In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 898):

Team Dilly Dally

The radiant light from Zuriel's spell does little to pierce the darkness atop the well. As the paladin stands contemplating it, he hears Keef's joyful exclamation as he managers to jigger the northern door open.

The final door opens to reveal what is essentially a closet or dressing room. A single armor stand is here, adorned with an immaculate set of pitch-black leather armor. Two pegs have been set on either side, as if meant to hold weapons, but they are currently empty. A belt, gloves, boots, mask, and hooded cloak are also attached to the armor stand, each the same shade of midnight black.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:31, Wed 09 Apr 2014.

Lyriel crosses her arms as she stands next to Keef, contemplating the armor before them. I'm willing to bet this is the armor A'tril's reserved for his own use...

The empty pegs on the wall concerned her.

The paladin sighs in frustration as his spell has no effect. Of course not.

Without any better ideas for testing the well, he returns to his companions, joining them in examining the armor.

"Well, I think it's pretty clear that A'tril fancies himself a master of dealing in precise death. This is...ominous news."

Zuriel scratches his chin as he considers the implications, and options beforehand. "I think the best thing would be to let on as we don't know. If we put everything the way we found it and lock up behind ourselves, he won't know we know. Which is an advantage for us. Still, we'll need to inform the others as soon as we get a moment apart from him. His particular skillset will require certain measures to counter if he ever turns on us."

Or we turn on him, I suppose...

He accompanies Keef as the boy finishes locking the doors he picked. Zuriel gives one last look at the basement before turning back to walk up the stairs, donning his traveling cloak as he does so.

"Lets go ahead and get into place for the mission. This bit of information will have to wait."

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 901):

Team Dilly Dally

After locking up and leaving things as close to they way they were as they can recall, Zuriel, Lyriel, and Keef return to the ground floor and secure that door, as well. Before long, they've changed and are on their way to the Temple of Cenadora.

After all, Keef has a sermon to give. Good thing he's been practicing.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:05, Wed 09 Apr 2014.

In reply to DM (msg # 902):

Team Jailbreak

"The service should be starting soon," A'tril announces. "We should move into position."

Team Dilly Dally

The journey to the Sacred Way is uneventful, and the trio arrives at the temple well before the service is scheduled to begin. Keef heads to the rear alcove to change into the appropriate garb, clutching the book explaining the ceremony and the sermon. Lyriel and Zuriel can't help but think he looks every inch a proper celebrant... except for the sword and the staff, which the boy somehow remembered to leave out of sight with his other belongings in the alcove. Chubbs sits there, too, clearly disapproving of the entire situation. After all, he has hidden behind far more expansive alcoves in far more interesting temples.

Worshipers begin to arrive shortly thereafter, many talking about some kind of scuffle that happened in the Sacred Way just moments ago.

"...killed him dead," one man is saying to a bewildered-looking woman as they move past the highborn to take their seats in the pews. "Right there in front of everyone! So sad, so sad."

"I heard some green-eyed demon saved the false Matron's man," another dark elf says. "They stabbed him, and he just vanished."

Similar stories are on the lips of everyone who enters the temple, sufficiently distracting them enough that none seem to notice the two highborn sitting quietly in the back of the church, heads bowed in prayer.

Before long, the chatter grows softer, and it becomes apparent that it's time for the service to begin.

[Crossroads(Zuriel, Lyriel, Keef)]
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:19, Wed 09 Apr 2014.

"Ready whenever you are," Maeve replies, continuing to survey the streets.  "I can't believe I'm saying these words, but we need to get to the temple for Keef's sermon."

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 904):

(Autofollow)

"I wouldn't miss it for the world. Shall we?"

Zuriel and Lyriel exchange alarmed looks. Sounds like their part of the plan is going about as well as expected...hopefully ours will go better. Or at least, with less stabbing and claims of demons.

The paladin dileberatly keeps his attention turned to the front of the church. The highborn adjust their robes to more completely conceal their stature and features, hoping their unobtrusive position near the back will allow them to go unnoticed and unremarked.

Zuriel kept his hand near the opening to the pouch of holding, which was currently hiding his sword, scabbard and all.

He was indeed deep in prayer, though not to the deity of this particular building of worship. Tassada, please let this not be a complete catastrophy...
This message was last edited by the player at 19:26, Wed 09 Apr 2014.

Lyriel folds her hands in her lap, keeping them clasped so as not to betray their trembling with excitement and nerves. Green-eyed demon...sounds like Boreas. I do hope they found a safe place to hunker down and wait. she whispers almost inaudibly to Zuriel. The best thing we can do now is stick to the plan, and try to secure our escape. And hope Keef's sermon goes well.

[OOC: Given that the Temple of Cenadora is two rooftops away from where we are, I would presume that Team Jailbreak  is able to, with a bit of time and patience, teleport over there without incident.  Of course it's never wise to presume things, so I will alter this if some shit was intended to go down.]

The sensation of teleporting, Maeve decides, is almost identical to the one she felt as a child when she played on the swings and launched herself out of the swing at the apex of its upward arc.  At any rate, it's awesome.

"That was AMAZING!" she says when she appears on the roof of the Temple, grinning unabashedly at Boreas.  "Unexpected, to be sure. . . .but amazing!"

While Boreas fetches the others, Maeve finds the side of the roof that overlooks the main entrance to the temple and watches the traffic streaming in for the evening sermon.  She frowns thoughtfully as she does so.  After a bit, she returns to the others.

"In retrospect, maybe it would be a better idea if we waited out the sermon up here," she says.  "We're not all that far from where we had our run-in with the Matron's men.  I'd be willing to bet that at least some people in that congregation know what happened tonight and are as we speak on the lookout for a blood-stained dark elf impersonating one of the Matron's men, a man covered in tattoos, two foreigners from Gaelia, and one magically disappearing hunter.  Know anybody who fits that description?" she asks archly.

"Besides, Cenadora apparently frowns upon bringing arms to her services and I'd sooner go naked than leave this behind.  It would amount to one and the same, really, she says, fondly patting her guisarme as if it were a cherished pet.

"A'tril, you said yourself that all we'd be doing in the temple would be sitting and waiting for the sermon to end.  We can just as easily do that up here. We'll be able to tell when the sermon ends because we'll be able to see the congregation leaving." Maeve points to the appropriate side of the roof.  "At that point, we'll be able to go in the back entrance."

Maeve anticipates Sazed's protestation, and turns to the mage with a smile.

"Ted, it would be best if you stayed up here, but I know you want to hear our lad preach.  I rather suspect he might be glad for some moral support as well. If you're dead set on being there for the sermon, Garfunkel can drop you off around back and you can walk to the main entrance--but mind you keep your cloak up!  Be inconspicuous, be quick, and find Alphonse and Leanna.  Let them know we're safe and will be joining them later."

Maeve stops, realizing that she's once again forgotten to take off her "major hat" and is doling out orders that aren't technically hers to give.

"That is to say, as long as you're alright with the plan, Sir," she says to Boreas.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:24, Thu 10 Apr 2014.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 908):

Keef bursts through the crowd just as the last of them file into the church.

He makes his way to the front of the large room clutching his binder of notes to his chest.  Just behind him, Chubbs follows in his wake.

At the pulpit, Keef misses a step and nearly tumbles to the ground, only just catching himself at the last moment.

He unloads his armful of notes on the lectern and shuffles through them haphazardly. The crowd falls silent quickly, not so much due to Keef's presence but based on habit.  Here and there is a whispered word between companions as they eye Keef curiously.

Keef smiles a broad nervous smile.  Chubbs mounts the stage to one side, casting a withering glare at an old man that silences him.

Keef raises his hands, then things better of it and places them firmly on his hips.  This doesn't do either and he finally rests them on the sides of the pulpit.

He clears his voice.

Dearly beloved,
We are gathered here today to witness the union...  of magic with... MAGIC!  In this great house, under these ancient walls, and you shall all bear witness.

Keef gestures to the ceilings and then to the crowd.

Magic is indeed a sacred thing, a sacred vow as old as time itself and as implacable as the highest mountain.  So too should your union ...with magic... be.  Magic...

Keef glances down at his notes, then raises his palms and claps them together forcefully.  When they part again, a small brightly glowing orb appears floating between his fingers.


Magic is patient, magic is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs, magic does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Magic never fails.

NEVER!

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain; faith, hope and... magic But the greatest is magic.

Keef consults his notes.

  Three was once a fox, who, upon spying some grapes high on a vine, decided 'I'd really like to eat those grapes'.  But they were too high, too high by far.  Though the fox was sleek and cunning, he could not climb the arbor nor jump high enough to get the grapes.  Finally he gave up and concluded 'the grapes were probably sour anyway, I didn't REALLY want them.'

Keef raises one finger so that the glowing ball floats just above it.

Sir Greenheart would say... but no, that's not important.  Anyway, soon after came along ANOTHER fox, and he had a darker tail and paws.  That's not important either, but what IS important is that this other fox also wanted to eat the delicious grapes.  He too could not jump or climb high enough to get them.  But he knew magic, so for him it was a trifle to get the grapes down and eat them.  And did he share his grapes with the first fox?  I don't know, but without magic there were no grapes.  At least not for the fox... the vintner would probably get grapes either way...

Keef loses his place and scans around for a moment.  When he looks up he sees he is loosing his crowd.  Keef slams his hands shut around the glowing orb and it is replaced with a glowing ring, a circlet of golden light.

Take the hand of your partner and answer these charges...

The faithful look at one another dubiously for a moment.  Keef holds his stance, however so they finally follow his instructions and cautiously take one another by the hand.


Do you take magic to be your lawfully chosen path, to purity and enlightenment, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, all other weapons, even really great flame-spitting swords, until the end of your days?


In the ensuing pause one or two people mutter "I do" reflexively.

WEll? Keef repeats louder.

"I do" more people respond.

And does magic take you... the faithful as the body and arm of its power.  Both in sickness and in health, on good days and on bad, through thick and thin, bread and butter, wet and dry, high and low, long and short, ornate and simple for as long as you avoid shuffling off this mortal coil?

Keef pauses again until he realizes nobody is going to speak on behalf of magic.

It does, he assures them.   Now, what we have forged here with magic, let no man put asunder.  And if any man has any reason why... magic is not.... above all.  Let him speak now or forever hold his peace or... toad.  Keef squints at his notes.  TODAY, I mean, today we are renewed in our vows to magic, to pursue and preserve, to replenish and expand.  Go now and be fruitful and multiply... and do magic, whose power is knowledge and the knowledge of which is truth... but is also power which in turn again becomes more knowledge and truth-power... and on and on.

You may now kiss the... magic.

Keef, grinning like a jack-o-pumpnition, grabs up his papers and exits as quickly as he can before any of the muttering crowd asks any questions.

In reply to Keef (msg # 909):

(Autofollow)

Sazed, who had snuck into the back of the temple as Maeve had suggested, sneaks Keef an enthusiastic thumbs-up as the boy flees to the alcove.

Boreas smiles and nods silently in approval of Maeve's plan.  He moves to the edge of the roof, ducking down where he won't be seen, to watch for people leaving the temple.

Lyriel and Zuriel exchange confused looks. I don't...did we just...did Keef just marry us?

Zuriel grins, barely suppressing his mirth. That may have been the single best sermon I've ever heard...

His amber eyes dance as he looks over to Lyriel. "I don't think so," he says aloud. "I think you just got married to magic. Should I be jealous?"

He looks around the equally bewildered congregation, before bowing his head again in prayer as he waits for people to begin to file out.

Well done, Keef.

Oh good! Lyriel exclaims in mock relief, likewise bowing her head. I can't imagine getting married to you. At least, not wearing this atrocity, she jibes playfully, gesturing to her drab cloak.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 914):

The congregation slowly files out of the building, discussing topics ranging from drunken foxes to whether being married to magic in addition to their current partners constituted polygamy.

The P.A.R.T.Y. acts quickly, and before long the entire group has gathered in the otherwise empty temple.

A'tril hands Mah'mout a necklace and swiftly moves to the altar, upon which he places a hunk of onyx inscribed with the same rune as the ones found on the amulets he's distributed.

"Gather your things, form a circle around the altar, and clasp your hands together," he says. "And leave space for me to join you. We're leaving."

[Crossroads]
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:13, Thu 10 Apr 2014.

In reply to DM (msg # 915):

(Autofollow)

Sazed complies with a smile upon his face.

"I'll be eager to see the back of this place," he says, "though I'll cherish the memories of Keef's masterful sermon for the rest of my days."

In reply to Sazed (msg # 916):

Mah'mout squints at the necklace, shrugs, and slips it over his neck. He walks next to Lyriel, who is standing beside Keef, and takes each of their hands in his silky smooth hands.

"I'm packed, as it happens. Let's go."

"I'm just sorry that we had to miss it!" Maeve says, likewise smiling.  She stands next to Sazed and takes his right hand in her left.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:10, Thu 10 Apr 2014.

Boreas takes a moment to survey the temple, now empty and quiet after the Gathering has been dismissed.  He briefly scans the onyx chunk that A'tril deposited to ensure that everything is as it seems.  If it checks out, he joins the circle.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 919):

Keef grabs his equipment from the coat-check and rejoins the circle, though he eyes Mah'mout warily.

Zuriel waves as his companions enter the church. "Glad you all made it. We heard concerning talk of a commotion? No matter. I'll be happy to leave this place behind."

I'm not sure I want to know...

As he speaks, Zuriel sweeps his gaze over the PARTY, sensing for evil auras. His gaze lingers over Mah'mout just long enough to get a reading. The paladin catches Boreas' eye and gives an almost imperceptible shake of his head, looking relieved.

He walks up next to Lyriel, taking her hand in his. His heart thuds in his chest, above which rests his mother's pendent, and, a bit further up on his chest, the runic necklace. I hope this works...

Lyriel nods in greeting to the vivimancer as he joins the circle. I'm sure we'll have time for introductions later. For now, let's get out of this city while we still can.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 922):

A'tril waits until everyone is in position, then shoves the onyx chunk down into the altar, apparently through some hidden notch. The stone slides into the base of the altar's pillar and vanishes from sight, just as a wave of blue energy suffuses the group standing around it.

The dark elf joins the circle, clasps hands, and waits. Soon, the necklaces begin to shimmer with the same light, and before long, the room begins to spin and go wavy. Looking from side to side, you can see that each P.A.R.T.Y. member (along with A'tril and Mah'mout) is bathed in a sheath of blue energy -- except for Zuriel. That paladin's sheath is a mixture of blue and white light, swirling around him like a vortex as one and then the other vie for dominance.

Suddenly, a group of dark elves burst into the temple, pointing at the altar and shouting... something. The world washes out into a brilliant burst of blue light, sweeping their words away with it.

Ding!  Boreas, Lyriel, Maeve, Keef, Sazed, and Zuriel have reached Level 9!  Please update your sheets accordingly.

~~ END CHAPTER 08 ~~