After the tour, Ilura opted to remain on the lowest level. She wanted to pray and, while the 'worship area' on the third and fourth floor was beautiful and certainly a space she wanted to spend time in, right now she felt called to be in the space with those who founded this place. She walked from vault to vault, tracing her fingers over the masks. There were no names, but there were dates - all so long ago. She wondered if the 'founder' was among them. She also looked at all of the empty vaults and wondered how many would have been filled if all who had been poisoned had been able to make their way back here. Perhaps, if the events of the world ever allowed, she could strive to find and return the remains of at least some to their 'home'.
She moved on to the remembrance area. A number of tapers lay in a small cubby. She removed one, placed it in a holder, alongside many that had burned down long centuries before. She noticed, absently, the absence of dust. Either Valteshi spent much of his free time cleaning or there was yet another magical effect percolating through this marvelous place.
She lit the taper, then knelt.
Blessed Mother, thank you for your guidance and for seeing us safely here. Thank you for my brave companions, both those who are here with me and those who have assisted along the way. Please bless them all and keep watch over them. Especially dear Eryn who struggles with the tinge of the Demon she was so instrumental in defeating.
Thank you too, for this time to rest and prepare for the next stage in our mission. I'm sure it will be challenging, but I will do my best, as always, to do your will.
While you have granted us the boon of time, I fear it will not be enough. We seek knowledge and any other resources we can that will be helpful to use in all of our missions. First, to kill Yordikan, both to free Captain Frost from her devil's bargain, but also to interfere in the work of summoning his brother. Second, to try to find Nikadroy's soul and then Corr's void, that we might cast the former into the latter.
In addition to these, I hope to help to aid Chance and Eryn in purifying themselves of the influence of the Demon we encountered, to have your council on whether it is your will that the Order of the Silver Scourge be reborn, and knowledge of whether there is aught else you would have us do while in this marvelous place that your past worshippers have forged.
I will, as always, do the best I can. But I welcome your wisdom, guidance and aid, such as you see fit to bestow.
She brought the shaft of her bow to her lips and kissed the small symbol which still glowed faintly. She waited quietly, gazing at the flame. She wondered absently where Marcus was now. She hoped that the good Captain's body was safe and that the paladin was too. She missed his certainty and steadfastness. It was so often hard to know what to do. But it was good too, to have some sort of say over her own destiny.
Exhausted from the trials of the day and only limited rest in the temple garden, she curled up on the floor and rested.
quote:
17:40, Today: Ilura rolled 10 using 2d6+3. Cast revelation.
17:40, Today: Ilura rolled 7 using 2d6+3. Cast revelation 2.
I cast it until I needed to forget it to give you a sense of how much insight/inspiration Lusiny would provide in response to my prayer. I will apply the +1s in relationship to whatever guidance you indicate she gives.
The next morning, the ranger awoke refreshed, despite having slept on the floor. She encountered Eryn, looking much cleaner and more refreshed, having evidently chosen to follow through on her intended use of the baths. She resolved to do the same - but first FOOD. In the gardens were many plants she new by sight and smell and a many others she recognized from books. A few were not completely familiar, but she could tell enough about to sense whether they were likely dangerous or nutritious. One, a yellowish berry, turned out to be delightfully tasty. She prepared a succulent vegetarian salad for herself and her companions, though Eryn demurred. (Chance had his when he finally wandered down after apparently having thoroughly enjoyed the comforts of his bed.)
Stomach full, she availed herself of the baths, removing several layers of grime, first from her clothing, then from her body. Thomas supervised the process, apparently in a good mood. When she finally rose from the water, her clothing was still wet. She considered going without, but was unsure how Silas or even Chance would react. She searched one of the guest rooms and found a tunic about her size and pulled it on, wondering absently who had last worn it.
Praying to the Goddess again for wisdom and insight, she set out to explore the facility in more detail, trying to figure out what might be helpful.
quote:
17:56, Today: Ilura rolled 6 using 2d6+3. Cast True Seeing.
Presume that lounging in the bath will let me refresh my spells. If the goddess's insight happened to cover what to look for here, then the +1 will turn that into a success and forgotten spell. If not, then perhaps I look at the wrong thing...
She finished her day in the library looking for and finding the map showing the other locations where the there were entrances to the Order's enclave. The first was no big surprise. King Karron had originally ruled from the same fortress where King Gordon now tried to control his dwindling empire - build into one of the broken mountains looming over the great city of Carleanes, though on the map it was Kar'Leenes. The pictograph beside it was unmistakable though. As both center of power in this part of the world, and as the site of many horrendous actions by the Mad King, the order would have wanted to keep close tabs on the city and have a safe place to retreat from. She wondered if the poisoning of the masks had somehow been triggered from that entrance.
The city stood several hundred leagues to the southwest. The mountain into which the fortress had been built had long been a source of valuable ore. A sheltered and fertile valley made it immune from enemy sieges. The river passing below provided an easy four-day route to the sea and trade ships to lands beyond made it a natural capital. It had been so for nearly two millennia.
The second was a bit more of a surprise, though more because of its distance than because of its importance. Jylleria - the Hanging City was over 1500 leagues to the west - a couple of month of sailing, and not a trip made by the faint-hearted. Much farther than the Jungle of Blossoms. It was a land of intrigue, warriors and strange customs. The hanging city was somehow magically suspended above a massive lake. What business had the Silver Scourge had there?
To be honest, the location of the entrance they'd used to arrive was a bit more of surprise. Cliffport was a decent-sized place, and certainly a successful trading city. But it was hardly a key bastion of civilization. The ranger wondered if perhaps this had once been a training ground, retreat or proving area. Perhaps this was even the site where the Order had first formed?
The last location was confusing. It was shown outside the borders of the map entirely, with a pictograph showing only a broken mask. She went in search of the djinn.
"The map showed the location of two other entrances, but the fourth showed only a broken mask. Where is it?"
The custodian frowned.
"I do not recall exactly where it lies now. It moves, you see. My master knew that the need for the Scourge would change over time and so the final location was mobile. It can be shifted from place to place, though at a cost. Three members of the Scourge can summon an entrance to the Sanctum, but only with the mask of one killed at that location by a member of the Dark. The entrance does not move 'easily'..."
"Could you scry the entrance to the that location as you did the cave yesterday?"
"Come. I will show you how"
The ancient being gave her some instructions and soon she was looking into a dusty room that appeared to be some sort of basement. The stone had a reddish hue, but she couldn't make out anything that would help her to discern the location.
"You might check the histories - they might tell you where the entrance was most recently used." The genie vanished, to resume whatever it was he did there.
At the dinner table, she shared what she had learned with the others.
"I'm going to try to figure out where it is in the library tomorrow." When Chance offered her his dagger, she accepted it gravely.
"I will do my best."
EDIT: fixed typo
This message was last edited by the player at 02:27, Tue 03 Nov 2020.