** 106 days passed in this log ** 1028/07/16-1028/11/09

Tess collecting intelligence on the Schatten Alfen
==================================================
Tess was going to try and make friends with the guy who was at the sacrifice 
to Atzanteotl and didn't like it. Tess put them under surveillance for a
while, but hasn't made contact yet. The Schatten Alfen guy is a blacksmith 
and his wife is a potter. He sometimes spends time at some kind of lounge.

Tess goes to that lounge on a night when he does, and sits down at the
free table. The other tables are occupied by different groups of Schatten
Alfen chit-chatting amongst themselves. Tess gets a drink and sits down.
Tess sits down and listens quietly. The blacksmith enters, and looks for a 
free table - there aren't any, so he looks for a table with less people on 
it. Tess will look up at the guy and gesture that he can sit at Tess' table 
if he wishes. The guy hestitates and then comes over.

Blacksmith: "Mind if I sit here?"

Tess replies, "Sure, feel free. My name is Angrod." They exchange greetings.

Blacksmith: I haven't seen you here before.

Tess: "No, I'm in town doing some trading." The blacksmith nods. "Figured I 
would check this place out." 

The blacksmith seems a bit more open than a typical Schatten Alfen, from the 
conversations Tess has heard - for a start, he doesn't try and make himself 
out to be better than Tess. After a few minutes, he warms to Tess and 
happily chats away about stuff.  Tess is friendly and suggests catching up 
again sometime - maybe in a couple of days? The blacksmith is happy to do so,
asking, how long will Angrod be in town, to which Tess replies a couple more
weeks, depending on trading locally.

Tess wanders around the town for a couple of days - keeping a low profile, 
just improving his intelligence analysis and getting more of an idea for the 
place, trading a little, then comes back in 2 days.

** two days pass **

Tess wanders in, and the blacksmith is waiting. He waves Tess over. His wife 
is with him. They invite Tess back to their place. They offer Tess a drink of 
water and then chat.

Tess will say he remembers now where he saw them - at the temple ... and ... 
he noticed, nodding to the blacksmith, that ... he was a bit uncomfortable 
with what happened - well, you're not the only one. Things weren't always 
this way.  They both look momentarily alarmed, then control it.

Tess: "Frankly, I've been looking to find some other folks who feel similarly 
to me. I don't agree with that sort of thing. If you're not okay with 
chatting to me about this - I'll leave ... I don't want to impose on you."

Blacksmith: "You don't follow Atzanteotl?"

Tess: "No. I follow Rafiel." They glance at each other, and then relax a bit.

Woman: "So do we." Tess looks momentarily surprised. Tess then warms up 
somewhat further. 

Tess: "Good ... I was hoping that might be the case. I haven't found many 
others who do."

Blacksmith: "Not many in this city follow Rafiel. A few do openly, but they will 
never get anywhere and are watched carefully." Tess nods. 

Woman: "We assumed it was this way in the other cities as well."

Tess: "It is generally. However ... there's been a relatively recent 
complication ...  Another group of Elves, closely related to us, have been 
encountered. And they worship Rafiel. I don't know how many people know about 
this. I hear this sort of thing occasionally, because I travel around a lot."

Blacksmith: "The shadow elves?" He doesn't sound exactly friendly to them.

Woman: "How does this change anything?"

Tess: "I don't know if it does, but it might. My other concern is that we 
may end up at war. And I don't want to go to war with folks who worship 
Rafiel."

Blacksmith: "I hear they are heretics though."

Woman: *snort* "Like we aren't?" The blacksmith shrugs. "Maybe some day soon 
we can join with them. I hear we are closely related."

Tess: "From what I've heard and observed of other races ... for most other 
races it is not uncommon that more than one group may worship the same deity. 
Yes, we are."

Blacksmith: "That doesn't seem very likely, that non-elves would follow either 
Atzanteotl or Rafiel." He uses a different word for Elf than Tess is familiar
with - it has overtones of superiority.  "Aside from the Azcan of course."

Woman: "They will be wiped out eventually though."

Tess: "Are you sure? And more importantly, why should they be wiped out?" The 
guy looks surprised at the question. "Well ... they're our enemies ... but I 
mean why should individual humans be killed?"

Blacksmith: "They caused the end of the good times," to which the woman nods.

Tess: "That is incorrect. I am not a student of history, but I have heard the 
story from a number of sides. My understanding, in brief, is this ... There 
was a rain of fire ... we left the surface ... we traveled and lived beneath 
the surface and it was a difficult and troubled time ... in due course some 
of us adventured back to the surface and we encountered Green Elves. However, 
the Green Elves rejected our request to live with them, and fought us back 
below ground. That was rather unfortunate. However, that has nothing to do 
with the Humans."

Blacksmith: "Where did you hear these things? This is different to what we know."

Tess: "Furthermore, revenge has since been taken on the Green Elves - they 
have lost their homes, and now the Shadow Elves occupy their lands. I think 
that's a fitting end - the debt has been paid, time for peace. Where? I have 
been to the surface. I have been to Alfheim. I have traveled a very long way. 
Alfheim is now called Aengmoor. And it is occupied by the Shadow Elves who 
vanquished the Green Elves." They boggle at this. The guy shakes his head

Tess: "Hmmm ... let me see if I can find something to convince you ..."

** begin collate info for report **
Blacksmith: "No, that is wrong. How it really happened was five clans fled 
from a great disaster, of what kind has been lost to history. These five 
clans, the Celebryl, the Porador, the Felistyr, the Gelbalf and the 
Schattenalfen fled underground. The Schatten Alfen were the leaders of the 
clans. Do you know that Shadow Elf is another word for Schattenalfen?"

Tess: "I've been there. It had been overrun by humanoids until recently."

Blacksmith: "Anyway, some decided to stay to found a great city, in the hope 
of later leading the other clans to the new inner world, not the poisoned 
outer world, but they fell and were lost. That's it. The humans though - they 
started it. They poisoned the land above. The Schatten Alfen want to make 
sure they can never do it again."
** end collate info for report **

Tess: "I don't know who poisoned the outer world."

Woman: "Personally, I don't care about them. I hope they rot, but I'm happy 
to let them rot."

Tess fishes out Aldara, "This is Aldara, my companion - a pet ... I found her
on the surface ... you won't find her like on the surface here. She is 
adapted to hunting at night. That is, when the sun goes down - which doesn't 
happen here (in the Hollow World as it is called)."

Woman: "Night? Darkness like underground?"

Tess: "Yes. I don't understand exactly how it works here, but to those from 
the outer world (as they call it, the surface) it is strange that the Hollow
World has no night."

Blacksmith: "Few are as light-adapted as you are."

Tess: "Yes. I've spent a long time traveling. Regards the humans ... there 
are many different human civillizations, some peaceful, some not. However, 
some do have memory of a terrible cataclysm that destroyed their home [the 
Alphatians though Tess won't mention them by name] and to the best of my 
knowledge they have no intention of repeating that ... though wars can do 
terrible things [sinking of Alphatia - again not mentioned]."

Blacksmith: "What is it like, on the outer world? How bad is the poison?"

Tess: "There is no poison now, to the best of my knowledge. There are lands 
with trees, lands with sand where it is too hot, lands populated and fertile 
with crops and so forth - it is a varied landscape. And to be honest, I felt 
relatively at home amongst most of the different races there - I spent more 
time with humans than any other group, and they seemed reasonable generally."
The blacksmith doesn't look convinced that the humans are okay.

Woman: "Like the inner world then."

Tess: "Yes. When it comes to preventing things that will poison and destroy 
the world ... I think war is most often the cause of that ... it's not a 
good way to deal with things. When there is peace, people can be prosperous, 
plying their trade. Interacting with other races or keeping to themselves, 
as they see fit."

Blacksmith: "Well, I don't think the humans are smart enough to do so."

Tess: "Smart enough to do what? Stay peaceful?"

Woman: "We can afford to leave them alone. Don't think we will though."

Tess: "Yeah ... and that's what concerns me."

Blacksmith: "Smart enough to nearly destroy the world."

Tess: "There are a group of humans, known as the Alphatians and Glantrians, 
who once destroyed their world. Since then, well they came to the outer 
world and their cultures flourished. In that respect, I think the Alphatian 
Empire was probably more powerful and certainly had many more citizens than
the Schattenalfen."

The blacksmith nods, "Maybe they haven't learned then."

Tess will sigh, "I guess my main concern is if the Schatten Alfen and Shadow 
Elves end up fighting ... why should we fight our brethren? Heretics ... no 
they're not, no more so than the Schatten Alfen."

Woman: "I don't have a problem with them."

Blacksmith: "They follow Rafiel, just like we do."

Tess: "But why are we at war with the humans? Wouldn't it be better just to 
guard our borders and avoid destructive wars ... maybe even teach people to 
be peaceful and respect one another to prevent war?"

Blacksmith: "I don't think it's that likely that we will fight them anyway. 
Don't fight relatives. Peace?" He boggles.

Tess: "That said, there are groups of humans who have been at peace for a 
long time, and only occasionally have to deal with threats outside their 
borders. One such group is called the Western Defence league, comprising 
Humans, Halflings, and other lands. I know of at least one situation where 
a Schattenalfen tried to murder a guard of the Shadow Elven princess ... 
it's the sort of thing that could escalate easily - especially given there 
was some sort of assassination setup on her, which was foiled."

Blacksmith: (hesitantly) "I think both societies would be better off if some 
mixing ccured. Maybe it's not right, we mostly follow Atzanteotl and they 
follow Rafiel."

Tess: "Do you think it might be possible to arrange for a group of 
worshippers of Rafiel from here to visit them? Just a few ... On a diplomatic
mission, rather than that sort of spying and skulduggery."

Blacksmith: "I don't think that would be a good idea. Publicly being seen as a 
worshipper of Rafiel isn't good for your career here, and I asusme it's the 
same elsewhere. Blacksmith: A diplomatic mission...no chance of any 
worshippers of Rafiel being on that!"

Woman: "Where did you say you were from again?"

Tess smiles, "To be honest ... I'm a Shadow Elf, from clan Porador. I came 
here to try and make contact with your people and avoid what looks like 
things getting worse ..." 

They look shocked and the woman comments, "But...you are just like us! You 
even wear the same clothes!"

Tess chuckles softly, "Well, I did go out of my way to fit in. However, our 
people are very similar. However ... your society is ... well this worship of 
Atzanteotl seems extreme. I've never seen anything like that. I believe that 
sentient races deserve to be treated with respect."

Woman: "Our people are very devout."

Tess: "And I would really like to avoid more wars ... the Green Elves have 
already lost their home and been defeated ... I think that's enough. It's 
time to forget about the past and start forging a brighter future."

Blacksmith: "That is a strange idea. _All_ sentient races? Even cows?"

Tess: "If they're intelligent. Sure. To the best of my knowledge cows 
aren't though. But Humans, Elves ... even Green Elves ... and the other 
races ... if they don't hurt you, why should you hurt them?"

Blacksmith: "You mean sapient."

Woman: "Interesting idea, but a good one I think."

Tess: "The Shadow Elves aren't going to be particularly tolerant of the 
worship of Atzanteotl ... we do tolerate other races, and generally are 
peaceful if left alone (with the except of the Green Elves who learnt their
lesson I guess - though it seemed overly harsh to me in the end). I don't 
know. I'm just concerned, wondering how far your people who are worshippers 
of Atzanteotl will go. Peace doesn't seem to be your way."

Blacksmith: "If the Shadow Elves don't tolerate the worship of Atzanteotl, 
then the priests here aren't going to take that in the sun."

Tess: "And actually, from what I've heard about the Azcans worship, war 
seems to be normal for worshippers of Atzanteotl. Do you think the priests 
here will try and organize a war to "reform" the Shadow Elves to worship of 
Atzanteotl?"

Woman: "It's possible."
Blacksmith: "Unless the Shadow Elves seem too tough."
Woman: "True."

Blacksmith: "Pardon me, but they don't seem like it."

Tess: "That may not be so easy. The war with the Green Elves stretched 
things. Tough?" Tess will smile. "I think my attitude is peace is best ... 
but when necessary I know how to fight. I've fought against orcs, dwarves, 
humans ... and far worse ... demons, a dragon ... and more."

Blacksmith: "If the priests of Rafiel come here and try and convert people 
then war will definitely occur."

Tess: "Being tough isn't about showing how mean you are. It's about knowing 
how to stand up and fight when you have to ... but you don't have to fight 
the rest of the time."

Woman: "If they don't look tough though, then who can tell that they are 
tough?"

Tess: "It would be better if neither side tries to convert the others."

Following a brief discussion of those who are weak working together
tactically, the blacksmith replies, "Are there lots of Shadow Elves though? 
We do know how to work together. The concept of combined arms isn't something 
the humans use much, but we do."

Tess: "And again ... I think it's better if you make friends with the guy who
looks weak, find out he's smart say, and can help you with your accounting, 
or whatever it is ... there's not much to be gained by hitting a weak guy. "

Woman: "I don't see that happening, if the Shadow Elves are that intolerant 
of Atzanteotl."

Tess: "Some of the humans on the surface are very competent in war. I don't 
think the Shadow Elves are per se going to be intolerant of Atzanteotl simply 
by name ... but the rituals involved ... yes they won't like that, just as 
you don't. However, maybe with an exchange of people, cultural values, and 
time, perhaps those more bloody practices can be abandoned when it's clear 
they're not necessary?"

Woman: "The priests of Atzanteotl will not give up their rituals easily."

Tess: "Has anyone ever tried to change things?"

Blacksmith: "Sometimes, those that speak out too loudly, the priests choose 
them [to be sacrificed]."

Woman: "People don't object to this, because it's not them."

Tess: "Any idea how many of your people worship Rafiel?"

Woman: "Not many, maybe 1 in 20 or 1 in 50."

Blacksmith: "It doesn't seem to be getting worse. I'd like it if we could be 
more open, but it's not that bad. They only go after people who try and 
shatter the rock. Almost everyone else is not just left alone, but they are 
in on it."

Tess: "I think the best chance of the Schatten Alfen and Shadow Elves coming
to understand each other is through dialogue between worshippers of Rafiel -
that gives a common starting point for dialogue and more reason to avoid war.
That they are in on it is disturbing."

Woman: "Why is it disturbing?"

Tess: "But it can't have always been this way for you - the Shadow Elves are 
not like that, I don't know of any sacrifice in our history."

Blacksmith: "You don't understand. This is not an external force making them 
do things they don't want to do."

Tess: "I follow - they are happy to be this way. Disturbing in that I think 
sacrifice is wrong - it's cruel. If you have to kill someone on the 
battlefield, that's different. But killing them in cold blood - for what - 
worshipping the same deity as you? That I find disturbing."

Woman: "Rafiel has led the Shadow Elves to a different life."

Blacksmith: "One without sacrifices would be a better place I think."

Woman: "Just being able to follow Rafiel openly would be enough for me."

Tess: "Yes. Well that is possible amongst the Shadow Elves. That might be 
one option, which might suit both people: worshippers of Rafiel amongst the
Schatten Alfen being permitted to leave to live amongst the Shadow Elves and
practice worship of Rafiel openly. That would also reduce the number of 
people causing trouble here. It would also make it clear that there is an 
alternative, without being disruptive other than in a migratory fashion. 
However, I gather from what you've said that the priests of Atzanteotl might
make it difficult for there to be any official dialogue along those lines."

Woman: "I think so. They wouldn't want to lose warriors for the battle 
against the heretics."

** begin collate info for report **
Tess: "Your people are at war with the Neathar too right? They're not 
heretics ..."

Blacksmith: No, we aren't. Most of the time anyway. The Neathar are very 
primitive, it's not likely they have any chance of poisoning the world. We 
are always fighting the Azcan."

Tess: "How often have your people fought neighbors other than the Azcans? 
Atzanteotl must be a deity of war who likes that sort of thing I guess."

Blacksmith: "Apart from them, there is the Neather, the Traldar, with whom 
we trade, the Oltecs and the Krugel horde, who generally work for the 
Azcans, although sometimes we use them as mercenaries against the Azcans."

Woman: "You forgot the lizards."

Blacksmith: "Oh yes, the lizardmen. We pay those to fight the Azcans, 
although the Azcans pay them to fight us too."

Woman: "Plus the short ones."

Blacksmith: "Yes, the Kogolor. We fight them when we encounter them."

Tess: "Short ones? What are they like physically?"

Woman: "Short, squat, strong. About this (3'6") high."

Blacksmith: "Dress in bright colours, like singing a lot."

The woman shakes her head, "Weird creatures."

Blacksmith: "I envy the Neathar."

Tess: "Why do you envy them?"

Woman: "Yes. They live outside, in the sunshine, amongst the trees."

Blacksmith: "Not many of us are as adapted to the light as you are."

Tess: "Perhaps the Kogolor are like Dwarves."

Blacksmith: "Dwarves? Yes, that is what they call themselves. We don't fight
them much. Unless they trespass."
** end collate info for report **

Woman: "When the Schatten Alfen came to the inner world, the dwarves tried 
to wipe us out. We haven't forgotten, but the humans are considered more 
important for now."

** begin collate info for report **
Tess: "Wait, your people want to get revenge on the Dwarves after wiping out 
the Humans?"

Blacksmith: "Yes

Woman: "There are other people around that we don't have much to do with."

Tess: "I'm beginning to envy the shorter lived races that don't hold grudges 
for centuries."

Blacksmith: "There were other elves involved in the poison too. They should 
be hunted down as well."
** end collate info for report **

Woman: "I'd say we could leave those those well enough alone as well, but ..."
she shrugs and her husband nods.

Tess: "And in any case, I don't think that future generations should be held 
accountable for something their forebears did. 

Woman: "Well, maybe."

Tess: "Otherwise feuds will never end, because they did something to you, 
then you do something to them, and so forth until one side is dead. People 
shouldn't have to die to resolve their differences, war is not the right way."

Woman: "I think we can just leave them be, and only kill them all if they 
try and poison the world again."

Blacksmith: "So what are you going to do now?"

Tess: "Well, my aim here is to explore and try and figure out if the 
Schatten Alfen are going to go to war on our people, and if so, to try and 
prevent it or at least forewarn the Shadow Elves. My preference is to help 
establish diplomatic ties."

Blacksmith: "Isn't there some diplomatic stuff already going on?"

Tess: "Yes and no. Yes in the sense that there has been some interaction, but
it's been very limited. Both sides are very cautious and paranoid. And at 
least on our side there's been some internal wrangling which hasn't helped - 
one group wanting to be more important than another in what goes on - 
politics."

Woman: "More time is good."

Tess: "Don't get me wrong, I think taking time to establish ties and learn 
trust is a good thing. I'm just doing what I can to try and help bridge the 
cultural gap and understand your people better. "

Blacksmith: "I hope it doesn't come to war. Blacksmith: I fear contact 
between the priests would not go well though."

Tess: "If it does ... I sincerely hope we can figure out something so that 
people such as yourselves are not involved." They nod. "It's not as easy to 
make a living when there's constant war. That may be a more subtle impact of 
that sort of environment, but it does take its toll. Long years of military 
service, restrictions on trade, and so forth. And worse when a loved one is 
lost in battle." 

Tess will continue chatting if it goes on, and in due course thank them for 
their hospitality. 

** begin collate info for report **
They are interested in learning more about what Tess knows of Rafiel. Tess 
will be happy to discuss Rafiel in more detail: the 14 verses, the temple 
(there's actually trees there), and so forth. The Schatten Alfen don't have 
the 14 verses, but they do have vague tenets that correspond, mostly. They 
have wanderers too. The old and infirm and sent out to die. They believe, as 
do followers of Rafiel, that he will lead them to paradise after that point.

Tess: "Does the worship of Atzanteotl mention a serpent or feathered serpent
at all? I heard the Azcans had some mythology along those lines. I'd be 
interested in the details."

Blacksmith and his wife: "The Azcan commonly use feathers as decorations. 
They also have a small flying winged serpent that is pretty poisonous - it's 
wings have feathers." Feathered serpents are not part of Schatten Alfen
mythology.

Tess: "Where can I find a picture like that or even a living creature like 
that? I'm quite curious, as it's possible we once had them too."

Blacksmith and his wife: "In Azcan territory," although they advise against 
it - "If the Azcans catch you they will sacrifice you."

Tess finds out that it seems the Schatten Alfen had knowledge of how to 
build in stone handed down to them by Atzanteotl. So they build stepped 
pyramids and such, but it seems the Azcan also build like that. They have the
gall to build structures like the Schatten Alfen use for their temples! So 
the Schatten Alfen kill them for their temerity.

Tess: "Are you sure that Atzanteotl didn't teach the Azcans to build that 
way? From what I've heard there's a fair few parallels in your societies."

The blacksmith and his wife reply that they are pretty sure. The Azcan's 
claim they had it before the Schatten Alfen, but the Schatten Alfen 
don't think that is a sufficient excuse."

In due course Tess will thank them for their hospitality. He would like to 
talk further with them if opportunity permits and if they are comfortable 
doing so. Tess will want to learn some more about their history including
wars, and their culture.

** Tess spends a further week here to chat with them when they have time **

Our lands are the most blessed in the world, the bounty provided by the 
grace of Atzanteotl, who led His chosen people to this spot. Here beneath 
the World Spine Mountains is a wealth of natural resources untold in all 
the world, vast caverns in which we repose, even vaster caverns where all 
manner of approved, sanctified foods are grown, and mines filled with 
seemingly inexhaustible veins of metals and gems of all sorts. Through 
we also have access to the surface at need, the ability to engage in the Holy
Work of smiting the barbarous savages that surround us, whose wicked and 
nefarious ways cause righteous indignation among those who follow the Code 
of Atzanteotl.

We are a simple, but civilised folk, well-meaning but surrounded by a host 
of enemies, which covet the bounties that Atzanteotl has bestowed upon us, 
His chosen people. Thus, against our peace-loving natures, we are forced to 
arm ourselves and each of us must, by necessity, fight in His name against 
these savages who would seek to destroy us. We must also, of course, as 
right-thinking folk, do our utmost to push back the hordes of barbarism and 
heathen infidelity, especially those of the crude and wicked apostate 
Azcans, whose flighty ignorance is an offence to proper sensibilities. Thus,
we are the sort of people who take up the heavy burden of fighting to bring 
the light of truth and benevolence to the world, a burden we bear willingly 
in the name of our Holy Guide, Atzanteotl, our our hearts fortified knowing 
that one day our might will make the world right. We conduct our ceremonies 
in complete darkness to remind ourselves of the darkness in the world 
around us, and we cannot live in light until the darkness is driven back 
from the entire world.

We conduct our ceremonies in complete darkness to remind ourselves of the 
darkness in the world around us, and we cannot live in light until the 
darkness is driven back from the entire world.

Although this couple doesn't believe these things (so much...) but it's 
everpresent in their society.

They are a militaristic, xenophobic, paranoid, vengeful society.
** end collate info for report **

Tess goes on to tour Schatten Alfen cities to find military information:
locations (maps drawn by Tess), fortifications, military size and so forth.
Basically he will have to tour all the major cities and towns, count people 
and troops to get an idea of how big they are (both military and civilian
population numbers).

** 10 weeks pass **

There are about 750,000+/-200,000 Schatten Alfen, more than the Shadow 
Elves. In terms of army, Tess gets the impression that many members of the 
society are trained and able to fight, much like the Shadow Elves - about 
30% of them - thus they are a significant potential threat. They only seem 
to maintain about 3% of their population in the armed forces at any one 
time though. They have about 30 divisions (compare to the Shadow Elves that
have 6 divisions in the City of Stars and 6 divisions in Aengmoor).

Several more things. They have about the same numbers of clerics as the 
Shadow Elves, but less mages. Unfortunately, that is because only the best 
get to become mages.

It is very hard to say what fraction of them worship Rafiel, there is little 
sign that anyone follows Rafiel at all. There is no chance of a rebellion. 
However, a significant fraction simply pay lip service to Atzanteotl - maybe 
25% of the population.

Tess does get a picture of one of the Azcan flying serpents. It's a small 
flying snake. The colors or feathers look a little like that of the 
feathered cloak guy that Tess spoke to in the Eyes of the Serpent. 

Tess would also want to get an idea of major temple locations in the cities, 
how well defended those temples are - that's probably the command structure 
that has to be targeted if the Shadow Elves want to overrun the Schatten 
Alfen. 

The temple of Atzanteotl is a huge structure in the capital. Daily 
sacrifices occur there. Generally it is Azcans who are being sacrificed.

Tess figures out where things correspond to his Alphatian aerial map, and 
where the Schatten Alfen neighbors are relatively. A smattering of info on 
their neighbors and history of their interactions with neighbors would also 
be of use. 

The Neathar are NW, the Azcan's NE, the Traldar to the west. The dwarves 
and Oltecs to the east. Note directions reversed in the Hollow World.

The Traldar are the humans that have been trading with the Schatten Alfen.
Tess spends a couple of weeks checking them out.

** two weeks pass **

The Traldar are an open society. They spend most their time raiding each 
other for chickens and the like. They seem fairly similar to Minora. They 
follow some of the same deities. They are a sea faring people, raiding up 
and down to the coast - mainly up, to the Azcans. They don't like the 
Schatten Alfen very much. On the other hand, they trade nice things, so...
They have not had any wars with the Schatten Alfen. The single facet which 
defines their culture is hero-worship. They tell many tales of heroes - 
smart heroes, strong heroes, dumb (but lucky) heroes, that kind of thing.
The Traldar do not have any contact with the Dwarves.
** end collate information **

Thora has info on the Neathar which may come in handy later. Tess can talk 
to her if needed (though how helpful she will be, who knows, but if the 
Schatten Alfen have been attacking the Neathar and Thora has been helping 
the Neathar then she may be willing to help).

Tess heads back to the Shadow Elves with appropriate provisions, and picking 
up his gear on the way back.

** 10 days pass **

On the other side (Shadow Elven side) of the anti-magic zone there is a 
Shadow Elf some distance up the trail, but before Shadow Elven territory.
They appear to have camped for some time, at least a few days. Although they
are making an effort to hide their camp, it would be obvious if you walked 
down the fissure. They are dressed in clothing fequently used by the 2nd 
Shadow, although not a uniform. He appears to be by himself.

Aengmoor Forest is two teleports away from here (via the City of Stars).
Tess teleports to Aengmoor Forest. Tess will have teleported to his quarters 
with Phoranin, and he will go to say hello to Phoranin, preferably without 
many other folks noticing he is around. 

Phonranin says "Hi," (with a questioning look in her eyes). Tess gives her a 
hug and a kiss. 

Tess: "Here is a report of the details and maps. Things went well. How are 
things going here?"

Phoranin: "Good. I've done some digging, and I think there is something 
funny going on. I've spoken to a number of priests, and we all agree that the
Schatten Alfen are bad news. You can stay here, with me. No one but my 
priests will see you, and they know to keep quiet."

Tess will spend the next 3 days waiting for his Rod of Teleport to recharge
and finishing putting together the report and getting copies made for the 
1st shadow, 2nd shadow, temple, the king, and the Eyes of the Serpent.

Phoranin: "I'm getting the feeling that the Radiant Shaman is not saying 
something. So I did some further digging. There are a large of priests 
involved in digging. Let me get a map." Phoranin shows Tess a map. "See 
where they are, here, here and here? They are well positioned to assist 
Fort Catriata [a Shadow Elven fort] if anything happens."

Tess: "So Porphiel has been preparing for war?"

Phoranin: "I think so. There is more though. I checked the tunnels the 
diplomats have been using, and I found they are using tunnels which go around 
Fort Catriata. By order of the King. Also, that fort has been expanded and 
improved, but it's hard to see who is doing it. Someone is keeping it quite 
secret. By the looks, I think it's the king. Plus the Radiant Shaman has 
secretly assisted. Now comes the big one though. Why didn't anyone say 
anything to you about your concerns over the Schatten Alfen? They just 
brushed you off."

Tess: "Yes I wondered about that ... maybe they had things in hand, but 
wanted to pretend that they didn't."

Phoranin: "If so, why? So, who should these reports go to?"

Tess: "In any case, I have a report to deliver, and I wouldn't mind 
delivering it first hand to the King and the Radiant Shaman, though I expect
that's difficult to arrange," Tess looks to Phoranin questioningly. "Do you 
trust the Radiant Shaman?"

Phoranin: "Yes."

Tess: "And ultimately, I serve the King. So frankly, I would make sure these
reports go directly to the people who know what's going on and are keeping 
it a low profile. Can you arrange such a meeting?"

Phoranin: "I'm glad you came here first. Who do you want to meet?"

Tess: "Well, let's just say I don't trust many people. Well if I could get a
report to the Radiant Shaman and/or the King directly that would be helpful."

Phoranin: "I can arrange for that. It will take me some time to arrange a 
meeting without attracting undue attention. Not sure how long. Maybe a few 
weeks. Can you wait that long?"

Tess: "Hmmm. I'd prefer to get a report to them sooner. How about getting a 
report in the Radiant Shaman's hands in the next day?"

Phoranin: "That I can do."

Tess: "If she's in contact with the King, I'm sure that will be dealt with 
by more indirect channels if needed."

Phoranin: "It would be difficult for her to arrange a meeting any earlier 
than I could I'm sure. Not without attracting attention. I think a meeting 
in person would be best. Reports have a way of spreading. Arranging the 
meeting I can do today. Actually scheduling the meeting, finding a time when
it can be held without anyone realising, is not so easy. All you could do 
over a sending is say the Schatten Alfen are dangerous. He already knows 
that." Tess is impatient to organize a meeting sooner. "You spend too much 
time with humans. Don't be so impatient."

Phoranin: "You have three days here though. Luckily I have some spare time. 
I'm sure I can think of something to spend it on."

Tess will smile. "Good. I've been missing you."

** 3 days pass **

Tess tries to teleport back to that same spot, but his teleport goes wrong.
He takes 15 damage and lands off target. Tess lands in a searing hot cavern. 
Lava bubbles nearby. Tess is on a rocky ledge though, and safe for the moment.

** 2200 xp - done **