The Story of Meyno and Stone Valley
by Morgaine
| Morgaine recites: "Many, many years ago there was a tribe of giants who lived in Stone Valley. They were a matriarchal society and worshipped Meyno, and Meyno smiled upon the Valley. It was lush and prospered under her rule, as she was compassionate and generous. Not much is known about Meyno other than that she was said to be the eldest living giantess, although in recent years, no one has seen a sign of her. What is known is that she had twin sons named Khaarne and Illoke. While Khaarne grew to be neutral in his ways, Illoke was filled with hatred and greed. " Morgaine recites: "The giant's society was dominated in all aspects by the women of the clan, though their society was unusual for their race. Not more than a few hundred years had passed when a male giant was born to the clan that had the mark of the shaman" Morgaine recites: "He was brought up by the priestesses, but some of the clan were not happy with the matriarchal society and sought to pervert this child to their own ends. To this end, they sought Illoke" Morgaine recites: "The renegades raised the shaman as their own and when the shaman returned he returned to destroy the clan and Meyno, so that Illoke could claim rulership. The shaman sought out Meyno, but first encountered her loyal Priestess" Morgaine recites: "The shaman and Priestess engaged in such fierce combat it's said to have caused the earth to shift and crack open when Illoke, in his anger, took the shaman's hand in his own power and dealt the killing blow to the Priestess. As the earth shifted and cracked open, it's said that Illoke cast Meyno beneath the surface, forever entombing her beneath what is now known as Meyno's shrine. " Morgaine recites: "Lore also has it that the twin mountains of Thanatoph were once one large mountain, rather than split." Morgaine recites: "From there, the stone giants raided the surrounding lands until a few years ago, when the fortress in the mountains fell silent. While the stone giants still live there, the massive doors to the fortress are closed and no one has been able to open them. " Morgaine recites: "Yes, to our knowledge, Meyno is still buried, but alas..." Morgaine recites: "She has spent so much time under ground, that, um, well, her mind wanders a bit. The few times we have had contact with her, the results have, um, varried." Morgaine smiles wryly remembering the time Meyno struck her dead in her shrine, but we won't think about that now Morgaine recites: "Now all of this transpired before the landing came to be And the next part of the story is how we learned of these details. Many thanks to Lady Larana and Lord Hortinger for the information." Morgaine recites: "Some time ago, a merchant Lord Hortinger stopped by to visit Hearthstone Manor, a weapon in one hand, sharpening stone in the other. He passed some time chatting and socializing with friends, and had mentioned something of great interest to us. Stone Valley. We asked him to tell the story of these lands unknown to us and much to our delight, he brought us into the Hearthstone Pub where we all pulled up chairs to listen to his story" Morgaine recites: "Lady Laranna pulled out her quill and spellbook and transcribed what he had said. He told us of the Valley, and his travels through it with his wife, Mistress Fraillake, during their merchant events. Mistress Fraillake was safely awaiting Hortinger's arrival in a town near the Valley, finishing up some business." Morgaine recites: Morgaine recites: "Nna was reminded of the wee kobold shaman that had ventured into Lower Dragonsclaw the day before, where he spoke to many of us. Unfortunately she had arrived late, missing some of what he said. " Morgaine recites: "What she had gleaned from the small shaman was that he too was from the lands Hortinger spoke of Thanatoph, south of Glatoph, east of Sentoph. The kobold was in search of provisions for his clan who were apparently dealing with hard times. Laranna speculated that they too are being invaded " Morgaine recites: "By the Stone Giants Hortinger spoke of, as it the kobold must've seen a real need to come so far from his homeland to seek out help and provisions" Morgaine recites: "Since the tale was told by Hortinger, many strange happenings transpired. A large mass of rubble and boulders was discovered off the path towards Glatoph in Danjirland. Massive invasions by creatures such as stone giants and trolls, sentinels, roa'ters and gargoyles cost our defenders life and limb - though at one point the invaders were aided by Lord Merlock mistakenly cast meteor swarm as it pretty much obliterated those who were left standing." Morgaine recites: "Lord Hortinger came to our aid a number of times with new information he gained in his travels. We were told that he would take one of each profession to aid him in his quest to make the first expedition between Wehnimer's and Stone Valley, though the eight that will go have yet to be determined. He was to voyage to Solhaven for a special artifact that was to help out with the trailblazing of the rugged pass" Morgaine says, "Although nothing further has been heard of these bits of information...they are part of the story...many strage tales and ideas were rampant at the time." Morgaine recites: "Surprisingly we found aid in an unexpected source amidst the numerous invasions - a non-aggressive sentinel that fogged into the Landing, intent on helping us. He led the adventurers to Lake Eonake where he seemed to show a great interest in the water, as he nodded and shook his head at the questions posed towards him. " Morgaine recites: "While sentinel was being questioned, the ominous voice of Illoke ripped down, calling the mortals "soft" and accusing the sentinel of being a servant of Khaarne. Shedding a tear, the sympathetic sentinel traced an odd symbol in the air: a star, a circle, surrounded by a half circle. This angered Illoke very much, and he killed the sentinel in the very spot it stood. " (Morgaine shivers each time she hears Illoke's terrible voice call us "soft ones".) Morgaine recites: "Invasions raged across Glatoph, Danjirland and Sentoph. When a massive Krolvin attack tore through Hearthstone Manor. The sea dogs killed, maimed and plundered their way through the Manor, then turned tail to their ship and set sail for River's Rest. There, they anchored ship and eventually came across Hortinger. " Morgaine recites: "Ambushing Hortinger, the Krolvin held him hostage for some time. Perhaps they only took him because of his tell-tale merchant's garb and bulging money pouch, or their interest in the relic. Some theorize that the Krolvin's are allied with Illoke and were doing his bidding. " Morgaine recites: "We sensed Lord Hortinger's death as far away as the landing and Lord Mapper, myself and a few others found his hidden corpse in the skiff on the from the Krolvin ship. I restored him to life and we brought him back to the Landing and ventured to Thanatoph, where Hortinger then managed to clear the pass into the Valley. The main Fortress was found to be unbreachable, and the stone creatures quite aggressive" Morgaine says, "and it remains so to this day." Morgaine recites: "Later that day Lady Laranna explored the newly discovered valley and she came across some strange vines. After careful inspection she found they hid a shrine. Parting the vines she went in, the first to step foot there, since Hortinger's last visit long ago. Looking around she was pleased to find it was Meyno's shrine and she paid her respects to the Goddess. " Morgaine recites: "For reasons unknown to Laranna, Meyno spoke, telling her of her sons and her desire to be reunited with "her babies." She wept so mournfully, that Laranna was moved to understand there is no greater love than a mother for her children. The goddess then gave Laranna a woven silver necklace with the symbol of her family on it, a star, inside a circle, inside a half-circle, and bade her to find a priestess to help reunite her family once again" Morgaine recites: "Laranna, a devotee of Lord Fash'lo'nae, knowing that she was not that priestess, promised Meyno to do as she asked, though heavy was the responsibility." Morgaine recites: "Later that evening, Hortinger returned to retell the tale. At that time Lady Drexla, feeling a kindred spirit to Meyno, threw down her Eorgina symbol in declaration of her new-found loyalty to Meyno. The symbol was promptly turned silver, changing to that of Meyno's. Amazed and joyous, Drexla then promised to help find the Priestess for Meyno." Morgaine recites: "There was much speculation as to people, events and circumstances around Stone Valley. Was the priestess a key to opening the Fortress, with the help of Drexla and other Meyno followers? " Morgaine recites: "While the symbol represents the family: the star representing Illoke, the 'renegade' of the family, the circle for Khaarne for his neutrality, embracing the star (Khaarne) with his love, yet a product of his mother (the half-circle), and the half-circle for Meyno, cradling or hugging both her children. How was reconcilliation to be affected, if Khaarne was seldom, if ever, seen and Illoke was spurring his minions to invade the Landing frequently? " Morgaine recites: "There was also some speculation that there might be some connection between all the elemental forces that roamed the area and there may be an alliance of Illoke with those elemental forces, which have erratic as of late in Glatoph, Sentoph, and all the way to Solhaven." Morgaine recites: "Laranna then continued their search for a giantkin female of the clerical profession who is strong of mind and will, dedicated, yet soft of heart and maternal in ways, though not necessarily a mother. Laranna knew that when the priestess saw the symbol she wore she would feel the Call and know as well." Morgaine recites: "I had not seen Laranna since she spoke with Meyno, and happened upon her in Town Square one evening. I noticed the symbol she was wearing and commented on it. Then Laranna told me of her quest. I rememberd my childhood in a tribe of giantkin, the peacefulness of the matriarchal society, and knew, in my heart, that I was to serve Meyno. Just then, we sensed many deaths in Stone Valley, and went to save the dead and fight the invaders. " Morgaine recites: "After all were safe and the invaders turned back, we repaired to the Shrine to give thanks. Menyo appeared and annointed me as her priestess and Laranna gave me the necklace. To this day, the battle against Illoke continues and the quest to unite Meyno and her sons is unfulfilled." |