In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 886):

"Ká was bound against his will, his body restrained and his mind imprisoned elsewhere. Ma'or went willingly to her rest and can be released with less fanfare," the Warden says. "You need only place the door within its frame and turn the key to open it."

She crosses her arms while putting another to her chin in thought.

"I believe you're carrying the door and the key. All you need to find is the frame."

Zuriel's eyes widen in surprise and wonder. "The frame then? I thank you deeply. Should we ever meet again, warden, for my part it will be as friends. I am Zuriel, and bid you go with peace. May Lady Love light your way."

He looks to Boreas, regarding the crystal. "I think the honor is yours."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:14, Tue 31 Mar 2015.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 888):

"I am Carcere Praesidium," the Warden says with a nod. "Let us see what happens..."

Boreas listens as the Carcere explains the situation and the procedure to awaken Ma'or.

Not sure what this business with 'the Frame' is, but I'll let the more pious among us figure that out.

He looks around the party, realizing that he is the only one not yet "tasted" by the temple.  After pondering for a moment, he steps forward, silently placing his finger against the crystalline egg.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 890):

A spark of reddish light accompanies Boreas's action, and the ranger steps back with a slight tingling sensation in his hand... leaving a pinprick's spec of blood behind on the egg's outer casing.

The small amount of liquid thins as the egg spins, creating a ring of blood around the center. A crumbling sound can be heard, and the platform begins to rumble and shake violently. A voice, deep and booming, fills the void and echoes from every angle.

The way is clear.

With that, the egg becomes blindingly bright, merging with the column of red light to form a beacon that redefines your notion of radiance. P.A.R.T.Y. members are forced to look away, lest they be blinded by the sight.

A cacophonous sound can be heard, like the shattering of a million panes of glass in unison, and then utter silence reigns as a dark silhouetted shape steps forth from the blistering radiance.

The moment it leaves the column, the light snaps off, plunging the entire void into complete darkness. The only illumination comes from the pale, silvery portal which leads back to the lobby.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:11, Tue 31 Mar 2015.

In reply to DM (msg # 891):

The silhouetted form towers over even the Warden, standing at least 20 feet tall. It looks strictly humanoid beyond that, with two arms, two legs, a torso, and a head, though all is shrouded in darkness. Twin pricks of red light can be seen where its eyes should be, and somehow you can tell the figure is smiling.

"I am reborn," the voice booms, rumbling the platform with its resonance. "Well done, my good and faithful servants."

He stretches his arms, cracks his neck, and situates himself, but the Warden lets out a gasp...

In reply to Ka, the Eternal Maw (msg # 892):

"What is... what have I... no!" the Warden says, her voice shrill and her eyes wide with terror.

It takes a moment, but the P.A.R.T.Y. soon discerns the cause of her alarm: an angry-looking purple eye has etched itself across her chest -- a rune that blazes with energy.

"No, my lady! I did not abandon my post!" the Warden wails. "I was confronted by a powerful group of... no, my lady! I tried! I secured the prison for centurEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES."

The Warden's pleading speech ends in a screech of agony as ring of crackling violet energy encircles her like a nova. In a heartbeat, the band of energy has constricted her arms to her waist and, with a sizzle, burns entirely through all 8 arms at the wrist... and through the Warden's waist, as well.

Sliced cleaning in half by the energy, the Warden falls to the ground in two pieces, dead, with the fiery eye of Cenadora blazing brightly on the corpse's torso long after the violent chain of energy has been extinguished.

The silvery portal winks out of existence moments later, leaving you well and truly trapped.

In reply to DM (msg # 893):

If Ká is affected by the Warden's demise, he makes no show of it. Instead, glances down at the platform and, apparently realizing his size relative to the others, rapidly shrinks down to a height of just under 7 feet tall.

"Freedom is something you rarely value until it's lost," he says, his voice more manageable now. "Your diligence in restoring mine shall not go unrewarded. Name your desires, and if it is within my power to grant it, you shall have it."

He turns first to Keef.

"And you, my old Master... for you, I hold a special gift. Would you like to wield the power of a God?"

[Crossroads]

OOC: Folks may answer in any order. You need not wait for Keef's answer
This message was last edited by the player at 18:34, Tue 31 Mar 2015.

In reply to Ka, the Eternal Maw (msg # 894):

Keef is speechless, though his mouth moves very rapidly for some time.  He looks over at Chubbs who appears to offer no help.

I... well I mean that is... I don't know if I should... or COULD... I mean does it take practice?  I can practice anything, I'm good at practice but... I mean I did CARRY the power of a God for a while, if that counts but... well it seems like it would be an honor...

Keef continues to mouth words while he inspects the deeper mysteries of his boots.

Chubbs rouses himself and hops over.  While Keef is lost in thought, the fat toad does a thorough inspection of Ka from every angle, sparing no small level of scrutiny.

Well... the thing is I... but it isn't much but I do LIKE being me...

Keef's gaze finds its way to his gloved hands, leather cracked and blackened by blood, wind, sun and arcane energy.  He opens and closes his fingers a few times finds that any way he looks, his hands are... empty.

Chubbs finishes his rounds and returns to Keef's left boot.  Taking a nap there for the time being.

It's not up to me but...IF... I mean... would it mean that... Keef looks up at Ka and focuses intensely on the god's glowing red eyes.  Would it mean I could talk to my friend again... at least... sometimes?

Zuriel rushes to Carceri's side, face etched in shock and outrage. With all magics spent he is unable to do more than watch helplessly, wincing as Cenadora's vengeful magic shreds the former warden. All he can do is to catch her body as it falls, lowering it to the ground gently.

He looks down, gritting his teeth as he closes her sightless eyes. When he looks up, his countenance shines, radiance lancing out in the darkness to challenge the glinting red glow of Ka.

Zuriel's entire body begins to shake violently, armor clanking and rattling. Slowly, he begins to rise into the air. Zuriel's silvery pendant blazes into life like a miniature sun, and as it ignites, his shaking subsides.

He hovers several feet off the ground with Dawn burning brightly beside him, cloak whipping violently in an unseen wind. His outline shifts and blurs, and from the corner of your eye he wears not a cloak, but wings of purest white. The PARTY is washed in soothing light, adding a soft luminescence to the otherworldly tableau.

His eyes blaze as he turns to Ka, addressing him in a harsh tongue that seems out of place, Zuriel's normally pleasant baritone contorted by the gutteral language he utters.

"Έτσι είναι η αναγέννηση του κα χαρακτηρίζεται από την αιματοχυσία, αν και δεν φέρουν τη δική σας. Φαίνεται αιχμαλωτίζων σας δεν έχει χώρο στην καρδιά της για έλεος. Αν είστε κακό, δεν έχω δει ποτέ σας πράξη της κακίας. Περισσότερα ό, τι μπορεί να ειπωθεί για την κυρία." His gaze falls sadly on the corpse of the warden. "Έχουμε έναν κόσμο για να σώσει, ότι τέτοιες άσκοπες θυσίες είναι σε κάποιο μικρό τρόπο που έχει νόημα. Για ευλογία μου, θα ήθελα να ζητήσω από τις γνώσεις σας. Τι ξέρετε για το Πλαίσιο φυλακή מָאוֹר του?"

[Private to DM; Lyriel Vesper; Ka, the Eternal Maw: "Thus is the rebirth of Ka marked by bloodshed, though of no fault of your own. It would seem your captor has no space in her heart for mercy. If Evil you are, I have never seen you act of malice. More than can be said of Cenadora." His gaze falls sadly on the corpse of the warden. "We have a world to save, that such pointless sacrifices are in some small way made meaningful. For my boon, I would ask of your knowledge. What do you know of the Frame of Ma'or's prison?"]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:59, Wed 01 Apr 2015.

Lyriel furrows her brow in disapproval as the violet eye consumes their erstwhile foe. Pointless and wasteful. Cenadora gained nothing from that. I expected more of her.

The priestess' eyes widen in shock at Zuriel's transformation. Perhaps more surprising was he seemed to be maintaining control, unlike in Medenbury - Goddess, was it really only a year ago?

With her magics making all things comprehensible, she relaxes somewhat at Zuriel's words, reassured that his...battle trance...wouldn't cause him to foolishly attack the entity towering before them.

As Zuriel concludes his request, Lyriel steps forward, holding Ka's burning gaze with determination.

If you are to be reborn, Ka the Devourer, then let your rebirth serve the cause of Justice, she says, words echoing across all languages in the strange reality of the chamber. I too desire knowledge. I would know the truth behind the death of my brother, that I might bring those responsible to answer for their sins. Is this thing within your power?
This message was last edited by the player at 22:30, Tue 31 Mar 2015.

Boreas thinks hard about what boon to ask of the returned deity.

We have released you from your slumber.  Now you offer to repay us with a reward.

Boreas pauses for a moment, thinking.

Some day, and that day may never come, I will call upon you to do a service for me.  Until that day, accept your release as a gift.

Maeve ponders the offer but can't think of anything she desires, try though she might.  She already has an excellent killing tool and a griffon, so what more could a person wish for?

"While the offer is made in good faith, I choose to defer.  Wishing for something merely for the sake of doing so seems frivolous."

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 899):

Ka looks puzzled for a moment, but nods just the same.

"So be it. You have always demonstrated a certain measure of practicality," he says to Boreas and Maeve. "If you change your the mind, the offer stands for the duration of my gratitude."

He then conjures a piece of vellum from the ether and zaps ink upon it with an index finger. Rolling it tightly, he hands it to Lyriel.

"The answers you seek lie within, cleric, but... a word of caution, as a friend? I can sense your hunger, but it is a longing for vengeance, not justice. You may be better off never breaking the seal of that scroll, but the choice is yours."

To Zuriel, he flashes a smile.

"I see that my restoration has brought out your celestial side. No small wonder, as I was once the absolute master of the Nine Hells. A role I intend to reprise shortly, thanks to you."

"Ma'or was my counterpart, and thus her place is in the Heavens. You'll find the Frame is filled by another door, which was built over the first. Go to the Heavens, reach the boundary that separates Tassada's realm from the Eternal City, insert the door, and turn the key. Simple as that... though I wager you'll find that simple does not mean easy."

Finally, he turns to Keef.

"Ah, Keef," he says with a mischievous grin. "Your desire is more plain than the meaning of your words. If your wish is to commune with your friend, it is granted."

Ka makes a smooth gesture, and the Everstaff materializes in Keef's hands once more.

"This replica lacks the capacity to bind a god, you understand, but through it you will be able to talk to Longshank whenever you like. As for the second part..."

Another gesture, and a fine hematite emblem of the ouroboros shimmers into existence. A chain soon follows, and it drapes itself over Keef's neck.

"As I have been reborn, so too must my church. Behold, the second First of Ka! Your responsibilities are simple: live the life you want to lead, and be the person you wish to be. You have greatness in you, Keef. This will merely augment it."

[Private to Zuriel Silendril: The moment the symbol appears around his neck, you can detect evil divine energy in Keef.]

A dark nimbus of red energy swirls around Keef for a moment before dissipating.

[Private to Keef: You have gained a "level" in Cleric. It does not count as a full level, but provides you with access to the Trickery Domain. Probably want to add all of this to your character sheet to remember it.

Add the following spells to your Spellbook. Once per day per spell level, you may spontaneously replace any prepared spell of the same level (level is listed on the left) for a domain spell of the same or lesser level.

Trickery Domain Spells
1. Disguise Self: Disguise own appearance.
2. Invisibility: Subject invisible 1 min./level or until it attacks.
3. Nondetection M: Hides subject from divination, scrying.
4. Confusion: Subjects behave oddly for 1 round/level.
5. False Vision M: Fools scrying with an illusion.
6. Mislead: Turns you invisible and creates illusory double.
7. Screen: Illusion hides area from vision, scrying.
8. Polymorph Any Object: Changes any subject into anything else.
9. Time Stop: You act freely for 1d4+1 rounds.

You may also spontaneously replace any spell slot with an Inflict spell of the same level. This list is unlimited:
0. Inflict Minor Wounds
1. Inflict Light Wounds
2. Inflict Moderate Wounds
3. Inflict Serious Wounds
4. Inflict Critical Wounds
5. Inflict Light Wounds, Mass
6. Inflict Moderate Wounds, Mass
7. Inflict Serious Wounds, Mass
8. Inflict Critical Wounds, Mass]

"If that is all... there is much to be done. Shall I reopen the portal for you, or would you prefer to be elsewhere?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:34, Wed 01 Apr 2015.

Zuriel inclines his head to the god before him. "You have my thanks," he says, seemingly regaining enough control to resume speaking in Common. "It would seem Light and Shadow must work together to face this greater threat. If you could return us and Maeve's wayward companion to the surface, our allies almost certainly need our aid." He pauses a moment, considering. "I might also recommend collecting the treasure upstairs for Keef. It is yours, after all, and I've learned that founding churches is quite expensive indeed." Zuriel's lips tug into a faint lopsided grin.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:57, Wed 01 Apr 2015.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 901):

Keef is totally lost for the time being, he looks down at the staff in his hand.  Worn, ancient and familiar to him, yet somehow totally novel.

He nods at Zuriel without looking up, turning the staff in his hands.

He looks up at Ka.

I've... I've been working so hard to be a hero, or at least that's what I thought.  It seems... well maybe I just can't be, or I took the wrong path somewhere.  Maybe it's time to give up fancies like that... even though we want them... and be something else, do good another way.

He grips the staff in his left hand sets one end of the staff on the ground carefully.

I'm ready to travel, and for my mission under Ka.

Yeah... I'll have so many questions about how this cleric thing works later...

Lyriel accepts the sealed scroll wordlessly. The hardness in her eyes makes it clear that despite Ka's warning, her decision has been made. And perhaps had been, before even meeting Baldwin.

She would have Justice.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 903):

"Heroes come in many shapes and sizes," Ka says with a nod toward Keef. "The most effective seldom realize what they're doing... nor are they appreciated the way they ought to be."

He flicks his wrist and a shimmering portal appears in the center of the platform.

"This will return you to the topmost level of my temple. You are welcome to anything inside of it once the building has been secured."

"As for me... I have nine distinct hellholes to liberate. Until we meet again."

The shadowy figure gives the P.A.R.T.Y. an arching overhead wave, then vanishes without flash, fanfare, pomp, or circumstance. He is simply gone.
This message was last updated by the player at 19:52, Wed 01 Apr 2015.

As Ka vanishes, so too does the nimbus of holy light swirling around Zuriel. Sinking back lightly to the ground, he shakes his head, looking dazed.

"I'm going to see what I can do for those outside. Akkar ought to be safe enough for now, if he's smart."

With that, the paladin strides briskly through the portal.

Boreas follows.

Let's hope those outside have managed to hold out.

[Casting Walk Unseen]

He vanishes from sight just before crossing the threshold of the portal.

Boreas follows.

Let's hope those outside have managed to hold out.

[Casting Walk Unseen]

He vanishes from sight just before crossing the threshold of the portal.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 906):

Keef nods, then taps his staff twice on the ground and turns invisible.[Private to DM:   He then follows the rest of the group.]

Lyriel arches an eyebrow at Keef's disappearance.

That's a handy trick then...

Smoothing out the front of her robes, she follows the rest of the PARTY through the portal.

Maeve declines to leave and decides instead to stay in the temple forever and ever.

Nah, she totally follows through the portal.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 909):

The P.A.R.T.Y. slips through the portal, the shimmering silver disk quietly fading out of existence behind them.

Ding! Boreas, Lyriel, Maeve, Keef, and Zuriel have reached Level 14!  Please update your sheets accordingly.

~~ End Chapter 13~~
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:14, Thu 02 Apr 2015.