The Griffin Sword Saga (storyline)/2005-09-06 - Sylvirria (log)

With the end of the world nigh and the Griffin Sword Saga drawing to a close, demonic and undead armies of the Dark Alliance risen across Elanthia and besieging many towns and cities with wave after wave of invasion. Maluverre finally relents, having been sought fervently by Volierre in Solhaven to complete an unfinished ritual that each had started independently of one another many years apart. Several have now pieced together some, or most, of what happened and what must happen, and they sway Maluverre to finally act.

This log takes place on 9/6/05 and is from Raelee's perspective.

First, Maluverre finally shares his history, revealing much about the Illistim cult of Gosaena, the ancient temple, and what happened to Sylvirria.

Maluverre says, "There are some things I need to explain, some things that... are not all that pleasant."

Maluverre says, "I regret not having told some of you prior to this. It is not something one discusses with many people, if anyone at all. I had tried to run from it, and I was successful, for a time..."

Maluverre says, "But fate never forgets."

Maluverre says, "Suffice it to say, I was indeed a member of the cult of Gosaena that operates out of Illistim."

Maluverre says, "This cult operates in a very specific fashion, with parts of the sect remaining dormant and others fulfilling specific roles for long periods of time."

Maluverre says, "It so happens that I rose to power in this cult when their period was in decline. The Right Hand of Gosaena."

Maluverre says, "As I had not been indoctrined in the tenets of the Right Hand officially, they allowed me to remain with the Left Hand of the cult when the Right's period of silence and meditation began, and I continued my studies there."

Maluverre says, "As it happens, the Left Hand has a very different philosophy than the Right Hand..."

Maluverre says, "They value power much more than the Right."

Maluverre says, "And they have a long history of recognizing and utilizing it, sometimes to great benefit, other times to great disaster..."

Maluverre says, "I was... in love with a woman at the time, whom I had met in the Right Hand. She was low-ranking, but it mattered little in our private lives."

Maluverre glances around himself, as if he wasn't here.

Maluverre says, "She was the one who named this ship..."

Maluverre says, "She was the one who loved the city, so, so much."

Maluverre says, "It was why I took this ship -- her ship -- out of its cobwebbed storage the day the Miscere'Golab appeared in our skies..."

Maluverre says, "... for her city."

Maluverre seems to regain some composure.

Maluverre says, "But that is... not important. What is important is that we were part of a research team that was tasked with finding important religious sites, as they dot our ancestral countryside..."

Maluverre says, "My love, she was so very talented at finding ruins. It is what originally sparked my interest in archaeology..."

Maluverre says, "She found something, while heading out on a lone expedition, I... did not know what happened then, but when she returned, she was different."

Maluverre says, "It was among the first convenes of the Left Hand when it happened. She... changed, wholly. It is... indescribable."

Maluverre says, "And the Left Hand knows power when they see it."

Maluverre says, "I had risen to one of the very few seats of power, but was unable to sway the other members on the wisest course of actions -- according to them, it was to place her in a chamber, and use her for her power and her chosen status."

Maluverre says, "She... could not live such as that... an object of abject and misguided faith."

Maluverre says, "She escaped. We spoke, one last time, before she left... of the ruins, briefly. I honestly do not remember much of that night..."

Maluverre says, "She did things, inexplicable things, to those of us who do not have her sight."

Maluverre says, "And the Left Hand, they tracked her down..."

Maluverre says, "...and found her."

Maluverre says, "I could not bear to see her as this again, so I did what I could on my own terms. There were two options -- to kill her, or to have her sleep forevermore."

Maluverre says, "The fold of Gosaena has very powerful magic at their dispense, one of which is an irreversible stasis spell..."

The ship sails on, the black temple looming ominously close as the mountains pass by below.

Maluverre says, "I persuaded those in power for the latter option, not knowing how I would pull of what I intended to..."

Maluverre says, "But, she was sealed away. And I... stepped down from the cult."

Maluverre says, "I looked into her research, trying to find out what may have happened to her from beyond what she had told me."

Maluverre says, "And I found what had happened... I found the temple that she found."

Maluverre says, "It is... ancient. And hidden, hidden so well. Something happened that changed me..."

Maluverre says, "I became the Keeper of the Present, as the archaic names in the temple would term it..."

Maluverre says, "I... found that I could pass through this world unnoticed should I choose, and needless to say, this suddenly became a very great asset."

Maluverre says, "A few missives and people believed I was dead, and then, then I took her away..."

Maluverre says, "I had hoped that the temple would let me do something, help me awaken her."

Maluverre says, "But I could not. The stasis spells cannot be broken."

Maluverre glances around a bit, then makes a slight gesture.

Maluverre says, "I want no power. I never have. And if you think that is all I am after, then you may step outside."

Maluverre looks surprisingly angry for a moment, then settles down.

Maluverre says, "Regardless."

Maluverre says, "For years, I have moved around, assumed so many names, kept my love at my side, dead but dreaming..."

Maluverre says, "And I couldn't do a thing. I couldn't do a thing."

Maluverre says, "But now, maybe..."

Maluverre says, "But I forget myself, I want to explain things... you deserve the truth."

Maluverre says, "Volierre has also been to this temple. He too, was changed, and became the manifestation of the Past. The Foundation."

Maluverre says, "What occurred, I still do not exactly understand. The temple was used in a rite older than most civilization, a Cycle."

Maluverre says, "It had to be completed in a certain way... the three parts of the cycle, the Foundation, the Keeper, and the Advent... needed to do something, and I still do not know what that is..."

Maluverre says, "I do not know where Volierre is, but it matters little. If this does not work, then it... will matter little at this point."

Senvelen asks, "Is she the Advent?"

Maluverre says, "She is."

Maluverre says, "He seems to have an overwhelming urge to harm me, and more importantly, her, so I had to flee. The Left Hand is not a large concern, at this point..."

Maluverre says, "But he was under their control, although, this was not a willing matter."

Maluverre says, "Insofar as I am able to deduce, he was tricked into mapping out the temple -- which I had hoped would remain hidden from their eyes, as only myself and my love had known of its location."

Maluverre says, "He was, apparently, a brilliant cartographer and scholar... and they, too, used him, unsure of what would happen when he was placed in the temple."

Maluverre says, "When he returned, he too, was changed..."

Maluverre says, "He was the Foundation. He could see the past..."

Maluverre says, "But he could not see me, for I was the Keeper of the Present."

Maluverre says, "But they had bound him under a geas, and forced him to do what they wished, and they wanted to find her..."

Maluverre says, "That is not his way. He merely... sees everything that has ever occurred."

Maluverre says, "I broke the geas upon him, but this seemed to only enrage him further once he thought I was no longer dead."

Maluverre says, "The Left Hand could no longer use him as a puppet for their designs. In my eyes, they have gone far beyond mere philosophical differences and committed atrocity against their own fundamental beliefs -- they treated the Silent Path as an excuse to gain power by any means, not the other way around."

Maluverre says, "You would think so. But the Past cannot glimpse the Future, nor the Present. It can only glimpse the Past."

Maluverre says, "He has spoken of not being able to gaze on pieces of this All-Pattern. I have heard him scream it in my head when I was there."

Maluverre says, "But... because of what happened..."

Maluverre says, "It is why I left you when I did. If any of you speak with Yukito, do apologize for me, I intentionally sent that letter to him, knowing that Volierre would likely find it. I had to throw him off her scent. If he found her and harmed her..."

Maluverre says, "Then I could not forgive myself."

The spires of the city of Ta'Illistim loom in the distance as the airship slowly starts to descend.

Maluverre says, "She has... always been here."

Maluverre stares out at the city.

Maluverre says, "In her city. Away from those who would do her harm. ."

Maluverre says, "I will see if I can awaken her... my friend, he said... to visit her one last time."

Maluverre takes those gathered with him aboard his airship to his home in Ta'Illistim. There, thanks to Volierre's assistance, Sylvirria finally awakens. Returning to Solhaven and its Temple of Gosaena, Sylvirria and Maluverre explain even more before they vanish - to join with Volierre to complete their shared ritual in the heart of the ancient temple they had uncovered. A scrying orb remains behind, allowing those gathered to watch the ritual's completion.

[Temple, Inner Sanctum]
A heavy granite slab dominates the northern wall, its mottled grey surface rough and unadorned.  Standing before the slab, a low altar at her feet, is a life-sized grey marble statue of a woman, her voluminous outstretched wings flowing up nearly to the ceiling then sloping down in a cascade of intricate feathers to her sides.  Rows of tall pillar candles cast the chamber in a dim, shifting glow, the wavering candlelight doing nothing to drive off the faint chill that pervades the utterly still air.  You also see a pair of arched mistwood doors.
Also here: Evelith, Flity, Seaaira, Kateerina, Lady Stormcare, Kairyu, Nuadjha, Lord Fulmen, Journeyman Gulltrie, Lady Kyleeannia, Lord Shadurann, Kerl, Lady Eleana, Airemet, Keloin, Glatt, Ichiko, High Lord Svardin, Jaysehn, Jolena, Khistian, Stunseed, Great Lady Entress, Lord Shonison, Auriia, Shirkon, Lady Tymberra, Charna, Laleena, Daiyana, Constellous, High Lord Werre, Eilithyia, Mourdeyan, Aemergin, Koleph, Lady Arwen, Sheelanagig, Nilandia, Myrisa, Naelan, Oravia, Kediaq, Godefroy, Senvelen, Sylayn, Glimmin, Kilthal, Great Lord Kabriel, Lady Eiadh, Augie, Ulial, Fhiur, Redem, Lady Evangalea, Lord Cenambik, Taebaek, Kinshack, Lady Odevalis, Great Lord Sagoth, Aprildawn, Veiss, Lady Mandy, Violenttmoon, Arnaster, Tayvin, Great Lord Radeek, Renowned Lord Zabarieth, Great Lord Rummple, Calean, Kylinarr, Yukito, Balinworn, Washee, Subarashi, Silverphenix, Xanith, Cryheart, Exttior, Nanna, Taar, Adene, Sylviana, Railien, Rontuu, Neyana, Lord Syberus, High Lord Capium, Twiggs, Seablade, Lord Maslow, Starchakra, Risky, Spaewife, Lady Sherysse, Hakwea, Lord Hrvac, Lord Zosopage, Malikary, Briah, Valicar, Qistra, Mohrgan, Lady Nauriel, Jesperus, Bisco, Murgin, Mitheirien, Kernn, Perigourd, Missoni, Lord Radamanthys, Deschaiyn, Maluverre, Lady Sylvirria
Obvious exits: none

Sylvirria nods.

Sylvirria says, "He is already here."

A voice of ceaseless echoes speaks, the myriad of voices convering into one as a brief spectre appears, its hair trailing off into a million different silver threads, "You...  you've come.  You are... awake."

Sylvirria says, "I am, Volierre of the Past.  And you await."

Sylvirria says, "I no longer forget."

Sylvirria says, "We must speak, and we must conduct what has been forgotten this night."

A voice of ceaseless echoes speaks, the myriad of voices converging into one, "Yes... yes, finally..."

A voice of ceaseless echoes speaks, the myriad of voices converging into one, "Yes... yes, finally..."

Sylvirria glances at Maluverre.

Maluverre nods.

Sylvirria nods.

Sylvirria raises her scythes, and rings of white and black wreath outwards from them, ensconcing both her, Maluverre, and something unseen.  Within moments, all of them are gone.

A quiet, feminine voice whispers, "We will return.  There is much to discuss."  As soon as the voice fades away, a faint silvery orb appears before the altar.


A vague image becomes visible within the orb, and you get a strange urge to look at it.


[Within the orb..]


[Ancient Temple, The Triad]
The surrounding architecture is in a crumbling disarray of decayed beauty, all decorations long since faded with the immutable passage of time.  A circle of columns surround a triad of three pools, each of them empty yet ringed with a glowing grey haze.  Vague, wispy silhouettes rise up from the empty pools, swirling about like lost souls before fading away.
Also here: Maluverre, Lady Sylvirria, Volierre
Obvious exits: none

Maluverre asks, "So this is what must be?"

Volierre says, "...yes.  The Cycle... cannot remain unbroken."

Volierre intermittently fades in and out of view.

Sylvirria says, "I have seen what will come to pass if we do not.  I have *dreamed* of it."

Sylvirria says, "It is not a good dream."

Maluverre says, "Very well, then.  Let us not hesitate a moment longer."

Volierre descends into the first, empty pool.

Maluverre descends into the second empty pool.

Sylvirria descends into the third empty pool.

You see three figures standing within the pools -- Volierre, Maluverre and Sylvirria -- their eyes are closed, and their heads are bowed.

A pulsing *thrum* of power is heard.

The three figures lips move, but silence is all that is heard, until a voice of three converged tones manifests between them, "The Cycle has Begun.  Let both Past, Present and Future come together."

Rippling waves of somber grey light rush outward from each pool, rising up in a hazy column of glowing mist in the center of all three.

The column of glowing grey mist reaches out tendrils to each of the three figures -- seemingly absorbing their essence and caressing them at the same time.

As the glowing grey mist pulses and wavers, you can see the three figures becoming insubstantial, as if they were fading away.

Within the heart of the glowing grey mist, you glimpse a silhouette beginning to form, growing stronger and more clear as the other three figures fade.

Within the glowing mist, you glimpse Sylvirria -- her wings curled around herself even as the image of her in the pool, and the other two figures fade away.

Three voices say in unison, "The Advent is bequeathed with the gifts of the Keeper, and the gifts of the Foundation.  The Advent now Sees all, now Touches all, now Is all."

The orb grows black as the mist continues to pulse.


The visions within your mind fade away.


[Back within Solhaven's Temple of Gosaena..]


A rippling grey light washes over the chamber, sending forth waves of silence as the marble statue appears to move, and then the silhouette fades into view, revealing a winged woman who glances around her, her grey eyes shifting constantly between light and dark.

Sylvirria says, "It is done."

Sylvirria says, "They are held back -- for now.  The Pillars of Darkness converge upon their Desire and seek to bend it."

Sylvirria says, "They cannot react while in this final stage.  All their focus must be maintained upon their Desire."

Sylvirria says, "I will return tomorrow evening.  I will aid you in fixing what we have Broken."

Sylvirria says, "Silence will come.  And eternity awaits."

Sylvirria brandishes her twin scythes, each rippling with light and darkness, then spreads her wings and disappears entirely.

Sylvirria uses her twin scythes to utterly destroy Morvule's demonic and undead armies that have risen across Elanthia. She keeps her promise. The next day, she and Maluverre gather those opposed to the Dark Alliance before ferrying them to the floating Black Temple for the storyline's finale.