The mystery of Benfal (Moore, Tryll)

[Nephrite]

In that case, Take 10 for 49.

[Anastasia]

When this happens, it's usually a sign you aren't ready to move to the next layer. If it's the first time you've reached that high, it's simply a sign you need more time on this layer. If you've been to the next layer before, it's generally seen that there's a lesson or point you need to understand before that. The journey never ends and the Holy Mountain always teaches.

[Nephrite]

Hm, but Xiranthador is up a level, right? So that's out for the time being.

Well, he'll go and investigate the buildings, at least. Perhaps he'll find something!

[Anastasia]

As you approach, you see they are classical tombs - carved pillars, worked stone and everything. Standing in front of each door is a bear-like archon clad in full plate armor and carrying a sword that burns with fire. They stand watch before each tomb.

[Nephrite]

Oh, like the ones he found last time. Raziel's chosen, wasn't it?

He'll pass through the area and see if anything happens to catch his eye. This is supposed to be a learning experience, isn't it? So perhaps he just needs to be on the lookout for something.

[Anastasia]

Spot it up.

[Nephrite]

Why, that would be 46!

[Anastasia]

Lots of tombs and guardians over them. A few glance at you but make no aggressive move, content to keep their watch. There's perhaps three dozen tombs in all here, though none have names. They're big enough for several people each or for one person with lots of decorations and honors.

[Nephrite]

He's definitely here for some sort of reason... is it Raziel that he's supposed to find?

Or maybe the idea is that he's supposed to take a rest. Hm.

Maybe he's just overthinking all of this.

He takes a moment, shuts his eyes and spins randomly. He'll fly towards whatever tomb is in front of him (or away from the tombs if that happens, too!)

[Anastasia]

Trusting in fate, eh? Roll 1d100-14.

[Nephrite]

[14:26] <Nephrite> roll 1d100-14 serith
[14:26] <Serith> Nephrite roll for Serith < 81 > [d100=95]

[Anastasia]

You wander towards a tomb, the guardian's attention fully on you when you come within 60ft of it. "Traveler," The archon rumbles, a deep voice that overwhelms the silence of the valley. "I ask you to step - or fly as it may be - lightly, for the blessed dead rest here before embracing eternity."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. "Are these others that Raziel has taken under his... ah... wings?" He clears his throat, not intending to make a joke. "I had visited a similar tomb on a previous visit -- may you share what lay inside this particular one?"

[Anastasia]

"These are not Raziel's," The warden archon's voice is gentle, "Domiel rules this layer. This soul's name is Edsen Wintergast. He is a former assassin who repented and entered into Domiel's service as a Slayer of Domiel. He fought evil bravely and with the zeal of the converted, until the day he laid down his life against an aboleth attacking a ship he was on. His life bought the ship time to escape, so that the innocents on board were not dragged to a watery grave. When his rest is complete, he will emerge and join us, his past sins washed away."

The archon gestures out with a sweep of his claw towards the other tombs, "Each tomb has a story, if you care to listen."

[Nephrite]

He needs to stop doubting himself and just open himself up to the wisdom he's being shown.

"Thank you, good archon." Moore says with a bow.

He flies back and considers for a moment.

Well, he's got plenty of time, so he may as well find out the various stories. Not everyone gets to come here, after all!

he'll just go clockwise to learn a bit about each person and/or group for now. He's pretty sure there's a reason he's here, he just has no idea what that reason is.