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Zehira and Jhien came to talk to Gabellia and Perune the other day at Standings Stones, and I thought I'd provide a partial log of the events that followed. From Perune's POV:
Gabellia says, "Goodness...usually donna see peoples here."
You say, "I've been here for a few days, Gab."
Gabellia asks, "Mercy...why?"
You hear someone make a grunting noise.
You say, "Don't think we're the only ones here though."
Gabellia searches around for a moment.
You say, "Threats were made upon the stones."
You hear a voice say, "The stones hold great power."
Gabellia asks, "Who be that speakin?"
Gabellia says, "Show yerself."
You hear a voice say, "Maleshyve should be worshipped."
You hear a voice say, "Offerings should be made to her, sacrifices given."
Gabellia asks, "Maelshyve? What do ye know of that demon?"
You hear a voice say, "More than you I'd wager."
You say, "Apparently you're mad."
You hear a voice say, "I've died for her, and in return she gives."
Gabellia says, "Ahhhhh."
Gabellia says, "Now I see who it be."
Zehira reveals herself.
Zehira gestures.
Color leeches from the skin on Zehira's head, bleaching it to a pallid mask. Her eyes screw shut in an expression of rapturous pain as her head reshapes itself freakishly, becoming more angular.
Gabellia says, "Would make sense she would follow Maelshyve."
Zehira asks, "You think all of us would follow her?"
You hear a voice ask, "Are you that unknowing of our guild?"
Gabellia says, "Why wouldn't you follow her? She is the most powerful of yer guild."
Zehira says, "Of course there is, Lyras nearly wiped out....everything."
You say, "I should inform you that the Advisor will likely be unhappy that Necromancers have come to this place."
Zehira says to you, "Shh shh..I want to feel her power."
You say, "The demon has no power here. That's the point of the stones."
One of Many Jhien just arrived.
Zehira says, "No not here, but in her fortress."
Zehira says, "But the advisor...can well..deal with the fact necromancers are here."
You say, "I'm not sure what it is you want, but if you're here solely to worship demons, you should leave."
Jhien says to you, "She might have some insight if she knows something about the demonic we don't."
You say to Jhien, "She seems to encourage the worship of them. I don't need that insight."
Jhien says, "Worship is a funny word. Respect runs in the same veins."
Zehira says to you, "Why would I not respect what she is and what she has done. Do you hold any sort of power, I feel she should be worshipped, she should be given a sacrifice."
Jhien says, "Whoa, lot of overlap in terms here."
You ask, "And I imagine you have some idea of whom should be sacrificed?"
Jhien asks, "We're talking about WHOMs now?"
Jhien says, "This escalated quickly."
Jhien says, "She's not wrong, no one can deny Maelshyyves power. But I'm surprised to see the word worship from her."
Jhien says to you, "People have worshipped demons. It didn't end well. But people also worship the Immortals, and they are also not of this plane."
You say, "I think there's some misunderstanding."
You say, "The first one being."
You say, "That a Necromancer's presence is acceptable at these Stones."
Zehira says to Jhien, "How could you not want power from her, how could I not want to do what Xerasyth has done, we talk about what we want ultimately and now I know."
Jhien says to Zehira, "We don't know that Xerasyth used her, let alone anything. One. Being, thing."
Zehira says to Jhien, "But we don't know that he didn't."
Zehira says to Jhien, "He holds the key, the key to what I know I want."
Zehira taps her head.
Jhien says, "We could learn from him, to be sure. Maybe even from her. But lets ease up on the worship and sacrificing."
Zehira says to Jhien, "Malshyve holds the power, and it's ok for them to sacrifice on Drogor's altar, it's ok for them to worship that, what this is would be just the same, from a certain point of view."
Jhien asks, "Aye, it would be. And didn't you turn from that in the first place?"
Gabellia says, "Except.........Maelshyve is no God."
You say, "This is ridiculous."
Zehira says to Gabellia, "My vanity proceeds anything that I do, longevity, beauty, ever lasting life."
You say, "If we're going to argue demonic worship, please take such nonsense elsewhere."
Jhien says, "Theological quibbles, but the Immortals and Maelshyve differ in intent. I'd side with them over her any day, but lets not pretend they're entirely different."
Jhien says, "Zehira seems to just be yearning for something, and is using words that misrepresnet that desire."
Jhien says, "Do not mistake contracts for worship, in either direction."
You say, "Contracts, worship, I don't care. I won't sit here and listen to the support of demonic entities."
Zehira asks you, "Then who is it you think I should support?"
You say to Zehira, "People. Which your kind doesn't. You support yourself. Case in point, you just spent the last 15 rois here talking about your own wants and desires."
Zehira says to you, "Well of course I did. I am the only one that matters, everything I do is for myself alone."
You say, "But frankly, after Lyras, I cannot tolerate your presence. So please leave."
Zehira says, "I'm not leaving."
Zehira waves a hand at you dismissively.
You hear a male Gor'Tog voice say, "Now Zehira you know better."
Zehira says, "I'm not doing anything Hammerfist."
You hear a voice say, "Lets go talk."
Zehira says, "The stones are making a scraping sound."
(At this point Hammerfist and Zehira have a chat elsewhere and Jhien begins discussing his view of the Immortals)
Jhien says to you, "The secret to any good contract is knowing what you're getting, but also knowing what your partner wants."
Jhien points at Gabellia.
Jhien says, "She knows things, but her judgement is clouded from their influence."
Gabellia laughs!
Jhien says, "All our judgements are clouded."
Gabellia says, "Me judgement be jest fine, thankee verra much."
Jhien says, "She's drunk on the Immortals influence."
Gabellia chuckles.
Gabellia says, "An odd way ta say it."
Gabellia says, "But of course I follow the Gods."
You say, "As an aside. You should likely be more careful with how you speak regardless of how you think."
Jhien cocks his head at you.
You say, "The Immortals have all the power here. I've seen men smited for less."
Jhien says, "We've an agreement them and I. I keep the peace, they ignore my blasphemy."
Jhien snorts, loudly.
Jhien says, "Mostly."
You ask, "Keep the peace how?"
Jhien says, "Keep her from doing everything she wants."
Jhien says, "Teach people. That sort of thing."
You say, "You should keep her from practicing Necromancy."
You say, "Probably be more peaceful."
You say, "Less inclined to invoke Demons. That sort of thing."
Jhien falls to the ground, covering his head fearfully as he cowers against the ground.
Jhien continues to huddle against the ground, shivering slightly.
Jhien stop shivering.
You blink at Jhien.
Gabellia says to Jhien, "Sumone is nae verra happy with you."
Gabellia says, "Or...sumthin, maybe."
Gabellia scratches her head.
Jhien groans.
Jhien coughs.
Jhien exclaims, "We've done this before!"
You observe Jhien with fascination.
Jhien shakes his head.
Jhien growls ferociously!
Serial Killer Zehira just arrived.
You say, "He seems to be.. in some pain."
Jhien says to Zehira, "Once again I'm taking the blame for this."
Jhien says, "It isn't, it's their meddling."
Zehira says to Jhien, "For what? For me being here? For me wanting to see the stones."
Jhien says, "They want it every way and no price to pay at all."
Zehira falls to the ground, covering her head fearfully as she cowers against the ground.
Zehira continues to huddle against the ground, shivering slightly.
Zehira stop shivering.
Jhien says, "And I'm trying to tell people to do the right thing."
Zehira says, "Everything has a price."
Gabellia says to you, "See? She has the same head sickness."
Zehira says to Jhien, "I talked with Hammerfist, I have decided something, I wish to talk to Xerasyth and I want your help."
Jhien says to you, "They built us like this and no one cares about the..."
Jhien glances at Zehira.
Jhien asks, "Now?"
Zehira says to Jhien, "Not now, but soon...I want him to change me."
Jhien says, "Less fragile there. More stable."
Zehira is stunned!
A stunned Zehira slowly tips over, falling on her face!
Zehira shakes off the stun.
Zehira says, "She hears us, she hears what we want."
Zehira taps her head.
You ask, "What is happening to either of you?"
Jhien says to you, "Contracts and obligations."
Zehira says, "Maelshyve hears us, she is scrapping at the stones, she is trying to get in our head."
You blink at Zehira.
You say, "If she's able to touch you here, you both should flee."
Jhien says, "I don't think it's her thats jabbing us."
Jhien says, "It's this space."
Jhien says, "It's weak."
Jhien points at a black standing stone.
Zehira says, "Someone is, it doesn't do much for long."
>
Jhien says, "Though who knows..."
You say, "It's possible the aetheric barrier is weaker here than elsewhere, due to the past."
You say to Zehira, "I can't condone anything you're talking about, but you likely endanger yourself and all of us by remaining here."
You say, "Actually I'm being kind by saying the word condone."
Zehira says to you, "I'm not afraid of anything here."
You say, "I'm not concerned with your personal fear."
You say, "I'm concerned with what might happen."
Zehira asks, "Call on who...Maelshyve?"
Zehira rubs a black standing stone.
Zehira says, "She wants to be called upon Jhien."
Zehira says, "She asked."
Zehira says, "We should call on her."
Jhien says to Zehira, "Leeeeeeeets speak with Xerasyth first."
Zehira exclaims, "But she is asking!"
You whisper to Jhien, "Please get her out of here before we must attempt this by force."
The stench of fetid sea water fills the air, lingering with a heaviness that leaves an oily film on your skin.
Jhien winces.
Jhien says, "This place is weak."
You say, "This is bad.."
You say, "You both need to leave."
Zehira says, "We should go."
Zehira joins Jhien's group.
One of Many Jhien goes east, leading his group.
I'm posting this for the Necromancer perspective on Sundays (12/11/16) bit of fun at the Standing Stones, and what transpired immediately after. I've changed the names, though you can probably figure out who they are. I also edited out information that could tell you about guild locations. Also, there were a few typos throughout on both the GM and player side of things, so I corrected them where I noticed them. This is crossposted in the Necro folder as well.
--
While at the standing stones, we got these visions -
Ropes of greasy grey-green sludge cloud your vision, seeming to stretch from Necro1's mouth to the chests of everyone else, even yourself!
With Necro1's movement, the grotesque ropes shift and squelch. Suddenly, some snap out and retreat altogether, repeating one by one until you see them no more!
You fall to the ground, curling up as you cover your head fearfully. You cower against the ground, shivering with fear!
[Roundtime: 3 seconds.]
You continue to huddle against the ground, shivering slightly with fear.
[Roundtime: 3 seconds.]
The last of the fear melts from your limbs, leaving you free to move again.
Fine cracks in your vision form. Grey-green mists seeping through the furrows with an almost oily slink to their movements.
The oily mists grow thicker, clawing their way inside your mouth and nose to slither into your body!
The stench of fetid sea water fills the air, lingering with a heaviness that leaves and oily film on your skin.
---
So we decided to flee to Xerasyth for help.
######################
>go door
[Xerasyth's Office]
With a rough-hewn stone hearth and unadorned wooden walls, this office seems more functional than homey. The simple cherrywood desk is bare save for a mug of tea, and the low side table next to it holds only a single book. Darkness seems to seep into the room from the large picture window behind the desk, vying with the flickering light from bronze lanterns hanging above it. You also see a set of double doors and a wood bin.
Obvious exits: none.
You blink.
Necro1 asks, "Where is he?"
You say, "Wait..."
[Xerasyth's Office]
With a rough-hewn stone hearth and unadorned wooden walls, this office seems more functional than homey. The simple cherrywood desk is bare save for a mug of tea, and the low side table next to it holds only a single book. Darkness seems to seep into the room from the large picture window behind the desk, vying with the flickering light from bronze lanterns hanging above it. You also see a set of double doors and a wood bin.
Obvious exits: none.
Necro2 and Necro1 followed.
>
Necro2 laughs!
Necro1 asks, "He's not here?"
>
Necro1 blinks.
>
Necro2 shakes his head.
You say, "He left his tea."
[[PlaceXerasythHangsOut], Upstairs Hall]
Goldenrod and ochre tones saturate the carpet lining this narrow space, and a subtle scent of aged parchment fills the air. You also see a set of double doors and some stairs.
Obvious exits: west.
Necro2 and Necro1 followed.
>
Necro1 says, "He never leaves."
[[PlaceXerasythHangsOut], Cellar]
Carved into the earth itself, this simple root cellar is but tightly-packed dirt on its walls and floor, while the ceiling is comprised of the floorboards from the room above. The heady scent of soil fills the air, though creeping moisture lends it a slightly moldering tinge. You also see some rough stone stairs leading up and a heavy iron door inscribed with "Xerasyth's Private Laboratory" in deeply gouged letters.
Obvious exits: none.
Necro2 and Necro1 followed.
You feel fully rested.
Bonk! You smash your nose.
You grumble.
Necro1 continues to huddle against the ground, shivering slightly.
You ask, "What?"
>
Necro1 stop shivering.
>
Necro1 stands up.
>
Necro1 says, "Something."
You arch your eyebrow.
>
Necro1 says, "My spider just attacked me and threw me to the ground."
[Necro1 saw: "Your spider suddenly twists its body, lunging and contorting until it forms into the decaying form of some sort of miniature clawed beast! The misshapen creature crawls along your shoulder, up your neck and into your mouth, and you feel yourself overtaken with sublime corruption coupled with mortal terror!"]
You say, "We were in a weak space. It tampers."
[[PlaceXerasythHangsOut], Cellar]
Carved into the earth itself, this simple root cellar is but tightly-packed dirt on its walls and floor, while the ceiling is comprised of the floorboards from the room above. The heady scent of soil fills the air, though creeping moisture lends it a slightly moldering tinge. You also see some rough stone stairs leading up and a heavy iron door inscribed with "Xerasyth's Private Laboratory" in deeply gouged letters.
Also here: Necro1 and Necro2.
Obvious exits: none.
The voice of Xersyth is heard from behind the iron door, yelling out inchantations you can't quite understand!
You knock upon a heavy iron door inscribed with "Xerasyth's Private Laboratory" in deeply gouged letters.
You knock upon a heavy iron door inscribed with "Xerasyth's Private Laboratory" in deeply gouged letters.
>
Necro2 just tried to pull a heavy iron door inscribed with "Xerasyth's Private Laboratory" in deeply gouged letters.
You say, "We seek an audience."
>
Necro2 just tried to kick the door!
>
Xerasyth shouts, "Get out of my home, you idiots! You're endangering us all!"
Necro2 gasps in terrified panic, trembling and flailing his arms about!
>
You yell, "We could use a little help here!"
Xerasyth shouts, "Get. Out. And take your tether to demons with you!"
You yell, "Thaaaaaaaaaat's what we're hoping you can help with. That's why I took her here!"
You knock upon a heavy iron door inscribed with "Xerasyth's Private Laboratory" in deeply gouged letters.
The voice of Xerasyth is heard from behind the iron door, yelling out incantations you can't quite understand!
You yell, "Stop guiding from afar! We need your help!"
>
Necro1 yells, "I need your help!"
>
Necro2 yells, "Perhaps we can help you as well!"
>
Necro1 yells, "I want to learn from you, I want to know how you did what you did. I respect you and am begging for your help."
>
Xerasyth shouts, "If you don't want to be consumed body and soul, you'll stop interrupting me and get out of here so the taint doesn't flare again, you dolts!"
>
The voice of Xerasyth is heard from behind the iron door, yelling out incantations you can't quite understand!
You ponder.
You say, "You know, maybe he's..."
Necro1 asks, "Maybe he's?"
Necro1 asks, "Insane?"
You ask, "Doing something important? That requires his concentration?"
You say, "Now that's kind of a dilemma."
You say, "Interupt the surgeon in the middle of a procedure... Or ask to watch over his shoulder..."
You knock upon a heavy iron door inscribed with "Xerasyth's Private Laboratory" in deeply gouged letters.
You knock upon a heavy iron door inscribed with "Xerasyth's Private Laboratory" in deeply gouged letters.
You knock upon a heavy iron door inscribed with "Xerasyth's Private Laboratory" in deeply gouged letters.
Xerasyth shouts, "I'm trying to contain it and you're mucking that all up with your petty desire for my direction attention!"
You yell, "Let us observe."
>
Necro1 says, "Ask to watch over his shoulder."
>
Necro1 yells, "We just want to learn from you, we came...I came to beseech you for your help!"
>
The voice of Xerasyth is heard from behind the iron door, yelling out incantations you can't quite understand!
Necro2 yells, "We'll stay quiet, all we ask is to observe so we can learn."
>
You yell, "Or those idiots are going to do somethign at the stones you won't be able to fix."
>
Necro1 yells, "Let us in please, let us just watch and observe you. ."
>
X
erasyth shouts, "I AM helping, you moron! Get out before you kill us all. I don't have the time or patience for your curiosity at this exact juncture!"
You ponder.
You say, "Ok. We'll come back."
You nod.
>
Necro2 nods to you.
>
You say, "Though, persistence is how we joined this cause to begin with."
You sit down.
>
Necro1 says, "He's the only one that can help me."
>
Necro2 chuckles.
>
Necro1 says, "That can help us learn."
Necro1 nods to you.
You say, "Maybe if we just listen here."
>
The voice of Xerasyth is heard from behind the iron door, yelling out incantations you can't quite understand! A foul stench bellows from beneath the door, and you hear Xerasyth scream in evident pain!"
You say, "Well that's concerning."
>
Necro2 says, "Well he feels pain."
>
Necro2 snaps his fingers.
Necro1 says, "Maybe he's...no he wouldn't change himself again."
You say, "Pain doesn't have to be from physical damage."
>
Necro2 nods to you.
You ask, "Whatever his form, his shell, it might not be what was just... harmed?"
>
Necro1 says, "Maybe not, but he has to know...I'll take the pain."
You ask, "Maybe we should let him work... but... stay at the ready in case we can help?"
>
Necro1 says, "I don't want to just leave him, because if we do and we could have helped, he may not help us."
You say, "Well, the doors only opening at his behest."
You say, "ANd whatever he is doing likely requires his attention..."
Necro1 asks, "So we should just leave him, when we could just stay here and be silent in case he needs...something?"
Necro1 says, "I do not think he wants us at the stones."
You say, "I want answers, but I don't think pounding on that door anymore is going to do much more than disrespect him or worse."
Several loud bangs are heard from beyond the door, as well as Xerasyth's voice shouting in some unknown language!
You say, "I agree. I wonder if you have the taint of demons or such on you now..."
>
Necro1 says, "I don't want to disrespect him when we've come to beseech him."
>act presses his ear to the door
Necro1 says, "I don't know my own spider attacked me."
You say to Necro1, "Visions. Unhinged. Weak space."
You nod to Necro1.
Xerasyth shouts, "Why are you still here? Are you trying to get us all killed? He's latched on to you and you're too stupid to listen!"
Necro1 yells, "Latched onto who?"
You ask, "He?"
>
Necro2 asks, "Who has latched on?"
You peer quizzically at Necro1.
>
Necro2 ponders.
Necro1 yells, "Who is he? And who has he latched onto?"
Necro1 taps her head.
You say, "I told you to be careful with your word choice."
You stand back up.
Necro1 asks you, "Who...he...who is he?"
You say, "I've no idea. And that's also concerning."
>
The voice of Xerasyth is heard from behind the iron door, yelling out incantations you can't quite understand!
>
Xerasyth snarls out, "If letting you be consumed wouldn't just fuel him more, I'd be inclined to do it!" With a shout and several chanted words from Xerasyth, several zombies appear before you!
>
A zombie escorts you from the room.
[Himineldar Shel, Mountain Road]
Sparse patches of brambles dot the steep path which winds its way up the stony mountainside. The rare patch of dirt reveals the prints of some kind of large feline.
Also here: Necro2 and Necro1.
Obvious paths: east, northwest.
You say, "A clear enough message."
>
Necro2 says, "Well then."
Necro1 says to you, "What have I done."
Necro1 slowly empties her lungs.
You say, "I'm tempted to wait it out in his library."
You exclaim, "I told you to be careful with your word choice!"
You say, "But maybe some distance from whatever Xerasyth was working on is neccesary."
You say, "Lets give it a day or so."
You say, "And I would strongly suggest we stay away from the stones for now."
Necro2 says, "Us being consumed would just fuel him more."
You say, "Oh, yes, that's a given."
You say, "Immortals and their Favors, Demons and our souls. We're all made of fire."
Necro1 asks, "Could he be the hunger?"
You blink.
You say, "Wow do I hope not."
You say, "Not that anything latched to you in this case is a good thing, but... Wow do I hope you didn't draw the attention of that."
Necro1 says, "But something has latched onto me."
Necro1 says, "I think so too, if my spider doesn't eat me again."
>
Necro1 asks, "Should we go back to the stones?"
Necro1 says, "Not to touch, just to see if anything is there."
You say, "No."
You say, "Absolutely not."
You say, "At least let things cool off, let Xerasyth rest and opine."
>
Necro1 exclaims, "He was in pain!"
You peer quizzically at Necro1.
You say, "How do I know you're really Necro1..."
Necro1 says, "I wanna know what was putting him in pain."
You frown at Necro1.
Necro1 asks, "Well who else would I be?"
You say, "He."
You glance at Necro2, a male Human.
You glance at Necro1, a female Human.
You say, "Ok, look."
You say, "Lets recap."
You point north.
Necro1 says, "I am me, believe it or not."
You say, "The space is weak. We were hanging out there, and the space was weak."
You say, "And then SOMETHING called to you."
You nod to Necro1.
Necro1 says, "Yes it did."
Necro1 says, "Told me to call on me."
You say, "And we were struck with fear and the space was weak and we saw that."
Necro2 ponders.
You say, "Nothing that calls from weak spaces is something that should be answered."
Necro2 says, "Weak but also a lot of power to draw upon there."
You groan.
Necro1 asks, "But what is under the stones?"
>
Necro1 asks, "What was scratching on them?"
>
Necro1 says, "We don't know."
You say, "Nothing is under the stones. They are holding the space together."
Necro1 asks, "Then what was scrapping on them?"
You say, "Xerasyth didn't need what was beyond the stones."
You say, "And he told us to stay away from it."
You say to Necro1, "And he told YOU to stop meddling with it."
You say, "Lets listen to him."
>
Necro1 says, "Then I will so that he will help me."
You nod to Necro1.
You say, "Oh, yes, I mean, lets force him to teach."
You say, "Or... encourage."
>
Necro1 says, "What I want is more important than the stones, but HE is already on me."
>
Necro1 says, "I don't know who HE is."
You say, "Right, and I wager the closer you are to weak space, the stronger that latch is."
You say, "Don't tempt it, ya."
Necro1 says, "The hunger, Maelshyve, who knows who HE is."
Necro1 says, "You said you would help me."
>
Necro1 says, "You said you agreed with me."
You say, "I agreed that we should leave the stones to seek Xerasyths council."
>
Necro1 says, "But yet..he's locked away doing something."
>
Necro2 says, "He seems to be the one with the most knowledge of the situation."
>
You say, "Xerasyth made it sound like he was fixing something that was broken because we were at the stones."
Necro1's body suddenly goes rigid, and her head snaps back then forward again! You notice several slit pupils in her widened eyes for the space of the breath, but they disappear just as fast as they came. With a violent retch, Necro1 vomits oily grey-green smoke, then falls to the ground, twitching slightly.
[They Saw: "A loud chanting fills your ears with strange syllables that you can't quite decipher, yet the voice strikes you as familiar. With one final shout, you feel something loosen within you, and an oily sensation retracts just as you lose consciousness."]
>
Necro2 says, "Your eagerness could be met with dire consequences."
>
You say, "Oh, fantastic."
You wince.
You say, "All that smoke we saw."
>
Necro1 falls unconscious!
>
You say, "Filling our lungs."
>
Necro1's eyes slowly open.
You say, "I don't think it was just latched onto her."
You raise an eyebrow in Necro2's direction.
>
Necro2 shakes his head.
>
Necro1 stands up.
>
Necro2 raises his hand.
>
Necro1 says, "Well."
Necro2 says, "So if I say I'm still me."
>
You ask, "Dare I ask what you just felt?"
>
Necro2 says, "Don't believe it."
>
Necro2 chuckles.
You laugh!
Necro1 coughs.
>
Necro2 asks, "Xerasyth helping you from a distance then?"
>
Necro1 says, "Seems like it yes."
>
Necro2 says, "Perhaps he purged you."
Necro1 says, "Maybe that's what he was doing, maybe now he'll talk to us."
>
You say, "Probably shouldn't ask either of you for a smoke..."
You sit down.
>
You grumble.
You ask, "You heard him just now? Xerasyth?"
>
Necro1 says, "In my head yes."
You ponder.
>
You ask, "Well, it's your call. Do we go back and thank him, ask for an explanation, or do we leave him to rest a bit?"
You exclaim, "We all inhaled that oiliness. I told you to be careful with your words!"
>
Necro2 says, "But why is he interfering with our own interactions with the demonic."
Necro1 says, "I want to thank him and beseech him for his help, and apologize for causing he to awake."
>
Necro2 asks, "Does he claim to know what's best for us?"
>
Necro2 says, "I'd like to know his mind on this."
You say, "Xerasyth is old. And powerful. Frankly, I think just by virtue of having made it this far that he knows what is best."
You say, "If he's keeping us from some sort of power, I'd like to figure that out based on more than a hunch."
>
Necro2 nods to you.
>
Necro1 says to Necro2, "And I need his help, I think he knows what is what when it comes to those stones."
You nod.
You stand back up.
You say, "Lets make another pass at the [PlaceXerasythHangsOut]. Politely, perhaps, to offer our thanks for getting that gunk from her lungs."
>
Necro1 nods to you.
>
Necro2 says, "I'm fine with knocking on the door again, worst that can happen is he has a zombie chop me up piece by piece."
>
Necro2 shrugs.
You snicker.
You say, "How we disregard our little miracles."
##############
We returned the [PlaceXerasythHangsOut], and affixed to the door of the lab was this note -
"If you've returned, then the ritual worked. Stop being so stupid. The Islander will always find a way to exploit that. You're lucky it was only him this time. I'll return once I've addressed the rest of the mess you started, and we may speak then. -- X"
--
While at the standing stones, we got these visions -
Ropes of greasy grey-green sludge cloud your vision, seeming to stretch from Necro1's mouth to the chests of everyone else, even yourself!
With Necro1's movement, the grotesque ropes shift and squelch. Suddenly, some snap out and retreat altogether, repeating one by one until you see them no more!
You fall to the ground, curling up as you cover your head fearfully. You cower against the ground, shivering with fear!
[Roundtime: 3 seconds.]
You continue to huddle against the ground, shivering slightly with fear.
[Roundtime: 3 seconds.]
The last of the fear melts from your limbs, leaving you free to move again.
Fine cracks in your vision form. Grey-green mists seeping through the furrows with an almost oily slink to their movements.
The oily mists grow thicker, clawing their way inside your mouth and nose to slither into your body!
The stench of fetid sea water fills the air, lingering with a heaviness that leaves and oily film on your skin.
---
So we decided to flee to Xerasyth for help.
######################
>go door
[Xerasyth's Office]
With a rough-hewn stone hearth and unadorned wooden walls, this office seems more functional than homey. The simple cherrywood desk is bare save for a mug of tea, and the low side table next to it holds only a single book. Darkness seems to seep into the room from the large picture window behind the desk, vying with the flickering light from bronze lanterns hanging above it. You also see a set of double doors and a wood bin.
Obvious exits: none.
You blink.
Necro1 asks, "Where is he?"
You say, "Wait..."
[Xerasyth's Office]
With a rough-hewn stone hearth and unadorned wooden walls, this office seems more functional than homey. The simple cherrywood desk is bare save for a mug of tea, and the low side table next to it holds only a single book. Darkness seems to seep into the room from the large picture window behind the desk, vying with the flickering light from bronze lanterns hanging above it. You also see a set of double doors and a wood bin.
Obvious exits: none.
Necro2 and Necro1 followed.
>
Necro2 laughs!
Necro1 asks, "He's not here?"
>
Necro1 blinks.
>
Necro2 shakes his head.
You say, "He left his tea."
[[PlaceXerasythHangsOut], Upstairs Hall]
Goldenrod and ochre tones saturate the carpet lining this narrow space, and a subtle scent of aged parchment fills the air. You also see a set of double doors and some stairs.
Obvious exits: west.
Necro2 and Necro1 followed.
>
Necro1 says, "He never leaves."
[[PlaceXerasythHangsOut], Cellar]
Carved into the earth itself, this simple root cellar is but tightly-packed dirt on its walls and floor, while the ceiling is comprised of the floorboards from the room above. The heady scent of soil fills the air, though creeping moisture lends it a slightly moldering tinge. You also see some rough stone stairs leading up and a heavy iron door inscribed with "Xerasyth's Private Laboratory" in deeply gouged letters.
Obvious exits: none.
Necro2 and Necro1 followed.
You feel fully rested.
Bonk! You smash your nose.
You grumble.
Necro1 continues to huddle against the ground, shivering slightly.
You ask, "What?"
>
Necro1 stop shivering.
>
Necro1 stands up.
>
Necro1 says, "Something."
You arch your eyebrow.
>
Necro1 says, "My spider just attacked me and threw me to the ground."
[Necro1 saw: "Your spider suddenly twists its body, lunging and contorting until it forms into the decaying form of some sort of miniature clawed beast! The misshapen creature crawls along your shoulder, up your neck and into your mouth, and you feel yourself overtaken with sublime corruption coupled with mortal terror!"]
You say, "We were in a weak space. It tampers."
[[PlaceXerasythHangsOut], Cellar]
Carved into the earth itself, this simple root cellar is but tightly-packed dirt on its walls and floor, while the ceiling is comprised of the floorboards from the room above. The heady scent of soil fills the air, though creeping moisture lends it a slightly moldering tinge. You also see some rough stone stairs leading up and a heavy iron door inscribed with "Xerasyth's Private Laboratory" in deeply gouged letters.
Also here: Necro1 and Necro2.
Obvious exits: none.
The voice of Xersyth is heard from behind the iron door, yelling out inchantations you can't quite understand!
You knock upon a heavy iron door inscribed with "Xerasyth's Private Laboratory" in deeply gouged letters.
You knock upon a heavy iron door inscribed with "Xerasyth's Private Laboratory" in deeply gouged letters.
>
Necro2 just tried to pull a heavy iron door inscribed with "Xerasyth's Private Laboratory" in deeply gouged letters.
You say, "We seek an audience."
>
Necro2 just tried to kick the door!
>
Xerasyth shouts, "Get out of my home, you idiots! You're endangering us all!"
Necro2 gasps in terrified panic, trembling and flailing his arms about!
>
You yell, "We could use a little help here!"
Xerasyth shouts, "Get. Out. And take your tether to demons with you!"
You yell, "Thaaaaaaaaaat's what we're hoping you can help with. That's why I took her here!"
You knock upon a heavy iron door inscribed with "Xerasyth's Private Laboratory" in deeply gouged letters.
The voice of Xerasyth is heard from behind the iron door, yelling out incantations you can't quite understand!
You yell, "Stop guiding from afar! We need your help!"
>
Necro1 yells, "I need your help!"
>
Necro2 yells, "Perhaps we can help you as well!"
>
Necro1 yells, "I want to learn from you, I want to know how you did what you did. I respect you and am begging for your help."
>
Xerasyth shouts, "If you don't want to be consumed body and soul, you'll stop interrupting me and get out of here so the taint doesn't flare again, you dolts!"
>
The voice of Xerasyth is heard from behind the iron door, yelling out incantations you can't quite understand!
You ponder.
You say, "You know, maybe he's..."
Necro1 asks, "Maybe he's?"
Necro1 asks, "Insane?"
You ask, "Doing something important? That requires his concentration?"
You say, "Now that's kind of a dilemma."
You say, "Interupt the surgeon in the middle of a procedure... Or ask to watch over his shoulder..."
You knock upon a heavy iron door inscribed with "Xerasyth's Private Laboratory" in deeply gouged letters.
You knock upon a heavy iron door inscribed with "Xerasyth's Private Laboratory" in deeply gouged letters.
You knock upon a heavy iron door inscribed with "Xerasyth's Private Laboratory" in deeply gouged letters.
Xerasyth shouts, "I'm trying to contain it and you're mucking that all up with your petty desire for my direction attention!"
You yell, "Let us observe."
>
Necro1 says, "Ask to watch over his shoulder."
>
Necro1 yells, "We just want to learn from you, we came...I came to beseech you for your help!"
>
The voice of Xerasyth is heard from behind the iron door, yelling out incantations you can't quite understand!
Necro2 yells, "We'll stay quiet, all we ask is to observe so we can learn."
>
You yell, "Or those idiots are going to do somethign at the stones you won't be able to fix."
>
Necro1 yells, "Let us in please, let us just watch and observe you. ."
>
X
erasyth shouts, "I AM helping, you moron! Get out before you kill us all. I don't have the time or patience for your curiosity at this exact juncture!"
You ponder.
You say, "Ok. We'll come back."
You nod.
>
Necro2 nods to you.
>
You say, "Though, persistence is how we joined this cause to begin with."
You sit down.
>
Necro1 says, "He's the only one that can help me."
>
Necro2 chuckles.
>
Necro1 says, "That can help us learn."
Necro1 nods to you.
You say, "Maybe if we just listen here."
>
The voice of Xerasyth is heard from behind the iron door, yelling out incantations you can't quite understand! A foul stench bellows from beneath the door, and you hear Xerasyth scream in evident pain!"
You say, "Well that's concerning."
>
Necro2 says, "Well he feels pain."
>
Necro2 snaps his fingers.
Necro1 says, "Maybe he's...no he wouldn't change himself again."
You say, "Pain doesn't have to be from physical damage."
>
Necro2 nods to you.
You ask, "Whatever his form, his shell, it might not be what was just... harmed?"
>
Necro1 says, "Maybe not, but he has to know...I'll take the pain."
You ask, "Maybe we should let him work... but... stay at the ready in case we can help?"
>
Necro1 says, "I don't want to just leave him, because if we do and we could have helped, he may not help us."
You say, "Well, the doors only opening at his behest."
You say, "ANd whatever he is doing likely requires his attention..."
Necro1 asks, "So we should just leave him, when we could just stay here and be silent in case he needs...something?"
Necro1 says, "I do not think he wants us at the stones."
You say, "I want answers, but I don't think pounding on that door anymore is going to do much more than disrespect him or worse."
Several loud bangs are heard from beyond the door, as well as Xerasyth's voice shouting in some unknown language!
You say, "I agree. I wonder if you have the taint of demons or such on you now..."
>
Necro1 says, "I don't want to disrespect him when we've come to beseech him."
>act presses his ear to the door
Necro1 says, "I don't know my own spider attacked me."
You say to Necro1, "Visions. Unhinged. Weak space."
You nod to Necro1.
Xerasyth shouts, "Why are you still here? Are you trying to get us all killed? He's latched on to you and you're too stupid to listen!"
Necro1 yells, "Latched onto who?"
You ask, "He?"
>
Necro2 asks, "Who has latched on?"
You peer quizzically at Necro1.
>
Necro2 ponders.
Necro1 yells, "Who is he? And who has he latched onto?"
Necro1 taps her head.
You say, "I told you to be careful with your word choice."
You stand back up.
Necro1 asks you, "Who...he...who is he?"
You say, "I've no idea. And that's also concerning."
>
The voice of Xerasyth is heard from behind the iron door, yelling out incantations you can't quite understand!
>
Xerasyth snarls out, "If letting you be consumed wouldn't just fuel him more, I'd be inclined to do it!" With a shout and several chanted words from Xerasyth, several zombies appear before you!
>
A zombie escorts you from the room.
[Himineldar Shel, Mountain Road]
Sparse patches of brambles dot the steep path which winds its way up the stony mountainside. The rare patch of dirt reveals the prints of some kind of large feline.
Also here: Necro2 and Necro1.
Obvious paths: east, northwest.
You say, "A clear enough message."
>
Necro2 says, "Well then."
Necro1 says to you, "What have I done."
Necro1 slowly empties her lungs.
You say, "I'm tempted to wait it out in his library."
You exclaim, "I told you to be careful with your word choice!"
You say, "But maybe some distance from whatever Xerasyth was working on is neccesary."
You say, "Lets give it a day or so."
You say, "And I would strongly suggest we stay away from the stones for now."
Necro2 says, "Us being consumed would just fuel him more."
You say, "Oh, yes, that's a given."
You say, "Immortals and their Favors, Demons and our souls. We're all made of fire."
Necro1 asks, "Could he be the hunger?"
You blink.
You say, "Wow do I hope not."
You say, "Not that anything latched to you in this case is a good thing, but... Wow do I hope you didn't draw the attention of that."
Necro1 says, "But something has latched onto me."
Necro1 says, "I think so too, if my spider doesn't eat me again."
>
Necro1 asks, "Should we go back to the stones?"
Necro1 says, "Not to touch, just to see if anything is there."
You say, "No."
You say, "Absolutely not."
You say, "At least let things cool off, let Xerasyth rest and opine."
>
Necro1 exclaims, "He was in pain!"
You peer quizzically at Necro1.
You say, "How do I know you're really Necro1..."
Necro1 says, "I wanna know what was putting him in pain."
You frown at Necro1.
Necro1 asks, "Well who else would I be?"
You say, "He."
You glance at Necro2, a male Human.
You glance at Necro1, a female Human.
You say, "Ok, look."
You say, "Lets recap."
You point north.
Necro1 says, "I am me, believe it or not."
You say, "The space is weak. We were hanging out there, and the space was weak."
You say, "And then SOMETHING called to you."
You nod to Necro1.
Necro1 says, "Yes it did."
Necro1 says, "Told me to call on me."
You say, "And we were struck with fear and the space was weak and we saw that."
Necro2 ponders.
You say, "Nothing that calls from weak spaces is something that should be answered."
Necro2 says, "Weak but also a lot of power to draw upon there."
You groan.
Necro1 asks, "But what is under the stones?"
>
Necro1 asks, "What was scratching on them?"
>
Necro1 says, "We don't know."
You say, "Nothing is under the stones. They are holding the space together."
Necro1 asks, "Then what was scrapping on them?"
You say, "Xerasyth didn't need what was beyond the stones."
You say, "And he told us to stay away from it."
You say to Necro1, "And he told YOU to stop meddling with it."
You say, "Lets listen to him."
>
Necro1 says, "Then I will so that he will help me."
You nod to Necro1.
You say, "Oh, yes, I mean, lets force him to teach."
You say, "Or... encourage."
>
Necro1 says, "What I want is more important than the stones, but HE is already on me."
>
Necro1 says, "I don't know who HE is."
You say, "Right, and I wager the closer you are to weak space, the stronger that latch is."
You say, "Don't tempt it, ya."
Necro1 says, "The hunger, Maelshyve, who knows who HE is."
Necro1 says, "You said you would help me."
>
Necro1 says, "You said you agreed with me."
You say, "I agreed that we should leave the stones to seek Xerasyths council."
>
Necro1 says, "But yet..he's locked away doing something."
>
Necro2 says, "He seems to be the one with the most knowledge of the situation."
>
You say, "Xerasyth made it sound like he was fixing something that was broken because we were at the stones."
Necro1's body suddenly goes rigid, and her head snaps back then forward again! You notice several slit pupils in her widened eyes for the space of the breath, but they disappear just as fast as they came. With a violent retch, Necro1 vomits oily grey-green smoke, then falls to the ground, twitching slightly.
[They Saw: "A loud chanting fills your ears with strange syllables that you can't quite decipher, yet the voice strikes you as familiar. With one final shout, you feel something loosen within you, and an oily sensation retracts just as you lose consciousness."]
>
Necro2 says, "Your eagerness could be met with dire consequences."
>
You say, "Oh, fantastic."
You wince.
You say, "All that smoke we saw."
>
Necro1 falls unconscious!
>
You say, "Filling our lungs."
>
Necro1's eyes slowly open.
You say, "I don't think it was just latched onto her."
You raise an eyebrow in Necro2's direction.
>
Necro2 shakes his head.
>
Necro1 stands up.
>
Necro2 raises his hand.
>
Necro1 says, "Well."
Necro2 says, "So if I say I'm still me."
>
You ask, "Dare I ask what you just felt?"
>
Necro2 says, "Don't believe it."
>
Necro2 chuckles.
You laugh!
Necro1 coughs.
>
Necro2 asks, "Xerasyth helping you from a distance then?"
>
Necro1 says, "Seems like it yes."
>
Necro2 says, "Perhaps he purged you."
Necro1 says, "Maybe that's what he was doing, maybe now he'll talk to us."
>
You say, "Probably shouldn't ask either of you for a smoke..."
You sit down.
>
You grumble.
You ask, "You heard him just now? Xerasyth?"
>
Necro1 says, "In my head yes."
You ponder.
>
You ask, "Well, it's your call. Do we go back and thank him, ask for an explanation, or do we leave him to rest a bit?"
You exclaim, "We all inhaled that oiliness. I told you to be careful with your words!"
>
Necro2 says, "But why is he interfering with our own interactions with the demonic."
Necro1 says, "I want to thank him and beseech him for his help, and apologize for causing he to awake."
>
Necro2 asks, "Does he claim to know what's best for us?"
>
Necro2 says, "I'd like to know his mind on this."
You say, "Xerasyth is old. And powerful. Frankly, I think just by virtue of having made it this far that he knows what is best."
You say, "If he's keeping us from some sort of power, I'd like to figure that out based on more than a hunch."
>
Necro2 nods to you.
>
Necro1 says to Necro2, "And I need his help, I think he knows what is what when it comes to those stones."
You nod.
You stand back up.
You say, "Lets make another pass at the [PlaceXerasythHangsOut]. Politely, perhaps, to offer our thanks for getting that gunk from her lungs."
>
Necro1 nods to you.
>
Necro2 says, "I'm fine with knocking on the door again, worst that can happen is he has a zombie chop me up piece by piece."
>
Necro2 shrugs.
You snicker.
You say, "How we disregard our little miracles."
##############
We returned the [PlaceXerasythHangsOut], and affixed to the door of the lab was this note -
"If you've returned, then the ritual worked. Stop being so stupid. The Islander will always find a way to exploit that. You're lucky it was only him this time. I'll return once I've addressed the rest of the mess you started, and we may speak then. -- X"
