|
Post by Veritas on Oct 15, 2011 0:23:15 GMT -4
"It's alright, gentlemen," Vince says, holding up his right hand, exposing the palm, showing he isn't bearing any weapon. His head tilts back and his eyes, bright and shining as they lock on the leader. "Clearly they didn't let you know. I'm Dr. Mapleton, and the Governor set us out to help with this. Can't you see the telltale signs of magic?"
He smiles and motions to the people behind him. "They're with me. We've been gathering information on this event. If you could make sure that we get to the Temple of Mysteries. That's how you gentlefolk can assist."
Big ol' Bluff check: [dice=20]+9[rand=4532336601852998703647727576901694458042640203027137977210678926576]
|
|
|
Post by Juniper on Oct 15, 2011 9:30:59 GMT -4
Knowledge local to recognize individuals: [dice=20]+5[rand=66155960404784334733478429922286085214585121025038285921722069771]
|
|
|
Post by irishmagician on Oct 15, 2011 11:43:06 GMT -4
The red-headed watchman relaxes slightly, though his hand still hovers in a practical fashion in the vicinity of his sword.
"It is good to actually meet sane people, this evening. In all of my years on duty, I have yet to see a night that could compare to the insanity of this one," he says, shaking his head with a sigh. Dr. Mapleton, you said? I assume you are from up at the Academy; it is much worse up there...I can only thank Sarenrae for the blessing to not have been scheduled for that shift!" he gripes with a glance towards the Academy in the distance.
"All of the Magisters from the arcane Schools are going crazy trying to contain whatever magic is on the loose. To make things even worse, the Archmage has gone missing and no-one can find-" he stops abruptly, as his gaze catches sight of Ori and Erfryn. There is a flash of recognition in his eyes, and his hand slowly reaches for a whistle on his belt.
|
|
|
Post by Veritas on Oct 15, 2011 14:55:28 GMT -4
"Indeed, Dr. Mapleton of the Department of History and Mythology, my friend." An easy smile crossing his face as he watches the guard. The fellow's eyes travel to the Academy, and then back towards the party, and of course, noticing Erfyrn. Ah yes. This would look...awkward.
"Calm down, son, calm down," Vince says, his hand moving lightly in a non-threatening manner. "Why do you think we need to go to the Temple? The Archmage has given us instructions on how to set things right. He's obviously in no condition to handle it himself. He's injured.
"But you can help us. First of all, lead us to the Temple. The rest of you let the other guards know that we're out here. Helping out, so we don't waste time like this in the future. We'll be heading to the Academy after that. Come on lad. Pitch in like a good chap."
Diplomacy check: [dice=20]+12[rand=375498835230246215871371258981526106049465946853168941552981268615]
|
|
|
Post by Juniper on Oct 15, 2011 15:20:04 GMT -4
Miriam slips quietly up to stand beside Vince, one arm slipping around his waist in a friendly gesture of solidarity. "Seamus, it's Miriam," she says earnestly. "Remember me? You were a temple guard when I was first brought to this town, and carried me home the first few times I went exploring and got lost. You know I would never do anything to hurt anyone here, and Desna would never let me get caught up in such a perversion of the gifts of magic. Archmage Erfryn is the father of my heart, and he too is trustworthy. Please help us."
Diplomacy Check to aid: [dice=20]+8[rand=5707441118703209022740773092940425091999484870960666694177554520028]
|
|
|
Post by irishmagician on Oct 15, 2011 17:16:41 GMT -4
Seamus' eyes dart between Vince, Erfryn, and Miriam; obviously unsure of what to do at the moment. Eventually appearing to come to some form of conclusion, he shakes his head exasperatedly with a slight sigh.
"By the Lady, can tonight get any more complicated?" he half-mutters to himself. He comes out of his brief soliloquy of sorts, and turns to address Vince. "Regardless of what ever is going on, I agree with the fact that the Archmage needs to be seen by a healer. Immediately; as I am quite sure he is the one who has the best grasp on what has transpired this night." Seamus turns to the nondescript watchman behind him, making a slight gesture. The other man nods, and dashes off down the alley they came from.
"Follow me, all of you. I will be your escort to the Temple of Mysteries," he says loudly as he turns, making a gesture over his back towards the party. "Please keep up with me; the quicker we can get the Archmage off the streets, the better."
(OOC: Party receives 400 XP each for resolving skill challenge without combat.)
|
|
|
Post by comicsans12pt on Oct 17, 2011 11:38:37 GMT -4
Ori listens intently as Vince, Miram and Seamus discuss the events of the evening and what is to be done with Erfyrn. When Seamus looks in her direction to scan her charge, Ori smiles trying to look as benign as possible.
As it looks as if they will be allowed to the temple, she looks at Vince and Miriam in admiration. These are the types of people she had expected to surround Erfyrn. And little time was wasted. She straightens up, no longer needing to keep as quiet as possible and puts all of her concentration in following the escort and keeping Erfyrn comfortable.
"Hold on old boy. We'll drink ale together yet," she whispers into his ear.
|
|
|
Post by irishmagician on Oct 17, 2011 19:18:57 GMT -4
Seamus leads the party through the twisting side-streets of Oakdale; weaving unerringly from one alley to the next, with the ease of one who has spent many nights traversing this hidden jungle amidst the town. Occasionally, you hear a scream of pain wail on in the distance or the sounds of swords clashing from another street. Seamus does not stop, however, and pushes on with through the chaos that rages around Oakdale.
Soon, a massive stone cathedral looms in sight. Massive stone gargoyles leer down at you from the roof in eternal silence; while statues of the various Gods and Goddesses stand around the building in an unmoving vigil, observing the chaos enveloping the town. Seamus leads the party up a set of marble steps to what you can obviously tell is the Temple of Mysteries. A crowd of tired guardsmen stand watch at the main doors to the Temple, nodding slightly in greeting as Seamus approaches. He leans towards one of the guards, whispering something in his ear. The guard straightens and nods, and dashes off into the Temple. Seamus turns towards the party."You may want to steel yourselves, some of our newer recruits emptied their stomachs before they went a step farther after seeing this sight," he says. Seamus swings wide the massive oaken doors of the Temple, revealing a large nave with grey marble floors and pillars off to either side. The nave is packed with cots, many of which are inhabited by, with a stretch of one's imagination, could have at one point been called humans. Vaguely humanoid shapes rest in the cots, their bodies contorted in various states of transformation, distention, and pain. Appendages grow from anatomically impossible locations and grown to inhumanly long proportions; these appendages ending in claws, feet, hands, and even fins. Soft moans of agony come from these beings, along with a faint pulsing purple light their eyes and skin. Men and women in brown robes walk amidst the cots, trying their best to tend to them; though it would appear that they are only able to offer palliative care.
Stained glass windows shine pulsating light down upon the residents of the Temple from above, reflecting the chaotic light spilling forth from the Academy in the distance. Off to one side stands a set of open doors leading to a staircase that ascends to the upper portions of the Temple. On the other side of the temple, a closed stone door sits stoically; with a peculiar sigil etched on its surface glowing a brilliant golden color. In front of you stretches a long, red velvet carpet that runs down an aisle, splitting the sea of cots in twain. It ends at a raised dais sporting an utilitarian altar covered with a white cloth. Behind it, you can see a middle-aged woman, garbed in a forest-green robe. She stands conversing with an aged man garbed in a plain white robe, with a simple rope tied about his waist."Come," says Seamus after a few moments. "Solonius will undoubtedly wish to speak with you all." Attachments:
|
|
|
Post by Juniper on Oct 18, 2011 10:44:23 GMT -4
As soon as the group enters the temple, Miriam's eyes light up. This is more than a resting place for her soul, consecrated as it is to Desna; this is home. She flashes a smile at Vince, confident he'll understand her impatience, then hurries past him, rushing toward the dais at the front of the room. The worried look on the old priestess's face isn't lost on her, but it is certainly smothered for the moment by the younger woman's joy. "Amara! Mother! I'm home! And Solonius...it is so good to see you. I heard Falar had passed, and of course you are Abbot now." Laughing, she slides under Amara's arm to hug her sideways, leaving a hand free to reach out to Solonius.
|
|
|
Post by irishmagician on Oct 19, 2011 23:32:29 GMT -4
Amara turns at the sound of Miriam's voice, an astonished look on her face as she approaches.
"Wha...Miriam? Why, dear, it is good to see you! I thought that you were halfway across Dorien on your travels!" she exclaims, her visage softening with affection as Amara turns to accept Miriam's embrace. She takes a step back to give her an appraising look. "Look at how you've grown! Every time you leave, I feel like I've shrunk a few inches when you come back. Of course, you're becoming a fine young woman. Now, you are taking care of yourself properly...?" Amara trails off as Solonius gives her a rather amused look. She blushes furiously as he gently guides Miriam away from Amara's mothering reach. Solonius embrances Miriam as well, though in a more grave fashion.
"Welcome back, little one; though I would have preferred to have your return under different auspices," he says. Solonius turns to look out over the nave at the villagers. "A great tragedy has befallen this town, so in this time of chaos and uncertainty the people of Oakdale have turned to the Temple for sanctuary. We have done what we can with our healing arts and the blessings of the Gods, though it has done little to alleviate many of these peoples' suffering. I am afraid that we may unable to find a cure or a counterspell for this ailment." He turns back to face Miriam with a serious face.
"The guards have informed me that you and your companions have brought the Archmage here, and that he is experiencing a similar malady akin to that you see before us. It is vital that we do our utmost to aid him, as he is our hope to ultimately overcoming this chaos. Please bring him to my quarters as soon as you can, as the quicker we can begin treatment, the better chance we have to find an answer to our dilemma." Solonius then nods to Miriam, and descends calmly from the dais to enter a door behind the platform. It clicks shut softly behind him, the sound lost in amidst the groans and vast ceiling of the cathedral.
|
|
|
Post by Veritas on Oct 20, 2011 11:53:42 GMT -4
Vince watches as his childhood friend takes over here; this is her domain, not his, and he is very glad she is here. He smiles softly, to see how she's grown. Times have changed in these past years. A hand reaches up and brushes the scar by his lips almost subconsciously. Times have changed.
Listening, the explorer wanders off to the side, looking to some of the people who are in a terrible state from this...plague, infestation - whatever it is. Whatever has gone wrong has done so tremendously. Fantastically. There's a little warning in his mind - it's time to go, and find the archmage's assistant, once our work here is done. But then again...he cannot deny his friend her homecoming.
|
|
|
Post by Juniper on Oct 20, 2011 12:36:13 GMT -4
Miriam smiles at Amara. "He's an excellent abbot, isn't he? It's hard to see in him now the cheerful priest who used to put the candles out with magic when Falar wasn't looking. I have been fine, by the way, and I've taken care of myself and anyone else I meet on the road. If Desna ever guides your path away from here you'll find my finder's mark all over the continent." She sighs, looking out over the sanctuary and its grisly congregation. "I would stay and help, but my physicking still only extends to broken bones and traveller's wounds. I don't even know where to start. And I think that my path lies with Erfryn's other friends for now."
She squeezes the older woman again, dropping a soft kiss on her cheek before running back to the entrance and her new companions. Quickly, she gives Ori directions to Solonius' quarters so that she may lose her burden, and then walks to find Vince. If she's lucky, she left Amara quickly enough she won't see who she's with...the motherly questions would be more than she could bear, especially while she's unsure what this reunion will bring.
|
|
|
Post by comicsans12pt on Oct 20, 2011 15:21:55 GMT -4
Ori follows the directions that Miriam gives her. She quickly makes her way to Solonius' quarters where she gently lays Erfyrn on a bed that gives him more support than she could. She whispers to him, "Erfyrn, friend, you are in the quarters of Solonius whois going to help you. I do not doubt you remember him."
Ori looks up at Solonius as she backs away from the bed. "If it be within your power to grant, " she begins, "Erfyrn sat with me in my greatest need. I would be honoured to return the kindness by staying. If i am needed with the others i will go but here is my friend and here is where i would be."
|
|
|
Post by irishmagician on Oct 20, 2011 22:26:42 GMT -4
Solonius looks up from reading a scroll at a simple wooden desk in one corner of the room, as Ori enters and lays Erfryn on a cot in the corner of the room. After looking at the gnome for a moment, and hearing Ori's request, he nods peacefully."Take as much time as you would need, fair dwarf. Erfryn will surely need what help he can receive, and I am sure that he draws strength from your company." Meanwhile, Seamus makes his way up the aisle towards Solonius' quarters; his face unreadable as he makes his way through the afflicted villagers. Amara remains on the dais, kneeling before the altar in prayer to Desna.Attachments:
|
|
|
Post by Juniper on Oct 21, 2011 10:51:21 GMT -4
Miriam walks toward Vince, and stops beside him, eyes cast upward in an attempt to read his expression. With Cael by the door and Ori back in Solonius' chamber, this is the first chance she's had to speak to him privately. She gathers her courage, clears her throat -- and can't quite bring herself to say any of the things churning in her head. How did you get that scar? Did you think of me? Are you still angry? Instead she sighs, drops her gaze to her hands, and switches to something innocuous. "So, we're heading to the Academy next, right? I suppose there's no time for more than a flying visit. Not with all this going on."
|
|