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 Recent Posts
The loud grinding noise is ongoing - it has not stopped. The ongoing nose sets Andolphas on edge. "What's going on? Is the whole cairn going to cave in on our heads? There's a circular outline in the floor here that should correspond to another cylindrical device... what happens if you turn the sarcophagus this way?"
Andolphas, you need to crane your neck upwards to look at the lantern – it hangs quite high, but just within reach. It is certainly of identical design to the one that Strevlik found in the snake’s lair, although the green glass panes are cleaner and the brasswork less tarnished. It appears that at some point, someone has placed an everburning torch within the lamp, else surely the torch that you can see resting within the thing would have burnt out long, long ago.
As Da'gret continues his efforts with the sarcophagus, Andolphas ponders the mysteries of the glowing green lantern. "Boland... do you have any idea why only this lantern has been lit, apparently in perpetuity, with an alchemical device? What magic, if any, might be at work here? What would happen if we removed the everburning torch from the lantern? Conversely, what would happen if we lit all the lanterns? Of course, the one that we found earlier notwithstanding, we would still be one lantern short of the full set... so either it is destroyed, or someone has made off with it, in which case we may never know their secret... or perhaps it remains for us to find somewhere within this complex? I like not the idea of pushing recklessly deeper into the cairn without first attempting to understand the other mysteries that we are presented with... Our understanding of them may be vital to our survival... the Green Lady and her divine patron willing..." Andolphas quickly makes a gesture to acknowledge and maintain the favour of the Guardian of the Dead.
He is distracted from his musings as he stares back in anticipation at the returning cylinder, expecting Brashen to emerge from it...
Andolphas cocks his head, trying to listen for what Da'gret heard. "Are you sure? I don't hear anything..." He hurries to the glowing green lantern with the torch inside it, taking a close look at it. "I wonder if..."
Andolphas crosses his arms and watches the vain efforts of his companions. When it seems that no amount of pushing on the sarcophagus is going to bring back Brashen, he speaks up again, amiably and without sounding snarky: "So... either we go into the cylinder right away, or we investigate the adjacent passages first... Again, with the Dark-Eyed Lady on my side, I'll be happy to step into the cylinder in search of Brashen..."
"Me? Afraid? I think not," grumbles Andolphas as Brashen enters the cylinder. "Though I must concede that you were quicker to react than I was, and clearly the better warrior..." Turning back to Boland: "So, what do you make of the figure? There are glyphs here that seem to match those found on the appartus upstairs... and would you agree that it seems as though something might once have been held between the broken finger and the thumb?" The priest stands aside as Da'gret and Strevlik attempt to push the sarcophagus once again. His questions are interrupted as the party stares in wonder as the metal cylinder resurfaces without Brashen. After a long pause, Andolphas speaks in a quiet voice: "I suppose that I should be next to descend after Brashen, if only to reassure my companions of my bravery..."
Andolphas keeps on muttering to himself while inspecting the sarcophagus, while his companions decide what to do with the metal cylinder. "The placement of the broken finger and thumb suggest that the being may have held some sort of rod or wand at some point in time, whether real or carved... or perhaps the finger and thumb represent some type of arcane gesture or symbol?"
Andolphas takes the marble finger from Brash, and carefully looks from the statue's indexless hand and back to the finger. He then places it gently on the hand, resting against the thumb. "The position that this finger once occupied on the hand of this carved being suggests that it might once have held something, which may have been pried out by tomb robbers..." "As for that outlandish cylinder... Brashen, you made it clear that you have no need for the blessings of either the Green Lady or her patron, the Dark-Eyed Lady. You evidently have nothing to fear... so why not take the lead, and see what glorious riches await you below?" The somber cleric can't help but sneer as he makes that last remark, his back half-turned to his companions...
Andolphas stares at the metal cylinder in unconcealed amazement and wonder. "Amariss never mentioned this," he murmurs, barely audibly. Taking a second look at the sarcophagus, he asks: "The figure carved into the lid of this sarcophagus is missing a finger... did one of you not find a marble finger in the wolf's den? Perhaps we should try re-attaching it? It may be insignificant, but who knows...???"
Andolphas watches Da'gret's transformation and snake-slicing ritual with almost ghoulish fascination, not looking nearly as shocked as Boland. "I look forward to tasting that... and you will need to tell me of your own peoples' death rites someday..." Soon, his attention turns from the gory display to Brash and Strevlik's discoveries.
The battle is over before Andolphas has even had a chance to react. He raises one eyebrow in wonder (especially at the sight of Da'gret morphing into an albino boar), and twirls his spear in his left hand. Hmmm... impressive... despite their heretical attitudes, Boland's new friends are undeniably skilled... They may last longer in here than I would have expected... The Lady works in mysterious ways. As the cleric concludes his unspoken thoughts and no other threats materialize, he joins Boland in an attempt to help decipher the clues that might be uncovered in the mural.
Andolphas stands quietly with his companions in the flickering torchlight, on the threshold of the new chamber, peering over the shoulders of the scouts and torchbearers. Given what the party is observing, he remains remarkably calm, unafraid. If anything, he seems detached and thoughtful, as if lost in a dream. "There, beyond the webs... that's where the green light is coming from... and something is definitely whispering actual words to us, though I do not recognize the language, nor who or what might be behind them... But there is decay, perhaps death in the air... 'Ware the webs, I think I saw movement in them... " Andolphas is oblivious to the impending threat, so entranced is he by the sights and sounds of the chamber...
"Hmmm... some magical transportation device, it would seem, mutters Andolphas, more or less to himself. "But built and used by whom? And where did it lead to?" After letting his questions hang for a few moments, he returns his attention to the party. "If there's nothing further here, perhaps we should press on... and if we reach a dead end (no pun intended), we can always come back to investigate this thing more thoroughly..."
After a quick glance at the rubble of the eastern passage, Andolphas follows the first torch-bearer (presumably Brashen) down the western passage. As he reaches the platform, he takes an interest in the glyphs that are on the base of the platform, as well as on the inside of the broken frame of the apparatus. "Hmmm... a large equilateral triangle and small circles, crosses and flame- or leaf-like shapes... I wonder..."
As he walks slowly around the platform, something else catches the cleric's eye. "Brashen, Strevlik, Da'gret... the serpent's tracks continue to the north..." He then kneels to pick up some of the shiny black shards that lay at the foot of the apparatus... "Could this apparatus once have been an arcane mirror of sorts, now shattered? What do you make of this, Boland?"
"Ahh, here seems to be the source of the wispering, not ghosts, but pipes" Brash points out some fine tubes protuding from the walls. "Old traps prehaps? Does anyone have any knowledge of the working of such things?" He then heads to the alcoves, discovering that they both contain small circular indents within them, and notices some wood shavings next to the bedroll. "Curious" Brash muses. "Well what of these holes? Prehaps they can be pushed in, to reveal a secret door? Surely a trap would be bigger, so as to be set of accidently." With that Brash crouches down and pushes with the handel of his axe the hole of the east alcove he is in.
Andolphas smiles to himself as he examines the markings, and especially the graffiti on the walls, in the flickering torch light. "Forget to tell us something, Brash, Boland?" As he spies the mouldy bedroll, he whispers again: "Some town folk also said that a man by the name of Nikola had been staying at the Able Carter, but that he had not been seen in a week or so. They suspected that he might have returned to the city, although I wonder if he may not have tried to beat us to this cairn, for one reason or another. Of course, this bedroll likely isn't his... I'm thinking that it may have belonged to the child that disappeared, if such really happened... or, perhaps, that it belonged to one of those responsible for the graffiti on these walls... who tried to spend the night in here in order to prove his bravery?" The sinister cleric's smile fades as his thoughts turn to other things. "I should point out that this cairn is thought to be older than the first Suel residents of these parts, who were brought here by the Green Lady and who would have brought with them the faith of the Ruby Goddess. Thus, the dead who were interred within these chambers fell beyond her sanctity... and who knows if they were safely guided into the Afterlife, of if their souls still remain herein... While the members of my order had explored this tomb in the distant past, who knows what may have made its abode here since then... tread carefully..." As Brashen inspects the alcove, Andolphas adds his own thought's to the warriors: "Although I am no engineer, I would guess that this would be an ancient trap... hopefully already triggered... The shavings on the bedroll... could it have been splinters of wood that were shaved off or blown out of the holes as darts were launched from them? Whether rightly or wrongly, I would advise against stepping into the alcoves..."
Andolphas takes his spear in hand left once again, and buckles his right arm the wooden shield that he had been carrying on his back, waiting to fall in line behind the next torch-bearer. His wispy raven hair flutters with each of the cavern's sighs, as do the feathers that hang beneath his spear tip. "Some townsfolk remember a child going missing in this cairn, perhaps a decade ago, and she's not been seen since," whispers the acolyte. Tension suddenly creeps into his voice: "There, ahead... does anyone else see it? That flickering green light?"
"Here it is, the entrance to the Whispering Cairn," murmurs Andolphas. "It is aptly named." The somber young cleric leans his spear against one of the stone walls, and then grasps some of the dust from the ground in his left hand and the ruby-skull symbol of Wee Jas in the other. "Green Lady, you who led the ancient Suel to these lands long ago via tunnels of endless dark under the protection of the Ruby Sorceress, guide us safely as we venture into this holy cairn... Let us tread softly, so as to not disturb those that rest within... Honour the Dead..." At this last statement, Andolphas lets the sand sift through his fingers, and turns at his companions expectantly...
Spoiler:
He spots Andolphas and waits for him to finish talking with one of the miners before approaching rather nervously. He puts the rope down and says. "I think I owe you an apology. I should have come to you first with this idea. It's just that Nikola was so enthusiastic and persuasive, and insisted on secrecy. Thank you for agreeing to come along though - I feel much more comfortable having yours and the Lady's support." He touches the holy symbol that hangs around his neck with these last words. "It's alright, Boland. Amariss was a little disappointed that our expedition mates were not devotees of the Dark-Eyed Lady, but we nevertheless have her blessings to proceed. We do not doubt your own devotion and sincerity, though I can say nothing of Nikola's intentions..."
Outside he bids everyone wait a moment and gathers them in close before saying quietly "Let us meet as Taggin's tomorrow morning, at opening. There may be a few things we need to get before we head out. From there I can lead us out to the place." "I'll see you tomorrow morning at Taggin's, Boland... now rest well," says Andolphas, turning his back on the party and waving a hand as he begins his walk back down the Vein in the direction of the lake with arms wide spread, like some great green bird of prey. Now and again, his voice can be heard in the night, preaching to the drunks, street walkers, and others that cross his path.
Spoiler:
Andolphas will spend his time preaching and speaking with the folk on the street while he awaits the return of the boat [occ](Gather Info: 17 + 3 = 20)[/ooc]. Once back at the cult's cell, he will discuss the evening's meeting with Amariss, before praying and turning in for the night.[/ooc]
Andolphas nods grimly at Da'gret and rises from the table a few moments after his table mates leave. As he makes his way through the crowd towards the exit, he casts a baleful glance at the elf woman while rattling the canary skulls and ruby-skull symbol of Wee Jas that dangle around his neck with dramatic flair. "Remember your prayers, good workers of Diamond Lake, remember your prayers to the Dark-Eyed Lady... for tomorrow is another day, and the new day always brings with it a new death somewhere in the world... and all too often, here, in our community..." The sinister yet charismatic cleric stops at the door, and, with the practiced grace of a showman, looks over his shoulder one last time while smiling benignly at the tavern's patrons. "Remember your prayers..." And then, he walks out and fades into night's darkness...
The acolyte regains control of his temper, and noticed as he looked discretely over his shoulder the interest that he and Brashen had generated from the elf maiden and the half-orc. Speaking again in a quiet whisper, while occasionally flashing lightning bolts from his eyes at Brashen: "Since I seem unable to make you change your mind, Boland, then I shall come along for the same reason as Strevlik -- to help save you from yourself... I do not question your respect for the Dark-Eyed Lady, as I do your companions' lack thereof. But I'll tell all of you honestly -- I would be seriously surprised if we found anything in the Whispering Cairn. While it is quite likely among the most ancient cairns found in these hills – one of those that were old when the Suel first migrated to this region many centuries past - without powerful magic, any bodies interred there are likely to have decayed to dust long ago."
Andolphas raises an eyebrow as Brashen brushes off the the topic,and then stands up abruptly and slams his fist down on the table. "BLASPHEMER!" he yells out, "mark my words, your complacent attitude will be the doom of us all! The Dark-Eyed Lady can read our hearts, and those who do not hold her firmly within their bosom when they request her blessings -- those who make only token gestures and rely on token words -- skew the odds of success against their companions as well! Her favour is not freely given, nor is it to be taken for granted!" Realizing that he has been speaking a little too loudly and possibly drawing the attention of other patrons in the noisy tavern, the sinister acolyte casts a few looks over his shoulders, then sits down again and continues with a hushed voice. "Boland, what I was trying to tell you ever so subtly was that you should have obtained the guidance of the Green Lady's servants before you recruited your band of... tomb robbers. We certainly could have provided you with more appropriate associates. This one," he points to Brashen, "we can certainly do without."
Andolphas raises an eyebrow as Brashen brushes off the the topic,and then stands up abruptly and slams his fist down on the table. "BLASPHEMER!" he yells out, "mark my words, your complacent attitude will be the doom of us all! The Dark-Eyed Lady can read our hearts, and those who do not hold her firmly within their bosom when they request her blessings -- those who make only token gestures and rely on token words -- skew the odds of success against their companions as well! Her favour is not freely given, nor is it to be taken for granted!" Realizing that he has been speaking a little too loudly and possibly drawing the attention of other patrons in the noisy tavern, the sinister acolyte casts a few looks over his shoulders, then sits down again and continues with a hushed voice. "Boland, what I was trying to tell you ever so subtly was that you should have obtained the guidance of the Green Lady's servants before you recruited your band of... tomb robbers. We certainly could have provided you with more appropriate associates. This one," he points to Brashen, "we can certainly do without."
A hint of crimson now appears on Andolphas's normally chalk-white face, which is set in a scowl. After a long silence, he speaks in a subdued tone: "I had wished to avoid making this a public discussion, Boland... but did you think to secure the good will of the Green Lady prior to planning this little expedition into some ancient burial chamber? I'm assuming not... and that Amariss," he lingers on the name of the cult's comely head priestess, "will be deeply disappointed by your lack of foresight... Not to mention that those who have not paid proper homage to the Lady before they set off may in turn have the misfortune of suffering an early and less than pleasant demise..." The acolyte finishes his statement by caressing the amulet of the Dark-Eyed Lady that hangs from his neck.
With a reasonably intent audience, Bowls seems to gain some confidence and momentum. He leans forward once more and lowers his voice so that others will not overhear him. "You would all be aware that there is much talk at the moment about the Cains and the treasure hoards which may yet still exist behind hidden passages. Well, I have reason to believe that one of these Cairns" and he lowers his voice further, befitting the name "- The Whispering Cairn - may have some yet undiscovered passages. And I believe I know the entrance to it." He pauses for effect and looks towards Brashen with this last statement. Andolphas raises an eyebrow in evident surprise following Boland's declaration, then fixes him with a frigid stare and responds in an equally cold whisper. "Boland, you know that's non-sense... the Whispering Cairn has been thoroughly explored, and everyone knows there is nothing else to be found there... now is that all this meeting was about? A mysterious stranger wanting to gather a group of strangers to go ... I'm afraid that Boland here was the victim of a hoax, and that we've all wasted our time here... still no sign of this Nikola, is there?" The black-eyed acolyte holds one palm up and looks at the wizard's recruits one by one, hoping they will agree with his assessment of the situation and decide to end the meeting early.
Spoiler:
Bowls feels Andolphas kicking him in the shin as the cleric whispers "nothing else to be found there," underneath the table, as if to say "why are you telling these others about this?"
Spoiler:
It looks as though Andolphas moved slightly when he said "nothing else to be found there," possibly kicking Boland under the table?
Andolphas watches Boland's group grow in size quite abruptly with curiosity evident in his eyes. "Interesting, interesting... Boland, I'm assuiming that these characters have been frequenting Diamond Lake for some time now, and that they therefore know who I am... but I am not particularly well acquainted with any of them... Care to do the introductions? I take it the monster isn't your friend Nikola, is he...???" Despite the acolyte's outwardly confident manner, his grip tightens on his spear...
Andolphas continues to make absent-minded small talk with Boland. "Brashen? Is he still around? Hmmm... how could I have missed him? And what's he up to these days?" The acolyte's attention strays once in a while to newly arrived patrons who make the sign of Wee Jas as they pass by, and to whom he fells compelled to make the appropriate response -- two hands tightly clasped around the holy symbol of the Dark-Eyed Lady and held up before the priest's eyes.
Andolphas responds in a slightly more dramatic whisper. "And who might this Nikola be, Boland, and how did you come to be acquainted with him, and these 'others'? During your apprenticeship? Don't think I didn't notice your avoidance of the latter subject... is that also something best left to later? Why all the drama and mystery?" The acolyte drums his fingers on the table, looking at the young wizard intently. Andolphas's ghost-like features probably do more to unsettle than reassure the timid scholar.
Peering through the smoky haze and over the throng of burly, unwashed labourers, Andolphas finally recognizes his old acquaintance, apparently trying to become one with the wall by which he is seated. Still standing in the doorway, the acolyte sighs softly as an odd expression clouds his face. Bowls... alone... in the bowels of the Feral Dog... on an evening where there are dog fights... this can't possibly be how my greater destiny in service of the Green Lady is to begin, is it? Let's get this over with... let's see what he has to say. Andolphas pushes his way fearlessly through the rough crowd, returning threatening or irritated glances with a cold stare of his own. At last, he reaches Boland's table. "Bowls, my old friend," he says rather nonchalantly with a sly grin, "it's good to see you again... but whatever possessed you to request a meeting in an establishment such as this? Clearly, your apprenticeship has changed you in more ways than I would have expected. May I have a seat?" Without awaiting a reply, he pulls a chair back, and, with a look of contempt, attempts to mop up the spilt ale on the seat with his shield before slinging the wooden disc onto his back. At last, he sits down, the haft of his spear clutched tightly in his left hand. "So, how have you been? What is this important news that you wish to share? And by the Green Lady's robes, man, why are you slinking so fearfully in the shadows? That's a sure way to get one of the patrons of this fine tavern to send you off to meet The Reaper without the guidance of the Stern Lady... will anyone else be joining us? I apologize for being rude, but I'd like to get this 'business' done as soon as possible, if you don't mind..."
A green-clad scarecrow of a man makes his way down the dusty Vein with a purposeful stride, a shortspear with feathers dangling from the tip in one hand, and a small wooden shield in the other. Intensity burns in his charcoal eyes, contrasting sharply with his thin lips and perfect alabaster skin. His straight jet black hair hangs halfway down his back and whips around as the almost effeminate young man turns his head to nod at passersby, occasionally shaking his spear menacingly at one or the other to single them out, yet never stopping to have an actual conversation with any of them. His voice ebbs and flows, erupting into a hysteric shriek without warning and then falling into a dynamic whisper before resuming a semblance of a normal pitch. The locals all know him by name: Andolphas Hecker, Acolyte of the Green Lady. "Evening, Farrod... strike a good lode today?... Banion -- haven't seen you at service lately... I hope you haven't been neglecting your daily prayers to the Green Lady... heard you had a close call the other day... Lorainna, keep your thighs closer together, and your journey to the other side will be far less painful... Myrtana -- fear not for your brother -- he was a pious and devout man, and his soul shall find the proper path through the Afterlife... I am sure of it!!! And let that be a reminder to everyone -- DEATH COMES TO US ALL!!! The question is: have you made the required preparations for the final journey?" At last, the young man reaches the doors of the Feral Dog and ignores the folk behind him. Raucous laughter assaults him from beyond the rickety door. Why would Boland call me to meet with him in this dive, of all places? It's almost blasphemous... This better be worth it... Oh well, here goes... The green-robed acolyte gives the door a rough push and strolls in assertively, confident that his reputation -- enhanced by the long necklace of canary skulls and the silver skull-like symbol of the Ruby Goddess he wears around his neck, chainmail shirt and combat gear -- shall guarantee him respect and safe passage among the tavern's tough crowd. The green-robed acolyte stands in the doorway, and scans the clientele in the dim room, giving his eyes a moment to adjust. Fools... I wonder how many remembered to give thanks to the Dark Lady before drinking themselves into oblivion? I clearly have a lot more work to do... Now where is Boland?
Alright folks... at last, I give you Andolphas Hecker, adherent of the Green Lady... complete with detailed background for you to hook into. Mothman, what bonus languages are available? Aside from that, the only thing I need to figure out is my initial spell selection... Thanks for your patience, all...
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