Queen Adra snuck through the ruins of Kesolond. Once the a great center of learning and capitol of Elicadi Esari, now it was a haunted place devoid of life, thanks to the Blacklight. The artifact had been created by the wizard Fenbalar on her watch -- when she had commanded him to abandon his research, she just assumed he would not dare disobey his queen. But he hid, and she was the only being not affected by the Blacklight's power thanks to the Suncrown, an item given to her by Labelas Enoreth, the god of time and longevity. When he had bestowed it upon her, he had warned her she would be tested -- only the river's lights would release her people from darkness and it would be a long journey with the river's current. She never dreamed his words would have meaning, least of all when the Blacklight stripped everything good and pure from her people. It seemed their souls ascended to the realms of the Seldarine, but she knew the evil that remained - all that was left of her people on Faerun - was needed for the souls to be complete. They would, in a way, be trapped just like she was now. The Suncrown somehow was able to phase her into spirit form, where she had existed for centuries. Bands of adventurers came seeking to extinguish the Blacklight or simply rob the city of its treasures. Her council, who now called themselves the Ghost Council, only pretended to bow to her will. She watched helplessly as these adventurers fed the spirits' appetite for life. The adventurers powerful enough to be a threat the Council bid to take the Blacklight from Fenbalar, now a lich and would direct them to a dungeon, saying it was a secret entrance to his tower. Everytime they took the bait. The few that actually made it to confront Fenbalar were surprised as a horde of elven wraiths and specters descended upon them during their battle with the lich. But now there was hope. Two days ago the city's water, fed by rivers, began glowing, showing that the River Goddess was once again whole. And now these adventurers had spoken with the Council, who used their old trick to send them hunting for Fenbalar. Once they were sent on their way, Adra snuck out and followed them. All these centuries had gone by and she had done nothing -- even when she was queen she relied on others to work magic or swing a sword. She had devoted herself to the intricacies of diplomacy and caring for the kingdom, and never dreamed she would pick up a sword again. Her heart was pounding as she snuck up on them. The Queen knew of a scroll secreted in the former wizard's guild vault that would counter the lich's magic. Combined with the power of the Suncrown, the adventurers might have a chance against Fenbalar. But would they accept her? What if the spirits saw her accompanying them? She silently cursed as she kicked a rock. If she was in the Ethereal Plane, she could have easily approached and just appeared before them. But to take spirit form would make it easy for the Ghost Council to track her. She was brought out of her reverie as she heard the adventurers moving into position around her, staying out of sight. She murmured a prayer to Corellon and stepped out from behind a building wall and into the light. Rendered in Daz. Character: Cym56's Zoe with Fiore MATs, Aumakua outfit (reshaded), Neona hair, Church ruins HDRI