Varsoon

Our reporters have gained some rather interesting and somewhat disturbing information about a recent state of turmoil to overrun the hills of Qeynos. Undead in the form of a skeletal army have taken the Qeynos Hills as their battlefield. However, the mere presence of this skeletal army is the least of our and the people of Qeynos' worries.

It appears that Varsoon the undying has gained a mysterious and very powerful benefactor, a Teir'Dal by the name of Vashaar. Rumors have it that Varsoon has raised this army in following Vashaar's orders to overrun the city of Qeynos and relieve the troubled nation of its citizens and freedom.

Fortunately, Qeynos' own army has strengthened its defenses against the intentions of Varsoon and the noble adventurers of Norrath have gathered to aid Qeynos in its defense. Though it is highly unlikely such an army could take Qeynos with the Priests and Knights of Thunder, we give our prayers to The Tranquil in hopes that Qeynos will emerge victorious once again from this darkness.

This book is titled "The Varsoon Collection, Volume 2 - The Quest for Immortality ". It is a complete volume that details the quest of a young mage to find the secrets of immortality.

Many say that some questions are best left unanswered. For those engaged in the highest of pursuits, this is more of a challenge than a prohibition. Indeed, some say that there are those to whom the words, "That is impossible" should never be uttered.

The stories surrounding Varsoon's quest for immortality primarily come from a journal found in the Academy of Arcane Science's private larders. Looking for a midnight snack, a student happened upon it behind a jar of prune marmalade. The writer of the journal, one Aldrenus, claimed to be the apprentice of the great mage Varsoon.

According to the account kept in the journal, Valdoartus Varsoon possessed an ivory cup that he called nothing more than the Chalice. He believed it was the key to unlocking the secrets to immortality. Once he found the way to granting eternal life, he planned on sharing the secret with anyone who wanted it. With this goal in mind, Valdoartus would set off on his greatest expedition ever. Aldrenus, his apprentice, was to assist him in his quest.

Valdoartus, who was an accomplished Planar Thaumaturge, opened a rift between the planes and traveled to the Plane of Knowledge. They spent a great while there as Valdoartus perused the books that lined the library's shelves. Aldrenus seems to have lost track of the time spent there, for the entries are rather scattered with the dates. Eventually, however, Valdoartus found what he was looking for.

From there, the master and apprentice traveled to a place of calm, serene beauty. Rather than relax, as Aldrenus claims he begged his master to do, they trekked long and hard throughout the idyllic countryside, seeking something only Valdoartus knew of. When they came upon a large sundial, Valdoartus supposedly proclaimed that he was on the right track.

Valdoartus then proceeded to open a rift to a land of darkest night, and they trekked aimlessly among the trees. Or so it seemed, according to Aldrenus. At the point when Aldrenus was positive the trees were following them, Valdoartus looked to the distance and nodded his head. The great mage then opened another rift, urging Aldrenus quickly through.