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15:34, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

[IC] Along the Coast by Port Lyalee.

Posted by Dungeon MasterFor group 0
Dungeon Master
GM, 838 posts
Storyteller
Font of All Knowledge
Mon 27 May 2019
at 14:55
  • msg #1

[IC] Along the Coast by Port Lyalee

Volsh can get directions to the Ruby Conclave and Skull Road from the Guildmaster.  "Be you wary.  They are priestesses of death and magic.  They are not of evil hearts, but they are hard like stone. There is no sweetness in them," she warns him.

The road is a spur north off the trade road along the coast, marked by stones carved to look like skulls.  It's about four hours away by horse, so Volsh can find the road by late afternoon.  It is not a well-traveled road; no more than a small cart could get down there with how the trees press against the path, giving it a decidedly gloomy air.

After another lengthy time on the road, he comes to a gate made of ebony wood set into a wall of stone and bone that stretches into the wilderness on either side for as far as he can see.  The peculiar ruby skull of Wee Jas is painted and carved into the wood of the gate, and red fire burns atop the gateposts.  Atop the wall are the guards, one a woman in black metal scale mail with a heavy crossbow in her hands, the other an animate skeleton of what might have been an ogre in life, a spear clutched in its fist gleaming in the dim light.

"State your intentions before the ruby fire of the Stern Lady," the woman says, her expression one of masklike indifference.
Haazheel Thorn
Human Wizard, 432 posts
Mon 27 May 2019
at 22:18
  • msg #2

[IC] Along the Coast by Port Lyalee

If allowed, Haazheel will accompany Volsh. If Volsh want to talk, Haazheel is an audience. Otherwise, he observes the surroundings and orders his thoughts.
Volsh son of Vor
Human Barbarian, 346 posts
Tue 28 May 2019
at 06:46
  • msg #3

[IC] Along the Coast by Port Lyalee

Volsh shrugged his shoulders when Haazheel came to follow him, but he didn't have much to say to the man. He rode silently on Eagle. Eventually he asked, "what do you need to do at the temple?"

He looked up at the woman's stern face and crossbow, "I was told this temple could help me with a curse. If it's not true, I'll be on my way back to the guildhouse."
Haazheel Thorn
Human Wizard, 433 posts
Tue 28 May 2019
at 08:00
  • msg #4

[IC] Along the Coast by Port Lyalee

Haazheel looks straight ahead as he replies, "As far as I know, I don't. No offense meant; it may be the Stern Lady Whom my soul meets some day. It's just that I feel it right that you be not alone on this quest."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 08:51, Tue 28 May 2019.
Dungeon Master
GM, 840 posts
Storyteller
Font of All Knowledge
Tue 28 May 2019
at 10:03
  • msg #5

Re: [IC] Along the Coast by Port Lyalee

Volsh son of Vor:
Volsh shrugged his shoulders when Haazheel came to follow him, but he didn't have much to say to the man. He rode silently on Eagle. Eventually he asked, "what do you need to do at the temple?"

He looked up at the woman's stern face and crossbow, "I was told this temple could help me with a curse. If it's not true, I'll be on my way back to the guildhouse."


The woman looks at Volsh up and down, and eyes Haazheel with equal intensity.

"A curse lies under my Lady's purview."  The gate below her swings open, and the path in front of you is illuminated with late afternoon sunlight and the ruddy flames above.

"Go along the path, you will be met by a Sister. Do not harm any of the undead; their bones are in our lawful service."

Volsh and Haazheel, inside the walls the place is a neat and orderly garden of the sort a noble might have - all small sculpted trees and contained beds of flowers or showy greenery, cut by meandering paths in decorative pebbles with stepping-stones of colorful slate. Moving along some of the beds are animate skeletons, mostly of humans, their bones lovingly decorated with gold leaf, calligraphy, or inset with gems.  The undead seem to be engaged in simple tasks like spreading mulch or evenly clipping a lawn.

You are met after a few moments by a woman in a red tunic and black leather armor.  She has a scarlet enamel skull holy symbol around her neck, and bears a black staff topped by a similar red skull.  The woman is older, her dark hair marked with streaks of gray, her face lined.  She nods at you both.

"What curse brings you to the Ruby Conclave to seek its breaking?"
Haazheel Thorn
Human Wizard, 434 posts
Tue 28 May 2019
at 17:55
  • msg #6

Re: [IC] Along the Coast by Port Lyalee

Haazheel observes the garden and its caretakers. At first, his eyes widen and one hears a subvocal Mhf. Then he accepts it as normal for this place and composes himself. When the priestess appears, he nods bows his head in respect.  When she speaks, he looks to Volsh.
Volsh son of Vor
Human Barbarian, 347 posts
Tue 28 May 2019
at 20:11
  • msg #7

Re: [IC] Along the Coast by Port Lyalee

Volsh shrugged at Haazheel. "I did not think the journey to the temple would be dangerous or I'd have brought others. Why do you think your soul will end up with the Stern Lady and not your ancestors?"


"Thanks," he said as the gates swung open. He dismounted from Eagle and lead the horse trailing after him and Haazheel into the grounds. Volsh eyed the undead and the bone gardens warily, and gripped Widowmaker tightly, but as nothing attacked, he simply continued on his way.

When they met the priestess he replied simply, "werewolf. If you can help me control it, that's better. A friend is looking into that too with his circles too." Volsh actually made hand circles unconsciously when he mimicked them. "If that don't work, I want to break it. Can't start eating friends. You know? What's it cost to have it removed if I need it? How much time?"
Haazheel Thorn
Human Wizard, 435 posts
Wed 29 May 2019
at 01:54
  • msg #8

Re: [IC] Along the Coast by Port Lyalee

Haazheel replies, "I don't anticipate danger either. I'm here to be here; maybe we shall find out if my presence means something.

I'm a mage, and Wee Jas is Death's Guardian. My fate after this life is unknown to me, but I hope for the best. I pay respects to all deities save those bent on Evil.
"
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:41, Wed 29 May 2019.
Dungeon Master
GM, 841 posts
Storyteller
Font of All Knowledge
Wed 29 May 2019
at 10:20
  • msg #9

Re: [IC] Along the Coast by Port Lyalee

The woman listens attentively as Volsh speaks, then questions him, and Haazheel, about how he contracted lycanthropy.  Hearing about the attack and how long ago it occurred, and what steps they had taken, she nods.  She gestures for you to wait, and disappears into the garden.  A half-hour later another woman approaches you, this one in scarlet robes with a scarlet skull holy symbol around her neck.  She carries a staff as well, and leans on it slightly in a way that means she's favoring her left leg.  She is younger than the first priestess, her red hair caught back in a tight knot at the nape of her neck.

"I am Sister Lar.  Young man, I believe we can help you, though perhaps not in a way that you might want.  We have those amongst us, including myself, who can break the enchantment on you that holds you bound to the moon, then you can use your own will to throw off the disease.  We can also aid you with seeking to control your lycanthropy by teaching you to control your emotions and focus your will to make certain you do not lose your intellect with the beast rises within you.  The breaking of the enchantment must be done during the change, while the meditation to control yourself could be started immediately.  You will need all the time you can to learn before the change comes upon you again," she explains.
Volsh son of Vor
Human Barbarian, 348 posts
Wed 29 May 2019
at 12:14
  • msg #10

Re: [IC] Along the Coast by Port Lyalee

Volsh grunted in agreement, "I just hope for some peace and quiet after this life is passed. Too many hard things here to think that I might have them as a spirit too...anyway. No problem. Just curious why you wanted to come see the Wee Jas folks."


Volsh looked a bit skeptical as the priestess spoke, "never been good at controlling my emotions. My anger and rage has always been a strength to me..." he said back to her. "If learning the meditation stuff doesn't work, could you still remove the curse later?" He looked at Haazheel trying to gauge his reaction to the woman's words as well.
Haazheel Thorn
Human Wizard, 436 posts
Wed 29 May 2019
at 21:09
  • msg #11

Re: [IC] Along the Coast by Port Lyalee

Haazheel replies to Volsh. Seeing them probably will be educational and interesting, but I'm here to stand beside you. You and I, we're part of group. If any of us are troubled, I think it good that somebody stands by that person.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Haazheel stands by, an supportive observer.
Dungeon Master
GM, 844 posts
Storyteller
Font of All Knowledge
Fri 31 May 2019
at 15:31
  • msg #12

Re: [IC] Along the Coast by Port Lyalee

Volsh son of Vor:
Volsh looked a bit skeptical as the priestess spoke, "never been good at controlling my emotions. My anger and rage has always been a strength to me..." he said back to her. "If learning the meditation stuff doesn't work, could you still remove the curse later?" He looked at Haazheel trying to gauge his reaction to the woman's words as well.


Sister Lar seems a little surprised by Volsh's admission, but nods.  "The curse can attempted to be broken during the three days of a full moon.  There are two weeks to the next full moon, so if you wish to learn our ways of strengthening your will and heart during that time, and attempt to control your change, we could help ward you from running amok if it doesn't work.  Then you could make an attempt on the second night.  If you fail again, we could try to remove the curse on the third.  If that attempt fails, we could try again in another month.  But you must give the Stern Lady her due.  We will require a service from you for this teaching and, if necessary, the casting of the spell.  You would need to accompany one of our teaching sisters to a remote retreat, and keep her safe; she could give you your necessary lessons on the way.  Is this something you wish to begin now?  Or do you need to ponder and consult with your friend?"

Sister Lar doesn't seem impatient in the least, she seems content to wait on whatever answer Volsh would give, without judgment.
Volsh son of Vor
Human Barbarian, 349 posts
Fri 31 May 2019
at 17:28
  • msg #13

Re: [IC] Along the Coast by Port Lyalee

Volsh pondered for a second then nodded. He made a sidelong glance at Haazheel as he replied, "I'll go back talk to our other friend to see what he thinks. Sounds like a fair deal though. When does she need to leave? How long's the trip and is she coming back with me?"

He asked his questions in a steady voice, but his knuckled whitened as his grip on widowmaker tightened as internally he pondered his potential future nightmare as a slavering beast.
Haazheel Thorn
Human Wizard, 437 posts
Fri 31 May 2019
at 23:09
  • msg #14

Re: [IC] Along the Coast by Port Lyalee

Haazheel speaks up. "Lady, we are part of a group that has shown itself to be efficacious. If there is guarding to be done, is there danger to be eliminated? If so, two useful things might be accomplished during one time. One thing about that, though, Volsh here, besides being a comrade, is important to any successes we may have. He fight well when enraged. So, is there a problem?> I mean, If Volsh guard you alone, he's apt to fly in a rage defending a priestess. Don't know how well that accords with the treatment you have in mind."
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:32, Sat 01 June 2019.
Dungeon Master
GM, 845 posts
Storyteller
Font of All Knowledge
Sat 1 Jun 2019
at 06:38
  • msg #15

Re: [IC] Along the Coast by Port Lyalee

"Elder Orani can leave anytime within the next two weeks - her timing is not crucial.  If you both with to come, that would be welcome.  Orani will remain at her meditations for as long as she needs to, though I doubt it will take longer than a few days.  As for your rage, Volsh, passion is not a detriment to control in this instance.  You are trying to control your mind and your sense of self; your rage is a part of that self.  Now, if you were trying to control your change so that you were a specific color of wolf or something of the sort, one would need much more dispassionate meditations.  But since you seek only to retain your mind within whatever shape your curse grants you, we need only focus on what is needed for you to remain sane within the change," Sister Lar says.
Volsh son of Vor
Human Barbarian, 350 posts
Mon 3 Jun 2019
at 15:35
  • msg #16

Re: [IC] Along the Coast by Port Lyalee

Volsh grunted with a nod at the priestess and also his companion, "let's go back and talk to Narthian, see what he might have found. I'll probably come back regardless what he says, but what he says might be important too. Haazheel and I will probably come escort your Elder, maybe a couple other of our group."

He smiled proudly and leaned in, "we're newly promoted Ironguard's, badges coming soon! So your elder will be safe unless she's angered a dragon or demon or something."

"Ready Haazheel? Anything you want to talk to them about while we're here?"
Haazheel Thorn
Human Wizard, 438 posts
Tue 4 Jun 2019
at 04:13
  • msg #17

Re: [IC] Along the Coast by Port Lyalee

After Haazheel's surprised smile ends, he says, "Yes, thank you, Volsh. Lady, have you any questions for us or something more to say to us?"

Mystique ghosts down to land on Haazheel's shoulder. Her owl eyes focus on the priestess.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:42, Thu 06 June 2019.
Dungeon Master
GM, 854 posts
Storyteller
Font of All Knowledge
Thu 6 Jun 2019
at 08:50
  • msg #18

Re: [IC] Along the Coast by Port Lyalee

Sister Lar shakes her head.  "No more questions from I.  Consider carefully and weigh your options, Volsh. You have a difficult decision to make, and you must make it soon. Now that we know of your condition, we cannot let it get out of hand because that would be a danger to all.  Luckily, you have a little time to consider.  We look forward to hearing from you very soon," she says, and raises her hand in a brief gesture of blessing.

If that is all you have to speak of, an acolyte comes to conduct you back to the gate.  The young man is in dull red robes, and he offers an interesting fact as he walks with you, "All the skeletons you see here are animated under the code of law.  If a farmer falls in his field because of an ill-swung scythe, and he is unable to be saved, he is interred with full prayers.  But if a highwayman were captured, found guilty, and executed for his crimes, we would receive the body for use in our conclave.  An ogre who fell from a cliff and perished, we would not touch.  But an ogre felled because he attacked a farm and attempted to murder its inhabitants, we would animate his bones for good use."  He raises an eyebrow at you both, inviting you to understand something of the mysteries of Wee Jas, then bows you out the front gate.

If there is nothing you need to ask further, you can travel back to Port Lyalee, getting there  after dusk.  But a port city of this size rarely fully sleeps, and even now the streets will bustle with those buying, selling, trading, or conducting business or pleasure.
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