The Griffin Sword Saga (storyline)/2002-02-06 - Morvule (log)

In one of Morvule's first appearances, foreshadowing the formal start of the Griffin Sword Saga, he summons those faithful to Luukos to the hidden shrine in the Coastal Cliffs outside of Wehnimer's Landing. There, he marks two of them, formally initiating them as members of the Luukosian Order. He hints at plans to come, bidding them gather those loyal to Luukos in the coming days.

Prior to this, Alisaire had been speaking to Violetfeather from the shadows. While Violetfeather was very forthcoming about her reasons for being there, sharing her entire life story at length several times over, Alisaire was not. This timeframe coincides with the final days of the Vishmiir storyline, with some of the messaging related to it. This log is from Alisaire's perspective. It has been edited.

[Underground, Hidden Wing]
This appears to be a small shrine of some sort.  Against the east wall is an altar with tarnished religious symbols on it.  The covering is tattered and the three pews here are dry and rotted.  For the first time you notice that the thick dust on the floor is punctuated by shallow footprints, leading you to think that this place is not as abandoned as you first imagined.
Also in the room: Violetfeather who is kneeling
Obvious exits: west.

A dark vysan just floated in.

Violetfeather stands up.

A dark vysan pounds at Violetfeather with its fist!
  AS: +35 vs DS: +55 with AvD: +64 + d100 roll: +88 = +132
   ... and hits for 26 points of damage!
   Solid blow gouges a chunk out of Violetfeather's right leg.

 * Violetfeather drops dead at your feet!

The vysan grins and snorts with excitement, emitting a vaporous cloud of icy 
breath.

 * Violetfeather is off to a rough start!  She just bit the dust!

The spirit of Violetfeather sighs softly, raising the hairs on the back of your 
neck.

Suddenly you have the strangest feeling that you are being watched.
The feeling fades as quickly as it came.

The vysan's eyes turn to a cold blue glow for a moment!
The vysan discovers Alisaire who was hiding!
A dark vysan pounds at you with its fist!
  AS: +35 vs DS: +274 with AvD: +49 + d100 roll: +54 = -136
   A clean miss.

Violetfeather's body decays into compost.

You hear the voice of Armaxis say, "Hm."

You narrow your eyes.

You hear the voice of Armaxis say, "Such interesting thingsss one hears when gathering for their evening prayer."

You say in Dark Elven, "Indeed."

You hear the voice of Armaxis ask, "Why do you walk upon these holy grounds?"

You say, "I seek one who bears the snake.."

You hear the voice of Armaxis ask, "Mm? For what purposes?"

You say, "My purposes are my own."
You say, "This..." she gestures briefly with her free hand, "..seems a likely place to start."

Armaxis fades into sight next to you.

You see Armaxis Telexana the Dark Elf.
He appears to be in his 130's, has very long black hair, green eyes, and pale skin.
He has a pattern of dark serpentine sigils tattooed upon both hands, and a tattooed symbol of Luukos on his neck.
He is in good shape.
He is holding a serpent staff in his right hand and a scaled serpentine tower shield etched with arcane sigils surrounding the engraved symbol of Luukos in his left hand.
He is wearing a tarnished bronze Luukos symbol inlaid with a green malachite serpent, a glass amulet, a long brown robe with sinuous green patterns encircling the deeply flared cuffs, a black ora Luukos symbol, some deep black snakeskin leathers, a spherical black ora censer etched deeply with a sinuous relief of writhing bronze serpents, and a pair of simple brown sandals inset with small emerald studs.

Armaxis says, "You own nothing whilst you stand upon thisss ground."

You say, "That is to be decided.  I only come here to seek whom I will."

Armaxis says, "All is His here, there is no other way."

You ponder the meaning of Armaxis's existence.
You say, "You were in the freeport that morn.."

Armaxis says, "Mmhm."

You ask, "You were there when the beast was summoned?"

Armaxis says, "Indeed I was. A most amusing thing."

You ask, "Do you know where I can find the one who summoned it?"
You glance at Armaxis.

Armaxis says, "Their hatred for life runs deep, they serve His purposes despite their allegiances. It is a rather...perfect time to be a servant of Him."

You chuckle.

Armaxis says, "Things are not always as they seem, girl."
(Armaxis turns toward the altar, his hands clasped around his staff and his head bowed.)

You raise an eyebrow in Armaxis's direction.
You say, "..You summoned the creature."

Armaxis smiles thinly.
Armaxis says, "Take the words as you will."

You stride over to stand before Armaxis.
You say, "How did you...."
You say, "How did you call upon it..?  Its name was not spoken, if what I am told holds any truth.."

Armaxis says, "There are many things the faith knows of the Undeath.  The Order's secrets are many."

(Alisaire nods slowly and says, "I don't doubt that..")

(Armaxis closes his eyes briefly, his lips moving to form a short, quiet prayer.)

You take a few steps back.

Violetfeather just arrived.
Violetfeather slowly empties her lungs.

Armaxis says, "I've no reason to do such here. You have not violated the holy grounds."

Violetfeather begins to twitch.
(Violetfeather stares closely at Armaxis.)

Armaxis raises an eyebrow in Violetfeather's direction.

You rub your chin thoughtfully.

(Violetfeather begins to edge slowly around Armaxis...sizing him up.)
Violetfeather turns to face you.

You raise an eyebrow in Violetfeather's direction.

Violetfeather asks in Dark Elven, "This the one?"
Violetfeather raises an eyebrow.

You say, "I seek whom I will.  You must find your own."

Armaxis asks, "Who dare skulks within His Lordship's shrine?"

Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "Not I."

Armaxis gestures and utters a phrase of magic.
Armaxis gestures.

Azorack is discovered by Armaxis!

Azorack roars!
Someone hisses in the shadows.

You say, "A veritable convention here this eve."

Armaxis says, "State your business."

Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "Him or I? I am merely awaiting someone."

Armaxis's serpent staff suddenly crawls up his arm and curls around his neck.
Armaxis says, "The one whom sought to stay hidden amongst His faith."

(Violetfeather bows her head low before the altar.)


[Azorack logs out.]


Violetfeather seems to be waiting for something.

Armaxis says, "Mm, another of the faith? A pleasing sssight."

You survey the area.

Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "He seemed afraid of you."
Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "Attempted to warn me off."
Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "Spoke like one of those desert rabble."
Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "From the Sea of Fire."

You say, "The Tehir did?  He readily fears the snake."

Armaxis says, "A sad thing, ignorance. But, why do you come? I find that my nightly prayers are oft interrupted lately."

Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "The lady's business was before mine."
Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "I don't wish to impose."

(Alisaire shrugs imperceptably, nodding to Violetfeather.)

Armaxis says, "I am quite aware of her business. You spoke of guidance, however."

Violetfeather slowly empties her lungs.
Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "I am a stranger in these lands."
Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "I..."

Umrae just arrived.
Umrae blinks.

Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "My servant Ieltxu..."

Umrae shifts her eyes to you.
Umrae shifts her eyes to Violetfeather.
Umrae shifts her eyes to Armaxis.

You glance at Umrae.

Umrae says in Dark Elven, "Last of the people I expected here..."
Umrae says in Dark Elven, "I expected... nobody to be honest."

Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "Was killed recently...and I was rendered bodiless."
Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "I...I am ignorant of many things here."
Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "But I was given the privelege to come back."
Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "I was not honored with a new and better form."
Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "But told to seek guidance from a Priest in these parts."
Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "Towards finding direction."
Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "And finding my revenge."

Armaxis says, "The faithful gather in places of worship, thisss is not uncommon."

Umrae shifts her eyes to Armaxis.
Umrae asks in Dark Elven, "Faithful?"
Umrae rubs her chin thoughtfully.

Armaxis shudders intensely and falls to the ground screaming in pain!


[This is from the Vishmiir.]


Umrae folds her arms over her chest, glancing at Armaxis.
Umrae laughs softly, trying to hide her amusement.

Violetfeather raises an eyebrow.
(Violetfeather stares at Armaxis...eyes open quite wide.)

You glance at Armaxis.
(Alisaire muses, "It seems the undead minions strike faithful and faithless alike..")

Armaxis's legs suddenly burst into nothing but tatters and he screams loudly!

Umrae lets out a little squeal of delight.
Umrae says in Dark Elven, "Mmmmm, that looks so delicious."


[Brief connectivity issues.]


[Underground, Hidden Wing]
This appears to be a small shrine of some sort.  Against the east wall is an altar with tarnished religious symbols on it.  The covering is tattered and the three pews here are dry and rotted.  For the first time you notice that the thick dust on the floor is punctuated by shallow footprints, leading you to think that this place is not as abandoned as you first imagined.
Also in the room: Umrae, Violetfeather who is kneeling, Armaxis who is kneeling
Obvious exits: west.

(Armaxis bows his head low.)
Armaxis says, "Apparently He is pleased with the unexpected offering."

Umrae shifts her eyes to Armaxis.
Umrae asks in Dark Elven, "Pain?"

Armaxis put a scaled serpentine tower shield etched with arcane sigils surrounding the engraved symbol of Luukos in his brown robe.
Armaxis's serpent suddenly uncoils from around his neck and crawls down his arm, straightening into a staff in his hand.

(Violetfeather presses her head to the blood once more.)
Violetfeather nods.
Violetfeather continues to beseech the gods for mercy and guidance.
(Violetfeather quirks her body to one side in a sinuous curve.)
(Violetfeather quirks her body in the opposite direction.)

(Armaxis sets the staff before him and clasps his hands around it.)

Umrae folds her arms over her chest.

A darkness overtakes the room, and a low hiss fills the air.

You shift your weight.
You survey the area.

Armaxis gazes heavenward.
Armaxis asks, "Could it be..?"

You take a few steps back.

Umrae says in Dark Elven, "Hmm, it would seem so."
Umrae shifts her eyes to you.
Umrae asks in Dark Elven, "Do you fear?"

You glance at Umrae.

Armaxis says, "Perhapsss He shall wish more..."
Armaxis glances at you.

Mahrekesh just arrived.

You say, "I do not fear.. but I am wary of what--"
You glance at Mahrekesh.

Mahrekesh narrows her eyes.


[More connectivity issues.]


[Underground, Hidden Wing]
This appears to be a small shrine of some sort.  Against the east wall is an altar with tarnished religious symbols on it.  The covering is tattered and the three pews here are dry and rotted.  For the first time you notice that the thick dust on the floor is punctuated by shallow footprints, leading you to think that this place is not as abandoned as you first imagined.
Also in the room: Mahrekesh who is kneeling, Umrae who is kneeling, Violetfeather who is kneeling, Armaxis who is kneeling
Obvious exits: west.

Armaxis says, "Respect must be given to His perfection."

Mahrekesh continues to beseech the gods for mercy and guidance.

Violetfeather continues to beseech the gods for mercy and guidance.

A slowly-creeping mist runs across the floor, its hue a sickly green.

Armaxis says, "Yesss...breathe the breath of the dead in..."

(Violetfeather arches her form down to be in the mist.)
Violetfeather lies down.

You gaze in wonder at your surroundings.
You say, "This is.."
You glance at Armaxis.

(Armaxis inhales deeply.)

Mahrekesh tilts her head back.
Mahrekesh slowly empties her lungs.

(Violetfeather inhales as well...pressed to the ground.)
Violetfeather inhales sharply, hissing through her teeth.
(Violetfeather rises slightly.)
Violetfeather moves to a kneeling position.
Violetfeather slowly empties her lungs.

(Alisaire shifts her weight, hands tightening on her blade as she watches the mist slowly fill the chamber.)

(Armaxis raises his eyes toward the altar, his mouth quickly forming frenzied prayers.)
Armaxis says, "Praise be to Him, praise be to the Lord of Death."

(Umrae bows her head to the altar.)
Umrae says in Dark Elven, "Praise be to Him."

You take a few steps to your left.

Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "I tremble beneath thee, Serpent. I praise you."

Mahrekesh shudders.

A hissing voice speaks, "I am not him.  I am a servant..."

(Violetfeather nods slowly.)
Violetfeather inhales sharply, hissing through her teeth.

(Alisaire sets her jaw resolutely, neither speaking nor kneeling -- only watching.)

Armaxis says, "Yesss, a favored of Him."
(Armaxis bows his head low.)
Armaxis asks, "We all do, we honor you in His name...what do you wish of usss?"

Umrae closes her eyes for a moment.
Umrae smiles.
(Umrae lowers he head to the floor in reverance.)

A sudden chill blows through the room.

You shiver.

Umrae says in Dark Elven, "Speak, and it will be done."

Violetfeather smiles again...as another drop of Armaxis's blood drips down to her lip then stops.

Armaxis smiles thinly, his hair blowing in the slight draft.

(Mahrekesh places a hand to her abdomen, her eyes downcast.)

You shift your weight.

(Armaxis continues to keep his head bowed low, waiting, listening.)

(Violetfeather presses her head to the floor.)

Armaxis removes a long black ritual dagger stained with crimson sigils along the length of its thin serpentine blade from in his brown robe.
Armaxis offers Violetfeather a long black ritual dagger stained with crimson sigils along the length of its thin serpentine blade.
Armaxis says, "Shed your blood for His glory."

Mahrekesh continues to beseech the gods for mercy and guidance.

Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "I....it is too much...."
Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "Shed my blood for me."

Mahrekesh sneers.

(Violetfeather extends her wrist towards Armaxis.)

(Alisaire steps back a few paces against the wall, eyes shifting from one person to the next, then back into the shadows.)

A faint, sibilant hiss rises up to your ear, "Ssserve him well."

(Armaxis fluidly draws the dagger over Violetfeather's wrist, a line of crimson blossoming on her flesh from the precise stroke.)

Umrae says in Dark Elven, "I will serve."

(Violetfeather turns her wrist over slowly, unflinchingly, and lets the crimson hit the ground.)

Armaxis offers Mahrekesh a long black ritual dagger stained with crimson sigils along the length of its thin serpentine blade.

Mahrekesh accepts Armaxis's black dagger.
Mahrekesh tilts her black dagger side to side, making the light play off it.
(Mahrekesh drags the dagger roughly across her slender throat, the blood pouring down her front.)
Mahrekesh offers Armaxis a long black ritual dagger stained with crimson sigils along the length of its thin serpentine blade.

Armaxis says, "Yesss, we all serve Him willingly...we shed blood for His glory."
Armaxis accepts Mahrekesh's black dagger.
(Armaxis stakes the dagger into the ground in front of him, thick trails of blood still dripping from its blade.  He raises his hands in a gesture of reverence.)

Another faint, sibilant hiss rises up around you as the chill pervades, "You have been told to gather the faith, Armaxisss, by our Lord.  You have done well, and he givesss you the rank of Priessst among our order.  Gather them again ssssoon."

Armaxis blinks.

You stare at Armaxis.

Mahrekesh smiles oddly to herself.
Mahrekesh nods to Armaxis.

Umrae shifts her eyes to Armaxis.

Armaxis says, "I...I am honored, my Lord."
(Armaxis drops his head low to the ground, his eyes completely covered by his hair.)

The hiss returns and fills the air with an almost chilling tone, "He has sssseen your offeringssss, Mahrekessssh, and he besssstows upon you the rank of Initiate."

(Mahrekesh bows low, and lays herself face down in front of the altar.)
Mahrekesh lies down.
Mahrekesh says, "I am humbled, My Lord."

(Armaxis whispers, "And very well-deserved...")

The voice slowly begins to fade, but not before saying "Know that he watchessss, thosssse of the faithful, and he rewardssss hissss sssservants well."

You take a few steps back.

Mahrekesh moves to a kneeling position.
Mahrekesh leans on her staff.
Mahrekesh continues to beseech the gods for mercy and guidance.

(Violetfeather prays slowly and quietly.)

"The faithful must gather ssssoon, hissss will sssshall be known.  You will know more."

(Alisaire continues to watch the scene, fascinated but withdrawn.)

Mahrekesh says, "We live to serve, Lord."
Mahrekesh bows.

(Armaxis murmurs, "We shall, we shall...")

Umrae says in Dark Elven, "I live to serve him."

The voice rises again, "You will eternally be in hisss ssservice, Umrae."

Umrae bows.
Umrae says in Dark Elven, "I only wish to serve him."
Umrae says in Dark Elven, "In life and death I serve."

Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "I await eagerly. I shall serve with all I have."

The hissing slowly fades away, and the chilling air begins to recede.

You survey the area.

Armaxis says, "We all will...we all will. His will shall be made whole..."

Umrae nods.

(Armaxis collapses, his pale skin quite a bit paler from the loss of blood.)
Armaxis falls over.

Umrae gazes in wonder at her surroundings.
Umrae shifts her eyes to Armaxis.

(Mahrekesh gazes in wonder at Armaxis.)

Umrae says in Dark Elven, "Hm, A wonder he stayed up this long."

Armaxis says, "Ah, my life force leaks slowly out to lend to His glory, His will...such a gloriousss night..."

Mahrekesh narrows her eyes.

Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "His will is great. Someday."
Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "A very glorious night."
Violetfeather grins.

Armaxis says, "I...must plan for the coming days."
Armaxis stands up.

Mahrekesh nods to Armaxis.

Umrae nods to Armaxis.
Umrae shifts her eyes to you.

You take a few steps to your left.

Umrae stands up.

Violetfeather stands up.

Mahrekesh leans on her staff.
Mahrekesh stands up.

Armaxis's serpent staff suddenly crawls up his arm and curls around his neck.
Armaxis says, "Come, Ouroboros."
Armaxis says, "If it is guidance you seek...thisss is the true path."
Armaxis nods to Violetfeather.

Violetfeather smiles.
Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "Guidance...and vengeance on two souls."

Mahrekesh turns to face Armaxis.
Mahrekesh bows to Armaxis.
Mahrekesh says, "Your rank was well deserved, my mentor."

Armaxis says, "I did not truly think it was deserved sssince my initiation...it was an..."
Armaxis says, "Honor beyond honors."

Mahrekesh nods to Armaxis.

(Umrae attempts to speak, but stops herself.)
Umrae shifts her eyes to Armaxis.

Armaxis raises an eyebrow in Umrae's direction.

(Umrae bows low to Armaxis.)

Armaxis says, "It was a pleasure to meet you, but I am afraid I did not catch your name.  A new face to the faith is a pleasant sight indeed."

Umrae asks in Dark Elven, "My... name...?"
Umrae clears her throat.
Umrae says in Dark Elven, "Umrae... o-oyss'Ndra."

Mahrekesh leans on her staff.

Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "Violetfeather Hummingbird."
Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "Least...that's the slip into Faendryl."

Armaxis nods.
Armaxis says, "I am sure you shall find the path of the emerald light a...fufilling one..."

Umrae says in Dark Elven, "I... am sure I will."

Violetfeather smiles.
Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "I as well."

You shift your weight.

Armaxis says, "The night drifts on, and I must enter meditation...I am sure I shall see you both soon in the coming days."
Armaxis nods to Mahrekesh.

Mahrekesh nods to Armaxis.

Armaxis's serpent suddenly uncoils from around his neck and crawls down his arm, straightening into a staff in his hand.

Umrae nods to Armaxis.
Umrae says in Dark Elven, "My Lord..."

Mahrekesh joins Armaxis's group.

Armaxis says, "Good evening, and may His coils eternally embrace your soul."
Armaxis rubs his symbol of Luukos.

Umrae bows to Armaxis.

Violetfeather says in Dark Elven, "Good eve...you do him much honor."

Armaxis turns around.
(Armaxis slowly walks off, leaning on his staff.)
Armaxis's group just went west.