(OOC Note: The purpose of this starting point is to give new characters an easy place to begin their journey in Aleris. If you post here, Elysia may respond. Other players may feel free to respond as well.)

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Elysia's temple is in the middle of a snow covered field that is surrounded on two sides (north and west) by mountains. Here, it always seems to be snowing. The closer one gets to her temple, the harder the snow falls, as if it were trying to shield away the weak and keep only the faithful from entering. It is said that the snow surrounding her temple is so dense that the building itself is difficult to see and people may walk right by it. Many have gotten lost on their trek to this temple. Other than that, Elysia keeps hardly anything to guard her temple as most are not keen to enter the House of Winter.

Once at the door of her temple, a person would find it looks mostly like an ancient cathedral, shaped from strong marble. Inside, the large vaulted and arched ceiling contains many icicles, hanging almost dangerously. If they were to come crashing down, it would surely kill a person. On all sides, much of the wall is frosted with a thin layer of ice, though strangely from cracks in the marble, one might find delicate blue flowers dotted along and blooming despite the harsh climate and lack of sunlight.

In the antechambers of her temple where her servants or attendants might reside, she allows them to keep a fire for warmth. However, you will not usually find her lingering in these rooms if there are flames present.

Madrin woke before the sun on a fine winter day in Arthuran as the snow fell lightly. The inn he stayed at was full of visitors from other continents for the Winter Masquerade Ball, it was amazing he got a room at all. Elias was told before they left Eiler he had every intention of visiting The Temple of Winter. He had been informed that Elysia still lived despite the scene in that grove near Jade city. Even though that eased his mind some, Madrin still felt responsible for letting the goddess of winter end up in such a dangerous situation. He had no delusions that she couldn't take care of herself but, mortals were supposed to aid the deities, if they were unable to handle circumstances themselves. Thankfully, he wasn't hung over from the party last night. He enjoyed good ale as much as anyone but, if he didn't show restraint people tended to get severely hurt, since he was a very angry drunk due to his cursed blood. Not to mention, a plastered guard isn't doing his job properly.

The kennel master was up himself out of habit, so Madrin had no problem getting a husky team together. The man remembered him from his time in Chaliceton previously. The strongly built older man gave him a respectful bow. "Lord Commander Kir it is truly an honor to be of service to you once again."

"Well met William. How is your daughter Elizabeth doing?" Madrin hoped the young healer was calmed, after not dealing with frequent injury for several months. He imagined his absence was a relief to her strained nerves. He had a habit of angering healers wherever he went. Wish wasn't the first and he was sure she wouldn't be the last. However, he did enjoy the fey woman's company more than any of the others.

"Oh, Elizabeth's just dandy milord, healers like peace, it's much less taxing on their good will." William chuckled lightly on his little pun hoping Madrin didn't take it badly.

The warrior chuckled along with the older man and spoke before taking off on his sled after paying extra. The kennel master trusted the payment was sound but, thankfully didn't look into the bag until Madrin was gone. "Drop the title William, I was just Madrin when I first arrived in Chaliceton, so please keep it that way when we're alone at least."

"Aye Lor... Madrin, as you like. I wish you well in your travels, see you when you get back." The tribal fighter simply nodded at that and took off south, for The Temple of Winter.

The snow fell harder as he approached Elysia's house, becoming a full blown blizzard before he reached the cathedral doors. The dogs with him were there when he faced the Val'Nothe months ago so their courage was never in doubt. The attendant priest took the animals away to a safe place while Madrin entered the main room of the goddesses' sanctuary. The chamber was surrounded by dangerous looking ice formations that could spear the unwary if they fell. Madrin was not wearing his uniform since he was not here in a official capacity. So his normal clothes likely did't catch the priest attention, other than as a person seeking their ladies guidance.

The Lord Commander of Eiler even took the time to smell Elysia's sacred flowers before kneeling in the center of the room. Madrin was born in the season of winter, though in a much darker place than Aleris. As a result he always felt a special connection to the season, before he'd even heard of the deities that presided over the realm. With hope he silently prayed to the lady of death. "Elysia I have come for several reasons but, first I must ask your forgiveness for arriving too late when the Spider Birvuo performed her sinister ritual. I beg you, give me some kind of sign that you remain within the realm of the living."

After the event in the grove south of Grand City, Elysia journeyed to her sister Aurora's temple. Though not by way of any normal travel, Elysia was instead rebirthed through Aurora's great and majestic oak, an act which Meristali did not predict or would ever know about seeing as how the spider Birvuo was no longer among the living. Though Elysia quite enjoyed her sister's company, their meeting was brief as most of their time spent together was. So long as one was alive, the other goddess would return to Aleris. Death could not exist without life and vice versa. Still, it was possible that they could both be destroyed while together so Elysia never stayed in her sister's presence for very long for that reason alone. It was an unspoken and unknown threat to anyone except the deities of Aleris.

In any case, the Goddess of Winter was pleased to be back in her own home which resided on the continent of Arthuran. The whole mess Meristali created seemed to be worked out now and Tempesturo was content that his beloved Champion did not end up a pile of bones for a pack of wild dogs. Despite the previous sacrifices Meristali had initiated to drive Elysia into madness, the small scale battle ended with little deaths and Elysia was glad that very few Alerians - and Almeddans for that matter - had not senselessly perished.

Elysia had not attended the Winter Masquerade Ball in Arthuran the other night as she never felt it was her place to be in the presence of so many people. Of course, she could have gone in disguise, but she preferred to watch from afar. As she knew a few people that had attended the ball, it was no surprise that Madrin Kir while he was visiting Arthuran came to the Temple of Winter. His entrance was made right before the start of a blizzard and outside one could hear the snowy winds whipping against the sturdy walls of the temple.

In normal garb, Madrin went unnoticed as the Lord Commander of Eiler and instead was seen as a mere traveler. This appeared to be okay with him, however, and the man took a few moments to smell the strong, cerulean flowers that decorated the frigid confines of her temple. He prayed to her - called out to her - hoping for some sign that she was not dead. Elysia let Madrin finish praying and then stepped out, her footfall pausing behind him as he knelt. She let her hands lower and placed them on Madrin's shoulders, gently guiding him back upwards so that he was once more standing. Afterwards, Elysia removed her hands, lowering them to her sides, and smiled softly.

"Madrin, you've no reason to seek forgiveness," Elysia said. "The Spider Birvuo was clearly a foolish creature that did not entirely think her plans through. Just remember, as long as it snows in Arthuran, I shall always be close by."

With that, Elysia turned and gestured for him to follow her down a hallway. Her feet seemed to glide across the marble floor of her temple as she walked. Her path would eventually lead to an antechamber in the temple where they could speak more privately.

"Come, Madrin," Elysia said. "You must be cold. There's a fireplace this way and I have a feeling this nasty blizzard will not let you go any time soon."

The weight he had carried since the crystal grove near Jade City finally eased completely, as the goddess of compassion appeared behind him with a quiet step, and spoke calmly of his regret. Madrin accepted Elysia's aid in rising without comment, forcing his body to override it's defensive response to close contact from anyone. He did not fear her touch as others might. Madrin understood what he was, so his life was no mystery. The clan raised man guessed she released him so quickly because, she had no desire to cause him pain of any sort. Another possibility was she may have felt the vile mark on his soul, given by his father's dark rituals to his family. It would be carried on forever, even to the next generation of his bloodline, and beyond. He was born a sacrifice to a demon lord, however by the abyss only he had the right to chose his path.

The soldier followed her to the place she sought at a respectful distance. Some feared winter and the death it symbolizes but, Madrin wasn't such a person. Death was the one thing no one could escape. However, he believed what you do with the time you have, is just as important. He could call the final time an old companion. He had looked across the brink more times than most cared to, such was the life of a warrior. Madrin didn't want to fight forever but, someone had to protect those that needed it most. Free will was the basest origin of the chaos innate in all things but, he would never deny a beings right to it, even if it led to the point of his sword. These thoughts circulated thru his mind just before Elysia reached her destination.

When they entered the fire was burning brightly, the lady of winter's discomfort was obvious. Madrin silently put out the flames with a convenient bucket of water near it, clearly meant to protect the priests' patron deity from unintended harm. "I appreciate the hospitality Elysia but, this is your home I'm no stranger to the cold." He bowed with all due honor and spoke on with passion in every syllable. "I'm glad that you time has yet to come. I know little of divinity myself but, you are a deity that understands others just as your siblings do. Sharay's misguided desire to enslave worshipers to her power, is proof of what such power can do in the wrong hands. I know of a dark god that succeeded in following Sharay's way of thinking, long ago in another realm. I'll tell you now that such dangerous deities, will never make me believe in their twisted reasoning no matter the cost."

"I shall remember your words on the falling snow of Arthuran. Speaking of which, I have brought you what power I could reclaim from your spilled blood in Eiler." Madrin reached into a concealed pocket of his earth brown shirt, just above his heart, and pulled out a fist sized diamond orb that glowed with a strong blue light. He had tapped what remained of Aurora's temporary improvement to her blessing to make the item. After the remaining tree sentries returned to where they uprooted, restoring the natural shape of the forest.

Next, he pulled his two-handed sword from its' scabbard. The weapon came out with a bright azure light beating in rhythm to his heart, that matched the diamond sphere. "I'm sorry, the blade takes without regard for the source though days pass before I know it." The orb was beyond him now Elysia must take the power for herself. However, his enchanted sword responded to his will. With the briefest of thoughts the energy departed and returned to its' source the lady of winter. The weapon was returned to his shoulder harness with practiced speed, so it took no more from Elysia. Madrin held out the crystalline globe, waiting for the goddess to take the object from his safekeeping.

The fire that was drawn within the antechamber did not appear to be necessary. Instead, Madrin took a bucket of water and doused the flames with it letting the orange and red glow wither away in the hearth. He bowed to her, apparently not shaken by the cold within the temple and the frigid weather outside. Madrin had lived for some time in Arthuran. This Elysia knew, but it still did not stop a slight smirk from gracing her features.

"As you wish, Madrin, but worry not over my reaction from the fire. It is a very minor inconvenience at best," Elysia said. The Goddess of Winter then folded her hands in front of her as Madrin continued on speaking of the dark gods that tried their hands at foolish conquest, Sharay in particular. "The day a being pulls me from Aleris will be a dark day indeed - for the entire realm. Think not of it though; it would be an extremely difficult task for any being to accomplish. Unfortunately, there will always be some opposing force that believes they are invisible. Such is the way of egotistical maniacs hell-bent on taking over the world I suppose."

A bit of a laugh fell from Elysia's lips which was a rare thing indeed to see from the Goddess of Winter, especially as of late with all the death and chaos that had plagued Aleris. As her laughter died down, Elysia titled her head curiously at Madrin.

"Sharay's misguided conquests are behind me now," Elysia said with a nod. "Of course, it does not change the countless deaths she caused, but her current status in Aleris - although it is not my preferred choice - causes little weight in this realm. Something has changed, but should she fall off the path and into the hands of destruction again, let's just say... I have a little leeway this time."

Elysia did not go into detail much more about it, but Sharay's presence in Aleris was only tolerated because the Goddess of Winter had a bargaining tool should she need to use it. A special something that Sharay had forgotten about that was now in Elysia's possession. Not only this, but Elysia gathered that Sharay's powers - her abilities and magical skills - where likely less than half of what they used to be.

These thoughts were pulled from Elysia though as Madrin reached into a pocket inside of his shirt and pulled out a glowing blue crystal that was about as big as his fist. A slender, dark brow rose in question as Madrin reached for his sword with a free hand. The blade seemed to respond to the energy - a part of her lost essence - until Elysia reached out and took the orb from Madrin. Once his sword was sheathed again, she was free to place the crystal within the palm of her hands.

"Ah, thank you Madrin," Elysia said with a soft smile.

To be honest, she did not expect this small bit of her power returned to her, nor did she actually need it. Nevertheless, the gift was accepted and she would keep it somewhere for safe-keeping. Another memory - this time of the Spider Birvuo. After a few brief seconds, the crystal started to shape within her hands turning into a sparkling version of one of those cerulean colored flowers that seemed to sprout around Arthuran even in the harshest of climates. Once the flower had finished transforming and blooming, the petals curling out in the palm of her hands, the flower began to dissipate, crystalized dust floating into the air until at last there was nothing left to see.

"There. It is safe now thanks to you Madrin," Elysia said. The Goddess of Winter offered Madrin an elegant bow this time and then stood straight once more to regard him with questioning, obsidian colored eyes. "So, Madrin, do tell me. Now that you have come all this way, what is it you plan to do next? Will you return once more to Eiler? I'm sure that Grand City awaits your return, no?"

Madrin was glad to hear Elysia laugh, despite all the constant death recently. When he saw her enjoying the moment he smiled as well. "Aye Elysia, I'll be returning to Eiler." The warrior gave a deep bow of respect and continued talking. "On behalf of myself, and those that can no longer speak for themselves, thank you for your efforts for Aleris." After that, Lord Commander Kir said goodbye to the Lady of Winter and stepped out onto the snow fields of Arthuran.

The husky team from Chaliceton was brought around, Madrin took the time to hook them up himself. It wasn't that the priest of Elysia were incapable of it. Madrin just wanted to give each dog a sense of worth, as he took the time to let them know he was grateful for their aid. The blizzard that rose up so quickly when he came to the Temple of Winter was gone. The sled took off at Madrin's direction without any problems.

The journey north was quiet, the white fields rushed by as the warrior kept alert for trouble. He knew the orcs liked testing their limits around this time of year. Regardless the Lord commander's mind wandered, his mind focused on the last few hour's he spent in the crystal grove near Jade city.


When the battle finally ended Madrin set the forest to rights and retrieved what remained of Elysia's power from the diamond pillar, leaving the rest as a marker for the brief battlefield. He no longer had the strength to return the rest to the earth even if he wanted to.

The magical infusion he used to continue fighting had run out. He fell forward in the red snow as the pain became too much to tolerate. He was exhausted beyond his limits, because he had been a conduit for more of Aurora's power than ever before. He laughed quietly to himself and wondered if he was going to Elysia's embrace soon. Fortunately, for him the healers King Elias had sent arrived not long after he passed out.

However, there was an extra member named Nedira Kir. She had attached herself to the relief forces in the hope of aiding her father peacefully, since she wasn't old enough to fight with her clan on the battlefield. Her birth mother had taught her a lot about healing when she wasn't busy at the Chaliceton hospital. Nedira was confident she could help save lives, even though she had no mystical gift for it. She found Madrin, her adopted father was surrounded by dead foes, viscera coated his once white uniform.

She couldn't tell how much blood was his, but the horn piercing him was not a good sign. She tried to stay strong for Madrin's sake. However, the tears flowed anyway like slow rivers of pain. Her mother always use to tell Nedira to only cry in the arms of someone you love and trust. "Father why must you always push yourself so hard, you're not alone." She hugged him carefully due to his wound, then noticed a blue light was shining all around Madrin. Nedira realized it was the snow. When she picked it up, and the cold powder turned to water instantly. It responded to her will wherever the liquid touched old and new scars alike healed. She knew what must be done instinctively as her mother's teachings whispered in her mind. Madrin would not be happy about losing so many of his battle memories but, he would get over it. She smiled at the thought as she extracted the horn repairing the damage as it came out.

Nedira's father woke up and felt the smooth skin of his torso. "Nedira when did you learn to do this."

The little girl smiled and spoke "it's the power of love." She passed out from exhaustion shortly thereafter in his arms.

"You have my stubbornness that's for sure." Next, Madrin began the process of gathering his forces and moving out.


He reached the boat he was taking home after exchanging the sled team he had for a fresher one in Chaliceton. Madrin's next stop was Eiler his home.

Anqelica made her way through the frozen ground looking for a place to find shelter. She had been hunting something to eat and lost track of the time. Not only that she had traveled farther south than she had planned, she had lost the animal that she had been tracking. Now she was slightly lost and hungry. This was just not a good day for her. Then again ever since her mother died and her father had left her here nothing had been good. She could have gone back home, but she doubted that she had one to go back to at this point. She had been gone for so long and she really did not want to sell her body again. It was much easier to live out in the wild when she was an animal then it was as a human.

She had planned to get back to the city and spend a night at an inn with the little money she had left over, but it looked like the upcoming storm would come before she got back. At that point any shelter would be better than none. Even in this form she had a limit to how long she could survive in the cold. She continued to walk forward on all four paws hoping that she could find something. Even if it was a small shack that a traveler left behind. She knew the odds were low, but she had to continue telling herself to move forward and not to stop.

Soon snow started to fall around her and she started to speed up. It would not be long before the storm got worse. The necklace around her neck started to glow with the snow fall. As the snow got worse she was sure she lost her sense of direction and was moving the wrong way. Yet she did not stop. They only thing that she could think of was finding a place to warm up. It did not matter if it was in an animal form or her human form. She continued to walk forward as the storm got worse. It did not seem natural to her. She stumbled and her face fell into the snow. She got up shook the snow off her head. She was not going to stop just yet.

That was when she saw it. She had not noticed it was there until she almost ran into it. She looked at the doors and knew right away that she had to change into a human to get in. She closed her eyes and focused on her human form. In a matter of moments she was human again. She quickly pulled her hood on her head covering as much as possible. She placed her hand on the door and entered the building. It was not much warmer inside, but at least she was out of the snow. She kept her fir cloak on her and made her way further in. This place looked amazing. She had not seen d a place like this before. This had to be the temple that the villagers talked about.

She looked around and noticed the flowers. She walked towards them and smiled. She had never seen anything grow in such a place. Their colour reminded her of the glow her pendant had when it snowed. She was going to have to leave soon, but she did not want to go back to that snow just yet.

The young woman buried in furs was curiously observed as she entered, seemingly relieved to be inside of the temple of Elysia and out of the perpetual blizzard conditions that surrounded the temple to obscure its outer presence toward others. However this was no ordinary mortal girl. As Anqelica stepped further inside of the temple, a shadowy figure made her presence known, stepping from behind the tall columns that decorated the inner temple.

The robed priestess, tall and willowy, glided across the marble flooring toward the younger woman, heavy cerulean fabric that covered her from throat to toe, trailed behind her as a warm smile greeted the girl. The priestess' long dark tresses were woven in intricate braids that hung down her back, her eyes were a pale blue and they took in every inch of the newcomer. "You are...lost, child," the priestess cocked her head to the side, her slim hands folded neatly before her as she studied Anqelica for a moment. "I am Tatiana, priestess of Elysia, Goddess of Winter and Death and I welcome you." Tatiana's smile widened as she watched what was once thick fluffy flakes of snow upon the girl's furs melt to form small puddles upon the slick flooring. "I was just about to have a cup of tea. You look like you could use one. Perhaps," the priestess tapped her lower lip. "Some hot broth to chase away the chill of your bones?"

Tatiana did not wait for Anqelica's reply. Instead the older woman waved a hand beckoning the girl to follow her. Deeper within the temple's antechambers, a fire blazed in its hearth, the sound of crackling wood filled the near silence of the temple. Tatiana made her way over to another who served Elysia, one fledgling priestess clad in identical robes and bent to murmur something in the other woman's ear, a faint gesture of hand indicating Anqelica. The novice priestess glanced toward the girl and nodded before heading off down a hallway, presumably to bring tea and the promised hot soup for their guest.

"Now, sit down child," Tatiana gestured to one of the many comfortable plush chairs that were placed nearby the fireplace. "Warm yourself and rest. You are safe here. I can provide hot drink and food and perhaps shelter for the night should you require it." The priestess took a seat, her hands resting neatly upon her lap. "Now child tell me,who are you and what brings you here to our Goddess' temple?"

Anqelica stopped herself from growling when she heard the voice behind her. She had not remind herself that she was a human at the moment. She turned around with a smile on her face. The one that she had mastered while servicing clients. She knew that she was in a temple, but she was still surprised to see a priestess talking to her. She had really hoped that she would have the chance to be alone in such a beautiful place. She took off her hood showing her hair and the rest of her face. She slid some of her har behind her ear as she listened to the woman talk.

She kept her clock on not wanting to show the little clothing that she was wearing underneath. She was more worried that it did not fit such place. She thought of leaving but the mention of food changed her mind. She did not need the broth for warmth, she just needed to fill her stomach. She was never the one to give up a free meal. She followed Tatiana further into the temple. She looked at the other woman who Tatiana said something to. She looked at the novice and then back to Tatiana. She hoped that it involved her upcoming meal.

She sat down on one of the chairs. The last time she was in such a comfortable piece of furniture was with clients. She looked at Tatiana, but she did not say anything right away. She gathered her words and thought about what to say before she spoke. "My name is Anqelica." If she had a last name she had no idea what it was. Her mother had never mentioned a last name and she had no reason to ask her father what his was. It was easier to not know. She had no need know what her name was.

"I was hunting an animal was I lost track of the creature. I found the temple by accident. I was trying to find shelter from the storm." She could not help but wonder if there was a reason for her coming here. She knew that it was near impossible to get here unless one knew where to go. She had gotten here by accident. There had to be something that led her here, but she doubted that it was fate. She did not like things like fate.

She looked at the fire as it slowly warmed her up. She was not the one to worship the gods, but she had no desire to refuse them as well. "A meal would be nice and shelter until the storm in the tundra calms a little." She had no where to return to, but she liked living as a wild dog. It was freedom she did not have as a child. "It does not look like you get many guests here."