Echoes

Temple of Eluna, midmorning

The day after the sojourn into the sewers. The nightmarish sight of what stalks down there has had time to lose the worst of its potency, especially after a long night's sleep. And while devotees of Eluna are not known for being early risers, the small dining hall still serves a simple hearty breakfast to lay ministers and priests alike -- as well as for one guest.

Telamon is seated at one of the benches, sipping a cup of coffee. Dressed in a loose-fitting linen tunic and trousers tucked into his good boots, his hair slightly damp from a morning wash after prayers and thanks given to Ni'essa. Yes, wrong time of day, but sometimes you need to -do- that sort of thing. Setting the coffee down, he yawns a bit, rubbing his face.

Simony appears lost in the Temple of Eluna, and quite likely this is the case. Her usual robes are gone, which might be understandable given the previous night's 'entertainment', and she is dressed similarly to Telamon, homespun tunic with long sleeves and a hood, and pleated skirt. The only flesh visible are her bare feet.

Getting to the dining hall takes a little bit of time, she eventually sniffs it out, and peers inside.

Her expression is full of nervous concern, but she sees a familiar face. The Goblin makes a beeline for Telamon, coming up behind him and tugging at his sleeve.

His expression is faintly abstracted, thoughtful, as he picks up his fork, taking a bite of eggs. Telamon is clearly still working on the whole 'morning person' concept, but at the tug on his sleeve, he blinks, turning around. "Wha-- oh! Simony!"

His eyes light up and his face shifts into a welcoming smile. "It's 'serve yourself' here, but if you want a plate and a mug of coffee I can get you one. How're you this morning?"

Her expression says 'up all night', and there have been tears in the recent past. She reaches up to squeeze his forearm, before turning and disappearing into the crowd. Someone may regret saying 'serve yourself'. It appears to be a comfort food breakfast, for she returns with a heaping pile of eggs. At least she has a fork.

Simony attempts a beatific smile, and mostly succeeds, before settling down beside him. "Hello Telamon.", she says softly, almost sullenly. "I'm... I can't lie, I'm not doing so well."

Her appetite appears to be alive as she wolfs down a fair number of eggs before continuing. "How are you this morning?"

As bad as it was last night... Telamon is a pool of calm. Centered and relaxed, letting it radiate off him. "I'm well. Lana and I talked a bit, and we both slept... though we prefer our own bed." He heaves a sigh. "Could've been worse, though. I want to talk with Sir Seldan."

He picks up his coffee, taking another sip from it, regarding Simony with those starry eyes. "Want to talk about things?" he asks.

Her eyes are downcast, and briefly she shovels a few more eggs into her mouth, chewing quietly. "Yes.", she says, briefly becoming lost in the starry eyes. Simony snorts lightly, her smile bright, but brief. "How do you do that with your eyes?"

The Goblin lets out a low breath. "Is Cor'lana doing alright? I'm sorry I... just sort of ran off after we got out.. I should have asked how the others were doing. I can't imagine I was the only one... I hope I wasn't, that would be too embarrassing to bear."

Telamon shakes his head. "To answer the second question, she's fine. She and I... have faced some dark places together. And come out the stronger for them." He laughs softly. "As I've told her before, she's -stuck- with me. But to get back to the point... I don't think any of us expected -that-. And that terror you got hit with? Magical fear. I've been slapped with it a couple times -- I suspect that's why I was able to shake it off. There's no shame in being terrified from it, and feeling wrung out afterward."

He grins. "Now as far as my eyes... well, they've been this way ever since I started developing my 'talent'. Sorcerers often show 'tells', small signs of their lineage and power. Strange eyes, hair color, funny scents... that sort of thing."

"I know I am glad that you were there. I don't know where I would have ended up if you hadn't spun me around and made me look into your eyes." She pauses to demolish a few more eggs. "I have tasted that fear before, but never so strong, so overwhelming. I couldn't think at all."

Simony lets out a huff of breath. "Even still, knowing now what it was, I feel pretty embarrassed. Ashamed. I'm definitely .. what it is... wrung out. I came here to ask a really dumb question, it didn't feel such when I started out, though."

More eggs vanish into the maw of the Goblin, many of them barely chewed at all. "And all I can say about your eyes is... they are dangerous." Her grin is full of teeth and mischief.

Bookmark to be removed later.

The rear doors to the Temple proper open to admit a man, not in armor, but in loose trousers and shirt, the collar open enough to reveal inkwork across the top of the chest, and a open-front blue and silver robe over top of it. Loose and comfortable, the attire of a wizard, with low black shoes with blue lightning shooting through them. The lot is topped with close-cut ginger-blonde hair.

Seldan quietly closes the door behind him and pauses in his circuit to make obeisance towards the altar at the far end of the mighty pool that dominates the room. That done, he stands and makes his way towards the doors, wearing a look of steady, even focus.

Telamon snorts. "Don't beat yourself up too much. It's an unfortunate truth that sometimes you -have- to retreat from a foe you can't handle. Even when what you want to do is take hold of your weapon of choice and clobber them." He sighs. "Been there."

He bends to his food for a bit, and smiles back at Simony. "Like a washerwoman's rag. Frankly, that kind of panic has its price. I've heard from warriors who've been in battle that they get the shakes after a fight, and it's related to that." He smirks faintly at the compliment. "Oh yes. I prefer not to be dangerous -- I'd rather be a charmer -- but if it's called for..."

"I would have been happy to retreat, if it was on my own volition. Retreat is good, if you do it properly. I mean, that's essentially what we did. I am glad Sir Seldan was there, he seemed to know what it was, and was concerned for us. Retreat was totally the correct thing." The Goblin makes a go at finishing off her plate, and seems mighty stuffed at the end.

"Yes, they are charming. I am scared to say that saying no to you might be impossible if you wield those ruthlessly." Simony laughs at length and then lets out a huff of breath. "Thanks again, Telamon. I'm feeling better. But I still have a question, a request. But I'll save it for later. Do you know if Seldan is in? You wanted to see him and I'd like to thank him."

As it happens, the man Simony seeks is walking right behind her, between the tables, as she speaks. Seldan pauses and turns. "You seek me - ah. Of course. Her light upon your path, Temperance, Lord Lupecyll-Atlon." He turns more fully outwards the both of them. "How might I be of service?" He is devoid at the moment of food and drink, and appears to have only just entered.

"Well, this is the Temple of Eluna, or Ni'essa as the elves say, so if he's not here someone will be here we can leave a message with..." Telamon finishes his plate, but as he's drinking his coffee, he looks over Simony's head, and blinks slowly. Then, carefully, he sets the mug down again. "Or," he says, desperately trying to hide a grin, "he could walk right behind you."

"Her light upon you as well, Sir Seldan. Will you sit down with us for a moment? Simony and I would both like to talk to you."

The Goblin looks startled, and turns in her chair to regard the man right there. "Sir Seldan.", she says softly, leaning forward slightly in an awkward, seated, bow. "May it be Written", Simony says softly. "I would have Telamon speak his first, mine is a trifle."

"I do not doubt that the both of you are owed something of an explanation. Would that there had been the time." Seldan obediently turns and seats himself at the table, next to Simony, seeming untroubled by the height difference. "Ask what you will." His gaze remains steady and sober, and he waits, seeming comfortable enough

Telamon smiles broadly at Seldan. "Well... a few questions, anyways. Though the first is probably 'what was that?'. You spoke of it being an echo, of the archfiend you destroyed. Was it like a shadow-creature or a simulacrum? I'm familiar... mostly... with both, and while such weavings can be dangerous they are rarely as lethal as the real thing."

"I am quite curious as to what that thing was. I never want to be so near to it ever again in my life, however. Telamon saved me from messing myself, or running off. I do not understand .. why, but his toothy grin kind of broke my will to remain there."

"How did it get there? And does its presence mean the circle is still active? Or at least has some power left over?"

Her notebook comes up, out from a back on her hip. Opening to a pair of blank pages, a pencil is pulled from the same bag, blurring as she beings to write."

"A simulacrum, I think. It is without intelligence, and thus radiates not the evil of the original." Seldan runs at his forehead as he speaks. "It was this that first alerted me that it might not be the original. The original was a Duke of the Hells, named Eclavdran." That is a name he does not relist speaking, and yet he speaks it without fear. "Among the mightiest of demons, well beyond the ability of mortals to face directly. He was the entity bound by the original circle, and set to slay any who ventured into the sewers. Though he is no more, and the tale of his destruction is a separate tale, still does -" He pauses. "_That_ remains. While it has not the power of its likeness, it is not to be trifled with, and thus did I think it well, did we come prepared to face such a one, well aware of its nature."

Telamon nods. "With respect to Simony here... I think it was the right call. That was -not- something I expected to run into." He sighs. "You had mentioned something about it 'restoring itself' even if we destroyed it, which made me think of something."

He reaches into the haversack he carries, drawing out a section of parchment -- part of the map from the exploration. "It's not that 'there's a summoning circle in the sewers'. The problem is that the circle -is- the sewers."

The Goblin shudders several times as Seldan speaks of the nature of the beast. "The city did well to raise the wards, to think that people would be so careless. Or so bold as to think they were the master."

She peers at Telamon. "So there is no way to eliminate it without destroying the city's sewage and drainage systems? What a pain in the behind." Resting an elbow onto the table, she then rests her chin in her hand. "Are we allowed to travel back in time to thrash the idiots who thought this up?"

"The circle retains its magic, that much was I able to learn. I understand not its precise nature, not yet. I dared not study it longer." Seldan lets out a long, slow breath. "It is even so, Lord Lupecyll-Atlon, and the one responsible is no longer a threat. Indeed do I think her a neutral party. That tale is a long one indeed. Still, the damage is done." Suddenly, he pauses a moment, but continues. "The auras for the circle and the creature appeared to be linked in some way," he goes on. "That it so manifests is little surprise, for once did Eclavdran so stalk the sewers."

A wry smile. "I am willing to proffer the faint hope that the one responsible might've had what she -thought- was a good reason. But I admit I'm amazed at the sheer cheek of this person."

Telamon taps the partial map. "Here's the thing, Sir Seldan. A summoning circle... they're as finicky as gnomish clockwork. Most conjurers build permanent ones in carefully controlled chambers, though there's one wizard in Chandor's Crossing who keeps his hidden under animated pavement." He raises a hand to forestall the question. "Don't ask. I didn't understand either. But if I was going to build something like this... I'd build it with some kind of reconstructive ability. As if it was a troll regenerating."

"I have no expertise in this area at all. Only a vague notion that it is circular, and it is magical, and if you say the right things, a thing may appear." Simony lets out a long breath. "If the sewers are cleared out by otyughs, what's to say there isn't something that fixes broken sewer bits?"

"She is a fae queen," Seldan answers heavily and wearily, as if that should answer any and all question or doubt as to her motivations or nature. "That does she seem to have done," he nods to the mention of reconstructive ability. "It is in my mind to destroy the simulacrum utterly. Disintegrate may serve such a task, and yet - I would understand more of its nature. I took not the time to learn whether the wards were effective in that place, and that should I do. I possess the means to teleport, and it is in my mind to attempt such while in the sewers, to learn whether they are effective."

"Precisely. Things break down. A lot can happen in a year, or a century, to turn a summoning circle exposed to misfortune into little more than pretty decorations." Telamon seems vaguely pleased at his hypothesis, though at the revelation that the creator was a fae queen, he gives Seldan a level stare. "Oh, -wonderful-. Well... I suppose Lana and I could impose upon some friends, see if someone knows something about it. Can't hurt to trade on our family ties."

At the mention that Seldan wants to learn more of its nature, Telamon raises an eyebrow. "You did notice it seemed less than friendly, right? I don't doubt your skills, Sir Seldan, but I don't think it'll stand still for you to check its measurements, figuratively speaking."

"It did seem pre-occupied with Sir Seldan, though, didn't it?", the Goblin wonders. "Knew his name and everything. If it's just an echo, it's missing a lot... perhaps all it knows is how to hate Sir Seldan. It probably wasn't even looking at us til you did your wall of force spell, telamon."

A very small smile tugs at Seldan's lips. "Compared to the original, it is quite diminished in power," he answers Telamon. "It is in my mind that experienced adventurers, well-prepared, can emerge victorious, and see it destroyed. While it walks the sewers, none within the sewers are safe." He rests both arms on the table before him. "As to the matter of Salina, it is in my mind to perhaps seek her out. I know where she is likely to be." His gaze lowers, settling on the table as if a weight rests upon his shoulders. "I - had not thought to see Eclavdran's likeness again."

Telamon hmms. "That's true. It did seem to fixate on you, Sir Seldan. And if we brought several well-equipped, well-prepared adventurers, as you say..." He sits back a little. "However, it raises a new question: why now. I know the otyughs are not the sharpest knives in the drawer, but one might think they'd notice something like this. Was this echo always here, or did something -- or someone -- rouse it, put it in play recently?" He scowls. "Always more questions than answers."

A little, pale hand reaches up to squeeze at Seldan's shoulder. "Sir Seldan, you shall best it once more, and then we shall go and wreck the infernal thing. Hopefully we'll be able to short circuit its regenerative effect." Simony's expression brightened, "Actually, Magpie will be overjoyed by the prospect of working out that sort of thing, won't she?" The Goblin frowns slightly. "I know someone we should make do it, though."

"Mithralla." Seldan's response to Simony's remark is not a question. "If he deigns to stir himself." He turns then to look down at the gobber with that small smile that does not quite reach his eyes. "It shall be done," is all he says to that, instead turning his attention to Telamon's comments.

"It is in my mind that it has been roused. The demon that was Aya, and that now pursues Aya, was once one of Eclavdran's minions, for did she strike a deal with him, make common cause with him, and give her soul to him." He's returned his gaze to staring at the table, the impassive look of the alabaster pillar having once again taken over his features. "Those demons know myself and Mal as well. It may be that they use this place as their base, their hiding place," he murmurs. "But - to what end did you first seek knowledge of the circle?"

Telamon rubs the bridge of his nose. "My concern's always been how easily things seem to bypass the Alexandrian wards. When the Archmage told Simony of the summoning circle, and she told me... I thought it was being used to get around the wards in some way. Hence why I approached you, Sir Seldan. You can't secure your house if your back door is hanging open -- and my thought was to disable it, before I grasped the scope of the thing."

"To be honest I was looking for information on Ice Demons. Jagoff is one such demon, and since we were planning on striking out to slay him, I was hoping for find something useful to assist in slaying him. I asked Telamon about it first, and then, just to help gather more information, I asked him about the cults.

Simony looks down at her lap, where her hands are squeezing together almost painfully. "Tel gave me the idea to ask erm... Verna and Mithralla. I uhm managed to corner Mithralla first. Asked him about Ice Demons, then mentioned that I thought that Jagoff's cult was getting in and out of Alexandria through the sewers. That's when he dropped the fireball in my lap, regarding the circle."

Seldan listens to the explanations soberly, his gaze lifting. Still, there's something in the ice-blue eyes that is not wholly present. "I see," he begins slowly, carefully. "You hunt another demon, and sought to learn of him and his cult. That led you to this." He is silent a moment. "Lord Lupecyll-Atlon makes a valid point, and yet is it also possible that your cult lies outside of the city walls. The guards at the gates are not equipped to so readily spot evil, when it takes the face of ordinary mortals. Have you considered that perhaps the cults have left the walls, and the demons but walk through the gates as any man, there to do their work?"

He looks, then, over at Telamon. "It is well to determine whether the wards are effective within the circle. A simple teleport, cast within the aegis of the circle, should swiftly determine that."

Telamon nods, his eyes frustrated. "Most likely. But I wanted to be sure." He rubs his chin, and picks up his mug, only to find it empty. "We've run into them before. Disguised as lucht. But as you say, presenting a false face is easy for fiends." He hmphs, then grins suddenly. "Still, it's not over yet."

"Even teleport isn't needed. I found out that the blink spell does not function within the ward either. I just... well, it's frustrating sometimes."

"It is that, and yet," Seldan begins. "You were not yet in Alexandria, the first time Salina struck. Kol Demontry was her puppet, then, and he was teleported into the city at will, to harass and threaten the innocent. Eclavdran did likewise, as did other minions of Salina." His gaze goes to the table. "Once was he summoned into Eluna's holy temple, and walked the halls unchallenged just outside the door where I lay ill. Did he find me, I stood no chance."

He words come slowly, thoughtfully. "I knew of one who had struck up a friendship and a deal with a succubus, within the city walls. Too many times and too freely did the forces of evil teleport in at will. Be glad you were not here when that was so. Frustrating it may be, but I prefer it to arming and armoring to break my fast."

"Hah. My father taught me that there is a rather charming slang term for 'teleport assaults' in sildanyari; The phrase roughly translates as 'uninvited dinner party'. No, I don't fault those who established the ward; as inconvenient as it's been at times, I won't deny we're probably better off with it than without it."

Telamon spreads his hands on the table. "No one said these tasks would be easy. I suppose if they weren't, we wouldn't be needed." He offers Seldan a smile. "Sir Seldan, when you go beneath once more to face this ghost of the past, I would be honored if I could help."

"That was I hoping you would offer. I shall inform you, when I am prepared. I would seek out others as well, those of known capability and good sense." Seldan's gaze, though, goes to the direction of the kitchens. "For now, though, would I ask your forgiveness. If I may be of aid, leave word for me here at the temple."