Fire crackled merrily in the living-room fireplace within the mansion where the foreign councilors dwelled. It devoured one log after another, unsuspecting that its appearance would produce sadness in the hearts of those gathered around it, for it meant that the hot summer was nearing the end. The morning was rather cool, indeed.
"So, my dear friend, what do you think of that?"
Kh'Everst gave a start. Knowing Bilir, who could spend half a day absorbed in his thought, he wasn't expecting him to talk. In fact, he was deep in his thoughts himself about what Kalirosh had shared with them several days ago. It was indeed questionable, if not troubling. And in this silence Bilir's sudden question thundered like a trespasser. "Pardon?", the dark elf muttered, unable to mouth anything else.
"I mean, of the vagueness".
Kh'Everst made an expressly puzzled grimace, inviting Bilir elaborate. The wizard sighed. "Yes, you are right. Let me explain. I've been working together with Abu and... Oh, sorry, Abu-Bakir, I mean. He he. So, countless hours in the libraries of Empire Capital and Sunny City, some Harbour city book depositories even, and still no considerable progress on that Survilurgs subject. But recently, there was a noticeable headway all of a sudden. As far as I understand, Abu-Bakir has found a hint about Survilurgs' origin in some ancient folio. I wasn't present there personally, and to my chagrin, he wouldn't share the information with me. But that was right on the day when Kalirosh was called to the Palace, in the morning".
"So... you imply that those two events are connected? But Kalirosh told..."
"Oh yes, you cannot deny old Kalirosh of his truthfulness", Feurlis intervened, appearing out of nowhere right behind them. "Sometimes I even think that he can't lie at all, else that would inflict him physical suffering", he grinned.
Bilir shuddered nervously. "Feurlis! Sometimes I even think that you enjoy making appearances like THAT", Kh’Everst commented with a reprimand.
Feurlis glared at the dark elf and something in his eyes made the former drop his grin.
"Anyway", the necromancer continued after a pause, "Startling my dear Bilir was not my best intention for coming here, my network reports were. Have you heard the latest news? Several firebirds have been encountered throughout the Empire. Scouts claim that they had been first seen in Dragon caves; presumably, they arrived from the East Island across the gulf".
"Fiery birds going across the sea?" Bilir muttered. "Now if that doesn't sound familiar..."
"I reckon that much wouldn't need the services of your network?" Kh'Everst asked, eager to learn the hidden.
"You know well, fellow councilors", Feurlis tasted word after word, much in his usual manner, "that bigwig Grammith was reluctant to share certain information with us which, as you may imagine, I happen to have revealed. My informers say that the Court is planning to open the Time Portal again. What's worth of noting is that it is hard to attempt that at present times, as some Behemoth... ugh, cluster?"
"Constellation. It is needed above campus to establish a powerful field. It can be done otherwise, but the portal requires huge amounts of extra crystals to power it up", Bilir blurted out in one tirade.
"You have people spying for you in the very Palace already?" Kh'Everst laughed. "Congratulations. You're so much in your usual vein".
And so they sat, each immersed in their own thoughts. Feurlis was content, proud of his spider web's efficiency. Bilir felt resentful, for his new-found best ever friend Abu-Bakir had forgotten to invite him to explore the past this time.
And Kh'everst's worries expanded with every minute he kept thinking about the Court wizard's reckless attitude. His dabbling in the leylines and the planes of the Universe, meddling with Time itself at his whim... All that could cause much trouble, and the wizard seemed careless about the consequences.
Lords and ladies, Abu-Bakir decided not to wait for the Constellation to reappear above Sunny City, and to reopen the Time portal. Based on Academy calculation, the Portal will be sustained for 7 days until August, 28th. Every lord of combat level 3 and above is welcome to lend their weapons into an exciting journey into the Past and assist the Academy research group by battling any hostile parties discovered there.
The portal is a sophisticated device that does not allow passing through it under normal conditions. A lord must power the portal, and power any creatures he or she wants to take along to this adventure, with Crystals of time.
Every time traveler will be credited with a starter lot of 350 Crystals of time.
The following limitations exist for all characters:
• Chosen talents have no effect;
• Faction skills and unique racial abilities have no effect;
• Only shop artifacts are acceptable to pass through the portal;
• Enchantments on artifacts have no effect.
Lords may not take their normal armies, instead, they may recruit any creatures they would like to accompany them in the Past: of one or more factions; basic and upgraded ones simultaneously, etc. Each creature needs certain amount of Crystals of time to charge them. Also note that if creatures of different factions are recruited, their morale will decrease. This can be evaded by constructing the Hall of Unity.
Magic spells will also not be carried over through the portals initially. By charging the portal with crystals, lords are able to access any spells of their interest, of all Magic schools, at Expert level.
Abu-Bakir guarantees safe return of all lords and ladies, but for the sake of mental stability, limit the number of time travels by 7 per day (unused travels stack up and may be used on later days). Victorious time-travelers earn a good amount of skill points for their current faction, as well as some minor amount of gold. More importantly, every travel earns additional crystals of time that may be used to upgrade magic or to improve recruitment.
The Sentinels of the Past supposedly still count three neutral factions: Recalcitrant Tribes, Templars of the Sun and Amphibians. Study your enemy and remain vigilant; give the use of Crystals of Time enough thought, their clever distribution will be key to your success.
And remember: time travels may lead to irremediable mistakes in our present and future. Try not to do anything outrageous!
Distribute crystals of time »»»
Enlist in battle with the Sentinels of the Past »»»
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