A Short Summary of Fairly Recent Events

The princess and Thaedryn were wed shortly after the rescue. it was a joyous ocasion and people from all over the kingdom came and gave their congratulations. Shortly after their marriage there was mor joyous news, the princess was pregnant.

All things were not all well though as many things had rolled into motion. The new Prince has become more delisional thinking he is seeing his dead wife, as well as a new visitor to Shalimar had taken an interest in the queen. The new person was COunt Victor Dante, a vampire in search of the re-incarnation of his long lost wife.

Dante, was sure that Queen Angelica was indeed his wife so he took her captive. With the aid of Sir Rheksas, King Grey, Prince Thaedryn, and a new member of Shailmar Captain Teneroth, the four of them stormed the manor and rescued the Queen. Before the final blow was landed by Grey, the spector of Dante's dead wife appeared. She comforted Victor and told him that she had moved on. Victor turned himself in and was locked in the highest tower with a window that would allow sunlight in so that Victor would constantly need to move to avoid being burned from the light.

Shortly after the rescue of the Queen a ball was thrown to welcome her home. Frayed and delusional Thaedryn attended, across the room he spied the woman again. haunted by the visage she came up to him and gave him a passionate kiss. There was no doubt in his mind this was Arianna. Arianna spoke up and claimed Cianna to be an adulteress and that she stole her husband from her. Thaedryn was taken back. It was her. He was taken aback and was faced with a trial on consiece. Should he stay with the new woman he loved, the one who was carrying his child, or stay bound to the woman he thought was dead 500 years ago.

Teneroth left the kingdom to repair his vessel, but when returning to Shalimar he was attacked by an admiral from his home land. Tuskan followed Teneroth to shalimar and requested that the King deliver Teneroth, and his vessel to Tuskan. The King denied his request because Teneroth was a free man, and there was no proof of the admiral's claim. Disgusted the admiral left.

Tuskan decided to take Teneroth and the vessel by force. Tuskan returned, this time in force. He was met with resistance by the king, and the soldiers, but the castle was in chaos. Several fights erupted, and the captian of the guard was nowhere present. Thaedryn and the King followed Tuskan, but he slipped away and took off after where Teneroth had hidden.

After a lengthy fight between Tuskan and teneroth Captain Rheksas appaered with a gift for Teneroth, and artifact of his people. With the artifact Teneroth was strong enough to defeat Tuskan, but before the killing blow was landed Tuskan teleprted away and has not been heard from since.

After this Rheksas left Shalimar to search for his brother. Thaedryn was appointed Captain of the Guard. Thaedryn appointed leaders over infantry, Castle guard, cavalry, and High wall guard. He became absorbed in his work as his wife continued to have a very rough pregnancy. Arianna was called to the castle and was asked to be Cianna's midwife because of her knowledge of herbs. Arianna grew close to the princess as the Prince became more distant.

A messenger arrived from Ulith, King Lemire's kingdome, claiming that a new king had been crowned requesting an audience. The new king was greeted and treaties were signed. opening borders and facilitating free trade. At this time Derick Lemire started sneaking in to visit Princess Cianna. He came often to visit the princess, and often was seen visiting without chaperone.

In time Cianna gave birth to a beautiful daughter, Roslynn Grace. The delivery was difficult, and required the use of magic. In this use of magic Arianna's illusion fell and it was discovered that she was none other than Raven, a woman who had plotted to take the throne before and threatened to steal Cianna's first born child. Immediately she was placed under arrest and placed in protective custody.

Things were getting back to normal in Shalimar when rumors of fishermen gone missing reached the castle. Investigators were sent and the Queen wanted to visit her friend Lyandra who ran the lighthouse. It was discovered that the culprit was Zantumal, a vampire who was preying on fishermen or people whom it would not be unexpected for men to disappear. Lyandra was Zantumals wife and protector. When the culprit was discovered Krimson, Lindy, and Victor were sent to deal with the vampire Zantumal. In the battle that ensued Zantumal escaped, but Lyandra was killed.

Thaedryn scarred from the appearance of Arianna, and growing distant from Cianna because of her continued impropriety with King Derrick. He had heard rumors that they were getting close and even might be having relations. As he was on patrol he saw Cianna and Derick alone in the gardens. he went to the gardens and evesdropped on the conversation, and then witnessed them share an intimate kiss. At this sign of affection the guards and Thaedryn closed in and captured the lovers and placed them under arrest for treason, seddition, and adultery.

While in prison Thaedryn tied to coerse a confession from Cianna, but she refused to give in crying and professing her undying love for Thaedryn. Thaedryn did not believe her, and he was stopped short from continueing by King Grey, and his little sister Vivienne. Frustrated Thaedryn left the dungeon. The King appologized, but was held by the law, as such Cianna was to spen the night in the dungeon. Cianna broke down and cried, her heart breaking.

The next day Sir Gryphyth visited the dungeon. He did not agree with the Prince, and wanted to help Cianna. He opened the cell doors and helped Cianna escape from the dungeion by providing mounts for both Derick and Cianna. As they escaped Thaedryn saw them leave the gates and he pursued them along with Gryphyth and some of his men. Thaedryn commnded the archers to attack the escaping prisoners. Gryphyth lowered his lance and shanked the prince's horse allowing the Princess to escape into the forest. Thaedryn was upset at the insident, and wanted to know who had allowed the princess to escape.

Gryphyth searched the woods, but Cianna was brough back by King Grey. Cianna was placed under house arrest and was allowed to stay in a room in the north tower. Gryphyth confessed his part in the escape and spent a week in the dungeon. In that time Thaedryn gave Cianna an ultimatum either she could say that she was tricked by King Derick, or loose her child and be exiled from the country. Cianna could not take much more of thios and was close to breaking.

As the time for the trial approached Gryphyth approached the King and Thaedryn with a challenge of trial by combat. Thaedryn was beginning to see how this was affecting Cianna and his heart was softening. Thaedryn agreed and sent the terms to be non-lethal combat. The day of the joust came and Thaedryn had the lead, but he withdrew and upheld Cianna's honor.

(Thanks for this recap Josh!)

Illunaris Comes to Shalimar

The King had recently been roused from a spiritually induced coma...though he was doing well physically, he needed to be alone to clear his mind. So he saddled up a horse and rode up the shoreline, his head clearing with the ocean breeze.

When his head was finally clear, he let his horse run up the shoreline, until he saw something unusual on the beach. As he drew near, he saw what appeared to be the body of a woman washed up on shore. Her skin appeared to be tattooed with strange writing, and only one mark was readable, "I shall obey my orders." She had matted silver hair covering her head.

The King reached down and touched her neck, and surprisingly, found her alive...he rolled her over, whereupon she began coughing up sea water.

She was very wary and distrustful of the King, but eventually walked with him most of the way toward the Castle. He gave her his outter cloak to help ease her shivering, a sign of kindness that just made her more distrustful.

As they neared the town outside of the castle, the woman, now known as Illunaris (or Aris), collapsed in pain. The King carried her to a local healer, where she at first refused to drink any elixer that would make her sleep. The King reasoned with her, she drank and slept.

Who is this mysterious woman? The King believes her to be a warrior or a slave...or both. Only time will tell...

The Lighthouse Keeper

Zantumal hails from the realm of Shadowspire, a dark and mysterious place. His father, Ahab Drow, and mother, Sabriel were the king and queen of the realm. Zantumal also had three siblings, two sisters and his brother, Rurik. His sisters names were Agatha and Aelfreda. His brother was sly and arrogant, and wanted nothing more than to rule the realm. And his sisters Agatha and Aelfreda were kind and despite coming from a bloodline of Vampires, they had not recived the dark gift, unlike Zantumal and Rurik who had. The two sister did not enjoy the realm and soon left and became something the family despised, vampire hunters, though this came with no surprise, seeing how they always did the honorable and good deeds. In later years Rurik grew tired of waiting for his turn on the throne. In a surprise attack, he ran Zantumal through with a sword, draining him of power. He cut the mark of royalty and greater vampirism from his flesh and banished him from the realm, sending him through a portal into a wooded area near the Kingdom of Shalimar.
He took a young woman named Lyandra to be his servant, bending her to his will. He carried her off in the direction of Shalimar, to the village of Surrey, where he found an abandoned lighthouse. He and the woman took up residence, which was noticed by the townsfolk. They sent word to the Castle, and soon the Queen visited.
The Queen agreed to let the foreigners stay and run the lighthouse, but Zantumal had other ideas. He wished to capture the Queen and Prince Angelus, and thereby take over the Kingdom. When his servant, Lyandra, disagreed and threatened to tell the Queen of his plans, he killed her, ripped out her heart and ate it. He then disposed of her in the forest nearby.
After a time, he of course needed fresh blood to survive. He found a mother and daughter, and quickly bit into the mother's neck, nearly draining her of blood. When the child began to scream, he took her back to the lighthouse. He tied her up, drained her nearly completely of energy, and dumped her barely alive in the Dark Forest. (The girl was found and brought to the Castle by Tiger Lily)
After a strange, very realistic dream, Zantumal found himself in the posession of a necromancy book, very ancient and powerful. The Queen, Yalon and Lady Devin came to visit Lyandra, and while they were there, tricked Zantumal into leaving briefly. During that time, the Queen stole the book and left, meeting the others at the ferry back to Shalimar. Strange and ugly crows stayed with them during the trip back, then flew on toward Shalimar.
This is where the story continues, on the Zantumal in Shalimar thread.

Angelica and Grey's Meeting

I remember the first time I saw Grey! It was during the Knighting Ceremony. My Father was rewarding his Men and Swearing in a New Knight. It had been a bloody, hard battle, but our Army came back victorious because of this young warrior, Grey. He was not a big man, but he had large Shoulders and long, muscular Arms.His face was Handsome and kind . I could not keep from staring at him, and at one point he must have felt my eyes upon him, because he looked over at me , gave me a quick wink, and smiled. I turned quickly away with flushed cheeks! We would catch each others eye from time to time, during the night. But I , being a Princess, was not to keep company with Knights , unless approved by the King. I also saw every single female in the room mooning over Grey.I wanted to spend time with him, but didn't know how? Then one day while I was watching him and the other knights training, an Idea came to me. I would become his Fencing Instructor ! It wouldn't be easy, but I could do it! I just had to disguise myself as a male. hummmm. No problem. So I taped my chest, put on shoulder pads, a fencing outfit and a full mask, with my hair pushed up under my helmet.I also put on tall boots for height. The first day was a test, but I was skilled and quick on my feet. I saw that he was impressed with me,and treated me with respect. He was stronger then me, but I had the speed to keep him on his toes. My heart pounded every time he pinned me, knowing that at any minute he would find me a female! But, it didn't happen. So we continued our training.Each day he improved.One day I remember him inviting me for a swim in the castle fountain.Before I could say anything, off came his clothes.Oh my! There he was, butt naked. I turned quickly, heat rushing to my face under my mask. I made my excuses and fled the scene. Needless to say, that was the first naked man I had seen. The more time I spent with this young Knight, the more I fell in love with him.
I knew that the time would come when I would have to reveal my self to Grey, and explain to him why I had been deceiving him for so long and how I felt about him! I wasn't sure how he felt about me?I knew that he noticed me every time I came into view, and that he always tried to get my attention.I also new that he had asked my Father about me, Who I was and if I were available? Of course my Father had told him that I was his Baby Girl and that statement sent Grey back a step! I remember Daddy laughing as he told me about it! I knew My Father liked Grey very much.I just didn't know how long I would have to wait before I was allowed to be courted! And would my parents think a Knight , good enough for their Daughter? So many questions !
Then one day after a very long, intense Fencing session, I decided to reveal my self to grey, because it was getting harder to hide the fact that I was a female! So I fought harder then I have ever fought before, to the point that Grey had me pinned to the Courtyard wall. I threw my scarf to the ground, and reached up behind my head and removed my helmet and mask. My Fury Red hair came flowing out over my shoulders and down my back. At that point Grey tell out a gasp and stepped back, and whispered , Princess ! He then fell to one knee and wouldn't look at me! I was relieved and worried at the same time. Why wouldn't he look at me? He asked for forgiveness, and took his leave.I was crushed! NOW I HAVE DONE IT! HE HATES ME!
Blessed be for me, he didn't hate me! Just the opposite ! He told me later that he was stunned at first , but then realized that I was his prefect match, in all ways. He went to my Father the very next day and asked for permission to court me. My Father agreed, only if I agreed! Which,of course, I did! So began the Courtship that lead to the Engagement and Marriage of Princess Angelica and Sir Grey!

Gargon's Fortress

Nearly a century ago, there lived a half-man, half - nobody knows what the other half was - named Gargon. But the creature was huge and grotesque. People who saw him would either run away in sheer terror, or try to kill him. Eventually, he became the ultimate prize for game hunters. Entire armies would hunt him, just to place his head on their mantlepiece. Gargon fought and won many times, but eventually, he ran to the south. He came upon a group of stonecutting monks, who sheltered him, hid him and taught him their craft.
He excelled at the work because of his great strength. He could lift and heave very large stones, and make deep cuts in a single stroke.
But after a while, it was time for him to move on. He moved farther south, down along the sea, into the country which now borders Shalimar and Lemire's Kingdom. He plied his trade, and built a large, ornate stone fortress in the sea, and built a winding, perilous walkway to access it.
Once he had finished, he felt he needed more protection, so every day, he captured as many small animals as he could, rowed his boat out to sea, and used the animal parts to chum the waters. Eventually, the sharks became accustomed to his daily feedings, and always swarmed the boat. He then took the blood of the animals he'd killed, and smeared it all over the sides of his boat. The sharks then began to follow him back to his fortress. After a while, they never left the area, and neither did their offspring.
Many years later, when Gargon was nearly dead, Lemire and his men entered the fortress. Gargon was too weak to defend himself, so Lemire ran him through with a sword. They cut off his head as a trophy, and threw the rest of Gargon into the sea, where he was devoured by the sharks. However, something strange happened after that...Whatever the non-man part of Gargon was began to torment Lemire, and over the next year, it took him over, turning him into what he was up until his death. And what of the man half of Gargon? His ghost still rows the boat around Gargon's Fortress, keeping the sharks in hot pursuit.
Lemire's men used the fortress for a time, but felt it was unnecessary, as none of their enemies knew the location of the fortress. They abandoned the fortress, but left a diary detailing the latter portion of this story.

A Brief History of King Grey and Shalimar

Many years ago, in a land far off to the west, a son was born to a Holy Man and his wife. This Holy Man, in a former time, was a warrior. From infancy, he taught his son to fight using his hands and feet, as well as every weapon. He taught him to hunt and be self-sufficient. As a Holy Man, he also taught his son to respect and show reverence to all things Holy, to control his emotions, and to channel his anger into the fight at hand.
The son, simply known as Grey, grew strong and powerful. When he was young, he went on many Holy Quests with his father, fighting creatures and demons, both in this world and in the underworld. When he was 17 years old, he was sent away to find his place in life. It was not an act of anger on his father's part, but a growing experience for Grey. The young man headed east, embarking on many heroic adventures. His favorite pastime was catching bandits and thieves in the act of their crimes and sending them on to the afterlife for the good of civilization. He became revered by the common man, and hated by criminals.
In Grey's travels, he heard countless tales of the fairness, goodness, wisdom and power of King William of Shalimar. He was slow to anger, yet crushed his enemies in battle. This intrigued Grey, so he once again headed east. Upon finding the castle, he quickly enlisted in the King's army as a hired soldier. His timing was impeccable...the next day, Shalimar's army marched toward the neighboring King Lemire's evil kingdom.
The battle was fierce...Lemire's men targeted Shalimar's generals first, attempting to drive the soldiers into chaos. With the generals and half his company dead, Grey took control and lead his men to victory. He got the wounded and dying soldiers out of harms way, earning him the respect and praise of his countryment. Upon his triumphant return, the King himself requested that Grey come to see him. The King then knighted Grey, and made him Commander over all his armies.
For a while, there was peace throughout Shalimar. During this time, Sir Grey improved the training for his troops, and became a close friend of the King and Queen. It was only then that he found Shalimar held a closely guarded secret. Grey had wondered who the intensely beautiful girl was who caught his eye during the knighting ceremony. He couldn't help but stare. Even the King and Queen noticed...but they smiled an almost concealed smile and continued without any other acknowledgement of the incident. One night, the King confided in him that he had a daughter, Princess Angelica. None of the public knew of her existance. The King and Queen kept her shielded from the outside world. But King William was a smart man...he trained her in fighting, fencing and weaponry until she had mastered all three.
Though Sir Grey was interested, he knew better than to ask King William for permission to see her. He would, however, catch her eye briefly from time to time as she watched him sparing in hand-to-hand combat with some of his men. Every day, Sir Grey would practice fencing. His fencing partner wore a full fencing suit with leather mask, and was very good. Grey worked very hard and always bested this master, but many time it was very close.
This went on for about six months, until one day, after a particularly exhausting bout, his fencing partner removed the leather headgear and mask. Her beautiful red hair cascaded down...it was Princess Angelica. Sir Grey didn't know what to do...he took her hand and bowed before her, and she just smiled and laughed.
That evening, Sir Grey asked King William for his daughter's hand in marriage. The King and Queen heartily gave their affirmation. From that day on, most of Grey's time was spent with Princess Angelica, both courting and fencing. They were married with all the royal pomp and ceremony due a Prince and Princess. It was quite a surprise to the populace when they found out there was a princess! The King had Grey's Castle built on the top of a beautiful hill, and gave it to the newly married couple as a wedding gift.
But all was not well in Shalimar. Sir Charles, an elderly attendant to King William, thought Princess Angelica would be given in marriage to him. He was outraged when he heard Sir Grey would be her husband. He spread rumors about and leveled accusations at Sir Grey, but Sir Grey took it all in stride. The rumors and accusations were always found to be false, which threw Sir Charles into a rage. On the day of Prince Grey and Princess Angelica's wedding, Sir Charles stormed off and was not heard from for a long time afterward.
Three years later, Sir Charles returned, meek and apologetic, to Shalimar. After a while, he was allowed to return to the King's service, but only as a kitchen attendant. He would taste the King and Queen's food before they ate. It was shortly after he returned that the King and Queen began to take ill. After a while, they were bedridden. Prince Grey was sure it was Sir Charles' doing, but the King made him promise not to kill him. Then, the Queen died, and the whole kingdom was in mourning. King William was brought to the funeral on a bed because he was unable to stand.
It was three weeks later, in the middle of the night, that King William called Prince Grey, Princess Angelica and all his top people in the kingdom into his bedroom. He formally made Prince Grey and Princess Angelica the King and Queen of Shalimar. During the night, King William died. Upon his death, King Grey immediately searched the castle for Sir Charles, but he'd escaped, never to be seen again. To this day, King Grey suspects that Sir Charles poisoned the King and Queen as revenge for Grey's marriage to the princess, but noone knows for sure. The next morning, King Grey and Queen Angelica were presented to the people as their King and Queen. They made a good, strong showing so the people wouldn't be thrown into confusion and revolt. For the next month, the new King and Queen were secluded, mourning her parents' death.
After a time, the death of the former King and Queen faded from the Kingdom's collective memory, and there was several years of peace. Many visitors came to Shalimar, and most stayed, taking over roles in the household of King Grey and Queen Angelica.
As has been shown up to this point, King Lemire has been a sworn enemy of Shalimar. Because of his threats against the King and Queen, a secret assasin was sent to kill him. Many others had been sent in the past, and none had ever returned. But this time, Lady Anne's singular talents were employed. King Grey secretly had his General place bowmen in strategic locations with strict orders to kill anyone seen with Lady Anne, even if it appeared to be the King. In the past, King Lemire had disguised himself as the King, and as many other forms, to get close to and kill his intended victims.
Not much is known of Lady Anne's visit to King Lemire...rumor has it she walked directly into the main gates of the castle, and used her feminine wiles to beguile him and kill him. But what is more likely is this: Lady Anne likely did walk boldly into the main gates of Lemire's castle, and very likely worked her feminine charm on the king. This is why she was selected for this secret mission. The only thing that is known for sure is that when she left him, she left something in his drink, counting on him drinking it. As was learned much later, he did drink and die.