Kenyu looked at the large temple before her inspecting it for a short while. She knew it was called the temple of chains and its priests worshipped Asmodeus so it was likely they would keep their word if they had already given it. IF Hrothgarn and Thorin had already secured their aid, she expected the conversation would be fairly straight forward.
The guards let you in and lead you into the massive cathedral. From outer doors to the next inner doors it gets 10 to 20 degrees warmer. Its like you are walking closer to hell. The heat continues as you go through yet another door.
The last door makes it sweltering and the preists greet you.
The air tightens first, as if the world inhales and forgets how to breathe.
Light bends inward, drawing into a single point that hums with unseen power. Colors smear and spiral, pulled into a widening circle where reality thins like stretched silk. Runes or sigils—ancient, luminous, and half-forgotten—flare into existence around the edges, rotating slowly as though locking into place.
With a sound like distant thunder wrapped in glass, the portal tears open. The center ripples like liquid moonlight, revealing a shifting vista beyond—stars where none should be, a burning sky, or a shadowed realm that refuses to stay still. Arcane energy spills outward in waves, stirring dust, lifting cloaks, making hair rise and hearts pound.
The opening stabilizes, its surface shimmering and deep, inviting and ominous all at once. The world on this side feels suddenly fragile, as though one careless step could tip everything through that glowing wound in reality—and into somewhere else entirely. ✨
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“They’re disciplined. Polite. Careful with every word,” he said. “They don’t posture like zealots and they don’t bluff like bandits. Everything is weighed; what it costs them, and what it binds you to.”
He adjusted his grip on the hammer out of habit.
“Numbers are solid, but controlled. Guards, clergy, acolytes, all know their place. The ones who matter won’t raise their voices. They let others do that for them.”
After a beat, he added, deliberately, “You’ll see people in chains inside. They aren’t prisoners in the way you’d expect. They were given the option to leave. They chose to stay. Whether that choice was made freely or carefully is… open to interpretation.”
His gaze finally turned to Kenyu. “They value order and agreements above sentiment. We didn’t persuade them with mercy, we did it with clarity. Keep it clean, keep it direct, and don’t promise more than you intend to see fulfilled.”
A faint edge of dry humor touched his tone. “And don’t mistake cooperation for kindness. They’ll help, but they’ll remember who asked, and why.”
Myriana had been frantically flying around overhead looking for Desseer, drawing quite the number of curious and disturbed looks, with a few excited ones when people got a glimpse of what wasn't on under dress. She wasn't a fast flier, but she was nimble, and she covered a lot of ground quickly, rising and dropping, looking in windows, and calling out for Desseer having forgotten he was using an alias. Eventually she must have found what she was looking for as she looked in one window and then popped out of view as she teleported to the other side where Desseer was.
Taking a breath to calm herself Myriana said, "I nyaeed to borrow the table Geddinya-san...you knyaow...the table."
He takes a breath as well and gestures to the portal, "It is good that you have arrived My. We are about to meet with Roth." Tiefling-Desseer looks over to the other lady in the room and reaches out a calming hand, "This is one of my associates, I can vouch for her."
She steps into the temple at the head of the group and moves with confidence. She head to the meet with this head priest that Hrothgarn mentioned, hopeful that the group can convince the priest to lend the city their aid
As the pair just seemed to stare at them Myriana considered the statement Desseer made about the pair and she cocked her head to one side as she said, "Maybe they are just struck dumb by my sheer beauty, nyamph blood canya cause that, though usually they are struck blinyad inyastead nya."
With a sigh Myriana responded to Desseer's explanation of hsi line of thought with the simple response, "Beinyag heavy hanyaded makes it too easy nya. It is far more fun to make them wanyat to swear to me of their ownya volitionya. I meanya, if I was still a vampire nya I would have turnyed them anyad made them feed on their loved onyaes nya. I'm nyaot evil anyamore though, just chaotic nya."
"Hmmmnya," she was thoughtful, "there are better ways but they are nyaot available to me at this time nya....a geas would be wonderful but I donya't have access to that onyae..." she looked at the pair, "yet nya." Deciding to play a bit of good cop/bad cop here Myriana elected herself as the good cop since she had to deal with them more than Desseer did and said, "You see, nya, I nyaeed good anyad reliable people to work for me nya. But my compatriot here doesnya't thinyak you canya be trusted nya." She gave Roth and Alise stern looks as she began to pace around them, looking them over thoguhtfully, "Hmmm, canya you be trusted nya?" She stopped behind the pair and flew up just a little to look over them before asked Desseer, "Tell me about each of them nya, what do I need to know about Roth-san and Alise-san and how would you enyasure their complianyace nya?"
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“They’ve already given their word,” he said evenly. “No bargains beyond that. We’re here to collect what was promised and put it to work.”
His gaze moved briefly down the hall ahead, untroubled.
“If anything’s changed, we’ll hear it plainly. Otherwise, we move them where they’re needed and keep going.”
He followed Kenyu inside without ceremony, presence steady at her back. Less a negotiator now, more a foreman seeing a task through.
Alise is about the same, but she checks a few of her devices and nods to Roth. She states, "My agents are presently out of communication. We don't mean to not believe you. If what you say is true, then we will work for you. May we please have some time to confirm?"
He quickly states, "Greetings and salutations, welcome back to the Cathedral of Chains. What is the good news? More allies I presume?" He indicates to your new allies.
The guards let you in and secure the heavy doors once you are in the warm hall. A spattering of acolytes come to doorways to see who has come. Most, quickly return to their duties.
Two of the guards, including the one who spoke, lead you into another hall. The doors open and even warmer air escapes this room. Inside you see dozens of folks chained to pews. They all keep their heads down and continue to pray. Several priests walk around with whips.
Through that room to an even warmer room it seems you have come to the center of the cathedral. Five seated priests speak as a choir of children sing quietly. They look up and wave off the guards. They stand and approach.
You hear a woman chained to something. You hear her light groans and the clinking of the chains. You are pretty sure she is on the 2nd floor.
“well that’s unfortunate. Sadly the cathedral is off limits since I’d rather not start a war over some treasure. Unless…” Kislum thought to herself for a moment, “do you know in the temple who I can persuade to tell us the location of the temple’s treasure? It’s a gamble but I could use more bling.”
She giggles to herself before realising something, “Actually, we could just sneak into the temple. All we need is a good enough explanation for our presence there…Say, since you are the craterlord of this district how about you find some sort of legal loophole to lay claim to some treasures in the temple. I could then use that enter the temple and take their treasure. We could do both, sneak in with a guide and pull out the legal issue if it comes up. I am not sure how the law in these parts work so go figure something out. Then we go to find a sneaky way in.”
He chuckles and states, "Sounds like a plan. We sneak in steal what we can... then if we get caught I use my cred or whatnot. Though knowing you... you could just dominate them. Let's go!"
The two of you go off to the cathedral, entering in a side entrance. His Creds work for most of the people. The Treasurer priest is the only problem... how do you handle him?
---
The priest spins at the sound of your presence, nearly knocking over a gilded reliquary as his sleeve catches it. His eyes go wide beneath a tonsured crown slick with sweat, and his hand snaps instinctively to the holy symbol at his chest—golden, heavy, and far too ornate for a man meant to have taken vows of humility.
He is well-fed, richly robed, the deep crimson and black of his vestments trimmed with thread-of-gold. The vault’s lamplight gleams off rings on his fingers—too many, too fine—and off the faint sheen of fear on his brow. For a heartbeat, his mouth works soundlessly, like a fish dragged from sacred water.
“B-by the Light—!” he blurts, voice cracking as he regains his footing. “You are not permitted here. This vault is consecrated. Sealed. Watched.” His gaze flicks behind you, then back to the door, already calculating distances, exits, excuses.
He straightens, attempting authority, though it hangs on him like a borrowed cloak. “These treasures are under my care—offerings to the divine, kept safe from… temptation.” The word tastes bitter, as if he knows it too well. His fingers tighten around his symbol, knuckles white. “State your purpose, strangers. Quickly. Before this becomes a matter of doctrine… or guards.”
A bead of sweat rolls down his temple and disappears into the collar of a robe worth more than most of the city’s homes.
Her eyes flash red for a moment as she locks eyes with the priest, her psychic gaze and vampiric powers flare out to crush the priests will(DC 28 will, -2 to save). As she uses her power she speaks, her tone sweet and meek in case the walls have ears, “Oh no need for guards or holy power priest, we come in peace. I am merely a humble servant of craterlord Black and we have come to claim what is his. Please, unlock the vault and lead us inside. We would hate to dally.”. She steps close to the priest and gently pushes down his hand to get him to release his grip on the holy symbol. She whispers into his ear, “if there are any magical wards on the vault or measures to alert others, disable them.”
She reaches out for the mental link formed between her and her thralls, searching for one linking her to the priest to force him to obey her. She prepares to paralyse him with hold person if she feels the link failed to form. She gives black a mental nudge to prepare to paralyse the priest if he attacks her.
The 'priest' seems to easily comply and turns off the alarms and wards, "Of course my dear. Just don't pass the last thresthold. No treasure is beyond there but a direct connection to Asmodeous."
You find there to be crates and chests upon chests in this room.
Black looks at you and asks, "There is too much for us to carry."
kenyu's ears pick up the light groaning of the woman and clinking of chains. Another captive of the priests. Perhaps the monsters that attack this town should slay all its leadership. Sadly she doubted the other players would play along so readily with how guarded they were towards her guild. Then again...
She analyses the head priest and his subordinates before sighing in disappointment. Of course they actually named themselves the cathedral of chains. She steps forward, her soft and sweet voice cutting through the heavy air of the temple, "Hello, I am Kenyu and this is Dom. I believe you already met Thorin and Hrothgarn. We are of the same guild and they told me that you have agreed to help heal the civilians of Cinder. For my sake, could you go over what you discussed with them as well as what you know about those aiming to take over the city? I was preoccupied for much of this time so i am fairly new to the whole situation."
Kenyu turns around and glances at the hallway before speaking, "And do tell me why you have so many chained up in the hall, I'd hate to make wrong assumptions of you."
She turns to black and says, “Do you have a way to detect magic or do I have to use arcane sight myself? If I do, I would only have about 12 minutes time with my remaining power. Mmmm.”.
She moves ahead and inspects a chest before opening them, looking for any symbols or marking that could label its contents. She says to black, “first things first, look over all the boxes and see if there is any inscriptions that label them. After that we can do magic detection.”
Myriana slipped through another crack and appeared right in front of Roth, one finger catching the bottom of his chin as she flew high enough to make him look up at her, "What do you knyaow about the fae nya? What does your lore tell you of us nya?"
The quasi priest relays, "I... uh... don't actually know. I just know only the high priests go into the center sanctum."
Black in his human form states, "Priest tell us how these are labeled and where the expensive stuff is located."
Roth simply watches, surprisingly Alise, and stands his ground as well. Looking up at Myrianna he states, "I know little of the Fae. There are myths and legends for sure and there are many different kinds of pransters. Some good some evil."
Alise adds, "I know more of the fey such as yourself. Though something tells me that it is lacking compared to you."
Their indifference turns to helpfulness.
“Kenyu… Dom,” he repeats softly, tasting the names as though testing for poison. “Yes. Your companions came before rather neutrally. I prefer your approach.”
His eyes lift—calm, hollow, measuring.
“They asked for my aid in preserving what remains of Cinder. The sickness spreading through the lower districts is not natural. It festers too quickly, rots flesh without heat, and leaves behind whispers in the mind of those who survive it. I agreed to tend the afflicted. Not for your guild. Not for the council. For the people.”
A faint smile ghosts across his lips.
“As for those seeking to claim the city… they are not simple conquerors. They do not march with banners. They infiltrate. They take and kill. Though we know little of those who do try to claim it.”
He folds his hands within his sleeves. At the mention of the chains in the hall, his gaze sharpens.
“Those you saw are not prisoners in the way you imply.”
A pause. The air grows warmer.
“All of them are here of their own accord. Any of them may leave at any time, though with the chaos outside of these walls, most will remain.”
A long silence lingers before he adds, “If you fear I delight in cruelty, you are free to inspect them. You will find them fed and tended.”
His eyes narrow slightly, “Now our hands were tied by the contracts we had with the Cinderlords. We wait to act upon the contract being broken. What does your guild intend to offer beyond questions?”
He nods to the priest and openly states, "Why are we dealing with clerics and priests of Asmodeous? I feel they are just another blight upon the land."
"Nyaow tell me what you are capable of nya, anyad what youd do inya this city nya," she knew Desseer knew more about them than she did and she would let him correct any lies or misinformation they gave her.
He states, "I am Noah Roth. An original noble of Cinder, my family have been here for 220 years. My great great grandfather was one of the founding fathers. I don't care for slavery but with the regime change I could resist them all. I hope slavery will be abolished except for the criminals.
Kislum will manifest the mythic power in her hands and transfer it to her eyes in a flourish. Her mythic power mimics the arcane sight spell and she gazes in excitement at the magical aura she sees in the room. This will be fun, hopefully she will find some magic items worth her time. Then again even the most mundane of magic items could be useful for selling. As black moves the first crate she eagerly looks at its contents.
Looking first to Noah Myriana said, "I am conyatenyat with that request nya. Slavery is nyaot a pleasanyat thinyag and anyaathema to us if nyaot part of a bargainya. Makinyag criminyals pay their dues as slaves is a useful way to make the, pay without wastinyag monyaey lettinyag them sit inya a cell nya." She considered for a moment and then added, "I will make anya exceptionya for if someonyae brinyags their ownya slaves with them while passinyag through or if someonyae willinyagly submits to it, though we will nyaeed procedures to allow that. nya." She looked Noah firmly in the eys, "I trust you canya come up with a proposal that meets those requiremenyats for conyasideration nya?"
After finishing with Noah Myraiana's gaze turned to Alise and asked, "What is you specialty whnya it comes to magic nya? I knyaow sorcerers are often limited in what they canya cast but each sorcerer canya vary wildly inya their magic repertoire nya."
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“Because they keep their word,” he answered evenly.
He stepped forward half a pace, enough to place himself between the tension.
“We didn’t come to debate doctrine,” he continued, tone calm but firm. “Your aid was pledged to the people of this district. We’re here to see that pledge put into motion.”
His eyes settled on the priest.
“The Cinderlords’ authority over this district has been… resolved. The one who enforced it remains alive but is no longer in a position to contest your actions. If you were waiting for the contract to fracture, it has.”
He let that sit a moment.
“What we offer isn’t philosophy. It’s stability. We’ll secure the streets. Keep looters and opportunists from turning the chaos into a riot. Your clergy can work without interference.”
He paused.
“And when this is done, the district remembers who stood up when it mattered.”
[Spoiler=D&M]You think they are both being truthful. Omitting or choosing not to say something things obviously.
Roth offers, "Well I don't think I need to make a proposal, we should easily mandate anything you want."
Alise states, "I have a drconic bloodline and prefer runes and runic magic."
She considered several plans of action before settling on one that could both aid the district and satisfy her curiosity about the temple. "The three of you go ahead and calm the district. I will stay here with Koro to observe the priests and learn more about this disease. I can also check up on the various civilians in this temple as well while I am at it.
She turns to Dom and John, her voice radiating confidence for all in the room to hear. "be a dear and follow Hrothgarn, both of your physical prowess and charms should be useful in quickly quelling any chaos. I will direct the priests, learn about the disease and talk to some of the civilians here. I shall ensure the temple provides assistance that is up to our standards.
She faces the head priest and his guards, stepping towards them calmly, with a serene smile on her face as her sacred aura spills out for a moment while she speaks, "I shall follow you around the temple and the district to help the sick and injured. As a show of good faith, you may bring along any amount of help you desire. I won't mind. I, more than anyone, understand the need for skilled hands in a mission. If you truly have the best interest of the civilians in mind, I am sure we will be fast friends."
You can feel the oil that exudes from the snake of a high priest before you. Though you expect it from a priest of Asmodeous. His words ring true but you can tell he is being very specific with his words. Omissions and half truths are implied but his words are true.
You can sense that in the cathedral he lis likely stronger. There are many spells unhallowing the place you can feel it encroaching on your person. Though you are pretty certain your group would easily wipe the floor with them if a squirmish occurred.
Suddenly she dropped through another crack in reality and appeared next to Desseer again as she said, "You are both beinyag mostly truthful nya. But you are nyaot tellinyag me everythinyag nya." She smiled sweetly before adding, "If your secrets are of nyao harm to me you may keep them nya, but if I finyad out that you kept somethinyag importanyat from us anyad it becomes a problem nya, there will be conyasequences nya."
The priest nods. Then he forbdoingly states, "My knights are ready." He walks with you out of the central chamber into a new room full of clergy, most of them armored and armed. "My men and women of the cloth it is time to claim and settle the district. These folks will be on point for any conflicts, our goal is to free, secure, and provide aid."
With that they stand and salute. Then turn and head out.
The priest states, "I hope these lawbringers will suit our needs."
The sickness spreading through the lower districts is not natural. It festers too quickly, rots flesh without heat, and leaves behind whispers in the mind of those who survive it. I agreed to tend the afflicted. Not for your guild. Not for the council. For the people.”
A faint smile ghosts across his lips.
“As for those seeking to claim the city… they are not simple conquerors. They do not march with banners. They infiltrate. They take and kill. Though we know little of those who do try to claim it.”
Roth nods in agreement.
In response to Deseer she begins to go over the basics of rune magic and how the portal works. Essentailly the different runes touched cab designate different places within Cinder. Also she has to cast dimension door at the beginning of the day and have fundamental understandingof telepoert. Each mirror is an augmented teleportation circle.
***