Shadowmage waves his hand and the short sword floats toward the desk as the battle-axe floats towards the shadow bench and lands. Shadowmage begins to chant and gesture. The unlight ball forms again and again the beam shoots from the ball to strike the edge of the blade. The beam slides along the edge leaving runes in it's wake moving from one blade to the other then finally the shaft, as the beam reaches the end of the shaft there is a bright flash and the unlight ball is gone. Shadowmage waves a hand and the shadows recede and the throne and walls are revealed. Shadowmage walks tiredly to the throne and sits limply. Shadowmage remains this way for a couple of hours. Finally Shadowmage waves his hand and the battle-axe floats over to the desk and the shadow bench fades from view. Another wave of Shadowmage's hand and the Sphere of Blackness appear with the image of Sith. Shadowmage says, " Sith the Dark, I have a gift for you to use in my name. I believe you will find a use for this." Shadowmage waves a hand and the short sword floats over to the Sphere of Blackness and slowly slides into the sphere. A startled look crosses Sith's face, which he quickly covers. Sith reaches out and takes the short sword that's now appearing in front of him. After the blade passes into the sphere Shadowmage waves a hand and the image changes to that of Morgoth.
�

Shadowmage says "Morgoth the Bloodlord, I have a new weapon for you."� Shadowmage waves and the battle-axe begins to float to the sphere and slide slowly into it. Morgoth reaches out and pulls the axe to him. He gives the axe a few swings and begins to say "Very nic.." Shadowmage waves a hand and the Sphere of Blackness fades away. Shadowmage slumps into the throne once more.

�Shadowmage sits upon the throne staring into the Sphere of Blackness. Shadowmage watches as 3 units of militia cross the boarder into Northern Hoth.� They head over the hills towards a small village they were told that would be here. As they approach the villages scatter into there houses, closing there windows and doors. The captain knocks on a door and gets no answer. He shrugs and motions a couple of his larger soldiers' forward. They step forward and as one kick the door in. The captain walks in and moves to a back room were a couple cowering. The couple pleads "Please masters don't hurt us! Please Leave. They must not know you are here! They will punish us if they find you here!" the captain interrupts " Who? Stop!" The couple " They...." The captain "Now tell me who it is. Our King Shadowmage will protect you from this wizard if you agree to serve him." The couple " It's not a wizard it's a..." Just then there is heard a commotion out side. The captain runs out side in time to see a large stone creature crushing the life out of one of his men. The captain yells "fall back and form up! Now!" The captain fills a movement behind him just, he turn in time to look into the eyes of a humanoid wolf that puts a claw through his chest. Another Stone creature comes around the corner blocking off the retreat of the militiamen. The three creatures make short work of the militiamen. They then proceed to destroy most of the village. Most of the villages escape with little harm but, some including the couple the captain talked too, are killed.

�Shadowmage mumbles " More werewolves and Stone Golems. Will they never end?" Shadowmage waves his hand and the image in the Sphere of Blackness changes. Eastern Hoth appears in the sphere. Shadowmage watches as Morgoth leads his army over the boarder into the capital city.� Morgoth calls orders sending half of his spearmen north and the other half south to flank the city. Morgoth takes his Blood Guard and head the charge straight up the middle. Morgoth is like a man possessed laying about him with his new axe with such zeal. Mayhem's men fall before him as wheat to a farmer. After the battle is the people rejoice at being liberated. Morgoth checks on his troops and finds out that he has only lost a single spearman.

It was the time of the Sleep in the year of the Scorpion. Shadowmage waves a hand and the Sphere of Blackness fades from view. Shadowmage stands and moves to the back of the throne and opens the secret door. Moving down the dark corridor comes to a room lit by one small candle. Shadowmage moves over to a tome on one of the tables. Shadowmage thinks to himself "The last was of great help will you be worth as much my little friend, with you I can extend my sight to that which I have no followers to help guide my power." Shadowmage runs a finger across the title on the page "Zantor's Far Reaching Eyes." Shadowmage begins to study.

�Gradla stands in front of the council saying "Why must I always take our Lord Shadowmage the news? None of you have the courage to do it; it is always my job. Why?" A large burly man in the gray robes of a councilman speaks. "Because Gradla you are his chosen one. Lord Shadowmage would never hurt you." Gradla says "Ha! You know the Lord not at all then. The Lord would just as easily kill me as look at me, and for all you know the news I take could put the Lord in such a rage as to come here and kill all of you too." Gradla picks up some paper and looks at them. "Mayhem has over ran on Dom and in Eastern Hoth! Well at least that scoundrel, Sith, was able to take care of that that beast! That, werewolves as Lord Shadowmage called it, with no loses. I will tell him. I do not like it, but I will tell him." Gradla walks out.

�Later as Gradla and Shadowmage are talking, a knock comes at the door. Shadowmage waves a hand and the door swings open. The burly councilman stands in the door, looking surprised that the door is open. Shadowmage says "Locbiavel, what is it?" Locbiavel quickly regains his composure and says, "My Lord the expiation of the library has uncovered a underground room. It has been explored some and seems to be filled with books my Lord." Shadowmage says "Very good Locbiavel. I will go there now to look into this. I may have a use for them." Shadowmage waves a hand and a gate of shadows open in front of him. Shadowmage says, " If you two will come with me." Shadowmage waits for the other two to step through then he follows. Shadowmage steps out to the side of a large pit. The bottom can be seen shored up by some planks revealing a hole into a deeper darkness. Shadowmage steps out over the pit and slowly floats down through the hole, into a room mostly lost in shadow. The light that falls through the hole reveals shelf upon shelf of tomes. Shadowmage walks to a shelf and pulls off a tome and opens it carefully. He looks upon a language unknown even to him. Shadowmage looks up raises a hand palm out and a ball of unlight shoots from his palm and flies down the row of shelves. Revealing more and more book filled shelves for as far as the eye can see. Shadowmage buts the book back in its place and moves back to the hole. A wave of a hand and raise off the ground to float out of the hole and land beside the pit.

�Shadowmage looks to the foreman and says, "These are to be protected at all cost. Stop the expansion of the library. A new building will be needed to house these books. Start on it immediately. I think it is time we had a Sage Guild. Yes, a Sage Guild would do nicely for my plans. Begin work at once. I will have word sent out to the four corners of the kingdom to have all the wise men of the land to come here to form a center of learning never before seen in this land." The whole time the foreman is nodding. Shadowmage looks to Gradla and Locbiavel. "See that it is done." And turn and walks into the shadow gate.
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It was the time of the Freezing Water in the year of the Scorpion. Sith leads his small band of men over a hill up ahead can be seen a tower standing tall over the surrounding hills. Sith tells the others to continue he was going on a scouting mission. Sith slinks off to the right and come up on the tower from the south side just in time to see 2 24 foot tall human looking men with long white hair waking into the tower. Sith mumbles to him self, "Damn! Storm Giants." Sith catches the movement going over the hill towards his scouts. He looks and can see two gray skinned humanoid looking creatures as the walk down the other side of the hill. Sith quickly but quietly moves back to where he left the others. As he gets closer he can hear the sounds of battle ahead. Sith crest the hill just in time to see one of the creatures' go down. Sith silently moves forward as the creature smashes the last man to a bloody pulp on the ground. Sith quickly move up behind the creature pulling out a beautifully worked short sword, with a gold handle and rune carved into the blade. Mumbling to himself "I hope this thing works." as he sinks the blade into the creature's back as if it was hot butter. Sith pulls out the blade easily and looks at it and says "Not a nick. Not even a dam nick. Maybe this thing is worth some thing after all. Never seen anything slide into a Stone Golem like that." Sith slides the blade back into its sheath.

Turning around Sith begins moving back towards the tower. Sith says to himself "Now to see what that tower holds." Sith moves up the last few feet up to the crest of the hill belly over looking the tower, on his. Sith begins to talk to him self in almost a chant "One at the upper window watching for those that approach. One on the ground floor to catch those, the upper misses. Walls of stone easy to climb but one that walks the tower roof once an hour. Pile of stones at roof and window to crush the foolish."

Morgoth stands looking out over the side of Dom thinking of the coming battle. Morgoth looks over to the captain of his Blood Guard and says; "The orders have been given. The others move into position even as we speak. There will much glory today." Hefting his battle-axe, Throat Ripper, Morgoth says, "We will see much action this day. I never know such a weapon could be, it is as if I have waited for this weapon all my life." Morgoth looks up. "It is time." He starts to run slowly forward gaining speed as he goes. The Blood Guard quickly begins to follow. A battle cry rips from Morgoth's throat as the enemy comes into sight. Morgoth quickly outdistances the Blood Guard striking the heart of the line ahead of him. Morgoth begins to mow down the enemy like wheat as the rest of the Blood Guard strikes the enemy with a sound like thunder. A signal from the flag bearer and the two flankers swiftly strike taking the enemy completely by surprise. After the battle is over, Morgoth rests in the enemy captain's tent waiting on a report. The Blood Guard captain walks in and said "My Lord, I have good news we have taken no casualties in the battle." Morgoth looks pleased and says, "Good, let there be a celebration tonight." The captain bows and walks out smiling. After he gets out begins calling commands.

Shadowmage sits upon the throne. A knock came at the door. Shadowmage waved a hand and the door opened. Gradla enters and bows. Gradla says, "My Lord Shadowmage, the Sage Guild is complete and most of the books have been separated. Some have gone to the Library my Lord and the rest have gone to the guild. My Lord, some have been found to deal solely with magic and should be put away I think." Shadowmage replies "No Gradla I think I have a good use for those tomes. With them we can start a Collage devoted to the study of magic. We do not have the time for that now but soon. So have the books put into storage till we can put them to good use." Gradla bows and replies " Yes my Lord." Just then the door bangs open and a guard is pushed in as he tries to block a middle aged man in a tattered sand covered robe of an unknown color. His hair flies wildly around his head. His face is sun burned a dark brown from long exposure to the desert sun. He leans lightly on a thin twisted staff of wood from some deep desert tree. Shadowmage looks up and says, "Who dares disturb me!" The man look into Shadowmage's hood and speaks "I am Turknot the holy man. Prophet of Kemon the Sun goddess. She likes what she has seen and has sent me to assist you. In helping you I will bring glory to Her." Shadowmage replies "You are lucky. Your use to me may save your life yet. Yes I have a use for you and your goddess." Turknot replies "If you want, you could try to kill me but I walk in the light of my Lady. She protects me even from the likes of you, my Lord." Shadowmage says, "Get out now I will deal with you later!" Turknot bows and backs out saying "As you will my Lord."

Gradla looks to Shadowmage and says "My Lord I know of Kemon. She is of the old gods. There has not been mention of them in this land in a long time. They are a power to contend with and do not look kindly on those that interfere with their plans my Lord." Shadowmage Looks to Gradla and replies "Gradla I have dealt with the gods before. They are no worse then a wild horse. It may take a while of a wild ride but once they have learned that you can not be easily gotten rid of they calm down and follow you lead a little easier. As long as your remember what you ride and are ready for anything you can both get what you want. Now leave me I have some things to think of." Gradla Bows and said "Yes my Lord" Gradla turns and walks out the doors closing them behind him.

Shadowmage sat upon the throne as a ball of light formed in front of him. An image of Ararargh appears in the ball. Ararargh speaks " Greetings Lord Shadowmage. I have looked over the treaty and the list of supplies you have sent and they have pleased us. We agree to the treaty and look forward to a long and prosperous alliance." Shadowmage replies "I to hope for a long and bountiful friendship. I wish you luck on you endeavors." The image of Ararargh nods then the ball of light fades from view. Shadowmage thinks, "Another has fallen to my plans. Yes Ararargh I hope everything goes well for you. I have many uses for you and your empire. Maybe you will be there at the end to see me win? Who knows? Only Fate and we all know whose friend he is." Shadowmage starts to laugh madly.

After watching the tower for a month Sith finally has the giants routine down. Sith waits for nightfall then quietly slides over the hill and down the other side watching the tower for a thrown stone dodging through the stones left from others attempts. He arrives at the base of the tower. Sith reaches into a pouch pulls out a black hood that he pulls over his head. He then reaches into another pouch and then rubs his gloved hands together. Sith takes one more look up the tower then begins to climb. Almost like a spider he climbs up the tower stopping from time to time as the giant moves to his side of the tower. Finally after climbing for most of the night he is close to the top. Sith stops and waits for the giant to pass he then quickly climbs over the top to the roof. He quickly and quietly moves to the open hatch and drops in before the gia nt can notice him.

He silently moves down the over sized steps till he comes to the top floor. He looks upon the room, which contains a large chair and footstool besides a large golden door. The stairs continue down to the next floor. Sith moves the stool over to the door quietly. Sith climbs on to the footstool and looks into the lock which is head high now. He reaches into a pouch and pulls out a couple of thick wires and begins to work the lock. After few minute he has opened the lock he quickly climbs down and moves the stool over to where he found it. Sith slowly pulls the door opens and glances in. A small room is revealed at the back sits a human sized altar upon which sits a Chest of gold. Sith rubs his hands together and examines the altar. After a few minutes he shakes his head gives a laugh and picks up the chest and put it away in his backpack. Sith moves back into the other room and closes the door and begins to move down the stairs. AS he starts down the next stairs and about half way down he can see the back of the giant that watches from the window. Sith sneaks down and across the room to the other stairs and then down them. He comes to the floor above the ground floor. This floor has a large table with 4 giants passed out around it. The table is packed with food. To Sith's left is an open door and the smell of burnt food can be smell from the other room.

Sith quickly slides into the other room. The room has many cupboards and selves all packed with food. Sith quietly close the door and draws out a small black globe from his Pocket and whispers "Shadowmage the Great" The globe glows with an Inner Light and an image of Shadowmage appears. Shadowmage says, "You have something to report?" Sith I have found a tower inhabited by some Storms Giants. I am in the tower now. So far I have found a Very nice chest that I'm sure you will pay handsomely for and all this food. I think that if we get rid of the food the Giants will leave with out a fight. They will have nothing to stay for can you do some thing about the food?" Shadowmage yes I can." Shadowmage waves his hand and a gate of black light opens next to Sith. Shadows walk out of the gate and begin to gather the food and take it back through the gate. Very quickly the food is emptied from the selves and cupboards. Shadowmage says from the globe" Sith step into the gate and it will lead you outside. I think the people of that land shall reward you handsomely to for riding them of the giants and I want you to make sure that they leave." As the light from the globe fades, Sith walks forward into the gate.
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�Shadowmage watches the battle for Eastern Hoth unfolds in the Sphere of Blackness. Shadowmage watches as his forces over run those of Mayhems'. Shadowmage thinks to him self� "Very nice, with this win I control over half of that region a few more months and I shall control all of Eastern Hoth. The resources that Eastern Hoth provide will greatly help my war machine." Shadowmage banishes the Sphere just as there is a knock at the door. Shadowmage waves a hand and the door opens. Gradla walks in and bows. Gradla says, "My lord I have the reports you wanted. We have repealed a small force of Mayhem's men on Dom. If I may say so my lord it could be a fake attack to see how strong we are, my Lord. Part of Eastern Hoth has again fallen to Mayhem my Lord. We still control the majority my Lord, with the way things are going my lord we should control it all soon my lord and should be able to hold it. My lord there is also a man and his son who wish to see you my Lord. They say that you will see them it's something about Fate?" Shadowmage quickly sets forward in the throne and says, "You said they said Fate?" Gradla replies yes my Lord."

Shadowmage says "Send them in." and sits back in the throne. Gradla move back to the door, opens it and beckons someone in. A teenager leads a gray hair man in. The boy looks to be about 15 with sandy blonde hair and a ruddy skin, wearing the light robe of the sand people. The old man has white hair and one green eye the other hidden behind a patch, wearing similar robes to the boy. They both bow. Shadowmage says, "So you wish to see me. What is it that you think is so important that you mush see me?" The old may say "My Lord I am Thalin, a Seer, and this is my son Renshai. I receive dreams at night that I can use to see things that are happing. I started my journey to you many months ago when one night while asleep I saw you and the other doing the great magic, my Lord. I knew that you could protect me from the others that would kill me for my power. My villages thought that I caused what I saw me so they drove me and my son out, my Lord. I will serve you my Lord, all I ask is that you send my son to the school you have. I know he will be a great magic-user some day my Lord." Shadowmage looks at Thalin and say "You saw us?" Thalin nods. Shadowmage continues "Very well yes I can use you, as to your son let us see. Renshai, step forward."

Renshai steps forward, Shadowmage grabs him buy the head with both gloved hands and begins to chant. A glow begins to grow around Renshai's head and continues to grow blinding all in the room. A yell is heard and the room goes black. After a few minuets everyone can see again. Shadowmage says, "Yes old man. What you have said you son has great power I will send him to my school and he too will serve me well. You both may leave now you will both be taken to the best place to serve me." The two bow and back out the door. Both Thalin and Renshai speak at the same time saying, " Thank you my Lord." Gradla Looks back to the papers as if nothing has happened and says "One thing more my Lord. The Black smith is completed and has begin to make the weaponry requested the train will begin right away, my Lord." Shadowmage replies "Good. You may go I have some business to take care of." Gradla bows and backs out the door.

Shadowmage slips into the secret door behind the throne. In the secret room Shadowmage looks to the pile of bark on the table. Shadowmage moves over to it and opens it. Revealing that the pile of bark is in reality a book made of bark. The book talks of how to put to use nature to do your bidding. Such as using roots to entangle an army so that they can defend themselves as easy. Shadowmage slams the book close and says, "Damn all that study wasted. But now I know that I can not use the powers contained in those books. I would have never known unless I had studied this one. At least the blacksmith is completed. Now we can begin making swords in earnest if only we had the metal. Well I will have to contact my Allies I think Ararargh will have the metal to spare from mountain kingdom."

Shadowmage stands at a tower window over looking Moustar below. Gradla quietly enters thinking he has not been noticed. Shadowmage unexpectedly speaks, "I see our new growth and opening of trade routes to our allies are working better then I thought." Gradla asks, "My lord?" Shadowmage replays, "The market place. Look. The tents and stalls multiply overnight. Trade caravans leave for and arrive from all the regions I control. The people enjoy new goods from across the lands, and the taxes do not hurt our cause either. Now only if we did not lack in the other resource. It is hard to feed the people after all the damage Mayhem has done to the land. It takes all the peasants of the liberated land to make the food they need to feed their families." Gradla, "Lord you have brought them their freedom, feed them as best you can and given them a goal what more do they need?" Shadowmage, "What indeed? Well you have come up here for a reason. What news do you have?"

Gradla, "Lord, we have lost our hold on Northeast Mailcan. The werewolves killed the mayor there. He was the only man we had there. He was out on a tour of the region and was ambushed. He managed to kill one before the other got him. A young villager volunteered to come here to ask for our help in saving his home." Shadowmage waves a hand for him to stop, "Ok. As soon as we cane send a unit to take care of the werewolf and to help guard the land from further trouble. That will be all." Gradla bows, " Yes my lord." Gradla turns and leaves. Shadowmage continues to look out over Moustar seeing at the edge of the city the men working on the foundation of the church with Turknot overseeing the work. Shadowmage slowly turns from the window and walks into the shadows.

Shadowmage walks from the shadows of the Throne room. Shadowmage waves a hand as moving to the throne. The Sphere of Blackness appears in front of the throne. An image of village of Eastern Hoth appears in the sphere. Fifteen militiamen in the colors of Shadowmage charge the city. Three defenders can be seen standing there ground with a look of fear in their eyes. Two of the defenders are quickly dropped. The three fights like a devil and takes out one of Shadowmage's' men before he too if felled. The militiamen inform the people that they have been liberated and a celebration is prepared. Shadowmage waves a hand and the image in the Sphere changes to that of Dom. Militia can be seen hunting through the woods for something or some one. After a few minutes of searching a man with a spear and Mayhem's colors stumbles out of some bushes and runes head long into some of Shadowmage's men. They quickly finish him off and continue the search. Shortly there after 2 more of Mayhem's men are flushed out and killed. The search is continued for a few more hours then is given up and the people are inform that they are now part of the Great Empire of the Shadow. Much celebration can be seen late into the night.

�Shadowmage stands in the shadows watching Turknot lead every one in prayer to Kemon the Sun goddess. Turknot stands on the dais bathed in the light of the sun from the great window in the roof of the temple. The prayers and blessings continue all day to just before nightfall. Shadowmage walks into a shadow and steps out beside the construction site of the new barracks. Shadowmage walks through the half-completed building, looking at the rooms that will house the new troops. Stepping out of the barrack to the practice yard. Shadowmage looks at the practice dummies and nods then moves off in to the shadows.

Shadowmage stands in the secret study on the bench in front of him lays a long sword. The sword has a slightly curved blade the cross guard a sunburst and the pummel stone a large peace of amber. Shadowmage rubs his hand and begins to chant in a language that rolls from his lips like a curse. A ball of light appears and baths the sword in it light. The light floats down to the sword and floats along the blade. The ball of light then floats to the pummel stone and begins to spin. Slowly the spinning ball of light begins to drain into the amber, after the light ball is completely gone the amber glows with it's own light. Shadowmage slumps to the floor.� A little while later Shadowmage stands to his feet shakily and carefully gathers up the sword and walks out to the Throne room. Shadowmage slowly moves to the throne and sits. Shadowmage then pulls the bell rope and a servant quickly appears through the door. The servant says, " Yes my lord?" Shadowmage, "Have Turknot informed that I wish to see him." The servant, "yes my Lord. At once my Lord." The servant disappears through the door. A short time later Turknot enters with a bow. Turknot, "My Lord, you requested to see me?" Shadowmage I have a gift for you to help in my and Kemon's work." Shadowmage waves a hand and the cloth raises from a small table where the sword rests. With the cloth gone the pummel stone bathes the whole room in a soft warm light. Turknot looks on in awe as he slowly moves to the side of the table and kneels. Turknot begins to pray over the blade. The blade slowly raises into the air and rotates hilt first to him. Turknot slowly takes the blade and says, "Yes my Lord and Lady I will take this blade and both of you."
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