The Portal and the Talismans

The Portal

The Portal was created countless millenia ago, by magics now mostly lost. It took many powerful mages for it's creation to be successful, and it is rumoured that other, darker powers also had a hand in its' making. It can be used only to open a gate into the darker plane, home of powerful and lesser dark spirits. The Portal stands in the centre of a large, cavernous room, covered with protective glyphs and wards, in the forms of ancient runes. All this is mainly useless, for if any creature is capable of opening the portal without the talismans, the runes would certainly be useless. The room itself is located in the very centre of the city, in the home of the Lord, or Chieftain, who is himself the bearer of a Talisman.

The Talismans

The Talismans were created as keys for the portal, and each one is unique. Ten were originally forged, including the "master Talisman", which was given to the Lord. The other nine were given to the nine members of the Council, in this order: Three to the three Guardians, which were more powerful than the others, and the other six to the other members of the Council, who were chosen by their parents, one of whom at least must have also been a Coucilmember. To open the portal, at least three Councilmembers must have used their Talismans. The Talismans knew their owners, and could only be used by them. The Lord, however, could act alone, opening the portal. Closing the portal, though, was even more difficult. At least one Guardian must be present for this to be accomplished. Only six now survive, the other four being destroyed or lost. The surviving ones are those of the Guardian, the one possessed by Baen, and the two possessed by his children, Anaia and Miir. The third Guardian's talisman is now possessed by Lerae, as she has taken up the position of Chieftess, and is thus intitled to a powerful Talisman. The true Master Talisman was destroyed, and so she is left with the one she now has.