There's a little confusion circling around the options on Friday night, so I will clear them up, since I want everyone on the same page. You're all gonna die, so door 1, 2 and 3 don't matter! Mwu ha ha ha! Hah, just kidding...but now in all seriousness...

The plan is to allow Elithain Cross to successfully begin his ritual, essentially allowing Althedeus to begin to cross over into Elanthia, because the Palestra has determined that during this transition the creature will be at his most vulnerable state. However, in order to officially unravel him, the assault must happen on both sides, in Elanthia and in the shadow realm.

Aralyte and Pylasar explained the options, and here's how they break down.

Group 1 - Aralyte will prepare a way for people to enter the Shadow Realm. Before the event, a cache of "shadowbane" weapons will be made available for players to grab. I recommend grabbing as many as you can. (Yes, I will limit it, no one's gonna snatch up 100 shadow javelins, haha)The weapons will obviously come in many forms, because of their origins, BUT Aralyte told people their skill in Elanthia, does not determine their skill in the Shadow Realm. This was a nice IC way for me to explain that there is no level or skill requirement to be successful with the shadowbane weapons. I wanted to make sure anyone, any profession, any level, could participate if they wanted. Aralyte will be in the Shadow world, but she will be working on her ritual (which may require some additional player assistance...hehe) and the objective of the shadowbane weapons is to help weaken Althedeus even more to allow the Ithzir spell to work. In addition, Aralyte said that this mission may very well be a suicide, with no chance of return. And if there is return, it may never be as the person you were. Best to settle your worldly affairs.

Group 2 - Pylasar will prepare a way for people to go beneath Melgorehn's Reach, if he can remember where the "pocket" occurs, as he said. This group will directly confront Elithain Cross and Madelyne Cross, the urnon golem, on the Elanthia “side” of the ritual. The theory behind this is that Elithain will be preparing a way for Althedeus to cross over from the shadows and take possession of the urnon golem, finally creating a suitable host body to contain the creature. There have been some voiced concerns about facing Elithain and Madelyne at the same time and how this will go down. These are valid concerns. Good luck!

Group 3 - Walkar and Thrayzar will be staying at Wehnimer’s Landing and its environs to help provide a way for people to defend the town. As the portal to the Shadows is open, there is a strong chance that creatures native to this shadow plane, or even minions of Elithain Cross on Elanthia’s valence, will assault the town. Towers will be open, and rooftops. There have been some voiced concerns about needing to protect the town to have a home to return too. These are valid concerns. Good luck!

As for access to any of these missions, there will be no restrictions to players. Level, profession, blood oath, or Grishom groupie, doesn’t matter. There's also going to be a lot of danger on all three battlefields. I wanted folks to have choices on how to approach the finale, and hopefully it's not easy decisions. I want everyone to have a front row seat to whichever way they want to embrace the end of the world.

Now, while there’s NPC’s involved in all of these missions, I’m going to stress the importance of player leadership. I personally will have a ton of stuff going on, and tons of open windows. I also did not go into this finale with NPC vs NPC in mind, so the fate of these missions is highly contingent upon the PLAYERS. So while the NPC’s may provide “access” and from time to time some “direction”, I strongly recommend establishing your own strategies, leaders, backups, triages, etc. Oh, and buy lots and lots of deeds….not that you’ll need them….hehe. Oh, and a lot of caffeine.

Welcome to the end of the world. I hope you don’t mind oblivion.


-GM Kenstrom-
Waylayer of Wehnimer's Landing
Human Guru
Giantmen Guru

<<I wanted folks to have choices on how to approach the finale, and hopefully it's not easy decision>>

Hardest player vs character decision EVER. I so want to see the shadow world/punch Cross in his face, but Rowmi needs to defend those children.

Hope someone logs the finale from each perspective.


-The mind behind Rowmi's eyes.

Lets see. Four years of helplessly watching althedeus do what he did to pups friends and family the town and many many lives. I think pup is very resolved now to punch him in the nose. Cryheart says he will watch over the town along with a few others so pup can focus knowing the town will be there as long as he succeeds. While this could be a life changing choice it was one pretty easily made. His life on the line for his friends.

Thank you for the clarification, Kenstrom. I can feel how excited you are, through the medium of board post.

Before I get slaughtered and get all crabby frustrated with my relative ineffectiveness - let me just go ahead and say thank you, for making my return to Elanthia so utterly mind blowing. Returning to GS has been more exciting and compelling than I had imagined possible.

Seriously, thank you for all the work you've put into this. I hope the powers that be have noted the impact, the feedback and the results of all your efforts.

---

~ Bill, Coyote.

The best government is a benevolent tyranny tempered by an occasional assassination.
~ Voltaire

>>I'll second that! As another old returning player, it has been way better than I remembered! I'm really going to miss the storyline when it wraps up, even with the sleepless nights and tired mornings. The GMs have all been great with so many twists and turns and seriously creepy details!

This is very awesome, and makes it all worth it. I want current, and returning players to feel like the world is alive around them, and that from time to time, their own actions impact it. I'll be sad when Shadows is over too, but to be honest, I'm also excited. I've got a lot of plans for the future, and while the "title" Cross into Shadows may come to an end, the ever changing story of Wehnimer's Landing continues, and the events/actions of CiS will not be so easily forgotten....so short version? Don't go far...

-GM Kenstrom-
Waylayer of Wehnimer's Landing
Human Guru
Giantmen Guru

I'm guessing it's a false sense of security ;)

I'm at 34 deeds atm... I'm thinking of just coughing up more silvers and getting to 50.. especially them dwarf rubies work so well...


__________________________
- Kobold in Disguise Falvicar

You swing a silver-edged black veil iron katana at Sevynne!

* Sevynne drops dead at your feet!
* Sevynne just bit the dust!

Kenstrom,

Hapenlok.plans on reenacting the Earp Vendetta Ride if the world doesnt end on the 9th. He hasnt forgotten....

This has been a fantastic and fun run. Looking forward to the end....

Kembal will be with the group confronting Cross. Unless another empath signed up for the group last night, could use at least one more.

Might be a little late, 10 PM CST at the latest. (either that, or I need to get out of this dinner engagement somehow..)

Rishi
- Player of Kembal

---

Speaking to Plur, Belnia says, "You're no Kembal."

I'll be with the group confronting Cross. No one sends their dogs to attack the Rest and get's away with it!

Especially vanishing ships full of Krolvin! *raise fist* sorry couldn't resist. Heh...