Decidio Decendo Cessi's page

What you did was needless risk Drow and Dwarf; strange times for such allies; but, silly mortal; do you not know that a goddess of her strength can see those around her shrines and altars; you have drawn her attention where you did not have it before. As my sister and I look into the ether we do see the eyes upon us <shudder> and know that now things are much more dangerous.

Astinos should have done the deed or another of you priests; Paladins are dedicated in the war against gods and are not taken as an affront to the dieties person; but a challenge to her mortal champions.

Now you suggest to carry these artifacts of Her that would call out to our enemies; not wise.

Know yea each now; a diety can see some distance around his followers; the greater the dedication; the greater the distance. Beware and pray your dieties will cloak you from the vengence of She Whose Name Should No Longer Be Spoken lest you draw unto you her attention furthermore.

<looks pensively to Astinos for support>

Looking over to Kalona. We are not here to search for baubles. We are here to save the Sun Gods Sister, and to weaken our enemies if we can. This alter is dedicated to a Goddess of Death, and Magic. Destroying it is a small victory for life. We need every victory we can get. For you it might be a fun little excursion. For those of us who grew up here; its a war for survival. Sorry if your tail feathers got ruffled. If you were that concerned you would have spoke up as Nebebit did when I started to carve prayers of the Sun God into the alter. You still could have spoken up as Kosan was getting ready to swing. Yet you did nothing. Thats how the Devourer and its allies win. By people doing nothing. Now someone throw those books in a bag. Kemnebi can look at them later. We should probably take that sword and armor so we deny its use by our enemies. Astinos can take them back to his temple so they can be properly destroyed.

Now is the essence of this shrine gone? So we can get going. I have concern for all of Astinos's Kinsmen who are dying on the surface giving us the time we need to accomplish what we were sent here to do. I move to the stairs that head downward, and wait for the rest of the party to move.

I suggest the most powerful clergy pray to blind the area of altar; those not protected by a diety such as a cleric risk their wrath; it is said that any diety can see some distance around their faithful; but a contest of faith can block it; or so I have heard, read, and is suggested in various faiths.

Brave and sturdy Dwarven Hero; my sister and I great thee. We have heard of the Dwarfs and hope that you will aid us and help us in this parties quest. Dwarven stonecunning is a thing of legend; can you tell us Master, if this hall is safe; in the room behind us before; and in this hall now since the explosion; the ground has rumbled and dust and rock falls from the roof over our heads; we do not wish to be entombed here; is this hall still safe?

Friend x2; once in Dwarven; once in Scandanavian

<begins humming a little ditty; perhaps it is nervousness>

<Nods> I thought it was from Thoronhen from contact from the surface creatures. It certainly should concern us; the taint; hmm.

also, what the heck where all those wererats, some came down here; and a Margoyle that controls them; I am confused. Nobody attacked the Margoyle; they are abyssal; born of the 3rd plane but home on this plane now; entirely evil; I dont understand.

what thinks you about his my Paladin?

Well said Astinos; I too fear for her. The Chancellor has destroyed so many and is unimaginably subtle; just talking to him corrupts the mortal spirit.

Through the mindlink

Namaste
** spoiler omitted **

Chancellor's Wrath; who is this chancellor Namaste? Astinos, do you know of this Chancellor my Knight; are we as a group beholden to some unknown nobility?

I too have heard of the Bone Devil that is sworn to destroy Kojan; it is the laughing stock of the planes for his continual failures; it is mad with revenge and it is true; there does tend to be much collateral damage.

hmm, <rolled spot> I do not see it on the Astral Plane, Sister?

to Astinos in Greek.
Blessed, I, <she gives a small laugh> doubtful. I am just a bit older than you and have seen more lands and more peoples. I have sat next to Kings and I have withered in the dungeon cells of Tyrants. I like all people are helpless without a champions protection.

<said and heard by each person in their own language>

Well, my knight, there is something special about Thoronhen, of that I am certain. I bet he could tell you fair market value of an item on any of the four continents from the Great Market in Thebes to the Captial of the World Emperor to the Guilders of Boran Thane in Thorhold. Such a man with such contacts is very useful if one takes a larger view of the world.

consider for a moment that in this time and place you are but a soldier fighting on enemy is a local struggle, but your actions and that of this group is a cog in the wheels of a greater destiny. Thus the War of the Age not yet named is upon us; all races gird for war; all peoples struggle in strife, even yon angry dark elf Prince Llevenoc is needed to codify his people into one force against the Great Threat we have not even spoken of; consider for a moment that on all lands of humans that the Lords of Chaos have sought out and killed human dieties who are not of great enough power to stand alone. Consider that even greater dieties have been cut off by the loss if their priesthoods and directed followers.

Think yea the world any different than we in this room; divided; struggling to survive; yet afraid of our enemy; afraid of facing known and unknown threats; shall we go on blindly; shall we plot and make tactical decisions; shall we trust in blind strength and luck and take on all comers spitting into the eyes of our enemies with our last breath as we are pulled under. Yes; we here are a metaphor for the whole of the world yet we can be a shining example of the world united agaisnt the one true foe if we choose. As we go in this room; so goes the world.

hmm, my dear paladin, the blackbird can speak using the tounges spell; that is interesting. Thoronhen says he comes from the Holy Cities, but I sense nothing holy about him or his gear; again; interesting. Is anything what it seems.

anyone know how fast skeletons move or if there are any invisible things here; that is quite a few moderate strength skeletons for only one necromancer to control; I am thinking perhaps each group was made by a different necromancer and it probably cannot control many more anywhere else; have any of you made or controlled undead before? if you have; would you know if someone destroyed one you controlled; hmm, it would seem to free up your control for others. Would killing one alert the necromancer who made him regardless of distance, unlike the shadows which think for themselves; these kind Must be controlled.

I think this might just be a trap for the violent though I admit I have not yet worked out the towers and the gongs into my tactical theory of this room.

She turns toward Thoronhen
So, what does a peasant like you know of honor, virtue, and valiance; doubtfully very much; one wonders how those such as you rate such things to call another a coward. Hmm but then, Lady Jewel called Prince Llevenoc her ward; Sir Astinos did seek to guard two; perhaps you mispoke in your rudimentary control of the language and meant co ward; as guardian of two.

Thank you Sir Knight; for the trust you have shown me.

As you get out the potion and appear to begin to drink; She interupts you and ask you. "please do not drink of that potion; nor accept any healing spells. You wounds were recieved in honor; recieved in growth and learning; recieve them and become one with them; comtemplate them and learn from them; what are they teaching you; what do they say. Do this and begin your journey to true strength. Might I be so bold as to ask you a question; riddle me this Sir Knight; this bottle you gave me; Holy Water you called it; how does it differ from any other bottle of water; were I get refill this bottle from that pool over there; would it have the same effect. Are you not as this bottle once was; a container full of holy fluid; would you mingle with the unknown agents of that bottle; would you recieve blessings of allied but foreign dieties; would that not lead you away from purity; what is purity; is that not your strength; could not your diety have prevented or cured each wound recieved as they happened; if that diety did not; perhaps there is something to learn that you have not yet learned. I suggest that you demonstrate faith; as I have faith in you; and in your growth; that you accept your wounds; they will heal in the fullness of your faith; you need not accept them forever; nor accept them until they heal in their own time as your body remembers what being healed is and restores you to that rememberance; you can be healed or heal thyself at any time; I ask that you think about this as a step into a higher self and contemplate your wounds; live with them for a time until you merge with them and learn from them that which they have to teach; consider that if your diety did not heal them that they may teach you some truth that as of yet aludes you; i do not believe that they will hamper you much; nor withold your effectiveness from helping this group. Besides; with so may various healers here available; you can be healed at any time hence forth.

Do as you wish; I only humble ask that you hear and consider.

I retrieve my spear and drink one of my potions of Cure Moderate Wounds, 2d8+3=12. Back up to 78 hp

"Do not understimate your impact," I lift her chin to make eye contact. "besides, I have a feeling that before this is all over we will all have much to do."

Astinos grins for a moment then takes on a determined look as the Jewel speaks."True," He looks to Grymbol and Nebbebit, a nod of gratitude for the latter, "Get everyone patched up as best you can, we need to move!"

Your words are kind Sir Knight; but I did nothing; just words and spilt water; much less than others. (she looks away eyes downcast).

as I said, I think at this moment but a bare tendril of its essence exists in this world; did you see how that shot of even lightening went right through it with no effect? it is almost like it is on another plane and only comes through when it makes contact with a victim....perhaps if you had a weapon that could hit things on other planes of existance; you could defeat this creature; I have heard of a few of those; do you have one?

I appologize My Lord, that which I know will not hurt that thing, I have never been trained for combat; if that is important to you I could learn, I have good eyes; I suppose I could use a sling or bow or throw darts or somethings; yet I have none. Neither do I have a sword or club in which to dominate the creature with strength and prowess of arms of which I have none.

what I do have is knowledge; I have watched the creature; it very much resists the slashing and bludgening damage you apply to it; it shrugs off much of the magic cast at it; its defenses are much stronger while attacking. Also, I have noticed that once it has grappled it is much more real; much more there; its defenses are lowered as it feeds on its victim, this feeding seems to make it stronger and heal it. I would have you consider letting it grab you as you are the strongest; then when it is defenseless; the others can kill it though I fear it might hurt you my Lord.

Milord, I have thrown the vial at yon vile creature; what would you have me do to assist you now?

ok; waiting on the rest of the teams responses;

Kenembi; where did you move to; which direction; the tunnel; the carts; jewel and astinos direction; Grymble; somewhere else like the pool; toward Jewel and Astinos and Grymble is into the incomming path of the two shadow warriors.

June goes with you nimbly; says; "this may be our last moments; a kiss for luck"; she moves to kiss you on the lips.

Dont have time to look up your challenge; does that apply to the group or just you?

She follows Astinos; holding the vial of holy water..."as you command".

both Astinos and Decidio are now near Jewel.

Jewel; says; "oh brother, the attack of the bedsheets; ok; who is thinking lurid thoughts?

she points a wand at the monster and says something intelligable; one light pulses out of it and strikes the creature for some magical damage.

Whispers to Namaste
"it is dangerous for a mortal mind to open itself to the dead; the seeds they plant may grow; easy is it for the hunger of the dead to attach itself to the living; beware; you dont desire the knowledge of those who died murdered and in despair; seek life and love; sheild yourself with that; do as you will.

"As you command" she follows quickly and close to your rear; moving with strength and grace.

I stride forward spear ready prepared to charge.

To Decidio "Stay behind me."

she steps back; "I have no need of that at this time, but thank you"

"what is it? it doesnt seem to be doing anything?"

What does the party do?

Lord Astinos;
I serve thee willingly my Lord in all things; if it is to be hidden from the undead that you seek; then I can help for a short time; but you must will it.

Though through no fault of your own that you cannot see in this gloom; depend upon me for I shall tell you what your companions have left out; those skeletons washing rags are the only ones moving; thus the warriors are unmoving as are those archers; no one has checked if they are even magically animated; all this cringing in the darkness behind these rude crates is hardly worthy when no enemy has yet presented itself; though something here right with us is amiss I think.

She bows to Astinos and stays that way awaiting his words.