227.7 Demedais

[Corwin]

[21:50] <Anastasia> "Hehehheehe," Smothering her laugh with a drink of ale, "I'm open to whatever suggestions you might have. I haven't really made up my mind on it."
[21:51] <Demedais> "I'll think on it some more as well." Demedais chuckles. "Croger was suggesting 'Fiendbane" which was, um, yeah. Pass no."
[21:53] <Anastasia> "How...um...obvious." Pollyanna coughs delicately and away from her food. "Something that doesn't sound too obvious."
06[21:54] * Demedais muses. "Actually, I'm not sure you ever met Croger. Remember when I pretty much stayed cloistered in the Temple for four days, trying to heal someone? That was him."
[21:55] <Anastasia> "Yes, I remember that," she says, "That terrible case."
06[21:57] * Demedais nods. "I went to visit him from where I dropped him off at a heavenly temple to Ilmater. The cure that was needed was a saint's blood from his own bloodline, according to the healer."

[Corwin]

[19:13] <Kotono> <Demedais> "I'll think on it some more as well." Demedais chuckles. "Croger was suggesting 'Fiendbane" which was, um, yeah. Pass no."
[19:13] <Kotono> > "How...um...obvious." Pollyanna coughs delicately and away from her food. "Something that doesn't sound too obvious."
[19:13] <Kotono> * Demedais muses. "Actually, I'm not sure you ever met Croger. Remember when I pretty much stayed cloistered in the Temple for four days, trying to heal someone? That was him."
[19:13] <Kotono> > "Yes, I remember that," she says, "That terrible case."
[19:13] <Kotono> * Demedais nods. "I went to visit him from where I dropped him off at a heavenly temple to Ilmater. The cure that was needed was a saint's blood from his own bloodline, according to the healer."
[19:16] <Kotono> "Well Helm, that's not going o be easy to get," Pollyanna eats a few more bites of her food, before pushing the tray a bit forward. "Did you come up with anything?"
[19:17] <Demedais> "... when the Magus of Time tempted all of us... I was sent back to the moment that I was left on the steps of the Temple of Helm, and given the chance to go with my birth family instead."
03[19:18] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[19:20] <Kotono> Pollyanna looks down at that, downa t the empty table. "I can relate to that, sort of," she murmurs.
[19:21] <Demedais> Demedais shakes his head slightly. "...When he was young, and his wife and he were badly off... Croger had to abandon their child, a son, in Balmuria." A slight pause, before he looks to Pollyanna, a smile on his face. "I may be no saint, but it seems my blood was good enough."
[19:24] <Kotono> "..." Pollyanna stops cold, "That wonderful, Demedais! This is truly a miracle Helm created for you, to find your father again in such a situation and be al...able to..." she slows down there and a scowl takes over her face, "But, who was responsible for the impossible illness in the first place, then? As I recall, there were signs it wasn't natural?"
[19:26] <Demedais> "Esthan." Demedais grimaces. "Apparently he very well knew the truth there. I presume that if I had continued to try and do it myself, he would've appeared as Croger died to taunt me with it, or to make me desperate enough to accept a deal with him."
[19:28] <Kotono> "He dies." Pollyanna's glower turns into a poisonous grimace, "That's unforgivable! To use your own lost father as a chip in a vile game to manipulate you?"
[19:31] <Demedais> "Yeah. Fortunately, for now Croger's studying with Ilmater - he wants to pay them back for saving his life, and I can't say I disagree with his motivation." Demedais replies with a nod.
[19:35] <Kotono> "He'll be safer there, but...really, Esthan dies. No one does that to you, Demedais! As soon as we can lay our hands on Esthan, we'll ensure that he's going right back to whence he came."
[19:36] <Demedais> "I'm not concerned over what he does to me so much as what he's doing to others." Demedais grimaces. "If he can pull this sort of trick, and he's shown he has at least some pull with Helm if he needs it... well. The situation gets sticky."
[19:40] <Kotono> "If Helm wants to smite me for going after him..." Pollyanna wavers, "I'll deal with that then. But there's no way to forgive what he did or let it go."
06[19:41] * Demedais smiles slightly. "Myself, I'm not too terribly concerned about it. If I get the chance, sure, I'll help deal with him, but..."
[19:41] <Kotono> "But what?" With a little sputter, "Are you saying you're just going to take what he did in stride?"
[19:46] <Demedais> "Dear... He's managed to make not only you and I, but Seira, Alicia, Antenora, Latha, and a fair few others quite annoyed. He's dangerous beyond most opponents we've faced, I'll give him that. But, call it a hunch... Alicia alone, given the chance, and Esthan's devil rations."
[19:47] <Kotono> "Even if so, I want to take a few pounds of flesh out of him with a rusty silver knife," With a growing growl in her words, "He needs to understand that no one does this to you."
06[19:49] * Demedais raises an eyebrow. "You may very well get your chance. Though from all reports it may be wise if you get some way to avoid tough skin... he's talented enough to make that a problem."
[19:50] <Kotono> "I'll work on it," Pollyanna vows. "He's not going to escape from my arrows."
06[19:51] * Demedais nods. "Excellent, then. Gives us both even more reason to train ourselves, no?"
[19:58] <Kotono> "Yes!" Pollyanna gets up, "Let's go train and train hard this afternoon, as a start?"
[19:58] <Demedais> "Sounds like a plan!" Demedais nods in reply, also standing.
[20:03] <Kotono> OOC: You wanted to chat with the high priest, didn't you?
[20:03] <Demedais> OOC: Yeah, over a few different things.
[20:05] <Kotono> An audience with the High Priest is easy for Demedais to get with his standing. The two meet in private chambers. "I've been reading this book of scriptures you brought back," he says, rapping a knuckle against the cover.
[20:09] <Demedais> "Any thoughts on it, High Priest?" Demedais asks respectfully.
[20:11] <Kotono> "There are fascinating relevations in this book. It is a very militant peace in perspective," Resting his hand on it, "The degree with order is idealized and chaos is reviled exceeds our current scriptures. I worry that we have been lax in this regard."
06[20:16] * Demedais nods. "Indeed. In some ways, perhaps we have. The abandoned temple that I seek to revitalize - the one I mentioned previously, though confessionally in passing - may assist as training ground in all of our duties." Demedais nods, before pausing. "There is one important thing to remember regarding that tome, however - its age. It comes from the period before all the upheavals, the ones that affected even the Gods themselves."
[20:17] <Kotono> "This is true," He nods, "In the preceding times, we may have lost much of the purity of Helm's wisdom. A terrible error on our part, but one that we can rectify."
[20:18] <Demedais> "Not exactly the thrust of my argument, but yes, that is true as well." Demedais nods. "We must be aware of our past, but also the future that lies ahead of us, and the present as it stands - something that from our perspective, is still unclear. Our world is still not fully open to the outside." (More)
[20:22] <Demedais> Pulling out the book purchased near Ilmater's hall, Demedais places it next to the old one. "This one is quite recent, from my understanding; while waiting to return from attending to Croger, I picked it up. I would request you read this as well, and give me an open opinion. It... is possible the tone of the message may conflict, as well as the message itself, from what was before; the previous tome was also written during a time of confl
[20:23] <Demedais> "...the previous tome was also written during a time of conflict or near to it, I suspect; this new one in a realm of both peace and relative proximity to Helm."
[20:24] <Kotono> "Another scripture? It will be read then," Taking the silver leaf pressed book and opening it to the first page, "Let us meet again after I have read it?"
06[20:25] * Demedais nods slightly. "There is one other thing I wished to bring up, while I had this chance. Have you thought at all about what may be done to rectify that accursed glaive?"
[20:30] <Kotono> "That..." Waving a hand, "Thing. Ugh. If you wish to bear it might be possible. It's eyes are disturbing and unsettle you the longer you look at them."
[20:31] <Demedais> "I've dealt with worse, though not on prolonged contact, I must admit." Demedais nods. "I feel it to be worth the effort, at least."
[20:32] <Kotono> "If you wish, I believe Helm will show you the way." He relents after af ew moments, "That is your feeling, that it is worth it?"
[20:34] <Demedais> "I believe so, yes." Demedais nods. "When it becomes usable by one of the men of the Temple of Helm, it may very well prove a more useful tool than even the weapons and armor I've brought back thus far."
[20:46] <Kotono> "You don't shy away from that, but you're the greatest champion of Helm I've ever met. It's only fitting," With a nod there, "When will you begin it then?"
06[20:48] * Demedais nods slightly. "Give me a day to prepare myself, then, High Priest."
[20:52] <Kotono> OOC: How are you going to prepare then?
[20:53] <Demedais> OOC: Spells prepare, notify Pollyanna so if it's not something solo she can come with (but warn her that it may very well be a solo trip), find another scroll of Sending just in case, but not expecting to need it.
[20:54] <Demedais> OOC: I'll note the Sending scroll in the loot topic and go adjust spells.
[20:54] <Kotono> OOC: Okay, tell me when you're good.
[21:16] <Kotono> Thus Demedais prepares! The next day he enters the Temple of Helm! The glaive is waiting for him, sitting on the altar. "Are you ready?" The high priest asks.
06[21:20] * Demedais nods. "I believe so." Approaching the altar, he stands two feet away, closing his eyes for a brief moment.
02[21:26] * Kotono (~dunefar@ip68-99-109-25.hr.hr.cox.net) Quit (BRB -=SysReset 2.53=-)
03[21:52] * Anastasia (~dunefar@ip68-99-109-25.hr.hr.cox.net) has joined #dunes
03[21:52] * ChanServ sets mode: +qo Anastasia Anastasia
[22:15] <Anastasia> Before the altar, the will of Helm becomes clear to Demedais. This Glaive must be taken and carried as your weapon, used to strike down the chaos that the mists of Uatu will take you to. Spawns of chaos menance innocents without regard or care, they must be neutralized! You must travel alone and bear the weakening curse of the anarchic glaive.
06[22:18] * Demedais nods at this, and steps forward, grasping the glaive by its shaft. "Then your will be done, Helm." he murmurs, prepared.
[22:22] <Anastasia> "Go," The head priest says, "I believe your mission is waiting for you outside."
06[22:23] * Demedais nods. "Thank you, High Priest." With that, he advances outside, creepy as hell eyeglaive in hand!
[22:24] <Anastasia> As Demedais steps outside, mists surround him in a moment. Balmuria is gone in a blur of fog, a path ahead faintly seen.
06[22:25] * Demedais does a quick glance around, before advancing upon the path before him.
[22:28] <Anastasia> Mists are all around. You walk ahead briefly, coming to a stony road. Thick forest is around you, but a well kept stone road parts it. It's about 30 feet wide, unworn and smooth. . Sunlight comes down from above, summery warmth in the air.
[22:29] <Demedais> "Here, they run rampant? Very well." Demedais says, keeping quick pace on the road ahead of him.
[22:32] <Anastasia> Demedais travels for about an hour. The forest thins moderately out, this road merging at that point into an even wider one. This road has much traffic - horse traffic by and large. From peasant-looking sorts to knights in full armor and with unfamiliar heraldry, the road has plenty of travelers on horseback. A sign sits at the juncture between this road and the merging road.
06[22:36] * Demedais keeps an eye open for chaos, though at first glance there's not much going on here, it seems - and he honestly doubts that Helm meant "kill every chaotic person you see" as "spawns of chaos" has a quite different connotation. Still, vigilance is prime here.
[22:37] <Anastasia> A few people on the road radiate faint chaos, but no one particularly sets anything off. Demedais DOES get some looks as he stands there, even a knight slowing down to give him a long, appraising look.
06[22:38] * Demedais nods slightly to the knight, before continuing to walk upon the road, still looking around.
[22:43] <Anastasia> The knight slows and stops, "Hail, good sir," he says, deep voice booming from his helmet. "If I may have a moment of your time?"
[22:43] <Demedais> "Certainly." Demedais says, nodding pleasantly to the knight. "Is there some issue I may assist with?"
[22:45] <Anastasia> "Yes. That shield that floats by you is magnificent, sparking jewels that are embellished with the live giving sunshine. Your armor is of superior make and model, worthy of a Prince. Yet you travel alone on foot. Sir, as a loyal knight of the kingdom, if you have encountered any difficulty, I would be honored to help you."
06[22:50] * Demedais shakes his head, a chuckle at this. "Truth be told, I am but a servant to Helm, journeying here in an attempt to remove the... grotesque curse... upon this weapon." He lifts the glaive up for a moment, before looking to the Knight. "However, I do have one prime question - has there been any disturbances, chaotic events or attacks on civilians around here?"
[22:53] <Anastasia> "Ah, honorable Helm." He claps his fist against his plate armor's chest, "No obvious disturances, good sir, but I have been in the hinterlands and plains the past month. I return on having helped vanquished the fiendish goblin incursions against our lands."
06[22:58] * Demedais looks the man over for chaos just as confirmation, before nodding. "I see. Then what I seek must be further down the road. Tell me, what road have I alighted on here in my search?"
[22:59] <Anastasia> "This is the Main Imperial Road to Telerath." Answering that as he begins to spur his horse to a slow walk, "Soon we will reach the lip of the valley where Telerath lies."
06[23:01] * Demedais nods. "Would you mind my company, good knight?" he asks, summoning his own horse as he looks around across the countryside again.
[23:02] <Anastasia> "Ah! A paladin?" He asks, "Or a Horselord?" Teh countryside is light forest right now, thinning out steadily ahead.
[23:03] <Demedais> "A paladin." Demedais nods to the former term. "I'm afraid I've not encountered a Horselord before." Mounting up, he matches the knight's pace. "My name is Demedais of Helm."
[23:06] <Anastasia> "You are unfortunate. Horselords are the masters of the plains and of the noble art of horsemanship. Still, I am pleased to be in the company of a paladin." He salutes Demedais, bowing as much as he can on horseback. "May your divinely blessed horse be blessed and healthy."
06[23:08] * Demedais returns the bow and salute. "There is much yet my homeland has not seen. Perhaps someday soon they will travel there." Demedais says, content to wait at this point if the knight doesn't choose to provide a name, keeping a vigilant eye out over the plains as he searches for the chaos he must subdue.
[23:10] <Anastasia> "My horse is named Cybelinen. He is of pure Planesrunner blood back at least six generations," Patting the side of his horse, "My name is Stanley, Sir of Denvelux."
06[23:12] * Demedais nods to this. "May Cybelinen be blessed with strength and life enduring, and may Helm always watch over you, Sir Stanley of Denvelux." As he settles onto Horse, "How long had the goblin incursions been going on?"
[23:18] <Anastasia> "It's been ap roblem since the hinterlands and planes were fully subdued two centuries ago. Wild goblin tribes clash with our border settlements and we have to chase them away."
06[23:19] * Demedais nods to this. "That is understandable. The goblins in our land have been mostly confined to the barbarian lands - they are claimed by giants, so we have chosen to honor this and leave them be." Another sweep around with his eyes, "They keep the goblins and trolls in that forest in line, though there have been... incidents, even still. Fortunately, they are few and far between."