Just set this up for people to dot.
Here
I The Lexius leader of Liberium seek an audience with the offer of knowledge that you cannot afford to ignore.
The confident guard smiles at you "Not that you have a choice." before taking your arm and leading you through the city.
The Reverentium tower stretches above you, there are no windows visible and at first glance this smooth white pillar of stone reaches up to the heavens, aglow in the morning sunlight. One golden entrance adorns the front of the building and as you look closer you see hands engraved at the edges of the doorway, hands that extend up the entirety of the tower, thousands possibly even millions of hands, all of them outstretched and reaching upwards for something. They say that it is trapped souls of all who have sinned reaching for their God and forgiveness.
The golden doors open as you walk up to them, you don’t see who opened them but you hear his voice, ”To the top. He’s waiting.” You see the beginning spiral of a staircase disappearing into the ceiling on the other side of a large empty room. Looking up as you walk across the eerily empty chamber you can see the symbol of Silence carved into the ceiling.
Your footsteps echo eerily as you climb the stairs and you lose count of the number of doorways that lead off the staircase and into the centre of the tower. Finally you reach your destination, the final doorway that leads to the most powerful Human in Liberium. The Lexius.
You and several others wait outside the door to be called in.
Groden grunts and shifts the wait of the greatsword resting on his shoulder to the opposite shoulder. He looks about himself at the collected people. "Groden Honorbound" He states his name to everyone with no further introduction needed.
The hooded man looks around then moves to a corner. Another hooded man shuffling behind him. He waits to see what this is all about. Normally he was given orders and sent out, being called was strange. He doubted his prize had only cost him a year of simple service. He gripped a strange doll in his pocket, never far from his hand.
The man who walked in next was dressed from neck to toe in dark leathers and silks. Apparently he really liked blacks and greys. His hood was down and a scarf draped about his neck. Straps and pouches dotted his outfit and a hiltless, slightly curved sword was sheathed upside-down on his back, the grip neatly tucked at his right hip. His hair was cut very close to his scalp, a few days growth of beard lined his face. He had a serious look, but an easy smile as well. He nodded to Groden, found a place against the wall and leaned back to wait and watch.
Good morning, friends. I am Cyne, of Ansa's shield.
Cyne is dressed in simple leather armor with an array of weapons slung across his back.
Hello, Groden. Do you know why we are here?
Something about the black and grey man seemed familiar, too.
Adam couldn't quite push the feeling of foreboding out of his mind. The grasping arms, the unseen doorman, and a staircase masked in shadow tipping the scales towards a feeling of unease. Making matters worse he was here to see the Lexius? However the feeling of oppression he felt upon joining the others in the antechamber, was nearly equally balanced by the sheer curiosity that was now running rampant in his mind. He shifted uneasily from foot to foot trying to find a comfortable position under the unfamiliar weight of his loaded backpack.
Hearing Groden's salutation finally knocked Adam from the balancing act in his head. Snapping his head up to see who'd broken the silence, Adam smiled and replied "Adam Korsin. It's a pleasure, sir." The honorific escaped before he could stop it, with only a split second wince marking Adam's recognition of it. Nodding at Cyne's question, Adam recovered and quickly added "I'm a bit curious about that too, if anyone happens to know."
Groden looks to the two individuals speaking to him. He nods to each of them before speaking, his booming voice echoing off the walls
"I'm afraid I am in as much of the dark as yourself. I hope the reasons become known soon as I dislike this cloak and dagger business"
As I reach the top of the stairs I see many persons who are height challenged: too tall.
I am Kaleb does anyone know what is going on?
Sporting a green cloak with black lining, and an armor that appears to made of both leather and wood, a figure stands slightly apart from the rest.
Upon hearing the introductions, Senadyne tenses up. Adam Korsin? The young pupil my father was tutoring? "Adam? Is that really you?"
Before any of you have the chance to say any more, the door silently opens and you here a man croak "Enter."
You walk through the doorway and onto what at first glance appears to be the roof but no breeze can be felt nor city noises heard. You can see the entirety of Ansa, ocean waves lap against the beaches and ships float in the harbour, hundreds of buildings stretch away to the white walls surrounding the city. However it seemed as if the city and the sky above was covered in a strange milky fog.
In the centre of the room there is a desk at which sits probably one of the oldest men you have ever seen, his skin is sagging and his eyes can milky white eyes can barely be seen through the wrinkles covering his face. He looks straight ahead not blinking but not looking at anything or anyone, he is quite clearly blind. He wears the white robes with the golden symbol of The Silent sewn onto the chest. A large crown similar to a Mitre but with the Silent's symbol sewn into the front of it.
He slowly and painfully raises his hand and motions to the seven chairs in front of his desk. "Sit." the sound is barely a whisper yet you can easily hear it. As he lowers his arm once more he breathes deeply and the view of Ansa suddenly disappears replaced by smooth white walls and ceilings, nothing else adorns the semi circular room apart from the table and chairs.
Groden looks down at the chair and glances around. "If it's all the same to you, I would rather stand" He speaks a bit softer and clearerto the older man, providing him the honor that he deserves for one so old.
Kaleb looks around searching for a chair befitting his stature.
Does Kaleb see a chair for his small size?
Cyne respectfully sits and awaits further instruction. This is all quite over his head, and he would rather not blow this meeting with Lexius.
'That voice sounds familiar' Adam thought when he heard someone who apparently knew him speak in the antechamber. Unfortunately the doors opened before he could pinpoint the source of the voice. He'd have to take a better look at his... comrades? once they found a better lit room.
Stepping through the door, Adam took in the scene as best as he could with reverent silence. Why was he here staring at the mouthpiece of a god? Had he done something very wrong? or very right? When he was addressed, he tried to respond respectfully but found that his mouth wasn't quite working yet. So for now he contented himself with sinking into the closest chair and watching the proceedings.
The old man waits patiently for you all to enter and take a seat if you choose. "Good you have all come." He stares unblinking and unseeing into the middle of the room. When Groden speaks his face breaks into a momentary smile revealing that he has no teeth "If you wish."
He takes a breath before continuing "8 days ago, I had a...'dream'. 8 days ago I sent 10 men to their deaths." He pauses waiting to see if there is a reaction before continuing "Today I may be sending 7 more."
He blinks suddenly "I suppose I should share with you my 'dream'. Darkness gentlemen. Darkness and pain...." He trails off slightly "There is a creature awakening...It calls itself a God. I need you to kill it. Acceptable?"
He stops and waits for a response.
Ialo cared nothing for all this ceremony. He took a seat without word and seemed very relaxed. His hooded comrade remained standing next to him. His mind was still wondering what the old man wanted now that a simple message could not have conveyed.
His voice came out smooth and soft.
"Well the question is, why would we succeed where they failed?"
Groden clears his throat slightly, "Sorry great one for speaking hastly, but does this creature... this god... have a name? Are you certain of it's intent?"
Kaleb stands "My liege how is this so called god a danger to our faith?"
He smiles at Ialo's question "Would you like my honest answer? I do not know why or how you will succeed or even if you will in the end be victorious. But even through my blindness I see the capacity for greatness in each and every one of you."
"Groden it's name is Datrys" an audible shudder runs through him as he speaks "I have ways and means of knowing and seeing...yet when I look upon that God all I see is fear and death."
"Kaleb he would bring ruin upon this world not just our faith. It is still weakened but it grows stronger with every minute. If it manages to hold even a fraction of what was once it's power I do not know what will happen."
Senadyne says nothing as the old man speaks. Anything to keep your iron fist around the throat of the world. Remains silent.
Groden nods and stands tall, "If it will use fear and death to achieve its goals, then we suffer it no longer to live!"
Ialo raises an eyebrow at the orc's words.
"Indeed, that applies to all."
He grips the doll in his pocket.
The question of whether it was a good or bad thing that he was here was firmly cemented as a maybe when the Lexius told them their mission. Killing a- well at least killing something with godlike power was not something he was expecting when he arrived for this appointment. Still, although he doubted his ability he had to Agree with Groden's statement.
"If that is to be our duty, then I will endeavor to complete it to the best of my abilities."
Something that the Lexius said stuck in Adam's mind though, 'what was once it's power'. There was history in that statement that he wished to know more of.
Kaleb hears what is said but the name'Datrys consumes his thoughts'.
Knowledge, Religion:
[/ooc]Does the name Datrys mean anything to Kaleb?
The Lexius nodded then continued "You must travel to the Burned lands North east of Ansa. There in the trees you will find...well you will find death." He wheezes suddenly "Hopefully not yours."
"I am afraid I cannot offer you much guidance for your journey. I can offer rewards if you slay it." He smiles warmly at them.
Groden is resolved towards the goal at hand. He doesn't believe they can fell a god, nor does he exactly like his employer. But Groden was bound by his honor to serve.
Groden raises his sword above him, "May Ignias burn in my heart and soul and see the vanguising of this foe" He lowers his sword and waits for the rest of the party to join him.
Senadyne is so preoccupied with the name of the objective he failed to notice anything else.
Perception
"How is your health, this wouldn't have something to do with our quest would it?"
At the orc's words he gives only a stoney silence as a reply.
"Your grace, you are bleeding. Are you alright?"
Adam was far too busy pursuing the name Datrys down a few mental rabbit holes to notice anything physically unusual with the Lexius. That is, at least until the others mentioned it.
"If Your Grace is not feeling well, perhaps we could get any final details later. Or elsewhere even, if that isn't convenient."
Cyne notices the blood, but his fellow conscripts seem to have it covered.
Perception
1d20+3=(10)+3=13
Kaleb notices the blood and remains silent about it.
Instead Kaleb states "If I am to die what better way then in the service of my GOD".
Groden turns to see everyone fussing over the old man. He thought for a moment about helping as well, but stopped himself short. Death is an eventual outcome for us all, if he dies, I will build the funeral pyre myself, He silently mused to himself.
"Bleeding?... Ah it is my time then." Tears of blood begin streaming from his eyes "It's strange none of you ever asked my age." blood dribbling from his nose. "33. I do not look it but that is the truth. Ah the prices one must pay for power." His tone is eerily conversational.
Suddenly he shouts "Go! Go! time is of the essence. you can do nothing for..." blood flows from his mouth and he collapses on the desk.
Groden stares at all the blood, slightly unnerved. How was the old man only 33? What madness is going on in this place?
"I shall build the... man a funeral pyre once we return. Come friends, let us see the old man's request complete"
One less mouthpiece in the world. Good. "Yes, let us be off."
How little this Orc knows of the Church's way in this matter?
"It is time to go and dispose of this evil upon our land or die trying."
Killjoy's brows narrowed ad he stepped forward to check the priest's pulse. He bowed his head in a moment of silence.
These people. So many to be so unmoved by death. And to think I was the one who was called too hard by my teachers.
Killjoy looked over the desk for anything that might give him more information regarding what they had just been tasked with.
As begins to leave, Senadyne moves next to Adam and asks, "How is my closed minded father as of late?"
Ialo shrugs, death doesn't break deals. He moves on without a word, his hooded comrade shuffling behind him.
Groden follows out of the room, saying a silent prayer to his god to watch over the soul of the man.