Isan's Shop:
"Hm. I guess I found my ring after the others, so I wasn't privy, but some of the others, the Twins I think, mentioned that there was ANOTHER voice on our "channel" when they first put their rings on. But we haven't heard from it since. Maybe there's another ring. Maybe...... there's a whole alot of maybe's about this whole thing."
Dahn:
House Lyrandar:
Isan's shop
"You know, even though the rings and the extra voices are a shock, it is almost a relief to find you can all hear my friends as well. It's very hard having to live with a secret life.... oh, I didn't mean to imply that you did Sillas, just that I do and have done for a long, long time."
"I understand completely, actually."
To Isan, he bows slightly and says "Sillas ir'Vraxeris. A pleasure to meet you. I found my ring in amongst some rubble that fell from Lyrander Tower into my skycoach this morning. The mark it gave me allows me to create an arcane shield, similair to the Shield spell. I summoned it earlier, although I can't seem to do so now. I can still feel the magic, I just can't manipulate it."
"Where is the storm-tossed lady of my dreams, fair Ellirayne? I have a poem for her."
"Friend, there is a time for poetics and there is a time for shutting up so that problems can be solved. This is one of the times that you should be shutting up, if you have nothing useful to add."
"Fine, fine, fine. But I would like to get a real copy of the ring. I'd rather not try to dig it out of your back, little one."
"Well, I'll keep an eye out for one, but don't get your hopes up."
Sillas said: "I understand completely, actually."
"Yes, you do, don't you. I can hear it in your thoughts."
Isan's shop
"Master Isan, if we find another ring, we'll bring it to you. I hate to seem rude, but maybe we should go and look at the top of the tower."
To the others
"Has anyone heard anything from the twins lately?"
"Ellirayne? Deerian? Can we come up? It would be helpful to look at where the rings arrived."
"It's not entirely safe right now, we'll let you know when it is."
"Do you need help Ellirayne? Are you in trouble?"
"We're doing our best to keep things under control, don't worry... But if you see a distressed servant run by could you please calm her down, we didn't have the time to do so."
"Of course."
Isan's shop
"I'm sure we'll be meeting again soon Master Isan."
Irirangi leaves the shop and looks around to see if she can spot the distressed servant Ellirayne talked about.
Isan's Shop
"Ah, a ring of shielding does the same trick. Except you're wearing it on the inside, eh? These things have to slowly recharge. My guess is that by sometime tomorrow you should be able to activate it again. However, seeing as it's part of your body...". Isan trails off, lost in thought for just a moment. "...you may be able to force it. It may be running off your body, in some way. If that's true, you might be able to push yourself into activating it again. I wouldn't try it unless I was desperate though...."
"Well, off with you then, go find me a ring. In the meantime, don't forget that I have fantastic rings of my own here for sale. Made them myself. And they come with a 100% no disappearing guarantee!" Isan chortles at his own joke; the laughing is clearly too much for this old guy, as he struggles with another piece of phlegm.
Sense Motive on Ellirayne: 24
What's going on up there, Ellirayne?
Iri does not notice anyone in particular that could be a distressed servant. Outside of Isan's shop, there is a throng of people moving every which way. Lyrandar Tower is such a focal point for any and all travel throughout the city, that the bustling crowd is just too...bustling!
House Lyrandar
"No! Get back!" Lord Byron reaches to his neck to activate his dragonmark. Aiming his fingers at the twins, he sends a gust of wind directly at them. The rush of the conjured wind blast is enough to keep them from advancing momentarily, but that's all that he needs.
Byron jumps down from his throne, and reaches into the open chest. "No! You're not taking her away from me. She's mine. This is mine. These are all mine!" He starts frantically shoving handfuls of the chest's contents into his robe. With an animal ferocity he takes great handfuls of the coins and gems, and stuffs them down his pants. The more he gathers, the more frantic he seems to become.
His spell fades, and the twins are free to move again.
House Lyrandar
"Father! Look at this unseemly behaviour! You would punish us for acting in such a fashion. You are Lord of this tower.. Remember that and act like the Lord I know you are! You're embaressing your name and that of our mother!" Deerian had had enough. This was a ridiculous situation and so not something he would expect of his father. As soon as he is able he once again moves towards his father.
House Lyrandar:
"Daddy..." She attempts, a word not uttered by her for many years but it was worth a shot to try to bring him to his senses "We love you, we're here to help, we can help you make sure nobody takes your things." She assures the lord gently
"Personal business Wingy. Don't worry we'll see you later"
Dahn:
"Ellirayne, are you two alright up there? Is there a problem?"
Isan's Shop
Once outside the shop, he turns to Irirangi and Starlan "Where to now? Merreck and I should probably be on our way relatively soon."
Dahn:
Just to check, am I still seeing this other 'aspect' or whatever of Iri?
Could I make a Know:Planes to identify whatever I see or saw (based on the appearance)?
Know Planes: 22
Outside the shop in the bustling tower
Irirangi nods.
"I should go back too. The thing is I am a bit concerned about Ellirayne and Deerian. I don't want to interfere though. I don't think they'd thank us for that. Still I suppose we can always keep in contact."
Starlan
Irirangi looks normal. The scary visage you saw while you were waking up is gone, leaving you wondering whether or not you dreamed it. Or, perhaps it was something you could only see while you are on the edge of consciousness. Either way, the fact that it wasn't a creature you recognize, could either serve to reassure you that it was just a figment of your imagination, or that you are over your head with this thing.
Additionally, all of the marks are still glowing.
Outside Isan's Shop
"Well, Sillas, it wouldn't do to have you chasing around lost jewellery at this time. Crawling on your hands and knees, looking for an impossibly small thing...no can do. At least not right now. Your mother will kill you if you're late, and the party starts in a few hours.
Besides, you might want to use your resources a little more efficiently. Jorras has a nose to find pretty much anything, and Thervi could at least point you in the right direction for magic that could help. Maybe you could ask them tonight?"
House Lyrandar
Byron looks around the room, his animal ferocity waning a little. The visual barrier between the onlookers and the twins serves to help him focus on the twins.
"Just...want...to help? Help me count? There's too many. Come here, then. Count treasures with...Daddy."
A twisted smile breaks on Lord Byron's face;
As the twins approach however, the smile turns into a look of horror, and twists once more, as if he was struggling with something just beneath the surface of his skin.
In what appears to be a flash of clarity, he begins shouting again: "NO! Don't! Please! Stay back!" he shoots a nervous glance to the pile of bodies all around him. "Don't help me."
It doesn't last long, and the same feral monster is soon looking back at the twins. "I'll kill you if you come any closer."
Isans's Shop
To Starlan and Irirangi he says "Well, we must depart now. A pleasure to meet all of you. I'll let you know the instant I learn somehting about the rings. and strides off through the crowd, looking for a skycoach.
outside the shop:
Keep in touch, you know
Sillas and Merreck seeming to go their own way, Starlan seems to feel his tiredness even more. Moments ago, he had almost been paralyzed in fear, and now... It's all so unclear. The Twins seem to be busy in some business of their own and don't want interruption... As if I'd even be interested I think to myself.
"So... Iri. That message a moment ago...
It sounds like you need to go visit Siltar or whoever that was. The Silver Flame. Hmm."
Dahn:
Outside Isan's
"Solinthas! Oh my. You're quite right Wingy, I need to go and see him. He might even be able to help us. Do you want to come along or is it out of your way? You're right, it doesn't sound like the twins want any interference."
"Sillas, we may meet at your party tonight. If I can avoid the wrath of mother long enough to get there with whole limbs."
"Way to go girlfriend. Forgetting your boss is NOT clever. Hustle, hustle hustle. Yeah, why not take shortstuff with you, they may have lots in common."
"He can hear you Aphra. We're not alone in here. Not any more. How's about a little tact?"
Outside of the shop:
...You know... I can't quiet remember where the Silver Flame Temple is, actually...
But it's probably not too far out of the way from my place, I'm sure."
"Err... So which way WAS this Temple? And how were you going to get there?"
Outside Isan's
"Ummm. That's a good question. You know Wingy, I'm still worried about the twins. Maybe the temple can lend us something to help them? Although that won't work if we don't know what's actually wrong. And it is just a feeling."
Dahn
House Lyrandar:
Ellirayne gives a sad sigh as she finds it increasingly hard to retain composure under the pressure of seeing her 'daddy' like this. "Father, please. You're obviously in there, you can fight this off and talk to us. I know you're strong enough. Your family, your tower and the House are far more important and worthwhile than these things and deep down you know that."
House Lyrandar
Sense Motive (1d20+2=11)
Keeping quiet for the moment Deerian despaired at his fathers demeanour. With a sigh the young swordsman's hand inched closer to the hilt of his rapier.
Sillas and Merreck head back to Vraxeris Manor, Irirangi and Starlan make their way to the Temple, and the twins remain in House Lyrandar.
--
--
House Lyrandar
It's obvious to you that he is under some kind of magical compulsion. By the murdered remains of his personal guard, you can also assume that in this confused state he is not above killing those close to him.
Irirangi
The Cathedral of the Cleansing Flame is located in Sovereign Towers, a mid level collection of towers not far from Lyrandar tower. You could walk there within a half-hour.
Dahn & Iri:
Until a big purple glidewing swoops down out of the sky. I make some dinosaur-y sounds, and talk to it.
I untie a saddle bag on the creature's saddle harness, and pull out a large chunk of meat, letting the giant creature eat from my outstretched hand.
After it returns to the sky, I turn back to Iri and say "Oh, had I mentioned I fly with the Glidewing Guild?"
Dahn:
Starlan
Irirangi looks at the Glidewing with appreciation.
"No, you didn't Starlan. How I envy you that freedom." She sounds a little wistful. Tell me more about it on the way to the temple if you'd like. I don't know much about the Glidewing Guild at all."
"Your freedom is in your head green-eyes just as it's always been."
Starlan
Starlan and Iri
The Cathedral of the Cleansing Flame is an immense building, that opens up onto a little plateau, that separates it from the tower. It is essentially it's own 'top', as there is nothing above it. By design. The same design that allowed for an immense glass skylight to be constructed as the roof of the cathedral. Gentle blues swirl through the glass, creating soft lighting that lazily splays across the floor as the pair walk through the foyer of the temple.
It is rare, in Sharn, for a space to feel this open; one could really stretch in here, as the ceilings push 100ft in height. Ironically, all this open space only serves to accent the cold and unfeeling quality of the place. No sound is heard, save for the footsteps of Starlan and Irirangi.
The guards stationed at their posts seem unusually stiff and vigilant. Irirangi notices that the place seems to be a little on edge. The guards watch her closely, and act like there is something on the edge of their minds.
A bald and robed figure scurries past the duo, his padded feet making no sound on the polished marble floor. He gives them an appraising sideways glance, before continuing on to the main chamber, and then to the chamber of the flame. Iri assumes that's also where she would head to meet Solinthas.
House Lyrandar
"Yes. My family. My family. It's all gone... He took it all away....No. No he didn't! They're right here! Here..."
Lord Byron drops his rapier, clanging to the ground, and turns to another chest now, gently flipping it over. He begins stuffing his robe with even more of its contents, all the while muttering: "Ellirayne, my sweet daughter. Deerian, my stout son, noble hands of Lyrandar all. Never leave. Never leave. Never leave."
As he takes each item from the chest, he kisses it gently. They appear to be coins or gems of some sort.
The more he kisses the coins, the more the twins are able to see that, mingling with the dried blood and tears, a gold sheen is developing all over his face.
"Never leave."
Starlan
Irirangi waits for her eyes to adjust to the change in light and watches curiously as the robed figure goes into the chamber. The cathedral is awe-inspiring and she automatically lowers her voice in case it echoes and booms across the silent vault.
"Starlan, Solinthas will be in the chamber, do you want to come with me?"
She walks tentatively into the room.
And guys? I'd really, really appreciate a lot of silence up there. This is not the time for arguments and commentary. Can we all stay very clear on that please?"
"Hrumph!"
House Lyrandar:
"Don't worry, nobody is going to leave you, you'll always have your family" She assures him as she carefully backs away, leaving Deerian to talk with himn and keep him distracted.
Turning away she runs through her cloud of mist and past the nosy people and back towards the lifts, hoping to get to Isan's as swiftly as her legs will allow.
Cathedral of the Cleansing Flame
Leaving the foyer, and heading into the main antechamber, a further archway opens up. Two guards wait by that entrance, to the Chamber of the Flame, unmoving, hands on their longsword hilts. They only nod to the robed figure as he passes right by them.
When Iri and Starlan approach, they nod familiarily at her as well, noting the holy symbol dangling from her neck.
They seem intent not to let Starlan by, however.
"Good afternoon, priestess Biasharan. I know Solinthas is expecting you. He is inside, but I'm afraid I can not let him inside. Today is not the day to overlook technicalities. He is not initiated, and he will have to wait outside. I'm sure you understand." The guard's eyes are intense, and he seems to be pushing Iri to read between the lines. Something is up, and she better be on the up and up.
When Iri acknowledges, his face softens, as he looks at the halfing. "I'm sorry, but you'll have to wait here."
Deerian
You get the feeling from watching your father move, that he would be intent to kiss, hold, count, or otherwise obsess over these trinkets until the end of time. It takes very little effort to convince him that you are not trying to steal them, as long as you remain still. It seems like an eternity while waiting for your sister to return.
Ellirayne
Dashing through the fog, you notice that most of the servants have been dispersed. Only a couple chatter away to themselves, the majority trusting in your ability to diffuse the matter.
Ellirayne
It's a short trip to Isan's, and he is seemingly lost in thought, fiddling with a ring behind his counter.
He looks up with a start as his doorbell clangs the arrival of Ellirayne. He adjusts his glasses; "Ah, noble scion of Lyrandar, how may I help you today?"
Darling Benefor, please behave nicely. This is probably important. Oh, and keep a good look out. The temple guards seem a bit hyped about something. Just nudge me if I miss anything will you?
Wingy, I'm sorry about this - I will tell you if Solinthas can help us. Well, if I don't one of the others will anyway - it's not as if we can keep secrets from each other is it?"
Cathedral
Irirangi makes a formal obeisance and enters the chamber, wishing yet again that she didn't look quite such a wreck.
"You holiness? Irirangi Biasharan, here in response to your summons."
She waits with her head bowed to learn what Solinthas could possibly want with her.
Irirangi
The chamber opens up to a smaller, domed room. A large blue flame burns in the middle of it, and the robed figure from earlier is kneeling in front of it.
Solinthas stands, talking to another figure. He seems to be in a heated discussion with her.
Irirangi
"I want it now, Solinthas. I don't want any more excuses. And I don't want any more mistakes..." the figure trails off as she notices Iri enter the room. She turns to face Iri, obviously judging her character. She is a tall, stern woman who wears full plate armor as part of her mostly ceremonial vestments. Her silvery-gray hair surrounds an unlined face and her eyes still shine bright with the zeal of youth.
"This is her? I hope her team can handle it." She says, gruffly, turning sideways again, watching Iri only out of the corner of her eye.
"Does he know about us? He can't do. I've never told him about you all. What team is he talking about?....
Cathedral
Irirangi turns to face the unknown woman and makes another obeisance. Her temple training and long hours of lectures from her mother come to her rescue and she manages to suppress her thoughts long enough to answer.
"Holiness. Holy Solinthas requested my presence. I am a daughter of the church and am here at his command. My skills are the church's to use as she will."
Sense motives for strange woman and Solinthas (1d20 3=22, 1d20 3=6)
Irirangi
"Ah, Priestess Biasharan. What a swift and decisive response to my summons. The flame lights all our paths. This is Archierophant Ythana Morr. She has traveled from Flamekeep to here, and will be residing here...permanently. Her presence is a blessing.
I...we...have asked you to come, because there is a delicate matter we need you to help with. The Flame calls us all, to do what we can, and this particular endeavour is very suited to your...talents.
I'm afraid, the matter is sensitive enough that I cannot divulge it completely, until you agree to undertake it. I can tell you that it will require some travel, and some discretion. You may also need to establish a team or group of individuals you can trust, as the affair has proven to require more than one set of hands. The church is also prepared to offer a reward of to 20,000gp for your assistance.
Will you help?"
Irirangi
Ythana corrects Irirangi; "Understand that you are here at my command. The Flame speaks through me, and Solinthas listens. You would be wise to do the same."
"Ythana Morr. She's a legend. What on earth can she want me to do? Benefor - come on this is your department. Is there something deeply fishy about this? I'm about as low down the hierarchy as you can go and I'm only good at alchemy and research ... 20,000 gold ... it must either be dangerous or more dangerous then.
Cathedral
"High Holiness. I am honoured that you should look to me. My help is yours to command."
Because what real choice do I have? Turning down Ythana Morr would be like rejecting the entire church."
Irirangi
A tiny smile begins to curl on her lips; "So willing. So obedient. So confident. A perfect example of how a priestess should act. Go, Solinthas. Tell her everything. I will be here." Ythana dismisses them both with a wave of her hand.
Cathedral
Irirangi looks full at Ythana Morr for the first time.
"I am willing and obedient as a true daughter of our faith Holiness. I am not confident. How can I be when I have no idea what you want me to do? I'm not a fool either however, and I am curious to learn. Since neither of you would have reached your present eminence if you were fools, you must know enough about me to realise that I'd be bound to say yes out of obedience.
I ask that you don't mistake that for confidence in my abilities. I will try, but I am prepared to fail."