The Palace of Milath, Quarters of the Empress Sidi, Sister of Calipha Feyda.


This message was last edited by the GM at 03:25, Sun 07 Oct 2007.

She entered the palace and hurried toward her quarters, followed by her ever present guards and guardians. Once inside, she dismissed her advisors and had her servants help her bathe and dress, then sat down for a brief meal. After eating, she allowed her Official Robes to be placed upon her shoulders, took her minor septor then headed toward the Massive hall.

She was surrounded by advisors and servants as soon as she left her quarters. Sometimes she felt like a parade followed her almost everywhere. She sighed heavily as they opened the massive ironclad wooden doors before sweeping into the room taking a seat upon the throne upon the dias there.

It didn't take Shigure long to make her way to the Palace from the marketplace. She hadn't changed yet, still wearing her black corset and skirt. She decided it would certainly take some getting used to, too much time. The new clothes that the old man bought her she carried in a sack over her shoulder.

She arrived at the palace and walked around the walls frowning to herself as she contemplated exactly how she was going to get in. She soon found a section of wall that she was confidant in climbing. Throwing her sack over the wall first she grabs ahold of what small cracks she could find and pulls herself up and over landing steadily on her feet on the other side.

She crouches down against the wall, looking around to see if anyone noticed her. She shrugs as it appears she chose a lucky time to breach the palace. She grins to herself, she was sure the old man was here somewhere, sure that they'd be understanding when he explained herself. Picking up her sack she runs over to the palace, avoiding the guards she saw.

Slipping in through a window left ajar Shigure finds herself inside a kitchen, again lucky enough to have nobody around. Her eyes widen and she runs over to a tray of cooked pastries lying on the counter. Looking around briefly she begins to eat one, moaning in pleasure at eating such fine foods.

After her brief stint in the kitchen and full from a half-dozen pastries Shigure decides to take a look around. The guards inside the palace were a fair bit more alert than the ones outside, but after much ducking and weaving she finally made it upstairs. The sleeping quarters was what she was after, she was positive the man was royalty, perhaps an Uncle of the Princess.

Hallways later she finds herself before a regal looking door, again with no guards nearby. She narrows her eyes suspiciously as she looks through the keyhole, nobody inside as well. She lifts her head quickly as she hears approaching footsteps, turning the handle she slips inside the room just as a couple of guards turn the corner and stop directly in front of the door to the room she was in. Sighing to herself she turns and has a look about the room.

"I hardly believe the added security is needed."
The sounds of quiet arguing outside the door filtered to Shigure. Whomever was outside obviously did not normally have guards outside his door. The guards were adament, however, and with an angry curse, the door opened.
Striding through the door, a pole-thin man looked about. A blood red shirt and pitch black pants covered his frame. Well crafted boots came nearly to his knees. Over it all was a tailored, knee-length coat. At his hip swung a sword. No doubt numerous daggers were secreted inside the coat. At his belt, too, was a wicked looking leather whip.
"Hmm?"
He eyed the floor, then the door. Something was not right.
"Who is in here?"

Shigure peaked out from behind the dresser she was hiding, it wasn't a good spot to hide by any means but it was the closest thing around as the door opened. She frowns, not recognizing the man, from the talk of guards she guessed he had something to do with the security of the palace. But he was dressed strange for such a role.

Moving back behind the dresser Shigure kneels down and drops her back against the wall. Perhaps her run of luck had ended or she just wasn't being overly careful but as she hit the wall with her back a portrait falls from the wall, hitting the ground and breaking with an almighty sound.

She sticks her head in her hands and groans.

"Ah..."
Marcus grinned, hearing the picture fall. "Guards," he called over his shoulder. "I have an intruder in my chambers."
The small series of rooms was quickly searched by the trio, soon finding Shigure.
"Just what are you doing, little rat?" he inquired of Shigure, his silken voice edged with concealed anger.

Shigures eyes go wide and she remains kneeling, how she got herself into these situations all the time she didn't know. Perhaps it was just all part and parcel of being a thief, breaking into the palace was never a good idea. Her curiosity always got the best of her, she knew that if she was really looking for the white-haired man she'd go to the training grounds or barracks. Snooping around a palace was just too good a chance to pass up.

She looks up at the three standing over her, "Um. I think I'm lost." She looks towards the door, as though calculating her chances of escape.

She must have thought them good odds as she jumps up and tries to sprint for the door.

"Lost...I don't think so, little thief."
He gestured to the guards to pick her up. With a few steps, he was quite close to her.
"You've chosen a very bad room to break into, little girl. Do you know who I am?"
He grinned at her, his startlingly white teeth showing between his lips.

It was inevitable they would stop her, after all they were plainly between the her and the door. She slumps as the guards catch her and sighs, this really wasn't going as she had thought.

"I'm not a thief..." She pauses and looks a bit uncomfortable, "Well, I wasn’t going to steal anything from here anyway. I was only looking around." She pauses, sealing her lips tightly before blurting out, "OK, So I took some pastries from the kitchen, but I was hungry!"

She frowns as he insinuates it was his room, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to com in, but the guards were coming and I had to hide."

She didn't know all the good it would do her to explain herself, but she reasoned she had an innocent enough explanation. "No, I don't know who you are." She didn't like the way he smiled.

"If not a thief, then what?" he asked her, his voice a quiet whisper. "People who run from guards usually have a reason to do so. The law within Arn is hardly unjust, and neither are it's enforcers. Only those who have a reason to run and hide do so."
He cupped her chin. "I think you were looking for something, or somebody. In either case, I have found you. Lucky for you, the Empress is holding court now. If you give a good representation of yourself, she might yet be generous. Strangers snooping through the Palace without reason, however, are seldom given a sweet ending."
With a quick motion, he turned. "Bring her along. We shall see what the Empress declares."

OOC: To the Great Hall

Shigure sighs, caught and tried in a matter of minutes. She frowns as she is lead along, surely she cannot be killed for breaking into the palace... her eyes go wide at the alternatives, jailed or enslaved. Well, whatever option the Empress chose it would get her away from Tor, she supposed that was something. But whatever the option was she would be in no better a situation than she was.

Resigning herself to her fate she stops struggling as she is led towards wherever it was they were going. She hoped the Empress was in a good mood, perhaps she could explain that it was just a minor misunderstanding.

Off to Great Hall

She went to her suite of rooms and got ready for bed, with the help of her handmaidens, then retired for the night.

Come morning, she was awaken at her usual time, breakfasted, and attended to while she dressed for the wedding. She'd canceled any other business for this day, except her appointment with the General in the afternoon, and a visit to Brother Galen's later.

Finally dressed, she waited for the General to report, to escort her to the wedding.

   Petal slipped quietly through the halls of the palace, keeping her footfalls as soft as possible on the polished marble as she delicately balanced the tray she carried bowing as she passed many of the nobles and courtiers crouding into the halls in preparation for the ceromny. Her days since leaving her former mistress had been a frightening one. Unused to the number of powerful persons, and the eyes of so many men on her.

       Her bright eys were wide with awe as she was led into the place, the smallest rooms were more than she ever hoped to see, and to serve the Empress even as a simple server was a task that she never imagined she would be given. her throat tightened as she passed under the eyes of the Warriors and guards outside the Emoresses quarters and slipped silently into the chambers.

      " Mistress " her voice almost a whisper as she kneeled at the side of the table where she sat the tray. She quielty and to some extent fearfully waited for the Empress to notice her. As she filled a delicately etched crystal goblet with a light wine.

      " Would you like a glass of wine, Empress." she faltered slightly as she spoke.

"Thank you Petal. I'll have a sip, but I don't want to drink much before the wedding. It wouldn't be seemly to be tipsy, especially for me to be tipsy."

She reached out and took the goblet, taking a small sip mostly to wet her throat.

"Has word come from the General yet?"

       " I do not know Empress, It's...I am not privvy to such things." Petal bowed her head,blushing deeply as a giggle escaped her lips. the thought of the Empress tipsy and swaying as she greated her courtiers and guests was mildly amusing.a jab of fear ran through her, her nervous if the Empress was offended she could easily be sent to the dankest dungeon in the land, or fed to lions, or flayed alive. She had heard what had been done to the slave who betrayed her and had no desire to anger her.

      " Yess mistress it would be unseemly,"" Petal kept her posture as submissive as possible eyes down, head bowed kneeling on her knees keeping her hand outstretched to recive the goblet when she had finished with it." If you would preffer Mistress I could fetch you some fruit juice instead."

"Yes, please, some juice would be better. Or maybe some hot cocoa. I Love hot cocoa. See to it. And have the guard send word to the General that I will be ready shortly."

She set the goblet of wine back on the tray with a smile at the older girl.

      " Of Course mistress." Petal bowed deeply, scooting backwards carefully balancing the tray and goblet on her hands as she retreated. once she was an appropriate distance she gracefully stood bowed her head and backed out of the room. She moved quickly through the hallways to the kitchen, she dodged through the scurrying kitchen girls and cooks ducking under a wicked backhand swat of a wooden ladle as she evaded the cooks.

       She dared not interupt the preparations for the wedding,She gathered the supplies she'd need and began to brew an extra rich cup of cocoa.She delicately shaved a block of rich chocholate and set it on a saucer with a dollop of sweetened whiped cream for the Empress. She added a couple of small mint cookies she snook from a tray ducking another swat from the cook and gathered the pot of cocoa and a heavy china mug on the tray before slipping back out of the kitchen rubbing her hip and frowning as she caught the toe of a senior servant who seemed to resent her pressence in the world.

    " Pardon...excuse me... my apologies..." She arrived at the door to the Young Empresses chambers catching her breath and sighing in relief as she composed herself and slipped into the room. once again feeling a bit uneasy as she fell under the gaze of her bodyguard and kneeling silently at the corner of the table preparing the cup for the Empress.

    " Mistress," Petal whispered as she sprinkled the shaved chocholate into the aromatic brew. " If it pleases you..."

          she offered her a small saucer with the mint cookies and cocoa for her approval. Even though the girl was much younger she still made Petal nervous.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:18, Wed 09 Jan 2008.

"Oh! Chocolate! It smells delicious! You did very well. Did you tell the guard to send a message to General Raynald von Zinzer? If so, you may go about your duties."

She eagerly took the hot beverage and enhaled the wonderful scent before sipping at the hot brew. She got an ecstatic look upon her face as she tasted the wonderful concoction.

         At once Mistress." Petal bowed deeply and scooted backwards to exit the chambers.Pausing slightly as she stood still bowing. She wandered for a moment how such a young girl could be so composed with such a life. she tried to sound as subserviant as she could but some concern leaked into her voice. Is there anything else I can do for you Mistress?"

"I've recently lost my secondary personal slave. You can report to my Head Personal slave to see if she has any tasks for you. You may go...once you've relayed that message to the guard."

She gave the girl a stern look, since she knew the girl hadn't relayed her message to the guard yet. She'd have the stargazer check the girls chart to see if she was trustworthy.

"Hieronymous...If you can hear me, I have a task for you, when you get the time."

          " Yes Mistress,"Petal blinked as if she had been hit between the eys with a mallet, bowing deeply trying to keep the fear out of her eyes.She hoped the Mistress would not hold her lapse in memory. she had become so focussed on pleasing her with the cocoa she had completely forgot the simple task of speaking with the guard. Bowing agains she quickly slipped out to follow her instructions.

    " Pardon me sir, I have been instructed to relay a message from The Empress, she wishes General Raynald von Zinzer be informed that she will be ready shortly. She tried not to tremble as she spoke.

     As the guard acknowledged her she headed to the chambers of The Empresses head personal slave bowing deeply and holding her position " My parden, I am to report to you for assignment, The Empress instructed me to seek you out and perfomr what tasks you see fit to give me." She waited nervously as she waited for the senior slave to instruct her.

"You can gather up all the Mistress' clothes in the dressing room hamper and see that they are taken to the laundress to be washed. That was the job of the traitoress that Emperess Sidi had sent to the Barracks for allowing a pretty faced man to beguile her."

 Anu regarded the young girl nodding slightly."Hurry on your way child. Don't waste your time here... It's not healthy to dawdle." He didn't smile, not much. The look of wide eyed fear on the girl's face was far out of propertion to the situation. It was likely she was a farm girl, or house slave sent to the Palace as a gift.

 Deciding he should see to it himself, not eager to leave his post but also not convinced a messenger would be able to get to the General directly he summoned two men to take his place and pulled on his cloak. The collar of the Empress should be enough to convince any who questioned him to let him pass. Quickly leaving the palace itself he strolled with a purposful stride. while he was a slave he was no common drudge or slut boy. Few who saw him would confuse him for a lap boy or pet.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:23, Wed 09 Jan 2008.

         " At once," Petal kept her head down as she replied,she shuddered at the thought of being used by dozens of soldiers, that frightened her more than any beating or punishment she could imagine." I will remember the mistakes of the traitoress ma'am."

    Returning to the Imperial chambers she wuietly slipped into the dressing room, gathering the clothing in the hamper carefully inspecting each garmrnt for tears, stains or any defect that would mar their appearance. She neatly foldied the fine garments idly imagining how it would feel to wear such beautiful garments. the touch of fine linen and soft silks against her skin. the wieght of the beads and embroidery decorating several of the dresses as she swept across the dance floor at some grand ball.

    Then shaking her self out of her revelry she silently chided herself for such foolish thoughts. placing the clothing neatly in her basket and silently slipped out of the room. She had to remember constantly she was a slave. the collar about her neck, and the simple tunic she wore were all she would ever get to wear. all she could do was hope to serve well and earn her mistresses approval. It wasn't a terrible life, on the contrary it was usually rather pleasant. well fed, sleeping indoors and sheltered from the crude men who roamed the streets and preyed on the children of the freemen. Im amny ways her collar was a shield. anyone spying it would think twice before tampering with another mans property.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:09, Wed 09 Jan 2008.

   Stepping quietly from the shadows, the enigmatic astrologer appeared just behind Sidi and rasped quietly so that she alone would hear, a strange echoing whisper, cold upon the Empress' ear.
   "I am always here, Sidi, and I am bound to obey you, so long as the Empire lasts," he replied in an almost sorrowful tone.  "My Empress summons me and I await her bidding.  What does your Majesty wish of her humble servant?"  He inclined his head, still cowled, his glowing golden eyes never leaving her face.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:23, Wed 16 Jan 2008.

"OH! There you are my friend. There are two new slaves here, one a girl named Petal. The other is a janissary called Anu. I wish to see if you can run their charts to see how trustworthy they are. When you get time, of course."

She jumped up from her chair and turned around, having halfway expected his sudden appearance, so she wasn't as startled as she might have been.

  Sighing slightly Petal loaded her basket and silently padded out of the dressing room ducking past the guards smiling shylyas she padded past keeping her eyes down slightly and making sure everything was neatly packed and not going to be creased by her handling.

      Arriving in the Laundry room she carefully laid ot the clothes smooting out the fabric to insure there were no wrinkles such fine clothes required very careful handling. she would hate to see them handled roughly not wanting the young Empress to have any reason to be displeased with her services. After laying out the clothes she hurried back to the Head Slave bowing as she presented herself.

      Ma'am I have finished with the tasks as you instructed." Petal spoke softly. What is your next order, how may I serve?"

"Now we must clean the Empresses apartments."

She gave the girl a broom, a dustpan, and soft clothes and beeswax polish for the furniture.

          Petasl took the supplies and once more returned to the apartments smiling at the guars once more trying to be as quiet as possible balancing the broom and rags and beeswax at the same time wondering if she would ever be able to finish the apartmentsa. Her late Mistresses entire house had only four slaves one housekeeper, a very grumpy cook, and the House Mistress it looked as if it would take a platoon of servants just to polish all the silver in the room.

   Taking a deep breath she looked around and tyomg a scarf around her head she dove in sweeping and dusting rubbing the soft beeswax deep into rich wwood of the tables, chairs and wooden furnishings. She put her best efforts into her cleaning using a white clothe to check the corners and crevices scrubbing until they glistened. by the time she had the wooden furnishings clean to her satisfaction she was dusty sweaty and had a smear of dust on her nose from scratching it.

    Stanbding with her hands on her hips she treid to imagine what she might have missed, she carefully rearranged the flowers to show ff their brightest colors and shifted a chair to where it was in just the right position by the sidebar for her mistress to be able to reach anything set on it with one casual movement.She had to wonder how comfortable it was for a young girl. Even the Most powerful woman in the empire might need to be a young girl once in a while. with all the guards courtiers and advisored around she felt slightly sad for the young empress. As a child she had been very busy, working in the house until late at night many days but she still had her few dolls and playmates to have a little fun with.

         " Silly girl she's not a little girl she's the Empress your Mistress," Petal sighed as she spoke to herself," If this is how she wants her room this is how she wants her room."

"Empress?"
Raynald stood outside the room which Sidi was inside of. Though the general often wore chainmail and his abttered, if trusted, old sword. Today, however, he was dressed to impress. Clad in a suit of gleaming silver platemail, he wore a gilded, basked-hilted longsword at his hip. His hair had been combed back from his head, which was the only part of him not covered in armour, while his beard and moustasch had been trimmed up.
"Your Majesty, I am ready."

    Anu followed the general into the chamber led by another janissary Guard and the Janissary Commander. His every buckle polished and secured his light chain shirt cinched tightly and glittering in the light. Anu eyed the general with a brief practiced glance not that he suspected the man, but his duty was to treat every living thing as a threat to the Empress, no matter their station. Better to be beaten for disrespect than to allow anyone within arms reach of His Mistress without inspection.

          His hand rested lightly on the cerimonial pike he had been given. Nearly blunt and too heavy to be useful it was more a hanger for the Empresses colors than a weapon. with a light rap on the floor the three Janisarries came to attention and blended into the background as much a part of the furnishings and the statuary.

She gave Hieronomous a last glance, noting his sadness and his alienation.

"You can come to the wedding too, you know."

She stood up and went to join the General, nodding approvingly at his Dress Uniform. She smiled and took his arm, as they turned toward the stairs down to the special conveyance, the Royal Litter. They would arrive early enough to get settled before most of the guests would arrive at Sadina's Banquet Hall.

"You look quite nice General Raynald. Thank you for escorting me today."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:57, Fri 11 Jan 2008.

Raynald bowed to Sidi, unable to keep a grin at bay. When he put his mind to it, the ageing General could make himself look quite nice.
"Thank you, Empress," he said, straightening. "But it is you who do honor to me today. There are many a handsome noble in Arn, and yet you chose me of them all."
Of course, he doubted that were the true case, but a little bit of humor in such a time as this never hurt.

"I doubt we will be needing a carriage?" Raynald asked Sisi as she took his arm, and they descended the stairs. His question was soon answered, however, as the Royal Litter came into view. He would have objected, save that it was the Empress herself. Raynald would have much preferred to ride astride the litter.

"It shall be a good day today, your majesty."

She grinned mischieviously at the regal and distinguished looking General then nodded toward the General's horse, saddles and caparisoned, being held by one of the stable slaves.

"You may of course ride with me General, but if you'd prefer, you may ride beside me on your horse."

       Following along silently Anu kept his posture errect and carrying himself with pride and dignity as he fell inbehind the Jannisary commander his eyes fixed forward. He kept his pace locked with his fellow honor guard. To escort the Empress was more of an honor than any Jannisary could expect. Keeping his posotion in the line of honor guards he took one the doors to the littler opened it and dropped to one knee holding the door open for the Empress as his fellows stood to either side of the door.

   He watched silently, his amber eyes following them as they left Sidi's room.  He  pointedly ignored the pang in his heart as the Empress smiled easily, and the General slipped his arm in her's.  Turning away he composed himself, mercilessly drowning the feelings of sorrow and regret with the sheer strength of his resolve.    He could not afford friendships, he had given that dream up long long ago.  He was lonely, at times he would admit that, but it was inconsequential.  He had sacrificed love, along with all other vestiges of mortality, centuries ago, for the 'gift' of foresight.  There was no point in regrets; they were of no use to him anymore.
   Contemplating the task he had been given, he pulled his robe about him and stepped into the frigid darkness, letting it enfold him, smother him, and open the doorway to the Other place. The Realm Between, the only place he ever truly felt at peace.  He stepped into his cavernous sanctum, a thousand candles alighting with the merest wave of his hand.  Already he could hear the murmers of ghosts whispering about him as he made his way to the inner chamber.  He spread his arms as he gazed upwards at the aperture high above him, searching the sky, his eyes gleaming with golden fire.

Raynald, who had been resigned to the litter, perked up a bit when Sidi told him he could use his horse.
"Thank you, Majesty," he said to her, giving ehr another bow, before offering his hand to assist her into the litter. He could hardly imagine how he would look, coming out of it, the honor guard waiting as they arrived. Oh how they would laugh, at least behind his back.

       Taking up his positon in front of the litter Anu lifted the Empresses Banner high holding the pike steady in the wind allowing it to unfurl and flap i the breeze as the Thralls took up position on the bars of the empresses Litter. Keeping his posture agressive and his eyes hard and his face a mask of stern and unyielding He marked time as the collumn prepared for the procession.

The litter Bearers picked the litter up, and carried it toward Lady Sadina's Banquet Hall.

       Petal had no sooner finished the Empresses room than she was caught up by the scruff of the neck, rushed to a bathing chamber and scrubbed within an inch of her life. She found her self stripped washed oiled and powdered like a prize lapdog. her simple collar was removed and replaced with a inlaid one bearing the empresses seal instead of the household slave glyph.

    The Head Slave was scowling growling and spouting instructions faster than she could follow as she weas hustled to the street and shoved in the line of servants and found herself kneeling in the litter next to the empress bearing a small coffer.

The Head House Slave scolds the slave girl and hurries her into the back section of the litter, usually reserved for slaves, attendants or lessor assistants.

"There you are girl! It's about time! Now, get into the litter and don't bump the Empress or drop that chest! It's the Lady Sadina's Wedding Gift."

"Me!" Petal Squeaked as she took the coffer and looked up in stunned surprise."Yes ma'am... of course ma'am! I wouldn't dare ma'am!" Petal bowed and nodded nervously as she slipped into the litter looking up for a second then kneeling in her place quickly.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:45, Sun 20 Jan 2008.

After returning home from the wedding ceremony, she spent time bathing and preparing for the evening then sent all her slaves and attendents away except her personal body slave and a new girl just bought. She spent time with them, then retired.

Shortly after the Royal Tribute Caravan had left the city, The girl retired to Sidi's quarters and set about doing whatever Child Empresses did during the day...Lessons, audiences, naps, meals, more lessons...meetings.

 She entered the Palace and went to seek out her friend and Mentor, the Astrologer. She greeted the guards as she entered the Private areas of the palace and entered the Empress' wing, where the Royal Astrologer had his tower.
 She entered the anteroom from his workshop and sat, waiting for him to notice she had arrived. She never bothered him when he might be working.
"I am here Hieronymous." she whispered in a barely breathed sigh.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:54, Mon 01 Dec 2008.

   Hieronymous lies on his bed, eyes wide open and glazed, as if he is somewhere far away.  He gasps, as if he cannot breath, and then suddenly begins to thrash, arms waving wildly, as if he sought to push something away from himself.  His mouth begins to move rapidly, though no words escape his lips.  He topples from the bed and falls to the floor, still struggling, still with eyes that look out into nothing.

   Stepping from the shadows, three of the al-muqtar appeared, immediately dropping into a crouch as they looked around.  Silently, nearly imperceptibly, they made their way to the Empress Royal Bedroom.  They knew they would only have moments to fulfill their sacred task, and they wasted no time.  Their leader leaned out of the alcove that concealed him and threw his poisoned needle dart with deadly accuracy, catching the guard in the throat.  Meanwhile his companion had tossed his own weapon at exactly the same moment from the opposing side, with similar results.  Both guards went down with barely a gurgle, the poison rendering them paralyzed.  The two al-muqtar forced their way into the bedroom, searching for the Empress, while the third despatched the guards and watched for signs of the palace alert...
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:18, Tue 02 Dec 2008.

 She sat up suddenly, alert to something being wrong, very wrong! Evilness was abroad and not that far away! Why hadn't Hieronymous feel that? Or maybe he did!
 "Hieronymous! Somethings wrong! Where are you?"
 She tried to get inside Hieronymous' private chambers but the door was sealed. Knowing that time was of an essence, she turned and ran down to stairs toward the Empresses private quarters instead, praying she wasn't too late! She cast Mage Armor upon herself as she went.
 "Guards! Guards! To the Empresses chambers!"
 She pounded down the hallway, seeing the dead guards made her extremely frightened for the girl! She slid to a halt and calmed herself, drawing upon her powers before she stepped through the doors. She cast Detect Magic as she stepped through the doors,

   As Sadina looks around, the ante chamber appears deserted, a large divan overturned an abandoned earthen pitcher on the low table.  Across half of the west wall stands tall wooden shelf filled with scrolls and parchments.  Several marble statues depicting the Empress' Imperial ancestors adorn the corners of the room, seeming to stare at Sadina as she examines the room.  To the north, thick curtains obscure the sleeping chamber from the rest of the room.  A chill breeze comes in from the open doors in the west wall that lead out onto the balcony.  To the east are another set of ornate doors that likely lead to an elaborate bath...

 She was hiding in the cupboard where the bath salts and oils were kept. She'd heard frightning noises coming from out in the hallway, and went immediately to hiding. She kept holding her amulet and calling for Hieronymous and Sadina with all her mental might. She didn't have a lot of power, but enough to trigger the safety protocols. She just wished they'd hurry, because those noises were getting closer and closer.

 She felt a pull from the bathing chamber so she chose to go that direction at the moment. She hoped to find the girl safe and alive, but she had to discover what the trouble was before she could find the girl. Still, if the trouble sought the girl, that was where she had to go.
 "Sissi? Are you in here? Stay put, if you are here. I am hunting the danger."
 She circled the room, looking into alcoves and behind curtains to the various pools.

   Two of the al-muqtar assassins searched for Emperess Sidi; one entered the royal bedchamber, the other slipped into the bath, quiet as cats on the prowl.  Both bore razor sharp jambiya (curved dagger) in their hands, hideous masks obscuring their identities.  They were known as the Silent Ones and killing was a sacred task to their order.  Once they had accepted their victim, they were oath-bound to slay  them, or die in the attempt.  Among the most dangerous of the holy slayer societies, their name alone evoked fear throughout the Sundered Realms.

   Scanning the bath, the assassin could see no trace of his prey.  Swiftly circling the room, he extinguished the lights, then tossed a handful of dust into the air.  As he watched, the dust settled, making footprints appear along the mosaic tiles.  He followed the trail with his eyes and saw the prints end in front of a large storage cupboard...

   Sadina's sharp instincts tell her there is more than one assassin here.  The doors to the bath stand open, the curtain to the bedroom has been pushed to one side, the doors to the balcony also stand ajar.  Suddenly a movement from behind her lets her know she is not alone.

   The third muqtari knelt in the hallway and whispered obscene words into the ears of the slain guards.  His eyes gleamed with demonic glee as they rose with jerky, unatural movements, to their feet; sightless eyes turning towards Sadina...

16:33, Today: Secret Roll: lilbug rolled 8 using 1d20-2. Re-animated guards initiative.

 She ignores the dead guards for now and steps into the bathing room, and starts looking for the evildoers. She casts a wall of force across the doorway behind her so nothing could get in behind her, then cast detect magic when possible to see if she can sense anything evil inside the room with her.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:12, Sun 07 Dec 2008.

 She ignores the dead guards for now and steps into the bathing room, and starts looking for the evildoers. She casts a wall of force across the doorway behind her so nothing could get in behind her, then cast detect magic when possible to see if she can sense anything evil inside the room with her.


   The luxurious Imperial bath room is lit by a multitude of candles in niches along the stone walls.  Ceramic tiles, painted with elaborate mosaics, cover the floor to the edge of the double pools that dominate the spacious chamber.  Along the north and south walls are benches for slaves to wait in attendance, ready to assist the Emperess with anything she might require, should the Emperess desire attendants.  A large laquered wooden cupboard contains various bath salts, exotic oils, unguents, incense, and soaps, along with various brushes and clean linnens necessary for her Majesty's enjoyment.
   Crystal pure water sparkles in the dim light, shadows dance across the walls and all is eerily quiet.  Sadina's first spell causes a cascading wall of light to appear in the entrance behind her.  Her detect magic causes a trail of light to appear between the south wall and the large cupboard, but no other obvious signs of sorcery.
   Suddenly with a high, ululating cry, a figure appears from the shadows and springs towards Sadina. With blinding speed he wields a curved jambiya facing downwards, like a cat's claw, the blade flashing in the dark.

22:51, Today: Secret Roll: lilbug rolled 10 using 1d20+4. Initiative for Muqtari assassin.

22:53, Today: Secret Roll: lilbug rolled 21 using 1d20+6. Muqtari attacks with poison jambiya.

23:02, Today: Secret Roll: lilbug rolled 6 using 1d4+4. damage for muqtari attack.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:10, Mon 15 Dec 2008.

 She tried to duck the charge, having been expecting something, but the attack still surprised her, seeing what it was. She tried to avoid the blade, smelling the poison on it, but slipped on the wet floor and nearly fell.
23:17, Today: Sadina rolled 12 using 1d20+11. reflex.
23:15, Today: Sadina rolled 16 using 1d20+9. Fortitude.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:36, Mon 15 Dec 2008.

   Sadina feels her skin burning as the curved muqtari blade opens up a gash along her left shoulder that would have surely slain a less skilled opponent.  Although a small amount of poison adheres to her wound, her training allows her to resist its paralytic effects. The poison's scent is eerily familiar to the GuildMistress assassin.
   Landing catlike on his feet, the muqtari spins around to face Sadina.  Although he wears a horrible mask, his body language indicates his surprise to see her still standing.  With his foot on the edge of the pool, he cannot go further backwards without entering the water.  He begins to bring his jambiya up for a second strike, but he is not quick enough to avoid an attack from Sadina.

GM:  Your action Sadina, you may move, attack, or some other action.  He is approximately five feet from you, his weapon raised as he crouches in a clearly skilled fighting style (i.e. Sadina can tell he's been well trained in hand to hand combat).

 She growled at the pain of her wound then waved her hand toward him, sending a fireball spell toward him, trying to blast him into oblivion! She had to take him out before he could slash her again with his poisoned blade!
 "Goddess curse you to the deepest coldest hell!" 18:06, Today: Sadina rolled 28 using 1d20+13. ranged.
 18:00, Today: Sadina rolled 41 using 10d6. fireball.
  (reflex save for half damage)

In reply to Sadina (msg #57):

   The astonished muqtari is unable to avoid Sadina's fiery attack, the ball of flame slamming into him and igniting his clothing instantly.  He stepped backwards, teetering on the edge of the pool, his arms pinwheeling as he burned like a living torch.  With a blood curdling wail, a truly horrible inhuman sound, he toppled backwards into the pool with a loud splash.
   Instantly, the two remaining al-muqtar are aware of their brethren's death.  Without hesitation they step into the shadows and emerge in the Imperial Bath, facing the Lady Sadina.  One of the masked assailants sprints towards the cupboard, sensing the Empress, his sacred prey.  With supernatural speed, the second assassin steps towards Sadina and speaks:

"Wallha iqdu ts'bah shaaialthaabayn asqat adwuk!"

   As he speaks, his arms glow and shift, becoming serpents with fanged mouths.  They shoot forth menacingly, attempting to wrap their deadly coils around Sadina!

{Reflex save Sadina:}

22:53, Today: Sadina rolled 29 using 1d20+11. reflex.

   Sadina's years of training and lightning reflexes save her as she twists away from the crushing coils of the Al Muqtar's serpentine arms, but the viper heads' fangs connect long enough to inflict a nasty bite on her wrists.

15:09, Today: Secret Roll: lilbug rolled 8 using 1d4+6. Damage for Viper Fist spell.

   Behind the two combatants, the other 'Silent One' bounds, with a single inhuman leap, to the storage cupboard where its prey, the Empress Sidi is hiding.  In one fluid motion it grabs the door and attempt to yank it open.

 She tried to hold the cabinet door shut but couldn't get a hold on it well enough, so she started lobbing bath oils at the creature, then various bath salts, hoping to blind it and hinder it's actions somehow. She scrabbled deeper into the cabinet then rubbed some of the oils on her arms, legs and body to make herself slippery.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:28, Sun 18 Jan 2009.

 She flinched back then tried to cast another spell, this one at her opponent. She cast Baleful Polymorph at the necromancer, trying to turn it into a small creature, perhaps a puppy. Yes, puppy sounded good! She concentrated and pictured a puppy as she cast her spell.
 "A roly poly puppy you will become, to romp and play and run, to fetch and bark and roll over, I think I'll call you Rover!"

In reply to Sidi (msg #61):

   The Silent One flinched, surprised by the sudden barrage of clay jars full of  salts.  It took step backwards, disoriented by effect of the potent bath salts to its hyper-acute senses.  Recovering within moments, the al Muqtari lunged forwards, attempting to grab hold of the Empress and drag her from the cabinet forcefully.

00:50, Today: Secret Roll: lilbug rolled 24 using 1d20+5. Muqtari attempts to grab oily Empress.

00:52, Today: Secret Roll: lilbug rolled 18 using 1d20+3. Muqtari attempts to throw oily Empress.

   The Muqtari leans in close, its hideous masked face inches from the Empress as its fingers slip and slide off of her oiled clothes and finally grab enough to hold her fast.  With a mighty heave it pulls her from the cabinet and tosses her to the moist tiled floor.  Swiftly it spins around, looming over her menacingly.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:03, Wed 21 Jan 2009.

   The Muqtari mage falls to his knees, as if struck by a sudden blow.  He is surrounded in a nimbus of brilliant light, his robes and mask tumbling to the floor.  A moment later a small black nose peeks from underneath the mound of discarded clothes, whimpering and snuffling as the little black furry face looks up towards Sadina with large brown eyes.

21:01, Today: Secret Roll: lilbug rolled 9 using 1d20+7. Muqtari necromancer saves against poly.

 She grabbed handsfull of bath salts and tried to toss it into the creatures eyes and nose and mouth. Maybe she could blind it! She aimed at it's face and threw as hard as she could.

22:01, Today: Sidi rolled 27 using 1d20+7. throw bath salts etc.

 Sadina saw the puppy and quickly turned away as she heard Sidi being attacked and thrown by the other creature. She growled angrily and sent a gout of missiles toward the creature. She just hoped the "puppy" was harmless and couldn't use it's magic now!
 "Leave her alone you monster! Take that!"
22:06, Today: Sadina rolled 17 using 5d4+5. magic missiles.

   The final Muqtari warrior squeals as his hyper sensitive eyes are burned by the bath salts.  With a shriek the masked assassin blindly attacks the Emperess with its poisoned bagh nakh (tiger claws)

21:59, Today: Secret Roll: lilbug rolled 5 using 1d3+3. Damage from Muqtari tiger claws.
21:55, Today: Secret Roll: lilbug rolled 5 using 1d20+3.  Blind attack on Emperess.
21:55, Today: Secret Roll: lilbug rolled 22 using 1d20+3. Blind attack on Emperess.

   The assassin manages to claw the Emperess with one tiger claw before he suddenly spins around, jerked off his feet as the eldritch globes of light slam into him and send him sprawling onto the mosaic tiles where he lays unmoving.  The Emperess feels a numbing cold spread from the poison wound...

{I need a fortitude save for the Emperess please}

 She tried to dodge the swipe of the claws, but felt a searing pain in her arm as a single poisoned claw made contact. She let out a scream of pain and collapsed to the floor holding her arm above the scratch, watching the blood pool along the edges of the wound. Remembering about poisons, she tried to make it bleed more to wash away as much poison as possible. Her head started spinning though as she sank to the floor.

17:26, Today: Sidi rolled 12 using 1d20+7. fort save.

 Hearing the girl cry out, Sadina turned toward her, then after a swift searching glance to see if there were any other enemies about to attack, she ran over to the girl to check how badly injured she was. She saw the scratch and bent to examine it trying to see if it was poisoned. Noting the discolored edges of the scratch, she cursed softly and tried to force it to bleed.
17:44, Today: Sadina rolled 20 using 1d20+9.

17:40, Today: Sadina rolled 26 using 1d20+24. spellcraft (if needed).
17:40, Today: Sadina rolled 29 using 1d20+9. know arcana (poison).
17:38, Today: Sadina rolled 6 using 1d20+3. heal.

   The wound quickly grows discoloured, and the Empress begins to visibly shake.  Although Sadina is unable to treat the poison, she has definitely seen this type of poison before.  It belongs to a rare creature, the Snake-head Turtle, a small creature found only in the warm marshes in Valkandis and the southern provinces of Arn, such as Ledos.  Its potent venom affects the central nervous system, causing paralysis and, eventually death as it causes the pulmonary functions to cease.  The victims of such a turtle bite always die within twenty four hours.


   As Lady Sadina kneels over the ailing Empress, suddenly into the baths burst a legion of the Imperial Guard.  They run towards their prone ruler, Sadina's back is to them.
   "Praytell what is yon?  In the name of Her Imperial Majesty, back away from Her Highness now and tell me what has happened here!"   The Centurion brandishes his gilded gladius to emphasize his command.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:50, Tue 05 May 2009.

 "You worthless imbicile! Where the hell have you been? Can't you see that the Empress has been attacked by foul vile creatures? Go summon Hieronymous! The Empress has been poisoned, only he may have the antidote! And take these bodies away! Lock them in a room and don't let anyone near them. And do NOT touch their claws or blades, they are poisoned! Well? Don't just stand there, get to it!"
 She gently picked the Empress up and laid her on a lounge nearby, then tied a tournequet around her arm above the wound, and tightened it slightly to slow the spread of the poison. Then she gently cleaned the wound, trying to remove as much poison as possible without touching it. She prayed that Hieronymous could help.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:08, Mon 06 Apr 2009.

   The officer's eyes widen in recognition and immediately he sweeps his arm backwards, ordering his men silently to sheathe any weapons.  Hearing the urgency in her words, he barks out to the men, to assign specifics.
   "You have heard Her Ladyship's commands: Cadmus, Taraxon, sound the gong to let the Lord Astrologer know he is needed.  And be swift, Her Majesty's life hangs in the balance!   Darius, Flavian, Orestus, find the corpses and dispose of them as ordered!  Laertes, take the rest of the Legion and have them search this entire palace, starting with this room.  And if any more of these assassins remain I want them captured if possible, killed if not.  Brontus, Cicilo, you will stand guard with me over the Empress and no one, other than myself, Lady Sadina, or Lord Hieronymous is to approach her, is that clear?"
  Swiftly he drops to one knee and bows his head, chastened by Sadina's sharp rebuke.  His fist over his bronze breastplate, he casts his eyes to the floor and answers her in an apologetic tone.
   "A thousand apologies, Honoured Lady Sadina.  Had I known you were here in the palace, I should have recognized you at once.  How fares our beloved Empress and what manner of men are these that dare to attempt her death?"  Feeling truly ashamed that his Imperial Guard were unable to protect the Empress, the Centurion accepts that his life is most rightly forfeit.  How could the pride of Arn have failed her Imperial Majesty in her greatest hour of need?
This message was last edited by the player at 22:47, Tue 05 May 2009.

   All of the guards dispersed, executing the Centurion's commands with the speed of men trained to obey.  The room became a flurry of activity, with men sweeping every corner in search of additional assailants, but, if any more had been present they have fled.  As others among the guard begin to carry out the remains of the al-Muqtar, the two legionairies dispatched to Hieronymous room return.  Approaching the Centurion swiftly they salute him and report.
  "Sir, we regret that we were unable to summon the Lord Astrologer.  We sounded the bronze gong repeatedly, and commanded him in her Majesty's name to come forth, but he did not appear.  It is impossible to enter his...chambers as he has barred the way with sorceries that only the royal family have ever been able to pass.  Forgive us, commander, but we know not what else to do." 
   He dismisses Cadmus and Taraxon with a smart salute, then looks with grave concern towards Lady Sadina.  "Your Ladyship, is there any way you know of to gain entrance to the Royal Astrologer's study?  If not I shall command the men to break down the door if necessary."

 She lifted the Empress onto a lounge and covered her with a bathsheet to make her comfortable, then turned to the Centurian in reply.

"Wait you here. I will go see if I can get him to answer me. It must be a dire thing, else he'd have been here defending the Empress. Guard her as you can. I fear for her life. The attack was attained by magical means, one not seen before now. It was not your fault."

   Lady's Sadina's feet take her swiftly down the corridor to the Lord Astrologer's  chambers.  In truth, she could find it in the dark, for it has changed little with the passage of time.  Looming over the ornately carven stone doors is a statue of a winged dragon so lifelike in appearance that one would think it could awaken and take flight at any moment.  Before the doors themselves there is an elaborate stand on which sits a bronze gong embossed with a fiery sun, along with the instrument for sounding the device.  The entryway is eerily silent, cloaked in perpetual shadows even though there are narrow windows set high up in the walls to either side.  Very few venture into the gloom here, save at great need.
   As Lady Sadina steps up to the door, there are suddenly shining golden runes that blaze above the mantel of the doorway and down either side like fire.  The glittering eyes of the dragon gleam slightly, as if an inner flame sleeps there in those crystalline orbs.  Suddenly the voice of Hieronymous is heard, echoing around her, speaking in a long forgotten tongue; the lost speech of the sidhe.

   "It happens once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in a thousand years."  It asks ominously in the old Tuathan.

   The air grows still as if awaiting an answer...

 She traced the familiar route quickly, almost automatically while her mind ran over what might have gone wrong. Something had to have happened to keep Hieronymous from answering the alarm! She came up to the golden dragon form upon the door and waited for it to speak it's ancient runes.

"The letter M."

   Stone grates loudly as the dragon's eyes glow with crimson fire and the ancient doors swing inwards, beckoning Sadina onwards.  Nothing can be glimpsed within, the rune scribed portals seem to open onto oblivion itself.  Then the dragon speaks once more, in archaic Tuathan, with the voice deep of the Lord Astrologer:

  "Enter, kindred of the Fey, blood of the Emperor.  Only one of that noble heritage, the Imperial House of Arn could answer my riddles.  Come for thy humble servant awaits thee."

   All is silent once more, the shadows surrounding Lady Sadina are cold and cheerless, but the door to Hieronymous' inner sanctum is open.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:20, Wed 19 Aug 2009.

 She looked around quickly to see if anyone had been close enough to overhear that revealing greeting, then stepped through the portal and through the energy field within. She hurried through the suite looking for Hieronymous, hoping that he was well, knowing that if anything horrible had happened to him she would surely have sensed it.
 "Hieronymous? Are you here? Are you well? Where are you?"

   When Sadina steps into the bedroom, the first thing she notices is how very dark it seems.  As fond as Hieronymous was of shadows and gloom, he usually had at least a few candles burning in the various nooks and crannies of his chambers.  The Lord Astronomer's room was filled with oddities and curios, both magical and otherwise, that he had collected over his very long lifetime, but now his collection of wonderous, and often disturbing, relics were scattered across the floor.  It was as if a great storm had shaken this place to its foundations; making the lightless path dangerous for the unwary.
   Yet the darkness does not impede the Lady Sadina, and she easily steps over and around everything before her.  Making her way to the bed chamber, she can make out the form of Hieronymous, laying face down on the floor, writhing uncontrollably.  As she approaches a circle of glowing sigils gleams brightly, a protective ward that surrounds the bed.  They blaze to life as she gets closer...


         RUNE                                  RUNE

               ---------------------------------
               -                               -
        RUNE   -                                        RUNE
               -                               -
               ---------------------------------
                          HIERONYMOUS
        RUNE                                     RUNE

This message was last edited by the GM at 23:10, Fri 21 Aug 2009.

 She entered and looked around at the horrendous chaos of the room then looked over toward the bed... She gasped and ran over near him to study the runes, using what skills and talents she has to try to figure out what these runes were!

18:07, Today: Sadina rolled 26 using 1d20+24. spellcraft.
18:04, Today: Sadina rolled 27 using 1d20+9. know arcana.
18:03, Today: Sadina rolled 7 using 1d20+6. decipher script.

   Hieronymous had taught Sadina very well indeed.  She easily recognizes now archaic Arnish sigils once used to name the messengers of the gods.  The six runes each had names it that all but forgotten tongue.  The runes as Sadina reads them from left to right are as follows:

ANDA, DOSHA, SAMA, IRU, ANDA, NEBA

   Sadina is certain, as she studies these runes, that they are the kind meant to be spoken, in some sequence, that will end the spell.  Spoken incorrectly, however, would undoubtedly lead to most disastrous consequences for the speaker...

 She studied the runes again, then in sudden inspiration, she spoke them in a certain order. She prayed it was right, or they both might very well die.
"SAMA  ANDA  DOSHA  IRU  NEBA  ANDA!"

 She waits with baited breath, ready to take the consequences if she is wrong.

   The air seems to shimmer with energy at the mention of each ancient rune.  As they are named they burn brightly and then grow dim, though they do not go out entirely.  Lady Sadina can feel the ebbing of the ward of power as it lowers, surrendering to her magical authority.  She can now safely pass, having recognized the sequence of runes as being, of all things, her own name.
   Upon the floor, lays the twitching form of Hieronymous, writhing as if he struggled with some unseen foe.  His normally cowled face is pale, amber eyes glowing with gilded fire, though there is no recognition in him of Sadina or his surroundings.  It is as if his eyes are focused upon some unseen world.  A world wherein he is struggling for his very life!

 She quickly took in what was going on and ran to kneel beside Hieronymous. Carefully, she checked out the area, then placed her hands upon Hieronymous, feeding him energy, trying to bolster his energy and his power so he could fight off what was attacking him. She closed her eyes, and entered the link, striving to help him fight, to stand beside him if she could, to guard his back.
 "I am here Hieronymous! I am with you! I will help you! Fight it My Love! Come back to me alive and whole!"

   As Sadina placed her hands upon Hieronymous and closed her eyes, she found herself in a truly surreal, swirling, dizzying landscape that could only be the Dreaming.  The alpine meadow dream-scene might have been more familiar to her, had it been bathed in sunlight as it was when last she had been there many years before.  Now however, it was hidden in shadows, the winds howling around her, whipping the trees into a frenzy.  On the ground, near the ruins of an ancient dolmen,  lay the convulsing body of Hieronymous, sprawling on the ground,  and mouth wide open.  His face looked pale and wan as he struggles futilely against the hideous thing that loomed over him.
   A dark, bloated thing from the heart of nightmare itself, this terrible worm-like creature slithered and hissed as its tentacles began to surround the helpless Astrologer, its many mouths, eyes, faces, heads, and other indescribable orifices morphing and changing from moment to moment in a completely chaotic and sickening display.  The immense thing's eyes glowed with baleful light as they drew the life slowly from Hieronymous, a trail of bloody red energy passing from him into the nightmarish beast.
   At the appearance of Sadina, several ugly faces turn their malevolent eyes in her direction...
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:25, Fri 18 Sept 2009.

 She quickly summoned 4 celestial badgers to attack the creature in hopes of driving it away, as well as a celestial hippogriff. The celestial badgers went for the eyes, harrying the beast while the celestial hippogriff went for the head. Then she'd nail it with magic missiles.

16:15,  Secret Roll: Sadina rolled 9 using 1d8+2. CH bite.
16:15,  Secret Roll: Sadina rolled 7 using 1d4+4. CH claws.
16:14,  Secret Roll: Sadina rolled 0 using 1d2-1. CB claws.
16:14,  Secret Roll: Sadina rolled 1 using 1d2-1. CB claws.
16:14,  Secret Roll: Sadina rolled 0 using 1d2-1. CB claws.
16:14,  Secret Roll: Sadina rolled 1 using 1d2-1. CB claws.
14:56,  Secret Roll: Sadina rolled 1 using 1d3. summon monster lvl 30- 1 CH
14:55,  Secret Roll: Sadina rolled 4 using 1d4+1. summon monsters lvl 1- 4 CB


16:19,  Secret Roll: Sadina rolled 16 using 5d4+5. magic missiles.

   The Nightmare Worm recoiled drawing itself up to an extraordinary height, swiftly lashing back at its attackers.  The creature reaches forth its mass, creating three pseudo-pods that envelope all but one of the celestial badgers harrying him.  Its head split into two smaller heads when the hippogriff attacked, but it otherwise seemed unaffected by the creatures efforts.
  New faces bubbled up and others were swallowed back into the writhing mass of the Worm but most of its eyes focus on Sadina as the magic missiles slam into its bulk and cause it discomfort.  Several of its mouths open in what seems like a silent scream and the air shimmers around Sadina.  Suddenly the ground beneath her feet becomes slippery and soft, like warm mud threatening to suck her down into the earth...

{OOC: Reflex Save Sadina...hehe)

 She waved her arms briefly, trying to catch her balance. She tries to concentrate and send a blast of magic missiles toward the creature. If she can make it, she will try to drag Hiero away.

22:48, Today: Sadina rolled 28 using 1d20+11. reflex.

   With surprising swiftness, Sadina manages to jump away as the earth turns into pudding beneath her, threatening to suck her down the rapidly expanding sinkhole.  A moment before it had seemed solid underfoot, which meant the dream creature could alter reality somehow!  Very dangerous indeed, the worm-like twisting horror's multiple mouths shriek as Sadina's missiles find their mark.  Several ugly bloated faces swell up until they burst like pustulent sores when struck by the eldritch bolts, spewing their contents all over the ground.
   Three pseudopods erupt from the rippling flesh of the Nightmare worm and streak straight for Sadina now, each with a sucker mouth full of needle sharp teeth!

14:53, Today: Secret Roll: lilbug rolled 7 using 1d6+4. Nightmare worm pseudopod damage.
14:48, Today: Secret Roll: lilbug rolled 8 using 1d20+6. Nightmare worm pseudopod attacks.
14:48, Today: Secret Roll: lilbug rolled 13 using 1d20+6. Nightmare worm pseudopod attacks.
14:46, Today: Secret Roll: lilbug rolled 14 using 1d20+6. Nightmare worm pseudopod attacks.

   Meanwhile, Hieronymous begins to slide forwards, towards the ever growing sinkhole...
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:55, Mon 05 Oct 2009.

 She leaped upon Hieronymous, trying to tear him away from the hole, her love for him making her fearless as she tried to rescue him from the pit. She wrapped her arms around him and tried to get purchase to pull him back from the edge. She ignored the snapping mouths, concerned only with saving her Beloved Hieronymous. If she had to die to save him, so be it. He was needed more than she was by Empress Sidi. She clawed at the "earth as the mouths struck, sinking teeth into her body, but she wouldn't let go of Hieronymous, wouldn't let his nightmares take him from her. She clung with desperate strength to his body, concentrating only on saving him from the dark pit below them.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:54, Thu 29 Oct 2009.

In reply to Sadina (msg #90):

   Sadina falls backwards, bringing Hieronymous with her.  The mouths biting into her flesh do not bring her any pain, though the teeth are deep in her arms, her thoughts only for her beloved.  As she thinks only of saving the Astrologer from the yawning chasm , the pit at her feet quickly shrinks and disappears!  Even the ceaseless moaning, screaming, and wailing of the Nightmare Worm seems to fade into the background, though it rages with no less ferocity than before.
   Suddenly, Sadina sees a vision of the Empress Sidi laying on the floor of the bath chamber surrounded by her faithful legionnaires, almost as if thinking of her has brought the image to life.  The storm still rages across the Dreaming, this place where once she and Hieronymous had shared some rare moments of happiness.  It is as if this whole scene is a part of the doomed Magician's memories.  A dream of the past that has been twisted to darkness.
   The Nighmare Worm withdraws its pseudopods and begins to slither towards the couple, seeming to swell in size as it approaches...

{Sadina may make a knowledge Arcane roll}

 Suddenly realizing in her chaotic mix of emotions that they were somehow perhaps trapped in a dreaming of his that was being twisted and made malignant, she drew upon her Love for Hieronymous and holding him close, she closed her eyes and kissed him deeply upon the mouth, letting all her soul-deep love and desire for him fill her mind, and projected it into Hieronymous' if she could pass his mind barrier. She thought only of love and hope, and of springtime, and the scent of apple blossoms and the smell of crushed green grass under them as they had made love that time on the hilltop.
 "I Love you Hieronymous! Come back to me! Fight the demons of your past!"

21:34, Today: Sadina rolled 17 using 1d20+9. know arcana.

   Suddenly the Nightmare Worm shrieks and all of the Dreaming shatters like a dark mirror, into shards of a painful memory.  Beneath Sadina the Astrologer stirs and his arms reach out to embrace her desperately.  He returns her loving kiss, fiercely, as if he were drowning and her sweet lips alone could bring him life again.  Clinging to her, he shivers, his whole body trembling with passion...for a moment they are both once more in that fragrant meadow and their unbridled love knows no boundaries.  Once again they are alive and in each others arms and there is no one else in the world but these star-crossed lovers.  For a moment.
   Then Hieronymous' golden eyes open wide and they are both, once more, in his Orrery in the Royal Palace, on the floor.  A look of deep anguish replaces all the Astrologer's unabashed joy and he pulls back from Sadina, ending their passionate kiss.  His strong arms release her, suddenly and he turns his face away from her, unwilling to let her see the pain on his face.
   "I...thank you, Sadina..." he says, trying to keep the sorrow from his voice.  "You, and you alone, could have aided me against that evil chimera.  A second of weakness allowed my enemies to entrap me.  I will not allow it to  happen again."
   He sits up, alert and focused, and his walls are in place once more; his bastion against the world.  Carefully he slides Sadina from atop him and gets to his feet, then lifts her up as well.  The taste of her honeyed kiss still lingers on his lips, but he forces that aside and bites his lip hard.  He steeled himself not to surrender to his aching heart, to resist the almost overwhelming urge to take her in his arms.  Arms that still were warm from holding her so close.  He dared not give in, he mustn't.  He could not, would not allow his selfish needs to endager her.  Not Sadina!  The gods alone knew what perils she had already braved to save him already.  Forcing himself by sheer will to think, he let the passion ebb within him, though he could not banish it from his mind entirely this time.
   He stepped back, then quickly the question came to his mind and he voiced it, though he still dared not look at her.
   "Why have you come?  You have never come unbidden to my sanctuary!  Something is wrong, Sadina, tell me what has happened!"  A terrible thought sprang into his mind now, and he feared the worst for the Empress!

 She responded to his embrace and kiss with wild passion born of nearly losing him to his own mind. Her body clings to his as she returns his kiss with wild abandon, her mind refusing for the moment to listen to any arguements about what she knows his eventual reaction will be. All too soon though his reason replaced his love and he pushed her away.
"My Hiero, when are you going to stop pushing me away? When are you going to realize you cannot do this all alone? Haven't you figured out yet that you cannot go on alone, you cannot survive alone. Perhaps that is your lesson the Gods want you to learn? Perhaps you are just letting your pride be your downfall! If I had not braved your santuary, you'd still be locked inside your nightmare, and perhaps your mind would be gone by now!"
 With dispair she stood and waved her arms emphatically as she replied to his actions, his other words not yet sinking in. She was too caught up in her fear of losing him to listen at first. Instead, she grabbed his arms and shook him hard, though she barely moved him physically.
 "You listen to me Hiero! Man was not meant to work alone! Accepting help is not a weakness! I don't care what that pride of yours says either! Accepting love is not ambition! It is accepting a partnership. Together we can help save our Empress. If we stand together we are stronger than if we stand alone! Don't you see that?"
 She stopped then and took a deep breath, her shoulders sinking as she realized he's probably never listen. His pride still ached from his betrayal of all he's loved before and harmed in his ambitions. He could not see that he was a different man than he used ot be. She tried to wrap the hurt she felt in her heart inside a cocoon and isolate it deep within. She would always be on the outside as long as he wouldn't let anyone in his heart.
 "Fine, have it your way Hiero. You are too stubborn to listen to reason. You are set on being a martyr on the alter of your own pride. So be it. Stand alone then and watch it all fail once more."
 "The "Princess" was attacked. I knew you must be in trouble here alone if you were not there to protect her. I did what I could but she is poisoned. She may die if you can't help her. Go to her, do what you can."
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:59, Wed 17 Feb 2010.

   Hieronymous felt the pangs of regret as he saw the hurt in Sadina's eyes.  She had saved his life more than once, and she deserved far better than his callousness.  If the Astrologer could still love anything or anyone is this world, it was Sadina.  He wanted to reach out to her, to sweep her into his arms and tell her that she was the only reason he'd not gone utterly mad after centuries of loneliness.  Yet he knew he could not do that.  She needed more than he could ever hope to offer.  He would not subject her to the same accursed existence he was forced to endure.  It was too terrible, and it blighted all it touched, he knew.  The old Astrologer could not face the thought of Sadina's brilliant light extinguished by the awful geas that haunted his every waking moment.
   His enemies had used his memories of her, of their joy together, to nearly destroy him.  Indeed they would have succeeded had Sadina not found him in his Sanctum Astrum.  Already his ancient mistakes returned to wreak havoc upon the present; threatening to destroy him and anything he held dear.  The greatest protection Hieronymous could offer his beloved Sadina, was to push her away.  Yet every time he was forced to do so, he died inside, a thousand times he died to see the pain in her eyes.  He wondered bitterly if the gods enjoyed his anguish.  How much longer would they torment him and his Lady?  'In all of the limitless universe, there is none so evil, so vile, so heartless, as those who keep me from my love!  When will they tire of this thrice damned game?'
   Reality came crashing against the beleagured walls of his solitude, as the immensity of Sadina's last words finally came to him.  All other thoughts left him and he regarded Sadina with a disturbingly intense look, his golden eyes blazing.
   "POISONED?  NO!  CURSE ME FOR THE FOOL I AM!  I WARNED HER OF THE DANGER!  I CANNOT FAIL HER, NOT AGAIN!"  If they had detected the truth, even suspected it...then Sidi was in very real peril.  He offered Sadina his hand as he began the chant to bring him to the 'Empress' presence.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:13, Fri 10 Dec 2010.

 She looked at him sadly then squared her shoulders and stepped closer, taking his hand and meshing her power with his as they stepped into, and through the the aether to appear in the palace near the Empress Apparent. She quickly looked about to take in their surroundings, signaling to the guards that all was well but to keep watch. She relunctantly released Hiero's hand and stepped toward the girl upon the bed to bend and lay her hand upon her brow, sending healing energies into her as best she could to bolster the girl's flagging energy, hoping to lend her strength to fight the poison's course through her system. She looked back at Hiero with a frown upon her face.
 "If we cannot heal her, can we suspend her in time until such a time as we can find an antidote?"

   Having cured the "Empress" of her malady through the combined use of their arcane lore, Hieronymous stayed with Sadina, for a time.  He explained that he simply wished to make certain there would be no further attacks upon the Royal Ruler of Arn.  And yet, as with so many things involving the Imperial Astrologer, that was far from the entire truth.  He felt keenly the distance between himself and his beloved.  Even though it was an estrangement he himself had forged, he deeply and truly regretted it.  It was a wound in his soul that he knew would never be healed.
   Seeing that 'Sidi' was finally sleeping peacefully he closed her door and nodded silently to the guards who stood to either side.  He knew they would not make the same error again, having felt the sting of their failure, the loss of honor, and their Centurion's fierce rebuke.  Entering the main hall, his startling amber eyes turned to Sadina, and he could see the hurt in her face, even though she might try to master it, she could not hide it from Hieronymous.  He almost wished she could.
   He looked away, he couldn't bear to see her after the argument they'd had earlier.  He bit his lip and pulled his hood up over his head.  "She sleeps.  It would seem your quick wit has saved her life, Lady Sadina.  She owes you much.  I shall withdraw to my chambers now.  If you have further need of me..."
   He paused mid sentence, gazing around the room, as though he perceived some unseen person there, some apparition that only he could see.  He remained silent for several moments, then without looking around he said quietly.
    "I have received a request for aid, my Lady Sadina, a rather disturbing one...it comes from your daughter...  It were best I go to her, directly.  I shall return anon Lady Sadina."

    And in a blink he is gone, as if he was never there.