THE STARDUST INTERVIEWER # 1
SOLSTICE, DAUGHTER OF TITANIA, WHY IS SHE HERE?
As the title suggests, today we want to understand more about Solstice, a fairy, the daughter of Titania, and a fae god. What brings her to our world, and what is she doing to earn so many accolades as of late?
To help us answer these questions, I’m interviewing Professor Oleg Destity, or Prof. Destiny as I’d like to call him.
For those of you who do not know him, he is the resident expert on the faewilds within NIMR and has spent the last two decades studying fae traditions and magic. It’s thanks to his research that we can reliably open paths to the faewilds and can negotiate with various beings there, including Torton, the fae being who notoriously kidnaps any he finds interesting and stores them away for decades.
So Prof. Destiny, can you start by telling us exactly who or what Solstice is?
“In a nutshell, I believe you’ve already done so. But to expand, as the daughter of Titania, she holds the position of princess in the summer court as well as the rank of the royal knights. So you could call her a princess-knight if you’re inclined. She’s recognised as a noble in our lands as well as a diplomatic guest. While she doesn’t have diplomatic immunity, as our King has done away with that concept well over a century ago, it would be unwise to cross her.”
Why is such a high-ranking and important person here, of all places?
“To keep it short, I believe she’s here sightseeing? Or is ‘having fun’ better to keep it broader? To explain, she’s spent the last several centuries… I believe close to a millennium, though it’s hard to track that precisely when our own history doesn’t stretch that far back. Anyway, she’s spent the last millennium exploring various worlds across the material plane. From my understanding, if she were to die, she’d simply return to her home in the faewilds, making her a nigh-immortal god walking the world, not dissimilar to demons and devils.”
If she’s just here to have fun, then why is she going about doing the job one would expect of an adventurer? I heard she helped raid a drug cartel at one point? She was even in the team that called for a meeting of the gods a few weeks ago.
“This would be speculating. I’m not confident in any answer I could give, but if I were to guess… they feel like they’re following a sense of duty with these actions? Either that or they’re role-playing. It’s hard to tell with fae creatures at times, since they have such long lives and often have such strange powers. Even amongst elves, gnomes and dwarves, you can find people like that, who take on a role and act it out. As for the meeting of the gods, I believe that was under their mother’s orders, as Titania acted as the leader of this particular meeting, being the oldest god with influence over our world through her daughter.”
Thank you for your insight so far, Prof. Destiny. What do you think of the rumours starting to spread that Solstice might be behind some of the incidents she’s being praised for helping fix?
“Well, causing a problem and claiming credit for fixing it is a famous fae trick. Or rather, it’s a famous trick even normal mortals often pull. With the incident in the mountain town, for example, Torton was the one responsible. And Torton is known to be affiliated with the Summer court, even if to a loose degree. I will say that it’s possible; however, I find it unlikely.
Do not forget that she was not alone in all of this. She had with her Dinok Estus, who was tortured by the fae his whole childhood. Several others have also witnessed her actions, and many vouch for her character, including Commander of the royal guard, Mable Roner, and Princess Rosa Ima Yorunkle.”
I see… thank you for your time. As we close this interview, do you have anything you’d like to say about the perception of fae being unreliable tricksters?
“No, that’s completely valid. While fae are ‘beings of their word’, they twist their words endlessly to have it mean what they want and not what you think. They’re very much like devils in that regard, though they often torment others like a child would. Cruelly and for no particular reason other than to brighten their mood. While it is possible to befriend them and there are certainly fae who would do no such thing, that isn’t the norm.”
And with that, I feel as if we’ve answered the core question we came here to ask. Thank you for reading, and feel free to write in any topic ideas you’d like to see covered.
THE STARDUST INTERVIEWER # 2
NECROMANCY: AN UNNARUTAL SCURGE, OR THE BRIDGE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH?
Many of you are well aware we have a problem with necromancy in the nation. While many of us have come to see living along the dead as perfectly normal, in the absence of the god of the Grave, necromancers themselves have been a plague on the land. They’re more numerous, violent, and senseless than bandits, and rather than being motivated by needs and necessities, they do everything for power they don’t deserve.
Joining me today is a paladin and Commander of the royal army, now the Guard Captain of Frontier Town, Mabel Roner. Thank you for being here today.
“You’re welcome, and thank you for the opportunity. It’s good to inform people.”
To start, what expertise do you have in this matter?
“Well, I’ve seen the evolution of necromancy throughout the centuries, and fought against them many times. In the war front against the mer-folk, necromancers are often some of the most annoying to deal with since they can raise back the soldiers from either side who fall in battle. More recently, in my time as Guard Captain, my two greatest troubles are monsters and necromancers, with them being painfully active in the region, since there are so many corpses they can easily find everywhere. I also have to work alongside the friendly undead who live in town, and I’ve managed a few necromancer adventurers personally. I might not be the greatest scholar in necromancy, but I believe I can answer some questions.”
Very interesting. So in your practical knowledge, what is your view on necromancers?
“Over all, they are a menace that needs to be stopped.”
That’s quite the strong statement. I thought you manage some necromancer adventurers, and I believe one of them even set up an orphanage with your blessing? Are they a menace too?
“No. As I said, over all, necromancers are a menace and need to be stopped. They’ve long since forgotten the reason they exist, the purpose of their powers, to help the dead pass on. While there are a few necromancers who respect their craft and function properly in society, they are strictly the exception nowadays.”
I see… and how do you see the dead walking among us? As the Captain of the Guard of a flourishing town, rumoured to become a major city should peace persist, do you see them the same as any other citizen?
“I’ve been around long enough that I remember when there was a clear line between the living and the dead. Undead walking the same ground as the living was a problem to be rectified once, simply animated flesh with no conscience and a tortured soul. Sentience among the undead was rare back then, but those days are past. Nowadays, it’s normal for the undead to walk among the living, talking the same language, living and laughing the same as anyone else. There’s no arguing these are people, same as anyone else, but I remember when the world changed. The cycle of life and death was twisted for so long, that even a slight correction sent so much chaos…”
I’m not sure that answers the question, but that event was quite something. I hear it happened because Kelemvor came back to life. Is that true?
“As far as I know. And for the earlier question… If they’re sentient and moving by their own free will, I see them the same as any other citizen. But if they’re under the control of a necromancer or feral, then I see them as something that needs to be cut down.”
Even if a perfectly normal undead person, like a shop clerk, was suddenly controlled by a necromancer?
“Yes. This is why I call necromancers menaces.”
Well, that was a very insightful interview, I didn’t know you could talk so much. Thank you for your time and thank you, the reader, for reading, and feel free to write in any topic ideas you’d like to see covered.
THE STARDUST INTERVIEWER # 3
LITNEY ZARAL: A NECROMANCER WHO CARES FOR LIFE?
As some of you might be aware, we recently featured an orphanage run by a necromancer named Litney Zaral. Many in the nation distrust necromancers, in no small part due to the actions of many necromancers who abuse their powers over the cycle of life and death.
While tension has eased in recent years, thanks to the hard work of several notable necromancers who worked hard to improve the nation, a part of it still persists.
Today, we have Litney Zaral present to answer some of our questions about her rumoured past, her mission as the matron of an orphanage, and her own experience with necromancy and the views she has on public opinion of it. Thank you for being here today.
“The pleasure is all mine. And hopefully, you will come to find that though I do hold the same trappings as other necromancers, I do not share mosts obsession for subjugation.”
Before anything else, let's start there. Little is known about your past. Is there a reason you chose necromancy as your school of study? And what were you doing before you signed up as an adventurer in Frontier Town two months ago?
“To answer your first inquiry, Lady Agna. I studied necromancy, not to gain power, nor to break the system that governs these lands. Simply because, at the age of ten, I lost my parents to a plague long forgotten, and it was my only means of survival. And within those means, I found I could do good things for the wandering souls: help them pass on.
As for what I was doing before I signed up? I was wandering the forest with amnesia. There is a bit more to why I was dead, but if I went into that, we'd need about a month, and you are a busy woman.”
I see, you studied necromancy following the original teachings then. Quite honourable, and I'm sorry to hear about your parents.
One last question about your past. There are rumours that you are the same Litney Zaral known as the Bane of the Western Front. Given that, and this mention of being dead... Is there any truth to these rumours?
“I don't confirm nor deny these allegations. I've lived long enough to know that once rumors spread to the masses, it is up to them to come to their own conclusions. I'm afraid I cannot banish the shadow of doubt within the court of public opinion.”
I see. Princess Rosa Ima Yorunkle did vouch that you weren't the same person. We can drop that topic for now.
You started an orphanage last month. Serrenblume was the name, I believe. Can you tell me what your mission is, making and running such a place?
“As I have pointed out with your first question, I was orphaned at the age of ten, as well as helping lost souls pass on. What Serrenblume's mission statement is: To give children without a home a roof over their heads, warm food in their bellies, and should they not be able to find a home they will learn the skills needed to survive on their own when they reach adulthood. Currently we have five children under Serrenblume's care. Two of which have been travelling with me, in search of one of their parents. This was before we got our newest three.
And currently an undead I had raised a while back, named Cain, is the manager there. And despite the revival of Venerable Kelemvore, temporarily causing him to go feral, he has done a splendid job watching over the three.
Before the God of the Grave's return, I wanted to raise undead for my staff. Helping the children and the lost souls at once. But since his revival, I am willing to also open up applications for the living as well.”
That's a touching mission statement. I believe I only have one last question left. You've recently built a wizard's tower on the same premise as your orphanage. What is your intention with combining that into the orphanage instead of making them separate structures?
“Quite simple. I'm no stranger to making enemies. Comes with the territory of living life as not only a street urchin, but as an adventurer. The children's safety is my top priority. What better way to protect them than to also make the orphanage my wizard tower?
‘The most dangerous place to be is next to an adventurer. But paradoxically, it is also the safest place to be.’
As a famous time traveller from an old play once said.”
Thank you for your time, and thank you, the reader, for reading. Feel free to write in any topic ideas you’d like to see covered.
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As per a request from Litney Zaral, subject of this interview, I am adding the following notice:
Serrenblume is accepting applications for staffing. The only requirements are the willingness to work with undead, to teach children, and basic to advanced combat experience. In case the undead go feral or there are invaders, you would be expected to act in the children's defence. The orphanage is under the protection of a wizard tower, but you cannot expect the automated defences of a fledgling tower to do all the work.
THE STARDUST INTERVIEWER # 4
DINOK ESTUS, LARGER THAN LIFE
Before we begin today’s interview, we start with some of the interviewee’s words before the interview, as they were quite striking and serve as a good disclaimer.
"The last month of my life has been rife with a great many secrets and stories that would probably take me hours to recount in full... and could be dangerous or even maddening to listen to. On top of that, the last month has also been filled with a great many personal challenges/interactions with my companions, so if it comes to any of them I won't be able to answer.
I also don't have many problems with mentioning my past... Although, It's not exactly for the faint of heart. My life has always been one of surprise and often carrying heavy and disturbing tones. If you're okay with perhaps hearing some of those tones, then I am fine with answering! Just be aware if it leads to any of the Cosmic or aforementioned personal secrets I have been heavily involved with in the past few weeks... then I will have to switch to a different question."
Today, we have Dinok Estus, of the Kelemvor faith, one of the most renowned clerics in recent history. With a service stretching back over a century, he may not match the individual feats of fending off an Illithid invasion, facing a lich in single combat, or stopping a flood through calling divine intervention, but his list of feats is likely one of the longest of any cleric still in service.
As you can see from his warning, we won't be getting his full story, but we might be able to fill in the gaps that people don't know about, especially in recent events where things have yet to be recorded.
Thank you for being here today, Mr Estus.
"Of course! This is one of the few- perhaps even the first time, I have had the chance to participate in a personal interview like this. I usually just do reports and the occasional statement. So thank you for having me! Where would you like to start?”
Well, to start, I want to go over what little we know of your childhood.
I believe your original family name was Everjoy, and that you were abducted by the fey. Then at some point you returned and became a cleric of Kelemvor before the Eminence appeared.
Is that accurate, and is there anything you'd like to change or add to it? You can skip any details if you're uncomfortable, given your disclaimer and that this likely deals with childhood trauma.
"Well, You have the broad strokes correct. As a few added details:
Originally I was actually Human, but I was abducted at the age of 9 by a Bheur Hag called Aunty Heart. I thought I had heard my sister calling out to me in the woods during a cold night, but that noble intention and desperation to find her landed my in Aunty's Claws.
From then on I and quite a few other boys were tormented by Aunty Heart and her crones for at least 13 or so long years and seemingly endless winters. with the aim to have one of us turned into a desperate and unwilling tool, and to be used as a part of her ultimate scheme shared by the other hags that made up her winter coven. I was the last 'lucky' child that seemed to have what they wanted...
They would have completed their designs with me if my dad didn't slaughter them all and decide to take a broken and turned shadar kia elf in as his child. I don't exactly know how long that lasted, but he spent quite a few years teaching me how to be a person again. In the interest of keeping the story 'short', though, my father took me in as his charge within the courts, the Wild Hunt, and The Wilds. After a time, when I regained enough of a personality to earn a voice to what I wanted. I was able to return to the Material Plane for a reunion with my family, and after some time, a hardened determination to join the church of Kelemvor to make myself worthy of my original family, who at the time couldn't accept me for what I was."
That's... rather haunting. When you say your 'father' saved you, are you referring to your adoptive father? According to several sources, his name is Vildost Estus, is that correct?
"Yes, to both questions. He taught me almost everything I know and has been there for me more times than I ever expected him to be."
Some might not be aware, but you were trapped underground for nearly a century after the Eminence's attack, so you've only actively served as a cleric under our current king Isame Mario Yorunkle, and as of recently you work closely under Princess Rosa Isame Yorunkle.
Given your closeness to the royal family, do you think they've upheld the 'Separation of Church and State'? One of our king's key doctrines for the nation?
"Hmmm, Well from what I've seen I believe they've been doing a very good job at up holding the rules on that doctrine from both my experience and current knowledge. Especially with how messy that Doctrine can sometimes get with both war and life's challenges, it's a fact that any rule is not going to be perfect. From my experience the rules of man and faith often follow each other, making it a very unique and complex dance of sorts. Although, as stated before given my involvement and my observation at least to my eyes they are doing well in keeping things by the book."
Interesting. Now, onto the important topic, the past two months have been incredibly hectic for you. There are tails of your group besting the Forbidden Forest, helping end a narcotic gang, and even an attack from a god. It all seems a lot, but there have been talk of you coming face to face with more than one concept and staring right at their true forms and surviving with your mind intact.
How much of those rumours are true, and is there anything you'd like to comment on any of it? It just seems a bit hard to believe that it all happened in such a short span of time.
"It's... True. Although, technically I didn't just see the true forms of a few concepts. I also witnessed the true forms of at least 2 other gods, one of which gave me the title of Champion. On top of that, I could tell you the names of 2 concepts in question if you wish... However, I warn you. One of their names is a bit scary and may not only frighten you, but send you more into disbelief than what you where probably prepared for. Either way, I am capable and willing to give a few more details on those tales however again only if your interested in it."
We can't publish that kind of information, so there's no need... you've had quite a harsh adventure with all of that recently.
And that all culminated in the meeting of the gods, didn't it? Could you explain how that happened and what that had to do with the ressuruction of Kelemvor?
"Ah, Well... That one is complicated and messy. Involving quite a few more personal effects than I'm able to talk about... But the broad strokes of the situation is that I had an encounter with insanity, specifically at moment where I was struck down by an occupying crab cult. Which led to a powerful and sudden shift to the world that could have been far greater in scale or danger, depending on how I answered the concept and it's questions.
It was one of the hardest interactions I could react to, given the personal nature of the questions... while gaining information I never thought possible. But in the end Kelemvor was returned to the living after our 'game' and I left to help my party shortly after with interruption of a god ascension ritual that... make me into what I am now."
That's... More than a bit odd. An encounter with insanity... Which means that one? We'll put his title in the paper, there's no need to take the risk of saying that here. (For reader’s context, the interviewer is referring to the Concept of Insanity. A reminder that speaking it’s name is both illegal and a dangerous act of terrorism.)
But if encountering that was what brought Kelemvor back... What do you think was the cost? Why bring back a god? Do you know anything more about it?
"There are always costs for interacting with the world in such drastic and permanent ways. As for what I know? It's complicated, both because of the personal nature of the interaction and chaotic element of insanity. I'll do my best though... Insanity had an interest in me after having survived their true form and at an incredibly dire and desperate time they appeared while I was still recovering from the after effects of seeing, well insanity.
During that situation though, I played a game with Insanity and they had me pick from a deck of cards to pick the nature of the interaction. I was then asked personal questions that would drastically shift reality itself... I used Divination, Faith, Understanding, and whatever small fragments of sanity I had left to navigate that game. I was careful with my words and they were thankfully honored, however the choices I made where never what I could ever count as 'right'. Not when such changes were so great in magnitude…
One of the greatest being the creation and increased 'outbreak' of feral undead plaguing and victimizing those who have been caught in the global reaction. What I can say is... I tried my best, and that has given some small mercies, like disrupting many of the liches holds on their domains, giving us access to centuries old traditions like the Shieldmeet to commune with our ancestors, exposing the dangers of what insanity is capable of while showing the gods that danger as well, and also more involved divine protection from evil necromancers gaining power to quickly for common folk to react to.
Beyond that... I can only hope that we can continue to to hold against the changes that may follow. With Kelemvor back, I believe those challenges may be easier than they were before. But that both remains to be seen and won't be guaranteed without hard work and will."
That's... a lot to unpack. Thank you for sharing all these details. While I can't comment on any of this as a journalist, I will say that we all have to make tough choices in our lives, and it sounded like you tried your best with a choice you were forced to make.
I've been Agna, reporter of the Stardust news agency, and I'd like to thank our guest, Dinok Estus, once again for this interview. It's been the longest so far, and a lot to unpack.