Re: Chapter 1 Interlude
Further conversation becomes interrupted by the ring of another bell in the estate, though neither Lord Joris or any of his household come out to address the gathering.
With the flow of conversation interrupted, the gathering starts to break up as individuals or small groups go their separate ways - either engaging in idle chatter, indulging in more wine, or breaking off to find their quarters to rest for the next day.
Early the next morning, while the others sleep off the drowsing effects of the Joris' best wine, Itylus sets out early looking for a suitable sacrifice for Eurenomes to make on his behalf to beseech the Gods for a divine vision, giving all the slip save for just a few of the servants who spied him from their daily tasks, but by now they were used to this strange hunter leaving the estate in the early morning.
In a little less than an hour, Itylus catches up a few white rabbits. He considers them with a careful eye, making sure that they are strong, healthy animals. He wouldn't want to dare risk offending the Gods by offering up a sick or diseased animal, after all. He then returns to the estate and finds Euronomes, Aleta, Dysis and any others who are interested. The group proceeds out towards the shrines that Joris' maintained on his estate towards the small one devoted to Hermes.
Eurenomes takes the plumpest looking rabbit and examines it before heading into the shrine. He explains to them that while the ritual itself would take only a matter of minutes, depending on the circumstances. He also advises that the visions he may receive may come from the past, the present or even the future. He notes that visions of the future often take a symbolic form that make them difficult to interpret, but that he would do his best to make sense of whatever Hermes would tell him.
He asks them to wait outside. They would be able to see and hear him as he made his prayer, but his entry would provide a private space for him and Hermes to commune.
Euronomes recalls Itylus' expressed concerns, and tried to formulate them into a question to which to beseech his patron. The hunter had told them about a dark cult that had done great harm to people and offended the Goddess Artemis herself. The cult's leader was a Stygian necromantress, and the group's objective was the summoning of an Arch-Fiend from the depths of the Infernal Realms. It was a lot to take in.
But the simplest question could reveal the most. Location is what matters. Hermes would provide the rest. Taking the rabbit in one hand, and knife in the other, Eurenomes begins his ritual, devoting the rabbit as an offering from him and begging him for his divine favor.
He finished his prayer and waited. Nothing happened.
Eurnomes knew, however, that sometimes the visions from his patron came out of nowhere.
And this one did. Eurenomes looks down at the blood from the rabbit on his hands and on the knife and then faints...
(While visions have been disturbing for Eurnomes in the past, they have never been outright terrifying. This one is...
Eurnomes sees first a heavily pregnant woman, an Argosian noble by the blue silk she wore. At first she seems serene. She appears almost like a Goddess. Where she walks, flowers bloom. She starts to bleed. Sharp claws from creatures out of nowhere rake at her face and body, tearing skin and exposing bone.
A baby's wail is suddenly cut off by the quick stroke of a knife. Euronomes looks at the child, which is now in his arms. It transforms into a rabbit and Euronomes sees himself holding the knife.
A hooded stranger takes the rabbit from him, laughing manically. The stranger carries with him a Caduceus. Eurnomes knows that it is important somehow, but cannot discern why ...
The rabbit is thrown to wolves and is torn apart, while the Caduceus is thrown onto a bonfire.
Out of the bonfire comes a gigantic, bat-winged, hoof-legged humanoid horror with a white, skull-like face, horns, spear-length claws and a dark leathery skin. It roars defying and Eurnomes has to hold his hands to his ears, fearing that he'll go deaf. The horror turns its' gaze upon him and the toothy grin it gives turns Eurnomes blood cold.
It is a demon. A fiend. It lashes out towards with claws out-stretched and Eurenomes and he cannot help but scream, begging for Hermes aid.
Argos burns. The fiend impales warriors with his claws, and continues to grow in size as it feeds on the living and slain. A kick of his hoof destories the House of Athena. The feeling of terror and despair begins to overtake the priest when the vision ends.)
Euronomes awakens in a cold sweat and begins to shiver. Closing his eyes, he can still see the horror from the vision.
Hours pass. Word comes around that Lord Joris has summoned everyone to his chambers.
It is there that he makes his announcement.
"Matthias of the House of Michelakos. I have decided to look favorably upon your request for assistance. My family has a number of merchant ships that engage in trade with the city of Argos. I understand that there is a ship in dock currently that has been undergoing repairs. It is called The Peaceful Wanderer. Given the quest you, Zuri and Artaxes undertake, I think it appropriate to lend you use of this ship for your travels.
You will have to find a crew for her in fair Thena.
He turns his attentions then towards the others. "While you, champions who returned my daughter to me, are always welcome here. I understand that it is time for you to travel as well and that your destination is Argos the Blue to purchase your own ship. I would suggest that you travel alongside Matthais, Zuri and Artaxes for the time being. They have free reign of The Peaceful Wanderer until such time as their quest is complete, but it could be that your path will take you down a different road than theirs in time.
After some continued discussion, there is agreement that the group will travel to Thena to outfit a crew for an expedition to Argos on The Peaceful Wanderer.
Game Play Continues in Chapter 2: The Gods' Messengers