Healing around the Temples
Log Info
- Title: Healing around the Temples
- Emitter: Serene
- Characters: Serene, Merek, Seldan, Kira, Cryosanthia, Zeke, Elleandra, Toha, Malik, Konstance
- Place: A10: Temple of Eluna, Temple District, Temple of Daeus
- Time: Sunday, April 26, 2020, 11:23 AM
- Summary: Healing efforts and discussion around the Temple District. The scene starts in the Temple of Eluna, with Merek receiving visitors. Cryo is a potential scrying source, and Merek is uncomfortable with her around. She and several leave to the Temple District while Kira stays behind to tend the broken Seer. In the district, Cryo proposes walking around the ruined area, when several others who are plague stricken arrive. Seldan has forgotten his mother was kidnapped by Salina, and Zeke arrives, and starts speaking to determine why. The scene moves to Cryo's room in the Temple of Daeus where Serene heals Elleandra, then Toha, with some assistance from Konstance. The scene cuts back to the concurrent events outside, where Malik arrives and he explains along with Zeke to Seldan that he traded the pain related to his mother to the Queen of Air and Darkness. Seldan leaves to think and meet with Faranmidah. Malik and Zeke discuss the apple which will return memories, whether Mikilos or Cryosanthia should use it, what the consequences might be, and even if the sith would survive the experience.
-=-=-=-=-= Appearing, in the Temple of Eluna -=-=-=-= Serene Female Silverguard Merek 5'10" 215 Lb Human Male A black-haired, dusky male with golden eyes. Seldan 5'11" 187 Lb Human Male Ginger-blonde human in armor wearing Eluna's symbol. Kira 5'0" 120 Lb Human Female A young blonde woman wearing simple robes and an eye patch. Cryosanthia 6'9" 267 Lb Sith-Makar Female A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman. -=-=-=-=-= Appearing, in the Temple District -=-=-=-= Zeke 6'8" 239 Lb Sith-Makar Male A blue-scaled sith-makar in white Daeus vestments Elleandra 5'4" 108 Lb Wild Elf Female Blue-haired, green-eyes, Sylvanori Toha War Golem Female Malik 6'2" 195 Lb Human Male A sandy-haired tsuran with blue eyes. -=-=-=-=-= Appearing, in the Temple of Daeus -=-=-=-= Konstance 6'2" 240 Lb Human Male A human with blonde hair and blue eyes -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
Merek
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* A10: Temple of Eluna *>=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
Eluna's temple stands near her brother's, and trees of the grove often wander their vines that way, only to be chased away by the priests--much as two children might battle in the back of a cart. Eluna's temple is composed of solemn, alabaster pillars and marble, as ancient as Her brother's though more austerely kept. Each pillar represents a phase of the moon, over which She has dominion. Their surface is scribed with the words of ancient dreams, those first recorded in the known world, when mankind was first awakening to their significance.
In the center of the temple lies a grand pool. Serene in its surface, it reflects the open sky overhead, though the temple is covered by an arched ceiling. At all times within the surface may the stars be seen. Surrounding this pool are a number of tasseled rugs, on which petitioners sit and meditate, or seek counsel for interpretation of their dreams.
Warriors of Daeus are often found here, providing guards where the wards of Eluna prefer introspection and contemplation. These fighters bear dual symbols, signifying the tie between divine father and divine daughter. They and the priests here speak in quiet voices, reminiscent of Eluna's place as the Dreaming Goddess.
To the north of the temple is a modest library, its function primarily in the way of records--recording of dreams, of meditation, of theories of the proper use of magic--teachings directly opposed by the Shadow Goddess, Taara. It is this last shift that has seen an increase in the number of guards among the temple, and the increased adoption of the Star of Tears among the belts of Seers.
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Healer's Ward
He is well?" Kira perks at mention of Malik, and seems relieved. "I was worried... he is the one who found the cause, and allowed the demon to leave without any further destruction. We all owe him, and the others who helped keep it at bay until then."
She may intend to say more, when she follows Seldan's glance and notes Merek with his apology. Her smile grows. "Oh! Good morning to you. How are you healing?" She takes a moment to pull on her outer robes. Since she's standing, and rested, and Merek is a specific reminder of those wounded in all of this... time to go back to work.
"Dirty, nothing more, and that quickly remedied." Seldan offers Kira another warm smile for that, although it fades almost immediately, and he turns to Merek, much more soberly. "It is my sincere hope that your grief and pain caused you to speak words not meant." No, the paladin is not letting Merek off the hook for what was said. "And that you may find healing here."
Merek nods a bit to Seldan, while he seems to think about it, perhaps trying to remember in full. It is difficult to tell with him, he then looks to Kira, "Ah, I am doing alright. You?" he asks, blinking a little in thought, "Do you know if they have milk to deliver?" he asks, motioning a bit to the place the healers are, "I am making potatoes to eat."
Kira nods, rather content, at the moment, as all seems quite well. As much as the current situation allows, at least. "I am well," she assures Merek, "though I don't know if there is fresh milk. I'm sure all will welcome the meal, and thank you for preparing it. If there's anything I can do to help, please ask."
A couple of sith-makar enter the healer's ward, and are directed towards the group. Cryosanthia is accompanied by the biggest Sunblade she could find. It's not Svarshan, but he'll do, and he proceeds the white-scale over to the group. The sunblade is tense, ready for combat. She looks at the group for a moment, he watches her, then she gives him a nod. His combat readiness vanishes, he turns on his tail and strides out strong steps.
Cryosanthia makes a small curtsey. She looks amazing! Her scales are gleaning, she's got an energy that has been long absent, a youthful sort that makes her seem decades younger and powerfully vibrant. Her eyes have cleared up, are a sparkling sapphire blue again. Anyone who had seen her only a few days ago would find it incredible and encouraging. "Peace on your Nests. I was told I could find you here."
When Cryosanthia enters, followed by the Sunblade, Seldan straightens up as well, tenses immediately, and assumes a similar combat-ready stance to the Sunblade, eyes entirely on the white sith-makar. When the Sunblade relaxes, he does as well, and nods to the man before he leaves. "Cryosanthia, you look far, far better. It is good to see you healed." His eyes lower. "I would ask your forgiveness for the slip." Whatever is he talking about?
Merek looks a bit tense as well, those his is a lot compared with Seldan. He watches that Sunblade, while he begins to lean back away a bit. It takes a few after he moves from the medical ward before the man begins to relax a little, then he looks to Cryosanthia, and watches the woman. Then he looks to Kira, "I think everyone likes potatoes!"
Kira turns as Cryosanthia enters, and her face lights up further at noticing the change in the sith. She seems to miss, or ignore? the undercurrent of tension, which seems just as well, since it evaporates fairly quickly. "You look wonderful!" It isn't the proper greeting, per se, but she doesn't need to ask how she is, and her nest must be very peaceful! She nods to Merek in agreement of potatoes. Her stomach also makes a small noise of assent, which she reflexively puts a hand on to quiet as she turns back to Cryosanthia. "It is good to see you."
"No Seldan, No. It's not your fault, entirely! It was deeply entrenched. You know what you went through to be cured?" It's impossible to forget, the sith-makar's healing method, what it takes to endure. She's shaking her head, "I was treated for four days, blinded for most of them and in agony. It wasn't your spell, it had a strong hold."
It's noticeably cooler with her around, the air temperature has dropped a bit. She glances after the departed Sunblade then looks at the Silverguard once more, "This one must apologize for... " Cryo ducks her snout a little and wipes at her mouth, "... biting you. It... was quite uncivilized of me. I'm sorry. Your shoulder is healing well?"
"Ah, Hello Merek." She says carefully, "Yes, that's true. Thanks Kira! I had a wonderful time with Tanithariairisixchel!"
Seldans eyes close, and remain lowered, but only briefly. "I am well, and all is healed. No permanent harm was done, though I would offer a warning, to those who again face the plague - those with open wounds should not attempt to do so. Even dead, getting in in an open wound was," he pauses, "unpleasant, and does a living one get in..." He lets that trail off. "I know not what will happen, but it will not be good."
His shoulders relax as he speaks, though, and the chill in the air seems to trouble him not at all. "The method used on me was different, though I invite none to withstand the holy fires of the Draco Solis." He lets that hang there, and quickly changes the subject. "Potatoes would be welcome indeed, thank you, Seer. I also wish you peace upon your nest, Cryosanthia, but ... I would ask of you a thing. It will not be easy, but you may be our only answer."
Merek looks like the magic that's about Cryosanthia is putting him to be a bit on edge. He does watch the woman, and nods a bit, "Hey," he answers to the greeting, then he smiles to Seldan and Kira, "I will probably look to see if they have any milk to deliver." He then takes a moment to work on the potato.
GAME: Merek rolls profession/cook: (3)+8: 11
Kira's smile dims as Cryo shares details of her ordeal, but it's quick to return. That treatment is past, the sith looks very healthy and happy. Kira isn't going to dredge or delve into what's done as it's done.
When Seldan addresses the sith with a request, Kira turns her full attention to Merek, stepping to his table and preparations of potatoes. "What are you making?"
"Of course Seldan, I would assist, I've thrown so much in already." Cryosanthia says, looking at the Silverguard. Her tail sways cautiously behind her, though she still seems bright and energetic. Then she holds up a finger in a cautionary way, "Malik may have passed this along. She was scrying through me yesteday at the fountain. I can't sense when this is happening. I don't know what precautions there are, if I should sit in a dark room until it's all over, but we should check before saying important things around me?"
The sith glances over at Kira and Merek, then back to seldan, glasping her hands in front of her. She's wearing her gloves, which have her own arcane mark, ironically a Dragon-Eye, created with the letters of her name. The left glove cover Salina's, to an unknown effect.
Seldan inclines his head. "Malik has not mentioned such to me, but it is a good precaution." Swiftly he raises a hand and traces a simple sigil in the air before his eyes, then speaks a word. A golden-silver film seems to shield part of his face, rather like a lens, and he peers at Cryosanthia intently for the space of nearly half a minute, lips moving silently. Kira and Merek seem to be entirely forgotten.
GAME: Seldan attempts to cast Detect Magic but fails due to ASF. GAME: Seldan casts Detect Magic. Caster Level: 13 DC: 16
Merek looks at all the magic as well as confusing conversation, and begins standing up, while he nods to Kira, "This is a bit much for me, when I was brought here I was told it'd be great for healing, this is..." The man looks more and more on edge when spells begin to be cast.
Kira's smile turns concerned as Merek becomes more agitated. "What's wrong?" She glances back to Seldan and Cryo briefly, but promptly returns her eye to Merek. "This is a safe place. Would you be more comfortable somewhere else?"
"What did you see?" Cryosanthia watches Seldan cast, then looks over at Merek, "Maybe we should stop, or leave. Spells are upsetting him." It will prolongue his recovery if his mind has to be healed before the plague can be driven out. "Best not to upset him."
The whitescale turns, making a short bow to Kira, "I must apologize for abandoning you yesterday. I thought Tanith might be tricky to manage and dangerous if she got upset. She seemed rather child-like and I knew she was powerful, and those are bad combinations. We should go, so Merek can rest, I remember a lot of visitors was draining when I was ill."
She nods to the Seer, "Peace on your nest, Merek, good luck with the potato... milk. Potato-milk, yes."
After some time, Seldan dismisses the lens with a gesture and shakes his head at Cryosanthia. "I cannot tell, but that is so. Let us step away, there is one that I would have you meet." Somehow, the taut distress, the tension that he had carried since they'd walked into the Soldier's Defense is gone, and he, too, seems even-keeled and focused, more the Seldan of old. "One of my fellow Silver Guard may be able to aid in curing the plague." He turns to leave, inclining his head to Kira and Merek on the way out as he opens the door for Cryosanthia. "Good luck, and Her light fall upon your path."
"I apologize," Merek then offers to the two, while he nods a bit, "I just... Am avoiding magic and talk about things, and battle-ready priests," the man mentions, probably about Sunblade. A nod while he finds a place to settle in, then he looks to Seldan along to Cryosanthia. "It's nice to see you both. You are doing well? And be well," he then adds, with a nod. With that he looks to Kira, "You?" he asks. "Oh, nice to see ya, I'm Merek!"
Kira pivots back to Cryo and Seldan as the excuse themselves. "No apologies needed, Cryosanthia," she assures. "I didn't want the dragon to go hungry or harm to come to either of you." She offers a curtsety to the bow. "May the Healer's Grace be upon you both."
"It's Ok Merek, it's ok, nothing to apologize for. You need to rest. Things have been very stressful around me and I'm sorry for bringing it to you. Stay here, where things are calm. Kira is amazing, she's gone through a lot, helped me, Malik, Darius. She will do everything you need. This one is sorry she can't linger, there is something Seldan wishes to tell me." Cryosanthia explains. Her voice drops and sounds a little sad near the end. There certainly are things Seldan should have told her, but hasn't yet, and her knowing might not help.
She gives herself a small shake and a restored smile to Kira, a big grin, "She was amazing! I had so much fun with her. I went to see her Home! I'll tell you about it soon, I must catch up with Seldan. Thanks for watching over my friend. I'm not much of a healer." She's good with towels, that's about it.
The white-scale sith makes another curtsey to both, then slips out with a bouncy step.
Kira turns back, listening with a light nod as Merek explains. She then begins to respond to his asking of her well-being, but pauses a beat at the unexpected shift to introductions. "I am well, and it's nice to see you, too, Merek. My name is Kira." She isn't sure if they were never formally introduced, or if there is a moment of ...confusion. Either way, propriety won't hurt anything.
Temple District
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* A10: Temple District *>=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
The air of solemn, heavy divinity in the area is often broken by laughter. The dual presence of the deities Althea and Daeus, man and wife, stand towards the center, with their children and their children's temples positioned around them. The presence of the divine is felt not only by their temples, but also by the actions of their worshipers. The great plaza is as a social center, paved in brilliant, white flagstones and covered in benches and sitting areas. Priests, acolytes, and servicefolk of all stripes roam the plaza, going from one task to the other.
At the front of the temples of Daeus and Althea, at the Plaza's centermost point, rests a great fountain, the cheerful waters reflecting the Sun during the day, and the Moon and Stars at night. The fountain is strategically centered, and is oft a place for wisdom and lesson-giving. It is not uncommon for a priest of some stripe or the other to stand there, surrounded by the curious and faithful, delivering messages of hope or contemplation. At other times, it and the plaza become a landscape of celebration of the holy holidays.
Few vendors are seen in the plaza--the nearby temples provide most food or services. Towards the west, the great Bridge stretches across the river, and towards the east, the Redridge mountains. The plaza rests in the midst of it all, the temples massive and grand on the Alexandrian scale.
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Cryosanthia comes out of the Temple of Eluna and approaches the two Silverguards. She looks bouncy, a lot of happy energy in her step. She gives a quick nod to Serene, "Hello," then smiles at Seldan, "I had an idea, we could walk while we talk. I've been inside in bed for days. I really need to get back into my workout routine as well. Actually that reminds me, I had an idea to see if I could remember things about the Tower that I wanted to try. Oh yes, this one is Cryosanthia, be... careful with secrets around me, others listen."
Serene stops up short on her way to Eluna's temple upon seeing Seldan and the sith'makar. She looks from them to the temple, purses her lips, then shrugs and steps aside to fall into step with the pair. "Cryosanthia.. Her light illume you. Silver Guard." Serene tilts her head to both. "My preparations are complete, Seldan, and I am available to assist when you need."
"Very good." Seldan's expression is relaxed and even good-humored this morning. "Serene, and may She illume you as well. Thanks be to her people, she is no longer in need, but there are far, far too many who are. Dozens were infected when the cistern was unleashed upon the District ... and there are those in the Soldier's Defense as well." He frowns, his brow furrowing, suddenly looking puzzled at something. "I should see to my mother as well."
Zeke comes on Cryosanthia's heels, looking freshly dressed, and freshly rested for a change of pace. He nods to everyone, but his head tilts at Seldan's words. Looking more that merely confused. In fact he looks intensely worried. And... uncomfortable? Sith makar are hard to read, but his tail flick-flicks behind him. "Ssseldan. Are you well?"
Smoke comes from the hand rolled cigarette which Konstance was smoking as he walks out of the temple of eluna. He been busy, healing the injured and was taking a break, looking about the temple district. He nods to Seldan and walks over to the paladin and nods. He looks to Zeke. "More and more dragonfolk comes to Alexandria. Before too long we will be the capital for walking lizards." He says playfully.
Elleandra has built up this tendency as of late to show up just when she is mentioned. Either specifically, or in this case, generally, as one in need. She's not alone, as her condition appears to have taken a turn for the worse today, and a fair amount of her weight is shouldered by a black-haired half-sil that accompanies her. As for the druid herself, she is quiet, her hood pushed back, but her face down, focused simply on moving forward. She looks up at the touch of a gentle wind and manages a smile at the sight of so many of her friends here. "Peace on your nests, and may you have many blessings this day," she says, when at last she is close enough to do so without shouting.
"Are we going to walk? I'd like to walk." The white-scale sith seems determined to work off some energy. The way she is bouncing is place is, well, rather like her old self, not her new-old self. She's got a gleam in her eyes, and her scales and all the bruising from a few days ago is gone. It also seems the air is a little cooler around her.
However, Seldan's comments bring a small rain-cloud, metaphorically. The sith tilts her head, looking slowly at the Silverguard, "At the Soldier's Defense. Yes. Seldan, you were along with Mikilos when he went to see the Queen of Air and Darkness. Did you... participate?" Her question seems to have some weight, enough to stop her springy ankles.
"Elly! Ah, you look terrible. Perhaps this is more urgent, Seldan?" Cryo waves briefly at Konstance, gestures for her cihuaa to come closer, clearly happy to see him from her body language.
Toha carries along at her unhurried pace through the crowd, come to see what's about in the wake of the previous evening's conversation. There's a colorful group ahead, and the figure's attention is drawn to it in curiosity from her relative beeline to the temple of Eluna. She spies several individuals from the sewer mission, as well as Zeke and Seldan, and her course changes to approach the knot of people, instead a hand lifting as soon as she determine's she's caught someone's eye.
"I will be sure to remain near the temples as much as possible, then, if you would let them know I can aid," Serene responds to Seldan. She quiets when he mentions his mother, her head cocking slightly in curiosity, but she doesn't press it. Cryosanthia's bounce gives her cause to offer another comment. "Your friend here certainly does seem cured," she admits. Then she slows as others arrive, seeking her two walking companions, and looks them over.. frowning a little. Crysanthia's revelation of Elleandra's condition deepens the frowns, and so she asks, "Are some of these... in need?"
"Did I participate? Yes, I had wanted to speak to you on that, but it may not be a topic...." Seldan trails off, looking around at the sudden traffic in the square, and sighs as his eyes land on Elleandra. "It is as I said, Serene. They are. There are far too many. The Sunguard here knows as well as any. Peace be upon your nest, Zeke, I am quite well." Indeed, he does seem hale, normal - even relaxed and far less tense than he had been.
It... Is becoming quite a popular area. Tension mounts in the sith-makar and he looks around at the group of people nervously. Tail twitch-twitching. "Sseldan... Thisss one... Thisss one would talk to you... privately? Thiss one doess not think that cassting sssuch ssspellsss isss a good idea for you right now." He says this quickly and quietly, trying to make sure that the words are mostly heard by the paladin and the paladin alone, but his nervousness makes his voice a low rumble that is not unheard by others. The raven-haired half-sil manages a smile as she keeps Elleandra on her feet. "You have no idea how relieved I am to find you here, Seldan. I'm not sure what happened. Yesterday everything seemed so much better, but then this morning she was almost impossible to wake and her fever is back. It had been less during the day, but it's not relenting." Elleandra manages a warm smile as she notices the look from Cryo to Zeke. "Sorry, hopefully I'll not cause you too much trouble on this day."
"You seem more chipper then usual Seldan. Told you a good time with a woman can do wonders to one's aura." Konstance says jokingly before he looks to Elleandra. He moves over to the woman and tries to help support her, checking her temperature with a hand. "Lets get you someplace more comfortable, shall we?" He asks as he directs the half sil to help him. Being a former wizard means he isnt strong enough to carry women, even if they are light elves.
Cryosanthia nods to Serene, sounding exhuberant, "I had a fantastic time yesterday with a little golden dragon, Tanith! I'd love to tell everyone about her. Later though, this is more pressing." The bluescale would know just how long the whitescale will go on, if she's allowed to start. She also catches her cihuaa's tone, her tail swishes slowly.
"We should go inside? Set up in the room, while you... catch Seldan up?" Cryo suggests.
She waves at the war-construct, whom she recognizes, for her to follow as well, watching Konstance with Kami and Elly.
Toha finally closes the gap and draws up near the group, looking between them without outward sign. The lifted hand flexes and straightens in an otherwise dainty finger wave from the war machine. She wheezes a bubbly, "I.... knnnnow that....wunnnn." as her chin pivots toward the white sith.
Serene's expression is grim now as she gazes upon those who are ill, then looks away to the buildings. "If you have a place already equipped for this task, please lead," she says, in response to Cryosanthia's suggestion. "We can deal with the stricken one at a time. I believe I understand what to expect, but if there is anything else you feel I should know, tell me on the way."
Elly and Toha
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* A10: Temple of Daeus *>=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
The temple of the Sun Lord glitters golden beneath the same. Rather than walls, the majority of the temple is composed of what appears at first blush to be a raised round platform made of one of the largest slabs of marble likely in existence. Columns rise into the air as if to hold some massive ceiling, though instead of a normal ceiling, one finds the deep blue sky, studded by a disconcertingly close canopy of bright stars. One should not worry, however, as the rain never falls, and the wind never blows on this particular temple, but for a gentle breeze, whatever the weather outside may be.
Despite the austerity of the columns, warmth suffuses the grounds. A grand, marble statue of the Shining Knight stands a the center, a hand outstretched in benediction. Beside Him, the statue of Althea, their hands clasped in love. The central position of the temple to the others gives view to all of their children, and the two look upon one another with the solemnity of love that has been the center of so many tales and legends.
Masterfully designed mana lamps provide further soft, golden lightning where needed, their pedestals carved in the form of the Dragons of Light, over which Daeus is said to have dominion in His form of Draco Solis. Majesty, justice, and welcome suffuse the temple grounds. Around the central temple are a series of smaller buildings, each with a simple function and form. One houses the sacred book depicting some of the earliest known translations of the Laws of Light, which pilgrims from near and far come to visit. Another houses the well-appointed quarters of the Sunguards, and among all the ground bristle the Sunblades.
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The white-scale takes a cue and separates the group, leading them away from Zeke and Seldan. She'll trust Zeke to explain what's going on. She leads then into the Temple of Daeus, through the columns, with a glance at the deep sky in the ceiling.
The small group travels through the main temple area, then down a side passage. There is a guard, guarding the empty room, and the palescale gives him a nod, "Zeke will be along soon". She ushers everyone inside. There are a couple beds, several chairs.
"Kami, Konstance, put Elly there. Um... Taha? Please recline on that bed." She moves so she can face everyone. "Listen. I'm not sure what Zeke is telling Seldan, but he made a strange comment. There are no plague victims at the Soldier's Defense. No one wants to be there after the previous ones were frozen solid. They're all up here in the temples. Also, his mother was there, and was taken. He knows this... knew this. He wouldn't think of healing her, unless something was wrong with his him. He's seen Fae, so that's a possibility. They like to get in and mess with things."
She sighs, "Also, my mistress sometimes scrys through me. I can't tell when it's happening. Be careful what you share."
Elleandra will go wherever she is directed, and the extra support is clearly something she appreciates. She doesn't have the surest feet at this point. She senses somewhere in the back of her head that it's a beautiful day out. That seems encouraging to her. The fever makes the rest a bit hazy, and she idly wonders if she'll recall any of this in the morning. Based on what little she knows about the healing process, she hopes that most of the details aren't clear.
Kamaria (Kami), the half-sil who is supporting half of Elly's weight, is an elemental force of optimism, but she is paying attention. She settles Elly where Cryosanthia directs, pausing there and holding the druid's hand. "Fortunately I have no secrets of value," she says brightly. "I guess this means your mistress will be joining us for the wedding. Hopefully she'll refrain from sending any gifts."
Konstance helps carry the woman to the bed. He is actually strong for a former wizard, but he pretends to be weaker then he is out of sheer crankiness. He then begins to pull open his pack and pulls out a couple of vials and herb jars and seems to be making a herb mixture of some sort, using a small crystal mortar and pestle which he pulls out. He adds holy water to the mixture and he stirs it up. "Here drink this. Normally this helps with any pain but considering this plague is somewhat magical I dont know what kind of combination it will have." He says as he pours the mixture into a cup and gives to elleandra. "I been mostly providing support. I am not a healer per trade but my first girlfriend ran an alchemy and herb shop and she taught me a little before we broke because I slept with her sister." He says as he looks about to the various people.
Toha looks to the sith as she speaks, but doesn't correct her. It's not worth the ear pollution at the moment. Instead, she turns and spends a few moments to unclasp her longarm and greatblade from the chains on her back, stacking them beside the bed, then adding the blackened metal cannister at the small of her back, very carefully. The longsword, then a number of the pouches at her waist are removed and the pouches particularly are stacked quite carefully with the rest before she finally, awkwardly reies to 'recline'.
GAME: Konstance rolls heal: (14)+8: 22
"Wait! Stop! Is it magical?" Cryosanthia says suddenly, holding a cautionary hand towards Konstance, "This one apologizes if you've been trained and know, but anything magical is bad. I don't know what is safe or not. Let me explain the basics of how this healing procedure goes. One of the blessed with cast a Dispell Magic, if successful, the plague will be gone. If not, an ooze will be produced and expelled. The ooze will head towards the nearest uninfected to infect them. It should be beaten with blunt objects, fire, or salt. No magic, no edged weapons. We have some baskets of clubs about."
She makes it sound very clinical, even though parts can be dramatic or painful, "There are jars, if you feel like capturing one as a souvenir."
Serene pauses just inside and beside the doorway. She makes few moves to help, but that may be because those who need it have much in the way of assistance already. When Cryosanthia briefly explains the situation at the Soldier's Defence, the charnish woman looks back to the door, as if trying to zero in on the other elunan paladin, but she shakes her head. "I will guard my tongue as much as I am able," Serene assures the Sith'makar, then she looks to Konstance.. but the white sith'makar is quicker, and so the paladin simply nods. "Now, as I understand, I may be able to free some of you from this plague. But there is no guarantee, and as Cryosanthia has explained, the effects of failure are dangerous. I expect us to be ready to deal with this possibility. I am prepared to make several attempts, should those of you who are infected are willing."
"I already have a fish bowl full of magic eating fish. I dont want oozes." Konstance says as he begins to redo the mixture, this time with regular water. He then takes the glass and hands the new one to Elleandra. "Try that." He says as he looks to Cryosanthia. "No magic." He says as he puts everything away and picks up a club and nods to the woman. "Ready to beat the crap out of an ooze." He says calmly as he watches the women and nods to the paladin.
GAME: Konstance rolls heal: (11)+8: 19
Toha lifts a hand, "...prrrrobllllemmmm..." she begins, the angle making the gurgle in her voice worse, though the dischordant resonance is a little improved, "....innnnteg...graaatid.... sssssstemmmmms.... mmmmagic. sssstensssivvve..."
"I am willing," says Elleandra, her voice calm and her eyes growing focused. "I understand.. this is going to be somewhat like removing a barbed arrow." She lets out a sigh and forces herself to straighten. "And I am ready." She turns to Kamaria, "My love, you must go to the far side of the room until this is done. You are not a warrior."
The half-sil is reluctant, but she cannot dispute wisdom when confronted by it. Still, she takes a club. It's better to be armed than have nothing, after all. The sound of Toha's voice draws her attention then, and she looks at the infected golem with pity in her eyes.
"Umm..." Cryo is collecting a club for herself. She relocates the chairs away from the beds, so they'll have a clear area to go after escaping oozes. Tea sets and such are set carefully far away on a sideboard. She purses her lips, looking at Toha, "This one is... not sure how that will affect things, Taha. We should wait for Zeke and Seldan. I know... Seldan tried before. I'm unsure how it affects war-golems."
"Elly, relax and let Serene do the spell. It will be very unpleasant coming up. Try to aim for this spot on the floor, we'll be ready for it here. The ooze looks like black, sparkling water. It's quick. If someone has an ioun stone or something they want to risk, it would be attracted to that. We'll take direction from you now, Silverguard."
Serene waits until everyone is settled... or prepared. Or both. She also takes a club from the basket, then approaches Elleandra. Anyone familiar with this particular magic understands she need not be so close to the elf, but the paladin kneels before her regardless. She looks into Elleandra's face for a moment, as if weighing the druid's resolve, then she nods, draws forth her deity's emblem, and begins to pray.
GAME: Serene casts Dispel Magic. Caster Level: 20 DC: 25
Elleandra nods and tries to just relax. For a time, it seems like nothing is happening. She doesn't feel different as the praying starts. But then.. something happens. It's like suddenly there is a new kind of gravity trying to pull her stomach and everything else inside her out. For just a moment she's frantic, and then she's standing, and then she's falling. There was.. there was a target. It was right in front of her, she's sure of it.
Interrupting Elleandra's attempts to figure out where her target went (it's right in front of her) is a most unladylike display. She ends up on her knees, bent over as everything she's every drank seems to be coming up at once. To those on the receiving end, it's just really, really gross as a dark, unclean-looking liquid starts to come out. But not like water. It's the ooze! It starts to hit the ground with an unsettling plop, and yet it's still clinging to her throat. Whatever sounds Elly's making might be called.. they are best forgotten. At that last, long tendrils of the ooze release from her teeth, like a man clinging to grass on the side of a cliff. And then.. it is off, and it darts away!
Konstance watches the woman and when the slime comes he readies himself. He then swings the club as hard as he can once the slime was free, grunting with each swing as he swings. "We seriously need to kill the witch which made this stuff." He says as he swings, trying to smash it into oblivion.
Cryo shudders, watching Elleandra's reaction. It brings back bad memories, but she is ready for this with both hands on her club. She wails away at the ooze like she's taking revenge for all the ones that came out of her eyes. Her robes are flapping and her club repeatedly smacking at the ooze at the ground, then the wet residue, until finally there's a loud 'crack' as she breaks hers, "Ah... a little less vigor next time. I think."
The sith pants a little, collects a new weapon, looks at the rooms occupants, "Oh! We should have a soapy bucket too." She taps the guard outside to get one, which isn't his job description, but one still shows up.
Serene reaches for her club, but upon seeing that the pair of Konstance and Cryosanthia have dealt with the Elleandra-spawned-ooze, she relaxes and sets it beside her once more. She looks back to the elf, waiting until the woman has somewhat recovered from the effort. "I will try again. Persevere. We will purge this plague."
Elleandra pushes herself back up. "Well, that's the second time I've tasted the damn things," she grumbles. She doesn't bother getting back in the chair at this point. The target is right here, anyway. She looks to Serene and nods, her response strained, "I.. can do this all day."
Toha is sitting up as the other patient has a reaction. That really sounds unpleasant, of course, mornings sound unpleasant after parties, too, so... She gets to her feet and steps over to grab a club.
GAME: Serene casts Dispel Magic. Caster Level: 20 DC: 25
Serene once more prays over her silver moon holy symbol. The failure from moments ago doesn't seem to have deterred the dark skinned woman, if anything the set of her shoulders indicates further resolve. The prayer finishes and the divine magic flows into Elleandra. As it does so the paladin opens her eyes and grabs for a club. Hey, resolve is one thing. It still doesn't hurt to be prepared.
Cryo readies her club again, one handed. Waiting to pounce. She's still with all her muscles ready to go, a sith in a hunting mode. She waits as the Silverguard finishes her prayers, waits some more. She lowers her club a little, flicks her free hand through a series of gestures. There's a trickling of light, flashing along her arm, a little like the fishes that Elly and Konstance own, then the scales surrounding her eyes glow with a pale glacial light, "I think it's gone, just seeing the fading spell aura, nothing else."
Konstance watches the woman and readies his club for more oozes. When Cryo speaks he lowers his club and he looks about. "Thats good!" He says as he looks to the woman. "Lets go get you some food and clean water." He says calmly as he watches the woman.
Now that Elleandra is bracing to make another mess in Cryosanthia's room, she's confused when it doesn't happen. And even more confused to feel tears flowing down her cheeks. "Praise Eluna," she murmurs quietly. The druid doesn't wipe at her eyes, but she's smiling through the tears. The fever is gone, the chills are gone, and the haze in her head with it. It's like every experience while she was ill was covered in a fog, and now the world is bright and clear once more. Without reservation, Elleandra throws herself in a hug at Serene, "Thank you!"
Sensing what has happened, Kamaria closes the distance, laughing and crying. She hugs Elleandra, and directs her words to Serene, "Thank you so much! Thank you!"
Toha's motive straps tighten against themselves in ready to aid in the beatsome subduance of another ooze, and hold under load, club raised, for several moments to.... nothing. Her head cants and she looks about to the others, then back to Elly, but doesn't say anything.
Serene 'mmphs' at the thank-you hug, shifting to steady herself. A second later she sets the club aside to give the druid a reassuring pat on her back before gently disengaging herself and climbing to her feat. "You are welcome. But it is others whom discovered this cure... and others whose power delivers it." Then she offers a small smile to both Elleandra and Kamira before resolve settles in once more as she turns to Toha. "Are you prepared?" she asks the war-golem.
The palescale grins as Elly flings herself at Serene. Happy that her friend is healed, so happy. Her tail waggles and she's got a big grin. As the attention turns to Toha, she gives some more information to Serene, "Taha was with us when things went wrong in the sewers. I apologize that we didn't speak much, and... things went badly."
The dents on the war-golem's faceplace are a testament to that, "We should have had someone help, everyone has been overloaded. I know you've been infected for a long time. The ooze will change things it's been in contact with, make them more magical. It gets stuck. Seldan had a lot of difficulty with her Serene, and failed. Well... if you're willing Taha, we're ready?"
Toha straightens and looks to the others again, then to the woman with the means to alleviate the problem. She steps back toward the bed, then, "Cannn... rrremmmoooovvvv.. some..." She carefully sets the edge of the bedframe to creaking. Some of the silvery rivets securing the plating of her feet liquify and recede before she lifts each in turn to remove them, leaving largely stripped structure and muscle like arrangements of those braided straps. Similarly her hands are stripped to some of their inner workings. It's as she sits there with her head hung after stackin the rest, "... sssshhheet.... pllllzzzz." and her hands come up, one to her faceplate, holding it in place as those rivets follow suit, "Plzzz... donnnn't.. llllook." and the other extended blindly off to the side.
Konstance looks away from the golem and leaves the room. He returns a little while later with a bowl of fruit and a knife and begins to cut appples for Elleandra. "Here." He says as he offers the quarters to the woman, keeping his gaze away from the golem.
Serene give Toha time to make her preparatsion, and the constructed woman requests, the paladin does avert her gaze as Toha strips off the last of her removeable components. When it sounds as though she is finished, Serene turns to her long enough to position herself before Toha and kneel once more, then she holds her holy symbol before her once more and prays.
GAME: Serene casts Dispel Magic. Caster Level: 20 DC: 25
Elleandra keeps her eyes averted as Toha prepares for healing. The druid also takes a club. If she has to take a swing at an ooze, she's going to be sure she's ready for it. The offer of food is gratefully accepted, and she offers a warm, "Thank you," to Konstance as she eats the first slice. After being plagued, the apple tastes like a feast.
Kamaria shelters near Elleandra, but focuses on the healing. She offers a soft prayer of her own for success.
Cryo looks away when requested to do so. She listens to the sounds of the self-dissassembly. Her tail ticks back and forth, wandering on subjects, mostly constructs, people, taking them apart, putting them back together. Not good subjects.
Hearing Serene's prayers start up, she readies her club, turning to watch only enough to get the ooze, so Toha's privacy is respected.
Toha manages to lower her head as she sets her face gently on the bed beside her. No sheet. She pulls her braids forward over her shoulders and waits then sets her hands on her knees. Oh, well, the spell is already started and her fingertips screech against the exposed substructure of her knees as it begins... and... she doesn't feel the ooze slithering out from inside her. Frozen for several heartbeats, she softly asks, "Is't gone?" in a puzzled tone. Her hand extends toward her face, but doesn't pick it up until she gets an all clear.
Serene rises to her feet, letting her breath out slowly as it seems there is no immiment ooze attack.. she does turn her eyes towards Cryosanthia for confirmation, keeping her gaze averted from the exposed Toha to give the latter time to.. arrange herself. "Is it done?" Cryosanthia looks hopeful, still avoiding a direct gaze at the golem. She's visibly relaxed, nodding to Serene "Thank you so much Silverguard, for your assistance. This is great!"
The sith looks around to the rest of the room. "I was hoping Zeke and Seldan would have shown up by now, I'm worried."
She tries to come up with something fill the time while Toha reassembles, her voice is suddenly eager, "Oh! Do you want to hear about Tanith?"
"No doubt Seldan's sword is putting Zeke and Seldan to sleep. It's arguing can be quite soothing when you focus less on the words and more on the voices." Konstance says as he offers the last of the apple to Elleandra and begins to move to the door.
Elleandra finishes the apple and rises, though she's not leaving. Not yet. She sets to cleaning Cryosanthia's floor with the soap and water, first. Fortunately, there was only one mess. Unfortunately, it left an unsavory smell, and ooze splatter is a bit on the stubborn side. Nonetheless, she's going to make sure she's left no mess. And replaced any lingering odor with the clean scent of soap.
Kamaria turns to Cryosanthia, "Tanith?" she asks. "Is this a happy story, by chance?" The half-sil watches Elleandra out of the corner of her eye, marvelling at the rapid change.
Toha swiftly brings the piece back under her braids to settle with a soft clank against her exposed substructures and she straightens, "It's ok, now... thanks everyone!" she says warmly, then turn to step with slightly clattery, slightly scraping steps toward the woman who cured her and she pauses to allow the departing fellow to leave, "See ya!" Cryo's question is on the queue before she enfolds the dark skinned woman in her arms, "Thank you so much! I's startin' ta think I'd never get proper again! Thank you!" She releases her grip, which is careful considering some of her structure could be uncomfortable, but she steps back and looks to Cryo, "How's the li'l one doin? Haven't seen'm since that shadow dragon thing."
The palescale moves out of Konstance's way as he exits, giving him a nod in thanks for the assistance. As soon as she turns back, she's almost glowing. It's like she is a teenager again, definitely infatuated. Gleefully, she launches into her tail.
"Oh my scales! You know her? She's amazing. Tanith is a little golden dragon! She showed up yesterday in the square, looking for fish. I heard of her from Kaelyn, I never thought I'd meet her! I promised her all the fish in the market! She was very keen on that. We were shopping for hours!"
"She does not like swimming, because she isn't a fish, and she doesn't care for white dragons either but she thinks I'm a great person! She let me do her talons! Sharpened and polished them up, and then I got to polish her scales! Real Gold Dragon scales! She had no idea what hotsauce is, so I bought a bunch and we put it on all the fish. I got to walk around for hours! She was on my shoulder. I was carrying a gold dragon! Everyone saw me with a gold dragon! I had the most amazing time ever. She took me to her home! And... not sure what happened then, I fell over. She woke me back up in the market, but the rest of it was completely unexpected. I mean, I never thought I'd meet a dragon, and she'd be friendly, and we'd do things. I'm like, still stunned when I think about it. I was up all night telling Zeke."
The sith has clearly undergone a minor religious experience. She's all grins and crazy with exhuberance. She spreads her hands, then holds an arm out. "She helped us with a demon! Twice! I had her on my wrist, like a canon! Do you know how amazing it is to have a Dragon Arm-Canon?!"
Serene was perhaps a little more prepared this time for the possible hug. Not expectant, but prepared, so when Toha hugs her she doesn't stumble. And she returns the squeeze, even offering the war golem a comforting pat on her shoulder as the two break away. She takes a step further back so she might watch the entire group, in fact... Elleandra and Kanaria along with Cryosanthia and Toha. She notes Konstance's absence as well, but as he didn't appear ill she doesn't comment. "You are welcome," she says at last, both to Toha, but also to Cryosanthia. "You are all welcome, but keep in mind it was Seldan who explained the process to me, and it was Eluna's grace which ultimately drove the plague from you." She hesistates, then gives her head a small shake. "I realize that sounded as a recruitment pitch might. I am not trying to convert anyone. I am only asking you to remember their efforts." She steps to the door to leave the four friends to their reminiscing, though she pauses when she hears Cryosanthia's tale of the small golden dragon. She smiles again, though this time the smile is for herself, then she pushes through the door. After quickly letting the guards there that all should be well, she departs.
Toha nods to the woman's words, "I'll remember." she promises, then approaches her stuff again and resettles on the bed, "Might be a differn't dragon, the one I's thinkin of was about the size of a cow." Left foot is shod once more, and the silver rivets flow out and solidify to long the segements in place, "If it's the same one, I'm glad she's doin well." Right foot, "Glad we're all doin better." Left hand...
When Elleandra gets on a roll, she tends to just keep going. She ends up scrubbing most of the floor, in face, and even has it in her mind to clean the entire place. When Serene goes to leave, though, she rises swiftly and curtseys. A deep, graceful curtsey. She doesn't need to be converted. She's always followed Eluna. With a smile, and the matter settled, she hugs Cryosanthia tightly, "We're better now! We can.. we can dance!" And she even pulls the Sith-makar into a brief spin at dancing, if she's allowed.
The half-sil laughs softly, "Well, now I imagine we'll be making offerings at many temples every month," she says. "I wonder.. just how good you do feel, now? Is it completely gone and you are normal?"
Cryo shakes her head, "No, you might be thinking of Kaelyn, she's the size of a cow, at least. Very feathery."
Instinctively she looks at Toha when she speaks, then looks away. She understands how rude it is to see someone with their skin off. Elly scrubbing the floor is a thing to look at, "Oh Elly you didn't have to do that, the gloves can clean it off. I would have gotten it after. Thank you though, it's much appreciated." Then she is pulled into a dance spin. The sith is very graceful at this. She looks over at Kamaria's question, "I feel great, but there are a few differences. You might experience something too, the both of you."
Toha shakes her head, reshelling her right hand at last, "No, definately a... feathery?" The golem's posture straightens a little and she tries to process that, then, "I'll stick around for testing if need be." She stands, then and, once more fully shelled, she starts to put her accessories back on, "No, was definately a gold dragon I saw. Didn't say anything, but some Maugrim dragon thing and a mul come after it, it was hurt. Me an a bunch of others stopped'em."
Elleandra finishes with a tight hug of Cryosanthia. "It feels.. good to be alive," she says. Taking a few steps back, she settles in at Kamaria's side, turning to meet her in a kiss. They do try to wait for a moment when nobody is looking, but regardless, public affection leaves Elleandra blushing a bit, even if she needed that.
Kamaria has no such issues, and turns comfortably back to look at Toha and Cryosanthia, "So.. what shall we do now? Isn't it time we see what Zeke and Seldan are up to?" Hopefully nothing unfortunate. She really wants this to be a perfect, auspicious, wonderful day.
Toha shrugs as she fits her thunderbelcher to her back chains and reaches for the greatsword, now that everything else is locked into place, "I dunno. There was a big, gold Khazad woman who came out and thanked us, after. Then I went to Silvermoon and..." another shrug, "I was alone fer a while, the ears didn't fool anyone there. They didn't like me much at all."
The white-scale listens very intently to the war-golem, nodding. She gets a curious, confused look on her face, "I remember something about Maugrim. Well, it's good you stepped in, saved that dragon. It may have been another Tanith was quite talkative." Her tail starts waggling again.
Cryo nods to Kami, and Elly, "It does, I felt so much better once it was gone, and I could dance and do my cantrips again. Check this out."
The sith concentrates and her clothes switch to a simple straight dress that is almost backless with a band around her neck and another wide one around her waist above her tail. She moves into a solo dancing routine that has a lot of tail-thumping it. She casts, alternating her harms, and bells and other instruments fill the space like a ghosty orchestra. As she does, light trickles off her. It starts in her chest, then spirals out along the casting arm, flashing like a winter wind. As she keeps casting her scales retain some of the glow, until her arms are lit up. The dress also, has some strange fabric which retains and spreads light also, so it flashes along with her and the music's back-beat. A strange lamp that responds to the rhythm.
The dance is wonderful, and Kamaria claps, bouncing on her toes. The half-sil loves it. She gushes out happily, "You must promise me you can do that at our wedding! It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen! And umm, maybe teach me some of it, too. In return, I can teach you some of the dances from the harems of Veyshan."
Elleandra laughs in delight at the mix of music and motion and light. "Sorry for the selfish request, but if you would be willing to dance for the celebration, it would make it be amazing!" The druid turns to smile at Toha, "I'm relieved you are well. I think that means almost all of our expedition is recovered. Honestly, I'd like to get to know more about you, if you are willing. It would be nice to share some pleasant memories with you." The one who she imagines remains ill was quite mentally sick before they put a foot in the sewers.
"Oooh?" Cryo's voice rises with interest at Kamaria's offer, "If they will work on Zeke, that is a deal! Of course, this one will dance for you both. I love to entertain!"
Elly's comment makes her settle and become still, "This one saw Merek today, he was frightened of spells and trying to milk a potatoe. Kira is very patient, and keeping him in bed."
The sith looks over at Toha, listening, nodding, "I've not been to Silvermoon. That whole encounter sounds interesting and unusual, you're lucky to have had it. The woman might have been a shape-changed dragon also. It's difficult to tell."
She looks at the door, "We should go see where my cihuaa is. Hopefully... Seldan is well. Yes... This one will clean the rest of the room later, it's meant to be private, it can suffer unmade beds."
She makes to leave, ushering the others out first.
Malik and Zeke
Meanwhile, out in the Temple District where Seldan was left behind...
Seldan's expression suddenly darkens, his brow furrowing, and he looks from Zeke to Cryosanthia. "Catch... What is this?" He does not sound angry, only confused, and turns to Serene. "If you will forgive me..." The others file off, and he looks after them, turning his attention to Zeke, deep furrows of confusion in his forehead. "I am not unwell, Zeke. What troubles you?"
As everyone files off to follow Cryosanthia to the temple of Daeus, Zeke watches them go only to turn his green eyes on Seldan. He makes a low thrum in the back of his throat. Then gently moves slightly closer to the man. "Sseldan. Kin. How would you check on your nessst-mother?" Concern is clear in his voice.
Malik seems to be moving toward the pair, a salt-and-pepper haired priest of Eluna moving beside him.
"So if I understand correctly," the priest starts, "you asked a giant to smash a sacred temple and the offerings around it."
Malik gives a slow nod. "You understand correctly," he tells the priest in turn, voice flat.
"And this particular destruction of the holy square was, as I understand, an attempt to release a demon from a summoning circle."
Malik sighs, looking over at the priest. "You know, you should really let me tell the story. It sounds better in my version."
Harandel just gives the wizard a longsuffering sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. "We'll discuss this more later," he tells the wizard.
Malik rolls his eyes. "Of that, priest, I have no doubt." He moves to Zeke and Seldan, the look of frustration melting away into a warm grin. "Good afternoon," he tells the pair. Intently ignoring the ruins around them. Though as he catches the expressions on the others' faces, the smile fades somewhat. "I missed something again," he sighs, less a question than a statement of the obvious.
"She is in the Soldier's Defense, Zeke. I do not see her as often as I ought." Still mightily confused, and yet sounding certain, Seldan stands, quietly talking with Zeke in the middle of the square. He seems perfectly hale and clear-eyed. "And ... she had taken a turn for the worse, of late." He folds his arms across his chest, looking aside and down, but at Malik's voice, he looks up and returns that warm grin. "Come looking for me, have you?"
Even though it is difficult to read sith-makar features (for those that do not know sith-makar) it is NOT hard to read the shock and horror that cross Zeke's face, the way his body grows still. He looks like someone just told him something horrible, and that is precicely what happened. Zeke looks from Seldan to Malik and then back again. "Sseldan... Sshe iss not at the Ssoldier'ss Defence. Malik... Ssseldan doess not remember what happened to hiss nesst-mother." He swallows heavily and his tail lashes behind him just once.
Malik considers his options. He's already aided and abetted a Duke of Hell, what's one little white lie to spare the feelings of the boyfriend?
"Yes, I did," Malik answers Seldan first, leaning in and placing a gentle kiss on the shorter man's forehead. He turns to Zeke, looking for all the world like he might try to cut the sith off at any second -- but the words are already out there, and it's too late. There's a moment's consideration, a quiet little war behind the wizard's eyes as he clearly debates what to do. But eventually, the influence of the paladin seems to win out. "That -- is something that we will need to discuss, then, isn't it."
GAME: Seldan rolls will: (16)+23: 39
Seldan grins up at the taller wizard, but that is short-lived indeed as the sith-makar speaks. Every muscle goes taut, the alabaster skin goes paler still, almost ashen, and he looks between the two of them sharply. "What do you mean, she is not in the Soldier's Defense." His eyes widen, but somehow, some way, the words are even, civil, and polite. Somehow. "Please tell me it is not too late." He starts to take a step backwards.
A low thrum echoes out of Zeke, to try and calm Seldan, but he has no comforting words to offer. Instead he seems to steel himself, glancing at Malik and... His tail curls close to his body and he meets the paladin's eyes. "Thisss one isss sssorry to bear bad newsss to you kin. Thisss one doess not know how you could forget..." He sighs and steels himself again. "Thisss one mussst tell you that your nesst mother wassss taken by the missstresss of the Ssshard tower."
"And you knew that before," Malik says, tone firming as he looks at Seldan. "You knew that, and the pain that it brought, and you traded that knowledge to the Queen of Air and Darkness in exchange for something priceless to our mission to defeat her. It was your part of the sacrifice," he tells Seldan. "Others paid an even more dear price. You knew what you were doing, and decided this was acceptable. Trust in that decision."
Seldan's face goes even more ashen at Zeke's words. "No. Not as a prisoner in the tower." He shakes his head quickly, every single ounce of the near-constant tension he'd carried since that event flooding right back to his frame, but then Malik's words sink in like a hammer sinking a nail, inexorably. As much as they hurt - somehow, the very harshness seems to shore him up. "I ... knew this. And I traded ... that memory. Memories for memories," he murmurs. He's still shaking, but the reaction is nowhere near the original explosion. "The fruit," he says, looking up suddenly at Malik. "You sacrificed as well, but ... that is how the fruit came to us." Now he looks at Zeke. Still haunted, still hurting, still furious, but - it isn't as bad as it was the first time. "There is yet hope," he tells himself. "And - I have the means by which Cryosanthia's memory might be restored."
Zeke's mouth closes, his jaw tenses. His eyes flicker to Malik and he shakes his head. "Thiss one thinksss it may not be wissse to resstore Cryossnthia'ss memoriess. Ssshe endured much in the tower, and her mind... may not sssurvive the memory of it." He opens his mouth, closes it gain. Looks away. He is clearly agitated, but he can not seem to bring himself to say the words that catch in his throat.
Malik mumbles something under his breath at Zeke's comment, but he turns his gaze up to the both of them, considering. "Seldan," he starts, "don't dwell on the thought. I think you understood what you were giving up. How much it distracted you. How prone it left you to making a mistake, doing something rash. As I told you once before, I don't think the Mistress will do anything to your mother. That would end her game prematurely, and she would have nothing to torture you with." And then, to Zeke, "There is but one fruit," he tells the Sith. "This may be her only chance to have her memories restored. Are you sure of that choice? And if not her, then who would you have?"
Seldan stares straight ahead, looking at neither of them, focusing on neither of them, but instead on something only he can see. "Father will have my hide," he murmurs, but he almost visibly jerks himself away from that. "The things she does to her prisoners within the tower is unspeakable, Malik. We must move swiftly, ere she tires of her game." He swallows, but finally looks at Zeke. "She may have the knowledge of the tower needed to help us find Salina, but ... you are right. I know enough of the Endless Winter to guess at some of what she may have endured, and ... it is not right to ask that of her. If she is to try, the decision must be hers."
Zeke looks down, hiding his features for the length of time it takes him to get them back under control. His tail sways with agitation behind himself. In truth, Zeke is not very good at hiding his emotions. Not very good at hiding anything in fact. Malik's words make a soft noise escape him, but he says nothing. Not until the subject of the conversation changes and he still looks incredibly uncomfortable. "Thisss one doess not know what other might have the knowledge we ssseek only... That Cryossanthia attacked Ssseldan. That thisss one worriesss that her memoriesss might lead her to placess that will break her ssspirit. Thisss one worriesss for her. We know that sssshe wasss trained to kill her own hatchling, and the memory of how that wassss done..." Zeke sighs and shakes his head. "You do not underssstand how againssst the inssstinctss of the People it goesss for a nesst-mother to harm her hatchling. Thisss one knowsss." Knows first-hand.
Malik listens to Zeke, considering the sith's words. "I see," he starts. There's at least some sympathy for the plight that Zeke is currently faced with, one that Malik is not unfamiliar with himself. Turning back to Seldan, he offers a nod. "Swiftly, yes. But not so swiftly that we are unprepared. Your honored father," though those words seem to downright pain him, "will understand the choice that you are currently faced with, I think."
Seldan draws several more deep breaths while the others talk, then nods slowly. "There is, then, a choice to be made, but it cannot be made now. I must speak with Master Mithralla." Why, he does not say. "But ... if you will forgive me, I have another appointment to keep." He is quite clearly pulling himself together, although he is still taut and tense. "I would beg the healers' forgiveness, I shall return after evensong." Malik actually gets a smile, and a kiss on the cheek, and he turns to make his way up the road.
Zeke shifts, seeming as if he might stop the paladin, but then thinks better of it and looks at Malik. "He worksss too hard. He desservesss ssome peassce. Though... thisss one worriesss that he will not find it." The sith emits a soft sigh and nods to the other man. "Thisss one wisshesss for better newsss to give." His eyes trail to the temple of Daeus, but he seems to be delaying any entry into the temple.
Malik watches as Seldan heads off. "I will be along later," he tells the paladin, watching him go. There's a mix of emotions on his face, some of them conflicting, but he gives Zeke an easy nod. "I think that if he didn't work as hard as he does," Malik admits, "that he would be going crazy, torturing himself about -- all of these. All the victims. Not just those closest to him. He bears them like iron chains," he sighs. "The few days of reprieve he got, not knowing what he had forgotten, did him well." But he offers a smile to the sith. "It was time that he was reminded though. Keeping it from him much longer would have been cruel."
Zeke's tail flicks where it is curled beside him and he looks down. "Perhapsss it wasss cruel of thiss one then, to not tell him all thiss one knew." He sighs softly. "Thisss one sssimply could not bear to give him more bad newsss." He wears a haunted expression, but he shakes himself out of it with a little motion of his scales and looks at Malik. "Thisss one iss glad he hasss othersss to lean on, and to give him comfort."
Malik shakes his head. "No more cruel than leaving Cryosanthia in peace, without the knowledge of what happened to her." He turns to Zeke, offering a small smile, the tsuran and the sith sitting outside in the Temple District, amid what appears to be fresh ruins from the battle the night before. The smell of petrichor and sulfur is still present, if faint. "He'll learn all, in time. It's merely a question of how fast he learns it. Whether he stands against the trickle, or succumbs to the flood."
He's quiet a moment, considering. "The temples would have you believe, most of the time, that the difference between good and evil is clear. And perhaps it is," he agrees. "Magic would seem to believe so as well. Right and wrong, though?" The wizard shakes his head. "I fear those are far less certain, and far more slippery. No magic that I know of has penned them in and catalogued them neatly."
"Thisss one knowsss that the line isss not ssso clear ass many would believe. It isss eassy to think that one iss merely protecting another from the harssh outssside world, when they are in truth the harsssh world that isss known." Zeke's words are the words of experiance. "We can but do what we think isss right, and do our bessst not to do what iss clearly wrong."
The sith-makar and Merek are quite obviously having a private discussion if their body language is any indciation of such. The sith's speaks to this very loudly, but then he is sith and it can be difficult for others to understand it. "Thisss one will tell him another time. When the pain of losssing hisss nessst-mother isss not ssso fresssh." He looks over at Malik and seems to weigh the other man a moment. "You are right, it iss Cryossanthia'sss choice. Not thiss onesss. And Ssseldansss ssince he paid the prisce of it."
Serene exits the temple of Daeus, shaking her head slowly to herself while she crosses into the common square. Once outside she pauses to gaze about, obviously looking for someone. When she spots Malik and Zeke, she starts forward, remembering how Zeke pulled Seldan aside earlier... but then she ge ts a read on their body language and she hesistates. The hesitation lasts two seconds before the paladin nods to herself and alters her course, instead heading to Eluna's temple.
Malik nods. "It's Seldan's choice who he offers the fruit to," Malik agrees. "And the choice of the other whether to accept. I think that he and Cryosanthia both have an idea of what it is that they went through. What it has cost them both. They know what the best options would be. Whether we /approve/ of those choices or not." He offers Zeke a little half-smile, clearly not entirely in disagreement about Zeke's opinion on Cryo's mental state. "We can simply offer to be there if they fall."
Zeke lets another sigh. "Asss you sssay." He glances toward the ruin in the center of the square and stares at it for a long moment. It has only been a day since it was ruined yet again. "Sssuch dessstruction. There truly ssseemss to be no peasssce of late. Thisss one doesss not undersstand what would bring adventuresss to make a ruin of the disstrict, and all Cryosssanthia hasss ssspoken of isss a sssmall gold dragon ssshe met yessterday." He seems mildly amused a moment before he shakes his head.
"That's the life that we chose for ourselves," Malik says, staring off into the middle distance. "If we wanted lives of peace, we would have never picked up our first sword, or scroll. We would have lived quiet lives of obscurity, forgotten and untroubled, never seeing the world as it is. That's the nature of the beast," Malik muses. "Once you see the things in the dark, the dangers in the beautiful mystery, you can't unsee them. And they most certainly see you." Though at the mention of the ruins, he just laughs, bitterly. "What if I told you that I asked a giant very politely to do it so that we could release a Duke of Hell from a summoning circle where he was very neatly bound?" He raises an eyebrow at the sith, the conversation between him and the priest clearly not so far off the mark. "Though it's a bit more complicated than that. I'm sure that the relevant details will get omitted in the retelling. They usually do."
The blue-scaled sith looks thoughtful, and then surprised, his tail uncurling from around him. "Sssuch a powerful demon wasss here?!? In the temple dissstrict?" He looks around a little bit then back at Malik. "Thisss one isss amassed then that there isss not /more/ desstruction. Thisss one admitsss to curiosssity ass to how it wasss ssummoned here. That isss... how wasss a ssssummoning scircle made in the open with-out anyone notiscing?"
"He didn't want to be here," Malik explains. "I think that he was downright irritated that someone had the audacity to summon him in the first place. Strangely polite, for a demon lord. Short temper, though." Malik points to the fountain, and the destruction all around it. "The tunnels," he explains, "are apparently part of a summoning circle. A very large one. Beyond my comprehension, really. At least as to how it was constructed to such a scale, or -why-. Why someoen would need to bind a demon to an area the size of a city is -- an interesting conundrum." He offers a little shrug. "Either way, the circle had to be disrupted so that he could be on his way. And I was happy to oblige him, before he got -- bored."
Zeke blinks, clearly surprised to hear these words. "Thisss one worriesss to lay ssso much at the feet of the missstresss of the sshard tower, but thisss one wondersss if ssshe might have the patience and cunning for sssuch a plan. But why isss a good quesstion. The whole of the sscity?" He sounds properly horrified at the thought. "Doess that mean then that they could ssummon him anywhere? Anytime?" Suddenly he hissess, looking back at the destruction, which... is under construction. "Worsse Malik... Doess thiss mean that onsce the repairss are done that they will be able to sssummon him again?"
"Yes," Malik answers the first question. "Well. Probably." He eyes the destruction again. "Most of it, at least. Probably. Hard to say without a proper look at the maps again, but it's big enough that it's safe to assume the entire city. Roughly. Give or take." He's a wizard, not an engineer, alright? "As to -why-... I've seen magic used for stranger things, and for lesser reasons. I'm fairly sure that the terribly old, powerful ones simply start to do things because they can. Just to see if it's possible. Maybe an afflication of mana on the mind. Worth studying." Though as he glances at the destruction again, he says, "Possibly. It depends on the manner of the construction. I think that substantial resources went into the first one, and while repairing it would be mind-bogglingly expensive? Compared to the original construction, it would be a pittance to maintain. Which, yes, also means that he could be summoned anywhere within it. And that the caster need only have sight of the city, and the spell is within range. Which -- leaves quite a bit of space."
The blue-scaled sith shudders. "That issss. Terrible. Who-ever did thisss isss... insssane. To toy with sssuch powersss iss..." He seems speechless for several very long moments. "The tunnels!" Zeke straightens suddenly and pulls a map out of his robes, unrolling it and offering it to Malik. "Thisss one hass made a map of the tunnels. Do you think it might help you to figure out how big the sscircle isss? Or who might have made sssuch a thing?"
GAME: Malik rolls Knowledge/Engineering: (18)+6: 24 GAME: Malik rolls Knowledge/Arcana: (4)+19: 23 GAME: Malik rolls Spellcraft: (6)+21: 27 Malik is almost tempted to RPP that because I should get at least a 30. X( GAME: Malik rolls Spellcraft: (20)+21: 41
Malik takes the papers, looking at the map that Zeke has made, looking at the various structures behind it. It might not look like much on paper, at least not much to an untrained eye. But the wizard apparently sees something in it. He takes a small piece of charcoal out of a shirt pouch, making a few marks at the edges of the paper before very lightly drawing a circle freehand, keeping it as neat as possible, until his best guess as to where the edges of the summoning circle lie appear on the map.
He hands it back to Zeke, nodding. "About there, I assume."
He takes another look at the map, frowning as he moves in with the charcoal once more. Small lines are made, here, there, and in a moment the man is working in a fever pitch. "I can see it," he mutters, tracing the symbol over the paper with a skilled, steady hand, the dimensions and construction of the circle seeming conjured out of the ether as he connects things that are seemingly disconnected. It takes some time, but eventually, there it is. The circle, or at least most of it, the basic principles at least, without some of the relevant details almost assuredly. "I know how it was done," he whispers. "I -- I could do it again. Easily." A thought that seems to scare him as much as it excites him. "It merely requires a sacrifice... and can be done from inside the city. Brilliant."
GAME: Zeke rolls knowledge/arcana: (10)+2: 12
For reasons that Zeke can not explain, Zeke feels a chill go down his spine at the sight of the symbol forming on the paper. It whispers of evil to him in a way that he can't describe and he feels his eye twitch as he stares down at what Malik has created. It's not... complete. This wont summon the demon to them... he doesn't think. Best to ask. "Will... will thisss paper sssummon the demon now?" His voice is quiet now, very careful so that they're not overheard by some passerby. He glances at the ground with discomfort and then flicks his tail. "Thisss one knowsss that demonsss often require sssacrificesss to be ssummoned. Do you know what manner of demon it wasss that wasss ssummoned? Thiss one might know what the sssummoner wasss offering to ssummon it."
Elleandra laughs gently and says to Cryosanthia, "I think white or silver would be perfect. I want to show my gratitude and devotion to Eluna in what I wear." If allowed, she will take hold of her friend's hand. "And you know, I thought on it, but.. I want the dress to keep forever and stay as it is-a real thing made with the labor of a craftsman. I also want to have others help get me ready for the ceremony, just as they helped me have this joy to begin with. It is perhaps vanity, but.. I hope I can be forgiven that on this occasion."
"No," Malik says. "The paper itself is just paper and coal. Other things are needed to give it power. Silver, and will, among others." Though he does give a nod at the mention of a sacrifice. He stares at the paper, his mind working. "A blood sacrifice would be required, I think. And given that this particular circle has the power to bind and summon a Duke of Hell... essentially, a demon god... I'm guessing that it's going to be something larger than a kitten. And smarter than a sacred bull." He purses his lips together. "But -- the conjuring of demons is not my expertise." Which seems strange, given that he apparently has pretty damn good working knowledge on how this particular spell is created. "The working is easy enough, in principle. Possibly less so in application."
"Right." Zeke shakes his head. He had somehow in watching Malik make the symbol forgotten what manner of demon they were discussing. He feels foolish a moment and then lets the feeling go. "Actually. One could sssummon one with merely a few dropsss of ssentient blood sspilled, and the death of animal about the sssize of a horsse. A cow would do." He says the words thoughtfully. "Thiss one believesss that pit fiendssss are ussually sssummoned with offeringsss of sssuch." The blue-scaled sith shudders again.
Malik turns, looking at Zeke as he blinks. "Really?" So Demon Conjuring isn't his area of expertise after all. "I mean... that's all it takes? But how..." He glances back at the symbol. "Oh. Oh, I see, the foci..." He points to few places, dismissing the thought for now, frowning at the symbol as he clearly weighs something in his mind. "Which means," he muses, "that if we allow whoever created the circle to repair it -- we could use it to our own advantage. And perhaps get some answers. Finally."
The blue-scaled sith shakes himself as if waking from a dream and peers at Malik. "You do not mean... sssummon the demon oursselvesss?" The very thought makes his tail flick behind him. "Even if it were willing to ansswer you... even if it did not lie asss it breathesss... it is a /demon/. It isss by itsss very nature evil. It can not but do sssuch."
Malik nods. "And yet it is a tool used against us," Malik says. "A powerful one." He leans back against one of the ruined pillars, face pensive -- and something else there. Hesitation, perhaps? "Evil. But self-serving. And it would be in its interest to stop being used as a pawn by whoever summoned it, would it not?" He looks at Zeke, pensive. "Strange bedfellows, though. One has to wonder if whatever price comes of it is worth it." A glance at the Temple of Eluna, then. And a flicker of pain as he considers possibilities. And eventualities.
Zeke seems to relax some, watching the other man with considering eyes. "Thisss one can not ssspeak ass to the motivess of demonsss. They are ass unfathomable asss the motivesss of thiss fae who created the plague. Put sssuch thoughtsss from your mind Malik. What-ever prisce the demon would asssk of thossse that ssummoned it to do their bidding iss not worth itsss presscense. Even if that prisce were merely the asssking of the time of the day. We can not know what a /demon/ would do with sssuch."
Malik simply continues to stare off into the middle distance. "I know someone else who would say precisely the same thing," Malik tells the sith-makar, pulling a knee up to his chest and resting his arm on it casually. "And another who would say exactly the opposite. Though currently, your way seems to be winning. Trucking with demons sounds unpleasant, at best." Though his tone suggests that some, small part of him knows that unpleasant things are often necessary. For the moment, though, he seems to have that part firmly in check. "Still. It's good to know how the magic was done. Perhaps it can help me understand who would be capable of such a feat in the first place, and what resources had to go into it. It would be impossible for something this elaborate to have been done without a trail."
Zeke nods, mostly to himself and looks toward the destruction and repairs. Come tomorrow even... it might be repaired. Much has been done even through the day. It makes the sith-makar uneasy and he looks back at Malik. "Thiss one hopess that you will uncover sssuch thingsss then. For it would be good to know for certain how it wasss done and by who. Thiss one agreesss, that sssomething ssso large wasss done... it sseemsss that sssomeone should have known that it wass happening." He looks at the scroll in his hand and then carefully rolls it up. Offers it to Malik. "Thisss one can make another map of the tunnels, and the markingsss you made make little sssenssse to thiss one. Better you keep it, and learn from it what you might."
Malik takes the map, studying the symbol for a moment before tucking it into his satchel, out of sight. And this plane of existence, as it so happens. "A plan should be made," he tells Zeke. "Something occured to me last night, after the dust settled." And he probably means that literally. "This is the -- fifth? Sixth? Attack on the temple district. This time, a Duke of Hell was summoned. And -- was annoyed. He barely moved, and what he did could be ascribed to boredom rather than malice." He looks to Zeke seriously. "It's time that the Temples ask themselves, seriously, why the attacks keep happening -here-. And why nothing else happened. That regalia was found, and stolen. So what did we miss? What are the Temples keeping to themselves, or what knowledge was lost? If Eclavdran was there merely as distraction -- then what was the true purpose? This will continue until the reason is found. Or, perhaps more appropriately, /revealed/." It seems that the wizard smells a conspiracy, somewhere.
For a long moment the sith says nothing, only looks at the man seriously, consideringly. "Thisss one hasss had ssimilar thoughtssss. Thiss one thought perhapsss that the attacksss happened here, and at the Ssssoldiersss defensssce becaussse of the cisssternsss that lay beneath them. The plague-filled water liesss beneath usss. Thisss one doesss not know /why/ thisss might be important, but thossse two placesss have been attacked more than othersss, and thissss isss the only similarity that thisss one hass found between them... And one other." He holds up a claw and looks very thoughtful. "Thosse who have the plague are conscentrated in thessse placesss. Here becausse the healersss tend to them here, and there becasussse it iss a plasce of healing alsso."
"But why attack those that already have the plague?" Malik asks. "What possible strategy could there be in such an act? Unless there is yet another property of the ooze that we don't--" He stops a moment, considering. The wizard sits forward, cocking his head to the side. "All of the magic in the world cannot undo tragedy."
Zeke starts to shrug his right shoulder in a little roll but stops mid-motion at the reitteration of the note that was left in the Soldier's Defense. "Yesss. It isss the only... direct communication that we have from her asssside from when sshe wasss met by Cryossanthia and the othersss." He tilts his head. "Have you had a thought?"
Malik shakes his head. "Nothing that I could put into words just yet," he tells Zeke. "Just -- a feeling, really. That the collection of magic is only part of the purpose. That there's something else there. Maybe something from a children's story that I heard once. Disconnected pieces that threaten for form a picture, but never quite manage to come together. Or perhaps just the fruits of an overtired mind trying to connect pieces that have no real connection, hoping to make sense of them, whether truthful or not."
The words earn a deep-throated hum from Zeke. Similar to the comforting noise that sith make, but more thoughtful. "Thisss one findss trying to undersstand an exhausssting tasssk at times." A flicker of humor, a gentle wag of his tail. "You ssshould ssseek ressst Malik. You musst take care of yoursself asss well."
Malik nods. "I should seek Seldan first, I think," he sighs. "I've had more rest than him. And if he gets too many more shocks, I'm afraid that he's going to try and live up to his calling and do something patently foolish, fully confident that his deity will see him through it, forgetting that gods exist on both sides of the scales."
Zeke nods once to this. "Thisss one appreciatesss you taking care of thisss onesss kin. Tell him... Tell him that thisss one will sseek him out ssoon. But not today. Peasssce on your nessst Malik." He looks away at this, his tail thrashing behind him unhappily once and then he turns quietly and starts to make his way toward the temple of Daeus.
"Thank you, as well," Malik tells Zeke. He looks up at the sith, standing. "Truly. I don't think that this would have been possible without your efforts. And you have been there for him as much as I. The sith are an underestimated people, I think," the wizard adds. "Both in terms of sheer creativity and the depth of their caring. You've been a true friend."
