Thornspace: Colonial Progeny, part 1

  The 15^th issue of Threshold: The Mystara Magazine’s “Flight of the Nachtklaue” article introduced the soulbound-construct known as Darzayitr,  the Sarimaarn equivalent of Silva, from Thorn’s Chronicle. Since then, there have been some questions (okay, one or two) about her nature and origins. And so, with no further ado, we delve into the intricacies of the Blackmoor Colonial branch of the Project SONATA demonic defense program.

Nuwmont 13, 998 AC: Kor Karrest, The Ringway

It was nearly, but not quite a run, for us. The twins hurried, and I noticed occasional glimmers from beneath the hood or drape of their borrowed cloaks: the white dragonstones at Aurora’s tiara and at Silva’s throat were at work, pulsing with each footfall. A dull but steady shadowlight gleamed between the fingers of their clasped hands; Aurora augmented the healing with a black. I did not fail to notice the shrike’s grip firm at each attempt of Silva’s to pull her own hand free.

Handmaidens of Petra: The Queen

“Well now… what have we here?” Jasna could hear a smile in the voice, but it certainly held no warmth. From the corner of her eye, she could see the others, similarly held in place by more shoots of bloodvine.  Directly beside her, Brynne shifted, and then sucked in a sharp breath.

“I believe you were told not to struggle.”

Handmaidens of Petra: Audience

“Take them. Find the others, and bring them, as well.”

Jasna heard the coldly melodic voice, though she could not see its source. Branch-like fingers curled around her face, in addition to those already gripping her arms, and she could see nothing but branches, trees, and sky as the creatures carried her deeper into the forest.

Handmaidens of Petra: Outskirts of the Feyring Grove

The something Petra had detected was a steep embankment, which emerged only begrudgingly from the fog: layers of thick roots, gnarled and twisted one among another, forming a dam, or wall.

The bowmen grumbled about the dreaded fog, and getting turned around. Halav ordered them around the obstruction, yet poling in either direction only revealed more of the same twisted exposed rootwork as the fog parted.

“What devilry is this?” the big man demanded.

Nuwmont 13, 998 AC: Kor Karrest, The Ringway

If the portion of the city we’d seen so far was a twisting, ramshackle ramble, the portion Grellk and his mercenaries led us through was equally labyrinthine, but the buildings crowded to each side were of a more permanent nature: made of fitted, mortared dark stone blocks. Most were streaked with an oddly greenish tracery. Some that we passed, though, exhibited beautiful branching wispy patterns, almost... tree-like.