“I don’t know the circumstances of Haladon’s mother’s death, or exactly what bearing an aberrant dragonmark might have on a man’s actions or state of mind,” says Rodergo. “I do know that ‘Sir Rolund’ was a complete ass … but Haladon ir’Tarravan, as he stands before you, seems to me to be genuinely pious and genuinely seeking a second chance. I wouldn’t presume to lecture you on the teachings of our church Lady Aris, for you surely know much more than I … but … as much as we do love to put the smack down on evil, and rightly show beings of true evil no mercy … do not we also preach that a man may atone for his sins? Perhaps if I may offer some small council to your grace, we’re looking at more of an atonement situation here than a striking down evil doers one …”
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Lady Aris gives Father Rodergo a sideways look. "And what form of atonement would you suggest, Father Xativa?"
Haladon remained silent from Lady Aris' last question. His face revealing a struggle to call forth memories lost to the Master's psychic surgery.
Disinterested in Haladon's reconciliation with the faith Ezreal opts to spend his time in study. Spellbooks, scrolls and texts on theory layer the table in the library where he has spent his every waking moment since the drama in the Citadel. The mage runs his fingers through hair that has begun to grey unnaturally through the last months. His brow twists into a scowl as he examines the arcane work of the cultists while frequently consulting The Seven Stations and Analects on Mortality to decipher the religious coding in their formulae. "G@+$%#n zealots. They make everything three times as complicated as it need be."
The raven perched on a nearby chair back takes a break from grooming a wing to grouse, "I think we both know it isn't the necromancer's work that has you all worked up. Don't know what it was and I'm not gonna ask, but that dream... you woke me with the dread and the terror. Try to keep it down with the emotional trauma. Plumage like this doesn't just happen. It takes beauty sleep to maintain this level of gloss."
Ezreal glares at him, but eventually decides it is time for a break. The mage heads off to make tea and consider other matters.
"Well ... a quest of some sort is traditional I suppose. Something important to the church ..." Rodergo trails off.
"A quest? Perhaps. What sort of quest would be sufficient to atone? Do you have a view, Father Xativa? Or you, Sir Haladon?"
“Well, we’re on something of a quest at the moment I suppose. Save the world, that type of thing … but, if I were to think of a quest of atonement for Haladon … something that related to him personally, something that benefited the faith, a quest of redemption … to save a life, balanced somewhat against a life lost … Well. Some week back, our companion the stalwart warforged Lightbringer – you remember him of course Lady Aris? – Well, he gave himself up as a captive to the Lord of Blades in the Mournlands, so as to enable the rest of us to escape. Perhaps freeing him from captivity (or at least retrieving his remains if the worst has occurred) would be a suitable quest of atonement?”
"And what do you say, Sir Haladon?"
"I am sorry, Lady Aris," Haladon apologizes. "I truly cannot remember why I would join with the Order of the Onyx Skull. Those memories have faded from my mind."
"Was it weakness in my faith or madness from my Mark? I do not know."
"However, I would not hesitate to aid one of our Purified in need. If the church deems I help rescue our companion Lightbringer to prove my faith and restore my honor, you need not ask."
Lady Aris looks doubtful. "And why would you deem it a sufficient service to the Church to rescue a rogue warforged? Does Lightbringer even need rescuing - what is the nature of his predicament? This hardly seems adequate atonement for what you have done."
"Lightbringer is one of us," Haladon answers as if that is all the explanation needed.
"That is not a sufficient reason," replies Lady Aris, dashing Haladon's hope that his unspoken explanation sufficed. "And the Keeper informs me that there are bigger issues afoot in any case. Instead, you are to assist the kalashtar in any way possible to ensure that the items which they hold are transported, intact and complete, to Adar. You will then assist them in whatever contingencies arise from this course of action, and will follow them to their ultimate conclusion. This will be performed at any cost. Do you understand. Any cost."
She fixes Rodergo with a look. "These are also your orders, Father Xativa."
She looks at Haladon critically. "Where is your armour and your weapons? You seem particularly ill-equipped."
"Surely, we're not going to leave one of our own to suffer," Haladon says in shock. "We must attempt a rescue. With his aid, we will be the stronger to face the mission ahead of us."
"As for arms and armor, unless the Keeper herself orders me to wear and wield the regalia of the Order of the Onyx Skull, I can provide for myself equipment worthy of a Templar of the Silver Flame."
"I have funds for such. At least, I believe I do..." Haladon says with a troubled brow.
"Lightbringer holds no role within the Church hierarchy. The extent to which he is 'one of our own' is moot. In any case," she growls, "You are seeking to rejoin the Church as a knight. That involves following orders. You are a penitent and a - potentially reformed - sinner, killer and traitor. You are in no position to question those orders. Do I make myself clear?"
“Sir Haladon, in my role as your councillor and spiritual advisor, I suggest that you do not argue with her Holiness further,” speaks Rodergo, looking grave. “Lightbringer is indeed our friend, but the Lady Aris speaks truly when she says he has no place in the Church hierarchy – who would know better? We Flamittes can’t just go about rescuing every poor soul who may be in trouble now can we? Much as we may wish to … we need to prioritise what is most important – I do see that, much as my heart may sometimes speak to me otherwise. At any rate, we must respect the wisdom of Lady Aris. Vast wisdom…”
Rodergo turns from Rolund and bows deeply to Lady Aris. “Most Consecrated, is my interpretation of your words correct, that participation in and success in our current quest – to help the kalashtar and save the world – at any cost – will be sufficient atonement for Sir Haladon’s past sins? Then we’d best get started as soon as the question of arms and armour is resolved. Of course, our mission must remain very secret, low key, so as not to attract the attention of the enemy … we’ll likely need to disappear for a while, and may need to consort at times with some unsavoury types, rogues and scoundrels, of this I’ve no doubt. Fear not Lady Aris, I will do my best to make sure Sir Rolund stays on the straight and narrow, acts as a paladin should, and does the right thing when the time comes …”
Gil has located a hand mirror and wandered around the extra-dimensional mansion, not wanting to wait alone, and finally locates the miffed mage as he studies and mutters to himself.
Amused at the bird's antics as it preens and makes cryptic remarks to Ezreal, she studies her current face in the mirror and focuses her attention on specific details. Lengthen the nose a bit, maybe a wider, flatter bridge. Nice. Some laugh-lines, but a hard squinty stare. Oh, I will have to use that one next time we interrogate some mugger, I think it will do nicely.
Half-listening to Ezreal and his familiar, she marvels. It's like a part of his personality is in the bird, cracking inside jokes and off-color remarks. I had no idea the bird would think such things of elves... Maybe that's where Ezreal's sense of humor has gone - he pushed into the crow as unnecessary. She chuckles to herself and winks at Kadesh when he looks over at her.
Lady Aris narrows her eyes as she regards Rodergo with a shrewd look.
"Very well," she says finally. "Sir Haladon, for those items which you do not possess or cannot use, report to the quartermaster in this building, who will provide you with suitable replacement weapons and armour. But unless the items you possess are actively evil or blasphemous against the Church, I see little issue with you making use of them in the name of the Silver Flame. It is a fool who throws away an advantage in the face of the enemy just to make a point, and a knight of the Silver Flame should not be a fool. If you seek to shuck yourself of your shame by divesting yourself of these items, I make this point. It is the hand that wields the sword, and the intention behind the blow, that matter - not the sword itself. Simply throwing away your gear will not absolve your guilt. What will achieve that is the inner journey of your soul towards redemption, and this will not be completed simply by removing the symbols of your past. Indeed, such symbols can help to remind you of how far you fell, and how far you need to climb. I suggest you meditate on this.
"Father Rodergo, I am relying upon you to ensure that Sir Haladon does not fall from the light again. It is in your hands to determine the appropriate course to ensure his rehabilitation. I suggest you perform the Ritual of Atonement for Sir Haladon. Then you are to go about your business of disappearing. Walk in righteousness. Dismissed."
Rodergo thinks it probably wise not to speak further. He bows low and withdraws once given leave to.
“Well, that might have gone better – or worse,” he comments to Haladon once they have some privacy. “I’m in charge of your rehabilitation and the details of your atonement … well, I’ve some ideas. Anyway, it appears to me that the Silver Flame has seen fit to restore you to full paladin power-hood, but an atonement ritual is a good idea in case theres any lingering ‘Rolundishness’ in there. We’d better stop by the temple gift shop so I can pick up some appropriately ostentatious prayer beads …”
Once their interview with Lady Aris is over, Rodergo returns to the quarters where they have been staying and summarises the meeting (within the tent, so as to reduce the possibility of eavesdroppers).
“I’ve been ruminating over poor Lightbringer stuck there in the Mournlands; apart from whatever he might be going through, he’d be an asset to us in this whole dragonshard thing; we got clobbered by those Horned Legion fellows once and almost twice – I was feeling quite clobbered at any rate – it wouldn’t hurt to have another warrior type we know we can trust … so it occurred to me to suggest rescuing Lightbringer could form part of Haladon’s atonement in the eyes of the church. Well, Lady Aris seemed to disagree … that whole pesky business of our warforged friend not being recognised as part of the church hierarchy … not to mention the business of him being warforged. Anyhoo, I managed to forestall any official orders not to pursue that path anyway should we so choose, and Haladon here made no binding promises – see, I said I’d help you stay paladiny, you’re welcome. I’m sure Lady Aris is wise enough to realise I haven’t abandoned the idea, so I take the fact that she didn’t actually order us not to as tacit consent … so what do you all think? Do we go back for Lightbringer first, or head straight to Adar? Certainly a detour to the Mournlands will not be expected by our enemies, and puts us somewhat off the map, but it does add a considerable delay to actually getting these Dragonshards back where I guess they should be.”
"And we need to protect those that carry them in a most inhospitable land. Meaning, of course, our kalashtar allies."
"That said, if we can figure out a way to pull Lightbringer's adamantine bacon out of the fire that is the Mournland, I'm in."
"As much a Lightbringer is my friend, I think going back into the Mournlands to try to retrieve him is a terrible idea. The Adar mission seems rather important and, importantly, urgent; meanwhile, Lightbringer runs no real risk of harm by being the Lord Of Blades' guest for a little longer."
"Make no mistake - I fully intend to get him back. But this does not seem to be that time."
"Which brings up the next question - how do we get to Adar? Havakhad, you mentioned something about wards and the land being shielded from scrying and travel?"
“I think we should ensure that Gil’s protective spell is in place before we discuss specifics,” warns Rodergo. When (and if) Ezreal or Havakhad explain that the Inspired may be mining their dreams for information, Rodergo nods. “Well, that makes sense I suppose,” he says. “Still, dreams can be incoherent, I still think it’s a good idea to protect ourselves against scrying in case they seek more specific information. Is there any way we can learn to control our dreams so as not to give anything away?”
Once that has been dealt with, Rodergo continues to respond to Janosz. “I suggested a rescue of Lightbringer primarily as an appropriate way to help Haladon atone – not to mention getting our friend back – and I still think it appropriate. I do take your point – and Lady Aris’s – that we may have greater priorities at the moment, though I would consider that Lightbringer may be a great asset in our current quest. Let’s face it, we got truly kicked by those unfriendly blue giants the first time around, and had help the second. We’ll do better now that we know what to expect and with Haladon suited up, but still … Anyway, I’ll bow to the group consensus on this matter. And yes, how we get to Adar is the trick. I assume a ship or airship of some type will be required at some point? I must admit, I’m not entirely conversant on the geography – or direction, or distance – between here and there …”
Ezreal sips another cup of tea while listening to the debate. "There is no clear cut answer here. By heading into the Mournland, we certainly throw the Inspired off of our trail for some time and I suspect the mists of the Mournland might be one of the most effective means of thwarting their tracking in Eberron. However, our original run ins with the war forged of the Mournland here in Sharn were the result of their interest in the original 'forged crafted from the shards we now possess. The shards would be an even bigger prize for the Lord of Blades. His forces could resume Project Prosper if they had them and a functional creation forge. Despite the loss of the original they undoubtedly already possess multiple Cannith forges throughout Cyre. If we take such a detour, the shards cannot fall into their hands."
The mage pauses and considers what he is about to say.
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"In light of what we have learned about the Dreaming Dark and its plans here, I have spent some time now delving into previous planar events and how they were repelled. The further I dig the more I find the Draconic Prophecy wound tight and merging through these events and so my study broadens to include it. You may or may not know, but delving deep enough into the prophecy comes with its own risks as it is a mutable living thing. If you reach out, it sometimes reaches back.
Last night I had a dream, that was not a dream. I walked the Mournland again. In the distance was a tower blazing with such an intense silver light that I could not look upon it. A voice whispered, 'Bring the light from the dark...' All around me the dead soil began to stir and warforged soldiers began clawing their way out of the sterile ground. The few became hundreds, then thousands. I heard a voice behind me that I recognised as Darkheart, say 'All flesh must be destroyed.' As I turned to see him, Darkheart raised one hand and engulfed me in flames. At that point I woke.
Ezreal pauses again for a moment. "I know what you must be thinking, but I know dreams. This was not just a dream. I believe the Prophecy is reaching out to deliver Lightbringer because he has some unknown part to play. Were it not for this..." he waves his hand, "omen or what have you, I would agree with Janosz. As much as I want to return for Lightbringer we have a mission that takes priority. But now... It may be that Lightbringer is integral to the success of that mission. Or to other events that we have no idea about. Prophesy is like a snake always twisting away as you try to grasp it and I cannot pretend that I have a true and full understanding."
"So lets entertain the idea for a moment. First of all, if Gil can ward us from scrying through the day I think I have worked out a method to ward our dreams. I will need to prepare, but it can be done. Second- if we are to go for Lightbringer it will be nothing like before. We want a precision strike team and extraction. We do not know exactly where he is, but we can prepare and find out in ways that we never could have before. Once we have some idea we can track our way there, teleport in, hammer our way through to get him and teleport out. But before that we have to make some preparations for the difficulty of the Mournland and I suggest we not do that in Sharn where too many eyes and ears are listening. Then we have the issue that as soon as we sleep tonight all of our plans may be revealed. I cannot ward us yet, but I might with a scroll or if we pay someone else to do it. From tomorrow I can shield our dreams."
"In any case, whether we go now or not in the long run the Lord of Blades is becoming an existential threat to the people of Khorvaire. We will not stop that by a detour, but we might gain some idea of what is going on in the mists."
In the tense silence that follows Kadesh croaks out a chuckle. "Some talent you've got there boss. Not exactly inspirational, but you know how to shut a room down. Hehe." The raven stretches one wing wide and mimics Ezreal, "Let's side trek into the dead lands where everything is trying to kill us and we had to flee last time around. I had a dream, I mean, I died at the end, but ignore that part..."
"Enough!" Ezreal snaps. "Like I said. There is no clear answer. We should vote on it."
"All in favor of going after Lightbringer?"
"I still think it's gonna hafta wait until after we're done with this kalashtar business. So I'm against it, for now. Sorry."
"I'll not vote against rescuing your friend," Kazadar says solemnly.
"But I can't vote for it either."
“Goodness … I … hadn’t considered the implications of bringing the shards into the Mournlands – potentially giving the Lord of Blades access to them. If … if we did go into the Mournlands we’d need a way to keep them very secure. I’m sure it would be almost as bad for Khorvaire if the Lord of Blades got them as if the Inspired did,” Rodergo says.
“You know where I stand regarding Lightbringer. I’d be willing to concede to Janosz’ point about priorities and make that the next task after saving the world, but I think Ezreal’s prophetic dream puts things in a new light … not to mention that he seems to have a plan – or part of a plan – to do this relatively quickly and safely. So I vote for the Mournlands and Lightbringer – if we can find a way to ensure the shards stay secure during such a mission.”
“Now, as for sleeping and dreaming … well, if its just one night we need to concern ourselves with, I have a solution; don’t sleep. I’m sure we can all stay awake for a night, in the morning Kazadar and I can cast spells to remove everyone’s fatigue.”
"Gil? Haladon?"
Gil frowns. "I have little understanding of prophesy. Illusion is closer to my nature and whenever someone shares prophesy with me, I have difficulty separating the veiled facts from the unnecessary details that complete the story."
She considers for a moment. "Ezreal, if you say this omen indicates that Lightbringer's rescue is a priority, I will aid you in the endeavor. We must protect the shards and our guests above all, however."
"You do not have to ask me. You know what my answer is."
"However, you claim you received this vision from a dream. How do we know you weren't manipulated by our foes into having this dream?"
"Isn't this something they will and can do? Another opportunity to ambush us before we take the shards safely away from their grasp."
Haladon's concerns leave an uncomfortable silence in the room. Ezreal nods in acknowledgement. "You are absolutely correct. If one of you proposed this 'prophesy' I would have precisely the same issue. All I can offer is that it felt true which is hardly reassuring. It might be that Selkatiri has some insight on the matter, or Rodergo or Kazadar given time to pray on it."
"In any case I have an idea to secure the shards so that they are inaccessible during this mission. I was thinking we might secure them in a small extradimensional space which only I can retrieve and then only with a small talisman that functions as a key to the recall. I had thought we might place that key in a Kundarak vault here retrievable only by the correct combination of us showing up with the correct passphrase but they could potentially access the passphrase from a banker's dreams. Any other ideas on how to secure the key without taking it into the Mournlands?"
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Havakhad - who is in the tent with Selkatiri - adds, "If you can prevent or minimise scrying, and also prevent sleeping, it will make things very difficult for the quori. Not impossible, but difficult. With a modicum of secrecy and subterfuge to prevent other knowing relevant details - you identities, for example, and the nature of the items you carry - extracting anything meaningful from the dreams of onlookers will be extremely hard. The quori can only extract from the minds of sleepers what they know or believe." He sips his tea. "I think with these precautions you can sequester the shards and make it virtually impossible for the quori to find them. For example, you have a changeling amongst you who can take on any identity when you deal with outsiders, so they need never know they were in the presence of one of Rodergo's Reavers."