| The Willow Sourcebook |
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The birthmark on Elora's arm signifies that she is the child of prophecy, the daughter of the Sun and Moon, future empress of all the kingdoms. Strictly interpreted, this refers to Tir Asleen, Galladoorn, Nockmaar, and Cashmere; and indeed, all these cultures include legends, oracles, and divinations that say a child will appear who can unite and govern them. Certainly she is no ordinary infant. Elora shows instinctive or magical awareness of character, and can discern both good and evil intent. Willow doubted that Madmartigan was a suitable guardian for her (with reason, given the swordsman's situation), but Elora favored Madmartigan with giggles and laughter. Around Kael and Bavmorda, she shrieked. More examples abound. Though much too young to talk, Elora can communicate with those of great magical power. The High Aldwin of Willow's village lacked enough awareness to hear her, but he clearly sensed her status when he first saw her. In the fairy forest, Elora told Cherlindrea that Willow was her chosen guardian. There are indications that Elora has other abilities. For instance, the midwife Ethna set her adrift on a makeshift raft on River Freen, and she drifted downstream into Nelwyn Valley and Ufgood Reach. Yet the Freen, though generally benign, has several turbulent rapids above Ufgood Reach; and the raft was a flimsy thing at best. How could Elora have survived the journey downstream? How did the raft stay together? There are no answers short of magic. One more miracle, and one more mystery. ELORA'S ROLE It was foretold that Elora's birth would mean Queen Bavmorda's downfall. Though this did in fact happen, the student of history may properly wonder what role the baby herself had to play in that outcome. After all, she seemed to take no active part, beyond choosing Willow as her guardian. Others gathered around to protect her from Bavmorda, and in that sense she gathered the forces that would defeat the queen. But they came together because she was the child of prophecy; one wonders whether that simply made the prophecy self-fulfilling. Not so, according to Willow Ufgood. "I know my magic trick defeated Bavmorda," he says, "or at least confused her so much she defeated herself. And I thought of doing the trick myself, I'm sure. But I don't know... "I looked into Elora's eyes, just before the idea came to me. Have you seen those eyes? You can stare into them forever and never reach bottom - if you know what I mean. They're beautiful. "She looked at me, and I felt like I was part of everything there is. Like I could face the worst of anything and win, if I only had confidence. And she gave me that confidence. I know it. Without her, I never could have done it." Elora Dana is now safely quartered in Tir Asleen Castle, and no doubt has a great future ahead. GAMING NOTES In most gaming situations, Elora Danan has only the abilities (or lack of same) of an ordinary infant. But her power to know a person's character or alignment shows in her reaction to that person. Player-character mages should not be powerful enough to detect Elora Danan's communication. But a spell of magical detection reveals she has great latent powers. Non-player characters may converse with Elora at the gamemaster's discretion. |
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