August 9/2026
With 10 bells approaching fast the group needed to
decide what needed to happen. Cei sat at the edge of the bed, still holding
Rens hand; she makes it clear to all she is not going to leave his side. Barely
present Ren shifts in and out, looking incredibly ill, and just trying to get
people to leave him alone. “I’m FINE”
Bartholomew takes the copper blob which was once the book
to use mending on it, hoping to put it back together. Though the pages and
leather are missing, the copper forms into an intricate cover of braided knot
work. Each loop flows into each other, making designs that appear to be so
fluid and detailed it would appear closer to the detail of a painting instead
of metal work. [the detail level being as if starry night were woven from metal
instead of done in paint]. Cei tried to look and make sense of the piece, and
though the image surely depicts a scene, she is unable connect the context to
understand. She hand the copper cover to Lyra, encouraging her to take it to Valen,
and if it is made by Karid to give it to them.
Bartholomew expresses interest in trying to collect
every piece of the book to make it whole again. To head up the 10 000 steps to
find a scroll of “make whole”. Though it
is possible if all the pieces are able to be collected to make an object whole,
with the pieces being ash it would be hard to fully collect them. Cyrus offers
to look for one at the tower.
While Lyra urges that maybe there is a better place for
Berrick and Bernice while we have so many things to focus on at the moment. Maybe
back at the inquisition, Cei asks Bartholomew if he could take him. Berrick
suggests that if he was able to pay off his debts then he would be able to move
around without concern. Though Cei argues that wasn’t the mandate of the church
to pay off debts, Bartholomew agrees to pay. He would take the money on the
way to drop them off. He is able to safely pay off the debts at 3 places and
safely get Berrick and Berneice to the inquisition office.
Lyra and Cyrus head to the base of the 10 000 steps,
where they are greeted by a formless apparition (Sam) who extend his hands forward.
When their hands touch his they swirl and spin flying up the mountain. Landing
in a small chamber; a small table filled with food and chairs around. Already
seated around the table is Jocasta and Valen; who welcome and greet them; Valen
when mentioning the letter sent by “friend Lyra”, Surprising Lyra for a moment.
Lyra explains that she had some questions, that
neither of them had to answer if they do not wish to. She explained that her
group was accompanied by an Inquisitor General who was sent here due to reports
of heresy, a bard telling a story about one of the Archon’s, this report had
dealt with already and none of the questions being asked are going to be included
in the investigation. During the investigation a book was spoken of and though
destroyed had been recovered. One that had been woven in copper, in such beauty
that it couldn’t of been by Tytonian hands. While presenting the cover to Valen,
Lyra asks if it was made by the Karid.
Valen takes it in their hands, running up and down the
strands and sides. The book is a work of the Karid; they speak with stone and
metal differently. A sacrament. When Valen tries to hand it back, Lyra offers
for them to keep it to the people it belong to. Valen accepts, mentioning that
it won’t belong to them but if Aeo permits it may make it back to the one it
belongs to.
When asked about the story which was held inside the
book Valen could only speculate. Lyra told them what she knew of the contents,
mentioning she knew she was asking for a lot with this question. She asked about
the Archon who was said to be Karid. Valen shifting uncomfortably, looks at
Jocasta for a moment, Lyra notices fear in Valen for the first time. Though her
eyes narrowed, Jocasta nods allowing Valen to decide whether to proceed.
First urging caution with who this information was
shared. Many turns ago more lived here, many were slaughtered for this tale.
“Guy-reese” [said in a voice which has two tones, and
multiple voices at once. Like an orchestra]
“Sacred to our people. A disciple of holy Aeo. We carry
the story with us from within the bones of Panegal.”
“The church above carries many of Aeo’s truths but not
all. Karid carry other truths that your kind have forgotten. They will hold it
to the end of time. [in multi-layered voice. Ka-ta-ca-na-si mah-at]. Some remember
being murdered and driven into the holy space below”
“They fear the knowledge that was shared. My people were
murdered for it.”
Lyra thanks Valen and conveys her condolences for Valens
siblings. She shares that though she only the nightmares from it due to her age
at the time, only 3. She knows that her family met their end at the hands of
the knights and purifiers; her brother ran away with her. Valen expressed confused
by tytonians killing each other, stating that the Karid don’t hurt each other.
Lyra hesitates. “In hearing this truth I feel there’s
ones person who needs to hear it, but it will be a large ask. The Inquisitor
General, Ceonred we travel with believes in Aeo and follows Aeo with her full
being. But is trapped in a conflict that is ripping her apart to do right by him,
and knowledge that are contrary to what the church teaches. I feel it would be
healing for her learn more about those who follow Aeo. I know this is a huge
ask, especially with the ask involving the church who’s choices weigh heavy
here. Would you be willing to met and tell her. Only if you feel comfortable”
Valen asked Mistress Jocasta for permission to meet
with Conred. Though she mentioned that she had no trust in a inquisitor general,
she has full trust in Valen to make this choice for themselves. Valen expresses
wanting to have a meeting with Ceonred.
“Very well. How about we meet for dinner. Please come
unarmed and dress casually.”
Lyra mentioned there was one more question they had
before going. “Do you remember a man who traveled with us? Ren River’s”
Jocasta nods. “the one filled with anger.”
“He went to a monastery near Northwall, he helped while
they had been attacked by Carnac’s and a huge scarred dire wolf. He was
scrapped across the belly by the dire wolf, none of the monks or healers could
heal the wound. He is feverish, pale, the cut red and puffy. He is in and out
of hearing something I cant see or hear. The wound on his belly had aura of
necromancy and enchantment,”
“Well we might need to move up our meeting to lunch.
Bring the whole group. We will meet at my manor in the NE. I will collect some colleagues
to confer with.”
Before leaving Lyra expressed she wished to talk longer
to Valen, they asks in earnest if she
has little time left. Following assuring them she would still be around, they assured
her they would meet again.
With that the world swirled and flew them down to the
base of the steps again.
Cei
sat next to Ren with her hand on his, Abelard at attention in front of the door.
Cei asks Ren about a happy memory he remembers about Callie. Though he doesn’t
answer she mentions one of hers. A story of Callies love of butterflies, they
would travel together to the western bridges to watch them everyday. Cei had
stole paper from her father to allow Callie to draw then butterflies as they
emerged. They were beautiful. Unsure where those drawings would be now.
When ren speaks he mentions “she was more my protector
then me hers. She oriented me, a whole
new world. Became a younger sister. She supported someone she had never met.”
Cei asks Abelard if she had ever told him how she met Ren.
That she and her brother had snuck out and unknowingly went to a shadier side
of town. Ren had lightly grifted them, but did show them around and explored
with them.
Ren asked for ice, to help with the heat. Cei opens the
window to get some snow, In that moment with the window open Ren breaks his
hand away and runs out the window. Jumps on the roof. Rolls down, and falls off
onto the street below, he is winded and injured. As he falls Lyra, Cyrus, and
Bartholomew turn down the street to see him on the ground. Cei comes out on the
roof and with a prayer shoots a gust of wind down on Ren. Lyra runs forward and
hold Ren down and secure, trying to showing care to make sure to cause him no
pain, asking him if he should come back to bed. Though he fought her it was
unsuccessful, he is not himself. Abelard jumps down landing in full armor on
the street. Bartholomew plays a lullabies, encouraging Ren to sleep.
As Ren is carried in safely, Lyra and Cyrus tell Cei
that they set up a meeting with Valen and Jocasta to figure out what was
happening with Ren. That we needed to head to the Manor in the city. Ren is
tied up for his own safety, and though they are stopped by guards on the way
who are easily waved off; they make it safely to the manor.
The Manor before them Lyra turns to everyone, making
eye contact with Bartholomew ensuring everyone knows that it is expected to
arrive unarmed, no scrolls, nothing. With that they ring the bell and are
greeted by Sam the apparition. In the door is a entry way with 3 doors, to the
right a room to place all weapons filled with mannequins and weapons racks. When
entering a weird feeling passing through them, passing quickly. Bartholomew is
unable to go through to the room, Sam disappears to get Mistress.
Jocasta arrives and points out his staff, “that will
not enter.”
“I will not use it.”
“No one but you can.”
“Neverender can be placed on the wall outside the room.”
Now fully unarmed the group enters a large room, with a
table filled with every food you could think of. Near the edge of the room a
stone table, with ren on top. A women in a white robe places her hand on Ren’s
head, as they glow blue and he relaxes in his body.
As they walk through the door Sam introduces each member
of the group, with honored guests; Grand master magus Jocasta (in red), Magus
Arasties De Belem (in black), Magus Millicent Ardene (in white), Custos Valen
[who appears out of seemly no where].
“wherever this group goes events seem to polarize.”
Cei moves forward wanting to know what is happening to
Ren. Jocasta is assures her that he will be assessed after a meal, he rest now.
She mentions that Lyra spoke highly of her and asked for her to meet, making it
clear that she was against it. This is Valens choice. My role here is to host
and assist with Diagnosis.
It escapes no one the significance of this meeting, to
have 3 powerful mages of the circle to meet in such a short time. This favor had
been requested and is no small favor, it will be called in sometime in the future.
Magus Arasties become excited asking Bartholomew if he
could examine his walking stick. Awkwardly he response with permission.
Sitting next to Valen, Lyra introduces them to Cei who
sits across the table. Valen “it is an honor to know you.” Cei asks to come around
the table to in front of Valen. She bows before him and in Archlanglic begs Valen
for his forgiveness for the harm done to you and your people at the hand of
Tytonians, For secondary harm for the story expunged and forgotten from
history.
Valen response in archlanglic, sounding more like a hymn
when they speak.
“We welcome you and your message for how it comes. But
I cannot give you forgiveness for the murdered siblings at your hand”
Cei vows while holding her holy symbol of Aeo; she
would protect the Karid, and the knowledge they hold. She has been holding the
knowledge of stories the church has told that she has since found out weren’t
true. She would carry it with her until her final breathe.
Returning to her seat, attention and conversation
shifts. Magus Arasties asks Abelard about his experiences with the utterdark
excitedly and is quickly move to a new conversation by Cei when Abelard becomes
uncomfortable.
“would you play a song with me Valen?” asks Bartholmew
“your kind sings songs?” Valen replies flatly, met with
a giggle around the table. Meant in jest.
“It would be an honor to share music with you. You sing
song, and I will sing with you after.”
As Jocasta waves her hand a lute appears before Bartholmew.
On it he began to play the redeemed. After the first chorus Valen joins. Adding
what sounds like a small choir to the voices, in harmony. Everyone is fixed on
the performance.
“Did you write that?”
“Yes”
“Could I bring it to my people?”
“It would be an honor. It was an honor to sing with you
today.”
“I am not even the best singer of my people.”
“If only I should be so lucky to hear the best of your
people sing.”
Magus Arasties leans over and whispers in his ear, only
loud enough for him to hear.
As the meal come to a close, Grandmaster Jocasta asks
if there is anything more before proceeding to diagnosing Reniel.
Cei addresses the Magus present, I owe you a debt, if
anything has changed my views more its these people, no more then Reniel. A she
begins to pray the 3 mages surround Ren, and begin a ritual. Removing the glow
from him, they begin to chant and weave the energy before them. As the white
mage chants blood pours from her eyes, The black mage laughs loudly. Ren who is
twitching, arching and thrashing on the table.
Then a sudden stop. Rens body still. He sits up eyes
wide, red eyes; hands clenched.
The white Mage pulls out the holy symbol chanting. The
black mage forms a cage of black veins around Ren. Something with a spiritual
dead comes out of Ren hitting the cage around him.
Joining the chants are Valen, Cei, Abelard, Lyra,
Cyrus, and Bartholomew supporting the mages. The air pressurizes and unpressurized
around them, blood bleeding from the white mages eyes and ears. Around them swirls
screams and cry’s to “not let her go”
Above the chorus of chanting come Abelard’s voice, “its
time to let her go, son.”
An explosion blasts back, knocking over many. From the blast come a horrifying spectral figure resembling Callie. She screeched when seeing Cei, pointing her spectral figure at Cei “YOU RUIN EVERYTHING!”
Before
attacking. Neverender shoots straight to Bartholomew’s hand as he uses it to cast
haste on the group. With a swirl of Grand Master Jocasta hands everyone became
rearmed, as Valen shoots silver daggers straight out their hands striking the
wraith before returning to their hands. Cyrus collects energy and shoots a
large blast of plasma at her. Abelard lunges forward taking his sword and plunging
it through her heart. She explodes again leaving a shadow across the ground
below.
Ren laying on the table began to wake, looking much better
physically, but heavy with sadness. Cei runs to hug him. Ren embraces each
person individually. Abelard embraces Ren while weeping silently, “you made the
right choice. I hope I can be so strong.”
What happened Ren? “I had to make a choice. Choose to
loose her, or choose to loose all you.”
“You carried her, her shade with you since she died.
The pain and anguish. You holding the best parts of her allowed for the worst
parts to connect when she force you to kill her. You made the right choice.”
Cei visibly upset approaches the white mage (who has
appeared cold to her since arriving) asking how she learned this magic, wanting
to change how to determine demons and how to save the people effected by them. Her
magic appearing to use Aeo’s holy light, and had saved Ren.
The white mage appears exhausted and response coldly
that the people in the church would have to remove their blinders to do so. She
finishes cleaning the blood from her eyes and ears before asking to be excused to
go rest.
The black mage excitedly points at the spot where the
wraith was exclaiming “how remarkable! A Dread wraith and never ender in one
day!” Bartholomew shows him his staff. As they spoke Magus Arasties mentions the
staff was once Bartholomew’s mothers; he knew his father as initiates. He was a
great singer, and they both were powerful arcanists. They went another way, the
circle was no good for them, but unsure why since he hadn’t seen them since ascensions.
Bartholomew ask if to get in touch later.
Lyra kneels before Valen apologizing for everything
that happened, more than she could have expected. Valen assured her that they did
it because their matron required it; and that if friend Lyra ever needed it
they would protect her too. Valen puts their hands out for Cei and Lyra to take,
guiding them to their forehead. “ We part ways as friends” Behind Valen is
Jocasta, still but with surprise across her face.
Jocasta announces that there is much business to be done
at the tower. The group finds themselves outside the manor. Ren’s stomach
growls, starving from the ordeal he just experience. Cei offers him her dried
apples while we look for something of more substance.