Ravener
Log Info
- Title: Ravener
- GM: Thoth
- Characters: Verna, Aelwyn, Ulthan
- Location: Am'shere, Ketsalkuetspaltahtepetl
- Summary: Verna scries her mother while other Adventurers join up on the efforts to protect Ketsalkuetspaltahtepetl from Charn influence.
The volcano mountain of Ketsalkuetspaltahtepetl is home to a great Sith-makar community within Am'shere. Its multiple walls wrapping around and in front of it, keeping the community safe from the dangerous wildlife of Am'shere.
This mountain stands hundreds of miles north of the portal into Am'shere. A journey here takes multiple days without the benefit of someone using a teleportation spell of sorts. Through jungles, through danger, and across the great planes!
It is late in the evening when Ulthan arrives. At its gates, a group of Talons - Sith-makar warriors wielding dragonheaded spears - guard the region. The fires of a lava river halted only by a bridge he can cross to get to the gates.
Within, Verna has just arrived to a small building near the edge of the walls. A place dedicated to Eluna - with a hole at the top of the building meant to permit the moon's light to shine down upon it.
Ulthan adjusts the heft of the large knapsack he's carrying along his usual backpack, with a canvas-bundled package held in his arms as he stops before the guards, trying to dig at the pouch hanging around his neck for the token he received before he took the gate from far-away ALexandria.
Two of the Talons approach Ulthan when he gets near. Requesting for him to step onto the bridge and wait there. They also inquire as to his name. There's a great deal of wariness there. Not suspicion - but they're clearly looking for people who aren't who they say they are for some reason.
Ulthan nods and places his bundle carefully down as he stops on the bridge. There's a small clinking sound. He then bows his head lightly, and declares his name. "Ulthan, Son fo Padraig, here with delivery and to volunteer my services." He slwoly opens the pouch to produce the carved stone token he received before.
Verna travels across and through the city with no great haste. Not only does she seek to familiarize herself with the surroundings and route, but there is some trepidation to her intended efforts. Not the least of which may be annoying her wife. She stops outside of the small scructure and takes a moment to study it. While she may not be a personal devotee of Eluna, she does respect the aspects and particulars of most deities, their faith, and their faithful.
The two Talons look to Ulthan for a moment, taking him in, before one approaches and looks at the carved stone token. He nods to the other, and they step back. "We've been expecting you, Son of Padraig. Peace upon your nest." And they open the gates, letting him through into the first ring of the outer walls. Leading to multiple beautiful pools, as well as an area where Khazad are working on a forge next to lava.
There's massive statues of dragons /everywhere/ in this place. Including right in front of him when he steps inside.
Verna will find the small moonpool temple to be currently occupied only by two Talons. She's seen these elite guards everywhere throughout the community. They all live here, so it would stand to reason she'd see them in the streets. But they are clearly also taking up position at important locations, what with the threat of these 'shadows'.
Ulthan slips his passstone into his pouch, then lifts the bundle of prepared spearheads again, before passing into the city, trying to remember the specific instructions on where to bring the supplies he was entrusted with.
GAME: Ulthan rolls perception: (18)+7: 25
One would expect a large community like this to have a lot of people in every ring of the walled place. However, it's rather quiet here at this time beyond the ones working the forges. In the southern distance, he also would spot an old Sith-makar sitting in front of a tent. There's also a few small lizards running around on the nearby Hotstones.
The supplies he was to bring to the dwarven forges, so they could prepare for the battles ahead.
"Peace on your nests," Verna greets the Talons in draconic. She may not bear scales, but she is familiar enough with their customs to be respectful. "I would make use of the pool in the temple in attempt to scry upon the foes of this city and learn more of their plans. There is a potential risk that such an attempt could be noticed and that some form of retaliatory action might be made. I trust that you will not allow any harm to come this city and The People."
Ulthan walks, slightly unsteadily from the heavy load, towards the dwarves, then asks in Kahzad for the Foreman in charge of incoming supplies.
"Peace on your nests." The Talons answer, bowing their heads to them. At her request, one of them motions for the entry-way. There are no proper doors in this place. Temples such as these are open.
"We do not restrict who comes and who goes. We are merely here to guard." They then remark to Verna. "If you wish to scry someone and there is a risk, we will be prepared to defend you." The other Talon then points out.
The Foreman, a Khazad by the name of Toreddil Deepmaker, greets Ulthan in return when he approaches. "Are you the one bringing supplies?" He asks of Ulthan in a deep Khazadi voice. "I assume you will be sticking around to help us against the coming troubles?"
Ulthan looks where he can set down his bundle, then nods, responding again in Khazadi. "Yes, I have too many friends who I owe my best in helping their people." He then slowly lowers the knapsack loaded on his back as well. "I think that should be all I was given, but it would be good for you to check them. Always trust friends, but never forget to verify you have all the axes you were promised."
Toreddil lays down his hammer upon the anvil he'd been doing some practice-blows on, and steps over. "Indeed." He answers him, lifting the bundle up and accounting for them. "Do you know what you are stepping into? Have you been assigned a family yet?" He inquires with Ulthan.
Verna dips her head in a return of their bowing. She then proceeds into the temple proper. The lack of entryway coverings is a detail that she has yet to fully acclimate herself to: one more cultural and/or climatological distinctiveness. Once within, she kneels and settles herself before the pool, regarding the still water. Perhaps this shall aid to still her thoughts similarly: an entire civilization is at risk; a personal spectre has reared her ugliness once more; Verna has left her wife to sleep in and/or easgerly interrogate their host family for recipes...
Verna exhales a breath. Auranar will understand. She then, with effort, turns her thoughts from that face to another. One she has spent a lifetime hoping to forget.
Ulthan shakes his head. "I don't have a fmaily assigned. And I know this is dnagerous, but I owe a debt to a friend, and when his people need strong arms, I would be acraven coward to not step forward. And my da always told me to pay debts of honor with interest..."
Aelwyn has arrived.
Verna- pre-casting any sensory abilities alongside Scrying?"
"Hrrrm. Very dangerous, the unknown." The Khazadi Foreman answers Ulthan. "Why don't you rest with me and my family?" He asks Ulthan now. "There are no inns or the like here in this place."
He looks towards the next wall and then back to Ulthan. "Tell me a bit about yourself, young man."
GAME: Verna casts Detect Magic. Caster Level: 19 DC: 17
Ulthan thanks. "I am honored by the invitation to share your hearthj... Although I think that idiom doesn't work that well in this heat."
GAME: Verna casts Greater Scrying. Caster Level: 19 DC: 24
GAME: Thoth rolls 18: (7)+18: 25
A dark and ruddy scaled stranger slowly approaches the Khazadi forge; or in this case, a lightly toasted looking Aelwyn does. His glaive held diagonally over his shoulder, an arm laying across its haft lazily, the draconian meanders closer. "Is this where one can see his equipment to be seen to?" The draconian asks, glancing towards Ulthan.
It takes for a moment, before the recognition hits him. "Ah, Herd." He flashes his teeth at the human. "Long way for one to travel, is it not?"
Ulthan ahhs as he looks up from where he was talking with the Khzad foreman, then stands up and greets the Sith-makari as the recognition dawns on him as well. "I heard of the trouble, and I have too many makari that I owe the debt of friendship, if not my life, to. So I came over here."
Normally it would take time, a great deal of time, for Verna to get her spell under way. Scrying after all, isn't the easiest spell to execute. But with her years of experience, she's gained a greater insight into this spell. A Greater Scrying executing by her will, warping her vision immediately.
Pulling her out of her body, she is met with a wall of willpower. Her mother rejecting the initial pressure to gaze towards her position - instinctively. Then, moments later, a pale light rises from the temple she sits within.
Something that might be spotted by Ulthan in that moment, or others near the moonpool.
As the connection is made. Her Mother is talking to another figure. A tall Devil with a wicked smile, using a mirror to speak face to face. "The Ravener is almost under our control. And our agents are readying to strike in..."
Followed by the Devil slowing his speech and looking throughout the chambers in which Verna's mother stands. "We are no longer alone." The Devil suddenly decalres.
As the pale light rises from the moonpool, the Khazadi Foreman looks up, ignoring Ulthan's words for a moment, as well as AElwyn. "What is that?" He asks - coming from an area to their south.
Aelwyn bows his head towards Ulthan. "A worthy endeavour to pay one's debt-" The Dragoon starts, before he is interrupted by the foreman. Turning around, he looks towards the south, before his orange eyes turn back towards Ulthan. "Shall we investigate?" He offers with a toothy grin, before starting to head the direction.
Ulthan shrugs as he gets back on his feet, his hands moving onto the haft of his flail as he takes a step on the side of Aelwyn. "Always better to check first than find the bear eating your toes in the bed..."
Ready to investigate, Aelwyn and Ulthan travel north along the current ring, passing long rivers of Lava that have been painstakingly rerouted to cover these regions. Until they finally find a circular small temple, with a pale light rising from it. Almost like the moon were connecting to the waters within.
Two Talons are standing guard, while Verna is scrying from within. That which she sees, displayed within the waters. Each sound, causing ripples within the pool.
Verna never expected that her heritage would ever become any sort of boon; even in this instance, that qualification is highly debatable. Yet, it is also enough for the connection to be made. Lady Varyssa is the presumed culprit, though that she would deign to directly dirty her hands is unlikely.
As the image clears and sounds manifest, Verna frowns. While it has been some time since they last met, it was not nearly long enough; the mul'niessan woman is instantly recognized. That she is conferring with another is no surprise. WHAT she converses with, however, is both a shock and yet... not.
Verna stills once it is clear there is some indirect detection, as if her lack of movement might hide what is already noticed. A soft expletive follows. Why must it be fiends?! Still, the connection is made, the spell cast. It would not do to immediately waste its use. She looks about her mother's immediate surroundings for any possible further information.
"Bear?..." The Dragoon asks, with no surplus of confusion. "Tch. This one hopes not in these jungles."
When they reach the temple, Aelwyn looks up towards the sky, seeking if there was something high up there; but then his eyes fall down over the entrance. He glances towards Ulthan. "In respect, perhaps." The draconian suggests, before slowly making his way closer, bowing his head towards the two guards. There's a questioning tilt of his head, as if to ask a question without words.
Ulthan explains to Aelwyn that it's something his grandmother used to say, as the bears were a constant danger in the highlands of Dran, where he was raised. And definitely a cooler climate than this jungle.
Ulthan follows Aelwyn's example, and then stands by the side of the dragoon, leaning a bit on the haft of his flail.
It is clear to Verna that her mother is still within Charn itself. The quarters are made of the same type of architecture she expected. Except, she has clearly surrounded herself with even more wealth. Wearing more jewelry... no... magical items. Through her Detect Magic ability, she can tell just how much magic she is wearing. Yet even with that, it had not quite protected her from a familial scrying.
Verna spots a map on a desk. Showing the area of Am'shere she is in right now. A circle around the Great Dragonfather Mountain. Multiple arrows drawn. No times indicated, but she recognizes symbols.
Devils from the north.
Mages from the South.
A ritual circle drawn to the West. And a great pair of 'eyes' right next to the ritual site.
These are all things that Aelwyn and Ulthan are shared, through the Moonpool itself.
The fiend then hisses from within the mirror. "Ward yourself against scrying, you fool woman." Which immediately is retorted with; "You will not speak to me in that tone." As the woman grips a jewel in her hand and crushes it between her fingers.
Immediately, the chest of the devil begins to glow, and his grips in pain at where his heart lies. Not a moment later, her mother stares towards Verna. Warned of a presence, she grins at her. "Why don't you come here, Child? Return at my side where you belong. You wish to save the world against my people, don't you? Why not try to do so from Within?" As Verna notices her 'vision' of the scry to narrow. Narrowing down towards just her mother. 'Sweet' eyes staring at her. A strange 'tugging' at her heart.
Verna, Aelwyn & Ulthan."
GAME: Aelwyn rolls will: (7)+5: 12
GAME: Verna rolls will+2: (16)+24+2: 42
GAME: Ulthan rolls will: (7)+2: 9
Ulthan feels his mind empty from all other thoughts save for the alluring eyes of this strange woman he 'saw' in the pool, taking a slow, a little hesitant step forward.
Previous suggestions of quiet respect aside, Aelwyn starts to step closer; there was something that was very irresistible about the vision. Especially those eyes. Those damn eyes. "Tch, now there's a look." The draconian rumbles with a flick of his tail. He barely notices Verna. Or even Ulthan, for that matter.
The sudden exertion upon Verna's own mind is unexpected, but it seems that strong wills may be genetic. That and, perhaps Verna having spent decades seeking to push that particular woman out of her thoughts in a more figurative manner granted her some practice. With that, she becomes aware that some influence is attempted through the scrying. That is not good.
No, it is worse.
Heavy khazadi steps and Makari words behind her make her suddenly aware that she is not along within the temple. She turns her attention from the pool a moment to look to the entrants. "Keep quiet, wary, and some distance if you please. There is information to be had from this scrying, yet the target is aware of my presence." The warning is uttered first. Second is making mental notes of the map and the details thereupon. Third is consideration on ending the effect before any are put at risk.
The Scrying spell begins to narrow further, focusing only on those eyes. Verna can see her mother's mouth moving. She can recognize a Mind Blank spell being cast in the midst of what is happening right now -- the source of that narrowing field of view.
"This one will only have a look," Aelwyn replies to Verna. Still stepping closer, as his bared toeclaws click on the floor. He did notice there was something odd about this whole situation - but he couldn't control himself. He wanted to see the woman in the vision. "Then this one shall be out of her way."
If only his feet would stop moving.
Ulthan makes bold strides towards the pool, intent on seeing those eyes more clearly and closely.
Verna's eyes narrow as she recognizes the verbal incantations, with or without full auditory transmission. They will not be able to repeat this for information. Varyssa is as shrewd as Verna expected. She then blinks at Aewlyn's comment. That and the fact that he continues to approach. And Ulthan as well. Realization then strikes: the attempted assault upon her will may not have been solely targetting herself!
She may be in more casual dress and not her vocational robes, but Verna is yet a Mourner. A hand reaches for the Scales at her chest even as she beseeches her matron. "Harpist, grant us your truth! Gird your servants and allies against evil's vile touch!"
GAME: Verna casts Magic Circle Against Evil. Caster Level: 19 DC: 20
The moment the Magic Circle expands from her position, it rips her mother's 'claws' from Ulthan and Aelwyn. The Scrying it shut down, and the special bond is cut in that moment. The circle protecting Ulthan and Aelwyn from dumping themselves into the pool. Leaving the place quiet...
The moon still staring down upon them.
When the circle snaps those clutches away from Aelwyn, his orange eyes blink and then blink rapidly. He quickly stumbles back, the end of his glaive hitting the floor roughly. There's a long stare given as he attempts to parse what just happened. "Tch, there was a woman."
The draconian then glances towards Verna. "What is Mourner doing in here?" He looks over towards the pool, clicks his teeth, then back towards Verna. "... and this one suspects our arrival interrupted whatever it was?"
Ulthan's eyes snap closed, then blink open as the charm on him is disrtupted. Then he growls in low, clearly annoyed voice. "Oh, I -hate- that...."
Verna exhales a breath, relieved that the scrying is ended. She then rises to her feet, a final glance ensuring that the pool is, indeed, clear once more before she turns to the others. "My apologies. I did not expect such immediate detection, nor such a direct response. Are you both well?"
Ulthan shakes his head like a big, wet, shaggy dog. "I will be... Although it's usually by my own choice that my mind clouds when I give myself to the Rage..."
Aelwyn turns his head towards Ulthan and nods. "Tch, if someone wishes to bequile this one - there are far easier and more fun ways to do that." He rumbles with an annoyance. "Now this one is left bothered, frustrated and insulted."
There's a deep breath and he bows his head towards Verna. "This one is. Shall this one ask what Mourner were doing; or shall this one leave her to her secrets?"
"It is my error that I did not ask the Talons to bar others from entry," Verna admits. Her head shakes to Aelwyn. "I keep no secrets here regarding the threat to this city and The People. I was aware of the ultimate source of the threat, and scried upon her to gain whatever information I was able. All did not transpire as well as desired, yet it was not wholly in vain."
Ulthan nods. "The mysterious woman?"
Aelwyn tilts his head towards Ulthan, then back towards Verna. He tilts his head; letting one of those few ribbons on his horns flop over. "Indeed, the woman?" He clicks and leans his weight on another foot. "And more curiously, how did she come to know this ultimate source?" A brief pause. "And who was she?"
Verna nods. "Yes. Her name is Varyssa. She is the matron of House Calana'el-Xarr. That House, and she, are responsible for this foul disease or curse againts the Sith-Makar people. She plans to assault this city and further spread that affliction. It further appears that she has fiends as allies."
Her growing frown suddenly spikes in annoyance as she explains, "I know of her far too well. She is my ...mother." The word is only vaguely correct in Verna's mind, but is the most simple to use in this instance.
Ulthan blinks, then yucks. "Can't choose one's family, my great-aunt Hilda said when spanking her sons for rustling the sheep after they had been shorn..."
Aelwyn lowers his glaive down and folds his hands over it, leaning back as he listens. There's a bit of a twitch at the mention of fiends; and then stillness at the revelation.
A low rumble leaves at Ulthan's words though, and he reaches out to pat Verna on her shoulder. "And this one's seems to have made a pact with the devil." There's a wide grin on his face. "Blood hurts, as Herd said."
The not-so-ruddy sith-makar tilts his head. "So what did she learn?"
Verna concedes the point. "No, one cannot choose one's progenitors. Even so, I would prefer that mine did not seek genocide for profit." Her hand lifts to pinch at the bridge of her nose for a moment. "Yes, the information. There was a map upon the table, of this city and the surrounds. Marks were present indicating forces on three sides around the city. One indicated mages, or other users of magic. Another symbol was a ritual circle bearing eyes. Last was a mark denoting fiends, perhaps similar to the one she was in conversation with when the scry began."
Her lips purse. "We should share and record this information with haste. There was also the snippet of their conversation. Mention of a ...ravener." More to consider, which she does, words quieting as threads of thought fork into differing paths.
GAME: Verna rolls knowledge/nature+2: (13)+11+2: 26
"Hmmh, that is certainly plenty of information." Aelwyn rumbles and then bows his head. "This one apologizes for interrupting her." Straightening, he gestures onwards. "This one does not know of a ravener beyond those with ravens in the city, but surely someone in here knows."
A flash of his teeth. "Let us move quickly and share the information then, Mourner."