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Alea Iacta Story Hour: A Mythic Rome Campaign (Baby Announcement: 8/17)
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<blockquote data-quote="Orichalcum" data-source="post: 2078078" data-attributes="member: 3722"><p><strong>Alea Iacta VIII: Under Mud, Over Sea Chp. 11: More Prophecy and Philosophy</strong></p><p></p><p>Early the next morning, we mount horses and litters and shoulders and goat and set off for the mountain retreat of the Sibyl of Cumae. We wind our way up a long twisting cliffside trail, adorned with marble temples to various deities, before finally coming to a dark trapezoidal entrance in the rock. We leave the mounts, buy torches from the guardians at the entrance, and proceed down the long rock passageway for what might have been miles or a few hundred feet. Finally, by the light of a dim sweet-smoking brazier we can see the end of the cavern and the vague shape of a wizened old woman, dressed in dark robes, sitting behind it.</p><p></p><p>"The blessings of the gods be upon you, travelers. What questions burden your souls? Speak, and I will answer as the god bids me. But listen closely, for I shall tell the truth but once for each of you."</p><p></p><p>As agreed, Wena steps forward first, in the hearing of all the others, who will try to remember along with her as best they may.</p><p></p><p>"How can we stop the Black Chain Philosopher?"</p><p></p><p>The Sibyl looks into the flame for a long moment, cupping her hands. She raises her head, finally, bright grey eyes gleaming directly into Wena's own face, and intones:</p><p></p><p><em> <span style="color: LightBlue"> </span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"></span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"> Only through his truth may you have power over</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"> the Binder of Shadows, and only through</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"> denying him the source of his power </span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"> may you triumph. But the source is lost</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"> in the tangled web of fear and despair,</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"> and the Binder goes to the</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"> Place Between Places, that cannot be found</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"> by those who do not know</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"> that which has been lost.</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"> For there he seeks to make the twin the</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"> truth, and the reflection the reality.</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"></span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"></span></em> </p><p></p><p>Cornelia, also forgoing her right to an individual question, steps forward next, nervously greeting the Sibyl. "How can we find the true name of Quintus Mucius Scaevola, the Black Chain Philosopher?</p><p></p><p>The Sibyl slowly answers, with a sense of finality:</p><p><em> <span style="color: LightBlue"> </span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"></span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue">I know it not.</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue">Twain only are they who heard the name of the child,</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue">and twain are the paths that lead to your guide.</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue">I myself may lead you to one as I led your forefather,</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue">The sisters whom you saved may show you the other way.</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue">Yet beware, for easy is the descent for both</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue">but harder is it to return in time.</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"></span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"></span></em> </p><p></p><p>Meloch, assigned to ask Hadriana's question, the initial reason for their visit, inches his way forward; I stay on his shoulder, ready to take detailed notes. "Domina...Priestess...Sibyl, I bring you a question from the nobilissima Hadriana. How is the war in Parthia going from the perspective of Caesar?"</p><p></p><p><em> <span style="color: LightBlue"> </span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"></span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"> Caesar sees shadows and believes truth.</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"> The Binder of Light and Dark</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"> Has wrapped his chains around the </span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"> eyes of the divine son. </span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"></span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"> The war waxes and wanes</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"> Armies like tides advance and retreat</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"> And the faith of the Legions struggles</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"> against the power of the Magi.</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"> Both Empires see victory,</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"> and the tapestry of fate remains...unwoven.</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"></span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"></span></em> </p><p></p><p>And finally, the last person who has reluctantly volunteered to sacrifice their personal question, the loyal Romanist Llyr, steps forward, and politely asks, "Thank you and begging your pardon, ma'am, but what did the first and the eighth decree?"</p><p></p><p></p><p><em> <span style="color: LightBlue"> </span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue">The founder decreed the name of the city,</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue">the victor of the brothers,</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue">to honor his foremother and his dream.</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue">He spoke as a brother, grieved</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue">though he was by betrayal.</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue">The city was named again by he</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue">who brought the Gates,</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue">who spoke the same Word</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue">as a father, and brought </span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue">peace to the world.</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue">But the truth is wavering and</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue">the founder’s reflection may be soon the founder.</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue">if you do not hold fast to the truth,</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue">and all will shift like an image in a pool. </span></em></p><p> <em><span style="color: LightBlue"></span></em></p><p><em><span style="color: LightBlue"></span></em><span style="color: LightBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: LightBlue"></span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Orichalcum, post: 2078078, member: 3722"] [b]Alea Iacta VIII: Under Mud, Over Sea Chp. 11: More Prophecy and Philosophy[/b] Early the next morning, we mount horses and litters and shoulders and goat and set off for the mountain retreat of the Sibyl of Cumae. We wind our way up a long twisting cliffside trail, adorned with marble temples to various deities, before finally coming to a dark trapezoidal entrance in the rock. We leave the mounts, buy torches from the guardians at the entrance, and proceed down the long rock passageway for what might have been miles or a few hundred feet. Finally, by the light of a dim sweet-smoking brazier we can see the end of the cavern and the vague shape of a wizened old woman, dressed in dark robes, sitting behind it. "The blessings of the gods be upon you, travelers. What questions burden your souls? Speak, and I will answer as the god bids me. But listen closely, for I shall tell the truth but once for each of you." As agreed, Wena steps forward first, in the hearing of all the others, who will try to remember along with her as best they may. "How can we stop the Black Chain Philosopher?" The Sibyl looks into the flame for a long moment, cupping her hands. She raises her head, finally, bright grey eyes gleaming directly into Wena's own face, and intones: [I] [COLOR=LightBlue] Only through his truth may you have power over the Binder of Shadows, and only through denying him the source of his power may you triumph. But the source is lost in the tangled web of fear and despair, and the Binder goes to the Place Between Places, that cannot be found by those who do not know that which has been lost. For there he seeks to make the twin the truth, and the reflection the reality. [/COLOR][/I][COLOR=LightBlue] [/COLOR] Cornelia, also forgoing her right to an individual question, steps forward next, nervously greeting the Sibyl. "How can we find the true name of Quintus Mucius Scaevola, the Black Chain Philosopher? The Sibyl slowly answers, with a sense of finality: [I] [COLOR=LightBlue] I know it not. Twain only are they who heard the name of the child, and twain are the paths that lead to your guide. I myself may lead you to one as I led your forefather, The sisters whom you saved may show you the other way. Yet beware, for easy is the descent for both but harder is it to return in time. [/COLOR][/I][COLOR=LightBlue] [/COLOR] Meloch, assigned to ask Hadriana's question, the initial reason for their visit, inches his way forward; I stay on his shoulder, ready to take detailed notes. "Domina...Priestess...Sibyl, I bring you a question from the nobilissima Hadriana. How is the war in Parthia going from the perspective of Caesar?" [I] [COLOR=LightBlue] Caesar sees shadows and believes truth. The Binder of Light and Dark Has wrapped his chains around the eyes of the divine son. The war waxes and wanes Armies like tides advance and retreat And the faith of the Legions struggles against the power of the Magi. Both Empires see victory, and the tapestry of fate remains...unwoven. [/COLOR][/I][COLOR=LightBlue] [/COLOR] And finally, the last person who has reluctantly volunteered to sacrifice their personal question, the loyal Romanist Llyr, steps forward, and politely asks, "Thank you and begging your pardon, ma'am, but what did the first and the eighth decree?" [I] [COLOR=LightBlue] The founder decreed the name of the city, the victor of the brothers, to honor his foremother and his dream. He spoke as a brother, grieved though he was by betrayal. The city was named again by he who brought the Gates, who spoke the same Word as a father, and brought peace to the world. But the truth is wavering and the founder’s reflection may be soon the founder. if you do not hold fast to the truth, and all will shift like an image in a pool. [/COLOR][/I][COLOR=LightBlue] [/COLOR] [/QUOTE]
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