Urashu listens carefully to the explanation. “I should be able to help here; i believemy knowledge far outweighs my capacity for application. ”
"We should see if we can get the remaining effects of that monster's attacks removed from you first. Perhaps Lord Vezivo can help with that."
Urashu nods. “Yes, i would gratefully welcome back my full capacity. ”
"Let's return to Lord Vezivo, then. We can ask about healing Urashu and then prepare for the ritual."
I hope you haven’t forgotten that I’m also still weakened by that creature’s breath weapon. If we are able to heal Urashu, we should procure treatment for me as well, Kizziar mentally grumbles.
"I have not, but I wanted to find out if such treatment is even possible here. Also, Urashu volunteered his skill and magic for the ritual - you did not. In truth, you may be more useful keeping watch over us and preventing interruptions than assisting us in the ritual."
"Aye, squad business is my business. I've participated in more hellish rituals in my days near the Worldwound."
After your discussion, you all troop out of your wing, and Jade rises from her crouch, silently leading you through the corridors, and then the teleportation wall. Finally you enter (or re-enter, as the case may be) the library. Bookshelves surround you on all sides, stretching back farther than you can see. In the center of the room is a thick, squat plinth, upon which rests a large book.
The book is bound in stiff, thick black leather, with clasps and locks of electrum, the spine and cover writ on with elegant lines of phosphorescent ink.
To the left of the book stands Lord Vezivo, looking as you remember, but now armed and armored with an expensive looking rapier, and a thick leather jacket over a chain shirt. To the right of the book stands a tall, slender, but still curvaceous woman, her face and little else obscured by a loose, billowy mantle, though her eyes are visible as an emerald glow. She has pale skin and four arms, holding a wand, an orb, and a crystalline knife. Her skin is covered in golden, slowly shifting, symbols and geometric designs.
Lord Vezivo raises an eyebrow.
"I am pleasantly surprised. That was quicker than I would have expected. Hellknight efficacy at it's finest, I suppose," his lips quirk ever so slightly into what might, if closely scrutinized, be considered a smile.
Kizziar hovers behind the others, curiously observing the strange four-armed woman.
Melii nods at Lord Vezivo. "When we have a task before us, we prefer not to tarry. We are prepared to perform the ritual, my lord, but before we begin, we would ask if there is anything you can do to assist us. Several of my companions were drained during the journey here. If the essence that was taken from them can be restored, it would increase our chances of success."
"Drained? Howso? Permission to touch?" he asks, starting a spell, his hand hovering over your forehead.
"Our ship in crossing Lake Encarthan was blown too close to the center. We encountered an undead corrupted brine dragon whose breath weapon seemed to leach some of the life force of our compatriots. It would be a form of necromantic drain."
Urashu nods to Lord Vezivo.
"Ah, that irritating pseudo ravener," he nods as he taps Urashu on the forehead, nodding to himself.
"Yes, I can fix that. I will need to gather some supplies. I only have one of these prepared, are you the only one who needs restoration?" Lord Vezivo asks Urashu.
"Kizziar does, as well." Morvan motions to the imp. "Since he is the familiar of the Hellknight we are looking to rescue, him being at full strength would be helpful, but it can wait if need be."
Urashu frowns at Lord Vezivo. “You know of the ravener?” He stops himself before jumping into a series of questions. “Perhaps at a more leisurely time we can discuss that; i have many questions after our most recent encounter. ”
“You know of the ravener? Perhaps at a more leisurely time we can discuss that; i have many questions after our most recent encounter. ”
"Of course. It is a most curious creature to be sure. One moment please," he walks off, disappearing into the stacks. He returns a few minutes later with two vials and a rolled up scroll. He gestures Kizziar and Urashu towards him, then begins chanting in a soft, murmuring voice, eyes closed and hands moving in gentle, ritualized prayer movements. After a few seconds the scroll unfurls itself in front of him and he swipes his hands in front of it, continuing his chant. He then upends the two vials, sparkling crystalline dust pouring out and then hovering in the air in a complex symbol as the spells near completion. With a gentle tap of each forehead, Kizziar and Urashu flash a soft, silvery light as the diamond dust disappears. You both feel vastly improved, the lethargy of the past few days disappearing, and you stand straighter.
Lord Vezivo gives a satisfied nod, setting the vials and now blank scroll down on a nearby desk.
"Very good. Is there anything else I might do to help you?" he asks.
Urashu smiles as the ravener’s effect Finally leave. “Thank you very much, Lord Vezivo. I had try and failed to shake that off for a few days now. ”
"My pleasure. I enjoy having an excuse to use some of the more complex spells from time to time. It so rarely happens anymore," he replies. Jade scoffs and rolls her eyes.
"Now, are we ready to begin?" he asks.
"Yes," Melii says. The medium places the six silver mirrors around the grimoire at equidistant points. She stands with her hands on the book and closes her eyes, leading the others in a chant. She exerts her will on the tome to manipulate the occult energies needed to perform the ritual.
Urashu breathes deeply and then focuses his mind on the chant. He smiles, glad he finally feels up to his full capacity.
Morvan follows a long with the chant. His knowledge of the planes allowed him to recognize some of what they were invoking. He wondered at the effects of the ritual.
Kizziar hovers off to one side, observing the ritual’s progress.
Allow me control for a moment please? he asks.
As the ritual completes you all feel somewhat lightheaded as the mental pressure from the ritual's buildup vanishes. Unfortunately, the faded vision doesn't fade, no matter how much you blink your eyes.
It's hard to see, but judging by the sound, the grimoire is flipping pages incredibly fast, before it finally slams open, and a red light that somehow makes things even darker spreads out from the open pages.
"I... I presume the ritual was successful then...?" Lord Vezivo asks hesitantly, blinking and rubbing his eyes.
Morvan blinks repeatedly, but the faded vision doesn't leave. A side effect of the ritual? I don't know enough about these things.
"Perhaps? I am curious how long the vision impairment will last, however."
Urashu hesitates, looking over at Melii. Well, he tries to look at Melii, it’s difficult to see anything right now. Morvan’s question cures some of his anxiety; at least he isn’t the only one with poor vision.
"Uh. What's wrong with our vision?" Kallant growls shaking his head as if it would help.
Very well. For a moment only. Melli allows the spirit to take control.
Kizziar blinks in confusion. Is this effect on our vision an intended part of the ritual? he asks Melii.
Melii's body strains and arcs back, taut enough that her joints pop from the stress. A brief flash of sapphire light erupts from her skin, and then her body relaxes. She turns to face the red light.
I believe this concludes our bargain, yes? the possessed Melii telepaths, her mental voice sounding surprisingly chipper, despite its incongruous masculinity. She gestures towards the grimoire.
From out of the light floats another uniila, like the one that shadows Lord Vezivo. But this one has skin that is like liquid obsidian, absorbing all light. It's mantle is a surprising electric blue, made even more vivid by the contrast with its dark skin, though it is still riddled with infernal sigils.
That it does the devil replies, gesturing with a hand and causing the grimoire to float up to its side. The light that the devil came out of continues to hover over the pedestal, even after the grimoire leaves it. It nods its head and turns to reenter the portal it came out of, the light winking out after it.
Melii chuckles to herself, then turns to face Lord Vezivo.
Your vision should be curable, though it will probably return over time even without magical healing she says distractedly, staring at Vezivo.
Might I have a moment with my son, if you please?
Urashu glances quickly between Melii's possessed body and the Lord Vezivo.
"Lord Vezivo." He pauses, then turns to the physical Lord Vezivo. "Uh, that is, Lord Vezivo the successor. We will withdraw, but I would like to confirm that the ritual worked as intended. Can you please confirm the spirit's identity?"
Without turning from Lord Vezivo, Urashu makes a quick gesture behind his back to Morvan. Watch. Magic. He then points to the spirit inhabiting Melii. Wait.
He looks away from Lord Vezivo to the spirit, and then takes a step back in Morvan's direction. His hand unconsciously strays to the holster at his hip.