Mystaran Elven History (from talking to Phoranin)
======================
All elves are related in one way or another. Originally, all elves were the 
same. Over the course of history, different groups of elves split up. During 
a disaster, all elves of a particular group fled underground. Some of those 
form the shadow elves. Others escaped the underground, and made their way to 
the surface.  Some of those are the Elves of Norwald.

The (green elves - e.g. Alfheim Elves)/(SE&NE) split occured earlier. So the 
SE and NE are kinda cousins. The SE/NE split occured fairly recently. The SE 
kept good records arfter arriving in the refuge of stone, but they aren't 
sure how long they were in the city for. The best estimate is this split was 
about 3000 years ago.

Phoranin believes that split with the Schatten Alfen occured when the SE 
fled the city of Aengmoor, so after that. Approx 2400 years ago. She finds 
it intresting that the archtitecture of the city is similar to the 
Schattenalfen, and that the SE presumably were familiar with this, but the 
SE architecture isn't the same. She belives the architecture hasn't changed 
much during the last 2400 years either in Aengmoor. She doesn't know what it 
means exacltly but believes see Rafiel's hand in it.

The Shadow Elves going pretty well with the Aengmoor Forest, after they 
recruied some NE to help with the climate control. They didn't have much 
experience with it.

The Azcan architecture in Aengmoor City is much older than the SE style 
architecture. Indeed, dating from before the Refuge of Stone. i.e. The
Shadow Elves appear to have encountered Aengmoor City as they fled from the
surface. Some of it is newer though. Like last year new.

Phoranin's theory is that finding the refuge of stone changed the SE into a 
somewhat different people than they maybe once were. Maybe the group which 
became the SE were all one kind of elf, the chosen elf of Rafiel.

Phoranin isn't sure how the Graakhalians fit into that scheme. Maybe they 
are an offshoot of the line that lead to the green elves, maybe the line 
that lead to the SE.

Tess and Phoranin's wedding
===========================
One of the best sources of information about Mount Celestia is Lani, who
is very knowledgeable about Planar Lore. With information from Lani,
Phoranin decides she likes the idea of it. She wasn't sure if she wanted a 
honeymoon somewhere were adventure is possible is nice, but decided it 
sounds nice. She decides she rather likes the idea of that place as a 
honeymoon location, as it's generally peaceful.

The honeymoon could be around 1028/03. The plan was to take a month off for
the honeymoon. We could ask a Seeker to cast Gate for us - by that stage 
they will definitely have that power. We can probably find our own way back 
without any deadly problems (might be worth buying a Scroll of Planeshift
for Phoranin to use to get us back: 1,125gp, and need focus for Mystara). 

Tess and Phoranin's wedding is on 1027/05/15. On 1027/05/06 Tess is asked
to help out with information finding on the Company of the Blue Eye,
Slagovich, Krikk and so forth. The blessing on 1027/05/20 would have to be
postponed as quite a few of the Seekers were dead. 

By Tess' logs 1027/05/13-1027/05/19 is spent trying to find out when, 
where, number of guards, when the cinnabryl is being loaded etc, which
Hiresh can handle. Tess can take 1027/05/14-1027/05/18 off for the wedding.

The Eyes of the Serpent won't be happy about the wedding. From Tess' 
perspective it is good politically (very politically savvy and powerful 
wife - more so than Tess by a long shot at least directly), for 
intelligence purposes, and because he loves Phoranin dearly. The Eyes of 
the Serpent will consider that Tess is compromised, which is somewhat true. 

The wedding occurs with the Shadow Elves at the main temple. Tess doesn't
change clan from Porador, as shamans have no clan. The wedding is a huge 
affair of state. Hundreds of shadow elves are there. Phoranin is the most
senior priestess of Rafiel to be married in quite some time. There are
actual flowers at the ceremony. Tess is dressed up in the best finery and 
puts on a good show, but he's quaking at the thought of anything going 
wrong, could be a big political blow to Phoranin. Nothing does go wrong, 
nor is there a bolt of Rafiel against Tesserael, which surprises some. 
Lets just say some will think strange of Phoranin for marrying Tess 
(because Tess is a bit strange - (1) Tess isn't apparently rich or 
powerful, which is often the normal reason for marriage in Shadow Elven 
custom; (2) it wasn't arranged by their parents; (3) lastly, there is 
somethign not quite right about Tesserael. He spends all his time on the 
surface I hear.), but then she was a weird adventurer who *gasp* went to 
the surface by herself, so thats ok. By the end of the wedding, Phoranin is 
an exhausted wreck. Phoranin is happy. Tess will be very happy too once the 
whole thing is over, particularly that Phoranin is happy. And of course, 
what follows ... the marriage is in the birth month, so the hope is that if 
- what shall we say, the nuptials go well - then a child might be born in 
the fasti month ... although Phoranin has no experience at all by surface 
standards ... Tess does has some experience in this reincarnation, but will 
take things slow and probably feign no experience (though a lit bit of info 
heard from talking to people now and then). [Tess' experience was with a 
prostitute circa 18 years ago, trying to revisit what the hell he had been 
doing pre-reincarnation on the surface in Landfall.]

Tess can now officially live with Phoranin in her quarters. She has her one 
extended, with a private room for Tess, exiting onto a corridor which leads 
to the outside garden. Only Phoranin's office is hidden from divinations, 
she has the luxury of private quarters, which she frequently uses for 
business as well (in the garden, her favourite place). Tess can teleport to
his room. Tess will keep his room fairly spartan, though Phoranin is 
welcome to add whatever womanly touch she likes.

Phoranin's Suspicions of the Danger from Within the Shadow Elves
================================================================
Phoranin wants to have a serious talk with Tess about something. "We should 
not keep secrets from each other. I have some things to tell you."

Tess replies, "I agree. Go on my love," listening.

Phoranin: "Firstly, I am aware you are a member of the second shadow...and 
more. I have watched you carefully for the temple for some time." Tess 
nods. He admitted this to her fairly recently, but is not surprised that 
she has known for longer. "I too am a kind of agent. My other purpose for 
traveling the surface was to gather information about the enemies of 
Rafiel, but since then I believe we face greater danger internally from 
enemies than we do from the obvious ones externally."

Tess will frown. "The friction between the temple, the army, and royalty 
that we discussed? Particularly as it pertains to Princess Tana de Lao?" 

Phoranin: "I have spent much of my time here trying to unravel why those on 
the surface now are further from the teachings of Rafiel than those 
underground. I believe this other group, these eyes, are also involved in 
finding this out. I think the Princess is a member, maybe the head, of this 
organisation, an organization not sanctioned by Rafiel. I think she wishes 
to be free of her father, and maybe, just maybe (quietly) the temple."
Phoranin watches Tess for his response.

Tess hmmmms. "As I think I've more or less admitted previously, I was sent 
to the surface by the eyes to watch you. Things changed over time though," 
Tess smiles. "Unfortunately, they trust me less now, I don't have any good 
idea what is going on."  Tess notes, "The eyes are loyal to the King, at 
least they're supposed to be loyal to the King ... it's possible that is no 
longer the case, or that there is a split." 

Phoranin: "I didn't think you knew what is going on, which is why I grew 
more concerned. I still have the loyalty of some here, as the highest 
ranking member of the temple on the surface, but..."

Tess: "And to be honest, I have no idea how exactly the Princess fits in in 
the power structure, other than that the royalty were not too happy about 
the strength of the temple's power." Phoranin nods. Tess will sigh deeply 
and with concern, "What I most want to avoid is a power struggle from 
within our people. We've done a little to smooth that over previously, but 
it is essential to avoid any split. Our resources are already spread wide." 

Phoranin: "Be very careful my love, we tread a dangerous ground. If we are 
not careful, this split will widen and we will be swallowed up by the 
crack."

Tess: "My position is tenuous at best. I have been seen as a loose cannon 
on several occasions. I think the only reason why I still tread this earth 
is that I am far from state and can cause little trouble most of the time." 

Phoranin: "I want you to work for the temple. I can provide protection, if 
things do not go well, or if you are caught snooping where you should not. 
I feel things will quickly [in Shadow Elven time] come to a head, and I 
fear there will be violence."

Tess: "What does Porphyiel [head of the Temple of Rafiel] think? If I work 
for the temple, it will most likely become known, and any direct influence 
I have on the Second Shadow and the eyes will be entirely lost." 

Phoranin: "She is far from here, and can not see as much as I do. She knows 
of the danger present, and supports me. No one other than ourselves need 
know you work for the temple."

Tess sighs again. "I realise there may be violence. I can probably handle, 
or at least evade, anything direct. I will most likely not be here when it 
erupts ... when it does ..." sigh "as I've said ... my loyalty is to the 
king, to Rafiel, and to you ... I would not choose between those three 
things. However, I will help you as best I can, as I have with the Schatten 
Alfen ... and that report created much trouble for me I think, though 
perhaps it helped get things moving in the end ..." Tess will chuckle 
wryly. "But I would not have others know of my helping you, that needs to 
be between us ... this is too precarious." Phoranin nods. "I truly wonder 
what part the King plays in this. Everything comes down the chain of 
command - don't ask the wrong questions, we're handling things, and so 
forth .... it is very unclear what information gets back to the King, and 
to what extent he directs things. Then again, he did move with Porphyiel to 
defuse the situation and berate Princess Tana de Lao, so it would seem he 
has the interests of the Shadow Elven people, and unity, at heart." 

Phoranin: "I agree. I think the time will come when we will need to act 
quickly. I am trying to gather a loyal group of elves together, to act 
quickly and with sufficient force that we can sieze the information we 
require. With that information, we can prove what they have done. I do not 
believe the king is involved, or if he is that he knows the true situation. 
We need proof."

Tess hmmms. "What if you find nothing? Won't that induce precisely what 
you're trying to avoid?" 

Phoranin: "If we find nothing, I will be very embarassed. I don't think we 
will."

Tess will again smile wryly, frowning and sighing again, with a bemused 
smile finally, "And you'll probably need my help to get that information." 

Phoranin: "Undoubtedly. I would prefer not to do this, but I don't see any 
other option. Others do not see the actions of other elves in such a bad 
light."

Tess ponders, thinking at length. Troubled. Tess sighs at last, "As I said, 
I am willing to help ...." 

Phoranin: "Let us keep our eyes open. At some stage, we will see the time 
to act. If you can think of a better way of exposing them, without putting 
us at risk by engaging in violence or the threat of violence aginst our 
fellow elves, please tell me."

Tess sighs again, fingers pressed against each other, thinking hard, "I 
don't know enough, not at this stage anyway ... your fingers are much 
closer to the pulse of what is happening here ... I know something is 
wrong, but I don't know what, and I'm not sure why." 

Phoranin: "Those are my thoughts. Keep your eyes peeled Tess, as will I. 
Lets us go to more pleasant subjects."

Tess: "Let us suppose that we do undertake such a mission, and gather 
sufficient information to expose people intending a split from the Shadow 
Elven kingdom ... what then? How do we handle Aengmoor Forest? It is so far 
removed from the City of Stars? Do you think the Radiant General and others 
may be involved? Or are those that move this only a small group so far?" 

Phoranin: "I think if we expose them, the general outcry of the populace 
will cause them to flee or abandon their schemes."

Tess hmmms. "Our people in Aengmoor Forest will also cry out against this? 
What about if they paint the temple in a bad light? Evidence or not, in a 
war of words, it becomes very hard to see the truth, and they are probably 
better at such a game than the temple is. Again, which is why you need me, 
and people like me to help." Tess will pat her shoulder, "I'm not against 
this, so much as trying to think what will happen and how we deal with it." 

Phoranin: "Yes, I agree. Which is why we need proof. Currently I have is a 
bad feeling about some people, who aren't even a member of a defined group 
as far as the polulace can see."

Tess nods. "If you let me know which people, I might possibly know more, if 
they are involved with the eyes or Second Shadow." 

Phoranin: "I don't see how we can get that proof though. They aren't likely 
to come right out and say it to me."

Tess: "Of course not. Easier to let them make a move, but by then it may be 
too late." 

Phoranin: "Agreed."

Tess: "I can watch individuals. Probably investigate them without their 
knowledge. It depends how careful they are, and how observant they are, but 
I am pretty good at that sort of thing." 

Phoranin: "Keep your eyes peeled, see what you can think up. You have 
thoughts no other shadow elf would have. At least, no elf on our side."
Tess nods. "If you can't hink of a better plan, I will have to go ahead 
with the raid to obtain proof, at the risk of embarassment to myself and 
failure."

Tess: "Another thing, you don't inform Porphiel directly, so that she can 
disavow a failure if things go wrong?" 

Phoranin: "Really?"

Tess will smile, "I'll let it go ... Just ... knowing you too well perhaps 
..." Phoranin nods. "Very well. Tell me who the individuals are that you 
would like me to investigate. I will find out what I can, and try to make 
sure that they don't notice. That is far more likely to suceed than a raid, 
or at least help us prepare for a raid. And if I am found out, I will make 
sure they can't trace it back to me or you." 

Phoranin would rather avoid civil war entirely. Tess also has recourse to 
the Periapt of Pax if things get out of control, but that would be ghastly, 
for things to get that bad, to have to use that. It could be useful to 
force a negotiation between warring parties, but in this situation, you 
want to avoid that.