Gateway #1
What follows is a recap of a live session played out on Discord.
Thick smoke from the burning caravan on the main road through Graystone Pass filled the air. However, there was something flying overhead obscured by the smoke. The smoke waned enough for the flier to be seen. It was a huge green dragon! Blind terror erupted in everyone who saw the dragon, causing them to flee in random directions. Most of the members of the combined Squadrons did finally reunite the following day, but not all of them. This is the story of those missing members.
Erisciana woke from a deep sleep and felt refreshed. She was laying on her left side on stone worked ground. Looking about she found herself in a small 5' x 10' hallway. Ahead of her was an opening that appeared to lead outside, but what light there was outside was fading. Even stranger it looked like earth and grass was partially obscuring the opening.
With a start, Erisci realized that there were about half a dozen bodies lying around her. They did not move nor did they make a sound. Returning her gaze to the outside, Erisci noted what looked like her horse laying on the ground. The last thing she could remember before being filled with terror was riding the horse. Now she was here, wherever here was.
Picking herself up, the priestess gingerly made her way towards the opening. The lack of light was making it difficult to see any finer details in the chamber she had awoken in. Then she realized that she was extremely parched and felt the unmistakable pangs of hunger. How much time had passed? There was food and drink on her horse so she walked in that direction sliding through the strange partially earth covered opening.
The mount had been slain at some point. Her bags had been rifled through and their contents strewn on the ground around the horse. Parts of the animal look like they had been chewed on, as if something was trying to eat it. A water skin was found and Erisci eased her thirst. Whatever attacked the horse had taken her food.
Looking around she found herself in a light forested area. A squawk from nearby caused her to look up into a nearby tree. Seated on a branch watching was M'Lady, Flare's falcon. She almost looked pleased to see Eriscianna and the falcon squawked once more.
From the looks it, the sun was going down. Eris dug through her gear finding her flint and tinder. She lit one of her torches and then cast a Firelight to make the light source brighter and last longer.
Moving back to the entrance to where she had awoke, Eris could see that the chamber she had been in had indeed been covered with earth. It looked like someone had hacked through the earthen growth to reveal the hidden chamber just recently.
Inside the chamber the torch light revealed that there were five dead bodies. Three were orcs, two goblins. They were strewn on the ground with numerous wounds on their bodies. Blood filled the area around them, but had yet to dry. These were recent kills. Looking at her mace, Erisci could see blood on it as well, but it had long since dried. Her leather armor showed signs of being in battle. It was then that Erisci realized that she was sore and probably bruised from being in a fight. Just inside the opening was a metallic door laying on the ground, with an orc and a goblin on top of it. From the looks it, the door had been forced open, knocked off its hinges and it fell to the ground before the goblinoids had been killed.
There were four small slots on each of the side walls of the chamber. These were a defensive measure where attackers could thrust long weapons through the openings without fear of counter attack. Whatever this place was, it was built to be defended. At the far end of the hallway was another door. This one was wide open, but was still on its hinges. It also looked like it had been forced open. This door was wooden, but reinforced with bands of metal.
Past the door was another small chamber, wider than it was deep. Across from the door was another reinforced door. The torchlight revealed a human sized statue on either side of the room. It was a human female wearing armor and bearing a sword and shield. The statues appeared identical to each other and were something Erisciana had seen before in a dream. These ones, however, did not resemble her.
It was at this point that the priestess noted the dirt on the floor. Dust and other filth made it look like no one had been here for a very long time. However there was a path that was obviously recently disturbed going down the middle. From the looks of it, numerous feet had passed this way recently.
The other door led out into a hallway going left and right. Across the hall was another a pair of double doors that were currently open. The traveled trail lead through these doors. On either side of the doors were two more statues of a woman warrior. These ones held a mace and shield in their hands.
The double doors lead into a very large chamber It reminded Erisci of a temple. Two more statues stood at guard on other side of the entry door. Along the side walls halfway into the room were two more statues. Each carried a shield and a weapon.
There was writing on the walls that reminded Erisci of something else she had seen in a dream. The three tapestries on the far fall clinched it. This was a Temple of Mardura. Her tenants were written out on the walls in hieroglyphics. The tapestries showed three different versions of Mardura who appears as a woman with golden hair and eyes wearing bronze armor. In the first she is on a flaming chariot pulled by a flaming lion with an army behind her. The next has her on what looks like a mountain peak holding a bolt of lighting. The last has Mardura walking through what looks like a forest. As you look from left to right, the season in the forest seems to change. It starts in winter with snow on the ground, transitions to the green of spring, then into summer and finally, the leaves are starting to fall on the far right.
Other doors could be seen exiting the temple in the far corners, but the worn path led up to the tapestries and past them. Another double door is revealed having been concealed by the middle tapestry. This opening leads into another room. There are more armed Mardura statues here, three on each side of the room. But it is the far wall that attracts Erisci's attention.
Raised up on the far wall is what looks like an arch. The middle area is plain and empty, but on the upper part of the arch are five gems put into sockets. The middle and largest gem is bronze in color. The two on the left are white and green. The last two on the right are yellow and brown.
The archway looks familiar as Erisciana had seen similar ones back in her home temple. However, while they did have the depressions above them where the gems were sitting, all of them had painted fresco's in them. They didn't seem to be any more than a decoration depicting the various tenants of Ishtar.
As she moved closer to the archway, energy played inside the opening. An image appeared! Inside this image several beings could be seen. Flare could be seen sitting on floor in a large chamber beyond the archway. Was that Laurel and Sorvani?
Suddenly, a large figure appeared on the other side of the archway and before Eris could figure out who it is, they stepped through and were now in front of Erisci! It was Kendell!
Kendell took another step towards Eris saying, “You're sure plum a sight for sore eyes, pretty lady!” With that Kendell gives the priestess a big hug, lifting her up off the ground. “We thought we were goners!”
Now what?
Gateway #1
Gateway #1
Try it and find out!
Re: Gateway #1
Heaviness enveloped the priestess of Ishtar as she ever so slowly opened her eyes. She was unsure of where she was and there was a fogginess in her head. The experience of her ephemeral encounter played at the back of her mind and there was also a hint of a nearly forgotten dream. (Dream sequence here https://bit.ly/410UYt7 and the dream remnant from the live version of War for Gateway.) She blinked her eyes a couple times and rolled over from her side.
“Where am I?” The question seemed almost silly having verbalized it. This was clearly not familiar. As the heaviness in her head passed, she felt rested, if not sore. And the pangs of hunger and thirst were readily apparent. “How long have I been here?” Another foolishly verbalized whisper.
She lay on stone-worked floor in what was a small hallway. On one end was fading daylight. She slowly regained her feet and recovered her mace which was laying nearby. That’s when she became aware of the other inhabitants of the hall. Approximately a half dozen bodies lay scattered about on the floor. Dead bodies from the look of them. Erisci had seen, and created, enough dead bodies to know the difference just by look.
She raised herself up to stand up straight and rubbed her neck. That was when she realized that part of her leather armor was hanging tenuously from her body. She must have been in quite the fight to sustain such damage. Her shoulder armor and right arm plates were now only attached at the wrist. “That explains why everything hurts,” she says to no one. She quickly worked to free herself from the tethered damage. Her chestplate rested uncomfortably about her torso having been damaged and sat strangely askew and one of her leg guards was barely attached as well. She stripped herself out of her armor. This would do her no help until it could be properly repaired. Fortunately she had a small waterskin on her belt and she took a long, refreshing drink from it. Somewhat satiated, it was time for some answers.
It was too dim to make out many details in the hall, so she headed for the opening and potential answers. As she approached, it almost looked like the doorway had been overgrown with earth and flora. Sure enough a metal door lay in the undergrowth near the entrance. “Not too much of a hurry,” she told herself, as she peered around the corner. After seeing the green dragon, she must have been on her horse. For the horse was here, but sadly it was laying on its side, flies buzzing about.
“She was a good horse,” Erisci said quietly, wiping a tear from her eye. The black roan had seen her through the adventures here in Cynalon. She did not deserve such an ignominious fate. It was clear upon a quick inspection that her saddle bags had been rifled through. Her food was gone, as was any coin stored from their exploits. Something had tried to eat part of the unfortunate mount.
Staying in a crouched position, the priestess looked about at the area. The sun was fading in the evening sky and darkness was quickly claiming this lightly forested area. Suddenly there was a loud series of quick screeches. On a branch, a falcon was sitting, looking at her. “Well, look at you,” Erisci said, standing up and taking a step in that direction. “If you’re here, then Flare must not be too far away.” She looked about but there was no other sound than that of the normal forest.
Looking through the scattered gear and supplies, Erisciana was able to find her flint and tinder. This would allow her to have light. She lit a torch and then cast Firelight to make it last longer and glow brighter than normal. “Where’s Flare?” Erisci finally directed to the bird. She had no idea if the bird understood her spoken language. It was possible that Flare’s connection with the falcon was mental or magickal. She waved her hand about her. “Anything?” Milady squawked again. Her attention seemed perhaps to be on the hallway. Erisci wasn’t too sure.
Looking back at the entrance, the door appeared to have been pried from its hinges. That would take significant power! And this location was likely hidden. Erisci mused that someone or something was on a mission to find this place. But who or what? From this angle it was clear that there was enough earth and flora covering the entrance to see that nature had claimed it some time ago. She stepped back inside, leading with her torch. Now that she could see, the dead bodies were orcs and goblins. Also her clothes underneath her armor had been torn in places. There was clearly a much more severe fight than these goblins and orcs in her recent past. “Not even 5 of these cretins would prove to be that dangerous.”
Now that shadows played upon the walls, she could see that there were murder holes in the walls on either side. She crouched down instinctively but if there was an attack coming it would have struck her by now. She proceeded cautiously, especially now bereft of armor. And yet something about this place screamed familiarity in her mind. She stepped past, over and around the dead bodies as she tried to use all senses at her disposal.
At the far end of the hallway was another door. This one was wide open, but was still on its hinges. It also looked like it had been forced. This door was wooden, but reinforced with bands of metal. Someone had broken in here, obviously. Still it was a bit incongruous at this point. Hopefully, further investigation would provide some answers.
Past the door was a small chamber, wider than it was deep. Across from the entrance was another reinforced door. The torchlight revealed a human-sized statue on either side of the room. It was a human female wearing bronze armor and bearing a sword and shield. The statues appeared identical to each other and were something Erisciana had recognized in a dream. “Mardura!” Erisci exclaimed, as the dream images flitted back to her. “Could this be the Temple we found?” Erisciana caught herself a moment. “…in my dream,” she felt compelled to add. For a moment, she contemplated if she was still in that dreamworld, but something about this was inherently different from her visions. She was determined now to find out just where she was. "Fascinating...."
No one had been here in some time, cobwebs filled corners and dust had settled on the floor. However, the dust had also been disturbed. “This could be recent,” she offered to herself. “Recent enough that more dust had not formed.” At the least it gave her a direction to go. She wished she was as good of a tracker as Flare or Kaylessa. Kneeling down the priestess tried to see if there were any discernable footprints indicating a direction, but they were too disturbed to gain much information. “Someone was here. Or had been recently.” Erisci decided to proceed carefully.
The other door led out into a hallway going left and right. Across the hall was another a pair of double doors that were currently open. The traveled trail lead through these doors. On either side of the doors were two more statues of a woman warrior. These ones held a mace and shield in their hands. Different aspects of the warrior goddess, Mardura, Erisci deduced.
The double doors led into a very large chamber. She stood at the entrance and peered inside. It was clearly a temple. Two more statues stood at guard on other side of the entry door. Along the side walls halfway into the room were two more statues. Each carried a shield and a weapon. “I wonder if these come to life like the ones in my dream. If so, I at least seem to be safe from them.” She chuckled to herself. Dreams were always more outlandish than reality.
Holding her torch up as she stepped carefully into the temple, Erisci looked around. “This part is more familiar. It matches the dream sequence much more closely although in that version everything was much more damaged, as I recall. The pictoglyph writing on the walls seem similar,” she said looking closer in the bright torchlight. Then her attention turned toward the altar and the tapestries behind it. “Again, just like my dream,” she said quietly. "So was it a dream or a vision or an omen?" There was much to learn now. Mardura had been an ancient goddess that emulated some of the realms that her own Queen of Heaven dominated. And the vision had led her slightly altered team into conflict with an evil deity called Set. Deciding that it was best to keep quiet, she pursed her lips and crept forward, her bare feet soundless on the stone floor.
The book on the altar was intact, unlike her dream. Laurel would certainly love to get her hands on this as much as I would, Erisci thought. Or Sann. She smiled a moment and admired the tapestries. The one on the right was very close to a representation of Ishtar. Mardura was in a flaming chariot led by a flaming lion. Her goddess Ishtar had often been represented as being in a flying chariot pulled by winged lions.
Her curiosity was piqued certainly, but her training screamed in her head to be cautious. There was no need to rush and get herself in trouble. Especially solo and unarmored and lacking a number of spells. Proceeding as quietly as possible made the most sense now. She saw that the tracks did indeed go to the tapestries and she knew from her dream that a passage lay behind them.
Following quietly, she proceeded slowly. Unsure of what, if anything, might happen. She wasn’t clear if she was following someone or if they had departed already. And were they friend or foe? So many questions. More Mardura statues were here and more closely placed. More security, she almost let the thought form completely. This next room had a much more intriguing revelation in it.
Raised up on the far wall was what looked like an arch. The middle area was plain and empty, but on the upper part of the arch are five gems put into sockets. The middle and largest gem was bronze in color. The two on the left are white and green. The last two on the right are yellow and brown. This also was extremely familiar as more parts of her dream-vision rushed back to her. In her dream these alcoves were portals to other locations. The gems in them and the order of placement indicating to where the portal would lead. This was exciting. Erisci hoped that reality matched her vision.
The archway looked very similar to ones back in her home temple. However, while they did have the depressions above them where the gems were sitting, all of them had painted frescos in them. They did not seem to be any more than a decoration depicting the various tenants of Ishtar. This was different entirely. Erisci was intrigued on whether a portal could be opened!
The priestess of Ishtar stepped carefully closer to the archway as energy began to play inside the opening. An image coalesced! Forming this image were several beings. Flare could be seen sitting on the floor in a large chamber beyond the archway. She scanned the image. Was that Laurel and Sorvani?
Suddenly, a large figure appeared on the other side of the archway and before Erisci could figure out who it was, they stepped through and were now in front of the priestess! It was Kendell!
Kendell took another step towards Erisci saying, “You're sure plum a sight for sore eyes, pretty lady!” With that Kendell gives the priestess a big hug, lifting her up off the ground. “We thought we were goners!”
“It is quite good to see you as well, my dear and immense friend!” When Kendall sets her down once more, she peers closer into the room beyond. “What is going on here? I have so many questions!”
“Where am I?” The question seemed almost silly having verbalized it. This was clearly not familiar. As the heaviness in her head passed, she felt rested, if not sore. And the pangs of hunger and thirst were readily apparent. “How long have I been here?” Another foolishly verbalized whisper.
She lay on stone-worked floor in what was a small hallway. On one end was fading daylight. She slowly regained her feet and recovered her mace which was laying nearby. That’s when she became aware of the other inhabitants of the hall. Approximately a half dozen bodies lay scattered about on the floor. Dead bodies from the look of them. Erisci had seen, and created, enough dead bodies to know the difference just by look.
She raised herself up to stand up straight and rubbed her neck. That was when she realized that part of her leather armor was hanging tenuously from her body. She must have been in quite the fight to sustain such damage. Her shoulder armor and right arm plates were now only attached at the wrist. “That explains why everything hurts,” she says to no one. She quickly worked to free herself from the tethered damage. Her chestplate rested uncomfortably about her torso having been damaged and sat strangely askew and one of her leg guards was barely attached as well. She stripped herself out of her armor. This would do her no help until it could be properly repaired. Fortunately she had a small waterskin on her belt and she took a long, refreshing drink from it. Somewhat satiated, it was time for some answers.
It was too dim to make out many details in the hall, so she headed for the opening and potential answers. As she approached, it almost looked like the doorway had been overgrown with earth and flora. Sure enough a metal door lay in the undergrowth near the entrance. “Not too much of a hurry,” she told herself, as she peered around the corner. After seeing the green dragon, she must have been on her horse. For the horse was here, but sadly it was laying on its side, flies buzzing about.
“She was a good horse,” Erisci said quietly, wiping a tear from her eye. The black roan had seen her through the adventures here in Cynalon. She did not deserve such an ignominious fate. It was clear upon a quick inspection that her saddle bags had been rifled through. Her food was gone, as was any coin stored from their exploits. Something had tried to eat part of the unfortunate mount.
Staying in a crouched position, the priestess looked about at the area. The sun was fading in the evening sky and darkness was quickly claiming this lightly forested area. Suddenly there was a loud series of quick screeches. On a branch, a falcon was sitting, looking at her. “Well, look at you,” Erisci said, standing up and taking a step in that direction. “If you’re here, then Flare must not be too far away.” She looked about but there was no other sound than that of the normal forest.
Looking through the scattered gear and supplies, Erisciana was able to find her flint and tinder. This would allow her to have light. She lit a torch and then cast Firelight to make it last longer and glow brighter than normal. “Where’s Flare?” Erisci finally directed to the bird. She had no idea if the bird understood her spoken language. It was possible that Flare’s connection with the falcon was mental or magickal. She waved her hand about her. “Anything?” Milady squawked again. Her attention seemed perhaps to be on the hallway. Erisci wasn’t too sure.
Looking back at the entrance, the door appeared to have been pried from its hinges. That would take significant power! And this location was likely hidden. Erisci mused that someone or something was on a mission to find this place. But who or what? From this angle it was clear that there was enough earth and flora covering the entrance to see that nature had claimed it some time ago. She stepped back inside, leading with her torch. Now that she could see, the dead bodies were orcs and goblins. Also her clothes underneath her armor had been torn in places. There was clearly a much more severe fight than these goblins and orcs in her recent past. “Not even 5 of these cretins would prove to be that dangerous.”
Now that shadows played upon the walls, she could see that there were murder holes in the walls on either side. She crouched down instinctively but if there was an attack coming it would have struck her by now. She proceeded cautiously, especially now bereft of armor. And yet something about this place screamed familiarity in her mind. She stepped past, over and around the dead bodies as she tried to use all senses at her disposal.
At the far end of the hallway was another door. This one was wide open, but was still on its hinges. It also looked like it had been forced. This door was wooden, but reinforced with bands of metal. Someone had broken in here, obviously. Still it was a bit incongruous at this point. Hopefully, further investigation would provide some answers.
Past the door was a small chamber, wider than it was deep. Across from the entrance was another reinforced door. The torchlight revealed a human-sized statue on either side of the room. It was a human female wearing bronze armor and bearing a sword and shield. The statues appeared identical to each other and were something Erisciana had recognized in a dream. “Mardura!” Erisci exclaimed, as the dream images flitted back to her. “Could this be the Temple we found?” Erisciana caught herself a moment. “…in my dream,” she felt compelled to add. For a moment, she contemplated if she was still in that dreamworld, but something about this was inherently different from her visions. She was determined now to find out just where she was. "Fascinating...."
No one had been here in some time, cobwebs filled corners and dust had settled on the floor. However, the dust had also been disturbed. “This could be recent,” she offered to herself. “Recent enough that more dust had not formed.” At the least it gave her a direction to go. She wished she was as good of a tracker as Flare or Kaylessa. Kneeling down the priestess tried to see if there were any discernable footprints indicating a direction, but they were too disturbed to gain much information. “Someone was here. Or had been recently.” Erisci decided to proceed carefully.
The other door led out into a hallway going left and right. Across the hall was another a pair of double doors that were currently open. The traveled trail lead through these doors. On either side of the doors were two more statues of a woman warrior. These ones held a mace and shield in their hands. Different aspects of the warrior goddess, Mardura, Erisci deduced.
The double doors led into a very large chamber. She stood at the entrance and peered inside. It was clearly a temple. Two more statues stood at guard on other side of the entry door. Along the side walls halfway into the room were two more statues. Each carried a shield and a weapon. “I wonder if these come to life like the ones in my dream. If so, I at least seem to be safe from them.” She chuckled to herself. Dreams were always more outlandish than reality.
Holding her torch up as she stepped carefully into the temple, Erisci looked around. “This part is more familiar. It matches the dream sequence much more closely although in that version everything was much more damaged, as I recall. The pictoglyph writing on the walls seem similar,” she said looking closer in the bright torchlight. Then her attention turned toward the altar and the tapestries behind it. “Again, just like my dream,” she said quietly. "So was it a dream or a vision or an omen?" There was much to learn now. Mardura had been an ancient goddess that emulated some of the realms that her own Queen of Heaven dominated. And the vision had led her slightly altered team into conflict with an evil deity called Set. Deciding that it was best to keep quiet, she pursed her lips and crept forward, her bare feet soundless on the stone floor.
The book on the altar was intact, unlike her dream. Laurel would certainly love to get her hands on this as much as I would, Erisci thought. Or Sann. She smiled a moment and admired the tapestries. The one on the right was very close to a representation of Ishtar. Mardura was in a flaming chariot led by a flaming lion. Her goddess Ishtar had often been represented as being in a flying chariot pulled by winged lions.
Her curiosity was piqued certainly, but her training screamed in her head to be cautious. There was no need to rush and get herself in trouble. Especially solo and unarmored and lacking a number of spells. Proceeding as quietly as possible made the most sense now. She saw that the tracks did indeed go to the tapestries and she knew from her dream that a passage lay behind them.
Following quietly, she proceeded slowly. Unsure of what, if anything, might happen. She wasn’t clear if she was following someone or if they had departed already. And were they friend or foe? So many questions. More Mardura statues were here and more closely placed. More security, she almost let the thought form completely. This next room had a much more intriguing revelation in it.
Raised up on the far wall was what looked like an arch. The middle area was plain and empty, but on the upper part of the arch are five gems put into sockets. The middle and largest gem was bronze in color. The two on the left are white and green. The last two on the right are yellow and brown. This also was extremely familiar as more parts of her dream-vision rushed back to her. In her dream these alcoves were portals to other locations. The gems in them and the order of placement indicating to where the portal would lead. This was exciting. Erisci hoped that reality matched her vision.
The archway looked very similar to ones back in her home temple. However, while they did have the depressions above them where the gems were sitting, all of them had painted frescos in them. They did not seem to be any more than a decoration depicting the various tenants of Ishtar. This was different entirely. Erisci was intrigued on whether a portal could be opened!
The priestess of Ishtar stepped carefully closer to the archway as energy began to play inside the opening. An image coalesced! Forming this image were several beings. Flare could be seen sitting on the floor in a large chamber beyond the archway. She scanned the image. Was that Laurel and Sorvani?
Suddenly, a large figure appeared on the other side of the archway and before Erisci could figure out who it was, they stepped through and were now in front of the priestess! It was Kendell!
Kendell took another step towards Erisci saying, “You're sure plum a sight for sore eyes, pretty lady!” With that Kendell gives the priestess a big hug, lifting her up off the ground. “We thought we were goners!”
“It is quite good to see you as well, my dear and immense friend!” When Kendall sets her down once more, she peers closer into the room beyond. “What is going on here? I have so many questions!”
Re: Gateway #1
The others in the portal room quickly reacted to her presence and everyone starts talking at once. Laurel. Flare. Sorvani. Gerret. Sann. And of course Kendall. "It is great to see you all are well. What is happening? Why are you here?" Erisci was hoping to find one or more of her comrades at arms. To find six together was fantastic.
Erisciana looked into the room. It was smallish and had no other exits from it. "Well is a relative term," Sorvani said, stepping forward.
"Yes," Gerett added quietly. "The air has slowly been thinning out on us."
"We thought we were goners!" Flare added. "But you saved us!"
"How did you manage to find us?" Sorvani added.
Erisci tried to understand what might be going on. Her brow furrowed. As she considered the situation further, it was clear that they were unable to active the portal. Someone led them in her and left them. With the portal closed and no other exits, the air would get used up. Not enough replenishing for this many people to use. "This room is a prison cell. And a death trap," she deduced. The look on each of the others' faces let her know that they had already come to that conclusion.
"How did you activate the portal?" Sorvani asked. "Was it a particular spell?"
Erisci looked a little sheepish. "Actually, I think it's just me being me. If that makes sense. Let's all get out of this room, it has a bad aura. Then we can discuss our situation further." At that point Eri noticed the smell and the disgusting looking creature that was lying on the floor. "What in Marduk's Garden is that?!" She pointed at the thing that lay dead upon the floor. "Anen!" The now-dead being was a horrible snake and man hybrid! He had no legs, but rather a serpent-like tail as his lower half. His torso is human complete with normal arms. However he has the head of a serpent with just 1 large eye and two horns sticking out of his head!
"You know what that is?" Laurel asks incredulously.
"Correct. We fought it in a vision," Erisci starts to explain. "Well, some of us. You Laurel, Flare and Sann. And Wimzy. And some 'others'. This is a Least Son of Set, they called them." She looks around at the rest of the group. "This is not good. Not good at all." Just then a dire thought came to her, but she left it unspoken for now. There was a lot to understand and unpack now. "If my visions are remotely accurate and there is enough connection to seem to justify that stance, we have not only Hextor to worry about but also another evil god, Set."
"Who's Set," Laurel wonders. "Some ancient god?"
"Yes. Mardura and Set appear to be part of a very ancient pantheon. As you know, the god's power comes from their followers to a degree. And Set has been amassing followers from somewhere," Erisci warns. "This is not the first sign of their revival." Erisci thought briefly about her banishment from Zakhara. This could be what was working behind the scenes there. There was talk of attempting to overthrow the current gods of Zakhara. Erisic considered the threat dangerous, if mostly impossible. This new discovery opened many new possibilities. If so this was dire indeed.
Flare steps through the portal and heads away. "I need to see if m'Lady is okay."
"She is just outside the entrance to this temple structure..." the priestess starts to say. Then she see the statues start to move and brandish their weapons! "Wait, Flare!" Erisci quickly runs over to him and grabs his arm. The statues stop their movement and return to their pedestals with Eri's presence in their midst.
"How did you do that?" Flare questioned. "I know I'm not drunk."
"As I said, Ishtar and Mardura have common 'connections'. Common tenants, beliefs, spheres of influence. I obviously pass satisfactorily for a follower of Mardura," she says casually. "It seemed strange at first. But it is very useful for exploration of this place. And it seems that witch Herit used my presence to steal the power from her brother. Anen there," she says pointing at the snake-human. "I am guessing that Herit used us to kill Anen so she could then absorb his essence."
Erisciana looked into the room. It was smallish and had no other exits from it. "Well is a relative term," Sorvani said, stepping forward.
"Yes," Gerett added quietly. "The air has slowly been thinning out on us."
"We thought we were goners!" Flare added. "But you saved us!"
"How did you manage to find us?" Sorvani added.
Erisci tried to understand what might be going on. Her brow furrowed. As she considered the situation further, it was clear that they were unable to active the portal. Someone led them in her and left them. With the portal closed and no other exits, the air would get used up. Not enough replenishing for this many people to use. "This room is a prison cell. And a death trap," she deduced. The look on each of the others' faces let her know that they had already come to that conclusion.
"How did you activate the portal?" Sorvani asked. "Was it a particular spell?"
Erisci looked a little sheepish. "Actually, I think it's just me being me. If that makes sense. Let's all get out of this room, it has a bad aura. Then we can discuss our situation further." At that point Eri noticed the smell and the disgusting looking creature that was lying on the floor. "What in Marduk's Garden is that?!" She pointed at the thing that lay dead upon the floor. "Anen!" The now-dead being was a horrible snake and man hybrid! He had no legs, but rather a serpent-like tail as his lower half. His torso is human complete with normal arms. However he has the head of a serpent with just 1 large eye and two horns sticking out of his head!
"You know what that is?" Laurel asks incredulously.
"Correct. We fought it in a vision," Erisci starts to explain. "Well, some of us. You Laurel, Flare and Sann. And Wimzy. And some 'others'. This is a Least Son of Set, they called them." She looks around at the rest of the group. "This is not good. Not good at all." Just then a dire thought came to her, but she left it unspoken for now. There was a lot to understand and unpack now. "If my visions are remotely accurate and there is enough connection to seem to justify that stance, we have not only Hextor to worry about but also another evil god, Set."
"Who's Set," Laurel wonders. "Some ancient god?"
"Yes. Mardura and Set appear to be part of a very ancient pantheon. As you know, the god's power comes from their followers to a degree. And Set has been amassing followers from somewhere," Erisci warns. "This is not the first sign of their revival." Erisci thought briefly about her banishment from Zakhara. This could be what was working behind the scenes there. There was talk of attempting to overthrow the current gods of Zakhara. Erisic considered the threat dangerous, if mostly impossible. This new discovery opened many new possibilities. If so this was dire indeed.
Flare steps through the portal and heads away. "I need to see if m'Lady is okay."
"She is just outside the entrance to this temple structure..." the priestess starts to say. Then she see the statues start to move and brandish their weapons! "Wait, Flare!" Erisci quickly runs over to him and grabs his arm. The statues stop their movement and return to their pedestals with Eri's presence in their midst.
"How did you do that?" Flare questioned. "I know I'm not drunk."
"As I said, Ishtar and Mardura have common 'connections'. Common tenants, beliefs, spheres of influence. I obviously pass satisfactorily for a follower of Mardura," she says casually. "It seemed strange at first. But it is very useful for exploration of this place. And it seems that witch Herit used my presence to steal the power from her brother. Anen there," she says pointing at the snake-human. "I am guessing that Herit used us to kill Anen so she could then absorb his essence."
Re: Gateway #1
Post Continued:
Continuing to recap a live session:
Once Erisciana is close enough, the portal flares to life and looks into another chamber. Some familiar faces are seen and Kendell is the first to emerge.
The others start to emerge from the portal. Laurel's cat, Malfamata, darted out first and proceeded to look around. The feline mewed as if it was hungry.
More things are noted in the chamber holding the remains of Anen. Circling the outer wall is a series of armor and weapon stands. These hold a variety of armor types that are ancient in appearance, but all seem to be as good as new as if they were untouched by the passage of time. There are human-sized suits of leather and studded leather. Metallic armors were present, but these were not entire suits like was common now. Rather they were piecemeal armors that came in separate pieces. There were numerous shields as well. Other racks hold a collection of weapons on them. Swords and maces were common, along with various bows and staves.
Sensing something Eris is drawn into Anen's prison cell. In the back the Priestess spies something familiar sitting on a stand away from the other armor and weapons. It is a familiar looking shield and she can sense the power that it holds. Before leaving the chamber Eris takes a suit of studded leather that catches her eye and a mace. Both seem to be imbued with Mardura's might.
It is noted that the portal does allow fresh air to enter the prison cell. However, the smell of Anen's rotting corpse makes sure no one lingers. Some suitable gear is liberated before Erisciana moves far enough away from the portal to deactivate it.
From there, Erisci leads the way past the Mardura statues. This small complex has two wings to it with the main path to the prison cell down the middle. Only the main path has the protective statues on guard. Everyone is free to move about the rest of the complex.
On the right hand side of the complex from the main entrance is a what appears to be a class room and a study. Across the hall from these are a series of small barracks. The office of the highest ranking official and their private quarters are also on this side.
The left hand side holds a combat training area, quarters for higher ranking priests. A kitchen is present along with a well as a source of water. There is a bathing area also.
It is clear that this place was very well constructed. The walls and ceilings were heavily reinforced. However, it is also clear that whomever was here most recently left very little behind in the way of furnishings. Any beds and bunks have no padding.
Erisciana escorts Flare outside so he can be reunited with this avian companion. M'Lady flies down and lands on Flares arm and the two 'talk' for some time. Later on Flare relates what he has learned.
“M'lady says that she was far enough away to not be affected by the dragon fear,” Flare explains. “She followed me overhead while I was blindly fleeing in terror. Then I suddenly stopped and moved in a new direction. She says that I joined the rest of you outside of this place. An unknown dark haired woman was here and she seemed to be in charge. Oddly enough Erisciana's anklets were glowing! We broke into this place and disappeared inside. That's the last M'Lady saw of us until she saw Erisciana a little bit ago.”
Now what?
Continuing to recap a live session:
Once Erisciana is close enough, the portal flares to life and looks into another chamber. Some familiar faces are seen and Kendell is the first to emerge.
“Darned if we know,” Kendell continues in his distinct country drawl. “We woke up in there without any way out. Then this door opened up!”“It is quite good to see you as well, my dear and immense friend!” When Kendall sets her down once more, she peers closer into the room beyond. “What is going on here? I have so many questions!”
The others start to emerge from the portal. Laurel's cat, Malfamata, darted out first and proceeded to look around. The feline mewed as if it was hungry.
“It was far underground,” Sann reported. “An' thousands o' years old.”Erisci tried to understand what might be going on. Her brow furrowed. "This room is a prison cell. And a death trap," she deduced. The look on each of the others' faces let her know that they had already come to that conclusion.
“We priests can sense our divine patron's power when close enough, “Laurel added. “It's not unreasonable to assume that this works both ways so that their defenses can sense someone of the same faith and ignore them. Like Erisciana said, her patron and the god of this place seem close enough to count as friendly. As for the rest of her story, I am at a loss.”"As I said, Ishtar and Mardura have common 'connections'. Common tenants, beliefs, spheres of influence. I obviously pass satisfactorily for a follower of Mardura," she says casually. "It seemed strange at first. But it is very useful for exploration of this place. And it seems that witch Herit used my presence to steal the power from her brother. Anen there," she says pointing at the snake-human. "I am guessing that Herit used us to kill Anen so she could then absorb his essence."
More things are noted in the chamber holding the remains of Anen. Circling the outer wall is a series of armor and weapon stands. These hold a variety of armor types that are ancient in appearance, but all seem to be as good as new as if they were untouched by the passage of time. There are human-sized suits of leather and studded leather. Metallic armors were present, but these were not entire suits like was common now. Rather they were piecemeal armors that came in separate pieces. There were numerous shields as well. Other racks hold a collection of weapons on them. Swords and maces were common, along with various bows and staves.
Sensing something Eris is drawn into Anen's prison cell. In the back the Priestess spies something familiar sitting on a stand away from the other armor and weapons. It is a familiar looking shield and she can sense the power that it holds. Before leaving the chamber Eris takes a suit of studded leather that catches her eye and a mace. Both seem to be imbued with Mardura's might.
It is noted that the portal does allow fresh air to enter the prison cell. However, the smell of Anen's rotting corpse makes sure no one lingers. Some suitable gear is liberated before Erisciana moves far enough away from the portal to deactivate it.
From there, Erisci leads the way past the Mardura statues. This small complex has two wings to it with the main path to the prison cell down the middle. Only the main path has the protective statues on guard. Everyone is free to move about the rest of the complex.
On the right hand side of the complex from the main entrance is a what appears to be a class room and a study. Across the hall from these are a series of small barracks. The office of the highest ranking official and their private quarters are also on this side.
The left hand side holds a combat training area, quarters for higher ranking priests. A kitchen is present along with a well as a source of water. There is a bathing area also.
It is clear that this place was very well constructed. The walls and ceilings were heavily reinforced. However, it is also clear that whomever was here most recently left very little behind in the way of furnishings. Any beds and bunks have no padding.
Erisciana escorts Flare outside so he can be reunited with this avian companion. M'Lady flies down and lands on Flares arm and the two 'talk' for some time. Later on Flare relates what he has learned.
“M'lady says that she was far enough away to not be affected by the dragon fear,” Flare explains. “She followed me overhead while I was blindly fleeing in terror. Then I suddenly stopped and moved in a new direction. She says that I joined the rest of you outside of this place. An unknown dark haired woman was here and she seemed to be in charge. Oddly enough Erisciana's anklets were glowing! We broke into this place and disappeared inside. That's the last M'Lady saw of us until she saw Erisciana a little bit ago.”
Now what?
Try it and find out!
Re: Gateway #1
Erisciana -
Before leaving the portal room completely, Erisci feels drawn to a portion of it. She enters the room cautiously once more and heads to a far corner. There in one alcove, she sees a familiar shield, familiar at least in the sense of her using this in her dream. "Mardura's Bulwark," she will say absentmindedly. She runs her fingers across the face of the shield. A lion was emblazoned up on it. Just as if it was dedicated to Ishtar herself. But it wasn't simple familiarity or ethereal nostalgia that seemed to permeate the air. She was drawn to it on a more spiritual level.
Erisci glanced back at the others who might be watching her, but didn't yet offer any explanation. Carefully she removed the shield from its stand and tested its heft. "This feels far too familiar," she said almost chuckling to herself, trying to separate from the scariness of this reality and the intrusiveness of her dream-visions.
In the same alcove was more than just the shield. A set of dark leather studded armor was also arrayed, complete with an ornate flanged mace. The mace's head was darkened metal and it sported a black leather grip and strap. Erisci set the shield down, propped against her knee and took a closer look at the armor. The leather and metal face mask was similar to her own that she had always worn in that it covered parts of her face and forehead but left the back of her head open. This one was more encompassing. Once more the lion of Mardura (and of Ishtar) was emblazoned on the forehead. She took the mask from the resting mount and placed it against her face. Turning to the others, she posed, holding it in place. "Does it suit me?" she asked with a chuckle. "I think this one is more intimidating than my normal one."
Somehow the mask felt right, like it was waiting for her. It fit perfectly. And there was that lingering sensation that came with regaining her spells in the morning and the after effects of her communing with her patron, Ishtar. She calls back to the group, now waiting on her. "My apologies, but my armor seems to have been seriously damaged in the presumed battles that led to poor Anen's death. I'm going to claim this armor here in its stead."
Erisci slowly donned the studded leather pieces. Each one seemed sized exactly for her diminutive height. This armor had similarities to one she wore previously, but held differences of style as well. The breastplate covered her chest but left the lower part of her abdomen open. A wide leather collar, like an ornamental usekh, but more protective, covered her upper chest. It had an interesting pattern in the studs that covered it, almost like claws or teeth. Two small leather pauldrons covered the shoulders and part of the upper arm. Matching forearm bracers finished the upper torso. The studs in these also formed claw markings.
Varying from the plaited skirt that her other armor had, this armor fitted more solid hip plates and just a few leather plaits to dangle in front. It did seem more flexible in this configuration, Erisci thought. Shinguards were all that covered the lower legs going from above her knee to her ankle, and leaving the thighs more open. It felt lighter, possibly making her more agile. That was a big part of her fighting style anyway, using her small size and quickness to avoid blows entirely, rather than simply weather them against the armor. Erisci strapped on the battle mask and grabbed the shield and mace. It all felt very right to her. She turned to her comrades and splayed her arms out to the side questioningly. "How do I look?"
The dark armor with bronze studs was a much different look to the priestess. She wished she'd had a mirror to see for herself. "I definitely need some armor. Mine was hanging from my body in tatters. This seems like it should do." She makes sure to grab her own shield and mace. The small shield was magickal after all. Someone could put it to use if she was now using Mardura's Bulwark, perhaps Laurel as she used a shield already. At that moment, a thought came to the priestess. "I feel a bit silly," she says to those nearby. "Let me cast Detect Magick upon all those armors and weapons and see if there are treasures for all of us to take."
Before leaving the portal room completely, Erisci feels drawn to a portion of it. She enters the room cautiously once more and heads to a far corner. There in one alcove, she sees a familiar shield, familiar at least in the sense of her using this in her dream. "Mardura's Bulwark," she will say absentmindedly. She runs her fingers across the face of the shield. A lion was emblazoned up on it. Just as if it was dedicated to Ishtar herself. But it wasn't simple familiarity or ethereal nostalgia that seemed to permeate the air. She was drawn to it on a more spiritual level.
Erisci glanced back at the others who might be watching her, but didn't yet offer any explanation. Carefully she removed the shield from its stand and tested its heft. "This feels far too familiar," she said almost chuckling to herself, trying to separate from the scariness of this reality and the intrusiveness of her dream-visions.
In the same alcove was more than just the shield. A set of dark leather studded armor was also arrayed, complete with an ornate flanged mace. The mace's head was darkened metal and it sported a black leather grip and strap. Erisci set the shield down, propped against her knee and took a closer look at the armor. The leather and metal face mask was similar to her own that she had always worn in that it covered parts of her face and forehead but left the back of her head open. This one was more encompassing. Once more the lion of Mardura (and of Ishtar) was emblazoned on the forehead. She took the mask from the resting mount and placed it against her face. Turning to the others, she posed, holding it in place. "Does it suit me?" she asked with a chuckle. "I think this one is more intimidating than my normal one."
Somehow the mask felt right, like it was waiting for her. It fit perfectly. And there was that lingering sensation that came with regaining her spells in the morning and the after effects of her communing with her patron, Ishtar. She calls back to the group, now waiting on her. "My apologies, but my armor seems to have been seriously damaged in the presumed battles that led to poor Anen's death. I'm going to claim this armor here in its stead."
Erisci slowly donned the studded leather pieces. Each one seemed sized exactly for her diminutive height. This armor had similarities to one she wore previously, but held differences of style as well. The breastplate covered her chest but left the lower part of her abdomen open. A wide leather collar, like an ornamental usekh, but more protective, covered her upper chest. It had an interesting pattern in the studs that covered it, almost like claws or teeth. Two small leather pauldrons covered the shoulders and part of the upper arm. Matching forearm bracers finished the upper torso. The studs in these also formed claw markings.
Varying from the plaited skirt that her other armor had, this armor fitted more solid hip plates and just a few leather plaits to dangle in front. It did seem more flexible in this configuration, Erisci thought. Shinguards were all that covered the lower legs going from above her knee to her ankle, and leaving the thighs more open. It felt lighter, possibly making her more agile. That was a big part of her fighting style anyway, using her small size and quickness to avoid blows entirely, rather than simply weather them against the armor. Erisci strapped on the battle mask and grabbed the shield and mace. It all felt very right to her. She turned to her comrades and splayed her arms out to the side questioningly. "How do I look?"
The dark armor with bronze studs was a much different look to the priestess. She wished she'd had a mirror to see for herself. "I definitely need some armor. Mine was hanging from my body in tatters. This seems like it should do." She makes sure to grab her own shield and mace. The small shield was magickal after all. Someone could put it to use if she was now using Mardura's Bulwark, perhaps Laurel as she used a shield already. At that moment, a thought came to the priestess. "I feel a bit silly," she says to those nearby. "Let me cast Detect Magick upon all those armors and weapons and see if there are treasures for all of us to take."
Re: Gateway #1
Erisciana -
The group explored the remaining parts of the complex. Away from the temple, there were no guardian statues so the group could have some freedom of movement within part of the facility. It was clear whomever had occupied this location, left with purpose. Little was left behind in the way of creature comforts or useful items.
The priestess felt strangely energized now. The soreness of wounds had faded and despite a lack of food, she no longer felt such strong pangs of hunger. Soon she led the ranger Flare out to the entrance to reconnect with his falcon. And possibly the opportunity for more answers.
Flare relates what he has learned. “M'lady says that she was far enough away to not be affected by the dragon fear,” Flare explains. “She followed me overhead while I was blindly fleeing in terror. Then I suddenly stopped and moved in a new direction. She says that I joined the rest of you outside of this place. An unknown dark haired woman was here and she seemed to be in charge. Oddly enough Erisciana's anklets were glowing! We broke into this place and disappeared inside. That's the last M'Lady saw of us until she saw Erisciana a little bit ago.”
Erisci listens intently. The dragon fear fitting the narrative she understood had happened to everyone in their group, including those not here. There is a decided lack of information as to how they all ended up here and it would be necessary to find out where here was exactly. They could be miles away, on another continent or even another plane of existence for all the priestess could guess. There already was enough oddness is her situation and dream-visions. Anything was possible at this point.
The bird noted specifically that her anklets were glowing and Erisci instinctively knows this means the ones locked on her by her brothers. Her jaw goes weak for a moment and her eyes widen as worry and realization hit her simultaneously. She had some ideas now on what happened and would share them with her companions. But first they needed to find out where they might be. "Flare, can you send her up to see if she can find any familiar landmarks? We need to determine our current location before we can decide on a further course of action."
Flare complies and after some time, the falcon returns. Flare takes out his knife and starts to sketch in the dirt. "Let's see if this makes sense," he says and he marks a hole as the Dwarven Tower and begins to drag out the road that rings the Eagle's Nest, one leading up to the tower and the other circling down to the goblin lair below. "This here is Eagle's Nest."
Erisci put her finger in the dirt a short distance away, "Then if here is Fort Graystone, where are we now?" Flare draws the road roughly from Graystone past the dwarven structure and away towards an imaginary Gateway. He points to a place that would be north and east and above the road. "Isn't that where Sann had come from searching for his hidden ancient treasures?" It was time to share what they knew with the other five.
The group explored the remaining parts of the complex. Away from the temple, there were no guardian statues so the group could have some freedom of movement within part of the facility. It was clear whomever had occupied this location, left with purpose. Little was left behind in the way of creature comforts or useful items.
The priestess felt strangely energized now. The soreness of wounds had faded and despite a lack of food, she no longer felt such strong pangs of hunger. Soon she led the ranger Flare out to the entrance to reconnect with his falcon. And possibly the opportunity for more answers.
Flare relates what he has learned. “M'lady says that she was far enough away to not be affected by the dragon fear,” Flare explains. “She followed me overhead while I was blindly fleeing in terror. Then I suddenly stopped and moved in a new direction. She says that I joined the rest of you outside of this place. An unknown dark haired woman was here and she seemed to be in charge. Oddly enough Erisciana's anklets were glowing! We broke into this place and disappeared inside. That's the last M'Lady saw of us until she saw Erisciana a little bit ago.”
Erisci listens intently. The dragon fear fitting the narrative she understood had happened to everyone in their group, including those not here. There is a decided lack of information as to how they all ended up here and it would be necessary to find out where here was exactly. They could be miles away, on another continent or even another plane of existence for all the priestess could guess. There already was enough oddness is her situation and dream-visions. Anything was possible at this point.
The bird noted specifically that her anklets were glowing and Erisci instinctively knows this means the ones locked on her by her brothers. Her jaw goes weak for a moment and her eyes widen as worry and realization hit her simultaneously. She had some ideas now on what happened and would share them with her companions. But first they needed to find out where they might be. "Flare, can you send her up to see if she can find any familiar landmarks? We need to determine our current location before we can decide on a further course of action."
Flare complies and after some time, the falcon returns. Flare takes out his knife and starts to sketch in the dirt. "Let's see if this makes sense," he says and he marks a hole as the Dwarven Tower and begins to drag out the road that rings the Eagle's Nest, one leading up to the tower and the other circling down to the goblin lair below. "This here is Eagle's Nest."
Erisci put her finger in the dirt a short distance away, "Then if here is Fort Graystone, where are we now?" Flare draws the road roughly from Graystone past the dwarven structure and away towards an imaginary Gateway. He points to a place that would be north and east and above the road. "Isn't that where Sann had come from searching for his hidden ancient treasures?" It was time to share what they knew with the other five.
Re: Gateway #1
Erisciana -
A short time later, the group is sitting in the kitchen area having a discussion and taking in a bit of sustenance. Their current situation and what just happened to them is the centerpiece of the discussion.
"Sann, you mentioned when we first met that there is a period of history to the east that seems to not exist?" The Ishtar priestess asked.
"Aye, our records for that area go back a few thousand years, but before that there be nary a thing. It be a mystery," Sann responded.
"I wonder if these lost gods had something to do with this. Set is not a god know to the people of Zakhara. Nor is Mardura for that matter. The closest of our pantheon would be Seuthek. Consider this, what would happen to the gods if all of the people who worshipped them were somehow wiped out? Their power could wane, nearly die out. If they were revived through new worshippers, would they remain the same, would they alter somehow? I always wondered how there can be so many variations of the deities. In the temple we were taught to ask difficult questions."\
Sorvani stepped in for a moment. "That's a line of thought which makes my head hurt just contemplating it. Let's get back to what we were trying to determine about our immediate situation, shall we?"
"Sorry," Erisci said sheepishly. "Philosophical discussions are a particular favorite of mine." She sat back and took a small bite some of the rations they had left.
Laurel took the conversation back to their quandary of just what happened here. "So you think this dark-haired woman that Flare's falcon saw with us is this Herit?" she asked of Erisciana.
"Yes, it makes perfect sense," Erisci responded, leaning forward once more. "Anen was already imprisoned here. Apparently in some stasis or he would have died from lack of oxygen. So there was no reason for anyone of Mardura to kill him. He was already out of the picture, so to speak. That means whoever wanted to get Anen would need a means to circumvent the guardians, in other words, myself."
"But why did this Herit woman want to kill the snake guy? Didn't you say they were related?" Flare asked.
"In a sense, yes. But there is no brotherly or sisterly love here," Erisci explains. "Herit would be able to absorb the fleeting god power of Anen as he died. She was too weak to take him out alone and so she needed us to do the dirty work for her. She simply used us as pawns, then cast us aside."
"That must be a very powerful mind control she possesses," Sorvani interjected.
"Mass mind control is very difficult, I have read," Erisciana added. "I feel she used me to control all of you." Erisci's mind snapped back to that fateful day. Two days before she was essentially exiled on this grandiose mission. Her scheming brother Balathu had the ankle cuffs she wore made and their eldest brother locked them upon her first physically with a pin-key and then their suspicious wizard associate cast extra spells upon them. Wizard Lock, it was easy to presume. They joked about them being some magickal gift. They even registered as magick but Eri always just assumed she was picking up the lock energy itself.
As the discussion continued, she thought back, trying to recreate that moment in her mind's eye. The priestess had a very precise memory. It was a quality that helped her in her study of magicks and also in quickly learning and studying the rituals and histories of the temple. She took it upon herself to begin studying other temple's customs as well.
The moment in question was rather traumatic. Her brothers, and whatever other entities that were involved, had won. At least for the moment. She was sent away. No longer in control. Locked in her brothers' slave anklets. Separated from all she held dear. And even her own mother would not stand up to the situation, in order to save face for the family. Erisci couldn't help but sneer at the memories. But other things came back to her. Memories that sat at the very fringes of awareness, untapped all this time. The magick effect from the wizard was bright blue. But her mind's eye now say a hint of red as well. Ever so fleeting, like a snake in the grass.
The wizard's face appeared in her memory as well. He was detached and businesslike. Definitely Zakharan with his long coarse beard. Another memory that seemed meaningless on initial view. His pendant. Was it a snake that was decorated his neck? She had not paid attention before, but there was an overwhelming feeling that this must be true. Erisci jumped back into the conversation, a little flushed.
"Flare's companion mentioned that the anklets which my brothers gave to me for this journey glowed. I worry now that there is some connection to the rebirth of Set and Herit used it to her advantage. If she managed to use my own powers of effecting emotions and somehow amplified them, that is how she managed to get all seven of us to do her bidding." Erisci bit her lip at the thought. She reached down and rubbed the cuff on her right ankle.
"So this Herit ensorcelled you, drew us all 'ere, used you ta mind control tha rest o' us an' we killed 'er brother, so she could suck up his pow'r?" Sann asked. Gerett nodded and looked on.
"Essentially yes," the priestess confirmed. "It's all conjecture, but it makes sense. Often the most likely option is the one that is true."
"Which means we have not just Hextor to worry about now but some snake-god too?" Gerett asked rhetorically. Erisci's smile of confirmation held no mirth.
"Clearly there is more to this mystery," Erisci said as she stood to address her comrades. "Now we must decide what our next course of action to be. Do we try to search out our missing members? Do we continue our mission to halt the caravans with this much smaller group? Do we return to Eagle's Nest to recover there? Do we explore this newly discovered threat? Maybe someone has an additional suggestion?" The priestess looked to each to see what their thoughts may be.
A short time later, the group is sitting in the kitchen area having a discussion and taking in a bit of sustenance. Their current situation and what just happened to them is the centerpiece of the discussion.
"Sann, you mentioned when we first met that there is a period of history to the east that seems to not exist?" The Ishtar priestess asked.
"Aye, our records for that area go back a few thousand years, but before that there be nary a thing. It be a mystery," Sann responded.
"I wonder if these lost gods had something to do with this. Set is not a god know to the people of Zakhara. Nor is Mardura for that matter. The closest of our pantheon would be Seuthek. Consider this, what would happen to the gods if all of the people who worshipped them were somehow wiped out? Their power could wane, nearly die out. If they were revived through new worshippers, would they remain the same, would they alter somehow? I always wondered how there can be so many variations of the deities. In the temple we were taught to ask difficult questions."\
Sorvani stepped in for a moment. "That's a line of thought which makes my head hurt just contemplating it. Let's get back to what we were trying to determine about our immediate situation, shall we?"
"Sorry," Erisci said sheepishly. "Philosophical discussions are a particular favorite of mine." She sat back and took a small bite some of the rations they had left.
Laurel took the conversation back to their quandary of just what happened here. "So you think this dark-haired woman that Flare's falcon saw with us is this Herit?" she asked of Erisciana.
"Yes, it makes perfect sense," Erisci responded, leaning forward once more. "Anen was already imprisoned here. Apparently in some stasis or he would have died from lack of oxygen. So there was no reason for anyone of Mardura to kill him. He was already out of the picture, so to speak. That means whoever wanted to get Anen would need a means to circumvent the guardians, in other words, myself."
"But why did this Herit woman want to kill the snake guy? Didn't you say they were related?" Flare asked.
"In a sense, yes. But there is no brotherly or sisterly love here," Erisci explains. "Herit would be able to absorb the fleeting god power of Anen as he died. She was too weak to take him out alone and so she needed us to do the dirty work for her. She simply used us as pawns, then cast us aside."
"That must be a very powerful mind control she possesses," Sorvani interjected.
"Mass mind control is very difficult, I have read," Erisciana added. "I feel she used me to control all of you." Erisci's mind snapped back to that fateful day. Two days before she was essentially exiled on this grandiose mission. Her scheming brother Balathu had the ankle cuffs she wore made and their eldest brother locked them upon her first physically with a pin-key and then their suspicious wizard associate cast extra spells upon them. Wizard Lock, it was easy to presume. They joked about them being some magickal gift. They even registered as magick but Eri always just assumed she was picking up the lock energy itself.
As the discussion continued, she thought back, trying to recreate that moment in her mind's eye. The priestess had a very precise memory. It was a quality that helped her in her study of magicks and also in quickly learning and studying the rituals and histories of the temple. She took it upon herself to begin studying other temple's customs as well.
The moment in question was rather traumatic. Her brothers, and whatever other entities that were involved, had won. At least for the moment. She was sent away. No longer in control. Locked in her brothers' slave anklets. Separated from all she held dear. And even her own mother would not stand up to the situation, in order to save face for the family. Erisci couldn't help but sneer at the memories. But other things came back to her. Memories that sat at the very fringes of awareness, untapped all this time. The magick effect from the wizard was bright blue. But her mind's eye now say a hint of red as well. Ever so fleeting, like a snake in the grass.
The wizard's face appeared in her memory as well. He was detached and businesslike. Definitely Zakharan with his long coarse beard. Another memory that seemed meaningless on initial view. His pendant. Was it a snake that was decorated his neck? She had not paid attention before, but there was an overwhelming feeling that this must be true. Erisci jumped back into the conversation, a little flushed.
"Flare's companion mentioned that the anklets which my brothers gave to me for this journey glowed. I worry now that there is some connection to the rebirth of Set and Herit used it to her advantage. If she managed to use my own powers of effecting emotions and somehow amplified them, that is how she managed to get all seven of us to do her bidding." Erisci bit her lip at the thought. She reached down and rubbed the cuff on her right ankle.
"So this Herit ensorcelled you, drew us all 'ere, used you ta mind control tha rest o' us an' we killed 'er brother, so she could suck up his pow'r?" Sann asked. Gerett nodded and looked on.
"Essentially yes," the priestess confirmed. "It's all conjecture, but it makes sense. Often the most likely option is the one that is true."
"Which means we have not just Hextor to worry about now but some snake-god too?" Gerett asked rhetorically. Erisci's smile of confirmation held no mirth.
"Clearly there is more to this mystery," Erisci said as she stood to address her comrades. "Now we must decide what our next course of action to be. Do we try to search out our missing members? Do we continue our mission to halt the caravans with this much smaller group? Do we return to Eagle's Nest to recover there? Do we explore this newly discovered threat? Maybe someone has an additional suggestion?" The priestess looked to each to see what their thoughts may be.
Re: Gateway #1
Post Continued:
When Erisci enters the prison cell, the others are forced to follow as the Mardura Statues begin to move! Once far enough from the portal, it fades out, but will return when Ersci comes closer.
“ACK!” Gerett calls out in exasperation upon spotting his badger companion Mitch. It was just waking up from a nap. “I nearly forgot about you! You wouldn't want to be left behind down here!”
“I guess there is no reason to not take whatever gear we need now,” Sorvani reasons as he examines a longsword. “It could be magical after all.”
Everyone wanders off on their own to check out the weapons, except for Sann who does not bother. Some do keep their eye on Erisci.
M'lady does some reconnoitering to get the general location of this hidden prison complex. It lies off the side road that travels between the main road to Gateway and the roads to the dwarven installation.
“If we head off in the direction of the setting sun, we'll come across the road in about twenty minutes.” Flare reports. “From there we can go anywhere.”
“Returning to Eagle's Nest is the logical thing to do,” Sorvani added. “We've regrouped there before. That's where I would go if it was me.”
“Strength in numbers,” Kendell adds. “Just in case that snake woman comes back.”
Now what?
When Erisci enters the prison cell, the others are forced to follow as the Mardura Statues begin to move! Once far enough from the portal, it fades out, but will return when Ersci comes closer.
“ACK!” Gerett calls out in exasperation upon spotting his badger companion Mitch. It was just waking up from a nap. “I nearly forgot about you! You wouldn't want to be left behind down here!”
“I guess there is no reason to not take whatever gear we need now,” Sorvani reasons as he examines a longsword. “It could be magical after all.”
Everyone wanders off on their own to check out the weapons, except for Sann who does not bother. Some do keep their eye on Erisci.
“It looks fierce,” Flare comments. His eyes lock in on a longbow. Flare picks the bow up and tries to get a feel for it. Experimentally, he pulls the bowstring back and suddenly a bolt of lightning appears as a missile. Surprised by this, Flare turns and fires the electrical missile into the dead Least Son of Set. “Nice!”In the same alcove was more than just the shield. A set of dark leather studded armor was also arrayed, complete with an ornate flanged mace. The mace's head was darkened metal and it sported a black leather grip and strap. Erisci set the shield down, propped against her knee and took a closer look at the armor. The leather and metal face mask was similar to her own that she had always worn in that it covered parts of her face and forehead but left the back of her head open. This one was more encompassing. Once more the lion of Mardura (and of Ishtar) was emblazoned on the forehead. She took the mask from the resting mount and placed it against her face. Turning to the others, she posed, holding it in place. "Does it suit me?" she asked with a chuckle. "I think this one is more intimidating than my normal one."
“No reason not to,” Laurel chimes in. “If this god is close to yours, they may not mind.” Laurel eyes a few items. She takes a suit of leather armor, a short sword and a shield. She will definitely change armor in private.Somehow the mask felt right, like it was waiting for her. It fit perfectly. And there was that lingering sensation that came with regaining her spells in the morning and the after effects of her communing with her patron, Ishtar. She calls back to the group, now waiting on her. "My apologies, but my armor seems to have been seriously damaged in the presumed battles that led to poor Anen's death. I'm going to claim this armor here in its stead."
“You need a hand with that, little lady?” Kendell offers while staring. He passes by the armor here, but will take a short sword, dagger and a spear.Erisci slowly donned the studded leather pieces. Each one seemed sized exactly for her diminutive height. This armor had similarities to one she wore previously, but held differences of style as well. The breastplate covered her chest but left the lower part of her abdomen open. A wide leather collar, like an ornamental usekh, but more protective, covered her upper chest. It had an interesting pattern in the studs that covered it, almost like claws or teeth. Two small leather pauldrons covered the shoulders and part of the upper arm. Matching forearm bracers finished the upper torso. The studs in these also formed claw markings.
“Like a lion,” Sann notes. “I've not be seein' armor o' this style before”Varying from the plaited skirt that her other armor had, this armor fitted more solid hip plates and just a few leather plaits to dangle in front. It did seem more flexible in this configuration, Erisci thought. Shinguards were all that covered the lower legs going from above her knee to her ankle, and leaving the thighs more open. It felt lighter, possibly making her more agile. That was a big part of her fighting style anyway, using her small size and quickness to avoid blows entirely, rather than simply weather them against the armor. Erisci strapped on the battle mask and grabbed the shield and mace. It all felt very right to her. She turned to her comrades and splayed her arms out to the side questioningly. "How do I look?"
Everything here radiates as magical in nature. Once the new gear is acquired, the group exits the prison and begins to explore the complex they found themselves in. Flare is escorted outside so he can be reunited with M'Lady. Gerett comes along so Mitch can go out and forage for food.The dark armor with bronze studs was a much different look to the priestess. She wished she'd had a mirror to see for herself. "I definitely need some armor. Mine was hanging from my body in tatters. This seems like it should do." She makes sure to grab her own shield and mace. The small shield was magickal after all. Someone could put it to use if she was now using Mardura's Bulwark, perhaps Laurel as she used a shield already. At that moment, a thought came to the priestess. "I feel a bit silly," she says to those nearby. "Let me cast Detect Magick upon all those armors and weapons and see if there are treasures for all of us to take."
M'lady does some reconnoitering to get the general location of this hidden prison complex. It lies off the side road that travels between the main road to Gateway and the roads to the dwarven installation.
“If we head off in the direction of the setting sun, we'll come across the road in about twenty minutes.” Flare reports. “From there we can go anywhere.”
"Aye, our records for that area go back a few thousand years, but before that there be nary a thing. It be a mystery," Sann responded. “That's what brought me to Bollo's installations in the first place. They are so old that maybe the records there could tell me something.”A short time later, the group is sitting in the kitchen area having a discussion and taking in a bit of sustenance. Their current situation and what just happened to them is the centerpiece of the discussion.
"Sann, you mentioned when we first met that there is a period of history to the east that seems to not exist?" The Ishtar priestess asked.
“Theological scholars have pondered that very thing for a long, long time,” Laurel notes. “What is our relationship with the gods? Do they define us or do we define them?”"I wonder if these lost gods had something to do with this. Set is not a god know to the people of Zakhara. Nor is Mardura for that matter. The closest of our pantheon would be Seuthek. Consider this, what would happen to the gods if all of the people who worshiped them were somehow wiped out? Their power could wane, nearly die out. If they were revived through new worshipers, would they remain the same, would they alter somehow? I always wondered how there can be so many variations of the deities. In the temple we were taught to ask difficult questions."
“This part makes no sense to me. Why didn't they just kill him?” Sorvani wondered. “After all, there is no need to guard a corpse. Why did they leave that thing alive in the first place?”Sorvani stepped in for a moment. "That's a line of thought which makes my head hurt just contemplating it. Let's get back to what we were trying to determine about our immediate situation, shall we?"
"Sorry," Erisci said sheepishly. "Philosophical discussions are a particular favorite of mine." She sat back and took a small bite some of the rations they had left.
Laurel took the conversation back to their quandary of just what happened here. "So you think this dark-haired woman that Flare's falcon saw with us is this Herit?" she asked of Erisciana.
"Yes, it makes perfect sense," Erisci responded, leaning forward once more. "Anen was already imprisoned here. Apparently in some stasis or he would have died from lack of oxygen. So there was no reason for anyone of Mardura to kill him. He was already out of the picture, so to speak. That means whoever wanted to get Anen would need a means to circumvent the guardians, in other words, myself."
“We know the way to the road that branches off the main road to the Eagle's Nest area,” Flare announced. “I say we go that way and see what we find.”"But why did this Herit woman want to kill the snake guy? Didn't you say they were related?" Flare asked.
"In a sense, yes. But there is no brotherly or sisterly love here," Erisci explains. "Herit would be able to absorb the fleeting god power of Anen as he died. She was too weak to take him out alone and so she needed us to do the dirty work for her. She simply used us as pawns, then cast us aside."
"That must be a very powerful mind control she possesses," Sorvani interjected.
"Mass mind control is very difficult, I have read," Erisciana added. "I feel she used me to control all of you." Erisci's mind snapped back to that fateful day. Two days before she was essentially exiled on this grandiose mission. Her scheming brother Balathu had the ankle cuffs she wore made and their eldest brother locked them upon her first physically with a pin-key and then their suspicious wizard associate cast extra spells upon them. Wizard Lock, it was easy to presume. They joked about them being some magickal gift. They even registered as magick but Eri always just assumed she was picking up the lock energy itself.
As the discussion continued, she thought back, trying to recreate that moment in her mind's eye. The priestess had a very precise memory. It was a quality that helped her in her study of magicks and also in quickly learning and studying the rituals and histories of the temple. She took it upon herself to begin studying other temple's customs as well.
The moment in question was rather traumatic. Her brothers, and whatever other entities that were involved, had won. At least for the moment. She was sent away. No longer in control. Locked in her brothers' slave anklets. Separated from all she held dear. And even her own mother would not stand up to the situation, in order to save face for the family. Erisci couldn't help but sneer at the memories. But other things came back to her. Memories that sat at the very fringes of awareness, untapped all this time. The magick effect from the wizard was bright blue. But her mind's eye now say a hint of red as well. Ever so fleeting, like a snake in the grass.
The wizard's face appeared in her memory as well. He was detached and businesslike. Definitely Zakharan with his long coarse beard. Another memory that seemed meaningless on initial view. His pendant. Was it a snake that was decorated his neck? She had not paid attention before, but there was an overwhelming feeling that this must be true. Erisci jumped back into the conversation, a little flushed.
"Flare's companion mentioned that the anklets which my brothers gave to me for this journey glowed. I worry now that there is some connection to the rebirth of Set and Herit used it to her advantage. If she managed to use my own powers of effecting emotions and somehow amplified them, that is how she managed to get all seven of us to do her bidding." Erisci bit her lip at the thought. She reached down and rubbed the cuff on her right ankle.
"So this Herit ensorcelled you, drew us all 'ere, used you ta mind control tha rest o' us an' we killed 'er brother, so she could suck up his pow'r?" Sann asked. Gerett nodded and looked on.
"Essentially yes," the priestess confirmed. "It's all conjecture, but it makes sense. Often the most likely option is the one that is true."
"Which means we have not just Hextor to worry about now but some snake-god too?" Gerett asked rhetorically. Erisci's smile of confirmation held no mirth.
"Clearly there is more to this mystery," Erisci said as she stood to address her comrades. "Now we must decide what our next course of action to be. Do we try to search out our missing members? Do we continue our mission to halt the caravans with this much smaller group? Do we return to Eagle's Nest to recover there? Do we explore this newly discovered threat? Maybe someone has an additional suggestion?" The priestess looked to each to see what their thoughts may be.
“Returning to Eagle's Nest is the logical thing to do,” Sorvani added. “We've regrouped there before. That's where I would go if it was me.”
“Strength in numbers,” Kendell adds. “Just in case that snake woman comes back.”
Now what?
Try it and find out!
Re: Gateway #1
Erisciana -
“I guess there is no reason to not take whatever gear we need now,” Sorvani reasons as he examines a longsword. “It could be magical after all.”
"Oh forgive me, I can easily deduce that if you give me but a moment." Erisci will access her Detect Magic ability. As before, she closes her eyes and starts to draw sigils in the air that glow with pink and golden sparkles. They pop out of existence as the next one forms in the air, hanging suspended for a moment like ethereal bubbles. After a moment, Erisci opens her eyes and their is a golden glow about them. She has a sight which now shows all things magickal with a glowing pink outline.
-------------------------
The priestess first tries on the battle mask of the armor of Mardura. She took the mask from the resting mount and placed it against her face. Turning to the others, she posed, holding it in place. "Does it suit me?" she asked with a chuckle. "I think this one is more intimidating than my normal one."
“It looks fierce,” Flare comments. His eyes lock in on a longbow. Flare picks the bow up and tries to get a feel for it. Experimentally, he pulls the bowstring back and suddenly a bolt of lightning appears as a missile. Surprised by this, Flare turns and fires the electrical missile into the dead Least Son of Set. “Nice!”
"Thank you," she says. Then watches as Flare picks up a longbow which she had determined was also magickal. "Impressive," Erisci says, clapping her hands. "I wonder if it is limited in it's uses per day or if it has a certain number of charges?"
-----------------------
"My apologies, but my armor seems to have been seriously damaged in the presumed battles that led to poor Anen's death. I'm going to claim this armor here in its stead."
“No reason not to,” Laurel chimes in. “If this god is close to yours, they may not mind.” Laurel eyes a few items. She takes a suit of leather armor, a short sword and a shield. She will definitely change armor in private.
"Somehow, I don't think Ishtar will mind," Erisci will state quietly, as she considers her thoughts. "In a way I feel like she has been leading me on this journey and these stops are simply milestones on the way to some important destination. Hextor is a vile affront to all that is good and right and must be opposed. Those vermin are rising up and taking control once more in the lands to the east. Those of Keln, as Sann called them. And worse, for my sect anyway, Hextor is a sad, horrid and odious pretender to the claim of war god." She sneers as these last words leave her lips. "They must be stopped and overthrown. And now we have evidence of another god seeking to rekindle power. An ancient god and we know not how deep its tendrils are already sunk. For certain, this Herit is a threat to be wary of and dealt with as we are able."
Erisci slowly donned the studded leather pieces. “You need a hand with that, little lady?” Kendell offers while staring. He passes by the armor here, but will take a short sword, dagger and a spear.
"Why thank you, yes it is always easier to adjust the fit of a leather suit the first time with a bit of assistance. Can you loosen that strap there in the back and then tighten these connections to the shoulder pauldrons ever so slightly?"
Erisci strapped on the battle mask and grabbed the shield and mace. It all felt very right to her. She turned to her comrades and splayed her arms out to the side questioningly. "How do I look?"
“Like a lion,” Sann notes. “I've not be seein' armor o' this style before.”
"Nor have, to be honest," Erisci states simply. I imagine I will make a bit of a stir back home. It is similar to the armor the statues wear, but they are all warriors in heavier armor. Strange." Erisci will consider, perhaps there are different clerical types, just as there are different aspects of this newly discovered goddess.
"Sann, you mentioned when we first met that there is a period of history to the east that seems to not exist?" The Ishtarian priestess asked.
"Aye, our records for that area go back a few thousand years, but before that there be nary a thing. It be a mystery," Sann responded. “That's what brought me to Bollo's installations in the first place. They are so old that maybe the records there could tell me something.”
"I wonder if these gods and goddesses were the ones who ruled this land in this period. We may be able to answer some of your burning questions as we unravel more of this situation. Perhaps some Cynalonian scholars are aware of Mardura and Set, but in Zakhara I am fairly certain they have been effectively unknown."
"I wonder if these lost gods had something to do with all this. Set is not a god know to the people of Zakhara. Nor is Mardura for that matter. The closest of our pantheon would be Seuthek. Consider this, what would happen to the gods if all of the people who worshiped them were somehow wiped out? Their power could wane, nearly die out. If they were revived through new worshipers, would they remain the same, would they alter somehow? I always wondered how there can be so many variations of the deities. In the temple we were taught to ask difficult questions."
“Theological scholars have pondered that very thing for a long, long time,” Laurel notes. “What is our relationship with the gods? Do they define us or do we define them?”
"I feel like we have just opened the cover to the beginning of a very interesting tale."
Flare has his falcon scout and they locate their location. Fortunately they are not very far from their impromptu base of operations at Eagle's Nest. The group seems to think that returning to Eagle's Nest and recovering is for the best. Getting a feel for what has happened in the last few days regarding the siege of Fort Graystone and the enemy's movements would prove helpful. "We should be on our guard as the enemy might still be quite active and we are now but half our previous number."
“I guess there is no reason to not take whatever gear we need now,” Sorvani reasons as he examines a longsword. “It could be magical after all.”
"Oh forgive me, I can easily deduce that if you give me but a moment." Erisci will access her Detect Magic ability. As before, she closes her eyes and starts to draw sigils in the air that glow with pink and golden sparkles. They pop out of existence as the next one forms in the air, hanging suspended for a moment like ethereal bubbles. After a moment, Erisci opens her eyes and their is a golden glow about them. She has a sight which now shows all things magickal with a glowing pink outline.
-------------------------
The priestess first tries on the battle mask of the armor of Mardura. She took the mask from the resting mount and placed it against her face. Turning to the others, she posed, holding it in place. "Does it suit me?" she asked with a chuckle. "I think this one is more intimidating than my normal one."
“It looks fierce,” Flare comments. His eyes lock in on a longbow. Flare picks the bow up and tries to get a feel for it. Experimentally, he pulls the bowstring back and suddenly a bolt of lightning appears as a missile. Surprised by this, Flare turns and fires the electrical missile into the dead Least Son of Set. “Nice!”
"Thank you," she says. Then watches as Flare picks up a longbow which she had determined was also magickal. "Impressive," Erisci says, clapping her hands. "I wonder if it is limited in it's uses per day or if it has a certain number of charges?"
-----------------------
"My apologies, but my armor seems to have been seriously damaged in the presumed battles that led to poor Anen's death. I'm going to claim this armor here in its stead."
“No reason not to,” Laurel chimes in. “If this god is close to yours, they may not mind.” Laurel eyes a few items. She takes a suit of leather armor, a short sword and a shield. She will definitely change armor in private.
"Somehow, I don't think Ishtar will mind," Erisci will state quietly, as she considers her thoughts. "In a way I feel like she has been leading me on this journey and these stops are simply milestones on the way to some important destination. Hextor is a vile affront to all that is good and right and must be opposed. Those vermin are rising up and taking control once more in the lands to the east. Those of Keln, as Sann called them. And worse, for my sect anyway, Hextor is a sad, horrid and odious pretender to the claim of war god." She sneers as these last words leave her lips. "They must be stopped and overthrown. And now we have evidence of another god seeking to rekindle power. An ancient god and we know not how deep its tendrils are already sunk. For certain, this Herit is a threat to be wary of and dealt with as we are able."
Erisci slowly donned the studded leather pieces. “You need a hand with that, little lady?” Kendell offers while staring. He passes by the armor here, but will take a short sword, dagger and a spear.
"Why thank you, yes it is always easier to adjust the fit of a leather suit the first time with a bit of assistance. Can you loosen that strap there in the back and then tighten these connections to the shoulder pauldrons ever so slightly?"
Erisci strapped on the battle mask and grabbed the shield and mace. It all felt very right to her. She turned to her comrades and splayed her arms out to the side questioningly. "How do I look?"
“Like a lion,” Sann notes. “I've not be seein' armor o' this style before.”
"Nor have, to be honest," Erisci states simply. I imagine I will make a bit of a stir back home. It is similar to the armor the statues wear, but they are all warriors in heavier armor. Strange." Erisci will consider, perhaps there are different clerical types, just as there are different aspects of this newly discovered goddess.
"Sann, you mentioned when we first met that there is a period of history to the east that seems to not exist?" The Ishtarian priestess asked.
"Aye, our records for that area go back a few thousand years, but before that there be nary a thing. It be a mystery," Sann responded. “That's what brought me to Bollo's installations in the first place. They are so old that maybe the records there could tell me something.”
"I wonder if these gods and goddesses were the ones who ruled this land in this period. We may be able to answer some of your burning questions as we unravel more of this situation. Perhaps some Cynalonian scholars are aware of Mardura and Set, but in Zakhara I am fairly certain they have been effectively unknown."
"I wonder if these lost gods had something to do with all this. Set is not a god know to the people of Zakhara. Nor is Mardura for that matter. The closest of our pantheon would be Seuthek. Consider this, what would happen to the gods if all of the people who worshiped them were somehow wiped out? Their power could wane, nearly die out. If they were revived through new worshipers, would they remain the same, would they alter somehow? I always wondered how there can be so many variations of the deities. In the temple we were taught to ask difficult questions."
“Theological scholars have pondered that very thing for a long, long time,” Laurel notes. “What is our relationship with the gods? Do they define us or do we define them?”
"I feel like we have just opened the cover to the beginning of a very interesting tale."
Flare has his falcon scout and they locate their location. Fortunately they are not very far from their impromptu base of operations at Eagle's Nest. The group seems to think that returning to Eagle's Nest and recovering is for the best. Getting a feel for what has happened in the last few days regarding the siege of Fort Graystone and the enemy's movements would prove helpful. "We should be on our guard as the enemy might still be quite active and we are now but half our previous number."