Thus Moore and friends return home, return home to peace. If nothing else can be said, the war is over, at least the main theater of it.
"Moooooore!" Grias bobs in the air as you enter the courtyard, "I heard, congratulations!"
Moore raises a hand to Grias. "Grias, thank you. I'm happy we were able to come to an accord."
"We won!" Grias goes on, spinning around and around, "All those efreet who attacked Celestial lose again!"
"They do." Moore agrees. There's no reason for him to bring Grias down with the future of the efreet empire under the direction of Hell, but for right now he lets Grias bask in his happiness.
"I know I wasn't gone long, but did anything happen while I was gone?" He asks.
"Oh, Lord Erathaol left you a message, it's in your room," Grias says brightly, "He said it could wait until you return."
Moore nods. "Let me go read it, then. Oh, if Lady Antenora shows up, would you let me know, please?" He asks.
He's off to go read this message!
It is as follows.
You have learned things about the nature of planar war, about how all sides compete and Compete with one another. A less seasoned hero may ask why we do not wage war all the time, and in this I offer but this war as another example why we approach true war cautiously. A war that is almost completely triumphant so often bolsters another we oppose, through the endless maze of plotting and politics.
Antenora's words were words that speak of internal pain but also words of simple wisdom. This does not dull our swords, but we consider wars carefully and accept our victories, even knowing they may not be total victories. There have been times where seeming victories cost as much as was gained.
Consider this wisdom. For the moment, you are free and have many matters to see to. I trust you to continue to progress your goals.
Well, he asked Antenora to come visit, so Moore figures she'll probably be here at some point.
For now, though, with the war off his mind, he can reassign some duties...
This is just an IC note that I need to modify the Realm Posting.
Antenora will be tomorrow, since I need to touch base on something with Eb there since her duties may occupy her.
Easy enough to do. Until there's a knock on the door and Melia comes in. "Hey," she says, and without waiting for a reply, "I'm grateful Jetina can regrow body parts. Cultists of Orcus don't play nice."
"You too, huh?" Moore asks. "I bet he has it out for me and anyone related to me. Was it worth it, whatever... it was?"
"No idea. I got away, it was an ambush. A good one, but this helped," Melia pats her new cloak.
Moore nods. "I'm glad it's being put to good use, then. Hey, are you at all familiar with any libraries? Especially those that aren't famous because they don't want to be." He asks.
"I've heard stories of a few," Melia says, "I figured you'd ask again sooner or later."
"It's not urgent, but can you put a list together for me?" He asks. "I'm going to have more time on my hands to go visit them now, so It'd be good to have some to hit."
"I heard. Congratulations. He really quit?" Melia asks, rubbing her left shoulder.
"Well, I think it was an opportunity to enact some plans he'd been cooking for a while." Moore says. "I think he didn't have a choice -- things would've ended up even worse for the efreet."
"You really won big," Melia says, "You're the real thing, all of you are."
"What, you thought you were working for a fraud?" He asks with some joking anger. "I appreciate you saying so, though. But you're part of all this -- you help me out with things I can't have other people handle."
"So I doubt the Sultan will do well with what happened," Melia says, "Wouldn't want to be him right now." She smiles a bit, "I'll have more things to look into now, or at least different ones?"
"I'm going to have you focus on helping find knowledge for the research." Moore says. "I think you'd be able to find some in places I'd never even know to not go."
"I'll get on it," Melia says, agreeably enough. "Well, after dinner."
"Take your time." Moore says. "And let me know if you run into more trouble."
A nod and Melia goes off, and from there...
Okay in the event Antenora's delayed, what's your next todo? Just want to have prep started in case it's needed.
Hmm. Let's see how that trading thing is going with our good friends outside of Hope's Landing. It's been a while, but the war kind of overtook the whole thing.
Sure.
Outside of Hope's Landing is bustling. Some soldiers still as well as several trading tents. Things have sprung up for certain, a handful of Mercane seen as well as more celestial traders. A marketplace of sorts, small but certainly not nothing at all.
I have forgotten the name of the goblin and the person the Padisha sent us, but Moore will look for them!
The goblin is Hampiere and the mercane is Trader.
You find Trader first, haggling with a sea elf over what looks to be a basket of clams.
"Fifty," The elf says, "These are high quality and lightly enchanted."
"They are," Trader agrees, "They're also not worth fifty currents."
"They aren't," The sea elf has an open face, beautiful and graceful. He shakes his head, "I need the money because an associate having hard times, and I want to help him."
Trader rubs his chin, "Then I'll buy them for seventy currents," he sticks his hand out, which the elf quickly shakes. The bow lightly to one another after.
"Thank you, friend," the sea elf says, "I'll be sure he knows you're a good merchant."
"I see things are going well." Moore says after the transaction. "I've been neglectful in supporting this endeavor — my own idea, even — so I intend to rectify that." A bright smile follows his apology. "What can I do to help?"
"Money. Different currencies in particular," Trader says, "We have a large cache of currents, which is the gold-equivalent currency most of the sea elf traders use. We're also adequate in traditional mintages of gold coins, as well as Arcadian Sunrises and we have a few small holdings of Brightwater writs. However, we're short on most everything else."
This is the sort of nitty gritty that tends to be glazed over with gold pieces for the sake of gameplay. It exists but usually isn't mentioned.
Moore nods. "I can find a variety of currencies for you. Would 100,000 gold worth of different currencies be sufficient?" He asks.
"That would be more than sufficient," Trader says, eyes going a little wide. "I was hoping for a tenth of that!"
"I take this venture seriously." Moore says with a bright smile. "Would you expect that Brightwater would have the various currencies?"
"Yes," Trader says, "Or any reputable currency changer." Face lost in thoughtful wonder, "Of course we could do all of that and more with that much money."
"I have more time to invest in this than I did before, so if anything comes up that you'd like support in, please let me know or, if I'm not here, let Grias know." Moore says. "I'll go to Brightwater shortly, I have some business there anyway."
"I'll use the money wisely and well," Trader promises, "It's not about the profit here, is it. Not in coin, it's about the investment in others. It's so obvious now."
"You're a quick study." Moore says with a smile. "I'll check in periodically to make sure everything is going well."
Moore will postpone the trip to meet with Aunty Anty.
Aunty? Scary.
It's not long from there until Antenora arrives. There is no fanfare - she arrives quietly, unhidden but unheralded. She comes in and meets you, "You wished to meet?"
"Antenora." Moore greets her. He gestures for her to follow, as he takes a path around Hope's Landing and eventually up onto one of the walls.
"Sorry, I should say 'Lady Antenora,' but my instinct tells me you don't prefer it. Yes, I wanted to talk about a lot of things with you. This is the first time we've really spoken, so I'd like to start by saying that I appreciate what you do. I know it's not easy, but you— and everyone else around you, makes Creation better by being here."
"Antenora's fine," Antenora goes to stand and look at the view of Lunia below. "Thank you, it's what I want and need to do. You've seen what happens when evil touches anything."
"I have." Moore says. "It's why we can't let them win. Even saying that, though, you feel like we didn't win against the machinations of Asmodeus."
It's less a question and more a statement. "I know what it's like — to feel like you should've or could've done more in a situation. But the way I see it... Hell will twist anything into a victory, even Eblis. I'm not here to try and change your mind or think I know more than you. I just wanted to express that you're not alone in not being fully happy, and that that's okay to feel. It just gives us more reason to make sure the slaves are taken care of."
Antenora exhales slowly, "It is not my nature to spill my heart's sorrows to someone I barely know, comrade or not." A flash of presence, a feeling of sheer Antenora, a feeling of her that almost consumes you.
Peace.
"As you command," Antenora does not resist that word, her presence gone. "If that's your intent that I unburden myself, I will do so. I came from Hell," she confesses after that gentle word. "I chose to no longer serve the designs of Baator, and yet I feel as if I still do when things such as this happen. I loathe it most of all, because I know how a devil thinks, I know how the machinations line up and how to triumph even when you are foiled. I know that in a sense we have purchased freedom for the efreet's slaves at the cost of the soul of the Efreet Empire."
A long pause as he looks up to the sky. To the light above.
"I did not intend for you to bare your soul to me, that's not my place." Moore says apologetically. "I simply wanted to offer you the one thing you know above all can be a path to redemption: hope. Hope for a better tomorrow, no matter what today brings."
"You have your close friends and loved ones. I don't mean to say I can offer you anything they can't. Only to say that your burdens are carried by more than just you, and I hope you and I can one day talk more amicably." He says, quietly. "That might be odd to say, but I hope that you can understand my intent."
"It is said that a worry shared is a worry lighter," Antenora says after you speak, "I did not either, but it was a worry that wished to be shared." Turning to you Antenora nods and begins to walk, "You did good work on Aurora," she says, "You've done good work here, too."
"It's work that never ends. But that's okay, I have time." He says the last part with a smile. He flies along with her. "I'd like to ask for your help in... I suppose training is the best term. I think with your insights, I can be better prepared for the Beyond. It doesn't have to be right now... I know it'll take time. But I wanted to ask nonetheless."
"To become One?" Antenora asks simply, "I'll render you whatever aid I can."
As she settles to wait for the Grand Khan's treaty proposal, Seira communicates to her allies in this war, from close like Barachiel, Romiel and Moore of Celestia, the elemental princes and princesses of Good and Sylica's leadership through those fitting more the roles of patrons like Lathander and Queen Morwel and all the way to allies of convenience like Yan C Bin or Istishia.
On the heels of the efreet capitulation, the dao have made a barely acceptable offer to end the war. I hope to deliver good news to all soon.
Moore blinks, then smiles. "You're always so busy, Seira." He turns to Antenora and nods to her. "Right now, I'm pursuing the idea of my true name to be spoken in the Words. I feel like that will give me some help. I know we can't... exactly practice what going there is like, but... well, if you have any suggestions, I'm all ears."
"I knew my old true name, before I changed," Antenora remarks, "Do you know yours yet?"
"No, but I have a feeling I do, if that makes sense." Moore says. "I doubt you've been there, but I had reason to visit Yggdrasil once. I didn't know myself very well when I went there... but I can better understand who I am because of it."
He gestures around. "I can find it here somewhere."
"I found mine in Hell, once on a time," Antenora agrees, "Knowing the nature of Celestia, you'll journey before you find it. I know my own efforts were not trivial."
Moore nods. "I don't doubt it for a moment. But... I've overcome a lot of trials in my time. This is another." A smile after that. "Let me do that first, then I'll invite you back. But you're welcome here anytime you wish."
"Until then," Antenora agrees, taking off to the sky, expression distant, perhaps lost in her own thoughts.
Moore waves her off!
Okay. His list of things is to go to Brightwater for two things:
1) See Sisatar
2) Spend money.
Jetina should come with him.
Certainly. Any prep?
They will touch their new awesome magic stone and then be off.
Brightwater is as you remember it, but busier and bustling. As you go...
"Oh," Jetina murmurs quietly, "Do you think it's been long enough for reactions to the efreet's change of leadership to have made rumors?"
"Good question. We'll see." Moore says. He flies towards the Silverbrow Consortium, but keeps an ear out for any interesting bits of rumor!
On entering, you find it as it always is - save for Ruby meeting you just inside. "Moore, Jetina." she says, "Come with me."
Moore does as instructed!
You are taken up a set of stairs that emerges from the wall to a comfortable, intimate sort of room. A pair of incredibly soft and deep couches are here, facing one another. A fireplace crackles with fire, paintings of fields, oceans and forests hung. Each painting moves as if showing the real world - animals are seen, breezes blow and so forth. There is a great window on the far wall, showing what looks to be a rather large cavern filled with uncountable, massive drifts of golden coins, like dunes in the desert. In between one blink and the next a perfectly groomed, older gentleman dressed as a servant is silently at your side, just barely notable and awaiting.
"Mister Sisatar is extremely grateful for what you did," Ruby says, passing you a ring decorated with inlaid silver and platinum wires, delicate as wisps of a spider's web. "This ring will allow you to teleport to this location and receive priority service. This is normally something reserved for elite, draconic clientele and is a symbol of Mister Sisatar's high regard for you."
I am pretty sure this is the same room, or at least, a different room that leads to the same place.
http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,103892.msg1082331.html#msg1082331
Can you verify?
It is not.
"It's been a while since I've seen these windows." Moore says. "I think the last time was in his office."
Moore will take the ring with a smile. "I truly appreciate the gesture. Ever since I was in Aurora, you and the Consortium have been staunch allies to me in my own personal life and my journey, and I'm just happy that we were able to help him -- and the organization, for once, after you all helped me so many times."
"This is a different window," Ruby notes, "This is but one treasure, but our visitors find it soothing and properly inspiring. Jorges here," A nod to the servant, "Will fulfill any desire he can while you wait, and he is eminently talented."
Jetina considers a moment, "Could I have a cup of chilled apple cider, sweet and with a pumpkin pureed pastry?"
Jorges bows, "Yes, ma'am," and promptly vanishes. It's perhaps ten seconds before he returns, carrying a tray with a mug of cider and a plate with a large pastry on it. He places it before one of the couches, a small table rising up from the floor to hold it. It's all light colored wood, polished to a gleaming shine. "Is there anything else?"
"Hot pumpkin cider for me, please." Moore says. A smile after that. "Thank you, Jorges. Grias will be so jealous if we tell him about this."
A turn to Ruby and a smile afterwards. "Is Mister Sisatar doing well? I don't mean to pry, but if there's anything else we can do that you cannot already do, we're happy to offer."
It is produced moments later. "Thank you sir," he says in a cultured voice.
"He's healing well, "Ruby says, "Do you wish to meet with him?"
"If he's accepting visitors." Moore says. "If not, we're happy to return when he is."
"He is in your case," Ruby says, "Come with me."
Moore will do as asked, taking his drink with him!
The cider's excellent. Jetina has a sip and a bite of her food as she goes, "Oh," she murmurs, "This is good."
"Mister Sisatar was inspired from reports of Aurora's cafeteria. It's not finished, but the early results are promising." Ruby remarks.
Moore laughs at that. "I'd like to visit that, when it's finished."
He sips the cider and nods to Jetina's words.
You follow Ruby, who takes you along and reality shifts. You now stand in a long, narrow hall. Both walls are alive with murals, ones that are re-enacting dragon battles. You can see wyrms clashing in the air, wyrmlings grappling over a bag of gold. A brass dragon standing against a legion of barbazu is another, then a chromatic dragon facing against an eye tyrant. Far ahead is a door, Ruby leading the way.
You've been here before.
Moore smiles a bit. "I'll have to ask you about your architecture sometime. I could use your advise for Hope's Landing, I think."
Ruby smiles ever so faintly for a moment as you enter the office.
Ahead is a spacious office. The floors are polished, smooth stone. It's a rich white color with veins of purple running throughout it. There is an imposing desk and no other furniture, a massive thing seemingly made from a single block of wood. Yet that hardly matters as you again see it. The glittering golden sky, the images of wealth and prosperity. So many windfalls, so many successes, so much money. It's dazzling to look at, overwhelming, distracting you from the figure at the desk.
He's visited Jovar since the last time, so the wealth means less to him now than it had before.
Moore turns to the figure at the desk, but does glance up as he did last time. He addresses the figure nonetheless. "Mister Sisatar, it's a pleasure to see you again. I hope you are recovering well." He says, slightly quietly.
Sisatar rests there, clad as before and leaning back in his chair. His eyes are closed, "Tolerably," he finally says. "All thanks to the two of you."
"I'm glad to see you healed, that was a vile curse," Jetina agrees, "We're fortunate we discovered the solution so quickly."
"I was cursed by Orcus not that ago." Moore says, a small and understanding smile. "So I understand that recovery period. I thank you eternally for the recompense, but the true reward in all of this is that you are safe. Would you indulge a question, if you feel up to it. What led you to create the Consortium, and does the name have any significance to you?"
A hm at that, "Moore," he asks you, "When you have a snowball atop a mountain, how do you get it to become bigger?"
"Let it collect more snow as it travels." Moore says.
"This," Sisatar gestures about, "Is my mountain."
That really doesn't answer anything!
"I think I understand the general idea." Moore says. "So are you the snowball in this analogy?" He asks with a smile. "Then let me ask you this: what do you consider to be the goal of the Consortium?"
"My wealth is," Sisatar says, "The gathering of a hoard is part of any dragon's life, be it to make one or defy your instincts. As for the name," He slowly reaches and rubs his arm, "There is a race known as Silverbrow Humans. Humans with dragon blood, an offshoot. I like the name and it suggests much to the wise, while the foolish learn nothing from it."
Moore smiles. "In the end, it's very simple." He says. "I wanted to inform you of a venture I am making at Hope's Landing. I am trying to make us another nexus of trading, not unlike Brightwater. I wanted to make you aware, as I would be honored if you'd add a representative of the Consortium to that effort."
"Hm." He sits back a time, "Ruby," he speaks up, "See to investigating a branch office in Hope's Landing."
"Yes, mister Sisatar," Ruby agrees immediately.
Moore smiles and nods. "Please don't ever hesitate to call on me if you ever have need of us." He says. "I hope to continue our good relations."
The faintest smile at that, "Is there anything else then, Moore?"
"There is not, Sisatar." Moore says with a smile and a bow. "It's been a pleasure to see you, please be well. Thank you for the drink, as well."
He will nod to Ruby as well and then take his leave with Jetina!
Jetina's smiling when you go out, and once you're outside, "Do you remember how Ruby acted when I healed him, Moore? She doesn't show it, but I think there's something there."
"...I always assumed all the people there were just his offspring, if I'm being honest." Moore says as they go out.
Jetina's face screws up, eyes clenching shut as she goes, "Agh! Are you....Families don't do that! Now I feel terrible if you're right!"
Moore leans over and loudly whispers. "Dragons are weird!"
Plan from here is to buy 5 of the most common planar currencies, 20,000 gold worth of each.
Jetina laughs at that, as...
Sure, post the expense in loot.
Done. I'd be curious at least as to what they are.
You have to understand there's a lot of currencies. Most gold coins on a planar level are roughly equivalent to one gold piece, and for the sake of ease most of the time this is handwaved. Standards do vary as well, one gold piece from one kingdom may be smaller than the gold piece in another and be priced appropriately.There's an awful lot of handwaving going on here in general since while I do find this interesting, it's a huge timesink but now I'm tempted to get into it again.
Rounds: The official name of mercane minted gold pieces, these are always worth precisely one gold coin. The front has the face of various famous mercane and the rear is stamped with either a stylized M or the particular trading house of mercane that was behind that particular mintage. These coins are made with precision and perfectly round, hence the name. They're almost always simply called gold pieces or gold. These are considered highly reliable and are often imitated.
Brightwater Golds: The name for coins minted in Brightwater. They're held to a similar standard as mercane coins and are considered reliable. These coins are small, thick circles that are easily grasped by the handful. They're always stamped with the image of the various deities of Brightwater. Sometimes called writs as well, but this is informal and can cause confusion with actual writs of credit issues in Brightwater.
Iron Tols: The gold coin of Dis, heavy and made of a dull gold mined in Dis. Notably heavy and worth 2.2 standard gold coins per Tol. These tend to turn up a lot because Dis is a big mercantile hub, and while some disdain them, the gold's generally safe. They're stamped with Dispater's face on one side and an image of a tower on the other.
Beyond that there's no clear leader - there's tons of coinages out there, not to mention things from the Inner Planes and Primes, which can be all over the place. So for the last two feel free to suggest something you'd want and I'll fill in the details.
That's an interesting read nonetheless.
Moore will take the currencies back to Hope's Landing!
Cool, next move?
Other than delivering them, there's not much on his agenda that's pressing. He does have a lot on his plate to pursue, but none of it is absolutely immediate.
i think he'd start with his True Name stuff, though.
Okay cool, how do you intend to do that?
Best place to start seems to be the foot of the mountain and he'll work his way up. He's not above the classic Celestia strategy.
Okay, taking anyone with you?
Nah, this is a personal journey for him.
And, to be more specific as to what he is doing...
Focusing on the idea of his true self and his true name and picking a direction and just walking. Well, flying. You get the idea.
Sure. Roll 1d8 for me, would you?
[blockquote]Rolled 1d8 : 6, total 6[/blockquote]
You fly up - the first layers pass quickly and you find yourself in the foggy paths of Solania. Your feet alight on the ground, perching on a rocky outcropping. The air is chilly here and yet it feels invigorating, a gentle fog over everything that removes harsh details and smooths over reality.
"I thought as much..." Moore murmurs to himself. He flies along, knowing that he will find his own answer here. Ultimately, what is a true name? Is it the name your soul is given at its creation? Is it something more? This, he ponders.
"I knew my old true name, before I changed," Antenora's voice echos in your mind and on the breeze, as you begin to flutter along.
How many times has he changed? That's probably the root of this, isn't it? Who was he before he was the Moore who is Moore?
This, he ponders.
You flutter along and feel something. A lick at your hand, Wood on his hind legs to get to your hand, licking it once and trotting along with you after.
"He really likes dogs, doesn't He?" Moore says as he gives Wood a pat on the head. "Are you here to guide me?"
A single woof at that, Wood trotting along now.
Moore will follow along!
Give me a Wisdom check.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+21 : 18 + 21, total 39[/blockquote]
You wander a time...but end up following Wood more and more. His tail wags as he leads you along, some instinct telling you to follow him. You find yourself letting him lead the way - if you want to, a moment where you muse perhaps it's best if you go on your own instead.
There is a time and place to go things alone — but the Holy Mountain shows you what you need to see, even if you don't know what it means.
For now, he continues to follow Wood, knowing that there is a reason.
This, he ponders.
The Moore that is not Moore.
Who was that?
Does that matter to you now?
Questions pass through your mind as you fly on. Ahead you can see the fog is clearing. A rather plain, simple building is here, atop a rising slope. It's all simple stone, hewn just enough to work for what it needs to be. A fenced compound with a gate leading inside.
That Moore, that is Not Moore...
He can't find Himself without finding the ones that Aren't.
He reaches for the gate to head inside this simple place.
The Him that is Not Him, yes, he has to answer that too.
This, he ponders.
A whine. Wood stops here and doesn't go in, in spite of the gate being opened.
Moore turns to Wood and smiles. "You've never led me wrong before, so I'm not going to second guess you now." He says, as he waits to see if Wood moves or just stays there!
Wood stays there a time, before perking up. Suddenly his head is low and his gaze is intent, on something inside the gr - ah, a rabbit. Wood's heading towards it quickly, moving with purpose and grace, far more than normal.
It's unusual for him to do this, so Moore decides to watch and follow along for now.
Slowly Wood stalks, coming closer and closer until the rabbit...shifts, becoming more. A silvery man wearing a pair of tattered old pants and nothing else. He turns to Wood, who startles back with a yelp.
"I'm sorry, I'm not dinner," he says in a kindly old voice with pleased smile, going over and petting Wood. "Good dog."
"Oh, goodness. Hello!" Moore says in greeting.
A look over to you, "Well, come in," he says, "If you've already opened the gate, keep going."
"Sorry, I guess I need things spelled out sometimes." He admits as he goes to fly inside.
Wood trots along and follows. "Welcome to the Monastery of the Still Mind," he says, as within is a barn and little else, just passage into the main building. "We learn to control our mind and through that our bodies, and more in time."
Moore blinks as he follows along. "Oh, that makes sense. I've heard of that sort of thing... mostly with monks and those who use their mind as power." He says. "Do you need to know why I'm here, or should I assume that people only end up here for specific reasons?"
"I don't know you from a rock on the ground," The monk agrees, "Why don't you tell me?"
"I suppose who I am doesn't really matter to you, but it's important to my journey, ironically. I'm searching for my true name." Moore explains.
"That I can't help you with," he admits, "Except to put you on the right path. You should be looking for the Eternal Well."
"Is that an actual place, or is it more metaphorical?" Moore asks.
"It's a real place, but it's obscure," Here the silver skinned man stops, "Said to be a well to eternity. I don't know if that's true or not, but I hear the waters of it can provide great insight about the self, even what you seek."
Moore nods. "Do you mind telling me where I should search for it?"
"You're on the right layer for it," The man says, petting Wood a few more times before stopping. "I hear it's close to the border with Mertion, but that's a lot of ground and the area's filled with caves and tunnels everywhere."
"I'm sure I'll find it if I need to." Moore says. "Thank you for the wisdom."
"The mists will guide you to the truth," Is the answer you get to that, as...
Moving on?
Yep.
Thus you go out and you face one question: Now what?
If it's on the border, then it seems like he should go up -- or follow Solania's paths upwards and see where they lead!
Gimme a d12, Moore.
[22:02] <Nephrite> roll 1d12
[22:02] <Penuche2> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 6 > [d12=6]
You head on up. You wander the cliffs above the valley, meandering along. Wood follows, the two of you passing time in your journey.
It feels quiet here - few sounds, few animals and no sign of other intelligent creatures. Just you, the mountain and the light above.
"If I was a well, where would I be?" Moore muses aloud. He continues on, nonetheless. "You don't happen to be a water-sniffing dog, huh, Wood?"
This, he ponders.
Wood barks a few times at your question.
"Well, by all means, then." Moore says.
Wood sniffs the ground several times then takes off at a steady trot.
Moore simply follows along!
Just because it's a journey to find his true name, he should take advantage of help offered along the way.
Even if someone is One, they have help in getting there.
This, he ponders.
Wood trots along...and soon leads you to a little creek bubbling up from under some rocks, slowly trickling down the cliffside. Wood turns and barks several times, before turning and getting a drink of water.
Moore leans down to cup his hands and drink himself. It's probably not going to immediately impart wisdom to him, but it's going to be refreshing, if nothing else.
It's cold mountain water, clean and refreshing. You feel better after drinking.
Moore laughs a little bit after he drinks the water. "All right. Let's find this Eternal Well."
To this, Wood goes to the rocks where the spring emerges and paws at them several times.
"A well would have water that comes from underground, wouldn't it?" Moore reasons. Well, he's not going to go digging himself, but a little magic can help!
ideally he can just use Stone Shape to make a hole / tunnel or whatever to open this up to get there. Otherwise he can summon a something to dig for him!
With a bit of magic, you peek beneath the rocks. A rather large hole in the ground is where the water comes out from.
Big enough for a pixie, really.
"What a coincidence." Moore says. "I don't want you hurting yourself, so if you can't make it down I'll meet you." He adds to Wood before he gives him a pat and then will proceed down!
Swim check, and I believe you have that necklace of adaptation to safeguard your breathing?
Correct.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+28 : 10 + 28, total 38[/blockquote]
The current is strong but you're stronger. You swim upstream, a steady path as you quickly find yourself chilled to the bone. The waters are cold - but you're protected enough to shake that right off. On and on and on you swim, until you notice the little passage is widening ahead, coming to some sort of opening. As much as you can tell, even with darkvision seeing in pitch darkness and underwater's no easy feat.
I believe you have some innate cold res or a spell active to help as routine. If I'm wrong, say so and I'll revise since that'll change things.
Cold Res is 30 from a ring.
Moore has no choice but to proceed forward!
You swim and into what looks to be an underground reservoir. Several underground streams and waterflows seem to feed into it, the water clear and pure. There's over a dozen paths here on a glance - you'd have to examine them all closer and more carefully.
Moore doesn't need to explore them— he simply takes a breath and proceeds... that way!
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12 : 12, total 12[/blockquote]
Hes Just randomly picking a source, trusting that he will be guided accordingly depending on what he is meant to find.
Interesting luck.
You approach one - and as you do, you feel a current pulling you towards it? As you get close, you can see water flows down this particular one instead of out of it.
Moore will proceed down and follow it!
It's easy when the current is working with you. You shoot down the waterway like a pixie arrow shot from Amaryl's bow, zooming along. It's a fairly wide passage that's erratically sloping upwards here and there, never downwards.
After some time of this, your sharp eyes notice something. The faintest glow is beginning to come from rocks on the side and ceiling of this place.
Huh, metals? Or something else?
For now, he will continue to proceed forward!
As you go you see more light. The stones themselves shine with a faint, blue-white light. The waters grow clearer and warmer as the light touches them, more pleasant by the moment as you swim deeper in.
You find yourself feeling better, reinvigorated.
Moore can't stop now! He continues!
He does wonder, as he's going along, if the Well isn't a Well in the formal sense, but just a deep reservoir of water and magic, deep within Celestia.
You swim for a good twenty minutes if not more, no longer tiring. You feel better and better as you swim, your energy rejuvenating itself. The light is bright now, enough to see everything clearly. The rocks are changing as well - at places, rock is replaced by crystal growths, jutting out and glowing brighter, warmer. The water's pleasantly warm now, like a hot bath.
Hmm, is it going to get dangerously hot as he continues?
For now, he simply proceeds forward -- perhaps he'll be able to see the source of this, after a while.
Any fire resistance?
30!
It's not but not dangerously hot, not to you. On you go - and ahead it's opening up again. A lake of some kind it looks like. You swim up and to the surface, various passages underwater leading further on. The roof here is blue-white crystal, heat haze around it. Pure, molten gold runs in streams through the ceiling, the crystal transparent enough to show it. Every so often a single droplet escapes, plunging to the lake and causing a burst of steam as it's cooled, swept away by the waters, down one of the many underwater passages here.
To the south is a little bit of rocky shore - rock utterly coated in gold, with great piles of it there, like cake batter drizzled down over ages. Long, thick sheets of it, to the edge and a bit over it, where occasionally molten gold drips down into the water from those golden edges.
"Well, that explains the heat." Moore says to himself. "But this can't be it, can it...?"
He flies over to the rocky shore to look around -- this is certainly marvelous and beautiful, if nothing else.
The shore glistens with gold as you look around. Nothing looks awry here - just lots of shining, melty gold.
"...An eternal well." Moore says as he turns back to look at what's going on, then he flies over to the other side to lean down to cup some of the hot water into his hands. "Perhaps...?"
He takes a sip of the water!
It's hot water. It's clean and clear and burns a bit going down. You feel better the moment you consume it, rejuvenated.
Maybe it isn't necessarily the water, but perhaps...
He sits down on the shore near the water itself to simply think -- think about himself, think about his true name.
Maybe this is the right place to do it in, somewhere as peaceful and healing as this.
Your butt's getting heavy and wet with...squishy-soft gold? You can feel it caking as you try and get comfortable.
Maybe floating on top of the hot water is a better idea. ...
Moore tries that instead.
You're floating on top of the water. You sit back and concentrate. It's not unpleasant for you here, but your mind isn't coming out with any great revelations, either.
"This isn't the place, but where is it...?" Moore says as he gets up and flies out of the water. He takes a breath and closes his eyes, spins around and points.
He's trusting in Celestian wisdom, as per usual. He's aiming for any of the other various caves that lead out of here.
d10.
[22:47] <Nephrite> roll 1d10
[22:47] <Penuche2> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 4 > [d10=4]
You go down another passage, swimming along. You go on a minute before you feel it - a sudden, strong current pulling you upwards, the path of this going up as well. It's quite strong.
Moore lets it carry him to his destination!
Up, up, up, up, up, up. The water dims again, but stays warm. Comfortably warm as you go up. At last - light. Something's coming, the current's speeding up.
Pop! With a cry you come out of a fountain's waters, a fountain of solid metallic silver, mithral if you don't miss your guess. It has one great hole in the center where the current brings waters up, a large basin for all of them to collect. In each of the four cardinal directions stands a six winged solar, clad in full arms and armor, as well as face covering helmets. They're just beginning to turn, flaming swords raised.
Beyond that you're in what looks to be a little clearing behind a building, something church-like on a glance. Behind you it ends abruptly in a solid rock wall that rises higher than you can see.
"Oh, goodness!" Moore manages to get out. "Ah, excuse me... sorry, I..."
He clears his throat. Thankfully the water cleaned all that gold off. "A moment, please."
A little magic and he'll be dry again, wonderfully so.
"If you can believe it, I was in the golden streams below looking for something and happened to be carried by the waters to here." He says with a smile. "Sorry for the intrusion."
Give me a Diplo check there to see how high and deep you stack it up.
Well now, you and I both know that's really deep.
Take 10 for 110.
The four figures give you a long, loooong look at that. At least they're in the right position to, faces covered and flaming swords at the ready.
"But why?" One finally says, voice stirringly magnificent.
"I've been given the wisdom to find the Eternal Well." Moore says helpfully.
"Thus it lead you to coming up here, in a sacred healing fountain?" The solar challenges you.
"I was investigating the source, below. I happened to explore one path that took me into the water and thus I ended up here." Moore says. "I don't see what's so preposterous about it... if I hadn't been meant to find my way here, I wouldn't have."
Slowly the solar replies, "One of the children of nature emerged from a holy fountain in Mertion and that does not strike you as preposterously unusual?" Here the solar shakes his head, "I find truth in your words, only because I can imagine no intrude who would speak so openly of such a thing."
"Ah, you need knowledge." Moore says. He straightens up only to offer a bow. "My name is Moore, Duke of Songs, servant of Erathaol and leader of Hopes Landing. I imagine, since you do not know who I am, that this station you hold is one that you do not leave?" He asks. "May I inquire where, precisely I am? You said Mertion, so I know that much."
"You speak truth," The solar says, as the other three turn your back on you, back to guarding the spring. "This is the Dawnspring, where age can be taken away, even from the mortal body, as well as heal almost any injury. Entrance to this spring is only given by the Hebdomad themselves."
"Do you know of the source?" Moore asks. "I witnessed it below but did not think it my place to study it. It seemed the waters there spread out to many other places..." he turns back to the fountain itself. "Eternal Well... it's rather close to that, but I don't think this is it."
"Then I request you return whence you came, Duke," The solar gestures, "Both return to your quest and seek what you will. I see no condemnation of you coming, nor any rebuke from the light above."
"That... would mean I go back in there." Moore says. "Which I don't object to... but I don't want to sully it any further."
"Your concern is admirable, but one with a pure spirit will not mar this spring." Is the answer you get.
"I won't share knowledge of this location." Moore says, not that he needs to anyway... they probably knew that. He flies over and then dives in, knowing he has a much harder time ahead of him than he did before.
...that is, if he didn't remember magic helps!
He is casting Freedom of Movement on himself to make this easier.
Done. You take the time to swim back to the room with the golden shore, the waters still warm here and rejuvenating you ever moment you swim in them.
Your arcane knowledges also tell you that it's lucky you're not a mortal creature, or at best you would be but a babe now.
Moore looks around at the other caves where the water goes.
He didn't want to do this last time, but perhaps he should...
Detect magic, Take 10 on Spellcraft for 86 and on K:A for 106. Is it the gold stuff itself that seems to give the water it's power? What IS the gold stuff, or is it just gold?
The gold stuff isn't magical, and by all indications looks like gold.
The water's magical - you can tell it heals and rejuvenates, just as the solar said.
None of the passages radiate any more magic than the others.
"This definitely has to be the source... but maybe it changes further depending..." Moore murmurs.
Very well — another cave shall be explored!
[blockquote]Rolled 1d9 : 7, total 7[/blockquote]
This tunnel proceeds dead ahead.
...yet after a few moments, the current becomes fearsomely powerful, pulling you ahead, abruptly changing strength and direction. You are protected by freedom of movement however, giving you the ability to ignore it if you wish.
There's a reason he's being show this, so he will ride the current! He can get back when he needs to.
A deep current carries you along, deeper and deeper in. The waters become cooler now as you're moved forward, on and slightly upward - until you see a sharp U slope, the waters cascading into a small cavern above - no air, fully filled - and then heading downwards.
He decides to stop to take a look at the cave. It might lead up further and simply can't see it... and he can breathe fine anyway, so it's no issue.
You swim up. It seems to be a fairly normal cave - just weathered stone here, no passages up that you see.
How disappointing!
He decides to follow the current the rest of the way for now, then.
Down and down and down you go, following this path. It takes a good 20 minutes or so before you see it - it looks to empty out into something, the roar of falling water muffled but audible as you go on down.
It's going to take a while to swim all the way back there... oh well.
He tries to fly out of the water to get a better look at where exactly he's being emptied out and where it is!
A cavern of crystal, smooth and polished to a mirror-like shine. Great crystals jut out of the walls everywhere, several waterfalls emptying from the roof into a huge lake below. Here several islands sit, each with crystals on them as well. On one particular island a hound archon rests, sitting and with his eyes closed, perhaps napping. He is wearing no armor, merely plain clothes and with no weapon visible, nor any tools.
Moore will fly over towards the archon, but inspect the crystals nearby -- perhaps they radiate some sort of power?
Spellcraft of 86 and K:A of 106 again. :)
The crystals radiate strong magic - this entire area is saturated with healing and protective magic, down to the very stones.
"Another place of healing... Is it the water itself...?" Moore murmurs quietly.
Well, he decides to take a seat on a nearby island and tries to meditate. Perhaps it'll be more successful here!
At least this one isn't gold.
You sit down and relax here. It's not bad for what it is, but you don't feel any sudden wisdom coming on you.
"...Not here either, huh." Moore says. "Well... I'm sure I wasn't brought here by mere chance."
He's going to look around for any stray crystals to bag up and take with him. I'm sure Jetina would appreciate a few, since they might be useful in some fashion for her.
Assuming there are stray ones, he'd collect... I don't know, a dozen or so?
There are stray ones. The moment you pick up the first, "Hm?" The hound archon stirs, giving you a look as he yawns.
"Oh, hello!" Moore says, greeting him with a wave. "Do you want the long story or the short story version of what I'm doing here?"
"Besides taking the crystals without asking?" The hound archon observes, giving you a look.
"I didn't realize you were here to guard them, first of all." Moore says. "For all I know, this could be somewhere you happen to enjoy napping."
He puts the crystal back down, at any rate. Really, though, everyone in Mertion is incredibly judgmental...
He clears his throat and flies over. "My name is Moore, Duke of Songs of Celestia, servant of Erathaol of the Hebdomad and leader of Hope's Landing of Lunia. You are the guardian of this particular area of Mertion, I take it?"
"Or Solania. I'm not sure if it's over the border or not," The hound archon says, a pant after. "Duke Moore." Suddenly he's sitting upright, attention on you. "Why didn't you say so, that's all you had to say."
"It's not fair to throw my weight around unnecessarily." Moore says with a smile. "But it seemed I entered another forbidden area. I popped out of a fountain at the fountain of youth up the way earlier." A huff after that. "Would you please tell me what this place is? I was going to take some crystals back, but if they're sacred or otherwise protected, I will leave them here."
"Take some - they're mine and I give them to anyone who asks," The hound archon explains, "This is part of the waterways of Celestia, where water flows up or down mountain. In other parts you'll find Moradin's dwarves, but this section is not favored by them."
"I appreciate your generosity. Do you by any chance know if the Eternal Well is connected to the water here in any capacity?" He asks.
A snap of his claw, "It connects somewhere. I know which passage below to take, and I think you have to go through the Filters so keep an eye open for them."
"Filters?" Moore ask. "Is that more literal than it sounds?"
"It's a series of magical barriers that purify the waters here," The hound archon explains. "Each one feels like your teeth ratting and moving in your mouth."
"I haven't run into those yet, as far as I can tell." Moore says. "So it's below here? I don't need to go back up to the gold part?"
"Gold part? No," A headshake, "But molten gold breaks out into many places here," he says, "Keep your eyes open."
Moore nods. "There's a part that coalesces under a gold vein of some nature up about half an hour from here." He says. "Can you point me in the right direction from here, please?"
He will now take the dozen or so crystals. : )
Sure, post that you are in loot.
"Oh, those are good for making armor," The hound archon speaks up, "Especially with celestial gold and adamantine support underneath."
"I know a healer who I was hoping to help craft something for, like a ring or a necklace with these. Do you think that would be possible?" He asks.
"Maybe. I know about the armor because the dwarves I met one time told me," he admits, a little, low pitched whine.
"I'll let you know the next time I come by." Moore says. "Thank you for your generosity."
He offers him a bow -- and then will go in whichever way he is directed, back into the water!
It's a narrow little passage just below the water level, filled with water that gets colder as you go. As you do...
Perception.
Take 10 for 91
You notice the there's the occasional etching in the ceiling of this tunnel. Looks like some sort of letters?
Moore will try to read them!
They look like letters in Celestia. Each one is a letter about 50ft apart, going from A to Z.
Huh. That's odd... well, maybe it's to mark where you are in the cavern?
He keeps going past them!
You swim on. You notice the marks repeat, looping from Z to A and then resuming. On you swim, down and down -a few tiny passages as tributaries to this flow, not large enough to go explore. Ahead, distorted by the water, is some sort of opening. You also can hear the sounds of metal moving, squealing.
Huh, so this must be the part that leads to where the dwarves are.
So did he miss the 'Filters?' He decides to check out further ahead!
This feeds into a lake. Swimming to the surface, you see this cavern glows. The roof is almost entirely molten gold, only a thin layer of old, cracking, crumbling quartz holding it at bay. Droplets regularly rain down into the water, but that's not all. A complicated set of pulleys, ropes and metal platforms endlessly wobble in a loop. Platforms scythe across the surface of the water, little dimples in the metal perfect for gold to sink into. The platforms then rise up and to a gap in the wall, where they tilt up sharply, sending half cooled bits of gold into it, beyond your field of vision. They then loop back to repeat it, endlessly.
The ropes are ancient and frayed, yet somehow move the platforms and the like with steady ease.
"...I think I'm definitely in the wrong place." Moore says to himself.
Were there any side paths or anything he missed on the way down here?
No, though in the interests of clarity you haven't looked beneath the waters here much yet.
Moore wonders how much gold they collect here, before he looks down into the lake to see if there are any paths out besides the ones the gold go up.
The bottom of the lake is laden with droplets and nuggets of pure gold, a wealth of them below. There's also a handful of passages here on a glance, as well as your superior vision and perception letting you note one about 99% hidden by gold, only a tiny corner of it not sealed over by it.
He's not stealing the wealth, since it's surely been here for a while...
He's going to cast Moore's Quick Gather and... well, you know, gather all the nuggets and everything. Especially to remove the gold hiding the one path!
Where are you gathering it to?
His portable hole. I guess there will be some water that gets in it too...
The nuggets are gathered - quite a lot of them and into your portable hole. Water begins to pour down, a new passage revealed.
Moore closes his bag up and will explore the revealed passage!
It's a passage short and curving - within 50ft it levels off, the water flow not yet enough to fill it. You could walk or fly if you want. It stays level ahead, where in the distance you can see a purple-green glow.
Following it, you come just ahead of the waters, finding a small room. A simple bed rests here as well as a table, and on that table sits a lantern. The lantern glows purple-green, shedding light all over the room. Lying on the bed is a skeleton, old and weathered indeed.
Take 10 for 86 on spellcraft and 106 on K:A! Is the latern or anything here ~magical~?
The lantern is magical, a simple enchantment to make it ever burning and ever glowing.
Nothing else here is magical.
Moore says a quiet prayer for the soul of the skeleton, hoping it found its way at some point.
He looks down into the water to see if the path continues on.
At your prayer the skeleton rises. From its clattering jaw comes the following.
"Greed, greed! I chose greed as bright as gold when given the chance at paradise! Though my body lays here, my soul screams faraway." The skeleton throws its arms up and declares, "Fool I was, learn from me! Seek the treasures of wisdom here, mortal seekers!"
Then the skeletons goes limp, collapsing back onto the bed.
A curse...? No, not a curse, but a message.
"I'm sorry." Moore says. "I hope you found peace eventually."
With that, he will try and continue on.
There doesn't look to be a path forward down this hidden passage, and the waters are staring to flow into the room.
Moore will grab the lantern for now, since it won't serve much purpose here, and tosses in his bag of holding. Then he goes back!
You return by swimming back to to the room with the platforms, ropes and pulleys. Now what?
Moore will pick another passage at random to try!
d6.
[23:07] <Nephrite> roll 1d6
[23:07] <Penuche2> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 3 > [d6=3]
Another passage - this one pulls you ahead and up, you find. It's a strong, insistent current. Following it, you soon find yourself peering ahead, a faint ripple in the water ahead, like a thin barrier.
Take 10 for 86 on spellcraft, 106 on K:A is this a Filter???;
It does indeed seem to a filter, designed to remove any impurities from the waters.
Moore will proceed on past it ... or try to!
It's like your teeth rattle and your bones feel weird, but you pass through. Nothing seems to have happened to you otherwise.
Moore will continue on!
There are several more of the filters to go through, each like the last. When it's done you feel rather shivery, but you can also see a widening opening ahead.
He proceeds!
Ahead is a cave - worked on. Stone pillars support the ceiling, wrought glass keeping veins of molten gold at bay. The water flows in carefully directed rivers here, levees ensuring there are dry lanes to walk on.
Sitting here and watching the waters is a dwarf - one with wings of the purest gold, an aura of peace and calm around it. As calm as the eternal caves, waiting with an expression of gruff joy, as if trying to keep a smile off his face. His hair is coal black and long, a matching beard with it. He wears chain armor and greaves as well.
Moore rises out of the water and dries himself with magic to raise a hand in greeting. "Hello and good day to you." Moore calls out.
"A traveler down here?" The dwarf eyes you, "Well, come on up and have yourself a nip." He withdraws an iron flask. "It'll banish the water chill from you."
"Thank you for your kindness." Moore says. "I'm actually looking for something... I guess that's probably not much of a shock. It's called the Eternal Well." He says.
Moore will take the offered drink -- hopefully prepared enough for the strong stuff. He did drink with Dana...
It's not too bad, warming more than anything else. Strong but mostly tasteless.
"I've heard of it," he says, "Follow that river there and you'll be on the right path." He points over to one of the rivers going deeper into the mountain. "It is dangerous, and you will be challenged."
"Do you know why the water has such restorative properties?" Moore asks. "I'm rather curious, after seeing so much of it."
"It's obvious to anyone with sense. Why, Moradin once hammered the waters and stones themselves here, that's why," The dwarf says, "What other reason could there be?"
Moore smiles. "That makes sense." He says with a bit of a grin. "Well, if you're ever on Lunia, please stop by Hope's Landing."
Moore will continue on!
This tunnel is at least not underwater. It is a well designed river instead, an underground aqueduct. As you go, you see exquisite stonework - engravings of dwarves at work, working the stone here. It's lifelike, each carving with a level of detail only reality would have normally. At times they are intersected with other images, images of dwarves injured while working stone - broken bones, bloodied bodies and the like. Others show a woman, inlaid with purest, shining silvery mithral, blessing the waters around those that are injured.
Moore has to wonder which part of this is true and which part is just legend. Or perhaps it's both?
He soldiers on, making mental notes of the pictures.
The engravings continue as you walk. They repeat the same idea several times and then they are overtaken - this time carvings of war. Of great battles beneath the earth, against huge, hulking things only glimpsed and suggested. Battle after battle shown, more and more. Over time these shift - to one single dwarf, clad utterly in the finest armor and wielding a warhammer, against some titanic...thing. Something never well defined, but the two do battle as you flutter along the river's path.
"Huh." Moore says as he walks past. He'll have to do some reading as to what this is supposed to represent!
Perceptionings, oh pixie.
Take 10 for 91! Afina's Perfect Vision and all that stuff.
You notice that a nearby image of a dwarf is beginning to move, coming out of the work that houses it.
It's not going to do him any good to run away, so he just stands his ground!
You do so.
The dwarf statue emerges and stretches, as if shaking off a long rest. "You there," it declares in dwarven, "Hold, go no further!"
"Greetings, honored ancestor of the dwarves." Moore greets it in dwarven himself.
"I'd expect you to be with the elves, not here," Is the answer you get, "But it's all sandstone and rubble now. If you want to go forward, you have you prove your might to me. No one unworthy of the legacy of dwarven heroes will go a single step beyond me.""
"I have a need to go forward." Moore says.
Can I have a K. ... I have no idea what is appropriate, maybe History? I'd like to try and see if "dwarven might" can be proved in ways other than punching a dude really hard.
K:H or K:R sure.
That would be Take 10 for 109 on K:R!
It really depends on the exact meaning, ceremony or significance of it. It's not really a unified term.
In other words, maybe. Depends on why and how and who is involved.
Moore takes in a breath. Hopefully this counts...
"I am not someone who can beat others in martial prowess." Moore says. "My might lies in my words -- in my ability to inspire hope and betterment in the world around me. I have been tasked with the simple matter of saving the world from the evils of the likes of Shar. My might is the bonds that I share with my friends that bolster me and let me in turn give them the power to change Creation itself. My might has brought me victories and glories against Hell, culminating in saving an entire world from them."
Huh. His answer is to listen, nod along and say, "That's nice." Then he walks up to you and tries to punch you right in the face.
Init.
[22:56] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+41 init
[22:57] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 44 > [d20=3]
It can't beat that. Open.
"Am I really going to have to stab you?" Moore asks. "Fine."
He's casting Harmonize, then he'll use the Move Action from that to cast Inspire Courage.
That is the end of his action.
As your voice rouses you to battle, the stone dwarf lumbers at you, splashing into the river as it tries to grab you good.
> roll 1d20+45 vs CMD
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 62 > [d20=17]
CMD?
88, currently.
Yet Moore flutters up and out of reach, dodging as...
Go.
"I don't know what constitutes might for you, but... maybe this will satisfy you!" He shouts as he stabs at the dwarf!
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+49 : 13 + 49, total 62[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+44 : 6 + 44, total 50[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+39 : 17 + 39, total 56[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+34 : 7 + 34, total 41[/blockquote]
3 hits, roll damage.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d8+25 : 5 + 25, total 30[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d8+25 : 6 + 25, total 31[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d8+25 : 1 + 25, total 26[/blockquote]
Your blows chip the statue, carving away pixie sized gouges in it. They aren't telling blows or anything close, but it's enough.
"You hit as hard as a full warrior," The statue remarks, "How?"
"I told you, my words are my might." Moore says. "They have hope in them, which gives strength. Is that enough for you?" His Words have no bite to them, merely a question.
The statue goes perfectly still when you speak the word hope, drawing to a stop at that. It nods, "Pass," it says gruffly, returning to the wall.
"Thank you." Moore says. He says a prayer of thanks to Moradin before he proceeds!
You go further down this passage, the carvings stopping as it becomes unworked stone once more, though the aqueduct continues. Ahead it slopes uphill - and the water runs uphill, as if this is the most normal thing imaginable.
Moore continues up and ahead!
Up you go - a brisk flight uphill, until the waters reach a flat plane again and flow on...and then come to a massive drop, the waters plunging down them, farther than you can see.
"What in the world..." Moore says. He admires the serenity of all of it and then flies over to start flying down!
There's just one problem - the moment you're over the gap, you're falling. It's like your wings won't work at all!
You can try to grab the ledge. If you do, make a ref save. You can also try any single action such as a spell, if you think it could help here.
Moore will simply let himself fall for now! He's still in Mount Celestia... no matter what, he has complete faith that he's safe!
You plummet down and down and down. How long you couldn't say - until you suddenly land. You land unharmed, besides what looks to be a serene blue pool, the waters the color of waves in the most perfect day of your memories. Despite water flowing down into it, the surface is completely still and unchanging.
Is this... it?
He pulls himself up and flies over to the pool!
Spellcraft for 86 and K:A for 106 to see if the pool is ~magical~!
The pool is indeed magical. It radiates with tremendous power, beyond your ability to grasp fully.
This may well be it, or something close to it.
Moore will kneel before it and cup his hands to drink some if the water — likely not mentally prepared for what will happen but trusting in the wisdom to have shown him thus far!
Wis check.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+21 : 15 + 21, total 36[/blockquote]
You feel lulled and at peace here.
Honored Duke.
If there's anywhere he can meditate... it will be here.
He gets comfortable and closes his eyes.
A true name.
His true name.
This, he ponders.
You feel yourself floating, drifting.
You're rather thirsty.
Moore blinks and opens his eyes. Is he still...?
You're where you were a moment ago, nothing has changed there.
He takes in a breath and moves over to cup his hands and drink some more water!
The water is cold and rich. You feel better after that - and you have a sudden urge to go swimming, to dive down into those waters.
Moore takes a breath -- an unnecessary one, but a breath, and will dive down into the pool!
You dive deep, surrounded by the waters.
You fought Baator.
You fought the Abyss.
You fought Shar.
You've fought many more.
You've sought great holy wisdom.
You've sought great holy words.
You've sought the great holy light.
Go forth, Promise.
Moore stops.
...
Of course -- of course that's it.
It's so simple, and yet...
A great smile breaks out on his face.
That's it!
He swims towards the top of the pool to escape the waters!
You emerge from the waters, soaked but intact. You find Wood here, curled up and snoozing away.
Moore will dry himself off and fly over to Wood. "You're always watching out for me, aren't you?" He asks.
Wood looks up and pants a few times, then gets up and starts to walk away, pausing to look back at you and wait a few moments, then continue on.
Moore looks behind himself for a moment too, but then will proceed to follow!
Wood leads you to an obscured passage - just hidden by the angles of the room. A tunnel down, stairs, and then more. You walk a time - but it's not long at all. Forgettable, reality only seeming to become notable again when you step out, standing atop a cliff as the light of Chronias shines on down.
"Thanks, Wood." Moore says as he smiles in the bright light. "Let's go back."
This is your morning post as it is, going to get one in while I have a short gap.
Plans once you get back, assuming you're not bothered?
Lets try doing work with Words of Creation now that I have my true name.
Getting Xandra is easy enough, going to a quiet cliff to work as...
Go ahead and set yourself up.
"You may know about it already... or at least have heard in stories." Moore begins as he looks over the fields of greenery below. "But there's a lot of sacred water within the mountain. I was shown a lot of it, leading down deep into where Moradin's dwarves are. The water there helped to show me a pathway... a pathway to myself. It showed me what my true name was, and... in doing so, I think I can find a way to help bolster myself."
A breath in and out. "I don't know what kind of effect it would have in the Beyond, but I'd like to see what kind of effect it has here. I know I'm safe here, but I don't want to do something outrageous, but... at the same time, I feel as if this connection... I feel like it will be easier than some things I've done before." he says.
"Congratulations," Xandra says, "I understand, but first: What did you think of your journey amid those waters?"
"It..." Moore takes a breath in and out. "It felt like everything was shown to me in perfect clarity. Like... as if everything I've done had led to a moment of complete and total clarity." He says. "A thousand different paths that all ended up crossing in one ephemeral moment."
"There are few words for it, but I also inquire about your journey to reach the well," Xandra goes on.
"Ah!" Moore nods, and takes out one of the crystals he was allowed to take. "I met a lot of people. I... ah... accidentally found myself at the fountain of youth we have here. The dwarves aren't quite as gruff as you'd expect, either."
A smile after that. "I think the lesson and takeaway I have is that even one stream can intersect in a lot of ways as it goes along."
"I've heard it said one can spend a lifetime in those river passages and caves," Xandra says, "Never once will you see the same cavern so long as you don't double back."
"I'd like to explore them someday." Moore says. "But... well, I'll have time eventually, I think. There's a lot of lessons in there - I actually came across a skeleton... it had been animated to leave a message. I admit, I wasn't expecting that."
"A warning?" Xandra asks, a hint of a smile on her face, "For gold lies there as easily as rain lies on grass."
"Yes, I agree. I did collect some while I was there... I'm probably going to donate it somewhere. I haven't really decided, or even checked to see what it was worth." A shrug after that. "It's an interesting... difference? To see gold as just an object, rather than to apply any greed to it."
"Gold can be pretty, can be decorative or useful. For most, it's greed and wealth, stained by our own natures," Xandra agrees. "Stained by our desires."
Moore nods. "Agreed. Nonetheless... I think I learned a lot from the trip. I admit... I'm still trying to figure out Wood. There's obviously something special about him... maybe I don't need to know what it is." He says with a small shrug and a smile.
"He's a good dog." A ghost of a smile is on Xandra's face, gone before you can rightly say you saw it at all. "Who doesn't need a loyal and true friend?"
"Yeah, probably His personal dog." Moore says. "All right... I think I'm ready to give this a try."
Okay, begin with a Wisdom check.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+21 : 9 + 21, total 30[/blockquote]
You feel yourself slipping under, focusing and...
Go ahead and describe what you're trying and how here, Moore.
Idea is to use the word Promise, to try and say his name with the Words of Creation and see if it can bolster him in some way.
Charisma.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+45 : 19 + 45, total 64[/blockquote]
You feel power in what you utter, power and danger. You feel a sense, a part of yourself warning you to tread carefully here, even as potential opens up before you.
It's no more danger than the type of danger he's going to find himself in in The Beyond. He will just have to be as careful as one can be when dealing with this, and trust in the radiance and wisdom he finds himself in.
Charisma check, Constitution check. Good luck. Don't 1.
You remember what happened with Orcus when you said that...
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+45 : 16 + 45, total 61[/blockquote] Cha
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+22 : 8 + 22, total 30[/blockquote] Con
You endure as you feel power gather around you - it's shaky, coming from within you, but it comes. A pale light, almost invisible and yet manifesting, holding.
Moore takes a slow breath in and out, just as shaky as the light.
"Well... it did... something..." Moore murmurs as he watches it. "I can feel strength in it."
"The strength of your soul," Xandra keeps her voice down, "Tread softly."
Moore takes in a breath. "I'm not exactly sure how this works...but let's try..." he tries to see if he can gently will the light to simply wrap around him, to bolster his character.
To be more mechanically clear he is trying to see if he can get a boost to Charisma.
Con check again.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+22 : 3 + 22, total 25[/blockquote]
You can feel something flow from within, but it's delicate. You feel a few stabs of physical pain as you work at it as well, as if your own body was struck.
He takes another deep breath. He has to keep going, even if just to ensure that this would work.
Con again.
[21:14] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+22
[21:14] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 30 > [d20=8]
> roll 40d4 lethal damage
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 103 > [d4=1,1,4,1,4,4,3,3,1,3,4,3,3,4,1,4,1,2,2,4,1,1,2,3,3,4,2,2,4,3,4,4,4,3,1,1,2,2,3,1]
Ow.
You feel more pain, but power comes flowing. A boost of power, a flare of it within you. You feel it settle around you.
Your Charisma currently enjoys a +2 bonus.
"Ah..." Moore winces, but nods. Instead of trying to dismiss the power all at once, he tries to gently let it return to him and flow back inside.
The power trickles back ever so slowly, leaving Moore pained but intact, a feeling of his power flowing with in him, clear to him now.
"I warn you again - should you err and fatally would your soul, there is no recovery from that," Xandra says, "This is a path of peril and power both, Moore. There are few things that can destroy the immortal soul, but one's own machinations are one of them."
Moore takes in and out a breath. "I just don't see another way. When I go there... I have only my own strength to bolster me." He says. "I don't do it out of selfishness, or some attempt to make myself into something I'm not. I just... don't know how else to succeed there."
"I know," Xandra says gently, "Do you wish to heal and try again?"
"No, I think my body has make it clear that trying again right now is a fool's errand." He says. "We have other things we can look into at the moment anyway."
With that you go back, which leads to your next task. This is...
Okay, next move then?
Great question. Is Medi coming by, by any chance?
No?
Well fiddlesticks.
Assuming not, Moore is going to go to Xiranthador to look for the Cannas Collection, which can be referenced here:
http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104297.msg1145616.html#msg1145616
If he doesn't happen to find it there, he'll look in ...fuck, what was it called, the Circular Library? Sorry, whatever the Authority of Wisdom's abode is.
The Ring Library.
Going with anyone and any prep?
After that, quick d100.
If anyone wants to come on a book-learnin' journey, they can come. Otherwise no.
[21:59] <Nephrite> roll 1d100
[21:59] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 100 > [d100=100]
And. Here. We. Go.
Books? Sylvie'll come, she - oh wait. Nevermind.
Cresiel will come with you on general principles.
The two of you fly on up. As you do?
Perception.
Take 10 for 91. Cresiel would also have Afina's Perfect sight if he wants to look too.
No need.
Moore happens to look to his side. It is coming at you - a dragon white as new fallen snow, flying towards you at a steady pace. A dragon is one thing, but a white dragon is a little more unusual.
If a white dragon managed to make it into Celestia and isn't simply getting stopped by something else, it has a reason to be here.
Moore stops and turns, offering a raise of his hand in greeting towards it.
...Shouldn't he be more surprised by this, though? Somehow, he's not...
Cresiel is at your side, shield ready but his weapon is not.
"Peace," The dragon calls in draconic, "In the name of the Draco Paladin. I come with a message from Bahamut."
"Please, I am ready to hear it." Moore says, responding in draconic himself.
"Bahamut is pleased with what you have done and what you have offered him," The dragon declares, "He wishes to inquire into how your holdings prosper."
Moore blinks, then he looks at Cresiel, then back to the dragon. "...Sorry, just to clarify... he wants to know how we're doing?"
Cresiel merely holds his ground with the faintest nod.
"Yes," The dragon says, "In so many words, yes."
"Things proceed well." Moore says. "Though we are always on the lookout for ways to better ourselves, or strike at the wicked. ...Perhaps that's too generic, but..." A small smile afterwards. "It's the simplest description to answer your question, I think."
"It also says what you need," The dragon says, "My purpose is fulfilled." He begins to fly off, "Bahamut's will shall find you."
Moore waves the dragon off.
"It seems a bit strange to me to communicate that way." Moore says. "Dragons."
As if that word explains it all. He proceeds onwards.
Cresiel does not comment, merely following you instead. From here your trip is unremarkable enough, your passage a familiar one.
Okay, just going to ask/look around for your book?
Yep!
Good news is that you quickly find record of it. The bad news? The book is 'sealed' and will require authorization to obtain.
Moore will go find someone who can grant that authorization or explain why it's sealed!
This leads you a dwarf in robes and with spectacles, sitting and reading. He looks up, "Duke Moore," he says on greeting, sitting in front of a bookshelf. It's a quiet part of the library, no one else around in the last several minutes of your walking.
"Sir." Moore says, absent a name. "I'd like to procure a book, but it's apparently sealed. The Cannas Collection, specifically."
The answer is an object - he tosses you a key. "Head to the Sealed Collection two floors down," He says. The key is made of solid gold and engraved with tiny runes and writings, prayers for protection. "The keeper down there will take care of the rest."
"Thank you." Moore says. He turns to go find the stairs!
d100.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 72, total 72[/blockquote]
Deeper in. Here the walls are completely transparent, letting in the watery, shining light. An array of colorful fish and aquatic life can be seen outside, everything lit naturally. It leads a blue-white cast to everything here. It all ends in a vault door, solid steel with a single, hooded figure standing before it. You can't see a single feature of his, thick brown and purple robes concealing him completely. He bows and speaks into your minds. 'Duke Moore, solar Cresiel. Please do not speak here, for the books within listen.'
Moore blinks.
He points to his own head, taps it twice, then points at the robed man and then makes an elaborate shrugging motion.
Cresiel nods, silent.
'We can talk through my telepathy,' The man says, 'Think towards me and we will hear.'
'Oh!' Moore thinks. 'Good, I was worried I'd have to explain which book I needed without talking...'He sighs and holds up the key. 'I need the Cannas Collection. Is that one dangerous for any particular reason?'
'It inflicts madness, it is the fruit of the Abyss.' Is the answer you get, 'It is kept because there is wisdom within, but it is a poisonous fruit.'
Moore nods. 'I don't need to remove it from the library, but I do need information from it. Would a spell that reads and comprehends all the information in a book be dangerous to use on it? I can look through it normally if so."
'Extremely dangerous, and to expose yourself to it in such a way would render even the protected vulnerable.'
Moore nods. 'Looks like the easy way is out. I'm protected by mind blank, is that sufficient for reading through it?'
'Carefully,' Is the answer you get. 'You have the key?'
Moore holds it up!
The key is taken and used to open the vault door. It slides open silently - and ahead are books. Each lies on a small table, surrounded by magic circles of protection and symbols. Some merely look like books. Others move and jostle, a few crackle with fire, several scream, a few twist into strange shapes and others do stranger things yet. There are more books than you can see or count easily, far too many.
'Hold.'
A single word as Cresiel firmly places himself in front of Moore, while the keeper goes in. He goes to one particular table and slowly lifts the book from it, using the sleeve of his robes rather than his bare hands. He returns quickly, presenting you the book.
So, technical question on Bibliotheca Arcana. Can I opt to not instantly read a book via touching it if it's in effect?
I'd assume so.
Moore will take the book, less concerned about using his hands than the figure.
'Where can I read this?' He asks.
'Here,' Is the answer, 'Do not dally.'
Moore will open the book to start reading! He specifically will skim it for parts on spiritual wounds, only trying to commit that part to memory.
Give me an K:P check as well as an K:A check and Spellcraft, and refresh me for precisely what you want out of this.
Take 10 for 106, 106 and 86.
Moore is looking to see if, because he has a bond with the soul of Lifasa, if either he or his blood can be used to prevent spiritual wounds from happening without the need of a higher level version of the spells to block spiritual wounds.
Basically if his blood can augment the lower version to make it stronger.
You begin to research - and one bit stands out at you. An idle observation, but one that seems relevant to something else altogether. A little fragment of magical lore, fitting in with the rest you're gathering.
First things first, +2 progress there. What's it up to?
That puts it at 272.
With more lore obtained, you plunge deeper in. You believe it may just be possible, but the side effects are not light. It would also work best by far on Lifasa, naturally.
At the absolute least it should provide a large bonus to the raw power of the spell.
Any specifics as to the side effects? Does it mean side effects to Moore, or to Lifasa?
To Moore, though in theory it could be used to strike at Lifasa.
Most likely some sort of harm.
Assuming knowledge of the spell / ritual spread, specifically?
Yes.
okay.
Moore will look for anything else that might help with the ritual, just to be safe!
Will.
21:30] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+47 will
[21:30] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 65 > [d20=18]
You read further - but it veers more and more towards madness. You believe you've gotten what you can out of it.
Moore shuts the book with a loud 'thump' and offers it back to the robed figure.
The book is taken back and the vault closed with a resounding THUMP.
Cresiel nods to the keeper and turns to go, lingering on you a moment.
Moore thumbs up to Cresiel and takes his leave!
...Once they're back upstairs he lets out a breath.
"That book... goodness." He shakes his head. "Madness."
"If our last brush with the Abyss did not teach us, this one did," Cresiel agrees, "Did you find what you hoped?"
"Yes." Moore says. "But now I have another question... can someone create anathemic knowledge?"
To this Cresiel bows his head a moment, a soft hm coming from him. "Logically yes, otherwise where does it come from?"
"Can you?" He specifies.
"There are many things I cannot do that can yet be done," Cresiel replies with the faintest hint of a smile. "The question to be asked is who and how."
Moore nods. "Do you think your friend from Elysium would mind if I visited again?"
"I can ask," Cresiel says simply.
"I would appreciate it." Moore says.
Next move then, wait on Cresiel for that or do something else?
Wait on Cresiel, since Moore has Plans here.
Cresiel returns, "At the moment, he's unavailable," Is the answer you get, "I know not why or how long, though I did not get the impression it would be overly long."
"We can wait, then." Moore says. "This isn't anything that I need to rush."
"Anything that keeps him is serious," Cresiel agrees - and at that moment, there's a knock on your door.
"Moore?" Villisa calls.
"There's part of me that wants to pretend to do something scandalous for her." Moore says with a smile at Cresiel that doesn't fade as he turns to the door.
"Come in!" Moore says.
Cresiel gives you a looooong look, stone faced.
"Ah, Cresiel," Villisa smiles, "I came to congratulate you again on the war victory, Moore," she says, "I'm leaving."
A beat before Cresiel merely says, "Mother?"
"You don't need me here, you're protected by a light I can tell in my bones isn't right for me and the war's over. There's romances to be made and saved all across Creation," Villisa goes on, "So it's time for me to do some work."
"I appreciate you staying here to help us organize things." Moore says. "Please don't hesitate to call on us if you need the favor returned."
"There's no need," Villisa smiles, "I'm just here keeping up on my son."
A calm look before, "...mother."
Villisa flies forward, hugging her sun tightly. "You make sure Moore doesn't get in any trouble," she murmurs to him.
"You always have a home here." Moore says.
Villisa lets go of Cresiel and - ack! She pulls you into a hug, tiny pixie against a large solar. She smooshes you into her chest, "Oh, I'll remember that," she says, "I promise."
Moore offers her back a hug. "Thank you for everything."
She smells very good, Moore can note. Like rich perfume and something else, something special.
"Take care," she says and walks out. Once she's gone Cresiel slowly takes a long breath in and then out.
"You two seem to understand each other a little more." Moore says.
The response is simply for Cresiel to say, "Now we wait, Moore?"
Going to wait a little longer or do something else?
Yes, we will wait.
I'll even give you a free D100.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 16, total 16[/blockquote]
It's a peaceful day. Come the next morning, Cresiel enters, "He'll see you tonight," he greets without preamble, "Be prepared for it."
Moore nods. "Very well. I will make sure to be ready."
In the meantime...
He will go to the Ring Library and see if he can uncover any new research for the notes since he has a day to spend.
Anyone is welcome to go with him and he will hit their Blessed Cube before they go.
It's Kaja's turn in the make sure Moore doesn't die club, so he'll go again.
As you get ready to go, "I'm not going to forget most of this again, am I?" Kaja asks.
"You shouldn't." Moore says. "I mean, as far as I'm aware anyway... if you do I'll make sure you remember."
"This time," Kaja says, "...though I hope there's food again. I remember that was good, whatever it was."
"Trust me, I know the feeling. I'm sure we can find snacks... they seem to have them in Xiranthador too." Moore says as they go along.
Your trip to the Ring Library is without incident. As you enter, the voice of the Authority is heard in your mind.
'Moore,' he greets, 'Lord Erathaol instructed me you're in need of lore.'
'Yes, we have research I am looking to add to.' Moore sends to him.
'Go on, find what you may,' Is the answer you get.
Go ahead and declare what precisely you're looking for?
Hes pretty much just going to have to scattershot this. He's looking for anything to help with Calleys notes. He will use Bibliotheca Arcana to just scan books as he goes, but he will still have to spend time finding them.
Did you check here before for them during your first visit?
No.
Okay, K:P, K:A and Spellcraft first of all.
Take 10 for 106, 106, and 86.
You search about. At first, a lot of it is lore you already have. In time you dive deeper, working harder, exploring the library more. Into obscure tomes, into the writings of madmen with only one worthwhile page in a hundred, into mysteries in languages no spell can decipher. It is in these depths, on a floating platform in a light soaked ring that you begin to make progress.
+12 pieces of lore. Total now?
282.
Additionally, one book of useful ravings mentions something in particular.
"All this I learned from the General. All wisdom comes from the General, all returns to him."
That couldn't be any more generic...
Moore does try and think if there are any figures that it might be. Maybe someone who works with the Red Knight...?
K:...R? P?
It's vague enough that you can choose which to check on and see what you get. Your call on which to try first.
Let's go with K:R for 109, then.
First of all, many deities are akin to generals or have one title or another that boils down to general. By itself that's incredibly unhelpful, assuming it is a deity, with one exception.
The General of Gehenna is the lord of the daemons. He is an enigmatic figure often called the General, often in apocalyptic writings or the rantings of madmen. A warlord that lives in the Crawling City, it is said that when he takes the battlefield in the Blood War, it will at last have an eternal victor.
Okay. Let's try K:P for 106 and see if that conjures anything different. But it certainly seems to be that...
Generals? Oh boy. You want generals? Every side has tons of generals. The wars, the planes, all of it requires generals.
Without magic or some more information that's supremely unhelpful.
Well, knowing there's a daemon General doesn't help him much either.
He does decide, while here's here, to look for any other libraries that might be of some use to him... in the same vein as Foggard, more or less.
Just any big library or any other qualifications here?
Leaning more towards ancient (2,000+ years), doesn't necessarily have to be big.
Sure, gimme a quick d100.
[22:06] <Nephrite> roll 1d100
[22:06] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 50 > [d100=50]
The first you find is simple, if someone off target: The Mercy Library in Mertion, in case you feel like a flight up there. It's mostly about healing, but it has a lot of tangential lore. Servants of Raziel only.
Well, he can ask Jetina to go. Or he can probably just go himself...
He continues to look!
The next one you find is...Foggard. NEXT.
Moving on, you find mentions of a Terminal Archive somewhere in the Abyss. A cursed place full of knowledge nonetheless, said to be old and powerful.
Terminal Archive... ...something about that seems familiar.
He continues on!
I feel like it came up in B3... maybe?
This is correct. Do you need a refresher?
Please.
The Terminal Archive rests in the Abyss. It is a library of knowledge and enforced neutrality, though worthwhile information usually has some sort of price or trial to obtain. In general expect to see a lot of evil creatures there and general non cooperation without paying up or working for it, but such is the nature of evil.
Well, he's good at bluffing...
Moore will keep looking!
The third is ...Foggard again. MOVING ON.
The next after that is Greenwood. It is on the demiplane of Greenwood, said to be the home of a lorekeeping gnome, elf, dwarf or some other demihuman. Details are vague and it's ancient lore, but it's said that passage to it can be found 'in the heart of the true forest'.
Well that sounds like Arborea...
He jots it down. Maybe it's finally time to ask for some divine help with Foggard...
As you ponder that?
Going on?
Let's get another one or two.
Abindos: A demiplane that is a repository of spirits who are said to know all lore. It's said to be lost somewhere in the Inner Planes, a demiplane with a mobile, drifting entrance.
Maybe he won't get kicked out of this one...
He jots it down and looks for one more.
Now that you think of it, you do have a somewhat spotty record with demiplanes, don't you?
The Knowledge Dragon: A dragon who has consumed what is said to be thousands of books, granting him the knowledge of a library. Keeps to himself in a lair somewhere in the House of Knowledge.
And that is a good list to start with.
With that all said and done, Moore will gather his notes and rejoin Kaja!
"We're going to go to Xiranthador." Moore says.
"Weren't you just there?" Kaja says, "With Cresiel? Did you forget something?"
"Yes." Moore says. "But not like that, just... like normal forgetting."
"So you can remember what can't be remember, except what you forget anyway," Kaja slowly rubs his chin, "So it's only as good as your mind is?"
"You have the right of it." Moore says. "I can't remember what I just forget to do."
Kaja throws his head back and laughs, "Of course! You've conquered the impossible but the mundane still foils you!"
"I'm sure there's a sacred text somewhere in Jovar that goes over that." Moore affirms as they head back down.
So one library for another, okay. What are you looking up?
He's not, he's looking for Erathaol. : )
It's not hard to find him - you don't even make it to the library. You land a moment for a chance to get some cold stream water. After drinking, you look up and Erathaol is there, sitting on a nearby rock and reading from a book.
"Lord Erathaol." Moore greets him with a bow. "I... am sure you know already, but... I'd like to speak to you about Foggard."
Kaja seconds this bow, silent and with head bowed.
"It has vanished," Erathaol says, "Taken to the depths of Ice." His voice is calm as he closes his book, which vanishes instantly.
"Tch..." Moore lets out a sigh at that. "I suppose there's not much to do about it then."
A shake of his head follows that. "No matter, what was sought there can surely be found elsewhere."
"Continue on," Erathaol agrees, "Knowledge spreads. Gather it."
Moore nods. "As you say."
With that, and their newfound places to go, Moore will return back to Hope's Landing!
Easy enough and from there...
Next move?
Let's see if Cresiel's friend becomes available sometime in the next few hours. Beyond that, Moore will just take a look around the landing.
Do me a favor and link me to your last meeting with him?
http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104292.1005.html
It starts here and goes to the end.
Thanks.
Sure enough, in a few hours you get word. It's time.
Any prep?
Just to be safe he will hit up the Blessing Cube but other than that nothing special, beyond Greater Improvisation.
Elysium is peaceful as you arrive. A gentle river winds through emerald hills, the sky a piercing, perfect blue. All is right here, all is at peace.
"Remember," Cresiel says, "Do not stop. Do not eat or drink. Do not stop to rest. Walk, do not fly."
Moore nods and will begin walking again!
Hm... was there anything he missed last time, that he forgot...?
You begin to walk. It's peaceful, pure, untouched. It's everything you'd want, you realize. You should sit down and rest, take it all in. Why go any further when you're home?
"Does this feeling of wanting to stay ever stop happening?" Moore asks. "Surely there have to be denizens that simply live here without feeling a need to?"
He continues to walk. He's been through too much to stop now.
"If you become a native, I believe it stops," Cresiel says, "Elysium's pull is strong here. Keep going." His expression is set, not stopping a moment.
Moore nods and continues, his determination allowing him to do so!
Onward.
It's a pleasant path, just...everything you've ever imagined for this. Not a thing is wrong here. Everything feels so right, so fitting. As you marvel at this you see it ahead. A brick house is ahead, cozy and tucked away near the river.
You've been here before.
If he needs to go there, he will be told to. He continues on.
On and on and on you go - until you come to an old man. He is bent and stooped, ancient and weathered. His skin is a deep brown and his head is covered by a wide brimmed hat. He wears brown clothes, thick and with a cloak.
Old Lymosh begins to walk back already, as Cresiel turns to match him. "You accomplished your previous goal," he says, to the point.
Moore follows suit. "Did you hear about that, or can you just tell?" Moore asks.
"Cresiel told me," Old Lymosh says, "Your time's limited, so speak of what you need."
"I would like to learn how to make something anathemic knowledge." Moore says. "I've discovered something that I would like to pass to someone, but in order to keep everyone safe, it has to be shrouded the same way Cantasa Alexandria is."
"There is magic to do it," Old Lymosh says, right to the point. "For you it would be easy to learn the principles and make your own version of the spell."
Moore nods. "Is it something you can teach me?"
"Not with the time you have, but the seeds of the magic are not difficult," Old Lymosh says, as you see the brick house again, your feet traveling fast and well. "There are those in Dweomerheart who will teach you, more when they see you have overcome anathemic knolwedge. The will want to know how, however."
"Is it safe to tell them?" He asks as they journey on.
"If you tell the right person," Old Lymosh says, "Someone who cares only for knowledge and has a righteous heart."
"I understand." Moore says. "Do you think I could ever meet her?"
"Her?" Old Lymosh asks, curiously.
"Cantasa Alexandria." Moore clarifies.
"Pray that you do!" Old Lymosh declares, "There is no greater honor than seeing her open the Gate for you."
"Well, I mean... I did... sort of..." He says with a lopsided smile. "But, I meant if it would be possible to actually go there and visit. I know she's likely not the type that ever sees visitors, but... well, you understand that it's a bit of a special circumstance."
Old Lymosh doesn't pause, but he turns. His gaze is on you, on you a long time.
"No," he finally says, "Another has marked you."
Moore blinks, but somehow he doesn't look that surprised.
"Do you mean the Master of the Illuminated Heaven?" Moore asks.
"It is someone radiant. I would think Xerona," Old Lymosh says, as you can see the river ahead. Almost back now. "But she serves Chronias, so there may be little difference."
"That's too bad. Maybe I'll still write a letter." Moore says. "That at least would arrive eventually."
A smile and a nod.
"Thank you again for sharing your wisdom. I hope I can return the favor somehow, someday."
THus you come to a stop, Old Lymosh turning away and walking away. Once he's gone, Cresiel simply asks, "Did you accomplish your goals?"
"You asked that last time. Is there some significance to the question that I'm missing?" He asks. "If I say no, do I keep walking?"
"Nothing but my own curiosity," Cresiel admits, shaking his head.
Moore offers a smile. "I did. Would you care to come to Dweomerheart with me?"
A simple nod is your answer to that.
Okay, goal at Dweomerheart?
I assume Dweomerheart has embassies of some nature -- if so, let's go to Celestia's and explain what we're looking for. I think in this case we're working on Official Mount Celestia business.
You've been here before, I believe?
I don't remember if we went to the embassy. I think we were just pointed to someone last time...
Erran Valin and his tower.
Thank you.
Give me a Diplo check for GI with a +10 bonus.
A nice 120, then.
With aid from the embassy, it's not hard to locate some leads.
Whispers state that Dal Gromos dabbles in the arts of anathemic knowledge. A reclusive dwarf who serves Mystra, he resides in the Heartstone Masoleum, said to be a tomb for sundered and slain magic.
You receive a confidental report that Saluiel may well know the secrets you seek. He is an aid to one of the Stars of Mystra, wrapped in research deep in the great libraries of Mystra.
Finally, hints direct you towards Madaman, a reclusive wizard of unknown origins, who resides deep in the Spellvaults, underground reserves of magical lore said to hold copies of every spell in Creation. Just in case of disaster, an archive of all known magic.
Of those, he decides to start with Saluiel!
There are probably plenty of great libraries here, but with the right information it shouldn't be an impossibility to find him!
The Great Libraries of Mystra are in her palace, though diplomatic credentials and rank get you escorted into there. You go in...and it's endless rows, floors, bookshelves and more. They wind on and on ahead and above and to the sides. The front area is dominated by dozens of mages, celestials and other creatures - food is available, as well as simple beds to rest on. It's bustling and noisy in this part at least on account of it, the smell of food overwhelming the smell of dust and paper and leather.
"Goodness, this would be a good place to look for the research." Moore says.
Well, there's not much to be done except ask around and do some wandering to find this person!
"This is not what I expect for a library," A sniff of the air, Cresiel following you.
As you approach you get several looks, "New." A whisper from one, rippling amid them.
"You there." He comes forward from everyone, a bearded man in crimson red, a long flowing cloak of the same. His hair is pitch black and long, down to the floor. "You are new here?"
"In a sense." Moore replies. "I'm here in search of someone." His tone is neutral, though he has a sense he's about to be reprimanded.
Stroking his beard and leering at you two, "Halbarare the Red Crimson shall instruct you, all in exchange for your names and your purposes here!"
"My name is Moore, Duke of Songs and servant to Lord Erathaol of the Hebdomad." He says, offering a bow. "This is my comrade, Cresiel."
All of you get some looks until a particular person comes forth. An angel with white wings, wearing loose robes of spun silver. "Peace, Halbarare," he says, "You are bold to make demands of a solar, but also foolhardy."
Halbarare stiffens up at that, turning to him, "I will not be intimi-"
"Ahem," The celestial clears his throat, "Intimidation matters little when you are smote."
The mage glares at the angel, before turning on his heel and storming off.
Moore nods his head in greeting. "I apologize if we've taken a step into the realm of unsightly decorum or have erred in our manners. This is our first time here." Moore says.
If they did make a mistake, it's best to just own up to it!
"No, he's just a pompous fool," The angel says, "Strutting like a prideful peacock."
Cresiel nods slightly, "Then all this?"
"The stacks go deep. Supplies and rest serve many well here." Is the answer.
Moore smiles a little bit. "We are in search of Saluiel. Do you know where they may be, if they tend to reside in any one part of this?"
"He's been in the Deep Stacks for a long time, weeks," The angel says, "Also, I am Veiled Star, servant of Mystra. I suggest finding a guide."
"Are there any you would recommend?" Moore asks.
"If you want to spend money, Braxos Stormwell," Veiled Star replies simply, "If the solar is not sufficient himself."
"Prudence is a virtue, not a sing," Cresiel says, "Money is not a problem."
"Braxos sits there, eating," A point to a robed and hooded figure, face cast in shadows from it, eating from a bowl of stew.
"Thank you, Veiled Star." Moore says with a nod and bow, before he approaches Braxos!
Perhaps they could even trade knowledge instead of money? He shall just have to see!
Braxos doesn't even look up, but as you approach, "5,000 gold," he says, "The Deep Stacks are dimensional distortions where space gets strange and rogue enchantments run free. It's hardly safe."
"Do either of us look like those who haven't seen unsafe conditions before?" Moore questions him, not trying to sound hostile. "I have no problem paying you, but would you be interested in anything besides gold?"
A simple headshake is your answer.
"You should really get out more." Moore says as he withdraws the proper amount to hand over.
The coins are taken, vanishing within his robes. "When do you want to go?"
"Now, preferably." Moore answers.
Braxos pushes his stew aside and stands. He begins to lead you back, and once clear of the noise, "The Deep Stacks are mainly dangerous if you don't know what you're doing, but there are things you may have to fight. It's been dimensionally folded over and over, and things have become thin and twisted there."
"You're not obligated to fight if we do." Moore says. "We can handle ourselves."
"Your choice," Braxos says, "But I doubt a solar needs much help from either of us."
Cresiel merely keeps going, not commenting on that at all.
Everywhere he goes, he's underestimated... alas, such is the life of the humble.
Moore will proceed along, keeping an eye out for anything... dangerous?
Give me Perception.
Take 10 for 91.
Right now it's just books - seemingly endless books. You walk for well over an hour, through corridor after corridor. Some slope down, others wind up like a snake. It's a meandering journey, the only light from clear glass fixtures above, giving just enough light to read comfortably by.
Yet as you go, you begin to notice...oddities. Books that are too big or too small. Paths that seem to turn in on themselves as you as you walk. Places where the ceiling is suddenly too high, soaring up and up.
"Can the spatial anomalies not be corrected?" Moore asks as they go along.
"They're not going to be," Braxos says, shortly. He doesn't offer up anything more, striding forward with big, space eating steps. You have to flutter pretty good to keep up.
Cresiel doesn't, walking at a steady pace. "Why?"
"To experiment and learn. You think they couldn't do this better?" Braxos grunts after, "Eventually, copies and strange distortions manifest - including, I've heard, books never written."
"Ah, so it's not a matter of they can't fix them, it's that you learn more by letting them be." Moore says as he continues along.
"Chances to learn," An agreement from that, "Dangerous as you go deeper, for it gets worse."
"Generally speaking, is danger what keeps people out?" Moore asks. "Or is there also a structure in terms of access, based on something else?"
"Getting in here requires knowing the right people," Braxos explains, never once looking back. "It's for those Mystra chooses and a few others with clout to get in."
Moore just nods to that and proceeds onwards.
"Does time begin to change as well, or is it just space?" He asks.
"Everything but time," Is the answer you get, "Time is different."
"Understood." Moore says as he continues on.
d100, would you?
[22:19] <Nephrite> roll 1d100
[22:19] <Penuche2> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 4 > [d100=4]
You walk on, and as you do, things wobble. Reality twitches as you walk, shelves one step high and the next almost low enough to see over.
Moore frowns slightly, but continues to go. It's really no different than how Mount Celestia manages to exist in its state of infinite-ness.
You walk forward, down, left. At once somehow, as you flutter alone. Huh?
Cresiel and Braxos are gone.
Moore just continues forward -- if he was supposed to take a turn in some other direction then surely their guide would have warned him to do so.
Mere moments later Cresiel and Braxos are back, as if they were never gone.
Moore nods. Was he in some sort of alternate space, or...?
For now, he just continues. He can ask questions later, if the need arises.
You shake your head as you go on.
"Let's keep going," Canderella says at your side, walking with you, at the same pace Cresiel was before.
Moore opens his mouth, then closes it.
Huh, how is she doing, anyway?
What would his group be like if she came along instead of one of the others...?
...Probably not that different, in the grand scheme of things.
"Still, it's inferior," Braxos declares.
To this Canderella sweeps her hand side to side, lightning crackling along it. "Would you like a demonstration of why you're wrong? I've been showing efreet lately, I could use a different target."
Moore decides to continue on. This conversation will play out whether he does anything or not.
Braxos keeps walking, unbowed by it.
Sylvie walks at your side as well, eyeing the books as you go. Cresiel is just behind her, shield ready. Canderella is gone, as if she was never there.
"I'm still working on it." Moore says to Sylvie. Whether this one will actually still remember this since she's obviously not there in reality... Moore still hopes his words will reach her.
"Working on what?" Sylvie asks, and with a ghost of a smile on her face, "That dispel of yours? You should just learn superb dispelling, it works better. You should focus more on lyrical magic for your bardic music."
"Saving you from 21." Moore says simply.
In answer, you choke.
His presence is felt in place of Sylvie's before your eyes even register him.
It's like trying to breath while hands are strangling the life from you.
Gathgorian looms above all of you, looking down at you with a smile of nothing but teeth and malice.
"Afina isn't here." Moore says simply.
"I know. Her screams still echo," Gathgorian agrees, "We will finish this and return to Medicant. Is the celestial ahead?"
Braxos still does not look back, but calls, "Soon."
Why would they call it that and not have renamed it to something ridiculous like The Serpent Yard in this alternate reality he finds himself in?
He just proceeds forward.
Meow. (I chuckled.)
You flutter along Cresiel and Braxos, as if the previous never happened. They're continuing along, no reactions that you can notice.
He can't be the only one seeing all this... right?
He will just have to proceed.
You walk on a little ways further and as you do...
You begin to hear a soft rattling behind you.
He has Afinas Perfect Vision, so he should be able to see that even without turning around!
A few books are flying off the shelves, opening up and coming in your general direction.
Moore proceeds onwards, curious if the books will even make it to him or not.
The answer is as Cresiel turns with a sigh, "Ignoring them won't help," eh says, shield out as a moment later one's pages emits a cone, a blast of pure cold that...
Ref save. Cold damage, note if immune instead.
Not immune, but res 30.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+41 : 3 + 41, total 44[/blockquote] evasion
> roll 1d20+20
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 40 > [d20=20]
Forgot SR, so used to Shar autopassing it that I forgot to roll it for all of you. Does that beat your SR?
It does not, actually. SR is 48
The spell washes harmlessly over all three of you.
Hefting his warhammer, Cresiel...
Init.
Winding down, this is just a bonus post to set up tonight.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+41 : 19 + 41, total 60[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+30 Cresiel
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 32 > [d20=2]
> roll 1d20+7 book
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 9 > [d20=2]
Your guide will merely hold since you wanted to fight yourself.
Moore (60) > Cresiel (32) > Book (9)
Go.
"Why are we even fighting this?" Moore asks. "It can't actually do anything to us."
Cresiel can go smash it if he wants to. Moore will just hold.
Hefting his hammer, "Will it stop?"
"Unlikely, it will wander and wander. Do with it what you will," Your guide says, turning away and walking ahead.
Cresiel continues a moment, before solidly bringing his hammer down.
> roll 1d20+46
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 49 > [d20=3]
> roll 2d6+14
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 22 > [d6=3,5]
A solid hit sends the book careening back in the air, which slowly turns into a general retreat as it flees away. Cresiel watches it go before continuing on.
Free act.
"Let's not recruit an animated book army, as amusing as it would be." Moore says as he turns to go along as well.
Thus you wander on a time longer and...
Perception.
Take 10 for 91.
You hear footsteps ahead, around a bend. Your guide stops as a celestial comes into view. Black haired, of sure gait and strong body. He wears silver armor, full body coverage save for his head, which is surrounded by a gentle corona of matching silver light.
"We already met, but we didn't. Moore?" he asks, plainly, a silver sword in his hand, glistening with blue spellfire.
Moore blinks once. "Do you mean in the space between there and here?" He smiles slightly. "Yes, you must be Saluiel?"
Cresiel steps forward, cautious. "Is there a problem?" he asks, softly.
"The Moore I met walked with a fiend, not a solar," is the celestial's answer, "Braxos?"
"It is as you see," Is your guide's answer.
That sword is sheathed, silver withdrawn. He approaches Cresiel, "Cresiel, a child of Celestia and Brightwater. I've heard of you."
A slight nod, acknowledgement. "I serve Duke Moore currently," A look to you.
A double take, "A pixie? What has he done, slain a fiendlord?"
"It's a bit of a long story." Moore says with a smile. "If there's somewhere we can talk safely, I'd be happy to explain and also explain why I'm here."
"Back to stable space," The angel agrees, striding ahead, falling in with all of you. "We'll talk there."
"It's going to happen again as we go, then?" Moore asks as he starts to go back.
"It might," Your guide says, "It might now." He sounds disinterested, as if discussing the weather.
Cresiel's jaw tightens, but he says nothing.
"Very well." Moore says as they proceed back.
Quick d100, scary pixie.
[22:17] <Nephrite> roll 1d100
[22:17] <Penuche2> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 44 > [d100=44]
It's a walk - without distortion this time, to where the library makes sense again. After a few minutes there's a stop and...
"You have my attention," Your target says, waiting, posture straight and true. "Explain."
Moore takes a deep breath.
"You're familiar with Aurora, yes? Let me start there..." He says.
This can be a summary of the following events:
Waking up in Venya, meeting Erathaol, going to Aurora, working with them to help fight Hell, eventually liberating Lifasa with a few good stories here and there.
Working with Celestia against the machinations of Shar, various other do-gooder things like fighting Elder Vampires and other fun things like that.
Gimme Diplo, would you?
Take 10 for 125.
Throughout this the celestial listens, a few nods from Cresiel at the right times, whenever he glances over at the solar. After some time of talking and listening, well over an hour to tell all of that, "You're impressive," He finally says, "What is it you want, then?"
"I have recently had the..." Moore taps his chin. "Privilege to be able to overcome anathemic knowledge. I was told that there may be magic that allows one to create it, and I would like to learn how to do that, if possible."
The angel's expression is closed off at that, "Why do you want to learn it?" he asks.
"I've become aware of a ritual that helps suppress spiritual wounds, but it requires the use of my blood." Moore says. "I would like to share the knowledge with someone I trust, but protect it in case anything ever happens to them."
"Your blood?" A simple, pointed question at that, "Explain."
"So, as one of the protectors of Lifasa, the world bolsters me." Moore says. "No matter what I do there, I cannot cause it any spiritual harm. The ritual augments a spell which protects against spiritual wounds and makes it stronger."
A nod. Acknowledgement again. "You understand the scrutiny you would be under if this secret spread."
"I am well-acquainted, yes." Moore says.
"I will teach you," Is the answer after a few moments, "You have need and your deeds prove your pure heart."
Moore nods. "You have my thanks for that. I am happy to trade you in whatever you deem appropriate, if you would like me to share any knowledge with you."
"Three unique spells," Saluiel agrees, "As well as seven platinum coins."
"Very well." Moore says. "I'll agree to that if you agree to also tell me what you know of the distortion and the people there, including the..."
Moore that is not Moore?
A blink. He clears his throat. "Including what you know of the 'other' me." Moore says.
Braxos looks to you sharply, a sharp enough turn to cut steel.
The angel's expression becomes wider eyed, "You speak words of authority," he concurs, "What are you, the charge of a seraph?"
"I do not wish to speak above my station." Moore says with a small smile. "But I have been tasked with many things by many, including those at the highest peaks."
"Come with me," Saluiel strides forward now, "We have mountains of matters to discuss."
Moore looks over to Cresiel with a smile and shrug and goes to follow!
It is out of the library entirely, to a tower workspace and living space combined. Simple and neat save for the bed and closet, which are much messier and unmade. Gaudy, bright purple chairs with silver stars dominate, standing out as you go to sit.
"What do you know about those distortions?" Is the question he asks.
"I don't know anything concrete." Moore says honestly. "Even so, I got the sense from going through there that they weren't just... figments. It seemed like whatever I saw was entirely real, just..." He hums for a moment.
"Like looking through a prism, where you're seeing the same thing, but it's just a different perspective. I also only saw people I knew. I didn't see anyone I was unfamiliar with." He adds.
"It shows possibilities, or perhaps sideways glances," Saluiel says on considering, "To explain: What could be or what may have been. The Prime Material is often called a prism that has endless refractions, the analogy is similar. Where space becomes frayed, it seems that it shows potentials."
Moore nods. "That makes sense. Do you think there's any link to reality?" He asks. "The me that's there, do you think he can access anything outside, or do you think he can only affect 'his' possibility?"
"No, save for direct harm to any of us," Is the answer you get again, "It seems to be little more than phantasms with teeth."
Moore nods again. "Still, There's a vast amount of possibility there... you could talk to someone who's no longer alive, or get secrets from someone who's your enemy on the outside." Moore says.
"It's not worth it."
Cresiel speaks up here, voice firm. More than firm, determined. "It's not worth it, Moore."
"The visions can be disturbing," Saluiel concurs, "Some see it once and never return, or suffer a sundered mind."
"I think it's worth considering if we get stuck somewhere." Moore counters. "But I understand that relying on something that doesn't truly exist is it's own problem."
A shake of his head, "Anyway... your spells." Moore says, as he produces parchment and writes on them.
Lets give him...
Antimagic Sound
Moore's Quick Gather
Moore's Modified Spell Theft
And the 700 gold in 7 platinum coins.
Platinum coins are 10 gold per, Moore.
fine then he gets 70
The spells are studied for a time, "I'll need full scrolls of them," he says, "But this is acceptable."
"I admit, scribing scrolls isn't something I'm versed in." Moore says. "But it shouldn't be terribly hard to find someone to do it here, of all places."
"Now, you understand and can resist what anathemic knowledge is?" The angel goes on from that.
Moore nods. "It seems that, since I overcame it once that it's been easier to apply the same principals to further episodes."
"Then this will not be hard. If you've come so far, it's not much more than learning new spells," Rising now, going to a window which lets in the pale light of the stars in the night sky, "Though the spells are closer to rituals - it is not something you cast casually."
Moore nods. "That makes sense. It isn't something I expect to use after this."
"Then let's begin. This will take some time, still," He warns, gesturing you over.
"Understood." Moore says as he approaches, anxious and curious!
Okay, this is a bit of tying and I want to focus on Seira and Alicia for the rest of the session, so post here at or before evening session's start. Just gimme a reply so you have the last post and I don't think I'm waiting on you.
Don't die to Shar.
Time is what it takes. Time to learn and consider, long hours and hours passing. A day and another, until at last you grasp the spell. On a starry night you rest back, hands around the prize at last.
Anathemic Knowledge
Abjuration
Level: Brd 9, Sor/Wiz 10, Clr 10
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 week
Range: Special; see text
Target: Special; see text
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
This spell wraps an idea in the anathema of knowledge, which makes it impossible for creatures to remember or knowledge of it to be recorded. Any creature who sees, learns of or otherwise comes in contact with the idea loses all memory of it in one week's time. Attempts to record this knowledge likewise fail. The written word will erase itself, magical recordings will vanish as if they never were and so forth. In essence, the idea naturally returns to a state of being unknown.
There are several rules that govern anathemic knowledge. First and foremost, any creature aware of anathemic knowledge before it becomes anathemic knowledge does not forget it. They are immune to this instance of anathemic knowledge, but not other instances. Any idea known by more than 100 creatures cannot be affected by this spell. Any sort of idea that could be considered primal to Creation - such as air, the sun or death - cannot be made anathemic knowledge. Deities are immune to this spell's effects.
No mortal means can counter or stop anathemic knowledge, not even a wish or a miracle. Anathemic knowledge cannot be dispelled by dispel magic or similar creatures. Dead magic areas and areas affected by antimagic field prevent anathemic knowledge from being forgotten or erased as long as it stays within it, but the knowledge is forgotten or erased once it leaves such areas. There are epic spells that can counter and undo this spell.
This is not an exhaustive listing of all quantities and types of anathemic knowledge. Further spells exist as well as other methods, as well as ways to overcome anathemic knowledge.
Material Component
A drop of blood from the caster.
Moore nods after the final bit of information is presented.
"I appreciate you taking the time to teach me something as powerful as this." He says. "It's... interesting, to think of something I battled so hard against for so long being compressed into a spell, though."
"Do not spread it lightly," Your teacher says, expression serious, "It is troublesome to undo, and there are those who take exception to it being used frivolously."
"This is an odd question, but... is the knowledge of this spell, in and of itself, anathemic knowledge?" He asks.
"No,' Is the answer, "But it is..." A moment's hesitation, "Difficult in its ways."
Moore nods. "I understand. If you'd ever like to come to Hope's Landing, it's in Lunia, you're always welcome there."
"All I hope is that you find her," The angel says, "She's lonely."
Moore blinks, then blinks again... then closes his eyes and nods. "I know. I will."
"I only met her a moment," Is the last thing he says, then says, "I know you will. Good luck in your quest."
"Thank you." Moore says. "I hope you'll visit someday."
With that said and done, it's time to return to Hope's Landing and see if anything transpired in the last few days!
Well now you inspired me. Gimme a d100.
[22:03] <Nephrite> roll 1d100
[22:03] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 35 > [d100=35]
You return to find Hope's Landing intact. Always a relief as additionally Grias tells you, "Oh, it's been quiet, very quiet," he says, "Everything's fine, Moore."
"Good to hear." Moore says.
So, here's the question: Moore learned of this new spell, but how is he going to cast it? Does he need to wait until a level up, or what would you like to see done there? It kind of feels shitty to have to learn it as an actual spell given its nature. :(
I had assumed you'd retrain a slot to use it. Was I wrong?
You are not. If I'm able to do so now, I would.
Free free.
Okay. I'll swap Reaving Dispel for it, in that case.
Done. Okay, going to cast it right off?
Yes. I am guessing you need me to specify what I am casting it on.
In that case it is the ritual to weaken the effects of spiritual wounds on Lifasa by using Moore's blood.
Okay, so the idea that Moore's blood can mitigate and reduce spiritual wounds caused on Lifasa, then? Just to be clear since precision here is needed.
Yes I think that is sufficient.
Okay, go ahead and record that you've made that anathemic knowledge on your sheet, along with the spell that did it and the limits on it. Note who already knows about it and is thus immune as well. Crosspost that here when you're done.
*the idea that Moore's blood can mitigate and reduce spiritual wounds caused on Lifasa
Anathemic Knowledge, the Bard 9 Cleric spell was used to create this.
People who know already: Moore, Tepen, Xandra, Cresiel.
Didn't you tell Saluiel and a few others?
The casting is time consuming - the ritual is exacting, but in the end it's done, the last note of the spell sung. You feel the knowledge change somehow, slipping away from most, becoming unknown.
I don't think I told him what I was planning on doing with it specifically, but I can add him anyway.
I'm pretty sure he didn't mention his plans to anyone else at least I'm terms of specifics.
With that finally done, Moore will make sure he didn't miss any exciting news while he focused on this. If he didn't, then it's time to go see Tepen.
It's been quiet on your front as...
Any prep/who is going with you for Tepen? Well, Kaja basically so.
Kaja is the only one who could go, but Moore can go himself. He will use the Blessed Cube but other than that no.
If Kaja insists he can come, of course. :)
"I'm going," Kaja insists, using the Blessed Cube after you. "Lifasa is always my turn."
"You know you're going to be bored, right?" Moore asks as he prepares the Greater Plane Shift. "I'm not even sure there's a slightly grumpy dragon there, let alone an evil one."
"As long as Tepen provides lunch." Is the answer you get.
You find Tepen behind his house, a book open on his lap. He sits beneath a great big oak tree and in the shade. His eyes are closed and his head lolls forward, soft snores coming from him.
"Teeepeeen." Moore whispers loudly.
Tepen doesn't stir at that, snoozing away.
Moore lets out an audible sigh as he gets closer. "Tepen." He trues again, a little louder.
Tepen blinks and opens his eyes, "Eh?" He stares at you a moment in utter confusion, "Why'd you put your robes back on and why are you Moore?" He blinks several times, "Moore?"
Moore just flutters there for a moment. "Should I even ask?"
"Oh, Moore," Going right past that without responding, "Kaja as well." Standing up quickly, "How goes your adventures?"
"Coming to an end of a quest." Moore says as he produces some papers. "I found the research we'd discussed and it seems workable. I took some precautions with the knowledge, so I think it will be safe to use."
Tepen takes his time, reads over them carefully. "This is remarkable," he says, "How effective do you think it will be?"
"I don't have any practical experience with spiritual wounds... so I don't think I can give much of a reference point." Moore says. "I think it would tremendously lessen the level of the circle needed for it, though. Something like using a high quality component in as a reagent, I guess."
"That would be extremely useful," Tepen goes on, "Extremely useful."
Moore nods. "When do you think we can try it?"
"Once I do some calculations," Tepen says, as...
It's been a bit so quick refresher: What's your intent and goals here?
Create some area, it doesn't matter how big but at least like a 30ft circle or something that is warded with this ritual so that Xandra or whomever could safely be there.
Thus the circle is cast and prepared in Tepen's backyard. It's quiet here as day becomes afternoon, the sun slowly sinking down. Tepen's cow grazes nearby, watching with a sedate sort of animal interest.
"It's time," Tepen agrees.
Moore opens a Gate to Hope's Landing to beckon Xandra through!
Xandra steps through, stands there - and nothing else happens. There's a flicker of the circle for several moments, bright light threatening to pour past it. Yet it does not.
"It works," Xandra declares, her voice beautiful in that moment.
"It works," Tepen concurs, "We'll have to watch and ensure it maintains itself, that it won't collapse prematurely."
Moore nods and smiles. "Welcome to Lifasa." He says, simply.
"It's a pleasure to visit," Xandra agrees, taking it in. "How strong is this, how far does it reach and how long does it last?"
Moore glances to Tepen. "I believe it's about thirty feet wide, and as for strength... well, I think it could manage anything save for a deity or avatar, but I can't say. Tepen, do you know how long the original spell lasts for?"
"Several weeks," Tepen remarks, "For us, I believe a little over a month."
Moore nods. "So it should work for a while."
"It is strong," Xandra says, "Now: How will we use this to our advantage?"
"Ah, the why." Moore says with a smile. "I would like to try and push the boundaries of what I can do with The Words here, since I am in absolutely no danger of dying or harming myself here." He says.
In fact, Xandra may be able to see it herself: Moore looks... better. Stronger, smarter... he draws attention just a bit more.
Trying to bolster yourself, just to be clear?
No, it was just a representation of the strength Lifasa gives him that Xandra's not seen.
Oh good.
"Then let's try," Xandra agrees, going to sit. "What do you want to try, Moore?"
"I suppose, let's see how far I can push something I already know how to do." Moore says. "The creation of objects."
"A fine place to start. Create something you've done before and isn't too taxing," Xandra suggests.
Tepen stands back to watch, while Kaja crosses his arms and goes to lean against the tree Tepen was napping at.
Moore, again, tries to create a blade of grass with his Words... a living blade of grass, growing out of the ground!
Last time he did this, it was 300 points of damage.
For reference, he currently has 630 HP and 630 temp HP.
It flows far easier, a new blade of grass growing. You feel deeper as you do, a vast well of power flowing into you, an image of great veins beneath the earth, pulsing with power.
30 damage.
Moore blinks.
"...It was so easy." Moore says with a look to Xandra. "I think it's because I'm here... the power of Lifasa makes this easier, too."
Here Xandra puts a hand to her chin, a consideration. "How precisely does Lifasa support you, Moore?"
"I'm not sure how to answer that question." Moore admits.
"I'm not entirely certain myself," Tepen steps forward here, "What do you propose?"
"That this bond may go deeper than I imagined," Xandra says plainly, "The ease on which you conjured that belies your progress."
Moore nods to Xandra. "I... mm. If it helps, I can go to the very core of Lifasa safely and feel it." He says. "I do think I'm connected to it in some way."
"Heal yourself," Xandra says, "Once you are restored, try making an entire tree. A copy of that tree there." A look right at the oak tree Kaja leans against - well did, smoothly standing straight when Xandra looks at it.
Kaja goes over to the cow, patting its side, "We'll stay over here while the miracle workers violate every reasonable expectation of reality again."
"Moooo," Is the response.
"Yeah," Kaja agrees, watching.
Somehow Xandra turned into Latha.
Moore will wait a minute for his connection to Lifasa to be restored and will try and create a copy of the tree, outside of the circle of protection, but still nearby!
Fixed. At least Kaja is still Kaja. This time.
Anyway, have you ever made anything like a tree before?
Not of that size. For your reference:
Known costs:
300 HP for a blade of grass (living). Rooted blade of grass that grew out of dirt (300 damage)
golf-ball sized rock. 100 damage.
Half-cup of Natural brown dirt, nothing special to your eyes except that you created it. 50 damage
Half-cup of water, nothing special. 30 damage
Half-cup of apple juice. 40 damage
Small clay pot - 110 damage
Before your eyes, you feel a pull and the same vastness. A tree rises up, rises full and fast before you. A mature, tall tree, fully grown and yet still growing, a nearby twin.
50 damage after discounts here. Note that this was on Lifasa for your notes.
Moore just... stares.
"It was barely more difficult than a blade of grass, here." Moore says. "I can't believe it."
Tepen goes to the tree, eyes glowing blue as he does. "Remarkable," he says, "It's as if you created it with powerful magic that leaves behind no trace."
"A power that is not your own," Xandra keeps her voice low, just for Moore. "Use it, but to practice and grow, not as a crutch for yourself."
Moore nods to Xandra. Still, perhaps he can use this to advance his knowledge and control over...
"Let us try what we were working on before. Still, I will be careful." Moore promises.
He will sit down in the center of the circle and take a breath, then slowly, carefully, try to wrap himself in the part of his soul again.
Full Disclosure, my phone corrected that to 'his soup'.
Cool. How far did you get last time, forgot to make a note of it.
The mechanical effect was +2 bonus to Charisma.
Charisma check then.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+43 : 15 + 43, total 58[/blockquote]
It flows easier, even if it leaves you staggered again. You feel it come forth and...
+4 Charisma, 60 damage.
<Ebiris> So is Moore basically Pun Pun now?
> They're not permanent bonuses nor do they stack with themselves, to be clear.
<Ebiris> Ah, it sounded like they were permanent.
> No.
Just in case this wasn't clear. I think it is, but if someone in chat made the mistake, well...best to be clear.
He takes in a breath. He sits and just maintains this for a few minutes, before he tries to push himself just a bit farther!
No, I am aware the bonus only lasts while thus is in effect.
I have a long way to go to be Pun Pun.
Yes. Still, DMs thrive on clarity. Well, that and PC anguish.
Charisma check again.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+56 : 8 + 56, total 64[/blockquote]
the other roll didn't add 15 from GI... 20 base Charisma bonus with the current soul bonus plus the aura, just for the sake of math.
Con check.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+26 : 12 + 26, total 38[/blockquote]
300 damage, comes from you and not your temp HP this time.
PAIN. You have to stop immediately, falling to a knee. You shudder and are sick, more blood than anything else coming up. You feel like you're cracking inside, throbbing hot and dripping blood within.
Kaja's there, holding you, saying something you can't make out.
Moore reels, not expecting that.
He tries to take a calming breath in and out as the power leaves him. He simply had to take it slowly... he can't push himself too hard, and perhaps this was simply too much for right now.
He waves his hand at Kaja in a calming manner for now.
You ache as Kaja holds you, Tepen there and Xandra watching.
Slowly, ever so slowly, "...Moore?" You finally hear Kaja.
"Remarkable progress, but even this has limits to what you can bear as you are now," Xandra speaks. "Rest a time, Moore. Practice and time are on our side."
"I can hear you." Moore says as the healing properties of Lifasa mend his wounds, external and internal both.
"I would like to attempt one final thing while I'm here." He says as he takes a breath.
He will top himself off with Heal as well.
what he wants to try is emulating a cantrip... or at least the same idea. He wants to try and basically make the same effect as Prestidigitation but using The Words.
Charisma.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+52 : 12 + 52, total 64[/blockquote]
You feel something, but it doesn't flow, not quite.
Does he simply need to advance more?
He shakes his head. "I can feel something, but I think I need to spend more time with it." He says after a few minutes. "I think this may simply be my limit for right now."
"Then let's press past your limit," Xandra says, as...
Congratulations! You've reached level up time. I'll get to your nagging post after session so you can start level ups soon enough.