Joe returns to the group. "At the ready." The avalon king make a salute gesture with the tip of Escalabvar.
Hearing that they will something other than meat to present, Serill changes his mind about hunting. "Actually I think I will go help Markas. I think we will have plenty of meat sacrifice already." He catches up with Markas before he goes too far.
"How are you feeling after that bath ritual? I am kinda feeling part of myself fading. Is that weird? Like all the new things here are replacing old things."
Artemis just nods, heading into the woods with Joe and... probably Ryada, humming a small tone as the trio head in, "Remember, don't try to ruin the pelt... actually, I don't think that really matters if we have magic..."
Markas nods and offers his hand to Serill before they head off. "Now that you say it, I guess. It is hard to put it into words. I can't wait to pour over the jedi holocroms some more!"
Ryada is dressing her hart.
Joe and Artemis go into the green. Soon to find a snarling dire wolf,
Delman is on his own.
Niversal is... waiting at the pond.
Once the dire wolf is spotted, Joe will both antagonize the beast and attempt to go full defensive.
"Huh. That sounds really cool. Have you made another wish yet from that last dark soul? I'm still trying to decide mine."
Taking the brief moment of time before the dire wolf attacks, Artemis would take this opportunity to fly up.
Round 1
The wolf bursts forth from the foliage and goes for the attack on Joe!
Round 2
Round 3
Round 2
The wolf continues his attack, nearly getting through Joe's defenses. Maintaining Full Defense.
Round 3
The paladin's armor keeps his flesh safe from the wolf's bite. Maintaining Full Defense.
Markas is more in the way than helpful to Serill as he does not know much about the land and what to look for. He looks at you for a moment and then says, "No I haven't used my wish yet. I was going to wait and get some advice from the group as some of the members have said, more than one head on such a topic would be wise. Have I given it thought? Oh YES! I was thinking of asking for a lightsaber, something with my class, maybe changing to another race that gives me some major boosts. There are so many options, perhaps it would be best to learn what others have wished for in the past."
After an hour those who went foraging or hunting soon return with their prey. A large stone table is set in the glade that you started within. You can see the archway that leads to the Library. Castria stands there making sure the door stays open, just in case. The table has been set with silver plates, silverware, glasses, and many different vessels holding different colored liquids. Jellena waits at one of the heads of the table for you to return.
Servants come forward to collect the product of your labors. To wash fruit, dress and clean any thing hunted, and so on.
Round 2
Artemis will take the opportunity to slowly fly around while shooting down at the wolf, hoping to help weaken it and also relieve some pressure off of Joe.
Round 3
Artemis takes another shot at the wolf... and the gun jams.
To help speed things along.
Round 4
Artemis will spend the turn using a alchemical bomb to unclear the breach of Borealis.
Round 5
With his breach cleared, Artemis would take another shot at the wolf.
Round 4 and 5
Joe maintains his full defense hoping the next gunshot will be the one to fell the lupine.
Once the offering is deceased, the young king helps the fiendish marksman carry his sacrifice.
At the stone table, the holy warrior hands the his sacrificial chest to the attendees. At Joe's feet is his Dark Soul Orb, still in the water basin he found it in.
"A light saber would be very cool. Jellena has one too. What colour would you want? I know we can already change our race in that town, New Faces. So perhaps you should wish for something that isn't easily achievable." He helps gather enough for the sacrifice and hands it over to the servants.
"Did you find the dire wolf as you sought?" He asks as Joe returns.
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Niversal stands when Jellena appears and says I am mourning my death and loss to my family. I cannot wish them here with me. I can, however give the gift of my death. I shall become Death to the enemy of the innocent and defenseless, those who consent is taken from. I wish to become half celestial. Niversal holds out the ball of wishing when he does so. Jellena, I am death. My old life is gone and I mourn it's loss and offer it up as my gift so that I may be everything I can be for the people here who need me now.
"Did you find the dire wolf as you sought?" He asks as Joe returns.
"Wolf, definitely". Joe said as he and Artemis set down a gray furry body. "Dire, I'm not sure."
The dire wolf lunges two more times and the second shot from Artemis lays it low.
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"The light saber colour would likely be green for a jedi counselor but I will have to meditate on what other choices I have. Race is not so easily found, sure dwarf, elf, tiefling, and base races are easy but more powerful ones are costly to say the least." He replies to Serill in all serious tones as he thinks on the questions and his brows furrow.
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Jellena comes back to her normal self and asks, "I need to set up these censures with inscense, would you be willing to light the incense, blow it out and begin the smoking process please?" Then she begins to move things around, she does get a bag of salt out to make a circle around the table. Then she puts runes upon the ground with wet wax, blood, and other such things with other supplies.
You may have noticed there is a circle of salt around the stone table. Next to the circle there are runes of magic that glow. Upon the four corners of the table are incense censors that smoke with a pungent and pleasing aroma of citrus and lilies.
As the whole group of Night Hawks are now around the stone table Jellena's voice changes with an otherworldly edge. Her eyes roll into the back of her head and then the orbs turn midnight black.
As the whole group of Night Hawks are now around the stone table Jellena's voice changes with an otherworldly edge. Her eyes roll into the back of her head and then the orbs turn midnight black. "Hello my children, my Chosen. I see you have all brought sacrifices and soon there will be plenty to share among you. I am glad to see what you have done in my name. I will give Jellena some sites that with your unique skill sets you shall be able to purge for us. Though that is secondary to the death of the next Dark Soul. As some of you know, Jellena is my voice, believe what she says is my word. I will allow each of you a question and the answer will come from me before I leave Jellena. What would you ask of me?"
The holy warrior kneels before the table as The Mistress makes her presence known. When asked to offer a question, Joe stands up and addresses his deity.
"Oh Mistress. Thank you for the many gifts you have bestowed unto me and your familia. Mistress, what will be the final destination of Cyndy Waskalis's soul?"
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Niversal's hair begins to glow and turn white like a nimbus and wings of light seem to highlight him but yet are not quiet there and his body grows in new ways as his skin darkens and becomes like stone a bit and he looks out from his eyes which now seem touched with an inner fire as he stands. When he arrives with the others and the goddess arrives he takes a knee with his ring still hanging around his neck and he pets Ed to give him comfort.
Joe stares in wonder as Niverdal enter the stone table area. "Hi, Niversal." The holy warrior smiles.
"Joe as her soul never traveled to our parallel world she is out of my scope of awareness. You may have another question as I cannot answer your question." She replies in neutral tones.
Walking faithfully beside his master and sits next to him as he kneels. He looks from one person to the next and focuses on Jellena at the end.
When there is a long enough pause he would ask his question, "Where is a place that will make me stronger?"
Joe takes a few moments to ponder what The Mistress said.
"Um, is there a way for Morgana le Fey to be imprisoned, yet allow Merlynn her freedom?"
The Mistress smiles upon Joe as he muses. After he asks his second question she gives Joe two answers, "You likely won't like these answers but here they are; Yes, you would need a magic caster of equal caliber as Merlynn to man her Sanctum or complete the quest, 'One for Another.' It is an arderous quest that only the king of Avalon can complete. Will you take the quest, only once you take it will you begin to learn the particulars of the quest. It is a hidden quest."
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"Ed there are many places that you can get stronger but one of the safest places is a magical site. I will imbue you with the scent of treasure so that you can find such places easier for yourself and your group." She simply states in response to the dog.
The Mistress smiles upon Joe as he muses. After he asks his second question she gives Joe two answers, "You likely won't like these answers but here they are; Yes, you would need a magic caster of equal caliber as Merlynn to man her Sanctum or complete the quest, 'One for Another.' It is an arderous quest that only the king of Avalon can complete. Will you take the quest, only once you take it will you begin to learn the particulars of the quest. It is a hidden quest."
Joe takes a moment to consider. "Well, seeing how there are no other Kings of Avalon available, I shall take the quest."
His eyes widened a little as Jellena was possessed, remembering the last time he was this close to the mistress.
"Venerable Mistress. There is a species of dragon that usually reside in the shadow plane that prey upon the undead. If it would please you, I would use my wish to become like them and be a force against the undead in your name."
Artemis would think a bit, kneeling in front of the Mistress before sighing, "For uh..." Artemis frowns, "I've been trying to think of something to ask you... but I've not had the most success in thinking of a good question, but..." Artemis pauses. "I can't think of anything else but uh, what is potion or elixir meant to be?" Artemis asks, pulling out the potion/elixir he had grabbed alongside the bodysuit earlier while in the garden.
Her eyes take on a magical blue glow as the magical words for the cantrip of detect magic are said. Then she offers Artemis, "It is an Elixir of Fire Breath it confers the ability to spit gouts of flame. You can breathe fire up to three times, each time dealing 4d6 points of fire damage to a single target up to 25 feet Away. The victim can attempt a DC 13 Reflex save for half damage. Unused blasts of fire dissipate 1 hour after the liquid is consumed."
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She replies to Serill, "The umbral dragons... do be weary as you take upon their flesh. Their sadistic and cruel tendencies may well begin to twist you. Though I know not all half dragons take all the qualities of their parentage, especially once acquired rather than born by it. If it is what you wish then say so upon the stone."
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As Joe says the words you can feel a burning sensation on your arm. As you pull back your gauntlets and armor upon your arm, let alone any other covering you find a black dot that seems hot. "As you achieve hurdles the magical tattoo will grow. Then it will change to another color slowly, showing you the amount of time you have to finish the quest."
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"Ryada that is an excellent question. One that I have suggestions but the option will still be yours to choose. I know you wish to have power equal to those of your fellow Night Hawks, want to be able to resist being controlled again, and perhaps a way to bring your confidence back again. You could become Fey Blessed or Fey Touched as those both..." She goes on explaining about them but then comes around full circle and decides those would not work. "Many of the templates will change you outwardly and eventually may change your core being as well. Though perhaps you would accept becoming holy..." She explains the advantages of this.
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"Delman my good and faithful servant. The bow you search for is closer than you know but it has been given to another. Instead I will send you to the Cave of Ur'Legrutha. It is North of New Faces in a country known as Nemesis. Know that these are evil lands and for my servants and those who are good will find it hard to live here. In the Blood Mountains of Malice you will find a bleak white tower on the mountain you must search for the cave. Do not go to the white tower." She says stressing the importance of the tower.
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"Markas you should ask for Arcann's Silver Blade. Though it may be cursed through trials and tribulations you will be able to eventually cleanse the weapon." She states with a wry grin.
She kneels as well with everyone else. Then near the end of the other questions and even after Ed she would ask in a humble meek voice, "What template would be best for me to take and yet remain an elf?"
She listens and tries to understand the words her Goddess speaks and asks questions when she does not. Eventually she would agree, "Fey Touched might be something close to elf but still it would change me."
Once holy is described to her, her face brightens, "Yes becoming stronger, being able to resist evil's influence, that sounds like a very good choice."
She would next look to Joe and the others and ask, "What do you think? Will taking the holy template change me too much? Should I take it?"
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He would kneel with the fellow knights of their goddess. He would take his seat at the table with her and listen to the others questions. Finally he would ask, "Mistress, I would ask how can I serve you the best but I believe you have already answered that. We need to listen to Jellena, destroy the Dark Souls, and purge the undead. To this end I will ask, where is a tool or weapon that will help me accomplish these deeds?"
He kneels with all those in attendance. He would follow Delman's action and walk up to the table, waiting for her to allow him to sit or he stays in his position and would go back to kneeling.
He would ask, "Is there a specific powerful lightsaber that I should wish to have as my weapon?"
Knowing that with such knowledge and likely no way for him to attain it any other way he pulls the dark stone out of one of his pockets and wishes, "I wish to have Arcann's Silver Blade placed before me on the stone table, that anyone or thing holding it will not come with it. With no detriment to my self or others."
As Joe says the words you can feel a burning sensation on your arm. As you pull back your gauntlets and armor upon your arm, let alone any other covering you find a black dot that seems hot. "As you achieve hurdles the magical tattoo will grow. Then it will change to another color slowly, showing you the amount of time you have to finish the quest."
Joe nods solemnly at his diety. "What do you think I should do with my Dark Soul Orb in the meantime? Isn't it true if the wish is not used in time, it births a new Dark Lord and the process starts all over again?"
She kneels as well with everyone else. Then near the end of the other questions and even after Ed she would ask in a humble meek voice, "What template would be best for me to take and yet remain an elf?"
She would next look to Joe and the others and ask, "What do you think? Will taking the holy template change me too much? Should I take it?"
Joe looks down at Ryada with a relieved smile. "It makes me proud to know that despite everything, you wish to maintain your distinct racial identity."
"The holy template sounds exactly what you're looking for: being immune to charm or possession from an evil entity or object. Plus you'd have protection from evil constantly on you and any damage you do does holy damage. You'd be able to kick evil ass on a whole new level! Any guy worth his stones would be very honored to have you by his side."
Joe nods solemnly at his diety. "What do you think I should do with my Dark Soul Orb in the meantime? Isn't it true if the wish is not used in time, it births a new Dark Lord and the process starts all over again?"
"I don't know. I believe Frank has researched the Dark Souls the most. If you don't want to make your wish now you could always save it." She says simply.
She nods at Joe's first words about her race. Then as he confirms her thoughts she says, "You know king's of Camelot have been elves before. Yes, the holy template sounds like it will help me in all the ways I have had weaknesses before!"
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He eyes Joe warily but does nothing more about it.
Speaking moreso to Ryada he states with enthusiasm, "Yes, I think you being holy would help you the most! We can discuss paladin's oaths to help you stay on the righteous path! You surly would remain yourself mentally and physically."
"Thank you Mistress for that information!
The Cave of Ur'Legrutha, in Nemesis, in the Blood Mountains of Malice, under a bleak white tower."
"So I think I will wish for a magical bow to be made. A holy, +2, adaptive bow that can used by one blessed with immortality by an Idun. What do you think?" He asks the group.
"Please forgive me, Mistress. One more question?" King Joseph bowed to his deity. "Will I need the dark Orb Wish to complete my quest?"
"Joe, A wish could make your quest easier to complete."
"Niversal, the draught of bodily restoration is merely a perk of being apart of our Familia. You have gone through the ritual and are apart of my familia. The draught restores your body to its peak performance in your life, also giving you back those years, also for a day it boosts your physical abilities by +4 and your mental ones by +2. Now that I have answered your questions may you enjoy this meal." She states and Jellena's eyes return to normal. She relaxes into her seat looking a bit fatigued.
"Can we get you anything, Jellena?" Joe asked the oracle.
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At Niversal's action and statement she tenses up for a moment as if to say something but as the liquid goes down his gullet she shrugs it off.
With a weak smile she lazily says, "No I am fine, channeling is just tiring. Niversal if you would ring the bell please."
With Niversal ringing a tiny dinner bell the servants bring forth platters of meat, vegetables and fruit. Five trays in total with bowls of dipping juices, likely from the kills.
The cylindrical handle and bone inlay for the grip appears before Markas.
Ryada, Delman, and Serill have voiced their intentions of wishes so far.
Artemis and Joe also have their wishes still to be made.
Niversal and Markas have made their wishes.
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The food is delicious and juicy.
Niversal looks at the draught and nods and drinks it down saying bottoms up and all that
"Careful Niversal. The older you are the the more kick it has!" Joe cautioned as he watched the angelic hunter drink his Draught of Bodily Restoration. "Felt like I got kicked in the gut by a mule! But it was temporary!"
The food is delicious and juicy.
The godling paladin sat next to Ryada and Delman and ate some fried rabbit with some roasted brussel sprouts. Joe took part in the table conversations but his mind was still focused on the tasks ahead.