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Suulkrys
2002-05-24 22:25:16
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*the oracle comes alive suddenly*
*with the faint, but growing echo of a voice. The origin of that voice seems to be magical in nature, but not so, as though transmitted through some magical means, but not magic itself*
*the message it carries is one that is addressed to the High Priest of Mahadeva itself, Beltion*
"Beltion!" the voice echoes, "I am in great need of your assistance, and the assistance of Mahadeva. It is my understanding that there is no more powerful diety in this world in the arts of binding and silencing magic and enchantments." The voice pauses, and then continues, though the sound of water seems to filter in from the echoes...
"I am in need of just such a binding -- an enchantment that will cause the magics of a particular item to remain contained, and not leash themselves upon the whole of their surroundings, as wild magic often will. I seek your guidance in this matter. I trust that you will receive this message through your Oracle, and by this means, reply to me as to what I must do to help you in this endeavour that I ask of you. I seek not to destroy the enchantments, but rather to secure them, so that they may be controlled without risk." The voice falls silent once more.
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Beltion
2002-05-27 06:15:25
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*recognizes the faint watery sounds in the backdrop*
Hmm, it seems somebody found themself a magic spring with which to communicate. And judging by the ammount of the background noise, someone not very good at handling the wet element.
"So, you need binding. Yes, that is a specialty of ours. You say you have an item, an item with wild magic in it. Such objects are controllable, with some effort. It would have to be done in one of the temples, and for the force to be totally constrained the object would have to be kept in a temple as well."
"What kind of object is it?"
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Suulkrys
2002-05-27 07:21:57
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*after a long pause he hears the return echoes*
*of the High Priest and he smiles*
"Praise be to Mahadeva, I knew you would hear my summons. Unfortunately, as I lack the magical ability to bind this item myself, or communicate over long distances without help of a ... waterfall, I also lack the ability to travel long distances by portal, or by any other quick means. If you can suggest a quicker way to traverse the lands between your own nation and mine, then I would happily take them to reach you and your temples."
*he pauses for a moment and then continues, as if keeping a roving awareness on his own current surroundings*
"Beltion, this... artifact... is not one to be discussed over a medium through which others might be able to hear. Can you suggest a place where we might meet that would guarantee its secrecy? I've much to tell you."
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Beltion
2002-05-27 09:11:00
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"Outside a temple?"
"Outside Krewlod?"
*he pauses for a while*
"What you ask is no small matter. If this item of yours is half as powerfull as you make it seem, it might prove difficult without the advantage of holy ground."
*he pauses again, this time a while longer, to ponder the matter*
"But then again, I haven't had a good challenge for a while. Tell me where this waterfall of yours is, and I will try to think of a suitable place to meet."
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Suulkrys
2002-05-27 13:43:09
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*thinks for a moment on his words and responds once more*
Certainly your diety must have temples outside Krewlod. Does not Mahadeva's influence spread any further than the borders of your country? Mayhaps your priests do not convert other followers to your ways?
Well... my position is something of a secret itself. My current location is about three weeks journey from your lands, walking all day. It is separated only by a great mountain range, known as the Pillars of Kora. I've heard legends that there is a pass over the mountains, as well as tunnels through them. On my side is only the Eastern Plains between my location and the mountains, but on your side is a strip of desert, known as.... *he pauses to recollect the name* ... the Kaverness Desert. Oh! I just remembered, on my side, in the middle of the Plains, is a river that merges into a vast lake, which is called by the locals Loch Taer. I know the general locations of any of these regions, and if you know a place, a shrine even, in any of them that might provide you with the power of your diety, then I shall seek to meet you halfway and locate the place myself.
*the voice falls silent once more, awaiting an answer*
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Beltion
2002-05-28 00:47:53
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"Kaverness?"
"Yes, I know what you are talking about. The area is hardly populated at all, and there are many rumours and tales of monsters living there. And if the folklore is to be trusted, the mountains are even worse. We haven't paid too much attention to that region, there are greater threats and greater opportunities in other directions."
"I do not know for certain if there are temples of Mahadeva there. Young priests, eager to spread the teachings and build a reputation for themselves have headed in that direction from time to time. Sometimes alone, sometimes with larger parties sponsored by their tribe. We have never heard of them again, but it is possible that they have managed to pass the mountains and have founded a temple. Their instructions were to settle down in the first suitable location they found. So if there are temples, they are located near the mountains."
"You could head towards the mountains, trying to find a temple or shrine. Or the exit of one of the routes through the mountain range. I would pass the mountains with a small troop of warrior priests and seek you there."
"But then rises the question, what is in it for me? Passing mountains is not my idea of a pleasant day, so I assume you have some sort of compensation to offer me?"
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Suulkrys
2002-05-28 15:55:51
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*After some time, inspiration hits him*
*and the long silence in the conversation is broken by the slow silent curve of his pale lips, as he responds to Beltion in turn*
Beltion, many months ago, I found a corpse. It was all but ashes, but there was a serious lack of magic about the area. Perhaps it was because of the apparent foul nature of the beast that had died in that husk, or perhaps the land itself refused magic, much like your lands have. Regardless, as you work to further the ends of your diety, so do I think you'll be aided by a certain item in my possession....
*digging into his coat, after a moment he pulls forth a talisman upon a pale silver necklace. Focusing his concentration upon the item, images flash to Beltion in succession, first of a black egg shaped object like an opal hanging from the talisman, and then of gold legs, like those of a spider appearing at its sides, and then a small vortex, only about the size a hand suddenly disrupting the very magic which holds together the communication...*
*the images return after a moment as the connection reestablishes itself and the object appears once more as a black opal, the legs having disappeared. His voice echoes an explanation*
This object... contains within it the power to suck the magic from anything around it, but unfortunately only to a limited radius and degree, though greater than that which I just demonstrated... I shall give you another demonstration once we meet...
Is that tithe enough for you and your holy cause?
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Beltion
2002-05-29 01:00:54
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"Most impressive"
"Your waterfall is a powerful source of elementtal magic, if this artifact can disturb it, it must possess a great strength."
"You were most fortunate to find this object. It does spark enough curiosity in me to be a suitable payment, and it might even be able to help us in the binding ritual."
"We shall leave at daybreak. If you are correct, we should reach the other side of the mountain in about two weeks. Once on your side we will try to keep high ground and find a position directly east of the two largest mountains, the pilars themselves. There we'll light a large fire which will be easily spotted by anyone looking for it."
"Anything else?"
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Suulkrys
2002-05-29 15:20:48
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*nods as he receives the High Priest's reply*
Excellent. I shall head towards the pillars myself after this communication, and probably will reach them before you, as I lack the need to sleep or eat.
I give you no illusions however. This artifact has been warded to limit its power, very likely by its original owner, who must've been schooled and dependant upon the magical arts himself. Therefore its powers are limited, but effective all the same.
I shall see you in two weeks time in the shadows of the Pillars, High Priest of Mahadeva!
*the transmission of echoes ends soon after, fading out with the sound of rushing water, leaving only a promising silence in its wake*
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Beltion
2002-05-31 00:46:17
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The next morning
A small squad assembles inside the citadel. From the looks of it, it consists predominantly of the priestly caste. But the occasional scarred and heavily armed figure clearly shows that the journey about to start is no pilgrimage, but something more serious.
The party is not heavily equipped, and obviously planned to move fast. Without formalities of any kind, the party mounts up and moves out through one of the smaller gates.
The party leaves the capital without awakening attention. Priests and soldiers are a daily sight, perhaps a marriage somewhere in the outer regions, perhaps blessing a newborn heir to one of the clans. Nothing that hasn't happened a thousand times before.
The party sets of in a brisk tempo, for a uneventful ride through the monotonous desert terrain that dominates Krewlod.
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