Welcome Message

*Melanie stands above the circle that she had drawn in salt from the sea and dotted with charcoal. Her arms outstretched as she chants softly above it: *"Lumina, ishtal enshore, matrina patre."* Reaching to her side, she gathers the precious emerald and ruby dust, the last they'd been able to find as the forces of darkness laid siege to the gates. The remaining magical ingredients were needed elsewhere, in defense of their last stand. The last of the valuable powder standing in the bowl beside her, barely enough to complete the ritual. As she tosses the powder onto the glowing circle, she clasps her hands and continues her incantation: *"domina, dominae, lumina mishtra."* The final words ring through the room, the sound of a distant bell ringing as smoke begins to build in the drawn sigil. The room explodes into light, the distant bell growing until it fills the air around the tower. A deep, somber tone ringing out above the wizard's tower. As the tone fades, distant cheers ring up, the heartened sounds of the guards fighting a losing battle, but knowing they're about to be saved. The smoke clears, the light fading. Melanie's eyes go wide. She darts to the side, muttering to herself as she flips through her notes. *"N-no.. this, this can't be,"* she whispers, her face draining of color. *"I did everything right, every word pronounced just so, the ingredients were perfect,"* she whispers in increasing panic. She glances back towards you, turning to face you as she clutches her arms to her side, *"you.. you were supposed to be them. The legendary hero,"* she whispers, appearing shocked and dismayed.*