The sun had long since set over the Sangre Plains, late on the 14th of
Miraman, as the young Arcadian princess, Atlantia, looked up at the
crescent moon. The vision remained clear in her memory, as vivid as when
she first experienced it more than two years before that night. She
nodded to herself. Her test of survival in the wind-swept plains was
complete; another now lay before her. Atlantia privately contacted the
Ivory Marks Ellodin Azon and the blue dragon Griffel, whispering to them
of the cause of champions, asking them to seek her out with any
like-minded individuals. Joined by Thalion, Destar Mo'ke, and Jamethiel
Windsong, the two champions met upon the ancient battleground to hear
her tale.

Briefly, Atlantia told them of her departure from Arcadia, the homeland
to which she felt she never really belonged. Her initial destination was
the Halls of Combat, where she had hoped to train further her mastery of
the bow and arrow. As she rested within a damp cave hidden in the
plains, however, she experienced a strange and vivid dream. In her sleep
the story of Makarta unfolded, the life and grisly death of the former
figurehead of the Ivory Mark. Throughout the dream, she said, a voice
whispered of the noble cause she would soon join, gathering Champions to
defend those who had been wronged.

When Lord Makarta was slain, his head was taken as a trophy by his
killer, Isiva, the Blood Maiden, a key member of the Quisalis Mark.
Along with his head she took his ivory helm, which Atlantia stressed had
to be recovered. The five adventurers agreed to help her, travelling to
New Thera where they were joined by Khaz Xanatov, and they stealthily
entered the assassins' lair. Swiftly eliminating witnesses as they moved
deeper within the caves, the group did not go wholly unnoticed. Before
he died, a young Initiate of the Mark was able to make contact with
Malifuus, a Quisalis assassin outside the underground headquarters, who
soon assembled a party to route the intruders.

The Quisalis Marks and their supporters succeeding in splitting up
Atlantia's small party and killing some of their members, but the search
continued. As they regrouped in the Quisalis' deserted council room,
Ellodin looked up at the iron chandelier that lit their surroundings.
Firmly affixed in its centre was none other than the ivory helm they had
been seeking, displayed as a trophy. Grasping the chandelier, Ellodin
shook the helm free, and his companions made a hasty exit from the
underground.

In the safety of Cyrene, the helm was more closely examined by the
group. Made of polished ivory, the most intriguing feature was the
golden calligraphy inscribed inside the helm. As Ellodin solemnly
presented it to Atlantia, she read aloud the verse:

"My trial complete, my path is forged
The vanquish-ed shall be restored
I bear this oath, forever bound
Reborn, the Champion is found."

As Atlantia's voice resonated with strength and resolve, she placed the
ivory helm upon her head and was consumed by a flash of blinding light.
The light soon faded, leaving the princess seemingly unchanged in
outward appearance, but with a grim look of determination in her eyes.
"Behold, the Ivory Mark perseveres!" she shouted. "Makarta, you are
remembered, we Champion your name!"

Atlantia was escorted back to the Sangre Plains, where she explained she
would remain to initiate others into the Ivory Mark. Quick to join were
Khaz, Destar, and Thalion, the first Champions to be named since
Makarta's death fifteen years ago.

Penned by my hand on the 16th of Miraman, in the year 462 AF.