Seeing the events unfold and not particularly liking the threats that the tree was pushiing; Malak trusted the plan for a hasty exit and bolted for Sparel's side.
hp = 194/202
Ki pool = 3/8
Hasted/Normal speed - 6/10 rounds
+ 1 Attack, + 1 Dodge AC, + 1 Reflex
Speed - 60'
AC 38/42 vs AoO for moving into or through threat range
Greater Invisibility - 4/12 rounds
Breath weapons and spells cannot pass through a wall of force in either direction, although dimension door, teleport, and similar effects can bypass the barrier. It blocks ethereal creatures as well as material ones (though ethereal creatures can usually circumvent the wall by going around it, through material floors and ceilings). Gaze attacks can operate through a wall of force.
::"I can't get in. Sparel, can I beat this wall down?"::
The monk steps forward and appears on the other side of the walls of force. It's obvious the magic totally blocks off the seed and pedestal from the rest of the room.
As soon as he appears, the familiar disorientation hits. He'll need a moment to compose himself to grab the seed in front of him.
Thad leaps off of the ceiling and floats down next to Sparel. ::Quit flirting with the tree and get back over here, Darnak. This is no time for romance. That family is nothing but trouble, believe me.::
Darnak ignores the pain and grabs the seed, then takes another abundant step back to the group. Those who are of good alignment feel some magical influence that warns them against touching the seed.
"Nooooooo!" the demon howls as everyone planeshifts back to Sparel's personal realm.
As they shift away Akor chuckles and says "Nice doing business with you"
Outside the massive tree, the captured Numerians the group snuck past have been hard at work freeing themselves from the chains. The keys, and their orcish guards, were dissolved alive in front of them by the black puddings. Fortunately, the summoned creature winked out of existence before reaching them.
A few of the children are still red-faced from crying. Random puddles of vomit mark where those with weak stomaches lost their breakfast from watching their brutal captors die horribly.
Then, the 2,000-foot-tall demon tree starts to shudder and shake. Without the seed, it will be minutes before the plant falls on what is left of the Numerian capital, crushing buildings and killing anyone below.
The townspeople start to run, not sure which way the tree or its massive limbs and vines will fall. Their shrieks are joined by a massive roar from higher up in the vines that wrap the tree. Something ancient begins to stir, and it sees so many small fleeing people below.
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Sparel planeshifts to one of the rooms with a perrmanent magic circle in the floor.
"Put the seed in the middle then clear the area. Cast no magic here!" Sparel says, the former beind directed at Darnak and the latter to the group.
Assuming everyone complies
When the seed is placed and the circle is clear Sparel quickly incants a magic circle vs evil focused inward as well as a dimensional anchor into the circle. (see Magic circles). Then says.
::"That should hold it for a moment at least. Any thoughts on where to take it permanently or should I ask for council from an archangle?::
::"This is the kind of thing I would take no chances on or fool around with. Let us seek answers from on high. A wrong choice on our parts could be very dangerous"::
::"This is the kind of thing I would take no chances on or fool around with. Let us seek answers from on high. A wrong choice on our parts could be very dangerous"::
::Wise council and I believe the situation is dire enough to warrant such action.::
Sparel breathes deeply and focuses his mind. Though his words are clear they sound distant somehow. As if being spoken down a long tunnel.
"Gabrielle of the bow maidens court. Your council is needed. "
(aka true name calling of a planetar of my goddess.)
Angel, Planetar
Muscular, bald, and tall, this humanoid creature has emerald skin and two pairs of shining, white-feathered wings.
Planetar CR 16
XP 76,800
NG Large outsider ( angel , extraplanar , good )
Init +8; Senses darkvision 60 ft., detect evil , detect snares and pits , low-light vision, true seeing ; Perception +27
Aura protective aura
Defense
AC 32, touch 13, flat-footed 28 (+4 Dex, +19 natural, –1 size; +4 deflection vs. evil)
hp 229 (17d10+136); regeneration 10 (evil weapons and effects)
Fort +19, Ref +11, Will +19; +4 vs. poison, +4 resistance vs. evil
DR 10/evil; Immune acid, cold, petrification; Resist electricity 10, fire 10; SR 27
Offense
Speed 30 ft., fly 90 ft. (good)
Melee +3 holy greatsword +27/+22/+17 (3d6+15/19–20) or slam +24 (2d8+12)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 16th)
Constant— detect evil , detect snares and pits , discern lies (DC 20), true seeing
At will— continual flame , dispel magic , holy smite (DC 21), invisibility (self only), lesser restoration , remove curse , remove disease , remove fear (DC 18), speak with dead (DC 20)
3/day— blade barrier (DC 21), flame strike (DC 22), power word stun , raise dead , waves of fatigue
1/day— earthquake (DC 25), greater restoration , mass charm monster (DC 25), waves of exhaustion
Spells Prepared (CL 16th)
8th— earthquake (DC 25), fire storm (DC 25)
7th— holy word (DC 24), regenerate (2)
6th— banishment (DC 23), greater dispel magic , heal , mass cure moderate wounds (DC 23)
5th— break enchantment , dispel evil (2, DC 22), plane shift (DC 22), righteous might
4th— death ward , dismissal (DC 21), neutralize poison (DC 21), summon monster IV
3rd— cure serious wounds (2), daylight , invisibility purge , summon monster III , wind wall
2nd— align weapon (2) , bear's endurance (2) , cure moderate wounds (2), eagle's splendor
1st— bless (2), cure light wounds (4), shield of faith
0 (at will)— detect magic , purify food and drink , stabilize , virtue
Statistics
Str 27, Dex 19, Con 24, Int 22, Wis 25, Cha 24
Base Atk +17; CMB +26; CMD 40
Feats Blind-Fight , Cleave , Great Fortitude , Improved Initiative , Improved Sunder , Iron Will , Lightning Reflexes , Power Attack , Toughness
Skills Acrobatics +24, Craft (any one) +26, Diplomacy +27, Fly +26, Heal +24, Intimidate +27, Knowledge (history) +23, Knowledge (planes) +26, Knowledge (religion) +26, Perception +27, Sense Motive +27, Stealth +20
Languages Celestial, Draconic, Infernal; truespeech
SQ change shape ( alter self )
Ecology
Environment any good-aligned plane
Organization solitary or pair
Treasure double ( +3 holy greatsword )
Special Abilities
Spells Planetars cast divine spells as 16th-level clerics. They do not gain access to domains or other cleric abilities.
Planetars are the generals of celestial armies. A typical planetar stands 9 feet tall and weighs 500 pounds. They focus on combat and the destruction of evil; though they understand diplomacy, a planetar would rather lead the charge against an army of fiends than negotiate peace.
When the archangel shows up Sparel says the following as he motions to the trapped seed "We've captured the seed of malgarius and saved the prime material plane. Though now I am unsure of what to do with it. What is the will of the goddess in this?"
Sparel calls for a servant of his goddess and waits.
A bright shining light fills the air. For a moment, it seems as if a gray, pockmarked sphere is forming but then it is gone. In its place stands Gabrielle, a 10-foot-tall woman with emerald-green skin and two sets of massive wings covered with white feathers. She wears a simple robe that covers her shoulders and then criss-crosses her waist to fall in wide ribbons around her legs. She's bald and strong, the muscles in her arms and legs look like those of a runner or athlete.
Above her head is a golden nimbus in the shape of a ring that slowly rotates. Eleven symbols for the stars and moon flicker in and out of view around the edges of the ring. She unfurls her wings and stands at her full height, two sets of feathers arch upward and the other pair of wing arch down. Her two hands as held out to her sides between the wings.
She turns to look at Sparel with glowing silver eyes.
"What would ask of me, servant of our Goddess?"
When the archangel shows up Sparel says the following as he motions to the trapped seed "We've captured the seed of malgarius and saved the prime material plane. Though now I am unsure of what to do with it. What is the will of the goddess in this?"
Sparel kneels when the archangel arrives and motions the others to do the same, though none are in any way forced to or even derided if they don't.
Malak wasnt particular to any one god but he respected his cousins wishes and took a knee as well.
The angel smiles down at the kneeling cleric who asked such a direct question.
"The Lady of Dreams reveals herself slowly, one veil at a time. Still, you have asked for guidance, and that is something I can give you."
"Many members of the Tel'Seldarine would see this seed destroyed, a difficult and dangerous task. An artifact is no trifle, even for gods. There are many ways you could go about such an ordeal, ancient magics or other artifacts could end this threat. But their use would be dangerous to you and others."
"You could keep the seed here, protected and safe. The cult of Malgarius, though, now knows the seed is no longer held by Cyth-V'sug. They will come looking for it, eager to use it against the demon lord who overthrew their master."
"You also could use the seed as a weapon. Galthra bound herself to the artifact and could control it. Her magics still keep me at bay. Even without binding yourself to this splinter of evil, planting it on a demon lord's plane would force a conflict in the Abyss and perhaps draw demonic troops away from the mortal plane."
The angel looks at each person in turn.
"All of you will be affected by this decision, no matter what it is. And my Goddess has not revealed her true intent in this matter to me. What would you do with a weapon of evil: Destroy it, hide it or use it?"
Darnak kneels, a bit awestruck by the creature in front of them. I'm glad Sparel's on my side. He thinks to himself.
Darnak looks directly at the archangel, "Destroy it," he answers resolutely and out loud.
The dusky skinned was absolutely shocked that Darnak had broken his vow!
...well this is an important decision...and perhaps the most important moment of our lives...
Akor bows politely and a bit deeply, but does not kneel. This was not a servant of his Goddess after all, but respect is always shown to angels and their kin. "Thou art wise as thou art unhittable, Master Darnak and I find mineself in agreement with thee. Whilst I know our task of destruction will be great and filled with peril, tis a burden us noble warriors will gladly bear. Though I believe we will need to guard the foul artifact till we find a way to rid our fair world of its vile presence and power. Pray mi lady, would your Mistress be of aid in safeguarding the Seed while us mortal agents seek a means of destruction??" Akor could be flowery in his speech when necessary, and though he didn't like it much, it was part of the respect that must be shown.
The angel smiles down at the kneeling cleric who asked such a direct question.
"The Lady of Dreams reveals herself slowly, one veil at a time. Still, you have asked for guidance, and that is something I can give you."
"Many members of the Tel'Seldarine would see this seed destroyed, a difficult and dangerous task. An artifact is no trifle, even for gods. There are many ways you could go about such an ordeal, ancient magics or other artifacts could end this threat. But their use would be dangerous to you and others."
"You could keep the seed here, protected and safe. The cult of Malgarius, though, now knows the seed is no longer held by Cyth-V'sug. They will come looking for it, eager to use it against the demon lord who overthrew their master."
"You also could use the seed as a weapon. Galthra bound herself to the artifact and could control it. Her magics still keep me at bay. Even without binding yourself to this splinter of evil, planting it on a demon lord's plane would force a conflict in the Abyss and perhaps draw demonic troops away from the mortal plane."
The angel looks at each person in turn.
"All of you will be affected by this decision, no matter what it is. And my Goddess has not revealed her true intent in this matter to me. What would you do with a weapon of evil: Destroy it, hide it or use it?"
** spoiler omitted **
Sparel looks thoughtful and contemplative, eyes darting with a number of thoughts behind his eyes though they never look up at the planetar, "I would see it destroyed preferably, though I know not how. In lieu of that the idea of using a weapon of evil against evil is poetic, but i fear that that balance will not last and in time the seed would once again be used against the good and innocent. I would keep it safe and hidden here, though in time I fear that a conflict brought here may destroy this plane and free the horde or lesser evil creatures I have trapped thus allowing them to continue their evil in the cosmos. Or worse the cult will find this place, destroy me and mine so that they may use it as a safe haven for wicked deeds." Looking up at the planetar into her old wise and kind eyes, "Part of me wishes the decision was mine alone, but part is glad that it is not. I will do the goddesses will should she choose to reveal it to me. Until then I will aid my companions in whatever decision we make as a group. I know we would all value any wisdom you could impart to us. Were the decision yours what would you do?"
The old archer sighed. Normally he didn't care much for the angelic type. They were always talking big, but ending up making others do their dirty work. He didn't bow to the planetar when she came, although he gave her a nod of respect. The "enemy of my enemy" and all that comes with it.
He walked up behind Sparel when he was making his last question and knocked his fist on his head in a playful manner. "Don't waste her time with silly questions you knucklehead. You already know what we are going to do no matter how she answers."
He walked a few paces away and kept talking, "We will do what heroes do. We will do what we do every day. Destroy evil where we find it. If we hide it, we are cowards. If we use it, we become like them. There really isn't any other choice.
The shadow wrought ninja had really been apathetic about what they decided to do but Darnak's vow breaking and Thad's very reasonable argument won him over.
Well said Thadicus. I concur with destroying it. Perhaps if Gabrielle is going to give any advice it will be in how to achieve such a thing?
The green-skinned angel looks at each of you in turn as the group pledges itself to the task ahead.
"The simplest path is the one fraught with the most peril. A disjunction has a slim chance of destroying the Seed of Malgarius. It also risks ending the spellcasting abilities of those who would dare such a feat. And it will almost certainly call forth the creator of the artifact itself - Cyth-V'sug. That would be disastrous no matter where it took place."
"Much like the gods, the most powerful demon lords rarely leave their planes. The contract of creation written by Asmodeus and signed by the gods limits the involvement of deities directly in the affairs of mortals. They must act through agents. Demon lords do much the same, but for even more reasons. They may travel in the outer and inner planes freely, but risk being usurped while they are gone. Travel to the mortal plane is forbidden, except in certain cases. Summoning is one of those exceptions. The destruction of an artifact is another. Thus, you cannot destroy the seed on the mortal plane or in the heavens without risking a demonic incursion.”
The angel seems to sense the next question even as it starts to form in some of your minds.
”The Worldwound is just that, a wound in Golarion that bleeds demonic energy. Within that region, you no longer are on the mortal plane. You are in the Abyss, and demons from any layer can come and go freely. Their own infighting has held many advances at bay. Until the Storm King.”
It strikes some of you that this lesson in history and planar politics, while interesting, doesn’t seem to be an answer to the questions that have been asked. Her small, enigmatic smile makes it clear Gabrielle knows this.
The planetar looks at Sparel and raises her right hand upward.
”Arise, cager of nightmares,” she says to the mystic theurge while gesturing to the cells holding so many foul creatures. ”The medicine needed for your quest is bitter and cold indeed. Even now, something hides beyond our Goddess’ sight, pulling at the threads of this new crusade. But do not despair; this place will be kept safe.”
Gabrielle draws her greatsword from its sheath on her back. Perfectly cut moonstones adorn the pommel. The blade itself is an unblemished mirror that reflects the light of the room without hurting anyone’s eyes.
She begins to sing in eleven and celestial. At first the sound seems too pure, too powerful to come from one person. Then other voices can be heard joining the harmony. Unlike a concert, there seems to be no one voice leading them. Each one sings on a different cue, but together their song carries all the dreams you’ve ever forgotten.
The angel smiles as the harmony gains in strength.
”We are here,’” she says and suddenly her wings fold in and cover all of you.
In the darkness, you see the entirety of the Sparel’s demiplane. It’s a tiny speck with the vastness of the material plane on one side and the hazy outline of the Shadow plane on the other. The Ethereal plane fills the gap between the two. Sparel’s sanctuary is like a small whorl of clay that’s been pinched off and shaped into something new.
Little dots seem to flickering in and out of existence all around the demiplane. As you lean in for a closer look, you see people going about their lives in bizarre circumstances. Some have forgotten to go to class all year long. Others repeat their day over and over again. And many spend time with loved ones from long ago.
All the dreamers of mankind are acting out their own shadow plays on Sparel’s doorstep. The realm of dreams is part of the Ethereal plane. Its guardians are the shiny ones, glowing angels of all shapes and sizes that are never too bright to look at. Each of them is singing softly. A lullaby for the world.
For a moment, each of you can see it as Gabrielle does. The shiny ones are beautiful, but deadly. Each of them has a weapon at the ready, and their walks through the dreams of mortals are a patrol. An entire heavenly host surrounds the demiplane holding all of you and the Seed of Malgarius.
"We are the Seventh Choir, more than 10,000 angels who fight in service of the Lady of Dreams. Rest easy in Her light."
You hear the beating of wings and the darkness fades. The group is alone again in the room.
The Seed of Malgarius sits quietly in the circle of protection Sparel crafted. It no longer crackles with energy like it did before; in fact, it seems inert.
Druid's vestments
Lavender and green ioun stone (29 spell levels remaining)
Dusty rose ioun stone
Headband of Inspired Wisdom +6
Ring of Freedom of Movement
Greater Ring of Acid Resistance
Bracers of Armor +6
Cloak of Resistance +3
Three vials of diamond dust worth 250 gp each
Jade circlet worth 1,500 gp (art, animals, etc. sell for full price, not half like magic items)
Two doses of true seeing ointment
Scroll of Word of Recall (20th caster level)
Scroll of Planeshift (20th caster level)
Scroll of Antipathy (20th caster level)
So, you guys are about halfway there.
Sparel starts to say something smart back to Thad, but the Planetar's actions distract him long enough the the point is moot.
After the planetar leaves Sparel stands and looks to the seed thoughtfully. In his minds eye he still sees the army of seraph protecting his plane.
Then he turns to face the group.
"Destruction it is then. I need to rest and replenish my spells. If you'll take my hands we'll teleport directly to my sanctuary within this plane. I have little interest in spending my time with this seed."
Sparel holds out his hands in a very familiar gesture. The one he's made every time the group was to be teleported. Assuming everyone is amiable Sparel teleports (per greater teleport) everyone to a lavish sitting room startingly similar in design to the magnificent mansion everyone is familiar with. Though this place seems far more "real" than the mansion. Any amount of spellcraft will show that this place is real whereas the mansion is a temporary construct. The area has high ceilings (20') and two hallways leading off to either side. The hallways lead to rooms for guests,libraries, and a number of other acoutremont one would expect in a noble home.
Sparel motions to one hallway then the other "Guestrooms and baths are that way. Dining hall, Libaries, labratories, gymnasiums, etc that way. The doorway marked with an eye has a greater scryingn pool if you wish to check in on anyone in particular. This place has servants like the other mansion, but you will not see them. The dining hall is always stocked and food is constantly rotated to be fresh. Enjoy at your leisure."
Looking at each one in turn with a warning look
"Most important to know about this place. Any spell cast with a normal duration longer than instant will be effectively permanent until you leave, so be careful what you cast. Also you'll find no exterior doors or windows because there are none. If you find one of my secret exits do not use it or your life will be in jeopardy. This place is safe. The rest of this plane is not to be trifled with."
"Unless anyone has any specific questions I woud like to rest, but first I will use my available spells to heal any injuries."
"Oh, and I'll identify the witches items before I retire as well"
Malak was a little awestruck at the display of infinite space and the spritual guardians around his cousin's astral abode. He'd always had a certain amount of ego just like the rest of the group but at that moment he felt very small indeed...almsot insignifant..no, if that were truly the case then we wouldnt even be aware of such things...
This put the ever present grin on his face and readily accepted Sparel's transportation and the comfort to come.
Ahh; it's good to be home. I'm going for food and then a bath and then sleep. Saving the whole world sure is tiring.
With an experimental sniff he changes his mind.
Eh, the food can wait. One whif and I lost my appetite.
That said Malak heads off towards his room and a bath.
Malak was a little awestruck at the display of infinite space and the spritual guardians around his cousin's astral abode. He'd always had a certain amount of ego just like the rest of the group but at that moment he felt very small indeed...almsot insignifant..no, if that were truly the case then we wouldnt even be aware of such things...
This put the ever present grin on his face and readily accepted Sparel's transportation and the comfort to come.Ahh; it's good to be home. I'm going for food and then a bath.
With an experimental sniff he changes his mind.
Eh, the food can wait. One whif and I lost my appetite.
That said Malak heads off towards his room and a bath.
"I couldn't agree more, Cousin." Sparel says jovially, sniffing the air in Malak's direction.
Akor is a bit awed by the Choir of Angels, but only just. In his service to Iomedae, he had seen other equally awe inspiring sights a few times.
Upon reaching Sparel's Sanctum Sanctorum, he finally relaxes some "I suggest going back to Numeria and check over the battle sight as well as make sure the survivors are being taken care of. Then we can go give a full report."
Akor is a bit awed by the Choir of Angels, but only just. In his service to Iomedae, he had seen other equally awe inspiring sights a few times.
Upon reaching Sparel's Sanctum Sanctorum, he finally relaxes some "I suggest going back to Numeria and check over the battle sight as well as make sure the survivors are being taken care of. Then we can go give a full report."
Sparel motions to the hallway. "The door with the eye has a greater scrying pool. Just touch the rim of the bowl and concentrate. The spell will to the rest. If you have the message spell you can communicate with those upon which you scry. Perhaps you can inform the commander of our progress, though I would leave the fact that we still have the seed out of the report for now."
Scrying, Greater
School: divination (scrying)
Level: bard 6, cleric 7, druid 7, sorcerer/wizard 7, witch 7
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Components: V, S
Range: see text
Effect: magical sensor
Duration: 1 hour/level
Saving Throw: Will negates
Spell Resistance: yes
This spell functions like scrying, except as noted above.
Additionally, all of the following spells function reliably through the sensor: detect chaos, detect evil, detect good, detect law, detect magic, message, read magic, and tongues.
School: divination (scrying)
Level: bard 3, cleric 5, druid 4, sorcerer/wizard 4, witch 4
Casting Time: 1 hour
Components: V, S, M/DF (a pool of water), F (a silver mirror worth 1,000 gp)
Range: see text
Effect: magical sensor
Duration: 1 min./level
Saving Throw: Will negates
Spell Resistance: yes
You can observe a creature at any distance. If the subject succeeds on a Will save, the spell fails. The difficulty of the save depends on how well your knowledge of the subject and what sort of physical connection (if any) you have to that creature.
Furthermore, if the subject is on another plane, it gets a +5 bonus on its Will save.
Knowledge Will Save Modifier
None* +10
Secondhand (you have heard of the subject) +5
Firsthand (you have met the subject) +0
Familiar (you know the subject well) -5
*You must have some sort of connection (see below) to a creature of which you have no knowledge.
Connection Will Save Modifier
Likeness or picture -2
Possession or garment -4
Body part, lock of hair, bit of nail, etc. -10
If the save fails, you can see and hear the subject and its surroundings (approximately 10 feet in all directions of the subject).
If the subject moves, the sensor follows at a speed of up to 150 feet.
As with all divination (scrying) spells, the sensor has your full visual acuity, including any magical effects. In addition, the following spells have a 5% chance per caster level of operating through the sensor: detect chaos, detect evil, detect good, detect law, detect magic, and message.
"the plan"
Heal everyone, Rest, Contemplate how to figure out how to destroy the seed, Regain spells, meet up in the morning.
"the plan"
Heal everyone, Rest, Contemplate how to figure out how to destroy the seed, Regain spells, meet up in the morning.
Thaddicus held a rigid respective posture on the outside, but on the inside he was very uncomfortable. Crazy voyeuristic noisy angels! Always watching, watching like they have a right. This was one of the things that drove him mad about his wife. She was always wanting to know what he was doing, what he was thinking. She even kept asking him about how he felt about things! As if he felt about things! But the secrets she would keep in the midst of all that drove him out of his mind. He had to get out, but he held his ground until they ceased their assault on his senses and made for his room.
He spent the next hour scouring his boots from the crud and acid the had accumulated. The unseen servant kept getting in the way so he pinned it to the wall with an arrow. He had felt bad about that, but since it wasn't living and it was a rather minor spell that lasts forever in this strange house that Sparel built, he figured he could apologize later. He decided to punish himself for losing his temper, he would wait until his business was done to take off his bracers.
He cleaned and set all his equipment in order, and when he was done with that he checked his mundane equipment, his trick arrows, and finally under his bed. He didn't want to be surprised like that again. After everything was put into order, he finally figured his penance was over and he released the laces that kept his bracers in place and let a slight sigh of relief like a fat man who loosens his belt after a particularly large meal.
If the older man who sat alone in his room was thought to be fit, and he did indeed look as physically fit as his smaller frame would allow, the sight of the old archer's forearms were astonishing in two ways. First the right arm that held back the string of his bow with his fingers was noticeably larger than his other arm. He had practiced shooting opposite in case he lost a few fingers in battle, but it was obvious that he favored this way. His left eye was better anyway since his right tended to be slightly lazy.
The other way that his arms astounded was that he had jewels embedded in them. Ioun stones, they were. Stones of great power that he used to aid him in battle. There were some that were terribly expensive due to their benefits, but some of these were cracked and flawed. Thad liked them better that way. Ioun stones normally circled around the head in a lazy fashion. But there was an ancient way. He had become attuned to some of them through meditation and bound them into his flesh. It seemed that the cracked and flawed ones especially took to him. No wonder there.
He took out a bit of fleece and polished the stones until the shone in the dim light of the room and pondered. His wife was on his mind, and it usually made him quite angry, but he was tired. So he did what he did best: he felt nothing at all. The moment and the thoughts drifted away as he meditated in a strange position on his bed. When he was finished, his thoughts drifted back to his home but this time snagged on his eldest, Soloques. What was he up to? Was he running things at the house or did he let his mother take over? Then the temptation gripped him as it did every time he visited here. There's a scrying pool right down the hall.
This time he went.
Almost as soon as the image was made visible in the pool, Thaddicus was back out the door. He had seen enough, and it hardly made him feel any better. He should have known he would catch them all at dinner, sitting at the table in the usual spots. The head of the table was left empty. No one sat there. They were talking business at the table, as was their custom. He didn't have to hear it but could tell by the expression on their faces. Life went on.
The distance back to his room was covered quickly and silently. The arrow was still stuck in the wall where he had left it. Years of discipline and I can still do something like this? One thing was certain. Self-perfection was never complete. He folded himself into his meditative position on the bed and sat there until his head slumped down upon his chest. The nothing he summoned to drive away his thoughts took his consciousness as well.