Shadow Abductions

Summary

• Took place place between March 10th and March 24th, 2000.
• Players were abducted and portaled into the Shadow Spires.
• Players were then asked many questions including which of the six towns with Shadow Spires in them should be destroyed.
• During the Twilight's Gleaming event, the town of Cragstone is attacked, and Arwic and Tufa are destroyed.

Further reading:

• The abductions are mentioned in the ingame text, General History of Dereth Vol. IV.

Images

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Dialog

March 10, 2000

The winds momentarily gust and howl, and through the blustering noise strange laughter may be discerned: high-pitched, thin, shrill, child-like, with an edge of cruel and twisted steel. A shadow seems to pass across the face of the sun. A presence has arrived in Dereth but soon the sensation passes.

---

March 16, 2000

Tension seems to run like a current through the ground; the air tingles with sudden foreboding. Somewhere, a dark presence has arrived.

Like a silent black liquid, it flows up into Dereth, bringing the smell of decay and death. The impression fades quickly, and all is normal once again.

---

March 24, 2000

If not for the slight change in the pressure of the air, the arrival of the third presence might not have been noticed. Yet the world seems just a little darker now.

---

The Abduction of Krltplps

You feel a strange, cold force pulling you.

Do you resist the summons?

You say, "no, I ACCEPT"

The pull grows stronger.

A Twisted Presence has teleported you.

A thin, shrill voice speaks: "Little child, I have brought you here to answer my questions. Afterwards perhaps I shall let you free again."

You say, "I will try my best"

The shrill voice says, "From which world did you come? What is its name?"

You say, "I came from Ispar...."

You say, "well, origonally britannia but that's a long story...."

The shrill voice says, "Who amongst you little creatures is most powerful?"

You say, "well, that would be me, someday...."

You say, "though you might be wanting to hear Asheron"

The shrill voice says, "Have the Olthoi destroyed any of the menhir rings, little child?"

You say, "Of that I have no clue....."

The shrill voice says, "From here we have quite a vantage point over that quaint little town."

An almost merry chuckle echoes from the walls, and you hear the question: "Now then, little child, you know there are six Spire for six towns.

You say, "I know"

Which of those six towns would you like to see destroyed?"

You say, "None of them....though I have never been fond of Cragstone."

You say, "and Tufu, where we are now I believe, is worthless to me"

The shrill voice says, "You, little child, may need punishment later."

You say, "Why do you feel the need to destroy these places?"

The shrill voice says, "Go! We shall deal with you later."

A Twisted Presence has teleported you.

---

The Abduction of Amber Starfire

A thin, shrill voice speaks: "Little child, I have brought you here to answer my questions. Afterwards perhaps i shall let you free again."

The shrill voice says, "Have the Olthoi destroyed any of the menhir rings, little child?"

You say,"Not that i know of."

The shrill voice says,"Frore. Within Frore the creatures of rotting flesh scurried like starved rats. Were they of Rytheran, or not? Answer me!"

You say,"Yes"

The shrill voice says," where is Hamud ibn Rafik?"

You say," I beleave that he is missing, if not perished."

The shrill voice says,"From here, we have quite a vantage point over that quaint little town."

An almost merry chuckle echos from the walls, and you hear the question: "Now then, little child, you know there are six Spire for six towns. Which of those six towns would you like to see destroyed?"

You say,"I would like to see Tou Tou destroyed."

The shrill voice says,"You make a good little child. I approve."

The shrill voice says," Go! We shall deal with you later."

---

The Abduction of Yobe the Mage

A Cold Presence has teleported you

A low voice resounds in the chamber: "You are here to answer my questions, small one. It is not my idea to let you live, but I will do so for now. unless you try my patience."

You say, "Yes sir"

The low voice says, "Where hides that pathetic coward Asheron?"

You say, "I have seeked him, but not found him, oh mighty"

The low voice says, "Who amongst you little beings is most powerful?"

You say, "Probably lakeon, or Areia"

You say, "they are the highest levels"

The low voice says, "Where is that little wench Elysa Strathelar?"

You say, "I do not know, but rumors of her being in Holtburg have surfaced"

The low voice says, "The roads of your wretched village lie below."

You say, "I can see them"

The low voice speaks: "Of those six towns with our lovely spires near them, which would you like to see destroyed?"

You say, "Qualbar"

The low voice says, "You have shown appropriate submission, little one."

A Cold Presence has teleported you

---

The Abduction of Abrim

A Quiet Presence has teleported you

A quiet voice filters through the chamber, "You are here to answer my questions."

Abrim looks around brazenly

The quiet voice says, "That rotting fool Geraine. Have you heard aught of him?"

You say, "Why should I answer?"

The quiet voice says, "Do not try me."

You say, "why is Germaine important to you?"

The quiet voice says, "That rotting fool Geraine. Have you heard aught of him?"

You say, "perhaps I have"

You say, "Come out where I can see you, quiet one"

The quiet voice says, "We shall root out that Olthoi-fearing Asheron soon enough. He has sent his magic out upon the wind. Has he contacted you?"

You say, "Mayhaps, his magic is great indeed"

The quiet voice says, "You tire me"

You say, "you have waited this long for answers..."

You say, "it won't be much longer, will it?"

The quiet voice says, "What do you know of the magic that protects the towns?"

You say, "Yes, Asheron protects us still"

The quiet voice says, "Surely you must have heard already that you might be asked this question."

The quiet voice says, "Of the six towns we watch over, which would you see destroyed?"

You say, "Yes, the "others" were asked that question, I would see none destroyed"

The quiet voice says, "We shall swallow you into darkness"

You say, "No, we shall resist, and overcome"

The quiet voice says, "Go"

A Quiet Presence has teleported you

---

The Abduction of Forlong

A Quiet Presence has teleported you

A quiet voice filters through the chamber, "You are here to answer my questions."

The quiet voice says, "What do you know of the magic that protects the towns?"

You say, "I know nothing of that magic"

The quiet voice says, "We shall root out that Olthoi-fearing Asheron soon enough. He has sent his magic out upon the wind. Has he contacted you?"

You say, "Not yet has he"

The quiet voice says, "Where is Elysa Strathler?"

You say, "I do not know the name or where he/she is"

The quiet voice says, "Surely you must have heard already that you might be asked this question."

The quiet voice says, "Of the six towns we watch over, which would you see destroyed?"

You say, "I have heard of this, but still have never heard the name"

You say, "Cragstone"

The quiet voice says, "You have been useful."

The quiet voice says, "Go." , A Quiet Presence has teleported you