The Griffin Sword Saga (storyline)/2002-11-10 - Shadows (log)

Kevralynn, a devout of the Huntress, has appointed herself as one of Alisaire's guard while she still holds the Griffin Sword's quillions. She had just rescued Alisaire from yet another round of the attacks, where the latter was shot in the leg with a poisoned arrows, when Alisaire hears the summons for that which she had been waiting. It is finally time to finish the deal that she had struck, after finding the quillions twelve days earlier. Draezir had promised to fully complete the ritual that had been interrupted months earlier. Alisaire quickly loses Kevralynn, then uses a gold ring to lose any others tailing her on the way to the hidden temples beneath Solhaven.

Morvule appears and uses the power of the temple's focus to teleport them both to beneath Shadowguard. Alisaire finally surrenders the quillions over to the Dark Alliance - although it is to Draezir and not to Morvule, that detail remaining a point of confusion in the years that followed. The quillions no longer in her possession, Draezir performs the ritual, as promised. Until Morvule stops him. Morvule insists that a lesson be learned, displeased with Alisaire not following blindly like others of Luukos, and the portal to "her" shadows is frozen, encased within a talisman, and not to be fully opened again for another ten centuries. Although it would sometimes stir in the months and years to follow, her shadows lashing out and devouring those who would try harm her.

This log is from Alisaire's perspective. It has been edited.

The rasp of scales suddenly enfolds you, the invisible coils tightening into a mild painful sensation before releasing.  A cold, reptilian voice says within your mind, "The temple.  Make haste to it."


[Dark Cavern]
The surroundings fade from the natural formations of a cavern to the smoothed, angular shape of a long hallway.  Emeralds set in sinuous patterns upon the wall glitter in the illumination cast from above.  Upon the north wall, a pair of massive bronze doors loom toward the ceiling, the gleaming surface of each engraved with interconnected patterns.  Two large sconces flank the entryway, the light from the flames reflecting off the lustrous surface of the highly polished floor.
Obvious exits: south.

You approach the doors, your bronze banded horn pulsing with a sickly green glow.  Suddenly the eyes of the serpent upon the doors begin to resonate with the same green light.  As the gems glow, a sibilant voice speaks, "You bear the ssssymbol of the Masssssster.  Know that you walk His groundsssss.  Sssshould you bear the ssssymbol in falsenessssss, then know that He has power over you evermore, deceitful one."

As the voice fades away, the pattern upon the doors comes alive, an enormous serpent of pure energy slithering forth and wrapping itself around you, completely blinding you with its sickly green light!  When you open your eyes, you see...

[Temple of Luukos]
Numerous columns of green-veined black marble rise up along the walls, the curved structures conforming perfectly to the vaulted ceiling.  Bronze braziers line the hall toward the north, each guarded by carved stone serpents that encircle their base protectively.  The soft glow cast by the braziers highlights the subtle striations in the walls of rock that surround you, the lustrous surface displaying faint streaks of crimson amidst the predominant brown and green hues.
Obvious exits: north, east, west.

You survey the area.

>north
[Temple of Luukos, Hall of Death]
A heavy silence hangs over the area, and even sounds made within the chamber seem muffled as if by some thick, unseen fog.  Flowing, wavy green and brown patterns slither across the walls, and the few lit sconces provide a dim illumination.  The intricate dance of shadow and light occasionally reveals the hazy forms of several tapestries, the scenes that they depict far darker than the blackness which shrouds the room.  You also see a pale 
priest.
Obvious exits: north, south.

You greet the priest...which ignores the overtures of goodwill.
You quietly say, "Eve to you, pale one." You quietly ask, "I heard a summons of sorts..?"

The pale priest says, "My superior will be telling you why, I'm sure."

A pale priest runs a finger across his black ora prayer beads, his eyes narrowing in satisfaction as he touches each.

You nod to the pale priest.
You ask, "He is here, then?"

Suddenly, wisps of crackling green energy burst from the ground, writhing about like the tentacles of some gigantic beast.  They rise up to form a glowing cage before you, and the hum of power fills the air.

The glowing cage of energy fades away, revealing Morvule.

You see 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 a long deep-hooded cloak, a gleaming bronze ring set with a glittering red gem, a carved emerald Luukos symbol set upon a disc of bronze and some dark flowing robes.

You say, "Ah."
You nod to Morvule in greeting.

Morvule hisses, "Come.  It issss time."

You blink.
You ask, "The ritual..?"

Morvule hisses, "Yessss."

A young lad dashes into the room, hands Morvule a message and dashes off.

A pale priest smiles.

You think to yourself, "So quickly... but.. good."
Alisaire smiles faintly and nods.

A pale priest runs a finger across his black ora prayer beads, his eyes narrowing in satisfaction as he touches each.

Morvule extends a clawed, scaly hand.

You quietly say, "Good."
You join Morvule.

Morvule hisses, "To the Easssst then."

You blink.
You cock your head at Morvule.

Morvule's eyes flash a bright viridian shade, and the air around him begins to waver in a hazy blur.  Flickering wisps of green energy slither along the ground before him.

Suddenly, the crackles of energy explode around you in a flash of brilliant light that completely obscures your vision!  Slowly, you realize your surroundings have changed.


[Dark Chamber]
Covered by a high, vaulted ceiling, this circular chamber is ringed by five pure black pillars set at precise points within the massive round border chiseled into the obsidian floor.  A second circle of deep black frames a huge, intricate pattern engraved into the floor's surface, the lines of each sending small vibrations of power humming through the surroundings.  Rows upon rows of black candles are set upon slender ledges upon the cavernous walls, illuminating the chamber in a gloomy, wavering light.
Also in the room: Morvule, Lord Draezir
Obvious exits: none.

>look pattern
The pattern appears to be eight triangles overlapped one another at different angles, each contained within a central, circular border.  Within the triangles is a single, intricate sigil forged of deep crimson eahnor.

Draezir leans on his staff.

You see Lord Draezir Moltoniron the Sheruvian High Priest.
He appears to be very old, has long, braided white hair, slate grey eyes, and tanned skin. He is in good shape.
He is holding an intricately carved felwood staff inlaid with thin black ora in his left hand.
He is wearing a faded leather satchel, some heavy black velvet robes sewn with runes the color of warm blood, an intricate crimson vaalin unholy symbol of Sheru, a narrow black ora sheath inlaid with crushed rubies and some dark leather boots.

You survey the area.
You nod to Draezir in greeting.

Draezir simply grins.

You say, "I am glad to hear that your preparations progress with such rapidity."

Morvule hisses, "Welcome to the landssss ssssurrounding SssshadowGuard... granted the earth beneath it issss not sssso sssscenic assss that which liessss atop it."

You cock your head.
You survey the area.

Morvule hisses, "The piece.  It must be... contained before the energy issss drawn."

You ask, "Contained?"

Morvule hisses, "Yessss.  It could interfere with your bond when the time comessss."

You furrow your brow, probably adding a wrinkle or two in the process.
You glance at Morvule. You ask, "How can I be certain that the ritual will be completed, then?"

Draezir carefully watches you.

Morvule hisses, "It will be.  It issss already half-prepared, do you think we would expend ssssuch energy carving out the wallssss of rock itself for ssssuch a thing were we not to make usssse of it?"

You quietly ask, "And this time it will be completed--in full?" 
(Alisaire watches first Morvule then Draezir, standing her ground.)

Morvule hisses, "Completely."

(Alisaire stands silent for a long moment, then nods, apparently satisfied.)
You quietly say, "Very well, then."
You glance at a wine-colored drawstring bag.
You remove a wine-colored drawstring bag from in your grey leather satchel.

Draezir leans forward.

You say, "As agreed upon, my end of the bargain."
You nod to Draezir.
You remove some fine gold quillions from in your drawstring bag.
You show Draezir your gold quillions.

Draezir smiles.

You say, "As found north of Solhaven, in the forests of the Cairnfang." You quietly say, "The ritual Will be completed, for them." 
You offer your gold quillions to Draezir, who has 30 seconds to accept the offer.  Type CANCEL to prematurely cancel the offer.

Draezir has accepted your offer and is now holding some fine gold quillions.

Draezir says, "Excellent."

You think to yourself, "Finally.. finally it will be done."
You put a wine-colored drawstring bag in your grey leather satchel.

Draezir makes a faint gesture, and the quillions vanish in a small wisp of shadow.

(Alisaire shivers slightly, then presses one hand against her thigh.) 
You think to yourself, "Not now.. not now, the poison must hold off."

Morvule nods with a slight smile, then slowly walks toward the outer ring of the chamber, his slitted eyes watching the surroundings intently.

You glance at Draezir.
You ponder the meaning of Draezir's existence.

Draezir says, "Please, stand within the circle."

(Alisaire's eyes warily roam around the chamber, pausing to study the patterns on the floor.)

You nod.
You stride a few steps forward.
(Alisaire positions herself in the center of the circle, still keeping an eye on both Draezir and Morvule.)

Draezir tilts his head and begins to murmur a recurring chant as he walks across the room in precise angles, his movements following the pattern engraved on the floor.

The hum of power emanating from the floor steadily grows stronger, the sound more felt through the skin than heard.

You tilt your head down.

Draezir continues his slow, methodical walk.  His voice raises in a low, monastic chant as he spreads his arms in a precise gesture.

(Alisaire studies the floor, silent, listening to the chant.)

The rise and fall of the hum grows steadily stronger, and faint tendrils of energy race along the floor.

You tense, beads of sweat forming on your brow.

Draezir reaches the middle of the pattern and claps his hands together sharply, raising his head up in one swift movement to incant a phrase in a strange tongue.

Draezir raises his hands above him and begins to gesture fiercely into the air, his voice rising and falling with the pace of his arcane gestures.

(Alisaire shivers again, her hand pressed more tightly against her thigh. She continues to stand tall in the circle, though, her eyes drawn over to watch Draezir.)

The hum grows to a nearly deafening pitch, rattling the bones in your body as it rises and falls.  The pattern upon the floor seems to shift as if a current in thick oil.

Draezir raises his hands above his head as far as they'll go, his hands crooked as if in a gesture of welcoming.  His head lowers in a slight bow, and suddenly the candles in the room go out completely for a mere heartbeat.

You think to yourself, "Not now.. Damnit. Of all times for someone to let an arrow such as that fly..  Focus on them, it will be now."
You furrow your brow, probably adding a wrinkle or two in the process.
You glance at Draezir.

As the candlelight springs back to life, a dark orb of utter blackness hovers just inches from Draezir's hands, its surface rippling and glistening as if it were liquid.

Draezir takes the dark orb into his hands, the shadowy sphere rippling wildly in response before settling again.  With a steady hand, he places it upon the floor where it begins to ripple intensely once again.

(Alisaire's eyes widen almost imperceptibly, now focused on the black orb.)

The hum of power in the room rises once again, the tempo resembling that of a heartbeat.  The sphere of shadow resting upon the eahnor sigil begins to resonate and pulse with the same beat.

You think to yourself, "The shadows... ah.. it is them.." 
Alisaire smiles faintly, eyes now totally drawn to the orb.

Draezir steps back from the orb.  He lowers his head as he begins to incant arcane phrases, his hushed voice barely heard over the hum of building power steadily throbbing in the room.

The orb begins to stretch as it pulses in synch with the hum emanating from the surroundings, its surface thinning out to near inches as it grows taller.

You shiver.

Draezir nods, and the orb stops its intense growing.  It now stands as tall as him, and looks more like a doorway than anything else.

You softly say, "They come.. again.."

A pair of acolytes walks in and throws a bound and gagged man upon the floor, his panicked eyes look wildly up at the portal and he begins to rapidly shake his head back and forth.

Draezir draws forth a dagger from his robes and lifts the man up by the back of his neck effortlessly.  Facing him toward the portal, he leans forward and whispers one word - "Come."  Immediately, the dagger's blade slices the man's jugular, and Draezir tosses him to the ground carelessly, where his life soon expires in seconds.

(Alisaire continues to watch, fascinated.  She starts upon seeing the man, but does not move or further speak.)
You rub your chin thoughtfully.
You think to yourself, "Mind and Spirit."

The portal begins to ripple wildly, its form nearly collapsing as the intense undulations make it appear to boil from the inside.

You smile quietly to yourself.

Morvule hisses, "Ceasssse for now."

You glance at Morvule.
You ask, "Cease?"
You quietly say, "No, do not stop, not now..  They are.. they are almost here."

Draezir suddenly tilts his hand with a smirk, and the tendril slithers back into the gateway.  Within a split-second, the rippling black portal freezes utterly, its surface sheened over with an icy coating.

You glance at Draezir.

Morvule hisses, "It can wait."

You stare at Morvule.
You say, "Tonight."
You clench your jaw.
You think to yourself, "What deceit is this..?"
You firmly say, "Call them, now, tonight."
You stare at Draezir.

Morvule hisses, "You realize, Dark Daughter... that we know sssso *many* thingssss about you.  We know of your tiessss to the "Family"..."

You glance at Morvule.
You quietly say, "Tonight."
You quietly say, "I care not of what you know."

Morvule hisses, "I wassss there when the jewel of your people sssshattered underneath cloudssss of ashen fire.  But ah, that issss not what I am here to disssscusssss."

You narrow your eyes.
(Alisaire takes half a step toward Morvule, hand still firmly held against her thigh.)
You firmly say, "Tonight."

Morvule hisses, "It issss of your thoughts... of your "plans" made with the Lo'Mai... do you think that we would be sssso *eassssily* manipulated by you?"

You stare at Morvule.
You harshly say, "I thought of no such things, hence my messages to you - hence the fact that I have only approached those who would seek to purchase such a trinket or serve Liabo."

Morvule hisses, "Such treacheroussss thoughtssss are not what I expect of you, you who hold... ah, *held* ssssuch fate in your handssss and professsss to be your alliessss."

Morvule smirks.

You clench your jaw.
You remove a naginata from in your leather weapons harness.
You harshly say, "Had you listened to my messages, you would have heard the Truth of the matter, Morvule."

Morvule hisses, "I know what you thought.  You thought to make ussss a PAWN of your people, Dark Daughter.  Manipulate our forcessss againsssst your ancient enemy, mmm?"

(Alisaire lifts her chin slightly.)
You quickly say, "Eii, I played those who would listen, those who sought a quick fame or to bring the wings to the 'Light'."
You ask, "Did I play such games with you?"
You ask, "Did I?"
You stare at Morvule.
You harshly say, "My words have been true; there are but a few who have listened to what they really say."
You glance at Draezir.

Morvule hisses, "You considered it.  I have feasted upon the ssssoulssss of lambssss for lessssser offenssssessss."

You glance at Morvule.
You say, "You have the quillions, the deal has been carried out, as promised."
You stare at Draezir.

Morvule hisses, "Mmm.  The deal..."

You harshly say, "Now it must be completed."
You glance at Morvule.

Morvule hisses, "Yes, the deal.  You sssshall have what you wish, Alisaire.  You sssshall be with them."

>wait
Time drags on by...
Roundtime: 2 sec.

Draezir glances at Morvule.

Morvule hisses, "But a lesson sssshall be given to you assss well.  Ssssomething that will *ensure* your loyalty from thissss point on."

You narrow your eyes.

Morvule nods to Draezir, and steps back with a smile.

(Alisaire glances from Morvule to Draezir, then back again, suddenly uncertain.)
You think to yourself, "Loyalty?  Feh, I will not bow to any arkati as god."

Draezir slowly nods.

Draezir flicks his hand idly, and the portal begins to ripple wildly again.  Slowly, something *shifts* within the portal, and a tendril blacker than the shadowy substance that makes up the gateway reaches out tentatively toward Alisaire.  A voice colder than ice says, "Existenccccee... yeeeeees..."

Alisaire smiles faintly, distracted by the voice within the portal, her eyes quickly turning toward it.

The tendril of blackness stretches in languid movements and Draezir snaps his head in a nod.  Suddenly, the portal closes in on itself, snapping the tendril at its base and letting it writhe on the floor.

You blink.
You glance at Draezir.

Draezir nods again, and the tendril of utter shadow suddenly solidifies, becoming a silver-bound shadowy crystal talisman that drops to the floor with a *TINK!*

>look
[Dark Chamber]
Covered by a high, vaulted ceiling, this circular chamber is ringed by five pure black pillars set at precise points within the massive round border chiseled into the obsidian floor.  A second circle of deep black frames a huge, intricate pattern engraved into the floor's surface, the lines of each sending small vibrations of power humming through the surroundings.  Rows upon rows of black candles are set upon slender ledges upon the cavernous walls, illuminating the chamber in a gloomy, wavering light.  You also see a silver-bound shadowy crystal talisman.
Also in the room: Morvule, Lord Draezir
Obvious exits: none.

You blink.

Morvule hisses, "Take it."

You glance at Draezir.
You glance at Morvule.

Draezir folds his arms over his chest.

You hesitantly ask, "What is it..?"

Morvule hisses firmly, "Take it."

You stride a few steps forward.
You kneel down.
You pick up a silver-bound shadowy crystal talisman.
You furrow your brow, probably adding a wrinkle or two in the process. 
You glance at a silver-bound shadowy crystal talisman.

>look talisman
Bound in flawless silver wrought with precise, flowing patterns across its surface, the talisman is crafted from a hexagonal piece of dark crystal. Shadows roil within the heart of the faceted gem, constantly shifting as if writhing within a miasma of night itself.  A single intricate sigil of deep crimson eahnor is set upon the exact center of the crystal's surface, its edges seemingly burned into the jewel itself.

Morvule hisses, "It issss what wassss promissssed... with the lessssson integrated into it, of coursssse."

Morvule smirks.

You softly say, "No.. wait.. the shadows, not like.. not like.. not like this.."
You stand back up.
You take a few steps back.
You stare at Morvule.

Morvule hisses, "You will be fortunate if we consider you worthy enough to truly be with them in the next ten centuries.  Remember the price of betrayal.  I will not ssssuffer ssssuch thingssss in the rankssss.  Remember it well, Alissssaire."

You feel yourself being pulled away...
[Temple of Luukos, Hall of Death]
A heavy silence hangs over the area, and even sounds made within the chamber seem muffled as if by some thick, unseen fog.  Flowing, wavy green and brown patterns slither across the walls, and the few lit sconces provide a dim illumination.  The intricate dance of shadow and light occasionally reveals the hazy forms of several tapestries, the scenes that they depict far darker than the blackness which shrouds the room.  You also see a pale 
priest.
Obvious exits: north, south.

You exclaim, "Not like this!"
You groan.
You suddenly stumble for no apparent reason.

A pale priest says, "Mind your steps within these halls, I am not the only pair of eyes within them."  He simply smiles knowingly afterwards and continues with his business.

You try to figure out how to ignore yourself.
(Alisaire stares at the talisman, no words coming to her lips.)

A pale priest runs a finger across his black ora prayer beads, his eyes narrowing in satisfaction as he touches each.

You try to figure out how to ignore yourself.
You think to yourself, "Not like this!"
You close your eyes for a moment.
You glare at a pale priest, who doesn't seem to care.
You turn around.

>south
[Temple of Luukos]
Numerous columns of green-veined black marble rise up along the walls, the curved structures conforming perfectly to the vaulted ceiling.  Bronze braziers line the hall toward the north, each guarded by carved stone serpents that encircle their base protectively.  The soft glow cast by the braziers highlights the subtle striations in the walls of rock that surround you, the lustrous surface displaying faint streaks of crimson amidst 
the predominant brown and green hues.
Obvious exits: north, east, west.

>go door
[Dark Cavern]
The surroundings fade from the natural formations of a cavern to the smoothed, angular shape of a long hallway.  Emeralds set in sinuous patterns upon the wall glitter in the illumination cast from above.  Upon the north wall, a pair of massive bronze doors loom toward the ceiling, the gleaming surface of each engraved with interconnected patterns.  Two large sconces flank the entryway, the light from the flames reflecting off the lustrous surface of the highly polished floor. 
Obvious exits: south.

You shiver.
Your body tenses as you tighten your grip on your shadowy crystal talisman.
You softly say, "No, no.."
You feel a bit weak in the knees and find yourself wobbling.

You approach the doors, your bronze banded horn pulsing with a sickly green glow.  Suddenly the eyes of the serpent upon the doors begin to resonate with the same green light.  As the gems glow, a sibilant voice speaks, "You bear the ssssymbol of the Masssssster.  Know that you walk His groundsssss.  Sssshould you bear the ssssymbol in falsenessssss, then know that He has power over you evermore, deceitful one."

As the voice fades away, the pattern upon the doors comes alive, an enormous serpent of pure energy slithering forth and wrapping itself around you, completely blinding you with its sickly green light!  When you open your eyes, you see...

[Temple of Luukos]
Numerous columns of green-veined black marble rise up along the walls, the curved structures conforming perfectly to the vaulted ceiling.  Bronze braziers line the hall toward the north, each guarded by carved stone serpents that encircle their base protectively.  The soft glow cast by the braziers highlights the subtle striations in the walls of rock that surround you, the lustrous surface displaying faint streaks of crimson amidst the predominant brown and green hues.
Obvious exits: north, east, west.

>north
[Temple of Luukos, Hall of Death]
A heavy silence hangs over the area, and even sounds made within the chamber seem muffled as if by some thick, unseen fog.  Flowing, wavy green and brown patterns slither across the walls, and the few lit sconces provide a dim illumination.  The intricate dance of shadow and light occasionally reveals the hazy forms of several tapestries, the scenes that they depict far darker than the blackness which shrouds the room.  You also see a pale priest.
Obvious exits: north, south.

You exclaim, "Morvule!"
You shriek!
The talisman shivers in your grasp, as if it were trying to break itself.
You belt out, "Morvule!  Not like.. not like this!"

You stare at the shadowy crystal talisman intently, the core of the dark jewel suddenly becoming alive in a veritable explosion of movement.  Black tendrils of shadow writhe within the heart of the talisman, their subtle undulations seemingly beckoning you toward them.  Faint, almost intangible whispers suddenly fill your mind, the sounds so very familiar to you as you lose yourself in the expansive darkness.  You find yourself drifting upon currents spawned from within an endless void, alone and yet wrapped within the very tapestry of living shadow itself for a few brief moments of perfect and utter harmony.  And then the vision fades, giving way to the brightness of the world around you as the talisman's core slowly solidifies again.

You gibber incoherently.
You close your eyes for a moment.
You shiver.

A pale priest silently paces the room, his robes swishing about him.

You softly say, "It wasn't.. it wasn't supposed to be like this.."
You groan.
You glance at a pale priest.
You glare.
You harshly ask, "Where is he?"
Your hand trembles.

A pale priest says, "Still where he was, I imagine."

(Alisaire's eyes are drawn back to the talisman, her fingers nervously turning it over and over in her hand.)
You shake your head.
You softly say, "It wasn't.. no.. it wasn't supposed to be like this.."
You softly say, "He was.. he was supposed to summon them, not.. not trap them."

You stare at the shadowy crystal talisman intently, the core of the dark jewel suddenly becoming alive in a veritable explosion of movement.  Black tendrils of shadow writhe within the heart of the talisman, their subtle undulations seemingly beckoning you toward them.  Faint, almost intangible whispers suddenly fill your mind, the sounds so very familiar to you as you lose yourself in the expansive darkness.  You find yourself drifting upon currents spawned from within an endless void, alone and yet wrapped within the very tapestry of living shadow itself for a few brief moments of perfect and utter harmony.  And then the vision fades, giving way to the brightness of the world around you as the talisman's core slowly solidifies again.

A pale priest asks, "One such as him can simply see right through deception, I take it you had some... things that angered him?"

You glance at a pale priest.
You harshly say, "I remained true to the deal."

A pale priest says, "Most of the fold is unwaveringly loyal, you see.  My superiors expect no less.  I suppose he wanted to... reign in your blood's tendencies."

A pale priest gives a half-shrug.

You narrow your eyes.
You harshly ask, "I kept my end of the bargain.  Is that not enough?" 
You stare at a pale priest.

A pale priest says, "It is not for me to say, now is it?  The path you have chosen to walk is fraught with difficulty."

You scowl at a pale priest.
You quickly ask, "But.. but.. how can they be here?  Fully?  How can I call them from this?"

A pale priest gives another half-shrug.

(Alisaire frantically shakes the talisman, thrusting it at the priest.)

A pale priest asks, "I was not there.  What did he say?"

You shake your head.
You quietly say, "He.. he said nothing."

A pale priest asks, "Did he?"

You glance at a silver-bound shadowy crystal talisman.

A pale priest says, "Interesting."

You think to yourself, "I must speak with him again.  Damnit!  Why did it have to be this way?!" You clench your jaw.
You shake your head.

A pale priest says, "I could provide no insight without... all the facts, you realize."

A pale priest smiles slightly.

You glance at a pale priest.
You say, "He said nothing of how to .. to call them from this thing."

You stare at the shadowy crystal talisman intently, the core of the dark jewel suddenly becoming alive in a veritable explosion of movement.  Black tendrils of shadow writhe within the heart of the talisman, their subtle undulations seemingly beckoning you toward them.  Faint, almost intangible whispers suddenly fill your mind, the sounds so very familiar to you as you lose yourself in the expansive darkness.  You find yourself drifting upon currents spawned from within an endless void, alone and yet wrapped within the very tapestry of living shadow itself for a few brief moments of perfect and utter harmony.  And then the vision fades, giving way to the brightness of the world around you as the talisman's core slowly solidifies again.

You shiver.

You bring the shadowy crystal talisman up to your ear and listen intently for a few moments.  Whispers fill your mind, each stabbing like an icicle within your skull as their excited pitch reaches some semblance of coherence...

"The dawn of our awakening shall come."

The cacophony of icy whispers fades into normality again, and the talisman goes still.

A pale priest asks, "What did he say before the presentation of this... object?"

You hesitantly say, "Draezir?  He .. he said little, but.. but they were called.  I saw the sacrifice of the one, and then.. they were in the portal.."
(Alisaire turns the talisman over in her hands, intently studying it from all angles.)
You softly say, "There has to be a way.. a way to draw them from it."

A pale priest gives another half-shrug.

You glance at a pale priest.

A pale priest says, "Perhaps it was a lesson if what you desired was not truly fufilled."

You blink.
You say, "I kept my half of the deal."
You scowl at a pale priest.

A pale priest says, "Do not lash out in anger at me.  I have done nothing to you.  I only explain my thoughts."

You clench your jaw.
You ask, "You.. you speak with them oft, eii?  When will they return, or do they remain in the east for now?"
You shiver.
You put a naginata in your leather weapons harness.

A pale priest says, "They remain in the East, yes.  Their campaign is a combined force of every faction's power for the time being."

(Alisaire places her free hand onto her thigh again, though she continues to watch the priest.)
You nod.
You softly say, "Then.. then I'll go east and ask them."

A pale priest says, "If it indeed, was a lesson..."

You ask, "Can you send them word--that, that I wish to speak with them, of the shadows?"

A pale priest glances over at you.

You glance at a pale priest.

A pale priest says, "I would learn from it, were there any words spoken to be learned from."

A pale priest says, "I will send word to those I can."

You shiver.
You nod to the pale priest.
You quietly say, "Sha'haisa."
You think to yourself, "And a lesson was learned, though I was the fool for thinking deals would be so straight forward again."
You slowly and deliberately empty your filled lungs.

You stare at the shadowy crystal talisman intently, the core of the dark jewel suddenly becoming alive in a veritable explosion of movement.  Black tendrils of shadow writhe within the heart of the talisman, their subtle undulations seemingly beckoning you toward them.  Faint, almost intangible whispers suddenly fill your mind, the sounds so very familiar to you as you lose yourself in the expansive darkness.  You find yourself drifting upon currents spawned from within an endless void, alone and yet wrapped within the very tapestry of living shadow itself for a few brief moments of perfect and utter harmony.  And then the vision fades, giving way to the brightness of the world around you as the talisman's core slowly solidifies 
again.

You softly say, "East, east... eii, that's the route..  And, and there I'll find out how to draw them out."

You trail your fingers lightly over the shadowy crystal talisman, and tendrils of darkness reach out from the talisman's core, mirroring your movements as if longing to touch them without the impenetrable barrier between you and it.

You shiver.

A pale priest says, "Good luck, then."

You softly say, "There has to be a way."
(Alisaire swallows heavily and nods to the priest.)
You quietly say, "Sha'haisa, pale one."

A pale priest says, "You're welcome.  Fair evening to you."

A pale priest just went north.

You softly say, "And to you.."

(Alisaire stares blankly toward the north, her hand trembling as it grips the talisman.) 
You close your eyes for a moment.
You softly say, "There has to be a way.. there has to."
You put on a silver-bound shadowy crystal talisman.