DM Kelly Monday September 19th, 2005 6:54:15 PM
Wilfire voices a concern to deal with the Red Eyes sooner rather than later, a concern several share. But since Sister Silvyre seems to think you should do otherwise, most are inclined to follow her advice.
Brother Servante answers a few questions prior to the group rushing off to the gate.
"The gate will take you to the Temple of Lemtrovex on the Elennian Peninsula. The Southern portion is known as Aisildur. What you will find there I hope are answers, answers and ghosts that is."
When Gilan responds that the gods are against them and 'all they seek is information' Brother Servante looks at him with a very stern gaze.
"There is nothing more important and deadly than information. Do not take the search for it lightly."
Looking about, he seems nervous and adds:
"Best you be off, quickly now."
Sister Silvyre then leads you down a corridor and several flights of stairs to a deep part of the Temple complex. She feels along a wall for something, and her hand hesitates in a small crevice between the stones. Soon you hear a click, and with a small shove she pushes against the wall and an opening appears.
"Come inside, quickly."
She looks up and down the hall to make sure that you have not been followed. Soon everyone is inside a small room. The room is cramped, and there is barely enough room for all of you and the animals.
There a giant mirror stands. A swarthy ship captain stands before it. "Well mateys, this be it. Tis' good as I can do ya for! I hope it be right. Good luck to ya."
With that he pats Podo on the back and the small halfing stumbles into the mirror and is gone.
Kendry Monday September 19th, 2005 9:21:05 PM
Kendry is attentive to Gilan's conversation, wanting to understand his perspective and concerns.
The short bard listens to Brother Servante's answers, and nods his head. "The Temple of Lemtrovex... Ebryon spoke of Lemtrovex, even through his mother before his rebirth. Aisildur. Ghosts? And answers. Thanks. Peace and power be yours."
He follows close behind the Sister, and takes Airin again by the hand, checking to be sure that Patterton and Podo are near, as well. Once in the room, he checks to be sure that all the rest made it, too.
His eyes raise up to look at the swarthy man, strangely attired, and talking... rather like Nezamil? "Very well, uh, matey," he replies to the man, just as he 'helps' Podo through the mirror.
He prepares, just in case, the feather fall spell - not casting it, but with it on his lips should he find himself falling on the other side of the mirror. He slips his arm under Airin's, and his hand goes to her waist. If there's any falling to do, he wants to make sure she can float as well as he. "Erwen on your shoulder?" he confirms. Then Kendry steps with her through the mirror.
Bralin Monday September 19th, 2005 9:35:58 PM Tis a strange quest indeed, Bralin muses.
He strides through the mirror.
Gilan Monday September 19th, 2005 11:09:28 PM
Gilan looks to Brother Servante and shakes his head. "Of course...it is just funny sometimes what we deem as real power...it would seem that friends, family and love would be the most powerful.....but alas that is not always the case." He gives the scholar and priest a nod of his head that he meant no offense with his earlier comment as he races off to catch the others.
When he gets inside the small room he feels his emotions start to churn...well one emotion really. Even when the man starts talking he only wants one thing...OUT. He graces the Sister with a rare smile and a kiss on her hand before he too rushes through the portal. At his heels is a large wolf that is all too happy to be gone.
Wilfire Ironhouse Tuesday September 20th, 2005 12:17:12 AM
"Wilfire, yue daft" he muttered to himself as he stepped through the mirror.
Patterton Tuesday September 20th, 2005 2:03:55 AM
Patty tightens his belt, adjusts his gear and straps his helmet to his head. He then takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, gathering his concentration before drawing his jeweled bastard sword. With a nod to the Captain, he steps through the mirror.
Podo d20+20=24 d20+17=24 d20+14=23 Tuesday September 20th, 2005 2:21:58 AM
Falling through the mirror, Podo tumbles on the other side hopefully ending up in a better position and with better balance. (Tumble = 24 & Balance = 24)
Once on the other side, Podo will try to find a wall or other cover and attempt to hide. (hide=23)
Airin and Erwen Tuesday September 20th, 2005 8:39:26 AM
Airin takes Erwen on her shoulder as Kendry suggest, and with Kendry's comforting hand around her waist she steps through the mirror with him ... "nothing can happen with him by my side", Airin thinks to herself.
Peerimus and Shaylin Tuesday September 20th, 2005 12:07:20 PM
Peerimus remains quiet, the thought of encountering ghost in the true sense of the word disturbs him more than a little. Vaporous apparitions are certainly not his fortay in any way, shape or form. Hopefully his shortcomings can be picked up by one of the others. After all, that is why adventurers travel with each other. The mirror and the captain strike him odd, but it is an odd quest. So he merely nods at the man and steps through.
Nezamil Tuesday September 20th, 2005 1:23:09 PM
watching as the others step thru the mirror Nezamil turns and faces Sister Silvyre " thank you for your help "
Taking a deep breath the dwarf reaches up and touches his anvil holy symbol then calmly steps thru the mirror
DM Kelly Tuesday September 20th, 2005 8:42:53 PM
The group arrives at the doorstep of a huge temple in a place far-far away. Looking behind you see the ruins of an ancient city. In the distance, the golden dome of a huge palace can be seen. Looking forward again, the door to this temple must be 200 feet high. It opens.
A ghostly priest meets you and bows, leading the way. Inside is darkness and echoing noises of your footsteps and armor. As the doors close behind you, you begin to see the dimensions and shape of the inside. The room is immense. A colonnade reaching up hundreds of feet to the ceiling run to the left and right. Perhaps 50 columns both right and left. Colored windows right and left let in some light. The ghost priest leads you past the pews between the columns to the front of the temple some 10 minutes walk.
There in the rear of the room, the cathedral widens to a T-shape, doors on either side left and right. Where the altar should be is a large semi-circular pool jutted up against the back wall. Standing in the pool is a Golden Dragon hundreds of feet tall reaching so high that a dome has been build so his head fits in the temple.
In front of the pool, is a font with overflow allowed to run down two prescribed marble hollows into the pool behind.
(See map)
The priest motions for you to sit in a pew. He then walks to the pool and kneels, seemingly praying to the statue of the gold dragon.
Kendry Tuesday September 20th, 2005 9:40:01 PM
Watching with a sense of awe, Kendry strives to take in the scope of this temple. Such huge spaces. So many statues. He looks to see what the statues depict. People? Creatures? Objects? Symbols?
As the group walks forward, he quietly withdraws another scroll tube from his haversack. To the newer members of the group, he passes this on, and whispers, "This is what Oakclub told us before we set out, and what the great old bard, Ursis, also had to say about why we are doing what we are doing, and other things gathered from the Giggling Ghost about our purpose."
[From the Giggling Ghost post: Overlord of the Floating City [CDM Jerry] Friday July 15th, 2005 1:04:45 PM
through:
Kendry (halfling bard, Kim, Crescent Valley, Tap 3) Friday August 5th, 2005 8:23:56 PM
...those parts germaine to us searching for ways and means to dealing with the King of the Fae and nature's upheavals are recorded in Kendry's scroll, as well as pretty near everything prior to the party going to sleep in the Red Wyrm Inn at the start of this board. Hope that will help give you all who arrived late a bit more context. What happened the following morning until this afternoon - and it's probably 2 o'clockish, at least Plateau City time - will need to wait until we have a breather to talk.]
Tishe' and Snout Wednesday September 21st, 2005 12:18:32 AM
Being curious about everything certainly has its drawbacks, muses the short mystic as she follows the others to the immense Golden Dragon statue. There I was in the Temple of Alemi with Gilan and the others when there on the wall is a beautiful tapestry. The lines, the patterns... amazing! It almost certainly was woven in Rattledam itself, with the exquisite beauty and the delicate grass dyes interwoven... and now so far away residing in this temple...
And now, Tishe' is far away in another temple. She missed the episode at the door with the followers of Marteus, missed the VERY interesting conversation about the piece of tapestry, missed even the experience of the amazing magical portal because she was still thinking about the tapestry.
Sigh.
She silently vows that she will pay more attention to what is REALLY important in the future, and looks around at the huge temple and Golden Dragon (totally missing the fact that the priest leading them is a ghost)
And a grinning crocodile waddles patiently at her side...
Airin and Erwen Wednesday September 21st, 2005 4:52:44 AM
Airin feels stunned as she witnesses the grandeur of this huge temple. Suddenly she feels very small and insignificant. Carefully she follows the ghostly priest and seeks strength with Kendry ... slowly she puts her little hand in his.
Then they are asked to sit. Airin does what this odd priest wants them to do. But she is amased that the priest doesn't say a word and returns to his praying ?? now what ?!? Carefully she whispers in Kendry's ear : "do you think this priest is not allowed to speak ? Maybe we have to wait patiently for something or someone ? I don't like this ... "
Patterton Wednesday September 21st, 2005 3:22:20 PM
Patty stares in disbelief at the enormous chamber and statue. Numbly, he makes his way over to the pews and replaces his sword in its decorative sheath as he waits for something to happen.
Nezamil Wednesday September 21st, 2005 5:37:39 PM
Nezamil quietly follows the ghostly priest " this place is ancient .....don't think anyone has been here in ages " says the dwarf in hushed tones
"By Domi " utters Nezamil as he again touches his anvil holy symbol as he absorbs the feel of the ancient temple
The dwarf takes a seat in the pews as directed by the ghostly priest " i wonder who he is...er....or was " as the Cleric of Domi stares at the ghostly priest
DM Kelly Wednesday September 21st, 2005 6:07:11 PM
OOC: Waiting for more posts and for answers from Jerry. Will post either late tonight or tomorrow morning.
Podo Wednesday September 21st, 2005 7:39:38 PM
Podo follows the ghostly priest/host as silently as possible taking a seat on the proffered pew. As Podo see the host pray, Podo will also kneel down in his pew and pray to Domi asking for guidence.
Gilan Wednesday September 21st, 2005 8:54:50 PM
Gilan looks out at the city and shakes his head. "Nice city but I would not like to live here." He turns back as the doors to the temple open and they are beckoned in.
He pads along with the ghost as he looks around, paying attention to all the little details. He silently wonders who exactly this temple once belonged too. Slipping back to Peerimus he leans in a little. "Know anything about this place?" He does not so he is seeking guidance elsewhere. He finds that he does not feel the crampness that he experienced in the other temples...must be the openness he thinks.
With the invitation to take a seat he does. He seats himself near the end of the pew with his hand laying over the side and touching the wolves head for reassurance. "This is strange...maybe as strange as the birth of a dragon moth on the Plains." He is not really commenting to anyone but with the silence it comes out louder than he expected.
Peerimus and Shaylin d20+17=34 d20+21=39 Wednesday September 21st, 2005 8:59:12 PM
The portal opens to the mammoth temple and the beauty and granduer is not lost on the druid on the dark jungles of the Southern Continent. Peerimus keeps a hand on the dozing cat upon his shoulder to keep her calm. [handle animal 34] The giant Ghostly priest bids them follow and Peerimus moves with the others. His discerning eye moves over the apparition trying to place the creature as the type of Giant, Fey or other possible monstrous Humanoid. [Know Nature 39]
Peerimus remains standing in the pew area, not wanting to shift and wake Shaylin.
Bralin Thursday September 22nd, 2005 7:27:40 AM OOC - could have sworn I posted yesterday.
Bralin's eyes look over the stonework. Quite impressive. The builders here knew the rock.
As he paces down the aisleway, the dwarf's thick, gnarled hands display a hidden grace as they linger on the columns. Bralin instinctively tests them for evenness and continuity.
At the end of the aisle, he steps into a pew and sits patiently, inwardly smiling at Airin's comment. "Ye learn a great many things through patience," he responds in a low voice.
Airin and Erwen Thursday September 22nd, 2005 8:40:14 AM
Airin quietly sits and waits till something happens.
DM Kelly Thursday September 22nd, 2005 10:16:13 AM
Though the Temple was obviously built for much larger folk, the priest is a ghostly human. Strange, the pews are also sized for humans. So although they may seem large to some in the group, they are small compared to the structure of the building they are in.
Since you have entered the temple, you have had very little interaction with the ghostly priest. The darkness of the temple has made it difficult for you to get a good look at him. You can see others ghosts that seem to slip by the colored windows. These ghosts glow in colors of red and blue as the colored light coming from the windows lights up their translucent bodies.
Mostly though you sit, and wait.
Bralin comments on the virtue of patience, but still you wait.
Finally, the ghostly priest rises from his prayers and drifts toward you. As he gets close, you finally have a clear view of him. Apparently death does not become him. Perhaps he died by strangulation, as his eyes bulge and his thick tongue hangs from his mouth. Death. There is no other way to explain his appearance. He speaks, and his voice is raspy, barely escaping what at one time was his throat.
'Why do you come here?'
Everyone needs to make a Fortitude save (d20) as the gruesome appearance of your host is now obvious to all.
Kendry d20+5=20 Thursday September 22nd, 2005 11:25:38 AM 'The ghosts here don't seem hostile,' whispers Kendry to Airin as they sit side by side. As the fellow who beckoned them forward goes through his ritual, Kendry observes some of the things he does, as well as looking up at the huge gold dragon image - Lemtrovex, Alemi in dragon form. He sees the twin streams of water, flowing from the basin to the pool behind. 'That's got to be an awful lot of holy water,' he further comments.
[Whew! on the nose - Fort Save 20.] Well, he's a ghost, Kendry. What did you expect? the halfling says to himself, stifling his inclination to shudder once the ghostly priest turns to face them.
The bard takes out the tapestry from the Cathedral of Alemi, passed to the Temple of Gargul, and thence into their hands. With due care, he opens it, and lays it upon the front bench. "This ancient tapestry shows Gargulus - Gargul in his days of evil. In the upper left is Ebryon, before the time that Queen Maab, his wife, caused him to enter a centuries-long sleep. This orb, of fae origin, we are told, somehow was used to help Gargul infuse evil souls into monsters to aid in the fight against Alemi, blessed be his name.
"We do not know what these words mean, written in an ancient script on the border of the tapestry," he explains. "Perhaps you, or someone here, may help us puzzle out this riddle."
He looks up at the phantom priest. "We seek the orb depicted here. We seek to know what to do regarding Ebryon, who has awakened from his long rest, and who now causes great unrest in the Wold. We come here, because we were told this may be a place of answers," concludes Kendry. "Are we come in vain?"
Gilan d20+10=11 Thursday September 22nd, 2005 5:19:32 PM
Gilan looks up at the large statue of the dragon and shakes his head. He just cannot see why the gods need these things done in their images. Well then again Mother Wold is depicted in every last aspect of nature he guesses.
His eyes flash back to the ghost that nears them and he finally gets a good look at the man. His face contorts into a combination of rage and disgust, that is quickly replaced by the need to throw up. "This bites grass."
Bralin wasn't paying attention. Still engrossed in the stonework about him, it is not until the apparition speaks that the dwarf realizes he has even approached.
He quickly swings his head around to look at the ghostly priest. Not a good idea in this case, as Bralin has not had sufficient time to prepare his mind for what he sees.
Nezamil d20+9=10 Thursday September 22nd, 2005 8:50:34 PM
The dwarf keeps his eyes on the ghostly priest trying ascertain who he once was " if only i could get a peek at his face to see who he once was " mumbles Nezamil to himself " great he's coming this way " anticipates the Cleric with a rush of excitment "Nooooo! watch ou...... " growls out Nezamil as see's the ghostly priests face
d20+9=10 fort save jeez 2 nat 1's
Wilfire Ironhouse d20+12=27 Thursday September 22nd, 2005 9:16:38 PM
With holy symbol in hand, Wilfire studied the temple carefully. "Donna like what I'm seeing" he thought to himself just before he looked at the ghostly host...
"Eee gat!" he exclaimed when he saw the gruesome figure.
It was a sight that most men could not bear. But Wilfire was not most men. (OOC- saved. 27)
Peerimus and Shaylin d20+10=18 d20+8=17 Thursday September 22nd, 2005 10:30:22 PM Ahh yes and that is why i dislike the supernatural. the thought comes to peerimus even as his stomach and mind revolt against the unnatural presecne teh spirit radiates. The druid knows the sight of death is not what affects him. he has seen far worse upon the faces and bodies of those he loves and cared litteld for as well. But the spirit world carries with them, far more weight in such matters. despite his mental awareness of what caused his physical revoltion of the sight, his body paid little heed.
Shoulders violently heave and Shaylin finds her perch all but missing. Fight or Flight the leopard is alert and claws expand from the recepticles, she hits the ground at Peerimus' feet alert with a viscious hiss. But upon seeing the ghost, the cat loses all will to fight and bolts from the creatures presence.
Podo d20+6=26 Friday September 23rd, 2005 12:00:02 AM
[Fort 26, nat 20]
Podo looks at the ghostly host and aside from the fact that death wasn't his friend, doesn't seem to be bothered by it, unlike the rest of his friends. "Poor poor friends...I guess their will of mind is not what is seems".
Podo tries to console his friends buy attempting to place himself between the host and the troops!
Podo will leave the pew and manuver himself so as to block the view of their host and the pews themselves.
Tishe' and Snout d20+9=28 Friday September 23rd, 2005 12:45:11 AM
Looking about, the mystic catches sight of the lights outside the great temple, and sees they are ghosts. 'Those poor souls', she whispers. Continuing on this line of thought, she strokes her brown ponytail and focuses on the priest in front of them, obviously another ghost. With her foreknowledge Tishe' is able to steel herself for the man's appearance as he turns around. (Fort: 28)
The young woman gracefully walks behind Kendry and nods in agreement with the small ones words. "We do not seek power over the stone or of others. Ebyron's actions are threatening the balance of order and chaos in the Wold. So too, the results of his actions are causing much evil."
"Whether Ebyron should be taught restraint, or chained anew, or destroyed", the mage/druid shakes her head, "we know not, but perhaps you may assist the pattern of this weaving to be better known. The few answers this 'pack has found has led us to your temple."
Tishe' runs out of words, but curiosity sparkles deep in her brown eyes.
And Snout stays behind his human, content enough to defend her against others, but not otherworldly others.
Airin and Erwen d20+8=20 d20+3=14 d20+11=25 Friday September 23rd, 2005 5:03:08 AM
Airin stirs as she sees the priest's face, well what seems to be the remains of it anyhow... Then she feels Erwen panic! Quickly she whispers words of comfort into the Eagle's ears hoping to calm her down before she creates a racket once more. That would the third time she makes a mess in a temple! Hopefully her soothing words are enough...
"Are they all like this?" she thinks to herself and carefully looks around the temple as Kendry starts to explain why they are here...
Where's "here" in the first place??! She would much rather take a walk and check things out rather than just sitting here...
Rolls : fort save : 20 - barely Erwen Fort Save : 14 Handle Erwen : 25
DM Kelly d3-1=2 d3-1=0 d3-1=2 d3-1=0 d3=3 d3=2 Saturday September 24th, 2005 11:52:21 PM
The visage of the ghost is horrible, somehow the distortion of death has taken control. The shape of his soul seems twisted from the natural shape of a man. Agony, eternal agony is his fate.
Waves of horror and nausea rise within you.
Perhaps the reaction of the eagle helped, but Airin is not overcome by the visage of the ghost. So intent on helping her friend through this trauma, she herself is not overcome by fear. Instead, she is able to calm the eagle by placing a hand over her eyes and whispering to her.
Wilfire holds his holy symbol, and the concentration pays off. The ghost holds no power over him.
Podo is most brave of all. The ghost seems sad to him, and stepping in front of his friends he attempts to help alleviate their fear.
Tishe is also without fear, and walks over to Kendry.
Kendry shudders but is able to overcome his natural inclinations. In fact, his desire for knowledge has overcome his natural fear of ghosts. Before he can speak though, the reactions of his companions steal the attention of the ghost.
Gilan almost chokes as bile rises up within his throat. [-2pts Strength]
Bralin feels the blood drain from his face, and blackness starts to cloud his vision. [no strength loss]
Nezamil screams out a warning, or almost does as the words die in his throat. [-2 pts strength]
Peerimus is overcome by this assault on nature. His body heaves in convulsions [no strength loss], and Shaylin panics. She digs her claws into Peerimus' back, and leaps [5 hp damage from Shaylin's claws]. Quickly she is lost to sight.
The reaction of the ghost priest is the most surprising of all. Horror The look is one of shear terror, he looks with great dismay at the reaction of the group to his face.
'No, no do not fear me. This is not me, wait do not flee!'
The ghost turns away and looks up at the great dragon.
'Help me, please!'
He then slowly turns around and the horrible face is gone. Replaced by the face of a sad priest.
'It is my curse. It happens whenever my mind wanders and seeks revenge on those who killed me and my brothers. I did not mean for this to happen, please forgive me. What was it you were saying?'
OOC: Those who failed to save will slowly regain composure. Next round you are unable to communicate.
Tishe' and Snout Sunday September 25th, 2005 4:59:40 AM
Snout refuses to come out from around Tishe's feet, and hangs back as his human stands before the ghostly image.
For the mystic herself, she is more curious than ever at the ghost's transformation, and concerned that the bullies who did this travesty have apparently gone unpunished. But that is for later, she reminds herself, and keeps an encouraging hand on Kendry.
"We are here to seek information leading to the Orb shown in this Tapestry piece", she explains to the priest. "We do not seek power over the stone or over others. Ebyron's actions are threatening the balance of order and chaos in the Wold. So too, the results of his actions are causing much evil."
"Whether Ebyron should be taught restraint, or chained anew, or destroyed", the mage/druid shakes her head, "we know not, but perhaps you may assist the pattern of this weaving to be better known. The few answers this 'pack has found has led us to your temple."
The mystic anticipates Kendry will explain more fully.
Podo Sunday September 25th, 2005 6:05:37 PM
"Yes, Father, it is as the lady says. We have come in search of answers to a time long ago forgotten to the living." says Podo.
"While my friends compose themselves, could you take a minute to tell us what happened to you and your brothers? Why has this crime not been made right? Has no one visited this temple prior to our visit to inquire?" Podo asks of the priest.
Bralin Sunday September 25th, 2005 9:10:25 PM
The dwarf stuggles to regain control of his limbs.
Infinite eternal agony. Unbearable.
The ghost changes, and Bralin's breath slowly returns to him.
Nezamil Monday September 26th, 2005 1:48:48 AM
Nezamil slouches down in the pew freezing as the ghostly Priest comes closer ... " i...i..i can't breath....my throat feels all dried up " thinks Nezamil as he clutches the seat of the pew frozen in place as he struugles for breath
Airin and Erwen Monday September 26th, 2005 11:14:05 AM
Not a woman with many words to say Airin tries to comfort her new friends that seem to be distressed about the Priest's appearance. she carefully strokes Erwen also and I mighty glad she did not go berserk once again.
Patiently Airin waits.
Kendry Monday September 26th, 2005 12:08:37 PM
Kendry gives Airin's hand a comforting squeeze as those about them react to the horrid visage.
When the nebulous priest asks what they were saying, the bard again points out some of the details of the tapestry. He is pleased better to see how he looked in life. "Yes, it is as my friends have said. Uh, this, this here his ancient tapestry shows Gargulus - Gargul in his days of evil. In the upper left is Ebryon, before the time that Queen Maab, his wife, caused him to enter a centuries-long sleep. This orb, of fae origin, we are told, somehow was used to help Gargul infuse evil souls into monsters to aid in the fight against Alemi, blessed be his name.
"We do not know what these words mean, written in an ancient script on the border of the tapestry," he explains once again. "Can you, or someone here, help us figure out this riddle?"
He looks up at the phantom priest. "We seek the orb depicted here - a Fae relic, according to one source. Again, we seek to know what to do regarding Ebryon, who has awakened from his long rest, and who now causes great unrest in the Wold. We come here, because we were told this may be a place of answers," concludes Kendry. He does not mind repeating himself.
Peerimus and Shaylin Monday September 26th, 2005 3:45:19 PM
Peerimus finds his mind reeling, Strike his limbs fail to obey the command. Strike! But all he does is stand in frozen terror. STRIKE! Primal commands scream into his mind. Blood runs from the puncctures inadvertanly given by the fleeing cat and the pain is what removes the terror. "No." he says defiantly to no one other than his own darker side.
As if released from a great physical exertion, the druid drops to a knee, sweat upon his forehead and his chest rapidly taking in air.
The leopard is no where to be seen nor heard
Gilan Monday September 26th, 2005 6:22:12 PM
The bile continues to rise as he clenches the pew in front of him. He fights for control as he pours himself into Mother Wold. He draws strength to keep his calm and composure as he fight through it. With a growl he finally get his emotion under control and then shakes his head....WEAKNESS. He had been weak.
Podo Monday September 26th, 2005 9:50:03 PM
Podo will return to making sure all his companions are comforted from the initial shock from the Priest.
When all are recovered from their fear and loathing episodes, Podo will wait.
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