012.1 Seira

[Corwin]

[19:14] <Kokokokokokokoko> ---------
[19:16] <Kokokokokokokoko> On returning from the depths, magic items and orbs of light in tow, the party decides to rest a day. It's a perfectly sane option, and the church has no problem putting you up for an evening. While the rooms are spartan, they're still  better than the cold ground outside. But after some rest, Seira has things to do. She rises, going out to the main hall. The head priest is there, sitting in front of the altar, lost in meditation.
[19:18] * Seira is fairly impatient, but is wary of antagonizing a god who is not, it seems, as withdrawn from this world as his brethren. She waits!
[19:20] <Kokokokokokokoko> He meditates for a time, head bowed deep in reflection. After about a score of minutes his head rises, a sweep of his vision seeing Seira. "Can't sleep?" he offers poiltely.
[19:22] <Seira> "I can sleep just fine," she returns, overt politeness winning over her inner annoyance. "But if I succumb to slumber, how would I gain the answers I seek?"
[19:22] <Kokokokokokokoko> The old man turns back to the altar, "Very well then. What is it you wish to know?"
[19:24] <Seira> "I got the feeling you knew me -- or of me -- when we exchanged pleasantries," she states categorically, cutting straight to the chase. "And yet, this is my first visit to these parts, and I'm afraid I have no recollection of meeting you."
[19:25] <Kokokokokokokoko> "Oh." A long smile as he looks ahead, "I'm sorry, your father mentioned you in passing and I made the connection sooner than later. He came here...a year ago? He came searching, but it was not Helm's will for him to find the ruins here."
[19:27] <Seira> Her strength of will keeps her from grasping the priest by the folds of his robe, and only a twitch escapes her control, appearing in Seira's left eyebrow. "Tell me more of this visit, please," she requests.
[19:29] <Kokokokokokokoko> "He came searching. I believe he suspected what was below the temple, but he did not press the matter. We talked a night away. He talked about how his current obligations and ventures kept him busy. He was quite enthusiastic in his way about it. The only thing that made him draw pause was when he mentioned you."
[19:30] <Kokokokokokokoko> The head priest smiles, eyes fixing onto the altar ahead of him. "He was not of the faith of this temple, but he had great dedication to what felt to be his duty. I respect him for that."
[19:31] * Seira feels her anger returning. "What did he feel to be his duty?"
[19:34] <Kokokokokokokoko> "I am not certain." The old priest shakes his head, back and forth. "He truly lit up for two things - his unnamed duty, which I suspect to what lies beneath this temple, and to the mention of his daughter."
[19:36] <Seira> "I need to find him," Seira tells him, speaking haltingly. "Did he mention any other names? A friend? A place?"
[19:38] <Kokokokokokokoko> "Not as much as you would like, I fear. I had to deflect some pointed questions about what lied beneath this temple and it's purpose. He returned the favor in kind. He made mention of Malmuth - a fellow wizard there, though I did not catch a name."
[19:38] <Seira> "A description, then? Anything? Anything at all?"
[19:43] <Kokokokokokokoko> "No, but I suspect and inferred that his purpose was devoted to the same purpose as his visit here." A pause, "For him to leave his daughter - you - behind, it must be important. His resolve on these matters was exceptional."
[19:43] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-5af11d5c.wfd103.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
[19:43] <Kokokokokokokoko> The old priest considers at that, standing up. "I'm sorry I don't know more. I know you want to hear more and better information, don't you?"
[19:44] <Seira> "Oh yes. Exceptional." It is times like this Seira regrets her lack of ability to inflict a massive fiery vengeance. "I do," she tells the head priest. "What would you suggest?"
[19:49] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Ebiris Ebiris
[19:53] <Kokokokokokokoko> The old priest pauses once, bowing his head. "If your father is connected to the same explorations you are, perhaps your paths will cross in time that way? An elven wizard passing through is rare, search for that? Ask colleages? Even petition the Gods if all else fails, but so many of them are quiet."
[19:55] <Seira> "I'm already at the stage where the Gods themselves are being petitioned," Seira grumbles. "Though, perhaps, I have been lax at the more mundane research. It would gall me to find that he visited Balmuria as I was stationed there, right under my nose."
[20:00] <Kokokokokokokoko> "Yes indeed." The old priest agrees, calm. "I wish you the best with this...I'm sorry Icould not help you more, but he wished to keep his ultimate motives close to chest."
[20:03] <Seira> "Should he chance upon your temple again, perhaps following our footsteps, please convey my sincerest desire to get in touch to him and tell him where to contact me?" Seira requests, quickly scribing her new address on a spare bit of parchment. "And, of course, should you ever travel to Balmuria, you are welcome to stay at my abode, as you shared yours with my friends and I."
[20:06] <Kokokokokokokoko> "I thank you deeply," he smiles to Seira, "If Saul comes back this way, I will send a message to you."