Nothing he was not capable of before. Knowing himself that sometimes the touch of the gods comes at a price, he wonders if others in the crowd will find the same is true for them, now that they have been touched by Masoumi.
"Yes. I can understand the reluctance, of course."
Alexis nods her assent and says Of coarse my Lady. The dead might deserve their rest but clearly he wanted someone to know what he said. She will have to get over that reluctance.
The warrior mage smiles his thin crooked smile at the lesser nature of his own flame, hardly surprised by it. After all, he even expected that it would not appear at all.
"Certainly," Joneth voices his agreement. "A new god? A gift to all of human blood? A vision of doom and, at least seemingly, divine power granted to us? If such things do not require further looking into, I do not know what does." There is slight amusement in his tone, even excitement, as he speaks. The prospect of such a mystery and quite possibly the adventure and challenge it is bound to go hand in hand with certainly seem to interest him.
With you all agreeing to come to the Church, Valla visibly relaxes. With a motion of her hand, two of the men with her move to take up the sedan chair, while Valla arranges the old man's body to sit comfortably. Then, after ordering Daniel back to his place in the procession, leads the way the short distance back to the Seventh Church.
The Seventh Church, Golarion's greatest cathedral dedicated to the worship of Iomedae, stands on the Ascendant Court. In any other setting, the massive building would be truly impressive, though even its magnificence pales compared to the Starstone Cathedral.
You climb broad marble steps up to large, impressive oak doors. Above your heads, a round stained-glass window depicts the Calling of the Undenying Light, supposedly Iomedae's seventh miracle. As the church faces west, however, the window's true beauty is hidden until evening. Inside the church, you pass through a vestibule containing the Iomedaeanne, a 10-foot statue of limestone and sapphires, depicting the goddess and her miracle. Shields painted with longswords and golden sunbursts (complete with continual flame spells) hang from every column which lines the way up to the magnificent altar. Valla leads the procession up to that altar, pausing a moment to offer a prayer for Albar Tolion, praying to both Iomedae and Aroden. Then, she leads you to a small door off to the right of the sanctuary, down a short hall, and into a small chapel, where the men carrying the sedan chair gently deposit their burden to the floor. Valla orders the rest of her men (except for Daniel) out, and to summon His Grace, Genedair the Faithful, High Priest of Iomedae.
The seven of you, and Albar, wait. Well-trained and disciplined, Valla Timonae refrains from questioning you all then and there, but the nervous twitch of her hands and rapid pacing belies the effort.
Ty says nothing. He is a short man, with a frame developed by years of hard work and later by years of military service. Short and somewhat stocky. His long hair is tied back, but not in a fashion designed to hide his bald spot, a symptom of his increasing years. At 35, he is probably the oldest in the room, biologically, with the exception of Albar Tolion.
He wears his chainmail lightly, as if he is used to wearing heavier armor. When approaching the sedan chair in the crowd, he had an unadorned, heavy wooden shield strapped to his arm, but the shield now hangs from his back over three spears set at an angle for easy retrieval by his right hand. A warhammer hangs at his belt.
Around his neck is a chain that holds a steel pendant. The pendant is painted with a picture of a gauntlet gripping strands of thorny briars that twist around the fingers, wrist, and arm.
Ty looks at the others in the room. Not at their faces or who they are talking to, but at their positioning. Who is closest to the door; who is is between two others; who is off by themselves; who is between two pews. He is not shy about talking to the others, but for now he has nothing to say. He can patiently wait for a long time for something to happen.
Thanephos sits awkwardly against the wall, brushing dark hair away from his face as he stares around the room, taking in every bit of this experience for later analysis.
Although he is clearly used to work, he doesn't have the muscle mass of someone who has spent their lives in hard labor or soldiering. He wears leather armor, with a bow strapped across his back as well as a wicked-looking glaive. As he looks around, he absentmindedly grasps at a small amulet depicting a red thorn, symbol of Milani.
Without getting up, the tall man speaks to the group at large, I don't know if I had time to introduce myself back there, I am Thanephos. If we are going to be involved in a lengthy investigation of any sort, may I ask your names?
"Ty Purgest."
Standing at the remarkable height of 6'3" Daniel Stands proud and tall. He wears an ornate Breastplate etched with divine runes of several gods that you can catch glimpses of through his cloak. On his back is a large. ornate composite longbow made of an almost silvery substance. At his hip a more mundane looking longsword hangs. He is athletic and muscular but not terribly so seemingly more agile and dexterous than pure strength. He has long, jet black hair down past his shoulders that is reasonably well kept. A growing beard that is NOT kept, and shimmering green eyes, highlighted even more by his dark hair and tanned, almost glowing, complexion. He stands arms crossed shifting rather uncomfortably as he looks around the room.
Daniel, Daniel rose. from where do you hail if I may ask sir Thanephos?
Alexis begins her wait and stands still beside the exit door. Silently she begins to observer her current companions. I am Alexis Von Brant and I hail from Taldor.
Alexis Von Brant is a young Tiefling girl. The features that identify her Infernal heritage is the small nubs on her forehead which could be horns though they currently are close to her skull and rounded. The other feature is the thin tail that seems to always be moving. She has sun bronzed skin and her cheeks and hands are sun burnt. Alexis has a small frame and a willowy build, standing just over five feet. She has bright green eyes and thick wavy chocolate brown hair that reaches her lower back. A short sword is on her hip, a pretty red scarf around her neck, and a silver symbol of Sarendae hangs around her neck. She wears black slightly tattered padded armor and simple well worn traveling clothes.
Standing six feet tall and with an athletic physique, Joneth, at least at first glance, seems to be a half-elf, given his fair complexion, shoulder-length silvery white hair, golden eyes and, last but certainly not least, slightly pointed ears. Dressed in comfortable fitted clothing of more somber hues, the warrior mage appears entirely unarmored. Lack of armor notwithstanding, however, he is not without weapons, specifically a slender gently curved sword resting in its scabbard of black and silver by his left hip and a dagger kept sheathed in the small of his back. An observant person might also take note of a small pouch of spell components hanging from his belt by his right hip, opposite to his sword, marking him as some kind of spellcaster perhaps.
"Joneth Revane," he says softly, introducing himself with a friendly smile and a slight bow of his head in greeting. "Pleased to make your acquaintance."
The opulence of the temple does not impress the prodigal scion of Cheliax's nobility - instead, it leaves him uncomfortable. It strikes him as unnecessary, wasteful, to glorify a god with a statue studded with gemstones when the wealth could have been spent for the less fortunate or on resources to fight the myriad evils that beset Avistan.
Still, he supposes, at least one of theirs cares for the passing of the priest.
"I am called Athar."
Despite having obviously used some healing magic to ease the passing of Tolion, Athar is bereft of any and all holy symbols, with nothing at all to signal a faith in any divinity - most unusual for a healer. Like the others, he bears armor and arms, a shortspear and a shield, but what he wears is not so striking or so memorable as his beauty. His ebony hair falls to his shoulders in ringlets, his lips red as blood, his skin white as snow.
After you introduce yourselves and make brief small talk, the door to the chapel opens. Two young acolytes who've probably never felt a razor on their chins gently and respectfully guide a frail, hawk-nosed, white-haired man into the room. The old man wears a beautiful white tunic underneath armour so polished it shines (and looks so thin it must barely offer any protection, or weight, at all). The longsword belted on his waist looks real enough, however, and a golden diadem with a sword and sunburst adorns his brow.
The acolytes escort him over to Tolion's body, sitting at state in his sedan chair. The man takes Tolion's hand, prays briefly, and says, "Rest, my old friend. Your long service is at an end."
Releasing the dead man's hand, the aged priest directs the acolytes to take him to an ornately-carved chair beside the chapel's small altar. Once seated (upon a cushion one of the acolytes surreptitiously slipped into the seat), he looks at your group. "Welcome. I am Genedair. Please forgive my rudeness in ignoring you just now. I..." he trails off, glancing at Albar.
"Please, I am told that something extraordinary happened, in addition to a new god rising, during my friend's final moments, and that you six were there with him. Please tell me what you know."
Alexis shifts and her tail winds into her left hand and she looks Genedair in the eyes as she speaks. If we do this would you help us speak with Sir Tolion? He spoke and passed quickly. He seem intent on someone hearing him so he may still be willing. His words have done something to us and I for one would like to know what it was...Please?
Valla hisses at Alexis' words, though Genedair waves her off with a look of what could best be described as kindly amusement. "He said something to you? You wish me to contact Albar's spirit and ask him clarification? I will see if anybody here is able to perform that ritual, and if not, I will prepare to do so first thing in the morning. Will that satisfy you?"
"Now please, tell me what he told you, word for word, if you can."
Thanephos stands, nodding respectfully to Genedair, To my memory, he said that he saw a vision, of humanity bound in chains. Something had gone wrong, and there was evil within the Cathedral that seeks to bind us. He said he saw a key, and that we must redeem the Inheritor's Cloak. I'm afraid I don't know what it means, but that's roughly what he said.
"More importantly, it looked like Tolion cast a spell before he made his pronouncement. It might just have been the ability to create a lightless flame that Masoumi gave to all humans present, though."
Athar nods toward Daniel. "He gave Sir Rose his holy symbol, and as he did, I had a vision. I cannot speak as to whether I was alone in this - I cast a spell on him, healing, though it did nothing more than ease his passing.
"There were four images in rapid succession. First, I witnessed Absalom from above as it rose from the seas, as if I were flying. Next, I saw Desna laughing and Irori perplexed by her joy. Third, a beautiful angel - or something that took the appearance of a resplendent angel, radiant with light. Finally... pain." He feels a touch self-conscious. None of the other five have spoken of having any visions, though Thanephos mentioned feeling as if he'd been changed, just as Athar himself feels changed, different.
Valla and Genedair give a start at Thanephos' account.
"The Inheritor's Cloak?" Genedair asked insistently. "Are you certain? Be very clear on this point, please."
"Yes, the Inheritor's Cloak," Joneth answers with a shrug, left hand resting comfortably on his sheathed sword's hilt pommel. "It was quite specific and sounded rather important, so not that easy to forget despite the fact that a lot of things were happening at that moment."
"I take it you have heard of it?"
Genedair nods. "What do you know of the Ascension of Iomedae?" he asks.
Without really waiting for an answer, he continues.
”One of the first tests of anyone wishing to enter the Cathedral for the purpose of taking the Test of the Starstone is to cross the chasm without using one of the three, I guess now four, bridges. Any means is acceptable, from using flying magic or a flying mount, one disciple of Irori simply leapt the chasm with a monumental act of physical prowess, though it would seem his bones lie somewhere within the Cathedral’s catacombs. When Iomedae was to cross, she flung out her cloak, a simple wool garment bearing no enchantment of any kind, and her faith in Aroden caused it to stretch out to connect both sides and harden into steel. Once she had crossed, it turned back into a simple cloak once again, though it remained infused with divine power, becoming what many sages would deem a ‘minor artefact’. After her ascension, it was found, discarded on her new bridge, as if it had dropped off her shoulders. Those that were to become her first faithful took it into their possession, and brought it here, to what would become the Seventh Church, as a holy relic.”
”Years of study by our scholars determined its powers. First, it simply provided the wearer some minor protection from magic and other harm. Secondly, it retained its ability to stretch out and fashion a bridge. Tests performed on it showed that it could reach as far as three hundred feet. Both of these powers worked for the faithful, and anyone else who, in his heart, shared Iomedae’s goals of honour and justice. Finally, its greatest power was that, if it were placed over the body of a fallen knight of Iomedae, no matter how or how long ago that knight had died, it would revive him, restoring his body, but only so long as he wore the cloak.”
”The Seventh Church protected and venerated that artefact for years, until the Chelish Siege of Absalom of 4137 AR. While the city walls held off the invading armies and great siege engines, Chelish strike forces used magic to penetrate the city to cause mischief and acts of sabotage. One of those teams penetrated the Seventh Church. A great battle was fought, but the majority of the Iomedaean forces were on the wall, and the Chelaxians were victorious. They stole the Cloak, along with other minor items of power.”
”It was assumed for the longest time that the Chelaxians had returned with their army to Cheliax, but agents of Iomedae searched Cheliax in secret for almost a hundred years, looking for it. They found no record of it even being brought to Cheliax. So for another hundred years, we searched the island of Kortos, thinking that perhaps they had failed to escape with their prize, but again, we found no trace.”
”There remained but one possibility: the Chelish Citadel. Do you know of it? One of the great siege engines, built so long ago for the Siege, but somehow magically sealed beyond all mortal attempts to penetrate its interior. Scrying does not function, teleportation is blocked, and stone shaping magic fails to function. Nobody knows how it happened, or what lies inside. It has been the belief of the Seventh Church for the last hundred years or so that the Cloak lies within, for what besides an artefact of a goddess could block mortal magic so?”
”If it is true, I don’t know how you could gain entrance after so many others have failed, but Albar Tolion was a great man, and he entrusted you with his vision. Perhaps he saw something in it that suggested you would prevail. If you would be willing to take this on, the Church of Iomedae would reward you handsomely for retrieving such a precious artefact.”
"Will the cloak raise him?" Ty indicates the corpse of Tolion.
Genedair shakes his head. "I highly doubt it. Despite almost 75 years of friendship, I was never able to convince him to forsake his dead god. While many of its powers will work for anyone of a good soul, it will only raise a truly devout worshiper of Iomedae."
Daniel steps forward and looks at the old priest.
I will gladly undertake this quest. It would be my honor, to honor the last words of sir Tolion.
"You will have to clear that with Sir Darien, Sir Daniel. But I believe I can convince him to allow it, if needs be," Genedair added with a sly smirk.
At the hiss from Valla Alexis goes still and falls mute despite Genedair's unoffended attitude and willing words. Starting to feel at home now. She hisses like my fathers head mage, Deloris. Behold the monster speaks! I hate people. After Genedair is finished speaking to her she nods and remains silent and still. The only moven't is in shifting her gaze from Genedair to Athar when he mentions the vision.
Though most of the explanation Alexis stares at Athar. I know someone mentioned seeing things before. That was the same thing I saw. What did that old man do to us?
Turning her gaze back to Genedair Alexis says I too will be willing to do this. I was raised worshiping the Inheritor so the idea of one of her artifacts left in a place like that grates on me. Ha the monster worships your Goddess. Wow I need to bring it back a bit.And thank you Genedair I am happy to wait so long as I can ask Tolion about the vision.
Genedair nods at Alexis, again with the kindly smirk that plays at his lips, like a grandfather with a precocious granddaughter.
He turns and regards those who have not yet declared in or out.
Thanephos nods firmly, I'd like nothing better than to be a part of this.
In contrast with the others, Athar hesitates. He's loath to leave such a potent artifact in the hands of the Chelaxians, but he's equally loath to draw such attention to himself. The Chelaxians have held such a wonder for centuries now, without using it to darker ends - at least, not that anyone had spoken of. Perhaps they could not use it, or perhaps they simply kept its use a secret, for fear it would be stolen from them, just as it had been stolen from the faithful of Iomedae.
If it were not for the vision, perhaps he would not have lent such credence to Tolion's pleas, but remembering the vivid images that flashed through his mind, Athar finds his resolve.
"I will retrieve the Inheritor's cloak, but not for a reward - not for you. Your friend, Albar Tolion, told us that there was a great evil in the Cathedral before he spoke of the cloak of Iomedae. Your god would not have left behind a relic of such power so it could be treated like some precious jewel to be admired. It was always meant to be used. And I think it is needed now. In lieu of reward, I ask that it be used to seek out the evil that resides in the Starstone Cathedral. If these terms are unacceptable, know I will seek it on my own without your blessing. I will not have your reverence for your god endanger those who might already be imperiled by whatever lurking evil Tolion witnessed and spent his final breaths to warn us of."
Valla nearly swallows her tongue at Athar's words, and one of the acolytes even whimpers.
Genedair's warm smile slips slightly as he replies with a bit of tension in his voice, "It is good to have strong ideals, young man, and good to stand up for them, but one mustn't allow youth to cause us to speak from ignorance. The cloak was indeed well-used during its time, and hopefully will be again if you are successful."
"I will come."
With the party agreeing to undertake the quest, Genedair polls the available clerics in the Church for one able to cast the spell Alexis wants. Finding none, he promises to prepare the ritual himself for the next morning, unless the party would prefer to head out to the Citadel now, and leave the questions they wish Genedair to ask Father Tolion.
"Tomorrow is better." Ty announces that he needs to report to his superiors and will be back here (unless another meeting place is suggested) bright and early, tomorrow morning.
yes, tomorrow, I need to write to my mentor before we leave here. May I be excused?
He bows lightl .
Thank you, Sir Genedair, I will return tomorrow morning. Alexis bows deeply to Genedair and leaves. She waits on the steps for those who were present at Sir Tolion's death intent on speaking to them outside of the church.
Daniel Finds a spot to sit and write a letter to his mentor.
Darien, I will be brief and to the point, the way you always liked it. I regret to inform you that I will not be returning to your side at the training grounds. For it seems, that perhaps, fate is a real thing though I still question it. It seems that something foul is afoot and while their is no true concrete evidence to warrent full time devotion, I, and a band of of strangers will be investigating it further. We met all together at the time of Sir Tolion's display of Divine power, and his passing. From his dieing words he delivered a warning. A warning of evil, and of the inheritors cloak falling to wickedness. He spoke of a Vision of enslavement and despair. I have taken it upon myself to carry out the Old Man's last request, to make sure that they do not come to pass. For it was I he handed his mithril Holy symbol to, punish me upon my return if you must. But I am honor bound to complete an oath already sworn. If you could look into this matter as you may, and spend any insight you have on it I would much appreciate it.
- Daniel Proudmoure Rose.
He takes his letter to one of clerics within the temple and asks that it be taken at once to Sir Darien.
Thanephos bows respectfully to Genedair, I'll be back tomorrow morning to assist in any way I can. I bid you good night.
Athar meets Genedair's gaze evenly, but declines to press his point with the priest further. Offering one final glance toward Albar Tolion, he gives the priest a small nod. Tolion spent his last breaths to warn them of a dire evil.
"Tomorrow morning, then," he assents.
Still, there's plenty to be done between now and the morrow's dawn... yet Athar finds Alexis seemingly waiting for the rest of them, just outside the temple.
"Lady Von Brant?"
With at least a course of action or the beginning of one decided, Joneth takes his leave, intent on spending the day at The Mug and Platter, resting, relaxing and delivering the news of how there is now a new god to Rey. Just the conversation he expects the two of them are going to have over such a subject is bound to keep them busy well into the night, or so he assumes anyway.
Still, it seems his destination will have to wait for now. As soon as he exits the temple, he finds the young tiefling woman seemingly waiting for him and the others. In fact, she appears to have begun talking to the one called Athar.
"Is something the matter?"
When Athar speaks he can see Alexis visibly jump, clearly lost in thought. Sir Athar, hello and the Lady part is not necessary. I was lingering to speak with you and hopefully one or two of the others. The vision you spoke of did you leave anything out in the Temple? And...
Joneth arrives In the plaza did you see the same thing as Athar? And I apologize that was rather demanding of me. A look of embarrassment is now on Alexis's face and in her body language.
"I saw it. It makes sense that we all did."
"I didn't leave out anything deliberately, no." This was too important a matter to hold anything back. "Did you or anyone else catch a glimpse of anything more than what I saw?"
I saw the same thing you did. I merely wanted to be certain. Do you feel... Alexis lowers her voice a bit. altered? Like something within you has changed?
"I think it is safe to say the... vision was the same for all of us," Joneth offers with a shrug. "And as far as I can tell it and the priest's warning were not the only things granted -or gifted, if you will- to us."
Thank you for you honesty and for answering my questions. You all must have things you wish to get back too. I shall see you in the morning. And again thank you for your time. She will bow to the group and leave if no one needs her for anything.
As your group starts to disband, a young woman in armour and bearing the symbol of the Knights of Ozem, steps out of the church and means against a column.
"There you are...Rose," Dame Venelopy says snidely, pausing long enough before his name to make the absence of title obvious. "I see you found more stick-flingers to play with. I also hear you took Albar Tolion out and brought him back less than alive. Good job!"
Once hearing the Knights words Alexis stops and turns back around. She goes still and waits.
Thanephos turns to the armored woman, Yes, because of course that was entirely his fault. There was nothing he could have done, unless you think you could have done better?