The Raven continued:<br/>“As aforementioned, the high order once was comprised of seven wizards. There was a trust among their brotherhood and together they kept harmony in their collective domains. Then came the day when Malgamus began  his habit of drinking the silver extract. He wanted to be special, to be distinguished among the order. He  perfected a way for his skin to have the reflective qualities of silver. He reasoned that by emanating a brilliant luminance that it would appear as though his powers were stronger than the rest. Thus he hoped to gain a greater respect from his fellows. If not that, he had hoped to at least intimidate them.  He didn’t realize that his mind had been affected.<i>That’s the thing about those that are insane. They think they’re normal. </i>Now the other wizards were not taken in by  the deceitful charade of Malgumus.<br/>Upon realizing this, Malgumus began to eliminate the others of the pact. One by one he cleverly arranged their demise.<br/><br/>The fist was<u>Ecebeus</u>(eh-‘see-be-yus) who was at first believed to have fallen upon his own dagger.<br/><br/>Next came the news that<u>Ujjahr</u>(ooze-yar) had pricked his finger on a dragon’s tooth and thus had issued forth his life’s blood to the last droplet.<br/><br/>Then it was noised about the realms that<u>Uboras</u>(ooh-‘bor-rhas) had been crushed by a firey stone that had fallen from the heavens.<br/><br/>Following each event the remaining wizards had met to give recognition and rite of passage to their fallen fellows. It had become more and more apparent to the other survivors that Malgamus lacked remorse, and beyond that . . .  had no apprehension that something similar might befall him. Though none mentioned their suspicions to the others, they each privately began to take defensive measures. They all similarly made provisions to insure their survival. Unfortunately for all, their efforts were too late. The final three were swiftly eliminated by the murderous actions of the deranged silver imbiber.<br/><br/>Before they fell, they each had “embued” an article with their most potent magical virtues. Not necessarily being powerful in or of  themselves but rather as portals to the higher planes of wizardry. Tools, if you will, that could enable the posessor (if worthy)  to channel  the greatest of powers. There was a safeguard incorporated within each. The stipulation that said powers could only be summoned against an abuser of power.<br/><br/>These are the artifacts and the final wizards of the order that crafted them.<br/><br/>The R<b>ing of <u>Sodus</u></b>,	 the S<b>taff of <u>Ivlin</u></b>and   the<b>Talisman of <u>Oxrune</u>.</b><br/><br/>“I could lead you to them.” said  the fowl who was once Opledor Kreet. “I must warn you though, the journey will be perilous.  It will tax your minds and bodies greatly. Does it lie within your heart to  commit to the quest? Beyond that, do you posess the courage to go against the man of the silver mountain?”<br/><br/><i><br/>
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