Arkati Temple Official Voln for Dummies(tm)

Voln for Dummies(tm) Vital Monk Wisdom

The following is vital information you will need to complete the Hermit Task.  The questions asked will come from this information.  Originally, I was going to include everything the Monks say, but decided to put on this page the information which is critical.  At a later date, I'll make the Complete Text available by linking it from this page.

The monk smiles and says, "The Order of Voln is an old and honored organization with a long history. The Order was founded in the year 1300 by Lord Fasthr k'Tafali. Lord Fasthr was the Manor Lord of an outlying province of the Kannalan Empire. The land was raw and wild, bordering areas that were not yet reclaimed from the ravages of past wars. Dread beasts and fell creatures harassed the pocket of civilization, coming down from their refuge in the surrounding mountains. Among these were an alarming number of cursed spirits and undead things, bound to the land through awful magic and unspeakable powers."

The monk continues, "Lord Fasthr and his men labored valiantly against the cursed beings that opposed them. Many good and honorable men lost their lives defending the homes of their family and friends. During these battles the Great Spirit Voln came to the aid of beleaguered men. Voln provided the men with special training that enabled the men to gain victory over the cursed beings. With Voln's teachings those men founded the first monastery of what has become the Order of Voln."

The monk smiles and says, "Each step along the Path to Enlightenment is governed by a Lord or Lady of Liabo. Each of the thirteen Lords and Ladies governs two steps along the Path. The first step that you took was governed by Lord Tonis, and you did well in taking that step. Now you are ready to go onto the next step."

The monk smiles and says, "The Great Spirit Voln is an immortal power serving the Lady Lorminstra. Each of the Lords and Ladies of Liabo support his efforts to bring Lorminstra's mercy to the poor, cursed undead creatures that roam Elanthia."

The monk continues, "You must understand the nature of the undead in order to aid Voln in his mission. There are many false or misleading legends surrounding the undead. You must set aside all of your preconceptions and be ready to accept the truth. The first thing that you must know is that there are many causes of the cursed condition that undead beings endure. One obvious cause is the dreadful influence exerted by minions of Chaos. However, that is only one of many causes. As you progress along the Path to Enlightenment you will learn more about the causes of the curse and how to release the victims."

The monk smiles and says, "By now I am sure you know of how our order was started, so I will not repeat stories you have already been told. When our order was young, and limited to those started personally by Lord Fasthr k'Tafali we would communicate by courier or by projecting our thoughts mentally."

The monk continues, "Though we are not a secret order, we soon found there was still a need to be able to communicate with one another over great distances privately. We did not fear that those cursed to be undead would hear our thoughts or read our correspondence, but that the various forces that used the undead to increase their power in the world would."

The monk smiles and says, "The Great Spirit Voln came to the rescue of our founder, Lord Fasthr, and his men who were fighting a desperate battle against the undead. Voln took pity on their situation and taught them some of his personal secrets in fighting the undead."

The monk smiles and says, "When the Great Spirit Voln agreed to teach the founders of our order, they first made their home in Tafali Manor which became the site of the first monastery of our order."

The monk puts an arm around you, saying, "Voln taught Lord Fasthr and his men for three years. At that time and long afterward, the only members were Giantmen. That, of course, has since changed."