Coross runs over to Skender and is clearly relieved to see him still breathing.
I agree that we should stay here at least untill Skender wakes. Also it will give us time to study this dragon, and its relation to the other crystal creatures.
Rafael says, "Looks like its Dragon for Dinner."
When time is available Rafael says, "Someone want to help me dissect this thing?"
Ack! Confounded! If I had wounds I'd tend to them myself while I'm awake. Not my fault the rest of individuals don't take kindly to the concoctions I can make easily. Takes a lot of work to make a potion that won't upset your delicate digestive systems.
Rafael says, "When we aren't in such dire circumstances I will definitely like to study your race further; I'm sure I could write several volumes on your kind.
As for your concoctions, well I don't want to eat my dinner twice - I have a delicate stomach."
Well you certainly are not not studying me. After every time we meet those little crystal things you start "studying" the entire class after wards. As for your books, The most you are going to get is several biographies about me. I've been through the books several times, and their ain't been one of me at all through time.
But I've been studying you humans.. and elves and whatever the hell else your kind call yourselves and well one day, One day, I'll usher in my race. Just need to find a house cat.. a smidgen of an enlarging potion.. and a few other things I could make.. and maybe just maybe, I might be able to force another one of my kind into existence. Course I'd have to create another after that so they could mate.. cause seriously. It would be like a human having sex with a dwarf. That is just way too much facial hair! This one time while trying to research dwarves I happened upon a book. It had no hard cover to it, was all paper.
At this time Darche begins to dabble on about something with naked dwarves, maple syrup, and why we need to get the hobos jobs. Then something about hobos becoming dwarves or something like that.
You see no other creatures - nor treasure. The entire room has gone quiet, apart from the shuffling of your classmates and teachers.
The dragon itself has got to be valuable. The scales are beautiful, and from the fight they could certainly endure a lot of punishment. Yet the chin appears to have what looks like a ... crack?
From what you can tell, there are dragons of all colours - but none with all. This brand of dragon is definitely unique.
As Zachary approaches the dragon to pry out its eye, a shrill sound resonates from its scales. Like glass, it starts to crack, a ripple swimming down its chin to the belly - light starts to pour out, washing over you, a burning sensation, and within seconds it explodes.
...
...
Yet you feel no pain. The floor is covered in prismatic glass, and from what you would have expected it would have ripped through all of you. And yet...
A crystal is ledged in your right hand - it peeks out of the flesh, like an unblinking eye with no pupil. Touching your palm you can feel it almost breaking out of the flesh - yet there is no blood. It is uncomfortable, certainly, but it doesn't hurt or ache. And it also seems familiar...
Before you have time to panic, another light illuminates the cavern, and you hear the sad song of... a bird? A ball of light approaches, having come out of the remains of the shattered crystals, and as it comes closer you see a small white-feathered ethereal bird - one with a long, beautiful tail in all the colours of the rainbow. Its song slowly rejuvenates you - Skender's wounds close and he regains consciousness, and you all feel healthier, stronger.
When the song ends, the bird flutters betwixt you all - any attempts to catch it are futile, as your fingers slip right through it. It stops after a few minutes...and speaks.
"Thank you, brave souls, for freeing my spirit from the crystal prison - yet in doing so, you have embraced a fate that no other soul may ever undertake. The world is in peril. You must save it."
Zachary stares at the bird awhile, his mouth hanging agape. He stammers and waves his hands around in a fruitless attempt to make a logical idea escape from his head. "Wha... Who... But... And... But how..."
He flounders for a moment, then just collapses onto the ground. "You know what, I'm not volunteering for any of these stupid field trips any more."
Lucca promptly sits down, as doing that himself before he collapses or something seems a good idea. Stares at the bird, then at the crystal. Back again. Freeing spirits from suspicious crystals... Lucca now automatically distrusts whatever this thing is from past experience, but does this mean the Voice wants him to save the world? He silently agrees with Zachary's statement. Recovers enough speech to ask the bird-thing, "Why? I didn't sign any contract to save the world."
Coross considers what the bird has said for a moment and examines the crystal now embedded in his hand. Was it your will which sent me this sword, to bring me here? He gestures with his clearly unatural sword. Did you bring all of us here? What do you need of us?
There is no mistaking who the bird is - or appears to be - and while supposedly only a myth, in front of you flutters the spirit of Shelyn.
The song is unfamiliar - yet it feels like an aria of the soul - a song of hope. Yet it is sad...
You feel stronger, as if the crystal amplifies your potential. It is very subtle, yet it is there.
The bird flutters around all of you before it lands. Its eyes look sad. "I did not call you. The world did. These crystals are the essence of the world's spirit. Without them, the world would wither away..."
"Aeons ago, we gods were killed by an unspeakable evil - and our spirits were sealed in great crystals, prisons of souls. But our souls sustain the world and repel this evil force; our presence in these protected forms makes the world inhabitable for Him. He has been lurking beyond the boundries of the sky, waiting to consume the earth."
"And He pressures the world still. The crystals will shatter in the course of ten years - and if you aren't there to defeat his avatars, the spirit will be consumed, and all hope is lost..."
"It is a burden you must bear. But no-one else can undertake this quest. When you destroy the crystals, you will free the spirits of gods, and we will rally to end the evil in the hour of dawn."
"But night will fall first. You must be the ray of hope. You must. The crystal spirits that have inhabitated your bodies will grant you the power to persevere ... but that will not make the journey easy. It is never easy. It will never be easy..."
Zachary chimes in, "Well, Mr. Bird thing, what are you? And why should we believe all this? It sounds to me like I'm just having a bad trip..."
Zachary laughs out loud as he realizes the absurdity of the events that are unfolding in front of him.
"That feels much better. That dragon really took a chunk outta me, huh? In any case, this whole quest-to-save-the-world thing sounds interesting. And what the hell is up with these crystals? Mine looks like it's staring at me."
Skender pokes at his crystal for a little while, then returns to paying attention to the bird.
Rafael is speechless, his mouth agape. Seeing what is a god manifest in front of him, the crystals embedded in his skin are a complete afterthought.
Rafael reaches for his journal and draws the creature.
A tear runs down his cheek.
Ye Gods... Lucca raises his hand to stare at the crystal. Alright, Voice. Either I'm going mad and I might as well have some company, or you have some explaining to do. He looks back at the personification of beauty, and has to will his pragmatism back. "Milady, why us? Luck? I believe more in manipulation, cleverness, something bringing everything together- not luck." He pauses to get his breath back. "If it's coincidence, then does that mean- these crystals are why we must be the ray of hope? If such a crystal was your prison, do these crystals," he continues, holding up his hand to display the crystal, "have similar ties to the divine?"
"I am Shelyn," the bird says, floating above Zachary's head. "I know it is hard to believe. And the burden is no easier to bear. But I have faith."
"I do not know why you were chosen - but I can see the potential in your souls. Maybe the power of some other spirit arranged this...but it was not my doing."
"These crystals are called Godsbane. They siphon our power and repress us. But when it is etched to your flesh, all it siphons is granted to you - and it will make you stronger. The crystals will be the key to succeeding this task..."
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When I uttered a silent prayer to get out of writing that paper and presenting at that conference on the structural integrity of alchemical bonds near absolute zero, I didn't really have this in mind. . . works for me, though. Frum shrugs. But I will probably pray less from now on, if that is alright with you.
So Shelyn: where do we go, and what do we do? Can we use these crystals on the Enemy or His avatars?. . . and do you have a hint about how we could fund this quest? Any idea where we might find some treasure?
and can these crystals be used to syphon power from other sources, or just you and other gods? Can you give us a quick training session, since they are the key?
Great.. now I'm even weirder than before. Hey Scribe Ler'it, you might as well write in that book that my race has crystals growing in their hand.
Suddenly the pieces of Darche's pockwatch fall to floor out of his pocket. A small hole in the back of the watch where the crystal used to be.
biting his lower lip, he glares at the bird.
Scribble...scribble.
Zachary scratches his chin while looking at the crystal.
"Woah now Frum, first we need to know who our enemy is before we can use powers on him." He looks up to the bird, then clasps his hands over his head and says, "Oh, mystical birdie, please offer us insight into our enemy's identity."
Zachary doesn't really seem to be serious about it.
Coross is definitely far more interested in the crystal which is now part of his hand than even the appearance of a deity before them. He appears to be trying to channel his spells through it to dubious effect.
Godsbane? What is this power which it siphons exatly, and how can we use it?
The bird flutters around you all, its wings resonating a song on its own, before it floats over Coross' shoulder."Godsbane. It siphons our essence when we're in material form - and suppresses our powers when our spirits have been detached."
Shelyn looks over at Frum. "The crystals are without power now, however... yet they will resonate when you approach another prison. They will hunger for the power that is seething out - the crystal prisons are growing brittle. It will only be years before they shatter. They will grant you the energy they gather, though... and will amplify your power when fighting the crystal guardians. Or weaken theirs. I do not know which."
"I am afraid I have little time before my spirit will vanish...and when it does, I will need to recuperate..."
Shelyn flutters sadly around the gnome. "I do not know more than the direction. The nearest crystal is south-east of here - and I know not of anyone with knowledge of this, apart from us spirits."
"I will use my remaining power to open a path out of here."
With that, she flies up into the air. A song emerges from her small self, one that causes the very ground to shake - in the rear end of the room, the wall starts to fall apart...
Rafael says, "So we must destroy these crystals, if that's the case let me try something."
Rafael says, "Can someone help gather these samples onto Donte. We will need to study these crystals further if we are to ever destroy them."
You all huddle around the crystal, examining it properly - it floats maybe two inches from the ground, though is still motionless. There seems to be no right explanation for why it floats, though there is little time to muse as Darche reaches up to touch it.
A flash of light burns the Kincade as it trails up the crystal, to the very top - the entire cavern is illuminated in white as cracks trail down to the very bottom - and in an instant, it shatters with such force that you are all blown straight into the walls on the side.
"Sure, no problem."
Skender will help lift whatever he can onto Donte.
Rafael says, "Thank you. I guess we have only one way to go. Let's move before another one of those guardians show up. We still don't know who or what is behind the creation of these crystals to siphon the gods' powers."
"Agreed. If nobody minds, I'd like to take point."
I need to make another super energy pill when we get the chance Darche says as his muscles begin to reduce and his fur becomes less feral looking.
Rafael says, "I'm sure noone will mind a few minutes. Besides we don't know what's beyond that fallen wall the creature opened up for us."
Rafael waits for Darshe and then when he is done making is concoction will follow the rest of the party with a rope in his hand and a weathered quarterstaff as his walking stick.
Rafael says, "Donte, heel!"
Something finally clicks in Zachary's head, and he jumps up suddenly.
"We just talked to a god! This is amazing! We must be the only ones to do that ever!"
He looks around at the rest of the group, a huge smile across his face.
"But, then..." His smile diminishes. "If we are destroying these crystals, are we killing the gods?"
Rafael says, "Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but we spoke with a spirit though which a god spoke though onto our plane of existence. The spirit was only here a few minutes until the energy that was used to manifest it was exhausted.
My understanding thus far is that someone or something created the crystals to siphon the energy and power away from the gods. Maybe the crystals are a limiter that reduces the ability for a god to affect this world, I'm not sure.
According to the spirit we need to destroy the crystals, and in destroying them unrestraining the gods. Now I hope we are doing this for the gods of good, but I'm not sure. Maybe the gods of evil created the crystals and place guardians to protect these orbs, I'm not sure.
So many new questions."
Rafael scratches his chin.
Rafael says, "Wait a second. Remember when the spirit said that the god's souls are what sustain the world and that these crystals are were the gods' souls are being imprisoned.
We need to destroy these crystals to release the gods. If the gods are still imprisoned in an estimated 10 years from now then this "Him" will destroy the gods' souls and thus the world the gods' soul sustain.
This "Him" the spirt spoke of is some kind of unspeakable evil. This "Him" will manifest his avatars to destroy the gods' souls trapped in the crystals if we don't act."
Zachary scrunches his face up for a second and strokes his green, scaly chin before saying, "Ohhh, so we're freeing the gods. That's better."
Rafael says, "Seems you have succinctly described our purpose my friend."
A few moments later Rafael asks no one in particular, "Do we have a name? What shall I write down in my journal? If we do intend to save the world and restore the gods that is...seems appropriate we should have one."
"Brilliant idea. Any suggestions?"
Rafael says, "No, but perhaps as we adventure something will become obvious. I don't feel strongly either way so whatever the majority of the party is content with I will use."
Ooh, a name. Makes it that much easier for us to be immortalized in legend...Anyone have any ideas?
How about the screwed up collection of misfits who are probably hallucinating as they die in the previous earth quake. Seriously, who knows maybe we signed up for some mad school experiment and totally forgot we did as we are being tortured by the bards of this school in a horribly cliche adventure.
But on the off chance this is actually happening, perhaps we should do the most cliche thing there is. Lets get the hell out of here, and find someone with a rat problem in their cellar.
he says as he tearfully scoops up the remains of his pocket watch. Then mutters to himself. first I'll kill all these things, then that bird, and finally the world destroyer.
Rafael says, "Oh, your pocketwatch was damaged in the fight. Here let me take a look at it."
Rafael gently takes the damaged pocketwatch and slowly and maticuously places all the pieces near each other. As he his concentrating you here him mutter, "reparare hoc adflictae rei" over and over again. Over the course of several minutes you notice the broken pieces slowly meld back together.
Zachary strokes his chin some more as he contemplates a name. The crystal embedded in his hand brushes against his chin, and he stares at it for a bit.
"Well, how about Godsboon? I mean, godsbane wouldn't work, because we are helping them..."
The newly formed exit is visibly in sight on the other side of the room...
The flesh of your hand where the crystal now is seems to have vanished; the crystal itself does not feel harmful, though it aches ever so slightly. Your fingers feel a little stiffer than before, though not detrimental to your dexterity - from what you can tell it is, in terms of dangers, harmless.
The exit, some three hundred feet away, is illuminated with a white light. The spirit has vanished now. All that remains is to leave this cavern.
From what the spirit said, south-east of here would be a fishing village. Even further south-east would be the capital of the neighbouring nation, Trivelle - a nation of dwarves born by the sea.
"Well, if everyone is ready to get going, let's get moving. Any daylight wasted is time that we can't get back. We can think of a name later."
With that, Skender will go over to the exit and wait for the others to assemble with their respective belongings. He will also keep one mind blade ready, just in case.
Rafael hands the pocketwatch back to Darche and says, "There you go my friend, good as new. Now you just need to set the time...ha ha...which will be difficult while underground." Rafael smirks.
Rafael gathers his belongings and brings Donte with him. He moves towards the exit with the direction of the Skender on where he and Donte should be.
Follows.
"Well, if it were up to me, I would suggest for you and Donte to be somewhere near the middle. That makes it easier to protect you, and without you, several of us would be much worse off."
After a few more pensive moments, thinking of what just happened here, Zachary tries to take the dragon's eye again.
He gives up on the eye and follows the group.
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As they walk Frum asks the group So if Southeast is where we need to go, there is a fishing village and then, further Southeast, a dwarf village near the sea. Any objections to heading to the fishing village?
Frum takes up the rear of the party order.
Zachary scratches his stomach a bit and says, "That sounds fantastic! I'm a bit peckish, and fish sounds great! Only... Which way is southeast?