The Griffin Sword Saga (storyline)/2002-02-12 - Morvule (log)

On 2/12/02, during one of Morvule's first appearances in game, he hints at the plans he has begun to put into motion ahead of the Griffin Sword Saga's formal start. He gathers those devoted to Luukos within the shrine hidden in the Coastal Cliffs near Wehnimer's Landing and reveals a hidden altar. Several of those present had prevously been marked by him as initiates within the Luukosian Order. He marks another, Dajamar, then demands that all bleed in Luukos' name, references the not-yet opened Solhaven Temple of Luukos, and departs.

This log 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: Mahrekesh who is kneeling, Loerya who is kneeling, Lord Dajamar who is kneeling, Achillea who is kneeling, Armaxis who is kneeling, Pollie who is kneeling
Obvious exits: west.

Armaxis says, "Welcome."

Umrae stumbles out of hiding.
Umrae tilts her head down.

(Armaxis glances back behind him, then lowers his head again.)

Mahrekesh closes her eyes for a moment.

Umrae kneels down.

(Achillea lies herself prostrate before the altar in total submission)
Achillea lies down.

(Pollie finishes her prayers  and lifts her head.)
Pollie softly kisses her Luukos symbol, murmuring to herself.

Achillea places her hand on her Luukos symbol.

(Umrae places her hands in front of her and bows to the altar, placing her head on the floor.)

Achillea moves to a kneeling position.

(Armaxis reaches a hand up to clutch his Luukos symbol tightly, his tendrils of hair obscuring his face as more prayers flow from his mouth.)

(Dajamar continues his quiet prayers, his eyes closed and head bowed before the altar)

(Loerya lowers her head closer to the floor while silently praying)

(Umrae prays quietly, head still pressed softly against the floor.)

Mahrekesh continues to beseech the gods for mercy and guidance.

Armaxis hangs his head.

The air begins to ripple slightly prayers are spoken, and a faint emerald glow pulses along the walls.

Achillea places her hand on her Luukos symbol.

Pollie softly kisses her Luukos symbol, murmuring to herself.

Mahrekesh traces the lines of her ophidian mark.

Achillea places her hand on her fang-shaped mark.

(Pollie drops to her knees at the sign)
Pollie kneels down.

Umrae covers her snake ring with her hand.

(Armaxis brings the dagger sharply down into the floor, his hands still clasped around it.)

Achillea closes her eyes for a moment.

(Dajamar bows deeply in supplication before the black altar)

Loerya places her hand on her Luukos symbol.

(Umrae continues her quiet prayers, her hand now fingering her ring.)

A flash of emerald light heralds the arrival of a figure cloaked in green mist.

You see Lord Morvule Thinevael the Luukosian High Priest.
He appears to be very old, has emerald slit-pupiled eyes, and dark green scaled skin.
He has a series of wavy ophidian marks upon his neck.
He is holding a dark wooden staff swirled with a sinuous spiral of black ora in his left hand.
He is wearing some dark flowing robes, a carved emerald Luukos symbol set upon a disc of bronze, a gleaming bronze ring set with a glittering red gem and a long deep-hooded cloak.

(Mahrekesh mumbles quiet prayers under her breath.)

Armaxis blinks.

Morvule nods.

(Dajamar remains bowed low before the altar)

Armaxis bows to Morvule.

(Achillea mouths quiet praise)

Morvule hisses, "I am... Morvule, and I am not familiar with your sss...speech much, sssservants.  But I have come, to let you know that the order has watched thissss region carefully, and you have been allowed to see the way.  I will explain."

Achillea bows to Morvule.

Armaxis says, "We are more than grateful, you do honor to His name."
Armaxis bows to Morvule.

(Dajamar bring his head up, bowing his head respectfully to the High Priest)

Mahrekesh bows to Morvule.

Loerya bows to Morvule.

(Pollie bows her head listening closely, her hand upon her symbol.)

Umrae bows to Morvule.

Morvule hisses, "There... is one that is not of your own."

A sudden fierce gust of wind howls through the area!

>look
[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: Lord Morvule, Alisaire who is kneeling, Mahrekesh who is kneeling, Loerya who is kneeling, Lord Dajamar who is kneeling, Achillea who is kneeling, Armaxis who is kneeling, Pollie who is kneeling
Obvious exits: west.

Morvule cocks his head at Alisaire.

Alisaire surveys the area.

Armaxis glances at Alisaire.

(Dajamar hisses quietly, his free hand straying to his dagger)

Mahrekesh narrows her eyes.

Pollie raises an eyebrow in Alisaire's direction.

Umrae blinks.

Achillea raises an eyebrow.

Morvule hisses, "Go if you do not bow to the Masssster."

(Alisaire leans back slightly from where the shadows had previosly concealed her.)
Alisaire says, "Very well.  The one I seek is not here."
Alisaire nods to Morvule.
Alisaire leans on her scythe.
Alisaire stands up.
(Alisaire turns abruptly on her heel, glancing one last time over those assembled.)
Alisaire just went west.

(Armaxis keeps his head low, though his eyes are narrowed.)

Morvule hisses, "Thisss...sss... shrine was built outsss... ssside another.  One that has sssstood here for millenia.  The leader of the dead cult that esssstablished thiss..sss... one only revealed it to his mosssst truss...ssted confidantssss."

(Dajamar sneers slightly, his eyes watching the western corridor a moment before bowing his head again)

Morvule hisses, "I now reveal it to you, may you revel in the Mas...ssster's ancient glory!"


[Everyone stands back up and follows Morvule through the newly-revealed dark tunnel hidden behind the altar.]


[Dark Tunnel]
The cavern's ceiling is lost in the cloying darkness above, and quiet dripping sounds rebound and echo about the massive chamber.  Two flickering torches are set upon the craggy grey walls, casting an uneasy light into the shadows that shroud the chamber.  The air is mildly chilly deep within the embrace of the earth, and the faint scent of decaying flesh hangs in the air like a fog.  You also see a dark hole.
Also in the room: Pollie, Umrae, Achillea, Mahrekesh, Lord Dajamar, Loerya, Armaxis
Obvious exits: north.

Armaxis's group just went north.
[Dark Cavern]
The tunnel opens up into a wide, circular chamber.  The craggy rock walls curve overhead into the darkness, their surfaces blackened through the years by the large torches set within them.  A large slab of granite sits in middle of the room, ringed with dark stains, ageless dust and charred stubs of wax.  Deep channels are carved into the stone floor, their crude yet sinuous routes weaving a radiating serpentine pattern around the slab.
Also in the room: Pollie, Umrae, Achillea, Mahrekesh, Lord Dajamar, Loerya, Armaxis, Lord Morvule
Obvious exits: south.

Armaxis kneels down.

Morvule smiles.

Loerya kneels down.

Dajamar leans on his staff.
Dajamar kneels down.

Achillea kneels down.

(Dajamar bows his head in respect)

Pollie kneels down.

Umrae kneels down.
(Umrae lowers her head.)

Mahrekesh kneels down.
(Mahrekesh presses her hands to the ground and bows her head low.)

Morvule hisses, "Thissss...sss... has sssstood here far longer than anything you may ever known.  We trusssst you with its ssssecret."

(Achillea gazes at the emerald eyes set upon the slab)
Achillea closes her eyes for a moment.

Morvule says, "Dajamar."

Morvule hisses, "Come to me and bleed for the Masssster, sssso that I may see your dedication and give you the mark befitting of your sss...station."

(Dajamar bows his head respectfully)
Dajamar leans on his staff.
Dajamar stands up.
(Dajamar steps before the slab, baring his pale forearm as he approaches)
Dajamar removes a wire-hilted black ora dagger from in his serpent-shaped bracers.
(Dajamar lays his forearm over the slab and quickly draws the dagger across the scarred skin, digging a deep wound)

Morvule hisses, "All of you shall bleed in the Masssster'ssss name."

Achillea smiles to herself.
Achillea places her hand on her Luukos symbol.

Umrae reaches out and touches a coiled snake ring.

(Dajamar hisses silently as he turns his arm over, the blood beginning to drop onto the slab)

Morvule hisses, "Very good."

Dajamar says, "in his name"
(Dajamar bows his head respectfully)

Pollie softly kisses her Luukos symbol, murmuring to herself.

Morvule says, "Kneel before me."

(Dajamar turns and kneels before Morvule, his head bowed)
Dajamar kneels down.

Morvule hisses, "Dajamar, you have not passssssed the order's gaze.  For your sss..ssservice and dedication to the cause, I grant you the rank of Initiate within the fold.  Do uss....ssss... proud."

(Dajamar bows deeply in supplication)

Morvule touches Dajamar's neck, and a flash of emerald light surrounds them both for a moment.

You see Lord Dajamar Nasci'Serpente the Giantman Prelate.
He appears to be in his 90's, has long, braided black hair, green eyes, and pale skin.
He has a dark ophidian mark on his neck, and a leering black demon tattoo on his neck.
He is in good shape.
He is holding a wire-hilted black ora dagger in his right hand.
He is wearing an emerald Luukos symbol, a crimson-eyed dark grey lizard, a deep black concealing greatcloak, some shadowy snakeskin armor, a Luukos crest, a silver-etched black ora armband, a pair of serpent-shaped bracers, a fine steel chain bracelet, some heavy black leather gloves tooled with images of serpents winding around the fingers, an ebony spidersilk satchel, a skull-runed obsidian scabbard, an ebony spidersilk pouch, some sleek onyx black hide trousers, and some dark cuffed slouch boots.

Dajamar says, "I exist only to serve, my Lord"

Morvule hisses, "Achillea... you have received the rank of War Initiate within the halls of Issssemule's Temple.  Know that now, and rise to bleed."

Achillea stands up.
(Achillea strides toward Morvule)
Achillea kneels down.
Achillea bows to Morvule.

(Dajamar stands and steps away from the slab...kneeling back with the assembled)

Achillea says, "My Blood, my life, my soul, for my Lord Luukos"

(Pollie offers her wrists to Dajamar.)

(Dajamar leans to the side and places the dagger in Pollie's hands)
Dajamar offers Pollie a wire-hilted black ora dagger.

Pollie accepts Dajamar's black ora dagger.

(Achillea takes her dagger and draws a clean slice across her left wrist, allowing the blood to fall upon the slab)

Morvule nods, his slitted eyes flickering in the dim light as the blood falls.

Achillea closes her eyes for a moment.

Morvule nods to Achillea.

(Achillea looks up to Morvule)
Achillea bows to Morvule.
Achillea stands up.

Morvule hisses, "The fang is ssssymbolic of the Masssster's armies, for with it you shall sss...strike at our enemies... the other is of the Priesthood."

You see Achillea Agonimis the Giantman.
She appears to be in her 40's, has very long black hair, dark eyes, and dark ski
She has a dark red fang-shaped mark on her neck.
She has some minor cuts and bruises on her left leg.
She has developed slurred speech.
She is holding a bronze-hued ceremonial dagger etched with the symbol of Luukos and hilted with an emerald serpent's head in her right hand.
She is wearing an emerald Luukos symbol, a fork-tongued emerald snake talisman, a black-ora Lornon medallion, a silver mane wand harness, a silk-lined supple leather cloak, a serpentine trimmed black robe, a solid silver armband, some supple fitted black leather hunts incised with a trim of emerald-set serpents, some black claw-tipped gloves, a flowing black silk skirt, some black spidersilk stockings, and a pair of onyx-heeled boots.

Achillea nods to Morvule.
(Achillea strides back, and kneels in her place)
Achillea kneels down.

Morvule hisses, "Armaxissss... you have resssseived your mark from me already, Priest.  Arise and bleed as your brethren have."

Armaxis nods.
Armaxis stands up.
(Armaxis walks before the altar, his head bowed and his right hand outstretched.)
(Armaxis slices the dagger deep into his flesh, the wound bleeding quickly as his blood soon joins the other's on the slab.)

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 wavy ophidian mark on his neck.
He is in good shape.
He is holding a long black ritual dagger stained with crimson sigils along the length of its thin serpentine blade in his right hand.
He is wearing a large coiled serpent, 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.

Morvule nods.

(Armaxis slowly backs away to kneel with the assembled.)
Armaxis kneels down.

Morvule hisses, "Loerya, rise to bleed."

Loerya nods to Morvule.
Loerya stands up.
Loerya removes a basket-hilted imflass longsword from in her finely tailored surcoat.

Achillea offers Loerya a tanik-handled white soulstone athame.

Loerya put a basket-hilted imflass longsword in her finely tailored surcoat.
Loerya accepts Achillea's white soulstone athame.
Loerya nods to Achillea.
(Loerya moves before the altar)
Loerya kneels down.
(Loerya slices her wrists and watches at the blood flows freely on the slab)

Morvule nods.

Morvule hisses, "Loerya, desssseptive one... keep your ways about you always, and you too shall be gifted with the mark when you are ready."

Loerya smiles quietly to herself.

Morvule touches Loerya on the shoulder.

Achillea smiles to herself

Loerya stands up.
(Loerya moves back with the others)
Loerya kneels down.

Morvule says, "Umrae.  Rise to bleed."

Umrae nods.
Umrae stands back up.
(Umrae moves to Morvule.)

Morvule raises an eyebrow.

Umrae says in Dark Elven, "I... I have no blade..."

Morvule offers Umrae a dark ceremonial dagger.

Umrae accepts Morvule's ceremonial dagger.
(Umrae places the dagger against her wrist, and presses hard, smiling to herself as her blood falls upon the slab.)

Morvule nods.

Morvule says, "Kneel before me."

Umrae kneels down.
(Umrae lowers her head in respect.)

Morvule hisses, "Umrae, you were watching when I first bessstowed rank.  Should you choose to sssserve, you will be ready in time as well."

Umrae says, "I await the day"

Morvule hisses, "The dagger."

Umrae offers Morvule a dark ceremonial dagger.

Morvule accepts Umrae's ceremonial dagger.

Umrae stands back up.
(Umrae moves back to the others.)
Umrae kneels down.

Morvule says, "Pollie.  Rise to bleed."

Pollie stands up.
(Pollie stands and moves to kneel before the priest.)
Pollie kneels down.
(Pollie draws the blade cleanly across the scars on her wrists, opening old wounds and allowing her blood to flow over the slab.)

Morvule nods.

Morvule hisses, "Pollie, your whisssspered prayers have not been unheard.  You will be ready sssssoon.  Do not fail ussss and you shall be gifted with the mark."

(Pollie bows her head humbely.)
Pollie stands up.

Morvule says, "Mahrekesh."

Mahrekesh nods.
Mahrekesh leans on her staff.
Mahrekesh stands up.

(Pollie moves back beside Dajamar)
Pollie offers Dajamar a wire-hilted black ora dagger.

(Dajamar bows his head slightly and accepts the dagger)
Dajamar accepts Pollie's black ora dagger.

Mahrekesh removes a bronze hilted ritual dagger from in her green vestment.
Mahrekesh stands in front of a dark granite slab.
Mahrekesh bows to Morvule.
(Mahrekesh raises her left arm above the slab and drags the dagger across her forearm.)

The sound of quietly dripping water drifts faintly through the chamber, echoing in the shadows before fading into silence.

Morvule smiles coldly.

Mahrekesh tilts her hilted ritual dagger side to side, making the light play off it.
(Mahrekesh smiles to herself as she watches her blood mix with the rest.)
Mahrekesh turns to face Morvule.
Mahrekesh bows to Morvule.

Morvule hisses, "Mahrekesh... you have received the rank already from me.  Do not fail ussss, Initiate."

Mahrekesh says, "I serve eternally, Lord."
(Mahrekesh turns and takes her place with the rest.)
Mahrekesh kneels down.

Morvule hisses, "Ssssso shall you all."

Pollie kneels down.

(Dajamar bows his head deeply)

(Armaxis prays quietly, his head bowed with the rest.)

Morvule hisses, "Reveal not the way to the fools of the foul moon.  This..ssss...way is for the Masssster's sssservants..sss alone."

Morvule hisses, "Ss..sssoon you will be allowed passsssage into the ss...ssouthern Temple.  You will know more in time, sssservants of the Great Masssster."

(Pollie bows her head listening intently to the words)

(Loerya bows her head lower nodding slightly)

Morvule hisses, "There are others who I have had in my ss...sssights that are not here.  Be ssssertain to tell them, and that they will be rewarded for their ss...ssservice."

Mahrekesh tilts her head down.

(Armaxis whispers faintly, "We will.")

(Umrae bows her head.)

Achillea nods.

Morvule hisses, "I musss...sst return... I will walk among you onsssse again when the passage south is opened to you."

Morvule hisses, "Sssserve the Great Masssster well."

(Pollie mutters quietly, "I live to serve him.")

Morvule bows to the altar, then raises his arms and disappears in a flash of emerald light.

Mahrekesh continues to beseech the gods for mercy and guidance.

Achillea places her hand on her Luukos symbol.

Umrae reaches out and touches a coiled snake ring.

Small bits of dust slowly drift about the chamber, flickering briefly in the dim torchlight before they dance back into the shadows.

(Dajamar bows deeply before the slab, his lips whispering silent prayers)

Armaxis runs his hand softly over the surface of his bronze Luukos symbol.  A sickly glow surrounds the symbol as its surface shimmers for a moment with the image of a green serpent on a field of brown.