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Tales of the Legacy - Concluded
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<blockquote data-quote="Delemental" data-source="post: 2767204" data-attributes="member: 5203"><p>Osborn returned to the inn late that night, having gone out for a bit of fun. Inthe morning, however, he knocked on Kyle and Autumn’s door. It was a few minutes before anyone answered.</p><p></p><p> “What’s up, Osborn?” Kyle said, opening the door a crack and sticking his head out.</p><p></p><p> “You seen Tolly?”</p><p></p><p> “He stayed at the Cathedral last night, and he’ll be gone most of the day,” Kyle said. “Why?”</p><p></p><p> “If you see him, let him know I’m looking for him. I have something that he’ll want to see.” The hin walked off.</p><p></p><p> Osborn finally ran into Tolly at dinner. Prince Herion had invited the party to dine with him at the private suites that the government of M’Dos had provided for the state visitors arriving for Jerome’s funeral. Word had been sent to the church of Ardara, and Tolly met the party there.</p><p></p><p> After dinner, Osborn pulled a piece of parchment out of a pocket and passed it to Tolly. “When I came home last night, I found that in my pocket,” he said. “I know it’s written in Dwarven, but I don’t know that language.”</p><p></p><p> Tolly took the note and read it. “You could have shown this to either Arrie or Kyle. They both know the dwarven language.”</p><p></p><p> “Yeah, but since I have a pretty good idea who it’s from, I thought you should see it first. You know, in case it like, explodes or something if you’re not Ardaran.”</p><p></p><p> “It is a simple message, nothing more,” Tolly said. “It reads, ‘If you and your companions wish to help, gather in the women’s room tomorrow at midnight.’ If you received this yesterday, then that would mean tonight.”</p><p></p><p> Kyle sighed, and set his elbows on the table while resting his chin in his palms. “This is because I said we shouldn’t do anything until someone asks us, isn’t it?” he said. Then, in a loud voice, he shouted, “I don’t think we should do anything until someone pays us a million gold pieces!”</p><p></p><p> “Each!” Osborn added.</p><p></p><p> “Kyle, please refrain from your blasphemy,” Tolly said. “So, it appears that the Inquisition may have a need for our assistance. Does anyone object?”</p><p></p><p> No one disagreed with Tolly. Arrie, sitting next to Herion, turned to him suddenly. “Hey, want to come along?”</p><p></p><p> “Arrie,” Tolly said, “I am certain that the prince has more pressing matters to attend to than getting mixed up in our affairs.”</p><p></p><p> “Actually, I’d be honored to offer what help I can,” Herion said. “My guards and I will meet you at your tavern at midnight.”</p><p></p><p> “Splendid,” Tolly muttered to himself.</p><p></p><p> Several hours after dinner, the party, Herion, and his twin guards gathered in the room shared by the women. They waited mostly in silence. Osborn sat in one corner, his back to the wall, watching the door. Lanara, obviously very fidgety, was in the opposite corner. Herion’s guards stood at attention, with their bows strung and an arrow resting in the string, alert for trouble.</p><p></p><p> Suddenly, Lanara shrieked, and pointed. Standing near the window, opposite the door, was a figure in heavy armor. A long scarf was wrapped around his head and face, obscuring his features. Tolly glanced at the figure's gauntlets, and as expected the left one was a slight shade darker than the right. The difference was too subtle to be noticed if you didn’t know what to look for.</p><p></p><p> “Brother,” Tolly said, nodding. Across the room, Herion waved down his guards, who were pointing arrows at the intruder.</p><p></p><p> The Inquisitor nodded slightly to Herion, a barely acceptable gesture of deference. Herion did not seem perturbed. “Prince Herion,” the Inquisitor said. Tolly recognized the voice as the same man who had visited him the other night. “Your presence is unexpected, but perhaps fortuitous.”</p><p></p><p> The Inquisitor turned to address Tolly. “Your inquiries, Brother Nightsleaving, have not gone unnoticed.”</p><p></p><p> “I am not surprised by that,” he replied.</p><p></p><p> “I recall you expressed a desire to aid us, and we find that we can use that aid. By tradition, the office of the Archprelate has been inured against our seeking. Anyone who carries the mark of the Left Hand is unable to penetrate the Archprelate’s secrets. It is an ancient protection established by Ardara Herself to prevent the Inquisition from ever assuming control of the church. But you, and your companions, suffer under no such limitations. Thus we would like to… hire you.”</p><p></p><p> Tolly nodded. “I myself require no compensation.”</p><p></p><p> “We expected as much.”</p><p></p><p> “The Crown also requires no compensation,” Herion said. Then, with a glance at Arrie, added, “and neither does the Crown’s family.”</p><p></p><p> Arrie only pouted a little.</p><p></p><p> “I would request, Your Highness, that this matter be kept on the level of a state secret,” the Inquisitor said. “The rest of you may request compensation as you see fit.”</p><p></p><p> Tolly leaned over to Kyle. “Are you satisfied, then?”</p><p></p><p> “Hey! The million gold pieces thing was a joke! I wasn’t serious!” Kyle frowned. “That’s it, I’m never telling another joke again.”</p><p></p><p> “Promise?” Tolly asked.</p><p></p><p> “Though your cooperation was expected, Brother Nightsleaving, this task falls outside the normal duties of your companions. Thus it is not unseemly for us to compensate them. We make this offer because you stated to us that you do trust your companions.”</p><p></p><p> “What do you wish of us?” Tolly asked.</p><p></p><p> “You will go to the Archprelate’s offices this very night, and see what you can learn there. Archprelate Jerome died while in his offices. The offices are warded against divinations, so we would require you to locate physical evidence and remove it.”</p><p></p><p> “What can you tell us of Jerome’s death that might help us?” Maddie asked.</p><p></p><p> “Archprelate Jerome was not murdered, but his death was not natural.”</p><p></p><p> “Why was a resurrection not attempted?” Tolly asked.</p><p></p><p> “Divinations revealed that Jerome’s spirit did not wish to return,” the Inquisitor replied.</p><p></p><p> “Did the Archprelate kill himself?” Herion asked.</p><p></p><p> “That is high on our list of theories. However, the reason why he would do so is unclear.”</p><p></p><p> “Perhaps an effect that altered his perceptions,” Tolly said. “We have encountered an undead creature with psionic abilities known as a Caller in Darkness, whose presence has not been felt on Aelfenn since before the Cataclysm. This creature had the power to drive a person to suicide.”</p><p></p><p> “But we already know that there were no psionics involved in his death,” Kyle said.</p><p></p><p> The Inquisitor nodded. “This was not a line of questioning that had occurred to us, as we are unfamiliar with these psionics. However, the presence of an undead creature in the Cathedral of Eminent Order would not have gone unnoticed. Also, given the considerable mental fortitude displayed by those who hold the office of Archprelate, I would rule out any form of mental attack. However, a sustained assault over time cannot be ruled out.”</p><p></p><p> Tolly turned to the others. “Any objections?”</p><p></p><p> Lanara sniffed. “Can I stand by the door?”</p><p></p><p> “If you do not wish to participate, Miss Rahila, the Inquisition does not require you to do so,” the Inquisitor said. “We only require discretion on who hears of this.”</p><p></p><p> “Lanara will come with us,” Kyle said, “won’t you?”</p><p></p><p> “Fine,” she sighed.</p><p></p><p> The Inquisitor produced a large sack and handed it to Tolly. “These are the keys and pass-stones you will need to get to the Archprelate’s offices,” he said. “I believe you know the way. We expect them all to be returned.”</p><p></p><p> “Can we expect guards or other security?” Herion asked.</p><p></p><p> “Nothing that the pass-stones will not allow you to circumvent.”</p><p></p><p> “I’ll need about fifteen minutes to get ready,” Kyle said. “Most of my spells are ready, but I’ve left some of my power unshaped. I can prepare a few spells that might come in useful.”</p><p></p><p> “That should be fine,” Tolly said. “Brother, is there anything else…”</p><p></p><p> But the Inquisitor was gone.</p><p></p><p> “I have to learn that trick,” Tolly said.</p><p></p><p> The party arrived at the Cathedral within the hour. They proceeded quickly past the guards and locked doors using the keys provided by the Inquisition, and soon were walking down the hall toward the Office of the Archprelate.</p><p></p><p> As they stopped outside the large stone doors, Tolly suddenly held up a hand. “There are voices inside,” he said. Herion, Osborn and Autumn also heard the voices. Osborn pressed his ear to the seam between the marble slabs. Kyle stepped back and cast a <em>message </em> cantrip on the party, allowing them to relay whispered messages through him.</p><p></p><p> “I can hear two voices,” Osborn said quietly. “They’re speaking Dwarven, I think. One’s a male, and sounds like a dwarf. The other sounds more like a human, or maybe an elf, but the accent’s strange.”</p><p></p><p> “Perhaps we should just go inside,” Tolly said.</p><p></p><p> “Tolly,” Xu said, “remember we are here to gather information. Information is not always best obtained directly.”</p><p></p><p> “A good point.” Tolly stepped up and took Osborn’s place, listening intently. “The male is Archprelate Frelarr’s secretary, Brother Siv,” he said after a moment. “The woman’s voice is unfamiliar to me.” After about five minutes, he pulled away from the door. “They are speaking about ways to manipulate the new Archprelate into doing what they want.”</p><p></p><p> Kyle relayed this to the others. “Now what?” Autumn asked.</p><p></p><p> “The church likely has prohibitions about simply slaying members of their clergy,” Herion pointed out.</p><p></p><p> “Yeah, good thing I’m not subject to their laws,” Osborn said.</p><p></p><p> “I should point out that we do have a certain implied level of clearance,” Tolly said, holding up the pass-stone that would allow them to enter the office. “And a body is certainly physical evidence.” He stood up. “I am going in. The rest of you, try to minimize your presence. Osborn, if you could…” he looked around and noted that Osborn couldn’t be seen. “Excellent.”</p><p></p><p> “I’ll stay out here and guard the corridor,” Arrie said. “Anyone tries to come out, I’ll knock them back into play.”</p><p></p><p> “Very good.”</p><p></p><p> Lanara stepped up, and her form shimmered for a minute. When it stopped, she looked like an high-ranking Ardaran priestess. She also cast a <em>tongues </em> spell on herself. “Mind if I tag along?”</p><p></p><p> “Not at all.”</p><p></p><p> Herion also stepped forward. “My guards and I will also accompany you,” he said, “the weight of the Crown of Tlaxan behind you may give them pause.”</p><p></p><p> “Very well. Anyone else?”</p><p></p><p> “Just let us know when to come in,” Kyle said.</p><p></p><p> Tolly reached out and pressed the seal into the door, which swung open silently. Across the room, two figures sat at the secretary’s desk. One was Brother Siv, and sitting atop the desk was an elf-touched woman, whose back was to the party. As Tolly, Lanara, Herion and his guards strode in, Herion’s gaze flickered to the sides of the rooms. He took a step back, and whispered something to his guards in Elven.</p><p></p><p> “May I help you?” Brother Siv said, concern furrowing his brow. The woman did not turn around, but kept her eyes on the desk she sat on.</p><p></p><p> “Is the Archprelate available?” Tolly said.</p><p></p><p> “No, he’s sleeping,” Siv said. “Why are you here?”</p><p></p><p> “I have the Crown Prince of Tlaxan with me, and I was escorting him through the Cathedral. We hoped that Archprelate Frelarr might still be awake. What are you doing here at this late hour?”</p><p></p><p> “I was discussing matters with a consultant,” Siv said.</p><p></p><p> “Consultant?”</p><p></p><p> “Yes, a funeral consultant, from the church of Erito.”</p><p></p><p> “Really? So, Brother Siv, the question is, why one would ask a funeral director how best to control the current Archprelate.”</p><p></p><p> Lanara closed her eyes in frustration.</p><p></p><p> “I… I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Siv said, laughing nervously.</p><p></p><p> “A nice attempt at deception, but a patent failure,” Tolly said.</p><p></p><p> Herion stepped forward. “It seems things have begun poorly here,” he said, hoping to defuse the situation but knowing it was probably too late. “The late hour, and all. I apologize for my escort being so forward. I had requested a tour of the Cathedral at a time when my presence would not cause too great a disruption. I asked if I could visit the Archprelate’s office, and he brought me here. Would that be possible? I understand it has a view of M’Dos that is nearly unmatched.”</p><p></p><p> For the first time, the woman spoke. “I’m afraid that it would not be possible, Crown Prince,” she said. She turned around, and everyone in the room drew their breath involuntarily. The woman’s beauty was unearthly, drawing everyone’s attention toward her. She wore a light, nearly translucent white tunic, with the holy symbol of Erito dangling low on her chest, just touching her cleavage. As she spoke, she ran her delicate fingers over the alabaster skin on her bare arms. “You see, only the Archprelate has a key to that office. And we would hate to disturb the new Archprelate at this late hour. Mourning for the former Archprelate and accommodating himself to his new duties have surely left him drained.”</p><p></p><p> While the conversation was going on, Osborn had moved to the door to the Archprelate’s office, still invisible. “There’s no lock,” he whispered to Kyle. “It looks like you can just open it.”</p><p></p><p> “It could be warded,” Kyle said. “Don’t touch it yet.”</p><p></p><p> “I am certain that you must have misunderstood our conversation,” the woman was saying. “we do have several arrangements to make. The church of Ardara is planning a rather large memorial service, as I’m sure you must realize. There are a great number of details to plan, and they require us to frequently work late.”</p><p></p><p> “Understandable,” Herion said. “My apologies for the intrusion.”</p><p></p><p> Tolly had stood silently while Herion and the woman spoke. He tried to focus his Talent and detect any auras of goodness in the room, but only a vague aura near the Archprelate’s office door registered to him, which he assumed to be Osborn. Still, the divination told him little that was useful; the church of Ardara was more focused on the ideal of Law, and Erito’s clergy did not ally themselves with any particular ethical or moral tenet. The elves would also not be inclined to such, being Erito’s patron race. It had been the only thing he could do without making it obvious he was scrying the room.</p><p></p><p> Lanara was also taking subtle actions, trying to move closer. She hoped to be able to get close enough to touch them, and cast a <em>touch of fatigue</em> spell on the secretary and the Eritan priestess in order to convince them to turn in early, allowing them to come back later.</p><p></p><p> “If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know,” Herion said, bowing deeply. With his head down, he whispered back to Kyle, “I can’t keep this up much longer.”</p><p></p><p> Kyle relayed the events to the others. “Do you need a distraction?” Arrie asked Herion, through Kyle.</p><p></p><p> “He says yes,” Kyle said after a moment.</p><p></p><p> Arrie suddenly stood up and let out a loud orcish war cry, which echoed down the hall and into the antechamber. Startled for a moment, the rest of the party moved quickly into the room. Kyle paused for a moment to throw an <em>alarm </em> spell into the hallway behind them, to warn them if reinforcements were coming.</p><p></p><p> The double doors swung wide as the party entered the room. Each of them paused as they caught sight of the elf-touched woman, momentarily dazzled by her beauty. Maddie, in particular, found it hard not to stare. “Maybe I should go to church more often,” she said to herself. Clearing her head, she cast a spell on herself, Tolly, Lanara, and Herion, giving them the ability to heal battle wounds.</p><p></p><p> The elf-touched woman’s charm was slightly muted, however, when Tolly strode up and punched her in the face. She staggered back behind the desk, arms held up defensively. “Dear Goddess! What are you doing?” she cried helplessly. Tolly paused, suddenly uncertain. She seemed ill-equipped to handle such a display of violence. A short distance away, the lack of combat prowess of Brother Siv was put on display, as suddenly eight daggers sprouted from his body. Siv gurgled, then collapsed with a wet slap against the stone floor. Osborn, who was now visible, almost looked sheepish.</p><p></p><p> Just as the party began to think that perhaps coming in with a full show of force wasn’t the best plan, two human figures appeared out of hiding and leapt at Tolly with kukris dripping with acid. One of the blades slipped under his armor and drew blood. Though Tolly’s spiritual training and close bond with the Earth had rendered him resistant to acid, he still felt a slight sting. At the same time, a pair of small, imp-like creatures appeared close to Osborn, and began to slash at him with claws.</p><p></p><p> Kyle finished came into the room, looking for Lanara so he could cast a protective spell on her. But then his enhanced vision caught something odd, the same thing that Herion had seen when he’d entered the room; there were four figures standing against the walls, two to either side. All four were wearing full plate and wielding huge double-handed warhammers, and all four were invisible. The four figures were moving into position to surround and flank the party. Kyle quickly cast a spell, summoning a whirling sphere of air. He sent it flying toward the nearest invisible warrior, knocking him to the ground and then sending him flying a short distance into the room. Everyone else saw the air sphere seem to zoom around to empty space, then heard a loud metallic crashing.</p><p></p><p> “What the…” Lanara said, drawing her rapier.</p><p></p><p> Their ambush spoiled, the four armored warriors moved to attack. As they appeared and charged in, Autumn’s eyes went wide. She recognized the symbols and designs on the armor. “Corrupters!” she shouted. There were few non-outsider groups that the Sentinels considered as true enemies; among then were the Corrupters, the antithesis of the Sentinel order, unholy warriors dedicated to evil in its purest form.</p><p></p><p> The corrupters waded eagerly into battle. One came after Herion, advancing even as his guards shot arrow after arrow into him. Another raised a mailed fist, and thrust it out defiantly. A burst of negative energy filled the room, and suddenly both Tolly and Maddie felt their connection to their respective goddesses cut off, as if a door had been slammed shut. Deterred only a moment, both of them drew weapons and attacked.</p><p></p><p> The corrupter that had been knocked flat by Kyle’s spell tried to rise. But Xu was right there, and knocked him backward into the air sphere again using her ring of the ram, battering him and sending the unholy warrior back to the ground. The last corrupter charged at Autumn, but rather than swinging his maul at the sentinel he reached out with one hand and grasped her arm. She wrenched away from him and slashed with her greataxe, forcing him back. She paused for a moment to see if the corrupter had cast a spell on her, but she felt nothing amiss. Then she summoned her own holy power, and sent out a burst of positive energy. Across the room, the two quasits that served as the corrupters’ fiendish familiars screeched and rapidly flew to opposite corners of the far wall, trying to get away from the hated aura of goodness.</p><p></p><p> Lanara moved forward, rapier at the ready, and began slashing at one of the two kukri-wielding humans, drawing blood. From behind, Maddie ran up trying to get at the woman on the desk, but her path was blocked and she ended up battling with the other man with the kukri. “I won’t allow you to profane the name of Erito!” Maddie shouted. The elf-touched continued to cower, begging for the violence to stop. And Arrie, still back by the door, scowled as she watched the battle unfold. “Next time, Xu watches the door,” she muttered. Then, in a flash of inspiration, she ran into the room, pulling the heavy stone doors closed behind her and barring them. “No one’s getting out now!” she shouted, hurling a shotput into the melee. Looking back, Herion sighed and shook his head. “Keep an eye on the Crown Princess,” he told one of his guards.</p><p></p><p> The center of the room became a frenzy of blades and heavy slabs of metal. Tolly, Lanara, and Maddie were pressed in between the rogues with the kukris and the corrupters. The others pressed in from behind them, trying to take the pressure off . Arrows and fiery rays flew through the Archprelate’s antechamber, and the sound of steel rang through the high-ceilinged room. Autumn, strangely, remained unchallenged. From the back of the chamber, the elf-touched ‘funeral advisor’ called out plaintively, her voice rising above the din of battle.</p><p></p><p> “You! Please, help me! Defend me, Sentinel!”</p><p></p><p> Autumn heard the words echo in her mind, and realized how much sense that made. She should be defending the poor, helpless Eritan priestess. She could get hurt. Autumn immediately dashed over, and took up a protective stance in front of the woman. The corrupters nearby stepped back, allowing her to pass unmolested.</p><p></p><p> Kyle and Osborn were the only who far enough removed from the battle to notice Autumn move. Though neither of them had seen any obvious spells cast, they were both experienced enough to know when one of their friends was under an unnatural compulsion. Osborne tossed a few daggers at the whimpering priestess, and was surprised when she barely seemed to flinch as the blades stuck into her leg, then were pushed out onto the floor as the wounds closed up.</p><p></p><p> Kyle’s reaction was a bit more zealous. “Leave her alone, bitch!” he shouted, and then uttered dark words. The woman’s deceptively helpless sobs turned into shrieks of agony, accompanied by the sound of snapping bone and tendon as Kyle’s spell began ripping her apart from inside.</p><p></p><p> Nearby, Herion and his guards finally felled one of the corrupters, the arrow-filled corpse tumbling stiffly to the ground. Xu pounded another one into a bloody mess, then turned to assist Arrie with a third. In the center, blows were traded back and forth evenly, blood dripping onto the stone floor from all combatants. But with two of their number down, and the ‘priestess’ incapacitated, the party had the advantage of numbers. This point was driven home when the elf-touched, who no longer looked as bewitchingly beautiful covered with purplish bruises and with limbs flying around at odd angles, suddenly lurched, fell face first on the desk, and vanished. Just before she disappeared, Osborn saw the false priestesses’ form shift into that of a nude woman with sharp horns, a long barbed tail, and reddish-black bat wings.</p><p></p><p> “Yikes!”</p><p></p><p> The death of their mistress had a demoralizing effect on several of the enemy. The quasits simply vanished, returning to their native home rather than wait to be destroyed. The rogues with the kukris tried to escape, breaking away from the melee skillfully, but were then caught by the party members waiting near the back and eliminated. Only the two remaining corrupters fought on, turning to attack Autumn as she shook her head to clear her mind from the suggestion.</p><p></p><p> “Protect the Duchess!” Herion shouted, and arrows flew at the corrupters, dropping them.</p><p></p><p> Silence descended in the room. After tending to wounds, the party began to move about the antechamber, searching for evidence of the plot against Jerome as well as collecting the bodies of the dead. Once Osborn described what he had seen before the false priestess had vanished, the party quickly identified her as a succubus, an extraplanetary being of pure Chaos.*</p><p></p><p> “Excuse me,” Kyle said to Herion as he walked by, “but what did you mean by ‘protect the Duchess’?”</p><p></p><p> “Autumn is a Duchess by virtue of marriage,” he replied. “Her sister is the Crown Princess, after all.”</p><p></p><p> Kyle looked slightly pale. Autumn, a Duchess? He wasn’t sure what that meant for her… or for the two of them.</p><p></p><p> “I’m going to have to learn to use the little fork at dinner, aren’t I?” he said, mostly to himself.</p><p></p><p> “Actually, Kyle,” Tolly said, having overheard, “using a fork in the first place would be a significant improvement.”</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">* * *</p><p></p><p> It was two days after Jerome’s funeral that the door to the Archprelate’s office opened, and Tolly walked in. Looking up from his desk, Archprelate Frelarr waved the young priest inside, then waited while the door closed behind him.</p><p></p><p> “Exalted,” Tolly said, kneeling.</p><p></p><p> “Rise, Brother Nightsleaving,” Frelarr said, gesturing for Tolly to stand. “Thank you for coming.”</p><p></p><p> “When the Hand of the Earth calls, I obey,” he said.</p><p></p><p> “Of course, of course. Please, come with me, Tolly.”</p><p></p><p> Frelarr turned and crossed the room, heading for a large statue of Ardara on the far side opposite the windows. The dwarf pulled a white marble pass-stone out from under his robes, and pressed it into a niche in the statue. With a grinding of stone on stone, the statue slid aside, revealing a staircase going up. Tolly followed the Archprelate silently up the stairs.</p><p></p><p> They emerged into the open air. Looking around, Tolly realized that they were standing on top of the Cathedral of Eminent Order. Surrounding them were lush, fragrant trees and flowering shrubs. Carefully manicured paths cut through the foliage, and stone benches and statuary were scattered about. From their vantage point, the entire city of M’Dos spread out uninterrupted around them; only the Infinite Spire of Erito’s temple rose higher.</p><p></p><p> “The Archprelate’s private gardens,” Frelarr said. “I was quite pleased when I learned about this particular secret of the office. In my days as a novitiate, I was tasked with tending the church’s fields. I never thought I’d look back on those days fondly.” He shook his head ruefully.</p><p></p><p> Frelarr gestured out at the gardens. “Most people don’t see this side of the church of Ardara, Tolly. They see the image we project; of cold, unyielding stone and metal, the immutability of Law. Most don’t stop to think that the Earth is also a source of life, of growth, defining the ways and methods by which that life may flourish.” Frelarr stopped next to a statue of a wizened female dwarf. “Archprelate Jovol**,” he said, patting her marble foot. “She was responsible for reforming the church after the Cataclysm. She was also the one who put the gardens up here. I think she placed it on the top of the Cathedral for a reason. Can you guess why, Tolly?”</p><p></p><p> Tolly thought for a moment. “I must admit that I cannot, Exalted.”</p><p></p><p> “I think she placed it up here, surrounded by the Air, to remind future Archprelates that we exist in balance with the other aspects of the world, not in conflict with them.”</p><p></p><p> “But, Exalted,” Tolly said, “the agents of Chaos that infiltrated the church…”</p><p></p><p> “Were serving their purpose, nothing more,” Frelarr said. “Much as we served our purpose by restoring order. The results were tragic, but necessary, Brother. Even Ardara’s church requires change from time to time, else we would stagnate and no longer be relevant in the lives of the people. It is the church who serves the people, Tolly, not the other way around. Never forget that.”</p><p></p><p> “No, Exalted,” Tolly said.</p><p></p><p> The Archprelate sighed. “I suppose it would be futile to ask you to call me Frelarr, wouldn’t it?”</p><p></p><p> “I fear that I am not quite ready for that much change yet, Exalted.”</p><p></p><p> “I thought that might be the case.” Frelarr sat down on a bench next to the statue of Archprelate Jovol, and looked up at Tolly. “But it is of changes that I wish to speak, Brother Nightsleaving. Service, and change. But first, I have something to tell you to pass along to your companions. I received the Inquisition’s final report on Brother Siv’s treachery. It’s marked ‘Archprelate’s Eyes Only’, of course.” Frelarr’s eyes gleamed, and he winked. “Want to know what it said?”</p><p></p><p> Tolly didn’t respond, so Frelarr continued. “Seems that Siv met the succubus through an acquaintance of his in the Church of Erito, someone by the name of Rek. That was about eight months ago. It seems that the succubus slowly corrupted Siv, led him down a path of temptation. The reports of some of the activities he was engaged in by the end were… disturbing.</p><p></p><p> “It seems that the succubus convinced Siv to start lacing Jerome’s drinks with a special form of insanity mist, one that was resistant to the magical wards in place around the Archprelate. It was slowly starting to eat away at his mind. But Siv apparently accidentally gave Jerome a dose that was far too potent, and in a fit of delusion he committed suicide.”</p><p></p><p> “I see,” said Tolly, “then I am glad we put a stop to him.”</p><p></p><p> “There’s more,” Frelarr said. “After Jerome’s sudden death, it seems Siv was able to manipulate the Prelate Council’s vote, and put in an old friend of his from the backhills of the Confederates as the new Archprelate. Apparently he thought that his friend would be easier to manipulate than Jerome.” Frelarr smiled helplessly. “So far the Prelate Council hasn’t decided to cast a new vote and oust me from the office. Ardara, it seems, has more confidence in me than Siv did.”</p><p></p><p> “I am certain that you will prove that to everyone in time, Exalted.”</p><p></p><p> “My thanks, Tolly. But now, on to other matters.”</p><p></p><p> Frelarr leaned back on the bench. “Word of your exploits has spread far in the church, Tolly. Farther than perhaps you are aware. The old gossip network of the novitiates has not suffered from recent upheavals in the church.” The dwarf grinned. “Already I have received inquiries from several offices within the church in regard to you, Tolly. Including one you may be familiar with. You remember Father Hadar, I assume?”</p><p></p><p> Tolly nodded. Father Hadar was the Tribute in charge of the church in Trageon, where he had been left as an orphan and raised to adulthood. Hadar was the closest thing to a true father Tolly had ever had.</p><p></p><p> “It seems that Father Hadar is getting on in years, and has petitioned the Archprelate’s office for a suitable candidate to succeed him. What would you think of that, Father Nightsleaving?”</p><p></p><p> Tolly tried to remain impassive, despite the flood of emotions that flowed through his bosom. “I will serve as the Hand directs, of course,” he said.</p><p></p><p> “I believe you would. Which is why I would like to present another offer.” Frelarr reached into his robes again, this time producing a small, flat box. Opening it, Frelarr held it up for Tolly to see. Inside was an adamantine seal emblazoned with the left gauntlet that represented the Inquisition superimposed over the diamond that symbolized the Archprelate’s office.</p><p></p><p> “Recent events have demonstrated to me a small but significant flaw in our procedures. The prohibition against the Inquisition involving itself in the affairs of the Archprelate is still a necessary check to their power, but it also gave the succubus the opportunity she needed to subvert and assassinate Jerome, and hampered the investigation following his death. I realized that we needed some way to be able to investigate crimes against the Archprelate; thus, with the consent of the Prelate Council, we have created a new office; Inquisitor Primus.”</p><p></p><p> Tolly studied the sunlight glinting off the seal as Frelarr continued. “The office would be filled by one, and only one person. Though not subject to the same immunity to Inquisitorial proceedings as the Archprelate is, the Inquisitor Primus would not be answerable to the Inquisition for their authority… in fact, would not be answerable to anyone, even the Archprelate themselves.”</p><p></p><p> Frelarr paused to let the gravity of this sink in. “The Inquisitor Primus’ one and only job would be to protect the sanctity of the Archprelate from corruption or subversion, whether from within or without. That would include full access to the Archprelate’s offices, private chambers, and even private gardens.” He smiled again. “No need to make the job too tedious, right?” Frelarr fixed Tolly with a level stare. “The person who fills this office would have to be a person of impeccable character, who is beyond reproach. Brother Nightsleaving, I offer this position to you.”</p><p></p><p> Tolly was stunned into silence, and his knees nearly buckled. “Exalted,” he stammered, “please, I am not worthy…”</p><p></p><p> “The fact that you don’t want this job only proves that you are well-suited for it,” Frelarr said. Before Tolly could speak again, the Archprelate held up a hand. “But there is one complication that we must consider, first. Or, to be more accurate, seven complications. And a dog, I believe.”</p><p></p><p> “My companions,” Tolly said.</p><p></p><p> “Yes. You have an obligation to them, as well. And I suspect a great deal of respect and friendship, else you would not have been with them this long.”</p><p></p><p> Tolly could only nod his agreement.</p><p></p><p> Frelarr stood up, snapping the case closed. “Tolly, I am not ordering you to accept this position. You would have to want it, without reservation. I wish for you to return to your friends for now, and think about this. Think, and pray for guidance.”</p><p></p><p> “I will, Exalted,” Tolly said, kneeling.</p><p></p><p> “That is all I can ask, Brother.”</p><p></p><p></p><p>------------------------------------</p><p></p><p>* Though it's been mentioned before, it's worth reminding readers that in this campaign world, demons are 'always Chaotic', not 'always chaotic evil'.</p><p></p><p>** For fans of Sepulchrave... yes, I did steal the name. And I'll do it again! <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/devious.png" class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":]" title="Devious :]" data-shortname=":]" /></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Delemental, post: 2767204, member: 5203"] Osborn returned to the inn late that night, having gone out for a bit of fun. Inthe morning, however, he knocked on Kyle and Autumn’s door. It was a few minutes before anyone answered. “What’s up, Osborn?” Kyle said, opening the door a crack and sticking his head out. “You seen Tolly?” “He stayed at the Cathedral last night, and he’ll be gone most of the day,” Kyle said. “Why?” “If you see him, let him know I’m looking for him. I have something that he’ll want to see.” The hin walked off. Osborn finally ran into Tolly at dinner. Prince Herion had invited the party to dine with him at the private suites that the government of M’Dos had provided for the state visitors arriving for Jerome’s funeral. Word had been sent to the church of Ardara, and Tolly met the party there. After dinner, Osborn pulled a piece of parchment out of a pocket and passed it to Tolly. “When I came home last night, I found that in my pocket,” he said. “I know it’s written in Dwarven, but I don’t know that language.” Tolly took the note and read it. “You could have shown this to either Arrie or Kyle. They both know the dwarven language.” “Yeah, but since I have a pretty good idea who it’s from, I thought you should see it first. You know, in case it like, explodes or something if you’re not Ardaran.” “It is a simple message, nothing more,” Tolly said. “It reads, ‘If you and your companions wish to help, gather in the women’s room tomorrow at midnight.’ If you received this yesterday, then that would mean tonight.” Kyle sighed, and set his elbows on the table while resting his chin in his palms. “This is because I said we shouldn’t do anything until someone asks us, isn’t it?” he said. Then, in a loud voice, he shouted, “I don’t think we should do anything until someone pays us a million gold pieces!” “Each!” Osborn added. “Kyle, please refrain from your blasphemy,” Tolly said. “So, it appears that the Inquisition may have a need for our assistance. Does anyone object?” No one disagreed with Tolly. Arrie, sitting next to Herion, turned to him suddenly. “Hey, want to come along?” “Arrie,” Tolly said, “I am certain that the prince has more pressing matters to attend to than getting mixed up in our affairs.” “Actually, I’d be honored to offer what help I can,” Herion said. “My guards and I will meet you at your tavern at midnight.” “Splendid,” Tolly muttered to himself. Several hours after dinner, the party, Herion, and his twin guards gathered in the room shared by the women. They waited mostly in silence. Osborn sat in one corner, his back to the wall, watching the door. Lanara, obviously very fidgety, was in the opposite corner. Herion’s guards stood at attention, with their bows strung and an arrow resting in the string, alert for trouble. Suddenly, Lanara shrieked, and pointed. Standing near the window, opposite the door, was a figure in heavy armor. A long scarf was wrapped around his head and face, obscuring his features. Tolly glanced at the figure's gauntlets, and as expected the left one was a slight shade darker than the right. The difference was too subtle to be noticed if you didn’t know what to look for. “Brother,” Tolly said, nodding. Across the room, Herion waved down his guards, who were pointing arrows at the intruder. The Inquisitor nodded slightly to Herion, a barely acceptable gesture of deference. Herion did not seem perturbed. “Prince Herion,” the Inquisitor said. Tolly recognized the voice as the same man who had visited him the other night. “Your presence is unexpected, but perhaps fortuitous.” The Inquisitor turned to address Tolly. “Your inquiries, Brother Nightsleaving, have not gone unnoticed.” “I am not surprised by that,” he replied. “I recall you expressed a desire to aid us, and we find that we can use that aid. By tradition, the office of the Archprelate has been inured against our seeking. Anyone who carries the mark of the Left Hand is unable to penetrate the Archprelate’s secrets. It is an ancient protection established by Ardara Herself to prevent the Inquisition from ever assuming control of the church. But you, and your companions, suffer under no such limitations. Thus we would like to… hire you.” Tolly nodded. “I myself require no compensation.” “We expected as much.” “The Crown also requires no compensation,” Herion said. Then, with a glance at Arrie, added, “and neither does the Crown’s family.” Arrie only pouted a little. “I would request, Your Highness, that this matter be kept on the level of a state secret,” the Inquisitor said. “The rest of you may request compensation as you see fit.” Tolly leaned over to Kyle. “Are you satisfied, then?” “Hey! The million gold pieces thing was a joke! I wasn’t serious!” Kyle frowned. “That’s it, I’m never telling another joke again.” “Promise?” Tolly asked. “Though your cooperation was expected, Brother Nightsleaving, this task falls outside the normal duties of your companions. Thus it is not unseemly for us to compensate them. We make this offer because you stated to us that you do trust your companions.” “What do you wish of us?” Tolly asked. “You will go to the Archprelate’s offices this very night, and see what you can learn there. Archprelate Jerome died while in his offices. The offices are warded against divinations, so we would require you to locate physical evidence and remove it.” “What can you tell us of Jerome’s death that might help us?” Maddie asked. “Archprelate Jerome was not murdered, but his death was not natural.” “Why was a resurrection not attempted?” Tolly asked. “Divinations revealed that Jerome’s spirit did not wish to return,” the Inquisitor replied. “Did the Archprelate kill himself?” Herion asked. “That is high on our list of theories. However, the reason why he would do so is unclear.” “Perhaps an effect that altered his perceptions,” Tolly said. “We have encountered an undead creature with psionic abilities known as a Caller in Darkness, whose presence has not been felt on Aelfenn since before the Cataclysm. This creature had the power to drive a person to suicide.” “But we already know that there were no psionics involved in his death,” Kyle said. The Inquisitor nodded. “This was not a line of questioning that had occurred to us, as we are unfamiliar with these psionics. However, the presence of an undead creature in the Cathedral of Eminent Order would not have gone unnoticed. Also, given the considerable mental fortitude displayed by those who hold the office of Archprelate, I would rule out any form of mental attack. However, a sustained assault over time cannot be ruled out.” Tolly turned to the others. “Any objections?” Lanara sniffed. “Can I stand by the door?” “If you do not wish to participate, Miss Rahila, the Inquisition does not require you to do so,” the Inquisitor said. “We only require discretion on who hears of this.” “Lanara will come with us,” Kyle said, “won’t you?” “Fine,” she sighed. The Inquisitor produced a large sack and handed it to Tolly. “These are the keys and pass-stones you will need to get to the Archprelate’s offices,” he said. “I believe you know the way. We expect them all to be returned.” “Can we expect guards or other security?” Herion asked. “Nothing that the pass-stones will not allow you to circumvent.” “I’ll need about fifteen minutes to get ready,” Kyle said. “Most of my spells are ready, but I’ve left some of my power unshaped. I can prepare a few spells that might come in useful.” “That should be fine,” Tolly said. “Brother, is there anything else…” But the Inquisitor was gone. “I have to learn that trick,” Tolly said. The party arrived at the Cathedral within the hour. They proceeded quickly past the guards and locked doors using the keys provided by the Inquisition, and soon were walking down the hall toward the Office of the Archprelate. As they stopped outside the large stone doors, Tolly suddenly held up a hand. “There are voices inside,” he said. Herion, Osborn and Autumn also heard the voices. Osborn pressed his ear to the seam between the marble slabs. Kyle stepped back and cast a [I]message [/I] cantrip on the party, allowing them to relay whispered messages through him. “I can hear two voices,” Osborn said quietly. “They’re speaking Dwarven, I think. One’s a male, and sounds like a dwarf. The other sounds more like a human, or maybe an elf, but the accent’s strange.” “Perhaps we should just go inside,” Tolly said. “Tolly,” Xu said, “remember we are here to gather information. Information is not always best obtained directly.” “A good point.” Tolly stepped up and took Osborn’s place, listening intently. “The male is Archprelate Frelarr’s secretary, Brother Siv,” he said after a moment. “The woman’s voice is unfamiliar to me.” After about five minutes, he pulled away from the door. “They are speaking about ways to manipulate the new Archprelate into doing what they want.” Kyle relayed this to the others. “Now what?” Autumn asked. “The church likely has prohibitions about simply slaying members of their clergy,” Herion pointed out. “Yeah, good thing I’m not subject to their laws,” Osborn said. “I should point out that we do have a certain implied level of clearance,” Tolly said, holding up the pass-stone that would allow them to enter the office. “And a body is certainly physical evidence.” He stood up. “I am going in. The rest of you, try to minimize your presence. Osborn, if you could…” he looked around and noted that Osborn couldn’t be seen. “Excellent.” “I’ll stay out here and guard the corridor,” Arrie said. “Anyone tries to come out, I’ll knock them back into play.” “Very good.” Lanara stepped up, and her form shimmered for a minute. When it stopped, she looked like an high-ranking Ardaran priestess. She also cast a [I]tongues [/I] spell on herself. “Mind if I tag along?” “Not at all.” Herion also stepped forward. “My guards and I will also accompany you,” he said, “the weight of the Crown of Tlaxan behind you may give them pause.” “Very well. Anyone else?” “Just let us know when to come in,” Kyle said. Tolly reached out and pressed the seal into the door, which swung open silently. Across the room, two figures sat at the secretary’s desk. One was Brother Siv, and sitting atop the desk was an elf-touched woman, whose back was to the party. As Tolly, Lanara, Herion and his guards strode in, Herion’s gaze flickered to the sides of the rooms. He took a step back, and whispered something to his guards in Elven. “May I help you?” Brother Siv said, concern furrowing his brow. The woman did not turn around, but kept her eyes on the desk she sat on. “Is the Archprelate available?” Tolly said. “No, he’s sleeping,” Siv said. “Why are you here?” “I have the Crown Prince of Tlaxan with me, and I was escorting him through the Cathedral. We hoped that Archprelate Frelarr might still be awake. What are you doing here at this late hour?” “I was discussing matters with a consultant,” Siv said. “Consultant?” “Yes, a funeral consultant, from the church of Erito.” “Really? So, Brother Siv, the question is, why one would ask a funeral director how best to control the current Archprelate.” Lanara closed her eyes in frustration. “I… I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Siv said, laughing nervously. “A nice attempt at deception, but a patent failure,” Tolly said. Herion stepped forward. “It seems things have begun poorly here,” he said, hoping to defuse the situation but knowing it was probably too late. “The late hour, and all. I apologize for my escort being so forward. I had requested a tour of the Cathedral at a time when my presence would not cause too great a disruption. I asked if I could visit the Archprelate’s office, and he brought me here. Would that be possible? I understand it has a view of M’Dos that is nearly unmatched.” For the first time, the woman spoke. “I’m afraid that it would not be possible, Crown Prince,” she said. She turned around, and everyone in the room drew their breath involuntarily. The woman’s beauty was unearthly, drawing everyone’s attention toward her. She wore a light, nearly translucent white tunic, with the holy symbol of Erito dangling low on her chest, just touching her cleavage. As she spoke, she ran her delicate fingers over the alabaster skin on her bare arms. “You see, only the Archprelate has a key to that office. And we would hate to disturb the new Archprelate at this late hour. Mourning for the former Archprelate and accommodating himself to his new duties have surely left him drained.” While the conversation was going on, Osborn had moved to the door to the Archprelate’s office, still invisible. “There’s no lock,” he whispered to Kyle. “It looks like you can just open it.” “It could be warded,” Kyle said. “Don’t touch it yet.” “I am certain that you must have misunderstood our conversation,” the woman was saying. “we do have several arrangements to make. The church of Ardara is planning a rather large memorial service, as I’m sure you must realize. There are a great number of details to plan, and they require us to frequently work late.” “Understandable,” Herion said. “My apologies for the intrusion.” Tolly had stood silently while Herion and the woman spoke. He tried to focus his Talent and detect any auras of goodness in the room, but only a vague aura near the Archprelate’s office door registered to him, which he assumed to be Osborn. Still, the divination told him little that was useful; the church of Ardara was more focused on the ideal of Law, and Erito’s clergy did not ally themselves with any particular ethical or moral tenet. The elves would also not be inclined to such, being Erito’s patron race. It had been the only thing he could do without making it obvious he was scrying the room. Lanara was also taking subtle actions, trying to move closer. She hoped to be able to get close enough to touch them, and cast a [I]touch of fatigue[/I] spell on the secretary and the Eritan priestess in order to convince them to turn in early, allowing them to come back later. “If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know,” Herion said, bowing deeply. With his head down, he whispered back to Kyle, “I can’t keep this up much longer.” Kyle relayed the events to the others. “Do you need a distraction?” Arrie asked Herion, through Kyle. “He says yes,” Kyle said after a moment. Arrie suddenly stood up and let out a loud orcish war cry, which echoed down the hall and into the antechamber. Startled for a moment, the rest of the party moved quickly into the room. Kyle paused for a moment to throw an [I]alarm [/I] spell into the hallway behind them, to warn them if reinforcements were coming. The double doors swung wide as the party entered the room. Each of them paused as they caught sight of the elf-touched woman, momentarily dazzled by her beauty. Maddie, in particular, found it hard not to stare. “Maybe I should go to church more often,” she said to herself. Clearing her head, she cast a spell on herself, Tolly, Lanara, and Herion, giving them the ability to heal battle wounds. The elf-touched woman’s charm was slightly muted, however, when Tolly strode up and punched her in the face. She staggered back behind the desk, arms held up defensively. “Dear Goddess! What are you doing?” she cried helplessly. Tolly paused, suddenly uncertain. She seemed ill-equipped to handle such a display of violence. A short distance away, the lack of combat prowess of Brother Siv was put on display, as suddenly eight daggers sprouted from his body. Siv gurgled, then collapsed with a wet slap against the stone floor. Osborn, who was now visible, almost looked sheepish. Just as the party began to think that perhaps coming in with a full show of force wasn’t the best plan, two human figures appeared out of hiding and leapt at Tolly with kukris dripping with acid. One of the blades slipped under his armor and drew blood. Though Tolly’s spiritual training and close bond with the Earth had rendered him resistant to acid, he still felt a slight sting. At the same time, a pair of small, imp-like creatures appeared close to Osborn, and began to slash at him with claws. Kyle finished came into the room, looking for Lanara so he could cast a protective spell on her. But then his enhanced vision caught something odd, the same thing that Herion had seen when he’d entered the room; there were four figures standing against the walls, two to either side. All four were wearing full plate and wielding huge double-handed warhammers, and all four were invisible. The four figures were moving into position to surround and flank the party. Kyle quickly cast a spell, summoning a whirling sphere of air. He sent it flying toward the nearest invisible warrior, knocking him to the ground and then sending him flying a short distance into the room. Everyone else saw the air sphere seem to zoom around to empty space, then heard a loud metallic crashing. “What the…” Lanara said, drawing her rapier. Their ambush spoiled, the four armored warriors moved to attack. As they appeared and charged in, Autumn’s eyes went wide. She recognized the symbols and designs on the armor. “Corrupters!” she shouted. There were few non-outsider groups that the Sentinels considered as true enemies; among then were the Corrupters, the antithesis of the Sentinel order, unholy warriors dedicated to evil in its purest form. The corrupters waded eagerly into battle. One came after Herion, advancing even as his guards shot arrow after arrow into him. Another raised a mailed fist, and thrust it out defiantly. A burst of negative energy filled the room, and suddenly both Tolly and Maddie felt their connection to their respective goddesses cut off, as if a door had been slammed shut. Deterred only a moment, both of them drew weapons and attacked. The corrupter that had been knocked flat by Kyle’s spell tried to rise. But Xu was right there, and knocked him backward into the air sphere again using her ring of the ram, battering him and sending the unholy warrior back to the ground. The last corrupter charged at Autumn, but rather than swinging his maul at the sentinel he reached out with one hand and grasped her arm. She wrenched away from him and slashed with her greataxe, forcing him back. She paused for a moment to see if the corrupter had cast a spell on her, but she felt nothing amiss. Then she summoned her own holy power, and sent out a burst of positive energy. Across the room, the two quasits that served as the corrupters’ fiendish familiars screeched and rapidly flew to opposite corners of the far wall, trying to get away from the hated aura of goodness. Lanara moved forward, rapier at the ready, and began slashing at one of the two kukri-wielding humans, drawing blood. From behind, Maddie ran up trying to get at the woman on the desk, but her path was blocked and she ended up battling with the other man with the kukri. “I won’t allow you to profane the name of Erito!” Maddie shouted. The elf-touched continued to cower, begging for the violence to stop. And Arrie, still back by the door, scowled as she watched the battle unfold. “Next time, Xu watches the door,” she muttered. Then, in a flash of inspiration, she ran into the room, pulling the heavy stone doors closed behind her and barring them. “No one’s getting out now!” she shouted, hurling a shotput into the melee. Looking back, Herion sighed and shook his head. “Keep an eye on the Crown Princess,” he told one of his guards. The center of the room became a frenzy of blades and heavy slabs of metal. Tolly, Lanara, and Maddie were pressed in between the rogues with the kukris and the corrupters. The others pressed in from behind them, trying to take the pressure off . Arrows and fiery rays flew through the Archprelate’s antechamber, and the sound of steel rang through the high-ceilinged room. Autumn, strangely, remained unchallenged. From the back of the chamber, the elf-touched ‘funeral advisor’ called out plaintively, her voice rising above the din of battle. “You! Please, help me! Defend me, Sentinel!” Autumn heard the words echo in her mind, and realized how much sense that made. She should be defending the poor, helpless Eritan priestess. She could get hurt. Autumn immediately dashed over, and took up a protective stance in front of the woman. The corrupters nearby stepped back, allowing her to pass unmolested. Kyle and Osborn were the only who far enough removed from the battle to notice Autumn move. Though neither of them had seen any obvious spells cast, they were both experienced enough to know when one of their friends was under an unnatural compulsion. Osborne tossed a few daggers at the whimpering priestess, and was surprised when she barely seemed to flinch as the blades stuck into her leg, then were pushed out onto the floor as the wounds closed up. Kyle’s reaction was a bit more zealous. “Leave her alone, bitch!” he shouted, and then uttered dark words. The woman’s deceptively helpless sobs turned into shrieks of agony, accompanied by the sound of snapping bone and tendon as Kyle’s spell began ripping her apart from inside. Nearby, Herion and his guards finally felled one of the corrupters, the arrow-filled corpse tumbling stiffly to the ground. Xu pounded another one into a bloody mess, then turned to assist Arrie with a third. In the center, blows were traded back and forth evenly, blood dripping onto the stone floor from all combatants. But with two of their number down, and the ‘priestess’ incapacitated, the party had the advantage of numbers. This point was driven home when the elf-touched, who no longer looked as bewitchingly beautiful covered with purplish bruises and with limbs flying around at odd angles, suddenly lurched, fell face first on the desk, and vanished. Just before she disappeared, Osborn saw the false priestesses’ form shift into that of a nude woman with sharp horns, a long barbed tail, and reddish-black bat wings. “Yikes!” The death of their mistress had a demoralizing effect on several of the enemy. The quasits simply vanished, returning to their native home rather than wait to be destroyed. The rogues with the kukris tried to escape, breaking away from the melee skillfully, but were then caught by the party members waiting near the back and eliminated. Only the two remaining corrupters fought on, turning to attack Autumn as she shook her head to clear her mind from the suggestion. “Protect the Duchess!” Herion shouted, and arrows flew at the corrupters, dropping them. Silence descended in the room. After tending to wounds, the party began to move about the antechamber, searching for evidence of the plot against Jerome as well as collecting the bodies of the dead. Once Osborn described what he had seen before the false priestess had vanished, the party quickly identified her as a succubus, an extraplanetary being of pure Chaos.* “Excuse me,” Kyle said to Herion as he walked by, “but what did you mean by ‘protect the Duchess’?” “Autumn is a Duchess by virtue of marriage,” he replied. “Her sister is the Crown Princess, after all.” Kyle looked slightly pale. Autumn, a Duchess? He wasn’t sure what that meant for her… or for the two of them. “I’m going to have to learn to use the little fork at dinner, aren’t I?” he said, mostly to himself. “Actually, Kyle,” Tolly said, having overheard, “using a fork in the first place would be a significant improvement.” [CENTER]* * *[/CENTER] It was two days after Jerome’s funeral that the door to the Archprelate’s office opened, and Tolly walked in. Looking up from his desk, Archprelate Frelarr waved the young priest inside, then waited while the door closed behind him. “Exalted,” Tolly said, kneeling. “Rise, Brother Nightsleaving,” Frelarr said, gesturing for Tolly to stand. “Thank you for coming.” “When the Hand of the Earth calls, I obey,” he said. “Of course, of course. Please, come with me, Tolly.” Frelarr turned and crossed the room, heading for a large statue of Ardara on the far side opposite the windows. The dwarf pulled a white marble pass-stone out from under his robes, and pressed it into a niche in the statue. With a grinding of stone on stone, the statue slid aside, revealing a staircase going up. Tolly followed the Archprelate silently up the stairs. They emerged into the open air. Looking around, Tolly realized that they were standing on top of the Cathedral of Eminent Order. Surrounding them were lush, fragrant trees and flowering shrubs. Carefully manicured paths cut through the foliage, and stone benches and statuary were scattered about. From their vantage point, the entire city of M’Dos spread out uninterrupted around them; only the Infinite Spire of Erito’s temple rose higher. “The Archprelate’s private gardens,” Frelarr said. “I was quite pleased when I learned about this particular secret of the office. In my days as a novitiate, I was tasked with tending the church’s fields. I never thought I’d look back on those days fondly.” He shook his head ruefully. Frelarr gestured out at the gardens. “Most people don’t see this side of the church of Ardara, Tolly. They see the image we project; of cold, unyielding stone and metal, the immutability of Law. Most don’t stop to think that the Earth is also a source of life, of growth, defining the ways and methods by which that life may flourish.” Frelarr stopped next to a statue of a wizened female dwarf. “Archprelate Jovol**,” he said, patting her marble foot. “She was responsible for reforming the church after the Cataclysm. She was also the one who put the gardens up here. I think she placed it on the top of the Cathedral for a reason. Can you guess why, Tolly?” Tolly thought for a moment. “I must admit that I cannot, Exalted.” “I think she placed it up here, surrounded by the Air, to remind future Archprelates that we exist in balance with the other aspects of the world, not in conflict with them.” “But, Exalted,” Tolly said, “the agents of Chaos that infiltrated the church…” “Were serving their purpose, nothing more,” Frelarr said. “Much as we served our purpose by restoring order. The results were tragic, but necessary, Brother. Even Ardara’s church requires change from time to time, else we would stagnate and no longer be relevant in the lives of the people. It is the church who serves the people, Tolly, not the other way around. Never forget that.” “No, Exalted,” Tolly said. The Archprelate sighed. “I suppose it would be futile to ask you to call me Frelarr, wouldn’t it?” “I fear that I am not quite ready for that much change yet, Exalted.” “I thought that might be the case.” Frelarr sat down on a bench next to the statue of Archprelate Jovol, and looked up at Tolly. “But it is of changes that I wish to speak, Brother Nightsleaving. Service, and change. But first, I have something to tell you to pass along to your companions. I received the Inquisition’s final report on Brother Siv’s treachery. It’s marked ‘Archprelate’s Eyes Only’, of course.” Frelarr’s eyes gleamed, and he winked. “Want to know what it said?” Tolly didn’t respond, so Frelarr continued. “Seems that Siv met the succubus through an acquaintance of his in the Church of Erito, someone by the name of Rek. That was about eight months ago. It seems that the succubus slowly corrupted Siv, led him down a path of temptation. The reports of some of the activities he was engaged in by the end were… disturbing. “It seems that the succubus convinced Siv to start lacing Jerome’s drinks with a special form of insanity mist, one that was resistant to the magical wards in place around the Archprelate. It was slowly starting to eat away at his mind. But Siv apparently accidentally gave Jerome a dose that was far too potent, and in a fit of delusion he committed suicide.” “I see,” said Tolly, “then I am glad we put a stop to him.” “There’s more,” Frelarr said. “After Jerome’s sudden death, it seems Siv was able to manipulate the Prelate Council’s vote, and put in an old friend of his from the backhills of the Confederates as the new Archprelate. Apparently he thought that his friend would be easier to manipulate than Jerome.” Frelarr smiled helplessly. “So far the Prelate Council hasn’t decided to cast a new vote and oust me from the office. Ardara, it seems, has more confidence in me than Siv did.” “I am certain that you will prove that to everyone in time, Exalted.” “My thanks, Tolly. But now, on to other matters.” Frelarr leaned back on the bench. “Word of your exploits has spread far in the church, Tolly. Farther than perhaps you are aware. The old gossip network of the novitiates has not suffered from recent upheavals in the church.” The dwarf grinned. “Already I have received inquiries from several offices within the church in regard to you, Tolly. Including one you may be familiar with. You remember Father Hadar, I assume?” Tolly nodded. Father Hadar was the Tribute in charge of the church in Trageon, where he had been left as an orphan and raised to adulthood. Hadar was the closest thing to a true father Tolly had ever had. “It seems that Father Hadar is getting on in years, and has petitioned the Archprelate’s office for a suitable candidate to succeed him. What would you think of that, Father Nightsleaving?” Tolly tried to remain impassive, despite the flood of emotions that flowed through his bosom. “I will serve as the Hand directs, of course,” he said. “I believe you would. Which is why I would like to present another offer.” Frelarr reached into his robes again, this time producing a small, flat box. Opening it, Frelarr held it up for Tolly to see. Inside was an adamantine seal emblazoned with the left gauntlet that represented the Inquisition superimposed over the diamond that symbolized the Archprelate’s office. “Recent events have demonstrated to me a small but significant flaw in our procedures. The prohibition against the Inquisition involving itself in the affairs of the Archprelate is still a necessary check to their power, but it also gave the succubus the opportunity she needed to subvert and assassinate Jerome, and hampered the investigation following his death. I realized that we needed some way to be able to investigate crimes against the Archprelate; thus, with the consent of the Prelate Council, we have created a new office; Inquisitor Primus.” Tolly studied the sunlight glinting off the seal as Frelarr continued. “The office would be filled by one, and only one person. Though not subject to the same immunity to Inquisitorial proceedings as the Archprelate is, the Inquisitor Primus would not be answerable to the Inquisition for their authority… in fact, would not be answerable to anyone, even the Archprelate themselves.” Frelarr paused to let the gravity of this sink in. “The Inquisitor Primus’ one and only job would be to protect the sanctity of the Archprelate from corruption or subversion, whether from within or without. That would include full access to the Archprelate’s offices, private chambers, and even private gardens.” He smiled again. “No need to make the job too tedious, right?” Frelarr fixed Tolly with a level stare. “The person who fills this office would have to be a person of impeccable character, who is beyond reproach. Brother Nightsleaving, I offer this position to you.” Tolly was stunned into silence, and his knees nearly buckled. “Exalted,” he stammered, “please, I am not worthy…” “The fact that you don’t want this job only proves that you are well-suited for it,” Frelarr said. Before Tolly could speak again, the Archprelate held up a hand. “But there is one complication that we must consider, first. Or, to be more accurate, seven complications. And a dog, I believe.” “My companions,” Tolly said. “Yes. You have an obligation to them, as well. And I suspect a great deal of respect and friendship, else you would not have been with them this long.” Tolly could only nod his agreement. Frelarr stood up, snapping the case closed. “Tolly, I am not ordering you to accept this position. You would have to want it, without reservation. I wish for you to return to your friends for now, and think about this. Think, and pray for guidance.” “I will, Exalted,” Tolly said, kneeling. “That is all I can ask, Brother.” ------------------------------------ * Though it's been mentioned before, it's worth reminding readers that in this campaign world, demons are 'always Chaotic', not 'always chaotic evil'. ** For fans of Sepulchrave... yes, I did steal the name. And I'll do it again! :] [/QUOTE]
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