A long shot...

Before anything, this is a hunch. This wouldn't be the usual case, but nothing about this war is.


We know that Lord Enzarond is a True Warlock. We know his Symbiote is named Val'Ixtal Vai. We also know that they can exist in separate locations, and if Troy and Aleander are any hint, the distance of their relationship can be immense.

Val'Ixtal Vai is unlike any Symbiote we have ever faced, which is why I have been ruminating on a few things I really hope aren't true.

I personally ran my sword through Enzarond. Countless times. I pierced his heart. I severed his spine. I struck him hard enough to separate bone. [strike]After spending so ma[/strike] [There seems to be more but it is crossed out heavily and is illegible]. Many of us did.

No man, elf, or race of Arawyn could survive after that attack. And yet he continued on. And yet he used his unending power to [Another smudge, deep grooves of a quill stroke.] It doesn't take a genius to figure it out. It was Val'Ixtal Vai sustaining him. Imbuing him with power, and keeping him standing, breathing, moving.

But the one thing I didn't expect, is the same could be said of Duke Balliol. Wielding the same power he was relentless. Paralyzing us, lifting us high in the air, flinging us like rocks. Taking over minds, enacting his unending will with merely a flick of his wrist. It's as if they were two of the same. It's as if they shared the same power. The exact same power. As if they got it from the same source.

There are only two possibilities. One, Enzarond is able to funnel his power given to him from Val'Ixtal Vai into Balliol, puppeting him while simultaneously using those power himself. A difficult feat, but if anyone could do it, it would be him.

The second, and far worse answer: Balliol is controlled by Val'Ixtal Vai itself. We already know that Val'Ixtal Vai can exist out side of its host, who is to say it cannot have a second? I understand no True Warlock has ever done this, but we have already said that by them merely being able to separate and rejoin at will. It seems all the more likely that this is the case. Balliol did not seem controlled by Enzarond, they stood as equals, if anything.


I am making this public to propose this second possibility be looked into. I admit I have been spending most of my time researching the ritual in which they controlled their armies, as have many of you. But will now slightly be diverting my attention to see if this is true.

I know this could be a fool's errand, but were it true, then we would need to kill all three at once for them truly to die, a harder feat than we originally had thought.

If any of you have any ideas or information regarding or disproving this, add below.

To add, there is a possibility that my old Knight's body is also being used and puppeted by the True Warlock as well. We have reason to suspect but no actual confirmation. If there is anyone that can help me search for information to confirm my suspicions, I would appreciate the assistance. Because IF that is true, that means he may be puppeting three instead of just two.

Squire Keladry Aybara
Private of the Baronial Guard

As chilling a thought as this is, I have to agree with you Seth. I did not fight them as long as you did, but I did lay into them, and neither showed the slightest sign of lasting injury. In addition, neither of them seemed to make any great effort to protect themselves. Enzarond in particular made no effort at all to protect himself from my blows. It was as if he were struck, and then healing so fast it seemed he never was hurt.

The entire time I was present, Enzarond never commanded Balliol to do anything, and indeed the two of them seemed frequently to operate somewhat independently. On one occasion Enzarond froze me and several of my fellows in place. Balliol then, without any visible command from Enzarond, took control of our minds on his own and sent us after our allies. Such great abilities displayed by the Duke would seem to indicate that he has at least somewhat similar abilities to Enzarond.

The more I think on this, the more I remember what Sir Odette shared with us a few weeks ago. If there is a connection between the two pieces of information I cannot find one as yet, but every instinct tells me that the two are connected somehow. I hope my musings have been of some help.

This information, and your musings, might be of greatest help.

Based on what Sir Odette has previously revealed to us, I don't suppose there are any of Travance who engaged Balliol in Alieander who were familiar with the Duke in times past to confirm if he was the same man, or even close enough in resemblance to be kin?

If not, once we can get back to Alieander, perhaps there are those in the army there who might be able to make a visual comparison?

Adding the fact that he does not look like the same man to this new information---that he evidences tremendous power---poses more questions than it answers.

Seth,
Thank you for this information. It is as disturbing as it is intriguing. I will see if information about such feats is known or even hypothetically possible according to members of my House. Please let me know how best to assist you.
~Amalthea

Thanks, all of you.

I will try and keep this board chain updated with any information I get on this.

As of right now this is all a bad feeling I have. I know this itch, and more often than not it has turned out to be right.

I had this feeling Enzarond was responsible for the King's death, and when I confronted him about it, he all but confirmed it. It was possibly Val'Ixtal Vai, perhaps even Duke Balliol. But it was made known it was their doing.

I had this feeling that Enzarond was replacing people he couldn't control. Forcing copies to believe they are who he says they are, forcing underlings to believe it too. Odette confirmed that was the case last moon.

And now, this.

As for your question, Amalthea, I am not sure.

All I can ask from anyone is that if they hear or come across anything remotely similar or pertaining to this, to report your findings here.