Although frustrated and annoyed by Damian's interrupting her research, as always the obedient soldier, Aylaeth follows the Captain back into the Library.
When he relates his grim and terrible news, she feels her breath leave her in a rush, as if she had been kicked in the stomach. Needing to take a small step to balance herself, the stunned Sylph takes a few moments to steady and calm herself before speaking. 'My the Vault! The Tragedy! Na-Calanon, gone?? The knowledge he possessed, the wisdom, the bravery. Gone as if never having been...? Why, yes, that must be...'
And, training and duty taking over, just like the she is the professional soldier and scholar once again. Flipping quickly through her notes she nods to herself and looks up at her commander and reads directly from Pike's note "Yes sir, I have something right here "The Magnifying Glass of Total Reversal - Location unknown. Ownership unknown. This small artifact has the ability to reverse the time flow of anything, from a single being to an entire world. It is not known if there is an upper limit to its power. The result of someone being destroyed by this is that not only do they cease to exist, they cease to exist entirely, in a way that they cannot possibly ever be resurrected or their spirit even communed with; it is as if they simply never were." ...to read of such an Abomination is one thing, but to know that it exists and...and has been used in such a terrifying manner..I..."
Frowning at herself, at her weakness and hesitation, the magus clears her throat and speaks with much more firmness and determination "Sorry sir. The news of Na-Calanon has hit me harder than I might have expected. I actually have an entire report for you sir. Speaking with Professor Sundine was my final lead to pursue, at least for the moment. And, interestingly enough, it is directly related to Lanzhu as well. I wish to speak about the Professor regarding one Bethany Erodal, for it seems she had been doing much research on the Abominations and the Conflence as well. But my questions sir, one-has Mai tracked down this Gnoll with the charm that will lead to an abomination? And two, how did you come by this information about Na-Calanon sir? For you say it just happened today? I have been specifically looking and asking for a way to get instant, or at least rapid communication from here to the Empire of Mists, so I am most curious as to how your information was received."
Finally winding down, she begins spreading her report over a wide table, marking points of interest, waiting for the Captain's reply.
AYLAETH'S FURTHER RESEARCH
---------------------------
There are records of a transfer student -- a paleo-arcanist, one who studies early magics -- named Bethany Erodal who spent time in Stormfare after studying briefly in smaller colleges. She had been working with a Professor Sundine in the History department as her advisor. According to her transcripts she got good grades, but has published no papers.
======================
Bethany was too minor a figure for anything to be recorded about her travels, though there is a record of an approved transfer for her to the college in Lanzhu, to study with one San Pen, by permission of a Professor Yeo, head of the History department at the college in Lanzhu.
The University of Stormfare is on good terms with all colleges, and as such there are good relations with all faculty and staff.
There is not a way to have instant communication with the Empire of Mists.
Damian takes in Aylaeth's research, especially the link between the researcher Bethany Erodal and Lanzhu. He strokes his chin as he decides what to do next. "If the Red Dragonflight used the Magnifying Glass to eliminate Na-Calanon - to erase him from being - they have found a most potent weapon. It is our highest priority to take it away from them before they can use it again. Na-Calanon was the only dragon capable of facing any of the three great red wyrms in single combat. Further thinning our ranks of the prefects and protectors will make this war come to a violent and bloody close. Aylaeth, please go find out as much as you can about this Bethany Erodal from Professor Sundine. You were on the right track. Min, you're in charge of determining how we are to get to the Empire of Mists as quickly as possible. Teleportation magic would be preferred if possible, though I know your trip through Limbo was fraught with difficulty. I will find as much as I can about our quarry from the his Warbanian brethren. I seek to leave as soon as possible. Dismissed."
With his orders given, Damian seeks out the mercenaries who came with him through the Everywhen. He offers a warrior's salute in greetings to the first one that he sees before immediately launching into questions. "Do you know of a Warbanian mercenary named Kyras? According to eyewitness accounts, he appears to be either half-elf or half-dragon. He may have last been seen in the Empire of Mists."
Her brows forming into a frown at the manner of this 'new' Captain Lamorak, Aylaeth shows a rare streak of defiance and does not immediately leave when dismissed. Instead, standing her ground, she repeats her questions "Sir? About my questions regarding Mai and the Gnoll with information on an Abomination? And was well, your means of communication with, or receiving the information on this Kyras and the death of Na-Calanon so rapidly?"
FROM PIKE DePHAZ'S NOTES:
The Abominations of Marianasu, as listed in Fen's Omnibus, are as follows:
The Box of Infinite Devouring
The Vase of Foreverpain
The Snowglobe of Winter's Fury
The Teapot of Exquisite Poison
The Melodion of Death's Own Lullaby
The Mirror of This and That
The Lantern of Glorious Madness
The Hairbrush of Lethal Beauty
The Inkwell of Vicious Intent
The Magnifying Glass of Total Reversal
The Goblet of Liquification
The Diary of The Mage Himself
Of the twelve, the first six listed here have all been captured and neutralized;
Captured Abominations:
The Box of Infinite Devouring
The Vase of Foreverpain
The Snowglobe of Winter's Fury
The Teapot of Exquisite Poison
The Melodion of Death's Own Lullaby
The Mirror of This and That
Of the ones remaining, pooling your knowledge of the situation at hand with what notes Pike left behind, you can make the following annotations:
The Lantern of Glorious Madness - Location unknown, but said to be in the possession of the red dragonflight. Casts a light that causes those who see it or be touched by it to go completely insane. Can affect a single individual or an entire city. It is not known if there is an upper limit to its power.
The Hairbrush of Lethal Beauty - Location unknown, ownership unknown, precise effect unknown, though it is obviously related to beauty in some way. The best lead you have is a snippet from an ancient history text mentioning that 600 years ago a Pathfinder Chronicler came across a hitherto unknown tiny merchant kingdom in the borderlands between Goreme and Hallas that was run by a clan of Medusas. For the thousand years their rule had lasted, it is said they kept power through their sheer beauty, which was so great that all who laid eyes upon them were immediately cast into thrall. It is not stated whether their kingdom ever ended or is still there, but it IS noted that the Pathfinder in question got out, she feels, because she was blind.
The Inkwell of Vicious Intent - Somewhere in the Great Trackless Woods, bordering on the Frost Kingdom. Allows the wielder to carve their will into another creature's flesh, forcing them to do whatever the wielder wishes, or become whatever the wielder wishes them to become. Can transform any one creature into any other creature, whether the desired end result is anything that has ever existed or not. Said to be how Veriala's army grew so large; she is transforming woodland creatures into fighting orcs and trolls and other things.
The Magnifying Glass of Total Reversal - Location unknown. Ownership unknown. This small artifact has the ability to reverse the time flow of anything, from a single being to an entire world. It is not known if there is an upper limit to its power. The result of someone being destroyed by this is that not only do they cease to exist, they cease to exist entirely, in a way that they cannot possibly ever be resurrected or their spirit even communed with; it is as if they simply never were.
The Goblet of Liquification - Ownership unknown, effect unknown. This abomination is said to be in the possession of Felltouch, greatest and most evil of the Three Great Red Dragons, who currently resides atop the huge treasure heap known as The Gembasket a few days north of Katapesh.
The Diary of The Mage Himself - Ownership unknown, effect unknown, location unknown.
For general notes, Pike has written that it seems the effect of a given Abomination is "instantaneous and unavoidable" by the intended victim(s) and that each Abomination seems to be able to instantly bond to and subjugate the will of whomever touches it with their bare flesh, and/or with intent to use it. He notes that "further experimentation is required to be sure, but that seemed to be the case with the two I have encountered, so tremendous care must be taken in the handling of these things."
He also notes that once so bonded, it seems that the Abomination in question then cannot be wielded or indeed even so much as picked up by any other sentient creature. He has a note here that states "test with constructs?"
Lastly, he states that prolonged separation from a bonded Abomination causes the "victim" tremendous physical discomfort and mental distress, all the way up to and including unconsciousness and madness.
At the bottom of his papers he started to write something, but it looks like he was cut off; "NOTE TO SELF - INVESTIGATE STORAGE UNIT 1163(?) IN LANZHU, TALK TO LIU? LOU? LU? HEARD FROM BETHANY THAT CAVERN WAS"...and then it ends.
Her brows forming into a frown at the manner of this 'new' Captain Lamorak, Aylaeth shows a rare streak of defiance and does not immediately leave when dismissed. Instead, standing her ground, she repeats her questions "Sir? About my questions regarding Mai and the Gnoll with information on an Abomination? And was well, your means of communication with, or receiving the information on this Kyras and the death of Na-Calanon so rapidly?"
Damian answers with unusual curtness. His face is grim, obviously dealing with the loss of Na-Calanon himself, though he seems to be upset from a tactical standpoint rather than emotionally affected. "I don't know if Maiathreen has succeeded yet. As for the news, General Vittoria felt it necessary to bring the news back by whatever means necessary. It is very disruptive to our plans, as you can imagine, and we must adapt militarily as soon as possible."
Min listens to Aylaeth's report and finds it hard to swallow, he had been a scout. Facing enemies he could at least track, understand and defeat with ease. Yet the Abominations proved more and more powerful, uncomprehendingly evil while being difficult if not impossible to be destroyed by mortal hands. Na-Calanon's death was a tragedy in of itself and he politely bowed out of further conversation, that was unless Damian stopped him. I his bow he accepted his orders and moved to completely them to the utmost of his ability. "I will do my best sir, please excuse me."
Maiathreen gives a quick nod in response to Servais' acceptance of the payment. "Are yo OK with this payment Sia Itova? He asks Livain.
Livain gives a slight nod flavored with hesitancy. She bows her head a moment and gently let's out a breath through slightly pursed lips. All the dreadful possibilities Of what this woman could do with their blood warred against any positive outcomes she could think of. For a moment she yelled at her mind to stop worrying followed by a deep rooted yearning for a taste of a "normal" life, one not filled with doubt or fear. She looks up at her husband and finally after a few seconds that felt like hours after nodding her head, She mustered a slightly defeated "yes itova..."
Maiathreen grasps his wife's hand in his and gives it a quick squeeze. He doesn't say anything but his eyes speak volumes. "Alright...then its agreed...our blood a conversation with the blackblade...in exchange for information on how to free the souls trapped in the bloodstones. If you don't mind my asking...what do you need our blood for?"
"Let us go on with this payment and continue our way to tha destruction o abminable nations."
@Aylaeth: You make your way to the office of Professor Sundine and find him talking to a grad student about the student's thesis. The professor is a surprisingly attractive man in his 60s, built like an ex-adventurer -- or current adventurer! -- with a slim, strong build and calloused hands. His eyes are steel-grey and his hair is salt-and-pepper favoring the salt. His office is cozy, with desks against each wall and a couple overstuffed leather chairs and even more overstuffed bookshelves. A very large raven is snoozing quietly on a hat rack. The bird opens its eyes the same time the professor looks over at you, which is as soon as you round the corner.
"Ah. Lesotho. They told me you'd come. That will be all, William. Meet me in the Philandering Wombat if you'd like to talk more tonight, else I'll see you after lecture in two days' time." The student looks nervously from you to professor Sundine and back to you, then gathers his things, mutters a nervous "thank you, professor", and takes off.
Sundine stands up and looks at you. "Well, come in. Have a seat if you wish. How exactly may I help you?" With his stern bearing, he reminds of you the patrician warrior with whom you argued in the streets of Izmir a few days ago now.
@Min: You are no sooner digging through the library's thorough collection of maps and atlases when you hear the distinctive clank of plate mail approaching and hear a now-familiarly melodious voice; "Lin is glorious, Lord Min! So, when do we depart?" You don't even have to look to know that Sophitia is approaching from your left, the direction of the main doors.
Sir Damian: You approach the Warbanians, but they're not certain about the name "Kyras".
"You got a last name to go with that?" asks one of them. "I might know a little about him, but only if his last name was 'Erodal'."
@Mai, @Livain, @Belsarious: Camilla nods in satisfaction. "The blood will be used to determine the level to which your being has been tainted by the shadow used to power the Inkwell of Vicious Intent, or...whichever abomination was used on you." she says this last with a significant look towards Belsarious. She takes three separate phylacteries and collects a tiny amount of blood from each of you -- no more than a few drops. Her hands are cold, but her skin is very soft and her grip sure, such that you feel no discomfort at all during the process.
As you watch, she takes the three phylacteries that now contain your blood, and locks them in a metal vault for safety. She then walks up to Mai and holds out one hand. "Magus, will you accompany me? We must do this together, but without the others." She gives an apologetic look to Livain. "I am sorry, dear one, but it is the way it must be."
Damian considers the odds of Bethany Erodal, a scholar connected with the Abominations, being sent to Lanzhu where one of the Abominations was used by a Red Dragonflight who possibly bears the same last name. The odds are too unlikely for it to be any other Warbanian named Kyras, and it likely meant that this Bethany Erodal was in league with the Red Dragonflight as well. He nods at the Warbanian mercenary. "Yes, I believe that is the one. Perhaps he has a relative named Bethany Erodal, as well. Do you know of either?"
"I'll be fine I promise." Maiathreen says to Livain as he gives her hand a squeeze and a smile. "OK...what do we need to do?"
@Aylaeth: You make your way to the office of Professor Sundine and find him talking to a grad student about the student's thesis. The professor is a surprisingly attractive man in his 60s, built like an ex-adventurer -- or current adventurer! -- with a slim, strong build and calloused hands. His eyes are steel-grey and his hair is salt-and-pepper favoring the salt. His office is cozy, with desks against each wall and a couple overstuffed leather chairs and even more overstuffed bookshelves. A very large raven is snoozing quietly on a hat rack. The bird opens its eyes the same time the professor looks over at you, which is as soon as you round the corner.
"Ah. Lesotho. They told me you'd come. That will be all, William. Meet me in the Philandering Wombat if you'd like to talk more tonight, else I'll see you after lecture in two days' time." The student looks nervously from you to professor Sundine and back to you, then gathers his things, mutters a nervous "thank you, professor", and takes off.
Sundine stands up and looks at you. "Well, come in. Have a seat if you wish. How exactly may I help you?" With his stern bearing, he reminds of you the patrician warrior with whom you argued in the streets of Izmir a few days ago now.
The distasteful altercation in Izmir still fresh in her mind, even though the event seemed like ages ago, Aylaeth feel a distinct and interesting contrast within her over the obvious attractiveness of the professor. Although she was now a full professor herself, the title was still fairly new and, more, she was not an active professor at present. All these thoughts swirling in her thoughts and emotions, and with small talk never having been her forte, she is perhaps a little more brusque than she intends to be as she replies "Professor Aylaeth Brely'an, Skyknight. It appears you have the slight advantage of my Professor, have we met before? I am here to pursue a most serious line of inquiry on a past student of yours, one Bethany Erodal. We Skyknights have been tasked with the most urgent and dire quest of finding, and seeing to the elimination of, the Abominations. My research has indicted that Miss Erodal may have unearthed some promising leads regarding them Abominations. So, anything at all you can tell which may shine light on our quest would be most appreciated."
Diplomacy:Meanwhile Ada'an, sensing perhaps a kindred spirit, flutter off his Mistress' head and flutters over to the hatrack, landing softly and saying "Hello"
@Min: You are no sooner digging through the library's thorough collection of maps and atlases when you hear the distinctive clank of plate mail approaching and hear a now-familiarly melodious voice; "Lin is glorious, Lord Min! So, when do we depart?" You don't even have to look to know that Sophitia is approaching from your left, the direction of the main doors.
Min continued to peruse the maps and creates a viable route before having to make adjustments. He smiles at Sophitia's words about Lin, he nodded in agreement with how glorious Lin looked. "She becomes more glorious by the day, please have a seat. The Skyknights will most likely be departing once I get a route created, just have to find a semi-safe route and avoid the major battlefronts so we can reach our destination without too many delays." He gives her a significant look as he says. "I still need to ask my commander if you can accompany us." He raises his hand to halt her coming protest. "This isn't like the Heartland forces and Captain Damian just doesn't accept anyone into our group no matter their profession or references. I may be his Lieutenant but it doesn't mean he will agree. I plan on asking him once I have a route squared away, now if you know of any new fronts i'd appreciate the insight. Also did you see the children Lin is currently entertaining? I wanted to know what your thoughts were about them."
He was entertaining his options, if she wasn't allowed to join them she would make an excellent guardian for Brook and the others. Oathbound and pure of heart, excellent traits and most people wouldn't dare raise a hand to her. If they did...
He'd break them and spare no amount of effort to ensure they never harmed another again...
"Aye so knowing and feelin mah taint was naught nuff, so now I might know tha full extend o tha blight upon mah soul. Tis better tah know though it offers little comforts."
He nods encouragement to Mai...
@Aylaeth: Professor Sundine looks at you for a moment. He speaks a single word in the Arcane tongue; the term for "on" or "start", then he raises an eyebrow in askance. "'Skyknights'?" he asks dubiously. "What is a 'skyknight'?" He takes a chapbook off his desk and flips quickly through it. He stops on a certain page and looks at you, then peers at the book, then back at you. He gives a curt nod. "Okay, it looks like you are who you say you are. Now. Will you step into my office, please, and close the door so we may speak on this matter privately? There are...many people seeking information on the Abominations right now, if you catch my meaning. Would you like some coffee, or tea, perhaps?" He says this last almost as an afterthought, though it's clear to you his manner has softened somewhat since looking at his chapbook.
The raven doesn't pay any attention to Ada'an, but Ada'an has the alarming sensation of all his magic ceasing to work the second he crosses the threshold into the Professor's office -- he can no longer see the telltale auras that would inform him of the presence of evil, and he can feel his own protective aura has ceased to work, as has his innate knowledge of direction. The
@Damian: The Warbanian sergeant shrugs. "Yeah, they're brother and sister. Or they were. They're a weird lot, went Freelance early on; both were too heavily into magic to join the corps, then the brother was put under a spell and disappeared and the sister went sort of mental. This was all…fifty? years ago. I think. No one's seen 'em since."
The big warrior seems to suddenly process something. "Waitaminnit. You're talking as if they're still around, and that's not likely. The girl would be pretty old at this point, and the boy, well, he's most likely dead. Are you saying they're around?"
@Mai: Camilla leads you to a back room that has a potent, silver-embossed focus circle inscribed in the floor. She has you stand in the center and she steps carefully outside the circle. Composing herself, she gives you a small smile. She almost seems nervous. "Very well, magus, can you summon him? I…I'm not entirely sure how this begins. I don't know much about the blackblade bond…"
@Min: Looking over routes, the biggest problem you face is how to traverse enemy-controlled territory, of which there is unfortunately a great deal. The most direct route to Lanzhu, for example, takes you over both Iridian -- home of the Red Dragonflight -- AND numerous Black Dragonflight-controlled areas. Going east would require you to skirt a fine line between Iridian to the south and the White Dragonhold to the north, and then there is still the question of how to travel south; the Frost Kingdom is ruled by the Black Dragonflight, and the Great Trackless Woods is famously deadly to travel over or through, though you recall that Belsarious is from that part of the Land, so maybe he could help?
In the end, the best routes as far as you can see them are as follows:
1. Travel south-southeast over the Plains of Bennalad, then cut east at Manaus to travel along the border of the desert of Rass-La and the well-guarded borderland of Jawwu Sallaq. This route would allow for stops not only in Manaus, but also Kars and Tumkur before skirting the border between the blasted and bitter steppes of Enhathlad and the ruined misery of the mysterious Old Land, giving you a chance to stop in Baotou before ending your journey in the imperial capitol of Lanzhu. If you fly at a slow enough speed for everyone to stay together, this route could take six weeks or more.
2. Ironically, it may be faster to chart a boat; House del Solarion, the ancient and powerful elven shipping house of Mamban has docks in Stormfare and will charter Fast Ships for those who can afford them. These boats have limited carrying capacity but are rigged out with the best sails and fastest woods money can buy, and come crewed with fierce guards and powerful druids who can command wind and water elementals to make the ship's journey that much faster. Traveling in this manner would be brutally uncomfortable, but might take just a couple weeks instead of nearly two months.
The third option, of course, is to inquire into other methods of travel like the Halls of Kalaroth or the Dragonsingers, but you know those ways come with their own difficulties...
About to step into the office, Aylaeth stops right on the threshold as she receives the disturbing thoughts and feelings from her familiar "Ada'an, to me." she tells the little angel, feeling his relief as he leaves the office and his magical abilities return to him.
Frowning slighty, not exactly suspicious yet but certainly on guard, she address the Professor "I do indeed wish to enter and further dicuss the matter I've come to ask you about Professor Sundine, but I am somewhat concerned that you have asked me to enter an anti-magic aura without first informing me of it's presence. This does not seem to be the most polite or trustworthy behaviour on your part, I must say.' as she finishes speaking, she keeps her eyes and senses locked on the man before her, trying to acertain the truth of his response.
Sense Motive:
As she speaks, she sends a mental message to Ada'an asking him to try using his ability to detect evil on the professor again, now that he is out of the anti-magic zone. As he complies with her wishes, Ada'an also pays close attention to the human's reply.
Sense Motive:
Min looks over the maps with Sophitia hovering over his shoulder and adding her insight where applicable, but she remained quiet mostly. Watching wide eyed as Min browsed the maps with a practiced eye and grimaced at the number of dangerous paths that lay before them. Another trip through Limbo would be deadly. The doors are not a possibility, not for Lin and I and the Dragonsingers... He smiled at the thought of meeting those strange dragonriders again and hearing their song.
With his findings he made notes and took what maps he could with him. Purchasing several area maps if he could.
"Thanks Sophitia, now we need to show these to my Captain and see how he wants to approach this. The ship is our best bet but i'm not sure they are capable of carrying Lin... Easily anyway. Perhaps I can find something in the markets to make travel easier."
When he's able to get away from the library Min stores his findings in Lin's saddle. Using the various tubes and scroll cases to protect the route notes from the odd weather that plagued Stormfare. He stole off to the markets, intent on finding an outfitter for Lin.
@Aylaeth: Ada'an makes a small, deferential noise and reminds you that anti-magic fields not only stop magic from working within them, but also suppress magic that is cast into them, hence, while he is most grateful to be out of the office and have all his faculties back, none of the cassisian's magic -- nor yours -- is of any use against the professor as long as he remains within the borders of the ant-magic field.
The professor replies, and neither you nor Ada'an can read anything in the man's demeanor or body language. "Polite? This is my office, I'll decide what's polite, not you. And if you're not here for any evil intent, then why should you care? What do you have to fear? Unless there's some magic on you that you don't want to end...something you're hiding..." He holds up the chapbook so you can see the title -- it is a simple inter-collegiate directory, the kind handed out to students and faculty so they know who's who on campus, and so professors can contact each other. "If you are who you say you are -- which is my current, hopeful, operating theory -- then you know what this is, and you know how easy it is to obtain one. Scrolls of disguise are quite inexpensive in this city, you know..." He lets the comment hang in the air a moment, trusting you'll pick up on his implication.
"I have no idea what a 'skyknight' is. Sounds like malarkey to me. And you come here asking about a rogue graduate student and asking for information about the twelve deadliest artifacts known to exist and now you balk at coming into a simple anti-magic field." He pauses and cracks his knuckles. In addition to his brawler's shoulders, you note his knuckles have well-worn callouses, as if he spends a lot of time punching things. He is not threatening you, this is just something you notice. "Look. I don't know who you really are, or why you're really here. But I'd love it if you turned out to be who you say you are, so if you have some way of proving any of your story, I'd really like to see it." All this time he has stayed put right where he started -- leaning up against his desk on the right side of the room, about 10' away from you.
It's clear to you that he's withholding a lot of information, and that he wants you to know that, but neither you nor Ada'an has any way of knowing what that information may be. His attitude is stern, but also kind of regretful, as if he doesn't enjoy doing what he's doing, but has learned of its necessity the hard way.
@Min: Finding an outfitter for a silver dragon in a draconic protectorate is much easier than it would be anywhere else. In short order, you locate a shop on the northern edge of town that has a marvelous, large field in which Lin can land and a large crew of skilled armorers and leather-workers to take her measurements and fit her for new tack, riding gear, barding, etc. The owner of the shop is a half-elf who calls herself Thenya. She smiles when your companion lands. "My goodness! So beautiful. She's recently grown, yes? What a lucky companion you are!" It's clear that by "companion", she means you.
Her frown remaing on her face, Aylaeth replies "I have nothing to hide, but as you say, when iquiring about the twelve deadliest artifacts known to exist one must be careful. I have no infallible means of knowing that you are who you say you are either. Yet my mission is an urgent one and thus risks must often be taken to ensure it's success."
Holding her quarterstff in a defensive manner, she steps into the office and closes the door "I am not surprised you have never heard of the Skykights as they did not exist before our unit was formed. I am a newer addition to the Skyknights, a replacment for Professor Dolo Luckbender, who was called away on other, urgent business. The Skyknights are led by a Captain Damian Lamorak and were formed several weeks ago in Izmir, at the orders of Captain Merit and Na-Calanon" at the mention of the ancient Gold and the reminder of his horrid fate, Aylaeth feels a hitch in her throat, but after a deep breath, continues.
"The Skyknights were formed specifically as an elite aerial unit and their prime directive is to find, and destroy, all the 12 Abominations. The 'malarky' you describe as the Skyknights have already been successful in finding and destroying 6 of the 12." she finishes with no small amount of pride and pleasure at putting the somewhat arrogant seeming professor in his place. Or perhaps there was just something about his type which got under her skin.
Min bows deeply to Thenya as Lin lands lightly, despite her immense size, besides him. Min "Merry meet Thenya. Anirilln aey oem aeym amemwla. I am indeed a lucky companion, the luckiest of all in fact that this beautiful Dragoness puts up with me." He says the last part with a warm smile.
Thank you for your words,
Lin rolls her eyes as she chuckles at her companion as she nods in respect to Thenya as the Outfitter gave her praise. "You are a master of your craft~ I have recently changed and we are in need of your services."
Min nods in agreement with Lin as he maintains casual eye contact with Thenya and takes in her operation around him. His voice remained warm, friendly and casual as he spoke. "I don't mean to be rude but I would like to know your rates before we waste your time. Also I was wondering if you had anything for carrying more passengers as well. As we are looking to leave here in the next day or so for an extended flight."
@Livain
"Though I nodded encouragment tah Mai, I fear tah find tha taint upon me is beyond mah capacities tah contain, mah hope is some defense exists tah protect me from tha further taintedness."
Before Livain and Belsarious leave Maiathreen grabs his wife and holds her momentarily along with a deep kiss. He also casts a defensive spell to help protect her while she and Belsarious go out.
When he hears Camilla say she's never dealt with a blackblade Maiathreen just stares silently for a moment before sitting in the middle of the circle.
@Livain
"Though I nodded encouragment tah Mai, I fear tah find tha taint upon me is beyond mah capacities tah contain, mah hope is some defense exists tah protect me from tha further taintedness."
Livain couldn't help but feel sad at Belsarious' words. She thought for a moment for a suitable response. At first she was going to tell yet another sad tale of her own past but then something stopped her. She needed to put him at ease and the easiest way to do so was to be down to earth. " Well dear," She clears her throat and for a moment looks around almost as if afraid her lady-like manner might be tarnished by what she was about to say "if I managed to live in hell's a!+ h$%*, endured countless horrors, then manage crawl out like a maggot from a dung heap and all the while not be tainted, then I believe you will be just fine!" She gives the "jolly good" pat on the back and a big warm smile backed with hope to cheer him up a bit. "It was all better when I finally got to take my first shower, I didn't get any of those while under the black dragon flight. We were lucky to have a cup of water and a rag for personal cleansing, needless to say the only true tainting was that my own stink was branded in my mind along with these lovely markings... Trendy eh?" For a moment she let out a deep laugh. She thought to herself, "if only Mai were here, I could picture it now. His brow would have shot straight up and then we would have had to hide a smile."
"Tis encouragement thou hast provided, I am now certain tha taint shalt not define mine existance....."
Offers an awkward hug to Livain.
@Belsarious and @Livain: The two of you make small talk on your way to the bar in the gnoll part of town, realizing en route that you don't know much of anything about one another, only bits and pieces gathered from other conversations, hints, and inferences. But times such as these don't give beings such as yourselves much time for chit-chat.
The gnoll section of Stormfare is in much better repair than other gnoll-occupied areas of other cities you've seen. The independence given the hyena-like creatures here in the northwest mixed with the constantly depressing weather seems to have allowed them to adopt a more relaxed mindset and develop a sense of civic pride as well; buildings have fresh paint, roofs and walkways are in good repair...the only thing that indicates you've entered dog-man territory is the high, rank smells of rancid meat and wet fur.
After a short journey into the neighborhood, you spot the bar called "Charna". It's clearly marked and seems to be doing good business. Entering the place, you see the bar is full and most of the tables have customers. A surprisingly delicious-smelling stew seems to be the dish of choice.
The maitre'd -- a young, golden-furred gnoll -- approaches and smiles, though it's tough to tell if it's a smile or a snarl with these creatures. "Sir. Madam. A table for two?" he asks pleasantly.
@Mai: You have no idea where you are.
The last thing you remember is sitting down in Camilla de Vestrille's back room and attempting to invoke the...bond you have with Servais, then all went black.
You test out your senses:
Smell - dank, humid, like fog. A grayish, stony smell. Someplace old.
Sight - Nothing. Blackness.
Sound - water dripping. footsteps in the distance. a light breeze that sounds somehow wrong
Touch - cold, wet stones beneath you -- cobblestones.
Taste - salt. wet. as if you're by the ocean. So that's good, at least you're still in Stormfare...or so you assume, anyway.
The blackness lifts, like the veil of sleep on awakening. You are in an ancient courtyard, stones worn to rounded edges make up the cobbles underfoot. All around you, houses as old as gods seem to lean and loom in, or else hold back away from you in horror, forming a circle around you, and a fountain, as streets vanish into the shadows.
The fountain. By the gods. The courtyard, or crossing, or whatever-it-is that you're in is large, maybe 200' in diameter, and the fountain takes up fully half that. In the center, huge statues seem to be caught in mid-motion more than carved. You recognize depictions of the gods, both dead and living...other beings you don't recognize. All the statues are made of some black metal that is unlike any other you've seen. The edge of the thing and the basin are all made of black marble and gilt with precious metals.
Somewhere far in the distance huge footsteps shake the ground. There is a sound not at all unlike a scream.
You realize that in addition to the large statues, there are tiny ones as well. Many, many tiny ones, all with their heads barely above the eight inches of freezing, crystal-clear water that fill the entirety of this giant thing. Some of the small statues seem...familiar, somehow, though the faces you don't immediately recognize, something about their-
"CAW! CAW! KKKKKKKK tok tok tok CAW!" The crow's call just about scares the spirit right out of you. You whirl around to see the biggest, oldest crow you have ever seen in your life perched on an eve. In a window, there is briefly a silhouette, but it vanishes instantly. You hear wings, and more black birds land -- ravens, rooks, crows, jackdaws...all sorts. They soon cause the darkness to become even deeper with their glossy black feathers, there are so many of them. They become eerily silent, and seem to be staring at you.
A light, then, from behind you. Turning yet again you are surprised at a pure white glow coming up one of the streets, illuminating the bleak blackness as it approaches. The birds do not stir a whit, but continue to stare you down. In the light, you see threads that you could not see before; hundreds, no-thousands of them, stretching out from the statues, out into those pitch-dark streets, up into the sky where there is no conceivable thing to which they could attach...out, away. They are some of them connected to the statues, but some just go down into the fountain and anchor to nothing you can see.
It is as you follow one of these threads that you notice one of the tiny statues in the fountain is a statue of you.
A kindly voice speaks as if from a great distance. The white light appears on the opposite side of the courtyard from you. It is a man. No; woman. No...no, you can't tell what it is. It is impossibly tall -- damn near eight feet if it's an inch. It is more slender than an elf and clad in pure white robes and vestments that look holy but are of no church you recognize. It has no face, and no hair. The voice fills the air and you know it is from this creature, but you can see no way for it to produce sound.
"Shadow. Magus. You. Are. Early."
"We may be expectin a third."
nods and follows to a table....
"Early? Who or what are you and where in the nine hells am I?"
@Mai: The figure stands across from you, no longer moving. The light around it fades to a dull but constant nimbus. You can now see that it wields an enormous, dual-headed glaive whose blades gleam with their own inner light and whose staff is some kind of pale white material. The blades are very long.
It reaches out and gently touches a thread with its creepily-long index finger. "Early. But. No. Matter. You. May. Wait. Here. It. Is. As. Good. A. Place. As. Any." Again the giant footsteps in the distance, shaking the houses and the cobbled streets. The figure seems to be regarding you, but it's hard to tell.
@Aylaeth: The professor, clearly not cowed by you, shakes his head and gives a derisive snort. "By His Holy Tankard." he says with exasperation. "You Lesothans. You're almost as bad as Izmirians. Do they make you all take classes in self-righteousness?" He quickly stands up and holds up his hands in a gesture of "stop". "Don't answer that! Goodness. We'll be here all day, and the Wombat has a new ale I yearn to try."
He starts to talk, and what follows is a series of pointed questions about the abominations that only one who had actually seen them, actually been in their presence -- one such as yourself -- could answer. He is careful not to reveal anything of value, but you note he is equally careful not to ask you anything that would compromise your mission. He is clearly a very experienced information broker.
Eventually you are both satisfied that the other is indeed who they say they are. While not exactly friendly, the professor is definitely not antagonistic. He's just very, very careful and stern in an avuncular way.
"There have been three attempts on my life this past week alone, two of which occurred right here in my office. One assassin was disguised as a scholar-monk from the Hold of Nondanas. Another was wearing the skin of a student who had been killed and replaced with a changeling." He looks haunted by this. If Professor Sundine is stern, it is because he greatly values education and educating the youth, and to lose a student in such a horrible way is an atrocity with which he will be grappling for a long time. This also explains the anti-magic field in his office.
"So what do you want to know about Bethany? She's mad as a rabid goblin, I can tell you that, but crazy like a fox. Erratically brilliant. Convinced the Abominations were part of a larger plot, also believed Marianasu had apprentices. No proof for any of it, of course, but swore there were 'answers in the mists, and in the Old Land.' Never said what the hell she meant by that. When she requested her transfer to Lanzhu it was rather a relief, honestly. That lady is exhausting to be around, and not in a good way."
@Mai: You notice that when this...being touched the thread, you felt your heart race, and not in a good way. When the finger was removed, your heart rate returned to normal. You also note there are ancient words of power inscribed on the blades of the naginata/glaive it wields. If translated to common speech, they would roughly mean "to cut and disrupt", or; "to sunder".
You also note a swirling mass of shadow above and around you, like a living darkness. It is absolutely massive and stretches for miles all around.
"Your the Sunderer that Seneferu spoke of aren't you?" Maiathreen says when he sees the words inscribed on the blades. He tries to push the uncomfortable feeling in his chest away for the time being.
@Mai: The figure remains where it is. "I. Know. Not. "Seneferu. " But. I. May. Be. Called. Sunderer."
"Mind telling me how and why I'm here?" Maiathreen asks his trepidation growing every second he spends here.
@Mai: "I. Do. Not. Know. Things. Come. Here. When. They. Must. Usually. But. You. Are. Early." The disembodied voice says mildly. "This. Has. Happened. Twice. Now. Most. Peculiar."
"What do you mean early? Where is this place, what is this place? Why is there a statue or me?"
@Mai: "Early. Not. Yet. Your. Time. This. Place. Is. Where. You. Come. When. It. Is. Your. Time." the voice explains slowly and patiently. Then the figure moves for the first time since it arrived, gliding over by where the statue of you stands in the water, positioned in a defiant pose, wings spread wide. You note there is a statue of Livain nearby, and now you spy statues of the other Skyknights, as well. The statue of Belsarious has a horrid black blob hovering above it that seems somehow threatening and also very familiar. It looks like...ink...maybe...something...agonizingly familiar about it, no doubt why you thought he was familiar when you first met him. Sir Damian has six statues all in a cluster, each one looking slightly different. Not too far away is a statue of a creature that resembles what you remember Servais looking like. You can't help but notice it is about 20 times larger than your statue. You also note that there are a dozen more statues just like it far off on an edge of the pool, laying prone in the water.
Your "host" speaks again. "Why. Would. There. Not. Be. A. Statue. Of. You?" It seems genuinely confused by your question, as if you asked it why water was wet, or why rocks were hard.
"Who else has come early and what happens if you come here early?"