In the Hall of the Mountain King

[Rezantis]

"So, um . . . how would Elric be drawing power from an object holy to the younger gods anyway? Wouldn't they have something to say about this?"

Rez promptly sticks his nose in.

[Brian]

"I don't know," Radagast says, shaking his head.  "I would hope that Lord Bloom could shed more light on that."

[Rezantis]

"Well, we're going to need to take a look at it - and I really suggest we have a chat to Mirallia before doing anything."

Nathan hums.

"So who do we ask to let us in? Ekim, or Lord Kevin, or . . . ?"

[Brian]

"Ekim holds the keys," Radagast says.  "It is his lock, after all."  He looks thoughtful.  "Mirallia might know something of the prayer we would need."

[Rezantis]

"Mirallia might also know more than we do about how these crystals work, and how one might have been tainted," Rez notes, "Shall I go and find Ekim, then?"

[Dracos]

"Hmm... yeah, might as well.  See if you can gather Mirallia as well, but try not to cause too big a notice that we're having a huge gathering down here."

Dracos

[Brian]

Radagast nods thoughtfully.  "It would probably be for the best," he says slowly.  "By the way ... if you don't mind me asking, have you told anyone else...."  He trails off, glancing at Alec, and frowns very slightly.  "Does anyone else know about this thread?" he asks.

[Rezantis]

"Alec knows where we're from, and all, if that's what you mean . . ." Nathan hums, then shrugs.

"Basic rundown, Alec, is that we're all somewhat exceptional on our world in that we can do things normal people can't.  Phil can see the threads of, well, magic - and he can do it here when he tries.  And he's seen threads leading from Elric down to this crystal, which is what we're talking about.  Obviously, that can't leave this room, yadda yadda yadda.  Anyway, I'll see if I can go and find Mirallia and Ekim. Mirallia first, I think, because Ekim will draw . . . attention.  Back in a few."

Assuming nobody stops him, Nathan - and presumably Alec - head off to try and find Mirallia. If Alec has questions, he can ask along the way!

[Brian]

Nathan runs off and quickly finds Mirallia helping the wounded.  She doesn't question, as the wounded that can be saved, already have been, and follows Nathan (and Alec) back to the sealed door below the keep.  Alec seems to take everything in stride and doesn't ask any questions right away.

Radagast and Phil are still ruminating over the locked door, and Parthipan is pacing back and forth, deep in thought.

[Rezantis]

"My pardon for calling you away so abruptly, Madame Mirallia, but we have need of your cons-" Nathan abruptly stops and gives Drac a glare.

"Dammit, I'm starting to talk like this idiot.  Anyway.  We've been working on finding these anchors that Elric apparently has, and one of the trails lead straight back to what's behind this door - so most likely the crystal.  And we have no idea what to do. And we were wondering if we could have your thoughts - could Elric have tainted this? Would the younger gods take exception and be able to do something about it? Is there any way of replacing the effects of the crystal if it is one of Elric's anchors? I . . ." Nathan shrugs helplessly, "We don't know nearly as much as we need to, and so we figured you'd be able to help us with that."

[Brian]

Mirallia looks very thoughtful for a long moment.  "I do not think that Elric, no matter his power, could truly taint an artifact with the power of any god without their follower's knowing," she finally says.  "But a crystal is merely a thing, and a force or power could be used there ... do ... lorekeepers use power this way?" she asks, looking at Radagast and Parthipan questioningly.

Radagast nods.  "We can," he confirms.  "Though, I would expect Elric's power to be different from a lorekeeper's."

"Well, either way, I doubt any of the younger gods would appreciate such a missuse of their artifacts, unless they felt it was beneficial to us for such an anchor to exist.  Does this limit Elric's power, or enhance it?" Mirallia asks.

Radagast blinks in surprise.  "Well," he says slowly.  "We did learn of the link through Mattias...."

[Dracos]

"We'll know when I can see it.  At least, I think I will.  Nathan, go get Lord Ekim.  No point pondering this further without seeing it directly."

Dracos

[Rezantis]

Nathan raises an eyebrow at this, then shrugs.

"Phil, if you want this done with anything even remotely resembling subtlety, I'm not the person to be using right now," Rez glances at his sword meaningfully, "Madame Mirallia was bad enough, but Lord Boneforge will attract a lot of attention if we're seen coming down here - I think you're better off getting someone else to do it, really."

Nathan hums.

"In fact, I don't really think I'm going to be able to add much more to this, so if it's alright I may vanish. I don't think I have much more to add anyway.  If nobody wants me for anything else . . . ?"

[Dracos]

"Actually, I was hoping for your help afterwards putting together that unit to train for synching up with the keep forces."

Dracos

[Rezantis]

"Do you want me to go and get started on that now?  Since I'm not really going to be that much help here, and all, I may as well."