Landing Events - 2018-04-25 - A Stone Sacrifice (log)

Olaesta 25-26, 5118

from an unnamed contributor to the [[::The_TownCrier|TownCrier]]

Summary

Evician is seen taken by a pillar of shadows outside Moot Hall. A search ensues, but none can find him until at last his body appears along South Ring Road, where he reports that Grishom Stone used him to restore Cruxophim.

At first he seems upset about "People I love and cherish turning on me," but after explaining that he was to restore Crux as a "blood tithe," he says "I kept my oath, I did what I had to do"--referring to, apparently, an oath to take the pain of other aelotoi even to his death. Evician says, when questioned, that it was an honor and that he feels betrayed.

Shinann and others ask for further details and he says it was a sitting room and that Goblyn, [[::Ysharra_Nagorn|Ysharra]], Madmountan, and others he didn't recognize were there, saying his sacrifice was honorable and they respected him.

Lylia and Goblyn point out Evician's wings; he looks in the mirror and then claims he's damned.

Log

For a brief moment, there is what appears to be a flash of red light in the distance, and the light of the moon is suffocated by a blanket of shadows for the tiniest of moments and then the sky returns to normal.

[most people go to outside Moot Hall and chat for a while...]

[Town Square, East]

Here in the center of a broad plaza near the commercial area of the bazaar stands the impressive facade of the slate-roofed Moot Hall, where the citizens of Wehnimer's Landing hold various official, religious and social functions. Facing the square are some of the town's more prosperous shops, still doing business with the many customers who still frequent the streets at night. You also see a large purple wooden barrel and a bone-framed bulletin board.

[...until finally...]

A shadow seems to creep along the ground beneath Evician.

Ribbons of shadow creep up from the ground like vines of night, twisting around Evician's legs.

Evician says, "I can't move."

A pillar of shadows envelops Evician and he vanishes!

[multiple search parties run around for a while; Evician's death is eventually sensed but he remains impossible to locate until finally...]

Evician's body appears amidst a swirl of shadows.

[Wehnimer's, South Ring Rd.]

Along the edge of the road stands an abandoned shop, almost invisible in the deep shadows cast by the overgrown gardens which surround it. A stray dog sniffs among its ruined remains, growling at travellers along the east-west road. You also see a slender stone path.

The ghostly voice of Evician says, "Grishom Stone used me to restore Cruxophim.."

Shinann asks, "What?"

Cryheart says, "Grishom Stone."

Leafiara uncertainly ventures, "A blood sacrifice."

Dergoatean says, "Stone is back."

Dergoatean asks, "What does he want with Cruxophim?"

Speaking to Evician, Irar asks, "Cruxophim was complicit in this?"

Balley softly says, "No."

Evician gives a ghostly chuckle.

The ghostly voice of Evician says, "You have no idea..what you guys are up against."

Leafiara muses, "Let's maybe bring him back to life so he can tell us more."

Speaking to Evician, Irar says, "We usually don't."

Speaking to Evician, Shinann asks, "I will heal you and let us get you up... if that is all right?"

Speaking to Evician, Leafiara says, "Oh, no, quite a number of us here do know."

Speaking heartily to Evician, Chamorr says, "Unfortunately we do."

The ghostly voice of Evician says, "That's fine."

Speaking to Evician, Zosopage says, "Actually we have a pretty good idea."

The ghostly voice of Evician says, "Koar...ignored me..."

Speaking to Evician, Irar says, "It doesn't work like that."

[healing and raising]

The ghostly voice of Evician says, "I couldn't even defend myself."

Dergoatean says, "I'd claim to have a better idea than most."

Cryheart says, "Grishom Stone is a very powerful mage."

Speaking to Evician, Shinann asks, "Could you tell where you were?"

Chamorr heartily says, "This is....awesome."

Speaking to Evician, Irar asks, "He took you because you are... how do you say, wing brothers?"

Speaking to Evician, Dergoatean says, "He took up residence in my mind long enough to start forgetting who I was."

Speaking to Evician, Dergoatean says, "We should talk."

Speaking thoughtfully to Irar, Leafiara muses, "That -would- stand to reason... like for like, as the saying goes."

Speaking to Evician, Zosopage says, "There was nothing you could have done, yet."

Dergoatean says, "Stone."

Mayor Lylia just arrived.

Lylia gently rests her hand on Evician's shoulder.

Evician asks, "What about? People I love and cherish turning on me?"

Lylia asks, "Are you well?"

Evician stares at Lylia.

Evician says, "No Mayor, I am not well."

Balley softly asks, "I turned on you?"

Lylia asks, "Was it Raznel?"

Speaking to Evician, Irar asks, "Who turned on you?"

Speaking to Evician, Dergoatean says, "No, that's your own problem."

Evician fidgets.

Hapenlok mutters, "Stone."

Shinann says, "He said it was Grishom Stone who used him to restore Cruxophim."

Lylia turns to face Hapenlok.

Evician says, "Yes Grishom Stone."

Lylia narrows her eyes.

Balley softly asks, "So it was Stone I saw Evician?" [referring to her visions as a seer]

Evician says, "The Blasphemer."

Lylia nods at Balley.

Lylia says, "We all suspected he was the one in your visions, I believe."

Speaking heartily to Evician, Chamorr asks, "Did they say anything?"

Balley softly asks, "Evician did you see Stone?"

Evician says, "I stared him in the eyes."

Speaking to Shinann, Zosopage asks, "Did you say he used Evician to restore Crux?"

Evician says, "That I was to restore Cruxophim as a blood tithe."

Shinann says, "That is what Evician said."

Speaking to Zosopage, Leafiara says, "That's what Evician said himself."

Nazarr asks, "Why would Stone want to restore Crux?"

Cryheart says, "Stone is Stone."

Stiana says, "So bigger question.... yes, exactly."

Stiana points at Nazarr.

Evician says, "I don't know."

Lylia says, "Stone's motives are often inscrutable."

Speaking wonderingly to Nazarr, Leafiara says, "Curious question. Stone seems too powerful to even bother with such things..."

Evician says, "I kept my oath, I did what I had to do. Cruxophim is well."

Speaking to Lylia, Dergoatean says, "One thing about him has always been consistent."

Hapenlok says, "He's got future use for Cruxophim. Powered. Whether or not he's in on the scheme remains to be seen."

Speaking curiously to Evician, Leafiara prompts, "Your oath?"

Speaking to Evician, Lylia says, "Then you did a brave and noble thing, regardless of the reason."

Irar asks, "What oath?"

Speaking to Lylia, Dergoatean says, "If one route leads him more power, and another does not, I think it's a pretty safe bet what he'll do."

Speaking to Evician, Shinann asks, "What oath?"

Evician says, "My oath to my clan and to the other clans."

Evician says, "That I will take their pain, punishment unto death.."

Lylia nods in agreement at Dergoatean.

Speaking to Evician, Irar asks, "Where did he take you?"

Speaking to Lylia, Hapenlok says, "I don't like the implications of this."

Evician says, "If they are aelotoi, I would do it."

Evician says, "I did not know the place I was at."

Speaking to Lylia, Hapenlok says, "Not. One. Bit."

Speaking to Hapenlok, Lylia says, "I never do, not where Stone is involved..."

Speaking to Evician, Stiana says, "I'm confused... first you act betrayed, now you act like you're honored."

Speaking to Evician, Irar asks, "We only saw you disappear. What did you see around you?"

Speaking slowly to Evician, Chaoswynd says, "Describe it."

Chamorr heartily says, "Ok, so where is Crux."

Evician says, "It is an honor to save my people, but yeah, I feel betrayed as well."

Speaking to Chamorr, Dergoatean says, "He is "acclimating"." [referring to something he said over the amunet shortly after Goat had said "that's your own problem": Cruxophim: "I am glad to hear. Pardon if I need a moment, please do take care of him.. this is all rather shocking, and I am still acclimating."]

Leafiara uncertainly asks, "Betrayed by what?"

Speaking quietly to Stiana, Lylia says, "Sometimes it is possible to be both."

Speaking to Evician, Shinann says, "Was it set up like a laboratory."

Evician says, "No, it was just a room..."

Lylia says, "Yes, if you wish, come to my office. Have a drink, refresh yourself, tell us the story."

[travel]

Speaking to Evician, Shinann asks, "Were there shadows in the room?"

Speaking to Evician, Nazarr asks, "Can you describe the place where you were, even if you don't know where it was?"

Speaking to Evician, Dergoatean says, "Least you didn't end up looking like Crux."

Evician says, "No, but Goblyn was there."

[more travel]

[Moot Hall, Mayor's Office]

At the varnished modwir door, a red bear skin rug stretches across the polished hardwood floor. Twin velnalin hide chairs face the Mayor's pine desk, while behind it sits an incurvated bone armchair. A great stag's head and a dark-framed sketch are mounted above a cobblestone fireplace set into the western wall. Refreshments are offered atop an oak bar beside a tall arched window. You also see a basket of sticks, a large detailed map, a large dog bed and a bone-ringed dart board with some stuff on it.

Dergoatean says, "Goblyn ends up just everywhere..."

Lylia says, "Please, feel free to have a drink."

Speaking to Evician, Irar says, "I am sorry for the ordeal you've experienced."

Evician says, "It was some sort of sitting room, Ysharra and a few people I didn't recognize, Madmountan..my brother in arms..."

Evician sobs.

Irar exclaims, "Ysharra and Madmountan were there?!"

Speaking heartily to Evician, Chamorr asks, "There were others there?"

Irar exclaims, "They dare!"

Lylia quietly says, "I am sorry you went through such an ordeal."

Stiana asks, "Of course, you didn't notice them all missing?"

Evician says, "They said my sacrifice was an honorable thing and they respected me."

Speaking to Irar, Lylia says, "You do not know the circumstances yet. Perhaps you should stop and listen."

Lylia says, "Ysharra is aligned with Mularos. She would respect sacrifice."

Leafiara muses, "Self-sacrifice -is- a pretty honorable thing."

Evician says, "I feel cold inside.......my skin cracked...my eyes turned black as midnight, my wings turned to something of darkness."

Lylia firmly says, "It is, and if it is to restore Cruxophim..."

Evician says, "I would do that for any aelotoi..."

Evician says, "That includes Cruxophim."

Speaking to Evician, Dergoatean asks, "They?"

Lylia asks, "Do you remember anything more about Stone himself?"

Evician says, "He was...different, not like a man at all."

Chamorr heartily says, "So Crux, Stone, Madmountain and Ysharra hangin out."

Lylia quietly says, "He believes himself at least half a god."

Speaking to Chamorr, Leafiara adds, "And a few people Evician here didn't recognize."

Speaking to Chamorr, Lylia says, "We do not know if they were taken too. 'Hanging out' may be a bit of an overstatement."

Balley softly says, "The visions are scaring me I need to go hide in my bed."

Hapenlok quietly asks, "Were there any ...tehiri present?"

Irar says, "Ah, yes."

Irar nods at Hapenlok.

Evician says, "I will say this."

Speaking heartily to Lylia, Chamorr says, "They weren't helpin."

Balley softly says, "I am glad you are ok."

Balley softly says, "Well back anyway."

Evician says, "Cruxophim told me not to do it...."

Dergoatean asks, "Or perhaps a glowing green crystal orb sort of thing?"

Evician says, "He knows my oath."

Speaking to Evician, Stiana says, "If Crux said not to do it and you still did it, you were not betrayed."

Balley softly says, "This is the calm before a storm isn't it Evician."

Speaking heartily to Lylia, Chamorr says, "I think they have some explainin to do."

Speaking to Stiana, Lylia says, "That is a wise thought."

Zosopage says, "We haven't seen the last of him I'd think."

Irar says, "It would've been nice for them to at least consult him first."

Evician says, "Something bad is coming."

Dergoatean gestures while calling upon the lesser spirits for aid...

Dergoatean gestures into the air.

Dergoatean gets a frustrated look on his face.

Balley softly says, "If all I see is coming."

Dergoatean says, "Still can't locate any of them."

Balley softly says, "We need to be prepared."

Balley softly says, "Very prepared."

Balley softly says, "Darkness is coming."

Nazarr asks, "But prepared for what?"

Irar says, "Stone, I imagine."

Speaking curiously to Evician, Leafiara says, "So in the end it was your idea, then, to go through with it? Even if your... arrival wasn't your idea."

Lylia says, "Preparing for Stone is like preparing for lightning. One may mitigate damage but not predict where it strikes."

Evician nods to Leafiara.

Leafiara neutrally notes, "Interesting."

Speaking to Leafiara, Lylia says, "Thank you, yes, let us return to the subject at hand."

Speaking to Evician, Dergoatean asks, "What had happened to Crux that he needed restored?"

Speaking to Lylia, Hapenlok says, "Yet everthing that happened kept us from striking out after looking for him."

Speaking to Lylia, Hapenlok says, "The Blameless, Dennet."

Shadows part along the wall and Cruxophim steps out of the darkness.

Evician says, "Malluch happened to Crux."

Speaking to Dergoatean, Zosopage says, "He lost his magic."

Speaking calmly to Zosopage, Cruxophim states, "Not any more."

Zosopage says, "Aye we know."

Speaking concernedly to Evician, Cruxophim inquires, "How are you feeling?"

Speaking heartily to Cruxophim, Chamorr says, "Gee, yer lookin well."

Speaking to Cruxophim, Dergoatean says, "Te klaloc lethi ram lette..."

Evician asks, "Why do you care?"

Balley softly says, "I have one question for you."

Speaking gently to Evician, Leafiara reminds, "You -just- said that he told you not to do it."

Speaking calmly to Evician, Cruxophim reminds, "I did warn you."

Lylia says, "Evician, your wings..."

Speaking softly to Evician, Balley says, "Did Stone have Piercing blue eyes."

Speaking admiringly to Evician, Goblyn says, "You do look... very nice."

Speaking to Evician, Stiana asks, "I don't understand why you agreed to do it, feel honored.... but then you're playing the victim? Which is it?"

Lylia asks, "Were they always so dark?"

Speaking to Balley, Dergoatean says, "He always does."

>look evic

You see Lord Evician the Holy Crusader.

He appears to be an Aelotoi of the Gaeh'deh Clan.

He is very tall. He appears to be in the prime of life. He has silver-flecked deep black eyes and ivory skin. He has very long, crimson-tipped anthracite black hair gathered from the temples into a half-ponytail. He has a perfectly symmetrical, delicately featured face, a gently sloped nose and well-muscled shoulders and arms. He has a small dark blue spider on his left forearm. He has a pair of blood red-veined deep black wings bordered by sanguine barbs.

Balley softly says, "I did not know that."

Speaking to Cruxophim, Evician says, "You know my oath brother. Evil or good..I still stand firmly by my oath, even over Koar."

Balley softly says, "I just saw that in my vision."

(Evician glances at his wings in panic.)

Speaking to Balley, Dergoatean says, "And that ... spreads."

Speaking gently to Evician, Cruxophim offers, "May the light guide you through this tribulation."

Lylia removes a thin silver mirror bordered with star rubies from in her wrap.

Lylia offers Evician a thin silver mirror bordered with star rubies.

Speaking to Evician, Irar asks, "Over Koar, eh?"

Evician accepts Lylia's silver mirror.

Evician gazes at his reflection in the silver mirror.

Evician says, "I am damned."

Speaking heartily to Goblyn, Chamorr asks, "Were you there too?"

Speaking softly to Dergoatean, Balley says, "I am still young and do not know much of him. Just the stories. I have never seen him. I just see the vision of the dark mage with piercing blue eyes."

Speaking gently to Evician, Cruxophim suggests, "Drink this."

Cruxophim offers Evician a cup of thick blood.

Speaking offhandedly to Goblyn, Leafiara says, "Well, you won't get to see Crux figure out how to cure himself, but I suppose as long as he's better that's all that matters." [referring to Goblyn's previous comments at a Town Hall meeting about whether Crux could solve it]

Speaking to Balley, Dergoatean says, "We'll talk more."

Speaking carefully to Chamorr, Goblyn asks, "Wait, was I where?"

Speaking to Balley, Dergoatean says, "Be careful with your scrying now. That's how he got me."

Speaking gently to Evician, Cruxophim explains, "It may help sooth things, at least a little."

Speaking heartily to Goblyn, Chamorr says, "With them when this happened."

Evician accepts Cruxophim's thick blood.

Speaking softly to Dergoatean, Balley says, "I would like to know more.. Maybe make more sense of my visions."

Speaking to Leafiara, Dergoatean says, "I used to scry."

Dergoatean says, "Briefly."

Speaking slowly to Chamorr, Goblyn says, "Maybe."

Speaking heartily to Cruxophim, Chamorr says, "What are ya givin him."

Evician sniffs at his thick blood.

Speaking to Chamorr, Goblyn clarifies, "I was with Cruxophim on this night, if that is what you are meaning."

Zosopage says, "This was obviously blood magic so perhaps the blood will help balance things somewhat."

Speaking softly to Dergoatean, Balley says, "I hear the wind, get visions and check with my bowl."

Speaking calmly to Chamorr, Cruxophim explains, "A tincture of my own creation."

Speaking to Evician, Lylia says, "You have been changed, but damned? That is a terrible fate for giving a gift so freely."

Speaking to Evician, Shinann asks, "Are you really going to drink that?"

Evician ponders.

Speaking mildly to Chamorr, Cruxophim explains, "Helps alleviate some of the worst of the symptoms of this.. sort of thing."

Speaking witheringly to Cruxophim, Hapenlok asks, "Did you make a bargin...with him?"

Speaking heartily to Evician, Chamorr says, "Don't drink it."

Speaking to Balley, Dergoatean says, "It's rather straightforward until it isn't."

Speaking to Balley, Dergoatean says, "When you gaze deep into the abyss."

Speaking coolly to Hapenlok, Cruxophim answers, "I did not, no... our friend here did. For which I am grateful, I suppose, but I warned him not to."

Speaking to Cruxophim, Hapenlok asks, "Our longest and most dangerous foe? ...to get back what you lost?"

Speaking to Balley, Dergoatean says, "The abyss has plans."

Evician says, "It stares back."

Speaking softly to Dergoatean, Balley says, "I have recently become very strong in divination so it still scares me."

Speaking curiously to Hapenlok, Cruxophim snaps, "Are you dense? Listen!"

Speaking surreptitiously to Dergoatean, Cruxophim murmurs, "That it does."

Speaking to Goblyn, Evician says, "You know, when you were captured by Rone, I was truly concerned for you...I guess I really shouldn't be."

Lylia murmurs, "We were all concerned."

Speaking to Cruxophim, Hapenlok taunts, "Oh, master manipulator. You manipulated one who considered himself your Wing-brother. Who'd do anything for a fellow Aelotoi."

Speaking amusedly to Hapenlok, Cruxophim counters, "And you talk a lot of nonsense."

Speaking heartily to Evician, Chamorr says, "Don't drink it."

Speaking softly to Shinann, Balley asks, "Do you think I need protection?"

Speaking sternly to Hapenlok, Cruxophim suggests, "Can we focus on the afflicted instead?"

Speaking to Balley, Shinann asks, "I think you should not be alone. Do you want to stay in the barracks tonight?"

Lylia asks, "I cannot imagine that Cruxophim planned such a thing. When we are talking of Grishom Stone, why would we turn on one another?"

Shinann says, "I will escort you there."

Speaking heartily to Cruxophim, Chamorr says, "How bout we focus on what you were doin with Stone."

Balley softly says, "Zoso I think that will be best."

Cruxophim concernedly murmurs, "We should keep a very close eye on him for a while."

Shinann nods at Balley.

Shinann says, "Good."

Cruxophim soberly warns, "I know how these things go."

Zosopage says, "Whatever makes you more comfortable."

Speaking to Cruxophim, Stiana asks, "Would you mind telling us what happened? From your perspective?"

Shinann says, "Excuse me."

[several empty lines indicate a break in the record]

Speaking to Cruxophim, Irar asks, "And Evician was chosen simply because he shares wings or... ?"

Irar asks, "Was there something else?"

Speaking thoughtfully to Irar, Cruxophim admits, "I have no idea whatsoever."

Speaking to Cruxophim, Dergoatean says, "Yes, for the lovib keke, it seems fitting."

Chamorr heartily says, "Sheesh."

Hapenlok says, "Aelotoi stick together. You heard him speak of his Oaths."

Speaking wryly to Dergoatean, Cruxophim reminds, "I don't speak Ithzir, that's your thing."

Speaking to Cruxophim, Irar asks, "He says he didn't recognize the room. Did you?"

Speaking to Hapenlok, Irar says, "Evician is not the only Aelotoi in Elanthia."

Dergoatean says, "The master of blood."

Speaking heartily to Cruxophim, Chamorr asks, "Stone just shows up and says, hey there, I kin fix yer magic, get me a sacrifice?"

Shinann says, "Excuse me."

[here the record ends]