive would return in great criticism of Basil's history, having read the book she gifted to the stone witch. It would even go on to denote Basil as mischievous from her lack of a past. Basil, not handling the slander, had begun to heavily critique the Archive. This did not bode well with the Archive, causing a large argument between the two. Both beings would try and figure out the other, using whatever means they could to figure out how the other's mind worked. Eventually, Basil would crack the mind of the Archive, and greatly stun the Archive with her findings. The Archive left in fear of what would happen next.

Living in the Reach for a while, Basil became really interested in the internal matters of the land. Argon would one day go to her in secret, offering her the position of High Scholar of the Reach. In this position, Basil would be able to take on her own apprentices and train them in the ways of her own. She was also able to now hold classes for all the scholars in River'reach, as well as greatly influence national policies with her knowledge. Being so greatly involved in this matter, Basil would run for vardian of Diplomacy, a minister position. Basil would win in the election from thenceforth be the acting Diplomat of the land, which suited her Nomadic tendencies anyway. One day, a certain man, named Kubel would request that Basil take him as her Apprentice Scholar. She would be reluctant at first, but agree to it, noting that she had been wanting a Scholar Apprentice for a while anyway.

### Fated Meeting and the Archive

One afternoon, Basil was miles away from a certain grave that a wandering druid dwarf by the name of Raskog Cragaxe had just reached. Near the mysterious grave lay a rock with the words "The Nomad Scholar was here. Heading East" inscribed onto it. Raskog had been on a search for Basil at the time and decided it was a worthy lead. Following note after note for many weeks, in many different and extreme conditions, at the doors of a castle one rainy night, Basil would be found by Raskog at the location of "Blue Castle", nearly 4 kilometers out from the Reach. Raskog, not knowing that was Basil, was desperate to find shelter from the rain, but the doors of Blue castle were sealed shut. Basil reminded him of a certain Eledari Watch tower just east of that point. Reaching that tower, Raskog would thank Basil for the help, asking who they are in the process. Once Basil had revealed that she was the Nomad Scholar, Raskog would go on to explain the situation at hand. Both would later recount that that moment they first met in the rain was as the love stories they'd read in old books.

Raskog would go on to explain that the Archive had sent him in search for "the Nomad Scholar, [in hopes that] she may give [him] the answers to help [the archive]." Basil would go on to explain the situation from her point of view, explaining how the Archive was actually a container holding the minds of six ancient kings. Three kings had perished over the ages in the mind, but three remained. These kings were contained through the mixing of the six sections of the brain, each taken from one of the kings. The Archive had noted that they were not to know their old names, but basil had figured out one of the names. From that location, Basil and Raskog would head out towards River'reach, but along the way, at the river's end nearby Mora, the Archive lay there in wait. Confronting them, the Archive would start attacking basil. Raskog being ready to defend would cause the Archive to stop. Basil would then go on to reveal that she knew the names of the three Kings. However, before she could bring herself to even say one of them, the Archive would say it before them. Instantly, one of the minds of the Kings would die. Out of nowhere, a new voice would start on about how there would be consequences for the Archive if any of it's protocols were broken. In that moment, the voices of the last remaining Kings would start to spill out, denouncing basil for killing one of them. They would then leave Basil and Raskog two books each and leave.

After reading both books, Basil and Raskog would finally learn the protocols for the Archive, as well as the history of the 6 Grand Magistrates of Ancient Synkletos. Having come up with a theory, both would agree to meet again another day. That night, however, the Archive would return. Nearly killing Basil in her sleep, Basil woke up and began to attack the Archive in self defence. After much arguing back and forth and interrogation, Basil would learn news she didn't want to hear. On top of that, the Archive kept trying to defend herself from the Archive. Getting away for a brief moment, Basil would quickly write a note and send it towards Raskog's grove in hopes he would arrive as quickly as possible to assist her. After continuing to interrogate for what seemed like several hours, banging was heard at Basil's door. It was Raskog, out of breath. Filling in Raskog on what had went down, Basil proceeded to restrain the Archive. Raskog disagreed with this, but allowed it under some persuasion. Many hours and questioning go by. They finally agree to rid of the Archive, imprisoning it.

The Information that Basil had learned was that the Archive was a vessel for cosmic evil in the universe. Whenever someone would release the evil, it would destroy that world, the Archive would finally recapture it, and then it would move on to another world. The cycle was doomed to forever repeat and evil would be released if the Archive was killed. The Archive contained this evil by capturing the innocence of six human souls, thus entrapping the evil within it. This process was overseen by an overseer. These overseers would make sure nothing happen to the Archive and they lived for many years. Whenever an overseer died, a new one would hastily take its place.

Basil and Raskog believed that the only way to stop this cycle, or at least delay it, was to imprison the Archive somewhere. Taking the Archive to the holy flame of Thunder Mountain, Basil believed it would be a good way to torture any remaining information out of the Archive before imprisoning it. In the process, the Archive would go on to summon a mighty Ent King to attack, twice. Raskog and Basil being gravely angered, decided, out of pure spite, to kill the Archive for attacking them. The Archive, was hastily cornered on top a copper spire, coming out of the ground over the holy flame. In the Archives final moments, Basil would use her axe to knock the Archive into the flame from at least 13 meters above.

Days later, upon returning to Mora, Basil would find the Archive again in a sort of cocoon state. This could only mean one thing. The worse was only to come.

### Exile and Love

In guilt and shame, Basil decided that she would run. She would run far away from the land of Kylorne. For weeks she ran, in a self-imposed exile. She believed that the world was going to end and that it was all her fault. She decided it was best to get as far as she could. Nothing happened. She didn't go very far in the end, only a couple hundred kilometers from the Reach, where she would lay low. She felt terrible in the end, and felt she had a duty to return, but could not bring herself to do it after unexpectedly leaving. She felt that returning would mark her as the bad guy, so she devised a plan. If she were to return, she would become the bad guy before anything happened. No one can hate you for a world ending threat, if you've already made them despise you in the first place.

With her goals set on return, she began her travel back. Upon returning, she felt good being home, but could not bring herself to meet anyone. She accidentally ran into Argon, who would be surprised at her return. She would lie and explain that she went on a long journey around Kylorne. Argon felt he should give her a tour of the place, seeing as a lot had changed in the time she had exiled herself. After doing so, Argon explained that he would be going away for a time, to a place for outside the reaches of Kylorne, that he believed was a good vacation spot, and so he was off not long after that exchange.

A few days later, whilst traveling around, she was returning on one of the new roads between Hyljaheim's Camp Hefja and River'Nexus. Randomly, however, she would encounter Raskog. Raskog not knowing where she'd been, was only happy to find her. Basil told the same excuse she told Argon, and both began to ride around the area. Basil would explain of a magical power she learned while gone, called Kuri, and even vowed to teach Raskog how to use it. Basil knew two different types of Kuri, Knol and Pyr. Knol was much more peaceful, whilst Pyr was more anger centered. During their ride around River'reach, they would end up meeting up with a weird man who was traveling to see the Citadel of Stars in River'reach. The man joined them on their ride, and at one point, behind Basil's house, they would encounter a weird object stating that it was cursed. Basil, having the quickest, most detailed plan flash through her head, decided to touch it. She then immediately acted as if though she had become cursed herself. She would go on about how she could not function properly, and that her magic was gone and improper. Having a strange idea to meet up with another man, Raskog decided that Basil should meet a man named Aved in the City State of White Orchid. Doing so, they would tour a large cave where large bones were seen coming out of the walls, and plants were taking over. Explaining that her magic felt better in that location, Basil would go on to venture the cave. Upon the exit, however, Basil would sprain her ankle in a fall while climbing out. The 4 of them would head back to White Orchid to treat it. Being given Russian Vodka by the mysterious man they met in River'reach to ease the pain, Basil felt worse afterwards. After a nice meal, the 4 began discussing about the Archive and how the Archive possibly cursed Basil. Just then, two people show up. A Dwarf friend of Raskog, and a weird creature named Starra. Starra would go on to bug Basil while Aved and the Dwarf friend of Raskog discussed diplomatic matters. After being finally ticked off enough, Basil fled the area towards Ulthuan Town center. An hour later, Raskog met up with her, and Basil would express her displeasure with Starra. Raskog insured that Starra was just innocent and attacked by everyone her whole life, viewing it as common courtesy to hit everyone she meets.

After the exchange in Ulthuan, weeks later, Raskog and Basil would meet in Raskog's grove. Discussing life the last few days, Basil would go on to properly teach Kuri as a ploy to finally get everyone to hate her. Getting to carried away Pyr, an extreme form of Kuri, Raskog would accidentally attack Basil, and thus, Basil knew it was time. Using her magic powers to put on the visual effect that she had turned into a demon, she ran towards White Orchid. Raskog would go on to find Basil later on in the day, warn out and afraid of Basil. Basil would express how "it knows everything" and "it senses all" whilst visually in fear. Finally acting as to summon the courage to speak, she starts with "They call themselves the Draconic Or-" and in that moment, she uses magic to blind Raskog for only a few moments and gets away. She returns to the Reach and leaves a poem of riddles that direct Raskog as to where she is heading, and then leaves.

Weeks later, Basil is found by Raskog, bathing in a tub in Traveler's Respite. Trying to scare Raskog away again, Basil begins to appear as a demon, once again, but fails to do so. In that moment, she decided to go along with Raskog and make him believe she is helper her. Taken to a little pond surrounded by Sugar Cane, Raskog begins a ritual guided by Basil, and thus, Basil uses this as an opportunity to tell the truth, slightly, to Raskog. Appearing as a dragon this time, Basil scares Raskog away and tells him that she was an almighty being and that her body is but a vessel. Realizing she was taking it too far, she starts confessing slowly, however. She decides to disappear again, but this time she heads to a residence in Cape Sor, Leánntir. Raskog having assumed this is the place she went to, goes here first. Unknowingly however, he arrives with whilst she is following behind. The moment she notices him, however, she runs off. Chased for many kilometers to a cave where she would venture down into, finally giving up.

Once Raskog reached her, she finally confessed everything. Her guilt, her lies, everything. Raskog would then attempt to console her, telling her that everything is fine. Believing this to be true, Basil gets more comfortable in that moment, however Raskog continues. Raskog slowly begins to confess something of his own; his love for Basil. In that moment, every memory of Basil had after meeting Raskog flashed through her head, all seeming to align with one thought. Every major decision she has taken since she met him, has been with Raskog in mind. Raskog had been on her mind from the very start. She began to realize that she felt the same way, and thus, she would go on to partner with him.

### Marriage

Not much is documented on the relationship with Raskog, however throughout the time, it was an awkward experience. Never knowing how to act around each other, both were quick to disappear from the other for a few days at a time. However, eventually, they got used to each other. One of the many projects Basil had had from the start of her life in River'reach was to fix up the old library she saw with the Caravan she arrived in. She had asked Raskog to help her in the Project, and he willingly agreed. Their first goal was to start by cleaning an old pond, making it look more appropriate. In doing so, they realized it would be a fantastic place for marriage. And thus a date was set for a month from that day.

The day of the marriage was chaotic, but it finally came. Delayed by nearly an hour, lots of people arrived. Dwarves from Raskog's land, River'folk from Basil's, and people they both met throughout all of their journey's together. It was a spectacular day. However, the Ents were very active that day, and many tried to attack, but luckily the River'reach warriors deterred them during the marriage ceremony. After the marriage, of course, a grand ceremony was held, but unfortunately, it was raided by a powerful enemy that would go on to attack everyone. Luckily, no one lost their lives that day, and many saw it as a fun after party event, seeing as most everyone were drunk anyway. After the fight, Basil led the guests up the mountain to the library, where she and Raskog would finally decide on a name together. Mixing but family names, they settled on Regal Cragaxe as their house name. Argon felt it was good enough, and even gave Raskog honorary citizen. At the end of the party, Argon and a citizen of his broke out into a fight. Both were severely drunk, however afterwards, Argon would go on to send a formal apology to both the newlyweds.

After the marriage of Raskog, Basil wanted something more in her life beyond writing books. After much thought, Basil had remembered an old and damaged library atop the mountain of Rijalhelm. She wanted to take her Scholar role much seriously and create a learning place for new scholars who were dedicated to her area of research, anthropology. After many months, Basil and Raskog were able to refurbish the library into a much newer and less damaged state. This library would be the center of a new idea, a college, or Collegeon, in the home tongue of Silvi. The library being the center point of the college, homes would be dotted around the library so that it can sustain visitors and residents on their journey's of knowledge.

### Realm of Ents

The death of a friend had left Raskog in much despair. Starra, a curious being, had passed away, leaving many in anguish. Basil had noticed this depression begin to wash over her husband, feeling anxious, Basil could not resist the need to consul her dear husband, Raskog. Some days after Basil's magic lessons with Raskog would leave Raskog feeling worse than the mornings, this really concerned Basil. Basil knew there must have been way more going on. Days go by, an explosion is heard in the night beyond the grove within the Dalr Forest. It was the opening of a portal to the realm of Ents. Basil curious as to what it is, tries to investigate, but Raskog urges her to go back to sleep. Raskog goes to investigate, confirming it's location underneath a corrupted tree within a newly sprung cave. Some weeks later, Raskog finally opens up to Basil about the situation and about his father. Raskog seeks to avenge his father who was slain by ents, and thus going through the portal seemed to be the only way to rid them of the world for good. Basil wasn't on board at first, but after much debate and avoidance of the situation, she finally agreed to let him go, knowing she could very well never see him again. Raskog would lead Basil to the corrupted tree on the day he left, so that she could be there to say farewell. After Raskog had finally entered the Realm of Ents, Basil made up her mind that she would stay there until he came back, no matter how long it took.

In the Realm of Ents, Raskog would go on to hunt the evil warlock Xalhull who assisted the ambush and poisoning of his father. After many days, Raskog stumbles upon the cave where Xalhull resides, but it was nothing but a trap. An archduid by the name of Alathid Oakclaw and Xalhull go on to ambush Raskog, piercing his stomach with a poisoned blade. With nearly the rest of his energy and mana, Raskog summoned an earthquake that made the cave collapse on top of the 3 of them. Many hours passed, Raskog came crawling through the ash and dust, alive. He finally used his remaining energy to break the sigil that sealed the portal between realms, finally traveling back to the realm of Kylorne. Basil immediately awoke to the sound of a splash in the cave below. Rushing in immediately, Basil found a wounded Raskog with strange horns growing from his head. Basil rushed Raskog back to the Reach so that they could heal him. Upon his wake, he urged to speak to Basil alone. Leading Basil to the library, Raskog would go on to tell Basil he had accomplished what he had hoped for, avenging his father. They would go on to spend the day comforting each other at the library. As they watched the sunset from the window of the library, Raskog suggested the do more with their family, expanding their legacy and lineage. Basil agreed, knowing that they can finally live peacefully.

Many months following the return of Raskog, Basil would have a weird dream in her sleep. This dream would later foreshadow much more than she would have hoped for. Basil was in her library one day when she would go on to notice a strange missing panel in the wooden flooring. Through investigation, it led Basil into a secret tunnel below the library, through the mountain and leading much further beyond. The tunnel was mysterious and dark, giving many scary hallucinations and visions as she walked through it. After what felt like hours, basil would see a light at the end of the tunnel. Without hesitating, Basil had already began to run towards it as fast as she could. As the light grew brighter, she would finally burst out of the tunnel. The light was blinding, but it finally faded with Basil standing in the center of a meadow, no tunnel in sight. This meadow felt familiar, like home, but so foreign as well. Trying to gather her surroundings as much as possible, Basil finally woke up in a cold sweat, disappointed she had not been able to stay longer.

### Barony of Rosahelm

As years go by, a tournament was to be held. Basil would assist all that she can to set it up in Conrad's Passing. Eventually, the day of the Tournament came and a member of Elysium would win. As this had all went down, Basil had grown her influence within River'reach. Eventually she was granted the role of Chairman, an advisor of the volark and castenkul, or king's hand. Basil's respect grew so much, she was eventually granted a vassal of her own, Kubel, of Rufus'Albus. This new vassal would grant her the status of a Baron, one step higher than a simple Lord. Basil would call this new Barony Rosahelm, as a combination of Rijalhelm and Rufus'Albus. Basil now had duties to oversee both her lands and that of the town of Rufus'Albus, and lead them both to greatness.

Months after being given control over the Barony of Rosahelm, Basil had grown tired of this new lifestyle. She was no leader, but a scholar, at heart. She couldn't bear to see herself in another leading position, especially since the days of the Helmsland Isles. Given many days to think, Basil came up with a farfetched idea to get herself back into her scholarly duties. She would go on a journey learning of cultures beyond the southern Fog. Many had been opposed to this idea, however, it was the best course of action that needed to be taken, in her own eyes. One sunny morning, Basil would go on to officially retire her control over the Barony of Rosahelm, gifting interim control over to Kubel, the leader of Rufus'Albus. That afternoon, Basil would eventually set sail from the banks of River'reach, heading southwards.

### Dangerous Sailing

From the rivers to the deep sea, Basil's journey took her further south, eventually sailing past the southern tip of Bazbwebwe. The looming feeling she got knowing she would re-enter the fog, many moons after her arrival in Kailourn, had began to grow larger and larger as she approached the southern most reaches of the sea. Upon sailing through the fog, it is said that one can lose their way almost immediately. That would not happen to Basil, however. The southern fog border is said to be the most traversed and studied sea amongst sailors and pirates alike. Following a path of bright blue lights set up on buoys would help lead travelers through to the nearest fog civilization south of Bazbwebwe. As Basil finally traversed the initial stage of the fog, said to be the thickest, she could see many more bright blue lights in the distance. Following the light eventually led her to the first town along her journey. Coined many names amongst travelers, this town was known to Basil as Flieksta sol'Haven, or "land nearest the shining sun". Flieksta would go on to be Basil's base of operations whilst she resided in the southern foglands.

### Flower Loving Pirates

As Basil studied the culture of the people of Flieksta, she she would one day hear a commotion outside her window. Going down to look, she saw that a group of pirates were held up by town guards. Upon hearing rumors through the crowed, Basil learnt that they were harassing stall owners in the market area. Eventually a fight broke out between the 2 parties, but the pirates one, escaping. The pirates would go on to stay around the town for a time. Basil knew she wanted to learn about these pirates, as they had something remarkably different about them. They were decorated in flower ornamentations.

Basil knew she couldn't simply get that close to them, so she would try and convince them onto her side. Basil's philosophy was that anyone can be convinced to be good natured (accept vampires). Basil would find away to do just that. Eventually she settled on infiltrating their ranks, as she learnt that the pirates have a visible hierarchy through the color of flower on their shields. She would decorate her own shield and sneak into their group one day. She stay with them for about a month before finally returning back to Flieksta. She gathered enough information to right a new culture entry on these curious pirates. After she returned, she would go on to finish her entry on the people of Flieksta, finishing her second entry.

### Expanding Knowledge and Sorrow

Basil stayed in Flieksta for roughly 10 human years, occasionally traveling around the foglands and discovering many new cultures. By 10 years in, she had roughly amassed 26 culture entries, all around the size of a full book. One day, however, one of her new closest friends in Flieksta had convinced her to return home, as she had abandoned her family and friends for her scholarly passion. Basil decided it was time to go as well, and so as she was leaving, a library attendant convinced her to donate a large fraction of her entries to their library. Basil would then ride the long boat ride home, back to Kailourn. The journey was nearly as long as the first, but as she sailed through the lands, she recognized a lot, but so much was different as well.

As Basil arrived back in Wruthos, she traveled through towns and finally through River'nexus, home of the Citadel of stars. She found herself in the middle of a small feast. She recognized an old friend, Myrdin Silverwater. Myrdin would inform her of the death of all of her close friends from before she left. Feeling deeply saddened, she met Volark Argon II, son of her dear friend Argon I. She would then learn that after the death Argon I, the nation join with Hyljaheim, forming the new and improved Volarkian Empire. Surprised by all the change, Basil would return home, surprised by her lack of family to greet her. In the coming days, she would visit the Grove to see if her family was there.

Basil left her house and walked along the bridge of Casten'Arch, passing my Myrdin's Tavern. He would invite her in, but make sure to close the shop. He would inform her of the death of her husband, Raskog, and her missing children. Then he told her to talk to Endoru Shadowstorm|Endoru, King of the Crown of Elysium|Crown of Monsters, in Elysium. With this information, Basil would race to Raskog's grove, in denial of what she had learnt. Having arrived, she found a withered and rotten dead body with a note nearby, covered in blood. It was signed by Aegadar Regal, her father. She was even more saddened, as it looked like he was trying to find her, and met his tiring demise in the basement of Raskog's home. Saddened, Basil would not leave that home for a few days. Once she had left, she spotted a relatively young woman out in the grove picking flowers. She was not aware that she was about to meet someone who would help chance the course of her life for good.

### Ema the Changeling Bard

Meeting this woman, she learnt that her name was Ema. She was looking for magical flowers for a brew, and thought the grove would be a good place. Basil helped her look, learning more about Ema as they went. Apparently, Ema had raised Basil's daughter, Yamarissia, up until a year prior. Her daughter was lost outside of a large fire, north of Coribya, Elysium. Excited by the prospect of finding her daughter and knowing where to look, Basil tanked Ema profusely. Basil would gift Ema a flower imbedded with Basil's personal mana, that Ema could call on at anytime, incase she learnt anything in regards to Yamarissia. After that encounter, both would go their separate ways, soon to meet each other once again, very soon.

### Masquerade of the Dead

As Basil returned back to the Reach, she saw many fliers advertising a Masquerade party in Araxis, just north of Elysium. Basil decided she would go, knowing she would be closer to her daughter. She would travel there with her friend Myrdin in a caravan. Upon arriving, Basil would meet with Ema once more, conversating for a short time, before a mysterious short and feminine looking man told her to follow him to a secluded balcony. Basil obliged and learnt that the man was in fact Endoru, the man she was told to meet. He told her that Raskog was dead, and that she would need to go to his castle in Coribya as soon as she was able to. Later into the part, Basil blacked out from all the stress building up. She was cared for by Ema and a few guests, being given a small room below the ballroom. She was then woken up by Myrdin, telling her it was time to go. As she was leaving, she saw Argon I once again, but this time he was a spirit trapped in Araxis. She would talk for a few moments before saying her final goodbyes. She would join the caravan and rest for the night in Coribya. She took advantage and went straight for the castle.

### Reunion of Love

As she met with Endoru, she was surprised when he revealed that Raskog was still alive, and in fact behind her. Soon after, no words were spoken for a few minutes, just the frozen image of two lovers embracing each other. The only sounds were the shallow sobs shared between the both of them. Raskog would not reveal much of how he was still alive, just that he would be reunited once again soon, just that it would take time, and to trust Endoru. Basil regretfully said goodbye to her husband, and stood there silent and crying for a few more minutes before returning back to her tent with the Caravan. Her husband was still alive and she had not expected this outcome at all.

### Chaos and the Usurper

A familiar face would be resurrected one day, soon murdering Argon Archian II. It was the ill-fabled Fehnir the Foolish. He was back and had claimed the throne of River'reach. In the chaos, Basil met with Ema and Myrdin one last time, and fled alongside Ema, to a small house in her mountain at Rijalhelm. Soon, Endoru would come to rescue them, leading them back to Coribya and declaring it a safe haven for the both of them. He also soon revealed that he was half dragon to Ema, thus influencing Ema to wish to stay as long as possible to study dragons. Soon after they arrived, word arrived that Myrdin took back the throne Fehnir, claiming it for himself. As he had taken the thrown, he sent one final message to Basil and Ema, signaling that all was well, but Endoru suggested she stay longer, as the Reach was still a fragile place to be in at the time.

### Sanctuary of Hope

One day as Basil was getting rid of some diary pages, she saw a large dragon fly overhead. She would follow the dragon to a large plateau she had seen in memories. After the dragon landed, she convinced it she was harmless and friendly, and so it had reacted positively, even grabbing Basil and flying through the air. Basil would lose her diary pages in the flight, soon returning home. A few days later, Endoru would take Basil to the same plateau where he revealed that the large fortress like building was to be hers and property of the Regal Cragaxe's as they were to be protected. He then told her that a dragon would protect her family, soon learning it was the same dragon from days before. In excitement, Basil would tour Ema the next day, inviting her into her home. As they both felt protected, they sparked a newfound friendship between each other, as they shared a home now too. Records are hazy as to how close this friendship got, or if it sparked into anything more.

### Moon Light's Exodus

As the days went, much news reached Basil regarding the lands of Wruthos. A blight had befallen the land of River'reach, cause many to die and the lands to fracture between smaller kingdoms. A royal wedding between the King of Reliqua and a known target of the One-Eyed Raven Crime guild ended in massacre, as the Crime Guild revealed it's leader to be none other than Raskog Regal Cragaxe, Basil's husband. Basil never learnt of this chaos, as one day she was caught in a trap and captured by a mysterious being. Before being taken too far, she was rescued by a goddess of the moon, who sent her to another world. Days later, the world was prophesized to end very shortly, and the fog began to engulf Kailourn, ever slowly. It was also said that demons and ents would enter the world very soon, raiding and killing all in sight. Many around the world united in defense of the Citadel of Stars, all with one message: "Defend the Citadel, the last Bastion of the world." Soon the fog shrank on all but the citadel, but as the fog engulfed it, the goddess of the moon would again use her powers to rescue everyone, even ridding the world of the fog, as it spiraled into a cold long deadly wasteland. Many people were sent to a new world, similar to Basil. This new world was called *Rathnir* and *Eldham*.

In 97 CCY, Nones Rius(Cymrite Calendar Year), or 298 JRT, at age 63, Basil would eventually awaken on a ship sailing westward to the crownlands of the Soleannen Empire. Arriving in Lileanen, Basil felt like a fresh water fish trapped in the middle of the ocean. She remembered how she felt arriving in Kylorne for the first time, all alone and afraid, but curious. Her scholarly career had prepared her for this situation, many times over, as this was not the first time. Walking aimlessly around the port of Lileannen for a time, Basil saw a smoke stack coming from a large tavern, signaling to her, that people were in there. She would go in to investigate, feeling as foreign as she could be. She attempted to blend in with the other customers of the tavern, ordering her food by pointing at representative paintings on the menu. She made a mistake with her order, ordering a large carrot cake she could not possibly finish herself. Upon eating a few bites, an unknown man would get up from his table, run to Basil's cake, and steal a slice with his bare hands, running back to his table, hiding. Furious, Basil gets up and runs out of the tavern. After a few minutes, she decides to return and yell at the man who stole her food.

When she walked back into the tavern, another stranger was waiting for her. He would introduce himself as Reinhardt. Basil hadn't realized he spoke common, like the people in Kylorne, and upon realizing started introducing herself as well.

## Gallery

Real Interpretation of Basil using AI art.AI art from Kubel. Basil in Scholar RobesBasil in her everyday attireBasil in the Flowers with the book Koken RiverToads, art commissioned Online!Basil Ai, Abstract ArtBasil in her Retiree attire, after returning from her 10 year journey.