Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-24685738-20170725043749/@comment-24685738-20170729003238

Eva and Aenis locked eyes for a minute or two, probably sharing telepathic information between them, before Eva turned around and looked at the assembled group members. "We agree, I need to tell you what I read in those books."

She glanced around, notably avoiding Meilir's eyes. "Unlike what most history books say, when Arik Everking descended into the Underland to build his kingdom, it was... inhabited by the Reaper and his race of fiends. We have always known that eight out of every ten colonists that Arik brought down were killed in the first two years of their inhabitation, but we always thought it was because of the harsh lands."

Eva hesitated, and Aenis continued for her. "Arik and his colonists warred against the Reaper, at great cost of life, for the entirety of those two years. Things seemed to be looking up near the end of the first year. However..."

Eva continued, finishing the story. "Ten men and women were gifted Supernatural Powers by the Reaper, and they turned on Arik and the future Underelves, wreaking havoc. They became... Rha'atar's lieutenants, calling themselves 'the Children,' and it took many lives for Arik to expel them to the surface, where they've been in hiding ever since, and then he sent the Reaper and his people fleeing into uncharted lands, where they were not heard from again. I... I theorize that the Great Exodus from the Underland was caused by the Ten returning and waking up the Dark God, although Maria Harin escaped from the Underland with some of the Underelves before the actual event could take place, leaving millions to die down there."

She looked around. "The Underlanders called them 'the Betrayers of Man,' and I think that fits very well. I think the Dark God has come to repay the favor on Arik Everking, and occupy the surface world as he colonized the Underland."

Kiara finally spoke, apparently having been privy to that telepathic conversation. "And that would mean cleansing the surface of all its inhabitants, including everyone you've ever known and loved. It would take... a very united Tamriel to stand up to the might that Rhaela says she saw in her visions."

Arik stood up from his seat, looking at the men and women who were with them. "We have been in discussion since you left, and we have decided that the best course of action is to unify Tamriel as best we can, while trying to neutralize the threat of the Ten Betrayers. That means... getting allies. Eva says we have five years before the next Eclipse, according to the Astronomers in the Temple."

Rhaela spoke, her voice quavering slightly. "If you'll agree to stay with us, we'll be splitting up in order to get allies, starting with the places who have long been allies with Cespar, including Taneth, Wayrest, and Evermore. But... But... It's going to be a long and hard road from here, so I will not blame you if you abandon ship now. But you must decide now."