In the center of the world there stands a tower, impossibly tall and seemingly untouched by the long millennia which have passed since its creation. An azure sheath of translucent force keeps all would be interlopers at bay.
At the foot of the tower there rests a building carved from the same white stone. The old magic that protects the tower does not reach out around this structure and it bears the scars of age and repair. Its back wall rests against the barrier and its two side walls are plain and windowless. The southern wall is marked by a set of twelve foot tall darkwood doors with a circular cold-iron symbol affixed to them. Inside lies a single room, twenty feet wide and thirty feet deep. In the center of the far wall is a twelve foot tall stone archway, filled with the azure field of force. Above it, a six foot medallion of pure mithril is set into the wall, displaying the same symbol as the outer door: three concentric pentagons circumscribed by a circle.
To the left of the portal is a large bookshelf housing ledgers with the names of hundreds of brave men and women who have undertaken to enter the tower over the centuries. To the right, an identical shelf stands with only a single ledger resting on one shelf; it is rumored to contain only a single name, the only person ever to exit. In the center of the room there is a large wooden desk. Behind it a marble Inevitable gilded in gold silently sits unblinking.
As the darkwood doors swing closed behind the bold adventures, the Bookkeeper's head begins to move. It scans from left to right pausing on each person for only a moment and then its booming, monotone voice rings out: "Come forward, seekers, and record your names in the Ledger."
After this declaration, the Bookkeeper falls still and silent once more until both of the two warriors step forward and sign. With each signature, the Bookkeeper adds the date in a second column, and the signer feels a wave of magical energy wash over them and coalesce into a single part of the body. Further examination reveals that the Seeker's Seal has appeared on each of their bodies like a dull gray tattoo.
After both have completed the process, the Bookkeeper begins to speak again: "Seekers, to enter the Tower you must first attune yourselves to its magic. Travel to the four Anchors which bind it to this realm. The magic therein will manifest as trials and as you overcome them attunement shall occur. When you have attuned to all four Anchors, return upon New Tran and the entrance to the Tower shall be opened unto you." After giving these rather cryptic instructions, the Bookkeeper falls still and silent once more.
The two newly sealed warriors exit the Bookkeeper's dwelling to find Gaius' older sister, Tullia, smiling proudly at them. "Well, it's official now," she greets them warmly, "you are Seekers, as I am." The woman, who has barely uttered a word about her quest in nearly nine years breathes a sigh of relief and hands her little brother a parchment map. It shows most of the major trade roads of Cardriss and the major cities they pass through, plus a handful of smaller towns and four Xs that have been drawn in by her own hand. "The first thing you need to understand now," she explains, "is that the Anchors are extraordinarily powerful, and they grant us special power, and if people knew that there are many who would try to exploit it. That would be bad for society, but even more so I could be bad for the Tower and for Cardriss itself. So, do not tell anyone who's not a Seeker themself anything about the Anchors unless you absolutely have no other choice."
"Now, you'll see on the map that I made four Xs, those are the locations of the four Anchors, I'm almost certain... I never actually saw the Anchor at, or near, Tokelau, but the others are so evenly spaced that I think it must be there. I went east first, because I could tell from my seal that the eastern Anchor couldn't be far from the road to Izar and, having trained in Eastwatch, I knew a handful of places I could teleport to in order to save some travel time. Then I teleported back here and followed the western trade road to find the western Anchor. After the easy to reach ones were finished, I followed the roads up through Verstadt until I had to head into the woods..."
"My plan was to complete the northern Anchor then teleport my way home and travel down to Dalmatien to catch a boat to the Southern Isles. Unless one of you knows how to teleport, I'd strongly suggest you pick one Anchor to start at and travel in a circle though, otherwise all the backtracking I did will take you way too long. You need to know something about the northern Anchor, though. There's a society there... a very closed off one. They're elves, but they have draconic blood and their nobles, I think, are actually half-dragons. I tried to sneak by them to just get into the Anchor, but they caught me, and they weren't happy about it. When I explained myself, they understood, and they did release me peacefully, but that whole process moved so slowly that I was too late to finish by the New Tran. When you go there, you should present yourselves openly to them as Seekers; they know that means you're headed to the Anchor and they'll let you go, although they might require something of you in exchange."
Tullia stops and takes a deep breath, keenly aware that she's just dropped a great deal of information on the two men. She steps in and hugs Gaius. "Do better than I did, little brother," she says warmly, "King Markus has bestowed this honor on you, restore the honor to our family that I lost."
Gaius is excited to enter to the tower with his brother-in-arms, especially knowing that Tullia would be just outside waiting. The moments with the Bookkeeper pass in a blur, and before he knows it he is litening to Tulia breathlessly explain what she has kept close for nearly a decade. He returns the hug with grace and acceptance.
"Thank you, dear sister. For your forerunning, and for your counsel now. I hope you know that I do not believe that you have lost any honor for our family. Ever this last decade you have been a boon to our kingdom! Even if King Markus may not always recognize it."
He pauses and considers what she has told him: especially who to tell (rarely), and from whom to conceal their mission (mostly). He had worked with elves briefly, enough to form a friendly relationship, but the ones near this North Anchor sounded of a different kind altogether.
"I confess I unfortunately lack such powerful teleportation magicks. I have been studying ways of moving short distances, but not clear cross Cardriss." Gaius looks thoughtful for a moment, eyeing Maximus and wondering whether he has taken time to study the arcane over the years.
"Are there any particular dangers at or about the other anchors? Anything else that we may prepare to ensure that we prove swift?"
Gaius waits to hear if Maximus has any further questions, but he has already begun forming a plan in his mind. To Easthill on horseback, following the initial path that Tullia had taken, but then taking her advice and going circular: likely to the southern isles after that. Ending with the elves in the north seems like perhaps the best way.
"The Anchor at Easthill should be completely safe to reach, unless a war breaks out tomorrow." Tullia answers, "It's right in the graveyard on the edge of town. The eastern Anchor has a small community around it. They're not a danger, but they do get raided by orcs sometimes, so you'll have to watch out for those. I never made it to the southern Anchor, so I can't speak to the dangers at it, but I do know that there are pirates and other dangers in the waters you'll have to sail to get there and back."
"Then I'll pray for no sudden wars. And perhaps we'll be able to help the community if a raid should occur. I did think to go to Easthill first, following you, but following your advice to circumnavigate. The southern islands seem best after that if we can find a boat."
Gaius turns to Maximus. "Tullia is probably our best bet for knowledge before we set out. I think she's answered most of what I would like to know so far, but is there anything else you care to know before we set to Easthill? Or did you have a different path you wanted to follow?"
Listening intently to the information given, Maximus nods periodically in understanding.
"I confess I unfortunately lack such powerful teleportation magicks. I have been studying ways of moving short distances, but not clear cross Cardriss." Gaius looks thoughtful for a moment, eyeing Maximus and wondering whether he has taken time to study the arcane over the years.
"And I'm not versed in ANY type of magic so it looks like we've got a lot of walking or riding ahead of us, old friend."
"Then I'll pray for no sudden wars. And perhaps we'll be able to help the community if a raid should occur. I did think to go to Easthill first, following you, but following your advice to circumnavigate. The southern islands seem best after that if we can find a boat."
Gaius turns to Maximus. "Tullia is probably our best bet for knowledge before we set out. I think she's answered most of what I would like to know so far, but is there anything else you care to know before we set to Easthill? Or did you have a different path you wanted to follow?"
Shaking his head, "Not I. Easthill sounds like a fine first destination to me." He then looks to Tullia, "Thank you for all your help. And don't worry about your brother, he'll be fine as long as I'm around. It'll be just like old times, eh, Gaius?" he grins wryly, giving a wink.
Noticing the questioning look upon his sister's face, "Yeah, don't ask. It's just safer."
Gaius laughs at the comment, his eyes rolling as he remembers certain shenanigans.
"Well the trouble we got into when we were younger never ended up in a tattoo, so I'm not sure if that sets us off to a better or a worse start."
Gaius his his sister once more and then crosses his arm over his chest. "I know I should likely not make such a promise, but...I will return. Either with father or with news of him. This is not goodbye, dear Sister. But I shall miss your company, and your wit."
He turns to Maximus. "Let's get us some horses and head east!"
Nodding, "You don't have to tell me twice." Turning to Gaius's sister, "Trust me when I tell you this... we'll be back," he gives a wink before following after Gaius to see a man about a horse, or, horses.
Tullia chuckles softly and answers, “Truly your confidence is inspiring, but Easthill got it’s name because it was on the eastern border of Findon, which is west of here. So, if you want to start with the Anchor in Easthill you have to follow the Great Western Road, to the west.”
Gaius sheepishly ruffles his hair. "Right, that...what would I do without you, sister? You know I'm poor with directions. Though I suppose--"
Gaius takes a few paces, orients himself by the sun, and focuses on his new tattoo. He attunes himself to the nearest anchor, hopefully to the west, and tries out this new capacity.
As the magic takes hold and pulls his focus more shaply, Gaius grins from ear to ear marveling. "And this is only the beginning. At least now I'll a bit less bad about directions. All right, then. To the west!"
Shrugging, "East, west, north, south. Just point us in the right direction and we'll find it," he says, giving a firm nod.
"To the west it is."
As they go to find mounts, Gaius leans in to ask hid old friend. "So, what have you been up to these last years? And why are you bent on becoming a Seeker?"
"You're in luck, then, Maximus," Tullia jokes, "because from here you can go any of those directions and find an Anchor!"
Gaius' sister accompanies the two Seeker's to the market district and enjoys some time with them while they secure a pair of horses and begin purchasing food and supplies. When it becomes clear to her that they have no means of storing all the supplies they need, she offers them her own enchanted bag saying, "this is only a loan, I expect that back when you return." After the shopping is over and lunch has been shared, she hugs Gaius once again and pats Maximus on the back. "Safe travels. May the gods keep you until we meet again."
With their magic bag full of food and water for themselves and the horses, the two Seekers set off westward. They spend the rest of the day riding, and find they haven't even reached the edge of Korryn yet. In all, they spend twenty-six days riding the old trade roads before arriving in Easthill. Along the way, they encounter a number of colorful characters, and fight off an unfortunate band of ill-prepared bandits, but the most memorable part of the trip is when the graveyard on the edge of the small town comes into view. At it's center there stands a monument seemingly cut of the same white granite used to build the Tower. Its sides are roughly twenty feet wide and deep, and it stands some sixty feet tall. Halfway up the side facing the Seekers is a six foot diameter relief of the same seal that now marks their flesh.
Moving off the road, they cautiously navigate the paths between the graves as they head towards the structure. When they draw near, a blue glow begins to grow on the wall right in front of them. It increases in both intensity and size until a six foot wide and twelve foot tall sheet of rippling blue energy appears to be cut into the wall. Nothing is visible through the energy field but it gives the impression of being some manner of portal...
Gaius graciously accepts the enchanted bag and returns Tullia's blessing.
As this first leg of their trip--nearly a month!--draws to its zenith, Gaius investigates the portal.
"Well, Maximus, I am prepared for danger. Are you?"
First, Gaius pulls two small objects from his spell component pouch: a coffee bean, and a grape. He speaks a few arcane words as he pops the coffee bean in his mouth. As he crunches the bitter taste down, he casts Heightened Awareness.
Swiftly after, he brings out a bottle of stale wine and pops a grape into it. He grasps his sword and carves a rune in the air. "This will taste better in a moment," he encourages Maximus, as he whistles and touches sword to bottle, attempting to cast Tears to Wine.
He takes a quick drink from the bottle before spitting it out. "Well that didn't work," he says with disappointment before stowing the bottle again.
Finally, Gaius chants and intones as he casts one final spell. His eyes glow the same blue as the suspected portal in front of him as he casts Detect Magic and focuses on the energy field in front of him, trying to understand more about it if he can.
As they go to find mounts, Gaius leans in to ask his old friend. "So, what have you been up to these last years? And why are you bent on becoming a Seeker?"
Shrugging, "Oh you know, just doing whatever it takes to keep my part of Korryn as safe as possible. The Tower district has been fairly quiet for the most part so it's been good. Of course, we've had our situations arise from time to time, but nothing Maximus and his fellow soldiers can't handle," he claims, grinning proudly.
"And I believe that is probably part of the reason as to why I want to become a Seeker. I love being a soldier, don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade it for the world but I guess in a way it's gotten... slow? I guess? I don't know. I just feel like there's something more out there for me. Something greater that calls me. I believe I was born for this, Gaius. This Tower is the ultimate challenge and I firmly believe it was made especially for me." He then cuts his attention straight into the eyes of his longtime friend and says in no uncertain terms, "And we're gonna win."
"You're in luck, then, Maximus," Tullia jokes, "because from here you can go any of those directions and find an Anchor!"
Gaius' sister accompanies the two Seeker's to the market district and enjoys some time with them while they secure a pair of horses and begin purchasing food and supplies. When it becomes clear to her that they have no means of storing all the supplies they need, she offers them her own enchanted bag saying, "this is only a loan, I expect that back when you return." After the shopping is over and lunch has been shared, she hugs Gaius once again and pats Maximus on the back. "Safe travels. May the gods keep you until we meet again."
Nodding, "They will, Miss Tullia, don't you worry. We are indefatigable. Well, I am anyway. If I have to, I'll just carry your brother," he gives her a wink and gives Gaius a friendly slap on the back as they turn and head out.
Gaius graciously accepts the enchanted bag and returns Tullia's blessing.
As this first leg of their trip--nearly a month!--draws to its zenith, Gaius investigates the portal.
"Well, Maximus, I am prepared for danger. Are you?"
First, Gaius pulls two small objects from his spell component pouch: a coffee bean, and a grape. He speaks a few arcane words as he pops the coffee bean in his mouth. As he crunches the bitter taste down, he casts Heightened Awareness.
"Always, old friend! I was born for it! But you know, thinking about it, it's odd to say 'old' friend when we're both still quite young. But we've known each other since we were small boys. I guess if you contemplate it enough, as long as we've known each other - what 15 plus years? - I guess that would make us 'old' friends. Anyway, I digress."
Swiftly after, he brings out a bottle of stale wine and pops a grape into it. He grasps his sword and carves a rune in the air. "This will taste better in a moment," he encourages Maximus, as he whistles and touches sword to bottle, attempting to cast Tears to Wine.
He takes a quick drink from the bottle before spitting it out. "Well that didn't work," he says with disappointment before stowing the bottle again.
Letting out a hearty laugh, the big fella shakes his head and crosses his arms as he looks to the 'sour-faced' bard. "I gather you're still working on the 'better' part of that bit of magic, am I right?" he asks in jest, obviously handing out a bit of a ribbing.
"On second thought," Gaius takes the wine back out and smells it. "Oh, that makes sense. I made mead instead! It just didn't taste like I expected." He takes a long drink, feeling his senses sharpen, and passes the bottle over.
"Well, old friend, this portal looks safe to me. Let's go on in!"
"On second thought," Gaius takes the wine back out and smells it. "Oh, that makes sense. I made mead instead! It just didn't taste like I expected." He takes a long drink, feeling his senses sharpen, and passes the bottle over.
Looking somewhat impressed, "Mead huh? Sounds like to me you got the 'better' part down pretty good," he says with a wry grin.
"Well, old friend, this portal looks safe to me. Let's go on in!"
"You don't have to tell me twice." The warrior then leads the way through.
You find yourself alone in a twenty foot diameter circular chamber, ten feet tall, with white stone walls, floor, and ceiling. Behind you, the portal through which you entered flashes closed leaving only a flat stone wall. On the far side of the chamber is a second flat stone wall of similar size. The whole room has a very dream-like quality. Inside the chamber is a ring of eight evenly spaced, four foot tall stone pedestals. Upon each one rest a different object; they are: a key, a sturdy but well-worn pair of boots, an ornate hand mirror, a wooden shield, a set of dice, a neatly folded burial shroud, a vial of potent acid, and a falcata.
When you dismiss your detect magic spell, you find yourself alone in a twenty foot diameter circular chamber, ten feet tall, with white stone walls, floor, and ceiling. Behind you, the portal through which you entered flashes closed leaving only a flat stone wall. On the far side of the chamber is a second flat stone wall of similar size. The whole room has a very dream-like quality. Inside the chamber is a ring of eight evenly spaced four foot tall stone pedestals. Upon each one rest a different object; they are: a key, a sturdy but well-worn pair of boots, an ornate hand mirror, a light metal shield, a set of dice, a neatly folded burial shroud, a vial of potent acid, and a longsword.
Taking a moment to get his bearings, Maximus waits a moment to see if anything jumps out at him. When nothing does, he relaxes. Looking around, "Hello?! Gaius?! Anybody?!" Hearing nothing but his own voice echo back at him, he moves to the middle of the ring and looks upon the various objects. "Well this is weird. I've got several items all around me soooo, now what? Am I suppose to choose one? Seems risky. What if I pick something and it releases a demon or something. That would be bad. Or, you know, interesting. I guess it all comes down to perspective." Mimicking in an older man's voice, "'If you choose, choose wisely', my old man would always say. Crazy old man. I love 'im though." He then looks around for any type of information or clue as to how to get out of here.
Gaius' head pounds until he dismisses his spell, unleashing a blue stream of curses as he tries to recover. As he fumbles around, he calls out for Maximus before recognizing that he is alone with his own voice. As his sight slowly returns, he sees the eight objects ahead.
Eight objects. Eight schools of magic. The auras had been overwhelming and represented everything he knew of the arcane. Was this the power of the Anchor?
Gaius makes some notes as he walks between the pedestals, guessing as he goes. The burial shroud is clearly necromancy. The shield has classically been known to represent abjuration, and the sword evocation. The mirror could represent enchantment, or illusion...or divination. Or conjuration. But Gaius thinks that the dice resemble ideas of divination more because of luck. If he isn't mistaken, the acid may be conjuration, and the boots transmutation, which would make the key illusion? No, he must have erred somewhere along the way...
"I suppose I'm supposed to choose one of you," he says aloud to no one in particular.
"To choose that which I lack, or to strengthen that which I have?" Gaius poses thoughtfully. He almost wishes this was a riddle with a correct answer rather than a decision to make. But he steps forward decisively, then falters.
He considers each of the implements in turn, turning them over in his mind. He reaches for the sword, but pulls his hand back at the last moment.
There is no right decision. There is only what you choose.
With confidence, Gaius grabs the pair of boots.
Finding absolutely nothing in his search, Maximus returns his attention back to the items. Crossing his arms, he strokes his chin in thought. "Okay, well, let's start with the key. Where do you suppose that goes to?" He glances all around and sees nothing but stone. "Well there's no door. Next is a pair of boots. Not sure I want to replace the ones I have. They're pretty useful. Moving on, we've got ourselves a hand mirror." He stares at the mirror a moment before shaking his head and simply moving on. "Next there's a wooden shield. I've got a shield and it's fairly effective. But that does pique my interest a bit. Then there's a set of dice. Well I don't gamble because I'm terrible at it so with that being said, whatever I choose is probably going to be wrong. Sorry, dice, but no dice. Next is a burial shroud? Well that's creepy. No thanks. After that is a vial of what looks like acid. Not exactly sure what to do with that so I'll move on. And lastly a falcata. That's a solid weapon I gotta say. Sturdy, strong, effective." He cuts his eyes between the sword and the shield ... the sword and the shield ... the sword and the shield. Moving over to the weapon, he stares at it a moment before turning his gaze to the shield and then making his way to it. "If it's something I believe to be the absolute truth, it's the old adage, 'the best offense is a great defense'. So I guess I'm going with you, buddy. I'm thinking you represent me the best out of all these items." He then reaches out and selects the shield.
He then looks up and around, curious to see what happens next, if anything.
After stepping through the portal you find yourself in an identical chamber, with the same eight evenly spaced pedestals. The objects that had occupied each, however, are gone. In their place, an orb of matter or energy hovers a foot above each. The orbs are as follows: fire, gravely earth, roots and vines, water, swirling winds, rusting iron, warm white light, and a dark cloud flashing with lightning.
After stepping through the portal you find yourself in an identical chamber, with the same eight evenly spaced pedestals. The objects that had occupied each, however, are gone. In their place, an orb of matter or energy hovers a foot above each. The orbs are as follows: fire, gravely earth, roots and vines, water, swirling winds, rusting iron, warm white light, and a dark cloud flashing with lightning.
"Well alrighty then, back in the same room but different. Interesting. I'm guessing choosing is the only way to move forward so here we go. Let's see now. Let's see, let's see, let's see, which one... will... it... be." The warrior looks upon each one again and again. He finds himself torn between a pair of them, unable to decide between the two. "You know, I think I'm going to regret this but, rusting iron orb, I choose you!" He stops a moment and looks curiously - and somewhat appalled! - upon himself(if he could). "Okay, why did I say it like that?! That was just... weird. And a little unnerving, Max, I gotta say. Heck, what am I saying, this whole PLACE is weird and a little unnerving! I definitely prefer fighting the bad guys over this." He then proceeds to take the rusting iron orb.
"Interesting," Gaius says out loud, feeling himself swifter. In the next chamber, he assesses the elements.
"And you will either offer protection, or perhaps a trial that I will need to overcome."
Gaius looks around, thinking. The ball of earth and gravel speaks the most to him, so he reaches out towards that orb.
Once again you step through the portal, and once again you are alone in an identical chamber. The pedestals are still present but what they bear has once again changed. Now a statue sits atop each one. The statues are each about two feet tall, finely carved from a heavy black stone. Each depicts one of the following animals: a crocodile, an eagle, a frog, a monkey, a panther, a snake, a vulture, and a wolf.
Once again you step through the portal, and once again you are alone in an identical chamber. The pedestals are still present but what they bear has once again changed. Now a statue sits atop each one. The statues are each about two feet tall, finely carved from a heavy black stone. Each depicts one of the following animals: a crocodile, an eagle, a frog, a monkey, a panther, a snake, a vulture, and a wolf.
"Now THIS is something to behold. When you strike, strike hard and make sure they know it." Maximus moves up and chooses the crocodile.
Gaius thrills in this new sensation. "I don't know if this will last, but I'm enjoying these new capacities."
Gaius looks at the animals and extrapolates from what has previously occurred. Flight seemed interesting and useful, and Gaius had always admired the noble eagle. He steps forward towards the bird of prey, reaching out with an un-earthed hand.
With the spirit now gone, you notice that the room has changed. The two flat spots where the portals have previously appeared are gone. Around the exterior wall there are now eight, large, evenly spaced niches, each of which contains a different relief; they are: a man setting a large gear in the workings of a mill; a gathering of people eating and drinking together in front of the hearth of a great hall; a crowd of people cheering for a man holding his sword aloft in victory; a tome on a desk in a library; a man carrying a giant boulder on his back; a staff and a pile of scrolls; a scepter and a signet ring; and, a man directing a crowd down the road while someone else hides behind him.
With the spirit now gone, you notice that the room has changed. The two flat spots where the portals have previously appeared are gone. Around the exterior wall there are now eight, large, evenly spaced niches, each of which contains a different relief; they are: a man setting a large gear in the workings of a mill; a gathering of people eating and drinking together in front of the hearth of a great hall; a crowd of people cheering for a man holding his sword aloft in victory; a tome on a desk in a library; a man carrying a giant boulder on his back; a staff and a pile of scrolls; a scepter and a signet ring; and, a man directing a crowd down the road while someone else hides behind him.
Taking in the new options, Maximus grins at the relief of the people gathered, eating and drinking together. "Now that truly is an envious place to be." As he takes a moment to study them all, he walks over to the man with the boulder upon his back. "This is a man with truly the weight of the world upon his back. I do understand your situation, friend. I do. You do it for those you love. You do it because you feel you must - whether warranted or not. And you do it because as far as your concerned, no one else will. The days do become tiresome but it is not always so; especially if you can find those to help you carry such a burden. Of course, that is the trick, isn't it?" Maximus grins, choosing to aid the man with the 'weight of the world' upon his back.
Gaius thinks he's beginning to get the hang of this. Feeling empowered already, he takes a moment to test out these new capacities. He runs around the room a few laps, twice as fast as he feels like he has ever run, before whipping himself into the air using both the momentum and his new weathered wings. He beats them strongly into the air as he ascends in a spiral, feeling his now-taloned hands grasping sword and shield. At last, he brings sword and shield together and conjures the undeniable power of the earth itself into a swirling mote in the air between board and blade. This coalesces into a boulder that he jettisons down towards the ground.
+3 bludgeoning (it's calculating weird)
Satisfied with what he has experienced, he laughs with delight and dives down hard to the ground before. At the last moment, he pulls himself out of the spiral and landing gracefully on his feet.
"Maximus, wherever you are, I hope you're enjoying this at least half as much as I am." Gaius grins and flexes his muscles before examining the reliefs around him.
"Tullia, what did you choose in these moments?" he asks the air, wondering if her experience had been similar and what called out to her heart. And Father...what had he chosen? Thinking of his family, Gaius looks around the different tableaus. Would that anyone else could enjoy the art around him. But only a select few had ever seen these mysterious marvels. Why were they here? Who put them here? Were they painted by some old master, or willed into existence from the memories of those who had passed before?
Gaius sees himself and the people he knows in each of these images. These were not all scenes from his life. He aspired to no rule, and though he was learned he was no scholar. He was a warrior, but for protection rather than glory.
As these moments coalesce in his mind, he turns to the image of the hearth in the great hall, with friends and family seeming to celebrate together. Yes--this was the one that called out to him. In this he sees the reason he had gone on this quest, and a hopeful future. This would be what his homecoming would look like, gathered with the people of Estria and proudly presenting his long-absent father. The Ignatius family celebrated with food and wine to spare.
With confidence, Gaius strides forward towards that image.
As the crowd and the orb dissipate, the reliefs all vanish as well, leaving behind open doorways where the niches had been. Through one door, a wide open plain stretches to the horizon. Through another, a sandy shoal meanders between two crystal blue bodies of water. Still others open to the rolling dunes of a desert, a snow-filled valley, a rocky mountain pass, a lush jungle, and a reedy marsh. A final door appears at first to be full of darkness but as your eyes adjust to the lack of light you can dimly make out a natural subterranean tunnel leading away.
As all but one of the crowd dissipates the reliefs all vanish as well, leaving behind open doorways where the niches had been. Through one door, a wide open plain stretches to the horizon. Through another, a sandy shoal meanders between two crystal blue bodies of water. Still others open to the rolling dunes of a desert, a snow-filled valley, a rocky mountain pass, a lush jungle, and a reedy marsh. A final door appears at first to be full of darkness but as your eyes adjust to the lack of light you can dimly make out a natural subterranean tunnel leading away.
Looking to each of the various 'exits', Maximus finds himself staring at the tunnel. "You know, I don't know why, but the dark tunnel of all things seems to be calling my name." Taking a deep breath, "Here goes nothing," he heads toward the 'final door'.
Gaius feels at peace with what the scene brings, and turns to see a large disc of flying metal about the size of a wagon wheel, burning with holy fire, but looking for the most part like one of the rest of the figures. He bows his head graciously. "Thank you," he whispers, clasping his sword to his chest in a sort of salute.
Gaius stares at what his next decision: perhaps his last? It was still too early to know for sure, but these seemed like exits, perhaps to a final test of his mettle. The plains remind him so much of home, but the sandy shoal calls to him most. Perhaps it's because he knows that his next destination will be to the waters to the south, or perhaps it's because he yearns for such a picturesque paradise. "I am ready," he intones, now addressing the Anchor directly. "Like my father and my sister before me. I draw on their courage and that of all others who have passed this way before."
Gaius takes off towards the beach.
You allow your connection with the cave to expand your awareness and as you commune with it you learn that there is another being and an artificial wall a few hundred yards ahead of you. The tunnel meanders a bit as you walk towards this being and then a light comes into view as you round a bend and the cave opens up into a forty foot wide chamber. On the far side is a flat stone wall that looks very much like the ones the portals appeared on in the early chambers. Standing in between you and that wall, however, is Sergeant Craddock, a bitter old soldier you served under early in your military career in Korryn. He holds his sword and shield at the ready as he calls out, "well look what we have here... Mister Too-good-for-his-post. Still trying to prove you're better than us?" At his words, memories come rushing back of all the times during training when he questioned your worth as a soldier and told you that you were a dreamer who'd never be anything more than a mediocre grunt. "Gonna get into the big, fancy tower to show us up, eh meat? Well, you're gonna have to get through me first."
The narrow, sandy shoal is nearly completely flat, but off on the horizon there's a speck that seems like something extending up from it. It proves to be too far away to cast your sight, but allowing your connection with this place to extend your awareness you can sense that there are an artificial structure and an unnatural being about a mile up the sand. With a flap of your wide wings, you take off towards the structure, and the ghostly reveler winglessly takes flight behind you. From above, you can see that, except for the shoal, clear blue waters extend to the horizon in every direction. As you draw near to what had formerly been the speck, you are greeted by the sight, and smell, of a rotting corpse standing in front of a wall that looks very much like the ones the portals appeared on in the earlier rooms. You continue closer and have a series of unsettling revelations. The sword the undead creature is brandishing is the sword your father carried into the Tower. Beneath the layer of gravedirt on its shield is a marred crest of House Ignatius. And, finally, peering out of the battered helmet it wears is a shriveled, decaying face that surely is your father's. Its glowing red eyes lock on to you as you glide nearer and with something like a groan it raises its sword and shield.
"Father?" Gaius whispers in revulsion. After the beautiful things that the Anchor had done so far, why show him this? Was this real and true, or a trick? Either way, it seemed like a trial.
"If this is you, Father, then I must put you to rest, body and soul. I pray that you are well in truth, but I will not permit such depravity to claim you for eternity. I love you too much for that, even after all these years."
If this graven avatar of his father speaks, Gaius is prepared to commune with him. But if he is undead for true, then Gaius knows that he must end the unholy blight that his father has become.
Narrowing his eyes at his former sergeant, Maximus slowly pulls out his shield and straps it on. "We don't have to do this, Sarge," he tells him as he pulls his blade next. "I don't want to hurt you; but if the only way to get through is by going through you, then you leave me no choice." He then double checks to make sure he's ready before turning his focus back to the older man. "Forgive me, sarge," he tells him in a heartfelt tone before moving in...
Once all of the illusory versions of you have been destroyed, you discover that it hits with tremendous force and decide to try exploiting your new found blessings. With a mighty flap of your wings you put some distance between yourself and it, and blast it with a face full of dirt and stone. It snarls and shambles towards, but shows no ability to fly. You blast it several more times, while your companion continues to slash it from behind, before it howls in rage and a cloud of fog erupts around it. Unable to see it to continue your aerial assault, you dive back down into the fog and engage it in melee again. It lands one more painful blow before you strike it down with a well-placed slice through its decaying neck.
As the corpse falls to the ground it and all it carried turn to dust and vanish with the clearing fog. On the nearby wall a now familiar-looking portal opens. When you step through it you find yourself standing on a different beach. The wide blue waters are directly ahead of you and fine white sands lay to left and right. Behind you the white stone wall the portal was on when you entered seems to be built into a short, rocky cliff. Your connection to the sand and water still feels strong and when you take a moment to commune with your surroundings you sense three things: another humanoid, inland and seemingly underground; a large stone structure on the beach around several bends from your present location; and, an unnatural being moving around near the structure.
It only takes a few more moments of combat before he crumbles like his sword and quickly fades to nothingness. Once he’s gone, a now familiar-looking portal opens on the wall behind him. When you step through this portal you find yourself standing in a different cave. This one smells of salty sea air and you can hear the sound of waves crashing against stones from somewhere up ahead. Your connection to the earth around you still feels strong and when you take a moment to commune with your surroundings you sense three things: another humanoid, on the shore ahead and off to your right; a large stone structure on the beach ahead your present location and to the left; and, an unnatural being moving around near that structure.
His head marginally swaying back and forth in mental combat as he ponders his decision, "Humanoid it is." Maximus heads for the shore up ahead.
Gaius stoops in the sand where this version of his father had crumbled to dust following the battle, and he offers a prayer for his father's soul to find rest. He withdraws a wand and cures his wounds a little bit before continuing on.
Perhaps there would be a way to find out later whether what had occurred was true or not, but now was not that time.
Though not afraid of the unnatural being, Gaius feels drawn to investigate the subterranean human.
Gaius is surprised--but not that surprised--to see Maximus similarly transformed.
"It's good to see you again. I suppose the Anchor has kept you busy as well?"
"Ignatius? Is that really you? I must say, this new look of yours will do wonders for the ladies," he jokes, shooting a wink. Looking over at his ghostly companion, "I see you've found a friend. And yes, it has been... interesting to say the least. As it obviously has for you as well. So, are we finished here, do you think?" He looks around, wondering if they actually are finished or if this is still part of the Anchor.
"It is me! Your looks may not do you favors with the ladies, unless you are chasing after dragons." Gaius couches his retort gently but chuckles at the return of interplay.
"I think there is yet one more test awaiting us, at least. Did you sense the remaining structure? I would feel more confident going there with you now instead of venturing there on my own. I...had to engage in combat. A duel is fine, but to stride forward with a comrade in arms is better."
Letting out a hearty laugh, "Well said, friend. Well said. And yes, I did sense said structure; and something unnatural as well near it. But I sensed a humanoid in this direction and figured - hoped at the very least - it was one I could stand with instead of battle. For standing with a comrade in arms is most assuredly better than going it alone, that is for certain." He then looks in the direction of the structure before looking back to his companion. "Well? Shall we? Let us find out what it is that awaits us." And with that, Maximus makes sure his shield is secure and regrips his weapon, preparing to move out.
Setting out together, Maximus and Gaius follow the beach until they’re within a few hundred feet of where they sensed the structure. From there, Gaius is able cast his sight the remaining distance to observe it. The structure looks just like Anchor, and it stands inside a huge sea cave. Trudging through the shallow tidal pool in front of it a large humanoid-shaped being that appears to be composed entirely of coral and shells. Fetid seaweed hangs off its jagged protrusions and the water around its feet seems to foul.
Looking curiously upon the creature, "Any idea as to what that thing is?"