The teacher grabs Stella by the arms, his voice becoming hysterical
Are you insane! I'm telling you that I am taking you and the rest of these students to safety, now don't say another word.
The housekeeper and the other students rush at the teacher, and take him by the arms as well and pull him off of Stella
Peter, a tall athletic boy, says
He's been a bit hysterical since we escaped the last patrol, which I have to tell you was the strangest looking things I've ever seen. But he's right. It isn't safe to the north, or to the east, as you've said, but we're hoping that we can out run them to the west, and...
No, no, no Lasmorry shakes his head. She said the goblins are going east, EAST!, we need to go west. He struggles out of the other's hold and lunges at Stella again, this time more frighteningly.
I forbid you to leave me. You must follow us, NOW! There isn't time. The necromechadons are coming, they are coming!
"Calm down Professor Lasmorry." Pulling her arm out of his as the rest of them pull away.
Hearing that the necromechadons were coming she felt something go through her. Indeed dangerous, caught between goblin armies and necromechadons....
"I said they were crossing the bridges to the east. Specifically the Kondolly heading south."
As he lunges out at her again she would draw herself up her face going quickly into a mask of calm as she steps away from him.
"I will not go with you Professor, but you can come with me. Your responsibility is to the people with you right now. I know you are strong enough to keep it together. You have kept it together so far you can keep doing it. I know you can and I believe in you. " Wrapping and calling on the magic that is growing inside of her she would try to Inspire Courage into all those that can hear. "You guys stood together this long. You can still do this. Professor pull youself together."
Activating the amulets +2 in case I need it.
Day 1, Saturday Evening, City Center, North Side (turn 119)
The three students are all in agreement, and each of them pleas with the professor to listen to Stella, finally even the housekeeper agrees and Lasmorry concedes.
Alright, we will follow you, do you know the way? the professor asks.
Oscar steps forward, and smiles I saw the gates by climbing this statue, follow me.
Great Heavens afar, what are you? the professor seems startled.
My name is Krystal, Krystal Deauxme, and I am a living construct. Once I was a real person, a halfling, and I was a friend of It’Dupree, the It’Dupree. Somehow my spirit was trapped in a book, and through the efforts of these women, Stella and Asbques, I was freed from that bond and my spirit took residence in this body, which I am finding I like a great deal more than my previous one.
As Krystal talks, one of the students, a short girl with curled brown hair and green eyes, stares at her intently, when Krystal notices the girl’s stare, she returns the look, and even winks. The young girl blushes, and turns away
I do not know exactly what we are going to find, but somehow I think my existence is connected to something that we will find in this principal’s home and when we have found it we may know how to find It’Dupree and enlist her aid in freeing the city from this curse.
When all is settled, the larger group including
Manny and Aureth
Head for the house on the hill around the corner...
Stella smiled and hugged Corrine before nodding. "Yes we know the way. Come, let us work together."
Walking with the group she would look around for her sister wondering where she had gone off too.
Manny follows, attempting to make light conversation with the newcomers.
Day 1, Saturday Evening, City Center, North Side (turn 121)
Oscar leads the large group through the neighborhood, and as they go the eerie silence of the empty houses begins to feel strange and every time anyone looks back toward the south, and sees the flames of the city in the distance, you are reminded that it is probably only a matter of time before this bpart of the city is also destroyed.
Soon you reach the ornamental gate, and it is exactly as you expect it to be. Standing on the street, the gate is to the north. The gate is not locked, and beyond it is a wide pebble covered road that curves gently to the northeast, and rises gradually toward a large, two-story estate. There are windows on the walls facing you, but you cannot see into the house as the windows are covered by heavy curtains. No lights are seen in any of the windows.
I feel strange, Oscar whispers to Stella, Excited and afraid, but at the same time as if something here is compelling me to go on, while something far away is warning me to stay away.
Stella looks at her and smiles. "I understand the feeling. But I believe you should come here so we will do so." Hugs her shoulders and would move forward through the gate heading to the door.
Manny follows, keeping an eye on the newcomers.
Stella tried the door before opening it and stepping inside looking around. If it was dark her halo would start to glow and she would step inside looking around. If it looked clear she would motion everyone to follow and steps inside.
"Manny, just what are your skills?" She asked even as she shivered slightly.
Day 1, Saturday Evening, City Center, North Side (turn 121)
As the group moves through the large front door of the estate, Stella is immediately struck by the simple and utilitarian furnishings. The entrance hall is not decorated, but it is clean, there is a simple wooden bench against a wall next to a special stand for coats, umbrellas, and shoes, and there are several umbrellas and garments hanging on the stand. The entrance hall is wide, about ten feet, on the left and right are openings in the wall leading to rooms directly connected to this hall, while toward the back of the entrance hall there is a wide staircase, on the right, that goes up a short distance and then turns to the left where it leads to a small open floor area with a hall going left and right out of her Stella’s view.
At the very back of the entry hall, next to the stair case, is a small wooden door that leads into the back of the first floor of the house.
The house is quiet, in darkness, the only light emanates from Stella’s halo, and it is oddly warmer inside the house than it is outside.
Oscar slides a step next to Stella, and reaches for her hand while pressing the smooth cool surface of the doll’s cheek against Stella’s hip.
I’m not feeling, right, Oscar says , and then the doll turns to look up at Stella and tries to say as quietly as possibleSomething is making my skin feel as though it is on fire, and well other things.
"That's a good question, Stella. I'm pretty good at getting people to do what I want them to do. I have a few minor magical abilities: I can understand what people are saying and read magic writing sometimes. I'm a decent shot with my bow. Not sure beyond that."
Stella's hand comes down and she strokes Corrine's head and cheek. "Its okay love. I am here beside you if you need anything." she would kneel and look at her.
Whispering. "If things get to bad tell me and I will see how I can help."
Standing she looked at Manny and nodded. "Alright, somewhere in here is a way down. Everyone I would say spread out but it may be best to stay together as one group. Let's start exploring. Manny, I will let you pick the first room we explore."
Manny looks around.
Day 1, Saturday Evening (turn 121)
Manny looks left and then right, and decides to move forward a bit before trying either of the side rooms, while Stella waits near the entrance.
The others, confused and tired, move to the right, into a sitting room, and begin looking around for anything unusual.
Manny approaches the door at the back of the entrance hallway, and listens for any sign of danger, tipping his head to the side to put an ear to the door, his eyes fall on the wall below the stairs.
Stella seeing everyone tired would move over to them.
"Sit and rest a spell. Gather your strength. Do you have food and water? If not I would advise getting some. Also if you can find things to carry such things in do so."
Looking over at Manny and then Corrine and nods. Maybe they could find something to help them. She had chosen to pick up the more...frowned upon arts of magic and therefore was limited but she was fine with that. Being a master of Lore had always fit her more. This though, these trials would be a story in of themselves.
Manny moves to where he can see Stella, points at her, and begins whispering.
"There's a secret door over here. You should go down first, and I'll cover you with my bow."
Stella looked at him and then heard the message and looked at Corrine. "Come with me." She said and would head over to Manny before finding a way to open the secret door. Well, she hoped finding a way. Looking for hidden levers and pushing and pulling at the door itself.
Manny points out the stain. "The mechanism should be somewhere around there."
Stella grins and nods. "Thanks." She said and would push in that area.
Part of her was thrilled at finding the hidden, another part worried because of what being here and finding this meant. The shadows outside a constant reminder.
Day 1, Saturday Evening (turn 121)
With a touch of her hand in the right location, Stella activates a release on the secret door, and the panel in front of her swings inward.
There is a flight of stairs, carpeted, and with a polished wooden handrail, directly below the main stair, going down below the house. It is dark, but a pleasant smell rises from below, like lilacs and hibiscus flowers in bloom.
Stella would call on her Halo to glow as she looked at Manny. "You want me to lead or you?"
I'll go first, just keep that light on above me, Oscar says as she takes a tight grip on the club she has been carrying.
Stepping out onto the landing at the top of the stairs, she turns back toward Stella and smiles, takes a deep breath, and then takes the first step of the stairs. Her foot steep is quiet, and the carpet is thick and soft.
Stella smiles back at her touching her shoulder gently before she would start to follow after she took a couple of steps.
Looking back up at Manny she nodded. "I can be our light."
Day 1, Saturday Evening (turn 121)
Oscar leads the way down the long flight of carpeted stairs, with Stella and Manny following close behind them.
At the bottom of the stairs there is a large, well appointed, chamber. Stella’s halo sheds just enough light to illuminate the whole of the room, including two doors on opposite walls, to the left and right.
The chamber is carpeted, as the stairs were, in a thick furry rug like material. There is a round bed against the far wall surrounded by curtains, and placed in the room are several small, two person style, settees, or couches as it were, that are upholstered in a deep pile, red fabric.
Next to the bed, on the right is a curious wooden stand, almost like a narrow hutch. There are small doors on the bottom of the hutch, and the top two thirds of it is an open three sided enclosure. A very peculiar shiny silver ball rests on a bunched up satin cloth in the hutch.
When you come into the room, you hear a voice, it seems to come from the corner where the hutch is located. The voice is masculine, but gentle, with a slow talking manner and a hint of a refined accent.
I had honestly suspected that the first visitors here would be one of two types of dangerous, unwelcomed ruffians. I am delighted to be wrong, for a change.
Stella froze when the words filtered over her and her eyes looked around searching for the source.
Quickly recovering she would curtsy towards the direction of the hutch. "I am pleased that our arrival was delightful to you. I must pardon our intrusion. We came here because we were sent here. We are looking for the Watcher and also the Guardian Deborah. Would you happen to be the Watcher?"
There is a long silence, finally the voice, now somewhat less masculine sounding, speaks very slowly, and you sense some fear in the hesitation
I...am...Deborah. Who are you? Who told you about the watcher, and where did you learn my name
Stella holds out her hands in a peaceful gesture. "Lady It'Dupree sent us. She was the one who informed us and said you could help us accomplish the mission she has set forth." Stella knew this was a calculated risk to take. Her cat pushed against her legs its head looking around calmly.
"You see, we are trying to find her and she believes that you can. We want to save this city and push the Necromechadon's back to their world, Slay or defeat the Goblin Queen. We need help for that. For that we need your help. I know you have no reason to trust us but I am asking you to trust me. You can help us get in contact with her."
There is silence. A very dim red light pulses on the small round object, and then the voice says
No.
You stand for a moment wondering how the information you were given could have been wrong, and then unexpectedly the voice speaks again, when it does, it changes in tone slightly from an effeminate masculine, to a deep and husky feminine, up and down it changes as it speaks.
Wait, I have told you that I am the one you are looking for. I can take you to the machine, the machine that Carroll used to keep track of his students. This is the machine, the watcher, you are looking for I imagine. But you, you have not told me who you are. In this body, I do not see things the way people do. I cannot see you, or know what you are, if you are alone, or if you are even one of the things you claim to be her to find a way to stop. I can sense your presence, your life force, but I do not know you.
After a pause, the voice, continuing to change in tone, up and down, goes on
I sense the evil that has come to this place, yes. I can sense many things, near and far. Above us, your friends, some of them are thinking things that make me curious as to the probability of your future, and others are thinking things that mark them as less than important to the struggle. But, why should I help you?
Who, are, you?
"I am Stella Lucem Caelum. I am a student here. I was in in a protected place to catalog things when the city was attacked. I have two people with me. Oscar Corrine Krystal Deauxme and Manny. My sister is upstairs. My twin. I would do anything to protect her."
"Hi, I'm Manny. I'm not sure what I've gotten myself into. Stella and her friends saved me from some goblins that were attacking the Mission where I worked. I'm not sure what we're trying to accomplish, much less why you should help us accomplish it."
"As you can see we are students struggling to survive and forge our own path. It may be to help the Lady accomplish her goals. In the end it may not. We can't know but this is the path we have chosen and I plan on continuing on."
Well, Stella, Manny, and …Oscar? This is extraordinary. I was defeated by It’Dupree, and Oscar, along with their associates many many years ago. I was told that Oscar along with the other lovers of it’Dupree, were all turned into Books. The books were sentient, and could communicate with It’Dupree. She placed the books in various parts of the city in order that she could stay in touch with the people she controlled. I am to understand that you are carrying one of the Books of it’Dupree? That would certainly be something.
But now, let’s get down to business. What you see before you is a machine. A machine that through the equal parts of advanced technology recovered from a distant world, and magic allows me to continue to exist in the prime material plane, though I should have passed into another realm of existence many decades ago. I was, in life, a Beholder, a creature of some significant power, and I served a King, by the name of Algorgaroth. It’Dupree, while she still lived, dared to confront my king in the hope of destroying him, and she very nearly succeeded. In the end, however, a bargain was struck between it’Dupree and King Algorgaroth that ensured both would continue to exist long after their mortal bodies were beyond hope of survival, and at the same time, a balance was preserved in the order of things in the Kingdoms of those who dwell on the surface of the world and those who dwell below it.
Part of this bargain involved a precious object belonging to each of them, it’Dupree and King Algorogaroth. No one was ever able to discover exactly what the precious objects were, but they are said to be immensely powerful, and can only be controlled by individuals of great strength and courage. Each of them, It’Dupree and Algogaroth, agreed to exchange their precious objects, as each could not control the object of the other, and for safe keeping each would protect the other’s precious object for all time, keeping them out of danger of being abused by anyone.
It’Dupree and King Algogaroth each became a lich, after a fashion, and their exact whereabouts is almost impossible to find. However, should King Algogaroth or it’Dupree ever come into possession of their original precious object, it is said, that then they would be able to find the other one of them, but this would only ever happen in the situation that the material world was in such great peril that the power of these two beings would be needed to save the world.
If It’Dupree sent you here with one of her books, then it must be that she needs to contact others like me, watchers and guardians of special machines in the city that can locate the other three books. Principal Carroll used one such machine to keep watch on her students. I will show you to the machine, and we will see if the book knows what to do once we are in the presence of one of the machines.
I suspect, that one of the Books must know the secret location of King Algogaroth’s precious object, and once you have obtained it, It’Dupree expects that I will take you to my King, the Lich-King of all Eye-Tyrants himself, King Algogaroth, so that he may help you find where it’Dupree has hidden herself away. But I must say, that this is an unusually foolish and dangerous beyond belief endeavor, for I am certain that if It’Dupree and Algogaroth are brought together, the potential for the situation to escalate into utter obliteration of all life on this world is not beyond a reasonable probability.
Pick me up, and I will tell you where to go to take us to the watcher.
Stella would look at the others for a long moment. Everything that was said going through her head as she tried to recall who King Algorogaroth was.
After a few moments she would step forward towards the small object and carefully picks it up. Her little cat following her.
"I have a question related to something you said before. You said our friends above us, were thinking things that make you curious as to the probability of our future. Why did you say that?"
Looking at the others she would look at the tiny thing.
Day 1, Saturday Evening (turn 121)
When Stella picks up the small mechanical orb, a small articulated arm rises from the top of the thing, and points toward the opposite wall.
The thoughts of your companions are easy to read. It is obvious that they are young, excited, and afraid, all that is except for your sister, who is wondering if you are safe, but telling herself that she doesn’t care. Then there are five others, the teacher among them is certain you are deluded and have convinced yourself that you are some kind of hero and that you are most likely going to end up dead on the end of a goblin spear. Of the other four, two of them seem lost in memories, and worries that their loved ones are already dead, they seem unimportant to your success. But the last two, a young female, and a young male, they are arguing. The female seems taken with the book of It’Dupree, her mind is even conjuring images of an idealized lover, which seems odd, even for a human, to fall in love with a book and imagine it is a person, while the male is impressed with your determination. The two are simply arguing back and forth as to the reason why you would be doing what you are doing. The male believes you are trying to find a magical way to teleport out of the city, while the female believes your claim that you are searching for a way to save the city.
Stella moves to the opposite wall and searches it for evidence of a door.
"Well, I am neither a hero, nor am I delusional. I merely have a chance to possibly save the city or help other's escape. I will see what I can really do. I do think it is interesting that she has but It doesn't surprise me to gain such an attachment. Especially now. I have often used books and stories to be a focus of my fantasies and sometimes I grow fond of the object, with which the story is delivered."
That seems reasonable, reasonable indeed. Tell me, Stella, where are you carrying the book of It'Dupree, I understand that it can only communicate when it is open, and through words that appear on its pages. I would dearly like to speak to the book, and see if it can get the attention of its master. My master would very much desire to know what It'Dupree thinks of the current situation. Where is the book now? Where is Oscar, the Book of It'Dupree?
Oscar looks to Stella with a pleading, fearful look, and places a finger to lips, as if to say, don't mention the transformation, just yet.
"The book is with me. I keep it with me. It is my duty to protect it. What do you wish to ask it?" Indeed Stella had kept ahold of the physical book as well.
"That being said, we need the orb to help." She searches the opposite wall for a door. If no obvious one she feels along it.
Day 1, Saturday Evening (turn 121)
Stella finds a door, behind a wall hanging, and as she is opening it, the small device in her hand says
Well then, when there is a better time, perhaps you can assist me with a few questions